this is bbc world news today. i'm chris rogers. our top stories... president trump announces that his chief of staff is leaving. john kelly will replaced by the end of the year after weeks of speculation about his future. thousands turn out across france in anti—government protests, though the numbers are smaller than in previous weeks. china warns canada of grave consequences unless it releases huawei the top huawei executive being held on fraud charges and a mo salah hat—trick helps liverpool go top of the english premier league, as man city slip up at chelsea. that story and all today's other sports news coming up. hello and welcome to world news today. president trump has announced that his chief of staff,

john kelly, will be leaving by the end of the year. there have been persistent reports for several days that mr kelly had been under pressure to go. the retired marine general had been brought in to bring order to the white house after mr trump forced out his first appointee to the role. he's the 28th person to leave the white house since donald trump took office. john kelly will be leaving, retir— i don't know if i can say retiring. but he's a great guy. john kelly will be leaving at the end of the year, we'll be announcing who will be taking john's place. it might be an interim basis. i'll be announcing that over the next day or two. butjohn will be leaving at the end of the year. he's been with me almost two years now, as you know, between the two positions. let's speak to dan johnson in washington. mrtrump appears, as mr trump appears, as he's speaking to reporters, to be playing down any significance in this. it's business

as usual, i'm moving the chess pieces around, to deal with a less powerful white house and administration next year, the democrats have got more power. is that really the case? well, it has become business as usual because there have been so many departures from this white house. donald trump asturias form his team for the new year because there is a fresh challenge. the democrats having control of the house of congress will make life more difficult for the president. he's going to need a new approach to actually get things done. that may be part of the reason why he is rebuilding his team, why there have been some more high—level departures and changes in the last few weeks. the chief of staffjob is unimportant, insider role, somebody prepared to tell the president thinks he doesn't want to hear, to give him the hard truths. that is something john kelly did, and it is perhaps whyjohn something john kelly did, and it is perhaps why john kelly something john kelly did, and it is perhaps whyjohn kelly is now on his way. people are interested in who will replace him. someone with an independent voice who will be prepared to stand up to the president? or who may be appointed more because of their loyalty to

donald trump. as you say, the revolving door continues, who is likely to replace him? there have been some rumours reported by the reuters news agency that mike pence's chief of staff could move over to the oval office? that is a man called nick as, apparently been very effective and very loyal, working for the vice president mike pence. —— nick ayers. a a p pa re ntly apparently donald trump is going to seek an assurance that the next chief of staff can be there until 2020. he has not been able to give that assurance. he mightjust take overin that assurance. he mightjust take over in the interim until a long—term replacement can be found. donald trump has had some high—level positions to fill in the last few weeks. it will be a new white house tea m weeks. it will be a new white house team that takes on the political development in the new year, the new challenge that they face.” development in the new year, the new challenge that they face. i know this is hard for correspondence like yourself to gauge up capitol hill, but is there any sense of nervousness among republicans, even

the supporters of trump, members of the supporters of trump, members of the public, that this revolving door continues, that he hasn't got control of his white house? continues, that he hasn't got control of his white house7m continues, that he hasn't got control of his white house? it seems to have become the new normal. the departures have been so many, they have been so regular, that people appear tojust accept have been so regular, that people appear to just accept that is what happens now. people come and people go. donald trump made his name firing people on the apprentice and he seems to have acted out his presidency in much the same way. people seem to have stopped, really, making any fuss about it, even though it must affect the consistency, the coordination inside the white house, the fact that there are so many personnel changes, it must make it more difficult to get things done. donald trump will hope that the team he can now put in place will bring some consistency over the remaining two years of his presidency. and that he will be able to work with this new congress. that is going to be trickier, and republicans will be interested to see how the president actually take this forward, whether he is prepared to be more bipartisan and reach to

democrats to try to get effective cooperation and support from them. no doubt he faces big challenges in the new year and there is nervousness about the changes that are occurring. it will be interesting to see who takes this topjob. the french authorities say anti—government protests, which brought thousands of people onto the streets over recent weeks, are now under control. across the country hundreds of arrests have been made. there was trouble too, which in some parts continues, riot police have fired rubber bullets and tear gas. in the capital cars have been torched and shop windows smashed. the bbc‘s lucy williamson sent this report from there. they called it a protest. at times it looked more like a game of urban war. groups of protesters fanned through the capital's streets today. from the arc de triomphe to republic, boulevards once built to open the veins of the city filled with tear gas, firecrackers and riot police. on the champs—elysees this morning,

the mood was largely peaceful — protesters arriving here from across france caught up in a familiar dance of conflict with police. police are just pushing the protesters back down out of this side street onto the champs—elysees, they have been pushing them up and down this street all morning and the tension is starting to rise. the police were well prepared for this confrontation, with armoured vehicles, new tactics and bag searches, seizing gas masks and helmets and anything that could be used against police. the tear gas, far stronger than usual, took many protesters by surprise. and rapid reaction squads marked out by orange arm bands were stationed among the protesters to spot trouble and make early arrests. translation: since the start of the demonstrations there have actually been more injuries on the side of the security forces than on the side of the protesters because the idea is to contain

things, but that tactic has limits, particularly when we're faced with people who want to behave like it is a war. so today we've changed the tactics so there will be more checks and more immediate interventions. despite the violence of previous protests, this movement still has the backing of many voters in france. its members proud of their lack of leadership and the diversity of their support. sylvie is a far left supporter, herfriend christoffe is a fan of the far right. they say the gilets jaunes have united different people against president macron. translation: that is what president macron does not like, that we are united. he has brought back solidarity among the french. we are united in combat for now, after that, who knows? but this movement is already splintering into two kinds of protest, one that looks towards a new political programme and a violent wing, opposed to any negotiation, that's hard to exclude, even

harder to control. let's talk to stefan de vries, a journalist based in paris we call them the yellow vests, but what is this movement, what do they stand for? it seems to be a process that started about diesel prices and has morphed into so many different demands? absolutely, you are right to mention they are very different. it is not a coherent group. there is no leader, as lucy williamson said in the report, they do not have a clear programme. it is actually a collection of a huge group of people, it started out on facebook, as an online petition against rising

fuel prices about a month ago. only infour fuel prices about a month ago. only in four weeks, this movement turns into a general protest against the current government. more precisely, against emmanuel macron. the yellow vests have very different demands, it goes from childcare to a cap on incomes, many different things, some very extreme left, some are extreme right. it is hard to pin down exactly who they are. that makes it particularly difficult for the french government to negotiate with them, or to reach out and to give in to their demands. we are also hearing reports on social media that these kind of protests are spilling out into other countries across europe. i think looking at the wider picture in france for now, emmanuel macron must be looking down on these protesters and thinking, i've got a big problem here, there's a lot of dissatisfaction with my government. are they right, though, to be

dissatisfied? absolutely, it certainly is a big problem for him. he was overwhelmed by the protests. he was overwhelmed by the protests. he did not see it coming, actually. he did not see it coming, actually. he has been silent the whole week, he even said last night to one of his collaborators, according to the that he fuel to speak, he did not want to fuel the protests. he is seeing himself also as problem. also as part of the problem. that is exactly the case. it started as a simple protest against high taxes, but it has now turned into a general rejection of president emmanuel macron, the person that was elected with so muchjoy macron, the person that was elected with so much joy only 18 months ago, the guy that was going to save france. and now he simply does not deliver. although that is quite ironic, a paradox in itself. if he keeps his election promises, it hasn't really pleased the french. emmanuel macron has a very serious political problem. he still has almost over three years to go in his mandate, but he can't do anything

any more, his reform programme will be put on hold and he will express itself this monday on television, nationwide, to the french, to give an inspiration pole explanation for what is going on and maybe prepares concessions to the yellow vests. good to talk to you. a journalist working in paris, covering the protests. much more on the bbc news website. some other stories in... police in new zealand have said they will do everything they can to try to find the body of the missing british backpacker grace millane. a 26—year—old man is due to appear in court on monday charged with her murder. russia's most famous human rigths acitivst has died. she was 91. she organised aid for families of political prisoners and helped put out the first illegal human rights publication in the ussr. in 1993, she became the leader of the moscow helsinki group — the country's leading

human rights group. brazil's president elect is defending himself against tax evasion allegations. authorities found more than 300,000 dollars had flowed in and out of an account of an aide to his son. mr bolsonaro says it was a loan repayment, and a mistake it hadn't been included in his tax return. china has warned canada that there will be severe huawei consequences if it doesn't release huawei's chief financial officer. ms meng was arrested in vancouver a week ago and faces extradition to the united states, accused of breaking american sanctions on iran. china's foreign ministry has summond canada's ambassador, calling the arrest extremely nasty. canada's ambassador, calling here's bbc‘s asia pacific editor celia hatton on why the chinese foreign ministry

is calling for the release, knowing it's not going to happen. it is fascinating that they decided to come out with this today after days of relative silence, not saying very much at all. i think really that beijing at the moment is trying to appeal to china's domestic audience. there have been a lot of calls inside china, lots of people writing on chinese social media platforms saying that ms meng is effectively a hostage in the us, china trade war, that this arrest was political, that canada should not have carried out this arrest on behalf of the united states. a lot of shock and accusations against canada, and so i think really beijing feels the need to show that it is trying to do something, and that is why it has come out with this. it is really not going to help matters in the fact that huawei, the world's largest network equipment maker has been arguing for years now that it has no strong ties with the chinese government, that it's not a proxy for the chinese military, so the fact that the chinese government has come out with such strong words, urging for ms meng to be released kind of goes against that argument. stay with us on bbc world news,

still to come: after five years the africa museum in belgium re—opens its doors with controversy surrounding its collection. john lennon was shot in the centre of new law. there has been a crowd standing in silent vigil, and flowers have been piling up. —— new york. the 14th ceasefire of this war ended at the walls of the old city of dubrovnik. witnesses said shells we re dubrovnik. witnesses said shells were landing every 20 seconds.

people are celebrating the passing ofa man people are celebrating the passing of a man they hold responsible for hundreds of deaths and oppression. elsewhere, people have been gathering to mourn his passing. the widow of the former president of the philippines has gone on trial in manila. she is facing seven charges of tax evasion. she pleaded not guilty. the prince and princess of wales are to separate. a statement from buckingham palace said the decision had been reached amicably. this is bbc world news today. lets bring you up—to—date with the latest headlines. president donald trump has announced that his chief of staffjohn kelly will leave hisjob by the end of the year. police in paris have fired rubber bullets and tear gas in a fourth weekend of anti—government protests. six people — five of them teenagers — have died after a stampede at a nightclub in italy.

dozens were injured in the club in corinaldo near ancona on italy's east coast. it's reported that panic broke out at a rap concert after a substance like pepper spray was used. james reynolds reports. the blue lantern nightclub was packed for a rap concert. suddenly, at 1am, the air fills with what may have been pepper spray. the crowds began to panic. translation: we were together. we started seeing everyone rush towards the emergency exits. at the beginning we didn't understand why, but then we started to cough and thought there might be a fire or something, so we decided to leave. but at least one exit route was blocked. so hundreds of partygoers were forced to pile on to this walkway. moments later, it collapsed. translation: i saw dead people.

some people on the ground touched my ankle, saying, please. i tried to save other people, but it was impossible. the dead include teenagers between the ages of 1a and 16. one of the youngest victims was killed along with her mother. the authorities suspect that overcrowding may have played a part in causing the crush. translation: if there is room in your nightclub for 800 people, and you let in 2000, and six are crushed, one on top of the other, then your place is in prison. local prosecutors are now beginning an investigation. james reynolds, bbc news, rome. thousands of people have protested in australia's major cities against a controversial coal mine to be built in queensland in the new year. last week, the indian mining giant adani announced it would press ahead with plans to build a downsized version of the mine. lucy mcnally reports.

coal, don't dig it! this was the call from australia's young generation to its current leaders. get with the times. they're angry at the government for backing an adani coal mine to be built in central queensland next year. we are taking the stand that our leaders are far too afraid to take themselves. we are the people who have been fighting, and we'll keep fighting for a brighterfuture, not just for ourselves, but for our children, and our children's children. after years of environmental and legal disputes, the queensland labor government promised not to spend taxpayer's money on the project. but the australian government says it's putting jobs and the economy first. it decided the mine didn't need a full environmental assessment and, on thursday, the indian energy giant announced it would go ahead, building a mine half the size of the one it originally proposed. in response, thousands of students have taken to the streets.

we need to make sure adani doesn't go ahead, because we have 12 years to become carbon neutral. if we don't, it's going to be basically irreversible to stop dramatic climate change. the australian prime minister, scott morrison, is under pressure to take action on climate change, with the country's rising greenhouse gas emissions pushing it further away from its paris targets. when thousands of students skipped school to attend climate change rallies last month, the prime minister said he wanted to see them back in the classroom. schoolkids are the next generation of australia. they are potentially the future leaders. so i think they should have the biggest voice, and a bigger say in what their country does. adani says it's mine would be fully self financed. but for conservationists keen to preserve the pristine waters

of the great barrier reef, that's not the point. holly hamilton has all the sport. hello — we start with the premier league where it looks like there could be a title race this season after manchester city were finally knocked off the top of the table. they were beaten 2—0 by chelsea with goals from n'golo kante and david luiz putting an end to city's 21—game unbeaten league run which stretches all the way back to april. chelsea's win also moves sarri's side into the top four. and that result, alongside liverpool's win over bournmouth this afternoon makesjurgen klopp's side the new league leaders. a mo salah hat—trick, his second for the club, paved the way for a 4—0 victory and leaves liverpool the only unbeaten side in the league this season. from the first second, really in the game. passing—wise, not, but was always on the line, wanting to help with runs in behind. that is massively important. so, i was really fine with the performance. and scoring three goals, obviously, is good for him

and very important for us. and manchester united are up to sixth after their biggest win of the season. they beat bottom club fulham 4—1 at old trafford. it's their first win in the premier league since october. here's the rest of the games. tottenham are leading at leicester. barcelona will go three points clear of sevilla in spain if they hold on to win at espanyol. they are 3—0 up in the final few minutes. lionel messi, ousmane dembele and luis suarez, all with goals in the first half. sevilla could only draw at valencia. third placed atletico won 3—0 at home to alaves. in serie a, second placed napoli's 4—0 win over frosinone helped them keep up the chase on leaders juventus.

lazio and sampdoria are into the last few minutes of their game in rome. a 3—0 win for bayern munich at home to nurnberg took them into second place in the bundesliga. but the champions are still nine points behind leaders borrussia dortmund who won 2—1 at schalke. the united states will be favourites to lift a record fourth women's world cup following the draw for next year's tournament earlier. in a rather favourable group with thailand, chile and sweden. meanwhile, neighbours england and scotland have been drawn in the same group along with japan and argentina. something good is happening in scottish women's football. it's going to be a real tough start to the group. but i think when you look at the group, you see three great games, three special games, that all have a meaning to english football. i think that's why i'm really excited. our first time at the world cup. and yet, of course, you draw england in the first game. i know everybody will talk about what happened in the euros, but what we have to focus

on is the full group and notjust one opponent. india will start day four of the first test against australia very much in control. they have a second innings lead of 166. chesteshwar pujara will resume on a0 not out, with the visitors reach 151—3. earlier, australia were bowled out for 235. that's all the sport for now. thank you. belgium's royal museum for central africa opens its doors to the public again on sunday after being shut for several years for renovations. it's home to many treasures — though there is controversy surrounding much of what it holds. rebecca hartmann reports. artwork, statues and stuffed animals will once again be available for visitors to see in the african museum. many of these treasures on display were plundered during belgian's ruthless colonial rule. swathes of central africa were run as a private royal estate

by belgian king leopold ii. the museum began as a showcase of their treasures. but in the past five years, it has been revamped to make its exhibits more critical of belgian's brutal colonial past. translation: we were often called the last colonial museum in the world, so we wanted to change that. we wanted to look at contemporary africa, but at the same time take a more critical look at the colonial past. it's estimated that around 90% of africa's material cultural heritage is in museums outside of the continent. so, for many, the renovation does not go far enough. translation: from our point of view, we don't care if the museum is renovated or not. if it reopens or not. what interests us is restitution, because there's no to colonisation without restitution. the debate over returning artefacts has raged for years. but it is only recently that the former imperial powers have

started to address the requests. president macron urged that artefacts stolen by france should be returned after commissioning an independent report. and several european museums, such as the victoria and albert museum in london, have said that treasures like these, taken from ethiopia by the british, could be returned to africa on a long—term loan. we're willing to talk about restitution within certain conditions. like, we need to establish the ownership, who owns it. clearly, the moral ownership is with the country. but does it mean that everything that was acquired in the colonial period is legal or not? that needs to be discussed further. whatever happens, after five years out of the public view, it is hoped that these artefacts will gain a wider audience. rebecca hartmann, bbc news. that is it from me and all of the team. thanks for watching. good evening. it's been a blustery,

showery saturday right across the country. the showers took their time in getting their act together. but when they arrived, we knew about it. merging togetherfor when they arrived, we knew about it. merging together for longer spells of rainfora merging together for longer spells of rain for a time as they pushed them from west to east. those showers are still going to be a nuisance across england and wales as we go through the night, with plenty of isobars on the child. that is where the strongest winds are likely to be across wales in south—west england. the showers. drift away steadily south and we will see fewer showers developing through the far north of scotland. over the next few hours, the wind is very much a feature. widely gusting in excess of 50 or 60 mph, maybe on the channel facing coast with exposure we could see higher than that. clearer skies in the north and slightly lighter winds will allow temperatures to fall away in rural parts of scotland. we could see a control light frost. the weather is starting

to come from the north. a subtle change as we go through tomorrow. it will be dry with more sunshine coming through and a cooler feel with a northerly wind direction. we could start off with a view showers with this trailing front clearing away. i kind it is the north westerly flow. tucking in behind that front, the cooler where will slowly sink southwards. a rush of showers for early birds across england and wales, but they use of, by coffee time they have gone. we will see skies clearing, sunshine coming through. a brisk north—westerly. with any exposure it will feel chilly. five or 8 degrees across the east coast, further south and west we might see 1112 if we are lucky. factor in that wind, it will make it feel on the chilly side if you are out for any length of time. we keep the clearer skies on the whole through sunday night and into the early hours of monday morning. temperatures will fall away through scotla nd temperatures will fall away through scotland and northern england. below freezing in rural spots. just above in towns and city centres. a frost is lightly. monday morning could be

the coldest start of the week. there should be some sunshine. a week where the front trying to squeeze into the west could bring cloud and a few isolated showers. generally speaking, monday will be a quiet day, the best of the sunshine will be further east. still particularly chilly, with the exception of the far south—west. that is how we look tuesday into wednesday, milder air from the west with the risk of a few showers. generally speaking, largely dry and fine. take care. hello, this is bbc news. the headlines: president trump has announced his cheese of staff will leave his job. —— chief of staff. cheese of staff will leave his job. -- chief of staff. the french interior minister has said they have ruled under control the violence. the interior minister described it as an acceptable. china has warned of grave quote ——

consequences if they don't release the employee of the textjohn.