World Articles

Let say, and especially nothing to show. The Economy Minister, Christine Lagarde, is gradually converge to European support for his name to be the candidate of the Old Continent to the IMF management. Germany has not said anything officially, but if Nicolas Sarkozy presents his economy minister, Berlin's support says it in Germany.

The French may also receive other support weight this afternoon: the head of state held talks with British Prime Minister, David Cameron, and it could send a positive signal by this evening.

The strategy of the Elysee has evolved over the last few hours. Paris does not want to appear as the maneuver on this issue, as the image of France has been tarnished by the DSK case. We simply observe and thus encourage sub hand movements favor Christine Lagarde.

Especially, the executive is awaiting the outcome of the preliminary inquiry about the case Tapie conducted by the Court of Justice of the Republic, which is expected to fall by 4 to 6 weeks. This fits perfectly well with the international agenda: the G8 meeting next week in Deauville, under French presidency could send a first signal for a European candidate, the EU summit on June 23 and 24 could be an opportunity for Europe to appoint their candidate. Christine Lagarde has five more weeks to wait before knowing his fate: Washington or the Court of Justice of the Republic?

LinkedIn assesses its value to three billion dollars in its IPO issue addressed yesterday with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Constable of overseas markets. American professional social network is about to score this month on the New York Stock Exchange.

The startup has warned that its growth could slow in the future, investment is expected to increase the capacity of the site. The site could not even be beneficial shareholder this year. In 2010, it has recorded fifteen million dollars profit on a turnover of 243 million. This income was 78 million in 2008.It has also surpassed the hundred million registered end-March, with 102 million accounts online payday loan lenders.

Some analysts remain skeptical of the optimism LinkedIn whose business model is based on recruiting, marketing solutions and profiles "premium" pay, is very different from sites like Facebook or Zynga, very popular with investors, who rather seek to consume their users via their interfaces. Despite these differences, the IPO of LinkedIn will probably be a good barometer for gauging the success of quotations from other social networks, eagerly awaited.

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Difficult to assess the fortunes of Osama bin Laden, as the opacity of its funding sources has always prevailed. Before the attacks of September 11, 2001, the financial empire's founder and leader of al-Qaida announced until his death last night, was estimated between 30 and … $ 300 million. Only certainty, the first pillar of the wealth of terrorism based on the legacy of his father.

Mohammed bin Laden, Osama's father, made his fortune in construction and public works. At the latter's death in 1967, the leader of al-Qaeda share the inheritance with her 54 brothers and sisters. In all, Osama Bin Laden "received between 12 and 15 million dollars" between 1974 and 1994, according to Yeslam bin Laden, one of his half-brothers.

Present in 35 countries

Some of the funding received has been reinvested in other companies in Saudi Arabia or Sudan, thereby making a profit.Osama bin Laden had created a parent company, Wadi al Aqiz, head of a network of numerous legal societies and implanted in nearly thirty-five countries.

The Ladin International Company, an import and export, Taba Investment and Hijra Construction Company, specializing in construction are among the largest subsidiaries of the businessman terrorist. But these companies also served as cover for militants of al-Qaida. They fund training camps or buying weapons and receive "gifts" from Islamic banks branched through accounts and offshore tax havens.

From multinationals to SMEs

With the end of the first Gulf War in 1991, and the installation of U.S. bases on Saudi soil, Bin Laden decided to conduct a holy war against the United States. Replica of Washington and its alies: its funds are now tracked.Bin Laden fled to Sudan from 1994 to 1996. He bought land, invested in small business. Like the international financial network created in the 1980s, these companies often have two facets. Peanut farm houses a terrorist training site.

Managed well, business does not rotate at best. Bin Laden is forced to lower wages and to sell certain subsidiaries. No matter: "Terrorism is a low cost business," writes the Wall Street Journal in September 2001. The attack against the World Trade Center in 1993, would cost only $ 10,000.

Expelled from Sudan in 1996 under pressure from the Americans, bin Laden returned to Afghanistan. This second exile seems to coincide with increased financial difficulties on the ground. The branch of al-Qaida in London would have experienced problems paying their phone bills.For many decades, "Bin Laden has engaged in activities that eat money, but do not create," says the Saudi dissident Muhammad al-Massari, quoted by the Wall Street Journal.

Still, bin Laden also benefits from the charity to Muslims around the world, but that they know so far that their donations would be used to finance terrorism. Moreover, according to a diplomatic report from 2009 revealed by Wikileaks, the Americans suspect of private foundations in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Qatar to finance terrorism without limit. The villa in which Bin Laden has spent his last days, near Islamabad, is estimated at nearly one million dollars.

The law on the reorganization of the electricity market is now back on track. Tuesday morning, confirming the information of Figaro, Eric Besson, Minister of Energy, said the sale price of the EDF nuclear power to its competitors would rise to 40 euros per megawatt hour as of July 1 next, then 42 euro from 1 January 2012.This device, designed to boost competition in France will be considered in a fortnight by the Regulatory Commission (CRE), which must render a reasoned opinion.

Meanwhile, the government clearly adjudicated in favor of electrical lights: it was still estimated at 42 euros per MWh the full cost of nuclear power (operation, maintenance, future investments …), while its competitors, GDF Suez head, had set the bar at 35 euros, in line with the current regulated rates.

The reaction of GDF Suez has been immediate. The other French energy giant said that "this election will penalize customers who will experience increases for electricity prices." Convergence expected by 2015 between regulated tariffs and prices Arenh (restricted to nuclear power history) will increase mechanics first.The consumer association UFC-Que Choisir dread even price shock, "a rumor, according to Eric Besson, which I would like to help twist the fact."

Also in the eyes of GDF Suez, the high level of Arenh prevent the establishment of effective competition in electricity supply in France. In these circumstances, the group will study the consequences of that decision and the possible ways to overcome the narrowness of the market opening in the short term induced by the choices of government. "

Another competing operator EDF, Direct Energy (which serves over 600,000 clients), however, shows less severe. Its president, Xavier Caitucoli welcomes first that law enforcement has not been postponed, as had been discussed earlier this month. "After several years the French market was locked, the start of the competition has really come.At 42 euros, it is possible for a competitive operator, although it will be difficult, "he says.

Seasonality

Xavier Caitucoli, it should also not focus too much on the price of Arenh: "The product is also very important and the fact that the volumes of energy vary according to seasonality will make it attractive." Sub- understood: in winter, when electricity prices are very high on the wholesale market, Direct Energy will be able to provide through Arenh on much more interesting.

In this issue, which collects opinions shared, all players meet at least the fact that the accident Fukushima weighed a heavy weight."Somehow, the government has anticipated that the audit of EDF plants could lead to huge additional costs of maintenance and needed to be reflected in the selling price of electricity."

What was even Pringles Procter & Gamble, one might ask? The famous canned chips, which can be enjoyed in over 140 countries, were the last food brand – apart from the dog food – including shampoos, detergents, batteries and other razors marketed by P & G.

Pringles has found its place in the U.S. food group Diamond Foods, which will triple its snacks segment with the operation. This specialist snacks spends $ 2 saving account pay day loan.35 billion, including $ 1.5 billion in shares, and also takes over a debt of 850 million. Diamond Foods has made several acquisitions in recent years, especially from General Mills, who comes to him, to enter the capital of Yoplait.

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At the opening of U.S. stock markets, the Dow Jones advance of 0.73% at 11,947 points, the Standard & Poor's 500 and Nasdaq 100 rise respectively from 1.09% to 1293 points and 1.29% to 2678 points. A new session is so bullish on. Already on Friday, U.S. markets had ended the week up, encouraged by a cease-fire announced while in Libya, easing social measures taken by Saudi Arabia, by King Abdullah, but also by the intervention fighting the Japanese authorities in Fukushima.

On Monday, despite the military intervention in Libya, the relative stability of oil and the rather encouraging information from Japan, where the authorities seem to regain control of the plant in Fukushima, tend to support the rebound.A general rebound in markets, on both sides of the Atlantic, jusqu'enAsie, except in Tokyo, where the stock exchange was closed on Monday due to holiday.

Side of macroeconomic indicators, this week will be placed under the sign of U.S. housing, with, today, sales of existing homes, expected to 15 hours. "Sales are expected to remain weak in February, analysts said Aurel BGC. The construction sector remains a concern for the Fed. "

If durable goods orders (Thursday) "should enjoy a rebound in orders for machine tools and aviation. In contrast, consumer confidence could be affected by recent events, including the nuclear risk to Japan, which occupied a prominent place in the American media these days, "said Will we at Aurel BGC.

AT & T and AIG in focus.GM, Caterpillar and Apple penalized by Japan.

On the corporate side, the U.S. Treasury Department announced Monday it would begin this month to bring to market its portfolio of securitized mortgages guaranteed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, valued at $ 142 billion.

On Friday, the Federal Reserve has conducted a new set of stress tests on the 19 largest U.S. banks. If the results of these tests have not been disclosed, they, however, already possible to allow some of these institutions to distribute or raise their dividends.Like Wells Fargo, JPMorgan, Citigroup and this Monday (2.44% to 4.61 dollars).

the telephone company AT & T (1.03% to 26.48 dollars) will buy its German rival Deutsche Telekom's U.S. mobile phone subsidiary T-Mobile USA for about $ 39 billion (25 billion in cash). A strategic transaction that will create the first U.S. mobile operator Verizon before. Deutsche Telekom, meanwhile, will benefit to pay off debt.Part of the proceeds will also be devoted to buybacks, "said Franklin Pichard, director of Barclays stock.

AIG (American International Group: 2.32% to 35.76 U.S. dollars) expected that banks submit bids on mortgage-backed securities that it proposes to redeem the U.S. state of 15.7 billion, the Wall Street Journal, citing the insurer's CEO Robert Benmosche.

Eli Lilly (+0.44% to 34.63 dollars), faced with sales at half mast because of competition and the expiration of certain patents, will not merge with another pharmaceutical company to get through this bad patch has said Saturday its chief executive John Lechleitr.

Broadcom (0.45% to 39.85 dollars) for its part in the day announcing the purchase of specialist Israeli bullets Provigent 300 to $ 400 million, understands the financial site TheMarker. This would be the eighth acquisition of semiconductor firm in Israel, adds the site.

General Electric (2.39% to 19.71 dollars) has also defended on Friday its type reactor Mark 1, designed 40 years ago and that the Japanese central team of Fukushima. It equips five of six units of the Japanese central, where the cooling system was damaged by the earthquake and subsequent tsunami on 11 March.

Other companies could become victims of the events in Japan. General Motors (1.38% to 32.29 dollars) will close its plant Louisiane.Apple (2.04% to 337.41 dollars) fear of stockouts on its iPad 2, launched this week in France.Caterpillar could also be a victim of difficulties in its Japanese factories.

Finally, Google (1.98% to 572.19 dollars) aroused the attention Monday. For at least two reasons: in France, Google has fined 100,000 euros, accused of having "hijacked" the French personal data via wi-fi. The world's leading search engines also believes that the Chinese government is currently blocking access to Gmail, many users had complained, China, dysfunction.

"Sony Ericsson will partner with the biggest names in entertainment," explains director France, Pierre Perron. Illustration of this strategy, the partnership between the phone manufacturer and Canal +. The platform will be available on some smartphones range from the month of April. The application will be embedded directly on phones. The offer is decorated with three months free trial on all of Canal +. Then, without subscription, only emissions will be available in clear.

The announcement came while the group wants to make her comeback on the smartphone segment. Outpaced the market, Sony Ericsson has added four new references to its Xperia range, with the ambition to sell 2 million units in France this year.Currently, he weighs 10% of this market, which stood at just under 8 million units in 2010.

To do this, the brand mobile phone, a joint venture equally owned by Sony and Ericsson, placing more than ever on his Japanese parentage. Sony Ericsson has taken its technology to Sony Bravia Engine that its TV crew to offer a "better signal processing, richer colors …." For the photo, Exmor R is directly inherited from the image capture developed for ranges of SLR cameras and compact Japanese. With Xperia Play, the smartphone-game console, the brand has pushed the logic of convergence to a climax.

The convergence between television and the phone does not stop there. Connected to a TV with an HDMI cable, a smartphone brand makes "any connected TV."Indeed, it is possible, from its smartphone view photos, videos on his TV and even surfing. Everything is even easier when the TV is also a Sony, with a dedicated menu. But Sony TVs are themselves connected. "We are number two on TV in France and number one for sales of TV connected with 50% market share at the end of 2010," says Philippe Citroën, managing director of Sony France. A quarter of owners have actually connected their television. "They use it mainly for the TV catch up, Sony has a partnership with M6 Replay or visit community sites like Dailymotion," added Philippe Citroën.

Remains whether this marriage of the "best of both worlds", will be sufficient to allow Sony Ericsson to regain lost market share in mobile telephony.

Nigeria, Kuwait and the UAE will increase their oil production by April to offset higher prices, with additional 300,000 barrels per day, according to the Financial Times. Amid civil war in Libya, which translates into a fall of 60% of daily oil production in the country, oil companies and U.S. banks have ceased all activities in the country of Gaddafi. The Wall Street Journal revealed that Morgan Stanley, which bought oil for his customers, has severed all business ties with Libya. ConocoPhilipps longer exports a drop of 46,000 barrels it produced each day in the country, along with Exxon Mobil and BP.

Meanwhile, speculation on oil markets in full swing. Traders expect a continuation of the surge in the number of Paris to the increase reaches a level never reached.The record price for summer 2008 – when WTI traded at $ 145 – could be beaten faxless cash advances. For now, the WTI is trading at more than $ 105 a barrel after rising nearly 14% since the beginning of the year. As for Brent, it is trading at nearly $ 115 after a dramatic 25% since January.

Already at the pump, gasoline prices beat their record highs. A liter of unleaded 95 has sold 1.506 Euro per liter, exceeding its record of 1.497 euro reached in June 2008, according to records released yesterday by the Directorate General for Energy and Climate (DGEC). As for diesel, the fuel most consumed in France, its price rose to 1.351 euro per liter, the highest since August 2008.

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Renault management will be held accountable to employees disoriented and increasingly frustrated. "Since the beginning of this case, teams are troubled because management has never been able to bring the three elements that warrant dismissal. This is all that some people complained of enjoyed a genuine will on the human level, "said one of them. But today, when leaders make about face, the executives, who had to take over two months during the certainties of management, are extremely frustrated and worried. Their confidence in top management crumbles to the rhythm of press revelations, "he says.

"We're clearly not happy and we are asking more questions about how the investigation was conducted and how decisions were taken. In any case, what has been done does not match what we expect of our leaders.It's very shocking because it is a denial of our culture. These three frames were attached to the company, as I am and my colleagues, "says an executive from a different direction. Resentment towards the top of the company is palpable. "We welcome the decision to return the frames unfairly jeopardized if it is confirmed that this is the case.We demand further that meet at an earlier board special for Patrick Pelata and Carlos Ghosn, the two CEOs of the company, speak on this matter and take everyone with their responsibilities, " said Friday a representative of the CFE-CGC.

"Ghosn must take the consequences"

Patrick Pelata, number two in the group, who said in Le Figaro that if there was no case of espionage, he "will draw all the consequences," accusing eyes are now turning to Carlos Ghosn, CEO . "I think that employees would not understand that the CEO does not resign, especially since it does not have a capital of sympathy particularly high," said a third frame. Many people accuse him of having undermined the group."Carlos Ghosn said he expressed his certainty in the media to protect the company, but in reality, if all that is wrong, it will have destroyed our reputation by falsely accusing employees. It must draw the consequences, "adds the frame.

Employees also questioned the management style that would have resulted in these abuses. "If these three executives were sanctioned on the basis of the testimony of one person, it means that person's word is worth more than the employees, accuses Fabien Gache, central delegate of the CGT. We call for a thorough review of the organization Renault employees must be respected and listened again.Today, all decisions come from above. "

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It's another year of strong recruitments in France that EDF plans for 2011. The group announced this morning that 4600 recruits (including 1,500 management posts), mostly young people, against 4300 last year. Meanwhile, about 3,800 departures were recorded last year at EDF and ERDF and 3750 are expected this year, giving a net job creation of 850 jobs.

The energy giant is facing a dual challenge: firstly, it must accompany the resumption of nuclear development in the world, extending the life of plants, and new construction projects of thermal power plants or hydraulic. On the other hand it must deal with a pyramid that will lead to retirement from 25 to 30% of workforce in France by 2015.A proportion that rises to half the actual maintenance and operating in the fields of manufacturing, engineering and distribution.

"We are since 2007 on the movement of medium and long term, with an increase in growth rate of our assignments. Over a period of five years and by 2013, the group has recruited 15,000 people in France.Increase the lifetime of nuclear power plants involves indeed predict trades at 15, the profiles necessary to recruit and train, "said Marianne Laigneau, HR group EDF.

Hiring energy group – which currently has 170,000 employees worldwide and 240 jobs – mainly concern the nuclear pole (engineering and operations), with around 2440 vacancies, but also R & D (70), the hydraulic (300), thermal (100), while that ERDF (the distribution center) will proceed to 1400 hires.

Marianne Laigneau also confirmed the group's commitment towards alternation. EDF is proposing this year 2400 offers alternating at all skill levels. Including personnel already in training in 2010, "more than 4,700 staff are currently in the group," she recalls.