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>> the british government did all it could to get it bomber free. and government workers in egypt. 99% for independence, that is the result of the referendum. welcome to bbc news broadcasting to pbs and america. he was an hour for three more months. and the fire destroyed dozens of customs.

4 u.s. senators have renewed their call into the controversial release of a bomber. the reports in the matter found that the government did all it could. despite insisting that the decision was entirely made by scottish officials. this report finds some flash photography. >> returning home to a hero's welcome 18 months ago. he was released by the scottish government because he was dying of cancer. we know now he was backed by the british government. >> we will facilitate an appeal

in the case of an individual who was convicted of murdering a 270 people, including 43 british citizens and 190 americans, and 19 other nationalities. >> the decision to release the man responsible was for the scottish government alone. today's report suggests that the government did not sit on its hands. they had a game plan to actively in discreetly do all it could to facilitate an appeal by the scottish government. labor ministers wanted to help libya because they feared job security. in the chamber, and david cameron was restrained. outside, he was accused of a lack of honesty. >> that there was no pressure.

but we acted properly at all times. and moreover, at no stage, did we ever suggest to the scottish government what decision they should do. >> he is right. the report concludes that they left it entirely to the scottish government. i have not seen any evidence that the government pressured the scottish government for the transfer or release of him. those that did decide to let him out say they have no regrets. they follow the law. >> we knew that there would be criticism for the support. but we did it in good faith. >> it is a decision that is still a potential force of tension between the u.s. and the british today. the view that the government and many in congress share. what of the families and those that died?

his wife stephanie said she was appalled by what the british government had done. >> i felt it was nauseating. the idea that the british government would assist the libyans in freeing him, there are no words to describe how disgusting that is. >> one fact remains, he went home to die. 18 months going, he is still alive. >> i spoke to the mother of one of the victims, she lost her 20- year-old son. i asked her how she felt about this latest report. >> and the report does not tell us much that we did not already figured out. i guess when i read what the report says and i hear the reaction from the scots, i get the feeling is a he said, she

said type of thing. i don't see any real evidence to support either side. i guess what we really come down to is the fact that there was influence. it was either with in the u.k. or the scottish government. there was pressure put on for his release. >> that is one of the words that he highlighted in the report. he was very clear that although the british government had the facility of his release, it was made clear that no pressure was applied. >> my guess is both bp and the libyans put pressure on both governments, to be honest with you. it would not surprise me to have the libyans put a lot of

pressure on the scots. the pressure may have started in london but eventually wound up in edinburgh. >> it was always said that he was released on compassionate grounds only. is that something that in any way helps you come to terms with his release? >> he is still alive and living as far as i know on a villa overlooking the mediterranean. the only thing that would make me feel better would be if the winds of change that are now going to the middle east and northern africa might eventually hit libya. >> the new cabinet has announced more concessions that it is inclined to end the protests against be president in egypt.

they are still occupying central cairo two weeks after the protests begin. the president said that talks are under way with the government to get back to normal after a couple of weeks of disturbances. >> the regime wants cairo back. when the soldiers tried to open up the government building, they were blocked. the army kept its promise not to use force. allowing the protestors to get away with it will stick in the throats of many in the regime. the longer this goes on the and the protestors are saddling and, the greater the danger teh strong men will lose

resistance. according to one of the leaders -- what about staying here? will people come to demonstrate? >> i believe in the strongest of people. even if it takes a long time. i think it will take a long time. >> they are still paralyzed in central cairo. >> the majority -- they are

happy with what the president has said so far. they want to do it in a proper way. >> he seems to have persuaded the americans as key allies that there would be chaos if he stepped down. that infuriates the opposition. >> seen people stand side by side, talking about it, if the regime stays that way -- >> he has to go. >> it is hard for people to talk about the regime because they have broken some many promises in the past. the ruling party has a long

history of vote rigging. that is why people want to hang onto this piece of ground. this resolution has its martyrs, but it is incomplete. the regime wanted to stay that way. the people have changed -- and they are still finding their strength. >> some other news, the separatists ordered last month's devastating suicide bombing in moscow. 36 dead, more than 170 injured. the independent muslim state. asenators dismissed last year -- they could release al lthl the

hostages in months. they were pleased that the report that he was ready to start talks with the government. authorities have been criticized. the accidental fire killed four siblings between three and 11 that were living in a shack outside of rome. they have been accused of failing to address. elected officials have published the final results from last month's referendum. confirming that almost 99% of people voted for separation from the north. president obama said the united states will formally recognize them as the independent state.

>> a moment in history in the capital of the country about to split into. 98.3% of sumner's -- it was more for some to take. it has inspired many around the world. race came in from barack obama at the ceremony itself. -- praise came in from barack obama and the ceremony itself. >> in to resolve any differences that may arise, and by peaceful means. >> the president met his old enemy, the former rebel. he promised in the south would be allowed to secede. >> we have the results today.

they express the wish of the people of the south. >> the new country is going to be born. independence will not happen until july. there will be tough negotiations. after separation, it will be under developed and unstable. the south has most of the oil. now in five short months, they will be able to raise the flag of their own country. already, the celebration has started. >> this is bbc news. still ahead, how it will help predict weather here on earth.

buyers on the outskirts of paris have destroyed more than 60 homes. firefighters are still battling the fire to the east and north of the city. it is up to 70 kilometers an hour. it is two years after 170 people died. >> there seems to be no and to australia oppose the summer of disasters. -- no end to austrailia's summer of disasters. in the southeast and the north of the city, trying to-flames that are 10-feet high. they're being whipped up by winds over 20 miles an hour. >> all of a sudden, the fires

focus on the road. that was history for me. >> had destroyed 60 homes. they have partially damaged 30 more. they had less than 30 minutes to escape the flames. they are returning to see what is left behind. >> i don't give a stuff about the house. my pride and joy were my father's medals. >> queensland has been cleaning up after a cyclone. even a country used to be the -- used to the extremes of weather, this is a lot. bbc news, sydney.

>> this is bbc news, the headlines this hour. four u.s. senators have renewed their bid for an inquiry after an official found the government did all it could. the government in egypt -- demonstrators are in their third week of protests and insisting that he must stand down. the south korean news agency says that officials have continued their talks since the first shelling in november. joining me is the correspondent. these talks about come back quite a tricky time. why should we expect?

>> what is happening just seven or eight weeks ago, there is the possibility of a wider confrontation after this artillery barrage on the south korean island. it was a disputed maritime border where civilians were killed. there was the torpedoing of the south korean warship. pyongyang has consistently denied responsibility. we have talked of a possible secret nuclear war. -- sacred nuclear war. they say, if we are afraid of war, we can never prevent war. we had a distinct cooling of rhetoric. the hands calling for talks.

for a few weeks, they were rebuffed by south korea saying it is a propaganda attempt. but something changed in the last weaker too. south korea has committed to these talks today, and the choreography is such that there will be higher level talks, and possibly a summit between the two country's leaders. >> you have mentioned what we could expect, but ultimately, how likely is it that they will reach any kind of agreement? >> there are all sorts of reasons why they might not. there are demands by south korea, some kind of suggestion of the responsibility. as i say, pyongyang has said that it is not responsible and that the shelling of the islands

was simply a retaliation. that calls very short of the apology that some people want. on the other hand, the reason that north korea is going to pay is because it needs economic aid. the south korean government made it quite clear when there were unconditional offers, this time, they will not offer any kind of economic assistance until they get the concessions they want. >> thank you very much. protesters have taken to the streets of the haitian capigal -- capital demanding that the president to step down. each of these have approval to stay on after the presidential elections. a new vote is due in march.

[gunfire] >> they were only warning shots, but the message was clear. the protests had and the. riot police called after police had used teargas to disperse the crowd. when the gas was blown into nearby homes, some bystanders a painful price -- paid a painful price. with no one elected to replace him, he announced he won't step down for another three months. to the fury of his opponents. >> today is his last day. >> we are asking the president to leave because his mandate is

over. another president can takeover. the presidential palace has laid in ruins since an earthquake killed up to 300,000 people. hundreds of thousands have survived. the electoral process is making little progress. it ended in chaos as the final round will be held next month. despite the anger over the opponents, they agree with the decision to stay on until the successor is elected. he is still struggling to recover from an overwhelming natural disaster. >> fliers ripped through the building, had just a month before [unintelligible]

the report from sao paolo. >> a thick column of scope can be seen from many kilometers away. the fire began burning the morning and spread quickly due to the enormous quantity of highly flammable materials. tons of plastic and fabric went up in the air as smoke. it was a desperate scene for those that have been working on the preparations of brazil's biggest body. >> it is a huge suffering, the work of an entire life that we had. qc is turning into ashes in a minute. >> three of the schools have been hit by the blaze.

>> i was at home when i heard about the fire. we can't get any closer. we want to help, but end up getting in the way. >> of the mayor pledges to review the damaged warehouses and insure that the carnival parades will take place as usual on march 6 and 7. they will have to prove this year that not even a fire can destroy the legendary and joy of the country's common folk. >> here comes the sun. nasa has released pictures of the atmosphere. it is slightly alarming, but also is used to predict the weather.

>> the son, likely have never seen it. turbulent, constantly erupting. huge arcs of fire reach into space. scientists have been getting more detailed pictures. he's great explosions and sent damaging clouds of particles are way. until now, we have not always known they are coming. >> the far side is where some of the biggest eruptions will start. >> they are directly opposite each other. the first time images can be taken in 3d. we might get early warning of possible trouble. >> this captures particles surging around mercury.

researchers call this space weather. electrical supplies can be disrupted. it destabilizes our magnetic field. >> what we want to be able to do is see exactly what the sun is doing. we want to be able to watch as they grow and evolve. we want to see them as the sun rotates and brings her legions of activity toward pointing towards the earth. >> it is set to run for many more years. how its eruptions can be forecast. in producing a cycle that none of us could ever imagine. >> this is bbc news.

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corporations. what can we do for you? >> "bbc world news" was presented by kcet los angeles.