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Microsoft gives free access to Kinect hackers
In the beginning, Microsoft’s Kinect sensor was simply meant to track body movement for video games. But since its the release, computer geeks around the world have been quick to find many more ways to use the device, ranging from designing on-screen invisibility suits to sign-language readers. Copyright © 2011 euronews

Italy releases aid to stop Tunisian exodus
Italy has released five million euros in emergency aid along with extensive credit facilities to help Tunisia’s turmoil-battered economy. The move has been triggered by Rome’s alarm at the mass exodus of thousands of Tunisian migrants turning up on a Sicilian island hoping to make it to mainland Italy and future employment. Italy’s Interior Minister Roberto Maroni is demanding the European Commission help with the costs of the crisis. “I have asked, and I think it is fundamental, that Europe – at its top levels – meaning heads of state and government – defines a strategy, takes the initiative and starts a strong diplomatic action towards all the countries that are touched by these phenomena.” EU Foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton said on a visit to Tunis that a trade deal between Tunisia and the bloc should be agreed within months. It is hoped these efforts will stimulate the country’s economy, creating jobs and lessening the need for migrants to try for Europe. Over 5,000 illegal migrants have made it to the island of Lampedusa in just a week and that is set to quadruple according to some accounts. Italy has described it as a humanitarian emergency. With unrest spreading in the region more illegal migrants are likely to attempt to enter Europe via its Mediterranean border. Copyright © 2011 euronews

Libya: euronews reports from Brega
Although rebels are still in control of Brega, the situation in the town remains tense. Euronews has been hearing from journalist Francesca Cicardi, who is in Brega. She says: ‘‘The rebels in Brega are optimistic and confident after having fought off the forces of Gaddafi yesterday. They’re prepared to repel more attacks today. The rebels are not scared, they’re ready, they’re well-armed, and patrolling the streets of the city. Other men have joined them, mostly from Adjabiya which is the nearest city situated less than a hundred kilometres away, but also from Benghazi some 250 kilometres away. Like a young man who we spoke to this morning, who told us that he arrived yesterday from Banghazi to take part in the battle. This young man is an engineer who’s never fought before but in spite of that he said he’s ready to fight even if he only fired a gun for the first time two days ago.’‘ Copyright © 2011 euronews

Libyan military defections mount
There is mounting evidence that a growing number of Libyan military personnel are defecting and joining the opposition against Colonel Gaddafi. At the nation’s biggest navy base in opposition- controlled Benghazi, officers have declared a ‘free Libya.’ In the western city of Zawiya, amateur film shows soldiers being carried by protesters. “One Libya, one people” they chanted. Opposition sources say the military units defecting to them are well-armed, well-disciplined and well- organised. It remains unclear how much of the military is still under Gaddafi’s control, and how many soldiers have joined the demonstrators. Copyright © 2011 euronews

How NATO’s pipes keep airlines in the sky
Thousands of passengers pass through European airports every day without knowing that their journeys would not have been possible without a little military intervention. That is because their planes have been filled up with fuel carried by a vast network of NATO oil re-supply pipelines. Copyright © 2011 euronews

Revolution fever throughout the Middle East
For years they had kept silent. But over the past few weeks they could not hold back. They put decades of fear to one side and took over the streets, telling their leaders: ‘The game is up. We don’t want you any more.’ From north Africa and the Middle East to the Persian Gulf, popular uprisings have been rattling long running dictatorships. TUNISIA: The first domino to tumble was Tunisia, ruled by Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali for 23 years. Population: 10 million, nearly half of whom are younger than 25. Unemployed: 13.3%. Tunisians celebrated their victory on 14th January. Ben Ali left the country. Their bet had paid off. Ben Ali’s fate was sealed when the Tunisian army had refused to fire on its own people. EGYPT: The message was received loud and clear in Egypt. Ruled by Hosni Mubarak for nearly 30 years, young people make up more than half of the 85 million inhabitants. Jobless rate: 9%. Anti-government protesters held Tahrir Square for 18 days despite attacks by pro-Mubarak partisans. They ignored the curfew and once again the army stood back instead of imposing it. The crowds proved even stronger than Mubarak’s legendary stubbornness. On the 11th of February he cracked, and protesters celebrated through the night. ALGERIA: The Tunisian disturbances started alongside unrest in neighbouring Algeria – 35.5 million inhabitants, more than 10 percent jobless, and fury about the high cost of basic food and lack of decent housing. Algiers began to rumble to the sound of revolution, despite the fear and the police barricades. A small group managed to demand publicly the removal of President Bouteflika. LIBYA: Even Libya has been touched by revolution fever. Run by the iron fist of Muammar Gadhaffi since 1969, half of its 6.5 million inhabitants are under 25. The unemployment rate is not known. Even Libya’s tight media control has not managed to prevent young activists posting these images on the internet showing demonstrators demanding the release of a human rights campaigner. Protests are rare in Libya, which has rich oil reserves. JORDAN: Jordan has been ruled by King Abdullah II since 1999. He has 6.5 million subjects more than half of whom are young. Officially, there is 12.3 per cent unemployment. Here too the grassroots dissent is springing from the high cost of living, but there is also a push for democratic reforms. The King has already replaced the prime minister. YEMEN: Ali Abdullah Saleh has held sway in Yemen since 1978. It is a country of more than 24 million inhabitants – 65 percent of them below the age of 25. The unemployment rate is not known. There is little ambiguity about what Yemenis are calling for. They want Ali Abdullah Saleh and his family out, and in an echo of Egypt’s revolt, opponents are not willing to accept his promise that he will stand down in 2013. BAHRAIN: Bahrain is a tiny kingdom run as an absolute monarchy by the Al Khalifa royal family. A large part of the million or so inhabitants are young – the jobless rate is not known. Most of Bahrain’s cabinet are members of the royal family. Spurred on by events in Tunisia and Egypt, the wave of unrest hit the heart of the Persian Gulf. IRAN: There have been similar scenes too in Iran where Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has been in power since 2005. Two thirds of the 75 million population are under 35 years old – and unemployment is running at more than 14 percent. It is a reprise of the events of two years ago when protests against the regime in Tehran were put down with violence. Copyright © 2011 euronews

Karzai names first phase of security transition
Afghanistan’s president, Hamid Karzai, has named seven areas which will be handed to Afghan forces from NATO troops. The announcement was the first step in a process that will see all foreign soldiers leave Afghanistan by 2014. Speaking at a graduation ceremony for Afghan military officers in Kabul, Karzai said: “The government and people should start this year by realizing that the reality is that defending our the soil is our own responsibility.” For the most part, the provinces being passed to Afghan control are relatively peaceful, however, Karzai did name Lashkar Gah in the group of seven, the capital of the volatile Helmand province. The handover is being seen as a crucial test for Afghanistan’s forces as the West tries to extract itself from the country. Copyright © 2011 euronews

Italian government partners stand by Berlusconi
Is the party over for Silvio Berlusconi? Several commentators in today’s newspapers believe early elections are inevitable after the Italian prime minister’s indictment for alleged sex offences and abuse of power. One wrote that Berlusconi was “worn down and gasping for breath”. But most expect him to fight on as he has done in the past. The Northern League, partners in the centre-right government, have their own reasons for not wanting the government to be toppled. “The judicial fury against the prime minister is evident to all. But if some judges think that this will also weaken the government’s business, they’re completely wrong,” said the League’s leader in the Senate, Federico Bricolo. The trial in Milan is due to begin in April. The judges who will hear the case are all women. Prosecutors say there is ample evidence that Berlusconi paid a Moroccan dancer for sex when she was under 18, and intervened with police to get her freed from custody. He denies the allegations. He still has his backers: “I judge him as a politician who’s made a big contribution, and will continue to do so for the good of Italy”, said one man in Rome. “They only talk about this … enough is enough. They’re not talking about politics anymore. They’re talking just about him…that’s all,” complained another. One opinion poll this week suggests that almost 50 percemt of Italians believe the accusations are true. As satirists have a field day, a well-known Italian band has adapted Shakira’s song “Waka Waka”, changing the title to “Bunga Bunga”… Berlusconi’s own term for his infamous parties. Copyright © 2011 euronews

Exhibition highlights dark side of Nazi Olympics
Most people know about the 1936 Summer Olympics in Munich when Hitler had to shake Jessie Owen’s hand after he beat the master race over 100 metres. How many know the Bavarian ski resort Garmisch-Partenkirchen also hosted that year’s Winter games, and was then offered the following Winter Olympics due for 1940? An exhibition in Garmisch-Partenkirchen entitled ‘The Flip Side of the Medal’ attempts to illustrate the influence Hitler’s regime exerted on the event. It also underlines how the International Olympic Committee chose to ignore the events of 1938 when the following year it awarded Garmisch-Partenkirchen its second games in a row. See the story in this edition of Le Mag. Copyright © 2011 euronews

EU fears immigration through Libya
The turmoil in Arab countries finds the European Union states struggling to find common positions. Meeting in Brussels, the 27 foreign ministers have been considering the possibility of mass uncontrolled migration from the troubled region. Britain’s William Hague spoke specifically about action by the authorities in Tripoli: “We want to see proper protection for foreign nationals in Libya and in particular assistance for them as they are trying to leave the country.” Libya has threatened to suspend cooperation with Europe in fighting illegal immigrant departures from its territory. Italy is in the front line of the receiving end. Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini said: “I’m extremely concerned about the self proclamation of these so-called Islamic Emirate of Benghazi. Would you imagine to have an Islamic Arab Emirate at the borders of Europe? This would be a very serious threat.” European Union foreign policy high representative Catherine Ashton is scheduled to visit Egypt on Tuesday, the day after Prime Minister David Cameron did so, becoming the first leader to got to Egypt since Hosni Mubarak was forced out as president. Copyright © 2011 euronews

Ben Ali’s corruption culture
Many Tunisians would like to see the former occupants of the presidential palace return to stand trial on corruption charges. The Ben Ali family robbed Tunisia of billions of euros through illegal transactions. Copyright © 2011 euronews

Two killed in Omani anti-government protests
At least two people are reported to have been killed in anti-government protests in Oman. It is alleged police fired rubber bullets at stone-throwing demonstrators; some of whom set fire to government buildings and cars. Witnesses say more than 2,000 people gathered for a second day in the industrial town of Sohar, on the Gulf Arab sultanate’s northern coast. Protests also took place in the southern town of Salalah where a small number of demonstrators have camped out since Friday near the office of a provincial governor. Political parties are banned in Oman, which has been ruled for four decades by Sultan Qaboos bin Said. Copyright © 2011 euronews

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. Copyright © 2011 euronews

Water dumping restarts on Fukushima Reactor 3
Army helicopters have once more been dumping sea water on the stricken Fukushima nuclear plant in north-eastern Japan. They are concentrating on Reactor Number 3, trying desperately to bring down the temperature. Japanese television broadcast some pictures shot from 35 kilometres away. The helicopters are taking off from a military base in Sendai. For days, people here and at the site itself have been working tirelessly to avert an environmental catastrophe. The plant’s operators said they were close to finishing a new power line to the plant. This would allow them to re-start the generators, meaning the temperature and pressure in the reactors could be brought under control. Copyright © 2011 euronews

Portuguese beats get youths on the streets
In Portugal, music is once again inspiring the country’s youth to take to the streets. A satirical group called The Fighting Man has won the Portuguese vote for the Eurovision Song Contest, with the song Fighting Is A Joy. Copyright © 2011 euronews

Ivory Coast may cause region-wide crisis
As the world’s attention is focused elsewhere, the power struggle in Ivory Coast has escalated and now threatens a region-wide humanitarian crisis. Laurent Gbagbo remains the de facto leader of Ivory Coast despite finishing second in the November 28 presidential elections. He contests that result and has called on the country’s youth to join him in taking up arms. Thousands of supporters answered his call. His rival, Alassane Ouattara, is recognised by the international community as the rightful winner of the election and legitimate president of Ivory Coast. He is backed by rebel forces, whom he has adopted as his army. According to the United Nations, at least 435 people have been killed and as many as 450,000 have fled their homes since the political crisis began. Human rights groups claim atrocities have been committed by both sides. Liberian President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, whose country is hosting some 90,000 Ivorian refugees, said that Ivory Coast is already “at war” and that the tensions will further destabilise a region that has struggled with bloody conflict for many years. “It’s a serious threat to the stability of Liberia, and I might say to the stability of all neighbouring countries,” says, adding that “the crisis in Ivory Coast slipped off the radar,” given the focus on recent events in Japan, Libya and the wider Arab world. Ouattara last week recognised the 2002-2003 rebels as his military and renamed them the Ivory Coast Republican Forces (FRCI). The FRCI has captured a fourth town in the west this week, Reuters reported. But major clashes have also been reported in the capital Abidjan. The rebels have controlled the north of the country since the end of the civil war, although that conflict appears to have restarted. There are real fears that an Ivory Coast at war will destabilise the whole West Africa region. The International Monetary Fund has warned of “serious risks” for the region. Ivory Coast is the world??�s no.1 cocoa grower. The crisis means exports have stopped, mainly as a result of European Union sanctions. The fate of almost 200,000 tonnes of mid-crop beans that is still on tress remains unknown. As economic conditions become bleaker, the ground becomes ever more ripe for conflict. By Ali SheikholeslamiLondon Correspondentali.sheikholeslami@euronews.net Copyright © 2011 euronews

Police and protestors clash again in Yemen
Protestors have once again clashed with police in the capital of Yemen. Hundreds of anti-government demonstrators marched through Sanaa demanding that President Ali Abdullah Saleh step down. Police wielding batons blocked the road leading to the Presidential Palace. Witnesses say several people were hurt. The protests have gathered momentum in the wake of events in Egypt. Yemen is the poorest country in the Arab world. It has caught the attention of the West having also become a regional base for al Qaeda militants. Copyright © 2011 euronews

Rebels seize control of Libyan oil terminals
At least two major oil terminals in Libya have fallen into rebel hands, according to unconfirmed reports coming from the eastern city of Benghazi. It is thought that the anti-Gaddafi forces seized the ports on Thursday, although it is unclear if production at the terminals has been badly affected. The violence in Libya is estimated to have cut the country’s oil output dramatically, much of it going to Europe, most notably Italy. Paolo Scaroni, the head of Italian energy giant ENI, said : ‘‘We have on-shore fields, notably Huafa in the west of Libya which is operating regularly – we still have 34 expatriates there. Obviously, it’s an emergency situation, but things are continuing.’‘ Large swathes of Libya, notably the oil rich east of the country, now appear to be under rebel control. The unrest in the world’s 12th biggest exporter has raised fears global supply could be affected, sending oil prices rocketing to their highest level since 2008. Copyright © 2011 euronews

“Milad-ul-Nabi” celebrations in India
A boy poses on a motorbike during a religious procession to mark Milad-ul-Nabi, or birthday celebrations of Prophet Mohammad, in the old quarters of Delhi, in India. REUTERS/Adnan Abidi Copyright © 2011 euronews

Anti-Gaddafi demonstrations held outside Libya
The demonstrations demanding a change of rule in Libya have not just taken place inside the country. In Geneva, hundreds of Libyan expats gathered in front of the UN’s headquarters in the city. ‘Gaddafi it is your turn and we will not do a U-turn’, was just one of message written in French to the man who has ruled Libya for more than 40 years. In Washington a similar rally was held in front of the White House. Some protesters believe once they can get rid of Gaddafi, a more democratic government would fill the void. Demonstrator Abdelmalik Issa said:’‘One step at a time. Right now we just want to topple this regime that’s been sitting on our necks for 42 years. And after that, we’ll figure something. There’s enough intellect and experience you know for people to take over.’‘ The White House has condemned the violence in Libya and urged restraint. Many of the demonstrators, however, have called on the Obama administration to do more and acknowledge the need for Gaddafi to step down. Copyright © 2011 euronews