captioned by the national captioning institute --www.ncicap.org-- >> welcome to "the journal. " the nobel peace prize goes to three women from liberia and yemen. >> ratings agencies strike again, downgrading spanish and italian debt. >> stepping up the attack, fighters in libya go all out to

take a gaddafi stronghold. they say that all good things come in threes. three women have been awarded the 2011 nobel prize for peace. the liberian president ellen johnson-sirleaf, the liberian activist tawakkul karman and the libyan activist tawakkul karman -- liberian activist leymah gbowee and the libyan activist tawakkul karman were awarded the award for peace. >> women must obtain the same opportunities as men to

influence development at all levels of society. >> of the three women sharing this year's prize, ellen johnson-sirleaf is the best known internationally. it was a major sensation when she became president of liberia in 2006. she was the first freely elected female head of state in africa. her fellow librarians laureate is leymah gbowee. she organized demonstrations by women to call for peace and put pressure on the warring factions. >> i am a symbol of hope in my community, on the continent, in the eighth place -- in a place where there has never been held before. you do not do it because you expect an award. >> the third recipient is

tawakkul karman, a journalist and activist in yemen. >> i dedicate the prize to be peaceful youth revolution in yemen. >> for months, she has been organizing student rallies against the yemeni president. >> words of praise have been pouring in all of the world to be nobel peace prize winners. the first to offer congratulations was a former nobel peace prize winner himself. >> the president of liberia. >> desmond tutu had more than just his birthday to celebrate on friday. the south african said liberia's president deserves the prize many times over. >> a place that was going to --

>> the decision was called extremely encouraging. >> over the years, women have been subjected to not being in the spotlight. now we see that we are coming up, and this is an example to occur which other women to take this step. >> the united nations general secretary was also full of praise. >> this is a testimony to the power of women's leadership. it underscores the vital role women play in peace, security, the element, and human rights. >> the prize is a boost to the wittman's campaigns against war. >> a member from our arabic

department joins me here in the studio. thank you for being with me. the nobel committee said part of the reason was to recognize women in the arab spring. how important as their role ben? >> women have played a key role in the arab spring. the women were participating in what was happening. do not forget the human rights activists who were talking to the foreign media and telling them what was happening on the ground. it was important to the world to see what was happening. even the peace prize winner, tawakkul karman, she was the first woman in yemen to protest against the yemeni president. women will play an important

role in the arab spring. women have their own spring through what has happened now in the arab countries. >> let's talk about how important is in these male dominated countries like saudi arabia and yemen to recognize wittman's rights and to give them greater rights? >> such a prize like giving the first arab woman the nobel peace prize is a big recognition from the international community to speak about the importance of women in the arab countries. we will be aware of our role because she proved that she is an irreplaceable part of society. the men have to except for a side-by-side with them. what has happened in the saudi arabian, allowing women to vote and the candidates, shows that it is going forward. there is still a lot to do for

women to fight for their rights, especially in the dark areas. -- in the jobs area. >> the language has become much clearer about what europe is prepared to do to save its banks. angela merkel is leading a chorus of the biggest players in the financial world saying the european union should fund banks before those institutions tip toward bankruptcy. she has been holding high-level talks to face the banking crisis. most visitors to the chancellor have been there to discuss the euro. the vice chancellor was no different. he and the chancellor agreed that money should be used to prop up shaky banks. some were against the idea.

leaders boys concerns about the your rescue plan. -- voiced concerns about the rescue plan. >> we are showing solidarity on this issue because we have experience that we are so closely connected that the problems of one country can affect the whole of europe. we are asking every country to do its homework. we will insist on that. but the csu once overly indebted countries brought out of the euro zone. >> i am also wholeheartedly for the concerns of europe. i am also wholeheartedly for economic stability and solid fiscal policies. >> on the meursault's -- angela merkel's next appointment is with french president nicholas are causing -- nicolas sarkozy.

>> ratings agencies have an agenda of their own. >> ratings agencies unleased a rash of downgrades across europe. it downgraded government debt in the spain, making it more expensive for them to borrow money on international markets. this is in's second downgrade in a few days. the prime -- this is italy's second downgrade in the eighth few days. which criticizes the governments response as too little too late. -- fitch criticize the government response as too little too late. the ratio is an indication of the help of a country's economy. italy's public debt represents 120% of its gross domestic product. spain looks a lot more solvent

than italy. unemployment is over 20 percent in spain, the highest in the eu. >> the european banking shares came under further pressure after moody's downgraded nine banks in portugal and 12 banks in the u.k. >> the royal bank of scotland is among the banks that have been downgraded. concern is growing that it may need another capital injection to stay afloat. the british government ended up with and 83% stake in rbs after rescuing it with the largest bailout during the financial crisis. rbs was not be on the british bank bailed out. the cost reached 980 billion heroes by 2009. the bridges government would offer less states support in a

future crisis. the downgrades are a further sign that the country's economy could be faltering. the country is facing the most serious financial crisis since the 1930's and possibly the worst ever. >> despite the fresh negative ratings, the banks posted gains after better than expected employment data out of the united states. >> the positive ending up a turbulent week. better than expected figures on the american job market. it worries remain because the banking sector troubled traders. car makers don't have to fear

chinese markets. >> we can stay for a close look at friday's numbers. the euro zone stocks ended the week almost 1% higher at 2269. on wall street, the market closing down slightly at 11,103. . the euro is trading at $1.33. the u.s. labor department says the country at 103,000 non-farm jobs in september. most of the new jobs were created in the private-sector, with construction, services, and health sectors making new hires. in public sector, the

unemployment rate is 9.1%. the german economics minister has signed a cooperation agreement with the greek government. he led a delegation to greece, which included talks with the prime minister and other top government officials. he steered clear of previous comments about a greek the fault. he outlined new deals to develop renewable energy in greece and the wind and solar energy sectors. >> he may have disappeared from sight, but he is still making himself heard. muammar gaddafi issued a new audio message, which was broadcast on syrian tv. he says what is happening in the country is asia raid and he be -- he renewed calls for the rebels to keep -- his supporters to keep up the fight.

>> interim government troops were alarmed as they advanced into the city center. they are facing 1000 gaddafi loyalists. the battle could still drag on for weeks as they wait for nato air support. the alliance has bombed targets in the city. most sit4es have been reduced to rubble. food and water supplies are running low. the city has been under siege for weeks. those who managed to lead are lucky. medics are struggling to cope in this field hospital run by the libyan council on the outskirts. >> we saw a great number of wounded today. the injuries are serious. most of them are from snipers to target our men. >> many of those battling the

doctor's few remaining forces are young libyans. -- gaddafi's few remaining forces are young libyans. they hope to schedule free elections in libya. before that can happen, the forces had to secure this city. >> time is running out for a young egyptian blogger jailed for criticizing the country's military. he has been on a hunk of -- on a hunger strike. his health is failing. he is scheduled to have a hearing next tuesday. >> he is the younger brother of the imprisoned blogger. he is visiting a group of activists in a small apartment in downtown cairo. michael is accused of insulting the military establishment and spreading false information. his supporters say he is the

first prisoner of conscience in post-revolutionary egypt. >> michael is the only one who was arrested because of his remarks. many others were put before a military tribunal and set free by a military court. why is mark -- what is michael the only one to be imprisoned. his pulse do not contain insult. -- insults. the question is whether people's can accept change. >> protesters have returned to to rear square to demand -- ta hrir square. many fear his life is in danger. >> they have no right to try him. >> michael's case has attracted international attention.

his family fears he may die before his hearing next week.

>> welcome back. three women for peace. three women were named nobel peace laureates fourth 2011. a president, a peace activist, and a catalyst. -- and a journalist. the most well known is liberian president ellen johnson-sirleaf. we begin this profile of her. >> it was an historic moment for

africa, liberia, as ellen johnson-sirleaf herself. in january, 2006, she became the first woman in africa to hold the country's highest office. johnson-sirleaf soon became known as the country's iron lady. >> she served as director of the u.n. development program's

regional bureau for africa. as a liberian president, she saw to continue that work. >> we are here because we share a fundamental belief that poverty, illiteracy, disease, and in quality do not belong in the 21st century. >> johnson-sirleaf's won the support of german chancellor angela merkel. johnson-sirleaf's popularity has waned. it is not clear whether her bid to be reelected will be successful. winning the nobel peace prize could provide her with the crucial boost she needs. >> the announcement is to send a message beyond africa and the middle east.

the plight of women remains mired in many parts of the world. there is still much work to do in the way of fighting for women's equal rights. >> every day, women across the world fight for their rights in the face of oppression and violence. the nobel decision should inspire them to continue their work, says german chancellor angela merkel. >> i think it is a good sign that three women who have achieved so much in the world have a -- have received the nobel prize for peace. i hope it will encourage more women and men to fight for freedom, democracy, and injustice. for that, they need equal opportunity in education first and foremost. in countries like pakistan and afghanistan, many parents do not want their girls to go to school. those who do they have to break off their studies because of property or early marriage. >> in saudi arabia, women are

not allowed to vote. the president of saudi arabia -- leaders have vowed to change that by 2015. they are not allowed to drive cars. in many african countries, women and girls experience violence that is in debt in their culture. it is estimated that 3 million women are subjected to a genital mutilation. that is 8000 per day. raping women is used as a weapon of war on every continent. libya is just the latest example. there was reference to u.n. resolution 1325. >> resolution makes violence against women in the armed conflict and international security issues.

it underlines the need for women to become participants in the peace process. >> in awarding these prizes, the nobel committee is calling on people around the world to support wittman's fight for freedom. -- women's fight for freedom. >> we are going to talk more about the peace prize winners. let's start with the impact of this award and what it means for women in the arab world. >> this is big support for arab women in fighting for her rights and equality in the arab region. it gives the push and support for other women who are still struggling on the ground and do not have the strength to open up to other people and to the media

to tell them do not give up. i can do it. you can do it, too. most importantly, men dominate society in arab countries. they will change the way they look at women and the way they see women in society. these things will let women step forward for sure. >> we do know that women have played a major role in the arab spring. let's talk about social media and what role that has plagued? -- played. >> some women have the strength to go out to tahrir square. some did not have the strength because the man did not allow them. they use twitter, facebook, youtube, everything they can use to the international committee

aware of what was happening. they were transferring what was happening in the arab countries. women and women-bloggers were doing these jobs. >> are you saying wittman's lives are at greater risk when they go out and protests -- wittman's lives are at greater risk when they go out women's -- women's lives are at greater risk when they go out and win then go out? >> when they look at them, they will say, she does not have the strength to fight back or do her job in a good way. what happened now will change his thinking to see women as an equal parts of society. this prize is important to let

men recognize that women are internationally accepted. >> karman is also a journalist. is this a common profession in the arab world? >> doing their work is hard for them on the ground. she was a journalist. she talks to the international media. she got the attention of the international people to see what was happening in yemen and the arab countries. the government is giving permission for a journalist -- they will think twice before repressing her from doing her job. this is also a change. this prize will have a big impact. reading what is happening on the social media, it is clear that there is going to be a change. >> we certainly thank you for

being with us. with that, we wrapped up "the journal." thank you for joining us. stay tuned.