a very warm welcome to bbc news, broadcasting to our viewers in north america and around the globe. my name is tom donkin. here's our top stories. north korea on parade to commemorate its founding father — but as tensions grow, will there be an act of defiance against the us? a simple tactical decision or a show of strength to the world? we assess the impact of america's bomb attack on afghanistan. we're also on the front line in iraq, as security forces surround the old city of mosul, ahead of an all—out assault. and coming to a screen near you, there's a star wars frenzy — as fans get their first glimpse of the lastjedi. north korea is thought to be preparing for a massive military

parade which is due to start in a few hours. troops are gathering in the capital to mark the anniversary of the founder of the country, kim il—sung. there's speculation that his grandson — the current leader kimjong—un — could carry out a nuclear test, the country's sixth, as it marks the national holiday. our reporterjohn sudworth is in pyongyang with a group of foreign journalists invited to witness the event — and his movements are closely monitored. they sing. in north korea, the spectre of war looms large over daily life. these girls are singing about being soldiers... while, not far away, real ones crowd into a shrine to the country's founding president, general kim il—sung. these are scenes akin to a religious pilgrimage,

but of course, in honour of a still—ruling family dynasty who have at their disposal all of the myth that would rival any of the world's great religions. and as the country prepares to display its devotion at the anniversary of kim il—sung's birth this weekend, there's an awareness of the rising tension with america. translation: we should have the nuclear weapons. if we do not have nuclear weapons, the nuclear weapon of another country will fall on our soil. translation: it doesn't matter whether the americans make the situation on the korean peninsula tense. it doesn't matter. we feel safe because we have the great leader, kimjong—un. this week, the current

ruler, kim jong—un, held this meeting where his late grandfather was honoured. he is also thought to be planning a massive military parade as a powerful tribute, and a message of defiance. children sing. this is a country where art and armaments are blended in singular purpose, to demonstrate to the watching world that its nuclear ambitions will not be stopped. john sudworth, bbc news, pyongyang. north korea's army has promised what it called a "merciless" response to any us provocation, reflecting growing tension about the country's nuclear and weapons programmes. china has called for calm, saying it fears conflict could break out at any moment. the appeal came just hours after america dropped a huge bomb on so—called islamic state militants in afghanistan. our security correspondent frank gardner reports.

a powerful armada, in the words of president trump. this is the us navy's carl vinson carrier battle group, equipped with 90 strike aircraft and other weapons and diverted to the seas off north korea. mr trump is hoping it will intimidate that country's isolated regime into abandoning any further nuclear tests or long—range missile launches. china has warned of the imminent danger of a war being triggered on the korean peninsula, and north korea remains defiant, saying it's ready to respond to any attack with nuclear weapons. meanwhile, in afghanistan, the us has dropped an immense bomb — 11 tonnes of high explosive dropped on an isis tunnel complex in the mountains of eastern afghanistan. the blast was felt 30 miles away. the weapon used is called a moab, a massive ordnance airburst, also known as the mother of all bombs. this was its first

time used in combat. this was the right weapon against the right target. we will continue to work shoulder to shoulder with our afghan comrades to eliminate this threat to the afghan people, especially the people of nangarhar, to the people of the entire region and indeed, the people around the world. local villagers confirmed that isis fighters had set up bases in the mountains behind them, and said the bomb had hit its target. but the strike was condemned by both so—called islamic state and afghanistan's former president. how could the united states use afghanistan as its ground for experiments, for testing weapons of mass destruction on our soil? president trump's targets now include three major problem areas for the us — afghanistan, syria and north korea. the massive weapon that the pentagon has used in afghanistan is intended to send a message to its enemies that "you're not safe underground".

in syria, the trump administration will be hoping that last week's cruise missile strike will deter presdent assad from any further chemical attacks. but north korea is the biggest gamble. mr trump is hoping that sending this powerful naval armada offshore will deter any further nuclear tests. the question now, though, is can he manage three global crises simultaneously? it's very possible that if these three scenarios come together, syria, afghanistan and north korea, that it would overwhelm the policy—making capabilities of mr trump's administration, it will overwhelm the strategic planning capabilities of the pentagon and it would overwhelm the resource capabilities of the us military. but president trump and his entourage now feel they're on a roll, tackling head—on the foreign policy challenges the previous administration was unable to resolve. there is now the risk that ramping up the rhetoric could lead america

into more conflict, or that in the absence of any swift resolutions, mr trump may simply turn his back on foreign adventures and focus instead on domestic issues. frank gardner, bbc news. so what do we know so far about donald trump's strategy? the bbc‘s laura bicker is in washington. donald trump has sent what he described is a very powerful armada, a naval strikeforce to the korean peninsula, they are there and standing by, just in case. that north korea intends to carry out a sixth nuclear test, donald trump in the past has used language like "it won't happen", and in the last few hours, he said that north korea is "doing the wrong thing, making a big mistake." remember this is a president that within the last week alone has shown that not only is he willing to act,

he is willing to act without warning. consider that syrian strike just last week, he casually turned to the president of china over dinner, while remarking about how nice the chocolate cake is, he then turns around and says he sent 59 cruise missiles to syria. that is a strong message that not only is he sending to china but he is sending to china's neighbours in north korea. he is trying to tell the world that there is a new sheriff in town, that there is a man in the white house who unlike his predecessor is willing to act and cross, when he said there would be a red line, and if anyone crosses it, he is willing to act on it. and of course we have seen the us deploying its naval force around the korean peninsula, it won't have gone unnoticed that it is a sensitive time to be doing that, even if as we are being told, the secretary of state is saying it is just routine.

they are saying it is routine, but yes, they are in an area, a very sensitive area at a time when north korea may be perhaps preparing to launch its six nuclear tests. it can be not entirely by accident, but what donald trump's long—term strategy is when dealing with each of these foreign crises, is right now, it is unclear. what we are looking at is a president who is now giving more leeway to his generals at the pentagon, he also appears to be listening to them at the moment, he has surrounded himself by experts when it comes to military fields, he has surrounded himself with generals that he feels he trusts and whose advice he is listening to. but this is also a very unpredictable president trump. he is also a very avid twitter fan, so everything can change

in 140 characters or less. in iraq a military commander has told the bbc that one of the highest religious authorities in the islamic state group has been killed. he says abdullah al—badrani died in an airstrike in mosul on thursday evening. iraqi security forces have been surrounding the old city ahead of an all—out assault. our defence correspondent jonathan beale sent this report from the front line. the prize is in their sight. the old city of mosul and its most famous landmark, the leaning minaret of the al—nuri mosque. this is where abu bakr al—baghdadi first appeared as caliph of the so—called islamic state. they still control it and most of what you can see. but for how much longer? translation: the mosque is now very near and soon

we will advance. we know the enemy is weak and on its last legs. a visit to the front line, though, tells a different story. for the past few weeks, the iraqi advance has slowed to a crawl. resistance is still fierce. these federal police are surrounded on two sides by is and they are firing on their positions from here. snipers, is snipers, just about 100 metres from this position. and you can see the rounds, the is rounds, coming in here, fairly regularly. tens of thousands of civilians are still trapped, caught in the crossfire. much of mosul has already been turned to rubble. even in these deserted streets, recently secured, there is nowjust the debris of war.

here, discarded is military uniforms, and nearby, one of their many improvised bombs. but the enemy is not just hiding in the city. wejoined an iraqi intelligence unit hunting down is infiltrators and collaborators who have already escaped. now seeking shelter and avoiding capture — in camps, living alongside the innocents of this war, who fled the fighting. how often do you do this? do you do this often? always, every day, every night. you are finding isis fighters in these camps? in the camp or some in his house, in mosul. everywhere. the extremists may be losing their grip on mosul

but even if they are defeated, is won't have gone away. jonathan beale, bbc news, mosul. will a crime reporter has been shot in northeastern mexico, the fourth to be killed in the last month. maximino rodriguez palacios was killed by gunmen outside a shop in his car. he had worked as a spokesman for the state supreme court and as a local crime reporter. mexico is ranked the third most dangerous country in the world forjournalists. stay with us on bbc news, still to come: force of nature — go to the clearest view of human activity and settlement across the earth. pol pot, one of the century's greatest mass murderers is reported to have died of natural causes. he and the khmer rouge movement

he led were responsible for the deaths of an estimated 1.7 million cambodians. there have been violent protests in indonesia where playboy has gone on sale for the first time. traditionalist muslim leaders have expressed disgust. the magazine's offices have been attacked and its editorial staff have gone into hiding. it was clear that paula's only contest was with the clock and as for a sporting legacy, paula radcliffe's competitors will be chasing her new world best time for years to come. quite quietly, but quicker and quicker, she seemed just to slide away under the surface and disappear. this is bbc news. i'm tom donkin.

the latest headlines: as north korea commemorates its founding father, concern commemorates its founding father, concern is growing in the region that the act of defiance against the west could spark conflict. the us military says it was a tactical decision to drop a huge bomb on is hideout in afghanistan, but as pictures emerge, questions are being asked about whether it was a show of strength to the world. north korea is holding a military parade to mark the 105th anniversary of its founder, kim il—sung. the event of its founder, kim il—sung. the eve nt co m es of its founder, kim il—sung. the event comes amid rising tensions on the peninsula amid concern that the reclusive north could soon conduct its six nuclear test or more missile launchers in defiance of un sanctions. here we are light in pyongyang, where we can see the start of a massive military parade. these are highly co—ordinated events. you can see the formation of military personnel. we are

expecting, as we often see, hear, hundreds of military trucks driving through the streets, carrying cheering people ahead of the parade, which marks the 105th anniversary of the country's founding father. —— here. there you can see live in pyongyang be start of the huge military parade. the celebrations this year have taken on additional meaning as they take place amid one of the most, i guess, tense periods of the most, i guess, tense periods of relations. we have seen very tense periods of relations between the us and north korea. this will define what happens in the period ahead, what happens in next 2a to 48 hours. ahead, what happens in next 24 to 48 hours. but we see now the start of a mass military parade in north korea. the p young. therefore the birth of the founding father, the long dead

kim il—sung. we will bring you more on that as we get it. now, to the movie trailer that has sent star wars fans into a frenzy. now, to the movie trailer that has sent star wars fans into a frenzylj only sent star wars fans into a frenzy.” only know one truth. it is time for thejedi to only know one truth. it is time for the jedi to end. only know one truth. it is time for the jedi to end. this clip, released on the internet, is the first look at the latest wars film, the last jedi. it follows on from the force awa ke ns jedi. it follows on from the force awa kens and will feature jedi. it follows on from the force awakens and will feature the late carrie fisher. the trailer was unveiled at a star wars celebration in florida, and thousands rush to watch it online injust in florida, and thousands rush to watch it online in just the first few minutes. 0ne watch it online in just the first few minutes. one of those were scott casanova. the huge banner the films and a contributor to the bob fat fan club. hejoins and a contributor to the bob fat fan club. he joins us and a contributor to the bob fat fan club. hejoins us from new and a contributor to the bob fat fan club. he joins us from new york. and a contributor to the bob fat fan club. hejoins us from new york. —— boba fett. these trailers are becoming as talked about as the

films themselves. you watch it more than once i am sure. what do you think? it is very exciting. after her death, fans will be happy to see the late carrie fisher in what seems to be quite a pivotal role in this movie. yes. it will be bittersweet. we have seen that in other films, recently, as well, where actors have passed and then films have come out. what is your impression of this? doesn't actually matter how good the plotlines are of these movies, or how good the battle signs are? basically, people will pay their money to see any phone connectivity franchise, won't they?” money to see any phone connectivity franchise, won't they? i think there is about. there is a new film coming out and we had to see it. but for the real star wars fans, it is the story that matters. that is how george lucas but this franchise from the get go. it has been very story

centric. the empire strikes back is often cited as the best or miniseries. and that is almost all story. a little action. -- strikes back. it does seem that this is a rejuvenation of the franchise after a period where the prickles came out and it was criticism of those films. they worked said to be very disney. now that they own it, it you think it will help the franchise?” now that they own it, it you think it will help the franchise? i think any time you have disney money involved, it will help. disney have shown that they are willing to take chances. they had a lot of people die in the force awakens. i think that was the right decision in the writing. very good of you to join us, scott casanova. live in new york, you are very excited about the new film the lastjedi. the canadian rockies are welcoming

back some new friends —— old friends. by then were hunted to near extinction, but things to a new programme, a herd of16 extinction, but things to a new programme, a herd of 16 animals have been richard used to be banff national park. —— re— introduced. when the bison comes, it brings with it notjust the physical animal. it brings its spirit. the word for bison iinii in blackfoot... when i was born, natives didn't have the vote. natives could not drink alcohol freely. for saying that word, you would have read percussions. being beaten, being whipped. i don't think we will ever see those massive, massive,

100,000—plus herds again. but having them back here is having them come back home. i think we are now all of one mind. the future looks very, very promising. it is an absolutely unprecedented agreement between all the indigenous people in this area. without their support and traditional knowledge, and the advice and input that we received from them, this project wouldn't have been possible. the first nations people and the bison are from the same world, and we have similar challenges. we are both still here, and we are both coming back. in other news: this hour: the trump

administration will not make public the visitor logs to the white house. it will detail who has visited the president and his staff. the white house said they would be kept secret for at least five years after president donald trump leaves office, citing national security risks and privacy concerns. president 0bama disclose information of6 president 0bama disclose information of 6 million visits voluntarily. little italy have arrested a mafia boss had escaped from prison last year. sicilian concetto bonaccorsi had been serving a life sentence before murder, and just trafficking. he was recaptured after police followed his wife had spotted him preparing a barbecue outside a flat in tuscany. we will take you back of the gang, where we can see the leader of that country, chickenjohn bond, arriving for the mass military

parade in the capital. —— kim jong—un. you can see the military generals and top rice lining up. there are years, the man himself, who has attracted much attention in just the last few days. —— top brass. there is a ratcheting up of tensions between north korea and the us after president donald trump said what he called a powerful armada toward the korean peninsula. this as a show of strength. and perhaps a deterrent for any impairing tomic impending nuclear test, which people have speculated might happen today. —— any impending nuclear test. today, north korea is celebrating the birth of the founder of north korea. and you can see the leader they are walking the red carpet. it is always a very highly co—ordinated event, this show of strength to the rest of the world. the rest of the

world, obviously, very much isolated from north korea. china are really the only ally, or country which the north communicates with, and president donald trump recently spoke to china's leader about the situation in north korea. shortly after that meeting, he sent that fleet of vessels towards north korea's coast. as you can see that, the formations, the tight formations of military personnel. after this, we expect to see military trucks an army tank striding through the streets, and a huge display of the country's military might. there is a cause much concern country's military might. there is a cause much concern of what might happen in the next 24 to 48 hours. there has been a hive of activity around the country's nuclear test site, which has led many to the conclusion that a test might be

imminent. but that has not been confirmed whatsoever. what we do know is that the country is marking the founder's 105th birthday. he is still very much an ever present force in the country, the leader, kim il—sung. here, we can see basically silenced as kim john moylan, the currently, stands before his impressive military might. —— kimjong—nam. his impressive military might. —— kim jong—nam. we'll bring his impressive military might. —— kimjong—nam. we'll bring you more on this as it happens. —— kim jong—un. there you have it. live shots from pyongyang. and that is about all the time we have you hear on bbc world news. do stay with us. we'll bring you more on that and all the day's news at the top of the hour. but for now, it is goodbye. hello.

rain for some of us on good friday. for very few of us, though, during saturday. it is an easter weekend of up—and—down weather. it is cool throughout, but there are sunnier days, saturday will be one. there are also wetter days. looks like for some of us, the rain will come back on easter, and into easter monday. we'll start with saturday. a cloudy start across parts of southern england. it will brighten up. sunny spells from the word go, elsewhere. it is quite a blustery day across the northern half of the uk. some gales across parts of northern scotland, and the showers are going to be most frequent coming to northern scotland. there will be some snow on the higher hills. there will be a few showers in northern ireland, scotland, and a few pushing into northern england on the wind as well. it will be breezy, so they will move through quite quickly. for the rest of england and for wales, we will see very few showers here. just one or two around, but the vast majority will stay dry. not quite as windy the further south

we come, but it is a cooler, fresher feel wherever you are, especially in the breeze. through the day, the showers will come into scotland, most frequent in northern scotland, wintry on the hills. one or two for northern ireland and northern england, but very few for the rest of england, and for wales, where it will be largely dry. those temperatures down compared with good friday, so 14 degrees possible in london, only nine in glasgow. for most of us, we will be around 9—12 degrees, with the wind making you feel cooler. bear that in mind if you areheading into the higher scottish hills and mountains. so wind chill will be a factor. there could be some snow showers as well, so some wintry conditions, you have to be prepared. going to saturday evening, it will be chilly. many of the showers will start to fade away, so we're left with a mainly dry saturday evening, but watching a weather system coming in from the atlantic for part two of the weekend. that is easter day, for sunday. there is a risk of some snow into the scottish uplands, perhaps the higher parts of the pennines, too, for a time, as the wet weather pushes across northern england, wales, east anglia, the midlands,

leaving southern england dry. some uncertainty about the position and timing of this weather system. so keep watching the forecast during saturday if you've got plans on sunday, easter day. those temperatures around nine to 15 celsius. for easter monday, we're dealing with showers, most frequent down the east coast of the uk, where it will be windy. but there will be sunny spells around, too. once the cloud clears away on monday night, it is looking frosty, and we've got some very chilly nights for this time of year coming up next week. the latest headlines from bbc news. north korea has accused the us of putting the korean peninsula at risk of thermo—nuclear war — by sending warships to the region. speculation is mounting that pyongyang is about to conduct a sixth nuclear test — as it celebrates a key anniversary with a military parade. us commanders have insisted that the huge bomb used against so—called islamic state in afghanistan was the right weapon for thejob.

afghan officials say there were no civilian casualties, but 36 is fighters were killed — however the group has denied suffering any losses. several thousand people have been evacuated from four besieged towns in syria as part of a deal between the government and rebels. it's hoped more than 30,000 people will be moved to ease a humanitarian crisis described by the un as "catastrophic". the national union of teachers says it's prepared to take legal action against the government, over plans which it believes are being used to expand selective education in england.