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Bad timing for Facebook. After the first listing of the giant online social networks, which received a mixed reception in the market, the site is subject to a complaint partnership or "class action". Filed in San Jose, California, the "class action" includes 21 cases of U.S. Internet users complaining of an invasion of their privacy. They blame Facebook for continuing to collect data on their online browsing after they leave the site.

The Wiretap Act, the U.S. law on eavesdropping, provides for "damages up to $ 100 per person per day and up to 10,000 dollars a Facebook user," says the complaint. At a rate of 800 million Internet users concerned, the amount required to Facebook miliards reached 15 dollars, or more than 11 billion euros.  

The plaintiffs wish to raise in their "class action" all Americans who have opened a Facebook account between May 2010 and September 2011, reports Bloomberg. They also seek to find ways to involve Internet users living outside the U.S..

Regular controversies on confidentiality rules

Because the class action brought hope to have a copy guaranteed cash advance. "It is not only an action for damages, but a trial on the rules of online privacy that should be a landmark," said David Straite, a lawyer representing the plaintiffs in Bloomberg.  

A spokesman for Facebook, meanwhile, responded that the allegations of the plaintiffs were unfounded and that the company would contest them.

Facebook is regularly the subject of controversy over its confidentiality rules change often and easily mastered by its undefined users. In 2010, Mark Zuckerberg apologized for airing personal network users to advertising agencies. Last year, the group was forced to accept a confidentiality imposed by the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC). But in February, Facebook was accused of spying on its users SMS Android application.

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Virginie Calmels, newly appointed CEO of Endemol Worldwide while retaining his position as president alongside Endemol France, book exclusive vision of the audiovisual market bad credit payday advance.

Virginie Calmels. Photo credits: ROBERTO BATTISTINI 060 333 4000

Since Friday, the plant Fralib is occupied by its employees. A situation that is denounced by the president of Unilever France, Bruno Witvoët. "This is unacceptable in a constitutional state, says in an interview in Paris-Today-in-France. Such a coup with hooded individuals armed with baseball bats and batons, it is not of union action, it's a commando! ". The boss of Unilever France claiming the expulsion "immediate and prompt action with law enforcement" employees, has also filed a complaint for "physical threats" from the police. "From fabrications," Olivier replied Leberquier, CGT union. According to the police of Aubagne, intervened at the scene, there would have been no collision.

"Holland must keep its promises"

"Closing a plant is always a very difficult decision, Bruno recognizes Witvoët. But in some cases – including tea bags – we have overcapacity. This is justified in stopping this site ". He said Unilever has taken responsibility in the case of employees of Fralib, accepting "to add additional resources for the revitalization of the local employment" as required by justice. "Funds for creating new jobs has increased from 1 to 1.5 million euros" and "each dismissed employee is entitled to an internal transfer, pay the same conditions, in one of six other plants in France , "he said.

This new twist, the 592nd day of the conflict comes as 80 of the 103 employees still struggle, of 182 initially received their letter of dismissal. At the same time, a moving company came to do a quote on the site, and management proposed the CGT to move out of its local business, or in organizing the escorted access, for reasons of safety concerns, dismantling machinery. A scenario rejected by the union, which wants to keep the tool working on site to implement an alternative plan of recovery of activity.

Given this situation, unions are demanding the intervention of Francois Hollande. During the presidential campaign, President-elect said: "Nothing is done, nothing is guaranteed and if victory comes, I will also be at your side, President of the French Republic, to get your site live, had he launched at a meeting of employees Fralib in Paris in February. "The company is now under the control of the CGT and the Netherlands should keep its promises. His election is a ray of hope, "says Olivier Leberquier. The standoff between employees Fralib and its direction is far from over.

Presidential in major cities Paris | Leeds | Lyons | Toulouse | Leeds | Sheffield | Liverpool | Bordeaux | Lille

The agenda is filled Francois Hollande. Two weeks after his election to the French Presidency, and one week after taking office, the new head of state will visit on May 23, at an extraordinary meeting of EU leaders to discuss ways to boost growth in Europe without ceasing to fight against public deficits and debt. A date has been announced on Twitter by the President of the European Union, Herman Van Rompuy.

Wednesday, May 23, Will Be the date of our informal dinner of Heads of State or Government. # EUCO

– Herman Van Rompuy (@ euHvR) May 8, 2012

This dinner will prepare the EU summit on 28 and 29 June next, and open the outline of a debate on growth, crediting the message supported by Francois Hollande during his presidential campaign of saying that the austerity alone can not get out the Europe of the crisis. According to European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso, "many proposals (Commission) are on the table and waiting for the green light from Member States and Parliament. While the return to growth will take time, we could reach a turning point at the end of the year if the right decisions are taken now. "

Growth, yes, but how?

Because the situation is serious in Europe no faxing pay day loans. The Greek political earthquake this weekend shook the whole euro-zone. The spectrum of an output of Athens in the euro area returns and fears of a precedent is being felt. For bankruptcy and return to the drachma could then contaminate Ireland, Portugal, Spain, Italy and France. In Spain, the situation is alarming. And France, the passage of the political right to left removes an ally to Germany. Francois Hollande and his socialist political concern in the midst of crisis.

Europe, which as a whole is obviously to revive its growth, however, is not yet agreement on how to get there. For Francois Hollande, we must create Eurobonds. No question, the German chancellor. French side, advocates strengthening the European investment bank to support major projects. Okay, they reply the Rhine. However, it remains unthinkable for Angela Merkel to touch the Treaty nor the EU fiscal role of the ECB. Negotiations are open.

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The Spanish crisis is serious, very serious. It weakens a little more of Europe, its growth and financial system. But, unlike Greece, Spain will not "explode" the euro. Person, even among the fiercest opponents of the single currency is considering an exit from Spain in the euro area. Spain, despite record unemployment, is not on the verge of bankruptcy. Its lending rate to ten years amounted to 5.86% Friday, but they have been higher: 6% mid-April, and 7% in November.

A priori, Spain will not need a bailout General as Greece or Portugal. The Standard & Poor's recognizes itself: the Spanish Treasury has already covered 50% of its funding this year. The country should have no problem to repay its creditors in 2012.

Famine budget!

However, Spanish banks are on the ropes. Savings banks are not the only ones being targeted. There is nothing surprising about that. Unemployment makes mortgage repayments more difficult, weakening bank balance sheets. Massive purchases of Spanish debt by financial institutions of the peninsula, with funds loaned by the European Central Bank (ECB), are not a panacea, far from it, especially if tensions persist in the bond markets.

At this point, the recapitalization needs of the Spanish banking sector are estimated at 50 billion euros: a sum equivalent to half of the Spanish public deficit in 2011. In other words, beyond the reach of government in these times of fiscal scarcity!

But not beyond the reach of the euro zone! The central bankers of Europe, Mario Draghi and Jean-Claude Juncker planchent discreetly on a bailout of Spanish banks able to calm the markets. It would involve the European Stability Fund (EFSF), or the European Stability Mechanism (MES), its successor from 1 July.

Since the alert on the Italian debt last summer, the euro area has assured his rear. It has a "firewall" of 750 billion euros due to cumulative lending capacity of two European rescue fund, the EFSF and MES. For its part, the IMF has increased its resources to $ 430 billion. As for the ECB, it has already injected € 1,000 billion in the banking system, and nothing prevents him to continue

.

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Condemned worldwide, the coup of Cristina Kirchner in Repsol has not affected the Argentine government. Quite the contrary. According to survey, 6 out of 10 Argentines approve the expropriation of the oil company Repsol by the government on April 16, the operation was brutal.

To believe the latest details, disclosed by the press, President Cristina Kirchner had not finished his speech on Repsol, broadcast live on television that a delegation led by Minister of Planning Julio De Vido and vice Minister of Economy Axel Kicillof suddenly landed at the head of YPF in Puerto Madero, the business district of the capital.

Argentine officials have scarcely left time for the Spanish leaders in shock, to take their belongings and leave. "They have not even had time to finish their lunch!" Says an industry leader offended. Some company executives subsequently undergo intense interrogation by the police.

While Spain, Europe and the U.S. protest against the nationalization of another age, questions remain: how did we get here? Why the expropriation?

In Argentina, the wild rumors circulating in the oil industry. Some saying it would be the fear that the Chinese buy YPF (groups Sinopec and CNOOC are already present in Argentina) and Argentina over the oil that would have prompted the government to act, with the blessing of the United States.

Seriously, Repsol, we are persuaded that the discovery of huge deposits of oil and gas shale Vaca Muerta, in the province of Neuquen (South West) was the trigger operations. This discovery, announced in November by the CEO of Repsol, could propel Argentina's third largest reserves of oil shale, behind China and the United States.

Resources would be estimated at 22.8 billion barrels. What the future of Argentines, although this scenario not totally convinced the experts. "The existence of these deposits has been known since 1984! The only difference is that today the technology exists to exploit them, but it takes a lot of capital that the government alone is not able to provide, "said oil consultant Eduardo Barreiro.

Energy deficit

Another scenario, more credible reports of negotiations for several months with the Spanish government to finance part of the country's fuel bill, up 110% in 2011 to 7 billion euros instant credit report. For the first time in years, the Argentine energy balance is in deficit of 2.27 billion euros, beating down the accounts of the nation.

In Argentina, more than elsewhere, the external deficit is problematic as it is to be financed without recourse to foreign capital, the debt markets are closed to the country since its bankruptcy in 2001. Accusing Spaniards of being responsible for this deficit, for not having enough invested in oil production, the Argentine government did not hesitate to ask Repsol to use its profits to finance energy imports rather than repatriate dividends in Europe.

Already forced the government to sell its oil at half price in the Argentine market – 42 dollars a barrel – Repsol would have raised an objection of inadmissibility to this formal request. "Repsol YPF, which held 60% of deposits in the country rejected the government's terms, and it has broken down the bridges," says the lawyer for a U.S. oil company established in the country.

According to former Secretary of Energy Emilio Apud, the takeover of YPF may represent "a very good deal for the government who will have access to a" cash "equivalent to more than 11 billion euros in turnover business year, "to finance its oil imports.

Buenos Aires seems to also want to seek help from new investors to boost oil production nationally. Pending the adoption of the bill of expropriation by Congress, the Planning Minister Julio de Vido, interim head of YPF, met executives of Conoco Phillips, Chevron and Exxon. He met with Vice President of Total America, the second largest gas producer in Argentina. On leaving the meeting, he announced an agreement on an increase in production on two million cubic meters in the deposits of Neuquen (South West). Evidence that the government does not get angry with everyone.

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Vincent Bolloré influence he soon the fate of Vivendi? Anyway, Jean-Rene Fourtou, Chairman of the Supervisory Board, opened the door. And will even wish his presence. "There is no reason that Bollore is not involved on the board of Vivendi, if he is interested," he said Thursday at the general meeting of shareholders of the group.

Intentions of the "Little Prince", which began rising in the capital of Vivendi, are at the heart of all searches. Bolloré officially 1.1% of the entertainment group, but it would have already picked up on the stock exchange securities for up to nearly 2%. After finalizing the sale of its channels Direct 8 Direct and Star in Vivendi, he will own approximately 4% and would then make its debut on the board. This rise is "friendly," said Vivendi every time. "I am delighted that a French shareholder, a family group, deemed an investor wishes to mount a share capital of Vivendi", was recently confirmed to Le Figaro, Jean-Bernard Levy, CEO of Vivendi.

And no doubt that Vincent Bolloré not stop there way. Eventually, he would seek the threshold of 5%. Does he repeat not at will, for years, his ambition to create a large media group? By becoming the largest shareholder of Vivendi and participating in strategic decisions of the group, it would be in a position to influence the destiny of the only French group, which is a world of entertainment. It could also help choose the future leaders of Vivendi.

Bring into the fold of Havas Vivendi

As the capital of Vivendi is very fragmented, with no shareholder, Bolloré could obtain decisive weight without having to own a large block of shares. As he did at Havas, which he chairs by not holding "only" 32.8%. One of the scenarios considered by the observers would, moreover, that Bolloré Havas brings into the fold of Vivendi, in exchange for participation, without spending a lot of cash.

The time was well chosen, while the price of Vivendi, has less than 13 euros, has lost more than a quarter of its value since the beginning of the year. "In the 2000s, all valuations were excessive, we experienced a kind of madness market. We live it the other way today, even though we have never had such good financial results, never reached as much cash, "said Jean-Rene Fourtou.

At Vivendi, more assets may be of interest Bolloré. Canal +, of course. But also SFR, including Jean-Rene Fourtou said she would remain "largely beneficial despite the arrival of Free Mobile". Telecommunications devices can be particularly useful in boss Autolib ', because there are many in the telecom management system and localization of the electric car self-service. Finally, Morocco Telecom, which holds several equity in Africa, can generate synergies with the Bolloré Group. Strong presence in logistics in Africa, Bolloré manages ports, railways … It may be wise to develop telecom. Add to this the fact that Jean-Rene Fourtou and Vincent Bolloré get along well. As for Jean-Bernard Levy, he is the former chief of staff … Gerard Longuet ex-brother-Vincent Bolloré. Such an alliance would have three advantages. It makes sense from a strategic perspective. It could have a positive effect on the course. Finally, it could offset the rise of sovereign wealth fund of Qatar, which owns 2% stake in Vivendi.

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A rating agency on three, Standard & Poor's, has already withdrawn its prestigious Aaa to France. One of its competitors, Moody's, could soon follow, warned the Socialist candidate for president Francois Hollande. In the days following the presidential election.

Moody's placed under the supervision of the French debt rating earlier this year, he said in an interview with Journal du Dimanche. It "will make a decision on May 12, he argued. It will not be a consequence of the May 6 vote of the French. I warn, already, for our fellow citizens that there is no confusion (…) For now, I ask in any case to be assessed by the French and not by markets. "  

How the candidate can know the date on which the decision will fall on Moody's France? Rating agencies maintain absolute secrecy about the content of their deliberations and their timing, until the publication of their decision. To predict the date of May 12, the candidate is based on the deadline set by the agency between his warning to the country concerned and the actual announcement.

Moody's placed the rating a negative outlook on Feb. 14. It can give its verdict – probably too negative for AAA French – in May. However, it would have a year to decide. "She may wait to see what measures are being implemented by the future president, for example until fall, when the budget for 2013 will be presented," qualifies Norbert Gaillard, specialist rating agencies.  

Clearing the ground

Francois Hollande tried to clear the ground, should he be elected, and while his main opponent, Nicolas Sarkozy, waved the threat of an attack against France markets where Socialist victory. Today, has defended the PS candidate, turbulence affecting Spain and Italy but not France. "It is particularly irresponsible for the incumbent to use the threat of speculative movements to persuade voters to abandon the alternation," he pleaded.

The first week of the next president, whoever he is, ahead eventful. First Moody's should actually decide before May 15 the fate of Aaa it attributed to France so far. Then the Commission will publish its opinion on the stability program of France. This document, sent to Brussels last week, details how the government intends to restore the balance of public finances by 2016. Problem: it takes into account neither the promises of the outgoing president, nor those of his socialist opponent.

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The revolution of the gas in the U.S. is running. By midweek, the price of natural gas in New York reached a record low, at less than $ 2 million BTUs (British thermal unit) – the international measure equivalent to 28 m3 of gas. Not since ten years ago to find such a price. The particularly mild climate this winter and falling demand support this decline in prices, but they do not explain everything.

"There are six to seven years, the magnitude of the reserves of shale gas across the Atlantic was largely unknown. Today, operators have mastered better and better their production and extract larger quantities with less drilling, exposes Olivier Rech, cofounder of investment consultant Energy Funds Advisors. Meanwhile, even when they go out of oil, they get associated gas. Under these conditions, the abundance of supply weighs on prices. "

This new situation gives ideas to operators. GDF Suez for example, could invest in the downstream side of the Atlantic, that is to say to provide gas, liquefy it and send it to other markets. However, an investment directly in the production in the U.S. is not on the agenda, warned Jean-Marie Dauger, Executive Vice President of the GDF Suez, in charge of Global Gas and LNG (LNG).

Concentration for

In general, the French group makes it clear that a gas supply in North America is based primarily on a prospective scenario. Understood: the market test medium-term guide strategic choices.

In Asia, Mitsubishi Corporation is also exploring several alternatives. After acquiring 40% in February from a field of shale gas in Canada Encana, the Japanese company is considering a giant project (€ 10 billion investment about) LNG production in British Columbia, the west. Several partners are in discussions, including Shell and Korean Korea Gas – who buys every year 30 million tons of LNG.

This situation of depressed gas prices in North America Will it continue permanently? "Above all, this situation is abnormal. In most regions in the U.S., gas prices are now below production costs. Under these conditions, many are fragile and gas operators in the two to three years ahead, there could be a phenomenon of concentration, says Olivier Rech. The revolution of the gas in the United States will therefore damage among companies.

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