>> and alleged part -- alleged plot to attack high-profile targets across the u.s. -- across the uk -- nine men are charged with terrorist offenses. the u.s. and germany voice concerns after mikhail khodorkovsky is convicted of embezzlement and money laundering. heavy snowstorms cause chaos all along the eastern seaboard. welcome to "bbc world news" broadcast on pbs and run the globe. as english looks to capitalize on their advantage ahead of the third day's play. we get to a village in kenya to find out why it has a proud record of producing champion long-distance runners.

>> nine men arrested in police raids in the u.k. appeared in court charged in connection with plots to kill high-profile targets in the u.k. the london stock exchange, the u.s. embassy, political and religious figures were all potential targets. the men were charged with conspiracy to prepare racks of terrorism. three men charged at the same time were released without charge. >> the nine men were brought to the westminster court this morning after a week of questioning by counter-terrorism officers. the two suspects arrested london were the first to appear on the dock, followed by three men from part of and others. they spoke only to confirm their name, ages and addresses.

the men were seized in coordinated raids last monday. they had been charged with conspiracy to cause explosions and engaging in conduct in preparation for acts of terrorism. the court was told they are accused of agreeing to potential targets for a tax, carrying reconnaissance, and igniting in testing incendiary materials. it is alleged the london stock exchange was one of the high- profile locations they had planned to attack. the american embassy was another. the suspects are also charged with possessing documents containing information likely to be of use to terrorists. in the form of this extremist newsletter. the nine men who appeared here have been in the highest profile rabe's in britain since last april. >> mikhail khodorkovsky, once

the richest man in russia, has been convicted of stealing $27 billion worth of oil and laundering the proceeds. the white house today said the u.s. was deeply concerned about the conviction. during the presidency of vladimir putin, khodorkovsky and the opposition parties and accused the government of corruption. we have this report. >> a forced smile from mikhail khodorkovsky did not hide the strain as he would -- as he was brought into court in handcuffs. once russia's richest billionaire, he has already spent seven years in prison, much of it in siberia. he says the real reason behind his prosecution is that he dared to speak out against the kremlin. on the public benches, his mother told me that if the judge reminded abandoned and withstood political pressure, he would clear son.

but almost from the moment he started, it was obvious that the judge was going to find mikhail khodorkovsky, and his business partner, platon lebedev, guilty of embezzling oil and money- laundering. many more years in jail lie ahead for the tycoon turned convict. mikhail khodorkovsky who portrayed his trial as the battle for the future of modern russia, a struggle between the rule of law and the hard men in charge. freedom was the chant as 200 protesters braved arrest outside the court. their suspicions about the independence of rest and justice only reinforced by the verdict. -- russian justice only and reinforced by the dirt. they claim he had been targeted for his opposition politics, not his actions as head of russia's biggest oil company. >> of vladimir putin is afraid

of khodorkovsky and wanted to be in prison forever. this is against russia. this is against russia's future. this is not a country of law. this is a country of dictatorship. >> two weeks ago, in a televised national phone in, the prime minister was asked about the khodorkovsky case. >> thieves belong in prison. >> khodorkovsky is not hugely popular but became a symbol of hope for opposition. and help the less-again today. -- a hope that what-again today. >> i spoke with someone who worked on them old soviet union policy. he along with other fellow world politicians signed an open letter calling for russia to be open and fair.

he gave me his reaction to the verdict. >> i am afraid this is bad news for russia's reputation. this is essentially a political trial and he is a political prisoner. just as he was ending his eight- year sentence, they suddenly produced all of these new charges. vladimir putin on last week gave an interview in which he described him as a thief who it is obviously sad news that russia's political prisoners. >> who is driving this? >> vladimir putin, no doubt about it. mikhail khodorkovsky was the author of his own misfortune when he publicly challenged vladimir putin, nine or 10 years ago. vladimir putin decided he had to set an example and produce the original charges which has led to believe prison for eight years. it is not just bad news for russia's reputation, but it's

going to make a more difficult than it has become recently to encourage western investment in russia because you do not have the rule of law. what western companies might be contemplating investing in russia have to realize, as they do now that you did not have any independent courts of law if any problems arise and the government decides you are in the way. they will use the courts in a politicized fashion. it's not as bad as the old soviet union, but it is a deep move in the wrong direction. just when the rest of europe is going into the right direction. >> blizzards have swept the northeast of the u.s., causing the cancellation of thousands of lights. the new york area was in the eye of the storm today and had nearly 50 centimeters of snowfall on sunday alone. there are currently no flights into or out of jfk or newark airports in new york. the state of north carolina,

virginia, maryland, new jersey, massachusetts and maine have all declared emergencies. we have this report from washington. >> if you want to know why the northeast of the u.s. sees that over the last 24 hours, just keep an eye on the clock. so much snow falls so fast that clock has to be repeatedly debt free. this time lapse of video from new jersey shows how it was not just the amount of snow but the speed with which it fell that nearly shut down the northeast seaboard. the result was travel misery that thousands suffered across europe before christmas hit the u.s.. new york's airports scrap more than a thousand flights. there was only one place for travelers to hundred down. tourists have had their short breaks extended as airlines cancelled flights. >> we were told we could not go home sunday evening but could

get seats on the thursday evening flight. this is disastrous. >> driving snow grounded flights up and down the northeast coast. wild winds dumped 25, 30, and in some cases, 50 centimeters of snow. this is thunder's know, with lightning and high winds crashing through the sky, leaving roads impassable. >> its just crazy. you can see 15 feet, sometimes 30, that nothing. out of nowhere, the wind is blowing. >> in the u.s. capitol, a blizzard was forecast, but the snow skit washington. it is the wind that keep the flag snapping and cracking and has lifted the snow and dubbed it in a thick blanket north of here. it is paralyzed chunk of the u.s. no form of transport is immune.

even as people wanted to drive, many struggled just to get into their cars. others pushed through on foot. retailers worry that one of the biggest shopping days is ruined. for new york subway travelers, a night of misery when a train broke down and they spent more than six hours in the carriage waiting for rescue. one by one, new york's airports are reopening. the recovery has begun. but clearing the backlog and the streets will take time and patience. >> also in washington is our correspondent his as the storm is now moving but slowly. >> it appears the worst has passed now. we heard from michael bloomberg, the mayor of new york, with new york 50 centimeters of snow dumped on the city. he expects the worst is past. the storm is still inching up the northeast coast and

forecasters predict the rest of the week will be quite nice. in terms of the worst, it may have passed, but officials are dealing with the aftermath. >> new york, boston, all areas used to cold weather, but the sheer volume of snow is difficult to prepare for. >> there is only some much planning you can do when you talk about 50 centimeters of snow landing in a metropolitan area. the mayor of new york, just to add to more information, said they put contingency plans in place and their advice is the only make it very necessary journeys. the hundreds of people on the streets overnight in anticipation of the blizzards, they say that helped to keep the roads clear and he hopes in the next few days, things will be up and running in the city.

thousands and thousands of flights, international and domestic from the york have been delayed. by 6:00 p.m. eastern, at john f. kennedy and newark are planned to reopen. but there is a huge backlog and flights are at full capacity. when it comes to passengers trying to rebut, having had journey's canceled, they may find it extremely difficult to get out. >> from washington to russia where it unusually mild weather causing problems around moscow. rain has fallen to frozen ground, causing the city to is over. the heavyweight brought down many power lines, including lines that serve the airport. thousands of people were stranded. >> temperatures have risen inside the airport, but not in a good way. with thousands delayed and facilities stretched well beyond the breaking point, feelings

have got little heeded. >> the toilets are not working. there is no water in the sink, no coffee or tea. there's only bottled water or beer. >> it is not the snow that has caused the problems but unseasonably warm weather. it allowed rain to fall which froze on power cables. the weight caused the lines to snap leaving the airport in the dark until a solution could be improvised. >> of the emergency ministry is a getting generators in silicon have lights in the main part of the airport. >> across moscow, the rain froze where it fell, coating the city in a layer of ice. cars crashed, branches fell from trees, at a thousand people are hospitalized. the last time the board weather like this was more than 30 years ago. the city usually prides itself

on a wake-up with tough conditions. the new mayor is under pressure to react. officials are predicting things will be back to normal within a couple of days. >> this is "bbc world news." as england inches closer to a victory content and extraordinary trade -- tirade is launched at an umpire. the bolivian government has increased fuel prices by more than 70%. the administration says the $380 million state subsidy can no longer be afforded, especially as much of it and that going to foreigners. >> for bolivia, it is the most unwelcome christmas present. gasoline prices up 73% and diesel prices up by 83%. the government controls the energy agency it says that the subsidies can no longer continue.

profit years often take advantage by smuggling cheap fuel at country and selling it in neighboring nations. the subsidy has gone from $80 million in 2005 to $380 million in 2010. that number, instead of going abroad, should stay in bolivia. so what does that mean for bolivia and consumers? a liter of gasoline has gone up from 53 cents to about nine a liter of diesel jobs from 52 cents to about 96 cents. there are fears of higher food prices and inflation in one of south america's poorest economies. the exploitation of bolivia's gas reserves has long been a source of tension. analysts say government control of the energy industry could have a negative effect. >> the production of fuel has

gone down drastically, mainly due to subsidies. in bolivia, oil companies received about $27 to buy or produce. three times as much as paid beyond the border. >> the government says it will boost salaries and reduce utilities to help. but it has led to mass protests. >> the top stories -- nine men have been remanded in custody, charged in connection with a plot to bomb high-profile targets, including the london stock exchange and the u.s. embassy. there has been international condemnation today at the decision by russian word to convict mikhail khodorkovsky of embezzlement. bomb disposal experts have defused a parcel bomb sent to it greek embassy in rome.

the bomb was found just days after bombs exploded at two other embassies which injured two people. >> police and bomb disposal experts arrived within minutes of the alarm being given in drums and the order. the greek ambassador ordered the evacuation. >> presently, we discovered eight suspicious package. we immediately reformed authorities to a arrived within three minutes with the appropriate services. the bomb was neutralized. >> there were several other false alarms as the other packages were inspected. a shadowy and italian anarchist group claimed responsibility for last week's parcel bombs. the injured two people. a total of 14 package bombs were

delivered to embassies in athens last month. bombs were also sent to the italian prime minister, a french president, and german chancellor. police are monitoring possible contacts between italian and greek anarchist. greek police have pointed out the mail bomb seemed intended not to cause injury. as it delivered in italy appeared designed to maim whoever opened them. >> last summer, millions of people were displaced by devastating floods. there are some small signs that life is getting back to normal. among them, the completion of the first pitch of a project to complete hundreds of bridges were destroyed. communities are not being reconnected. we have this report. >> it will be a very welcome

sight. the final section of a bridge being put in place. the components were shipped to pakistan after much planning and have been driven the length of the country to get here. but it will be connecting the communities on one side of the river to the other. there was a bridge in the past, but it was one of around 300 which were swept away and completely destroyed by the floods at the end of july. since then, people have had to struggle across the river over makeshift bridges like they have in many communities across pakistan. it has been very difficult for vehicles to cross the river all. but this is one of the first of around 50 bridges the british government is going to fund here in pakistan. during the rains, many people lost their lives and their livelihoods.

but this is a sign that some progress is being made. millions will be hoping for much more next year. >> england have a commanding lead had the game against australia. england is already at 346 runs. the main talking point was an angry outburst at the umpire from the australian captain. >> the big talking point for the second day was a confrontation between the austrian the umpire. but you will not be surprised to your that players were not very keen to talk about that incident. peterson had been a the other end. he would not talk about but he talked about another tough sentry against australia. >> [unintelligible]

[unintelligible] >> it no doubt about the play of the day for australia. peterson said of three wickets and held on two catches. those involved with all five -- this was his take on the second day play. >> it was a tough day. it is hard work we contain them for most of the day which i've think is positive for us. hopefully we will come out tomorrow morning and do the same thing. >> of australia's batsmen will be called back into action.

the weather forecast is good. is there any chance of saving, they will have to play their way out of trouble. >> a village in the canyon rift valley has a proud record of creating world champions. as dawn breaks, the street is filled with runners. in the latest of our series, we went there to see what makes this village such a success. >> at dawn, athletes emerge to limber up for their daily ritual. this is a small village high in the western rift valley and the capital of the canyon running. it is said that in peak season, the population can double, such as the demand from athletes to

train here. they come from around the world, lured by the area's reputation. >> i've been training for the last four years. just a dream to make it as a top distance runner and my friends from the world cross country convinced me that this the place to come train. >> the 10,000 meter champion followed her brother some three hours away. this is now their home and training base. >> a lot of people coming because people who have run year before, they see it is good and that is why people come. >> [unintelligible]

>> the village is now synonymous with canyon running. here, every set of trainers is treasured. it's no wonder. they have produced two olympic champions and countless record holders. key to their success has been an irish missionary move here to teach 30 years ago. although now retired, he coaches many young runners. >> of conditions around here are conducive to children being developed. the altitude, 8,000 feet above sea level, keeps them in a disciplined and tough environment and their highly motivated. >> the call this area here the

field of dreams. a tree planted for every successful athlete produced here. as you can see, it is a bit crowded, but the school hopes to plant more post-london, 2012. >> from red kelly, the road to london as long, but expect many from here to make it. >> lots of interesting stories on our web site, including this one -- a twist of a happy ending from oklahoma -- a car stranded -- sliding all over the place. helicopters were brought in to see them -- to save them. there we go -- perseverance pays

off, making it to safety. >> hello and welcome. >> see the news unfold, get the top stories from around the globe and click to play video reports. go to bbc.com/news to experience the in-depth, expert reporting of "bbc world news" online. >> funding was made possible by the freeman foundation of new york, stowe, vermont, and honolulu. newman's own foundation. the john d. and catherine t. macarthur foundation. and union bank. >> union bank has put its financial strength to work for a wide range of companies, from small businesses to major

corporations. what can we do for you? >> there is one stage that is the met and carnegie hall. >> o, that this too, too solid flesh -- >> it is the kennedy center. >> check, one, two. >> and a club in austin. >> it is closer than any seat in the house, no matter where you call home. >> the top of the world, and i'm there, i'm home. >> pbs -- the great american stage that fits in every living room. your support of pbs brings the arts home. >> "bbc world news" was presented by kcet, los angeles.