NIGERIA: Several attacks marred the legislative

The legislative elections of Nigeria already postponed twice and opened Saturday in an explosion at a polling station in Maiduguri in the north-east of the country has made several wounded.

On Friday, a bomb had already exploded in a polling station near Abuja in the center of the country leaving 11 dead and 38 wounded. The balance of the explosion of Maiduguri has not yet been clarified.

This vote marks the start of a marathon election, which must continue with the presidential April 16.Polling stations have opened in some areas as scheduled at 08:00 local time (0700 GMT) but others could not start on time, found the AFP journalists.

A poll postponed twice

These elections take place in almost all districts of the country, had been postponed last Saturday April 4 and April 9, due to the absence of electoral materials and personnel in a large number of polling stations.

"I think today will be different.(Electoral Commission) is ready, "said Fatai Awofolaju, an official election in Lagos.

In Lagos, the economic capital, Abuja, the administrative capital and Kano (North), the second city of the country, polls opened at 8:00 or shortly thereafter.In Bayelsa State which is from the President Goodluck Jonathan, they opened with 90 minutes delay.

This election that is expected to test the ability of the country's most populous country with 160 million people to hold free elections.

Attacks and armed robbery threaten legislative

The explosion of a bomb Suleija Friday, some 45 km from Abuja (center) in a polling place elections and preparing where 11 people were killed and 38 injured, has not been claimed. The vote in this constituency has been postponed.Chairman Jonathan presidential candidate, denounced a "heinous terrorist bombing" and ordered increased security at the premises of the Electoral Commission throughout the country.

Gunmen also attacked Friday in Shani, Borno state in north-east, a police station where election officials were responsible for the supervision of election materials, killing four people.

The previous elections in Nigeria were marred by fraud and violence.Since November, the NGO Human Rights Watch has already recorded 85 deaths in pre-election violence.

The borders were closed, traffic restrictions were imposed on vehicles and soldiers patrolled the strategic points.

The impact of the attacks was difficult to measure. "What bomb?" We have no problem here, "commented Bode Oshowole Saturday, a printer 61, in a polling station in Lagos.

"They're trying to scare us but it does not," responded the head of another office."Nigeria can not be turned into another Afghanistan or Iraq," said Nnamdi Ekweogu.

In a little over 10% of precincts where the ballots could not be printed in time, the legislation will be held April 26, the date of elections of governors and assemblies of the 36 states of the federation.The postponement affects 15 out of 109 senatorial districts and 48 constituencies which elect the 360 ​​members in the House of Representatives.

"Several countries in Africa have been able to hold successful elections, and if we fail, we can not claim a leadership role or to discipline anyone for failure," he said Thursday Jonathan to a delegation of the National Democratic Institute (NDI), based in Washington, which supports democratic institutions and practices worldwide. The NGOs in Nigeria has sent more than 50 observers from more than 23 countries, working with 1700 Nigerian observers.

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.

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. "

Ireland wants to renegotiate its rescue plan with the EU

The Irish opposition leader Enda Kenny, began Sunday the negotiations for a coalition government after winning legislative elections without an absolute majority, while demanding a renegotiation of the Brussels immediate rescue plan for the island.

Without waiting for the announcement of final results, which should not occur before Sunday night or Monday, Enda Kenny on Saturday evening claimed victory.

According to partial results for mid-morning on Sunday about 80% of seats, Fine Gael's education (center) won over 36% of the votes, humiliating the ruling party, Fianna Fail.

The centrist organization, which dominated Irish politics for 80 years, rolled out: with only 17.4% of the vote, she should see the number of seats divided by three.The vote also marks the end of the political career of outgoing Prime Minister, Brian Cowen, who did not represent.

But the tsunami, tidal Fine Gael has not been sufficient to confer an absolute majority, forcing Enda Kenny to seek an alliance with Labour, a formation which left with the Fine Gael has already ruled several times.

The Labour party has raised nearly 20% of the vote.

"Talks immediate Fine Gael and Labour in a coalition," a title in the Sunday Business Post, saying "inevitable" a coalition rather than a form of ad hoc agreements with independent members.

"I will explore all options," said Enda Kenny on Saturday, stressing however that voters had given him a "massive support" for a "strong and stable government."

"I do not want things hanging. I will decide very quickly," he said.The leading theory has until 9 March, the opening of Parliament and his inauguration as Prime Minister to form his government.

The Labour leader, Eamon Gilmore, confirmed Saturday night that "the most likely outcome" would be a "coalition", without dwelling on the many obstacles to overcome.

Of "intense discussion" on the subject will be necessary, and the Business Post said, to "bridge the chasm" between the Labour and Fine Gael, in particular on the austerity program implemented by the outgoing government.

While Fine Gael broadly supports the budget cuts imposed by the outgoing government, Labour intends to reduce the pushing of two years, to 2016 against 2014, the deadline that had set Brian Cowen to bring the deficit to 3% of Gross domestic product, against 32% in 2010.

The bailout Island International, signed with the European Union and the International Monetary Fund, awarded Dublin until 2015 for curbing public deficits.

Enda Kenny recalled on Saturday night that the renegotiation of the plan was a priority. "We will act on it next week.I already had contacts that very day (Saturday), he said, stressing the urgency of the calendar.

March will indeed decisive for the euro area, with marathon negotiations to develop a defense against the debt crises.

During the campaign, the future prime minister has promised to demand a reduction in the rate of interest at which EU ready to Dublin, under the assistance plan, and he deems "punitive." It also intends to ask the bondholders that they bear some of the losses.

Negotiations in Brussels on the plan and in Dublin on a coalition: Enda Kenny will know "no honeymoon," warned the Sunday Business Post.

INTERNET: The Artistic Memory of the Egyptian revolution took refuge on the web

The memory of the revolution in Egypt is being built. And it goes particularly through art and the Internet. Since the resignation of Hosni Mubarak, February 11, several sites have begun a tedious job of archiving photos, videos and other forms of artistic expression related to the "revolution of 25 January." Initiatives that are based mainly on suggestions made by users. And they flock, especially on the beloved children of the revolution: social networks.

One of the projects that seem more serious started last Sunday on Facebook. It's called "I am Tahrir" and intends to create the first virtual exhibition of the artistic heritage of the Egyptian revolution.The administrator of this page of famous social network that currently has about 1000 "fans" says he hopes "not only document the Egyptian revolution, but eventually become a relay for the revolutionary art of all countries".

Traces

Customers have started feeding this new artistic platform online with their own achievements, but also those that seem symbolic of the popular uprising in Egypt. Thirty cartoons, photos or prominent shocks, songs, poems but also videos already adorn the wall of the Facebook page. Much evidence showing the trend of sentiment in the street over the 18 days that ended the regime of Hosni Mubarak.It sees the anger against the former president, hope amount in the last days of demonstration and determination of the Egyptians.

The founders of "I am Tahrir have already providing a number of documents. Once finalized documents to the fishery, all these works will be displayed on another site in the form of virtual art gallery also called "I am Tahrir. The promoters of this project have not said when this first cyber-exhibition will be finalized.

It must be said that the mass of material available on the Web is impressive. Another online project is enough to make dizzy."I am Jan25", a name chosen in reference to the first day of protest against the regime of former Rais, has chosen to display without sorting or formatting, all images and videos relating to the Egyptian revolution unearthed on the Web. The site currently lists over 4000 images and over 3000 videos. It contains all the essential being, it seems, to keep track.

BAHRAIN: The opposition demanded the resignation of government

A senior Bahraini Shiite opposition, Abdel Jalil Khalil Ibrahim, Saturday demanded the resignation of the government and the withdrawal of forces from the streets of Manama in response to the offer of dialogue made the previous day by the crown prince of Bahrain.

"To consider the dialogue, the government must resign and the army must withdraw from the streets" of the capital, saidIbrahim, leader of the parliamentary bloc of Wefaq, the main Shiite opposition group.

"We are not witnessing a language of dialogue, but that of arms," he added, referring to the army shooting Friday night against the demonstrators, who were 95 injuries, including "three in a state of clinical death, "he said.

These shootings were occurring while the Crown Prince Salman Ben Hamad Al-Khalifa, speaking on state television to promise a dialogue with the opposition once calm was restored.

"I make no distinction between a Bahraini and another and what is happening now is unacceptable," said Prince Salman."Bahrain is currently experiencing a state of division and that's unacceptable," he said.

King Hamad Ben Issa Al-Khalifa immediately instructed his son, Crown Prince, to conduct a "dialogue with stakeholders and communities without exception", ensuring through cooperation "sincere", "Bahrain will come out stronger ".

This offer of dialogue "is not serious," said the elected Wefaq, demanding that the authorities "serious and sincere measures that meet the requirements of the current situation."

"The situation is complicated and I fear it spirals out of control," warned Mr.Ibrahim, whose group has withdrawn from Parliament, where he has 18 of the 40 elected House of Deputies, to protest against the bloody crackdown on Thursday at the dawn of a sit-in anti-regime instead of Pearl in Manama.

Bahrain, a small kingdom populated predominantly Shiite, has ruled since the 18th century by a Sunni dynasty.

The head of Wefaq, Sheikh Ali Salman, told AFP Thursday that the opposition wants a "new government is proposing political reforms, we can revise the Constitution, which enshrines the principle of peaceful transfer of power and establish a constitutional monarchy. "

The Prime Minister, Shaikh Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, the king's uncle, is in the position since Bahrain's independence in 1971, while the sovereignty ministries are held by members of the royal family.

"Baby Doc" indicted for theft and corruption in Port-au-Prince

Two days after his return to Haiti, Jean-Claude Duvalier was convicted Tuesday of conspiracy, embezzlement and corruption in public administration during his years in power (1971-1986).

The former dictator nicknamed "Baby Doc", left Tuesday's late on the courthouse in Port-au-Prince, where he was questioned by a prosecutor. "He is free but is available to justice" said one of his lawyers.

Earlier in the day, the judge and prosecutor Gabriel Ambroise Auguste Aristides, accompanied by a dozen policemen had gone ask Jean-Claude Duvalier in the hotel where the former dictator was installed since his surprise return to country on Sunday after 25 years of exile in France.He had then taken under police escort to the courthouse.

Outside the hotel, then the palace, dozens of his supporters had gathered to demand the release of the former president "for life". "A few hundred demonstrators pro-Duvalier sing songs to his glory and chanting slogans against René Préval [the current head of state of Haiti, ed]," said Alexandra Fox, special correspondent for FRANCE 24 in Port-au-Prince . There were burning tires and throwing stones.The UN Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) protects the entrance with tanks. "

In the sights of the defenders of human rights

The son of Francois "Papa Doc" Duvalier, who had transferred power in 1971 when he was only 19 years old, yet embodies, like his father, one of the darkest pages of history Haiti, marked by torture and murder committed by opponents of the secret police, the "Tonton Macoutes". But today, "Baby Doc" nevertheless enjoys the support of some of the Haitians.As for the young, who make up the majority of the population, they have not experienced the dark days of his presidency.

Several international human rights, such as Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International, also demanding the arrest and trial of former dictator for crimes against humanity committed during his presidency (1971-1986 ).

The former dictator has still not explained the reason for his return. According to his longtime girlfriend, Veronique Roy, he has planned to stay only three days.Its reappearance in Haiti is still resurface "all questions concerning" and "impunity and accountability around him," said Monday the spokesman of the High Commissioner for Human Rights based in Geneva, Rupert Colville , during a press briefing.

Experts on Human Rights UN review, meanwhile, now, the opportunities for Haitian authorities to prosecute."It is not yet clear that Haiti is in position to arrest and prosecute Jean-Claude Duvalier for anything right now," said Rupert Colville, stressing that no one knew yet s it existed or not warrants of arrest of Jean-Claude Duvalier in Haiti courses.

Photo: Amelia Baron / RFI correspondent in Port-au-Prince (Haiti)