30/06/2011 World News Today

This is BBC World News Today. The biggest walkout in Britain for

years. Hundreds of thousands of public sector workers come out on

strike in protest at changes to their pensions. A day after their

general strike and latest riots, Greek MPs pass a second vote on the

deeply unpopular austerity programme. Things will only get

uglier and worse than they already are. There is no future. Speaking

up and speaking out: France sees a huge increase in the number of

women claiming sexual harassment following the arrest of Dominique

Strauss-Kahn. Still not officially a nation, and

still under attack, we hear from one of the Sudanese rebel groups

posing a threat to the soon-to-be independent South Sudan.

And how to behave in front of your prospective mother-in-law: what

The largest strikes in Britain for many years are taking place as

public sector workers stage industrial action against proposed

cuts to their pensions. Unions say 750,000 civil servants, one fifth

of all public sector employees, have stopped work. The government

is disputing the scale of the walk- out, and called the strike by

teachers totally unjustifiable. The BBC's political editor reports.

Strike day. The one that saves their pensions, or the first in a

bitter battle with the government. For some, this was a protest

against the cuts. For most, it was about their retirement. They say

they should not pay more to pay for bankers's mistakes. Ministers say

their pensions are unaffordable. Here they come: Public sector Merck

-- public sector workers on of the march.

It was in schools where the main impact was felt. This, one of

12,000 which closed in England and Wales. One parent debate teacher

for the day, but he was the Education Secretary. -- play

teacher. We are here because we are very

angry, and because we see this as an assault on our pensions. Is I

did you into any office or shop, they would think your pension is

very good. They certainly would. You need to look after public

sector workers because they are doing tough jobs. How do you

explain to an office worker over there, or in a shop or restaurant,

that they should pay more tax, so that you do not have to pay more

for your pension? Pen shown are a right for people, and we should all

We have to have reform to make sure pensions are fair, sustainable and

affordable. They are now affordable. You need extra cash, and quickly,

to pay off the deficit. The cost of pensions have risen dramatically.

Over the last 10 years, the costs have increased over one-third.

The public servants union said it was the biggest strike, but the

ministers said many had ignored the picket lines. I understand the

anger of workers who feel they have been singled out by a reckless and

provocative government. I also believe this action is wrong.

Negotiations are ongoing, so it is a mistake to go on strike because

of the effect on the people who rely on those services.

That condemnation infuriated one teaching union. The response of the

Labour leader, Ed Miliband, has been a disgrace!

The police were out in force, blocking protesters from going off

the agreed you, and using stop and search powers. -- the agreed route.

The political trouble may only just have begun. This is the physical

side of the dispute. What really counts is what is happening away

from the cameras, negotiations about what the unions will except

doctor, and what ministers insist the country or a Ford. -- unions

will accept. The Greek government has passed a second austerity bill

in Parliament, a crucial step in getting the European Union and the

International Monetary Fund to release funds the country

desperately needs. The EU and the IMF will now approve a $17 billion

tranche from a package of rescue loans, saving Greece from

defaulting on its massive debt. Many Greeks are already angry at

the government's current austerity measures. And as Malcolm reports

from Athens, today's vote was met with little enthusiasm.

The final vote that saved Greece from the fort was passed by a

majority. -- the boat. The demonstration who caused mayhem on

Wednesday knew this was little more than a rubber-stamping. This

procedure will vote means Greece has done as it was told by the EU

and IMF. In return, it will receive $17 billion, and will be able to

pay its bills. The nude nor Before the vote, crews are worked

to clear the damage caused by the anarchists. Stale tear-gas was

stone the air. High-profile targets like bank, and the Post Office,

needed most of the tension. Saving Greece from defaulting may have

cured politicians in eurozone capitals, but it has depressed many

Athenians. TRANSLATION: It will not bring any results. It will only

make the situation worse. Things will only get uglier and

worse than they already are. There is no future.

An ironic poster near Parliament: With two yes votes in his pocket,

the finance minister can look forward to meeting his partners

this weekend to show what he called real proof of Greece's credibility.

Let us look at the implications of this crisis for the rest of Europe.

In terms of whether Greece defaults or not, what does this mean for the

eurozone project as a whole? think Greece will default. They are

just kicking the her and down the road. It is all ironic. -- the

burner. What does it mean in terms of the country's that should not

have gone in? Germany have done incredibly well out of the euro,

but Euro-scepticism is growing. is. The creditors are not satisfied.

The creditors do not think they will be repaid. Greece feel very

resentful. Historically speaking, no country with this debt has ever

got back from something like this. He need to cut the debt in half. A

note monetary union has ever gone into a political union. He in terms

of a political question, are we looking at some sort of the US

Federal stop political unity with the euro 1/2 off into two parts?

The countries that could have a political union with each other do

not need it. For example, the Germans and Dutch. The ones that do

need it, are poles apart. The Germans will not share their good

monetary constitution with the Greeks, and the Greeks were not put

up with all these conditions. relevant is the eurozone? How

relevant is Europe Nawal? Unless something is finalised, could you

be subsumed in the shadow of China? It will probably be anyway. Germany

is trying to make good by itself. In 2013, China will become the

biggest trade power of Germany and will eclipse France. The Germans

are still keen on Europe, but less keen than they were 10 years ago,

and less keen to pay for the faults of others. Countries which are

becoming more insolvent and irrelevant to their trading future.

Where do you see the euro in a few years' time? It will still be there,

but it will be a small and less ambitious project.

It is not just Greek debt to Europe is having problems with. The EU's

budget is also dividing the euro The European Commission hopes to

boost the budget. The plans also earmark more than $23 billion to

promote democracy and growth in Nantes EU countries.

Let us go to Brussels and speed took Patrizio Fiorilli. -- speak to.

At a time when most European countries are embarking on

austerity measures, why should the EU be immune? The 5% increase, I

have heard it, but I am not sure it is the right calculation. It is

often the case that people take figures the way they want. The way

we have calculated it is that it is at virtually 0% increase over seven

years. We have used the same method we have been using for 20 years.

According to Alan a club calculations, it is at virtually 0%

increase. The largest economies are convinced this is the not the right

time. It would be difficult get this through, won't it? If you

remember in December, there was a letter initiated by David Cameron

on the future it EU budget, in which he has said that in the

future, he would like the future budget to beat a restraint in

growth, probably under inflation rate. Fork our calculations, that

have been accepted by everybody, we are well below the inflation rate.

It is at virtually 0% increase. Robin Hood tax as it is known as

another proposal. That will be very difficult to in force, won't it?

is a very difficult one. This is mainly due to the way the EU works.

On this issue, you need unanimity between member states, but you also

need each member state to ratify it nationally. That means that it is

very difficult to find solutions that would please everybody. Our

idea rests on a few principles. Firstly, there was a survey made

across Europe that indicated that 66% of Europeans were in favour of

a taxing the financial sector. We also see that tend member states in

Europe have this sort of tax and do not suffer from it. The big

advantage from and what point of view, is that it would go hand in

hand with a reduction of member states's contributions. But it will

be very difficult to find an agreement among everybody. Coming

back to my first point, you have got 27 billion euros down for non

EU countries. This is not the right time to be doing something like

this, is it? That his debut. Our view is that in the light of recent

events in North Africa, which could happen again, you find that

probably, the best way is to invest it in those countries that are not

want a common borders so that they have reached both A-level of

democracy, but also economic and social stability. That would mean

they would be less likely to go through a people and have

immigration that is most of the time clandestine. Also sometimes in

Europe. It could be a good Now a look at some of the day's

other news. A United Nations tribunal

investigating the murder of the former Lebanese prime minister

Rafiq Hariri in 2005 has delivered a sealed indictment to Lebanon's

prosecutor-general Saeed Mirza. Mr Mirza said he had also received

four arrest warrants. The suspects have not been officially named.

Two French journalists kidnapped by the Taliban 18 months ago have

returned home. Stephane Taponier and Herve Ghesquiere have been

returned to France amid jubilation. The pair and three Afghan

associates were kidnapped in Kabul in 2009 while working for French TV.

In the last three minutes, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have

landed in Canada, their first overseas tour as a married couple.

During their nine-day stay table lay a wreath at the National War

Memorial, take part in a cookery class and a rodeo, then they will

fly on to California for a three- day visit.

Women's groups in France say they have seen a huge increase in the

number of females coming forward to claim sexual harassment following

the arrest of Dominique Strauss- Kahn. The French former head of the

International Monetary Fund was arrested in New York and has been

charged with trying to rape a hotel maid, a claim he has denied. The

reporting of the trial has lifted the lid on a darker side to French

society, as Christian Fraser reports from Paris.

Dare and yellow is a chambermaid from Guinea, a former employee of

the Park Hyatt Hotel in Paris. -- Dan Pallett. Last year, she claims

to have been sexually assaulted in a hotel room by someone within the

circle of the Qatari royal family. It has similarities to the alleged

assault for which Dominique Strauss-Kahn was arrested last

month. The difference is in the attitude of the French authorities.

TRANSLATION: The French police did not want to do anything. They let

me know quickly that they wanted me to drop it. In any case they said

if I did not, they would. I was shocked, in tears. I told them it

wasn't right, that because a person is rich and important he can treat

people as he likes? But the group representing her says that suddenly

the investigation has been reopened by the prosecutor's office,

although the authorities have yet to inform Diane. Perhaps it is a

result of the widespread indignation that has followed

events in New York. TRANSLATION: there has been a real impact in the

number of cases coming to us since the media coverage of the Strauss-

Kahn affair and the issue of sexual violence at work. We have had

double the number of complaints, and most of these women seem

determined to go to court. Some of the fiercest criticism is targeted

at the attitude and behaviour of the country's elite. Until now,

there seemed to exist in this country a culture of impunity,

where politicians were above scandal. Ministers rarely resign

quickly and such was the deference shown by the French media, there

was practically a conspiracy of silence protecting them. But

perhaps things are starting to change. Georges Tron, President

Sarkozy's junior civil service minister, resigned last month when

two former employees from the town halls accused him of serious sexual

assault. Last week, some four years after the first alleged incident

took place, he was formally charged with rape. His spokesman said he

denies the accusations, and he argued that France should not be

importing America's puritanical attitudes to touching in the

workplace. TRANSLATION: It is a shame that France's image has been

tarnished in the eyes of countries like the United States. There are

cultural differences about our behaviour with women, we may make

jokes and touch people with no sexual meaning at all. But,

whatever the quarter, rape should we dealt with by the law. But the

editor of Elle magazine says these archaic notions of heavy-handed

seduction are an excuse. So entrenched his sexual harassment in

the workplace that most women, she said, believe they have no option

but to go along with it. TRANSLATION: Women's mentality

needs to change, too. We need to clarify the situation so you can

still be seductive but also to say no when someone abuses their

authority. French women do not want to be feminine or feminist, they

want to be both. Dominique Strauss- Kahn, step of. Whether the

accusations Mr Strauss-Kahn faces turn out to be true or not, the

decision of several French women to go to the police after years of

keeping quiet raises an intriguing question. Have the allegations from

an African chambermaid in New York changed forever what French women

are prepared to tolerate? South Sudan will become independent

in nine days' time, following a two decade war with the North. But

while the anticipation is almost at fever pitch, already several rebel

groups are fighting the Southern government. The UN says 1400

civilians have been killed by rebel or government troops, or in inter-

ethnic fighting, in this year alone. Our correspondent in Khartoum,

James Copnall, obtained footage of one of the major rebel movements,

the South Sudan Liberation Army. Here's his report.

The party started. But these men are not celebrating South Sudan's

upcoming independence. Instead, they are in training to overthrow

the fledgling sudden government. -- seven government. Most, but not all,

come from the Nuer group, who had a troubled relationship with de Dinka.

Ethnic rivalry is one reason for the rebellion. Others said they

took up arms because they believed last year's elections were rigged.

But the soldiers say they are fighting Dinka domination, and

corruption. The group has been involved in several battles with

the southern Armenia at lucrative oilfields. Both sides accuse the

other of killing civilians -- with the southern army. The leader of

this rebel movement, a dissident Southern General, motivates his new

recruits. TRANSLATION: our problem will not go far. They go to crime

than we start the fighting. They will say that they need peace, they

told today did not want to, be rejected use. Did they know where

they were telling you to go? -- very rejected you. Their uniforms

look fresh out of the box and their weapons seemed brand new. The

southern authorities say these and other rebels are being supplied by

their old enemies in Khartoum. The North frequently armed rival groups

in the last civil war to divide the south. Analysts believe the new

country of South Sudan's ethnic and military divisions will be one of

its greatest weaknesses. In the capital of the North, Khartoum, one

of President Omar al-Bashir's officials dismisses the latest

accusations, linking his party to the southern rebels. They were not

part of the NCP, they were not part of the South Sudan Armed Forces.

They were the South Sudan Liberation Army militia, who

abandoned them following the rigging in the south. This is the

South's business. Despite the denial, the allegations about

Khartoum's involvement seems certain to continue. Whoever they

are getting their weapons from, the rebels are making a huge impact on

the south. In fact, some people feel they are the greatest threat

to stability that -- as South Sudan moves rapidly towards independence.

They can be tricky meetings, and for bride-to-be Heidi Withers, the

meeting with her mates future mother-in-law was a disaster. She

sent a scathing e-mail from her fiance's mother to friends, and it

has gone for viral. I will give you easy tips on how to

look after your pink. A bit of gardening advice from nursery and a

Carolyn Bourne. But it is her lessons in etiquette that have made

her name. -- nursery owner. A few weeks ago her stepson Freddie took

his fiancee, Heidi Withers, back to the family home in Devon. But after

which she received their e-mail from a prospective mother-in-law

apparently criticising her table manners and attacking a brash

celebrity behaviour. In the message, Mrs Bourne told Heidi Withers, or

you do not lie in bed until late morning in households that rise

early. You do not remark that you do not have enough food. And she

went on to say, you have never written to thank me when you have

stayed. It seems the e-mail Carolyn Bourne

sent from here to her daughter-in- law to be was meant to be private,

but somehow it was forwarded on to other people, who then sent it on

to more people, and then it went viral and has now been seen by

millions of people all over the world. The family were keeping a

very polite silence today, but neighbours said lessons had been

learned. To put it in a E-mail puts it in the public domain. It is not

a clever thing to do. Today, internet users have described

Carolyn Bourne as the mother-in-law from hell and defender of the

nation's manners. The wedding takes place in the autumn.

Or maybe not! That is all from the programme.

Next, the weather, but from all of Hello, good evening. Heavy showers

affecting eastern parts of the UK will die away overnight, then a

Chile night. More of the UK will stay dry tomorrow -- a chilly night.

High pressure builds over the UK, but north-western areas get more

cloud and the odd spot of drizzly rain, so a rather dull start to the

day. After early sunshine, cloud will increase, but very few showers.

This is the picture at 4pm. Down the eastern side of England, the

art, light shower might be about, but demand far between -- the odd

light shower. Only a slim chance of catching a shower at Wimbledon. In

south-west England there will be a lot of cloud in the sky, especially

over the moors, possibly rain over the higher ground of Wales and

north-west England. Count yourself lucky few seem much sunshine. For

Northern Ireland, after a cloudy start a bit brighter in the

afternoon and plenty of try weather in Scotland over the Western Isles,

but you may still catch a road showered in eastern Scotland, but