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financial strength to work for a wide range of companies -- from small businesses to major corporations. what can we do for you? >> he was a dreamer -- >> my lips connected -- >> where they my lips? >> she wants to find out if he is an idiot not. >> but every word he wrote -- >> a joy forever. >> inspired a romance that would live forever. >> i get anxious if i don't see you. >> i must warn you the trap you are walking into. >> "bright star" from jane campion. now playing in select cities. >> and now, bbc world news. >> this is bbc world news. despite official warnings, thousands of opposition supporters turned out at a government organized a rally in tehran. clashes reported between police and opposition demonstrators and several arrests made.

no deals so far. palestinians say george mitchell has not managed an agreement on restarting talks with the israelis. suicide bomber strikes a pakistani town for the second time in two days. at least 25 are dead. cards on the table. with elections immanent will germany's angela merkel, trumps. and look inside oil-rich nigeria and crude desire for natural reserves. >> it is 7:00 a.m. in washington, midday in london and half past three in the iranian capital tehran, where a mass rally has been taking place to mark the jerusalem day, expressing solidarity with the palestinian people. thousands of rallies for

president ahmadinejad but also among the crowd, thousands of supporters of defeated presidential candidate mousavi. they sounded -- shouted slogans and reports of clashes. the first time there, and force since july. they were warned not to disrupt the rally. >> a day of prayer and protest in iran and a battle of wills between government and supporters of opposition. the authorities have warned well in advance that any illegal action will be dealt with harshly. the opposition had also been told not to use the traditional rallies as a cover for their own demonstrations. these pictures are thought to have been filmed by opposition activists gathered on the streets in one area of tehran. it down with ahmadinejad, they shouted. you killed young people of this country. >> president ahmadinejad delivered a speech at the start

of friday prayers. he made no rinse to the opposition but it turned his anger on israel. the holocaust was a lie, he said, and confronting those zionist regime was a national and religious duty. it is proving hard to get a clear picture how big the opposition turnout has been today, but there are reports of some clashes with the security forces. opposition leaders know they face the possibility of arrest if they overstepped the mark. three months after the disputed elections, what remains at stake is the legitimacy of the iranian government. >> we saw some video footage from iran. bbc version is confident it is genuine but we believe -- as far as we can go, it was taken today. video itself has not been verified because we did not speak to the people who actually

shot it. these are the latest pictures we believe have come from a demonstration. you see the band of the green scarf, hands held aloft as well. let us discuss what is happening in teheran with a reporter from the bbc persian center. also we have an expert on the politics and media of iran. in london. just looking at the pictures we think have come from the demonstrations, what sort of scale of opposition have we seen there? we are getting a better idea -- it depends on what part of tehran you are talking about. certain areas of the capital, virtually opposition protesters have taken over but there are other areas where there are more governments of order -- supporters. the government has been well versed in organizing government- sponsored rally. but this is a day traditionally where tens of thousands would take to the streets. are you saying the government is

caught unaware or completely in control of events today as you understand it from people on the ground? >> the protesters were not picking for a fight. before these demonstrations that were calling on the supporters not to engage in confrontation so they were not looking for clashes. but given the scale of the crowds come a number of arrests we have been hearing about, although unconfirmed, is not to be -- >> to additionally the former president would be addressing crowds today. he is not. how significant is that? >> for 30 years he has been holding the main friday prayers should -- sermon at the end of ramadan. and suddenly to be not there despite the fact wanted today shows the number two powerful man in iran has been somehow silenced.

this is not a good sign. ahmadinejad wanted to say he is just as powerful. and what was more significant than the crowd is the speech because it was extremely confrontational against israel. it was extremely nervous and it was, in a way, saying no to the united states as well and obama who has been trying so hard to find some way of engaging with iran. the actual one further than what i have heard him before in holocaust denial. he went further and being rude to the jewish people and to israel. and this time he connected britain as the instigator of the whole set of ideas. >> a setback of president obama's foreign-policy regarding

iran. in terms of the regime itself in iran at the moment, what more does this tell us? the fact that there was a claque -- clampdown. suggesting the opposition leaders were jostled immediately as soon as they came out. are we looking at the continuation of a clampdown? >> it seemed like a very controlled seen it today. the report itself that as soon as mousavi and others can model their houses -- which is an interesting thing because they have not been seen and what -- as soon as they come out of they are abused by demonstrators. obviously they have set demonstrators outside. despite the warnings that the regime has given to the opposition not to, or show the green signs and not to do this or that, they did come out and they made a point, i think, by

coming out. in fact, there are lots of illustrations and things of the website that show us they are not going to cave in. >> a few months ago many commentators were predicting the downfall of the regime in iran -- whether you hearing about opposition and mobilization from your contacts? >> those predictions would probably have been premature. i think it is very difficult to overthrow the government and street protests of this nature. we are seeing maybe -- in the capital of big cities. it is not, by any means, across the nation that protests are out mystery. the big challenges the infighting among themselves trying to challenge the supreme leader's authority. once that is challenge that would be the biggest threat to the system. but i don't think street protests as such -- >> but within the controlling group itself --

>> by no means. there are a lot of clerics, high-ranking talking about quest -- questioning the supreme leader and questioning his authority and perhaps reforming the constitution itself. i think those are the biggest threat to the government and regime have to watch out for. >> thank you both for coming in today. palestinian officials say u.s. middle east envoy george mitchell and it is latest round of shuttle diplomacy without agreement on terms to restart peace talks. the palestinian chief negotiator said mr. mitchell failed to persuade israel to hold its settlement activity in the occupied west bank. let us go to jerusalem now we're at -- . we will speed or correspond appeared frantic diplomacy by george mitchell on the last few hours. but any room for optimism at all? >> certainly the opinion was that no agreement had been reached.

in the last few minutes we have had some media reports suggesting other palestinian officials may be taking this lightly softer interpretation. and we have not heard from mr. mitchell himself or the israelis. what we understand is that it is to be one more meeting between mr. mitchell and the israeli prime minister benjamin netanyahu later today. so there is a little bit more room for diplomacy. but it all goes to highlight very difficult issues are for mr. mitchell, who already prolonged his trip. the u.s. is calling for israel to stop all settlement activity, is projects that although there are some reports it may consider it freeze for up to nine months or so. but the palestinians say it is simply not enough, the buildings must just stop. >> how committed to using the united states is to a total freeze?

>> certainly what the u.s. has been saying is they want to see a stop to settlement activity. just what the amount of diplomacy we see going on here is perhaps kind of the sort of pressure they are putting on the israeli's at the moment. just to put this into perspective, in these talks are just about trying to get the israeli leaders and palestinian leader in the same room together in new york next week. we are not even talking about the religion of peace talks. i think this is a sign of just how difficult it is going to be for the obama administration to try to get the peace talks back on track. >> from jerusalem, for now, thank you very much. the russian president dmitry medvedev has welcomed as positive the u.s. decision to ship shelled controversial missile bases in poland's from the czech republic. he says there are now good conditions for u.s.-russia

talks. bresee barack obama earlier said there would be a shift in u.s. missile defense strategy but because of the view of the threat from iran. u.s. republicans called the move short-sighted and harmful. the brazilian government unveiled plans aimed at protecting the amazon and other ecologically sensitive region from a growing biofuels industry. under the plan areas have to be kept free -- free of any new planting of sugarcane. the burmese democracy leader aung san suu kyi will find out if her appeal against their 18- month house arrest has been successful or early next month. the appeal comes a month after she was found guilty of violating the terms of house arrest when an american man stayed at her home. the authorities in pakistan say a bomb had exploded near a market in the northwest that the country, killing at least 25 and injuring more than 30.

the explosion is said to be a suicide attack in the town of and then -- town of the northwest frontier. our correspondent dave the latest information. >> they are saying this bomb went off right near a busy marketplace in this district of kohat in the northwestern pakistan and the marketplaces are very busy these days, a few days ahead of the big moslem holiday. what police are saying is that most of the dead are from pakistan's muslim shiite majority and most of the debt are mostly men. we have had a call from somebody claiming to be from the taliban but from a group within it, and they are saying that they carried out this attack in response to the killing of one of their religious leaders later -- earlier this year. but essentially they are saying

that taliban carried at this out and we cannot verify that at the moment as yet. >> sarah is here. and terms of branding, the real thing is to let the top. >> coca-cola for the ninth year running, according to a survey released today by the consultant same -- the brand is and the number one spot. it is interesting, though, further down. you really see the effect of the recession and how it is upsetting some ground -- brands. coca-cola might be doing all right but if you look at some of the financial companies like ubs and aig, the recession has unfairly battered their reputations and that is reflected in this survey. >> but not some of the luxury- car makers. apparently, you could lose everything but for our rate is still at the top of most people's lists. >> it hangs in there -- ferrari. but if you look at the likes of

harley-davidson and porsche, they have been badly affected but it seems like ferrari is unchanged so it looks like there are some people not terribly bad affected. >> in terms of branding, that is just global recognition. >> that is right. and you've got to remember that although we have seen some decline in this survey in terms of the brands, they have not fallen as much as stock market values fell over the past year. so we shouldn't get too excited. but it is fair to say that coca- cola is the one to watch. >> ok. thank you very much, sarah. you are watching bbc world news news. a week before elections in germany and the country's poker faced leaders refuses to -- leader angela merkel refuses to give anything away. two american couples were sentenced to two years in prison for -- for trying to adopt

children illegally. they were arrested after trying to obtain passports to take them to the united states. or correspondent has this. >> into a cage and the court room, this american and her husband were relented only to receive their verdict their dream of adopting babies from iris'birthplace were shattered by charges of forgery and illegally buying children. they were sentenced to two years in children along with another couple living in egypt who tried to adopt a little boy. lawyers for iris and loius say they were misled and they're innocent. >> we went to an official place and stated that i want to adopt a baby and these officials give them the babies with officials papers. iris had been 15 years living --

and never think she is doing a crime and that she is going to take a punishment for its. >> this case has highlighted a different customs and -- 's moslem and christian communities when it comes to adoptions. but national law is based on islamic principles. most kids at this orphanage will stay here until they grow up. while new homes can be found for some of them, they can only leave with egyptian couples who plan to stay in egypt and under islamic law the names should not be changed. there is no shortage of generosity for orphans. during the holy month of ramadan there are big donations of money and clothing. >> mentioned and the holy book for muslims -- the word or friend refers to someone who need special care and sympathy. >> this is "world news today"

from bbc world news. our main headline in this hour -- thousands of people in tehran have been rallying to mark the day expressing solidarity with the palestinian people. there are reports of arrests among opposition supporters. the palestinian chief negotiator says the u.s. middle east envoy george mitchell failed to persuade israel to halt settlement activity in the occupied west bank. germany goes to the polls in just under a week's time. the votes would decide parliament and ultimately to lead to the country. opinion polls suggest chancellor angela merkel will keep the top job. we will get more from our correspondent, steve rosenberg. >> thanks very much. i am sitting outside the rathaus, the old town hall. a very ornate. i am told it has more runs even

then buckingham palace. angela merkel was born in hamburg. she will be in the city later today for an election rally she is hoping after the elections the issue will be in position to stay on as chancellor. it certainly appears that in the german political game, it is mrs. angela merkel who holds the best cards. they often say that politics is like poker. if you want to be a winner, you need luck, you need skill, and you got to know how to bluff. and our round of political poker table in germany, there is one player who is hard to beat. angela merkel is the pokermeister of german politics. in her four years as chancellor she has outmaneuvered her opponents and has become the country's most powerful politician. >> she is the most skillful poker player and poker face in recent germany history. she is the sphinx.

you never see what she feels as he has proven to be extremely successful of killing her opponents, if that was necessary at some point. >> with just a few days to go before the election, angela merkel enjoys a strong hards -- cards. the german economy is recovering from recession. the four global factors have been saved from closure. . merkel, seen by many, as a safe pair of hands. >> she gives you the feeling that she can keep things together, that she can hold the country together, and that is why they gave her the nickname mutti, like mommy. >> not everyone agrees. her main challenger, frank walker steinmeier things germany does not need a mother, but a new chancellor and more social democrats. but his social democrats are trailing the christian democrats in opinion polls. your's poker champion -- the -- your boss a poker champion

things angela merkel will trauma all opponents. >> like me, angela merkel has made it to the top in the world dick -- dominated by men, she says. i think the voters will reward her for that. at the end game has begun. we will soon see if mrs. merkel can convert her personal personality into a winning hand. >> political poker german style. one of the biggest issues will be the economy. of course it will. germany is now only emerging from its deepest recession for 60 years, a recession which decimated exports and that hit tom burckhardt because this city have a big container port, really the center for the shipping industry. with me to talk about recessions and recessions, werner luntz from the german shipbuilding. how bad was it had?

>> german shipbuilding was hit very hard by the recession. we first lost about 20% -- canceled contracts. and the second since the middle of 2008. there are no new orders. >> the german government has been saying but worst is now behind, the country is emerging from recession have you noticed an improvement in the shipbuilding industry? >> no, we cannot see a shipbuilding improvement. we are in a tunnel and we don't see a light. so, we are very nervous. >> in just over a week germans go to the polls in this parliamentary election. if the effect of the recession is still being felt across the country, will that be at the forefront of people's minds as they decide which party to vote for? >> i think so. because germany is world champion of export and there are

millions of employees in the industry and service companies depending on exports. so each of the big parties, they have in their program something to say. if and there are people would take care of that. >> one final question. i know the german government has done a lot to support the car industry through the recession. has it done anything to support the shipboard -- shipbuilding industry? >> they have done nothing special for the shipbuilding industry. they have done something for the whole industry but shipbuilding is very specialized. the program which the german government did for the whole industry is only working in a very few cases for the shipbuilding industry. >> werner luntz, from the german shipbuilding association. we expect angela merkel to make a speech at the rally later this afternoon. >> for now, thank you very much. let us catch up with sports

news. runout awaiting punishment -- renault. >> they have to win over the weekend to find out the punishment for that action at the singapore grand prix. if you have not been following this story, the team said it will not contest allegations made from their former driver that he was ordered to crashed during last season's inaugural night race. while there is widespread shock at some of the allegations, not everyone wants to see them kicked out of formula one when their cases discuss monday. >> when they finally have information and i think -- it would be disastrous to lose 18, and in our case, an engine supplier. hopefully a solution can be found. >> that is a good point, because a lot have been worried about

teams leaving. >> it would be a great shame to lose renault because of the unfortunate incident. hopefully a solution will be found monday. >> did you think what happened in singapore last year is completely out of character? has it shock you or surprised you much? >> it is shocking. any driver to deliberately crashed a car is a shocking thing to do. >> we have also some salt -- some golf. two south koreans when an opening round -- six under par in an elite field comprised of

the top 20 players in the world. kim and as a runner up that this parliament last year and her bid to go one better began with five birdies and opening a pole and she eventually shot a round of 66. shin, who has won three times and lpga tour -- four birdies on the back nine and a sheet of for compatriot are a stroke clear and two shots behind that there and playing is the offending -- defending champion. that is it. >> russell, to government. a quick reminder of top stories -- thousands of opposition supporters and iran turned out in force at a government organized rally despite warnings not. >> funding was made possible by the freeman foundation of new york, stowe, vermont, andthe newman's own foundation. the john d. and catherine t. macarthur foundation. and union bank.

"bright star." a new film by jane campion. >> union bank has put its financial strength to work for a wide range of companies from small businesses to major corporations. what can we do for you? for >> he was a dreamer. >> floating above the trees with lips connected with a beautiful figure. >> word and my lips? >> my sister has met the author -- she wants to read it to see if he is an idiot or not. >> but every word he wrote. >> thing of beauty a joy forever. >> inspired romance that would live forever. >> i must warn you the trap you are walking into. >> i would do anything. >> "bright star" from jane campion. >> "bbc world news" was presente