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The Americans lecture the Europeans, in vain

From our special correspondent in Wroclaw.

The Europeans hoped "a dialogue between friends," the Americans had "no arrogance." Las. With the destabilization of markets and growing concern on both sides of the Atlantic, the U.S. Treasury Secretary, Tim Geithner, could not resist lecturing his seventeen counterparts in the euro area gathered Friday to Wroclaw (Poland).

The relief provided by five central banks – including the U.S. Fed – banks in the euro area will not long concealed the absence of concerted policy response to the crisis. On behalf of the Europeans, the President of the Eurogroup Jean-Claude Juncker declined projects Tim Geithner, citing "differences in approach with our American colleagues."Treasury Secretary, he has put his finger where the euro hurts: he publicly expressed concern "of the conflict between governments and the European Central Bank," a week after the sensational resignation of the Chief Economist of the ECB .

Barack Obama's America, soon launched a presidential campaign, fearing a collapse of Greece, a contagion to European banks and a possible fracture of the euro area. If the crisis deepens, it is the U.S. economy would suffer the backlash, shock reverse of that which had hit Europe after the collapse of Lehman Brothers in 2008.

The first message in Washing-ton is to push the Europeans to speak with one voice and act decisively. "Governments and the Central Bank should work together (…) to avoid catastrophic risks for financial markets," said Treasury Secretary.And he insists, denouncing the cacophony that destabilizes the common currency: "Everyone should also abstain from loose talk about the end of the euro area." Targeted: the proponents of expulsion from Greece …

Denial of a tax on financial transactions

The unprecedented invitation launched by Poland – host country because currently presiding the EU – Timothy Geithner had anything to embarrass, in turmoil, the finance ministers of the euro. We saw Baroin host the head of U.S. Treasury of a strong handshake in Wroclaw. But the Euro has carefully kept at a distance. He has not formally participated in the circle, but a "preliminary conversation" about an hour. Contrary to custom, he did not sent to journalists.To tell his truths to Europe, he preferred an audience of bankers in another part of town.

Some did not take gloves to say that Europe has no lessons to learn. The United States, collapsing under the deficits should put their own house, says the Belgian Didier Reynders. "America has nothing to dictate when the person refuses flatly our suggestions," added the Austrian Maria Fekter. It is true that Tim Geithner repeated Friday his opposition front to the tax on financial transactions carried to Paris, Berlin and Brussels.

Decisions deferred

For the second time in eight days, Treasury Secretary left Europe empty-handed. Friday, the Europeans have made a face at her suggestion to "leverage" means the EFSF, the bailout fund for countries of the euro in difficulty."This is not a subject that is discussed with a country outside the EU," Jean-Claude Juncker meant. Same end of inadmissibility of the American idea of ​​supporting the growth of public funds "even a donkey does not stumble twice on the same stone, 'says Didier Reynders, convinced of the urgency to fight first against the deficits.

For the Americans as to Europeans, the European event in Wroclaw ends with a disturbing sense of incompleteness, even for emergencies. The Eurogroup has pushed to mid-October a decision on payment of 8 billion euros to Greece. He did not reach an agreement on guarantees that Finland requires Greece.

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Barack Obama steps up its work plan

Washington.

A symbol. Barack Obama has surrounded himself Monday police, firefighters, construction workers and teachers whose jobs are threatened by future budget cuts planned by local authorities. During a speech in the Rose Garden of the White House, the president wanted to highlight those businesses that affect the American electorate to sing the praises of his new stimulus plan announced $ 447 billion last week.

"This plan will help our economy in times of crisis … The Congress must immediately pass the American people can not afford to wait fourteen months before we do something," said Barack Obama referring implicitly to the date of the next presidential election in November 2012.The "American Jobs Act" – the name of law – must be voted without the "little games" or "party politics," warned the president that does not want to relive the psychodrama of the summer, with negotiations on raising the ceiling debt.

The Head of State argues that thousands of jobs in public services will be saved if its plan is quickly passed. It provides for $ 130 billion transfer of funds to states to avoid redundancies of civil servants, restoring schools and launch infrastructure projects. The main component of the plan is, however, on $ 175 billion relief of charges paid by employees.Small businesses will also benefit from 65 billion to reduce charges to encourage them to hire.

Still refusing to go into details, the White House maintains that the financing plan will be covered by savings elsewhere, or additional revenue. We should know more on Sept. 19, when the president will submit proposals to the bipartisan Congressional commission tasked with identifying 1.5 trillion dollars in budget savings over ten years. The Director of Budget at the White House, Jack Lew said the President would propose 467 billion in savings.

"It is likely that there is an agreement"

Analysts do not believe that the White House manages to be adopted by all the parliamentarians of the recovery plan proposed. But a compromise seems to be emerging.In particular, the Republicans are seduced by the proposed reduction in charges paid by workers and small businesses. "In my view, it is likely that there is an agreement. The key measure will be tax cuts for small businesses … that we will bring the total plan of around 250 billion dollars, "judge Greg Valliere, chief of the Strategic Policy Advisor to the Potomac Research Group.

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Pierre & Vacances Avoriaz growing

By opening 369 new tourist residences furnished this winter, Pierre & Vacances Avoriaz ever growing, the station founded in 1967 by its President Gerard Bremond. The group, which already operates a large proportion of accommodation in place, there were 925 apartments last winter in the resort. In one season, thus increasing its capacity by almost 40%! "The work was so important that the station was closed this summer!" Said Gerard Bremond. Closed? Not quite … From April to September, Pierre & Vacances has sold any stay in Avoriaz, but the owners of apartments in the resort have obviously been able to come.

The new residences will be paying trademarks of Pierre & Vacances Maeva Pierre & Vacances but Pierre & Vacances, offers the most upscale of the group that he arrived in Avoriaz.Count for 3 rooms (6 persons), from 1760 euros per week in December, February and March. Residences Pierre & Vacances offer spa, day care, bar lounge and larger apartments are equipped with home video and Nespresso coffee machine.

"There are 15 apartments for sale"

The ambitious expansion program of Pierre & Vacances Avoriaz to be completed next year: 104 new appartrements Pierre & Vacances will open in 2013 and a "Aquariaz", an area water park (with wave pool, slides, tree water ….) will be inaugurated next summer. In total, these studies represent an unprecedented investment of 200 million euros. But true to its strategy, Pierre & Vacances will do a small part (the Aquariaz a $ 12 million). The tourism group has in fact sold to private investors plan all new apartments."There are 15 apartments for sale", says Gerard Bremond.

The spirit of the resort, it remains the same. In Avoriaz, there is no car, we walk, especially ski or horse-drawn carriage (there are 100 horses). The clientele is international and 40%, led the largest group of foreigners, the English and Dutch.

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Tourism memory grows

Site managers have the smile of memory. While attendance at places recalling the two world wars is rising, the events will be even more gratifying. In 2014 will indeed be celebrating the centenary of the beginning of the First World War. A great event that is expected to attract many visitors, French and foreign.

A study Trump France on the economic weight of this sector, 56% of managers has provided for very short-term investments to enlarge the reception area, improve the scenery of the place, upgrading showrooms or implement new services such as mobile applications.At the Douaumont ossuary, in Lorraine, where a cemetery pays tribute to fallen victims of the Battle of Verdun, the projects are already defined: "We expect the complete renovation of the monument which will be subsidized by the state, region and department. New exhibits will also be installed, "said one official.

The Museum of the Great War in Peronne, efforts will focus on the renovation media: "we will launch the iPhone and Android affecting up to visitors. They will be more useful in 2014 when more people will be equipped smartphones, "said Karine Loison, Cultural Attaché of the museum. "These are important tools to enhance exhibitions, highlighting items that we keep in reserve, which allows video recording, interactive courses for children," she adds.Other changes to the program, including signage and the replacement of audio-guides "a little tired," will be detailed to the public on the museum site in September. "We must prepare for this year 2014 will be very important," said Karine Loison.

"Hang the young"

More massive investments will even give rise to new infrastructure. Among the flagship projects include the opening and in the country of Meaux (Seine-et-Marne) Museum of the Great War of 7000 square meters, which will use the latest technology no teletrek payday advance. It was inaugurated on 11 November. "It's both a museum of history and society, to help understand the contemporary world," said the mayor of Meaux, Jean-Francois Cope, at the First Assembly of remembrance tourism held in Senate in May

"It should also be noted that France has the remains important in its territory that must develop, enhance," says Joseph Zimet, deputy director of the memory of the heritage and archives of the Ministry of Defence, which states that scarcity of witnesses is also one of the reasons why managers to invest to preserve the memory of these places. The longer term objective is clear: "hang the younger generation" a duty to remember. "The 100th anniversary will take place in the heart of the miracle of peace in Europe, to be put forward," said Daniel Percheron, President of the Regional Council of Nord / Pas-de-Calais, which emphasizes "the universal dimension" of the event.

Meanwhile, the management of memory and heritage archives of the Ministry of Defence hopes to establish a tourism observatory memory and perpetuate the appointment of foundation organized around its players. The next will be held in Lille in 2013.

SEE:

"The site interdepartmental www.cheminsdememoire.gouv.fr, which lists all the important memorial sites in France.

"The video presentation produced by the Ministry of Defence and projected opening of the Assembly of Tourism Memory:

On the paths of Memory: MEMORY FOUNDATIONS OF TOURISM davbon99 from on Vimeo.

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Small relapse to Wall Street

Shortly before the opening on Tuesday on Wall Street index futures Standard & Poor's 500 and Nasdaq 100, respectively, yielded 0.74% to 1199.20 points and 2207.50 points to 0.56%. The Dow Jones was waiting for his part, down 0.59% at 11,449 points.

After the flight of the day, the New York Stock Exchange and could catch his breath at the opening on Tuesday. Profit taking, mixed with caution always appreciated by investors, seem to encourage U.S. stock markets to begin the session backwards. Even if the words, held last Friday by the Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke reassured, prompting indexes rebounded strongly yesterday, investors remain worried.As recalled in a note Tuesday that Jean-Michel Six, chief Europe economist for Standard & Poor's, a "recession" double-dip "is preventable, but the risk increases."

Real Estate and Consumer Menu

Investors monitor more than ever the various macroeconomic indicators of the week free credit report and score. Both are on the agenda for this Tuesday: the Case-Shiller real estate index of house prices for June, from 15.00. Then will come at 16:00, the numbers of consumer confidence for August.

The minutes of the Federal Reserve (Fed) minutes of the last meeting of 9 August, the Monetary Policy Committee (FOMC) of the U.S. central bank will also be observed under the microscope, after market close, at 20:00 Paris time .

On the corporate side, no major publication on Tuesday.Bank of America on Monday launched a new large-scale operation to strengthen its capital by selling about half its stake in China Construction Bank, which allows him to approach the future requirements of rules known as "Basel III". The bank will retain 5% stake in the establishment of China (BCC) after this transaction, which must be completed by the end of September. The sale includes 13.1 million shares of the CCB to a group of investors.

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Buffett wants more taxes for the rich

American billionaire Warren Buffett wants his share of sacrifice to help America reduce its budget deficit. In an article published in The New York Times, the head of Berkshire Hathaway investment fund called on parliamentarians to raise taxes on Americans with annual incomes exceed a million dollars, and even more taxing those who earn more than ten million dollars per year.

He said it does not hurt to use or for investment, while helping to clean up the country's finances. "Our leaders have called for shared sacrifice, he writes. But when they did ask, they spared me. I checked with my friends to see which mégariches sacrifices they expected payday loans in 1 hour.Them either were not affected. "Warren Buffett has led his small survey: last year's tax rate accounted for 17.4% of its taxable income, while that of 20 workers in his office was between 33% and 41%.

"While the poor and middle class fighting for us in Afghanistan, and while many Americans are struggling to make ends meet, we, the mégariches, continue to benefit from special tax exemptions," says the American billionaire.

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The Fed again lead Wall Street

In the wake of Wall Street, the indices showed last green. The U.S. indices were offered a breath of oxygen, the ones who had suffered a Monday night session black. But did not count on the intervention of the Fed, which ended the great rebound: the Central Bank of the United States (Fed) announced Tuesday it would keep its key interest rate near zero " at least until mid-2013 "and that it was considering new stimulus package to help the economy. These ads have been justified by growth 'considerably slower' than expected and risks "have increased".

What investors consolidate their fear that the U.S. economy slow down seriously. Around 20:30, the Dow Jones clawing over 0.04% to 10,814 points, still below 11,000 points, after crossing the water line briefly.The Standard & Poor's 500 and 100 Nadsad, highly volatile, yet amounted respectively to 1.21% and 1.98%, whereas increases were much more frank queqlues minutes before the Fed speaks. The Fed should seek a delicate compromise between indications that reassure investors around the world, and a formulation that is acceptable to the enemies of inflation.

Also very anxious before the meeting with the Fed, the European and Asian stock market finally closed in the red after a session yoyo. In Paris the CAC 40 fell below 3,000 points for the first time since July 2009. But the trend seems to have subsided, the indices being pressed into the green in the afternoon.

Plummeting after the deteriorating U.S. debt rating last Friday, the Dow ended Monday down 5.55%, falling to 10,809.80 and the lowest level in 10 months. It dropped below the 11,000 points for the first time since October. The Nasdaq, dominated by technology, more copiously unscrewed further, down 6.90%. The speech of President Barack Obama yesterday at the meeting, has little reassured the markets, which have severely plummeted, from both sides of the Atlantic. Furthermore, degradation, on Monday, Standard & Poor's, unsecured notes of Fanny Mae and Freddie Mac, organizations refinancing home loans, a, yesterday, still darkened the picture.These organisms probably were punished because of their dependence on the U.S. federal government.

Global oil demand to decrease

The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries Tuesday lowered its forecast for growth in global demand for crude in 2011, citing deteriorating macroeconomic outlook in most advanced economies. In its monthly report, OPEC reduced its forecast of 150,000 barrels per day (bpd) now and plans for this year growth in global demand of 1.21 million bpd of crude.In financial markets, oil prices were up Tuesday at the opening in New York (13 cents to 81.54 dollars), offering an impressive rebound Oil prices were up Tuesday at the opening New York, offering an impressive rebound after falling to levels seen since September.

Earlier this afternoon, investors are aware of a new better than expected, but still not glorifying to the future of U.S. growth. Productivity, which measures hourly output per worker, fell at an annual rate of 0.3% over the period April to June after falling 0.6% the previous quarter (revised from 1.8%). The market expected it folds down from 0.8% in the second quarter.

Face communication at high risk of the Fed tonight, "it is clear that the average productivity of U.S. companies in the second quarter is very far from the concerns of the market and will go unnoticed" analysts suggest Aurel BGC. Especially since the figure is clearly negative, the victim of an increasingly weakened growth.

The market capitalization of U.S. computer maker Apple has briefly exceeded that of the oil giant ExxonMobbil Tuesday, becoming the most expensive company in the world, said a specialist told AFP. The market capitalization of both groups were around 340 billion dollars in the afternoon in New York, told AFP Volokhine Gregory, head of markets for the company portfolio management Meeschaert New York. That of Apple rose temporarily above that of ExxonMobil to 7:20 p.m..

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Atos results improved by Siemens

Atos continued to bounce back despite the difficulties of the IT sector in developed countries. Despite a slight drop in sales (-0.7% to 2.47 billion euros on a comparable basis) in the first half, the services company in computer engineering said Wednesday in a statement net income group share of 100 million euros in the first half, up 66% year on year. Atos has indeed improved its operating margin. A 166 million, represents 6.7% of revenues, compared to 6% for the same period last year. "In the first half of 2011, as planned, we managed to increase the operating margin for the fifth consecutive quarter," welcomes these results Thierry Breton, CEO of Atos.

The first group activity is outsourcing, which shows an increase in its turnover by 0.6% to 906 million euros.The operating margin turned positive in all service lines of the group, except for high-tech transactional services (HTTS), where it fell slightly by 0.5% over the first half of 2010. This decrease is attributable to significant investment group in the countries of Asia and Europe, including the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and Spain.

An advance on the schedule for the integration of SIS

Former Atos Origin has officially completed in early July the acquisition of the holding company consolidating all IT activities of Siemens, Siemens IT Solutions and Services (SIS), which gave birth to a new entity, now called Atos. In exchange, the German group was to take up to 15% in the new entity. The merger helped to improve the financial position of the group."The growth in operating margin was performed in the context of preparations for the integration of SIS," said Thierry Breton, adding that the group is now well positioned to increase its competitiveness, and is ahead of schedule to deploy program realization of merger synergies cashadvance.

Growth in the UK due to public commissions

In terms of performance by geographical area, the UK market of the company that turns out to be the most dynamic yet. Group revenue increased by 3% in the United Kingdom, supported in particular by the return of public commissions that have operated in the area of ​​facilities management (6.6%) and HTTS (+7%) after a freeze period of new contracts during the economic crisis, said Michel Alain Proch, chief financial officer of Atos.

Moreover, in Europe, the activity of the company specialized in IT services has suffered persistent problems in the markets, which led to a very high selectivity of the contracts. This is the case of Benelux, where the turnover of Atos was down 4.1% and France, where the decline in the activity of specialist services is 2.9% in the first six months of the year. These are two historic regions for the group, accounting for one third of its business. As for the new entities Chinese, Turkish and Russian, the results should impact the sales of Atos about 50 million, they will be integrated with results from the fourth quarter, it said. The transfer of these entities occurred on July 1, when the acquisition of SIS by Atos.

The group now expects an operating margin of 6.2% for all of 2011, for an annual turnover of around 6.8 billion euros. Atos also confirmed a target cash flow up 20% to 170 million euros.

These encouraging results have been applauded by the Paris Stock Exchange on Wednesday. The title of the SSII took 5.01% to 39.16 euros to 10 hours.

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The 2011 Tour de France dope France Televisions and Europcar

Competition without doping and full of uncertainty is the best guarantee of a successful Tour. In France Televisions, one welcomes the improvement of the hearings provided by the Tour de France 2011. The latter was successful, according to Médiamétrie, peaking at 8.5 million viewers and posted an average over the entire round of 5.2 million daily viewers. The mountain stages as Pinerolo-Serre Chevalier even totaled an audience share of 55.4%.

Daniel Bilalian, head of France Televisions sports, these good results are due primarily to the fact that "the Tour was a real race with many uncertainties, suspense and surprises.As in previous years, the doping scandals have caused the alienation of the event, the 2011 has shown, not supermen, but real riders in the choice of strategies winners or losers, often arriving exhausted. "D ' Moreover, as noted in the athletic director of France Televisions, "sporting events that are stable or growing in audience are characterized by their rarity, such as Six Nations, the Olympics or the Tour de France. It is not just a sporting event but a historical monument as well as July 14. "

"The arrival of new international actors"

This would explain que15 including 20% ​​of viewers of the Tour are not fans of "Little Queen." To hang, France Televisions has also developed programs around the retransmission of the competition."The austere retransmissions within the meaning of the word belong to channels. In France Televisions, we focus instead on the sporting spectacle, "insists Daniel Bilalian. And it noted that "if no channel can claim an immediate return to a sports broadcast, however, its market share in a day later, a commercial value that advertising can be negotiated. The sport has allowed France to claim 2 throughout the year an audience share of 16% and not 15%. "For this reason in particular that France Television has extended by two years until 2015 included a distribution contract with Amaury Sport Organisation (ASO), the copyright holder of the Tour de France, but the Paris-Roubaix, the Paris Marathon, or the Dakar.If no amount has been disclosed, market experts say that "France Televisions, which remained faithful to the Tour in the worst moments of its history and has guaranteed its sponsors visibility of its branches, would have known that a reasonable increase of prices of the competition. "

In 2015, all contracts of the Tour de France, however, must be renegotiated. Daniel Bilalian cause for concern that fears "the arrival of new international actors such as al-Jazeera, which invests to meet all requirements and policies that have no marketing budget limit."

The reputation of Europcar in the wake of Voeckler

Ten days in yellow by Thomas Voeckler, Europcar team leader, allowed the car rental company to significantly improve its reputation.The group chose this sport for its popularity intact despite the image linked to doping.

Number one European location, the group has engaged in cycling in 2010 to try to improve its reputation with its competitors (Avis, Hertz, Sixt) most frequently cited in surveys of customers. Building 15 million for three years in cycling, the group has apparently achieved its objectives through thousands of citations during the Tour de France.

This bet – won – was nevertheless very bold: Europcar had bet 75% of its budget and marketing communication, 2011.

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Sony Ericsson affected by the tsunami in Japan

The earthquake of March 11 in Japan can be seen in the accounts of the mobile phone manufacturer Sony Ericsson. Controlled equally by the Japanese Sony and Swedish Ericsson, the joint venture made a loss of 50 million euros in the second quarter, the first for over a year. Its turnover was also affected, falling 32% to 1.19 billion euros.

"The impact of the earthquake has had an impact on the supply chain and delivery of approximately 1.5 million product especially at the beginning of the quarter," said the Swede Bert Nordberg, CEO of Sony Ericsson. Its mobile phone sales declined to 7.6 million units. What Sony Ericsson should immerse the tenth largest in the world.

Already, the whole of 2010, the group had fallen to sixth place, because of Apple's breakthrough in the rankings, according to research firm Gartner.Then, in the first quarter, Sony Ericsson has continued its descent into hell to register for the ninth World manufacturers. The thrust of the champions of smartphones such as Apple, Samsung, Research in Motion, which manufactures the BlackBerry, and the Taiwanese HTC, very involved in the smartphone using Google's Android, partly explains the loss of land. However, even the American and Chinese ZTE Motorola went to Sony Ericsson.

Play the card Android

Xperia product line, totaling 16 million units, has been slow to be renewed, which explains the loss of land until the first quarter of 2011. However, recent losses do not affect the strategy of the joint venture. This is a "hiccup." "We do not change our goals, plans or anything.We see a great demand for our products and we approach the last two quarters in a very positive, "said the boss of Sony Ericsson. The focus on Android, the Google operating system for smartphones, the most sold in the world. Already 70% of its sales of smart phones, designed to connect to the Internet, are equipped with Google software. Sony Ericsson claims therefore about 11% of the global market segment. Bert Nordberg hopes to achieve, ultimately quarter sales of Google Phone in the world. But it does not specify when this should occur.

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