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BP dark under the cost of the spill. For the second quarter, the company posted a record loss for a British company. In the quarter, the oil group announced a net loss of 17.15 billion against a profit of 4.38 billion dollars last year. The adjusted loss totaled $ 16.9 billion, within the scope of provisions booked to pay heavy costs of the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.

The tanker registered in effect a pretax charge of $ 32.2 billion in its accounts. An amount which includes the escrow account of $ 20 billion promised to the U.S. authorities to ensure all compensation and cleanup costs and damages incurred to date, 2.9 billion dollars.The loss, compared to that office, is limited by a good result of oil and a favorable tax effect of about 7.188 billion dollars.

And to honor this provision, the Group announced the sale of 30 billion dollars in assets over the next 18 months, including assets related to oil exploration.

The ownership policy has been revised

The group's ownership policy is revised. Management pointed out "our shareholders have received a dividend since the explosion of the platform and the oil spill that followed it." The leaders said "the Council will decide whether to distribute a dividend in the publication of results for the fourth quarter of 2010 to February 2011.

Finally, the announced departure of Tony Hayward is now official.The CEO of the group notorious for its mismanagement of the oil spill will be replaced by the American Robert Dudley. Hayward will share the leadership for its non-executive of TNK-BP. He will receive compensation equivalent to one year's salary, or 1,045,000 pounds (1,250,000 euros). Hayward had angered the U.S. administration for having complained of being overstretched since the beginning of the disaster and for having, during his congressional testimony, tried to dodge responsibility for his group.

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The giant Google is launching in the search for flights online. The California company announced the acquisition of ITA, which specializes in software for information on air transport, for 700 million dollars.

Founded in 1996 and based in Boston, ITA has developed expertise "hailed as a catalyst for change in the travel industry online" the joint statement payday advance. "The technology opens up exciting possibilities for creating new ways for users to easily'll find more information on flights ilgne," said Google CEO Eric Schmidt.

The euro zone growth will do better than expected this year, but then things could get tougher for weak links – including Greece and Portugal – which continue to frighten the markets with their debt problems. The European Commission has revised upward its growth forecast Wednesday in 2010, 0.9% (against 0.7% previously forecast). In 2011, the forecast remains unchanged at +1.5%.

"The improved prospects for economic growth this year is good news for Europe," said Economic Affairs Commissioner Olli Rehn. But "we must ensure that risks to financial stability does not compromise this".These figures have initially supported the markets, before a relapse during the meeting.

Forecast 2011 decline

The Commission stressed that the pace of recovery could vary from one state to another. The Netherlands, Germany and France are expected to fare well in the game But in the South, we can expect a performance below average. Greece and could show a contraction of GDP – 3% this year and – 0.5% next year. Spain will be a little better, with growth expected to – 0.4% and 0.8% respectively. In Portugal, the Commission expects a GDP growth of +0.5% this year and 0.7% next year.For these three countries, forecast in 2011 have been revised downwards compared to the figures published in the fall.

The challenge for these countries is that they must serve their public finances without stifling the recovery. "Sustained growth requires fiscal consolidation efforts and specific reforms that improve productivity and employment", insisted Mr Rehn. The deficit is expected to reach 9.3% of GDP in Greece this year, against 9.8% and 8.5% in Spain to Portugal – the record being held by Ireland with 11.7%. But "if other measures sontentreprises farms (to clean up the accounts, Ed), we can expect that this will have an effect on growth," says one to the Commission.

While fears of contagion from the crisis scariest Greek markets, the EU executive wanted was reassuring."Greece is a unique and special," said Rehn, and "It's important to extinguish the brush fire before it becomes a wildfire in the European Union."

For its part, the head of the Eurogroup Jean-Claude Juncker, has ruled out any risk of contagion Greek, and any assumptions bursting of the euro area. As to former Commission President Jacques Delors, he expressed regret for lost time: "The firefighters are at work" to defend Greece and the euro, but "we must say they have been slow .

Not seen since the launch of the classification in 1985! For the first time in 2008, BAE Systems, an advocacy group for non-American, became the leading supplier of arms. The information, published Monday, comes from the International Institute for Peace Research (SIPRI), a Swedish think tank considered a reference material.

According to SIPRI, BAE Systems has been leading the 100 largest arms suppliers in favor of the U.S. market. "The company is based in the UK but generates more than half its sales in the United States. BAE demonstrates the internationalization of the arms industry and the strong appeal of the U.S. market, "says Susan Jackson, an expert of SIPRI.

Sales of BAE established in 2008 to $ 32.4 billion.The bulk of these revenues came from a command of the U.S. Department of Defence who bought vehicles MRAP (Mine Resistant Ambush Protected) as part of the war in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Boeing beat, Navistar enters

BAE Systems therefore delighted number one place to Boeing. The American group, with 29.2 billion worth of arms sales, slipped to third place, and is placed behind his compatriot Lockheed Martin (29.4 billion).

Elsewhere in the rankings after three American groups, Northrup Grumman, General Dynamics and Raytheon. EADS is in seventh place. Italian Finmeccanica is eighth, while the French Thales is tenth.

Almaz-Antei, is the first Russian company to make its entry in the top 20 at the eighteenth spot.With 4.3 billion turnover in 2008, "Almaz-Antei has tripled its sales since 2003," says the SIPRI.

For its part, the American Navistar made a sensational debut in twentieth place with 3.9 billion in revenue from sales to the U.S. Department of Defense. "This represents an increase of 960% compared to 2007," says the think tank.

Three times the development assistance

The SIPRI does not fail to note that in 2008 the 100 largest arms suppliers have made 385 billion dollars in revenue, a figure rising to 39 billion by 2007."This represents more than three times the total development assistance of OECD countries (120 billion dollars)," lamented the SIPRI.

According to the findings of the ranking, sales of BAE are equivalent to the GDP of 105 countries worldwide, while Lockheed Martin exceed 4 billion development aid from the United States.

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A colossal sum greater than the budget of the National Education (61 billion). Highly concentrated: 16 niches alone capturing half the cost for public finances.

However, it is often those most economically useful. So goes there for the two most expensive devices: reduced VAT for maintenance in housing, which supports the construction sector and limit the black, and the research tax credit, which helps innovation.

Even finding the side of households, half the cost of tax loopholes is on tax cuts on income. It includes the premium for employment, the benefits of life insurance or the tax cut for working as employees at home. Suffice to say that these niches are very popular among the French! What makes the issue politically sensitive.In addition, certain devices have become political symbols untouchable, like reduced VAT in restaurants, promised by Jacques Chirac and Nicolas Sarkozy obtained payday loans online. Finally address the benefits of retirees is not straightforward.

To avoid the worst abuses – some taxpayers paying more tax because of all these devices – Parliament has capped the niche end of 2008. He then reduced that limit last year. A taxpayer can not reduce income taxes by using loopholes in the tax in excess of an amount equal to 20 000 plus 8% of its taxable income. And almost all devices are now individually capped. Including niches overseas.

But reducing the niche 2 billion per year is a task far more difficult. Two competing options.Gilles Carrez, the UMP rapporteur of the Finance Committee in Parliament, hopes all planing devices 5% to 10%. The rate of tax reduction for use of an employee at home happen for example 50% to 45%. Bercy wishes to address the niches with the least sense. Elysee Matignon and have not yet decided.

The Swiss owner of the venerable jewelry brands Cartier and Van Cleef & Arpels and Jaeger LeCoultre Watchmaking, Piaget and Vacheron Constantin, starts strong in electronic commerce. Richemont has launched an offer to acquire 100% of the commercial site with Anglo-Saxon Net-a-porter.com. He already owns one third of its capital. The deal values the start-up to 394 million euros.

Net-a-porter is one of the best success stories of fashion on the Internet. Founded in 2000 in London by Natalie Massenet, an Englishwoman raised in France, former fashion journalist in American magazines, it distributes worldwide about 300 items from great brands rather pointed, like Jimmy Choo, Stella McCartney and Alexander McQueen . The offer is presented in magazine format. The company based in London and New York last year realized a turnover of approximately 134 million euros.The founder sells 18% of the affair it still held, for an estimated 70 million euros. She will remain in place, deeply involved in its development.

"Given the amount, it is clearly a strategic investment, says it does among the Richemont instant payday loan. Net-a-porter will, like all our houses, totally independent. This will not become a channel for the group and we are pleased that the site continues to work with external marks. "So far, the Swiss has a modest presence on the site, including via its label Chloe.

Richemont nevertheless demonstrates a firm belief in the future of e-commerce for luxury. "These are consumers who will decide," Does it tempers in Geneva. So far the industry has been very careful – if reluctantly – to invest the net.The adventure of LVMH in the early 2000s in its U.S. e-luxury.com was cut short. According to a recent study by Precepta, web weighs only 3% of worldwide turnover of luxury. That figure could reach 4.7% in 2011, representing a market of 7 billion euros. The brands like Boucheron (a subsidiary of PPR), Cartier, recently the United States, Ralph Lauren and Gucci come gradually. Yoox.com The Italian, who has just come into stock, has developed a multi-brand and manages many e-shops for claws.

No surprises from Frankfurt. The European Central Bank (ECB) on Thursday left its main interest rate unchanged at 1%. Earlier, the Bank of England also announced the continuation of its policy rate at 0.5%.

In March the Governing Council of the ECB "will take decisions on (…) a gradual lifting of the measures of liquidity [in support of banks] who are no longer as necessary as in the past," said Jean-Claude Trichet at a press conference.

Long awaited on the subject of Greece, Jean-Claude Trichet has held that the fiscal savings by Greece are "not in the right direction.""We are confident in the ability of Greece to take all actions necessary to achieve the objective" of a deficit below 3% of GDP by 2012, said President of the ECB cash till payday advance . No exceptions will be made for any area countries, "he said.

While Portugal and Spain in turn disturb markets, Jean-Claude Trichet reiterated that it was "crucial" that all countries "respect strictly the exit procedures for excessive deficits."

"According to the International Monetary Fund, the overall deficit of the euro area will rise to 6%", said Jean-Claude Trichet. "The United States will be at 10%, Japan is also at 10%.(…) A more flattering comparison for the euro area! Nevertheless, we show a complete lack of convenience in the direction of monetary policy, "he said. For 6% deficit, he said, a level still remains "unacceptable" and represents a burden.

"SPECIAL – Greece, a challenge for Europe

Influenza A (H1N1) has made the business of bioM?rieux in 2009. The group specialized solutions in vitro diagnostic announced Friday in its annual report a turnover of up to currencies and constant perimeter, from 7.7% to 1.223 billion euros for the whole financial year 2009 against 1.111 billion in 2008. In the fourth quarter, the improvement is significant. Over this period, sales jumped 7.5% to 328 million euros against 311 million in the fourth quarter of 2008.

However, bioM?rieux unscrews at the Paris Bourse. In fall of 5.1%, to 80.79 euros, as has one of largest declines in the Paris stock exchange in mid-day.Analysts consider that the upside potential of the title, given its current valuation is exhausted.

Sales made by influenza A (H1N1)

In Latin America, the group recorded the highest growth over the year 2009. The turnover in this region rose by 19.7% to 89 million instant payday loan . Sales have exploded in particular in Mexico. Logical reason: it is in this country has started the influenza A (H1N1). The application of clinical tests has been very high.

Influenza A (H1N1) has just boosted branch immunoassays, bioM?rieux. "The epidemic has had a favorable impact of approximately 18 million euros on sales of QuickVue influenza tests and systems NucliSENS easyMAG, or 150 basis points of organic growth," confirms the group.In Europe however, the virus activity had passed its peak, the impact on sales was lower in the fourth quarter.

The group's debt has been greatly reduced. He spent 51 million euros to 2 million a year. Side perspective, bioM?rieux table for 2010 organic growth of its sales in foreign currencies and constant perimeter, about 7%.

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New blow for Laurence Parisot. Three weeks after the dramatic departure of the federation food (Ania), one of two Deputy Managing Directors of the MEDEF, Jean-Charles Simon, slams the door. The surprise decision, reached Tuesday and disclosed by Le Figaro, fell very ill for the president of MEDEF, which run for another term in June-July. In eighteen months, the employers' organization has lost three Directors General after the dismissal of Jacques Creyssel, the former right hand of Ernest-Antoine Seilliere, Pierre-Henri Ricaud had held only three months.

This new episode revives criticism about management of the sponsoring employers. Jean-Charles Simon shared the position of No. 2 with Helen Molinari, a near Laurence Parisot. Relations between them have continued to deteriorate. In point of exploding during a meeting.According to several employees, Jean-Charles Simon had taken part in Helen Molinari, he regularly accused of "walking on their beds." "A scene of incredible violence", according to a witness who said he was "disgusted". For the MEDEF, Jean-Charles Simon has conducted Tuesday "while only one end of a dramatic incident."

"I did not publicly insulted Helen Molinari, contests Jean-Charles Simon. "He just said that the remarks of Helen Molinari were false, and he left," said one director.As for the release of the MEDEF which emphasizes "support to internal teams whose competence is recognized and which have been proven by these unusual methods, the starter found that" this appalling response augurs poorly for the ability to listen, change and professional management. "Atmosphere …

"No authority over his troops'

According to him, Jean-Charles Simon Laurence Parisot had warned in November that he wanted to leave the MEDEF. "The conditions for exercising my mission were not met," says he, citing failures "in decision-making and organizational roles in her duet with Helen Molinari. "This duality organized could not function, and Tuesday's meeting has shown that Laurence Parisot had no intention of changing anything.I have drawn the conclusions by resigning. "

These eddies successive revive the rumors about the possible candidacy of rivals meet Laurence Parisot, beginning next summer. They are also beginning to worry the Executive's approach to appointments on pensions – the issue that President Ania, Jean-Ren? Buisson, was precisely the charge on behalf of the MEDEF, until his departure. "All this shows that Parisot has no authority over his troops observed a government source. Our main contact employers is low, it's not good to address pension reform. "

In this context, the cancellation of the general assembly next month, announced Wednesday by Les Echos, almost unnoticed. This appointment is not required by the statutes of the MEDEF, Laurence Parisot, but was accustomed to rise early each year a great "show" for debate, discussion and advocacy.His removal was due to "simple economic reasons," says the MEDEF, which has granted a reduction of contribution to its members.

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The bill plans to liberalize paris sports and poker on the Internet could upset the French world of games. Reportedly, the French game is looking closely at a possible acquisition of Camelot, the operator of the lottery UK National Lottery. Its current owners are equal, the British confectioner Cadbury, the electronics firm Thales Defense, the British printer of banknotes De La Rue, the Japanese Fujitsu Computer Group, and Royal Mail, the British position. All sellers are today.

When questioned, the French game refuses to comment on. The group, which has no debt, has yet mandated a bank to help make a decision about the acquisition.It is true that such an operation would allow him to become a true European player at a time when it is going to lose some of its monopoly on the Web (The French games, however, maintain exclusivity Games Internet lottery). It was through early 2010 to make an offer. At this stage, nothing is decided. Sources familiar with the matter, Camelot, fifth and seventh European Lottery World, a monopoly in the country, would be valued around 300 million pounds (330 million euros). During the 2008-2009 fiscal year (ended in late March), the company achieved a turnover of over 5 billion pounds (up 3.6% in one year), including 1.3 billion returned to good causes as required by British law.

The games are far from facts

The French game and Camelot is familiar: both are longstanding partners.Their leaders are the cause of Euro Millions and they work together to develop a global lottery for 2012. By taking control of Camelot, the French would hand over a group which, despite its monopoly, operates in a market where sports are liberalized paris and compete lottery. Camelot is much more advanced in the provision of games on the Internet, mobile phones and interactive TV. These sales channels represent 10% of bets (against 2% in the JDF).

The games are far from facts, for the French gaming is far from the only interest in the matter. Richard Branson, the founder of Virgin, twice an unsuccessful candidate in the past acquisition of Camelot, is determined to win. According to the Times, he joined forces for an opportunity to People's Postcode Lottery (PPL), a Dutch private lottery.Indian lottery Sugal & Damani, also unsuccessful candidate for a revival of Camelot when it was privatized, returned to the charge.

Other candidates are likely. The Italian Lottomatica lottery, number one in Europe before the French game, is also studying the issue. Not to mention investment funds. The Times cites CVC Capital Partners, Cinven and General Atlantic. They are attracted by the recurring revenue of Camelot and its monopoly, limiting them to take risks.

"Paris Online Sports: liberalization may be delayed