the effects of agent orange in this is bbc news. the headlines: vietnam. much more to come. at least two people have been killed in venezuela as pro—government militia fired tear gas and rubber bullets on opponents of president maduro, you're watching bbc news. who were trying to get foreign aid i'm reged ahmad. our top stories: into the country. hello there. the venezuela aid part one of the weekend was a little several people were killed bit disappointing with regards crisis moves up a gear. to the cloud amounts for the north and hundreds more injured. security forces fire tear gas and the west of the uk. and rubber bullets on opposition the best of the sunshine votes are being counted in nigeria after presidential protestors trying to get foreign was across eastern england, and parliamentary elections. aid into the country. where it was pretty warm, now, the united states has a top temperature of 18 celsius. in some areas, the authorities promised to take action. now, for sunday, it looks like it's extended polling past going to be another chilly start, votes are being counted in nigeria but i'm hopeful we should see the official closing time. after millions of people more widespread sunshine the electoral commission said it was "generally satisfied" cast their ballots in the biggest across the country, so i think part with the vote, the biggest two of the weekend is looking better election in african history. for most of us. in african history. bail is set at $1 million a chicago court has set bail at $1 for the singer r kelly, million for the singer who's been charged with ten counts r kelly, who's been charged with ten of aggravated criminal sexual abuse. counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse. theresa may says the brexit vote he was told to surrender his must be upheld as three senior passport and not to have any contact ministers warn they could vote with anyone under the age of 18. against her ahead of a crucial week in parliament. now, this is saturday's weather front. no more than a bit of broken cloud first thing on sunday, with some clear spells for the north and the west of it. most of the clear spells though will be across the midlands, southern, and eastern england. it will be quite chilly here to start this morning.

same across the north—east of scotland, with again some mist and fog patches. some of which, again, could be quite dense in places. now, there will be off mist and fog hello and welcome. patch across the south and south—east of england, but i think the main risk will be pro—government militias in venezuela have used tear gas and rubber a bit further north for this morning, across the midlands bullets on protestors and in towards the east as the opposition continues trying and north—east of england. to get aid into the country. not to mention some of the fog at least two people have been killed in the clashes could, like saturday morning, on the brazilian border. be problematic and cause across the country, on the border with colombia, two lorries carrying food and medicine were set on fire. colombian authorities say that 60 some travel issues. members of venezuela's security forces have now defected to the opposition‘s side. meanwhile, the us vice president mike pence has now confirmed now, most of it should clear away, it could linger though close that he will meet the opposition leaderjuan guaido on monday, to the east coast. while the us secretary of state has if it does, it will quite grey and cool through the day, but for many, it's a fine one promised to take action. with widespread sunshine, again, turning very mild after that cool start, venezuela's president continues with highs of 14 or 15 degrees, to suggest the aid is a cover so that's a few degrees down for an attempted us invasion. from what we've had the last couple of days. as we head on into sunday night, our international correspondent, it looks like we'll import something orla guerin, reports now a bit cooler and drier from cucuta, on the off the near continent, so it means it could be quite cold venezuela—colombia border. for a portion of england and perhaps into eastern wales, as can you see

holding the line, president maduro‘s from the blue hue there. troops on the bridge so don't be surprised early monday, if you see a bit more between colombia and venezuela. of a widespread frost here. further north and west, not quite as cold, so a little bit from early morning, face—to—face more breeze and cloud around. with their own countrymen, so for monday, again, desperate for aid to get through. it's a chilly start with some mist and fog, but that chilly start should tend to burn away. this former officer a weather front will bring some rain in the venezuelan army addresses the young troops. to the far north of scotland, becoming confined to the northern isles. "when the orders are the rest of the country, unconstitutional", he tells them, a glorious afternoon with widespread "you don't have to obey." sunshine, light winds and temperatures 15 or 16 celsius, so still well above the seasonal average. high—pressure still in the driving "i am venezuelan myself", says nicola gonzales. seat as we head on into tuesday, another weak weather front just "think of your children." pushing into the north—west corner of the country may introduce more "open the doors. cloud into the hebrides "let venezuela be free." and the north and west mainland of scotland. but elsewhere, after a chilly start with a little bit of mist and fog, it should be another glorious a short distance away, afternoon, with widespread sunshine, the opposition leader, juan guaido, giving the aid convoy light winds and temperatures well above the seasonal average. in fact, a bit warmer on tuesday, a personal send—off. could see 17 or 18 celsius. he said it would travel peacefully now, as we head deeper on into the week, it looks like it's to venezuela to save lives. going to stay fine with cool nights and sunny days. but there are signs of it cooling but when his supporters down as we end the week and head converged on the bridge... on into the weekend, with it turning a bit more crowd chanting unsettled as well.

..they found it wasn't going to be that easy. as we filmed, we were engulfed in tear gas. soon, demonstrators were being hit with rubber bullets. a few tried to fight back. but as violence erupted at the border, this was the scene in the venezuelan capital, caracas. the embattled president, nicolas maduro, playing to the crowd, rallying his supporters. but his isolation is growing. he has broken off relations with neighbouring colombia because of its support for the opposition. back at the border, guaido‘s aid caravan was approaching,

laden with supporters and with hopes for change in venezuela. well, the convoy is on the move now. it's pushing forward towards the border. this is what the opposition has promised, and it's about far more than food and medicine. if the opposition manage to push all this through the border, through president maduro‘s defences, it will be a real challenge to his authority. but on the bridge, the trucks ground to a halt, blocked by troops and clouds of tear gas. organisers plan to keep trying, here and at other crossing points. president maduro claims the aid convoy is just a cover for a us invasion. but some of his men are no longer listening, like the soldier in the black cap. we watched as he abandoned his post for the embrace of the opposition.

he's one of at least a dozen who have deserted today and are now, according to juan guaido, on the right side of history. but this could be just the start of a long battle. orla guerin, bbc news, at the colombia—venezuela border. votes are being counted in nigeria, where millions of people have cast their ballots in delayed presidential and parliamentary elections. officials say logistical problems that forced a week's postponement have been solved, but some polling stations were kept open because of long lines. the president, muhammadu buhari, is being challenged by the main opposition leader, atiku abubakar. there have been reports of sporadic violence in some parts of the country. our africa editor fergal keane reports from the capital abuja. many have been waiting since well before dawn, voting in the open air, each individual part of the biggest democratic exercise in african history. do you think it will change things here?

hopefully. hopefully, it will. but you're not sure? i'm sure it will. with the number of people that are here, i'm sure, and in every other voting centre. i'm just... i have the feeling it will change things. gone are the days where people felt that our votes don't count. this time around, as you can see, the people all came out en masse to ensure that they exercise their civic right. and we believe in the votes and are not leaving here — we are going to stay here until the vote is counted. you can't be but heartened to see people's patience and their faith still in the democratic process here. but the big question is whoever they elect, will they bring to an end the corruption that has disfigured public life here? when several voting machines broke down, some assumed corruption was the cause. billions of naira for this thing, and you are telling me that is not corruption? there were 73 million eligible

voters, 120,000 polling stations, and in some places, there was violence. this was a polling station in lagos, allegedly attacked by ruling party supporters. far to the north in maiduguri, displaced people came out to vote, despite an attack on the city by islamic extremists. there are nearly 2 million displaced people in this region. the election isn't just about machine politics and the power of two big parties. these are young civil society activists recording reports of incidents around the country. they're working to create a genuine culture of accountability. people are hopeful that with every effort that is made, the process will improve, and if it improves for young people, of course, it means that the country improves and their hope and expectations of a better future will come.

we count together, please. by evening, the sorting of votes. the official counts each unused ballot. the voters call back. seven... they want an honest result. nobody can say they don't deserve it. fergal keane, bbc news, abuja. north korea's state news agency has confirmed that kim jong—un has left the country to attend a summit with president trump in hanoi next week. it's the first public acknowledgement that the talks are taking place. mr kim left by train on a 4000km journey that could take three days. the issues of denuclearisation and lifting sanctions are expected to be discussed at the summit. a court in chicago has set a $1 million bail bond for the r&b star r kelly, who's been charged with ten counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse. the singer handed himself to police on friday and was asked to surrender his passport.

for decades, he's faced claims of sexual abuse from women and teenagers below the age of consent, but has always denied the allegations. kim gittleson reports. ina in a chicago court room prosecutors led that the accusations against the r&b singer r kelly who turned himself in on friday. they painted dark portal of a superstar who manipulated young women into sexual relationships enabled by a tredrea of accomplices. in 2001, a witness had conversations with robert kelly and robert kelly's associates were the witness was asked to retrieve video tapes showing robert kelly having sexual intercourse with the victim in this case when she was only 14 years old. after the hearing, a judge said balfour mr kelly at $1 million. he ordered him to surrender his passport and to avoid contact with anyone below the

age of 18. on behalf of mr kelly, his lawyer strenuously denied the charges. he did not force anyone to have sex. he doesn't have that he is —he is have sex. he doesn't have that he is —heisa have sex. he doesn't have that he is — he is a rock star. he doesn't have to have nonconsensual sex. r kelly, whose name is from roberts or mr kelly, has faced decades of claims and who abused women and teenagers but the accusations gained renewed prominence after a documentary called surviving r kelly aired on us networks. which led to boycotts of mr kelly's music with activists is using the hashtag mute r kelly. and 110w using the hashtag mute r kelly. and now these charges, which some have said should have come years ago. kim gittleson, bbc news. stay with us on bbc world news. still to come: india's toxic alcohol tragedy. nearly 100 more people die from drinking illegal bootleg liquor in the north—eastern state of assam.

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." this is bbc world news. our top story: at least two people have been shot dead in venezuela as opponents of president maduro try to get trucks loaded with aid into the country. mr maduro has broken off diplomatic relations with colombia for helping his opponents. let's get more on that story. earlier, i spoke to brian fonseca — latin america specialist and director of the jack d gordon institute for public policy at florida international university. i began by asking why, despitejuan guaido's plans to get the military to side with him, we've only seen a few defections so far? yeah, i mean that so again, you're right. the opposition had been working really hard to try to break the allegiance of the military institution, the allegiance of the military institution

to nicolas maduro. they've been unable to do that in any real significant way. we have seen a number of defections today, we have had estimates as high as 62 have defected out of a military institution that is well over 32,000. the problem is that the military has been tied intentionally to the survival of the regime by the nicolas maduro regime. essentially, military officers up and down the ranks have been afforded opportunities to participate in widespread corruption, providing sizeable lots for their respective families. they've been able to participate in illicit opportunities and so, that has essentially tied the institution to the survival of the regime. given what you're saying, given today was meant to be a big day for the opposition, an attempt to get aid in, has the opposition really fail to change anything in venezuela? well, again, it's hard for us to say at this stage.

this is about the long—term. this is to some degree about attrition, how long can the opposition maintain its intensity and sustain its efforts to apply pressure? how long can it continue to levy the support of the international community? and how long can the international community continue to imply an international diplomatic and economic effort to pressure the regime? those things i think we are still waiting to see whether or not they're going to yield the kind of change they're looking for. certainly, on the other side, maduro is looking to try to weather the storm. it has some allies in the international community, it is attempting to weather the storm and again, it all day was down to a military institution. the military right now remains key to the possibility of a change in venezuela. and so for the opposition going forward, it has to continue to want to effect change, if it wants to continue to try to exacerbate fractures within the military institution,

it has to continue to apply pressure and leverage international community to support its efforts for democracy. given that international reaction that you are talking about, to attempt some sort of invasion, is this very much a us—led endeavour in this? is maduro right? no, i mean i think the united states is the name that has been propagated the most, but this is very much an international effort, this is certainly a hemispheric effort. in fact, the united states launched its claim thatjuan guaidio was the legitimate president, immediately following were canada and columbia, and then much of the rest of the hemisphere jumped in and certainly, much of the international community. the impact of the crisis that venezuela is having is notjust on the us national interest and is certainly on hemispheric interest, you had more than 3 million refugees spill over into neighbouring countries.

that is having economic, social, political, security impacts on those countries, there are kids starving, there are people dying because they can't seem to get the access to the medical support that they need. this is much bigger thanjust sort of the united states, this is an international effort, it sits squarely on the issue of the humanitarian crisis going on within the country right now. bootleg alcohol has killed around a hundred people in india — and more than 200 others are being treated in hospital. the mass poisoning happened at a tea plantation in assam's golagaat district, about 300 kilometres from the state's biggest city guwahati. it follows a similar incident in northern india earlier this month. as shaun hassett reports, officials have already started an inquiry into the tragedy. most of the victims in this hospital

are tea plantation workers. they'd been celebrating pay day by having a drink. but the bootleg liquor they consumed turned out to be toxic. they came to hospital complaining of severe vomiting, extreme chest pain, and breathlessness. in many cases, it resulted in organ failure. translation: they bought bootleg liquor. i said, "don't drink it", but they drank, and after drinking, they didn't have their dinner and they slept. in the morning, they said they had a headache. we took them to guwahati hospital. then we heard that they died in the hospital. translation: we demand the government protect our people and give responsibility to the authorities to close and ban the bootleg liquor shop. police say they found a home where the alcohol was brewed and recovered 1.5 litres of liquor. one man has already been arrested for selling the illegal hooch, while two excise officials have been suspended forfailing to take adequate precautions. translation: action is being taken against whoever is involved on the business of duplicate liquor. the excise department has started their operation. the police are helping them. it comes less than two weeks

after tainted alcohol killed dozens of people in the states of uttar pradesh and uttarakhand. in those incidents, people continued to report to hospital with similar symptoms for days. drinking bootleg liquor is common in india, especially among low—paid workers. there are very high taxes on international alcohol. it's beyond the reach of lots of people. and even domestically, brewed alcohol is also very expensive, so that's really where the bootleggers come in. bootleggers in india often add methanol to their mix to increase its strength, although doctors say they are baffled by the ingredients in this case. while the authorities investigate what caused this tragedy, the people of guwahati are left to mourn their dead. shaun hassett, bbc news. here in the uk, prime minister theresa may has again vowed that brexit will go ahead. earlier, three of her senior ministers threatened to support a delay to britain's departure from the european union, unless the british parliament can agree on a withdrawal deal in the coming days. but mrs may said her government's focus on delivering brexit must be absolute. 0ur political correspondent

alex forsyth reports. they are part of theresa may's team, meant to be her closest colleagues, but today three cabinet ministers went against the government line and warned brexit might have to be delayed if there's no deal. greg clark, amber rudd and david gauke wrote in the daily mail... "it would be better to seek to extend article 50 "and delay our date of departure rather than crash out "of the eu on march 29th." it's infuriated brexiteers. 0ne suggested they should quit, claiming it was a plot to force them to back a deal, rather than delay brexit. if ministers or cabinet ministers cannot support publicly government policy and vote with it, then they have to resign, and government policy is very clear. the prime minister's said on over 100 occasions that we're leaving the european union on the 29th of march, with or without a deal. most mps, though, don't want to leave without a deal. this week, they'll vote on a plan to give parliament the chance to delay brexit if there's no

agreement, and some ministers have said they could resign to back that move. downing street says the prime minister is working hard to try to get the eu to change the current brexit deal so she can bring it back to parliament, in the hope of getting mps to support it. but it's not clear when that will happen. and in the meantime, these three cabinet ministers have publicly added to the pressure she's already under from so many of her backbench mps. we've had a democratic vote. i understand the chaos it's caused... one of them, who left the tory party this week, was out campaigning for another brexit vote, still critical. itjust says the complete chaos that's now existing at the top of government, that you have three cabinet ministers who go out into the press because they can't win the argument in the deeply divided cabinet, and i'm afraid to say a prime minister who is just not listening. but here, there was a very different message from grassroots tories today. theresa may addressed their national convention, where members voted not to delay or thwart brexit.

for the prime minister, protestations on every corner. alex forsyth, bbc news. the american film director stanley donen has died at the age of 94. his works included musicals such as singin‘ in the rain, funny face and seven brides for seven brothers. donan once told vanity fair magazine that watching fred astaire when he was nine years old had changed his life. he was given an honorary lifetime achievement 0scar in 1998. now a report from the bbc‘s witness series — looking at some of the biggest stories of our time, as told by the people who were there. today we're focussing on agent orange — the notorious chemical sprayed by us forces during the vietnam war. witness has been speaking to a doctor who saw the terrible impact of the chemicals on generations of vietnamese people. and a warning — you may find parts of this report upsetting.

decades ago, american forces sprayed huge amounts of agent orange over vietnam. it was meant to strip trees bare, exposing enemy positions, but it also contained dioxin — one of the most poisonous substances ever created. in 1965, i was a young medical student in saigon city. i liked very much to be an obstetrician and gynaecologist, as i took care of women and newborn babies. i saw in the hospital an increase of the birth defects. it was horrible for me, very horrible for me to see two, three times a week, deformed babies or deformed children.

i cried, cried with the mothers of the baby, and i cannot eat for many days. the figures are startling. in this one hospital, 158 deformed babies were born dead last year. statistically, that is three times what doctors here believe should be the average. i didn't know the cause at that time, but later, in 1976, i read about the toxic chemicals used in the defoliants and herbicides in vietnam during the wartime.

agent orange is blamed, named for the orange bands around the drums. the defoliants containing deadly dioxin. the result then was a dead landscape. the result today, based on research at this saigon hospital and in america, is human tragedy. minute traces of toxic chemicals are being found in the uterus of pregnant women even now, years after spraying stopped. we carried out many studies, more than 8 million in vietnam were exposed to toxic chemicals. dioxin can get into the human body through the respiratory tract, through the... incidence of birth defects and miscarriages, foetal death in utero, and cancer were more than four times higher among the exposed people. and the american veterans are also victims of this pain. but, dioxin, it can change the dna, so that it can be transmitted into many generations later. we have already the fourth generation now affected. but we can detect the very early birth defects and cancers.

i hope that in the future, in ten more years, we can have a very small incidence of birth defects, like in 00:25:06,327 --> 4294966103:13:29,430 the other countries.