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Fears of mad cow resurface. But everything seemed to return gradually to normal. In the wake of reassuring messages issued by the United States, one of two South Korean brands, which had suspended sales of American meat, finally decided Thursday morning to end the embargo.

Moreover, no country had so far taken any restrictive measure: neither Europe nor the U.S. beef importing countries like Japan, Taiwan or Mexico. This is no longer the case. Indonesia on Thursday became the first country to suspend part of purchases of U.S. beef, after a new case of mad cow disease was discovered Tuesday in the U.S.. "We decided to stop importing the meat on the bones and offal from the United States, but imports of meat devoid of bones are kept," said AFP the Deputy Minister Indonesian Agriculture, Rusman Heriawan. He added: "The suspension starts today and we do not know how long it will last," he said, adding that deliveries were not being affected high quality business cards.

Less than a third of Indonesian imports

The U.S. Department of Agriculture had yet assured yesterday that there was no risk to consumers. The U.S. Trade Representative has called Jakarta to lift its partial ban.

U.S. meat represents only a small share of imports of meat in Indonesia, unlike those from New Zealand or Australia. In 2011, the U.S. exported 18,000 tonnes of beef and various pieces to Indonesia, amounting to some $ 28.2 million, according to the American Federation of export of meat, less than a thirds of Indonesian imports.

But the announcement could bring back some tensions especially if one importer of beef, such as Mexico, decreed an embargo. On the livestock market in Chicago, futures are up slightly from 0.13% to 112.425 dollars.

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Benetton where history repeated scandals. There are a few more months, in November 2011, the Italian firm made history again by launching it's ad campaign "UnHate", featuring heads of state kissing low fee payday loans.

Alessandro Benetton, son and heir to his wife in 2006 in Venice.

 

For 30 years, Ikea would have dreamed best advertisement. But a month after the revelation of illegal surveillance practices of employees and customers by Duck chained Mediapart then, the direction of Ikea France wants to show it has taken stock of the situation. Vanoverbeke Stefan, head of the French subsidiary of the Swedish furniture giant, yesterday presented its action plan and its working group to improve the image of the group being undermined by the discovery of internal mails mentioning the use of detectives private and the font file. Activities that led to Ikea France sidelined several top executives, including Jean-Louis Baillot, CEO of the subsidiary at the relevant time. "An internal audit by an independent firm has established that there had been research practices of information not consistent with our values. This is unacceptable and I regret it, "said Stefan Vanoverbeke. The current owner is careful however to discuss the future of the people involved to "preserve the presumption of innocence" and leave the floor of Versailles, seized by the CFDT union, do his job. "It is up to judges to say what is illegal or not. We just want to cooperate, "he said.

A pilot initiative

And as proof of his goodwill, Ikea France, which has already seen its headquarters raided and visited by the CNIL (Commission Nationale Informatique and freedoms) in its stores, plans to give the prosecutor the results of its internal audit. But it is mostly a working basis for a group of four managers responsible for "strengthening the values ​​and ethical standards." "It's not an excuse but it does not direct a company of 10,000 employees as a company that has only 500. The findings of the survey showed us that our way of working no longer fit our size, "explains Stefan Vanoverbeke.

Ikea already had a code of conduct but the group had been working to develop a global charter. Irregularities discovered in France gave a good boost to the initiative, even if the boss of Ikea France considers that there is "no reason to believe that such practices occurred in other countries where group is established. " No investigation has been carried out elsewhere. "France will be a pilot," he says. Beginning in June, the working group should thus be able to make concrete proposals for reforming corporate governance, support managers and staff, recruitment of technical change but also monitor compliance with the group values . "We developed this action plan because we want to act quickly to give answers to our employees, social partners and customers. But we hope that these answers are of quality, "says the CEO that all employees of the group can now contact directly by e-mail. For clients, Stefan Vanoverbeke remains attentive to comments left on forums where he received "varying degrees of concern." Not enough empty stores nor sinking sales, however.

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While sales of magazines fell 3.1% in France last year, according to OJD, a jury of press and publicity on Wednesday unveiled the list of the "Best Magazine of the Year "organized by the Press Union Magazine (SPM). This tenth edition awarded it (in the "Ten Years of Success"), The Express ("hit" journalism), Geo (media brand), GQ (application for tablet) and The Good Life (innovation), a bimonthly masculine "lifestyle" launched last October by Lawrence White, the founder of Ideat. Paris Match, one of the flagship titles of Lagardère Active, a leading news magazine in France that she also edits or Tele 7 Jours, was named "Magazine of the Year".

The jury praised the fairness of treatment by the media weekly highlights of 2011 (Arab spring, tsunami in Japan, weddings …) with a "constant quality editorial and photographic." "This award recognizes the work to densify our editorial offer (…) and the professionalism of a team engaged in all fields of news," said Edward Minc, editor of the news division of Lagardère Active.

United front of national press info

It's The Point who won the award last year. Among the families of magazines, it is also general news headlines (Paris Match, Le Figaro Magazine, World Magazine …) and "news" (Le Nouvel Observateur, L'Express, Le Point, Marianne … ) that have best withstood the erosion of broadcast in 2011, falling by respectively 0 paydayloans.55% and 0.76%, according to the latest release of the Observatory of OJD published on March 22.

Although the editors were at the party at this annual event that promotes the vitality of the media magazine, Lesouëf Bruno, president of PMS and CEO of the Lagardère Active magazine, did not fail to recall " difficulties of the logistics sector and trade "sector. Thinly veiled allusion to the fragility of current NMPP, the first distributor of the press in France, near "breaking point", he said. He called for "general mobilization" and "solidarity" among publishers, stating the proposed merger between PMS and Professional Union of magazines and opinion (SPPMO), chaired by François Orcival ( current values), "engaged on a concrete project, governance, a roadmap and timetable."

The union of the national daily press (SPQN) could support this initiative as part of a new "national press association of political and general information," said Bruno Lesouëf. "We experimented in the past, at our expense, the dispersion of the representation of magazine publishers. Let us draw the consequences for upcoming deadlines, "he pleaded.

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Employees searching for meaning at work? Corporate foundations may well be a response to this need. These structures serve the general interest in working relationship with associations, involve more and more widely in staff actions.

This is certainly one of the conclusions of the first barometer of corporate foundations, led by "IMS-take to the City" (*), ring exchange chaired by Claude Bebear, accompanying 230 companies to date in their "social commitment".

Eight out of ten foundations to offer and company employees to get involved. "We support only for projects likely to involve employees," said Severine Coutet, secretary general of the Fondation HSBC created in 2008 around the educational and environmental themes. "This involvement strengthens the sense of belonging to the company," she says. Ultimately 30% of the employees involved, which is huge.

The study also reveals that this patronage focuses on the causes that are related to the company's business (52% say this), with behind the idea, attractive to employees, the company and Foundation share similar values.

Review the social contract

Created two years ago, the fledgling foundation Monoprix, has directly asked his staff to define its field of action. Three were identified: the integration of young people, improving mobility and accessibility of elderly and disabled, the fight against isolation. "Things related to the mission that Monoprix is ​​to provide basic necessities and be a social city," says Catherine Ranieri, general delegate of the foundation, which speaks of "significant internal tool federation " pay day advance. It turns out that these problems are not unlike that of some of its employees, 80% are at the minimum wage

.

Upon the establishment of the foundation Monoprix, the works council has also questioned the direction of the actions put in place for its own employees … The answer was quick to come with the announced creation of a social fund for employees. Foundations and would require companies to review their own social contract

.

What about the causes supported by the foundation? The barometer reveals top education (59%), advocacy (58%), and employability (52%). Young people are the target audience (52%). And despite the crisis, companies are investing as much explains IMS: third has a budget of over 1 million euros.

Since the creation of foundation status of companies in 1990, 450 structures have emerged, the 2003 Act, concerning patronage (with 60% rate of tax deductions) having accelerated the movement.

(*) Quantitative study conducted in fall 2011 conducted among 68 foundations, supplemented by a qualitative study of 12 foundation leaders.

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Then prices will drop? In this ritual question about real estate professionals meet today with a little yes. Certainly not a solid yes, frankly, but yes a little, and that is something. Even in the Ile-de-France and Paris, the traditional stronghold of the rise, things are changing. "In 2012, prices should fall by about 5 to 10% in the Ile-de-France," say solicitors. "We expect a relatively sharp decline in activity this year, about 20%, but a decline of more than 5% of prices in France," ahead of his side Pallincourt Rene, President of Fnaim, who is about to give up his siège.Au beyond the delicate exercise of global forecasting, rather symbolic as the evolution of prices can vary depending on the asset markets, all professionals describe the same picture, that of a market slows down, where transactions are less easily. But none ventured to compare the situation to that of 2008. "At that point, everything had stopped, said Sebastien de Lafond, President Meilleursagents.com. This is not the case today, the market remains fluid, even if transaction times are getting longer cheap credit report. "What has changed in six months? Much and little at a time. Laurent Vimont, president of Century 21, says "a sharp contraction in sales, including in Paris." The slowdown is real: last year, with about 850,000 sales in the former, was a record. This year, professionals expect between 700,000 and 740,000 sales only. "We lost buyers since last July. The apartments and houses that have a default and are too expensive are the same most visited, "said Sebastien de Lafond. "What is new is that Paris is affected by volume, whereas it was the last market to be in 2008," said Mr. Bazaille, president of the Institute for Notarial real estate. The sluggish housing market is not good news for local authorities and public finances. And the change in taxation of capital gains might not make the tax revenue espérées.Finies, flights, quarter after quarter.

"More than at any price"

appetite for stone is real. Credits: Jean-Michel Turpin / Fedephoto

 

The CEO of Veolia Environnement Antoine Frérot, threatened three weeks ago by a coup attempt, Friday conducted a redesign of the Group Executive Committee to accelerate the implementation of its strategic plan.

"Denis Gasquet (Director of Operations, ed), Olivier Orsini (Executive Vice President and General Secretary, ed) and Jean-Pierre Frémont (executive vice president of public authorities and business, ie) left the band," said a statement Veolia, which had already revamped its board of directors Thursday.

Thursday, Antoine Frérot had already reached not to renew the appointments of two directors, the businesswoman Esther Koplowitz Spain and the former head of Sanofi Jean-Francois Dehecq, considered close to former CEO and current CEO of Veolia EDF Proglio. At the Paris Bourse, the Veolia Environnement has accelerated its rise, taking 4.53% to 12.69 euros in a market up 0.26% shy to 3:12 p.m..

Public outcry over Proglio

Disagree with the strategy of his successor to reduce the size of the group, including pulling of the activity of public transport, for deleverage, Proglio, director of Veolia always, wanted, according to press reports, Mr. Frérot to land and Borloo put in its place. But the outcry over this scenario had aborted the project.

The Executive Committee of Veolia from nine to seven members. Six were already (Jérôme Gallot, Jean-Michel Herrewyn, Franck Lacroix, Jean-Marie Lambert, Jerome Le Conte, Pierre-Francois Riolacci). It hosts more Sylvain Boucher. "This entire executive committee is engaged with determination in the successful implementation of the strategic plan," says Veolia. The group recalls that this plan is to refocus on the water, waste and energy services, reduce costs of 420 million euros by 2015, to sell 5 billion euros of assets and reduce debt to below 12 billion euros at end 2013.

 

Ikea home would be particularly well guarded! The furniture manufacturer has indeed established a spy system to know all of its employees but also customers, reports the Chained Duck. The French subsidiary of the Swedish group would have indeed been to monetize files of the National Police through International Private Enterprise Security specializes in security.

The satirical newspaper reproduced a series of explicit emails between the Director of Risk Management Ikea France, Jean-Francois Paris, and leaders of companies specializing in the collection of private data. One of these letters entitled "Subject: SITIC agreement" proves that the Swedish group has obtained sensitive information and theoretically reserved for the national police. In fact, the Stic is a file held by the police that gathers information on all individuals involved in an offense (the alleged perpetrators and victims) and stopped by the police. However, the CNIL has seriously challenged the credibility of this information. But no matter, the company did not hesitate to purchase this file in exchange for remuneration comfortable. On the issue of private company: "What you propose of more and better than 80 euros per consultation equivalent to those of ICST? I wish you a happy Christmas, "the risk manager at Ikea responded to a scathing" Sold! ".

Union representatives have claims

The exchange also demonstrates that Ikea France has regularly asked the security company very precise information on its employees or customers. Thus, Ikea has asked pharmacies Security: "No one in the store hires Paris Nord. Thank you for his locker. " Another application of the group: "His speech is anti-globalization and methods' old guard CGT" (covers his ears and keep repeating the same thing about his achievements) fast cash. Unionism? Profile is not too far from his lady. Various proselytizing? ATAC or other? Risk of eco-terrorist threat? ". The group also sought to take note of vehicle registration, driver's license, or the mobile operators. Customers were not spared by these unscrupulous practices of espionage. The group has investigated its customers including commercial litigation cases.

And employees have to defend well. Yassine Yakouti lawyers and Sofiane Hakiki will defend the interests of union representatives who have claims. The microphone of France info, including Yassin Yakouti emphasizes that it is "a unique case in France." The question is how society Sureté International was able to obtain the secret files of the police.

Only certainty, the information could harm the reputation of the furniture giant that boasts its management ethics. The model has however been shaken repeatedly. Latest event this summer employee of a store located in Virginia, United States, denounced a "dignified management of plantations." And after the publication in 2010 of a book on the shock group, which denounced the methods of management but also put under surveillande these employees, the new French case might still make waves.  

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The benchmark rents (IRL) continues its momentum. Indexed to inflation, the index increased by 1.90% yoy in the third quarter 2011, according to INSEE, its largest increase since the first quarter of 2009.

Following the same curve as the price index, the benchmark rents had fallen sharply during the crisis, before recovering from the first quarter of 2010. However, according to figures released Wednesday by INSEE, inflation emerged up 2.2% year on year in September, despite a slowdown during the past month.

Consequence of this increase in the IRL, the owners can raise rents to their tenants under lease, 1.90% maximum per year. This ceiling is not to be confused with the increase that may require the owner at the end of the lease, and which itself is not subject to this limit.

Rising rents slows

They are also in the process of marking time, like the sale price. The latest observation Clamor, the rents charged to new tenants were up 0.9% over the first eight months of the year, against 1.4% a year earlier. In 34% of cities in France, this trend is even negative. This is for example the case in Paris (-0.1%), Bordeaux (-0.9%) or Toulouse (-0.4%).

In other cities of the Hexagon, however, rents remain strong on the upside. This is the case in Lyon (+1.2%), Nantes (+1.7%), Lille (1.9%) or Le Havre (+2%). For the full year, Clamor expects an average increase of 1.5% to 1.8% against 2.5% in 2010.

The Observatory notes wide disparities between the cities but also between the quality of rented accommodation.Owners who make improvements before entering into a new lease rent on average well 9.3% more than the previous occupant. However, when the property is rented without work, its rental value decreases by an average of 5.4%.

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The risk of contagion from a crisis of debt grow even further. After Greece, Ireland, Portugal and most recently the United States is now the turn of Italy to see their credit ratings damaged by Standard & Poor's. The rating agency lowered a notch credit ratings long and short term attributed to the third European economy A/A-1 against A + / A-1 + before. S & P also maintains a negative outlook on the evolution of economic activity in Italy. In other words, it does not degrade once the debt rating of the country.

The degradation of S & P is all the more unexpected it had been no warning from the agency, in contrast to Moody's.The latter had announced Friday that it would complete in October, with a month lag, the examination of the Italian credit note for a possible cut, citing a difficult economic environment.

Standard & Poor's, the downgrade of the debt is directly related to the low economic growth and a fragile political situation. In fact, the ruling coalition of Silvio Berlusconi has only a slim majority. Thus, the rating agency believes that the differences in the Parliament will continue to restrict government's ability to respond decisively to a macroeconomic environment inside and outside tricky.In addition, many escapades of prime minister Silvio Berlusconi also helps to weaken the ruling coalition.

The difficulties of the incumbent government to impose measures were illustrated by the recent childbirth painful austerity plan. This program changed multiple times is not convincing and suggests that S & P "will undoubtedly contribute little to boost economic performance of Italy, especially in a context of tighter financial conditions and because of the program fiscal retrenchment of government. " Facing a debt of 1900 billion euros, equivalent to 120% of annual GDP, the Berlusconi government has pushed through last week by parliament an austerity plan providing for 59.8 billion euros in savings with the aim bring the budget back to balance in 2013.

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