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

GOLF: Ryder Cup: Europe retains his title after a historic rise

AFP

Sunday, September 30, on the path of Medinah Country Club in Illinois, the United States, the European team has retained the Ryder Cup after an incredible comeback. 10-6 led by the Americans at the onset of the last day, the Europeans were able to reverse the situation. They have won six of the first eight meetings to finally win 14.5 points to 13.5. This is the first time in the history of the competition, which takes place every two years, the Old Continent was able to fill such a gap.

The German Martin Kaymer has raised the point of victory by winning against Steve Stricker with a step ahead. "It's indescribable, I was so nervous about both the last three holes. I love it. This is exceptional, "said the golfer.

In the final game of the day, the American champion Tiger Woods missed the opportunity to obtain equality before the Italian Francesco Molinari. The former world number one particular missed a putt on the 18th it was easy and last hole.

Tribute to Severiano Ballesteros

To retain their trophy, Europeans have shown a strong team spirit. Players have especially praised the Spanish golfer Severiano Ballesteros, who died of cancer in May 2011. During the meetings, they wore a white polo shirt with blue sleeves on the image of Ballesteros during his victory at St Andrews in 1984.

"We wanted to do it for Seve," said the Englishman Luke Donald. "I had no doubt that he was with me today, otherwise I would not have won any match," said teammate Spaniard Sergio Garcia.

The next edition of the Ryder Cup will be held in Scotland in 2014. France will host the competition in 2018 on the Gulf of Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines.

FRANCE 24 with despatches

BANKS: Suspected tax fraud: French raid on the headquarters of UBS

AFP

The French headquarters of Swiss bank UBS in Paris was raided Wednesday in the investigation for "laundering tax fraud", the bank was suspected , have introduced a double accounting and facilitated the opening of undeclared accounts in Switzerland.

A dozen investigators from the national judicial customs (SNDJ) entered Wednesday morning in the premises of the bank with the judge Daïeff Guillaume Paris, in charge of the investigation, AFP a source close to the matter.

Two people were indicted in this case, a former leader of the UBS office in Lille and a framework UBS employee in Strasbourg. Several searches have been conducted in the premises of the bank in Strasbourg, Lyon and Bordeaux since late June.

A spokesman for the bank in Paris confirmed Wednesday that the "judge has actually visited the headquarters of UBS in Paris France as part of its investigation."

"We are cooperating fully with the authorities. The search is part of searches in other subsidiaries of UBS in France since April 2012, "said his side a spokesman for UBS in Switzerland AFP.

"As a group, we have an internal regulation which requires that the laws of the country are met. If employees have violated these laws, then they will be punished, "he added.

The first Swiss bank is suspected of having set up a dual accounting, designed to hide certain capital movements between France and Switzerland, and have enabled its Swiss business to solicit clients on French territory, in violation of the law. Denunciations of former employees

These facts have been particularly criticized by former employees. 

An anonymous note sent to the Prudential Supervisory Authority (ACP), seen by AFP, outlines the existence of "books of milk" between 2002 and 2007, a system designed to register new accounts undeclared Swiss made by salespeople.

She described the alleged role of responsible business in Switzerland and France and executives of UBS in France this double counting.

This system allowed not to leave a trace in the official tools while allowing the bank to calculate business operations for their year-end bonuses, according to this note. 

The judicial practices of the Swiss bank in France was opened in April for "banking or financial by unauthorized persons and tax evasion and laundering of funds obtained through an illegal solicitation, committed by an organized gang. "

Initially, a preliminary investigation was opened by the Paris prosecutor's office in March 2011 after transmission by the ACP in charge of banking supervision, a note on the practices commercial bank.

Meanwhile, another judicial inquiry opened in Paris in April for "obstructing the functioning of the committee on health, safety and working conditions (HSC)" and "harass Lement moral "at UBS, told AFP judicial source. Several officers had denounced the conditions of their departure from UBS.

In 2009, an agreement was reached with the United States to UBS reveals the names of 4,450 American clients whom he had offered to conceal funds to the IRS. The first Swiss bank had also paid a sum of $ 780 million, including a fine and back taxes.

(AFP)

FOOTBALL: Ligue 1: Lyon turns head, Montpellier finally wins

 

AFP – Lyon, with goals in Vercoutre, temporarily took the lead of the Championship of France by ending the unbeaten Valenciennes (3-2), while Montpellier was given a little air with his first win at Sochaux (3-1), Saturday, for the account of the fourth day.

OL, with 10 points, going so temporarily to Marseille (9 points), which may go up to his throne on success Sunday against Rennes.

After the setback in Valenciennes Gerland, Marseille is now the only team not to have conceded a goal this season in Ligue 1.

A Gerland, it was a special game. Lloris, who signed for Tottenham, came to do a lap of honor and farewell before the game. And his successor, Vercoutre, lived a very emotional evening. The former understudy, playing only his 63rd match of L1 in 32 years, committed an error of judgment on the first goal northerner, but had nothing to reproach himself on the second, showing even strong late in the game.

"It was a bit complicated these days, told Vercoutre, star of the day. I have not slept too well. I did not know, personally, what sauce I would be eaten. "

The first two goals were scored by Lyon Bastos and Gomis, two players who have had to leave the summer transfer window, according to the wishes of President Jean-Michel Aulas, in full austerity. The third goal of the OL, superb, was the work of Grenier, promising young Lyon, who also could go through an exchange of players with Nice. But coach Remi Garde was opposed and had to say Saturday that he had done.

Giuly first goal

Not to mention that aborted departures to Lyon, note the very good match Malbranque, a ghost, who despite his 32 years, has made a full match, in real boss.

The other event of the evening was the first victory of the season champion title in France, Montpellier, who occupied a position unworthy of his rank before that day: 18th with one small point. Montpellier is now 12th.

The inspiration called Belhanda, which led to a penalty and is responsible for sending the goals in Sochaux, rust machine. And Herrera, rookie offensive instructed to forget Giroud scored his second goal in L1. Cabella finished the work late in the game, after a score reduction Privat (3-1).

"We missed our start to the season, we still lacked something, we need to power up," said the micro BeInSport the side Montpellier Bedimo.

The situation is catastrophic for Sochaux, red lantern without any point. Martin's departure to Lille was not digested.

The beautiful story of Saturday's third place Lorient, who won 3-0 against Nancy, with, notably, the first goal of the season Giuly.  

Saint-Etienne, who had sprayed Brest (4-0) last weekend, went for a walk in Bastia (3-0) with a gem of a goal to toe Aubameyang, who smuggler was also decisive.

In other matches, Ajaccio beat Evian (2-0) defeated Brest Troyes on the wire (2-1) while Toulouse and Reims are neutralized (1-1).

Sunday is the game that everyone expects, Lille-Paris SG. With this question: PSG will he finally win this season after three draws, two non-profit?

Carlo Ancelotti can count on Ibrahimovic but not Thiago Silva, still injured.

Holland receives Samaras and aligns with the position of Merkel

 

REUTERS – François Hollande Saturday confirmed the Greek Prime Minister's desire to see Greece keep the single currency, urging Athens to the "credibility" and European Union to "it must" maintain the integrity of the euro area. After a one-hour interview with the Head of State at the Elysee Palace, Antonis Samaras made the maintenance of the single currency a matter of "pride" for his country, where hope should return, he said, otherwise threaten social cohesion.

François Hollande has reiterated that Greece should remain in the euro area while focusing on the efforts that the country must make to consolidate its fiscal position.  "We must ensure that the issue of Greece in the euro area does not arise because for me, it does not arise: Greece is in the eurozone and Greece must remain in the euro zone, "said the French president in the courtyard of the Elysee. "It must demonstrate the credibility of the program and the commitment of its leaders to go through while making sure that it is bearable for its people," said François Hollande, scoring his concern for social risk in Greece.  Eve in Berlin, Chancellor Angela Merkel had also pleaded alongside Antonis Samaras for Greece in the euro, despite the doubts expressed by some of its citizens a year of elections in Germany. Facing its fifth year of recession, Greece would receive a reprieve to meet its budgetary commitments agreed under a second plan international aid of 130 billion euros. The eyes of François Hollande, the clock is ticking and Europe must move quickly after receiving the report on Greece by the troika – the European Union, European Central Bank and International Monetary Fund – expected in mid-September.  Athens creditors will then decide if they unlock new aid tranche in October and they give more time to Greece for its re ; forms. "GREECE Y HAPPEN" DIT SAMARAS called Questions to be discussed at the Eurogroup meeting on 8 October and Luxembourg, before the EU summit on 18 and 19 October in Brussels. Once the report is submitted and confirmed commitments Greek, "Europe will do what it needs," stressed François Hollande. "It's been two and a half years that the question is asked. There are no more time to lose. There are commitments to reaffirm both sides, to make decisions and the sooner the better. "

French Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Finance Laurent Fabius and Pierre Moscovici, attended the meeting between Francois Hollande and Antonis Samaras, who saw for the first time. In his statement, the new Greek Prime Minister, elected on June 17, said the European Union had everything to gain by keeping his country in the euro. "Greece will succeed, it will remain in the euro area," he said. "And that Greece will be successful European success. We will show that Europe is able to overcome its difficulties and problems, united. "  "We will fulfill our goals and commitments," he said while emphasizing growth, "if all these efforts will lead to a race to the bottom". "Greece, the Greek people are a proud nation: we do not like to depend on others and take," he said. "We must restore hope because without hope we will lose social cohesion." After a relative lull in the markets this summer, the crisis in the euro zone back on front of the stage with renewed concern Greece but also in Spain, Italy and Portugal.  François Hollande will be next Thursday in Madrid to meet with Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy and Italy in early September for a meeting with the chairman, Mario Monti. Agitated in Germany and in other countries such as Finland and the Netherlands, the possibility of an outflow of Athens remains outside the euro in Paris. The French authorities consider that it would be a disaster for the Greeks, not to mention the risk of lead others along this path. "The integrity of the euro zone is the basis of the action that we must lead," said a source in Paris

.

SPACE: The robot Curiosity passes his first laps on Mars

 

AFP – Wednesday robot Curiosity has made his first trip to Mars, the perimeter of the area where it landed early August, named by NASA "Bradbury Landing "in tribute to the legendary American author of science fiction Ray Bradbury, who died last June.

"In his honor, we named the place Curiosity landed + + Landing Bradbury (Bradbury The landing zone)," said Michael Meyer, chief scientist of the Mars Exploration Program at , NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory since (JPL) in Pasadena, near Los Angeles. 

The announcement coincided with the first movement – a few meters – Curiosity on Mars, Wednesday successfully conducted as a prelude to his departure for the area Glenelg in the coming days.

Ray Bradbury, who would have turned 92 years old on Wednesday, "had already achieved immortality with hundreds of new and nearly 50 novels. His books have inspired us, the Martian Chronicles + + inspired Curiosity and open our minds to the possibility of a form of life on Mars, "he said.

Prior to the announcement, the JPL has released a video of Ray Bradbury among NASA scientists gathered at the occasion of the arrival in orbit around Mars probe Mariner 9 in November 1971.

The author of "Fahrenheit 451" it says, before an audience laughing: "I was hoping that these days, as we neared Mars and the dust cleared, we would open Martians standing with large signs that could be read: + Bradubury was right! + ". 

Away from the full potential of the mission

Profilique The author died in Los Angeles in early June, helped to popularize science fiction to the general public, and invented a life on Mars has captured the imagination many researchers and scientists.

"It was also a friend of JPL," said Pete Theisinger responsible for Curiosity mission, stating that the writer had visited last time the premises of JPL in 2009.

The Curiosity mission team also confirmed that the robot had turned its wheels for the first time Wednesday.

"Curiosity drove for the first time on Mars today, with success. We have a mobility system in perfect working on our robot, "said Matt Heverly, head of displacement Curiosity.

The robot, which had not changed since his arrival in the Gale Crater on the night of 5 to 6 August, advanced about four meters forward before Rotate to the right 90 degrees, then backtrack a few meters.

"This places the robot at about 6 meters from the place where it landed 16 days ago," said NASA.  

A photo taken by Curiosity from its new position clearly shows the traces of its wheels on the Martian soil, and the circular marks left by the retros "overhead crane" who die placed on the Red Planet.

Pete Theisinger welcomed the success of the mission jsuqu'ici, while remaining cautious thereafter. "We are in the 16th day of a two-year mission, we have not yet put our arms (articulated) on the ground and we have not tested our ability to recover samples, which is a key element of the scientific mission, "he said.

"So even if everything went well so far, we have checked two boxes of our minimum requirements: take off time (the Earth) and land on Mars . We are still far from reaching the full potential of this mission, "he concluded.

SOUTH AFRICA: sum Lonmin employees strikers to resume work on Monday

 

The mining company Lonmin summoned Sunday Marikana strikers back to work Monday morning, under penalty of "possible layoffs," three days after the shooting that killed 34 people on this site extraction of platinum from northern South Africa.

"The final ultimatum was postponed to Monday 20 following the events of Thursday," said Gillian Findlay, Lonmin spokesperson in an email to AFP, "final ultimatum gives employees a last chance to return to work or face a possible firing."

"The employees could be fired if they did not comply with the ultimatum," insists spokesman. 

Interviewed in the morning by AFP, striking miners said they would refuse to return to work out of respect for their 34 comrades killed by the police and if management re , was laying not their wage demands.

"Expect us to return to work, this is an insult. Many of our friends and colleagues are dead and we expect that return to work, ever, "said a worker, Zachariah Mbewu, ensuring that none of his friends would not be present at his post Monday .

"There are people in prison and the hospital. Tomorrow, we return to the mountain but does not descend into the mine unless the owners give us what we demanded, "he added.

The hill was held Thursday repression remained deserted Sunday.

The police were discreet about housing miners going about their daily lives but the anger remained high.

"We expect that management expressed. Tomorrow we will not work if they do not listen to our demands for wage increases, "said Fezile Magxaba a foreman Marikana.

"People are dead. We are angry. If they resumed work, it would be like if they had died for nothing, "he said while her laundry at a communal tap.

The police response was 34 dead and 78 wounded by the police also arrested 259 people. An investigation must determine the exact circumstances of the outbreak of the shooting. Police said they acted in self-defense against miners armed with knives who loaded.

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.

FRANCE: The government is strengthening environmental bonus for "clean" cars

 

AFP – The government will increase the environmental bonus for "clean" cars and financially support an automotive players to the penalty, like PSA, which on Wednesday unveiled a loss worse than expected and should detail his plan to cut 8,000 jobs.

The government's plan "fits with a very, very great determination in the recovery of the automotive industry, is an extremely important act, we must deal with emergencies, those social plans, "said Jean-Marc Ayrault, Prime Minister, in the courtyard of the Elysee, at the Council of Ministers has approved. 

President Francois Hollande hailed a "comprehensive plan" and "part time" said the spokesman of the government-Najat Belkacem Vallaud.

The government plans to increase the bonus for electric vehicles of 5,000 euros to 7,000 euros and 2,000 to 4,000 euros for hybrids, but this bonus will be conditioned to maitien sale prices by manufacturers.

It also provides that the State only buy vehicles "urban use" electric. The government should also require the surveillance of the free trade agreement EU-Korea, accused of opening the door to Europe for Korean cars very competitive.

The project provides financing facilities for suppliers and manufacturers in trouble with the drop in auto sales in Europe, and to redirect investment already planned to research and development (R & D).

A total of 350 million euro credit "investment for the future" will be "redirected" to builders, small business bank Oseo should mobilize 150 million euros for "support" ; cash subcontractors, and they may request more than 450 million euros of funding. 

"Good thing"

Aid for innovation are "good thing" responded Philippe Varin, CEO of PSA, the locomotive of French automobile sector which has published some very poor financial performance in the morning .

The group, who concussed the entire industry and government on July 12 by announcing a plan for elimination of 8,000 jobs and the closure would soon be of Aulnay-sous-Bois, suffered a net loss of 819 million euros in the first half, four times higher than anticipated by analysts surveyed by Dow Jones Newswires. Wednesday, ratings agency Fitch has already now downgraded a notch PSA from BB + to "BB" after the publication of interim results.

This did not prevent the action of the group to grow by 1.28% to 6.32 euros in a market up 0.56% to 12:15.

Analysts hailed the efficiency measures of 1.5 billion euros announced Wednesday by 2015.

The performance of the group are scrutinized by the entire automotive industry, and unions who had gathered in central Committee (IAC) this morning at the Paris headquarters of the group, Avenue de la Grand Army.

"It's not for group employees to pay the bill," responded Jean-Pierre Mercier, CGT, after the publication of results. 

Several hundred employees from sites of Aulnay and Rennes had gathered in front of the building in Paris at the foot of a banner "No to the closure of PSA Aulnay", while in a terrible hubbub certain employees shouted "murderer Varin".

Make the most

The elected staff have unanimously requested the appointment of an accountant to review the group's finances. It should begin its mission on Aug. 27, thereby pushing "the machine to temporarily lay off". "It's a small point but in the long war that will lead, it is no small step," says Mercier.

The CEC comes after days of tension with the government and will be an opportunity to learn more about the job cuts, closing of Aulnay-sous-Bois, the reduction in activity Rennes (Ille-et-Vilaine) and the impact on other sites.

"We submitted a project for 8000" deletions Post has told the press M. Varin, adding that "technically if you change the number, you repeat the process."

"The proposed plan will result in the form of consultation I hope by the end of this year," he added.

Received Monday by Jean-Marc Ayrault, he was committed to avoid redundancies and to "do their utmost" to "re-industrialization" of the site in Aulnay Under this plan "unacceptable" in the state by President Francois Hollande July 14.

Mr. Ayrault, who is involved in the case, received Wednesday morning Carlos Ghosn, the boss of the other French carmaker, Renault, who made no comment on the plan.

As for Mr. Montebourg, mounted in front of several high profile cases, including Rio Tinto plant in Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne, threatened with closure, or the ongoing restructuring at Sanofi, it remains critical ;'s processes.

A UMP, François Fillon called it irresponsible, while Jean-Francois Cope accused of "threatening thousands of businesses" and jobs.

"There is an overall plan that should provide strong support to this sector", welcomed the President of the Socialist Group in the National Assembly, Bruno Le Roux.

AFGHANISTAN: Twenty-three people killed in a suicide bombing at a wedding Afghanistan

 

AFP – Some 23 people died and about 60 were injured when a suicide bomber blew himself up at a wedding Saturday in Samangan province in northern Afghanistan , the presidency announced in a statement.

President Hamid Karzai, in this text has "strongly condemned" the suicide attack, committed at the beginning of the wedding of a daughter of an influential congressman, Ahmad Khan, who has himself been killed in the incident. The intelligence chief of Samangan was also killed in the facts.

The previous record, which came from Dr. samid Ahmad, Head of the Department of Public Health of Samangan Province, reported 15 killed and 60 wounded.

"Once again, the enemies of Afghanistan have killed innocent people and a member of the Jihad (against the Soviets, Ed), who by his efforts would bring unity in the country," continued President Karzai in a statement.

Uzbek in an ethnically divided state, Ahmad Khan was a warlord during the decades of conflict have devastated Afghanistan, before entering parliament last year. 

According to Lal Mohammad Ahmadzai, spokesman for the Afghan security forces in northern Afghanistan for the attack that left 22 dead and more than a hundred wounded, the bomber would have initiated ; his office when he gave a hug to Ahmad Khan.

The explosion occurred in the entrance of a palace wedding, where most Afghans organizing wedding celebrations, traditionally involving hundreds or thousands of people.

Turbans, shoes or clothes stained with blood could be seen from the entrance of this two-story building, with broken windows, a noted photographer of the AFP.

No group has claimed responsibility. Zabiullah Mujahid, a Taliban spokesman contacted by AFP, said "not aware" of an attack of its members in the north.