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Bids climb for 3PAR. The computer giants Dell and Hewlett-Packard are engaged in a struggle to redeem the American Society of data storage. A standoff that intensified this week.

Last rebound on Friday: HP announced in mid-afternoon that he raised his bid for 3PAR to $ 30 per share, valuing the company proposed data storage to 2 billion dollars! Rival Dell had announced earlier in the day he lined up on the previous HP offers made Thursday night: $ 27 per share, or $ 1.8 billion.

In this battle of "cloud computing (cloud computing via the Internet), and two days are alike. The day of Thursday has been marked by the same scenario.By putting on the table an offer to 1.8 billion, HP responded to Dell, which had outbid earlier in the day.

For Dell, the matter seemed closed Thursday morning. Thirty cents per share closely. Indeed, the offer was raised from Dell was barely higher than that of HP, to 24.30 cents per share against 24 cents. If the transaction would receive the green light from authorities, Dell assured however that it could be finalized before the end of the year. The computer maker also added that the operation "should have a positive impact on [his] profit excluding exceptional items from fiscal 2012.

The "cloud computing" is popular

He had not reckoned on the pugnacity of HP.The acquisition would allow 3PAR to expand its range of storage products for cloud computing and support services activities, like other industry heavyweights like IBM, they tend to generate higher profit margins than sales of computers.

The ball is now in the hands of Dell. And it did not intend to waive 3PAR Friday. "The group continues to believe that the acquisition of 3PAR, and its storage technology market leaders, is an important operation for our customers and will strengthen Dell's position on these services," he said in its statement.Dell has until Sept. 20 to launch a public offer to acquire all the shares of 3PAR, "unless the offer is extended," he says.

The battle began last Aug. 16, when Dell announced plans to acquire 3PAR price of $ 18 per share. A week later, HP came out of the woods. Last Monday, the group also proposed 1.6 billion dollars against 1.15 billion for Dell. The suspense continues, therefore. And the recovery of 3PAR flies …

On Friday, shares of Hewlett-Packard bend 1.5% to 37.6 dollars in Wall Street, about 17 hours, while Dell shares advance 1.8% to $ 12. 3PAR him, flew 21.5%.

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If you are like me, then you are looking for a cheap health insurance plan, or at least to reduce what you are already paying.

A Chinese owner of the club from Liverpool? The fund China Investiment Corporation (CIC), led by the wealthy Kenny Huang, would in any case confirmed its interest in the Reds. More than just a word, CIC has already reached the cash to afford the football club. And, by selling 9% of share capital the fund held in Morgan Stanley. Amount generated: 558 million (the équivelant 351.4 million pounds). Either the decimal point, the debt of British club, reports the Guardian.

Another businessman claiming close discussions with the club to five European Cup victories. He called and said Yahya Kirdi be supported by a group of Canadian investors and Saudi Arabia. "Our group is in advanced negotiations with Tom Hicks and George Gillett, current owners of Liverpool Football Club, to purchase 100% of the club.An agreement was reached on the major terms, including purchase price, repayment of debt (approximately 300 million euros, ie) banks RBS and Wells Fargo to finance a new stadium Stanley Park. The formal contract of sale is in its final stages of negotiation, "he announced.

Statements to be taken lightly. For the sale of the club is orchestrated by Martin Broughton, Chairman of the club, with the support of the British bank Barclays. But Yahya Kirdi does not seem to have negotiated with them directly.

But whether or Yahya Kirdi Kenny Huang, sale of Liverpool seems on track. The leaders of the Reds have more alerted the Premier League, as want new rules on sale of a club, a club takeover was imminent.

The club Liverpool is not the only shine in financial difficulty.Since the beginning of the crisis, fifteen of the twenty clubs that make up the Premier League are looking for investors. According to the audit firm Deloitte, the overall debt of the elite of British football came to 3.6 billion euros in 2009. Manchesteur United, Arsenal and Chelsea, the other three clubs in the "Big Four" are also on trial.

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The battle over Sunday work in Paris is not over. The prefecture of Paris has indeed refused classification tourist areas of the capital, where normally only stores open on Sundays, Scope of outstanding consumer use (chip), the CFTC said Saturday, confirming a report Le Parisien. A classification that makes all the difference for employees.

The designation entitles them to chip counterparties determined by collective agreement, and failing that, to compensatory time off, salary doubled and the ability to refuse work on Sundays. This classification is written into the law of August 2009 on Sunday work and allowed malls open illegally on Sunday to continue the practice without having to pay fines.

Paris will not benefit from this device."The Prefect of Paris has denied the request of Mayor Bertrand Delanoe to rank tourist areas of the capital as Bullet," the CFTC said in a statement. For the union, this decision is contrary to the promise made by Nicolas Sarkozy, that "those who work on Sundays will be voluntary and paid twice."

The exception "tourist"

The zones of tourist interest are beyond the rule.The Sunday opening of all types of businesses is right, and employees are not entitled to compensatory rest must or a doubling of earnings.

"Once again the argument is made that the law Maille on Sunday is only a law made for large retailers, and this undoubtedly to the detriment of family life, personal and spiritual associations," says the CFTC.

There are seven tourist areas in Paris: Part of the Rue de Rivoli, Place des Vosges and rue des Francs-Bourgeois, Arcola Street, Avenue des Champs Elysees, part of the Viaduc des Arts Daumesnil , part of the Boulevard Saint-Germain, part of the Butte Montmartre.The government wants to see more shops open on Sunday in Paris and proposed a map of tourist areas greatly expanded.

The Socialist mayor blocked the project but on the field, she noted that a growing number of supermarkets began, immediately, to open on Sunday afternoon with impunity.

(With AFP)

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It is the birth of a new global leader in Internet gambling traded. The operator of online paris Austrian Bwin announced Thursday an agreement to merge with its British rival PartyGaming, a wedding to 1.7 billion dollars.

Bwin, listed on the Vienna Stock Exchange and specializes in sports already claimed the leadership position in Europe with a turnover of 373 million euros in 2009.

The second, quoted in London and more focused on poker and casino games, carried 309 million in sales last year. The new group will be listed in London and based in Gibraltar.

The shareholders will own 51.6% Bwin – those of PartyGaming else – but it redeems PartyGaming.The merger will be completed in the first quarter of 2011.

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The sun should be looking good these next few days on the coast of the Vendee and Charente-Maritime. In this time of summer vacation, the sea should also be delicious. Nothing like with the weather of February 28 last, when the storm Xynthia that swept the country sowed chaos in this part of the Atlantic coast. In the only common Vendée La Faute-sur-Mer and The Sting-sur-Mer, the most affected by the storm, 29 people died. Nearly five months after the tragedy, these two villages devastated recovering gradually. But in this popular tourist region during the summer, Xynthia has left marks that plagued the start of the season.

If the Office of Tourism Osten-sur-Mer laments a decline in attendance of about 10%, traders stand more negative findings."The customer is down 30% to 40%," says Pascale Soussi Restaurant La Terrasse in Sin-sur-Mer. "And it was discussed among traders: It's the same for everyone. At the restaurant La Marina, sixty meals are served daily on the usual hundreds. At the Hotel du Port, Osten-sur-Mer, Sophie Ramon prepare a statement even less favorable in the hotel which was flooded by 82 inches of water in late February and closed more than a month, attendance was halved.

Three campgrounds closed

In case the destruction of several campsites and many second homes have contributed to empty the streets of the town. A La Faute-sur-Mer, the municipal camp was finally closed and that the Blue Waves should not reopen until April 2011.As for camping Municipal The Sting-sur-Mer, it is only half available: caravans and tents can again take up residence in the "upper" since July 1. But the other part, where you could rent mobile homes, chalets and caravans, remains closed for repairs. It represents, in itself, a hundred beds and less.

Overall, La Faute-sur-Mer, about 8000 tourists were least expected, on the 35,000 usually greeted each summer. Added to an unfavorable economic situation by traders, these accommodations are destroyed a significant shortfall.

Ile de Re also shows a small decrease

A few dozen kilometers south of La Faute-sur-Mer on the Ile de Ré, the damage from the storm were less important. "The island is absolutely destroyed!", Recalled the manager of a hotel restaurant.A campsite for a works council remains closed this season and the hotel Odalys does not welcome new visitors that from 31 July.

Le Relais Thalasso, also closed after the storm has finally reopened its doors on July 4 instant loan payday no TeleCheck. Four months of work have been necessary for the institution to recover from the flooding that devastated forty rooms. "Today, activity resumed normally," said facility director Didier Gireau. Our forecast for the month of August are in the standard, or even good. We have made efforts to forget the flood and that the center image is not tarnished. "

But many merchants and restaurateurs of the Ile de Ré deplore this was a small decline in attendance.Some highlight the consequences of the storm, others are pointing the finger at the most unfavorable economic environment. "The economic situation is worrying," says director of Ile de Re Tourism, Catherine Senand, refusing to incrimer the storm that left "little effects" on the island. She admits that the season has "started slowly, but expects a better August.

A "moderate" impact on departments

For François Riou, assistant executive Tourist Board Vendée, the impact of Xynthia remains "very moderate". Only 2% of the Vendee coast has been destroyed by the storm, "a tiny fringe" which does not affect his view, the department's tourism season. Facing a crowd at half this year, local tourism professionals are meant to reassuring about their prospects."Only two campsites are closed on the 400 account the Vendee," he recalls.

Even finding across the neighboring department: "After the storm, only 3% of the infrastructure of Charente-Maritime have been affected," said Stephane Villain, president of the Tourism Committee of the department. "The summer looks very good," he says. "The reservation rate is substantially identical to that of 2009 which was a very good year." And we promise to visitors that the hospitality will be at appointment: "People have worked hard to accommodate visitors in very good conditions," says Stephane Villain. They may be even better than usual ".

The image of the region involved

The image of the Atlantic is at stake, as evidenced by the television campaign to promote tourism in the Vendee.Circulated in early June, the commercials were intended to "remind the values of hospitality and tourism" of the department, according to François Riou.

The regions affected by Xynthia therefore trying now to convince visitors that they are again ready to welcome them, with their usual charm and tranquility.

Place the masons and painters! Members of the Committee on Social Affairs of the National Assembly completed late Thursday afternoon, discussing the draft law on pensions, with a few hours ahead of schedule. Members will now leave the Palais Bourbon completely delivered to artisans who have already begun the usual summer work. Return scheduled Tuesday, Sept. 7, even on Monday night at 6 for a special session will begin by examining the same text, but this time in the Chamber.

"It is in times of transition, summarized perhaps one at the Elysee. The real battle will take place from September. "The for Sarkozy are well aware that this first parliamentary stage was a formality. Not surprisingly, the debates have been looped smoothly."The Socialists have just wanted to make a coup by breaking the lock-in twitter discussions with their phone," is a counselor. What the left willingly admits. For now, she preferred surf the weakening of Labour Minister Caught in the case Bettencourt. Godsend for the Socialists, who are careful not to request his resignation.

Paradoxically, the majority seemed more worried by the progress of the case and its component Bettencourt Woerth that by the turn of the debate on pensions. "The left is going clubbing Woerth in September. He held up? "Wonders already a minister. The Elysee hopes that the summer break will reduce the pressure. Nicolas Sarkozy and François Fillon reiterated that Eric Woerth defend indeed the text on Sept. 7. In other words, he will not be driven to resign by then."It is quiet because we know there is nothing in the record," says the Prime Minister.

"Everything will be decided in September. We are ready for battle. But it also depends on the mobilization in the streets, "says one seat in the PS. Clearly, the left hopes to build on part of the public. Even if the opponents and proponents of reform are divided into two shares more or less equal faxless cash advance.

Unions united

Unions, too, prepare to maturity. For September 7 will also be a new day of strikes and protests against the reform that SF has, once again, on Thursday asked the "withdrawal". In reality, most organizations do not believe and do not even dream to win concessions on key points, beginning with the postponement of the age to 62 years.However, they have not conceded the changes on other aspects of the text during the parliamentary debate.

They rely for that on the "pressure" of the street. Will they exceed the threshold of two million demonstrators, after 1.9 million announced on the evening of the last day of action – successful – last June 24? Not easy to mobilize massively, just days after school starts. Therefore plants have continued their campaign all summer, touring the beaches to the CFDT distributed a booklet "educational" on reform and its "alternative" possible, the CGT.

The unions will have an advantage: their unity restored. Having refused to sign for months, FOR has joined its competitors, and the CFE-CGC has done the same.It is the only organization to accept the decline of legal age, but she believes that the conditions there pose – including a strong financial closure of the reform – are not met.

Faced with this united front, the government has chosen to keep the ballast drop. He has done at this stage, no specific proposals on issues which he is willing to develop: difficulty, and long careers polypensionnés.

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The euro area returns in the red. Ten days after France's trade deficit widened to 5.5 billion euros, the euro zone on Friday issued a trade deficit of 3.4 billion for the month of May, after a surplus of 0.3 billion in April, according to a first estimate from Eurostat. In May 2010, seasonally adjusted exports rose by 1.6% and imports by 4.2%. In May 2009, the euro area recorded a surplus of 2.2 billion euros.

This was due to the decline of the euro against the dollar in the spring, pro-European exports, but bad for imports, which are to higher prices.

All countries of the European Union, namely sixteen of the euro area and the eleven who did not belong, recorded in May a trade deficit of 15.1 billion euros free instant credit report . It widened from April (-11 billion) and over the same month of 2009 (-7000000000). In May 2010, exports of "27" rose 0.9% and imports by 4.1%. One area where the deficit was more accentuated for the "27", the éenergie (-91.5 billion euros against a deficit of 76.1 billion a year ago).Conversely, manufactured products emit a surplus of 50.5 billion euros (ocntre a surplus of 34.7 billion).

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In the battle over economic strategy, which raged in the country G8/G20 meeting in Toronto, Nicolas Sarkozy ranks clearly on the side of Barack Obama's hostile plans rigor precipitates. "For France, fiscal consolidation is a long-term need [...] the stimulus must be from 2011, progressively, according to individual circumstances," said one EU source.

Favorable cures severe austerity in Greece, Portugal and Spain, Nicolas Sarkozy calls for budgetary adjustments "progressive" in France and in Germany, in 2011, with "not too many taxes."

The fragile economic and financial worries Europe G8 and the G20. "Our partners Americans and Canadians fear the impact of austerity plans on resuming" said one EU source.The health of banks on the Old Continent is also a major concern in the U.S. No faxing payday loans 1 hour. "There is nothing to fear from that quarter. Our banks are very strong. The results of stress testing in late July will cheer the markets, "say the Europeans.

Faced with the Americans, Germans and Britons facing the G8 steadfast defenders of rigor. "A sustainable growth can not result from a fiscal policy based on the debt?" Repeats Angela Merkel. "Our public finances are in such a state, we have no other choice than a hard adjustment," defends David Cameron.

In this debate, Nicolas Sarkozy wants to distinguish itself from its European partners.Recognizing the need to reduce fiscal deficits in France, he does not want to rush, giving priority to pension reform. If markets were not so vigilant, he would gladly own the warning of Barack Obama: "do not overdo it in 2010 … or 2011.

The rating agency Fitch announced Monday after the close of stock markets in Europe, it lowered the ratings of BNP Paribas. The first French bank by market value was previously the club closed their highly rated by Fitch, AA sharing a favorite with the British HSBC and Spain's Santander. But the rating agency, BNP Paribas can not be "comfortable" among this circle of elected officials. The bank is degraded to AA – with a stable outlook.

The share "fairly important" for investment banking activities, deteriorating asset quality in 2009 and capital ratios slightly below the others behind this disgrace. Santander and HSBC show, in turn, limited contributions from their market activities."BNP Paribas continues to demonstrate its ability to cope with the pressures that affect the financial sector, especially European banks, and diversification is good," says Fitch, however.

When the vox populi expressed through an associate professor of finance, here is what happens at the trial of Jerome Kerviel.

Attorney Philip Bourion: "Who do you think is guilty?"

Catherine Lubochinsky, witness: "They are all guilty! The internal control of Societe Generale did not work. "

The pithy statement sums up the impression left after two weeks of debate – will resume Monday morning. On the one hand, the defense of the former trader is reluctant to admit that the bank "knew everything" of its investments delusional. Suppose that after the first coup win € 500,000 in 2005, the young daring to be seen gently lectured and implicitly encouraged to supplement his income by marauding on land more profitable than its cushy turbo warrants.

But how can we believe for one second that the SocGen has been tacitly approve of Mr. Kerviel is 49 billion euros, or one and half times its equity, as a builder who wants to elevate a building, while undermining its foundations?

Similarly, if the bank "knew everything", the name of what bounty would she let her trader-playing with the kamikaze 1.4 billion by some miracle he had won in December 2007, at a time – crisis subprime – where the cash was missing around the world?

Mixed results in terms of image

Jerome Kerviel's lawyer, Olivier Metzner Me, excels, however, in another field. While the client is regularly scolded by a president Pauthe excellent and witty, he revels in the main plaintiff tease – the bank.

Sunglasses nose, in the proper dress casually maker unbuttoned, one hand in the pocket, it is amusingly sly when his client is woefully stiff. This significant mob, which grows out of court a look Churchillian (cigar, no doubt, "no sport") reveals an unexpected gift for comedy courtroom upscale. And when questioning a witness, there is no lack of pacing responses of "agree" sound, which are seen as the architect of an alleged consensus: according to Ms. Metzner, everyone knows that the bank knew everything.

This assumption and the provocations of his zealot infuriate the advice of SocGen, My Jean Veil, François Martineau and John Reinhart. The first, known for his character, say, entire, up to the net to return the smashes grinning defense. So he endorses the range of fatally bad, who is never "agree".The roundness of the old, somewhat obsequious, from Mr. Martineau, and the projections more or less come to me Reinhart are supposed to smooth the image that ill becomes belligerent to a victim.

Result: a judicial perspective, the SocGen, which accuses the defendant not without arguments for having lost 4.9 billion euros, is in apparent position of superiority. Mr. Kerviel acknowledged Wednesday that he had committed the acts he is charged and for which he faces five years in prison. The weakness in his defense is a question: if "everybody knew, why he invented large-scale fictitious transactions to conceal his real positions, as well as earnings losses?

But in terms of image, the picture is more mixed.The refrain of "all guilty", which floods the Internet to which Professor Lubochinsky Thursday offered a providential respectability for the defense, made his way. Whatever the outcome of the trial – there is a week of discussions – the SocGen not willing to spend for naïve or incompetent: the victim must also face prosecution in international finance.

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