Agrégateur de flux

A pipeline at a recently-modernised gas compressor station in eastern Ukraine

In only three weeks, the Juncker commission will unveil one of its most totemic policy packages: the so-called “energy union”.

But behind the hype, key parts of the plan still seem to lack any real bite, according to documents seen by the Brussels Blog.

Overall, a single energy market makes a lot of sense as the EU is currently often a messy patchwork of 28 counter-productive energy islands. If the member states integrated their gas and electricity networks more deeply, the continent could cut costs, slash emissions and reduce dependency on Russia. Who could object to that? Well, as ever, the mood among member states is hardly harmonious.

Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Maros Sefcovic, the EU’s vice-president charged with launching the energy union on February 25, said that the single market would comprise “hardware” and “software”.

Relatively speaking, hardware is the easy bit. Build gas pipelines and electrical cables across borders and that will improve security of supply and help prices converge.

The big hurdle is the software. Fundamentally, energy has massively different costs in various countries because of divergent tax and regulatory systems. You cannot have a free-flowing single market until you harmonise these. Poles, Czechs and Hungarians pay less than half of German and Danish rates for power. In Denmark, 57 per cent of the final electricity price is based on levies, whereas in Britain the figure is closer to 5 per cent.

So will the member states converge fully? They don’t seem to want to. Sefcovic admitted on Wednesday that taxation was a significant problem and that he had hit a wall with member states: “Most of us in this room would agree that it would be the best way forward but we have to be very realistic that unanimity on an issue like energy taxation would be very difficult to achieve.” Oh dear. That’s a pretty big hole in the energy union plan.

Read more

The Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) is currently the subject of heated debate – but with a narrow focus. The debate is primarily concerned with the impact of TTIP on Germany and Europe. Too little attention is being paid to the implications of this mega-regional for the rest of the world. In light of growing global in-equality, the question of how we can shape globalisation fairly and whether TTIP can play a role in this is more pressing than ever.
TTIP is an attempt by the European Union (EU) and the United States to define new rules of play for the world economy with potential global application. From a development policy perspective, this exclusive approach gives cause for concern, as it precludes emerging economies and developing countries from negotiations.
The TTIP negotiation agenda goes far beyond the dis-mantling of trade barriers, also encompassing, for example, the rules for cross-border investment and a broad spectrum of regulations that are often only loosely related to traditional trade policy. This expansive negotiation agenda is the real innovation of the transatlantic negotiations, with uncertain consequences for all those countries that do not have a seat at the negotiating table. Whether they like it or not, these countries will be affected by the rules agreed upon at this table through their participation in international trade.
As such, TTIP could mark an important turning point in the world trade system. TTIP, along with the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) negotiated by the United States and 11 other nations, threatens to further undermine multilateral negotiations within the World Trade Organization (WTO). Of even greater concern is the fact that emerging economies such as Brazil, India and especially China, none of whom are involved in the TTIP and TPP negotiations, could react to these mega-regionals by joining together to form opposing trade blocs. Instead of taking a largely exclusive approach, it would be better if the transatlantic partners placed the emphasis on cooperation with emerging eco-nomies and developing countries, especially given the tremendous economic potential of these nations and the global challenges currently being faced in other policy areas, challenges which can only be overcome by working together with these states.
When it comes to promoting global development and shaping globalisation fairly, the TTIP negotiations offer potential and present challenges at the same time. Nonetheless, there are some specific recommendations as to how TTIP can be made as development-friendly as possible: 1) steps should be taken to avoid discriminating against third countries in the area of regulatory cooperation; 2) rules of origin should be as generous, uniform and open as possible; 3) preference programmes of the EU and the United States should be harmonised;  4) third countries should be afforded credible options for joining the partnership in future.
Development policy stakeholders have the following options for action: 1) the TTIP negotiations should under-score the importance of measures for integrating developing countries into global value chains; 2) efforts need to be made at European level to promote greater consistency between TTIP and development policy goals, particularly those of the post-2015 agenda; 3) steps should be taken to reach out to emerging economies and developing countries with greater transparency and to offer them the opportunity to engage in dialogue; 4) the WTO process needs to be reinvigorated and reformed at multilateral level.

ISIL has grabbed the world’s attention with new levels of barbarism revealed in the scripted murder of the man known throughout the world as “the pilot”. Jordanian Lt. Muath al-Kaseasbeh has become a symbol for moderate Muslims, westerners and all who agree that ISIL

Analyse publiée dans le numéro de février 2015 du Monde diplomatique Quand, en 1989, Oussama Ben Laden et Abou Moussab Al-Zarkaoui se rencontrent dans les montagnes afghanes où l’un et l’autre sont venus combattre l’ennemi soviétique, ils ne se doutent … Lire la suite →

American Smith and Wesson Sigma Pistol

France 24 English Debate – anchored by François Picard, with Carol Malouf, Founder, Macarela Advisory Group and Daniel Tauber, Op-ed columnist for the Jerusalem Post & Likud Central Committee Member, France 24 English, 28th of January, 2015, 7.10-8pm There's another … Lire la suite →

Interview por el periodista Oriane Fléchaire en el diario argentino Las Notas, 19 de enero 2015 Los diputados franceses decidieron seguir con los bombardeos en Irak; al Qaeda en la Península Arábiga (AQPA) reivindicó el atentado contra el diario satírico; un nuevo número … Lire la suite →

Prévenir les attentats est une tâche complexe et ingrate. Complexe car la rivalité stratégique entre terroristes et services de sécurité induit par nature des éléments extrêmement difficiles à contrôler : actions discrétionnaires, réseaux clandestins, modes de communications codés, parcours géographiques obscurs, … Lire la suite →

France 24 English Debate – anchored by François Picard, with Nathalie Goulet, French Senator and Member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, Janine di Giovanni, Newsweek Middle East editor, and Borzou Daragahi, Financial Times Middle East correspondent, France 24 English, 3rd of … Lire la suite →

TV Interview by journalists François Picard & Annette Young, France 24 English, 5th of November, 2014 Watch the interview

Lorsque l’on souscrit à un crédit quelque en soit la forme, il est important de connaître les différents taux qui existent sur le marché.

Le taux nominal ou facial

Le taux nominal est un taux de crédit présenté sous la forme d’un pourcentage annuel et qui figure également sur les prospectus publicitaires ou le contrat établit par votre établissement bancaire.

Ce taux sert de calcul aux intérêts que vous devez. ce taux peut être fixe signifiant alors qu’il sera toujours le même jusqu’à la fin de votre contrat ou variable signifiant alors qu’il pourra évoluer pendant la période de souscription de votre crédit en fonction de l’indice de référence dont vous aurez préalablement pris connaissance avant la signature du contrat.

Le taux effectif global (TEG)

Le taux effectif global ou TEG permet de représenter réellement ce que va vous coûter le crédit concrètement et faciliter ainsi la compréhension pour le souscripteur. Il est toujours stipulé dans le contrat de crédit et couvre tous les frais liés au crédit souscrit.

Le taux actuariel

Ce taux va permettre au souscripteur de calculer le rendement réel de son placement s’il y en a un. Ce taux est calculé en fonction des intérêts et en tenant compte de divers éléments :

• mensualités
• durée de remboursement du crédit
• intérêts

Le taux périodique

Ce taux périodique correspond au taux qui est appliqué au capital qu’il reste à rembourser lorsque les intérêts sont recalculés à une certaine échéance. Ce taux va dépendre alors de la périodicité du remboursement : mensuelle, trimestrielle ou annuelle.

Le taux d’usure

Le taux d’usure est un indice qui est établit par l’État en question et qui est d’ailleurs publié tous les trimestres dans le journal officiel. Ce taux symbolise la limite maximale qui est autorisée pour un taux de crédit de n’importe quelle sorte.

Il faut savoir que plus le crédit est long sur la durée, plus le risque est grand pour l’établissement bancaire qui vous prête l’argent. Par conséquent, le taux d’intérêts sera forcément plus élevé également afin qu’il puisse se couvrir en cas de problème.

“The question we ask in this annual publication is not how Europe is dealing with disorder but how others are coping with growing instability”.

In this video, FRIDE Director Giovanni Grevi explains the main findings of this year’s annual publication on European foreign policy challenges. Grevi talks about the disorder management strategies of nine different countries facing instability – ranging from major powers with the ability or aspiration for global influence (i.e. China, the United States) to others with a regional focus (i.e. Iran, Turkey) – and the implications of those strategies for Europe. In addition, Grevi gives some key recommendations for the EU on how to make a relevant contribution to security, for itself, its partners, and the region.

In Part 2 of Defence IQ's Military Flight Training Report 2015, we provided an analysis of exclusive data generated through a comprehensive survey of the military flight training community. We’ve created this infographic to highlight some of the key data points and trends &nd

Russian SVD Tactical Rifle

Cast your mind back to November.

Jean-Claude Juncker, the new European Commission president, was being pummeled by the European Parliament after a leak revealed widespread tax avoidance in Luxembourg while he was prime minister of the Grand Duchy.

Like Captain Renault in Casablanca, MEPs queued up during a failed vote of no confidence to declare themselves “shocked, shocked” that tax avoidance was going on in Luxembourg.

In a bid to quell the criticism, Mr Juncker said that a lack of tax harmonization within the EU was to blame. To combat this, the commission president said he would introduce legislation to force the automatic exchange of tax-rulings that affect companies based in other member states.

But, according to this leaked document from 2012, both the commission and member states have long been aware of the problem of cross-border tax-rulings – and had already looked into ensuring the automatic exchange of tax information.

The Code of Conduct Group, which looks at business taxation with the commission, came out with guidance in 2012 to encourage member states to “spontaneously exchange the relevant information” on cross border tax rulings. They then asked member states how feasible this was.

Read more

Is the Russian Navy about to collapse? In a recent article on War is Boring, David Axe made this argument largely based on data from my recent articles on the Russian shipbuilding program and the Russian Navy’s priorities. While the information I provided is sound, Axe’s overall interpretation is not.

The Russian Navy is investing in a time-phased recapitalization of its navy over the next 20 years. Submarines are the first phase, already well under way, followed by smaller surface combatants, then increased amphibious capabilities. The navy is letting recapitalization of cruisers and destroyers slip into the next decade. As such, the availability of large combat ships will decrease in the near term but begin to increase in the medium to long term.

The Russian Navy has historically had four main missions: 1) strategic deterrence, 2) coastal defense, 3) protection of sea lanes of communication, and 4) out-of-area deployment.

Click here to read the rest of the article.

Sommaire

Actualité
- Algérie : L'effondrement du prix du pétrole menace la paix sociale
- Le Nigeria et le Niger face à Boko Haram
- Burkina Faso : De Thomas Sankara à Blaise Compaoré

Histoire
Le premier conflit mondial en Afrique du Nord

Afrique du Sud
Quand Mgr Lafont louvoie entre niaiserie, aveuglement et déni de réalité


Editorial de Bernard Lugan :

Par leurs provocations irresponsables, les « Charlie » réussiront-ils à paralyser la lutte anti-jihadiste au Sahel ?

1) Parlons vrai : que cela plaise ou non, pour une grande partie de l'Afrique, l'odieux assassinat des journalistes de Charlie Hebdo est vu comme la « juste punition de blasphémateurs ». Quant aux imprudents responsables africains qui furent littéralement convoqués à la marche parisienne des « Charlie », notamment les présidents Ibrahim Boubacar Keita du Mali et Mahamadou Issoufou du Niger, les voilà désignés comme des ennemis de l'islam. Ils sont donc politiquement affaiblis et cela alors qu'ils sont en première ligne contre le jihadisme.

Les conséquences géopolitiques qui vont découler de cette situation ne peuvent encore être mesurées. Notamment au Niger où Boko Haram qui, jusqu'à présent ne s'était pas manifesté, a pris le prétexte de la livraison du numéro spécial de Charlie Hebdo publié après les assassinats, pour lancer des foules fanatisées contre les intérêts français à Zinder et à Niamey. Au même moment, nos postes militaires avancés veillent aux frontières du pays pour empêcher le Niger de passer sous le contrôle des jihadistes...

Un officier supérieur égyptien pourtant peu suspect de sympathies islamistes me disait récemment : « Quand Charlie Hebdo représentait le pape Benoît XVI sodomisant un enfant de choeur, ses journalistes passaient pour de facétieux potaches et les catholiques protestaient par la prière. Mais quand ils insultent le prophète Mahomet, ils le paient de leur vie. Il est désolant de devoir constater que ce sont les malades mentaux salafistes qui, par l'assassinat, rappellent vos journalistes à la décence ».

Cruelle réflexion !
Les irresponsables de Charlie Hebdo ont-ils conscience des dégâts que leur jusqu'au-boutisme a provoqué en Afrique ? Peuvent-ils comprendre qu'ils ont mis en danger la vie de Français expatriés ? Peuvent-ils imaginer qu'ils fournissent des armes aux jihadistes tout en paralysant nos soldats engagés dans de difficiles combats pour les réduire ?

2) Mortelle culture de l'excuse : des terroristes islamistes de nationalité française et issus de l'immigration assassinent 17 compatriotes. Pour le Premier ministre français, l'origine de ces crimes odieux est à rechercher dans l' « apartheid » qu'auraient pu subir les meurtriers...
Au lieu de s'attaquer aux vraies causes du mal, voilà donc ouvert un nouveau et inutile débat sémantique à travers l'utilisation d'un « mot-prison » permettant à des politiciens faillis de gagner du temps et des points de popularité[1]. Tout en tentant de faire oublier que les tragiques évènements du mois de janvier 2015 sont une conséquence du « grand remplacement » dont ils sont responsables...

[1] Pour ce qui est du véritable sens du mot « apartheid », on se reportera au chapitre XIII de mon livre Mythes et manipulations de l'histoire africaine intitulé « Apartheid mérite-t-il d'être devenu un "mot prison" ? »

When reading the term ‘Interoperable Open Architecture’, you could be forgiven for glazing over. It sounds like a fairly taxing subject full of intricate details, which probably often leads you to the conclusion that it would make too heavy reading for 'right

According to a new study, there may be a need for investment in a “more offensive” surface warfare strategy, given the evolving global threat environment and the spectrum of utility for systems such as long-range missiles, directed energy and electromagnetic rail guns.

The field of Air and Missile Defence is facing a host of new requirements which are, in turn, driving many nations to seek upgrades to their capability. Over the years spent in Afghanistan and Iraq, US and ISAF troops have contested with adversaries that leveraged low-cost, low