Expelled Spy Identified at the Cuban Embassy in Paris

Cuba Confidential/

Being expelled from the United States 25 years ago seems to have really slowed down the career of Cuban Intelligence officer Virgilio Lazaro Lora Quesada.  Now serving in Paris as the Political Counselor, Lora was one of two officials at the Cuban Interests Section ordered to leave on July 15, 1987.  Then a Third Secretary, Lora and Bienvenido Abierno, the Acting Chief of the Interests Section, were not publicly identified as Intelligence Officers at the time. Instead, their expulsion was portrayed as retaliation for Cuban harassment of US diplomats in Havana.  However, in September 1987, Cuban defector Florentino Azpillaga Lombard identified Lora as a spy during a Radio Marti broadcast.  Congressional Representative Dante Fascell queried the State Department regarding Azpillaga’s claims, after which the State Department acknowledged that both diplomats were spies expelled for their recruitment efforts against Cuban-Americans.

France's Strategy

By George Friedman/

New political leaders do not invent new national strategies. Rather, they adapt enduring national strategies to the moment. On Tuesday, Francois Hollande will be inaugurated as France's president, and soon after taking the oath of office, he will visit German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Berlin. At this moment, the talks are expected to be about austerity and the European Union, but the underlying issue remains constant: France's struggle for a dominant role in European affairs at a time of German ascendance.

Two events shaped modern French strategy. The first, of course, was the defeat of Napoleon in 1815 and the emergence of Britain as the world's dominant naval power and Europe's leading imperial power. This did not eliminate French naval or imperial power, but it profoundly constrained it. France could not afford to challenge Britain any more and had to find a basis for accommodation, ending several centuries of hostility if not distrust. Read More »

WATCH: Will Smith Freaks Out at François Hollande's Proposed Tax Rate

Politix Select/

As an ardent supporter of Barack Obama, Will Smith is fully behind the President's proposal to raise income taxes on high earners in the United States from 36 to 39 percent.

The Hollywood megastar enthusiastically preached the gospel of paying one's fair share of taxes in a French television interview this weekend. But when asked about his take on the tax policy of French president-elect François Hollande, Smith's was shocked silly by the suggestion of a 75 percent tax rate on those earning above €1 million annually.

At least he doesn't have to deal with the prospect of Jean-Luc Mélenchon, the French Communist Party candidate, whose 15 percent showing heavily influenced Hollande's platform in the second round of voting. Mélenchon ran on a promise to impose to marginal tax rate of 100 percent on those earning over €360,000 annually.

Watch Smith's reaction below:

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Sarkozy concedes defeat to Hollande in French presidential vote

they get what they are looking for but enjoy it and  shut out your mounth.

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La ciudad de París pone una medalla al pecho de Zoé Valdés

un dia su habana y cuba le pondran una medalla del tamano de su coraje, a pesar de unos y otros. felicidades zoe.

Todo el mundo habla/

El ayuntamiento de París le otorga de la Grande Médaille de Vermeil de la Ville de Paris 2012. Nacida en La Habana, Cuba, Zoé Valdés fue forzada al exilio por discrepar con el régimen castrista después de la publicación en Cuba de su novela "La Nada Cotidiana" en 1995. Escapó a Francia y es ahora es Parisiense por adpción, manteniendo un compromiso con los derechos humanos en Cuba. Su compromiso principalmente está dirigido hacia los cubanos, por sus novelas, que hablan del exilio y la vida en Cuba.

El 18 de mayo de 2010, junto con la Ciudad de París, Zoé Valdés organizó una reunión sobre el patio delantero del Hôtel de Ville (el Ayuntamiento de París) en apoyo de las Damas Blanco en Cuba. Este movimiento de oposición, cuyas mujeres llevan vestidos blancos como un signo de protesta, incluye a las mujeres y las madres de disidentes encarcelados por el régimen de Fidel Castro. Pero Zoé Valdés también se opone a las violaciones de derechos humanos en el resto del mundo. Ella participó en la reunión en apoyo de Suu Aung San Kyi sobre el patio delantero del Hôtel de Ville (el Ayuntamiento de París), el 13 de noviembre de 2010.

Como una escritora comprometida, Zoé Valdés participa en campañas contra la prostitución infantil junto con la UNICEF y contra minas antipersonas junto a Handicap International. Ella también pone la pluma para escribir textos colectivos cuyas ganancias de las ventas son empleadas en trabajos caritativos: Zoé ayudó a escribir que el trabajo "Vierte Haïti " (Para Haití) con la asociación  Bibliotecas Sin Fronteras, que ayuda a reconstruir bibliotecas y librerías en Haití. Ella también ha ayudado a escribir un trabajo sobre los Objetivos de Desarrollo de Milenio, juntos con otros ocho  autores.

Es para apoyar y promover sus muchos compromisos de derechos humanos que la Ciudad de París ha decidido conceder a Valdés Zoé la Grande Médaille de Vermeil. La medalla será presentada por Bertrand Delano el 11 de mayo de 2012 en los espacios de recepción del Hôtel de Ville. (el Ayuntamiento de París)

What Frence authorities are waiting to catch the terrorist

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

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Sarkozy: France has too many immigrants

By Reuters

French President Nicolas Sarkozy vowed during a TV debate on Tuesday to halve the number of immigrants and impose a minimum tax on profits of big listed companies as he sought to bolster support for his re-election bid in April.

Sarkozy, grilled by veteran Socialist Laurent Fabius and journalists for three hours on the primetime show, defended his record on tax reform, public finances, and unemployment - which rose on his watch as economic crisis battered the world.

The conservative leader, lagging behind Socialist challenger Francois Hollande in the polls, was also made to apologize for old gaffes and explain his personality traits in a lengthy section about awkward moments in his early presidency.

Sarkozy, said by critics to pander too much to the far right as he seeks to maximize support for the April 22 first round, said he would cut the number of immigrants to 100,000 a year from 180,000 and tighten up the rules on foreigners' access to French nationality and benefits.

The debate with Fabius - a former finance and prime minister who is destined for a top job if Hollande wins - comes as Sarkozy is struggling in opinion polls. Having gained a few points at the start of his campaign, Sarkozy slipped back last week as he suffered setbacks on the campaign trail.

Hollande, who launched his campaign months before Sarkozy, regained momentum by proposing a 75 percent tax rate on earnings above a million euros, a move 61 percent of French people would support, a poll by TNS Sofres and Mediaprism showed.

Quizzed about the economy, Sarkozy said that while Germany remained a model to be emulated, France had held up better than much of Europe in the crisis. More >>

Iran Oil Ministry: Exports cut to Britain, France

By msnbc.com staff and news services

TEHRAN, Iran -- Iran has halted oil shipments to Britain and France, the Oil Ministry said Sunday, in an apparent pre-emptive blow against the European Union after the bloc imposed sanctions on Iran's crucial fuel exports.

The EU imposed tough sanctions against Iran last month, which included a freeze of the country's central bank assets and an oil embargo set to begin in July. Iran's Oil Minister Rostam Qassemi had warned earlier this month that Tehran could cut off oil exports to "hostile" European nations. The 27-nation EU accounts for about 18 percent of Iran's oil exports. 

According to the BBC, Qassemi reaffirmed his stance, claiming the suspension posed no problems for Iran.

Targeting Britain and France appeared to be a political decision by Iran to punish the two countries for supporting tougher sanctions against Iran over its disputed nuclear program.

"Crude oil exports to British and French companies have been halted," Oil Ministry spokesman Ali Reza Nikzad-Rahbar said on the ministry's website. "We have our own customers and have no problem to sell and export our crude oil to new customers."

Britain's Foreign Office declined comment, and there was no immediate response from French officials. More >>

Five millon Muslims in France

Al Jazeera World

There are an estimated five million Muslims in France today, which is the largest such population in Western Europe.

A century ago, they were called "colonials"; in the 1960s, they were known as "immigrants"; today, they are "citizens".

With issues of immigration and integration raising the political temperature in Europe, this three-part series looks back at the history of Muslim immigration into France. It is a history that remains alive today, with the ongoing debate over how to reconcile France's long-standing tradition of secularism with religious diversity.

What challenges have Muslim immigrants in France faced and overcome in order to retain their cultural identity in a foreign country?

More >>

Soros’ Insider Trading Conviction Upheld

 

George Soros, the hedge fund billionaire, has failed in his latest attempt to overturn an insider dealing conviction handed out in France 23 years ago. The European Court of Human Rights rejected his argument that French law on insider trading was not sufficiently clear to provide grounds for a conviction. Soros's lawyer, Ron Soffer, said that he would appeal the ruling. "Mr Soros has maintained that he did not commit any act of insider dealing," he said, adding that "many issues" were still unresolved and that he was confident the ruling would be over turned on appeal.

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France passes laws, but will she enforce them?

France banns street prayers but ...

Carla Bruni: The Bad Girl

 

UK &France send advisors to #Libya

France is joining the UK in sending military officers to Libya to advise rebel forces. The move is aimed at breaking the stalemate between pro and anti-Gaddafi factions after two months of clashes. Britain earlier announced its decision to deploy up to 20 advisers to apply the UN resolution on protecting civilians.

#Burqa Ban: #Muslim full-face cover now crime in #France

In France, women are now officially banned from wearing full-face veils in public, after a controversial law came into effect. While the government says the move is aimed at helping Muslims adapt to the local community, critics accuse President Sarkozee of persecuting Islam, to win back votes from the right. But in a country with Europe's biggest Muslim population, the law risks igniting social tensions, as Daniel Bushell reports.

Scandal rocks #chess world

Debra Black Staff Reporter

 

Three members of France’s chess team, including a 20-year-old grandmaster, have been suspended after allegations of an elaborate cheating scheme. The scandal has rocked the chess world.
According to BBC News and The Telegraph, Sébastien Feller, the grandmaster, his teammate Cyril Marzolo, 32, and Arnaud Hauchard, 39, team captain, are alleged to be involved in the scheme.
The trio is reported to have used text messaging and computer software to help beat opponents at a chess tournament in Siberia last September.

More  Here

Eiffel Tower Evacuated In Bomb Scare

BNSNews

Sarkozy: French air forces thwart Gaddafi's attacks on Benghazi

PARIS, March 19 (RIA Novosti) - French air forces are defending the rebellious Libyan city of Benghazi from the troops loyal to strongman Muammar Gaddafi, French President Nicolas Sarkozy said on Saturday.
Paris has taken the leading role in coordinating the world's response to the tumult in Libya and takes efforts to halt Gaddafi's attacks on the poorly armed rebel forces.
"At unity with our partners our air forces will counteract any attacks from Col. Gaddafi planes on the residents of Benghazi. Other French aircraft are ready to countervail against armored vehicles which may threaten civilians," Sarkozy said after the completion of international meeting dedicated to the situation in Libya which was held in Elysee Palace.  More  Here

WikiLeaks: Francia ofreció a las FARC una oficina en París por Betancourt

Francia está "disponible" para aplicar la resolución de la ONU sobre Libia

El ministro de Exteriores de Francia, Alain Juppé, aseguró este jueves que su país está "disponible" para implementar la resolución sobre Libia que el Consejo de Seguridad de la ONU votará en las próximas horas y que, de ser aprobada, autoriza aplicar "todas las medidas necesarias" en la nación magrebí.

"Francia está disponible para implementar junto a otros países la resolución del Consejo de Seguridad. Trabajamos conjuntamente con nuestros amigos británicos y contamos con lazos con los países árabes", explicó Juppé durante una conferencia de prensa en Nueva York.

 

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