NATURE: The olinguito a new mammal out of the fog cloud forests

 

So far the olenguito did not officially exist. Certainly, this small family pet raccoons already lived for hundreds of years quietly in South America, but nobody knew it was an unlisted animal ,. A team of researchers from the Smithsonian Institution in Washington revealed, Thursday, August 15, this new species of carnivorous mammals.

"When you look at it, we just feel that it is a cross between a big cat and a teddy bear," said Kristopher Helgen, zoologist at the Smithsonian and specialist mammals . No new carnivorous mammal had been found in the western hemisphere since the Colombian weasel in 1978.

Importantly, the identification work conducted by the research team for a decade has put an end to a scientific error of nearly 100 years. The man was, in fact, already seen olinguitos before. "There has even been one that has wandered from zoo zoo in the United States," said Kristopher Helgen. But until now, they were confused with their cousins, the olingos. "Yet olinguitos are smaller, do not have the same coat and if you look well resemble very little to olingos" said Kristopher Helgen.

A carnivore that eats fruits

To make sure they were in the presence of a new species, scientists have made in the Andes. Specifically in the cloud forests of Ecuador and Colombia. This is where they found and studied olinguitos for several years. They then realized that this little carnivore … ate mostly fruits. It is certainly rare, but not impossible: the biological order Carnivora is a collection of animals (lions, cats, bears, etc..) That originally ate all the meat but some, such as Panda, changed diet.

The olinguitos are solitary about 75 cm long that live in trees "which they descend almost never" animals, says Kristopher Helgen. The research team also found that the new species was not endangered and there are currently a number thousands in South America. Watching them, they found it was not that kind of olinguitos, but there were actually four subspecies. "I do not think we discovered before long a new species that has many subspecies," says Kristopher Helgen.

Other new mammals remain to be discovered promises that zoologist, who is currently studying several possible new species. At the company's information, Google maps and other technologies, meeting with olinguitos proves, according to Kristopher Helgen that "the Age of Discovery new animals is far from over. "

FOOTBALL: Jose Mourinho returns to Chelsea for four years

 

Portuguese Jose Mourinho, who had led the club between 2004 and 2007, will be the next coach of Chelsea for the next four seasons, announced Monday the English club to win the Europa League.

"I am delighted to wish a return to Chelsea Jose. His ambition, his continued success and will make a perfect candidate, "said Ron Gourlay in a statement posted on the club website, the last third of England Championship.

"Our goal is to always move forward to achieve greater success in the future and José is our No.1 choice because we believe he is the right manager to do this work, "said Ron Gourlay.

Jose Mourinho, 50, was at the head of Real Madrid until Saturday. During his first visit, he had won two championships (2005, 06), one FA Cup (2007) and two English League Cups.

With the Real, in the last three seasons, Jose Mourinho has taken a particular Spanish League and King's Cup.

AFP

UNITED STATES: Mark Zuckerberg would like to get involved in politics

 

Mark Zuckerberg decided to throw in the U.S. political arena. According to several Anglo-Saxon media, the young billionaire Facebook founder and director participates in the creation of a Super Pac (committee to influence political decisions on certain topics) multi-business leaders in Silicon Valley.

To go from king of social networks master lobbyist, Mark Zuckerberg seek to equip the Super Pac an envelope of $ 50 million, according to the "Wall Street Journal" Tuesday 26 March. An amount that would be on track to meet with the support of leaders for the small world of new technologies such as Reid Hoffman, founder of LinkedIn professional social network.

Contacted by several American media, Facebook declined to comment on the information. The "Wall Street Journal" as the U.S. site Politico information, believe that Mark Zuckerberg has formalized this initiative in the coming weeks.

A Super Pac exists, the United States, for one or more officially promote very specific themes, unlike lobbies trying to defend corporate interests. The initiative promoted by Mark Zuckerberg within this framework: the first mission of the new political committee is to advocate, support checks in favor of a reform of the procedure naturalization of foreigners.

A traditional workhorse in Silicon Valley. Sector companies seeking new technologies, in fact, constantly attracting foreign talent to stay on top of innovation, said the U.S. site Silicon Valley Business Journal. Brain quest available that may be hindered by the difficulty encountered by some foreigners to get a work visa.

Mark Zuckerberg, CEO and billionaire right?

According to the British newspaper "Daily Telegraph", which first reported the interest of Mark Zuckerberg for the field of possible policy reform immigration laws would be a first step. The idol of Silicon Valley and his fellow Super Pac would also reform the education system and strengthen support for research.

But, as shown by the presidential campaign of 2012, a Super Pac is often politically colored. Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney has received substantial financial support from several of them. Does this mean that if Mark Zuckerberg will unveil its political heart beats to the left or right?

Not necessarily because such a committee does not have to show affiliation to one of the two major American parties. Still advisors who have, according to the political website The Hill, was approached to help these entrepreneurs to make their way in Washington are rather arcane connotations right. Two of them, Jon Lerner and Rob Jesmer, are powerbrokers from the right wing of the Republican Party. The third, Joe Lockhart, looks rather to the left as it was one of those responsible for media relations for former President Bill Clinton.

The presence of a majority of advisors would come right, in fact, confirm that the affinities conservative we ready Mark Zuckerberg. In February 2013, the founder of Facebook was organized at his home in California for an evening fundraiser for Chris Christie, the Republican governor of the state of moderate New Jersey.

CYPRUS: London airlifting one million euros for its staff in Cyprus

 

This is the story of the British aircraft that was worth a million. "An aircraft of the Royal Air Force took off for Cyprus this afternoon (…) in the context of exceptional measures to provide emergency loans to military personnel and their families" , said Tuesday, March 19, a spokesman for the Ministry of Defence said in a statement.

This decision was taken by surprise fear Cypriot banks running out of money. Nicosia, on the edge of bankruptcy, forceps negotiates the terms of its financial bailout with the European Union (EU) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Cyprus does not digest the tax on bank deposits required in the famous rescue plan. Pending a final agreement and prevent stampedes at the counters, island banks are closed and will not reopen until Thursday, March 21.

The UK Department also contacted members of his staff to ask if they wanted their salary for the month of March and the following months will be paid into bank accounts in the UK, rather on bank accounts in Cyprus.

"We are determined to do everything possible to minimize the impact of the banking crisis in Cyprus on our citizens," added the spokesman.

Approximately 3,000 British troops are based in Cyprus, former colony and strategic point in the Mediterranean.

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

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

SYRIA: A shooting broke out near the offices of the Prime Minister in Damascus

 

AFP – A shootout erupted Wednesday afternoon behind the building housing the offices of the Prime Minister in Damascus, according to an AFP correspondent on the spot.

Syrian Observatory of Human Rights (OSDH) said for his part that "an exchange of fire is underway between the military and rebels in the area of ​​Mazze, around the Prime Minister's office and the new building under construction at the Embassy of Iran ".

The president of the OSDH, Rami Abderhamane, told AFP that the clash occurred after the firing of rockets into the two buildings, without being able to tell if the rocket had reached their target. 

According to state television, "specialized services raided a hideout of terrorist-mercenaries in the gardens behind al-Razi, killing an undetermined number of and capturing them other ".

An AFP reporter who visited the site heard a shooting near the offices of the Prime Minister. The shots came from a land separating these offices and that of the Iranian embassy.

The AFP could see black smoke and a van of the army equipped with Russian-made machine gun Douchka. The soldiers were also out identity checks.

The attack came hours after a bomb attack claimed by the rebels, for a building of the headquarters located near the hotel that houses the UN delegation in central Damascus.

The bombing, which injured five at a military site, occurred in the parking lot of the staff.

An officer explained that the explosion occurred at O8H00 (O5H00 GMT) when "recruits did their physical exercises and received their instructions, as every day."

According to an AFP journalist, the bomb was placed at the back of a tanker, whose tank was ripped open. Several military vehicles were burned and the walls of the building adjoining the Union of Workers. Windows were also broken.

The Syrian Army rebels free (ASL, composed of deserters and civilians who took up arms) have claimed responsibility, saying it was a "military meeting in an office of the General Staff which are decided the day's operations in Damascus. "

SPACE: Curiosity on approach of Mars

 

After eight months of travel in space and 570 million kilometers – or 1,500 times the distance from Earth to the Moon – The robot Curiosity should land on Mars on Monday at 7:31 (5:31 GMT) in the Gale Crater, near Mount Sharp (5000 m). Launched November 26, 2011, from Cape Canaveral, Florida, the spacecraft exploration of NASA is the largest (900 kg) and the most advanced ever sent into space. Powered by a nuclear generator, it is supposed to work for two years (one Martian year) during which he will attempt to discover whether the Martian environment could be conducive to de ; development of life, even in microbial form that.

The mission of the robot is perilous. Between its entry into the Martian atmosphere and landing on the surface of the planet, seven minutes will pass. "Seven minutes of terror", according to NASA, because "if something does not work, it's game over!" Says one engineer in a video released by the agency U.S. space. Main challenge: slow the craft, very heavy, while the atmosphere of Mars opposes hundred times less resistance than that of Earth. After dropping the heat shield, supersonic parachute diameter of 21 meters will be deployed on time and to increase the speed of the module from 21 243 to 2.74 km / h.

Mild weather

Scientists will have to wait 14 minutes – the time that the signal travels the distance between Mars and Earth – to see if everything went well. But it could also take several days for bad positioning of the robot or three sensors (two American, one European) in orbit around the Red Planet.

"Every day that passes is more scary," admits Doug McCuistion, director of the Mars Exploration Program at NASA, noting that 40% of past attempts to send robots to Mars have been crowned are successful. The United States is the only country that has explored the Red Planet, and five of their probes have already reached the Martian soil.

For now, the weather looks pretty good near the crater Gale. "Mars is friendly to us, we will have good conditions for Sunday," said Saturday, one of the scientists in charge of the project, Ashwin Vasavada. A dust storm spotted a few days ago has dissipated, giving way to a "cloud […] Benin enough," he said.

Visit this page on Monday morning from 6:45 Paris time, to watch the landing live Curiosity:

FOOTBALL: Euro-2012: against Estonia, the Blues wear their preparation

 

AFP – France team to offer a final trial run on the road to Euro-2012 against Estonia on Tuesday in a friendly at Le Mans, one last time to refine the automation and s' the next day fly to Ukraine army of some certainties.

The easy victory against Serbia (2-0), Thursday, assured the readiness of men of Laurent Blanc and endorsed the theory of a gradual rise in ; as we approach the deadline, and this clash against England on June 11 in Donetsk. It would be unfortunate to squander this beautiful building and ruin, just before the big trip to the European Championship Wednesday, a capital trust patiently built after 20 games without a loss of row.

Only Yann Mvila injury, suffered a sprained right ankle and a major doubt for the first match against England, came scrambling and jostling of the coach plans since the beginning of the course, 18 May But even this hazard has not had the gift to undermine morale, which are offered two days of rest (Friday to Sunday), to cut a little history with the football before plunge.

All that remains now but to freeze a hierarchy and to finalize the eleven who will start the heavy burden of the final phase.

Complete the puzzle

Estonia, that France has ever faced in its history, appears in this respect as an ideal sparring partner: a team located far from the global elite ( 54th in FIFA rankings) to avoid any unpleasant surprises, but a marked increase for several years (defeat in the Euro dam against Ireland), although saddle just suffered a heavy defeat in a friendly against Ukraine (4-0), the second opponent of France in Group D. 

White suggested that the team fielded Tuesday would be very close to that change in response to the English. Remains to complete the puzzle and put names in the boxes missing.

One thing is certain, the team will be built in France 4-3-3, the tactical scheme which offers more balance and is the reference from the Blues success in Bosnia in September 2010 (2-0).

The trio A. Diarra-Cabaye-Malouda scored points against Serbia in the middle just behind the attacking trident-Nasri Benzema, Ribery and should confirm good agreement while Nasri, benefits more obscure and not yet the unanimously to right, will also play very big.

The other question concerns the identity of the left side, Gael Clichy, fresh and excellent English champions Thursday, directly threatening the position of Patrice Evra.

As for Koscielny, his approval rating never ceases to rise in the eyes of the coach, his partnership with Mexes has worked perfectly against the Serbs. White will he shake up the hierarchy and to launch a new center hinge in less than a week of D-Day?

All these questions make this last game a go a bit peculiar.

TENNIS: Victoria Azarenka, World No. 1, is surrounded by a 100% French team

 

AFP – Belarussian Victoria Azarenka is but the world No.1 played a little home at Roland Garros where she is surrounded by his team 100% French and his latest recruit, Amelie Mauresmo.

Sat Sumyk, Breton coach of the new wonder of tennis, had decided to take some days off before the start of Roland Garros on Sunday. So it's Amelie Mauresmo who is responsible for preparing Azarenka this week, tapping balls and talking, a lot.

"Amelie loves to talk and listen to me," said the player with long blond hair, born 22 years ago in Minsk and has retained as lead counsel the importance of "being me themselves in all circumstances ".

It's been six weeks since the former world No.1 joined the structure of the current world No.1, where France is omnipresent. 

Furthermore Sumyk, resulting in the Belarus since 2010 and which led to his first Grand Slam title at the Australian Open in January, "Azarenka Team" consists é ; also two other French: a chiropractor, Jean-Pierre Bruyere, and a sparring partner of 32 years, Julien Jeanpierre, former 133rd world and winner of the Australian Open juniors in 1998.

This team, "my family," said Azarenka, is entirely devoted to the young mistress of all qualified by pleasant, outgoing and "funny".

Christmas together

Sign of a real bond, they spent last Christmas together, along with Sergei Bubka Jr, 170th worldwide and Azarenka boyfriend and the father of it, the legend the pole vault. 

The role of Mauresmo, the newest, is primarily to advise the Belarus. "He saves time thanks to my experience and my experience", says the French 32-year retiree courts since 2009 and had already vee cu a similar experience with the first Michael Llodra.

"I'm glad to have him on board, said Azarenka. She has much experience and much to teach me, not only on the court but also outside, how to manage a career. I do not think I need a major change in my game It is there to work out the details. "

When Mauresmo joined structure in early April, Azarenka had just undergone its first defeat of the season, after twenty-six wins in a row, series stopped in Miami … the French Marion Bartoli.

Since then she has not won a tournament but confirmed, with two finals in Stuttgart and Madrid, to be one of the major contenders for Roland Garros, even if the clay is not his best surface.

Systematically overcome with emotion and pressure, Mauresmo has never exceeded the quarterfinals Porte d'Auteuil. Beaten at this stage in 2011 by eventual champion Li Na, Azarenka wants to go further this year.

"We come to win, as always," concludes Sumyk Sat.