The river Seine and the Eiffel Tower in Paris

The river Seine and the Eiffel Tower in Paris

 

[caption id="attachment_12351" align="alignnone" width="400"] (Photo AFP - Ludovic Marin)[/caption]

 

Eiffel Tower

 

A picture shows the river Seine and the Eiffel Tower in Paris on 13 Thursday February 2014 The Roman.

 

(AFP - Ludovic Marin)

 

Copyright © 2014 AFP. All rights reserved.

 

(Agence France-Presse, 14 Friday February 2014 The Roman)

 

Flooded

Flooded

 

[caption id="attachment_12344" align="alignnone" width="400"] (Photo AFP - Geoff Caddick)[/caption]

 

Aquatique

 

Champ de course inondé à Worcester, en Angleterre.

 

Aquatic

 

Flooded racecourse in Worcester, England.

 

(AFP - Geoff Caddick)

 

Copyright © 2014 AFP. All rights reserved.

 

(Agence France-Presse, 14 Friday February 2014 The Roman)

(Translated: R.S.F. toshiki speed news press, Agence France-Presse, 15 Saturday February 2014 The Roman)

 

Bank of England hikes 2014 growth forecast

Bank of England hikes 2014 growth forecast

 

By Roland JACKSON (AFP)

 

London — The Bank of England ramped up its 2014 economic growth forecast on Wednesday as Britain's recovery picks up speed, and vowed to keep interest rates low after tweaking its guidance.

 

Gross domestic product (GDP) was set to grow by 3.4 percent this year, the central bank said in its latest quarterly report.

 

That was up sharply from an earlier estimate of 2.8 percent given in November.

 

"The recovery has gained momentum. Output is growing at the fastest rate since 2007, works are being created at the quickest pace since records began, and after four years above target the inflation rate is back at 2.0 percent," governor Mark Carney said.

 

Carney took charge of the BoE last August and launched the forward guidance policy, under which the BoE had stated that it will not raise record-low interest rates until the unemployment rate falls to at least 7.0 percent.

 

However, the bank forecast on Wednesday that the unemployment rate -- which has fallen more sharply than expected amid the strengthening recovery -- would hit 7.0-percent in the coming months.

 

As a result, the BoE added it would look at a "broad range of indicators" at that point, in order to assess the health of the labour market and establish whether borrowing costs should rise.

 

Under the latest guidance, the bank will seek to absorb all the spare capacity in the economy over the next two to three years to allow a full recovery.

 

When interest rates do begin to increase, it will be a gradual and limited process, according to the BoE.

 

The central bank also pledged to maintain its £375-billion ($620-billion, 456-billion-euro) bond-buying stimulus programme, known as quantitative easing, until at least the first rate hike.

 

Interest rates have stood at a record low level of 0.50 percent since March 2009, when it also launched the vast QE stimulus to aid growth.

 

The bank meanwhile predicted fourth-quarter GDP growth would be revised to 0.9 percent, from 0.7 percent.

 

It also expected the economy would grow by a robust 0.8 percent in the current first quarter.

 

"Forward guidance is working," Carney told journalists.

 

"Expected interest rates have remained low even as the economy has recovered strongly.

 

"Uncertainty about interest rates has fallen. Most importantly, UK businesses have understood the message."

 

Canadian national Carney was last month forced to dampen talk of a rate rise any time soon, following news that the unemployment rate fell faster than expected to 7.1 percent, a near five-year low point.

 

The bank stressed on Wednesday that borrowing costs "may need to remain at low levels for some time to come" as Britain grapples with the ongoing legacy of the financial crisis and other economic headwinds.

 

"If and when the time comes that the economy can sustain higher interest rates, bank rate is expected to rise only gradually," Carney said.

 

"For a sustained and balanced recovery, the degree of stimulus will need to remain exceptional for some time."

 

The BoE also predicted that 12-month inflation would remain at, or slightly below the bank's official 2.0-percent target, over the forecast period.

 

The economy expanded at the fastest rate last year since before the global financial crisis, growing by 1.9 percent in 2013.

 

That was the fastest pace since 2007.

 

"Despite the very sharp and unexpected fall in unemployment, the MPC still sees plenty of slack in the economy that must be used up before raising bank rate," noted HSBC economist Simon Wells.

 

"Phase two of forward guidance offered no new targets or thresholds, but by arguing that there is a lot of spare capacity and with inflation projected to be below target 2-3 years ahead, governor Carney wanted to send a signal that rates are not moving soon."

 

Copyright © 2014 AFP. All rights reserved.

 

(Agence France-Presse, 13 Thursday February 2014 The Roman)

 

 

Exports give German economy boost in Q4

Exports give German economy boost in Q4

 

Frankfurt (AFP)

 

Growth of the German economy, Europe's biggest, picked up fractionally at the end of last year, propelled by buoyant exports, official data showed on Friday.

 

German gross domestic product (GDP) grew by 0.4 percent in the period from October to December, slightly faster than analysts' expectations and also up from growth of 0.3 percent in the preceding three months, the federal statistics office Destatis said.

 

"Positive impulses came primarily from net foreign trade," Destatis explained.

 

"According to preliminary calculations, exports grew much more strongly than imports. By contrast, the signals from domestic demand were more mixed," the statisticians said.

 

Public spending stagnated and consumer spending was down slightly, but positive developments were seen in investment.

 

Investment in both construction and equipment was up strongly, but companies also sharply reduced their stockpiles "and that put the brakes on growth," Destatis said.

 

Taking 2013 as a whole, Destatis confirmed a preliminary estimate from last month which showed that German growth slowed to just 0.4 percent last year, the slowest growth for four years.

 

Copyright © 2014 AFP. All rights reserved.

 

(Agence France-Presse, 14 Friday February 2014 The Roman)

 

 

Italian economy begins recovery with 0.1 percent growth

Italian economy begins recovery with 0.1 percent growth

 

[caption id="attachment_12328" align="alignnone" width="400"] (People walk in a street on 20 Thursday December 2012 The Roman in Milan, Italy (AFP/File, Tiziana Fabi))[/caption]

 

(AFP)

 

Rome — Italy's economy began a recovery in the fourth quarter of 2013 with 0.1-percent growth -- the first positive result following a two-year recession, official data from the Istat agency showed on Friday.

 

The preliminary data also showed that gross domestic product (GDP) contracted by 1.9 percent in 2013.

 

The economy showed zero growth in the third quarter, meaning the recession formally ended then.

 

Copyright © 2014 AFP. All rights reserved.

 

(Agence France-Presse, 14 Friday February 2014 The Roman)

 

President Barack Obama and President Francois Hollande

President Barack Obama and President Francois Hollande

 

[caption id="attachment_12261" align="alignnone" width="538"] (Photo AFP - JEWEL SAMAD)[/caption]

 

Press conference

 

Barack Obama and Francois Hollande hold a press conference in the East Room of the White House in Washington.

 

(AFP - JEWEL SAMAD)

 

(Agence France-Presse, 11 Tuesday February 2014 The Roman)

 

The Berlin Film Festival

The Berlin Film Festival

 

[caption id="attachment_12250" align="alignnone" width="400"] (Photo AFP - PATRIK STOLLARZ)[/caption]

 

Musa

 

A atriz americana Uma Thurman, no tapete vermelho do Festival de Berlim.

 

Muse

 

American actress Uma Thurman, the red carpet at the Berlin Film Festival.

 

(AFP - PATRIK STOLLARZ)

 

(Agence France-Presse, 11 Tuesday February 2014 The Roman)

(Text Translated: R.S.F. toshiki speed news press, Agence France-Presse, 13 Thursday February 2014 The Roman)

 

 

 

Mourinho sees limitations as Chelsea stumble

Mourinho sees limitations as Chelsea stumble

 

West Bromwich (United Kingdom) (AFP)

 

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho felt that his team's draw against West Bromwich Albion underlined his controversial claim that the London club are the underdogs in the Premier League title battle.

 

Substitute Victor Anichebe's late equaliser on Tuesday earned West Brom a 1-1 draw that meant Chelsea were forced to settle for a lead of two points, as opposed to four, at the top of the table.

 

Branislav Ivanovic's goal in first-half stoppage time had given Mourinho's team the lead, but their failure to secure maximum points gives both Arsenal and Manchester City, who play on Wednesday, the chance to claim top spot.

 

The Portuguese played down his side's chances in the race to be crowned champions following their recent 1-0 victory over City at the Etihad Stadium, referring to them as the title race's "little horse".

 

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho felt that his team's draw against West Bromwich Albion underlined his controversial claim that the London club are the underdogs in the Premier League title battle.

 

Substitute Victor Anichebe's late equaliser on Tuesday earned West Brom a 1-1 draw that meant Chelsea were forced to settle for a lead of two points, as opposed to four, at the top of the table.

 

Branislav Ivanovic's goal in first-half stoppage time had given Mourinho's team the lead, but their failure to secure maximum points gives both Arsenal and Manchester City, who play on Wednesday, the chance to claim top spot.

 

The Portuguese played down his side's chances in the race to be crowned champions following their recent 1-0 victory over City at the Etihad Stadium, referring to them as the title race's "little horse".

 

Anichebe, on the pitch 14 minutes as a replacement for Morgan Amalfitano, headed home in the 87th minute to secure a precious point that lifted West Brom out of the bottom three by virtue of goal difference.

 

Mourinho refused to point the finger at individuals, but he admitted that his team, who were without the injured John Terry, had lacked "personality".

 

"I don't speak about names. We as a team made mistakes," he said.

 

"I don't like to individualise and if John is not here, it is not because I don't want, it is because he can't.

 

"He is a guy with big personality and it could be different. We accepted for too long their dominance in the last 20 minutes. We made a couple of defensive mistakes and were punished in one.

 

"My defensive line started playing too deep. We gave them the ball and waited for them to put it in our box and fight against it. But it is not our game.

 

"I think also a bit of a lack of personality. We must have the personality to get out. At the end of the day it is one more point and we have one more than the previous day."

 

West Brom manager Pepe Mel has now drawn all three of his home matches since taking charge of the Midlands club in January, but is still searching for a first win.

 

"I am proud of my players," said the Spaniard.

 

"It was good to have different halves -- the first was good defence, only two chances for Chelsea.

 

"The second good attack and mentality. It was the best performance (of his tenure). This is a good team we were playing.

 

"We have a day off then go to Spain for what will be like a pre-season (training camp). If we play as we did in the second half, we will win games."

 

(Agence France-Presse, 12 Wednesday February 2014 The Roman)

 

 

Trouble at the Panama Canal: A $1.6 billion row will have ripple effects on global trade at sea

Trouble at the Panama Canal

 

A $1.6 billion row will have ripple effects on global trade at sea

 

ON FEBRUARY 4TH 1889 the French Compagnie Universelle du Canal Interocéanique de Panama was declared bankrupt, marking the first catastrophic failure to build the Panama Canal.

 

On the same date this year (the centenary year of its completion in 1914) talks collapsed on how to finish the canal’s expansion.

 

Seafarers, a superstitious bunch, will not interpret this as a good omen.

 

After weeks of negotiations between the Panama Canal Authority (PCA) and a consortium led by Sacyr, a Spanish builder, and its Italian counterpart, Salini Impregilo, the two sides have failed to reach agreement on who pays for $1.6 billion of cost overruns on their $3.2 billion portion of the project to widen the waterway.

 

The consortium, GUPC, said the endeavour was on “the brink of failure”.

 

The PCA’s head, Jorge Quijano, said the consortium had downed tools the morning after the talks dissolved with the project only 70% completed.

 

His team will now decide whether to hire new builders to complete the work, which may cost another $1.5 billion.

 

“We will finish this job in 2015 with or without GUPC,” he said, though he acknowledged there might be tough legal battles ahead.

 

The kernel of the dispute is a $785m advance payment the PCA made to the consortium.

 

Mr Quijano said GUPC had asked for a moratorium on repayment until 2018.

 

The PCA, which has already granted a year’s extra time, was prepared to extend it only until 2015.

 

The row has pitted two forceful personalities against each other.

 

Though coverage of the consortium has focused on Sacyr of Spain, it is Pietro Salini, the Italian businessman whose company last year bought control of Impregilo, who is said to be calling the shots

 

Last month he accused Mr Quijano of inexperience on such big projects.

 

He also implied that an Italian subcontractor, Cimolai, would not deliver a set of massive lock gates if GUPC loses the contract, setting the expansion back by three years.

 

Mr Quijano told The Economist that sounded like “extortion”.

 

The dispute has already cost precious time.

 

It started in the early part of the dry season, the only four months when conditions are right for mixing concrete.

 

During a visit on January 31st to a canyon-like expansion site on the Pacific coast, the concrete mixers were already inactive.

 

There were few workers.

 

It was a forlorn sight compared with a mural at the PCA’s headquarters that shows the original canal swarming with labourers 100 years ago.

 

On the same day, Mr Quijano hosted the American ambassador to Panama at the expansion site, which he said underscored the importance of its completion to the United States, the canal’s biggest user.

 

The head of Miami’s port was in Panama the same week.

 

Miami has $2 billion in port improvements under way that were originally timed to coincide with the opening of the expanded canal this year or next.

 

As far north as New York and New Jersey, authorities are deepening ports to cater for the “new Panamax” ships that will be able to carry almost triple the cargo that can currently fit through the canal on a single vessel (albeit at three times the toll, or about $1m).

 

Caribbean ports, too, are expanding.

 

Shipping firms hope a larger canal will cut the time to take liquefied natural gas from America to Asia and containers in the other direction.

 

However, the dispute has drawn attention to the alternative routes for big ships, such as that to America from Asia through Suez, or using trains and trucks between America’s coasts, or even relocating manufacturing to Mexico instead of Asia, experts say.

 

Aaron Ellis of the American Association of Port Authorities says there is a common misconception that bigger ships depend on the canal’s expansion.

 

“It’s a big, big event in world trade but it isn’t the only game in town.”

 

(The Economist, 8 Saturday February 2014 The Roman)

 

Spain to exit from bank bailout in January

Spain to exit from bank bailout in January

 

Spain has announced it is to exit its EU/IMF bank bailout programme.

 

Madrid borrowed 41 billion euros last year to rescue many of its banks crippled by bad loans after the collapse of a property and construction bubble.

 

The country has now met the conditions of its aid programme and its banking sector has “significantly improved” according to euro zone finance ministers.

 

It follows an announcement by Ireland that it will also exit the bailout next month.

 

At a news conference in Brussels ministers welcomed Spain’s decision, hailing it a success for the Eurogroup.

 

Head of Eurogroup, Jeroen Disjsselboem, said: “These two countries are an example of how a programme can work, and should work. So I think that’s a good sign. Of course at the outstart of the whole crisis management of the euro zone this was all new, it was all ‘terra incognita’, it all had to be worked out, and we’ve now had two good experiences, successful experiences, and I think that’s very important.”

 

Copyright © 2014 euronews

 

(euronews, 16 Saturday November 2013 The Roman)

 

Spain judge orders arrest of former China president Jiang Zemin

Spain judge orders arrest of former China president Jiang Zemin

 

[caption id="attachment_12208" align="alignnone" width="400"] (Chinese former president Jiang Zemin (C) listens during the closing of the 18th Communist Party Congress at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on November, 14 2012 (AFP Photo/Wang Zhao))[/caption]

 

Madrid (AFP) - A Spanish judge on Monday sought international arrest warrants for former Chinese President Jiang Zemin and four other top Chinese officials as part of a probe into alleged genocide in Tibet.

 

High Court Judge Ismael Moreno ordered Interpol to issue the arrest warrants for the five for genocide, torture and crimes against humanity as part of a case brought against them in Spain by human rights groups.

 

"Jiang exercised supervisory authority over the people who directly committed abuses, which makes him responsible for acts of torture and other major abuses of human rights perpetrated by his subordinates against the people of Tibet," Moreno wrote in his ruling.

 

"He promoted and actively implemented policies whose objective was to populate the Autonomous Region of Tibet with a majority from the Han ethnic group, detain thousands of Tibetans during lengthy periods, torture the detained and submit them to other illegal abuses."

 

In addition to Jiang, the judge ordered the arrest of former Prime Minister Li Peng; former security and police chief Qiao Shi; Chen Kuiyan, a former Communist Party official in Tibet; and Peng Pelyun, a former family planning minister.

 

The High Court in November said it had accepted arguments from Spanish pro-Tibet human rights groups that international reports indicate that the five men may have had a role in human rights abuses and should be questioned.

 

The case against the Chinese officials was brought by the rights groups under Spain's recognition of "universal jurisdiction", a doctrine that allows judges to try certain cases of human rights abuses committed in other countries.

 

The doctrine allowed Spain's former judge Baltasar Garzon to try to arrest and try the late Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet.

 

While very few probes opened under the doctrine have seen people brought to trial in Spain, investigations have irked some countries.

 

Last month lawmakers from Spain's ruling Popular Party tabled a bill to limit the Spanish courts' use of "universal jurisdiction".

 

The practice was reformed in 2009 to restrict such cases principally to ones involving Spanish victims or suspects present in Spain.

 

That change came after a case brought against Israel over bombings in Gaza in 2002, a lawsuit which raised diplomatic tensions.

 

(Agence France-Presse, 10 Monday February 2014 The Roman)

 

Hollande and Obama confirm strong Franco-US friendship

Hollande and Obama confirm strong Franco-US friendship

 

The presidents of France and the United States have confirmed the strong friendship between the two countries at a press conference in Washington on Tuesday.

 

Obama and Hollande said they were both in agreement on foreign policy, trade and the environment.

 

On the subject of Iran, Obama said sanctions would continue for now.

 

“President Hollande and I agree on the need to continue enforcing existing sanctions even as we believe that new sanctions during these negotiations would endanger the possibility of a diplomatic solution.”

 

After the press conference, a state dinner will be held in honour of Hollande.

 

The next time the two will meet will be in June.

 

Copyright © 2014 euronews

 

(euronews, 11 Monday February 2014 The Roman)

 

Vogt wins first women's ski jump gold, Takanashi fourth

Vogt wins first women's ski jump gold, Takanashi fourth

 

Rosa Khutor (Russia) (AFP)

 

Germany's Carina Vogt made history on Tuesday, winning the first ever women's ski jumping event at an Olympic Games in a nail-biting finale that left favourite Sara Takanashi off the podium.

 

Vogt, who had led after the first run, grabbed a total 247.4 points with jumps of 103 and 97.5 metres, and sank to her knees after seeing the results.

 

Austrian favourite and 2011 world champion Daniela Iraschko-Stolz was second with 246.2 points, ahead of France's Coline Mattel at 245.2 points.

 

(Agence France-Presse, 11 Tuesday February 2014 The Roman)

 

 

Geisenberger wins Germany's second luge gold

Geisenberger wins Germany's second luge gold

 

Rosa Khutor (Russia) (AFP)

 

Germany's Natalie Geisenberger won her first Olympic gold medal in women's luge singles on Tuesday and the second for her country in three days.

 

Another German, Tatjana Huefner, who came to Sochi as reigning champion, was second, 1.139sec behind the winner, while Erin Hamlin finished in third place winning the US team's first singles medal after 50 years of trying.

 

The 26-year-old three-time world champion Geisenberger, who had a commanding 0.766sec lead after the first two races on Monday, finished with a combined time of three min 19.768sec after the four runs.

 

The third run featured a new track record.

 

Compatriot Felix Loch won the men's event on Sunday.

 

(Agence France-Presse, 11 Tuesday February 2014 The Roman)

 

 

Flood water

Flood water

 

[caption id="attachment_12178" align="alignnone" width="400"] (Photo AFP - Ben Stansall)[/caption]

 

Wading through

 

Residents wade through floodwater in the village of Wraysbury in Berkshire, southeast England.

 

(AFP - Ben Stansall)

 

(Agence France-Presse, 11 Tuesday February 2014 The Roman)

 

Flooded street

Flooded street

 

[caption id="attachment_12171" align="alignnone" width="400"] (Photo AFP - Fred Tanneau)[/caption]

 

Submersion

 

Un camion de pompiers dans une rue inondée de Redon, en Bretagne.

 

Submersion

 

A fire truck through a flooded street Redon, Bretagne.

 

(AFP - Fred Tanneau)

 

(Agence France-Presse, 11 Tuesday February 2014 The Roman)

(Translated: R.S.F. toshiki speed news press, Agence France-Presse, 12 Wednesday February 2014 The Roman)

 

Obama y Hollande revisan las raíces de la amistad franco-estadounidense Obama and Hollande review the roots of Franco-American friendship

Obama y Hollande revisan las raíces de la amistad franco-estadounidense

 

Washington (AFP)

 

Barack Obama y François Hollande efectuarán este lunes un peregrinaje a las fuentes de la amistad entre Washington y París, en el primero de los tres días de una visita de Estado del mandatario francés a EEUU.

 

Vuelo en el Air Force One, honores militares y cenas fastuosas: EEUU agasajará a Hollande en la primera visita en su primera etapa a Washington y en la primera de este género por parte de un jefe de Estado en 18 años, en la que Hollande viajará solo, tras su reciente separación de Valérie Trierweiler.

 

Antes de una jornada protocolaria el martes en la Casa Blanca, Obama y Hollande viajarán a la zona de Monticello, tierras del tercer presidente estadounidense, Thomas Jefferson (1801-1809), una referencia histórica para ambos países.

 

Esta escapada permitirá a ambos mandatarios encontrarse en un ambiente más informal para "charlar de las relaciones (franco-estadounidenses) en un entorno que evoca su historia y de las posibilidades que detentan", explicó un responsable del Gobierno de Obama a la AFP.

 

En el ámbito económico, Hollande cenará este lunes en la casa de Francia con la directora general del Fondo Monetario Internacional.

 

El martes, la jornada será mucho más solemne, con himnos nacionales, cañonazos y una entrevista en el Despacho Oval antes de una rueda de prensa en la que se tratarán seguramente cuestiones internacionales ( Irán, Ucrania, Sáhara y Libia) y económicas.

 

Tras una comida oficial con el secretario de Estado estadounidense, John Kerry, y un homenaje a los militares del país, Hollande será el martes por la noche el invitado de honor de una cena de Estado que reunirá a centenares de invitados selectamente escogidos por la Casa Blanca y donde será obligatorio el esmoquin y la etiqueta.

 

La visita concluirá el miércoles con una escala en San Francisco, región que alberga empresas punteras en materia informática.

 

(Agence France-Presse, 10 lunes febrero 2014 la Roman)

 

Obama and Hollande review the roots of Franco-American friendship

 

Washington (AFP)

 

François Hollande and Barack Obama on Monday made ​​a pilgrimage to the sources of the friendship between Washington and Paris in the first of three days of a state visit by French president to the United States.

 

Flight on Air Force One, military honors and lavish dinners : USA regale Hollande in the first visit in the first stage to Washington and the first of its kind by a head of state in 18 years, in which Hollande travel only, after his recent separation Valérie Trierweiler.

 

Before a protocol day on Tuesday at the White House, Obama and Hollande will travel to the Monticello, land of the third U.S. President Thomas Jefferson (1801-1809), a historical reference to both countries.

 

This package will enable the two leaders meet in a more informal setting for "chat relations (Franco-American) in a setting that evokes the history and the possibilities they hold," the Obama government official told AFP.

 

On the economic front, Hollande dine Monday in the House of France with the general director of the International Monetary Fund.

 

On Tuesday, the day will be much more solemn, national hymns, gunfire and an interview in the Oval Office before a press conference on international economic issues that will surely (Iran, Ukraine, Sahara, Libya) and treated.

 

After an official dinner with Secretary of State, John Kerry, and a tribute to the country's military, Hollande will be Tuesday night the guest of honor at a state dinner bringing together hundreds of guests selectamente chosen by the House white tuxedo and where the label is mandatory.

 

The visit will conclude on Wednesday with a stop in San Francisco, region harboring leading companies in IT field.

 

(Agence France-Presse, 10 Monday February 2014 The Roman)

(Translated: R.S.F. toshiki speed news press, Agence France-Presse, 10 Monday February 2014 The Roman)

 

Ligue 1: Un sommet capital pour Monaco et le Paris SG League 1: A crucial summit to Monaco and Paris SG

Ligue 1: Un sommet capital pour Monaco et le Paris SG

 

[caption id="attachment_12146" align="alignnone" width="400"] (Les joueurs du PSG manifestent leur joie après le but de Zlatan Ibrahimovic en demi-finale de la Coupe de la Ligue contre Nantes à la Beaujoire, le 4 mardi février 2014 le Roman (AFP)) (The PSG players express their joy after the goal from Zlatan Ibrahimovic in the semifinals of the League Cup against Nantes Beaujoire, 4 Tuesday February 2014 The Roman (AFP))[/caption]

 

De Keyvan NARAGHI (AFP)

 

Paris — Les deux superpuissances financières de la L1, le leader parisien, emmené par un Ibrahimovic au sommet de son art, et son dauphin monégasque, toujours orphelin de Falcao, ont rendez-vous dimanche au stade Louis-II pour un choc capital dans la lutte pour le titre.

 

Avec 5 points d'avance sur son rival, le PSG des Qataris aborde cette échéance en position de force et pourrait, en cas de succès, assommer le championnat et se diriger inexorablement vers un deuxième sacre d'affilée.

 

Pour l'ASM du milliardaire russe Dmitry Rybolovlev, il s'agira surtout de maintenir le suspense jusqu'au bout.

 

Cette affiche de gala devrait en tout cas devenir un "classique" de la Ligue 1 durant les prochaines saisons, aucune autre formation française n'ayant les moyens économiques de venir perturber le duopole Paris-Monaco.

 

Cette nouvelle rivalité n'en est qu'à ses débuts mais elle a déjà éclipsé la concurrence, obligée de se partager les restes laissés par les deux ogres.

 

Une situation appelée à perdurer.

 

A l'aller (1-1, le 22 septembre au Parc des Princes), le club de la Principauté avait tenu la dragée haute au champion de France mais à l'époque il pouvait compter sur un buteur de dimension mondiale, Falcao.

 

Le "Tigre" colombien, gravement blessé au genou et très incertain pour le Mondial-2014, manquera cette fois à l'appel.

 

Sans Falcao ni Cavani (cuisse) côté parisien, cette rencontre de prestige se voit ainsi délestée de deux des trois plus grosses vedettes du championnat.

 

L'absence du Colombien a pour le moment été assez bien compensée par le duo Germain-Rivière.

 

Mais les deux attaquants auront-ils les épaules assez larges pour inquiéter une défense de niveau européen dirigée par le "Monstre" Thiago Silva, capitaine du Brésil et du PSG ?

 

Pour muscler son secteur offensif, Monaco a fait venir le vétéran bulgare Berbatov (33 ans), transfuge de Fulham, qui devrait théoriquement débuter le match sur le banc.

 

Guerre des mots

 

Sur le papier, le forfait de Cavani a de quoi soulager une arrière-garde monégasque vieillissante.

 

Pas sûr qu'Abidal (34 ans) et Carvalho (35 ans) soient en revanche particulièrement enchantés à l'idée de se frotter au colosse Ibrahimovic, toujours capable de gestes de génie.

 

Meilleur buteur de L1 (18 réalisations), le géant suédois n'en finit pas de multiplier les coups d'éclat.

 

Le souci pour l'entraîneur Laurent Blanc c'est qu'il est bien le seul ces dernières semaines.

 

Lucas et Lavezzi, terriblement inefficaces, sauront-ils épauler Ibra et faire oublier Cavani (13 buts en L1) ?

 

A moins que Blanc ne décide de sacrifier l'Argentin pour gonfler son milieu en incorporant la recrue Cabaye.

 

Un coup de poker tactique n'est pas exclu des deux côtés.

 

La bataille des mots a elle déjà commencé.

 

Le technicien monégasque Claudio Ranieri ne cesse ainsi de répéter depuis une semaine que le championnat est joué et promis au PSG.

 

"Qui fait la course au titre ? Nous ? Non ! Le Paris SG, ce sont des extra-terrestres. Seuls eux peuvent perdre le titre. Et il leur faudrait beaucoup d'erreurs pour le perdre. Parce que, même avec sa deuxième équipe, le PSG gagnerait le titre", a-t-il encore déclaré vendredi.

 

Un argumentaire balayé avec le sourire par Blanc.

 

"S'il veut, on ne joue pas le match", a-t-il répondu alors que le milieu de terrain Matuidi a parlé de coup de "bluff".

 

Pas de doute pour Laurent Blanc: la pression est bel et bien sur Monaco malgré ces tentatives de diversion.

 

Toute la question est en fait de savoir si l'ASM, promue "dopée" par les 170 millions d'euros investis l'été dernier dans le recrutement, peut se hisser dès cette saison au niveau du PSG ou si elle devra attendre la saison prochaine pour réellement le titiller.

 

Copyright © AFP 2014. Tous droits réservés.

 

(Agence France-Presse, 10 lundi février 2014 le Roman)

 

 

League 1: A crucial summit to Monaco and Paris SG

 

Keyvan NARAGHI (AFP)

 

Paris - The two financial superpowers L1, the Parisian leader, led by Ibrahimovic at the top of his art, and his Monegasque dolphin, always orphan Falcao have appointment Sunday to Louis II stadium for a shock in the capital fight for the title.

 

With 5 points ahead of his rival, PSG Qataris addresses this term in a strong position and could, if successful, knock the championship and move inexorably towards a second consecutive coronation.

 

ASM for the Russian billionaire Dmitry Rybolovlev, the emphasis will be to maintain the suspense until the end.

 

This poster gala should in any case become a "classic" in the Ligue 1 next season, no other French training having the economic means to disrupt the duopoly Paris - Monaco.

 

This new competition is still in its infancy, but it has already eclipsed the competition, forced to share the leftovers from both ogres.

 

A situation set to continue.

 

In the first leg (1-1, Sept. 22 at the Parc des Princes), Club Monaco had held a candle to the champion of France but at the time he could count on a global scorer Falcao.

 

The "Tiger" Colombian serious knee injury and a major doubt for the World Cup 2014, this time missed the call.

 

Without Falcao or Cavani (thigh) Parisian side, the meeting of prestige is thus relieved two of the three biggest stars of the championship.

 

The absence of the Colombian has been time well enough compensated by the duo - Germain River.

 

But the two attackers will they pretty broad shoulders to worry a defense of European level led by the "Monster" Thiago Silva, captain of Brazil and PSG ?

 

To beef up its offensive sector Monaco brought the veteran Bulgarian Berbatov (33), defector from Fulham, which should theoretically start the match on the bench.

 

War of words

 

On paper, the package Cavani has something to relieve a rearguard Monaco aging.

 

Not sure qu'Abidal  (34) and Carvalho (35) are however particularly thrilled with the idea of ​​rubbing the colossus Ibrahimovic still capable of acts of genius.

 

Scorer L1 (18 goals), the Swedish giant never stops multiply strokes of brilliance.

 

Concern for coach Laurent Blanc is that it is only in recent weeks.

 

Lucas and Lavezzi , terribly inefficient, will they support Ibra and forget Cavani (13 goals in L1) ?

 

Unless White decides to sacrifice Argentina to inflate its environment by incorporating rookie Cabaye.

 

A favorite tactic poker is not excluded from both sides.

 

The battle of words has already started it.

 

Monaco technician Claudio Ranieri and keeps repeating week that the championship is played and promised to PSG.

 

"Who does the title race ? We ? No! Paris SG, they are aliens. Only they can lose the title. And it would take a lot of mistakes to lose. Because even with his second team, PSG win the title," he said again Friday.

 

An argument with a smile swept by White.

 

"If he wants, we do not play the game," he replied while midfielder Matuidi spoke kick "bluff ".

 

No doubt Laurent Blanc : the pressure is well and truly on Monaco despite these attempts at diversion.

 

The whole question is whether the ASM promoted "doped" by 170 million euros invested last summer in recruitment, can climb from this season at PSG or if it will wait until the season next to really tickle.

 

Copyright © 2014 AFP. All rights reserved.

 

(Agence France-Presse, 10 Monday February 2014 The Roman)

(Text Translated: R.S.F. toshiki speed news press, Agence France-Presse, 10 Monday February 2014 The Roman)

 

Jenny Jones claims Britain's first ever snow medal

Jenny Jones claims Britain's first ever snow medal

 

Rosa Khutor (Russia) (AFP)

 

Veteran Jenny Jones made history on Sunday as she won Britain's first ever Winter Olympics medal on the snow.

 

Jones, 33, claimed bronze in the women's slopestyle snowboarding competition after a second run score of 87.25, behind Jaime Anderson (95.25) of the US in gold and Finland's Enni Rukajarvi (92.50).

 

The competitor from Bristol had made a name for herself earlier in the week by revealing she used to keep a teabag in her bra as a good luck charm.

 

Although that has long since been abandoned, her luck, seemingly, did not run out.

 

(Agence France-Presse, 9 Sunday February 2014 The Roman)

 

Hamelin counting on skinsuit to edge short track rivals in Sochi

Hamelin counting on skinsuit to edge short track rivals in Sochi

 

Sochi (Russia) (AFP)

 

Canadian short track star Charles Hamelin will be counting on a new aerodynamic skinsuit in Sochi starting Monday.

 

Short track gets underway at the Iceberg Skating Palace with the men's 1500m final and the women's 500m heats and 3000m relay semi-finals also featuring on the first day of action.

 

Hamelin won gold in the 500m and the 5000m relay in Vancouver and is the highest-ranked male short-tracker in Sochi -- ranked top in the World Cup at 1000m and 1500m, second at 500m.

 

And the 29-year-old will be competing wearing the latest in high-tech clothing for speed skaters -- a spandex bodysuit.

 

"It is based on the aerodynamics of the fabric," he explained.

 

"We are told this suit is faster and more comfortable. Knowing that in our minds will make us faster in competition."

 

He added: "I want to be the first man to win the 500m in two Olympic Games."

 

American JR Celski, bronze medallist in the 1500m and the 5000m relay, and who set the 500m world record in 2012, is a contender for multiple medals.

 

Canada's Marianne St-Gelais and Italy's Arianna Fontana are hoping to benefit from Wang's absence to move up from their silver and bronze in the 500m in Vancouver.

 

The Dutch women -- Jorien Ter Mors, and sisters Sanne and Yara Van Kerkhof -- are also medal hopes.

 

Short track includes eight events -- 500m, 1,000m, and 1,500m individually for both men and women and the relays -- men's 5000m and women's 3000m.

 

(Agence France-Presse, 10 Monday February 2014 The Roman)