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>> and now "bbc world news america." >> welcome to newsday on the bbc. and i'm in singapore. >> and i'm in london. the headlines this hour -- defying world opinion, north korea launches its controversy will new rocket, but it appears to have failed. a fragile cease-fire in holding, but there are reports of breaches on this both sides of the conflict. >> a charge with murder, a florida man who shot dead an unarmed black teenager appears in court for the first time. and formula one will go ahead despite unrest. we're broadcasting to viewers on

pbs in america and around the world. this is newsday. >> hello and welcome. north korea has launched a long- range rocket in defiance of international condemnation but the south korean defense ministry said it crashed into the sea shortly after takeoff. it was launched from the northwest of the country. north korea said it is putting an observation satellite into orbit. the united states and north korean neighbors say it is a disguised long-range missile tests. at least twice since 1998, north korea try to launch satellites into orbit. intelligence sources suggest they failed. but the government insist their satellites in orbit.

let's get the latest from pyeongchang. -- from p'yongyang. david, what have you heard? >> nothing, in a word. nothing at all. no official statement at this point from the north korean authorities, nothing on north korean state television, nothing and north korean state radio. it is strange, because we were all invited here, dozens of journalists brought to north korea to report on this satellite launch. this morning's release have all been assembled here in the hotel that we are staying in. everyone trying to desperately confirm anything. all we know is what has come out from across the border in south korea in seoul, from washington, from tokyo, saying that at 7:39 p.m. the launch -- at 79 a.m. the rocket -- at 7:39 a.m., the

rocket launched off. we were taken to mission control a few days ago. north korea has been open and wanted to show the world this, but no statement this morning at all here. >> why do you think that is? could that be a suggestion that has failed, the fact that they are being so secretive about this? gatax is very unusual for north korea to be right -- writing off the way as this week. it is usually very controlled, and the authoritarian rulers here are very careful about the information they put out. it may take days sometimes for the information they put out and released to the world. the fact that nothing has come out in the first couple of hours may not in itself be significant. we were thinking they might be even trying to broadcast the event live for us.

they put up a huge white screen in the conference room where we are using at the press center. there were suggestions that the launch might be projected onto that for us to watch. nothing like that has happened. and that may be simply that the north korean regime is acting as normal and waiting to release information carefully, when it feels ready to. >> damien, thank you. the latest from john non-, saying that have had no information -- from p'yongyang, saying there had no information yet. more on this story as we go along. >> joining me now from the south korean capital of seoul is our correspondent lucie williamson. we have just heard from damien in p'yongyang in the north. and what is the reaction where you are in sold? >> the south korean government is saying that they believe this launch has failed.

they failed to track it be on the first minute or two of the flight, and they believed it fell into the sea, broke up, and fell back to earth. there have been some suggestions upper stage of the rocket failed to separate and that may be what caused it to fail. but in these very early days, people here and around the world in washington and japan are assessing all the information they have and trying to figure out exactly what happened. >> bluesy, the fact that it has appears to have -- has -- lucie, the fact that it appears to have failed, do you think that will have tightened tensions in the region? >> i think a planned rocket launch was leading to heighten tensions anyway, and that is something many countries said very clearly, that if north korea went ahead with this launch, it would cause tensions because of the way it would be

perceived. because of its relations with the international community and because it's like pat went close to a number of different countries, china, -- flight plan went close to a number of different countries, china, japan, and others. and the fact that north korea launched this rocket and said it was a satellite. other countries have said it is a thinly veiled disguise for a missile test. u.n. security council resolutions also raised big fears around the world of why north korea keeps doing this and what might happen, should perfect the long-range missile technology that it needs to then threaten countries like the u.s. >> thanks very much for that. let's stay in seoul, south korea, from where we will speak

to the founder of the asia- pacific global research group. obviously, a sigh of relief among south koreans there. what kind of message do you think the north is trying to send? >> i think it is trying to send a message to the international community that it is very serious about being taken seriously. respect is something north korean regime has wanted throughout its entire career, its entire existence. the fact that this missile launch has failed is a deep embarrassment to the north korean regime and its young leader. and how they might react, they may act very aggressively to try to counteract this embarrassment, that will be the issue next. >> and what do you think this failed launch will mean? how is north korea likely to react? >> i think we saw from last year with the attack on the warship and also with the attack on the island and that we have entered

into a very new era of the uncertainty and increasingly aggressive and hawkish tactics by north korea. and with the failing of this launch, that will only increase as north korea decides to ascertain its position in north east asia. >> obviously, this rocket launch was very important to the north koreans. it was meant to commemorate kim il-sung, after all. the fact that it was -- that it has apparently failed, using this will lead to more tensions and they're hiding their sense of bravado, perhaps? >> i think so. and it will go beyond mere saber rattling, which has been the hallmark feature of north korea. it will not only the words, but words turned to action, and they will be unpredictable. they might be in the form of skirmishes or paramilitary intrusions on disputed territory between north and south korea.

but that is unclear. and what is clear is that this new era of uncertainty will become increasingly more grave and dangerous going forward. >> thank you. as you would expect from our reaction is coming into this situation. we had a statement from the white house. to abbreviate, it said that despite the failure of this attempted missile launch, the white house is saying north korea pose a provocative action threatens regional security, violates international law, and conduct its own commitment. it is not surprising, but any missile activity is of concern by the international community. the president has been clear that he is prepared to engage constructively with north korea, but north korea's only further isolating itself by engaging in provocative acts.

the statement goes on to say it is wasting its money on weapons and propaganda. and it displays while the north korean people go hungry. much more on this developing story. but let's get some of the day's other news. the u.n. is going to send observers to the fragile peace -- cease-fire that is holding in syria. government forces are still occupying urban areas in defiance of the terms of the peace plan. big demonstrations could come after friday prayers. tens of thousands of civilians have already fled to live in refugee camps along the turkish- syrian border. >> after months of violence, it did seem a very different kind of day. not so much peace, but the absence of large-scale conflict. activists' venture out to record these pictures of government tactics on the mood in hama.

here they were able to film a sniper position. and students came out to form a chain, bearing the words "s.o.s." activist said they felt shelling by the army. before its part, the government accused the opposition of a lethal roadside bomb attack. in homs, we spoke to an activist who painted a mixed picture. it was quieter, he told me, but the tanks were still in the city, and there were still snipers on the roofs of buildings. the u.n. secretary general's wary response spoke for many in the international community. >> the world is watching with skeptical eyes, a sense of many promises previously made by the government of syria have not

been kept. >> there was a welcome to the cease-fire, but also a threat of the government to retaliate against attacks. >> we are seeking the stability of the country. >> all syrians are supporting the cease-fire because we are already so tired of this mess and the events taking place. >> the man who brokered this cease-fire, kofi annan, whhad spoken of a fragile calm. but he said other parts of the plan are still not been honored. he has called for the president to withdraw heavy weapons, tanks, and troops from the cities. he wants u.n. unimpeded access. one source said it could happen within 48 hours. and critically, he wants a syrian-led political process brokered immediately. but the seven blocs are significant.

president assad's regional enemies like turkey have no faith it will happen. >> at the kofi annan plan is not a menu of options. it is a set of obligations. the burden of foley and visibly meeting all of these obligations continues to rest with the regime. >> but it is the dynamics between the combatants that will ultimately decide the fate of the cease-fire. these soldiers reject negotiations with the government and predict it will collapse in days. >> this regime is very elusive. they will allow two days, but when they see the protests have intensified, they will claim their armed individuals shooting at the military and they had to respond.

>> for the refugees who dream of returning home, today's news presents a possibility. this woman is in her 70's and was separated from her sons and grandchildren when they tried to escape syria. >> when everything is peaceful i will go home to my children. every day, i am crying and thinking about them. >> the news from across the border is confused. generally quiet, but with reports of violations in some areas. for kofi annan, the problem is that the political crisis which caused the violence remains unresolved, and the opposition will not accept any solution that keeps president assad in power. it is telling -- he is telling us, i did not need any refugees, so he believes he will be going home soon. >> you are watching news day on the bbc live from singapore and london. still to come, more on north korea's unsuccessful rocket

launch. we will get reaction from washington. and david cameron will shortly become the first british caucupe minister to [unintelligible] a quick look at what is making front-page news around the world. leading with the gulf news, which report on the security council we expect later to send observers to italy -- to syria to monitor the fragile cease- fire. spaniards will soon have to declare all overseas bank accounts in just one of the measures against tax fraud. the government -- government expects to net 8 billion euros this year alone. according to the international herald tribune, in greece,

members are preying on fears about immigrants. and the british prime minister david cameron plans to pave the way for the use sanctions for burma opposing military-backed government. -- for burma's military-backed government. >> this is newsday on the bbc. >> and i'm in london. the headlines this hour. north korea has fired a rocket in defiance of international condemnation. >> the u.n. security council will meet on friday to discuss a possible response. more reactions of the rocket launch by north korea. it has been condemned in a statement by the white house in the last few minutes. correspondent jonathan blake has been reading that statement. give us a brief account. >> as you say, the statement from the white house condemns

this missile launched, as the white house calls it, and says despite the failure of the launch, north korea as provocative actions threaten the regional security and violate international law and contravened its own recent commitments, and those would be commitments made to the united states and other countries by north korea to suspend part of its nuclear program to receive food aid. it goes on to say that the united states remains vigilant in the face of no. 3 and obligations -- north korean provocations and remains fully committed to the allies in the region. and it goes on tuesday that north korea's only further isolating itself by engaging in a provocative acts and wasting its money on propaganda displays while the north korean people go hungry. condemnation from the white house tonight and over what north korea has done in launching this rocket, which appears to have failed.

and also, reminding that country and other countries are around the world that the u.s. is being very clear to put forward its view that north korea is only further isolating itself by engaging in these kinds of, what the u.s. administration would call, provocative acts. >> they have talked a couple of times about feeding the citizens, obviously, in reference to the food aid program. >> the food aid program was it an agreement between the u.s. and north korea to get food into that country, which has always been desperately needed because the country is unable to feed a large part of its population. and that was in return for concessions made by north korea in terms of their military program. but now that is in jeopardy, if not completely obsolete. given what the white house has called provocative actions that north korea has carried out with this attempted missile launch.

>> jonathan, there has been no reaction from p'yongyang yet. our correspondent is there and he said north korea has not confirmed what is happening yet. the united states, japan, south korea -- adam and that this rocket has been launched and saying it has failed -- they are adamant that this rocket has been launched and saying it has failed. >> yes, norad, the north american aerospace defense command has given details of what it was able to ascertain from its monitoring of the launch, saying the first stage of the launch fell into the sea 165 kilometers west of seoul, korea. no debris fell on the land. at the u.s. military also point out that at no point was the result or the greet a threat. -- was the missile or the debris a threat and now let's go to florida where the man who

shot dead a black teenager has appeared in court for the first time. george zimmerman has been charged with the death of trayvon martin in february. we will speak to joe hicks, a former civil rights leader in the l.a. riots. george zimmerman in court, this is what you wanted. joe hicks, george zimmerman has finally appeared in court. you have finally gotten what you wanted. >> yes, it is what the activists have been asking for. they were asking for mr. zimmerman to be arrested. he is clearly in custody and charges have been brought. although the charges appear a bit severe, and some are now questioning whether or not the expectations of the activists and the appearance, it may be

set up for failure. what if he cannot be convicted on these relatively harsh second-degree murder charges? then we have angry activist and parents once again. it will bear watching. >> it has taken 45 days to get to this scenario. it is something that has had a lot of criticism for the u.s. >> often, the wheels of justice do turn slowly. the activist, i think, incorrectly wanted the kind of justice that they wanted. they did not appear to get the kind of justice that the dot system is delivering. it is a slow, delivered as process based on forensic evidence. the activists wanted instant justice. that is not realistic. they still may not be quite prepared to accept the outcome

of what the actual trial may bring. >> your opinion -- are tensions heightened? have there been any repercussions? >> but tensions were running quite high. we had the so-called new black panther party offering a reward, basically, for in essence, the head of george the zimmerman. and there were tensions running very high. i had heard police cars had been shot out in stanford, florida. tensions were high. i think the arrest of zimmerman has, that down somewhat. but i think they want nothing less than some sort of murder conviction of george zimmerman. if that is not the outcome, the intentions might once again service. we will watch all of this very carefully. >> good to talk to you. thank you. the british prime minister david cameron will make an historic trip to burma today. the first ever visit to the

country by a british prime minister. he is expected to lead the pro- democracy campaigner on santucci as well as the president. -- aung san suu kyi as well as the president. the b.c.'s rachel karroubi joins me now from rangoon. -- racial harvey joined now from rangoon. what is expected from this trip today? >> he said in malaysia before coming here that he wants to assess things for himself, see things firsthand. the british foreign secretary, william haggis, was here in january. david cameron feel that a stop here is worthwhile, as british -- britain considers its position toward sanctions. and the european union is also discussing sanctions policy. there's a lot -- an awful lot going on in diplomacy this month.

given the colonial history between britain and burma, it made sense for him to come here and get an assessment with his own eyes. >> rachel, the prime minister is travelling with a business delegation, some of whom include defense firms. is it too soon to lift the arms embargo and other restrictions on key industries, such as mining and timber? >> it is almost certain that the arms embargo will not be lifted by anybody, whether the u.s., the u.k., or the e.u.. that will stay in place. the question is, which of the sanctions could be eased, if any, at this stage? there are two schools of thought. one is, within some countries in the european union, it is now time to allow trade in all sectors, to allow greater financial assistance for burma. the u.k. has attempted to take a more hawkish view within the eu

on hazmat -- these matters. there are key restrictions on mining, gems, and so on. there are people who feel those should be lifted so that the onta of yours at the middle class level can begin to bring -- so that the middle class can begin to bring jobs back to burma. the business delegation traveling with david cameron is quite reduce coming from the -- coming here from other parts of the trip. and we are told emphatically that they are here purely as tourists, not doing any business while they are here, because that would be in contravention of at least the spirit of the u.n. sanctions. >> thank you. you have been watching newsday from the bbc.

>> much more on the situation in north korea, coming up. >> make sense of international news at 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. and that shell. >> this is kim, about to feel one of his favorite sensations. at shell, we are developing more

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