Merkel’s CDU routed in Hamburg state election
Results from Hamburg’s regional election are widely expected to give a bloody nose to Chancellor Angela Merkel’s ruling party.
Defeat in the German state is almost certain to make life harder for Merkel at a national level, handing the opposition control of the upper house parliament in Berlin.
Earlier, the leader of Hamburg’s Social Democrat party Olaf Scholz was all smiles as he urged voters to come out in large numbers in the hope of an outright majority. While victory appears certain he may be forced into a coalition with the Greens.
In contrast, Merkel’s Christian Democrat ally, Christoph Ahlhaus, appeared to be relying on the good weather to galvanise his support. Since taking over as mayor of Hamburg last year the CDU’s popularity has plunged.
The election in Hamburg is the first of seven regional tests for Merkel this year, with the opposition SPD riding high in nationwide polls.
Bolshoi web scandal
Russian media say the director of the Bolshoi ballet Gennady Yanin has resigned after erotic photos resembling him were posted on a website.
One paper said a vile smear campaign against the former dancer had achieved its objective.
Another report said he’d been thinking of leaving anyway.
The website containing the photos is no longer online.
Frankfurt gunman may have ‘Islamist links’
German prosecutors are investigating whether a gunman who killed two American soldiers at Frankfurt Airport had links to Islamist groups.
A 21-year-old Kosovar man confessed to the killings on Thursday after being arrested and questioned a day earlier.
Officials said there was evidence linking him to terror cells in Germany.
Police spokesman Armin Thiel said that security at Frankfurt airport had now been stepped up.
“We now have an increased number of patrols, both plain clothes officers and armed units with bullet-proof vests and machine guns,” Thiel said.
US and German authorities are refusing to rule out that this was a terrorist attack.
The suspect posted comments on his Facebook account describing non-Muslims as “infidels,” as well as links to a jihadist fighting song.
Honda recalls cars worldwide
Honda is recalling nearly 700,000 cars, the Freed, Fit and City models as they are known in Japan.
It has to fix a faulty engine spring which have been found to bend or break over time meaning the car cannot be started.
Honda said it had received over 100 complaints worldwide, mostly from its home market of Japan.
No accidents have been reported from the defect and fixing it will cost Honda 39 million euros in Japan alone, where about a fifth of the affected vehicles were sold.
About the same number are in the US and Canada and the rest throughout Asia.
This is the latest in a series of recalls by Japanese carmakers to correct minor problems.
In the last 12 months Honda alone has recalled more than four million vehicles for various problems including headlights, ignition systems and airbags.
Uncertainty remains in Egypt
Despite Egypt’s military rulers’ re-assurances, thousands of protesters refused to move from Tahrir Square on Sunday night. Uncertainty remains over how much influence the army will seek to impose on a corrupt regime that they are seen as having propped up for thirty years.
That executive was also supported by the police who staged a demonstration of their own outside the Interior Ministry.
They have not had much support from people in this uprising, with claims that they helped organise the pro-Mubarak supporters. But now they are claiming to have been victims of the former regime as well.
They say it was the high-ranking officers that used to get all the privileges, and they were left to starve or take money from the people.
Another said officer that “if they’re given a higher salary they won’t need to hold out their hand”.
It seems everyone in Egypt wants to see change. The demonstrators have heard conciliatory words from the military rulers so far, but not quite yet enough for all of them to return to their homes.
Pre-birth spina bifida breakthrough.
New research in the United States shows that babies with spina bifida recover better if they are operated on in the womb, rather than after they are born.
Spina bifida occurs when the spine does not develop properly, causing possible paralysis below the waist as well as neurological problems.
Foetal surgery has been carried out since 1997 but, until now, there has been no clear evidence that the benefits outweigh the risks, not just for the babies but for their mothers too.
Babies who have the operation in the womb are more likely to be able to walk without help, and less likely to need a drainage tube in their brains.
But the research did highlight some potential problems – 80 percent were born around a month early, and a third of the mothers suffered complications from the birth.
Malta welcomes Libya evacuees
The latest evacuees have arrived from Libya on board the British navy ship, the HMS Cumberland.
Most UK nationals who want to leave Libya have now done so, but other nationals are still trapped.
With concerns growing that the continuing violence is becoming a humanitarian crisis, there is speculation that international operations might change from evacuation into something more proactive.
A Chinese frigate is travelling through the Suez Canal to provide support and protection for ships evacuating Chinese nationals and more and more floating military hardware appears to be arriving.
Euronews reporter Miguel Sardo said: “After the catamarans and the ferries, military vessels are starting to have a bigger role in the rescue operation. In the next hours two frigates will arrive in Malta where there are already several foreign navy ships. Nevertheless, yesterday the prime minister of Malta assured the country wouldn’t become a military base.”
Income boosts UK January public finances
Strong income tax receipts helped Britain to a bigger-than-expected surplus in its public finances in January.
It was the first surplus in two years and puts the UK government on track to meet its borrowing target for the current financial year
However, economists said it will be difficult for the government to reduce borrowing to meet its targets for the new financial year starting in April.
The UK Office for National Statistics said that on the public sector net borrowing measure including financial sector interventions, Britain ran a surplus of 5.252 billion pounds (6.52 billion euros) in January, a month when many annual and quarterly tax payments are due from companies and individuals.
This was well above economists’ forecasts of an increase to 700 million pounds from January 2010’s meagre surplus of just 95 million pounds
A British Treasury spokesman acknowledged the size of the task ahead. He said: “It will take more than one month in surplus to deal with borrowing of almost 150 billion pounds for the financial year.”
“The Government is determined to stay the course to deal with this unsustainable borrowing, and keep Britain out of the financial danger zone,” the spokesman added.
Bahrain – a country divided.
Shi’ite protestors in Bahrain are not just calling for an end to the dynasty that has ruled the country for over 200 years. They are also demanding an end to what they say is a system of apartheid, in which Shi’ites Muslims are actively discriminated against by the Sunni rulers. Shi’ites make up 70% of the population of Bahrain.
In the poorer neighbourhoods of Bahrain, where most Shi’ites live, it is the perceived discrimination that causes the most anger against the regime. They claim even foreigners are favoured over Shi’ites.
“They bring people in to work from abroad” say this Shi’ite resident. “They give them passports and housing and we are still in the same situation.”
As unrest spreads throughout the arab world, shi’ites in Bahrain are watching developments closely, hoping any new form of government will result in a more equal society.
Unemployed graduate Zina Mahmoud is a Shi’ite.
“It’s been six years since I graduated from education. How do you explain that I never found a job anywhere?”
It is the glitzy skyscrapers that Bahrain presents to the world, but they mask the undercurrent of a country ruled by an unelected dynasty, and built on a two-tier society.
Cricket world gears up for World Cup
The world will always need more cricket.?�Thankfully?�the sport’s?�showpiece event, the ICC World Cup, is about to get under way.?�While the tournament will go almost completely unnoticed in non-cricketing nations, there are – mainly thanks to India’s massive population?�- billions of people who will be following the action.?�The World Cup will bring together 14 teams who will battle it out in the one-day format of the game. It is being held this time round in India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.?�The opening ceremony will be staged in the Bangladeshi capital, Dhaka, later on Thursday, with the final being played in Mumbai on April 2.?�Here is a run-down of the countries taking part and their chances of success.?�INDIA?�The co-hosts and favourites. They will benefit not just from a fanatical home support but also familiarity with dry pitches that favour spin bowlers, of which they have plenty. And they certainly have the batting talent. In Sachin Tendulkar they have the world’s greatest run-scorer and boast several other swashbuckling?�batsmen capable of scoring plenty of runs fast. India are the world’s top ranked?�team in the longer, Test match format but also a strong one-day side too.?�On the downside, expectations are sky high and that?�can?�often be a distraction?�in tournament sport.?�Typical bookmakers’ odds: 11/4?�?�?�SRI LANKA?�There was a time not so long ago when Sri Lanka were minnows in international cricket. That changed dramatically when the team thrashed its way to World Cup glory in 1996. Since then Sri Lanka has consolidated its place among the world’s top cricketing powers. They are usually a pleasure to watch and, with India, are the joint World No.2 in the one-day rankings. Their batsmen are certainly capable of ripping bowling attacks apart and their talismanic spin bowler Muttiah Muralitharan has taken more batsmen’s scalps than any other player in both Test and one day cricket. Approaching his 39th birthday however, some believe he may be past his best.?�Typical bookmakers’ odds: 4/1?�?�AUSTRALIA?�Australia have won the last three World Cups and although a sustained period of world dominance in all forms of cricket have ended in recent years, they?�remain the world’s top-ranked one-day side. Mentally, they are strong and recently overcame crushing disappointment in the Ashes Test series to hammer England 6-1 in the one-dayers. Australia will need key players such as captain Ricky Ponting to step up to the mark though and their spin options are limited, which could be a problem on the subcontinent.?�Typical bookmakers’ odds: 5/1?�?�SOUTH AFRICA?�Usually a solid Test match team, the South Africans have a record of under-achieving in?�world cups. The batting line-up includes?�players of real pedigree like captain Graeme Smith, Jacques Kallis and AB de Villiers.?�Among the bowlers are?�the world’s current No.1, Dale Steyn,?�and Imran Tahir, previously a Pakistan player who now qualifies under residency rules. His leg-spin could?�be a useful weapon to complement an?�attack that otherwise relies on?�fast bowlers.?�?�Typical bookmakers’ odds: 5/1?�?�ENGLAND?�England have developed into an efficient Test match team but their one-day record has been disappointing. The 6-1?�drubbing at the hands of the Australians may play on their minds, while a?�long winter tour?�Down Under has taken?�its toll physically and robbed them of the sometimes-devastating batting qualities of Eoin Morgan, who will miss the tournament through injury. Much will depend on the form of flamboyant batsman Kevin Pietersen and the spin bowling of Graeme Swann. A good collective spirit is one thing the English have going for them, especially in a nail-biting finish. Preparation though has not been ideal.?�Typical bookmakers’ odds: 8/1?�?�PAKISTAN?�Chaotic and?�inconsistent, Pakistan are something of an enigma. They are just as capable of thrashing top sides as they are of capitulating to drunk Sunday pub leaguers. They are missing some?�top?�players who have been suspended for alleged match-fixing but there always seems to be someone in reserve for Pakistan. Captain Shahid Afridi bats beautifully and also bowls, while Umar Gul’s ability to swing the ball and test the batsmen’s toes?�can also?�be deadly late in the match.?�Depending on wind direction, solar storms and?�the alignment of the planets, Pakistan could either gel and win the tournament or?�have a collective brawl in the team bus and lose every match. Either way, it will be worth watching.?�Typical bookmakers’ odds: 8/1?�?�NEW ZEALAND?�The Kiwis have been in awful form recently, which hasn’t been helped by constant changes to the team. There are several strong batsmen who can punish wayward bowlers but New Zealand’s hopes rest largely on the shoulders of captain Daniel Vettori and his spin bowling.?�In nine world cups,?�the Kiwis have been semi-finalists five times. They would do well to make it six from ten.?�Typical?�bookmakers’ odds: 20/1?�?�WEST INDIES?�The West Indies current team is a pale shadow of the side that once struck fear into all other cricketing nations. Twice winners of this tournament?�in the?�glory days of the 1970s,?�they may be lucky just to escape the first round group stage, with Bangladesh?�in particular?�smelling blood, particularly on home?�soil.?�A lack of balance means that much will be asked of a promising batting top six, as the bowlers lack experience and may struggle to skittle opponents out cheaply.?�Typical bookmakers’ odds:?�22/1?�?�BANGLADESH?�As one of the host countries, Bangladesh will have high hopes despite?�not being recognised among the cricket world’s traditional ‘elite’.?�They have at least one world class player in both the batting and bowling departments – Tamim Iqbal and Abdur Razzaq respectively – and will be?�looking to?�put the squeeze on?�the West Indies and England to finish in the top four of their group and move into the second round.?�The Tigers probably don’t have the strength in depth to get much further though.?�Typical bookmakers’ odds: 40/1?�?�ZIMBABWE?�Zimbabwe’s political strife has reflected on the national cricket team. They will be reinstated to Test status only after the World Cup. Most of the country’s top players quit the game at the beginning of the century in protest at Robert Mugabe’s regime. That prompted the loss of Test status. The bowling attack has plenty of spin and the team?�may look to frustrate rather than outplay their opposition. Progressing from the group stage would be seen as a success.?�Typical bookmakers’ odds: 250/1?�?�IRELAND?�This is only Ireland’s second cricket world cup. At the first in 2007 they sprang the surprise of the tournament by beating Pakistan and making it to round two. Since then they have made steady if not spectacular progress, and have gone from having three full-time professionals to thirteen. They have some handy players plying their trade in the English county circuit but are still punching above their weight on the world stage. Reaching the second round again would be an achievement.?�Typical bookmakers’ odds: 500/1?�?�CANADA?�The Canadians, or?�to be precise?�mostly Indian and Pakistani expats who qualify for Canada, are rank outsiders, having won just one?�out of 12 World Cup matches (Bangladesh in 2003). To win one more in this tournament will be their realistic objective.?�Typical bookmakers’ odds: 2000/1?�?�KENYA?�Kenya made the semi-finals of the 2003 World Cup but the standard of Kenyan cricket has been in freefall since. This?�is another team that will regard winning a game as a success. They might overcome Canada. ?�Typical bookmakers’ odds: 2000/1?�?�HOLLAND?�Underdogs, but with a couple of players who might surprise better but complacent opponents. Ryan ten Doeschate bats and bowls extremely well at times and if he can get a little support from other capable team-mates such as batsman Alexei Kervezee, the Dutch could?�add to their total haul of two?�World Cup match wins (from 14).?�Typical bookmakers’ odds: 2000/1?�?�——————————————————————————————?�A total of 49 matches will be played in the World Cup. euronews will provide a weekly round-up of?�news and scores.?�?�?�?�?�?�?�?�?�?�?�
New Zealand is rocked by a deadly earthquake
The moment a huge earthquake struck near the city of Christchurch in New Zealand was caught on camera. Buildings were toppled and roads damaged in the quake which measured 6.3.
Reports say people have been buried beneath the collapsed structures causing fears there may be many deaths. Some of the injured have been pulled from the rubble and rushed to hospitals.
Last September a previous quake hit near the country’s second biggest city but no one died then as its epicentre was deep below ground.
This tremor hit during lunchtime when streets were busy and shops and offices were filled with people. Local flooding is hampering rescue efforts and part of the city’s stone cathedral has been reduced to a pile of rocks.
Tunisian PM resigns under pressure
The Tunisian Prime Minister has announced resignation following a series of street protests.
Mohamed Ghannouchi said by stepping aside he will provide a better atmosphere for a new era.
He added that he wants to prevent more victims in the country’s political unrest.
Critics have accused Ghannouchi of being too close to the previous regime. That criticism turned to violent street protests in the centre of the capital Tunis on Friday and Saturday .
Three people were killed as soldiers and riot police clashed with youths throwing stones. Security forces responded with tear gas, and shots were fired in the air as they tried to disperse the crowds.
Many Tunisians have become frustrated with the slow pace of change since the last government was toppled a month ago.
Anti-Gaddafi forces parade through Tobruk
Some of the first professional images to come out of Libya appear to show anti-Gaddafi rebels in control of the eastern city of Tobruk.
Soldiers said they no longer backed the Libyan leader and that the eastern region was out of his control.
They have been operating checkpoints and denouncing Gaddafi.
One general said he decided to switch sides after hearing the authorities had given orders to fire on civilians.
Tobruk lies close to the Egyptian border. Thousands have been fleeing across the frontier to make it home to Egypt and escape the violence.
In eastern Libya the military are now said to be mobilising to defend people against possible attack from Gaddafi’s forces.
Accounts say his supporters have been shooting people and a munitions store in Tobruk was bombed.
Another view on Mideast domino effect
For insight into events in Middle East we spoke to Nabil Al Khatib, the Executive Editor of the Al-Arabiya TV channel.
Riad Muasses, euronews:
Nabil Al Khatib, we’ve seen big demonstrations in Cairo, deaths in Libya, Yemen and Bahrain. Is this a contagious revolution where all cases are similar?
Nabil Al Khatib, Executive Editor, Al-Arabiya
I don’t think all the situations in the Arab world are similar, but the common denominator in all these countries is corruption and stagnant politics, and the youth are looking for their future horizons.
All these are common factors, and they spur the population to demand change.
euronews:
Is what you’ve said applicable in Bahrain?
Nabil Al Khatib:
Bahrain is different because the demonstrators belong to a religious group, and that gives the impression it’s a religious problem. And that adds grist to the mill for the authorities to aggravate the religious question because the protesters are, in the main, shi-ites. The sunnis are shying away from being implicated in a wider plan controlled by Iran.
Whether or not that’s true, it gives that impression, and that’s what the sunni population think.
euronews:
Do you think that this could extend to other Gulf states, like Saudi Arabia, Kuwait or Oman?
Nabil Al Khatib:
I think the question remains open in all of those countries, but the problems are quite different when we talk about Gulf states. That’s down to the comfortable lives these populations have compared with the other countries, because they’re oil producers, and they’re rich. But that doesn’t stop these kinds of movements.
euronews:
The United States has expressed its concern about the events in Bahrain, and everything of course, that affects its interests in the Gulf. Can you see any threat to US interests, bearing in mind what’s happening in Bahrain?
Nabil Al Khatib:
I’m inclined to say that the American position is very ambiguous. We all thought that the US position on the Tunisian and Egyptian regimes would have been to support them. Because the general impression was that the US always defends its allies in the region and maintains the status quo. But its position has completely changed Tunisia its ally in the fight against terrorism, or Egypt, trying to maintain stability in the region and good relations with Israel. But the US backed the changes in these countries. The big question is how far can it go in supporting these changes, particularly in the Gulf states where the situation is much more sensitive because what’s at stake is terrorism, oil, and relations with Iran. But from here it looks like the Americans are being hesitant, lacking clarity and in the end, being superficial — not sure that the decisions being taken are good ones.
Jordan
Protests, largely peaceful, began in January calling for political and economic reform amid high unemployment and a high cost of living. King Abdullah II, who has held power since 1999 has responded by replacing his cabinet and permitting public gatherings. He has demanded “real and fast” reforms and a clampdown on corruption in a bid to quell the protests. The new cabinet has promised to investigate clashes on Friday in Amman, in which several demonstrators were injured. Previously disparate opposition groups are beginning to unite their calls for more limits to the King’s powers and a constitutional monarchy.
Population: 5.9 millionHuman Development Index1: 82ndUnemployment: 12.2%
1 HDI is calculated according to factors such as schooling, life expectancy and gross national income and is used by the UN’s Development Programme for its Human development reports.
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Sanofi-Aventis ends tie-up with Merck
Sanofi-Aventis and Merck say regulatory pressure has forced them to abandon their plans for a joint animal health venture. The French and US drugmakers’ wanted to combine their vaccines businesses to create a powerhouse with almost a third of the global market.
US warplane crashes in Libya as criticism of bombardment grows
As Operation Odyssey Dawn continues over Libya’s skies the coalition has suffered its first tangible loss in its effort to establish a no-fly zone.
A US F15 fighter jet crashed overnight near Benghazi, after what officials said was a likely mechanical fault.
Read: who is providing what to the military operation
The two crew members escaped and are now reported to be safe after being rescued.
One eyewitness said: “We saw this plane roaming around the area of Abyar at around 1:00am. We heard an explosion later on. Another plane was roaming around it after it had exploded. At first we thought that it was a rocket.”
The crash comes as criticism of the western allies policing of Libyan skies appears to be growing. China, along with Russia, Brazil and India, condemned the US led air strikes as risky and unwarranted overreaching by the West.
Read: Libya: a timeline of international diplomacy
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Army urges Egypt back to work
For 18 days, Tahrir Square was the focus of Egypt’s discontent.
It came to embody the spirit of the revolt which led to the ousting of President Hosni Mubarak.
Now, it is once again a roundabout, albeit one surrounded by tanks.
The US, UK and Saudi Arabia have been asked to boost Egypt’s economy, hard-hit by the unrest. And they are not the only ones.
The Arab League’s Amr Moussa says Arab governments have also agreed to offer to help with development.
After the revolution, Egypt is now trying to re-group. Facing a wave of strikes, the governing military council has urged people to get back to work and avoid more damage being done to the economy.
Further protests against Iranian regime
“Mubarak, Ben Ali and now Ayatollah Khamenei” – the slogan of?�protesters in the Iranian city of Shiraz.?�More amateur video footage of anti-government demonstrations has been posted on the internet. The protest is one of several held over the past few weeks, including in Tehran.?�The regime has clamped down hard, with opposition activists arrested and reports of executions. Opposition groups say those killed are being described by the regime as drug traffickers.?�Iranian doctors who have treated the injured say banned chemical gases have been used against protesters.?�?�An Iranian diplomat who recently quit the country’s consulate in the Italian city of Milan has also spoken out. ?�Ahmed Maleki said: “We’ve now come to the point of understanding that this regime will not allow any kind of reform and does not listen to anyone. Even the leading members of the religious establishment are excluded in every way from making their positions felt. It’s impossible to imagine that anything in the area of reform and change could come from within the system.”?�Maleki is the nephew of the opposition figure Medhi Karoubi. Karoubi and another opposition leader, Mir Hussein Moussavi, have been placed under house arrest. The Iranian parliament has demanded a trial of what it calls “traitors.” ?�Some other amateur video footage shows that rallies of support for the two men have been held, with calls for their immediate release.?�A demonstration has also been held outside the residence of the Iranian ambassador in Paris. euronews spoke to one of those who took part, who wanted to remain anonymous.?�“We’re showing our support for the demonstrations against the regime and to support political prisoners,” she said. “We want to protest against the arrest of Moussavi and Karoubi.” ?�
Pick of the Clicks: Libyan arms- defending the indefensible
Defending the arms trade?�can be?�an uphill struggle?�at the best of times.?�Defending the sale of military equipment to Libya at a time when Muammar Gaddafi is ordering his fighter pilots to shoot at Libyan people?�would be more?�like scaling Everest. On rollerskates.?�Yet that is what British Prime Minister David Cameron has been asked to do this week.?�The facts are there for all to see, whether in official PDF format, spreadsheet form or a media summary.?�Yes, Britain has sold rubber?�bullets, tear gas, military vehicles, wall and door breaching missile launchers and infrared and thermal?�imaging equipment to Libya. And that was just in the third quarter of last year.?�Britain?�is certainly not alone in supplying?�Libya with military gear; Gaddafi doesn’t seem too fussy about where he shops. The European Union alone sold him defence equipment worth some 344 million euros in 2009. Russia is the biggest arms exporter to Libya and has been since Soviet times.?�The United States provides less to?�the country?�because of particular sensibilities, notably the Lockerbie bombing, and the fact that Libya was on Washington’s state sponsor of terrorism list until 2006.?�Nevertheless?�the US still?�has plenty of customers in the region; Maryland-based Lockheed Martin is not the biggest defence equipment seller in the world for nothing.?�But David Cameron?�has been singled out because of his decision to take a delegation of UK defence industry bosses on a regional tour of the Middle East at a time when defence equipment is being used for everything but ‘defence’ in the region.?�Last week, Bahraini troops fired rubber bullets at sleeping protesters, killing at least four. The following day they resorted to live rounds.?�This weekend, just a short flight?�from Bahrain,?�in Abu Dhabi,?�the UK defence industry delegates will join their international counterparts for the IDEX international arms fair.?�There they will?�peddle their goods to Middle East buyers whose pockets may?�currently have a little extra bulge thanks to agreeably high oil prices. ?�Cameron’s tour to the region,?�and the?�choice of roadies he has taken with?�him, has been?�heavily criticised back in Britain, both by his usual critics and in newspapers that are traditionally more favourable to him.?�Congratulating Arab peoples for overthrowing their?�regimes while?�in the same breath?�selling weapons to Arab regimes could be construed as, at worst, hypocritical and, at best, a massive lack of judgement.?�And he is on the defensive.?�Speaking in Kuwait earlier this week on the 20th anniversary of the expulsion of Saddam Hussein’s army, Cameron said:?�“The idea that we should expect small and democratic countries like Kuwait to be able to manufacture all their means of defence seems to me completely at odds with reality.”?�He went on to say that when Britain sells arms “we do so with probably the tightest set of export licenses and rules almost anywhere in the world. It is obviously a dificult process to get right on every occasion…a properly regulated trade in defence is not something we should be ashamed of.”?�While Cameron may?�have a point?�when he says democracies should have the right to defend themselves, one could argue that it’s the wrong point.?�We are not talking about Kuwait. ?�We are talking about Libya or, more precisely, we are talking about Gaddafi.?�Gaddafi was considered by the West one of the principle supporters and financiers of international terrorism during the 70s, 80s and 90s. He negotiated a return from the diplomatic wilderness by ending Libya’s program to develop weapons of mass destruction in 2003.?�When an arms embargo was lifted soon afterwards, the defence industry found itself a new and very keen customer with a fistful of petrol dollars. It was as if promising NOT to produce WMD transformed him overnight into a safe pair of hands and suddenly European leaders, the Berlusconis and the Blairs, were queuing up to shake his hand.?�But the reports of human rights abuses kept on coming.?�David Cameron is not at fault for this situation, he simply put himself in the media firing line with his Gulf tour.?�The fault?�lies with a long list of Western and Arab?�governments going back decades. But Cameron?�is in a position now?�where he can?�do something about it other than defending what is clearly a dangerously ineffective legal arms trade system.?�Firstly he should apply the regulations that he hails as the “world’s tightest.” ?�The British government?�permits or refuses?�arms export licenses according to the Consolidated EU and National Arms Export Licensing Criteria which states that Britain will “not issue an export licence if there is a clear risk that the proposed export might be used for internal repression” and “exercise special caution and vigilance in issuing licences, on a case-by-case basis and taking account of the nature of the equipment , to countries where serious violations of human rights have been established by the competent bodies of the UN, the Council of Europe or by the EU.”?�But Britain will only act if all other nations act at the same time. If it decides, for example, to block the sale of Kalashnikovs to Libya, some other country like Romania will step in and take the money instead. ?�The UN does have an Arms Trade Treaty in the pipelines and a preparatory committee begins on Monday February 28.?�It won’t satisfy groups calling for an abolition of the arms trade but it may spare politicians’ blushes and innocent lives.?�
By Mark?�Davis?�?�?�
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- Bijvoorbeeld: u heeft een blog gemaakt voor gedichten. Dan kan u bvb. elke dag een gedicht toevoegen op uw blog. U geeft de titel in van het gedicht en daaronder in het bericht het gedicht zelf. Zo kunnen uw bezoekers dagelijks terugkomen om uw laatste nieuw gedicht te lezen. Indien u meerdere gedichten wenst toe te voegen op eenzelfde dag, voegt u deze toe als afzonderlijke berichten, dus niet in één bericht.
- Bijvoorbeeld:
u wil een blog maken over de actualiteit. Dan kan u bvb. dagelijks een bericht plaatsen met uw mening over iets uit de actualiteit. Bvb. over een bepaalde ramp, ongeval, uitspraak, voorval,... U geeft bvb. in de titel het onderwerp waarover u het gaat hebben en in het bericht plaatst u uw mening over dat onderwerp. Zo kan u bvb. meedelen dat de media voor de zoveelste keer het fout heeft, of waarom ze nu dat weer in de actualiteit brengen,... Of u kan ook meer diepgaande artikels plaatsen en meer informatie over een bepaald onderwerp opzoeken en dit op uw blog plaatsen. Indien u over meerdere zaken iets wil zeggen op die dag, plaatst u deze als afzonderlijke berichten, zo is dit het meest duidelijk voor uw bezoekers.
- Bijvoorbeeld: u wil een blog maken als dagboek. Dagelijks maakt u een bericht aan met wat u er wenst in te plaatsen, zoals u anders in een dagboek zou plaatsen. Dit kan zijn over wat u vandaag hebt gedaan, wat u vandaag heeft gehoord, wat u van plan bent, enz. Maak een titel en typ het bericht. Zo kunnen bezoekers dagelijks naar uw blog komen om uw laatste nieuwe bericht te lezen en mee uw dagboek te lezen.
- Bijvoorbeeld: u wil een blog maken met plaatselijk nieuws. Met uw eigen blog kan u zo zelfs journalist zijn. U kan op uw blog het plaatselijk nieuws vertellen. Telkens u iets nieuw hebt, plaats u een bericht: u geeft een titel op en typt wat u weet over het nieuws. Dit kan zijn over een feest in de buurt, een verkeersongeval in de streek, een nieuwe baan die men gaat aanleggen, een nieuwe regeling, verkiezingen, een staking, een nieuwe winkel, enz. Afhankelijk van het nieuws plaatst u iedere keer een nieuw bericht. Indien u veel nieuws heeft, kan u zo dagelijks vele berichten plaatsen met wat u te weten bent gekomen over uw regio. Zorg ervoor dat u telkens een nieuw bericht ingeeft per onderwerp, en niet zaken samen plaatst. Indien u wat minder nieuws kan bijeen sprokkelen is uiteraard 1 bericht per dag of 2 berichten per week ook goed. Probeer op een regelmatige basis een berichtje te plaatsen, zo komen uw bezoekers telkens terug.
- Bijvoorbeeld: u wil een blog maken met een reisverslag. U kan een bericht aanmaken per dag van uw reis. Zo kan u in de titel opgeven over welke dag u het gaat hebben, en in het bericht plaatst u dan het verslag van die dag. Zo komen alle berichten onder elkaar te staan, netjes gescheiden per dag. U kan dus op éénzelfde dag meerdere berichten ingeven van uw reisverslag.
- Bijvoorbeeld:
u wil een blog maken met tips op. Dan maakt u telkens u een tip heeft een nieuw bericht aan. In de titel zet u waarover uw tip zal gaan. In het bericht geeft u dan de hele tip in. Probeer zo op regelmatige basis nieuwe tips toe te voegen, zodat bezoekers telkens terug komen naar uw blog. Probeer bvb. 1 keer per dag, of 2 keer per week een nieuwe tip zo toe te voegen. Indien u heel enthousiast bent, kan u natuurlijk ook meerdere tips op een dag ingeven. Let er dan op dat het meest duidelijk is indien u pér tip een nieuw bericht aanmaakt. Zo kan u dus bvb. wel 20 berichten aanmaken op een dag indien u 20 tips heeft voor uw bezoekers.
- Bijvoorbeeld:
u wil een blog maken dat uw activiteiten weerspiegelt. U bent bvb. actief in een bedrijf, vereniging of organisatie en maakt elke dag wel eens iets mee. Dan kan je al deze belevenissen op uw blog plaatsen. Het komt dan neer op een soort van dagboek. Dan kan u dagelijks, of eventueel meerdere keren per dag, een bericht plaatsen op uw blog om uw belevenissen te vertellen. Geef een titel op dat zeer kort uw belevenis beschrijft en typ daarna alles in wat u maar wenst in het bericht. Zo kunnen bezoekers dagelijks of meermaals per dag terugkomen naar uw blog om uw laatste belevenissen te lezen.
- Bijvoorbeeld: u wil een blog maken uw hobby. U kan dan op regelmatige basis, bvb. dagelijks, een bericht toevoegen op uw blog over uw hobby. Dit kan gaan dat u vandaag een nieuwe postzegel bij uw verzameling heeft, een nieuwe bierkaart, een grote vis heeft gevangen, enz. Vertel erover en misschien kan je er zelfs een foto bij plaatsen. Zo kunnen anderen die ook dezelfde hobby hebben dagelijks mee lezen. Als u bvb. zeer actief bent in uw hobby, kan u dagelijks uiteraard meerdere berichtjes plaatsen, met bvb. de laatste nieuwtjes. Zo trek je veel bezoekers aan.
WAT ZIJN DIE "REACTIES"?
Een bezoeker kan op een bericht van u een reactie plaatsen. Een bezoeker kan dus zelf géén bericht plaatsen op uw blog zelf, wel een reactie. Het verschil is dat de reactie niet komt op de beginpagina, maar enkel bij een bericht hoort. Het is dus zo dat een reactie enkel gaat over een reactie bij een bericht. Indien u bvb. een gedicht heeft geschreven, kan een reactie van een bezoeker zijn dat deze het heel mooi vond. Of bvb. indien u plaatselijk nieuws brengt, kan een reactie van een bezoeker zijn dat deze nog iets meer over de feiten weet (bvb. exacte uur van het ongeval, het juiste locatie van het evenement,...). Of bvb. indien uw blog een dagboek is, kan men reageren op het bericht van die dag, zo kan men meeleven met u, u een vraag stellen, enz. Deze functie kan u uitschakelen via "Instellingen" indien u dit niet graag heeft.
WAT IS DE "WAARDERING"?
Een bezoeker kan een bepaald bericht een waardering geven. Dit is om aan te geven of men dit bericht goed vindt of niet. Het kan bvb. gaan over een bericht, hoe goed men dat vond. Het kan ook gaan over een ander bericht, bvb. een tip, die men wel of niet bruikbaar vond. Deze functie kan u uitschakelen via "Instellingen" indien u dit niet graag heeft.
Het Bloggen.be-team wenst u veel succes met uw gloednieuwe blog!
