CANADA: Two children killed by a python in Canada: "Hard to believe," according to experts

 

Emotion is high in Campbellton, a town in the province of New Brunswick, in eastern Canada. A pet python escaped from an allegedly killed two children aged 5 and 7 years in their sleep in the night from Sunday to Monday, August 6.

Come spend the night with a friend, the two boys slept in one room of the apartment on the second floor directly above it specializes in selling snake store of alligators and exotic fish. The python reportedly escaped from a cage on the ground floor of the building and had managed to sneak into the ventilation system.

In the morning, the police were called to the scene. An investigation was launched to determine the circumstances of the tragedy and an autopsy of the bodies of the two victims to be held on Tuesday. "According to preliminary investigation, an exotic snake escaped during the night and was introduced into the ventilation system, and then seeped into the apartment" told the police of New Brunswick, at this stage of the investigation, "believes that the two boys were strangled by the snake." The police, however, did not wish to reveal the size of the reptile, which has not been returned to its owner.

Skepticism of experts

Late Monday afternoon, investigators were very cautious in their statements and relied on the results of autopsies. Indeed, many experts are skeptical. According to them, the attack on two young boys by a constrictor snake is extremely rare. Thus, David Rodrigue, director of Zoo Ecomuseum of Montreal, has expressed doubts over the antenna of Radio Canada: "It's hard to believe," this type of accident would be "an isolated case , and very, very special and very unlikely. " According to him, the python is an animal that bites to defend itself and that strangles its prey only to feed.

Contacted by FRANCE 24, Antoine Gouygou expert in reptiles Reptiland zoo, located in the southwest of France, agreed on these points. He said for his part that it is not a strangulation but a "constriction". "The python loops and emissions, and the victim died of cardiac arrest and not of suffocation," he says, adding that usually this type of snake attack prey in order to feed. According to him, "this is not normal behavior, pythons do not have a habit of attacking the human kind." He believes that "everything depends on the circumstances of the tragedy. A peculiar smell, rodent for example, has been able to attract the animal. "

Deputy Mayor of Campbellton, Ian Comeau, lamented the accident recognizing that people had once regretted the presence of such a pet store. He added that the by-law that had allowed this trade would certainly be revised.

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EGYPT: Clashes in deadly manifestations of pro-Islamist Morsi in Cairo

 

Like every night since the beginning of Ramadan, Egyptian pro and anti-Morsi meet later to break the fast and protest. And Monday, July 15, the police fired tear gas to end clashes between supporters of former Islamist president and residents of Ramses Street in Cairo. This is the first violent confrontation involving pro-Morsi week.

Without reaching, by far, the deadly clashes that took place just after the dismissal of Morsi, it is the first violent confrontation involving pro-Morsi week. According to official sources, the clashes left seven dead and 261 wounded in Cairo.

At least 401 people were arrested Tuesday in the wake of violence. The arrests relate solely sector Ramses siute in the center of the capital.

The Islamists have called for a mass demonstration on Monday. The huge crowd of Muslim Brotherhood supporters converged on Cairo a place where was made a giant national flag, surrounded by portraits of Mohamed Morsi, still being held in an undisclosed location secret. Throughout the evening, the crowd continued to grow to what appears to be one of the biggest gatherings since the overthrow of president.

The authorities ordered the arrest of seven Islamists

Other demonstrators headed to the Republican Guard, "where there is just one week, pro-Morsi supporters were killed by army gunfire," notes Sonia Dridi, FRANCE 24 correspondent in Cairo. But the army had announced the day she would respond with "utmost firmness and severity" if protesters tried to approach their bases or to penetrate.

The authorities have already ordered Monday the arrest of seven persons Islamists, including the Muslim Brotherhood for the violence the day preceding the impeachment of President by the army on July 3.

As for anti-Morsi, hundreds of activists gathered in Tahrir Square on Monday night. The leader of the liberal coalition, Khaled Daoud, told Sonia Dridi early evening for the moment, the mobilization was "not very important" but that a "big event" was scheduled for next Friday "in support of the transition plan of the army."

Pro-and anti-Morsi refuse to meet William Burns

Regardless of their place of event, pro-and anti-Morsi have found a common enemy: the United States. While William Burns, the U.S. Assistant Secretary of State has made an official visit to Cairo Monday, representatives of the Islamist party Al-Nour and those of anti-Morsi Tamarod party (" , Rebellion ") refused to meet him.

"Since the 2011 revolution the anti-American sentiment is growing, says Sonia Dridi. This time, activists (anti-Morsi) accuse the United States of having ties too close to the Muslim Brotherhood when they were in power. They also accuse Washington of having asked a few days ago, releasing Mohamed Morsi. "

"First, they [the United States] must recognize the new system," said founder and Tamarod Mahmoud Badr. "Secondly, they have to apologize for their support to the party of the Muslim Brotherhood and terrorism. Then we'll see. "

Official visits

Avoiding talking about the coup, the United States has also attracted the ire of the Muslim Brotherhood. The Al-Nour party, which has accepted the handling of the situation by the army, for his part said to have rejected the invitation of William Burns due to the intervention "unjustified" United States in the affairs of Egypt.

Isolated, Williams Burns is merely official visits. He met with General Al-Sissi and the new Prime Minister Hazem el-Beblaoui and interim president, Adli Mansour. The U.S. official called the Egyptian army to avoid arrest "politically motivated" and said the United States would not try to impose their models , on to Egypt, nor argue parties or personalities in particular.

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BRAZIL: Dilma Rousseff said listening to the street and promised reforms

 

Faced with a historic social unrest, the president of Brazil, Dilma Rousseff, said she was listening to the street, in a solemn address to the nation broadcast Friday night . "I want to reiterate that my government is listening to the voices demanding democratic change," said Rousseff, 24 hours after the protests marred by violence who poured 1.2 million Brazilians in the streets, during a 10 minute speech broadcast by radio and television stations in the country.

"I will invite the governors, mayors of major cities, forming a great pact around the improvement of public services," said the president. She cited "transport" quality at fair prices ", health, and education, for which she reiterated her desire to devote 100% oil revenues of the country paralyzed by a strong political gridlock project. Brazilian President announced that she would receive "the leaders of peaceful protests, representatives of youth organizations, trade unions, labor movements, popular organizations". "We need their contribution (…) their energy and creativity, their bet on the future and their ability to challenge the mistakes of the past and pre feels, "she said. But she warned it would not tolerate a "violent and authoritarian minority dirty a democratic and peaceful movement," destroying "the public and private property."

"Fighting Corruption"

Dilma Rousseff said that Brazil needed to "oxygenate" the "political system" to make it "more open to the influence of society" and find "better ways to fight corruption." Promising that Brazil would achieve "a great World Cup football has responded to criticism of the protesters on the huge expenses for the organization of the World next year. "I want to clarify that the money spent for stadiums by the Government will duly paid by companies and state governments that will operate" in the future, she said. "I will never allow the federal funds (…) neglected priority sectors such as health and education," she said.

Protests continue

While the president was speaking, new events, much lower than Thursday where over a million people had been identified, took place in thirty cities. But in Rio, Sao Paulo and Porto Alegre, groups of protesters blocked major urban roads in rush hour, causing traffic jams. In Rio, protesters massed outside the home of the governor of the state, in the upscale neighborhood of Leblon. A Valparaiso de Goias (center), at least ten buses were burned and clashes broke out with police. Chief of Staff of the Presidency, Gilberto Carvalho, said that the authorities were preparing for the possibility of further protests during the World Day of Catholic Youth ( WYD) and the visit of Pope Francis, late July in Rio de Janeiro.

Confederations Cup tarnished

The protests have tarnished the Confederations Cup soccer – considered the dress rehearsal in miniature World-which takes place in the country until June 30. "The Confederations Cup takes place in Brazil and the FIFA World Cup to be held in Brazil," reiterated Friday in Rio Secretary General , General of FIFA, Jerome Valcke, while Brazilian media relayed rumors about a possible cancellation. "There is no plan B," he told Brazilian journalists, noting that FIFA had nothing to do with the social problems of the country and that it was therefore a "wrong target". The Pass Book Movement (MPL for free public transport) in Sao Paulo, one of the spearheads of social unrest, said he kept calling to manifest in so gapole after the fall in the price of public transport. "The ultimate goal has been reached," said one of the leaders, Lucas Monteiro on television. But other groups continued to launch calls for demonstrations on social networks.

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UNITED KINGDOM: Kate and William: the baby was worth 284 million euros

 

God save the baby. The birth of the first child of Prince William and his wife Kate, scheduled for July 13, will bring a nice windfall for the UK economy. In a study published Monday, June 17, the Centre for Retail Research (CRR – Center for Studies on retail sales) estimates the positive impact of 243 million pounds (or 284 million).

This time consumerist whip anticipated could be good for a British economy, with growth of 0.3% over the first three months of 2013, fight against a return to recession. For the British research institute report's author, the joy of his subjects majesty Queen Elizabeth II is, above all, result in an orgy of festive spending (87 million pounds, 101 million ) alcohol and food. "In true British tradition, celebrate the birth will primarily grow 4.8 million Britons toast to the health of the newborn and nearly three million bottles of champagne should be open on this occasion, "said the CRR.

The star stroller

Buying children's toys and souvenirs (80 million pounds – € 93.5 million), as well as the sale of books and DVDs dedicated to the royal couple and the birth (76 million Sterling – € 89 million) complete the spending spree announced.

Even if it is forecast that these numbers do not come out of nowhere. Royal events traditionally relate much to the British economy. The marriage of the royal couple had thus raised a whopping 530 million pounds of sales souvenirs, books and others.

The benefits can also be positive for some than for others. Thus all manufacturers of strollers hope that Kate and William will choose to ride their brand new baby. "The royal family that has adopted for their arrival [highly publicized, Ed] at Buckingham Palace will undoubtedly become the star of the sales this year," says Joshua Bamfield, Director of the Centre for Retail Research. On the subject, rumors are rife in the British popular press and Dutch brand Bugaboo now looks set to win the jackpot (and bell) of this birth.

UNITED STATES: Washington promised $ 23 million reward to locate Belmokhtar

 

The manhunt is officially open. The United States promised a reward of $ 23 million for information leading to the capture of the Algerian jihadist Mokhtar Belmokhtar or that the head of the Nigerian Islamist sect Boko Haram.

The biggest reward seven million is reserved for No. 1 alleged Boko Haram, Abubakar Shekau, who is currently fighting the army of Nigeria in the north-east of the country .

A windfall of five million dollars is offered to anyone who will provide critical information regarding the Algerian Belmokhtar, a former head of AQIM who set up his own group in late 2012.

Given up for dead by Chad in April, he threatened ten days ago to launch new attacks in Niger after suicide attacks in late May. His group conducted a massive hostage in January in a gas plant in Algeria.

"Rewards for Justice"

Other leaders of Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) are also included in the program of the State Department called "Rewards for Justice", which since 1984 money to an informant for the arrest or elimination of individuals who threaten the interests of the United States.

Five million are pledged to the head of Abu Yahya Al-Hammam, an Algerian AQIM leader accused of involvement in the killing of a French hostage in 2010 . 

Abdelkarim Abu Malik, commander of AQIM and Oumar Ould Hamahathe spokesman of the Movement for the uniqueness and Jihad in West Africa (Mujao), an Islamist group ousted from Mali in January, are also the target of Washington, with three million each reward.

"AQIM is increasingly active in northern and western Africa. They are part of the first groups against kidnap ransoms in the global terrorist network ", told AFP an official of the State Department.

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GUATEMALA: The genocide conviction of ex-dictator Rios Montt canceled

 

It was a historic verdict: 80 years in prison for genocide 50 and 30 for war crimes. Former Guatemalan dictator Efrain Rios Montt, 86 years old, was found liable, on May 10, the massacre of at least 1771 when e Ixil Mayan Indians , was in power in 1982 and 1983. For the first time a South American president was convicted of genocide.

But this decision, then greeted by cheers and applause from the relatives of the victims, just by retoquée justice in Guatemala. Monday, May 20, during a brief press conference, the Constitutional Court announced the cancellation of the conviction for genocide because of a defect and demanded the resumption of the trial s when it was interrupted for questions of jurisdiction, on April 19. That day, a dispute erupted between two judges about their competence on this issue. A number of calls were then appeals to the Constitutional Court for irregularities.

One was Francisco Garcia, one of the defense lawyers of Rios Montt, who had been rejected at the beginning of the trial, for having tried several times to re ,. voquer two of the three judges presidents Once allowed to continue the defense of his client, Francisco Garcia again tried to dismiss the judges, but they simply rejected his request and continued the hearing. According to the Constitutional Court, the judges would have had to suspend the trial until the attempted challenge was officially resolved.

Victims will testify again

No date has been given for the restart of the trial. Among the 130 witnesses called, all those convened after May 19 will therefore be heard again. Dozens of survivors of the massacres perpetrated by the army during the civil war in Guatemala came to tell the atrocities committed by the military will again. Faces masked by colorful fabrics, including indigenous women reported gang rapes. Another witness, Julio Velasco child at the time, ensured they saw soldiers "use the head of an old woman like balloon" in a military camp where he had e ty forcibly taken. A former member of paramilitary patrols, Bernal Herrera, explained how he had been conscripted by the army throughout the civil war as an aid to the fight against-insurgency.

Came to power in a coup in 1982 and ousted the same way the following year, the former General Rios Montt implemented the policy scorched earth against indigenous people accused of supporting leftist guerrillas during the Cold War. The civil war in Guatemala (1960-1996) was 200,000 dead and missing, according to the United Nations.

After spending two nights in jail, Efrain Rios Montt was taken to the military hospital last week for respiratory problems and prostate problems. He will soon find his house arrest where he was before the trial. The Constitutional Court, in turn, gave 24 hours to the judges who sentenced the former dictator to comply with its decision.

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AFGHANISTAN: Kabul condemns deadly bombing of NATO in Eastern Afghanistan

 

President Hamid Karzai "strongly condemned" Sunday a NATO bombing Saturday in eastern Afghanistan that killed eleven Afghan children, despite repeated orders from him to stop air attacks on residential areas.

"While condemning the use of civilians as human shields, the president denounced any operation that causes the death of civilians," it said in a statement from the Afghan presidency, adding a "delegation" would go to the scene to investigate. 

The ISAF, the NATO force in Afghanistan, which previously stated that "up to ten women and children were injured but not killed," according to one of its spokesman on Sunday afternoon, said a few hours later she "took note of information on the death of ten children," according to another of its communicating.

"We bring the facts to understand what happened. We take every civilian casualties very seriously, "continued the other spokesperson.

An initial assessment, confirmed by three officials of Kunar province, a Taliban stronghold in the east of the country where the incident occurred, reported 10 dead children, which was added the death of a woman, according to one of these sources.

The bombing occurred when an intense battle was between Afghan and American Taliban insurgents in the district of Shigal, according to several Afghan and ISAF.

"Before the bombing, an American was killed and four members of the Afghan security forces were wounded in an insurgent attack," commented Wasifullah Wasifi The spokesman for the Kunar provincial government. 

The death of an American civilian in eastern Afghanistan was announced Saturday by the U.S. armed forces by statement, without elaborating. The spokesman for ISAF confirmed to AFP that this was the same incident.

"We pulled over for several houses in the area. One American was killed and several of our men wounded. The coalition force responded by bombing, "said a security source present during the Afghan operation.

"We did not know there were women and children in the house. The Taliban have used them as shields, "continued the man who requested anonymity.

According to Abdul Zahir, the district governor of Shigal, where the fighting took place, the villagers Asa Abad, the capital of Kunar, ten reported dead children, while six women were , supported the provincial hospital.

According to Sayed Rahman, responsable for the safety of Shigal, a woman was also killed in the bombing.

Abdulqahar Balkhi, a spokesman for the Taliban, complained on twitter the death of "22 innocent civilians martyred because of a terrorist bombing of the U.S. and NATO," including "15 members the same family. " 

The bombings are a constant motif of Hamid Karzai's anger towards the international force, which bears his government at arm's length.

In early February, the head of the Afghan state had banned its armed forces to seek the support of NATO air after ten women and children were killed in Kunar.

Despite eleven years of presence of the NATO coalition, which has ousted the Taliban have not been knocked out. They continue their guerrilla war against international forces and Afghan government forces against, mainly in the south and east.

April marks the beginning of the "fighting season" in Afghanistan, after a severe winter generally quieter.

Saturday, five other members of the coalition, three soldiers and two civilians also died in a car bomb attack in the south, making this day the most battered , re to the international coalition in nearly eight months.

AFP

MALI: Report: Chadian troops return to Kidal

 

The Battle of Ifoghas nearing completion and Chadian troops redeploy to the major cities of northern Mali. Less than two hours by plane is sufficient to connect Kidal in the north-east, the Massif of the extreme east of the country, on the border with Algeria, which were folded jihadists against the offensive of the French troops, Chad and Mali started in early January in northern Mali.

These troops now have a mission to hunt down the last pockets of resistance from Islamists and secure the area. Kidal is not yet completely safe, has a large escort Chadian soldiers so welcome at the airport. The city is in the hands of Tuareg separatist MNLA (National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad), who supported the Islamists in the cleavage of northern Mali, but are now allies in Mali , France and the Chadian army.

A cold reception

Here, in contrast to what happened in the south of Mali, home of foreign troops is rather cold. The convoy, children shouting "Vive l'Azawad [name of the independent Northern Mali, Ed]", illustrate the state of mind that prevails in the city. Chadians are perceived as occupiers rather than liberators, although Umar Bikimo, Brigadier General of the Chadian army in Mali, defends himself . "The Chadian troops have been well received," says the military envoys to FRANCE 24.

Some 2,400 Chadian soldiers are deployed in Mali since January 26. Gao and Kidal into the massive Ifoghas, the Chadians were found alongside the French in the first line of the Serval operation launched on January 11. The Malian army has no access to this part of the country, both divisions are strong among Malians Malians the north and the south.

DIPLOMACY: UN declaration "historic" on violence against women

 

Western and Muslim countries have overcome their deep divisions Friday to agree on a statement by the UN described as historic denouncing violence against women and sets a code of conduct to combat .

After nearly two weeks of talks in New York between the 193 member states of the UN, Iran, Libya, Sudan and other Muslim countries originally trè , s reluctant agreed to include this statement in a paragraph emphasizing that violence against women and girls could not be justified "by any custom, tradition or religious consideration."

For their part, Western countries, notably in Scandinavia, pushing the adoption of a vigorous made concessions on the terms of the rights of homosexuals and sexual rights.

Over 6.000 representatives of civil society participated since March 4 this 57th annual UN Commission on the Status of Women. Applause and cheers greeted the announcement of the adoption of the text late Friday night at the UN headquarters in New York.

Michelle Bachelet, Executive Director of UN Women, described the meeting as "historic." Just after the UN announced that Ms. Bachelet left his post to resume his political career in Chile, where she was president.

During the negotiations, Iran, the Vatican and Russia were leagued in a conservative alliance, according to diplomats to try to sweeten the draft final declaration supported by United States, Canada and Europe, including Norway and Denmark. The impasse threatened until the last minute to derail the meeting, as was the case in 2003.

Conservative countries as opposed to that of forced sex to a woman by her husband or partner be considered rape and challenged references in the text to the right , abortion.

Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt said Friday that the text under discussion in the UN was contrary to Islam and lead to the "total forfeiture of society" and in case of adoption. 

"The Commission urges States strongly condemn all forms of violence against women and girls and refrain from invoking any custom, tradition or religious consideration to avoid their obligation to end" this violence, the declaration proclaims.

She adds that states must "pay particular attention to the abolition of discriminatory laws and practices against women and girls or perpetuating or consider acceptable violence in their respect. "

Countries should "treat and eradicate domestic violence a priority," says the text. 

"This is the type of language likely to cringe in Iran and other Muslim countries who advocate radical Islam," said a Western diplomat present at the meeting.

The conference was held in the context of mobilization after Taliban attack in October against a teenager Pakistan, Malala Yousafzai, struggling to promote the education of girls in her country, and gang rape a young Indian woman last December.

According to a World Bank report mentioned at the conference, women aged 15-44 years are more likely to die a violent death than malaria, AIDS or cancer combined.

AFP

SYRIA: Damascus could "use chemical weapons against its people"

 

Damascus is ready to use chemical weapons against his own people "last resort," he said, from Turkey, the Syrian general Adnan Sillu. This senior comes as the former head of the chemical arsenal of the regime. He defected there three months.

In an interview published Wednesday by the British newspaper The Times, he mentions high-level meetings to which he was able to attend Damascus. "We had

serious discussions on the use of chemical weapons, including how to use and in what areas, "he thus revealed. "We discussed this as a last resort, facing the loss of control by the regime of a large area, such as Aleppo," said the old gen eral, which also indicates the presence of Iranian experts in these meetings. The man explained that he had decided to leave the army after becoming aware of the intentions of the Syrian regime.

These revelations contradict previous assertions of Damascus, by the voice of the spokesman for the Syrian Foreign Ministry, Jihad Makdessi had said in late July that re regime would never use chemical weapons against its own population. Makdessi was noted, however, that it would make use of chemical weapons in case of foreign intervention.

For several months, the Syrian opposition alert the international community about the danger posed by these weapons. Washington and Paris have responded quickly and firmly, ensuring that the use of these weapons would justify a "massive and devastating response", in the words of the head of French diplomacy Laurent Fabius.

"The only argument that could justify an intervention outside the UN mandate"

Lepick Olivier, associate researcher at the Foundation for Strategic Research (FRS) and specialist chemical and biological weapons, invited to address the allegations of former military with "great caution" , noting that there is currently no proof of what he says. General Adnan Sillu "has defecting too late" does not fail to emphasize the researcher.

"For my part, I do not believe for one second that the Syrian regime would use chemical weapons against his own people," he advance, categorical, before continuing: "It has no interest, political or tactical. " In venturing to cross what Washington has called a "red line", explains the researcher, Syria would lose its last allies in the Security Council and "international cause an explosion."

Frédéric Pichon, historian of Syria, also shade the scope of the claims ranking Syrian. "It is not even certain that General has indeed been responsible for the chemical arsenal," he said. For him, these claims are timely for some of the opposition: "We know that the threat of chemical weapons is the only argument that could justify Western intervention outside the UN mandate, that much of the opposition is calling for. "

Beyond that mean about the former military leader, according to Frédéric Pichon they reflect the "information war" being waged by government and the opposition since the beginning of the conflict .

Damascus has tested chemical weapons

The disturbing statements by General Adnan Sillu occur while Damascus is suspected to have carried out tests of chemical weapons. This is at least what said Monday the German magazine Der Spiegel. Citing witnesses, the paper reports tests near the end of August Safira, east of Aleppo. Five to six empty shells of chemicals would, according to the newspaper, was launched from tanks or aircraft at a military.

These allegations suggest "perplexed" chemical weapons expert Olivier Lepick, which is more surprising elements in the description of these tests. "There is no interest in testing chemical weapons by throwing empty shells as the article says Spiegel," he says. The form of the chemical, liquid or solid, may alter the trajectory of the shell. Hence the value of the test. "Usually we use a simulated, a liquid that simulates the conditions in the same," said the scientist. There is also mention of aircraft shells fired, or after him no one ever launched chemical weapons so. "Normally we drop fragmentation bombs." Many "details" that do emphasize the need for this type of information very carefully.