A little optimism. Following the meeting of the Monetary Policy Committee of the Fed (FOMC), the Central Bank of the United States (the Fed) announced an increase in its growth forecast for 2012: GDP to grow by 2 devarit, 4% to 2.9% next year, against a range 2.2% -2.7% previously. For the IMF, U.S. growth is expected to grow 2.4% in 2013, after rising 2.1% in 2012.

Another good sign, the Fed estimates that the unemployment rate, currently 8.2% according to official figures, could drop to 7.8% in the fourth quarter, and, in worst cases to 8, 0%. The FOMC gave the end of January unemployment at 8.2% -8.5% at the end of the year.

Inflation would she, somewhat higher than previously thought and the FOMC would reach 1.9 to 2.0% throughout the year (not 1.4 to 1.8%), mainly due to the energy bill. Improved economic conditions associated with an inflationary outlook that fuels unexpected monetary tightening by the Federal Reserve. In other words, it is less likely that the Fed sets up new stimulus measures this year, as she was able to do in previous years by injecting hundreds of billions of dollars into the economy.

However, its chairman Ben Bernanke assured that the Fed was ready to increase its support for the U.S. economy if necessary. Anyway, it does not touch the rates before the end of 2014. For the Central Bank, growth remains moderate and high unemployment.

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The TGV will happen one day at Toulouse to Bilbao? The Pink City will she finally to 3 h 15 from Paris by train, against more than five hours today? The decision to build the new high speed lines (HSL) from Bordeaux will not be taken before long. But last Friday, a necessary step to making this project possible was reached: the Ministry of Transport has validated their route. By setting three new TGV stations at Agen (Lot-et-Garonne), Montauban (Tarn-et-Garonne) and Mont-de-Marsan (Landes).

If governments dither before launching the operation is that it will be very expensive. "At least 12 billion euros," said one expert. A huge sum when the coffers of the State and local governments are desperately empty because of the debt crisis. In February, the General Council of Lot-et-Garonne has already said he would not pay his bill for the Pharaonic site.

The hesitation is all the more palpable than funding another LGV, that between Tours and Bordeaux, was problematic. But this was "only" from one site to 7.8 billion. It was expected that 57 local authorities provide nearly $ 1.5 billion for this mega project won by Vinci in public-private partnership.

Finally, about twenty of these entities have defaulted. Foremost of these, the Regional Council of Poitou-Charentes led by Ségolène Royal, who refused to pay its contribution, fixed at 103 million euros. For this LGV can be built, the state decided to take the money for its support.

330 million accrued

It also will replace the General Council of Gers, who a month ago, is back on his promise to pay eight million for this line, as with other local authorities who have given up to get their hands in their pockets for this work. Of nudges that will not be pledged the state budget. The explanation? "Nearly 330 million had been provided by the State in 2011 to address a potential rise in interest rates which Vinci was exposed because the group had used bank loans to complete the operation, says an expert on the issue. But this rise in interest rates has not occurred. These sums have been used in part to address the failure of several local communities. "

Result, despite all these upheavals, the financing of the LGV Bordeaux-Tours is provided. And Lisea group, led by Vinci, can concentrate on the subject regardless of his income. Fortunately, as Europe's leading construction and concessions has not time to lose if he wants to meet the deadlines: the first trains will travel on this line as of July 2017 and will Bordeaux 2 hours from Paris against three today.

For now, Lisea, which was selected in March 2010 to complete this operation is on schedule. In February, the group obtained the approvals related to the protection of wildlife and waterways necessary to begin work. It also acquired 71% of the land where will this new line of 340 km. And if some owners may appeal to the justice of the decision on the expropriation, these procedures will not prevent the commencement of work. In addition, Vinci has completed all archaeological excavations on the route at the end of the year. Already, he started out small tasks related to land clearing or the connection of the new and the existing line.

But the real kickoff of the site will be given in a few weeks. "We will attack the earthworks in June, Tricot explains Hervé, President of Lisea. Four or five thousand people are at work in fifteen different places. This work will take three years, maybe less if the weather is good. "

]]> http://cw-white-gallery.com/the-route-of-the-tgv-bordeaux-toulouse-validated/feed/ 0 http://cw-white-gallery.com/orange-threatens-to-stop-relaying-free/ http://cw-white-gallery.com/orange-threatens-to-stop-relaying-free/#comments Mon, 26 Mar 2012 02:04:06 +0000 admin http://cw-white-gallery.com/orange-threatens-to-stop-relaying-free/  

New twist in the saga Free Mobile, which runs the telecom sector since January. Orange has threatened Saturday to suspend the contract that binds him to Free Mobile. Such a decision will have serious consequences for clients of Free Mobile since this agreement, said roaming allows subscribers of the new operator to go through the Orange network where there would be no network available Free.

What has bitten Orange? For this contract, Stéphane Richard, CEO of Orange, was repeatedly congratulated for having signed the beard of SFR and Bouygues him should yield about 1.5 billion euros. Two reasons for this reaction. First, Orange is concerned about the various failures occurred on the network of Free Mobile recently and wants to protect its own customers. "Orange reaffirms that it can, and will not hesitate to suspend the contract if the roaming network incidents Free Mobile would affect the quality of service to Orange customers," said a door- word of Orange.

Second, Orange believes they have been challenged by the regulator. "Contrary to some claims to Orange failures occurred on the network of Free Mobile in recent days, the group accepts no responsibility for these failures," added the spokesman of Orange. Saturday, in an interview with Le Figaro, Jean-Ludovic Silicani, president of Telecom Regulatory Authority, stated that "both sides have underestimated both the number of subscribers and the amount of traffic through the Orange network. "

Questioned, Free does not wish to comment. Arrived with a crash in January on the market of mobile telephony, the operator led by Xavier Niel now has nearly 2.2 million subscribers.

Poker game

This estimate comes from its competitor Bouygues Telecom as to the presentation of its quarterly results, Free Mobile maintains the mystery of this figure strategically. In mid-February, Orange admitted to have lost 201,000 subscribers, SFR and Bouygues Telecom 200 000 134 000. The irruption of Free Mobile phone on the board, with very aggressive prices, the market has completely changed into the headquarters of groups (see below). Its competitors were forced to revise their prices downwards. Bouygues Telecom is the company to provide rate reductions of up to 40%.

Finally, in the incredible poker game that is played between players, the latest statements of Orange do they represent a real threat or a bluff? For how could the contract that would, they say, has been negotiated foot foot for forty-five days, did not foresee all situations, especially breakdowns? Besides his denunciation would have a significant cost to Orange.

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This is an unprecedented situation in the cozy little world of Parisian palaces. Almost at the same time, the Ritz and the Crillon, two jewels of the luxury hotel, will close for major renovations. The 147 rooms at the Crillon, which belongs to a descendant of the Saudi royal family, will close in the fall for two years make quick cash. Place Vendome, the Ritz (159 rooms), will close, he, on August 1. Its owner, Mohammed al-Fayed, provides 27 months of work.

… others will head to the Park Hyatt Paris-Vendome (154 rooms including 42 suites) Photo credits: Irmgard Sigg

After a week of rumors, the announcement is, this time, official: the General Motors made its entry into the capital of the French group PSA Peugeot Citroen, according to an official. GM takes and 7% stake in PSA, which carries a massive increase in capital of around one billion euros. GM is now the second largest shareholder of the French group behind the Peugeot family.

The alliance will focus on platforms and components and provides a joint venture in purchasing. The first vehicles from a common platform GM-PSA will be marketed from 2016. Expected synergies from the two manufacturers totaled $ 2 billion annually within five years.  

This alliance gives rise to a powerful global industry leader with over 11 million vehicles sold per year worldwide.

First French carmaker, PSA is currently experiencing serious financial difficulties. Its net debt rose in 2011 from 1.2 billion to 3.4 billion euros. Leaded by Europe, sales of Peugeot and Citroen fell 1.5% last year while the global market progressed by 3%. The group announced last October a comprehensive plan of saving 800 million euros that could cause the elimination of 4,000 positions this year saving account pay day loan.

With his new partner, the Lion brand will achieve greater flexibility for financial resume investment as an upmarket in Europe and the creation of a new plant in India.

GM weighed down by its European subsidiary Opel

For his part, General Motors has certainly taken over in 2011 the title of world number one Automotive Japanese automaker Toyota. But the American could benefit from expertise of PSA to finally leave the red Opel, its European subsidiary. It announced in mid-February to have lost $ 747 million in 2011.

Peugeot confirmed Feb. 21 that he "consider [ed] the cooperation projects and alliances (…) as part of its globalization strategy and performance improvement." Without specifying with whom, but rumors already evoked release of GM. Last night, the Financial Markets Authority (AMF) had called PSA to communicate "as soon as possible" on the alliance, while multiplied rumors of a capital increase.

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While the Lorraine steel industry is fighting for its survival, the region is to take advantage of its central location in Europe to attract Chinese companies. Monday, the company TerraLorraine presented in Thionville (Moselle) his plan to create an area of ​​130 hectares on which Chinese companies will be moving.

"We target medium-sized Chinese businesses, with between 5,000 to 20,000 employees, says Régis Passerieux, president of TerraLorraine. This is to welcome their branches, subsidiaries or representative offices in Europe. "This project, located Illange, between Thionville and Metz, will take place in five phases over a period of ten years. The first is about 245,000 square meters. "The building permit has been issued, said Regis Passerieux. The construction will start in September or October for delivery late 2014 or early 2015. "

Attempt to Chateauroux

The project proponents expect the creation of 30,000 direct jobs in ten years, including 3000 for the first phase. "We have already received numerous Stay Tuned! From Chinese companies," commented President TerraLorraine.

This subsidiary of an investment fund specializing in real estate business, Comex Holdings, is investing € 150 million directly in the first phase, without aid.

"A business center value-added"

Lorraine is not the only region to show interest in China. At Chateauroux (Indre), a former NATO air base and is already in work to attract Chinese companies. Launched with great fanfare two years ago, this area, which would accommodate 4,000 jobs, slow to see the arrival of Chinese companies.

"We want to make a business center TerraLorraine value-added, not just a center for retailers," says Regis Passerieux. Voices are raised to point the risk of these locations: the Chinese would simply assembled on site products made in China. They would get the precious label "Made in France". "It is better to be active rather than undergo massive imports", however, defends Passerieux Regis.

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Hard times for the 380. After the case of microcracks detected in the wing of the superjumbo, Airbus will he deplore a new problem, this time in the "nose" of the device? The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) is interested in any case the rivets of radom, that is to say the cover that protects the radar of the aircraft.

The authority may decide to issue in the coming weeks an airworthiness directive (AD) requiring the change of six rivets aluminum rivets titanium stronger. The 19 airlines that operate the world's fleet of 69 A380, eight months have to do this for an average of 3:30. Clearly, they would have time to schedule it as part of their regular maintenance schedule.

After the decision to order the Efsa a general inspection of the planes of A 380 in service and production, totaling one hundred aircraft, the image of the A380 takes another blow. However, this type of airworthiness directive is very common in aviation. All aircraft receive throughout their careers.

Two types of directives

"The FAA, U.S. aviation safety authority, has issued more than 830 airworthiness directives for Boeing B 747 in forty years," says one at Airbus headquarters in Toulouse. "For an airplane, receiving such a directive is as ordinary as to think about changing the wiper blades on your car or an oil change," says one.

The Aesa issues two types of directives: the current, AD, and urgent, called "emergency AD." In the case of microcracks, the two directives were common. The agency goes up a notch when it considers that the subject can affect flight safety. In this case, companies have little time to react, sometimes not even 24 hours.

In the case of rivets, flight safety is affected in any part, Airbus insists. The manufacturer points out that these are not structural elements. Six rivets 40 to 50 by radom "are not likely to blow up" the unit cover.

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A380

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Crisis requires, the French are tightening their belts. And budget decisions affect more and more health spending. Some are also willing to do without doctors when sick. Today, one third of French people use the Internet to seek health or medical information, both for themselves and for their families, according to a survey ViaVoice for Group Mutual Pasteur published last week. "Supervision fee may cause some patients to delay seeking and waiting to see if symptoms persist," said Dr. Bruno Gaudeau, President Pasteur Mutual Group, insurance group insurance healthcare professionals.

Involved, mainly: rates of complementary health. Since October 1, the tax on these insurance products increased from 3.5% to 7%. Higher than the mutual claim to be forced to pass on to policyholders. They argued that the additional health premiums expected to go higher than 4.7% on average in 2012. The delisting of many medicines also weighs on the budget of the French. Even the generic – these drugs cheaper than the leading brand products – have suffered in 2011: 614 million boxes were sold, against 630 million in 2010, according to the Gem, the union of generic manufacturers.

"It all starts to make money," commented Dr. Bruno Gaudeau, which expects that this mode of "self diagnosis" is accelerating in the coming years. Sites accessible to the public health are increasing and the doctors themselves invest the net. To guide them in this universe, the National Council of the Medical Association (CNOM) has published a white paper in late January. However, according to President Pasteur Mutual Group, users see mostly forums, such as those sites or the Doctissimo Féminin.com, where they can exchange with other Internet users.

Crisis of confidence in the world of health

Another source of information trusted by the French, pharmacists are increasingly in demand. "The medical excess fees are expensive, prompting patients to seek alternatives to conventional treatment pathway," says does one within the National Order of Pharmacists. But the economic crisis does not explain everything. "The French are more and more information from diverse and varied media and need to sort out. That is why they seek advice from their pharmacists. "Finally, the health world is going through a serious" crisis of confidence "in the wake of the scandals of the Mediator or PIP breast implants. "Consumers need to be reassured," says the National Order of Pharmacists. However, a recent study Ifop, 94% of French people say they "strongly" or "somewhat" confident in their pharmacist.

The GP is not great, with a confidence level of 97%. That is why Dr. Bruno Gaudeau looks to the future of the medical consultation with optimism. "If the search for medical information over the Internet has become a common practice, 90% of internet users who use them do so in addition to a consultation with a health professional."

YOUR TESTIMONY – Can you do without the advice of a doctor? Community websites related to health are you useful? Do you trust these platforms? Tell us about your experience in comments below or email temoin@lefigaro.fr.

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