Belgium - Lommel a town in mourning for its children

Published on Mar 14, 2012 by Euronews

http://www.euronews.com/ The Stekske primary school in Lommel, close to the Dutch border, lies further north than St. Lambertus in Heverlee. Now they share the bitter grief of losing pupils and staff in the crash.

The school in the town of around 35,000 remained open during the day. As at Heverlee psychologists and medical personnel were on hand to support and assist the bereaved. The Bishop of Hasselt, Monsignor Patrick Hoojmaertens was also present.

"I have seen many tears and confusion, so to speak. There have been questions, is it that our son, our daughter who is among them? One can't find any words, in moments like this one can only hope and pray. That is also how I feel," he said.

Twenty two 12-year-olds from Stekske's classrooms were aboard the coach. It is understood two of the teachers from the school were also killed in the crash as Kris Verduynkt, Deputy Mayor of Lommel explained. "Every accident is serious. It is so many kids in this one it's really terrible. Also two adults from the school, that is terrible too."

Towards the end of their holiday the pupils had been writing a blog, saying they were, "looking forward to getting home".

Syria - amateur video shows shelling of Idlib

Uploaded by telegraphtv on Mar 14, 2012

The latest amateur video from Syria purportedly shows shelling of the northern city of Idlib by government forces.

Goldman Sachs (NYSE:GS) Exec Resigns, Criticizes Company in New York Times Op-Ed Piece (GS)

Uploaded by FinancialNewsOnline on Mar 14, 2012

On Wednesday, Greg Smith of Goldman Sach's (NYSE:GS) resigned as executive director and a manager of its derivatives business in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

In a New York Times op-ed piece, Smith criticized Goldman writing, "People who care only about making money will not sustain this firm -- or the trust of its clients -- for very much longer."

Goldman Sachs Group (NYSE:GS) has potential upside of 4% based on a current price of $124.52 and an average consensus analyst price target of $129.5.

Maths used to predict celebrity marriages How long will the marriage of Prince William and Catherine Middleton last?

Published on Mar 14, 2012 by Euronews

http://www.euronews.com/ How long will the marriage of Prince William and Catherine Middleton last? - well until recently it was anybody's guess. But now there is a scientific formula which can predict the length of celebrity marriages.

Wills and Kate are on to a winner. The equation includes assessing the relative fame of husband and wife plus sexiness - the result, a growing list of doomed partnerships.

Ukraine - adopts no smoking ban ahead of Euro 2012

Published on Mar 14, 2012 by Euronews

http://www.euronews.com/ Ukraine is to join the growing list of countries banning smoking in public areas. Parliament voted to adopt legislation prohibiting it in places such as bars and restaurants as the former Soviet Republic prepares to host the Euro 2012 football championships. Until now eateries only had to have a smoke-free area on their premises.

Spain - Doctors a pioneering announce foetus surgery success

Published on Mar 14, 2012 by Euronews

http://www.euronews.com/ Spanish doctors have announced a pioneering surgical procedure which involved operating on a foetus while still in her mother's womb. Surgeons successfully unblocked a bronchial tube helping to correct a rare malformation, without which, the baby would not have survived.

Sixteen months later Alaitz is a happy and healthy toddler.

Alaska - 25 year old Dallas Seavey Is Youngest to Win Iditarod

Published on Mar 13, 2012 by AssociatedPress

Dallas Seavey won the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race on Tuesday evening, becoming the youngest musher to win the nearly 1,000-mile race across Alaska. (March 14)

Switzerland - Dozens of children die in a bus crash in tunnel of the Canton of Valais

Published on Mar 13, 2012 by Euronews

http://www.euronews.com/ A bus carrying Belgium tourists has crashed inside a motorway tunnel in Switzerland killing at least 28 people, 22 of them children. Dozens more have been injured.

Fifty-two passengers were on board the vehicle when it bounced off the tunnel wall in the Canton of Valais near the Italian border. The bus was heading back to Belgium from a ski resort.