>> 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." >> a safer world for all. those are the words from the nuclear security summit, but critics want to see more action. no binding agreement for the summit in south korea but plenty of warnings about the threat of nuclear terrorism. >> there are still too many bad actors. and they are in search of these dangerous materials, and these dangerous materials are still vulnerable in too many places. >> hello, and welcome to g.m.t. i'm george with the world news and opinion. kofi annan is in china for the

latest leg of his syrian mission. damascus now backs his six-point plan. how strong is the far right in germany? a seriesf racially-motivated murders raises the fate of extremism. it's midday here in london and 8:00 p.m. in seoul where the world leaders have wrapped up their security summit. long on aspiration, but short on action. at least that's what the critics are saying. the focus of the two-day gathering was the threat of nuclear terrorism. with barack obama warning that hundreds of thousands of lives would be at risk if weapons grade materials fell into the wrong hands. let's go to lucy who has been coffering the summit for us. >> the summit has just wrapped up here in seoul with a press conference by the south korean

president. he said it's in the effort of the whole world. it's a cop plex, sometimes peace meal pro summit had been a big step forward. >> when you're out to tack the world's greatest security threat, you're also going to be up against big expectations. the south korean president tried meet them. >> we have done our best to save the world from the perils that maycom. so in that regard, i think this was a very good opportunity to reaffirm our commitment that was snort washington, and we have taken a big step forward. >> the u.s. and russia, he said, were in the process of eliminating 20,000 weapons worth of nuclear material. almost 500 kilos had already been removed from eight other countries. >> as part of this effort, the united states is pleased to work with korea, belgium and

france to downgrade yoo rain yum!. testing which could help lead to the conversion of these reactors from -- of these reactors. >> but some are disappointed at the peace -- at the piece meal involuntary regulations and plans of action. and some conditions weren't present at all, northya for a start. though it wouldn't have felt too left out. it still made the nies here every day over a rocket launch it's planning next month. president lee said he was aware of how critical the north had been of the summit , but as it was of -- hit that had nothing

to gain from continued provocation. >> although many people here who are very keen to keep this summit tightly focused on nuclear security, and what countries should be doing to try to tackle it. but if there's one thing that could have overshadowed all this, it's north korea. >> judging from the reports of this summit, that in the end seems to be the thing fetishes you're talking about security threat, indeed iran is part of the process. it seems a built strange. >> neither country present here at this summit. this summit is a meeting of countries of those who are nuclear capable but resigned to the idea that they need to reduce them and north korea was invited to this summit and wasn't invited to the one two years ago in america.

3wur as long as they could sign up to denuclearization was a worthwhile goal, and north korea declined to come. >> countries have been given a year. now, is that binding in any way? do they have to produce so plans? >> not binding in any way. the one thing about this conference is it's voluntary. they sign up to things voluntarily and it's full of that kind of language. countries can do what they can and it's not going against their own interest and it counts in a way to make it reassuring it's a piece meal process, but at least a process, and one of the things it ties to do is raise awareness. aside from the individual country, the big problem here is there isn't a binding international agreement for what should be set for

international materials. >> and if you want to find out more about the global distribution, head to our website. we put together a map according to the most recent data showing which countries hold the largest stock piles of nuclear materials. go to www.bbc.com/news. let's take a look at some of the other stories making headlines around the world today. the former head of the international monetary fund, dominick strauss-kahn has been placed under formal investigation in which he allegedly provided prostitutes for parties. kristin frazar sent this report from paris. >> he submitted himself voluntarily for questioning hoping to quarterback the lurid investigation surrounding him.

but he was placed under formal investigation and bailed on 100 thousand laurels. he is accused of -- he maintains his innocence in the strongest terps, he was never aware that the win he encountered at these parties might have been prostitutes. it's known as the karlton affair where some of this t swinger parties took place. the crux was whether or not he was complicit in the hiring of the women and whether he knew corporate funds were being used to pay for their services. it was report text messages were exchanged with a police officer who took part. it's hard to believe that that the time last year he was the favorite to become the odds-on

favorite candidate now he's treated as a prya. two weeks ago his appearance at cambridge university was overshadowed by noisy student protests. this week's speaking engagement was canceled because they thought it inappropriate. the civil case in new york brought by the hotel maid who alleged he tried to remain her. the prosecution had doubts but if this case proceeds, all the details of that case will be brought into court. so it's likely strauss-kahn will face two cases on either side of the atlantic. >> afghan security forces say a mas suicide bombing was

thwarted. some of those detained are reported to be soldiers in the afghan national army. french police say they have recent footage of the shooting in toulouse filmed by the gunman himself. the footage was originally sent to al jazeera. seven people were killed by mohammed manner and he was shot dead after a 30-hour siege at his home. the crisis in suzanne deepening. they have bombed the oil fields along the border between the two countries. it's seen as the most serious confrontation since the south gained its independence last year. they want to take over the oil field. the united nations confirmed

the syrian government has formally accepted kofi annan's six-point plan to tend conflict. mr. kofi annan is currently there when his plan was supported which includes a cease-fire and political dialogue. it's already brought backing from moscow. he sfoke after his talks with premier wen jiabao when. >> we've had discussion about this situation in syria. and they have offered me their full support. and they are going to work with me and other members of the council to ensure the six-point plan is implemented. >> joining us is our correspondent michael bioterroristo. michael, syrian's accept assistance of this six-point plan surely must have given kofi annan's mission quite a boost. >> yes. it did. and things move quite fast here.

kofi annan is in beijing, as you said. he met with premier wen jiabao when -- premier wen jiabao when. and he released a statement they released a statement, kofi annan spoke, saying the syrian government accepted the six-point plan. it said mr. kofi annan views this as an important niche help that could end the violence to the bloodshed goes on that mr. kofi annan is quite strong and stresses implementation will be the key in creating the rid of the violence in syria. so kofi annan and his team, also caution that if a plan needs to be implemented if the

violence is to stop in syria. >> and with beijing, what has changed? because after all most people think of beijing and moscow as a blocker of the resolution of the crisis. >> well, indeed, they were both china and russia both blocked two u.n. security council ideas and wanted something a little less tough. kofi annan's plan seems to be exactly something which they can accept, because it doesn't appear to apportion blame. he calls the cease-fire and calls for humanitarian aid and proper, but it doesn't appear to have apportioned became, which was something china was very weary about. not endorsing any plan that

suggests there ought to be a change in the government in syria. kofi annan's plan doesn't seem to do that. he said, in fact, that he took the syrian people to decide who should form its government in the country. so this plan was more acceptable to the chinese. it looked all along that it would accept it and indeed they quite came out and told kofi annan that they would accept his plan. >> all right, michael, thank you, very much. and still to come on gmt. thousands greet the pope as he celebrates a mas in communist cuba. >> in the u.k. it's emerged that banking executives, hedge fund millionaires and property tycoons were among those entertained by the prime minister. the wealthy donors enjoyed dippers and indeed downing street.

and david cameron has ordered a formal inquiry after they claimed donations could buy access to the prime minister and influence policy. we report. >> the names of the big donors who are guests at downing street and checkers have been published. david cameron said in the future, his party will be more transparent. >> from now on every quarter of any meals attended by any major donors whether they take place at downing street or any official resident. the former treasurer claimed big donations could buy access and influence policy. labor says with such grave allegations an internal inquiry by a senior tori is not good enough. >> a conservative fear appointed by the prime minister. an inquiry of the conservative party by the conservative

party, for the conservative party. it's a whitewash, and everyone knows it. >> the conservatives insist donations to their party do not buy special favors. >> we have accepted donations in the past, and they go through very strict cop appliance rules, for example, where they come from and donors were told this does not give you access or control over policy. >> cross party talks may soon begin about taking big money out of politics altogether. but getting agreement on that isn't going to be easy. >> this is gmt from "bbc world news." i'm george. the headlines. world leaders pledge to combat the threat of nuclear terrorism as a security snument seoul comes to an end.

syria says it accepts kofi annan's six-point plan to tend long-running violence in the country. and that brings us neatly to the business news. aaron is here. now, the biggest union in europe. in a german union. a series of strikes. today is the airport. >> yes. severe disruptions at germany's airport. something like 450 flights canceled. the reason is ground handlers are on strike. this is part of a wider movement by this, certainly the biggest in germany. they represent some rangeing from airports to kidnapped garton public administration officers and they are look field goal a 6.5% pay grease and have been offered a 3.3%

pay increase and they are not happy. so staging these warning strikes. if they are not successful, a mediator comes in and if host the not -- >> they were saying they restrain pay when the financial crisis hits, they had a short time working. they tightened their belts. now the financial crisis seems to be tightening. and on top of that, they are saying the pauf offer in this particular case doesn't cover them from inflation. >> naturally, the workers are saying we took a hit during the financial crisis and now that the financial crisis is kind of

passed, we want the same thing. >> now this last week, things are looking all right for the e.o.c.d. >> yes. mario drag itch. at the end of last week said the worst of the euro zone crisis is over. we heard from the head of the economic cooperation and development. he said thrks -- neh, no. the oecd in fact warned george that it was definitely continuing to rise. and the oecd says looking at the fundamental problems, they haven't been addressed. the huge imbalance and the competition. they said look at germany, competitive, spain and portugal, not so much. and the mother of all firewalls. what they are referring to is this increased desire to increase rescue pot. the oecd says the rescue pot

really needs to be at $1 trillion euros. let's listen to the experts about how on the part of the rescue pot is. >> the use for them is as a precaution nation measure. the best one is the one you don't have to use, but they are about bringing back market confidence that if something bad was to happen, there would be enough noun protect a country like spain or the like. >> thank you, aaron. >> now pope -- the pope has urged cubans to build a renewed and open society in mas in front of tens of thousands of people. he was speaking. among the kong indication was raul castro who listened to the pope stress the importance of faith and freedom. in panels, reports from havana.

>> with an unsteady gate, the pontiff and the president walk side-by-side, there was a time when such a visit would have been unthinkable. but today catholics and communists coexist. this wasn't supposed to be a political visit. but that's not how it sounds. >> i carry in my that's right legitimate sufferings of all cube s. those of the young and the elderly of the sick and workers and of prids inertia and of families. >> 14 years after the visit of pope john paul ii, the economic, political and media block aid against cuba is still enforced as stated in the u.s. memorandum of 1960, the purpose so cause hunger and desperation and to overthrow the government. >> this is only is second and

boost the role of the kat lick church. >> the sopping, dance and prayer in the country's second city and former capital. the pope preached a message of faith and tolerance but in the north to the desire of change, he spoke for the need of human 23r50e7 and an open society, one he calls more worthy of human taxpayer. >> there's been smaller, political changes. between pushing the case further and continue -- "bbc news" in havana. >> the german authorities are trying to track down far right fugitives following revelations

that three neo nazis were able to carry out a decade-long spee of racially-mote straighted murders. people demand to know whether the extremists are more numerous and dangerous than the authorities led them >> this was the feed in december den last this was the feed in dresden last night. they warn of the imp pending extinction of the german people, using text messaging to organize spontaneous demonstrations like this one in the propaganda video.

>> they choose not to call themselves nazi or neo nazi but rather free forces. they are using more modern forms for protest. when it comes to one of them, for security purposes we are asked to hide the man's identity. >> the leadership is always trying to track members of the so-called upper classes, students who wound day can act as lawyers oar doctors for them, really do something to help the movement. you would never expect they would be part of that movement, but they are more so now than ever before. >> the nationalists want a new order in germany. non-democratic, non-multicultural. they are establishing zones across the country, like this estate outside berlin. >> years ago we had some

clashes, riots, even some beatings and killing what they called the many political enemy. >> in the village in north germany, it's pretty much been taken over in the center is this nazi germany-style mural claiming it's free and national. following recent revelations of hate crimes and murders, germany's government says it is taking action. >> there have been hints abdications of right-wing extremism. but it was not taken serious i -- seriously. >> the question is how to deal with it? "bbc news," berlin.

>> now, here's some research which you may find it dot believe. apparently eating chocolate as often as you like could help keep you slim. they say even though chocolate is loaded with calories, it contains sbreents which may to some were so other a reminder of our top stories on gmt. world leaders wrap up a security summit in seoul. it was long on aspirations but short on action, at least that's what the critics are saying. the focus of the two-day gathering was the threat of nuclear terrorism with barack obama warning that hundreds of thousands of lives would be at risk. stay with "bbc world news."

there's plenty more news to come. >> 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 you operate in, working to nurture new ventures and help provide 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.