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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

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.

A depreciation of 798 million euros spent on Greek sovereign debt held in the portfolio has plunged the quarterly Commerzbank in the red and forced the second German bank to abandon its annual targets.

"We continue to be incurred by our original goal of an operating profit of four billion euros for the group, but given the market environment, we will not be able to reach next year" , said Friday Martin Blessing, CEO of Commerzbank.

In early trade on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange, the title of the bank fell by 5.53% to 1.656 euro while the index grouping the European banking stocks gained 0.61%.

Having already reduced its exposure to the most indebted countries in the euro area over 20% to 13 billion euros, a discount of 52% spent on the Greek securities, Commerzbank said it would continue to reduce its portfolios of sovereign debt issued by Portugal, Italy, Spain, Ireland and Greece.

The bank charged an operating loss of 855 million euros in the third quarter against a profit of 116 million a year ago and a Reuters consensus of 683 million euros.

The profits generated by the core business of Commerzbank – loans to medium-sized German companies – continued to be substantial, said the bank to 344 million euros.

The head of the European Financial Stability Fund (EFSF) on a visit to Beijing assured, there is no "negotiation" on the future role of China in the fund but "regular consultation". Nicolas Sarkozy (bottom right) attacked Silvio Berlusconi (bottom left) at the European Summit of October 23, 2011

"There are no ongoing negotiations with China" in Chinese investment in the European Financial Stability Fund (EFSF), said Friday in Beijing's director, Klaus Regling, citing only "regular consultation". Mr. Regling is visiting China in the wake of the announcement of an agreement anti-crisis in Europe which includes strengthening the capacity for action of the EFSF to help indebted countries.His visit was seen as a sign that the EFSF would seek financial support from China, the second global economy has a huge cushion of reserves and already has European debt.

But "there are no ongoing negotiations with China," only "regular consultations at an early stage," said Regling warning: "There will be no agreement today" . "I had contacts with the Chinese authorities, (which) are regular buyers of bonds EFSF" Regling said at a news conference, adding that Asia had acquired 40% of the bonds Fund this year. "China will find it a worthwhile investment," said the boss of the EFSF. Since the beginning of the year, Japan has in turn invested 2.68 billion euros, or 20% of total loans issued by the EFSF.

"Until now the only way we asked investors to participate (the fund) was to buy bonds. There was no other instrument," said Mr Regling. But "now we are developing new tools and we will see who will participate," he said without elaborating. "Foreign exchange reserves of China are increasing every month, so there is a need for investment," said Mr. Regling about these reserves of 3,200 billion.

The Chinese "are interested in attractive and safe investment," he noted, before talks at the Ministry of Finance and the Central Bank. The euro area has decided at its summit in Brussels crisis Wednesday and Thursday to multiply the firepower of EFSF for countries in difficulty, Italy or Spain. Its response capacity would increase to 1,000 billion euros.

The Markit PMI fell below 50 in October, indicating a contraction in activity. View of the Port of Marseille

The French economy contracted in October, according to the PMI index released Monday by the firm Markit, which fell to the lowest in twenty-nine months, to 46.8 points in October against 50.2 in September. " The French private sector falters and comes into contraction zone at the beginning of the fourth quarter, "said Jack Kennedy, economist at Markit, said in the statement of the firm. "The impact of European debt crisis in the real economy may be felt, especially on trust and the level of demand," said Kennedy.

According to the study, the activity of the French private sector declined for the first time since the summer of 2009 in October.The 50 points, the index has gone down, marks the boundary between phases of expansion and contraction phases of the activity. The decline in the index below this threshold is the result of a sharp decline in activity in the services sector, the highest since 27 months, he said. Mr. Kennedy explained that the growth had so far relied on the services sector and noted that "manufacturing output declined for the third consecutive month."

The economist has estimated that these numbers could result in "a significant quarterly rate of contraction of gross domestic product (in the range of 0.5-0.6%)." "The curve is currently followed by the activity lets consider a recession, unless a quick turnaround." The PMI, compiled from a survey of 750 companies operating in France, is a leading indicator of economic conditions, considered reliable by analysts.The provisional figure released Thursday based on a percentage of responses from about 85%.

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.

Emerging nations demand that the governance of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) be reformed before they inject new capital, said Friday the president of Brazil Dilma Rousseff.

These remarks came as some voices in the G20 countries that the IMF to receive new funds to help Europe in particular.

Brazil is prepared to increase its contribution to the IMF, but he wants in return, emerging economies have more a say.

"Emerging markets may be asked to participate in the capitalization of the Fund (…) But for this they need to be more involved in managing the Fund, "said Dilma Rousseff at an event held in Porto Alegre in southern Brazil.

Last month, Brazil, combined with all other countries of BRIC – Russia, India, China and South Africa – had tried to coordinate support for the euro area.

Brazilian policy makers hope that the meeting of G20 finance ministers and central bankers held in Paris on Friday and Saturday leading to action.

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.

Several countries opposed to the maintenance of European budgets that fund free meals for more than 13 million people. With 80% of EU funds within the associations could distribute 130 million meals in less than in 2012.

A meeting of the "last chance" is scheduled in Brussels on Tuesday to prevent a drastic reduction of a European food aid to the poor from agricultural funds. If no agreement is reached, the program will increase from 480 million euros per year to 113.5 million euros in 2012.Currently several European states form a blocking minority which opposes the continued existence of the annual budget of the European Programme of assistance to the poor (MDP) – funded by the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) – the result of a decision of the European Court of Justice in April.

Four charities have warned Monday in Paris that the decline of European funds allocated to the poor could cause a "tsunami food" in countries of the European Union. Les Restos du Coeur, Secours populaire, the Red Cross and the French Federation of Food Banks (FFBA) have called on ministers to "take responsibility" to find a solution quickly and avoid a "humanitarian crisis" in 2012. "We are facing a new situation (…) While there has never been more demand, there has never been so many threats on our action," said Olivier Berthe, president of the Eating Heart.With 80% of European funds and less, "the associations are likely to distribute 130 million meals in less than in 2012," said Didier Piard, head of advocacy at the Red Cross.

According to one European diplomat, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, the Czech Republic, Denmark, and Sweden have so far opposed a transitional formula that would overcome the objections of the Court of Justice and maintain the MDP at current levels for 2012 and 2013."We have nothing against helping the needy, but this is social policy, which is the responsibility of Member States," said a diplomat from one of these states.

13 million people in need

This program, established in 1987 under the leadership of the President of the European Commission at the time, Jacques Delors, in response to the call of the founder of the "Restos du Coeur" Coluche, helps distribute through 240 charitable organizations, support of European stocks pulled the CAP to more than 13 million people. Nineteen of the 27 EU states benefit, at whose head Italy, Poland and France.

But the last two years, the inventory level was so low that the EU had to compensate for large purchases of food destined for food banks.Following a complaint from Germany, the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg in April estimated that these purchases were incompatible with the CAP, requiring the Commission to bring the envelope for years to come at the existing stocks, or 113.5 million euros.

A prospect that provoked an outcry. The European Commission has finally found a way around the objections of the Court, but now faces the blocking minority. In recent days, several states in favor of maintaining the program at its current level have engaged in intense lobbying skeptical countries to try to convince at least one, and thus to shatter the blocking minority, explained diplomats.

European shares ended sharply higher Wednesday for the President of the European Commission José Manuel Barroso to present options for the introduction of euro bonds that endorsed a market, which remains concerned about the exposure of banks to sovereign debt.

The CAC 40 index ended up 1.87% to 2949.14 points, after opening down nearly 1.5%, confirming the already observed high volatility the day before.

Other major European markets, London was up 1.02%, 3.36% of Frankfurt and Milan to 2.69%.The pan-European Euro Stoxx 50 index gained 2.29%, but its implied volatility index remains at levels close to those recorded in August despite a decrease of 4.86% on Wednesday.

"The configurations of the lowest values ​​make you want to buy for those who like to put in front of the trend. Oversold is strong, with significant support.In the medium term, we begin to address our exposure, "said Valerie Gastaldy, an analyst at Day By Day graphic.

"In the short term, the market tent up, but nothing is well established," does nuance.

BACK safe havens

European banks (0.51%) continue to worry investors, especially with Moody's downgraded a notch notes of Societe Generale (-2.88%) and Credit Agricole (1.22%).

Swedish bank Swedbank lost 5.55% and the Belgian KBC 4.29%, while BNP Paribas, she was accused (-3.93%), the largest drop in the CAC 40 after announcing a reduction size of its balance sheet by about 10% by the end of 2012.

"The theme of the rulers continue to pollute the market environment.Within the European indices, banks once again accuse the largest declines due to exposure to sovereign debt.We also see that the volatility particularly for banks, "said Benedict Peloille, equity strategist at Natixis.

The real estate industry has accused the only sector down (-0.72%), penalized by several downward revisions of earnings estimates by analysts for several days.

However, the automobile (5.08%), including the Frankfurt Motor Show opens its doors to the public from September 15 to 25 after two days reserved for the press, the best performing European sector, supported in particular by redemption with it, the sector still showing a decline of more than 31% since July 22.

The relative optimism of investors has resulted in a marked rise in the performance of the German government bond (Bund) to 10 years to around 1.88% against 1.79% the day before closing. The other safe haven, gold, for its part has given up 0.88% to 1,817.15 dollars per ounce.

The euro, which was passed under $ 1.36 in the morning, rose against the greenback around 1.3706 dollars (0.17%).