Governments next legislative program amid it the traditional pomp and ceremony. Hello. Thanks for joining us on bbc world news. President obama has met is the president elect of ukraine Petro Poroshenko on the second day of his trip to poland. He said they discussed a plan for reducing ukraines Energy Dependence on russia and how the u. S. Can help train the Ukrainian Security forces. This all comes ahead of a major speech that mr. Obama is due to make in the next few minutes, in fact, as part of a ceremony to mark 25 years since the end of communism in poland. This is the stage setting. Come rove ski, polands president speaking now, cataloging polands move, transition from the communist ear rat which ended precisely 25 years ago to today when it can count itself among the market democracies showing huge signs of stability over the course of the last 25 years. It is a timely moment for president obama to be in Eastern Europe, given the travails that have faced ukraine in the last few months. The tensions with moscow once again, and an opportunity once again to reassure perhaps Central EasternEuropean Countries that this part of the world still remains as mr. Obama said yesterday, sacrosanct in washingtons mind. Our correspondent adam eaten is in warsaw following events. President obama has chosen warsaw to come here to deliver a speech because of its symbolic nature. 25 years ago, poland overthrew the dominance of moscow. It held the first partially free elections in the former soviet bloc. The Pro Democracy Movement solidarity won all the seats that they contested and communism was over in poland. Within months the berlin wall had collapsed. For president obama, the message today is going to be that that story, that polish Success Story has resonance for the region today, especially for ukraine. For example, in 1990, the ukrainian and polish economies were about the same size but with the consolidation of democracy in poland, with the support of the west, Economic Growth and prosperity for polish people, the economic the economy of poland is now three times the size of ukraine. And so president obama will be saying that if democracy can be consolidated in ukraine, the unity of the country can be kept intact and with the support from the west, then ukraine can also emulate this polish Success Story. In warsaw as cam rof ski continues his address, not just to president clinton who is in the audience but indeed, clearly to the nation and probably to the west, as well. Hes just thanking president obama at there point. Perhaps we can listen in for a moment to what president kom ror mof ski is saying. Translator our actions. I also wish to thank the ones who helped us to manage our freedom wisely to reinforce it. I wish to thank the people who lived in the free world and who believed in us, who lent us support in our endeavors to have poland in the western world through the membership of nato and the european yoon. I wish to thank all free people nowadays, the ones who show understanding to those fighting for freedom and sovereignty. Come more rove ski speaking ahead of an address which has been marked as a significant moment for president obama in his efforts to reassure Central Eastern europe that their part of the world still very much on americas map, and we will pick up with president obama as soon as he takes to the stage there in warsaw. Lets catch up on other news. The taliban have released a video showing the moment the american soldier Sergeant Bowe bergdahl was handed over to u. S. Forces in eastern afghanistan. He is seen dressed in traditional afghan clothing sitting in a pickup truck. He was held for nearly five years after being seized by taliban militants in june, 2009 as Emily Buchanan reports. Reporter the handover choreographed and filmed by the taliban. Somewhere in the remote borderland with pakistan, Sergeant Bowe bergdahl arrived blinking after five years of captivity. Hes guarded by heavily armed members of the haqqani network, a pakistanbased group closely allied to the taliban. Then a black hawk helicopter lands. Two of the fighters lead the soldier towards his countrymen. This is thought to be the first time the americans have met with the haqqani network. It the commentator said they wanted to have a little exchange, but the americans were taking no chances. There was no conversation, just a handshake. Its impossible to know what Sergeant Bergdahl may be feeling. His release is not straightforward. Members of his platoon say he was a deserter, and the exchange with five leading insurgents from guantanamo has boosted taliban morale. The video ends with the warning if he comes back to afghanistan, he will be killed. Emily buchanan, bbc news. China has deployed thousands of police and pair military forces in Tiananmen Square and across the Capital Beijing on the 25th anniversary of the brutal repression of student protests there. Hundreds were killed as their call for democratic reforms was met with thanks and bullets. Chinese authorities are preventing any commemoration of the anniversary and have detained more than 60 activists and blocked access to social media sites. I spoke to the china editor Carrie Gracie in beijing and jewel and nap lu in hong kong. I began by asking whether there was any outward recognition at all of what happened in beijing 25 years ago. I understand and here he is, president barack obama is just moving center stage in warsaw, 25 years since the end of communist rule in poland. An opportunity for him to restate americas commitment to central and Eastern Europe. Hello warsaw. [ speaking Foreign Language ] hello, warsaw. [ speaking Foreign Language ] mr. President , mr. Prime minister, madame mayor, heads of state, and government, past and present, including the man who jumped that Shipyard Wall to lead a strike that became a movement, the prisoner turned president who transformed this nation, thank you lech walesa for your outstanding leadership. Distinguished guests, people of poland, thank you for your extraordinary welcome and for the privilege of joining you here today. I bring with me the greetings and friendship of the american people. And of my hometown of chicago, home to so many proud polish americans. In chicago, we think of ourselves as a little piece of poland. In some neighborhoods, you only hear polish. The faithful come together at churches like st. Stanislav koska. We have a parade for polish constitution day. And every summer, we celebrate the taste of poe loania with our kielbasa and pierogis. And were all a little bit polish for that day. So being here with you it feels like home. Now, 25 years ago today, we witnessed a scene that at had once seemed impossible. An election where for the first time the people of this nation had a choice. The communist regime thought an election would validate their rule. Or weaken the opposition. Instead, poles turned out in the millions, and when the votes were counted, it was a landslide victory for freedom. One woman who voted that day said there is a sense that something is beginning to happen in poland. We feel the taste of poland again. And she was right. It was the beginning of the end of communism. Not just in this country, but across europe. And images of that year are seared in our collective memory. Citizens filling the streets of budapest and bucharest. Hungarians, austrians cutting the barbed wire border, protesters joining hands across the baltics, czechs and slovaks in their velvet revolution. East berliners climbing atop that wall. And we have seen the extraordinary progress since that time. A united germany, nations in central and Eastern Europe standing tall as proud democracies, a europe that is more integrated, more prosperous and more secure. We must never forget that the spark for so much of this revolutionary change, for this blossoming of hope was lit by you, the people of poland. [ applause ] history was made here. The victory of 1989 was not inevitable. It was the culmination of centuries of polish struggle. At times, in this very square. The generations of poles who rose up and finally won independence, the soldiers who resisted invasion from the east and the west, the righteous among the nations, among them john car ski who risked all to save the innocent from the holocaust. The heroes of the warsaw ghetto who refused to go without a fight. The free poles at normandy and the poles of the home army who even as the city was reduced to rubble waged a historic uprising. We remember how when an iron curtain descended, you never accepted your fate. When a son of poland ascended to the chair of st. Peter, he returned home, and here in warsaw, he inspired a nation with his words, there can be no just europe without the independence of poland. And today, we give thanks for the courage confident Catholic Church and the fearless spirit of Saint John Paul ii. [ applause ] we also recall how you prevailed 25 years ago. In the face of beatings and bullets, you never wavered from the moral force of nonviolence. Through the darkness of martial law, poles lit candles in their windows. When the regime finally agreed to talk, you embraced dialogue. When they held those elections, even though not fully free, you participated. As one solidarity leader said aid at the time, we decided to accept what was possible. And so poland reminds us ha sometimes the smallest steps, however imperfect, can ultimately tear down walls. Can ultimately transform the world. [ applause ] and, of course, your victory that june day was only the beginning. As your president just indicated, democracy is more than just elections. True democracy, real prosperity, lasting security, these are neither simply given nor imposed from the outside. They must be earned and built from within. And in that age old contest of ideas between freedom and thor tearism, between liberty and oppression, between solidarity and intolerance, polands progress shows the enduring strength of the ideals that we chir risch as a free people. Here we see the strength of democracy. Citizens raising their voices free from fear. Here we see Political Parties competing in open and honest elections. Here we see independent judiciary working to uphold the rule of law. Here in poland, we see a vibrant press and a growing Civil Society that holds leaders accountable because governments exist to lift up their people, not to hold them down. Here we see the strength of free markets and the results of hard reforms. Gleaming skyscrapers soaring bob the city and superhighways across this country, hitech hubs and Living Standards that previous generations of poles could only imagine. This is the new poland you have built. An economic miracle. [ speaking Foreign Language ] here we see the strength of free nations that stand united and across those centuries of struggle, poe lands fate too often was dictated by others. This land was invaded and conquered and carved up and occupied, but those days are over. Poland understands as few other nations do that every nation must be free to chart its own course, to forge its own partnerships, to choose its own allies. Had year marks the 15th anniversary of polands membership in nato. And we honor polish service in the balkans and iraq and afghanistan, and as americans, we are proud to call poland one of our strongest and closest allies. [ applause ] so this is the poland we celebrate today. The free and democratic poland that your forbearers and some who are here today dreamed of and fought for and in some cases died for. The growing and secure poland that you, particularly the young people who are here today, have enjoyed for your entire lives. It is a wonderful story, but the story of this nation reminds us that freedom is not guaranteed. And history cautions us to never take progress for granted. On the aim day 25 years ago that poles were voting here, thanks were crushing peaceful democracy protests in Tiananmen Square on the other side of the world. The blessings of liberty must be earned and renewed by every generation, including our own. And this is the work to which we rededicate ourselves today. Our democracies must be defined not by what or who were against but by a politics of inclusion and tolerance that welcomes all our citizens. Our economies must deliver a broader prosperity that creates more opportunity across europe and across the world especially for young people. Leaders must uphold the public trust and stand against corruption, not steal from the pockets of their own people. Our societies must embrace a greater justice that recognizes the inherent dignity of every human being. And as weve been reminded by russias aggression in ukraine, our free nations cannot be complacent in pursuit of the vision we share. A europe that is whole and free and at peace. We have to work for that. We have to stand with those who seek freedom. [ applause ] i know that throughout history, the polish people were abandoned by friends when you needed them most. So ive come to warsaw today on behalf of the United States, on behalf of the nato alliance, to reaffirm our unwavering commitment to polands security, article 5 is clear, an attack on one is an attack on all, and as allies we have a solemn duty, a binding treaty obligation to defend your territorial integrity, and we will. We stand together now and forever for your freedom is ours. Poland will never stand alone. But not just poland. Estonia will never stand alone. Latvia will never stand alone. Lithuania will never stand alone, romania will never stand alone. These are not just words. Theyre unbreakable commitments. Backed by the strongest alliance in the world and the armed forces of the United States of america, the most powerful military in history. And you see our commitment today. In nato aircraft in the skies of the baltics, in allied ships patrolling the black sea, in the stepped up exercises where our forces train together, and in our increased and enduring american presence here on polish soil. We do these things not to threaten any nation, but to defend the security and territory of ourselves and our friends. And yesterday, i announced a new initiative to bolster the security of ournate oh allies and increase americas military presence in europe, and with the support of congress, this will mean more prepositioned equipment to respond quickly in a crisis and more exercises and training to keep our forces ready, additional u. S. Forces in the air and sea and on land, including here in poland, and it will mean increased support to help friends like ukraine and moldova and georgia provide for their own defense. [ applause ] just as the United States is increasing our commitment, so must others. Every nato member is protected by our alliance and every nato member must carry its share in our alliance. It is the responsibility we have to each other. And finally, as free peoples, we join together not simply to safeguard our own security but to advance the freedom of others. Today, we reaffirm the principles for which we stand. We stand together because we believe that people and nations have the right to determine their own destiny, and that includes the people of ukraine. Robbed by a corrupt regime, ukrainians demanded a government that served them, beaten and bloodied they refused to yield, threatened and harassed they lined up to vote, they elected a new president in a free election because a leaders legitimacy can only come from the consent of the people. And ukrainians have now embarked on the hard road of reform. I met with the president elect poroshenko this morning, and i told him that just as free nations offer support and assistance to poland in your transition to democracy, we stand with ukrainians now. Ukraine must be free to choose kits own future for itself and by itself. [ applause ] and we reject account zero sum thinking of the past. A free and independent ukraine needs strong ties and growing trade with europe and russia and the United States and the rest of the world. Because the people of ukraine are reaching out for the same freedom and opportunities and progress that we celebrate here today. And they deserve them, too. We stand together because we believe that upholding peace and security is the responsibility of every nation. The days of empires and spheres of influence are over. Bigger nations must not be allowed to bully the small or impose their will at the barrel of a gun. President obama in the polish capital warsaw offering reassurances to countries of central and Eastern Europe on american commitments. Youre watching bbc world news. He couch, you could be hanging ten. What are you waiting for . Seize the summer with up to 40 off hotels from travelocity. So heres the story of new lancaster. The year is 1890. Milton hershey has a killer recipe for caramel. Flash forward miltons recipe is reimagined into buttery rich, smooth, surprisingly soft cremes. Its new lancaster. Its caramel reimagined. Still running in the morning . Yeah. Getting your vegetables every day . When i can. [ bop ] [ male announcer ] couldve had a v8. Two full servings of vegetables for only 50 delicious calories. Two full servings of vegetables i dbefore i dosearch any projects on my home. I love my contractor, and i am so thankful to angies list for bringing us together. Find out why more than two million members count on angies list. Angies list reviews you can trust. 800,000 hours of supercomputing time, 3 million lines of code, 40,000 sets of eyes, or a million sleepless nights. Whether its building the worlds most advanced satellite, the space station, or the next leap in unmanned systems. At boeing, one thing never changes. Our passion to make it real. Our passion to make it real. First day of my life by bright eyes youre not just looking for a house. Youre looking for a place for your life to happen. When you didnt dread when youbedtime becausenner with anticipaof heartburn. Itation. When damage to your esophagus caused by acid reflux disease wasnt always on your mind. Thats when you knew nexium was the Prescription Medication for you. Because for over a decade nexium has provided many just like you with 24hour relief from heartburn and helped heal acidrelated erosions in the lining of the esophagus. And now the prescription nexium you know can be delivered directly to your door with nexium direct. Talk to your doctor to see if nexium is right for you. There is risk of bone fracture and low magnesium levels. Side effects may include headache, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. If you have persistent diarrhea, contact your doctor right away. Other serious stomach conditions may exist. Avoid if you take clopidogrel. For 24 hour support, automatic refills, and free home delivery, enroll at purplepill. Com. Its the nexium you know, now delivered. I got more advice than i knew what to do with. What i needed was information i could trust on how to take care of me and my baby. Luckily, unitedhealthcare has a Simple Program that helps moms stay on track with their doctors and get the right care and guidancebefore and after the baby is born. Simple is good right now. anncr vo innovations that work for you. Thats health in numbers. Unitedhealthcare. President obama as hes thanked by the polish president there at the end of 20, 25minute speech which as i say was resonant with the history of polands emergence noose freedom and the way they got there and drawing some interesting parallels with the situation in ukraine. Ukrainians are the heirs of solidarity, the president said before retaking his seat. With me is correspondent paul adams, listening in on that, paul, obviously he likes his history and hes dwell the on that for a while. I imagine poles in particular will be looking for the real specs, the nuggets within be that, as well. Indeed. I mean youre right. This is a man who adores history. Hes a man who brings historians to the white house periodically to get their perspective how hes doing and what the future holds. And, of course, this was the perfect spot at a Perfect Moment to talk about the situation in Eastern Europe and to talk about that and also of course, about ukraine. And that was the Central Point of his speech. That much reference to solidarity using the name of the party that won the election 25 years ago as the very principle on which the west should be responding to the crisis in ukraine. Of course, the poles do want some specifics. We know theres a certain amount of impatience in the polish government, the foreign minister sec core ski has talked about some of this talk about beefing up americas military presence as i think the phrase he used was virtual deployments. The poles would like to see slightly more concrete perhaps even permanent u. S. Presence. Do you think theyve got anything to be a bit more satisfied of that. There was a talk of more american soldiers in poland. Yeah. The one thing there is not going to be is the establishment on the soil of the former eastern bloc of permanent u. S. Military bases. That would be a step too far. So thats not going to happen, but he is talking, president obama that is, about this European Reassurance Initiative up to a billion dollars if Congress Approves it to help a number of countries in the region. He mentioned moldova and georgia in that list to beef up their security. It comes on top of the white house saying that theyre going to improve the level of military assistance to the government in key eb, including for the first time night vision equipment and body armor. So it does feel like a stiffening of u. S. Resolve. And i suppose also the reference to article 5 in nato which effectively means you attack one of us, you attack all of us, well always come to your defense, that received a resounding round of approval, didnt it. It did. As you would expect but still important. Yeah, and including in that reference to article 5 estonia, latvia, lithuania, romania, all other countries in that Eastern Region who might be feeling a degree of understandable apprehension at whats been going on in ukraine. I think behind all this of course of, is a very concerted level of u. S. Diplomat sit, you know, they can beef up their military presence in Eastern Europe. They can talk about the next round of sanctions but theyre holding off for now because all the focus is going to be on efforts to get Vladimir Putin and the u ukrainian president to meet and its thought that the americans are trying to push for that possibly to happen in france during the dday celebrations at the end of the week. Vladimir putin is going to be there. The americans havent said if president obama is planning to meet him. Its thought that angela merkel, probably David Cameron and Francois Hollande will be there. But i think what the americans would like is some show that Vladimir Putin can hold a dialogue with the new Ukrainian Government of president poroshenko. If that were to happen in france at the end of the week, i think that would be a rather more telling event than anything that happened in warsaw today. Just one last reflection on president obama perhaps, and he has not had a comfortable Foreign Policy ride, has he, in the course of his time in the white house . I suppose his supporters would see this as another opportunity to put the right foot forward and to show leadership because. Would say that is what has been lacking in the american approach under obama. I think what his critics have said among republicans and some others for a long time now is here is a president who is retreating. A president who is extracting the United States from those long and costly military engagements in iraq and afghanistan. Rightly so. But also not showing the necessary resolve as they saw it in response to the arab spring and also perhaps not showing sufficient backbone when it cops to this crisis in ukraine. I think the president would argue that the world is a slightly more complicated place than it was when george bush was running u. S. Foreign policy and that a degree of subtlety even if that sometimes feels like weakness and compromise is frankly the order of the day. Paul, thanks very much indeed for that. A bit more ceremony for you now because here in the uk, Queen Elizabeth is opening a new session of parliament. Its a ceremony always rich with pomp and pageantry. This is actually going to be the queens last speech before the next general election which is in may 2015. The governments draft legislation to include reforms to pensions and child care subsidies as well as give voters the power to remove failing members of parliament. That may prove to be a popular decision. Lets just listen in to the queens speech. My ministers will implement measures to increase further the personal allowance and to freeze fuel duty. Measures will be brought forward for a married couples allowance which will recognize marriage in the tax system. Legislation will be introduced to help make the United Kingdom the most attractive place to start, finance and grosjean a business. The bill will support Small Businesses by cutting bureaucracy and enabling them to access finance. The sequin there running through the list of legislation that will be brooched over the course of the coming session. Lets get some more on that because we can speak now to rob watson who joins us from west minister. Rob, we enjoyed the ceremony always. Its quite a thin old speech in certain respects this time, isnt it . Too. It is. I have to say david, it is the pomp and ceremony. Youve missed the best nonpolitical bits, the bits where they search the palace of west minister to make sure no ones plotting to blow them back up. So youve missed all that. Well bring you right up to speed. We have to blame president obama for that. He didnt know. Hes a great admirer of this kind of ceremony himself. Youve missed some of those bits but it will happen next year and the year after. To get to your question, thin in some regards, yes. Its not absolutely packed with brand new laws but i think the way to see this, to set this in context is if you like it, its a book mark. This marks the beginning of an extremely potentially interesting year in british politics because if you think about it, what we have between now and the next 12 months, a referendum in scotland, something that could profoundly alter the constitution, the shape of this country, something to bear in mind on a day like today, a ceremony gag back to the 16th century and, of course, we have a general election. So whats been in the queens speech is the government framing if you like the hand that its offering to the voters saying look, the committee in britain is on the right track. Its pretty bad in other parts of the world. Stick with us. Weve got some good things going. The job isnt done yet. So this with all the ceremony and all the pomp and everything else, actually this year it really does mark the beginning of a lot of interesting politics. Its a good point. If the referendum in scotland is a decision ultimately to break away from the uk, would that mean that the queens speech per se is virtually irrelevant to the scotts . You would be getting well above my pay grade there, david. No, i dont think so, not in the first instance. You have to remember certainly what those campaigning for a yes in scotland dont want to get rid of the queen at all. They would very much want to retain her as their head of state. And, of course, this ceremony would continue. But i think were getting way ahead of ourselves. Plenty of campaigning still to go in scotland. Some 16 weeks, and the polls suggesting that for the time being at least if the polls are right that the queen will remain at the head of a United Kingdom. Rob, thanks very much indeed. Rob watson. Maybe well have that discussion in a few moments time. Absolutely. Okay. The taliban have released a video showing the moment the american soldier Sergeant Bowe bergdahl was handed over to u. S. Forces in eastern afghanistan. He seemed dressed in traditional afghan clothing sitting in a truck where he would held for nearly five years in all after being sized by the taliban in june 2009 as the bbcs Emily Buchanan reports. The handover choreographed and filmed by the taliban. Somewhere in the remote border land with pakistan, Sergeant Bowe bergdahl arrives. Blinking after five years of captivity. Hes guarded by heavily armed members of the haqqani network, a pakistanbased group closely allied to the taliban. Then a black hawk helicopter lands. Two of the fighters lead the soldier towards his countrymen. This is thought to be the first time the americans have met with the haqqani network. The commentator said they wanted to have a little exchange, but the americans were taking no chances. There was no conversation, just a handshake. Its impossible to know what Sergeant Bergdahl may be feeling. His release is not straightforward. Members of his platoon say he was a deserter and the exchange with five leading insurgents from guantanamo has boosted taliban morale. The video ends with the warning if he comes back to afghanistan, he be killed. Emily buchanan, bbc news. The military in pakistan say two soldiers have been killed and another three wounded when two border posts with afghanistan in the ba jar tribal district came under fire early on wednesday. It follows an incident on sunday when Pakistani Forces killed 16 suspected militants after a series of attacks on military checkpoints near the afghan border. The bbc has more on the attacks. Actually, there have been some updates today, as well. The Pakistan Foreign office has just come out with a strong statement. Theyre calling the attacks on the side of the border unprovoked and also asked kabul to you know, to take some steps to stop the use of its territory against pakistan. So weve seen skirmishes like this across the border in the past, as well. Its a very porous border. What often happens is it leads to an exchange of words and a blame game between the two countries. But is this getting worse, or is it just this on going rumble of trouble . Well, as i mentioned the skirmishes do take place from time to time, but this is the third incident across border attack to happen the last ten days and also weve seen a number of changes with the Pakistani Taliban just about a week ago, they factionlized into two groups and you know, the military has last week launched major air strikes you know on alleged taliban sanctuaries killing almost 60 suspect suspected militants. There has been an expectation tensions would increase. The latest there. President due ma rousseff is warning that her government in brazil will simply not tolerate turmoil during the world cup. It starts in just over a weeks time. Protests have been taking place nationwide as well as at a friendly match with panama. The authorities are doing what we can to avoid a repeat of the violent scenes which overshadowed the con Federation Cup a year ago as alpha patel reports. Tensions are running high in brazil. This is the car park outside a world cup stadium in the central city of guyiania. The Brazilian Team are playing a friendly against panama, but the mood is less than friendly outside. This banner reads too bad brazil, but i cheer for education. Even the media arent protesters accuse the police of being heavy handed. They use weapons that cause injuries. They spray pepper spray in my eyes. Thats no good. But the countrys president had stern words for anyone trying to disrupt the tournament. Translator we wont allow there to be any kind of turmoil to impede people from going to the world cup. The demonstrations are completely lawful. What is not lawful, what is not democratic can rioting, destroying private and public property. Preparations for the world cup have been beset by antigovernment protests mainly because of its price tag, around 15 billion mainly from the public burst has been spent. Protests ares are angry that more money wasnt spent on health care, education and housing which they say would help address deep social inequalities and poverty. This is what the government is trying to avoid. A year ago, the con Federation World cup was marred by demonstrations and violence. That strength of feeling was not seen here. But with just over a week to go, there is real nervousness that the headlines also once again be dominated by events off the pitch. Alpha patel, bbc news. Youre watching bbc world news. Coming up in a moment, why the mayor of venice has been arrested along with dozens of other officials. Its all to do with new blood barriers built to protect the city. Youre watching bbc world news with me david eades. The latest headlines is, president obama has hailed poland as a democratic example for ukraine to follow in a major speech and celebrations in warsaw to mark the 25th anniversary of the end of communism in the country. The taliban have released a video showing the handover of the u. S. Soldier Bowe Bergdahl to American Forces after five years of captivity in afghanistan. China has deployed thousands of police and Paramilitary Forces in Tiananmen Square and indeed across the Capital Beijing on the 25th anniversary of the brutal repression of student protests. Hundreds of people lost their lives as the call for democratic refors was met with thanks and bullets. The chinese authorities are preventing any commemoration of the anniversary on the mainland and detained more than 60 activists and blocked access to social media an sites. I spoke to Carrie Gracie in beijing and to julianna lu in hong kong. First i asked carrie if there was any recognition at all as to what happened in beijing 25 years ago. The only recognition is in the noncelebration as youve been describing or the noncommemoration of that will anniversary. The fact that the square is so heavily peopled with police, theres a little bit however on social media in terms of commemoration on we chat people posting messages to mark that 25th anniversary. But openly, its a too dangerous for those who would wish to commemorate it, and also many people just getting on with their life 25 years on, some of the Younger Generation simply dont know that there was such an event in chinese history or else they dont know the much about it, and others are know about it but some take the view even those who were there at the time some take the view that its too far ago in history. Its not wise to reopen the wounds. They need to get on and live for today. Carrie, you tweeted the political theater of the absurd i think was the phrase you used to describe the way in which the authorities are cracking down on social media. What sort of lengths are they going to in is. Well, all kinds of expressions are being blocked on social media. Images of candles, the number 6 and 4, even expressions like between spring and summer. References to blood, references to a square, references to tank man. Of course, the iconic picture of one unarmed protester standing in the way of a column of thanks. So anything that the authorities think could in any way be regarded as relating to the events of june 4th is blocked today. Carrie, thanks very much indeed. Julianna in hong kong. You know, weve just seen pictures of nothingness really coming from the mainland. What can we expect in hong kong . Well, david, its a completely different picture here. Hong kong is a chinese city but its also a special Administrative Region and under the terms of its return from britain back to china in 1997, it maintains a high level of autonomy. Theres freedom of speech and freedom of expression here and in just a few hours were expecting tens of thousands possibly hundreds of thousands of people to flock to Victoria Park for the annual candlelight vigil remembering Tiananmen Square 25 years ago given its a special anniversary this year, were expecting to see more people than we have in other years, and there they will be listening to speeches by pro democracy leaders here in hong kong. There will be bands singing pro democracy songs. So the people here in hong kong are very proud of the fact theyre able to mark such a sensitive anniversary on chinese soil. Ulian na liu in hong kong also speaking to Carrie Gracie. If you go on to twitter, go to carries account bbc carrie. You can see her 25 tweets on why tiananmen still matters. The mayor of venice along with 30 other people has been arrested over corruption allegations. Mayor george ji orsoni is being claimed over claims of bribery during the public tender process for new flood barriers built to protect the city. Almost 80 of these barriers will be used to shut off the Venice Lagoon in the event of rising sea levels and storms. The city can suffer from flooding several times in a year. Alan johnson spoke to me about those arrests just a short time ago. Were talking here in this flood barrier project of a really coloss sol scheme, hugely important, 7 billion worth of engineering, the biggest project of its kind ever undertaken in italy and for about three years now, the Financial Police here in italy have been looking into what they believe is the mishandling of some 20 Million Euros which they believe were directed to pay bribes to politicians and others and this morning, italians waking up to the realization they really do have a major bribery scandal on their hands in the ancient city of venice. The mayor arrested and at this moment under house arrest along with him another 35 people detained and 100 more apparently being investigated. Were expecting a press conference fairly soon, and i should say that the mayors lawyers are protesting his innocence. Alan, i guess its fair to say italians are not unused to corruption scandals and allegations. Is this one really off the scale . Youre absolutely right, david. Italians painfully familiar with almost any major public works project ending up tangled up in the most appalling bribery allegations being dragged through the courts for years. This is an endless source of shame right at the core of the italian malaise, if you like. But this is something a little extra perhaps even by italian standards. There was huge affection for venice, a great sense it needs to be protected from the ravages of the sea not just for italy but for the world. This is an extraordinary city. Its sinking very slowly into the mud of its lagoon. Theres talk of rising sea levels and so on and these barriers are designed to favor. The people most closely associated with the project have been simply raking off cash be. Campaigning is kicking off in indonesia to elect a new president to lead what is southeast asias largest economy. The race is heating up it seems. Jakartas governor seen as very clear favorite is now facing a tough enough challenge from the former general. Our correspondent has the details. This is a gathering of people who are involved in the student activism in 1998 that brought an end to a dictatorship in indonesia and led to the birth of democracy. So these people, the choice between the two candidates is clear, the man theyre supporting widoro will be making an appearance here shortly is seen to be a humble man of the people who is approachable and willing to listen to the people. The opponent former general sobianto was the head of the Armys Special forces under the dictatorship of so har toe. People here say he should have been held responsible for some of the human rights abuses committed by the special forces under his command. He has denied all the allegations and even reinvented his reputation to a certain extent as someone who fights for the poor. Much like the candidate haas being endorsed by people here. So while the background and personalities of the two candidates may be vastly different, their policies and visions seem to be quite similar. So i asked some people around the city what they expect from their new leaders. Translator i want a new president to make the country better. Do not sleep on the job and not be corrupt. Translator i want the new president to be closer to the people. As a candidate, he seems to be doing it, but i dont know whether thats just for the campaign. I hope whoever wins will actually listen. A lot of expectations from particularly young people here for whoever gets to be the next leader of the country to do Something Different from what their predecessors have done. Two candidates have one month to try rye to convince the voters theyre the right man for the job. Bbc news, jakarta. Well stay with us here on bbc world news. Gnt with tim kill cox coming very soon. You need to see this. Show em the curve. Do you know what this means . The greater the curvature, the bigger the difference. [scifi tractor beam sound]. Sucked me right in. Its beautiful. Gotta admit one thing. Cant beat the view. Introducing the worlds first curved Ultra High Definition Television from samsung. 800,000 hours of supercomputing time, 3 million lines of code, 40,000 sets of eyes, or a million sleepless nights. Whether its building the worlds most advanced satellite, the space station, or the next leap in unmanned systems. At boeing, one thing never changes. Our passion to make it real. Our passion to make it real. First day of my life by bright eyes youre not just looking for a house. Youre looking for a place for your life to happen. When you didnt dread when youbedtime becausenner with anticipaof heartburn. Itation. When damage to your esophagus caused by acid reflux disease wasnt always on your mind. Thats when you knew nexium was the Prescription Medication for you. Because for over a decade nexium has provided many just like you with 24hour relief from heartburn and helped heal acidrelated erosions in the lining of the esophagus. And now the prescription nexium you know can be delivered directly to your door with nexium direct. Talk to your doctor to see if nexium is right for you. There is risk of bone fracture and low magnesium levels. Side effects may include headache, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. If you have persistent diarrhea, contact your doctor right away. Other serious stomach conditions may exist. Avoid if you take clopidogrel. For 24 hour support, automatic refills, and free home delivery, enroll at purplepill. Com. Its the nexium you know, now delivered. Hello, youre watching gmt on bbc news. Our top stories, the hand over, dramatic footage is released by the taliban at the moment their prisoner Bowe Bergdahl is returned to u. S. Forces. Were with you for the longterm. President obama commits to standing with ukraine and warns russia against bullying its smaller neighbors. So we will not accept russias occupation of crimea or its violation of ukraines sovereignty. Our free nations will stand united so that further russian provocations will only mean more is