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It is late. But, for once, it's not his fault. Whereas in Berlin Tuesday to 18 h 30, Francois Hollande has landed 45 to 19 h. Struck by lightning, the presidential plane was forced to return to land at Villacoublay.

As he arrives on the doorstep of the Chancellery, Angela Merkel is there to greet him. They exchange a handshake. No hug, as did Nicolas Sarkozy in 2007, destabilizing his interlocutor. A little stiff, President novice discovers the protocol: a hand gesture, the Chancellor guide when passing in review the troops. It seeks its mark next to it and lack of hustle on the red carpet.

Just invested as president, Francois Hollande, like its predecessor five years ago, was keen to stress the symbolic importance and challenge of the Franco-German dedicated to Angela Merkel's first visit as head of state. "I did not know her, even if his reputation had long since crossed the border," he said after a meeting of more than an hour before a working dinner.

The Chancellor had not wanted to meet the Socialist candidate in the campaign to mark its defiance vis-à-vis the renegotiation of the budgetary stability pact. The subject was included in the course of the game menu. "I said in the campaign, I repeat again today, I wanted to renegotiate the treaty to include a dimension of growth", said Francois Hollande.

Before his election, he threatened not to ratify the text if it was not amended to include a revival of European growth. Tuesday, he paved the way for a compromise: "The method that we have agreed is to put all ideas, all proposals on the table and then see what are the translations for legal format." Everything has opposed priori attached to the socialist revival and conservative buttressed by fiscal discipline. But, obviously, the head of state does not rob his partner immediately. "We have different approaches to achieve growth, but we will share our ideas to see what are the different ways to stimulate growth," replied the Chancellor. Francois Hollande evoked improving competitiveness and Eurobonds cash advance flexible payments. To reassure the Germans, he said he was concerned about the "seriousness of the budget." But, he said, "it's because I'm for serious budget I am for growth."

Time was not on Tuesday, the settlement of underlying problems that have accumulated. "This meeting was intended to know us better, build a relationship, establish a working method," said the French president. Among the burning questions, the crisis in Greece could not be avoided, in a context where it leaves the euro area is now considered. "The Greeks must know that we will come to them to enable them to secure their place" in the eurozone, Holland assured. "I agree that Greece must remain in the Euro Area", completed Merkel, hoping, for his part, "structural reforms".

Sentenced to agree

The Head of State and the Chancellor will meet on Friday at the G8 summit at Camp David, then, in the process, that of NATO, in Chicago. Above, both meet again May 23 for an informal summit of Heads of State and Government in Brussels European. And in late June, the European Council, "French and Germans will jointly present their ideas for growth in Europe," Merkel promised.

Despite their differences, the new couple Merkel Holland was sentenced to agree. At the edge of its mandate, the French president can not afford to fail on one of its most ambitious promises, the reorientation of the European Union. For his part, Chancellor, one year of law, is obliged to strengthen its position against an opposition Social Democrats who redoubles criticism against the policy of austerity. In the presidential entourage, it is noted that the electoral victory of the SPD in North Rhine-Westphalia on Sunday, depriving Angela Merkel a majority in both Houses of Parliament

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The tone hardens in the conflict between marine companies between Corsica and the mainland. The strike called by the CGT Wednesday to demand the application of the same social laws to all shipping companies, including foreign competition, making these runs was renewed this Saturday. A decision that provoked the "anger" of the direction of SNCM (Société Nationale Corse Méditerranée), 66% subsidiary of Veolia Transdev. The South (ex-CMN) is also affected by the strike. The movement "is followed at 28% to SNCM, a little more to the CMN, but enough to prevent smuggling," said the leadership of SNCM.

The nine SNCM ships and the South (ex-CMN) assigned to services between Marseille, Nice and Corsica are therefore remained docked for the fourth consecutive day, some 10,000 passengers were affected since the conflict began. Many of them have changed their return by traveling on ships of the private company Corsica Ferries, Italian flag, which normally circulate. SNCM has expressed "outrage" because "this movement supposed to fight our competitors rather strengthen, beyond their expectations." Moreover, the director of the company for Corsica, Pierre-André Giovannini, expressed his "regret for the inconvenience to our customers, passengers and cargo carriers, and this new blow to the island economy." He said over the weekend of May 8 Bridge is "one of the most important pre-season tourist" for Corsica.

A bill filed by the PCF

The strikers will meet again Sunday morning to decide on the following movement. "So is the future of thousands of jobs in our profession," says the union in a statement. The strike comes as the ferries market suffered the turmoil of the crisis in recent years. Thus, since its passage in the private sector in 2006, SNCM has almost always been in the red. She was accused of operating losses of 15 million euros last year. Especially, the CGT sailors had already scored a major coup a year ago by stopping work for 47 days, never seen to SNCM. If it were to get bogged down, however this new strike is unlikely to change the trajectory of the group. The direction of the SNCM instead reiterated its "determination to rapidly modernize and evolve the company, in all areas." Last March, the chief executive, Marc Dufour, warned that SNCM would have to separate at least two car ferries and 800 employees in 1617.

In some election, this issue has naturally taken a political turn. Friday, a trade union delegation was received in Paris by representatives of different parties, including the national secretary of the PCF, Peter Lawrence. His party has tabled in the Senate on March 22 a bill to require all companies operating in France the first entry in register of ships, making them subject to French social laws. Sailors CGT also met the spokesman of the Socialist Party, Benoît Hamon, who is, according to the union, "clearly in favor of the adoption of this law," and a consultant Francois Hollande. In Marseille, finally, a delegation was received by the federation UMP.

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The specter of drought away with the recent rains. But the winter freeze damage to crops are more than expected as and as spring advances. "That damage is exceptionally large, Xavier Beulin regrets, FNSEA President. In total 600,000 hectares of wheat, canola and barley were destroyed by the cold wave of February. "

In a letter to the Minister of Agriculture, FNSEA asks Bruno Le Maire to trigger the emergency procedure in Europe. It provides "the inclusion of force majeure" as "a serious natural disaster affecting a major agricultural area of ​​operation", so that farmers continue to receive their aid.

The green light from Brussels

Payment of these grants is linked to European compliance by the operator of a number of criteria, including stick to crop type notified in advance. This "rotation" is defined in the declaration CAP (Common Agricultural Policy) that meet the farmers every year in May for the crops they will do next season. These conditions are required to receive direct payments. Other aid, indirect, are related to the implementation of certain agri-environmental standards guaranteed unsecured personal loan. The leaders of the FNSEA have already given the green light from Brussels. They now expect the French transposition.

Activation of this procedure will allow farmers, especially those in the north-eastern France, the winter freeze victims, not to be penalized twice: not only by the lower yield of spring planting, but also by a reduction in aid European sanctioning non-compliance of the crop rotation in their declaration CAP. Finally, the recognition of this act of God must allow an advance on anticipated aid on October 16, instead of early December.

Private insurance side, the amount of compensation that will be paid, should amount to some 70 million euros. But all farmers are far from having signed a contract to hedge. Finally, a new wave of freezing took place last week but it has affected this time departments of the central region, penalizing the orchards and vineyards.

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Since the U.S. Open in 2011, claims rumble among players. Endowments tournaments and especially to the calendar Grand Slam. To calm the discontent, the price of Roland Garros were revalued by 8.67%, while those in the first round losers go up by 20%, at a circuit where prices are 30% focused on the four best (Djokovic Nadal, Federer, Murray). Decryption.

LE FIGARO. – How did you arrive at this decision?

Gilbert Ysern. – The distribution of the wealth of tournaments, with a concentration on a small number of players has never been greater than today, is one of the peculiarities of our sport. Comparing such a discipline such as golf, which quite a lot like ours, we find that there is a greater disparity in prices. So we decided to upgrade the equipment of the players the first week. By comparison, in Indian Wells, the winner gets 130 times more than the 1st round loser. In Miami, it is 1 to 85. At Roland Garros in 2011, it was 1 to 80 and this year it will be 1 to just under 70.

Do you feel you were put in front of the players an ultimatum?

We are not in this logic. I went to Indian Wells meet the players, because it was the first time the top four were together and they have suggested. But it was not a meeting.

The strike threat was real?

No, there was no threat. We know that the idea of ​​putting pressure on the tournaments through a boycott threat has arisen in a number of players at the general meeting in Melbourne (in January) payday loans guaranteed no fax. And it could also be evoked by a handful of players at the next meeting in Miami (in March). This does not worry us, it is not the posture of players including Roger Federer, who is the Chairman of the players.

What are the exact players' claims?

Their concerns are twofold. Besides the question of the distribution of prices between them is that of the wealth generated by the Grand Slams, they believe, with 73% of revenue devoted to prices, not being quite to their advantage. The second case is more complex, because the reality of our economy is not what they believe. At the end of the year, there is nothing left in the coffers of the Federation because all resources are reinvested in tennis. It is important that players understand the ecosystem of the French model launched by Philippe Chatrier thirty years ago, which has developed alongside the Roland Garros tournament and play in the national territory, one feeding on the other.

Can we say that there will be no boycott of a Grand Slam tournament or Roland Garros or in 2012?

You can never say never, but it is my firm conviction.

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It is defined as a 'detective' Made in France '. " Sylvain Lescot, 33 years and commercial training, launched in December the site-Référence.fr France, with the ambition to "establish the habit of buying citizen." Specifically, this merchant, whose product catalog spans four themes (home, toys and entertainment, multimedia and gastronomy), offers users to compare one product with its foreign equivalent, manufactured in France. Thus, facing the mixer "Soup Maker" Cuisinart product in the U.S. and priced at 199.50 euros, it suggests to the consumer to buy the "Soup & Co" Moulinex to 229.90 euros. Salt and pepper to the duo Automatic One Touch range (29.90 euros), made in China, he opposes the salt mill Peugeot "Bistro natural" (16.50 euros).  

The concept is in tune with the times: 42.3% of French people think that promoting products "Made in France" should be a priority in the presidential campaign, according to a study site Testntrust. Or, buy French is often an obstacle course. Mentions on the origin of components and place of manufacture on the labels abound, sometimes inducing the consumer. "The offer on the shelves is a jungle," said Sylvain Lescot, that "the French do not know in general that there are local equivalents to foreign products the best known." With the exception of certain areas, such as multimedia or television, in which there is almost no offer purely French. To select products, France-Référence.fr is based on criteria adopted by the association Pro France, which manages the label "Origin France Guarantee ', the main requirement being that at least 50% of the value added product is produced in the Hexagon free business cards.

90% of products are purchased French

While websites offering a selection of products "Made in France" multiply, France-Référence.fr claims its status online retailers. "The consumer is free to choose the foreign product, we also have in stock," says Sylvain Lescot. "We respect the individual tastes and budgets." If the French massively plébiscitent local products, the price point is important in these times of crisis. Only 49% of them are willing to pay more, the last notes of the brand Observatory France. A concern that shade Sylvain Lescot. "While some French products can be twice as expensive than their foreign counterparts, others have a price lower than 20%."

Still, with this system of comparison, the offer tricolor appears to be doing on the game-Référence.fr France, 90% of the products purchased are French, welcomes its founder. "The 'Made in France' is not a utopia, but a way of future consumption," wants to believe. Therefore, after investing nearly 60,000 euros in building his company, the latter provides a second phase investment of 100,000 euros in the next three months to boost its offer of 300 references to over 1000. France-Référence.fr be able to respond to a request which, according to forecasts by Sylvain Lescot, should quickly jump from 5 to 50 orders per day.

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Here the French have six new channels which will be launched next fall on their screens. The Higher Audiovisual Council has indeed make its decision after weeks of suspense: HD1 (TF1), 6TER (M6), L'Equipe TV (Amaury Group), RMC Discovery (NextRadioTV), Cherie HD (NRJ) and diversity come tYou then enrich the current offer of 19 free channels.

The regulator has chosen, through this new offering, to reinforce the historical groups such as TF1 and M6 and strengthen those who made their debut in 2005 in television and are shown in good students, c ' ie groups and NRJ NextRadioTV. This is economic prudence that guided the wise men of the nine Tour Mirabeau in this new spectrum allocation.

But the wireless landscape is also open to new themes and new competition. The Team with HD, the French will be able to access the first sports channel for free. Enough to enable the latter who experienced the greatest difficulties exist in the depths of cable and satellite to survive and not to close shop.

TYou chain diversity is itself the only one not to be owned by a media group. It brings together financiers and businessmen (Xavier Niel, Francois Henri Pinault) seduced by the ideal one to showcase the diversity. The choice of the CSA is easily explained when we know the care that its members and its president Michel Boyon brought about diversity.

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17 billion euros in investments, 164,000 jobs directly and 97,000 indirectly. Which to house the mammoth project? Madrid against Barcelona: the contenders are the most powerful cities of Spain … and two eternal rivals, in politics as on the football field.

A funny clásico, fanned by a singular trophy: the U.S. company Las Vegas Sands wants to establish in Spain's largest casino complex on the Old Continent. "Eurovegas" must be the European version of the world capital of the game Six casinos, 36,000 hotel rooms, three golf courses, a 15,000-seat auditorium

.

The figures, astronomical, are salivating entrepreneurs and politicians, while the country is mired in negative growth and an unemployment rate near 23%. The real estate engine "miracle" Spanish is down. Regions and municipalities in crisis seek relays create jobs and tax revenue.

In desperation, local politicians are suitable for all investors games. Left to take a project still vague for a real growth driver. Leaves to forget that five years ago, a similar idea had generated the same enthusiasm in Aragon, before developers do not suddenly reverse.

Barcelona or Madrid? Sheldon Adelson, owner of Las Vegas Sands, hesitates. After a year of study and 7.6 million euros spent, however, the decision must fall rapidly before the summer, the billionaire promises.

Rebates and exemptions

His communications director, Ron Reese, said the two cities "are tied." The project, said Reese, who will go to that show the more "flexible". The list of requirements is long Adelson as a letter to Santa. His company is seeking exemptions from social contributions and tax rebates. She wants the standards against money laundering to be relaxed to facilitate, she said, remittances players. Besides other applications wackiest, like creating a MBA in the gaming industry, or the lifting of the ban on smoking in rooms.

These requirements seem exorbitant to upset any politician. In Barcelona, ​​we recall that the project needs to attract 11 million visitors. "Quality tourism" believes the President of Catalonia, Artur Mas.

In Madrid, the figure of 260,000 jobs dizzy: it represents half the number of unemployed in the region. The president of the autonomous government, Esperanza Aguirre, has promised to make "all necessary legal modifications, as they do not violate [its] principles."

Demonstration in Madrid

Thousands of people rallied Sunday in the streets of Madrid to the appeal of unions, against labor reform implemented by the government the right to fight against unemployment, the mobilization test before a general strike scheduled for March 29.

The two main Spanish unions, UGT and CCOO, have called for demonstrations in 60 cities in Spain, to protest a reform they deem "unfair and ineffective" and "defense of public services".

Carrying red flags and placards with the words "no budget cuts", "No to social regression", shouting "we will not pay their debts with health and education", thousands of protesters stormed the center Madrid. 

The Conservative government of Mariano Rajoy adopted on February 11 for further reform of labor market flexibility, including lower redundancy payments and measures to stimulate youth employment.

We can no longer say that sports fans are more addicted to TV land … In 2011 only, the Internet has indeed surpassed for the first time on television as their main source of sports information for young people. This is the main lesson of the annual study that Havas unveiled Wednesday as part of the Global Sports Forum (GSF) of Barcelona, ​​which runs until March 9. Entitled "Globalization and new media in sport", it looks in seven countries on the media behavior of sports fans over 18 years, that is to say, those who inform on the subject at least once a month.

Among them, the fans 18 and 35 years are 36.1% to learn about their sport or favorite team on the web, against 32.1% on the small screen. "Consumption" live "is increasingly complemented by a consumer" share "around the sporting event, explains Lucien Boyer, CEO of Havas Sports & Entertainment, which organizes the GSF. With a plebiscite for the video, since 48% of fans prefer this type of content written contributions. "It must be said that these images are often not available on other media.

Among younger (18-27 years), social networks Facebook and Twitter, growth drivers, topped platforms used, whereas 28-35 years have more trust in traditional media sites. All ages, television is still the media king to watch sports, because 94.3% of fans use it at least once a day for information. "The consumption of sports on the Internet is added to that on the small screen, it does not cannibalize, based Lucien Boyer. People tweet while watching Madonna at halftime of the Super Bowl final: there is a diversity of topics, shared across multiple screens. "

More international meetings

Second great lesson of the study: internationalizing the content, the Web supports the demand of international meetings of the fans. A third of them (35.8%) prefer "largely" local meetings. Apart from the English fans, all would also see more games from foreign leagues on their screens (60 to 80% by country). Globalization of content that plays on the reputation of the championships, especially in football. The prize is awarded to the English Premier League, which manages the feat to bring more fans abroad (58.9%) than at home. Like Barca Catalan (60%). Instead, the French league, still sealed by the fiasco of the World 2010, suffers from a strong lack of image, with only 5% of fans outside the hexagonal borders.

Originality, this year, the panel studied include Poland, within weeks of the start of the Euro 2012 football championship held in the country and Ukraine. A market that stands out from any influence of social networks, for reasons of Internet penetration. His teams also benefit from a more strongly associated with purely sporting values ​​(win games, offering a beautiful game …). This is not the case teams in Western Europe, associated with values ​​of "sports business". Chief among the objectives cited by respondents for these clubs seeking sponsorship, ticket sales and merchandising.

To provide a bright future, A Day Elsewhere facelift can not escape. The fund AtriA Capital Partners, majority shareholder of this brand of ready-to-wear "chic" for mature women, changed the executive chairman last year. Mission entrusted to Jean-Pierre Charpentier, "rejuvenate and dress the bride," says the new boss. Reinvigorate, or redressing, businesses to better sell, it's his job. This former CEO of France Loisirs has restored color to both sign Jacadi.

A Day Elsewhere door certainly does not hurt: slight profit, the company posted 187.2 million euros in turnover in 2011, up 3.5% on a comparable basis, 78% achieved in the Hexagon , which are installed 145 of its 215 stores.

However, seniors in the 2010s dressing "younger" and "Zara" than their elders, A Day Elsewhere urgently needed to afford a makeover in an attempt to conquer them. And reach more customers transgenerational, 45 to 99 years. Great first, advertising campaign of 2 million was distributed in a fashion magazine. Innovations emerge every month now, and the shops are gradually déringardisées.

Transfer of production

Exit the columns of a Greek temple and cloud ceilings kitsch. Storefronts are painted in taupe and white. Inside unfolds a light mango furniture. This new concept will rally by the end of March 30 of 215 stores. The loan-to-wear, if he retains the best-selling brand, collections "ceremony" models "cruise", gets a new line: The Essentials. An agreement with Swarovski helped to decorate jackets or coats of crystal knobs, glamourisant tailors declined in gray, black or blue.

As for accessories, an independent designer who has worked for Lancel, reinvented bags and pouches, covering them with bright leather or monogrammed coated canvas. Another, from Chanel Fantasy, has transformed the glass and plastic charms in gold or silver plated jewelry, more likely. Their prices range from 40 to 200 euros. They are made in France, where Jean-Pierre Charpentier also would like to produce more textiles. Fiber polyester, wrinkle resistant, currently produced in Korea, might as well, says he, being in the Hexagon.

A dual source of supply

The group has already relocated nearly 80% of its supply in Turkey and Eastern Europe, retaining only 20% in Asia, less competitive with rising production costs. For some products, Jean-Pierre Charpentier dual sourcing, shared between Asia and Europe. "I have adopted this system of dual-sourcing the day, when I was at Jacadi," he recalls, "we have not received the collection time for a parade." …. ….

These changes should attract 2 million customers registered in the global roster of A Day Elsewhere, Belgium, Luxembourg and Italy. For 2012, openings are provided, with the new concept, particularly in Brazil, with two to three stores by 2013, and the U.S., in department stores. Meanwhile China.

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CNP Assurances, the French champion of savings, is preparing to turn a page. That of the fourteen executive Gilles Benoist, whose term expires on June 7, at the general meeting of the group. The board should appoint a successor by then, probably in April.

Both candidates are friends of the house is officially reported to the nominating committee: Antoine Lissowski, CFO of NOC, supported by Gilles Benoist, and Augustin de Romanet, the CEO of the Caisse des Depots, parent company of CNP, which term ends on March 7. Banquy Didier, chief of staff Baroin at Bercy, have also expressed strong interest in a few weeks ago. In parallel, the Presidency of the insurance company will also be renewed. Edmond Alphandery wishes to maintain this position, but it could be countered by projects Michel Bouvard. The current Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Caisse des Depots et de Savoie MP is not standing for parliamentary elections and running for office. The question is whether a parallel appointment of two directors of the Caisse des Depots would be accepted.

Expand distribution

Whatever the identity of the future direction, it must address major challenges. The model of NPC, sitting on a rule of life insurance in France is slowing. In 2011, the turnover of the institution fell by 7.1%, to 30 billion euros, after a year of stagnation in 2010. Savings activities have plunged 13.4%, sealed by the difficulties of life insurance in France and Italy. This decrease was partially offset by an increase in retirement activities (17 payday loans.7%) and pensions (11%). In the end, the institution made a profit, down 17% from 872 million euros, affected by provisions in Greece and financial market volatility. "Most of these shocks has been absorbed by the insured, due to a lower rate of participation in profits", said Gilles Benoist, the Director General. Most life insurance contracts provides that losses as gains in the markets are passed on to policyholders.

Gilles Benoist has already begun a broad effort to diversify business (retirement, pension, loan …) and geographic markets in its group. International operations, excluding France, and the end of 2010 represented 37% of gross operating profit of the company. Today, products of CNP are distributed through the networks of La Banque Postale and the Savings Banks. These trade agreements, completed an equity investment, which run until 2015, can be discussed again this year.

The priority for CNP Assurances is now expanding its distribution channels. The company is therefore exploring the opportunity to partner with a third partner. Several schemes, still very early, are being studied. They would favor, according to our information, the card mutual, with reflections on networks and Groupama Covéa (GMF, Maaf, MMA).

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