this is bbc world news today. i'm samantha simmonds. our top stories. donald trump tells world leaders — it's america first — but not at the expense of the global economy. but america first does not mean america alone. when the united states rose, so does the world. —— rose. the death of a canadian billionaire couple — now police say they were murdered. what brexit differences? the uk minister in charge denies a government split on how to handle the departure from the eu. also in the programme. paris braces itself for more flooding with water levels set to peak this weekend. hello and welcome to world news today. "america first does not mean america alone" —

that's the message from donald trump speaking at the world economic forum in davos in switzerland. he told an audience of business and political leaders that the us was doing "fantastically well" and was "open for business." but he hit out at what he called other countries‘ "predatory" trading practices. our north america editor jon sopel reports. wherever donald trump has gone in davos, the crowds have gone with him. and wherever the cameras have been, the president has been pleased to oblige. i hope we're going to bring back many billions of dollars into the us. i think that will happen. it's already happening. but billions of dollars is coming back into the us and i think that will just continue. how much today? how much? probably a lot. and that was the theme of his speech. america first, yes, but an america welcoming the world. i will always put america first, just like the leaders of other countries should

put their country first also. but america first does not mean america alone. when the united states grows, so does the world. but at the end of a week in which the us imposed extra charges on some imported goods from china, he played down talk of a trade war. nevertheless, there was a warning. we cannot have free and open trade if some countries exploit the system at the expense of others. we support free trade, but it needs to be fair, and it needs to be reciprocal. because in the end, unfair trade undermines us all. some stood to applaud, but it wasn't the ovation given to president xi of china last year. this hasn't been a complete meeting

of minds, but then again it was never going to be. that said, donald trump has been more conciliatory than many would have expected, and the audience have reacted more warmly. it may be that davos 2018 turns out to be a win—win. the president has now left the swiss alps, and if not yet a fully paid—up member of the davos set, he will probably be invited back. there's a lot they liked about what donald trump said, and who would disagree with his central message, that a booming us economy is good for the global economy? jon sopel, bbc news, davos. in what could be seen as a blow to president trump's america first agenda — the aviation company bombardier has won its case against proposals to impose tariffs on their imports into america. the bbc‘s samira hussain gave me this update from new york. so bombardier had created a series fleet of planes and there were some big american airlines that have

purchased these planes one of which was dealt airlines, they had purchased 125 of them —— delta airlines. but boeing, the plane making giant of the united states, they cried foul play because they believed bombardier was price dumping, lowering the price of the planes in order to make it more attractive for american buyers, and they took their complaints to the administration, to the commerce department, the us commerce department, the us commerce department last year said, boeing, you are right, and they levied a 300% tariff on any of those boeing planes coming into the united states and clearly that makes it prohibitive, so what boeing did, what bombard the —— bombardier did, they appealed to a us body, and just 110w they appealed to a us body, and just now the itc has voted unanimously in

favour of bombardier and that means the tariff that was initially placed put in place by the us commerce department is now boyd. how have the companies reacted? bombardier is really quite pleased with the outcome, of this vote, and it really comes to many people as a surprise, many believe that the itc was going to vote in favour of boeing. boeing has said it is quite disappointed, not surprisingly, but they have also said that it will not stand by as it watches bombardier participate in illegal business practices and jeopardise american workers and i think that phrasing is interesting, because right now the white house, the trump administration is very receptive to any companies that are crying foul as a result of unfair trade practices, so as you pointed

out, this really does hit mr trump exactly where it hurts in terms of what he was talking about, protecting american interests. president trump has dismissed as "fake news", reports in several newspapers that he tried to fire the man investigating alleged collusion with russia during the 2016 presidential election. it's alleged mr trump was only stopped from sacking robert mueller by white house advisers. it's a claim the president addressed head on, in davos. you are going to fire robert mueller? fake news, folks. typical new york times. gary o'donoghue has the latest on this leak from washington. there were stories at the time that donald trump had considered firing robert mueller, the special counsel,

and since then he has interviewed a bunch of people, robert mueller, around 20 staffers from the white house have been spoken to by the special counsel and he has also spoken to a member of donald trump's cabinet, jeff sessions, the attorney general, so it's not entirely surprising if some of that stuff started to leak out. but use or a flat denialfrom the started to leak out. but use or a flat denial from the president that he had even considered it, but what is new today is the idea that when he floated or supposedly floated the idea lastjune it was the white house counsel, the most senior lawyer in the white house, that he was the one who threatened to resign if the president did that. that is the new piece of information. it has got everyone concerned again about whether or not he is still thinking about doing that and democrats have been trying to introduce legislation which will prevent him from doing

that, even though the legal position seems to suggest he would have a ha rd seems to suggest he would have a hard time doing it, anyway. canadian pharmaceutical billionaires barry and honey sherman were murdered in a targeted killing — police in toronto have said. the couple were found hanged in their home six weeks ago. 0fficers originally ruled out murder. the couple's children disputed this and hired private investigators who claimed the pair had been murdered. now police say they agree. their deaths shocked the canadian communities, one of the country's ridges couples, billionaires barry sherman and honey sherman were found deadin sherman and honey sherman were found dead in their toronto home in 2017, and in the days following their deaths were being treated as a possible murder—suicide. the family denied that saying no couple this, in , couple this, they in , the initial handling of criticised the initial handling of the case by authorities, hide their own private investigator and conducted an independent autopsy and say they are not surprised that six

weeks later authorities now say they are treating their deaths as murder. there are no signs of forced entry on all access points to the home and honey sherman and barry sherman were found deceased in the lower—level pool area. we believe now after six weeks of work that we have sufficient evidence to describe this asa sufficient evidence to describe this as a double homicide investigation. and that both of them were in fact targeted. barry sherman founded the pharmaceutical giant which sounds generic medicines worldwide and he and his wife were well known for their donations to hospitals and charities and jewish organisations. the police do not have any links and so the police do not have any links and so the mystery of who killed the shermans continues. let's take a look at some of the other stories making the news.

i’aéléefe—w’i’f’fiéifif: 73133375? ' ' the centre—left social democrats. top chefs from as far afield as the us and japan have attended the funeral in france of one of the prime exponents of their art paul bocuse. they filled lyons cathedral in their hundreds, dressed in their chefs' whites, to pay homage to a man nicknamed the pope of french gastronomy.

it's now emerged the building didn't have any sprinklers — even though it was built only a few years ago. black smoke billowed from the emergency wing, as firefighters tried to get to patients trapped inside. there were nearly 200 people in the building. many were elderly. those who escaped needed urgent treatment. 0thers died on their way to hospital, most from smoke inhalation. firefighters said they did everything they could. translation: we prevented the fire from spreading to the second floor in the early stages, so that we could secure the second, third, fourth and fifth floors. as crews inspect the blackened shell of the hospital, it was revealed that no water sprinklers had been installed. this is the deadliest blaze in a decade in south korea, paris is braced for more

flooding with water levels in the city set to peak this weekend. this is bbc world news today. the latest headlines: donald trump tells business leaders at the world economic forum in davos that he's putting america first.

but he offers friendship and partnership in building a better world. canadian pharmaceutical billionaires barry and honey sherman were murdered in a targeted killing — police in toronto have said. britain's future relationship with the european union is again causing tensions in the country's governing conservative party. the chancellor of the exchequer philip hammond has suggested the relationship post—brexit might only be a little different from now. that's sparked an angry reaction from those in the party who want a clean breakfrom europe. alex forsyth reports. in teesside today the brexit secretary was trying to calm troubled waters. surrounded by businesses dependent on eu trade, he promised certainty and continuity when we leave. david davis set out the government's plans for a transition period of up to two years after brexit. this is a bridge to a new future partnership, where crucially the united kingdom is outside

the single market and outside of the customs union. he said for business there would be no dramatic change, but the uk would start to talk trade with other countries, all to be negotiated with the eu, but for now it's comments by his cabinet colleague that is causing problems. the chancellor said there could be very modest changes in eu relations. if the cabinet can't agree on its position, how can you possibly negotiate with brussels? look, i'm in politics, and people debate, and they have different views. there's a diversity of views on this subject, in all parties. that doesn't mean that we don't have or can't have a coherent and forceful view, in the interests of the united kingdom. ministers don't always want their divisions laid bare. today the chancellor insisted he backed the government's view. i was speaking about our trade relationship with the eu, and it is the government's policy that we want to maintain the maximum

possible access to markets, and the minimum friction at our borders. but the businesses brexit will affect say the political discord is damaging. this car parts manufacturer in redcar relies on being able to import from and export to the eu, and its boss wants far more clarity from the government about its long—term brexit plan. i think it's been pretty shambolic, and ijust want them to get on with it. from the contrary statements coming out and infighting that is happening, i don't know what they're expecting to achieve, i don't know what their targets are, because it's just wishy—washy. businesses like those here which rely heavily on trade with the eu crave certainty. the government says that's what the transition phase will offer. the trouble is, the conservative party simply cannot agree on what should come beyond. and as talks slowly approach future trade relations,

what has so far been a fragile truce among the tories looks rocky. alex forsyth, bbc news, teesside. hundreds of people have been evacuated from their homes in paris as the city braces itself for more flooding. tunnels and roads have been sealed off and the bottom floor of the louvre was closed. it follows the wettest january in northern france for over a century. and it's not over yet — flood waters are expected to peak this weekend. the bbc‘s hugh schofield has been stepping out to bring us the latest. for the second time in a year and a half paris is waking up with its fetid water, and we were reporting almost exactly the same story in 2016, injune, the land unable to absorb the excess rainwater and then this water coming down into the capital, where there is localised flooding now, this residential building, and the ground floor here has been boarded up. these are flats

where people live and they have moved out. looking across the river thatis moved out. looking across the river that is where the commuter network comes into the city and that has been shut down because it has been flooded, if you live in a barge you would be told to move out and the big museums have once again started moving their precious items from the basement to higher levels. every time there's a flood in paris they say, is this the big one? there is a prediction every hundred years there will be a big flood like in 1910, this one phil peat on saturday at six metres above the norm and it is not the big one —— this one will peak on saturday. and now all the sport. roger federer will look to match novak djokovic's record six australian open titles when he takes on marin cilic in the final

in melbourne on sunday. federer had an unexpectedly quick semi—final when his young south korean opponent, hyeon chung, was forced to retire with severe blisters. nick parrott reports. even in a tournament full of upsets, few would forecast a downturn in fortunes from roger federer. with the roof closed in melbourne, the atmosphere would provide for his semifinal, but few things could distract the greatest. the swiss won the toss, electing to receive and showed his intent, breaking the unseeded outsider at the first attempt. and early on, the south korean got an inkling luck wasn't going to be on his side. at 36, there are cracks appearing in federer‘s game. but at 21, chung lacked the experience to exploit them, resisting the inevitable was made harder for chung with his mobility hampered. federer was blistering, too, but with brilliance. it all proved too much, and trailing 5—2 in the second set, the pain was such that chung couldn't continue. i've played with blisters in the past and it hurts a lot and at one point it's too much and you can't take it any more.

there's no way you can come back and you can make it worse so that's why it's better to stop, and that is why this feels bittersweet. i'm pleased to be in the final but not like this, and he has played such a wonderful tournament. credit to him for trying so hard today. despite the pain of his defeat, chung can leave with his head held high. 0ptimistic that his future is bright. federer will face a tougher challenge trying to win his 20th grand slam against marin cilic on sunday. south africa's test against india will resume tomorrow after today's play was abandoned due to a dangerous pitch. chasing 241 to win the match in the final innings at the wanderers, south african batsman dean elgar was hit on the grille of his helmet by a short ball from india's jasprit bumrah. the strip was cracking leading to uneven deliveries

and the umpires stopped the match. however, it's been decided it can continue tomorrow. everybody wants to see test cricket, the matches in a good position, but the matches in a good position, but theissue the matches in a good position, but the issue becomes what is not safe and what is not fit, and i think when the ball loops from a length and hits somebody in the face, that is when the match officials feel it is when the match officials feel it is unsafe, but we will definitely wa nt to is unsafe, but we will definitely want to play if the conditions are safe but that is for the match officials to decide and not us. england might have won the one—day series already but there will be no whitewash after defeat against australia this morning. england were put into bat and got off to the worst possible start, losing their first five wickets for just 8 runs. things did improve slightly,

with chris woakes hitting an excellent 78 but their total of 196 never really looked like being enough. australia cruising to that target with 13 overs to spare. and now to the fa cup. alexis sanchez started for manchester united, and he was involved in the first goalfor them, helping united, and he was involved in the first goal for them, helping to set up first goal for them, helping to set up marcus rashford. mata hasjust had a goal disallowed for offside. ander herrera with the second offer manchester united against yeovil. thank you. it's been nominated for seven academy awards — and star frances mcdormand is the favourite to take the best actress 0scar. three billboards outside ebbing missouri is a story about a grieving mother's fight forjustice. the bbc‘s arts editor will gompertz has been speaking to the film's writer and director, martin mcdonagh. my my daughter was married seven months ago... frances mcdormand, the angry

and unflinching briefings mother. ghosh grieving. she martin mcdonagh has a oscar—nominated for his writing but not for his directing, is he disappointed? not really, because my mate has got nominated in the other category. it would have been nice. you, get over here. no, you get over here. one of the criticisms of three billboards is that the sam rockwell character, the policeman, he's a racist and he's treated sympathetically. he is definitely a racist and a bully and i would not say he is treated sympathetically, but i was trying to see the hope in all of these people. if you say that is treating a character

sympathetically, to a degree it is, but the point of the film and i hope what people come away with, is the possibility of change in people. what people come away with, is the possibility of change in peoplem it was me i'd start up with a database it was me i'd start up with a data base and every it was me i'd start up with a database and every male baby that is born i would stick him on it and as sooi'i born i would stick him on it and as 50011 as born i would stick him on it and as soon as he did something wrong, ci’oss‘ reference soon as he did something wrong, cross—reference it soon as he did something wrong, cross— reference it and soon as he did something wrong, cross—reference it and make certain it was a correct match and kill him. we have heard many speeches from people in the film industry saying it is time for a change, do you think summing fundamental is happening? it feels like something new and great is happening, i've beenin new and great is happening, i've been in rooms at the last couple of awards ceremonies and it is palpable and it does feel angry and it feels like it won't go away and i think that's great. it feels like a change is probably happening. the oscar ceremony at the beginning of march might point towards that change with surprising winners and quite

possibly a forthright acceptance speech from this lady. the guggenheim museum in new york is reported to have turned down a request from president trump to borrow a painting by van gogh for the white house — instead offering him a solid gold toilet. the washington post says the guggenheim apologised for not being able to furnish the trumps with van gogh‘s landscape with snow but expressed hope that the alternative would be of interest. the fully functioning 18 carat gold toilet is the creation of artist maurizio cattelan, titled ‘america'. don't forget you can get in touch with me and some of the team on twitter — i'm samanthabbcnews. stay with us. cloudy and mild and quite windy weather to come this weekend, and a bit of rain, as well, and you can see some of that in the far north—west this evening, but later

on to not it will turn wet as the wind picks up in many western areas. further east, clearer skies, it could be quite chilly, those temperature beginning to lift as the wind begins to freshen. wet and windy weather sweeping east through the morning, heavy rain in the western h ills the morning, heavy rain in the western hills in the afternoon as the rain continues, it becomes light and patchy and we will get sunshine in northern ireland and maybe in the far north of ireland. quite windy to the day, and the temperatures probably higher than yesterday. windy weather in the far north of scotland, easing off through the day, but patchy rain in scotland and other areas will be dry and breezy, very mild once again. higher temperatures if you see the sunshine. now in a special edition of inside out london we look at an

anti—epileptic drug. we hear that birth defects caused by the drug could be passed through the same family. deformed, disabled, damaged. thousands of babies around the world, genetically harmed in the womb by one drug. she can't go to the toilet, she can't walk. she can't talk. we bring to light the records that show the government knew the drug causes birth defects yet chose to hide the truth from expectant mothers. my mum shouldn't have had to have the children that were affected, if she knew that we were going to have these conditions. now, new scientific research warns sodium valproate's toxic legacy could be eternal, harming generation after generation. it's because i took that medication, my grandkids have

been affected by it. so many people's lives have been affected and ruined. brigit got hiccups. you gonna swallow it? i know it's horrible. you gotta swallow it though. brigit is 19. she still plays with some of the toys she had as a baby. this is the photo album i done for brigit when we came home. pictures of her in her cot with her toys around because she could onlyjust lay there still with her head to the side. brigit was born with a catastrophic array of medical ailments, including brain damage and spina bifida. she's paralyzed from the waist down, even her bowels aren't fully formed. she can't go to toilet, she can't walk, she can't talk. she can't think for herself.

i do all brigit‘s overall care. i, i think for brigit, i talk for brigit, i walk for brigit. i live for brigit. when karen was pregnant with brigit, she was prescribed a high dosage of the drug, sodium valproate. she has epilepsy and the pills were meant to control the seizures. but the powerful chemicals that protected her health damaged her daughters. i pop these tablets into my system and what happens? six months down the line, i'm under ante—natal treatment and then they turn round and look at me, look at the screen and turn round and say to me, "what do you want to do you?" "you want to have an abortion, you're carrying a spina bifida baby?" like brigit, around 20,000 children in the uk and thousands of others around the world are believed to have foetal valporate syndrome —

after being exposed to the powerful drug, valproic acid, in the womb. some of the children are so severely harmed they will never develop beyond the mental capabilities of a toddler. others may appear fine but will struggle with cognitive and physical disabilities throughout their lives. we know from our research that children exposed to sodium valproate can be affected physically, they can be affected mentally and they can be affected psychologically.