INTERNET: Behind the sensational debut of LinkedIn stock market, the return of bubbles?

In Champagne, there are lots of bubbles. The leaders of the social network LinkedIn for professionals have had to drink a lot yesterday, noting the dramatic increase in group action at its first trading day. But have they asked if the drink was not too strong an aftertaste of Internet bubble?

At first blush, LinkedIn has indeed something to celebrate. The California company has filled the pockets during its IPO. She succeeded on Thursday, raising $ 352 million by selling nearly 8 million shares at 45 dollars each.The group noted the purchase price the day before his arrival on the market, raising it from 32 to 45 dollars.

When quotations on Wall Street have begun, the transactions are packed. The action of LinkedIn jumped in one day by 109%. The Bourse closed with action LinkedIn to $ 98, after passing a time, the symbolic $ 100. After this crazy day, LinkedIn has a market value of $ 8.9 billion - more than 570 times its revenue in 2010.

An economic model different from Facebook

Everyone seemed to want to acquire this Thursday from the IPO, the largest for a U.S. company web since Google in 2004.LinkedIn, born in 2003, has about 100 million users. This social network is unique in that go mainly to professionals draws about half its income from the investment of vacancies.

A special feature compared to the giant Facebook which all - or almost - the money comes from advertising.LinkedIn's business model would be attractive to investors who bet on economic recovery, and its accompanying ads: more and more people will seek to recruit on the site.

LinkedIn's market performance was described by analysts as "surprising" by the New York Times or "tulip mania" in the Wall Street Journal (in reference to the explosion in the price of tulips in the Netherlands in the seventeenth century that was followed by a dramatic collapse in the value of these flowers).The newspaper said that U.S. economic LinkedIn has only 15 million dollars in profits last year.

Inflation dangerous?

This market success may indeed have a bitter taste for LinkedIn and all players in the Internet sector. The leaders of the social network may wonder if they have not been fooled by the banks - like Bank of America and Morgan Stanley - who advised them to price their work at 45 dollars and took charge of selling at this rate. Because these institutions were then forced to sell their clients the same shares at prices much higher."It is as if a real estate agent found a buyer for your home $ 1 million, and the next day allowed the new owner to sell $ 2 million," says Friday, Silicon Valley Insider, a site specialized in new technologies.

The other concern relates to the entire Internet sector. "The specter of a new bubble is more present than ever," notes the Economist in a blog post. The evolution of LinkedIn on the secondary market - where the shares traded companies before their IPO - good example of this price inflation: there is another year, it was possible to buy a stake in the social network professional for less than $ 20.Given the success of the first IPO, the value of similar businesses in the secondary market could explode. However, these companies do not generally publish information about their financial situation before their IPO.

PAKISTAN: Exchanges of fire between the Pakistani army and NATO forces

Two soldiers were wounded Tuesday in north-western Pakistan in the crossfire with NATO helicopters from Afghanistan, according to the Pakistani army has "strongly protested" against what it calls a "violation "of its airspace.

In Kabul, a Western officer acted under cover of anonymity, as helicopters, operating in Afghanistan had returned fire after being fired at from Pakistan.

Islamabad denounced the military frequently raids by international forces in the border tribal areas, the stronghold of Pakistani Taliban chief sanctuary in the world of Al Qaeda and Afghan Taliban rear base.

The incident occurred at dawn in the frontier tribal district of North Waziristan.

"Two helicopters violated Pakistani airspace (...) and our troops at a military post opened fire on them.In a firefight, two of our soldiers were injured, "says the Pakistani army in a statement.

"The Pakistani army has strongly protested" to the NATO force in Afghanistan (ISAF), concludes the text.

Earlier, without mention of Pakistani firing, military officials had assured him, on condition of anonymity, that "two helicopters had violated NATO airspace and bombed a military post, injuring two soldiers in the area Wacha Bibi ".

In Kabul, the NATO international force (Isaf) "has heard of a possible incident" at this point of the border. "We are investigating," he told AFP Lt. Col. John L.Dorrian, the public relations department of the force, composed by American soldiers for over two-thirds.

For his part, a Western military official in Kabul confirmed that both NATO aircraft that were operating on the Afghan side had responded to fire from Pakistan.

"Two helicopters were flying in the coverage area of ​​a forward base" international forces "that was taken under fire by fire from the Pakistani side," he told AFP on condition of anonymity.

"One of the devices has also suffered under fire from across the border, but did not return fire immediately.He did when he was again under fire, "the source said.

This latest incident comes as relations between the U.S. and Pakistan, its key ally in its "war against terrorism, have deteriorated after a squad of U.S. Special Forces helicopter from Afghanistan, had eliminated Osama bin Laden in a villa in Abbottabad, a city garrison two hours drive north of Islamabad.

North Waziristan is the stronghold of Pakistani Taliban allied with al-Qaeda and the main rear base for Taliban's Haqqani network, the bete noire of American troops and the Afghan government.

The Pakistani military often accuse NATO of violating his space, or bombardment from Afghanistan, especially when its troops pursuing Taliban who attacked them. It has happened in the past that these shots, intentionally or not, reach positions of the Pakistani army.

FOOTBALL: Opposed to the final Lille, PSG dream to keep "his" Coupe de France

AFP - The Cup of France offered Saturday at the Stade de France a gala final between the two teams most spectacular Ligue 1: Lille in contention for the double, and Paris St Germain, the defending champion and a true expert the test in search of a ninth trophy.

Before you plunge into the deep end of the championship and look to a possible third crown, Lille will want first to end a long drought and could even raise the Cup, 56 years after their fifth and final victory.

If Lille could have without the services of one of his masterpieces of the medium, Florent Balmont (thigh tear), he can always count on the young Belgian Hazard (20 years) and a true specialist in the Cup person Mickaël Landreau.

The guard, who lifted the trophy twice with Nantes (1999, 2000), has never lost a final and has even done by hand this week in L1 by stopping a penalty kick against the Greens. After releasing his first club in 8th-finals (1-1 ap, 3 tab 2), it could close the loop by crucifying PSG, where he played from 2006 to 2009.

With 8 trophies to their credit, the Parisians are in fact very far from the record of wins in the Coupe de France held by the enemy Marseille (10).

While the capital club is back to the forefront after several lackluster seasons, a new coronation at the Stade de France after he won in 2010 against Monaco (1-0 aet) Boost without doubt struggling with training Lyon return to the Champions League for the first time since 2004.

EGYPT: The detention of Hosni Mubarak extended

AFP - The Egyptian judiciary said Tuesday it has extended the detention of former President Hosni Mubarak for 15 days as part of the investigation into the suppression of anti-regime protests earlier this year.

The Prosecutor General Abdel Meguid Mahmoud "ordered the preventive detention of former President Hosni Mubarak for 15 days, beginning at the end of his current period of detention" May 12, said in a statement.

The spokesman for the Prosecutor's Office said a team of investigators visited the hospital Tuesday in Sharm el-Sheikh on the Red Sea, where Mr.Mubarak, for further interrogation.

A source at the prosecutor's office told AFP that he would announce in coming days if Mr. Mubarak will be tried or not.

He could be sentenced to up to hanging if convicted, had said in late April the Minister of Justice, Abdel Aziz al-Guindi.

The former president, 83 years, driven by 11 February a popular revolt that ended three decades of power, had been placed in custody April 13 for periods of 15 days, renewable.He is charged along with his two son Gamal and Alaa to the violent repression of the protest movement and is suspected of corruption.

Mr.Mubarak is being treated since April 12 at the international hospital in Sharm el-Sheikh resort in Sinai, after having a heart attack during interrogation.

He is asked about his responsibility in the deaths of protesters during the revolt (January 25 to February 11) and the controversial contracts for the sale of Egyptian gas to Israel which led to losses of several billion dollars for the country, according the prosecution.

According to one report, 846 civilians died in the protests that led to the departure Mubarak.A member of the commission of inquiry into the suppression indicated that the former president was complicit in the bloodshed.

Former Interior Minister Habib el-Adli is on trial for ordering the firing against demonstrators, after being sentenced to twelve years in prison Thursday for embezzlement.

More than two months after the fall of M.Mubarak, the pressure remains high in Egypt for the former president and his immediate family are brought to justice swiftly.

Justice had asked the Interior Ministry being transferred to Tora prison in the southern outskirts of Cairo, where his son already Alaa and Gamal, also detained for periods of 15 days, renewable, and former Ministers and senior officials of the regime.

But the department ruled that the prison hospital was not adequately equipped to cope with any rapid deterioration in his health.

On 10 April, Mr. Mubarak was out for the first time in its silence to be a victim of "defamation". In a speech sound, he denounced the "smear campaigns" against him and defended his "reputation" and his "integrity." He assured that neither he nor his wife Suzanne had any assets abroad and said he was ready to cooperate with the law.

Historic collapse of the Bloc Quebecois in the federal election

"We were expecting a good score, New Democratic Party (NDP), but certainly not as much. Voters separatists and separatist dropped the Bloc Quebecois. This is history. This is the first time in 100 years that it breaks down this way, "surprised Denis Saint-Martin, a political scientist and lecturer at the University of Montreal.For him, "is a vote against the system, a rejection of the elites and not the sign of a turning socialist." According to Francois Bergeron, associate publisher and editor of the French-language weekly "L'Express de Toronto," the analysis applies to the rest of Canada, predominantly in English: "This is a protest vote against the federal policy in general. "

The NDP, the party left most represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament, took over three-quarters of the seats reserved in the Belle Province in the Federal Parliament. He finds himself with 60 of the 75 seats. "This wave NDP is a bit surreal.People have been elected without being known - and sometimes even without having visited the constituency they covet - in the face of elected Bloc well known, "Francois Bergeron surprised.

"A party that has no roots in Quebec"

According to commentators, the personality of its leader, Jack Layton, has much to do. He is a child of the province, he grew up in Quebec.He is suffering from cancer and some analysts believe it could play its positive image.

But Denis Saint-Martin doubt that the party is able to meet the aspirations of French-speaking province of identity: "It's a party that has no roots in Quebec on the historic plan. I think that the hopes of Quebeckers are likely to be disappointed. " He explains that "the political weight of the training was in Quebec while the bodies of the party are not in the province." The bastion of NDP, which is also the constituency of Jack Layton, Toronto happens to be.

Stephen Harper, the Conservative Prime Minister in power since 2006, is the winner of the poll.Now have a comfortable majority that had escaped the previous two elections, "he is free to do what he wants," Francois Bergeron analysis. "One of the first things he will do is raise the budget recently rejected by the previous majority."

The Bloc Quebecois, loser of the election

The Bloc Quebecois, it retains only 4 of the 47 seats it had in the outgoing parliament - in place since 2008. Given the low number of elected, he will lose official party status in the House of Commons and find private funding to training in the majority.In addition, Stephen Harper announced Monday he would end the public subsidies for political parties (independent of election results), which should further reduce its resources.

Still, for Denis Saint-Martin, "those who think that these results are indicative of the end of the independence movement, they are wrong. It is a sleeping giant. The dream of an independent Quebec is more than ever there . Some voters saw the NDP as the last chance, but if the NDP fails to convince, it will be very supportive of separatists. "

EUROPA LEAGUE: Falcao flows Villareal, Benfica takes over Braga

AFP - FC Porto, with a quadrupling of Falcao, took a huge advantage for the qualification for the final of the Europa League after the semi-finals go on Thursday, beating Villarreal 5-1, while Benfica has become smaller cons Braga (2-1).

After being led in scoring by Villarreal, the "Dragons" have turned the tide with their two Colombian Guarin and especially Falcao, author of a quadrupled.

Villarreal, currently fourth in the Championship of Spain, had opened the scoring just before the break thanks to a goal from Cani (0-1, 45).

Falcao equalized from the penalty spot, a few minutes later (1-1, 49). Guarin then resumed his own head strikes repelled by the pole to take the lead (2-1, 61).Porto, Portugal sacred recent champion, then took off with three new goals Falcao, the best scorer of the tournament (15 goals with this fourfold), putting himself in good position before moving to Villarreal for the second leg .

Benfica dominated the challenger Braga

In the other semifinal, the giant Benfica overcame the challenger Braga neophyte at this level, taking a slight edge before moving on May 5 in "The Quarry", the nickname of the stadium in Braga.

The "Eagles scored two goals in nine minutes to have a catchy Braga. Defenseman Jardel, recalling the memory of his illustrious namesake Brazilian prolific scorer in the Championship of Portugal from 1996 to 2003, tackles the ball successfully repelled by the pole (1-0, 50).

Three minutes later, Braga equalized in the head by Vandinho (1-1, 53), before the Paraguayan Cardozo gives the advantage to the people of Lisbon from a masterful free kick into the top corner (2-1, 59).

The final of the Europa League will take place May 18 in Dublin.

LIBYA: Gaddafi's forces attacked the port of Misrata

AFP - The forces pro-Gaddafi on Tuesday bombed Libyan port of Misrata, but the rebellion has ensured that the Libyan leader was entering a "lost battle" and French President Nicolas Sarkozy said he was "optimistic" about the after the conflict.

Around 13:30 local time (1130 GMT), a dozen bullets hit the port 12 km east of Misrata, only link with the outside world for this great coastal city 200 km east of Tripoli with the pro Gaddafi-cut all access roads, according to an AFP photographer.

A ship of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), came to continue the evacuation of thousands of Africans stranded in the harbor, had to move away for safety.

"Many refugees were injured by the bombing. There may be dead," said Dr. Khalid Abu Falra in the main city hospital. On Monday, Washington had estimated that 2,000 African migrants were still waiting on the port.

According to the rebels, "a score of vehicles" government forces approached the port around 15:30 local.

NATO planes flew over the city, where explosions were also heard apart after a lull of 24 hours. According to journalists in the port, they have conducted at least one hit.

Misrata has experienced in recent days of heavy fighting in which rebel soldiers have pushed the pro-Qaddafi on the outskirts of the city.Rockets and artillery shells rained down on the city, seemingly at random.

The explosions and fighting have left dozens dead and hundreds wounded since Friday. According to the Red Crescent Misrata, the conflict has claimed about 1,500 dead, residents and rebels since the uprising in the city on February 19.

"Misrata is the key to Tripoli. If (Gaddafi) abandons Misrata, he will leave Tripoli.He is not crazy enough to do that ", warned Monday the military spokesman Transitional National Council (TNC) in opposition to Benghazi (east), Colonel Ahmed Omar Bani.

But Colonel Gaddafi has embarked on a "lost battle" because the rebels are more numerous, "better equipped, trained and organized, and more determined than ever," said Tuesday another spokesman for the CNT, Jalal al -Gallali.

"Combined with the greater efficiency of NATO, this makes for (Gaddafi), it will be increasingly hard, if not impossible to win," he added.

"In Libya, we are optimistic because the Libyan opposition demonstrated great courage and great skill," saidSarkozy at a press conference in Rome with Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi.

While saying that "the struggle" of the insurgents was conducted "each day more efficiently," he refused to make any estimate on the duration of the conflict.

In the West, 30,000 Libyans fled the Mountain region, on the border with Tunisia, said the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), noting that according to the latest arrivals, the border towns of Nalout Wazin and were almost deserted.

In total, more than 600,000 people have fled violence in Libya since mid-February.

In Tripoli, the target of raids since Friday NATO's intensive, five explosions rocked Monday night east of the capital, according to witnesses who were not able to specify the sites covered.

On the night of Sunday to Monday, on President Muammar Gaddafi, in his huge residence located in Tripoli, had been totally destroyed by NATO airstrikes. The raid left three dead and 45 wounded, according to the spokesman of the regime, Ibrahim Moussa.

NATO said Tuesday he had not sought to target the Libyan leader, noting that his mission was to protect civilians, not to impose a regime change.

Libyan television showed footage of Mr Gaddafi, who seem to have been filmed on Monday.Seemingly relaxed, he receives dignitaries of the regime in his tent at his residence.

In Moscow, Russia warned that it would not support any new resolution to the Security Council of UN on Libya calling for an increase of "foreign interference".

In Addis Ababa, the African Union is still trying to find a solution to the conflict, receiving representatives from both sides for a cease-fire. The rebels, however, require the departure of Mr Gaddafi prior to any negotiated solution.

The Italian Foreign Ministry said Tuesday that the next meeting of the Contact Group to lead the political aspects of international intervention in Libya to be held May 5 in Rome.

FRANCE - TUNISIA: "I just dreamed of a better life ..."

"I thought I'd be greeted as a hero," Moez admits, lowering his eyes. Disillusionment could not be greater. This 39 year old Tunisian has participated in the revolution that led to the downfall of Ben Ali on January 14 last. But when he arrived in France in early April, "in the country of the revolution of 1789" is the customs that had welcomed him.

Moez is from Gabes, a coastal city in central Tunisia. Long-term unemployed despite his State diploma Technician clothing, Tunisian revolution has restored the desire to dream. He dreams of Europe, the job he could find, the money he could send to his mother, a widow and retired. He dreams of dignity.And he knows that Tunisia will take years to recover from 23 years of dictatorship.

The wind in its sails

In mid-March, so he left Gabes to the nearby city of Zarzis, where he boarded a small fishing boat for the modest sum of 1,500 dinars, or about 800 euros, saved penny by penny for the whole family . Direction the Italian island of Lampedusa.

"We worked 24-hour crossing. There were people weeping, others vomited. With the weight of passengers, the boat sank in the sea and there was water up to their knees" says he.

The 87 passengers on the makeshift boat arrived safely at Lampedusa. Moez believes in his lucky star. "I am a lucky man," continues he repeated.His face is soft and toothless smile.

In Lampedusa, he is greeted by the Border Police who leads straight into a detention center. A week to wait. A week to sleep in the courtyard on the ground without a blanket, no mattress, before being transferred to Cretonne in central Italy.

Moez but the wind in its sails. He escapes and hits the road: a train to Ventimiglia, the French-Italian border, twenty miles on foot to Menton, France. Then up through France Charleville-Mezieres, where authorities arrested him at the station. Police station, photos, fingerprints ... Moez has seven days to leave the territory.It will not wait so much.

After two days, the police come for him at 7 o'clock in the morning at the friend who hosts it. Three cars and eight police officers were mobilized for the occasion.

"All this for me chuckle there before rebelling, I'm certainly not a terrorist! The police stopped us because of our face, our skin color. But we are not thieves . Take the boat, it's dangerous, it is suicide. It's like Bouazizi Sidi Bouzid.But we do it because we dream of a better life not to steal the bread from the French. "

"Europe must react"

After passing through the detention center (ARC) from Roissy, it is returned to where he received his Ventimiglia sesame after one week: a temporary residence for six months.

His papers in his pocket, he tried again through France.But he did not need a week before being stopped and checked by police.

"Moez beats the record of arrests because he has a mouth of an Arab!" summarizes passionately Samia Maktouf, lawyer Franco-Tunisian volunteer at the Paris Bar, who is fighting to get him a work permit.

"Europe should react and stop doing the ping-pong between France and Italy. It is contrary to the spirit of the Schengen agreement not to allow refugees to move freely. We must take steps to the height of the humanitarian tragedy, "continued the lawyer who took over the back of a twenty Tunisians.

An appeal is likely to remain a dead letter.After the tension between Rome and Paris in recent weeks following the influx of immigrants Tunisian and Libyan, via Italy, France expressed its support for strengthening the provision of temporary suspension of the free movement of Schengen.

"I am a lucky man ..."

For a week, Moez open the walls and just hide all day in the office of his lawyer, legal as well as moral support. And if Samia Maktouf short courts, prefectures and departments to plead his cause, yet it is in the privacy of the office that the solutions are.

Thanks to a Tunisian businessman, Customer Master Maktouf, passing through Paris on that day, Moez spring the firm with a job offer in hand. The interim.Just enough time to recover and return home with dignity. The shining eyes, he whispers quietly: "I am a lucky man ..."

COTE D'IVOIRE - EXCLUSIVE: In Duekoue, massacres disrupt the reconciliation

A week after the arrest of Ivorian President Laurent Gbagbo and leaving the arrival in power of his rival Alassane Ouattara, Côte d'Ivoire tries to initiate a process of reconciliation.

Just after taking office effective April 11, the president promised to Ouattara Ivorians that justice in their country would consider "all those who have committed crimes in the same way."

At a press conference, he also announced he would seek the intervention of the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague to "initiate investigations" into the massacres committed since the presidential election on November 28, 2010 .

If the entire Ivorian territory was the scene of fighting between pro-and pro-Ouattara Gbagbo, the west has been particularly affected.

Caroline Dumay, special correspondent for FRANCE 24, visited the region of Duekoue, where Republican Forces of Côte d'Ivoire, Ouattara of armed support, and their supporters are accused of committing hundreds of crimes.

For now, no clear picture is known. But the government Ouattara evokes the figure of 330 deaths in the region.Red Cross for its part has 800 victims in one of the Carrefour district of the city of Duekoue.

Civilian casualties

According to sources, the number of victims varies from one to three now but one thing is certain: the massacres have occurred. One witness, who requested anonymity, described FRANCE 24 one of the photos he took of a civilian killed before his eyes: "This gentleman here, was killed in front of me. It is a sick . He had surgery. I think it is simply out of the hospital to find something to eat and he was shot in front of me. "

The UN has also condemned these abuses.Officials of the UN mission on site say they have witnessed killings on March 28 last, but said they could not intervene.

The forces of the United Nations Operation in Côte d'Ivoire (UNOCI) are still very cautious about the different assessments published, like Colonel Zeidane, who told FRANCE 24: "I can not comment on this figure of 800.It belongs to those who have advanced to justify this figure. "The UN staff in Côte d'Ivoire confirms nevertheless have proceeded with the burial of 198 bodies.

Ethnic conflict

On site, other witnesses tell of gunmen carried out identity checks in order to sort the population according to ethnicity. Gaetan Mootoo, researcher for Amnesty International, said: "In the vicinity of the bridge Guémon, we found identity cards on the floor.We wonder where do these identity cards and why people heading to a place to protect themselves were forced to show their cards. "

In Duekoue, the neighborhood of Carrefour, like many others, was the scene of heavy fighting. Populated mostly healed, ethnic Christian traditionally considered favorable to Laurent Gbagbo, the sector is now devastated. The majority of residents took refuge at the Catholic mission in the city under protection of a battalion of Moroccan peacekeepers.

This "manhunt" which appear to have been victims Gueré beyond the scope of political confrontation Ouattara Gbagbo.Its causes are ethnic, religious and social.

Cure them, landowners, are accused of having formed militias to terrorize the Dioula ethnic group Muslim neighbor who traditionally cultivated these lands on behalf of Gueré. This repression has resulted in numerous conflicts between the two groups in recent years.

It is currently impossible to determine by whom and for what reasons Duekoue massacres were perpetrated. Several investigations are underway, but Duekoue, as in the surrounding villages, dozens of people are still missing the call.

AWARD: Glencore breaks for good with the legacy of its founder

Since Baar Swiss town of 20,000 inhabitants, the giant commodities Glencore pilot one of the most important steps in its history: its market introduction. This introduction, which should be finalized in mid-May, would allow the group to emerge between 9 and 11 billion euros. Glencore would succeed and the third largest IPO in history for a European company (after those of the German Deutsche Telekom in 1996 and Italy's Enel, 1999).

The company, which acquires its credentials in the financial markets, turn the page of his early years, under the leadership of sour Belgian businessman Marc Rich. There is no doubt that he is behind the success of Glencore.No doubt also that its leaders do not regret the departure in 1993, a man who imagined a time on the top ten most wanted by the FBI.

When Marc Rich founded in 1974, at age 40, his trading company in raw materials - Marc Rich + Co - he already has the reputation of a trader of genius. During the oil embargo decided by the Gulf States in 1973, he plays on his own - or almost - from OPEC.This Belgian then succeeds in buying oil in Iraq and Iran to sell twice as expensive in the United States.

Paranoid and hunted by the FBI

In early 1980, Marc Rich was able to get their hands on 40% of global aluminum market and "undertaker" also a large market share of the money. Marc Rich also sells, for years, oil to South Africa - while the country is on the blacklist of the world trade because of apartheid.It is with a lot of such shots, not always legal, Marc Rich made his company one of the major players in commodity markets. His methods earned him strong enemies.

But his crime, at least in the eyes of Washington, is to buy millions of barrels of oil to Iran crisis of American hostages in 1979. A fact which earned him a weapon to be prosecuted by U.S. authorities in 1983 for violating the embargo and tax evasion.Marc Rich refuses to appear and becomes hunted by the FBI, which is considered as one of the ten most wanted criminals in the world.

He continues to lead his company from the canton of Zug, Swiss tax haven, but would have lived from this time in a permanent state of paranoia, according to Daniel Ammann, a journalist who has devoted a biography called "The King of oil" , released in November 2010.

The wildest rumors begin to circulate about his lifestyle, as reported by the newspaper The Observer in May 2001. It would have to build a tunnel under his office to avoid being assassinated on his way to his favorite restaurant.In addition, Marc Rich never moves without a dozen bodyguards - all former Mossad.

The shot of (the) presidential pardon

A lifestyle wearing. In 1993, he ended up making a bad transaction that makes it lose hundreds of millions of dollars. Marc Rich is then obliged to sell its stake in Marc Rich + Co's co-shareholders, who pushed him toward the exit.

It seems so out of business and devotes part of his fortune, estimated by Forbes at $ 800 million to charitable and cultural activities. But the FBI did not forget it either. At least until the end of the term of Bill Clinton in 2001. While it does have a few more hours at the White House, he grants his forgiveness to everyone's surprise.He explained later that he received several requests by influential people, including Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak.

BELARUS: President Lukashenko sees foreign forces behind the bombing of Minsk

At least 12 people were killed and more than a hundred injured Monday night in an attack on the subway in Minsk, in the center of the capital of Belarus, President Alexander Lukashenko does not exclude that the explosion could have been organized "from abroad".

"A terrorist attack occurred around 5:54 p.m. today at the station Oktyabrskaya" said Assistant Attorney General Andrei Chved, following an emergency meeting convened by Mr Lukashenko a few hours after the tragedy.

"I told you we would not let us live in peace," saidLukashenko was quoted by the Ria Novosti agency, during the meeting with senior officials of the country.

"I do not exclude that this 'gift' comes from abroad, but we must also look at us," added the President who instructed the authorities to do everything to solve this case.

"The head of the KGB, you are personally responsible for the investigation," he said, addressing the chief of security.

The initial balance of 11 dead was increased to 12 after the death of one of the wounded into the night, said Monday morning the KGB, saying that a total of 149 people needed medical treatment and 22 of them are in serious condition.

"The culprits must be found as soon as possible.Return the entire country, "said Mr Lukashenko, according to Ria Novosti.

The blast occurred at a gas station near the Belarusian presidency, said a witness told AFP.

Shortly after the explosion, black smoke coming out of the Oktyabrskaya metro station and passengers escaped from the underground, face bloodied, some with tattered clothes, witnesses said.

"There are many wounded, we are not able to give figures," said emergency medical services in the city.

Television images showed smoke-filled subway station, the wounded on the ground or leaning against the pillars, while others fled.

"People are evacuated from the station.The resort itself is very smoky. There are many wounded exits, "he told a correspondent of the newspaper online naviny.by Belarus, who was on site.

"People go out in blood the underpass leading to the subway, they have their hands and face covered in blood.Smoke coming from the underground, "he added.

Belarus, ruled with an iron fist by Alexander Lukashenko in power for 16 years, had not undergone major attack in recent years.

In July 2008, an artisanal craft had exploded in the center of Minsk on the feast of the independence of this former Soviet republic, making about fifty wounded, according to news reports.

The explosion occurred on Monday amid political tensions in Belarus, where many opponents were arrested in late December after the controversial re-election of Mr Lukashenko.

The re-election with over 80% of the votes of Mr.Lukashenko on December 19 had caused a major opposition demonstration in Minsk, denouncing massive fraud.

The rally was dispersed and manhandled by police and more than 600 people were arrested.

Twenty-two opponents are still in custody and five have fled abroad, including one of the presidential candidates, Ales Mikhalevitch, who received political asylum in the Czech Republic.

Dozens of opponents, including several presidential candidates, have been charged with "organizing mass disturbances" in the wake of these events and could face up to 15 years in prison.

The Belarusian government had estimated that the April 5 December demonstration against the reelection of Mr. Lukashenko was an attempted coup "plotted with representatives from abroad".

USA: last-minute compromise on the cuts in the federal budget

An agreement on costs was concluded last minute Friday night in Washington between Democrats and Republicans in Congress to avoid the paralysis of the U.S. federal government, barely an hour before the deadline, set at midnight.

President Barack Obama responded quickly, acknowledging that the agreement would mean budget cuts "painful", but considering that the U.S. should live within their means.

"As in any meaningful compromise, both sides had to make tough decisions and concede on issues that were important to them," he added after a day of suspense over whether to continue government operations the first world power after Friday midnight (0400 GMT).

The Republican chairman of the House of Representatives John Boehner, who announced the agreement, welcomed the arrangement which he said will "reduce spending and keep our government in working order."

The agreement includes $ 38.5 billion in budget cuts over the level of current expenditures.It funds the administration for the remainder of fiscal year 2011, until 30 September.

In the process, the Senate approved a provisional budget law for seven days, the time to put up and vote the final agreement. The House also had to rule on the night of Friday to Saturday on the measure before sending it to President Obama for promulgation.

After the difficult birth, the head of the Democratic majority in the Senate, Harry Reid, has welcomed an agreement "historic."

His main opponent in the Senate, Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, has approved the trial of Mr.Reid, immediately recalled that the fight was not over between the two parties in Congress.

"Once we complete this process by the end of next week, we will have a broader discussion on how to save thousands of billions," he said, referring to the forthcoming debate on the budget 2012 of President Obama .

He added that raising the U.S. debt ceiling by more than 1,400 billion was to be accompanied by measures "significant" to solve the problem of the debt record.

This highly sensitive debate should take the elected members of both chambers for much of May.

Before the announcement of the budget agreement Friday night on Capitol Hill, politicians have shown themselves impatient with the impasse persisted.

"We're not going to lie and betray the Americans as has happened many times here in Washington," Mr. Boehner was launched to the press.

Before the Senate, Mr. Reid accused the ultra-conservatives of the "tea party" to be responsible for the situation and try to "put forward (their) extreme social agenda" by putting pressure on Republican leaders.

The closure of administrative services would mean the suspension of 800,000 federal employees.Tourists were turned away at the doors of museums and national parks, visas were not issued and the tax forms being processed.

The biggest obstacle was a controversial measure introduced by Republicans in the draft budget bill eliminating funds for family planning, abortion and women's health. The measure does not appear in the agreement announced Friday night.

COTE D'IVOIRE: Laurent Gbagbo continues to negotiate his departure

Ivorian President Laurent Gbagbo out Tuesday still refused to concede defeat despite the collapse of his regime and demand a cease-fire of his army, reeling from strikes in France and the United Nations before the advancing forces Alassane Ouattara.

While France and the United Nations require him to sign a document in which he relinquished power and recognizes his rival as president, he warned that he was not concerned.

"I do not recognize the victory of Ouattara.Why do you want me to sign it? "He said Tuesday during an interview on French TV channel LCI.

After days of fighting with heavy weapons that have made "dozens of deaths" according to the UN in Abidjan, and a bloody post-election crisis of four months, the guns are virtually silent in the Ivorian city.

"There is a ceasefire but there is sporadic gunfire from youth groups who are not" fighting forces, said the UN mission ONUCI.

Some heavy weapons fire rang out in the Cocody district (north), which houses the presidential residence.

The people, the vast majority holed up at home, remained suspended on the announcement of the end of the era Gbagbo, while television TCI camp Ouattara broadcast excerpts from "The Downfall", a film about the last days of Adolph Hitler.

"Entrenched" according to the UN in a bunker in the basement of his residence, to which had converged in the morning fighters president recognized by the international community Alassane Ouattara Laurent Gbagbo insisted.

"I find it absolutely astounding that the life of a country hinges on a gamble of foreign capitals," he dropped.

"I go to worship and pray for the wisdom that lives in each other, so that we discuss," he said this fervent evangelical Christian.

"Whether we sit down and discuss it, but it does not sit, because it relies on foreign forces," he said.

"Me, I'm not a kamikaze, I love life. My voice is the voice of a martyr, I do not seek death, but if the death happens, it happens," he further explained.

There are currently "negotiations" about Laurent Gbagbo but "not yet reporting," said the French presidency told AFP. Same story on the side of the UN.

According to a source familiar with the matter, another stumbling block was the destination of M.Gbagbo: Does it remain on his land or the fierce nationalist will he forced into exile?

According to the French Prime Minister Francois Fillon, "two generals close" to Mr Gbagbo were currently "trying to negotiate terms of surrender."

President Barack Obama called the former strongman from Abidjan to "resign immediately", arguing "strongly" strikes the UN and France on Monday on its last strongholds.

The shelling on the heavy weapons of the pro-Gbagbo had precipitated the collapse of his regime after more than a decade of power and eight days in a lightning offensive of the pro-Ouattara, from the north.

Foreign Minister Mr.Gbagbo and among close relatives, Alcide Djedje played a key role in the epilogue in progress.

He went to the Ambassador of France, whose residence adjoins that of Mr. Gbagbo, to negotiate a cease-fire "on demand", he said, the incumbent.

The Chief of Staff of the army loyal to Mr. Gbagbo, General Philippe Mangou shortly thereafter told AFP that his forces had "asked the commanding general UNOCI a cease-fire.""We stopped the fighting," he added.

The former opponent of the "Father of the Nation" Felix Houphouet-Boigny, who became president in 2000 in a ballot already challenged, has never conceded defeat in the presidential election of November 28, 2010, a vote yet certified by the UN.He always refused to resign or go into exile.

But the fierce resistance of his troops in Abidjan, which were before the crisis about 5 million people, has plunged the city into chaos.

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has reported "dozens of deaths" in recent days of fighting with heavy weapons.

The humanitarian situation "has become absolutely dramatic in Abidjan," the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs United Nations.

The UN has estimated that "hundreds" the number of people who perished in massacres last week in Duekoue, in the West - the balance sheets show, according to sources, 330 to a thousand people - and revealed the existence of a mass grave containing 200 bodies.The forces pro-Ouattara have been particularly singled out.

The African Union condemned the "misuse" and "violations of human rights" and again called for "mandatory protection of the civilian population."

A controversy has finally broken out on strikes UN and France.

The chairman of the AU, the head of state of Equatorial Guinea Teodoro Obiang Nguema, has condemned Russia and said their study "legality".

Conversely, Nigeria has supported this commitment. For Senegal, another key ally of Mr. Ouattara, the intervention was responding to a request from West Africa.

AFGHANISTAN: New deadly protests against the burning of the Koran

AFP - Four people were killed and 32 wounded Saturday in Kandahar (southern Afghanistan) during a demonstration against the recent book burning of a Quran in the U.S. in the aftermath of a deadly attack against the UN in north at a similar event, according to a doctor.

"Four bodies were brought to the hospital.Thirty-two people wounded by bullets or stones, were admitted to our hospital, "he told AFP Dr. Abdul QAYOUM Pukhla, doctor at Mirwais hospital in Kandahar.

The AFP correspondent in Kandahar had previously seen two bodies, worn by men who described themselves as protesters, but did not elaborate on the identity of the dead or the circumstances of their deaths.

The protesters, now several thousand, were divided into several groups around Kandahar, the largest city in southern Afghanistan and former capital of the Taliban regime, where heavy gunfire continued to be heard, "said correspondent AFP.

One group headed for the provincial governor's offices, the other that the local offices of the UN Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA). The two groups were blocked for an hour for the police, quite far from the complex, UNAM.

The police, massively deployed, now banned vehicles and pedestrians to circulate, including journalists.

From the roof of a building, he saw smoke rising from several parts of the city.

According to the AFP correspondent, a large crowd is coming from the suburbs (well, any) of the city, former capital of the Taliban regime, and attempts to head downtown.

In town, the protesters marched chanting "Death to America" ​​and "Death to (Hamid) Karzai," the Afghan president."They have insulted our Quran," shouted one of them.

An Afghan journalist was attacked by protesters, who hit him and broke his camera, according to the AFP correspondent.

"Around 9:00 (4:30 GMT) a peaceful demonstration against the burning of the Koran in the United States began.Destructive elements have infiltrated the crowd and tried to create violence, "he told AFP Zalmai Ayoubi, spokesman of provincial authorities.

"The situation is under control of the police," he said.

Seven employees of foreign UN, four Nepalese and three Europeans, were killed Friday in the attack on UN offices in Mazar-I-Sharif, the largest city in northern Afghanistan, during a demonstration against the recent public burning of the Koran by American fundamentalist pastor.

The attack was the deadliest against the UN in Afghanistan since the invasion of that country by an international coalition in late 2001 to overthrow the Taliban regime.

Five Afghan demonstrators were also killed, according to the governor of Balkh province, including Mazar-i-Sharif is the capital.

Thousands of North African immigrants have landed on the Italian side

AFP - Nearly a thousand immigrants from Tunisia and Libya have arrived in the course of the night from Monday to Tuesday in Sicily and Lampedusa aboard several boats, said the Italian Coast Guard.

The first boat, a large fishing boat about 35 feet long with nearly 500 people on board including women and children, arrived shortly after midnight near the coast of Ragusa, in southern Sicily.

The boat ran aground on rocks near the coast and immigrants, mostly Eritreans, Somalis and citizens of other countries in the Horn of Africa, fleeing the fighting in Libya, were transferred ashore aboard Coast Guard boats in small groups.

About 450 other immigrants also arrived aboard three boats in the night on Lampedusa, a small Italian island that is crumbling under the weight of illegal Tunisian which nearly 20,000 have arrived in recent weeks.

The first boat was carrying 190 people, mostly Eritreans, while two others carried Tunisians.

Faced with overcrowding of immigrants in Lampedusa, an Italian ship left the island with 827 people on board who arrived Tuesday morning in the port of Taranto, in Puglia, southern Italy, where they will be transferred in a temporary shelter set up in this region to cope with the influx of immigrants.

FRANCE - cantonal elections: A candidate FN suspended for a photo showing him to the Nazi hello

AFP - The National Front responded immediately by suspending the party Friday one of its candidates for the cantonal, hours after publishing on the website of the Nouvel Observateur the picture of the man doing the hello before a Nazi swastika flag.

The party intends to show that it sends a "signal" is "no place" in the party frontist for those that revolve around an ideology which Nazi "was an abomination," as the repeated Marine Le Pen on several occasions, at the time of the congress which has brought it to the presidency of the FN.

"Everyone must know that the National Front in it admit such behavior unacceptable carrying a repugnant ideology," said a statement Friday Marine Le Pen, in announcing an investigation "on the reality of this photograph ".

"It is a montage," the person reacts

The NouvelObs.com Friday published a photograph, undated, Alexander Gabriac, FN candidate in the canton of Grenoble-6, making the left hand hello to a Nazi swastika flag.

Several other photos were subsequently posted on the Web, where we see again the man making the same gesture.

Gabriac Alexander, 20, is regional adviser FN Rhone-Alpes and Central Committee member of the FN on the list Gollnisch, Challenger Marine Le Pen in the last party congress FN.

"It's a montage. We do not recognize me in this picture where my eyes are hidden," he told AFP the youngest regional adviser of France. He added that he intended to file a complaint against the website of the Nouvel Observateur.

Aurélien Viers, editor of nouvelobs.com, denied it a mount."We have verified that it is him, we have a whole series of photos we took the most iconic," he told AFP.

"He will have to prove to us that this photo is a montage," replied the FN

The secretary general of the FN Steeve Briois, told AFP that the candidate was "suspended from the FN and, already, is not the FN in the second round of cantonal.

"It will be excluded," continued Mr. Briois, indicating that there was "a good chance that this photo is real." "This man is close to the French Oeuvre (Nationalist Movement, Ed)," he added."He will have to prove to us that this photo is a montage," he said.

"We want to send two signs," he said, "First, the Front National, there is no place for people who have this ideology, and then a message to all those tempted to come to the National Front to make entryism, and I think the French Work, "he said.

Mr. Briois has also said: "This photo is from the Department of the Interior, 48 hours before the second round of cantonal, to try to destabilize the FN. The department "made a serious mistake because the FN is taking its responsibilities. People like that, they turns. They have no place in the Front. It will be a good way to clean house within the FN," he saidBriois.

The interior ministry has told AFP that he "absolutely contradicted these allegations."

Reacting to the publication of this photograph, SOS Racism said in a statement that the candidate of the FN "shown (is) is the true face of the party of Marine Le Pen, a party viscerally plagued by racism and antisemitism (...) nostalgic of Nazism and its evils. "

Yemen: President Saleh loose new ballast but the challenge continues

Dropped by a portion of his army, the President of Yemen Ali Abdullah Saleh on Tuesday proposed to resign in early 2012, but the opposition rejected the offer insisting on his immediate departure.

Earlier, President Saleh, in power for 32 years, warned against the risks of civil war in his country including the capital Sana'a is the setting for Monday in a deployment of military units rival tanks.

In south-east, in the city of Moukalla a first incident on Monday night between elements of the regular army and presidential guard units had two killed, witnesses and medical sources.

This tension redoubled concern the United States, said Tuesday the U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates. Washington has so far seen the president Saleh as an ally in the war against terrorism and Al Qaeda affiliates.

Of the likes of Osama bin Laden are active in Yemen and were involved in attempted attacks against the United States in 2009 and 2010. Washington provides an annual grant of $ 150 million in Sana'a to combat them.

"The instability and diversion of attention vis-à-vis AQPA (Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula) is certainly my primary concern in this situation," said Gates, after a trip to Moscow.

To overcome this crisis, the head of state, whose term expires in 2013, proposed "holding parliamentary elections before the end of 2011, followed by election by members of a president in early 2012," according to a senior Yemeni official, who requested anonymity.

But the opposition immediately rejected this offer: "The Yemeni people calling for the immediate departure" of the president, said his spokesman Mohammed al-Sabri."Only one thing can satisfy the people, and that the resignation of this man," he added.

In Sanaa, the military and officials have continued to succeed in front of the demonstrators University Square, the epicenter of protest, to announce their allegiance to the "youth revolt".

The challenge, launched in late January, has gained momentum after the death March 18, 1952 people in an attack against demonstrators in Sanaa attributed to supporters of the regime.

Representatives of members of the Arab League have condemned Tuesday the "crimes against civilians" and urged the Yemeni authorities to meet the demands of the population to "peacefully".

Protesters on Monday received the support of the army chiefs, including General Ali Mohsen al-Ahmar, head north-east which includes the capital.

Armoured units loyal to General Ahmar were deployed around the Central Bank, the headquarters of the General People's Congress (GPC ruling party) and other vital facilities in Sana'a.

But the tanks of the presidential guard, headed by the president's son, Ahmed Saleh, and special forces, commanded by his nephew Tarek Saleh, took up positions around the presidential palace.

A Moukalla, clashed Monday night soldiers under the command of the Eastern Military District, General Mohammed Ali Mohsen, who joined the protest, members of the presidential guard.

A soldier of the regular army and a member of the presidential guard were killed, medics, and three soldiers wounded, including an officer of the regular army.

Mr.Saleh, 69, warned that any conspiracy to precipitate his departure would lead to Yemen, a poor country of 24 million, to civil war.

"Any attempt to take power in a coup would lead to civil war," he said on television before military leadership, whereas the divisions within the army were "harmful" to the country.

AFP - A "race against time" is bound to cool reactors at the Fukushima nuclear power plant accident in Japan, said Friday the chief of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Yukiya Amano.

"The cooling is extremely important, so I think it's a race against time," he said in Tokyo after meeting Japanese Prime Minister, Naoto Kan.

The accident at the plant "very serious", it is important that "the international community, including the IAEA," participated in efforts to secure the situation, "he said.

Mr.Amano said further that the IAEA would measure the level of radioactivity in Tokyo, probably on Friday evening, according to comments reported by the agency Jiji.

The level of injury increased by 4 to 5 on a scale of up to 7

The Nuclear Safety Agency Japanese statement Friday from April to May the level of the nuclear accident in Fukushima on the scale of nuclear and radiological events (INES), which runs until 7.

The importance of a problem occurring in a nuclear site is assessed using this scale, level 0 being no abnormality and level 7, the most important, a major accident like Chernobyl ( Ukraine) in 1986.

The increase in severity by the Japanese space agency's accident Fukushima at the same level as that at Three Mile Island (USA) in 1979.

The French Nuclear Safety Authority for its part considers that the accident Fukushima is the severity level 6.

He hopes to "help reassure the Japanese public" by making measurements distinct from those of the Japanese government.

NIGER: Issoufou historical opponent declared the winner of the presidential

AFP - The historical opponent Mahamadou Issoufou won with nearly 58% of the vote in presidential elections in Niger, said Monday the election commission.

Mr.Saturday Issoufou received some 1.8 million votes, or 57.95%, ahead of former Prime Minister Seini Oumarou with 1.3 million votes (42.05%), announced Gousmane Abdourahamane, Commission President Independent National Electoral (INEC), at a ceremony in Niamey.

The turnout reached 48.17%, below the 51.56% of the first round of 31 January.

The second tower, whose effectiveness has been praised by international observers, was intended to restore civilian rule after a year's military junta after the coup of February 2010 against Tandja.

The new president is scheduled April 6.

LIBYA: France recognizes the Libyan National Transitional Council

AFP - France said on Thursday the National Transitional Council (CNT) of Libya, which includes opposition to the regime of Colonel Muammar Gaddafi, as the only "legitimate representative of the Libyan people" and will soon send an ambassador to Benghazi, said the Elysee.

"France has recognized the Transitional National Council as the legitimate representative of the Libyan people," he announced to the press an emissary of the CNT, Ali Essaoui after a meeting with Nicolas Sarkozy at the Elysee.

This information was immediately confirmed by the Presidency of the Republic, making France the first country to recognize the NLC as the sole representative "legitimate" of the Libyan people.

"Based on this recognition, we will open a diplomatic representation, so our embassy in Paris, and an ambassador of France will be sent to Benghazi," said Mr. Essaoui."The ambassador will be installed temporarily in Benghazi, before returning to Tripoli," he added.

The next exchange of ambassadors between Paris and Benghazi was also confirmed in the wake of the Elysee.

This recognition comes on the eve of a special summit of Heads of State and Government of the European Union (EU) in Brussels on Friday, in which Nicolas Sarkozy will propose a "comprehensive plan" on the Libyan crisis.

"There will be a strategic plan to be proposed by France tomorrow (Friday) before the European Council," said another of the emissaries of the Libyan opposition received by Nicolas Sarkozy, Mahmoud Jibril.

"The president told us that there was a comprehensive plan that would be proposed and adopted to address the situation but at a European level, to work for the Libyan people and save the Libyan people's sufferings and massacres perpetrated against him, "said Mr. Jibril, whose remarks were translated into Arabic.

The Elysee Palace confirmed that the plan would be presented Friday to the member countries of the EU, without giving further details.

Nicolas Sarkozy is the first Head of State or Government of 27 to receive official representatives of the Libyan opposition.After the interview, he escorted the three emissaries of CNT on the steps of the Elysee Palace and shook hands at length to reporters.

The French initiative contrasts with the withholding expressed so far by the EU, whose foreign minister Catherine Ashton on Wednesday refused to Strasbourg to support the application of CNT to be recognized as the sole legitimate authority in Libya, yet supported by the European Parliament.

CINEMA: The Moroccan film "Pegasus" won the Golden Stallion of Fespaco

The film "Pegasus", the Moroccan Mohamed Mouftakir, won Saturday night the Golden Stallion of Yennenga, the highest award of the Festival Pan African Film and Television of Ouagadougou (Fespaco), the great rendezvous of African cinema .

The director received the trophy from Burkinabe President Blaise Compaore at the closing ceremony of the 22nd Fespaco, held in the largest stadium in the capital in the presence of about 20,000 people.

"The price is a pride, that recognition.That's encouraging, "he told the press the director thanking the jury, chaired by the Gambian university M'Baye Cham.

Located in the Moroccan countryside, "Pegasus", the debut film of a young filmmaker, is a story of rape and incest, the drama of Rihanna, a young girl of twenty years manipulated by his father who believe she is pregnant with a demon.

Eighteen films were competing in the feature film category.

The Silver Stallion went to "A man who cries," Mahamat Saleh Haroun from Chad, who had received the Jury Prize at Cannes in 2010 for this film.

The romantic comedy "The guy ideal" of the Ivorian Owell Brown won the bronze stallion.

The Jury Prize went to "Our foreign" the Burkinabe Sarah Bouyain.

The best actor award was given to Benin Sylvestre Amoussou, also director of "A step forward, the bottom of corruption," and Best Actress Samia Meziane in "Journey to Algiers" the Algerian Abdelkrim Bahloul.

The latter also won the award for best screenplay for "Journey to Algiers."

"The Loves of a zombie" by Arnold Antonin (Haiti) has awarded the African Diaspora.

While some critics and filmmakers have been disappointed by the level of Fespaco, M.Compaore has hailed "a victory for Africa" and "a quality production that can integrate markets. "We need to encourage filmmakers to build partnerships and diversify production," he said.

The ceremony was choreographed by the company Salia Ni Seydou Burkina Faso, and the star of the Congolese song Fally Fally has "made the show.

For this edition, a record number of films, 475 were presented to the organizers who did not expect that 300.But they have retained that 195 works, including 111 competing in various categories.

However, "the South Fund (French agency for the support of cinema in the South, ed), the share of African products has increased from 34% of applications approved for the period 84-88 to 12% in 2005-2009" , said Saturday afternoon the French Minister of Culture Frederic Mitterrand, who attended the closing.

It has announced "before summer" a conference on aid to African cinema, to improve coordination and access.

The general consensus, the organization of the Fespaco was satisfactory, whereas accreditation problems and programming marred the celebration of African cinema in the last edition in 2009.

Fespaco remains a popular festival where moviegoers alongside celebrities and other guests. It was established in 1969 "by passionate movie buffs and some directors in order that the African public look at his own images and appropriates them," says the Tunisian filmmaker Ferid Boughedir.

GRAPHICS: The revolt in the Arab cause a spike in oil prices

The instability of the regimes in North Africa and the Middle East leading to higher oil prices with the global economy, still recovering from the financial crisis of 2008, is without.

In an attempt to limit the soaring prices, the chairman of the Federal Reserve Ben Bernanke is mounted to the front on Tuesday. In a speech to U.S. lawmakers, he tried to reassure the markets by saying that high oil prices will probably lead to no significant inflation.Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia, the world's biggest oil exporter, pledged to increase its crude production.

But that was not enough to counter rising oil prices, which have continued to rise in the markets. In two and a half months, the price of a barrel of crude has increased nearly $ 20.

Souces: db-markets.com; digitallook.com

17 décembre 2010 to 91.67 dollars (U.S.) - In a gesture of despair, the young unemployed Bouazizi Mohammed himself on fire in Tunisia, triggering a wave of protests against the ruling regime unprecedented in the country.The anger against the ruling regimes is rapidly spreading to neighboring countries.

14 janvier 2011 to 98.38 dollars (U.S.) - Tunisian President Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali fled the country.

25 janvier 2011 to 95.35 dollars (U.S.) - Thousands of demonstrators gathered in Tahrir Square, Cairo, call for the resignation of President Hosni Mubarak, in power for 30 years in Egypt.

11 février 2011 to 101.11 dollars (U.S.) - After two weeks of protest, the Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak stepped down under pressure from the street.

17 février 2011 to 104.01 dollars (U.S.) - In Bahrain, riot police violently dispersed demonstrators camp who had moved to the center of the capital, Manama.The same day, police opened fire against protesters in Yemen and Libya.

23 février 2011 to 110.34 dollars (U.S.) - Libya's second city, Benghazi, fell to the opposition.

TUNISIA: Three killed in clashes in Tunis

AFP - Three people died in clashes Saturday between demonstrators and police in downtown Tunis, said the interior ministry in a statement.

The statement said "three people were killed among the twelve who have been injured in the clashes and were transferred to a hospital to be treated."The use of the term "person" suggests that this would be protesters.

"Several members of security forces were injured to varying degrees," the statement said without specifying their number.

On the other hand, the statement said, "more than 100 people were arrested on Saturday" and "88 other perpetrators of acts of vandalism were arrested the day", during the first clashes between police and protesters occurred Friday in the heart of Tunis.

The ministry attributed the violence against the police "to a group of agitators infiltrated the ranks of peaceful demonstrators who have used high school students as human shields to engage in acts of violence intended to spread fire terror among citizens and to the internal security forces. "

He calls "the population to be vigilant and urging parents to cooperate with security forces and to convince their children not participate in these events."

Previously, the ministry announced a ban on travel for pedestrians and cars on Avenue Habib Bourguiba in downtown Tunis, the scene of violent clashes, from 6:00 p.m. on Saturday until midnight Sunday, reported the TAP.

The central avenue was delivered Saturday to a pitched battle between police and demonstrators, the police dispersed several times by tear gas.

Libya: Muammar Gaddafi threatens to intensify law enforcement

AFP - Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi faces an unprecedented popular revolt last week, vowed on Tuesday in a televised speech to restore order, wielding the threat of a bloody crackdown.

Promising to fight "until the last drop" of his blood, he called the police and army to regain control of the situation and assured that any demonstrators armed deserved "punishment."

"Make your arms immediately, otherwise there will be butchers," he said referring to a response "similar to Tiananmen," in reference to military repression of the "Beijing Spring" in June 1989 which had claimed hundreds, if not thousands dead, according to sources.

Draped in a brown tunic, his first official response since February 15, Colonel Gaddafi was speaking in front of his house bombed by the Americans in April 1986 and left for further processing.

"Muammar Gaddafi has no official position he resigned.Muammar Gaddafi is the leader of the revolution is synonymous with sacrifice until the end of days, "he said in a fiery speech of over an hour, punctuated with large hand gestures and sometimes silence and stuttering .

"All young people need to create tomorrow's defense committees of the revolution: they protect roads, bridges, airports," he said, calling on his supporters to show from Wednesday.

"No fool can cut our country into pieces," said Colonel Gaddafi, in power for over 40 years, threatening to "purge (country) house by house".

"We have not yet made use of force, but if the situation requires the use of force, we will resort," he said.

According to Human Rights Watch (HRW), the repression has already been "at least 62" dead in the capital Tripoli since Sunday.

Monday morning, HRW announced a review of at least 233 deaths since February 15, without mentioning casualties in Tripoli. The International Federation of Human Rights (FIDH) had put the figure at "300 to 400" deaths in the country.

The first bloodshed concentrated in Benghazi, the second largest city 1,000 km east of Tripoli, the capital hit Sunday night, when calm had returned to Benghazi on Monday night, according to testimony at the AFP.

According to the FIDH President, Belhassen, violence continued in the morning in Tripoli."The militias, security forces loyal to Qadhafi rampant so terrible, breaking doors, looting (...). It is impossible to remove the bodies in the streets, one gets shot," she explained to AFP.

Tunisians who fled the country told AFP nights of terror in Tripoli, Gaddafi's men and mercenaries firing in all directions, stopping, shining, raping, while the wounded were bleeding.

In the capital, many foreigners were confined to their homes. The airport was crowded, hundreds of expatriates seeking to leave the country.Many countries said on Tuesday sending planes to evacuate nationals.

The Security Council of the UN was an emergency meeting Tuesday in New York while the West calls for "swift and clear" face of repression.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, spoke of a "bloodbath totally unacceptable."

The Arab League announced that the participation of Libya in its meetings were suspended "until the Libyan authorities to accept the claims" of the Libyan people "and ensure his safety."

German Chancellor Angela Merkel has held the speech of Colonel Gaddafi "very frightening" and demanded "a cessation of violence", adding that otherwise Germany "would consider sanctions."

But the Europeans were divided over whether to impose sanctions, some countries fearing a backlash against their nationals on site or opening the valves of illegal immigration. Rome has said such fear that flow from 200 to 300,000 migrants fleeing Libya.

The Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi, whose country has very close economic relations with Libya, met with Colonel Qaddafi.

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay called for the opening of an "independent international investigation into the violence, raising the possibility of" crimes against humanity. "

Several Libyan officials have defected to protest against violence against demonstrators, as well as diplomats abroad.

Economically, the deadly escalation in Libya, a leading global producer of black gold, pushed oil prices to levels not seen since 2008.OPEC has indicated its willingness to increase production if needed, while ensuring that the market remained well supplied.

However, the only pipeline connecting Libya to Italy and Europe was cut Tuesday.

TUNISIA: A Polish priest murdered by extremists near Tunis

Insecurity in Tunisia and the risk of pushing fundamentalist were illustrated Friday with the murder of a Polish priest found murdered "by extremists" near Tunis, officials said, and the attack of street prostitutes by Islamists who wanted to set fire to the center of the capital.

This is the first murder of both a religious and a foreigner since the fall of the regime of Ben Ali on January 14.

The priest, aged 34, was found dead "murdered" on Friday in a private school in the region Manouba, told AFP a source close to the Tunisian Ministry of the Interior.

It is "a fascist terrorist group with extremist orientations who is behind this crime, given the way he was murdered," the ministry said in a statement without specifying whether this was the Islamists.

Marek Rybinski was found murdered in the garage of a private religious school where he was responsible for accounting.He was assaulted before being murdered, the ministry said cited by the official news agency TAP.

An outbreak of fever had arisen in the Islamic afternoon in Tunis: dozens of them have attempted to set fire to a street where prostitutes work.

"The Islamists have tried to enter the street Abdallaah Guechi to burn," he told AFP Tunisian policeman under cover of anonymity. A major brothels in Tunis is located in the street near the Medina.

"Residents have prevented them from returning to this street until the arrival of agents of security forces who blocked the entrance prohibiting passage.They then managed to disperse the demonstrators, "said the policeman.

This area was flown for several hours by several army helicopters.

"Some groups have tried to enter the street but the police already knew that protesters were coming.They blocked the exits and now the street is guarded by the police and the army, "said one trader.

The Islamists had earlier expressed in the inner city, shouting "No to places of prostitution in a Muslim country."

"We demanded the closure of this street, we are in a Muslim country and we must apply what Islam requires," said one of them, Hamza, 21.

Last week, the Tunisian Jewish community had expressed its concern to the government after anti-Semitic incidents at the Great Synagogue of Tunis.

"Here we are vigilant," he repeated Friday the president of the community Roger Bismuth."It is the work of Salafists, the most extreme Islamists trained by the Wahhabis, but there is no soil in Tunisia for the development of Salafism," he added.

Aware of the prevailing security vacuum after the fall of the regime, the government decided last week to recall reservists retired for five years who joined the army on Wednesday.

The government is confronted daily with the instability of many armed robberies, demonstrations of Tunisians desperately calling on welfare and illegal immigration of thousands of Tunisians parties seek employment in Europe.

In an attempt to ease social tensions and meet the demands of a population exasperated by unemployment (14%, double that for young people), the government announced Friday a series of welfare measures aimed at emergency most disadvantaged (financial allocations, tenure of construction workers, allocation of free health care cards).

He also called on social partners to begin negotiations in the private and public key demand of the powerful trade union UGTT, according to his spokesman Baccouch Taieb.

Finally, the government passed a general amnesty for political prisoners. A decree-law shall be announced in "coming days".

EGYPT: EU looks into the freezing of assets of Egyptian officials

AFP - The Egyptian authorities have asked several European countries to freeze assets of former senior officials of the regime of Hosni Mubarak, but not the deposed president himself, and the issue will be addressed by the entire EU on Tuesday at a meeting in Brussels.

Paris was seized by the Egyptian authorities "a request to freeze assets of former Egyptian officials," said AFP Monday the spokesman of the Ministry of Foreign AffairsBernard Valero.

"We consider this request and we will cooperate well with the Egyptian authorities," added the spokesman stating that it "does not cover former President Hosni Mubarak nor members of his family."

In London, British Foreign Minister William Hague also said to have "received a request from the Egyptian government to freeze the assets of several ancient Egyptian officials.

"We will of course cooperate" with the Egyptian authorities "working with EU and international partners as we did in the case of Tunisia," saidHague, referring to the gel by the European Union of assets of former Tunisian President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali and his family.

"If there is evidence of misuse or illegal use of public funds, we will take firm and swift action," he assured the chief of British diplomacy.

The same request to freeze assets of former officials was made by the Egyptian government in the United States, said a senior State Department official in Washington also said it was not about Mr.Mubarak.

At the request of Great Britain in particular, the EU finance ministers have decided to put the issue of a possible freezing of assets of seven former Egyptian officials on the menu at a meeting Tuesday that they must have in Brussels, told AFP a diplomatic source.

"There are six or seven Egyptians on the list, but it does not definitively Mubarak," she said.

The EU will also discuss aid to countries on the southern shore of the Mediterranean.

"I asked what was mentioned together, and I know it will be tomorrow, the situation in countries such as Tunisia, Egypt in particular, to examine the financial and economic aspects is ie at a time, investment opportunities and support, including the European Investment Bank, through the various development agencies in each of our countries, "said French Minister of Economy Christine Lagarde.

We need to "see how we can all support the democratic movement that is taking root in these countries," she added.

Germany has also announced it was approached by Egypt with a request to freeze assets.

"A request for assistance from the Egyptian authorities concerning the freezing of assets of former members of the Egyptian government and parliament came to us," he told AFP a spokesman of the German Ministry of Foreign Affairs. "We are reviewing this request," he added.

None of the three capitals has detailed the immediate amount of the assets concerned or the personalities involved.

The name of Hosni Mubarak, who left the presidency of Egypt on Friday after 30 years in power was not mentioned either in London and Berlin. According to the British press, Mr.Mubarak holds millions of euros of assets in Britain.

Switzerland, she decided on Friday to freeze with immediate effect "the assets that could detain Mr. Mubarak and his entourage.

The case turns into boxing Break diplomatic relations between Paris and Mexico

REUTERS - The case Cassez turned Friday to a diplomatic incident between France and Mexico.

Michèle Alliot-Marie called it "unconscionable decision" the discharge, the day before by the Mexican justice system, the cassation of the French and said it would affect relations between France and Mexico.

Mexico responded with a statement defending the conditions under which it had been rendered.

Sentenced to 60 years in prison in March 2009 for complicity in abductions and kidnappings, it has always denied Cassez had appealed in cassation in August.The French woman is imprisoned in Mexico for over five years.

"I'm shocked," said Michele Alliot-Marie on France 2. "It was a decision that is an unfair decision."

"The conditions under which that decision was not worthy of a rule of law," said French Minister of Foreign Affairs, who was to receive in the morning, the Mexican ambassador to France. "Our fellow was found in conditions that are not acceptable. It is a denial of truth is a denial of justice.We will support it and we will support until the end, "she said.

"Obviously this will have consequences on relations between France and Mexico," said Michele Alliot-Marie before announcing she would not participate in events planned in the year of France in Mexico .

Mexico defends decision

The reaction in Mexico has been quick in the form of a statement made by the Mexican Embassy in France.

"Contrary to statements made by Minister of State and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of the French Republic, Mme Michele Alliot-Marie, the seventh college in criminal court of the First Circuit has analyzed each of the arguments presented by the defense, which were unanimously rejected by judges, "reads the statement said.

"The Department (Mexican Foreign) respectfully suggest to the French Minister of State to analyze carefully the terms of the trial," it said.

"The Mexican Ministry of Foreign Affairs, respecting the decision of the Tribunal members, deeply regrets that the Minister Michele Alliot-Marie believes that relations between our countries can be affected by this issue strictly legal."

The head of French diplomacy said she would meet with lawyers Cassez to explore all legal options.

"Obviously we will not abandon it," she said.

The "amparo" - further appeal - is the last remedy in Mexico.The lawsuit was filed as the last chance for Florence Break, 36.

Since his arrest, the young woman has consistently maintained his innocence.

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 had no place December 9, 2005, as originally announced, but the day before - something that has occurred or the original trial or that on appeal.

KOREA: First contact between the two Koreas after months of high tensions

AFP - North Korea and South on Tuesday held their first talks since the deadly bombing in November of a South Island by forces that Pyongyang still had heightened tensions between the two warring brothers.

Hosted discussions in the "Peace House" in the village of Panmunjom in the middle of the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), began at 10:00 am (0100 GMT) and continued in the afternoon, according to a carrier word of the South Korean Ministry of Defense.

The two colonels in charge of the debates have shaken hands before opening the discussion, according to photographs provided by the department.

These discussions are intended to prepare a formal high-level meeting, presumably between the two Defence Ministers, at a date yet to be determined.

This initial contact after months of high tensions in Seoul was to test the intentions of Pyongyang, which was launched in late 2010 in a charm offensive and had repeated desire to resume the dialogue.

"The two parties discussed the agenda and organization of an encounter at a high level," said Kim Min-Seol, spokesman for the Department of Defense. "The atmosphere was serious and there were no political discussions".

Mr.Kim recalled that prior to any substantive dialogue, Pyongyang must take "responsible action" after the recent attacks and refrain from conducting further hostilities.

The year 2010 was marked by two serious incidents, the sinking in March of a South Korean corvette in which 46 sailors were killed and the bombing in November of a South Korean island that killed two soldiers and two civilians.

The North's side rejects any liability in the sinking of the sloop despite the findings of an international investigation that put into question.The communist regime also claims that the bombing in November was speaking in response to South Korean laborers in the region.

"It is possible that these discussions will result in a freeze on all positions," said a military official was quoted by South Korean Yonhap news agency before the talks began.

"The two sides could hold a series of preliminary discussions," he added.

China, Pyongyang's only ally, and the United States, an ally of Seoul, have urged the two warring brothers to resume the discussion.

Beijing is pushing for a resumption of six-party talks on nuclear disarmament of North, but Washington insists that the North first discuss with the South.

In response to the bombing in November, South Korea has conducted a series of maneuvers.It also strengthened the defenses of the island referred to Yeonpyeong and four other islands border.

A military source quoted by Yonhap, Seoul also plans to strengthen its marine corps of 2,000 men to reinforce the defense of this sensitive area, the scene of other incidents in the past.

The army has also deployed new batteries of artillery, radar systems for detecting weapons and missiles capable of striking North Korean artillery hidden in underground shelters.

The South also plans to deploy missiles on board a destroyer of 4,500 tons, sailing in the disputed area of the Yellow Sea, according to a source quoted by Yonhap.

EURO ZONE: France and Germany want a "pact of convergence" economic

AFP - German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Nicolas Sarkozy proposed on Friday a summit meeting of the euro area in March to prepare for the development of a "pact of convergence" Closer Economic European states.

"We will present the details of what we want to adopt in March during a summit of the eurozone (...) so that all observers around the world understand that all European economies is in the right direction with the interests of competitiveness, "saidSarkozy on the sidelines of an EU summit in Brussels.

"We asked (the President of the European Union Hermann) Van Rompuy to consult with other states in order to make a decision at the top end of March the European Union on the issue," said Ms. Merkel told reporters.

"That means we must first come to an agreement within the euro area," she said.

"We will explain this to our partners and we will have decisions to next March, first in a summit of the eurozone, the European Council and a" bringing together 27 countries across the EU, saidSarkozy.

"We want to strengthen Europe's competitiveness and its economy, we want to converge the various European economies," he said, "so it's a stronger integration of economic policy to serve a purpose: strengthen the competitiveness of our economies. "

FRANCE: Nearly 10 million French people are inadequately housed

Reuters - "A France owners, yes, but who can afford it?" This is essentially the message of the Fondation Abbé Pierre, who denounced in his annual report the character "unequal" in the current housing policy.

In a crisis marked by a rise in insecurity and the doubling of house prices in ten years, encourage the French to buy a roof can be
be risky, says the organization.

"The policy of 'any assumption' is highly questionable as subject to speculative market mechanisms, inadequate budgets of low income and very compatible with the reality of home ownership," it said in the 16th annual report Foundation Abbé Pierre.

Example given of a "budgetary and financial policy which prolongs inequality": the new loan (PTZ +) proposed non-means tested, which the government hopes it will help increase the homeownership rate in France of 58 % to 70%, the average European.

"Allowing 20% of the richest French access to the loan will cost 480 million euros to the state," lamented Patrick Doutreligne to reporters, Chief Executive of the Foundation. "This is a dogmatic choice that affects our taxes."

Are also highlighted issues of indebtedness, of social divisions and the environment, at a time when soaring prices led many new owners to stay away from downtown.

The Foundation also denounced the measures promoting evictions contained in the Act for guidance and planning for the performance of homeland security,
called "Loppsi II, which threatens the poorest, may be forced to live in tents, caves or squats.

Expulsion

"This law applies to all those who seek a solution to be able to put a roof over your head, it's crazy.It will not solve the housing crisis hits evictions, "complains Robert Christopher, Executive Assistant of the Foundation.

For the heirs of Father Pierre, housing, engulfing an average of more than a quarter of revenues of each French, should be priority candidates for the presidential election of 2012, which will submit a charter prepared for occasion.
"We want the candidates and political parties take to the fair housing needs of the French position," said Patrick Doutreligne.

"Missing 900,000 homes in France, it lacks accommodation places and meet these challenges we feel we leave to the market," he said."It is an intervention
strong public which is oriented mainly to the smaller and middle categories, which is not the case today. "

The urgency is even greater than the number of French at the threshold of poverty is increasing at the same time as inequalities: 10% of the richest households have 46% of assets, while 50% smaller 7% share.

The 2011 report on inadequate housing in France is black "to symbolize the weakness in which many families are victims of a failure or a political inertia of 30 years," wrote Chairman of the Fondation Abbé Pierre, Raymond Etienne.

In terms of proposals, the organization proposes to build 500.000 new dwellings per year to eliminate the backlog, the creation of a land law and a law
programming over five years, tax reform and more equal measures to encourage social mix.

Commission deems it appropriate to require municipalities with more than 3,500 inhabitants to build 25% of social housing, against 20% today.

Barack Obama calls for innovation in his State of the Union

Two months after the resounding defeat of his party in midterm elections, Bush has urged people to mobilize for the prosperity of the country, in his traditional speech on the state of the Union. Addressing representatives of Congress, Barack Obama made the leap to innovation and investment in education and research. He also expressed hope that Republicans and Democrats work together.

For over an hour, he outlined his policy in 2011 and was applauded repeatedly. "This is a bet that Barack Obama overall has proposed to members of Congress, said on FRANCE 24 Marjorie Spangle, co-founder of the website" I love politics. "He called for innovation in both the economic sphere, creating jobs, and political matters, he calls on all parliamentarians to work together. "

If the Senate is still a Democratic majority, the House of Representatives is dominated by Republicans since the mid-term elections (November 2010). For the first time, representatives from both sides sat side by side on Capitol Hill in Washington, and wore a ribbon in honor of Gabrielle Giffords, a Democratic congresswoman injured in the shooting of Tucson. His seat remained empty."This tragedy reminds us that we are part of a whole, the American family, which goes beyond political parties," Obama said at the outset of his speech.

"Launch our Sputnik!"

While the country is now facing an unemployment rate of 9.4%, the U.S. president has spent most of his speech on the economy. "Yes, the world has changed. The rules have changed. And for many of us, this change has been difficult to manage.I heard the frustration of Americans who have seen their salaries shrink to a trickle and their jobs disappear. "

Barack Obama has especially highlighted the growing competition from India and China - now the largest research center in the world solar industry. "This should not discourage us," he said yet. The United States still the most prosperous economies. "

To meet these challenges and create jobs, Bush has advocated the use of innovation and investment in research, information technology, infrastructure and clean energy.By comparing current America to those of the Cold War, Barack Obama said that if the Soviet Union was capable of launching the satellite Sputnik into space in 1957, the United States had then been able to create new industries and millions of jobs. "Let's launch, we too, our Sputnik!" he said.

Barack Obama has stressed the importance of education, with emphasis on the responsibility of parents and teachers. He also asked Congress to eliminate subsidies for oil companies to invest more in the future of energy. "I do not know if you noticed, but the oil companies are doing well for themselves," he said."I challenge you," he added in 2035, 80% of our electricity will be produced by clean energy sources. "

To reduce the budget deficit of $ 400 billion in coming years, Barack Obama has proposed to freeze all spending "excessive" state over a period of five years. "Republicans continue to claim the reduction of public spending, said William Meyer, FRANCE 24's correspondent in Washington. But the magnitude of this decline will surely not be sufficient for them."

"A campaign speech"

"In his speech, Barack Obama spoke of the crisis, but not negatively," said Marjorie Paillon its side.He stressed how the U.S. would sublimate these expenses, to make investments for the future. "

Steven Ekovich, professor of political science at the American University of Paris FRANCE interrogated on 24 with his State of the Union is like "largely to a campaign speech," while the presidential election will be held in 2012 the United States.

In terms of international politics, finally, Barack Obama affirmed his country's solidarity with the Tunisians. The United States "support the democratic aspirations of all peoples," he said.

He also said the terrorist network Al Qaeda "had never been under greater pressure in Pakistan," since the attacks of Sept. 11.In Afghanistan, "thanks to our heroic troops, there is less of Afghans who are in the grip of insurgents," he said. The United States will work with a fifty countries to establish "a lasting partnership" with the Afghan government. As for American soldiers, they begin to reenter the United States in July, he added.