this is bbc news. i'm ben brown. the headlines at 11am: a shift of policy on europe by labour. shadow brexit secretary confirms the party would keep britain ina confirms the party would keep britain in a customs union. we have long championed being in a customs union with the eu and the benefits of that, obviously it is the only way realistically to get tariff free access. it is really important for oui’ access. it is really important for our manufacturing base. and nobody can answer the question how to keep a commitment to a no hard border in northern ireland without a customs union. syrian warplanes are have attacked the area of eastern ghouta despite the un council voting for a ceasefire. russian athletes are told they will not be allowed to march under the country's flag during this morning was mike ceremony at the winter olympics. one of bollywood's most famous actresses, sridevi kapoor, who starred in more than a hundred and 50 films — has died

suddenly at the age of 5a. making the weight, we hear how jockeys who use extreme methods such as starving themselves to keep their weight low are being encouraged to use safer practices. and in half an hour here on bbc news — dateline london looks at the continuing violence in syria; and the latest twists in the brexit debate. good morning and welcome to bbc news. the shadow brexit secretary has confirmed labour will make a shift on policy on brexit. he says the party will adopt the policy of

keeping britain in a customs union after brexit. he says a new treaty would have to be drawn up to do the work of the existing agreement. and that labour had long championed the benefit of a customs union. the policy shift marks a clear difference with theresa may, who is committed to leaving the eu's customs arrangement and the single market. our political correspondent emma vardyjoins me now. this is quite an important change by labour. each shift of policy on the customs union. there have been months of uncertainty on labour's position. what its vision was in times of britain's future relationship with the eu after brexit. this now marks labour moving decisively towards a much softer version of brexit. while a harder version of brexit. while a harder version being pursued by theresa may. it really separates the

parties, putting them into clear positions. staying within a cost customs union, labour's new policy, this would mean britain would still need to impose tariffs on goods coming into the country and abide by many of the rules and regulations we currently do within the eu. as opposed to theresa may's version, leaving the customs union, with much more room for britain to divert, go off and do its own thing. but as keir starmer set out today, this new labour policy which will be announced tomorrow. well, we have long championed being in a customs union with the eu and the benefits of that. obviously, it is the only way realistically to get tariff free access. it is really important for our manufacturing base and nobody can answer the question — how you keep your commitment to no hard border in northern ireland without a customs union. crunch time is now coming for the prime minister, because the majority of parliament does not back her approach to a customs union. keir

starmer this morning, saying crunch time is coming for the prime minister because of the parliamentary arithmetic. that's right. parliament will get a chance to vote on the terms of the final brexit deal. what ever theresa may negotiates, the commons will get to have a say. any tory remainers, any potential rebels who decide they might want to side with labour's vision of brexit, they may decide they want to vote against every sunday, to stay within a customs union. potentially if those numbers add up, tory rebels siding with labour and greens and snp ‘s, all of those remaining voters, they could potentially defeat the government. that undermines theresa may's authority, leading to another snap election possibly. we have also heard from liam fox. this was put to

him, could it bring the government down? he said, hold on, theresa may is yet to outline the government's vision for the future relationship with the eu. don't bank on bringing them down just yet. with the eu. don't bank on bringing them downjust yet. sky with the eu. don't bank on bringing them down just yet. sky they have them down just yet. sky they have the numbers to blow a hole through this process. what is your message? i would say to my colleagues theresa may have kept a broad range of views for a reason. we sat down, with differing views, we said we'd look at the issues, at the options and we came to an agreement that we are all happy with. that was liam fox. we have big speeches on brexit from both corbyn and may in the next few days. what we are seeing is labour setting out its position to get their ahead of theresa may's brexit speech. there has been pressure in labour

backbenchers forjeremy corbyn to move on theirs. theresa a will be given the final speech, dubbed the road to brexit from the conservative party where she will set out what has been loosely agreed among the brexit cabinet as to britain's vision of its future relationship with the eu. this is corbyn's opportunity to get in there first and set that up as a separate position to the conservatives. he is also under pressure from some in the labour party. not just also under pressure from some in the labour party. notjust to stay in the customs union, but to get britain to stay in the single market. yes. some want him to go even further. in the observer today, a letter was published saying it is very well keeping close ties, but we wa nt very well keeping close ties, but we want that to go further, stay within the single market. they are saying it is the only way for labour to honour its spending commitments. we

know it has taken some months to get corbyn to shift this far, but there is still pressure for him to go further. thank you. syrian government forces have continued air strikes in the rebel held area of eastern ghouta, despite a un security council resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire. it's hoped that an end to fighting would allow humanitarian aid to be brought in and injured civilians to be rescued. the syrian government has criticised that vote. andy moore reports. another air attack on the besieged enclave of eastern ghouta yesterday. shortly after the un decision, similar bombings were reported. even as they voted unanimously in support of the resolution, there was doubt on all sides about how much effect it would have. the text calling for an immediate ceasefire took place by one calling for a truce.

it will not apply to any jihadi militants. we are deeply sceptical that the regime will comply. but we supported this resolution because we must demand nothing less. we owe this to the innocent people of syria, begging for help. the russians said it was naive to think difficult issues could be addressed. overnight. the syrian ambassador said his country had the right to act self—defence. translation: this will not succeed and it will backfire sooner or later. we have the right to defend ourselves according to the charter. the international aid agency stand ready to help but it is not safe enough yet for them to go in. we are ready to roll out assistance to be able to cover and reach people who have been besieged for a long time and bring them much needed life—saving assistance. the un secretary general has called eastern ghouta hell on earth. he has called on all sides to

implement the agreement as as soon as possible. let's just bring you the latest on the winter olympics. we have the closing ceremony at the moment. let us closing ceremony at the moment. let us show you a flavour of what is going on right now. all of this calms, this closing ceremony as the international olympic committee decided not to lift russia's suspension for doping, in time for this closing ceremony at the winter games in south korea. the ban could be lifted at a later date if no more of russia's athletes test positive from pyeongchang. let's get the report now. russian athletes will enter the main stadium here under the olympic flag. for the closing ceremony, like the opening, there will again be individuals not technically representing their country.

if no further russian doping violations emerge from these games, the ban on team russia will be lifted for future events. the pyeongchang olympics will be marked by political movements right down to the extinguishing of the flame. a small group of protesters tried to block the road as north korea's representative approached. but he crossed the border at a different point. general kim yong is accused here of masterminding several attacks on the south, including the alleged torpedoing of the south korean naval vessel in which 46 sea men were killed. in the coming hours, he willjoin ivanka trump in the stands. but the white house says there are currently no plans for the two to meet. at the opening ceremony, images of the united states vice president avoiding any contact with

the north korean leader ‘s sister travelled around the world. and the us government seems determined to make sure a similar situation is not repeated. let's go live now to stephen at the olympic park, where the closing ceremony is underway. quite a show. how do you assess these games, both asa how do you assess these games, both as a sporting event and in some ways as a sporting event and in some ways asa as a sporting event and in some ways as a political event with the possibilities... between north and south korea with mike absolutely. it has been a remarkable olympics in times of the political shifts we have seen, propaganda war between north korea and the us and in the middle south korea hosting this event and trying to bring both sides together and all along, the backdrop, the winter olympics. just a few months ago, there was not even

any communication between north and south korea and yet here we are at the games, we have had a unified hockey team. the women's hockey team, we have had north and south korean athletes marching together for the opening and these high—level political dialogue is going on, following a delegation from the north is visiting for the games and so. north is visiting for the games and so. those in favour of south korea opening up bridges with the north will be happy with how things have panned out. but that does not mean everybody is happy, some will say having that general i was speaking about earlier, he is potentially guilty of war crimes and yet heery is at the olympics, representing north korea at the same time as ivanka trump, representing the us. very unusual indeed to have such high—level political theatre going

on at the same time as the sporting event. what have south koreans made a bit? they have been living under this extreme tension for so long, have they been seeing these games in some way as an opportunity for us sawing of relationships with the north? —— sawing of relationships with the north? -- a majority of south koreans voted for the president last year on a platform of trying to open up communication channels with the north. the government here would use the winter olympics to make good on that election promise. a smaller population —— a smaller, vocal population —— a smaller, vocal population would say they are not in favour of using the games in that way, but i think the government would be sad and they want to say that most koreans wanted us to at least try theirs. and that is

because the policy has not stopped north korea having its nuclear weapon is all there being a threat on this peninsular. at least at the games you have a feeling there is some sort of discussion going on, a kind of honouring of the olympic truce that supposedly is part of the entire olympic myth. with luck, that communication might continue beyond these games. thank you. democrats in the us house intelligence committee have released a memo that counters republican claims of bias in the investigation into russian interference in the 2016 presidential election. the memo dismisses the republican version of events as a transparent effort to undermine the investigation. the national rifle association in the united states has accused

the growing number of american companies that are cutting their ties with the organisation, of cowardice. two airlines, united and delta, are the latest to distance themselves from the pro—gun lobby group following last week's school shooting in florida. our latest headlines: a shift of policy on europe by labour, the shadow brexit secretary keir starmer confirms the party would keep britain ina confirms the party would keep britain in a customs union. syrian warplanes reported to have attack eastern ghouta despite the un security council voting for a ceasefire. russian athletes told they will not be allowed to march under the country's flag during the closing ceremony at the winter olympics. let's get the latest on

the winter olympics and the rest of the winter olympics and the rest of the sport news. more from pyeongchang in a moment. first in cricket: england lost a thrilling first one day international against new zealand. the kiwis chased down 285 to win with four balls to spare in hamilton. ben stokes was making his first appearance since he was involved in an incident outside a bristol nightclub back in september. and, although he madejust i2, he helped with an england fightback with the ball, taking two wickets. latham for 79 then got de grandhomme cheaply caught behind by buttler. new zealand won by three wickets, mitchell santner finishing it in style in the final over. the winter olympics are over for another four years. the closing ceremony will take place in about 45 minutes in pyongchang, and billy morgan, the bronze medallist in the big air yesterday, has been selected to carry the team gb flag. there was plenty of excitement on the final day of action. the men's ice hockey

final was a classic as the olympic athletes from russia came from behind to beat germany 4—3 in overtime in a thrilling climax. there were jubilant scenes as the oar won their second gold of the games and 17th medal overall. the winning team proudly sang the russian national anthem as the olympic flag was raised in honour of their win. after the british women missed out on a bronze medal in the curling yesterday, sweden regained the olympic title, beating south korea in the final overnight. 8—3 it finished. not a good result for great britain in the four—man bobsleigh overnight. they had two teams, lamin deen and his crew came in 18th and the team led by brad hall finished in 17th position,

germany took the gold. now, will it be a first league cup sucess for arsenal manager arsene wenger, or a first trophy as manchester city manager pep guardiola when the two sides meet in the carabao cup final at wembley later? wenger has won the premier league and fa cup with the gunners, but this one has always evaded him, while it could be the first of three trophies this season for guardiola. for us it is an opportunity to replay with all the regular players and we want to go to wembley. replay with all the regular players and we want to go to wembleylj think wembley is special, because the stadium is divided into. and it isa the stadium is divided into. and it is a special day. no matter how many... it is always special day. in the beginning when we start, we say the beginning when we start, we say the same... in the big clubs, it is

always the same, how many titles... at the same point, as i said before, these eight months together, you live what you live and that belongs to us. manchester united looks to regain... no love lost betweenjose mourinho and conde but the pair stayed tight—lipped when asked about the build—up. tight—lipped when asked about the build-up. at all before i will not speak about it, not at all. that is not the point. that is not the point, very good manners. —— very good manager, fantastic team and thatis good manager, fantastic team and that is what is important. good manager, fantastic team and that is what is importantlj good manager, fantastic team and that is what is important. i think in the past, those —— both have said these things and, ok, it is ok for

me. i these things and, ok, it is ok for me. lam these things and, ok, it is ok for me. i am not interested these things and, ok, it is ok for me. lam not interested in these things and, ok, it is ok for me. i am not interested in speaking about this topic. you could easily get lost in front of the tv if you area get lost in front of the tv if you are a football fan. huge gains. a big game in scotland, third placed aberdeen host leaders celtic. that is alljust bought aberdeen host leaders celtic. that is all just bought for aberdeen host leaders celtic. that is alljust bought for now. i will have more in the next hour. thank you. colombia has extradited to the united states an ecuadorean man it accuses of being one of the region's top drugs smugglers. prosecutors say washington prado alava attempted to join the ranks of the farc rebel group in order to avoid extradition. russell trott reports. taking no chances, handcuffed and surrounded by heavily armed police and security guards, the man said to be a top drug lord and a top target

for the united states is about to face justice there. over the past decade, prosecutors say washington prado alava, an ecuadorian, smuggled more than 250 tonnes of code cocaine. a fingerprint taking and an armed escort in the full glare of the media, a final humiliating downfall of an alleged drug smuggler said to have ordered the murder ofjudges prosecutors and police officers. translation: he is accused of introducing hundreds of tonnes of cocaine into the us. during this three—year investigation, more than 100 people have been captured. it is claimed he was in colombia trying to join the ranks of the farc. to escape extradition. as part of the peace deal between colombia and the farc which ended a five decade—long conflict, gorillas involved in drug trafficking could avoid being flown

to the united states so long as they abandoned a life of violent crime. alava and his gang are said to have operated in the jungles and backwaters of ecuador and colombia using a fleet of speedboats to make regular cocaine deliveries for central america and mexico. and from there, into the cities of the united states. horse racing, and jockeys are constantly having to drop their weight ahead of races. but now britain's most successful jockey, tony mccoy, is working with researchers to advise riders how to lose weight without damaging their long term health. judy hobson reports. horse racing is part of our national culture, but what is life like for those at the very centre of the sport? for thejockeys, it can be dangerous, but most say the toughest part of the job is the relentless struggle to keep the weight off. keeping their weight low is an integral part of a jockey‘s job,

because if they can't make the weight, they won't get the rides. if they don't get the rides, their careers could be over. southwell races and the jockeys are weighing in before the first race. today, paul mulrennan is riding at nine stone, not easy to achieve when you are five foot seven. yes, when i got here, i had one last pound to get off sojump the shower, shaved and the pound just flew off. paul used to starve himself and carry out extreme sweating to lose the pounds. and this pressure affects those at the very top of the sport. a p mccoy was champion jockey for 20 consecutive yea rs. i was having hot baths and running with sweatsuits on and saunas and probably everything you shouldn't do, i was doing. but everything changed for paul when he came to this university in liverpool.

george wilson is a former jockey and heads up the world's leading research on how jockeys can make weight safely. george is measuring how much body fat paul is carrying. you only have 11% in total. we have to telljockeys they must be realistic about what they are trying to achieve. we offer up individually devised diet and nutrition programmes and exercise programmes based upon the research, as opposed to the jockeys adopting these culturally driven methods which obviously would not be the best for your health. extreme dieting can cause serious long—term physical and even mental health problems and the industry says it wants these practices to become a thing of the past. so this programme aims to educate riders in having a healthy diet combined with fat burning exercises. a p mccoy says he regrets not having access to this research earlier in his career. maybe i could have been so much better if i'd had

the access to something like this in the early part of my career. it could have made me better, could have made me last longer. it could have made me a much better jockey. dieticians are now routinely at racetracks and advise on healthy weight making is made at racing schools. paul is now happy and healthy and riding 100 winners a year. very interesting that and viewers on many of us grow up playing musical instruments. but many with disabilities do not have the opportunity. now meet a boy who plays the one—handed bagpipe. for guy, a dream come true. he has learned to play the scales, and let's be honest,

he looks the part too. but getting this far has not been easy. he was born with no left hand. i have got a bone missing in it and i have got five fingers but some are really small and i have always felt special. not many people your age want to learn to play the bagpipes. what made you so interested in that instrument? my mum's scottish so when we go there we see my uncle, neill, and he plays the bagpipes. his mum reached out to the one—handed musical instrument trust. they found a music teacher who invented this digital chanter. it has changed his life. in each of the holes, you have a sensor detecting the finger positions so you can make the sound do whatever you like, we came up with this new version of the fingering only using the top five holes to get all of the notes

you can getjust using one hand. it is not that difficult and you can just learn the scales and once you have got the notes and sound you can start learning songs. it is notjust the bagpipes, a whole range of instruments can be adapted and modified to help musicians with a physical disability. this keypad is connected to a computer and it sounds just like a violin, viola or cello and you can play it single—handedly. one charity is calling on instrument makers from around the world to help make music more accessible. it is very difficult to find a standard instrument that can be played by a child with a physical disability. the difference is that giving them the right instrument makes in their self—confidence, their ability tojoin in with others in a musical setting, it is phenomenal. it is very difficult to find a standard instrument that can

be played by a child with a physical disability. the difference is that giving them the right instrument makes in their self—confidence, their ability tojoin in with others in a musical setting, it is phenomenal. excellent. that was good. now he has learnt a tune or two, he has set another goal, to play the bagpipes at edinburgh castle. it would be cool playing in front of lots of people, being different to everyone else. i am sure it is only a matter of time. well done! how good is he? i vote for guy to play at edinburgh castle. now for the weather. it is going to be brutally cold in the middle part of the week and then we will add to the snow that is already going to fall today. by contrast, it is a bit

chilly and funny as well. temperatures, the only thing you need to know. call on eastern side. nothing wrong with the weather this afternoon. it is on the poolside. we will fill in the cloud, the first signs of snow showers coming in from the north sea. on what is going to be cold night, feeling much colder than the weekend has, even at this stage and this is by no means the very worst of the conditions. snow showers gradually drifting away from eastern coast, farther towards the west. it is from this point where the weather really goes downhill over the next few days. please stay up—to—date with the forecast, because it will be a really disruptive. snow later in the week and very cold indeed. that is the forecast. stay tuned. this is bbc news.

let's you live now team gb have just appeared. let's now to the closing ceremony.