JUSTICE: What might Dominique Strauss-Kahn under U.S. law?

The arrest and prosecution of sexual assault, attempted rape and kidnapping of Dominique Strauss-Kahn on Sunday by the prosecutor of New York, raises several legal issues relating to sexual offenses. Decryption.

What's next court waiting DSK?

The IMF chief should be referred on Sunday at 19 pm (Paris time) before a U.S. judge in New York, with whom he will have the opportunity to speak. Former socialist minister denies all the charges alleged against him and will plead not guilty, told AFP his Washington lawyer, William Taylor. The magistrate will then decide on the release on bail of former minister or otherwise detained."In general, with regard to foreign nationals, who are by definition the risk to flee the United States to their country, mostly in cases of this magnitude, those accused remain in jail, at least for the time the judge to initiate the procedure, "says Emmanuel Saint-Martin, FRANCE 24's correspondent in New York. If the judge finds that the director will not escape justice, then it will be released on bail or without bail, on condition that he report at trial.

The head of the IMF has it a privilege?

"Theoretically, DSK is protected by an immunity for acts committed as part of his official duties in accordance with the operation of major international institutions.Remains whether it applied at the time of the alleged assault, "said Stanislas de Saint Hippolyte, FRANCE 24's correspondent in Washington. Indeed, the IMF Articles of Agreement (Article IX), showing that its officials" are not prosecuted for acts performed by them in exercising their official duties, "however, the Fund may decide to waive this immunity after meeting management.

If the allegations are true, what are the penalties incurred by Dominique Strauss-Kahn?

The fate of DSK depends on the nature of the crime by holding the "District Attorney" (floor New York).Charged with sexual assault, forcible confinement and one of attempted rape, the IMF chief "risk if convicted one year to twenty-five years in prison, according to the prosecutor's decision", said Stanislas de Saint Hippolyte.

Four scenarios could apply to Dominique Strauss-Kahn: sexual intercourse without consent of the victim. "This is the crime the less severely punished, ie one year in prison," said Stanislas de Saint Hippolyte. The second case involves sexual abuse. It may be a crime as a crime, punishable by up to fifteen years imprisonment. The third qualifier is rape, punishable by a sentence of twenty-five years in prison.Finally, any act of rape with "deviant", such as the practice of oral sex, is punishable by twenty-five years' imprisonment maximum.

BAHRAIN: Two Shiite opposition parties threatened to dissolve

The Department of Justice and Islamic Affairs of Bahrain has launched a lawsuit to dissolve the two parties of the Shiite opposition, including the powerful Al-Wefaq, a month after the end of the protest in the kingdom, reported Thursday the official agency BNA.

The lawsuit relates to "Islamic Action Association and Al-Wefaq," the agency said, accusing the two Shia groups have "seriously violated the rules of the Constitution and the laws and have been activities that have affected the civil peace and national unity. "

These two associations have also "encouraged institutions to non-compliance," the agency said, quoting a ministry statement.

Al-Wefaq was the main opposition group in parliament, where it controlled 18 of 40 seats. It was during the events of mid-February to mid-March, called for political reforms to transform Bahrain into a genuine constitutional monarchy where the Prime Minister is the head of the parliamentary majority.

The Islamic Action Association has also joined the protest, led mainly by Shiites, the majority among the local population against the Sunni dynasty of the Al-Khalifa.

INTERNET: Microsoft launches assault against Google in Europe

AFP - The U.S. computer group Microsoft has openly declared war in Europe with his compatriot and great rival Google on Internet, by filing Thursday for the first time in its history, a complaint with the European Commission for abusing its dominant position.

Brad Smith, vice president of Microsoft, announced the complaint in a blog published on the website of the group in Redmond.

It has been confirmed by the services of EU Competition Commissioner, Joaquin Almunia, who already have a formal investigation against Google open since November.

Brad Smith accuses Google of using "an increasing number of technical measures" to "build walls" preventing proper access to certain content to Internet search engines online competitor of his.

It "blocks of content and data that competitors need to provide search results to consumers and to attract advertisers," source of income for the free services on the Internet, he acknowledges, with several examples support.

Brad Smith evokes including restrictions on access to online video site YouTube to search engines other than Google Search or the multifunction phones using Microsoft software.

Ultimately, Google and reinforces the dominance of Google Search, whose market share in Europe is estimated at 95%, against 5% for Bing, the search engine from Microsoft.

The Commission had already received several complaints in the past against Google.His investigation is focused for now on two markets where the giant internet hyperdominant in Europe, research and online advertising.

It seeks to verify if it promotes its own services and penalizes those of competitors in the results provided by its search engine, or if it imposes exclusivity to advertising partners.

In the immediate future, its services have "taken note" of the new complaint, saying they would like the procedure provided, request a response to Google.

They will then assess whether or not to include it in the file, allowing Microsoft to be more involved in the investigation.

For its part, Google is "not surprised," he assured his spokesman in Brussels, Al Verney, recalling that one of the subsidiaries of Microsoft had been "one of the first plaintiffs in Brussels.

The group suggested all along that Microsoft is behind his troubles in Europe.

Upon revelation of the first complaints, he noted that two of them were related to the group from Redmond: the Internet portal Ciao, acquired by Microsoft in 2008, and that of Foundem compare prices, part of him as association lobbying ICOMP.

From this point of view, the complaint of Microsoft clarifies the debate.

She is also a backlash, because a few years ago, the positions were exactly reversed: it's Microsoft that was in the sights of Brussels for abuse of dominant position, at the time because of its Internet Explorer browser, and Google on the side of plaintiffs.

The standoff lasted for years, and Microsoft had to pay heavy fines.

Brad Smith acknowledged Thursday "irony" of the situation, but assured that Microsoft had not taken his decision lightly. Google "should not be allowed to continue practices that restrict innovation and offer competing services," he stressed, saying "hope" that Brussels' decision to stop. "

LIBYA: The G8 failed to agree on the establishment of a no-fly zone

The foreign ministers of the G8 in Paris on Tuesday called for new measures to the UN to "further pressure" on Muammar Gaddafi, Alain Juppe announced at the end of their work.

"We agree to ask the Security Council to increase its pressure on Colonel Gaddafi," said Alain Juppe to the press.

But the written conclusions of the meeting did not mention the option of a no-fly zone, in which several countries, including Germany, were opposed.

"The ministers have asked Muammar Gaddafi to respect the legitimate claims of the Libyan people for their fundamental rights, freedom of expression and a representative form of government.They warned against the tragic consequences of his refusal, "these findings indicate.

"The Ministers welcomed the fact that the Security Council of the United Nations urgently examine a wide range of measures to protect people against attacks by Libyan forces of Muammar Gaddafi," said the text also.

"They also agreed that the Security Council should increase the pressure to encourage Muammar Gaddafi to leave, including economic measures," he adds.

Alain Juppe had announced on Tuesday morning that the G8 countries were unable to agree on the principle of military intervention in Libya, desired by France.Paris and London last week evoked the possibility of targeted air strikes, carried out with the approval of the Security Council, or a no-fly zone.

LIBYA: Tripoli suspends diplomatic relations with Paris

Libya on Friday decided to "suspend" its diplomatic relations with France, said the Libyan Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Khaled Kaaim, during a press conference in Tripoli.

"We decided today (Friday) to suspend diplomatic relations with France. We will later load a country to represent our interests in France," saidKaaim.

"The aim of France is only to divide Libya," he further said.

The decision comes after that of Paris on Thursday to recognize the Libyan opponents of the National Transitional Council (CNT) as "the legitimate representative of the Libyan people."

"This council represents only himself. He was not elected. Do not represent the regions of Libya, even in the East" the stronghold of the opposition, still hammered Friday, Vice-Minister.

FRANCE: Two French planes of humanitarian aid towards Benghazi

AFP - Prime Minister Francois Fillon said Monday morning that two French planes were leaving "in a few hours" to Benghazi, a city in eastern Libya in the hands of opponents of Colonel Gaddafi, referring to the beginning of a humanitarian operation " massive. "

"In a few hours, two planes will leave for Benghazi at the request of the French government with doctors, nurses, medical equipment, drugs. It will be the beginning of a massive humanitarian support to people in the liberated territories," he saidFillon on RTL.

Sunday, Washington, for his part said to be "ready" to provide "any assistance" to opponents of the regime of Muammar Gaddafi.

According to a report Sunday in the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), a total of 256 people were killed and 2,000 injured in Benghazi (1,000 km east of Tripoli), second largest city which is part of the challenge People on February 17.

And if the insurgency has managed to prevent chaos, most shops remain closed, as well as schools, while the port's activity is limited to the evacuation of foreigners.

Extending his remarks on the popular uprisings underway in several Arab countries, Francois Fillon has also questioned the manner in which France and Europe could "help these revolutions (...), which are far from be accomplished to bring the Arab people towards democracy. "

"This is an immediate issue" because "if Tunisia does not quickly an example of a successful transition to democracy, so it's a terrible signal that is sent to all countries of the region with consequences that can be the return of the darkest forces, "he warned.

"The role of France is to help is to support, it support, including on economic and financial terms, these countries moving towards democracy," insisted Francois Fillon.

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: Shakhtar is sacked Rome

They came, they saw, they conquered. The Brazilians dominated Shakhtar Donetsk AS Roma in a match that was cut short for the Giallorossi on Wednesday, in the fourth round to move the Champions League. Ukrainians, far from being petrified by the two-month winter break when they are forced, reversed the game just one minute after the opener by the Romans (28th, Simone Perrotta) before taking it, 3 -2.

This is the Brazilian Jadson who undertook to deliver the two teams tied with a shot deflected by the unfortunate Nicolas Burdisso. Ten minutes later, the quota "do Brasil" Shakhtar drives the point home.At the edge of the area, Douglas Costa will play four defenders Italian Roma Doni and wrong a beautiful shot wound (1-2).

Too sure of him early in the game, the Roman club made the mistake of taking up a Ukrainian team that finished first in their group to Arsenal last December.

The fall of Rome

Especially since, its momentum, Shakhtar continues to rage.On a loose ball from Norwegian John Arne Riise, Costa transplanted into the shaft and serves caviar Luiz Adriano (41 ') which has only put the ball into the net (1-3).

But while the end of the European adventure seems to be emerging for the Romans, the French Jeremy Menez, who wrote a very good performance, give hope to his teammates. After the break, the former Monaco full-line rushes, fails to make the shirt and pull up a curling shot into the top corner (2-3).

The game finally balanced between a conquering and a Roma Shakhtar who wants to keep the advantage while seeking the killer cons. Yet the repeated incursions by Marco Borriello (70th, 90th), Francesco Totti (82) and Rodrigo Taddei (82) will achieve nothing.With their victory on the outside, the Ukrainians will host the March 8 a humiliated Roma who will also be without his strong man of the moment, Menezes, who was sentenced a second yellow card. The fall of Rome is announced ...

TUNISIA: The Interior Minister made the household within the security services

The Interior Ministry raided by nearly 2 000 people, attacks against schools and colleges, protesters harassed ... In recent days, the incident - and rumors of incidents - are multiplying in Tunisia. The interior minister of the transitional government, Farhat Rajhi, tried to calm the situation on Tuesday night, speaking on television and in dismissing some thirty senior security services.

"Day after day we hear of attacks, kidnappings and violence against innocent Tunisians, wrote on his blog Lina Ben Mhenni, professor at the University of Tunis. The dictator is gone but the plan is still there.Officers of State Security, supported by militia have sown terror in the country. "

A week marred by incidents

Tuesday, they are different schools of Tunis, the capital and its suburbs that have panicked. "The gangs are terrorizing the colleges and high schools," as this Wednesday the Tunisian daily Le Temps.

English teacher in a school district Bardo - High School November 7th, renamed the school in the revolution of the 14th-January - Nabila Lakhdar Serian said that chaotic day. "Members of the former regime came in some institutions they hit the teachers, students and terrorized everyone.My high school was not attacked but friends called us to tell us to go home. Everyone was panicking. "

The day before, is the headquarters of the Ministry of Interior which was in turn attacked, this time by a crowd of over 2000 people. "Rashid Ammar [Chief of Defence Staff, note] and I escaped by a miracle, said the interior minister in person on television. Without the anti-terrorist units, the attackers would have killed us."Farhat Rajhi, which was stolen coat, his glasses and his computer during the attack, said the attackers "were armed, drunk and drugged."

At Kasserine, in central-west, the same day, several buildings, including the sub-prefecture, were ransacked. On Friday, demonstrators from within the country were violently evicted from the esplanade of the Kasbah, Tunis, where they camped for several days.

"They sow mayhem to slow change"

For Tunisians, there is no doubt that members of the former regime are behind these incidents. "We are living a revolution, said Hatem Frikha, a manager in a consulting and player associations.We just dropped a police state. It is normal for a fringe of the former regime does not want to let things take their course. "

"These people try to mess to slow the pace of change, Hatem Frikha analysis. They want to save some time either to try to rebuild their virginity, or to run away ..."

Alleging a conspiracy against the state after the attack on the Interior Ministry, Farhat Rajhi acknowledged in his address to the private channel Hannibal TV that "evil comes from within.""Fifty invaders, many of whom were armed, were arrested before being released, showing a fail-safe and collusion between the attackers and the law enforcement agencies," he said.

It is for this reason that 34 senior security officials, including heads of national security, safety and general presidential security, was retired Tuesday.Meanwhile, seven new directors were appointed to head various departments of national security.

Farhat Rajhi, the "new face of the police"

These ads and the general tone of the new interior minister, who spoke in Tunisian dialect, seem to have convinced some of the population. "Farhat Rajhi is a very sympathetic character, charming," says Nabila Lakhdar Serian. It embodies a new face of the police. " "The interior minister gave a very interesting speech, confirms Hatem Frikha. It is unanimously behind him."

On Wednesday, the calm seems to income in the country.An authorized source at the Interior Ministry, quoted by the Agence Tunis-Afrique Presse (TAP), has also denied rumors of child abductions, which have proliferated on Tuesday. A hotline was made available to the public by the Ministry of Interior.

Police also made a comeback in the Tunisian streets. After several days of strikes, wage increases were granted on Tuesday, agents of security services. Schools are functioning normally.

"We still always in fear because we are in a transitional period," says Nabila Lakhdar Serian.We do not want an abortion militias our revolution. "" There are incidents, but the situation is quite manageable, assured of his side Hatem Frikha. The police and army are playing their role. The general trend is very positive. "

EGYPT: Government resigns, protesters still in the street

Of army tanks positioned in the capital, paving stones littered with debris, the headquarters of the National Democratic Party (NDP) who is still smoking ... While traces of Friday's riots were still present in Cairo, thousands of protesters again gathered in the center of the Egyptian capital on Saturday morning. The speech by Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, who has notably announced the sacking of the government, did not appear sufficient to calm the anger of the population.

A speech "meaningless"

The resignation of the cabinet must be formally confirmed in the coming hours this Saturday, and Hosni Mubarak should then appoint the new prime minister. The government could be formed in the day.Leaving his silence Friday night, Hosni Mubarak assured, in a short speech, had "fully aware of the legitimate aspirations of the people."He also said he is determined to ensure stability.

In an exclusive interview with FRANCE 24, the opponent Mohamed el-Baradei, former Director General of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), found the speech "meaningless" and called Hosni Mubarak from. "The Egyptian president has clearly not understood the message that emanated from the Egyptian people," he said. It was almost an insult to his intelligence. "

According to Egyptian expert Aklimandos Toufik, associate researcher at the contemporary history of the Arab world at the College de France, the speech contained no concrete announcement. "Hosni Mubarak gave a speech that is his for years," he explained to FRANCE 24.It was a good speech, except that it contained no new element, able to reassure the population. "

The attitude of the army, which is decisive

"If the day on Friday was decisive in mobilizing and this Saturday will be equally critical of his side says Gallagher Fenwick, a FRANCE 24 special correspondents in Cairo. The protesters are back on the streets after a night of riots, and they will be very attentive to the attitude of the army, positioned at strategic locations in the Egyptian capital.The question is whether the army is going to marry this movement, as was the case in Tunisia, or whether it will instead protect the regime ".

By late Friday, President Hosni Mubarak has indeed called in the army reinforcements to enforce security in the country.

Tens of thousands of people protested Friday in the country, demanding the departure of the Egyptian president, in power since 1981. Clashes have opposed the police who used water cannons, tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse the procession.Long after nightfall, and despite the curfew introduced by the authorities, many protesters continued to press into the streets of major cities. The clashes killed at least 13 victims in Suez, east of Cairo, Alexandria and six to the north, and many more injured - more than a thousand in Cairo.

Besides the start of Hosni Mubarak, Egyptian call for the lifting of the state of emergency in force for 30 years, more freedoms and better living conditions. While over 40% of Egyptians live on less than two dollars a day, they protest against rising prices of basic commodities and lack of jobs.