Dominique Strauss-Kahn will be paid according to his lawyer

The former director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Dominique Strauss-Kahn will be acquitted in the trial for attempted rape and sexual assault brought against him, says one of his lawyers Benjamin Brafman said in an interview published Sunday in Haaretz.

"He will plead not guilty, and ultimately he will be acquitted," said Mr. Brafman in the liberal Israeli newspaper interview, the first since the arrest of his client on May 14

"Nothing is safe, but what I discern in the investigation, he (Strauss-Kahn) will be paid (...) He was very impressed.Despite the circumstances, it is well shot, "he said.

"He is not happy to be accused of actions he did not commit," he told Mr. Brafman, who came to Israel to attend a family event.

Mr. Brafman, 62, is considered one of the great masters of the bar in the United States. He was counsel for several American stars, including the late Michael Jackson.

CINEMA: The filmmaker Lars Von Trier persona non grata in Cannes after his remarks about Hitler

Danish director Lars Von Trier, who had expressed the day before his "sympathy" for Hitler, was declared Thursday "persona non grata" by the Festival de Cannes "with immediate effect", but has not been excluded from the competition, announced the festival management.

"The Governing Council strongly condemns the remarks and said Lars Von Trier persona non grata at Cannes, and that, effective immediately," said the executive in a statement.

Questioned by AFP, she said that the sanction did not exclude the director of the official competition for the Palme d'Or.

The festival president Gilles Jacob, had called on Thursday morning a special board to examine évntuelles sanctions against the director.

"The Cannes Film Festival offers artists from around the world an exceptional platform to showcase their work and defend freedom of expression and creation" and "deeply regrets that this forum was used by Lars Von Trier to express about unacceptable, intolerable contrary to the ideals of humanity and generosity that govern the very existence of the festival, "adds its leaders.

At the press conference for his film "Melancholia," the director had created unease in professing sympathy for Hitler he "understands" and judging that "Israel is really shit," before apologizing in 'afternoon at the request of the festival.

UNITED STATES: A New York judge ordered the jailing of Dominique Strauss-Kahn

AFP - A judge has ordered New York's incarceration Dominique Strauss-Kahn and refused to release him on bail of one million dollars, two days after his arrest in a case of sexual crime against a woman in a room Manhattan hotel.

Judge Melissa Jackson has raised a risk of leakage from the International Monetary Fund boss, arrested on Saturday aboard an Air France plane that was leaving Kennedy Airport in New York.

The defense of the former minister had earlier offered bail of one million dollars for the provisional release of DSK, which has also submitted his passport to justice.

Strauss-Kahn would also committed to reside in New York with his daughter, his lawyers have proposed.

IVORY COAST: 68 bodies found in the district of Yopougon, Abidjan

AFP - Sixty-eight bodies were discovered Friday in ten graves by a team from the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights in the Yopougon in Abidjan, said Monday the deputy spokesman Farhan Haq, UN .

Two mass graves in particular contained 31 and 21 bodies respectively in this quarter which was the last stronghold of militiamen loyal to former President Laurent Gbagbo.

The UN team questioned the witnesses and families to find out what happened but "it is believed that the killings were committed on April 12 by the pro-Gbagbo", all victims are male, at he added.

The UN mission in Cote d'Ivoire said that there was information on other graves nearby and continues to investigate, said the spokesman.

Yopougon, which was the last stronghold of militiamen loyal to former President Laurent Gbagbo was declared secure, but remains devastated by weeks of violence. Dozens of bullet-riddled bodies or charred skeletons were strewn in the middle of last week the streets of this vast district, where more than one million people.

Nearly 3,000 people were killed in Ivory Coast during the violence related to challenge the presidential elections of 28 November 2010, authorities said.

CYCLING - TOUR OF ITALY: Contador, the Giro favorite hardest of History

150 years ago, Italy proclaims his unit, acquired in pain. The organization of the Giro 2011, which begins this Saturday, wishes to celebrate this anniversary in style.

The course of this year, cleverly designed by its director Angelo Zomegnan, has all of a tribute. And the 207 riders who participate should be there, more than ever, faced with the pain.

The 2011 Giro route is unanimous on one point: a Grand Tour has never offered a challenge if statement. On this circuit almost exclusively reserved for pure climbers, eight of the 21 stages will offer a mountain top finish.

The hostilities will begin with the 7th stage a long ascent to Montevergine di Mercogliano in the southern province of Campania.Two days later, the first major highlight of the race: a double ascent of Mount Etna, Sicily.

An appetizer spicy before crossing the Dolomites (steps 13, 14 and 15), marked by the crossing of the legendary Zoncolan, one of the steepest paved roads in Europe, May 21 The rider who come out top of the triptych of the North-East has scored points in the context of the conquest of the pink jersey.

But it's the 16th stage, a time to coast between Belluno Nevegal and 12 km, which could seal the fate of this 2011 edition. The leader of the race have not yet quite won the evening cons of this decisive time-trial.He will go smoothly, the penultimate stage, marked by the ascent of the Colle delle Finestre and 16 kilometers of land.

A last ditch effort that could weigh on organisms at the time of the last year of the Giro 2011: one against the clock to 31 km in the streets of Milan.

Contador favorite, the young guard in ambush

Forced to await his trial in June before formalizing its participation in the upcoming Tour de France, Spaniard Alberto Contador (ESP, Saxo Bank, 28 years) is available in Italy with the bib favorite.Unbeaten in the last five major tours in which he participated, "El Pistolero" is always the best climber in the world and could not make short work of his opponents in this Giro composed of rugged steps that seem designed for him.

The leader of Saxo Bank, in the absence of the Schleck brothers, should nevertheless be wary of competition from the new generation, led by Italy's Vincenzo Nibali (ITA, Liquigas, 26).At home, the climber Sicilian Liquigas, 3rd of last Giro will want to prove that his victory in the Vuelta last was not due to chance.

His former teammate Roman Kreuziger (CZE, Astana, 24 years), past leader of the Astana team, will also have the opportunity to showcase itself on the slopes of Italy, if he manages to pass a course. It will demonstrate why an unfailing regularity.

Spain will follow closely the leader of Euskaltel's Igor Anton (ESP, Euskaltel, 28). The Basque leader of the Vuelta last before being forced to retire, could be the surprise of this edition 2011.

Contador will also be wary of thirtysomethings Denis Menchov (RUS, Geox, 33 years) and Michele Scarponi (ITA, Lampre, 31).Menchov, whose team Geox was not invited to the next Tour de France, will take to heart to win this Giro and Scarponi, 4th last year and will seek a podium on a course that will allow him to use his qualities pure climber.

Ten Blues for a good shot

With ten French engaged in this Giro 2011, the chances of winning are slim lights. On a course built for climbers, the Blues would be very difficult to distinguish.

John Gadret (AG2R La Mondiale) seems one that has the best weapons. Thirteenth of the Giro and the Tour de France 19th in 2010, he could get a Top 10 - its goal - if it has at its best.Its resilience in the high mountains could also enable it to play a stage win on several race days.

Teammate Mikael Cherel, one of the great hopes of French cycling just 24 years, will be on his wheel to learn and why not pull out of the game if the race circumstances are right.

If cons-performance team AG2R, whose membership represents 60% of the French contingent engaged in this Giro, the light could come from Christophe Le Mevel, driven leader of Team Garmin-Cervelo.The rider Breton is also a Top 10.

Finally, we must monitor Brice Feillu (Team Trek-Leopard), called the package last minute after Daniele Bennati, and Jerome Pineau (Quick Step), always quick to invite themselves in the good things promised steps to backpackers

TERRORISM: The experts are questioning the future of Al-Qaeda

"This is an extraordinary success for the Americans, but the situation is unclear," said Gerard Chaliand, geo-strategist, specializing in irregular warfare, called on the board of FRANCE 24. "I thought that bin Laden was long dead. It's a great surprise, "he said.

According to U.S. statements, Osama bin Laden was killed in Abbottabad, near the Pakistani capital. Localization is not surprising that Gerard Chaliand, because "the Pakistanis have not ceased to have an ambiguous attitude. They obviously had the same interests as Americans.The big question is the role they played. "

How can Pakistanis react?

Cédric Molle-Laurençon, FRANCE 24 journalist who has worked in Pakistan, asks him about how the Pakistanis feel that U.S. special forces operation in the heart of their country. "The Pakistanis are living less and less drone strikes on their territory. So imagine how the Pakistani street is going to live this action of a U.S. commando a few kilometers from the capital! "

Nobody knows the exact reasons for the presence of the most wanted man in the world in this big house that the Americans had spotted for several months.But according to Roland Jacquard, president of the International Observatory of Terrorism, bin Laden moved towards Islamabad to health problems and resolve tensions with his assistants.

Al-Qaeda can it survive the death of its leader?

Experts interviewed on FRANCE 24 are very divided on the future of Al-Qaeda nebula. Roland Jacquard, "an ideology survives her head. Al-Qaeda figures within its ranks as important as that bin Laden Ayman al-Zawahiri. " This researcher believes, however, likely a war of succession.Yves Bonnet, former director of the Directorate for Territorial Surveillance (DST), confirms the hypothesis of survival of the terrorist: "It is obvious that this organization will continue to exist and to harm. But no one has the charisma of bin Laden. It is an irreplaceable loss for the image of Al Qaeda. "

What can happen to the hostages?

Gerard Longuet, the French Minister of Defense, said on RTL radio Monday morning that the death of Osama bin Laden was "a significant event for the world", noting that this information could still play "positively" about the fate of French journalists hostages in Afghanistan. "

On the set of FRANCE 24, the experts are more cautious.The former politician Yves Bonnet tempers by saying that bin Laden exercised "no control" over al-Qaeda in Islamic Maghreb (AQIM). Same analysis Farhad Khosrokhavar, director of studies at EHESS and researcher at CADIS, according to whom "it may open doors but bin Laden led much more."

What about the risk of retaliation?

Experts interviewed by FRANCE 24 do not exclude possible terrorist reprisals spectrum without the necessary estimate.Mohamed Sifaoui, writer on Islam: "We can expect retaliation, but a Type 11-September is unthinkable in the short term."

"Overall, Al Qaeda will leave in history the same brand as the anarchists, ie a footnote on page," said Gerard Chaliand.

UNITED KINGDOM: Fans around the world flock to London for the royal wedding

British, Filipinos, Australians, Brazilians, Spaniards and Dutch ... On the eve of marriage, London is the hub of the world come together all fans of the royal family.Some of them have traveled thousands of miles to attend the wedding of Kate and William.

Hats adorned with the colors of Great Britain, placards bearing the image of the couple and waving the Union Jack, they all come to celebrate a wedding of their dreams.

"This is an opportunity of a lifetime, I could not miss it," says Anna, a 20 year old Brazilian is the pavement in front of Buckingham Palace on Thursday morning from 6:00.

So to lose nothing of the show, they moved to the forefront throughout the wedding party and intend to spend the night, whatever the weather.

The Mall, majestic avenue that runs through St James Park and runs from Westminster Abbey to Buckingham Palace, was transformed into a camping good child. Fans have everything: tents, sleeping bags, rain gear and provisions. We eat, drink, sing it or knitting. The wait is long married to the parade scheduled for Friday at 11:15, but the mood is good appointment.

While rain is expected tomorrow, it does not scare them. After all, this is where rain was invented. "If the bride can withstand a downpour, so can we," a young Bulgarian fun waving a sign "William is taken, I am available for Harry!".An Englishwoman came from the north turn is more optimistic: "In Britain, you never know. It may even shine!".

USA: Washington is considering punishing the regime of Bashar al-Assad

The United States plans to adopt "targeted sanctions" against senior Syrian officials in response to the use "absolutely deplorable" violence by protesters against Damascus in the country, said Monday a U.S. official .

Washington is considering several options, "including sanctions, in response to repression and clearly show that this behavior is unacceptable," said Tommy Vietor, spokesman for the National Security Council.

"The brutal violence used by the Syrian government against its people is absolutely deplorable and we condemn in the strongest terms," ​​he repeated.

"The demand of the Syrian people to be able to enjoy the freedoms of expression, association and peaceful assembly must be heard", as his will to be free to choose their leaders, "said the spokesman in a statement.

The Wall Street Journal Sunday, the Obama administration prepare a decree authorizing Bush to freeze assets of Syrian officials and their business relationship prohibit the United States.

These signs of a forthcoming stronger response from Washington came as the regime of President Bashar al-Assad seems to have opted for a military solution to quell the protest movement that shook the unprecedented plan for six weeks.

Syrian troops backed by tanks and armored vehicles on Monday Deraa intervened to quell the protest against the regime born in this city in southern Iraq, killing at least 25 dead, according to activists of human rights.

AFGHANISTAN: A French soldier killed, nine injured in the explosion of a roadside bomb

French forces committed to Afghanistan for nine years on Wednesday paid tribute again in Kapisa (east of Kabul) with the death of a soldier from the 2nd Rima in the explosion of a roadside bomb that injured nine other soldiers, including three seriously .

The death of Corporal of the 2nd Marine Infantry Regiment, based at Le Mans, announced by the Elysée, brings to 56 the number of soldiers killed in Afghanistan since the deployment of French forces in that country in December 2001.

Corporal Alexander River, aged 23, was married with a child. He was in Afghanistan since December 2010.It is the fourth French soldier died since the beginning of the year in this country, and the third killed in operation, told AFP spokesman of the General Staff of Armed Thierry Burkhard.

His section, belonging to the Task Force in La Fayette, was engaged in a mission control and was approaching the village of Payendakehl (South Tagab), when an armored vehicle carrying troops (VAB) was hit by the explosion of a roadside bomb (IED). Also in this region that the two French journalists from France 3, Hervé Ghesquière and Stephane Taponier were abducted Dec. 30, 2009.

Ten men were aboard the VAB. Corporal River died before help arrived.The nine other porpoises have been evacuated to the combat outpost advanced (COP Combat Outpost) Hutnik, named after a legionnaire of the 2nd Parachute Regiment abroad (2nd REP) fell under the bullets of the Taliban April 8, 2010, reported Colonel Burkhard.

This position is located some sixty kilometers east of Kabul and the southern end of the Tagab Valley which forms the junction between the two areas of responsibility, the French province of Kapisa in the north, and the District of Suribi south.

This COP dominates a "green zone", a refuge for insurgents and French troops have renamed the "hornets nest" or "jungle." It is in this strategic region that French forces have suffered the bulk of their losses in recent months.Control Tagab Valley has been heavy fighting between French forces and insurgents.

The injured, three seriously, were then transported to the French military hospital located on the Kabul International Airport.

The spokesman of the General Staff said the "escalation of use of improvised explosive devices" by the Taliban."These actions also indirectly affect the population," he noted.

Colonel Burkhard explained that the proliferation of "big operations late 2010 and early 2011" by the allied forces had to reduce the consequences of direct contacts of the Taliban, who then favored artisanal mines.

President Nicolas Sarkozy, who offered his condolences to the family of Corporal, and expressed his support to the wounded, reiterated Wednesday in a statement, "its support for the Afghan people and Afghan authorities."He also assured of "France's determination to continue working within the Force International Security Assistance".

"This force, mandated by the UN, has been tasked to help restore stability, peace and development in Afghanistan," he said.

The Defence Minister Gerard Longuet said he was "convinced that beyond the legitimate suffering of this family and its relatives, this new sacrifice is not in vain.""The struggle of our soldiers, alongside those of the international coalition, is one of hope," he said in a statement.

Prime Minister Francois Fillon also gave evidence of his emotion and his support for French forces engaged in Afghanistan.

FUKUSHIMA-JAPAN: The plan to end the crisis Tepco fails to convince

Fukushima nuclear power plant will she soon be out of harm's way? In any case, what hope Tepco its operator, who unveiled Sunday at a press conference, its roadmap to get out of the central Fukushima quagmire. The latter includes the completion of emergency by three months, then the implementation of stabilization measures in six to nine months.

It took five weeks after the earthquake and tsunami of 11 March which had damaged the central north-east of the Japanese archipelago before dawn to see - for the first time - an action plan, timetable and a deadline.Five weeks during which, Tepco, accused of amateurism, has been blamed for his handling of the disaster.

"A theoretical"

Decided to do away with mistakes, the operator of the plant will look good now, but the path of redemption still seems long. Stephane Lhomme, Chairman of the Centre of Nuclear judge the operator's program a little too "optimistic." Everything is very theoretical level. We do not even know how it will actually be implemented, or if is achievable now, "he says."What is the evidence that aftershocks will not disrupt this plan work? Or that the reactors will not recover to merge?".

But, especially the expert, circumspect about the integrity of TEPCO sees this press conference smokescreen designed to "reassure shareholders," and denounces a roadmap to establishing a hurry " under government pressure. "

About virulent shade of Thierry Charles, director of plant safety at the Institute for Radioprotection and Nuclear Safety (IRSN). For his part, he believes in the reliability of this rescue plan, however imperfect. "True, there is still no concrete explanation on its application.I do not know if any more will be in greater transparency, but the program announced is consistent and full of common sense. "

He concedes that these lead times are probably correct. "It will take twenty years to completely dismantle and clean up the plant. Tepco is not there yet. Their top priority is to rebuild a cooling system in the coming months."

"From the beginning Tepco seemed disingenuous"

On the archipelago such, skepticism is in order after the press conference. Even some of the Japanese press, yet very balanced in its treatment of information, the operator hairpin.In a vitriolic article, the Mainichi Daily News - the English version of Mainichi Shinbun, a national newspaper with high circulation, criticized a contingency plan "without concrete measures," a scheme "unworkable" and a period "that will never held "before concluding that the pattern of TEPCO, Tsunehisa Katsumata, has" completely failed "in its handling of the disaster.

This wave of disbelief also affects some French expatriates contacted by France24.com. Jean-Matthieu Malouch residing in Tokyo, believes that "the operator is there to make profit." According to him, TEPCO has missed his chance to offer a new credibility. "Most Japanese are skeptical about its reliability.From the beginning, the information we provide the operator are incredible. The Director General (DG) patient, errors of measurement of radioactivity. From the outset, Tepco seemed disingenuous, "he says.

Same story on the side of Charlotte (who wished to remain anonymous) professor at Osaka. "Most of my Japanese friends are wary of ads Tepco. They say they would hide information from the beginning to avoid panic." Defenders of the operator, like Jerome Finck who works in banking in the Japanese capital, are scarce. Yet he defends the record of TEPCO. "They do what they can with what they have. I do not think we should blame them beyond measure," he says."Everybody falls on them. Only time will judge their actions."

FOOD: The food prices fall in a "danger zone"

The World Bank President Robert Zoellick said Thursday that global food prices had reached "in the danger zone."

"We are in the danger zone, because prices have already risen, and inventories for many raw materials are relatively low," Zoellick said at a news conference in Washington, opening meetings Spring International Monetary Fund and World Bank.

The situation is not the same for all foods, but in any case "it is the poor who are most affected," he said.

"For many economies of East Asia who focus on rice, the situation is somewhat better.But rice is a commodity that is exchanged very few markets. Only 7% of production is. So if something happened it would manifestly more pressure "on prices, he added.

"Food prices are 36% higher than they were a year ago and remain near their 2008 peak. Already, 44 million people fell below the poverty line since last June," noted Mr. Zoellick.

If the food price index established by the World Bank "is still increasing by 10%, we estimate that 10 million more people will fall in extreme poverty below the $ 1.25 a day," he warned."And a 30% increase would add 34 million people in the world's poor, who are already 1.2 billion.

Zoellick called the G20, chaired by France, which has made food a priority, to take steps to control price volatility and enhance food security.

So the countries that impose an embargo on exports of food products should "at least exclude humanitarian organizations such as the World Food Programme (WFP) of this embargo," said Zoellick.

"These are not food prices that have caused crises in the Middle East and North Africa. But they have worsened," he remarked.

INTERNET: The declassified FBI records to his promo

Little green men, Al Capone, Marilyn Monroe is found ... a little of everything on the new website of the FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation). The famous American domestic intelligence service has put online nearly 2,000 documents declassified in an unprecedented promotional effort. A goldmine for lovers of conspiracy theories, but especially a documentary on the impressive work of the FBI.

"This effort reflects our commitment to building a relationship with the public based on trust and transparency," wrote in a statement on the site, David Hardy, head of the division of data to the FBI.The selection of documents is not trivial: most well known personalities on the public - like Marilyn Monroe - or events that marked the United States such as September 11, 2001 or the shooting at Columbine High School in 1999.

X-Files

Under "unexplained phenomena" and has rekindled the flame of UFO hunters of all hair on the web. It actually contains hundreds of pages on the efforts of the FBI in 1950 and 1960 to document the existence - or absence - of extra-terrestrials. One of these documents, written in March 1950 by an officer appointed Guy Hottel, recounts the testimony of an Air Force pilot who saw unidentified three aircraft crashed in the desert of New Mexico.Inside was the body of creatures in human form 90 cm tall.

Roswell, Roswell you said? A document worthy of an episode of The X-Files, the popular fantasy series of the 1990s, but it must put in the context of the time. The testimony, in one way or another, were falling. Moreover, the FBI has said that the document Guy Hottel did not changed its position concerning the non-existence of the Third Kind. Not sure if this is sufficient to ufologists into madness.

Promotion

If these "unexplained phenomena" mainly titillate the curiosity of fans of science fiction, there's something for everyone in this vast digital archive.Mafia History buffs can visit and the thousands of pages about Al Capone, one of the most famous gangsters of the 1940s. Some film historians will also find confirmation on the site that the FBI has long suspected Groucho Marx (the Marx Brothers) to finance the U.S. Communist Party.

But it's not just in old pots that the best revelations. The communication operation of the FBI also provides more recent events like September 11, 2001. The intelligence service has launched its dossier on the organization of the cell which prepared attacks against the World Trade Center.Particular, we learn how these terrorists have gone unnoticed on American soil and the care that Al Qaeda has focused on preparations for the attack.

Documents concerning the military detention center at Guantanamo perfectly illustrate the promotional effort of the FBI. It is reported in this file of 244 pages of "positive" of inmates who acknowledge having had links with terrorist circles.

UNITED STATES: Obama hopes an agreement between Republicans and Democrats on the budget

Barack Obama hopes that a new night of negotiations between Republicans and Democrats will lead Friday morning on a budget agreement to avoid paralysis in extremis utilities in the United States.

The U.S. president has again received Thursday night at the White House, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Republican John Boehner, and the leader of the Democratic majority in the Senate, Harry Reid. It was their fourth meeting in three days.

The two MPs reported that their views were closer but the differences were not fully addressed.Both sides will continue negotiations during the night.

U.S. utilities are threatened with paralysis on Friday night at midnight if Republicans and Democrats in Congress do not agree on funding.

"There remain some outstanding issues. These are difficult questions.They are important for both sides so I am not prepared to show
unbridled optimism but I think we've improved over yesterday, "said Barack Obama.

The U.S. president stressed the "enormous impact" would have suspended services on the state's economic recovery and the lives of millions of Americans.

"My hope is (...) to be able to announce early (Friday) to the American people that paralysis was avoided, that an agreement has been reached," he said.

In a joint statement, Harry Reid and John Boehner for their part said: "We have reduced the number of problems, however, we're still not reached agreement.We will continue to work overnight to try to resolve our remaining areas of disagreement. "

Democrats blamed the blockage in the willingness of Republicans to cut funding for birth control and efforts to protect the environment.

John Boehner, however, stressed that the problems were not confined to these two points.

In the wake of their conservative wing of the Tea Party, the Republicans became the majority in November in the House of Representatives after having campaigned against such deemed excessive weight of the federal state.

JAPAN: TEPCO pours 11 500 tonnes of radioactive water into the ocean

AFP - The operator of the nuclear plant in Fukushima Japan, TEPCO began Monday night to reject into the sea 11,500 tonnes of radioactive water that has accumulated in rugged installations, media reported.

Shortly before the commencement of discharge, a spokesman for Tokyo Electric Power (TEPCO), moved to tears and his voice breaking with sobs, apologized on television for the pollution.

"We have already caused so much suffering and harm to local residents.We can not express how sorry we are having to impose this new burden, "he said.

TEPCO said the water was slightly radioactive.

Earlier, a TEPCO spokesman said that "some 10,000 tons of water stored in tanks and 1,500 tons currently in the reactors 5 and 6 will be discharged into the ocean (Pacific).

Liveblogging: The Libyan government rejected the cease-fire conditional insurgents

LIBYA: The insurgents have proposed a cease-fire with conditions. They call including Qaddafi to suspend the offensive against the cities controlled by the insurgency and allowing demonstrations. Conditions rejected by the regime in Tripoli. The Libyan government has accused the international coalition of "crimes against humanity." At Brega, fighting continues and intensifies. SYRIA: Protests against the ruling Baath Party erupted in Damascus and Latakia Deraa after Friday prayers despite the announcements and promises of the plan to pacify the situation. At least 9 people were killed, according to activists of human rights.YEMEN: Supporters and opponents of Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh have mobilized massively in Sanaa on Friday when security forces and the army deployed an unprecedented fear of clashes between rival groups.

To follow the events from a smartphone, click here.

LIBYA: Obama fixed the issues and the limits of U.S. involvement in Libya

Reuters - Barack Obama in a speech on the situation in Libya, said Monday that the U.S. would, in concert with their allies, seek to hasten the day when Moammar Gadhafi should step down, but he stressed they would not use direct force to overthrow him.

In a televised address to the nation, Bush, accused by many members of Congress not to have explained the role of the international coalition in Washington, defended its decision to intervene militarily in the conflict in Libya.

At the same time, he clarified the limits of the action of the United States and sought to counter the impression that he had no clear goals nor credible strategy out of the conflict.

"For generations, the United States plays a unique role as an anchor of international security and defending the fundamental freedoms." Bearing in mind the risks and costs of military intervention, we're obviously reluctant to use force to solve the many problems facing the planet. But when our interests and values ​​are at stake, we have a responsibility to act. That's what happened in Libya over the past six weeks, " the president said.

"Libya is directly between Tunisia and Egypt, two countries that have inspired the world when their peoples have stood up to take control of their destiny. For over 40 years, the Libyan people is led by a tyrant, Muammar Gaddafi.It deprives its people of freedom, uses his wealth, murdering its opponents at home and abroad, and terrorizing innocent people in the world - including Americans who were killed by Libyan agents.

GADDAFI DOES NOT "OVERNIGHT"

"Tonight, I am able to say that we stopped the progression of lethal Gaddafi," he said before a gathering of officers at the National Defense University in Washington, 10 days after ordering that the United States participating in Operation "Dawn of the Odyssey."

"We hit the air defenses (Gaddafi), which allowed the establishment of a no-fly zone.We targeted the tanks and other forces that were strangling the cities, and we cut to a large extent the supply lines, "he said.

The U.S. president also said that the award of U.S. Command in NATO would intervene on Wednesday.

"We will deprive the system of any weapon, interrupt his source of income, help the opposition, and we will work with other countries to hasten the day when Gaddafi will leave power," continued the president.

This, he said, "will not happen overnight," and he admitted that Qaddafi might be able to cling to power."Expanding our military mission to a regime change would be a mistake," he pointed out, however.

Obama spoke on the eve of the scheduled conference in London on Tuesday attended by 35 countries on the situation in Libya.

The issue of Obama's speech was to identify and clearly define the purpose and scope of the mission of the United States to Libya, to be understood by Americans, preoccupied with domestic economic problems, which are already of a dim view of the costs of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

JAPAN: FAO publishes a guide of contaminated food

While states enact bans or tighter controls on imports of Japanese products, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) wants reassurance. Wednesday, it published a document to explain the effects of nuclear radiation on food.

Form of questions and answers, she tries - in partnership with the World Health Organization - to wring the neck of some misconceptions. Thus, products from Japan are not all health risk, according to the document.In addition, foods packaged before March 11 can be irradiated.

Leafy vegetables, the first victims

"In reaching our conclusions, we relied on the results reported by Japanese authorities," said Jean-Michel Poirson, head of food safety within FAO. According to these data, the highest risk foods are leafy vegetables - broccoli, cabbage, lettuce ... "Initially, the contamination spreads through the air, especially during rain, and settles on the leaves," says Jean-Michel Poirson.

A second wave is considered. Indeed, the radioactive material then interferes in the soil and can therefore infect roots - potatoes, carrots ...But it is too early to worry. "First, it's not the harvest season. Then, the authorities have banned any culture in areas where contamination has been observed," Jean-Michel Poirson relativized.

The two possible radiation

Then, there are several types of radiation. Two radioactive elements come into play, but with different effects. Iodine-131 - linked to thyroid cancer - is one whose levels are the highest observed vis-à-vis the Japanese standards in terms of radiation. Good news: the level of contamination of food with iodine-131 decreases quite rapidly."Within weeks, the health risk disappears almost entirely," says Jean-Michel Poirson.

The other component of this duo is more harmful radioactive. Cesium-137 can withstand for years. After the Chernobyl disaster, boars who consumed irradiated mushrooms have become the bearer of cesium 137. Therefore the document of the agency advised the Japanese hunt."According to preliminary results, the contamination with cesium 137 is however closer to the norm," said Jean-Michel Poirson.

Export bans bit surprising

FAO also notes that high levels of contamination were observed up to 100 km from the Miyagi prefecture (where the central Fukushima). "But no, for now, no indication that cultures outside of Japan have been affected," Jean-Michel Poirson tempers. Import bans issued by the U.S. or Australia do not surprise the expert. Thursday, Singapore has even said they found traces of radioactivity in imported foods."The scope of these measures corresponds to foods that are prohibited for sale to Japan," he says.

JAPAN: Smoke escapes from the reactor 2 Fukushima, stable situation for No. 3

AFP - As the smoke began to leak late Monday afternoon from the reactor 2 of the Fukushima nuclear power plant (north-eastern Japan) but that coming out of the reactor 3 was arrested, said Nuclear Safety Agency.

"Around 6:20 p.m. (9:20 GMT), white smoke began to emerge from a crack in the roof of the reactor 2," said a spokesman.

Repairs were underway at the reactor to reactivate some of the equipment, especially in the control room.

Two hours earlier, another smoke from gray to black, had begun to escape from the reactor 3, but it did not last.

"TEPCO has informed us that the black smoke came from the reactor 3, but it stopped at 6:02 p.m. ET radiation levels remained stable," said a spokesman for the agency.

The agency gave no explanation of the origin of this incident, but according to experts, it was not steam but with smoke from something that burned.

Unit 3 has sustained the most damage after the earthquake and tsunami of 11 March: the roof top was completely destroyed by a huge explosion last week due to an accumulation of hydrogen resulting from operations of depressurization .

Unit 3 is the most worrying because it contains MOX fuel, a mixture of plutonium oxide and uranium derived from recycled products, which releases are considered more harmful than those from a uranium-based fuel .

LIBYA: Gaddafi sent his troops to reconquer Misrata

AFP - Troops of Muammar Qaddafi continued to pound the insurgents on Wednesday in the western and eastern Libya, while the Security Council agreed on a draft resolution providing for an exclusion zone air over the country who will vote Thursday.

"A draft resolution has been developed ...But this does not mean it is etched in stone, "said one UN diplomat that the 15 member countries can still change the text.

The U.S. ambassador to the UN, Susan Rice, said the Security Council of the United Nations should consider "going beyond a simple no-fly zone".

Colonel Gaddafi prepares a "real genocide" in Libya, had earlier warned the Libyan Deputy Ambassador to the UN, Ibrahim Dabbachi, who defected to the plan, calling for a rapid response from the international community, which was delaying for several days .

Wednesday, Muammar Gaddafi announced that his forces would deliver Thursday "decisive battle" to win Misrata, third largest city, 150 km east of Tripoli, which the insurgents said they were always in control, despite offensive pro-Gaddafi who was, according to them, at least four dead and ten wounded.

"The battle began today in Misrata and tomorrow it will be the decisive battle," said the Libyan leader, according to pictures broadcast by state television.

Gaddafi has also excluded the "dialogue" with rebels it has assimilated to agents of Al Qaeda in an interview published by French daily Le Figaro on Thursday, and felt that the National Transitional Council (CNT) created by opponents of Benghazi, "worthless".

The Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has called for the cessation of violence and warned that "killing innocent and unarmed people is a crime against humanity" whose leaders have to face justice.

After managing to take several towns in recent days, loyalists bombarded by air and land Ajdabiya, the last lock of the rebels at 160 km south of their stronghold of Benghazi in the east, witnesses said.At least 26 people have been killed since Tuesday, said a doctor.

"The fighting was terrifying," recalled Dr. Mohammad Abdelkarim, reached by telephone, adding that the hospital had received 22 dead Tuesday, mostly civilians, and four insurgents on Wednesday.

The hospital itself was hit by a shell and some staff was evacuated to Benghazi, according to another doctor.But supporters of Gaddafi Wednesday controlled the road between the two cities.

In the evening, state television has ensured that the city was "purged" of the rebels.

"They practice a scorched earth policy", denounced Jamal Mansour, commander of the rebels in the city, "the tanks bombard so intense and sustained, and earlier there were air raids."

After a month of a revolt that has turned into civil war, Mr.Gaddafi, who refuses to leave office after more than four decades of unchallenged rule, vowed Tuesday to "crush the enemy," while one of his son, Seif al-Islam, promised: "in 48 hours everything will be finished. "

The White House called on Libyan authorities to protect journalists, four reporters from the New York Times is missing in the country, presumably kidnapped by followers of MrGaddafi.

Faced with the breakthrough of loyalist troops, an ever-increasing flow of Libyans, entire families piled into cars weighed down by luggage, hurry to the Egyptian border.

The regular forces were also attacked with heavy weapons Zentena the town, 145 km southwest of Tripoli, according to one witness reached by telephone."There are shots of tanks a few miles south of the city and firing Grad missiles and clashes with light weapons," he said.

The Organization of Islamic Conference, which comprises 57 members with more than one billion Muslims, has announced an emergency meeting Saturday in Libya.

COTE D'IVOIRE: Forces loyal to Gbagbo launched the offensive on the neighborhood of Abobo

AFP - Forces loyal to Ivorian President Laurent Gbagbo continued out a major offensive on Saturday night, including heavy weapons in the neighborhood of Abobo, a stronghold of his rival Alassane Ouattara and nest of insurgents open Abidjan.

Ouattara camp denounced the "indiscriminate killing" of "innocent civilians", describing the operation, the first major since the beginning of the post-election crisis in late November, an "offensive of desperation" of power.

This sharp deterioration of the situation comes two days after a summit of the African Union in Addis Ababa confirmed that the political deadlock: if the AU has recognized as President-elect MrOuattara, Gbagbo's camp has categorically rejected this position.

The offensive was launched on Saturday morning in the area pro-Ouattara Abobo (north of Abidjan) where insurgents are known as "commando invisible" in recent weeks have taken control of large areas.

The objective of the Defence Forces and Security (FDS) loyal to Mr Gbagbo is to "rid Abobo terrorists," said a source at the headquarters."It's make or break," she told AFP.

Most populous district of Abidjan, in the city with some 1.5 million inhabitants, Abobo has become the epicenter of the crisis, which left nearly 400 dead in the country according to the UN.

At around 12:00 (GMT), firing with heavy weapons were heard in Abobo, located north of the residential district of Cocody, one of the centers of power that houses the residence of Mr.Gbagbo.

A resident of Abobo told AFP he had seen in the late morning ride to Abobo four tanks, four troop transports "filled with soldiers," and "two pick-up with mortars.

Another resident saw "two tanks opened a convoy and two which closed drawing, drawing."

In the vicinity of the Gare d'Abobo, "there are exchanges of gunfire from tanks and Kalashnikov," reported a resident of the area, with streets deserted quickly.

By early evening, the fighting continued in various sectors.

In the sub-Dokui Plateau in southern Abobo near Cocody, a resident spoke mortar fire, "we're all locked up at home. No one can escape.It's really terrifying. "

The spokesman for the Gbagbo government, Ahoua Don Mello, admitted qu'Abobo placed under curfew Friday night with the neighboring Anyama, was "full of rebels."

Patrick Achi, government spokesman Ouattara, Gbagbo's camp is "in its logic of indiscriminate killing" because "they are cornered, their backs to the wall. They only have the specter of civil war, to encourage terror ".

"At one kilometer (Abobo), they shoot shells, blindly, falling on civilian houses.The majority of those killed are innocent civilians, they are not military confrontation against soldiers, "he added.

Moreover, a Ghanaian from the UN mission was wounded Saturday in Abidjan when the attack on a civilian vehicle of UNOCI, which burned in Cocody, said the UN force. Several witnesses identified the attackers as "young patriots" pro-Gbagbo.

Meanwhile, Mr. Ouattara chained meetings with its regional allies.After Nigeria, he was expected to Burkina and Senegal.

In an interview Friday night in Abuja, he thanked for its support Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan, the current president of the Peace and Security of the AU and the Economic Community of West African (ECOWAS).

This regional organization had threatened to end in December to use force to oust Gbagbo.

TUNISIA: Court dissolves the RCD, the party of former President Ben Ali

AFP - The Court of First Instance in Tunis on Wednesday announced the dissolution of the Democratic Constitutional Rally (RCD) party of former president Ben Ali, causing an explosion of joy in the room, noted AFP.

"The court of first instance in Tunis decided to disband the Democratic Constitutional Rally and liquidate its assets and funds" through the ministry of finance, said the ruling was greeted by a huge roar of hundreds of people in the room.

Mixing with the anthem, the slogans have blended immediately: "RCD releases!", "Tunisia free!", "O martyr, we continue the fight."

Lawyers dress and youth wrapped in national flags mingled with the crowd that was growing visibly surrounding the building.

The court began its review last week's action by the Interior Ministry.

At the trial his lawyer, Faouzi Ben Mrad, was called "the dissolution of the RCD and the seizure of his property inside and outside the country, he had earned money by pillaging people ".

Already suspended Feb. 6 for all activities and meetings, RCD claimed over two million members in 10 million.

Since the leak of the President January 14, Tunisians had continued to demonstrate to demand the dissolution of the party symbol of the state police during the 23-year regime of Ben Ali.

Six days after the fall of the regime, the transitional government of Mohammed Ghannouchi announced January 20 that the state would take possession of "movable and immovable property" of the RCD and proceed with the separation of state and RCD.

Its imposing headquarters in the heart of Tunis was one of the first symbolic targets of the revolution that was to take the regime and its leader.

RCD was founded February 27, 1988 by Zine El Abidine Ben Ali on the remains of the Neo-Destour, who had led the country to independence under the leadership of President Habib Bourguiba.

Four days after his flight to Saudi Arabia, former President Ben Ali was struck on the head of the RCD, but had not been replaced.

During the 2009 presidential election, the "candidate Ben Ali won 89.62% of the vote.

Member of the Socialist International since 1989, the RCD has been excluded on January 17 at the request of the French Socialists.

COTE D'IVOIRE: AU panel requires "an immediate halt to the killings" in the country

The president of the African Union Commission, Jean Ping, arrived Saturday in Abidjan to meet with Ivorian President Laurent Gbagbo and leaving his rival Alassane Ouattara in full outbreak of violence in the country, officials said a source close to the AU.

Jean Ping arrived Saturday morning with the Commissioner for Peace and Security of the AU, Ramtane Lamamra. They must meet successively Laurent Gbagbo, Alassane Ouattara and the president of the Constitutional Council N'Dré Paul Yao ", told the AFP that source.

Sent by the panel of African leaders on the Ivorian crisis, Mr. Ping must give a "message" to Mr. Gbagbo and Mr.Ouattara, President recognized by the international community, including the AU.

Following a meeting in Nouakchott, the panel, chaired by Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz (Mauritania), on Friday called for "an immediate end to killings" while the country is experiencing an explosion of violence over the past two weeks.

The Security Council UN fears a "resurgence of civil war" caused by the crisis resulting from the presidency in November.

Mr. Ouattara was declared winner by the electoral commission and the UN, but the Constitutional Council invalidated some of these results and Gbagbo declared elected.

ATHLETICS: Teddy Tamgho ready for two big jumps in Paris

With less than three days after the opening European Championship Indoor Athletics to be held in Paris from 4 to 6 March, Teddy Tamgho made his decision: "I double in Bercy. This means, in other words, the world record in the triple jump indoors (with 17.91 m) also will start on the length. "It took me three days to stop my decision. I talked with Ivan [Pedroso, his coach, Ed]. I really want, I want to enjoy myself."

But that said participation in two disciplines said double risk of injury ... A hypothesis that Teddy scans, however, a backhander, taking the example of the great Usain Bolt, a triple Olympic champion in 2008: "Bolt threefold: 100m, 200m and 4x100m with series, quarters, semis and finals.It is stronger and does not hurt. "In 2004 and 2008 also, the Russian Tatyana Lebedeva took down every time, two Olympic medals in the triple jump and long jump." She showed she could do both so why not me? "asks he.

After the raid conducted by the French athletes at the European Championships in Barcelona last summer, during which Teddy Tamgho had won "that" one bronze, athletics tricolor therefore lives on a cloud. Bercy also displays full for three days of competition ahead. The news this Parisian delights from Cameroon who undertakes any form of complacency: "Barcelona is finished.Now I think these championships, with the line of sight and the World Games in London. "

VI-NATIONS TOURNAMENT: England-France: expert opinion

Didier Camberabéro *: "France is never as strong as when we least expect it"

"What worries me is that the Blues currently play like a team average. A great team, it was built and impose his game But the XV of France can not put up his rugby and brand especially when the opponent loses the ball, which is not in the habit of the English ...

The defense also tend to suffer much. Although veneers are virtually all successful, the opponent moves a few meters on each balloon carried. Players of the France team are aware they can do better. I think it does not much for the game to implement, because the players are all quality players.And France is not as strong as when you least expect it. It was already the case in my day! But this year, the English are clearly favorites ... "

* Opener scorer and XV of France from 1982 to 1991 (36 selections)

* Provost Jerome: "Chabal and Harinordoquy are complementary"

"The strength of this team is that France does not have many weaknesses. Opposite this year, the British are very good, very quickly and are difficult to maneuver. But the coach Marc Lievremont has done well APPOINTMENT Sebastien Chabal at number 8 [third line center, note]. Besides the fact that he is a superstar, he is a player of great quality.It is this defense, and his opponents feared physical impact. It is also highly complementary with Imanol Haridornoquy which is also excellent in number 7 [flanker]. "

* Journalist in Midi Olympique, "biweekly Reference rugby.

FORMULA 1: Bahrain Grand Prix canceled

The Kingdom of Bahrain withdrew to organize the March 13 Grand Prix Sahki, which was to open the Formula 1 season, because of unrest in the country, according to an official statement issued Monday.

"Right now, the attention of the entire nation is focused on the establishment of a new national dialogue," the statement said, adding that it was "important for the country to focus on issues of interest National and leaving the home of the Grand Prix of Bahrain at a later date. "

No date was specified for a possible postponement.

Sunday, Bernie Ecclestone, the boss of Formula 1, had ruled that the GP opening to take place in another country on March 13, explaining that the deadlines were too short for another organization to fit into the calendar.

The GP2 Series races (F1 row), which were to take place last week on the same Sakhir circuit in Bahrain, were canceled because of anti-government protests.

Monday of the repression of popular protest movement, launched Feb. 14, was seven dead.

In this small Gulf kingdom with a Shiite majority, the protesters have radicalized their demands Monday calling for the end of the dynasty of Sunni Al-Khalifa.

EGYPT: A "victory march", a week after the departure of Mubarak

Reuters - The organizers of the protest Egyptian hoped that a million people will attend the "March to Victory" this Friday, one week to the day after the resignation of Hosni Mubarak.

The initiative aims to remind the "street power" to the generals of the Supreme Council of the armed forces now in control of the most populous Arab country.

They said on Thursday they would not present a candidate for the presidential election should crown the transition."There will be no candidate from the army in the next presidential election," said a senior military official.

"The armed forces have no future ambitions and want to return power to civilians when parties will be strong and not risk of collapse", stressed Wednesday night Etmaan Gen. Ismail, spokesman of the Army .

The Egyptian judiciary has also Thursday ordered the detention of three former ministers suspected of embezzling public funds, including Habib el Adli, the former interior minister reviled by the Egyptians.

Hosni Mubarak was stripped away in the early days of the challenge but was unable to appease the anger of the street.

The two other former ministers are Zouhair Garana, which was Minister of Tourism Ahmed el-Maghrabi and who was responsible for Housing.

This measure of detention for a period of fifteen days is also Ahmed Ezz. This steel magnate, close to Gamal Mubarak, the youngest son of the deposed president, was charged with the same charges.

All four deny the allegations against them.

TELEVISION: Watson, the computer that defies the human brain in Jeopardy

Elementary, my dear IBM. On Thursday, the software giant will know if he was right to call his new super computer "Watson". From this Monday evening in fact, the machine will try to beat in three sets, two champions of Jeopardy, the famous American game of questions and answers.

Watson will afffronter Ken Jennings, who has won 74 successive victories - a record - and Brad Rutter, who pocketed $ 3.2 million, the largest jackpot ever won by a player since the start of the game, 1964.

That the human brain synapses or circuits of the 20 servers that run Watson will win?

The three game sessions have already been recorded, but all participants have made vows of silence.The winner will walk away with $ 1 million, a tidy sum that IBM promised to donate to a charity if they win.

The voice of HAL

To achieve this historic show, Jeopardy has relocated the headquarters of IBM. Not easy to install on a TV set to a computer the size of 10 refrigerators ... Watson is shown on a screen with a trademark logo and answered questions with a voice based on that of HAL, the diabolic computer from the movie "2001: A Space Odyssey.""We did it on purpose so well remember that this is a machine and not a human being," said an IBM engineer in American cultural magazine The New Yorker. "

If participation of a system of artificial intelligence Jeopardy is a first in the history of the game experience is, it, not without precedent. In 1997, IBM - already - had challenged the world champion chess while considered by some as the best player of all time, Garry Kasparov. Deep Blue, the computer developed by the software giant to challenge the human brain on the subject, came to the end of the Russian champion after six innings.To explain its superiority, while some had argued that chess was a game based heavily on the computing power of the players and their ability to anticipate the moves of their opponent. A godsend for a supercomputer, so to speak.

Grasshoppers eat kosher?

Hence the importance of the challenge that IBM wanted to meet this time. To defeat the man in Jeopardy, the machine will in effect be limited to knowledge of the "Encyclopedia Universalis" at the end of electrical circuits. Watson will also be able to understand the subtleties of language, some questions based on puns or implied meaning.

An obstacle that Watson seems able to overcome ...During a training session in mid-January, the machine only gave good answers. Although it may sometimes also known some hiccups ... sometimes difficult to understand. Example: "To the question: 'What eats grasshoppers?" Watson replied that we were eating kosher ...", remembers a bit taken aback Ferruci Dave, one of the project at IBM Watson .

If the computer beats his opponents, no doubt that the old fear of domination of man by machines resurface. Far from the novels of Isaac Asimov and others, however, IBM said that a possible victory of her baby could open the way to genuine scientific progress.As the ability for machines to make the connection between a list of symptoms, the question of a doctor and an unmatched library of medical cases worldwide.

INTERNET: A vast network of cyber espionage in the energy industry uncovered

Since November 2009, several oil and petrochemical companies have been targets of cyber attacks designed to steal technological secrets and sensitive information "on oil and gas fields." Revealed Thursday by the American Society of McAfee Security, "Operation Dragon Night" was unearthed last week.

"At first we thought it was isolated attacks.It took us a while to understand that this was a major operation coordinated, "says FRANCE 24 Greg Day, security expert at McAfee networks, which refuses to reveal the identity of victims.

These cyber attacks have been carried out by the same procedure. Cyber criminals managed to penetrate the computer systems of enterprises and small leave a malware that allowed them to return incognito thereafter (as a "Trojan horse") to take control of some of servers, where they went fishing for information.McAfee claims that trade secrets were actually stolen, but the major oil companies concerned do not wish to comment on these revelations.

Ambitious operation

Each time, criminals have used the same software to commit their crimes. "The attacks were not particularly complex. Attackers used small pieces of software that can easily be found on the black market on the Internet," said Greg Day.A lack of sophistication which first suggest that amateur hackers - or almost - were behind the attacks.

In retrospect, however, McAfee discovered that the operation was far more ambitious, comparable to the January 2010 attacks against Google in China and the Iranian nuclear contamination by the worm Stuxnet last summer.

This is not the first time, McAfee said, that oil companies are victims of computer attacks. "With financial markets is one of the most targeted by hackers," admits Greg Day. But generally, they seek information on oil production in order to anticipate the course of energy markets.This time, however, the reasons seem different and it seems to be espionage.

A Chinese man identified

To conduct the investigation, the FBI did not start from zero. In his report, McAfee alluded to a possible Chinese origin of the attack. The software has been used by hackers are indeed very popular on Chinese websites that specialize in computer security, one of the passwords used to activate one of them contained the word "China" and theft data were made during business hours, Beijing.

Most importantly, the security company was able to climb a trail to a specific individual.This is a Chinese song named Zhivue, praising the relay computers used to conduct attacks. "But it is only an intermediary in this story," said Greg Day.

The head of "Night Dragon" remains yet to be identified. This is also what led McAfee to make the story public. "It is also quite possible that the operation has affected businesses that are unaware and continues to do damage," says Greg Day.

EGYPT: The always busy Tahrir Square, while the new firm must meet

Reuters - The new government formed by Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak will meet in full this Monday for the first time since the start of the challenge to the regime, which continues in downtown Cairo despite the opening of negotiations with the opposition.

In power for nearly 30 years, Hosni Mubarak announced he would not seek re-election in presidential elections scheduled for September.However, he does not quit the presidency by then and he demands a return to calm during this transition period.

The opponents have been protesting on January 25 Tahrir Square, however, camped on their position: they demand the immediate departure of Hosni Mubarak and provide for new rallies Tuesday and Friday.

To facilitate traffic around Tahrir Square, one of the main intersections in the Egyptian capital, the army tried early Monday to reduce the space occupied by the protesters.These are strongly out of their tents to surround the soldiers and prevent them from achieving their goals.

To prevent any action of the army, dozens of protesters decided to sleep at the wheel of armor.

"The army is getting impatient and demonstrators as well.The army wants to cram into a small circle in the middle of the square in order to restore circulation, "said Mohamed Chalabi, a protester of 27 years, interviewed by telephone by
Reuters.

Skepticism

The activity resumed in much of the country on Sunday and the banks have reopened, long queues forming to withdraw cash.

A form of weariness seems evident in the population after nearly two weeks of deadlock.

Hosni Mubarak reshuffled his government in late January to try to appease the anger of hundreds of thousands of demonstrators protested several times against a
regime since 1981, against poverty, corruption and lack of freedoms.The government also discussed the release of political prisoners, freedom of the press and the lifting of emergency rule.

The opposition has reacted with caution and skepticism in the absence of reforms. Abdel Monem Abul Fotouh, Muslim Brotherhood, held that the Government's statement reflected "good intentions but without including strong changes.

President Barack Obama said Sunday that Egypt was committed to an irreversible process and that the time had come for change.

EGYPT: Mubarak SMS pro-sent "under duress" by Vodafone

"The armed forces are asking honest and loyal citizens to oppose the traitors and criminals," or "All fathers / mothers / son / daughters preserve our country because the nation is eternal." Both SMS, like many others of the same kind, were sent Thursday by the telephone operator Vodafone Egypt to their subscribers. Pictures of these messages that resemble calls to support the regime of Hosni Mubarak did not take long to find on the Internet.

Before the speed at which these images have spread compromising on the Web, the British operator has decided to react."We had no choice," is in essence his line of defense.

In a press release published on its website, Vodafone says that "The Egyptian authorities may require operators to send voice messages to the Egyptians." Vodafone has no other choice then but to relay the text submitted by the government. The British group finds this situation "unacceptable" and said he "protested to the authorities."

Other operators

Contacted by FRANCE 24, a representative of Vodafone ensures that "the Egyptian authorities have asked to send messages since the protests began.The operator confirms he did not have a choice because this obligation is recorded "in the license agreement to be signed by the operators to deploy in Egypt", according to that spokesperson. "We need to think about the safety of our employees there," says Vodafone as a justification for having complied with this obligation.

But the British operator does not intend to be the only one who pointed the finger. "Mobinil and Etisalat are also subject to the same obligation," and can be read in the press release. Orange, which owns Mobinil, has little taste of being dragged into this mess."We are currently checking this story and we do not understand how Vodafone could claim that," surprised the French operator contacted by FRANCE 24. But Vodafone, meanwhile, did not budge: "This has been confirmed by our colleagues on the spot".

Remains to be seen what will happen if the Egyptian authorities reiterate their request to send SMS to Vodafone.

Photo credit: indi.ca / Flickr

Diary: "We want a change," reflects Aymal, 30

Saturday, for the fifth straight day, thousands of demonstrators took to the streets of Cairo, deserted first by the police, despite a curfew in place for 16 hours.

Reassured by the passive presence of the army, deployed in several districts of the capital, the Egyptians intend to achieve their end: bring down President Hosni Mubarak.

2.60 euros per day

"Despite the wealth of our country, Mubarak and his corrupt clique keep people in poverty. It is clear he has no choice," said Muhammad with conviction.Through its use of a cleaner - "God I thank you one," he says - his monthly salary equivalent to 80 euros, slightly more than 2.60 euros per day.

At 45, he must support his wife, his three young son, and his own parents. Food, school fees and medical, to get out he is forced to borrow from relatives. "My situation is the same as the vast majority of Egyptians, we do not live, we try to survive."

He said the protest was an expression of ras-le-bol-General of the Arab people against their rulers."He absolutely must be completed by the fall of the regime rais (president Arabic, ed), as in Tunisia," he says.

"Mubarak himself a Pharaoh"

Same story on the side of Ayman, a 30-year-old merchant whose shop is located near the headquarters of state television. "Mubarak himself a pharaoh, he wants to build a dynasty by handing over power to one s son Gamal but we do not let him, they both leave," he said firmly.

Ayman hopes that the military does not keep the next government in power since 18981."Mubarak has been president since my birth year, enough!" We do not want a new government, we want a change, "he said shortly after the appointment of Omer Suleiman to the post of Vice-President, and Ahmad Chafic to being Prime Minister.

At nightfall, the streets begin to empty, curfew obliges. Especially an Egyptian media announced that "armed forces" can enforce with "firmness" the curfew. In some neighborhoods, following rumors of looting of private property of citizen militias armed with iron bars and batons were posted on street corners of the capital.The pressure on the Egyptian regime is far from falling.

Photo Credit: Marc Daou, special envoy of France 24 in Cairo

ECONOMY: The recovery is by appointment, not employment

Growth better than expected for one, one worsening unemployment for the other. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) and International Labour Office (ILO) released a few hours apart, two reports that may seem totally contradictory.

The IMF raised its forecast for 2011 and now expects a global increase in GDP of 4.4% instead of the 4.2% forecast in October. Optimism due mainly to the United States. The institution chaired by the French Dominique Strauss-Kahn believes that U.S. growth forecast to 3% in 2011 and not 2.3%.The IMF applauded the tax cuts Bush-era and the current president of the United States, Barack Obama has agreed to extend the terms of tough negotiations with the Republicans.

The International Labour Office notes it a paradox: GDP, consumption, global trade are starting to rebound and unemployment "reached a record level for the third consecutive year," according to the terms of the report. It was 6.2% of world population in 2010."While the main macroeconomic indicators are green, there is always more than 20 million more unemployed in 2007," says FRANCE 24 Steven Kapsos, economist and author of the ILO report.

But the contradiction is in fact apparent. "Our findings come together," says Steven Kapsos. And indeed, the IMF also notes that the main point of his black table is the situation of the labor market continues to deteriorate particularly in the so-called developed countries. "The job has been harder hit than any other sector of the economy is the real conclusion of the current situation," said the author of the ILO report.

The danger European

It would in fact only a lag in the recovery.The International Labour Organisation and the International Monetary Fund expect the employment situation is improving slightly next year and then continues its momentum. But Steven Kapsos recognizes that nothing is played. "The greatest danger now is that in some countries, particularly in Europe, the high rate of unemployment becomes a structural," he warns. This is called a recovery without job creation. The only way to avoid it is to implement strong policies to support the economy, he said.

Remains in Europe such voluntarism is not on the agenda. To fight against deficits, European governments are hunting down expenses deemed unnecessary.Therefore, the IMF and ILO estimate that the euro area is one of the areas most at risk right now. A lack of flexibility which makes the European economies are particularly dependent on high-growth countries. Contrary to popular belief, indeed, "without the economic health of China, India or Brazil, there is much more unemployment in developed countries," concludes Steven Kapsos.