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.

HEALTH: France remains cautious about the effectiveness of preventive anti-AIDS Truvada

 

Reinforced by the recommendation of a committee of experts, the FDA, the agency that monitors food and medicine in the United States, has authorized the marketing of Truvada on the ground improve ; Rican. Taking a daily basis, the blue pill is intended to reduce the risk of transmission of the AIDS virus in healthy subjects but the risk of contamination is important. Gilead Sciences, the U.S. laboratory that develops the anti-retroviral, indicates that this prophylactic treatment is part of a general prevention device that does not detract from the condom use and other preventive measures. In Europe, we welcome the arrival of this new preventive tool with great care.

"This is a pure history of money!"

If the majority of French associations to fight against AIDS is concerned about the rapid commercialization of such medication, Act Up, she makes no secret of his hostility. Interviewed by FRANCE 24, Hugh Fischer, prevention coordinator within the organization, denounced a race to the money for the benefit of U.S. laboratories. "Gilead Sciences wished at all costs be the first to market the drug for short take its competitors despite all the negative studies published on this subject. This is a story of pure cash! It should have more depth the experimental protocol before launching it on the market. "

Coincidence or coincidence, the marketing authorization comes at one week of the International Conference on AIDS held in Washington from July 22 to 27. A boon for the pharmaceutical company that will touch on this occasion and makers of the European market.

The possibility of loosening preventive practices

Beyond the financial windfall that the marketing of this drug is, associations are concerned about AIDS prevention so unanimous risk of loosening of use the male condom. While the latest figures for its use show a steady decline in its use among young people, it is feared that taking Truvada Stavros Dimas this trend.

For Sandrine Fournier, project manager for preventing gay association Sidaction, "everything is a matter of compliance," she says FRANCE 24. In theory, preventive treatment of Truvada is 90% effective. But the compliance and dosages the patient is paramount in successful treatment. Clinical trials conducted between 2007 and 2009 from healthy homosexual couples had resulted in a success rate of 44%. According to Hugh Fischer, "nobody is able to fully take medication. I'm positive, I take the Truvada combination therapy for my long time and it is very difficult to follow the treatment every day. "

Not until mid-2013 in France

Still in the trial in France, treatment is unlikely to be sold any time soon on this side of the Atlantic. It must first laboratory Gilead files an application for authorization to market with French drug agencies (MSNA) and European (EMA). According to Professor Jean-Francois Delfraissy, director of the Institute of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (IMMI), the drug should not make its appearance in the Hexagon before the end of the second half of 2013.

There remains the problem of financial support. The amount of Truvada in treatment for a patient varies from 12 000 to 14 000 dollars per year. According to Sandrine Fournier, "the case is also political. What French community will fund the cost of such treatment? "Prevention is expensive as Truvada may finally increase a little sick of the injustices of the under-die ; oped which are still not, at present, triple therapy for all.

PARAGUAY: President Lugo has been removed from office by Parliament

 

AFP – The head of state of Paraguay, Fernando Lugo, a former bishop became the first leftist president for 62 years, had to step down Friday after being de ; put his duties at the end of a "political trial impeachment", shipped in a few hours before the Senate.

His vice president, Federico Franco, 49, was immediately invested in accordance with the constitution, during a brief ceremony at the Congress in Asuncion . 

The Latin American left immediately denounced that the Argentine President, Cristina Kirchner, described as "illegitimate coup", followed by the Bolivian Evo Morales, who is saw a "parliamentary coup", while Venezuela's Hugo Chavez described as "illegitimate" his successor.

Since the announcement of the conviction of the president, after this trial shipped in five hours, several thousand supporters gathered at the military base of the Paraguayan capital showed their anger. Some protesters have attacked police, who responded with batons, tear gas and water cannons.

The crowd quickly dispersed before returning gradually to Congress respecting the call "not to spill the blood of the righteous" formulated by their fallen favorite.

At 6:27 p.m. local time (10:27 p.m. GMT) in Asuncion, a total of 39 of the 43 senators present, more than the required two-thirds, said Fernando Lugo guilty of the charges against him, will result ing his immediate dismissal.

Mr. Lugo, who has remained a little over a year in office, was accused of "poorly performed his duties" as a result of clashes that have killed 11 peasants and landless six police officers during an operation to dislodge the occupants of a farm on June 15 in the north-east.

During the session, four senators have denounced a speedy trial, according to them constituting a violation of Paraguayan democracy.

"I submit to the decision of Congress," responded shortly after Mr. Lugo said in a statement to the Presidency, saying "it's Paraguayan history, its democracy, which have been deeply hurt".

"Today I will retire as president, but not as a Paraguayan citizen," he added, while calling on his supporters to calm.

The former bishop of 61 years, the first leftist president after 62 years in power of the Colorado Party (conservative), then left the building on a motorcade to an unknown destination, said a journalist from AFP.

Mr. Lugo, who has just been successfully treated for cancer of the lymphatic system, announced that he would not stand in the election of April 2013 . Previously known as the "bishop of the poor", he abandoned the cassock in 2006, two years before being elected.

A few minutes after removal, the vice president, Federico Franco, was sworn in, wearing the tricolor sash and baton in front of the TV cameras ; vision, at a quick ceremony at the headquarters of the bicameral parliament.

"This is the largest commitment ever and I can fill it with the help and collaboration of all of you," said Franco, the coastal ties of his wife, Emilia MP Alfaro.

Mr. Franco is a leader of the Liberal Party. This training, which supported Mr. Lugo at the time of his election in 2008, he formally withdrew its support Thursday against a background of recurrent political strife. The Liberals were at the forefront of the rebellion waged against the former president.

In the morning, the Paraguayan president had tried unsuccessfully to delay the procedure for entering the express Supreme Court, asking it "to suspend the trial until political he be provided constitutional guarantees for his defense ".

Asked about an Argentine radio before the verdict, Mr. Lugo had denounced "a coup disguised as a parliamentary legal process". He said he would certainly "resist through other organizations."

Outside the borders of this small country poor, landlocked South American cone, several voices were raised against the impeachment.

Even before the departure of Mr. Lugo, Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa had announced it would not recognize a possible new president. And Venezuela, Nicaragua and Bolivia had denounced a "disguised coup" at a special meeting of the Organization of American States (OAS) on e to this crisis.

EURO AREA: Madrid calls for EU support for its banks

 

AFP – Spain's fourth largest economy in the euro area, has resigned Saturday to call for EU support for its banks, which could reach one hundred billion euros, a scenario long departed from Madrid, but now face the inevitable worsening of the debt crisis.

This support plan will be the fourth for a country of the euro area since the crisis began in late 2009, after Greece, Ireland and Portugal.

It will be this time to bail out the banking sector in Spain, asphyxiated by its exposure to real estate, for an amount estimated by the Eurogroup to one hundred billion at most. 

Spain will seek "a European financial aid" to restore its banking sector, announced in Madrid the Minister of Economy Luis de Guindos, after a telephone conference Finance Ministers of 17 countries in the euro area.

He said that in exchange, there will be no conditions of economic reforms "outside the scope of the financial sector".

"The conditions will be imposed on banks, not Spanish society," added the minister, trying to reassure the country, the record unemployment rate of 24.44% and already ; subjected to a harsh austerity measures to reduce its public deficit to 8.9% in 2011 to 5.3% this year.

"This has nothing to do with a rescue," insisted Mr. of Guindos, adding that the assistance will be restricted to "30% (banks) that have the most difficulty," and identified as such in the report of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Friday evening.

"This announcement is good for the Spanish economy and the future of the euro area", "this is a very positive signal about the political will of the whole euro area," said de clared the Minister, who has strongly denied having undergone any pressure from its European partners.

Mr. of Guindos explained that such aid is considered a "debt" Spanish, which will therefore increase, and "absolutely must be repaid."

It will be injected into the Spanish public funds to assist the sector (Frob), which will award the money to the "banks that request," he said.

The IMF will participate in the plan help, but will have a supervisory role, according to two sources familiar with the matter.

Hours earlier, the finance ministers of the euro area had a video conference to draw the outlines of this plan.

"It will in fact one of the largest bailouts in recent history," stressed the Prime Minister of Sweden Fredrik Reinfeldt, whose country is not part of the monetary Union silent. 

Fourth largest economy in the euro area, Spain is in fact 12% of GDP in the euro area, against only 6% for Ireland, Portugal and Greece combined. The rescue of the three countries respectively have cost 85 billion, 78 billion and 292 billion euros.

So far, Madrid had refused to issue a call for help for fear of being imposed, such as Greece, a program that would be associated with strict conditions dictated by its international donors.

But the Spanish government had to bend under pressure and extreme markets of Europe, probably anxious to resolve the issue before the elections in Greece June 17, fear of contagion. 

Just this week, the government remained adamant: "I'll wait for the IMF and independent experts may give their opinion on the recapitalization needs of the Spanish financial system and ; from there, I will give my number and tell the government what needs to recapitalize the system ", said Thursday the head of government couservateur, Mariano Rajoy.

The IMF report has estimated the industry needs at least 40 billion euros, the euro area but it was prepared to "respond positively to a request for assistance" of the Spain in favor of its banking sector and to lend up to 100 billion euros. 

"It's a sum up," said Luis de Guindos, and, "very clearly, there is a margin of safety" in this figure.

To make a specific request, Madrid expected, in addition to the IMF report, the results of the audit conducted by the German firm Roland Berger and American Oliver Wyman. They will be known "in a few days," said the minister.

The German finance minister, Wolfgang Schäuble, for its part, quickly welcomed the agreement reached with Spain, he considers the "track".

"I greet, as with other colleagues of the Eurogroup, the Spanish government's determination to proceed with the recapitalization (banks) and through this program to use to fund European aid (EFSF) or of the bailout (MES) with the corresponding conditions, "he said.

The nationalist Tomislav Nikolic win the presidential election

 

The populist nationalist candidate Tomislav Nikolic is ahead of incumbent President Boris Tadic in the second round of presidential elections Sunday in Serbia, according to estimates released in the evening.

Nikolic won 49.4% against 47.4% for Mr Tadic, according to partial results on a nationally representative sample considered by the CESID, an independent body responsible for monitoring the poll.

"If this trend continues, Mr. Nikolic wins the presidential election," said an official of CESID.

Shortly before the announcement of these results, the Progress Party of Serbia (SNS) of M. Nikolic claimed that its candidate had won the election.

"Serbia has a new president, Tomislav Nikolic," he told reporters Aleksandar Vucic, the number two in the SNS.

Nikolic lost twice, in 2004 and 2008 presidential elections against Tadic.

More than 6.7 million voters were eligible to vote. Open at 0500 GMT,

polling stations closed at 1800 GMT. An hour before the vote, turnout was 41.5%, significantly lower than that recorded in the first round two weeks ago.

Fervent pro-European, M. Tadic, 54 – who led Serbia, politically and economically isolated in the 1990s, the EU threshold – called the vote "referendum for European Union ".

After voting, he called his countrymen to fulfill their electoral duty "large numbers" to "confirm once again the democratic nature of our society" ;. He did not hide his "optimistic" about his re-election.

In power for eight years, Mr. Tadic calls for an accelerated rapprochement with the EU and provides be able to complete the process of accession negotiations during its new mandate.

Serbia was granted candidate status in March to integration in the EU and expects to get a date for starting negotiations.

To do so, he delivered at the International Criminal Tribunal for former political and military leaders of the Bosnian Serbs, Radovan Karadzic and Ratko Mladic, indicted for genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes. He also improved relations with Kosovo in Belgrade, as demanded by Brussels, but did not recognize the independence proclaimed in 2008 by the Albanian majority in that territory.

Mr. Nikolic, 60, converted into a populist pro-European after long disputed such an option for his country, had relied in particular on the growing discontent of the population due to the poor economic situation in Serbia, where unemployment is 24% of the population.

Once allied to the former Serbian strongman, Slobodan Milosevic, he went up to promise to restore the economy by building "a canal linking the Danube to the sea Ege e ", without explaining how it intended to implement such a huge project about 600 km long and crossing, Serbia addition, two other countries. 

His alliance before the second round with a party hostile to the EU has been used by his opponents who have questioned the seriousness of his commitment to the accession sion of the block 27.

The election campaign was marked by accusations of fraud during the general elections of May 6, from the camp of Mr. Nikolic at Tadic , swept by a claims investigation and prosecution by the findings of international observers who monitored the ballot.

EUROPA LEAGUE: Only non-Spanish representative, Sporting Lisbon is needed in the semifinals

 

Sporting Lisbon came to play spoilsport in the hegemony of Spanish clubs in the semis of the Europa League by winning 2-1 at home Thursday at the Athletic Bilbao.

The club Lisboan prevailed in the semi-finals of the competition go after leading 1-0 until the 76th minute, while in the other match day, Atletico Madrid has become 4-2 against Valencia.

Bilbao has certainly felt the win after a goal in the 54th minute by Jon AURTENETXE but the Basques have been disappointed in the last fifteen minutes, Sporting scoring twice in four minutes apart by Emiliano Insua (76th) and Diego Capel (80th). 

Valencia has, meanwhile, proved valiant against Atletico Madrid but could not prevent a crushing defeat on the ground of Madrid thanks to a brace of Colombian Radamel Falcao.

Falcao opened the scoring in the 18th minute before Valencia equalized in stoppage time of the first period by Jonas.

But Madrid took the reins of the match with a goal by Miranda at the 49th, before Adrian Lopez extends his lead five minutes later. Falcao scored his second goal in the 78th minute, finally putting his team to safety.

Valencia closed the gap by Ricardo Costa in injury time (90 +4), but too late to hope to compete before the return leg.

The semifinals will be back Thursday, April 26, the final will be played Wednesday, May 9 at the National Stadium in Bucharest, Romania.

GUINEA-BISSAU: Attempted coup in two weeks of the second round of presidential

 

REUTERS – Soldiers attacked Thursday night the residence of former Prime Minister Carlos Gomes Junior, topped the first round of presidential elections in Guinea-Bissau, in what the Foreign Ministers of ECOWAS have called a coup attempt.

Political and diplomatic sources have said that this attack occurred in the evening was to derail the electoral process currently underway in this small country in West Africa.

Gomes Junior, candidate of the ruling PAIGC, had almost obtained an absolute majority of votes in the first round of presidential elections last month in the former Portuguese colony. The second round is scheduled for April 29.

The situation was confused Thursday night in the capital Bissau while television and radio interrupted their national emissions.

According to rumors which could not be confirmed as prime minister was killed in the attack during which a house was burned. There was no news of him for now.

After the gunfire and explosions could be heard, soldiers prevented journalists from approaching the home of Gomes Junior who is in front of the Angolan Embassy.

According to a witness, the military blocked traffic in both directions on the main thoroughfare of the capital.

Gomes Junior had incurred the displeasure of some of the military because of its policy of reform and downsizing of the bloated military.

A political source who spoke on condition of anonymity said that soldiers had arrested the acting president, Raumundo Pereira, former parliament speaker and member of PAIGC.

"There are things happening. We do not know what it is. There are shootings, sporadic shootings with automatic weapons and there were three loud explosions, "said a diplomat in Bissau.

"We heard that it came from a place near the residence of Gomes Junior," he added.

Unacceptable Ecowas

Guinea Bissau, which became the beachhead of drug cartels in South America to transit their goods bound for Europe, vote to elect a successor to President Malam Bacai Sanha, who died in a Paris hospital in January following a long illness. 

In the second round of presidential Gomes Junior faces his opponent former president Kumba Yala, but the latter called for a boycott saying the first round was marred by fraud.

Hours before the start of the event, Kumba Yala, who claims to have close links with the military majority-owned Balanta ethnic group, has warned against the "consequences" of holding the second round of the election.

At a meeting of Foreign Ministers of ECOWAS in Abidjan, the representative of Guinea-Bissau, Mamadou Djalo Pires, called a "reaction energy "of the international community.

"The situation is serious. The soldiers took the streets, "said Pires told Reuters. "I spoke to the acting Prime Minister (Adiato Djalo Nandingna) and she told me she was covered," he said.

Reached by telephone by Reuters, the interior minister, Fernando Gomes, acknowledged being in a dangerous situation. "I can not speak," he added, his voice filled with tension.

"As was the case for Mali, ECOWAS formally and severely condemns such an attempted coup d'etat. This is unacceptable and will not be accepted by ECOWAS, "said Daniel Kablan Duncan, Ivorian Foreign Minister.

Senior officers of the Guinean army are considered by the United States as drug traffickers and diplomats said the army is aware of each plane loaded COCAI ; not landing in the territory.

FRANCE – REPORT: In the district of Toulouse Izards the footsteps of Mohamed Merah

 

Izards to the suburb where he grew up Toulouse Mohamed Merah, surprise gave way to annoyance. Our journalists Karim Hakiki Pellegry and Anne-Sophie, went in search of those who knew the young man, collided with "no comment": "The story is over." The media are no longer welcome in this neighborhood where deemed dangerous public housing alongside single family homes.

As pictures and videos, testimonies bribes to now. Refusing to pay – they will be asked up to 7000 euros – to agree to tell the youth that has become known as the killer of Montauban and Toulouse, our journalists have therefore turned to the camera hidden.

Thus they met with two childhood friends of Mohamed Merah. Like many people who knew they describe a young man happy, "in need of affection."

"He was someone who had several facets. On Monday, he could be dressed as chavs' soccer on Tuesday, it could be djellabah on Wednesday, he could have her hair dyed blond, says one of them. Much by the time you could hate it, as much by the time we could love and that's what made her unique. "

Back on the course of an enigmatic young man.

Hugo Chavez restarts treat his cancer in Havana

 

AFP – President Hugo Chavez has left Venezuela on Saturday night to Havana to undergo radiotherapy and treat cancer for which he had been reoperated in Cuba there is almost a months.

Returning on 17 March in Venezuela after suffering a second operation in Cuba, Hugo Chavez said, without specifying a date, he should return to Havana to attend se ; ancestral radiotherapy. He had confirmed early March that the "injury" which he had been operated in Havana was a "cancer recurrence" of 2011 in the pelvic area.

"I am announcing tonight that I will be en route to Havana, there to begin radiation treatment Monday on the recommendations of my medical team," stated the President in a message broadcast on radio and television.

Mr. Chavez, who left the Caracas International Airport surrounded by his guard of honor to 9:15 p.m. (1:45 GMT Sunday), had made the announcement in the middle of a Cabinet meeting at Miraflores Palace in specifying his colleagues that he would remain active in government.

"I'll call, I will sign, will read," he said.

"The complementary therapy to the operation I suffered will last four or five weeks and will be administered to the same place where my cancer was de tected, "said Chavez, referring to the Research Centre of medical and surgical Havana, without giving further details.

The Venezuelan head of state, however, said he would return to Venezuela "within days". 

Venezuelan President further stated that he "had withdrawn yesterday (Friday) the last stitches from his operation four weeks ago and everything was Well, he ate and was moving without any complications. "

Venezuelan authorities have never specified the nature of cancer and Hugo Chavez denied that it is transmitted to other organs.

Aged 57, Chavez underwent surgery on February 26 in Havana of a second cancerous tumor in the same area as that which had been withdrawn in June 2011.

In power since 1999, Mr. Chavez aspires to a new six-year term after the next presidential election on October 7, where he will face opposition candidate Henrique Capriles Radonski, governor of Miranda State rich. Chavez has ruled out any possibility of a replacement candidate.

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: Not surprisingly, Real Madrid qualified for the quarterfinals

 

Real Madrid qualified for the quarterfinals of the Champions League by winning (4-1) against CSKA Moscow thanks to a brace from Ronaldo in the second round back of the Champions League on Wednesday in Santiago Bernabeu.

After their 1-1 draw in the first leg in Moscow, Madrid will have alternating good phases of play with a release that could play tricks on them.

But Higuain, a favorite Benzema still under injury, gave the advantage to early Merengue (26th), Ronaldo (55th) and Benzema French, came into the game instead of Higuain (70th), then making the break before a late winner but brought unbridled two more goals, one for the Russians signed Tosic (77th) and the other Ronaldo (90 + 4). 

Wednesday, whites have been slow to return to the game, the Russians are showing far more incisive early in the game, but without benefit.

Limited initially to a minimum, Mourinho's men were missing and being surprised in the first moments. The attacker of Muscovites, Doumbia, spoiled indeed a great opportunity by sending a good service Dzagoev above goals Casillas (8th). The center forward of CSKA was then too short to intersect the trajectory of a center of Musa (13th).

Real took into account such warnings, however, gradually emerging from its torpor. While his approach to the cages Chepchugov had hitherto lacked conviction – Özil dropping into the surface instead of focusing – the White House shrugged gradually the tone.

And after a big occasion signed Kaka retrieving a ball badly cleared by the Russian defense, but finally hitting next (19th), whites were the fault quickly .

Ronaldo made the break

On a beautiful three-movement, they déséquilibraient CSKA in two passes: Khedira right surface reversed left to Kaka who handed in the axis for Higuain. The Argentinian, waiting, opened the scoring with a right foot outside (1-0, 26th).

After this, the Real was playing with fire, Musa is very close to equalizing on a ball that Doumbia managed to send it to 18 meters. But the striking of the Russian winger was on his way Casillas (35th).

The second period began with a yellow card for Xabi Alonso, for a charge on Wernbloom, which will prevent him from playing the quarter-final (50th).

Ronaldo, a far nothing casual, then took matters in hand and took charge in person to make the break: the Portuguese and was fly a shot from 30 meters, although aided by the doorkeeper deceived Chepchugov by a rebound before the line (2-0, 55th).

But Madrid did not intend to stop there: Benzema, just came into play, weighed down by adding to it taking up to two times (3-0, 70th).

Qualification now well assured, Whites relaxed their grip. And 77th, the Russian winger Tosic, cons on, reduced the score of a splendid shot from the left under the crossbar. Real, wishing to put on a show through, then gave a kidney last shot, and Ronaldo was offered a brace in stoppage time, on a pass signed Benzema (90 +4).