14/01/2013 BBC World News

France says its military intervention? Mali has halted the

advance of Islamist rebels. The worsening scale of humanitarian

disaster now facing at least two million refugees. We're in

neighbouring Lebanon, hit by unusual freezing conditions. It's

been announced that Kate, Duchess of Cambridge is due to give birth

in mid-July. Welcome to BBC World News. Also in this programme: From

digital timepieces to the masses to diamond watchs to the elite. Swatch

buys luxury jeweller Harry Winston. Can the muscle car help revive

Detroit and get a slice of the Hello. France says its military

intervention? Mali has stopped the Islamist rebels' advance towards

the capital. At least 60 Islamist fighters have been killed. French

warplanes have bombed the town of Gao. France's Foreign Minister says

his country's direct military involvement would be over in weeks.

The UN Security Council will meet on Monday to consider developments

and what might be needed next. French air crews prepare for

another mission. The Air Force is now carrying out around the clock

strikes, pounding the rebel bases and forcing the fighters to flee.

Although French officials have admitted the rebels are better

armed than they expected. Seven other countries are supporting

France, including Britain and the US. Speaking on French TV, the

Foreign Minister stressed this would not be their Afghanistan.

TRANSLATION: Regarding France's direct involvement, it is only a

matter of weeks. Later on, we can come back as backup. We have no

intention of staying on forever. In Mali itself, the French

intervention has been welcomed. These villagers said it was

reassuring. The rebels control the northern half of the country - an

area larger than France itself. They impose strict Islamic laws -

no music, no tobacco and no make-up. Flout them and you will be flogged

N the capital, in contrast to the war raging in the north, most

people are going about their business as usual. Some even

cashing in on the conflict by selling French flags. France's 400

-- France has 400 troops on the floor already. President Francois

Hollande is pressing to send in re- enforcements quickly.

At this air base in Chad, another French jet lands after its bombing

mission over Mali. Officials in Paris say the offence is working

with the rebels stopped in their tracks.

I asked why it was so important for France to move into Mali,

decisively with warplanes, supported by the US and Britain at

this moment? The rebels were moving south. They had already taken the

whole of northern Mali, but the shape of Mali - there's a sort of

neck in the middle and then there's a larger part in the south and they

got into that zone, in the middle. They were heading south. It looked

like nothing that Mali had in its army could stop them. That is why

the French had to step in. In the broader context, it is because if

you have an Islamist state in Mali, it borders so many important

African countries in the region, there's more tain ya, which has a

huge amount of resources and there is you rainum. What people

saw was this Islamist movement could take over a chunk of West

Africa. That would be destabilising for the region. Islamist rebels

said to be associated with Al-Qaeda - does this kind of orthodox

military action actually end this kind of threat? The point I would

have made if you had not asked the question. Yes, indeed. The French

have been very good over the years. They have been much more involved

in African than Britain. They often go in and sort out local political

problems. This is different. This is money and an ideology coming

from Saudi Arabia, that has spread right across North Africa. It has

taken root, with Al-Qaeda in the Islamic magreb it is called. It is

a real organisation. They made contact with the Islamists in

Nigeria. Hence all the bombings there. You have seen it in Somalia

as well, where they have been very, very powerful there. This is a

whole pan-African movement. Do you believe this kind of orthodox

poufrer the air, using bombs, is the kind of think which can destroy

this movement and its threat and infrastructure? No. Because it's a

very strong ideology, just destroying their ammunition dumps

and their weaponry is not enough. I think there has to be a great deal

more. There has to be some sort of political engagement as well. And

protection of people from the sort of terrorism that's... When the

French say they will be out of there in months, I would bet my

house on the fact they'll be there this time next year and beyond.

The scale of the humanitarian disaster across the Middle East

because of Syria's civil war is getting worse. The International

Rescue Committee says 600,000 people are now refugees outside the

country. Another two million are displaced within Syria. The IRC

says international reaction is drastically insufficient. Our chief

international correspondent is in Lebanon's Beqaa Valley.

-- Bekaa Valley. It has been the worst of winters for people who

fled the worst of wars. Across a been ket of snow in the valley you

can see Syrians in the distance. They have taken refuge by a mosque.

All the roads in are blocked by snow. We could only reach them by

foot. Two rows of concrete blocks are now

home for 38 families. Crude metal roofs don't keep winter

snows out. They don't keep anyone warm.

The children are everywhere. You see them - their hands are freezing

and their teeth are chattering. They are so cold. This is what it's

like day in, day out. These children - there's no

medicine for the children who get sick. At night, there's no windows.

This is not enough to keep them warm.

This woman has eight children, including eight-month-old Tima. Her

husband was killed by Government shelling. Her eldest son fights

with the rebels. She tells me, "We have no money to take the children

to hospitals. No fuel in the heaters. Nothing. Would anyone

accept this kind of life?" it is a life that breaks even the toughest

here. Some aid is reaching Syrians in Lebanon. 300 families came to

this centre the day we visited. Here they get vouchers for food and

fuel from the UN and smaller NGOs. The numbers keep growing. There is

not nearly enough aid here or in Syria's other neighbours to support

the tide of people. What refugees really need is an end to the war.

Everyone here fears that won't happen any time soon. And you can

stay in touch via the web page or via Twitter. The details there on

your screen. Now, the news that the wife of Prince William, the Duchess

of Cambridge was pregnant emerged by accident when she was taken to a

private hospital suffering from severe morning sickness. Now St

James's Palace has made an announcement about the baby and the

health of the Duchess. Details were give no-one the last

few minutes. The most important and interesting thing is that the

Duchess of Cambridge's baby is expected in July. St James's Palace

has put out a short statement, confirming a baby is due and adding

the fact that that birth is expected in July. Can we read into

the fact that they are referring to a baby? The fact that it will not

be twins - we don't know. The baby is expected to be born in July and

that the Duchess's condition is improving. We recall that she was

admitted to hospital for a couple of nights last month, when she was

experiencing acute pregnancy sickness. She spent three nights in

the King Edward VII Hospital in central London. We saw her last

Friday when she was at the National Portrait Gallery, seeing a portrait

of herself. It was clear then her condition had improved

significantly since that admission to hospital. Today, I would imagine,

if things had gone according to plan and if they had not had to

announce the pregnancy last month, I imagine today would have been the

day they announced she was pregnant. Instead of which, having been

forced into announcing to the world she was pregnant last month, they

are confirming today the pregnancy and saying that a baby will be born

or is expected to be born in July and that the Duchess's condition is

improving. Let's move on with the business.

Alice joins me. What about the car industry - the destroit Motor Show,

under way? It is under way. In Detroit we are seeing a boost by

American car makers to try and claw back some of that lost market share

in the luxury car industry, so Sunday saw the relaunch of

Chevrolet's seventh generation Corvette. The bling is back.

Diamonds are making a bit of a return. I am talking about the

jeweller to Hollywood's biggest stars here.

Gwyneth Paltrow wore diamonds through her Oscar speech. Swatch,

best known for plastic watches is aiming to bolster its range.

It already owns Breguet and Omega. John Guy told me that it made good

business sense for both sides. is important that remember that

Swatch has a high exposure to prestige and luxury brands. You

mentioned Breguet as one. Within their watches and jewellery

division they have a 60% exposure to prestige and high-end players.

Harry Winston is a good fit within those brands. It gives them a lot

more know how into the jewellery end of the business, where Swatch

wants to increase its footprint. Around the world Governments are

raising taxes on ordinary households to pay off huge debts.

Big business has come under fire for failing to pay its share of the

austerity tax bill. Amazon, Starbucks and Google faced customer

protests. Corporate tax has fallen for the UK's biggest firms for the

fourth year in a row. I think you've got to take into account the

fact of the employment and the value added taxes that are

generated as a result of the businesses being here. You cannot

really just look at the corporate tax headline in determining whether

it's worthwhile attracting people. If you can get the extra business

here through the corporation tax regime being a favoured one, then I

think it's in the interests of the country as a whole.

Some other stories making headlines: Thousands of people were

marching in Madrid on Sunday to protest against plans to privatise

part of their public health care treatment.

They have opposed selling 26 of its hospitals and public health centres.

It said it needs this to preserve the health service. United parcels

service will drop its 6.8 billion acquisition bid for TNT Express.

The decision comes after the European Commission said it planned

to block the deal. Struggling TNT, Europe's second largest delivery

company, will receive a $265 million fee and now faces an

uncertain future. Jaguar Land Rover has announced the creation of 800

production jobs at its plant in Solihull. It comes on top of a

successful retail performance by the car maker, and owned by Tata in

2012. It employs some 6,000 people, producing the Range Rover Discovery

If you're a lover of fast cars, a new are in foray high-octane treat

this weekend. The North American International Auto Show kicks off

in Detroit. -- then you are in for a high-octane treat. Ford has

recently relaunched its Lincoln brand. Michelle Fleury was at the

big show. This is the Stingray. This name has only been used by

special generations of Corvettes. By giving it this name, General

Motors is explicitly linking its seventh generation Corvette to the

iconic 1960s model, driven by Elvis. The car maker needs new products

like this too excited customers and to revive its declining market

share. In the next 12-18 months, 20% of our portfolio will be

refreshed or brand new. This is a first strong statement of what you

might see over the next year-and-a- half. The Corvette is embedded in

American culture, a heritage more meaningful to General Motors, as it

redefines itself after a bumpy few years, including a stint in

bankruptcy. Everywhere we go, somebody will yell out, I like your

car. Nostalgia is common among owners of Corvettes. You hear the

stories, you are raised on them. In my generation, we have watched

these cars since 1953. That's 60 years, it is a lot. It is one of

those things - one day, I am going to get a call that. I think the

most important thing about the Corvette is that it represents the

best of Chevrolet. Really, it is the personification of the brand.

The Corvette Stingray is not just an important launch for Chevrolet,

it is a big deal for the American home-grown car industry. It is the

American American sports car, made right here in the United States,

and a showcase of what Detroit can do. That's all from me, and from

the business news, from this hour. Some important breaking news - the

French Defence Minister says that the jihadists in Mali have launched

a counter-offensive, and taken a town from opposition forces. So,

clearly, the assault by the French, supported by warplanes, has not

fully destroyed the Islamist network. Coming up - Islamabad

calls for a clean-up of Pakistani politics. And worst ever pollution

in Beijing, as a smog levels soar to dangerous levels. -- as smog

levels. It is said to be the biggest gathering of humanity, tens

of millions of Hindu pilgrims gathering for the Kumbh Mela

festival at India. Tens of thousands have started baying at

the point where the Ganges and Yamuna converge. I asked our

correspondent Yogita Limaye to describe what is going on. It is an

extraordinary scene, as it was 12 years ago. Today is only the first

day of the 55 day-long festival, but it is an auspicious day in

India, and so we have already seen millions coming into the festival

today. Where we are standing is the banks of the river. Beyond and it

is the point where the two rivers meet, which is considered extremely

sacred by Hindus. You can see the crowds of people waiting to go to

dip in those waters. They believe that if they do that, their sins

will be washed away. We have been watching that happening since very

early this morning, even before dawn. The first people to take

their dip were the holy men, with their long, flowing beards and long

hair. They were the first people to go in the water. We spoke to some

people who said it was quite cold this morning, but they said that

even amidst the chaos, the minute they took a dip, they found in a

piece. What about the enormous numbers, how do the authorities

handle this? Well, just today, the authorities to say they are

expecting more than 10 million people to be here. Just to give you

an estimate, that is about 10 times the population of this city. So, it

does put immense pressure on the infrastructure here. As far as

sanitation is concerned, we have been told that 15,000 mobile

toilets have been put up, as well as 14 temporary hospitals. The

noise you can hear behind me is announcements being made for people

who have been separated from their families. There are places where

people who have been lost can go and get there. It is like a

complete tented city. 20,000 policemen have been deployed as

well. We have also got back-up from the army. We have been told that

more than $200 million are being Our main headlines... France says

its military intervention in Mali has already halted the advance of

Islamist rebels. Let's get more on Syria, and the warning from the

International Rescue Committee that the Middle East is facing a

staggering humanitarian disaster, as a result of the civil war. The

emergency field director for the IRC, told me why a agencies were

still issuing these warnings, when it had long been predicted that

there would be freezing conditions. This is what Sanj Srikanthan had to

say. It is important to speak about it now because we are at the worst

point in winter.. But people knew it was going to be this bad, the

international community knew it was going to be this bad. Yes,

everybody was expecting a bad winter, but once you see it, it is

a different story. The problem is that we still do not have

sufficient funding to beat the winter needs of more than 600,000

refugees, past two million inside the country who have been displaced.

We need to keep talking about it, we need to lush and the communities

to make sure they have what they need for the winter and beyond.

it hard cash or simply a shortage of tents and support material?

is everything. Horrible families need cash support. Many refugees

have come without the men in the family. It is women who need to

have cash for the winter. They are not able to find walk. They have

got children to support. So, it is cash, clothing, food, fuel,

everything. That was the latest warning on the humanitarian

disaster around Syria. An influential religious scholar in

Pakistan is leading an estimated 15,000 supporters to the capital,

Islamabad. He is demanding electoral reform before polls which

are due in May. Orla Guerin is in Islamabad. The city is bracing

itself for the arrival of the protesters. Most approach roads to

the city have been sealed off. Extra security forces have been

moved into position in the centre. We are told an extra 15,000 police

are on duty here today, including heavily armed riot police. A stage

is being erected over here for the man who is leading this March. He

is a charismatic Sunni Muslim cleric, Dr Mohammad Tahirul Qadri,

who, until a month ago, was living in Canada. He says he wants to

bring a democratic revolution, he wants to clean up Pakistani

politics. He has promised to create a kind of Pakistani version of

Cairo's Tahrir Square. He says his demonstrators will remain here

until his demands are met. Critics are accusing him of trying to

weaken democracy. They say he wants to delay elections which are due by

May. They also say he is too close to Pakistan's powerful military,

something he and they deny. The convoy set off yesterday from the

eastern city of a wholly -- eastern city of Lahore. Many of them were

waving the Pakistani flag. Many of the demonstrators say they are fed

up with the current government, with rising prices and with

continuing terrorist attacks, as well as continuing power shortages.

All of this comes at a very difficult moment for the government,

which has been dealing with a crisis in recent days in the city

of Quetta, and now it is good to face another challenge right here

on its own doorstep. -- it is going to face another challenge. The air

pollution in Beijing has become so bad that even the state-controlled

media is urgent action from the government. Driving home the point,

the artist Ai Weiwei has produced - - has posted these pictures of

himself wearing a gas mask. The BBC's Celia Hatton has this report

from Beijing. I am at a bridge near the centre of downtown Beijing,

where there is a thick layer of air pollution, hiding many of the

buildings behind me. It is the start of the working week, and many

of the city's 5 million vehicles have returned to the roads as usual.

But many residents are staying indoors to protect their lungs.

Sales of air purifiers are sky rocketing. Officials say they are

doing what they can to combat the smog. Some factories have been

ordered to reduce emissions, and construction sites are being

sprayed with water. But the truth is that the government of the city

can only do so much, since much of the air pollution has blown in from

the surrounding provinces. It has emanated from coal-fired power

plants and dirty, polluting factories. The truth is that the

smog will probably stay in place until the wind picks up and blow as

much of it away, starting on Wednesday. In a couple of minutes,

BBC World News begins broadcasting from its new studios in London. We