30/04/2012 BBC World News

A retrial in bar rape for 21 op sig activists, including Abdul-Hadi al-

Khawaja. His wife -- in Bahrain for 21 opposition activists, including

Abdul-Hadi al-Khawaja. His wife calls for his release. You will

know it is the same judges in the military core as in the civilian

core. Two bombs in Idlib kill eight people. An historic day in Burma.

Ban Ki-Moon becomes the first foreigner to address the country's

Parliament. Welcome to BBC World News. I'm Geet Guru Murthy. Also in

this programme - more grim statistics from Spain, as it

double-dips into recession. The English Football Association makes

its move. Roy Hodgson is in talks today about the vacant manager's

A court in Bahrain has ordered a retrial by a civil car in the case

of 21 activists, including the hunger striker Abdul-Hadi al-

Khawaja. Many opposition supporters welcome the decision today. These

are the latest, unverified pictures. They were convicted last year. Mr

Al-Khawaja was sentenced to life imprisonment. The hospital where

he's now being treated has denied his family's claims that he's being

force-fed. I spoke to his wife a short time ago. She was adamant her

husband had indeed been force-fed. We visited him yesterday. He seemed

OK, but he was force-fed after he was drugged. He was restrained to

bed for five days. The tube was taken out from his nose on Friday

night, when the tube was blocked. After my husband said that he will

agree to take IV only until Monday, today, and see what is the outcome

of the court, which means, if he starts again from today to stop

taking IV and liquid, he will be in great danger again. Especially that

he's on the 82nd day of his hunger strike. He does not want to lose

his life over this, does he? Well, he's ready to lose it over this. He

can't live in a cage. Is that something you and your family

support? I support his decision fully.

You don't think that the legal process has gone far enough? The

Government says it will review the case. Well, this doesn't mean

anything. If you know the judicial system in Bahrain, you will know

it's the same judges in the military court and in the civilian

judge, but with different clothes. It's just that. Nothing will change.

The judges are being paid by the Government. Nothing will change.

It's the same system. Syrian state television says at

least eight people have been killed and dozens wounded in Idlib in two

suicide bomb attacks near state intelligence buildings. The Syrian

Observatory for Human Rights said more than 20 people were killed.

The majority of those killed were security personnel. The BBC's Jim

Muir is monitoring events from Beirut. He gave me more details

about the blasts. Two very big explosions in the centre of Idlib,

according to activists, aimed at security buildings. One belonging

to the Air Force, the other to the military. State TV showing, as you

can see, pictures of partially, or almost totally demolished buildings.

Very severe damage there. Obviously very big bombs needed to create

that damage. State TV saying so far a preliminary count of eight killed,

which would tend to reinforce the argument, or the line that it was

security buildings that were targeted. Many dozens wounded. You

can see with that devastation and people around there would have been

casualties. State TV does not flinch from showing gruesome scenes.

It has shown pools of blood left by those who were killed or injured.

This comes just after the arrival of the commander of the UN observer

mission. Where does this leave that mission? Well, it makes the truth

look more at theered than it already was. Although, in some

places the general level of violence has come down, under

casualties. Especially in places curiously enough in Idlib today and

in the south, where there have been two observers permanently stationed.

They may bring down the general level of violence, but they will

not stop these sneaky big bomb attacks, which are in the

intelligence spear than between that of the uprising and the

Government. Jim Muir there. Hes he hes is here for all -- Aaron

Heslehurst is here for the business news. The numbers out of Spain are

so bad. Where is this heading? is heading to not a matter of if,

it is when will Spain need a bail out? We've had confirmation, even

though you and I sat here talking about Spain back in a recession. It

has been confirmed second recession in three years. Let's remind

ourselves on Friday, the Spanish Government came out and told us

unemployment is sky-rocketing. More than 50p of Spaniards under 25

don't have a job. That bleak unemployment rate came a day after

Standard & Poor's cut the credit rating for Spain, which makes the

cost of borrowing higher. What we are looking at though is the fourth

larger Euro-economy... There is not enough in the bail out fund? There

is not. You have the Spanish Government's continuing rising at

worrisome levels. You have defaults and foreclosures. Nine Spanish

banks were downgraded today. Will it need a bail out? Or is Spain

imploding before our eyes? Let's hear one expert's view. All the

figures are unfortunately absolutely right. I don't see the

Spanish economy impounding. Their quarterly growth rate, is the same

as the previous quarter. So we are not seeing the situation

deteriorate. In fact the signs that we are seeing from orders, leading

indicators that this situation will probably remain for a while. We are

not seeing the whole house of cards collapse. Not collapsing, not yet.

In terms of a bail out, what size bail out would it be. That is the

question. There are three countries bailed out, Greece, Portugal and

irrand. Spain is double the size - its economy is double the size.

There was more bad news as well. Continuing the business news

because there are fresh warnings over the growth of unemployment

here in Europe and around the world. The International Labour

Organisation said the number of people out of work is at alarming

levels. Too few jobs are being created.

Across Europe, unemployment is rising. The young are especially

hard-hit. In Spain, over half of under 25s have no job. Things are

not likely to get better any time soon. The ILO says global

2 Instead of promoting growth and confidence, it reduces confidence

in growth. Incase of reducing deficits, it keeps them all the

time. Countries like Austria, Australia. Countries which spend

money investing in quality jobs and services are showing good results -

low unemployment and rising economic growth. But in Europe

public services are being cut and jobs are being lost. The few new

jobs being created tend to be part- time and low-paid. Europe's

Governments won't want to hear they need to spend rather than save, but

the ILO warns it could be more costly, with social unrest and a

younger generation with no jobs, no work experience and no hope. Let's

stay with Europe, because today is the deadline for the EU Governments

to submit their cash-saving plans to Brussels. With three eurozone

countries bailed out and Spain's debt rating cut again, anxiety

about the financial state of several member-states remains high.

The commission's assessment of each country's budget plans, I have to

say it's an important tool in trying to stem this financial rot.

Brussels calls it "convergence." States must show how they plan to

come together. The Netherlands only just managed to agree a national

budget at the 11th hour. Everyone's pledge to get deficits down to no

more than 3% of their GDP. Hardly anyone stuck to the rules in the

good times and now, as Europe falls deeper into recession, it is harder

to comply. That's not just in bail- outed countries of Greece, Ireland

and Portugal. Spain was given more wriggle-room this year. Its debt

crisis is worsening. This budget round will be a difficult round.

There were less countries under mediate pressure, now you have

countries like Italy, Spain, like Belgium. Others who are under

pressures more than we have seen in the past. These are felt and being

felt also because other member- states are doing better in the

situation. They are exerting stronger pressure on these

countries who are facing problems. It is still Germany leading the

charge for budget reforms. Central, southern and Eastern Europe wants

room for collective investment to create jobs. Brussels will deliver

its verdict on each country's plans at the end of next month. It looks

like big budget battles lie ahead. Let's look at some of the markets

Asian markets are up, despite the weaker than expected US growth

numbers we had out. The reason they are up is because those weaker

numbers suggest there is further room for the US Federal Reserve to

stimulate growth. That's it. The French elections are coming up.

Will it all change? Still to come: The Red Cross says it had been

talking to the kidnappers of the UK aid worker, Khalil Dale, before he

was killed in Pakistan. And the gentle giants of the oceans - we

find out why these sharks are flocking to the waters. There are

few jobs that are as physically demanding as being a professional

dancer. Around eight out of ten dancers suffer some sort of injury

every year. For some that could spell the end of a promising career.

Well, many dancers struggle to get the medical treatment they actually

need. Here in the UK, there is a new specialist clinic about to open.

Our health correspondent has been Leaping, stretching, pushing their

muscles and bones to their limit, maintaining the flexibility and

fitness they need. This class is part of the daily routine of the

ram bert dance company. If they are injured they get help from the

company. For others, an injury could mean the end to their working

life. This doctor specialises in dance injuries. He has been

involved in setting up the new National Institute for Dance

Medicine. The NHS will help with the treatments that are unique to

their job. There are some which are unique to dancers. Having the

specialist clinic we will pick them up quickly. Get them on the right

treatment and back to full fitness in as short as possible time.

has spent his life dancing. He was on stage when an kl injury forced

him off. He spent months trying to get -- ankle forced him off. He

spent months trying to get help to on his road to recovery. I was back

to walking again within half a year. The hope is to set up a network of

NHS dance clinics, supporting The pelicans were found close to

where 700 dolphins had washed ashore earlier this year in Peru.

The carcasses of five sea lions were also washed up. Investigators

are checking whether a virus or seismic oil exploration of possible

A headlines - the wife of the Bahraini hunger-strikers, Abdulhadi

Al-Khawaja, has told BBC World News that a court's decision to review

his case doesn't mean anything. She's called for his immediate

release. Syrian state TV says eight people have been killed in two

suicide bomb attacks in the north- western city of a blip. The UN

Secretary-General, Ban Ki-Moon, has addressed parliament in Burma - the

first foreigner ever to do so. He said that Burma had the potential

to become a 21st century model for peace, democracy and prosperity.

commend President been saying for his leadership and courage. To put

Myanmar on the path of change. I salute Aung San Suu Kyi for joining

the political process and anticipating -- participating in

the recent elections. For many years, there was the fortitude that

for generations have distinguished the Myanmar people.

International Committee of the Red Cross has given more details of its

attempts to secure the release of the kidnapped British aid worker

who was murdered in Pakistan. A spokesman has said it was in touch

with his abductors a number of times and negotiations had been

difficult. Police said the decapitated body of the man was

found with a note saying he'd been killed by the Pakistani Taliban.

Our correspondent told me they could be a possible motive for the

killing which was financial. the signs. At this being a killing,

not necessarily for ideological reasons, there were no demands made

by the people who kidnapped him in January. Mr Dale was also a Muslim

convert. He changed his name. Everything is pointing more towards

the fact that he was killed because a ransom wasn't paid. There are

some talking about a ransom demand of millions of dollars. As I say,

that can't be confirmed. But frankly, kidnapping and Pakistan

has become something of an industry. It is one of the means by which

militant groups make their money. This is kidnapping not just of

foreigners but of a lot of Pakistanis as well. And often times

these cases do end with the safe release of the person who has been

captured once a ransom has been paid. But the fact that this was a

man who clearly had dedicated a lot of his life to serving those less

fortunate in war-torn parts of the world - Somalia, Iraq and

Afghanistan - the fact that he was a doctor who'd been working for

nearly a year to improve the health services for people in Pakistan,

that didn't help him because he was killed in this very barbaric

fashion. And this was supposed to be his last posting before he

retired. Very sad news for his family. The S. And we've heard

tributes from lots of people back in Scotland, people who've worked

with him for the last 15 years or so within the Red Cross, talking

about the very humble, gentle man. But one who was really a tireless

humanitarian, who dedicated so much of his life to caring for others.

The English Football Association have confirmed they will interview

Roy Hodgson today for the job of England manager. The West Bromwich

Albion manager is the only candidate that has been approached

about succeeding to Fabio Capello. The Tottenham Hotspur's boss, Harry

Redknapp, was considered to be the favourite for the job. I asked

Richard Conway, outside football Association HQ, if money had been a

factor in the FA choosing to enter talks with Roy Hodgson? There is

the fact of Roy Hodgson been out of contract at the end of the season,

so no compensation would be a Old To West Brom. The media speculation

in England was very much that Harry Redknapp would be a target for the

Football Association. But as it happens, the FA have now selected

were Hodgson. We expect him to arrive later on for talks with the

Football Association, led by their chairman, David Byrne Steen. With

the European Championships a matter of weeks away and England starting

their campaign against France, there's a need in the short term to

getting into position. But longer term, they want somebody to come in

who can steer them on to successes. Someone who needs to give them a

playing philosophy. Someone like war we Hodgson has that experience.

Does he have the personality and charisma to get people excited in

this country? It's fair to say there's been a mixed reaction to

that this morning. Maybe Roy Hodgson LAX in the charisma stakes

where Harry Redknapp is quite a colourful character. Hodgson having

the technical merit and deficiency, maybe that is an overriding factor

for the Football Association. -- and efficiency. But the players

will have to buy into that the loss of the, they will have to believe

that this man can take them to those successes. But he has managed

some of the biggest clubs in the world in the likes of Inter Milan,

he took Switzerland to the last 16 of the World Cup in 1994. He's a

man who has inspired players, played with the biggest players and

taken them on two successes. What he lacks may be in terms of a

public profile, he more than makes up for in his technical acumen and

tactics. The FA hoping he is the man to take them on. He is a

question - would you give up your car if you could have free public

transport instead? In Estonia, Tallinn is to become the first

European capital to offer its citizens free tickets on buses and

trams. Supporters say it will improve the environment. But not

everyone is convinced. Buses, trams and trolley buses help the

population of about 400,000 people get around the Estonian capital.

The cost of making them very well be worth it, according to those in

power at the City Hall, to help the poorest and to lead the environment

away. Of course, other capitals are looking at how we can manage this

project. We hope that in one-year then Tallinn will be the green

capital of Europe. It's not as if the public transport system here in

Tallinn is under-used, but one question is whether saving 1.68

euros trip will be enough to get people out of their cars and onto

these trams and buses, whether it will really change how people get

around the city. A referendum last month suggested there was 75 %

support for the plan. But opponents say people will always say yes to

something free if they are offered it. I think it was a possibility to

use the obvious answers as one of the arguments, to say that you see

people on the street definitely supporting it. But the fact is

there is also in need to explain first what will be the exact

results and Howard will turn out. The real cost of the move,

according to its critics, will be a decline in other public services,

and a lack of investment in an ageing transport network. And

although ticket sales only pay for a third of that network now, not

even the greens are convinced that a move from state subsidy to the

state paying the whole bill is the way forward. I would love to not

pay for the services I consume but, knowing the quality of Tallinn

public transport, the need for improvement, it's a pity that they

are planning to take over one third of the running costs of the public

transport, which may mean lowering of the quality and increase of the

car use. Those living in Tallinn, not visitors, will be able to

travel free from the start of next The Russians are famed for their

horse riding skills and one top team from the Presidential Cavalry

Unit and the Kremlin Riding School have put their spectacular Cossack

skills on show for the celebrations of one very keen equestrian, Queen

Elizabeth, as she celebrates her diamond jubilee. At first glance it

could be a circus. In fact, this is a rare chance to see the Art of

stunt riding, invented by Russian Cossacks. And to do this, every

strap needs to be in place. They have spent months getting ready for

a very special performance. 12 horses and their riders are taking

part in the Queen's Diamond Jubilee pageant at Windsor.

TRANSLATION: Performing is always difficult and requires a lot of

practice. It puts responsibility on us. Moreover, we will be present in

all of Russia. We must put on a good show. Forces from the Kremlin

Riding School would spend five days and changed three means of

transportation to reach Britain. 2500 kilometre trip is a big

challenge for the animals, but the riders say that such a big event is

worth the effort. The show is called traditions of Russia, and is

back with the most difficult stance on horseback which helps create the

renowned horsemanship of Russian Cossacks. For them, a horse has

always been much more than a way of just getting somewhere. Today's art

of stunt riding was once used to scare the enemy or simply to hide.

Cossack warriors were able to shoot from any position, standing in a

saddle and carry the wounded from the battlefield.

TRANSLATION: First of all, it is at our cultural heritage that we need

to save and even to develop. Our main goal is not the show itself

but reviving Russia's horse riding tradition. The cavalry in the

Russian Army ceased to exist after the Second World War. Tanks and

machine guns took over from horses and swords long ago. But this

remained the trademark of the Here in the UK, the recent rain has

felt like a return to winter that the oceans are telling us a

different story. The waters here are warmer than usual. They are

bringing a rather large visitor. 20 ft long with a mouth that can gape

open to three feet in diameter. The basking shark is the world's second

biggest fish. In the summer, these gentle giants visit the western

coasts of Britain and Ireland - attracted by a seasonal explosion

in the population of tiny marine creatures, or Sue plankton, which

they feed on in the warm surface waters around our shores. And this

year, high spring temperatures have brought some of them earlier than

normal. The Shark Trust has told the public to report any sightings

of basking sharks. And if possible, to submit photographs. But it's

also published a code of conduct, telling people how to behave if

they encounter a shark. Basking sharks are protected under European

law. It is a criminal offence to interfere with them. So the message

from the experts, if you are lucky enough to spot one of these

magnificent creatures, is keep your distance and enjoy the spectacle.