08/03/2012 BBC World News

Welcome to BBC World News. The Syrian defector, a Deputy Oil

Minister, says he's joining the revolution against President

Assad's government. Make your mind up time for Greece's

creditors, as a deadline arrives for settling a massive debt deal.

Six world powers call on Iran to cooperate with UN inspectors over

its nuclear programme. Welcome to BBC World News. I'm

David Eades. Also in this programme: Watch out

for a solar storm, which could create mayhem for power grids and

satellites. A successful businessman pleads

guilty to strapping a fake bomb to an Australian teenager.

The Let's cross live now to see Queen Elizabeth arriving at

Leicester Cathedral in the English Midlands. It's the start of her

Jubilee tour of the United Kingdom. She's accompanied by the Duke of

Edinburgh and the Duchess of Cambridge.

These Duke of Edinburgh, health fears Prix de the. An important day

for him as well. Yes, he has his own engagements. The Queen and

Duchess our hero at the university but he will be meeting some

inventors of robots. Interesting to see he is not even wearing an

overcoat, he is putting us to shame already. It is quite interesting,

the positioning of everybody. The Duchess of Cambridge, when she is

on a solo visit, she is taking a back seat today. Yes, she is here

to learn. If you were trying to set off on a royal career, you could

not get better tutors than these two who have been doing this for 60

years. Today, it is partly helping, but also just watching, learning,

this will be a master class in that royal engagements. And, the many

photographs we published, we will publish, is one of continuity.

monarchy very much stands for continuity and stability, it moves

at a different pace to other areas of life. It doesn't follow lines of

fashion. Particularly, in times of uncertainty and perhaps instability,

it is crucial to have these institutions, like the Queen. You

know she will not change. That is why so many people have come out

today to welcome her. We are talking about the Queen and Duke of

Edinburgh, two people who are getting on in age, but with a

gruelling schedule. 12, 13 major tours around the country, not to

mention all the usual things like investitures, church services,

presenting regimental colours. At an age when all of their

contemporaries have retired, these two are going full pelt. It is good

to see. Thank you. University macro, she will be arriving in the next 10

minutes -- De Montfort University. The first stage of the Queen's talk

in her diamond jubilee year. -- tour.

The Syrian Deputy Oil Minister, Abdo Hussameddin, has announced his

defection from the government of President Bashar al-Assad. In a

video posted on YouTube, he said he was joining the revolution of the

Syrian people, accusing the government of driving the country

to the edge of the abyss. It comes as the UN's humanitarian chief,

Baroness Amos, continued her visit to Syria, holding further talks

with officials in Damascus. As she left, she gave her reaction to what

she had seen in the city of Homs on Wednesday. I was devastated by what

I saw in Babar Amr. Excuse me, please. I did say it was brief. The

word, devastated, being the clue, Babar Amr being the focus of so

much of the fighting, once a rebel stronghold. She's been trying to

persuade authorities to grant unhindered access for aid agencies

to reach civilians. Tom Esslemont reports.

Filmed in an undisclosed location, the most senior defections from the

Syrian government since the uprising has begun. In the name of

Allah, I, Abdo Hussameddin, deputy oil minister, announced my

defection from the regime and my resignation. I am withdrawing from

the Arab Ba'ath Party, I declare I am joining the revolution of this

dignified people. After 33 years in government, the deputy minister

said he did not want to end his career serving what he called its

crimes. TRANSLATION: You brought a year of sadness and misery to your

people, depriving them of basic needs, bringing the country to the

brink of disaster through your stubbornness, while you are cut off

from reality. As the violence continues and the death toll rises,

Syria hides behind diplomatic cover from Russia and China. China sent

its own delegation this week, apparently pushing for a six-point

plan for peace. On Wednesday night at the United Nations Security

Council, Russia, a major supplier of arms to Syria, accused Libya of

running training camps for a rebel fighters. Russia's ambassador to

the United Nations said he had received information people were

sent from there to attack the Syrian government. He said this was

completely unacceptable. But Libya and many other countries continue

to call for some sort of intervention, military or otherwise.

The United States has not ruled it out and senior Republicans say it

must be done in the right way. we don't do this when we can

prevent a massacre from taking place, then I think the United

States will have abrogated its responsibilities. But none of the

measures taken so far have been enough to stop seems like this.

These are apparently wounded activists. One reason why some are

so keen to defect. The UN-Arab League special envoy to

Syria, Kofi Annan, has been speaking about the conflict. He

said people in the Middle East and around the world are deeply

troubled by what is taking place, and that the crisis can only be

resolved by a political settlement. The level of violence is excessive

and unacceptable by any standards. This cannot continue. The violence

and the killing must stop, and stop immediately. There is an urgent

need for us to change course. Time now for the business news.

Another day, another deadline for Greece. Private lenders have until

10pm Athens time, that's 8pm GMT, to agree to swap their Greek

government investments for new bonds, worth about 70% less. Greece

needs three quarters of its creditors to sign up to the deal,

to call it voluntary. But, it could push through the swap using a

collective action clause, if two thirds of bondholders to take part.

So far, media reports suggest about 60% have taken up the offer.

Patrick Armstrong is managing partner at Armstrong Investment

Managers, one of the bondholders refusing to accept the deal. He

says some private lenders are being treated better than others.

A lot of the bands are being coerced, the Greek banks will be

voluntary participating but Greece will be giving them 40 bn through

the backdoor. The reason we are not voting, there is a minuscule chance

there is a hybrid dyche vision rate and Greece doesn't even bother

triggering the clause. The Even if Greece secures a second

bail out from international lenders, it and other European nations face

years of hardship. Europe needs to boost economic wealth, and pay off

its enormous debts, at a time when governments are cutting investment,

pay and spending. And Europe isn't alone. Japan and the United States

face similar debt problems. So, should we be looking at an

alternative to austerity? Global trade to solve the global debt

problem? Pascal Lamy is the director general of the World Trade

Organisation. We have to be very careful, because

I sometimes feel this is pulling at this problem. Can the euro have

survived a difficult times we are seeing right now? I think it will

survive. It is going to keep burning through, for the moment.

The truth is the institutional setting off the eurozone was not

strong enough to absorb such a shock. Many years ago, it was very

much said it was a monetary union and the talk of an economic union.

We need to line up the level of integration, in the currency and

monetary areas, that is the direction they are taking. Is it,

are they doing enough? They haven't done it quick enough, it hasn't

been driven very nicely. There is no real narrative, why it is

happening. Modelling through, I think they are pointing in the

direction. The fact that Germany now seems to be ready for one more

step towards a federal integration in Europe is probably the

determined factor. Japan's trade deficit has hit a

high. Most of its nuclear power generation remains Offline which

has increased its reliance on imported oil. Despite that,

national wealth grew more than expected last year.

The EADS head say the company risks losing business. He says China is

refusing to approve the purchase of its new long-range planes.

Governments around the world are opposed to renew tax on airline

carbon emissions. Despite that, the company has reported a 30 it cent

rise in operating profits. The Queen is starting on her

Diamond Jubilee tour. Leicester is her first stop. Let us join half.

This being of continuity is crucial. The royal party is about to walk

through the symbolic gateway here. The Queen is stopping to talk to

some of the old soldiers, members of the Coldstream Guards, who would

have had a role protecting her. A great day for them, invited by the

High Sheriff, to be part of the Guard underneath the gateway here.

I have to say, the crowd has been here since 5am. There is a massive

crowd, to see the Queen. It is she who is receiving those cheers, she

is on her own, in the square. The crowd letting her know what they

think of her. The Duke of Edinburgh is also with her. And the Duchess

of Cambridge. The Gateway, a medieval city gate way. One of the

few universities built on what was once royal land. The High Sheriff,

and the Lord Mayor. Greeting the royal party. The importance of

today it is this is the first chance the public really get to see

the Queen. I am sure we will see later today, when the timetable is

and so tight, she will get a chance to talk to them. A much more

informal feel to this, than perhaps on other royal visits. This is a

party. We are celebrating a Diamond Jubilee. 60 years on the throne.

The Duke of Edinburgh who underwent that heart surgery at Christmas.

This, his first big engagement. He was out, carriage driving at the

weekend. His health is described as robust. He enjoys these events. You

can see, they are enjoying this visit to Leicester.

A little later on, she will be seeing the plans for a new square.

To mark the visit to the city. It will be located just around the

corner, near the old clock tower, where she will be attending later.

Talking to her, the Chancellor of the University, who has played a

crucial role in organising this And number of dance groups

performing for the Queen. The Chinese are represented in their

traditional dance. The picture tells you all you need to know.

Perhaps not since the Silver Jubilee in 1977 have we seen crowds

like this. Bunting is out, about 10,000 Union flags were handed out

this morning, and they have run out. The Duchess of Cambridge and the

Queen, once they had gone inside will be attending a fashion show

put together by some of the students here from the University.

Much attention on the competition, were Kate Middleton it will choose

a pair of shoes, and they will be made for her.

Simon McCoy following the Queen at the start of her Royal tour of the

country which will continue up until July 25th will stock this is

BBC World news. Still to come, the Solar Storm that

could wreak havoc on power grids and satellite navigation.

The latest Forbes Rich List has just been released and the Mexican

telecoms magnate, Carlos Slim, tops the ranks for the third year in a

row. He's followed by Americans, Bill Gates, and Warren Buffet. Alpa

Patel has more. For the third year in a row, this

man is the richest man in the world. He has fortune of $69 billion. The

wealth of Carlos Slim from Mexico is down by $5 million -- billion

dollars. Bill Gates is worth $61 billion. This is Asia's richest man.

His net worth is $25 billion, something to enjoy at the age of 83.

One of the winners is the creator of Facebook. His work is up �4

billion from a year ago. But the biggest loser was this man from

India, owner of the world's biggest steel industry. This Russian

oligarch's net worth is half of what it was last year. Forbes has

said it has been an unstable time for the world's richest. It was an

amazing year of volatility. A net gain of 16, but it is a much more

complicated story. 128 newcomers, 117 he dropped off and 12 who died.

There are new faces, Forbes said there are almost as many on their

list as those who have lost it. US went up a little bit from 413

got to 425 billionaires. China went down, as did Russia. With the World

economic Outlook looking gloomy, only the shrewdest in this game of

generating wealth can stay on top. More than 1,000 events are taking

place across the world to mark International Women's Day.

Celebrations have been held every year since the early 1900s in order

to show the economic, political and social achievements of women, as

well as to highlight inequalities. This is BBC World News. The

headlines: Syria's deputy oil minister has resigned to join the

revolt against the Government. Creditors must decide if they will

agree to a deal to cut to Greece's debt. Six world powers have issued

a joint statement at the UN's nuclear agency, calling on Iran to

cooperate with UN inspectors over its nuclear programme. The

statement, by the United States, Britain, France, Germany, Russia

and China, also expressed support for diplomatic efforts to solve the

long-running row over Iran's nuclear work. Joining me from

Vienna is Bethany Bell. They have expect in a statement to

the IAEA, their concern two recent visits by inspectors to Iran fail

to reach agreement. They have called on Iran to co-operate with

the inspectors in their investigations. Particularly they

mentioned they would like access to the military site at part in. They

have stressed their once diplomatic solutions to this. There were talks

announced from the EU about talks with Iran to try and solve this

long-running row. The powers here have had some differences of

approach. Initially Western powers wanted to see tougher language on

Iran. Russia and China were concerned to have milder language

to make it easier for those talks to go ahead. But they have come

together with his joint statement, expressing their concern about the

way the un inspections are going, but they want to continue the

diplomatic efforts to solve this row.

China has consolidated police powers to halt Government critics

like the artist, Ai Wei Wei. They are allowed to contain Government

critics. Sydney has been hit by the heaviest

rainfall there in five years. There has been flash flooding and

motorists had to be rescued from their cards -- cars. Flight from

the airport was either delayed or cancelled. It has affected inland

areas in southern parts of New South Wales.

A storm of a different sort coming here. A solar storm caused by

flares from the surface of the sun is due to strike Earth about now.

Whilst not directly harmful to people, it is the largest storm in

five years and could disrupt electricity grids and some types of

satellite navigation systems and aeroplane roots. Our scientists and

environment correspondent, it warns us not to panic.

We get these things fairly regularly. In 2002 they were

happening twice a year. We have not had one for a while. We might have

quite a few more in the build-up to the solar maximum. The pictures are

fantastic. But in terms of what effect it might have on us, where

and why? Solar flares came out and hit the Earth almost immediately.

We have been covered in solar radiation. But this is soap bubble

and it has been expanding and hitting the Earth. We don't know if

it will hit the earth directly or give it a glancing blow. But it can

cause impact on satellite systems, GPS. We have moved so far and so

quickly with technology, I suppose there are some areas we don't know

about? In 2002, we did not have the reliance on technology we have got

now. It won't affect the GPS in your car, but if you are drilling

for oil etc, and you have high accuracy machinery, it could affect.

An Australian businessman has pleaded guilty to strapping a fake

bomb to the neck of an 18 year old woman. It took police hours to

realise the device didn't contain any explosives. Paul Peters

admitted attaching the device to Madeline Pulver's neck at her home

in Sydney, in an attempt to extort money from her wealthy family. From

Sydney here's Duncan Kennedy. The victim was in court to hear the

guilty plea read out. But she did not come face-to-face with her

assailant. Her father spoke of the family's relief. We are incredibly

pleased with today's outcome. It is great comfort that my daughter

won't face the stress and anxiety of reliving the events of that

terrible night. His guilty plea brings closure to a crime that

remains a mystery and random to us, as it did on August 3rd.

Poor Peters, an investment banker, admitted chaining a fake bomb to

Madeleine's neck in an attempt to extort money. It is not clear why

he chose her specifically. It happened last August when he broke

in wearing a ski mask and carrying a baseball bat. He attached a

device to Madeleine's neck and then left, leaving a demand for money.

It took 10 hours for police to be satisfied there was no explosives.

Madeleine was freed unharmed, and Peters fled to the United States

where he was arrested. He is profoundly sorry for the impact

this incidents has had on his victim and her family. Madeleine's

family say they want their privacy back after an incident at which

they say he is not fully explained. Paul Peters will be sentenced later

this month. On this chilly day, we were are

going back to Leicester. We have crowds gathering at the University.

The Queen is starting her marathon tour, around the UK to celebrate