Back to school for Libyan children in Benghazi
The Almajd school in the rebel-controlled eastern city of Benghazi is a chance for Libyan children to take part in the normal activity of going to school in the midst of unusual circumstances. Despite the continued fighting, the teachers want the kids to have some sort of routine. Najwa Alharat, a teacher at the school says its important for Benghazi’s image as well: “We get them to come here to show the world that the Libyan people will never be defeated and so the children don’t spend all their time sitting at home.” Schools and universities have been shut in the rebel-held east since the uprising began. UN children’s organisation UNICEF is sponsoring this centre, which is both for learning and entertainment. It is an opportunity for the children to express how they are feeling through art says student, Khadeeja Bint Gasi: “This is a drawing of the evacuees who are scared of the army brigades and shelling from Gaddafi. They’ve been trying to protect themselves and escape to the border.” Erasing traces that it used to be a state-run school, this is one of many that is opening for a few hours a day, providing relief for kids experiencing a conflict that does not look like it will end soon. Copyright © 2011 euronews
‘Iranian Berlinale’ comes to a close
As the Berlin Film Festival came to an end, its most enduring image remained an empty chair. It symbolised the absence of jury member Jafar Panahi, one of Iran’s leading directors, imprisoned for making films critical of his government. Copyright © 2011 euronews
State of Emergency declared in Christchurch
From the air, the extent of the damage to Christchurch and the surrounding area is all too clear to see. The few high-rise buildings in the city have all either come down or are damaged, and many roads have been cut by fissures or gouged out by landslides. Some places have been isolated and are awaiting assistance that will have to be flown in. Ambulances are reportedly struggling to cope with demand, and hospitals are at full stretch dealing with the injured. People have been asked not to use their mobile phones as many people trapped in buildings are using them to direct rescuers towards them, and the network is dangerously close to overload. Copyright © 2011 euronews
NATO deny Gaddafi assassination attempt
The Libyan government has accused NATO of deliberately targeting Colonel Muammar Gaddafi after the alliance launched a number of night strikes in the capital Tripoli. NATO war planes conducted several bombing runs on government buildings. Libyan officials escorted journalists to the offices of the country’s High Commission for Children, which suffered extensive damage. A hospital was also partially hit after a nearby telecommunications tower was felled by a missile. NATO has denied any moves to kill Gaddafi. Brigadier General Claudio Gabellini gave the media details of the night’s mission: “NATO is not targeting individuals. No individual is a target for NATO. We only look after command and control centres. The target is to stop Mr Gaddafi ordering his troops to slaughter civilians and block humanitarian aid from coming into the country.So we are not interested in individuals, in Mr Gaddafi’s life.” The raids came as Western powers planned their next move as the conflict to oust the Libyan leader appears to have reached stalemate. Copyright © 2011 euronews
Belarus jails first of December protesters
In a fast-tracked one-day trial a Belarus court has sentenced an opposition activist to four years in a top-security jail for his part in an anti-government rally last December. Vasily Parfenkov is the first to be tried of a group of about 30 people arrested in a police crackdown, accused of taking part in mass disorder and an attack on a government building. Copyright © 2011 euronews
Discovery’s final flight good to go
Good weather is forecast for the final flight of space shuttle Discovery and everything appears good to go for later today. The Kennedy Space Centre said Discovery’s countdown was proceeding without a hitch. It is Discovery’s last mission, the orbiter’s 39th out of a total of 133 shuttle flights. Copyright © 2011 euronews