FRANCE: The illegal residents will no longer be grounds for incarceration

France is not going to detain aliens for the sole reason for staying illegally in its territory, even if they refuse to be escorted to the border, under a ruling of the Court of Justice of the European Union, according to a circular issued Thursday by the Chancellery and consulted by AFP.

The Luxembourg Court, written by an Italian court ruled April 28 illegal detention of irregular migrants if he refuses to leave the country.

"To comply with the decision of 28 April", the circular requires prosecutors not to place in custody and shall not proceed in case of an alien "violent behavior toward people in authority or public result of fraud (false paperwork), detachable from the offense of illegal residence or subtraction to an expulsion. "

The text also mentions "behavior to obstruct the enforcement of the expulsion order by the administrative authority was when first implementing the detention."

"It will be necessary now, before any prosecution based on Article 624-1 of Ceseda (code entry and stay of foreigners and asylum) to focus on characterizing a manifest lack of cooperation in the phase identification takes place during the administrative detention or resistance to the execution of the forced expulsion procedure, "recommends the circular.

According to the text, the European arrest produced "differences of interpretation between the various courts of appeal" in France, where illegal residence and subtraction are subject to deportation in prison.

Pursuant to this ruling, decisions favorable to foreigners were made in Nimes, Rennes and Toulouse and others against, were made in Paris and Marseille.

The ruling of the ECJ follows the "Return Directive" on the 2008 European arrangements deportation which provides for enforcement measures proportionate and graduated. Administrative detention is a last resort, according to this Directive which considers the sentence inconsistent with the objective of removing a foreigner.

JAPAN: A "tweet" and a book to help the victims of the earthquake and tsunami

It all started with a tweet on March 18. And ended with a book under cryptic. "2:46 - Quakebook" ("2:46" as the time of the earthquake that struck Japan on March 11) is both a collection of stories written in English and an original initiative to help Victims of the earthquake and tsunami.

"I would like to gather experiences from the earthquake in a book, publish it in a week and give the money collected to the Red Cross," he wrote, March 18, on his Twitter feed "ourmaninabiko", behind which lies a British blogger living in Japan.Only constraint imposed on the contributors: the narrative must not exceed 350 words, "about a page of a book," says the proponent.

Good intentions are not long in coming. An official Twitter account is created, soon assisted by a blog and a Facebook page. The official count of the microblogging service relays information and Yoko Ono, wife of the late John Lennon, has done the same on his homepage."In the end, more than 200 people, I do not know for the most part, have participated in the project," tells France24.com "ourmaninabiko" which refuses to reveal his identity because he believes that the book is the result of collective work.

Although aware of the power of social media when it comes to "move information", British blogger can not help but be amazed by the result. "I have received something like 200 stories and the book contains 85," he says. The publication of "2:46 - Quakebook" was sealed in 48 hours, last weekend. Not without pain. "I had no experience in publishing.Between the management of the copy, the work of volunteer translators and layout, the work was difficult, "said he.

Amazon contacted

The evidence collected from many Japanese that foreigners living there. "Ourmaninabiko" even received a contribution from William Gibson, American writer of science fiction and the father of cyberpunk, and Jake Adelstein, a journalist-American writer known for his work on the Japanese Mafia.

Most contributors, famous or not, tell what was their reaction when the first quake, others prefer to discuss their annoyance vis-à-vis the government's action or tell the resignation of their parents.The book also contains illustrations.

He is wanting to "2:46 - Quakebook" a publisher. "We could publish directly to our blog, but I think the project deserves to be disseminated more widely," says "ourmaninabiko. He claims to have already received offers to translate the book into German, Spanish and Japanese. The book was submitted to the American giant of the sale of cultural goods online, Amazon, so it can be sold between 10 and 20 dollars "ebook". "Ourmaninabiko" and his team are still awaiting a response.

SYRIA: Authorities confirm the lifting of the state of emergency and send the army in Lattakia

AFP - The Syrian authorities have decided Sunday to revoke the emergency law in force for nearly 50 years, restricting civil liberties, and President Bashar al-Assad, who faces a protest movement, should s' address "very soon" to the public.

Moreover, military reinforcements entered in Lattakia, multifaith city of northwestern Syria, after extremely violent clashes Saturday, which made twelve dead, including members of the security forces, civilians and two insurgents.

"President Bashar al-Assad will address very soon to his people"

In an interview with AFP on Sunday in Damascus, the adviser to the president, Boussaina Shaaban, revealed that the decision to repeal the emergency law in force since 1963 had been taken.

"The decision to repeal the emergency law has already been taken but I do not know when it will be implemented," she said, adding that immediately after the repeal of this law, "all persons arrested under this Act will be released ".

This law, drafted in December 1962 by a previous government, came into force immediately after the arrival in power of the Baath party in March 1963.It imposes restrictions on freedom of assembly and movement, and allows the arrest of "suspects or persons threatening security."

It also allows the monitoring of communications and the diligence of the media.

The Director of the Syrian Human Rights (OSDH) Rami Abdelrahman, who welcomed the expected repeal of that law, estimated that about 2,000 people should be freed.

"All those convicted by the High Court of State security should be released, because the special court was established under this law," he said.

"The successful candidates in the local security services, as arrested without warrant" should be released by him.

Dr. Shaaban has also announced that President Assad, in power since 2000, will address "very soon" to the nation, while the country was shaken by a challenge without precedent.

"President Bashar al-Assad will address very soon to his people to explain the situation and clarify the reforms he intends to pursue in the country," she said.

These reforms include a law on political pluralism and a more liberal law on the press, which will "be subject to public debate," she said.

Military reinforcements to Latakia to dislodge insurgents

Moreover, military reinforcements came in Lattakia, Syrian press reported, to dislodge insurgents who shoot from rooftops and cars against the security forces and bystanders.

In total, since Friday in this city located on the coast, 13 soldiers and civilians and two insurgents were killed, said Ms. Shaban.

She accused the "Muslim extremists were behind the attack, with the objective to bring about sectarian strife in the country."Latakia is inhabited by Sunnis, Alawite, and Christians.

The government newspaper Teshreen reported 150 injured on Friday and Saturday in the port city.

The daily al-Watan said that "the thugs are not the Syrians and their nationality will be announced shortly."

Ms. Shaban had told reporters on Saturday accused "certain Palestinian refugee camp Ramel, near Latakia, of wanting to create fitna (dissension denominational) by pulling the security forces and protesters" to raise tension them.

The Secretary General of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine-General Command (PFLP-GC) has denied "any involvement of Palestinians in the camp Ramel events Saturday."

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: Facing Real Madrid, Lyon trusts to exploit

"Cristiano contra la maldición (Cristiano against the curse, Ed). In a Madrid sports daily As on Wednesday morning, caution is advised. Yet, statistically, after a draw snatched by Real at the Stade Gerland in the first leg 1-1, (three weeks ago), OL only 25% chance of qualifying.

Last year, after the first leg, the media had sent the Iberian Real in the quarter from the final whistle, despite a narrow defeat to Lyon (1-0). They had predicted the hell and humiliation to the Rhone in the den of Santiago Bernabeu. After 90 minutes, OL had finally snatched a draw logical and eliminated the Real.Hence the relative timidity of the Spanish media on the eve of the meeting ...

In seven encounters, Lyon have never lost against Real, and each time, have scored at least one goal. To reach the quarterfinals of the 2011 edition, Claude Puel's men will at least continue on this path.

This season, the task is particularly difficult. Since the Portuguese coach Jose Mourinho took control of the first team, Real Madrid has won all the matches played on his lawn.To pass, the OL will have to break this momentum to be a victory, either by snatching a draw and by scoring at least twice.

The Rhone in Olympic form

Again this year, Lyon has arguments that can swing the fate of the tie. After a disastrous start to the season, Lyon have found color and have lost none of their last seven games.

For several weeks, OL managed to leverage its offensive firepower: 16 goals scored during the last five games. At the forefront of the attack, Bafétimbi Gomis, transparent to the winter transfer window, returned to form and means of getting better with Lisandro.The Argentinian has also regained its shape and remains on four goals in two games.

Only Yoann Gourcuff, in midfield, still does not respond to the expectations the club has placed in him.

Real to overcome the curse

Defensively, the Rhone should also have a job because the offensive power of the Real in full swing since the beginning of the season (67 goals in 26 matches in La Liga). After a difficult start of the year, the former Lyon Karim Benzema for his part, found the net and scored three doubles in his last three outings.

The uncertainty surrounding the presence of Cristiano Ronaldo, a time to a thigh injury, has also been lifted and the Portuguese virtuoso should be in the game.It was on its ability to impact that Jose Mourinho should be based, once again, to try to defeat the Indian sign. Real record holder for victories with nine wins C1, has spent more than the knockout stages for the past six seasons.

The Merengue, which are now pointing to five lengths of FC Barcelona in La Liga, more than ever need to validate their ticket to the quarterfinals. Weaned titles since 2008, socios Club Lighthouse Capital can not be satisfied with a new White Season in 2011. And even a victory in the final of the King's Cup, against Barcelona, ​​20 April, will probably not suffice to allay the spans of the Bernabeu. Hence the need for a win against Gones tonight ...

UNITED STATES: The House opposes the extension of the Patriot Act anti-terrorism law

The U.S. House of Representatives Tuesday night blocked a proposed short-term renewal of the Patriot Act, a legislative arsenal to combat terrorism set up by the administration of George W. Bush after the Sept. 11, which expires in late February.

Elected officials voted on the text by 277 votes against 148. But to be adopted to the extent needed a two thirds majority.He missed less than fifteen votes.

This extension until December 8 do not correspond exactly to the wishes of the White House that called for an extension until 2013, but the Chair had said in a statement it does "not oppose" the bill of House.

Bill conceived after Sept. 11 to try to remedy the shortcomings of U.S. authorities in the fight against terrorism is highly controversial because of the exceptional powers given to security forces.

The Republican chairman of the Committee of Intelligence Mike Rogers, argued that extension of short-term in a statement Wednesday saying: "it is our duty to examine the measures in a comprehensive, energetic and sensible, rather than rushing into extended long term. " Mr.Rogers wanted to use the nine months to negotiate "ideally a permanent extension.

In the Senate, debate on how the extension will be even more complicated because several competing bills were filed.

The chairman of the Judiciary Committee Patrick Leahy proposes an extension until December 2013 these measures.

Senate Republicans, themselves, want a permanent extension of these measures, but unlike their colleagues in the House, they are a minority.

Three major steps are involved: "mobile monitor" communications of suspects using multiple phone lines, the principle of "lone wolf" who can investigate a person purporting to conduct terrorist activities on its own account, the possibility for authorities to access "any tangible data" on a suspect, such as emails.

The Minister of Justice Eric Holder and the Director of American Intelligence (DNI) Eric Clapper called elected officials in a letter Jan. 28 to renew the three measures. They cautioned against renewal of the Patriot Act "short term".

TUNISIA: The city of El Kef plagued by further violence

The city of Le Kef, in the north-western Tunisia, connnu Sunday a second day of violence with the burning of police headquarters, according to union sources, who said that the army had been deployed after attacks carried out by "gangs".

"There's panic in the city.The building (s) security forces in the district is on fire, "he told AFP Hadaoui Rauf, a trade unionist Kef joined by phone.

"Several police cars were burned and the fire threatens homes' neighbors, he said, describing a constant ballet of ambulances but without being able to tell whether these new violence had caused casualties.

"The army has been deployed throughout the city and seeks to facilitate the work of rescue," he added.

Youth gang then tried to attack the Kef prison to free inmates and were repulsed by the army, told AFP Hadaoui Rauf and one other union, Abdelatif Bouguera.

An army helicopter was turning over the city, the sources said.

Kef had lived on Saturday in violent clashes between police and protesters demanding the departure from the local police chief accused of abuse of power.

An authoritative source from the Ministry of Interior gave Sunday a report of two dead and 13 injured including four policemen, without details on the circumstances.Four of the injured were transferred to Tunis, it was added the same source.

Union sources on Saturday had reported four dead and fifteen wounded.

Hundreds of people had "burned the police station" and "ransacked" the local headquarters of the RCD (former ruling party) and the Commissioner's Residence Ghazouani Khaled, who was the first to fire on demonstrators, joined by several witnesses by AFP.

After a lull on Sunday morning, the situation has again deteriorated in the city, where "gangs of youths attacked and looted the police station" before setting the fire that has spread throughout the building, according to Mr. Hadaoui.For him, the robbers were "paid by the RCD to cause trouble."

For its part, the official news agency TAP confirmed the fire and the deployment of the army. The agency said the protesters had previously "taken the documents and equipment."

Three weeks after the fall of the regime of Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, the situation remains tense in Tunisia.The events are held across the country to demand the departure of staff in place under Ben Ali and warn against attempts to "confiscation" of the revolution.

The government has repeatedly denounced a "conspiracy" of supporters of ousted president, saying the attacks in some cities and cons of public buildings including police, were the work of young paid by the RCD.