i'm rico hizon in singapore. the headlines: don't cross the royal red line — saudi arabia's foreign minister tells the bbc neither its king nor its crown prince are linked to the murder ofjamal khashoggi. and it is when you have individuals calling for the removal or replacement of elito. that is ridiculous and an acceptable. —— of a leader. that is ridiculous and not acceptable. life in prison for the briton accused of spying in the united arab emirates. i'm babita sharma in london. also in the programme: supporters of an internationally—acclaimed photographer who's been freed from jail in bangladesh, are calling for all charges against him to be dropped. david attenborough takes the people seat at the un climate change conference. live from our studios in singapore and london, this is bbc world news. it's newsday. good morning.

it's 8am in singapore, midnight in london and 3 am in riyadh where the kingdom's foreign minister has told the bbc that criticism of the leadership was a red line that would not be tolerated. adel bin ahmed al—jubeir defended the crown prince against claims of being behind the murder of journalist jamal khashoggi. it follows reports the cia had concluded the prince would have had to order the killing. the bbc‘s chief international correspondent lyse doucet has been speaking exclusively to the saudi arabian foreign minister in riyadh. an unshakeable bond, but the us congress now has the prince in its sights. it wants to know what role did he play in the murder ofjamal khashoggi. but in riyadh, the kingdom's

top diplomat hits back. the crown prince of saudi arabia is not involved in this. we have made that very clear. we have an investigation that's ongoing, and we will punish the individuals who are responsible for this, and we will make sure it doesn't happen again. so this is a red line — is this a red line for the kingdom, sir, whatever the evidence is? show us the evidence, show us the evidence. if turkey has the evidence, please provide it. all we hear is leaks, leaks. show us the evidence, and then we will talk. it's a red line when you have individuals calling for the removal or replacement of our leaders. that's ridiculous, and that's unacceptable in saudi arabia. there is another crisis too — yemen, said to be on the brink of the worst famine in living memory. saudi arabia is under mounting pressure to end the bombing and blockades causing such suffering. we are doing everything possible in orderto minimise

the humanitarian suffering of the yemeni people. now, when we have a militia that is radical, allied with hezbollah and iran, that launched more than 200 ballistic missiles at our towns and cities, are we supposed to sit there and say, oh, sorry, we're not going to do anything? so, if i understand you correctly, saudi arabia and its coalition are not ready to do anything to bring an end to their involvement in this war? we have said that we support all the political efforts aimed at finding resolution to the yemeni crisis. this week the saudi monarch set out his country's agenda for the next year, his son, the crown prince, in the front row, a signal to saudis and the world that the kingdom sets its own course. lyse doucet, bbc news, riyadh. let's take a look at some of the day's other news. the british prime minister says she has made good progress in the brexit talks in brussels with the president

of the european commission, jean—claude juncker. they have been discussing the political declaration which sets out what the future relationship between the uk and the eu will be after brexit — in areas ranging from aviation and energy to trade. here's our europe editor katya adler. the eu is trying to give the prime minister the optics to help her sell this deal back home but on content, they do not want to move from their redline, such as guarantees over the irish border. such as keeping the single market together and not allowing the prime minister to cherry pick the bits she likes and leave the ones she doesn't, as she would like to do. but they're holding steadfast on that. what makes it even more complex is notjust theresa may wanting more from the eu, but eu countries that want more from her. for example, spain has very clear stipulations about gibraltar and how it appears in the document, basically saying that all negotiations on the future relationship between the eu and the uk cannot be taken legally for granted, that they will immediately apply to gibraltar. and france wants a guarantee

of fishing rights in the uk water after brexit, and they are insisting on that. also making news today — the board of nissan are expected to formally confirm later that chairman carlos ghosn has been sacked from his job. he was arrested on monday after an internal investigation at nissan revealed "significant acts of misconduct." rico will have more on this in asia business report soon. the un—recognised government in yemen and houthi rebels have agreed to join peace talks in sweden in early december, according to the american defence secretary, jim mattis. a previous effort to end the 3—year conflict collapsed in september when the rebels failed to attend negotiations. the un has warned that m million yemenis are at risk of starvation unless the port of hodeida remains open to humanitarian aid shipments. an american man has been killed by members of a protected

tribe in the andaman islands in the bay of bengal. it's believed 27—year—old john allen chau was a christian missionary. he was killed with bows and arrows and his body left on the beach. indian police have arrested the fishermen who took him there illegally. the american space agency says its latest mars probe, called insight, is on track for touchdown on monday. only a third of previous international missions have succeeded. nasa is expressing confidence that insight — with a heat—resistant capsule, parachute, and rockets — will touch down safely. the probe has british and french seismometers to monitor tremors — data that will help scientists interpret how planets were formed. a british student has been sentenced to life in prison in the united arab emirates for spying for the british government. 31—year—old matthew hedges was there researching the country's foreign and internal security

policies when he was detained. his wife, who was in court this morning, says her husband is innocent. the british foreign secretary says he's shocked by the verdict — and has warned of repercussions for the relationship between the two countries. paul adams has this report. matthew hedges, pictured here with his wife daniela, before his arrest at dubai airport in early may. six and a half months later, the british academic faces life imprisonment in the country he was studying and knows well. daniela says she's in complete shock. "i don't know what to do," she says. "matthew is innocent. this has been the worst six months of my life, let alone for matt, who was shaking when he heard the verdict." daniela says matthew is entirely innocent. simply no question, she insists, that he was spying for britain. here, the government seems outraged. the uae is supposed to be a friend and ally of britain's. we have given them repeated assurances about matthew. and, you know, if we can't resolve

this, there are going to be serious diplomatic consequences because this is totally u na cce pta ble. you sound angry about this. did you get the impression from the uae authorities that there was going to be a different outcome? i'd actually spoken about matthew to crown prince mohammed bin zayed when i visited abu dhabi last week. and i thought i had some understanding that this was going to be resolved in a satisfactory way. so, how did a 31—year—old british academic fall so spectacularly foul of the emirati authorities? his research involved asking sensitive questions about security and defence policies across the gulf. the head of his department says he had a wide range of sources. some would be international experts currently based in the uae. some would be former uae government officials who had worked in relevant areas and who were known to have inside information and understanding about how it is that these processes operate. but, for all the shiny glamour of the modern gulf,

this is a region of poisonous rivalries and deep suspicions. someone, it seems, didn't like the questions. i'm sure there's a lot of, sort of, personal politics behind this. and probably somebody in the government who reallyjust wants to make a point and wants to use matt as an example to say, you know, we will go about our foreign and security policy in whatever way we want to and no—one will ask questions. daniela says that nightmare is getting worse. "i don't know where they're taking him," she says, "or what will happen now." this time on wednesday we brought you the news that the acclaimed bangladeshi photographer, shahidul alam has been freed on bail by the authorities in dhaka, after spending more than 100 days in jail. his supporters and family are now calling for all charges against him to be dropped. mr alam was arrested in august after criticising the official response to mass student protests

calling for better road safety. his detention sparked an outcry from human rights organisations and nobel laureates. he was held under controversial internet laws, which critics say prime minister sheikh hasina has used to stifle dissent and harass journalists. rabab ahmed is shahidul alam's niece. she joins me from johannesburg. welcome back to the programme. we spoke some months ago when you have learned of your uncle's detention. you must be overjoyed with his release. how are you feeling and how was he doing? i know you have spoken with them. absolutely. overjoyed is correct. when we first found out we we re correct. when we first found out we were delirious with happiness. were extremely relieved but, like you mentioned, were seriously hoping and trusting that the government will

not press charges because these are baseless allegations. and we are still looking for support from all over the world, not just still looking for support from all over the world, notjust from bangladesh, but literally all over the world, writers, activists, artists. so we want to thank everybody for their support and ask them to continue to fight to make sure that this kind of thing does not happen again. i spoke to him this morning and he sounded great. he sounded like himself which was nice. he was at the hospital and waiting for a checkup and he said he was complying with doctors orders and he sounded in good spirits. when you and i last spoke you are concerned about his treatment. i wonder if you have any more of a

picture of how he coped inside and if he was maltreated? he was. he had problems eating. until the last few weeks when he was eating food he was still mixing the bread into the lentils so it became softer because he had vertigo and easing cost and pain. those things definitely happened but as for the treatment and the doctors assessment, that i do not know. the legal team around your uncle and yourself, many supporters have been calling for the charges to be dropped. you did mention that earlier. explained to us mention that earlier. explained to us why that is so important to you. firstly, it is baseless. it is ludicrous that this happened in the first place. he has not done anything wrong. so he was doing what

anything wrong. so he was doing what a journalist does. that alone is the most important reason why this needs to be dropped. and the court, clearly he has been released on bail because the court has found the so—called evidence does not hold water. so for all of these reasons we believe that this needs to be dropped and he is not the only person who has been imprisoned based of this alleged —— allegation. him being released will hopefully start those other detainees, the process for them to become released. you have any idea if he plans to continue his work in being an outspoken critic of the bangladeshi government? i am sure he will because for him the truth, speaking the truth and standing up for

justice or democracy is the most important thing. even while he was in prison he built relationships and make connections with other detainees and other people who were in there. and just listening to snippets of how he interacted with them it makes you realise that what his life ‘s work is about fighting for these people or anybody who has been unjustly treated. there is no doubt about that. he said himself he was in prison but when he comes out he will walk for prison reform. it was all over social media, the statement he sent out that together we will fight for democracy. we appreciate you joining us nearly 2a hours after your uncle's released. thank you very much for sharing your thoughts. you're watching newsday on the bbc. still to come on the programme:

photo bombing turned into a bit of a wildlife experience when this couple's romantic wedding proposal was interrupted by a family of urban otters. also on the programme: taking the chair ahead of the un climate change conference, sir david attenborough shows of the people seat designed to give ordinary people are big say. benazir bhutto has claimed victory in pakistan's general election, and she's asked pakistan's president to name her as prime minister. jackson's been released on bail of $3 million after turning himself in to police in santa barbara. it was the biggest demonstration so far of the fast—growing european antinuclear movement. the south african government has announced that it's opening

the country's remaining whites—only beaches to people of all races. this will lead to a black majority government in this country, and the destruction of the white civilisation. part of the centuries—old windsor castle, one of the queen's residences, has been consumed by fire for much of the day. 150 firemen have been battling the blaze, which has caused millions of pounds' worth of damage. this is newsday, on the bbc. i'm rico hizon, in singapore. i'm babita sharma, in london. our top stories: saadiya arabia foreign minister says

—— saudi arabia, says that anything disparaging about the crown prince crosses a redline. britainjailed for life on charges he was spying for life on charges he was spying for the government. a german teenager has managed to lose his driver's licence just 49 minutes after getting it. he was just returning from his successful test when he was clocked travelling almost twice the speed limit. that story is trending on bbc.com let's take a look at some front pages from around the world: the south china morning post reports on chinese president xijinping the south china morning post reports on chinese president xijinping and meeting his us counterpart donald trump, in buenos aires in december. beijing and washington are in frequent contact as they finalise the details of the event, which will see both sides sitting down to dinner. one big issue is to determine who will sit at the table. the front page of the japan times reports on the nissan crisis. the car giant could itself face charges over

alleged financial misconduct that has already led to the arrest of its chairman, carlos ghosn. the international addition of the new york times has a story the international addition of the new york times has a story on voters in an indian state being given free mobile phones. in the state of chhattisgarh, the chief minister has promised a smartphone in every home and he is using the government—issued devices to reach voters as he campaigns in legislative elections. now babita, you are an keen football fan, but tell me about these women playing football in the office. yes, let's looks at what is trending right now. a game of "keepy—uppy" inside the house of commons in westminster has brought a reprimand for a group of mps. hannah bardell posted a video on social media of herself playing in the chamber after the sitting was adjourned. the scottish nationalist also posed for photographs with other mps. speakerjohn bercow said,

"the historic chamber should not be used for this type of activity". now take a look at this. this wedding proposal in singapore turned into a bit of a wildlife experience. british couple, jordan doyle and mary lister, were mid—moment when the urban otters turned up. first one, then several of them, making the most of the moment. jordan and mary didn't seem to mind, and jordan certainly proved quite a hit with the otters. you'll be glad to know the couple are now happily engaged and enjoying the rest of their trip around asia. with me now isjordan doyle and mary lister. congratulations on your engagement.

thank you so much. unbelievable, this pack of otters crashing this romantic moment. how dare they! absolutely wonderful. lucky in the way that it happened but even more lucky for having this gorgeous woman with me. what was it like? we had to stay very steel because they can be nippy. -- stay very steel because they can be nippy. —— still. stay very steel because they can be nippy. -- still. iwas on stay very steel because they can be nippy. -- still. i was on my knee. what happened after that... nippy. -- still. i was on my knee. what happened after that. .. you were warned not to hold them or cuddle them. oh, yes, they can take down crocodiles. we were told they would

ta ke crocodiles. we were told they would take 15 seconds and then they would go but they were there for three minutes. he made a special trip to see these otters because you watched a documentary of sir david attenborough's. one of the things he showed was otters had mary is a big fan. why are you a big fan? i think they are the most playful creatures. they are so cute, aren't they? these photographs have gone viral. it is now webpage. how did feel about the experience and the attention on social media? we haven't slept for 24 social media? we haven't slept for 2a hours. we have been getting

messages, requests. it is so mad but it is so lovely that a bit of our i°y it is so lovely that a bit of our joy can spread to others.|j it is so lovely that a bit of our joy can spread to others. i forgot to mention that these otters they came in the day before, i had an interview with them! laughter. you should have told us. wait a minute, there is one nibbling at my back. this is daddy otter and this is our engagement gift to you. congratulations. thank you for joining us on newsday, the otter couple. congratulations to them.

next month politicians from around the world will gather for the united nations climate change conference in poland. but for the first time there'll be one seat there that's not for a nation. it's being called the people's seat and the idea is it will give ordinary people a voice on this all important issue. victoria gill has been speaking to david attenborough about it. we've been banging on about it for decades now, and no—one's doing anything because no—one in power actually cares. it's either too hot or too cold, and we can't grow anything. the world is a place where we all live together, and if we don't take care of it, we will have nowhere to go. the monsoons are sometimes coming too early or too late, like, nothing is on time. translation: of course, but what can i do about that? concern and confusion over climate change. it is a global conversation. and now, the un has turned to a very familiar figure to take messages like these from people all around the world to the crucial climate talks in poland in less than two weeks' time. the people's seat is meant to represent the hundreds of millions of people around the world whose lives

are about to be affected, or have already been affected, by climate change, so that it will sit there to remind politicians that this is not a theoretical enterprise. this is our opportunity to collectively make a difference — to have our voices heard. we saw how the response to blue planet, with the issue of plastics in the environment, caused such a huge response. how would you convince people that they personally can make a difference, and that they should be part of the conversation? well, that's what i've been spending my life, really, trying to do — making clear what the natural world is, how complicated it is, and how it works, and how it affects the way in which we live, and making it clear that we human beings depend upon the health of the natural world for every breath of air we breathe. what would you want to say to the politicians?

notjust being a conduit for other people, but what would your message be? my message is that the people of the world know that the world is changing, and they are behind politicians taking action. that's what the people's seat in this new conference that's just coming up is representing — that people want to stop climate change. the people's seat. while the seat might remind leaders at the talks what is at stake, any agreement or action will be in the hands of the politicians who are in the room. victoria gill, bbc news. you have been watching newsday. stay with us. more on that vote from the sun and whether they sack their boss, carlos ghosn. frost on thursday morning. as low as

-7 frost on thursday morning. as low as —7 to start the day. on the eastern side of the uk, temperatures recovering in the first part of the day. increasing cloud. elsewhere a fairamount of day. increasing cloud. elsewhere a fair amount of sunshine. through the day, at the cloud moving west. patchy rain and drizzle. from the word go in parts of eastern scotland. this is where it is likely to be most consistent for the rest of the day. outbreaks of rain in the northern and eastern parts of scotland. western fringes of still seeing some sunny spells. northern ireland, dry with sunny spells. northern, central and eastern england, where you see the cloud damp in places but the rain not amounting to much. sunshine through

much of wales, and at the south—west of england. temperatures for the most pa rt of england. temperatures for the most part in single figures but windchill is not so much of an issue. still quite cold particularly under the cloud cover and you may see some patchy rain, continuing from thursday into friday morning and moor park ticket leap through eastern scotland. —— and more particularly. not as cold as friday against vote pockets of rural frost around. —— though. the chance of a shower into the south—west. it could have hail. and a rumble of thunder. elsewhere sunny spells. scotland and northern england should farewell or sunshine. going into the weekend, low pressure to the south, high

pressure to the north, much of the uk under the influence of hype pressure “— uk under the influence of hype pressure —— high pressure. some outbreaks of rain during saturday. uncertainty about the position of that so we will keep you updated. showers and patchy rain towards north—east scotland. elsewhere mainly dry with some sunny spells. not much change going into next week. much of the uk under the influence of high pressure, not particularly warm but mainly dry. i'm babita sharma with bbc news. saudi arabia's foreign minister has told the bbc that accusing the king or crown prince of any knowledge of the murder ofjamal khashoggi is unacceptable — and crosses a red line. britain's prime minister theresa may says there are issues still to be resolved as she tries to finalise the brexit agreement. she met with the president of the european commission, jean—claude juncker, in brussels and says she will return for more talks on saturday. britain has warned of serious diplomatic consequences

after the united arab emirates jailed a british man for life for spying. matthew hedges says he is innocent and was just carrying out research. the us defence secretaryjim mattis says peace talks aimed at ending the conflict in yemen will take place in early december. he said he expected both the huthi rebels and the government to attend. that's all. stay with bbc world news. new now on bbc news in a 100 women interview, the chilean writer isabel allende tells kirsty wark about her life in exile