EGYPT – REPORT: In pictures: Bibles burned and charred walls of a Coptic church in Giza

 

Lost at the end of a dusty alley of Giza, the Coptic church Kordossa neighborhood seems strangely quiet Sunday, August 18, a few hours of Sunday mass. Simply push the heavy iron gate in a painting depicting the Archangel Michael to enter any anxiety that plagues the Christian minority in Egypt since the crushing of protests conducive to Islamist ousted president Mohamed Morsi.

The church is more than an empty shell, with arches and blackened ceiling show a violent fire. Some benches half charred were pushed into a corner of the building, the remains of religious robes and Arabic-language Bibles are visible among the ashes. The caretaker of the church, Reda Abdallah, shows team FRANCE 24 the extent of damage and returns to the course of the attack, which occurred on Aug. 14 , t last, at the same time gave the Egyptian forces storm the main camp to the pro-Morsi Rabaa mosque in Cairo.

"Islamiya, Islamiya" "We first heard the cries out … The cries of an angry crowd chanting" Islamiya, Islamiya! ' and chanting slogans against our pope [the Coptic Patriarch Tawadros II] and General Al-Sissi. There were about a thousand people, mostly young people from 20 to 25 years, but also some older people. Many of them were armed with sticks and knives, they came here directly after ransacked the local police, "recalls Reda Abdallah.

Faced with this hysterical crowd, the keeper had no choice but to escape through the back door. The locks of the outer portal did not take long face the attackers. Between 16:30 and 18 pm, they have methodically vandalized the entire site, setting fire to the church and the adjoining room parties, while scoring Islamist slogans on the walls outside. Three people were injured in the attack. Not a police officer came to investigate on the spot

The young Coptic Korollos Khalil attended the scene from the roof of his house, which adjoins one of the buildings burned. He also reviews the way his father was busy frantically to water the inside wall of the housing to prevent it from catching fire in turn. "I could not even touch the wall with my hand it was so hot!" Exclaims the child of eight years, still shocked by the violence of the attack.

His parents tried to alert the authorities. In vain.

"My husband and I called the police a hundred times. Sometimes the police said they were coming … but they never came, "says the mother of Korollos Khalil. The caretaker of the church confirmed that no police officer has visited the site to investigate between the date of the attack on 14 August, and the arrival of the team of FRANCE 24 , Aug. 18.

Abandoned to their fate, the Coptic Kordossa could not count on the solidarity of the immediate vicinity – predominantly Muslim. Elsam Ahmed, who lives 20 meters from the church, said he received two wounded Copts home. The man of fifty years described the attackers as "addicts, lowlifes, thieves took away fridges and everything they could find."

Despite the vocal support of the Patriarch Tawadros II General Al-Sissi, the Coptic Kerdassa fear being released by the police in the event of another attack pro-Morsi. "We are afraid for our children, our fate is in God's hands," says Reda Abdallah with a resigned air.

PRESIDENTIAL MALI: Mali: IBK named the winner of the presidential election by his rival Soumaila Cisse

 

Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, known as IBK, should soon be officially proclaimed president of Mali after being congratulated by his opponent, Soumaila Cisse, who recognized Monday, August 12 defeat after the second round of the presidential election. "My family and I went to Mr. Keita, future president of Mali, congratulate him on his victory. God bless Mali ", wrote Monday unsuccessful candidate on his Twitter account.

Soumaila Cisse made the announcement even before the publication of the results of the second round. The former Minister of Finance decided to concede defeat when it became clear qu'IBK was head Gao even the most largest city in the north of Mali. Estimates for two-thirds of the ballots gave, indeed, a very large advance IBK.

After the first round of 28 July, Ibrahim Boubacar Keita had obtained 39.79% of the vote against 19.70% for his rival, and went heavily favored in the second round. He had obtained the rallying 22 25 candidates eliminated.

A daunting task for the winner

Despite some marginal irregularities, Malian and international observers praised the conduct of the election. "This election, in terms of democratic norms, is a follow one another s ", told Louis Michel, head of the observation mission of the European Union. "This is an election that now allows Mali to start the conclusion of an ongoing process: the return to a normal democracy," he added.

"This was an important step in the transition to Mali to peace and reconciliation, said the Special Representative of the UN, Bert Koenders. There were small imperfections […] but no violence was impressive in a country emerging from conflict only. "

After the victory of IBK will be officially confirmed, the cacique of the Malian political life of 68 years will prioritize to open negotiations with the Tuareg in the north, whose uprising in early 2012 led Mali to the brink of collapse.

The lack of protest from Soumaila Cisse should give the former prime minister the authority to also engage in discussions on the preservation of the unity of Mali, to reform the army and to tackle endemic corruption found in the circles of power. 

This presidential election is expected to close open in March 2012 by a coup of junior officers unhappy with the failure of the then President parenthesis Amadou Toumani Toure, to quell a rebellion Touareg.

The Movement for the uniqueness and Jihad in West Africa (Mujao), one of three major Islamic groups at work in 2012 in the north of Mali, had threatened to disrupt the dice , bearing the presidential election, but it has not happened while the UN is currently deploying a peacekeeping of 12,600 peacekeepers, known Minusma.

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RAILWAY ACCIDENT: Derailment in Spain: the train driver refuses to answer police

 

Francisco José Garzón Amo, the driver of the train that derailed Wednesday, July 25 at the entrance to the station of Saint-Jacques de Compostela, has not spoken. Placed in custody at the hospital where he was treated for 20 hours on Thursday night, he refused to answer police questions.

Investigators suspect him of having driven too fast: he had himself acknowledged when he radioed the station from his cabin where he got stuck after derailment, having driven 190 km / h instead of 80 km / h at the entrance to the corner before the station, twice the speed limit.

The final toll of this disaster always seems a little fuzzy. During the press conference the head of the police, the number of 78 retrouvésa body was raised, while the official death toll rose to 80 so far dead. Of the 72 bodies identified, there are several foreigners: one French, one Algerian, a Mexican and an American.

52 years old, the prime suspect for 30 years working on the Renfe, the public company of the Spanish railways, and since 2000 as a driver. Friday, many Spanish media showed screen captures his Facebook page, which has since been deleted, where the man boasted of up to 200 km / h.

But human error can not be the only cause. The investigation focuses also on possible gaps in the braking system. As evidenced by a video of webcast Thursday monitoring the train going at breakneck speed in a very dangerous curve. train "braked too late," headlined the Friday newspaper "El Pais".

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FOOTBALL: The Argentine "Tata" Martino, new coach of FC Barcelona

 

Less than a week after the announcement of the departure of Tito Vilanova, who must undergo a new operation of his cancer, FC Barcelona has already hired a new coach.

The Catalan club officially announced Tuesday, July 23, have offered the services of Argentine Gerardo Martino.

"FC Barcelona reached an agreement with Gerardo Martino to become the first coach of the football team for the next two seasons. The drafting and signing of the contract are pending, "reads the official website of the Spanish Champion team.

Since the beginning of the week, the Spanish press was already echoing the arrival of Argentine coach, who should bring in his luggage his current deputy Jorge Pautasso and its pre physical separator, Elvio Paolorroso.

"A game-oriented offensive"

Known as the "Tata" (grandfather in Spanish), the new coach of the Blaugrana, aged 50, has directed several clubs in South America. This was made known in 2007 as coach of the Paraguay he had conducted in 2010 in the quarterfinals of the World Cup.

Since 2011 he was the head of the Argentine team of Rosario, Newell's Old Boys, where he played as a midfielder in the 80s. Last month, he led his players to victory in the final tournament of the Argentine championship.

Hailing from Rosario as Lionel Messi, Gerardo Martino has already favored by the star of FC Barcelona. "I love Gerardo Martino. It is a great coach," said last year was the star striker to the newspaper Ole.

His brother, Matias Messi, has also welcomed his arrival on his Twitter account saying: "Welcome to Tata! Everything goes well, and continues on track. "

According to the Catalan daily Sport, the new coach of Barça supporter "of a game vocation clearly offensive." He became the fourth coach of Argentine club history after Helenio Herrera (1958-1960), Roque Olsen (1965-1967) and César Luis Menotti (1983-1984).

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DR CONGO: Fighting murderers around Goma, the UN ready to use "military force"

 

These are the heaviest fighting for nine months. At least 130 people died in 24 hours in clashes between the Congolese army and rebels of the Movement of 23 March (M23) around Goma. According to the UN mission in the DRC (MONUSCO), the M23 has strengthened its positions around the city using the "heavy artillery" and shielded. Given the intensity of the violence, the UN said they were ready to use Monday, July 15th "armed force" to halt a rebel advance.

Monday noon, shots were heard from the northern districts of Goma, the regional capital of North Kivu. Several Congolese army tanks fired at the positions of the M23, found a photographer from AFP. This reporter has also crossed a thousand refugees crowded into Goma.  

By late morning in Kinshasa, the government spokesman, Lambert Mende, had assured the press that the army had "inflicted heavy losses" to the rebels. According to him, 120 rebels M23 and 10 soldiers were killed. But no record could be obtained from the M23 or from independent sources.

Rebels and government reject the initiative of fighting

The M23 is made up of former Congolese soldiers mutinied and found, according to the DRC and the UN support – in men and ammunition – from Ugandan and Rwandan governments. But these two neighboring countries deny any assistance M23.

The new fighting began early Sunday afternoon at a dozen kilometers from Goma, in the villages and Mutaho Kibati. But since rebels and Congolese government rejected the initiative of new fighting.

Lambert Mende assured that the Congolese rebels, "backed by Rwandan regular troops" had "attacked" the positions of the armed forces. For its part, the M23 said he condemned "in the strongest terms the resumption of war initiated by the Congolese government," in a statement released at night .

Finally, Rwanda accused Monday night the DRC army and MONUSCO have "deliberately" bombed two villages Rwandan border. According to General Joseph Nzabamwita, spokesperson of the Rwandan army, two shells landed in villages and Kageshi Gasiza, no injuries, and it was of "a deliberate act of provocation. " UN troops in a state of "alert" In November 2012, the M23 Goma had occupied for ten days after the army quickly defeated yet supported by UN peacekeepers . The rebels withdrew from the town under pressure from countries in the region in exchange for the opening of negotiations with the government of Laurent-Désiré Kabila.

But these discussions started in December in Kampala have not advanced much since they are denying the government expanded the political and social level.

The UN, which maintains 17,000 peacekeepers in the DRC, had been taken to the end of 2012 for its failure to protect the people of North Kivu. The United Nations has since imposed a framework agreement signed in Addis Ababa on 24 February: all countries of the region committed themselves not to support rebel movements operating in the eastern DRC.

Monday, spokesman Martin Nesirky UN issued a warning from New York: MONUSCO has "placed its troops on alert. (She) is ready to take all necessary measures and this includes the use of military force to protect civilians, "he said. "Any attempt by the M23 heading towards Goma will be considered a direct threat against civilians," he added.

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Crash in San Francisco: a third victim has died

 

A third person, injured July 6 in the crash of Asiana flight 214 to San Francisco, succumbed to his injuries, said Friday the San Francisco General Hospital (SFGH).

The victim, a "minor" whose condition was "critical" for a week, died Friday morning, said in a statement setting .

His death adds to those of two Chinese girls, declared dead the day of the crash.

"A minor who was injured in the crash of Asiana Airlines died this morning. This is a girl who was in critical condition and died of his injuries, "said the hospital.

"Parents have asked us not to give additional information (on the victim) for the moment," added the facility.

Two injured treated SFGH, which hosted the largest number of injuries after the accident, are still in critical condition.

The first results of the investigation into the cause of the crash, led by the U.S. Agency Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), indicate that the aircraft was much too slow and too low in its approach to the runway.

The tail section broke off after hitting a dike separating the trail of a body of water. The plane then crashed into the stomach, before catching fire.

The pilot of the plane, which was being qualified on the Boeing 777 co-pilot and his instructor, which was the first flight as a trainer, have started talking among themselves low speed of the aircraft at the last minute, less than ten seconds before the crash, according to conversations recorded by the black boxes.

The Asiana Airlines flight 214, the second South Korean company, was carrying 307 people, 123 of which are from the accident unscathed.

AFP

The Brazil-England match will take place Sunday at the Maracana stadium

 

A "bureaucratic error" has failed to prevent the holding Sunday friendly football match Brazil-England at the Maracana, the legendary stadium in Rio de Janeiro, for safety reasons, officials of the State of Rio.

Two weeks before the start of the Confederations Cup, which should serve as a test for the World Cup-2014 in Brazil, a court in Rio took Thursday night the decision to ban the meeting. But this decision was canceled a few hours later, when the authorities of Rio showed that all the facilities were in good standing, said Friday the government of State in a statement. "The duty judge of the court of Rio de Janeiro has revoked the decision suspending the game," it is said.

The government has appealed the ban and presented documents "inspection miliary police proved that all safety conditions are in good standing at the Maracana," the statement which refers to "a bureaucratic error" to explain the confusion. At first, the judge had no evidence that the stage had taken the necessary steps to allow the holding of games or events in the stadium, explains the government. Selections from Brazil and England are already in Rio, where they train for the meeting to be held before 74,000 spectators.  

Missing technical reports

In announcing the ban on friendly, Gary Neville, assistant England coach Roy Hodgson, reacted with surprise and a very British sense of humor: "This match there? This Sunday? We will play on the beach, "is he laughed at a press conference.

The judge, who has decided to ban the stadium gave the right to the public prosecutor who said that "he could not be checked for the moment the stadium meets the minimum safety conditions necessary for holding matches and events. " The judgment required the submission of technical reports demonstrating that the stadium has the necessary security conditions to accommodate spectators. "Despite numerous requests from prosecutors, expert reports were not presented in their entirety and it is not for checking the time that the pre stage , presents the security requirements, "wrote the judge.

The ban on stage "does not make sense," believed to share the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF). "The legal department said that all the expertise necessary have been made and they will be forwarded to the judge," the statement said CBF. "The stadium is 100% ready to host the Brazilian and ready fans for the Confederations Cup," said his part said the Secretary of S , State for Sport of the State of Rio Andre Lazaroni the Tupi radio. The first match of the Confederations Cup under Maracana would normally oppose Mexico to Italy on June 16

A legendary stage

The friendly match Brazil-England should mark the official opening of the Maracana stadium completely renovated Rio, which has already been placed under the supervision of the International Federation Football Association (FIFA) for the Confederations Cup.

Built for the World Cup in 1950, lost in the final by Brazil against Uruguay, it could hold 200,000 people, most standing in very precarious conditions. Its capacity was reduced to 78,639 seats, all seats, for reasons of comfort and safety.

The Maracana has been a first test at a third of capacity on April 28, after a total renovation which lasted two and a half years and cost almost $ 600 million , double the original estimate. It was expected to be completed in December, but the work has been much delayed. The vicinity of the stadium still offered Thursday in some places the spectacle of a site: dozens of workers wearing helmets, Concrete, metal fence … Inside the temple of Brazilian soccer, everything has been completely redone: lawn, stands, dressing rooms, sound system and giant screens.

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Take root in San Diego

 

Ten years after the invasion led by the United States in Iraq, it remains difficult to assess the real consequences of this war. Beyond the number of civilian and military deaths, the lives of tens of thousands of people have been permanently affected by the conflict. This is particularly the case of 80,000 Iraqis who have fled their country to settle in the United States.

The web documentary "My Beloved Enemy" gives voice to the Iraqis and the Americans scarred by war.

This sixth and final episode follows the footsteps of Enaam Husein, her husband and their family, a month after their arrival in San Diego (California) from Iraq.

To rebuild their lives, Husein have a dream: to have a little brother or sister to their unique American Girl With a social worker, Enaam, who suffers from. fertility problems after two abortions performed in Iraq, got an appointment in a specialized clinic.

SYRIA: New resignation Moaz al-Khatib, head of the Syrian opposition

 

The head of the opposition Syrian Ahmed Moaz al-Khatib was again presented his resignation Saturday, citing the "inaction" of the international community in the conflict, when the armed e Bashar al-Assad progressed in Homs border of Lebanon.

New macabre discoveries reflected once again the horror of war that knows no respite for two years, the Syrian Observatory of Human Rights (OSDH) identifying at least 80 people killed in five days in a town near Damascus. 

While his army scores against the rebels in the south of the country, the official SANA news agency reported that Assad felt that "the situation was better in Syria through resistance of the Syrian people and their support for his brave army. "

Reiterating recent remarks, he re-emphasized his intransigence, saying he would "not compromise with extremist and terrorist groups," which he likens the rebels.

Addressing a Lebanese delegation, he also said that Syria and Lebanon will "abort all foreign conspiracies to implement a new Sykes-Picot" re doing , preferably in a Franco-British agreement in 1916 for the partition of the Ottoman Empire. 

Given the stalemate in the conflict that has claimed more than 70,000 deaths, according to the UN, Mr. Khatib submitted for the second time in his resignation, "to protest the lack of action international community to help the Syrian "people, according to a member of the Coalition opposition.

The resignation comes after the meeting Saturday of the "Friends of Syria" in Istanbul during which Washington announced the doubling of its direct assistance and delivery of defensive military equipment but still no heavy weapons that the opposition claims emphatically.

Known for his outspokenness, Mr. Khatib has always criticized the inaction of the international community to the bloodshed in Syria.

A member of the Coalition told AFP that the opposition would meet on May 10 and 11 to elect a new leader, the Charter of the Coalition requiring that the mandate of its pre President is voted on every six months.

The army scores

On the ground, the army marked points on two strategic fronts, near Damascus and in Homs, bordering Lebanon, which connects the capital to the coast.

So she took Sunday "full control" of the village of al-Fadl Jdeidit where OSDH has identified at least 80 dead, many rebels killed in bombings, battles and execu summary executions. 

The organization released videos of the body or face brutally tortured horribly mutilated.

Troops seeking to prevent the entry of rebels in Damascus bombing intensely insurgent pockets on the outskirts.

In the region of Homs (center), the army was moving towards the rebel stronghold of Qousseir after taking several surrounding villages, according to the OSDH and Damascus.

According to the Observatory, the troops are supported by Hezbollah fighters.

Hezbollah fighters "inch on the ground, while the army gives them air cover," he told AFP Hadi al-Abdallah, an activist in antirégime Qousseir. 

This situation is reflected in Lebanon, where three new shells fired from Syria are slaughtered in the Hermel region, a stronghold of Hezbollah, causing no casualties, according to the Lebanese news agency.

For a week, the rebels draw towards this region, claiming respond to the participation of Hezbollah fighting.

The Syrian opposition has also ordered Hezbollah "immediately withdraw its forces from Syrian territory," arguing that the involvement of the Shiite party "could result in Lebanon and the region in conflict open to destructive consequences. "

AFP

Strong explosion at a fertilizer plant in Texas

 

Some 60 to 70 people were killed and hundreds injured in a powerful explosion occurred Wednesday night in a fertilizer plant near Waco, Texas (southern United States), announced , a local chain, KWTX News, citing the head of emergency services.

The report could not be immediately verified by AFP. KWTX quotes the director of emergency services in West, north of Waco, George Smith.

The explosion occurred shortly before 8:00 p.m. (0100 GMT Thursday) in West Fertilizer plant, said by telephone told AFP the spokesman of the firemen, Don Yeager, stating that its origin has not yet been determined but could be due to ammonia.

"The explosion was so powerful it caused fires in adjacent buildings," he added.

Firefighters were injured in a second explosion when they intervened at the scene, according to CBS News.

The injured were taken to hospitals in the region. 

According to local media, the windows of nearby houses were shattered, because the breath of the blast.

"There was initially a small fire and water came into contact with ammonia," then there was a huge explosion, said a receptionist in a hotel close.

"I live 300 meters away and my windows were blown out," said the witness, Jason Shelton, the Dallas Morning chain.

This tragedy comes two days after the attack that was carried out at the finish line of the Boston Marathon (north-east), which killed three people and injured 180 Monday, according to a latest report.

AFP