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It is Sweden who wins, this year, the prize for most innovative countries in the European Union, according to the dashboard of innovation lately published by the European Commission. As for France, among others overtaken by the Nordic countries, Germany and the UK, she had to settle for 11th place. Even if all Member States have made progress in the race for innovation, they fail to bridge the gap between them that are world champions the United States, Japan and South Korea. Involved, the lack of R & D in the private sector. To compare the performance of the 27 EU countries, as many as 24 indicators have been explored, from the resources devoted to research, business involvement, through the introduction of new technology or economic effects innovation. In pictures, the ranking of EU countries involved in the innovation race. 1/14

Previous Previous PauseSuivant 1. Sweden: Champion of Innovation Next Photo 2/14

Previous Previous PauseSuivant 2. Denmark: innovation champion Next Photo 3/14

Previous Previous PauseSuivant 3. Germany: innovation champion Next Photo 4/14

Previous Previous PauseSuivant 4. Finland: innovation champion Next Photo 5/14

Previous Previous PauseSuivant 5. Belgium: follower innovation Next Photo 6/14

Previous Previous PauseSuivant 6. UK: follower innovation Next Photo 7/14

Previous Previous PauseSuivant 7. Netherlands: follower innovation Next Photo 8/14

Previous Previous PauseSuivant 8. Austria: follower innovation Next 9/14

Previous Previous PauseSuivant 9. Luxembourg: follower innovation Next Photo 10/14

Previous Previous PauseSuivant 10. Ireland: follower innovation Next Photo 11/14

Previous Previous PauseSuivant 11. France: innovation follower Next Photo 12/14

Previous Previous PauseSuivant Slovenia, Cyprus and Estonia: followers of innovation Next Photo 13/14

Previous Previous PauseSuivant The moderate innovators Next Photo 14/14

Previous Previous PauseSuivant Innovators modest Next

China has banned its airlines to pay tax on emissions imposed by the European Union since January 1. His opposition joined the United States, India and Russia. An airplane of American Airlines lands on the tarmac at the airport in Port-au-Prince in February 2010.

For the Chinese government, no question of paying tax on pollutant emissions: a tax imposed by the EU to reduce global warming. The Chinese government's message is clear: "No Chinese airlines to participate in the EU ETS" taxes on carbon emissions "without permission from government authorities," and adds that they are also forbidden to raise their rates to offset the cost of the European measure.

The EU ambassador to China, Markus Ederer, defended the tax, but said Monday that negotiations could take place. "There are several possible ways, bilateral, multilateral or perhaps legal," he told a press conference, implying that a solution for Chinese companies could be paying a carbon tax in China. "We are ready to discussions on equivalent measures that would exempt companies from the countries concerned" the payment of the European carbon tax, he added. "We are witnessing a struggle between the EU and China on this issue. You have to see if China will not soon take retaliatory measures", for its part has responded to AFP Yanyan Luo, an analyst at China Merchants Securities based in Shenzhen (south).

In China, the European law will cost 800 million yuan (97 million) in 2012 to its airlines, and this cost will be multiplied by four in 2020. When asked about the tax by AFP, companies China Eastern and China Southern have refused to comment Monday. Worldwide, airlines encrypt the extra cost of the measure for the sector to € 17.5 billion over eight years. The European Commission for its part argued that the additional cost per ticket for a long haul flight would return between 4 and 24 euros only. By this law came into force on 1 January, the Europeans want to force all airlines, irrespective of their nationality, to buy the equivalent of 15% of their CO2 emissions, or 32 million tonnes. The objective is to fight against global warming. But the arguments of Europeans objected to by 26 of the 36 members of the Aviation Organisation (ICAO), including the United States, China and Russia. They adopted early November a nonbinding resolution recommending to exempt foreign companies from the EU carbon tax.

Going further, the House of Representatives in the United States passed a bill prohibiting U.S. airlines to pay this tax, including Secretary of State Hillary Clinton had asked the Europeans to suspend the entry into force . U.S. companies complain of a discriminatory measure and have filed an appeal in Britain, but their arguments were rejected by the European Court of Justice.

In early January, China said it would not cooperate with the EU to implement the tax that had just come into force and had hinted at retaliation. By the end of last year, the China Air Transport Association (CATA), which brings together most Chinese companies had indicated that "Chinese companies would not participate in the ETS, would not provide carbon monitoring plan to EU countries and would not negotiate preferential policies with the European Union ".

Companies refusing to pay the tax could be imposed a fine of 100 euros per tonne of CO2 or, in extreme cases, be denied landing rights in the 27 EU countries. But carriers have a period, because if the law is already in force, they can buy their license right to pollute for 2012 until April 30, 2013, and no sanctions will be applied before that date .

The Japanese Panasonic announced Friday include a record annual net loss of almost eight billion euros for the 2011-2012 fiscal year, due largely to the decline in demand for TV sets in a highly competitive environment.

For the year ending in late March, the maker of consumer electronics forecasts a deficit of 780 billion yen (7.8 billion euros). The market was expecting before the revised forecast a deficit of 470 billion yen, according to ThomsonReuters I / B / E / S.

Rival Sony said Thursday expect an annual loss of 220 billion yen (2.2 billion euros), almost twice more than expected by the market, highlighting the extent of tâ ; che the new boss of the group, Kazuo Hirai.

For the quarter October-December, the third year, the net loss of Panasonic amounts to 197.6 billion yen. The market was expecting a net loss of 8.4 billion yen.

The action Panasonic has dropped by 45% over the last 12 months. Thursday, she finished her read down for over 30 years.

European shares rebound in early trade Tuesday, pending the announcement at 14:30 (Paris time) revised figures for U.S. growth in the third quarter after heavy fall the previous day, but concerns about the financial position Europe and the U.S. remain strong.

At 9:03, the CAC 40 index advance 1.37% to 2935.01 points after falling 3.41% yesterday.

The Milan Stock Exchange gained 1.35% (-4.74% Monday), the London 0.83% (-2.62% yesterday) and the place of Frankfurt 1.1% (-3.35% Monday ).

The Franco-Belgian bank Dexia said Wednesday it has decided to increase the capital of its French subsidiary Dexia Credit Local (DCL) after write-downs that the group had to save his Greek government bonds.

Dexia had to spend a total depreciation of 2.3 billion euros 2.9 billion exposure to Greece following the Greek debt restructuring agreed by the European Union with the private sector.

In total, Dexia said in the first nine months of the year, the impact of disposals, depreciation and provisions on its books reached 10.513 billion euros.

INTERIM STATEMENT

Dexia has not released financial results Wednesday, strictly speaking, but "an interim statement" taking stock of its financial position following the split of the current group.

First victim of bank scale of the crisis of European sovereign debt, Dexia should remain ultimately in the form of a holding company listed in Brussels which will combine the activities of financial services to the public sector in France, Spain, Italy and Germany.

Ryanair said Monday it has increased by 10% its profit forecast for 2011-2012, an increase in revenue per passenger per mile to offset the high cost of kerosene.

The first low-cost airline said he had been European virtually no impact of the decline in consumer confidence but added that traffic would fall in coming months because it had grounded 80 planes in response to high fuel prices.

"Bookings are well underway for months at a level slightly higher than the same period last year," said Howard Millar, Ryanair's chief financial officer.On its first half, earnings totaled 543.5 million euros, up 20%, while sales amounted to 2.71 billion euros.

On this six-month period, the number of passengers carried increased by 12% and rates of 13%, while costs increased by 13%, mostly in kerosene.

Lufthansa and International Airline Group (IAG) both announced last week the results strongly affected by rising fuel costs.

Howard Millar said further that the sale of 29% stake in its competitor Ryanair's Aer Lingus would probably be more to the agenda in the coming months, since British Airways, which could be the 'prospective purchaser had bought bmi.

The first results of union elections in the State civil service reflects a surge of reformist organizations (FOR, UNSA and CFDT). Three million will elect officers on October 20 their union representatives.

The first results of union elections in the State Civil Service, made public Friday, reflect a surge of reformist organizations according to experts, that link including the growth of FO and UNSA and erosion of the CGT. The day after the election for which about two million state employees were called to elect their representatives in the equivalent bodies in the private councils, the Minister of Public Service, François Sauvadet unveiled interim results.

According to these results do not include the votes of Finance (165,000 subscribers) and Justice (75,000 subscribers), the FSU continues to lead with 19.1%, followed by FP that collects 16.2% of the vote. The latest results placed the two organizations, respectively 20.6% and 15.4%. For Anne Baltazar (FP), "if the results are logical, it holds the rope for first place in the State Civil Service", the FSU is not present in Finance.

A participation rate of 51%

"So far so good, the results are good," has carried out its Groison Bernadette (FSU), noting that the organization consolidated his first place in Education. The UNSA, who was fourth and climbed into third position (15.3%), greets his part "satisfactory results" show that "the strong commitment to our agents and reformist humanist values."Then come the CFDT (14.5%), a "uphill" as one of its representatives Brigitte Jumel, the CGT (12.8%), Partners (6.2%), GSC (5.8 %) and CFTC (3.9%).

In presenting these results, François Sauvadet said the turnout of all elections was 51.2%, which is affected by the worst score in Education (40.4%). Apart from this rate "not extraordinary", Guy Groux, a researcher at Sciences-Po, points out that these initial results should be treated with caution as they fail Finance, nearly 15% of registered voters.He noted, however, that "unions are not necessarily favored in the private, such as FSU, UNSA, or FOR, take their game completely," pointing in particular a "sharp increase in Unsa".

The CFTC under the carpet

Bernard Briere, Institute of Economic and Social Research (IRES), for its part is a "rise of the reformist pole" (Unsa, CFDT and FOR) and a hypothesis: "a call for negotiations." For Bernard Vivier, the Higher Institute of Labour, "the surprise is for FOR, CGT while eroding a bit", the result of Finance, however, may change the situation. For unions, which defend their right to negotiate but also their means, the stakes of this election is crucial because the rules of representation have changed the law of 5 July 2010 on the renovation of social dialogue.

Representative to stay, organizations must obtain seats in the various bodies, forcing them to cross thresholds ranging from 3% to 7.5% (against 10% in the private sector). Based on preliminary results, Mr. Vivier, believes that the CFTC passes "certainly at the door," while it should be checked for the GSC. Mr. Briere notes that "small unions have a little progress, but have not achieved what it takes to be representative." Hacquin Vincent, head CGC, however, ensures that the organization was representative, noting that "no one goes so far."

The results of the economic ministries are expected in the evening on Friday. The officers of the Department of Justice that will vote Nov. 22 due to quirks in the preparation.The results for the public hospital where a million workers were also asked to vote Thursday, are expected in early next week.

The Greeks were again gathered in their thousands on Thursday to protest against government austerity measures. Overflows have marred the parades and a man died of heart attack. Demonstration in Greece, Athens, Syntagma Square, October 19, 2011.

The mass protests against new austerity measures continued Thursday in Greece for the second day, weakening the government of Socialist George Papandreou at the approach of a summit "crucial" in Brussels Sunday for the country and the euro area.

In Athens, more than 50,000 people participated in the movement, against 70,000 on Wednesday. Throughout the day, the unit staff, private sector employees prevailed. Thus Vanguélis Bouldadakis, in a public hospital doctor put forward "the destruction of the collective agreements" that "reduce our salaries" and "take our rights."The center of Athens was again sealed off to traffic, Parliament surrounded by dozens of vans of riot police and thousands of police.

Clashes marred the protest near the parliament. Fighting hand to hand and shots of lumber and iron protesters opposed to law enforcement. The latter, usually very active in the protests in Greece, had retired to the adjacent streets, sending only a few grenades and tear gas to try to disperse the crowd preventively.

A few sporadic incidents continued in the early evening around the Parliament and even in the tourist district of Monastiraki.Mobile groups of several dozen young people were harassing the police were carrying out acts of vandalism, burning trash, throwing molotov and stoning shop windows and street furniture.

Central to the dispute: a bill to be voted in Parliament to reduce the deficit abyss of the country and it avoid bankruptcy. Its adoption would freeze collective agreements and lead to a sudden drop in living standards of the Greeks, especially civil servants

These events have caused the death of a man. This woman had been transferred to hospital after violent incidents, died of a heart attack, said the hospital management. He "did no injury," Contrary to the media said, the hospital said in a statement. Justice has opened an investigation and sent an attorney for prosecution.The media for their part said that Mason had been hit by stones in the head on the sidelines of violent clashes between protesters and a group of communist troublemakers. The announcement of the death had raised strong emotions in Parliament, where MPs were to adopt in the evening a new law rigorously.

Newly appointed head of the IMF, Christine Lagarde Nicolas Sarkozy will meet Saturday to prepare for the G20 summit in Cannes. Christine Lagarde REUTERS / Benoit Tessier (FRANCE – Tags: POLITICS)

Nicolas Sarkozy Saturday at noon will receive the Executive Director of the IMF Christine Lagarde to talk about it with "the preparation of the Cannes summit of the G20 and the situation in the euro area," the Elysee Palace said Friday.

The head of the French state will fly the next day to Berlin for talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel poour attempt to speed up the rescue plan of the single currency.

Leaders from the eurozone continue intensive negotiations for a recapitalization of banks in the EU to address the risks of contagion from the debt crisis.

Germany has given the green light last week in the expansion of the European Financial Stability Fund (EFSF), which is waiting for the ratification of Slovakia.

Equity markets fell to a low of 13 months Thursday, signs of slowdown in the industrial sector in Europe and China fueling fears of recession in the wake of alarming economic outlook given by the Federal Reserve of the United States.

Faced with the loss of investor confidence, the dollar, especially U.S. Treasury bonds, have emerged as the ultimate safe haven.Gold fell to the contrary.

The MSCI world equity index fell 4.5%, which pore its losses to 16% since the beginning of the year.

The three major indexes on Wall Street fell for the fourth straight session, as volume expanded to 13 billion shares traded.

The Dow Jones lost 3.51% or 391.01 points at 10,733.83 points, while the Standard & Poor's 500, part of fund managers, fell by 3.19% or 37.20 points, to 1129.56 points, after a moment passed down the line key 1,120 points. The Nasdaq Composite has given 3.25% or 82.52 points to 2455.67 points.

The CAC 40 index fell 5.25% to 2781.68 points, in a transaction volume of 4.27 billion euros.The day ended with a loss of over 40 billion euro market capitalization only on the values ​​of the benchmark index of the Paris Bourse.

The London Stock Exchange lost 4.67%, the Frankfurt and Milan 4.96% 4.52%.The pan-European Euro Stoxx 50 index dropped 4.9%.

The Fed on Wednesday raised "significant downside risks" to the economy of the United States, before announcing an "Operation Twist" 400 billion dollars to bring down long rates, and support activity.

But Wall Street estimates that only 15% chance that the "Operation Twist" gives a real boost to the U.S. economy, according to a Reuters poll of primary dealers of Treasury.

EURO, GOLD AND OIL DOWN

Fears of a relapse of the global economy have intensified Thursday with the contraction in private sector activity observed in the eurozone and in China and in the absence of affirmative action in economic from the political leaders .

"Investors realize that one side, the economy slows down and across the developed countries like the United States and Europe have more and more difficult," said Michael Sheldon, market specialist at RDM Financial.

"As a result, investors out actions to rush on U.S. Treasury bonds, which only seem to represent security today."

In this unfavorable context for risky assets, return on German government bond (Bund) was relaxed to 10 years of nine basis points to fall to 1.68% – a new record low – and that of the French OAT ten basis points to 2.52%.

In the U.S., the yield on Treasuries of ten-year benchmark fell to 1.72%, its lowest level in at least 60 years, against 1.87% late Wednesday. The paper at age 30 has fallen below 2.8%, the lowest since January 2009.

The euro fell below 1.35 dollars, its lowest in seven months and was trading around 1.3430 / 34 vis-à-vis the ticket to Wednesday night against 1.3584.

The dollar's gains have led to the decline in raw materials. Even gold, considered a safe haven, lost nearly 5% to hit its lowest level in nearly a month because of the rising dollar.The spot gold was trading in the last place around 1737 dollars per ounce.

In fear of a recession, investors sold mainly cyclical stocks, as European car (-6.67%).

Similarly, banks, weighed down by an endless debt crisis in the euro area remain under pressure, including the French institutions. BNP Paribas lost 5.70%, 9.57% Societe Generale and Credit Agricole 9.49%. U.S. banks also lost ground. Citigroup has lost more than 6%.

Oil prices also ended sharply lower, on expectations of lower energy consumption in a recession.