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The Appeal of Ban Ki-Moon has been heard. "There is no doubt that we are facing a major humanitarian emergency and an equivalent effort in disaster relief is needed. I urge all members of the international community to assist Haiti in this hour of great need, "stated the secretary general of the United Nations (UN), after the violent earthquake that devastated the capital Port -au-Prince Tuesday. Since then, pledges poured in from around the world.

The United Nations said on Friday he had received 268.5 million dollars in aid pledges from many governments and businesses. To this sum, plus the $ 100 million that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has put on the table.At a press conference in Washington yesterday evening, its managing director Dominique Strauss-Kahn said this aid, which will be released "very soon" by the board of the IMF, would come from an extension of a existing loan to Haiti. The day before, the World Bank had pledged aid for the same amount.

Governments at the rendezvous

Among the twenty donors reported by the UN include Belgium (0.65 million), Sweden (0.85 million), China (1 million), Italy (1.46 million), Finland (1.8 million), Denmark (1.9 million), Switzerland (1.9 million), Germany (2.17 million), Netherlands (2.91 million), Spain ( 4.37 million), EU (4.37 million), Canada (4.8 million), Brazil (5 million), Australia (9.3 million), the United Kingdom (10 million ) and the United States (100 million).

In France, the Economy Minister Christine Lagarde has benefited from the presentation of his vows to the press this morning to ask the creditor countries of the Paris Club to cancel the entire debt of Haiti. The country still has 54 million euros to France, for example. Paris had already canceled unilaterally and unconditionally 4 million euros of debt, December 11 last. Christine Lagarde also appealed to Venezuela and Taiwan, two major creditors of Haiti who do not belong to this group.

Solidarity initiatives of companies

But generosity is not the sole preserve of large institutions and governments. NGOs and associations are at the forefront, both on the field and at the collection of donations. Calls for assistance have increased over the past three days.In addition to individuals, many companies have personally responded to these appeals, as after the tsunami that hit Asia in late 2004. Numerous initiatives have been announced, including France.

The Post, for example, will publish in the coming days, a tone of solidarity with the victims of the earthquake. The price of 1 euro includes a donation of 44 cents to the Red Cross. EADS and its subsidiary Airbus has decided to lend the association Action against hunger a jumbo A 340 to help the Haitians. The aircraft must take off from Lyon on Friday afternoon, with on board 150 cubic meters of material health and telecommunications, as well as pockets of water. Following the call of Industry Minister Christian Estrosi Wednesday, the French pharmaceutical industry donated 56,000 emergency treatment for relief teams visiting Haiti.Finally, the French airline Air Caribbean said this morning that it would introduce flights at special rates for Port-au-Prince, from the airport in the Haitian capital will be reopened to commercial flights.

The challenge of rebuilding

Such generosity is not without challenges. This effort requires international coordination, said Dominique Strauss-Kahn. Start quack, the EU acknowledged on Friday having been informed "by the press" of the international conference for reconstruction and development of Haiti, announced yesterday by France. "I am not aware" of the conference, said the spokesman of the High Representative of EU for Foreign Affairs, Catherine Ashton, during a press briefing in Brussels.

Yet, as Bernard Kouchner, the appointment is already taken.The conference, which would join the United States, Brazil, Canada and other countries, could be held in March, said the Foreign Minister this morning.

Haiti, a country to its knees

• Population: 9.8 million (UN estimates 2008)

• Gross national income (GNI) per capita: $ 560

• Poverty: 78% of the population lives on less than $ 2 per day and over 50% with less than $ 1 a day

• United Nations Development Program (UNDP): 146th rank among 177 countries worldwide

• Life expectancy: 59 years for men, 63 for women

• Infant mortality rate: 60 per 1,000 births

• Aid for Development: The World Bank has granted 273 million dollars in financial assistance to Haiti since 2005, through the International Development Association (IDA).

(Source: World Bank)

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Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan has denied reports published by Spanish newspaper AS that he wanted to buy the Spanish club Real Madrid for the sum of one billion euros. In a statement released by the official WAM news agency, a source close to the sheik, said he wanted to "[focus] now all his efforts and attention on Manchester City to assure him a place among the elite clubs of the United Kingdom" .

It is true that such transaction is impractical. And for two reasons. Initially, Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan was to get rid of Manchester City, which is the current owner, one person can not have two clubs at once, according to UEFA rules.

Second, it proves to be much more complicated to solve. Real Madrid had to change its constitution and become a sports company.A development which requires the approval of … "socios". Contrary to most Spanish clubs, Real Madrid, like FC Barcelona is an association "nonprofit" that belongs to its members that are other than the supporters club.

327 million euros of debt accumulated

For now, Real Madrid continued to accumulate debts, which reached this year, 327 million. And nothing says recall that last summer, the Madrid club has paid a quick one, Brazilian Kaka (65 million euros), the French Karim Benzema (35 million euros) and Portuguese Cristiano Ronaldo (94 million euros). In total, the club Castilian spent last summer, the tidy sum of 250 million euros.It is club football that generates the most revenue in the world with revenues of 365.8 million euros.

Although he denied the report, Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan keeps an eye on Real Madrid. The UAE dignitary "rightly appreciates the experience of Real Madrid and he is a big supporter of the twinning agreement signed in 2005 between the Spanish club and the club Al-Jazira in Abu Dhabi which he chairs.

For companies with over 50 employees, the countdown has begun. On 1 January 2010, those who are not covered by a sector agreement will be entered into an agreement or plan of action for the employment of seniors, with the unions concerned. While the fine provided for non-compliance with the law of frightening companies weakened by the crisis – it will amount to 1% of payroll – Labor Minister Xavier Darcos said Sunday in columns of a Parisian down the deadline for companies with fewer than 300 employees. These SMEs have three more months to comply with the law.

For companies with more than 300 employees, however, including "more than 1,000 agreements have already been adopted," the law will apply."Businesses must take this opportunity to end a tremendous waste of skills and social innovation by offering training, mentoring, part-time" said the minister.

France deplores, with 38% of senior operating, one of the worst rates in the European area. Called to order by Brussels after the relative failure of a first inter-national agreement in 2005, the government now hopes "to achieve the fastest possible EU target 'of 50% of 55-64 years at work. Left to threaten with a stick especially feared in times of crisis.

After rising 2.4% in September, spending on household consumption of manufactured goods posted a growth of 1.1% in October according to figures released Tuesday by the INSEE. Spending on durable goods are still progressing (+1.3%) after acceleration in September (+5.1%). This was due to car purchases very dynamic (+10.2%), while in October "households slowed on these purchases," says the National Institute of Statistics.

In contrast, they increased their spending on equipment housing (+2.2% after +0.7% in September), each item of equipment (furniture, electrical goods, electronics and informatics) contributing to this acceleration.

The new floating balances boosted purchases in textiles. According to INSEE, purchases of textiles and leather rose 2.6% after a month of September already dynamic (+2.9%).Other manufactured goods (pharmaceuticals, publishing, crafts, perfume, etc..) Also displayed a slight increase in October (+0.3% after +0.4% in September).

The bank employees of Societe Generale were on strike Tuesday. Like their colleagues at HSBC France. In Defense or the Champs-Elysees, hundreds of them gathered to demonstrate. These disgruntled bankers do not resent the loss of their bonus. They are employees of the network who try to bend their leadership in wage negotiations. They also protest against new working arrangements introduced gradually in the agencies. If they are not heard, the mobilization of Tuesday could be repeated throughout the winter, prevent unions.

Lean months

The branch negotiations have so far failed. The French Banking Association (AFB, which concerns only part of the sector) proposing an increase of 1.5% of the conventional minimum, when the unions called for a general revaluation."These last months have been very difficult for employees, now that banks are profitable again, they must reward their employees," all argue their union representatives. A discourse that often encounters Department still concentrated on management costs during periods of low growth. For now, only BNP Paribas was able to complete an agreement with its unions. Elsewhere negotiations are ongoing.

They have taken a particularly difficult at Societe Generale, affected, in addition to the financial crisis, by a succession of setbacks: Kerviel affair, the uproar caused by stock options for executives … Wednesday, 8.5% of employees by management , 30% for CGT representative, went on strike. They call about 2% increase against the 0.7% proposed by management, embellished a stake of EUR 600.Frederick Oudéa, the new CEO of Societe Generale, is expected to manage this conflict, rare for a bank to the social body traditionally welded with its direction. Employees of HSBC France were also called the strike on Tuesday. "At least 600 people marched on the Champs-Elysees, notes Gerard Huger, the delegate CFTC. Management does not hear us, we will write to the headquarters in London, and organize new day of mobilizations in France. "Management has identified for its 6% share of strikers in Paris and 12.8% in the provinces.

In LCL, Crédit Agricole group, the unions expect one-day strike in January. Until then, they organize events December 2 at the last negotiating session with management. Side BPCE (Caisses d'Epargne and Banques Populaires), negotiations begin.