this is bbc news. i'm martine croxall.the headlines at two. afghan security forces regain control of a hotel in kabul after it was seized by gunmen — six civilians died and 160 others were rescued. an 8—year—old girl has been stabbed to death in the west midlands, in what police are calling a ‘domestic incident‘. ukip leader henry bolton tells the bbc it is not tried for the party bosman ruling committee tojudge him on his personal life. an emergency meeting on his future is being held this afternoon. it's time the party moves on and the national executive needs to recognise that by pursuing this action against me they are undermining the party further. kyle edmund britain reaches his first grand slam quarterfinal at the australian open in tennis. and the women's march in central london. hundreds of people have been taking pa rt hundreds of people have been taking part in time's up. the protest

against discrimination and harassment outside downing street. and in politics europe we look back at the top stories of the week in brussels and strasbourg. good afternoon. welcome to bbc news. afghan special forces have ended a siege in a luxury hotel in the capital kabul, twelve hours after it was stormed by gunmen. six civilians — five afghans and one foreign woman — were killed along with all the militants. 160 people were rescued from the hotel by the security forces. the taliban says it carried out the attack. our correspondent zia shahreyar reports from kabul. the final moments of a fight that had lasted all night. gunfire and explosions, as afghan special forces battled to regain control

of the intercontinental hotel. one soldier throws a grenade. he moves away. then the explosion. the room is soon on fire — evidence of the struggle that had taken place. the afghan national flag waving from the roof — proof that the building has been reta ken. more than 150 people, including some foreigners, were inside yesterday evening, when gunmen burst in and opened fire. there were old people and children inside the hotel's rooms, and the attackers were knocking on the door of each room, trying to reach their targets. they killed ordinary people and officials. they were also targeting foreigners. these images, filmed by local tv, showed people escaping by climbing down bed sheets that they'd tied to balconies.

this telecoms engineer fell from the sixth floor as he tried to get away. translation: when the sixth floor caught fire this morning, my roommate told me, "either escape or burn." i got a bed sheet and tied it on to the balcony. i tried to come down, but i was heavy and my arms were not strong enough. i fell, and injured my shoulder and leg. the afghan security forces were deployed to the area, and four insurgents placed themselves on different floors of the hotel and opened fire on the guests in the hotel. the latest figures we've got are that six people, including one foreign citizen, were killed in this attack. now the interior ministry assessment team is inside the hotel, they're trying to find out and clear all the different

floors of the hotel. the hotel is one of kabul‘s best—known landmarks. it has high levels of security because it's used by politicians and foreign visitors. it was last attacked seven years ago. this sustained and complex assault will prompt urgent questions as to how the gunmen got through. zia shahreyarjoins as live from kabul. why a target of this type? this is a very high—profile hotel, intercontinental hotel. and according to what the officials said, they have rescued 160 people, 41 of them foreign citizens. you've got a hotel that accommodates 41 foreign citizens. that's a complete target for groups like the taliban

and isis. the taliban has taken responsibility, saying that there are americans and citizens of other invading countries, as they call it, and that is why it targeted this hotel. i was there, and they wouldn't allow the journalists to get into their hotel but from the closed area i saw, —— from the close area i saw, part of the hotel had burnt during the night. it was fairly clear that it's been a com plete fairly clear that it's been a complete scene of chaos. the afghan interior ministryjust complete scene of chaos. the afghan interior ministry just told complete scene of chaos. the afghan interior ministryjust told the bbc that he believes six insurgents were involved. he said that possibly there were people inside the hotel who had contact with these insurgents and helped them to get through. he also said that recently, only three weeks ago, the security

of the hotel was contracted out to a private company and he was not sure why it was done, and he said that he's already asked for a complete investigation into this incident, he and all the security officials in kabul are under pressure to explain how these insurgents got into this well guarded hotel. they must have gone through more or five checkpoints, and been to this hotel in the past, and i know how tight the security is. —— i have been there. so it is the big question to ask why and how they have been able to get into this hotel. the figure with god at this point is only six but from other sources we are hearing that the number was possibly higher. officials haven't confirmed that but a private airline in kabul

has just announced that the company has just announced that the company has lost some pilots and some stewards in this incident, they were staying in the hotel. foreign citizens, possibly. and they have cancelled many of their flights, apologising to their passengers. it's fairly clear that it has been a very well—planned attack and the gunman have been very well—equipped, because they have been able to resist their very well equipped special forces and nato forces for between 12 and 1a hours. special forces and nato forces for between 12 and 14 hours. zia shahreyar, thank you very much. zia shahreyar, thank you very much. zia shahreyar in kabul. a man has been arrested after an eight—year—old girl was stabbed to death in the west midlands. police say they're treating it as a domestic incident, and aren't looking for anyone else. liz copper is in walsall for us this afternoon. what more information do you have?

as you maybe able to see behind me police and forensic teams are still here. they were called around 915 yesterday evening to this bungalow. they found this eight—year—old girl with serious injuries, she was taken to hospital, sadly no one could save her life and she died a short while later. a man is in hospital, he has a stab wound to his stomach. his condition is described as stable and police say that in due course they will interview him. they have said they are treating this as a domestic incident, and i'm not looking for anyone else in connection with the death of this little girl. they described the family as understandably, absolutely devastated. they are being supported by specially trained police liaison officers, and everyone how have spoken to today on the streets has

described a profound sense of shock at what has happened. thank you very much, liz copper. the ukip leader, henry bolton, has insisted he will not quit his job. mr bolton says it's not right for the party's ruling body tojudge him on his personal life. he's expected to face a vote of no confidence at an emergency meeting later today, after offensive texts, sent by his former girlfriend, emerged last week. our political correspondent emma vardy is with me. what more has he said. he's come out fighting. he appears on three of the political discussion programmes today, saying he wanted to stay in the position. he distanced himself from his previously relationship withjo marney which only lasted weeks, saying it was dealt with and he was focused on taking the party forward. many in the party have lost confidence in him, he faces a meeting with the national executive committee now. will he be able to convince them to let him stay on? he

was certainly fighting the case this morning. he told the radio five live programme this morning that the party needed to move forward and said the national executive should notjudge on his personal life. he said it should not act as a court of moraljudgment. i want to put all this behind us. the personal issues relating to my marriage for meals to deal with. the uses of a jo marney dealt with, she is out of the party now, she's apologised and there's nothing that she or i or anyone else can do about it. and this time the party moves on and the national executive needs to recognise that by pursuing an action against me they are undermining the party further. henry bolton. if they have a vote of no confidence what can they do to force him to step

down if they want? they can't sack him this afternoon, if they want to get rid of him they need to put that toa get rid of him they need to put that to a vote of wider party members. we'll have to see what comes out of this meeting. henry bolton may decide that if he doesn't have the confidence of the party's ruling body he will fall on his sword and step down. we shall see in the next couple of hours. or he could fight another day and try to convince members he's the man for the job. another day and try to convince members he's the man for thejob. if he goes the new cup will be looking for their fifth he goes the new cup will be looking for theirfifth leader in he goes the new cup will be looking for their fifth leader in the year, the party has been hit by scandals infighting, this could be the final nail in the coffin, the party could cease to be. we'll have to wait for the outcome of that meeting this afternoon. activists say they want to keep going as a party and hold the government ‘s feet to the fire over brexit. but this type of scandal is very distracting to them. many people wonder what the purpose of the party is now that brexit is going to happen. how damaging have these revelations been to the party and the support it has among the

wider population? it has created a divide between people who say that his actions with his former girlfriend show a lack ofjudgment, someone girlfriend show a lack ofjudgment, someone who girlfriend show a lack ofjudgment, someone who cannot girlfriend show a lack ofjudgment, someone who cannot be trusted in his professional life. some said they should be a separation, he's dealt with it and should be allowed to move on. but every time ten wicket of political scandals that cross into a leader's personal life you a lwa ys into a leader's personal life you always hear this debate of how that could affect people who vote for them. it's pretty damaging when it makes headline after headline. those calling for him to go say has become too much of a distraction. in terms of the party's support base they had a high in 2015 when they came third in terms of vote share. they have lost a lot of support since. some say it's hard to see how they can carry on. they haven't been able to build a support base with mps in parliament so this could be the end of the road for them unless they can broaden that appeal and put these scandals behind them. emma vardy, thank you very much.

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. 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 the conservatives of the chancellor, angela merkel. our correspondentjenny hill is following developments from berlin. they are no strangers to each other but how different now is the political landscape, jenny?” but how different now is the political landscape, jenny? i have to say this is a very controversial set of talks. i've just been watching this special party conference that the social democrats, listening to the speeches, and this party is

bitterly, passionately divided over whether it should go back into coalition with angela merkel‘s conservatives. they have worked together in the past, they've just come out of a coalition government. but many within the social democrats say that governing with angela merkel‘s conservatives is what led toa merkel‘s conservatives is what led to a terrible election result in september and what has dragged them down in the polls. those who see this fiercely oppose another four yea rs of this fiercely oppose another four years of angela merkel. they say to go back into a coalition as a junior partner would effectively condemn the party to destruction. yet there are those within the party who say it is important, and their duty to ta ke it is important, and their duty to take the party back into coalition because it is the only way germany will get a stable government. that's why today is so important. angela merkel has to form a government. if she can't get agreement on a coalition today, if the social democrats say they would go through

with it, her options are really very limited. she could try to run a minority government, it's not something with which germany is familiar, not a popular option. something with which germany is familiar, nota popular option. she could try to resurrect a coalition agreement with the green party and the free democrats. she tried that before christmas and it fell apart so that's not likely. the most likely scenario would be fresh elections, and angela merkel‘s political career would be and then ice. one of the most powerful women in the world really needs the vote to go her way today and there's nothing that she can do except sit back and watch and wait. jenny, thank you very much. the headlines. the taliban says it carried out an attack on a luxury hotel in kabul in which six were killed. a man has been arrested after an eight—year old girl was stabbed to death in the west midlands. ukip leader billy bowden has hit back at critics, saying his

pa rty‘s has hit back at critics, saying his party's national executive has hit back at critics, saying his pa rty‘s national executive committee has no power tojudge him on personal matters —— leader henry bolton. tens of thousands of people have taken to the streets in cities across america for the second women's march —— with many protesting against donald trump's presidency. the main rally will be held in las vegas later on. marches are also taking place around the world, including in london, as simon jones reports. time's up! what time is it? time's up! hundreds gathered outside downing street, determined to make their voices heard. the message, time's up on the sexual harassment and abuse of women. i think it's really important to come together and speak out against violence against all women across the world. men haven't changed. inequality in the workplace... we are still getting paid way more than women, and it's completely unfair. today's noisy events are taking place a year to the day that tens of thousands of women took to the streets to protest against president trump's first full day in office.

many here say a lot has changed over the past 12 months, but there's still much to do. hey, hey. ho, ho. donald trump has got to go! the trump presidency is very much the focus of marches that have already been held in the united states. many repeated the slogan "build bridges, not wars". i really wanted to make sure this year the momentum was kept up, and that women's voices were heard. i want to resist the racism that is happening in our country, especially with the commander—in—chief. he sucks. although the crowds in london are predominately made up of women, the organisers say men are also welcome. they insist they are not setting out to demonise the entire male population, but are looking for everyone to play their part in bringing about change. simonjones, bbc news, westminster. two climbers have been airlifted to safety in the highlands

after becoming stuck on a ridge. the pair were winched to safety from 3,000 feet up the mountain in glencoe. they'd first raised the alarm on friday but the poor weather meant they couldn't be rescued until yesterday morning. people with hidden disabilities in england could soon be entitled to blue badge permits for free 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. for many parents sometimes they say

they don't want to go out, don't wa nt to ta ke they don't want to go out, don't want to take their autistic son or daughter out to the shops or to schools and services and other places because they were worried about what might happen. if they can bark much closer to their destination, they can easily take someone destination, they can easily take someone awake if there is an issue or difficulties when they are out and about. 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 eight—week public consultation. helena lee, bbc news. france's president, emmanuel macron, has told the bbc he shares the outrage of african countries about reports donald trump used a vulgar and offensive word to describe them. mr trump was forced to deny being a racist when he was accused of making the comments during an oval office meeting on immigration. speaking to andrew marr,

president macron said it was important to understand the history behind the countries involved. let me ask you, if i may come about yet another leader. i wonder what you thought when you got up in the morning and read what president trump, icannot morning and read what president trump, i cannot say the word, had said about certain african countries, s—hole countries. among the countries that were offended we re the countries that were offended were many french—speaking countries in africa. did you share the outrage? for sure. it is not a word you can use. and, and, if we want precisely to build peace, development in this country, and respectful relationships, . .. you can't use that kind of word. by definition, i think a lot of us, issues are due to frustrations, past

humiliations. we have to understand that. and i do believe that we have to respect all the countries. that is what we owe them, and that is much more efficient. i have a very direct relationship with president trump. you have sat down with him for dinner at the top of the eiffel tower. i wonder what you make of him asa tower. i wonder what you make of him as a person, having come across in dursley. i think, he is as a person, having come across in dursley. ithink, he is not as a person, having come across in dursley. i think, he is not a classical politician. first of all, he was elected by the people, use the president of the united states. that's a great country. so i want to work with him and i think we've built a very strong relationship. we disagree on several topics. shore. disagree on severaltopics. shore. i call him regularly. i am always direct anne frank, and he is.

sometimes i convince him and sometimes i fail. to you wake up in the morning and think, what is it written on twitter this night? no. that's the sort of mix between personal and political reaction. and you want to hear more from president macron, you can see the full interview at 8.30 this evening, here on the bbc news channel. 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, it 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. 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 had been to meet the cast and the real men they portray.

we are home. 2,000 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 walkers probably 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. what the play is looking at is, how long do you 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 actors into character, so here we are in the peak district

and this is, of course, all about a walking group. so shall we do some walking? yeah. why not! we're joining the original walkers on a route that they've done many times. it's a long stretch along 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 talk and 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 a 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 walkers bid farewell to the actors who will be taking their story around the country. ali fortescue, bbc news. now the weather, it looks pretty grim for some today. it was glorious in some areas yesterday, a different story today, sleet and snow, there's likely to be disruption to the roads. you can see

on the radar the snow is bumping into the cold air dan twardzik tanqueray and the south—east, further west it is mainly rain because we have winds bringing in milder air, looking at flooding problems across the south—west of england, rain falling on a frozen surface and snow melt has lead to flooding problems, there's more rain to come overnight and across scotla nd to come overnight and across scotland as well, look at those temperatures by the end of the night, much milder than they have been. monday starts wet across the south and the south—west, that should clear away, is rain across northern scotland, a fine day to come for many, if you share with the west, some sunny spells and it will feel milder than of late as we head into tuesday. even milder, temperatures across the border into double figures celsius. —— tonnages across—the—board. 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. an eight—year—old girl has been stabbed to death in the west midlands, in what police are calling a "domestic incident". hundreds of people have been taking part in a women's time's up protest against discrimination and harassment outside downing street. ukip leader henry bolton tells the bbc it's not right for the party's ruling committee tojudge him on his personal life — an emergency meeting on his future is being held this afternoon. now on bbc news, jo coburn with a monthly catch—up

of european politics. hello and welcome to politics europe, your regular guide to the top stories in brussels and strasbourg. today... seniorfigures in the eu say britain can always change its mind about brexit. the uk government say that is not going to happen. what is the eu playing at? irish prime minister leo varadker throws his weight behind deeper eu integration after brexit, and spelt out his vision for the future reform of the block. we speak to one of his key allies. and the eis —— eu gets tough on plastic body shies away from a plastics tax. will its strategy work? all that to come and more. joining me is kate andrews of the london—based institute of economic affairs, and alex barker, brussels chief of the

financial times. first, our guide alex barker, brussels chief of the financialtimes. first, our guide to the latest in europe in 60 seconds. big news this week as the eu declared war on plastic. the commission's new strategy aims to outlaw single use plastics by 2030. there was no mention of a previously