this is the business briefing. i'm victoria fritz. superpower confrontation. the us and china face off over trade — with just a week to go before their truce expires. but are they inching towards a deal? plus — the australian dollar and mining shares fall sharply on reports china has suspended coal hello, this is the briefing — imports from the country. i'm victoria fritz. prime minister scott morrison our top stories: tensions mount in venezuela over rushes to play down talk moves by the opposition of a new trade row. to bring in foreign aid — the border with brazil has been closed. the family of a british teenager who joined the islamic state group in syria say they will challenge the uk government's decision to strip her of her citizenship. and on the markets, the animals and plants vital shares in asia flat following a fall for feeding the world on wall street, with a deteriorating are disappearing by the day, global economic outlook outweighing more signs of progress in trade a un report warns. brexit voices — the new divisions that are shaping britain as the country prepares to leave the european union coming up in the business briefing. superpower confrontation. the us and china face off over trade

with just a week to go before their truce expires. but are they inching towards a deal? a warm welcome to the programme — briefing you on all you need to know in global news, business and sport. and you can be part of the conversation. with that warning from the united nations on biodiversity, we want to know what you're doing to try and live more sustainably? tell us what you think — just use the hashtag #bbcthebriefing. president nicolas maduro has closed the border with brazil as a row over foreign aid continues. he's called on the military to block shipments from coming across the border into venezuela. the self—declared interim president,

juan guaido, is leading a group of opposition mps to the border with colombia. clashes broke out when the convoy was briefly stopped by the security forces. our south america correspondent katy watson reports. as the exodus began, so did the chaos. on ca racas‘s as the exodus began, so did the chaos. on caracas‘s main highway, police made it difficult to fill juan guaido‘s capital leaving —— convoy leaving the capital and more clashes broke out further down the road. you've got family going hungry too, this man shouts to the shoulders, leading them to let the trucks through. four alba, who is on a bus to the border, this is an historic moment. i ask if he scared about confrontations. translation: i don't know what to expect when we

get to the border. i might not come backin get to the border. i might not come back in four days but i hope to return safe and sound. in this humble part of caracas, these residents are gathering their strength. glory to the brave people, they chart, singing the national anthem as a way to unite the crowd in these uncertain times. organisers here are trying to spread the word about why the aid is needed. across venezuela, and events like these are taking place. they are trying to recruit a million volunteers ahead of saturday. now, president nicolas maduro has remained firm. he says he won't let the aid in but speak to people here, as they say they will find a way, no matter what. while there is no doubt people here need food and medicine, juan guaido's moves have been criticised as political or, as nicolas maduro says, the us— orchestrated show. nicolas maduro rated the crisis in venezuela and the national assembly

asked for raid in 2016. we've been asking in 2017, 2018, now in 2019 because there is all that people leaving the country, we have a big refugee crisis here on the continent. protests continued to sweep across the country, this one led by transport unions in support of nicolas maduro but even here, people told me they wanted aid brought in. translation: venezuela needs it, this woman said, but nicolas maduro won't admit it. as both sides could lead to face the music this weekend on the border, neither is backing down. katie watson, bbc news, in caracas. the family of shamima begum — the teenager who ran away to join the islamic state group in syria — have confirmed they're trying to bring her newborn son back to the uk. in a letter to the home secretary, the 19 year old's sister, renu begum, said they'd also be challenging sajid javid's decision to strip her of her

british citizenship. kathryn stanczyszn has this report. the 19—year—old who left britain four years ago tojoin the 19—year—old who left britain four years ago to join islamic state when she was still a schoolgirl has been told she can't come home. since then, there's been fierce debate about whether revoking her uk citizenship was the right to do. her sister renu has written to the home secretary, through, writing that they had lost shamima begum to a murderous and misogynistic cult and they hope he understands why they are challenging him taking away her only hope that rehabilitation, her british citizenship. they are also asking help to bring her newborn son back to prison, describing him as a true innocent. sajid javid said his first priority is to protect the public and there is to protect the public and there isa is to protect the public and there is a petition suggesting many agree that there are still voices saying

shamima begum must be allowed back to the place she was born and bred to the place she was born and bred to face the courts here, an outcome herfamily says to face the courts here, an outcome her family says they will continue to fight. let's brief you on some of the other stories making the news. fresh brexit talks have been scheduled for early next week as the british pm heads towards another parliamentary showdown on her eu withdrawal stance. the move comes amid reports that theresa may is facing a major challenge from her mps opposed to a no—deal exit from the eu. the american tv actor, jussie smollette, has appeared in court accused of staging an attack on himself because he was unhappy with his salary. he denies that he falsely reported being the victim of a racist, homophobic assault last month in chicago. thousands of people took the streets of barcelona on thursday carrying catalan flags to protests against the trial

of twelve separatists leaders. they went on trial in madrid this month over their failed attempt to declare catalonia independent in 2017. israel has launched its first moon mission — sending a landing vehicle called beresheet into space on board a rocket which blasted off from cape canaveral in florida. private backers have put up the 100 million dollars needed to fund the mission — which is expected to last for only a couple of days. there's a stark warning that the world's ability to produce food is being put under threat by climate change and farming practices. the un has been studying the plants, animals and micro—organisms that we rely on to survive. scientists say farms, cities and factories are using up more land and pumping out chemicals which is threatening what vegetated land we have left. our science correspondent, rebecca morelle has more. from copy plants on the edge of extinction to fish vanishing from

the oceans and the insects that pollinate our crops in steep decline, a new report by the un has found that the animals and plants vital for feeding the world are disappearing by the day. they found that nearly 1000 wild food species are decreasing in abundance, about a quarter of livestock breeds are at risk of extinction and one third of the world's fish stocks are overfished. scientists say that climate change, land loss and disease are driving this loss. i come behind the scenes at kew gardens where you can see crops grown around the world, from this citrus tree to curry leaves and copy but the big problem is we are becoming more and more reliant on fewer and fewer species. scientists say of the 6000 species that are grown for food, just nine of them are involved in the vast majority of crop production. tell me what we are going to see over here. scientists at kew are looking for new crops

that could help. it is very risky, we are looking to focus on a few species to feed the world because anything can happen. you can have a new disease, a problem with climate change so it's very important to haveit change so it's very important to have it very broad and wide range of species to feed the world. with global population approaching 8 billion people, the un warns we need to rethink the way we produce our food and we need to act fast. let's turn to our top business story now — in the next few hours us and chinese officials are due to resume talks in washington trying to reach a deal to end the trade war between the world's two biggest economies. according to reports — president trump is planning to hold one—on—one talks later today with china's chief negotiator — vice premier liu huh — which could be a sign progress is being made. chris southworth is secretary—general of the international chambers

of commerce here in the uk. ali closer to deal? don't know. there are only ten days to go. what we do know is the impact is affecting the uk. there are a number of issues. green emissions targets and so on. the cost of steel is definitely playing into that. that has an impact on jobs. all those car industries are based on the poorest areas in the uk. that is the key point. we need a solution quickly. we need to underpin the multilateral system. we need these big countries, big economies to really play by the rules. the noises coming out of both

beijing and washington seemed to be positive, around finding some sort of common ground on this. we understand that some memoranda of understanding have been reached on some of the key issues but it's a lwa ys some of the key issues but it's always the case, isn't it, but the last 5% of all this is the hardest? there are serious issues at stake here. we need a resolution quickly. nervy wins in this kind of situation. small companies have to pay when costs are being passed on down the system. it is not sustainable to keep it as it is. we need big economies to play by ago —— global rules. it's a solution that works for everybody. what happens if there is no good deal between now and march the first. 200 billion more tariffs coming in from china

from the first of march on imports. it will just from the first of march on imports. it willjust get from the first of march on imports. it will just get worse. from the first of march on imports. it willjust get worse. we need a solution as soon as possible. thank you, chris, will speculate on. stay with some bbc news. why this tortoise, missing for decades in the galapagos, may be the most important discovery of the century prince charles has chosen his bride. the prince proposed to lady diana spencer three weeks ago. she accepted, she says, without hesitation. as revolutions go, this had its fair share of bullets. a climax in the night outside the gates of mr marcos's sanctuary, malacanang — the name itself symbolizing one of the cruellest regimes of modern asia. the world's first clone has been produced of an adult mammal. scientists in scotland have produced a sheep called dolly using a cell from another sheep.

citizens are trying to come to grips with their new freedom. though there is joy and relief today, the scars are everywhere. not for 20 years have locusts been seen in such numbers in this part of africa. some of the swarms have been ten miles long. this is the last time the public will see this pope. very soon, for the sake of the credibilty and authority of the next pope, benedict xvi will, in his own words, "be hidden from the world for the rest of his life." you're watching the briefing. our headlines: tensions mount in venezuela over moves by the opposition to bring in foreign aid. president nicolas maduro has closed the border with brazil. the family of a british teenager who joined the islamic state group in syria have said they will challenge the uk government's decision to strip her of her citizenship. with brexit fast approaching, the bbc‘s philippa thomas has been

out on the road to hear from both sides why they feel so strongly. she's gone home, to the industrial city of wakefield in the north of england, where she grew up, then to her university city of oxford, in the south. both places saw a big turnout in the 2016 referendum. in wakefield, almost 70% voted in favour of leaving the european union. while in oxford, 70% decided to back remain. in her second report, philippa canvasses views in oxford, on what life will be like after brexit. oxford university, home to thousands of stu d e nts oxford university, home to thousands of students and once home to me. i was back in a city that voted overwhelmingly to stay in the eu. remembering days went we assumed our membership was forever. but british

politics experts say students are dismayed. it is a body blow, a real shock to students and throughout universities. in the gardens, i asked five current students how they feel about leaving oxford for life ina feel about leaving oxford for life in a rather different landscape. feel about leaving oxford for life in a rather different landscapelj have in a rather different landscape.” have lots of france that come from the eu so i worried notjust about the eu so i worried notjust about the economy but about diversity which fahmy seem such an important value. —— for me. which fahmy seem such an important value. -- for me. i will have to think about whether i want to live in england for the rest of my life. a year ago in england for the rest of my life. ayearagol in england for the rest of my life. a year ago i would have said absolutely. i was surprised to find absolutely. i was surprised to find a consensus that britain's brexit and it is time to move on. if you have a slight majority to remainer, and you are going back and forward. there are huge divides that we have

to address. the environment, the dialogue became so toxic. it became so dialogue became so toxic. it became so vicious and i think, actually, we do need to get on with brexit because i think another referendum, ido because i think another referendum, i do not know if we can take that level of beach will again. parts of the country have been completely neglected by the political class. i think that is something we need to focus on. how, given the new fault line, will it all disappear today we leave ? line, will it all disappear today we leave? brexit was a moment in which an age—old political division in the country, signifying it a little bit, between the relatively well off and the relatively poor was replaced by a quite different division which i

would describe as one between those for whom globalisation and international system is an opportunity and a promise, and those for who it is a threat. in wakefield and oxford, two of my home cities, i have seen this division. a new way of talking to each other may have to be part of a new renewed british politics. japan's space agency appears to have successfully landed a spacecraft, hayabusa 2, on an asteroid more than 300 million kilometres away from earth. rupert wingfield—hayes sent us this report from tokyo. this appears to be a remarkable success for hayabusa two and japan's space programme. the spacecraft had

to fire its thrusters and gently touch down in its area just three metres wide, with commands coming 300 million kilometres away on earth. hayabusa two then it deployed its gun, collecting samples thrown up its gun, collecting samples thrown up by its gun, collecting samples thrown up by the impact. shortly after, it lifted off and will now continue to play along the ryugu destroyed. they are planning to collect more samples in the summer before hayabusa two returns to earth sometime next year. here's our briefing on some of the key events happening later. thousands of students around the world are expected to take part in further protests against climate change as part of the "fridays for future" campaign. meanwhile, the eu's trade commissioner, cecilia malstrom, will give an update on a proposal for a possible trade deal with america after

meeting with ministers. and finally, 250,000 people are expected to attend a charity concert on the colombian border to raise money for aid to be sent to venezuela. now it's time to get all the latest from the bbc sports centre. hello i'm tulsen tollett and this is your friday sport briefing where chelsea manager maurizio sarri and his team have been given a boost ahead of sunday's league cup final against manchester city. that's after the blues were 3—0 winners over swedish side malmo in the second leg of their last 32 europa league tie which gave them a 5—1 aggregate win, with the last 16 draw taking place in the coming hours. it is based on results so if you do not get results get the pressure, not get results get the pressure, not only the coach but also the players. we tried to use this

momentum and go forward. golf now and after announcing he'll miss this year's irish open to concentrate on the open championship, northern ireland's rory mcilroy carded an —8 63 to take a one—shot lead after the opening round of the world golf championship event in mexico. the 29—year—old world number eight began his round at the 10th and posted seven birdies and an eagle. american dustin johnson, winner in 2017, is second after a bogey—free 64, this one of seven birdies in a nearfaultless round. surfing, climbing and skateboarding are already olympic sports. it's been announced that breakdancing now could follow suit. breaking was a hugely successful part of last year's youth olympics with the competition playing out in front of sold out crowds. the paris organising committee says it'll help the olympics be more urban and more artistic. at the dubai tennis championships on friday, taiwan's hsieh su—wei will be full of confidence for her semi—final against petra kvitova.

that's after she accounted for karolina pliskova but the second seed kvitova, winner of the event in 2013, crushed viktoria kuzmova 6—4, 6—0. and the czech has a good record against hsieh having won all four of her meetings, most recently injanuary‘s sydney international second round. neil warnock‘s cardiff city host watford on friday, one of two english premier league matches. cardiff are aiming to do something they've not achieved since 1961, that's by winning a third successive top—flight game. victory will take them to 13th, while a win for watford will take them to 7th. we wa nted we wanted to play more of a up—tempo et cetera and we have got good players are think it is just believing in themselves and i think they have done in these last few games. we know how difficult it is going to be tomorrow night but we have to make sure we try and give

them all we have. england fresh from their record breaking day on wednesday, face the west indies in barbados later in the second of five one day internationals. centuries from jason roy and joe root helped england complete their highest one—day run—chase. the tourists cruised to their 361—run target with eight balls to spare. jos buttler eventually hit the winning runs to give england an early advantage in the series. let's finish with the olympics where as we told you earlier it remains to be seen if brea kdancing will feature in 2024, but one thing we can be sure of is that the 2020 games will feature bmx freestyle for the first time. here's a taste of what you'll see — this is the latest instagram post from germany's chris bohm. quite mad, isn't it. you can get all the latest sports news at our website — that's bbc.com/sport. but from me tt and the rest of the team that is your conservationists in the galapagos islands have found a giant tortoise from a species

thought to have become extinct more than a century ago. the adult female tortoise was found on the island of fernandina in the west of the pacific archipelago, off the coast of ecuador. katie silver reports. many of the 1a giant tortoise species found in galapagos were wiped out when the islands were colonised, in the 18th and 19th centuries. now, after last being sighted in 1906, the fernandina giant tortoise appears to be back. it was discovered in a thicket of vegetation on fernandina island, one of the youngest and most pristine of the galapagos archipelago. translation: it is perhaps the most important discovery in the last century. there have been multiple investigations and monitoring projects on the island and not a single individual had been located. she's believed elderly, over 100 years old. authorities, which cited tracks and excrement in other parts of the island, hope

she's not the only one. translation: if we find more female individuals, and hopefully males, we can immediately start a breeding programme in captivity for this species, here in santa cruz. giant tortoises can reach more than 200 kilograms and are believed to have arrived on the remote vulcanic island chain around 3 million years ago. the most famous, lonesome george, was found in 1972, but with scientists unable to find a mate, he died a0 years later, as the last of his species. as for this tortoise, the scientists need to confirm, using genetic testing, that it is definitely a member of the long—lost species. then they hope to set her up in a captive breeding programme and that the fernandina tortoise species may live on. katie silver, bbc news.

members of the monkey had been playing tribute to their keyboard player, peter tork, who has died aged 77. he was diagnosed with a rare form of tongue cancer in 2009. davyjones died in 2012. the surviving band members say they are heart broken. let me know what you think about talking point today, i —— biodiversity. plenty more coming up —— biodiversity. plenty more coming up throughout the rest of the programme and more on the report from the un saying that food

production is now in danger as a result of dwindling biodiversity. hello there. this very mild, springlike weather for february is set to continue this weekend, and indeed into next week as well. now, on thursday, we saw a top temperature of 18.3 celsius in aboyne, in aberdeenshire. and that has broken the scottish february record of 17.9 celsius, so very mild indeed for the time of year. it for the time of year. is an intense spell. we're starting it is an intense spell. we're starting friday off on a mild note. loud and chilli spots and clear skies. we will also have an issue with low cloud, mist and fog quite dense in the midlands and as far

west as the marshes. it should be a bright day. quite windy with thick cloud across the far north—west of the country but elsewhere dry and again extremely mild. the odd spot of 17 celsius. high pressure still with us. this weather front making inroads into western parts of the uk through the day, bringing thicker cloud. initially into western scotla nd cloud. initially into western scotland and then infringing into the south—west of england. for the rest of the country, we should see some good spells of hazy sunshine and mild temperatures. for sunday, a bit of early mist and fog which will

then and break. many places dry. quite breezy here. light winds further south. temperatures are a few degrees lower on sunday than what we have seen on friday and saturday but still very mild. next week, high—pressure from the near continent bringing more of the same with southerly winds as these weather front keep trying to sneak through the western, of the country. next week, warm days, chilly nights, some sunshine but also the risk of some sunshine but also the risk of some fog.