15/09/2014 BBC World News

The French president opens an international conference on the

threat posed by Islamic State militants, saying there is no time

to lose. The murders virus appears to have jumped from camels to humans

in Saudi Arabia with no known cure. -- the Mers virus. And Prince Harry

turns 30 at the in Victor 's games. And the man accused of killing a

former Russian spy is to host a television show about critics of the

Kremlin. Hello and welcome. The French

president has called for a global response to fight Islamic State

militants. Opening an international conference in Paris, the president

said the group posed a security threat the world over. About 30

countries have gathered for the world over. About 30 countries have

gathered further talks taken control of parts of northern Iraq Syria.

Here is what resident Hollande had to say. This terrorist movement has

attacked the week and most of an rubble, women and children. This

terrorist movement has also attacked religious minorities, it has pursued

them, it has sought to destroy whole communities. This terrorist movement

has acted on whole swathes of territory in Iraq and Syria. It

ignores borders and even claims to have established a state. So this is

a global threat, and the response has to be a global response. The

Iraqi president also spoke of the urgency in tackling Islamic State.

Today, we are in the midst of a confrontation in Iraq. We are at a

quality to the juncture in the terrorists thinking. --

qualitative. They no longer act to terrorise populations, they commit

various crimes in order to establish a state. That is what has happened.

In fact, the victims of the occupation of all faiths, all ethnic

groups, all religions. More on the conference in the next few minutes

but firstly we go to a domestic problem in Saudi Arabia because

health officials there say they are doing all they can to avoid an

outbreak of the deadly Middle East respiratory syndrome or Mers virus

at this years of Hajj pilgrimage. It was first detected in Saudi Arabia

in 2012. Since then more than 855 cases of infection have been

confirmed and more than 300 people have died. Cases have been confirmed

in Qatar, Jordan, as well of parts of the UAE, especially after

travelling to the Middle East. The source of the infection is known but

it can cause kidney failure and pneumonia. Saudi officials have been

accused of not doing enough to contain the outbreak but the country

's acting health minister has told the BBC the situation is now under

control. Is this the key source of the deadly

Mers virus? Camels are a prime suspect for passing the disease to

humans, which is why health officials are taking samples from

these prized animals. There is believed to be a strong link between

camels and the virus, but still very little is known about how it jumps

from animals to humans, and that is worrying scientists. The virus is

fairly harmless in the animals but in humans it can cause pneumonia and

kidney failure, killing more than a third of those infected. But the

real problem began when patients ended up here. Poor infection

control measures in hospitals like this one where I was shown around

meant that when a Mers patient arrived, the virus spread fast.

Doctors here admit staff weren't washing their hands between patients

or wearing masks properly which means that they were helping pass it

on. It wasn't until a year and a half into the outbreak when the king

sacked his health minister over his handling of the crisis, and things

started to change. So now we are going to start. Now hundreds of

hospital staff are trained in infection control and the number of

Mers patients have fallen dramatically from hundreds back in

spring to very sporadic cases now. Your first exercises to take a

normal breath, deep breathing for one minute. But still relatively

little is known about Mers. The government has advised people to

wear protective gear when handling camels, especially if they are sick.

But at this market on the outskirts of the town, we didn't see anybody

taking much notice. Raw camel milk, which could contain the virus, was

being sold and drunk freely. TRANSLATION: A Mac I don't know

about this virus. It didn't come here. I have drunk raw camel milk

every day for the last 17 years and I'm fine. At these high bio-security

lapse, scientists are trying to figure out where this virus came

from. Particularly on the run-up to the Hajj pilgrimage, when more than

2 million people will descend on Mecca. Being a virus transferred

from human to human, it is really a big concern for the pilgrimage. We

have intensive overcrowding in the pilgrimage and this is an excellent

medium for this infection to spread. By the government is

reassuring pilgrims. Mers is not an issue in Saudi. We will do our best

to ensure that we continue doing all we can do to have a safe Hajj

pilgrimage for all our guests and pilgrims. Can break may be under

control for now, but the world health organisation says that the

situation continues to be a public health concern.

Let's go back now to our top story, the International conference on the

threat posed by Isis. Our correspondent is in Baghdad for us.

We are hearing from this conference that bolstering the Iraqi army is

one option. More air strikes, and getting a sort of regional

coalition. From your perspective in Iraq, first of all, how that's now

is the advance of Isis and what is the threat from them perceive? For

many people, they have seen worse days, especially in June, where the

threat of Isis was very clear here in Baghdad, the capital of Iraq.

Back then, something interesting happened, and actually it was not

just the Iraqi troops that defended the Iraqi capital, but when that

threat became very near to the Shi'ite heartland, both the Iraqi

troops and Shi'ite militias, those are militias that are backed,

sponsored and trained by Iran, coming to the front lines to defend

the Iraqi capital with significant Iranians support. There was also

Iranians support for the Kurds in the north as well. Two months on,

the scene is a bit different. There is some kind of balance. Iraqi

troops in many places have actually bounced back specially in breaking

the siege. Also the Kurdish Peshmerga in the north, with

significant air support from the American air force succeeded to push

back as well. Now the threat is not as it was in June, but you still

have towns and cities in northern and western Iraq, primarily the

Sunni areas, the part where the Sunni minority lives, that is still

under the control of Isis. For Iraqis who are hoping to get that

part of their country back, something more needs to happen. What

is your understanding, and it's a complicated picture, but if there is

going to be more Western backed intervention, is that going to

regain go down very badly as we have seen in previous interventions? Does

the responsibility of regional powers and the involvement of

regional powers help? Can you hear us? We may have lost the line there.

I can hear you now. I got most of that question. Yes. Well, two

things. First, Iraqis manage to form a more inclusive government last

week. This needs to be built on, according to many people that have

been talking, this is a government now based on a power-sharing

agreement between the main factions here in Iraq, the Shi'ite majority,

the Kurds in the north and the Sunnis. That needs to be built on in

terms of having a united Iraq East and is against IIS. At the same

time, more coordination, especially with the Western military backing in

terms of air support, that is the combination that is required. But

also without antagonising Iran. Iran still has influence and good

relations with many parties in Iraq, especially the Shi'ite and the

Kurds. Iran has the have a kind of role in this whole strategy if it is

to succeed. And they are not at the to succeed. And they are not at the

thanks very much indeed. Sorry about the problems on the line. Troops

from the United States and 14 other countries are

from the United States and 14 other military exercises in western

Ukraine. At the trouble spot of course which we have been reporting

from the many months now. The cease-fire in the east of the

country does seem to be holding and that is despite both sides claiming

that the other side has broken the truce.

A show of force. This is clearly rebel held territory. Visible and

verbal support surrounds the separatists here in the eastern

Ukrainian city and for now, the guns are silent. But after months of

daily shelling, the conflict has left its scars. A church service was

held to remember the victims killed during this war. More than 3000

people have died and this city is still without power or running

water. There has been some progress. 73 Ukrainian army and

pro-Russian fighters exchanged. But among the rebel troops, there is no

attempt to hide that this is an unfinished war. I think the

cease-fire will be over soon. We are waiting for the Ukrainian army. We

will see each other soon. On the Ukrainian side, these fighters near

the city of Marriott Paul strengthened their defences. Help

from outside Ukraine is on its way. It has been ten days since the

cease-fire began and it is holding although both sides claim

violations. Nevertheless, TF is showing signs of softening its

stands in these eastern regions dashed the air of. Pedro polish Anco

says he will submit a bill to parliament claiming wider self rule

rights to these regions although they will remain part of Ukraine.

However, critics say he is surrendering too much power here.

Here in Donetsk, months of fighting has left deep scars. In recent days,

shelling and gunfire has rocked the city. TRANSLATION: Low back we all

hope that the cease-fire, but where was that cease-fire? You should

stick to what you say at least. Not when the rebels, do not blame Kiev,

just do what you say. For the people of this area, the cease-fire held at

the best prospect of peace. But it is an uneasy truce. Laura Westbrook,

BBC News. In other news today, the bodies of two British tourists have

been found on a beach in Thailand. The man and woman were found with

head wounds on the island of Koh Tao in the Gulf of Thailand. Police say

their clothes and a bloodstained rag were found nearby. Rescuers have

resumed in parts of India and Pakistan after the floods there.

They were called off temporarily because of more rain. More than 400

people have died after days of heavy rainfall. Hundreds of thousands of

people are still trapped by the waters. Winds of up to 200

kilometres per hour have uprooted trees and shaken buildings as a

hurricane made landfall in the Southern California and insulin

Mexico. Authorities have declared a maximum alert the region and have

prepared shelters for people around the tourist resorts. Stay with is

here on BBC world News dashed California peninsula. We are hoping

to land a result of probe on a comet. The link between Poland and

William Shakespeare might not be immediately obvious to you. But in

the 17th-century the Polish city of Gdansk was one of the main

destinations for travelling English actors. Now, a new theatre hopes to

revive that tradition. Our correspondence went to Gdansk to

have a look for herself. The works of Shakespeare was so popular in

this part of Poland that this black brick building stands on the site of

the 17th century Elizabethan playhouse. The original was built

especially for the travelling English actors who would come every

summer to perform. We are standing right now on the site of this

theatre where English players performed and during Shakespeare's

own lifetime his plays were performed here. The whole idea of

having Shakespeare is not somebody is crazy idea I would have thought.

It has a strong historical backing. Unlike Shakespeare's actors, today's

performers have one big advantage. This is the only theatre in the

whole world with an opening roof to give theatre-goers that authentic

Shakespearean experience come rain or shine. It takes a whole three

minutes that this roof to fully open. The theatre has some famous

supporters, Britain's Prince Charles is an honorary patron along with

Poland 's most celebrated director. TRANSLATION: The performance at this

theatre will be mainly by groups who act in different languages, they

will show their interpretation of the plays, this will be beautiful.

Shakespeare has returned here. The cursed be raised as will the roof

for the theatre 's grand opening at the end of the week. -- the curtains

will be raised. The French President has opened

an international conference on the threat posed by

Islamic State militants by saying their threat was global

and the response must be global. Health officials

in Saudi Arabia say they are doing all they can to prevent further

cases of the deadly Mers virus ahead Australia has announced it will send

600 troops and fighter jets to the United Arab Emirates to

assist the international coalition The Prime Minister, Tony Abbott,

said that the death of a British aid worker showed the need for more to

be done to counter the jihadists. Our Sydney correspondent

Jon Donnison reports. Syria, and Australia's first suicide

bomber. A man known as giving his final video address in September

last year. Originally from Brisbane, here he is preparing the explosives.

Before setting off in a truck to blow himself up at a Syrian army

checkpoint. Australia like Britain has a problem. There are an

estimated 60 Australians training and fighting with extremist groups

in Syria and Iraq. On social media you can find them promoting their

ideas with a distinctive Aussie twang. This is the message I want to

send to you. A message from our Muslims brothers heart to another

brother 's heart. The most notable is amongst them is this man, the

one-time Sydney gangster and drug dealer who is now fighting with

Islamic State in Syria. He recently posted this picture of a boy

believed to be his son holding a severed head. He had previously been

jailed for his part in a plot to carry out attacks in Australia. Like

with British jihadis, the authorities here are concerned about

what happens if any of these men return home. We are. We also know

very well from the returnees, they do not all return and the comely

lunatic terrorists, some of them have had their boots filled with

violence sufficient to last them a lifetime, but we know from

experience that numbers have come back and got involved in

proselytising and recruiting others and planning terrorist events. That

also presents a challenge for Australia's mainstream moderate

Islamic population. Australia like Britain has a long established

Islamic population. Australia like Muslim community. On the whole it is

pretty well integrated into Australian society, but many Muslims

are unhappy about what is happening in Iraq and Syria and Psalm are

prepared to go and fight. -- some. Hello? This is John from the BBC. We

managed to get hold of one man by phone who said he left Australia six

months ago and is now fighting with Islamic State in northern Iraq. He

is of Middle Eastern origin but had been living and working in Sydney. I

asked him about the recent beheading of the American journalist James

Foley. But on the streets of Sydney,

Australia's government is worried such people could carry out this

kind of threat here if they ever make it home. This country like

kind of threat here if they ever Britain is facing huge challenges,

more than a decade on from its support for the US support in Iraq.

A war that is still not over. -- US war. We will take you now over to

Paris. There is the meeting to deal with Isis and a number of foreign

ministers have gathered in Paris. We are just about to see a press

conference. We heard statements earlier from Francois Hollande and

from the Iraqi president also. Basically calling for a quick,

radical response. Saying that the only way to protect global security

was to come together, a Swift, radical response is what the Iraqi

president called for. The French have said they are starting to look

at an interim reconnaissance mission, just starting that in a

rock today. As of course, the stepping up of military action

Experian likely. -- in Iraq today. -- the stepping up of military

action looks extremely likely. TRANSLATION: If you give a brief

account of the meeting which brought together 29 delegations, 29

countries and international organisations amongst which the five

permanent members of the UN Security Council, a number of Arab countries

and more generally representative from across the world. The object of

the conference was to find this morning by the Iraqi and French

presidents. That is to bring together a strong movement for peace

and security in Iraq. In a few moments, we shall circulate the

conclusions that the two of us draw from the meeting. I will first give

the floor to my colleague and friend, but first of all I should

like to stress a few points. First of all, the movement, it is not a

state nor representative of Islam. It is a movement which is extremely

dangerous, this is Isis. All of the people who are here states that it

is necessary to make Isis retreat and disappear. Because this

terrorist movement's way of doing things is very straightforward. The

Isis murderers say to the world either you are with us or we kill

you. And when you are facing a group like that, there is no other

possibility but to defend yourself. And that is what the international

community, what ever the differences and nuances have decided to do. A

second point is that this is something that concerns everybody,

not only the countries that first hit Iraq, Syria and the neighbouring

countries, but it is all of the near and Middle East, Europe itself, and

the world as a whole. A terrorist group does not stop of its own

accord. That is why recently there was a meeting in Jeddah, other

meetings, there will soon be a mother meeting at UN, there will be

further meetings because everybody is concerned. -- another meeting. My

third point is that in order to fight these terrorists efficiently

and that is going to take time there has to be an all-inclusive action.

This morning we discussed the political approach, because the

Iraqi authorities have now decided on an inclusive approach following

the elections, which with our support we will be able to carry

forth. It is a political approach which is called for and indeed

essential and that explains our united support to the new Iraqi

authorities. A political approach, but beyond that there is a

security, when you are facing a terrorist group as dangerous as this

one, a certain number of measures have to be taken of a military

nature and these will vary according to the country. But they will serve

to help our Iraqi friends in their struggle. That is the French Foreign

Minister speaking lies in Paris at that conference to take on Islamic

State. All the western countries wanting a broad coalition crucially

involving the Sunni Arab states. More on that on BBC news throughout

I'm a friend of the Archbishop of Canterbury.

What exactly does it entail, this job?

There aren't many mums who'd let their sons run off to join

the circus. Welcome to Keele University.