>> at union bank, our relationship managers work hard to understand the industry you operate in, working to nurture new ventures and help provide capital for key, strategic decisions. we offer expertise and tailored solutions in a wide range of industries. what can we do for you? >> and now "bbc world news." >> of the red cross evacuates 20 women and children and some badly injured victims of the violence in homs. hillary clinton and attacks russian and chinese opposition to u.n. action over syria. >> it is despicable. whose side are they on? they are not on this side of the syrian people.

>> the iaea has concerns over iran nuclear program. at least 12 people have been killed in anti-american protests in afghanistan. welcome to bbc news. whoywood's biggest night, will come out on top at the oscars? despite all the condemnation and the diplomatic maneuvering, the violence in syria has continued. there are reports of 100 killed in homs.

at a meeting of world leaders, hillary clinton described russia and china is opposition as despicable. there has been one tiny glimmer of hope in the city. the red cross has evacuated about 20 a healthy women and children and seven badly injured people. they have been taken to a hospital outside the area. our diplomatic correspondent begins our syria coverage. >> no end to the shelling in homs. tonight, there is a glimmer of a breakthrough. some severely wounded casualties, including women and children, were evacuated. not the injured foreign journalist, though. they refused to go apparently.

meanwhile, today's conference send a strong political message. dozens of countries backing the call for president bashar al- assad to go and endorsing the main opposition grouping, the syrian national council. >> i do believe they justified our intensified support and working with them. i have offered them additional practical help we can provide from the united kingdom. the political opposition outside syria. i believe they are doing the right thing and they will be able to bring greater unity to the opposition and syria. >> to promote the syria national council as legitimate representative of the opposition. to ramp up economic sanctions against syria, to close embassies, and to pre position humanitarian aid just in case president bashar al-assad ever agrees to a cease-fire. behind the scenes, it was chaotic disagreement about

whether to arm the rebels. britain has always been against it. the americans hinted they might consider it. sitting next to hillary clinton, the saudi foreign minister said he was all for it. an excellent idea, he called it. >> what do you think about foreign aid to syrian opposition? >> i think it is an excellent idea. quips one thing -- >> the failure of the outside world to stop the violence in syria is not to do with their own lack of political will, but the fault they say of russia and china. they have blocked any u.n. approval and refused to turn up to the conference. >> it is quite distressing to see two permanent members of the security council using their veto when people are being murdered, women, children, brave

gunmen, houses are being destroyed. it is -- a brave beyond that men, houses are being destroyed. it is despicable. the side are they on? >> one small noisy rally of supporters nearly disrupted proceedings. a reminder there are plenty of people who do not think he is the worst option for syria. what has emerged at this conference is that even though all the countries are united, they do not have a clear idea about how to do it. they blame russia and china for blocking action at the united nations, but the truth is there is an unease about getting sucked into a conflict in syria. >> as world leaders continue debating what to do about the violence and syria, the government forces continued to bombard opposition strongholds.

as does a tax increase, so does the resolve of anti-government -- as those at tax increase, so does the results of the anti- government forces. >> soldiers, farmers, mechanics, citizens bearing arms. these are the men of the syrian liberation army, a brand new armed group. britain and the west want the opposition to do night. in truth, each village, each family is now forming its own separate militia. just ask them what they want from the diplomats -- >> the world is watching what is happening inside syria.

every day, more of the killing it is important to -- we need a no-fly zone. >> people gathered across syria today. strength in numbers, perhaps, but still -- but some still would not show their faces. >> our people are being killed every day. we want to stop the violence. we want to stop the killing. >> this has become a fad a ritual for almost a year. they don't just want the freedom to speak out, but the right to be heard. >> freedom! >> this is a revolution.

for much of the last 40 years, a demonstration like this would be almost unthinkable. the sheer strength of numbers is not matched by fire power. they have little capacity. some were attacked today for daring to protest. our view of the country is limited, but what we have seen it is complete desperation from the lack of help from the outside world. as night falls, men with guns stand guard across syria. there is little reason to think their government would accept today's idea of a ceasefire. the road ahead is likely to see more bloodshed and death. >> inspectors from the u.n. nuclear watchdog group have concluded that iran has rapidly increased production of high

grade enriched uranium. tehran exist the nuclear program has no military purpose, but iaea officials say they are concerned that officials would not tell the more a large amount of uranium had gone. >> the iaea says iran is wrapping up the sensitive nuclear work. iran is increasing uranium enrichment at its main plant. enriched uranium can be used for civilian or military purposes. something that worries the west. iran says the nuclear work is purely peaceful. iaea inspectors recently held talks in tehran. they were mad at the airport by protesters. the report said there was no agreement on how to clear up the questions about the nuclear work. iran dismissed the concerns as

unfounded. the report is likely to tighten -- heightened the tension about iran. >> they increase their ability to produce enriched uranium, and they have refused to answer questions about alleged weapon is asian programs. -- weaponization programs. >> iran has indicated it wants to keep talking to the iaea. despite the tougher sanctions imposed on the country, tehran is showing little sign of compromise with the west. >> an italian court has -- is expected to reach a verdict in a bribery case against berlusconi.

he is accused of paint a british tax lawyer to provide false testimony in court. he denies any wrongdoing. a gunman in northern nigeria have attacked the city of gombe and opened fire on a nearby police station. four civilians were killed during a two-hour gunbattle. a british man has admitted starting a fire, which destroyed a furniture shop in south london last summer. images of the burning or some of the most shocking from last summer's riots in england. gordon thompson will be sentenced in april. at least 12 people have been killed as protests continued in afghanistan over the burning of copies of the koran and american

base. i least 18 have died this week and four days of protest. there have been fierce anti- american sentiment. >> protesters took to the streets after friday prayers. tinting their fury for a fourth day in a row. this was the western city, at some religious leaders are accused of planning -- spanning the flames. -- fanning the flames. police fired at demonstrators. there were protests around the country. in the southeast, and nato convoy went up in flames. that will please the taliban. they have been exporting the

koran controversy, urging afghans to target the middle forces. -- nato forces. the top military commander is still trying to limit the fallout. he made an emotional visit to a base or to u.s. troops were killed by an afghan colleague who sided with the protesters. >> these are the moments when you reach down inside and you grip the discipline that makes you a united states soldier. you gut through the pain and anger and you remember why we are here. we are here for our friends. we are here for our partners. we are here for the afghan people. >> among the afghan people, and the afghan security forces, many are demanding tough action against the troops who brought their holy book. i asked this army commander today what should happen to

those responsible. >> hang them, he said. >> trouble flared in the capitol, too. there were protests in several districts. security forces struggling to control their own streets. then the police did some burning of their own. they took down a white taliban a flag. by nightfall, the death toll had risen to about a dozen. having asked for forgiveness, nato says it wants to move on. this has been another day of protests, and another day of bloodshed. tonight, security forces are around the country remained on alert. so far, the anger on the streets has not been cooled by the apologies from senior american military officials or from president obama himself.

>> you are watching bbc news. a new memorial in bucharest for the jews who escaped the holocaust, but were killed on their way to safety. here in the u.k., it cited what it called public concern about people losing their benefits if they refuse to complete work experience placement. the head of the company that handles millions of pounds worth of welfare to work contracts has resigned. the chair of the firm is being investigated by police. the skippers of 17 scottish fishing boats have received fines totaling nearly 1 million pounds. the men admitted they were able to sell vast quantities of mackerel and herring by evading it " does. lloyd's banking group says it

is and is in the finale stronger position than it was 12 months ago. the bank is 40% owned by the taxpayer and blames the results on the compensation is tied to paid to customers. hillary clinton condemns russia and china over syria because the red cross interest the city of homs to evacuate casualties. u.n. nuclear inspectors say iran has increased its production of higher grade enriched uranium. a retired british businessmen has arrived in the united states after being expedited to stand trial in charges of conspiring to sell missile parts to iran. he denies trying to export batteries. he alleges he was the victim of the u.s. government sting operation. our correspondent is an los

angeles. he watched the arrival from there. >> he was taken and the silly to houston. this is for the case will be processed indiana -- he was taken and it's silly to houston. he he will spend the weekend and i'll pass so. -- el paso. the key question is whether he will be given bail. his lawyer has said he will vigorously argue because he was not a flight risk. he was not someone who would try to escape and leave texas. he was not a danger to the public. he was a respected businessman with no criminal record. >> do we know any other details? did he have contacts with iran? was he part of any business that could have had these sorts of dealings with iran?

>> there was another gentlemen involved in this conspiracy. that was robert gibson. he has been sentenced to two years. he pled guilty for his role in the same alleged conspiracy. there are no further details. nothing has changed in this case since the events of the last few days. his long battle to avoid extradition, something that he has said he strongly opposed. he believes the extradition treaty between the united states and the united kingdom is unfair. he could be forced by the americans to come to this country by virtue of an accusation. >> a ceremony in romania has marked 70 years since the deaths of hundreds of romanian jews of the turkish coast. they died on the way to what they believed would be a new life.

>> a new memorial and the romanian capital to the jews who escaped the holocaust, but were killed on their way to safety. pilgrims in eastern romania in the autumn of 1941 growth thousands of jews to try to reach palestine. more than 750, including 100 children, left the romanian port. it only got as far as istanbul. >> it is important to raise public awareness about these tragic events. and to educate the young generation. even after 70 years, there are still genocides in the world. >> during the 1940's, the british authorities turned away thousands of jews trying to

enter palestine. the british embassy in istanbul turned down the visa request of the passengers and asked turkey to block its on returning. this is the only non picture of the ship -- this is the only known picture of the ship. it was cast adrift in international waters. in february of 1942, it was torpedoed by a soviet submarine s. only one person survived the sinking of the ship. it was one of the biggest civilian maritime disasters of the second world war. >> if you found treasure at the bottom of the ocean, would you give it back to its rightful owners after 200 years after it was lost?

they're finally being returned to spain after a lengthy legal battle. >> flying in to claim its rightful property, they contain part of spanish heritage. the most valuable hall of sunken treasure industry. inside them are nearly 600,000 gold and silver coins, worth millions of dollars. no wonder that the spanish navy has come to collect them. >> they are sacred places. we do not like that anybody goes there to touch them. >> the treasure was found five years ago. she was sound and the straits of gibraltar by the british in 18 04. the treasure was taken from

their bite florida-based marine explorer spread date -- -- from thereby florida-based marine explorers. it is on its way back to spain. >> this is historical heritage. this is not to be sold. this is to go to a museum. there are agreements that will be acceptable. we have to fight against those who salvaged sunken objects. >> everyone wants to get their hands on the stretcher. more than 20 tons, it has taken some encouragement to get it,. -- it home. >> the united nations says the number of people displaced has risen to more than 120,000. about half of those in the area have crossed into neighboring

areas. the fighting began last month. the venezuelan president has left for cuba to undergo surgery. he traveled to the streets and waved goodbye. he had surgery in havana last year. a former top football official has lost his appeal. he sat on the executive board of the world governing body. he was suspended after undercover reporters secretly filmed tam excepting large payments for the world cup finals. sunday's oscars may eventually be remembered the day distinct international affair. it is mainly about "the artist."

>> preparations are underway for sunday night's oscar ceremony. it is a combination of the epic that is the award season. will the winners be expected? will there be surprises? could it be that the british start gary oldman will win best actor? >> we have no choice but to close. >> this year, the oscars have been at the center of a heated debate. the academy lacks diversity among its voting members. there predominately white, male, and middle aged. she does not seem to mind. does the most nominated actress of all time care about the oscars? >> it still matters.

it is so exciting. it really is. i remember the first time i went. i was next to gregory peck. betty davis was behind me. i been going to that thing for many years. ♪ >> as for best film, all the talk has been about "the artist." >> everyone making oscar predictions, everybody seems to think it is a foregone conclusion. it does not sound like it will be the year of the american film. >> or maybe it will. "ware is steven spielberg's

horse," and "hugo," and " midnight in paris." "the help" is another contender for best found. viola davis is nominated for best actress. >> you are watching bbc news. >> make sense of international news. bbc.com/news. >> funding was made possible by -- the freeman foundation of new york, stowe, vermont, and honolulu newman's own foundation and union bank.

>> at union bank, our relationship managers work hard to understand the industry you operate in, working to nurture new ventures and help provide capital for key, strategic decisions. we offer expertise and tailored solutions in a wide range of industries. what can we do for you? >> "bbc world news" was presented by kcet los angeles.