Bahrain protesters camp out in square ahead of talks
Thousands of people have camped out overnight in Bahrain’s Pearl Square after the leadership ordered the army and then riot police to withdraw yesterday. Many protesters began early on Sunday morning, calling on the King and his inner circle to leave immediately. Bahrain’s opposition is expected to present its demands to the Gulf State’s crown prince today. Those include the release of all political prisoners, resignation of the government and talks on a new constitution.
Addressing the crowds last night, the head of Bahrain’s main Shi’ite bloc hailed the success of the protests, in spite of a bloody crackdown that has seen at least six people killed and dozens injured since last Monday.
Bus and coach passenger rights
More than 70 million Europeans travel by coach each year. What legal guarantees of service, similar to those of plane, train and boat passengers, are they about to be offered?
Evacuated workers pour into Malta
Foreign workers fleeing the situation in Libya are continuing to arrive on the Mediterranean island of Malta.
The country’s prime minister, Lawrence Gonzi, has also approved the use of Malta for humanitarian aid missions to Libya.
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The island has been the departure point for rescue flights by the British Royal Air Force to pick up workers in isolated areas of Libya.
“Our approach is not military,” says British High Commissioner Louise Stanton, “however the military do have certain assets that are easier to use in this kind of circumstance, when we do a humanitarian operation.”
euronews’ correspondent in Malta, Jos?� Miguel Sardo, says so far around 13,000 foreigners have passed through the port.
Most of the people evacuated worked in the oil industry or related businesses. For many there is a clear sense of relief at getting out.
“We were attacked and robbed by some godless people,” a worker from Germany said, “not personally but the company gear.”
Another man said: “There have been some very difficult days. I was in a camp and we were fortunate to have enough armed security to protect us.”
But while allowing the island to be used for rescue missions, the Maltese government is refusing to hand back two fighter jets to Gaddafi. A plane bringing pilots from Libya to fetch the jets was denied landing permission.
Lithuania passes controversial education law
Lithuania’s parliament has passed a controversial education law that has caused tension with neighbouring Poland, forcing ethnic minority schools to teach more classes in Lithuanian.
Officials say it will improve young people’s integration.
But many among the large Polish minority, which represents seven percent of the population, argue it amounts to forceful assimilation.
Ireland’s new leaders seek compromise on bailout
The man likely to lead Ireland’s next government says he believes a comprise can be reached on the country’s massive euro bailout.
Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny has promised to renegotiate the interest rate of the rescue deal.
But, speaking after his party’s strong electoral showing, Kenny moved to reassure Ireland’s EU partners.
“We want to send the message out to Europe and the world that we intend to provide strong and stable government and our country is open for business and that we intend to rebuild our reputation both at home and abroad.”
Kenny’s Fine Gael will, however, almost certainly have to share power, most likely with Labour, in what was a night of success for the opposition.
In contrast, Fianna Fail, the dominant party for nearly 80-years in Irish politics, was heading towards political annihilation following voter fury over the economy.
“Well, I think we gave them what they deserved to be honest. I’m really happy with the results of the election, of the poll, especially in Dublin, I’m really happy that Labour came out on top and hopefully it will be a bit more of an equal society,” said one woman in Dublin.
“They made an ass of the country, they really did. I’m glad their gone and I’m sure everybody else is as well,” another man said.
Ireland was forced to go cap in hand to the EU and IMF last year for a massive multi-billion euro bailout, however, trying to change the terms of the deal could put Dublin on a collision course with Brussels.
EU split on Libya recalls Iraq rift
Fears are building of Europe splitting into camps over action in Libya, resembling the strong policy differences over the Iraq war in 2003.
The line-up for this ‘war’ is quite different, however. The coalition behind the bombing today has seven EU countries in it, and this time Britain (the major US ally in 2003) and France are on the same side promoting armed intervention, not like when France stayed out, and European opposition to the US-led war in Iraq was widespread. Now the EU countries in the coalition with the US include Italy, Belgium, Denmark, Greece and Spain.
Motives and commitment levels are different too. Germany’s objection to military means is attributed to Chancellor Angela Merkel’s election calendar. French leader Nicolas Sarkozy, on the other hand, who wined and dined Colonel Gaddafi in high style three years ago, has presidential elections on the horizon. British Prime Minister David Cameron’s position is also double-edged. A poll in the Sun newspaper says even fewer Britons support military action in Libya than initially backed action in Iraq. Even coalition member Italy would like to see NATO running the operations.
The 28-nation alliance has failed to agree on that, key member Moslem Turkey saying ‘no’ the loudest. Paris said Arab countries would also object. France seemed satisfied to stay in the driver’s seat, saying NATO would provide support when the US scales back its participation.
G20 reach compromise on economic indicators
G20 finance ministers have struck a compromise deal on indicators that can be used to deal with global economic imbalances.
The French Finance Minister Christine Lagarde, who chaired the talks in Paris, said debt, deficit, savings and investment, and trade and current accounts will be used as indicators:
“For those of you that follow these things closely, as you can imagine the inclusion of exchange rates and monetary policy were the subject of prolonged debate.”
China opposed attempts to use real effective exchange rates and currency reserves to measure imbalances and they were not mentioned in their own right.
The G20 now moves on to plot the next stage of economic policy strategies in order to prevent a repeat of the 2008 global financial crisis.
French foreign minister could face imminent sack over Tunisia scandal
The axe looks increasingly likely to fall on France’s embattled foreign minister, with claims she will not be in the job beyond this weekend.
Michele Alliot-Marie is in trouble over a series of gaffes during the uprising in Tunisia. She and her partner, also a minister, holidayed there as deadly protests were raging. Her family has also been linked to a real estate deal with a Tunisian associate of deposed President Ben Ali.
Trips in the businessman’s private plane by the minister, her parents and partner sparked the scandal. She also offered French security forces’ support to the Ben Ali regime as it was trying to put down the rebellion.
Widely tipped to replace her in the French Foreign Office is veteran conservative Alain Juppe, a former prime minister and current defence minister.
Activists try to stop German nuclear waste train
Hundreds of anti-nuclear protestors have tried to stop a shipment of toxic waste in the last stages of its journey across Germany by train.
Sixty tons of material are making their way from the western city of Karlsruhe to Lubmin, the main processing facility in eastern Germany.
Some activists argued with police. Others even chained themselves to the tracks.
Hundreds of police officers travelled in the wagons themselves to keep the train on the rails.
There are regular nuclear shipments across Germany.
Campaigners say they have been fired up by Chancellor Angela Merkel’s recent decision to prolong the life of the country’s 17 nuclear power plants.
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