this is bbc world news today. i'm duncan golestani. our top stories: after three days of haggling, the united nations finally agrees on a ceasefire resolution for syria. the security council, including russia, backs a call for a 30—day pause, as the number of dead from government strikes on a rebel—held enclave tops 500. we may not know the faces that we're talking about. we may not know their names, or these people, talking about. we may not know their names, orthese people, but talking about. we may not know their names, or these people, but they know us. and we all failed them this week. two major us airlines, delta and united, become the latest firms to cut ties with the powerful national rifle association in response to the florida school shooting. china calls for the withdrawal of the new us sanctions package against north korea, described by president trump on friday as the "largest ever". and, archeologists discover a 2,000—year—old burial site in egypt. we've found jewellery, amulets, part

of the finery... furniture, pottery, wooden coffins. it's only the beginning. hello, and welcome to world news today. after days of delays, the united nations security council has unanimously agreed on a ceasefire in syria. the hope is the resolution will allow some respite for civilians in the rebel enclave of eastern ghouta, who have been bombed by russian—backed syrian forces. the resolution calls for the ceasefire to last 30 days and begin without delay, but we are already hearing reports from activists that jets are still overhead and air—raids are continuing. more than 500 people have been killed in the last seven days in eastern ghouta. there is a desperate need for humanitarian assistance. here's us ambassador

to the un, nikki haley. the syrian people should not have to die waiting for russia to organise their instructions from moscow. or to discuss it with the syrians. and why did the council allow this? there is no good reason we shouldn't have done this wednesday, or thursday, or friday. we may not know the faces that we're talking about. we may not know the names of these people, but they know us. and we all failed them this week. russia's ambassador to the un, vasily nebenzya, said the ceasefire would achieve little without concrete agreements between parties at war. translation: this will in no way help to address

the pressing humanitarian situation in syria. the demands of the security council must be underpinned by concrete, on the ground agreements. let's go to kuwait and talk to panos moumtzis, the un regional humanitarian coordinator for the syria crisis. thank you forjoining us. first of all, your reaction to this resolution being passed. finally, of course we very much welcome the anonymous decision of all 16 members of the security council to pass the resolution. it was long overdue. it's really excellent to have it 110w. it's really excellent to have it now. what is really important is the implementation of this reveller so, resolution. having all council members on board is great, but how will it translate? we very much want to see an immediate effect where the hostilities really do come to an end, and for routes to open for us

to be able to bring in humanitarian assistance, food, medical supplies, and also to be able to evacuate the people who need medical evacuation. this is where the resolution really will be fantastic to see it lamented immediately. from your point of view, what's the plan? how quickly can you start getting aid into these places once you know it is safe? from our side, we're ready. we have people on the ground, we are ready to follow all the steps to bring it whether it is. east ghouta is about a ten mile distance from damascus. it's not the distance, it's really very much to have the access to be able to see the hostilities subside, to be able to safely go inside. eastern ghouta is an area that has had really no electricity, no water, food is very low, health facilities have been overstretched to the maximum. several of them were destroyed, hospitals. people are in

desperate need. what needs to happen 110w desperate need. what needs to happen now is to implement this resolution. what is designed in paper needs to be translated into action. it is not just east ghouta, it talks about the totality of the syrian territory. we wa nt to totality of the syrian territory. we want to see the same cessation of hostilities in idlib and all areas, for us to be able to reach all areas where there are people who are besieged or hard to reach. there are 2.9 million people who wore in the ca rd to 2.9 million people who wore in the card to reach areas. really we want to see a cessation of hostilities in the totality of the country. to see a cessation of hostilities in the totality of the countrylj understand you want to read all areas, but the situation on the ground, as you know more than anyone, is so complicated, so confused, as our correspondent put it, there is war is going on within walls. how difficult is it then your workers to get to these remote places? —— wars going on within walls. it is a very complex

situation. there are multiple actors, multiple groups, multiple countries. we are driven by the humanitarian imperative, as impartial, neutral, independent humanitarian organisations, our role is to talk to everybody and reach everybody, reach the civilians in all of these locations and bring assistance to walk these places. of course, well manoeuvring the extremely complex situation on the ground. 0k, panos moumzis, we'll leave it there. thank you very much for joining leave it there. thank you very much forjoining us from kuwait. thank you very much forjoining us from kuwait. us airlines, delta and united have joined a growing list of companies cutting ties with the national rifle association. the two airlines have ended discounts for nra members following the florida school shooting last week. car rentalfirms, a computer software company and a bank have also responded to an online boycott of businesses with links to the pro—gun lobby group. let's cross live to david willis, who is in washington for us. david,

this movement seems to be really picking up momentum? it does, duncan, yes. it started last thursday and it's been gathering stea m, thursday and it's been gathering steam, picking up momentum ever since. as the hashtag boycott nra has trended on twitter. and the list 110w has trended on twitter. and the list now includes banks and hotel chains, car hire companies, an insurance company, a household moving company, a software company. the most recent being delta airlines and united airlines, who, as well as severing their marketing ties with the nra, they are also asking for their company logos to be removed from the nra website. as well as the nra boycotts, there is also the possibility of some sort of financial squeeze being imposed on the nra's members, as the gun manufacturers and the bank of america issued a statement saying, we arejoining other america issued a statement saying, we are joining other companies america issued a statement saying, we arejoining other companies in oui’ we arejoining other companies in our industry to examine what we can

do to help end the tragedy of mass shootings, and an immediate step we are taking is to engage the limited number of plants we have that manufacture assault weapons for non—military use. we didn't see this sort of vault, if i can put it that way, after the sandy hook massacre just five years ago, duncan —— this sort of revolt. how are the nra taking this? they don't take these type of threats lying down, do they? they don't. the nra boasts about 5 million members, it has been heavily supported over the last few days by president trump, of course. the nra has yet to comment on these boycotts. but earlier in the week, the organisation said that this was the organisation said that this was the work of opportunists, as it put it, who were using the florida tragedy basically to make americans less free. but this is the sort of thing that must be troubling to the

nra, particularly as it shows signs of gathering momentum, of the back, really, of these very voluble and articulate students who survived that killing in florida last week. david willetts in washington, thank you. nigerian parents who fear their daughters have been abducted by boko haram jihadists have released a list of 105 names. the militants attacked a boarding school on monday, but until now it hadn't been clear how many girls were missing. 0ur correspondent in lagos, stephanie hegarty, is following the story. we know that boko haram attacked this, suspected boko haram allott and attacked this town and entered this school on monday night. after that point, things got very confusing. 0n the one hand, the authorities were saying that no kidnapping were taking place. they didn't admit until wednesday that some girls had been abducted. even since then, they've been very

confused in their account of the numbers. at one point they said 51. yesterday it seems they are saying 84. yesterday it seems they are saying sa. today, the parents who have come together as a kind of advocacy group, the parents of these missing girls, they have put together their own list and they say there is 105 girls and they have listed each of their names. that's their definitive idea of who is missing, and that's the clearest line we've really had on how many of these girls haven't been found. so, if they can't even get the numbers right, i have two was, how effective are the authorities and the government in looking for the girls —— i have to ask. well, we heard from the president last night, at least four days after this happened. he said earlier he had sent an investigative tea m earlier he had sent an investigative team to go and find out what happened in the town. last night he issued a statement that was intended to reassure people. it said that this is a national disaster and they we re this is a national disaster and they were taking it very seriously and the army warren pursued of the girls, their wrist surveillance aircraft monitoring the region 21w.

aside from that, no information on where these girls are. also, another very conflicting and devastating line during the week on wednesday, the state government claimed that some of these girls had been rescued. then on thursday they said that that claim was false. parents of course were very angry. the governor had addressed them in the town. and after he said that this rescue hadn't happened, they attacked his convoy and pelted it with stones. a lot of bad feeling between the authorities and the pa rents between the authorities and the parents themselves. a lot of confusion, and of course anger and devastation. these 105 families that are wondering whether girls are. stephanie hegarty lagos. let's take a look at some of the other stories making the news. the american billionaire warren buffett says tax cuts introduced by president trump boosted his company's earnings by $29 billion last year. many democrats had argued that the tax package was a huge and unaffordable giveaway to the wealthy. mr buffett, who is chairman and chief executive of berkshire hathaway,has long argued for higher taxes for the rich. rival demonstrations are taking

place in italy, a week ahead of the general election. the anti—immigrant party is holding a rally in the city of milan, while several thousand took part in an anti—racism protest in rome. security has been stepped up across both cities. three days after an attack on a south african police station, officials say they have shot dead seven of the suspects in a gunfight at a church. they say those killed had been hiding there since carrying out wednesday's attack in the eastern cape. the armed gang killed six people and stole weapons and a police van. today, ten other suspects were arrested. stay with us on bbc world news. still to come: in sport, scotland rejoices after beating rugby six nations champions england. prince charles has chosen his bride.

the prince proposed to lady diana spencer three weeks ago. she accepted, she said, without hesitation. as revolutions go, this had its fair share of bullets. the name of the sanctuary itself symbolising one of the cruellest regimes in modern asia. the world's first cloning has been produced of an adult mammal. scientists in scotla nd an adult mammal. scientists in scotland have produced a clone of a sheep, called dolly. citizens are trying to come to grips with their new freedom. there isjoy trying to come to grips with their new freedom. there is joy and trying to come to grips with their new freedom. there isjoy and relief today, but the scars are everywhere. zero for 20 years, have posts been seen zero for 20 years, have posts been seenin zero for 20 years, have posts been seen in such numbers, some of the swarms have been ten miles long. this is the last time the public

will have seen this pope. benedict xvi world, in his own world is a much words, be hidden from the world for the rest of his life. this is bbc world news today. the latest headlines: the un security council has unanimously adopts a resolution calling for a 30—day humanitarian ceasefire in syria. and two major us airlines, delta and united, have become the latest firms to cut ties with the powerful national rifle association in response to the florida school shooting. hugh woozencroft has all the sport. hello, duncan. in rugby union's six nations championship, scotland pulled off a shock to beat defending champions england at murrayfield. fly half finn russell put in a man of the match performance in the 25—13 victory, which meant the scots inflicted just a second defeat for england in 26

tests under head coach eddiejones. it also saw the scots lift the historic calcutta cup for the first time in ten years. i was really surprised, we had a game plan and we executed it really well. if you look at that tests that well. if you look at that tests that we had, they've been outstanding. we managed to get back on that type of form, and it was awesome. do you think scotland can get back on track with yellow it will definitely be tough, but if we keep performances like that, we have got a chance and we can build on it next week. ireland stayed on course for the grand slam after running in five tries, in a thrilling victory over wales in dublin. the final score was 37—27, as result that makes it three wins from three for ireland in the tournament. i think when we went ten points up with less than five to go we sort of felt, keep control of the ball, keep

control of the defence and the game was over. as in france, we don't like to do things easy. but again, great character. wales are great outfit. and we look at this game and,i outfit. and we look at this game and, ithink outfit. and we look at this game and, i think on one hand there are some unbelievable positives, some on attack and some the way we went about playing. 0n the other hand, we give upfartoo about playing. 0n the other hand, we give up far too many points so easily. i know that the coaches will have a lot to look at. but at the same time, i think if you'd asked us, would you take a 5—point win today, there would be no doubt that we would have taken that. liverpool have moved up to second place in the permier league after a 4—1win over west ham on saturday. egyptian mohammed salah was on the scoresheet for the sixth game in a row for liverpool. emre can, roberto firmino and sadio mane were liverpool's other scorers to move them one point above manchester united who play on sunday. it was an all—round performance, we defended well and attack well and counter pressing was outstanding. just outstanding.

it always helps us a lot, because whatever the opponents do, if they defended or whatever, david moyes, fantastic manager, he organises his teams really well. so they made a big step back on track since he is there, and we knew how difficult it would be. west bromwich albion are now six points adrift of second from bottom stoke, who earlier drew at leicester. swansea drop into the relegation zone after losing 4—1 at brighton. elsewhere watford beat everton, while the matches between bournemouth and newcastle, and burnley and southampton were both drawn. over to the republic of korea now, where ester ledecka completed an historic 0lympic double on saturday romping to snowboarding parallel giant slalom gold to add to her shock super—g title in alpine skiing. the 22—year—old world champion became the first woman to capture gold medals in different sports, at the same winter games after beating german selina jorg by almost half a second in the pyeongchang final. ledecka becomes just the third winter athlete to do a multi—sport

double at the same 0lympics. norway secured a record 38th medal at a winter olympics with bronze in the inaugural alpine skiing mixed team event as switzerland took gold. norway passed the united states' tally of 37 medals, won at the 2010 vancouver games, with victory over france in the bronze—medal decider. switzerland beat austria for gold in the event which sees four—strong teams compete in head—to—head slalom races. in the men's big air, canada's sebastien toutant won gold, with united states' kyle mack taking silver. great britain's billy morgan, at 28 the veteran of the field, took bronze. and that's all the sport for now. china has asked the united states to withdraw sanctions imposed on chinese firms and shipping that washington says are trading with north korea.

beijing said it was responsible for investigating and punishing its own companies. the united states said on friday it was imposing its largest package of sanctions aimed at getting north korea to give up its nuclear and missile programmes. the new sanctions target businesses and ships from several countries — including china, singapore and panama. but china's foreign ministry says the government absolutely did not allow any of its citizens or companies to contravene un resolutions on north korea. and it adds: "china demands the us ommediately stops such mistaken actions to avoid harming bilateral cooperation". let's speak now to 0riana skylar mastro — she's an assistant professor of security studies at georgetown university and jeane kirkpatrick scholar at the american enterprise institute. thank you forjoining us. so, is

china justified in being so angry, do you think? well, i think china's response is very predictable. they are againstany response is very predictable. they are against any government is taking actions that intervene in their internal affairs, and they think that this action meet this criteria. they are generally against sanctions in the north korean nuclear case because they think they won't work, so they only look at the downside, which is potentially destabilising the north korean regime. in your opinion, have chinese businesses, individuals and entities been complying with the existing sanctions on north korea? well, i don't have independent information to be able to say whether the chinese have comply to the degree that they are claiming that they have. but the united states' unilateral sanctions put china in a very difficult position. either they

are unwilling to comply, because 99% of north korean trade is with china, or they don't have the capability to do so. either way, or they don't have the capability to do so. eitherway, it or they don't have the capability to do so. either way, it doesn't make china looks very good, which is why we don't see a lot of the talk about the sangchan is an chinese social media sites, because this would be an unpopular point to put to the public. i think in general, there is a lack of appreciation for how much domestic political factors do impact the chinese regime, given the fact it is an autocratic regime, but it is very responsive, particularly when it comes to the chinese public, chinese companies and overseas, there is an increased pressure on there is an increased pressure on the government to ensure that they are protecting their citizens and other countries aren't negatively impacting them. of course, we have had rounds of the rounds after rounds of sanctions in order to make north korea comply with what it is that the united states and south

korea wants to achieve, but to no avail. do you think the latest sanctions will do the trick? no, i don't think any amount of sanctions will convince kim jong—un to give up his weapons. but i think the united states know that, it is symbolic. president trump mentioned phase two, a second option, a military option, suggests the seriousness. if i had to choose between more aggressive sanctions or a limited strike or what is referred to as a bloody nose option, i definitely would choose the former. now, china is saying that this will hurt china— us relations. do you think that's accurate? china has always corroborated with the united states when and to the degree that it benefits chinese national interest —— has always corroborated. they have never done any thing more just

because the united states has asked them to orfor the because the united states has asked them to or for the sake of a bilateral relationship. i understand china saying that it will be harmful, but in my view, the chinese are going to continue to cooperate for it suits them and they won't cooperate when it doesn't. have you been keeping an eye on the olympics in pyeongchang, i wonder‘s do you think anything will come out of that seeming slight thawing in relations between the north and south?m seeming slight thawing in relations between the north and south? it is a lwa ys between the north and south? it is always beneficial when we have a reduction intentions and improved inter—korean relations, but it doesn't change anything from the perspective of the united states. this administration has to decide whether it is willing to live with a nuclear north korea and pursue a containment option, or the united states is not willing to live with that and will pursue military options. either way, i that and will pursue military options. eitherway, idon't that and will pursue military options. either way, i don't think that the handshaking and even the drawing teams at the olympics is changing that more significant calculus —— the joint teams.

changing that more significant calculus -- the joint teams. thank you forjoining us. thank you for having me. to egypt now, where archaeologists have discovered a 2,000—year—old necropolis. the site, just south of cairo, consists of dozens of burial shafts dating from the late pharaonic period to the early ptolomaic era. the area is so large, experts say it'll take five years to fully excavate. egypt's antiquities minister says he hopes the site will help revive tourism, which has been affected by unrest in the country in recent years. today we found... you can see the jars, more than 1000 amulet statues. and we found jewellery amulet, part of the funerary furniture. pottery, wooden coffins... it's only the beginning. i think we need at least

five more missions to work. but we are going to add very soon a new archaeological attraction in egypt. just time to take a look at some pictures from a plus size model competition in thailand. the people looking like they are having a lot of fun. to take part in this beauty pageant, you have to be at least 80 kilograms, and it's also open to transgender participants. they are judged and dance technique, personality and confidence, and the winner is crowned missjumbo, because it is an event to promote elephant conservation. and that's the way it's looking this hour. and you can get in touch with me and most of the team on twitter. i'm @duncan golestani. stay with us on bbc news. for now, thank you very much for watching. bye— bye. good evening. it has felt cold today

under the grey cloud, but for many there was an abundance of sunshine, that certainly helps this late in february. it will be another fairly fine day again for sunday, a bit frosty first thing definitely with this cold air penetrating across the uk. if anything, the air will get colder in the coming few days so it will feel more bitter, particularly as the wind strengthens. through the evening, we have more cloud coming into eastern parts of the uk, we could get the odd snow flurry across angus and aberdeenshire, and these areas on the coast might avoid frost. but for most, it will be a cold sunday morning, —5 or —6 in rural areas. any bits of low cloud should melt away quickly. the prospects are bright for the south coast. we have had a lot of cloud there today. also northern ireland and western scotland, the kodacloud, more sunshine on the cards for tomorrow, but the wind brisk and

strong again. if you can escape the wind and the sunshine it will feel pleasa nt wind and the sunshine it will feel pleasant enough, but no higher than four or five pleasant enough, but no higher than four orfive for pleasant enough, but no higher than four or five for many of snow showers coming in on another very cold night. as it comes in, the cold airforan cold cold night. as it comes in, the cold air for an cold surfaces, cold night. as it comes in, the cold airfor an cold surfaces, there is a risk of snow showers. the risk increases through the day on monday. mostly as showers initially you can see the easterly wind strengthening, it will push them into eastern areas. you can see masses of snow developing across the north sea, giving us cause for concern. 0ne developing across the north sea, giving us cause for concern. one or 2 degrees above freezing, factor in the strength of the wind and it will feel a lot colder. at one or two, that will be a reasonable temperature for the week ahead when we could see temperatures below freezing by three or four celsius. you factor in that wind and it will feel cold. these are the forecast,

tuesday and wednesday, it will feel better for many of us. taking it further ahead into the middle of next week, you can see the depth of blue coming across the country. siberian air, very dry air, an increasing threat of snow, particularly as we go through tuesday. and then perhaps later in the week as well. keep tuned to the forecasts. this is bbc world news, the headlines. after days of delays, the un security council has passed a resolution calling for a 30—day humanitarian ceasefire across syria. the 15 member council voted to allow aid deliveries and medical evacuations. us airlines, delta and united have joined a growing list of companies cutting ties with the national rifle association. the two airlines have ended discounts for nra members following the florida school shooting last week. china has asked the united states

to withdraw sanctions imposed