Syria - French journalists evacuated from city of Homs to Lebanon

Published on Mar 2, 2012 by Euronews

http://www.euronews.net/ Two French journalists have arrived in Lebanon after being smuggled out of the besieged Syrian city of Homs.

Taken to hospital in Beirut, photographer William Daniels and freelance reporter Edith Bouvier are set to be repatriated to France if doctors agree.

Bouvier suffered a serious leg injury during government forces' bombardment of Homs last month. French President Nicolas Sarkozy had already announced her escape from Syria once, only to discover the reports were false. This time there was no mistake.

"Having spoken to Edith Bouvier and knowing precisely where she is, I can confirm that it is official," Sarkozy told reporters in Brussels, where he was attending a European summit. He added that she and Daniels were safe.

Video footage on the Internet appeared to show the burial of US journalist Marie Colvin and French photojournalist Remi Ochlik in Homs, where they were killed in shelling.

But Syrian authorities, whose assault has pushed rebels out of their positions in the city, say they have found the two reporters' remains. These would be DNA tested, state media said, and handed over to foreign embassies in Damascus.

Europe - euronews U talk: Is austerity the best policy?

Published on Mar 2, 2012 by Euronews

http://www.euronews.net/ Martin from Brussels put this question to Marc Touati, economist and author of the book, "When the eurozone will explode": "Are austerity policies a real necessity, do they have a real use in the EU since they seem to contradict the liberal principles of growth and consumption. Are they really useful at this time?"

Marc Touati: "You're absolutely right. Austerity does not make economic sense. Besides the problem is that we often confuse austerity and fiscal consolidation. What we need today, whether in France or in most European countries, is to actually lower public expenditure that does not create growth, such as operating expenditures which in France have been rising by 10 billion euros a year for the last 10 years.

'But if on the other hand, if we raise taxes, well you're right, this tax increase will break what growth we have left. And if there is no growth, there is more unemployment, more deficits and therefore the debt will last longer. So the austerity will break not only growth, but in addition, it will aggravate the public debt crisis. Therefore, it is obviously not the right solution.

'What to do today is obviously to lower some public spending, but at the same time, we must add let's say "jam" to take the pill, that is to say restore stronger growth and how can we do this? Here are some ways.

'First, have interest rates even lower, particularly at the European Central Bank, then have a weaker euro, and finally, generate a recovery policy across the euro area funded by the so-called Euro-bonds, that means European bonds in the euro area and not only country by country."

'As long as we don't do that, unfortunately it's very sad to say, but the crisis will continue and obviously the austerity policy will be counterproductive. To put it simply, it is useless to die cured and that's what we are trying to impose on Greece today, but tomorrow in Portugal or Spain or Italy or even France.

'So obviously, it is essential to get out of this first dogmatism - the austerity policy - and restore growth, which is the only way to overcome the crisis of public debt."

If you want to ask a question go to euronews.com/u-talk

Europe - Leaders sign EU fiscal treaty

Published on Mar 2, 2012 by Euronews

http://www.euronews.net/ European Union leaders have signed a new treaty for stricter budget discipline across the bloc.

Driven by France and Germany, it was approved in January by 25 of the EU's 27 members. Britain and the Czech Republic have opted not to join the deal.

Representatives of the other states put pen to paper on the so-called Fiscal Compact at an EU summit in Brussels.

It calls on signatories to introduce a balanced budget rule into national legislation to avoid a re-run of the eurozone's debt crisis. Countries breaching deficit limits face semi-automatic sanctions.

Ireland is to hold a referendum on the treaty.

USA - ABC World News Now: Webcast: FBI Cyber Security; Wilt Chamberlain

Uploaded by ABCNews on Mar 2, 2012

today's top stories: including a 50-year anniversary for late basketball superstar Wilt Chamberlain's 100 point game.