World and National News

No change in the short term. But the door remains ajar for two more months. Nicolas Sarkozy held a meeting this FRIDAY on pension reform in the presence of several ministers: Baroin (Budget), Georges Tron (Public Service) and Eric Woerth (Labour). Following this meeting, the President of the Republic has decided to send as is the bill (see the text in its entirety) to the Councils for review. No editing for now, is therefore proposed for this text which provides a gradual increase in the age of retirement until age 62 in 2018.

However, the executive says ready to developments on three issues dear to the CFDT: the situation of people who started working before age 18, taking into account the hardship and treatment of poly-pensioners (of persons covered by several pension plans) low fee payday advance. The special case of poly-pensioners had hitherto not been mentioned in the text of the reform presented Wednesday.

Nicolas Sarkozy has asked Eric Woerth offer him "at the latest before the start of parliamentary debate in September, possible developments on these topics.

ALSO READ:

"Pensions: unions call for mobilization

"Pensions: a majority of French opposed the reform

"CASE-Retirement: Issues of reform

The announcement was delayed but brutal. While markets have somewhat relaxed their attention on Greece, the rating agency Moody's downgraded four notches Monday of the note of most indebted country in the euro area, "A3" to "Ba1". After his colleague Standard & Poor's, the second of the three agencies have downgraded the debt of Greek in junk bonds.

The announcement comes as setbacks. "Moody's has not sufficiently changed its ratings on European countries, the sudden it went off the crisis," Norbert J. Gaillard, a consultant to the World Bank and specialized rating agencies. The degradation of the note in Greece four notches therefore reads as an attempt to "catch up past blindness," said the economist.

A blindness that also concerns Spain, according to some analysts. And the investors live badly."What is it to follow a triple A rating agency that a country undergoing a difference in rates reflecting the risk very high?" Critic Jean-Francois Robin, strategist at Natixis, referring to Spain . The latter receives the same notes that France and Germany, so it pays interest rates much higher.

Sign of disapproval or casual coincidence? Pierre Cailleteau, the head of the sovereign rating from Moody's, that is to say, fixing States Notes, recently left the company. The agency would not comment on his departure.

Stoicism

Greece, or Spain, are textbook examples and betray policy at Moody's. The agency notes in effect "through the economic cycle", without giving too much importance to the market turmoil. This stoicism was removed Moody's market reality, but had a beneficial effect.The agency has helped calm the markets by keeping his notes. His rivals, degrading the height of the crisis, have instead fueled the panic.

Now, even out of season, the degradation of the note in Greece by Moody's has led to protests. The European Commissioner for Economic and Financial Affairs, Olli Rehn, said that Moody's decision on Greece on Tuesday "comes at a rather surprising and unfortunate, following the agreement on a program of macroeconomic adjustment between Greece, the Commission, the ECB and the IMF. "

Barack Obama called on Congress to pass a fifty billion dollars in new credits. The main objective of this recovery MINIPLAN: avoid elimination by the U.S. states of tens of thousands of civil service jobs. Despite the return of growth since last summer, the financial position of local communities is indeed alarming.

If Washington does not 300,000 as teachers, firefighters and police officers are threatened by new cuts, from California to upstate New York. Some 84,000 civil service jobs have already been eliminated by U.S. states since the beginning of the crisis. "People are suffering. We want the economy continues to grow faster. We want to see an acceleration of job creation, "said David Axelrod, an adviser to Obama.The latter supports the project being developed in the Senate that provides $ 23 billion for the salaries of state officials, in addition to 25 billion dollars to cover the expenses of state health and benefits the poor.

Tax increases and deficit

Other provisions are included in the package the Senate. It is an extension of benefits for long-term unemployed, as well as various tax breaks to municipalities and the research budgets of companies. A portion of these expenses is expected to be financed by tax increases. One concerns some investors in private equity and venture capital funds. But the amount released from the controversial tax planning is estimated at 19 billion dollars cheap pay day loans.The other would affect the oil companies, companies whose popularity is at its lowest because of the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. Each barrel sample of their offshore platforms is awarded a fee of 41 cents against 8 cents so far.

The use of these funds to increase deficit has attracted serious opposition from Republicans and a growing reluctance on the part of Democrats. The latter, in view of the November parliamentary, are sensitive to anger more and more voters to soaring public debt since the accession of Barack Obama in the White House. "We are tired of spending increases" summarizes Steny Hoyer, leader of the Democratic majority in the House of Representatives.The recent primary elections have shown that conservative fringe of the electorate is mobilized for candidates of a new profile, hostile to public spending.

Republicans, concerned about the danger of massive job losses of teachers and firefighters, insisting that the exceptional aid to states financed by spending cuts in other budget items.

ALSO READ:

"Everywhere in the world, the administration in the diet

"The fight against unemployment is Washington's priority

"The U.S. economy is going in the right direction"

"Towards a decline in military spending in the U.S.

The law finally approved American finance

The surprises have always been the marketing muscle of Apple. But the presentation of the iPhone could turn to four non-event. This Monday, June 7, at the Worldwide Developers Conference in San Francisco, Steve Jobs is expected to formally present the new version of its iPhone. A difficult task since the surprise had been nipped in the bud by Gizmodo, a blog specializing in the area. The latter was obtained for a fee, a version of the last device that was lost in a bar, then had completely husked, literally as figuratively. Result: Apple expected to miss elements of surprise in his presentation.

At this conference, Steve Jobs should focus on news and updates available for this new iPhone.But then again, few surprises in the program: the company had already submitted the software that will be applied to the iPhone 4 as she presented the platform iad, allowing Apple to develop the market for advertising applications.

According to analysts, a real surprise could come from the announcement of an extension of the exclusive sales of the iPhone to Verizon. So far, only AT & T can sell the unit on the U.S. market. But again, the mere announcement of talks with Verizon would not be a revelation: more rumors, sometimes belied by the operator to move the subject on the canvas for several weeks.

The product's most profitable brand

Although there is hardly any surprise about the iPhone 4, Apple knows that this presentation could take effect with the customer.The iPhone remains an undeniable success for the brand and the popularity continues unabated since its launch in 2007. In the first quarter, Apple said it had passed 8.7 million iPhones, representing a sales growth of 131% over a year.

The turnover of the phone is 5.4 billion dollars against 3.76 billion to $ 1.3 billion for Mac and iPod. The widening gap so quickly that observers now expects a gross margin of between 50% and 60% for iPhone cons 20-30% for Mac. In other words, the iPhone product line will be more profitable for Apple.

ALSO READ:

"Raids in the blogger who unveiled the iPhone 4G

"Apple, the 10 reasons for a global success

LE FIGARO. – Activation Plan aid to Greece Will there be enough to reassure the markets?

BART VAN ARK. – Nothing is less certain. If using the rescue plan EU-IMF had become inevitable due to the rates imposed by markets, one plan will not help. It will take others. Because Greece can not simply put in order its public finances. She will have to undertake structural reforms, which, by definition, are long and painful. It must focus on its productivity, decreased significantly, and quickly find a way to create jobs.

Before release the money, should there be a new dose of austerity in Greece?

To have a chance to be swallowed, the pill should not be too bitter. If you cut too much spending, it will exacerbate the risk of recession.At the same time, Greece has to reassure the markets over the medium and long term, by engaging in a meaningful and specific reforms. It is not shocking to ask Greece for new safeguards.

The risk of contagion to other European countries there in recent days?

I do not think. Markets are well sorted. Portugal and Spain are in very different situations of Greece. Although Portugal has a similar financial problem and a serious deficit of structural reforms, the situation is less dramatic than that of Greece now payday loan. As for Spain, much larger economy, it began structural reforms, and its banking sector is stronger.

The cohesion of the euro area is at risk?

I do not think so.The eurozone saw, for sure, his first financial and economic crisis. But this is not the end of the Euro! This crisis, which I find exciting force, in contrast, Euroland more economic integration. Europe must urgently address this need for economic integration. There is no other way. The hypothesis of a breakdown of the euro area is not realistic to my eyes.

More integration, it means there a belt tightening for everybody?

In the short term it seems inevitable. Public deficits rise between 5% and 10% of GDP. They strike even the most virtuous countries such as Germany, which will perhaps five years to return to fiscal sanity. The euro area has become credible.In the medium term, more integration, it means more responsibility for each other in their economic policy.

ALSO READ:

"Greece relieves the Paris Bourse

"Greece appealed for international aid

"SPECIAL – Greece, a challenge for Europe

Meanwhile investors are turning away en masse Greek government securities. At midday, the rates of Greek government bonds to 10 years have reached a record high since the country's entry into the euro area. The yield on government bonds rose to almost 8.3% against a little over 7.85% yesterday. Finance Minister George Papaconstantinou has again tried to reassure, but in vain. The day before Athens had yet succeeded without any difficulty, to put 1.95 billion euros of Treasury bonds to three months at a rate of 3.65%.

The bill to regulate the consumer credit finally arrives Wednesday at the National Assembly. Already adopted by the Senate in June 2009 and debated in committee in the National Assembly, he aims to "facilitate access" to credit for consumption and to "avoid excesses". Before the deputies committee, Christine Lagarde, Minister of Economy has defended a credit "contributes massively to support certain industries, such as mail order and the automotive sector," while not forgetting the excesses and abuses to which this credit may result if not properly supervised. "

The Bill seeks end to "ensure responsible distribution of credit, creating additional obligations for industry (specialized institutions, supermarkets).As it stands, the full account and delete the "black spots" of revolving credit (also called renewable) often lead to debt for the most vulnerable households. The revolving loan indefinitely should no longer be allowed, Lagarde law limiting the repayment term (3 years for a credit less than EUR 5 000). Likewise, financial institutions will be forced to offer not just a revolving credit (average 16%) on sales premises. They will also make an alternative offer of personal loans (average rate of 7%). The ads "aggressive" will also disappear. New posters should be explicit and clearly mention the term credit. Exit therefore, the promises of "air cushion".The appropriation in which the consumer "in without the knowledge" in connection with the purchase of a loyalty card, and the "credit blind", without checking the creditworthiness of the customer will also be banned unsecured personal loans! ???!!!???!!!. The law also aims "to better help people with debt problems," Christine Lagarde said on Wednesday that will make new proposals to strengthen the fight against indebtedness.

The positive file divided

"In the future the consumer will certainly be better protected. But financial institutions will still be able to sell massive amounts of revolving credit, sorry Nicole Perez, National Director of the UFC-Que Choisir.For its part, the Afub said that "beyond these measures, it is certainly essential to note their failure to control a sustainable revolving loan and to fight against the danger of debt."

Overall, consumer groups have asked that the text should go further by imposing such a complete separation between loyalty cards and credit cards. The bill also proposed withdrawal of parliamentarians of all stripes, many calls for reform of the rate of wear (maximum interest rate close to 20%) and the creation of a positive file listing all loans to individuals. This latter issue has divided many years, consumer groups, credit institutions and politicians. Tuesday Cresus the Association Agreement and the bank have also called for the creation of a national credit.

In the Assembly, the passionate debates ahead. More than a hundred amendments have been tabled.

ALSO READ

"The French became suspicious of the" revolving "

The debt at a high level

"An appropriation should not be used to reimburse another»

After the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and World Bank, it was the turn of the IMF (International Monetary Fund) and the Bank of France to take a position on the yuan.

Invited BFM Radio, this Tuesday, Christian Noyer, governor of the Bank of France said that "to have a robust and sustainable growth for world economies, the issue of currency must be resolved. In G20, we are negotiating with China to find the right system to get the best balance.

"The G20 must address the issue of exchange" (Walnut)

He deplored the existence of two systems with a share of them floating currencies like the dollar, the euro, the pound or the yen and other currencies fixed, as the yuan."If a small country has a fixed currency does not pose a problem, but the fact that this is a country central to the economy, the coexistence of these two sytems is therefore more feasible," said Governor Bank of France.

For its part, Dominique Strauss-Kahn, IMF managing director, in a speech to the European Parliament in Brussels, ruled Wednesday that the Chinese currency was "very undervalued", echoing account criticism of the United States.

For the former French Minister of Economy, Finance and Industry, a reappraisal of the yuan through a Chinese growth "more driven by domestic growth" and consumption, and less by exports and cheap products payday advance . A model that China will continue to develop.And for this, the Chinese government has reiterated its desire to stimulate consumption. Thus, 14% of Chinese GDP, under the stimulus plan has been devoted to domestic demand.

Pressure on Barack Obama

Tuesday, UNCTAD said that letting the yuan float would not solve the problems of trade imbalances, an argument advanced by Washington. For its part, the World Bank has advised Beijing to let its currency appreciate.

After the open letter sent Monday by one hundred thirty legislators to U.S. Treasury Secretary and Secretary of Commerce, five U.S. senators have proposed a text yesterday to redefine the criteria by which a currency is considered handled.Where manipulation proved, trade sanctions can be taken through tariff barriers on imports for example.

The increasing pressure on Barack Obama, U.S. officials did not hesitate to bring to account the "undervalued" yuan a share of the rise in unemployment across the Atlantic. The legislators also believe that the low level of the Chinese currency is an indirect subsidy to Chinese exports and import taxes.

"Read the text of the letter

Good news for European women: since the month of May 2009, their unemployment rate, usually systematically higher than men, for the first time fell below theirs. A sudden catch that unfortunately we can not impute to the crisis. The sectors of industry and construction, traditionally male, have been particularly affected by the decline in economic activity, while those within the tertiary sector, more investment by women were generally spared. But this statistic, although seemingly positive for women, also stresses that many sectors are overwhelmingly invested in either one or the other sex.

The report Gr?sy devoted to professional equality between men and women, has certainly highlighted the "tremendous progress" already observed in the field: women now represent France in 47% of the workforce in 2007, and this 83% are women 25 to 49 years who work. Above all, the mix has risen sharply among the most skilled trades. The social portrait of INSEE reports that young women who leave the education system with a level of training on average than that of boys, have become a large majority among the legal profession (there are now so many lawyers than lawyers), communication, or doctors.Even among the skilled trades to more technical nature, where they remain in low numbers, a trend is emerging: there are now nearly 40% of female engineers or technical managers fresh out of school, as against 9% among older !

A marked polarization in low-skilled occupations

But the picture is not all rosy. And it seems that both ends of the scale of qualifications is the rub. At the top level, the proportion of women remains marginal: 8% of women just sit on boards of directors of the 500 largest French companies, so that a bill is to introduce a quota for women in these bodies. And it's almost the same sound of a bell among the least skilled jobs."The mix has even declined," says Florence Chappert, special assistant to the department skills, work and employment Anact (National Agency for the Improvement of Working Conditions). "Among low-skilled occupations, trades polarization between men and women is sometimes even more pronounced among beginners in the former, confirming Insee.

Overall, if the girls were always reduced appetite for professional studies, they are still more likely to opt for health and social sectors or specialties Secretariat, when it run. For boys, it is instead the power-electronic outweighs their votes.Result: the construction workers are at 98% of men, those in process industries are at 76%, while, unsurprisingly, 98% of secretaries are women, and that 98% of home helps, 75% administrative workers of category C, 99% of childminders … If the cultural environment is of course a factor in explaining this distribution, Florence Chappert said he is not alone: "If we wanted a stronger proportion of men among the home support, this would require review and atypical partial schedules that are so frequent, often at the expense of women, and raise wages, "said she. Just as the introduction of female workers would necessarily lead to a mitigation of the harshness of the trade."However, there is no question of the mix at any price: the men and women can sometimes lose to find exactly the same positions.

ALSO READ:

The feminization of business performance factor?

"Labor: pregnant women increasingly discriminated

"Inequality men – women seen with acute

DOCUMENT:

The journal "Gender and Labor Conditions of Anact

Like the Paris markets, U.S. stock markets opened in green on Friday, supported by the employment figures less bad than expected. The United States has in fact lost 36,000 jobs in February than in January and the unemployment rate the country has remained stable at 9.7% this month, according to the official report on employment released on Friday, while analysts expected a decline. The Dow Jones advance of 0.36% at 10,482 points, the S & P 500 rose 0.46% to 1128 points and the Nasdaq's 0.46% to 2303 points.

U.S. investors are reassured by the Prime Minister's announcement that China has promised a 8% growth for China this year.Thursday, Wall Street closed higher on a comfortable, supported by bearings recommendations.

In addition to the employment figures U.S., those of consumer credit in January, will be published in 21 hours.

As for currencies, the euro fell sharply Friday against a dollar backed by the release of employment figures in the United States, and reassuring the operators on the strength of the recovery of the world's largest economy now payday loans