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.

USA: Barack Obama wants to support revolutions in the Arab world

Barack Obama is extending his hand again the Muslim world. After the speech in Cairo in 2009, and that of Jakarta, in 2010, the President of the United States wanted to mark again the disconnect between the policies of his predecessor, George W. Bush, behind the invasion of Iraq in 2003, and his own.

But since his last message to the Muslim world, six months ago, the Arab spring reworked maps in North Africa and the Middle East.However, "although these countries are very far from our borders, we know that our fate depends on them," said the president of the United States in the introduction to his speech on U.S. policy towards the Arab world , delivered at the State Department (the equivalent of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in France), in Washington.

It was also the first speech of this kind since the death of Osama bin Laden, May 1.This has allowed Barack Obama to condemn the violence and stressed that the Arab world now sees the extremism of Al-Qaeda "an impasse".

"Punishment does not work"

That's why "the United States must necessarily change our approach" vis-à-vis the Arab world, said the Nobel peace 2009. For Washington, this shift is primarily to consider the hours of leaders who repress the demonstrators are now counted."The strategies of repression will not work anymore," said Barack Obama as a warning to the Libyan regime, Syria, Yemen and Bahrain.

"We can not intervene everywhere ... Our experience in Iraq shows how difficult it is to impose a regime in a country. But if we had not acted in Libya, thousands of people have died.Today, Qaddafi has more control of the country, "the president said about the intervention of the international coalition which is involved in Washington since March 19 last.

Similarly, in Syria, "Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad is now facing a choice: He can lead the transition, or move away," warned Barack Obama in particular demanding an end to violence against demonstrators.Otherwise, Bashar Al-Assad - that Washington has unilaterally sanctioned Wednesday - and his regime "will be challenged from within, and will continue to be isolated outside," he said.

With regard to Yemen, Barack Obama called President Ali Abdullah Saleh to "respect its commitments regarding the transition." Coincidence or not, the ruling party said during the speech that the agreement between Saleh, in power for 32 years, and the opposition, would be signed Sunday.Initiatives in the Middle East "more urgent than ever" The tenant of the White House has even rebuked his traditional ally of the Arabian Peninsula, Bahrain, calling the government "to establish the necessary conditions for dialogue" and the opposition "to accept and participate in dialogue." When the army had suppressed the demonstrations against the government in early February, Washington had not responded. "In the coming months, the U.S. will exert maximum efforts to support reforms in North Africa and the Middle East, "insisted Barack Obama, who announced plans to help Egypt and Tunisia, where the head of state was chased by protesters.But "initiatives more urgent than ever" concern the Israeli-Palestinian conflict for which the diplomatic efforts for a resumption of peace negotiations are currently on the rise. In his speech, Barack Obama went further than before, setting the parameters of an agreement between Israelis and Palestinians, without going so far as to unveil a U.S. peace plan.
Washington now has goals for the borders of Israel and a future Palestinian state are based on those of 1967 and the latter to be demilitarized. "We'll agree on the duration of this period of transition, and the effectiveness of security arrangements should be demonstrated," he added.But if diplomatic efforts are progressing, the security issue it is far from settled. Barack Obama conceded that the presence of Hamas in the unity government of Palestinian territories "complicated negotiations." As for the Israelis, they would have approved construction of 620 homes in east Jerusalem on Thursday, says an NGO. Not sure it makes things easier ...

Bin Laden, a hunt that lasted nearly ten years

AFP - The information collected and analyzed for years have finally formed a puzzle: the hunt for Bin Laden has sharply accelerated last summer when the U.S. services have come back to the residence he occupied the north of Islamabad, as the story of a U.S. official.

Since Sept. 11, the most wanted man in the world remained elusive.Until the night of Sunday to Monday, when U.S. commandos killed him in the building of a wealthy district of Abbottabad, about fifty kilometers from the Pakistani capital.

"From the moment we have identified bin Laden as a threat, the CIA has gathered evidence on people's inner circle, including his personal messengers," said a senior official of the Obama administration on condition of anonymity in a conference call.

One of these messengers of particular interest to U.S. intelligence.Members of Al Qaeda captured had given his "nom de guerre" and had described as a protege of Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, the mastermind of the attacks of Sept. 11, and a trusted assistant of Abu Faraj Al- Libbi, the number three al Qaeda captured in 2005.

"They also presented the man as one of the only messengers that bin Laden had confidence and showed that he could live with him and protects him. But for years, we could not the be identified by his real name or know his whereabouts, "said the senior official.

It was not until 2007 that his identity is discovered.But no question the senior official revealed. A few months ago, the Americans finally discover the area where the messenger was, with his brother in Pakistan.

"But we could not always know exactly where they lived." They took great care.

"The fact that they are so cautious has reinforced the feeling that we were on the right path," he says.

August 2010, turning the hunt for the leader of Al Qaeda

August 2010: the breakthrough. Their house is finally located, it is a "complex in Abbottabad" in a neighborhood populated by retired military.Barack Obama is informed.

"When we saw the complex where the brothers lived, we had a shock," said the senior official.

The complex occupies a large area. It is "eight times larger than other houses in the neighborhood." When it was built in 2005, he was at the end of a small dirt road.From other houses have been built around.

Satellites, drones, human intelligence? The senior does not detail how the observations were made, but every detail of this residence is duly appraised.

Security measures? "Extraordinary," he said.The walls rise up to 5.5 meters and is topped with barbed wire, access is possible only by "two secure portals.

Another incongruity, the occupants are burning their garbage when the neighbors have a collection service.

The apartment building also clashes in the environment with "little windows on the exterior" and its three floors topped walls of two meters to mount on the roof while protecting themselves from prying eyes.

No internet, phone.And how the two brothers could they have offered this Properties valued at one million dollars where they live with their families and a third family that is very similar to that of Bin Laden?

After studying the issue "all angles", the conclusion is obvious: there is a "strong likelihood" that it is the leader of Al Qaeda.

Friday at 8:20 (12:20 GMT) Barack Obama authorizes the transaction.It is still Sunday afternoon in Washington early Monday morning in Pakistan, when "a small American team" boarded helicopters for this "particularly dangerous operation," says another senior U.S. official.

The raid itself as "surgical" not to cause casualties among women and children who occupy the residence or the neighbors. Bin Laden, a son and two brothers, his messengers, are killed and a woman used as "human shield by a fighter." Another woman was wounded.The senior official said he could not go into details and does not specify whether the prisoners were made.

One of the helicopters to mechanical problems, he can not take off. The commandos and destroy the pile aboard another aircraft with the body of bin Laden.

The commandos will be 40 minutes remained on the ground, the hunt is over.

TECH 24: A royal marriage celebrated also in digital

It is far from the marriage between Prince Charles and Diana in 1981: the British monarchy has this time coverage of the event ... very 2.0 way, the Twitter feed of Clarence House, the official residence of Prince Charles and Camilla distills information such as seating arrangements, or the floral composition of the ceremony ...

The wedding will be seeing, and again, on YouTube.

The Queen has become a geek

It must be said that Queen Elizabeth II is itself passionate new technologies. Twitter, Facebook, Flickr, YouTube, all that has no secrets for her. It was already the case in 1953, when she brought the television cameras to Westminster for his coronation.She had also filmed his Christmas message in 1957.

Queen Elizabeth wrote her first email in 1976 from a military base ... For the renovation of the British monarchy in 2009, Tim Berners-Lee, the father of the Web, was part ... The Queen of England also has his Facebook page since November 2010 ... You can "liker" Her Majesty, but out of the question to be his friend or his comment on current events, protocol requires ... And to join the happiness of bride and groom, it is now possible to leave them a video message of congratulations!

Are you traced?

Apple on the spot and within the scope of collective action in the U.S. for invasion of privacy ...According to researchers, a fixture on iOS 4 records the location data, and maintain them without encryption. Steve Jobs' terse response: "We do not follow anyone. But Google, yes."

Nokia 1616: a reliable phone for emerging markets.

No miracles or tablets overpriced gadget this week, but a phone that has managed to create a market in emerging countries: the Nokia 1616. Finally a phone that is used to call!

And that is precisely what attracted you.We asked our African members on Facebook to tell us why Nokia 1616 had a preference.
Watch this reaction Awada ehem Chad: "Two reasons: the battery lasts longer than other mobile phones, and especially his torch is very useful at night in places where electricity is unreliable. It even a luxury. " Affordable luxury, since it costs 35 euros.

A high-tech advertising targeted

We close this issue by the Royal buzz of the moment. A video where the operator T-Mobile does not care about traditions and away the monarchy for a march to the altar House more than ever. advertising exceeds 12 million views on YouTube.Look!

This recalls another viral video, "J & K wedding entrance, which was all the rage on the Web a few months ago (with 65 million unique visitors).

Apple FRANCE 24 Internet Wedding Prince William TECH 24 YouTube

Syria: Repression bloody Deraa, the epicenter of protest

The crackdown by the Syrian regime hardens a little more. Monday, tanks and soldiers armed to the teeth have penetrated for the first time in Deraa, birthplace of the challenge set in the South, according to witnesses on the spot. A change of tactics by the regime which suggest that Bashar al-Assad is playing its trump card, "says Jean-Bernard Cadier, a specialist in international politics of France 24:" He can not turn back now. "

Contacted by France 24, a resident of the city has traced the events of the morning. "Just after the prayer, we heard gunshots. We tried to know where the shots came from. Here we have seen at least eight tanks military who took the road of the old city.They asked us to stop all form of protest. There is nobody to help us and they can shoot us! "

Panicked face this sudden military deployment, the population has increased calls for help with the means at hand. "People are using loudspeakers in mosques to ask for help. Electricity has been cut off, the telephone network as well," said Isabelle Dellerba, France 24 correspondent in Beirut. "Ambulances are struggling to reach victims. The wounded are lying on the ground in the streets, there are also dead."

Deraa, prime target of the regime in Damascus

Scenes of war are told by many people on the spot."Men are ambushed government forces in public buildings and shooting at houses," said one of them told Reuters. "They shoot in all directions and move behind the tanks, which protect them," related another. A witness contacted by AFP already reported five deaths.

Isabelle Dellerba, the current confrontation between the regime and the protesters should go crescendo. "Bashar al-Assad could decide to take a new direction by launching operations against punches home the most important challenge," she says.

And not only Deraa. Activist Syrian Human Rights, contacted by AFP reported heavy fighting in Douma, located on the outskirts of Damascus."On Monday, Syrian security forces and armed supporters of President Bashar al-Assad stormed the city Duma. They fired on civilians and arresting people."

Sign of the escalating security of the regime in Damascus, the government of Bashar al-Assad has ordered the closure of the border with Jordan.

As a reminder, these bloody confrontations abound for three days. The crackdown left at least 120 dead between Friday and Saturday, according to a list of names compiled by the Committee of the martyrs of the revolution 15-Mar.

Sunday at Jableh, near Latakia, thirteen people were also killed and several others injured by police, told AFP from an activist for human rights.This brings to 366 the number of victims since mid-March.

JAPAN: At least four people dead and hundreds injured after a new earthquake

Four people were killed and over one hundred injured when the 7.1 magnitude earthquake that struck Thursday night the north-eastern Japan, there already devastated nearly a month by an earthquake and tsunami giants According to the Agency Disaster Management and Media.

A woman of 63, who was on life support, died in Yamagata Prefecture, according to the Agency.

Two men aged 79 and 85 were killed in Miyagi Prefecture, according to public broadcaster NHK and Jiji Press.

In the city of Tome (Miyagi Prefecture) a woman of 83 years died after being admitted to hospital, Jiji said, quoting a doctor.

She has reassessed the number of injured at about 140, after the shock, identified as a replica of the magnitude 9 earthquake of 11 March.

The earthquake occurred at 11:32 p.m. (2:32 p.m. GMT) at a depth of 49 km, according to the American Institute of Geophysics USGS. Its epicenter was located in the Pacific Ocean, 66 km east of the city of Sendai (Miyagi Prefecture).

An alert for a tsunami up to two meters high was lifted half past one later without there having been a reported abnormally high waves on the shore.

The Nuclear Safety Agency said no nuclear power station in the area had been damaged.Staff working on the site of the central hilly Fukushima Daiichi (No. 1) had been evacuated as a precaution to the interior.

Some 3.3 million homes were without power in the north-east, said the local power company, Tohoku Electric Power.

The giant earthquake and tsunami of 11 March killed more than 27,000 dead or missing, police said.

GERMANY: The energy giant RWE attacked the moratorium on nuclear

Bang nuclear Germany. RWE, the German number 2 in the nuclear sector (and number 3 worldwide), filed a complaint Friday against the government's decision to temporarily close two of its reactors. The energy giant considers illegal moratorium on nuclear introduced by Chancellor Angela Merkel, March 18.

An approach that could negate one of the most popular government decisions in recent weeks.Supporters of the anti-nuclear issue in Germany and elsewhere in the world had found the appropriate response after the nuclear catasprophe occurred in Japan as a result of the earthquake and tsunami of 11 March.

"Our reactors meet all the safety conditions imposed by German law. So there is no legal argument for closing them," said RWE in a press release posted Friday morning.Contacted by FRANCE 24, the company declined to give details.

Under the moratorium, the German authorities had decided to close for three months the eight older reactors still in operation, including two owned by RWE.

The world's No. 1 does not follow RWE

The attack against RWE is German public opinion against the grain. The anti-nuclear message has indeed gained strength in recent days. On Sunday, the Greens, the Social Democrat allies of the SPD, have also won a historic election victory in Baden-Württemberg, the Land (administrative region German, Ed)'s richest countries.Success largely due to the sling anti-nuclear environmentalists.

"It's a brutal approach [to file a complaint, Ed] who points out that RWE has no regard for the public interest and public opinion and thinks only of profits," laments Karsten Smid, M . Nuclear Greenpeace Germany.

A complaint that also throws in trouble the other industry players, including E. ON, the world's No. 1 nuclear power. The latter, which had to close two reactors, decided Friday not to complain."We discussed at length this morning and we believe it is not possible in the context of emotion today to have a reasonable debate on this issue," says FRANCE 24 Christian Drepper, spokesman for E . ON.

A poorly conceived moratorium

However, the Spokesperson of E. We understand the legal process of its competitor. "We also have doubts about the legality of the decision to close the reactors," he adds.

Moreover, everyone seems to agree on this point: the moratorium is poorly conceived. It is based on a law that allows closing the reactors that if "an immediate danger to human life.""On the one hand, the immediate danger is not proven, and secondly, if a reactor is considered dangerous, it must be shut down, not only for three months," said the AFP Morlok Martin, professor law at the University of Düsseldorf.

A rookie mistake of the government of Angela Merkel? For the head of Greenpeace Karsten Smid, Berlin has either acted in a hurry without thinking or voluntarily created a way for the nuclear lobby to challenge that moratorium.

LIBYA: Obama fixed the issues and the limits of U.S. involvement

Reuters - Barack Obama in a speech on the situation in Libya, said Monday that the U.S. would, in concert with their allies, seek to hasten the day when Moammar Gadhafi should step down, but he stressed they would not use direct force to overthrow him.

In a televised address to the nation, Bush, accused by many members of Congress not to have explained the role of the international coalition in Washington, defended its decision to intervene militarily in the conflict in Libya.

At the same time, he clarified the limits of the action of the United States and sought to counter the impression that he had no clear goals nor credible strategy out of the conflict.

"For generations, the United States plays a unique role as an anchor of international security and defending the fundamental freedoms." Bearing in mind the risks and costs of military intervention, we're obviously reluctant to use force to solve the many problems facing the planet. But when our interests and values ​​are at stake, we have a responsibility to act. That's what happened in Libya over the past six weeks, " the president said.

"Libya is directly between Tunisia and Egypt, two countries that have inspired the world when their peoples have stood up to take control of their destiny. For over 40 years, the Libyan people is led by a tyrant, Muammar Gaddafi.It deprives its people of freedom, uses his wealth, murdering its opponents at home and abroad, and terrorizing innocent people in the world - including Americans who were killed by Libyan agents.

GADDAFI DOES NOT "OVERNIGHT"

"Tonight, I am able to say that we stopped the progression of lethal Gaddafi," he said before a gathering of officers at the National Defense University in Washington, 10 days after ordering that the United States participating in Operation "Dawn of the Odyssey."

"We hit the air defenses (Gaddafi), which allowed the establishment of a no-fly zone.We targeted the tanks and other forces that were strangling the cities, and we cut to a large extent the supply lines, "he said.

The U.S. president also said that the award of U.S. Command in NATO would intervene on Wednesday.

"We will deprive the system of any weapon, interrupt his source of income, help the opposition, and we will work with other countries to hasten the day when Gaddafi will leave power," continued the president.

This, he said, "will not happen overnight," and he admitted that Qaddafi might be able to cling to power."Expanding our military mission to a regime change would be a mistake," he pointed out, however.

Obama spoke on the eve of the scheduled conference in London on Tuesday attended by 35 countries on the situation in Libya.

The issue of Obama's speech was to identify and clearly define the purpose and scope of the mission of the United States to Libya, to be understood by Americans, preoccupied with domestic economic problems, which are already of a dim view of the costs of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.