>> and now, "bbc world news." >> china's president is in the u.s. -- rolling out the red carpet for the world's new economic powerhouse. the swiss banker who passed information to wikileaks has been rearrested. protesters are in the streets of tunisia. the interim president promises a complete break with the past. welcome to "bbc world news" broadcast on pbs in america and around the girl. -- around the world. the u.s. agrees to send more peacekeepers to the ivory coast. and a countdown to a big day -- 100 days from now, prince william will marry kate middleton. >> it is a crucial relationship for the stability of the world and worry in, there is much they do not agree on. the one thing the chinese president's visit to the u.s. will not for a -- will not fall short on is pomp. barack obama has welcomed hu jintao with a lavish ceremony at the white house. while protesters were around, they did speak of their differences. >> this morning, with all the fanfare america combustor, to president stepped into the limelight. they rule quarter of the world's population together, they commanded the two largest militaries, and they preside over one-third of the entire global economy. this is what power looks like in the 21st century. the world needs them to be friends, not enemies. mr. obama wants china to be a better business partner, more open and less touchy and unpredictable. >> we have an enormous stake in each other's success. in an interconnected world, in a global economy, nations, including our own, will be more prosperous and secure when we work together. >> president's hu jintao wants america to mind its own business, to stop this war and get its finances in order. >> we must work together, and respect each other's interests. >> as president hu jintao arrived, there was a small group of demonstrators. human rights campaigners started to feel their cause is some was sidelined in the u.s.-china relationship, and they might be right. the two presidents will be focusing more on the global economy than they will in the face of dissidents in china. >> the u.s. and china have to get this right. we have to not be rivals. the entire economy is fundamentally depended on this pivotal relationship to guide the rest of the world out of economic straits. >> on television, a series of advertisements try to show china in a softer light. perhaps these friendly faces can persuade americans that chinese power is not to be feared, but welcomed. inside, their truck -- they're talking about currency and trade, military cooperation, and how to handle a difficult country like north korea. but success will not mean enormous changes. just perhaps a little more trust between these two proud giants. >> the two presidents held a press conference where president obama says while he welcomes china's contribution to boosting the global economy, the level of its currency is still a concern for the u.s. >> i told the president we welcome china's increasing the flexibility of its currency, but i also had to say that their currency remains undervalued, there needs to be further adjustment in exchange rate, and this can be a powerful tool for china boosting domestic demand and lessening the inflationary pressures in their economy. we will continue to look for the value of china's currency to be increasingly driven by the market, which will help insure no nation has an undue economic advantage. >> you will find much more coverage of the chinese president's visit to the u.s. on our website, including a blog offering a take on this historic moment in u.s.-china relations. former swiss banker who handed details about wikileaks on what he says are high-profile tax evaders has been convicted for secrecy and threatening his former employer. rudolf elmer said he was only trying to expose tax evasion. he said he stole information to discredit the bank because they fired him. we have this report from zurich. >> it is a case that has drawn attention to the murky world of offshore tax havens. rudolf elmer was the chief operating officer of the swiss bank in the cayman islands. he says he witnessed the rich and powerful hiding their money away and avoiding taxes. once he left the bank, he began passing on that information, most famously earlier this week to wikileaks. in court today, the prosecution claimed he had conducted a personal vendetta because he worked at the bank which sacked him in 2002 and treated him badly. the question for the judge said was did he act out of moral conviction or revenge? the final verdict was mixed. guilty on charges that he had admitted to, not guilty of sending a hoax bomb threat to his former bank. no prison sentence as the prosecution had demanded, and a fairly small fine. rudolf elmer's lawyers seem dissatisfied, though they're still considering an appeal. -- seem satisfied, though they are still considering an appeal. they will decide within the next 10 days whether to appeal. a verdict than which will give banks, bankers and tax evaders something to think about. >> at least 13 people have been killed and more than 50 injured in two suicide bombings in central iraq. both attacks were in a stronghold of the insurgency. the first was on a police compound. an ambulance carrying explosives was rammed into the compound and detonated. in the second attack by a man in a suicide best targeted pilgrims. first results from the referendum in southern sudan's indicate people have voted overwhelmingly for independence. in the southern sudanese capital, they said preliminary figures showed 97.5% have voted for secession from the north. final results are not expected until next month. a somali man has gone on trial in denmark, accused of trying to kill a cartoonist whose drawing of the prophet muhammed probe -- provoked angry demonstrations one year ago. he admitted to breaking into this house but denied charges of terrorism and attempted murder. hundreds of chanting demonstrators have been out in the center of the tunisian capital of tunis. they want allies of the ousted president to be removed from all positions of power. u.s. officials say at least 100 people have died in the past five days of protests. one u.n. human rights team will investigate that and advise the new transitional government. >> five days after the former president was forced to flee the country because of the popular uprising, the situation across tunisia is still tense and it is still unclear which direction the country is going. again, there were hundreds of protesters on the streets of the capital today demanding immediate reform and are determined to drive any figures from the previous regime out of the interim administration. >> i guarantee you, today, they will be gone today, not tomorrow. >> there are already tangible signs of a more open society. for the first time in decades, to nations can enjoy a free press. they are devouring uncensored news instead of the now reports about the ruling family. political cartoons are a welcome addition to the front pages. some shops and businesses reopen today. tentative signs of a return to normality. whether the interim government will hold together preparing for new elections or whether the country will descend into further chaos is still the main concern. >> military authorities in democratic republic of congo are promising swift action against soldiers accused of mass rape of civilians. the allegations arise from disturbances on new year's day around a town in one eastern congolese province. some victims accused the army's local commander, kibibi mutware, of perpetrating the rapes. he denies it. >> thousands of residents have been fleeing along this road since new year's day when some of the soldiers stationed in their count turned against them, ñstabbing men, raping women, and looting homes and shops. now many of them are coming back and they accuse the commander of the unit to combat rebel groups. this is the place where the violence started on the first of january. a military officer was due to be brought to this hospital for treatment but he was taken by a group of people and killed on this road on this very spot. later, according to a population has told us, soldiers based at a military camp and move down and attacked this area and all the houses along the road as far as the town center. >> they raped me. it was 7:00 p.m. and those who raped me where members of the military. there were four of them. kibibi mutware and his bodyguards. they stole all our belongings and our money. >> she is referring to the current military commander in the area. other local and un sources pointed to his responsibilities, but he denies the accusations as rumors. the un has deployed troops to the town. >> the un security council has agreed to send 2000 peacekeepers to ivory coast where peacekeepers have been coming under attack. but the canyon prime minister who is mediating the post- election crisis has left and says there is no breakthrough. he says he is still refusing to step down as president and the time is running out to solve this peacefully. at the united nations, we have more on this story. this has to be a reflection of how concerned u.s. officials are about the situation in ivory coast. >> they're very concerned, specifically about the un mission there. there have been attacks against u.n. vehicles and a number of peacekeepers have been injured. that's one of the things that has prompted the council to act. one of the reasons is to protect un personnel and installations. they are guarding the hotel where the president-elect is being held under siege by the incumbent. they need extra troops to keep going. supplies have been squeezed by forces, so a crucial task they will have to keep supply routes open. in this respect, they will be supported by armed helicopters. un troops are supposed to be protecting civilians, which they have had great difficulty doing. they have been forced to retreat from areas of unrest because of the strength and size of the loyalists. it is unclear what extra troops will do, but the un beal's the situation is a ball tile and gramm. >> -- the un deals the situation is getting the ball a tile and grandmother. >> he has previously threatened reprisals against other nationalities and -- if more trips to come in. >> the united nations and the african union and of the west african group trying to negotiate some resolution is doing very much -- feeling very much at their options are closing. they expect increasing violence unless he steps down, which he clearly has not with this latest mediation effort. the council has threatened further sanctions, but there are sanctions already on some people in ivory coast and that has not made any one change their behavior. the west african bloc has threatened military action, but it's unclear what that could do because the army in ivory coast seems to be supporting the president and will be africans be ready to send in another force to fight another army? the options are narrowing and it puts the un mission under pressure. >> thank you very much. thank you for being with us. coming up, stay with us if you can. what can you buy without money? the greeks are finding out as they try to barter their way through recession. first, heavy rain is still causing major flooding across parts of brazil. motorists had to be winched to safety by helicopter one river burst its banks in sao paulo. authorities have confirmed 700 people were killed in floods and mudslides last week. >> brazil's torrential rains just will not stop. this is sao paulo, where heavy showers have caused the river to overflow directly into the path of oncoming traffic. the ferocity of the downfall cutting off motorists and pedestrians alike, leaving their situation so dire that only helicopters could pluck them to safety. this latest deluged comes nearly one week after the flooding and mudslides in rio de janeiro which are known to have killed more than 700 people and left 14,000 more homeless. this is one of three towns in the mountainous area that bore the brunt of the mud slides. nearly one week later, the extent the damage is clear. the military has set up two tent hospitals for the many people needing medical help. ministers from the national government have flown into town with promises of aid for all those in need. but that is little comfort for people contemplating the ruin of their family homes. i worked for 30 years to have enough money to build my home here, to gain independence for me and my son's. i'm a draft. i don't know what i'm going to do. -- i am adrift. >> across the region, the search for the mission goes on. the task of rebuilding shattered communities must wait. >> let's update you on the latest headlines. after talks with the chinese leader, hu jintao, president of has called for 11 -- a level playing field to determine the value of the chinese currency. the swiss banker who passed information to wikileaks has been found guilty of breaking secrecy laws and has been rearrested. the people in to the jazz to a week -- is linked to deteriorating economic conditions across the world, said the head of the arab league said today in the egyptian red sea resort of a charm all shake. >> at this frigid -- at the egyptian resort, the first chance for arab leaders to gather and discuss the dramatic events in to the ship and what might mean for them. how many of these leaders might be affected by the popular uprising? the leader of the arab league had a blunt message for them. >> the tunisian revolution is not far from us. and not far from the main topic of this summit. which is the social and economic development in our countries. what is on our minds now that the arabs all is broken by poverty, unemployment, and general recession? >> in egypt, despite a growth rate that appears respectable, more than one in five egyptians live in poverty. huge numbers of egyptians suffer from higher food prices and lack of economic prospects. the government allows very limited freedom to express their frustrations. most egyptians will tell you there is little prospect to follow the example of to asia. there have been almost no demonstrations here since the fall of the president. that's despite the fact many egyptians admire what was done there. the main initiative and response to the events in to be a here is a $2 billion fund to help small and medium-sized businesses. arab governments have been having second thoughts about cutting subsidies on its edge lightens like food and fuel. nothing striking from leaders who may be nervous but don't seem to believe they're about to follow the tunisian president into exile. >> 100 days from now, prince william and his fiancee will marry at westminster abbey. today, we start our countdown to the big day. we will be spending many of the coming days at the abbey. >> welcome to westminster abbey. on the 29th of april, the eyes of the world will be watching this spot because the bride will enter those doors behind me as kate middleton. she will leave as the wife of a prince and future queen. so as we mark this 100 day countdown to the royal wedding, night has fallen over westminster abbey. it's come to centuries of british tradition in that long connection is what made it an ideal choice for prince william and his fiancee. like many engaged couples, they will probably find it difficult to have the final say on their wedding arrangements. but we are told by the palace that they're taking the lead in shaping what their wedding day will look like. the report contains flash photography. >> the wedding plans are well underway. an entire team within the royal household is dedicated to the project. but only to people are in charge -- prince william's office acknowledged he and his fiancee are directing all aspects of the big day. the venue and date are set trade it will be a public holiday. the costs will be shared. the royal family and middleton family will pay for the service, the receptions, flowers, the dress and a honeymoon. the british taxpayer will pick up the bill for the substantial security costs on the day. the couple have made it clear they want a national celebration that does not feel too extravagant. this is where she will enter westminster abbey with a nervous walk to the altar with her father will she will marry the prince and her life will change forever. >> she is completely unique as a royal bride. she's the first, her for 350 years to marry a future king. that does not mean she is common, but it is a historical fact that she is not an aristocrat and is not blue blooded. that in itself is very rare. >> there is still much we do not know about the wedding. the man behind much of princess diana's wardrobe is a dress designer, but the bride wishes to keep all details secret for now. the immediate family can be sure of attending. the most sought-after invitations will be sent out next month. other world leaders are as of yet not guarantee a seat in the abbey. there'll be no avoiding the pomp and spectacle of the day. but a couple insists this will be a wedding on their terms. they say they wanted to be a classic example of what britain does best. >> probably the most difficult challenge will be shaping kate middleton possible. there will be comparisons to diana, princess of wales, but we know what prince williams said, he expects her to take her time and make her own place in the hearts of the british people. a couple of more things about what we don't know -- address and the guest list. is quite possible we may not know until the wedding day who has designed the dress. as far as the invitation list is concerned, i am told people bring up the royal household i want to make sure you get my address. all the details are on a special section of the bbc website. >> greece's financial meltdown is making life hard for many people. some are scourings rubbish bins for things to sell to make money. we have this report from athens on greece's alternative economy. >> this frenzied hunt for new wardrobe does not damage the bank balance. it is a swap, not shot dead. participants who attribute a bag of used clothes and can take away the equivalent. >> we have some close for people our age of the same taste we have. the benefit is there is no money involved. >> greece is an image-conscious country where designer labels are highly prized. but the stigma surrounding secondhand good is is evaporating. >> it was always the fashion and high fashion started because people want to feel good. there is going to be money and society and assess the political situation cannot change that easily. but it's like a breath of fresh air. >> my favorite color is black. >> his family cannot afford the expense of private schools where most greek children learn foreign languages. he is a beneficiary of the athens time bank is members swap skills and some of demanding payment. everyone's time is given the same value. in return for the english lesson, his mother does the teacher's hair. >> this is useful to people who cannot afford services or have no jobs. social exclusion is becoming invisible. people cannot get their problems solved politically. they regained their visibility. >> credits are deposited caring for elderly mother of one of the members. she withdraws credit by receiving relationship counseling from a psychologist. academics believe this alternative economic model benefits the poor. >> this system, we mobilize people and in a time of very high unemployment -- it helps the economy by utilizing resources that are not being used. >> during more than one year of austerity, greeks have been powerless to prevent their wealth from being devalued. the bartering system will not solve the financial problems in greece, but they all participants assert a small degree of control over their personal economies. >> you will find more on that and other international news anytime 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