The U.S. Senate vote to open debate on firearms

 

It is a small victory against Lobbie pro-gun. On Thursday, the U.S. Democrats have received the support of several Republican senators to win the vote for the opening of a historic debate on strengthening the legislation firearms. At a polling procedure with 60 votes out of 100 were required, 68 senators voted for the opening of discussions, 31 against

.

First win, therefore, both the Republican senators, fiercely opposed to any reform concerning firearms have increased this week procedural devices to prevent even holding a debate

.

Check psychiatric history buyers

The White House welcomed the vote, while stressing that it was only a "first step". Vote because it only gives the opportunity for senators to debate the issue. Now remains to convince them to vote on the bottom. More specifically, to vote in favor of one of the measures of the bill, led by Democrat Joe Manchin and Republican Pat Toomey, a history of verifying the , teeth judicial and psychiatric buyers of firearms in specialized fairs or online. For now, only stores are subject to mandatory control.

"We have an agreement […] to prevent criminals, the mentally ill and unbalanced to obtain weapons," said Joe Manchin. "If you visit frequently, you will be treated the same way as in a store, subject to audit," he added.

This measure, supported by nine out of ten Americans, however, denounced by lobbies such as the National Rifle Association (NRA), who see a risk of undermining the Second Amendment and the opportunity for the government to establish a national database of gun owners. The path to legislation could still be marked obstacles and fears Barack Obama to see most of his proposals rendered meaningless by a series of amendments.

"Their death must have meaning"

U.S. President relies on the trauma of the school massacre Sandy Hook, Newtown, in December 2012, the senators to convince of the merits of a stricter legislation on the control of firearms.

Thursday's election was also held under the gaze of several relatives of victims of the shooting. Earlier, during a press conference in an atmosphere heavy with emotion, they had testified before the cameras to call the Senate to take measures against arms violence.

"Their death deserves to have a meaning," he told Jillian Soto, the sister of a teacher killed in Newtown. "We are here to protect their heritage, to honor them and demand that something be done."

With despatches

EGYPT: Violence deadly sectarian near Cairo

 

Five people were killed and eight wounded another near Cairo in clashes between Muslims and Coptic Christians, officials said Saturday a source close to the security.

The clashes, which erupted late Friday in the town of Al Khoussous and continued Saturday morning claimed the lives of four Copts and a Muslim. Several shops belonging to Christians have been looted and burned a dispensary.

The official news agency Mena reported that the first clashes, reported a total of four deaths.

Residents said violence erupted when Coptic children drew graffiti on the wall of a Muslim religious institute.

A Reuters reporter found a badge resembling a swastika was drawn on the wall, people stating that they had been angered because they believed that c 'was a cross.

"I saw children after prayer and I caught telling them what they had drawn clear," he told Mahmoud al-Alfi, a Muslim villagers. 

According to his testimony, another man would have intervened and started beating the young, attracting a larger crowd.

The situation escalated when a man opened fire and shot "in the air", killing a child.

"All of a sudden, the area was full of weapons," Mahmoud al-Alfi finished.

Condolences to the presidency

President Mohamed Morsi, from the Muslim Brotherhood has sent his condolences to the families of the victims and promised to take action against sectarian violence.

"The Chair (…) Unequivocally rejects any action against the unity and cohesion of Egyptian society and oppose all attempts to instill religious division within the Egyptian people, Muslims and Christians, "reads the statement.

Mohamed Morsi is committed to protecting the rights of Copts in Egypt, who make up about 10% of the approximately 83 million inhabitants.

But tensions remain high between the two communities, the Copts felt marginalized by the Muslim majority at all levels of society, especially in the machinery of the state. 

Copts also complain to see their churches be the target of attacks by radical Islamists and say that it is much more difficult to obtain official permission to build a church a mosque e.

Saturday, calm prevailed in Khoussous, where security forces have increased their presence, according to a source close to the security. A dozen police vehicles organize patrol city, where 15 people were arrested by the police.

"Religious riots that erupted Khoussous serious and unacceptable," said Saad al-Katatni, the party's leader from the Muslim Brotherhood on his Facebook page. "They are the result of people who want to put Egypt on fire and cause seizures."

Reuters

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

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

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."

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.

SYRIA: Agreement in Geneva on the principles of a political transition in Syria

 

Member states of the action group on Syria, meeting in Geneva on Saturday, have agreed on principles for a political transition process led by the Syrians, has announced the e ; sioner Kofi Annan International.

Forming a national unity government, which could include members of the current government and opposition members, will be based on mutual consent, said the special representative ; cial of the Arab League and UN Syria.

The Action Group on Syria has also stressed the importance of the implementation of constitutional reforms and holding free and fair.

Kofi Annan said later at a news conference that the date of the next meeting of the Task Force had not been set. However, the group plans to meet as soon as the situation warrants, he said.

The meeting of foreign ministers of the permanent members of the Security Council (China, USA, France, Britain and Russia), Turkey, Kuwait and Qatar was to halt 16 months of violence and reach a consensus on the ultimate fate of President Bashar al Assad.

The crackdown on the uprising began in March 2011 killed at least 10,000 dead, according to the UN.

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.