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>> burma's opposition leader, aung san suu kyi, tells the bbc she doesn't know when or if she'll stand for president. >> i really cannot tell. i can't even tell whether this is something i would like to do at all. >> bomb blasts in the iraqi capital leave at least 24 people dead and many more injured. can pay, but won't pay, say china's airlines as they say they won't meet the e.u.'s carbon tax on flights to and from the region. world to "bbc world news." i'm david eades. also coming up -- from four men in a boat to four men on an eye box, how an australian boat saved one crew. and a scout welcome a new royal volunteer as the duchess of cambridge signs up for duty.

>> hello. in an exclusive interview with the bbc, the burmese pro-democracy leader, aung san suu kyi, has said she trusts the country's president to continue the slow process of political reform there. she also says she has no plans yet to stand herself. she even questioned whether she'd want to. later, she's due to meet patriot an's foreign secretary, william hague, who's on the first visit there by a british foreign minister since 1965. he promised recent changes would not be reversed. for aung san suu kyi, she spoke to the bbc about democratic changes in burma and her expectations for the future. >> i don't think it's as fast as a lot of us would like it to be, but on the other hand, it's slow, not too slow. >> do you trust the government? >> i trust the president, but i can't say i trust the

government. >> the focus is hugely about compromise, isn't it? how difficult was it for you to go along a path of compromise with this government? >> so far it hasn't been too difficult. let us look at the issues on which we've compromised, to begin with a registration. by the way, i understand that we have -- the reason why we didn't register or re-register in 2010 was because it was told we could not act accepts the election in the political party. >> in terms of the international community and sanctions, is it now time for economic engagement with birm a? do you believe the time has come? >> it depends on what you mean by economic engagement. linking economic engagement is not necessary to link, because the e.u. does not really have

to stand against certain countries. but the reason why people do not invest, are not investing in burma now is because of reputation. >> would you be more comfortable with the idea of people from britain, for example, coming here to invest now? >> it depends on how. we've made it quite clear that we are keen on good investment, meaning not just ethical investment, but investment where it's necessary. >> will it happen in your lifetime that we will see full democratic elections? >> yes, i think there will be a full democratic election in my lifetime, but i don't know how long i'm going live. but if i live out a normal life span. >> aung san suu kyi talking to our correspondent. at least 24 people have been killed in a series of bomb explosions in the iraqi capital, baghdad. dozens of people were injured as well when the explosive

devices were detonated, most of them roadside bombs. our reporter is in baghdad, and i asked him about the attacks. >> yes, actually two different neighborhoods were struck this morning, two predominantly shiite neighborhoods. one of them is sadr city in eastern baghdad, and the other is in northern baghdad. the bigger of the two attacks occurred where pristine people were killed and more than 30 people injured. also nine people were killed in sadr city, and more than 30 injured as well. the attacks occurred in the morning rush hour, targeting, according to the iraqi office of the interior, civilian gatherings. >> there's a familiarity here, isn't there, to the attacks, and that was a series again of just 10 days or so ago. >> yeah, there have been a

surge in violence since the departure of the last u.s. troops. many people here still remember the attacks of the 22nd of december, where more than 70 people were killed and about 200 injured. and there were also other attacks here and around iraq. we also know that the country is still going through a severe political crisis where an arrest warrant was issued against the sunni vice president by the shiite-led government. so whether in violence or in politics here in iraq. >> let's get some other stories to you now. in the philippines, officials say at least 25 people have been killed by land slides on the southern island of mindanao. the pictures are extraordinary. about 100 people are still said to be missing after this landslide struck a mining area. the army has deployed soldiers

to the area to dig for survivors. officials in mexico say 31 prison inmates have been killed during a fight between rival gangs. at least 13 others were injured during the violence inside a prison in the northeast of the country. competition between drug cartels for control of smuggling routes along the u.s. border often spread into the prison system. a german man arrested in los angeles on suspicion of arson has been charged with starting nearly 40 fires in and around hollywood over the new year weekend. prosecutors in the case against the man claim the 24-year-old was motivated by what they're calling rage against americans. the fire caused as much as $3 million worth of damage. four people have been saved off the eastern coast of australia after they used an ice box to float on. two men and two boys had to cling to the box until help arrived after their boat sank.

duncan kennedy reports from sydney. >> five miles out to sea, two men, two boys, and an ice box. it was all they could grab as their boat sank in under a minute. >> looks like two adults, two children. >> the box was supposed to keep cans cold, not save the crew. you can see one of the 11-year-old boys clinging to it as tight as possible. luckily this skipper also sent out a may day message using a g.p.s. device, and this helicopter arrived. within a few moments, a raft was thrown down for those in the water to scramble into. after inflating it, they all climbed aboard, hauling the ice box with them. soon after that, a police boat also arrived at the scene, and all four were taken on board back to shore. it was there that 11-year-old riley smiles and his dad, scott, came to talk about their

experience. >> tell us what you remember about what happened this morning. >> well, i was -- >> for riley, the moment was overwhelming, leaving it to dad to talk about the experience and the box. >> just something to float on. it was beyond the point of return. >> the boat now lies in 65 meters of water, anything to remind them of their unorthodox rescue is now in their ice box, now a very cool family souvenir. duncan kennedy, bbc news, sydney. >> airlines in china are refusing to pay a new carbon emission charge to fly in europe. the charge was introduced just five days ago, but the chinese air transport association says its members will not be cooperating. how did all this come about? you have to go back seven years to when the e.u. launched the emissions trading system. that was to reduce carbon

emissions at power stations and industrial plants. as from the start of this year, they extended that scheme to include airlines, so airlines have to buy pollution permits effectively to fly in europe. that move upset not just the chinese or america's government. and just last month, the highest court in the e.u. rejected a legal challenge from u.s. airlines against paying the charge. chinese air transport association now says chinese airlines will not be forced into paying it, and the chinese government is considering counter measures against the e.u. the bbc's damian grammaticas is in beijing, and he says the charges got under the skin of both american and chinese airlines. >> china seems to be taking a tougher stand than the americans have. the americans already brought that legal challenge you were talking about, which was thrown out in europe. the chinese airlines, the china air transport association speaking for them, is telling us that it is still considering

its own legal challenge. the chinese airlines will not cooperate with the e.u. in its attempts to levee this carbon charge, this carbon tax on all flights coming from china. and as you indicated also, saying the air transport association here saying that the chinese government is considering counter measures. the chinese media have warned -- the state-controlled media have already warned of a possible trade war over this issue, but it's worth saying that today china's government has been a bit more cautious, talking about consultations. certainly china really digging its heels in, saying it's not going pay. >> cult station sounds better than -- consultations sounds better than trade measures or whatever they say at the end of the year, but what's going to happen next? >> well, i mean, china at the moment is going to refuse, and they're going to keep going. it's not only china, you mentioned the u.s., but we know india and canada have voiced very serious concerns over this.

later on today, i'm going to speak to the director, tony tyler of the international air transport association, the governing body. we've known they've been battling, if you will, trying to fight the many taxes around the world that have been imposed on to the airline industry that the industry itself cease as government revenue measures, measures for government toss raise all sorts of funds. i would imagine we'll hear from them, they're not happy about this so-called extra tax on the industry, an industry that makes a very small margin in terms of profit. as we know, the airline industries are hurting as it is at the moment. >> we'll wait for that in a couple hours' time. let's have a look at spain again. the prime minister has only just launches austerity measures. >> absolutely. it was a bombshell of 15 billion euros only announced a few days, where it included tax hikes, spending cuts, and another round.

it's almost another week, another round of austerity measures for spain, but this is the new government in spain trying to convince and prove to -- well, not only the rest of the eurozone, but also to the markets that they can fight their deficit, they can bring their deficit down. they can get the economy back on track. you see a line of unemployed there standing in front of an employment office. that's the biggest hurdle for spain, just over 21.5% unemployment, the highest unemployment rate in the industrialized world. so it is a huge battle, so we're going to wait and see what this next round of austerity will include. i'll go live to spain on the "world business report" in about 17 minutes' time. >> thanks a lot. after new sanctions against iran coming from washington, it's up to the european union to turn the screw on tehran next, their nuclear ambitions. iran's oil export seem the most likely target. half of tehran's revenue comes

from exporting crude oil. an embargo would force it to turn to asian markets to replace french trade. the french foreign minister announced plans on wednesday evening. >> we have an e.u. foreign minister's meeting on january 30, and on this occasion, i hope we will be able to take the decision on the embargo oil and petro from iran. we are working on the measures and things are looking good. we need to reassure some of our partners. we need to provide them with an alternative, that these solutions exist, and i think we will be subjective by the end of january. >> now we're here with cricket news. michael clarke, if ever he was doubted as a suitable captain, he stamped his authority on the australian game, hasn't he? >> the former captain has put

the stop to those retirement rumors. australia doing particularly well. michael fox, 329, and just breaking all sorts of records and could have broke an lot more, which is what's particularly interesting for him. as captain, he decided to go with the team spirit rather than going with his individual effort. some of the records he set, that was only the sixth australian scored, the first, and he declared on 659 for australia against india, and he could have gone on. there are various records he could have gone to if he wanted to carry on, but he decided for the better of the team not to do that. >> it does sound like the sort of batting strip that a certain might like. >> we're always looking for this big international 100, and he seems to have a slight problem with getting there. it's been a few months we've

been waiting for that. but it's definitely a good wicket. they're really struggle at the moment. i'll have more details on that today. >> clarke's test as it will be called. thanks a lot. >> you're watching "bbc world news." plenty more still to come, including -- well, good job this one didn't get away, why one tuner sold for nearly $750,000. here in london, detectives are looking at new information which has come in since two men were convicted of the murder of the teenager, steven lawrence. it's emerged that scotland yard is reviewing whether it should maintain a dedicated team to investigate the case. as it scales back its murder squads, that's because of budget cuts. >> steven lawrence's parents feel that they have some form of justice. two men finally behind bars, 18 years after their son was killed.

and warnings from the metropolitan police commissioner that other people involved shunted rest ease nil their beds. but there are concerns this morning that despite new leads, the team, which worked on the lawrence case could itself now be broken up following the convictions. scotland yard is scaling back its murder squads because of budget cuts and a drop in the number of murders in london. senior officers are describing the case as dormant with no live lines of inquiry, meaning the team could be in a vulnerable position, because those who work in it work exclusively on this case. some people were still included after the death. they've never been convicted of violence despite a serious of allegations. officers from the lawrence team will discuss the case and in all likelihood their futures with senior officers next week. they'll be keep to make sure they stay in their jobs, citing

fact it took 18 years to bring two murderers to account, but it did happen eventually, and keen to secure full justice for a young man who lost his life in the most senseless of attacks. >> just an update on that. scottland yard has now said it has no immediate plans to break up the specialist unit working on the steen lawrence case. we've got more detail for you on the website, bbc.com/news. >> you're watching "bbc world news." i'm david eades. these are the headlines. in an exclusive interview, aung san suu kyi tells the bbc she trusts the country's president to continue the slow process of political reform there, but says she has no plans yet to stand herself. bomb blasts in the iraqi capital believe at least 24 people dead and many more injured.

now, if you're running a charity, you want as much as anything a high profile, and that's why four charities here in britain in particular are celebrating a new royal stamp of approval. the duchess of cambridge has accepted honor positions with a range of charities. the duchess will also be volunteering with the scout association. our royal correspondent has the story. >> it's more than eight months now since she married prince william and joined the royal family, eight months during which, with the exception of the couple's visit to north america last summer, the duchess of cambridge has fulfilled comparatively few public engagements. according to st. james' palace, the duchess has spent the time researching which charities she'll support. she's now made up her mind. the charities she's choicen have an emphasis on young people and several reflect her interest in art. so she's to become royal patron of the art room, which uses art

to help children. royal patron of east children's hospices, patron of action on addiction, patron of the national portrait gallery, and a volunteer in the scout association, helping groups in north wales. the art room is a small charity which operates in oxford and at this school in london t. uses art to help children who've become disengaged from the education system, and according to its founder, when the duchess came to visit, she appeared to have an immediate afinity with the charity's work. >> a complete natural. she has utter understanding, she has complete interest in the art and in therapeutic wealth. it's a combination behalf we do here, art and therapy, something that seemed to really attract her. she's charming, absolutely charming, and we're thrilled. >> for this royal newcomer, who will be 30 next monday, it's a start on what will be a lifelong commitment to supporting worthy causes.

>> for more, i'm joined by heather baker, who's a scout leader in manchester, and patrick simpson, a 10-year-old cub scout from north london. thank you both very much for coming in. heather, let me start with you. it's a lifelong commitment as well. what a coup. >> it's absolutely fantastic. obviously we're delighted about the fact the duchess has decided to be a volunteer with us. it's a huge opportunity for us, also an opportunity for her, and it's very rewarding, obviously being a leader and working with young people and seeing them develop and move on. it's really inspiring. i'm sure the duchess will have a fantastic time. >> fair to say she's a busy lady anyway. how much can you expect from her? >> what we're able to do within the scout association, we have flexible volunteering, so what that means is you can give as much or as little time as you're able to within each week. so, for example, i have a full-time job and a family, but i'm able to give some time more weeks than others, so that way even show she's a very busy

lady, if anybody can do it, she can. >> that is a real feather in the scouts' cap. what sort of jobs do you do that perhaps she could help you with? >> well, we do activities like arts and crafts, and like the whole point is to help people get along with each other, also to do activities and commit to what we have to do. >> right. do you do any jobs as well to help out? >> yeah, we help out with, like, cooking and stuff. we pay little stuff, and then the leader will bring some treats for us and stuff, and then we'll all share. >> let's hope she obliges and brings treats for you. now, tell me about the patch there, the one you're most proud of. >> this means you're in charge of a pack and you have to look after them, as well as have fun. >> right. so if the duchess comes along and she's put into your pack, you're the leader, what would you get her to do?

>> well, i got my pack really young, and some people are still joining cubs, so they're still getting to understand what's going on. so i want to make sure they're ok, and then they're doing well in that. >> well, it's great to know you've got a plan for her. that's terrific. patrick, thank you very much indied. heather as well, thank you. >> thank you. >> now, all around the world, sports men and women are stepping up their training as an olympic year beckons. in pakistan, the biggest hope for a medal is the men's hockey team. they've won three gold medals in the past. aleem maqbool reports from a school that produced more than 50 international hockey stars. >> these pupils all share a dream -- to one day represent pakistan at the olympics. they're in the right place to achieve it, as the school has

an amazing history when it comes to hockey. pakistan's most important olympic sport. this 14-year-old boy has already been identified as a star of the future. >> i think i get my pride and inspiration from the players who gone before me, gold medalist who have come from many school. they make me feel like i can do the same. >> this is a modest school that just happens to produce a hockey international in the 1960's. but that player helped start a sporting revolution here. one man came back to train young players, and in spite of meager resources, had a huge amount of success. >> so many of pakistan's greatest hockey stars have come from these very classrooms. just one school alone over the last 40 years has produced over 50 international players who won world cups and champions

trophies and over a dozen have been olympians as well. now, an incredible record for any school anywhere in the world, yet alone one from a relatively poor area as central pakistan. the balls outside the head master's office, a trinity to the former pupils who have gone on to represent pakistan, and the list is being added to all the time. four of the current national team are from m.c. high school. they're preparing to take part in the olympics in london. >> i feel so proud to have come from that school. we were nothing, but that place gave us our start, and now we play in the pakistan team. it feels so good when we go back there. >> for many pupils, this school and its focus on hockey has given them a route out of poverty and a way to see the world. it's why many here now feel they have a chance of one day competing on the greatest sporting stage. aleem maqbool, bbc news.

>> they really can hit a ball, can they? i want to show you something which is really quite extraordinary. it's a tunafish, not just an extraordinary one. a, it's a whopper. b, it just sold for $750,000. now, 269 kilos was the weight. it was brought about you a local -- it was bought by a local sushi restaurant owner. they reckon they're going to get something something like 10,000 sushi portions on it. that's about $70 a portion. so they're talking about possibly having to subsidize it, but the message being this is a great start to what they hope will be a revitalized japan in 2012. aaron will be back with more in "world business report" in just a matter of moments, and then we'll have sport today. this is the website for you, bbc.com/news, for more on all our stories.

>> 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. >> you're no long neither service, only an outsider can find the double agent. >> i'll do my utmost. >> all i want from you is one coach. >> it will take a master spy -- >> you're alone. i can't mention it. >> to catch a spy. >> you have to. they're watching you. >> things aren't always what they seem.

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