this is bbc news. the headlines at 11:00: japan's prime minister pays his respect and his historic visit to hawaii. 75 years afterjapan bombed pearl harbor. tributes to the singer george michael, one of the biggest names in british music, who's died at the age of 53. his partner says he will never stop missing him. search continues for the russia plan which crashed. the cheetah is heading rapidly towards extinction. a leading conservationist tells us what can be done to save it. the japanese prime minister shinzo

abe is making an historic visit to hawaii 75 years after the attack in pearl harbor which brought the united states into the second world war. he has been paying tribute at the national memorial cemetery in the national memorial cemetery in the pacific. he wanted to send a message that japan will never repeat the atrocities of past wars. the japanese attacks came in waves during a deadly two hours. bombs ripped through us battleships crippling of the pacific fleet and killing over 2000 americans. survivors recalled the bustling port

on for hours. i was trying to put out the fire and also trying to them arise if the nametags so i could write to the parents and tell them what happened to their son. setting japanese prime minister after 75 yea rs japanese prime minister after 75 years will attend a memorial, arriving to reaffirm a solemn promise never to repeat the horrors of that war. it was also hold a final meeting with the outgoing us president. they have developed strong ties. ba rak president. they have developed strong ties. barak 0bama was the first sitting president to visit hiroshima, a powerful symbol of reconciliation. the dread of children confused by what they see. shinzo abe spoke of an alliance of hope, as the first japanese shinzo abe spoke of an alliance of hope, as the firstjapanese premier mrto

hope, as the firstjapanese premier mr to address us congress.” hope, as the firstjapanese premier mr to address us congress. i offer my internal condolences. the sport of friendship is hugely important to japan. tokyo feels under threat from a strengthening china and north korea which is developing nuclear weapons. cheers. some fear for the future of the relationship under a new president. those who lost their lives at pearl harbor will never be forgotten. but the sea days will be about remembrance and laying it the final ghosts of the wall which brought out the worst in humanity. i have been talking to the direct of the japan studies at hopkins university. he told me about his family connection with the attack. my family connection with the attack. my father is uncle was the commander of west virginia, the battleship

immediately in front of the arizona, that prime minister abbey and president 0bama will be visiting. —— since abbey. he died on the bridge, hit by shrapnel. 0ne since abbey. he died on the bridge, hit by shrapnel. one of the first casualties. what do you feel about the japanese prime minister being in hawaii today? well, obviously, some mixed feelings. i think the re— conciliation is important. i spent 11 years myself injapan. i served as assistant to the us ambassador andi as assistant to the us ambassador and i can certainly see the port and is of this transpacific relationship but i do not like to see pearl harbor simply used as a prop for as long as there is really a sense of

remorse and appreciation of what happened 75 years ago i think it is a positive and i applaud it but i think that is a very, very important. the sense of looking back and the appreciation of the magnitude of what happened. is it not the equivalent of barack 0bama going to hiroshima? they are very different in some ways. of course, the scale of hiroshima was at least 100,000,130,000 or the scale of hiroshima was at least 100,000, 130,000 or so people 100,000,130,000 or so people killed. in this case 2500 by the attack was unprovoked. certainly we didn't... and attack was unprovoked. certainly we didn't. .. and the attack was unprovoked. certainly we didn't... and the united states did not directly invite that attack. so

it isa not directly invite that attack. so it is a tangled story and the two cases are difficult to compare. i think we should continue to examine the history, to draw a more precise equivalent is only a recipe for a rancorous debate which probably does not have an easy end. looking ahead, president 0bama is nearing the end of his administration and president—elect trump may be very different top how do you see the us— japanese relationship?” different top how do you see the us— japanese relationship? i think it is a good thing that the riot of these succession of meetings in close sequence. succession of meetings in close sequence. the japanese prime minister having seen trump a couple of weeks ago and then this meeting which brings him up to speed and current developments and are likely

meeting a think next month with donald trump, a formal meeting in washington so, given the delicacy, given the fact that tpp will not go through, given some classic misunderstanding is, ithink, across the pacific, including the scale of japan's contribution to defence, i think it really is important to have a early meetings. tpp is not going through, i think there is a need for some substitute in terms ofjoint projects, building exercises and are early meeting i think will be very important in that regard. the music world has been paying tribute to george michael, who died yesterday, from suspected heart failure, at the age of 53. the singer sold more than 100 million albums in a career spanning nearly four decades. his partner said he will never stop

missing him. # wham barn, i am a man #. wearing a bikerjacket and a white tee, george michael takes his first steps into the limelight as one half of the pop duo, whami. # if notjust stop, don't get in a rut #. back then, he had big hair and a perma—tan — it was his idea of early ‘80s glam. the reality was a little different. so they stuck us in this hotel that couldn't have been more than 80p a night. audience laughter. i was sleeping the night before my first top of the pops in polystyrene sheets and it was a childsize bed! audience laughter. i was sat with my feet over the end, thinking, this is not how it's supposed to be! he continued to live the dream with feel—good chart hits. # all that's missing is the sea # but don't worry, you can suntan #.

then came a change of tone and direction. # i'm never gonna dance again. # guilty feet have got no rhythm # leading to a career as a soulful solo artist. his first album, faith, sold over 25 million copies, garnered awards galore, and sealed his reputation as a major international artist. it was like, oh my god, i'm a massive star, right? oh my god, i'm a massive star. and i think i may be a poof, what am i going to do?! this is not going to end well! i would just like to say... that was the turning point for me.

that was the point at which i had to negotiate some new relationship with celebrity that was not going to destroy me, you know? on stage, that was no problem. his talents were widely admired. but his private life was a different matter. the homophobia was just flying! they were loving it! to be able to say that this man who had hidden from them for the best part of six years, by then, or seven years, the idea that he had been this tragic, old—fashioned, stereotypical cottager, they just loved it! the whole experience led to this song, and its ironic, cheeky video, too. there were other problems with drugs, addiction and a spell

in prison after crashing his car into a shop in london. his sense of humour remained, however. what you get up to in your spare time is up to you. then why can't i come to comic relief? because you are a joke, george! it's embarrassing. i can't walk into comic relief with you. comic relief is about helping people like you! he collaborated with many other singers, including elton john, who today wrote, i have lost the kindest, most generous soul and brilliant artist. madonna also bade him farewell. his old wham partner, andrew ridgely, said he was heartbroken at the loss of his beloved friend. tonight his former partner, kenny goss released a statement. that george michael was one

of britain's biggest pop stars is without question. the hundred million—plus albums he sold and the continual presence of his music on our radios and the sold—out arena tours stands out as testaments to his talent. he was a generous man who made anonymous contributions. he made life—affirming music that touched, and will continue to touch, millions of fans the world over. the british music & film producer martin lewis first met george michael in 1984 — when, he told me, he was thrilled

to be asked to produce a documentary about wham's historic visit to china. it was a bizarre juxtaposition. the chinese government at that time wa nted chinese government at that time wanted to send a message that they we re wanted to send a message that they were liberalising and open to western culture but they did not prepare people that well for it and even the sight of western folks wandering around, particularly jest in colourful attire, was unusual for the chinese and, frankly, was interesting for george to encounter a different culture. he originally went along to going to china because his manager wanted it as a publicity stu nt for his manager wanted it as a publicity stunt for the band to breakthrough in america but it took a life of its on. he to china at a time when people were a bit traumatised, they

had just come out of the cultural revolution and did not really dead to be individual and he can't visit to be individual and he can't visit to individuals who are very distinctive and colourful? it was interesting. the director hugh i picked to direct the documentary, i heard him saying the night before, you are at the apostles of the new materialism which george was particularly tickled by an it was a cultural revelation, if you like. during the making of the film and while we were there, and it start to see the seeds of what was a challenge for george. he loved to make music, that was his big thing, and then suddenly he had to play the same game, to appease the british tabloid media and having to do all the things they wanted and he was resentful that he could not survive

on the meritocracy of his music but had to satisfy the media in order to reach the public. stay with us on bbc news — still to come. joy for the french seafarer who's set a new record for sailing around the world single—handed without stopping. the most ambitious financial and political change ever attempted has got under way with the introduction of the euro. in holland were going to use muggy we picked up in belgium today and then france and again the same muggy, it's got to be the way to go. george harrison, the former beatle, is recovering in hospital after being stabbed at his 0xfordshire home. a 33—year—old man from liverpool is being interviewed by

police on suspicion of attempted murder. i think it was good. just good? no, fantastic. that's better. this is bbc news. i'm phillipa thomas. the latest headlines: japan's prime minister is on an historic visit to hawaii where's he's paid his respect at a us military cemetery. it's 75 years since the bombing of pearl harbor which drew america into the second world war. there've been tributes from fans and fellow artists alike for george michael following his death at the age of 53. his partner says he will never stop missing him. russia has observed a day of mourning after a military plane crashed on sunday, killing all 92 people on board. at the crash site in the black sea, a0 ships and more than 3,000 people are involved

in the search operation. one of the main objectives is to find the aircraft's black box flight recorder, which is likely to contain information about the cause. steve rosenberg reports from moscow. across russia, they prayed for the dead, for the 92 victims of yesterday's plane crash. there was a special service today in every orthodox church in russia. this is a day of national mourning. this may be the last picture ever taken of the tupolev154. a few hours later, it crashed into the black sea.

there were none, but for bodies. we determined these parts belonged to the playing. russia's transport minister said technical failure or pilot error may have caused the crash. terrorism is thought less likely. killed in the crash, more than 60 members of the russian army's song and dance troupe. they'd been on their way to syria for a new year's concert. outside the musicians' headquarters in moscow, there is now a shrine, which grows bigger by the hour. as well as bringing flowers, and icons and candles here, people have been leaving messages. this one says, "you were killed on take—off, farewell, friends. "you won't be returning,

we couldn't save you". natalia's son used to work in the ensemble, but left. we mourn with everybody else, she says, there is pain deep in my soul. officially, there is one day of national mourning but for many russians the sense of loss from this disaster will last much longer. steve rosenberg, bbc news, moscow. in other news: the columbian authorities investigating the plane crash last month in which 71 people died have concluded the aircraft ran out of fuel. the plane, which was carrying brazil's chapecoense football club, crashed near the city of medellin. six people survived. on a leaked tape, the pilot who died was heard warning of a total electric failure and lack of fuel. but he never made a formal distress call.

the south korean woman at the heart of a corruption scandal which has engulfed the presidency of park geun—hye has finally been questioned by members of parliament inside the detention centre where she is being held. choi soon—sil was interviewed behind closed doors, after the authorities refused to allow a televised hearing. a record amount of rainfall has led to the closure of australia's famous national park at uluru. waterfalls appeared on the landmark, also known as ayres rock, in central australia. the bureau of meteorology described the massive christmas storm as a once—in—half—a—century weather event. the world's fastest land animal, the cheetah, is said to be rapidly heading for extinction. a study by the national academy of sciences in the us says cheetahs a study by the national academy of sciences in the us says cheetahs are coming increasingly into conflict with human beings as they roam far beyond protected areas.

0nly around 7,000 cheetahs now remain in the wild across africa and in a small area of iran. doctor laurie marker, founder of cheetah conservation, has been telling me why the numbers are falling. it's certainly bringing the numbers together from all the years of research that a collective group of us research that a collective group of us have been involved in showing that the numbers are primarily outside of protected areas, which puts them at a very critical point. most of the cheaters are not in protected areas, which makes them more vulnerable to land use changes, to conflict, and that's why we're quite concerned. what about poaching, are they also vulnerable to illegal human activities? they are, yes indeed. there's quite an illegal wildlife trafficking in cubs

actually that's gone on from the northern parts of africa into the horn of africa and into the gulf of africa, or the gulf states, which we've been quite concerned about as well. the other issues really revolve around the larger populations that are outside of protected areas where we've lost about over 85% of the range of where the cheaters are found. some countries like angola just north of you i know are developing new plans to try to save cheaters, what's most important to try to do here? angola, we've worked there for a number of yea rs, we've worked there for a number of years, they are just starting to get numbers around where some of the cheaters are. this has been part of the process called the range wide cheater and wild dog programme, working with the range countries throughout africa. angola was where

oui’ throughout africa. angola was where our last range wide meeting occurred. the big threats really are loss of habitat and again the fact they are found outside of protected areas. that puts them in more conflict with people, with human wildlife conflict, around livestock loss, so that's the biggest problem, though got huge home ranges, they're not just though got huge home ranges, they're notjust in one country, they are crossing different borders, and that's why working together with the new range wide programmes and coming together and working together with governments and policies, as well as looking at programmes that will help the cheetah by working with the people on whose land the cheaters are living. and you can find out much more about the plight of the cheetah from our environment correspondent matt mcgrath at the bbc news site online, including a link to doctor marker‘s research at the cheetah conservation fund.

a french seafarer has set a new record for sailing around the world single—handed without stopping. in his fifth attempt, it just took 49 days for thomas coville to beat the previous record, also set by a frenchman, francis joyon. daniela relph has the story. he looked as though he couldn't quite believe he had done it. the arrival in the port of breast in north—west france, the moment thomas coville truly knew the weeks of long, lonely, gruelling days were over. on the quayside, hundreds out to welcome him back. 49 days after he left on his round the world trip. family, friends and others who had made thisjourney family, friends and others who had made this journey possible. addressing the crowd, he said he had felt an intense and deep joy. addressing the crowd, he said he had felt an intense and deepjoy. he told them he had tried, he had dead, he had never given up and today it had worked out. it was thomas coville's fifth attempt at breaking the record. alone in his vote he had rarely slept for more than three

hours at a time. his solo route around the world had taken him from brest, past the cape of good hope and cape horn. he travelled around 52,000 kilometres and had been lucky with unusually good weather. thomas coville had devoted the past ten yea rs of coville had devoted the past ten years of his life to breaking this record, but he didn'tjust break it, he smashed it, taking eight days of the previous one set in 2008. he said he now had just one desire, to sleep and to let his mind rest. daniela ritorto, bbc news. and finally, to some pictures we think you will love. newborn giant panda twins at a safari park in china's guangdong province started to meet with visitors from today. a campaign to name the panda twins is currently under way. i'm sure we will see more of them! thanks very much for much for watching us on bbc news. after the fairly windy spell of

weather that many saw over the festive period, things are turning colder and much quieter. here's the scene in highland scotla nd here's the scene in highland scotland on monday, some snow over higher ground. some sunshine to see out boxing day across the isle of wight. high pressure is dominating the weather for everyone as we head through the day on tuesday. the isobar is barely widely spaced for the most part, much less windy than in recent days. frost and lots of fog patches around especially in england and wales, further north, more cloud and breeze around. the king around the country at 9am, across the bulk of england and wales, a fine start to the coldest night we have seen in a little while, some frost around and a few mist and fog patches. further north across northern england and northern ireland, more cloud and again a chilly start to the day, some isolated showers in the far

north—west of scotland, perhaps some rainfora time north—west of scotland, perhaps some rain for a time across the northern isles but that should clear then looking dry across—the—board on tuesday. a decent day for heading out into the countryside for a walk, lots of sunshine on other, some patchy cloud here and there and in a few places the mist and fog will be slow to clear so colder than we've seen recently, why is between 6—8. tuesday evening looks a bit chilly but clear and dry. the main problem will be mist and fog building. as we head into the middle part of the week, high pressure stays with us across the country and with those like winds and relatively clear skies i think we will wake up to seems like this. locally some dense patches of fog around, especially on wednesday onwards, through the rest of the week it will cause some disruption. if you have travel plans by airor road disruption. if you have travel plans by air or road it could be a foggy picture by the time we get to wednesday, particularly across england and wales. less bogged in scotla nd england and wales. less bogged in scotland and northern ireland, more breeze and cloud here. temperatures

between 3—9. where the fog lingers inafew between 3—9. where the fog lingers in a few pockets it will be pretty cold and great for much of the day on wednesday. where the fog clears, some glorious spells of sunshine. into the latter part of the week, a weather front to the far north—west of scotland, breezy here and perhaps rain later on thursday but it is high pressure dominating really. looking ahead to thursday and friday, things are mainly dry, variable amounts of cloud but watch out for the potential for some variable amounts of cloud but watch out for the potentialfor some mist and fog and all around too. bye for now. the latest headlines from bbc news: japan's prime minister has paid his respect at an american ceremony. it comes 75 yea rs respect at an american ceremony. it comes 75 years afterjapan's bombing of pearl harbor. the attack drew the us into world war two. they have been tributes for fans and fellow

artists after the death of george michael. andrew ridgeley said he was heartbroken at the loss of my beloved friend and sir eltonjohn bond beloved artist. and the remains ofa bond beloved artist. and the remains of a russian military plane is still being searched for. investigators are looking for the black box which could give them clues as to the cause of the crash. coming up next on bbc news, it is reporters.