Deaths reported in fresh protests in Iraq
There have been further anti-government demonstrations in Iraq, including in the northern semi-autonomous Kurdish region. Two people are reported to have been killed and at least 50 injured in the city of Sulaimaniya. The demonstrators have been calling for better living conditions and public services. Protesters have also taken to the streets of the northern city of Kirkuk and the southern city of Kut. Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki has urged the demonstrators to keep their rallies peaceful. Copyright © 2011 euronews

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Educating tomorrow’s scientists
Science, with all its facts and figures, can be a tough subject to learn and just does not appeal to some. But it can be a lot of fun, and that is the main message of the Science Academy Festival in Paris. It encourages young learners to open their eyes and see the wonders of the world behind the dull textbooks and dry statistics. It also aims to challenge the traditional, negative view of making mistakes. Livio Riboli-Sasco, Founder and spokesperson of Paris Montagne Association explained: “The idea isn’t simply to say that science is a life opportunity for young people. It’s a way of exploring a scientific approach, of adopting an attitude of questioning things as people do in society.” Research scientist Fran?�ois Tadd?�i said: “Science is usually taught at school by telling pupils “look these are the facts, now learn them by heart” —how an aeroplane works, how a computer works. But science is also about research, exploring byways and backroads without really knowing where you are. By developing ideas, exploring them, you might trip up and make mistakes, but you learn through these mistakes, you improve and progressively develop new things.” Reality TV might not seem the most fertile ground for scientific inspiration but one popular show in Qatar is taking the format in an entirely new direction. ‘Stars of Science’ throws together young people from across the Arab world in a fun-filled but challenging environment. We took at how inspiration meets entertainment in Doha. In each series, 16 young students compete to produce the best scientific invention. It is a challenge both for the students and for the final jury. The top four prizes total 600,000 US dollars. During the show students work with professors and use the facilities at Qatar’s Science and Technology Park, which is also a start-up incubator. The park is run by Qatar Foundation. The country is obviously investing in its educational institutions as well as its students, although in some other Arab countries there is still work to be done. In South Africa the founders of the ‘Next Einstein initiative’ at the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences certainly hope so. Centres of excellence are springing up across Africa, giving new opportunities to tomorrow’s scientists and mathematicians. On the Cape Peninsula, the absolute southern tip of Africa, some of the Continent’s brightest young minds are at work. The African Institute for Mathematical Sciences is an oasis of maths and science for Africa??�s young people. Out of 500 applicants from all over Africa, only 50 students are selected for this programme. They all have a degree in physics, mathematics, engineering or computer sciences. At the Institute they are taught by lecturers from all over the world – and are aiming for the heights of intellectual achievement. Students here have research tools which are not always available at African Universities. The institution also provides networking opportunities, which opens many doors for graduates. Copyright © 2011 euronews

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European markets at close: 22.02.11
A roundup of the days markets data from euronews.net, brought to you as video on demand. Copyright © 2011 euronews

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Bahrain: causes of unrest
In Bahrain, the majority of the people are Shia Muslims but the country’s rulers are Sunni Muslims, who are frequently accused of attempting to change the demographics by encouraging Sunni Muslim immigrants to take Bahrain nationality. Discontent has been bubbling under the surface for many years. Shia leaders have long been agitating for changes: a new constitution, the release of all political prisoners, an enquiry into torture allegations, freedom of speech and an independent justice system. These demands are the result of the stalled political reforms launched 10 years ago with the aim of calming tensions. Last October’s parliamentary elections were won by the Shi’ite party Wefaq, but this made little difference as parliamentary decisions have to be ratified by an appointed upper house. Abdallah Eid, a Bahraini Shi’ite, said: “There haven’t been any substantial changes for the people. Over the last eight years we won a few little achievements in parliament. We can’t make any real decisions, but we still support the process.” The legislative system is effectively controlled by an upper house which is appointed by the Sunni King Khalifa and which can block parliamentary decisions. Bahrain has 1.3 million inhabitants, half of whom are expatriates, and half of whom are under 30 years old. The Kingdom produces a very small amount of oil and gas. The revenues are insufficient to make up the public deficit without raising taxes. Bahrain is an island in the Persian Gulf, off the coast of Saudi Arabia. It is home to the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet, which secures the area’s massive oil industry. Together with Saudi Arabia, Bahrain is seen by the West as something of a bulwark in the region, an important stablising influence in the face of Shi’ite-controlled Iran. Copyright © 2011 euronews

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