POLITICS: Primary socialist Martine Aubry "take responsibility"

REUTERS - Martine Aubry made Sunday a further step towards a Socialist candidate for the primary pre-presidential election, explaining that she "wanted the Left wins" and "want to be helpful" to his country.
In an interview with France 2, the first secretary of the PS said that his remark was "very advanced" on the subject, speaking of "determination" of "enthusiasm" and "responsibility."

Words chosen carefully to whom some blamed for not having done so far shows his desire to get into the presidential race.
"My desire is that the left wins, and my desire is to be useful to my country," said the mayor of Lille, who is head of the PS for three years.
"Yes," she answered the question of whether it was part of socialist officials may participate in the primary PS in October, which will nominate the candidate of his camp in the race for the Elysee.

Martine Aubry said he started "long ago" a reflection on this subject, "well before" the fall of Dominique Strauss-Kahn, a former favorite of the polls today charged with sexual assault in the United States.
"Without haste, I keep thinking that this is already, you can imagine, very advanced, and I keep on track because the French are asking us that."

"Be prepared, I prepared myself," she said. "For me, politics is not a career, it is saying all the time: 'Where do I find most useful?"

"I've always taken my responsibilities, the French know and I will take them. They know they can trust me."

"It takes up"

"I say things when I tell them," summed up the former Minister of Employment and standard-bearer for the week of 35 hours.
According to schedule, the candidates for the Socialist primary will be filed between June 28 and July 13.

The arrest of Dominique Strauss-Kahn, the last weekend in New York, has upset the Socialists, who relied on the Director General of the International Monetary Fund to beat the incumbent president Nicolas Sarkozy, whose candidacy is little doubt.
François Hollande, the primary candidate for PS, is the new favorite of opinion polls, which also places Martine Aubry in a good position when probing the polls in the first round of presidential elections.
Martine Aubry refused to compare the member of Correze, who led the Socialist Party before it for ten years.
"Candidates are not adversaries, they are comrades who are defending what they believe is good for their country and I abide by this rule to the end, I am a candidate or than I am not," she said.
François Hollande will be Sunday evening's guest log 20 hours of TF1.
Other declared candidates for the primary are the member Arnaud Montebourg and Segolene Royal, defeated candidate in the presidential election of 2007.
"An election is never a foregone conclusion but rely on our enthusiasm, on my enthusiasm and my determination to get everything done in 2012 that France finds itself in the background," said Martine Aubry .
The daughter of Jacques Delors, former president of the European Commission (1985-1995) who had himself given up to run for the Elysee, acknowledged that the supposed presidential ambitions certain qualities.
"I am a normal woman in that I live like everyone else, but I think when one wants to run for the Presidency of the Republic, it takes a little more," she said.

"He incarnate France, its values ​​must be the same height and time proximity to the French."

CASE DSK: "A mixture of self-sabotage, lack of assessment and a sense of impunity"

Philip D. Jaffe is a psychologist and professor at the University of psychocriminologie Geneva. He also worked in a high security psychiatric hospital affiliated with an institution of Massachusetts Prison Service. In this interview, he appreciates the business Dominique Strauss-Kahn in the light of clinical experience. The indictment of former IMF director for the American justice for attempted rape may be due to an inability to master, in the private sphere of the instincts that dominates in public.

FRANCE 24: If Dominique Strauss-Kahn had actually committed the acts he is accused, explain how such a passage to the act?

Philip D.Jaffe: If he did - and all I could say this will be subject to conditional - this shows that Dominique Strauss-Kahn is to thank you for a great while impulsivity is quite capable of behave normally in public. When left alone with a woman, he becomes a sort of "wild beast". Yet it has a sense of rules against an outsider, but only when it expresses a need for massive and sexualized domination.Some spoke of hyper-sexuality, I'm not sure we can go that far, but he seems to have a problem to control his impulses.

FRANCE 24: You've probably met during your career, cases of men whose intelligence, proven, could find themselves suddenly overwhelmed by impulses. How can we explain such phenomena?

PDJ: The very smart people can not get rid of their urges: they just happen to control the environment to avoid being unmasked. The intelligence does not move the drives - because it is two different mental records - but it moves the framework within which they operate.

Another analysis would be that for people who border on professional and social implosion, a part of reality becomes like a game by flirting with the limits, their intelligence eludes them. If you look at the case of DSK, as we are presented by the media, for example it is unlikely that a man of his intelligence was able to rush out of the hotel as it is supposed to have done. The phone call he gave to the hotel, which helped locate, prove some form of stupidity, as if his state of stress had prevented him from thinking.It is the fragility of the man who thinks of this.

When you look at the politicians who have been successful, they clearly have a sense of self unique. Conversely, for those who stumble, they say they did not have the stuff.

FRANCE 24: Are you telling us that the acts charged in DSK would be the result of a failed act and unconsciously, he would not be socialist candidate in the primaries - and potentially in the presidential election?

PDJ: I will not cross that line because it would not come here if he had no real ambition. One can imagine that he may have simply been afraid.It's like Nadal when the match! These moments require a full extension in relation to its own capabilities. And that's where the unbridled passions emerged.

What is surprising is that the intelligence of a public figure is also conducted to surround himself and willing to put up protective netting against his own instincts. It is surprising that when this man is about to reach the pinnacle of power, allowed to manage time and organize his time alone in New York!

Political suicide not consistent with the fact that DSK has never had inappropriate behavior in public. He knew what was allowed or not.The acting out - if proven - could be explained by a mixture of self-sabotage, lack of trial, and a sense of impunity.

FRANCE 24: Monitoring anti-suicide in which DSK is placed "with caution" in prison at Rikers Island is it a normal procedure or is there a real risk of suicide?

PDJ: It's a habit with high-value prisoners, especially since we do not know his mental state. DSK is probably in a "fluid", that is to say, it goes from moments when he is very combative with others where he is very depressed. His behavior impassive during the hearing where we can see the marble shows some control. But it takes very little time to switch.

This is an extraordinary reversal than being American in a cell, a tumble absolute and brutal. DSK is certainly treated with more respect than a criminal lambda, but the physical conditions are not the same. In prison, suffered humiliating medical examinations, it is treated as a criminal, isolated from his family and friends, you're scared, the feeling that everything was lost. Then mental states can vary every five minutes.

PAKISTAN: John Kerry went to Islamabad two weeks after the death of Bin Laden

U.S. Senator John Kerry was Monday in Islamabad to try to restore relations between the United States and its key ally, as it arrived at a "defining moment" in Pakistan after the elimination of Osama bin Laden.

The Democratic chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Senate, is the first senior U.S. official to visit Pakistan since a helicopter-borne U.S. commandos killed the leader of al-Qaida May 2 in Abbottabad, a city-garrison two hours drive from Islamabad.

The attack "illegal" according to Islamabad, caused a stir at a population overwhelmingly anti-American, not for the death of bin Laden, who has raised little protest, but for the "violation of sovereignty "Pakistan.

The CIA, who led the operation, confirmed that she had not warned the Pakistani authorities for fear of leakage.U.S. officials have since reported suspicion of "complicity" in the military and intelligence community to explain the presence of brain attacks of Sept. 11 in a city housing more than 10,000 soldiers.

Many parliamentarians in Washington advocated greater severity towards Pakistan, which from the end of 2001, had proclaimed his support for the "war against terrorism" and delivered, since, dozens of senior Al-Qaeda to Americans.

Pakistan, who protested softly since 2004 against the very frequent fire missiles CIA drones targeting the Taliban and Al Qaeda in the tribal areas of north-west frontier with Afghanistan, has raised his voice after the raid cons bin Laden.He threatened to Washington to review its policy of cooperation on counterterrorism if such an incursion occurs.

Their sides, prominent members of Congress calling for cutting funds allocated considerable since late 2001 by the United States to Pakistan to finance its war effort against Al Qaeda and its allies, who have taken refuge in the tribal areas since the invasion of Afghanistan in late 2001.

Washington has given more than $ 18 billion to Pakistan in nearly ten years, mainly as support to his omnipotent army, and in 2009, notably under the leadership of John Kerry, Congress authorized an extension of 7.5 billion over 5 years in civilian aid.

But observers believe it is dangerous for Washington to alienate the only nuclear military power in the Muslim world, inhabited by nearly 180 million inhabitants, when the international coalition comprised two-thirds of U.S. troops bogged down in its war against the Taliban in Afghanistan.

Senator Kerry arrived in Islamabad late Sunday night and a sign that the army who actually run this country according to experts unanimous, he met upon his arrival Gen. Ashfaq Kayani, the all-powerful Chief of Staff , relegating to Monday's meetings with President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani.

The army has assured that General Kayani had conveyed to Mr.Kerry of "intense emotion" has caused the U.S. raid in the army.

"This is a decisive moment in our relationship with Pakistan", said Mr. Kerry on Sunday in Kabul.

Before the death of bin Laden, Washington had always praised the efforts of Islamabad in the fight against al Qaeda but felt that the army does not produce enough effort against the Taliban in Afghanistan in their rear bases in Pakistan.

But Mr. Kerry said that there was evidence that Islamabad "has knowledge of certain activities" of the Taliban on its territory, and that it was "very disturbing". "We must find a way to move forward, if possible.Otherwise, it could be a series of negative consequences that may be important, "he warned.

LIBYA: According to the CNT, the French killed in Benghazi was conducting illegal activities

The five French working for private security company Secopex, including his boss killed by rebels during the operation, were conducting "illegal activities" that endangered the security of Libya, announced Friday the Rebellion Jamahiriya.

"On the evening of May 11, the local security forces in Benghazi were ordered to arrest a group of 5 French conducting illicit activities that endangered the safety of free Libya," said the National Transitional Council ( CNT), the governing body of the rebellion, in a statement.

"These men had been under surveillance for some time," the CNT.

"Unfortunately, he was shot by accident after trying to resist. He was taken to hospital but died. The four were arrested," also said the rebellion.

FOOTBALL - THE QUOTA CASE: No legal proceedings against members of the FFF

Ten days after the beginning of the controversy over the possible application of ethnic quotas by the French Football Federation, the outcome of the case is imminent. The Minister for Sport, Chantal Jouanno, spoke Tuesday about the investigation conducted by the services of his ministry, and whose findings were surrendered on the evening of Monday.

Chantal Jouanno announced that the Ministry of Youth and Sports would not be the case in court: "The evidence we have does not allow us to prove the existence of a quota system or a system project quotas.Today we do not have elements to convey anything to the prosecutor. "

After noting that the football world had been "seriously shaken by the revelations of the site Mediapart," the minister confirmed that he still appeared "very clear that discussions on ways to limit the number of players and binational quotas [had] been held. "

No witch hunt

Chantal Jouanno also came on the individual responsibilities of several executives of the Federation.She acknowledged that the national technical director (DTN) Blaquart Francis had "taken" from "About regrettable" but nevertheless assured that "no document [would] suggest that a discriminatory philosophy has been maintained to the DTN" .

She has finally ruled on the case largely Laurent Blanc considers it inseparable from the context: "It was an internal meeting at the DTN. [...] White attended for the first time this type of meeting . The hearings clearly shows that he discovered this debate. He had no firm plan on the subject, no notice, "she explains.There are no facts to suggest that White condone discriminatory guidelines instead. "

And the minister quoted the coach of the Blues to support him: "If only blacks in the poles and if blacks want to play there in the France team that fits me very well."

Chantal Jouanno also said that the investigation by its staff tended to prove that Muhammad Belkacemi had "not submitted documents to the press." Last week, the adviser acknowledged that National had made the recording of the meeting complained of November 8.There will be a "reminder to the rule" for him "that it is forbidden to record meetings."

Call for change to FFF

While recalling that "the State [could] do not interfere in the affairs of the federation," Chantal Jouanno felt that there was "no doubt be heavy make decisions within the FFF. She said it had proposed an "organizational audit" to instances of domestic football, and a "managerial support.Recommendations that the FFF has no obligation to follow nonetheless.

Parallel to the survey by the Ministry of Sports, the Federation conducted its own investigation internally, in collaboration with government departments.

The ratio of the two investigators was delivered Tuesday morning to the president of the FFF Duchossoy Fernand, who will unveil an outline in the day Tuesday.

According to a source familiar with the matter told AFP the paper would report "internal problems" but has found no "wrongdoing" or "discrimination characterized.

In addition to the scheduled press conference on Tuesday, the FFF will hold a special federal council on Thursday.It will discuss, identify potential internal administrative penalties.

LIBYA: Libyan Transitional Council, an authority that fails to convince

Created in the euphoric early days of the revolution in Benghazi in February, but few recognized internationally and economically driven, the Libyan National Transitional Council (CNT) is it really a viable institution capable of influencing the scene policy?

"The question is on everyone's lips at a time when the conflict drags," says Jean-Pierre Maulny, Middle East specialist at the Institute of International and Strategic Relations (IRIS). "Many Western leaders are questioning the legitimacy of this body."

The absence of power-cons Libyan nevertheless gives little choice to European and American leaders. The CNT is the sole interlocutor of the international community."This is the only organization that resists visible," added the specialist. A view shared by Dominique Moisi, an expert on Middle East at the French Institute for International Relations (IFRI). "They are strong because they are unique," said the expert. "Their main asset is their existence. It invalidates the legitimacy to Gaddafi.

"No charismatic figure"

Both experts agree, however, the "fragility" of this reciprocating. "From a political standpoint, the insurgents have no charismatic leader," said Dominique Moisi."Their members are too small and lack a unifying figure is a major flaw for a body of resistance."

Composed of 31 members, the CNT is composed of a vast majority of anonymous - lawyers, professors, doctors. Civilians who, despite themselves, they damage the image of the Transition Board. "A resistance organization operates through two levers: a charismatic figure or organization infallible. Here we have neither one nor the other."

Cash also appears to be lacking Libyan insurgents. To fill their coffers, the rebels decided to go to their Western allies.The rebellion assess its needs for the next three months to three billion dollars to pay the balances of the insurgents, food, medicines and other basic supplies. "They have no money and the Libyan economy threatens to collapse," says Jean-Pierre Maulny.

In this context, the international community is reluctant to invest money in an organization as unstructured. "Western leaders refuse to finance weapons on which they have no control," says the specialist.

Diplomatic bungle

On the diplomatic front, the Transition Board fouls a little brushes. Thursday, CNT announced it has been recognized by Denmark, Spain and the Netherlands. Only problem, all three have denied."A false step that speaks volumes about the communication of the rebels," quipped Dominique Moisi. Denmark "has recognized the CNT as a dialogue partner." No more. Spain and the Netherlands as a valid interlocutor.

Only France, Qatar, Italy and The Gambia have officially recognized the Resistance Council as the legitimate representative of the people. "It's little," admits Jean-Pierre Maulny, "too few to influence global politics."

Does this mean that the CNT is destined to disappear? "It's a premature meets Dominique Moisi. The fall of Gaddafi is the ultimate test. It is only then that we will know if the movement will die or if a political leader will emerge ..." Although caution the side of Jean-Pierre Maulny."The CNT today derives its strength from the Hate crystallized around Gaddafi, but tomorrow ... If the regime falls, the CNT will prepare the future, an alternative to the Guide, win the support of the Libyans ... Are they really prepared and structured? "

The Conservative Harper wins a majority parliamentary

AFP - Outgoing Canadian Prime Minister, Conservative Stephen Harper, was reappointed Monday to head the government, his party won most seats in the House in early parliamentary elections.

According to preliminary official results, the Harper Conservatives get 166 of the 308 seats in the House of Commons.

"Canadians have chosen hope, a strong and united Canada, and we will govern for all Canadians, even those who did not vote for us," assured Mr. Harper, beaming in front of his supporters who applauded vigorously in Calgary, Alberta (west).

"Our government will defend the interests of all regions and all Canadians, including the great nation of Quebec," he said.

Alluding to the defeat of the separatist Bloc Quebecois, whose seats were often taken over by New Democratic Party (NDP, left), Mr.Harper has stated its intention to "make Canada a freer and more united."

"Quebecers have decided to send the Federalists in the House of Commons and we will work together for the betterment of our country."

Beyond the victory of the Conservatives get a majority after leading a minority government from the elections of 2006 and 2008, these elections will be completely transformed the political landscape.

The NDP confirmed its historic breakthrough announced by the polls, winning 106 electoral districts, nearly triple the 36 seats held in the outgoing House.This is by far the best score in the history of this party.

His meteoric rise was mainly at the expense of the Liberals and the Bloc Québécois, literally rolled by the wave "orange" training left.

Carried by the "wind of change" announced by its charismatic leader Jack Layton, the NDP is poised to become the official opposition in the government of Mr. Harper.

But change is not on the agenda of the Conservative leader who had, instead, focused his campaign on the stability and continuity, promising Canadians continued economic recovery and pledging not to raise taxes, Unlike the NDP and Liberals.

The fate of the Liberal Party leader, former academic Michael Ignatieff seems sealed by the disastrous result which gives him 35 seats. Mr. Ignatieff has campaigned honorably but has not created a decisive impact in the electorate and lost his own seat.His party, who does not like losers, could soon grow to the exit.

Finally, the sharp fall of the Bloc Quebecois, with just four seats against 47 held in the outgoing parliament, announced a steep turn in the attitude of the inhabitants of French-speaking province and greater openness to the English-speaking Canada. Its leader Gilles Duceppe, defeated in his riding of Montreal, announced his resignation.

Other highlights of the poll, there had been elected the leader of the Greens, Elizabeth May, a historic first, and the defeat of the Conservative Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Foreign Affairs in the outgoing government.

Participation remained low at 60.3%, according to provisional figures, barely higher than the historic low of 58.8% registered in 2008.

COTE D'IVOIRE: Back on the life of Ibrahim Coulibaly, head of the Commando invisible, killed by FRCI in Abobo

Forces Ivorian president Alassane Ouattara killed Wednesday night the former coup leader Ibrahim Coulibaly, known as "IB", head of the commando invisible "in the north of Abidjan, which was perceived as a threat even if the power had contributed to the fall of Laurent Gbagbo.

Several hundred members of the Republican Forces of Côte d'Ivoire (FRCI), equipped with pickup topped with heavy machine guns and rocket launchers, launched Wednesday morning a major attack against the stronghold of "IB" in the popular district of Abobo (north), noted AFP.

After this "security operation and peace", "IB + + is sought refuge in a yard (residential) near a factory in PK-18 (north of Abobo)," said the AFP Captain Leo Kouakou Alla, spokesman of the Ministry of Defence.

Hostage taking and summation

In this court, Ibrahim Coulibaly "took hostage an entire family. FRCI made warning shots twice and he responded with gunfire.The FRCI had no choice but to retaliate, and the response has been fatal, "added the spokesman.

The clash that took place around 20:00 (GMT) has made "two soldiers killed and several wounded," FRCI side, and "seven lives" in the opposing camp, where "IB" itself, he said.

The FRCI had progressed during the day in his fief without encountering any real resistance.

The "commando invisible" had contributed to the downfall of former President Laurent Gbagbo on April 11, destabilizing his regime by increasing control of the north of Abidjan at the beginning of the year.

The appeal of Alassane Ouattara

President Ouattara had Friday called the former coup of 1999 and 2002 to disarm his men, under penalty of being compelled by force.

"We asked for a week, ten days, the time to explain to the combatants that they must disarm unconditionally. We must convince them that they can lay down their arms without fear for their lives", told AFP at the beginning Felix the offensive ennobled, number two commando invisible. "

"IB" had asked to be received by the Head of State to make available. His entourage had accused Prime Minister Guillaume Soro to block this request.

Mr.Soro was historic adversary of Ibrahim Coulibaly in charge of the rebellion of 2002 failed coup against Gbagbo, whose forces he finally took the head and which now forms the bulk of FRCI.

Ibrahim Coulibaly, one of the most mysterious of the Ivorian scene for a decade, had claimed in recent days his part in the downfall of Mr. Gbagbo, while providing stand under the authority of Alassane Ouattara, which had been the bodyguard.

In an interview with French daily La Croix, published Thursday, Mr. Ouattara has estimated that nearly 3,000 death toll of post-election violence in Côte d'Ivoire, while the UN reported nearly 1,000 dead.

NORTH KOREA: A quartet of former political leaders to visit Pyongyang

AFP - Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter arrived Tuesday in North Korea for a visit to assess the food situation, pacify inter-Korean tensions and encourage the resumption of negotiations on denuclearization.

Jimmy Carter and three other former heads of state and government hope to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il and his son and presumed successor Kim Jong-Un, but nothing is certain yet.The official news agency of North Korea announced their arrival in a statement on a line, with no details.

The group of four "old", which includes the former Finnish president Martti Ahtisaari, former Norwegian Prime Minister Gro Harlem Brundtland and former Irish President Mary Robinson, took off from China on Tuesday and will travel to Seoul on Thursday.

Efforts to resume the dialogue between the Koreas stalled. The South demanded an apology from Pyongyang about two serious indicents occurred in 2010 - the sinking of a corvette in March and the bombing of an island in November - but the North refused.

The six-party talks on denuclearization are also deadlocked since 2008.Pyongyang announced in November a uranium enrichment plant, which represents portentiellement a second way to obtain a nuclear bomb.

The food crisis in North Korea will also be the focus of this visit, had said Monday in Beijing the four "old".

According to the UN, more than six million people, or one quarter of the North Korean people, are in urgent need of food aid.

Jimmy Carter visited Pyongyang for the first time in 1994, to meet the founding president Kim Il-Sung, while North Korea and the United States was on the verge of declaring war because of nuclear program Pyongyang.

Former U.S. President had also visited this country in the summer of 2010, to secure the release of a U.S. citizen, but he had not met with Kim Jong-Il.

The President may also seek the release of a Korean-Americans detained in North Korea since last November because of unspecified crimes against the country. It would be a missionary, according to an anonymous source.

FRANCE: Paris wants to strengthen the provision of temporary suspension of the Schengen

France is in favor of strengthening the provision of temporary suspension of the free movement of Schengen in case of influx of illegal immigrants at an external border of the European Union, said Friday the French presidency.

This includes learning from the current influx of immigrants Tunisian and Libyan via Italy, which caused serious tensions between Paris and Rome in recent weeks, but the porosity of the Greek-Turkish border .

"We must draw the consequences of the shaky situation in which we are currently strengthening the integration in the management of external borders," says one at the Elysee.

It will be a menu of topics to Franco-Italian summit in Rome next Tuesday.

President Nicolas Sarkozy hopes to France and Italy are all, as they have done in 2009, a joint initiative in Brussels, told the Elysee.

The objective of this initiative will be particular to obtain effective cooperation in the South against illegal immigration but also a strengthening of Europe's Schengen now deemed "deficient" by Paris.

This building includes making modernization of the European asylum, a strengthening of Frontex, which organizes joint patrols with the EU's external borders and the establishment of a sort of safeguard clause, said President French.

"Schengen is subject to difficulties," says one at the Elysee."We believe that we must go up, as a last resort, a suspension clause in case of necessity."

"What we think, is that we consider a mechanism where there is a systemic failure at an external border of the EU to intervene by providing an interim suspension, the time the failure is resolved, "says the same source.

There already exists a clause of suspension, but it is of very limited application in time and geographically and is intended only for events of extraordinary nature.

France has made the call in 2004 for ceremonies of the 60th anniversary of the Allied landings in Normandy in 2007 after the London bombings.

The turmoil in North Africa, mainly in Tunisia and Libya, have led to the arrival in Italy of many illegal immigrants from these countries, once in the Schengen area, can travel in 24 European countries who are members.

It stresses, however, at the Elysee Palace that the discussions on strengthening the effectiveness of Schengen, which will be conducted at 27, will take time.

FINANCE: Uncertainties on the debt restructuring Greek

Reuters - Greece has once again said Monday that it had no intention to restructure its debt, the governor of the central bank holding such an event catastrophic.

Under pressure from increasing pressure from markets, Athens has denied reports published by the daily Eleftherotypia, which reported Monday that Greece has requested earlier this month the European Union (EU) and Fund
(IMF) to restructure its debt.

German government sources believe however that Greece will not pass the summer without a restructuring of its debt.

These sources say however that this does not imply that Berlin pushes for restructuring.This means that the German government considers a restructuring almost inevitable, they continue.

These remarks have pushed the euro to its lowest level since April 7.

The Governor of the Central Bank of Greece George Provopoulos estimates in a report to shareholders that the restructuring would be detrimental to banks and pension funds.

"The Bank of Greece said clearly since last October that such an option is neither necessary nor desirable," he writes."That would have catastrophic consequences."

Echoing the governor of the Central Bank of Greece, the French Minister of Economy Christine Lagarde said Monday that the same debt restructuring Greek, or Irish or Portuguese would be "catastrophic."

The European Commission for its part said there was no ongoing discussion of restructuring.

The IMF, European Central Bank (ECB) and European Commission review in June if Greece qualifies to receive the next tranche of its bailout package of 110 billion euros.

Consequence of these speculations, the spread of the Greek debt was close to a record, reaching 1,096 basis points over the 10 years.

NIGERIA: Nigerians elect their president, Goodluck Jonathan outgoing favorite

Over 73 million Nigerians are electing their president Saturday in an election whose outgoing Goodluck Jonathan is favored, and show whether the giant nation has finally turned the page of the violent and fraudulent elections.

A week after the parliamentary elections that had been postponed twice but finally took place largely in a calm, voters are eligible to vote from 8:00 local time (0700 GMT).

Goodluck Jonathan, 53, of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) training that dominates the political scene and has won every presidential election since the return to civilian rule in 1999, with a share ahead of analysts.

Especially since the opposition has failed this week to form an alliance to face him.

But the incumbent could be challenged by Muhammadu Buhari, former military dictator 69 years old who is seeking the highest office for the third time since 1999.

Muslim from the north, it can count on broad support in this region face Jonathan, a Christian of the Niger Delta, the southern oil-producing countries, the largest producer of crude oil from Africa.

Nuhu Ribadu, who led the anti-corruption agency in Nigeria, and Ibrahim Shekarau, outgoing governor of Kano State (North), two other candidates are considered important in this election.

Nigeria is currently engaged in a series of ballots.April 26 will be the elections of governors of the federation of 150 million people as well as regional assembled.

The 2007 general elections were marred by fraud in the view of most observers, and efforts have been made to ensure that things go differently this year, thanks to the work of a new electoral commission headed by a respected teacher .

The local and international observers have praised the good performance of legislative Saturday, raising hopes of a peaceful presidential election.

However, at least 35 people were killed in bombings and other election-related violence since late last week, according to election commission

The borders were closed Thursday night and had to reopen Monday. Restrictions on vehicular traffic have been imposed for Saturday.

Egypt: The Egyptian army reintroduced the crime of opinion in respect of a blogger

Egypt seems to have trouble settle his accounts with the Mubarak era. A blogger has just made the bitter experience. Maikel Nabil was sentenced Monday to three years in prison for criticizing the military line. This is the first time since the fall of former President Hosni Mubarak, January 18, an Egyptian is sent to prison for expressing his opinions.

"This is a trial worthy of the time of Hosni Mubarak," complains FRANCE 24 Ezzat Ahmed, Egyptian jurist and member of the Association for freedom of expression and thought.Arrested March 28, Maikel Nabil was brought before a military tribunal, which is "totally illegal since it is the trial of a civilian," said FRANCE 24 Morayef Heba, a specialist in Egypt and Libya for the association of human rights Human Rights Watch. Egyptian military authorities accused him of calling on his blog at the end of conscription, which would call a "negative effect on Egyptian youth."

The military court has also allowed some liberties with the rights of defense. The blogger has thus been condemned in the absence of his lawyers Monday."The head of the court we were told that the decision would be made Tuesday, April 12," says FRANCE 24 Ali Atef, one of the lawyers Maikel Nabil, still under the purview of the surprised.

The new taboo

The verdict for comments made online has even more importance as the Internet has largely contributed to the Egyptian revolution. However, this is not the first time that the military authorities succumb to past practices by organizations defending human rights."Several people who attended events of March 9, Tahrir Square [to judge who called President Hosni Mubarak and criticizing some military officials, Ed] were arrested, tried by a military court and sentenced to prison," recalled Ahmed Ezzat.

He says that as long as certain laws, such as those on political parties and freedom of the press, were not repealed, "beautiful minds of the Egyptians will have changed, the system may still succumb to the same excesses."

"The army has become the new dirty word in Egypt," laments Atef Ali for his part, counsel for Maikel Nabil.A person who is, according to him, even more pronounced at the time of Hosni Mubarak. "Traditional media avoid talking about the military and the only ones who dare to mention the army are now bloggers," says he.

"We should not kid ourselves, the democratic transition does not happen in a few months it will take years to get there," said Ahmed Ezzat. Meanwhile, Maikel Nabil was transferred from his brother at the Tora prison. His lawyers intend to appeal against his conviction ... always before a military tribunal.

SYRIA: Security forces shoot live ammunition to disperse the crowd

AFP - Seven persons have been killed and dozens wounded Friday by gunfire from security forces in the Syrian city of Dera, where several thousand protesters marched after the prayer, told AFP activist of Human Rights.

A previous report from the same source reported the deaths of three people in this city, the epicenter of protest against the regime, located 100 km south of Damascus.

"Members of the security services in civilian clothes opened fire to disperse the protesters after the prayer," said the activist reached by telephone.

He said the first news reports, more than ten dead, but for now, "seven of them were identified.He added that "dozens have been injured" by the firing by security forces.

The official media have mentioned two deaths, a member of the security services and an ambulance, and dozens of wounded civilians, police and security services in this city by shooting attributed to "armed men opened fire the crowd. "

Syria was the scene since mid-March of a protest movement unprecedented regime of Bashar al-Assad.

SYRIA: The current uprising restructures opposition to the Baath Party

The Syrian opposition began its "martyrs' week", which opens Tuesday with a day of protest: a new initiative synonymous with defiance to President Bashar al-Assad. This mobilization, relayed on the Internet - including via Facebook Page "The Syrian Revolution 2011" - is both unprecedented challenges is severely repressed. The scheme, contested for almost three weeks despite a strong presence of its security services, could not imagine delivering such a showdown.

According to the organizations of human rights, about 130 people have been killed since the beginning of the movement - particularly Deraa, epicenter of the revolt at 100 km south of Damascus.Far from being intimidated by the violence of the regime, the youth can she provided lead the uprising to an end - like his distant cousins ​​Tunisian and Egyptian?

The Baath Party, the undisputed master of the political scene

Nothing is less certain. Since the 1963 coup that brought him to power, the Baath Party, a sort of combination between socialism and Arab nationalism, reigns supreme in the political arena. His supremacy is enshrined in the Constitution of 1973, which was consecrated as the ruling party of the state and society.An established order maintained since through the law on state of emergency which will suppress "legally" attempts at protests and political opposition. Responding to a claim, President Al-Assad has recently formed a commission to study the repeal of this draconian law.

"Syria has been frozen and sterilized to intellectual and politics since coming to power of the Baath and the establishment of the emergency law," said Syrian academic Bourhane Ghalioun, director of the Center for Arab Studies and the Orient contemporary at the Sorbonne. Parliamentary and officially secular, Syrian Republic is supposed to be open to the multiparty system.Are tolerated but only parties that comprise the "National Progressive Front," a coalition of several groups allowed by the Baath Party. "This coalition is expected to play the role of opposition is a sham, since it obeys the finger and the eye of the regime. The true pro-democracy opposition is silenced," says Ahmad, between exile in Paris.

An opposition gagged

Leaders exiled or jailed, activists routinely hounded by the intelligence services of the plan, the parties divided on objectives: opposition struggles to be heard."The opposition parties have never managed to unify their positions or to propose a joint project, mainly because of repression," said Bourhane Ghalioun.

In 2005, however, the secular opposition parties and the Muslim Brotherhood, based in London, had signed a founding text entitled "Damascus Declaration" calling for "democratic and radical change." In December 2007, a national council (governing body) of the "Damascus Declaration" was created in Syria, but many of its members were quickly arrested.Muslim Brotherhood, officially dismantled by the regime, the extreme left (Marxists, communists ...) through the Kurdish parties, the opposition continues to work illegally, with a margin of maneuver. "Prevented by force to speak, meet, develop relationships with people and to recruit young supporters, these parties are isolated from the rest of society," said the professor.

A phenomenon which explains the profusion of NGOs, intellectuals and protesters engaged in the country. The latter, mostly intellectuals or organized and supervised, "represent 90% of the opposition," according Bourhane Ghalioun."This is a direct consequence of repression against opposition parties," he developed. But this exposes the individual commitment equally to intimidation, arbitrary arrests and lengthy prison sentences.

The youth, who spearheaded the uprising

But a new factor has come to seize the effectiveness of the repressive machine of the regime, early this year. Inspired by the uprisings in Tunisia and Egypt, the country's youth gathered at the forefront of the current uprising. Despite the continuous monitoring on the Internet and the low penetration of the medium nationally (16.8% of the population only had access to the Web, in 2008). "Youth is the spearhead of the movement.Like the regime, opposition parties have been overwhelmed by this spontaneous movement and were content to support them, "says Bourhane Ghalioun. The Syrian population is young (77% under 35 years) and it is n has been that the Assad regime and the state of emergency. "We thought these kids were depoliticized by the Baathist propaganda, but it is not: they are the lifeblood of the opposition. They thirst for democracy and modernity and they will take over from our generation, who was on the verge of resignation, "concluded Ahmed.

NIGERIA: The legislative postponed to Monday for "organizational problems"

AFP - Nigeria has decided to postpone its elections lésiglatives to Monday because of organizational problems that marred the vote scheduled for Saturday, said the head of the electoral commission.

"To preserve the integrity of elections and retain overall control process effective, the commission has taken the difficult but necessary to repel Monday, April 4, 2011 elections to the National Assembly," saidAttahiru Jega the press.

The election of 360 members of the House of Representatives and 109 Senators would be Saturday the first of a planned series in the month, a test for democracy in the country's most populous country.

The most important presidential has been set for Saturday, April 9. It must be followed on 16 regional elections.

LIBYA: Participation shy of Arab countries to the London conference

Arab countries appeared back on Tuesday at the London conference to prepare for the Libya post-Qaddafi, the French and British wanted to cause the broadest and consensual way.

The announcement in the final communique that Qatar, the only Arab country with the UAE to participate in operations in Libya, will host the next meeting of the "contact group" came opportunely temper that impression late in the day.

Primarily concerned with the future of this country, most Arab states, such as Algeria and Egypt, which has now been overturned Hosni Mubarak, were not represented at the founding meeting of the "contact group" on Libya, which was attended by some forty countries and organizations.

The Arab League chief Amr Moussa, had declined the invitation, being represented by a single ambassador, a low profile by an Egyptian diplomat said the support of military operations by NATO and the unknowns hanging over Following the events in Libya.

The support of the Arab League to the West had yet been the trigger for the adoption of resolution 1973 the Security Council of the United Nations authorizing the adoption of "all necessary measures" to protect civilian populations.

While the Western powers - the United States, France and Germany - were represented by their Foreign Minister, Arab states were found by an ambassador, with the notable exception of the UAE and Qatar, which has a gesture of good will by agreeing to be noticed the host of the next meeting.

"The end of the Gaddafi regime is near," assured the opening of the meeting, Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassem.

Only seven Arab countries, on the 24-member Arab League were represented.

The African Union was, she was absent, while the chairman of the AU Commission, Jean Ping, was given again this Monday.

Other notable absentees, the Libyan people.The National Transitional Council (CNT), opposed the plan by Colonel Qaddafi, could not attend the meeting, despite the pressures of France.

Ahmad Jibril, who represents the CNT abroad, but multiplied sidelines meetings with chiefs of American diplomacy, Hillary Clinton, French, Alain Juppe, German, Guido Westerwelle, British and William Hague.

Contacts described as "very friendly" by the Council, which was then called, during a press conference, the countries involved in the response to Libya to supply arms to the rebels, in addition to political support.

The Council also submitted a statement in his "vision" of the post-Qaddafi and listed its "obligations: draft a new constitution, formation of political parties, citizens' right to vote in parliamentary and presidential elections and denunciation of terrorism ".

The terms are vague, when fighting continues and where Colonel Qaddafi does not appear eager to take the path of exile, as many call them leaders.

"I hope we do not make the same mistake as Iraq, where the post-Saddam Hussein was actively prepared including London, with the Iraqi opposition, to achieve the result we know" said one Arab diplomat, who requested anonymity.

 

COTE D'IVOIRE: UN to investigate the violence committed in the country

Reuters - The Commission on Human Rights to the UN on Friday gave its approval for the shipment to Côte d'Ivoire for an independent commission to investigate the violence.

The intergovernmental body composed of 47 States and based in Geneva, approved the resolution submitted by Nigeria on behalf of African countries.

The assessment of post-election violence prepared by the High Commissioner for Human Rights UN reports of 462 deaths.Nearly a million people have fled further Abidjan, as the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.

According to a spokesman of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, an investigation is underway regarding allegations of the death of 200 Africans from Mali, Burkina Faso, Senegal, Guinea and Togo, around the town of Guiglo, located in western Côte d'Ivoire.

Alassane Ouattara was declared winner of the second round of the presidential election four months ago by an independent commission Ivorian whose results were certified by the UN. Laurent Gbagbo, named winner of the election by the Constitutional Council, refuses to cede power.

JAPAN: In Tokyo, markets jump amid hopes in Fukushima

AFP - The Nikkei index of Tokyo Stock Exchange surged Tuesday close of 4.36%, investors buy shares at bargain prices after the plunge last week, amid hopes for nuclear power plant in Fukushima.

The Nikkei 225 index of blue chips gained 401.57 points to 9608.32 points.

The Topix index of all securities in the first table, which relates to a larger number of sectors, has greatly increased its share of 4.54%, taking 37.74 points to 868.13 points.

The activity was still very intense, with 3.66 billion shares traded, nearly double an average day.

The situation remained uncertain but appeared to have stopped deteriorating in the central Fukushima Daiichi (No. 1), hit by a series of accidents and radioactive leaks from the earthquake and tsunami of 11 March.

Number of operators rushed accordingly securities offered at bargain prices from diving 10.22% recorded last week by the Tokyo Stock Exchange.

Tokyo instead dropped last week because of concern among investors for the Japanese economy, affected by the consequences of the earthquake and tsunami, and the uncertainty surrounding the plant in Fukushima.

The Tokyo Stock Exchange remained closed since Friday night, Monday was a holiday in Japan.

ALPINE SKIING: Season ends with a bang for Adrien Theaux, who won the downhill in Lenzerheide

AFP - After experiencing his first podium this winter, Adrien Theaux has tasted its first victory Wednesday in the final downhill of the season in Lenzerheide, where the Swiss Didier Cuche was removed for the fourth time the World Cup of race queen.

At 26, the Pyrenean lived the emotions of a first podium, first super-G with a second place finish in Beaver Creek in early December, then downhill, with a third place in Kitzbuehel in January. On Wednesday, he felt the thrill of its premiere.

"I could not imagine a finer end of the season," said the skier dismissed in Val Thorens. "These are things we dream since childhood.This is not the world championships, it's a shame, but but it is a very good win. "

Its gently sloping winter allows the speed to find the French mountains. Since the heyday of its Olympic champion Antoine Deneriaz, skiing blue had recorded only one World Cup downhill, that won by Pierre-Emmanuel Dalcin in January 2007 in Val d'Isere.

Adrien Theaux had to have a bit of luck in his daily horoscope.

First with the timer, because it is one hundredth that has relegated to second place in the Austrian Joachim Puchner, while Norway's Aksel Lund Svindal, vice-Olympic downhill champion, took third place at 16/100e.Then with the sky, which was veiled in passing of the old lions like Didier Cuche and Michael Walchhofer, who disputed the crystal globe.

Especially with the track, steep, curvy and cannot, perfect to express his talents as a technician. "I told him that the track was cut out for him", said Patrice Morisod, the Swiss who has taken over the group velocity two years ago."Now he will kindly understand it can be very good at skiing," said this farmer champions, who led for years Didier Cuche.

The most moving

The Swiss 36-year veteran finished off the podium, but fourth place enabled him to blow the little globe Walchhofer, its Austrian rival, only 11th, and write his name in crystal among the largest ever Downers .

One in the history of downhill skiing is more globes that he, the great Franz Klammer, who won five times in World Cup downhill."It's the world that gives me the greatest emotions, even if the first was special," said Didier Cuche.

His female counterpart, the American Lindsey Vonn had her fourth downhill crystal globe in hand before arriving in Switzerland. As Cuche, the vice-champion of the world remained at the foot of the podium in Lenzerheide, seeing her compatriot Julia Mancuso win again four years after his last success.

But the triple defending the World Cup could be smiling as it took control in the overall standings with that almost got them all winter, Maria Riesch, disappointed not to score any points again Wednesday.

The German, who accuses now 27 points behind, has a super-G, slalom and a giant to reverse the trend."Since the beginning of the season, I was talking about the general at every race. Psychologically, it is experiencing," said the Bavarian, whose two bronze medals at the World Championships could well be his only trophy of the winter.

CARS: A security officer of Renault indicted for fraud

AFP - The alleged spy case that shook Renault last two months has led Sunday to the indictment for "organized fraud" a security official from the automaker and its detention.

Heard last 48 hours by the police of the Central Intelligence Inside (DCRI), Dominique Gevrey, a security officer at the origin of espionage charges that led to the dismissal of three executives in early January, was indicted Sunday evening by a judge.

Mr.Gevrey, who was arrested Friday as he prepared to fly to Guinea, in the wake was remanded in custody in accordance with the requisition of the prosecution.

Two other security officials of the automaker, also arrested on Friday and Saturday, for their part have been released without charge brought against them at this point.

"As part of Renault's complaint on suspicion of espionage, investigators have collected a number of elements that suggest that we are dealing with acts of fraud", it was commented judicial source, without provide details.

"We must refrain from making any comments not to disturb the course of justice," he told AFP Jean Reinhart, the lawyer for Renault. "We will provide a comprehensive and complete after the floor, probably Monday afternoon," he added.

M. Gevrey, former member of the Directorate for Protection and Security of Defense (DPSD) would have been in contact with a "source", paid up to several hundred thousand euros, the source of Charges against the three executives. He always refused to reveal the name.

To bring his accusations, the group relied on the numbers of three bank accounts which have been provided.One would have been particularly open in March 2009 in Switzerland fed with money from an audit firm in Cyprus, and another in Liechtenstein in February 2010 that would feed a third account.

But a source close to the deal was revealed last week told AFP that investigators had found the DCRI "no trace" of bank accounts on behalf of the officers nor "any evidence of espionage."

About 250,000 euros were paid to the anonymous informant Renault, according to the manufacturer's lawyer. The amount was channeled through a private investigator who was acting as an intermediary between the security department of Renault and the informant believed to have given substance to the suspicions of espionage.The DCRI did not rule on Friday to hear also "soon" means.

After shouting to espionage, the management of Renault now evokes the idea of ​​a "manipulation" in this case that led to the dismissal of three of its executives specializing in electric cars. The manufacturer's number 2, Patrick Pelata, recently warned that after the end of the investigation "all the consequences" would be taken at the highest level of the company.

PAKISTAN: At least 37 dead in suicide bombing at a funeral

At least 37 people were killed Wednesday by a suicide bomber who detonated his bomb at a funeral in Peshawar in northwestern Pakistan, a country gripped by a deadly wave of bombings Taliban allied with al-Qaeda, police said.

The man slipped in the middle of some 200 people who were preparing to pray at the funeral of the wife of a man fighting in an anti-Taliban militia, in the hamlet of Adeza, a suburb of Peshawar The metropolis of north-west, located at the gates of the tribal areas Islamist insurgent stronghold.

"The bomber came on foot, his target was the anti-Taliban militia members" who attended the outdoor funeral, told AFP by telephone Ijaz Mohammad Khan, a police officer in Peshawar.

"We took 37 dead and 45 wounded in hospital," said on-site AFP Kalam Khan, a police officer in Peshawar.

Adeza, a hamlet known for its anti-Taliban militia, was the target of fundamentalist attacks on several occasions in recent months.

Shortly after the powerful explosion, the floor of the place of prayer was stained with blood and shreds of flesh were lying among many caps that men cover their heads for prayer.

This new attack comes a day after a devastating attack at a service station near the offices of the powerful intelligence services in Faisalabad in central Pakistan, which killed 25 people and injured over 150.

A bomb hidden in a car set off a series of devastating explosions in the gas station was completely destroyed.Several surrounding buildings collapsed, but not the intelligence services building, apparently the target of the attack, police said.

Pakistan is experiencing an unprecedented wave of attacks (about 450 since summer 2007), mostly perpetrated by suicide bombers Taliban allied with al-Qaeda, which killed more than 4,100 dead in three and a half years.

The main insurgent group, the Movement of Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has declared in the summer of 2007 and in unison with Osama bin Laden himself, jihad Pakistani government for supporting Washington in its "war against terrorism" since late 2001.

The attacks are mostly security forces - army, police, intelligence services - but also increasingly civilians.

Friday in full great prayer, eleven people were killed in an attack against a mosque in Nowshera, near Peshawar, near the tribal areas bordering Afghanistan.

On several occasions recently, TTP claimed responsibility for attacks against security forces in retaliation, he said, the Pakistani army offensives and firing missiles almost daily by U.S. drones on executives' Al-Qaeda and Taliban Pakistani and Afghan tribal areas.

Tuesday, at least five insurgents were killed by two missiles from a U.S. drone in South Waziristan, the main stronghold of the TTP, as security forces.

COTE D'IVOIRE: Ping brings a "message" to the AU in Abidjan and requires "stop killing"

The president of the African Union Commission, Jean Ping, presented Saturday in Abidjan Ivory Coast President Laurent Gbagbo and leaving his rival Alassane Ouattara, a "message" of the panel of mediators, which demanded "an immediate halt to killings ".

According to Mr. Ouattara, President recognized by the international community, it is an "invitation", he accepted at a meeting of the Council for Peace and Security Council (PSC) of the AU, scheduled for 10 March in Addis Ababa.

The visit of Mr.Ping comes as the outbreak of violence two weeks ago raised fears that the crisis arose from the November 28 poll will lead to a civil war.

The International Criminal Court (ICC) Saturday expressed readiness to "move quickly" against the perpetrators of crimes against the civilian population.

Seven women were killed by gunfire during a pro-Ouattara Thursday in Abidjan, in the district of Abobo (north). Witnesses, the camp Ouattara and the UN mission in the country, UNOCI, accused the Defence Forces and Security (FDS) loyal to Gbagbo.The Gbagbo government on Saturday rejected the blame on "terrorists" armed insurgents that FDS face in Abobo and which he says are supported by UNOCI.

Accompanied by the Commissioner for Peace and Security of the AU, Ramtane Lamamra, Mr. Ping met in the afternoon with Mr. Gbagbo at his residence.

He then found Alassane Ouattara at Golf Hotel in Abidjan where it is entrenched with the government under a blockade of forces loyal to his opponent, whose panel has called for the lifting.

Mr. Ping has not revealed the contents of the "message". But Mr. Ouattara said it consisted of an invitation to Thursday's meeting of Heads of State of the SPC."Of course, I accepted this invitation and all the arrangements (will be) taken for me to go there," he said.

Mr. Ping, who was to leave Abidjan on Sunday morning, then met with President of the Constitutional Council N'Dré Paul Yao.

Close to the outgoing President, Mr. Yao N'Dré is central to the post-election crisis that, while Mr Ouattara was declared winner by the electoral commission and the UN, the Constitutional Council struck down some of these results and proclaimed Gbagbo reelected.

Mr.Ping is sent by the panel of five African heads of state on the Ivorian crisis, which met Friday in Nouakchott under the chairmanship of Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz (Mauritania) and in presence of Jacob Zuma (South Africa), Jakaya Kikwete (Tanzania), Idriss Deby (Chad) and Blaise Compaore (Burkina Faso).

The group, whose findings were originally expected in late February, was finally in March to reach solutions "binding".

For now, the quintet has demanded "immediate cessation of killings" and protests that could "degenerate into disorder and violence."

The Security Council UN fears a "resurgence of civil war."After a failed coup, the fighting of 2002-2003 had divided the country into two, the north being in the hands of the former rebel New Forces (FN) now allied with Mr. Ouattara.

The violence has already killed 365 since late 2010, including 50 in a week, depending on the balance sheet prepared by UNOCI before the death of seven women in the neighborhood of Abobo, a stronghold of Mr. Ouattara.

The humanitarian situation is worsening further with the exodus of residents in Abobo and west, plagued by fighting between FDS and FN.

After a break occurred since Monday FN zone, electricity and water have been restored Saturday, residents said several northern cities.The Gbagbo government had relied on industrial needs, but the UN had denounced "an inhuman act with tragic consequences."

TECHNOLOGY: Apple is about to unveil a new iPad

The U.S. manufacturer Apple expected to unveil on Wednesday a new version of its tablet computer iPad, which should be given additional features to better counter the competition from devices left by other manufacturers lately.

On the eve of the conference format in San Francisco (California, western United States) from 1800 GMT, the blogosphere was buzzing with rumors about the new waiting.

Apple, for its part has merely invite journalists by sending them a picture showing the corner of a calendar sheet is covered on an iPad.

A year ago, the Apple boss Steve Jobs unveiled the iPad, calling it "revolutionary and magical product really." This year Mr.Jobs, 56, is on sick leave since mid-January, but according to the news site specializing All Things Digital, however it would consider making an appearance to attend the presentation of the iPad 2.

Analysts at Goldman Sachs, "the device should provide a first line of defense against competing tablets expected in the coming months."An enhanced memory, a more powerful microprocessor, cameras front and back, perhaps a thinner design and more angular, could characterize the new device.

"In today's market, we can not wait long to deliver an update," he told AFP by Gartner analyst Ken Dulaney, who said that "other tablets have caught at least ( capacity) of the model last year. "

Monday, Motorola's Mobility CEO Sanjay Jha said he was pleased with initial sales of its tablet Xoom, running the Google Android Honeycomb: very noticed the large electronics show in Las Vegas in January, the unit is stores since Thursday and it has "started well", despite its hefty price tag.

Samsung sells for several months his Galaxy Tab, and BlackBerry prepares its playbook for its part, while Hewlett-Packard has announced its TouchPad for next summer.

In February, the consulting firm Deloitte predicts that it would sell a total of fifty million tablets this year. Apple has sold some 15 million iPad 2010.

THEATER: "Men and Gods", and Polanski "Gainsbourg" at the Cesar awards

"Men and Gods," by Xavier Beauvois and "The Ghost Writer" by Roman Polanski are the big winners of the 36th Cesar ceremony of French cinema, presented Friday night in Paris.

"Gainsbourg (heroic life)," Joann Sfar's first film, has also been awarded three times in a balanced place winners during an evening of almost three hours by Antoine de Caunes and chaired by American actress Jodie Foster.

Named best film, "Men and Gods" tells the story of Tibhirine monks murdered in Algeria in 1996.Spiritual work and demanding already seen by 3.2 million viewers, she received three Caesar, in addition to the Grand Jury Prize at last received the Cannes festival.

In his speech, Xavier Beauvois had a thought for the filmmaker Francois Truffaut and referred to the 2012 presidential election in France.

"I do not want that in capmagne election happens, we speak ill of the French Muslims, I want people to be with them is the lesson of this film," he said.

"Men and Gods" also earned the César for best supporting actor Michael Lonsdale for his luminous incarnation of a physician-monk, Brother Luke.

"Better late than never," said the actor rewarded in this way for the first time in nearly 80 years.

Awarded four times, including the Cesar for best director, "The Ghost Writer" allows Polanski to return to light after a year marked by legal troubles that forced him to spend several months under house arrest.

Franco-Polish filmmaker was freed last July after the refusal of Switzerland to extradite to the United States, where the court wanted to hear for a sex scandal.

"The Ghost Writer," who made a million entries, tells the story of a negro literary hired to complete the memoirs of British Prime Minister.

Politico-sentimental comedy by Michel Leclerc "The name of the people" received two statuettes, one for Sara Forestier, voted best actress. The young woman was particularly competing against Catherine Deneuve, heroine of the comedy "Potiche.

The Cesar for best first film was awarded "Gainsbourg, heroic life," by Joann Sfar, who runs the fantastic tone of the story the story of the singer Serge Gainsbourg, who died 20 years ago.Reincarnated on the screen, Eric Elmosnino, was crowned best actor on Friday night.

The Cesar for Best Actress was awarded to Leila Bekhti for "All That Glitters" and Best Male Newcomer went to Edgar Ramirez to Carlos, the film ".

The Cesar for best foreign film was awarded "The Social Network" by David Fincher, one of the favorites for the Oscars which will be held Sunday in Los Angeles.

For the first time, the Academy of Caesar rewarded an animated film.The prize went to "the Illusionist", work by Sylvain Chomet based on a script by Jacques Tati unfinished.

The Cesar for best short film was crowned "Logorama", already awarded last year in Hollywood for the Oscar for best short animated film.

Special tributes were paid to film greats missing last year: the actor and director Bernard Giraudeau, Alain Corneau and filmmakers Claude Chabrol.

A Caesar of honor was awarded to American director Quentin Tarantino. The creator of "Pulp Fiction" and "Jackie Brown" ended his acceptance speech by three French words uttered with enthusiasm: "Vive le cinema!"

COTE D'IVOIRE: African Union proposes a power-sharing or new elections

AFP - Four African presidents panel on the Ivorian crisis were preparing to meet Tuesday in Abidjan, Alassane Ouattara, leader of the state recognized by the international community, following a meeting with his rival, incumbent Laurent Gbagbo, background violence.

On the second day of their visit, Idriss Deby (Chad), Jikaya Kikwete (Tanzania), Jacob Zuma (South Africa) and Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz (Mauritania) should meet by mid-day with Mr. Ouattara at the Golf Hotel where he was entrenched with his team, his entourage said.

As to Mr. Gbagbo on Monday, the panel must submit to Mr.Ouattara's proposals to end by 28 February solutions "binding" on both sides.

According to a South African minister, the four Heads of State delegated by the African Union (AU) to resolve the crisis post-election power-sharing offer or an interim government until new elections.

The panel of mediators, which includes the South African President Jacob Zuma, "attempts to find a compromise solution, whether sharing the presidency between the two presidents or government (...) of interim until new elections, "he said Tuesday at the AFP Deputy South African Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ibrahim Ibrahim.

"I do not think the panel looks for one or the other, both Gbagbo and Alassane Ouattara, because it would lead to a destabilization of the country," said Ibrahim, interviewed on the sidelines of the session Parliament in Cape Town.

The panel met with Mr. Ouattara, originally scheduled for Monday evening, could eventually take place. In the entourage of Mr.Ouattara, we explained that he wanted to express his dissatisfaction and a lack of representation of West Africa in the delegation.

The Burkinabe President Blaise Compaore, a panel member, agreed to drop to travel to Abidjan for "security reasons": more than a thousand pro-Gbagbo youths were waiting at the airport the former mediator in the peace process Côte d'Ivoire (2007-2010) whom they accuse of being an ally of Mr. Ouattara and the former French colonial power.

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), which adopted a harder line that the African Union with the threat of force to dislodge Mr.Gbagbo has also strongly criticized the continuation of the visit of the panel cut one of its members

"The ECOWAS Commission was concerned to see that the panel has nevertheless decided to conduct the tour immediately without the participation of a senior member whose contributions to the peace process in Côte d'Ivoire are priceless and deserve better assessments and more respect, "she said.

For her, the situation on the ground was not "conducive to the holding of a mission of such importance."

The President of the ECOWAS Commission, James Victor Gbeho, who recently ruled sternly attempts to compromise with Mr.Gbagbo has also canceled his trip to Abidjan.

The new mediation occurs when the Ivorian capital is experiencing a resurgence of tension since the weekend.

After nearly three months of crisis, the camp Ouattara, inspired by the revolutions in Tunisia and Egypt, called on his people to take action to expel the president.

According to local newspapers, at least six people were killed Monday in clashes between supporters of very violent M.Ouattara and Forces for Defence and Security (FDS) loyal to his rival in the popular districts of Abobo (north), Kumasi and Treichville (south).

These clashes have resulted for several hours at the scenes of urban guerrillas, witnesses said.

The post-election violence killed at least 300 deaths since mid-December, the UN says.

INTERNET: Facebook, friend of Egyptian and Tunisian authorities

Use rather than censor. This, it seems, the new approach that the military authorities in charge of the transition in Egypt have decided to adopt towards social networks. On Thursday, the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (AFSC) has opened its own page on Facebook where all Egyptians are invited to speak. Will stand out from the previous regime or simple phone communication?

"We ask the children of Egypt to ask their questions here and we will reply within 48 hours," reads the new page. Customers Egyptian, Arabic and more generally, have jumped at the chance. In one night, nearly 4,000 comments have been posted.

Besides messages of congratulation to the new strongman of Cairo, the main applications concern the release of prisoners and the preservation of the achievements of the revolution. Others may even make suggestions for the less original, as the surfer who moved its candidate for the post of Minister of Economy because, he says, is "a true nationalist and a good expert in economics" .

This gesture of opening 2.0 of the army intervenes while Amnesty International has made public Thursday, a new report accusing the authorities in Cairo to always use force against prisoners.The International Organization for Defense of Human Rights ensures even have proof that the past weekend, two inmates were killed as a result of abuse.

Light year Digital

Whether in Egypt or Tunisia, communicating via social networks have become indispensable for the new custodians of power.

In Tunis, the new ministers have mounted one after the other their Facebook page. First to have taken the plunge, February 8, the Ministry of Industry and Technology currently has more than 15,000 "fans" on his page.

But the member of the government's most popular social network is, ironically, the new interior minister, who managed to mobilize more than 115 000 "fans" in less than a week. Like his colleagues, however, that man does not publish official announcements. This Friday, the Prime Minister inaugurated, in turn, their Twitter account.

The examples of Egypt and Tunisia are certainly light years digital situation faced by other Arab states plagued by protests. Libya, Yemen and Algeria have none - or almost - official presence on Facebook or Twitter.Only Bahrain appears to be doing the game

The Ministry of Interior and Minister of Foreign Affairs Khalid Al Khalifa, have an account on the microblogging network. If, on the wire, the Bahraini chief diplomat recalls the events that stir his country, to better distinguish them from the Tunisian and Egyptian revolutions.

More pragmatically, the Interior Ministry made a regular item on the traffic situation in the capital Manama, where protests disrupt traffic on certain routes.

MEXICO - FRANCE: Case Break: Mexico withdrew from the Year of France in Mexico

REUTERS - The Mexican authorities said Monday they had no intention of transferring Florence Break in France and they announced their withdrawal of the Year held in Mexico in France.

They respond to the request of Nicolas Sarkozy, who has again claimed Monday that the repatriation of French 36 year old sentenced to 60 years in prison in Mexico for complicity in kidnapping.The French president has proposed serving her sentence in France.

Nicolas Sarkozy also announced that the Year of Mexico would be maintained and would always mention the case of Florence Break.

The Mexican government has decided to withdraw from the event, accusing France of the diversion for political purposes.

"The trial of Cassez demonstrated his guilt," said the Mexican Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a statement, referring to victims and witnesses called to testify.

Nicolas Sarkozy received Monday for the tenth time the parents of the young woman, whose last appeal was rejected last week by the Mexican justice system, while it has always protested his innocence.

International Convention

"I am ready to speak with Mexican officials the conditions of this transfer and guarantees they would like to receive in exchange," said the French president.

He recalled that his Mexican counterpart, Felipe Calderon, had proposed in a letter this transfer, under an international convention in Strasbourg, and said he would call on this.

The Mexican government responded that this Convention does not accept a state to any transfer request made by another State.

Nicolas Sarkozy has instead announced the continuation of the Year of France in Mexico, which began Feb. 3.

Family, friends, counsel for Florence Break, Frank Berton, and French leaders demanded the cancellation of some 200 cultural events, historical or economic need to punctuate the year in Paris and the provinces.

The French president said that removing these events constitute an "offense to the Mexican people" and would be contrary to the interests of Florence Break.He said he based his decision in consultation with the young woman with whom he had just spoken on the phone and he said he wanted to dedicate this year in Mexico.

"(...) I ask that every official will have the opportunity to speak during these events begins by talking about Cassez, its location, so we do not forget," he added Head of State, who said he wanted to make his own speech on the occasion of one of them.

Hostages

Arriving in Mexico in August 2003 for a vacation, Cassez had decided to move to Mexico where she became acquainted with Israel Vallarta, presented by the Mexican police as the leader of a gang of kidnappers.She became the girlfriend, but claims to have known nothing of his activities.

The police acknowledged that his arrest had been staged for television and she had no place December 9, 2005, as originally announced, but the day before.

Upon his arrest, three hostages, including a girl, were found on the ranch where she was.

Me Berton, who attended the meeting at the Elysee Palace, confirmed he would report within a fortnight from the public prosecutor of Paris against the Mexican Minister of Public Security, Genaro Garcia Luna .

The lawyer said that this complaint for forgery and forgery of public and fabrication of evidence would also apply Luis Cárdenas Palomino, former right-hand Garcia Luna to the head of the Mexican Federal Investigation Agency.

Genaro Garcia Luna was responsible for the Mexican police during the arrest of Florence Break.

Egypt: Egyptian journalists are trying to turn their revolution

A journalist's flagship national television driven from Tahrir Square, the editors called for the resignation, an editorial upset overnight ... Egyptian journalists working for state media try, too, to make their revolution.

"During the first 10 days of the protest movement, coverage of events by the Egyptian media has been shameful, denounces Rasha Abdulla, director of Journalism and Mass Communication from the American University in Cairo, cited by the U.S. daily" The Washington Post. "It was like they were living on another planet."

Since then, things began to change."The change is radical, confirms Wael Qandil, editor of the independent daily" Al-Shourouk. "The editors who spent their time to kowtow to power calling for transparent elections and the official media are now allowed to deal with Muslim Brotherhood members who were previously excluded from the media landscape. "

"The revolution in Al-Ahram!"

In "Rose el-Youssef," one of the four main government dailies, the employees demanded the resignation of their editor, Abdullah Kamal, and managing editor, Karam Gabr.For the second consecutive day, journalists and employees have demonstrated Wednesday in front of the newspaper's headquarters, preventing the executive to join its offices. In "Al-Jumhuriya," another state-run daily, the atmosphere is the same, the editor Ibrahim Ali being disowned by his staff.

Within the daily "Al-Ahram, the most widely distributed in Egypt, the voltage is also keen. According to the website of the newspaper, more than one hundred employees gathered in the lobby on Tuesday, demanding permanent contracts."The revolution throughout Egypt, the revolution of Al-Ahram '!" They chanted, repeating also slogans against corruption but also against the newspaper owners.

Their editor, Omar Saraya has yet made these days a 180 degrees. "Until now, he was a pillar of the regime of President Hosni Mubarak said Tamer Ezzedine, FRANCE 24's correspondent in Cairo. It now shows friendly demonstrators." In a forum, Omar Saraya praised the "nobility" of the revolution, calling on the regime to rapidly implement reforms.

But these last-minute reversals are not always pay.The television star presenter Egyptian Amr Adib, come talk to those camping for more than two weeks in downtown Cairo, was jostled and insulted before being driven from Tahrir Square.

"Take the train"

The journalists of Radio and Television of State, meanwhile, tried to protest on Wednesday to denounce the coverage of recent events on their media. "The gathering could not take place, they were only forty at the headquarters of Radio Television, said Tamer Ezzedine.But several groups have formed on Facebook to say they were not accepting the lies that were disseminated. "

Another journalist in the crosshairs of the profession, Makram Mohammad Ahmad, President of journalists' union. As the responsible official media, he has been appointed by the Head of State. At a demonstration outside the headquarters of the union, members of the organization have called to leave his post. They also allege that the union not to have expressed its solidarity with the Egyptian journalist Mohamed Mahmoud Ahmad, was killed while covering the protests.

According to his wife, Mohamad Ahmad Mahmoud filming clashes from the balcony of his office when security forces shot him, to the head, January 29.He died six days later from his injuries.

To Wael Qandil, if the change in tone is real, it is still too early to speak of genuine freedom of expression. "The state media following the evolution of official discourse, he says, they are just trying to take the train. But those who would use a real freedom of expression are still under attack of power. "

TUNISIA: The interim government is continuing its battle against the former ruling party

AFP - The Tunisian Prime Minister Mohammed Ghannouchi on Monday urged members reunited for the first time since the fall of Ben Ali, to authorize the Interim President to rule by decree-law, bypassing parliament dominated by the former ruling party power.

The battle against the former all-powerful Democratic Constitutional Rally (RCD) had taken the first step Sunday with the announcement by the Ministry of Interior of the "suspension" of the party before a "dissolution" next.

MPs gathered in front of the palace of Bardo in Tunis headquarters of the Parliament, the prime minister has urged politicians to preserve the achievements of the popular revolution that led to the downfall of Zine El Abidine Ben Ali on January 14.

A bill to that effect "will enable the Interim President (Fouad Mebazaa) to adopt ordinances pursuant to Article 28 of the Constitution," said the Prime Minister.

"Time is precious.These decree-laws, Tunisia really need to overcome the dangers "threatening the gains of the revolution, insisted Mohammed Ghannouchi.

"There are people who want to return to Tunisia in back, but we must honor our martyrs, who fought for freedom," he said, calling the 125 members present (out of 214 elected members) to adopt the text, expected to rise on Wednesday before the House of Councillors (Senate).

Members should decide in the day on this "bill empowering the president to take interim decree law", according to the unified agenda of the session.

Specifically, the untouchable and all-powerful party under President Ben Ali, who claimed to have 2 million members in a country of 10 million people, has yet no right to organize meetings or rallies, and all its premises are closed.

But many of its cadres are still present in the government and police. The opposition fears that the RCD, the only party that benefited from facilities around the country, only takes all the elections scheduled in six months.A delay also challenged as being too short by many political groups banned under Ben Ali.

This offensive against the RCD operates in a time of great tension in various regions of the country (north, south and center), while the government has to ease the curfew in force since January 12 after a clean sweep at the head of the police.

The recent appointment of 24 new provincial governors are struggling to pass. In several areas, demonstrators demanded their departure just days after taking office because of "RCDisme.

The governor of Gafsa (West Central) has had to leave Sunday its offices under military protection.

Further north, the city of El Kef was a weekend of rioting that people attribute to ochestrées provocations by the RCD. Two people were killed Saturday by a police commissioner, the police building was set on fire twice, and groups of looters have caused panic in the city.

BURMA: Prime Minister Thein Sein appointed president of the country

AFP - Prime Minister of Burma and retired Gen. Thein Sein, was Friday appointed president of the country, officials said official sources at the end of a process that allows the junta to lock the power.

According to a timeline announced for several days, Thein Sein, including 47 to 65 years in the army, was promoted to the highest political position by a committee of MPs elected in the November elections, and appointed by the military junta .

"Thein Sein was elected by a majority of votes," said a senior Burmese official.

Tin Aung Myint Oo, also a former general, and Sai Kham Mouk, a member of the Shan ethnic group and part of the Solidarity Party and the Union Development (USDP, pro-junta) were in turn appointed Vice-Presidents.

Thein Sein will come in the weeks to form a government.

The only unknown of the new Burmese regime, but perhaps most important, concerned Than Shwe, 77, who ruled with an iron fist since 1992 and has, so far, given no information about his future.

If the army is unquestionably at the head of the country, will play the role as chief, also feared that powerful, is the subject of numerous rumors and speculation.

Burmese sources have assured that he would retire.

But analysts say that after a reign of terror in the country for nearly two decades, it will retain a function, even the background, to avoid retaliation and to ensure his safety and that of his clan.

EGYPT: Poor revenue shopkeepers Cairo

Shops, cafes, cloth merchants, boutiques of ready-to-wear, shoe ... On the seventh day of the protest movement that stirred Egypt, Cairo shopkeepers lifted the curtain and watch the customers. But after a week of protests, the activity is idling in the street Boulaq, in the heart of the capital.

Typically, this means that by building a business account, is very lively. "At noon, in general, this street is crowded. Today, it lacks 80% of customers," said Ali, a young clothing salesman. Today, he has managed to sell a shirt.Her shop, nestled in a stairwell, however, is full of articles of all kinds.

Ali had not opened his shop since the first demonstration against Hosni Mubarak, January 25. "The events of last week have greatly complicated my business. My shop remained closed until today." A significant loss for the small trader. This Monday at midday, Ali accounts: only 20 cookbooks. "I usually earns 200 pounds a day [25 euros]," he laments.

The shops under surveillance

The curfew, imposed by the authorities from 16 hours does not help his situation. "I will close my shop earlier than usual, I do not want to take risk.My merchandise is expensive, I must protect them if the situation goes out, "said the shopkeeper, who said he nevertheless supported the demands of protesters.

Boulaq Street has not yet been subject to looting: its merchants take turns throughout the night to monitor, along with citizen militias armed, aisles and came suspicious. "We're tired of working day and monitor the area at night. But thank you God, he did nothing serious happened here," said Hussein, a toy salesman. Inside his dusty shop, it hides two iron bars. "If ..."

Priority to food

Further, a Coptic textile merchant waits in a chair dilapidated barge. Not a soul in sight."I'm not complaining, there is still activity even if it is lower than usual," Boutros philosopher. His toothless driver, Mohamed, desperately waiting for a race this morning. "This situation is not good for trade in general. The people prefer to remain cautious and pay only for food," he notes.

Mothers who are walking this long shopping street are almost exclusively bags of food. Magdi, the septuagenarian neighborhood butcher, has a broad smile. His two son working to dismember the carcasses of cattle on the pavement. And clients are waiting for you."My butcher has remained open since the protests began, I have no problem to give me," he says while patting his casket.

Favorably to Mubarak, he is convinced that this "small rebellion" comes to an end. "Egypt is not Tunisia, the President will not leave. Moreover, whatever the character who will succeed him, there is no guarantee that it will be better," he says before getting up to receive a cage containing a dozen chickens.

CHILE: Santiago opened an investigation for the first time in the death of Allende

Chilean Justice announced Thursday the opening of its first investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of President Salvador Allende died during the coup of General Augusto Pinochet that toppled the leftist government, September 11, 1973.

"We'll see whether or not there was suicide and under what circumstances," said a judicial source, who requested anonymity.

Salvador Allende, elected president of Chile in 1970 to lead a leftist coalition, was killed by gunfire in the presidential palace, bombed by the air force during the coup led by General Pinochet.He was 65.

An autopsy concluded that Allende had committed suicide, but the results are disputed by some political sectors and organizations defending human rights.

"Justice will investigate what has not been investigated," he simply stated the prosecutor of the Court of Appeal, Beatriz Pedrals.

It was she who on Wednesday opened proceedings in this case and in 725 other cases of violations of human rights during the dictatorship (1973-1990), never previously treated for lack of complaints.

"Last year, the lists of victims of the Rettig Report (National Commission for Truth and Reconciliation) have been reviewed and this information was intersected with the complaints so far.We then saw that many cases had not been the subject of proceedings, "said the judiciary.

The judge assigned to coordinate these issues has asked the Attorney Pedrals to complain instead of victims of dictatorship, which ended in 3150 killed or missing and 28,000 cases of torture.

Currently, 560 former military personnel are prosecuted for crimes committed under military rule.

Files opened Wednesday correspond to cases of missing and dead prisoners "whatever the reason," said the judge. It may for example include people killed by a bullet "lost" during a protest.

"We must investigate all crimes.We speak more than 700 cases that have never been investigated, including that of Allende, which gives more weight "to the proceedings, responded Lorena Pizarro, president of the Association Parents of Disappeared Detainees.

The arrival in power of Allende had worried the conservative sectors of Chile and the United States, who feared that his "Chilean road to socialism" do not rock the South American country in the communist camp.

Washington had decided to act secretly with the CIA, sponsoring and supporting the coup against Allende, who had nationalized the major mining resources of the country, such as copper, at the time controlled by U.S. multinationals.

The United States has long supported the then military regime and its economic policy, modeled on the precepts and ultra-liberal monetarists of the Chicago School.

Pinochet died in 2006, 16 years after he left office without having been tried.

Allende's widow, Hortensia Bussi, had fled to Mexico after the coup but had continued to fight the dictatorship. She herself died in 2009 at the age of 94 years.

The couple had three daughters, Carmen Paz, Beatriz, who died, and Isabel, Socialist MEP.