>> "bbc world news" is presented by kcet, los angeles. funding for this presentation is made possible by the freeman foundation of new york, stowe, vermont, and honolulu. newman's own foundation. the john d. and catherine t. macarthur foundation. and union bank. >> union bank has put its global expertise to work for a wide range of companies. what can we do for you?

>> and now "bbc world news." >> cementing the family dynasty -- the north korean leader promotes his son to the general. looks like the first public step to anointing his successor. the palestinian president responds to the israel -- israeli settlement building on the west bank. and and electrowinning force hugo chavez -- the opposition makes parliamentary gains that make the president paused next five years very difficult indeed. welcome to "bbc world news" broadcast on pbs in america and around the globe. coming up later -- the world's biggest energy producer meets the world fastest growing energy market. why russian and china are signing an oil and gas deal.

the holes could soon be alive with the sound of skiing -- why this picturesque spot in georgia is in people's mind. >> on the face of it, it's just another drawing pen and a notice board -- an official announcement of a military appointment. but in north korea, very little is routine. the latest news from the state media looks prescient -- kim jong-un, the son of north korea's ailing dictator has been given rank of general just as the stalinist state is about to hold a ruling convention of its workers' party. the first in nearly 30 years. many see strong signs that kim jong-il is about to appoint his successor.

>> from the trains pulling into an immaculate central station to the choreographed uniformity of the arriving party delegates, it is clear that something is going on. these are pictures that north korea's authoritarian rulers want the world to see -- a city being readied for a very significant event in the. the last time the major party gathering was held was in 1980, 30 years ago. that meeting saw kim jong-il appointed to the highest ranks of the party, appointing him to his father's choice as successor. after 16 years in charge, he is frail, elderly and unwell. speculation is mounting that he is about to pull off the same trick by -- dramatically unveiling his third son, a mysterious man named kim jong-un as the next choice of leader. >> if he is anointed, you will see a wonderful show.

there'll be cries of joy in public. his portraits will start going up everywhere. in schools, in offices, and in private houses. the radio and newspapers and media will start telling stories about his greatness. >> but of course, nobody can say for sure whether this closed and secretive state really is about to give the world did glimpse of its next ruler. >> it is an imperfect view that best, speculating about what is going on inside north korea from the outside. this party conference is all about the succession certainly seems plausible, but it may not be the breakthrough moment many predict. perhaps kim jong-un will be promoted behind closed doors or, perhaps he will not be promoted at all. ordinary north koreans are likely to know even less.

>> people to assume that one of kim jong-il's sun will succeed him, just as he succeeded his father. but nobody would have expected it would be someone so young. >> that prospect may worry north korea's neighbors. understandably nervous about any sign of change in a country with serious nuclear ambitions. >> we are disappointed, but there is still hope is a line coming from american negotiators on the middle east peace talks in response to israel's returned to settlement building on the occupied west bank. the palestinian leaders have threatened to withdraw from these fragile talks, the prime minister of israel has urged them to stay with it. the palestinian president says he will not respond for one week as he consults with arab leaders. >> just hours after the end of the partial freeze on building in jewish settlements, and as

they promised, at least some places, settlers began construction of homes and community buildings. as much as these images will anger palestinians and even the american government, which had called for the freeze to be extended, they are largely symbolic and don't mean thousands of jewish how about to be built on occupied land. nor does it mean talks will inevitably collapse. >> we want this process to succeed. that is why prime minister netanyahu called upon mahmoud abbas to continue with these talks. >> ultimately, only their ongoing, and tense, and direct negotiations can we hope to build a better future. >> mahmoud abbas, the palestinian president who is on a visit to paris said he would pull out of peace talks if settlement building resumes. he has not walked away yet, even though he says settlements are incompatible with peace.

>> week, the palestinians, will return to our leaders first so we can decide. we will not make any quick reactions and will not say yes or no. we need to study all of the results and consequences with palestinian leaders and also with the arab countries. >> palestinians protesting against the israeli occupation in the west bank over the weekend. many ordinary palestinians say their leaders have already given too much ground while not, at least publicly, getting any concessions from israel. the settlements and the 400,000 people live in them are just the first of several major obstacles that could derail negotiations at any stage. while american negotiators say there -- say they're hopeful talks can be saved and a compromise agreed upon, time is running out. the bbc understands that in the next couple of days, palestinian

leaders will meet to discuss this crisis and the executive committee of the plo may order mahmoud abbas to withdraw from the peace talks. >> more of the top stories this hour -- pakistan has officially protested to nato near the country's border -- protested of border -- protested air strikes near the border with afghanistan. in one attack, 30 people said to be insurgents had died. members of -- the head of the pakistan cricket team has resigned days after his country's players flew home from a controversial tour of england. several were suspended by greg's governing body under claims of a budding scam. walmart has started talks to buy south africa's wall -- south africa's largest wholesale company. the deal could be worth more than $4 billion. the south african trade unions as its concern about this

because of what they call walmart's anti-union stands. opponents of the venezuelan president are celebrating gains in parliamentary elections. they could make the next five years very difficult indeed for hugo chavez. they won a third of the seats in the assembly. our correspondent is in caracas. >> the bill passed in an atmosphere of order and peace. security was tight as it is in most latin-american elections, but there are few incidents of trouble or acquisitions of foul play. mr. chavez vaulted -- voted in a socialist stronghold and called it the best voting system in the world. once the votes were cast, the results took much longer than expected to be published. after several tense hours, the announcement arrived. it was a victory for president chavez of sorts. >> the guided socialist party

had won the majority of seats in state after state, but crucially, there was to be no two-thirds majority for the note -- for the left-wing leader, the magic number needed to pass his socialist reforms. opposition candidates has taken -- have taken more than 60 seats, not large enough to frustrate his plans in the next five years. that the opposition's gains are significant, it must be remembered they chose to boycott the election five years ago. as such, they were always going to take back some political space. the claim -- until recently, the opposition parties and venezuela have been out of touch with the fed as well as people. if that claim is verified, it would be a significant warning

to mr. chavez in 2012. however, there are more immediate issues to be addressed. many voters want to see both sides work more closely together to reduce the country's problems. this may have been the first step toward that goal. >> four days, the headlines have been filled with doubts about telly's readiness about the games. just days before the opening ceremonies, officials are pulling out the stops to get the city ready. the chief minister says it should be by wednesday. we have more on this story. >> africa's turned to check in for the games. members of nigerian -- members of the nigerian team are checking in. the england contingent has

started moving into the games village after having complained last week a filthy apartment. now they say they're pleased with the arrangements. but there's a lot of work being done. frantic construction is carried on and the army is rebuilding a bridge that collapsed just outside of the main venue. for the deputy chief minister, he has been feeling the heat but found time to inaugurate a new sightseeing bus service for tourists and is confident everything will be in top shape. >> we are filling of the rooms and cleaning up the public areas. we have said everybody has to work double time. we will do it. >> most of the venues are now under complete lock down as elite troops have begun securing them. several countries including australia have raised concerns over possible attacks during the

event and india is taking the chances. >> the preparations are almost done and there's a growing sense of anticipation. behind me is the stadium where the opening games get under way less than a week from now. after all of the controversy and bad publicity, india is hoping it can finally put on a good show. >> the fallout from the fake togo football team is gathering momentum. authorities have arrested two officials from the country's football federation on suspicion of forging documents to organize a fake match earlier this month. protesters in belgium marched through a detention camp for fail asylum seekers and are calling for changes. a trawler captain held in a

japanese jail has been given a hero's welcome on his return. he was picked up by patrols after his boat collided with japanese strips -- collided with japanese ships. good to have you with us. still to come, english cheese is taking on the french. we report and the growing global appetite for a taste of york sure. -- tasted york shire. first, three australian soldiers have been charged of the deaths of six people, five of them children, in afghanistan. it is alleged ds chileans attacked the wrong house while searching for a taliban leader. -- it is alleged the australians attacked the wrong house. >> the charges against the soldiers relate to a commando raid on suspected taliban hideout.

six people, including five afghan children were killed in the operation in february, 2009. four others were wounded. a military prosecutor has now decided the three servicemen will be charged with various offenses. they include man charger -- manslaughter, dangerous conduct, and failing to obey an order. the prime minister says it will have every opportunity to clear their names. >> the accused persons will be offered support. in relation, i would say the following -- our australian defense force has strict rules of engagement and i think they of the finest tradition and reputation as a go about difficult and dangerous work. >> to of the soldiers have issued a statement, blaming the actions on a suspected insurgent

for the loss of life during the raid. they say words would never adequately expect -- express their regret that women and children were killed and injured. >> the interior minister of romania has resigned after several police took part in an organized protest against wage cuts. he says he respected the right of police personnel to protest. the latest headlines for you on "bbc world ms." this hour. the north korean leader, kim jong-il has promoted his son before the ruling communist party opened irrational convention. the un and european union are expressing disappointment that israel is not freezing its west bank settlements. once the closest political allies and then fears foes, russia and china does mark a new

era in their economic relationship. russia has agreed to sell some of its vast energy reserves to me china's hugely growing demand. in beijing today, the president's celebrated together the completion of a new pipeline between siberia and china. >> china and russia share strong mutual interest. biggests the world's energy supplier and china is the biggest consumer. when the two countries' leaders met, had much to talk about. they have found a range of agreements on energy cooperation. china wants more resources to fuel its economic growth. president dimitry medvedev's visit coincided with the completion of a oil pipeline between the two countries. >> both sides have placed

highly the pipeline and we will continue to stick to the principles of openness, mutual benefit and the progress of cooperation in the areas of trade, energy, finance, legislation and high-tech industries. >> aside from oil, russia is eyeing opportunities to sell gas in china. russia wants to diversify its market which is currently heavily reliant on europe. they have yet to work out a pricing structure, but if anything goes through, it will worry the west. it will be seen as yet another sign that china is cornering the energy market.

>> they are attracting enormous attention, but the 33 chilean miners are still trapped underground and have been for nearly two months and rescue is impossible for the next two months. they're being held by military advisers specializing in battlefield psychology. >> day and night, the drilling continues. it is day 53 and the men have already spent longer trapped underground than any other minor in history. the rescue attempts at such depths are another world's first. the families here at camp hope wait and pray for their safe return. but how are the 33 cupping psychologically? how do they keep hope alive 700 meters underground? a specialist speaks to them every day. >> i believe one of the keys for surviving is that they have been

able to build a society. they are working as a society, coping with confinement and now being able to get out of there as a society. >> are they afraid? >> the youngsters, yes. the older ones are doing a great job at advising, talking, and conversing with the youngest. they are holding on. >> it has been the longest of ships for these men, still working and sleeping underground in temperatures 30 degrees plus and humidity levels that 85%. but life down here is curiously normal with daily complaints about the being sent down and constant requests for cigarettes. >> the british man who owns a company making be electronic vehicle known as the segway has

died after driving one of them off a cliff. this is the self-balancing scooter with a top speed of 12 miles an hour. locals in a remote mountain region of georgia say their land is being seized to build a tourist resort. this project is part of a showcase of modernization plans put forward by the president. ♪ >> the caucasus mountains -- pristine and untouched. here, on the border with russia in georgia, ancient tradition thrive. medieval culture is demoralized in stone. hardin's tourist travel hours to

get to here to witness is beauty. -- >> this is better than the alps. >> better? >> yes. >> that tranquillity might be under threat from plans to turn this region into a ski resort. if all goes according to plan, these quiet, forested slopes will soon attract thousands of skiers come winter. it will bring much-needed investment to what is a relatively poor part of georgia. but not everyone is happy. some people say their land is being snatched to make this project happen. >> this woman says the field belongs to her family, but a private investor now wants to build a hotel on it. she says her mother was arrested for demanding a say in how much compensation she received. her mother, a local opposition politician is still awaiting trial.

in the main town, there are already building like there is no tomorrow. the georgian president once this multi-million dollar project ready by the end of the year. his man on the ground who has now resigned denies taking other people's land and says will only be good for business. foreign investors are already coming to unlock the potential area. a hotel has been opened for adventurous travelers. >> if you move forward, you always lose something. but i hope -- something has to happen and i just hope it proceeds in sound and quality

manner and everything will be ok. >> who knows when the crowds of winter tourist will arrive. when they do, it's hard to see how the charm of this region will be altered in some way, especially in place as long been resistant to change. >> it seems there is a growing markets in the world 4 english cheese -- it is taking on the french and in some cases doing better. exports are up 15% and the middle east and united states are buying the bulk of it. >> they work in the hearts of it and it's no wonder they are passionate about their cheese. they churn out 3.5 tons a day and are selling more and more overseas. >> more of our major market is the states and it is the first

slice of our business now, over 10%. that is pretty significant, particularly in view of this hard business climate in the u.k. at the mellon. >> it seems americans are charmed by britain's cheese and here, they think they know why. >> it's nice, very good fat on the back. >> richard has been making cheese for 20 years. >> they appreciate quality. it's quite a sophisticated market and they are instructed -- they are in -- they are interested in provence. they can trace his right back to the farms and can appreciate that kind of providence. >> i had to bring you to this malleus room in the dairy -- this is where they mature their blue cheese. it takes between -- to the smallest room in the dairy. it takes between six and eight

weeks. it is worth between -- it is worth around $7.8 million. cheese exports are up by 15% and demand is growing in non- european markets, like america and the middle east. here on the production line, they are gearing up for the christmas rush because there is a growing global appetite for the taste of your chair. -- the taste of york shire. >> official media in north korea said the youngest son of kim jong-il has been given the rank as general. as the first time the name of kim jong-un has been published in north korea. this could be the start of a succession process, say analysts. kim jong-il's health was thought to be deteriorating. you'll find more of that and all the international news on line at bbc.com.

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