28/10/2011 World News Today

This is BBC World News Today. An historical agreement at the

Commonwealth summit gives women the same succession rights as men,

overturning centuries of Royal tradition here in the UK. Symbolism

or an agent of real change? Put simply, if the Duke and Duchess

of Cambridge were to have a little girl, that girl would one day be

our Queen. Heavily indebted Europe goes cap in

hand to booming Beijing for help with its bailout fund.

Ireland is on course to elect a new president - Michael Higgins. We

look at who he is and what difference he might make to the

country. Also coming up. Alive at Heathrow

airport. We seek the busiest airport through the eyes of his

residence author. Lifting the curtain after a

facelift, the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow reopens.

Hello and welcome. It has been talked about for a long time, and

for many it is overdue. Leaders at the Commonwealth meeting in Perth,

Australia have agreed that a male can overthrow an older female to

the heir to the British throne. Or we will be asking a leading women's

rights campaigner to see if this will make a difference worldwide.

First, Duncan Kennedy is at the summit in Perth.

With 2 billion people under its umbrella, the Commonwealth in

theory should be one of the world's biggest institutions. But it rarely

makes the news. Now though with the announcement of changes to the

British monarchy, this meeting could be different. It might not be

the only subject under discussion, but it is the one making headlines.

For a few moments, the Commonwealth leaders are looked like contestants

in a reality show. Some appeared a little uncomfortable - hardly X

Factor. All such gatherings have an Olympic style opening ceremony. The

political leaders sat with the queen ahead of their detailed

discussions on a range of subjects. For the 16 nations are were the

Queen is head of state, it was changes to the rules of succession

in Britain's Royal Family, and an announcement reversing years of

tradition and history. We will end of the male rule so that in future

the order of succession should be determined simply by the order of

birth. We have agreed to introduce this fall descendants from the

Prince of Wales. Put simply, if the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were

to have a little girl, that goal would one day be our Queen.

The Queen has given her approval to all the changes, her speech focused

on friendship and the future. conclude with an Aboriginal proverb

which is itself ensuring. We are all visitors to this time, this

place. We are just passing through. Our purpose here is to observed, to

learn, to grow, to love. And then we return home. Outside, reforms to

the British monarchy were of little interest to the 1,500 demonstrated

to protested peacefully in nearby streets. They were more concerned

with Commonwealth decisions on gay rights, climate change and human

rights abuses in Sri Lanka. I am protesting about the Tamil Tiger

civilians in Sri Lanka. There have been some calls for Sri Lanka to be

shanked -- sanctions over alleged war crimes. But for an organisation

that operates through consensus, they limited themselves to

political pressure. We have said clearly we believe Sri Lanka needs

to its lessons learnt and reconciliation process to address

these claims of human rights abuses and in particular needs to deal

directly with the work of the un advisory panel. The leaders are

already discussing reforms to the Commonwealth itself, which some

believe is in danger of becoming a relevance in a world dominated by a

G20, European unions and the United Nations. The thinking goes it has

been years since the Commonwealth have any real impact on world

affairs. You have to go back to the years of its involvement in ending

apartheid in South Africa. That might be a little unfair, but it

can seem more like a club than a body for decisive action. Changing

the rules on loyalty is one thing, but political substance is another.

In another sign as China's emergence as a global power, the

head of the European bale-out crisis has visited. It has been

agreed the EU funds should be expanded to one trillion Euros.

China said it is willing to help out but only if the likes of India,

Brazil chip in. In its hour of need, it is to China

Europe is turning. The debt ridden West looking to the cash rich East.

Just 24 hours after Europe's latest attempt to stave off the crisis,

the head of the EU bail-out fund is here hoping to persuade China that

Europe is an investment worth making. There is a need for

investment. It is also my experience talking to the Chinese

authorities that they are interested to finding, attractive,

solid, safe investment opportunities. China has the

world's biggest foreign exchange reserves, 3.22 trillion dollars

worth. Another $99 billion were added in the first six months of

this year. Today, China were hinting they would won concessions

if they alone money to Europe. TRANSLATION: They should be less

old prejudice and we should deal with facts and objectives. So we

can walk out of the shadows of the past.

It is China's mighty export machine selling products across the world

that earns the country sums in foreign exchange. And many feel

China should attach conditions to its cash, the way Western countries

always used to, economic and political. For all the landings

that originated from the West, there were conditions. Other

demands a might be Europe stops criticising China on human rights,

or it lifts the arms embargo, in place since the Tiananmen Square

massacre. China feels in a powerful position, Europe needs capital for

its Government and return to growth. China has plenty of money.

Thousands of residents are fleeing the Thailand capital, Bangkok which

is being threatened by severe flooding. The main river has risen

to record highs and is expected to burst its banks this weekend. More

than 360 people have died in the worst floods in Thailand in decades.

This satellite image is showing how Bangkok city centre is now almost

completely surrounded by water. The swollen Chao Phraya River,

snaking its way through Bangkok. The end of a road bridge already

submerged. This is before the peak of the predicted high tides.

Unsurprising then, people are trying to leave. Another district

of the nation's capital city being abandoned. Not entirely, this man

says he plans to stay, at least for now. I will stay here. We have an

old man and a big family. Deeper inside this riverside community,

another family tries to hang on. But it is getting harder every day,

supplies are running low. TRANSLATION: People are hoarding

food, there is nothing left. I tried to get food from the market

but there was nothing there. The flow of people escaping the

water is gaining pace. These people have just been dropped off on the

bridge with their belongings. They have had to move. This is a second

time we have -- they have been evacuated. They said they came from

the province of Nonthaburi. They left their three weeks ago when the

water came. Then they moved to the other side of the bridge to stay

with relatives. They thought they would be safe. Now they have to

move again, taking their belongings with them. In Bangkok's northern

suburbs, a second front in the battle to control the deluge.

Billions of cubic metres of floodwater are on the move. And

inexperience Prime Minister is under huge pressure. This crisis is

unprecedented she says, so let's not have any political wrangling.

There are more pressing concerns. The tide is rising, the floodwater

is advancing. This weekend could prove to be decisive.

Let's take a look at some other news. The International Criminal

Court in the Hague says it has had indirect contact with Colonel

Gaddafi's son, Saif Al-Islam Gaddafi about his possible

surrender. He is wanted for crimes against humanity. The ICC chief

prosecutor said if Saif Al-Islam Gaddafi surrendered he would be

given the chance to defend himself in court. NATO's says its

operations over Libya will end on Monday from midnight local time. In

seven months they have flown more than 26,000 sorties, three-quarters

of them by European forces. The NATO general secretary said it

would have been impossible without US support.

In Syria, activists say at least 37 people were killed on Friday as

protesters took to the streets to demand a no-fly zone over the

country. More than 3,000 people have died in the unrest since

protests broke out in March. New research says a daily dose of

aspirin could lower the risk of bowel cancer for people with a

family history of the disease. The international study published in

the Lancet saw cases of bowel cancer dropped by 60% a month

patients who took two aspirins a day for two years.

Nasa has launched a new weather satellite aimed at measuring the

long-term effects of climate change. The 1.5 billion dollar Polar

Satellite will track atmospheric ozone and dust levels, measure sea

and land surface temperatures and measure glaciers around the world.

Ireland looks set to elect as 70- year-old former arts minister,

Michael D Higgins as its next president. Counting is still under

way but the run-up has already conceded defeat. The seven

candidates ran for the largest ceremonial post. Martin McGuinness,

who had generated controversy by running, is expected to come third.

Let's cross to the London editor of the Irish Times, Mark Hennessy. In

race that was remarkable for the colourful candidates who were

standing? The TV presenter, a former Eurovision Song Contest

winner, Michael Higgins expected? If this election had taken place

last Monday, Shaun Gallagher, who conceded defeat tonight would

almost certainly have won. All the opinion polls had put him on 40%.

But after a disastrous TV performance with his links with

Fianna Fail, was thrown out unceremoniously, emerged he had

raised money for Fianna Fail. Nothing illegal in that but he had

attempted during this campaign to downplay his links with Fianna Fail.

When that story came out at the hands of Martin McGuinness, it

effectively decided the campaign. The exit polls tonight indicate one

quarter of those who voted today, voted yesterday changed their minds

in the last few days of the campaign and it went entirely from

Gallacher to Michael D Higgins of Labour. Michael D Higgins, tell us

a bit about him. I know he was born in poverty, Limerick, the first of

his family to go to universities. Known for his human rights

campaigning and that kind of thing. What kind of President will he

make? He is a colourful individuals. He was arts minister during the

1990s. He brought in some major changes that helped to boot --

boost the Irish film industry. Saving Private Ryan and Braveheart

and other blockbuster movies of that period were produced in

Ireland last Lee on the strength of the actions he took. He was a great

favourite of many people in Hollywood. Steven Spielberg and

others have time for him. He is somebody, as you say, had a long

connection with the human rights issues. He was involved in the

1980s, criticising the American Government for its role in Latin

America. During the campaign he played it very cautiously. He was

somebody who was seen coming inwards a quarter of the vote and

would have been dependent on transfers in the normal course of

events if the Gallagher troubles have not erupted. He is somebody

who is known by his Christian name, he is one of those rare politicians

who has that connection with voters. There have been an issue during the

campaign about his health. He had an operation last year. If the

problems in the Gallagher campaign have not surfaced he would have had

a more difficult task. Does it matter who is President of Ireland?

Is he likely to make a difference in any way? The job is important

ceremonially, and you have seen with Mary Michael East and Mary

Robinson for that person to gain international stature. It would be

expected he would be attending to achieve something similar. Not of

the same vigour as his two predecessors because of his age and

health. But he would be expected to Ghana an international profile. It

is one of the reasons Irish voters went for him in the end. People

were keen on this issue of honesty, trust and probity and also the

ability of the holder of that office to portray a positive image

of the country abroad. Mark Hennessy from the Irish Times fans

And back to the top story - the historical agreement taken in

Australia which means that the males will now have equal rights

with males when it comes to succession. That has an impact on

the succession in the Royal Family here in the UK. Is this going to

have a wider implication, or as a just symbolism? We have a political

journalist and campaigner with us who advises the government on

gender equality. Lesley, is it just symbolic, or could it be an agent

for change? It is symbolic and symbolism is important. Anything

that says that men and women should be guided equally has to be good.

Personally I would do away with the monarchy. That is another story.

Talking of the monarchy, the Queen so is it encourages us to get girls

and women to play their full part, their full role. I think most women

would love to do that. But many countries, including our own, there

are obstacles in the way. It is symbolic and anything that moves

another obstacle that stops women being valued less than men - and

goodness knows we know how many babies people get rid of because

they think they just want a boy - is a small step forward for

womankind. Any small step forward is worth it. You have been working

for many years fighting against gender discrimination and ensuring

women can play a role. Do you know how long it took to get this step?

I was looking it up... It was Macmillan, or somebody way back in

the 1950s, they first talked about this change. So it has taken how

long? It was the Royal Wedding that made people think she might have a

child soon, there was the catalyst. I think it was. Four Marks on this

one to David Cameron. -- full marks. He seems to have run with it and

done it. On this occasion, full marks to the Prime Minister! I do

not think I have ever said that about a Prime Minister. And with a

smile! A little victories, but I would like to see more important

ones. Thank you for talking to us. London's Heathrow Airport is one of

the world's busiest hubs. Every year around 75 million passengers

pass through Heathrow. Well, early this year one passenger decided to

stay a little longer than most. The British writer Tony Parsons stayed

for a week and took up post as writer in residence. He came up

with a collection called Departures: Seven Stories from

Heathrow. In a moment we'll hear about his experiences, first here's

Tony Parsons reading from one of The airport never really slept, the

pilot thought, it only closed its eyes and waited for the dawn. It

was late when he arrived back at Terminal 5, so late that they would

be no more flight until the early arrivals from East Asia, they

started landing just before dawn. But there were people sleeping at

the terminal, suitcases by their side, rucksacks for a pillow. They

all looked like they were too late, or too early for their flight.

Though the pilot knew that the police always watched for fake

travellers, people who preferred sleeping inside the climate

controlled Richard Rogers architecture rather than on the

streets of the city. That was Tony Parsons and a short time ago he

came to give us some more observations from behind the scenes.

It was all surprising, I was amazed that when I walked into the air

traffic control tower I expected all the controllers to looked like

old gentleman, but they are all these kids, these young kids in

their twenties in cargo shorts and T-shirts. Your stories draw on the

kind of events you saw at Heathrow, immigration officers who had heard

all the tales before, the animals people tried to smuggle in and have

to be looked after by a staff. Heathrow and a more reception

centre is really the true London Zoo, because every creature passes

through. Everything you can imagine, and plenty you cannot imagine. I

saw white lion cubs, Argentinian polo ponies, things... Ponies?!

People bringing them in legitimately to play polo! It was

above board. But you get nutcases coming back from Las Vegas have

chucked a couple of snakes in the rucksack and think they are docile,

they will be able to get them out but snakes do not shot on airport

security. That is not a tip for the was, I advise against it. It was

remarkable. Everything passes through and because people like

organic food without pesticides these days you get all kinds of key

Pique -- creepy-crawlies going into crates around the world. A why did

you decide to do this? I am a big fan of Alain the Botton, the first

Heathrow writer-in-residence a few years ago. -- Alain the Botton. He

rode a beautiful book about it, it seemed a bit like a boy's adventure,

to stay out all night, roam the airport and hang out with pilots

and immigration officers busting drug smugglers. It seemed exciting.

And it was. It was in August, the busiest time of the year.

million people passed through every year and in that August week 2

million people pass through. Truthfully, if you are there and

your flight has been cancelled and you have a crucial meeting to make,

you're not going to be one of those irate passengers who thinks are my

goodness, we be more understanding? I have been using Heathrow all my

life. I did not really fly when I was a child born I became a young

journalist, flying around the world, I started using it, it has got much

better. And because of the terror threat. All those things you have

to do. We have lost a bit of the romance and glamour because of 9/11.

We associate airports with taking our shoes and metal objects off.

But it is still an incredible experience. To be in another part

of the planet after half a day, there is still something majestic

about it. I hope my book will do its little bit to remind people of

the romance and majesty of flight which is what it is all about.

Parsons on air travel seen through he threw up -- Heathrow airport.

One of the world's greatest theatres, the Bolshoi in Moscow,

re-opens this evening after a six year renovation programme.

President Medvedev is amongst those who will attend a glittering gala

performance. The event caps a difficult and very expensive

reconstruction process which has been tainted by accusations of

corruption. Daniel Sandford has For the last few weeks the Bolshoi

Theatre, one of the world's greatest, has been in a frenzy of

preparation because for six years the historic stage has been dark,

but today the curtain is rising again. Between the final rehearsals,

one of the principal dancers gave me an emotional tour of the

TRANSLATION: We all know we have to keep the history and traditions of

this place. So this is a very happy moment for us. I even have tears in

my eyes, I am so happy. renovation is immaculate and

massively over-budget. Hundreds of millions of pounds have been spent,

3000 workers have done much of the Labour by hand, including replacing

all of the sumptuous gold leaf. As ever in modern Russia, the eye-

watering cost of the building work - half a billion or more - has

brought allegations of corruption on a breathtaking scale. The

ambition was to take it back to the time of the tsars. This colour

lithograph shows the building in the year * Alexandra the second was

crowned. -- tsar. All the time it kept its reputation as the home of

world-class opera and ballet. The first performances are a concert,

then opera, the ballet company takes to the stage in the middle of

November. But all the tickets for the first demands are sold out. --

the first demands are sold out. -- After all the sunshine today, not

as much on offer for the weekend. They will be stronger wind for a

start but it is a southerly wind it tomorrow and Sunday, so a mild

direction. Temperatures will be above the seasonal average. For

some of us there will be Reina thanks to this mode pressure across

northern and western part of the UK. The early rain clears away but it

is there in Scotland and turns heavier across parts of Wales and

western England into the afternoon. For north-east England we have

bright spells around even at this stage. For East Anglia and the

south-east, after some fog, it will Thickening cloud across a twisting

and for the afternoon with patchy rain moving in. Heavier rain across

the western side of Wales, some bits towards the east. Coastal

girls and very wet in north-west England, especially into the Lake

District. The rain has gone for Robben Island. A very wet afternoon

in western Scotland, are trying to look towards the east. Through