welcome to bbc news, broadcasting to viewers in north america and around the globe. i'm reged ahmad. our top stories: it's being called "a vicious monster and a threat to life.". america's east coast gets ready for the might of hurricane florence. we are sparing no expense, we are totally prepared, we are ready. we are ready as anybody has ever been. china's president says the relationship with russia is more important than ever, as they hold joint military exercises for the first time. brazil's jailed former president, lula da silva gives up his attempt to return to power in next month's election. and we'll be finding out why this raven has got a lot to crow about. hello and welcome.

if you've been asked to leave, get out. that's the warning from the director of the us federal emergency body, fema, as hurricane florence bears down on the country's east coast. it's now a category four storm, "big and vicious" according to one official and predicted to be the worst story to hit the east—coast in decades. this map shows the path the hurricane is expected to take when it makes landfall on thursday, north and south carolina along with virginia could be worst hit by the storm, which is about 805 kilometres wide. the bbc‘s gary o'donoghue reports. this is the calm before the storm. a storm that is barrelling towards ca rolinas, storm that is barrelling towards carolinas, or with the wind of up to 130 mph while, expected to make la ndfall 130 mph while, expected to make landfall overnight thursday into friday. this storm is a monster. it is big and it is vicious. it is an

extremely dangerous, life—threatening, historic came. —— hurricane. more than a billion people having ordered to leave coastal areas in north and south carolina and some highways have been made one way to smooth flow of hugely increased volumes of traffic. people don't understand that when they say it is time to evacuate, no emergency services, restaurants are closed and nothing else open, you need to go back and get back to the mainland and you have some comfort. but for those chosen to stay, it has been a panic rush to buy essentials for the coming days. right now we are looking for water. we went to walmart and shelves are clear, then we we thought we would bypass and come here to get batteries. the threat to people ‘s lives are people ‘s homes and businesses that are in danger, everybody doing what they can to protect against mother

nature. taking up the windows before throwing boards over them, making sure that the top seals and cypress hills on the windows are sealed. concern over the sheer strength of hurricane florence has also meant that the navy is moving around 30 ships out to sea, away from ports like norfolk and virginia so that they can sail away from the path of they can sail away from the path of the hurricane and reduce the likelihood of being damaged. at a meeting in the white house this afternoon, the president was briefed by the director of fema, saying it would be the biggest storm in decades of. the safety of american people is my absolute highest priority. we are sparing no expense of. we are totally prepared, we are ready. we are as ready as anybody has ever been. meteorologists could bring a stored sermon —— storm surge of up to 20 feet along the coast and anywhere up to 30 inches of rain, severe flooding inland a real

threat. gary o'donoghue, bbc news. cbs correspondent mola lenghi joins us now from wrightsville beach in north carolina. the pictures are terrifying, it is headed right for where you are. are people heeding warnings from authorities about what they have to do? well, at this point it appears they are. we were out here all day on the beat. this time of year it is a typically relatively busy stretch of beach. it is not the peak season of beach. it is not the peak season ofjune, july and august, but still you see a cucumber in to a few thousand people here. we saw about half a dozen in the immediate area throughout the day. that illustrates the point that most people are not doing what they would normally be doing what they would normally be doing out on the beach. people were in town, boarding up their homes and businesses, putting sandbags down, filling up their gas tanks, filling up

filling up their gas tanks, filling up their gas filling up their gas tanks, filling up theirgas cans, filling up their gas tanks, filling up their gas cans, going into the grocery store, the hardware store. loading up on those survival supplies. moving their vehicles to elevated areas if they are not travelling or taking those vehicles with. for the most part we have seen today lot of people heeding the advice, doing last—minute preparations. was sort of traffic moving away from the coast. your previous report mentioned how some areas are trained to expedite and that the moving process for drivers much easier and smoother by up highway lanes to move them all in one direction, west, away from the coast. there are a lot of other things that government agencies and the federal level to the county, state and local level are also doing, opening up shelters further inland, to busting residents who do not have vehicles, bossing them further inland. monitoring the storm 20 47, fort further inland. monitoring the storm 20 a7, fort bragg, a major military is elation in north carolina right

now is housing about a00 fema trucks, full of supplies ready to apply in the aftermath, the post storm effort, talking about recovery. a lot being done to make the evacuation, to make the recovery, the preparation process as smooth as possible. yes, folks that we spoke to today who have lived in this area the years, decades, some of them generations, have been through many hurricanes, so many of them told us this one feels different. lot of times you have folks who will not exactly he did the advice the warnings, we found some of those people who wanted to be close to home and not abandon their properties. but by and large, people are saying this one feels different and they are heeding advice and moving inland and certainly away from the coast. we

are seeing the waves behind you. one of the concerns has been the storm surges that are expected to. how prepared using the coastline is, and the region, for something like this? well, the biggest preparation in place are the evacuation is. i mean, there are still thousands of homes and hotels and buildings and structures that, quite frankly, if we are talking about 12, 13 foot storm surges, there is a whole lot that can be done. you cannot move these homes and buildings. the biggest and most significant step that can be taken is to move the people, to get people out of the area. afterwards, all you can really do at that point as far as people are telling us is prepare for the worst and hope for the best. if we see those 12, 13, 1a foot storm surges, we will certainly see a lot of destruction, lot of devastation

along the coastline. thank you very much for that. 0f of course, you can go to our website to see the track of that storm. we will bring you the latest as that story continues towards the east coast of the united state. —— storm. russia has begun its largest military exercise since soviet days. it's happening in eastern siberia, and by thursday, 300,000 russian soldiers will be involved. but what really stands out is that for the first time, troops from china, and mongolia will also take part. richard galpin reports. these are military exercises on an epic scale. russia is claiming more than 30,000 tanks and other armoured vehicles are taking part, along with 300,000 troops. it is also claiming 1,000 aircraft are involved, and a large part of the navy.

the kremlin has not put on a show of strength like this for more than 30 years, when the soviet union and the cold war both existed. and also taking part here at this command centre in eastern siberia are these chinese officers, a sign of the deepening relationship between the two countries. this major general describes the joint exercises as strategic, co—ordinated, real combat, demonstrating their cooperation. the chinese contingent of these exercises, although significant, is comparatively small, with around 3,000 soldiers taking part. but at the same time, president putin has been meeting with the chinese leader, xi jinping, at an economic forum also in the far east of russia, all this bolstering the sense the two countries are growing closer together. while both countries

have an interest in demonstrating their growing military capabilities, for russia these exercises seem to be a practice for mass mobilisation, and how to shift their forces quickly across the country — a message perhaps to nato countries, the kremlin justifying the exercises because of what it calls aggressive and unfriendly attitudes towards russia. richard galpin, bbc news. let's get some of the day's other news. around a million people have taken part in a huge pro—independence demonstration in barcelona, to mark catalonia's national day. it's the first such event since separatist politicians were thwarted in their bid to declare catalan independence from spain last year. that was ruled illegal by spain's constitutional court. a court in bangladesh has once again denied bail to an internationally—acclaimed photographer arrested last month

during mass protests over road safety. shahidul alam was detained on august 5th on charges of spreading rumours and false information against the government. he'd criticised the government's crackdown on the student demonstrations in a television interview and on facebook. pro—whaling nations have blocked an attempt to create a whale sanctuary in the south atlantic. the proposal failed to get enough votes at a fractious meeting of the international whaling commission in brazil. environmental campaigners are outraged. the pro—whaling nations ofjapan, iceland, and norway led the vote against a sanctuary. brazil's jailed former president, luiz inacio lula da silva, has obeyed a court order and stepped aside to allow his running mate, fernando ahdad, to run for the presidency next month. the head of his worker's party announced the decision to crowds of supporters outside the police headquarters where lula is serving a twelve—year sentence for corruption. it ends a momentous and controversial political career. 0ur south america correspondent katy watson looks back. in 2003, history was made. luiz

inacio lula da silva becoming brazil's first working—class president. it was the end of a long journey for the former metalworker. he came from humble beginnings, born into a poor family he came from humble beginnings, born into a poorfamily in he came from humble beginnings, born into a poor family in the north—east brazil. he didn't learn to read until he was ten. at 1a he got his firstjob in the factories of sao paulo, it was as a metal worker that he started to dabble in politics, it eventually leading to metal workers union. throughout the 70s and 80s, he organised major strikes, defying pressure from brazil's military rulers at the time. translation: we all know why we are on strike. the government doesn't know and the businessmen do not care. the working class have never got anything in

this world without perseverance and without the will to fight until the end of. from there, the workers party was born. he was to run for president unsuccessfully three times before eventually being elected in 2002. committed to prioritise in the poon 2002. committed to prioritise in the poor, he led brazil during a period of unprecedented economic growth, that gave him money to spend on social programmes, lifting millions out of poverty. that helps to explain his enduring popularity. they identify with him because he is one of them. coming from the poor section and then a metalworker and then all the way to the presidency. without departing from his origin. but the good times that of last forever, the economy slowed and protest over dirty politics grew. politicians of all stripes in brazil have been accused of corruption in operation car wash, the country ‘s

largest ever investigation of its kind, including a man who said he was different from all the rest. in 2018, he was sentenced to 12 years in prison. from the metal workers union where he began his career, he gave his last speech. translation: union where he began his career, he gave his last speech. translationzlj am going to tell them to their faces, iam not am going to tell them to their faces, i am not afraid! am going to tell them to their faces, iam not afraid! iam not going to run, so they know i go prove my innocence! a spectacular fall from grace for a man who was once rozelle's is popular politician. he proved that in a country like brazil today you cannot be protected just because of how big he was and i think this is a major legacy that he will will leave for brazilians that nobody is above the law. he is out of politics now, but it might still in the minds of many and he will be an influence in brazil in politics for many years to come. katie watson, bbc news, sao paulo. —— katy watson, bbc news, sao paulo.

stay with us on bbc news. still to come: it's one of the world's shortest ferry crossings. we hear from the skipper trying to keep his business afloat. freedom itself was attacked this morning, and freedom will be defended. the united states will hunt down and punish those responsible. bishop tutu now becomes the spiritual leader of 100,000 anglicans here, of the blacks in soweto township as well as the whites in their rich suburbs. we say to you today, in a loud and a clear voice, enough of blood and tears. enough! translation: the difficult decision we reached together was one that required great and exceptional courage. it's an exodus of up to 60,000 people, caused by the uneven pace of political change

in eastern europe. iam free! this is bbc news, the latest headlines: america's east coast prepares for hurricane florence. the category four storm heads towards the carolina's — with winds of 225km/h. russia stages what it claims is the biggest military exercise since the soviet era — and for the first time, chinese troops are joining in. this week, the bbc is launching a series looking at europe's identity crisis — exploring the rise of anti—immigration, populist and nationalist politics across the continent. italy's deputy prime minister, matteo salvini, is considered a leading spokesman of the country's nationalist hard right. in an exclusive interview,

with the bbc‘s hardtalk programme, he's said that despite international criticism, the country plans to deport around 90% of migrants arriving from north africa. here's caroline rigby. you're like jackets, take them off people, if you must. a dramatic rescue of migrants of the libyan coast. in this occasion, 600 aiming for your coast. in this occasion, 600 aiming foryourup, coast. in this occasion, 600 aiming for your up, hoping for a coast. in this occasion, 600 aiming foryour up, hoping fora better life. previously they had been taken to italy but promising to get tough on immigration, the country's interior minister closed its ports. translation: 700,000 migrants reached the italian coast over the past four years. many citizens arrested in italy are immigrants so for social order, we will need to reduce these arrivals. under eu rules, the migrants are the responsibility of the first member state where they land meaning some

countries face a far greater burden than others. italy wants to change that. translation: we are biding to these views but we want to change them because we can't accept that all migrants get to the italian coast and we have to paper them. either your up steps in all we do it autonomously. the country's populist government swept to power earlier this year on an anti—immigration platform with top words and tub actions. matteo salvini says he is standing up to those who voted to him but critics accuse him of prioritising politics over people, even grandstanding. instead of speaking everyday about migrants, he should focus on real issues but he's not doing that, he is always on facebook, on twitter, making provocative statements which are aimed at raising social tension so he is unfit to be a minister. the un has also questioned matteo salvini's policies. it is planning to send a

tea m policies. it is planning to send a team to italy to investigate reports ofan team to italy to investigate reports of an increase in violence and racism against migrants. the foreign ministry has rejected the criticism and a man who famously said italy could not become your‘s refugee camp has no plans to water down his policies. and you can see that stephen sackur interview with italy's deputy prime minister matteo salvini here on bbc news at these times on wednesday. events have begun in ghana to honour the the former secretary general of the united nations kofi annan who died last month. mr annan's body has been lying in state to allow people to pay their respects. world leaders, past and present, and royalty too, are expected to attend his state burial on thursday. the bbc‘s thomas naadi reports. filing past the body of the former un secretary—general, kofi annan, they have come from the length and breadth of the country to catch a

glimpse of the great man, and honour him one last time. most of the people paying their last respects today may not have had the opportunity of meeting the former un secretary—general but it's when he promoted peace across the world, has influenced and inspired some of them. the public was hoping to seek kofi annan but the family decided that the coffin would remain closed. for the people of this country, it is time to reflect on the great works of the former un chief. kofi anand means a lot to both the younger and older generation here. i'd never seen him before. i expected as we were graduating from the university of ghana, as the former chancellor, we would see him now but unfortunately, he left and now but unfortunately, he left and now there is a new chancellor ‘s i felt this is the only time i can pay him the respect that he deserves. he's been very systematic in talking about his experiences so his left not only the legacy of the people

who view him and remember him but is also left documentation on what his journey was and so the best thing we can do is to study it. it is a great loss because through him, a lot of the countries, there is a country called ghana. because we are a small population so he came in and it's great to know that such a great man was from ghana, west africa. the body will remain here until thursday when the former un secretary—general will finally be read —— be laid to rest. thomas naadi, bbc news, accra. it may not seem like much but one man has turned a makeshift raft into a lifeline for people living in a slum in the indian city of mumbai. the ride costs just 2 rupees — about 3 cents — and residents find it convenient for crossing an otherwise polluted waterway. but the man behind this so—called ‘gutter cruise', now fears his service will be shut down. here's his story. in the past — we've brought you various reports about talented and

extraordinary animals. dogs that go surfing, cows that fight like gladiators — and even a raccoon that climbed up the side of a skyscraper. now we can add to that unusual list a raven that speaks — but only when it wants to. the bbc‘s tim allman explains. rebecca austn—fell ensures is that this bird is something special. translation: suddenly i heard of voice and it was like there were kids playing outside, just like kids talking to each other, and i thought it was coming to visit me now. talking to each other, and i thought it was coming to visit me nowm was this raven, with a crooked legged, it can't fly that can a p pa re ntly legged, it can't fly that can apparently talk and talk and talk. translation: one of the first things it said was, hi, mumma. it can sell at funny stuff. i can't say, hey,

raven, say something. itjust talks when it wants to. unfortunately, when it wants to. unfortunately, when the local television crew arrived, it didn't want to. this was arrived, it didn't want to. this was a raven playing hard to get but a one—to—one with the cameraman and suddenly, we couldn't shut it up. it's not entirely clear what the bird is actually saving, and this might make more sense if you speak icelandic, but we were promised a talking raven and talking raven is what we got. tim allman, bbc news. i'm not convinced it is talking but i will let you decide. you can reach me on twitter — i'm @regedahmadbbc. we will bring you more updates on hurricane florence as the day goes on. hello there. a full uk weather forecast coming up in a moment,

but first of all the latest on that massive hurricane that's heading towards the eastern side of the united states. it is of course hurricane florence. it is a category four hurricane, sustained winds of 1a0 mph but is forecast to strengthen, with wind gusts getting up to 185mph over the next 2a hours or so. it will make landfall friday morning in north carolina, but the effects will be felt up and down the mid—atlantic coast with the risk of flooding and those damaging winds as well. here in the uk, a cold front sinking its way slowly southwards today and that will have an effect on the temperatures. yesterday we saw highs of 25 degrees in both london and exeter as well, but today we are looking at highs of around 18 degrees. a 7—degree celsius drop in temperature, not that it will feel cold, but feel a good deal cooler. this is how we have the weather over the next few hours for the early risers. a lot of cloud around and outbreaks of rain. always heaviest across north—east england to the north—west of wales as well, but there will be plenty of heavy showers working into north—west scotland over the next few hours,

with a slice of clearer weather across northern ireland, northern england and eastern scotland. it's here where we will have those temperatures dipping down into single figures, mild further south, 15 degrees the low in london. looking at the weather picture through the rest of wednesday, our cold front sinks its way southwards, the rain becomes increasingly light and patchy, but there will probably some left over across parts of south—east england well into the afternoon. there'll be some blustery showers for western scotland, but in between, a slice of sunnier weather, but temperatures a good deal lower in the south, highs expected to reach 18 celsius. looking at the weather picture to wednesday evening and overnight, our rain clears away from south—east england. heavy rain into the north—west of scotland, but there will be clear skies for the bulk of england and wales and it will be one of the cooler nights that we have seen so far this september,

with temperatures across eastern parts of england around 3 or a degrees in the coldest areas. quite a chilly start of the day on thursday but there will be plenty of sunshine around here. a band of rain pushes southwards across scotland and northern ireland, weakening as it does so, just a few spots possible across cumbria to take us into the afternoon, but for many of us it is a dry day, showers again affecting western parts of scotland, though. temperatures in the sunshine, about 15 degrees for aberdeen and edinburgh, 21 degrees in london. bit more sunshine, so starting to feel warmer. reasonable sunshine across southern england as we head through the weekend, but some heavy outbreaks of rain across the north—west of the uk this weekend. that's your weather. this is bbc news. the headlines: the most powerful storm in nearly three decades to threaten the carolina states, on the us east coast, is expected to strengthen over the next few hours. officials are warning that hurricane florence poses a threat to life when it makes landfall. mandatory evacuations have been ordered in some parts. russia has begun its largest military exercise since

soviet times. it's taking place in eastern siberia, on land and sea, with 300,000 russian soldiers involved, as well as troops from china and mongolia. chinese president xijinping has stressed the importance of his country's relationship with russia. brazil's jailed former president lula da silva has obeyed a court order and stepped aside before next month's presidential election. the head of his worker's party announced the decision to crowds of supporters outside the police headquarters where lula is serving a 12—year sentence for corruption. you're up to date with the headlines. it is just it isjust gone