UNITED STATES: A violent tornado killed at least 24 victims in Missouri

AFP - At least 24 people were killed Sunday in a tornado that struck the small town of Joplin, in the State of Missouri (center), local media reported, less than a month after other hurricanes had caused enormous damage in the southeastern United States.

President Barack Obama has sent a message of "deep condolences" to relatives of victims.He assured that the federal government stood ready to help the Americans.

According to the newspaper Springfield News-Leader, Ryan Nicholls, head of the Office of Crisis Management of the Springfield-Greene County (east of Joplin), confirmed that 24 people had been killed.

Joplin, located a few kilometers from the states of Kansas and Oklahoma, was hit hard by the tornado, the paper said.

In early May, tornadoes, the deadliest in nearly a century, had hit the southeast United States, which killed 354.

"Department stores Home Depot and Walmart Joplin were razed. Gas stations, buildings.Wherever I turn my eyes, everything has been severely damaged or completely destroyed, "said John Miller, a freelance photographer working for the News-Leader.

"I saw fire and medical crews remove a small girl in a car at Home Depot," said Miller, adding that "part of the building of the department store fell on the vehicle."

The governor of Missouri Jay Nixon declared a state of emergency and requested the intervention of the National Guard.

"These tornadoes have caused extensive damage across Missouri, and constitute a certain risk to its inhabitants and their houses," Nixon said Sunday evening in a statement.

"We have made every effort to assist families in Missouri, find missing persons, and provide emergency medical assistance," said Nixon.

He also said that tornadoes were not completed.

"I urge Missouri residents to closely monitor the latest weather reports and follow the instructions and warnings of emergency services so that these deadly tornadoes continued their advance in the state of Missouri," he told Jay Nixon .

Jerry Williams, a senior at the University of Missouri said, for his part, he lived experience "horrible.""It's as if someone had dropped a bomb," he told the News-Leader.

Saturday, a deadly tornado struck the town of Reading in eastern Kansas, killing one man and damaging about 80% of its homes.

A tornado also caused the death of one person Sunday in Minneapolis, Minnesota, authorities said. At least 18 people were injured.

IVORY COAST: Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara was sworn in Abidjan

AFP - Alassane Ouattara was sworn in Friday as president of Côte d'Ivoire, after five months of crisis-related challenge to the presidential election Nov. 28 by the outgoing Head of State Laurent Gbagbo, who was arrested April 11, found a AFP.

Mr.Ouattara, 69, was sworn in, standing, right hand raised before the President of the Constitutional Council, Paul Yao N'Dré, the palace of the Presidency, in the administrative district of Plateau (center) in the presence of members of government, diplomats, representatives of the armed forces, political parties and civil society.

"Before the sovereign people of Côte d'Ivoire, I solemnly swear to honor and to respect and faithfully defend the Constitution, protect the rights and freedoms of citizens, to conscientiously fulfill my duties in the best interests Nation, "he said.

"That the people will retire his confidence and that I undergo the rigor of the law if I betray my oath," he added.

"This is the beginning of a new era of reconciliation and unity between all the girls, among all our dear son of Ivory Coast," promised Mr. Ouattara in a brief intervention, immediately after its swearing.

The ceremony took place after the proclamation of Alassane Ouattara as president by the Constitutional Council, ending the controversy over the presidential election.

Ouattara Chairman welcomed this proclamation: "This decision has thus removing any doubt about the outcome of the vote."

3 December 2010, Mr. Yao N'Dré near Laurent Gbagbo, had opened the most serious crisis in the country's history by proclaiming Mr.Gbagbo reelected with 51.45% of the votes at the polls on November 28.

The Council then had to invalidate the results of the independent electoral commission, certified by the UN, giving Mr. Ouattara winner with 54.1% of votes.

December 4, Côte d'Ivoire was thus left with two chairs.Laurent Gbagbo was sworn in during a ceremony with great pomp in the presidential palace, while Alassane Ouattara had done so through a letter to the Constitutional Council.

Laurent Gbagbo was eventually arrested by the pro-Ouattara in the presidential residence in Abidjan on April 11, after several days of bombing of the French Licorne force and the UN, ending four months of crisis and 15 days of war, that killed nearly 3,000 people, authorities said, and about one million displaced.

The inauguration of President Ouattara to be held May 21 in Yamoussoukro (center), the political capital of the country, attended by foreign heads of state.

COTE D'IVOIRE: Paris for a strengthening of UNOCI

French President Nicolas Sarkozy said Friday was "very concerned about the situation in Côte d'Ivoire," where violence increase, and indicated intent to apply for a strengthening of the UN force in the country (UNOCI).

The French President considered "scandalous" firing with heavy weapons "against innocent civilians" during a press briefing on the sidelines of an EU summit in Brussels.

"But there is a UN force" on the spot, "he said.And the purpose of the resolution intends to propose France "will ask the UN force to prohibit at least the heavy weapons in Abidjan," he said.

The West African leaders on Thursday urged the UN to strengthen the mandate of its mission in Côte d'Ivoire (UNOCI) and to impose sanctions "more binding" against the incumbent President Laurent Gbagbo.

After a two-day ordinary summit in Abuja, Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS, 15 countries), made the call while post-election crisis in Côte d'Ivoire worsens and there are fears a civil war.

UNOCI, 10,000 men strong, is in a delicate situation.Under fire from supporters of Gbagbo, who demands his immediate departure, designating it as an "enemy of Côte d'Ivoire" and biased, it is regularly the target of their attacks.

The mission also came under strong criticism recently from the camp of Alassane Ouattara, President recognized by the international community, who urged him to "take action" and "use of legitimate force" to protect civilians caught in the violence.

Since the presidential election of November 2010, 462 people were killed according to the UN, including 52 during the past week.

The international community press for months and unsuccessfully Laurent Gbagbo to cede the presidency to his opponent.

BENIN - PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION: After several postponements of the elections, the Beninese elect their president

Beninese voters about to elect a new president Sunday, the outgoing Boni Yayi who is having ruled out a third postponement of the poll despite continuing delays in registering voters.

President Yayi is one of 14 candidates in this election, said Friday evening at a final campaign rally on the outskirts of Cotonou, there would be no further postponement.

"I can not violate the Constitution.March 13, will vote overwhelmingly, "he said before thousands of supporters, referring to the fact that its mandate expires on April 6 and a new president must be proclaimed before that date.

Under the Constitution, a second round must indeed be held if no candidate obtains an absolute majority in the first round, what many consider anaystes likely.

Adrien Houngbedji, the main opponent of President Yayi, criticized the decision not to postpone the election, but nevertheless called on his supporters to vote."Each of your voice will be seen as a sanction imposed on a system incapable of corrupt and dishonest, a regime that endangers our democracy and peace so dear to our people," he said in a statement that he read in the press.

The first round, originally scheduled for February 27, was relocated once a week to allow the compilation of electronic files and then postponed again on March 4 at the request of the Autonomous National Electoral Commission (CENA) but also the UN and African Union.

This week, election authorities have tried to complete the registration of some 300,000 voters on the electronic file, while according to the opposition, up to a million potential voters had been omitted from the list or did not have voter registration cards.

The deadline has been extended until Friday noon until Saturday noon, and even where the formalities were late getting started.

Registration operations continued late into the night Friday to Saturday and resumed early Saturday morning and ended at mid-day.

The ballot should be played mainly between the outgoing president, 58, elected in 2006, and the opponent Adrien Houngbedji, 69, who covets the presidency for twenty years. A third man, economist Abdoulaye Bio Tchane, 58, could play the role of arbiter.

TUNISIA: The Islamist Nahda movement allowed to form a political party

The current banned Tunisian Islamist Nahda was authorized by the provisional government to reform a political party, reported Tuesday the official news agency Tap.

This initiative will allow the moderate Islamist Sheikh Rachid Ghannouchi, who returned from exile in London January 30, two weeks after the fall of President Zine Ben Ali to stand for parliamentary elections.

Nahda (Renaissance) had been banned during the two decades of dictatorship Ben Ali, forced to flee the country after four weeks of "jasmine revolution" and now a refugee in Saudi Arabia.

Rachid Ghannouchi, who is 69 years old, is considered a moderate intellectual.His organization, founded in 1981, is seen as less conservative than the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood.

Ennahda, who says he's ideologically close ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) to power in Turkey, was the main opposition force in Tunisia at the coming of Ben Ali.

In the elections of 1989, two years after taking power by Ben Ali, the party won 17% of the vote officially, but his actual score was probably closer to 30 or 35%, according to observers.

Punishment which then hit the movement was forced into exile in 1989 Ghannouchi. The Islamists have played a role in the revolution that led to the downfall of Ben Ali.

FILM: The French film delivers its rewards

With 11 nominations at the 36th ceremony of Caesar, the film by Xavier Beauvois' Of Men and Gods "collect in advance the honors of the profession that brand again its distance from the box office by ignoring" Little Tissues "from Guillaume Canet and "Camping 2" Fabien Onteniente.

After a great year for cinema hexagonal (over 206 million cinema admissions, 35% for French films), appointments spend yet most beautiful successes of 2010, "Potiche" to "Tour "from" The Heartbreaker "to" The Ghost Writer "by Roman Polanski.

The Academy of Caesar accompanies the unexpected triumph of the film by Xavier Beauvois (more than 3 million viewers), already crowned by the Grand Jury Prize at Cannes, "Of Men and Gods," which recounts the fate of the monks of Tibehirine , abducted and murdered in Algeria in 1996, is quoted in ten categories.

It is proposed to Cesar for best film, best director, best original screenplay, best sound, picture editing, best costumes, sets, best actor Lambert Wilson and twice for Best Actor in a Supporting Role Michael Lonsdale and Olivier Rabourdin.

Nominees in major categories:

Best Film

"The Heartbreaker" by Pascal Chaumeil, "The Name of the people" by Michel Leclerc, "The Ghost Writer" by Roman Polanski; "Tour" Mathieu Amalric, "Of Men and Gods" by Xavier Beauvois; "Gainsbourg, life heroic "by Joann Sfar;" Mammuth "Benoit Delepine and Gustave Kervern.Her Nolan, "The Social Network" by David Fincher, "Invictus" by Clint Eastwood, "Bright Star" by Jane Campion; "Heartbeats" by Xavier Dolan, "In his eyes" by Juan Jose Campanella; "Illegal" d Olivier Masset Depasse.

Best First Film
Simon Werner disappeared "Fabrice Gobert," The Heartbreaker "by Pascal Chaumeil," Gainsbourg, heroic life "by Joann Sfar;" All That Glitters "Géraldine Nakache
"Turk's Head" by Pascal Elbe

A Caesar of honor will be awarded by the Academy to the American director Quentin Tarantino during the Feb. 25 ceremony will be broadcast live at 21:00 Clear Channel Canal +.

AUSTRALIAN OPEN: The Serb Novak Djokovic wins his second title in Melbourne

AFP - Serbia's Novak Djokovic, world No.3, won his second Grand Slam title, again at the Australian Open where he won in 2008, beating with authority on Sunday's final edition 2011 Britain's Andy Murray, world No.5, 6-4, 6-2, 6-3.

Finalist U.S. Open last September, won the Davis Cup in December, the Serb said himself in practicing this time his "best tennis". Since his first major title in Melbourne three years ago, Nola + + has grown in thickness, adding to its warlike a form of insurance and tranquility in the decisive moments.

Thus, on his way to the title in Melbourne, he had ruled Thursday in the semifinals Defending champion Roger Federer, world No.2, in three sets dry.If Djokovic refused to see a handover, it seems to have filled much of the gap that separated him from the Swiss legend and World No.1 Rafael Nadal.

During this fortnight Australian, Serbian has crashed while on its way, only losing one set in the second round against the unknown Croatian Ivan Dodig. A hiccup.

Murray took a similar path but have not seemed well on Sunday night. Great disappointment for the Scots, who lost his third Grand Slam final, his second in a row at Melbourne.

Defeated last year by Federer 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 (13/11), he regretted to see the match as quickly scroll.It has not been otherwise Sunday.

The United Kingdom still awaits his first major title since Fred Perry in 1936, and Murray, valid only hope the country will never cease to be alone all the pressure.

Murray loses foot

Both players 23 years old, born a week apart in May 1987, issued their long-standing friendship Sunday evening on Rod Laver Arena.

Djokovic had announced that the game would be key to the service, to hitters in this duel tireless. He was right: with 68% success on his first ball, against 53% for Murray, he left with a certain advantage.

The first set was played three times nothing.It can be put into the abyss in this amazing exchange of 38 shots, at 5-4, 30-15 for Djokovic, Murray service.

Both players were hitting their fill but Djokovic had the final word thanks to a forehand more incisive. He offered himself and two set points and converted the first.

The Serb was gaining confidence, returning more in the short and abusing Murray. The Scot lost his footing and cashed five games in a row twice by committing more mistakes than its opponent.

Murray reacts during the third inning, knocking the service Djokovic repeatedly climbing more particularly at the net. But never does the Serb was falling behind, and he stood out even lead to 5-3, capitalizing on the mistakes of Columbia.

He finally concluded a final 2:37 of play that has not really fulfilled its promise of hard fighting.