The ras-le-bol rises among users of TGV Nantes / Angers / Le Mans / Paris. And also the response … The members of the collective defense of Subscribers Line Atlantic (Ladala) took a new step in their protest movement against the repeated delays of the station, on the line leading to the capital. The trick to reach the railway portfolio. To do this, they have not hesitated to launch a "ghost TGV" massively by booking every seat of a TGV line in question. Of seats they will not play of course. Each member buying between 5 and 10 seats, 800 seats have already been blocked, all classes, as pointed out this morning on RTL Pascal Mignot, the representative of the collective.

Reaction except the SNCF, the train should travel empty, which would result in a serious shortfall. Because the protesters are concerned subscribers, a status that gives them access to places for a mere $ 1.50. And the date chosen is not trivial since the 250 members of Ladala have set Wednesday, May 16, the eve of Ascension Day and the weekend so great starts.

Greece of tickets

This is not the first time Ladala tries to voice his displeasure. Mid-March, the group had launched a strike of tickets and passes, along with daily rallies in trains and on platforms. Faced with the continuing delays and lack of financial consequences for the SNCF, the association thus increases the pressure, also taking on its website a statement of the duration of the movement, and delays on this line poor credit personal loans.

Faced with the accumulation of failures since the schedule changes in December 2011, their demands are clear: rate freeze on packages (over 500 euros per month), on-time to avoid disputes with employers, indemnity 2.5 euros per 10 minutes late, and got 150 euro for subscribers to compensate for failures of January, February and March. In total, officials estimate that the collective duration of 14 hours cumulative delays over this period.

Side of the Authority of the quality of service in transport (AQST, dependent on the Ministry of Ecology), although the figures show a surge in failures since November, with up to 30% of trains delayed . But since February, the trend seems to be improving. Apparently not enough to calm those subscribers, still wearing a badge "subscribers on strike," which also launched an online petition and sent a letter to presidential candidates. Denouncing a 18% increase in travel time on an ordinary trip to Le Mans / Paris, they have finally created a Twitter account inviting followers to list all the failures of the Atlantic line. An initiative that has been emulated the Creusot subscribers and Amiens have since joined the movement.

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Less than three weeks of its annual general meeting, it is very bad news just learned that the 40,000 shareholders of Berkshire Hathaway. Buffett suffers from prostate cancer.

"This note to say that I was diagnosed with prostate cancer stage 1. The good news is that my doctors told me that my health does not put anything in my life in danger or does not weaken me enormously, "says legendary investor highly respected in the financial community, in a letter. In his message, he explains that he and his doctors decided he would undergo radiation therapy for a period of two months starting in mid-July.

This protocol will restrict its ability to move, but not prevent it to work everyday, he said. The shareholders of its holding company, Berkshire Hathaway, will be required to the evolution of his health, he further said.

However, the American billionaire sought to reassure its shareholders. "I feel very well – as if my health was perfect – and my energy is 100%" guarantee multibillionaire. More importantly, this announcement comes six weeks after the guru of finance said that the estate is already assured. He concluded: "I will inform the shareholders (Berkshire Hathaway) immediately if my health changed. One day, of course, it will happen. But I am convinced that this day is still far from us, "he concludes.

A helicopter chartered by Total departed Aberdeen on Thursday at 10:35 local time (11:35 Paris) for an initial inspection of the gas leak on the platform Elgin, evacuated March 26. The operation had been delayed so far because of the east wind that beat down the cloud of gas to the landing deck. The winter-like conditions in the north of Scotland where snow whitened the countryside around Aberdeen since the beginning of the week does not facilitate the task.

After about an hour's flight, the helicopter had to land on the platform "PUQ", the residential area of ​​Elgin, 240 km east of Aberdeen in the North Sea. The eight men are to achieve the production platform of Elgin by a walkway 90 meters long. Among them, several employees of the Texas company Wild Well Control, which is illustrated in extinguishing oil wells in Kuwait after the Iraqi invasion of 1991 and during the 2010 oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.

Specialists will inspect the wellhead from which escape G4 still about 200,000 m3 of gas per day and measure the pressure in the concentric rings that form the wells. Elgin on the platform, all electricity was cut and the flare died out for lack of gas to be burned. The team's visit remains risky, any heat source is likely to cause a gas explosion.

The reconnaissance team must prepare the ground for the operation of plugging the well. In the coming days or next week, ships carrying "sludge" draw near Elgin. These "sludge" in reality a mixture of fluids removed from wells, water and additives concocted to get a precise density, explains Andrew Hogg, director of communications "Exploration and Production" Total, will be injected into the wells in an attempt to "kill", and finally seal. Wild Well Control, this is an operation "standard," said the spokesman for Total, but with a specific difficulty in Elgin field: its high temperature and high pressure.

If this operation, called "top kill" in the jargon oil, fails, it will drill two wells bypass using two mobile platforms in transit. A job that can take six months, and admits Total cost at least $ 150 million per well, indicated Monday the Chevardière Patrick, CFO of the oil company.

The helicopter and its eight crew members must return to Aberdeen in the day, no question of taking the risk of leaking and a platform that all systems are off.

For the third and penultimate trading session on the agreements "competitive employment", management has decided to accelerate. A draft framework for these agreements was submitted Tuesday to the unions to allow companies to adapt working time and wages according to the activity and avoid having recourse to short. On this subject on the table by Nicolas Sarkozy in January, the MEDEF is pressed to agree – while the unions themselves, the play shows until the presidential election.

Laurence Parisot, the boss of bosses, gave instructions to his troops to quickly reach a compromise: "Beyond the election, so does employment and business life."

The project submitted by the employers provides that such agreements are negotiated within the company, with unions that are present payday lenders. "The branch is present in an advisory capacity and can not be blocking," says Patrick Bernasconi, leader of the employers' delegation. Moreover, the agreement should be concluded for a fixed period, not exceeding two years. The refusal of an employee to accept a dismissal would sui generis authorizing him to receive severance and termination pay.

The unions responded in a disorganized, the polite refusal of the CFDT not judging "not balanced" the denunciation of a "job blackmail" by the CGT.

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The year 2011 was tumultuous for CMA CGM. While in 2010, the third world shipping company had posted net income of $ 1.62 billion, in 2011 she accused a net loss of $ 30 million. Revenues increased 4% from last year to $ 14.8 billion, but its profitability has declined. Operating income from CMA CGM has increased from 2500 to 711 million dollars. "That's because the economic environment has become difficult as we have in place operational partnerships with our competitors MSC and Maersk," said Rodolphe Saade, chief operating officer of the Marseille group.

Clearly, the three major groups pool their fleets on certain routes to amortize the high cost of fuel. It is true that rising fuel prices accounted for an additional cost of one billion dollars in 2011 for CMA CGM. The French group has implemented a program to slow the speed of its container to reduce its consumption. The rotation between Europe and Asia should thus lie in seven days.

A debt of $ 5 billion

The company also suffered from extremely low freight rates. Since the beginning, however, the different maritime groups have all revised upwards their prices. On the road between Europe and Asia, the price of shipping a forty foot container expected to rise from 1200 dollars to 2700 dollars at CMA CGM.

But the group that came close to defaulting in 2009 continues to be weighted by a debt of $ 5 billion. 'E have met Tuesday with banks to reschedule debt, says Chief Operating Officer payday loan lenders. We were not able to meet financial commitments whose ratios were established according to the year 2010 was historic. "The negotiations with 72 banks, led around a creditors' committee of a dozen French banks and international, should continue into late June. The call for strategic investment fund (FSI) could also be considered even if the previous call to the ISP of the foot had resulted in a setback. "We had realized that we did not need the ISP finally, remember Rodolphe Saade. The door was not closed and this could be a possibility again. "

The difficulties do not prevent the group's leaders to consider in 2012 with optimism: "The worsening economic situation in Europe was offset by strong performance of South America, Africa, Russia, the India and even the Americans on the transpacific route. We plan to return to profit in 2012, "said Rodolphe Saade.

In the longer term, the leaders of CMA CGM could even go to the market: "To sustain growth and development of the group, we will need funds and as banks are very reluctant to invest in shipping, we plan, if the market permits, an IPO in 2014, "said Rodolphe Saade. It would be a turning point for the family group.

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Portugal has won its third review against its creditors. The troika (EU, IMF, European Central Bank) will be able to unlock a new tranche of aid to € 14.9 billion to be added to 38.2 billion already paid a total of 48, 8 billion if we subtract 4.3 billion earmarked for the recapitalization of banks. "This positive result demonstrates our ability to implement a demanding program," welcomed the Finance Minister, Vitor Gaspar.

Third country to benefit from a bailout after Greece and Ireland, for a total of 78 billion euros, Portugal seems to fare better than its neighbors, even though the government admits it will experience recession of 3.3% this year instead of 3% as initially planned.

In fact, it relies on the good performance of exports despite the crisis. Lisbon was able last year to reduce by 25% through its trade deficit up 15% of its sales abroad. Portugal has also continued its privatization program.

Challenges persist

The airline company TAP and airport operator ANA will be placed on the market very soon. The country has sold 21.35% of Energias de Portugal to China Three Gorges to 2 online cash advance.7 billion euros and 40% of its electricity distribution network to REN Chinese State Grid and Oman Oil for 592.2 million . Transfers of the State also concern the post office, bank Caixa insurance and freight of the national railway.

The aid plan "on track" even if "challenges remain", the judge troika. And Prime Minister Pedro Passos Coelho rejects any possibility to find themselves obliged to seek an extension. Portugal does not require "no more time or more money," he promises.

Only downside, unemployment continues to explode. He had reached a record 14% in late December, even hitting 35% of youth aged 15 to 24 years. Figures deemed "unacceptable" by the Minister of Economy, Alvaro Santos Pereira. And who said the secretary general of the main union confederation that the troika mission "is not helping the Portuguese but rather to help the markets."

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Barracks, land, old prisons, offices, mansions, forest houses, homes: the state gives each year hundreds of properties it no longer use. These sales it earned 590 million last year. This policy will continue. The State expects to sell 1,870 properties in 2012, 2013 and 2014, for 2.2 billion euros. And everywhere in France (see map).

If sales have accelerated since 2007 (2.8 billion in revenue since then, against 1.8 billion from 2002 to 2006), this is a result of the restructuring of the state initiated by Nicolas Sarkozy. Especially at regional and departmental services of various departments were grouped into two or three entities. Enough free space over the years. The merger of Taxation and Treasury Bercy has the same effect, as the consolidation of the judicial and military maps.

However, over 85% of the gains from these sales were used to renovate or construct public buildings. Only the balance, under 15, reduced the state debt. Playing rules will change, however. Starting this year, 20% of sales (excluding Ministry of Defence in particular) will go to debt reduction. The proportion will reach 30% in 2014.

Another downside: it is often other public, and especially the municipalities, who acquire the assets transferred by the State. Of Commons that value then the operation. Example: the city of Versailles, through the establishment of public land Yvelines, bought at the army barracks in 2011 Pawn in Versailles. The city will create on the site of activity areas and housing. The subject has also become political, presidential forces. Francois Hollande suggested that the state sells its land free of charge to municipalities so that they will develop social housing. Nicolas Sarkozy denies the charge assignment and advocates an acceleration of land sales.

Foreign investors

In Paris, foreign investors are also part. Thus, the former headquarters of Météo France, near the Eiffel Tower, was sold for sixty million to the Russian state, which will build an Orthodox cathedral. Yves Deniaud, UMP deputy chairman of the Real Estate Council of State, has openly on the Qataris, the Russians and Chinese to buy four mansions for sale in the seventh arrondissement. Individuals who are interested in goods, cheaper, in the province can learn about the site of France Domaine which lists properties for sale.

Within groups – especially multinationals – the challenge now is to consider this assumption is not quite school, building plans for the "case". A subject on which, not surprisingly, more people start to speak outside the euro area and within it. Across the Channel, Constable British banks have their very formally requested to develop crisis plans ad hoc.In New York and London, in turn, several large financial platforms (CLS Bank, ICMA, Thomson Reuters or FXall) that run from bank to bank transactions, including foreign exchange, have informed their customers that they were preparing. For those operators who brew massive amounts of transactions, it is to ensure full and prompt treatment, even if the name change money.

Operators also appreciate the position of the European Commission called for a strike force increased EFSF. In this regard, the Slovak government promises a new vote in Parliament no later than tomorrow, Friday. These news had boosted European and U.S. markets to new heights yesterday.

A weaker yen

Direct impact on the markets, the euro is rising again.It is 1.3801 dollar and is trading around 106.30 yen this morning sharply higher against the Japanese currency. In Japan, the Nikkei is relieved by the weakening of the currency. One hour of closing, he climbed 0.86% to 8814 points. Export values, hit recently by concerns over the global economy is picking up. TDK Corp jumped 4.17%, 2.96% Sharp and Citizen Holdings 3.05%. The automotive sector is also up to the image of Mazda Motor (4.49%) and Hyundai (2.7%).

The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong and Shanghai respectively earn 18,680 points to 1.91% and 0.50% to 2432 points. As for ads, the trade surplus of China has contracted to 14.51 billion dollars last month with a slower growth of exports.They rose in September by 17.1% year on year to reach 169.7 billion dollars, slower than imports jumped 20.9% to $ 155.2 billion dollars.

The Korean Kospi advance of 1.11% to 1829 points and the S & P Australian 0.85% to 4240 points, relieved by the authorization granted by the competition authorities Virgin Australia (1.59%) for an alliance Singapore Airlines (1.52%).

Oil markets more cautious

The oil was however down Thursday in Asia, where the market wait before the publication of figures on weekly petroleum reserves in the United States. In electronic trading, a barrel of "light sweet crude" for November delivery lost 86 cents to 84.71 dollars. Barrel of Brent North Sea crude for November delivery yielded nine cents to 111.27 dollars for the last trading day of the deadline.

Under the legislation July 13 that prohibits the controversial technique of hydraulic fracturing to exploit shale gas, licensees had to put the government in September a report in which they detail their exploration techniques. Sixty-four reports have been well reviewed by the Directorate General for Energy and Climate (DGEC).Most relate to conventional deposits and are not a problem.

In its report, stressed Schuepbach did not give up hydraulic fracturing, considered the only available technique to extract oil trapped in narrow fissures of shale payday loan. The operator is therefore logical to withdraw his license by the government.

However, Total indicated on September 12 to do without this process. "We do not take for granted the release of Total, we will use the report" had then told the BBC the Minister for Ecology Nathalie Kosciusko-Morizet. According to a source familiar with the matter, the experts found the report of the French group in accordance with law. Unless last-minute turnaround, it was not enough to prevent the decision to revoke the license of Montelimar."Nobody would have understood that we the American differences and not the French," said an industry expert.