hello, you're watching newsday from london and singapore. i'm sharinjit leyl london and singapore. i'm sharinjit leyl. the headlines. another resignation. president trump's communications director hope hicks is to step down. it comes a day after she testified to congress. the children of parkland return to school to the day after a gunman walked in and killed their friends. i think eventually, it will be normal again, but not the same normal again, but not the same normal it was before. it will probably be a new type of normal because those in 17 people aren't going to be there. i am in singapore. also in the programme. is the uk being backed into a corner over the irish border? we have the details of the european union's controversial brexit proposal. a huge turnout for sridevi's funeral. a lot of people turned out for one

of the bollywood actresses who is seen as of the bollywood actresses who is seen as one of the bollywood actresses who is seen as one of the most influential over time. life or my studios in london and singapore. this is bbc world news. it is newsday. hello, it is midnight here in london. eight in the morning in singapore and 7pm in washington where one president trump's longest—serving aides... hope hanks has resigned. the announcement came a day after the 29—year—old was questioned by the house intelligence committee investing western meddling in the 360 and intelligent. here is our... she was the fourth person to fill the role in just 13 she was the fourth person to fill the role injust 13 months of this

presidency so far. it gives you a sense of this ever—changing cast of the white house. hope hicks herself went beyond that in some way. she was with president trump got the campaign and was with the family organisation for years before that and she was rarely seen today mecca really seen as a very close adviser indicated to president trump. someone that he got relied upon time and time again. in a statement tonight, he is talk clearly about her resignation does, just a day after she spoke to the house intelligence committee here in washington. this committee has examined a number of issues and on those issues, it seemed that hope hicks wasn't ready to respond. apparently, she wasn't prepared to talk about the meeting, the controversial meeting in summer 2016 between the trump organisation, the trump organisation, the trump

campaign team and a russian lawyer. she also apparently a 1's estate did save that she apparently told a white lies on behalf of the president, but, as i say, this is another blow for the white house, losing a key member of staff, but it isa losing a key member of staff, but it is a personal blow to donald trump, too, as president, because he did rely so clearly on hope hicks. someone that he really trusted. rely so clearly on hope hicks. someone that he really trustedm is very much the revolving door of the white house. one moment you are in the, the next rock. this does suggest, though, with her departure, that president trump's inner circle is that a concern? yes, and you also have the talk about the various different camps that are emerging inside the white house. john kelly, general kelly, of course, someone who was the chief of staff in the side of the white house, there is talk of tension between him and doesn't come's daughter and son—in—law, jared kushner. you do get a sense there are different

camps emerging within the bright task and hope hicks was someone, again, withjust task and hope hicks was someone, again, with just emphasizing, task and hope hicks was someone, again, withjust emphasizing, who very much belonged in some senses to the family. she was someone who is reckless to be family and very close to the president himself. it blow, but i think it is also a blow in terms of the organisation of the white house, it's up. let's take a look at some of the day's other news. the international olympic committee has lifted its ban on russia, three days after the winter games in south korea ended. the suspension was imposed in december, after inspectors said they'd found evidence of systematic state—sponsored doping. president putin gave some of the winning athletes their medals earlier today. here's what the president of the russian olympic committee said about their athletes. translation: the letter we have received today says that the international olympic committee can confirm that all the remaining samples of the olympic athletes from russia were negative. that is, i'll

be doping tests that our habits took in the last days of the olympics gave a negative result. —— that our athletes took. also... duterte said he will not cling to power and turned into a dictator. he wants to improve federalism so he can finish his term early. the 72—year—old said he would really like to rest and would step down by 2020. the japanese company behind the country's iconic bullet trains has said it had supplied nearly 150 faulty wheel parts that could crack and potentially cause a derailment. kawasaki heavy industries launched an investigation after a crack was found in its parts under one carriage in december. more than 100 carriages will now have to have their wheels changed because of the fault. it's been revealed that a murdered slovakian journalist was probing alleged political corruption with links to the italian mafia jan kuciak and his partner

were shot dead in their home. kuciak‘s last article, published posthumously, alleges links between the italian mafia and figures close to the prime minister, robert fico. i can't believe you'd ditched the tropical weather for this. i can't believe you'd ditched the tropicalweatherforthis. much i can't believe you'd ditched the tropical weatherfor this. much of europe has been blanked in snow as cold weather spread as far south as the mediterranean coast. these pictures are from the united kingdom, where the cold spot has been nicknamed the beast from the east. dozens of roads were closed and trains and flights were cancelled. of course, hundreds of schools are also suspended their classes. with some businesses telling workers to stay home. who us president donald trump has met with members of congress from both sides of the isle, republicans and democrats, to discuss gun control. in the wake of the florida school shooting, the president wants to put forward a bill to change some

of the country's firearm laws. and once again, at the top of his list is a move to arm some american teachers in schools. again, i really believe that those people, it's idealistic, it's a beautiful thing, but if you think that somebody is going to be able to walk into a school if they feel they're not going to have bullets coming at them from the other direction, you're never going to solve the problem. ifeel that. background checks were also on the agenda. democratic senator chris murphy told the president previous moves to change the law have been thwarted because of the influence of the country's national rifle association. in the end, mr president, the reason nothing has gotten done here is because the gun lobby has had a veto power over any legislation that comes before congress. i wish that wasn't the case, but it is. if all we end up doing is the stuff that

the gun industry supports, then this just isn't worth it. we are not going to make a difference. the discussions come two weeks to the day, since the florida shooting. students and teachers today returned to their school for the first time since 17 people were shot dead. dozens of officers and well wishers were on hand, offering support. one young student said it was incredibly sad to return to where herfriends had died. it was a tough day for all of us. i lost three friends. three great friends. one of them was a nicholas, who was in my anatomy class and i literally saw him at the exact same day at the beginning in the morning. i saw day at the beginning in the morning. isaw him. day at the beginning in the morning. i saw him. we hugged and said happy valentine's day and that was the last i ever heard of him until we found out in the news that he was one of the ones who sadly... sorry. one of the ones who was killed. let's bring in political

analyst eric ham, whojoins me from washington. thank you forjoining us today. firstly, what is your view on the president's suggestions to arm teachers because we just had an incident in a georgia where a teacher fired a gun incident in a georgia where a teacherfired a gun in his classroom? this is the reason why you see so classroom? this is the reason why you see so many lawmakers and so many of the nation's of governors, attorney generals and other policy people suggesting that this is a really bad idea. first of all, it is just an enormous amount of money to train and to equip teachers to do this. secondly, because of the situational awareness, manyjust don't see it as a good idea. the president, of all the ideas that he has thrown out in terms of ideas for confronting this issue of mass shootings, this is the one issue that he has managed to stick with andi that he has managed to stick with and i think it is something that we

will be hearing more from him. one of the reasons why i think he likes this idea so much is because it is an idea that the national racial association —— national rifle association to the unit supports. the president has been trying to do this need of making sure his base stays with them, which are mainly nra members, as well as trying to be seen as nra members, as well as trying to be seen as doing something on the issue on guns. remember, in 2016, the nra funded the president's campaign to the tune of $30 million. i think he's trying to placate them as well as trying to make sure people feel safe going forward. importantly, we have that so many of these shootings and similar debates have happened. it you think this time, survivors area it you think this time, survivors are a lot more vocal and we have companies like addicts a sporting goods as well as walmart doing something about gun sales. do you feel that something might actually change this time? actually, we

already changes. even if theyjust incremental. just the fact that you have, like he said, the operative words. survivors are speaking out. that is something very different from what we have seen in past shootings. oftentimes, the dead cannot speak. they don't have a voice. this time, however, we are seeing the savviness of these young people actually engage on this issue and now the fact that you are seeing so and now the fact that you are seeing so many corporations moving as quickly as possible away the nra and actually putting their dollars with their mouth is on these issues, i think it is also showing an suggesting that there is a change taking place. the fact that you have the president now actually supporting the ban of bump stocks or actually looking to raise the age limit on gun purchases, i think that is something that is a very huge. in fa ct, is something that is a very huge. in fact, i covered the meeting today between the presidents and lawmakers

and he actually said he pointed the two senators —— kees appointed lead to senators they should look at raising the age limit for their bill. it is a bill that he said he would be willing to support and sign up would be willing to support and sign up at would be willing to support and sign upata would be willing to support and sign up at a price that the device at his desk. we are seeing changes both incrementally and major from desk. we are seeing changes both incrementally and majorfrom both sides of the aisle and for major voices like corporate america. the zampese gc that, you will continue to see major shifts taking place on this issue. —— as long as you continue to see that. the european commission published its first draft of the official treaty for brexit today. it included proposals for a common regulatory area on the island of ireland, which would effectively mean keeping northern ireland in a customs union, unlike the rest of the uk. prime minister theresa may said the idea would never be agreed to and it threatened the constitutional integrity of the uk. the bbc‘s rob watson reports. breaking up was never going to beat

easy. as efforts to finalise the divorce agreement, the withdrawal treaty as it's known in brussels, are proving. don't blame uses the eu negotiator michel barnier. it was the uk that wants to leave, throwing up the uk that wants to leave, throwing up all sorts of problems. including the thorny issue of the border between northern ireland and the irish republic. translation: i am not trying to provoke or create shock waves. i wa nted provoke or create shock waves. i wanted this negotiation to be a success , wanted this negotiation to be a success, but let me remind you that it was uk's decision to leave, and does that set from the beginning, no one should underestimate the consequences of this action. that's come up northern ireland might almost effectively stay in the u—2 of order a hard border but a hard response from theresa may. said she would sign and no such street. the legal text if implemented, would

undermine the uk market and governments integrity of the uk by creating a customs and regulatory border across the irish sea. no uk prime minister could ever agree to it. probe brexit mps and hurt governing conservative party applauded her. stop brexit! outside parliament comedies freezing antique brexit protesters may have a powerful new ally. former conservative party leaderjohn major loss to a scathing attack on the government's handling a brexit, accusing it of caving it to hard—line accusing it of caving it to ha rd—line europeans accusing it of caving it to hard—line europeans in pursuing the policy that would leave britain poorer, weaker and more divided than ever. brexit has been the most divisive issue of a my political lifetime. it is divided not only before nations of the united kingdom, but the regions within those nations. it has divided political parties, dip political

colleagues, families, friends and the young from the old. many people in britain are probably more worried about the weather right now than the details of a briton's withdrawal from the eu. politicians likejohn major believe the voters will cool on brexit, too, as and when the reality of leaving the eu unfolds. certainly, a chill has set in between london and brussels with no obvious prospects of a fine relation. rob watson, bbc news. ten ofa relation. rob watson, bbc news. ten of a thought interrelation. —— of a thought in relations. you're watching newsdsy on the bbc. still to come on the programme: on her way to the uk, a female officer in the afghan army is being sent to train at sandhurst. also on the programme... two royal couples on theirfirst official engagement together, to talk about their plans for their charity. prince charles has chosen his bride.

the prince proposed to lady diana spencer three weeks ago. she excepted, she says, without hesitation. as revolutions go, this had its fair share of bullets. a climax in the night outside the gates of the sanctuary. the name itself symbolising one of the cruelest regime among nature. the worlds first clone has been produced ofan worlds first clone has been produced of an adult mammal. scientists in scotland have produced a sheep called dolly using a cell from another sheep. citizens are trying to come to grips with their new freedom. though there is a newjoy and today, the scars are everywhere. but for 20 years have a look is been seen but for 20 years have a look is been seenin but for 20 years have a look is been seen in such numbers in this part some of these forms have been ten miles long. this is the last time the public will see this pope. very soon, for the sake of the credibility and authority of the next pope, benedict xvi will, will,

in his own words, be hidden from the world for the rest of his life. welcome back tuesday on the bbc. the two to newsday. think staying with us. another resignation, president trump's communications director hope hicks is to step down. it comes a day after she testified to congress. and, two royal couples on theirfirst official engagement together, talk about their plans for their charity. let's take a look at some front pages from around the world. the front page of the japan times features some brand new faces, ahead of the next olympic and paralympic games. that's because tokyo organisers have unveiled their official mascots. primary students picked futuristic and yet traditionally

attired superheroes. the business standard has some good news for the indian economy, it's reached the number one spot again. the paper reports that the county outpaced its regional peers, including china last year. it has now become the fastest—growing economy. and finally, the china daily explains why some people are hoping chinese new year celebrations won't go off with a bang. the god of wealth is pictured trying to persuade shopkeepers not to set off fireworks. the move is aimed at protecting the environment. those are the papers. what stores are sparking discussions on mine? well, it is all about neymar. paris saint—germain says neymar will undergo surgery in his home country brazil at the end of the week. his injuries have created uncertainty about whether he will be able to train for the world cup.

the 26—year—old, who cost paris saint—germain 200—million—pounds in the summer, will be out of action for at least six weeks. the funeral of indian actress sridevi has taken place in mumbai. many bollywood a—listers joined mourners, and thousands of fans lined the streets. an autopsy found the 54—year—old drowned in a bath after losing consciousness at a hotel in dubai. a police investigation into her death, has now been closed. sameer hashmi was there. a grand farewell for one of india's most famous movie stars. thousands of people turned out on the streets of people turned out on the streets of mumbai to say goodbye to sridevi, and actors who chimed audiences through her career spanning five decades. before her last race were performed, her body was put on display for people to pay their

respects. heartbroken fans came from all over india and queued for hours to catch one last glimpse of their beloved star. i've come from far because i love sridevi. we have no connection but there is one. that is the rare movies and do the amazing, implacable woman that she has always been. she's only going to stay in out been. she's only going to stay in our hearts. i am so sad. she is one of the greatest actresses of bollywood. i'm here to try to take a glimpse of her. bollywood icons turned out in large numbers to mourn the loss of the actress being called the loss of the actress being called the industry's first female superstar. for india's movie industry, she was an icon who broke the glass clearing by becoming one of the very first female superstars capable of delivering huge box office success without the support office success without the support of the male role. she achieved at a time when indian film makers were

relu cta nt to time when indian film makers were reluctant to cast actresses as the main protagonists in their movies. she acted in nearly 300 movies across five different indian language is. she was already a big name in south india in the 1970s. but it was performances in bollywood the following decade in movies that cemented her popularity across the country. and it wasn'tjust sridevi's acting that you dance to the cinema halls. herfantastic dance performances left her fans memorised. —— mesmerize. date details about her death is controversies but all was forgotten as she made herfinaljourney. it was at a time when it indian industry leaned on male roles for

success , industry leaned on male roles for success, her... legacy. the afghan army's officer training academy in kabul is known as sandhurst in the sand because its modelled on its prestigious british counterpart, the royal military training academy. it's seen an increasing number of afghan women sign up over the past few years, and now one has become the first female officer to be sent for further training in sandhurst in the uk. here is her story. joined when i ask for myself, i asked if i

had part. i'm really the world championship surfer who fought off a shark will be retiring. the surfer, was won three world titles will hang up his surfboard in march saying he is lost in the drive to compete on a day to day basis. meghan markle has joined prince harry and the duke and duchess of cambridge for their first official engagement together. they were outlining what they wanted to achieve it through their charity foundation. it's called the royal foundation which ms markle will officially that it would hit the ground running after the wedding inmate. taylor—mac in may. you have been watching newsday, stay with us. spotify, the world's biggest music streaming service, is to go public, and trade on the new york stock exchange. but what's so unusual about this

prospective listing? that's coming up shortly. and before we go, let's take a look at these pictures. it is truly frosty here in the uk. i do as it is truly frosty here in the uk. i doasi it is truly frosty here in the uk. i do as i was back in singapore. while most people sought shelter during the night from the snow storm, here in the uk, four inquisitive deer made the most of a deserted tayside street. these deer were spotted taking a dander along bridge street in dunkeld. they look