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Decidedly, Air France is in the viewfinder of justice regarding the employment contracts. After working illegally in its subsidiary CityJet, a recurrence of temporary contracts improperly.

They are sixteen and have initiated legal proceedings Friday unprecedented in the history of Air France. Such acting took him to an employment tribunal for unfair dismissal. They complain that they received no severance pay from Air France when they had worked several years for the company, through temporary contracts.

Air France has abused the "continued operation of a precarious workforce," said Mr Philippe Missamou, their lawyer, whose remarks were reported by Le Parisien on Saturday.

Catherine, Mourad, Sonia and others have chained all temporary assignments for several years for Air France.Some complainants have worked almost ten years in terms of short-term contracts and renewable, hoping one day to pass the door of human resources low interest personal loan Air France. These interim wore "the same dress, same badges" that continuous … but did not enjoy "the same treatment."

"Air France, which could ignore the situation, has deliberately violated the law," plaintiffs' counsel accuses the newspaper in Paris.

Termination benefits

The sixteen interim want their contracts are reclassified as permanent contracts by the court to substantiate their claim of 100,000 euros in severance pay per person.

Did France is thus claiming damages of 1.6 million euros, according to Le Parisien.

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What are the strategic oil stocks?

As a State member from 1974 to the International Energy Agency (IEA) – created in response to the first oil shock – France has an obligation to provide emergency oil stocks equivalent to 90 days of net imports or about 17 million tonnes. Member States of the European Union are also required to undergo a similar provision. Currently, the French reservation represents 98.5 days of oil consumption, 60% of processed products and 40% of crude oil.

How are they managed?

This is the Professional Committee of strategic oil stocks (PSSDC) which is responsible for building reserves. All traders who sell oil in France are legally obliged to contribute to their supply.Each of them must provide the equivalent of 27% of quantities released for consumption in the previous year. Some of these quantities is given by the Company to manage stock inventory management security (wisdom), which operates under the aegis of PSSDC. The rest is kept available in the repositories of the operators.

The reserves are distributed in over 235 depots around France. The regulations provide for their distribution across the seven major areas called "zones of protection" language in administrative and military, so that each area has ten days check cash advance minimum fuel consumption. Filing the largest (6 million cubic meters) is located near Manosque, in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence.

Under what circumstances can they be used?

Strategic stocks are only for civilian use.The army operates separately with its own reserves. In the case of a local crisis of supply, CPSSP may transfer stocks to oil operators, who must commit to return within a month. During this time, operators must also make available CPSSP equivalent amounts of products in another place. These punctures are very limited and local.

To really begin three months of reserves required, we need a government decision, taken in cooperation with the IEA and the European Union. Only a severe supply disruption due to a serious international crisis (eg, an oil crisis or boycott a producer), can reach such a decision. The last resort of exceptional France to its strategic stocks back in 2005, in the weeks that followed Hurricane Katrina.The United States had then appealed to the solidarity of their partners in the IEA to address the destruction of oil terminals in the Gulf of Mexico.

If 2010 is the year of the pension reform, in 2011 she will be that of tax reform? In any case, what emerges from the meeting of UMP deputies on Tuesday: "Nicolas Sarkozy is considering a supplementary budget in June 2011 to reform the taxation of wealth," said some of them out of their lunch as president.

An announcement comes days after tensions within the majority on the subject. 117 UMP deputies (there are 314 in all) have in fact co-authored an amendment to the draft budget law calling for the simultaneous removal, from 2011, the tax shield and the solidarity tax on wealth (ISF) in exchange for inflating taxes on unearned income and creating a new installment of taxes on income with a rate of 46%.

The government was caught short by the sling.The slogan, Government side, was first pointed out that there was no question of touching the tax shield. Well, not right away. Baroin, the budget minister described the initiative amendment calling for a debate that is not new. " "It is assumed that next year, first semester, we will face the global reflection" on Taxation.

Christine Lagarde and estimate that "the principle that a taxpayer pays no more than 50% of taxes is a good principle." Before nuance: "The principle is the fiscal convergence with Germany, where there is no tax shield, or ISF.

In 2009, the shield has benefited high quality business cards.764 to 18 and cost 679 million euros.

Tax reform "general"

Anyway, we can expect another year of great social movements.The approach should again be done in two stages, as has prevailed for pension reform: preparing public opinion, and then reform.

According to the chairman of the Social Affairs Committee of the Assembly, Pierre Mehaignerie, a supplementary budget on tax matters will be held in June 2011. "The idea is that we have a good debate and decisions on the taxation of wealth at the horizon of a supplementary budget at the end of spring," said UMP deputy Herve Mariton. "We are well on the idea of decisions before the summer of 2011," he said.

"If you want to ask the question of taxation, it must do so by not being afraid to approach it as part of a broader reform," said essentially the head of state, cited by MP "Villepin Marie-Anne Montchamp.

Thus, the fiscal strategy will debate "on the shield, the ISF, capital gains and real estate, the income tax. Whole tax system. "

The Head of State has however stressed that the amendment to the draft 2011 budget signed by the 117 UMP deputies could not be voted at the next budget debate, said the latter.

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A car equipped with cameras but without a driver, he'd better get used to it. U.S. giant Google announced on its official blog that his car that drives by itself has already traveled the length and breadth of California and accumulated over 200,000 miles. "They went down Lombard Street (famous for its slope and curves) in San Francisco, crossed the Golden Gate Bridge, crossed the road along the Pacific coast, and even went to Lake Tahoe," said Sebastian Thrun, an engineer at Google.

According to an article in The New York Times, the vehicles used by the company are the Toyota Prius and an Audi TT equipped with video cameras, radar scanner and a rooftop photograph the environment and transforms it into a three-dimensional map that allows the car to move.This system is still experimental "is made possible by Google's data centers, which can analyze huge amounts of information gathered by the cars," said Sebastian Thrun.

During these tests, the car is not in complete autonomy since a driver is still sitting behind the wheel in order to regain control if required. Moreover, the vehicle is preceded by a normal car he opened the road by collecting data allowing it to move.

Experiences multiply

Since 1968 and the early adventures of Herbie, the race car saga The Ladybug leading alone, reality catches up gradually fiction. Many attempts have been made, particularly in the context of competition.It is in the context of the challenge organized by DARPA, U.S. agency in charge of advanced research projects for the Defense, Sebastian Thrun, an engineer from Google, was tested for the first time his autonomous car.

In 2008, at CES, the world fair of technology in Las Vegas, General Motors unveiled a prototype smart car able to move or carry out the perfect niche, while detecting other vehicles to avoid accidents."This is not science fiction," had said on that occasion Larry Burns, vice president of Research and Development Group, noting that most of these technologies for unmanned vehicles existed.

Volkswagen, the Passat CC is already equipped device to "detect dangerous situations" and a parking aid that makes itself the steering maneuver.

Security and traffic control

For Google, the development of an unmanned vehicle is in the spirit that presided over the founding of the group in 1998 by Larry Page and Sergey Brin: "They wanted to help solve major problems through technology. And one of the major problems we are working today is the safety and economy cars.Our goal is to help avoid traffic accidents, free up time and reduce carbon emissions by fundamentally changing the use of the car. "

Applications put forward in the development of autonomous vehicles have focused primarily on safety. The goal is to allow the car to act only in critical situations and to overcome the inattention of the driver. Thus, the Volvo S60 has she an automatic braking system that detects pedestrians. "Our innovative technology is programmed to track the very configuration of the pedestrian movement and also calculate whether he (or she) will cut into the path of the vehicle. The system can detect pedestrians from a height of 80 cm, that is to say as children, "said in a statement Thomas Broberg, safety expert at Volvo Cars.

More innovative still, the concept of autonomous cars could also be used in traffic control. Google also mentions the "road trains" still vague idea that, after the release of the group, is expected to "transform carpooling and reduce car use." In Europe, a concept is already approaching developed since 2009 through the SARTRE project (Safe Road Trains for the Environment) funded by the European Commission. The goal is to establish, within ten years, convoys of automated vehicles. People who use the busiest roads enter these convoys led by a lead car. Therefore, they will pass on autopilot and their owners will take care of something else.When the user arrives at his destination, he will leave the queue of vehicles and automated resume control of his car.

This type of trains will be tested in 2011. It will soon be possible to go to work while driving his car … with no hands.

For L'Oreal, the fall is precipitous. According to the latest barometer of image-Ifop Posternak with the Sunday newspaper (JDD) reveals the results this Saturday, the group undergoes a cosmetic deficit picture since the severe case Bettencourt. L'Oreal rises from 6th to 22nd place in this ranking supposed to thirty companies preferred French.

"The case Bettencourt naturally impact the perception of the group. The largesse of the heiress goes to the heart of a great French taboo, "says Claude Posternak, chairman of the agency of the same name in the columns of JDD. "The brand will regain its luster but conflicts when they are coupled with a legal component, permanently tarnished image," he adds.

"Unjust"

At L'Oreal, this result was expected."I'm not surprised that unfortunately the case Bettencourt has a halo effect on the image of L'Oreal," said Jean-Paul Agon, CEO of the group, who also said "sad." According to him, this sanction from the French is "very unfair to the company and its employees."

Jean-Paul Agon denounces "an unfortunate confusion between a private matter concerning its main shareholder and the company name. According to the director general of the group, "there is no discomfort at L'Oréal. Employees are "proud of the company and its results." On this last point, Jean-Paul Agon is clear: the case Bettencourt has "absolutely not" had any impact on group sales paydayloans."Sales continue to grow, including in France," as should show the quarterly results are expected later this month.

In late September, the group preferred to distance himself from the photographer François-Marie Banier breaking contracts that bound the protégé of Liliane Bettencourt.

Distributors, darling of the French

Although L'Oreal unscrews the standings, retail brands have captured the day. Leclerc won two points and became the highest-rated company, through its communication-based purchasing power. Intermarché is fourth (5 points), Auchan sixth (15 points), System U seventh, eighth Casino (+6 points) and Carrefour tenth (20 points). The car is well represented, Citroen and Peugeot occupying the 2nd and 3rd place podium in front of Renault (6th) who still suffers suicide as a technology center.

Since the global financial crisis, banks have also a negative image. Societe Generale (27th) is particularly affected by the Kerviel affair. Finally, public enterprises privatized or are rated particularly poorly. GDF falls to 25th place because of successive rate hikes. France Telecom (29th), hit by the 23 suicides since the beginning of the year, is penultimate. Finally, eternal unloved, Total occupies the 30th and last place.

The amount of funds raised through initial public offerings (IPO) on the European markets in the third quarter of 2010 (2.474 billion) was divided by more than three from the second quarter but has almost doubled over third quarter 2009 according to the latest IPO Watch Europe survey, released Thursday by PricewaterhouseCoopers.

The report notes that the IPO market has given "signs of recovery in the third quarter of 2010" but that concerns about economic growth and development issues remain a brake on significant transactions.

London is leading introductions in Europe in the third quarter with 18 transactions for an amount up to 1.657 billion euros, or 67% of total funds raised in Europe.This represents a significant recovery compared to the six IPOs that had lifted 449 million in the third quarter of 2009, but a sharp drop from 27 IPOs totaling $ 3.2 billion in the second quarter of 2010.

Dynamic Asian financial centers

The second most active market in terms of funds raised was Deutsche Börse (4 IPO for a total of 377 million euros, against zero in the third quarter of 2009 and 5 million raised during the second quarter).

For his part, a study released Wednesday by Ernst & Young showed that the global IPO of the first three quarter of 2010 had already exceeded the total raised in 2009. European caution contrasts with the dynamic Asian financial markets which have achieved 83% of IPOs in the third quarter.

EADS not only to develop its industrial projects, to continue his commercial struggle with its U.S. rival Boeing, and defend in the legal state aid it receives: the European aircraft manufacturer also scans his sector for possible acquisitions. Louis Welsh, president of EADS, said in effect daily Handelsblatt on Tuesday had "few targets in sight. We want to strengthen in three areas: defense, security and service delivery. Asked about the size of these potential acquisitions, the boss said it had "the ability to invest one to two billion euros".

Also questioned the consequences of budget cuts in states that funds EADS, Louis Welsh says he has "more visibility in the next few months."The EADS boss claims to have stressed to these shareholders the importance of maintaining programs of research and development, particularly in terms of preserving jobs, "When we reduce the new developments is the future of business that we undertake. We are ready to discuss with the governments of shareholder countries, to participate in the development of innovative solutions. "

The drones, a "key technology"

Louis Welsh also reminds that the defense is not a budget expenditure like the others, raising the question of "national sovereignty". "Let me take an example: personal business card drones. Europe must develop its own unmanned aircraft. It is inconceivable that Europe remains permanently dependent on the United States or Israel in this field, "says President of EADS, which considers UAVs as a" key technology ".About the timing of this program, it is cautious: "I do not advance a date, but a decision should be taken soon. Remember Talarion is the only major French-German program on the horizon in armaments ".

Confidence on the A400M

On another major military program, the A400M, Louis Welsh acknowledged the difficulties faced by the Group in preparing this military plane carrying large holding: "The sticking point now lies in the development of the military version of flight control system, which is very complex. "

However it into perspective the impact of developmental delays and extra costs "No customer has challenged the contract. It's a good thing. "Louis Welsh shows itself even in a confident resolution of these difficulties: "It is likely that we find a solution in the year."

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The wind could blow the rigor of the United States, after the implementation of expansionary policies and economic support. In any case, the influential chairman of the Central Bank of the United States (Fed), Ben Bernanke, has hardened his tone, in a speech yesterday in Providence, Rhode Island.

The Fed chief said the U.S. budget deficit is "a real and growing threat, which should be reason enough for those responsible for fiscal policy put in place a credible plan to reduce deficit to a sustainable level medium term. "

And the head of the central bank added that the U.S. federal government faces rising budget deficit caused by the economic crisis and longer-term aging of the population, jeopardizing the system public health insurance and pension insurance, "said Ben Bernanke."There is no doubt on this point: that these challenges require political leaders and people make very difficult decisions and accept sacrifices."

No measures cited

But for now, the Fed chairman did not specify the kinds of decisions and sacrifices that he advocates.

After posting a record deficit of 1416 billion during its fiscal year 2008-2009, approximately 10% of gross domestic product, the Federal Government has posted a 1.26 trillion in the first eleven months of fiscal 2009 – 2010, which ended Sept. 30. The government has yet committed to reducing the deficit to 4.3% of GDP in 2012-2013, relying on a strong economic recovery. A hope that would not be sufficient in the eyes of Fed chief.

Again, the protests against pension reform that took place on Saturday led to a battle of numbers. According to the CFDT, the day of action against the pension reform has gathered "around 2.9 million" people. It is "substantially the same number" than last time, as the number 2 of the union, Marcel Grignard. September 23, nearly 3 million people took to the streets, according to unions. The Interior Ministry for its part counted 899,000 demonstrators, a number "down" of 98,000 people.

Jean-Claude Mailly, said the mobilization

A McDonald's Big Mac with no guarantee or Royal Cheese? Coming soon. Reportedly, the U.S. fast food chain opens end of October a unique selling point, with a new offer: a McCafe with a salad bar. This small restaurant, only available 100 meters square, open on the square of the Defense business district west of Paris, just across from a McDonald's 'classic'.

Big Mac lovers, this small new-look McDonald's is not for you: there will be no burger sold. In contrast, a service of salads at the request, made in front of you live with a choice of 28 ingredients (herbs, fruit, cheese …) will be offered at a price of about 7 euros, and the full range of coffees, teas and pastries McCafé."This completes our restaurant offers on the forecourt of Defense, where we believe there is real potential for salads," says Isabelle Le Figaro Kuster, Vice President of Operations in France and Southern Europe at McDonald's. For us it is a prototype lab. We give ourselves a few months to see the viability of the concept. "

Over the past year, McDonald's was testing this concept quietly salad bar inside a restaurant at Clayes-sous-Bois. "Our test Clayes-sous-Bois is a success, says Isabelle Kuster. By replacing our usual offering of salads prepared in advance by a salad bar to make the demand, we have tripled our sales of salads. "No question, she says, to open at the moment of salad bars McDonald solo.But in addition Clayes-sous-Bois and Defense, three salad bars in McDonalds 'classic' will be launched before the end of the year, including one in the mall Okabé, near Paris. If this test works, it is intended to be expanded next year, the formula replacing the existing supply of prepared salads in a score of McDonalds. "The salad bars will be 3 meters long, says Isabelle Kuster. We will put on our desks at the end of rows of boxes. "By doing this, McDonalds wants to sell more salads, a product good for his image, sold more than a burger, but still little appreciated by its customers. A McDonald's sells salads five times less than Big Mac.

Meanwhile, chasing a determined land of Starbucks, McDonalds McCafe develops spaces in its restaurants. The 100th has opened in Paris. There will be 120 by the end of the year.Ultimately, the goal is "250 to 300 McCafe in France", some solo McCafe coffees.

Attracting new customers

Again, this is new. After a successful trial conducted at Creteil near a classic restaurant, McDonald's is looking for high-traffic locations in major shopping malls to install outlets McCafé 100%. The McCafe have the advantage of attracting new customers at McDonald's. At this stage, they represent about 5% of the turnover of restaurants in which they are installed. "McDonald's wants to expand into the market café leaving the traditional concept of fast food," says one expert. He said the ultimate goal of McDonald's is a hundred openings McCafé solo the next three years, including twenty in Paris.If the test is concluantbien sure.

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