>> this is "bbc world news." >> funding for this presentation is 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 know your business, offering specialized solutions and capital to help you meet your growth objectives. we offer expertise and tailored solutions for small businesses and major corporations. what can we do for you? >> and now "bbc world news." >> hello and welcome.

>> claims of a cozy relationship between it news corp. and the british government, one cabinet member faces calls to resign. violence continues across syria. >> lifting the veil on discrimination. a lucky escape for an unsuspecting chinese ettinger as the ground collapses -- teenager as the ground collapses beneath her feet. >> broadcasting to viewers on pbs in america and around the world. >> a press inquiry has shed new light on the close ties between

the british government and the media empire of rupert murdoch. there have been calls for the -- for jeremy hunter to resign. the former chairman of news international spent over six hours being grilled about the phone hacking scandal as well as links to senior politicians. our business editor reports. >> they will hack you. >> one of the most dramatic days so far. james murdoch gave evidence. there were no new hacking revelations. instead, there were extraordinary discloses about how the news corp. tried to when government approval. >> do you think is appropriate

that you are getting confidential information as to what is going on at the high level in government? >> what i was concerned was the substance of what was being communicated. not the channel by which it was being communicated. >> it was a tipoff on january 24 that mr. hunt would make an explosive announcement of falling dead about how a lengthy review of the takeover could be avoided. >> managed to get some information on the plans for tomorrow. absolutely illegal. what do you make of that? >> i thought it was a joke. >> it is all about news corp's controversial attempt to buy all of british sky broadcasting. it was a great price saw by

james murdoch. at the time, he was the boss of news international. it was the culture secretary who had the power to approve or block the deal. this executive in charge of political lobbying in europe was the go-between between mr. murdoch and mr. hunt's department. it was appropriate that the inquiry into media standards took place here because the big question at issue was whether jeremy contacted and a way that he should have done as an impartial judge in deciding whether news corp. should of been allowed to buy all of sky. his advisers believe the u.k. government would be supportive through the process. in january, when mr. hunt was in

charge, he said the culture department review was that it was almost game over. two days later, he said jeremy hunt believes we are in a good place tonight. now we know he was providing advice, guidance, and access to news corp. he was being a back channel for the murdoch's. he cannot stay in his post. the prime minister must show some leadership and fire him. >> i asked if you will bring forward -- i am confident that when i present my evidence, the public will see that i have behaved with absolute integrity and scrupulous objectivity. >> news corp. -- mr. smith and mr. hunt face a perilous war to state and government.

>> kofi annan has expressed concern over reports that syrian government troops after a u.n. observers departed. killing the since the number of people. reports from lebanon. >> this is a suburb just north east of damascus. it is -- it has defied the government for months. activist said it was pounded for several hours by heavy weapons that should of been withdrawn weeks ago. the troops and armored vehicles, which should also have gone, are still there, too. a day earlier, u.n. observers revers -- observers were there. near the center of damascus itself, nerves were shaken by the explosion of a small bomb. the driver and several passers- by were where did.

state media said at least two military officers were killed in separate attacks in the capital. for the north, they were burying their dead in mass graves. local activists named 40 people they said were killed in a government attack on monday. mostly by shelling. some are being executed, they said. a day after a brief visit by the u.n. observers. state soon -- state media said they pursued what they called terrorists who were attacking citizens. they are preparing the way for the arrival of the full contingent of 300 in the coming weeks. despite the obvious the fragile nature of the group. >> we have used all the words in

the dictionary to describe this cease-fire. we cannot stop what we are doing. we need to deploy it monitors as quickly as possible because they changed the political dynamics on the ground. the evidence suggests that when the monitors are there on the ground, the violence dies down. sending unarmed observers into an unstable situation is a gamble. the hope is by being there, they will tilt the balance away from conflict and towards dialogue. >> the u.s. ambassador to the u.n. delivered a statement following the security council's briefing by special envoy kofi annan. susan rice line to all the monitors will proceed. >> there are 11 military observers in syria. under the secretary general, the chief military observer will be deployed by the end of the week, at which time the the advance

team will have concluded its work. 30 observers will be in the country by april 30. 100 total observers within a month. the syrian government has refused at least one observer based on his nationality. syrian authorities have stated they will not except staff members from any nation sutter members of the friends of democratic syria. he underscored that from the u.n.'s point of view, this is entirely unacceptable. >> there are growing concerns that north korea is planning and other nuclear test. >> that is right. undeterred by the failure of the satellite launch, north korea is reported to be completing preparations for a third nuclear test. the news comes as the country marks the 80th anniversary of

the foundation of the korean people's army. we are joined -- what is the latest on reports of this nuclear test? >> various unconfirmed reports from the news agencies and the local press. they are quoting unnamed sources. north korea is now well prepared to carry out a third nuclear test. impossible to verify those reports. the sources are always an unnamed. north korea is so close to and so secretive. it has carried out nuclear tests in the past. it is already proven to be well prepared to do so. >> the failed launch on the 13th of april was met with

international condemnation. what our political analysts telling you on the ground? what kind of message will descend with this third nuclear test? >>% in a message of military strength. which is something north korea is keen on presenting. it has been a disappointing few weeks for north korea. the launch did not go as planned, they admitted it much -- as much in their own state media. we have seen increasing rumors about his preparation for a third nuclear test. a very harsh and specific threats against the south korean administration. just made in the last 24 hours. that is something that analysts are saying is most likely an opportunity for north korea koran attend for north korea to interfere in a presidential election race, which is happening later this year.

a chance for them to try to influence the results and work against the conservative administration. that is how that threat is being perceived. the nuclear test may be a chance for north korea to try to position itself in the international community in terms of negotiations, in terms of how it is treated and seen by the rest of the world. to position itself as a strong military power to be reckoned with. >> thank you so much. muslims in european countries who openly show their faith suffer widespread discrimination according to amnesty international. muslims face exclusion from jobs and education for wearing traditional forms of address. the report comes two days after the french far right enjoyed record support in the presidential elections. our special correspondent

reports from paris. >> let the majority of europeans, the day-to-day concerns are to do with making ends meet. that is harder if you do not have a job. a major report from amnesty international on muslims have a discrimination in employment. it is particularly bad for muslim women. she is a nurse. she says since deciding to wear a headscarf, she only gets daily contract work. it is against french laws to wear religious symbols in state institutions. >> since i wear a headscarf, it is unfair.

>> this woman works for a private company, which means she is likely allowed to -- shame is legally allowed to wear the headscarf. she wants to remain anonymous. >> i am here like any french citizen. i do not have to change my name or my religion. we do not have to accept this. >> the popularity of the far right has transformed the political landscape. what it means to be french and how minorities are affected is now essential debate. it's being a muslim means you're less likely to get a job, or progress in your career, it is in these places where it is felt the most. the state acknowledges that social deprivation and poor education can make an impact on jobs prospects.

>> i do not think the fact they do not have access to the job market is linked to their religious faith. you have people who are from french stock who lived in rural areas and complain about the same thing. >> france prides itself on its secular ideals. amnesty's report underlines the challenges facing whoever becomes the president. >> we are live from singapore and london. california's dream turns sour. how pollution and politics are threatening the miracle of the desert. >> on blocking the riches of space. -- unlocking the riches of

space. the inquest into the death of the former -- traces of someone else's dna was found in the bag containing his naked body. the detective said she believes another person was involved. mr. williams' body was found in his class in central london in 2010. there was no signs of anyone who had broken into his home before he died. the council in london says it can no longer before to provide social housing for some of its poorest residents because of the new cap on housing benefits. it has contacted other parts of the u.k. to see if they can find homes for 500 families. the government is accused -- the office for national statistics reveal the public sector net darling came in at 18.2 billion pounds from march.

>> an increase in london have shed new light on the ties between the government and the murdoch's media empire. >> a surge as violence continues across syria, kofi annan calls for a stronger presence of u.n. monitors. mexican soldiers and firefighters have struggled to contain a forest fire on the southern outskirts. it has ravaged the least 4000 hectares. mexico's president says 65% of the fire is under control. >> a protected reserve, now being choked by a greedy and

stubborn. the forest is considered to be belongs of guadalajara city. the wildlife and landscapes are being ravaged. more than 450 firefighters and soldiers are battling the blaze from above and below. it is proving to be a challenge. >> this government minister says there was an area of the authorities are not access. what they had to do was returned, they were intimidated by people controlling an area. he is referring to a suspected gang members who lived in the area. in recent years, outdoor drug labs have been found here. there is a further complication. when some of the fires have been put out and dealt with, firefighters find that ark all light again only a few others later.

mexico is not a stranger to fires. the authorities are expecting a tough fire season. from the size of this blaze, it seems they have reason to worry. >> mitt romney has won the primaries and connecticut, rhode island, delaware, and pennsylvania. the primaries are the first since rick santorum suspended his campaign a few weeks ago. china has called on saddam and salsa down to show restraint -- sudan and south sudan to show restraint. >> larry page and james cameron

are among those bankrolling a venture to -- experts are skeptical. >> they are not big enough to be called planets, but they contain a vast quantities of platinum, aluminum, and gold. many of them passed relatively close to the earth. the plan pictured in this computer simulation is to extract those precious metals and harness some of the vast untapped resources of space. as well as yielding zero billion dollars worth of metals and minerals, asteroids contain water. that can be broken down into hydrogen and oxygen and used as rocket fuel for satellites and space vehicles. >> they are something that are

towards the end of norplant. our near-term focus and what we are excited about are the water and -- available on these asteroids. oxygen, rocket fuel, radiation shielding. all the useful things. water is the essence of life. >> step one is to develop on means of identifying and examining the best astrid's to mind. the challenge is to find a way of reminding them in zero gravity and by a robot. planetary resources hopes to have a solution to -- to solve those problems within a decade. the costs will be huge. >> half a century ago, the balkan see was known as the french riviera of california.

formed accidentally in the early 1900's, the area became a tourist attraction. as sea levels rose, the wildlife died. >> it is california's largest lake, a vast inland always is created by mistake a century ago. the miracle in the desert, they called it. " this is the story of the miracle see in the desert. -- sea in the desert. >> its heyday was the 1950's. it did not last. this is the sultan see today. millions of fish have washed up.

it has created a sea far saltier than the ocean. >> the options are pretty limited. it is not exactly the greatest water in the world. it has some contaminant issues. those are difficult to deal with. >> it was created in 1905 when irrigation project actually diverted a flooded colorado river into the desert. it's survived and thrived. if it is now dying, why save it? the birds are one reason. most of california's wetlands have been concreted over. >> there is a lot more at stake than simply fish and wildlife. we're talking about human

health. and a potential air quality disaster if we do nothing. >> it would cost billions to save. this is a poor place in a state that is broke. the people live on its shores and drank at its bar have heard of many farfetched themes for years. >> they have studied it long enough. the money should have been doing something. >> in its heyday, it was an oasis in the desert. there were resort towns spread along its coast. all that is gone. if this water evaporate, all that will be left is salt. lenin died to be more expensive than saving it. aunt -- letting it died could be

more expensive than saving it. >> to an amazing escape captured on video. what about the pavement literally collapsing beneath the? that is exactly what happened to one teenage girl in a chinese city. >> an ordinary view of an ordinary street. until this happens. in case you blinked and miss that, here it is again. now you see her comment now you do not. running water had created a cavity under the pavement. a passing taxi driver saw her disappear and rushed over to see if he could help. he saw her clinging to an underground cable and climb down after her. he said he called out for her, but she did not respond.

i should occur a little, and she came to do. a crowd gathered and sea rescue services are right. -- and sent rescue services are ride. -- arrived. >> it was flimsy and the girl was screaming and fear. eventually, she did. the teenager was shaken and grubby, but apparently not injured. a moment later, out came her rescuer. it may be sometime before either of them take the pavement for granted again. >> thank you very much for watching.

>> 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. >> at union bank, our relationship managers work hard to understand the industry in working to -- which you operate, providing 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.