COTE D'IVOIRE: Alassane Ouattara allied forces take control of Yamoussoukro

AFP - Ivorian President forces acknowledged by the international community Wednesday Alassane Ouattara have accentuated their pressure on the regime of outgoing President Laurent Gbagbo in taking the political capital Yamoussoukro, as tensions rose in Abidjan.

On the third day of the offensive, this highly symbolic victory comes four months after the beginning of a post-election crisis which has, according to UN figures, at least 460 people and displaced nearly a million people.

It is a major setback for incumbent President Laurent Gbagbo, whose regime is isolated diplomatically and economically strangled, and whose forces seem to fall back on the economic capital Abidjan, the heart of a power that has never been so threatened.

"Mr.Gbagbo has a few more hours to go, otherwise it will march on Abidjan. And it will be much more complicated for him, "warned France 24 Guillaume Soro, Prime Minister Ouattara.

In the metropolis of Abidjan, many residents have returned home hurriedly in the afternoon, reporters found the AFP. Shots were heard in several northern districts. The Plateau, where the presidential palace, the traffic was very limited.

Mr. Republican ForcesOuattara, composed mainly ex-rebels holding the north since 2002, continued their advance Wednesday and taking Soubré Yamoussoukro, 130 km north of San Pedro (south-west), the largest export port in the world cocoa .

They had already won important victories on Tuesday in entering Duekoue, Daloa (center-west) and Bondoukou (east), but also Abengourou (southeast), just 220 km from the economic capital Abidjan.

The Ambassador of Cote d'Ivoire in France named by Alassane Ouattara, Ally Coulibaly, assured that his forces controlled camp "three quarters" of the country.

Yamoussoukro, the birthplace of the "Father of the Nation" Felix Houphouet-Boigny (1960-93) became the political capital of the world's leading exporter of cocoa, has fallen into the hands of fighters pro-Ouattara, virtually without a fight, only a few shots with Kalashnikov were heard, residents said.

"Yamoussoukro is under control of Republican Forces, the jubilant crowd cheering, they parade in town," said a resident of the capital.

On board the pick-ups with machine guns or motorcycles, they roam the city by launching shouting, witnesses said.

According to several testimonies, the pro-Ouattara continued their way south, leaving a small detachment in the political capital.

A resident of Toumodi (50 km south of Yamoussoukro) ensured to have heard gunfire in the afternoon in this village, located about 200 km from Abidjan.

On the eastern front, the forces are advancing rapidly pro-Ouattara, without meeting strong resistance, approaching a little closer to Abidjan, where new recruits began Wednesday to enlist in the army of the president.

On the western front, they are now the cocoa port of San Pedro.

More than 400,000 tons of cocoa are blocked from calling the camp Ouattara to stop exports. This measure has been further strengthened by Western sanctions.Ouattara government warned Wednesday, "an exporter" of cocoa "collaborate" with the president.

Gbagbo's camp had called Tuesday night to a "cease-fire immediately," declaring himself ready for negotiations with the rival camp under the auspices of the African Union in Addis Ababa in early April.

But Anne Ouloto, spokesman for Mr. Ouattara, responded by asking supporters of Mr Gbagbo to "disarm," saying that the call for a cease-fire was a "diversion".

Pope Benedict XVI on his side announced its decision to send an envoy to Côte d'Ivoire to promote "reconciliation and peace" and called for "a process of constructive dialogue."

Yemen: President Saleh clings to power

AFP - Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh on Saturday reaffirmed his intention not to cede power, nearly two months after the beginning of the controversy insists his departure.

"We're always there, solid as a rock, and we will not be shaken by events," said Mr. Saleh in front of notables, showing no sign of letting go of the reins of power he has held for 32 years .

"Our nation has overcome in the past a lot of obstacles and emerge stronger from the ordeal now," assured the Head of State challenged in the street who has lost the support of part of the military, religious and tribal.

Mr.Saleh has accused the Islamists and the opposition have caused shortages of gas and fuel in the country "by cutting the roads" and a shortage of electricity "sawing the high voltage pylons.

The presidential party's General People's Congress (GPC) has already considered "unacceptable" a departure from Mr.Saleh said Friday that his supporters want to "resist" the pressures of the street and its opponents.

The spokesman of the GPC, Tariq al-Shami told AFP Saturday that "power will be delivered only one that will choose the people through elections, the only way for a peaceful transition of power."

The politburo of the GIC said about him, according to state news agency Saba, having met on Friday under the chairmanship of Mr.Saleh, from "review the obstinate position of the party al-Islah (Islamic) and its allies (...) who closed the door for dialogue and tried climbing.

Among these allies, the political bureau cited the parliamentary opposition parties, the Shiite rebellion in northern Yemen and Al-Qaeda.

The manifestation of support to President Saleh in Sana'a organized on Friday alongside the protesters, expresses "the attachment (the people) to constitutional legality," said the Politburo.

Increasingly isolated after the denial of religious and tribal leaders, Mr.Saleh said Friday he was unwilling to cede power to opponents he described as "adventurers and conspirators."

An attempt at reconciliation between MrSaleh and the strong man of the army, General Ali Mohsen al-Ahmar, who joined the protest, has "failed to defuse the crisis or to bring their points of view", had said Friday a source close to the AFPs discussions.

In the south, the daily "October 14", which was the mouthpiece of the Yemeni regime in Aden but was discontinued Tuesday, reappeared on newsstands Saturday, taking the defense of the protest movement.

"The opposition demonstrations shouting slogans demanding the fall of the regime," as the newspaper had stopped publishing its editorial on Tuesday when refused the instructions of the Ministry of Information.

Aden was the capital of former South Yemen before the country's unification in 1990, is more liberal than Sanaa, the capital, and the city is at the forefront of protest against the regime.

Also in the south, six alleged members of al-Qaeda were killed Saturday in a clash with the army in the Abyan province, a stronghold of the extremist network.

"Militants of Al-Qaeda launched Saturday at dawn an armed attack against a military unit on guard near a power plant Loder.The soldiers returned fire, killing six attackers, "said a source within the security services, a report confirmed by medical sources.

Some parts of Yemen, particularly in the south, beyond increasing the control of central government, particularly after the defection of army leaders who joined the movement demanding the resignation of President Saleh.

JAPAN: Black smoke escapes from a reactor at the Fukushima plant

Black smoke escaped Wednesday afternoon from the building housing the reactor 3 in the central hilly Fukushima, forcing the evacuation of staff, said the site operator, Tokyo Electric Power (TEPCO).

"We do not know if the smoke comes from the building housing the turbine or the reactor containment," said a spokesman.

"Employees were evacuated from the control room of reactor 3," he added, unable to specify the number of people who were there.

The control room of reactor 3 is the first to be partially turned on again Tuesday night with an external power supply which has restarted its lighting.

The central one Fukushima (Fukushima Daiichi) has six reactors, whose power has been interrupted by the devastating earthquake and tsunami of 11 March, which led to the decommissioning of cooling fuel.

Unit 3 has been badly damaged by an explosion. It is loaded with MOX fuel, a mixture of oxides of uranium and plutonium which are particularly harmful discharges.

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: Chelsea-Manchester United, a duel between English clubs showing shifts

The game 100% English between Chelsea and Manchester United as a poster of the quarterfinals of the Champions League, which the draw took place Friday at UEFA headquarters in Nyon (Switzerland).

The Red Devils, who won the Blues on penalties in the final of the 2008 edition, will have to find the heart of Londoners after their last league match on 1 March. The Red Devils were so inclined on the pitch at Stamford Bridge (2-1) on a penalty issue, triggering the wrath of Alex Ferguson, coach of MU.Result: The main person was handed a five-game suspension and 35,000 euro fine for attacking the referee.

Real Madrid - Barcelona in the semi-finals?

Those who attended the draw will not failed to notice the hypothetical encounter between Real Madrid and FC Barcelona looming in the semifinals of the event.

Indeed, if Madrid beat the Londoners Tottenham in the quarter and if Barcelona do not fall into the trap of Shaktar Donetsk, the two Spanish giants could well play their fourth face-to-face for the season. Because the two clubs will meet in the final of the King's Cup, scheduled April 20, after the two Clasico of the season - the first of which was won 5-0 by Barca, while the second is scheduled April 17.A week later, on 25 or 26 April, the two clubs could therefore still compete in the Champions League ... What a little stoke the rivalry between the two clubs.

The other match of these quarters will pit the defending champions, Inter Milan, Schalke 04 of Spanish striker Raul. A meeting also doubtful for the team from the Ruhr for the Lombards, who defeated another German team in the knockout finals: Bayern Munich. But with the worst difficulties ...

The draw:

Real Madrid - FC Tottenham

Chelsea - Manchester United

FC Barcelona - Shaktar Donetsk

Inter Milan - Schalke 04

Matches go on 5 and 6 April, leg matches on 12 and 13 April.

CINEMA: The screening of the film at the UN "Miral" boosted Israel

When the chamber of the UN General Assembly is transformed into a cinema and it plans a film on the Middle East, the actors in the Israeli-Palestinian to watch closely ... The Israeli delegation to the UN is moved because of the screening on Monday evening, the film "Miral" directed by American director Julian Schnabel of the Jewish faith in an enclosure as symbolic.

A feature film politically biased and biased judge and the Israeli delegation. "Miral" tells the story of a young Palestinian woman gathered in an orphanage in Jerusalem, which crosses the Israeli-Palestinian Oslo agreements until 1993.The film is inspired by an autobiographical book written by the Italo-Palestinian Rula Jebreal, wife of the director.

"We do not know of another film with such a controversial political content that has received such an accession of President of the General Assembly, writing and Chaim Waxman, head of the Israeli representative to the United Nations, in a press release .This is clearly a political decision of the UN, a decision that is a misjudgment and lack of balance, "the document.

Israeli officials accuse including Joseph Deiss, President of the UN General Assembly, have supported the development of this projection, but the Assembly to deal with the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in an "excessive and obsessive."

Accusations that Jean-Victor Nkolo, spokesman of the General Assembly, joined by France24.com, totally rejects. "There have been several films in recent months. Films on water films on child soldiers in Uganda, films about suicide bombers.They can also be considered political films! "Surprised it before continuing:" It is difficult to say what a movie with political content. We're talking about a work of art tour by a large American director Julian Schnabel, whose mother was president of Hadassah movement, which contributed to the creation of the Israeli state in 1948.I do not think Julian Schnabel could be seen accused of being anti-Israel. "

Al Pacino and Sean Penn attend the screening

Jean-Victor Nkolo wants, instead, believe in the virtues of the film "Miral": "We are sensitive to the views expressed by the Israeli delegation, more because of the recent murder of an Israeli family in the West Bank (in the night from March 11 to 12, Ed). We condemn this attack. It is precisely on the issue of children in this conflict that concerns the film. This may lead to a dialogue. "

Rula Jebreal says she, having described his childhood in Jerusalem for the sole purpose of encouraging the Palestinian society to send their daughters to school."The more you educate girls, the more Israel will be safe, and we'll all be safe," she claimed on FRANCE 24, the month of May (see video below-cons).

For their part, the Weinstein brothers, owners of the Weinstein Company, the company that distributes the work in the United States, assert their Jewishness and say they never provided "a film that would be unfavorable to Israel or Judaism. " "'Miral' tells the story of a young palestinian, they said, that does not make a movie controversy."Julian Schnabel drove the nail in an article published Saturday by the Daily Beast: "As long as Palestinian history is not understood and recognized by Israel and its American allies, there will be no peace in the Holy Land."

On Monday evening, the screening of "Miral" will be attended by the film crew and several personalities from the film world like Al Pacino or Sean Penn. "Member states of the UN [y] are naturally invited. It's open to everyone, just come and collect a ticket in the limited seats available", explains the spokesman of the General Assembly . Promises, however, that no actor in the Israeli-Palestinian participate in the discussion held following the screening.

CINEMA PODCAST: Audio: The boxing movie in all its

Blood and sweat in the program of 24 frames per second, the podcast cinema writing France24.com. At the exit, this Wednesday, March 9, in rooms of two French films in part devoted to boxing, the team of 24 frames per second enters the ring wearing a referee.

To my right, the American feature film "Fighter" by David O. Russell, discusses the rise of boxer Micky Ward (Mark Wahlberg), who conquered the title of welterweight champion with the help of his brother Dicky (Christian Bale), a former boxer and addicted to crack.

To my left, the French outsider "Jimmy River" Teddy Lussi-Modeste, the story of a young gypsy forced by his entourage to draw a line under the two passions of his life: Thai boxing and love Sonia. ..

Who's "Fighter" or "Jimmy River" won the favor of 24 frames per second? Answer in the podcast ...

Libya: Muammar Gaddafi: "The people will deal with terrorists and traitors"

The Libyan leader did not budge. While regular forces Libyan Sunday launched a violent offensive against the cities taken by the insurgents, Muammar Gaddafi repeated in an interview with FRANCE 24 broadcast Monday that the "crisis" through which his country is the result of "a conspiracy" orchestrated by the network of Al Qaeda. Affirming that Libya played a "vital role in regional and even global peace," he posed as a partner in the fight against international terrorism.

Muammar Gaddafi also condemned the interference of the international community, including France, which on Sunday welcomed the establishment of the Libyan national, established by the insurgency. "Really, it makes you laugh, this interference in the affairs of a country.It is as if we interfered in the affairs of Corsica or Sardinia ... "

"Al Qaeda has a plan," he accuses. I think that the terrorists of Al Qaeda have tried to take advantage of the situation in Tunisia, Egypt, but they were down in Libya. They are dormant cells who woke up and took up arms to kill members of the army, police. "

"We are partners in the fight against terrorism, says Muammar Gaddafi. There were armed Islamic extremists in Algeria, as there was in Iraq or Pakistan ... We are the same thing, we have armed factions who are fighting us.There was a resolution of the Security Council UN [against the Libyan regime, which includes an asset freeze of Libyan officials, ed], but ignored Al-Qaeda! "

"It makes you laugh the interference!"

If the Libyan League for Human Rights puts the figure of 6,000 deaths since the violence began in mid-February, Muammar Gaddafi admits that there were "hundreds" dead "on both sides, the side of Army and police and the rebels. "

However, it underlines the fact that the world has a picture "distorted" the situation there. "To my friends and the world, I say it is a distorted picture that was given to peaceful demonstrations.Several chains have manipulated the truth. Do not grow the business as if there was a big problem. (...) Now we open the doors to foreign journalists and we invite the world to open their eyes. "

And explain its view of the situation: "The bearers of weapons in Benghazi have no clear demands. In Benghazi is the revolution of 1 September [in reference to 1 September 1969, when Muammar Qaddafi overthrew King Idris I and proclaimed the Libyan Republic, ed]. We must get rid of people who are armed traitors. The people will look after them.In some areas, machine guns have been distributed and the population was able to block these terrorists. "

On his relations with the United States and the European Union, Gaddafi obvious astonishment. "It's strange, our relations were good. Perhaps there a security issue in the Mediterranean, to block emigration ... We also Libya major oil companies Spanish or French, and Suddenly these countries have forgotten the interests that are theirs. "

FOOD: Rising food prices hit a new record

"In February, unfortunately, the food prices have hit a new record." This was announced Abby Abbassian, an economist with the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), told FRANCE 24. In February, the benchmark index of the FAO has indeed jumped 2.2% in January. Over the last six months, the increase was nearly 70%.

The situation begins to resemble more than in 2008, during which many food riots had broken out.The rising price of grain basket, accounting for 46% of the caloric World, "is largely responsible for this new record," regrets Abby Abbassian.

FAO estimates that several factors could prevent a new hunger crisis. "The situation in 2008 was largely due to higher rice prices within the basket of grain, remains one of the most stable," says Abby Abbassian. At that time also, investment in biofuels, which use grain, but now seemed uncontrollable "they are better controlled."