TENNIS: Rafael Nadal's surprise elimination in the first round of Wimbledon

 

Rafael Nadal was eliminated in the first round of Wimbledon by Belgian Steve Darcis, world 135th, author of a huge surprise by winning in straight sets 7-6 (7/4 ), 7-6 (10/8), 6-4 on Monday.

This is the first time in his career that Nadal, winner of the London grass in 2008 and 2010, losing in the first round of a Grand Slam tournament.

Further evidence of the immense sensation that rocked Wimbledon since its opening day, the Spaniard was never inclined Grand Slam against a player ranked as badly as Darcis, 135th in World , 29 years.

Already last year, Nadal had left the tournament early with a defeat in the second round against the Czech Lucas Rosol. 

He suffered martyrdom because of his left knee, which was then forced to leave the circuit for seven months.

Revenue in February, he managed an amazing return by reaching the final of the nine tournaments he has played for seven titles in total, including two weeks ago won at Roland Garros.

But on Monday, knee pain, bandaged as usual, seems to have caught since Nadal became increasingly diminished over the game, though, as usual, n ' did not want to dwell on the subject.

"I do not want to talk about my knee this afternoon. All I could say would sound like an excuse. And I do not want that. This is not a good day to talk about it. This is sport, sometimes you play well, sometimes you play bad today not much has worked for me, "he said, refusing to validate the comparison with the defeat of the last year against Rosol.

"It is difficult to adapt to grass, this is probably the most demanding surface for me. I have not found my rhythm, "he added.

Before the tournament, he spoke without any preparation tournament on grass in the legs, he had confided his fear to find a very challenging area for the joints.

Struggling to his backhand from the start, he had more and more difficult to move stop to see his series of 22 consecutive victories since his dice faced Novak Djokovic in the final of Monte Carlo in mid-April.

Thus Darcis, unlikely hero with his 12 disposals in the first round of a Grand Slam in 18 occasions, created the event on the first day of the short N.1 Wimbledon with an ace on match point.

"Nobody expected my victory today. In agreement Nadal did not play his best tennis and I knew that the first match on grass is always difficult. But this is a great victory for me, "said the Belgian, 44th World in 2008 that had won a match so far at Wimbledon.

"Yes, but I've always played on grass, even if it has not necessarily been the case in this tournament. I had already beaten a Top 10 here on the Central with Berdych last year at the Olympics, "said Darcis.

While the Belgian find Polish Lucasz Kubot in the second round defeat Nadal releases a little the way Roger Federer, placed in the same part of the Spanish table and easy winner Romanian Victor Hanescu of Monday in the opening match on Centre.

AFP

INTERNET: Yahoo! ready to get their hands on Tumblr for $ 1.1 billion

 

The board of Yahoo has approved the friendly takeover of the platform microblogging Tumblr for $ 1.1 billion (€ 857 million), announces the Wall Street Journal Sunday, citing sources close to the folder.

It would be the largest acquisition in the Internet portal since the arrival at its head Marissa Meyer, a former Google in July 2012.

Citing sources close to the situation, AllThingsD said that Yahoo, one of the oldest Internet names, is interested in the excitement by Tumblr youth.

Yahoo overshadowed for many years by new internet giants Google or Facebook, and wants his image and dust halting its activities. 

This comes after the failure of his plan to acquire 75% of the French online video site, Dailymotion, France Telecom.

Tumblr is one of the two social networks with the rage in recent months. The company hosts 108 million blogs and boasts 50.7 billion messages exchanged between them.

The network is just beginning to garner revenue through advertising.

Yahoo, which has declined to comment, has issued an invitation to the press conference for Monday in Manhattan "something special", without saying more.

REUTERS

Cleveland: Ariel Castro himself as a "sexual predator" according to U.S. media

 

Handcuffed, staring at the ground, the bus driver unemployed 52 years, suspected of having kidnapped and raped three young Americans in his Cleveland home, n has not uttered a word during his court appearance of the city. The judge, who informed him of his charges, four to three for rape and kidnapping, has set a bond of two million dollars for each case, eight million in total, s' ensuring the maintenance of the suspect in custody.

According to Kathleen Demetz, appointed lawyer Ariel Castro, he should be placed under special supervision to prevent suicide attempt.

In addition, some media have revealed the existence of notes that would have been produced by the accused, but the police confirmed the allegations

"Sexual predator"

According to local media, the man called himself the "sexual predator" who need help in a note dated 2004. According to the tweet stream journalist Scott Taylor, local television WOIO, a note was discovered, among dozens of other evidence gathered by the police searching his home on that reads, "I am a sexual predator. I need help, "says the journalist.

In an apparent reference to the victims, the note says: "They are here against their will because they made the mistake of getting in the car with a total stranger." "I do not know why I am looking for another, I've got two."

According to Scott Taylor, the suspect wrote that he wanted to commit suicide and "give all [its] savings [its] victims." The Police Chief Ed Tomba Cleveland seemed to confirm the existence of this note at a press conference Wednesday. "I can not talk about the discovery of evidence, there more than 200 who were gathered in the house of Seymour Avenue, all will be investigated, "said the head of the local police.

The veil is lifted gradually on the conditions of detention

The conditions of detention of the victims continue to be disclosed to the dropper.  

According to the deputy chief of police in Cleveland, Ed Tomba, the three women would be out of the house where they were trapped only two brief occasions, only to go into the garage silver medal win , s have had to "disguise".

The police chief Michael McGrath confirmed that "they were tied" after finding "the chains and ropes in the hallway." "They were not in the same room, but they knew each other and knew that the others were there," said Ed Tomba, without confirming press reports why young women are repeatedly fell pregnant.  

A neighbor, Roberto Diaz, quoted by the Washington Post, says Ariel Castro participated in marches in honor of the missing girls or leafleting.

Uncle Ariel Castro, Julio, however, says that his nephew was isolated from the family after his father's death in 2004, the disappearance of Gina, a year after that Amanda and two years after that of Michelle.

In 2005, the former wife of Castro Grimilda Figueroa, who died last year, had filed a complaint against him, accusing him of having "often removed" two daughters and having "prevented from being with [their] mother." 

The court documents indicate, moreover, that Grimilda Figueroa had twice broken nose, broken ribs, dislocated shoulders, and she had asked the judge "to prevent , cher [Castro] to threaten to kill. "

"A happy and sad day"

The side of the victims, the day Wednesday was full of emotion for Amanda Berry, 27, and Gina DeJesus, 23, who reunited with their families while Michelle Knight, 32 years, remained hospitalized in Cleveland. "This is a happy and sad day for Amanda also because his mother is no longer there," he told a cousin Amanda. Louwana Miller died in March 2006 "sorrow" according to his family.

Concealing her face under a hoodie, Gina DeJesus, who was abducted in 2004, returned to the family home whose facade was decorated with a multitude of balloons. "I always clamp to believe," said his mother, Nancy Ruiz, "This is my greatest gift of Mother's Day" (Sunday in the U.S. ).

The impact of the case is such that the first lady told Wednesday morning that his heart was "full of relief." "Imagine losing a child first, and then do not know s' it is alive, dead or wounded, keep hope for ten years and finally have his prayers answered is surely the most beautiful Mother's Day gift, "he told Michelle Obama.

The brothers cleared the brothers Ariel Castro, who were arrested along with him but against whom no charge has been retained in this case were released. "Ariel took everyone away," said the deputy chief of police in Cleveland.

With news

TELECOMMUNICATIONS: Facebook called home on Smartphone

 

Mark Zuckerberg is about to end more than three years of rumors, expectations and extrapolations about a possible Facebook phone. The young CEO of the king of social networks must disclose, Thursday, April 4 to 19 hours (French time), the "new home on Android [operating system for mobile Google, Ed ] "from his website with over one billion fans.

It probably should not be a 100% pure smartphone Facebook. Since the first articles in 2010 on the U.S. site TechCrunch very informed about this, officials of the social network and always very officially denied work on the construction of a TV , mobile phone home. The announcement Thursday would indeed still following TechCrunch, a launching pad to a telephone Taiwanese manufacturer HTC – HTC called First – with an entirely new interface , to the glory of LY social network.

Facebook would have worked in recent months, even years, to transform Android smartphones with best friends addicted to updating their status. For this new interface, after unveiled the HTC, could also be installed on Samsung smartphones and other devices of the Galaxy Android (60% of market share of smartphone sales in the world), explains AndroidPolice, a blog specializing in the mobile world.

And advertising in all this?

The interface replaces the traditional presentation of applications on an Android smartphone and would add functions to quickly access various services of Facebook (Facebook like camera, instant messaging, social networking or yet the application to make phone calls to his son on Facebook contacts Skype model). 

For the social network, the success of the offensive in the mobile world is crucial. Since 2012, Mark Zuckerberg encourages all its employees to "think mobile first," recalls Bits, the technology blog of the American newspaper "The New York Times." More than 600 million users spend priority by their smartphone to access Facebook, recognize site managers.

Problem: Facebook saw almost as through advertising and "mobile users" are much less likely to consult on a mobile phone than from a traditional computer. Redecorating smartphones in the colors of the social network, Mark Zuckerberg & co increase the chances that users see advertising.

Remains whether the world really need a smartphone that would ostensibly before Facebook. This innovation may, in fact, resemble "the solution to a problem that does not exist," says the "New York Times" s January Dawson, an analyst specializing U.S. and in telecommunications. For this expert, "Facebook fans" are already widely used by different applications published on the social network for smartphones miss nothing of what their many virtual friends.

CENTRAL: Bangui has a new government formed by rebels and opponents

 

Djotodia Michel, who took office on March 24 after the Central blitzkrieg rebels Seleka, announced Sunday the composition of the new interim government in which he assumes five ministries, including defense.

According to an official statement, the new team to prepare for elections within three years will be led by outgoing Prime Minister, Nicolas Tiangaye.

Saturday, the new strong man of Bangui had excluded any act of reprisal against his opponents and urged his compatriots who fled abroad to return home.

"I appeal to patriotic and fraternal our compatriots who chose exile, to return", said the former diplomat trained in the Soviet Union. 

"There will be no witch hunt because we need to promote tolerance, dialogue and forgiveness," he shouted to a crowd of thousands of enthusiastic supporters gathered near the palace Presidential.

He also requested assistance from the international community, including France, the former colonial power which has a small military contingent RCA responsible for the protection of the French community.

The coup d'état against President François Bozizé was condemned by the international community. The African Union has suspended its ranks Central and sanctions taken against their new leaders, including Michel Djotodia.

REUTERS

KOREAN PENINSULA: North Korea identifies the first target in the South

 

The leader of North Korea Kim Jong-un named the small South Korean island of Baengnyeong near the maritime border between North and South Yellow Sea, as ITS INTERNATIONAL re target in case of conflict with Seoul, the official press reported Tuesday North Korea. This small island with 5000 inhabitants is also home to many military units.

"Kim Jong-un visited the disputed border between north and south [Pyongyang disputes the maritime boundary between the two Koreas, drawn by the UN silver medal win , s the Korean War (1950-1953), ed]. He now leads a new challenge in this area where several islands are claimed by North Korea, "said Sébastien Falletti, FRANCE 24 correspondent in Seoul.

"Thermonuclear War" Pyongyang has also openly threatened the United States while Seoul and Washington Monday began joint military exercises. North Korea has raised the specter of a "thermonuclear war" and warned the United States that they would face a "preventive nuclear strike."

"The world will (…) how our army and people shatter manigancées collective punishment by the United States war and unrest and defend their dignity , and their nuclear status thrower satellites. These are not empty words, "warned a North Korean newspaper quoted by the weekly" Courrier International ".

But beyond the rhetoric of war, Pyongyang may be put out his threats? "Kim Jong-un turned up the pressure, at least in speech, and threatens the United States of catastrophic consequences. But if he takes action, there will be a direct replica of Washington. A replica that would be catastrophic for North Korea, the United States has a superior technology indisputable ", explains the FRANCE 24 correspondent.

"Breaking the back of your enemies"

Originally this explosive litigation, the successful launch of a rocket in December considered by Seoul and its allies as a ballistic missile, followed by a third I nuclear test in February, new sanctions passed Friday, March 8 by the Security Council of the UN.

In November 2010, Pyongyang had already bombed an island, that of Yeonpyeong, also close to the maritime border, killing four South Koreans. "Once the order given, you will break the back of demented enemies, cut their throats and thus show clearly what a real war," said Kim Jong-un, according to comments reported by the official news agency KCNA North Korea.

An official of the island under Kim Young-Gu, said shelters for civilians were ready to welcome the people and all villages were on alert. "There is not really a mass exodus of people panicked to the continent, but to be quite frank, it was a little scared," he told AFP.

With despatches

LIBYA: "Justice will be done in Libya," Obama promised

 

The death of the U.S. Ambassador in Libya, Christopher Stevens, and three U.S. officials in an attack on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi, Tuesday, Sept. 11, caused a shock wave , across the United States.

"The United States condemns in the strongest terms this outrageous attack and shocking," said Barack Obama, during a press conference on Wednesday, held alongside Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. "We strive to put our diplomats safe with the Libyan government. We work to ensure the safety of our diplomats. I also asked my administration to increase security around our embassies around the world. And make no mistake, we will work with the Libyan government to bring to justice the murderers who attacked our men, "he said.

Bilateral ties should not be "victims" of the attack on Benghazi

U.S. President during his speech, paid tribute to diplomat killed in the attack. "It is particularly tragic that Chris Stevens died in Benghazi, a city he helped save, lamented Barack Obama. At the height of the Libyan revolution, Chris held our diplomatic representation with any skill, the courage and determination that any characteristic. It has established partnerships with Libyan revolutionaries and helped them when they were building a new Libya ". Wednesday until Sunday, American flags of all public buildings were lowered to half mast in honor of the four Americans killed Tuesday.

Before him, Hillary Clinton was asked about the reasons for this tragedy "in a country we helped liberate in a city that we saved from destruction." She then urged Americans to "stay sighted despite the sorrow": "This is an attack by a small group of people senseless, and not by the people or Libyan government, "she insisted, ensuring that bilateral ties are not" victims "of the attack on Benghazi.

Mitt Romney, Obama's Republican rival the U.S. election on November 6, sharply criticized presidential intervention, ruling "shameful" response to the White House anti-American attacks in Egypt and Libya. 

Tuesday, shortly before the attack on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi, protesters stormed the U.S. embassy in Cairo, ripped and burned American flags to replace black flag – the flag frequently brandished by activists of Al-Qaeda. Originally the rampage: Internet broadcasting of excerpts from American film "The Innocence of Muslims," ​​judged insulting to the Prophet Muhammad .

FRANCE 24 with dispatch

FRANCE: Holland, heckled in the polls, made his return to the newspaper media 20 h

 

AFP – François Hollande, who beats records of popularity just four months after his election, will attempt Sunday night on TF1 to regain the French won by anxiety and doubt to the acceleration of the crisis.

The Head of State, who will answer questions from Claire Chazal have 25 minutes to convince his countrymen that he is the man of the situation, a leader, not this evil personality and hesitant to authority described by many critics and columnists.

Especially in the polls, all the lights turn red.

Poll after poll French morale plunges while their disillusionment with the ability of the head of state to keep its promises is growing. 

According to a survey published in Ifop in Le Journal du Dimanche, they are more than 48% believe it is his campaign pledges against 57% in August. According to another survey, BVA to Le Parisien, nearly six in ten French (59%) say they are "somewhat dissatisfied" with the beginnings of five years, while 40% consider themselves " , somewhat satisfied. " On May 31, the rate of satisfaction of François Hollande was 62%, 34% dissatisfaction.

So much anticipated tax measures and drastic budget that will inevitably be taken to ensure that France meets its European commitments, François Hollande, the last television interview e back to July 14, should "set the course without going into the details," said a relative.

"It is not for him to do, he is not to have a technician speech but for a speech strategist, is the government members that belong to do, "insists the same source.

Just his entourage he promises "probably an indication" on the government's fiscal intentions gnawing at the French. For the rest, it will be "clear roadmap of the government, the political agenda, with all measurements."

The president should not, however, escape to a question about the tax of 75% on income above 1 million, campaign promise that allowed him to bounce then Nicolas Sarkozy regained ground but, these days, seemed to be stuck in the maze tax.

The debate was revived Saturday by the revelation of a naturalization application filed in Brussels by the richest of the French, the head of the empire of luxury LVMH, Bernard Arnault. 

He can not escape an explanation on how to avoid rising "general and indiscriminate" tax, as it is committed Friday, while achieving the deficit reduction effort public "largest in 30 years."

Since 5 to 10 billion euros in taxes already voted and 10 billion in savings that the State intends to make its expenses, it remains to find 15-20000000000 tax increases in 2013.

Not a "cap over water"

François Hollande must also impose his style and readily acknowledges. "A style that is printed at the As," he observed in the confidences World published Saturday. President "normal" is looking for a balance between the "presidency haughty and rare" one, and François Mitterrand "maximum reactivity" of Nicolas Sarkozy.

"I do not want to be like the cap over the water," he said, claiming the right to "consistency" in action.

"In this period of rising prices, the social and rising unemployment, the chronology of French does not match that of the government action" recog he however.

Face "social suffering of the French" and "rising unemployment, it must redefine the course," he said Friday on Canal + one near the head of the state, Labour Minister Michel Sapin.

Mr. Holland will also whistle the end of recess after several government ministers between outbursts. According to a government official, "we can understand hiccups government on substantive issues, but not the quack of ego which is the mark of inexperience."

IRAN: Ban Ki-moon urges Iran progress "concrete" on nuclear

 

AFP – The UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on Wednesday urged Iran's leaders to take swift "concrete measures" to ease international concerns about their nuclear program and contribute to a peaceful resolution to the Syrian crisis.

Mr. Ban was received including the Guide of the Islamic Republic Ali Khamenei, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Iranian nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalil, on the eve of the opening of the 16th summit in Tehran Non-Aligned countries which he must attend.

According to his spokesman Martin Nesirky, M. Ban asked his interlocutors to "take concrete steps to address the concerns of the IAEA (International Atomic Energy) and prove that its nuclear program is peaceful purposes. "

The Secretary-General, however, that this issue could be settled that "a diplomatic and peaceful solution", then qu'Israëla threatened to conduct strikes against Iran.

Mr. Ban also stressed that "human rights in Iran remained a concern" and that "civil and political rights (the Iranians) must be respected" reported Mr. Nesirky.

He also condemned the remarks "offensive", "provocative" and "unacceptable" that Iranian leaders regularly call for the destruction of Israel.

Secretary General of the UN has finally asked Tehran to "use his influence" to convince the Syrian regime of Bashar al-Assad to "stop Emergency violence "in this country plagued for more than 17 months of conflict and create" conditions.

According to his spokesperson, Mr. Ban "believes that Iran, given its regional influence and its influence on Syria, may play an important role in regulation" of the Syrian crisis.

The U.S. State Department, which had expressed strong reservations about the trip Mr. Ban in Iran, once joked about this statement by claiming to be "agreement (…) to say that Iran has a role to play" if "it ro , is the break with the Assad regime to stop and to provide material aid, weapons and advisors. "

The United States and Israel have found that the presence of the Secretary General of the UN summit of Non-Aligned gave extra weight to a bishop ment widely exploited by Tehran to try to break its international isolation.

Mr. Ban said he wanted to go to Tehran to "convey the concerns and expectations of the international community."

But faced with critical calls and Secretary General of the UN, Ayatollah Khamenei reiterated that Tehran had no intention to acquire the weapon NUCLEAR , area, according to its official website. And accused the IAEA of trying to "sabotage" Iran's nuclear program at the instigation of the United States.

Reports UN agency does not exclude that Iran's nuclear activities have a military objective are the original six resolutions of the Security Council of the UN condemning tehe , ran, who do never considered.  

Ayatollah Khamenei also criticized the "domination" of the major nuclear powers, the United States in mind, the Security Council, and accused the UN of being "ineffective" to promote disarmament.

The Middle East, "the Zionist regime which Americans gave nuclear weapons is a serious threat to the region and the United Nations should take steps to address them" ,, he said.

OJ – Canoe Slalom: Tony Estanguet: "It's great to finish the story like that"

 

Four years after his failure at the Beijing Olympics, Tony Estanguet has succeeded to win a third Olympic title in a canoe, in the artificial basin of Lee Valley.

At 34, the Pau coming off the apotheosis of his career by becoming the first French to glean three Olympic titles in the same disciple, better that the EPR ist Lamour and judoka David Douillet.

"It's not important to enter the legend. The important thing is to have done, "he said just out of the water.

The charismatic canoist finally outstrips the German Sideris Tasiadis and Olympic champion in Atlanta (1996) and Beijing (2008), Slovakia's Michal Martikan, who was also three in a row and finishes only third ; me.

Listen to his reaction to the micro RFI:

Tony Estanguet, triple Olympic, World and Europe has achieved nothing short of a feat on Tuesday 31 July in the stormy waters of the basin of Lee Valley.

Henceforth, the standard bearer of the delegation tricolor of 2008 aims to join the International Olympic Committee (IOC), through the Athletes' Commission, whose members will be elected during Games for a term of eight years.