welcome to bbc news, broadcasting to viewers in north america and around the globe. my name is reged ahmed. our top stories: a young saudi woman fleeing to australia is stranded at bangkok airport where she says her passport has been seized. she tells the bbc she can't go back home. i don't have rights in saudi arabia, and my family treat me so bad. they will kill me. as the government shutdown in the us continues into its third week, president trump says he has little expectation of a breakthrough in the latest talks. the hollywood awards season is underway. winners so far at the golden globes include christian bale, and will lady gaga take home a gong for a star is born? and theresa may warns the uk will be in unchartered territory if mps reject the deal to withdraw from the eu. hello.

human rights watch has called on thailand to allow a young saudi woman fleeing her home country to continue her journey to australia. rahaf mohammed al-qunun is trapped in bangkok, where she says the thai authorities intend to repatriate her. she believes her family will kill her for speaking out on social media as well as renouncing islam. thai and saudi officials say she did not have a visa to enter thailand, and deny claims they've confiscated her passport. kim gittleson has more. 18—year—old rahaf al-qunun thought she saw her opening two days ago, during a family vacation to kuwait. that's when she fled to australia in search of asylum, but that plan went awry during what was supposed to be a short stop in bangkok.

when i come, someone said to me that we will have the visa. then he took my passport, and then he came to me with five or six people, i think they are police. and they told me my father wants me to go back to saudi arabia, and he's so angry. now, she says she's trapped in an airport hotel, with thai officials guarding her room, waiting to put her on a return flight to kuwait. so she has taken to social media to beg for help, asking for asylum and begging for intervention. saudi arabia's government said that she was held because she didn't have a return ticket, and that she was going to be deported today to kuwait, where most of her family lives. however, human rights watch has said

she should be allowed to continue on to australia. this is saudi arabia and thailand playing games, to send an 18—year—old back into harm's way. it's outrageous. she deserves to be allowed to see the un refugee agency and ask for asylum. now the clock is ticking down, and, having renounced islam, rahaf says that she fears for her life. i don't have rights in saudi arabia, and my family treat me so bad. they will kill me. further talks are being held to try to end the partial us government shutdown, but president trump says he has little expectation of a breakthrough. he has indicated he will not drop his insistence on getting the government to approve the funds needed to build a wall along the southern border with mexico. gail maclellan reports. president trump, on his way to the camp david residential retreat, threatened he may declare a national emergency if talks to end the shutdown show no progress

by the end of the week. but he indicated there may be some compromise on the major stumbling block, the building of the concrete wall between the us and mexico. they don't like concrete, so we'll give ‘em steel. steel is fine. steel is actually — steel is actually more expensive than concrete, but it'll look beautiful, and it's very strong. it's actually stronger. if this partial shutdown continues until the end of this week, it will become the longest in us government history. the impasse over funding for the wall, president trump is demanding $5.6 billion while congress has offered $1.3 billion, has left some 800,000 federal workers without work or working without pay. the president seems more confident about the trade talks with china, which begin this week. he imposed tariffs on hundreds of billions of dollars of chinese goods, to pressure beijing to change its practices on a number of issues.

china retaliated with tariffs of its own. i really believe they want to make a deal. the tariffs have absolutely hurt china very badly, but our country has taken in a lot of money through tariffs, a lot of money. a lot of tariffs — steel dumping tariffs and others. but i think china wants to get it resolved. their economy's not doing well. they're down close to 38%. that's a lot, and i think that gives them a great incentive to negotiate. bending president xi and china to the will of the us might seem a tall order, but the president's threat of using emergency powers to end the stalemate in his own government shows this domestic problem could be even taller. president trump's national security adviser has said the withdrawal of us troops from syria depends on certain conditions in a further indication that the process is being slowed down. during a visit to israel, john bolton said the us wanted assurances from turkey that us—backed kurdish fighters would be safe, and said he wanted to ensure remnants of so—called islamic state had been defeated.

last month, president trump made a surprise announcement, saying that the troops were, "all coming back and they're coming back now". the 76th golden globes awards are underway in los angeles. it's the first major awards ceremony of the year. 0ur correspondent, peter bowes, is in los angeles. peter, some major awards already handed out? yes, coming thick and fast now towards the end of the show and i'm going to tell you something that happened in the last few seconds, which is that lady gaga has not won for her role in a star is born, in fact it was won by glen close for her performance in the wife. no—one really saw that coming, i think glen close was the most prized of anyone. she is still giving her acceptance speech. 0ne prized of anyone. she is still giving her acceptance speech. one of the big stories of the night could

be to do with the movie roma. this is often described as a show that gives us a clue about what is going to happen at the oscars in a few weeks. we have this film which is a mexican film winning the best foreign—language category and also best director, the filmmaker behind this, alfonso cuaron, a real epic story about a well—to—do mexican household, a beautifully made film, cinematically it is extraordinary, a really big picture, beautifully choreographed by the director and i think we will hear a lot about that when it comes to the oscars in a few weeks. the other big story of the night is greenbook, it has now won three categories for best screenplay, best comedy and also mahershala ali, best supporting

actor for mahershala ali, best supporting actorfor his mahershala ali, best supporting actor for his performance as the very gifted pianist in the segregation era in the united states, that goes on tour in the southern states and teams up with an italian—american bouncer from the clu bs italian—american bouncer from the clubs in new york and he becomes his driver and they strike up this unusualfriendship. it driver and they strike up this unusual friendship. it is a driver and they strike up this unusualfriendship. it is a really heartwarming story, actually based ona heartwarming story, actually based on a true story. there has been some criticism that the story doesn't really stick to what really happens, but this is hollywood's ree imagination of the story as you like. as i say, winning three. so watch green book when it comes to the oscars. some of the british stars have been doing very well as well. yes, well, let's look at christian bale, often described as british american these days. christian bale plays dick cheney in vice, i think he is perhaps the most notable winner, because of the way that he transformed himself to

become dick cheney. in fact, in his a cce pta nce become dick cheney. in fact, in his acceptance speech he thanked the prosthetics department and the make—up department for that transformation. he also rather co ntroversially transformation. he also rather controversially credits satan for the inspiration behind playing dick cheney, so some rather politically charged comments. certainly in terms ofan charged comments. certainly in terms of an acting performance, from christian bale, yes. peter bowes, keeping an eye on everything, i am sure we will hear more from you as the ceremony goes on. let's get some of the day's other news. the palestinian authority is pulling its staff out of the rafah border crossing between egypt and the gaza strip, in protest at what it called brutal practices against its workers by the rival palestinian faction, hamas. the move effectively closes the main exit point from gaza through which most goods pass. president donald trump says negotiations are underway on the location of the next summit with north korean leader kim jong—un. donald trump held a historic summit with kim in singapore injune. he said earlier in the week he had received a great letter

from the north korean leader but declined to reveal its contents. the 0scar winning actor kevin spacey is due to appear in court on monday charged with sexually assualting a teenager in 2016. the charge against spacey follows an allegation in november 2017 by boston television journalist heather unruh that her 18—year—old son was sexually assaulted by the actor at the club car restaurant and bar in nantucket in 2016. he denies the allegations. it's been revealed that england's record goalscorer wayne rooney was arrested and fined in the united states last month for public intoxication and swearing. the former manchester united player, who now plays for the american side, dc united, was arrested at dallas international airport after returning from a trip to saudi arabia. the uk will be in uncharted territory if members of parliament reject the deal to withdraw from the european union, that's according to the british prime minister. theresa may was speaking as she confirmed that a vote on her deal will take place

in the house of commons. here's our political correspondent ben wright. it is time to pack up the baubles and chuck out the tree. christmas brought a brexit lull, that is now abruptly over. and the prime minister begins the new year as she ended the last, trying to find a way to persuade parliament to back her deal. but there is no sign of a new approach, only reassurances that she hopes might win over her critics. the first is measures that will be specific for northern ireland. the second is a greater role for parliament, as we take these negotiations into the next stage for our future relationship. and the third, and we're still working on this, is further assurances from the european union to address the issues that have been raised. but many tory brexiteers remain angry about the deal, as are a number of conservatives, who want a closer relationship with europe or another referendum. 0pposition parties are poised to vote against the deal, too. so, if it is defeated, what on earth happens then?

then, actually, we're going to be in uncharted territory. i don't think anybody can say exactly what will happen, in terms of the reaction we'll see in parliament. well, i was rather hoping you could. if the prime minister has a plan b, she is not letting on, and theresa may didn't rule out asking mps to vote again. i've always said that no deal was better than a bad deal. what we have on the table is a good deal. the chances of the prime minister's deal getting through parliament still look pretty dismal. theresa may says we would then be in uncharted territory. we would also be in a deep political crisis, with even less time to go until the uk is set to leave the eu at the end of march. many mps believe that mrs may's tactic is to run down the clock, piling pressure on the house of commons to back her deal eventually, or risk a damaging no—deal brexit. but, as mps argue and agonise, there is currently no clear majority in this deadlocked parliament for a different course of action. i think there is a growing

groundswell in the country, and in parliament, for accepting that we're going to have to go back to the public for the final say. while polls suggest labour party members clearly want the party to commit to another referendum, its leadership won't, yet. the reason theresa may has had such a botched set of negotiations is because of her red lines. if we as a new, incoming labour government were to go to europe without those red lines, we know that we could get a different, better deal. but the uk and the eu insist the withdrawal agreement cannot be reworked, and a general election to break the impasse looks very unlikely. theresa may wanted the brexit deal wrapped up by christmas. instead, with time disappearing, the uncertainty grows. ben wright, bbc news. stay with us on bbc news. still to come: answering her calling. the woman who taught herself to become the first midwife in a remote area in the himalayas.

the japanese people are in mourning following the death of emperor hirohito. thousands converged on the imperial palace to pay their respects when it was announced he was dead. "good grief." after half a century of delighting fans around the world, charlie brown and the rest of the gang are calling it quits. the singer paul simon starts his tour of south africa tomorrow, in spite of protests and violence from some black activist groups. they say international artists should continue to boycott south africa until majority rule is established. teams were trying to scoop up lumps of oil as france recognises it faces an ecological crisis. three weeks ago, the authorities confidently assured these areas that oil from the broken tanker erika would head out to sea. it didn't. the world's tallest skyscraper opens later today.

the burj dubai has easily overtaken its nearest rivals. this is bbc world news. the latest headlines: a young saudi woman fleeing to australia is stranded at bangkok airport, after she says her passport was seized. she says she fears for her life if she's forced home. as the government shutdown in the us continues into its third week, president trump says he has little expectation of a breakthrough in the latest talks. malaysia's king muhammad v has resigned with immediate effect, less than two years after coming to the throne. it's the first time a ruling monarch has stepped down before completing their five—year tenure. malaysia has a unique power—sharing system between its state sultans. jonathan head reports from bangkok.

malaysia's sultans are accorded an officially revered status, which inhibits any open criticism of their sometimes lavish lifestyles. however, rumours and online comment about the habits of king muhammad v have proliferated since he took up his turn as the country's constitutional monarch two years ago. these culminated in reports that he'd married a 25—year—old russian model in november, while on a break from his official duties. a marriage the palace has neither confirmed nor denied. an extraordinary meeting of the royal council of rulers took place earlier this week, at which the king's situation is believed to have been discussed. the king plays a largely ceremonial role in malaysia, but has the power to confirm the appointment of a prime minister and to dissolve parliament. the current prime minister, mahathir mohamad, who returned to office in a shock election victory last may, had a tense relationship with the sultans during his previous governments, when he attempted to limit their authority. last week, he warned that all malaysians must be bound

by the law, whatever their status. jonathan head, bbc news, bangkok. thousands of cambodian survivors of the khmer rouge are marking a0 years since the fall of the brutal regime, that killed an estimated 1.7 million people. 0ur correspondent nga pham is in siem reap in northwestern cambodia. today is a national public holiday in cambodia, and people here mark the day as the anniversary of the end of the genocide, the fall of the khmer rouge regime, that killed almost 1.7 million people during the short, four year period that the khmer rouge was ruling. so today, i'm in siem reap, where a landmine museum is going to reopen. what a fitting event for the commemoration. and also in phnom penh, there will be a very important event

to commemorate the khmer rouge. today, the event starting with a blessing ceremony and there will be a speech by the prime minister hun sen, where he will talk about the importance of the fall of the khmer rouge. he'll be paying tribute to the victims of the regime and also, of course, give credit to his ruling party, the cpp, that has been governing cambodia since 1979. you've got to remember that 60% of the cambodian population is under 30. so, i spoke to lots of them, and most of them don't have much of a memory about the period, but they, of course, have heard from their parents and the other generations about the brutality of the regime, and everyone was saying how good that the regime has terminated. let's get more now on brexit.

for some of those opposed to the british prime minister's deal, the central problem with it is the so—called backstop — a way of committing to there being no hard border in ireland, whatever the future trade arrangements. as brexit day approaches at the end of march, emma vardy reports now from the border area. a near invisible line, but it's this that's drawn the uk into political deadlock. near the border, people are used to living life in two currencies, but everyone's part of the same eu club. so northern ireland and the irish republic can trade without restrictions. but that could all change after brexit. and counting down the days with less than three months to go, there's still no agreement on how a deal to prevent a hard border should work. they're going to push it right to the wire, and these things usually do go to the wire. i just want to get

something settled. not everybody‘s going to be happy. that's life, that's the way the world is. but get something that people — most people can accept and agree and move on. many remember the years of conflict, when crossing the border meant army checkpoints and delays. it would take you an extra day. the uk and eu have made a promise to people whose livelihoods are at stake that a hard border will never return. guarantees in the brexit withdrawal deal that northern ireland may continue to follow some eu rules. and it's this so—called irish backstop preventing theresa may getting support for her deal at westminster. well, the deal i think she has is better than a no deal. i don't know whether she's going to get a better deal or not. shared membership of the eu has helped build peace across this divide. and next week at westminster, mps will once again have to grapple with the most contentious element of that brexit deal, the idea that northern ireland may have to be treated differently

to the rest of the uk if this boder is to remain as open as it is now. this family business has been trading since before there was a border in ireland. we've traded through two world wars, we've traded everything. the irish backstop may be opposed by many brexiteer mps at westminster, but here, many northern ireland businesses are backing it, in the face of warnings that leaving without a deal could cause severe disruption to trade. the northern ireland backstop, to us, is something that would prevent a situation where we have seen terror before, and we don't wish to see it again. next week theresa may will try to give brexiteer mps more reassurances that the backstop may never be used, before its put to a vote. but facing such opposition, her strategy to push on may be a risky step. emma vardy, bbc news, newry.

in pakistan, less than half of women have access to a midwife. in the country's remote himalayan area, many give birth without any help at all, but one woman decided to step in to fill the gap. she's taught herself to be the first midwife in her area. this is her story. ajapanese schoolgirl is set to become the youngest professional player of the board game go. sumire nakamura will be ten when she plays the game on the first of april. she began playing the complicated strategy game at the age of three, and says she wants to win a title by the time she gets to high school. and before we go, let's just show you these pictures. when ngendera albert realised crocodiles were being killed to be eaten in burundi, he decided to take action to try to protect the animals. he initially bought about 12 of the reptiles, but now there are almost 45 — all of them in his back garden. that is a very brave man. just a

reminder about top story now. human rights watch has called on thailand to allow a young saudi woman fleeing her country to continue the journey to australia. she is trapped in bangkok, where she says the thai authorities intend to repatriate her. she believes herfamily will kill herfor speaking her. she believes herfamily will kill her for speaking out on social media, as well as renouncing islam. we will keep across that story as it develops here on bbc news. all about top stories, including all of the golden globes, on our website. —— all of our. hello there. it's fair to say the weather's been very dull over the past few days. but all that is about to change. we've got more energy coming in from the atlantic, a deep area of low pressure rushing to the north of scotland, that's beginning to pick up the winds for northern areas.

still to the south, high pressure, a few breaks in the cloud means a chillier start here and maybe some fleeting sunshine. rain is moving southwards across scotland, northern ireland, into north—west england and north wales. then behind it, sunshine for northern ireland in the afternoon, scotland, away from the north and north—west, where it turns wet again and the winds continue to howl. should be a mild day, widely11—12 degrees. but that's not the story. it will be a windy day. windier than we've seen for quite some time. gales across scotland, gusts of 70 mph or more in northern scotland, that could lead to some travel disruption. but the real strength of the winds comes around the back of that deep area of low pressure, it stays very windy during the evening, the first part of the night, and then the low rushes away toward southern scandinavia and takes away the worst of the winds with it as well. but the wind direction changes for tuesday, we get more of a north or north—westerly wind. and that means it's going to be a bit colder. but it does mean there's more sunshine on the way. most places on tuesday will be dry with some sunny spells.

we will see a few showers coming into north—eastern scotland, running down these north sea coasts into east anglia, where the winds could be touching gale force for a while. but lighter winds further west. however, temperatures are back into single figures for most areas. so it gets chilly overnight where we have the clearer skies in this central slice of the uk. so a touch of frost early wednesday. more cloud keeps the temperatures up for eastern parts of england. it will feel cold in the wind, there'll be one of two showers on wednesday. out to the west, we've got this gradual encroachment of air from the atlantic, so that means cloudier skies. it means thickening cloud to bring rain and drizzle into northern ireland, later into western scotland. ahead of it, temperatures 11—5 degrees. probably the coldest day of this week. maybe a frosty start to the midlands, to the south—west of england, some sunshine for a while. you can see how the cloud is just spilling in on that north—westerly breeze. we're bringing in some milder air, yes, and temperatures of 9—10 degrees in scotland and northern ireland. we're back to high pressure again later on in the week and with that

sort of position, we're pulling in air from the atlantic. it means a lot of cloud, but at least temperatures will be a little bit higher as well. but it will be still a little on the breezy side. let's sum up the week, a windy start, cold air putting in midweek with more sunshine, then it clouds over later, still a little breezy, but also a bit milder. this is bbc news. the headlines: human rights watch has called on thailand to allow a young saudi woman fleeing her home country to continue her journey to australia. rahaf mohammed al qunun is trapped in bangkok. rahaf mohammed al-qunun is trapped in bangkok. she believes her family will kill her for speaking out on social media as well as renouncing islam. further talks are being held to try to end the partial us government shutdown, but president trump says he has little expectation of a breakthrough. he has indicated he will not drop his insistence on getting the government to approve the funds needed to build a wall along the southern border with mexico. the 76th annual golden globe awards has started

in los angeles. christian bale has won best actor for his portrayal of the former us vice president, dick cheney. british stars 0livia colman, david madden and others are among the winners. now on bbc news, hardtalk.