this is bbc news. the headlines at 103m. north korea has made a failed attempt to test a missile — hours before the us vice—president arrived in south korea. theresa may urges unity over brexit, as she delivers her first easter message as prime minister. our shared interests, shared ambitions, and above all our shared values can and should bring us together. the evacuation of besieged towns in syria has resumed, following a suicide attack targeting evacuees. more than 100 people were killed. president erdogan casts his vote in a bid to bring in new sweeping powers, that could keep him in power for another 12 years. that's as voters in turkey go to the polls. the world's oldest person has died aged 117 — emma morano was officially the last surviving person born in the 19th century. i think all this talk about girls not boxing is old—fashioned. and coming up...

how the pioneer of women's boxing is being recognised, as part of hull's year as britain's city of culture. good morning and welcome to bbc news. north korea has made a failed attempt to launch a missile, a day after it issued a warning to the united states that it was ready to hit back with nuclear attacks amid escalating tension in the region. the pentagon said the ballistic missile blew up almost immediately. it happened as the us vice president, mike pence, travelled to south korea on a scheduled visit to discuss the north's missile and nuclear programmes. our correspondentjohn sudworth is in pyongyang with the latest. it's almost certain that the missile test is sent and meant as a deterrent, it came just a few hours before the visit to the south korean capital seoul by the us vice president mike pence.

and it's a day after north korea held a massive military parade, a show of strength typical of this most totalitarian of states and at which it unveiled what are believed to be its first intercontinental missiles. it's worth noting that in many regards this is business as usualfor north korea. it has long used brinkmanship and tension to up the ante and then win diplomatic and economic concessions as it steps back from the brink. but with each cycle, moving one step closer towards its goal of becoming a fully fledged nuclear power. what's new in all of this is not what's happening in this capital but in washington, of course, but it seems north korea's actions suggest it's confident that president donald trump, will, like his predecessors before him, eventually conclude that the cost of military

action is simply too great. john sudworth, bbc news, pyongyang. the bbc‘s steve evans is in the south korean capital seoul, speaking to me a little earlier he gave us this update on how the country has reacted to what's happened north of the border. i don't think there is any sense here that people expect anything to happen. we've lived in this kind of state of fierce rhetoric and threats from pyongyang pretty well since 1953 and the tension goes up and comes down. if you go out on the streets here people go about their business, there is no panic buying, nobody is preparing to go out of the city for example and 25 million people live in this region within

range of north korean artillery. the us embassy, business as usual, the us embassy, business as usual, the us embassy, business as usual, the us embassy is not warning citizens to leave, for example, so the assumption of auden read people is that this is another spade, spat between pyongyang and washington and seoul which will come to nothing. but asjohn seoul which will come to nothing. but as john pointed seoul which will come to nothing. but asjohn pointed out, the different element in all of this is the new president in the white house who is talking very, very firmly and toughly. will he do what his predecessors from clinton on words have done and decide that the potential cost of fitting north korea is simply too great in terms of the risk of war? or does see have a different perception of risk? we simply don't know at the moment. the failed missile test comes as washington steps up the pressure on the isolated north, with president donald trump saying that the us is ready to act alone

to deal with the nuclear threat. our correspondent laura bicker reports now on the american response to events in north korea. pyongyang is being warned. these naval warships are within striking distance of the north korean capital. the message — the us is ready to act if provoked. north korea is a problem and the problem will be taken care of. north korea has to change its behaviour. the key time for action is now. china is the key. these talks lay the groundwork. donald trump said he received assurances that they would help put an end to the nuclear ambitions of north korea and believe that is why he has dispatched warships. china is already applying pressure at its border and placed a ban on imports of north korean coal. if president trump is weighing his options, his best hope is in beijing. the us could also push for more un sanctions but critics believe that

punishes the people of north korea, not its leaders. the pentagon has denied any suggestion of a pre—emptive military strike. but donald trump's actions in syria prove he is a president prepared to take action quickly and without warning. us troops in afghanistan are advancing after the dropping of a massive bunker busting bomb known as the mother of all bombs. a display of firepower from the world's strongest military that just might make kim jong—un think twice about launching any attack. theresa may has used her first easter message as prime minister to say the uk is coming together after the brexit vote. the pm said opportunities would emerge from britain's decision to leave the european union thanks to the country's shared ambitions and values. she also stressed her belief in the importance of religious

tolerance and freedom of speech. let us come together as a nation, confident in our values and united in our commitment to the obligations that we have towards one another. let us work together to build that brighter future that we want for our country. and together, build a stronger, fairer britain that truly does work for everyone. the labour leaderjeremy corbyn used his easter message to urge people not to standby in the face of society's problems. he said easter should be a time to reflect on the current challenges both at home and abroad. it would be easy to retreat into our private lives because of challenges that seem overwhelming, allow ourselves to be divided and blame others. we need to respond to these problems through action and support for socialjustice, peace and reconciliation. in rome, thousands of pilgrims have

gathered in the vatican to watch pope francis deliver his easter message. i spoke too soon an hour ago when i said was a lovely morning, the clouds have appeared, lots of umbrellas, the pontiff shielded by the canopy. as he delivers his two additional easter message. that will follow the mass this morning when he will speak to catholics not just in this morning when he will speak to catholics notjust in italy, not just in the vatican but around the world. those who have had the fortune to be in st peter's square to mark this important event in the christian calendar. not just catholics but christians around the world marking easter and the resurrection. the pope will use his address as he often doors to make pleas about individual events taking place around the world, notjust about conflicts, and it's an

important event, of course, in the religious calendar but an important event for pope francis, who has put a lot of preparation, we are told, into this service. these pictures from rome this morning as the pope conducts mass, delivering the traditional easter sunday message to catholics and those of other faiths and those of no faith around the world, he always tries to make it a very ecumenical address. let's talk about one of those conflicts, continuing throughout his time in office as pope. the syrian civil war. the evacuation of syrian residents from towns under siege has resumed, after dozens were killed in a suicide car bomb yesterday on the outskirts of aleppo. the attack happened at a check point where thousands of civilians were waiting on buses to be moved to safety. the bbc‘s lina sinjab is monitoring events from neighbouring lebanon. we can speak to her now — live from beirut. the casualty numbers have risen

overnight, i think it's well over 100. what's the latest on the evacuation itself? as you rightly said the death toll has risen, agencies reporting around 112 killed in this blast yesterday. however, there were fears of retaliation on some buses waiting to be evacuated from the opposition side besieged by the government but so far, what we hear, there was no retaliation, the evacuation went smoothly, and in fa ct, evacuation went smoothly, and in fact, i spoke to some activist to made it through northern syria in the town of idlib. this is the town in idlib province, the town and the province held by the rebels. this is where most of the opposition that

are evacuated not only from the stands yesterday but elsewhere, they are evacuated and it showed solidarity between both sides after the blast that happened where many children and women, mainly civilians, were targeted. we have seen evacuations happening from opposition activists and loyalists, helping women and children who were targeted. we describe it as an evacuation but it also seems to be a swa p evacuation but it also seems to be a swap of competence. people are going from a dangerous place but are they going anywhere safe? that's a very important question. for the loyalists to the government, that have been evacuated, around 5000 of them evacuated yesterday, between civilians and militants, going to safe areas because they are going to be under government control but for the opposition who left around 2200

mixed between civilians and militants, they are basically going to idlib, the rebel held area as i mentioned. idlib is constantly under government attack. the government a lwa ys government attack. the government always justifies its attacks by saying it is targeting terrorists but you know, there are lots of civilians in idlib and they are being constantly attack on the government and the fear that we are going to see another level in idlib, you know, of targeting civilians there. thank you very much for that update. let's return to the top story, north korea's failed attempt to launch an aside, amid escalating tensions in the korean peninsula. with me now is doctor mallory factor. thank you

brain much and happy easter. the celebration of passover, sadly marred by terrible events in israel. for a british family after what happened, but as you say, a day of celebration for many, worrying time because of developments elsewhere in the world. what do you make of north korea, we are told, if failed missile test although the north korean side describing it as that. that's just a minor issue, the korean side describing it as that. that'sjust a minor issue, the real issueis that'sjust a minor issue, the real issue is can north korea be contained? and issue is can north korea be contained ? and the issue is can north korea be contained? and the meeting between president trump, and the chinese president, was a major meeting, i think president trump is a deal—maker and the deal is you have some economic issues in your country which could ring down your country,... because the potential problem of north korea collapsing,

huge numbers of people flooding across the board into china. huge numbers of people flooding across the board into chinalj should be interviewing you, you are right on target excavation work sorry, i should right on target excavation work sorry, ishould be right on target excavation work sorry, i should be interviewing you. you are correct. he says basically you help me with north korea, north korea depends on you, i will help you with economic policy. you said the test overnight is a small point and it's perfectly true to say there have been many of these tests, some more successful than other is, there seems to be a big debate, clearly worrying a lot of people about how quickly north korea can get to this stage it can deliver something really dangerous that could tip the united states, maybe not washington but had some for a lot closer, is that threat credible or overstated? i think it's overstated, there are missile defences does, they probably have ten in total nuclear weapons. with the arsenal of the united states, a lot of other countries

being far more fast, i think the issueis being far more fast, i think the issue is we don't want to see them continue to grow in their ability because they are a rogue regime but you are also looking at a lot of other rogue regimes around the world, which basically they supply. iran, for one, they are one of the major suppliers there, if you can stop them you can help contain iran as well. that is a big debate for the trump administration because it has a different approach to the obama administration in terms of accepting so for the deal but at times donald trump on the campaign trail suggested he might be prepared to terror that up. yes, i think he's going to terror up a lot of that but you see him making a lot of changes... to what he said the campaign trail. that's a criticism, he talked the talk but maybe not able to the walk? that's been a problem throughout modern history in america. the conservative movement

elects these so—called conservatives and then when they get into office, they change. and the conservative movement is kind of upset. they change. and the conservative movement is kind of upsetlj they change. and the conservative movement is kind of upset. i be giving him more patients, do you think? there was an interesting article in political, they had an interesting analogy, it's like dating a girl whose father cheated on her mother, she's always to be suspicious. he's got to constantly provide wins because he gets an emotionally damaged base that's been abused, that sums it up, really. emotionally damaged base that's been abused, that sums it up, reallym helps to give it a domestic, for us, to relate to it because it's a very different political system and the parties have to embrace much bigger kinds of combinations of people than perhaps we are used to in parliament. his base is becoming dissatisfied. and he is going to have to do something. he has his eye ready in the next election in 2020,

they've already raised $30 million for that election. for a presidential election four years away, amazing. he does not want to bea away, amazing. he does not want to be a one term president, this man has an eagle, almost all politicians, i don't know any politicians, i don't know any politician who doesn't, he wants to have that second term. your overall m essa 9 es have that second term. your overall messages don't always listen to what he says, look at what he does, there may be a difference. look at what the base is thinking because of the doesn't keep that, he will not have a second term. assessor mallory factor, fascinating to talk to you as always. thank you. and happy easter. and happy passover. let's ta ke easter. and happy passover. let's take a look at the headlines... north korea has made a failed attempt to launch a missile — as the us vice—president arrives in the region. theresa may urges unity over brexit, as she delivers her first easter message as prime minister.

the evacuation of besieged towns in syria has resumed, following a suicide attack targeting evacuees. more than 100 people were killed. sport now and for a full round up, from the bbc sport centre, here's hugh woozencroft. good morning! there's been more success for great britain on the final day of cycling's world track championships. after winning two silvers already in hong kong, elinor barker has gone one better, taking gold in the points race after a gripping battle with america's sarah hammer. it's britain's fifth medal and second gold of the five—day competition, following katie archibald's omnium success on friday. i'm incredibly happy, so, so happy. two sobers this week and until the last lap looked like it was going to be sober and i was heartbroken but i'm so happy and relieved i got a

goal. fantastic race, watch the highlights of the cycling on bbc two at1pm highlights of the cycling on bbc two at 1pm later. scotland's ricky burns failed to unify boxing's super—lightweight division in glasgow last night. he lost his wba title to the ibf and ibo championjulius indongo. the namibian was unbeaten in 21 fights prior to this and forced burns onto the back foot for much of the fight. burns had rallied in the fifth and sixth rounds but all three judges awarded the fight to indongo. chelsea have the chance to regain their seven point lead at the top when they face manchester united at old trafford this afternoon. antonio conte's side were 4—0 winners when the teams met in the league earlier this season. manchester united are a good team, physically strong, good technically, for this reason we must pay great attention, because of united, to

find a place for the next champions league and to arrive in the first four of the table. i think they have the possibility to do this. they have a certain style of play, they stick to it. they delivery well. they do it very well. not every team defence with 11 players, they defend with 11 players and not every team is so objective in their counterattacks. they are very object if in their counterattacks. and they have individual players out of the context of the game that can also resolve problems. they are a very strong team. there are just two matches in the premier league today. liverpool will hope to go back up to third. they face west brom at the hawthorns in the lunchtime kick—off. we know about their qualities, the

style, we know they have real experience, maybe the most experienced in the premier league. they play at home. a lot of things. which cause us work but we have nothing else to do, we go there and we wa nt nothing else to do, we go there and we want to show again that we have big targets the season and we want to go for it and fight for a result. if we can do this, then we have a chance. and there's just one game in the scottish premiership today. champions celtic travel to ross county for the 12.30 kick—off. county go into the match three points clear of the relegation play—off spot and three behind seventh—placed kilmarnock. it stayed two of the world snooker championship in sheffield, players battling for a place in the second round, these pictures live from bbc two, john murphy trying to win the first frame of his opening match,

taking ona first frame of his opening match, taking on a chinese opponent. on the other table, kyren wilson has resumed 5—4 up on david grace who makes his first appearance at the crucible. follow proceedings on the bbc‘s website and app. that's all for now. keep up—to—date with all of those stories on the bbc sport website. i'll be back with more in the next hour. see you then. thanks brain much. i hope you are getting time for a little bit of chocolate! voting is underway in turkey in a referendum that could grant sweeping new powers to president erdogan. if approved, the role of prime minister would be scrapped, as our correspondent mark lowen explains. it's arrived, the biggest political choice in modern turkish history.

should they make the president head of state, we've arrived at this high school but a serving as a polling station, one of tens of thousands across the country, let's go inside and see how the voting process works. around 3000 voters are registered to cast their ballot at the station, they come in here to the station, they come in here to the central area, there are names are checked against the central registration is providing id and they are assigned a classroom in which to cast their ballot. it's been a pretty regular flow of orders this morning, they are hoping for a high turnout, that could be decisive in the outcome of this referendum. once in the voting room have another id checked before they pass down here and are given the ballot paper. it doesn't have a question or two words... yes and no, decision that will shape turkey's future path and peering down, the founder of the turkish republic tom ataturk. they

come into the polling booth and they cast their ballot. rarely has turkey mattered so much to world affairs, never hazard faced a political choice quite like this. that is mark lohan reporting from ankara and we will bring you any developments on the referendum and tonight we should get a clearer idea of whether president erdogan has won an extension of power. here the government has been accused of wasting millions of pounds on schools that have subsequently closed. a teaching union has released an estimate of more than £130 million has been spent on 62 failed free schools, university technical colleges and studio schools. more than five thousand people have been rescued from boats off the libyan coast over the past two days. the italian coastguard says good spring weather has led to more migrants attempting the perilous

crossing to europe. an italian woman — who was thought to be the oldest person in the world — has died at the age of 117. emma morano from northern italy was the last person verified to have been born in the nineteenth century. helena lee reports. here she is celebrating her 117th birthday in november last year surrounded by family and friends at her home in northern italy. asked how she felt on reaching 117, she said she felt well. born in 1899, emma morano's life spanned three centuries. the eldest of three children, she outlived all of her younger siblings. she survived an abusive marriage, the loss of her only son, two world wars, and more than 90 italian governments. and she worked in a factory until she was 65. so, what was her secret?

emma morano thought it was probably her diet. translation: i eat two eggs a day, and that's it. i ate cookies. i don't eat much because i have no teeth. always eating the same things, always at the same time of day. her doctor of 27 years thought there were other reasons too for her long life. translation: the first factor is genetics. it is her own condition, a natural phenomenon, as it happens around the world. her personality would be fundamental as well. the mayor of the small city in northern italy where she lived said she had an extraordinary life, and she will always be remembered for her strength to move forward. helena lee, bbc news. what stories she must have been able

to tell. let's take a look at the weather prospects. the rain comes in the shape of these weather fronts and your impression of the day will depend on where you are, these fronts gradually drifting away from northern ireland, spreading cloud and rain towards the east. doesn't really get into the far north of scotland, sunny spells and showers, doesn't affect the forest south—west wales, the odd spot of rain on the mild side, underneath the cloud and rain, one of those days. clearing away during the course of the night, not particularly cold in the south, some frost perhaps across northern parts. it will be on the cold side, some wintry showers down to quite low—level supposed northern

scotland. elsewhere in mixture of sunny spells and showers, not particularly cold but mundane there could be widespread frost, the coming week, mainly dry with sunny spells but watch out for the frost. hello, you're watching bbc news. the headlines: north korea's made a failed attempt to launch a missile — as the us vice president travelled to south korea to discuss rising tensions in the region. theresa may has used her easter message to urge people to "unite" as britain prepares to leave the european union. our shared interests, our shared ambitions, but above all, other shared values can and must ring us together. syrian observers now say that at least a hundred and 12 people died in yesterday's bomb attack on a convoy of buses carrying people from besieged towns. voting has begun in a referendum in turkey which could see sweeping new powers given to president erdogan. now on bbc news, anne—marie tasker

and kofi smiles present highlights from hull 2017 in britain's city of culture. hello, and welcome to hull, which, for the whole of 2017 is the uk's city of culture. and this is the humber bridge, just the latest location to take