welcome to bbc news, broadcasting at home and around the globe. i'm ben bland. our top stories: the south korean defence ministry says north korea has fired a missile into the sea of japan. japan's prime minister says the launch is absolutely intolerable. north korea has test fired another ballistic missile. its first since donald trump became us president. it was launched from an airbase and flew 500 kilometres east into the sea of japan. the flew 500 kilometres east into the sea ofjapan. the pentagon says attract the missile and concluded it

was a media more intermediate range missile. a short time ago, president kaymack and the japanese from minister held a joint news conference. north korea's most recent missile launch is absolutely intolerable. north korea must fully comply with the relevant us 0 -- un north korea must fully comply with the relevant us 0 -— un security council resolutions. during the summit meeting that i had with president trump, he assured me that the united states will always be with japan 100% had to demonstrate his determination as well as commitment, is now here with me at

thisjoint press commitment, is now here with me at this joint press conference. president trump and i myself com pletely president trump and i myself completely assure you that we are going to promote further collaboration into the two nations and also we are going to further reinforce our alliance. thank you very much, mr prime minister. ijust wa nt very much, mr prime minister. ijust want everybody to understand and fully know that the united states of america stands behind japan, its great ally, 100%. thank you. let's get more from the bbc‘s kevin kim in seoul. kevin, what has been the reaction from south korea 7 kevin, what has been the reaction from south korea? the south korean government has called this a great provocation and i think north korean

observer will be looking at this missile launch because it may not have been a coincidence. the concern is about the direction resident trump's relations may go. north korea has warned that its capabilities were there completion. president trump has made it clear he will not let this happen. the miscalculation of intentions may lead to an escalation of events which could ultimately end up in real military complication are long and already tense border. in times of difficulty, will president trump be able to take measured steps over in emotional responses? that is the big question. the timing of this missile test by north korea comes quite soon after donald trump talked

about the alliance between the us andjapan being about the alliance between the us and japan being the cornerstone of peace and stability in the region. is there any significance in these missile tests being carried out while the japanese prime minister is being hosted in the us?” while the japanese prime minister is being hosted in the us? i think north korean observers would argue that north korea's actions today we re that north korea's actions today were based on trying to attract attention. under the leadership of kimjong—un, attention. under the leadership of kim jong—un, north korea attention. under the leadership of kimjong—un, north korea has tested more ballistic missiles last year than during the last 20 years rule of his father and many believe that there are various reasons behind this but there may be true intentions of north korea want to protect. thank you very much for the update. this is bbc news. stay with

us update. this is bbc news. stay with us for more on the wales stranded in new zealand. donald trump says the usjustice new zealand. donald trump says the us justice system is new zealand. donald trump says the usjustice system is broken. in a tweet, he quoted a newspaper ‘s assertion that 77% of refugees allowed in since the travel ban was suspended came from the seven suspect countries, calling it so dangerous. president trump has spent most of the day in the company of shinzo abe, who has spent the day in what has become known as the winter white house, president trump's florida retreat. the two men took to the trump golf course in the morning. that hasn't prevented mr trump from tweeting. in his weekly address to the nation,

mr trump said he believed urgent action was needed to protect the united states from the threat of terrorism. we will continue to fight to take all necessary and legal action to keep terrorists, radical and dangerous extremists, from ever entering our country. we will not allow our generous system of immigration to be turned against us as a tool for terrorism, and truly bad people. mr trump has said he is now looking beyond the legal system for a means of implementing his travel ban, and that may include filing a revised executive order which addresses the judge's concerns, among them the fact that, since the september 11 attacks, nobody in the united states has been killed in a terrorist incident carried out by a citizen of any of the countries mentioned in the ban. issuing a new order would be tantamount to admitting that the administration didn't think

it could easily overturn the appeals court decision. but, with challenges mounting in courts across the land, starting all over again might prove the easiest, and perhaps the only, solution. david willis, bbc news, washington. let's go to iraq now — where clashes in the capital baghdad have left at least five people dead. the trouble broke out between the security forces and supporters of the powerful shia muslim cleric muqtada al—sadr. it happened during a demonstration against government corruption. alan johnston reports. huge numbers of demonstraters converged on a square in the heart of baghdad. they chanted anti—government slogans. they complained of corruption, and demanded changes to a commission which oversees elections. translation: we call for the electoral commission

to be changed. this commission is corrupt, and created by the corrupted. if they don't change it, we will continue to demonstrate until they do. the upcoming steps we take will be more severe. if they don't respond to our demands, we will implement them with force. translation: we demand a change of government. we want patriotic people to replace them, and start rebuilding iraq. the elections were manipulated, and a sham. every four years we have the same people. we want honest people. then some protesters tried to move towards a nearby area, known as the green zone, which houses government ministries. video images from the scene show tear gas filling the air, and the sound of explosions and gunfire can be heard. alan johnston, bbc news. in afghanistan — at least six people

have been killed and many more wounded in a blast in southern helmand province. the explosion took place in the provincial capital lashkar gah. the taliban has said it was behind the attack. a spokesperson for the regional governor told the bbc the attacker drove a car into an afghan national army vehicle parked near a bank. uliya atrafi reports from the capital kabul. u nfortu nately, we unfortunately, we don't have that report but we will try to bring it to you a little later. anti—government protesters in romania have turned out for the twelfth day running to demand the resignation of the social democrat—led administration. protesters fear that proposed laws redefining corruption offences will revive much of a government decree that was scrapped just a week ago. they're calling for country's prime minister to leave office — as greg dawson reports. the crowds may have thinned from a week ago, but several thousand remain outside

the parliaments in bucharest. what began as protests against plans to decriminalise some corruption offences has become a movement with a much bigger ambition. i think this is our revolution. ithink... we hope it's a new revolution, to change something in this country, to change the mentality. because enough is enough! the government only took office a month ago, and said the law change was needed to reduce the prison population. but protesters said it was a measure designed to help some politicians avoid jail time. after facing the largest demonstrations in his country since the fall of communism, romania's prime minister, sorin grindeanu, eventually backed down and agreed to scrap the decree. but his opponents say he can't be trusted, and has to go. they have even got the backing of romania's president, klaus iohannis, who voiced his support for the demonstrators.

but that, in turn, has now triggered rival pro—government protests. around 300 demonstrators rallied outside the presidential palace. they say they back their new government, and are angry at their president's involvement. he divided romania. he has no right. no, not at all! please, our president, help romania, help us to work, to be together. on wednesday, the government survived a no—confidence motion in the romanian parliament, and the prime minister made clear he has no intention of leaving. but nor do the protesters, who are promising a much bigger rally on sunday night to make their point. greg dawson, bbc news. swiss voters are going to the polls on sunday to decide on a proposal

to relax switzerland's traditionally strict rules on citizenship. it would make it easier for third generation immigrants, people who were born in switzerland, and whose parents and grandparents already lived permanently in the country, to become swiss nationals. imogen foulkes reports. becoming swiss is long and often costly. candidates must typically live 12 years in switzerland before they can apply, speak a swiss language, and show they are integrated in interviews and tests. the fee can run to several thousand pounds. supporters of the plan to simplify the process say it is ridiculous to ask people who are born and have lived all their lives in switzerland to prove they are integrated. translation: we're talking about a lot of young people who live in switzerland, who were born in switzerland, and even their parents were born here. their grandparents once immigrated in switzerland.

these are actually people who live here, but do not have a red swiss passport. but opponents claim the measures are just the first step in allowing all immigrants to switzerland, 25% of the population is not swiss, to get easy citizenship. an opposition poster of a woman in a burqa, a rarity in switzerland, even suggests the proposal could lead to a so—called islamisation of the country. this, however, may have backfired. 0pinion polls show a majority of voters are likely to back simplified citizenship. but, to pass, the measure will need the support of a majority of swiss cantons, too, and the more conservative rural cantons could still defeat it. it's been a tumultuous few weeks in central italy — which has been hit by earthquakes, heavy snow and landslides. last month, four quakes

above magnitude five — struck in just a day, isolating villages and leaving thousands of families without power. now snow in the abruzzo region, just east of rome, is melting and causing sudden flooding and yet more landslides. david campa nale reports. landslides and sinkholes have struck across the abruzzo region after heavy snowfalls, rains and earthquakes. the mountain village of bisenti expects weeks of complete isolation after two landslides blocked the only access roads. even as emergency workers assess the resulting damage, a ridge collapsed, sweeping away part of a provincial road in a few seconds. snow reached two metres in height in this valley and melting caused heavy rains. a collapse ten metres in diameter and ten metres deep has opened on one of the main streets leading

to the historic centre of chieti, which has been badly hit in recent weeks. local administrators don't blame seismic or meteorological events, but point to lack of funds for maintenance. translation: from 2012 to now a series of natural disasters hit the city and it seriously affected the infrastructure. unfortunately this series of disasters means the municipality must continuously deliver exceptional funds for previous disasters, as of 2012 or the flood of 2015. to address this last snowfall we have no funds. we lack funds. in many roads in these central italian regions the asphalt has crumbled so it's difficult even to pass through on foot. david campanale, bbc news. set this is bbc news. the headlines: north korea fires a ballistic missile into the sea of japan.

the south korean military said the flight distance was about 500 kilometres. side by side with president trump: japan's prime minister says the missile launch is "absolutely intolerable". european union countries could struggle to maintain a united front during brexit negotiations, according to the president of the european commission. jean claudejuncker has told a german radio station that the challenge of britain dealing with each country individually will inevitably put pressure on the bloc. 0ur political correspondent chris mason is in westminster. so so often inevitably we focus on the conversation here in written about the forthcoming brexit negotiations, the forthcoming brexit negotiations, the excitement of some and the fear of others. —— britain. at this interview is an insight into the hopes and fears on the other side of the channel and jean—claude juncker acknowledging a potential vulnerability for the eu, that a

block of 27 sitting around the nation will inevitably run the risk is as being divided. he said written could offer something to country a, something else to b and c. up until now there has been an attempt to keep brussels and the eu together as one bloc and they fear that the case. they point to what the pm has said in the past about a positive and strong and constructive relationship with the eu once we are on our side. a reminder of the scale and significant of what's to come. it is just weeks to go under the uk triggers article 50 and the process of brexit begins. 50,000 people have signed a petition urging the government not to scrap a scheme which allows unaccompanied child refugees into the uk. last week the government announced the programme, which has so far brought in 200 vulnerable children, would end in march because it

encouraged people trafficking. but religious leaders have warned children would die as a result of the move and the labour peer lord dubs, a former refugee, also criticised the government's decision. the message to the prime minister is that there are thousands of unaccompanied child refugees in europe who are suffering terribly. particularly in greece and in italy. we should at least take some of them. the government should not close their doors in the arbitrary way they have done. it is not right. parts of western australia are being evacuated as floodwaters threaten people's homes. while in the eastern states, authorities are warning of catastrophic bushfire conditions as tempertures soar past 45 degrees. lucy martin has more. residents evacuate their homes as floodwaters threatened to inundate the west australian town of northam. the nearby avon river has swelled after days of torrential rain. locals say the water levels are the highest they've seen

in 30 years. three people had to be rescued with some properties cut off by the floodwaters. the backyard will probably go under shortly, i reckon. it's only got probably another six inches to go. we've got sandbagged all around so we can try and stop it a little bit. but if it comes, it comes, what can we do? more rain is expected over the next few days and, while the west has has too much of it, australians on the east coast are sweltering through a record—breaking heatwave. temperatures reached over a0 degrees in more than 50 cities and towns across the state of new south wales. the highest was 10.6. authorities say the worst is yet to come. the most catastrophic fire conditions in new south wales' history are expected in parts of the state's north on sunday. it's not another summer's day, it's not another bad fire weather day, this is as bad as it gets

in the circumstances. it is simply not a safe environment, which is why we're making it very clear to people the only safe place to be is not in at risk areas. where thousands of people are taking to the beach. lucy martin, bbc news. bolivian farmers and government officials are fighting a locust plague that's threatening to destroy part of the country's harvests. it comes just as agricultural areas were starting to recover from the country's worst drought in a quarter of a century. sophia tran—thomson has this report. after 25 years of drought, water rationing, conflicts over use and slashed harvests, a plague of locusts is the last thing bolivian farmers need. recent rains relieved the central bolivian city of santa cruz from drought, but injanuary reports

of locusts in the eastern grains belt brought new fears. 500 producers and 1,000 hectares of crops have been affected by the swarming insects. i% of santa cruz‘s grain farms. translation: the authorities, farmers, businesses and fumigation crews are working together to confront this unfortunate situation in santa cruz. it is devastating a lot of cropland, especially small farms, and it is important that we react quickly to early warnings. there is a risk that if the plague spreads further the country's food supply could be in danger. the authorities plan to fumigate 17,000 hectares of land to stop the plague and bolivia's president, evo morales, says argentinian experts have been brought in to assist. translation: it will be difficult to eradicate them, but we have to stop these flying locusts. they are doing a lot of damage to agricultural production. the plague raises the issue

of farming regulations. bolivian producers have lobbied for years for permission to grow genetically modified seeds, resistance to plagues and climate events. but until this plague passes the farmers' next battle will likely have to wait. conservationists in new zealand say more than 200 pilot whales, that had been stranded on a beach on the south island, have re—floated themselves overnight and are back in the sea. only a few remain on sand. hundreds of animals died the previous day when they became stuck in the waters near farewell spit in the south island. fiona lamdin reports. doing whatever they can to help before it's too late. these volunteers have been working for many hours, trying to keep the whales cool as they lie stranded. some say singing also helps to keep them calm, but what they really need is high tide.

very quickly, this tide has come racing in, and now we're all up to our knees, some people up to their waists in water, and we're starting to get a bit of floating happening, and we're just helping assist the whales with their breathing until the water gets deep enough so that they can swim. this is one of the worst whale strandings in new zealand's history. 400 whales came into farewell spit on thursday. but only 100 survived. and then another 240 arrived a day later. conservationists aren't sure why beaching happens. one theory is the shallow water affects their navigation system. the eco—location is designed for deepwater use, and doesn't work very well in shallow water. they become confused when they end up in places like farewell spit, which is a very shallow, sandy beach. and if one does get distressed, and others follow it, it's difficult for them to know which way to go. but at last, there

is some good news. most of these whales managed to refloat. rescue teams will now be focused on the remaining few. the annual venice carnival has opened with a spectacular show along the city's canals. thousands of revellers watched performers apparently floating over the water. bill hayton reports. they came from the abyss, creatures rising from the depths to celebrate carnival. the sea queen surfaced along the cannaregio canal and surrounded by her attendants, floating from the city's watery ways. jellyfish billowed and swam as overhead giant butterflies floated by, celebrating this year's opening theme, the beauty and mystery of the underwater world. they were extravagant. a lot of sea animals. i am from the coast and i love sea animals. this was awesome, an awesome display. the venice carnival is thought to date back to the 12th century,

originally celebrating a military victory. it was revived in 1980 and draws people from all around the world and, just as in the past, extravagant costumes and ornate masks are a big part of the party. it's very exciting. it's very different. we celebrate mardi gras back home but not like this, this is amazing. this was just the first day of the festival. still to come are the masked balls, concerts and costume competitions. celebrations go on right up to the christian festival of lent in three weeks' time and this year, venice is aiming to reach new heights. the displays. don't forget, you can find me and most of the team on twitter. —— impressive displays. the

headline shortly, first the weather forecast. most of the snow that we've seen build up so far over the last 2a hours has been over high ground. for example, near the pennines and west yorkshire, near leeds, a good covering of snow in the last 2a hours. thanks to our weather watcher for sending that picture. generally a fine line between rain and snow. a lot of what you can see on the charts at the moment is rain coming in, but there is the prospect of seeing a centimetre or two of snow maybe in east anglia and maybe across the hills of central southern england through the night. the chilterns and downs at risk of seeing that. for most of us it will be another grey, cloudy and cold start to the day, quite damp too, with outbreaks of rain at lower levels. across the pennines there will be ongoing heavy snow through sunday morning. we could see up to ten centimetres of snow above 300 metres elevation. so quite high up in the pennines, but there is the potential to see some disruptive weather. further west a lot of cloud around. yes, we will have patches of rain. into the hills of east wales it's more likely we will see a bit

of snow here. but for west wales it's a largely dry start, perhaps with a few glimmers of brightness. starting off cloudy, perhaps with patchy rain, sleet over the hills. through the rest of sunday it stays grey and gloomy. the cold wind with us again. temperatures really struggling. the snowiest weather is continuing to affect the pennines, but elsewhere there will tend to be a transition from snow back to rain as we go into the afternoon. the temperature just begin to rise a little bit. highs reaching between 4—6, but feeling colder than that due to the strength of the east, north—easterly winds. rugby union takes place again on sunday. the match between france and scotland probably dry. temperatures about seven degrees, so it should be warmer in france than it is here in the uk. things will get a little bit milder over the next few days, as the wind switches more to a south—easterly direction. the winds won't be as cold. so overnight sunday night the temperatures not as low for most of us, 3—4 typically for england and wales. still cold enough for a sharp frost in northern scotland.

perhaps down to minus five, minus seven here. monday will be especially windy around some of our western coasts and hills. that's something to watch out for. but there should be more sunshine across england and wales. temperatures climbing, but still feeling cold in that easterly wind. further north, grey and gloomy, with patches of rain and drizzle. the trend is that things will turn milder towards the middle part of the week, as we lose the easterly winds. temperatures in london hit 12 by wednesday. the latest headlines from bbc news. i'm ben bland. north korea has fired a ballistic missile into the sea ofjapan. the south korean military said the flight distance was about 500 kilometres. the pentagon confirmed reports of the missile test, saying they thought it was a medium or intermediate range ballistic missile with no threat to america. this has been the first missile launch by north korea since donald trump took office.

the american president held a joint press conference with japanese prime minister shinzo abe. mr abe said the missile launch was absolutely intolerable and mrtrump said he stood by japan. clashes in the iraqi capital baghdad have left at least five people dead. the trouble broke out between the security forces and supporters of the shia muslim cleric muqtada al—sadr. tens of thousands of demonstrators at the rally denounced government corruption and demanded electoral reform. now on bbc news, it's time for click. this week, swan eats fish, cat ignores mouse, and mountain moves man.