this is bbc news. the headlines: at least two people have been killed in venezuela as pro—government militia fired tear gas and rubber bullets at civilians who were trying to get foreign aid into the country. this is bbc world news. i'm reged ahmad. now, the united states has our top stories: promised it will take action. the venezuela votes are being counted aid crisis intensifies — in nigeria security forces fire tear gas after presidential and and rubber bullets to stop parliamentary elections. in some areas, the authorities opposition protesters from getting extended polling past the official closing time. foreign aid into the country. now, the united states the electoral commission said it was generally satisfied has promised to take action. with the vote, votes are being counted in nigeria after millions of people the biggest in african history. cast their ballots in the biggest a chicago court has set bail election in african history. at $1 million for the singer, bail is set at $1 million r kelly, who's been charged for the singer r kelly who's been with ten counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse. charged with ten counts he was told to surrender his passport of aggravated criminal sexual abuse. and not to have any contact with anyone under the age of 18. those are the latest headlines. and enter the gladiator — the roman school that's taking a new approach to developing your life skills.

hello and welcome. pro—government militias in venezuela have used tear gas and rubber bullets on protesters to prevent opposition supporters from getting aid into the country. at least two people have been killed in the clashes on the brazilian border. across the country, on the border with colombia, two lorries carrying food and medicine were set on fire. colombian authorities say that 60 members of venezuela's security forces have now defected to the opposition‘s side. meanwhile, the us vice—president, mike pence, has now confirmed that he will meet the opposition leader, juan guaido, on monday, while the us secretary of state has promised to take action. venezuela's president continues to suggest the aid is a cover for an attempted us invasion.

our international correspondent orla guerin reports now from cucuta on the venezuela—colombia border. holding the line, president maduro‘s troops on the bridge between colombia and venezuela. from early morning, face to face with their own countrymen, desperate for aid to get through. this former officer in the venezuelan army addresses the young troops. "when the orders are unconstitutional," he tells them, "you don't have to obey." "i am venezuelan myself," says nicola gonzales. "think of your children." "open the doors, let venezuela be free." a short distance away, the opposition leader, juan guaido, giving the aid convoy a personal send—off. he said it would travel peacefully to venezuela to save lives.

but when his supporters converged on the bridge... crowd chanting ..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 isjust a coverfor 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 after 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. let's ta ke let's take it is an live pictures in tokyo. that is shinzo abe, and he is at celebrations for japan tokyo. that is shinzo abe, and he is at celebrations forjapan public emperor, the 30th jubilee. at celebrations forjapan public emperor, the 30thjubilee. those celebrations will happen with cultural performances at the cult —— national theatre. the emperor and home minister shinzo abe are going to make some speeches. shinzo abe

looks like he is finishing up his speech. the emperor and his wife, there we are, in the corner, they are attending those jubilee celebrations, and the emperor we believe is due to step down in april. he is going to abdicate the throne and pass it on to his son. just those live pictures there in tokyo. 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 4,000—kilometre 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. in a chicago courtroom, prosecutors laid out the accusations against the r&b singer r kelly, who turned himself in on friday. they painted a dark portrait of a superstar who manipulated young women into sexual relationships, enabled by a coterie of accomplices. in 2001, a witness had conversations with robert kelly and robert kelly's associates where the witness was asked to retrieve video tapes showing robert kelly having sexual intercourse with the victim, in this case, when she was only 1a years old.

after the hearing, a judge set bail for 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 — he's a — he's a — he's a rock star. he doesn't have to have non—consensual sex. r kelly, whose real name is robert sylvester kelly, has faced decades of claims that he 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 using the hashtag #muterkelly. and now, these charges, which some have said should have come years ago. kim gittleson, bbc news. british prime minister theresa may travels to the egyptian resort of sharm el sheikh today

foran eu summit with the arab league. brexit is expected to be discussed on the sidelines, but downing street downplayed the chances of a deal being agreed. the summit is the first to take place between leaders of the eu and the arab league. almost half of police forces in england are increasing the number of staff trained to use a taser, a bbc investigation has found. tasers use electricity to stun a person's muscles and prevent them from moving during dangerous situations. police chiefs say the move comes as attacks on officers have increased by 10% over the last year. jo taylor reports. wayne mcdonald's brother adrian died following an incident in which he was tasered by police in 2014. 0fficers was tasered by police in 2014. officers were called to a party where he had taken drugs and barricaded himself in a room. adrian

died from a cardiac arrest caused by cocaine and stress despite police trying to calm him. and his mum thinks of this stress could have been avoided. iam not been avoided. i am not against the officers having cases. what i am against is the offices using a taser on somebody thatis offices using a taser on somebody that is vulnerable, barricaded himself in the room. bbc research has found it is not just adults being tasered. at least 1000 children in england have a taser pointed out in last year. doubling in two years according to 36 police forces. 169 under 18 to actually fired at in the last three yea rs. actually fired at in the last three years. but police say the use of taser is convenient —— necessary. 16 or 17—year—old person carrying a knife is still a person carrying a knife. wiping children should be tasered? it knife. wiping children should be tasered 7 it is knife. wiping children should be tasered? it is always an option. i do trust the police to make the right decision at the time. the home

0ffice right decision at the time. the home office says tasered provide office is an important option when facing potentially violent situations, though any use of force must be lawful and proportionate. but a recent study by cambridge university suggests tasered could actually be escalating the situation. once they see a weapon, they become more aggressive and they get into a situation of fighter versus flight. at appropriate response is to assault the author, which is why we think a doubling of assaults when they have tasered versus when they don't have places. at least another 3500 offices will be tasered trained in the next two years, like these offices at bedfordshire police. taser, taser, taser! was that the only way to deal with the scenario? there was a moment where the individual will go from holding the knife to cutting their wrists. despite the risks, as knife crime

rises, more offices will be equipped with taser is to keep them and the public safe. stay with us on bbc news. still to come: cuba goes to the polls to vote on a new constitution, but could there be an upset on the island that always votes yes? 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 news. the latest headlines: at least two people have been killed in venezuela as opponents of president maduro tried to get trucks loaded with aid into the country. the president has broken off diplomatic relations with colombia. the us said it will take action. the counting of votes is underway in nigeria after millions of people cast their ballots in the biggest

election in african history. cubans go to the polls later on sunday to vote on a new constitution to replace the communist—run island's soviet—era charter. the new text will recognise private property and include a little more acceptance of the role of private businesses in the socialist economy. however, many cubans say it is just the same communist controls dressed up in new words. from havana, will grant reports. votes in cuba are always a landslide. the government's proposals are unanimously and inevitably approved by an electorate vehicle of the consequences of showing dissent. but this vote, on the new constitution, may well be different. private but he will be recognised by the new document, as will greaterforeign recognised by the new document, as will greater foreign investment and access to the internet. but the many, those changes don't go far enough and fail to reflect changing

attitudes among ordinary cubans. 0ne of the most vocal voices against the proposed document was the church. from evangelical denominations to catholics, and lined up against the proposal to legalise gay marriage. even though it was lifted from the final text, they still oppose it for allowing the possibility of same—sex unions in the future. translation: the proposed constitution has not respected the people's opinion on theissue respected the people's opinion on the issue of marriage and family. in this sense, the bishops have been clear in our message. concerned about public defiance is using its monopoly on the airwaves and on the use of public spaces to urge people to vote yes. senior figures are painting a yes vote is patriotic and a painting a yes vote is patriotic and 3110 painting a yes vote is patriotic and a no as anti— revolutionaries. translation: we have written this

new constitution between arsenal and global vote for it on sunday. for the fatherland and the socialism. it will also be out ever to the hostile discourse of president trump. the new constitution by everyone and for everyone, this pro—government propaganda says here in revolution square. for many cubans, it is simply not true, but the government is pushing so hard for a yes vote that it is pushing so hard for a yes vote thatitis is pushing so hard for a yes vote that it is demonising anyone who dares to say no. either way, this vote represents a unique opportunity to many people to make a small show of dissent. will grant, bbc news, havana. it's oscars weekend and the 91st academy awards will be handed out in los angeles on sunday evening. the favourite and roma lead the nominations, up for ten awards each. black panther was one of the most successful films of 2018 and there's hope of greater diversity amongst the winners. from los angeles,

dan johnson reports. black panther is a marvel comic action film that has set box office records and scholars broking cultural boundaries. it is the first superhero movie nominated for best picture and is the highest grossing film by a black director. costumes from the fictional kingdom were designed by a hollywood trailblazer who has her own oscar nomination. there have been too many misconceptions about africans and where we come from and that connection between african americans and africa, so culturally, it really gave, i feel, african—americans and africa, so culturally, it really gave, ifeel, african—americans and africans a bridge. i have never had fried chicken in my life. all double nominations forfilm like fried chicken in my life. all double nominations for film like green book, roma and if bill street could talk held up as evidence that the

oscars and the movies are more embraced. it you can do better. we keep hope alive, the expectation of something good, our stories will continue to be told and embraced the fullness of humanity and that includes absolutely at the forefront of the life of the black empowered female. blachklansman has earned a spike lee his first oscar nomination after 35 years in the business. lots of people think it is well overdue. they are right. a lot more people are behind the camera but if you look at the numbers, there are still small so a lot more work to do. the red carpet and the nominations list may feel more diverse but of course the real test is whether that is reflected in who and what actually wins. and there are other voices cautioning that deeper change is still needed. while we have some really great things that we can celebrate, projects that make incredibly proud, creatives that are

breaking through, on the whole, we have not seen the type of real change to the way that hollywood doesn't business, to its business model. you are like a badge. there are strong female stories too, a great three is nominated ten times. the best director list is stubbornly all—male, showing there is still a challenge behind the scenes as is on screen. danjohnson, bbc news, los angeles. more hollywood news now. 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 oscar in 1998. the duke and duchess of sussex have arrived in casablanca.

it's the start of a 3—day visit, and the couple were greeted at the airport by the british ambassador to morocco and his wife. harry and meghan will meet girls at a school house in the atlas mountains, which aims to reduce school drop—out rates. they will also attend an equestrian event in the capital rabat which offers horse therapy for children with special needs. now, if you've ever thought the life of a brave warrior from ancient rome might have been a perfect match for your skills, a new course in italy could bejust what you're looking for. the world's first gladiator school has opened in the italian capital, offering the training necessary to give you the skills for participating in mock life—or—death combat. we've been following one trainee gladiator. i'm sorry. i have to come and you know do something serious. this is some kind of sport, it is very aggressive because everything is

very heavy so you have to train to do it better. you have to train to bea do it better. you have to train to be a good partner to your partner because everything can hurt and can kill people. so if i don't train to stop my partner will be afraid to fight with me. living in rome, i am loving the history, ijust found this group of people that, ijust love history and help the others to learn more and enjoy. the world of gladiators is particular, you know, it is very strict, there were different categories, there were real rules that everything is done in the wake that they used to do it before. spartacus was, you know, used a fight with this, or who knows how many warriors, anyway, this is very efficient like a weapon. they we re very very efficient like a weapon. they were very few gladiator service. all of the other roles, female roles, in ancient rome are very static. so the only active role female role is

gladiator. females are not as strong as men but when you have a weapon, things change and i love hitting people! 0k, it looks like this but it is really fun, the family make fun of me a little bit and my daughter said how can i say to the people my mum is a gladiator? of course it is a little bit strange but imagine if we have, and you cannot go into the supermarket and buy. that is why i come. 0k, cannot go into the supermarket and buy. that is why i come. ok, let's fight. gladiator school in italy. let's bring you some live pictures now from tokyo, japan. emperor akihito's 30th jubilee is being celebrated with cultural performances at the national theatre. shinzo abe spoke earlier. this is the first living monarch to relieve reg retful the first living monarch to relieve regretful bill english the chrysanthemum regretful bill english the chrysa nthemum throne regretful bill english the chrysanthemum throne in the 200 yea rs chrysanthemum throne in the 200 years that they have ruled and this

is he and his wife, celebrating the 30th to believe there. in tokyo. in japan. he is due to abdicate in april. go for to believe. hello there. part one of the weekend was a bit disappointing across the north and the west of the country, thanks to a weak weather front that introduced more cloud and spots of light rain and drizzle. the best of the sunshine was across eastern england, where it was pretty warm, a top temperature of 18 celsius. now, for sunday, it looks like it's going to be another chilly start, but i'm hopeful we should see more widespread sunshine across the country, so i think part two of the weekend is looking better for most of us. 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 patch across the south and south—east of england, but i think the main risk will be a bit further north for this morning, across the midlands and in towards the east and north—east of england. not to mention some of the fog could, like saturday morning, be problematic and cause some travel issues. now, most of it should clear away, it could linger though close to the east coast. if it does, it will quite grey and cool through the day, but for many, it's a fine one with widespread sunshine, again, turning very mild after that cool start, with highs of 14 or 15 degrees, so that's a few degrees down from what we've had the last couple of days. as we head on into sunday night, it looks like we'll import something a bit cooler and drier off the near continent, so it means it could be quite cold for a portion of england and perhaps into eastern wales, as can you see from the blue hue there. so don't be surprised early monday, if you see a bit more of a widespread frost here. further north and west, not quite as cold, so a little bit more breeze and cloud around. so for monday, again, it's a chilly start with some mist and fog, but that chilly start should tend to burn away. a weather front will bring some rain to the far north of scotland,

becoming confined to the northern isles. the rest of the country, a glorious afternoon with widespread sunshine, light winds and temperatures 15 or 16 celsius, so still well above the seasonal average. high—pressure still in the driving seat as we head on into tuesday, another weak weather front just pushing into the north—west corner of the country may introduce more cloud into the hebrides 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 afternoon, with widespread sunshine, light winds and temperatures well above the seasonal average. in fact, a bit warmer on tuesday, could see 17 or 18 celsius. now, as we head deeper on into the week, it looks like it's going to stay fine with cool nights and sunny days. but there are signs of it cooling down as we end the week and head on into the weekend, with it turning a bit more unsettled as well.