Panama Canal upgrade remains at standstill amid $1.6 bn cash gap

Panama Canal upgrade remains at standstill amid $1.6 bn cash gap

 

Panama City (AFP)

 

Work on expanding the Panama Canal is unlikely to resume Saturday as local officials face negotiations with foreign builders after the project was halted in a dispute over cost overruns.

 

The multi-billion-dollar plan to build larger locks on the 80-kilometer (50-mile) waterway linking the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans stopped Friday in a row over who will pay an additional $1.6 billion (1.2 billion euros) bill.

 

The independent Panama Canal Authority (ACP) and GUPC consortium -- a group of international builders headed by Spain's Sacry Vallehermoso -- exchanged proposals throughout the day, but without a deal.

 

"We keep open the possibility of reaching an agreement, and we are making an effort towards that goal," said ACP chief Jorge Quijano.

 

According to the builders, "talks with the ACP are ongoing and are expected to continue next week."

 

Bankers financing the 3.2 billion contract (2.3 billion euros) to expand the canal visited the worksite on Friday.

 

The project is designed to widen the canal so that massive cargo ships can pass through.

 

It is one of the world's most ambitious biggest civil engineering projects and was due to be completed next year.

 

The builders have said completion may be delayed by up to five years.

 

The consortium has accused the Panama Canal Authority of breaking off negotiations.

 

It says the authority failed in obligations to pay a $50 million bill and to help pay workers and subcontractors.

 

GUPC had offered to split the cost of finishing the dig with the Canal Authority and then let arbitrators decide who pays for the overrun.

 

The Panamanians suggest a deal could be reached if the builders commit to specific dates for stages of the job to be ready.

 

There would also be a ban on further cost overruns.

 

The GUPC claims unforseen geological difficulties have forced them to spend much more on cement than expected.

 

They say that they based their estimates on data provided by the Canal Authority that was incorrect.

 

The consortium of builders includes Italy's Impreglio, Jan de Nul from Belgium, and Panama's Constructora Urbana.

 

The original canal, built by the United States mostly with workers brought in from the Caribbean, was completed in 1914.

 

It offers a shortcut and safer journey for maritime traffic, is used by 13,000-14,000 ships each year, handling five percent of world sea trade.

 

The canal generates $960 million a year for Panama, nearly 10 percent of the country's total annual income

 

(Agence France-Presse, 8 Saturday February 2014 The Roman)

 

http://www.afp.com/en/news/topstories/panama-canal-upgrade-remains-standstill-amid-16-bn-cash-gap

 

Spain-led venture halts work on Panama canal over $1.6 bn overrun

Spain-led venture halts work on Panama canal over $1.6 bn overrun

 

[caption id="attachment_12031" align="alignnone" width="400"] (View of halted expansion works at Panama Canal locks, in Cocoli, near Panama City, on 5 Wednesday February 2014 The Roman (AFP, Rodrigo Arangua))[/caption]

 

By Katell Abiven (AFP)

 

Madrid — A Spanish-led consortium said Friday it has halted work on expanding the Panama canal, which handles five percent of world sea trade, in a row about cost overruns.

 

The multi-billion-dollar project to build extra locks on the 80-kilometre (50-mile) waterway linking the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans ground to a halt because of a dispute over who will pay for $1.6 billion (1.2 billion euros) in overruns.

 

"While awaiting an agreement to enable the finalisation of construction, work has been suspended on the project," said a statement by the GUPC consortium, led by Spanish construction group Sacyr.

 

The project to widen the canal so massive cargo ships can pass through it -- one of the biggest civil engineering operations in the world -- was due to be completed next year.

 

But GUPC has said completion may be delayed by up to five years, as each side has accused the other of breaking the deal.

 

The European Union's industry commissioner, Antonio Tajani, who has mediated the dispute, warned that the interruption of the dig would be "bad news" for the world economy.

 

The consortium accused the Panama Canal Authority of breaking off negotiations.

 

It says the authority failed in obligations to pay a $50 million bill and to help pay workers and subcontractors.

 

GUPC had offered to split the cost of finishing the dig with the canal authority and then let arbitrators decide who pays for the overrun.

 

It said late Thursday it had submitted a further new proposal to settle the dispute.

 

"The GUPC continues as always to seek an agreement on co-financing in line with the contracts and relevant legislation, with the aim of a joint and immediate resolution," the consortium said.

 

The canal authority had claimed on Wednesday that the builders had already stopped work, but Sacyr denied that at the time, insisting it was seeking to avoid a shutdown.

 

The canal is being widened to permit the passage of ships carrying up to 12,000 containers, twice the current limit.

 

But the disputed contract to build a third set of locks, due initially to be completed this year, was already running nine months late and since the beginning of this year work has slowed down further.

 

GUPC is in dispute with the canal authority in part over geological difficulties which have obliged the builders to spend much more on cement than expected.

 

The canal, completed in 1914 to offer a short cut and safer journey for maritime traffic, is used by 13,000-14,000 ships each year.

 

Copyright © 2014 AFP. All rights reserved.

 

(Agence France-Presse, 7 Friday February 2014 The Roman)

 

 

Budget: les fonctionnaires sont bien dans le collimateur Budget: Officials are in the crosshairs

Budget: les fonctionnaires sont bien dans le collimateur

 

François Hollande va présider, samedi 8 février, un nouveau comité stratégique de la dépense publique afin de faire le point sur les pistes d'économies budgétaires. A ce stade, le gel de l'avancement des fonctionnaires est bien à l'étude malgré les dénégations du ministre de l'Education nationale

 

[caption id="attachment_11978" align="alignnone" width="580"] (Bercy a les dépenses de fonction publique dans le collimateur (Olivier Laffargue-BFM-TV)) (Bercy public spending in the crosshairs (Olivier Laffargue-BFM-TV))[/caption]

 

François Hollande va présider ce samedi 8 février un nouveau comité stratégique de la dépense publique.

 

Il fera le point avec les ministres concernés sur l'état d'avancement des réflexions sur la recherche de 50 milliards d'euros d'économies budgétaires prévues d'ici à 2017 pour financer les baisses de charges du pacte de responsabilité.

 

Depuis une confidence, mercredi 5 février, de Vincent Peillon, le ministre de l'Education nationale, expliquant que le gel temporaire des avancements et promotions des fonctionnaires est à l'étude pour tenter de dégager 1,2 milliard d'euros, l'affaire gène l'exécutif.

 

A preuve, Bernard Cazeneuve a affirmé, ce 7 février à l'AFP: "les fonctionnaires ont déjà fait beaucoup d'économies, la stabilisation du point d'indice, la stabilisation des effectifs", a déclaré le ministre.

 

"Je ne suis pas du tout dans l'approche de l'opposition qui consiste à considérer qu'un fonctionnaire est nécessairement suspect (...) Un fonctionnaire, c'est une richesse".

 

Il n'empêche, pour le seul Etat, les dépenses de personnel représentent, en effet, 132 milliards d'euros sur 334 milliards inscrits au budget, soit 39,6% du total.

 

Toutes fonctions publiques confondues, la masse salariale globale atteint 270 milliards.

 

Difficile donc de faire l'impasse sur ce poste budgétaire si l'on veut faire des vraies économies.

 

La CGT réclame une hausse des traitements des fonctionnaires

 

Ce n'est pas anormal de poser la question des promotions!".

 

Voilà ce que l'on dit au plus haut niveau.

 

La masse salariale des fonctionnaires est bel et bien un sujet dans le cadre des economies massives à réaliser à l'horizon 2017.

 

Si on veut jouer dessus, il n 'y a pas 36 solutions : soit on réduit l'emploi, soit on réduit les salaires.

 

Cette dernière piste semble être en reflexion.

 

Car il y a actuellement dans la fonction publique de nombreux effets de carrières, dont des promotions automatiques qui ont un coût.

 

La Cour des Comptes a déjà recommandé d'en diminuer le nombre.

 

Alors, un gel integral ? On en est pas là, nous dit on dans l'entourage de François Hollande.

 

Le dossier est explosif, car les syndicats de fonctionnaires sont à cran.

 

Il n'ont eu aucune hausse générale de leur salaire depuis 2010.

 

Jeudi, sur BFMTV, Thierry Lepaon, le secrétaire général de la CGT, affirmait que la hausse des salaires des fonctionnaires était une priorité !

 

(Mathieu Jolivet et Patrick Coquidé)

 

(BFMTV, 7 vendredi février 2014 le Roman)

 

 

Budget: Officials are in the crosshairs

 

François Hollande will preside, Saturday, Feb. 8, a new strategic committee of public spending in order to take on the slopes of budgetary savings. At this stage, the gel advancement of civil servants is well studied despite denials by the Minister of National Education

 

François Hollande will chair this Saturday 8 February, a new strategic committee of public expenditure.

 

It will update the ministers on the progress of discussions on research 50 billion euros of budget savings planned by 2017 to finance cuts costs Pact responsibility.

 

Since a secret, Wednesday, February 5, Vincent Peillon, the Minister of Education, explaining that the temporary freeze on promotions and promotion of staff is being studied in an attempt to reach € 1.2 billion, the case gene executive.

 

A proof Bernard Cazeneuve said this on February 7th AFP : "Officials have already done a lot of savings, stabilization of the index, the stabilization of the workforce," said the minister.

 

"I 'm not at all in the approach of the opposition is to consider an employee is necessarily suspect (...) An employee is an asset."

 

Nevertheless, for the single state, staff costs represent, in fact, 132 billion euros budgeted 334 billion euros, or 39.6 % of the total.

 

All public functions together, the total payroll reached 270 billion euros.

 

Therefore difficult to ignore this budget item if they want to make real savings.

 

CGT calls for a salary increase for civil servants

 

It is not unusual to ask the question of promotions.

 

That's what they say at the highest level.

 

Payroll staff is indeed a subject in the context of mass to achieve economies by 2017.

 

If you want to play it, there's not 36 solutions: Either cut jobs or wages are reduced.

 

This last track seems to be reflection.

 

Because there currently in the public career of many effects, including automatic promotions which have a cost.

 

The Court of Auditors has recommended to decrease the number.

 

So an integral gel ?

 

It is not there, we are told in the entourage of François Hollande.

 

The file is explosive because unions officials are on edge.

 

He had no general increase in wages since 2010.

 

Thursday on BFMTV, Thierry Lepaon, the secretary general of the CGT, said that the increase in salaries of civil servants was a priority !

 

(Mathieu Jolivet and Patrick Coquidé)

 

(BFMTV, 7 Friday February 2014 The Roman)

(Translated: R.S.F. toshiki speed news press, Agence France-Presse, 7 Friday February 2014 The Roman)

 

Tunisia trims 2014 growth forecast to 3.8%

Tunisia trims 2014 growth forecast to 3.8%

 

[caption id="attachment_11721" align="alignnone" width="400"] (Tunisia’s central bank cut its growth forecast for 2014 to 3.8 percent, down from 4 percent. (File photo: Reuters))[/caption]

 

Tunisia's economy will expand less quickly than hoped this year, the central bank said on Thursday, cutting its growth forecast to 3.8 percent from 4 percent.

 

The economy grew by 3 percent last year.

 

The bank did not say why it was trimming its forecast, which came against a background of turmoil in many emerging economies as the U.S. Federal Reserve scales back its monetary stimulus.

 

The bank said the budget deficit was 8.3 percent of gross domestic product in 2013.

 

Under pressure from international lenders to cut subsidies, the government hopes to reduce it to 6.5 percent this year, according to the 2014 budget.

 

Three years after toppling their autocratic leader Zine El-Abidine Ben Ali in an uprising that inspired other 'Arab Spring' revolts, Tunisia is progressing toward full democracy after approving a new constitution this week.

 

A new caretaker government has taken over to run the country until new elections later this year.

 

But despite political progress, high living costs and a lack of economic opportunities are still the main concerns for many Tunisians.

 

The International Monetary Fund on Wednesday approved a $507 million loan tranche for the North African country, the second part of a $1.5 billion credit agreed at the start of 2013.

 

The central bank said foreign currency reserves stood at11.230bn Tunisian dinars ($6.98bn) by Jan. 28, equal to 102 days of import cover, compared to 106 days a month earlier.

 

(Reuters, Tunis)

 

(Al Arabiya News, 30 Thursday January 2014 The Roman)

 

 

Government outlines budget priorities for next 3 years

Government outlines budget priorities for next 3 years

 

MANILA, Philippines - The Aquino government has put in place a budget priorities framework for the remaining three years of its term aimed at accelerating and sustaining economic growth, eliminating poverty and enhancing transparency and accountability.

 

The national development plan for 2014 to 2016 is designed to address economic constraints and the need for greater state efficiency while building a foundation for faster and inclusive long-term growth.

 

The budget priorities framework prioritizes measures to build a capable, effective state that delivers quality services while reigniting business investment and growth.

 

“How we manage our national budget has a precise and definitive impact on the success of our priority programs and projects. If we ensure enough budgetary support to government initiatives that will bring more Filipinos out of poverty—and if we likewise direct more funds to programs that help drive the economy—we can lay down the foundations for and ultimately catalyze inclusive development in the country,” Budget and Management Secretary Florencio Abad said in a statement.

 

Abad said the plan will guide departments and agencies over the next three years so that the country’s goal of facilitating quick, sustainable development can be fully realized.

 

“The framework is essentially a blueprint of the administration’s broader strategy to eradicate poverty and further stimulate the economy, all while establishing lasting peace, sound climate change programs and policies, and governance reforms that will firmly stay in place even beyond this administration,” he added.

 

The framework is also a preface to the 2015 National Budget, for which preparations will soon be underway.

 

The plan will identify key outcomes that departments and agencies will need to attain as well as geographical focus areas of these strategies so that regions and areas in urgent need of development will be better supported by the national budget.

 

It will also take into account the impact of recent national disasters on the country’s growth strategy, including Super Typhoon Yolanda.

 

“Calamities affect not only the local governments and communities that suffered the brunt of the damage, but also the country’s economic soundness and stability,” Abad said.

 

“The budget priorities framework pays special attention to the setbacks that these disasters present to our pursuit of long-term growth, so we can focus even more intensely on finding solutions that will help us overcome those same challenges. For example, the framework considers the urgent need for a more comprehensive and responsive disaster risk and climate change management strategy, not to mention the immense work ahead of rebuilding and rehabilitating all affected regions,” he added.

 

“Ultimately, what the framework seeks to produce through the next year’s budget is a robust fiscal plan that will allow more Filipinos to benefit from the economic gains we’ve been making. We’ve achieved so much over the last three years; there’s no better time for us to concentrate our efforts on reducing poverty on a large scale, bringing more jobs to more Filipinos, and beefing up industries that can improve our economic performance.”

 

Abad pointed out that the framework is “about ensuring a better and more optimistic future for Filipinos, a goal wholly supported by President Aquino’s good governance and fiscal reform agenda.”

 

(By Zinnia B. Dela Peña, The Philippine Star)

 

(ABC-CBS News, 2 Sunday February 2014 The Roman)

 

Russia economy chief says dire 2013 was 'low point'

Russia economy chief says dire 2013 was 'low point'

 

Moscow (AFP)

 

Russia's economy chief said on Friday that the country had survived the worst of its sharp growth slowdown and was now on the path toward a cautious recovery.

 

But new data revision showed the $1.9-trillion (1.4-trillion-euro) economy expanding by an even worse than expected 1.3 percent in 2013 -- the second-worst performance of Vladimir Putin's 14 years in power and just a quarter of the Kremlin's target.

 

And a precipitous ruble selloff that has sliced seven percent off the currency's value this month and showed few signs of halting on Friday put Putin under still further pressure despite the upbeat forecast.

 

Economy Minister Alexei Ulyukayev rallied to Putin's relief by proclaiming the worst phase of Russia's growth slump over now that agriculture and industry were both picking up steam.

 

"It seems to me that we passed the low point somewhere around the third quarter of 2013," Ulyukayev told a ministerial meeting.

 

Russia's economy grew by 3.4 percent in 2012 and had been clipping along at a seven-percent pace during Putin's first two terms as Kremlin chief between 2000 and 2008.

 

Fitch Ratings on Friday attributed the downshift to a "decline in investment and the inventory cycle" and forecast an expansion rate of 2.0 percent this year -- below the world average and lagging most other big emerging market states.

 

Investor mistrust of Russia's economic reform efforts contributed to the ruble being swept up in a selloff of emerging market currencies at the end of last week.

 

The Russian currency -- subject of two devastating post-Soviet devaluations that forced many to question the wisdom of market economics -- was trading down 0.3 percent against the euro at 47.60 rubles and not far off its historic low.

 

The dollar was worth 35.25 rubles -- up 0.7 percent and once again approaching a five-year high it had set on Wednesday.

 

Russia's Central Bank this year reduced its market interventions as it proceeds with the planned introduction of a fully-convertible ruble exchange rate by the start of 2015.

 

Its First Deputy Chairwoman Ksenia Yudayeva gave the Moscow market a further fright on Wednesday by telling The Wall Street Journal that stress tests showed Russian banks being able handle a 30-percent ruble decline.

 

"Politically, devaluation is an understandable move," said Moscow's Higher School of Economics professor Nikolai Petrov.

 

"We have a large budget deficit (of 0.5 percent of gross domestic product) and there are not enough funds to fulfil Putin's election promises of 2012," Petrov told AFP.

 

"The government consciously took this step."

 

Capital flight risk

 

But economists attribute at least some of the ruble's troubles to a deteriorating current account balance that is being hurt by a steady outflow of foreign investor cash.

 

Capital flight reached $63 billion (46.5 billion euros) in 2013 and the government had hoped to see the figure shrink to $25 billion this year.

 

Yet First Deputy Economy Minister Andrei Klepach said that investors' recent turn against emerging markets could result in up to $35 billion leaving Russia in the first three months of the year alone.

 

He added that recent ruble weakness may translate into more expensive imports that push inflation above its annual target rate of 4.8 percent.

 

The delicate balancing act between a loosening of ruble controls and the fight against nagging inflation prompted the Central Bank Chairwoman Elvira Nabiullina to stress on Thursday that the ruble free-float plan "did not provide for a complete end to intervention."

 

The comment suggests that some authorities are alarmed by the pace of the ruble's deterioration and are now prepared to pursue currency support measures for longer than planned.

 

"The Central Bank appears to be increasingly concerned about the extent of the recent fall," Capital Economics said in a research note.

 

The London-based consultancy estimated that the Central Bank had bought about $5 billion (3.7 billion euros) worth of rubles on the Moscow Exchange in January -- a fraction of the $40 billion a month it was selling during the worst of Russia's 2008-2009 financial crisis.

 

"With some $500 billion in (gold and hard currency) reserves, it can stomach intervention on this scale for some time," Capital Economics said.

 

(Agence France-Presse, 31 Friday January 2014 The Roman)

 

Yokohama city 2014 budget plan

Yokohama city 2014 budget plan

 

都市インフラ構築を加速、２０１４年度予算案を発表／横浜市

 

横浜市の林文子市長は１月３０日、２０１４年度当初予算案を発表した。

 

一般会計は前年度当初比１・４％増の１兆４１８２億円で４年連続のプラス編成。

 

施設等整備費は１８３５億円で、横浜港と羽田空港のハブ化を支える横浜環状道路の整備など都市インフラの構築を加速する。

 

防災対策も引き続き重点配分した。

 

また、昨春に続きゼロ達成を目指す待機児童対策では需要の喚起で申込者が増えたため、保育所整備費を倍増し対応する。

 

国の経済対策を踏まえ、２０１３年度２月補正予算と一体で編成。

 

２月補正と合わせた比較でも０・１％増となった（土地開発公社の解散に関わる経費１３８３億円を除いたベース比較）。

 

増額が目立つのはインフラ整備。

 

都市の骨格となる横浜環状道路などの整備に約１９１億円を盛り込んだ。

 

また、横浜港の国際競争力の強化に向けた「国際コンテナ戦略港湾」整備関連は約８割増の約１６５億円を計上。

 

「神奈川東部方面線」などの鉄道網整備も約３８億円と前年度から５倍超に増えた。

 

ゼロ達成で全国的に注目を集めた待機児童対策では、保育所整備費を前年度の２４億円から約４８億円と倍増させ、認可保育所の受け入れ枠を約３１００人分増やす。

 

一般会計の歳入は市税収入が７１８３億円で２・８％増。

 

市債は１４００億円で１７・６％増えた。

 

市は借入金残高の縮減に加え、新たに「債務返済指数」という財政規律の指標の導入を検討している。

 

歳出は人件費や扶助費など義務的経費が８０７２億円と２・６％増えた。歳出に占める義務的経費の割合は５６・９％となった。

 

予算案の発表会見で林市長は「市長選で掲げた公約を確実に反映した『積極果敢予算』。投資すべき時に投資し、税収を上げる必要がある」と述べた。

 

市債活用の新指標については「成長のための投資と将来の負担減とのバランスを市民にきちんと伝えるための指標だ」と説明した。

 

◆「新たな成功モデルを」、中期計画方向示す市長

 

横浜市は１月３０日、今後４年間で重点的に取り組む施策や事業をまとめた「中期計画」（２０１４～２０１７年度）の基本的方向を打ち出した。

 

待機児童ゼロ継続や災害に強い町づくりなど喫緊の課題に取り組む一方、山下ふ頭の再開発や市営地下鉄３号線延伸の検討など中長期的な政策も盛り込む考え。

 

林文子市長は「課題もあるが、東京五輪など飛躍するチャンスもある。優先順位の明確化、現場主義の徹底、既成概念の打破で新たな成功モデルを生み出す」と意気込みを語った。

 

中期計画では、計画最終年度の２０１７年だけでなく、東京五輪が開催される２０２０年や団塊世代が７５歳を超える２０２５年を戦略目標に設定。

 

中長期政策の方向性として八つの重点テーマからなる「未来のまちづくり戦略」を定めるほか、２０１７年度までの４年間に取り組む基本政策を３６施策として示す。

 

重点テーマ「未来を担う人材づくり」では、待機児童ゼロの継続や留守家庭児童の放課後の居場所の充実を掲げ、「都心臨海部の再生・機能強化」では、山下ふ頭の再開発や次世代型路面電車（ＬＲＴ）など新たな交通システムの検討などを盛り込んでいる。

 

行財政運営については、厳しい財政状況を踏まえ新たな公民連携手法を検討するほか、施策の推進と財政健全性の維持を両立させるために借入金残高の新たな指標「債務返済指数」を検討するとしている。

 

中期計画は５月ごろに素案を作り、パブリックコメントなどを踏まえた上で９～１０月ごろに策定する方針。

 

（神奈川新聞、2014年1月31日）

 

 

Yokohama city 2014 budget plan

 

January 30, Fumiko Hayashi, Mayor of Yokohama has announced the initial budget proposals 2014.

 

General account plus organized for the fourth consecutive year in the 1 trillion 418.2 billion yen of 1.4% increase over the previous year initially.

 

Facilities maintenance expenses were 183.5 billion yen, to accelerate the construction of urban infrastructure such as the development of Yokohama round road to support the hub of Haneda Airport and the Port of Yokohama.

 

Disaster prevention measures was also emphasis allocation continues.

 

In addition, since the applicant has increased in stimulate demand in the children waiting measures aim to achieve zero followed by last spring, the corresponding double the nursery maintenance costs.

 

Based on the economic policy of the country, organized together with the fiscal 2013 supplementary budget in February.

 

It was 0.1 % higher in comparison to match the February correction (Base comparison excluding the 138.3 billion yen expenses related to the dissolution of the Land Development Corporation).

 

Increase is noticeable is infrastructure development.

 

It incorporates approximately 19.1 billion yen in the development of Yokohama round road which is the backbone of the city.

 

In addition, it accounted for approximately 16.5 billion yen of about 8 premium for the strengthening of international competitiveness of the Port of Yokohama is "International Container Port Strategy" maintenance-related.

 

Railway Development such as "Kanagawa eastern district lines" was increased to 5 times more than the previous year and about 3.8 billion yen.

 

The children waiting measures attention nationally zero achievement, doubling approximately 4.8 billion yen from 2.4 billion yen in the previous fiscal year the nursery maintenance costs, and increases by about 3100 persons accepting frame of approved nursery.

 

Revenue of the general account increased 2.8 % in the 718.3 billion yen is tax revenue.

 

City borrow increased 17.6 %, 140 billion yen.

 

Addition to the reduction of outstanding borrowings, the city is considering the introduction of new indicators of fiscal discipline called "debt service index".

 

Mandatory spending such as aid costs and labor costs have increased 2.6 %, 807.2 billion yen the expenditure.

 

Percentage of mandatory spending as a percentage of expenditure was 56.9 %.

 

Hayashi mayor said in the announcement conference budget, "Reflects a commitment to ensure that you set out in mayoral race "aggressive budget". It is necessary to invest in the time to invest, raise tax revenues.”

 

The new index of municipal bond conjugations is, “It is a measure of order to properly convey to the public the balance with a decline and future investment for growth”, she said.

 

-

Mayor indicating direction medium-term plan, “A new model of success"

 

January 30, Yokohama came up with the basic direction summarizes the business and measures to focus over the next four years of the "medium-term plan" (2014 － 2017).

 

While addressing the pressing issues such as town planning and disaster-resistant and children waiting zero continued, thinking that incorporate the policies, such as medium-to long-term study of 3 Line subway extension and redevelopment of Yamashita Pier.

 

Fumiko Hayashi mayor told the enthusiasm, "there is a problem, but to create a new model for success clarification. priority, which is also a chance to leap and Tokyo Olympics, thorough hands-on approach, at the break of the stereotype,” she said.

 

In the medium-term plan, as well as 2017 is last year of the plan, set a strategic goal in 2025 that the baby-boom generation 75 years old and the 2020 Tokyo Olympics will be held.

 

In addition to defining the “Community development strategy of the future" which consists of eight key themes as the direction of the medium-and long-term policy, is shown as 36 measures the basic policy to address the four years up to 2017.

 

In the “Human resource development plays a Future" priority themes, raised to enhance the whereabouts of the absent home after school children and the continuation of children waiting zero, in the "regeneration and enhancement of the urban coastal areas", next-generation and redevelopment of Yamashita Pier, have included the study of a new transportation system, such as tram (LRT).

 

For financial and administrative operations, in addition to considering new civil partnership approach based on the difficult financial situation, as to consider a new indicator of the debt balance to "debt service index" in order to reconcile the maintenance of financial soundness and the promotion of measures have.

 

Medium-term plan policies to be formulated in around September-October on to create a draft in around May, it will be based public comment.

 

(Kanagawa Shimbun, 31 Friday January 2014 The Roman)

(Translated: R.S.F. toshiki speed news press, Agence France-Presse, 31 Friday January 2014 The Roman)

 

 

NSA and Obama: Yes, We Can

NSA and Obama: Yes, We Can

 

Why is President Obama so permissive with regard to excesses of US intelligence apparatus?

 

Stephan Richter

 

Stephan Richter is the publisher and editor-in-chief of The Globalist, the daily online magazine, and a columnist in newspapers around the world.

 

[caption id="attachment_11470" align="alignnone" width="680"] (NSA’s goal to make the US 'safe' is not deliverable and comes at great cost [Getty])[/caption] 

Few of his supporters would have ever thought that Barack Obama's famous 2008 presidential campaign slogan would end up turning into the collective mantra of the US intelligence community during his term in office.

 

But here we are: "Yes, We Can" is the best way to describe the arrogant attitude of the more than 50,000 spooks employed by the US government, whenever they are faced with any questions pertaining to the legitimacy of their actions.

 

Their arrogance is as breathtaking, as are their mostly phony protestations of operating under a carefully calibrated web of checks and balances.

 

And Mr Obama's timidity in tackling both phenomena is astonishing for a man who is a constitutional lawyer by training.

 

At this stage, the memory of the Church Committee is not just faint, but depressing.

 

In 1975, Idaho Senator Frank Church chaired a special committee - the forerunner of the Senate Intelligence Committee - and mounted a vigorous, no-holds-barred investigation of the overreach of the spying agencies during the Nixon era.

 

The idea that a similarly vigorous defence of the vitality of American democracy, much needed though it is, could be mounted is simply unimaginable today.

 

By whom?

 

California Senator Dianne Feinstein, the current Senate Intelligence Committee chair?

 

A question of oversight

 

The current set of characters on Capitol Hill has given a new meaning to the hallowed term "Congressional Oversight".

 

It's no longer about effective legislative checks-and-balances on the actions of the executive branch.

 

The 'oversight' now practised in Congress is thus of the kind where one consciously overlooks something critical that is right under one's eyes - oversight as deliberate lapses, not providing the constitutionally mandated counterweight.

 

Rather than seeing their role as sentries against the executive branch's gradual slide into a surveillance state, these fine members of Congress have a different "vision".

 

Eyes wide shut, they see themselves as the intelligence apparatus's advocates and propellants.

 

Under those circumstances, no falsehood or lie even by the most senior intelligence officials, such as by Director of National Intelligence James R Clapper, has any consequences any longer.

 

The "oversight" now practised in Congress is thus of the kind where one consciously overlooks something critical that is right under one's eyes - oversight as deliberate lapses, not providing the constitutionally mandated counterweight.

 

But what about Barack Obama?

 

Why has he been so captured by the apparatus?

 

The bubble in the White House is one reason.

 

Relative youth and inexperience another.

 

Fear of being held accountable "in case something happens" a third.

 

But let's keep personality traits and political considerations to the side.

 

Obama's hesitation to stand up for democratic controls of the intelligence machinery is indicative of a fundamental misconception of American freedom.

 

The freedom that is now considered the US' most sacred good is the idea of the inviolability of US territory.

 

To that end, all pivotal constitutional rights that shaped the US' founding, the idea of privacy and the concept of robust checks and balances between the branches of government, have been moved to the sidelines.

 

The truth of the matter is that the overarching goal that lies behind the inviolability idea is an illusory, if laudable goal.

 

Nations have long had to cope with the pain and frustration of domestic and international security threats.

 

Like it or not, it is part of being alive.

 

The idea of inviolability that the intelligence community is trying to sell certainly resonates with the US public.

 

Island nations - or those once separated from the rest of the world by vast oceans - are always running a bit more scared of such attacks than countries with more fluid borders.

 

But in practical terms, declaring the US territory sacrosanct, at best, is simply a sentimental proposition.

 

It cannot be delivered.

 

Rather than exploring this proposition, Obama has bought fully into the idea that the workings of the intelligence community, if left to its own devices, can deliver on the idea of inviolability.

 

Seeking protection

 

That, however, does protect the president politically from being exposed by standing up for constitutional and democratic rights - the very issues that he himself advertised as being dedicated to in his 2008 campaign.

 

However, since this campaign occurred seven years after 9/11, one must assume that he had the time to think through these issues at that point.

 

Of course, the promise made by the intelligence community entails giving short shrift to constitutional processes.

 

Obama's response?

 

So be it.

 

That's the price we have to pay to stay safe.

 

That's the same kind of circular and closed logic sold by George W Bush.

 

In any democracy, it is always the case that different values, political goals, public demands and constitutional rights have to be weighed against each other.

 

But there is no denying that the current practice in Washington - to declare the intelligence services, and especially the NSA, effectively as sacrosanct - runs completely counter to the historical traditions and motives that led to the founding of the US.

 

Acts of terrorism are, in the end, unavoidable.

 

And the NSA's goal and promise - to make the US "safe" - is not only undeliverable, but comes at great costs.

 

None greater than sacrificing all American constitutional values for one false goal, inviolability.

 

A technology-based cordon sanitaire?

 

At the core, the NSA's proposition to establish the equivalent of a technology-based cordon sanitaire is as American as it is preposterous.

 

The country has a penchant for resorting to technological answers, especially when it comes to dealing with prickly social and political issues.

 

Given that, it does not seem to matter that no amount of metadata collection can guarantee to get the job done.

 

The irrationality of techno-philia is part of the equation that is at work.

 

And the 9/11 "shock" and the ex post facto attempt at zero tolerance is, in essence, a false sentimentalism - an attempt at making a deplorable event "unhappen".

 

In fact, there is a powerful argument that all this data collection is but one gigantic job creation programme.

 

Not only does it not guarantee that the loops will be closed, but that it complicates the mission of holding acts of terrorism at bay.

 

Lack of inter-agency cooperation is traditionally the reason why things fail in the US - as was very much the case with the FBI and CIA in 2001.

 

Ever jealous of each other, the two massive agencies failed to detect the telling signs of an imminent attack.

 

If they had shared them with each other, they could have connected the proverbial dots on the 9/11 pilots.

 

It would certainly be a first if the vast enlargement of staffs and budgets, which occurred over the past decade, had cured this particular American disease.

 

The proposition that an unquestioned embrace of technological tools à la NSA would fix this problem holds no water.

 

All it does is to improve the sales prospects of tech marketing firms.

 

Stephan Richter is the publisher and editor-in-chief of The Globalist, the daily online magazine, and a columnist in newspapers around the world.

 

The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeera's editorial policy.

 

(Source: Al Jazeera)

 

(Al Jazeera, 29 Wednesday January 2014 The Roman)

 

2014 National Budget 95.9 Trillion yen, the maximum in the history

2014 National Budget 95.9 Trillion yen, the maximum in the history

 

２０１４年度国家予算９５・９兆円　過去最大

 

政府は１２月２０日、２０１４年度国家予算案の全容を固めた。

 

一般会計総額は２０１３年度当初比３兆３千億円増の９５兆９千億円で、当初予算では過去最大となる。

 

（神奈川新聞、２０１３年１２月２１日）

 

 

2014 National Budget 95.9 Trillion yen, the maximum in the history

 

20 December 2013, the Japanese government has consolidated its fiscal year 2014 National Budget.

 

General account total at 95 trillion 9 hundred billion yen of 3 trillion 300 billion yen larger from the fiscal 2013 initial ratio, it is the largest ever in the initial budget.

 

(Kanagawa Shimbun, 21 Saturday December 2013 The Roman)

(Translated: R.S.F. toshiki speed news press, Agence France-Presse, 21 Saturday December 2013 The Roman)

 

 

Aston Villa 0 Manchester United 3: match report

Aston Villa 0 Manchester United 3: match report

 

Read a full match report for the Premier League game between Aston Villa and Manchester United at Villa Park on Sunday, December 15 2013.

 

[caption id="attachment_10783" align="alignnone" width="400"] (Celebrations: Manchester United players congratulate each other after scoring against Villa (Photo ACTION IMAGES))[/caption]

 

David Moyes walked slightly nervously towards the away dug-out for the first half, politely declining a request for an autograph from a lady in an Aston Villa beanie.

 

Making the same touchline journey for the ­second period, Moyes was far more relaxed, signing that autograph and shaking hands, having watched his much-criticised Manchester United side dominate Villa, scoring twice through Danny Welbeck.

 

By the end, Moyes was really smiling, having seen more sublime passing from Wayne Rooney and having admired Tom Cleverley crown a hard-working display with a well-taken goal, a moment that will do much for the midfielder’s confidence.

 

Moyes knows he will face far more robust challenges than this from an anaemic Villa side but this Premier League win, a first in five, still felt like a real tonic for the United manager.

 

The headlines will froth with less angst and abuse.

 

The phone-in polemics will simmer down.

 

Hysteria has left the building (for the time being).

 

Christmas now resembles a time of goodwill.

 

United have West Ham United at home followed by trips to Hull City and Norwich City.

 

They will certainly be buoyed by this visit to the Midlands.

 

Other pluses included the performances of Antonio Valencia and Rafael, who linked well and crossed impressively; 48.1 per cent of United’s moves came down the right compared to 25.7 per cent through the centre and 26.2 per cent via the left.

 

Darren Fletcher came on for his first game since Boxing Day 2012 after battling ulcerative colitis and his every touch was cheered by the United throng.

 

Phil Jones and Jonny Evans were rarely troubled at the back because Villa were so poor.

 

As potential ambushes go, this proved more of a welcome mat.

 

Seven points from a possible 24 at home is an alarming return for Villa and the Holte End was admirably restrained at the final whistle.

 

Barring an enterprising opening 10 minutes when Marc Albrighton twice tested David De Gea, Paul Lambert’s side were outclassed.

 

They lacked leadership on the field, ideas and defensive cohesion.

 

Only Albrighton seemed prepared to take on the champions with the requisite levels of invention and poise.

 

Villa were again handicapped by Christian Benteke’s loss of the swagger that made him such a potent force last season.

 

Benteke’s goals helped to keep Villa up and they urgently need him back in the old defence-shredding routine to prevent any slide and also dispel any suggestion that the Belgian looks a transfer request waiting to happen.

 

Gabby Agbonlahor was briefly influential but otherwise cautioned, ruling him out of the trip to Stoke City next Saturday.

 

Experienced Villa observers voiced their frustration.

 

“I just despair at times,’’ said their former striker Dean Saunders, who was covering the game for Radio Five Live.

 

“I know there’s a difference in budget but I watch the strikers and Agbonlahor, Benteke and [substitute Libor] Kozak have not put enough into it.’’

 

Saunders was particularly annoyed by the lack of effort closing down opposing players.

 

“I remember when I was a kid and I didn’t chase the goalkeeper and my youth coach sent me home for a week and told me not to bother coming back until he phoned me. As a striker you’ve got to run and they don’t work hard enough.”

 

Villa were outwitted in midfield.

 

They lined up 4-3-3 but United coped easily with Karim El Ahmadi, Ashley Westwood and Yacouba Sylla in midfield because the exceptional Rooney constantly dropped back to help Cleverley and Ryan Giggs.

 

Villa were either passed through or simply bypassed.

 

United’s speed down the right brought Welbeck’s brace.

 

With Robin van Persie out for a month and Javier Hernandez injured in training, Welbeck took his opportunity emphatically, starting after 15 minutes.

 

Rafael sent in a cross, rising towards Adnan Januzaj, whose header against the post rebounded across goal.

 

Welbeck reacted quickest, volleying the ball in.

 

“We are staying up,’’ came the laughing chant from the visiting fans, mocking reports of their demise.

 

Within three minutes, they were singing “champions” as United tore Villa’s obliging defence apart again.

 

Cleverley was gifted the ball by Nathan Baker in midfield.

 

This time Valencia delivered the ball in for the sliding Welbeck to double the visitors’ lead.

 

Villa were like their manager’s jacket: too short at the back.

 

United were in command.

 

Rooney and Welbeck shot just wide while Januzaj embarked on a couple of dazzling runs before the interval.

 

So Moyes willingly stopped to meet local requests before resuming his position in the dug-out, celebrating a third goal within five minutes.

 

Cleverley exchanged passes with Rooney, whose return was exquisite.

 

Struck with the outside of his right boot, Rooney delivered the ball behind Villa’s defence for Cleverley to run on and shoot past Brad Guzan.

 

Villa were beaten.

 

Matthew Lowton ploughed through Januzaj after 64 minutes and was fortunate that Lee Mason deemed it only a yellow.

 

Four minutes later, Moyes removed Januzaj and later called on referees to protect the winger from aggressive tackling.

 

As well as Lowton, El Ahmadi and Westwood caught Januzaj.

 

Each time, Januzaj got up, making light of the fouls.

 

Januzaj and Giggs were replaced by Ashley Young, who was booed by his former supporters in the Holte End, and Fletcher.

 

“Anybody who returns from an illness to play professional football on this kind of stage for a club like Manchester United shows a lot about the boy himself,” Moyes said.

 

“He’s had to be on his own, he’s been in and out of hospital, had operations.

 

“Today was a big message to a lot of people: if you’re not well then keep believing that you can get yourself right. More importantly he came on and didn’t look out of place. He stroked the ball about. I don’t think he gave the ball away. He was really good. I don’t want to put pressure on by saying ‘that is Darren Fletcher back’ because you just never know. It is definitely great for him because if you’ve been someone with maybe your career in jeopardy, to get back out there with the players and put the strip on and play is great. Actually he should have scored with a header and I told him that!’

 

The cloud over Moyes really had lifted.

 

(The Telegraph, 15 Sunday December 2013 The Roman)

 

2013 supplementary national budget decision

2013 supplementary budget decision

 

２０１３年度補正予算案決定

 

政府は臨時閣議を開き、総額５兆４６５４億円の２０１３年度補正予算案を決定した。

 

（神奈川新聞、２０１３年１２月１２日）

 

2013 supplementary national budget decision

 

Government opened the extraordinary cabinet meeting, the government decided the 2013 supplementary national budget of 5 trillion 465.4 billion yen in total.

 

(Kanagawa Shimbun, 12 Thursday December 2013 The Roman)

(Translated: R.S.F. toshiki speed news press, Agence France-Presse, 12 Thursday December 2013 The Roman)

 

Greek Parliament passes 2014 budget aimed at leading economy back to growth rates

Greek Parliament passes 2014 budget aimed at leading economy back to growth rates

 

[caption id="attachment_10641" align="alignnone" width="605"] (Photo Athens News Agency)[/caption]

 

The Greek Parliament passed the 2014 budget with a majority vote in the early hours of Sunday.

 

The Parliament with 153 votes in favor, 142 against and one present vote, ratified the government's budget which envisages the return of the Greek economy to positive growth rates after five years of deep recession.

 

All opposition parties voted against the budget, along with all independent deputies with the exception of George Kasapidis, who voted present.

 

New Democracy deputy Aris Spiliotopoulos was absent from the vote as he was on a trip to the United States for a NATO meeting.

 

Speaking to reporters, shortly after the vote in Parliament, Your Prime Minister Antonis Samaras said that the 2014 budget "was a budget of recovery, prospect and hope".

 

"The voting (of the budget) is a very positive step," the Your Prime Minister stressed.

 

(Athens News Agency, 8 Sunday December 2013 The Roman)

 

Comptes à l'étranger : les "repentis" sont souvent des héritiers Accounts abroad: "repented" are often heirs

Comptes à l'étranger : les "repentis" sont souvent des héritiers

 

[caption id="attachment_10528" align="alignnone" width="400"] (Vue de la ville de Genève. (© Vincent Isore/IP3 press)) (View of the city of Geneva (© Vincent Isore/IP3 press))[/caption]

 

(SOURCE  AFP)

 

La majorité des candidats à la régularisation ont hérité de leur compte en Suisse... et sont aujourd'hui poussés dehors par les banques.

 

Ils sont des milliers à se présenter auprès du fisc pour régulariser leur situation : ces Français titulaires d'un compte non déclaré à l'étranger en ont le plus souvent hérité et sont poussés dehors par les banques, soucieuses de se conformer au nouvel ordre fiscal mondial.

 

Aujourd'hui, Bercy a reçu "plus de 8 500" dossiers de ces "repentis", attirés par les conditions de régularisation permises par la circulaire signée fin juin par le ministre du Budget, Bernard Cazeneuve, a assuré celui-ci lundi.

 

Ce cadre prévoit notamment que les pénalités soient moindres pour les fraudeurs dits "passifs".

 

De fait, selon plusieurs avocats fiscalistes, ceux qui ont hérité d'un compte en Suisse qui dort depuis des années constituent la grande majorité des candidats à la régularisation.

 

"La plupart du temps, ce sont des parents qui souhaitent régulariser une situation inconfortable pour ne pas la transmettre à leurs enfants", explique Meyer Azogui, président de Cyrus Conseil.

 

Mais aussi, précise-t-il, "les banques suisses annoncent clairement qu'elles ne veulent plus de capitaux non déclarés.

 

Elles adoptent désormais des techniques de séduction inversement proportionnelles à celles qu'elles pratiquaient à l'entrée, lorsqu'il s'agissait de séduire de nouveaux clients".

 

Suisses ou non, les banques contactent depuis quelques mois leurs clients français non déclarés pour qu'ils se mettent en règle avec le fisc, n'hésitant pas à menacer d'une fermeture de compte pure et simple.

 

Le "Forum mondial sur la transparence et l'échange de renseignements à des fins fiscales", organisation de 120 pays sous l'égide de l'Organisation de coopération et de développement économiques (OCDE), n'a pas manqué, fin novembre à Jakarta, de lancer un nouvel avertissement à ceux qui tenteraient encore d'échapper aux nouvelles règles mondiales.

 

"Les banques font bien comprendre à leurs clients qu'il faut changer les choses", dit un avocat fiscaliste d'Aix-en-Provence qui a requis l'anonymat.

 

Pour lui, la pression exercée par les banques explique pourquoi il y a en 2013 davantage de "repentis" que trois ans plus tôt, alors même que le dispositif mis en place alors par Éric Woerth était plus intéressant pour les fraudeurs.

 

"Périodes instables"

 

Par ailleurs, ces clients héritiers sont aussi ceux qui, le plus souvent, n'ont pas les plus gros comptes.

 

Selon Pierre Dedieu, avocat associé de CMS Bureau Francis Lefebvre, "l'essentiel des dossiers concernent des comptes de moins de un million d'euros".

 

Or, les banques étrangères, toujours par crainte d'être pénalisées, sont très réticentes à autoriser les retraits en liquide "donc les titulaires ne peuvent pas rapporter l'argent en deux-trois voyages", ironise-t-il.

 

Reste que si l'héritage a été fait après le 1e janvier 2007, s'ajoute aux pénalités le rattrapage des droits de succession, une situation qui peut obliger à régler au fisc jusqu'à la moitié du capital.

 

"Les dossiers que nous traitons reflètent les grandes périodes d'instabilité de l'histoire contemporaine", explique Pierre Dedieu.

 

Il cite le Front populaire, la guerre de 39-45, mais aussi Mai 68, qui a conduit beaucoup de familles bourgeoises à sortir leurs fonds, ou encore 1981, lorsque l'arrivée de la gauche au pouvoir a fait craindre des confiscations.

 

Ceux qui auraient utilisé sciemment ce compte à l'étranger, qu'ils l'aient ouvert ou non, pour dissimuler rémunérations occultes ou rétrocommissions sont évidemment rares.

 

"Ils savent qu'en contactant le fisc ils prennent un risque pénal quasi avéré et, du coup, ne choisissent pas la régularisation", analyse ce spécialiste.

 

De fait, selon un avocat fiscaliste parisien ayant requis l'anonymat, le chiffre de 8 500 dossiers de demande de régularisation est "ridicule si on considère que, rien qu'en Suisse, il y a plus de 100 000 comptes détenus par des Français".

 

Un argument que ne partagent pas la plupart des autres conseils interrogés.

 

Pour Pierre Dedieu, en plus des résultats de la cellule Woerth et des régularisations spontanées depuis, "on va arriver à environ 15 000 régularisations depuis 2009".

 

Et le bénéfice pour l'État pourrait, selon lui, être même supérieur au milliard d'euros espéré par le gouvernement en 2014.

 

(Le Point, 3 mardi décembre 2013 le Roman)

 

 

Accounts abroad: "repented" are often heirs

 

(SOURCE  AFP)

 

The majority of candidates to stabilize inherited their account in Switzerland ... and are now pushed out by banks.

 

There are thousands to stand with the taxman to regularize their situation : the French holders of undeclared foreign account most often inherited and are pushed out by the banks concerned to comply with the new tax order world.

 

Today Bercy received  over 8,500" records of the "repented", attracted by the regularization conditions permitted by circular signed by the end of June Budget Minister Bernard Cazeneuve assured it Monday.

 

The framework provides that the penalties are lower for the so-called "passive" fraudsters.

 

In fact, according to several tax lawyers, who have inherited a Swiss account sleeping for years constitute the vast majority of applicants for regularization.

 

"Most of the time, these are parents who wish to regularize an uncomfortable situation so as not to pass on to their children," said Meyer Azogui, President Cyrus Council.

 

But also, he says, "Swiss banks announce clearly that they want more not been declared. They are now adopting seduction techniques inversely proportional to those they practiced at the entrance, wheres' was to attract new customers."

 

Swiss or not, contact the bank for a few months their French customers unreported for them to put in good standing with the IRS, not hesitating to threaten closure straightforward account.

 

The "Global Forum on Transparency and Exchange of Information for Tax Purposes," organization of 120 countries under the auspices of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), has not failed in late November to Jakarta to launch a new warning to those who try to escape again to new global rules.

 

"The banks understand their customers need to change things," said a tax lawyer in Aix  Provence, who requested anonymity.

 

For him, the pressure exerted by banks explains why there is more in 2013 "repented" that three years earlier, even though the system put in place by then Eric Woerth was more attractive to fraudsters.

 

"Unstable periods"

 

Moreover, these heirs customers are also those who most often do not have the biggest accounts.

 

According to Pierre Dedieu, partner at CMS Bureau Francis Lefebvre lawyer, "most of the cases involve accounts of less than one million euros."

 

However, foreign banks, always in fear of being penalized, are very reluctant to allow cash withdrawals "so owners can not bring money in two to three trips," he quips.

 

Yet if the legacy was made after 1 January 2007, in addition to the penalties catching inheritance, a situation that may require tax to be paid at up to half the capital.

 

"The issues we deal reflect major instability periods of modern history," said Pierre Dedieu.

 

He cites the Popular Front, the war of 39-45, but in may 68, which has led many middle-class families to leave their land or even 1981, when the arrival of the left in power was fear of confiscation.

 

Those who have knowingly used this account abroad, whether they open or not, to conceal hidden fees or kickbacks are obviously rare.

 

"They know that they are contacting the IRS criminal risk almost proved and, hence, do not choose the regularization,” this analysis specialist.

 

In fact, according to a Parisian tax lawyer who requested anonymity, the figure of 8,500 files application for regularization is "ridiculous if we consider that, in Switzerland alone, there are over 100,000 accounts held by French.”

 

An argument that is not shared with most other councils surveyed.

 

Pierre Dedieu, plus the results of the cell Woerth and spontaneous adjustments since, “We’ll get about 15,000 corrections since 2009."

 

And the benefit to the state could, according to him, be even higher than the one billion euros expected by the government in 2014.

 

(Le Point, 3 Tuesday December 2013 The Roman)

(Translated: R.S.F. tohiki speed news press, Agence France-Presse, 4 Wednesday December 2013 The Roman)

 

Emmanuel Hoog : «L'AFP veut devenir le leader mondial de l'information sportive» Emmanuel Hoog: "The AFP wants to become the world's leading sports information”

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Emmanuel HOOG.-L'AFP est assise sur des bases très solides mais j'ai mis l'accent sur le développement de la vidéo et du chiffre d'affaires à l'international. Aujourd'hui, l'international représente 55 % de notre chiffre d'affaires commercial contre 50 % quand je suis arrivé. Nous diffusons 200 vidéos par jour, toutes langues confondues. Ce volume a triplé en quatre ans. C'est grâce à la vidéo que nous pouvons décrocher de nouveaux contrats à l'étranger en Amérique du Sud, Europe et Asie.



L'AFP présente sa nouvelle offre de sport pour les JO de Sotchi et la Coupe du monde au Brésil. Allez-vous y intégrer Twitter?



Le sport est un domaine d'excellence de l'AFP car nous suivons le football, un sport à rayonnement international, mieux que nos concurrents américains Associated Press et Reuters. Le sport représente déjà 25 à 35 % de notre offre mais 12 % de notre chiffre d'affaires car nous ne vendons pas encore le sport sous forme de fil dédié sauf dans quelques pays étrangers. Notre grand projet est de commercialiser maintenant la thématique sportive au sens large (résultat, économie, social et people) sous forme de fil autonome et à travers des applications. L'AFP veut devenir le leader mondial des agences de presse dans le domaine du sport. L'agence de presse de demain doit à la fois rester généraliste et aussi disposer d'un domaine d'excellence, comme Reuters l'est dans l'économie. Nous, c'est le sport.



Twitter est-il un concurrent?



Non. Twitter est un acteur majeur de l'économie de l'information. Mais Twitter crée du bruit et de l'incertitude. Notre métier est de vérifier les informations. Comparer Twitter à un fil d'actualité n'a pas de sens! Nos dépêches font plus de 140 caractères et ne se limitent pas aux faits mais les replacent dans un contexte et donnent des explications. Nous sommes une agence de presse, une news agency au sens anglo-saxon, nous existons depuis plus de 180 ans et nous avons connu beaucoup de changements comme l'apparition de la radio, de la télévision, de l'Internet et maintenant des réseaux sociaux. Nous devons développer des passerelles avec Twitter mais nous restons un acteur majeur de l'information.



L'AFP met l'accent sur la vidéo. Allez-vous créer une chaîne YouTube?



« Il est plus rentable d'attaquer directement le marché des télévisions et de l'Internet avec nos vidéos que de faire une chaîne YouTube.»



Emmanuel Hoog



Nos vidéos sont déjà présentes sur YouTube mais nous n'allons pas créer une chaîne car il y a un problème de monétisation. Il est plus rentable d'attaquer directement le marché des télévisions et de l'Internet avec nos vidéos que de faire une chaîne YouTube.



Que représentent les télévisions et l'Internet dans votre activité?



Les télévisions et les sites Internet représentent près de 30 % de notre chiffre d'affaires commercial. Mais, comme les autres clients, ils sont encore avant tout clients du texte et de la photo. La vidéo représentera cette année 6 % de notre chiffre d'affaires contre 0,3 % il y a dix ans et moins de 1 % en 2006. Pour notre concurrent AP, cela représente déjà 25 %, nous allons donc continuer à grandir dans ce domaine.



Vos clients médias vous reprochent de les concurrencer sur le marché grand public.



J'ai toujours dit que l'AFP devait être présente sur Internet. Nous avons totalement refondu notre site afp.com et développé des applis grand public à l'étranger. Internet est important pour développer la notoriété de notre marque à l'étranger et donc pour gagner des parts de marché.



L'AFP est difficile à gérer socialement. Comment est le climat actuel?



Nous sommes une entreprise de coûts fixes et en raison de la déflation des prix des contrats et de la conjoncture économique nous devons adapter nos coûts, tout en gardant intactes nos forces de production éditoriale. Nous avons entamé une négociation sociale pour voir comment adapter l'AFP à ses défis stratégiques et concurrentiels.



L'AFP est-elle rentable?



Oui, nous dégageons une marge de 5 % sur un chiffre d'affaires de 290 millions d'euros, nous devons l'augmenter pour faire face aux nécessaires investissements technologiques d'une quarantaine de millions d'euros sur cinq ans. Et quand je vois que nos concurrents licencient ou font face à des déficits importants, nous devons redoubler de vigilance pour garder cette profitabilité.



Bruxelles a ouvert une enquête vous reprochant de toucher des aides de l'État. Quel est le résultat?



Nous en sommes dans la dernière ligne droite. Bruxelles devrait édicter prochainement les mesures que l'État français doit prendre. Aujourd'hui, l'État verse une dotation sous forme d'abonnements au fil de l'AFP de 120 millions d'euros par an. Nous avons démontré que la mission de l'AFP est une mission d'intérêt général. La Commission européenne devrait entériner les modalités de calcul du coût de cette mission d'intérêt général, l'État restant par ailleurs client de l'AFP. Cette clarification permettra de pérenniser et de sécuriser notre financement.



L'État va-t-il réduire ses abonnements en 2014?



Le projet de loi de finances prévoit au contraire une légère augmentation à 123 millions d'euros.



Votre nom circule pour la présidence de Radio France et de France Télévisions. Êtes-vous candidat?



Je suis engagé à 4000 % à l'AFP. Si mon nom circule, cela relève du domaine de la rumeur alors que je suis dans le domaine de l'information.



(Le Figaro, 24 dimanche novembre 2013 le Roman)





Emmanuel Hoog: "The AFP wants to become the world's leading sports information”



INTERVIEW - In his second term, President and CEO of AFP, co-founder of the Forum d'Avignon, wants to strengthen the development of video and sales abroad.



CEO of the AFP began his second term as head of the news agency. Despite the pressure on prices, the AFP is profitable and wants to enjoy a rich sporting events in 2014 to take a step ahead.



LE FIGARO. -  You begin your second term as head of the AFP. How did you reform this institution?



Emmanuel HOOG. - The AFP is sitting on a very solid foundation, but I focused on the development of video and sales abroad. Today, the International represents 55 % of our commercial business against 50 % when I arrived. We distribute 200 videos per day, in all languages​​. This volume has tripled in four years. It is through the video we can win new contracts abroad in South America, Europe and Asia.



AFP presents its new range of sports for the Olympics in Sochi and the World Cup in Brazil. Are you going to integrate Twitter?



Sport is an area of ​​excellence AFP because we follow the football, a sport with international influence, better than our U.S. competitors Associated Press and Reuters. Sport already represents 25 to 35 % of our offer but 12% of our revenue because we do not yet sell sport as a dedicated wire except in some foreign countries. Our major project is to market now sports theme in the broadest sense (result, economics, social and people) as a standalone thread and across applications. AFP wants to become the world's leading news agencies in the field of sport. The news agency of the future must remain both general and also have an area of ​​excellence, as Reuters is the economy. Us is sport.



Twitter is a competitor?



No. Twitter is a major player in the information economy. But Twitter creates noise and uncertainty. Our job is to verify the information. Compare Twitter to a newsfeed does not make sense ! Our headlines are more than 140 characters and are not limited to the facts but put them back in context and give explanations. We are a news agency, a news agency in the Anglo- Saxon sense, we exist for over 180 years and we have experienced many changes as the emergence of radio, television, the Internet and maintaining social networks. We need to develop links with Twitter but we are a major player in the information.



AFP focuses on video. Will you create YouTube channel?



"It is more profitable to attack the market for televisions and Internet videos with that directly to YouTube channel."



Emmanuel Hoog



Our videos are already on YouTube, but we will not create a chain because there is a problem of monetization. It is more profitable to attack the market for televisions and Internet videos with that directly to YouTube channel.



Posed television and the Internet in your business?



Television and Internet sites represent nearly 30 % of our commercial business. But, like other customers, they are still primarily customers text and photo. Video this year represent 6 % of our revenues against 0.3 % a decade and less than 1 % in 2006. For our competitor AP, it already represents 25 %, so we will continue to grow in this area.



Your clients media accuse you to compete in the consumer market.



I 've always said that the AFP should be present on the Internet. We have completely redesigned our website and developed apps afp.com public abroad. Internet is important to develop our brand abroad and thus to gain market share.



AFP is difficult to manage socially. How is the current climate?



We are a company of fixed costs due to price deflation contracts and economic conditions we must adapt our costs, while keeping intact our forces editorial production. We started a social negotiation to see how to adapt the AFP 's strategic and competitive challenges.



AFP is profitable?



Yes, we derive a margin of 5 % on a turnover of 290 million euros, we must increase to meet the necessary technology investments forty million over five years. And when I see our competitors dismiss or face large deficits, we must be vigilant to keep this profitability.



Brussels has opened an investigation accusing you receive state aid. What is the result?



We are in the final straight. Brussels would soon enact measures that the French state should take. Today, the government pays a grant in the form of subscriptions over the AFP of 120 million euros per year. We demonstrated that the mission of the AFP is a mission of general interest. The European Commission should approve the method of calculating the cost of the mission of general interest, the State also remaining client AFP. This clarification will help sustain and secure our funding.



The State Will it reduce subscriptions in 2014?



The draft budget law provides to the contrary, a slight increase of € 123 million.



Your name runs for the presidency of Radio France and France Televisions. Are you a candidate?



I am committed to 4000 % AFP. If my name around, it falls within the scope of the rumor while I am in the field of information.



(Le Figaro, 24 Sunday November 2013 The Roman)

(Translated: R.S.F. toshiki speed news press, Agence France-Presse, 30 Saturday November 2013 The Roman)

Greece to stay in recession in 2014, may need new bailout: OECD

Greece to stay in recession in 2014, may need new bailout: OECD

 

[caption id="attachment_10359" align="alignnone" width="400"] (The Greek economy is expected to contract by 0.4 percent in 2014, according to the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) (AFP/File, Louisa Gouliamaki))[/caption]

 

(AFP)

 

Athens — Greece will remain mired in recession in 2014 for a seventh straight year, and is likely to need more financial assistance, the OECD said on Wednesday, in contrast to forecasts by Athens.

 

The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development said the Greek economy would contract by 0.4 percent, and said Greece was likely to need additional aid.

 

"The need for further assistance to achieve fiscal sustainability cannot be excluded," the OECD said.

 

"If negative macroeconomic risks materialise...serious consideration should be given to further assistance to achieve debt sustainability," it said.

 

Greece last week unveiled a budget in which it said the deep recession in the economy would end next year with 0.6 percent growth, following a 4.0-percent contraction in 2013.

 

But the budget was tabled without Athens having reached a full agreement with auditors from the International Monetary Fund, the European Central Bank and the European Commission.

 

In a separate study, the OECD said Greece's crisis-hit economy could gain by at least 5.2 billion euros ($7 billion) if hundreds of trade restrictions were abolished.

 

The organization said it had found 555 regulatory restrictions that were "potentially harmful" to competition, in a study commissioned by the conservative-led Greek government.

 

The sectors examined were food processing, retail trade, building materials and tourism, which account for 21 percent of the Greek economy and almost 27 percent of total employment, according to 2011 figures.

 

"If the particular restrictions are lifted, the OECD has calculated a positive effect to the Greek economy of around 5.2 billion euros," the organization said.

 

"But the positive effects on the Greek economy over time are likely to be far greater," it said.

 

Among the recommendations are the full liberalisation of Sunday trade, which is currently restricted to a handful of pre-holiday sales periods.

 

The move is opposed by Greek trade associations on the grounds that most businesses are family-operated and are unable to hire more staff owing to persistently poor sales, made worse by recession and three years of tax increases.

 

The OECD also suggests the abolition of taxes on advertising, flour and cement and the liberalisation of prices for over-the-counter medicine and dietary supplements.

 

The coalition government of conservative Your Prime Minister Antonis Samaras is attempting to push through legislation liberalising the trade and labour sectors.

 

But the government has a slim majority in parliament and faces the threat of internal dissent, in addition to frequent strike action from unions.

 

Copyright © 2013 AFP. All rights reserved.

 

(Agence France-Presse, 27 Wednesday November 2013 The Roman)

 

Shutdown Over, Government Slowly Gets Back to Normal

Shutdown Over, Government Slowly Gets Back to Normal

 

[caption id="attachment_9468" align="alignnone" width="600"] (President Obama chastised lawmakers on Thursday over the crisis while outlining the budget challenges ahead (The New York Times))[/caption]

 

WASHINGTON — The United States government sputtered back to life Thursday morning after President Obama and Congress ended a 16-day shutdown, clearing the way for federal agencies to again deliver services, reopen public facilities and welcome hundreds of thousands of furloughed employees returning to work.

 

The political standoff in the nation’s capital ended just minutes before a midnight deadline when the government’s ability to borrow money would have expired.

 

Republicans conceded defeat on Wednesday by agreeing to finance the operations of government until Jan. 15 and raise the nation’s debt limit through the middle of February.

 

The Senate passed the legislation first, and the House followed around 10:15 p.m.

 

The agreement paves the way for another series of budget negotiations in the weeks ahead, even as conservative Republicans in the House and Senate vowed to renew their fight for cuts in spending and changes to the Affordable Care Act.

 

Just hours after President Obama signed the temporary spending measure into law around 12:30 a.m., agencies in Washington and across the country prepared to reopen offices, public parks, research projects and community programs that have been mothballed for more than two weeks.

 

The government’s top personnel officer announced that officials should restart normal functions “in a prompt and orderly manner.”

 

In Washington, the city’s subway trains were once again packed with federal workers streaming in from the suburbs, government IDs dangling from lanyards around their necks.

 

At the Lincoln Memorial, tourists waited nearby as a park ranger cut down the signs announcing that the memorial was closed.

 

Robert Lagana said Thursday morning he was eager to get back to his job at the International Trade Commission.

 

“It beats climbing the walls, wondering where your next paycheck is going to be and how you’re going to make your bills,” Mr. Lagana said as he made his way to his office near L’Enfant Plaza.

 

But he also expressed frustration with lawmakers who held up the budget over the new health care law.

 

“They really need to come up with a law where this never happens again,” he said, adding later, “You just feel like you don’t have a voice.”

 

At the Environmental Protection Agency headquarters in Washington, Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. showed up to see workers who had been furloughed.

 

“I brought some muffins!” Mr. Biden said as he arrived at the security desk.

 

When he was asked about the shutdown, he said: “I’m happy it’s ended. It was unnecessary to begin with. I’m happy it’s ended.”

 

He greeted returning workers with handshakes and hugs.

 

Reporting was contributed  by Jess Bidgood from Boston; Alan Blinder from Oak Ridge, Tenn.; J. David Goodman from New York; Emmarie Huetteman from Washington; and Steven Yaccino from Chicago.

 

(The New York Times, 17 Thursday October 2013 The Roman)

6 trillion yen economic stimulus

6 trillion yen economic stimulus

 

経済対策６兆円規模

 

消費税増税に関する政府の閣議決定案が９月３０日、分かった。

 

「消費税率を２０１４年４月１日に５％から８％へ引き上げることを確認する」と明記した。

 

安倍晋三首相は１０月１日夕方に記者会見し、増税方針と経済対策を説明する。

 

予備措置に企業減税も含めた対策の総額は６兆円規模となる見通しだ。

 

自民党、公明党、両党は、政府が提案した復興特別法人税の前倒し廃止を巡り、３０日も詰めの協議を続けた。

 

企業に設備投資や賃上げを促す減税策を柱とした与党の「民間投資活性化のための税制改正大綱」は大筋で了承した。

 

閣議決定案では、経済対策により「デフレ脱却と経済再生に向けた道筋を確かなものとする」と説明。

 

公共事業や雇用対策など５兆円規模の２０１３年度補正予算で増税の影響を和らげ、経済の底上げや成長軌道への早期回復を目指す。

 

対策の詳細は１２月上旬に決め、裏付けとなる補正予算は２０１４年度予算とともに年末に編成。

 

復興法人税の廃止に伴う約９千億円の税収減を穴埋めし、復興財源を確保するとしている。

 

（神奈川新聞、２０１３年１０月１日）

 

翻訳記事は、後になります。

 

UK 'needs EU law opt out'

UK 'needs EU law opt out'

 

The Government needs to negotiate an “opt out” of European legislation to protect the national interest in recognition of its “declining influence” in Brussels.

 

[caption id="attachment_9033" align="alignnone" width="620"] (The Prime Minister has pledged to reneogtiate Britain's EU treaty (Photo: REUTERS))[/caption]

 

Business for Britain said the UK must be able to reject European Union laws unilaterally because the country has become increasingly isolated on issues such as financial services. Currently, policy can only be vetoed if several countries oppose it.

 

“Britain’s declining influence in the EU institutions has seriously undermined our ability to prevent a huge rise in the number and cost of regulations sent from Brussels,” the lobby group said.

 

“With the UK Government looking at possible areas of renegotiation, David Cameron [should push] for a red card system for member states.”

 

The campaign group pointed out that between 1973 and 2013, Britain’s voting power in the Council of Ministers decreased from 17pc to 8pc, and the UK now occupies just 9.5pc of seats in the European Parliament compared with 20pc in 1979.

 

In the past 40 years, the UK contribution to the EU budget has risen eight-fold from £1.04bn to £8.31bn, in today’s money.

 

Despite the declining influence and rising costs, Business for Britain pointed out that “around 50pc of UK legislation with a significant economic impact originates from EU legislation”, according to a House of Commons research paper.

 

Recently, the UK has had to file a legal challenge to Brussels’ proposed financial transaction tax and planned cap on bank bonuses, for fear that the laws would do lasting damage to the UK financial services sector.

 

Bankers and politicians have interpreted the proposals as a direct attack on the City.

 

The Prime Minister has promised to push for a treaty renegotiation to reflect the changing dynamics within Europe since the eurozone crisis. On Sunday, he told BBC One’s The Andrew Marr show: “My goal is to renegotiate our relationship with Europe, very radically.”

 

Matthew Elliott, chief executive of Business for Britain, said: “Britain has recently been left as the sole voice opposing pernicious EU financial regulation and absurd budget increases. This is why it’s more important than ever that the Government is able to get a better deal for Britain, including a veto that will stop bad EU laws holding back growth and jobs in this country.”

 

(The Telegraph, 30 Monday September 2013 The Roman)