an annual report on the challenges and persecution facing non—religious people around the world says that, despite the fact that eight countries have recently abolished blasphemy laws, dozens more retain the crime, and some penalties are hardening. the freedom of thought report by the ngo humanists international says that laws criminalising blasphemy and apostasy, when an individual leaves a religion, are lending a false legitimacy to murder and terrorism. i'm mariko oi in singapore. the headlines: in hong kong, police warn that the rule of law is on the brink of total collapse bob churchill is the communications as the violence intensifies. director for humanists international and the editor of the report. conditions are about as bad as they can get he joins us from brussels. across much of eastern australia as ferocious bushfires reach sydney's suburbs. i'm maryam moshiri in london. thank you so much forjoining us also in the programme: here on newsday. explained to me first of all what your report — what australia's highest court agrees to give cardinal george pell are the key findings of your report a final chance to challenge his this year? well, the report looks at every country in the world for discrimination and persecution against nonreligious people. so amongst the findings are that there are over 80 countries that fit into

oui’ are over 80 countries that fit into our worst or are over 80 countries that fit into child sexual abuse conviction. oui’ worst 01’ very severe category for discrimination or persecution against the nonreligious. so that is countries that may be have blasphemy laws that are punishable with a prison term or apostasy laws that are punishable by death, and a and this is one of the most polluted number of other laws and provisions rivers in the philippines — around family law, for example, so we meet the 13 year boy there are countries in the world who scavenges for plastic where if you are an atheist, if you in its murky waters live from our studios are out as an atheist or if you are in singapore and lond, this is bbc world news. it's newsday. accused of being a humanist or a nonreligious person, you might have your children taken away from you. so we're talking about very severe good morning. it's 8 in the morning here in singapore, midnight in london and 8am in hong kong — and in some cases legal forms of where a senior police officer has discrimination against people, but also extra did extrajudicial warned that unrest there has brought the city to "the brink of total breakdown". violence by non—state people where in the latest clashes between police and democracy campaigners, people are attacked for essentially the violence spread to a university voicing their nonreligious views of campus, where tear gas, rubber bullets and water their criticism of religion. so the cannon were used. our correspondent robin brant has the latest. interesting part of it is... or one of the interesting parts i found is "run", she is shouting in cantonese, and they are running, that since 2018, eight countries but not for fun. have abolished the crime of blasphemy, mostly european states. you wouldn't have thought that up to hong kong students at the university 2015 blasphemy would be against the racetrack were escaping the tear gas law in europe. are there still and rubber bullets as police

raided their campus. european states that have blasphemy moving onto the grounds of the chinese university laws ? is a marked escalation european states that have blasphemy laws? that's right, sojust by the police. european states that have blasphemy laws? that's right, so just this he said they needed to stop people year greece became the last of those throwing bricks and other dangerous items from a campus bridge eight to repeal since 2015. but there are still countries like germany, italy, spain, that have onto passing traffic. laws on the books. we want to reinforce that the general trend in europe and the west has been towards by night, that bridge became the front line in a stand—off. police on one side, repeal. there are certainly no a postasy laws repeal. there are certainly no apostasy laws in the west. but the blasphemy laws, as you say, eight protesters on the other, repealed since 2015, and ireland is in the mix at the moment because a referendum last year meant that it a raging fire in between. 2a hours previously, this place had is on the way out, but that needs to been completely normal. across the university, be legislated on. so the trend in protesters and students formed a human chain to supply the front western countries has very much been line with water and food. to recognise that blasphemy laws others sat in groups are preparing lend legitimacy to violence and their supply of weapons. you are sitting here attacks like the charlie hebdo making kind of come up what is a better phrase, petrol—bombs. why we are doing this? massacre in paris a number of years ago, in 2015, that was cited in all because yesterday you know cases is one of the reasons to get they used real bullets, shooting him right in the chest, and that can kill someone.

so if they upgrade their weapons, we need to upgrade our weapons rid of the laws, because they seem to protect ourselves, too. this scene shows you how drastically the nature of this competition has changed. to be based on the same ideological notion, that there is something so inherently awful about criticising religion that it means that it can be punished, whether it is with extrajudicial violence or through the law. so that's weight european states are abolishing them. the concern that we raise in the report this year is that, while is happening in europe and the west, it started out five months ago and countries like new zealand, and canada, and malta, norway, that have with hundreds of thousands of people got rid of their blasphemy laws, marching on the streets other countries like brunei and in peaceful demonstration. mauritania are increasing the now, at the entrance to a university penalties for blasphemy and there is a roadblock on fire, apostasy, and then states like indonesia and india seem to be a burned—out car blocking prosecuting more around these laws. the entrance to this bridge, so we're seeing this growing divide and around me dozens of protesters in the world between countries that recognise that blasphemy laws violate freedom of expression, a lwa ys violate freedom of expression, always violate freedom of expression, and countries are using these laws to essentially persecute in black sitting and waiting, nonreligious and religious minorities. bob churchill, thank you so minorities. bob churchill, thank you so much. thank you. now to the philippines, where the country is almost literally drowning in plastic. not knowing what's coming next. one study has estimated the start of this week has that the country consumes 163 been different here. million micro household the stand—off at the university more goods sachets a day. dangerous, and in its sixth month that is enough to cover the entire

city of metro manila one foot deep now this particular part of the protest felt less in plastic waste. like a competition and more like a conflict. robin brant, bbc news, hong kong. let's take a look at some much of it ends up in the country's of the day's other news. raging bushfires have damaged already polluted waterways, properties across parts where a trade in scavenging plastic of australia and briefly spread to suburbs of sydney. the catastrophic day feared by forcasters has largely been avoided — but seventy—four uncontained fires are still burning in new south wales. fire chiefs warned that conditions waste has sprung up. meant the dangers facing the state were far from over. our correspondent phil mercer gave us the latest on the fires from northern sydney. many are still burning a new south wales and as you say, the catastrophic fire warnings issued for sydney and the surrounding areas have been lifted and for the most part, australia's biggest city has avoided that catastrophe that had been forecast and that is down really to lock in judgement. and also this military style firefighting operation that involves thousands of boots on the ground and a squadron of water bombing aircraft and eastern australia is still gripped by many, many fires and the attention today turns to the

northern state of queensland, conditions up there very, very dangerous so while new south wales can breeze a bit of a sigh of relief today, further north in queensland, it's all hands on deck. it's very much dependent on what the weather brings in the coming days. well, the forecast is, right across eastern australia in the coming days, but it will be warm and windy again. today here in sydney, the toxic haze that blanketed much of the city yesterday has gone. it's pretty breezy today so has gone. it's pretty breezy today so relatively cool as well so a bit of respite for the people of sydney we re of respite for the people of sydney were endured that catastrophic fire warning yesterday but spare a thought for other communities elsewhere in new south wales and queensland. they continue to be terrorised by often giant walls of claim and it's worth pointing out that with fires burning in queensland and new south wales, many

are out of control and there is a feeling that the next few days could be yet ringing more perilous conditions. also making news today, the first public hearings in the trump impeachment inquiry begin on wednesday. until now, the testimony has been heard behind closed doors. democrats in the house of representatives are looking at whether the president improperly sought help from ukraine to boost his chances of re—election in 2020. mr trump denies any wrong doing and house republicans plan to aggressively defend him. bolivia's former president, evo morales arrived in mexico on tuesday, where he was offered political asylum. mr morales said his resignation was forced by a coup and that he left because his life was in danger. bolivia's parliament is expected to swear in senatorjeanine anez as first senate president and later interim president. spain's socialists have signed an agreement with the hard left united podemos bloc to work towards forming a coalition government to resist the far right. it means that acting prime minister pedro sanchez

would have pablo iglesias as his deputy. mr sanchez said the deal should last for four years. zimbabwe's central bank has introduced new bank notes. it's an attempt to ease the country's acute cash shortage. but there are fears it could fuel inflation, in a country where the rate is already about 300 percent. berlin zoo's first panda dad most sightings were reported in missouri but people in other states pollution in the philippines. you have been watching newsday. i'm maryam moshiri in london. and i'm mariko oi in singapore. such as

now have a look at this meteor the us president says an initial falling from the sky in missouri — trade with china is close. we will see how financial markets it was captured on a home security camera. the american meteor society says it has received over 120 reports from eight us states from people are reacting to the news. who say they spotted the object. most sightings reported in missouri, but people in other states also registered sightings with the scientific society. it has to be said, we have been australia's high court has agreed to hear an appeal there before, so unsurprisingly i by the vatican's former treasurer, cardinal george pell, expect the financial markets might against his convictions ta ke for child sexual abuse. expect the financial markets might take it with a little bit of a pinch pell, who's 78, was found guilty of salt. and before we go, we would like to of the rape of a 13—year—old choirboy and the sexual assault leave you with these pictures. of another at st patrick's cathedral berlin zoo's first panda dad is having medical treatment. doctors noticed irregularities this in melbourne in 1996. past spring, and the zoo is now doing everything it he has always denied any wrongdoing. canforjiao qing. let's get the latest doctors were able to confirm that from our correspondent one of his kidneys is smaller shaimaa khalil who's following the story than the other, but decided in sydney. so what's next? against any invasive medical techniques so as not to endanger his health. whilst doctors look after him, his cubs are being looked after by their mum. what is next for him and his legal team? remember, mariko, even that bid wasn't guaranteed. we understand and a bit of information about me, i before the news came out a little over an hour ago when he filed his

appeal to the high court on tuesday, also have one kidney smaller than it was reported this was not the other. i bet you didn't know guaranteed that he was going to get a hearing, the this was going to be considered by a panel of 2— three that! judges. they were going to make a decision and we have the news that he will indeed get his day in the hello once again. after so much wet weather in recent weeks, it looks as high court here in australia. we though wednesday for much of the have yet to find out the exact date. british isles is going to start at we understand it is going to be some least on a drier, brighter, colder note. although there is disguising time next year, that is going to yet the fact there is another set of again challenge his conduct smack fronts to bring some rain to western conviction. he is serving a 6— year areas later in the day. but it is a cold, crisp start, frosty one for sentence for child sexual abuse of two boys back in the 1990s. this many northern parts of the british isles. a run of showers over the north sea through southwest scotland conviction came out back in to the north of england. but as you december. he tried and failed in an see, even on into the afternoon, many central and eastern areas will appeal back in august this year when end up with a dry, sunny but not overly warm day, with temperatures the victorian court of appeal down into single figures. where we dismissed his appeal to—1 and he will see a significant change through the afternoon ‘s rain getting into northern ireland, wales argued the guilty verdict was and the south—west of england. and unreasonably based on testimony of just be advised that in the more one victim. we will have a clear intense burst over the moors of the southwest and the brecon beacons you idea about the grounds of exactly could well end up with a covering of what is going to with the high court snow. here we are on into thursday.

is going to be along similar lines. that same band of red that still it means that yet again, this big producing an off a lot of rain across the southern counties, and as the day progresses, so this more high—profile cases going be reopened southern feature is joined the day progresses, so this more and looked at by the judges of the southern feature isjoined by the day progresses, so this more southern feature is joined by a the day progresses, so this more southern feature isjoined by a more northern feature, and that's the concern. because the rain looks set high court. he said high-profile. to return to some of the flood it's also very controversial, the affected areas, there are already met office warnings out and case in australia. he is the country's most senior catholic. is there been any public reaction to available on our website. from there been any public reaction to the latest ruling? not only the thursday on into friday, the big country's most senior catholic, he is the highest ranking catholic to ever be convicted of child sexual area of low pressure still close by crimes services been highly controversial, highly divisive because again, this is a man of such status and of such support, he over the near continent, and it is still a north to north—easterly feed enjoys a big amount of support here ofa still a north to north—easterly feed of a cold north sea that will generate an off a lot of cloud that it was really so divisive stop across the greater part of england, wales, may be the southern parts of scotla nd wales, may be the southern parts of scotland as well. enough about the cloud for there to be the odd bit a, when the conviction came out and when he failed in his appeal back in and piece of rain. the best of the august. the supporters maintained sunshine across much of northern and western scotland, through northern ireland, the western side of wales, that he is innocent, he deserves to may be done into the west country as be heard. families of the victims well. but again, it is a cold, and

underneath those weather fronts are but also families of other cases of miserable, dang sort of day. here we are at the start of the weekend. abuse have felt vindicated so we are what's changed ? are at the start of the weekend. what's changed? really, not very much at all. the low pressure ever closer towards the south—eastern quarter stop still be unsure feed likely to see this kind of division into the eastern side of the british happen again. when this court case isles, still the suggestion of enough cloud for there to be bits is being heard in the high court. it and pieces of rain falling from that. no great intensity, but of course, any ran into some areas is really not welcome at all. here we cannot be overstated, his status are as farahead within the catholic community. really not welcome at all. here we are as far ahead as sunday. no signs of mild air creeping its way towards british isles, so sunday is another really in the catholic community around the world. dank, chilly sort of day. the best of the sunshine perhaps behind a the israeli leader, benjamin netanyahu has warned there could be a protracted flare—up of tension with militants in gaza following israel's killing more westerly feature here, out into of a senior islamichhad commander. sirens sounded in ashkelon in the last few hours as palestinians militants launched another rocket attack into the israeli city. parts of northern ireland, and still at least 150 rockets that stripe of thick cloud all the have been fired. and dozens of israelis have been way from the north—east of england treated for injuries as an indirect down through wales, the midlands and result of rocket—fire. on towards the south—west. and israel says air and ground forces again, single figures order of the hit sites inside gaza day. so further aid to come, some throughout the day. the hamas—run, health ministry says, hill snow, often windy, and a bit three palestinians have been killed cold too. and about 30 wounded in the attacks.

translation: whoever thinks they can hit our citizens and evade our long arm is wrong. we've proven we can hit surgically wherever the terrorist side. whoever harms us, we will harm them. tom bateman has the latest from the israeli—gaza border. well, the firefighters who have spent really all of today trying to douse these claims as you can see, there is smoke emanating from this building. it is a warehouse that took a direct hit from a rocket fired from gaza. i was speaking to the owner who said it was only a matter of luck, it was just too early for his staff to have been in i'm maryam moshiri the buildings they had a very lucky escape. as we arrived here, we heard with bbc world news. several loud blasts. it's been hard our top story. to distinguish the anti—aircraft a senior police officer in hong kong

fire or anti—missile fire from has warned that the unrest has brought the territory to "the brink of total breakdown". israel's missile defence systems in the latest clashes between police from very powerful airstrikes israel and pro—democracy protesters, has been carrying out a few miles the violence spread to a university campus. tear gas, rubber bullets away on the eastern side of the gaza and a water cannon were used strip. we've seen smoke rising from against the demonstrators. raging bushfires have damaged properties across parts some very loud lasts in what has of australia and briefly spread to suburbs of sydney. amounted to one of the most the catastrophic day feared experienced smack serious exchanges by forcasters has largely been avoided but 7a uncontained fires are still burning in new south wales. of fire between gaza and the israelis in the last 18 months, all starting with that targeted killing and these pictures are getting a lot of attention on bbc.com. of al—atta this morning. the israeli a meteor has been sighted, blazing through the night prime minister said he was a ticking sky over the us state of missouri. bomb, posing an imminent risk to footage was captured on security cameras as it made its dramatic appearance. israeli civilians and soldiers and that's why he said this operation took place. as the palestinians, the dominant militant group in gaza, hamas, said this action crossed a redline, bowing a response so there that's all. stay with bbc world news. are promised attacks from islamic jihad all day into israel, now on bbc news, it's hardtalk. airstrikes with israel saying now targeting militant sites, killing another three palestinians according to officials in gaza. what happens

now, i think, to officials in gaza. what happens now, ithink, in to officials in gaza. what happens now, i think, in the next few hours 01’ so now, i think, in the next few hours or so will be decisive, to see whether or not this escalation continues. the militants in gaza have vowed to resist, to respond. israelis have said they don't seek an escalation but they are prepared for one. you are watching newsday on the bbc. still to come on the programme: we meet the 13—year—boy who searches for scraps in the waters of this manila river, one of the most polluted in the philippines. the bombastic establishment outsider, donald trump, has defied the pollsters to take the keys to the oval office. i feel great about the election result. i voted for him because i genuinely believe that he cares about the country. it's keeping the candidate's name always in the public eye that counts. success or failure depends not only on public display,

but on the local campaign headquarters and the heavy routine work of their women volunteers. berliners from both east and west linked hands and danced around their liberated territory. and with nobody to stop them, it wasn't long before the first attempts were made to destroy the structure itself. yasser arafat, who dominated the palestinian cause for so long, has died. palestinian authority has declared a state of mourning. after 17 years of discussion, the result was greeted with an outburst ofjoy. women ministers who'd long felt only grudgingly accepted in the ranks of clergy suddenly felt welcomed. this is newsday on the bbc. i'm mariko oi in singapore. i'm maryam moshiri in london. our top stories: hong kong police warn the rule of law is on the brink of collapse, as the spiral of violence intensifies. bushfires across much of eastern australia are still burning out of control, as some of the blazes

reach the suburbs of sydney. let's take a look at some front pages from around the world. the gulf news reports on the people who have made the united arab emirates their new home. the ten—year golden visas were granted to a group of scientists, innovators and investors, and the ruler of the emirate of dubai was on hand to welcome them too. the battle for big data seems to be heating up. that is according to today's financial times. angela merkel has called on europe to seize back control of citizens' personal data from the silicon valley tech giants. the german chancellor wants the eu to claim what she calls its digital sovereignty. finally, the japan times looks at how one science lesson led to nobel prize glory. akira yoshino was awarded this year's nobel prize in chemistry. but his journey began when his school teacher gave him 00:16:59,839 --> 2147483051:45:14,634 an inspirational 2147483051:45:14,634 --> 4294966103:13:29,430 book on the subject.