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A man at the crossroads of the worlds of music, technology and business. Norio Ohga, father of the "Compact Disc" and former boss of Sony, died Saturday at age 81. It was as boss of the Japanese consumer electronics that monitors closely the birth of the CD with its Dutch partner Philips in the early 80s. He insisted then that the disc 12 cm in diameter can hold 75 minutes of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony.

This commercial success and technological, which then lead to the emergence of DVD, will remain as the main weapon is to Norio Ohga. But it should not overshadow his work as head of Sony. "He transformed the Japanese conglomerate manufacturer of electronic products in a firm's creative music, movies and video games," says the Wall Street Journal."We were always digging the tracks that other groups did not dare to follow," explained Norio Ohga in 1998. "This is the real secret to our success."

Explosive path

His entry into the firm, like the rest of his career then detonates. Student in musicology at the University of Tokyo, in 1953 he impressed the executives of the firm which became Sony in a letter advising them of improvements to the prototype of tape. Hired as a consultant, Norio Ohga follow a rapid and brilliant trajectory within the company. He became one of the executive directors from the thirties, something extremely rare in Japan. In the '70s, he led negotiations with CBS that will lead to the creation of Sony Music Entertainment and will lead.

President of Sony from 1982 to 1995, Norio Ohga innovates. It supports the development of the Walkman, launched in 1979.In 1989, he led the largest acquisition at the time a Japanese firm abroad by offering the Hollywood studio Columbia Pictures for $ 3.4 billion. This maneuver discontent across the Pacific. Rumors will ever drive on the possible resale activity, difficult to make profitable. The real stroke of genius of the president Norio Ohga is unquestionably won his bet in video games. In the early 90s, he in fact supports the launch of the Playstation division within the group. It is now one of the largest departments of the group.

Debonair boss

Nohga Norio, Japanese boss atypical-described good-natured, not shy, and has an artistic temperament, however, has not as successful. Shortly after the launch of the CD, and it fails to impose its Betamax video format against HSV.Advisor to Sony these days, he could only see, in recent years, the cons-performance of its group. Sony did not see coming the success of the flat screen and has lagged behind its South Korean rival Samsung. In video games, Nintendo has his compatriot hewn cruppers. Even in the music industry, the Japanese has been exceeded. By innovations from Apple this time.

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"Sony Walkman turns the page

If the state seems determined to bury the projects to exploit gas and oil shale, it is not the same industry. Total and after the oil is now up to CEO of GDF Suez, Gerard Mestrallet, to speak on the subject. Voices in the columns, the leader regretted that "France turns the page on shale gas before opening it."

The government has indeed done an about-face on the subject. Faced with a growing mobilization against the exploitation of these deposits to potentially harmful to the environment, the prime minister on Wednesday urged the cancellation of the exploration license. In March 2010, Jean-Louis Borloo, Minister of Ecology, had authorized the search of these gases "unconventional" in the basement French Three licenses were awarded, one in Total and two other group Texas Schuepbach associated with GDF Suez.

Impact on prices

It is not certain that there are industrial. They surf on rising fuel prices to justify further research in this area. The CEO of GDF Suez and in Les Echos argues that "France will freeze gas prices on one side and the other refuses to produce shale gas. I recall that if natural gas is cheap in the U.S., thanks to unconventional gas. "

Same story at Total. In a recent interview in Le Parisien, Aujourd'hui en France, oil group's CEO, Christophe de Margerie said that gasoline prices will continue to blaze to 2 euros lellitre super and that this development necessitates the search other energy sources.It specifically targets the shale gas, "We can not defend one side of the security of supply in France, and the other, prohibit the exploration of these famous shale gas. How can we make a final decision without even knowing if this gas is present in the French soil and if it is usable? "

"An operation" clean "is possible"

Similarly, Gerard Mestrallet advocates a continuation of research, also on methods of extracting these gases. "To conclude that we will never be able to develop clean technologies to exploit shale gas, there is not as scientific as I would not cross," said the officer saving account payday loan. Total goes further. Courmes Bruno, director of Total Shale Gas in Europe, the Group subsidiary dedicated to oil shale gas, is "sure to offer a holding" clean "of shale gas."

Cleaner technology and less controversial, would bring the Prime Minister, currently opposed to the exploitation of shale gas, to review its position: "There is no question of closing the door to technological advances that allow for future access to new energy resources ", has underlined Francois Fillon during his speech in favor of cancellation of licenses already granted. A scientific research mission on the possibilities of exploiting these deposits with other technologies is ongoing.

No credible alternative for the moment

Except that it may take time. Asked by lefigaro.fr, Total acknowledges that, at present, there is no alternative to the hydraulic fracturing technique implemented by the Texas Haliburton. An efficient method known but the effects are harmful to the environment.This method aims to create small earthquakes over 2000 meters before injecting large amounts of water and chemicals to extract the fuel. The film Gasland shock, the Oscar-nominated 2011 – which had a significant effect on protest movements – really demonstrates what can be the impact on drinking water, air quality and public health of this method extraction.

Cap on foreign

And France, a "National Day of Action" against the shale gas to take place this weekend. It might then be that manufacturers are turning abroad. Total has also finalized an agreement with CNPC-PetroChina to operate an unconventional gas field in Inner Mongolia and the group has two exploration permits for shale gas in Denmark and six in Argentina.Remains whether the environmental impact of the same technique is different from one country to another.

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Reversal. After steady growth for at least fifteen years, and accérélée the early 2000s to offset the effects of 35 hours, the number of public hospitals have stabilized in 2008 (-0.06%). And for the first time they fell in 2009 -9800 full-time equivalent positions, according to official statistics and final unveiled this morning by The Daily of the physician.

This figure represents less than 1.3% of total hospital staff, which is almost 753,000 jobs. The administrative staff, technical workers and retreat, and those of carers are slightly higher (stability for nurses in particular).These efforts have helped reduce the deficit in hospitals increased from 686 to 512 million euros from 2007, according to figures announced by the then health minister, Roselyne Bachelot.

Each institution is legally independent and therefore free to manage its workforce, the rule of non-replacement of staff on two retiring – which has prevailed for the five-year state officials – does not apply to hospital . In this case, this reduction amounts to almost 10,000 jobs do not replace one out of four. Over five years, the numbers remain on the upside. And all these data are not doctors, accounted for separately: their number rose 3.2% year on year to $ 64,500.

After opening with no direction, the U.S. stock markets have closed sharply higher Tuesday. The Dow Jones climbed 1.03% to 12,214 points, the Nasdaq is 0.73% to 2766 points and the S & P 500 rose 0.89% to 1322 points.

In an attempt to limit the mad surge in crude prices and avoid an oil shock countries that export oil rally. After Saudi Arabia, three other cartel members would increase production, the Financial Times. The OPEC members are currently holding consultations on the impact of mental disorders in Libya in the oil market, said Tuesday the Kuwaiti Minister of Oil.

On the foreign exchange market, the euro lost it again a little ground against the dollar on Tuesday as investors reaping some profits after a summit in four months yesterday.In the evening in Paris, the euro bought 1.3904 dollars against 1.3971 late Monday.

McDonald's: -0.98% to 75.54 dollars

The side of values, the American fast-food chain McDonald's has sold its leading position worldwide in terms of number of restaurants in the Subway chain, which specializes in sandwiches. Subway has 33,749 restaurants on January 1 in the world, while McDonald's had 32,737 on the same date. Starbucks and the number two burger Burger King were respectively about 17 000 and 12 000 restaurants. However, McDonald's still has a considerable lead in terms of turnover at 24.1 billion dollars in 2010 against 15.2 billion for Subway.

Coca-Cola: +0.64% to 65.64 dollars

Coca-Cola and China Resources Holdings may be interested in Zhuhai Zhongfu Enterprise by the National Business Daily.Monday's action Zhuhai Zhongfu Enterprise was suspended pending further information, indeed jumped the track Thursday and Friday at volumes well above the average (Bloomberg).

Google: +0.11% to 592.31 dollars

Also note, multifunction phones running Google's Android system are now the most sold in the United States, surpassing the Blackberry phones from Canadian manufacturer Research in Motion (RIM) said Monday in a study firm ComScore.

Boeing: 1.64% to 72.04 dollars

The U.S. aircraft manufacturer Boeing announced it had signed sales contracts with two Chinese airlines for a cumulative amount exceeding ten billion dollars (7.16 billion euros).Eager to expand its fleet, Air China has announced plans to buy five Boeing 747-8 for a list price of about $ 1.54 billion, a welcome support for a Superjumbo selling relatively few. The 747-8, with a capacity of 467 seats, has a unit list price of $ 317 million. Air China is the third company after Lufthansa and Korean Air have ordered the aircraft, which Boeing is the replica of the Airbus A380.In addition, the aircraft manufacturer announced Tuesday the signing of a memorandum of agreement with the company Hong Kong Airlines to order 38 large aircraft for a list price of $ 8.5 billion.

United Continental: 6.31% to 24.78 dollars

For his part, Continental United, the group merged U.S. Airlines and Continental Airlines announced a 1.1% decline in traffic over the month of February and up 1.8% of its capacity. The filling rate was down 2.3 points.

Fiat: 3.42% to 9.06 dollars

The recovery of U.S. automakers is confirmed. After the triumphant entrance of General Motors on Wall Street, Chrysler said Tuesday that its value has increased almost fivefold during the first 18 months under the control of Fiat.At December 31, 2010, Chrysler reached a value of 4.8 billion, reveals an analysis of documents filed by the group on February 25 with the SEC the authority of U.S. markets. In June 2009, when Chrysler came out of bankruptcy proceedings, the value of the builder was estimated at 996 million dollars. These figures give an overview of the potential value of Chrysler is preparing its return on the stock market, expected in the second half of this year. These figures give an overview of the potential value of Chrysler is preparing its return on the stock market, expected in the second half of this year. Chrysler has made those calculations to determine the remuneration of its senior leaders, including the managing director of Fiat Sergio Marchionne. The executives are paid in part by "phantom stock" which will be converted into normal action at a later date.In June 2009, the price of these shares was $ 1.66. End of 2010, it reached $ 7.95.

Wells Fargo: +2.49% to 32.51 dollars

In banking, Wells Fargo has announced the hiring of more than 1,000 people by mid-May 2011 to expand its teams in the retail banks of the East Coast of the United States. The California bank had already added nearly 600 people to its teams in the same region since the completion of the merger Wachovia / Wells Fargo late December 2008. Wells Fargo reported earnings "record" in 2010 to 11,630,000,000 dollars, up 46% over the previous year.

Hackers are on all fronts. After the stock exchanges of New York and London in particular, hackers managed to penetrate the security of the French Ministry of Economy and Finance, revealed on Monday the website of Paris Match. Information confirmed by Budget Minister Baroin the microphone of Europe 1, and the entourage of the Minister of Economy Christine Lagarde told Reuters. According to a senior source at the Interior Ministry, the Elysee Palace and the Foreign Ministry had been "concerned but not affected," according to the National Security Agency's information systems. The interview on Europe 1 Baroin:

Bercy services have found this huge cyber attack, which aimed in particular documents relating to the G20 in the month of December."Immediately, specialty services have made arrangements to stop the attacks (…) This work was finally ended last weekend," said the minister's entourage. 10,000 computers have been disconnected during the weekend to stop the cyber attack.

"The first attack against the state of this magnitude"

According Pailloux Patrick, the executive director of the National Security Information Systems (ANSSI), "those who acted are professionals committed and organized. This is the first attack against the French state and of this magnitude at this scale, "he said in Paris Match.

In total, over 150 computers in the department have been infiltrated by the classical method of mail bomb. "The hackers tried to attack other ministries.There may be things that we have not seen, but to my knowledge, only Bercy has been affected, "explained Patrick Pailloux. Prescient, he lamented in an interview published Pcinpact late February, "a real trend to the increasing attacks, raising fears that the examples multiply instant credit reports."

No computers affected did not contain personal data of taxpayers, assured Baroin. "The attack targeted international issues rather than internal issues such as customs or tax authorities. Information has certainly been achieved, but what is important is that we know the origin and we define the modalities of this attack, "he judged.For now, Bercy filed a complaint against X with the Paris prosecutor's office and the DCRI, the French intelligence service, was seized.

Chinese Track

Even if the origin of the attack has not yet been established, a senior official recalls the site of the weekly Chinese track possible. "We found that a number of information were redirected to sites in China," Paris Match reported quoting a senior official, under cover of anonymity. "But that does not mean much," he tempered. For its part, Baroin merely to evoke "the tracks have not yet confirmed."

Coincidentally, early in the morning, a member of South Korea confirmed that Chinese hackers had accessed in June to military records confidential from South Korea, for the purchase of unmanned U.S. spy planes.According to another member of South Korea based on a government report, 8183 of 21,899 attempted attacks launched last year by hackers against the computer system of government of South Korea came from China.

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In late May, six of the sixteen members of the College of AMF should be renewed. The opportunity for the president's stock market watchdog, Jean-Pierre Jouyet, placing governments to their responsibilities in terms of parity. "We must be consistent with what we proposed or imposed by law," said Jean-Pierre Jouyet in Le Figaro.

In 2016, boards of directors of large companies will have 40% women. College of the MFA, they are now … two. "It would take at least five" in the eyes of its chairman, who called for those, starting with the Minister of Economy, who will appoint the six future members.Jean-Pierre Jouyet same ideas profiles that could be the case, they run businesses (Dominique Heriard-Dubreuil at Remy Cointreau or Stéphane Pallez, France Telecom) manage funds (Isabelle Bouillot) are derived from academia (Marie-Anne-Frisian Roche).

Chairman of the AMF also cites the example of Michele Monavon which unites the employee shareholders.

It's official: Sanofi-Aventis buys U.S. biotech Genzyme. The laboratory has improved its last offer, which was to expire at midnight yesterday after being launched on October 4 and extended twice. The two parties reached an agreement and the offer will end on March 16 upgraded.

Sanofi-Aventis and will spend $ 20.1 billion in cash (or 14.9 billion euros) to acquire the worldwide leader of rare diseases. An amount equivalent to $ 74 per share, or 5 dollars more than originally proposed. Genzyme shareholders will also receive certificates of conditional value (CCV). The latter could result in additional payments if the biotech meets certain sales targets.Security holders may receive up to $ 14 and additional action if sales Lemtrada, a drug used against leukemia that Genzyme is trying to certify against multiple sclerosis, achieve the goals most optimistic.

In financial terms, Sanofi-Aventis believes that the transaction would increase earnings per share of 0.75 to 1 euro by 2013. The Group Chief Executive, Chris Viehbacher, adds that the merger "should be accretive in the first year, in other words that the approximation should have a positive impact on the Group's profitability in the first year while the transaction should be completed in the second quarter of 2011.

Genzyme will be a new growth driver

Sanofi-Aventis also focuses on the strategic dimension of this approximation.According to Chris Viehbacher, the operation "will create a significant new growth platform for Sanofi-Aventis by expanding our presence in biotechnology." The lab also intends "to Genzyme's global center of excellence for rare diseases."

In terms of Genzyme, the title earned 3.53% to 74.30 dollars at the close of Wall Street yesterday in preparation for this announcement and before publication of its annual results on Wednesday. In 2009, the biotech had achieved a turnover of 4.5 billion. Its activities are an important growth driver for Sanofi-Aventis, faces competition from generic drugs.

Furthermore, the reorganization of groups is running. Sanofi-Aventis has already indicated that the CEO of Genzyme step down but retain an advisory role on the transaction.Remains to be seen what any other restructuring induced by this marriage.

In early trading, Sanofi-Aventis under the lead of more than 2.4% and signs and the largest increase in the CAC 40. The benchmark index of the Paris Bourse rose by 0.4% to him.

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On this day of Valentine, happiness reigns in the Asian stock markets, which restarts on a good foot this new week, Tokyo head. Closed Friday due to holiday (Feast of the Foundation of the Nation "), while financial markets were relieved by the resignation of President Hosni Mubarak, the Tokyo Stock Exchange on Monday granted a remedial effect.

On Monday, the Nikkei 225 Index climbed 1.13% to 10,725.54 points. While the Japanese GDP will contract in the last quarter of 2010, but less than expected 0.3%. Over the whole of 2010, however, it grew by 3.9%, driven by sales to emerging countries, including China, and supported much of the year offset by government grants this fall.

Among the largest increases, Toyota climbed 2.51% at 3,870 yen or 2.68% at Honda 3635 yen.

Expected inflation in China down

Japan, already exceeded the first time in a quarter this summer, could not maintain its position as second largest economy on the whole of 2010. It is the China that now occupies, with GDP amounted to 5.8786 trillion dollars against 5.4742 trillion dollars in Japan. China could overtake the top spot in the U.S. in 2025.

Morale is looking good on the Chinese financial markets. The Hang Seng Index rose 1.07% to 23,073 points and the CSI index jumped 2.50% to 3198.93 points. On Monday, market rumors also point to a possible decline in inflation in China. The figure will be released tomorrow but the good news is already spreading, and despite a change in the method of calculating this statistic.

Finally, the trade surplus of the Middle Kingdom has fallen by over half in January to $ 6.45 billion, as imports surged 51% year on year, reported Monday's China Customs. The illustration of the willingness of Chinese leaders to reduce the dependence of the second world economy vis-à-vis exports and expand domestic demand and household consumption. And good news for Americans who accuse China of deliberately letting their yuan undervalued to promote exports.

Industrial & Commercial Bank of China rose 1.86% to 4370 yuan and Agricultural Bank of China is 1.91% to 2660 yuan.

Other places in the region are doing well, like oil

Other areas of the region also benefit from these stock performance.The Taiwan TAIEX Index advances 0.88% at 8685.47 points, the KRX 100 of Seoul wins 1.92% to 4275.46 points, the S & P / ASX 200 is 1.12% at 4935.80 points, the BSE Sensex 30 rose 1.52% to 17,997.90 points and the FTSE Straits Times Index was up 1.08% to 3110.59 points.

Crude prices were on the upside Monday in electronic trading in Asia, while the fear of other regimes in the Middle East like Egypt switch boosts prices, dealers said. In morning trading, a barrel of light sweet crude for March delivery gained 2 cents to $ 85.60. That of Brent North Sea with identical maturity took 67 cents to 101.61 dollars.

The Paris prosecutor's office announced Friday the opening of a preliminary inquiry entrusted to the Central Directorate of Internal Intelligence (DCRI) on the industrial espionage case that shook the car manufacturer Renault. The news came a day after the filing of a complaint by Renault cons X.

A long and difficult investigation looming to lift the shadows of the case of industrial espionage to benefit a "foreign power" for which Renault has filed a complaint against X and which is now under investigation preliminary.According to the prosecutor of Paris, Jean-Claude Marin, this is "a complex matter that will require international investigations," the complaint regarding "the provision of items of interest to the French business secret to a foreign power" , not specified.

The automaker's lawyer, Maitre Jean Reinhart said that Renault had on file all information collected under the internal investigation commissioned in August 2010, when he became aware of possible acts of espionage . For their part, the three laid-off executives flatly deny the charges against them.

Michel Balthazar, a member of the Management Board of Renault, one of his deputies, Bertrand Rochette, responsible for pre-projects, and Matthieu Tenenbaum, assistant program director of electric vehicles, could dismissal for gross misconduct, which can now be made at any time."We can draw the conclusion that a letter of dismissal for gross misconduct will be sent to us," said Friday's lawyer Michel Balthazar, Master Xavier Thouvenin.

"Suspicion of corruption"

According to Le Monde on Friday, the internal investigation Renault evoked that "suspicions of corruption" and its leaders demanded a further three months to support their investigations cash till payday. The newspaper said the two authors of this investigative report, a former member of the Renault Technocentre and a former policeman, drew on the work of a private investigator who worked alone and forwarded his information informally.

The investigation, begun in August 2010, was called after sending an anonymous letter with three names, including that of Michel Balthazar, the largest of the three executives in question, a member of the Executive Committee of Renault, said Le Monde .Their suspicions about the latter had appeared 18 months earlier, after an initial anonymous letter addressed to security in which his name appeared. The name of Bertrand Rochette, one of his deputies, does not appear in these letters, while Matthieu Tenenbaum, assistant program director of the electric vehicle, is quoted allusively in the second letter. Security builder suspects Michel Balthazard have overseen the operation and acted as a recruiter of staff members, according to the World.

"We felt that after four months of investigations we had enough information to lay off three people," responded Renault. Master Thouvenin, the lawyer Michel Balthazar, asked the private investigator that Renault is heard by the police. "This story could deflate quickly if the private investigator did nothing to bring us," said he.The Renault case appears to have overtaken the French government. The Industry Minister Eric Besson regretted not to have heard at the last moment in early January.

(With agencies)

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Covered with snow after the storm that hit on Sunday evening on the northeast coast of the United States, Wall Street reopens down on Monday while the new rate hike Chinese, reached this weekend, calls investors some caution.

At the opening of U.S. stock markets, the Dow Jones folds of 0.20% at 11,550 points, the strandard & Poor's 500 and Nasdaq 100 retreating 0.25% respectively to 1254 points from 0.33% to 2657 points.

No statistics on the agenda macroeconomic Monday, prompting investors to focus on the surprise hike in interest rates in China and, therefore, to mope. In fact, in principle, the operators do not respond well to a rise in interest rates. A reaction of defiance that could also be temporarily increased, during this holiday season digs.Indeed, low volume and volatility room can promote excessive reactions. Unclear whether, in this context, the few active investors will pay attention to news companies. Remains that 2010 has been a great year bone pourWall Street.

Viacom sells Harmonix and action is supported by Cisco Barron's

Despite the snow, wind and cold stores that had reopened Sunday after the closure of Christmas never empty, to the delight of retailers. However, cancellations of flights and trains, especially from Europe, have multiplied over the weekend. Many flights of British Airways (London market closed) and Virgin Atlantic, canceled Sunday were rescheduled for Monday. Air Canada for its part warned that many flights might be canceled or delayed in the Atlantic regions of the country.

Viacom (-0.51% to 38.97 dollars).U.S. media giant sold the studio Harmonix, creator of the licenses of music video games Guitar Hero and Rock Band, Columbus Nova, an investment company. The third quarter of 2010, Harmonix has recorded losses of about $ 300 million against a modest profit over the same period last year. Viacom bought Harmonix in 2006 to 175 million dollars. Harmonix takes note of this decision and looks forward to once again become independent.

As for Cisco Systems (0.81% to 19.85 dollars), a barometer of the technology sector, its action would be undervalued and should increase by at least one-third from current levels, according to Barron's. In its Saturday edition, the U.S. financial weekly said that if Cisco is approaching its long-term growth in sales, and the stock should rise at least at its peak in 2007, $ 27 .Barron's said that investors had factored into the course "too much skepticism about the prospects for Cisco. Action Cisco closed last Thursday to 19.69 dollars.

Finally, the U.S. bank Goldman Sachs (+0.15% to 167.85 dollars) has decided to link the payment of his bonus to long term performance "of its executives. Salaries and bonuses could reach a record level on Wall Street for 2010.