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At 21, the little genius of the French sprint Christophe Lemaître, maddens the counters … and brands. Sought in recent years by more than a dozen of them (according to the Journal du Dimanche), the Savoyard finally chose mineral water from Aix-les-Bains as the first non-sport partnership (it has already been associated 2007 the Japanese OEM image Asics). A logical conclusion, the sprinter is already three years since the ambassador of the city where he lives and trains.

But unlike the previously mentioned ambassador status which would yield between 4000 and 4600 euros per month, this new association between the rider and the city passed this time by a private group.

Bottle collector bearing the image of the runner

The League of mineral waters of Aix-les-Bains is in fact owned by the Group of the Musketeers (owner of the sign distribution Intermarché).

Finding the cheapest car insurance quotes can be an activity that requires a huge amount of time given the number of policies available on the market.

On the occasion of the presentation of its results for the third quarter, Francois Perol, the Director General of BPCE, warned against the escalation of capital requirements for banks in times of economic downturn.

LE FIGARO recent months have been difficult for the banks. How did the group BPCE, you just announced quarterly results?

François Pérol We are pleased with the dynamics shown by our core businesses, in an actually difficult. It results in an increase of 3.4% of our revenues in the third quarter. Commercial banking, including People's Bank and Savings Bank, but also the Land Bank and Banque Palatine, show satisfactory activity, while Natixis has limited the decline in its net banking income of its business from heart to 9% in the quarter and it is up slightly over nine months.The increase in recurring income of the group is strong since the beginning of the year. However, in the third quarter, we have of course been affected by the depreciation of our Greek sovereign debt, we have increased to 60% of their value. The impact of 507 million euros after tax, which reduced our quarterly net income group share to 332 million euros.

Have you reduced, like other banks, your exposure to sovereign debt in the euro area?

Our exposure is already low. We have 3.2 billion euros of Irish government bonds, Portuguese, Spanish and Italian, Greek debt off our liability. Terms of private sector participation was announced October 27 as part of the EU summit would represent a major effort for us 867 million of provisions from the beginning of the year as for all banks.

To allay the suspicion that surrounds the future of the single currency, Europe is beginning to have a somewhat more precise remedy to administer. For proof, Paris, which was until now very reluctant to discuss any other plan than that of July 21, hesitate, now, to openly discuss an alternative scenario.

First, European banks will have to be prepared to give up a larger share than expected of their claims on Greece. They will erase "probably more than 21%" expected, it was said Thursday the Department of Economics in Paris. Where we quick to point out that "it is no secret." "We are working on this issue" with Europe, they added. In Brussels, the figure of a discount of up to 50% is quoted."What we do not want is a credit event because it's an adventure," insists on the Ministry of Finance, where it is estimated, however, a "selective default" of the Greece "can be managed."

Once this fault act, he will then create a "confidence shock" at European level. Bercy is estimated that the French banks "are solid and have no problem of liquidity or solvency." However, "France is not deaf to the demands of the market for bank recapitalization." In other words, if the confidence shock has to go through the recapitalization, the Hexagon did not persist to refute.

Prohibit dividends

In the scenario that is emerging, which should be clarified at the EU summit of 23 October-, financial institutions would seek money on their own, in the markets.And the United States would open the "Windows" public that those who wanted to could come and borrow money guaranteed unsecured personal loan. "I'm not sure that French banks rush in!" Says a government source, thereby capturing the mood of the French bankers. The German bankers have also expressed their displeasure with Thursday to leaving the project "thinking that European banks are aware of alleged weaknesses." European level is mainly intended "to institutions that have failed the stress tests published in early summer, to those who have succeeded narrowly and perhaps a few regional banks," said Paris.

Nevertheless, the imperative that all will meet the objective of equity of 9% hard no later than mid-2012 that the EBA is about to impose.A figure Bercy "appropriate."

Will finally ensure that institutions do not go further curb the financing of the economy to meet this requirement. "To ensure that banks continue to finance the economy well, we can do things. It has, for example, how to play on their dividends, "said the entourage of the Minister of Economy, Baroin. In fact, the supervisory authority has the right to ban certain payments (dividends and bonuses, for example) as the level of fixed capital that is not achieved."If banks were not distributed as dividends in the last three years and focused on strengthening their capital, there might not be as urgent today," said a finance specialist.

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This year, the worsening crisis has forced the government to develop as soon as August an austerity plan in order to reassure financial markets. The draft budget law for 2012 includes part of measures announced on August 24 (the other measures contained in the social security budget and supplementary budget passed in early September). In addition, there are additional tax increases. The bill reaches 2.8 billion to taxpayers.

• Outstanding on high incomes. The project of the Government expects that this new 3% tax will apply to much of the income exceeding EUR 500,000 per year for a single person and € 1 million for a couple. But MPs want to lower these thresholds. And Valerie Pécresse reiterated today that it was open to discussion.The government would accept an entry threshold to 250,000 euros to 500,000 euros a person for a couple. The income taken into account when calculating the contribution is the income tax reference. Income that includes not only wages but also the interest, dividends, capital gains. Moreover, only taxpayers whose average income over three years will exceed the thresholds will be taxed at the new tax. This is to prevent a dealer who sells one years his business is taxed. The contribution will apply for the first time on the income of the year 2011 and will stop when the public deficit back below 3%, ie in 2013, in theory.

• Tax on soft drinks. This tax, applicable from 1 January, will involve drinks containing added sugars such as sodas, fruit juices with added sugar and flavored waters.Drinks "light" will be spared. The tax will be 1 cent per can of 33 cl

• Plane niches. The tax loopholes planed last year will be again 10%. A tax reduction of 22% will go to 20% for example, a 20% to 18% … etc. Among the niches that are most used planed, there are advantages or overseas tax credit for environmental equipment housing. This plane will be applicable for the taxation of income in 2012 for expenses paid from 1 January 2012. Like last year, niches related to employment, including the employment of an employee at home will be spared Business Card Holders.

• Niche Scellier and other devices for real estate. The Scellier reduces their income tax by investing in housing that is then leased under certain conditions.The tax reduction Scellier suffer, in addition to the plane, a turn of the screw. It will fall to 14% of the investment as of 1 January 2012, against 22% this year. It will be for housing low power consumption and housing accompanied by a renewed energy label demanding. The benefit granted to individuals who invest in a tourist residence for elderly and disabled and for students from 18% to 12% in 2012.

• Tax on rooms good. This new tax will only apply to homes under 13 square meters. It will apply where the rent per square foot exceed a certain threshold (40 euros per square meter in Paris). Its rates range from 10% to 40%.

• Eco-interest loan.The zero-interest loans dedicated to work improving the ecological quality of housing will be combined with the tax credit for the same type of work for taxpayers whose income tax reference does not exceed 30,000 euros per year. The tax credit will also be revamped.

• Tax credit for elderly and disabled. The tax credit of 25% on expenses related to improving habitat for elderly and disabled is extended until 2014.

• Carbon Tax new version for manufacturers. Undertakings subject to CO2 quotas in 2012 will pay a fee between 0.08% and 0.12% of their turnover. Will be exempt small emitters (quotas for less than 60,000 tonnes of CO2 per year). Electricians (mainly EDF) alone will pay one third of this tax.

• Other measures for businesses.Telecom operators will finance up to 2 million expenditure to avoid the jamming of TV DTT frequencies mobile fourth generation. The reduction of one third of the benefits enjoyed by overseas companies is removed.

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"A budget increase for the Defense

Rosneft has finally found a partner to conquer the Russian Arctic shelf. Three months after the failure of an agreement with the British group BP, the oil giant has signed an alliance "strategic" with the American ExxonMobil.

The agreement first announced by Prime Minister Vladimir Putin states that "approximately $ 3.2 billion will be spent in exploration blocks in the Kara Sea in the Arctic and a block in the Black Sea "said the two groups in a joint statement. These two regions "are among the most promising areas offshore and least explored in the world, 'the two partners. The area under the Arctic ice is released almost a hundred days a year, Moscow had absolutely need the contribution of Western technology to carry out its work cash advance payday loan.

Meanwhile, the Russian group wins the opportunity to participate in exploration work conducted by Exxon in North America, particularly in the United States in the fields of offshore Gulf of Mexico and Texas. This alliance could represent direct investment up to 200 to 300 billion dollars.

If the CEO of Rosneft Khoudaïnatov Edward points out that the agreement "is the result of years of cooperation with ExxonMobil," it comes just months after the Russian giant has turned the page of a strategic alliance with BP, which provided an exchange of shares weighing 16 billion.

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For his arrival in France, Banana Republic offers a prime location: the Champs-Elysees. At the bottom of the avenue, sunny side, work has just begun. The Gap Group, owner of the sign, hoping his inauguration in early December naviral Admiral Paris, next to the shop and in front of the Adidas Abercrombie & Fitch.

"After the success of our new stores in London and Milan, we found the right time and the right location for us to launch in Paris," says Sonia Syngal, who oversees Gap's European operations. On two floors and 1,500 square meters, the brand of "affordable luxury" – as this group – will present its Ready-to-wear for men and women in chic and classic style, at prices close to those of Sandro and Maje , signs in French of the moment.In the mid-dresses (from 85 euros) and trench coats (from 189 euros), guests will find the same accessories and care products.

With a multilingual concierge and personal stylists, "This store has the ambition to become a major destination for Parisians and visitors from France and abroad," says Stephen Sunnucks, President of Gap International Group.

Born in 1978 in the United States, five years later bought by Gap, Banana Republic is still little known on this side of the Atlantic. Since October 2010, the French and the inhabitants of 24 European countries can also purchase the pants and shirts of the brand on the Internet. But the first European Banana Republic store was opened in early 2008 in London, in the shopping of Regent Street.Five other outlets have been opened since Britain, and other launches are planned this year and in 2012. Banana Republic has also planted a flag second in Italy last November. The store in Milan is a great success by group, who does not wish to provide figures. He expects the same home in Paris, but it is "too to think about other openings in France," said Sonia Syngal, which has not yet finalized the launch of marketing operations.

Seven new countries by the end of the year

Struggling in its home market for years, Gap, which also owns brands Old Navy, Piperlime and Athleta, setting internationally to find a second wind. Only 20% of $ 14.7 billion in sales in the group of clothing last year came from abroad.By the end of 2013, this share should be increased to 30%, counting both the activity of physical networks Gap and Banana Republic and that of its other subsidiaries on the Internet.

In late June, the group had shops in 34 countries and could be delivered in 114 countries. "We enter seven new countries by the end of the year, the highest number for a single semester ever," said Glenn Murphy, CEO of Gap, in the presentation of interim results .

LE FIGARO. – Economic activity appears to be a brake brutal. How do you explain it?

Laurence Parisot. – The slowdown is due to meet two sets of causes: the United States, an economic and political situation that was deteriorating, and in Europe, the States that crossed the red line in terms of debt. Once you overcome these difficulties, we find a strong growth and job creation but do not mistake in the analysis of what we experienced this summer. The situation was tense when China began to lecture the U.S. on their debt. The Americans probably wanted then iron the mistigri to Europe. There has been a kind of psychological warfare and an attempt to destabilize the euro area. The markets have overreacted, being by nature very sensitive to rumors, even organized.The moral of the story is that we should not be naive and fall for the autodisqualification: if Europe were attacked, not because it is weak but because it is strong, and if it is envy, because it is enviable.

Who was behind this conspiracy?

I call it an "orchestration" overseas challenges of Europe. See the rumors about the French banks, which were released immediately when they were absolutely unfounded. Our banks are among the strongest in the world. Some of the U.S. media yet announced the death of a particular and even the end of the euro area.We went from attacks on Spain in attacks on Italy and then France, until rumors of degradation of Germany last week! When American publications widely read by investors and financial analysts on false ads headlined drama, questions arise.

The accumulation of debts of the States, however, is a reality …

Certainly. The debts are no longer tenable. They must be absorbed quickly. As shown by the measures taken last week, the government was quick to hear the warning.

You are therefore in favor of the gold back to a balanced budget?

The principle of the golden rule would consolidate the reputation of our country and facilitate the work of any government.Many countries are engaged in it, it would be strange that we're not able to do French.

Ten billion of additional levies for a billion expenditure savings, is this the best way to fight against the deficit?

We had to quickly adjust the situation, the government has. But you are right, this is not enough, and the state must also accelerate the decline in spending. Ideally, a ratio of 1 to 2: twice as many savings on expenses for upward social and fiscal revenues. Measures such as pension reform and the non-replacement of an official two-point in this direction.Going further will require further structural reforms: focus on local communities and to decline the RGPP; work as health, including public hospitals (why does bill over to the insurance sector private for the same benefits?), and finally develop across the public-private partnerships and public service delegations. These channels have the immense advantage of not touching our social model.

François Fillon he had the "SME attitude" that you keep advocating in his anti-deficit plan?

It has indeed been attentive to small businesses but we must do more. Among the SOHO-SME-ETI today are the CAC 40 companies in 2030: they must get the best possible environment in order to grow.That's why we call for an extensive program to délégiférer and deregulate the legal system that encircles the neck to the small and medium enterprises. It should also reduce their taxes. It is shocking that the corporate tax (IS) actually paid by the SOHO-SME is (relative to the operating surplus) of about 39% against 19% for large companies. Among other reasons, the latter deduced from their result the interest on loans, while the SOHO-SME do not because of their reduced ability to borrow. That's double trouble! There is also a reduced rate of corporation tax (15%) for companies whose turnover does not exceed 7.6 million euros. Medef request that the ceiling be raised to 10 million.

Sixteen top managers were willing last week to be taxed more.Do you agree with the exceptional tax on high incomes will be instituted?

We see very high incomes in athletes, actors, professionals: it is not an issue specific to some entrepreneurs. I understand the principle of a special tax to a special moment, but the tree should not hide the forest and make us forget the need for moderation in executive compensation. Also, do not confuse everything. There would be demagoguery to compare the incomparable and put in the same bag annual revenues of 250 000 euros and 2.5 million.Let us ensure that future developments of the threshold does not affect the middle class, including the upper middle classes, which are the engine of the economy.

The inclusion of overtime in the calculation of reduced charges on low wages is not likely does not increase the cost of labor and destroy low-skilled jobs?

There are of course in this action plan that we like less than others. We also deplore the passage of the social package 6 to 8%: it penalizes the profit-sharing that we want to encourage. But all part of a clear logic of debt and that, we salute.

Are you concerned about the evolution of unemployment in the coming months?

We can stop the recent deterioration. Understanding that in TPE-PME is the greatest employment potential and the fostering.Working on better employability of job seekers, integrating strong mutations trades, adapting in real time training.

The precarious employment with the proliferation of part-time, Temporary … How about it?

As part of the agreement on unemployment insurance signed earlier this year, we will create with the unions a working group on the evolution of modes of compensation. We have also provided a social debate on the labor market. I want to bring these reflections to improve the overall employment-unemployment-training. The procedures surrounding the employment contract must further progress: as such, they are blocked by their length and excessive legalism. Fear of hiring is the biggest problem for companies.Should be conducted with the collective labor disruptions that have been done with individual outs. We do not say enough that breaking conventional setup for the first time in France "flexicurity" and everyone wins.

What is the menu of your negotiations with the unions in the second half?

The priority in the coming days is to implement the employer-union agreements in the first half of youth employment. We will also continue negotiations on the value and the modernization of the peer. We will also discussions on the social well-being at work and professional equality between men and women, in which we will include paternity leave.

What is your strategy to get your ideas during the presidential campaign?

In 2007, we published a book, Need air that marked the campaign.We prepare "Need air 2" due out in early January. "Need air 2" propose structural reforms but also bring a great European project. Some time ago, it happened that I meet entrepreneurs who admitted to having voted no to the Maastricht Treaty, now I see those same business leaders confident, enthusiastic and ready to move resolutely towards European federalism economic and social development. France will remain in France if and only if Europe is united, united and powerful.

LE FIGARO. – In March, you have confirmed your strategic plan. You present today a major restructuring program. What happened a few months?

Antoine Frérot. – We must accelerate the transformation of Veolia to a new model. Circumstances require. Our strategy has not changed in three months: we want to regain profitable growth. To achieve this, we must be more selective by focusing on industries and geographies well chosen rather than spread ourselves too thin, and generate an ability to maneuver by selling assets less attractive and reducing costs. The first results are there, but insufficient, he must go further and faster. The world has changed since January. Problems related to the financial structure of local government and sovereign debt of countries of southern Europe have worsened.They depress the economy and weigh on the purchasing power. Among the consequences, the pressure on the prices of water contracts in France is increasing. Moreover, the tensions in North Africa have had an impact on our business.

How will formalize this acceleration of the reorganization?

We operate in 77 countries and carries 79% of Veolia's sales in eight of them. We decided to give some to focus on 40 countries. In many countries, we carry less than 30 million euros in turnover. We will leave less than 10% of our business. Veolia is a global, but it is not intended to be present in every country in the world. We will leave some countries of southern Europe and northern Africa, and dispose of marginal activities.The dispersion of administrative costs and control excessive.

The group did he not been arrogant in its expansion?

Between 2003 and 2007, strong global growth has been the opportunity to expand into new countries. Central Europe and Asia, we did not know it would work so well. Other activities are less well developed. Only those who do not take risks do not make mistakes.After this expansion phase, we are in a phase of digestion and concentration, although there are also some great opportunities for profitable growth in a difficult period, provided to be extremely rigorous in their selection.

What are your priorities?

We want to develop expertise on rare occasions when the demand and profitability are strong in areas where our critical mass allows us to increase our business without additional structure. These include, for example, combined heat Poland, waste treatment in England and wastewater treatment in Central Europe. By focusing on what we know how and know less than our competitors do, we will maintain strong profitability.I would add that we want to develop our own, without additional debt.

Do you think the executive committee now has the same vision of the company. This was not the case before?

In new era, new team. With the pressure on prices, our cost reductions are insufficient. We must go further, which is difficult without changing the organization. Management must be mobilized to achieve our goals: to remove a layer in the organization, change the map of our business units and restructure our seats. This acceleration of the implementation of our strategy is the next step. Veolia must be more than ever in battle.

What is the impact of your savings plan in France?

In France, where we make 39% of our business, we must strengthen our management. Our seats are too numerous and sometimes redundant, they must reduce.We will also review the organization of our teams in our division for water efficiency.

Could you get a capital of Dalkia?

It depends on the strategy of our partner. My feeling is that EDF is now the job of energy efficiency.

The transport activity is less profitable than others. Can you speed up your withdrawal from this sector?

We already share this activity with a partner, CDC, and the proposed initial public offering is to provide the means for its development without mobilizing financing of the group.

All these measures are not they also a way to settle the age Proglio?

No. They have one goal: preparing the future of Veolia.

On the night of Sunday to Monday, an agreement was reached between Republicans and Democrats to raise the U.S. debt ceiling. A favorable outcome that immediately reassured the markets: when Barack Obama announced the compromise to 2:45 Paris time, Asian stock markets – open to this hour – surged after learning that the failure to pay the United States was avoided. The Nikkei in Tokyo rose 1.7% immediately before finishing up 1.34%. Later, in Europe, major indices also showed the green, like the Cac 40 in Paris, which opened up 1.35%, and the ragagnant 3700 points, the Footsie Londoner, who took 1.07 % and the Dax in Frankfurt (+1.5%).

Safe haven, gold subside sees the outbreak of the course, which showed great concern on the part of investors.The yellow metal, which was still worth almost 1630 dollars per ounce on Friday, and is around 1615 dollars fell on Monday. Another indicator of the relief the markets: oil, which accounts for the opening of Wall Street about 2.7% to 98.28 dollars.

Immediate response as the currency market, the dollar has suddenly taken against major world currencies, particularly against the yen (the dollar rose from 77.3 to 78 yen per hour), just after the announcement.

Market reassured for a time only

Thus, if the news was appreciated at the time, markets have not been won by either euphoria and await confirmation of the plan by one vote. Yet some Republicans have expressed strong opposition to the agreement. Already around noon on Monday, the dollar back down a little, one euro was trading against 1.4437 dollars (0.23%).Same against the Swiss franc, another safe haven, which goes back to full speed against the dollar and finds its historical levels of force, to 0.78 Swiss francs to the dollar. On European stock markets, the increases were massed in mid-day. Then on Wall Street, the Dow has advanced little in early trade to 15.30, about 0.7%. Not enough to make up for the fall of 4.4% registered in the past week.

Then, around 3:45 p.m., the European and American markets have nose dive.It is not there a sudden distrust towards the agreement on U.S. debt, but a strong reaction of markets to the publication of the U.S. ISM index, which measures the strength of manufacturing activity across the Atlantic and came out in sharp decline.

Many uncertainties remain

A disappointing statistic that echoes the poor performance of U.S. economic growth in the second quarter, and falling very badly, while the federal government announces measures of fiscal restraint. The markets also show careful because the details of the agreement remain unclear. In addition, the debt ceiling would require a new vote in early 2013, after the presidential elections.Now remains to be seen how the rating agencies will react to reductions in planned expenditure, less important than they hoped.

However, they have warned: even if the United States are not lacking, this would not prevent the AAA rating of the country may be degraded. In this case, markets may again sink into depression.

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If tourists have their holidays ruined by this July "rotten", the farmers themselves are partly reassured by the rain. The drought, which promised to be catastrophic end of May, appears to be narrowly avoided. For the first time in several months, the rains approached normal in June, easing the dry surface soil. However, only the northern regions have truly benefited. The first half of July and greatly reduces the effects of drought on the eastern countries, such as Rhône-Alpes and Burgundy, where the normal monthly rainfall has been exceeded. The West remains in a difficult situation.

Ranchers are in trouble

These rains helped to clarify some of the grain prospects.The agency has adjusted FranceAgriMer last week its forecast of wheat production, providing 32 million tons instead of 31. What remains below the 2010 harvest, already one of the less good the last two years.

If rain has arranged grains, however, it comes too late for some farmers. Given the difficulties to feed their animals for lack of grass in the meadows, it has been prematurely cut down some of their livestock. For others, it was necessary to buy straw to grain. Contracts were signed with them, which helped to avoid speculation and keep the price around 25 euros per tonne.FNSEA has signed agreements with the SNCF for transporting the straw with the cost and highways to avoid tolls for trucks.

Despite these measures, the additional cost of purchasing straw will reach 10,000 to 50,000 euros per farm, according to the FNSEA. Some farmers will use a short-term loan from the Credit Agricole, at preferential rates (1.5 to 2%). This will allow them to wait until payment of the advance on the compensation of losses due to drought.

This advance, initially planned 100 million euros, has already been revised to 200 million and will be available by the National Fund for risk management in agriculture in mid-September. Nicolas Sarkozy also pledged to offset one year's repayments of loans to farmers in 2009.Christophe Chambon (Young Farmers) estimates that the measure "will give an impetus to helping farmers," but wants more: a deferred annuity of total loans.