welcome to bbc news, broadcasting to viewers in north america and around the globe. my name is mike embley. our top stories: three americans released by north korea arrive in alaska on the first leg of theirjourney home. the white house hails "a positive gesture of goodwill". president trump threatens iran with severe consequences if it restarts its nuclear programme. the us may reimpose sanctions as soon as next week. a shock win for malaysia's opposition — and its 92—year—old leader. former prime minister mahathir mohamad makes an extraordinary comeback. and model members of the royal family. waxworks of meghan and harry are unveiled ten days ahead of the royal wedding. the three americans released by north korea have thanked president trump and his secretary of state, mike pompeo, for securing their release.

they are flying now to andrews airforce base outside washington, where they'll be met within hours by the president. according to the white house, they've been freed as a gesture of goodwill ahead of the planned summit between mr trump and kimjung—un. this report from lebo diseko. a welcome and a on home soil for the former detainees. their plane refuelling in alaska before making its onward journey. in a statement, the three men thank their families and friends who'd prayed for their return. no doubt they'll also thank donald trump when he needs their plane in washington. securing the release of the americans had been held in north korea is a diplomatic victory for president trump. the men area victory for president trump. the men are a pastor detained in 2015 on spying charges, he was sentenced to ten yea rs spying charges, he was sentenced to ten years hard labour. a man known

as tony kim worked at a university in pyongyang. he was detained in april 2017, also charged with espionage. and detained in may 2017, he was a christian missionary, accused of hostile acts. nobody thought this was going to appin. and if it did it would be years or decades, frankly —— happened. nobody thought this was going to happen. and i appreciate kimjong—un doing this and allowing them to go. the men were handed over to mike pompeo, the us secretary of state was in pyongyang on their surprises ahead of the upcoming summit between the american and north korean leaders. south korea's leader raised the issue of detainees from his country with kim jong—un, but issue of detainees from his country with kimjong—un, but made little progress. it seems donald trump has succeeded where others have not. let's get more from our washington correspondent chris buckler. chris, this is a huge diplomatic

coup for president trump and four mike pompeo. what is the latest? an astonishing change of relationship between north korea and america. you get the sense that these releases are part of paving the way from those historic summit between president trump and mr kim. as for sb3 detainees are concerned, they touch down briefly in alaska. the plane is due in a matter of hours that matters for sb3 detainees. when you look at the particular release is here, it is very clear that they we re is here, it is very clear that they were able to board the plane very easily, they seemed to be in good health, and it contrasts so starkly with the release of otto warmbier a, a year ago, with the release of otto warmbier a, a yearago, he with the release of otto warmbier a, a year ago, he was arrested and subsequently convicted in north

korea and sentenced to years of hard labour. he was released effectively ina coma labour. he was released effectively in a coma and suffering from unexplained brain injuries and came back to america to die. that was seen as being a low point in north korean and american relationships. now we have the release of three men who seem to be in good health and who seem to be in good health and who have released a brief statement in which they thanked those in the american government and particularly president trump for arranging their releases. it is such a remarkable change to one year ago. the present, we are told, will be meeting them when they arrive at andrews air force base in a matter of hours —— be president. more details are emerging about the summit. because mike pompeo has been back to pyongyang overseeing the release of these three american citizens, and beyond that having conversations with kim jong—un for a second time. he spoke to him before on the easter weekend. you get the real sense they are planning for their summit. kim

jong—un has said they are the first steps towards a positive situation on the north korean peninsula, or he hopes are with this meeting. you get the sense that the finishing touches are being put to it. we know that the president has made clear that a time, location, and date has been set for it. we don't know that. there is speculation about where it could be, one of the places speculated upon its singapore. certainly, the summit seems like it is going to happen and these releases make it ever more likely. chris, thank you very much that. president trump has threatened iran with severe consequences if it restarts its nuclear programme. his decision to pull the us out of the international deal intended to limit the programme, signed by six world powers in 2015, has been widely condemned. britain, france, and germany are all saying they will work to salvage the deal, if possible. this from our diplomatic correspondent, james landale. in iran, there's a ritual way of denouncing the united states. but today they took it to the floor

of their parliament. burning the us flag and shouting ‘death to america'. the country's supreme leader denounced president trump's decision to abandon the deal that iran struck to curb its nuclear deal in return for lifted sanctions. but he warned that iran would leave the deal too, unless european countries guaranteed their trade. translation: if you can get a guarantee that we could put confidence in, then you can continue. if you don't succeed in obtaining a definitive guarantee, and i really doubt that you can, at that moment, we cannot continue like this. in the commons, the foreign secretary tried to reassure the iranian people, echoing france, germany, and china, promising to stand by the deal. britain has no intention of walking away.

instead, we will co—operate with the other parties to ensure that while iran continues to restrict its nuclear programme, then its people will benefit from sanctions relief in accordance with the central bargain of the deal. today, the un watchdog, the international atomic energy agency, confirmed that iran's nuclear facilities were complying with the terms of the deal. but european leaders believe iran must do more to restrict its behaviour in the middle east, and the us must explain how. translation: we know this deal is only finding solutions for a limited space of time, that's why we must talk to iran about what happens after that. how can we make sure that there just a civil and no military nuclear programme? for this deal to survive, britain and its allies must persuade businesses to keep trading with iran despite, the risks. they must convince iran that that trade is valuable,

meaning jobs and investment, and they have to persuade the us not to enforce those sanctions to harshly. none of that will be easy. not least when president trumpism so defiant. he told his cabinet errata will have to negotiate or something will have to negotiate or something will happen. i would advise iran will have to negotiate or something will happen. iwould advise iran not to start the nuclear programme. i would advise them very strongly. if they do there will be very severe consequences. today, president putin used a military parade in moscow to discuss the crisis with the israeli president. much will depend now on whether russia and china can agree a common process. the israeli military says about 20 rockets have been fired from syria

at its positions in the golan heights. it said some of the rockets were intercepted and there were no casualties. israel blamed iranian revolutionary guard forces in syria. syrian state media said israel fired missiles in retaliation — and some were shot down. after a first day of negotiations, argentina's finance minister, nicolas dujovne, has said that he'll request a stand—by loan from the international monetary fund. argentina said it would only use the funds, estimated to be worth $30 billion, in the case of necessity. california is set to become the first us state to mandate solar panels on almost all new built homes. it's part of the state's ambition to source half of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030. the solar industry, which already counts california as its leading us market, welcomed the decision. but opponents say new homes will now cost more. malaysia's former prime minister, mahathir mohamad has made an extraordinary political comeback.

the 92—year—old defeated the governing coalition in the general election came out of retirement to take on the party he himself led for years. after their hard fought campaign, and before the official results were declared, he told his supporters that their real task was onlyjust beginning. the chief secretary will announce that there will be a holiday tomorrow and the day after. cheering and also saturday and sunday. so you will have four days' holiday. but there will be no holiday for the winners. that's the trouble with winning. we have to work. mahathir mohamad. tricia yeoh from the institute for democracy and economic affairs in kuala lumpur says it was an unexpected result for pollsters. you basically saw the opposition

coalition sweep parliamentary seats, state seats throughout the country, defeating the incumbent that has beenin defeating the incumbent that has been in powerfor more than 60 yea rs. been in powerfor more than 60 years. that is a very long time. their dominance over the malaysian political scene has always been seen or considered to be under peter bol. this is the time where the citizens rose up and spoke up against what they felt to be a corrupt government, a compromise through many huge scandals. you saw basically 222 parliament being swept baby party taking more than 120 seats —— being swept, taking more than. that was against the barisan nasional. residents of hawaii's big island are being warned of further

explosive eruptions from the kilauea volcano in the coming weeks. for the last few days rivers of lava have run through residential areas and forced the evacuation of thousands of people. the us geological survey warns that more violent eruptions could shoot out so—called "ballistic blocks" weighing up to several tons. scott rowland is a volcanologist at the university of hawaii. hejoins me now. what do you think is going on? how much longer is it going to go on?” don't know how much longer it will go on. i don't think anyone really does. i will say that that explosion that happened this morning is almost certainly not the first of a series of really explosive eruptions to happen. it is remarkable timing that shortly after the news release was issued that there is the potential for strong explosions they happen to be an earthquake which knocked a whole bunch of rocks down into the

lava lake which caused a small explosion from the lava lake. it is not what the usgs press release was talking about it is just funny timing that it happened that way. this is one of the most active volcanoes in the world. volcanoes just build up pressure and they release that pressure. that is how it goes. i guess that's a very first order way to think about it. but plumbing systems are very complex. and the fact that magma is not only molten rock but gas makes their behaviour really difficult to predict on a very detailed manner. terrifying to be anywhere near. do you expect people to be able to go back to their homes in that area sony the kraitor? -- soap need the kraitor. the lava flows that is destroyed their homes are within

about 30 miles of where the explosion take place. they are having to watch two different. the kraitor where the explosion took place is up near a national park. the lava flows that have destroyed the homes are on the flank of the volcano. for those folks. the homes are on the flank of the volcano. forthose folks. it the homes are on the flank of the volcano. for those folks. it take a while before the activity stops, which it hasn't. it is still going on this afternoon. 0nce which it hasn't. it is still going on this afternoon. once it doesn't stop it will take a while before the authorities decided to say for them to come back. thank you very much indeed. you're welcome. stay with us on bbc news, still to come: their royal likenesses. waxworks of meghan and harry are unveiled ten days ahead of royal wedding. i, nelson rolihlahla mandela, do hereby swear to be faithful to the republic of south africa. after six years of construction

and numerous delays, the channel tunnel has been formally opened by the queen and president mitterrand. but the tunnel is still not yet ready for passengers and freight services to begin. for centuries, christianity and islam struggled for supremacy. now, the pope's visit symbolises their willingness to coexist. roger bannister became the first man in the world to run a mile in underfour minutes. memories of victory, as the ve celebrations reach their climax. this night is dedicated to everyone who believes in a future of peace and freedom. this is bbc news. the latest headlines: three americans

released by north korea have arrived in alaska on the first leg of theirjourney home. the white house hailed the move a positive gesture of goodwill. let's stay with that story now. we can go live now to georgia and speak to professor han park, founding director of the center for the study of global issues and professor of public and international affairs at the university of georgia. you were involved in an early release of prisoners and from your direct personal experience, what do you think went on here behind—the—scenes? you think went on here behind-the-scenes? what might have happened is north korea must have insisted on two conditions, as i experienced myself. number—1, they wa nted experienced myself. number—1, they wanted from the highest levels from the us an apology for the crime american citizens might have committed there. secondly, official written request for pardon. that was

required. i work very hard behind—the—scenes informally and finally they agreed to have former president bill clinton to come and give them these two conditions. this time they wanted to have someone of that calibre. i think they got mike pompeo, us secretary of state, and he went there most likely to satisfy north korea's demands. so if we did not do that perhaps the prisoners are still there and the summit meeting is still up in the air. briefly on that point, forgive me for interrupting, would you think in this case rather quietly behind—the—scenes there must have been some kind of written apology

from donald trump or from been some kind of written apology from donald trump orfrom mike pompeo, america's top diplomat? that is for someone else to speculate, i don't know what might have happened, but based on my experience, north koreans would not have satisfied, would not have released american prisoners without one apology to request for pardon. i think mike pompeo may have done these two in some form, some accessible form to kim jong—un. some form, some accessible form to kim jong-un. it seems these three are in good health, we're told, has of course opposed to 0tto warmbier. how do you think again from your experience they were treated in north korea? they don't have food even for themselves. they must have been treated pretty badly in terms of basic needs and healthcare. but they know that the american

civilians would be released soon, or some time, so if they are in terrible health condition, as warmbier a showed, then really it is a fiasco on their pr position. they must have been very careful to make sure these three individuals were in good health. by the way the south koreans... they were south koreans who became naturalised in the united states, so they would have been co mforta ble states, so they would have been comfortable with north korean food. it's the same korean food. so that may have helped their health. professor han park, thank you very much indeed, good to talk to you. thank you. policing alone will not solve the wave of violent crime affecting the streets of london according to the head of the murder squad who said his officers would be lawfully audacious in stopping the violence, but that communities also needed to step up and say enough‘s enough.

0ur correspondent leila nathoo reports. a mother in morning. 17 years old, yeah? 17! my boy, my a mother in morning. 17 years old, yeah? 17| a mother in morning. 17 years old, yeah? 17! my boy, my son, my son! child was murdered because of a feud a feud between rival gangs. —— furious her child. she has led a march in memory of in memory of her son. rahiym also went by the name gb. he was in a rat group called moscow 17. their rivals are known as

zone two, they had been warring and not just with words, zone two, they had been warring and notjust with words, rahiym was shot dead on saturday on the estate he lived in. violence has been circling this community. shelley's son was stabbed two years ago when he was 15. he survived but she says she still fears for his life every time he leaves the house. you can only do so much, you know? what happens on the outside, you can go outside and try and stop your child from going outside but if there's nothing for them practical to do, the devil makes work for idle hands. their putting themselves and other lives at risk and it doesn't need to be like that. there was a whole scoreboard, like, catching points on each other. it was all crap. like, scoring points of trying to hurt each other, success is the best form of revenge in my eyes. they could have just been successful with the music and not had to take it there but i don't know. the ripples of

rahiym's killing are reaching across this area. families traumatised by what is happening in their midst. we're losing a generation, not saying they're lost yet but we're losing them if we don't intervene in the right weight. stephan is one of those working to make the streets safer. the communities are scared to go out at nighttime, the kids are scared to get home from school, the kids are taking taxis home from school. you have to go to the grassroots, to the battlefield, get the knives off the streets without the knives off the streets without the police and make it happen, it works! any change that comes will be too late for rahiym and all the mothers and families dealing with death and violence, but the hope that her son's murder will be the last her community sees brings at least some comfort. leila nathoo, bbc news. just nine days out from the royal wedding of prince harry and actress meghan markle, the couple have managed to find themselves in three places at the same time. they had a bit of help from the madame tussaud museum

and even came for a trip to the bbc. virginia langeberg has the story: for a bride only days out from her wedding, she appears pretty composed. the happy couple side—by—side for eternity captured here posing in london. they've already mastered the act of being in two places at once. here they are in new york. prince harry and meghan markle's wax doubles were unveiled at the madame tussaud's museums in their respective home countries ahead of their wedding day on may the 19th. the pair even went on tour, visiting the bbc london studios and kindly posing for videos. the lifelike london meghan wears a replica of her green engagement dress, and on her left hand, a copy of her diamond engagement ring. while prince harry already had a wax figure here in london, it was made

for his 30th birthday, but he's now been... how to put this? restyled to include his beard. you get right up close to them, people think we have ropes and so on but you can get right up for selfies and put your arm around them. can i do that? if i do that... . that's perfectly fine. very few people get away with that. meghan's waxwork took six months to make working from videos and photos. 0n the day of the ceremony anyone named meghan or harry will gain free entry to the museum. then we're all invited to the honeymoon. well, sort of. virginia langeveldt, bbc news. 0nly sort of! traffic police in poland have been dealing with a sticky situation after a lorry carrying warm liquid chocolate overturned on a busy motorway. it's thought around 15 tons spilt across the road, blocking traffic in both directions. the driver suffered a broken arm and was taken to hospital. briefly the main story again and the

three americans released by north korea on wednesday have thanked president trump and his secretary of state, mike pompeo, for securing their release. leigh aiple fee, we told, have been examined by a doctor. they have left anchorage and they will be met by the president when they arrive —— they are healthy. much more on that and any other news any time on the bbc website. and you can get in touch with me and most of the team on twitter, i'm @bbcmikeembley. thank you very much for watching. hello.

0nce any early rain clears easternmost parts of england as thursday begins, what follows will be a lot of fine, dry weather. here's the weather front, it's going to drag its heels for a little while on thursday morning across eastern england and elsewhere you can see some fine weather, but a hint of showers following towards the north—west. so whilst many will have a fine day with some sunshine, there is the chance of catching a shower. more especially into parts of scotland, maybe one or two for northern ireland, northern england and north wales. now, for early risers, these are the temperatures. so double figures for the cloud and rain into eastern england. elsewhere into mid—single figures for some spots to begin the day but again, away from eastern england, a fair amount of sunshine and dry weather to begin with. but those showers will be pushing into scotland on through the morning and if you catch one it could be heavy, maybe a rumble of thunder, one or two for northern ireland, northern england, north wales. by the end of the morning, the last of the rain has cleared away from eastern parts of england, so looking dry for the rest of england. some cloud around, some holes

in the cloud allowing sunshine to come through and these temperatures across—the—board now are pretty close to the average for the time of year, so there's a particular warmth out there. heading out and about on thursday evening or coming back from wherever you've been, still a few showers in north—eastern area of scotland and into the northern isles, but they will continue to fade. elsewhere, what showers have built up are continuing to fade away, and the cloud that's developed is going as well, so a lot of dry and sunny weather to end the day. it does mean under clear skies thursday night into friday morning with a ridge of high pressure temperatures drop away even further, low single figures for some on friday morning. the ridge of high pressure not staying around too long as this weather front starts to push it out of the way on friday, and it means strengthening wind across the uk, particularly close to this rain band coming into northern ireland and feeding outbreaks of rain into west of scotland, parts of wales and south—west england. very slow—moving weather system, though.

ahead of that, although some cloud's going to increase, there will be sunny spells but there will be that strengthening south south—easterly wind. the weather front does push on through friday night into saturday, by saturday maybe lingering into north—east scotland with rain at times and maybe showers in eastern england. dry weather elsewhere but further showers pushing into the south and south—west and south—west england, wales and maybe into northern england. catch one of these and it could be heavy and possibly thundery. temperatures haven't changed much but if anything by the time we get into sunday they could go down a little bit further. bye bye. who whoever you sign up with.

this is bbc news. the headlines: three americans released by north korea are on their way home. a short while ago they arrived in alaska, next they fly to washington. the white house hailed the move a "positive gesture of goodwill" ahead of a planned summit between president trump and the north's leader, kimjong—un. president trump has warned iran of severe consequences if it restarts its nuclear programme. tougher sanctions could start as soon as next week. european signatories have been trying to salvage the agreement, but iran says there's only a limited opportunity to do so. the former malaysian prime minister mahathir mohamad has made a stunning political comeback, winning a general election against the party that has held power for more than 60 years. he said he now wanted to restore the rule of law. the result is being described as a political earthquake. he is 92.