INTERNET: The "hacker" that Iran wanted to avenge Stuxnet

He presents himself as a young Iranian 21 years, calls himself ComodoHack and launched last week, a cyber attack that would "potentially could undermine the trust we place on the Internet," in the words of Lawrence Heslaut, responsible for security at Symantec France.

In a message posted Friday on the Web, ComodoHack said he wanted "revenge operation Stuxnet led by the United States and Israel against Iran's nuclear power plants last summer.In broken English, the young man, who claims to have "the capacity of 1 000 hackers gathered," promised that he would attack other computer using the same modus operandi.

What did he do exactly? ComodoHack is one of the first hacker to have managed the feat of creating digital certificates authentication system by hacking Comodo, one of the leading companies in the closed world of certification.

Gmail, Skype or Yahoo

Comodo, like Verisign or RSA, to validate the identity of secure sites whose addresses begin with "https."Without certification, there is no evidence, for example, a site selling online has not been established by a small malignant eager to retrieve the data bank of a surfer.

Motivated more by politics than profit, the hacker Iranian authentication certificates issued on behalf of Comodo for Gmail, Yahoo Mail or Skype, instant messaging popular with opponents of the regime in Tehran. With these certificates usurped, cybercriminals was able to create fake Gmail and Skype conversations which he recovered and personal data of users fooled.An amount of information it could then sell to the highest bidder or give generously to the Iranian authorities.

By last weekend, Microsoft, Mozilla (Firefox), Google had, in an emergency, to update their browser to identify and banish the Net certificates. Still, the attack proved that the security of commercial transactions and the confidentiality of conversations is to be engraved in stone digital. Lawrence Heslaut even sees one of the major trends in cybercrime: "Today, criminals are doing everything to confuse the issue between what is true and what is wrong on the Internet."

LIBYA: NATO called to take command of the military intervention

AFP - The international coalition has stepped up pressure Thursday on Colonel Muammar Gaddafi, with new air strikes, when the NATO countries were an agreement to take over military command of operations.

According to a preliminary assessment submitted by a spokesman for the Libyan regime, the raids of the coalition were "about 100 deaths" among civilians since the offensive began March 19.

For its part, the military commander of the coalition, General Carter Ham, said he did not "make sure there were no civilian casualties"."But we're very, very precise and selective in our targets," he said.

The Libyan authorities have indicated they expect raids on centers of telecommunications and broadcasting services in the evening, based on "intelligence information".

In the morning, France had said that the coalition would "continue the air strikes" on military targets, "the time".

On Thursday, a plane of the Libyan forces was destroyed on the ground by a French fighter plane in Misrata (200 km east of Tripoli), said the staff of the armies in Paris.

The coalition has also targeted the region Tajoura, about thirty miles east of Tripoli, according to residents.State television confirmed that "civilians and military sites" of this region had been the target of raids.

In Tripoli, the firing of air defense and several loud explosions were heard Thursday morning and evening, according to an AFP journalist.

The DCA went into action from 1900 GMT and at least one explosion was heard from the center of Tripoli.Two explosions were heard also in Tajoura (30 km from the capital), where a column of smoke coming from a site undetermined.

State television later reported that "civilian and military sites in Tripoli and Tajoura" were targets of "long-range missiles."

The coalition had conducted the night of Wednesday to Thursday of intensive air raids Sabha (750 km south of Tripoli), according to residents.The city, stronghold of the tribe of Gaddafi, is home to several military sites.

Fighting between pro-and anti-Gaddafi also continued in several cities, including Misrata.

The loyalist forces have killed 109 people and injured more than 1,300 since the start of their offensive last Friday, told AFP a doctor.

Snipers were firing on pro-Qaddafi in the afternoon from the roofs of buildings and gunfire rang out, said a spokesman for the rebels.

The coalition strikes were conducted Wednesday against Gaddafi's troops on the ground including Misrata third largest city.

Nearly Ajdabiya, 160 km south of Benghazi, the rebel stronghold in the east, a large number of insurgents were advancing quickly to regain control of this key city, according to an AFP journalist.Fighting was taking place within the city between rebels and pro-Gaddafi.

According to a spokesman for the insurgents in Benghazi, Ahmed Omar Bani, some pro-Gaddafi to Ajdabiya are "ready to go" and the insurgents communicate with them through religious leaders in mosques.

After negotiations with forceps, the NATO countries have reached an agreement in principle to take over military command of operations, replacing the coalition led by France, Great Britain and the United States.

NATO was currently charged with monitoring the embargo on arms sales to Libya.

"The NATO countries agree to start (the process) that will allow him to take over from the coalition on Monday or Tuesday," said one diplomat told AFP.

However, all details remained unresolved. Because Turkey is unhappy with the operating rules prescribed for the no-fly zone, to avoid stressing the bombing against ground targets, according to another diplomat.

Many Western countries insisted that NATO take over completely. But France, fearful of alienating Arab opinion, and anxious to keep a room for strikes without having to always seek the endorsement of NATO countries, has long been very reserved.

According to Paris, the "political leadership" of the intervention will remain outside NATO.It will be ensured by a "contact group" of countries participating in separate transactions, including the Arab League and African Union (AU).

The first meeting of this group is scheduled for Tuesday in London, attended by the Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

"More than 350 aircraft" in the coalition are involved in air operations, including just over half are American, said a senior Pentagon official, who said the United States called the Libyan military to "stop to fight "against their own countrymen, and not to obey the orders of Colonel Gaddafi.

The UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon lamented his side that the Libyan authorities had taken no steps to fulfill their obligations under the resolution adopted by the Security Council, arguing that violations of human rights, man continued.

The AU called on Friday in Addis Ababa, representatives of Muammar Gaddafi and the rebels to discuss a cease-fire.

Colonel Gaddafi, in power for 42 years, faces from 15 February to a revolt that has left hundreds dead and forced more than 300,000 people to flee.

Here are liveblogging the events of Thursday, March 24 provided by the editors.

FRANCE: Strong abstention and thrust of the National Front in the first round of cantonal

AFP - The first round of cantonal last election by universal suffrage before major electoral events of 2012, was marked on Sunday by a surge of FN, behind which the UMP, big loser, and an increase in left background record abstention.

The second round will take place, according to a recording made by the AFP in France to 394 duels, mostly against the PS (204), but also facing the UMP (89), FCP (37) or other candidates, from left or right. There will also be five triangular UMP-PS-FN.

The party of Marine Le Pen, came in first in 39 townships, has qualified in the quarter of districts still to be filled Sunday.In the boss's own stronghold of the UMP, Jean-Francois Cope, the presidential party is overtaken by the FN.

On nearly 99% of ballots counted, the PS obtained 25.04% of votes, the UMP 17.07%, 15.18% of the FN, the Left Front over 9% and Europe-Ecology Greens 8, 28%, according to the Ministry of Interior.

Minister Claude Gueant has credited the "presidential majority" of 32.5% through the addition of voice to the right that has outraged FN and PS.

The final rate of abstention is at 55.6%, a record for this type of election.

Ms. Le Pen hailed a success "historic" for his party, almost elbow to elbow with the UMP, which many label candidates of the majority preferred to that of various right because of the unpopularity of Nicolas Sarkozy .

The FN, which had no general counsel, has to replace the UMP in the political landscape, predicted the companion of Ms. Le Pen, Louis Aliot.

The breakthrough of far-right party confirms recent polls by Ms. Le Pen, a possible presidential nominee.The positioning of each other compared to the FN has also supplied all the comments.

"We let our voters' freedom of choice" when the UMP is absent in the second round, said Jean-Francois Cope, denying the vote as the Republican front FN.

A position condemned by the Left, which sees "an ambiguity guilty," as David Assouline (PS). Same side of the modem tone: "The position of the UMP is irresponsible, he must vote for the candidate who is against the FN," said his spokesman Yann Wehrling.

The majority also the official position of UMP raised eyebrows and promises of tough debates.The President of the Radical Party, Jean-Louis Borloo, has called for "to block the FN.

Minister Valerie Pecresse said that "personally" in case of FN with the duel, she would vote for the left.

The number one PS Martine Aubry was again accused President Sarkozy of "damaging the Republic" and being "instrumental in the scoring of the National Front." Following a meeting with Cécile Duflot (EELV) and Peter Lawrence (PCF), the three leaders called together at the rally.

Ms. Duflo has also called for "to block the FN" wherever it is present."The UMP has taken a beating and the FN has made the pockets," quipped Jean-Luc Melenchon (Left Party).

A rare dissenting voice to right, Claude Goasguen (UMP) saw this result "a warning" launched his party "and Nicolas Sarkozy," whereas in the majority, the word was clear: to relativize the national scope election and call for mobilization.

As for results, the former first lady Bernadette Chirac was re-elected by one vote in the first round in Corrèze. Michel Mercier, one minister in the running, was re-elected in the Rhone.

On the county, the right seems distressed in the Jura.The suspense continues in the Pyrenees-Atlantiques and the Charente-Maritime, other departments may fall into the hands of the Left, which already controls 58.

FOOTBALL: The French international Eric Abidal will be operated on a liver tumor Thursday

The operation of the French international defender for FC Barcelona, ​​Eric Abidal, a liver tumor was advanced to Thursday instead of Friday, announced Wednesday, the Catalan club stressing that this change was not related to a worsening state of the player.

"A liver tumor was detected in the player of FC Barcelona Eric Abidal," had indicated as early as Tuesday evening Barça in a brief statement on its website.

Eric Abidal, 31, will undergo surgery Friday in a hospital in Barcelona by Dr. Josep Fuster Obregón, the club said."At the request of the player, the club requires the greatest respect for the right to privacy," Barca concluded in its statement.

Season over

Holder indisputable FC Barcelona, ​​the French defender should draw a line on the end of the season, took the Spanish sports press. Usually aligned left, Eric Abidal has often been called this season to play in central defense, particularly to compensate for the absence of the Spaniard Carles Puyol, long wounded.His performance in this position, Wednesday, March 8, against Arsenal in the second round back in the Champions League (3-1 win and qualification of Barcelona) was noticed.

The former Lyon defender, who arrived at FC Barcelona for the 2007-2008 season, also had to regain his place in the France team after the sinking of the Blues in South Africa in 2010.

"I want to finish my career at Barca," he declared in late January. "We are seeing what the club can offer me," added the defender, whose current contract runs until June 30, 2012. "I feel very comfortable here and I hope to stay. Everything is going well for me," Bush said.

Liveblogging: The Japanese authorities make every effort to avoid a nuclear accident

AFP - Fears of a major nuclear accident are alive after an explosion Saturday in a nuclear power station 250 km from Tokyo, following the strong earthquake and tsunami that have made the day more than 1,800 dead or missing in Japan.

The accident has been assessed at Level 4 on the scale (which goes up to 7) nuclear and radiological events (INES), announced the Japan Nuclear and Industrial Safety.

The government ordered the evacuation of residents within a radius of 20 km around the NPP.

The toll of the earthquake and tsunami could rise.Saturday night the authorities were without news of some 10,000 of the 17,000 inhabitants of the port city of Minamisanriku in north-east, according to the television channel NHK.

IRAN: Former President Rafsanjani rejected the leadership of the Assembly of Experts

Former Iranian President Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani has lost Tuesday a key position within the government, ceding the presidency of the Assembly of Experts Ayatollah Mohammad Reza Mahdavi Kani, a religious conservative Iranian news agencies reported.

Mr Rafsanjani had said in his speech at the opening session of the Assembly of religious experts that would not stand for the position if the candidacy of Ayatollah Mohammad Reza Mahdavi Kani.

The Assembly of religious experts, which has 86 members, is responsible for appointing, monitoring and eventually dismiss the supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Mahdavi Kani, influential religious conservative who was Prime Minister for a year shortly after the Islamic revolution in 1979, aged 80.

Mr.Rafsandajani, moderate conservative who was president of the Islamic Republic for eight years (1989-1997), has for several months the target of a broad political offensive of the ultra-conservatives, who accuse him of having supported the opposition in the reformist crisis that followed the disputed re-election of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in June 2009.

It takes yet another important position within the regime, as Chairman of the Expediency Council, which advises the guide and arbiter in disputes between parliament and government. But there is appointed directly by Supreme Leader.

CHINA: Beijing acknowledges discontent and wants to tackle inflation

Premier Wen Jiabao said Saturday that his government's priority was to fight against inflation and a recognized public discontent, while setting a growth target of 8% for 2011, in a speech to parliament.

"We have to consider price stability as the priority of our macro-economic control," said the head of government before the nearly 3,000 delegates to the NPC, met for ten days in the Chinese capital, according to the translation his official speech in French.

He described the price rise and inflation expectations "problems which are closely the standard of living of the population, the overall situation and stability of the country."

The aim of rising consumer prices, which reached 4.9% in January over one year was set at "4%" for 2011, against 3% last year, while the objective of growth of gross domestic product (GDP) was maintained at 8%.

China's GDP in 2010 became the world's second largest behind the United States, surpassing that of Japan.

This year, the Chinese government "will continue to pursue a policy of recovery", but by reducing the budget deficit will be contained in "about 2% of GDP."

Priority spending will be devoted to "rural development", "to improve the level of the population and develop the social sectors," according to this discourse that determines the main directions for the country's official year.

"Some issues are subject to strong reactions among the population have not been completely resolved," admitted the Prime Minister.

"The educational resources and lack of quality medical and their distribution is uneven," he detailed.

"The property prices have experienced an excessive increase in some cities," continued Mr.Wen wants to boost the construction of social housing.

He further stressed that "social contradictions raised by the illegal requisition of land and demolition of illegal houses have multiplied," that "food security is poor" and that "some sectors are vulnerable to corruption."

China also wants to continue to "improve the formation mechanism of RMB exchange rate," considered undervalued by its major trading partners, but without making any specific commitments.

Always fight against inflation, it wants to implement "a prudent monetary policy" by limiting to 16% increase in money supply M2 (broad money comprising currency in circulation, deposit accounts and accounts of savings).

The National Popular Assembly (ANP) is the largest parliament in the world. She just basically endorse Communist Party projects and the government.

This body meets only once a year in plenary session for ten days in March.

FRANCE: Jean-Marie Le Pen again in trouble with the law

AFP - Accused by the MRAP incitement to racial hatred, Jean-Marie Le Pen will be considered Tuesday by the correctional court of Nanterre for broadcasting in regional elections, campaign posters deemed offensive against Muslims.

According to his lawyer Wallerand de Saint-Just, M.Le Pen will not attend the hearing.

The poster in question was a fully veiled woman beside a map of France covered the Algerian flag on which rose the minarets shaped missiles, with the title "No to Islam".

In the last regional elections in February 2010, the movement "Youth" National Front had released the posters in the Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur and on its website and then across France.

At the time, the case had sparked protests from Algeria.

In early December, the Paris Criminal Court had acquitted Jean-Marie Le Pen, prosecuted for the same offense by Licra and SOS Racisme, without addressing the merits of the case, dismissing the two associations for purely formal matters.

The court had found that Jean-Marie Le Pen was "neither the author of the poster in question, nor the head of the sites where it was aired."Either on the websites, but the display of election signs in the PACA region, said he had no jurisdiction territorially.

At the hearing on October 28, the prosecutor had requested cons MEP and Regional Councillor of the Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur one year of ineligibility, two months suspended prison sentence and 20,000 euro fine.

Under the new procedure, the Movement against Racism and for Friendship among Peoples (MRAP) had seized on the direct quote Nanterre court before the decision is made in Paris, relying mainly on the fact that the seat of FN is found in the Hauts-de-Seine.

The trial will be held Tuesday afternoon at the 14th room.