>> "bbc world news." funding for this presentation is made possible by the friedman foundation of new york. stouffer vermont and honolulu. newman's own foundation. the john d. and catherine t. mcarthur foundation and union bank. >> union bank has put it's global expertise to work for a

wide range of companies. what can we do for you? >> and now "bbc world news". >> this is "gmt" on "bbc world news" and i'm david. as skies are filled once again with the roar of aircraft engines, who will pick up the tab for the airlines losses and passengers compensation? krim nations dominate the aftermath as the travel industry edges back towards business as usual. he said he'd take the fight to the financers and now president obama taking what street his resolution to banking reform. parliament votes on the biggest restrictions in europe and threes company in britain's election campaign. the leaders shape from a second television debate that parties virtually are neck in neck in the opinion poles.

>> hello. it's not quite back to normal for the world's air ryans but it's certainly full steam ahead to get planes and passengers back to where they should weechlt but as volcanic ash drifts out there's another rocky ride. the touch leapt clamor for compensation for. airlines that claim restrictions was over sea laws and for passengers. many of whom have spent small fortunes trying make their own way home. >> sydney, australia welcomes back the stranded. the long hall flights are getting people home as world air schedules struggle return to normal. >> i'm so happy! i couldn't sleep and i kept worrying about my poor babies. >> the volcano it sl of is

quieter but not settled yet. just as airlines thought they were in the clear. drifted volcanic ash and changes winds caused the fresh closures of airway closures over sweden. this is norway. with tens of thousands of flights cancelled, airlines estimate they've lost 1 point 7 billion dollars. they're asking were the governments over caution house and some expect compensation. >> they've indicated they will compensate airlines and british holiday companies in the same way the american government compensated airlines in america after 9/11. - and you know, and i would expect that to happen. >> and one low cost airline that often sells tickets for just a few dollars is putting strict limits on what it pays

out to passengers. >> the european airlines that have been prevent i'd flying by the european governments are now going to ensure a last resort for people's hotels and meals. we will refund more than the ticket price, reasonable reseated hotel and meals occurred by disrupted passengers. there will be no compensation but we'll meet a reasonable need. >> it's not just european airlines but the financial dam has been global and the wake up for next time. >> clearly an issue that we need to reckon with. i think this event is really something that will help the industry understand and learn how to deal with those situations a little more effectively. but volcanic eruptions are part of our business. absolutely. >> almost all of europe's skies

are open again and people are making they're way back by whatever ways they can find. some by train. some with troops returning from afghanistan on a naval warship. and some got lucky with a cruise line. but now, the investigation begins. was it right to ground the planes for so long? who will pay for the loss? humphrey bbc news. >> let's focus for a moment on some of the passengers that got lucky. around 2000 british tourists are about to leave the spanish coast city on a vessel. our correspondent rob walker is there. no real hardship for those passenger? >> no. that's why they're going home in some style. this huge cruise line you can see behind me is half a billion pounds worth of ship.

it's got it's own restaurants on board. theater. pool. the lucky two thousand or so people going home aboard this ship are really very fortunate. this is one part of on relationship, get back home. the people in here are customers of toll companies desperately trying get it's people back home. so the owners of this cruise like line have made it available on this one off basis to bring them back home. many other people, not quite so fortunate. >> have they got to pay for the privilege of getting home on that, robin? and how much talk is there about compensation of trying get something back for the in convenience they've been put through? >> well, i mean in some ways it's a two step picture. the people on board this ship don't have to pay anything to go on this ship. the toll company is doing for it them to bring them back. they're actually quite happy the people on this ship because

they've had tough journeys to get here but haven't had to taken outer expenses. it's all paid for. but some others like on budget airlines have had to pay for everything so far. extra expense and hotels and tras important costs and some cannot get on another flight even a week or so long are. that mean i think they have to pay those bills for another week or so. many of them really out of pocket. >> rob, thanks very much indeed with that cruiser too big to fit for the picture. let's get the rest of the news now. the main headlines from peter. >> david, many thanks. two rockets have been fired at the city of eilat from equipped sigh nigh peninsula. one landed in the sea and the other in jordan. nobody was injured. correspondent is in jerusalem with more details. >> according to the israelis.

one landed harmlessly in the sea and the second rocket we believe over shot israel landed in an industrial area in the score dane yen city there. we understand from all sides, there were no injuries but this raised increased militant activity in the region. israel warned all of it's tourist and visitors in sigh nigh to leave the area immediately because they had credible reports of attempted obstacle duction of israeli citizen's. it seems to be some increased military activity in the area those two rockets have not claimed any lives. >> issuing a statement expressing deep sorrow over child abuse in the church. archbishop of south wails has gojed this. he explains the significance of

the apology. >> it's very important. that's why this statement is from every catholic bishop in the country. it's very heart-felt, unambiguous. we say there's no excuses we simply apologize profoundly for the hurt and lasting damage done through childhood abuse and for the inadequate ways in the past these things have been handled. >> fears of political showdowns are gripping thailand. troops threatening to evict people with. the outstandinging of the elected prime u minister several years ago has come to ahead in several weeks. red shirts want the government out and new elections held immediately. america warned for serious pre repercussions of syria with missiles turn-out to be true. the u.s. state department is seeking answers from damascus

and would consider all it's options. armenia says it's freezing ratification of a landmark record on negotiations with turkey last november. hostilities stand from the killing of hundreds of thousands of armenians by turks during the first world war in sri lanka. releasing from detention in the swearing in ofv mp's. demanded his freedom in an attack on his arch rival. mahinda rajapaksa. some earlier photographs of queen elizabeth show her 7 months old. the images were taken by the royal photographer in 1926. they show the infant princess with her parents. the then duke and dutchest of york. they became prized possessions of the queen mother that kept them in a leather case. an and written script from the

ok corral has been found in the dusty box. more than 125 years in the history of the wild west shoot out. arizona courts found the documentation when they were organizing files near tombstone in arizona. the gun fight broke out when the famous law man, white europe and dock holiday killed three member of a drunken gang on the streets of tombstone. the greek deficit is much larger than previously expected according to the europe union. the 2009 is actually 13 point 6 percent of g.d.p and not the original 12 point 7 percent. meanwhile, a thens is braced for more industrial action after wednesday's protest. tens of thousands of greek civil servants will strike today in protest at austerity measures and press the government not to

agree to more cuts. tiger woods is confirmed he'll compete in the players champion in florida. gulf's fifth major. in the past five month he's only played at the recent masters in which he finished a tie for fourth place. the u.s. pga says he'll play in front of record crowds. before that, he'll compete at next week's quail hollow championship in north carolina. those for top stories. david, back to you. >> /pe tier, thanks very much. president obama has already threatened to take the gloves off in his bid to bring financial reform to the united states in a few hours he'll step into the ring and into the corner of the bankers as he deliver asset piece street on wall street. in the year of midterm elections the signs are republicans and democrats are moving towards agreement on legislation to reign in the financial institutions which have been blamed for the budget crisis.

>> banker bashing is all the rage. from the fraud allegations against goldman sachs to thei ms call this week for new taxes on banks to cover future bail-outs. in new york, on thursday. president obama will renew his call for financial reform. in a speech, which he himself has trailed. >> we have to have basic rules of the road in place to make sure investors and consumers, shareholder as and the economy as a whole, are protected against access. are protected against wild gambles taken purely because it's good for somebody who's year in bonus. >> there are signs that change is coming. on wednesday senate committee recommended putting limits on the banks involvement in the derivatives market. controversy on future trading very lose with. the senate soon to vote on a /tphaoeupbl packet. republicans are soon to come on board. >> i'm optimistic we'll get a

bill and it'll be a good bill. we're not there yet but i think we're closer than we've ever been. >> with november's midterm elections on the rise no politician wants to be seen to favor bankers over consumer which is is why the omens for a bipartisan agreement are good. >> how far will it go? perhaps not as far as new banking tax which the president, like the, imf has championed but he can still change the way america does business. steve bbc news washington. >> this is me, david eves. coming up the heating up in belgium. it will be the first to ban the full faced vail? a far rightous try an politician has criticized countries strict antinazi laws is running for president in election is this weekend. the freedom parties barbara

rosenkranz is running at all, has sparked out rage among many people as our core upon dent bethny reports. >> on the campaign trail, barbara rosenkranz. in the past, she's criticized tops of us tray a strict antinazi laws saying they go against freedom of speech. her nomination is the far right freedom parties can day date for the largely ceremonial role of president has caused outrage here. austria was deeply involved in the crimes of the third right. now, it's i legals deny the holocaust or to make statements that /tkpwhor guy the nazi regime. >> i'm not debut my voice. i hope you understand. >> these days. barbara rosenkranz strongly denies ever wanted to get rid of the antinazi laws. she says the presidency based at

the palace should properly present austria. >> barbara rosenkranz belonged theous tray an people. anyone that wants to say something or criticize or needs help, must find a person to talk to in vienna. >> but manyous try answers think it's is a scandal she's running at all. they've been protests across the country against her candidacy. barbara rosenkranz isn't expected to win this election. the poles say that the current president, fischer of the social democrats is likely to get about 80 percent of the vote. but the rouse shows that the sensitivities ability austria's past still run deep. beth bbc news. vienna. >> this is "gmt" from "bbc world news". i'm david. the main headlines.

arouse over the ash clouds of the shut down of europe air space. individual passengers and the airlines are seeking compensation. president obama takes his case to wall street for a wide ranging reform of the banking system. belgium is set to take another step towards becoming the first country in europe to ban full face vails. legislation is passed by most of the parties would ban from public spacing clothing that hides people's identity. politicians said it will stop the oppression of women. critics believe it's an attack on human rights. >> in belgium appearing in public dressed like this could soon risk fine or imprisonment. thelma is a concert islam. she's 22. one of perhaps 30 women in belgium to wear the full face vail. a decision she says she's made

for herself. >> it mice freedom to get closer to my creator and closer to allah and everyone should be free to express themselves the way they want, according to their conviction and religion without having to abide by a law. >> but belgium politicians have other plans. they will ban clothing to this and the long vail. some see it's a security measure or protecting the rights of women. but for others it's about social contact and culture. >> if you want a good communication between all the communities because all of the communities in brussels. it's important that we see each other and speak to each other. i think it's very important for social contact. >> gel gum has about half a million muslim residents. there's little outward sign that extremist islamic views have

taken hold here and opinion is mixed on wheret new law is needed at all. >> i think it's a good thing. nobody has the right to dress in the streets. we have to be able to recognize people for reasons of the security. >> i find it bit offensive to see these women. i'm a women order to enforce this politically in the form of law, i find it really the wrong thing to do and the wrong signal. >> in fact. sell /ra*f belgium cities have laws like this. but this new piece of legislation would cover the entire country. several others. french, danes and dutch are thinking along similar lions and muslim groups are worried about the precedence that the belgiums might set. >> we're in a free state where individual freedom should be guaranteed. this law would restrict our freedom of some belgium citizens

of muslim citizens. i think it's an attack on democracy. >> those women find themselves caught in a clash of cultures and very lose. each side saying they're protecting the rights of other. dominiques bbc, brussels. >> parliamentary election has been transformed guy first ever t.v. debate among party leaders. the first one catapulted nick clegg from relative unknown to the most talked about politician in the country. his popularity has soared as has his parties. the lo latest poles put them in second putting labour par any in third. in a few hours time they come face-to-face for a second time and speculation rise how his rivals will try to claw back the initiative. the debate is in the southwest city of visual where amay has been sounding a /tut local candidates. >> there's a spring in the

steps of the liberal democrats in /pwr*eus tbristol northwest. >> the party is seen it's pole ratings rocket after nick clegg, their leader put in a strong performance in last week's election debate. more wonder they're feeling upbeat here. >> clegg has really just shaken the whole election by the /struf of the neck. for the first time in my lifetime actually things genuinely up for grabs. >> but a surging support for britains third party posts big problems for the main opposition conservatives. not so long ago they were the clear favorites to win the election. how do they explain the public's response to last week's debate. >> i think everything is volatile and for the poles reacted so strongly after one performance leads me to suspect

it may be very open to reacting strongly after another performance. it certainly is interesting. >> you voted labour and will this time? >> under britain's electoral system the government labour party could come third in the share of the vote and still end up with the most seats in parliament in other words the liberal democrat could throw labour a lifetime. >> i don't think it's about lifelines but the reality is the conservatives have been the front runners for so long they assumed they would win and now there's a place for them and i think we have a good case to argue for a full term and government. >> in just a few hours time the three main party leaders will go head o head in another debate here in bristol as we've seen the first one prove a game changer, turning the poles on their head. there's every chance the second one could add another twist to this election campaign.

bbc news, bristol. >> well, foreign policy and defense to an extent will be dominating the theme this evening. joining me from central london is from kings college, james. very often, difficult to divide the parties up on foreign affairs issues but it's something particularly the labour and conservative candidates have to push? >> i agree. there's a great deal of consensus in the foreign policy debate. it would be extremely interesting if this had existed in 2005 and we saw tony blair defend directly his decision to invade iraq. as foreign secretary said recently. that was decided in the last election and in this election the afghanistan war is someone in which all three parties more or less agree on. >> perhaps one of the areas there may be interesting debate

is on britain's nuclear deterrence. it's incredibly expensive. in the way, that issue, there's saying a lot about what the parties think about britains standing in the world doesn't? it >> it does if you believe the liberal democrats are trying abolish. our independent nuclear deterrent. they're looking to spend the money on a different system. not about britain somehow or another on a non-nuclear state but which way we should /k-bt that. more about competency and rather than change. >> you don't get a sense perhaps there is a debate. we've had a report out today talking about what is britain's position on the world stage given the economic climate? is this the time to start thinking, maybe we'd be more comfortable not spending so much on those big ticket item? >> i free. i think that certainly people sitting at home will wonder why

their soldiers don't have the right body armor and boots but we can afford to spend ten office millions of pounds on a nuclear deterrent we might never use. but that might be the populus issue but more over that the parties agree. the democrats will try to criticize it's a hundred billion pound elephant to be the conservative party in spending temples that appeals to people in the financial state we're in today. >> europe's, it's torn parties apart in the not so distance past, you think that could prove an awkward one tonight? >> i think it could. i think today's, any half hour of the 19 minute a debate i think they're looking not to slip up. last week they recovered that china would be a threat. this week i think they'll want to make sure europe issue in divergence between the

conservative party does not put either candidate in a corner they don't want to be in. >> thanks for joining us. watch the second of britains three prime minister debates at 1900, "gmt". hope you join us for that. i we want to hear what you think as well. you can get in touch with us at, "gmt". do that by our website. bbc.com/news/g bbc.com/news/gmt. there's also facebook and twitter. you can follow me as well. quick reminder of our top story. air traffic across northern europe is gradually returning to normal after the ash caused by a volcano in iceland. but the clamor for compensation from passengers and the airlines themselves only just be going and that's just about it in this edition of, "gmt". please stay with us on "bbc

world news". >> hello and welcome. >> see the news unfold. get the top torries from around the globe and click to play radio reports. go to bbc.com/news to experience the in reporting of "bbc world news" on-line. >> funding was made possible by the friedman foundation of new york. stouffer, vermont and honolulu. newman's own foundation. the john d. and catherine t. mcarthur foundation and union bank.

>> union bank has put it's global expertise to work for a wide range of companies. what can we do for you? there's one stage that is the met and carnegie hall. it is the ken the dissenter. and a club in austin. it is closer than any seat in the house. no matter where you call home. pbs, the great american stage. fits in every living room. your support of pbs brings the arts home.