i'm kasia madera in london. a surprise general election for the uk — the prime minister says it will ensure stability during brexit talks. the only way to guarantee certainty and stability in the years ahead is to hold this election and seek your support for the decisions i must take. mrs may will ask mps to support her decision in a few hours — but outside parliament views in the country are mixed. not another one! 0h, not another one! oh, for god ‘s sake. honestly, icannot not another one! oh, for god ‘s sake. honestly, i cannot stand this. there is too much politics going on at the moment. i'm rico hizon in singapore. talking up the american threat to north korea — vice—president pence is due to visit a us aircraft carrier. and a crucial election in indonesia. the capital votes for a new governor after a campaign filled with religious and racial tension. good morning.

it's 8am in singapore and iam here in london where the prime minister theresa may has produced a dramatic surprise. she's seeking an early general election in june — three years ahead of schedule. the aim is clear — to increase her majority in parliament and give herself more leeway in negotiations to leave the european union. opposition parties say they welcome the chance to offer the british people an alternative to the conservatives. laura kuenssberg reports. did she surprise them? did she surprise you? did theresa may even surprise herself?

her biggest decision as prime minister, taken only days ago. i have just chaired a meeting of the cabinet where we agreed that the government should call a general election to be held on the eighth ofjune. that was not her plan. but she says to get brexit done, she needs more support around here. in recent weeks, labour have threatened to vote against the final agreement we reach with the european union. the liberal democrats have said they want to grind the business of government to a standstill. the scottish national party say they will vote against the legislation that formally repeals britain's membership of the european union. and unelected members of the house of lords have vowed to fight us every step of the way. our opponents believe because the government's majority is so small that our resolve will weaken and they can force us to change course.

they are wrong. so tomorrow there will be a vote in parliament that will all but certainly get the process going. and if you are in any doubt about how the tories will frame your choice... i have only recently and reluctantly come to this conclusion. since i became prime minister, i have said that there should be no election until 2020. but now i have concluded that the only way to guarantee certainty and stability for the years ahead is to hold this election and seek your support for the decisions i must take. most of her ministers had been in the dark. only in the last few days did she decide. theresa may only moved in here 279 days ago. and she said consistently that there should be no early general election. quite simply, she has changed her mind. what happens next for theresa may will be up to you. labour will support tomorrow's vote to push the button,

even though the weakness ofjeremy corbyn is one of the reasons why an early election is on. yet his supporters hope that his ideas will cut through. i welcome the opportunity for us to put the case to the people of britain, to stand up against this government and its failed economic agenda, which has left our nhs with problems, which has left our schools underfunded, and so many people uncertain. we want to put our case out there for the people of britain, of a society that cares for all, an economy that works for all and a brexit that works for all. more than ever, perhaps, this election will notjust be about what happens here but the whole country's constitution. the tories won't promise another vote on independence in scotland, but nicola sturgeon will. this is the biggest u—turn in recent political history. but it is very clear that the prime minister's announcement today is one all about the narrow interests of her own party, not the interests of the country overall. on the road already, as planned,

for the local elections, the lib dems see opportunity to come back from rock bottom. it is an opportunity for the people of this country to change the direction of this country, to decide that they do not want a hard brexit, they want to keep britain in the single market, and indeed it is an opportunity for us to have a decent, strong opposition in this country that we desperately need. and don't the tories start this election having gone back how many more times are you going to change your mind, prime minister? win well, and theresa may escapes some political problems, but the hurly—burly of any campaign claims casualties, too. just ask anyone who has ever lived at this address. laura kuenssberg, bbc news, westminster. for more on prime minister may's snap election announcement, we've been getting reaction on the streets from around the country. you'rejoking?! not you're joking?! not another one! you'rejoking?! notanother one! , for god ‘s sake. i cannot

honestly... i cannot stand this. there is too much politics going on at the moment. why do she need to do it? she says this will give us clarity and get things out into the open. i thought she said that initially when she took over? no, no. i disagree entirely. are you excited about another election? no. not a excited about another election? no. nota numberone. excited about another election? no. not a number one. it is too much. i think it is quite good, unless the people vote for someone, say, theresa may getting forced upon us. i think she is pushing a rock. because people at last posted to come out —— voted to come out. i think it makes a difference. she seems to have a huge lead in the opinion polls? 0h, don't go by that. also making news today: police in the united states say a man

who carried out an apparently random murder, then posted a video of the crime on facebook, has killed himself. they say steve stephens shot himself as officers approached his car following a brief chase. an indian business tycoon wanted in his home country overfraud allegations has been bailed after appearing in court in london. vijay mallya is accused of having debts of more than a billion dollars when he arrived in britain from india, around a year ago. he denies any wrongdoing. japan has started withdrawing its troops from a un. mission in south sudan, a move coinciding with escalating violence in the country. the 350—strong japanese military contingent, which has been based in the capital juba for the past five years, has been mostly helping with construction projects. and two of china's top players have reached the second round of the world snooker championship in sheffield. liang wenbo beat stuart carrington ten frames to seven.

he'll next meet the world number four ding jun—hui after he beat another of china's growing contingent of players— zhou yuelong. full details in sport today later. let's get more on the big political story here in the uk — the call for a snap general election. following the announcement, the prime minister theresa may spoke on the phone to several world leaders — including the us president, donald trump and the german chancellor, angela merkel. earlier i asked our westminster correspondent eleanor garnier if a conservative victory will allow theresa may greater confidence when it comes to brexit negotiations. that is what she hopes and she hopes that with an increased majority, albee yet, if she definitely gets

one, that when she sits around the table with those at 27 other heads of state across the eu she will be able to say i have a brand—new fresh mandate and she will feel in a stronger position going into those negotiations. i think a phone call she made today were, in part, a courtesy call, if you like. she spoke to the german chancellor, she also spoke to the president of the unit european council and also the president of the european commission as well as the irish prime minister. i understand they were courtesy calls and she is also setting out that brexit, as it stands, will still go ahead, but this general election will not be changing anything when it comes to those negotiations across the european union. but it was a big surprise for many in westminster, notjust for the journalists but would politicians as well because therese had been saying all along that she did not want to have a snap general

election because that could create uncertainty. the unpredictability of an election campaign, while all the brexit negotiations were going on. now the government is saying that a general election will create certainty and theresa may hopes it will give her a stronger hand going into the negotiations. politicians will still have a chance to have their say because they are still voting on this although they will likely vote for it? tomorrow, theresa may will go to the house of commons and she will ask mps to vote on whether there should be a general election. it is because of a bill that we had in parliament at the moment called the fixed term of parliament act. it means that they should not have been an election until 2020 and the only way that that can come... the only way the election can be brought early is if there is a vote in the commons tomorrow. we know that labour have already said they will be voting for

the election to go ahead so i think we can look on tomorrow as being a bit of a formality, if you like. and then there is the matter of around 50 days until the electorate will go to the polls. there is some tidying up to the polls. there is some tidying up to do in parliament, obviously a lot of legislation that has been going on at the moment so all of that will need to be tied up and sorted out before parliament is dissolved before the electors here in the uk go to the polls. reports from america suggest a us navy task force was not in fact headed for the korean peninsula when washington said it was. this us navy picture shows the aircraft carrier uss carl vinson over the weekend nearjava, more than 4,500 kilometres over the weekend nearjava, more than 4,500 kilometres from korea. it is now being reported that it is on its way to the peninsula. it all comes as us vice president mike pence continues his tour of asia, at a time of increased tension with north korea. on tuesday, mr pence said the us

was determined to find a peaceful solution to the north korean threat but stressed that all options were on the table. well, is his presence in the region reassuring or only adding to the increasing fears? i asked ken moskowitz, a political science expert at temple university. i would not want to characterise it either way. i think, i would not want to characterise it either way. ithink, as i would not want to characterise it either way. i think, as trump has said, the policy is to maximise pressure. it is... too, um, and the policy of strategic locations, a harder line and more pressure. how do you maximise this pressure, professor? is it china is it more sanctions or is that military action? what we have seen so far is that the administration has made reference to the ballistic strikes in syria as well as the use of the

largest ever bomb in afghanistan on isis targets. so i think the administration wants to send a message that this military option is possible. at the same time, it is open to negotiation. but in a similar way as the obama administration, it is looking for a certain concession, that is, a message or a signal from certain concession, that is, a message or a signalfrom north korea that they will lend their nuclear programme. in your view, what do you think would be the correct approach to the north korean threat? um, well, strategic impatience. i don't think that over the years, if you watch the relationship since the president clinton years, the kim family espoused pressure. the six

party talks did work, the obama administration approach of increasing sanctions has worked either. the only thing that seems to have worked... professor, professor, briefly, as forjapan, how seriously are they taking these developments in the korean peninsula and what do you think they should do? briefly? i think the japanese are taking it very seriously. there were certainly, there were averted when the north korea shopper listed muscle is into the sea of japan. they believe they have to work with the us, the strategic ally is essential. they are also taking precautions about a possible mistake or accident reminding the japanese people that have into ballistic batteries in place and that there is an early warning system to take it

cover in case of possible bull ballistic missile attack. you're watching newsday on the bbc. still to come on the programme... the heated election campaign that secretly made it to the pages of a marvel comic. that will be in indonesia will capital as the voters choose their next governor. also coming up on the programme call mark on egyptian archaeological is an cover a ancient tomb. will that be enough to revive a tourism industry hit hard by political instability? the stars and stripes at half—mast outside columbine high. the school sealed off, the bodies of the dead still inside. i never thought they would actually go through with it. some places have already had nearly as much rain as they would normally expect in an entire year.

for millions of americans, the death of richard nixon in a new york hospital has meant conflicting emotions. a national day of mourning next wednesday sitting somehow uneasily with the abiding memories of the shame of watergate. and lift off of the space shuttle discovery with the hubble space telescope, our window on the universe. this is newsday on the bbc. i'm rico hizon in singapore. i'm kasia madera in london. our top stories: the british prime minister has called the us president and european leaders to explain her surprise move to seek an election in six weeks' time.

and the us vice president is due to visit an american aircraft carrier in a show of resolve as tensions continue with north korea. and it's been announced that competitive video gaming will be part of the official programme of the 2022 asian games, due to be held in china. that story is popular on bbc.com across asia. now some of the front pages of the international papers are carrying some of the same stories that we have mentioned. the south china morning post is reporting on the us navy task force, headed by the aircraft carrier, carl vinson, sailing towards the korean peninsula. but amid concerns that an attack might be imminent, the newspaper publishes an image from the us military stating the carrier is on a "scheduled deployment" and that it is still some 5,000 kilometres from the region.

the japan times leads on the us vice president in tokyo. it reports comments by mike pence that the us is seeking stronger and more balanced bilateral trade relationships with every country, including japan. and the china daily shows how the beijing is attempting to strengthen its ties with the european union. it shows a handshake between premier li keqiang and federica mogherini, the eu's high representative for foreign affairs and security policy during a meeting in the chinese capital. it's been a heated campaign that's incited religious and racial tensions in indonesia but today voters have their say at the ballot box. we're talking about the poll for the governor of the capital, jakarta. the incumbent, basuki cahaya purnama, popularly known as ahok, is on trial for insulting islam. his opponents claim muslims should not vote for him. rebecca henschke reports from jakarta. joining me now from jakarta

is our indonesia service editor, rebecca henschke. she is currently in a polling place in the capital. many voters are behind you. this particular election seems to be very important, notjust for indonesia, but for the wider region. that is right. it is being seen as a test for indonesia's maturing democracy. one of the most dynamic in the region at the moment. it isa dynamic in the region at the moment. it is a test of religion and race. a heated campaign. indonesia has not seen this for some time. whether this candidate's religion is a decisive factor. it has many people worried. it is a heated campaign. what is the mood currently around

the area right now, a polling place? well, this has just the area right now, a polling place? well, this hasjust opened behind me so people are just coming in to vote early before work. it is friendly. they have a saying, a party or democracy, a party taking place. —— for. there has been a lot of security and police on motorbikes in full security gear. the military are out today. there will be a few people here manning the polling station. some of those against governor ahok have said they need to monitor these elections and that has prompted the police to say any form of intimidation, whether psychological or physical, will be banned, and will be taken very seriously. in the last election, the first round, when we were circling polling station like this, we did

hear people whispering to people as they came in to the booth, vote for a muslim, always vote for the muslim. it is that subtle intimidation that people are worried about. president joko widodo has warned the voting public not to politicise religion. well, yes, presidentjoko widodo is a key ally of the governor, ahok, and for him, many say this is a proxy election for the next presidential election in two years' time because we are seeing the man who ran againstjoko widodo, he is backing the other candidate in this race. many think this is a much larger political game thatis this is a much larger political game that is being played, and president joko widodo definitely has eight date in who wins here today. -- a sta ke. date in who wins here today. -- a stake. watching the elections and the results very carefully. thank

you forjoining us from jakarta, rebecca henschke. fighting for american workers was a big part of donald trump's election pitch. now, the president says he's following through on his promises. mr trump has signed the so—called "buy american, hire american" executive order. it's designed to review a temporary visa programme used to place foreign workers in high—skilled usjobs. he made the announcement at a factory in the state of wisconsin. right now, widespread abuse in our immigration system is allowing american workers of all backgrounds to be replaced by workers brought in from other countries to fill the same job, for, sometimes, less pay. this will stop. american workers have long called for reforms to end these visa abuses. and today, their calls are being answered for the first time.

i put it to an analyst that this reflects what he said during his campaign. this is an employment visa, a temporary visa, that allows people to come on to the us, usually highly skilled and highly paid, into the us, forup highly skilled and highly paid, into the us, for up to six years. 85,000 of these visas are issued every year. 65,000 of which are issued through a lottery system. the remaining 20,000 are distributed to graduate students who work under the same conditions. donald trump's concern is that the system is being abused and companies here are using this dessert to bring workers in from overseas who are less skilled forjobs that from overseas who are less skilled for jobs that could from overseas who are less skilled forjobs that could be done by american. —— visa. now, how about this for a discovery? archaeologists in egypt say they've unearthed a tomb dating back 3,500 years and discovered a collection of mummies. the significant find has been made near the famous "valley of the kings," on the opposite bank of the nile from the city of luxor. it's the latest in a series of major

discoveries of ancient relics that egypt hopes will revive a tourist business that has been hit by political instability. david campanale has more. this tomb is quite small, but it contains extra ordinary archaeological riches. the find consists of an open court, leading into a rectangular hall, a corridor, an inner chamber. eight mummies were found, along with well—preserved and colourfully decorated coffins. translation: the tomb has a secret room, which dates back to the 21st or the 22nd dynasty. in the room, we discovered more than six coffins. unfortunately, they had been destroyed, but they have not been moved from their original place. among the finds were more than 1000 statuettes, figurines carved in wood and clay. translation: it was a surprise

to discover so many elements inside. clay utensils with the name and title of the tombs owner. his name as userhat, and he belonged to the 18th dynasty. it's believed that the owner was a nobleman, who would have worked as a judge, and the tomb seems to have been left almost intact, unlike many ancient egyptian burial sites, which have been looted by grave robbers. david campanale, bbc news. amazing discoveries. you have been watching newsday. stay with us. we'll be taking a closer look at exactly what donald trump's order targeting visas for foreign workers means for the tech industry. and before we go, let's take a look at these pictures from the waters of the southern ocean. that's all for now. stay with bbc world news. spring, thus far, has been marked by pretty settled fare. and i expect that will be

the overriding theme of the next few days, with a quiet spell of weather set to continue. not just for the next few days, but right on into the forthcoming weekend. but gardeners and growers take note, night—time frost will still be a consideration. not so much for the first part of wednesday, across the northern parts of scotland, you've got a weather front there spreading a veil of cloud. that will keep the temperatures up. but further south, not so much in the major conurbations, but in the suburbs, and in the countryside, the early part of wednesday could see frost. —3 or perhaps even “i! or so. but once the sun is up, that converts intto a glorious start of the new day. plenty of sunshine across the southern parts of england and wales, through midlands and lincolnshire and cambridgeshire. but further north and west of that, the cloud thickens up into the borders, to northern ireland,

and the eastern side of scotland, and there will be enough cloud for a little bit of rain. a drier prospect, although still cloudy across the rest of scotland. as the day really gets going, i am hopeful that some of that cloud will break up. a good bit of sunshine across scotland. some of that rain will drift off into the north channel, away from northern ireland. so a dry afternoon for many here. further south and east, brighter skies will boost the damage to about 13 or 11! degrees. from wednesday to thursday, any prospect of frost is largely confined to the south—eastern quarter. the high pressure really doing its stuff. yet more dry weather to come for many. save for the northern and western isles, maybe the north of the mainland, too. a weather front here just keeping that cloud coming in from the atlantic. and enough about it again for there to be the prospect of some rain. again, not amounting to much. the temperatures are where we have been of late. somewhere locked into the low to mid teens. friday is marked by a progression of the weather front and across scotland

into the north of england, through northern ireland. to the south of it, with a bit of sunshine, we can boost the temperatures nicely. possibly 17 degrees. to the north of the weather feature, a cooler and fresher regime sets in and eventually wins out. the front will reintroduce the regime down across the rest of the british isles. the high pressure, neverfar away, that keeps things fairly settled. your scene could look something akin to that. all that combination, the temperature never better than about 13 degrees, conditions, iwould have thought, perfect for those taking part in the london marathon. i'm kasia madera with bbc world news. our top story. the british prime minister has called leaders in the us and eu to explain her surprise move to seek an election onjune the 8th. theresa may says it's the only way to guarantee stability as the country negotiates its withdrawalfrom the european union. the us vice president, mike pence, is due to visit an american aircraft

carrier at its base injapan. it's the latest leg of his tour of asia at a time of increased tension with north korea. and this video is being well watched on bbc.com. and why wouldn't you want to look at this rare giant ‘shipworm' that's been found in the philippines? scientists say it's a hugely important discovery because it's the first time the animal has been studied alive. shipworms can grow to be 1.5 metres long. that's all from me now. stay with bbc world news. and one other story from the uk — police have named a man they want to speak to about an acid