11/08/2014 World News Today

This is BBC World News Today with me, Kasia Madera.

tens of thousands are on the road, running from the militants

Iraq's president has asked the deputy speaker

of parliament to replace Nouri al-Maliki as prime minister.

Turkey's Prime Minister becomes president.

He says it's a victory for all Turks, but he wants

We visit a hospital in London to see a procedure that uses cartilage

to create ears for children that are born without them.

Hello and welcome. We start with the crisis in Iraq.

Are we seeing the beginning of the end of Nouri al-Maliki's

He's determined to cling on for a third term in power,

even though the country's president has now nominated this man,

Haider al-Abadi, who's the Deputy Speaker of the House,

All this as tens of thousands of Iraqis are tonight fleeing

for their lives, desperate to avoid the advance of the Islamic State,

Many are stranded here on a mountainside,

and have been without the basics of life, proper food, water and

shelter, for seven days or more. Nick Childs has this report.

Leave in an desperate trek continues to some kind of safety. Some of the

thousands of members of the Iraq's Yazidi minority, fleeing the ad van

Sunday brutality of the sunny militant fighters now known as the

Islamic State. I had to work halfway here alone. I have three children.

This one is with me, but I have lost the others. I have not seen them or

my husband. I walked from the Sinjar mountains to Syria, walking. We have

the battle, sometimes, no more. In their anxiety to escape, some have

crossed perilously into the Kurdish rebel held areas of neighbouring

Syria, it's self a war wracked country where the Islamic State has

a powerful hold. So, this camp may offer relative

sanctuary for some, but certainly not real safety or a long-term

future. With the help of US air strikes, and there was another major

one late last evening, Kurdish forces in Iraq have retaken some

ground from the militants in the North. Washington says it is now

providing the Iraqi Kurdistan weapons directly, to try to turn the

militants tied. But in their own videos, the militants have been

parading their successes, and there is word they have also made a new

advance further south, close to the capital, Baghdad. It is the

humanitarian crisis of tens of thousands of Yazidis and other

threatened Iraqi minorities that has refocused international concern and

alarm on the threat posed by the Sunni militants, in Iraq and beyond.

Western governments are still trying to grapple with and understand the

scale of the challenge. As Iraqis continue to pour out of

Islamic State territory, a political crisis is emerging in Baghdad, with

a stand-off between the country's And, in a separate move,

Washington said it had begun to send weapons to the Iraqi Kurdish forces

to help them in the fight Our Diplomatic Correspondent

Bridget Kendall has this report. Much-needed aid, being dropped from

the US military planes to help trap Iraqi civilians as well as US air

strikes on the militants on Islamic State who threaten them. But this

crisis seems to be drawing the Americans in. Now, they have decided

to arm the Kurdish forces directly. In Syria, supplying their allies

with weapons was something the Americans wouldn't do in case they

fell into the hands of extremists. But now, those same extremists,

sweeping through Iraq, have got their hands on American heavy

weaponry anyway, looted from fleeing Iraqi soldiers. They flaunt their

war spoils jubilantly. The Kurds say unless they get more outside

military support, they will be helpless to stop them. So far, we

have been outgunned by the Islamic State, so this will help us to match

that. Frankly, if this had been done in Syria, if there had been an

intervention earlier in Syria, we wouldn't be seeing what we're seeing

now in Iraq. From their original stronghold in

northern Syria, Islamic fighters now control broad swathes of northern

Iraq, and after capturing muzzle in the north, they moved south to towns

like Tikrit, and now they are advancing east towards Kurdish

areas. It is not all one-way, though. Yesterday, Peshmerga

fighters retook to towns. But today, Islamic fighters reportedly seized

the town of Jalawla. Most at risk are the non-Muslims they threaten to

destroy, like the Iraqi Christians who fled Qaraquosh, and the ancient

communities lately is Edies, stranded on the barren slopes of the

Sinjar mountains. If they claim that they have seized the dam is

confirmed, they could control water or flood whole regions. Furthermore,

if they had taken the capital of US security relations, the biggest

danger of all, if they could claim control of the capital of the

country, Baghdad. And all of this attention there are rising. The city

is paralysed by a row over who should lead the country's new

government. This morning, the old Prime Minister, Nouri al-Maliki, but

history is on the streets to back up his claim to stay on. In a counter

move this new president, invited the deputies and a parliament to form a

government instead, a move welcomed in London and Washington. Mr Nouri

Al-Maliki and his supporters have declared it illegal, and while the

bickering continues, the threat from Islamic State extremists edges

closer. Let's pick up on some of those

points. Laith Kubba is a former Iraqi

government spokesman and is now with the

National Endowment for Democracy. He joins us from

our Washington studio. Washington has already said that

they want to work with this new Iraqi government. What does this new

potential leader have that Nouri Al-Maliki didn't? It is going to be,

of course, an anxious 2448 hrs, but all indications are that the new

nominee, high Dalai baddie, has the major support behind him, and there

is a huge expectation and endorsement, so it is a positive

moment. I think the only concern, if Nouri al-Maliki really digs in, he

will rely on militias. It is extremely unlikely that anybody in

the Iraqi army would side with him. And he has been described, the new

man, as someone who is also a favourite of the Sunnis as well, so

finally someone who will bring together all sides of the Iraqi

government and Iraqi people. I think it is not a question of being

favourite of the Sunnis. I think the policies of Nouri al-Maliki really

alienate it everybody. He failed politically, he fails to

Administration, he failed when all the reasons for success were given

to him, and I think he is leaving behind Iraq in a dire situation, out

of control. I think the new man has the skills, the political seasoning

to make a fresh start. I hope that he would get the support from all

political sides, all political groups, to get Iraq through this

difficult spot. The list of tasks ahead of him are enormous. They are

not easy, and they are not going to be handled lightly.

The lists of tasks and is, as you say, enormous. We have this refugee

crisis in the north of the country. What do you make of the help that

the West is trying to provide? Will it be enough to stop Islamic State?

I think the situation is far more complex than dropping bombs dropping

aid. That situation emerged out of a complex regional dynamic that is

taking place, and outs of months if not years of failed politics in

Baghdad. So, to expect a quick fix is totally unrealistic. It will take

months. The good news, it is doable. ISIS enjoys no support from

any country or any constituency, not even the Sunnis. The only reason it

rose to prominence and to existence is due to the failure of everybody

else to do the right thing. Its strength comes from everybody

else's weaknesses and failures. So I think once there is a new momentum

in Baghdad, I am optimistic. It takes months, but it can be

contained. They can be gotten rid of. Let's hope so.

Thank you very much. We will continue to monitor the situation in

Iraq. Let's move on now. Staying in the region,

indirect talks between Israeli and Palestinian negotiators,

aimed at finding a long-term solution to the conflict in Gaza,

have been taking place in Egypt. After the bloodshed of recent weeks,

there are signs of normal life returning to Gaza, as a three-day

ceasefire continues to hold. Our correspondent, Yolande Knell,

sent this report from the Rafa border crossing, where much-needed

supplies are getting through. Supplies, rolling into Gaza today.

Coming across the border from Israel. Most of this is bought by

Palestinian businesses. And there is a too, but the Israelis imposed

tight controls. -- aid. Almost no exploits leave here. Now, with talks

about a longer term cease-fire deal back on in Cairo, maintaining

Israel's security and lived in Gaza's blockade at the key demands.

These lorries bringing goods into Gaza from Israel's only commercial

crossing point, which is just down the road. Palestinians want it to be

open more fully, so they can trade effectively. And then behind me, we

have the Rafa crossing point with Egypt. It has been mostly closed to

travellers for the past year, but Palestinians say it should be

Gaza's gateway to the world. Currently, only those with foreign

Gaza's gateway to the world. or residency can leave to Egypt.

Gaza's gateway to the world. being pushed to make difficult

compromises. TRANSLATION: We hope this crossing will be open full-time

in both directions, so people can travel abroad and come to Gaza.

Across Gaza, there are scenes of massive destruction. After five

weeks of fighting with Israel. But now, a temporary truce is

weeks of fighting with Israel. But families to think about rebuilding

their lives. Many are returning to the neighbourhoods they fled. And

not far away, some doing the same. Neighbours greet

each other as they go back to their properties near the Gaza border.

TRANSLATION: I am very happy. This is our home. We haven't been here

for a month and two weeks. The challenge now is to build on this

truce, so that the calm can last. Let's cross to Jerusalem, where our

correspondent has more. So, the second three-day cease-fire. How

confident are we that this one will hold? These are two parties who are

mortal, bitter enemies, and the fact they are still talking in Cairo,

Albion through Egyptian mediators, is a good sign. It also underlines

the importance of getting something tangible and long-term health of

these talks, because of course, nobody wants to be here in a few

months and talking about yet another Gaza war. We have had four in the

last ten years, so there is a lot of pressure on both sides to get

something, however minimal, out of this, but there is also some

pressure on the Israeli delegation, because there are many extreme

members to the right of the government here who think that the

Israeli delegation should not be in Cairo at all. They believe the only

way to avoid a future conflict was to have militarily crushed Hamas,

and they wanted their government and their army to continue the fight

against Hamas in Gaza, even though that would have led to more civilian

deaths, both in Gaza and of course, in Israel. So pressure from both

sides, particularly on the Israeli delegation, and perhaps something

hopes that some thing might come out of those Cairo talks before this

latest cease-fire expires on Wednesday.

For the time being, thank you very much.

Now, Now a look at some of

the day's other news. The World Health Organisation is

holding a meeting of its medical ethics specialists, to

explore the use of new, experimental They're considering

two key questions: should a medicine that has never

been tested be used, and if so, Close to 1,000 people have died

of the virus in west Africa. As the violence

in Ukraine continues, Russia is to send a humanitarian

convoy to the east of the country, NATO had warned Russia might try to

send its military into Ukraine under But Ukraine says they, and the US,

approve of this plan. Protestors

in South Africa have disrupted the testimony of the deputy president,

Cyril Ramaphosa, at an inquiry into the fatal shooting of 34 striking

miners by police two years ago. The protestors banged on tables

at the hearing in Pretoria shouting Mr Ramaphosa was a director

of the Lonmin company, which owns a court in Germany has begun hearing

evidence in the case of the autobahn shooter, a man accused of firing

more than 700 shots at vehicles on German motorways over five years.

One woman was seriously injured, and numerous cars and lorries were

damaged by bullet holes. The man told police that he was angry over

bad or inconsiderate driving. He's been prime minister of Turkey

since 2003 and now Recep Tayyip Erdogan has become the country's

first directly elected president. He's hailed his victory

as a new era for the country. And one

of his first actions was to call for more powers for a role that, until

now, has been largely ceremonial. He arrived for the crowning moment

of his career. He won a decisive victory, delighting his fans. He is

loved by his supporters for transforming the economy but hated

by his critics for being an autocratic man. He struck a

considerably toned. TRANSLATION: Today is the day we initiate a

social reconciliation process. Please leave aside the old

discussions, the old disputes and tensions. His rivals trailed far

behind. A little-known diplomats. The fact he ran at all was momentous

after 30 years of civil war between Turks and Kurds. As news broke of

the victory, the celebrations began. He is remembered by critics for his

attempts to ban YouTube and Twitter, and suppressing

anti-government protest. He is fair to everyone and the country has

developed many much. I am travelling to many towns because of my job and

the country has developed unbelievably. In Ankara, the party

went on well into the night. He has delighted his fans. Recep Tayyip

Erdogan is revered here for giving up political voice. The challenge

for him now is to reach out to the other half, the more westernised and

more secular half, and unite this polarised nation. He will now try

and increase the powers of the president. The result of this

election was never really in doubt but whether he can succeed as

president still is. With me is a Turkish political

analyst who lectures at Can Recep Tayyip Erdogan reach out

to a politically divided nation? During the election period, in his

candidacy, E polarised the nation further by putting forward the idea

that a group of people were not part of the Turkish make up. This led to

uproar and further problems so it will be interesting to see what he

does. However, he did put forward during his speech, as the incoming

president yesterday evening, that he does want to bring together all

Turkish citizens to be one nation. That will be an interesting sites to

see because he is famous for polarising. This idea that the

presidential role was mainly ceremonial, he once more powers,

presidential role was mainly that worrying? It is worrying. He

will lead Parliament and the government and he has the

constitutional hacking to do this. government and he has the

They will need more seats in the next general election to do this. --

hacking. They may need another party perhaps. It would be an interesting

situation. The incoming perhaps. It would be an interesting

really is making sure that he would like to have this

really is making sure that he would Putin situation. That is not going

to happen but having said that, of course, at the end of the month, the

AKP party will come together in Congress to decide who will be the

next Prime Minister, and we cannot really think that the incoming

president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, well not have an effect on this. It

is thought that the incoming Prime Minister will more than likely be

his right-hand man. He is someone who has Islamic ideals and is

someone who will not challenge what Recep Tayyip Erdogan would like to

proceed with. Thank you for joining us.

Each year around 100 children are born in Britain with a condition

in which one or both of their ears are missing.

The BBC has been given exclusive access to treatment at

London's Great Ormond Street hospital, where doctors create new

Kieran Sorkin is one young patient who's benefited from the technique

and our medical correspondent Fergus Walsh went to meet him.

Kieran was born deaf with just small lobes where his ears should be.

The nine year old has already had successful surgery to implant

a hearing aid, the small red box on his head.

Now he wants to look like other children.

I am going to keep this part but they are going to make

I don't want children bullying him because he looks different.

I just want him to be accepted like everyone else.

Kieran's new ears are to look like his mum?s.

This sketch will be taken into theatre.

cartilage from six of Kieran's ribs, shape and sow them.

Once inserted into pockets under the skin, a key moment.

Using suction, the skin wraps around the ears and they take shape.

This type of surgery is for cosmetic reasons and not to

improve hearing, so what difference does it make to the dozens

There's huge psychological benefits for them and I think that if you can

change the confidence of a patient at this young age, it will change

their whole trajectory in life so I think it is a very beneficial

procedure and you see that when they come back to follow up.

Within a decade, this kind of surgery could be done

Advances in tissue engineering mean that cartilage, indeed

the whole framework of the ear , could be grown in the laboratory.

Fat cells under the microscope , which will be turned

Far less invasive than taking material from ribs.

Three days after surgery and Kieran is getting used to having ears.

He will need another operation to complete the procedure but he is

Hundreds of people have gathered in an expensive store in Moscow to buy

a T-shirt with the face of Vladimir Putin on it.

They could choose from a range of images including the Russian

president riding a horse or picture of him in sunglasses.

The manufacturer says over seven thousand shirts were sold

This is one of the most expensive shops in Moscow so usually it is

All these people are queuing here in order to buy T-shirts,

They are T-shirts with Mr Putin?s image on them.

There is one more saying ?I can read your thoughts?.

I spoke to people in the queue and they told me they are ready to stand

They do admit that some politics is involved.

I will travel with it as if I am travelling with part

This is my motherland and it is my beloved president.

If I did not like it, I would not buy the T-shirt.

I met him a couple of times and he was a real gentleman, a regular guy,

Recently, Mr Putin has been strongly criticised by Europe and the USA

because of his position in the Ukrainian crisis.

Polls in Russia showed that 80% of the population support his position.

These queues today may be one more illustration of his support.

Organisers claim that Mr Putin is just a fashionable image

and they promise to give any money earned to charity.

It's rare that an event happens that only half the

But that's just what happened in the northern hemisphere,

It was the most dramatic of lunar events - the moon appears 14 per

cent bigger and 30 percent brighter than normal as it reaches the point

We'll leave you with some of the best images from around the world.

Hello. Comparing the weather today and tomorrow, the changes that we

are talking about are very subtle. We see the remnants of the hurricane

ain't sitting towards the north east