this is bbc news. i'm ben brown. the headlines at nine: afghan security forces regain control of a hotel in kabul after it was seized by gunman — six civilians died and 160 others were rescued. the ukip leader henry bolton fights to keep his job as the party holds an emergency meeting to discuss his future. critics say it's time for him to quit. on monday, if henry is still the leader of this party then we are going to lose members, activists and donors, and this jeopardises the very existence of our party. people with dementia and autism could soon be entitled to blue badge parking permits in england. and in sport, the british number two is through to the quarter finals of the australian open.

kyle edmund is currently leading italian andreas seppi in melbourne. and our sunday morning edition of the papers is at 9.35 — this morning's reviewers are political commentator, james millar and journalist and author lainy malkani. afghan security forces have seized control of a luxury hotel in kabul, 12 hours after it was stormed by militants. fierce battles raged through the night as special forces fought the gunmen as they moved around the six—storey intercontinental hotel. six civilians were killed — as were all the militants.

160 guests and staff were rescued — including 41 foreigners. andrew plant has the latest. the intercontinental hotel in kabul, blackened and smoking after an ii—hour siege. the shooting started after nightfall, several gunmen armed with grenades and automatic weapons. translation: at first, i heard some gunfire and then, after 15 minutes, a worker from the hotel approached and said that suicide attackers entered the hotel. security forces were fighting the gunmen floor by floor, with reports of hostages being taken. it's thought the security guards at the entrance to the 5—storey building are among those who came under fire. the intercontinental hotel in kabul is popular with foreign guests. situated on a hilltop a few miles outside the city, it has been the target of an attack before, in 2011, when 21 people died, including nine attackers.

security forces said two of the gunmen had been shot and killed, two more were thought to be hiding in the building. now officials say there were three attackers, all killed when they stormed the hotel. the attack comes days after the us embassy in kabul issued a warning about hotels in the city, saying extremist groups could be planning an attack, saying hotels, as well as public gatherings, could be potential targets. andrew plant, bbc news. we are now hearing the caliban is claiming responsibility. let's take you live to kabul and speak to the bbc‘s zia shahreyar. what is the latest you are hearing? as you mention, the confrontation is over after more than 12 hours of clashes between afghan security

forces and the assailants. only half an hourago forces and the assailants. only half an hour ago the taliban released a statement claiming responsibility saying they have targeted american citizens and other, as they call it, invading countries‘ citizens who we re invading countries‘ citizens who were staying in the hotel. the afg ha n were staying in the hotel. the afghan government previously announced the attack was done by that part that. part of. caliban network that was part of the caliban smug network that was part of the caliban grog it lasted for 12 hours and group. it lasted for 12 hours and the confrontation was going on all through the night. we saw pictures of people trying to jump down from the different floors of this 6—storey hotel. there were six people killed including one foreign citizen, we do not know the

nationality of the foreign citizens. the afghan government and interior ministry have announced they have rescued 160 guests from the hotel, including 41 foreign citizens. it is a bit unbelievable so many foreign citizens were staying in this hotel because the hotel was attacked a few yea rs because the hotel was attacked a few years ago and since then not a lot of foreign citizens there to stay in this hotel. it has been a very well—planned attack, apparently, it‘s a very secure hotel with lots of checkpoints to go through if you wa nt to of checkpoints to go through if you want to go inside and now there are questions about how the insurgents, as the government has said, now they say there were three assailants who entered the hotel and shot and

killed and injured so many people inside the hotel. briefly, this terrifying attack —— does this attack show how bad the security situation in kabul still is? it is because often winter is a bit calmer, because winter is not very common as a bit calmer, because winter is not very common as a season for bit calmer, because winter is not very common as a season for fighting so very common as a season for fighting so this winter we have had a lot of attacks, so many claimed by isis, on political gatherings and mosques, and now this will tell. it seems the security situation has got worse —— and is now at this hotel. ukip‘s ruling national executive committee will meet today for a specially—convened meeting to discuss the controversy surrounding the party‘s leader, henry bolton. mr bolton has faced calls to step

down after it was reported his girlfriend sent a series of offensive texts, including racist comments about prince harry‘s fiance meghan markle. one ukip member of the european parliament, patrick o‘flynn, has been speaking to the bbc‘s sunday politics. he explained the party‘s days might be numbered if it does badly in the local elections in may. let me put it this way, do use an old phrase of david mellor, there is no doubt the party is drinking in the last chance saloon and that is the last chance saloon and that is the local government elections in may, for which we have good candidates who want to stand and i will not undercut them, they deserve support. if we have a situation when we we re support. if we have a situation when we were wiped out in the county council elections and the general election and now the district elections, too, maybe people will

have two get round the table and see if the electorate are trying to tell us if the electorate are trying to tell us something that is thank you very much, good night. but if people in the eastern counties want ukip to flourish and continued they really need to vote ukip candidates in may. but you were a one subject party and thatis but you were a one subject party and that is now gone, many would say. the party was set up with the central aim of getting the uk out of the european union but my retort is that has not happened yet and we do not know what terms that will happen, there is a huge effort among the establishment to stop it happening, we do not know when the sunset clause date is on the transition deal. i leftjournalism and went into politics with ukip to achieve the central aim and i will certainly not be quitting until that central aim is achieved. you have had a succession of leaders

since nigel farage left, do you think you need another one now?|j don‘t think you need another one now?” don‘t think it‘s an issue of an individual leader. somebody in that film said it is. i‘m saying that is a fundamental change in british politics that occurred in june change in british politics that occurred injune 2016 and now we have allegedly a government committed to brexit and you could even argue it has a better brexit offer than ukip has, due to being in government. but we have had to be there as the brexit and be the option if there is too much backsliding. do you think henry bolton should stand and? i don't see it would achieve anything to go into yet another leadership contest —— should henry bolton stand down? our political correspondent, emma vardy is here. .it

. it looked like the ukip leader is going to go, yet another ukip leader falling on his sword —— does it look like? if he does they will be looking for the fifth leader in just over one year. whether he goes will not be determined by the nec committee today, they cannot sack him, they can hold a vote of confidence and if he tries to stay on the could then ta ke he tries to stay on the could then take it to a wider general meeting. he might, after conversations with the party‘s ruling body, decided to go. the pressure has been mounting on him as the scandal over his now ex—girlfriend has developed, ever since christmas and he has been saying he wants to remain he has distanced himself from that relationship and says he wants to get on with the job in hand. it looks more and more unlikely he will be able to stay, and other ukip nep speaking to breakfast this morning

said some things in politics the time comes when everybody knows the game is up and it‘s starting to feel like that today for henry bolton. maybe the game is up for ukip as a party. patrick o‘flynn was talking about the possibility it will not exist any more soon. if you look back over the past five years they have built the support between 2010 and 2015, the election result in 2015 when you get came third in terms of vote share across the country, or have will be looked back on as their heyday, but after the brexit referendum, their reason for being in the eyes of many disappear, they achieved the ultimate aim, success in the brexit referendum. some people are saying the party is facing extinction. there are of course many other loyal ukip supporters who say the party can

rebuild and broaden its appeal, there is still a place for it in british politics, others will see any sort of resurgent for ukip now looks more and more unlikely —— others will say any sort of resurgence for ukip. emma will keep us resurgence for ukip. emma will keep us up to date on that story throughout the day. people with hidden disabilities in england could soon be entitled to blue badge permits forfree parking. the department for transport said the change would make it easier for those with conditions such as autism and dementia to access services they needed. helena lee has this report. the blue badge scheme was first introduced in england in the 1970s. today, around 2.4 million people with disabilities have one. it allows them to park free of charge on roads, and normally without a time limit. the government is now proposing to extend the scheme. it wants people with hidden disabilities and conditions, like autism and dementia, to be able to qualify for a blue badge, so they too can enjoy

the freedom to get out where and when they want. public transport can be a big problem for people so driving is often the only way to get about and so being able to park wherever the person needs to go is important and so i believe this is a big victory for common sense. the department for transport says only some councils recognise hidden disabilities under the current scheme, because they interpret the existing rules differently. the proposals would be the biggest change to the scheme since it was first introduced. the plans will now go through an 8—week public consultation. helena lee, bbc news. theresa may has said she‘s to set out plans in coming weeks to crack down on company executives who enrich themselves while jeopardising their workers‘

pensions. writing in the observer newspaper, she describes the practice as an unacceptable abuse that will be ended. turkey has opened a new front in the war in syria — and says its airforce hit more than a—hundred targets, on the first day of its offensive against kurdish—held territory near its border. turkey is now shelling kurdish militia in the afreen region of northern syria which they say is linked to turkish insurgency in their own country. the airstrikes were backed by artillery on the border. but turkey is against kurdish military might: they‘ve been backed by the us in their fight against so—called islamic state. earlier our correspondent mark lowen gave me more details. the first strikes of a new front in syria‘s war — turkish f—16s pounding kurdish positions from the air, thick plumes rising above the enclave of afrin, held by the syrian kurdish militia, the ypg. turkey sees them as terrorists

linked to the kurdish militant group the pkk, which has waged an insurgency in turkey since the 1980s. the airstrikes were backed by turkish artillery from the border, tanks in place, ready to roll in. turkey‘s aim is to stop the kurds extending their territorial control in northern syria. standing side—by—side with turkey, syrian rebel fighters leading the ground offensive for now. the incursion is called operation olive branch, though it‘s anything but peaceful. we will wipe out this corridor of step—by—step, starting from the west. this operation will be followed by another. since the promises made have not been kept so

far nobody can have a say when we do what is necessary. but turkey is up against kurdish military might. they‘ve been backed by the us in the war against islamic state, which has incensed the turkish government. an estimated half a million people have been killed in syria‘s war. the fear is with this new offensive, that number could rise again. mark lowen, bbc news, on the turkey—syria border. the headlines on bbc news: afghan security forces regain control of a hotel in kabul after it was seized by gunman — six civilians died and 160 others were rescued. the ukip leader henry bolton fights to keep his job as the party holds an emergency meeting to discuss his future. critics say it‘s time for him to quit. a new organisation to protect consumer safety, the government is

setting up a body to monitor defective or faulty products. both american houses of congress will be back in session on sunday to try and pass a new spending bill. they failed to agree on federal funding, causing a shutdown of services. if the vote is past it would end the shutdown and allow the government departments to start working again normally tomorrow. france‘s president emmanuel macron says he shares the original african countries after reports of donald trump making negative comments to describe them. mr macron said it was important to know the history of the countries involved. let me ask you what you thought when you read what president trump said about certain african countries, i cannot say the word. among the african countries

who were outraged and very offended we re who were outraged and very offended were many french—speaking countries in africa and did you share their outrage? for sure. it's not a word you can use. if we want to build peace, development and respectful relationships... you cannot use those kind of words. i think a lot of other issues is due to lots of frustration due to lots of past humiliations and we have to understand that and i do believe that we need, we have to respect is all the countries. that is what we owed them and that's much more efficient. i have a very direct

relationship with president trump, we have a very good relationship. you sat down with him for dinner, i wonder what you make of them as a person? he is not a classical politician so, first of all, he was elected by the american people, he is the president of the united states. that the great country so i want to work with him andl country so i want to work with him and i think we built a relationship. we disagree on several topics and i call him very regularly and i'm always very direct and flank and he is. sometimes i can convince him, sometimes i feel. do you wake up thinking what has he tweeted tonight? no, because i think... that is sort of mix between personal and political reaction. and you want to hear more

from president macron, you can see the full interview at 11 30, here on the bbc news channel. germany could move closer to having a stable government later today, four months after inconclusive general elections. the centre—left social democrats are due to vote on whether to begin formal coalition talks on renewing the four—year alliance with angela merkel‘s conservatives. large—scale recalls of dangerous and faulty goods will be managed by a new body from today. ‘the office for product safety and standards‘ will ensure they‘re removed from homes and shelves more quickly. our business correspondent joe lynam reports. in recent years, there have been notable product recalls such as the samsung galaxy note and some whirlpool tumble dryers. now the government hopes to accelerate the time between recognising a problem with a product and removing it from shops and homes. the new office for product safety and standards will primarily cover

electrical or white goods, like washing machines or fridges. it will have a panel of experts to help decide whether a minor or local issue requires a national recall, and it will ensure that imported goods from the eu will be properly checked once the uk leaves next year. what this new body will do is ti will ensure that the know—how what this new body will do is is will ensure that the know—how and the technical expertise is available to prevent any delays and keep the public as safe as possible. hundreds of electrical products are recalled in britain every year. this new agency hopes to prevent these kinds of incidents. joe lynam, bbc news. pope francis has celebrated a huge outdoor mass in peru‘s northwest coastal region of trujillo, which was badly hit by floods last year leaving hundreds of thousands of people homeless. from there he headed to lima — the final stop on his week—long south american tour. tim allman reports. devotion, dedication and worship. by the seaside. an estimated 200,000

people turned out for this open—air mass on a beach in trujillo. a festive, joyous spirit, on the one year after much of this area was devastated by flooding and landslides. a desperate situation, recognised by paul francis. translation: you know the power of nature, you experienced force, the painful consequences are still present in so many families, especially those not yet able to rebuild their homes. afterwards he visited one as rds, not the argentinian city of his birth, buenos aires. many hope that that

will bring a new sense of optimism and renewal. i am really happy, said this woman. we were able to come and see him and beat you with all our brothers and sisters. i think the fa ct brothers and sisters. i think the fact the pope chose this community isa fact the pope chose this community is a blessing for everyone —— and to be here with all our brothers and sisters. a little stumble but soon the pope was back in the capital lima for the final leg of his trip. on sunday more huge crowds are expected for another open—air mass. a walk in the countryside — a simple activity that has inspired artists, writers and even the prime minister! now, a 2004 trek taken by a group of men has been turned into a play. black men walking covers a few miles in the peak district, but 2,000 years of black history. ali fortescue put on her walking boots to meet the cast and the real men they portray. we are home.

2000 years of black british history, told on a walk in the peak district. we walked england before the english. it‘s a play inspired by a real walking group and just days before the first curtain call, the cast have come back to where the story started for a final run through and to meet the men who inspired the play. so the story takes place on a day when the probably the walkers shouldn‘t be going out because of weather warnings, and along the way they encounter over 500 years of black british history, characters from the past emerging. part of the play is looking at how long do have to be in a place to become part of it? how long do you have to be in yorkshire to become a yorkshireman or woman? so today is all about getting

the characters into character, so here we are in the peak district and this is, of course, all about a walking group. so shall we do is walking? yeah. why not! we‘re joining the original walkers on a route that they‘ve done many times. it‘s a long stretch a long the yorkshire—derbyshire border. more than enough time for the actors to get to know the walkers and the story that they‘ll be bringing to the stage. so mark, you‘re one of the founding members of the original walking group. why was that group started? we very much wanted something that was healthy, something that gave us an opportunity to share and all can discuss with each other, because it‘s something that men don‘t do, particularly men, perhaps, within the black community. we felt that we wanted to continue to develop our friendship. and now you‘ve inspired play, can you believe that? it‘s amazing to think that that‘s the case, so we‘re looking forward to seeing what the play will do and say about the group, but, perhaps wider than that, what it has to say about living in britain today in the 21st century.

there's a real kind of misunderstanding that the black community's just arrived recently, on windrush, for example, when we've been here for centuries. i wanted to reflect that, i want to tell those stories. the sort of hidden british histories in my thesis are all black, and those are the stories we're telling. more than ten years since they started walking, this is one they‘ll never forget, as the sheffield walker‘s bid farewell to the actors who will be taking their story around the country. ali fortescue, bbc news. they say a man‘s home is his castle, and for one artist in brazil it really is. marcio matolias has lived in a sandcastle for 22 years in an upmarket neighbourhood of rio de janeiro. it isn‘t huge inside, but he has everything he needs. marcio says if there is heavy rain he just sculpts himself a new sandcastle.

he compares his style to niemeyer and gaudi, and makes money from donations and runs a book exchange. lets get a look at the weather forecast. here‘s thomas. we will have some fun with the weather today, snow all fallen across some parts of the country, asa around as well. huge contrast in temperature. the coldest night of the winter so far, in a wedding in scotla nd the winter so far, in a wedding in scotland it got down to —13 celsius. this huge contrast means that is the weather front moving across the country which is encountering the cold air across the northeast and so there is a snow. this is around 3pm,

snow in the highlands, fresh covering of ten and 15 centimetres across upland areas, snow falling throughout yorkshire. but this stage it will have moved across parts of the midlands to the east. this rain might be more sleep instead. different story in the south. mostly rain and the possibility of encountering some slings and maybe some snowjust encountering some slings and maybe some snow just about as far back as the m4. very quickly the atlantic winds push in with much more mild air. some of that snow will still lie around and take time to thought away but temperatures climbing through the course of the night and into this evening. through the night itself you can see there is still some rain in the south, these temperatures we will have first thing on monday morning, nine

celsius in the south. above freezing generally in the north. on monday, entirely different date, no snow in the forecast, sunshine around, some cloud around. up to double figures in the south. for the week ahead, huge low—pressure across the atlantic in terms of size, meaning mild air is getting pushed in our direction. i think it will be mostly the mild air affecting us for the first half of the week at least with that comes some and rain. this is bbc news — our latest headlines: afghan security forces regain control of a hotel in kabul after it was seized by gunmen.

six civilians died and 160 others were rescued. the taliban says it carried out the attack.