FRANCE: The number two in the IMF, John Lipsky, will act in the absence of DSK

The International Monetary Fund will take in an "informal" Sunday a special meeting of its board of directors after the arrest Saturday in New York's chief executive, Dominique Strauss-Kahn announced the institution.

"It is expected that the board will hold an informal meeting today to be kept informed of developments relating to the Chief," said the Fund in a statement.

"In accordance with normal procedures of the IMF, John Lipsky, first deputy managing director, is interim CEO when the CEO is not in Washington. Mr.Lipsky will chair the informal meeting of the board today, "the IMF added.

The Egyptian-American-British "Nemat Shafik, the Assistant Director General who oversees the work of the IMF in a number of countries of the European Union, will attend the Eurogroup meeting on Monday in Brussels," has also announced the IMF.

Strauss-Kahn had originally planned to attend the meeting of finance ministers of the euro area.

The IMF board is composed of representatives from 24 countries and country groups. It may initiate disciplinary proceedings against the Director General in cases of "serious violations" of the code of conduct for officials of the institution.

MOROCCO: Thousands of people march for democracy in several cities

AFP - Several thousand people demonstrated peacefully Sunday in the cities of Morocco, for the third time since the beginning of the year, demand more democracy and social justice, despite the recent release by King Mohammed VI of political prisoners and its promise of significant reforms.

Other events are planned for later in the day, from 16:00 (1700 GMT) in other cities like Rabat and Fez (center), the call of the Youth Movement of 20 February claiming political changes social and Morocco.

In some cities such as Casablanca, Tangier (north) and Marrakech (south), the demonstrations began at 11.00 GMT.

"We want more equality and less corruption," "No to the accumulation of wealth and power," "a king who reigns but does not govern," chanted the demonstrators in Casablanca.

Nearly 10,000 people gathered in the center of town and walked to the Place Mohammed V, according to an AFP journalist.Organizers estimate that "nearly 20,000" number of demonstrators.

"I'm here because I want a fairer Morocco, where the odds are the same for all youth, particularly as regards employment," he told AFP Mohammed, a 23 year old who a degree in economics.

The limitation of political power of the king, the fight against corruption and judicial independence are the main demands of protesters in Casablanca, for most young people of the Movement of 20 February, after the date of the first events in Morocco in the context of revolution and unrest in various Arab countries.Other demonstrations took place March 20.

In Marrakech, there were more than 500 protesters to demand political reforms, according to an AFP correspondent.

In Tangier, more than 2,000 demonstrators called including the departure of the mayor, Fouad El Omary, and criticized its management, according to a witness.

In a speech on March 9, Mohammed VI announced major policy changes designed especially to enhance judicial independence and separation of powers, and set up the next day a commission to reform the Constitution.

On 14 April, the king freed many political prisoners including Islamists and Saharawi, a measure introduced as a sign of appeasement by several observers.

Despite these overtures, the Movement of the February 20 mobilization was held this Sunday to "continue to pressure" and because he deemed "insufficient" the royal decisions.

The Committee for Constitutional Reform will complete its work on June 15 and submit its findings to the king on 16, had told AFP one of its members.

Diplomatic wrangling, one year after air tragedy of Smolensk

On April 10, 2010, a Tupolev carrying President Lech Kaczynski and other senior Polish officials, crashed while attempting to land in heavy fog at Smolensk, killing its 96 occupants.

A plate that contained only inclusion in Polish, recalled that the late Polish President went to Smolensk for the 70th anniversary of the massacre of Katyn, near Smolensk in 1940.22,000 Polish officers were shot there by the Soviet secret police.

But on the eve of the anniversary of the plane crash, a new plaque was placed by the Russian authorities on the memorial that do not refer to the tragedy of Katyn, causing anger among Poles.

A Polish spokesman raised the possibility that President Bronislaw Komorowski, who must travel to Smolensk Monday does not file a wreath at the new plaque.

Sunday in Warsaw, several hundred nationalists demonstrated outside the Russian embassy.

The Russian governor of Smolensk Sunday justified the absence of any reference to Katyn massacre on the new plaque at the site of the plane crash in which he had died a year ago the former Polish president and 95 other responsible.

"This is the place where we mourn the dead from the plane that crashed, not when we mourn the tragedy Polish" Katyn, told the press the governor of Smolensk (western Russia), Sergei Antoufiev.

Religious ceremonies and street rallies began on Sunday morning to commemorate the Polish air disaster in which Polish President Lech Kaczynski and 95 other people died a year ago at Smolensk in Russia.

Divided on the causes of this accident and the ongoing investigations in Russia and Poland, the Poles can follow two separate programs of celebrations: the official program and one that was prepared by the conservative opposition of Jaroslaw Kaczynski, twin brother the late president.

At 6:41 GMT (exact time of the crash a year ago), the head of state Bronislaw Komorowski and Prime Minister Donald Tusk laid a wreath before a plaque commemorating the victims of the accident at the military church in Warsaw.

Meanwhile, Jaroslaw Kaczynski, who decided to boycott official ceremonies, laid a wreath at the presidential palace, amid a crowd of enthusiastic supporters.

Mr.Kaczynski sharply criticized the government for letting Russia lead the investigation and not to have rejected the findings.

Supporters of his party Law and Justice announced on Sunday at least four events to commemorate the victims of the disaster, 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. local outside the presidential palace in Warsaw, including a torchlight march at around 18:00 GMT.

In the midst of white and red national flags, a wooden cross was erected birch outside the presidential palace with, at its foot, a model of the presidential train Tupolev crashed, broke in two.

Other crosses, large and small, and the candles have been introduced to that place that initially after the accident, had been the symbol of the unity of Poles in mourning, before becoming one of the divisions .

Protesters waved banners calling on the authorities to shed full light on this accident.The thesis of a conspiracy and an attack was mentioned on the leaflets in the crowd that the Polish prosecutors have definitely ruled recently.

The Polish authorities have scheduled a ceremony before a memorial to victims of the accident at Powazki cemetery in Warsaw, followed by a solemn Mass at the cathedral and a large concert at the National Theatre.

A series of ceremonies and celebrations are planned Sunday across Poland.

The Polish and Russian presidents, Bronislaw Komorowski and Dmitri Medvedev will meet Monday at Smolensk, the scene of the accident.

The Tupolev 154, carrying 10 April 2010 President Lech Kaczynski and other senior Polish officials, crashed while attempting to land in heavy fog at Smolensk, killing its 96 occupants.

The Polish delegation went to the ceremonies of the 70th anniversary of the massacre of about 22,000 Polish officers prisoners of the Red Army, including at Katyn near Smolensk.

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: At least 15 killed in Dera, Bashar al-Assad sacking the governor of the city

At least 15 people were killed Wednesday in Deraa, the core of the dispute against the government in Syria, which has spilled over into neighboring towns despite a massive deployment of the army and riot police, according to rights activists, the man.

The authorities have blamed the clashes on an "armed gang", accusing him of killing four people and "to store weapons in the mosque," al-Omari to Deraa, a tribal town about 120 km south of Damascus experiencing unprecedented protests since March 18.

Nevertheless, they sacked the governor of Deraa, Khaltoum Faisal, one of the measures demanded by the demonstrators who defied a state of emergency in the country since 1963.

The protests were violently suppressed a total of 21 dead, over a hundred wounded and dozens arrested in a country ruled with an iron fist for 40 years by the Ba'athist regime, where the slightest hint of democracy is put down immediately.

The United States said they were "alarmed" by "violence and arbitrary arrests", while UN chief Ban Ki-moon has condemned the violence against "peaceful protesters".

President Bashar al-Assad came to power in 2000 after the death of his father, did not intervene publicly since the protests began on March 15 launched in Damascus.

New clashes in Dera erupted before dawn.Nine demonstrators, including two women, one child and a doctor, were killed and dozens wounded near the al-Omari, became the rallying point for protesters, according to activists of human rights.

"The security forces fired live bullets and teargas at the demonstrators," said one of them.

Later, six people, including a 11 year old girl suffering from a stray bullet, were killed at funerals of victims of violence at night, "said another activist.

"Live ammunition were fired while the parents of victims and protesters returning from the funeral," he said.

Meanwhile, exchanges of fire took place between security forces and protesters around the al-Omari, according to an AFP reporter who saw two people taken to hospital. One was hit by a bullet to the head and another body was bloodied.The exact circumstances of their deaths were not yet known.

The authorities have denounced "foreign parties who continue to spread lies about Deraa" and said that SMS messages were sent to most of Israel, calling on Syrians to provoke unrest.

Late afternoon, the streets were deserted and most shops closed at Deraa, encircled by the army and riot police.

All entrances to the town were blocked and vehicles allowed to enter must pass two dams run by members of the intelligence services armed plainclothes.

But the protests have affected neighboring towns.Residents of Dahel, 25 km further north, reported casualties during demonstrations against the regime, while more than 2,000 people marched through the town near Kharra as an activist.

It was not possible to confirm this information.

An unprecedented protest movement began on March 15 in Syria following a call via a Facebook page titled "Revolution against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in 2011," at events for "a Syria without tyranny of lawless emergency or exceptional courts. "

Small demonstrations have been dispersed since March 15 in the capital, then the movement has spread to the south.

Inequalities have widened in Syria, poverty affecting 14% of the 22 million Syrians. The rate of unemployment, which particularly affects young people, is estimated by experts to 22%.

Silvio Berlusconi agrees to attend his trial ... but only on Monday

AFP - The head of Italian government Silvio Berlusconi, involved in several lawsuits, including one for prostitution of a minor, reiterated Thursday that he was ready to come and defend himself in person before the court in Milan, provided that the hearings take place on Monday .

"It is ludicrous to accuse me for not having defended in my trial.Instead it will be a satisfaction to be present (in my case), now that my lawyers will prevent me more, "Berlusconi said during a press conference during which he presented his latest reform of justice.

"As there are four or five (note: trial) together, I will dedicate the Sunday and Monday preparing the presence in the courtroom where I think I will have some nice rewards, and most importantly, j will explain to Italians how things really are, "he said.

Mr.Berlusconi is involved in several lawsuits, including tax evasion and false results (Mediaset), corruption control (Mills) and prostitution of a minor and abuse of power (Rubygate, named after the young Moroccan Karim El Mahroug, called Ruby, which He is accused of having paid services when she was not yet 18).

According to the head of the government, accusing the judges of "hard", none of the charges against him is based.

With the exception of the trial Mediaset, whose next hearing was set for April 11, none of the other scheduled hearings will take place Monday.

This Friday, for instance, Berlusconi summoned to Milan in his corruption trial witness.But he can not go because he will attend the extraordinary summit of the EU on Libya.

Last Saturday, his lawyer, Niccolo Ghedini has said that the President of the Council now considered "appropriate to go in person" to the court and intended to go to every hearing where he was summoned.

For several years the head of government, 74 years old, does it more to his trial and is represented by his lawyers.

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.

IRELAND: The government's bluff after the resignation of the Greens

AFP - The Irish government was Sunday at the foot of the wall to immediately call a general election, after the departure of its coalition partner, the Greens.

The Green Party said on Sunday his withdrawal from the coalition government in Ireland, after a week of crisis, which saw six ministers quit in quick succession, then the announcement by Prime Minister Brian Cowen that he would not the leadership of Fianna Fail (center).

The old wolf of Irish politics and hoped to defuse the crisis and remain at his post of prime minister until the date he had set himself for election March 11.

But the pressure is rising throughout the weekend and the start of the Greens now makes inevitable the convening of elections, Fianna Fail no longer have a parliamentary majority.

"Our patience is exhausted," he said on Sunday the leader of the Green Party, citing "lack of communication and the collapse of confidence." John Gormley said it was "absolutely necessary elections. "We decided that we could not stay longer in government," saidGormley.

He however said his party would act "responsibly" and "support the vote of the finance law since the opposition benches."

The Prime Minister has once said he "accepted the decision of the Greens", adding that he would remain at his post until the vote of the Finance Act. He said it was "impossible" to pass the law by Friday, as demanded by opposition parties.

The Finance Act, which completes the Irish budget the highest in the country's history, was published only on Friday and should be examined from next week in parliament. However, it must be dissolved three weeks before the election.What makes an unlikely date for elections by mid February.
A meeting with opposition leaders to be held Monday "to discuss the passage of the act realistically," said Brian Cowen.

Finance Minister Brian Lenihan has recalled the "vital importance" of the text, especially to "establish the confidence of the international community."He felt that some parts of the text could be referred to a subsequent law, adding "of course, mean that the timetable for elections will also be accelerated."

The two main opposition parties, Labour (left) and Fine Gael (center) are committed to accelerating the passage of the law in parliament in exchange for the announcement of a new date for elections.

The number two James Reilly of Fine Gael said that his party would "expedite" the law and file a motion of no confidence if it was not passed by Friday.The Labour party has already filed a motion of no confidence.

Prime Minister Brian Cowen breaks records of unpopularity for his handling of the financial crisis in Ireland, which imposed heavy sacrifices on the population, and have developed a bailout of 85 billion euros with the EU European and International Monetary Fund (IMF), seen as an abandonment of sovereignty in Ireland.

Brian Cowen leaves a poor state party: Fianna Fail is credited with more than 14% of the vote.

The party will choose its new leader Wednesday to 1400 GMT. Four candidates have already declared.Former Foreign Minister Michael Martin, head of the rebellion that precipitated the resignation of Brian Cowen, is favored.