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A work of art? A scupture? A monument? Attraction? Orbit wants it all at once. Red steel tower rising slowly in the sky Olympic Park East London thanks to the play of the cranes that circumvent the laws of gravity and set pieces that weigh less than 2.5 tonnes each. The London Olympics, which begin July 27, 2012, wanted their icon. It is made of red steel. That's at the Universal Exhibition in Paris in 1889 as the Eiffel Tower was built …

Nestled between the Olympic Stadium and the swimming pool, the work designed by Anish Kapoor, a British artist of Indian origin, will be the symbol of the London Games. The artist, whose recent work Monumenta at the Grand Palais in Paris, has conquered the public, could build this new project with Lakshmi Mittal, the chairman of ArcelorMittal.The steel giant from an original way and in the circle of second-tier sponsors of the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Cost of the adventure: 16 million pounds (about 18 million euros) for Arcelor Mittal, London, adding 3 million pounds.

A unique perspective

On site, a dozen people work to build, despite the often strong wind blowing from the Thames estuary, the giant Meccano imposes no engineer would have imagined. The sculpture, made of red tubular steel elements, already stands at over 80 meters high and it must reach 115 meters. It will weigh 1,400 tons. When everything is finished, an elevator will climb onto a platform boldly eccentric.The energetic can go down via a silver staircase winding around the tower.

The tower would house a restaurant and she will, when the Games are over, a unique perspective on the new district of east London that is emerging today. As the streets that Jack the Ripper haunted past are still among the poorest in London. The Olympics will enable a large-scale urban renewal. New life for London's East End which is the symbol of steel.

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Greece is saved, all the better, but remains to be done. This is in essence the common position of six candidates for the primary socialist. Otherwise, the appreciation of the Europe Agreement varies from the conviction of a rescue plan came too late to denounce a "blockage" no future. The range of reactions makes it possible to rank candidates on the scale of the radical.

In the camp of indignation, Ségolène Royal and Arnaud Montebourg topped. To say, the former candidate of 2007 was even offered the platform of the press room of the Rue de Solferino, usually reserved for the party's spokesman Martine Aubry or when she was first secretary function. The PS has made available to candidates for the primary means of its head, and still continuing the campaign, Ségolène Royal has given her a highly formal intervention. "This agreement lifejacket.We close the gaps, "she was outraged by asking managers to make decisions this summer on four issues: the establishment of a European sovereign fund, the appointment of a" commander in chief against crisis financial, "the prohibition of speculation and reform of credit rating agencies.

Arnaud Montebourg same tone in which denounced the "four unacceptable defects" of the rescue plan, including the fact that in his view, the risk of contagion to fragile states is not halted. Arnaud Montebourg also regretted that the banking sector is spared and that the plan "wrongly perpetuates the obsession with austerity."

"Strengthening the political union"

Candidate also the primary PS, the head of the Radical Left, Jean-Michel Baylet, lamented that "the vicious circle of speculation" is not halted.Just under back, François Hollande found the agreement "late" and "inadequate", while acknowledging that it was "necessary." "Like nothing lasting has been hired, we remain vulnerable and therefore much remains to be done," assured the former first secretary of the PS.

Finally, the most moderate responses came from Martine Aubry and Manuel Valls. While denouncing the weight of the rating agencies and regretting that it took to reach an agreement, "offer guarantees costly for Europe and Greece," the mayor of Lille called for "building the Government the euro. " Previously, the first secretary of the PS, on leave from his position, had welcomed the agreement between the leaders of the euro area."We had the Greek people, we were in Europe," she explained in a statement.

Also playing on the line of responsible political leader, Manuel Valls, for his part welcomed the agreement. "Put up against the wall, the heads of states of the euro area (…) are finally out of the inaction of the past few weeks," he said. But the deputy mayor of Evry has also called for further, to "establish a political action settled, peaceful and sustainable in order to strengthen the political union and the challenges of economic globalization."

Tunisia this week, Morocco in a few days: Eric Besson, Minister of Industry, has been mobilized by the Euro-Mediterranean energy pact with a number of partnerships with the key. A pact underpinned by the implementation of the Mediterranean Solar Plan: 20 gigawatts (GW) of renewable electricity should break ground in 2020 in the south and east of the area. Of these 20 GW, five will be exported to Europe.

This very ambitious program is itself related to the project Medgrid, which now has 22 associates and partners.This is the grid trans synonymous with development of interconnections between the riparian countries, to strengthen security of supply and profitability of the southern Mediterranean project of electricity generation.

Eventually, 5 to 6 billion euros of investments are planned in the electricity transmission infrastructure. Via unit works with a value between 500 million and 1 billion euros. Because the numbers speak for themselves: the predictions of experts predict an increase of 7% per year of electricity demand by 2025 in southern and eastern Mediterranean, while nine million people there today have no access.

"We are dealing with a double fracture energy, one between the northern and southern Mediterranean, the other between countries faxless pay day loans.The countries of the European Union bordering the Mediterranean have limited fossil resources, but ownership of two-thirds of the energy that is consumed, says Michel Derdevet, lecturer at the Institute of Political Studies Paris. Conversely, developing countries have substantially lower requirements but growing very fast. "

Arab Spring

To what extent can we overcome these divisions? For André Merlin, the executive chairman of Medgrid, the project set up to respond precisely the logic of co-development (see interview below). It is intended also closely complements the massive program Desertec – tens of billions of dollars dedicated to the development of the solar industry in the South.Whether the latest geopolitical events have come to upset the schedule Medgrid, André Merlin responds bluntly: "No, although this spring has somewhat disrupted the plans of development of electricity infrastructure."

For the leader of Medgrid, "there is great need on the part of those countries to develop alternative sources to oil and gas to generate electricity, the countries that have no such resources and become less dependent on imported hydrocarbons and those who have such resources and reserves in the world market much more profitable. "

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) could not pick a worse day to name its new CEO. While the Greek Parliament is preparing to accept or reject the austerity plan imposed on the country, Greece went on strike for 48 hours. "We are on the verge of seeing someone who is very well supported. It is very important because this institution is facing many challenges. " Treasury Secretary of the United States Timothy Geithner does not believe so to speak.

Greek debt crisis

First pressing issue, the debt of Greece. Despite a support plan of 110 billion euros, which should be accompanied by another rescue in the same amount, the country can not get out of the crisis. The new CEO will have to prove to the Member States that the country can recover from the economic crisis and budget where it sank."In Greece, there is no debate, said Marc Fiorentino, president of Euroland Finance. The restructuring is inevitable. It remains to know when the plan will be implemented. Germany is to decide. The IMF has a role of 'follower'. " For now, financial markets seem to believe in a positive vote of the Greek Parliament and even the backup plan for Europe if it fails.

Marc Fiorentino, the IMF's main task will be to prevent the problems of Spain and Italy by austerity. Is not that what has already been done for Greece? "Yes, but Spain is more credible than Greece. The scope of the IMF will be more important. "

Consequences of the "Arab Spring"

The other issue facing the new flagship is the Director of revolts followed in the Arab world.Member States have asked the IMF to pay "special attention" to the economic impact of these revolutions. . Among the Arab countries, Egypt. After asking at the beginning of June the IMF prepared a three to four billion euros, the country has finally given up the aid. "This decision is political, says Marc Fiorentino. The government can not 'sell' five years of rigor as the country lives in a dream after having 'won' the revolution. The IMF should adopt a more discourse-oriented investment and less to the rigor. " With the World Bank, the Fund must thus coordinate international financial assistance for Egypt, Tunisia and other countries possible. The country may need 10 to $ 12 billion by June 2012.

Solving the "war of exchange rates"

The IMF should review in the fall as part of its surveillance of exchange rates, that does not meet many people. The new CEO will have to find difficult compromises between China, which wishes to conduct its exchange rate policy as it sees fit, and those who want the Fund crack down against a large Member State with a currency significantly undervalued. "I do not believe in the currency war is permanent. This will be more difficult than Christine Lagarde owes much to China. "

Keep its promises to China

If Christine Lagarde was appointed patron of the International Monetary Fund, it is indeed in large part to China, which has formalized its support Monday for the future ex-finance minister. Until then, the country had always refused to speak publicly on the subject.While emerging countries vied for the position, arguing that they were promised in the appointment of Dominique Strauss-Kahn in 2007, they finally resigned to make way for a European to better manage the debt crisis in the euro area. Probably not without a negotiated compensation. "Christine Lagarde had to make concessions vis-à-vis emerging markets and particularly vis-à-vis China, says Marc Fiorentino. She had no choice. " She has promised to increase the voting rights with the IMF of 6.19% to 6.4% and "include Chinese representatives." Vice-president of the institution and may return to Beijing.

It is not clear that Europe and the United States this agreement are a very good eye. The margins of maneuver Christine Lagarde did not they could be reduced? "She has a great culture of consensus and coordinate economic zones knows them.She certainly has a European profile but is also open to the Anglo-Saxon world, "says Marc Fiorentino.

Otis, Crossroads Market, Carrard Services … These three companies have one thing in common: they face these days in a strike of their employees who claim to be better working conditions or wage increases, sometimes both. How original you might say, to see employees' strike "because they are dissatisfied? Not much except that the term "strike" was historically a very different meaning.

The word "strike" originated on the "Place de Greve," the name given to the middle of the twelfth century to the scope in front of City Hall of Paris. It was a beach of sand and gravel which stows the goods (wood, wheat, hay, wine …) arrived by the Seine and ended up where, each morning at dawn, workers without work seeking employers for the day.This "Place de Grève" was then a scholarship to work and place of employment for the unemployed. In short, an employment center before time …

This concentration of workers who were not working but looking for a job … was called "strikers." Hence the emergence then of "strike" which means "look for a job." A sense diametrically opposite to that of today …

No more Nokia. The world's number one telephone on Tuesday released an alert on its results. The restructuring announcements in recent months have failed to rectify the accounts.

The turnover of its phone division will be "substantially" lower than the initial forecast of between 6.1 and 6.6 billion euros for the second quarter. Volumes and average selling prices of the phones are below expectations. The operating margin will be, too, much lower than the previously announced range (6 to 9%). It could be "close to the equilibrium point (zero), predicted the group. For the record, the Apple flirts with 42%.

Nokia also believes "it is more appropriate to provide annual targets for 2011."Leaving the field of speculations open: Would it be so bad? However, the group plans to provide quarterly forecasts and annual targets "when circumstances permit."

"The strategic transition periods are difficult," Elop justified. Called into action last September, the former Microsoft, the first foreigner to head the Finnish group, failed to stem the loss of market share in the group. After an initial phase, punctuated by an overhaul of management and a mea culpa General Company for recognizing the delay in smartphones, the first steps have been taken No teletrack payday loans. No effect yet.

Four years late

Nokia announced it would abandon its gradual Symbian operating system for the Microsoft Windows phone.However, "the first Nokia product with Windows Phone to be launched in the fourth quarter," Stephen Elop said Tuesday. Not only does it arrive on the market a year after the first Windows phone, but in addition, this system has, so far, not met with great commercial success. In announcing the alliance, Nokia and Microsoft, Google's boss had also joked, "Two turkeys will not make an eagle." This does not Nokia to build on this progress to return to the smartphone market. It is also imperative to send back the average selling price of its phones to stop the erosion of margins.

Since joining Nokia, Stephen Elop has been repeatedly stressed the need to change strategy. The Group's business challenges are no secret to anyone.This revised outlook 2011 has been very badly received by the markets which saw a further sign of wavering in management. On Tuesday, the stock has lost 17.53% to 4.75 euros. Since 2007 and the arrival of the iPhone on the market, it sold 83%.

For the 9th consecutive year, the Great Place to Work Institute (GPTW) publishes its list of the companies in which to work in Europe. With a small change this year: the two traditional classifications of societies and more than 500 employees, has added the business called "multinational". Test required to integrate this category have been nationally ranked "business in which to work" in at least three countries.

Filed in 16 countries throughout Europe, Microsoft wins first place in the top 25 multinational companies. The U.S. computer giant is closely followed by two compatriots: the biotechnology company Amgen (Applied Molecular Genetics) and the food group Mars.

On Wednesday, red dominates the financial markets of the Asia-Pacific. No big worry, however, the observed declines are not so high that early in the week. The downward trend continues and background, like the Nikkei, which fell by 0.42% at 9437.04 points and the broader Topix index, which bends from 0.17% to 817.80 points. The crisis of European debt remains in the minds of investors even if the concerns seem to fade a little. Last night, Wall Street ended the session down slightly too.

In China, same atmosphere. The Hang Seng in Hong Kong dropped 0.55% to 22,604.76 points. Note that the action of the Swiss giant Glencore commodities showed a decline of 2.8% for its first day of listing on the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong, following its introduction to the London Stock Exchange where he finished in small decline. In Shanghai, the CSI yields more timidly 0.13% to 3022.36 points.India and its main BSE index down 0.50% to 17,921.56 points. And in Singapore, the Straits Times down 0.39% at 3100.90 points.

In Australia, the red is darker: the S & P / ASX retrograde from 0.90% to 4587 points. Its neighbor New Zealand succeeds him to climb into the green, clawing 0.14% to 3564.44 points.

The decline in oil, profit taking

Oil prices were trending lower Wednesday in electronic trading in Asia, due to a decline in energy demand in the U.S. and profit taking, analysts said. In morning trading, a barrel of light sweet crude for July delivery yielded 57 cents to 99.02 dollars. That of Brent North Sea crude for delivery the same abandoned 82 cents to 111.71 dollars."Investors seem to take their profits at the approach of a long weekend in the U.S. market," said Ker Chung Yang, an analyst at Phillip Futures in Singapore, referring to the Memorial Day holiday on Monday the United States.

Memory market on Friday, 13 has little impact on markets, even if Friday, October 13, 1989 took place a minikrach. In real estate, however some have difficulty leaving their superstition on the shelf.

The "Paraskevidékatriaphobia (phobia 13) deprives many American buildings 13th floor, and many palaces room or table 13. In the UK, according to a British website, Zoopla, an apartment of less than 300,000 euros, at number 13 of a street, would sell for an average of 4000 pounds (4593 euros) less than 12 or 14 .

The 13 does not however run the streets: 28% of UK streets do not. It has often been cleared between 11 and 15, or disguised in 11a. In Paris, there are not 13, rue du Faubourg Saint-Honore, since the Empress Eugenie decided. But when they exist, the numbers 13 are not cheaper than 15 or 11.

In Orpi or Féau is remembered buyers have waived a house not quite "feng shui", but not because of 13. Citing statistics, the Notaries of Paris confirms: "For the No. 13 tracks, there is no special discount. Parisians do not seem superstitious! "Neither the address nor the floor … in the Montparnasse tower does have a 13th.

Rumor conveyed by the German magazine Der Spiegel that Greece had threatened on Friday to leave the eurozone was denied on all sides. "A provocation" by the Greek Minister of Finance, a "dumb idea" according to the chairman of the Eurogroup Jean-Claude Juncker, a "completely fanciful hypothesis" for Bercy.

However, the financial position of Greece has indeed been raised on Friday at an informal meeting in Luxembourg, attended by several Ministers of Finance of the euro area, whose French Christine Lagarde, Germany's Wolfgang Schäuble The Italian Giulio Tremonti or Greek George Papaconstantinou.At that point also to the subjects on the agenda – aid to Portugal, the regulation of financial markets, the successor of Jean-Claude Trichet as head of the ECB – "have not even been processed, lack of time, "says Les Echos on its website on Saturday, citing" a source described as European. "

Accelerating privatization

At the heart of discussions among members of the euro area, the ability of Greece to honor the commitments made in the context of assistance of 110 billion euros granted by the EU and the IMF a year ago. According to Les Echos, the Europeans have been willing, in exchange for new measures of fiscal adjustment, to pay 20 euros to 25 billion additional to Greece, where they would prove insufficient instant credit report. A sum which would, according to business daily, covering almost all the financing needs of the country in 2012.

Previously, however, the Greeks will accelerate the ongoing privatization. While the report had planned disposals of EUR 2 billion in 2012, "it will take much more raking Athens, about 25 billion by 2013," said the European source quoted by Les Echos. "If these measures are not sufficient, Greece should further tighten the screws tax," she added.

Debt restructuring again rejected

However, the assumption of a debt restructuring Greek has once again been rejected by the participants. While Lars Feld, one of economic advisers to Angela Merkel, considered by example on Sunday that the restructuring was "the only way forward so that Greece is a little relieved that creditors and help to solve the Greek problem "President of the Eurogroup Jean-Claude Juncker reiterated that such an option was excluded.While stating that a new adjustment program would still be discussed at the next meeting of the Eurogroup on 16 May.

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