01/12/2011 World News Today

This is BBC World News Today with me, Tim Willcox. Split on imposing

immediate oil sanctions but the EU continues to tighten the diplomatic

pressure on to run. The European Union is not only

significant -- signalling an intensification of our approach but

doing a lot of effort as well. Syria's political leadership in

exile. Repression in the name of security

- Amnesty International's verdict on Saudi Arabia's response to the

Arab Spring. Looking for that early morning

caffeine hit? How strong is too strong?

Where there is discord, may we bring harmony.

And Meryl Streep defends her portrayal of Margaret Thatcher,

described by one of her friends as Hello and welcome. The diplomatic

screw on to run was tightened further today as EU foreign

ministers agreed on new sanctions. 180 companies and individuals have

been added to the original target list but they stopped short of

imposing sanctions on the Iranian oil industry. It comes at a time of

heightened diplomatic tensions following the ransacking of the

British embassy in Tehran on Tuesday. James Reynolds reports

from Brussels. European Union foreign ministers

had this meeting in their diaries long before the British compound in

Tehran were attacked. But it gave them much greater urgency.

Sanctions have been agreed on 180 additional entities associated with

Iran's nuclear programme for the Iranian republic shipping lines or

the Revolutionary Guards, so it is a major extension of the EU

sanctions. Tuesday's embassy attacks are still

David. At the British Government believes that protesters had links

with elements of Iran's conservative establishment. The

West is trying to work out ways to deal with the hardliners.

We are already dealing with what comes next. Sales of crude oil line

did not -- the pockets of the regime and feed its nuclear

ambitions. For some, the pressure should focus

here, on Iran's oil fields. The Islamic Republic is one of the

world's largest exporters of oil. At this summit some ministers

suggested and of -- and oil embargo but others are posted. The EU and

Iran to a lot of business together but Iran's key market is in Asia

and China in particular so more European sanctions can only have a

limited impact. So the West has agreed to, despite concentrate on

stopping Iran's ability to build nuclear weapons. Iran says its

ambitions are entirely peaceful. Almost 200 companies are now on the

sanctions list. Let's speak to Dr Mehrdard Khonsari,

a former Iranian diplomat and a specialist in Middle Eastern

affairs. They stopped short of imposing oil sanctions but what

ability to month -- to manoeuvre does Britain have now to bring

European ministers around to tighten the sanctions? What would

really make a difference and where Britain has taken a lead is the

sanctions placed on the Iranian Central Bank. While other countries

are now resistant in terms of wanting to discuss or at -- a

sanction on oil, but if they were to follow Britain in imposing

sanctions on the central bank, that in effect would curtail the flow of

oil from Iran to the Europeans. It would not allow for any mechanism

for Iran to be compensated financially and they can't deal

with this in cash so Iran would effectively be left to selling its

oil to China and Russia and friends of those countries. In terms of

what Europe imports, I think it is 6 %, so a significant amount,

particularly in the straitened economic circumstances. Greece and

Italy will not want that, will they? The position which Saudi

Arabia has taken in recent months regarding other issues concerning

its bilateral relations with Iran could easily compensate for what

will be taken out of the Iranian market, so that is not really an

issue. What is an issue is the will to notch it up a step further, to

elevate matters to levels that at which they have never been.

worried is the Iranian leadership about this action? They would be

quite worried were actions to be intensified to this level, but at

the level they have been breached, that is the little they predicted

when they ransacked the British Embassy. They have -- they knew

there would be repercussions, and when they rejected the

International Atomic Energy Agency recommendations. They expected a

certain intensification of sanctions but they will not still

think that it will never get to the point when Orwell experts will be

removed. William Hague was very clear to separate the International

Atomic Energy Agency Report and the British Agency for -- the British

Consulate. When it comes to the nuclear issue they are quite united

in Iran but Ayatollah Khamanei is more hostile to Britain than others

in the government. A final thoughtful stop in terms of the

Iranian economy and domestic pressure from within, presumably

this plays into that as well. is no question that the Iranian

economy is in a terrible state. It has got worse annually and it has

now reached new levels. Additional sanctions will her to it. -- her at.

-- will hurt. In anticipation of this progression, the Iranian

regime have tried to divert attention away from the main

problems, the economy and a disenchanted population which

yearns to follow in the footsteps of their brethren in the Arab world.

Thank you very much. Syria's main opposition group, the

Syrian Free Army -- and the Syrian Free Army have joined forces to

work against President Al-Assad. The agreement came as the UN Human

Rights chief said that Syria was in a state of civil war, with at least

4,000 people killed. We place the figure at 4,000 but

information coming to us is that it is a much more than that. I have

said that, as soon as there were more and more defectors threatening

to take up arms, said that in August that there would be a civil

war. That is how I am characterising this. Let's go to

Istanbul and speak to Jonathan Head at a meeting between the free

Syrian army and the Syrian National Council. How significant is this?

We have to see. I think it was a necessary step. The free Syrian

army is a new factor in the Syrian crisis, although it has been around

in name since July. It is only in the last few weeks that we have

seen bold attacks launched in its name at that are going after unit

serve government forces in Syria. That has raised to be -- the

spectre of civil war. Most people putting pressure on Assad are

trying to work through the Syrian National Council as the unified

voice of the opposition. The Syrian army -- the three Syrian army seems

to be a wild card. -- three Syrian army. Its operations inside Syria

seems to go against the recommendations of the other group

that there should be mainly three operations. Now the groups have

come together and they have said that they will work together on the

same political platform based on three -- non-violent struggle but

they will use force to defend civilians. It is turning his

movement into something more like a government in waiting, which is

want -- what and those countries depressing Assad want to see.

Amnesty International has accused Saudi Arabia of launching a new

wave of repression in response to the Arab Spring. Thousands have

been arrested and it said that trials were grossly unfair. Saudi

Arabia said that it was based on incorrect information.

The US Secretary of State had dinner tonight -- last night with

Aung San Suu Kyi, the opposition leader in Burma. It is the first

visit to Burma by an American head of think -- member state since 1965.

She called for the release of all political prisoners.

Dominique Strauss-Kahn has described his encounter with a New

York hotel maid as consensual but stupid. But former head of the

Eyemouth was charged with sexual assault over the incident but the

charges were later dropped. -- the former head of the international

money -- International Monetary Fund. He said that the maid had

given him a suggestive look as he emerged naked from the shower and

he had taken it as an invitation. The French President Nicolae

Sarkozy has been painting a bleak future of the economic future of

his country and Europe. He told his audience into long that a new cycle

of debt reduction was beginning. -- in Toulon. Christian Fraser joins

us lido from Paris. This was a speech to his reporters but he will

have quite a tough task winning a round the French public, with more

power has been given back to public? Yes, this has to be seen in

a domestic setting, four months from an election, he is lagging

behind in polls from the Socialist candidate. He was talking about the

economic crisis and why he has had to take some of the decisions in

recent weeks like the austerity measures and changes to the French

pension system. He said the economic crisis was on a scale

unseen in three-quarters of a century. Them that was almost an

acknowledgement that European leaders have not gone fast enough

and far enough. -- there was almost. He said there would have to be a

new debt reducing cycle. He said there would be an immense

revolution driven by new technologies, a knowledge economy,

and higher education. In terms of the country's credit rating and the

banks, are we looking at some significant public sector support?

Yes, I think there will have to be a change in the way that France

looks at the budgets and obviously you hinted at that should -- the

treaty change in regards to what Germany wants to see, tighter

regulation and fiscal discipline on national budgets. He said tonight

but France has not balanced the budget for 30 years and things had

to change. There had to be a new pattern of tax and spend. One of

the things that came out of the speech, he rejected the idea of a

fiscal union with penalties for governments that digress. Decisions

made by bureaucrats in Brussels seems to be the model advocated by

the Germans. He said Europe needed for more democracy, it is more

democratic when the politicians decide. The rebuilding of Europe is

not some march towards a federal superstate. Angela Merkel is coming

later on the week and it seems they raised an agreement that they would

need to be a treaty change that looks at how governments tax and

Per for many, it is the quick start the day, a shot of coffee to clear

our sleepy brain. How much caffeine is in our drinks? A new British

study has found coffee is can have so much caffeine only one cup

exceeds the daily recommended a man for pregnant women.

Over the last decade, the number of coffee shops has exploded. Do you

know what you drinking? Glasgow University researchers found a huge

difference in the caffeine hit from 20 off for thought health Thais-up

off The thief fourth fourth closest to that was Starbucks with 51

An espresso from an independent patisserie had 322 milligrams. Did

customers know how strong it was? It is six times stronger than some

other coffee is. Is it? That is good coffee. I like it. I like

strong coffee. I do get a bit shaky. This one, I do not taste of how

strong it is. You cannot tell. much caffeine is dangerous to

unborn babies but researchers say pregnant women have no idea how

much they are drinking. They should not have more than 200 milligrams

of caffeine per day which is four cups of coffee. Data shows if you

went to certain coffee houses you could get that and more with one

shot of expressive. All the more reason to make coffee houses

display caffeine levels. We thought we would put it to dip test. -- to

the test. You are a flat white drinker meaning you like coffee

with lots of milk. No, it is a beverage that takes its name from

Australia and New Zealand. A silky, a velvety coffee that is on the

menu at Starbucks and Costa Coffee. It is delicious. I drink a lot of

espresso. This one here from a high-street chain, will that very

much compared to another from a local deli? The research says that

the shots differ. The biggest difference is do you add another

shot when you buy your coffee? Different coffees have different

caffeine levels. It is a plant. It has different levels of caffeine.

So, your height will be sensational, something like this. Is this your

traditional espresso? This is a tradition of, seven grams is the

traditional. British consumers are trading up. We're seeing consumers

liking stronger coffee. The extra shot is becoming a greater part of

drinking. So, that will give you a buzz. Absolutely. In terms of the

recommended amount of caffeine, where does that stand question mark

200 milligrams. One of these is a shot from Starbucks. 51 milligrams

of caffeine reported, I am no expert but that is the medical

prognosis, 200 milligrams is the maximum pregnant women should have.

They could have four of those. Research suggests few women would

go that far. And something stronger than that? Less water. It does not

change the impact. Not at all. you think with the advice coming

out that we could ultimately see may be a chart of how strong the

coffee is like chillies in the supermarket? Potentially but our

research shows literally consumers are sensible when it comes to

caffeine. Because our body tells us question mark yes, and we have done

research with pregnant women. of pregnant females decrease the

amount of coffee in T. It is a storm in a coffee cup.

Realistically, most consumers are clear they should not be having

huge amounts of caffeine, particularly if pregnant.

I ask the right honourable gentleman whose fault is that?

I the only one Margaret Thatcher but she has had many imitators over

the years. Teachers cannot teach when there is no heating. Meryl

Streep is taking a turn up to wear the blue suit. What did she want to

bring to what is already a well worn part? I wanted to in some way

capture whatever it was that drew people to her and whatever it was

that made people have a special venom for her as a public figure.

You turn if you want to, the lady's not for turning affair. The most

difficult thing I had to do was find the breath to not only make my

points but to make sure you didn't get your point in at any point, and

another thing. Milk has gone up. 49 pence a pint. Meryl Streep place

two macro Margaret Thatcher's. The political powerhouse, and a

fictionalised version depicting a frail old lady with dementia having

visions of heard of it -- deceased husband. To play one character in

different ways is not easy. There is an element, a Shakespearean

element to it, Lear or Hammett. I love you! Will Gompertz, oh my

God! I said it secretly, liam macro The Gulls. Concerned with the

endgame. And how power diminishes. In every capacity. He is a man who

knows Margaret Thatcher World. He found the performance totally

convincing but was uncomfortable about the portrayal of his boss in

old age with Failing Mental Health. This will be controversial.

Margaret Thatcher is depicted as a fee bill old lady, lonely and

hallucinating. I found it painful to watch. If it was about my mother,

I would be unhappy about it. I do think you can defend it as work of

art. Was it difficult doing it when she is still alive? If we did it in

the right way, yes, it would be OK. Members of my family, who have had

dementia and friends, there is a feeling the walls are more

permeable between the present and the past. Meryl Streep has been

nominated for more Oscars than any other actress. It has been a while

since she last won. The Iron Lady We can beat this disease,'s's vow

as he marked World Aids Day. A disproportionate number of of

Americans living in the southern They don't want to talk about it in

the church or at home. People do not want to talk about it in the

south. With numbers being high in the south, there is a need for

people to say we have a problem and need to address it up front. That

hasn't happened yet. The cemeteries in South Carolina are littered with

secrets. Scores of those buried he died from HIV Aids but such is the

stigma of the disease in the south but many took the true cause of

their death to the grave. I have lost my sister, my niece, cousins,

in-laws. The reverent has lost eight of her family to Hib Aids and

is determined the tragic truth be told. I try not to cry. Life still

goes on. A pasture -- pastor in the church, she is one of the few to

speak out about a disease which has affected African-Americans. When

people find out by hand out condoms, that shook clover. How can I be a

pastor, a woman of God, and gives them a condom. I sit them that I

would prefer to reach you eight -- preacher you a condom than preach

at your funeral. The response has been vastly different elsewhere.

Legesse spoke up right to wait and so public health officials had to

respond. This journalist is the author of a shame to die. A book

which chronicles the Aids epidemic in the south. The prognosis going

forward is unless there is a major shift in the cultural attitudes, it

will continue to plague the south. We have two test was to have a

short drive, a clinic treats 450 people who are HIV-positive. Staff

say it is an uphill battle getting those at highest risk to seek

advice and treatment. What we have seen his people wait longer to get

tested and they can into the system sicker and that adds to the

epidemic because the amount of virus in the community is higher.

don't want anybody to experience this. If I can prevent one family

going through the agony we went through losing someone to this

That is it. Coming up, the weather. Hello, south-east England gets rain

overnight but elsewhere eight frost under clear skies. A cold start to

Friday, some patchy ice with showers overnight. This is the

weather front bringing the rain, it pulls away quickly on Friday. Sunny

skies following on behind. Much of southern, central and eastern UK

has a bright day. In the West, cloud increases with shower was

breaking out. It is fine and dry in the North East. After early rain

clears, the rest of the day gives plenty of sunshine. A stunning day

across the south-east, temperatures held down in single figures. The

south-western looks dry, a cloud increasing across the west of Wales,

showers breaking out in the afternoon. A similar picture in a

north-west England and Northern Ireland. We notice the wind picking

up across western Scotland, especially in the north-west.

Outbreaks of rape and in the east of Scotland drive through the day.