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." >> had united states directly targets the president for the first time. a new bail hearing and said for the imf. he is willing to be electronically tagged. and what appears to be a recording of the former leader of al qaeda praising the revolutions that have been sweeping the arab world. coming up later for you, they have called for a thorough reforms from each of the security forces. and find out why this man chose to have his arm cut off and replaced with a bionic one.

welcome once again. the united states has imposed its first ever measures against the syrian president over anti- government protests. washington has avoided linking him directly to the crackdown. that brings in sanctions top syrian officials. the measure will freeze and the assets they have under u.s. jurisdictions and to make it illegal for american businesses to do business with them. they have many assets in the united states and are wanting to send a clearer message. i asked him about the message that the u.s. is sending. >> they are personal sanctions. and the other top syrian officials.

the fact that they are personal is quite unusual. other world leaders, they do not have personal chansons -- sanctions. it is basically the obama administration saying to the president, you need to really reform. we want a real reform from you and we want the violence to stop. it is the first time the obama administration has linked it directly to the government. it is the last ultimatum to really reform. not yet calling for him to resign. >> president obama is going to make a speech about the recent unrest. really laying down the mark before that speech? >> is one of several events this week linked to u.s. policy in the middle east. when president obama makes that

speech about the middle east, where he will say is that the white house says he is going to put forward clear ideas and new ideas in the wake of the uprisings across north africa. president obama is trying to take that impetus from those changes and directly impact the peace process between israel and the palestinians. the situation, because of the energy agreement, they are the main palestinian factions. they did not recognize the state of israel. they make it that much more for the united states potentially to broker. >> of the white house confirmed that on friday, the president will be visiting the headquarters of the cia in virginia to honor and the entire u.s. work in hunting down osama bin laden.

they have released what appears to be a posthumous audio recording in which the former leader praised resolution -- revolutions have been sweeping the arab world. the audio by him, who of course was killed in pakistan was included in an internet video that lasted more than 12 minutes. they are still of him and the audio, these have been posted on monday web sites. he recorded the message in just a week before his death earlier this month. he says that the winds of change will blow over the entire muslim world. and u.s. intelligence officials were aware of the recording was going to be released. it was in the pipeline, and it is unclear if it is his final

message. an audio message. a round the city, sporadic fighting continues. >> growing signs of order and confidence. subsidized bread. and a daily routine. sending his forces of to the front lines. he has emerged as a rebel commander. fitting for the former center back of the national football squad.

and coach of the local team of. today, he is taking his children to see their home. the forces shelled the area, but they have been pushed back, the city safe for now. football requires courage, he says, but fighting has taught me so much more about myself and how to command the men. hours later, the colleagues are carried back from the frontlines from 50 kilometers outside. they were ambushed. the forces remain a real threat here. >> it might seem chaotic, and to some extent, it still is. the city has adapted and put into place structures to make a real difference.

>> for instance, who delivered twice daily across the city to key institutions including the hospital. among the staff, they have become a key, confident figure in the administration. >> whole week, but the floods are moving again. >> is the worst over and out? gosh i think so. >> a sign of progress, and electricity back on. >> i have to get back to work in my workshop. >> his family can't fully relax. they might soon be needed back at the front. >> i will not give up until they are finished.

and they have judged him and his family. >> a besieged city adapts and waits for the next breakthrough. >> they are charged with trying to rape a hotel maid once the unreleased on the cash bail and electronically tagged. the bail hearing is due to take place on tuesday. she gave us an update on the police investigation. >> there will be a grand jury hearing. this is to determine whether or not there is sufficient evidence for him to continue to be detained. the grand jury will hear the evidence thus far and they will take a vote. and on the basis of that, the case continues or it doesn't.

by friday, that grand jury hearing should have happened. more immediately, tomorrow, there is the bail hearing. remember, he was denied bail on monday. the hope it will be granted. >> of the authorities have also spoken about the credibility of the witness. dodge the lawyer has been talking to the press and they has said that she is a devout muslim and. she came to the u.s. about seven years ago, and the situation is similar to seeking asylum. she was coming from troubled circumstances. it is someone that is trying to build a new life for herself ha. they did not know who she was until after everything had happened. she is in the middle of the maelstrom.

>> the visit from washington, they maintain peace -- how they warned that it could jeopardize relations. >> that has created major problems. it costs more than 1 million people to relocate. it will take less to improve ecological protection than to relocate. an enormous ride from the deforestation of the rain forest in brazil. in march and april last year, the 100 square kilometers or destroyed. the figure was almost 600. the human rights group amnesty international says the egyptian

authorities need to do more to provide justice for the victims of violent repression that led to the downfall. in a new report, they outline how the security forces used excessive force against demonstrators. he is in cairo with this report. >> in a report, amnesty international gives a graphic account of the human rights abuses are widely reported during the revolution. the organization describes how the security forces opened fire on unarmed civilians. they have conducted thousands of arrests and torture and even killed those in custody. few even in the egyptian government dispute what went on. amnesty points out the official report has not been published in full. many of it remains to be compensated and punished. >> they also call for a thorough

reform. to prevent abuses from ever being repeated. the report is just days before the minister is going on trial accused of giving the order to protesters. the president and other senior aides are being detained. investigations into their role continued. they are respected in the way that the demonstrators called for. >> still to come, the first for rwanda. degeneration has qualified for a world cup tournament. they are the tag team, the president promised he will soon announce whether he will soon be running for president. >> he has been in office for three years, but this is the first time that he held a press

conference to which all were invited and any question could be expected. the key question over the occasion, does the president of the world's largest country plan to run again? and there was no answer yet. >> it has to be calculated. the decision they should bear that in mind. it is not a game the. >> he took over as president in 2008 and the prime minister remains a powerful figure it is still unclear which of the men will run next year or how the candidate will be decided. >> it was fuelled by a public dispute over libya.

we spent a day traveling with the president in his motorcade. he visits have increasingly taken on an air of a man campaigning for the top job. this is a key moment for russia. they announced up to two consecutive terms allowed and there is a choice. the future is more in the traditional role. unless they run against each other, the real choice will be made behind closed doors. if only one of them runs, he will win. >> headlines, the united states has sanctions on the syrian president over the human rights abuses of anti-government protesters. they're back in court on

thursday for another bail hearing. they want him released on a million dollars cash bail. and where an electronic tag. a year ago today, clearing anti- government protesters, the red shirts had occupied parts of the capital trying to force the government to step down. by the time it was over, 90 people have lost their lives. joining me is our correspondent. is there a feeling that just as only belongs to one side? the protesters have so far been prosecuting. >> they will tell you that they feel very bitter and resentful about that. if you talk to the government and the military, they say there is the investigative process -- process going on. if anybody strayed outside the rules of engagement, they are

subject to the law. but there is no one from the government or the military that has been held to account. there is still on hundred redshirt protesters. the charges include those of terrorism. but the most senior members were allowed only out on bail. there is a lot going on in terms of the judicial process and the emotional feelings on the street. there'll be a protest we are told. they occupied the center of bangkok. >> where is the red shirt movement now? >> it is a much more difficult question because initially, they wanted the government to step down and they wanted an end to what they say is double standards.

and in the justice system. the government has called an election, so the government will step down and there will be an election. it was much later than the red shirts would have liked. they were campaigning for them to be released on prison. the names now seem to be beginning to dovetail much more obviously with the opposition party. as we move into an election campaign, he seemed to be focusing explicitly on trying to get the opposition in the power and get the current government out. and other questions float including the man that many of the red shirts still support. he was ousted in 2006, a self- imposed exile to avoid a prison term. is there any chance that he might get amnesty?

>> to latin america now, people have died in the shooting in the mexican state. a gunman opened fire on tuesday. no one has been arrested and police are still trying to find a motive for the killings. the highest court in guatemala has approved the divorce of the president and his wife. the clears the way for her to stand for election and to be his successor. they overcame a constitutional ban on close relatives for the president running to the top office. the 27 victims of a cattle ranch in the country. the state of the siege following the killings, it was the work of

the drug cartel. one person so far has been arrested. and only the second procedure of its kind anywhere in the world, a man has chosen -- >> alive changing operation. it was a motorbike accident a decade ago. his hand still has no function. he is deeply frustrated. he feels the hand isn't even there. he has now decided to have his hand cut off and replaced with a bionic lamb. -- limb.

>> it cannot be better. the only way to cut this down is the new army. >> he is only the second patient in the world to choose is what his hand for a bionic one. patrick was the first. he lost his hand after being electrocuted at work. he has tied his shoe laces. the reputation being offered faces opposition from some colleagues had thoroughly believes that the procedure is the best remaining option. >> is now 26 years old and wants to go on with his life. for him, it will be a never- ending story.

i have no problem cutting off his hands. it is one of column resolved, even time for a joke. >> final preparations are underway. the amputation will proceed. this is not about losing a hand, it is about gaining one. the surgery goes smoothly and it will be several weeks of for they will be able to try his hand. following the operation, he is drowsy. but there are no regrets. >> i feel good. i look forward. >> he would not have parted were it not for advances in bionics. further progress can soon be at

hand. >> select few countries usually reigns supreme. you would certainly not put rwanda on the list. after genocide left an estimated 800,000 people dead, the country is qualified for its first major global tournament. they will be going to the under 17 tournament next month that they will play against england. perhaps it is appropriate that london is where they are training. >> this is the football team of. they made history this summer by qualifying for the world cup in mexico. the first time any team young or old has achieved its. >> of the stadium will be playing host to arguably the biggest football match in the world. today, it is open to any

players. >> is part of the warm-up for the world cup. it shows just how far the country has come on the road to recovery. this year marks the seventeenth anniversary of the genocide. in a land once torn apart by tribal differences, this team of young man is a powerful symbol of unity. and as they prepare for the tournament, a nation looks on. >> they ignore that we are the future. to me, it is like a miracle. >> the of many african players. the vast majority, could these be a new generation. they have been after rwanda

several times. >> i was talking to the president of rwanda affairs. they will reconstitute the affair. and how to use the headlights for the cars. it is one of the most important things in the culture, how do they get the sport back up and running. >> before applying a friendly match, the boys brought the premier league. this is living the dream. back home and in the u.k., this is news. everyone is doing it because they love football.

they're having fun. >> amongst the crowd, we ask them what the achievement meant for the country. >> they are together, they are all 18 a. they make us proud. >> before the tournament starts. however, this team's very existence is a powerful example of the role the sport can play in reconciliation. >> the report in case your rendering of the football itself, it ended in a drop -- it ended in a draw. for more, all the ones with featured, go to the web site. as for background and analysis, there is video and audio

content. plenty more on the u.s. sanctions targeting the syrian president. >> 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? >> "bbc world news" was presented by kcet los angeles.