this is bbc world news. i'm duncan golestani. our top stories — the bbc learns britain and the us are considering a business boycott if saudi arabia is proven to have killed a journalist at its turkish consulate. president trump threatens severe punishment. i will be also calling king salman of saudi arabia, because i think it's appropriate for me to ask him what is going on. polls are set to open in germany's bavaria region with allies of chancellor merkel under pressure from smaller parties. march of the migrants — on the road with the honduran families defying washington to seek a better life in the united states. and like father, like son — schumacherjunior wins his first drivers title. hello and welcome to bbc news.

the bbc has learned that britain and the united states are considering boycotting a major international conference in saudi arabia after the disappearance of the saudi journalist, jamal khashoggi. a joint statement of condemnation is also being discussed by western allies if it is confirmed that mr khashoggi was killed by saudi agents. eliza philippidis reports. president trump is under international and domestic pressure to help determine what happened to mr khashoggi and punish saudi arabia if investigations show its government had him killed. and though he's promised severe punishment, sanctions on arms don't seem to be on the cards. when we take away $110 billion of purchases from our country, that hurts our workers, that hurts our factories, that hurts all of our companies.

you're talking about 500,000 jobs, so we do that, we're really hurting our country a lot more than we're hurting saudi arabia. successive us administrations have referred to the saudi government as an important partner, and the flow of us arms to the country has flourished. on a visit to riyadh in may last year, the president signed new defence deals. the turkish authorities say they have evidence of the washington postjournalist being murdered by a saudi hit squad at the istanbul consulate, but so far, hard evidence has not been produced. so if the us does take action against saudi, what are the potential options? i don't think the saudi ambassador will ever come back again to washington, and they might ask some other diplomats here to leave and they may not welcome mohammad

bin salman for several years. pressure is now growing on the saudis to prove that mr khashoggi left the embassy alive after he went to get papers for his wedding. if they can't, the international community say they will boycott a high—profile investment conference in riyadh later this month. diplomatic sources say both the us treasury secretary and the uk international trade secretary may now not attend. this would amount to a huge snub by two of saudi arabia's key allies. eliza philippidis, bbc news. earlier i spoke to samer shehata, professor of middle eastern studies at the university of oklahoma. i asked him how much concern there would be in saudi arabia about possible boycotts of an investment conference and a statement of condemnation from western allies. i think it would cause considerable concern.

the saudis now are scrambling to get out of this mess and it will be very difficult for them to get out of this mess. i think there will be consequences not only for saudi arabia internationally, but also domestically in terms of how the crown prince and would—be successor is likely seen by relatives and other powerful players in the saudi monarchy. so, i think this is a major crisis for saudi arabia. i think it would be the least that united states and britain and other countries could do if it was certain, proven that mr khashoggi was murdered in the consulate. we just heard the president say there would be severe punishment if it was confirmed. do you really get the sense that he wants to act given that he also keeps restating how important trade and investment is? no, he doesn't want to act. of course, we've seen this not just with saudi arabia, but with other countries that president trump has been very positive towards that have abysmal human rights records and they regard for democracy or human

rights or rule of law. the government in egypt is one example, north korea is another one. it has not want to act, but as you also know, there is pressure being applied by congress senators and congress people by democrats and republicans as well as a wide chorus of public opinion here in the media and policy individuals decrying what has happened and calling for action. you mention the public there, because i think it's fair to say that a majority in the united states have a deep—seated suspicion about saudi arabia as a country. well, that's very correct. the us—saudi relationship is a very old one and it is a very strong one going back to 1945 to roosevelt

and the founder of the modern kingdom of saudi arabia. but it's always been at the elite level, among those people in washington in government as well as business and oil interests. but it has not been one that the american public has really understood because of course the question of the absolute lack of shared values when americans look at the fact that saudi women only recently were allowed to drive, the capital punishment and the way it has undertaken in saudi arabia, the terrible record in terms of rule of law and other issues. i think the american public, there is no love lost with regard to saudi arabia. just going back to salman, does this change how people are going to look at him? because over the last year, we have been on the receiving end of somewhat of a pr campaign. many have been taken in by the promises of reform and women driving and movie theatres opening up in saudi arabia and a young prince and so on, but really, for those who know what the saudis have been up to in terms of the devastating war

in yemen, in terms of their meddling in regional conflicts, there is really a whole other side of salman and the saudi leadership that i think now is going to be seen as a result of this. 0k, really good to get your analysis. thank you very much. my pleasure. samer shehata, professor of middle eastern studies at the university of oklahoma, speaking to me earlier. and there's more on this story on our website — including this piece on what we know about the disappearance of jamal khashoggi — just go to bbc.com/news for that. let's get some of the day's other news. donald trump has thanked turkey's president recep tayyip erdogan for the release of an american pastor from detention after 2 years. he welcomed andrew brunson

at the white house where the pastor knelt and led him in prayer. mr brunson was detained in turkey on charges of links with the country's failed coup in july 2016. he's denied the allegations. one of the most powerful storms to hit portugal since records began has swept into the centre and north of the country. the remnants of hurricane leslie brought down hundreds of trees and power lines, leaving more than 17,000 homes without electricity. there have been no reports of deaths or injuries. the storm is moving quickly towards spain. italy's interior ministry has ordered that all migrants be transferred out of a small southern town where they had been welcomed as a means of boosting the local economy. it follows the house—arrest earlier this month of the mayor of riace, who was accused of organising ‘marriages of convenience‘ for asylum purposes and other illegalities. polls in bavaria in southern

germany open in a few hours for key elections. chancellor merkel‘s regional allies, the csu, are expected to lose their absolute majority, while the smaller parties including the greens and the far—right afd are expected to make gains. these elections could force the csu to enter into a regional coalition in bavaria — a setback that risks to further complicate the chancellor's federal government. jenny hill has more. angela merkel will be keeping a close eye on bavaria. that's because her sister party, the bavarian version of her conservatives, is expected to take a humiliating hammering at the ballot box will stop for decades, the csu has reigned supreme in bavaria. today, if the polls are to believed, all

thatis if the polls are to believed, all that is set to change. the csu has shifted its policies, its tone, to the right, in response to the threat from the far right anti— migrant party a ft. it doesn't seem to have worked, ast is still a significant challenge. —— afd. the policy has also sent voters scurrying into the arms of the green party. they other real predicted winners of this election. they are expected to come in second and in all probability will end up forming a coalition with the ruling csu. what does all this mean for angela merkel? the critics will say it is humiliating. she is of course associated with the party although its leadership have, in recent months, at packed her. it like listening, potentially, a new face at her coalition table here in berlin if the csu decide to give their current leader the boot. that their current leader the boot. that the real reason that berlin and other european capitals will be

given —— keeping such a close eye on bavaria is this. what's happening that illustrates perfectly that complexity of the challenge faced by europe's cold established centre right and centre left parties. this isn't just about the rise of the far right, it's about voters turning their backs on the traditional parties and heading instead towards smaller and in some cases you are political movements. take bavaria, is political landscape has for so long been an absolute certainty. now, it is fragmenting fast. rescue teams are renewing efforts to find hundreds of people still missing after hurricane michael hit the us state of florida on wednesday. at least 17 deaths have been confirmed so far. there are fears the death toll will rise. jerica duncan from our us news partner cbs, sent this report from panama city on the gulf of mexico. toppled trees and downed powerlines made some roads impassable.

the only way to reach the stranded was from the air. we took a helicopter ride with a coastguard team from detroit, and the wreckage below was staggering. this is a marina that is pretty much devastated. wow, look at that. yeah. it's pretty amazing to see the level of destruction caused by a storm like this. some parts just look like someone literally came down with a hammer and smashed some of those homes and buildings. as of last night, the us coastguard has rescued approximately 63 people and assisted nearly 300. 0n the ground, we found people clearing away the debris from four feet of storm surge. eastpoint business owner michael malanda who rode out the storm says he's lucky to be alive. we've been blasted over here. the rest of them, you know, there's a lot of them who have lost lives, i've heard. everybody‘s worried. people like jason carpenter are now without a home, power and reliable cell service. we leant him our phone so he could contact his family for the first time since the storm hit. the storm, it tore the roof off

and knocked trees down. i had to have somebody help me with a chainsaw. ijust wanted to let you know that i was, you know, still alive. hurricane michael cut a destructive path through panama city. hundreds of utility workers are now here, ready to restore power. but the debris in this neighbourhood stopped crews from reaching a gas line that ruptured during the height of the storm. weary residents literally held their breath while gas company repairmen capped the leak. we don't have to breathe it anymore. i mean, that wasjust one more hazard that we didn't need. today, we expect to see a couple more of the big box stores open.

yesterday, there was an incredibly long line for sam's club. some people reportedly waiting at least five hours to get supplies. today, a local 0utback is expected to give out free lunches. we now know that this is the time, in the aftermath of a hurricane like this, where people in this community will be relying on anyone who can lend a helping hand. now we've often heard claims of borders going up across europe — but never quite like this. france has begun building a fence along part of its frontier with belgium to try and prevent the spread of a virus that could have damaging effects on pigs. african swine fever was first detected on the border luxembourg in september and serious measures are being taken to try and ensure it's stopped in its tracks. kathryn armstrong reports. hard at work, these hunters in north—eastern france building an electric fence to protect local inhabitants from a deadly disease. there are serious concerns that wild

boars roaming the woods may become infected with africa swine fever, which doesn't affect humans, but can decimate pig populations, as there is no cure. the virus was first detected at the border in belgium last month and thousands of pigs have since been slaughtered to try to prevent it spreading. however, these men in this french city are not taking any chances. translation: wild boars always have their stout close to the ground and their source is the snout. if we hit them at the snout level they will turn around and they will not cross into belgium. the fence will cover a part of the border and other repellents will be set up in places where defence isn't possible. it is an ingenious plan for those who will be amongst the most effective if africa swine fever makes its way deeper into europe. belgium is currently facing embargoes on its pork products from several countries, including china. it is hoped fences like this one will prevent france and greater europe from finding themselves in a similar situation. stay with us on bbc news,

still to come: you'll be forgiven if you hadn't noticed it had already started — but the seaweed—farming season in the russian arctic is offically coming to an end. parts of san francisco least affected by the earthquake are returning to life. but in the marina area, where most of the damage was done, they're more conscious than ever of how much has been destroyed. in the 19 years since he was last here, he's gone from being a little—known revolutionary to an experienced and successful diplomatic operator. it was a 20lb bomb which exploded on the fifth floor of the grand hotel, ripping a hole in the front of the building. this government will not weaken. democracy will prevail. it fills me with humility and gratitude to know that i have been chosen as the recipient of this foremost of earthly honours. this catholic nation held its breath

for the men they call the 33. and then... bells toll ..bells tolled nationwide to announce the first rescue, and chile let out an almighty roar. this is bbc news, the latest headlines: the bbc learns britain and the us are considering a business boycott if saudi arabia is proven to have killed a journalist at its turkish consulate. and polls will open soon in germany's in bavaria region with allies of chancellor merkel under pressure from smaller parties. around 1,000 people from honduras have begun to walk to the united states, saying they need to escape their country's poverty

and high levels of crime. they started out a day after the trump administration said it is again considering plans to separate migrant children from their parents if they try to cross into the united states from mexico. bill hayton reports now on the hondurans‘ epicjourney. dawn broke to the sound of hundreds of pairs of feet heading out of town. the organisers of this march had expected a few dozen people to join them in the city san pedro sula. almost 1000 turned up. all seeking a better life somewhere else, but worried about the risks of the journey north. translation: there are thousands of honduran men and women who had died in mexico. so we are we have come together, not to bring undocumented people into mexico, but to ask the mexican government to give refuge to all these people who can no longer live in honduras, and who can't wait and hope for things to get better. we want, please, for them, to give us the opportunity to make refuge and give us a better life. by sticking together, the walkers hope to avoid dangers

from drug gangs and thieves as they pass through guatemala and mexico. the group includes unaccompanied children, wheelchair users and women with babies. translation: there are no jobs. there is nothing here. and our kids, even the little ones, are scared there are gang members and sometimes they come and destroy everything. they see it all. if they reach the united states, this could be the destination for some — a tent city in the texas desert. it was set up for children separated from their parents under the trump administration's zero tolerance policy. now, say officials say it only holds children who arrive alone. but president trump is talking about going back to zero—tolerance. if they feel there's separation, in many cases, they don't come. but also, in many cases, you have really bad people coming in and using children. they're not their children, they don't even know the children. they haven't known the children for 20 minutes and they grab children and they use them to come into our country. but the migrant marchers don't seem

deterred by the president's tough talk, they seem prepared to take the many risks of the road ahead. bill hayton, bbc news. motor racing, and a famous german name is celebrating after winning the formula three european driver's championship. mick schumacher, the son of legendary driver michael schumacher, clinched the title at hockenheim. some are now wondering if schumacherjunior might follow in his father's footsteps and make the leap into formula one. the bbc‘s tim allman reports. there is something about this that looks so familiar. a title's been won, so a schumacher must be celebrating. it means everything, to be honest, because it is the first real championship that i have won and i have won with a lot of hard work.

a lot of hard work, not only from myself, but really, the most work came from the team i'm reallyjust grateful for what they have done. mick schumacher went into hockeinheim with a big lead over his nearest rival. he didn't have to do anything too dramatic, just stay in the race and get to the chequered flag. well, no plans, ithink that is the best plan you can have on the race weekend because you can never predict what is going to happen. you can have a strategy of what you're planning to do in what situation, and i think i had that. but imagine the pressure being michael schumacher‘s son. his father, arguably the greatest driver of all time, who was then cruelly injured in a freak skiing accident. this title, likely to be in many ways, a tribute. genius isn't necessarily inherited, there is no guarantee the son will match the father, but this is a start, and after all, winning is the schumacher way. tim allman, bbc news.

the seaweed—farming season in the russian arctic is coming to an end. it's tough work but it can be very lucrative. seaweed is used in medicines and cosmetics. on a good day it is possible to collect more than a ton of seaweed and farmers can make more than $2,000 a month. the experiences of a russian seaweed farmer. now here's a big cat who definitely got the cream after coming within a whisker‘s length of being drowned. this leopard was trapped down a well in the indian village of yadav—wadi, about 200km east of mumbai. rescuers lowered a section of ladder which the animal climbed onto. a cage was then sent down and the leopard crept

into the open box. the door was quickly shut and the rescue crate was pulled up to the surface. hello. some parts of south wales have seen in excess of 200mm already since friday morning when the rain began. there are numerous flood warnings still out, notjust in wales, and yet more heavy rain to come through the day today. though eventually it does dry up in the west. it was really miserable in the rain and cold, only eight degrees in dalwhinnie. contrast that with 26 degrees in the sunshine in lincolnshire. that makes it the warmest day so late in the year.

the reason for that is the air is being drawn up from the south. i need to point out this massive cloud which is the remnants of hurricane leslie. it has been bringing very powerful winds, 100mph, in across iberia. a real battering from those winds and potential flash flooding from the rains. with our weather front, we have another pulse of rain heading northwards along that weather front through the day as it edges eastwards. we are hoping it will have cleared away from northern ireland by the time we get to the morning and then we have this fresher atlantic air coming in. it means a chilly start. still another day of really warm weather in eastern areas but not as warm as it was yesterday

because we've got the rain. chilly start from northern ireland, potential for mist and fog, and then our weather front is sitting a little bit further east with further pulses of heavy rain running northwards so that may well exacerbate the flooding situation. we'll keep an eye on that. further west, some drier weather coming in. still met office yellow warnings out for the rain across wales, north—west england, southern scotland. you can see further east, a very different day. even if it stays mostly dry in east anglia and kent, we could get 20 degrees. we'll have a lot more cloud here and across central and north—eastern parts of england. western scotland, northern ireland, much brighter, 13 degrees. pleasant in the light winds. but even as we go through the night and into monday, the rain is still potentially hanging on across the south—eastern areas. but as it eventually clears away and we get under a ridge of high pressure, we will see temperatures dipping away overnight but but by day, nowhere near as high on monday.

a fresher air stream. it does mean some chilly nights. this is bbc news, the headlines — the bbc has learned that britain and the united states may boycott a high—profile investment conference in saudi arabia later this month, after the disappearance of the saudi journalist, jamal khashoggi. president trump threatened the possibility of severe punishment if the country is responsible for mr khashoggi's disappearance and death. polls will open soon in germany's bavaria region with allies of chancellor merkel under pressure from smaller parties. the electorate is said to be walking away from the big, established parties in favour of smaller movements. rescue teams are renewing efforts to find hundreds of people still missing after hurricane michael struck the us state of florida on wednesday.

now on bbc news, the week in parliament.