Archive for September, 2011

Nintendo is trying to revive 3DS with a wealth of games

Auto Date Tuesday, September 13th, 2011

Nintendo continues its rescue plan for the 3DS. After taking action in August at the height of the crisis by drastically reducing the selling price of its new handheld console (169 euros, 249 euros against the launch), the Japanese company Tuesday unveiled a new set of emergency measures the Tokyo Game Show, one of the largest exhibitions devoted to games. With the aim to continue to reassure the players on the future of the console.

To do this, Nintendo has recited his classics. Its leaders have shown that 28 titles will come out soon on 3DS. "Between the end of this year and next year we will offer a range of games it is no exaggeration to describe as unprecedented in the history of video games," welcomed the head of the company, Satoru Iwata. "This announcement reflects our efforts to attract customers," he said.In fact, many games were already known as Super Mario Land and Mario Kart 3D 7, expected by the end of the year. But other Monster Hunter 4, Fire Emblem is actually new. Their release dates in France are not yet known.

The share price halved since January

In making its console more attractive, Nintendo will also improve the material, regular criticism. The 3DS, which was already shooting in 3D, will soon also take videos, thanks to an update of its internal software, while a pink version will complete the range. Furthermore, an extension will be offered from Dec. 10 in Japan to add additional buttons to the console and make travel easier in games in three dimensions.It will be sold in 1500 yen (about 15 euros) and compatible with several titles, including Resident Evil: Revelations, and Metal Gear Solid: Snake Eater 3D.

The stimulus for 3DS have already met with some echoes of the players. In the U.S., sales were up 260% since the price drop the console. They have also tripled in Japan. For now, the new Nintendo announcements have hardly attracted investors. The share price plunged 5% in Tuesday's session at the Tokyo Stock Exchange. Since the beginning of the year, the stock has lost nearly half its value against the backdrop of disappointing results and unfavorable exchange rate.

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A Japanese minister resigns blundering

Auto Date Monday, September 12th, 2011

It's a real blow to the new Japanese Prime Minister, Yoshihiko Noda, orders since 2 September. A week after his appointment, the Minister of Economy, Yoshio Hachiro, has indeed resigned. A decision that the Prime Minister agreed. "Today I met the prime minister and offered him my resignation. He accepted it, "said Yoshio Hachiro, Saturday during a news conference.

Traveling in the region of Fukushima (northeastern Japan), Yoshio Hachiro was strongly criticized after speaking of "city of death" about the desert environment of the nuclear plant. Statements that the opposition was highly critical concerver."When you think that the people of Fukushima felt in recent months, you can not act that way," regretted Shigeru Ishiba, a member of the Liberal Democratic Party.

The main interest has quickly apologized, at the request of the new Prime Minister, then retracted the face of strong emotion as the sentence has caused pay day advance. "I regret that my words were misinterpreted, he said at a conference. I am sincerely sorry. " And explained: "I wanted to say that we will strengthen decontamination measures to allow evacuees to return to their homes."Others are also illustrated as the defense minister who considered himself "as an amateur security" or the Minister of Health who favored an increase in the price of a pack of cigarettes for more tax than health reasons, according to Japanese media.

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Free competition: the clinical complaints against the state

Auto Date Friday, September 9th, 2011

It is nothing less than the funding of public hospitals that address some private clinics. The branch of medicine, surgery and obstetrics in the private hospital Federation (FHP) announced Thursday it had filed a complaint against the government with the European Commission. She accuses him of practicing "discriminatory funding" against hospitals and clinics in the private sector.

According to calculations by the FHP, the same act is in fact paid by Social Security on average 26% more in the public hospital. In one example cited in its statement, a public hospital receives 6457 euros for the installation of a hip prosthesis, when the clinic gets only 5492 euros. "The distortion that we denounce worth billions of euros," growls Gharbi Lamine, the delegate general of the FHP. An inequality which would put the financial health of private hospitals at risk.The FHP also emphasizes, in a somewhat twisted, at a time when the government seeks to make savings, it would be possible to tap into the wealth of the public hospital.

However, the complaint of the FHP has little chance of success. If the European treaties require states to take care not to introduce distortions of competition between public and private sectors, they also provide for exceptions. In particular, when a public institution shall be responsible for what the EU calls a service of general economic interest (SIEG), that is to say more or less the equivalent of a public service. In this case, the stresses generated by this obligation must be financially compensated, which justifies, according to the state, higher tariffs and subsidies obtained by the public hospital bad credit payday advance. "The credibility of this claim is weak.Clearly, the public hospital carries out tasks that do not clinics, "said Florent Prunet, partner of the firm Jeantet.

Convergence rate

As such, the Hospital Federation of France (FHF), which represents the public hospital does not fail to emphasize the "bad faith" of the FHP. "There is indeed a difference in pricing. But it is justified by the missions assumed by the public hospital. The field of business is general, while a clinical niche strategy: they often are confined to the most profitable operations, "is do we in the FHF. She said the FHP also compare what is comparable. "The public is not the same: the public hospital patients are older, poorer and most often arrive in emergency clinics. Result, they often stay longer and cost more, "says one still.

The public service mission vested in the hospital does not justify the state granted him a blank check. A "convergence rate" is also in the agenda since 2005, to bring the rates charged in private hospitals and public hospitals, and assess the appropriate amount of aid (called MIGAC mission of general interest and support contracts) to pay the hospital. The challenge of these negotiations is to achieve quantify and cost the public service mission ascertained that it provides. A task so difficult that the horizon of this convergence rate has been postponed 200C, led by Roselyne Bachelot, 2018.

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The automaker Saab files for bankruptcy

Auto Date Thursday, September 8th, 2011

Off the road for Saab. Despite the best efforts of its owner, Swedish Automotive (formerly Spyker) to find cash, the Swedish automaker filed for bankruptcy on Wednesday. In a statement, Swedish Automobile said it had requested the placement of Saab in the protection of bankruptcy law. As part of a "voluntary reorganization," the contractor seeks to save time. Time to "attract additional funding" and especially, time to "ensure the payment of wages" and "prepare an orderly restart of production," selonVictor Muller, CEO of Swedish Automobile and CEO of Saab Automobile.

"Considering the financial resources currently limited to Saab Automobile, a voluntary reorganization will help to use the most efficient way the existing resources," the company said.It must be said that its financial situation is critical for several months. The manufacturer, which employs 3,700 people, announced in June that it would stop paying the salaries of its employees. Part of these wages was settled late, since, while, as of August have not been paid. In late July, the Saab postpone indefinitely the resumption of production at its only factory in Trollhattan, Sweden, interrupted once again from June 8 Suppliers, remained unpaid, stopped shipments from April instant payday loan lenders. Some had to degrease their workforce.

Breathless

In this grim context, Swedish Auto has continued to widen its losses. In late August, the owner of Saab announced a significant loss of 201.5 million euros in the first half of 2011, against 21.9 million euros during the same period in 2010. The losses have been increased tenfold.The group, however, made efforts in all directions to ensure its survival. Saab had been saved from bankruptcy in early 2010, when, breathless, it was bought by the Dutch Spyker (now Swedish Automobile) to U.S. giant General Motors. Over the last six months, Saab has signed contracts with Chinese distributors and Pang Da Youngman and negotiated a contract to sell its real estate leased for cash.

These efforts have been inadequate and the rest of the employees of the manufacturer of short duration. Now, IF Metall, the main trade union of Saab, said that the decision of Swedish Automobile "might be a good solution."She hopes a quick decision of the Court of Vänersborg on the demand for Swedish Auto, so that its "members can quickly receive a reply regarding the payment of their salaries."

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Good start to the post office in the mobile

Auto Date Monday, September 5th, 2011

Party in May to conquer the mobile market, La Poste is a misfortune! The group has attracted 150,000 customers in three months. "We had anticipated 25,000 sales per month, we are at 50,000, is two times more than expected," revealed to Figaro Jacques Rapoport, Deputy Director General of La Poste Group and CEO of La Poste. And if postal workers were starting the first customers, they are now a minority.

This success has also led to stock shortages, some bugs and a saturation of computer centers. "We suffered a bit but it is now settled," said Jacques Rapoport, who is reviewing its objectives and is on the rise now "300,000 to 400,000 customers by the end of the year, against 210,000 originally planned."

No typical profile for the client to the mobile station, which is recruited from all social classes and age.Offers balanced, "there are so many packages with high-end smartphones that prepaid kits. The social package (10 euros for 45 minutes of calls and 60 SMS, Ed) also works well with 10% of sales, "said Jacques Rapoport. "The smaller are welcome here. But we are not the operator of the poor. We are committed to serve all customers. "Finally, subscriptions (most profitable) are in the majority compared to prepaid. Another lesson: while the Post was the first to launch non-binding offers, customers prefer offers mostly sold with a phone and then a commitment.

This initial assessment also confirms the importance played by the network of post offices which carries 75% of sales, the remaining 25% being done by Internet and telephone payday loans online. "They want us to believe that everything is sold on the Internet. This is not reality.Consumers want the closeness and service. Seen in the return of small businesses face the hypermarkets, the return of customers in bank branches. In mobile, our presence throughout is a huge asset, "said Jacques Rapoport.

Hopes in rural areas

And the band accelerates: already in 1000 the largest post offices, the mobile will be distributed in 450 additional offices on 12 September and another 450 in November. It will even be sold in 70 small rural offices in September, they will not physically products, but customers can order and be delivered the next day by Chronopost. While the offices of small towns have sold more mobile than those in larger cities, La Poste Mobile high hopes on rural areas. "At the end 2012, 10,000 post offices will distribute the mobile offering.By itself, the Post will have more outlets that Orange, SFR and Bouygues together, "said Jacques Rapoport. The mobile station will also develop synergies with La Banque Postale, in line with the special youth launched in late August that offers a discount of 40 euros on the price of the mobile.

The mobile station should be profitable in 2013. Both shareholders and SFR Post rub their hands.

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Capital gain property: the provision could be softened

Auto Date Monday, September 5th, 2011

After the increase in VAT on the inputs of the theme parks last week, the elimination of rebates on real estate gains promises to be the main divisive issue of the week opens. This provision, very criticized, only affects second homes and rental investment (principal residence remains, as before, exempt from taxes). But it is radical: since August 25, the capital gain on resale is taxed at 32.5%, regardless of the length of detention of the property. Previously, the taxable gain was undergoing a reduction of 10% per year from five years in prison, which made totally exempt from taxes in fifteen years.Delete this reduction is therefore a true revolution that will represent, in 2012, over 2 billion euros in additional revenue for the state budget!

For many members of the Finance Committee, the government was wrong to brutally suppress the abatement system. "This chopper's austerity plan is absurd, asserts the centrist MP Charles de Courson. It will freeze sales. Transfer taxes, which are sitting on real estate transactions and represent a significant tax revenue departments and municipalities, will collapse. "The deputy also fears an increase in under-the-table, in order to limit the most capital gain to report.Many also fear a destabilization of the market for rental investment.

Members of the Finance Committee, under the aegis of their rapporteur UMP Gilles Carrez, have decided to table an amendment that will restore an allowance of 5% per year after five years my credit score. What can a total exemption from capital gains tax at the end of twenty-five years. They also want to refer to 1 December 2011 or January 1, 2012 implementation of this measure.

But there's a catch: Bercy awaiting the removal of allowances 200 million savings in 2011 and 2.2 billion in 2012. The restoration of a 5% reduction would cost 900 million full year. Aware of the need to preserve public finances, Gilles Carrez proposes to increase the tax on patents."This is a measure anticompétitivité," retorted Bercy where people still say "open to discussion as long as the deficit does not widen."

A gesture is expected

Reportedly, the Budget Ministry is prepared to make a move on entry into force of the measure on second homes (which could be a little delayed) and would eventually restore a favorable tax abatement in the time, based on a total exemption from taxation of capital gains after thirty years rather than twenty-five as proposed by Gilles Carrez. Between last-minute negotiations and uncertainties on the position of Members who are not part of the Finance Committee, voting in the National Assembly is uncertain. Not to mention that it could be unraveled in the Senate."No decision of economics can not be accepted in the general joy," says Philippe Marini, the UMP rapporteur of the Committee on Finance of the High Assembly, which considers the extent of the government "justified".

The crisis is worsening in Greece

Auto Date Saturday, September 3rd, 2011

The debt crisis turns to Greek tragedy and psychodrama. Tuesday night, a committee of experts of Parliament in an official report revealed that the country's debt was "out of control." The next day, denial and criticism rang out, Evangelos Venizelos, the Finance Minister did not mince words, stating that these auditors did not have "neither the knowledge nor the experience nor the necessary responsibility to judge the debt ", a few hours later, the director of the parliamentary commission complained resigned.

Stock market crash

Friday, an additional layer was taken with the surprise announcement of the suspension for ten days, the mission started in Athens earlier this week by experts from the troika (EU, ECB and International Monetary Fund).This sudden departure caused an outcry in the country and the stock market plummeted at the opening, causing the European financial centers in its wake. The finance minister has tried to downplay the event: "There was no rupture of discussions between the country and the Troika," he said. But Evangelos Venizelos has failed to convince, especially as he admitted, following that "Greece will not hold its goals of reducing the public deficit in 2011 due to the deepening recession in the country. " GDP is forecast to decline by at least 5% this year, the government now provides, which leads mechanically to predict a deficit of 8.8% of GDP at end 2011, against a previous estimate of 7.4%.

It is a fact, almost a year and a half after the introduction of the first austerity plan, Greece is again up against the wall.The austerity measures have led to a sharp recession and sealed growth, competitiveness and production. The unemployment rate reached 16.6% last month. "The committee was right. The debt is really out of control because it is growing and will continue to grow, "Analysis Stefanos Manos, a former finance minister. "It is sad to see that the government did nothing for months. No reform of the state system, not privatization, but only the imposition of taxes and cuts in wages! There are more public spending in 2009, before the crisis, he said. This time, it is urgent, bankruptcy is just around the nose. International leaders must tap your feet.They should refuse to grant the sixth installment of the loan of 110 billion euros granted to Greece if these measures are not implemented. "This is probably the direction of the departure of the troika, which means by this dramatic move to the pressure on the government.

But this game of poker liar weary Greeks who bear the brunt of austerity. Last significant extent, the increase in VAT in catering from 13 to 23%. "A step too far, according to Giorgos Delastik, a political analyst. The Greeks are exhausted. They think that especially in terms of rigor is not applied the right way to save their country from the crisis, just as Ireland and Portugal. "

Strikes and demonstrations were not long in coming. After the Athens metro and teachers, the outraged calls for a mobilization in Parliament tonight.Ilias Iliopoulos for general secretary of the union officials, the Greeks played their all. "We are on the verge of a social explosion," said he. "In 2010, when the deficit would be reduced by five points, the Greeks had to make huge sacrifices. Today, they can not accept other measures or new cuts on wages. " However, the troika request 2.5 billion savings by the end of the year. The authorities now fear having barely contain the anger of the Greeks, who was radicalized after the summer break.

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Euro: Van Rompuy draws lessons from the crisis

Auto Date Thursday, September 1st, 2011

In any crisis, we must learn from them. Wednesday inaugurated the MEDEF Summer University on the HEC campus at Jouy-en-Josas, President of the European Council, Herman Van Rompuy, virtually as a lecture, those details should result from violent shaking of the last month in Europe. In a reference to the writer Paulo Coelho, he stressed that "the simple things are the most extraordinary." He himself has selected ten.

"Little more soul"

Among these great teachings, there are first those who want to avoid new debt crisis."If all countries had complied with fiscal orthodoxy, there would have never had a crisis," said President of the European Council.

Therefore, if a country borrows, it must be "to invest and not to consume", keep in sight the return to equilibrium or be "solidarity" with those who make efforts the front of their public finances. The other lesson is the need for "rigorous financial regulation," which requires in particular a reduction in the role of rating agencies.

Finally, Herman Van Rompuy calls for a "little extra something" European because "unity is strength in diversity". And "there is no common currency without a common economic policy," he said. The enemy of Europe, "it's every man for himself and me first."He has complained that European leaders are sometimes expressed in a disorderly manner, increasing in his nervousness in financial markets guaranteed online payday loans. "Criticizing the decisions taken collectively is a strategic mistake," he said.

Why a strengthening of European governance is needed, governments now believe. What about the adage "better to rule must govern least"? It is "not always easy," said the Belgian."The euro has never had the infrastructure for economic and fiscal surveillance needed," pleaded one who should become the president of "economic government of the euro area" advocated by France and Germany.

Greek debt, "top priority"

In this context, Herman Van Rompuy said that the implementation of the summit conclusions of 21 July was on Greece, "in the short term, the priority of priorities". He also expressed optimism about the outcome of the dispute created by the conditions imposed by Finland to implement the agreement. The Greeks, however, must "scrupulously respect what was required of them," he e precise.

Wednesday, Herman Van Rompuy wanted to end on an optimistic note – echoing that of Laurence Parisot, who sees no risk of further recession of the Old Continent.Faced with "the breakthrough of globalization," to "Challenges and Opportunities", the euro zone out "beyond recognition" of this crisis, he wagered. Above all, "it will not disappoint."