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Operation seduction for Joe Biden. The U.S. vice president, who loop a five-day official visit to China, wanted to reassure foreign creditors first in Washington on the economic strength of the United States. Americans "have never been in default and never will be," he said Sunday.

According to Joe Biden, even if the agreement signed last moment three weeks ago by Congress to prevent this disaster has cost the country a deterioration in its S & P notes, "The United States remains the best option to invest."

The message is "clear"

Beijing, which holds nearly 1.17 trillion dollars of U.S. debt, had been very critical of the U.S. government after the historic decision of the rating agency. The country was particularly called on Americans to stop living above their means payday loans.

The visit of U.S. Vice President in China, entirely focused on the issue of U.S. debt and the solidity of the world's largest economy, appears to have reassured. "You have sent a clear message to the Chinese public, that the United States will keep their promises and their commitments to their sovereign debt," has said Premier Wen Jiabao. This will ensure the safety, liquidity and value of good Americans. " The Chinese leader also claims to have "full confidence in the fact that the U.S. will overcome their difficulties and put their economy back on track for healthy growth."

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To attract customers, Fnac recycles old-fashioned recipes car dealerships. In recent days, the distributor of cultural products offers customers to resume high-tech products which they no longer use. Based on an Argus home, teaches against exchange vouchers valid in its 80 French stores.

This is a test, revealed by the challenges.fr site on which the subsidiary of PPR declined to give details. The service "Fnac Reprise" offers to purchase TVs, shelves, computers, phones, camcorders, music players and game consoles … But not books, CDs and DVDs, it is however possible to afford with the right of purchase.

The "cultural agitator," the owner would like to sell in order to afford sportswear brands, is trying by all means to correct its turnover, eroding month after month.His last idea could be successful, provided, however, offer an acquisition price attractive enough …

After the publication of figures showing a drop in road deaths in July, Claude Gueant, Interior Minister, said these positive results. But it is clear that motorists continue to use warning radars, despite the ban. However, serious accident, said he, there is always a judicial inquiry.

LE FIGARO. -Less killed in July: how do you explain these good numbers?

Claude Gueant. -A 21% decrease in July (358 against 453 killed, Ed), this means first that it is possible to make further progress! This result is related to the strong mobilization of law enforcement, especially on the occasion of the leave.

The balance of the year is pretty bad. Moreover, the French lost more than 10 million points allowed in 2010. A record. Up including speeding and alcohol-related offenses.What do you do?

I recall that in 2009 75% of French drivers have all their points and only 0.2% of drivers had their licenses invalidated the 40 million motorists. Regarding the results of 2011, waiting for the end of the year. If the trend continues in July we will once again below the threshold of 4000 deaths. With regard to speeding and drinking and driving, these twin evils remain government priorities in road safety.

Is there not been, lately, a certain cacophony around the various measures taken on the radar?

The measures of the last IRB (Interministerial Committee for Road Safety) is essential if we are to achieve the target set by the president to go below the threshold of 3,000 killed.Among the measures agreed, that relating to the removal of signs announcing speed cameras has sparked debate. We have heard comments from elected officials and, in agreement with the Prime Minister, we decided to launch a plan to install radar teaching. There was no cacophony. There has been listening and dialogue.

How quickly are they teaching radars to be installed?

To date, 80 radars are installed in 47 teaching departments. 200 more will be installed by the end of September 2011. The new market will eventually install 4,000 cameras teaching.They will be installed in hazardous areas, which may or may not include fixed cameras, but also mobile controls.

What is the cost of these facilities and the withdrawal of the previous panel?

The cost of installing a radar teaching will depend on the installation conditions, but the average cost is estimated at € 10,000. Be financed by the proceeds of fines. The unit cost of removing a panel from its destruction by the standards in force (with reprocessing of materials) and the restoration of the original site but is difficult to assess the overall cost could reach 4 fast cash.5 million euros.

The warning radars will become a driving aid.What this will change for their users?

On 28 July, I signed with Afftac (French association of providers and users of technology-driving) a memorandum of understanding to transform the warning in wizard driver assistance. These technology tools will indicate dangerous areas and points of specific hazards, such as the presence of a school.

Is it possible to effectively fight against those who still use alarms, implemented in a mobile phone?

The agreement signed provides for the end of such applications, but I am well aware that some will always use technology to possibly circumvent the rule. I want to remember that every serious accident resulting in a judicial inquiry at which the investigation will test the use-or not-of this type of material.Possession of prohibited materials or application involves the responsibility of each and may result in sanctions.

Industrial PV: State attack victims

The nightmare continues for motorists who, having sold their car, receive the PV from the new owner. While the Interior Ministry promised to remedy the situation related to the new system of vehicle registration, they are still likely to see their accounts seized. This is what the National Association denounced the defense of victims of injustice. Thursday, 74 of its members have given their record in the hands of a lawyer to attack the state. And require 1 million in damages. "It has all the evidence the administration, but to no avail.Moreover prefectures overwhelmed accumulate delays of several months to process cases, "lamented the president of the association, Daniel Merlet. "I sold my car a year ago, and I still received a ticket," he said. Another has received several hundred dollars, and yet another saw its PV canceled but immediately reissued in his name.

Last April, the Interior Ministry had made changes to the administration takes into account the declaration of assignment of the seller. Far and to update its files, it was waiting for the formalities of acquisition. If they were not made, the former owner of the vehicle was therefore responsible. Nevertheless, the anomalies continue."It deals with situations case by case," they say Place Beauvau.

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The luxury is doing well. PPR and the results exceeded expectations after the first half. Over the period, net earnings excluding items of luxury group and distribution rose 24% to 466 million euros against 440 million euros expected on average by analysts. Current operating income has increased it from 14.5% to € 749 million while gross margin was 10.4%, an improvement of 0.7 points.

As for income, they have soared from 7.3% to 7.2 billion euros, a figure in line with analysts' expectations. The activity of the house owner of Gucci, Puma, Redcats and Fnac was supported by the luxury division posted organic growth of 23.2% and 24.4% in the second quarter alone, where analysts had forecast an increase of 19%.In contrast, the distribution center, to be sold by the group, saw its sales fall by 1.4% semi-annual (in like), hit by poor performance of FNAC (-3.2%) to facing an extremely difficult environment in France, while Redcats, the specialist distance sales fared better, with revenues up 0.8%). For its part, the sporting goods company Puma has seen its sales increase by 9.4%.

Based on these results, the group says "confident" to get the second half of "sustained growth in sales and financial performance over 2010."

Nuclear power still has a bright future ahead. Yukiya Amano, head of the Agency for International Energy Agency (IAEA), is convinced. This is also in Japan, Fukushima, the scene of the worst nuclear catastrophe since Chernobyl, he recalled. "It is certain that the number of nuclear reactors will continue to rise, although the pace will not be as fast as before," he said.

After the catastrophe of Fukushima, Germany and several European countries, including Italy, Austria, Belgium or Switzerland, opened a debate on whether to continue or not to develop nuclear power, some of them have even set dates for the cessation of construction of new plants. But across the world, the challenge of nuclear power is not dominant.According Yukiya Amano in fact, "many others think they need nuclear power reactors, including the fight against the emission of greenhouse gases and global warming." Remarks which echo those of the French Minister of Economy, Eric Besson, who said in late May that "our world can not do without nuclear energy in the XXI century". And list: "Barack Obama has reaffirmed that there will be no suspension of nuclear power in the United States. China and India are launching major programs to meet their energy needs. And Europe, Great Britain, the Czech Republic and Bulgaria are continuing their efforts. "

Banking on security

If the development of this energy must continue, it will not happen without conditions, however, said Yukiya Amano."It is important above all to ensure the safety of nuclear facilities," he insists.

In Japan, nearly 36 of the 54 reactors that account Archipelago are currently halted because of the destruction caused by natural disasters or because they have not been reactivated after a routine maintenance, as a precaution. Favor a gradual reduction of nuclear, Prime Minister Naoto Kan has imposed tests of resistance to natural disasters and other risks before any recovery paydayloans. "I think it is wise that the country satisfies the safety of its nuclear plants after the accident at Fukushima Daiichi," acknowledged Yukiya Amano.

In Fukushima, "the prospects are good"

The head of the IAEA, wearing protective clothing against radiation, had also made Monday at the site of Fukushima for the first time since March 11, the day the plant was heavily damaged by the earthquake and tsunami. "Looking at the site, work is progressing in a very regular basis," he was glad. "So many people work with passion that I feel that the prospects are good," he added.

The Japanese authorities said last week be on track to regain control of the plant heavily damaged. However, they warned that full remediation of the site would take more than a decade. The operator of the plant rugged, Tokyo Electric Power (TEPCO), already expects to achieve cool the reactors and fuel to keep the temperature below 100 degrees Celsius by January."I told the Prime Minister that the IAEA can help Japan because we have the knowledge and experience required for decontamination and management of nuclear fuel melted or worn out," said the head of the agency.

Last June, the IAEA has criticized Japan's reaction after the accident, especially not for having implemented the agreement to give assistance provided by the agency in case of nuclear accident. It provides for cooperation between States and the IAEA to organize aid, safety and communication as appropriate.

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The announcement was confirmed Monday afternoon by the company itself. The CEO of Caravelle, Pierre-André Martel, died Sunday evening with his daughter 20 years following the crash of a light aircraft near Lyon. Aged 57, Pierre-André Martel was known to have founded in 1995 Caravelle, the group specializes in the recovery and rehabilitation of companies, it still ran. Polytechnique, the man was also recently ranked by Fortune magazine Challenges 134th in France, with a wealth estimated at 350 million euros. He held still, with his family, 95% stake in his company.Caravelle, which announced the end of 2010, over 400 million euros in consolidated shareholders' equity and cash more than 200 million, operates in various sectors ranging from heavy equipment (Benalu, Marrel, EDBRO, Lamberet) to the self-medication (Cooper) through transport (Ducros Express, Girard).

"The provisions of Martel in this event are implemented and ensure the continuation of the group Caravelle," assured the company in a statement. When contacted, the company has not yet given details on the identity of the future (e) governing the group employs about 5000 employees worldwide, and manages 375 million euros in net business bad credit payday advance.

The board has not yet expressed

One obvious thing for the moment the most pressing issues: the future leader (or the acting team), will manage the back of the motor carrier Mory. Partially placed in receivership, it had attracted the interest of Caravelle, which confirmed the strategic importance of the resumption of mail Mory, "in order to bring its subsidiary Ducros Express." Candidates for the recovery should occur before July 31, but the direction of Caravelle had already filed early in July a written offer. Unlikely, however, that the tragic death of Sunday calling into question the strategic choice.

Meanwhile, the Board of Directors of Caravelle did not logically expressed on the scenarios considered in the coming weeks leading figure on the future of the group.The question of the succession of Pierre-André Martel remains in effect for the moment difficult to address, just hours after the formalization of that disappearance. Especially companies that, like the family, the imprint of a founding CEO of the group will need time to adapt substantial teams.

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The higher the debt crisis is intensifying and European gold is getting stronger. The metal price has risen late Thursday at a new record of 1594.45 dollars approaching the threshold of 1600 dollars per ounce, still supported by concerns about the debt crisis in the euro zone and the renewed nervousness around indebtedness of the United States. The metal is "overbought in a configuration that is generally followed by a phase correction with profit taking," said Alexandre Taurand, market analyst at XTB France.

Since early July, the Yellow Gold has gained nearly 60 dollars and grew by more than 2% in five days. A craze that is also explained by its role as a refuge for investors wishing to protect themselves against currency volatility, turbulence government bonds and inflation pressures persist.Since the beginning of the month, the disturbing news in the euro area accumulates. Standard & Poor's warned that a draft agreement between Greece and private creditors would be equivalent to a default under its criteria. On Tuesday, the working group to find a solution to save the country from bankruptcy said he did not exclude a more "partial failure" Greek. Moody's lowered the rating of Portugal and the eyes are now to Italy and Spain where the rates of bonds soaring.

Investors are not convinced by the ads of European finance ministers that provide control to prevent contagion. The latter said they were willing to increase the size of the Fund for financial help payday advance. They are also considering a "lengthening of maturities of loans" made to give more time to countries in difficulty to repay their debt. But nothing works.Tuesday again, plummeting stock markets in Europe reflected a continuing concern.

All eyes turned to Italy

"Unlike money, which is currently trading on the area of ​​35.50 dollars an ounce and is a turning point towards lower, gold is playing its role as a refuge and is one of few underlying advantage of the situation, "says Alexandre Taurand.

In his view, two scenarios are emerging now for the precious metal, "If the price settles above the area of ​​1547.11 dollars, then maybe we would pause in the middle before a new upward impulse to try re-cross the area of ​​1557 dollars per ounce. In the event that the price of gold were to fall below the 1545 dollars, then we would have a target level of support for 1541 dollars, "said he.But can not decide yet, "there are a lot of uncertainty. Investors are focused on the Italian austerity plan (on which Parliament must decide by by the summer break, ed.) They also monitor the situation in the United States with the vote on the debt ceiling to be held by 2 August. "

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Ten billion profit in 2010 and no corporate tax. For two years, Total aroused much criticism for failing to pay taxes despite the huge annual profits. What the leadership said that the group does not pay corporate taxes since 2008 because its activities in France are in deficit since 2008. "The BMC (worldwide profits) can be charged in France for losses incurred abroad, says chief financial officer, Patrick of Chevardière in an interview for Echoes. But insofar as we record losses in France, we do not pay corporate taxes in France. The last time the regime of worldwide profits had a positive impact on our taxes, it was in 2001! ".And Christophe de Margerie, CEO of Total, recalled: "Total paid 800 million euros in taxes in France each year, 500 million on dividends paid abroad."

"We chose to (tax benefit) give of ourselves"

Whatever the controversy will no longer be held since the group has abandoned this tax benefit. Simply because it would bring him nothing. "Rather than continue to hear all day long that the company enjoys a preferential treatment, we decided to give it up ourselves," said Chief Financial Officer of Total.Now only NRJ Media Group and use this system, which allows them to include in taxable income in France, the results of foreign subsidiaries under their control.

The boss of Total, Christophe de Margerie, hinted Monday that his group was planning to abandon this system, after questioning last week in a report by the National Assembly, pointing to the differences between the tax paid by the groups the CAC 40 and paid by the SMEs. MP Gilles Carrez, author of the report, said that more companies are large and they carry less of the corporate tax.

The decision comes as Total Christophe de Margerie was to meet Tuesday on the phone with the Minister of Economy, Baroin, having said this weekend that the oil company would pass to the recent increases in pump prices crude oil.

The Cac 40, which was chained on Wednesday a third round of decline after five stacked, remains under the 4000 points at the opening Thursday morning in a slightly more optimistic: it rises from 0.47% to 1980 04 points in early trade. Last night, the index lost 0.44% to 3961.34 points, weighed down by Portugal – heavily damaged by Moody's – and China, which has raised interest rates to tackle inflation concern. On Thursday, the major event is expected on the European side: Jean-Claude Trichet, ECB president, said at 13:45 if the institution has also decided to raise its rates by 0.25 point, or not. The governor has implied several times that the tightening would be given on 7 July.

Meanwhile, around 9 am on Thursday, the euro gleans 0.10% to 1.4330 dollar.Yesterday, the euro continued its slight decline against the dollar because of concern about access to the economic health of the most fragile countries in the euro area.

Greek side, German and Greek Ministers of Finance estimated that Athens has more support economic growth, if Greece wants to find a balanced budget, during a dinner in Berlin on Wednesday night. In addition to the austerity plan, ministers believe that "only with a stronger private sector and with private investment that Greece can achieve a balanced budget in the medium and long term."

The U.S. employment in the viewfinder

In France, corporate failures recorded in France in the second quarter remained stable at a high level, the company said Altares.The number of failures has declined by 0.3% over the period, with 14,397 judgments backup, reorganization or liquidation direct. During the same period of 2010, there were 14,446 procedures, Altares said.

The trade deficit of France has also widened in May, breaking a new record for the third time since the beginning of the year to 7.42 billion euros against 7.17 billion in April, data seasonally adjusted, Customs announced Thursday. Side and real estate, Fnaim hold its quarterly press conference on the market of the former, at 11.

Overseas, we will monitor the ADP employment figures in the private sector in June at 14.15, very expected. And then the weekly claims for unemployment benefits at 14:30.The weekly inventory of crude oil will be announced at 16:30.

Banks lower their commissions

Societe Generale, BNP Paribas, Credit Agricole, Natixis. The Competition Authority has achieved that French banks were down significantly the commissions they charge on card payments and cash withdrawals at ATMs, according to a statement released Thursday by the regulator. The agreement, which ends a two-year old procedure, the institutions concerned to induce a loss estimated at 600 million euros, according to the Authority.

In addition, the U.S. investor Lone Star is in exclusive talks with BNP Paribas for the sale of German bank IKB reports the Financial Times Deutschland. Discussions with BNP Paribas are at an advanced stage, the newspaper said.The French bank has already finished the review of the IKB, but it is unclear whether BNP Paribas will buy all or just pieces IKB.

The Franco-Belgian bank Dexia has signed an exclusive contract for five years to distribute general insurance products of French insurer Axa through the windows of its Turkish subsidiary, with about 24 million, according to a statement released Thursday.

In addition, Dexia and KBC have passed stress tests which both banks have been submitted, the newspaper reported on Thursday Dutch De Tijd.

EDF and GDF Suez solder joint activities

After working together for over 60 years, the distribution of the two groups now find themselves in competition. These services are common to both energy giants could specialize in divorce and business, says Les Echos.An announcement should be made this morning, the newspaper said.

Alcatel-Lucent. The investment fund Permira is the favorite to take over the division of Alcatel-Lucent company, said on Wednesday sources close to the matter. The sources said Permira offers $ 1.3 billion (about 907 million euros).

Air France-KLM. The pilots of the National Union of Airline Pilots (SNPL) voted in favor of the project "bases province" of Air France, intended to counter the low-cost airlines, said Wednesday a spokesman for the airline, confirming information in La Tribune.

Innate Pharma wins a big partnership

The laboratory Bristol-Myers Squibb will develop and commercialize the antibody developed by biotech IPH2102 Marseille Innate Pharma for the treatment of cancer.A first payment of $ 35 million (24 million) could be followed by other payments, based on performance. In total, the licensing agreement could yield $ 465 million (319 million) in Innate Pharma.

Casino. The retailer Almacenes Exito Colombia, a subsidiary of French retailer, said Wednesday its intention to conduct a capital increase of $ 1.4 billion in the second half to repurchase shares held by its parent company in Uruguay.

Interparfums has signed an agreement Balmain home on the creation, manufacture and distribution of fragrances, according to a joint statement the two companies said on Thursday.

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The tension escalates between Carrefour and Casino in Brazil. While the first confirmed on Tuesday had "received a proposal from major strategic partnership in Brazil," he sharply replied Casino "power to oppose this project."

Gama Brazilian society had proposed to merge the Carrefour group's Brazilian assets with those of the French retailer CBD group Grupo Pão de Açúcar (GPA). They thus constitute an equally owned company. CBD had previously merged with Gama.

But the case is the most sensitive.Right in the legal showdown with Carrefour, Casino contests this possible merger with CBD, "it is the largest shareholder, which it provides the co-control with Abilio Diniz and which it acquired in 2005 from Abilio Diniz and his family the right to become the sole controlling shareholder in 2012, "says the company in a statement issued in the wake and that sounds like a declaration of war.

The group Etienne, who now owns 37% of GPA, is indeed bound by a shareholders' agreement with the businessman Abilio Diniz, who owns shares in the holding company of GPA. Their agreement provides that neither party can negotiate a development project with a third party without the consent of the other. In late May, took the Casino Chamber of Commerce to arbitrate the case.

Referring to "a material financial transactions and prepared for a long time illegally by Abilio Diniz and Carrefour" and "illegal and secret negotiations," Casino accuse both parties have "ignore [d] deliberately both the law and ethics elementary. "

"Casino will consider in the coming days how to best defend the corporate interests of CBD and its shareholders that seems compromised by this project very complex and financial," says Casino, recalling that "it has the power s to oppose this project in terms of existing agreements and that no negotiations on the future of CBD can not be conducted without his consent and without prior discussion of this project to the Board of Wilkes, holding control of CBD. "

Clear benefits for Carrefour

Brazil is a strategic market for the two French groups, "the third world market in terms of food expenditure" the statement said Carrefour there realizes 12 low fee pay day loans.3% of sales. If the proposal is accepted Gama, the new joint venture would represent "the main actor in the distribution in Brazil," said Carrefour.Its turnover pro-forma is estimated at over 30 billion euros for 2011.

Gama has in turn shown to benefit from a capital investment of 2 billion and funding of 500 million euros.

"The benefits of the transaction are clear to Carrefour," noted analysts at Natixis, "the benefit to his credit in Brazil, which leaves just one major accounting scandal, the expertise of CBD; gain size of a key market , realize significant synergies with CBD and strengthen its long-term shareholders. "

Gama: up 6% stake in Carrefour

After OPERATON, Gama become a shareholder of the French distributor. The Brazilian could acquire additional shares Carrefour market of up to 6% stake in Carrefour.It would be represented by two members to the board of the French group, whose vice president, and three from 2013.

"Gama sign a shareholders' agreement and act in concert with Blue Capital LLC, Colony Blue Investor LLC, and Groupe Arnault SAS, which now jointly hold 14.1% of the capital and 20.2% of the voting rights of Carrefour , "the statement said. Together they would hold up to 30% of share capital and voting rights of Carrefour.

The board of Carrefour will meet in the coming days to discuss the proposal of Gama. Following this announcement, the Carrefour share jumped by more than 3% to 27.250 euros, while the title unscrews Casino: it yields about 5% to 62.63 euros.The CAC 40 in advance for its share of 1.08%.

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