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The excitement around the new project of the author of the Harry Potter saga was finally lifted on 23 June at 13h. In a video posted on the site and account pottermore.com youtube, JKRowling addressed her fans.

The website will therefore pottermore.com to create enhanced versions of books, with details given by the author. It will also offer for sale the digital and audio formats of each volume. Until October, when the public opening of the site, the author proposes an interactive treasure hunt to identify the fans who access this information in preview.

Each user is thus invited to register on the site by choosing a name for identity sorcerer.They will then answer a series of questions to be admitted to one of the "houses" where students are divided Hogwarts School of Witchcraft as Harry Potter and his friends are introduced to magic.

On twitter account "pottermore," the novelist wanted to cut short the rumors of false advertisement: "I can confirm that it's me on the video."

This new project had created a real rivalry over the Internet. On June 16, the novelist had launched a site called pottermore.com mysterious business

The French did not wait to see their incomes grow to consume more. Consumption expenditure of households are divided up in 2010 to 1.3% in volume against a slight increase of 0.1% the previous year. They contributed well to the tune of two thirds of the growth of the French economy last year, even though the purchasing power slowed its progression, according to a study by the INSEE.

Indeed, the rising purchasing power of the French was 0.8% in 2010, against +1.3% in 2009, hit by rising prices driven by oil. The Institute of Statistics shows that even if one deducts the expenditure incurred under a contract renegotiable difficult in the short term (rent, water, gas, electricity, insurance, telecommunications, etc..) Purchasing power individual level falls slightly down.

"The increased consumption for almost all positions," notes INSEE. Clothing costs rebounded 0.4% after falling 4.2% the previous year. After falling 3.5% in 2009, spending at hotels, cafes and restaurants are also lifts, 1.1% by volume. The cost of heating and lighting by volume rose 4.8% and spending on services of the information economy such as telephones or computers rose 4.2%. Conversely, with the end of the scrapping, purchases of new cars fell by 4.9% in 2010 after they jumped 18% in 2009.

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The rebound in first quarter will not last, according to the Banque de France (BDF). If it maintains its estimate for first quarter to 0.7%, the institution table effect on an increase of only 0.5% between April and June. Slightly less optimistic, INSEE, which will publish its first quarter on Friday, table for its share of growing 0.4% in the second.

"With 0.7% growth over the first three months of the year as required by the BoF-or 0.8% as we expect, then 0.5% quarter over the rest of the year we get a growth of 2 to 2.1% growth in 2011, "anticipates Pierre-Olivier Beffy, chief economist at Exane BNP Paribas. The government expects its share to grow by 2% over the year.

"Moderate activity"

The first estimate of the BoF is based on the results of its April survey on the work of industry and services.In the first two sectors, the monetary institution observes an activity that is "remained moderate overall, with a business climate in retirement to 107 points in April against 110 the previous month totally free credit score. "This is the largest decline since the crisis began in late 2008," worries Ken Wattret, market economist at BNP Paribas. Economists expected an unchanged index.

While food has grown, other sectors have declined, particularly in the automotive and equipment. "Prices have tended to rising prices has again," notes the BoF, due probably repercussions of price increases of raw materials.

Services, which had been slow to recover in 2010, were known for their full growth "supported", says the BoF.The confidence indicator, lower than in industry, totaled 102 points in April, against 103 in March. Transportation and computer services from the sector, which continued to recruit. Good health services should continue, provided the Bank of France: "The prospects are growth-oriented farm activity."

The observations of the BoF in April similar to those of the INSEE. It had measured a significant improvement of business climate in services as well as stability in the industry.

Business leaders may have breathed a sigh of relief last night when he saw the plunge of the main raw materials. In recent months, they look indeed with concern the soaring price of those commodities. Their concern was evidenced in the accounts of the first quarter of the year or in the speeches of leaders.

All sectors are however not affected in the same proportions, even if they are likely to be.

Transportation is often the former. Lufthansa has reported such an increase in its fuel bill by almost 30% over the first three months of the year. This charge amounts to 1.4 billion euros over the period, when its billings reach 6.4 billion. The airline spends "overload" fuel to its customers, insufficient to offset any upward.The aim of companies is obviously to cushion the effect of "raw materials" through price increases. Michelin is well to advertise on some of its tires, the costs are related to rubber. The equipment itself as able to compensate 80% of the additional cost of $ 1.8 billion over the year.

This ability to change its prices based on costs, however, can erode. For steel, the latest report of the consultant CRU reported a slowdown in inflation and even lower in some countries in Europe. Gold, iron ore and coal continue to appreciate. The margins of steel producers could therefore suffer the end of the year payday loans.

Plastics hit hard

Lowest in the industrial cycle, the automotive supplier Valeo has recently detailed the structure of its cost "feedstock."The steel is 35%, followed by plastics (23%), copper (20%), aluminum (19%) and zinc (3%) … all the upside in recent months. Schneider Electric, for his part highlighted the increase of 40% of the money since the beginning of the year to explain an overload of 100 million euros in its accounts.

Chemical groups are now able to pass these increases on to their customers, as witnessed this week the excellent results reported by Rhodia and Arkema, manifestly optimistic about the future. Their customers converters are much less … They find that prices of certain plastics (polypropylene, polyethylene, PET) have almost doubled in two years!

Again, the phenomenon has an impact downstream. The plastic is a constituent of many products. In industry but also in FMCG.The U.S. Procter & Gamble has estimated at about $ 280 million this additional cost in its quarterly accounts.

If the decline recorded yesterday is good news, its magnitude can be a concern. Volatility, that is to say, large variations in a short time, represents an additional risk for companies, including strategies to provide raw materials for the long term or to hedge against inflation, they can be taken cons-foot.

A shareholder in American control will succeed one Italian: according to our information, the management company DNCA Finance is about to be bought by private equity firm TA Associates. The transaction values ​​between 300 and 400 million euros the French firm high of 5.5 billion euros of assets under management.

Banca Leonardo, the bank's business Gerardo Braggiotti owns nearly 70% of DNCA Finance which he had joined in 2006, continues its focus. The Italian bank will remain the capital of the management company, up to 10%. Jean-Charles Mériaux, patron management DNCA Finance, and Joseph Chatel, president, will remain second and third respectively shareholders of the firm.A share capital will also be reserved for employees, present and future of the management company established in 2000.

DNCA Finance, which manages a range of 10 French and Luxembourg UCITS, has based its development especially in the booming wealth management advisors. His new shareholder is an investment fund Boston, which already owns British fund manager Jupiter Asset Management. TA Associates, the head of funds totaling $ 16 billion of capital, fired on all cylinders. He just announced this week its entry into the capital of a management firm Stadion American Money Management, but also an investment in Bigpoint, the German tenor of online games.

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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Mohamed Al Fayed at the cinema. The Egyptian billionaire has confirmed his interest in markets for the purchase of Pinewood Studios. "Mr. Al Fayed has noted recent speculation regarding a possible offer of his hand. It confirms the possibility of a cash offer at Pinewood, "says a note sent to the London Stock Exchange.

The announcement comes just two weeks after Pinwood has received a takeover offer by its shareholder Peel Holdings, which owns 29.8% of capital. The latter offers 190 pence per share representing a total supply of 87.8 million pounds (about 99.5 million euros). For now, Mohamed Al Fayed said that "it is not certain that an offer is made" but the markets themselves, are safe. Result: Pinewood share price jumped to 10.4% in session Thursday at 223 pence, giving studios a market capitalization of 100 million pounds.

For Peel, the difficulties accrue while the other shareholder of Pinewood, Crystal Amber Fund (28% stake), considers that the initial offer of 190 pence does not reflect the true value of the company.

The home of James Bond

This battle looming market reflects the growing interest of investors in these studios, the largest in Europe, located in Buckinghamshire (county of south-east England). For nearly 75 years, Pinewood has seen the greatest movie stars. He is best known for being the location of the main James Bond like From Russia with Love, On Her Majesty's Secret Service, Moonraker and more recently Quantum of Solace.A studio is even dedicated to James Bond (the "007 course).

Pinwood was also chosen for the filming of blockbusters like the latest Harry Potter and Pirates of the Caribbean, but also The Bourne Ultimatum, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Mission Impossible or Lara Croft guaranteed payday loans. It's also where I will turn the next Clash of the Titans.

Very popular, Pinewood has reported a pretax profit of 5.8 million pounds last year, up 31%, and expects an increase in its turnover increase this year. The group also plans a massive investment of £ 20 million to expand the premises in Buckinghamshire.

Bet small productions

Pinewood has also ride the wave of success of the film The speech of a king who has won several Oscars with an initial budget of shooting only 9 million pounds.The low-budget films will be a priority for the studios that will focus on set at 2 million pounds.

The group also put on the hot market of TV and cinema in Latin America. A franchise agreement has been signed to that effect in the Dominican Republic.

Expanding empire

Mohamed Al Fayed, Pinewood get their hands on him to reconnect with his roots. The businessman had indeed already bought a studio in Egypt and participated in the production of the film four times Oscar-winning Chariots of Fire in 1981. The executive producer of this film was when her late son, Dodi al Fayed.

If he makes a bid and wins, especially Mohamed Al Fayed will relaunch its empire, amputated Harod stores, sold to a Qatari fund last year to 1.5 billion pounds.Always very diversified, its acquisitions include the Ritz Hotel in Paris, a hundred apartments in Hyde Park in England, the attraction Falls of Shin in Scotland and the London club football for Fulham.

THE FIGARO. Switzerland-What is it to the forefront in the fight against illegal money dictators?

Micheline Calmy-Rey. – Switzerland has a fundamental interest that the illegal enrichment of politically exposed persons may not be invested in its financial sector. The Government believes that it is an important asset in the competition between financial markets and the commitment of financial intermediaries at this point is in their interest. Since the 1990s, Switzerland has established a legal arsenal against money laundering, terrorist financing and corruption. Our system rests on two pillars: preventive and active. The law requires financial institutions to report suspicious transactions and where appropriate to freeze the accounts.And we respond to any request for assistance, including when the state is failing with a new law that has just come into force in early February.

Have you used this law to the four recent cases of blockage?

We decided to freeze funds on the basis of the Federal Constitution, under the protection of the interests of the country for a period of three years. The aim is to prevent movement of capital and encourage requests for assistance. Since then, we received a request from Tunisia and Egypt personal loans for people with bad credit.

How much do you think these illegal assets?

Investigations are ongoing. We have lists of people for whom the assets were frozen. At this stage, the estimates refer to several tens of millions of francs.Switzerland now has a legislative deterrent …

But the returned funds are still limited …

This is not true. On 5 billion dollars returned last fifteen years in the world, Switzerland has made more than a third. In this we are truly pioneers. It is a very strong commitment of Switzerland, which seeks not to be a refuge for these assets and that these funds be returned to the people plundered. So is the reputation of our financial center. The procedures are complex and require strong political will of States. It is the experience of the long procedure for funds Duvalier in Haiti that has led us to legislate.

How to fight more effectively against these illegal funds?

We need better international coordination in the G20 and multilateral institutions.We launched several international initiatives on this subject. Switzerland played a particularly active role in implementing the Convention Merida by all signatory States.

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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The Airbus tanker derived from the long-haul A330 aircraft, will enter service later this year in Australia. Canberra has ordered five copies of this multi-role military aircraft, both tanker and cargo, should receive its first aircraft in spring. "In general, the commissioning follows eight to ten months later," says one Airbus. The European aircraft manufacturer delivers a complete unit which will then be militarized by the client, by the Royal Australian Air Force, for example with cons-measures to protect the aircraft. In Australia, a partner in Airbus, Qantas Air Service, which will implement the rigid pole, called boom refueling.

The A330s will begin in Australia military career already well underway. The European aircraft, also known as KC-45, has won all the latest tenders in the world.He was chosen by the British Royal Air Force who ordered 14 via a leasing agreement unprecedented in military matters, the Saudi army with five units and the army of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) up to three tankers. In total, Airbus has garnered 28 orders from four customers for a value not provided. As a guide, the list price of the A330 is 170 civilian million.

Apparatus assembled in Toulouse

The European supply has received its airworthiness certificate civil March 17, 2010 by the European authorities (EASA). His military certificate was issued by the National Institute of Technology Spanish competent authority in this case as Airbus Military, which is responsible for military programs Airbus is based in Spain. The product however is assembled in Toulouse, France on the same production line as the A330 civilian.

Airbus shows significant ambitions for its KC-45. In his own studies, the potential market is around 250 aircraft in the world outside the United States. France, for its part, could be ordered 15 copies.