this is the briefing. i'm sally bundock. our top story: apple warns the coronavirus outbreak will cause iphone shortages — it's the first major us company to warn the epidemic will hit finances. another major humanitarian crisis in syria — 800,000 people displaced from idlib province since december. we hearfrom a russian political activist facing years in prison for links to a banned pro—democracy group. profits at hsbc fall 33% during 2019 as the bank — that makes 90% of its profits in asia — struggles with tough market conditions.

a warm welcome to the programme, briefing you on all you need to know in global news, business and sport. also in the programme: how would you feel if your expenses were declined because your meal contained meat? 0ne company in the uk is taking this step to reduce its environmental impact. so is this progress, or taking it too far? tell us what you think — just use #bbcthebriefing. apple has warned that disruption in china from the coronavirus will mean revenues falling short of forecasts. the iphone maker is the first major us company to say that the epidemic

will hit its finances. with more new cases of the virus being reported, health officials in china have urged patients who've recovered from the coronavirus to donate blood to help treat those still critically ill. freya cole has the details. china is the world's biggest market for smartphones. apple is the world's biggest tech company, which has admitted the covid-19 company, which has admitted the covid—19 epidemic will hit its bottom line. the virus has infected the supply—and—demand chain. iphone factories have been forced to close, slowing worldwide supply, and apple stores have shut across china, halting local demand. in a statement to investors, the company says the disruption is temporary, but "we are experiencing a slower return to normal conditions than we had anticipated." singapore airlines and cathay pacific are

also feeling financial strain, and the world no. 3 economy — japan — is on the brink of recession. there are wobbles, too, in singapore and the eurozone. alarm bells have also been sounded over worldwide shortages of vital medication like antibiotics. the situation to contain this new coronavirus is volatile, with no end in sight — but what is clear is the world's reliance on china is keep it afloat. let's get an update from our correspondent nick beake, who's in hong kong. nick, the virus continues to spread. the death toll‘s going up spread. the death toll‘s going up in china. there's been a high—profile case in wuhan, i understand? that's right, sally. we've heard this from state television, which has been reporting that the medical director of one of the big hospitals in wuhan — of course, the city of 11 million people at the heart of this outbreak — the medical director has himself died from the coronavirus. and we know that

the front—line workers have certainly been at risk — something like 1,700 doctors and nurses have become infected — and we believe that, now this medical director — whether or not he was on the front line treating patients orjust in the hospital where the virus was able to spread — he has become, we think, the seventh health care professional to die. clearly, that is a concern there — the number of people trying to treat patients being infected with this. at the same time, some news about the case of the ship off the coast of japan — because this is, after all, the biggest cluster of cases outside mainland china. we know that more than a50 people onboard the diamond princess — the cruise liner — have tested positive for the virus. yesterday, we saw the americans being taken off by their government and flown back home. other countries have been saying they're going to do the same sort of thing, and south korea's saying that it's sending its presidentialjet to pick up its five citizens, who

can then be returned back to seoul initially, we believe. the british government has faced quite a bit of criticism from some of the people onboard because they say they feel like they've been forgotten. but now we hear from they've been forgotten. but now we hearfrom london that they've been forgotten. but now we hear from london that there will be some sort of flight arranged for the british people onboard so that they can be brought back to the uk as soon as possible, sally. all right, nick. for now, thank you. let's brief you on some of the other stories making the news: the world's richest man — amazon founderjeff bezos — says he's committing $10 billion to a new fund to tackle climate change. he said the money would be spent on scientists, activists, and nongovernmental organisations. last month, hundreds of amazon employees signed a blog criticising the company's climate policies. the uk's chief brexit negotiator, david frost, has used a key speech in brussels to lay some ground rules for negotations with the eu. he said britain had to be allowed to set its own laws when it finally breaks away, and won't accept any kind of eu supervison.

senior officials from the european union have told the boss of facebook he is not doing enough to regulate content on his platform. at a meeting in brussels, officials urged mark zuckerberg to back up the company's efforts to curb hate speech and disinformation, with more regulation and accountability. a british government adviser has resigned because of criticism about controversial comments he'd made online about pregnancy, eugenics and race. labour had called for andrew sabisky to be sacked for suggesting — among other things — that black americans had a lower average iq than white americans. aid officials in syria describe young children freezing to death and families with nowhere else to run, to escape government airstrikes and army operations. a humanitarian crisis seems to be descending into a new kind of deadly chaos. in a rare public address, president assad has insisted

his military campaign will continue — despite the impact on his own people. sam ryder reports. a young syrian girl and her father play a game, whilejets drop bombs in the distance... explosion laughs laughter is the only way, says the girl's father, to cope with the girl's father, to cope with the hardships of an incessant war. the syrian army — backed by russia — has increased air strikes in the north—west of the country, in their relentless goal to claim the last major rebel stronghold. translation: the battle to liberate idlib and aleppo countryside is ongoing, regardless of some of the empty bubbles of sound coming from the north, as well as the battle for liberating all

syrian soil, crushing terrorism, and achieving stability. as assad ramps up his offensive, more people are forced to flee. in the last four days alone, the united nations has estimated a0,000 people have been displaced. many of them are women and children. they hope to reach the border with turkey, with a dream to enter europe. but first, they must outrun the bombs and survive the bitter cold. translation: there are 1a0 families here without shelter. there are no heaters, the conditions are difficult, the weather is harsh, especially at night. we have very young children that have suffered because they've become ill from the cold. aid agencies have warned their resources a re aid agencies have warned their resources are seriously overwhelmed. to add to their concerns, the syrian army's wiping out vital public resources like this hospital, which has been forced to close. a ceasefire is desperately

needed, according to the united nations. but it's a plea which has been repeatedly ignored — not only by the syrian army, but by leaders around the world. how would you feel if your expenses were declined because your meal contained meat? that's the situation at one uk property developer, where all corporate entertaining, workshop, catering and even staff expenses must now be vegetarian if staff which to be reimbursed. this is as the company looks to reduce its impact on the environment. lawrence gossling, editor—in—chief of what investment, joins me now. good morning. what would be your reaction to this idea? well, i have to say, if i had a sort of bacon sandwich and knocked off my expenses when i'm ona knocked off my expenses when i'm on a business trip, i might bea i'm on a business trip, i might be a tiny bit miffed. but this

business — igaloo regeneration — describing itself as a sustainable property developer... it's only small. this young lady is kate fa rfleet, this young lady is kate farfleet, head this young lady is kate fa rfleet, head of this young lady is kate farfleet, head of values, or type of title at that firm. she's 28 years old, and she's kind of pushing that agenda. absolutely. there's only 30 people in the business. they surveyed the staff, and most of them — one or two objectors — we re them — one or two objectors — were a bit uncomfortable about this. they're not saying people can't eat meat, theyjust won't be rec. penced for it if they decide to during work time. basically, if you have an event 01’ basically, if you have an event ora basically, if you have an event or a lunch or anything of that nature, meat has to be off the menu. yeah. do you think this is progress? what's your view on this? i think it's probably quite reasonable, actually. in the context for this firm, they're also encouraging staff to use trains, for example, where possible — so if they're going to scotland, go on the train rather than fly. i think we should see it probably in the context of a broader

initiative to try and be more sustainable and, given that they are supposed to be a sustainable real—estate developer, they've got to carry on the core values. i want to mention some viewers' responses. we've been asking for your opinion on this as well. as ever, you've got in touch. "0ne well. as ever, you've got in touch. "one more step on a slippery slope. what next? 0nly keep yourjob if you promise not to have children? employers will disguise it as a climate emergency when it really is to ensure staff cannot have maternity pay and leave." i don't think we're going down that path quite yet. no. "staff voted on the possibility. it's some flexibility to accommodate needs or circumstance. i don't really see this as a problem." for many millennials, these young, innovative, very small, nimble companies, this is kind of their way of making their mark, isn't it? absolutely. and it's about values, hence the name of this woman's sort of job title — having the right values that sort of align with millennials and other sort of people — the image they're trying to put over. so i suspect we'll see a bit more of

it, but perhaps not from company quite as large as some of the others watching today. all right. thank you for now. lawrence is back later. #bbcthebriefing to tell us more about that story. stay with us on bbc news. still to come: 0ur sports team will have all the latest, including this pitch invasion from a dog in turkey who was keen to show off its football skills when it hounded players during a league match. nine years and 15,000 deaths after going into afghanistan, the last soviet troops were finally coming home. the withdrawal completed in good order, but the army defeated in the task it had been sent to perform. malcolm has been murdered. that has a terrible effect on the morale of the people. i am terrified of the repercussions on the streets. one wonders who is next.

as the airlift got under way, there was no let—up in the eruption itself. lava streams from a vent low in the crater flow down to the sea on the east of the island, away from the town for the time being, but it could start flowing again at any time. the russians heralded their new—generation space station with a spectacular night launch. they called it mir, the russian for peace. you're watching the briefing. 0ur headlines: with 800,000 people displaced since december, combined with freezing conditions, the united nations says the offensive in idlib has created a major humanitarian crisis. the us tech giant apple has warned that it won't achieve its forecast revenues for this financial quarter because of the coronavirus outbreak. both production and demand

in china have been affected. let's stay with that story. dranna banerji is an infectious disease specialist at the university of toronto. thank you for being on the programme. first of all, give us programme. first of all, give us your take. i know you are watching this very closely indeed where you are. give us your take on how this is being tackled in mainland china.|j think that china is doing the best they can with the resources they have. i think it would be helpful again for the international community to help them do theirjob. they are more transparent than what is typical of china. they are in a difficult situation. it is an extremely difficult situation

but in your expertise, what can be done to prevent it spreading? are they taking the right actions? a lot of their actions which we wouldn't find very appropriate, for example, someone saying, i think my neighbour has a cold or could have coronavirus, having a ‘s tea m have coronavirus, having a ‘s team come in, taking them into this place with our surrounded by people with coronavirus. if they didn't have it before, they didn't have it before, they sure will after that. a lot of their measures are probably more draconian. i think trying to isolate people, that may slow things down but i think there are lots of people who have coronavirus who are not being tested and coming in because of fear. we don't know how many people have coronavirus. and what the real

recovery rate and death rate is. there may be someone in the rural areas who dies and may not have those numbers counted. you are also interested in quarantining the different responses in different countries. japan, that had lots of challenges. the cruise ship in yokohama. give us your take on how different countries are responding, japan in particular. with the cruise ship, the fact that people were separated, wore masks, the virus should have been contained if it was transmitted through droplets and the fact that you have more than a50 people who were supposedly quarantined, having the infection. either there is a break in the in traction control all this virus is transmitted with sars, there

we re transmitted with sars, there were outbreaks in hotels in china and they link to the sewerage system , china and they link to the sewerage system, all the plumbing system. so why did so many of the people on the boat get the coronavirus despite these measures? that's very concerning to me. just tell us what's happening to canada. we had ten cases so far. what is the situation in canada? there have been a few cases, all linked back to china. recently there was one individual but came back from the western cruise ship. now we know there is at least one person who tested positive for coronavirus. there was no infection control, so they all came, they landed in cambodia, they all dispersed, went on regular flights and different parts of the world. the person

in canada apparently had no in action precautions during the flight action precautions during the flight to canada but was told after arriving to canada to self quarantining. we don't know what the outcome is going to be. we appreciate you sharing your expertise. a single mum in russia is facing six years in prison for her opposition political activism. anastasia shevchenko has been under strict house arrest awaiting trial for over a year — banned from communicating with anyone other than officials and her relatives. those conditions have just been eased slightly, allowing her to talk about her case to the bbc for the first time. she's accused of links to a pro—democracy group — for the first time. she's accused of links to a pro—democracy group — 0pen russia uk — which has been banned in russia as "undesirable" and a "threat to state security". sarah rainsford went to meet anastasia in rostov—on—don in southern russia.

sarah rainsford went to meet anastasia in rostov—on—don in southern russia. walking the dog is a big deal for anastacia and for bailey. under house arrest for every year, the opposition activist has just been allowed out a daily walk. that means meeting her eight—year—old at the school gates again. michelle has missed this. his mum has missed a lot. it's not only the sun and fresh air, it's also a wind that touches your skin even because you don't feel it at all. the new rules mean we can talk as well for the first time. it's like a nightmare, you know, but if you are a political activist in russia, you just have to be prepared somehow or anything. the prison. the single mum is accused of links to a pro—democracy group based in

the uk that is banned here is undesirable. she now has this electronic tag. that's how they control me. the case is based ona control me. the case is based on a political debate and a protest with a banner against vladimir putin. translation: i think they want to frighten activists, to show that if people are politically active, they will end up like me in custody and suffering. the family has been trying to keep life as normal as possible under house arrest, though misha has been having nightmares. and while her daughter was happy hope mum gets to be out now, she wants to go to restaurants and shopping like she used to. and despite the house work and home workers use to all, they've all been on edge since they discovered investigators installed a spy cam in the

aircon unit of the last blood. translation: i saw the photos and realised there had been the camera. i was in my pyjamas. it was above the bed. for six months, what do they think i do? plan (my bed? months, what do they think i do? plan ( my bed? there has been tragedy as well. anastacia's oldest daughter alina lived in care. she had brain damage. when she fell sick, her mother wasn't allowed to visit until it was too late. she wants to scatter alina's ashes at sea but that is impossible under arrest. anastasia is making the most of the new limited freedom. the trial is due soon and activist could be facing up to six years behind bars. the rainsford, bbc news, roston—on—don. now it's time to get

all the latest from the bbc sports centre. hello, i'm chetan pathak with tuesday's sport briefing. we start in the english premier league where chelsea had two goals disallowed and are now hanging onto fourth spot by theirfingernails after being beaten by manchester united by two goals to nil at stamford bridge. it moves united to within three points of chelsea. antony martial put them ahead just before half—time with a glancing header. kurt zouma then had his equaliser disallowed for a foul in the build up. harry maguire then doubled united's lead, having avoided a red card after appearing to kick out at batshuayi. 0livier giroud then thought he'd pulled a goal back only for his header to be ruled out by var as 0le gunnar solksjaer‘s side move up to seventh. he was about some individual quality when it mattered. a fantastic header by anthony and a great corner kick and finally we can see harry mcguire scored

it. we have margins on our side. input all, it does happen that you get some blood today. today, they were fortunate with the two goals, i think the right decisions but they were marginal. kim clijsters produced some great tennis in herfirst wta match in nearly eight years — but was eventually beaten in straight set by garbine muguruza in dubai.the 36 year old went toe—to—toe with the former wimbledon and french open champion and even came from a double—break down in the second set. but she was ultimate beaten by a big serve in the tie—break as she lost 6—2 7—6. faf du plessis has stepped down as south africa's test and t20 captain with immediate effect. in a statement, he described it as the toughest decision he's made but wants to help usher in the next generation of leaders. quinton de kock will now lead

the side across all formats the european champions liverpool continue the defence of their trophy on tuesday, as the knock—out stages of the champions league get underway. jurgen klopp's side, currently 25 points clear at the top of the english premier league, return to the same stadium where they won last season's final — the wanda metropolita na in madrid — as they take on atletico. we don't feel like the winner of last year ‘s champions league tournament, we feel like one of the contenders for this year ‘s. we want to be there in istanbul are possible. and there are only historically three in general. you have to work your socks off. finally — everyone likes a good dog video on social media — so here's a football

themed one for you. from turkey where this dog got to the balljust as the players were lining up a free—kick and showed plenty of bite not taking his eyes off the ball for long — and he wasn't going to be easily distracted — ultimately after a ‘paws' in play the dog was forcibly ejected. and sent straight to the doghouse! my my black labrador does the same thing. stay with us.

we have more in apple and its vulnerability in china, the impact on future earnings. see you ina impact on future earnings. see you in a moment. storm dennis is long since cleared out of the way but it's left a legacy, a legacy of flooding with water as far as the eye can see. there are still several severe flood warnings in force. these attending to be clustered on stretches of the river wye which is reached record water levels. 0ther which is reached record water levels. other than that, 200 odd flood warnings also in the uk and a number of days before the flood waters completely ab out of the way in these warnings start to come down. looking at the weather picture, lots of showery clouds but we have this more organised band of showers edging off the

atlantic. it's going to be significant. plenty of showers, particularly across north—western areas, falling snow above 200m elevation. expect icy stretches on those high—level roots as we start into the early morning rush—hour. it's going to be quite blustery once again. the organised band of showers, here it is. working eastwards across the country. pretty much eve ryo ne the country. pretty much everyone will get a downpour. the showers, very heavy and accompanied by sudden scores of wind, behind that, the air gets colderfor northern wind, behind that, the air gets colder for northern ireland, england and scotland, typically six or seven degrees. the wind gets lighter overnight. ahead of the next weather system heading our way for wednesday. after a bright start of the day with sunshine, cloud and rain

on the way again. the heaviest falls across north wales, some uncertainty about how heavy the rain is going to be across southern wales but given the flooding situation, we have to watch this weather system very carefully as to how much rain it is likely to produce. temperatures rising through the day, and with some of us rising through the night as well but by thursday, another area of rain moves eastwards across the country. a squealing band of heavy rain clearing eastwards, turning wintry in the cold air across the hills of scotland. that is your latest weather, goodbye for now.

this is the business briefing. i'm sally bundock. profits at hsbc fall 33% during 2019, as the bank — which makes 90% of its profits in asia — struggles with tough market conditions. and — how will the coronavirus outbreak affect the travel industry? we will find out when intercontinental hotel group reports later this morning. and on financial markets — they are all headed lower in asia — apple says the coronavirus impact will hit its sales — so apple suppliers in asia, including tdk and tokyo electron, are seeing their shares sink.