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>> and now, "bbc world news america." >> this is "bbc world news america reporting from washington. the last chance summit, european leaders meet to save the euro amid warnings of global recession and a crisis of confidence. >> investors are not convinced that if they lend eurozone countries some money, they will get it all back some day. >> by much returns to virginia tech. two people are killed at the scene of the deadliest campus shooting four years ago. -- violence returned to virginia tech. prime minister vladimir putin accuses america of promoting protest. elmo goes to islamabad, could

"sesame street" pave the way for better relations between pakistan and america? welcome to our viewers on pbs in america and around the globe. never has europe been so necessary, never has it been so much danger. those are the words of nicolas sarkozy and head of the summit which is billed as the last chance to save the europe. the stumbling block is not financial, it is political. how much power should brussels have over the eurozone countries? >> in brussels, there is some christmas cheer. mention the euro and the gloom

sets in. sarkozy, merkel, they're coming back here. will make a difference? >> they are not moving forward, he told me. the leaders meet again and again but there's never anything concrete. some fear that the single currency might not survive this crisis. we found them still turning out new coins at the belgian meant. there is a crisis of confidence. investors are not convinced that if they planned a eurozone country some money, they will get it all back one day. until the politicians can correct that perception, this crisis will go from bad to worse. they will try to stop that here over a dinner that will last into the early hours in brussels. the leaders of the eu's 27 countries will continue to set out a plan. the two big players, france and germany, have made progress on a

compromise. this proposes tough new rules on taxing and spending but to any country that breaks the rules will face a semi automatic penalties. all eurozone countries will have their national budgets scrutinized by brussels. the main players are trying to beef up support for that plan at a summit of the main conservative parties. britain's conservatives were not there after david cameron pulled them out of the grouping two years ago. of those who did attend could not be clearer. >> everyone knows that if there is no agreement by friday, there will be no signature. we need a compromise and quick decisions. >> all of the world is watching us. what they need from us is not more national problems but european solutions. >> most agree that such a solution will of all this, the european central bank. today, the bank lowered interest

rates across the eurozone. -- most agree that such a solution will involve this. they banned the prospect of new financial support for indebted countries. this evening, david cameron are arrived in brussels promising to protect britain's interests here. >> these are important talks. we need the stability that is good for european countries, good for britain. we need to protect britain's interests. >> the best protection would be an end to the eurozone crisis. corks and end to the crisis. for the latest from brussels, -- >> an end to the crisis. before the latest from brussels, i spoke to our correspondent a short time ago. i asked him if there was a chance of success this time around. >> there is a chance of success on the core of what german and

french leaders are proposing. there are tough for rules to ensure that eurozone governments keep their budgets under control. i don't think that there is much chance of the summit in and drawing a line. what they need to do is keep their noses above water and persuade financial markets that they are moving in the right direction. >> andrew, we seem to have every few weeks a last chance to save the euro. is there a risk here that markets start discounting these kinds of summits? is it actually just more talk? >> i think the markets do understand that whatever each summit does manage to achieve, there is likely to be further work. it is equally possible. it is a very unlikely that

anyone is going to bring sunshine, bring an end to the crisis. there is certainly every chance that the individual summit can severely intensify the crisis. it is possible that if they don't make any progress over the next 24 hours, we would seek financial markets take it very badly. the form that would take would be a severe increase in the interest rates on the deaths of stressed eurozone countries such as italy and spain. -- interest rates on the debts of stress euros some countries such as italy and spain. >> thank you very much. the name virginia tech is infamous in america. today, we were reminded why. a police officer and another person were shot and killed on the university campus which four years ago was the scene of the

deadliest mass shooting in american history. >> a chilling sense of deja vu. the campus on lockdown, swat and teams patrolling the grounds. the people were killed, one of them a university police officer. one of them were shot dead after a routine traffic stop. >> he opened his car door. he fell out towards the ground. i could see his face. he was covered in blood. >> a suspect was seen entering a car park. a man was lying dead. the campus alert was lifted. >> no additional victims or shooting reported. we feel confident that the

situation is under control at this time. >> four years ago, this same campus was the scene of the worst mass shooting in modern american history. a student of south korean origin opened fire and killed 32 people for killing himself. then, virginia tech was fined for being slow to alert students. >> remembering those times in virginia tech today. well, they were supposed to have pushed the reset button on their relationship i ushering in a new era of u.s.-russia friendship. the russian prime minister accused the u.s. of stoking this week's protest in moscow. they claim that secretary -- this claim secateurs of state clinton has flatly denied. >> the protest this week, a

sudden awakening of many people here in russia after a decade of authoritarian rule imposed by vladimir putin. these demonstrators are angry and frustrated following allegations of widespread fraud in the parliamentary elections. the prospect of another decade with mr. putin in power. today, the prime minister responded by calling on the offensive himself. he directly accuse the u.s. of stirring up the protests and funding the opposition. >> the secretary of state has said that the elections are dishonest and unfair even though she has not observed the elections. they gave the opposition of the signal and they heard the signal. they started to go to work. >> following the vote, there has

been a stream of reports including from election officials themselves alleging that the ballot was rigged to ensure the ruling party won. there was soon strong criticism from world leaders including hillary clinton. she expressed her dismay during a meeting on tuesday at the organization of security and cooperation in europe. >> witnessing the election in russia, efforts to halt the election monitoring. the work is the type of activity that the country, committed to the will of law should walk down. in the last few days, people have been taken into court and it the website has been subject to massive cyber attacks. >> despite this, government supporters have been out on the

streets. they are determined to defend the election results as a true representation of the people. the key question is whether broader population believes this or will support for mr. putin's government and away - - ebb away? >> it was just two years ago that hillary clinton and sergei lavrov made this public display on hitting the reset button. did you think that this was a real reset? >> well, there is some dispute over the terminology used. i think it shows that while the u.s. and russia can cooperate in some areas, there will always be some areas where it is tension. the pendulum a couple of years

ago swann in one direction, now in a different direction. >> the language coming out of moscow and hillary clinton is pretty strong stuff and diplomatic terms. diplomats are careful about the language that they use. how have they gone to this point? >> you have to look at the context. there is an election season in russia. when there is an election season and in the country, the rhetoric can increase for -- the writer can increase. when mr. putin accuses american up of interference, this will play into his supporters. they did not expect to be in the situation. i think that they expected to have a better showing than they did. they are uncomfortable when they are. that is reflected in this back and forth. >> i could understand why he

would do this, to stir up his political base. given that america will clearly have to deal with student for a long time -- have to deal with vladimir putin for a long time, why would hillary clinton choose this time? her languages pretty outspoken. is that helpful? >> there are two trends. you have seen a retreat in russia from democracy over the past decade. you now have flatter putin, he has been in power for 12 years. he is looking for another four, 8 year term. this might be sharp rhetoric, this is not the first time that the u.s. has expressed their concern about political developments in russia. from the russian standpoint, they are looking around in their neighborhood. some of their client states --

syria, libya, have had bad years. they have concerns about progress of a missile defense system. things are not going well from their standpoint in terms of u.s.-russia relations. you have mutual shots across the bal here. >> this is very different from the hillary clinton who stood there and pushed the reset button with sergei lavrov. this is noticeably different. >> putin will be reelected president and america will have to deal with him. there are areas where the u.s. and russia can continue to operate but there are some strains in the relationship. >> thank you very much for coming in. but rare putin clearly planning on staying around a long time. -- vladimir putin clearly planning on staying around for a

long time. robert mugabe is also planning on staying around for a long time. he spoke at the annual congress. he has been in power for the past 31 years. even after a power-sharing deal was struck, there remain serious concerns in the country. >> he still has his fans here, president mugabe's face on almost everything. the man himself our rights to declare that he would like election and another term in office. >> the time has come now for us to prepare for elections. we have to have them next year. >> in a year of revolutions,

president mugabe has been locked in this fast food advertisement as the last dictator. -- present mugabe has been mocked in this fast food advertisement. after three decades, how much longer can the president keep this going? he is 87 and reportedly in failing health. behind the scenes, there are plenty of discussions about life after robert mugabe but no one will be talking about that in public. >> this is an idea of the party. >> in the real world, zimbabwe is enjoying some stability with a power-sharing government in place. the fear was not gone, this is still the land of nervous laughter.

can you talk about robert mugabe? >> i don't want to. >> i don't want to talk about that subject. >> it is it difficult to talk about president mugabe? [laughter] >> i am not comfortable talking about that. >> that sense of political unease is hurting the economy, too. >> we survive. we have been able to keep things going way below what the real capacity and potential of the economy is. >> president mugabe still insists the outside world is to blame and only he can lead to zimbabwe too real freedom. >> you are watching "bbc world news america," still to come -- sesame street is hitting the road with elmo making a splash

in pakistan. an american citizen has been sentenced to two and a half years in thailand for insulting be a royal family. he pleaded guilty to transiting part of an outlawed biography of the king. >> born in thailand, but an american citizen and resident of the u.s. for some 30 years, he was detained in may. he had come to thailand for medical treatment. he pleaded guilty in october. today, his hopes are pinned on a leniency sentence. a high degree and reverence is shown by the thai public for the king. he celebrated his 84th birthday on monday. he has been in the hospital since 2009. he is the world's longest reigning monarch. he has been on the throne for 65

years. gordon is charged with posting excerpts' of unauthorized biography of the king. the majesty lot perfecting -- protecting -- of the law protecting the monarchy are the harshest in the world. the u.s. was unequivocal, gordon's treatment was unfair. >> he is being sentenced for his right to freedom of expression, which is an internationally recognized enormous human rights. >> the authorities have expanded the scope of their pursuit of the targets of the controversial laws. the colorado car salesmen is hoping that he might be granted a parting. -- a pardon.

>> this guys were closed, airports were in chaos, airports were cutting the cost. that was the scene last year when a volcanic ash cloud blew over europe. now, scientists are fighting back. there was a test flight over the volcano to see what was being done. >> when this volcano erupted in april last year, it looked like the end of the world. for the 10 million passengers affected by a week of canceled flights, it is felt a light -- it felt a lot like it, too. looming over the sicilian countryside is your's most active volcano. -- europe's most active volcano.

this is the situation any pilot could face. knowing that there is volcanic activity in the region not knowing how thick the cloud is. this agreement can measure the intensity of those clouds and help the pilot navigate. >> the research is funded by easy jet. the system is being refined. eventually, the pilot will seem a screen like this showing how much cash is in the air and how far away it is. >> we have lights, we have models, "we don't have anything on board the aircraft. this is a big change. >> we now know the levels of ash were extremely low. had we had the technology on the aircraft, 90% would have been detected. -- iceland is

reporting activity at an even bigger volcano. they're not sure when it erupts, but they know it will. >> there is no disguising that u.s.-pakistan relations are tricky these days. soon, pakistani children will be introduced to the american hero that will make inroads that only u.s. politicians could dream of. elmo is coming to pakistan. there is a locally made a version that is soon to air. the $20 million has been allocated to the project. >> ♪ >> meet the cast of pakistan's "sesame street." elmo is here, but he is surrounded by new friends.

a pakistani village has been created on said, full of local characters and local concerns. here is the star of the show, cricket mad, energetic, and curious. she says that the puppets are like family. >> i feel like they are my sisters and brothers because i am telling them a lot of stuff. >> do you think that the children who watch this show will learn a lot? >> they will get more educated. >> they hope the strong female lead will win over the next generation in this conservative society. >> generally, the girls take a step back. she is really strong headed and captain of the cricket team.

she's not afraid to ask questions. i am hoping that the children will relate to that and take courage and start to love her for that. >> the theater company behind this production know about courage. they have been bombed by militants in the past. they want a brighter future for pakistan's children. the scene being rehearsed here, she is asking where the sun goes at night. the programming to answer a lot of the questions children ask and provide basic language and math skills. the americans have made a very big investment in all of this. they're hoping that it will teach lessons in tolerance. the u.s. may have funded the show but the program makers say that washington did not write the script. >> the american tax payer at

this time, they have given this money to the children of pakistan. the only requisite is that we make an educational program. >> elmo and friends will celebrate holidays marked by different religions. a message of togetherness rather than hate. a message that is sometimes missing here. many in pakistan never get the chance to learn. 1/3 of young children don't go to school. this program might be their only teacher. >> elmo and rani hoping to do more than educating children. that is the programs close.

from all of us here, thank you for watching. >> make sense of international news at bbc.com/news. >> funding was made possible by the freeman foundation of new york, stowe, vermont, and honolulu. newman's own foundation. and union bank.

>> union bank has put its global strength to work for a wide range of companies. what can we do for you? >> "bbc world news america" was presented by kcet los angeles.