TIBET: Exclusive report: Tibet is dying

 

With thousands of soldiers deployed in the streets and surveillance cameras everywhere, Lhasa, the city of the gods, like a city under occupation. Here, the Chinese government is keeping watch on the autonomous region annexed in 1951.

Since the serious pro-Tibetan riots of 2008, China has banned access to journalists, leaving only enter foreign to a trickle. "It took eight months to get visas and elude the vigilance of the Chinese authorities," said Cyril Payen, the special envoy of FRANCE 24, who worked at the knowledge of the authorities. His conclusion is clear: the "cultural genocide" that denounced the Dalai Lama in 2008 is still running.

First target of Beijing Tibetan monks who hold the highest authority in the company but are confined to the role of figuration. "It is not recommended to leave the monastery. It's dangerous out there are many patrols and checks, "reflects one of them anonymously. 50 years ago, monks accounted for 30% of the Tibetan male population. Today, they are more than 20 000 to 30 000 over the 3 million people that live in Tibet.

10 million tourists and hundreds of thousands of migrants

Tibetans do not support what they see as growing domination of Hans, ultra-ethnic majority in China, and the repression of their religion and their culture. "There is no freedom in Tibet and we do not have the rights in this country, says one young activist who has agreed to testify at the heart of a market , the Lhasa. We believe in Buddhism, it is our sacred religion, the Dalai Lama is our sun. But it is forbidden to think and say. Speak publicly about it can cost us to jail! "

Faced with this repression camera, which stands in the total indifference of the international community, Tibetans choose a form of ultimate challenge: the self-immolation. About 120 were thus sacrificed since 2009. "This is the last resort for those Tibetans living under the Chinese yoke, says Cyril Payen. This act of desperation is one of the only hope to talk of the country. "

Following the self-immolation of two Tibetan monks in April, China had for its part claimed to have "peacefully liberated" Tibet and improved the lot of its people by funding economic development of the poor and isolated region. Beijing put on some 10 million Chinese tourists this year as well as the influx of hundreds of thousands of migrants from all over China. Every day, some 2,500 migrants and Chinese tourists arrive by train to Lhasa. "All the Chinese want is to bring their tourists in the temples", spear, on condition of anonymity, a monk from the Jokhang, the most sacred place in Tibet Pé kin is currently building a shopping mall attached underground parking. But he regretted that "money is only for the government, not the Tibetans."

TURKEY: Despite U.S. reluctance, Erdogan plans to visit Gaza

 

At a press conference at the White House with U.S. President Barack Obama, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Thursday, May 16 that he wanted to visit the Gaza Strip and West Bank in June The visit of Turkish Prime Minister in the Palestinian Territories, almost three years after the deadly assault against a Turkish vessel off Gaza by an Israeli commando is likely to cause tension in region.

Already strained since the deadly Israeli operation "Cast Lead" in Gaza (December 2008/January 2009), relations between Turkey and Israel abruptly die , graded 31 May 2010 during the Israeli attack against a flotilla attempting to break the Israeli blockade of the Palestinian territory ruled by Hamas. Nine Turks were killed there.

This is not the first time that Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed this project which, in the past, already aroused the hostility of the Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, whose party – the Fatah – Hamas's rival. The possible arrival had also caused the embarrassment of the United States, which have made a Turkish-Israeli reconciliation of their advantage to try to revive the moribund peace process in the Middle East. Secretary of State John Kerry had in April, called the Turkish president to "delay" the move until "more favorable conditions".

"I attach great importance to this visit"

Recep Tayyip Erdogan seems decided yet. "I attach great importance to this visit in terms of peace in the Middle East. I hope that this visit will contribute to unity in Palestine, "he added. In the past, the Turkish president, whose party is the result of the Islamist movement, had said he would seek during his visit to Gaza to obtain the lifting of the Israeli embargo link on this territory.

U.S. President Barack Obama, who visited in late March in Israel and the Palestinian territories, had received the Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, he has his Recep Tayyip Erdogan apology for the death of nine Turks on board the flotilla, paving the way for a normalization of relations.

In early May, Israel had said an agreement on compensation for the Turkish victims could be reached "in the near future" in the wake of progress upon re ; union between officials of the two countries. Initial discussions were held on 22 April in Ankara on the compensation that Turkey made a precondition for the normalization of diplomatic relations with Israel.

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FRANCE: The Lescure report recommends a tax on smartphones and the end of the Hadopi

 

After nine months of work and nearly a hundred auditions, the vast site from movies to music via the Net told Pierre Lescure was recorded in a report issued on Monday, May 13 at Francois Hollande.

Highly anticipated, the text on cultural policy in the era of digital content offers tax smartphones to support the contents, remove the Hadopi, responsible for the fight against TV , illegal loading and flexible media chronology, according to a source familiar with the matter.

Taxing connected devices

Among the features provided by the mission it is "to involve manufacturers and importers of devices connected" to fund the creation of cultural content. The manufacturers of computers, smartphones, tablets, connected TVs and consoles distributors would be taxed to compensate for the transfer value of the contents, which the consumer has grown accustomed to free access, to materials, often bought at high prices.

Depending on the evolution of usage, the report also plans to merge or replace the tax on private copying, perceived by beneficiaries of the compensation mate , material used to legally copy the contents. It is contested by the manufacturers and distributors.

The end of the Hadopi?

Another solution proposed by Pierre Lescure, former head of Canal +, removing the Hadopi to reallocate skills, the mechanism known as the "graduated response" (succession of warnings before arriving at the penalty), the High Council of Audiovisual (CSA) would become the "regulator of the digital cultural offer" with extended jurisdiction . Particularly criticized in the range of sanctions Hadopi, the penalty of suspension of Internet subscription is repealed.

In its report, the current director of the Theatre Marigny also calls for expanding media chronology, a mechanism to protect the cinemas of other channels diffusion. For example, a film may be offered the services of video on demand (VOD) and 36 months after its theatrical release. This delay could be advanced to 18 months for VoD services.  

The report contains proposals for film, music, television, books, video games and the Internet is presented Monday morning to President François Hollande and the Minister of Culture, Aurélie Filippetti.

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KENYA: Nairobi request to drop charges against the ICC President Kenyatta

 

It is a matter for Nairobi stability and peace in the country. Kenya has asked the Security Council of the UN to ensure that the International Criminal Court (ICC) continues its lawsuit against President Uhuru Kenyatta and politicians.

This is not the first time that Kenya is trying to put pressure on the international community to end the proceedings. But the request was still surprised the Security Council that met in Nairobi he lacked the skills necessary to prohibit anything to the ICC. "The letter of Kenyans is rather strange since they require actually [...] something that [the Council sécrité] can not do," said a diplomat under the seal of anonymity.

Winner of the presidential election on March 4, the current head of state, Uhuru Kenyatta, son of the father of independence Jomo Kenyatta, is accused by the court of the Hague for orchestrating violence politico-ethnic character that erupted after the 2007 elections and made more than 1,200 dead in Kenya.

Vice-President William Ruto is also called before the ICC for the same charge.

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SYRIA: Syrian rebels they used chemical weapons?

 

"According to the evidence we have collected, the rebels have used chemical weapons, making use of sarin gas." While the Syrian regime and opposition accuse each other of having used chemical, Carla del Ponte, a member of the Commission of Inquiry of the UN on violations of human rights in Syria, clearly points to the insurgents.

In an interview with the Italian Swiss Radio, on the night of May 5 to 6, however, she admitted to not have irrefutable proof. His accusations are based on testimonies of victims and doctors gathered in the neighboring countries of Syria. "We have strong suspicions, concrete, but no clear evidence of the use of sarin [a toxic substance as a weapon of mass destruction by the United Nations, ed], a pre Cise former prosecutor of the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia. This job would be the fact the rebels, not government forces. "

An arsenal placed under surveillance by the regime

In recent weeks, various Western sources, including U.S. President Barack Obama admitted to "evidence" that chemical weapons had been used. But say that.

While the mission of UN experts set up to investigate this issue was denied access to Syria, accusations of Carla del Ponte remain hanging with caution. There is no evidence so far that the rebels managed to take control of the sites is stored Syrian chemical arsenal, placed under surveillance by the regime . Or they have the ability, then, to make use of.

"The regime can use chemical weapons, says Olivier Lepick, chemical weapons specialist and researcher at the Foundation for Strategic Research. It has shells, rocket launchers, Scud missiles were equipped with chemical warheads … The rebels, however, probably do not have the means to use such weapons, except if they got their hands on a few rounds already loaded with sarin. We are talking about very small amounts. "

"There are many manipulations"

According to this expert, evidence or analysis that could be performed on the victims are also not sufficient to determine with certainty the use of sarin gas. If the insurgents were well fired shells loaded with sarin, what was their purpose? Probably to convince Western countries that are the strengths of Bashar Al-Assad who had used and the famous "red line" was crossed. And thus provoke international reaction, such as the delivery of arms to the rebels.

"The history of chemical weapons and red line is a farce, replica Olivier Lepick. There are already 85,000 dead in Syria [the latest report of the UN reported 70,000 deaths, Ed] and we are off on a tangent about whether or not the red line was , crossed … The international community behind his little finger. There is a lot of manipulation on this subject, even on the part of Western governments. They say they have evidence but take care not to publish them. "

TUNISIA: Hunt jihadists: the situation is "under control", according to the army

 

While the hunt for two armed jihadist groups continued Thursday, May 2 near the Algerian border, the Tunisian army has assured that the situation was "under control" , refusing to provide more information "for security reasons".

"This is a difficult area and raking continues," said Colonel Mokhtar Ben Naceur, representing the Ministry of Defence, the antenna of the radio mosaic , as FM.

Tunisian forces said track two "terrorist" groups to the Algerian border, one of which has undermined the Mont Chaambi, near the city of Kasserine in central-west Tunisia. In this area, no direct confrontation took place with the jihadists, according to the spokesman of the Ministry of Interior. The area was completely buckled, said a journalist from AFP, and no information was available on the ground.

The Interior Ministry has also indicated that a second operation was being further north, in the region of Kef, against another armed group, but refusing provide any details.

According to the Ministry, the fighters are still hunted twenty up in Mount Chaambi, a security source for his part told AFP on Wednesday that they were fifty well armed militants and seasoned.

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FOOTBALL: PSG is needed against Evian and qualified for the Champions League

 

Paris SG has mathematically secured his direct qualification for the Champions League by winning 1-0 against Evian on Sunday in Annecy end of the 34th day of L1, and could virtually seal the title the next weekend at home against Valenciennes.

All lights are green for PSG, who still has his nine-point lead over his nearest rival (Marseille, Lorient won 1-0 Saturday), but a green tinged with red: the color of cardboard Rec u by Verratti after two warnings (80th), and Beckham, very severe manner (90 +3).

The voltage at the end of a match that had yet taken place in a good spirit, resulted in a brawl after the final whistle that saw Mr. Thual send a red striker Evian Khlifa and try to apply the same sentence to Sirigu, Parisian doorman, a refugee in the locker room.

The status quo of nine points ahead of OM stretches, but these nine points obviously weigh heavier as the championship approaches its last day.

The suspense for the title fray at the same pace, and now focuses more on preparing for next season, with the central question of the coach, as Carlo Ancelotti said he was safer to stay in Paris, after yet announced a few weeks ago he left.

Nevertheless: there was a good game to play in Annecy against Evian. PSG and returned to the scene of his latest misadventure, where he was brought out of the Coupe de France on April 17 in the quarterfinals (1-1 aet, 4-1 pens) to After a lackadaisical performance.

Sunday, it was not exactly the same it is boiled for ten days. In terms of the game and especially opportunities, the hierarchy was this time met with a dominating PSG.

Verratti bar

Parisians showed a little more enthusiasm than when they last came, only a little, at least at first: it took them a first time to enter the game embarrassed by double defensive line built by the Upper Savoy and too attracted an axis too dense.

Pastore, who have opened the scoring on a small center Jallet (50th), has celebrated his goal this time. A goal was picking cold Upper Savoy who had performed well for 45 minutes, enough to give them a big hit behind the head.

Ibrahimovic has shown this time more concerned. His attempts have found a good Laquait by far (5th) as close (18th), and he also missed the target from close range by taking a bar Verratti (62).

"Zlatan" has sometimes landed right side to help with the construction, and also hit a hinge-Mongongu Cambon who asked him problems.

But what about Lavezzi, who eliminated the keeper and allowed time to return Mongongu (63)? Five minutes later, the Argentine was replaced by Chantôme.

Menez, he tried a few raids in vain and will have remained rather quiet, unlike Pastore, who distilled some good balls.

Evian in turn has had little opportunity to put in their mouths, with few attempts Khlifa (8th, 68th). And located outside the relegation zone thanks to goal difference only, has not saved his place among the elite.

AFP

Merah and Tsarnaev, lone wolves of jihadism

 

The comparison is tempting: a hand, Tsarnaev brothers suspected of having committed the attack in Boston on April 15. On the other hand, Mohamed Merah, who killed, in March 2012, seven people in three attacks in Toulouse and Montauban. As as the FBI investigation progresses, the established profile suspects Boston strangely echoes, in some respects, than the "killer scooter".

If there has, so far, only meager information Tsarnaev brothers, it is still possible to identify some similarities with Mohamed Merah, says Jean-Marie Pontaut, co-author of "Case merah: the investigation. " "Just as the killer scooter, suspected perpetrators of the attack in Boston can be considered jihadists who have self-radicalized, pressing is not on an Islamist organization but on information relayed by jihadist websites, "he notes.

Before you take action, Mohamed Merah visited training camps in Pakistan and Afghanistan in 2010. Tsarnaev side of the 26 year old elder brother had a similar path, adds Jean-Marie Pontaut. This is the result of a five-month trip to Dagestan in 2012 that its ideology has hardened and practices have become more fanatical. It was then that he posts on YouTube videos of extremist preachers. "To each their stay acts training before proceeding to act," says Jean-Marie Pontaut which speaks of a "new generation of terrorists."

Influence of older brother

But there are other common features between these lone wolves. If neither Tsarnaev originating in Dagestan or Merah, French of Algerian origin, claiming a link with a terrorist organization, attacks Toulouse and Boston are the work of a fraternal complicity Note Leela Jacinto, a specialist in international politics FRANCE 24. There is no doubt that the younger brother of Tsarnaev, aged 19, Dzhokhar, "was influenced by his brother and destructive ideology," said Will her. Monday, April 22 charged in the bombing of Boston's younger brother, a student at Dartmouth College in Massachusetts, has accused his elder to be responsible because he "wanted to prevent Islam from being attacked," said a government source quoted by CNN.

As Dzokhar Mohamed Merah had a great more radical than him brother. Kader nicknamed by his family, Abdelkader Merah was indicted for complicity in the seven murders committed by his brother in March 2012, but formally denies the accusations. However, the eldest of the siblings, Abdelghani Merah, denounced, in a book published in November 2012, "Brother, this terrorist," the bad influence on Abdelkader Mohamed . He speaks of himself as "tumor" that "is for many," he said, causing the deadly drift of the youngest.

Not identified by the police

The Merah brothers had also been monitoring followed before the drama of Toulouse, without being spotted. Mohamed Merah was stuck since 2006 because he frequented jihadist circles, which will not have prevented from traveling to Pakistan and Afghanistan unmolested because the police , profile corresponded more than a petty criminal (he went to prison in 2008 and 2009). Three months before the assassination of Montauban and Toulouse, surveillance has even been released. Abdelkader Merah himself was stuck in 2007 as a member of the radical Islamist movement. Across the Atlantic, the two perpetrators of the attack in Boston have also escaped the radar of the FBI. The Russian authorities had asked them in 2011 to investigate the actions of Tamerlane Tsarnaev, its links with jihadist Salafist groups and the Caucasus and the United States. But the U.S. federal police announced that checks on his travels abroad, activities on the Internet and its network of knowledge had not concluded at the time, to "terrorist activities."

It is not error the secret services, said Jean-Marie Pontaut. "Neither Merah nor Tsarnaev had committed no wrongdoing that could justify increased surveillance," he says. "They are less noticeable as they mingle with the people." On his return from Asia, Merah has been quiet in the neighborhood of Izards. The neighborhood described the young man as calm and respectful nice, not having the appearance of a "bearded". The youngest Tsarnaev had also successfully integrated since he obtained naturalization last year, which was not the case with its predecessor.

How then to prevent such attacks? Continuous monitoring of suspected cases is illusory. "They are just too many," said Jean-Marie Pontaut. "Face the monitoring which is the subject, Al-Qaeda in the West barely up networks, explains he says. This explains the emergence of a more individual "terrorism. But this new form of terrorism could inspire others.

FRENCH POLYNESIA: Territorial Elections: the surprising return Flosse

 

The first round of local elections in French Polynesia will be held on Sunday after an enamelled campaign unusual moments due to the sometimes strange behavior of some candidates, all who dream of success , der the independence President Oscar Temaru.

Among the nine competing lists, the most surprising is that of André Tanepau. This candidate was discovered by the media the day of submission of lists. Since then, he has avoided the press, and even missed his only pass under the local television news channel, because he was campaigning in a î , and the "had not booked his place on the return flight."

The program of the candidate is also surprising: it proposes to extend the runways of airfields many Polynesian islands to be able to land Boeing.

In these islands, often inhabited by a few hundred people, he wants to implement large areas. With what funding? "There are investors," he replied without elaborating. This does not prevent him from being convicted of being elected in the first round.

Another surprising candidate, Franck Falletta, known in Polynesia the "ghost candidate." This businessman, head of the largest travel agencies and shops Casino, did not respond to media requests, and does not even show and at most meetings organized by its own list.

The party Teiva Manutahi, another candidate who wants to embody the notes to pay for the services of a spell checker in the next election without a doubt. The same name appeared three times on his list. So he had to reprint – and repay -'s electoral propaganda. And the name of the list there is a mistake: "All Polynesian" without "s", which was reproduced on posters and professions of faith.

Before the first round, some disconcerting alliances were also considered. Vernier, holding departmentalization, that is to say, the integration of French Polynesia in the state, for example a proposed alliance with independence Temaru. The outgoing president has yet fought hard, but in vain, in recent months, up to Polynesia on the list of countries to decolonize the UN.

Other local particularism, nominated Flosse, who is the favorite despite his convictions for unlawful taking of interest and misappropriation of public funds, passive trading in influence and bribery. It could also be disqualified in a few months after a judgment of the Supreme Court expected in a case of fictitious jobs.

The most beautiful mistake is to the account of Charles Fong Act. The party chairman said on live television, a question about the differences between his party and his three allies in this election: "c ' Especially the sincerity, faithfulness, and loyalty. " Allied parties have not responded.

In this community of the South Pacific, with 118 islands and atolls spread over equivalent to that area of ​​Europe, the organization of elections falls within the logistical challenge. The army is responsible for the release of election materials by air to the islands without aerodrome: dropping often takes place at sea, and the boat gets é container waterproof and floating.

AFP

FOOTBALL: Cup France: PSG surprise elimination by Evian in quarterfinals

 

Paris Saint-Germain suffered a blow despite his Qatari million and its stars Wednesday at the Parc des Sports d'Annecy where he underwent an unlikely elimination in the quarterfinals of the Coupe de France against Evian TG.

The club claims to be part of Europe's great even if the Champions League ended against Barcelona was defeated 1-1, 1-4 on penalties.

Evian, only three points separating the relegation zone, will Lorient, Saint-Etienne won 2-1 in the semifinals. Troyes, workaholic Nancy 3-0, will play at home against Bordeaux eliminated Lens 3-2.

The games will take place on 7 and 8 May

If it was a quarter-final that seemed preordained that was the match that television had made his headlining between Paris Saint-Germain and Evian Thonon Gaillard.  

PSG had also shown a willingness to play the qualification and beyond, the league and cup double by matching most of its stars.

The breakthrough was signed by Javier Pastore from the eighth minute of play Evian has a flat just before half-time when Saber Khalifa equalized.

Tasteless, PSG failed to make a difference in the second half. Worse, his players lost their composure in overtime in the image of Thiago Motta sent off for an ugly gesture to the 117th minute.

When the test came to penalties, stars Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Thiago Silva and Ezequiel Lavezzi are missed. Undocumented grade Evian outdid themselves and sent their club in the semifinals.  

"This is the feat and was deserved," said coach Evian, Pascal Dupraz on France 3.

"Victory has a great first half. We had a little trouble in the second. It is this price that will remain. "

Reuters