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Meeting for the first Holland Merkel in Berlin on Tuesday hours after the presidential inauguration, the new Franco-German duo has been scrutinized from every angle.

There is one in which France did not shine in comparison: growth. While our neighbor across the Rhine announced an increase of 0.5% of GDP in the first three months of the year – far more than anticipated by economists – the Hexagon was pale with sluggish growth (0 %) over the same period. An expected figure, certainly, but all the more disappointing that the 2011 fourth quarter was revised down from 0.2% to 0.1%.

Some will see the sign that Francois Hollande must persist in its intention to renegotiate the pact with Germany in the European budgetary discipline to introduce a component of growth – what is opposite the German ruling. Others will worry about the weak position of the Hexagon before the arduous negotiation Responding to the country confirms that the only real powerhouse of the eurozone.

The growth figure of France for the first quarter confirms the tonality of the beginning of the quinquennium of the new president. Francois Hollande already knows he can not count on any boost in the short term for the conditions to implement its program.

Production of "idle"

None of the drivers of growth and gives no sign of strength: consumer expenditures of households are "sluggish" (0.2% in the first quarter, after +0.1% the previous one), while investment companies folds (-1.4%), INSEE said. And if reconnect with imports rising, it does not compensate for slowing exports enough to prevent the trade weighs on growth. As for the production of goods and services, it turns "idle". In total, the growth overhang at the end of March – that is to say, the theoretical progression of GDP if the activity remained stable until the end of the year – amounted to 0.2%.

In short, Francois Hollande will have to deal with an uncertain environment. Even more uncertain than the events in Greece could get involved … If time is not yet at risk of contagion to the Hexagon, "we must avoid the chaotic moments that disturb everyone, Greece, is 2% of EU GDP, but this may be part of the little things that become large if not managed properly, "said an official of Bercy cash advance in one hour.

Francois Hollande, he believes in his ability to bounce activity. His lieutenant, Michel Sapin, cites as evidence the industrial policy announced – more favorable, he said, growth – and European initiatives to materialize before he sees the end of next year, thanks to an agreement between France and Germany.

In fact, the new team has no choice if she wants to meet his campaign promises and not be obliged to review all its forecasts. Less growth, this means more unemployment, more deficit and more debt. But the intangible commitment is to return to 3% public deficit in 2013. Francois Hollande can not afford any off the road.

2011 debt adjusted slightly up

INSEE has completed the 2011 accounts. The Institute of Statistics was first confirmed on Tuesday that the general government deficit stood at the end of the year to 103.1 billion euros, or 5.2% of GDP. Compared to 2010, he was reduced from 33.9 billion euros, "because both the revenue buoyancy and expenditure restraint." The new president pledged to reduce the public deficit to 4.5% of GDP at end 2012 and to 3% in 2013. To balance its budget equation, Francois Hollande has on growth (see above), but it also provided 29 billion in additional revenue by the end of 2013.

The weight of public debt, meanwhile, has reached an unprecedented level, 86% of GDP, 3.7 points higher than the end of 2010. At a 717.3 billion, it is also a bit more than the number that was announced in late March (85.8%). Finally, the tax burden, estimated at 43.9% (against 43.8% previously), was up 1.4 points compared to 2010.

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The presentation was eagerly awaited in the high-tech world. Become the world's number one mobile to Nokia and Apple, Samsung introduced Thursday evening in London its new flagship model, the Galaxy S3.

"Relive the presentation of the Galaxy S3

A description and the first review about this:

• DESIGN

Back to the rounded design for the new Samsung Galaxy S III: a nice case with curved lines and curved back which inevitably think about HTC's latest smartphone, the X One Screen with a slightly larger 4.8-inch super-AMOLED, which is distinguished by its superb contrast and excellent precision in the details with its 1080 x 720 display and resolution of 306 dpi (almost as much as iPhone 4S and 326 dpi). "Inspired by nature, designed for humans," says the slogan of the manufacturer. The Galaxy S III measuring 13.6 x 7 cm to 8.6 mm thick, and weighs 133 g.

• USE MORE NATURAL

"The Galaxy S III knows what you want to do," said a spokesman for the company. Thus, the Face Detection helps keep the screen active when one looks at it, avoiding it goes to sleep. The proximity sensor, when it detects a movement towards the ear, picks without having to press a button or dials the touch-screen. Equally spectacular, the S Beam can easily share files between two Galaxy SIII: touch another device and the content displayed will be transmitted automatically by NFC or Wi-Fi according to file size no fax pay day loans.

• EYE AND EAR

The voice recognition system S Voice enables Samsung to compete against the iPhone 4S Siri: we can now speak naturally on the phone asking him to take a picture, call a contact, set an alarm, to dictate text, for the weather or control the music player. The camera, it recognizes the faces of those affected and proposes to transmit images via MMS or email. Better still, pointing to a face to a photo, you can get the Google + Facebook profile and the subject.  

• PHOTOS AND VIDEOS A GOGO

Equipped with a 1.9 megapixel camera for video calling and, at the rear, a 8 megapixel sensor particularly reactive (no delay between triggering and capturing a photo), the Galaxy offers a new way Automatic scene. It may even recommend the best shot among multiple shots. Its screen can watch Full HD movies at full resolution, but he also knows wirelessly transfer the display on a big screen DLNA. It also provides access to content from other devices using a wireless network.

• THE PRICE OF POWER

Compatible 3G + (HSDPA 21) and 4G (LTE), the Galaxy S III is also very powerful with its quad-core processor. It allows to continue watching a video in a vignette while performing another task on the phone. Available in blue or white, and 16, 32 or 64GB, the Galaxy S III will be released in France in June. First Prize: € 649.

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The French seem receptive to advice of tax professionals. In recent weeks, get an appointment with a notary has become very complicated. And the situation should not be arranged by May 6. Alarmed by the tightening of tax rules announced in an election for president Francois Hollande, the French wish to transfer their wealth to their children under current conditions more favorable. The Socialist candidate has indeed warned that it would lower the tax exemption limit of 159,325 euros (set in 2007 by Nicolas Sarkozy) to 100,000 euros. It also intends to extend ten to fifteen years the period between two donations exempt.

Interviewed by Le Parisien-Aujourd'hui en France, and several notaries are reports of increased requests for donation from the beginning of the year. A new situation, as noted by the Council of Notaries which includes national information feedback from the field. In some studies, the number of cases has doubled, and professionals are overwhelmed. "I contacted my lawyer to get information, but since I can no longer be reached," says Martine Perez, who claims that several people around him are now in the same situation waiting, despite a case being finalized.

According to the notaries, the situation does not deserve such eagerness of the French. Even when changing the tax rules in the aftermath of the election, the required publication of implementing regulations to allow taxpayers a few weeks to make arrangements. But the concern is greatest. Amazing phenomenon indeed, it is not just the wealthy. According to Elodie Fremont, notary quoted by Le Parisien-Aujourd'hui en France, a couple of workers chose to give the bare ownership of principal residence to their daughter to keep only the usufruct. A recent decision to avoid being subject to future tax reform.

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Cynical or simply cultural initiatives do not fail to honor the tragedy that killed 1,514 people April 14, 1912, off Newfoundland. Especially since director James Cameron has shown that the Titanic was a "brand" more than profitable. In 1997, his film exploded every record box office, earning $ 1.8 billion in revenue and creating a real passion for the drama of the Atlantic.

The story of the Titanic began in Ireland, where the liner was built. This is a museum in Belfast, which cost over 110 million euros, was inaugurated last weekend, built on the former shipyard. It reveals the story of the Titanic through special effects or special activities. Nearly 400,000 visitors are expected this year alone.

Southampton City also marks the event. It is indeed from this port in southern England as the first passengers boarded the Titanic. Moreover, a large majority of the crew was from this town and most were killed by remaining on board until the last moment. The City Museum offers a special exhibition, interactive, allowing among other visitors to London find the room where justice investigated after the disaster. The shipping company Red Jet offers it for 54 euros, a departure by boat to the exact place in Southampton where the Titanic sailed.

The more curious, or less superstitious, will benefit from the offer of the Groupon site. For 9500 euros per person, they can navigate thirteen days in July, up from the wreck site and visit the wreck. On board the ship that will transport them, they may attend scientific conferences and will receive an autographed DVD of the film by Leonardo DiCaprio.

Permanent exhibition

Some commemorations are lighter. In Liverpool, where the Titanic made a stop, the sinking will be addressed as a musical. The West Kirby Light Opera Society is back in June on stage at the Liverpool Empire for a production called Titanic. The Musical, about 15 euros per ticket.

France and the United States also will try to capture the public interest for the most famous shipwreck in the world. At Cherbourg, where the steamer stopped to take his last passenger, the Cité de la Mer has expanded to create a new permanent exhibition. And to complete a journey that travelers will not have had the opportunity to complete, destination New York, where the auction house Guernsey's will start selling on April 15th 5500 objects belonging to passengers, or having found aboard the Titanic. Guernsey's was sold in 2004 for $ 100,000 a menu. Prices could soar again this year.

Finally, some cities which have a lot farther with the historical event has found a way to cash in, as the Anglo-Saxons, or to "cash in". In Atlanta, the Hotel St. Regis has developed one of the most profitable. Colonel John Jacob Astor IV, founder of the institution and died in the wreck, was the richest man on the Titanic. For 2000 dollars you can spend a night in the Empire Suite. This was the price of a first class ticket on the ship in 1912.

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In recent weeks, investors do not understand anything. Some have seen all of their interests in 2011 life insurance policy amputees 13.5% Social Security contributions (CSG, CRDS …). Others paid much less. CNP Assurances, for example, said she has not applied the 13.5% interest acquired all of 2011 … for the simple reason that it was applicable as of 1 October in 2011. Before that date, and the tightening of government tax, the rate was only 12.3%!

ING Direct, he admits he was wrong. Customers have received an email, stating that the amount of payroll taxes that had been indicated (13.5% for all interests in 2011) was erroneous. The situation will be rectified in order to apply a rate of 12.3% through September.

This means that the position of tax administration, questioned on the issue, has been eagerly awaited. She gave his answer Wednesday. Disappointment! It returns insurers and investors to their contracts! Because, of course, the rate of 13.5% applies only to interest earned since 1 October 2011. But to know when these interest-precisely-are "acquired", "should refer to the relevant clauses of the contract," says Bercy. Back to square one, therefore.

For Aviva, the manager of the famous Afer contract, signed by some 720,000 savers, the interest shall be granted unless the performance of the contract for the year is calculated, and so when the interest is credited to an account. Or early 2012. That's why he applied the 13.5% interest in all the euro funds earned by the insured during the past year. This clause is most detrimental to investors.

For other insurers, we can at least take into account the minimum guaranteed rate. Many contracts provide a minimum return in effect during the year (it is applied especially to investors who end their contracts before December 31, and thus before the yield used for the past year is known). It is less generally used to return ultimately, but it has the merit to exist. If the contract considers that the interests are acquired at least the minimum rate during the year, it is enough to apply 12.3% Social Security until late September. And apply the 13.5% that of the rest.

 

Brussels is the historical telecom operators in his sights. As revealed in the Financial Times, Brussels sent a questionnaire to the association GSMA operators and each of the heavyweights, France Telecom, Deutsche Telekom, Telecom Italia, Telefonica and Vodafone, requesting details of the informal club that 'they are since October 2010.

This club was created at the initiative of Stéphane Richard, who had just taken the head of France Telecom. His idea was to get acquainted with his counterparts and see how they could reflect together on major issues in the sector. Including the rise of Internet giants, Google, Netflix, Apple, Facebook, described as "over the top" or "OTT", an image to say they piggyback on carrier networks without paying the price.

Met for the first time 8 October 2010 in Paris, this "Famous Five" took a half dozen times. Aware that regular meetings of the five trucks, which together weigh more than one billion subscribers, may soon be mistaken for an agreement, the participants took their precautions easy payday loans. A lawyer shall attend the meetings and a report is sent each time to the European authorities. Moreover, Neelie Kroes, the Vice-President of the Commission responsible for digital strategy, participated in two of these meetings in Barcelona in February 2011 and 2012, alongside the Mobile World Congress.

Moratorium on lower prices

But today, relations are strained between telecommunications and the European Commissioner. This summer, Jean-Bernard Levy, CEO of Vivendi, René Obermann, Chairman of Deutsche Telekom, and Ben Verwaayen, CEO Alcatel-Lucent, met Neelie Kroes to hand over 11 proposals for the future of the sector. But the Commission did not adopt these proposals.

Especially a clash occurred last February in Barcelona between Neelie Kroes and the bosses of the five main mobile operators. They have asked Brussels for a moratorium on the reduction of roaming charges (calls from abroad). They are also dissatisfied with broken promises that Brussels was considering contributing up to a billion euros to broadband Internet on the Old Continent.

We already knew: the end of July with the recruitment of the Argentine Javier Pastore, 42 million euros, PSG beat this year's record for the most important transfer window of the history of Ligue 1. More than 80 million euros on the table to secure the services of Kevin Gameiro, Blaise Matuidi or Mohamed Sissoko, in addition to the Argentine star.

But these numbers make you dizzy do not stop there. According to information from Parisiende this Friday, players Parisians would also take the upper hand with regard to wages. If this is the side of the Canebière found the most important emoluments (midfielder Lucho Gonzalez for 360,000 euros gross per month), 11 players received wages in the capital to more than 200,000 euros according to the daily gross , 9 against Olympique de Marseille.According to the survey, the highest salaries are in fact looking in the stands payday loan no faxing. For the largest stamp in Paris, would be to … Leonardo. Each month, the sporting director of PSG would receive 400,000 euros gross in fact, about 200,000 euros net. Almost three and a half times what his counterpart perceives Marseille Jose Anigo …

Hours before the "Clasico" between the league leaders in the tenth current is therefore the capital club who won the prize of wages. The findings of this match organized by the newspaper should not fail to elicit reactions to two years of the transition to "financial fair play" in the world of football, which calls among other things, the moderation of the wage bill. From this point of view, the pills of the stars of the French capital, however, reach the peaks found in other European leagues.

The escalation of tensions on the Italian and Spanish debt complicates the crisis in the euro zone and precipitates the search for new solutions. Thus, the Minister of European Affairs in Finland would defend today the creation of a two-speed Europe, guided by the inner circle of six European countries rated AAA. Alex Stubb does not want "out of some countries in the euro area, but the loss of influence in some countries," reports the Financial Times quick payday loan. He concluded: "a country that is not rated triple-A is not in the best position to advise management of public finances."

These proposals are the Finnish Minister echoes those of the German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, who argues for the establishment of programs of fiscal consolidation and strengthening of the integration of the euro area.

Traffic in the transport is disrupted Tuesday, following the call for mobilization of CGT-CFDT, UNSA, FSU-Solidarity, who report an austerity program "inadmissible" the government and require "a different distribution of wealth. "

With the exception of SUD-RATP, who filed a notice of indefinite strike on July 31, no organization has called to stop work in transport.However federations CGT filed a notice with the RATP and SNCF, as well as SUD-Rail, to enable staff who wish to go forward.

Here are the latest traffic forecasts:

• At the SNCF

Tuesday, more than 4 of 5 TGV move on departure or arrival in Paris, except for the Atlantic TGV trains close to 3 to 5, and more than 2 runs a train on the TGV on average province-province.

For Transilien, traffic during rush hour is on average close to 2 trains of 3, and the TER, the traffic is close to 2 of 3 services at the national level. Locally, the traffic is 4 trains of 10 to a near-normal movement between regions.

For Intercités day (including Teoz), traffic is on average a train 2.

No Lunea (national traffic at night) will flow, however the nights of Tuesday to Wednesday.On international routes to night, no disturbance is expected to Germany and Italy. Traffic will also be normal day on the Eurostar (England) and Thalys (Belgium, Germany) and near normal on Lyria (Switzerland).

The other lines of Paris and Paris-Nord-Est have a service close to two out of three trains, and those of Paris-Saint Lazare, Paris-Montparnasse and Paris-Lyon train in two.

• In the RER RATP zone

Traffic is normal on the line A and the interconnection is maintained at Nanterre Prefecture. A train runs on two rush hour on the line B, and a train of four off-peak payday advance lender. Interconnection is suspended from Gare du Nord, but maintained at Nanterre Prefecture.

For portions of RER managed by SNCF, the traffic is normal on the line A (from Nanterre Prefecture in Cergy and Poissy) and Line E.There is a train of two outstanding on lines B and C of the RER, without interconnection to Paris Nord. On line D, it takes two to three trains with an average interconnection between Paris-Lyon and Paris Nord.

• In the metro and bus in Paris

In the metro, the traffic is normal on all lines except line 5, where it takes with two trains of 3.

Traffic is normal on lines 2 and 3 of the tramway. For T1, a train of 2 is outstanding.

• In the province

Strike notices were filed in 39 urban transit systems, including Lille, Marseille, Lyon, Bordeaux, Toulouse and Strasbourg.Such notice having been filed in most cases by a single union, the traffic should be only slightly affected.

The notice concerning the networks of the following cities: Amiens, Angers, Angouleme, Belfort, Besançon, Bordeaux, Bourges, Caen, Cannes, Chambery, Dijon, Douai, Lille, Limoges, Lorient (strike 55 minutes), Lyon, Le Mans, Marseille (strike 3:30), Maubeuge, Metz, Montluçon, Montpellier, Moulins Mulhouse, Nantes, Nice (strike from 9 to 12), Nîmes (strike 9:30 to 10:30), Pau, Poitiers, Reims, Rennes, La Rochelle, Rouen, Royan, Saint-Nazaire (strike from 10:30 to 14h), Strasbourg, Toulouse, Tours, Vichy.

• To monitor traffic

Hotlines are available to travelers by SNCF: 0805.90.36.35 for the Outline, TER, Téoz and Intercity, and 0805.70.08.05 for Transilien.

For traffic forecasts, two websites are available: www.sncf.com and www.infolignes.com for all traffic forecasts.

For the RATP, the number is 0800.15.11.11.

The lowest in the polls, criticized for running out of ways to boost employment, weakened by a largely sterile confrontation with the Republicans on the issue of reducing the rate of debt, Barack Obama sought to regain control. Anxious to win back centrist voters, the president also caress the idea of ​​taxing the rich more, while the middle class is suffering from the sluggish economy.

It has been this week to support weight, in the person of Warren Buffett, the second property of the United States. For the latter, the "mégariches" are under-taxed. Buffett regrets having paid less than $ 7 million in federal taxes last year. This represents only 17.4% of its taxable income. He noted that employees pay on average, and as a percentage of their income, far more than him.The billionaire said that in 1992 the 400 richest U.S. taxpayers paid 29.2% of their income in federal taxes. But in 2008, their effective tax rate decreased to 21.5%, while in sixteen wealth is gone.

The two men do not speak yet not the same. The President wants to raise taxes for taxpayers earning more than $ 250,000 a year. Buffett, however, advocates the creation of new tax bands for income above one million dollars from all sources.The investor philanthropist also suggests an upper tax beyond $ 10 million, but fails to specify the desired level for these new units.

Impose more gains

Still, according to the Tax Policy Center, even 50% by taxing all income above one million, one that would release $ 48 billion in tax revenue over ten years, under very inadequate amount of resources to reduce the budget deficit. However, up to 15% to 20% maximum tax rate on capital gains as under Bill Clinton, would generate approximately $ 340 billion over ten years.

Warren Buffett's plea addressed especially to the twelve in fact members of Congress belonging to the commission that must by the end of November to $ 1.5 trillion proposed budget savings over ten years."It is vital that they manage to go beyond. Americans are rapidly losing their faith in the ability of Congress to address the fiscal problems of our country, "said Buffett, himself the son of an elected Republican Nebraska.

It is supported by another millionaire, Alan "Ace" Greenberg, former head of Bear Stearns: "To believe that, by raising taxes Warren Buffett or Bill Gates, they will begin to lay off staff is totally ridiculous … I'm not saying that tax increases should begin to 250,000 dollars in revenue. But they must start somewhere. At one million to two million, at least they should start, "says the bridge partner of the two richest people in the United States.

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