From 24 to 28 November stands the annual awareness week to credit and debt in Quebec. At a Christmas months, the Coalition of Consumer Associations of Quebec (CACQ) the opportunity to invite people to be cautious when buying on credit for not finding "In the margin to the hilt." The average debt of Canadians (including mortgages, auto loans and consumer loans) reached 131% of annual net income in 2007, stresses Melanie L'Heureux Cooperative Association of Home Economics of the Outaouais (ACEF ). In people it helps him, it notes an average debt of 140%.
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
O'Byrne should move on to other things
Ryan O'Byrne has been possibly the most embarrassing moment of his young career by sending the puck into his goal in the third period against the Islanders. The rest is history: The Canadian has not been able to resume its advance and has saved New York with a victory in shooting barrage. It must be really pleased, especially since it is not a good start to the season and he plays very nervous. He even boo at the end of the game, this is nothing to improve his confidence. But O'Byrne is a young player and there will be many other moments that will mark one way or another. He should forget this incident and not drag this bad memory for the rest of his career. This is not the kind of thing that happens often in the career of a player and it is normal to be disappointed. It must be said that this is not the only factor in the defeat of Canadians: special units have not worked and O'Byrne is not the only one to blame. Forever I would have liked to see the veterans go O'Byrne to talk to him immediately after his gaffe. When he returned to the bench, he was alone, without any support. The minute he spent in solitary certainly seemed like an eternity. On the one hand, I understand the reaction of players to have frozen because it is not the kind of event we can predict. At least we saw after the game that his teammates came to his defense. O'Byrne is very nervous because he wants to do well in the eyes of his coaches. This is not an easy situation to live for the moment, but it does not ruin a career so far. The importance of Gorges Josh Gorges is a defender who impressed greatly since his arrival in Montreal. There was talk of him as a possible seventh defender and some saw the same in Hamilton. Things are different today. It is somewhat the same style as Francis Bouillon, ie it does not have a big fixture but it will stop at nothing It has its place slowly, and now with the absence of Mike Komisarek, he gained confidence in its submissions. Its games are simple and effective, which enabled him to win the confidence of the coach and Guy Carbonneau gives it a lot more responsibility. It responds very well to management's expectations. Carbo plays musical chairs The Canadian does not know his best moments of the season. When things go wrong, it is normal to see a coach continually change its trios. It tries to shake the attack and find solutions to unlock some players. The players already know each other and with what teammates know they have the greatest affinity. It only remains to find the right combination. Sometimes it can also take a lucky goal to boost an attack which has difficulty mark as is the case with the tricolor. Fuel power game The first month announced a beautiful season for the Canadiens but say it is a little different since the beginning of November. The biggest gap in the Canadian this season was the favorite weapon of Carbonneau last year: the digital advantage. As of Tuesday, the Canadian has been entitled to 100 digital benefits since the beginning of the season but has scored only 15 goals for a meager 15 percent success, ranking 23rd in the league. I hope that it will replace the Canadian. The execution is still good. Rather, the finishing is the problem. The team is full of talent and there is a little more work from major players. Everything is a question of will. As I said before, a lucky goal or a lucky victory could restore confidence in the attack. Evaluate the team before moving Bob Gainey is a very good general manager and is on the lookout for everything that happens in the league. We just think the record Mats Sundin in which he was very involved. Before making a movement, it will assess the needs of the team. I repeat: If the CH has a transaction to be done, I hope it will be to acquire an experienced defender is able to carry the attack. There are already Andrei Markov fact that while Komisarek is the specialist in strength and Roman Hamrlik responsible defensive game. In Montreal, the centennial and we talk a lot of the Stanley Cup. It lacks a fourth defender to the team to aspire to top honors. I said in a previous column that Philippe Boucher was a perfect candidate. Now he is returned to Pittsburgh, it remains to be seen whether other defenders may be of interest Gainey. If the name of Jay Bouwmeester often in rumors, we must first know what to give back. At that time, we can compare what is in the best interest of CH.
The transition Bush-Obama complicates
Rarely transition has been difficult in the history of the White House. At least sixty days of taking office, Jan. 20, Barack Obama has broken the silence this weekend, laying the foundations for its plan to fight against the crisis. He repeated yesterday by announcing new appointments and outlining budget cuts to finance his plan. One way to occupy the ground responding to criticism about the risk of a "power vacuum". But, facing increasing economic climate, the Bush administration also seeks to increase efforts at the risk of blurring the impact and legibility of measures to revive. "Every time we take an important decision, Barack Obama and his team will be informed," said George W. Monday Bush, implicitly indicating that it does not abandon its executive before January 20. In fact, less than a week after stating he would leave his successor with the task of having the second tranche of an aid of 700 billion to the financial sector adopted in October, Henry Paulson yesterday announced a new plan Aid of 200 billion dollars for financing small businesses and consumer credit, in addition to a redemption of real estate assets of 600 billion dollars given to the Fed (see above). Formally, these new measures do not the second tranche of $ 350 billion of Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) availability of the new administration. But after successive revisions of the "Paulson plan", the proliferation of ads signals and raises doubts about the consistency of the measures entrusted to the federal authorities, which could complicate the task of the future administration. Left wing of the Democratic Party At first, the appointment of Treasury boss of the New York Fed, Timothy Geithner, who worked closely with Henry Paulson and Ben Bernanke so far, should facilitate the transition. But the left wing of the Democratic Party also believes that his association with the outgoing administration could begin its authority. For the Nobel Prize in economics Paul Krugman, the same phenomenon in 1932 may occur when the Democrat Franklin D. Roosevelt had succeeded Republican Herbert Hoover in full Depression. "The outgoing administration had no credibility and the new administration had no authority. And the ideological chasm between the two camps was too important for concerted action, "says Princeton economist and columnist of the New York Times. Although Barack Obama has suggested on Monday that the worsening of the crisis now requires a plan to boost higher than the 175 billion dollars he had raised during the campaign, the absence of more specific help to fuel uncertainty reinforced by the vagueness maintained on the expiration date of the tax cuts of the Bush administration for higher income, scheduled for 2010. For some, maintaining these tax cuts until 2010 could be a tactic to obtain the support of Republicans for rapid adoption of the "stimulus package to Congress. According to the majority leader in the Senate, Harry Reid, the relaunch plan proposed by the new administration should be 500 billion dollars over two years.
An inexplicable gesture
The former prefect of discipline of the QMJHL, Maurice Filion, commented the situation. Father Vincent Bourgeois, the player of the Montreal Junior Figure struck by the attacker Quebec Remparts Roy Frederick, reacted to the events this morning. In an interview with LCN, Andre Bourgeois said his son was still having trouble eating and speaking. "Until now he has no legacy, but we must meet with specialists next week." Fortunately for him, Vincent Bourgeois wearing a mouthguard at the time. The youth to train again, but it still does not understand why attacking Walls has taken to him. Frédéric Roy is the son of former Canadian goalkeeper and head coach of the Remparts, Patrick Roy. He was suspended 15 games for his gesture.
Big bag, a small cushion (2)
Monique Jérôme-Forget was furious yesterday. She did not like the Journal calls into question the soundness of forecasts of private investment in Quebec that the Ministry of Finance used to build its own forecasts for economic growth in Quebec. We understand the anger of the Minister of Finance by reading the first page of the Journal that the projected growth of its recent economic statement were probably far too optimistic compared to reality and they certainly can not be realized. A number of investment projects of private companies that have been taken into account in growth next year and subsequent years are still at the stage of projects. Some of these potential investments, including increased refining capacity of the plant in Saint-Romuald Ultramar, have been canceled outright to be postponed to a later date. Others, such as estimates of investment of $ 750 million over five years Provigo, have simply not been confirmed by the management of Loblaw, which owns the Quebec grocery chain. If it is hoped that the majority of the 16 billion dollars of private investment will be achieved one day, we know today that the global economy makes more uncertain in the short term. As I mentioned recently in this column, the schedule of investments planned by the multinational Rio Tinto Alcan in the Saguenay / Lac-Saint-Jean are the subject of a major overhaul. All the major players are such aluminum, because of the collapse of prices and the weakening global demand. Forecasts and elections It is already not easy to predict how the situation will evolve in times of normal economic growth, then imagine how it becomes risky when located in a period of slowdown and we decided to call an election. In this context, the normal reflex of the finance minister was present on November 4, a balance of public finances as positive as possible. Its economic statement was tinged with too much optimism overflowing. And it's not for nothing that my column the day after this statement was "Grosse bag, small pillow." Ms. Jérôme-Forget was beautiful ring generous reserves of 2.3 billion, they were clearly insufficient to face the "economic storm" apprehended by its leader Jean Charest. v The election campaigns are not the time for talking so enlightened, they are in times of economic trouble. Remember the recent federal campaign. Until the evening of the vote, Oct. 14, Stephen Harper has always refused to admit that Canada could face an economic slowdown. "Canada is immune," have ceased to proclaim the Conservatives. Stephen Harper has been, last week, the first head of government of Canada in a decade to raise the possibility that the country returns with a budget deficit. Sunday, his finance minister, Jim Flaherty, pushed even further the end of denial by admitting that Canada could eventually also be a victim of the recession in the next year. The optimism has limits usually found a few days after an electoral verdict.
Somalia: pirates of Saudi tankers calling for quick negotiations
The spokesman for Somali pirates aboard the supertanker Saudi Sirius Star, Mohamed Said, joined by telephone by AFP, called Wednesday the owners of the vessel to speed up negotiations on the ransom $ 25 million. Mohamed Said said that negotiations were profitable or hackers, nor the owners of the tanker, nor the 25 crew members. "We urge the Saudi owners of the tanker to conduct an honest dialogue in order to put an end to this crisis," said the spokesman for the pirates. "They should call the captain and items on the Sirius Star so we can expedite the negotiations," he added. "Too much waiting is harmful, as well as owners and crew of the boat. We do not currently make threats but we urge to be honest," he explained. The pirates are asking $ 25 million to release the supertanker and 300,000 tonnes of oil, they hold since Nov. 15. At their first public announcement of the amount of the ransom, they had set an ultimatum expires on 30 November. The capture of Sirius Star, along 330 meters, is the most spectacular operation conducted so far by Somali pirates who attacked a hundred boats since the beginning of the year. The supertanker, which was hijacked in the open Indian Ocean, is at anchor last week in the area of Harardhere, pirates lair located about 300 km north of Mogadishu.
A Montreal company has U.S. $ 873 million to FaceBook
Facebook has gained in court a further U.S. $ 873 million (C $ 1.1 billion) against a Montrealer who used social media to send four million spam messages promoting soft drugs and pills to extend the male. By a clever subterfuge, Adam and his company Guerbuez Atlantis Blue Capital obtained passwords of users to flood their Facebook "friends" of spam. The carousel began last spring. According to Facebook, it is the largest trial in a case involving the Can-Spam Act (Controlling the Assault of Non-Solicited Pornography and Marketing). This law prohibits sending inappropriate e-mails and covers recent messages sent from the media industry. Facebook does not expect to see the color of that money. "It is unlikely that Geurbez Atlantis and Blue Capital to honor the ruling," wrote the director of security, Max Kelly, on a blog. "We are confident that this represents a powerful deterrent to anyone who would abuse Facebook and its users." Finally, the ruling of the Federal Court of California prohibits Mr. Guerbuez to browse Facebook or come into contact with its members.
Françoise David critical of proposeTaille
Despite technical difficulties, Françoise David commented the debate live on Web yesterday. The spokesman for Quebec solidaire (QS) has criticized the remarks of leaders and put forward the elements of the platform of his party. As announced Monday, Ms. David, excluded from the televised debate, responded with the game on the site francoisedavid.com. The spokesman QS added a comment almost every minute and was effective against other leaders. "Mr. Charest equal to itself, Ms. Marois without substance, Mr. Dumont all right, "she wrote immediately after the opening speeches. Françoise David called Mario Dumont of "demagogue" and was "scandalous" that Pauline Marois does not regret the retirement of doctors in the 1990s. Denouncing the "cacophony" of the exchange, Ms. David raised the possibility that some subjects were ignored, including the environment, prevention and health problems of the regions. Françoise David has put forward projects of his party: sovereignty, free education and fight social inequality. She also addressed directly to voters who posed questions to the leaders. The spokesman QS was in a local election his party, Amherst Street in Montreal. The site was out of service between 20h40 and 21h10 due to an overload of users. About 3500 people were online at any time. "Next time I will be the true leaders debate," assured Mrs. David La Presse at the end of the debate.
The North American exchanges finish the session relatively stable
A mixture of good and bad news has left North American markets essentially stable Tuesday, investors being cautious in their assessment of the latest aid program of the U.S. government. The index star of the Toronto Stock Exchange, the S & P / TSX, has advanced 1.99 point to close at 8442.86 points, moderated by lower oil prices. The energy sector prosecutors Toronto has restated by 1.2 per cent, while a barrel of crude oil fell U.S. $ 3.73, or seven per cent to U.S. $ 50.77 on the Exchange of raw New York (NYMEX). The Canadian dollar has also increased by 0.63 cents U.S. to 81.63 cents U.S., after taking Monday 2.70 cents U.S.. In New York, the Dow Jones average of industrial values rose by 36.08 points to 8479.47 points, despite the publication of several economic data appeared to confirm that the degradation conditions and curbed and the optimism of investors. The benchmark S & P 500 advanced 5.58 points to 857.39 points while the Nasdaq composite index declined 7.29 points to 1464.73 points. Investors reacted to the announcement that the Federal Reserve to buy U.S. $ 100 billion of debt to mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac as well as federal bank loans. The Fed will also buy for around U.S. $ 500 billion of securities backed by mortgages. The financial actions of the Toronto Stock Exchange rose 0.48 percent after the Bank of Montreal (TSX: BMO) had reported results for the fourth quarter up 24 percent over last year. The action took the bank 83 cents to $ 34.95. The gold sector has yielded 0.7 percent, the price of bullion having retired from U.S. $ 1 to U.S. $ 818.50 an ounce, a decline somewhat mitigated by the declining value of the U.S. dollar. The sector of information technology posted the largest decline Tuesday, falling 2.9 percent. The Action Research In Motion (TSX: RIM) dropped $ 4.50 to $ 50.77. The TSX Venture TSXV has sold 2.83 points to 719.96 points. In the U.S., the Commerce Department reported Tuesday that gross domestic product shrank by 0.5 percent in annualized value during the quarter from July to September, U.S. consumers have reduced their purchases of the most important in 28 years. Other bad news came from the front of the housing market, with the publication of the Standard & Poor's / Case-Shiller on home prices. Prices fell to record annualized rate of 16.6 percent, reaching levels of the first quarter of 2004. "The market is faced with a mentality of deflation at this time", commented Paul Vaillancourt, director at Franklin Templeton Managed Solutions in Calgary. "Clearly, we are touching the bottom, but we have not yet rebounded. We must expect that this period passes - perhaps until Christmas vacation. As time passes, we will return in the new year with an attitude and a more positive. " "People cling, they want good news, but it is increasingly difficult."
The three heads outside their griffesTaille
(Quebec) Widely ahead in the polls, Jean Charest refused to play cautious, last night in a debate heads to trade lively, colorful, entertaining and sometimes cacophonous. The Liberal received the first attack against the PQ Pauline Marois and adequacy Mario Dumont, from the first exchange between opponents. As expected, they were more often than not ignored each other during the evening to gang up against Mr. Charest. On some occasions, they have even expressed agreement with one another. The fight heads Version elections in 2008, has had nothing to do with the previous confrontation. Both the outgoing prime minister seemed lazy in 2007, so it took the initiative. Mario Dumont began the evening by putting forward the words courage and boldness. The different themes were the opportunity to showcase its most original ideas, such as private health or a school building on Quebec discipline. Throughout the evening, Pauline Marois kept smiling and hammered the same message against the Liberals. "It's wonderful, she joked. Mr. Charest (government) for six years and is responsible for anything. " Mr. Charest opened the duel in addressing viewers. An economic storm rose, he said. He invited Quebecers to be "of the Gauls and resist" the winds. Replica of a Pauline Marois who has not fouled once in the names and numbers throughout the evening: his Liberal opponent think that its interests and hiding the truth about what happens to the Caisse et placement du Quebec. "It can not continue like this," said the leader of the Parti Quebecois. Dumont relaxed The adequacy Mario Dumont appeared surprisingly relaxed despite opinion polls that predict nothing less than the disappearance of his political party. From the outset, the head of the Democratic Action summed up his political approach. "Working for you, your family, your portfolio." The first confrontation between the three focused on health. The head of the Quebec Liberal Party has accused more than once elsewhere, Ms. Marois to have no regrets for having retired thousands of doctors and nurses in the 1990s. He turned to Mr. Dumont to divert the theme to the adequacy of promise cut $ 2 billion in the state. "If someone is literally scare Quebecers, you," he said to Mario Dumont. The PQ leader and his counterpart adéquiste have joined to denounce a promise that the Liberal could never keep: to eliminate waiting lists. "Your balance is a real fiasco," said Marois. (...) You do not even capable of building a hospital, the CHUM in Montreal. The adequacy returned his two adversaries back to back. Difficult to distinguish who did the most harm to the network of health. The head and founder of the ADQ came back with its proposal for "more private health". Losses apprehended with the Caisse de depot et placement du Quebec stole the spotlight at the block on finance. Ms. Marois and Mr. Dumont have launched new assaults for figures on the losses. Liberal leader fell on his favorite line of defense: it can not interfere in the affairs of the Fund. "You know, losses, launched Mr. Dumont. I find it sad. The people of Toronto have learned through the newspapers in Quebec, pensions are threatened. "To Pauline Marois," we will not hide the truth to people. " Jean Charest has repeatedly sought to know in detail where Mr. Dumont intends to slash the state apparatus to reach $ 2 billion. In education, all agree to reduce the pupil-teacher ratio in schools. The PQ fired red balls on the Charest government has put "Quebec in fire and blood" with the crisis of loans and scholarships and has "done nothing" against school dropout. The adequacy insisted on a school building on "effort" and concerned "guys" who receive massive studies. The exchanges on culture have been a singular moment of combat leaders. Pauline Marois has returned to his opponent's suitability for asking: "Are we capable of putting all our energy" budget and to repatriate powers from Ottawa? It held that it wishes to move to this request beyond neglect any means, including the referendum. Mr. Dumont replied that it was already agreed on such a request, but he doubted whether a sovereignist party, as is the PQ can convince the federal government to cede an inch of its jurisdiction. The Liberal wanted to use these words to lock his opponents in the same bag. "While we are facing an economic storm," said Jean Charest unchecked, the ADQ and the PQ proposes to change the Canadian constitution. The outgoing prime minister Pauline Marois accused of wanting a "constitutional crisis". Answer it is funny because "the king of referendums is Jean Charest, who held 89 on the demerger." Both politicians appeared in dark suits, Mr. Charest blue tie, Mr. Dumont in shades of gold. Ms. Marois was dressed in black. The convener Stéphan Bureau has never lost control. His only stumble? He addressed to "Ms. Charest during the debate.
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Govern on the defensive
Shortly inspiring, prudent, without vision ... All these comments in multiples to the throne speech, which inaugurated the 40th Parliament of Canada. Govern on the defensive: this is the approach of the Harper government.
Allow to settle the crisis before determining how to fight, to soften the consequences. No precipitate action. Small temporary measures, a slimming cure for the government, but no forceful intervention in the economy before the budget of February 2009.
Stephen Harper is prudent and pragmatic. He wanted to know the extent of the crisis, its duration, before intervening. Know also what will the new U.S. president Barack Obama. Because the two economies are dependent on each other, and a unilateral American or Canadian could have effects other than those expected.
For example, Canada did not want to throw quickly billion to the automotive industry without knowing what will the United States. And again, Stephen Harper will be cautious. Inject 2 or $ 3 billion in the automobile industry to find bankrupt in a few months would be a nightmare.
Like all other heads of State of the planet, Stephen Harper is worried. The crisis is growing each day and the economy slows more. The governor of the Bank of Canada, Mark Carney, gave far this crisis when he said that Canada would be more affected than expected, it would stimulate the economy even more and he could not, unlike his last speech that there would be no recession.
A speech that surprised the Canadians, but not the government. Jim Flaherty, Minister of Finance, the same information, and it could have taken the same speech. However, the finance minister should first reassure the population.
neglected in the Speech from the Throne? Stephen Harper did not really want to make gifts in Quebec. Are not give ammunition to opponents of Jean Charest. The reform of institutions, whether the number of seats in the House of Commons or the election of senators, is not a short-term projects. The debate in the coming year will be on the economy, not the Senate.
As to the securities commission unique, the Harper government holds Mordicus. No way back. Yes, leave Ottawa to Quebec its own securities commission, but the Harper government is convinced that sooner or later, Quebec would support the national commission. For all sorts of good reasons.
From the outset, the New Democratic Party and Bloc Quebecois have chosen to leave the heinous Liberals to support the government and to adopt the throne speech. A strategy that eyebrow.
The Speech from the Throne is a collection of generalities. Many observers believe that both parties could wait for the real business, the budget for example, to mark their opposition. Always say no, knowing that the Liberals are forced to say yes, is a strategy that is primarily the partisanship.
Allow to settle the crisis before determining how to fight, to soften the consequences. No precipitate action. Small temporary measures, a slimming cure for the government, but no forceful intervention in the economy before the budget of February 2009.
Stephen Harper is prudent and pragmatic. He wanted to know the extent of the crisis, its duration, before intervening. Know also what will the new U.S. president Barack Obama. Because the two economies are dependent on each other, and a unilateral American or Canadian could have effects other than those expected.
For example, Canada did not want to throw quickly billion to the automotive industry without knowing what will the United States. And again, Stephen Harper will be cautious. Inject 2 or $ 3 billion in the automobile industry to find bankrupt in a few months would be a nightmare.
Like all other heads of State of the planet, Stephen Harper is worried. The crisis is growing each day and the economy slows more. The governor of the Bank of Canada, Mark Carney, gave far this crisis when he said that Canada would be more affected than expected, it would stimulate the economy even more and he could not, unlike his last speech that there would be no recession.
A speech that surprised the Canadians, but not the government. Jim Flaherty, Minister of Finance, the same information, and it could have taken the same speech. However, the finance minister should first reassure the population.
neglected in the Speech from the Throne? Stephen Harper did not really want to make gifts in Quebec. Are not give ammunition to opponents of Jean Charest. The reform of institutions, whether the number of seats in the House of Commons or the election of senators, is not a short-term projects. The debate in the coming year will be on the economy, not the Senate.
As to the securities commission unique, the Harper government holds Mordicus. No way back. Yes, leave Ottawa to Quebec its own securities commission, but the Harper government is convinced that sooner or later, Quebec would support the national commission. For all sorts of good reasons.
From the outset, the New Democratic Party and Bloc Quebecois have chosen to leave the heinous Liberals to support the government and to adopt the throne speech. A strategy that eyebrow.
The Speech from the Throne is a collection of generalities. Many observers believe that both parties could wait for the real business, the budget for example, to mark their opposition. Always say no, knowing that the Liberals are forced to say yes, is a strategy that is primarily the partisanship.
Another rejection of police
met in general assembly Thursday and yesterday, police in Quebec have 99.7% rejected the latest offers employers, while only one of 325 voters was in favor of the proposal during a secret vote .
"The mayor seems Labeaume say that puts pressure on our members, but this is not the case. We held a secret ballot, and the executive has made no recommendation, "summarized the president of the Brotherhood of Police of Quebec, Jean Beaudoin.
The police had met with representatives of the City Wednesday and they had maintained the ultimatum by Mayor Labeaume that offers salary would be cut, including the cancellation of retroactivity on the standard increases of 2% scheduled for 2007 and 2008, failing an agreement before 1 December.
"Start an ultimatum, it is not a way to negotiate with police. We see that the mayor does not want to negotiate, even if the City has the ability to pay, "he continued in the media showing the front page of the Sun on Thursday, where he was matter of $ 1.8 billion on three years to improve municipal infrastructure.
Jean Beaudoin also insisted that his union demands were reasonable. "Our wages are the seventh largest in Quebec, even if we are the police the second largest city, and police costs are $ 193 per capita at $ 260 against Quebec in Montreal and $ 217 in Ottawa."
Insisting that its members wanted a negotiated solution even if they continued to participate in the arbitration process, he added that the mayor Labeaume should expect more pressure from its members.
"The pressure goes up, but that is heating the oven? This is the mayor of Quebec! The head of negotiation, Richard Côté, accused us of not being creative enough to the table transactions, but we will be in our means of pressure, "said union president. "We remain, however, the same guideline is never to put safety and health of people in Quebec in danger. Our next means of pressure will be visibility, "he chained.
Confessing that his union had probably reached the limit as to changes in police uniforms, Jean Beaudoin said the municipal government could expect other demonstrations like the month of June, when unionized in 1500 had demonstrated noisily in front of city hall at a meeting of the board.
On appeal
On the other hand, Jean Beaudoin confirmed that the police fraternity was appealing the decision of the essential services requiring its members to resume as normal and usual distribution of infringement.
"For the moment, we have asked our members to comply with the decision, but I want to clarify that we never had asked them not to issue fewer tickets offense. However, it is a situation that can occur when employees feel insulted, "he concluded.
"The mayor seems Labeaume say that puts pressure on our members, but this is not the case. We held a secret ballot, and the executive has made no recommendation, "summarized the president of the Brotherhood of Police of Quebec, Jean Beaudoin.
The police had met with representatives of the City Wednesday and they had maintained the ultimatum by Mayor Labeaume that offers salary would be cut, including the cancellation of retroactivity on the standard increases of 2% scheduled for 2007 and 2008, failing an agreement before 1 December.
"Start an ultimatum, it is not a way to negotiate with police. We see that the mayor does not want to negotiate, even if the City has the ability to pay, "he continued in the media showing the front page of the Sun on Thursday, where he was matter of $ 1.8 billion on three years to improve municipal infrastructure.
Jean Beaudoin also insisted that his union demands were reasonable. "Our wages are the seventh largest in Quebec, even if we are the police the second largest city, and police costs are $ 193 per capita at $ 260 against Quebec in Montreal and $ 217 in Ottawa."
Insisting that its members wanted a negotiated solution even if they continued to participate in the arbitration process, he added that the mayor Labeaume should expect more pressure from its members.
"The pressure goes up, but that is heating the oven? This is the mayor of Quebec! The head of negotiation, Richard Côté, accused us of not being creative enough to the table transactions, but we will be in our means of pressure, "said union president. "We remain, however, the same guideline is never to put safety and health of people in Quebec in danger. Our next means of pressure will be visibility, "he chained.
Confessing that his union had probably reached the limit as to changes in police uniforms, Jean Beaudoin said the municipal government could expect other demonstrations like the month of June, when unionized in 1500 had demonstrated noisily in front of city hall at a meeting of the board.
On appeal
On the other hand, Jean Beaudoin confirmed that the police fraternity was appealing the decision of the essential services requiring its members to resume as normal and usual distribution of infringement.
"For the moment, we have asked our members to comply with the decision, but I want to clarify that we never had asked them not to issue fewer tickets offense. However, it is a situation that can occur when employees feel insulted, "he concluded.
Pauline Marois promises more transparency
Passing through Quebec, the leader of the Parti Quebecois has continued its attacks against Jean Charest's Liberals on the Caisse de depot et placement du Quebec.
Pauline Marois promises more transparency to the Fund if elected. It even wants to change the rules of practice, including a more frequent publication of the results, like other state pensions.
Pauline Marois also questioned the data provided by the management of the Fund yesterday. She said she believes only when the will is in his possession.
Punch Dumont God thank you!
Mario Dumont escaped a sentence potentially controversial during the broadcast God thank you, to be broadcast Sunday on TVA.
Interpreting a pugiliste named Stéphane Cadorette, Mr. Dumont says that "boxing is like love. Strike and you shall receive. "
Questioned about this sequences improvised, the head of the ADQ seemed very uncomfortable.
"The lines in God thank you! are much less prepared in politics, "he explained during his visit to Pierreville in central Quebec.
Mr. Dumont had not meant what he believed or why he had a relationship as "strange" between love and boxing. Except this one: "It's an exchange," he suggested, pressed to move to another topic.
For leisure
The head of the ADQ also explained that the initiative fell within the field of leisure, not work as a politician. He said accepting the invitation of VAT at the urging of his children.
Mr. Dumont said that it was not always taken seriously and that even a politician could sometimes be humorous.
"We must be serious problems experienced by the world. Perhaps there are others who take themselves seriously but not taking seriously enough the problems of people, "he said.
The head of the ADQ therefore saw nothing wrong in its television and other initiatives. Wear a blonde wig in a program like God thank you! has nothing comparable, he said, with the parody of Brokeback Mountain which had been so wrong André Boisclair.
More than once since the start of the campaign, Mario Dumont was loaned to the game of trivial issues of some radio hosts. Yesterday in Drummondville, he said over the airwaves of FM Boom not bear to sleep. And that in the holiday season, he likes all "receive being received."
Interpreting a pugiliste named Stéphane Cadorette, Mr. Dumont says that "boxing is like love. Strike and you shall receive. "
Questioned about this sequences improvised, the head of the ADQ seemed very uncomfortable.
"The lines in God thank you! are much less prepared in politics, "he explained during his visit to Pierreville in central Quebec.
Mr. Dumont had not meant what he believed or why he had a relationship as "strange" between love and boxing. Except this one: "It's an exchange," he suggested, pressed to move to another topic.
For leisure
The head of the ADQ also explained that the initiative fell within the field of leisure, not work as a politician. He said accepting the invitation of VAT at the urging of his children.
Mr. Dumont said that it was not always taken seriously and that even a politician could sometimes be humorous.
"We must be serious problems experienced by the world. Perhaps there are others who take themselves seriously but not taking seriously enough the problems of people, "he said.
The head of the ADQ therefore saw nothing wrong in its television and other initiatives. Wear a blonde wig in a program like God thank you! has nothing comparable, he said, with the parody of Brokeback Mountain which had been so wrong André Boisclair.
More than once since the start of the campaign, Mario Dumont was loaned to the game of trivial issues of some radio hosts. Yesterday in Drummondville, he said over the airwaves of FM Boom not bear to sleep. And that in the holiday season, he likes all "receive being received."
Jean Charest explains the Caisse
The state of the Caisse de depot et placement du Quebec has caught the leader of the Liberal Party today.
Jean Charest, who was in Levis Saturday afternoon, had to respond to attacks from his opponents who continue to demand more transparency.
The leader confirmed that there are contacts between the Fund and the government, as stated by the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Fund Friday.
But Jean Charest pointed out that there is a difference between its contacts and sporadic intervention in the affairs of the body, which did not make this, except when filing its annual report.
Jean Charest, who was in Levis Saturday afternoon, had to respond to attacks from his opponents who continue to demand more transparency.
The leader confirmed that there are contacts between the Fund and the government, as stated by the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Fund Friday.
But Jean Charest pointed out that there is a difference between its contacts and sporadic intervention in the affairs of the body, which did not make this, except when filing its annual report.
Racism Al-Qaida criticized Treat Barack Obama of "white slave", just as do the number 2 of Al Qaeda, shows the limits of speech of the terrorist
The final statement of Ayman Al-Zawahiri in which he describes Barack Obama of "white slave", is perhaps his most important. Because it reveals the contempt of the number two Al-Qaeda to humans, and its deep racism. It is not surprising when you see what kind of terrain is growing Al-Qaeda. She moved to Iraq to prosper over the wound denominational and is spreading in Afghanistan and Pakistan through tribalism. That statement of the doctor "under-developed" Zawahiri is contrary to the teachings of Islam, which is replete with verses examples from the life of the Prophet condemning récits and contempt and insult.
His words are not only demeaning to Obama, but for all people, blacks and whites. They show the few cases that made all those who disagree with him. Zawahiri reminded Obama failures of U.S. President George Bush and Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf. But both Pouring quiet day at home, while Zawahiri and his henchmen continue to hide in caves, panics at the slightest noise.
This statement is important because it reveals the moral decadence of Al Qaeda. It reveals the true face of all those who seek to defend. They are enemies of humanity. Zawahiri, which resembles a TV presenter who we contemplate from time to time from the small screen, shows the depth of the crisis in which terrorists plunged since the American election. Improving the image of the United States in the world discomfort Al-Qaeda, which has always relied on the hostility of people towards the policy of George Bush.
His words are not only demeaning to Obama, but for all people, blacks and whites. They show the few cases that made all those who disagree with him. Zawahiri reminded Obama failures of U.S. President George Bush and Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf. But both Pouring quiet day at home, while Zawahiri and his henchmen continue to hide in caves, panics at the slightest noise.
This statement is important because it reveals the moral decadence of Al Qaeda. It reveals the true face of all those who seek to defend. They are enemies of humanity. Zawahiri, which resembles a TV presenter who we contemplate from time to time from the small screen, shows the depth of the crisis in which terrorists plunged since the American election. Improving the image of the United States in the world discomfort Al-Qaeda, which has always relied on the hostility of people towards the policy of George Bush.
Clinton said yes to Obama
Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton: This could be a tandem of thunder. After having fought fiercely for the Democratic nomination, they will work together to change the image and foreign policy of the United States, first as president, the other as head of U.S. diplomacy. The appointment of Senator from New York as Secretary of State has not yet formalized by the elected president. But it seems no longer be in doubt following the confidences of two relatives of the former First Lady at the New York Times. "She is ready," said one daily, whose report on the subject was published yesterday afternoon on its website. According to the Times, Hillary Clinton has decided to leave his Senate seat and accept the offer of Barack Obama after meeting with him on the phone. The two met last Thursday in Chicago to discuss the possible role of Senator in the future presidential cabinet. The New York daily said that the former rival of president-elect did not attempt to extract concessions. According to his confidants, she wanted only to be "comfortable" with the idea of working with Barack Obama. The relationship between the two stars Democrats will not fail to fuel chronic over the coming years. The decision of the Senator from New York ends a week of conjecture fiévreuses and arduous negotiations, including Bill Clinton, whose financial and philanthropic activities raised in the entourage of Barack Obama concerns about possible conflicts of interest . The former president has erased those concerns by agreeing to submit its activities to an ethical review and identify donors to his foundation. The official announcement of the appointment of Senator Clinton should not be long before the Day of Thanksgiving, which run from Thursday to Sunday, November 27 next. Until then, key stakeholders will show circumspect. "We are still in discussions, which are on track, but any other information would be premature," said Philippe Reines, spokesman for the senator from New York, yesterday. The appointment is "on track", merely said a spokesman for the president-elect. Geithner of the Treasury It seems that Barack Obama wants to appoint the first members of his economic team, which could occur as early Monday. The American press announced yesterday that it had chosen Timothy Geithner, president of the Federal Reserve of New York, to fill the post of secretary to the Treasury. It also think Bill Richardson, governor of New Mexico, for the post of Secretary of Commerce. The appointment of Hillary Clinton as Secretary of State will be "very well received abroad, according to Javier Solana, head of European diplomacy, who was in Washington yesterday. "It's a strong personality," he told journalists. It is a right person for this role: it is capable, she has experience, it is known. " The choice of Barack Obama could disappoint some of his more progressive. "It's bad news," said La Presse Stephen Zunes, professor of international relations at the University of San Francisco. "Obama won the Democratic nomination in large part because he was able to convince people that the ruling was more important than experience. It would betray its supporters by choosing Hillary Clinton, who has advocated a militaristic approach not only vis-à-vis Iraq but also Iran, Israel and Palestine. "
It is not just Formula One
It will no doubt be the death of Bernie Ecclestone review a day for Formula One in Montreal, and even in North America.
The old man of F1 grazing has sent two ministers and a mayor this week, trying to save the Montreal Grand Prix.
In my opinion, Ecclestone is killing Formula One it is not just Montreal that will happen car racing the fastest in the world. France has grip because it was too expensive. Indianapolis also. According to the latest news, China would review its contract, while the Australian Grand Prix, funded by the government, accumulating deficits.
If the Italians and Germans began to scrape the money drawers to keep their Grand Prix, only the Middle East on the map of the F1. It must be said that Arab countries are the only ones who can fill the desires of billionaire Ecclestone. It is rather comical to see the super cars of F1 not ride on paved circuits gold oil-producing countries.
I have long been a big fan of Formula One for years, I stood in the early morning hours to hear Pierre Houle launch its "And the driving ...».
Coffee in hand, I watched religiously (to be said that it was Sunday morning) all the Grand Prix of the season.
I was a fan, an unconditional.
Even the newspaper, I was fighting for that publishes full pages before and after races.
But today, I would have nothing more to hell. The extravagance and Ecclestone will fantasies of the great circus at its loss or at best, a circuit "regional". Motor racing has a great tradition in Quebec and Ontario. Moreover, we have to go around circuits of the two provinces to be convinced.
In Ontario, there are nine-track acceleration, 13 oval tracks, all on clay slopes and five road circuits.
In Quebec, seven tracks acceleration, seven oval circuits, eight on clay, as well as seven road circuits.
In Ottawa, the Autodrome Edelweiss is very popular as that of Cornwall, Ontario. Near us at least two hours' drive, you can enjoy beautiful evening courses at the Autodrome St-Eustache. And that's not to mention dozens of karting tracks that fuel costs without too many devotees of racing.
Today, we try to find ideas to replace the Grand Prix of Montreal. LeDroit published a complete dossier on the subject this week and even my friend Gratton went from "His" solution.
But in my humble opinion, the NASCAR circuit has already proved its worth on the Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve. It would be very interesting to make some tests in the metropolis. In fact, NASCAR is much more "American" that may be the single wealthy, with Ecclestone and less. And there are more NASCAR fans in Canada.
And finally, there are Trois-Rivieres, which is doing very well in recent decades with its Grand Prix. It presents different types of racing and entertainment is still very high.
Recipes for everyone - The cookbook The hidden treasures of Gatineau and Ottawa was launched with much fanfare yesterday. The book combines the best culinary dishes of 110 personalities from the region. The concept is simple: each person has provided his favorite recipe. Treasures hidden value thus bring dishes every day that are accessible to all cuistots. In the photo, my colleague Denis Gratton, Michel Normandeau, Hugo Girard and I are in the company of the publisher and creator of the book, Sylvain Perron, in the center.
Citizen engagement is undoubtedly the heart and soul of a community healthy. To provide a pleasant living environment and security, it is increasingly clear that citizens must do their part and does not always count on governments to improve their quality of life.
Citizens of Masson-Angers sector have understood and thanks to them, the ice-park Gerard Marchand has become the reference for the quality of the ice throughout the city of Gatineau.
Last year, despite a particularly harsh winter, volunteers have maintained the rink accessible to all citizens. We even broke a record day of use, from December 3 to 5 March.
As against the snow-clearing equipment used by volunteers had persisted, and several have not spent the winter.
Such equipment such as snowblowers, belong to citizens. Despite the costs of these breakage, none has called into doubt his commitment.
But now that the hard members of the Association of park-Gerard Marchand has borne fruit, since thanks to the commitment of the municipal council Luc Montreuil, the member Norman McMillan and Brookfield Power, they were able to purchase a commercial snow blower.
Like what community involvement is still echoes among donors. Bravo to President Marc Carriere and his team of the Association.
A successful first
The first edition of Access Challenge, organized by the Association of Physically Disabled of Ottawa, was a great success.
At the end of this day which aimed to raise awareness of the challenges that face every day to people with disabilities, 34 people have swapped their usual comfort against a wheelchair Tuesday.
Several personalities of the Outaouais region took up the challenge and have shown that it is not always easy to live in the skin of a person with reduced mobility.
The day ended with a performance by comedian Dave Richer at the Maison du citoyen where participants shared their different stories.
In addition, $ 5,000 was raised during the day. This amount will be used in carrying out activities and projects for members of the Association.
The director of the Association, Hélène Desgranges, has stated that the activity will return next year.
It \ 's not that Formula One
Great Guignolée media is back - Members of the media will collect donations on December 4 next at some intersections of Gatineau. You can also put money in buses for the STO. From left to right from the top, Benoit Gauthier, the HBC Bank, Jean Pigeon, the spokesman for the Guignolée, Eric Lemire, the Laurentian Bank, Celine Gauthier, the STO, Michel Tremblay, coordinator of 'event and Richard Coutu, Jean Coutu pharmacies, attended the launch yesterday morning.
The work of Edna Charette will now be engraved in the memory of all, while the Commission scolaire au Coeur-des-Vallées (CSCV) will make a posthumous tribute to that it was nicknamed the Mother Teresa of Buckingham.
Next Wednesday, several local personalities, including President of the CSCV Alexandra Irace and family members of Ms. Charette will be met in order to attend a ceremony to officially designate the school cafeteria St-Michel named Edna Hall-of Charette. Thus, future generations will remember the commitment that this great lady was the poorest of our community.
WATCHING: Association for the Social Integration of Ottawa, in collaboration with the Canadian Association for Community and the Ottawa School of Art, presents an exhibition of Canadian art until to Sunday, at 35 George Street, Ottawa.
The event will be held at 14 am at the school of MacLaren Street East in the Buckingham.
The old man of F1 grazing has sent two ministers and a mayor this week, trying to save the Montreal Grand Prix.
In my opinion, Ecclestone is killing Formula One it is not just Montreal that will happen car racing the fastest in the world. France has grip because it was too expensive. Indianapolis also. According to the latest news, China would review its contract, while the Australian Grand Prix, funded by the government, accumulating deficits.
If the Italians and Germans began to scrape the money drawers to keep their Grand Prix, only the Middle East on the map of the F1. It must be said that Arab countries are the only ones who can fill the desires of billionaire Ecclestone. It is rather comical to see the super cars of F1 not ride on paved circuits gold oil-producing countries.
I have long been a big fan of Formula One for years, I stood in the early morning hours to hear Pierre Houle launch its "And the driving ...».
Coffee in hand, I watched religiously (to be said that it was Sunday morning) all the Grand Prix of the season.
I was a fan, an unconditional.
Even the newspaper, I was fighting for that publishes full pages before and after races.
But today, I would have nothing more to hell. The extravagance and Ecclestone will fantasies of the great circus at its loss or at best, a circuit "regional". Motor racing has a great tradition in Quebec and Ontario. Moreover, we have to go around circuits of the two provinces to be convinced.
In Ontario, there are nine-track acceleration, 13 oval tracks, all on clay slopes and five road circuits.
In Quebec, seven tracks acceleration, seven oval circuits, eight on clay, as well as seven road circuits.
In Ottawa, the Autodrome Edelweiss is very popular as that of Cornwall, Ontario. Near us at least two hours' drive, you can enjoy beautiful evening courses at the Autodrome St-Eustache. And that's not to mention dozens of karting tracks that fuel costs without too many devotees of racing.
Today, we try to find ideas to replace the Grand Prix of Montreal. LeDroit published a complete dossier on the subject this week and even my friend Gratton went from "His" solution.
But in my humble opinion, the NASCAR circuit has already proved its worth on the Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve. It would be very interesting to make some tests in the metropolis. In fact, NASCAR is much more "American" that may be the single wealthy, with Ecclestone and less. And there are more NASCAR fans in Canada.
And finally, there are Trois-Rivieres, which is doing very well in recent decades with its Grand Prix. It presents different types of racing and entertainment is still very high.
Recipes for everyone - The cookbook The hidden treasures of Gatineau and Ottawa was launched with much fanfare yesterday. The book combines the best culinary dishes of 110 personalities from the region. The concept is simple: each person has provided his favorite recipe. Treasures hidden value thus bring dishes every day that are accessible to all cuistots. In the photo, my colleague Denis Gratton, Michel Normandeau, Hugo Girard and I are in the company of the publisher and creator of the book, Sylvain Perron, in the center.
Citizen engagement is undoubtedly the heart and soul of a community healthy. To provide a pleasant living environment and security, it is increasingly clear that citizens must do their part and does not always count on governments to improve their quality of life.
Citizens of Masson-Angers sector have understood and thanks to them, the ice-park Gerard Marchand has become the reference for the quality of the ice throughout the city of Gatineau.
Last year, despite a particularly harsh winter, volunteers have maintained the rink accessible to all citizens. We even broke a record day of use, from December 3 to 5 March.
As against the snow-clearing equipment used by volunteers had persisted, and several have not spent the winter.
Such equipment such as snowblowers, belong to citizens. Despite the costs of these breakage, none has called into doubt his commitment.
But now that the hard members of the Association of park-Gerard Marchand has borne fruit, since thanks to the commitment of the municipal council Luc Montreuil, the member Norman McMillan and Brookfield Power, they were able to purchase a commercial snow blower.
Like what community involvement is still echoes among donors. Bravo to President Marc Carriere and his team of the Association.
A successful first
The first edition of Access Challenge, organized by the Association of Physically Disabled of Ottawa, was a great success.
At the end of this day which aimed to raise awareness of the challenges that face every day to people with disabilities, 34 people have swapped their usual comfort against a wheelchair Tuesday.
Several personalities of the Outaouais region took up the challenge and have shown that it is not always easy to live in the skin of a person with reduced mobility.
The day ended with a performance by comedian Dave Richer at the Maison du citoyen where participants shared their different stories.
In addition, $ 5,000 was raised during the day. This amount will be used in carrying out activities and projects for members of the Association.
The director of the Association, Hélène Desgranges, has stated that the activity will return next year.
It \ 's not that Formula One
Great Guignolée media is back - Members of the media will collect donations on December 4 next at some intersections of Gatineau. You can also put money in buses for the STO. From left to right from the top, Benoit Gauthier, the HBC Bank, Jean Pigeon, the spokesman for the Guignolée, Eric Lemire, the Laurentian Bank, Celine Gauthier, the STO, Michel Tremblay, coordinator of 'event and Richard Coutu, Jean Coutu pharmacies, attended the launch yesterday morning.
The work of Edna Charette will now be engraved in the memory of all, while the Commission scolaire au Coeur-des-Vallées (CSCV) will make a posthumous tribute to that it was nicknamed the Mother Teresa of Buckingham.
Next Wednesday, several local personalities, including President of the CSCV Alexandra Irace and family members of Ms. Charette will be met in order to attend a ceremony to officially designate the school cafeteria St-Michel named Edna Hall-of Charette. Thus, future generations will remember the commitment that this great lady was the poorest of our community.
WATCHING: Association for the Social Integration of Ottawa, in collaboration with the Canadian Association for Community and the Ottawa School of Art, presents an exhibition of Canadian art until to Sunday, at 35 George Street, Ottawa.
The event will be held at 14 am at the school of MacLaren Street East in the Buckingham.
Somalia: pirates supertanker protect their prize
The Somali pirates aboard the supertanker Saudi Sirius Star Friday have strengthened their defensive around the boat, bringing militiamen in the port to protect a near-miraculous they intend to negotiate $ 25 million.
A hundred armed militiamen have converged on Harardere since Thursday, a small fishing port located about 300 km north of Mogadishu where the supertanker is anchored since Tuesday.
"The boat is still anchored in one place and small boats come to refuel," reported the AFP Friday to a fisherman, Osman Nur Moalim.
The capture Saturday of Sirius Star, 330 meters long and containing in its holds 300,000 tonnes of oil is piracy operation conducted the most spectacular off Somalia.
"We are asking $ 25 million to owners of Saudi oil. We do not want discussions that go on," said Thursday one of the hijackers, Mohamed Said, attached to the phone on board the Sirius Star by AFP.
"The Saudis have ten days to meet" this request, "otherwise we will act in a manner which could be disastrous," he warned.
Pending the expiry of the ultimatum, hackers were trying Friday to prevent any attempt of armed intervention by foreign marine crossing in the region, or by armed groups opposed to pirates.
"The fighters are from Galgudud and Mudug, two regions of central Somalia located not far from Harardere, told AFP a resident Mohamed Awale.
"Other militiamen are expected to support their brothers", for its part explained another resident, Abdulkadir Mohamed.
Returning Friday from previous statements, the Saudi foreign minister, Prince Saud al-Faisal, did not know whether the owners of Sirius Star negotiating with the pirates and has rejected any discussion with them, describing Maritime piracy "demon that must be eradicated as terrorism."
According to the International Maritime Bureau (BMI), 94 boats were attacked by Somali pirates since January. Thirty-eight ships were hijacked 16 of which are still in the hands of pirates.
Friday, pirates released MV Genius, a cargo ship carrying chemicals belonging to a Greek shipowner and the flag of Liberia they had seized in September, said Andrew Mwangura, the head of the Kenyan branch of the program for the marine .
The vessel had been caught in the Gulf of Aden on September 25, carrying 19 crew members of Romanian nationality.
Several countries have sent warships to fight against bandits seas but the latter, based in particular on their speed of action, have increased their catches with ease. Somali pirates on board two fast boats, and have needed only 16 minutes to capture Saturday of Sirius Star.
Faced with a phenomenon that disrupts a major global shipping routes, the international community continued to mobilize.
The United States circulated to the Security Council of a draft UN resolution to strengthen international action. Russia, whose warship patrolling the Bold already in the area, announced Thursday the dispatch of other warships in the region, a militaristic approach advocated by one of the largest shipping companies in the sector.
"I think this is the only solution", told AFP Martin Jensen, manager of the company Frontline, which has one of the world's largest fleets of oil tankers.
Meanwhile, activity seems to be very lucrative: hackers have obtained some 150 million dollars in ransoms a year, said the Kenyan Minister of Foreign Affairs.
"What began with a simple illegal activity of a few rogue Somali nationals now resembles a major international criminal enterprise that affects us all," lamented Moses Wetangula.
A hundred armed militiamen have converged on Harardere since Thursday, a small fishing port located about 300 km north of Mogadishu where the supertanker is anchored since Tuesday.
"The boat is still anchored in one place and small boats come to refuel," reported the AFP Friday to a fisherman, Osman Nur Moalim.
The capture Saturday of Sirius Star, 330 meters long and containing in its holds 300,000 tonnes of oil is piracy operation conducted the most spectacular off Somalia.
"We are asking $ 25 million to owners of Saudi oil. We do not want discussions that go on," said Thursday one of the hijackers, Mohamed Said, attached to the phone on board the Sirius Star by AFP.
"The Saudis have ten days to meet" this request, "otherwise we will act in a manner which could be disastrous," he warned.
Pending the expiry of the ultimatum, hackers were trying Friday to prevent any attempt of armed intervention by foreign marine crossing in the region, or by armed groups opposed to pirates.
"The fighters are from Galgudud and Mudug, two regions of central Somalia located not far from Harardere, told AFP a resident Mohamed Awale.
"Other militiamen are expected to support their brothers", for its part explained another resident, Abdulkadir Mohamed.
Returning Friday from previous statements, the Saudi foreign minister, Prince Saud al-Faisal, did not know whether the owners of Sirius Star negotiating with the pirates and has rejected any discussion with them, describing Maritime piracy "demon that must be eradicated as terrorism."
According to the International Maritime Bureau (BMI), 94 boats were attacked by Somali pirates since January. Thirty-eight ships were hijacked 16 of which are still in the hands of pirates.
Friday, pirates released MV Genius, a cargo ship carrying chemicals belonging to a Greek shipowner and the flag of Liberia they had seized in September, said Andrew Mwangura, the head of the Kenyan branch of the program for the marine .
The vessel had been caught in the Gulf of Aden on September 25, carrying 19 crew members of Romanian nationality.
Several countries have sent warships to fight against bandits seas but the latter, based in particular on their speed of action, have increased their catches with ease. Somali pirates on board two fast boats, and have needed only 16 minutes to capture Saturday of Sirius Star.
Faced with a phenomenon that disrupts a major global shipping routes, the international community continued to mobilize.
The United States circulated to the Security Council of a draft UN resolution to strengthen international action. Russia, whose warship patrolling the Bold already in the area, announced Thursday the dispatch of other warships in the region, a militaristic approach advocated by one of the largest shipping companies in the sector.
"I think this is the only solution", told AFP Martin Jensen, manager of the company Frontline, which has one of the world's largest fleets of oil tankers.
Meanwhile, activity seems to be very lucrative: hackers have obtained some 150 million dollars in ransoms a year, said the Kenyan Minister of Foreign Affairs.
"What began with a simple illegal activity of a few rogue Somali nationals now resembles a major international criminal enterprise that affects us all," lamented Moses Wetangula.
Martine Aubry: "I will be the first secretary of the militants'
Martine Aubry said Saturday that it intended to be "the first secretary of the Socialist militants," once the results of the vote placing at the head have been validated Tuesday by the Socialist Party.
"Once our bodies have validated the results of their (militants) vote, meaning Tuesday night as is expected, I mean all very simply that I will be the first secretary of the Socialist Party militants because no activist should miss the party, "said Aubry during a brief speech in the premises of the National Assembly.
"The question is more about who lost or won, we all have lost if we are not able to get together," continued the Mayor of Lille, whose victory by 42 votes to advance only contested by the camp of his rival Ségolène Royal, requesting a new ballot. She called for a "renewal" and a "renaissance" of the party, she said: "We owe it to the militants", referring in particular "teams in the colors of France and across all our sensibilities."
"I appeal again to everyone's responsibility as I did tonight Ségolène Royal by calling upon the results."
"Our party does not belong to anyone, to anyone. It belongs to us all," she insisted. It crosses crucial hours and I would say that those who go through difficult times it is mainly French, therefore doing everything to avoid further damage, "she added.
The results were announced last night and confirmed this morning by the first secretary, François Hollande, who said clearly 'the vote took place (...) everyone must respect the vote activists ".
The National Council on Saturday "will adopt new teams and the new operation, the new organization of PS tomorrow, PS renovated we want to put in place," she said. "I am committed to the militants to the rally," said Mrs. Aubry also said that "very solemnly, our party must be profoundly renewed" and this gathering "can not be done without a huge renovation, which is expected by the French and activists. "
"Our roadmap is summarized in these words: collection, renewal, restoration works, revival of our party," she concluded.
"Once our bodies have validated the results of their (militants) vote, meaning Tuesday night as is expected, I mean all very simply that I will be the first secretary of the Socialist Party militants because no activist should miss the party, "said Aubry during a brief speech in the premises of the National Assembly.
"The question is more about who lost or won, we all have lost if we are not able to get together," continued the Mayor of Lille, whose victory by 42 votes to advance only contested by the camp of his rival Ségolène Royal, requesting a new ballot. She called for a "renewal" and a "renaissance" of the party, she said: "We owe it to the militants", referring in particular "teams in the colors of France and across all our sensibilities."
"I appeal again to everyone's responsibility as I did tonight Ségolène Royal by calling upon the results."
"Our party does not belong to anyone, to anyone. It belongs to us all," she insisted. It crosses crucial hours and I would say that those who go through difficult times it is mainly French, therefore doing everything to avoid further damage, "she added.
The results were announced last night and confirmed this morning by the first secretary, François Hollande, who said clearly 'the vote took place (...) everyone must respect the vote activists ".
The National Council on Saturday "will adopt new teams and the new operation, the new organization of PS tomorrow, PS renovated we want to put in place," she said. "I am committed to the militants to the rally," said Mrs. Aubry also said that "very solemnly, our party must be profoundly renewed" and this gathering "can not be done without a huge renovation, which is expected by the French and activists. "
"Our roadmap is summarized in these words: collection, renewal, restoration works, revival of our party," she concluded.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
The Supreme Court gives reason to neighboring St. Lawrence Cement
The 2000 inconvenienced neighbors for years by dust, noise and odor from the plant St. Lawrence Cement win a complete victory, eleven years after the closure of the cement. The highest court in the land ruled Thursday that the residents of Beauport must share a sum of $ 15 million as compensation for any inconvenience suffered between 1991 and the plant closing in 1997. The decision Thursday by the Supreme Court puts an end to 15 years of legal battle, since the request for permission to take action lawsuit was filed on June 4 1993. The victory neighbors of the plant is complete because the highest court in the land back at the compensation decided by the Superior Court. In May 2003, the Superior Court ruled that St. Lawrence Cement, despite its efforts to exploit its plant in compliance with the standards had caused undue inconvenience to its neighbors. Disadvantages exceeding the limits of tolerance that neighbors should, ruled Judge Julie Dutil. The first trial neighbors divided into five zones, depending on their proximity to the plant. Thus, the closest neighbors were granted compensation of $ 15 950, while more distant were entitled to $ 1100. Dissatisfied with the decision, the company turned to the Court of Appeal, which once again gave reason to neighbors, but reduced the compensation. The total was reduced to $ 12 million, or 11 for $ 000 closest neighbors, and $ 935 for the most distant. Still unsatisfied, the company asked the highest court in the country to decide. What he did Thursday in restoring the neighboring $ 15 million granted by the Superior Court. Before this court, 62 witnesses have told the disadvantages suffered by the fallout of the cement dust. Unable to sit outside and obligation to repaint the outside of the residence every year, so dust was causing damage. Claude Cochrane, a representative of the group, with Huguette Barrette, filed 275 photos illustrating the damage. The court also saw 14 hours of videotape captured by John Paul Tremblay, another neighbor. Neighborly relations changed The Supreme Court's decision to change the future neighborly relations between citizens and businesses with the interpretation she has just given an article of the Civil Code of Quebec. This decision gives a new weapon to citizens who live disadvantages excessive analysis Me Line Magnan, office of Mr. Jacques Larochelle, who successfully defended the citizens of Beauport. Even if it does not commit misconduct, a company may still be liable for any inconvenience it causes abnormal. For an ordinary citizen, proving that a company has committed a fault can be very difficult to say Me Magnan. "The citizen does not have access to all documents of the company." In the future, a citizen can be successful if it demonstrates it has suffered damage, drawbacks that are not acceptable in society. "It is easier to prove that you lived to prove that the fault of the other," adds Mr. Magnan. The lawyer is expected that companies make known their concerns in the coming days. But it does not provide a proliferation of prosecution. The burden of demonstrating abnormal disadvantages based on the shoulders of citizens, and it is not simple, she concludes.
Al-Qaeda fears that embodied Barack Obama?
Barack_obama_victoire.jpgAu wake of a virulent message of the terrorist organization Al-Qaeda sent the elected president of the United States Barack Obama, several specialists in the Arab world and questions why the terrorist organization seems to be afraid of what may embody Barack Obama. Remember yesterday, Ayman al-Zawahiri, the second of the terrorist network Al Qaeda, asked Isalmistes the world to continue to attack "America criminal." The right arm of Osama bin Laden has accused Barack Obama, of betraying its Islamic roots and warned not to continue the policies of George W. Bush in Iraq and in Afghanistan, arguing that this policy is doomed to failure as it was for George W. Bush, Pervez Musharraf and the Soviet Union. In the audio message, Al-Zawahiri addressed Obama, Secretary of State of the current administration Condoleezza Rice and her predecessor in the post Colin Powell, as "house slaves" for the whites. On Thursday, several experts analyze what the message embodies. Mathieu according GUIDERE, the Arab world specialist and professor at the University of Geneva interviewed by Le Figaro, the new American president could undermine the message of Al-Qaeda. According to him, Obama is a refutation of the "clash of civilizations" that has dominated the minds past ten years. He contends that the new American leader is "a synthesis of ethnic, political and cultural life of our modern world" able to "render meaningless the xenophobic rhetoric of Al-Qaeda and considerably weaken the terrorist organization at overall. " In addition, the special correspondent in New York from La Presse, Richard Hétu, interviewed on the same subject Fawaz Gerges, chairman of the department of Middle East studies at Sarah Lawrence College in New York and author of several books on the subject Jihad. Gerges said the journalist qu'Obama Quebec is the worst nightmare of bin Laden and eneva of legitimacy to his organization in the eyes of Arabs and Muslims throughout the world. Fawaz Gerges also believes that the message from Zawahiri could turn against him. Peter Bergen, the analyst's national security network CNN, for its part contends that such a message was expected. However, it does not because it does not always speak the leader of the terrorist organization, Osama bin Laden. Recent CIA reports indicate that the notorious terrorist would be isolated and fight for its survival.Many more convicts since the case Cloutier-Simard Cédric Bélanger
The increase in charges for sexual crimes against minors which followed the case Cloutier-Simard led to a marked increase in admissions of sex offenders in penitentiaries in Quebec over the past five years.
Statistics submitted to the Journal by the National Parole Board reported a 55% increase in admissions of offenders convicted of sexual offenses on minors in federal institutions in Quebec. 93 it was in 2003-04, the number of admissions rose to 143 in 2007-08.
In Canada, the same data show that the number of admissions has risen from 390 to 461 in five years, a smaller increase of 18%.
In the prisons of Quebec jurisdiction, 348 people convicted of sex crimes (it was impossible to obtain data only for the victims of minor age) were admitted in 2007-08, compared to 264 in 2004-05, is an increase of 24%.
Case management
Both Ottawa and Quebec, we did not want to talk about the reasons for the price of admission for such offenders. At both locations, it ensures that the largest arrival of such prisoners causes no problem of cohabitation with other prisoners who might be tempted to make them a bad party.
"The Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) is committed to provide the necessary protection to offenders who need it. Each case is evaluated on an individual basis. If necessary, the Service may, for example, make planning cell which would be suitable both for the safety of the prisoner in question for the rest of the prison population, "said Lynn Brunette, spokesman for the CSC.
"The areas of protection have always existed in our prisons. In cases, measures are taken, "said Mario Vaillancourt, spokesman for the Ministry of Public Security of Quebec.
More resources and knowledgeable
Author of a book reports of stalking against the cyber police (One day at a time), journalist Julian Sher nods when asked if the hyper-publicized cases of sexual crimes in recent years have had an influence on the number denunciations and therefore convictions. But there is more.
"The media and the police began to focus more attention to the protection of children. The police have put more resources in this sector. Teachers, hospital staff and parents are more knowledgeable.
Moreover, since November 2005, prison sentences minimum imposed for these offenses. "
Mr. Sher also argues that it is now easier for predators to have access to child pornography through the Internet.
"We are in a society increasingly sexualized. We have access to scenes of child rape and sexual abuse as never before. "
This helps to break down two walls among sex offenders, said he. That of guilt, shot by the trivialization of such images, and the fear, as well hidden at home in front of their computers, predators are more afraid of getting caught. "
Statistics submitted to the Journal by the National Parole Board reported a 55% increase in admissions of offenders convicted of sexual offenses on minors in federal institutions in Quebec. 93 it was in 2003-04, the number of admissions rose to 143 in 2007-08.
In Canada, the same data show that the number of admissions has risen from 390 to 461 in five years, a smaller increase of 18%.
In the prisons of Quebec jurisdiction, 348 people convicted of sex crimes (it was impossible to obtain data only for the victims of minor age) were admitted in 2007-08, compared to 264 in 2004-05, is an increase of 24%.
Case management
Both Ottawa and Quebec, we did not want to talk about the reasons for the price of admission for such offenders. At both locations, it ensures that the largest arrival of such prisoners causes no problem of cohabitation with other prisoners who might be tempted to make them a bad party.
"The Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) is committed to provide the necessary protection to offenders who need it. Each case is evaluated on an individual basis. If necessary, the Service may, for example, make planning cell which would be suitable both for the safety of the prisoner in question for the rest of the prison population, "said Lynn Brunette, spokesman for the CSC.
"The areas of protection have always existed in our prisons. In cases, measures are taken, "said Mario Vaillancourt, spokesman for the Ministry of Public Security of Quebec.
More resources and knowledgeable
Author of a book reports of stalking against the cyber police (One day at a time), journalist Julian Sher nods when asked if the hyper-publicized cases of sexual crimes in recent years have had an influence on the number denunciations and therefore convictions. But there is more.
"The media and the police began to focus more attention to the protection of children. The police have put more resources in this sector. Teachers, hospital staff and parents are more knowledgeable.
Moreover, since November 2005, prison sentences minimum imposed for these offenses. "
Mr. Sher also argues that it is now easier for predators to have access to child pornography through the Internet.
"We are in a society increasingly sexualized. We have access to scenes of child rape and sexual abuse as never before. "
This helps to break down two walls among sex offenders, said he. That of guilt, shot by the trivialization of such images, and the fear, as well hidden at home in front of their computers, predators are more afraid of getting caught. "
Supertanker seized by pirates: negotiators on the spot
Pirates who seized a supertanker Saudi containing two million barrels of oil in the open Indian Ocean last Saturday finally asking for a ransom. Hackers want the cash to release the huge ship and its 25 crew members. Negotiators are currently on board the Sirius Star, which is currently anchored near Harardhere. When the negotiators have given their approval for ransom, it will be given to oil, as was claimed by one of the hijackers on Al Jazeera. The amount of the ransom was not known. Remember that these pirates have seized Sirius Star, a supertanker doing three times the size of a U.S. aircraft carrier and its precious cargo of black gold in the open Indian Ocean, a booty that would be at least $ 100 million . In addition to the two million barrels of oil and supertanker itself, the pirates held the 25 crew members. These would be in good health according to the company that operates the Sirius Star, the Vela International Marine Ltd. The boat is owned by oil giant Saudi Aramco. The Sirius Star has been put into service recently, in March 2008. Le Figaro also reported that since the attack on the tanker Saturday, the offensive pirates near Somalia have increased at least three other boats were seized. As against during the night from Tuesday to Wednesday, the Indian Navy has managed to thwart an attack in the Gulf of Aden. The website of the British newspaper The Guardian offers a video summarizing the current situation and also disseminates reports on the issue of piracy, including one on British prisoners of Sirius Star.A judge ordered the release of five Algerians
Five Algerians detained in Guantanamo were released following a ruling by a court in Washington. The future president, Barack Obama, promised to close Guantanamo, while 255 people are still detained at the American base. Last month, another judge had ordered the release of 17 Uighurs. The six Algerian detainees were the first to benefit from the opportunity opened by the supreme court to challenge their detention before a civilian court. The evidence presented by the U.S. government did not convince the judge, who ordered the release of five of the six prisoners. Arrested in Bosnia, where they lived in 2002, six Algerians were, initially, were accused of preparing an attack against the U.S. embassy in Sarajevo, then dropped charges to be replaced by another. The six men allegedly planned to leave for Afghanistan to participate in attacks against U.S. forces. Judge Richard Leon, the author of this decision, is known to be close to George Bush. It has long been part of the camp of those who refused that the Guantanamo detainees can turn to civil courts. During the audience, he however urged the government not to appeal his decision. "Everything suggests that these five men have been unfairly detained for nearly seven years, he explained, they deserved to go home. "
Obama speaks by phone with Ban Ki-moon
The U.S. president-elect Barack Obama spoke by phone with UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon, as well as the presidents of Colombia, Nigeria, Senegal and South Africa, it was learned from his team. He "thanked them for their congratulations after his election," said the transition team in a press release, without further precision. Mr. Obama has hit son almost every day to world leaders since his election Nov. 4 to face Republican John McCain. Wednesday, he spoke with Mr. Ban and with Colombian President Alvaro Uribe, Nigerian President Umaru Yar'Adua and Senegalese counterpart Abdoulaye Wade and South Africa Kgalema Motlanthe. Uribe did not hide his support for John McCain during the campaign and Mr. Obama opposed the ratification of a free trade agreement between the two countries, whose vote is currently frozen in Congress by the Democratic majority Sensitive about human rights in that country."Obama is the worst nightmare of bin Laden"
The virulent exit number two of Al-Qaeda, Ayman Zawahiri, against Barack Obama shows fear, which the president-elect of the United States within the terrorist network, according to an expert in radical Islam. In an audio message broadcast yesterday on the Internet, the deputy of Osama bin Laden has addressed the first Black access to the White House of "slave" for the whites and denounced his promise to send American reinforcements in Afghanistan. "The election of Barack Obama Al-Qaeda terror," said Fawaz Gerges, chairman of the department of Middle East studies at Sarah Lawrence College in New York and author of two books on jihadism, including Journey of the Jihadist: Inside Muslim Militancy. "Barack Obama represents the worst nightmare of bin Laden," said University of Lebanese origin in a telephone interview. "His rhetoric and symbolism change the rules of the game delegitimizes bin Laden and Al-Qaeda in the eyes of Arabs and Muslims." It was the first public intervention Ayman Zawahiri since the election of Barack Obama to the presidency. The number two of Al-Qaeda has borrowed from Malcolm X, the black American Muslim activist murdered in 1965, the term "domestic slaves" to refer not only the president-elect but also the last two U.S. secretaries of state, Colin Powell and Condoleezza Rice. "What Malcolm X said about black slaves domestic applies to you and people like you," said Zawahiri in a recording entitled "Bush's departure and the arrival of Obama." "You represent the opposite of black Americans as Malcolm X," he added. Registration is accompanied by photos of Zawahiri, Malcolm X and Barack Obama praying at the Wailing Wall during a visit to Israel this year. And the number two Al-Qaeda to comment: "You have chosen to join the ranks of the enemies of Muslims and say the prayers of Jews, although you said that your mother was Christian." According to Fawaz Gerges, the message from Zawahiri could turn against its author, although several Arabs and Muslims began to déchanter about Obama. "There is great enthusiasm among Arabs and Muslims about Barack Obama," said the researcher, who made frequent trips to the Middle East over the past 18 months. "But this enthusiasm has declined over the last six or seven months because Barack Obama is seen increasingly as a centrist politician, an ordinary American politician. "That said, many of the people I interviewed in the Middle East are critical Zawahiri. It accuses him of not achieving concrete with the exception of its videos. It is possible that people are saying: look before judging Barack Obama, it is not even in power. " The transition team of President-designate said yesterday that it does not respond publicly to the insulting of Zawahiri. On the eve of the release of its message, Obama had telephoned Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, he promised to continue working to advance the peace process.
Sergei Kostitsyn does not fear a referral
Only player - except for Carey Price - who could be assigned to Hamilton, Sergei Kostitsyn did not seem to do too much with barely veiled threats of Guy Carbonneau. "I do not think we (the players) feel too comfortable in Montreal. I think I can give more to the team, but I do not fear a referral, "said the young Belarusian. And if he was demoted, the youngest of the brothers Kostitsyn agree to the decision of the team where he actually comply luggage to go home? "I stay here," he assured. In addition, Carey Price will be before the Canadian net tomorrow. Alex Auld begin a fifth game in a row to the Senators. The Deputy Martin Gerber has started 12 of last 13 games of his team. It has a goals against average of 2.26 and a very good percentage of efficiency (92.3?%).
Barack Obama promises that "the United States vigorously engage in negotiations" on climate
Barack Obama will not be attending the international conference on climate to be held in Poznan, Poland, on 1 December, but the elected president of the United States fully intends to radically change the U.S. data on global warming . Mr. Obama took the opportunity of an international summit devoted to this theme held on Tuesday 18 November in Beverley Hills, California, to assert, for the first time since his election, the reversal of the United States which, he said, will "vigorously engage" in international negotiations on climate. "When I take my duties, you can be sure that the United States to engage vigorously in these negotiations," he said. Sponsored by the California Governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Republican committed to environmental causes, the summit welcomed triumphantly statements by Barack Obama. The State of California has committed since 2006 in the fight against global warming through the adoption of a law on reducing emissions, in the spirit of the Kyoto Protocol, that George Bush has refused to ratify . Without a substitute for the Bush administration, which is still in business at the conference in Poznan, the Democrats will work very closely. "I have asked members of Congress who will attend the conference as observers me relate what they have learned," said Obama. Barack Obama has implicitly demarcated the words of the colistière of John McCain, Sarah Palin, who, during the presidential campaign, had questioned the human causes of global warming. "Wait no longer an option. Denial is no longer an acceptable response. The stakes are too high, the consequences too severe," he said. A new round of negotiations on climate started in 2007 in Bali to be completed in Copenhagen in 2009. The meetings in Poznan, bringing together nearly 10 000 participants from 170 countries, will test the willingness of countries to give or not a new impetus to an international policy to fight against global warming.Deepseafishing pirates
The modus operandi was usual, much less the target. Somali pirates attacked the ship as usual: grapnels launched from speedboats, a collision rule by men equipped with GPS, satellite phones, grenade launchers and rifles-AK-47 machine-guns. But their prey, Saturday, was exceptional, unprecedented in the history of piracy: a supertanker Saudi 300 m long, filled with 2 million barrels of oil, a cargo estimated at almost $ 100 million (79 million). For the latest news yesterday evening, the Star Sirius and its 25 crew members - Saudi, Croatian, Polish, British and mostly Filipino - were anchored under the custody of pirates, "off of a Somali port near Haradheere" , North of the capital Mogadishu, according to a spokesman for the Fifth Fleet based in Bahrain. The U.S. Navy did not go into details on a possible military rescue operation. "Disturbing". Somali pirates have laughed at all alerts, all military mobilizations of NATO and the European Union, which in recent months trying to protect the many ships in sea areas most popular commercial on the planet . That pirates prey on cargo ships is not new, but this is the first time they seek a target as important especially as far from their bases assumed. The Star Sirius has been addressed in very high seas, 450 nautical miles (over 800 km) off the coast of Kenya and Tanzania, so close to the Seychelles Islands Party ... Saudi Arabia, inflated oil, with with one quarter of the daily production of the country, he should join the United States, via the Cape of Good Hope. Somali pirates are accustomed to act on other roads, much further north, notably at the entrance to the Gulf of Aden, between Somalia and Yemen. "Even if it is only the latest attack in a general upsurge on the east coast of Africa, it is very worrying because it is the largest ship ever been hacked And because the distance from the coast suggests a very well organized, "said Pottengal Mukundan, director of the International Bureau of Maritime Affairs (IMB), a private organization based in London, but which works with Interpol and the United Nations in the fight against piracy. As in other previous cases, the pirate speedboats have been carried out in the area of the attack by a much larger vessel came the Somali coast. On 25 September, a Ukrainian cargo ship carrying heavy weapons, including tanks, had been taken by pirates off the same coast. "We are not discussing guards camels", explained yesterday at the Reuters specialist piracy. The Sirius Star is a ship of Vela International, the transport subsidiary of Saudi Aramco, the largest oil company in the world and state-owned Saudi now supposed to receive a ransom. "We believe that the 25 crew members were unharmed, said yesterday, a spokesman for Vela International. "They are our main concern. We expect a contact from the pirates. This act will only strengthen the resolve of countries bordering the Red Sea and beyond at the international level to combat piracy, "said the Saudi foreign minister, Prince Saud al-Faisal. While in recent years appeared to improve the situation in Southeast Asia - particularly in the Indonesian archipelago, the most risky for merchant ships in the early 2000s - it is getting worse in waters African Indian Ocean. According to the IMB, 92 vessels were attacked in the Gulf of Aden and the west coast of Somalia during the year, 36 of them with "success". The Somali pirate groups currently hold 14 vessels of various sizes (including cargo Ukrainian) and holding hostage 268 crew members. "Escalade". Beginning in April, pirates hijacked and had approached the Ponant, a French yacht cruise of 88 m long, taking hostage 30 crew members, before they are released by the intervention of the French army. In recent months, France, Russia, the USA and the UK have reinforced their military presence in the areas most affected. But the operation Saturday, though far from the coast, especially proves that it is impossible to monitor everything. "This is an escalation, said Roger Middleton, a specialist in the Horn of Africa to the research institute Chatham House in London. The military solution can not be an answer, because there is simply not enough shipbuilding capacity to cover the whole area at risk. "According to the U.S. Navy, shipowners have, moreover, not enough investment in the safety of their ships on the coast of East Africa, despite repeated warnings from the IMB. "Companies do not look twice when it comes to protecting their property on land recently considered a senior. Protect their crews and their boats should not be different. " Yesterday, according to the IMB, two new ships lacked the call off the African coast a cargo of wheat for Hong Kong, with 25 crew and a fishing vessel 12hommes.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Obama Hillary covets but is wary of her husband
"This is not taking the same old people in Washington that it will change anything," says Barack Obama during his entire campaign centered on "change". The future Obama administration, which will take office on January 20, seems inclined to favor experience on novelty. Whether Madeleine Albright, 71, former secretary of state chosen by Clinton to be the emissary of Obama at the recent summit of G20, Rahm Emanuel, a former adviser to Bill Clinton that He appointed Chief of Staff, and Hillary Clinton herself. The former primary rival is considered very seriously for the post of Secretary of State (equivalent to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs) or, more unlikely, as Secretary of Defense. Obama brought Hillary Clinton in Chicago Thursday to discuss those possibilities. According to sources close to the president-elect, cited by several American media, there remains a significant obstacle to this appointment: the transition team wants to ensure that the activities of profit Bill Clinton does not have a "conflict of interest."
Autocrat. The foundation of the former president, the Clinton Foundation (designed especially to combat poverty in Africa, malaria and AIDS), has raised more than $ 500 million since 1998. Donors are mainly foreigners and Bill Clinton has always refused to divulge the list. Many oil monarchies of the Middle East have made significant contributions. The Foundation has been criticized for its lack of transparency and Bill Clinton has already been suspected of having acted without too many scruples.
In September 2005, he visited Kazakhstan in the company of billionaire Frank Giustra to meet President Nazarbayev accused of numerous violations of human rights, particularly by the U.S. State Department. Clinton complimented the autocrat, who two days later granted the mining company Giustra a mirifique contract for the exploitation of uranium deposits in the country. The billionaire then paid 31 million dollars to the Clinton Foundation. The largest donation ever received, says the New York Times reported this story.
Since he is no longer president, Clinton has garnered more than $ 40 million by charging his speech to multinationals, and was enriched by offering its services to other friends billionaires, including Vinod Gupta and magnate Ronald Burkle supermarkets. The latter, which has invested in Dubai and China, have contributed more than $ 12 million in fees to Clinton to "advise" since 2002, according to the New York Times. If the transition team wants to list all conflicts of interest that Bill Clinton could raise in the case of an appointment of his wife, the task may be long.
"They are really concerned that the work of Bill Clinton could really complicate things for Hillary Clinton if she became secretary of state," an official judge Democrat quoted by the online newspaper Politico. The team was concerned less past activities of Bill Clinton as those that could create future conflicts. "The problem is that Bill will have to make sacrifices," said one close Clinton cited by Time. "Hillary would really an excellent secretary of state," said pours Bill Clinton last week in Kuwait, where he was on a business trip. "She worked very hard for this election after the primary battle against Obama, and so," he said. Adding: "But it has not done this in the hope of securing a position ..."
"Lobbyists." Barack Obama is currently reads a book about Abraham Lincoln, president who had appointed his cabinet in several of his political enemies during the 1860s. "Lincoln was a very wise man," Obama said Sunday during his first interview since his election in by 60 minutes.
The very pragmatic Obama, who had protested against the lobbyists during his campaign, did not hesitate to appoint "dozens" of former lobbyists in his transition team - which has 150 people - has revealed the press . Among the newcomers, Pete Rouse, his former chief of staff in the Senate, was given an advisory post, along with Greg Craig, a lawyer who defended Bill Clinton during the Monica Lewinsky affair. Mona Sutphen, a former of the Clinton administration, and Jim Messina, one of the leaders of his campaign, has been promoted deputy chiefs of staff.
"It looks less a new beginning that a day without end", ironically a Republican in reference to the famous film where each day takes place in the same manner as the previous one. "Where is the real change?" Anita Dunn, an adviser to Barack Obama, replied: "Well just look the new president of the United States!"
Autocrat. The foundation of the former president, the Clinton Foundation (designed especially to combat poverty in Africa, malaria and AIDS), has raised more than $ 500 million since 1998. Donors are mainly foreigners and Bill Clinton has always refused to divulge the list. Many oil monarchies of the Middle East have made significant contributions. The Foundation has been criticized for its lack of transparency and Bill Clinton has already been suspected of having acted without too many scruples.
In September 2005, he visited Kazakhstan in the company of billionaire Frank Giustra to meet President Nazarbayev accused of numerous violations of human rights, particularly by the U.S. State Department. Clinton complimented the autocrat, who two days later granted the mining company Giustra a mirifique contract for the exploitation of uranium deposits in the country. The billionaire then paid 31 million dollars to the Clinton Foundation. The largest donation ever received, says the New York Times reported this story.
Since he is no longer president, Clinton has garnered more than $ 40 million by charging his speech to multinationals, and was enriched by offering its services to other friends billionaires, including Vinod Gupta and magnate Ronald Burkle supermarkets. The latter, which has invested in Dubai and China, have contributed more than $ 12 million in fees to Clinton to "advise" since 2002, according to the New York Times. If the transition team wants to list all conflicts of interest that Bill Clinton could raise in the case of an appointment of his wife, the task may be long.
"They are really concerned that the work of Bill Clinton could really complicate things for Hillary Clinton if she became secretary of state," an official judge Democrat quoted by the online newspaper Politico. The team was concerned less past activities of Bill Clinton as those that could create future conflicts. "The problem is that Bill will have to make sacrifices," said one close Clinton cited by Time. "Hillary would really an excellent secretary of state," said pours Bill Clinton last week in Kuwait, where he was on a business trip. "She worked very hard for this election after the primary battle against Obama, and so," he said. Adding: "But it has not done this in the hope of securing a position ..."
"Lobbyists." Barack Obama is currently reads a book about Abraham Lincoln, president who had appointed his cabinet in several of his political enemies during the 1860s. "Lincoln was a very wise man," Obama said Sunday during his first interview since his election in by 60 minutes.
The very pragmatic Obama, who had protested against the lobbyists during his campaign, did not hesitate to appoint "dozens" of former lobbyists in his transition team - which has 150 people - has revealed the press . Among the newcomers, Pete Rouse, his former chief of staff in the Senate, was given an advisory post, along with Greg Craig, a lawyer who defended Bill Clinton during the Monica Lewinsky affair. Mona Sutphen, a former of the Clinton administration, and Jim Messina, one of the leaders of his campaign, has been promoted deputy chiefs of staff.
"It looks less a new beginning that a day without end", ironically a Republican in reference to the famous film where each day takes place in the same manner as the previous one. "Where is the real change?" Anita Dunn, an adviser to Barack Obama, replied: "Well just look the new president of the United States!"
Montreal is saying no to F1
This is not Montreal, which lost the Grand Prix. Instead abandoned hotel in the Grand Prix of Formula 1. Let us be clear: Bernie Ecclestone demanded 173.6 million over 5 years. Montreal, Quebec and Ottawa offered $ 148 million. And because it was not a good economic decision, politicians have chosen to abandon the race scheduled for 2009.
Still, nearly 175 million dollars is a lot of money to a man and a fast financial crisis. That is a lot of money for Montreal and the governments of Quebec and Canada, when we wonder if we will not, we also caught by the recession.
In fact, I wonder if this is not Bernie Ecclestone who is going to be its business model crumble. The man pilot entertainment interesting for lovers of speed, but in times of recession, may suffer from a slowdown in consumer spending.
Apart from the oil countries, one wonders who can really afford a grand prize in the coming years. Already, France withdrew from Formula 1 for 2009. Belgium is at risk. Australia, including the Grand Prix is negative, reflecting. There will be no Grand Prix in the United States next year. And China apparently would review the agreement signed with the boss of F1 races scheduled for after 2010.
Several emerging countries should join the F1 tour in the coming years, including South Korea and India. But it is questionable whether these developments will indeed take place.
Turkey, emerging to replace Canada in June next to the calendar, could also be called upon to rethink membership from Istanbul to the race, when the economy slows down. Turkey is currently negotiating a new loan with the IMF after having attended a massive withdrawal of foreign capital in recent months. Capital had largely fueled the Turkish economy for five years.
According to the economist Eckhard Siggel, RDI interviewed live on the economy, "if an emerging country received a lot of foreign capital in the short term, it is very vulnerable, because the money will disappear quickly. [...] The countries of the East are very vulnerable now. Several accounts have very negative and no major reservations. "
In calendar 2009, over 17 races, six are held in emerging countries or in cities that could affect their participation. What has been told to economist Philip Merrigan, RDI still live on the economy, it is "not convinced that will not the Grand Prix in Montreal. "
According to him, "Mr. Ecclestone could have very unpleasant surprises, if the global recession is also high that currently sees progress. Sell tickets at prices several hundred dollars, it is not clear that wherever he goes go, it will find takers. "
Philip Merrigan is of the opinion, in fact, that Bernie Ecclestone gets a big finger in the eye: "Still, he is not alone there. He has two other partners, including one that comes to bankruptcy: Lehman Brothers. His situation is not as good as that. "
It is clear that Montreal loses an international event exceptional. The name "Montreal" resounded at least once a year in dozens of countries. An advertisement for an extraordinary city that is not part of the great metropolises of the world.
Still, Montreal is a dynamic city, a city of culture and celebration. The disappearance of the Grand Prix does not compare to the departure of the Expos in 2004. A team that played in an economic unsuitable for small markets. We must build on later on the future, the definition of Montreal.
Architecture, culture, celebration, ecology, sustainable development, opportunities to better define this city, better value and make it loved by its people and tourists are immense. The departure of the Grand Prix we must whip ...
The head of the ADQ refuses to apologize
Mario Dumont accuses Guy A. Lepage of having "sensitive skin" and does not intend to apologize for having alleged that Jean Charest had received preferential treatment on the set of Everybody talks about it.
The head of the ADQ said yesterday that it was "recorded in words covered in his biography written by journalist Denis Lessard. But he could not prove the veracity of his claims because the book does not describe the facts in the same way. Nowhere is it mentioned that advertising would have to "fix" the interview with the team Everyone's talking about. "Mr. Bissonnette, Zone 3, well known in the media in Montreal, was not far behind. The former companion in arms of Mario Dumont had long advised Charest before recording, simply says Denis Lessard. The Sun tried to join Michel Bissonnette, yesterday, but he refused interviews. He is chairman of the Liberal campaign.
Mario Dumont has interpreted that phrase differently and had remained under the impression that the transition from Jean Charest to the issue was a play. "If I have misinterpreted the texts of books, if these people have never spoken to the individual advertising in question, they say and I will respect the interpretation. (...) But on the merits, it does not change anything, "he argued.
The head of the ADQ contends that he had decided upon leaving the issue Everyone talks about it would never feet on this plateau. "And when I saw the treatment as others have, I was convinced."
Even if he can not prove his allegations, Mr. Dumont has refused to retract. "Poor guy," he said when a reporter reminded him that in English Guy A. Lepage awaited apology.
The head fitness for further defended his participation in the show Thank God!, Which will be broadcast on November 30. "There is not the beginning of the beginning of a link between the two. (God thank you!) Is a game that my kids love and when I was invited, they made me promise to go, "he said, adding that he did not know then that the issue would be circulated during the campaign.
The head fitness for also refused to make a link between his appearance on Thank God! with a blonde wig and the presence of André Boisclair in a parody of the film Brokeback Mountain. "I would not describe the scenes of whipped cream and other," he said with a laugh.
Mr. Dumont was also ironic when a journalist has pointed out that Lepage had not asked Jean Charest to present its financial framework during his last visit. "Yes huh! I'm there. "
Jean Charest has for its part said "surprised" by the release of Mr. Dumont. "I do not know where it fate or why he invents things like that," he responded yesterday.
In no way, swears he did his entourage participated in the preparation of the issue with the people of Everyone's talking about. "We do not know the questions, we do not know the format, and it does absolutely nothing either in mounting the show. And it does nothing and we are not mounting. We see at the same time as everyone else on Sunday evening. "Mr. Charest stressed that this is not his favorite type of interviews since the kind of issue mixing public affairs and varieties.
The head of the ADQ said yesterday that it was "recorded in words covered in his biography written by journalist Denis Lessard. But he could not prove the veracity of his claims because the book does not describe the facts in the same way. Nowhere is it mentioned that advertising would have to "fix" the interview with the team Everyone's talking about. "Mr. Bissonnette, Zone 3, well known in the media in Montreal, was not far behind. The former companion in arms of Mario Dumont had long advised Charest before recording, simply says Denis Lessard. The Sun tried to join Michel Bissonnette, yesterday, but he refused interviews. He is chairman of the Liberal campaign.
Mario Dumont has interpreted that phrase differently and had remained under the impression that the transition from Jean Charest to the issue was a play. "If I have misinterpreted the texts of books, if these people have never spoken to the individual advertising in question, they say and I will respect the interpretation. (...) But on the merits, it does not change anything, "he argued.
The head of the ADQ contends that he had decided upon leaving the issue Everyone talks about it would never feet on this plateau. "And when I saw the treatment as others have, I was convinced."
Even if he can not prove his allegations, Mr. Dumont has refused to retract. "Poor guy," he said when a reporter reminded him that in English Guy A. Lepage awaited apology.
The head fitness for further defended his participation in the show Thank God!, Which will be broadcast on November 30. "There is not the beginning of the beginning of a link between the two. (God thank you!) Is a game that my kids love and when I was invited, they made me promise to go, "he said, adding that he did not know then that the issue would be circulated during the campaign.
The head fitness for also refused to make a link between his appearance on Thank God! with a blonde wig and the presence of André Boisclair in a parody of the film Brokeback Mountain. "I would not describe the scenes of whipped cream and other," he said with a laugh.
Mr. Dumont was also ironic when a journalist has pointed out that Lepage had not asked Jean Charest to present its financial framework during his last visit. "Yes huh! I'm there. "
Jean Charest has for its part said "surprised" by the release of Mr. Dumont. "I do not know where it fate or why he invents things like that," he responded yesterday.
In no way, swears he did his entourage participated in the preparation of the issue with the people of Everyone's talking about. "We do not know the questions, we do not know the format, and it does absolutely nothing either in mounting the show. And it does nothing and we are not mounting. We see at the same time as everyone else on Sunday evening. "Mr. Charest stressed that this is not his favorite type of interviews since the kind of issue mixing public affairs and varieties.
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