>> "bbc world news" is presented by kcet los angeles. funding made possible by the freeman foundation of new york, stowe, vermont, and honolulu, the newman's own foundation, the john d. and catherine t. macarthur foundation, and union bank.

>> union bank has put its strengths to work for a wide range of companies, from small businesses to major corporations. what can we do for you? >> and now, "bbc world news." >> challenging the president. government workers in south africa hold a day of protests and marches. waiting for an answer to u.s. defense secretary, iran is urged to respond to diplomatic overtures from the u.s. by september. economic recovery. china and the united states get together in washington for charts and talks, a relationship that could shape the 21st century. welcome. coming up later for you, it has been nearly a month since combat controlled by u.s. forces in iraq came to an end. we will see the reality.

and $75 and stop the distribution deal? we will hear from a young filmmaker behind the new movie. zuma tap into a change in the mood of the poor black majority when he won the recent elections, taking over as president. despite his election promises, he is facing a challenge from his constituents. thousands of south african government workers went on strike today, crippling public services in the biggest economy. police clashed with some of the biggest workers. protesters are in during the biggest downturn since apartheid, and have run out of

patience. we reports from johannesburg. >> images from another era. south africa's police force firing plastic bullets to control their own people. the police in the northern town say they were left with no options. a crowd of striking local government workers turned violent. three were treated for injuries and more are arrested. in johannesburg, things were more peaceful. thousands of workers crossed nelson mandela bridge into south africa's commercial center. on a normal day, these people are involved in collecting rubbish and disposing of it. but this is a strike, so in between singing and waving sticks, they are scattering the rubbish out of bins. south africa is in recession for the first time in 17 years. the economy shrinking 6% in the

first quarter's. fuel prices are still rising. they need a wait increase just to survive. >> this is the winter of discontent. how much money? >> 16%. next year we want 30%. >> and many unions are considering strike action this week. transport is being affected as they try to find a better way. >> pressure is growing on zuma. he became president, pledging to be a champion of the poor.

there have been violent protests in several tranships fort lack of water and electricity. now, the president is trying to remain presidential and above the unrest. no doubt he is acutely aware that because for change is coming from his loyal supporters. bbc news, johannesburg. >> violence has been spreading in northern nigeria. eyewitnesses say that scores have been killed. there were clashes sunday. 33 have been arrested. robert gates to reiterate is

really concerns about iran's nuclear program. he told mr. gates that israel believes all available means should be used. israelis have been feeling the heat lately over the continued building of israeli settlements. >> i told you to go. >> you go. israel, palestinians, and the u.s. commission. they have just taken over this house in occupied east jerusalem, and they want to renovate. palestinians are angry, they have no right. they say they should be the capital. there has been quite some resentment.

the u.s., middle east envoy has tried to smooth the ruffled feathers during his talks with israeli leaders. to achieve regional peace, all parties have something to do. >> the arab states, meaningful steps towards normalization of relations. the palestinians, that means to expand and improve security forces and to refrain from words or deeds that make it more difficult to move quickly and successfully renegotiations. for israel, that means making possible access to movements and economic growth by palestinians to which you also just referred, and also dealing with difficult issues like supplements and outposts. >> but its real community is

defiant. >> with the administration in town, activists want to clear a sent a message they hope will move towards a settlement and the west bank. that is why they have sent in the army. they want to show that they contend with american opinion on local matters. they want the help of the u.s. when it comes to iran. it is the number one concern of israeli safety. the defense secretary confirmed continuing support. we want to strengthen israeli defense against the growing threat imposed our records and missiles and we continue to ensure that israel has the most advanced weapons for national

defense. >> the u.s. officials here continued this week, with talks planned for palestinian and israeli leaders. bbc news, jerusalem. >> three people have been convicted in india over a double bombing in mumbai in 2003, where 55 were killed. one pled not guilty to murder and conspiracy charges along with his wife without his -- and another defendant. the gateway of india. president ahmadinejad's iranian government is in turmoil before he is sworn in for a second term. the intelligence minister was sacked, the minister of culture reported resign and after the president's abdication of his

senior vice president. a meeting in washington to discuss key political and economic differences. president obama said the relationship between the u.s. and china which take the century and needs to be shared in mutual interest. this is the first conference with china since obama took office. nearly a month since combat patrols and iraq officially came to an end. it means that american soldiers are no longer as visible on the streets of iraq as they once were, although fatal attacks are still happening. there are still 130,000 u.s. troops in iraq, some continue to patrol areas they are supposed to have left. gabriel has been witnessing a new reality for the americans in

mosul. >> this is iraq's most dangerous place. on average, for attacks here every single bank -- for attacks here every single day, with explosions in suicide bombings. this is the first foray into the area itself since the 30th of june. the last time, they were attacked by grenades and some of the alleys to the left and right. officially, americans should not be patrolling here anymore. the soldiers are in a reconstruction mission. >> it is undergoing, and it is a mission complete. >> to 130,000 troops in iraq are not just heavily-armored

garbageman. the threat of violence is never far off. reconstruction is a quiet way of keeping the troops on the ground. both sides are still getting used to the new arrangement, admits the hospitality has much explaining and bargaining. as the americans prepare for a full withdrawal by the end of 2011, much is being made of recent improvements in security. in villages outside of mosul, americans are still free to operate. locals complain of unemployment and poor infrastructure. >> they believe they have come along way since deployment. police efficiency and ability to get the job done is going to put

me out of a job, which is good. >> since the withdrawal, many men are effectively out of a job already, confined to base with little to do but think of home. as they shift their intentions east to afghanistan, they are hoping the gains they have achieved will hold what they finally pack up and leave. gabriel gatehouse, and northern iraq. >> still to come, on your marks, get sector -- will it be goal? on track for the 2012 olympic games. a mining company says it will create jobs for campaigners, starting out to flatten the heart of a spiritual homeland in eastern india. campaigning groups are fighting plans for the british company to manage an operation to mine bauxite.

this is about more than mining. for the people, it is about carry on their way of life, much as they have done for hundreds of years. it is about development, job creation, and gaining access to some of india's most valuable natural resources. so far, the high court has given the go-ahead to start mining bauxite. they have already built a $1 billion plant to process the mineral. they said they will rehouse and the tribal people displaced. at the same time, they say the jobs credit will bring in much- needed developments to a region that is one of india's poorest. hear, animists believe the gods

reside in the surrounding hills and mountains and are opposed to anything that would disrupt the sacred sites, no matter the economic benefits. they find support from groups and celebrities, including mick jagger's daughter. many are being called to sell their shares. critics of the company had some success. recently, norway's investment funds sold $14 million worth of holdings. but it is not clear how much more support the companies will get. abc news, mumbai. >> this is bbc -- bbc news, mumbai. >> mutual concern that the defense secretary's visit to israel and is up discussing

iranian nuclear ambitions. let's get more on the story mentioned earlier. china and the u.s. are meeting in washington to discuss major economic and political differences. >> track and america stood together to there, trying to speak the same language. >> yes, we can. >> not much was announced, but there were words. >> u.s.-china relations will shape the 21st century, making it as important as any bilateral relationship in the world. that must underpin our partnership. that is the responsibility that together we bear. hip-hop -- >> much of the relationship is based on money. the current crisis makes it clear that the choices reverberate all crossed the global economy, not just in new

york and seattle, but in shanghai as well. that is why we must remain committed to strong bilateral and multilateral coordination. >> both countries are hit hard, but china has an interest in american financing recovery. washington is investigating to the tune of about $700 billion -- that is how much they are in debt. some said that limits their leverage. one area where america wants chinese corporation is north korea. they urged china to help a in the denuclearization of its neighbor. on climate change, obama said that most countries were taking steps to transform energy economies. some here disagree. the president is rushing to get a new bill through congress,

meeting resistance from republicans who think america should not change its emissions before china does the same. >> a change in approach to afghanistan. they say it is time to negotiate with moderate taliban members. there were extremely heavy losses this month, particularly amongst u.k. forces. our correspondent was there. >> operation panthers clock, a demilitarized push into taliban territory to clear the area for elections next month. phase one is now over and phase two and three will be to hold the ground. >> what we have done is to make the land secure for about 100,000 people and pushed back the taliban. what we have also done is start to break down the chain of terror lending them to the

streets of britain. >> the danger is not over, and tactical success comes at a better cost. it has been difficult for nato forces as a whole. with that on their mind, they arrive at headquarters in brussels this morning with a message. in the complex world of afghanistan, military might allow will not be enough. >> we will not force taliban surrendered just through arms and overwhelming might, nor will we convert them to our point of view through argument and illogical conviction. >> the big question is, how long will nato says they -- stay in afghanistan, and what price should they pay? the answer is that they should stay as long as the afghan people in the progression and protection, but no longer. it is a difficult question.

not just in britain, but in germany, there are concerns that public mood is beginning to shift. >> do we need an order to guarantee our people and society will support our engagement? my feeling is that support is decreasing more and more. >> i think honesty is the best policy, and we have to be clear about the dangers continuing to endure in what is al qaeda's incubator of choice, the badlands between pakistan and afghanistan. >> he said that it also lay in politics, driving an edge between hard-line leadership and moderate foot soldiers. not a new idea, but a challenge was laid for those campaigning within the election. president karzai is the

frontrunner, but whoever wins will rule afghanistan for the next five years, getting their support for a campaign of national reconciliation to undermine the taliban insurgency, and that could be as critical as stages two and three of panther's clock. bbc news, brussels. >> lots of excitement in london about the 2012 olympics. today marks exactly three years until the games begin, and preparations are on schedule. here is james pierce, who spent the day at the site in east london. >> on july 27, 2012, this area will be a hive of activity, with a dozen people heading to the opening ceremony. three years ago, and still plenty of work remains to be done. >> good morning. the good news is that this is not your driver speaking. >> he has led the way for the fast few years, and today he was

at the head again. this high-speed rail link is a highlight of the 2012 transport plan. the train is just pulling out, and should take us seven minutes. we will see how long it actually takes. >> spectators will be carried, 27,000 and hour, between the fields. this was a first test. if it was a target, it would have been embarrassing to miss it. we have just arrived, well under seven minutes. if the rest of the project goes as well as this, everyone will be happy. so far, so good. it is europe's biggest building program, and it is both on time and on budget. with a price tag of 9.3 billion pounds, olympics do not come cheap. this is what you get for the money. a stadium still two years from

completion, but already taking shape. >> what is so amazing, it seems to me, is that although this is an 80,000 seat stadium, it has a feel of intimacy. >> there's still uncertainty when it comes to legacy. the games are not -- meant to draw participation, but swimming is just one of the number of sports that has seen a decrease over the past few months. gymnastics is another that has seen a drop. in fact, table tennis is the only one that can boast a recent rise in participation. some of that worries this young man. but why should anything worry tom daly when he has just become a world champion at the age of 15? >> britain is going to be sports-mad, and we will get some money successful athletes. some people will be inspired.

>> if only we had more like him. that is the biggest challenge. legacy is the key issue here. when debate is about the stadium, and what should happen after it is over? it is due to be reduced and some people argue that it could be maintained with 50,000. some people will have to work out the size of the stadium and who will continue to pay for it. >> we're used to watching films with multimillion-dollar budgets and top effects. for the first time, a film cost the grand sum of -- wait for it -- $75. it tells the story of collin the zombie. we have our correspondent. >> it was shot on two camcorders.

it is on the film with a difference. the money was used to buy food. the film was probably edited in mark price's bedroom, and he got a distribution deal, albeit small. the budget is the selling point, clearly, but he hopes that the success is there. >> my mobile phone has a higher resolution than this camcorder. i could make a movie on my mobile phone. >> he will get a showing here next month. given that 60 new releases are added each month, which film gets the audience is is not always about film quality. can be connected to quality of marketing.

marketing has been stripped to its poorest elements. >> [inaudible] >> "scan" nine years in the making, with no advertising budget. it does not have big billboard presence. >> >> if we do not vote with our bottoms and get out there and vote, these bonds will not get made. >> every filmmaker knows it is a combination of good fortune and momentum. in the case of collin, it is provided by the factor of how cheaply was made. bbc news. >> before we go, a reminder of our top story. local government workers in south africa have held a day of

strikes and marches, calling for better wages. it has brought to wallaceburg to a halt. -- john a spurt -- johannes burke -- johannesburg has been brought to a halt. >> funding was made possible by the freeman foundation of new york, stowe, vermont, and honolulu, the newman's own foundation, the john d. and catherine t. macarthur foundation, and union bank. >> union bank has put its strength to work from small businesses to major

corporations. what can we do for you? >> i am henry louis gates, jr., and public broadcasting does my source for news about the world. >> for intelligent conversation >> for election coverage you can count on. >> i am kerry washington, and public broadcasting is my source for intelligent connection to my community. >> "bbc