Saudi King returns with promises of social aid
A ceremony has been laid on in the Saudi capital to welcome home king Abdullah after three months abroad for medical treatment.
The monarch returned as protests over poverty, corruption and repression hit many Arab countries.
Upon his return, the King was quick to unveil a series of benefits for his people worth an estimated 30 billion euros.
The action plan includes funding to help create jobs for young people and affordable housing, two of the kingdom’s major social issues.
Hundreds of people have backed a Facebook campaign calling for a day of rage across Saudi Arabia next month to demand, among other things, an elected ruler and greater freedom.
But analysts do not expect unrest like in Egypt or Tunisia in this oil-rich country although they do say urgent social issues need to be addressed.
King’s Speech steals the show
The film The King’s Speech has won seven prizes at the BAFTA awards ceremony in London. Colin Firth, who plays the stammering King George VI in the film, took the award for Best?�Actor. The movie also took the prizes for Best Film, Best Supporting Actress (Helena Bonham Carter), and Best Supporting Actor ( Geoffrey Rush).?�This year’s BAFTA award for Best Actress went to Natalie Portman for her role in Black Swan, while Best Director went to David Fincher for the film about Facebook, The Social Network.
Death toll in Libyan protests rises
While Ghaddafi loyalists have held the streets of the Libyan capital Tripoli, it has been a different?�story in several other cities.?�Amnesty International now insists at least 46 people have been killed in the last?�three days?�of protests. Violence has broken out in Ajdabia, and in Al Bayda witnesses?�say troops are engaged in running battles with crowds who have been joined by defecting police for control of the town, which has seen some of the worst violence.?�In the country’s second city Benghazi Colonel Gaddafi’s son Said has been ordered to take control as tens of?�thousands marched calling for an end to his father’s 42 years in power. In several incidents security forces were reported firing live ammunition into crowds.?�The foreign media has limited access and reports are difficult to confirm but Gaddafi still enjoys considerable support in the countryside, has oil wealth to spread around, and a firmly-anchored security apparatus he can rely on.?�However, reports late on Friday said?�authorities may have lost control of Al Bayda, where crowds burying their dead had earlier shouted “martyrs, martyrs” at their funerals.
Libyan air force colonels fly fighters to Malta
Two Libyan air force colonels have defected to Malta after landing their Mirage fighter planes on the Mediterranean Island.
They claim they took off from Tripoli under orders to bomb protesters in Benghazi, but overflew their targets. The pair are currently being questioned by the Maltese authorities. One of the pilots has requested political asylum.
Police are also probing seven passengers who landed in Malta from Libya on board two helicopters. It is suggested that the French registered helicopters left Libya without the authorisation of the authorities.
Reports claim that only one of the passengers on board carried a French passport.
If you are in Libya, contact us and tell us what you see and witness. witness@euronews.net, twitter@euronews or facebook
Pro-Gaddafi forces ‘close in on Benghazi’
There have been some dramatic developments in Libya in fighting between rebels and troops loyal to Muammar Gaddafi.?�France’s AFP news agency says pro-Gaddafi forces have?�proposed a ceasefire until Sunday to give the opposition time to surrender.?�It comes amid fresh reports that the rebel held city of Ajdabiyah is surrounded, leaving open only the road north to the larger rebel stronghold of Benghazi.?�A senior hospital official in Adjabiyah says at least 30 people have been killed, with 80 others wounded in the fighting.?�Gaddafi soldiers are also now said to have recaptured the major oil terminal of Zueitina on the outskirts of the rebel capital.
Five dead in Iraqi ‘Day of Rage’
Thousands of Iraqis have staged a ‘Day of Rage’ inspired by similar movements elsewhere in the Arab world.
At least five were killed in towns and cities throughout the country from Kirkuk in the north to Basra in the south.
They marched to the governor’s building, their anger fuelled by shortages of jobs, food and clean water, and frequent power-cuts.
Thousands poured into Liberation Square in the capital too despite a virtually total security clampdown.
Some protesters still managed to vent their anger on the concrete blast-wall leading to Baghdad’s green-zone, where there are many government buildings and foreign embassies.
Demonstrator Malik Abdon said: “We are educated young people. There are a number of masters university students among us. The government have stolen our dreams. We are young men without dreams.”
Iraqi soldiers and police were deployed en masse in central Baghdad enforcing a vehicle curfew and searching protesters.
Eight years after the US-led invasion to topple Saddam there is fury at government corruption and that life is not easier.
Aftermath of ferocious fighting in Benghazi
Today, they are celebrating. But over the last few days, people in the Libyan coastal town of al Bayda have endured some of the most ferocious fighting of the current unrest.
Anti-Gaddafi militias clashed with pro-government forces, many of whom are said to have been mercenaries. The result was like a scene from Hell.
Read our news file
Euronews correspondent Mohammed ElHamy is in Al Bayda and has seen the aftermath for himself. He says the town is in shock. Many people have been killed and injured.
One of the wounded said he had been shot twice by men in civilian clothes: “One bullet went through my shoulder, the other through my chest.”
The extent of the fighting is clearly evident in the number of wounded being treated and the extent of their injuries.
But instead of being cowed, many Libyans say they are instead appalled that Gaddafi is attacking his own people in such a violent way.
Norway’s only marine reserve hit by oil spill
Authorities in Norway on Friday struggled to contain an oil spill after an Icelandic cargo ship ran aground in the country’s only marine reserve.
Officials say the ship is leaking from both sides and some oil has already reached the shore.
The Godafoss hit rocks on Thursday night near the Ytre Hvaler marine park as it travelled from Fredrikstad to the Swedish town of Helsingborg.
The Norwegian Coastal Administration estimates the ship is carrying 800 tonnes of fuel.
Floating barriers have been set up to try and stop the spill from spreading and anti-pollution vessels from Sweden and Norway have been sent to begin the clean-up operation.
Nations scramble to get nationals out of chaotic Libya
Hundreds of foreign nationals are camped out at a frantic Tripoli Airport as governments from around the world scramble boats and planes to get their people out of Libya, as the chaos in country deepens.
Russia, France, Greece and the United Kingdom along with many other nations are laying on transport to repatriate nationals.
Turkey, with 25,000 citizens in Libya is mounting the biggest evacuation in its history with more than 2,000 already back home.
The shooting dead of a Turkish worker at a building site close to Tripoli has increased the urgency of the operation as fear begins to grip those stranded in the country.
Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said his country will do all it can to help other nationals escape Libya:
“There are several demands from different friendly countries for us to help their citizens. For us this is a humanitarian issue and we will do everything possible to consider these demands positively and help those who need such an evacuation.”
A French military aircraft arrived in Tripoli much to the relief of those lucky enough to get a seat:
“Phew, given the state of the airport, everything cancelled, the chances of getting a scheduled flight were pretty slim, yeah it’s a huge relief.”
As the situation continues to deteriorate and Libyan officials break ranks with the regime more and more aircraft are finding it difficult to get a landing or take-off slot.
Hindu Festival of Colours in Trinidad and Tobago
A man smeared with coloured powder celebrates Phagwa or Holi, the Hindu Festival of Colours, which marks the beginning of spring, in Trinidad and Tobago. REUTERS/Andrea De Silva
Libyan air strikes stir emotions across Europe
The intervention by Allied Forces in Libya has stirred strong emotions across Europe and in the US.
In Brussels thousands of protesters marched through the city showing their support for the rebel uprising and the enforcing of a no-fly zone. The march mirrored a similar gathering in Berlin.
But not everyone backs the military action and some carried banners saying “no war for oil”.
The message was the same in New York and Chicago where fears of repeating the errors of the Iraq war brought Americans onto the streets.
And in Athens the Greek Communist party roundly condemned their country’s involvement. They called on the government not to allow Greek military bases to be used by the participating forces.
Do you think the air strikes in Libya should actively target Muammar Gaddafi?
A Javascript enabled browser that accepts cookies is required in order to participate in the poll.
yes (57%) no (39%) i don't know (4%) // pollTS[0]) { pollTS = cookie; cValid = true; }; }; warning.parentNode.removeChild(warning); if(cookie && cValid) { for(var i = 1; i < pollTS.length; i++) { votes += parseInt(pollTS[i], 10) || 0; }; var total = 0; for(var i = 1; i < pollTS.length; i++) { per = pollTS[i] > 0 ? Math.round(pollTS[i] / (votes / 100)) : 0; if(total + per > 100) { per = 100 - total; total = 100; } else { total += per; }; output[output.length] = '' + questions[i - 1] + ' (' + per + '%) '; }; pollHTML += "" + output.join("") + ""; }; if(!cookie) { pollHTML = ' yes no i don’t know'; }; if(pollHTML) { content.innerHTML = pollHTML; }; })();// ]]>
List of greek gods and goddesses and what people believed they did
Ashton follows Cameron to Egypt
The European Union’s foreign policy chief, visiting Cairo, has talked about adding a billion euros to current aid being given to Egypt. Encouraging free elections was another main point on Catherine Ashton’s agenda.
She said her aim was to see how the EU can help democratic transitions in the region the most: “In the longer term, as we say everywhere, it’s for people in these countries to be able to feel that they have a say in their own future, a say in their own destiny, but to do that in a peaceful manner, and being here in Egypt is a very good example of how that can be done.”
Egypt is now being governed by a military council. Analyst Michael Emerson said Europe is well-placed to offer suggestions where asked: “This is a turning of the page for EU policy, certainly, and if these countries, most of them, want to have what anybody would call more decent governance, rule of law, respect for human rights, that is fine, that is good. The European Union can support this.”
Ashton’s diplomatic trip to Egypt follows a six-hour visit there on Monday by British prime minister David Cameron, who was beginning a tour of Middle East countries.
UK arms manufacturers are also visiting the region, for the Middle East’s largest weapons fair, in Abu Dhabi.
The British PM’s office insisted that his aims were to boost business and to promote political reform.
Libyan rebel blogger killed by sniper
Mohamed Nabous, of Libya Al Hurra TV, has been shot and killed by Colonel Gaddafi’s loyalist forces in Benghazi.
He was fatally wounded in the head by a sniper bullet on saturday morning while filming the fighting between government forces and the rebels. He died of his wounds in the afternoon.
Earlier this month the former telecoms engineer spoke to euronews after first coming to world attention on 19th February 2011 when he and a small team of activists set up a live stream from Benghazi.
He made his last broadcast during Saturday’s fierce fighting.
To read – Libya: a timeline of international diplomacy
His colleagues at Radio Free Libya have been shocked by the news but continue to broadcast from their makeshift newsroom in the most precarious conditions.
Mohamed leaves behind his wife, Perditta, who is expecting their first child.
He is seen as an example of courage and determination that makes him one of the symbols of the Libyan uprising.
Iranian warships pass through Suez Canal
Two Iranian warships have passed through the Suez Canal, the first from the country to do so since the 1979 Islamic revolution.
Iranian officials said the frigate and supply vessel were on their way to Syria for training. Egypt gave the mission the green light; Israel described it as a “provocation.”
Although it was planned before the uprisings in the Middle East, observers said the journey is symbolic.
“I think that the message should be very clear – Iran is here, the United States is getting weaker, states like Egypt are not any more kind of pro-western pillars in the Middle East,” said Professor Uzi Rabi, expert in Iranian-Israeli relations at Tel Aviv University. “Iran is trying to capitalise on that and send a message that the whole Middle East should be read differently in geo-political terms.”
The Israeli government has called for a firm reaction from the international community.
The episode is awkward for Cairo’s new interim government. Egypt has a peace treaty with Israel, but had no legal grounds to refuse the ships entry.
Protesters can topple Saleh: Yemeni analyst
euronews spoke with Abdullah Al Fakih, a political science professor at Sanaa University, who believes Yemen’s anti-government protesters could topple President Saleh.
Al Fakih described the demonstrations as “a popular youth movement.”
“It began with protests calling for the overthrow of President Ali Abdallah Saleh. This movement progressively became larger, spreading across the country,” he told euronews in a telephone interview.
“I think they will topple the regime because their demands are shared by all parts of Yemeni society, including the opposition parties.”
Al Fakih acknowledged that the opposition had been slow to react to the protesters’ demands but predicted they would eventually follow the youth movement.
“Saleh is saying that if he leaves, it will allow Al-Qaeda to spread its operations in Yemen and increase the threat to the international community and plunge the country into an endless civil war,” the professor said.
“Of course, there are always risks and fears of change. But the fear of change is not as great as the fear of current regime.”
“As long as we have Al-Qaeda and rebels in the north and calls of separation in the south — as well as a severe economic situation — all these problems will be more complicated if this regime remains in power.”
Sarkozy says air forces in action over Libya
French President Nicolas Sarkozy said allied air forces had gone into action on Saturday over Libya and were preventing Muammar Gaddafi’s forces attacking the rebel city of Benghazi. “Our planes are already preventing air attacks on the city,” he said adding that military action supported by France, Britain, the United States and Canada and backed by Arab nations could be halted if Gaddafi stopped his forces attacking.
With Reuters
Egypt on the brink of change
Egypt is entering a new era. Effectively the country is under martial law but the military is implementing a series of major reforms aimed at delivering power into the hands of the people.
In a startment on state television, a military spokesman announced that the constitution has been suspended.
He also said a committee would be established to draft a new constitution, and that parliament has been dissolved.
The army council will stay in power for six months, or at least until the end of elections.
However some continuity has been retained in that the same cabinet appointed by ousted President Hosni Mubarak will oversee the transition. The Prime Minister, Ahmed Shafiq, says the main priority is to restore security, and the economy.
“Our internal economic position is solid and cohesive”, he said. “We have enough reserves in the coming period and our situation is comforting, very comforting.”
But he also warned that if instability continues, there may be some obstacles.
The stock market has remained closed since the beginning of the uprising, and the Finance Minister says latest forecasts indicate Egypt’s economic growth slowing to between 3.5 and 4 per cent in the coming financial year.
That’s still higher than most western countries but lower than the 6 per cent that had been forecast before the revolution.
Checking EU trust in nuclear power
With many Europeans worried about what nuclear power might mean for their future, against the backdrop of events in Japan, euronews asked a set of questions on the margins of debate taking place in the European Parliament.
These questions were put to Energy Commissioner G??nther Oettinger, who has proposed rigorously testing all the nuclear power plants in the European Union, and to Green party MEP Mich??le Rivasi.
Are we going to be able to trust the stress tests?
Oettinger: “They will move EU-wide safety ahead towards strict common standards, clear rules, in view of what is happening in Japan. I am sure, like everybody, that the member states, companies and regulators will participate, and that everybody will pay attention to the results.”
Rivasi: “There are many risks we have not evaluated. We can come at this any way you want but nature will be inventive. Her incredible strength can flatten a whole country.”
Can the EU go without nuclear power, give it up?
Oettinger: “Nuclear will be a part of the member states’ energy mix for a long time to come. Security and a new risk analysis are that much more important because of this.”
Rivasi: “I get the feeling here that we don’t want to give up nuclear energy. Consumption will keep on growing. We’re in a system of infinite growth and want to increase nuclear, but when there’s an accident like in Japan it’s a catastrophe, even an apocalypse.”
What future energy mix alternatives are available?
Oettinger: “We will answer that question little by little with our energy roadmap, our long-term strategy, by developing the energy mix after 2020 until 2050.”
Rivasi: “Innovation adding value to the development of other forms of energy, notably from renewable sources, would encourage countries not to choose nuclear. But the European Commission’s position is rather that nuclear is an option which must be developed.”
Ben Ali reportedly in a coma in hospital
The former Tunisian president Ben Ali is reported to be seriously ill in a hospital in Saudi Arabia.
The French news agency AFP reports that the 74-year-old has been in a coma for the past two days after suffering a stroke.
The Reuters news agency quotes a Saudi source who says the ex-leader is in a “grave condition”.
Ben Ali fled to the Red Sea city of Jeddah after being ousted in a popular revolt last month.
We hebben om te starten ook al een reeks extra's toegevoegd aan uw blog, zodat u dit zelf niet meer hoeft te doen. Zo is er een archief, gastenboek, zoekfunctie, enz. toegevoegd geworden. U kan ze nu op uw blog zien langs de linker en rechter kant.
U kan dit zelf helemaal aanpassen. Surf naar http://www.bloggen.be/ en log vervolgens daar in met uw gebruikersnaam en wachtwoord. Klik vervolgens op 'personaliseer'. Daar kan u zien welke functies reeds toegevoegd zijn, ze van volgorde wijzigen, aanpassen, ze verwijderen en nog een hele reeks andere mogelijkheden toevoegen.
Om berichten toe te voegen, doet u dit als volgt. Surf naar http://www.bloggen.be/ en log vervolgens in met uw gebruikersnaam en wachtwoord. Druk vervolgens op 'Toevoegen'. U kan nu de titel en het bericht ingeven.
Om een bericht te verwijderen, zoals dit bericht (dit bericht hoeft hier niet op te blijven staan), klikt u in plaats van op 'Toevoegen' op 'Wijzigen'. Vervolgens klikt u op de knop 'Verwijderen' die achter dit bericht staat (achter de titel 'Proficiat!'). Nog even bevestigen dat u dit bericht wenst te verwijderen en het bericht is verwijderd. U kan dit op dezelfde manier in de toekomst berichten wijzigen of verwijderen.
Er zijn nog een hele reeks extra mogelijkheden en functionaliteiten die u kan gebruiken voor uw blog. Log in op http://www.bloggen.be/ en geef uw gebruikersnaam en wachtwoord op. Klik vervolgens op 'Instellingen'. Daar kan u een hele reeks zaken aanpassen, extra functies toevoegen, enz.
WAT IS CONCREET DE BEDOELING??
De bedoeling is dat u op regelmatige basis een bericht toevoegt op uw blog. U kan hierin zetten wat u zelf wenst.
- 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!
