welcome to bbc news, i'm mike embley. our top stories: north korea fires two short range ballistic missiles from its east coast — the south korean military says they landed in the sea ofjapan. the democratic party's 2020 presidential hopefuls are starting a second round of debates on the road to the white house. russia launches criminal proceedings into saturday's free election protests in moscow. anyone found guilty could face up to 15 years injail. and why this tiny village in the alps has become a must—see attraction for tens of thousands of tourists from asia.

north korea has fired two short—range ballistic missiles early on wednesday morning. this from reports on the yonhap news agency, citing thejoint chiefs of staff of the south korean military. it's reported the missiles were fired from the hodo peninsula in south hamgyong province, on north korea's east coast. it's the second missile launch in a week. neighbouring south korea and japan, of course, monitoring all this very closely in case there are more to come. let's speak to the bbc‘s laura bicker in seoul. laura, something different a p pa re ntly laura, something different apparently about these lodges, too? well i think defence chiefs here in seoul say this could be some kind of different type of missile, but they're still analysing the data right now. the south korean military have said that the missiles flew 250

kilometres in a north—easterly direction into the sea ofjapan, also known as the east sea here in south korea. there is to velocity, height of 30 kilometres, at the moment, analysts believe they are short—range ballistic missiles. why is this important? because it would bea is this important? because it would be a violation of at least 11 un security council sanctions. now while it's not a certainly — a breach of the agreement reached between kim jong—un and donald trump which was do not test medium to long—range ballistic missiles on nuclear weapons, it is still seen as a threat to seoul. what messages north korea sending here, laura? it's always difficult to know what kind of message north korea is sending, but last week in state media north korea said it was a solemn warning. the mythologies lastly grow solemn warning to seoul

ahead ofjoint lastly grow solemn warning to seoul ahead of joint us lastly grow solemn warning to seoul ahead ofjoint us — south korean military exercises which are due to ta ke military exercises which are due to take place in just military exercises which are due to take place injust a military exercises which are due to take place in just a few weeks time. north korea always sees them as a revocation. they seem to be ramping up revocation. they seem to be ramping up the pressure. there's a second interpretation here, although washington have brushed off these missile tests as short—range, and is of no threat to the united states, and although donald trump continues to reiterate he is in no rush to negotiate with north korea, it was made with noting that north korea is perhaps trying to push washington and seoul into a position where they have no choice but to take part in talks and perhaps push the position further because washington is to change it stands regarding nuclear weapons and sanctions ready. it may be north korea trying to say there

isa be north korea trying to say there is a bit ofa be north korea trying to say there is a bit of a rush here unless you wa nt is a bit of a rush here unless you want missiles flying or being tested, and while you're tying to campaignfor tested, and while you're tying to campaign for the 2020 re— election, mrtrump. campaign for the 2020 re— election, mr trump. laura, many thanks for that and more on this a little later in the bulletin. 400 years ago, democracy was born in america in the town ofjamestown, virginia. today the commemoration of that historic moment was marked by protest — a mass boycott by black lawmakers who said they wouldn't attend the ceremony because of the presence of donald trump. chris buckler has the story. jamestown is regarded as a place where the foundations were laid for what would become america. the first legislative assembly met here 400 yea rs legislative assembly met here 400 years ago, in what was then the colony of virginia. the right here in virginia your predecessors... virginia is our home! yet for centuries on, and invitation into the current head of national government to commemorate that moment led to protests. he said you

cannot send us back, a reference to recent comments by president trump, that led some to refuse invitations to this event. in the posts on twitter, he told several black and ethnic minority members of congress that they should return to the crime infested places they came from. that they should return to the crime infested places they came fromm angered me, because i don't feel like he was just talking to those four women. he was talking to me. like he was just talking to those four women. he was talking to mem says something about modern america, that some democrats are choosing to boycott a n that some democrats are choosing to boycott an event here at what's regarded as the birthplace of this country's democracy, because it's being attended by the elected president of united states. being attended by the elected president of united stateslj being attended by the elected president of united states. i am the least racist person there is anywhere in the world! what i don't african—americans into 15 years, no president has been able to do anything like it. —— what i've done for african—americans in 2.5 years.

since the first documented africans arrived on american soil, brought here as slaves, in memory of that difficult history, they felt it was appropriate for the presidency be here, even if they were critical of his recent words and attacks. just because someone his recent words and attacks. just because someone is coming, doesn't mean you can boycott. you are still celebrating the birthplace of everything and it is good to come here and support just jamestown itself and its community. and democracy. but on the other hand we can understand the passionate feelings that he is not representing what this country was founded on, and the ideals that we hold dear to ourselves. it is explicit and it is racist. and to be able to, as a leader of our country —— it is exclusive, you should be doing things to bring the country together. buyer! injamestown, you are givena together. buyer! injamestown, you are given a glimpse of the past. and there may be lessons for america

today in there. chris buckler in jamestown, virginia. detroit is currently hosting the second round of democratic primaries in the us to be spread over two nights. the first one got under way about an hour ago, with candidates debating their plans for healthcare. as well as their positions on gun control. progressive candidates elizabeth warren and bernie sanders came under attack early on. the debates are being held to whittle down the rather crowded field of contenders to become donald trump's challenger in next year's presidential election. last week, the image of a young girl clinging onto her baby sister, as they teetered several storeys high in a damaged building in syria after an airstrike, refocused global attention on the conflict in syria. it happened in idlib province, the last remaining rebel stronghold, of forces opposed to president bashar al—assad. but in the last few months government forces, backed by their russian allies, have stepped up their attacks on the territory and today the un's humanitarian chief

accused damascus and moscow of carrying out a scorched earth policy. now the uncle of the girls, has been speaking about what happened. 0ur chief international correspondent, lyse doucet has the story. one small frame, a symbol of syria's pain. 5—year—old riham clutches baby sister tuka by a bit of her t—shirt as she dangles on a nail. her uncle, screaming for help in the rubble of a devastating air raid. and now, a few days on, speaking for the first time. translation: we could hear the jet above us. suddenly, the glass shattered. i immediately leapt towards the door and into the thick, black smoke. i found the girl right there, where the rubble is. i heard riham shouting, "uncle!", but she fell as the rubble collapsed. both girls fell to the ground that day, ending riham's little life. 7—month—old tuka

miraculously survived. it wasn't just their house. these are the streets of their town in north—west syria. an streets like this across idlib, this last province in rebel hands. three months of ferocious bombardment by syrian and russian warplanes, condemned today at the un. what you see is a level of destruction consistent with a bombing campaign aimed at a scorched earth policy. almost every building destroyed in a 3—month period. such satellite imagery has shown 17 entire villages almost completely destroyed and emptied. at the un's top table, russia's ambassador defended what he called "a battle against terrorism" — the jihadi fighters in idlib. translation: its noble so—called fighters, good,

kind fighters mentioned in idlib are terrifying local civilians and using them under medical infrastructure for military purposes. they are using civilians as human shields. for everyjihadi fighter there are 100 civilians, the un says. three million in idlib, many displaced from other battles. the story of riham and tuka is the story of so many syrians. journalists and activists took last week's heart stopping photos. but they won't stop this war. translation: no words can describe this feeling. in a few seconds, little girls fell from above. how many rihams does the international community need, to move? baby tuka was born into this war. it almost took her life, too. her mother is dead,

two of her sisters. ii—year—old amina holds her close in a war never far away. russia has launched criminal proceedings into "mass unrest", following last saturday's protests in moscow calling for free elections. state investigators said they would open three criminal cases into violence against police and other officials. anyone found guilty could face up to 15 years injail. john mcmanus reports: central moscow on saturday. thousands of people take part in what was supposed to be a peaceful political protest against the exclusion of some 30 candidates from local elections. but it didn't stay peaceful for long. when they refused to disburse, riot police confronted the protesters with buttons, arresting more than 1000 people. it was the largest crackdown by russian police and several years. now the

russian authorities have launched criminal investigations into what they called the mass unrest, and attacks on police. officials will look at the participants and the organisers, they say those who used social media to rally the public beforehand knew that roads might ensue. translation: they switched to active measures trying to block roads and streets, attacking policeman, who as a result were obliged to use force. in this situation it was absolutely appropriate. i want to thank the police and national guard officers. they were carrying out their duty. anyone found guilty could face up to 15 years injail. meanwhile, a moscow court has refused to release opposition leader electing of audi from jail on health grounds. he was taken from hospital to jail after falling ill, his supporters suspect he was poisoned. we believe the toxic agent could have been administered through a pillow or

pillowcase while he was out doing a walk. president putin often uses russia's military made to bolster his strong man image. but these protests are an unpleasant reminder for him of his plummeting approval ratings and the opposition have a really cold for more protests. john mcmanus, bbc news. stay with us on bbc news, still to come: more clashes in hong kong after police charge 44 pro—democracy protestors with rioting. cheering the us space agency, nasa, has ordered an investigation after confirmation today that astronauts were cleared to fly while drunk. the last foot patrol

in south armagh. once an everyday part of the soldiers' lot, drudgery and danger, now no more after almost four decades. if one is on one's own, in a private house, not doing any harm to anyone, i don't really see why people should wander in and say, you're doing something wrong. of approval from visitors. they're lovely, yeah. really sweet. yeah, they were cute. this is bbc news, the latest headlines: north korea fires two short range ballistic missiles from its east coast — seoul says they landed in the sea ofjapan. let's have more on that story. we'rejoined by stephen pomper, senior director of policy at the ngo

crisis group. north korea has done this many times before, 24 before this, what is significant would you say about these lodges? the core of the stabilising arrangement that the us government and north korean government and north korean government have struck over the last year is a freeze for freeze arrangement whereby the north koreans have stopped launching certain kinds of missiles in the us government has stopped certain large—scale joint exercises with south koreans. and what we have seen in the last couple of months is that roadsides edging to the margins of that deal. the us and the south koreans have reconstituted some of the exercises, they are not exact the exercises, they are not exact the same as they were before and the north koreans have started launching some missiles, not the medium and

long—range missiles that i think eve ryo ne long—range missiles that i think everyone understands at the core of this arrangement but still, started to test the boundaries little bit stop the situation has become a bit less sta ble, stop the situation has become a bit less stable, little bit less calm thanit less stable, little bit less calm than it was before. it seems i could under control but again, it is not ideal. north korea wants reunification, ideally, on its own terms. this bill tree threat gives it leveraged, it is in breach, isn't it, of what the security council was allusions are but not in breach of arrangements of president trump. 0ther likely to be consequences? how does this further north korea ‘s aims? it is in breach of those resolutions, is for the arrangement with the lighted states, i think in the past two instances, where they have been short range missile launchers, the us has downplayed them and suggested there within the bounds of the handshake that they seem bounds of the handshake that they seem to have reached, of course,

thatis seem to have reached, of course, that is not written down so we don't really know the terms of it. the terms of how it advances north korean interest, a couple of things. asa korean interest, a couple of things. as a response to some extent do the announcement that the us has made and it is moving forward with the south koreans on these joint exercises. it is a way of keeping washington focused on north korea's desires in this negotiation and i think also a way of keeping focus on the deadline that chairman kim has set which is that he wants to see progress on talks by the end of the year otherwise a suggestion is they will re—evaluate everything. year otherwise a suggestion is they will re-evaluate everything. just briefly, if i can ask you to look ahead, what do you think is most likely? what is your best bet? isabel going to have to live with a nuclear armed north korea? it is ha rd to nuclear armed north korea? it is hard to see at least given the state of affairs right now, that the north koreans are going to be very eager to give up their entire nuclear deterrent. they see that as an extensional need but that doesn't

mean there isn't room for making the situation much safer. the question is whether both sides i went to give up is whether both sides i went to give up certain maximalist positions to try and come to a solution where the north koreans get sanctions and agreed to freeze the production of missile material and reduce some of the stockpiles will stop that would be real progress was not thank you very much. there have been further clashes between police and protesters in hong kong, hours after more than 40 people were charged with rioting. 0fficers used pepper spray and batons to disperse a crowd that had gathered outside a police station where the demonstrators were being held. some of those charged with rioting are due to appear in court on wednesday. hong kong is reeling from seven weeks of mass protests, triggered by a controversial bill allowing extraditions to mainland china. pepper spray from baton—wielding police was again used on tuesday night, this time in an attempt

to control and disperse hundreds of angry protesters gathered in front of kwai chung police station. they had come here as they had heard on local radio that inside were some of 44 activists charged with rioting following violent incidents at the weekend. those under arrest face ten years injail if convicted. it seems a long time ago when street protests featured yellow umbrellas held in the air and christian hymn—singing on the streets. instead, the atmosphere here was punctured by projectiles thrown at the police, choking gas, and angry chanting. as the crowd surged forwards, so emerged more police from inside the station, including this officer. he could be seen aiming a shotgun at protesters throwing objects from a nearby bus station, until, with his colleagues, he beat a hasty retreat. as part of almost daily protests,

commuters on tuesday morning were hit by delays to their travel. demonstrations against the bill have evolved into a wider backlash against the city's government, and its political masters in beijing. i think my work and meeting could wait. but our freedom, safety, and human rights are taken away, and that can't wait, so i'm ok with it. protesters have vowed to keep going until their core demands are met. these now include the resignation of the territory's chief executive, carrie lam, an inquiry into police tactics, an amnesty for the arrested, and the right to elect their leaders. she's been called one of the most fearless voices in entertainment and jada pinkett smith is known for making her voice heard. she currently hosts a web chat show red table talk with her daughter willow smith. the series has reached 300 million views — and counting.

0ur correspondent chi chi izundu has been speaking with her. this is red tabletop. it's a simple concept. a chatter under a table, featuring to four. they have talked about marriage. it's the worst i've ever felt in about marriage. it's the worst i've everfelt in our about marriage. it's the worst i've ever felt in our marriage. i was failing miserably. the red table talk is on a new facebook service competing with the likes of netflix and youtube. 300 million views is extraordinary for a showjust and youtube. 300 million views is extraordinary for a show just a and youtube. 300 million views is extraordinary for a showjust a year old. the figure is 12 by some due to programmes but traditional tv, can only dream of getting such numbers. of course i want —— i went to traditional adverts and they were networks that wanted it. the something about that motel the

vision that makes it less intimate. we like to get to the table and talk. we don't want to do a whole lot of... i think you have to do a bit of that for network. a topic revisited time and time again, is race. everything from interracial relationships to whether what people should adopt black children. my mother comes from a whole different generation of where segregation and racism or a different face and then there's my generation and then there's my generation and then there's willow ‘s generation, so how we all relate to race is very different. very different. and the wounds are different. the 47—year—old was born in baltimore in maryland which was just last week and described as a disgusting, right invested best. although and described as a disgusting, right invested best. althouthada

pinkett—smith acknowledges talking about skin colour can be difficult, it's a conversation she is willing to have. we in america have been dealing with race, all the different layers of it. there is a lot of history there. we are still dealing with the repercussions of it. and i think that once we embrace that reality, we could get to the other side faster. but it's happening at its base. the little town of hallstatt in the austrian alps has become a tourism hotspot. the world heritage site has fewer than 800 inhabitants, but gets a million tourists every year. it has become so famous that a replica of the town has been built in china. bethany bell reports on how hallstatt is coping with the number of visitors. hallstatt is something of an alpine dream. but here, the hills are alive with the sound of tourists and clicking smartphones. over the last ten years there has been a huge increase in the number of visitors here.

up to 8000 tourists, ten times the population here, arrive every day. many of them come from china. no—one in hallstatt is really sure why this place has become such a magnet for tourist. ten years ago, things were much quieter here. but now it has even been cloned. in china they built a replica of the village, complete with church and the town square. hallstatt‘s fame is partly due to social media, particularly in asia. we heard it from some apps in china and many people recommended the place so we came here. i came to hallstatt to take a picture, to upload to the internet and sent to my family. tourism has been great for the economy of hallstatt.

translation: the advantages are that we have become financially independent. we used to be a place that people left and we could not balance our budget but that has changed. now we can develop our own projects and offer a lot to our population. but not everyone here is happy with the developments. some locals say there are simply too many tourists. translation: we have a lot of short—term visitors who swamp the place and then leave after two or three hours. that is not so good for the people who live here. their plan is to reduce the number of tour buses coming to hallstatt. but it seems mass tourism is here to stay. there is more for you on all the news any time on the bbc website. and you can get in touch with me and most of the team on twitter, i'm @bbcmikeembley.

tuesday brought a destructive combination of weather to some parts of the british isles. across the southern counties it was all about the strength of the wind which downed a number of trees at a number of locations but further north, particularly across the northern parts of yorkshire it was the rain and thunderstorm activity brought by this area of low pressure that cause real problems, with anything up to 100 millimetres of rain falling in a very short space of time, hence the flooding in northern parts of yorkshire and indeed elsewhere across the north of england. we are not done just yet. that low pressure taking time to drift offshore into the north sea. a much improved day across the southern counties of england and through the midlands into wales. fewer showers to report here and less in the way of wind. still some intensity about the showers in the north of england and also

into the western side of scotland. from wednesday on into thursday, the low pressure will eventually drift offshore but the western flanks still supply a gaggle of showers into some of those eastern facing counties. with, again, the possibility of thunderstorms developing later in the afternoon across central western and north—western parts of scotland. northern ireland faring decently and again the southern counties for the most part escape any shower activity. that trend to a spell of somewhat quieter weather will take us out of thursday and on into friday. a very weak area of high pressure will just about kill off the remnants of the showers for most parts of the british isles. the odd one or two could not be ruled out but you do get the sense from the broader picture that many areas will enjoy a fine day with a decent amount of sunshine and just a couple of showers left behind. with that increase in sunshine, less in the way of wind,

i think we will find temperatures picking up by a degree or two. into the weekend and i must say there is some doubt at this stage about just how fast this atlantic frontal system will spread its cloud and rain into the western side of the british isles. as a general rule, the further east you are, saturday looks to be a dry and fine affair. as one set of weather fronts gradually work their way across the british isles, weakening probably all the while, eventually on the latter part of sunday we will bring another weather system in towards the western side of the british isles and again after a fairly decent start i think we will begin to thicken the cloud and i would not rule out the possibility of another belt of rain working into the western side of the british isles to finish off the weekend. take care.

yeah, they were cute. this is bbc news. the headlines: north korea has launched two short—range insulators of is closed. the south korean military says the missiles flew 250 kilometres before landing in the sea ofjapan, the east c. lastly, john young fired two missiles in the same area. —— east sea. —— pyongyang. ten of the us democratic politicians hoping to be chosen as the party's candidate for the twenty twenty presidential elections are holding a second televised debate in detroit — there are 20 people in total competing for the nomination to compete agianst the republican candidate. the russian government has launched a criminal investigation into what it calls the "mass unrest" at last saturday's free elections protests in moscow. state investigators are opening three criminal