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The manager of the French railway network, Réseau Ferré de France (RFF), proposed on Thursday a 7.4% increase in tolls, the SNCF and its potential competitors will have to pay to circulate the TGV in 2013. After a 1.5% increase, which will be implemented in 2012, RFF describes his proposal for a "moderate".

These rates are still the subject of a bitter battle between the SNCF, which reiterates that these tolls threaten its business model, and RFF, who needs financial resources to sustain a railway network in poor condition quick payday loan. The increase was 6.4% in 2009 from 11% in 2010 and 11.7% in 2011.

For regional express trains (TER), the increase in tolls is generally softer: it should reach 2.5% in 2012 and 5% in 2013.On average, the increase should be 4.3% in 2013, while "inflation rail" suffered by RFF is 5.8%, says the network manager.

These proposals will be discussed until the end of October and will then be submitted to the Regulatory Authority rail operations (Araf).

The denunciation was on a roll. While in Britain the government call the citizens to denounce the rioters, Greece, reports of suspected fraud to the Treasury affluent than ever. The local fraud squad has received 18,500 disclosures in 2010, against 4500 last year and 4,000 in 2008. The trend continues since 7500 reports have been recorded in the first half. In most cases, these phone calls or emails denouncing anonymous traders who have "failed" to issue receipts or the liberal professions (doctors, lawyers …) not issuing receipts.

Unpunished for decades, tax evasion is now seriously disputed by the authorities, under pressure from the EU and the IMF.In turn, the Greeks, hard hit by the austerity plans, are becoming more willing to report those who do not respect the rules of the game, however, they take care: this is almost twenty-five centuries of Athenian democracy suffered a lot of sycophants. These informers professionals who enriched themselves through their charges, have contributed to the decline of Greece.

The era of good times is over. China, which for years received lessons in economic policy by the United States, primarily relating to foreign exchange, takes revenge. While S & P has to sacrifice the triple A of the United States, Beijing, the largest holder of U.S. bonds in the world – by far, with 1,160 billion of U.S. Treasuries in the drawers according to figures from Washington published last May – now estimated to have "every right to require U.S. to address their structural problems of debt."

The Chinese government estimates that S & P has only confirmed a "horrible truth". One that was highlighted by the rating agency Dagong China, which has degraded the U.S. triple-A immediately after the agreement to raise the debt ceiling.She said "the days of Uncle Sam, crippled with debt, could easily squander endless amounts of borrowing from abroad seem numbered. (…) In order to treat his addiction to debt, the U.S. must restore the principle of common sense that we must live within its means. " For Dagong, the note of the United States increased from A + to A with, again, a negative outlook. According to the official Xinhua news agency, the adoption by Congress of a text to avoid a default of the United States failed to defuse "the bomb of debt." This failure to control U.S. borrowing could affect the "well-being of hundreds of millions of families in the United States and abroad," she lamented a few days ago.

In other countries, tempers

In France, Baroin, Minister of Economy, trying to reassure.First European official to respond to the thunder of the deterioration in the sovereign rating of the debt of the United States, he ensured that France "has full confidence in the strength of the U.S. economy and its fundamentals, and in the U.S. government's determination to implement the plan that was approved by Congress this week. "

In the UK, the British Trade Vince Cable held Saturday "completely predictable" degradation of the United States. "This is a completely predictable consequence of the mess created by Congress (…) but they (MPs) have now heard, and the situation of the United States is strong enough," he said.

Japan, the second creditor of the United States, said that its policy of buying U.S. bonds remained unchanged despite lowering their score."Our confidence in U.S. Treasuries and their attractiveness as an investment will not change because of this action," said a Japanese government official told Dow Jones Newswires. Japan, which is trying by all means to curb a flight of its currency against the greenback, has no interest in selling its dollar assets for now since it would only strengthen the yen.

In South Korea, senior officials of the Ministry of Finance held an emergency meeting Saturday to analyze the consequences of the downgrade. But the government has warned against overreaction. "We need not be too worried about our economy and financial markets," said Deputy Finance Minister Yim Jong-yong. An Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard has also called for calm markets."At the same time, the other two major agencies, Moody's and Fitch continue to note the U.S. economy AAA. So I think people need to consider all the facts, "she said. In the Philippines, a spokesman for the Presidency said that the downgrade by S & P was "to some extent a wakeup call for the U.S. begin to seriously address their economic problems. We have confidence in their ability to do so. "

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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.

"Today I am very happy that the rights of passengers are finally recognized," says Celine Cloquet-Claret. The acupuncturist Lyon, aged 33, welcomed the decision of the District Court of Paris, which proved him right in front of the station in a case of delayed train. And, although it has not affected the Euro 4044 she claimed: 3000 euros for moral damages and 1,044 euros in fees for these professional meetings. "The most important thing is that I have made my day pay off," said Celine Cloquet-Claret in figaro.fr.

The traveler asked for 4000 euros

In addition to the refund of his ticket, the SNCF will pay € 300 in damages for hurt feelings and € 500 in court costs. Is "approximately 900 euros payable immediately," according to his lawyer David Metaxas. This amount does not fully cover the fees it would receive due."This difference is explained by the fact that we could not account for the entire injury," said the lawyer figaro.fr. Five other passengers the route Paris-Lyon filed a writ of summons and also claim the same amount "equivalent to a day's work," according to counsel for the National Federation of Associations of transport users.

Background: Friday, January 8, 2010. As every week, the young woman took the train to Lyon to 8 hours to Paris where she planned 12 treatments of the Beauty of the Hotel Majestic. Fifteen minutes later, the TGV stops. "After two hours, we were told it was a problem on the overhead line, but we say when it would be resolved," she says. After seven hours, the train leaves for finally coming into Gare de Lyon to … 4:32 p.m., when he was supposed to arrive at 10:03.Meanwhile, the acupuncturist has lived a nightmare. "It was getting cold and I could not tell my customers I was late (because of the catenary problem, heat and phones do not work)," said she easy payday loans. Then comes lunch. The station serves meal trays. "But there were only 150 to 300 passengers and I could not eat," she says.

"These assignments will multiply"

Furious, the girl immediately returned to Lyon. "I lost my day, she says." And money: 1044 euro, the amount of his fees for the twelve sessions. The envelopes distributed by the station for a refund the ticket does not cover that amount. On the advice of his lawyer friend, she decides to press charges. His lawyer believes that the station has breached its contractual obligations, "the obligation of punctuality" and "the requirement of safety and information."According to him, a broken overhead on the network, causing disruption of traffic, is not a case of force majeure. "This kind of delay can not be seen as unpredictable, it happens all the time," says the lawyer. He added: "Beyond the delay is the way the station handled the things that is problematic: it does not inform the passengers, they are left without heating or hot drinks, we do not offer evacuate them. "

Anyway, this new case comes a little more tarnish the image of the station, faces many delays in recent months including that of the famous night train from Port Bou-Strasbourg / Nice arrived with more than 24 hours after his departure. For two other stories of late, two lawyers had also won their case against the company several months ago. "These assignments will multiply, says Mr. Metaxas. Users have had enough.Subscriptions are too expensive and their purchasing power decreases. Through these victories, users must realize that they can recover more than just a ticket refund. "

Coincidence of timing, when the French government announced the rules for large PV installations, the producer of renewable energy Neoen and private equity investment Axa Private Equity participate in the consolidation of a growing industry but still very scattered. Neoen and Axa PE announced Monday the purchase of renewable Poweo activities. Founded by media Charles Beigbeder, Poweo is controlled by the group since 2009 Austrian Verbund. Its branch renewable 100% controlled by Verbund, is distinct from Poweo SA, the small challenger EDF is for sale. Taking advantage of the confusion, the action Poweo SA rose 18% on the stock market yesterday.

Active in offshore wind

The operation mounted by Neoen and AXA PE is around 50 million euros, according to Xavier Barbaro, CEO Neoen. The two buyers will share the assets of Green Poweo.Neoen take possession of 14 megawatts (MW) of photovoltaic systems in operation in France and a portfolio of projects. Totaling 50 MW in solar and wind power and 70 MW biomass project in the state approved.

Neoen also retrieves the trash from Poweo installed in the consortium recently with EDF to meet the tender of the State on the first offshore wind

This young company, founded in 2008 in the lap of Direct Energy, is now a "sister company", sharing the same shareholder, namely Jacques Veyrat.As part of his departure on June 30 of the Louis Dreyfus, one that Robert Louis-Dreyfus regarded as his spiritual son got in exchange of its shares in the group of trading, more active and which Neoen 39 2% of Direct Energy.

Supported by its new shareholder, the small Neoen sees far. With the acquisition announced Monday, "we will double our sales power," said Xavier Barbaro. And "it is only a first step," said the leader of this company recently opened an office in Portugal for investment in solar.

Xavier Barbaro time opportunists in photovoltaics in France is over. To evolve and grow in the highly capital-intensive renewable energy, whether solar or wind, "you have to reach critical mass."

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Greece will operate at idle on Tuesday, the first day of a general strike of 48 hours. A movement to challenge the new austerity plan which must be passed by parliament before June 30 The unions and the opposition rejected the new tax increases and the waves of mass privatization included in this new plan.

And the movement promises to be monitored. As for transportation, airlines warned that Greek flights will be canceled and Athens, most buses, trolleys, interurban trains and trams will remain in port. Governments are also concerned. In hospitals, only emergencies will be provided, power cuts will be random and banks remain closed. The journalists will stop work for several hours. The outrage, the popular resistance movement apolitical, gathered on Parliament Square.

But despite popular discontent, the government maintains its plan, the adoption of conditions the release of a new tranche of loans from the European Union and the International Monetary Fund. Become indispensable aid to Greece to avoid a default. Prime Minister George Papandreou has even called yesterday to the "patriotic duty" of MPs urging them to vote in favor of the proposed budget for fiscal consolidation in the country. And voting will take place tomorrow and Thursday, promises to be particularly tight: the opposition and vote against certain member of the majority – that is up to five votes say they also opposed. If rejected, the Europeans have built up a "plan B", according to Reuters.It would be a plan in case of default anticontagion Greek, distinct from the French proposal, based it on a private sector participation.

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Emerging markets have gained a few percentages of voting rights since the reform as demanded by the IMF management. Their weight increased by 38.4% and 42.3% of the vote. But it is always the U.S. and the Europeans leading international institution in spite of the voting down 46% to 43.4%. These figures are determined theoretically based on State participation in financing the institution.

Countries are grouped by school, themselves represented by a director elected to the Board of Governors, the supreme decision making body of the IMF. Except for the most powerful of them. The United States, France, or Germany, but also Saudi Arabia or China, have a seat assigned to them.This system of representation for the pooled least major countries said that Spain, which supports the candidacy of Christine Lagarde, will vote for his opponent, Agustin Carstens. Indeed, his voice is attached to those countries in South America.

If the weight of each country into account, "the IMF tends to emphasize the consensus in the designation of candidates," said Jerome Sgard, research director at the Center for International Studies and Research (CERI). Large countries like Brazil and China, have not indicated their preference between Lagarde and Carstens. "This type of organizations do not publicize their internal conflicts", slipped the researcher.

In fact, the future boss of the IMF "is not elected," according to Jerome Sgard in an analysis published in Le Figaro."He is chosen, namely the international political establishment which gives it a personal mandate." In this race there, Christine Lagarde seems to have some advance on his Mexican challenger. Performance to be confirmed by June 30, when the "selection process" will be closed.

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Owning a car costs more expensive. Not only do gasoline prices have soared, but the maintenance costs, insurance, tolls or taxes increase every year, as shown in a study by the Automobile Club de France on Thursday. For anyone put off by these costs, young companies believe they have found the solution on their website, they are related to vehicle owners and individuals wishing to rent one. Car sharing, which allows individuals to rent a self-service vehicles, as is the case with Autolib in Paris, and goes into high gear.

The principle is simple: a website, such as car Lib, Livop CityZenCar and the owner shows the windows of availability of the vehicle, which the state meets certain conditions.In turn, tenants, previously registered on the site, reserve the car for a few hours, days or weeks. Then, linking depends on the site: Car Lib, industry pioneer in France since June 2010, highlights the community side. Individuals come together to exchange therefore a deposit check and vehicle documents. In contrast, in Livop, no meeting is planned to create an "automatic respect", according to Kieran Connolly, founder of the company that rents cars since December 2010. No key exchange then, but one case, the "Livop-box" installed on the car and allowing the tenant to open it.

Finally, the newest, CityZenCar, which is open for rental from mid-April, seeks to create a "community members" between neighbors who can lend their cars regularly."We try as people build a relationship on our site, and it makes more sense if they live in the same neighborhood," said David Laval, founder of the site. CityZenCar offering specialized packages to subscribe to the service as a pass at 12 euros per month for the tenant. The owner may, in turn, equip his car with a box, optional but useful, to 49 euros per month.

"Replace the second vehicle"

With this innovative formula, the pioneers of the industry argue that everyone is a winner. For tenants of vehicles is the way to "replace the famous second vehicle is an additional constraint that evaluates to 5000 euros per year," said Kieran Connolly.The rented car acts as extra vehicle: do some shopping (especially Livop that rents by the hour) or go on holiday (especially in car Lib, where the average rent is 4 to 5 days) . Also, competition would come and no car sharing or rental agencies: "The real competitor is the personal car," says David Laval CityZenCar.

Livop, with 780 tenants and 280 owners of properties on its site, is, moreover, its forward fixed price regardless of the season, which range between 3 and 10 euros an hour, depending on the size and length the vehicle payday loans. Lib car claim its share of the prize "from 40 to 50% lower" than in traditional rental companies. On average, the car rental site, which includes 5,000 members and thousands of vehicles for rent, and back to 25 euros per day.As for members of CityZenCar 3200, where 250 vehicles are available, the owner sets himself the price and can provide discounts to its tenants.

Single insurance contract

"The problem is the first time," said David Laval, stressing the importance of building a trusting relationship with its exchange partner. For this, each start-up highlights the contract negotiated with a single insurer. Important consequence: the conduct of the tenant does not impact on bonuses and penalties of the vehicle owner. Tenants and owners, in addition, asked to assume a note after each experiment.

Vehicle owners also recover a few pennies with their vehicle, previously immobilized. "The owners are often people who already have credit. They come in the idea of ​​sharing, but also to make a small gain, "said Kieran Connolly."These are not people in need," said Paulin Dementhon, but a throw extra money is welcome. In Car Lib, owner busiest realized a gain of 1000 to 1500 euros since June 2010.

Five times less expensive for renters

Finally, for the renters themselves, the formula is a godsend: "The idea was to remove what is the most expensive: the financing of cars, details Kieran Connolly of Livop. Our investment is the development of technology [boxes] and management of leases. But the monthly cost to fund such technology comes on average five times less expensive than maintaining a fleet in a traditional landlord. "Livop ensures, however, negotiate with and garages Carossier preferential rates for its vehicle owners.

To finance start-ups retire from the trade commission, up to 30% among Lib car and 50% in Livop. There is not, however, in CityZenCar where tenants are already paying the monthly pass.

The renters are intended optimistic about the future of the industry: "A large rental company has a fleet of 30,000 vehicles, Kieran Connolly notes. We, if team 1% of the French fleet, there will be 300,000 cars. Ten times. " It remains to convince individuals that their cars can also bring them some money …

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It only took ten days for the disaster that befell Japan to produce its first effects on European industry. Difficulties, suffering the effects of Hitachi, PSA Peugeot Citroën, today reduced the rates in most of its European factories. The activity will drop to 75% at Sochaux, Mulhouse and Sevelnord, and between 40% and 50% of normal level at Aulnay and Poissy, Madrid and Vigo (Spain) and Trnava (Czech Republic). Only Rennes Mangualde (Portugal) are not affected.

The price of lean

Hitachi manufactures flow meters, an electronic component essential to diesel engines fitted to 68% of cars sold in Europe by PSA. This supplier "gradually resumed its production," says the manufacturer, who expects "a return to normal within a week." In total, PSA works with a score of suppliers in Japan."In light of available stocks and the status of their production, apart from Hitachi, we have no particular problem so far," said a spokesman.

At Renault, only the Korean plant in Busan, more dependent on Japan, saw its production drop about 20%. Shipments of components left by ship from the archipelago to the continent before the earthquake. "We have before us a few weeks' supply, says the Diamond brand. Meanwhile, the group meets every day "several crisis centers" to list, among the parts come from Japan, "those that could pose a problem." Among the solutions: air supply or transfer to other suppliers.

According to the American Institute of forecasting IHS, all major manufacturers will still be affected by the disaster from mid-April.These, as well as many other industry groups of all sizes are now paying the price of the strategies carried out over two years. Once essential to profitability, the flow became tight, financial crisis requires a condition of survival. Manufacturers have made drastic efforts to preserve their liquidity. And to that end, they accelerated their policies to reduce their inventories.

Being lean makes some firms more vulnerable today. "The policy of active management of stocks is assumed that there is no break in the supply chain," said Philippe Waechter. The director of economic research at Natixis believes however that the model should not be questioned, "it is probably not possible to run a business as a rule by considering the occurrence of very low probability event."