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More protests in Bahrain
There have been more clashes between police and protesters in Bahrain. Hundreds of people camped out overnight in the Gulf state’s capital, Manama, to press their demands for political reform. Two protesters and one police officer have already died in the unrest, which has gathered momentum since Monday. The King of Bahrain made a rare televised speech during which he apologised for the deaths. Bahrain is a close partner of the US and is home to the American Navy’s Fifth Fleet. The funeral will be held today of a man killed by police yesterday. He died when police clashed with protesters at the funeral of another demonstrator killed on Monday. Thousands of people from Bahrain’s majority Shi’ite community have been inspired by the uprisings in Tunisia and Egypt. They claim the governing Sunni minority shuts them out of housing, healthcare and employment. Copyright © 2011 euronews

Merkel’s CDU routed in Hamburg state election
Germany’s ruling Christian Democrats have suffered a worse than expected defeat in a crucial regional election in the northern city-state of Hamburg. Exit polls show the CDU capturing just 20 percent of the vote, a massive drop of 22 percent points and the biggest reversal in the party’s history between elections. If confirmed, the result will make life more difficult for Angela Merkel’s coalition at a national level as it will lose control of the parliament’s upper house. The leader of Hamburg’s Social Democrat party, Olaf Scholz, now looks set to secure an outright majority. In contrast, Merkel’s Christian Democrat ally, Christoph Ahlhous, 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 SPD riding high in polls nationwide. Copyright © 2011 euronews

Ariane mission passes weight-and-date milestone
The 200th Ariane space mission is set to blast off from a base in French Guyana later. As well as being an anniversary flight, it will also be carrying the heaviest cargo ever sent into orbit by the European project. The Automated Transfer Vehicle will carry supplies to the International Space Station. An hour after launch and 260 kilometres up in space, the ATV2 will separate from its rocket booster and embark on an orbit at 7.6 kilometres a second. It will still take it eight days to reach the International Space Station. The remote link-up involves fitting the ATV2 into a 10 cm wide port on the ISS at a speed of 28,000 kilometres an hour. Copyright © 2011 euronews

Merkel insists migrants must learn German
Chancellor Angela Merkel is remaining steadfast to her opinion that Turkish immigrants living in Germany must learn the language of their adopted land. Opening an international technology expo in Hanover Merkel forced home the point, knowing that her Turkish counterpart was attending the same event. “The integration of Turkish-origin migrants in Germany has a very special meaning for us. I will talk to Turkey’s prime minister over what progress has been made and which problems remain to be solve. To me, the focus here is to learn the German language,” said Angela Merkel. Turkey’s prime minister took the row further, questioning why despite a close relationship between their countries, Turks still needed travel visas. “Turkey has a customs arrangement with the European Union. Turkey is in negotiations with the EU for full membership and still Turkey has to bear the burden of visas,” said Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Around three million Turks live in Germany. Erdogan said that they should be allowed to safeguard their cultural origins. Copyright © 2011 euronews

Berlinale: Cinema for Peace
The Cinema for Peace charity gala is one of the highlights of the Berlin Film Festival, attracting film-makers, artists, politicians and celebrities from around the world. Copyright © 2011 euronews

Gaddafi faces crimes against humanity probe
Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi is facing investigation for alleged crimes against humanity, along with members of his family and inner circle. The announcement came from the International Criminal Court’s Chief prosecutor, Luis Moreno Ocampo. “We have identified some individuals with de facto or former authority who have authority, authority on the security forces who allegedly committed the crimes. They are Muammar al-Gaddafi, his inner circle, including some of his sons, who had de facto authority,” Ocampo told a press conference. Ocampo also warned that anti-Gaddafi protesters would also be held accountable for any criminal activity they committed. “Some opposition groups have also weapons. I would like to be clear: if opposition groups commit crimes their leader will also be investigated,” Ocampo added. This is the first time the court will investigate crimes as they are occurring. The swift response has been attributed to input from social media. Ocampo plans to finish his investigation within weeks. A judge’s decision is expected after several months. Copyright © 2011 euronews

Demonstration in Bahrain
Video sent on February 23 by Ali Sharaf Copyright © 2011 euronews

Clashes
Euronews spoke to Egyptian journalist, Madeha Emara, who has been in contact with her sources on the ground in Libya. “The situation is dangerous, she said. “My sources say they are witnessing state sponsored executions. Our sources also tell us that mercenaries from Chad and the Democratic Republic of Congo have been carrying out the killings and firing into the crowds. They also say protesters have been shot at from helicopters. The city of Benghazi is surrounded and they need medical supplies. Scores of people have been wounded and a large number have been killed in cities like Benghazi, Al Beida and Tripoli.” Copyright © 2011 euronews

Missiles rain down on Libya
The night sky over the Mediterranean coast of Libya lit up on Saturday night as operation Odyssey Dawn got into gear. 110 cruise missiles were fired as part of the military response from the USA, Britain and other European nations. TO READ – Libya: a timeline of international diplomacy Air strikes also took place, with the French firing the first missiles around Benghazi in the east. In Tripoli some people took to the streets amidst heavy anti-aircraft fire A Pentagon military spokesman gave details of the intentions of the exercise and the intended targets. He said the initial aim was firstly to impair Gaddafi’s military capability in the east, particularly around Benghazi, with the French playing the major role. U.S and British missiles had been aimed at destroying Libya’s air capability, by targeting around 20 radar and anti-aircraft sites. Meanwhile British fighter jets had targeted strategic sites around the capital Tripoli. The attacks are aimed at enforcing the UN Security Council’s no-fly zone mandate, and are the most significant international military effort since the invasion of Iraq. US President Obama said the use of force had not been his first choice, and again said he will not send ground forces. Colonel Gaddafi said the strikes are unjustified, calling the action “colonial aggression”. Copyright © 2011 euronews

Asian workers join the exodus from Libya
Hundreds of refugees – a mixture of Indian and Bangladeshi labourers who up until now have been working in Libya have arrived in a field in Tunisia that has been turned into a refugee camp. The tents, which have been provided by the UN, have been set up by the Tunisian army. It is a safe respite for many frightened people. Read our news file One relieved refugee said: “There was no food there… if we went to the shops they wouldn’t sell us anything. They said this is for Libyans not for you.” The men had to wait their turn to be allocated a tent able to accommodate around ten people. For most it was a chance at last to sleep under the protection of a roof – albeit a canvass one. This camp like so many others will receive another wave of refugees in the next few hours – it seems never-ending. Around one million Egyptians and tens of thousands of Asian workers are all fleeing the unrest in Libya. Copyright © 2011 euronews