Patterns: that is serene, which is on the hot seat

• Pepy, "pope" of the rail?

Appointed in 2008 as head of the SNCF which he was number two, Guillaume Pepy has since opening figure of ultimate boss of office of Nicolas Sarkozy. The former chief of staff of Martine Aubry has nothing to fear from the change of head of state. And, except to be appointed to another position, it should not only complete his term as CEO of SNCF, scheduled until February 2013, but re-enlist at the head of a company where he spent most of his career and he seems happy to embody.

Everything will depend on the host that the Government will make available to the rail reform projects driven by Guillaume Pepy well in advance of the election. It was he who suggested to his minister, Nathalie Kosciusko-Morizet, to open a "Grenelle of the rail," a broad debate that ended this winter.

The head of the SNCF has two great ideas in mind overnight pay day loans. The first involves a major reorganization of the French rail, bringing Réseau Ferré de France (RFF), the manager of the railway network in the lap of the SNCF. Objective: To terminate an organization considered grotesque and expensive. But neither competitors nor RFF of SNCF do not hear it that way. The battle will be fierce between Guillaume Pepy and Hubert du Mesnil, the boss of RFF.

Second site, sensitivity: the creation of a "social framework harmonized" for SNCF workers and new entrants on the French market being opened to competition. Beyond this global negotiation, Guillaume Pepy wants to get the right to hire out the status of a railway station. One way of playing field with its powerful rival, Deutsche Bahn.

• Proglio frontline

Proglio. Photo credits: ALBERT FACELLY / Le Figaro

PSA suffers from lower car sales

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Real Estate: Know intelligently visit

 

"We must get prepared," says Sebastien de Lafond, Meilleursagents.com. First thing to check: consistency in the price of well visited. To form an opinion, we must investigate the prices in the sector. Review the ads of websites is a first approach, but the prices are often overstated. View estate agents in the area and ask them specific examples of recent trades made refines market research. Know when the property is exposed and there is a lot of the same type of homes for sale in the neighborhood can have arguments at the time of negotiation.

In general, buyers know quickly if they feel good about visiting the home. However, relying on first impressions is not enough. An apartment in disarray, a faded painting or a smell of smoke sometimes repel the visitor, but do not stop there. What counts are the qualities of housing. "We must keep in mind their priorities, says Philippe Conte, a member of the Institute of Chartered Fnaim, but few buyers who do not make concessions." In a condo, take the stairs instead of the elevator provides information on the status of common and how the ownership is held. The cellars and common premises speak volumes about the maintenance of the building.

Do not hesitate to revisit the well several times

In housing, we must inspect everything. To house, checking the roof and the attic is a priority. Broken tiles or mossy cause leaks inside. Get into the attic to check insulation. Many homes built before 1974 do not. Inside, the walls, floors must be watched closely. A crack is a defect common in the former. However traces of moisture on the ceiling indicate a leak or a leak from a neighbor. Same for the balcony or terrace. Also check the condition of pipes, electricity, windows … In home, you need to check with the town planning services to ensure that a building will not obstruct a nice view or generate nuisance.

To evaluate the condo fees, "we must also require the last minutes of the meeting, says Philippe Conte. If work were passed, they are charged to the seller. " Other Audits: diagnostics, energy consumption or age of the boiler. "Do not buy on the first visit, advises Sébastien de Lafond. It is necessary to look back two or three times, accompanied if possible. "

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Barack Obama's Energy Revolution

 

The price of a gallon of gasoline at the pump exceeded $ 4 in many parts of the United States. It is a trauma for Americans who drive a lot and often in vehicles big bike.

Pay more than $ 1 per liter, or 17% more than last year, imposed on their budget. The seasonal nature of gasoline demand likely makes one gallon for $ 5 by summer.

54% of Americans believe that their president could do much to combat this trend trim their buying power and weakening growth. The popularity of Barack Obama suffers 65% of voters are unhappy with how it handles this issue. In this busy electoral context, the presidential candidate began a two-day tour in Nevada and New Mexico. His message: "We operate oil fields everywhere: this is why our dependence on imported energy has fallen every year since I was in power."

Barack Obama has abandoned the slogan that has long repeated: "Oil is the energy of the past." It now claims to support all forms of energy production, not just renewables.

"As long as I am president, I will not give the promise of clean energy," he said Wednesday in Nevada on the occasion of his visit to a field of solar panels. Bankruptcy Solyndra, a manufacturer of solar panels, which received $ 535 million of subsidies, however, undermined the credibility of the presidential message. His promises of thousands of jobs created by "green energy" were not held cheap payday advance.

600,000 jobs created

However, the boom hydraulic fracturing since 2008 has pushed gas production in the United States and depressing prices. Applying this technique to oil shale helps boost crude output at its highest in eight years. Manufacturers responsible for these innovations feel they owe anything to Obama.

Instead, they feel unfairly targeted by the White House. "The Obama administration says it supports the increased production of oil and gas. But it blocked the Keystone XL (which was to supply the Gulf of Mexico oil shale Canadian). It claims to boost domestic production, but permits drilling in federal areas have plunged 44%, "says Jack N. Gerard, president of the American Petroleum Institute. "Many more jobs have been created by the boom in oil and gas as" green economy, '"says Daniel Yergin, head of Cambridge Energy Research Associates. It amounts to 600,000 the number of jobs created by this revolution. These figures are echoed by Obama today, marking a dramatic conversion of the President of the benefits of a sector that has long disdained.

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French universities abroad misclassified

 

France is hardly served in international rankings in education. Only four of its representatives are emerging among the 100 institutions classified Thursday morning by the Times Higher Education (THE), a British weekly known for the seriousness of its rankings. France ranks as the seventh largest in the world.

The Paris-Sorbonne University is located between 71st and 80th place of the second international league based on "reputation". It occupied the 91st place last year. Then comes the Polytechnic, which ranks between 91st and 100th place. This year, two new institutions enter the prestigious list: the University Paris-Sud (Orsay) and the University Pierre and Marie Curie (Paris VI), both beyond the 91st place.

"France is well represented in these tables, with four institutions in the top 100, more than Canada, and more than double the number of representatives of China. But the country's authorities should be concerned that such a system of higher education with a long tradition of excellence has its highest ranked institution beyond the 71st, well behind the leading institutions in England and Germany "by Phil Baty, the head of the ranking. And the specialist to wonder: "Maybe the current reforms in the French higher education will they do the difference in the longer term, but for now there is much uncertainty and confusion about the French system, which can affect the country's reputation among scholars throughout the world. "

A "business" full

The study measures the reputation of excellence in both teaching and in research by 117,554 educators from 137 countries. Given a choice between 6000 and institutions were asked what were the best institutions in their field of specialty. The issue of reputation is important in the era of the internationalization of education, as universities compete with each other to attract the best students. And they are buying more and more a "brand" when they enroll in an institution. It has become a "business" in its own right, according to THE.

The first six of the classification, called "super brands" in the study because they crush all others because of their notoriety, are again American universities Harvard, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), the English university of Cambridge, two new American, Stanford and Berkeley, and Oxford. These universities' dominate the head and shoulders above the other institutions, "the study said.

The U.S. dominates with 44 institutions which are among the first hundred, ten are British, and five are Japanese. Five others were Dutch. Followed by Germany, Australia and France, each with four institutions.

Sarkozy addresses the tax exiles

 

After struggling against tax havens in recent years, Nicolas Sarkozy wants to tackle the tax exile. -Candidate for President, it is not acceptable that some continue to enjoy the benefits of French citizenship without paying a penny in taxes. "I want the tax and nationality are now linked," he said on TF1 Monday. The announcement is accurate. "Any tax exile who went abroad for the sole purpose of circumventing French tax must declare to the French administration as he paid tax abroad. And if it is lower than it would have paid tax on income from capital in France, he will pay the difference, "said Nicolas Sarkozy.

Only the taxation of wealth is concerned. But it is precisely to escape the ISF or the taxation of capital gains that some taxpayers go to Switzerland or Belgium. With this measure, the tax exile would have no financial interest. And if the tax exile showed himself recalcitrant? "If he does not pay, he is pursued by the taxman. However, if he wants to escape measurement, it is of course free to take another nationality, "said Nathalie Kosciusko-Morizet Monday, the spokesman of the president candidate. There is no question of deprivation of nationality. This type of penalty is very heavy and could be incompatible with European law.

The 2 million French expatriates, those who move abroad for work or for family reasons, for example, would not be affected by the measure. "I say to expatriates, we will change nothing for them," said Nicolas Sarkozy. They therefore continue to pay tax only in the country where they live. French household working in Germany would pay, as now, the German income tax. Yet to translate into law the difference between the expatriate and exiled, leaving the Hexagon for purely fiscal.

Monday, Nicolas Sarkozy referred to the American system. Indeed, the U.S. tax bind and nationality, even more extensive than would be France if Nicolas Sarkozy was elected. For all American expatriates should pay taxes to their homeland! But the U.S. is an exception in developed countries. European states like France operate on the principle of territoriality – you pay tax where you live. This means that the measure proposed by Nicolas Sarkozy, even if limited to exiles, may involve review of the tax treaties signed between France and its partners. A very heavy work. This is also the argument that had been opposed to the president of the PS Finance Committee in the Assembly, Jerome Cahuzac, late 2010 when he proposed a tax on expatriates. It will also calibrate the measure to be compatible with European law which advocates the free movement of persons and equality before tax.

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The seller's liability in case of defect

1 – Under what conditions can we invoke the implied warranty?

The seller remains liable after the transaction, housing defects that were hidden at the time of sale, when they "make the property unfit for the use it was destined or so impair that use the acquirer n ' would not have made the decision to purchase, or at least not at that price, if he had knowledge "(Article 1641 Civil Code). Conversely, the seller is not liable for defects that were apparent (Article 1642). Case law judge and are latent defects: the presence of termites or asbestos in housing, lack of foundation, the existence of underground quarries generating instability of the frame, the lack of connection to the public drainage wastewater, or noise pollution caused by insufficient thickness of walls.

2 – The seller may be relieved of responsibility?

The seller can clear themselves by inserting in the deed of sale a clause stating that it will not be required to guarantee the buyer in case of defect. These clauses, found in most deeds, are only valid if the seller is a non-professional and is in good faith. Such is the case, for example, a seller who did not know the day of the sale, the presence of mérules (wood-rotting fungi) in the beams of his house, since the diagnostic technique that had commissioned was not one mention.

However, the vendor apparent bad faith can not invoke this clause, for example when he blocked and painted floors and baseboards to conceal the presence of termites, or has done work to conceal cracks affecting the structure of the frame. Attention, even if the seller does not commit any act of concealment, it can be considered in bad faith when it is aware of the defect and that he did not notify the purchaser.

3 – What might the seller in case of discovery of a latent defect?

If the vendor is found liable for hidden defects by the judge, the purchaser has the option, request cancellation of the sale or reduction of its price (sections 1644 and 1646 of the Civil Code). If he chooses the cancellation of the sale, the seller must refund the purchase price and notary fees. If it chooses a price reduction, it is for an expert to determine the amount. The seller in bad faith can also be ordered to pay damages (Article 1645 Civil Code). Attention, the action in warranty against hidden defects must be brought within two years after the discovery of the defect (Article 1648 Civil Code). It is the vendor to prove that the discovery of latent defects occurred more than two years before the introduction of the lawsuit.

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Change the marriage contract to better protect her husband

Your matrimonial is it still fits your financial situation? Through the acquisitions made during the life, property division rules established by the initial marriage contract may no longer meet the needs of the couple, including the death of one spouse.

The rules of succession are now more protective of the surviving spouse. They guarantee him at his option, the option of retaining the use of all of the assets of the deceased, or to obtain full ownership of one quarter of those assets. The question arises, however, with respect to the principal residence, especially when children are involved. If one spouse wants more protection, it is possible, by gift or by will to assign ownership of property.

The fall of a six-story elevator building in a housing project in Paris on October 27, revived the debate on the safety of these facilities. Work had been made last month on this lift-de-registered by the company Schindler Somatem, responsible for maintenance. Tenants of the building where the accident occurred will file a complaint against Paris-Habitat, owner, announced their partnership "Tenants angry." The social landlord, he has filed a complaint against X. An investigation is underway to determine if it was a defective part of the manufacturer or poor maintenance. Contacted by The Figaro.fr Schindler declined to comment.

France has 520,000 elevators, accessible to 482,500 people. National Park is the most dilapidated of Europe, half of the devices with more than 25 years and a quarter over 40 years, according to the Federation of elevators online cash advance.He points to the installation of variable frequency (a braking system is turned off) on all lifts while he believes that technology is only useful for devices used extensively, is to say in very high buildings or offices, or 20% of the housing.

• New constraints maintenance and troubleshooting

Paul Philippot, managing director of the National Union of property (UNPI), professionals have "staked everything on the renovation, more lucrative than the interview." Robien law has yet mandated a visit technicians every six weeks. "But the elevator companies are understaffed to meet this obligation," said Bruno Dhont.

The sponsors of the XV of France met, despite the defeat

Press conferences disorganized players cut their public, lack of aggressiveness on the field, coach misunderstood the media … Of course, the end of the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand ended with a huge tribute to the XV lights, after a heroic match. But the start of the competition was not the same caliber. A novelty in the land of rugby, where the values ​​of fighting spirit, cohesion, humility and team spirit have contributed to the popularization of the sport and its appeal to brands.

Since the professionalization of the discipline in 1995, the French Rugby Federation (FFR) has in fact built on these values ​​to develop partnerships and multiply by 2.5 the financial returns from marketing. Each year, the XV of France in his reports only about 58 of some 83 million annual budget of the FFR.In addition to the TV rights and ticket sales, much of this money comes brands. Nearly 25% of the budget of the FFR is a direct result of the five official partners of the national team that is the GMF, Societe Generale, Orange, Nike and Renault.

Every year, each brand spends 3 to 4 million euros to be associated with the image of rugby. Beyond the fitness trail that led the Blues to the final, the behavior of players in the XV of France during the World Cup he chipped in this picture? "No, says Sylvie Lagourgue, Marketing and Communication Director of GMF, the first partner of the Federation (since 1985). There was a very excessive impact of certain statements out of context. There have certainly been some tension, but remain normal in a competition with so much at stake.To get to the finals, we had a good team spirit, group cohesion, commitment … These values ​​were well represented. " A speech echoed William Josselin, director of communications and marketing for Renault France, the most recent official partners of the FFR. "These tensions come to light between the players and the coach Marc Lievremont is not usual in rugby, but there was an exaggeration and a media hype on this subject. The media have really many, many. "

Co-responsible brands

Not enough challenge so positive mythology surrounding the world of rugby. Officially anyway. "The feedback that we have some brands show that there is a question mark around the traditional values ​​of the sport, admits the head of a sports marketing consulting agency.The professionalization leads to behavior change that can alter the image of a sport. Of course brands are co-responsible for this phenomenon, for providing the money, she help change the economy and the functioning of a discipline. "

Meanwhile, no official partner seems to want to question its agreements that fall "over time" in the words of Raphael Niemi, head of sports partnerships at Societe Generale, the other partner Official History of the FFR (since 1987).The contract with the FFR ends in June 2012, but the bank claims to have given a "strong signal of its commitment to rugby," in association already in the World Cup in England in 2015, after s' be associated with the 1999 and 2007.

Inflation likely amounts partnerships

In the meantime, the FFR will have to renegotiate some of its contracts with its partners and official suppliers. And the good performance of Blue could feed the argument to discuss the price. But everyone may not be ready to comply with the requirements. "A price inflation in a successful negotiation implies a downward during counterproductive. If you want to build a lasting partnership can not constantly redefine the rules according to sports scores. Otherwise it has to work both ways and we seem risky, "argues William Josselin at Renault.At Societe Generale, one also anticipates a possible inflation of prices charged by the FFR, but more serene. "The increase in licensees, positive values, and common stock Sports World Cup is actually strong arguments, concedes Raphael Niemi.Nous share the same fight that the FFR and Societe Generale has always been committed to the development of this sport as an integral part of business strategy. This commitment is not only related to the contract rights FFR. "

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