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Still a long way from business as usual in Japan
With more than one week having passed since Japan’s devastating earthquake and tsunami the country’s carmakers and technology firms have been struggling to resume production. In addition, a lack of parts from their factories is causing concerns about the supply chain to plants worldwide. Renault, General Motors and Samsung have already had to reduce production due to potential parts shortages. Even those companies not been directly effected by the disaster are having trouble with logistics and shipping. Apple’s iPad tablet computer is assembled in China, but uses memory chips, batteries and screens that are made in Japan by hard-hit firms like Toshiba. Meanwhile there was a much-needed boost to Japan’s battered businesses from billionaire investor Warren Buffett. Speaking during a visit to a South Korean factory run by a company that is owned by one of his funds, Buffet said he would not be selling Japanese shares right now. He told reporters: “Frequently something out of the blue like this, an extraordinary event, really creates a buying opportunity. I’ve seen that happen in the United States, I’ve seen that happen around the world, and I don’t think Japan will be an exception.” He added: “It will take some time to rebuild. But it will not change the economic future of Japan.” Copyright © 2011 euronews

Bahrain
Video from the 20th February Copyright © 2011 euronews

Libya: fighting continues in key towns
There has been more fierce fighting in Libya between pro-government forces and fighters who want Muammar Gaddafi out. Internet images appeared to show the destruction of a symbol of Gaddafi’s rule – the ‘Green Book.’ Read our news file In the key city of Misrata, loyalist forces were reported to have made repeated attacks on the rebels. Witnesses said the battles are centred on the military airbase, and also claimed a government aircraft had been shot down. Witnesses have also reported government counter-attacks against rebel forces in Zawiyah, home to oil refining, as well as demonstrations in the capital Tripoli itself. The defiant rhetoric of the leader’s son was matched with action worldwide. The UN Security Council imposed sanctions on the Gaddafi family and the Pentagon moved the US Sixth Fleet closer to provide, it said ‘options and flexibility.’ In Tripoli, the government started handing out cash – the equivalent of 300 euros to each family – Gaddafi’s latest measure to put down the revolt. The event was shown on state TV. One recipient said: ‘We thank the leader of the revolution (Muammar Gaddafi) for this gift to the Libyan people. God bless him. And don’t listen to the Arabic satellite news channels.’ There is still support for Gaddafi. But it is in stark contrast to the growing calls from world leaders for him to stand down soon. Copyright © 2011 euronews

EU triples aid for refugees fleeing Libya
The EU has announced a trebling of aid for refugees fleeing Libya to 10 million euros. The extra cash follows a UN call for an international response to the deteriorating humanitarian situation on the Libyan-Tunisian border. European Commission President Jose Manuel Borroso made it clear he wants Gaddafi’s crumbling regime to go: “We must do everything so that the current regime leaves the country and stops its actions against the Libyan people.” The EU plans a crisis summit next week to discuss the border situation and the chaos within Libya itself. Kristalina Georgieva, the European Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid, said: “In the Benghazi area, we have humanitarian teams already on the ground, and they report that there is a need for medical assistance. Because the Libyan health system had foreigners at its heart and they have left, leaving behind a huge void, which has to be filled.” Brussels has also made 25 million euros available to help process asylum seekers and boost border checks at EU frontiers. Copyright © 2011 euronews

Bahrainis flock to protest funerals
Thousands of Bahrainis have joined funeral processions for three people killed in a government crackdown on protesters. Bahrain’s security forces moved in on anti-government protesters in the early hours of Thursday morning. Three deaths have been confirmed and it is known that more than 230 people were injured. Dozens more were detained. Police cleared Pearl Square in the capital Manama where demonstrators had been camping out to call on their Sunni leaders to grant them greater rights and freedoms. Bahrain has been ruled by a Sunni minority since the 18th century. 70 percent of its population are Shias. State television showed images of knives and firearms which authorities claim were found in tents belonging to the protesters. Eyewitnesses say police shot pellets, rubber bullets and tear gas to force them out of the square. Bahrain’s top Shia cleric has called the police attack a “massacre” and said that the government has shut the door to dialogue. Foreign Minister Sheikh Khaled bin Ahmed al-Khalifa has rejected that account, saying police “took every care possible.” He added the action was necessary to pull the country back from “the brink of a sectarian abyss.” Bahrain’s main opposition Shia bloc has said it was quitting parliament for good in protest at the security forces’ actions. Copyright © 2011 euronews