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"newsday" on the bbc. >> here are the headlines -- the british secretary goes to burma, the first such trip in 50 years. that the president obama and his focus on asia. and the two men found guilty of murdering a black british teenager nearly 20 years ago are jailed for life. and the republican presidential race rolls on, the remaining candidates moving on to the state of new hampshire. >> it is 12:00 in the afternoon in singapore. >> we are broadcasting to viewers on pbs in america and around the world. this is "newsday."

the british foreign secretary william hayes is. -- it is visiting burma, the first such trip by air force secretary in more than 50 years. for more on this, rachel harvey joins me from the main city of rangoon. in a rare move, the burmese authorities have allowed us in. it is significant that your reporting from there, and this. by william hague. >> yes, britain being the former colonial power, there is a huge amount of history between parmalat and britain, but there has not been any dialogue in that relationship for decades. that is what william hague wants to change. he is here, in his own words, to encourage steps towards reform. many western governments say they're pleased with what they

have seen so far, the changes that seem to be under way, but the want to see a lot more, not the least of which is the release of all political prisoners and the improvement of human rights and freedoms. the messages we are here to support you in trying to speed up this process of reform. it is a process the government describes as a move towards democratization. the question is, how far and how fast that process will go. >> apart from leading burmese leaders, is william had also set to meet the opposition leader? >> absolutely, this is becoming a familiar pattern for these diplomatic visits. william hague is currently on his way for a first meeting with his counterpart, the foreign minister of burma. then he will meet the speaker of parliament. after rent. after lunch, he will meet the president. then he jumps on the airplane,

comes to rangoon for another round of meetings, and more meetings tomorrow with recently released political prisoners and standard talks, representatives of minority groups. there are a lot of people that he wants to hear from to get what he would feel is a proper representation of all sectors of burmese society. because the government and the administration is now bracing itself and remote capital, much of the commercial activity is based in rangoon, it means a lot of traveling over a short two- day trip. >> with the recent visit of hillary clinton of the u.s., and george soros, is the feeling now on the ground? is burma now open for business? >> burma would say it is open for business, and the burmese government would say it always has been, it is only western

sanctions that got away, prevented them from investing. those sanctions are still in place. a lot of what the early diplomatic activity is really about is trying to build confidence, to build established relationships with key members of the burmese government in order to somewhere down the road with those sanctions, crucially invest in the economy because it is desperately needed. if the people are to feel the benefits of the changes under way, it is economic investment, jobs, improvements in their daily lives that will make that difference. >> rachel heartbeat in rangoon, burma, thank you for that report. the pentagon will reveal plans thursday for a strategic review of america's security interests which will emphasize a greater defense presence in the asia-pacific region. president obama is due to launch the review it and is expected to

said u.s. military budget will continue to grow, but at a much smaller pace. marcus george is in washington with more on the strategic review. >> there will be quite a significant reduction on the ground, up to about 20,000, 30,000 or so expected to be dropped over the next 10 years. up to 5000 will be cut from mainland europe, where traditionally the u.s. has had a significant military presence since the end of the second world war. part of the strategic review looks at the asia-pacific region and how the u.s. can make the best of the new alliances and partnerships across that region. it is the influence of china and north korea, very significant. also, very strategic capabilities changing, and that the u.s. traditionally over the

past 20 years has kept some sort of capability of fighting two wars at the same time. that looks as though it will change, also. there are various projects, various weapons projects, new aircraft carrier classes, submarine classes, which will be delayed, saving money as well. officials in the philippines that at least 25 people have been killed by a landslide in the valley of the southern island. they said about one other people are still missing after the landslide struck a mine the area near the town. the army has deployed soldiers to the area at to dig for survivors. the executive director of the national risk reduction in the management council has more details. >> last year, there was a landslide near the village.

this is in the same municipality of the landslide. villagers have been affected by this. the soil is saturated, and people have evacuated the nearby province. the authorities are looking in this area the past two days. no people are supposed to be in the area, as declared by the department, but some people are insisting on going into the area because this is ongoing. the two men found guilty of killing the black british teenager, stephen lawrence, have been jailed for his murder? >> yes, gary dobson was sentenced to at least 15 years in prison, david norris 14.

the sentences reflect the fact the two men were juvenile when it committed the crime in 1993. the judge said he hoped the police would not close the file on the murder. scotland yard says they have received new information about the case. we have this report from tom simons. >> steven lawrence's name has never been forgotten. today, finally a penalty was handed down for taking his life. david norris and gary dobson were detained at her majesty's pleasure. it will not be released until late 2020's but the earliest. -- at the earliest. stephen lawrence's mother reached the end of the trial satisfied by what justice had delivered, to a point. >> since this has happened, it may be quite low, but at the same time their hands are tied. for that, as much as he could do, i am very grateful.

>> the court was crack -- was packed. the defendants said nothing while the sentences were handed down, though there was a shot from the gallery, "shame on all of you." he said they were totally innocent 18-year-old youth on the threshold of a promising life cut down on the streets in front of eyewitnesses' by a racist, thuggish gang. the judge told the men, your group if not actively seeking out a victim was prepared if opportunity arose to attack in the way which you did. they were juvenile when they were murdered steve lawrence and when the police put them under surveillance. under law, the received lower sentences to reflect their ages at the time, but several years were added to the totals because of the racist nature of the crime and the public reaction to it. the judge also said he hoped the conviction of norris, being interviewed by police here, and

thompson would not result in the case file being closed. outside, stephen lawrence's father said he hoped it would not cooperate with the police. >> these police not -- these people now realize that have been found out. bad,they lay and they're -- in their bed, they will know they are responsible for the death of my son and they will give up the rest of the people. >> the people involved in the murder should not rest easily. we are still investigating this case. i would like to take this opportunity, anybody out there who has any information or evidence, please tell us and we will do the rest. >> nine people remain of interest to the police. they include these men. they have never been convicted, despite a series of allegations. in 1993, two men were said to have attacked a youth. norris was acquitted, the other

man charged. and this is not darren giles. he intervened in a nightclub row. he was stabbed in the heart. >> my heart stopped immediately. there was no oxygen getting to my brain. >> but the man who has refused to speak to the bbc was acquitted. a jury decided that he acted in self-defense. these incidents do not provide evidence that any of the three men killed steven lawrence. they all deny that, and police currently have no information to act on. the lawrence family left court this afternoon to begin their return to normal life. they expect to meet detectives again next week. the european union is

expected to impose an embargo on iranian oil exports before the end of the month. iran gains half of its revenue from exporting crude oil, and an embargo will force them to turn to a should replace the lost trade. the french foreign minister announced plans for the embargo. >> we have a foreign ministers' meeting on genworth 30. on this occasion, a. we will make a decision of the embargoed oil and petrol from iran. things are looking from rigid are looking good. we want to assure european partners. we need to provide them with an alternative, but the solutions exist and i think they will be reached by the end of january. you are watching "newsday" on the bbc. still to come, beyond politics, reform in burma taking many different forms, including an international film festival.

>> and a school in pakistan hoping to produce the next generation of olympic hockey heroes. shares in one of britain's biggest retailers have fallen after it reported disappointing sales. however, jobless increased its sales. both businesses say that 2012 will be challenging. >> it is time for the retailers to tell their christmas stories and reveal how much money they took over the festive time, and also whether a chillier climate has taken a grip on -- now that the new year has arrived. first up, john lewis reporting higher december sales in the same month of 2010. it says turnover before christmas was outstanding, but warned this year would be tougher. >> the big challenge in 2012 is the planning for the economy that we're going to face. >> the biggest winner was one line trade, up 20% at john

lewis. the internet and on-line sales at next were up 70% in the august-december timeframe. at the same time, next said its high street stores all lower christmas sales and its performance was disappointing. >> shoppers are migrating away from high street and by an online because there is the perception of a better value on line and the convenience of shopping when you want. >> hear the retailers are acknowledging that trading conditions are not exactly straight forward. it is hardly surprising that elsewhere on high street, some competitors are finding life more difficult. internet shopping with customers shopping at home rather than stores is one factor. so was the squeeze on consumer budgets because of high inflation and low pay rises. some retailers have been feeling the pressure. this chocolate shop issued a profit warning before christmas,

blaming weak consumer confidence. this underwear retailer said it was ready to call administrators. other retailers will come out with trading is next week. it is "newsday" on the bbc. >> these are the headlines -- >> britain's foreign secretary william hague is visiting burma, the first such trip in more than 50 years. >> president obama spelling out a new vision for a u.s. military strategy, with focus on asia. a high-profile candidate for the white house, michelle bachmann, has dropped out of the race. the front runner, mitt romney, a closely won the vote in iowa, but the surprise was the rise of

four santorum. >> he is celebrating. so is he. both think they could win the big prize, the right to face president obama for the white house. after a nail biting night, in the end, just eight votes divided on the from santorum. second place it is good for the former senator, a christian conservative with a hard-line opponent of gay marriage and abortion. he is not one to stick to the saif center. >> what wins in america is bold ideas come a sharp contrast, and a plan that includes everyone. >> some predict that his views, lack of organization me that he cannot win. others disagree. >> his message resonates. when you look him in the eye, you trust him. >> the mainstream media decided for us who are candidate was,

romney. that have been telling us romney. we're telling them, no, it is not necessarily romney. >> this incredibly tight result divides the republicans between there had and their heart, not certain of would want to lead, not certain particular about romney. >> we will change america and the white house. >> coming in on top is good for romney, but it underlies his problem, only a quarter of republicans on his side. at that 25% is his magic number. he cannot break that number. it is like lucy with football. every time he goes to ticket, she pulls away and he hits the ground. >> in iowa, the votes are often in tiny meetings. like this one in a fire station. it had a big impact on the race.

ron paul came in the third. newt gingrich is down, but determined to fightr. itick perry is down, not quite out. for michelle bachmann, iowa was the last waltz. the campaign is now moving to new hampshire. john mccain backed romney. and not make sure that we make romney the mess -- the next president -- >> make sure that we make mitt romney the next president. >> that will be a challenge reflecting the new and fiery conservatism that grips the grass roots. even as politics and diplomacy unfold, signs of real change in burma. the bbc has been given unusual access. for the first time in many years, bring good has played host to an international film festival -- rangoon has played host to an international film festival.

bu >> this is the fourth day ofa film festival in rangoon, an extraordinary offense. many people have turned up. it is such a novelty to be able to watch uncensored films. the festival has been backed by some very high-profile names. she was keen to give her support to the young filmmakers in burma, trying to encourage them to express themselves. another high profile name has really been pushing hard for this but since he was released is the comedian, who was only set free in october. they feel this is a really good way to test the small space that may be opening for freedom of expression. and there is a huge appetite for this. >> we have never had freedom like this before. that is why i think the film festival is really important.

>> i am a bit surprised this was allowed to go ahead. then again, it is a new government and things are changing. what really surprises me is how many people there are here. >> the films being shown here seem slightly more provocative as they go along. this film, it is extraordinary to think it is being shown in public. the images show the 2007 uprising, the street protests. the protest was put down violently by the military authority. everything from that of that has been strictly forbidden and burma, yet here we are in the center of rain could, in public, with this documentary film being shown -- in rangoon, and public, with the stock mystery film being shown. this is testing the limits of freedom of expression, free speech, it will test for the authorities.

they are allowing this to go ahead. it is unbelievable to the people in this room to think they are watching this in public. 2011 was one of the most turbulent years in global international history. we have this story from china. >> we have been asking viewers about their experiences with the economic crisis. in china, the economy is booming thanks to their work force, more than the european union and india together. we meet this cafe owner in beijing who says his country will remain a global powerhouse for some time to come. [music plays]

[speaking foreign language]

[music plays] in pakistan, the big hope for an olympic medal is their hockey team. we have this report from a school which has produced more than 50 international hockey players. >> the students all share a dream, to one they represent pakistan at the olympics. there in the right place to achieve it, because the school has an amazing history when it comes to hockey. it is pakistan's most important olympic sport. this 14-year-old has already been identified as a star of the future. >> i think i get my pride and inspiration from the players who have gone before me.

gold medalists have come from this school. it makes me feel that i can do the same. >> this school is modest, but that just happens to produce a hockey international in the 1960's. that player helped start exporting revolution. he came back to train young players. despite meager resources, he had a huge amount of success. so many of pakistan's greatest hockey stars have come from these very classrooms. this one school alone in the last 40 years has produced over 50 international players who have won world cups and champions trophies and over a dozen olympians. that is an incredible record for any school anywhere in the world, let alone one from a relatively port area and central pakistan. the walls outside of the headmaster's office pay tribute to the former pupils who went on to represent pakistan, a list

that is being added to all the time. four of the current national team are from this high school, preparing to take part in the olympics in london. >> we feel so proud to have come from that school. we were nothing, but they give us our start. it feels so good when we go back. >> for many pupils, the school and its focus on hockey has given them a way out of poverty and a way to see the world. that is why many here now feel they have a chance to one day compete on the greatest sporting stage. you have been watching "newsday" from the bbc. >> thank you very much for your company. our main stories, of william hague, the british foreign minister in burma for talks. goodbye.

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