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and now, "bbc world news". >> the headlines. >> with hours to go, syrian government troops against opposition forces. celebrations in north korea in a countdown to the 100th anniversary of its founders birth. >> the billion dollar app. big money paid for instagram. the final stop of the memorial crew. it is 9:00 a.m. in singapore. >> to him in london. broadcasting to viewers on pbs and around the world. this is "newsday."

with a deadline approaching 2 government troops to withdraw from towns and cities, opposition activists say security forces have killed 100 in attacks that included use of gunships. i witnesses on the border with turkey say syrian troops forced to fire on refugees as they were trying to flee the country. a television cameraman was shot dead. the incident increases fears that they peacetime brokered by kofi annan is close to collapse. >> the violence building up inside syria spilled over the border today. refugees who thought they would reach safety in turkey are fired on or caught in crossfire. >> it was the last straw for

this man. they are killing us, he cried. there are slaughtering them with knives. there bombing houses. you people help us. there were 20 injured. some had been shot. the failure of international diplomacy to stop the fighting has been a crushing blow for refugees who have been waiting many months to go home. even more so for those who have been driven here in the past week when the annan peace plan was opposed beginning momentum. the helicopter gunships swooped down on our village, this man recall who arrived three days ago. bullets hit two of his sons. they're in turkish hospital. the kofi annan police plan --

peace plan was the last great hope. it brought only increased suffering. short of a diplomatic miracle, they believe there will have to fight for their freedom. inclined tosh host and clien agree. it calls for the government to begin withdrawing its forces and stop using heavy weapons in population centers. for the population to commit to stop fighting and calls for all parties to ensure humanitarian assistance reaches all areas affected and implement the to our humanitarian pause. -- two hour humanitarian pause. the government has escalated its attacks and now it is attaching impossible conditions to its promised withdrawal. this is the village today.

at been pulling people out of what is left of their homes after another bombardment. people are believed to have died here, including women and children. the peace plan is unraveling. after it fails, what then? there is a low likelihood of an agreement. >> ben kiernan has condemned syria's -- ban ki-moon has condemned the attacks. >> the security council is waiting to hear kofi annan's assessment. it is up to mr. annan to take the time and space to get this plan to work. it is his call in assessing whether the government is keeping its promise or not to

end military operations by the deadline of tuesday, april 10. given the fact the violence has been escalating and given the fact the government has come up with these new conditions, for keeping its commitment, it seems not likely that deadline will be capped. we do know that kofi annan has not given up on the plan. he is working and had contact with syria's allies asking them to put pressure to comply with its commitments. it is not clear what the next steps will be diplomatically if, in fact, it becomes obvious the plan has completely unraveled. on the one hand, kofi annan cannot ignore government violations because that means his credibility is at stake but on the other hand, he would be reluctant to fully declare the plan a failure because that would mean an end to talks with the government and the rising specter of civil war and that is something the concerns everyone here. the security council is waiting

to hear what he might recommend for further action. >> reporting from new york. that cease fire is due to be imposed at 4:00 p.m. gm team all the details of that timetable on the bbc news website. you will find analysis from the crisis on how it started including reports by jonathan head. and our correspondent looking at the arab league approach to tackling this crisis and this -- the plan put forth by the arab league and kofi annan. all that on the bbc news website. a look at some of the day's other news. in yemen 33 people including nine soldiers have been killed in a suspected al qaeda attack

on an army barracks. the army said 18 al qaeda fighters were killed in a province. they controlled significant territory. police in venezuela are searching for customers get -- a coaster week a diplomat -- costa rican diplomat. he was a detective from outside his home. -- abducted from outside his home. miners have been trapped for five days inside an illegal co pper mine. celebrations in north korea. what is happening there? >> it began with the biggest celebrations in the nation's history. marking the founders birthday

and also the role of his son, kim jong il. our correspondent is one of a group of journalists who have been invited to witness the event. >> a sea of faces. acting in cue. perhaps 100,000 strong. starting the week of celebrations. the emotions almost sound exaggerated. the father and son are worshipped like god and their people are being urged to give thanks. today, few of outsiders would bring him as north korea as powerful or prosperous. there is a personality cult

built around the kims. as the crowds dispersed, we were told we could not talk to any of them. instead, we were brought to this model factory. it has never fired a single worker, i was told. apparently it is down to the generous guidance of the two kings -- kims. under their watch, the workers get interactive instruction in physics, math, and english. this birthday celebration for kim il sung is the biggest event. i will celebrate by working even harder. he hashe sticks to the script. the kims, father and son, deserve the credit for

everything. when they were alive, they instructed us to provide close for the people. we have exceeded our annual quota in three months. this is a highly controlled visit. the ladies we spoke to, as soon as we stop talking, they went away. outside there are glimpses of a different north korea that we would like to stop and see but we cannot. they are -- there are hints of a less perfect world. the agreement on any of the city. the uniformity, reflections that suggest the land of the kims is not a socialist paradise. >> to south korea where they are expecting -- preparing to vote. it is seen as a referendum on the current hardline policy. an alleged political clampdown

and home. -- at home. >> when you have renamed yourself the new frontier party, you have to deliver a few surprises. not what where there -- what they're conservative supporters is used to but this is about getting in touch with the people. or rather, their children and grandchildren. there is a new party image. and some fresh new candid. he is aiming to become the first north korean to win a seat in south korea's parliament. how easy is that going to be? >> people are surprised when they learned khyam from the north and i am trying to enter korean politics. it is something that would have been unimaginable in the past but now, people see those from the north and south can work

together for reunification. >> north korea and even the economy have had to fight for space in this election. most of the main tv news networks are facing high-profile strikes by journalists who complain they are not allowed to report bad news about the government. this has made people think about how unfair news can affect national events. this leader told me hour strike will help boost the turnout. those who have not been interested in politics and realizing to change the system, they need to make themselves heard. striking reporters have put on broadcasting their stories on the internet which many south koreans believe is the only real source of news anyway. >> with a two-party here, running neck-and-neck, it could have been that generation of voters despite the election.

a political novice with no affiliation, once controlled. that has shaken established politicians but the stakes are how to deal with north korea are much higher. >> you're watching "newsday." are we in another dot-com bubble? >> all smiles in mali. the leader wants to decide how the country is run. quick look at front-page headlines. the times in britain. the u.n. peace plan comes into

force within the next two hours. in the business world, the billion dollar buyout of instagram. u.s. share markets have pulled back sharply since disappointing figures emerged friday. the international herald on the rar right candidate. the headline here. the majority of -- are child -- are childless or do not plan to have children. >> this is "newsday."

>> the headlines for you. with a few hours to go, syria has suffered one of the worst days of violence since the uprising began. >> celebrations for the 100th anniversary for the birth of the country's founder under way. concern rising about the planned at rocket launch. a team of americans has joined an effort at search and rescue. the avalanche struck a remote military base. we have this update. >> the pakistan army has said it is hoping for a miracle. that is truly what it will take to find anyone alive under that wall of snow and ice that came crashing down on saturday

morning. a mountaineering expert told us in theory, someone could abies -- survive if they had an oxygen supply and they had rations. that must be an outside chance. the team of experts is -- they're trained in alpine search and rescue but they could now reach the site today because of bad weather. there is a large-scale rescue operation going on. almost 300 people involved. there are bulldozers and rescue dogs and paramedics. we understand they have not yet managed to reach any of the bodies. they have cleared one section, an area of 40 feet by 30 feet. this avalanche was on a massive scale. covering about 1 square kilometer and it is up to 80 feet deep. the rescue operation that is taking place in some of the toughest terrain. the base is located 15,000 feet

above sea level at the edge of a glacier sell the remoteness and the cold and the harsh conditions are making the search and rescue operation for more difficult. >> the leader of the recent coup h asas held talks. whoever -- however it is not clear for the future and how transfer of power would take place. >> in this part of northern mali, it is an unsettling time. these are some of the new recruits. the military has been in charge since the coup three weeks ago. this man said he has confidence in the army.

he said the army is setting up a base in the north. the population has been worried about the rebels. the military made him in charge in the south but the -- one northern rebel group is declaring independence. a few outside mali recognize it. there are new fears that members of the islamists responsible for wave of attacks in nigeria may be in northern mali. religious leaders like this imam want to impose sharia law. he said no muslims should take up arms against its brothers. early on monday, leaders of the military coup met the man who would replace him. it is not clear when power will

be handed over. ordinary people say they will take matters into their own hands. this student said he and others will use money and weapons to get their land back. the future of the country is not clear. peace and democracy are under threat. >> facebook is paying $1 billion in cash and stocks for a photo sharing company. instagram is the largest acquisition to date. me what is so appealing. >> not sure i can explain why facebook would pay $1 billion. it is an editing functions are you not only snap a picture but there are filters that allow

you to adjust the with the picture looks. perhaps cleared up or make it into black-and-white. it is a little bit more fun than your average photo app. >> this is designed specifically for sharing your photographs. >> but paying $1 billion, is it reasonable for facebook to buy at 2-year-old company and will they get their investment back? >> i am stunned at the amount of money. i wish i was one of their employees. i cannot figure out how they agreed on $1 billion. facebook can afford it. it is not going to break the company. it is about $100 billion offering. i am surprised by the amount. >> how do you think the purchase instagram will affect the

ipo? >> they are an ambitious company that has ideas that go beyond its offering. facebook is not stopping. mark zuckerberg said the are just getting started and there is more acquisition. there will have a lot of cash in the bank which means they can afford to buy several more companies for 1 billion here and 1 billion there. they are willing to take risks and move forward and that will do -- help them in their ipo. some people might question the way they spend money. that is the one danger. >> before we go, what is the next acquisition? >> i don't know. that is a good question. they could be going after other mobile apps. i would not be surprised if they

after hosni mubarakial apps.>>r was removed from power, there is still tension. the muslim brotherhood has warned -- if he manages to win the top post. >> light applause for the official presidential candidate. this news conference, the millionaire businessman wanted to set out his political vision. journalists questioned the last- minute entry in the presidential contest. he warned this could bring egyptians back out on the street. >> we strongly -- we are addressing the former regime.

this is an insult to the revolution. >> and get he does have supporters. a crowd turns out to greet him as he has handed in his registration of papers at the election headquarters. the ousted president -- they have promised to restore stability. although he claims to have had death threats he said with -- he will plan to run. there are more than 20 candidates in the presidential race including the former arab league had and several prominent islamists. for now, the political debate has polarized along familiar lines. >> how would you feel about retracing the journey of the titanic?

a memorial crew is sending -- sealing of the same route. they arrived in ireland today. our corresponded is on board from where he sent this report. >> this was always going to be an unusual cruise and so it is proving to be. after rep says and gale force wind, a welcoming sight for passengers on the memorial voyage. when titanic made her final stop here 100 years ago, this port was called -- the welcome remains the same. >> part of our history. we need this badly. >> for the passengers, it was a

final chance to be on dry land before crossing the atlantic. >> to be here, this is a once in a lifetime experience and it is very touching. >> it brings you back to the titanic. >> 123 irish passengers boarded eurocentric ago. most of them drowned a few days later. tonight passengers are reboarding. the next sstop is where titanic sank. >> you have been watching "newsday." >> with a deadline to start withdrawing from towns and cities an hour and a half away, we're taking -- keeping a close eye. stay with us. you're watching "newsday."

>> make sense of international news. bbc.com/news. >> funding was made possible by -- the freeman foundation of new york, stowe, vermont, and honolulu. the newman's own foundation, union bank and shell. >> about to feel one of his favorite sensations. at shell, we are developing more efficient fuels in a country

like -- countries like malaysia. let's use energy more efficiently. let's go. let's go. >> bbc world news was