FOOTBALL - THE CASE OF QUOTA: Laurent Blanc to be heard Monday by investigators

The coach of the team of France, Laurent Blanc, was interviewed Monday by the two commissions of inquiry into the case of quotas that shakes for over a week in French football.

"The hearing was held today, Laurent Blanc," he told Reuters spokesman of the French Football Federation (FFF), François Manardo.

Last person to be heard, White had to deliver to investigators, those measures undertaken by the federation and those appointed by the Sports Ministry, its version of the meeting of the National Technical Directorate (DTN) of 8 November during which was discussed the idea of ​​quotas for young players in the binational federal training centers.

The three officials of the Inspectorate General of Youth and Sports (IGJS) were back in the day they report to the Minister Chantal Jouanno.The latter could speak Tuesday on the subject.

The report of the internal committee of the federation, composed of Patrick Braouezec, president of the Football Foundation and member of Seine-Saint-Denis and Laurent Davenas, president of the National Council of Ethics will be discussed Thursday at an extraordinary meeting of Federal Council, the governing body of the federation.

Francis Blaquart first referred

Based on the findings and recommendations of its inspectors, the department must decide whether to take the floor to lawsuits for discrimination against certain members of the DTN.

The first target is the national technical director (DTN) Blaquart Francis, who has explicitly mentioned the idea of ​​quotas, according to the recording of the meeting last fall done by one of its participants, Mohamed Belkacemi, responsible the football federation of neighborhoods.

Responsible to the Ministry, Francois Blaquart was suspended from his duties as a precaution and risk dismissal.

The federation must decide on its side on the merits of administrative sanctions in domestic.

The case erupted into a federation torn by conflicts and personal rivalries with the approach of the election, June 18, its president and its new executive committee.

It is the latest incarnation for FFF in deep crisis for nearly a year and the fiasco of the national team at the World Cup in South Africa.

Within a few months, the French football has been a controversial qualifying for the World Cup on Thierry Henry's hand, eliminating the pathetic first round of the Blues - with a strike of the unique training in this kind of competition - Case of the Blues finally premiums paid to associations and revelations about the privacy of certain players.

Far largely spared by these controversies and in high popularity because of the good results of the France team since he took over the leadership last summer, Laurent Blanc is the time criticized by some his peers for his statements during the meeting.

The coach, who then made a public apology, said it would be in favor of quotas. His positions have divided the team members' black-blanc-beur "world champion in 1998, to which he belonged.

FLYING RIO PARIS: One of the black box flight AF447 crashed into the sea is fished out by investigators

AFP - The box containing the flight parameters of the Air France Airbus which crashed in 2009 off the coast of Brazil, rescued Sunday is "in good physical condition", leaving the investigators hope to be able to read valuable data, told AFP the director of the Bureau of Investigation and Analysis (BEA).

"At this stage, the box looks in good physical condition.Our experts tell us that we can hope to read these data, "said Jean-Paul Troadec.

He however expressed caution noting that for the moment, it was unclear whether or not there was corrosion.

Shortly before, the BEA, in charge of the technical investigation said it had recovered the memory module of the flight data recorder, Flight Data Recorder (FDR)

"If these data are usable, it will help advance the investigation because the FDR recorded altitude, speed, different positions of the government," he explained Troadec.

Questioned by AFP, a spokesman for Airbus said the group did at this stage "absolutely no comment".

The module is for the time being immersed in water.It must be transported to BEA, where he will be husked. "He should be in our office by 8 to 10 days, the time a Navy ship to pick him and lead him home," he said Troadec.

The objective is to recover the second black box, recording the conversations in the cockpit before the Navy come first search box to route both recorders simultaneously.

The disaster, which has killed 228 on 1 June 2009, remains so far unexplained.

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. "

LIBYA: Gaddafi's troops are preparing to take Benghazi assault

AFP - The pro-Gaddafi forces regained the advantage in Libya Tuesday, a month after the start of the insurgency, pounding Ajdabiya (east) and announcing an offensive on the insurgent headquarters in Benghazi, (is), not the G8 no agreement on military intervention.

Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi said in the evening to be "determined to crush the enemy" in a televised speech, hammering: "if it is a foreign conspiracy we'll crush it, if it is an inside job we will also crush. "

Government forces launched air force and heavy artillery against Ajdabiya, strategic communication node and final lock held by the rebels before Benghazi, 160 km further south, cutting the main road between the two cities.

The official television and a senior Libyan government announced qu'Ajdabiya was controlled by loyalist forces.

The Deputy Foreign Minister Khaled Kaaim said Tuesday evening qu'Ajdabiya AFP was "under control" forces loyal to Muammar Gaddafi.

The information had been denied earlier by the military spokesman of the National Council of Libya, the governing body of the rebels based in Benghazi.

"Ajdabiya is still in the hands of the revolutionaries," said the spokesman, Khaled El-Sayeh, saying: "Army units tried to enter the city, but our forces have repulsed.He also denied the insurgents to retreat Benghazi despite the scenes of stampede which has seen an AFP journalist.

Hundreds of civilians and insurgents fleeing Ajdabiya arrived in the south of Benghazi in cars, trucks and pickups.

"I took my family as much business as possible and we left," he told AFP a family man, Said, 42 years, telling "there was a lot of bombs."

The fighting has killed at least three dead and fifteen wounded, according to doctors, in addition to two deaths received during the night.

"There are still some elements that take and our forces are now chasing them," said Khaled Kaaim stating: "We will now beyond Ajdabiya, our forces are moving towards Benghazi.

The Libyan army announced on television on an imminent offensive Benghazi, where the rebels have used anti-aircraft guns in the evening, without journalists on the spot from the AFP have seen or heard aircraft.

It was unclear whether the rebels retaliated in an attack or expressing their joy after rumors of a bombing aimed at the residence of Kadhafi in Tripoli.Fireworks took place at the same time as the heavy artillery and air defense, early in Benghazi.

The Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) withdrew its staff from Benghazi, stressing that "everyone evacuate Benghazi, humanitarian as journalists."

The major powers met at the G8 in Paris have dismissed for lack of consensus the military option to slow the forces of Muammar Gaddafi, merely promised for this week a new UN resolution on tougher sanctions.

The NATO countries were examined for the first time the military options available to them if the alliance decided to intervene in Libya, although the probability of a UN resolution authorizing them down.

The French Minister of Foreign Affairs Alain Juppe described as "outdated" idea of ​​establishing an air exclusion zone, originally due by Paris and London as well as the Arab League and claimed by the Libyan opposition.

He spoke of "targeted strikes", while stating that the Security Council of the United Nations was blocked because of opposition from the Chinese, while the Americans have still not defined its position.

Barack Obama has again called on the Libyan leader to leave, but his Secretary of State Hillary Clinton refused to promise military aid to the rebels.

The United States expanded its sanctions 16 firms Libyan government, the national oil company.

Crunch time for the insurgents, who have announced they still masters of Misrata (150 km east of Tripoli), where government forces were gathered in a nearby barracks, presaging an attack.

Zouari, a town located 120 km west of Tripoli on Monday and resumed the pro-Gaddafi, supporters of the regime demonstrated by the television, and shots rang out, "probably shooting in the air to scare residents, "according to a witness near the rebellion.

Since February 15, the bloody suppression of the insurgency has killed at least hundreds dead and forced more than 250,000 people to flee the country.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) called on fighters to allow civilians to flee, noting the unusually low number of women and children arriving at the borders with Egypt and Tunisia.

According to the International Energy Agency, Libyan oil production, usually by 1.6 million barrels per day, was nearly stopped in recent days.

On the other hand, London confirmed Tuesday the arrest of a Libyan man with dual British and Libya after it became known to journalists in a Tripoli prison by claiming to have raised funds for a Islamist organization.

LIBYA: In another speech, Gaddafi accused the insurgents of serving the interests of Bin Laden

AFP - Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi said on Thursday in an audio message broadcast on television that the protesters were serving the interests of the leader of al-Qaeda Osama bin Laden, saying in addition not to leave office, it does he said that being moral.

On the tenth day of an unprecedented revolt in the country, Colonel addressed especially to the inhabitants of the city of Zawiyah (60 km west of Tripoli), according to state news agency Jana, "terrorists" several soldiers were slain by the "method (of the former terrorist leader of Al Qaeda in Iraq), Abu Musab al-Zarqawi."

"These people have no real claims, their claims are those of bin Laden," said Colonel Gaddafi.

He presented his "condolences to the families of four security forces killed" in Zawiyah. "I wonder if bin Laden will help compensate the families" of victims, he added.

He also accused bin Laden and Al Qaeda to manipulate young people by giving them including "hallucinogenic pills".

"They take advantage of the young age of these people because legally they are not punishable," he said.

He urged residents to stop supporters of the leader of al-Qaeda and to bring him to justice.

To those who call him from power, he has held for 42 years, Colonel Qaddafi said that his power was only moral.

"I have no power to make laws or enforce the law.The Queen of England has no such authority. That is exactly my case, "he said.

"The situation is different from Egypt or Tunisia. Here, the authority is in your hands, hands of the people. You can change the authority as you want," he added.

Colonel Gaddafi came to power by toppling the old King Idris on September 1, 1969. In 1977 he was proclaimed the "Libyan", defining it as a "state of the masses" who rule through popular committees elected and given the single title of "Leader of the Revolution."

"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 had already said Tuesday during a televised address to the nation.

Ten people were killed and dozens wounded on Thursday in the assault by security forces against Zawiyah, according to a provisional report issued by a Libyan newspaper.

Tuesday in his first public speech since the beginning of the uprising on February 15, the Libyan colonel vowed to punish the protesters in the blood.

Muammar Gaddafi was increasingly isolated on Thursday, faces opposition from the mistress of the country and ordered by the West to stop the bloodshed, saying the international community fear a humanitarian catastrophe due to the exodus.

Opponents seem to control the region from the Egyptian border to the town of Ajdabiya further west, to Tobruk, Derna and Benghazi, the epicenter of protest to 1,000 km east of Tripoli.

At least 300 people were killed in clashes between demonstrators and security forces and supporters of the regime according to official sources. But human rights organizations of human rights refer to a higher balance.

EGYPT: The army suspended the constitution and dissolved parliament

Reuters - The Supreme Council of the armed forces to power in Egypt, on Sunday announced the suspension of the Constitution and the dissolution of parliament and outlined a transition timetable in the next six months.

In a statement read on state television, the military, which Hosni Mubarak has entrusted the reins of the country by resigning Friday, also announced the formation
a commission to amend the constitution and whose conclusions will be submitted to a referendum.

They say they will remain in power for a period of six months or until the next legislative and presidential elections."The supreme council of the armed forces manage the affairs of the country for a temporary period of six months or until after elections to upper and lower houses of parliament and a presidential election," say the military in their
statement.

Other decisions announced two days after the start of Hosni Mubarak, the two Houses of Parliament is dissolved and a commission is created to amend certain clauses of the constitution.

The opposition demands include the repeal of Article 76 which regulates drastically candidates in the presidential elections which Hosni Mubarak himself had proposed the cancellation in his final address to the nation on Thursday night.

It would also restrict the number of presidential terms, currently unlimited.

"A victory for the revolution"

The council adds that his military chief, Field Marshal Mohamed Hussein Tantawi, will represent Egypt abroad and reaffirmed that Egypt is bound by its international treaties and obligations.

The college emphasizes military organization authorizing it to enact legislation during the transition period.He said that Prime Minister Ahmed Shafik, appointed by Hosni
Mubarak in the first days of the dispute, will remain in office until the formation of a new government.

The latter said that the Egyptian military would define the role of Omar Suleiman, who was appointed vice-president Mubarak but whose functions have become uncertain.

In resigning, Friday, Rais has indeed given the power to the supreme council of the armed forces, and the largest entirely clear what the current powers of Suleiman.

For the opponent Ayman Nour, who had dared defy Hosni Mubarak in the presidential election of 2005, these measures should meet the challenge.

"This is a victory for the revolution," he told Reuters after the announcement of the military council.
 

INDIA: The Indian Navy with 52 prisoners after a raid on a pirate ship

AFP - The Indian Navy and Coast Guard have arrested over 50 people on board a pirate ship, after a shootout Sunday in the Indian Ocean, said the Indian Ministry of Defence.

"There were 52 people in total," he told AFP a spokesman of the Ministry of Defence, MrNambiar, who did not specify the nationality of those arrested or the exact number of pirates among them.

The arrests took place on a Thai fishing boat, caught six months ago off the coast of Somalia, which is presumably the basis for hackers to launch attacks against ships, the ministry said.

Mumbai police will interrogate persons arrested upon arrival in this port city.

Navy and Indian Coast Guard were sent in pursuit of pirates after a Greek-flagged ship had reported being attacked about 100 nautical miles west of Kavaratti, off the Indian state of Kerala ( south-west).

Indian boats chased two boats lighter and faster, which led them to the ship for a base for pirates, the statement said.

"Exchanges of gunfire were brief but decisive. The pirates quickly lost the urge to fight and hoisted the white flag to surrender," the ministry said.

"A group of pirates and crew members held hostage on board the boat were," he said.

Somalia is known to be a base for pirates who roam the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean, more and more away from their coasts, seizing ships they hold with their crews for ransom.

THEATER: "MIDInight in Paris" by Woody Allen opening the next Cannes Film Festival

AFP - The latest Woody Allen movie "Midnight in Paris" including the First Lady of France Carla Bruni-Sarkozy will be screened on opening the 64th Cannes Film Festival May 11, organizers announced Wednesday.

"It's Midnight In Paris + +, the new film by Woody Allen will open the Cannes Film Festival May 11 next in the great room light in the presence of the jury chaired by Robert De Niro" the statement said.

The film will be released the same day in theaters in France.

It will be "a priori out of competition, Woody Allen refusing on principle to be included," he told AFP the general delegate Thierry Fremaux Festival, which has still trying to convince him "until the last moment."

The official selection will be announced in mid-April, he said.

"Midnight in Paris + + is a wonderful love letter to Paris," Mr Fremaux said in a statement.

"This is a work in which Woody Allen deepens the questions in his latest film: our relationship to history, art, pleasure and life.For his 41st feature film, he again showed a great inspiration, "he adds.

Furthermore Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, who holds is his first movie role, this "romantic comedy," shot last summer in the French capital, met the French actor Marion Cotillard, Lea Seydoux and Gad Elmaleh, and an important distribution International starring Owen Wilson, Rachel McAdams, Kathy Bates and Adrien Brody.

AFRICA CUP OF NATIONS: Morocco to host CAN 2015

AFP - The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has awarded Saturday at Lubumbashi (DR Congo) organization of the African Cup of Nations (CAN) in 2015 in Morocco and that of 2017 to South Africa, host of last World Cup.

Morocco, which has organized most of the continent's premier competition since 1988, is thus designated by the CAF, after several unsuccessful bids.

South Africa, hosts of the 1996 edition won by his Bafana Bafana-(nickname of the national soccer team of South Africa), will once again host the tournament in six years, having successfully organized the first World on the continent in the summer of 2010.

Both countries were the only ones vying for the C-2015 and 2017.

The FCA was appointed Angola as host of the CAN-2010, Equatorial Guinea and Gabon in 2012 and Libya in 2013.