by kcet, los angeles. funding for this presentation is 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? >> and now "bbc world news." >> wikileaks founder julian assange is arranging to meet british police. they are acting on a warrant from sweden for his arrest. the latest cables shows what the west really thinks of russia. encouraging but no breakthrough, iran and key world powers talk about the nuclear program. welcome to "bbc world news," broadcast on pbs in america and also around the globe. coming up later, 10 years after the concorde crash, continental airlines is guilty. egypt, the fear of sharks and the killing of a german tourist.

>> the u.s. and several other countries are stepping up pressure on the founder of wikileaks. a fresh arrest warrant has been issued for julian assange. his lawyer said they are in the process of arranging meetings with british police. sweden and 1 cent to answer allegations of sexual assault. he has -- wants him to answer allegations of sexual assault. the web site began publishing thousands of confidential diplomatic cables. >> the battle between wikileaks and in authorities intensified. an arrest warrant for julian assange arrived at the crime agency this or even at -- this afternoon. he is believed to be in britain and could be arrested by police

at any time. >> we are in the process of making arrangements to meet with the police. my concerns in order to facilitate the taking of that question and answer that is needed. >> julian assange is wanted for questioning in sweden over sexual assault charges. charges his supporters say are the result of political pressure and part of a wider campaign against him. >> there has been excitement by people in high places. under these circumstances, it is normal he would keep a low profile. >> there was a reminder about what is worrying the authorities, a new leak that consists of the list of locations around the world considered critical to u.s. security. in the uk alone, more than one

dozen sites are identified. they include bae systems critical to a fighter jet and the landing points for another place. there is also an insulin production plant in denmark and russian pipe gas line junction, considered to be the largest in the world. >> when you get a hold of the document that may reflect the official american view as to what damage the infrastructure could have an effect in america, that is very viable information. >> where previous cables delivered embarrassment, this one reveals what washington considers to be its vulnerability to terrorism. the pressure is growing to end the leaks. >> we have a very serious criminal investigation underway. we are looking at all of the things we can do to try to do stem the flow of this

information. >> one of julian assange's bank accounts was closed and the wikileaks web site came under a cyber attack in sweden. both sides may be upping the ante. >> more u.s. diplomatic correspondence -- it has just been made public. the latest details new plans agreed this year to defend nato's state against possible russian threats. the plans were kept secret to prevent increased tensions. here is our diplomatic correspondent. >> handshakes between american and russian leaders is what the public usually sees. relations have recently been reset, but according to secret u.s. cables revealed by wikileaks, the u.s. and its allies agreed this year to expand their defense planning against possible russian invasion. it was the site of russian tanks in georgia which really rattled

those nato countries who had been part of the soviet warsaw pact until a collapse of communism 20 years ago. it is the tiny baltic states which feel especially vulnerable to russian pressure. they don't give them the guarantee of protection, but it is only this year that they got a specific plan. one cable from hillary clinton announces on january 22 nato allies agreed to expand the nato contingency plan for poland eagle guardian to include reinforcement of the baltic states. she also makes clear the plans are secret. the public discussion would likely lead to an unnecessary increase in nato-russian issues. this official called it an early

christmas present. almost one year on, confirmation they have a specific military plans is is -- is a surprise. it is embarrassing for the u.s.. it demonstrates america's failure to protect secrets and it points to a double policy. suspicion of russia in private expressing the cooperation in public. this was hillary clinton ending quarrels with russia last year. >> we want to reset our relationship. >> but it looks as if suspicion is the order of the day. >> among the first revelations from a wikileaks worthy calls for some arab leaders for an attack on iran's nuclear program. delegates from six world powers tried to close it down by negotiations. yesterday iranian officials shocked many by announcing they had taken a step in making

materials. our correspondent reports from switzerland. >> in comes the woman who has won task in geneva, to get iran to explain its nuclear program. as catherine hess says hello to the chief negotiator -- they don't -- they do not shake hands. they stand a respectful distance apart. they are headed for talks and are joined by five permanent members of the un security council and germany. it is a full turn out. but no one expects a breakthrough. this helps explain why. someday iran -- [unintelligible] yellowcake is made -- used to make uranium. iran wants to show their nuclear

program continues. >> this means iran has become an efficient from their exploration. then at mining and turning it into yellowcake and into -- turning it into fuel pellets. >> iran insists it has the right to enrich uranium. the country's president mahmoud ahmadinejad has become a personal project. the rest fears iran may be taking the first deaths towards building a nuclear weapon. >> one official has given a blunt assessment of the first days of negotiations. we made no progress on the substance, he said. negotiators have one morning left in which to make some advance. after that, everyone simply goes home.

james reynolds. >> the un is moving around 460 non-essential staff out of the ivory coast after the presidential election is bitterly disputed. the incumbent president is refusing to step down, fell a clear majority voted for his rival. a parliamentary researcher in the u.k. accused of spying for russia said she will fight for deportation -- she will fight hurtt deportation. he has seen no evidence to support the allegation. she is a russian national. the american airlines' continental has expressed outrage at the decision by a french court that a botched repair by one of its mechanics calls the concord crash 10 years ago. it acquitted three aviation officials and came to the same conclusion that a piece of

metal from a concorde fell onto a runway and damaged the concord. >> the pictures that would spell the end for a supersonic travel. on july 2000, they concord left the runway with the blade is already visible. the ill-fated flight ended minutes later as it crashed into a hotel, killing 113 people. the families of the victims have awaited for something to blame. today, they finally got their answer. the court said it was a piece of titanium dropped onto the runway. as it took off a few minutes later, the metal strip -- the metal strip ruptured the fuel tank above. the kerosene ignited before it was off the ground. just 18 inches long, this is the

metal parts that started the series of catastrophic events. titanium is much harder than stainless steel, but it is not supposed to be deployed for temporary fixes on aircraft. today, he was handed a 15 month sentence for involuntary manslaughter. continental was fined 200,000 euros and ordered to pay 100 million to air france. >> it has been obvious since the beginning that continental was responsible for the accident and the death of the passengers and crew. the judgment appears in keeping to what air france has always supported. >> was this verdict a cover-up for failing on the part of the french operator? the fuel tanks of concord were not properly insulated against shocks and tires have blown out

on other occasions. continental says it is upsurge they should carry their -- carry the blame. >> i remind you that 10 years before the accident the french government debated [unintelligible] >> the response -- it was a political decision, a protectionist decision. >> continental will appeal the verdict. if insurance companies were to begin seeking reimbursement, the compensation already paid out, this could expose the airline if -- exposed the airline with millions of dollars in damages. >> stay with us on "bbc world news." south korea deals with evacuates from the island attacks from the north and washington orders china to send p'yongyang a clear message. french diplomatic effort in

india has paved the way for a nuclear deal worth $9 billion. president sarkozy and the prime minister announced the deal after talks in delhi. >> india and france have signed the first deal of sarkozy's visit. india agreed to buy two nuclear reactors for more than $9 billion. the deal comes as india tries to build 20 new reactors to solve an energy shortfall that lee's businesses across the country without power. >> the result of this agreement is we will build these nuclear processing reactors in india. we will do our utmost to ensure this is done as speedily as possible. >> according to experts, there are other areas as well as nuclear that the french and indian governments can work on more closely. also on the table is defense

deals and france said its companies want greater access to the insurance markets. the hope is that india will open up to small and medium-sized french firms. >> if you look at the list, it is a mix of big and medium. we would like to see that happening because these create more jobs for $1 million. >> but it is not just business on the agenda. india has been pushing for a permanent seat on the un security council. president sarkozy has been trying to get support for his plan to reform the g-20 group of the richest nations. the challenge for the president will be making sure france and its companies stand out in an increasingly crowded marketplace. >> the latest headlines, the

wikileaks founder julian assange is arranging to meet british police. they are acting on a warrant from sweden for his arrest. the latest revelations detailed plans made by nato to protect its baltic members against possible russian threat. in iraq, one city is administered from baghdad but claimed by the kurdish region in the north. the constitution guarantees a referendum and the kurds are being accused of forcing out arab families to improve the chances of the vote going their way. >> from almost any vantage point you can see the oil fires burning. that is what this battle for control is about. this is a largely arab

neighborhood. many of these people settled here under saddam hussein. some say they are being driven out. this man tells us armed kurds have knocked on his door telling him to leave town within 24 hours. arab leaders say it more people are receiving threatening letters and visits over the past few months. >> they humiliate us. we have lost our rights. all of this has contributed to increasing hatred among our people. everyone is out for revenge. >> the kurdish authorities deny any knowledge of involvement in this intimidation, but the breakdown of the population matters because people here in the future will get to vote on who controls kirk cook.

it lies in exactly the spot where it iraq ends and kurdish iraq begins. under saddam hussein the demographics shifted in favor of the arabs. today, that is shifting back towards the kurds. that is causing problems. this -- when he was 10-years old his family was ordered to leave. they fled to the north but he has moved back. with financial assistance, he is building a new home for his family. >> this is my home town. it is my father's and grandfather's. i had to come back. >> it is still one of iraq's most unstable places. the violence comes mostly from al qaeda and insurgents.

u.s. forces maintain a high profile, but in one year they will be gone. with billions of dollars worth at oil money at stake comeback -- oil at stake, it could be the u.s. presence that is keeping the two sides from solving their problems. >> at least 50 people were killed--- in an anti-taliban leading. two bombs went off near the afghan border during a gathering of tribal elders. >> this compound was full of people meeting to discuss how to tackle the taliban. it is where two suicide bombers dressed in police uniforms blew themselves up. local tribal elders, government officials and journalists are all among the dead. the taliban say they carried out the attacks.

dozens of injured were rushed to the next sitting with its main hospital, they have witnessed scenes like this time and again. >> my brother was injured in the blast. many others are also hurt and dead. these poor people. >> the army has been carrying out an offensive against the taliban across northwest pakistan, but it is trying to get locals to fight the taliban themselves. the problem is the army operations and its militants flee elsewhere to regroup. the problem is trying to -- with trying to mobilize locals as the taliban has no hesitation in striking back against them in brutal ways. >> the u.s. secretary of state

has met japanese and south korean ministers to coordinate responses to north korea. hillary clinton said china had a special role to play and repeated for north korea to enter negotiations it must cease its provocative behavior. two weeks ago shells from the north killed two people on the south korean island. the south is vowing to retaliate if it happens again. >> when you have lived through the shelling of your home you can live through anywhere. for two weeks this has been a refuge for the resonance of beyond beyond island -- for the presidents of this island. these men can only sit and wait for peace to arrive. most people are too afraid to return home. in the middle of the hall, one villager has set up camp together.

their leader tells me they watched as north korea and shells fell on around them. the incident not only got the world's attention, if it changed attitudes here. >> before i thought we were worried people. i supported sending food to the north, but look what has come back to us. now i think if they fired 20 shells we should fire back 40. >> these days -- the smell of rotting food hangs over the camp. it is steffy and there is little natural light. no wonder there is a demand for sleeping pills. this is what change people's minds, the houses of farmers and fishermen destroyed. construction workers [unintelligible] it has become a symbol of a new turn in relations, a new fear of

their neighbors to the north. looking out to the west behind me -- up and down this country the south korean military is starting a fresh round of exercises. north korea says these drills were a provocation just as the last one's word. attitudes have hardened in the south, too. even when quiet this stretch of water is holding the attention of the world's most powerful people. the u.s. and chinese presidents spoke about how to contain the situation. residents talk about little else. >> authorities in the egyptian resort are warning people not to go into the sea after another shark attack on a tourist. a woman has been killed. four people were seriously injured last week. >> this is the beach, the scene

of the latest sharp attack. it is in front of one of the smartest hotels of the resort. this woman was on the last day of her holiday when she witnessed the attack. >> the water was full of blood. the woman was screaming and screaming. it was terrific. >> seeing the shark just taking bites and keeping on going back to attack this woman. ellen was right by it. it was ghastly. >> one of this majestic species of sharks is believed to be the culprit. it is unusual for it to attack humans. experienced divers sometimes swim with it. >> i have a small chill on my back sometimes because you never really know what is going on

with the shark. >> this is believed to be the photograph of the actual chartres' involved. it has a distinctive chunk carved out of its fin,. after the earlier attacks these sharks were caught and killed. the government then reopen the beaches. did they act too hastily? >> underwater marine life, this is just like ours up there. you cannot believe that. >> today the authorities may be regretting their decisions as they survey the empty beaches after a ban on swimming was reimposed. it is an almost perfect day year. but most people here are taking the advice and not going for a swim. most go in for a gentle paddle along the beach. on a normal day, diverse would be exploring these coral reefs.

on the surface, this is what the beach is usually like at this time of year. sea and sand. is is what it was like today, very bad news for those whose lives depend on tourism. >> to animals more cuddly- looking, a critical breakthrough has been made in efforts to save the giant panda. it could revive attempts to reintroduce the animals in the wild. captive breeding is very rare. documentary's had two years of access to this panda breeding research center in china. they were able to breed 300 there. it could produce the first panda to be reintroduced into the wild in 15 years. wikileaks founder julian assange is arranging to meet with british police. they are acting on a warrant from sweden for his arrest.

the latest revelations unveil a detailed plans to protect baltic countries against russian threats. >> hello and welcome. >> see the news unfold, get the 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.

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