Archive for the ‘resources’ Category

The billions that Greece owes to France

May 15, 2012 - 6:40 pm Comments Off

 

If Greece came out of the euro area, the country would enter into an inextricable chaos. It would not be alone in suffering: the countries of the euro area would lose the billions they have loaned him since 2010 for the shoot of the rut. Indeed, Athens would reimburse probably not what it owes them. In this hypothesis, the two largest economies in the region, Germany and France would lose the most.

If Greece were to fail in mid-June, the French government should write off 50 billion "net," said the outgoing Minister of Economy Baroin. According to calculations of Figaro.fr, this amount could rise to 58.5 billion euros. This is 895 euros per French, or almost 3% of what the country produces in a year. Germany would lose directly, as calculated by the magazine Wirtschaft Woche, 76.6 billion euros and all the European institutions, nearly 302 billion euros, according to figures released by the rating agency Fitch.

Concerning France, the amount includes bilateral loans in the forefront of European aid (11.4 billion between 2010 and 2011). What must be added the participation of France in the second program, launched in early 2012, 15 billion euros granted through the firewall European, that is to say, the European Financial Stability Fund (EFSF). The whole is 26.4 billion euros of direct exposure of France to Greece.

In addition to these funds, France should meet, at least in part, the losses suffered by the European Central Bank (ECB) under its importance within the euro area. At the height of the crisis, the guardian of the single currency has indeed bought in the markets for 40 billion euros of Greek debt, according to Fitch payday advance lender. If Athens were to fail, the ECB should say goodbye to that amount. France would then bail out of 8.9 billion euros. The same mechanism, it may have to recapitalize the International Monetary Fund (1.6 billion euros).

The bill gets heavier over time

More indirectly, France may have to refinance the network of central banks in the euro area, again according to its economic importance, either to the tune of 22.2 billion euros (calculated by Fitch). Indeed, the Greek central bank has accumulated 106 billion of financial compensation to its European counterparts, according to the rating agency.

The slate of the Greek state vis-à-vis France stretches over months, while assistance payments keep coming. Suddenly, one observer, "more a Greek bankruptcy would occur later, the more it would be costly to its partners." The EFSF must still pay 75.9 billion euros by 2014, the International Monetary 28.2 billion euros, according to calculations by analysts of the bank Credit Suisse. If Greece is in the euro area, it will begin to repay the loans from France and other partners from 2020 … and over a period of between 20 and 30.

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Greece plays its European future at the ballot box

May 5, 2012 - 4:44 pm Comments Off

 

In Athens,

In the land of Athena, the political wisdom does not really progress. After the euphoria fueled by thirty years of fiscal profligacy, the hurricane of the economic crisis and its attendant drastic austerity measures have devastated the morale of the Greeks. It is in this context they are called to vote for crucial general elections Sunday, the first since the trusteeship of the country by the European Union (EU) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF). A protest vote is more than ever on the agenda and many experts are worried about a coming political chaos in the country.

The thirty-two contending parties are divided into two camps. On the one hand, the "pro-memorandum," those who voted for and signed the austerity measures imposed on the country in exchange for two loans of 110 and 130 billion euros. Three parties are distinguished in this category: PASOK, Socialist Party headed by Evangelos Venizelos, former finance minister. Despite the seriousness of the situation, he is convinced that Greece is on track and ensures a crisis in the next four years. New Democracy (ND), Conservative Party, whose leader, Antonis Samaras, is leading in the polls, has primarily to renegotiate the terms of the memorandum by betting on the revival and development of the economy. Finally, the Democratic Collaboration Dora Bakoyannis, former Foreign Minister, may see his party not to cross the 3% threshold to enter parliament.

For Giannis Panousis, professor of criminology at the University of Athens, these parties may pay their hypocrisy. "The major parties say they have the solution for overcoming the crisis, while everyone knows that this is not viable. Even before the polls are open, public creditors remind the country that we will have € 11.5 billion of budget savings in the next two months. That means more job losses and new taxes, "he analyzes.

So, the vast majority of candidates appear in the opposite camp, the "anti-memorandum." They denounce the exact figures of sovereign debt, the trusteeship and loss of sovereignty. They rely on the record figures of unemployment and recession to convince the most disadvantaged and the young, depressed by the lack of future. Apart from the Communist Party (KKE), who wants to see Greece leave the European Union as soon as possible, the parties "anti-rigor" consider the place of Greece in the euro area as a given unbeatable. "They can not exclude us, otherwise there will be a domino effect and will be in a very bad position," quips Panagiotaros Ilias, number two Chryssi Avgi, "Golden Dawn" violent far-right group which expected to enter parliament for the first time.

In campaign rally in the Peloponnese, he assured his constituents that in addition to return all illegal immigrants in the country he will veto any legislation introduced to Parliament if they do not defend the interests of the Hellenes. "We do not need these bailouts which in reality are not. Greek debt is sustainable, but we pay the speculations of the great capitalists, "he says. Rhetoric that brings. Many supporters of this group recognize that ideology does not differ greatly from that of the far-left parties, "more patriotic".

Risk of paralysis

"Greece for the Greeks" is a slogan that is also found in the clan Panos Kammenos, leader of the Greeks independent. Surfing also on the crisis and desperation of the Greeks, the former Conservative wants to build on the country's natural resources to repay debt. He admits to not being away from ideas of Syriza, left-wing coalition led by Alexis Tsipras, also rose sharply in the polls.

If Greece is found unable to form a majority government coalition or Sunday, the risk of paralysis is real. "The instability will result when a violent change of political system as a whole and lead very quickly to new elections. The country can not be governed effectively as the situation requires it, "said political analyst Antonis Karakousis. "The question is whether the country can support a political crisis over the economic crisis or whether we will go, as some fear, toward a financial disaster and a danger to the sovereignty of Greece." ……. .

This may especially endanger the European reforms undertaken so far and very controversial in the population. Hence the concern of the country's creditors, which would like the Greeks realize that Greece plays its European future at the ballot box.

"The Dutch haient political Europe"

April 30, 2012 - 8:56 am Comments Off

 

LE FIGARO. – The Netherlands seems to suddenly become Eurosceptics. Why?

Luuk van Middelaar. – In reality, they have always been skeptical about some aspects of the European Union. The Netherlands were among the six founding countries, but their motivation was primarily economic, unlike France, which favored the political dimension. The Dutch have always fought for measures that represent an economic interest, such as the European patent. Then the country became a net contributor to EU budget around 2000, which is not conducive to enthusiasm! As for the current debate over the stability pact, we must not underestimate the impact of the crisis of 2003, when Paris and Berlin have violated common rules: it has reinforced the inferiority syndrome of small countries.

Failure in the referendum on the constitution has he not been exceeded?

France and the Netherlands voted no, but for very different reasons. The French were especially opposed to Europe "neoliberal" characterized by the Bolkestein directive on services, named after the Dutch commissioner … In the Netherlands, by contrast, we did not want an "other" Europe, but "less" Europe, if at all! The Dutch were not opposed to a political Europe.

The debate on the return to national currencies is more violent than elsewhere in the Netherlands. Why?

In the Netherlands, the euro has always inspired mistrust. These fears are now confirmed by the mismanagement of other member countries. Dutch MPs debated the creation of two variants of the euro, the "neuro" for the North and the "Zeuro" for the South. But this debate has remained economically, while the euro has a geopolitical origin: it is a concession of the Germans at the time of reunification.

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The jobs in gold and other …

April 20, 2012 - 7:08 pm Comments Off

 

High school students and students seeking a future career or employees looking for your conversion, go to CareerCast.com. You'll find 12 jobs in gold favored by the Americans, but also those to avoid at all costs because of their low growth prospects, levels of remuneration, the stress function or quality of the environment working.

Among the jobs to avoid at all costs, across the Atlantic, the lumberjack (dangerous, poorly paid and endangered) of dairy farmer or a soldier! Other trades that are no longer dreaming, perhaps because of their poor prospects for hiring in the coming years, that of a journalist in a newspaper or radio reporter

. Trades dream

Conversely, the best job for the Americans is that of a computer engineer. The salary range is between 55,000 and 133,000 dollars, with an average salary level of 88,000 dollars high risk personal loans. About the prospects of hiring, they are important short-medium term. Other "dream jobs", actuaries and human resource managers (whose development prospects are greater than 20% per year by 2020) hold the rope.

These positions correspond to business students that dreams are made of this side of the Atlantic? Several surveys have been conducted in recent years on this subject, with sometimes surprising results. 18-25 The overwhelmingly popular crafts such as actor, ambassador, singer or airline pilot. While others see themselves as secret agent, a successful writer … or supermodel.

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The pico projector, an accessory for smartphones

April 7, 2012 - 9:12 pm Comments Off

 

By launching a "pico" that can creep into his jeans pocket, Sagemcom, already number one in Europe, hopes to boost sales. Last year it sold 225,000, a growth of 75%.

"We estimate that the global market should be increased tenfold by 2015 to reach 5 million units sold," said Nicolas Denis, Director Sagemcom documents. He said the ultimate. "Rather than looking at more video on the screen of his phone, kids can project onto a wall, table … their image in large, up to 3 meters diagonally," he adds. To give more visibility to its pico, Sagemcom decided to market them under the Philips brand. "We have a licensing agreement with Philips brand which has an international reputation," says Nicolas Denis. A contract that allows the Dutch, in addition to the payment of interest, maintain the brand recognition among the general public.

The pico-projectors can also be connected to some digital cameras, a PC or a tablet. But for Sagemcom, use will be primarily related to smartphones. Even if they could be the main competitors of pico-projectors. Samsung has launched the Beam, a smartphone with integrated pico. For its part, Sony has built into a camcorder. They also arrive in cameras and nothing precludes a tablet with a pico-projector arrives one day in this market.

To compete with this type of product, Nicolas Denis put on two assets: the battery of these devices – the image projection is very energy – and the brightness of the projected image, still relatively low when it comes from a smartphone. This last consideration is specificity in Lumens. The latest addition to Philips displays SamgemCom-30 Lumens, it is two times more than a smartphone. This allows to see the image without needing to be in the dark. "There is a demand for pico projectors, as there is for USB. It depends on the degree of expected performance, "said Nicolas Denis, who also builds on the innovative capacity of Sagemcom. For proof, Dragone's latest is also a USB port (patented). What limiting cables to transport and adapt perfectly to the side "pocket" of the object!

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The gas leak is costing Total 2 million per day

April 3, 2012 - 11:12 am Comments Off

 

One million dollars per day, or 750,000 euros. Such is the cost of operations by Total to plug the leak on board its platform Elgin, North Sea, said Monday its chief financial officer Patrick de la Chevardière. Added to this bill a loss of $ 1.5 million each day (1.12 million) which corresponds to the cessation of production from fields adjoining the Elgin and Franklin, for a total cost estimated to about 1.9 million euros. These two deposits, located 240 kilometers off the coast of Aberdeen in Scotland, representing 2% of the total hydrocarbon production.

The company was still awaiting the green light Monday from the British authorities to dispatch technicians on the platform, removed a week earlier. Total will begin simultaneously on the one hand, to "kill" the leaking wells at the platform, out of the water, and, secondly, to drill two relief wells Faxless payday loans. If the first operation, "relatively easy", according to Patrick Chevardière, successful, drilling (at least 100 million euros and six months of work) will be useless.

According to Total, gas, mainly methane, disperses quickly in the air. Only 7m3 of condensate (light oil such as gasoline) are currently prevalent in sea Greenpeace, arrived on Monday with a vessel area, intend to verify these statements.

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Theolia on the road to recovery

March 30, 2012 - 5:24 am Comments Off

 

"In 2010 we re-starting the engine of our development. In 2011, we intensified this process. " Two years after Théolia came close to filing for bankruptcy, its general manager, Fady Khallouf, welcomed the turnaround began. The operator Wind "now walk on two legs" on one side, Theolia operates parks for its own account – and it is green electricity producer – on the other, it develops and installs wind turbines on behalf third parties. "This is the guarantee of a balanced growth that allows us to make the most of opportunities," says Fady Khallouf. This refers in particular to long-term contracts -15 years or more – which can have suppliers from wind.

Currently, the assets of Theolia reach an installed capacity of 910 megawatts (MW), which operated for 604 partners. In 2011, the company has commissioned 18 low rates payday advance.4 MW in the Hexagon. But his biggest development project in Morocco is concentrated, with a 300 MW a third scheduled to be operational in 2014. "The site will be commissioned in installments: engineering studies are completed, with the National Electricity (ONE), the Moroccan electrician, we are preparing to launch tenders to select the different OEMs, "said Fady Khallouf.

To Theolia, 2011 is the first year that the operator posted a net operating profit excluding items, up from 10.3 million euros. But the group posted a net loss of 39.2 million euros, following the impairment of goodwill in Italy where the system of feed-in tariffs is being revised in proportions much less profitable for the operators. "We cleaned up the balance sheet, we can now develop on a sound footing," said Fady Khallouf yet.

Life insurance goes into the green

March 25, 2012 - 4:00 am Comments Off

 

The reverse trend was apparent in January. After seven months of withdrawals exceed deposits, and a record 3.8 billion euros in net outflows (deposits less withdrawals) in December, flows on life insurance contracts appear to be stabilizing. In February, the payments for the first time since last August were higher than withdrawals, according to figures released by the French Federation of Insurance Companies (FFSA) and the Group of mutual insurance companies (Gema).

The amount of deposits has been higher than 300 million euros to the withdrawals. A level far below the record numbers in July 2011 to 2.7 billion euros. Since this rise is not due to increased payments for savers on their contract. They have instead further decreased by 14% compared to January 2012. The trend reversal is in fact due to a sharp slowdown in redemptions, which fell 24% from the previous month. They still remain higher than 21% from their level in February 2011. In fact, Bernard Spitz, president of the FFSA, remains cautious, and denies seeing a continuing trend payday loans online.

Leaded by the crisis which encouraged investors to choose short-term investments, or to deleverage rather than investing, life insurance has lost ground to rival the booklet Who is disputing the preference of the French. The latter has also continued its growth with a collection of 1.93 billion euros in February. A total of 222.3 billion euros are now placed on the 60 million booklets A possessed the French. An amount that is still very far from those placed on life insurance contracts which reaches 1.377 billion euros in late February.

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iPad 3: the most anticipated developments

March 1, 2012 - 10:40 pm Comments Off

 

Apple will host a conference March 7 in San Francisco at 19 am, French time. Program, the announcement of the new iPad, whose invitation to deliver the first image appears.

As every year, rumors are rife about the specifications and new features in Apple's tablet, which should be examined with interest by its competitors.

Two years after the release of the first version, the iPad indeed still dominates the market with 50 million sales, all models, against 12 million Android tablets, and is a reference to the sector payday loans guaranteed no fax.

The new iPad should propose an improved screen, displaying four times as many pixels on the same surface, but could also integrate Siri and why not, be accompanied by an iPad Mini, smaller. This graphic provides an update on the major rumors, according to their reliability.

Electricity: why record stores

February 10, 2012 - 9:00 am Comments Off

 

The figures are record: 101,700 megawatts (MW) consumed by the French at 19 o'clock last night, a record that surpasses the previous day, to 100,500 megawatts. The previous record was 15 December 2010 to 96,710 megawatts. With each new wave of cold correpond a new historic peak of consumption to meet the increased need for hot water and heating.

Why do we save these records, while 2011 saw a decrease of 6.8% of electricity consumption in France? The sensitivity of electricity consumption to cold temperatures has increased over the last decade, the order of 70 MW per year, says the electricity transmission network (RTE), a subsidiary of EDF responsible for network of power lines. In addition, our electro-climate sensitivity is higher than our neighbors to each degree less, Europeans consume more today 5000 MW, of which only 2300 MW in France! In comparison, Britain consumes 600 MW for each degree lost, Germany and Italy 500 MW 300 MW.

This explains why the French electrical consumption was so low in 2011, the warmest year since 1900. Instead, the cold snap earlier this year led to a series of daily records: the scale of temperatures, the geographic scope (on the whole territory) and the duration of this wave creates a phenomenon of "cold accumulating," said Herve Mignon, Director of Economy, Planning and transparency in TEN.

More electric heaters, more devices

The origin of this particular sensitivity to cold in France: electric heating, which team nearly a third of homes and is installed in 80% of units built in 2009, according to the Environment Agency to control Energy (ADEME). "The electric heaters (except models with heat accumulation) contributes to peak electricity consumption observed around 19h," says this on his site. "It's a French specialty, says Francoise Clement, Information Officer at ADEME. We relied on electric heating, which makes us very dependent on climate. "

Easier and cheaper to install than central heating, it is elected by overwhelming in a country where electricity is more abundant than elsewhere. However, it may prove far more expensive to use, especially since many homes are poorly insulated. "The actual search for energy savings is still new in France, Clement says Françoise. We had no temperature control before 1975 and our expertise in high performance homes is still underdeveloped. "Now, the heat losses are significant: 25% to 30% through the roof, 25% by walls and 10% to 15% by windows.

In parallel, the use of electrical appliances has been steadily improving. In the living room consoles, computers and televisions are increasingly hungry for electricity, as well as kitchen equipment, such as coffee makers and electric robots. "The spirit of cocooning" increases in household demand, explains Françoise Clemente: "We like to equip themselves, we want to be like home."

We must add that the growing electricity demand with economic growth and the continued increase in population. In its latest forecast balance, RTE still see electricity consumption to grow by 1.1% by 2015. Then, assuming an improvement in energy efficiency in buildings, consumption could increase by 0.6% per year by 2030.