FRANCE: Police exonerated after the death of two teenagers in Clichy

Five and a half after the tragedy, the Court of Appeal of Paris gave a non-suit Wednesday in favor of two officers initially referred to a court investigation into the death of two teenagers in Clichy-sous-Bois in the origin of the 2005 riots.

Both officers were dismissed in October by the judges in charge of the investigation before the criminal court for "failure to assist persons in danger" but the prosecutor of Bobigny had appealed that decision.

The Court of Appeal of Paris followed the submissions of the prosecutor general who believed that the two officers were not aware of the reality of danger.

On October 27, 2005, Zyed Benna, 17, and Bouna Traore, 15, died electrocuted in a power substation where they fled after a chase with police. A third teenager, Muhittin Altun, who survived.

Urban violence had started the night in Clichy-sous-Bois and had spread to all the French suburbs.The state of emergency had been imposed even on November 9.

"The issue has always been empty," said the lawyer for Mr. Daniel Merchat police after the decision in closed session by the Board of Education.

"After 5 years, the small voice of truth, justice eventually cover the decoys media uproar," said the lawyer.

The lawyer for the families of two young was in high contrast against this decision and announced an appeal.

"It is a justice of fear that was made this morning," responded Jean-Pierre Mignard on France Inter. But "we will go through," he said, accusing prosecutors of being "not independent" and "not impartial".

The police initially questioned had seen criticized for not having tried to assist the youth entered the peril of their lives in the transformer.

But for prosecutors, police officers were unaware that the three youths had entered the transformer.Well for one of the policemen who, in exchange radio, "announced that he saw two individuals in the process of stepping over a fence to move to the EDF website.

He also said in this exchange: "At the same time, if they fall on the EDF site, I would not give much of their skin."

Claude Dilain, Socialist Mayor of Clichy-sous-Bois (Seine-Saint-Denis), regretted the decision of the appellate court.

"From day one, I called for an independent investigation and adversarial," he recalled elected to AFP.

"It will not happen and I regret it, even for police officers," he said."Their non-responsibility might have been more clearly demonstrated after the debate," he said.

Mohamed Mechmache, president of the collective associations AC-Fire in Clichy-sous-Bois has also expressed its disappointment. "We work so that young people believe in justice, but after a decision like that is hard for us," he said.

CINEMA: Egeria the auteur cinema of the 1970s, Marie-France Pisier died

Reuters - French actress Marie-France Pisier, muse of auteur cinema, died at the age of 66 in the night from Saturday to Sunday
Saint-Cyr-sur-Mer (Var), where she lived, it was learned from the gendarmerie.

Actress "intellectual" and committed, Marie-France Pisier was crowned twice the Cesar for Best Actress for "Cousin Cousine" (1976) Jean-Charles Tacchella and "Barocco" (1977), a work that Andre Techine made him one of its
favorite actress.

Marie-France Pisier, born May 10, 1944 in the former French Indochina, the cinema began in 1961 by Francois Truffaut, who enlisted for the sketch "Antoine and Colette" face
Jean-Pierre Léaud (Antoine Doinel) in the film "Love at Twenty."

Seventeen later, she embodied Colette in "Love on the Run," the last chapter of the adventures of Antoine Doinel she co-wrote with Truffaut.

Silhouette sophisticated distance any bourgeois tone of voice unparalleled, Marie-France Pisier was at the heart of the universe of Alain Robbe-Grillet, Luis Bunuel and Jacques Rivette.

Film copyright in popular cinema

But it is also found in popular hits, like "Ace of Aces" with Jean-Paul Belmondo (1982) or "The Price of danger" (1983) where she played a producer of reality TV before hour.

Yves Boisset, the director of "Price of risk", on Sunday welcomed an actress "a great class and (of) a great intelligence."

More rare in cinema in the 90s, she toured with young filmmakers in recent years. She made her last screen appearance in "The rest of the ham?" (2010), a comedy by Anne Depetrini.Theater actress, she was also a writer, screenwriter and director.

It was published in 1984 "Governor's Ball," a novel inspired by her childhood, she adapted for film in 1990 with actress Kristin Scott-Thomas in the lead role.

"C" was a woman of solar energy absolutely, who was curious about everything, who never rests on its laurels as an actress, "said Kristin Scott-Thomas on ITélé.

NIGERIA: The main rival of Goodluck Jonathan alleges electoral fraud

Some images in this video may offend the sensibilities of viewers.

Muhammadu Buhari, the main Muslim candidate for president of Nigeria on Wednesday denounced the election fraud that gave the victory to Goodluck Jonathan, a Christian from the South, while condemning the post-election riots in the mainly Muslim north.

In the region of the Niger Delta, the oil predominantly Christian south, "and in the south-east there is not (really) elections and our fans were not allowed to vote," said General Buhari, who headed the military junta in 1984 and 1985, broadcast on Voice of America (VOA).

In several Southern states have announced results from 95% to over 99% of the vote in favor of Mr. Jonathan after the election on Saturday.

Mr.Buhari condemned but, as before, the deadly riots that started Sunday night: "I urge people to calm down and respect the law as we go (to the National Electoral Commission) to get justice," he said in a broadcast in Hausa.

Goodluck Jonathan, the outgoing president, won 57% of the votes in the election, which observers say, seemed on the whole more honest and transparent than the previous ones in Nigeria.

The balance of riots in several cities and regions of the North was not disclosed, but according to the Red Cross there were many dead, hundreds injured and thousands displaced.

LIGUE 1: Marseille stimulus championship, PSG up to 4th place

The championship was revived! Marseille, second, returned Sunday to a point behind leaders Lille with its success in Montpellier (2-1), while Paris St Germain, who won the Lyon (1-0) took 4th place at a point in the Lyon, 3e, after the 31st day of L1.

Unlike last weekend, OM, ten against ten (Remy and exclusions El Kaoutari) has not missed the boat this time, after another misstep from Lille, who conceded a draw against Bordeaux on Saturday night (1-1).

Lille is still first with 59 points, but sees in his mirror close Marseille, 2nd with 58 points. LOSC, who lost to Monaco (1-0) last weekend, has not reassured about its ability to handle pressure with a home draw against Bordeaux and allowed competition to benefit.The zen of Rudi Garcia Will it take a hit?

Lyon-Paris SG PSG then smiled (4th, 52 points) taking fourth place in Rennes, defeated him by Saturday at Lorient (2-1). In Rennes, 5th with 51 points, times are tough. The team has not won since Breton five games and fears of reliving the nightmare of last season (the last eight games without a victory).

Looking at the standings, Lyon (3rd, 53 points) will manage a big blow to morale. PSG is now just one point behind ... Blame it on an old Lyon, Giuly, decisive passer Camara. The Fight for the Champions League will be fierce.

Place in the League Cup

The winner of the "Big Five" in the French and the weekend is Liverpool, widening the gap on Lyon, 3rd, 5 points behind.Defending champion find Montpellier next Saturday at the Stade de France for the final of the League Cup. The OM has prepared this great event and a soup end championship more exciting.

The last weekend, while OM was already back on Lille, Didier Deschamps' men had had to settle for a draw (2-2) against Toulouse at the Velodrome.

This time, though not really impressive, they have ensured that most precious three points. "We're still alive and there are safety issues, although we still do not dominate the debate," welcomed the Marseille coach Didier Deschamps, while pleased with the progress of the match: "Just 25 minutes from the end, all media would said that we were losers + +, 25 minutes later, we are in the race. "

These points will do good in the locker room and away from the rumors about the possible departure of Didier Deschamps-Lucho, who began to parasitize the end of the championship Marseille.

Arles-Avignon officially L2

In the bottom of the standings, the 31st day was rich in sensations. A free kick from Dudka, which has the bad reputation often do not fit its strikes, helped Auxerre to win (1-0) in Toulouse in injury time and get out of the relegation zone. Auxerre climbed into 15th place and 18th place leaves in Caen, slapped by Sochaux (3-2).

Lens, who conceded a draw (1-1) on its ground against Brest, is still mired in 19th place. Arles, Avignon, the red lantern, is officially in L2 after his defeat against Valenciennes (1-0) Sunday.Expected outcome of a long ordeal.

"The relegation sad for the players and fans," said Faruk Hadzibegic, coach of Arles. Alight of course does not please me but it's not a surprise. We knew what to expect. "

CANNES FESTIVAL: Old and young wolves lions to conquer the Palme d'Or

You do not become one of the most famous cultural events in the world by chance. By dint of stunts as the Cannes Film Festival has established itself since its inception in 1946, as the rendezvous of cinema and the creatures that inhabit it. The recipe works every time: a selection demanding, rhinestones, glitter ... and steps that a horde of celebs in their Sunday best contrives to fit the smile. Unstoppable.

For its 64th edition, the general rout Cannes has offered, among other international stars known and recognized, a presidential couple as a communication plan: Nicolas Sarkozy and his wife Carla.No one yet knows if the head of the French State and the First Lady will parade on the red carpet, but their silhouettes should haunt the Croisette during the 12 days of competition (11-22 May).

The first will be represented in the guise of actor Denis Podalydès in "The Conquest", Xavier Durringer biography traces the rise to power of the current occupant of the Elysee. The second appears in the latest Woody Allen, "Midnight in Paris", will be screened at the opening May 11No chance, however, that Mr. and Mrs. receive a prize from the hands of Robert de Niro, the jury foreman 2011: Both films are presented out of competition.

Four films for a crow

Still in the "crow", note that among the 19 films that have a chance to compete for the coveted Palme d'Or include works by four French filmmakers. In fact, the Hexagon is this year represented the nation of the fortnight. But filmmakers Bertrand Bonello ("The Apollonides"), Alain Cavalier ("Our Father"), Radu Mihaileanu ("The Source for Women") and Maïwenn ("Polished") are not aware that nobody is a prophet in his country.Especially as the competition looks fierce.

Festival regulars regulars, Spaniard Pedro Almodovar defend "La Piel habito that" the Italian Nanni Moretti "Habemus Papam", the Danish director Lars von Trier's "Melancholia", Belgian Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne's "Le Gamin in bike "and the Finns Ali Kaurismaki" Le Havre ". These "customers" of the Croisette, as they are called gossips, will deal with them a serious customer, the highly anticipated and too rare American director Terrence Malick, who will present his fifth feature film "The Tree of Life" with Brad Pitt and Sean Penn. Just that.

Faced with these old lions, a young guard very feminine.The ratio has not escaped the general delegate of the festival, Thierry Fremaux, who said with some pride: four directors, out of 19 directors, will compete this year. Unheard of memory festival. The elected are happy, Maïwenn addition, Japan's Naomi Kawase ("Hanezu no tsuki"), the British Lynne Ramsay ("We Need to Talk About Kevin") and Australian Julia Leigh ("Sleeping Beauty") who, in Like the Austrian Markus Schleinzer ("Michael"), will travel to Cannes as the author of a first film.

A list of recalibrated?

They were expected, they will not come, because they have seduced the selection committee or have been able to complete their work.At the center of rumors that rustled on the Croisette before the announcement of the official selection, the French Mathieu Kassovitz, Marjane Satrapi, Christophe Honore and Dominik Moll does not tread the red carpet at Cannes this year. Ditto for Canadian David Cronenberg, the Hong Kong director Wong Kar-wai and the Brazilian Walter Salles yet approached.

Also cited, the American director Gus Van Sant will finally open the parallel competition Un Certain Regard with "Restless".Compete with him "Out Satan" of the French Bruno Dumont, "The Snows of Kilimanjaro" by his compatriot Robert Guediguian, and "Arirang" South Korean Kim Ki-duk, to name a few.

A month before we know the successor of "Uncle Boonmee" Apichatpong Weerasethakul, the organizers have already raised a bit of sailing on the charts 2011: during the opening ceremony hosted by the young actress Melanie Laurent, May 11 The Italian director Bertolucci Bertrand will receive the first Gold Award of Honor from the festival's history.A follow-up session for the author of "Last Tango in Paris" (1972) and "Innocents" (2003) that Cannes has never been able to distinguish.zer;

"This Must Be The Place" by Paolo Sorrentino;

"Melancholia" by Lars von Trier;

"Drive" by Nicolas Winding Refn.

YEMEN: The Gulf states again recommend leaving Saleh

The monarchies of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) called Sunday to Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh objected to cede power to his vice president, to resolve the crisis in his country continued demonstrations demanding his departure.

After a meeting in Riyadh of their foreign ministers, the six GCC members have called on the government of Mr.Saleh and opposition to a meeting in the Saudi capital for a peaceful transition in Yemen.

"The president (should) ad (r) the transfer of his powers to vice-president," Mansour Hadi Abd Rabbou, and "a government of national unity led by the opposition" will be responsible for "setting up a constitution and organize elections, "said GCC Secretary General, Abdellatif Zayani.

Protests continue, repression also

Sunday, tens of thousands of Yemenis have decried the new regime, following street battles between protesters and police in Sana'a and Taiz.

One protester was killed and dozens of people injured in the clashes with security forces on Saturday, which continued well into the night, according to a report delivered on Sunday by medical sources and by committees governing protests against the regime.

The protester died in Taiz, a city south of the capital, where four protesters were killed Friday.

In addition, 43 demonstrators were wounded by gunfire, 29 by blows and 580 others suffered from suffocation after inhaling tear gas.A dozen other protesters were arrested.

The toll was high also in Sanaa, where 30 demonstrators were wounded by gunfire, 80 by blows and 1,200 were treated for inhaling tear gas, according to medical sources.

After the fighting at night, tens of thousands of Yemenis opposed to President Saleh expressed Sunday without incident in Sana'a, Taiz and Ibb, further south-west, and Hodeidah on the Red Sea, according to witnesses.

In Sanaa, protesters camped for nearly two months on the Place du Change, marched on a major artery of the capital.

Saleh had already rejected any idea of ​​starting

The Gulf monarchies, concerned about instability in Yemen, had offered to mediate a week ago.

The Head of State, in power for 32 years, this offer was rejected Friday in the version announced by Qatar, which already provided he cedes power, while continuing to say he remained open to the proposal Gulf countries.

As a sign of anger, he had recalled its ambassador to Doha Saturday.

The Yemeni parliamentary opposition had called for his part, GCC and the international community to "take stronger measures to protect civil society against the repression and killings."

Yemen was the scene since late January demonstrations demanding the resignation of President Saleh, who made a hundred dead.

In other violence linked to Al Qaeda, a colonel in the intelligence services was killed Saturday and his son wounded in the region of Loder, in southern Yemen, officials said Sunday the security and medical sources.

The United States worked closely with the regime of President Saleh in the fight against al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), which is active in southern and eastern Yemen.

EURO AREA: "The ECB is acting too soon by raising its key rate"

Everyone expects the central bank increased its key interest rate Thursday for the first time since the crisis began. It should be fixed at 1.25% to fight against inflation in Europe. A gamble for Christophe Blot, économine European specialist at OFCE (French Office of Economic Conditions).

FRANCE 24 is the first time since the crisis began that the ECB will increase these rates, why?

Christophe Blot: Jean-Claude Trichet, president of the European Central Bank, has made clear it was time to fight against inflation in the euro area. Since the beginning of the year it is 2.4% while the target of the ECB is to maintain inflation at 2%.By increasing the policy rate by 0.25% even as it should be the case, Jean-Claude Trichet hopes to curb this trend.

This approach questionable because current inflation is due solely to rising oil prices and it is by definition a highly volatile indicator. If we remove the price of oil and food prices, also volatile, inflation is only 1%. By not taking this into account, the ECB adopts a reflection only in the short term, then it is supposed to reflect the medium-term.Also if you look abroad, particularly in the United States and Great Britain, central banks are not as stringent goals against inflation.

F24: The low rate was that of the ECB so far was supposed to promote growth in times of crisis. Does it increase suggests that the crisis is over by the central bank?

CB: You can ask. Indeed, another reason to raise the rate indicator is that the ECB has always believed that monetary policy before the crisis was too lax.She often said that with interest rates too low, the funds had flowed afloat and had encouraged the emergence of bubbles [real estate speculation] that played a role in triggering the crisis. So by raising rates, it is conceivable that the central bank believes it must now work to prevent future bubbles rather than supporting growth.

F24: Yet one can hardly say that Europe is growing ...

CB: It is indeed a matter of timing. I think the ECB is acting too soon. By increasing interest rates, banks will pay more to finance when the banking sector in Europe is still very fragile.Moreover, ultimately, the banks will raise rates at which they lend money, which will not improve purchasing power. If we add to that all plans rigorously determined in the countries of the euro area is a very risky bet that the ECB does. And all that while inflation is not that strong!

Barack Obama announced his candidacy for president in 2012

AFP - U.S. President Barack Obama announced Monday his candidacy for a second term of four years as head of the United States during the 2012 presidential election, calling on his supporters to take action to "protect the progress made".

"Today we are filing papers to launch our campaign 2012," saidObama in a statement.

Ensuring that its administration and its supporters "fight to protect this progress, achieve and benefit", he stressed that "we must also begin to mobilize ourselves for 2012, well before the time comes for me to launch myself really in the campaign. "

"I will need you to develop our plan and create a campaign that goes further, more focused and more innovative than anything we've built so far," Mr.Obama, whose campaign for the 2008 election was regarded as particularly innovative, relying particularly on the Internet and social networks to mobilize many volunteers.

"This will be my last campaign, at least as a candidate," he continues, the U.S. Constitution limiting to two the number of presidential terms. "But the goal of leaving a lasting legacy for our families, our communities and our country, never concerned that a single person.And it only works if we work together. "

Dissemination of the text was preceded by that of a first video campaign with supporters of the president discussing the importance of seeing him continue the work undertaken since the beginning of his term and ending on the date 2012 with the below address barackobama.com.

Barack Obama, 49, was elected at the presidential in November 2008 and took office in January 2009, becoming the first black president of the United States.

The formal announcement of candidacy will notably allow his campaign team, which will be based in his political stronghold of Chicago (north), to begin to raise funds for the next election.