this is bbc news broadcasting to viewers in the uk and around the world. i'm jane hill. the headlines... iranian state television says the country's supreme leader has pardoned thousands of prisoners, including many who'd taken part in recent anti—government demonstrations. new cctv pictures of missing lancashire woman nicola bulley have been shared by one of her friends. the images show the 45—year—old in the hours before she went missing next to the river wyre, nine days ago. union leaders in the uk urge the prime minister to intervene in the dispute about healthcare pay. the biggest week of strikes in the history of the national health service is due to start on monday. the former president of pakistan, general pervez musharraf, has died at the age of 79 —

following a long illness in support, a history maker, he becomes the spurs all—time top square as his side beats manchester city in the english premier league. welcome to bbc news. iran's supreme leader is pardoning a large number of prisoners, including some of those arrested during the past months of protests. including some of those arrested the pardon by ayatollah khamenei comes on the eve of the anniversary of the islamic revolution in 1979 — a date on which he regularly offers an amnesty to some prisoners. but the iranian state media says it excludes those facing charges of spying for foreign agencies, murder and bodily harm, as well as the destruction or arson of state property.

taraneh stone, from the bbc�*s persian service, has been giving us more details. the supreme leader has agreed to pardon and commute sentences of tens of people who are imprisoned or who are waiting for sentences. the letter from the judiciary said that a considerable number of people who were arrested and imprisoned in relation to the recent protests are among these people. but, there is a long list of conditions for these people to be pardoned. one of those conditions is that they should not be linked to any spying activities, they should not be linked to any charges of corruption or waging war against god. as you can see, these are quite ambiguous charges as well, and people have been charged with these accusations for setting fire on bins on the street,

or merely processing. these are quite ambiguous charges. they are also, one of the conditions, these people have to show remorse, and they have to provide a written promise that they will not participate in the protests or take similar action again. that is what has raised some concerns among social media users and people listening to the news today who have said that this can potentially be problematic, and can potentially be a long process. it may even be impossible for some to be pardoned or released. i'm joined now by nina navid, expert and campaigner on iran with amnesty international uk. thank you for your time. we do

generally get some pardons around this point in the year. how significant is it, do you feel, that some of the people being part and did actually take part in those demonstrations. 50. did actually take part in those demonstrations.— did actually take part in those demonstrations. , ., ., demonstrations. so, you are right. we usually — demonstrations. so, you are right. we usually do _ demonstrations. so, you are right. we usually do get _ demonstrations. so, you are right. we usually do get pardons - demonstrations. so, you are right. we usually do get pardons around| demonstrations. so, you are right. i we usually do get pardons around the anniversary of the revolution, on the 11th of february and usually around new year's as well. it's rare for them to part in those involved in political protests. so i think it interesting that they've said that they will include those involved in they will include those involved in the protest movement, but as your previous guests just said, there is this long list of conditions. the pardons do not extend to those who have received capital charges. so those who have already received death sentences, and one of the conditions as you have to show remorse and apologise for your offences. so let's really see what

comes out of these premises, and if the government really will follow through with them. so the government really will follow through with them.— the government really will follow through with them. so is this even announced — through with them. so is this even announced for— through with them. so is this even announced for international - announced for international consumption? i announced for international consumption?— announced for international consumption? announced for international consumtion? ~ , ., consumption? i think it is, and i think the timing _ consumption? i think it is, and i think the timing is _ consumption? i think it is, and i think the timing is very - consumption? i think it is, and i | think the timing is very relevant, actually, so yesterday we had a major opposition figure in iran who was one of the leaders of the green reformist movement in iran and a presidential candidate in 2009, he came out yesterday and said, you know what, there is no chance of viable alternative working within the current islamic regime. he urged forfundamental the current islamic regime. he urged for fundamental change and a constitutional assembly based on the premise of women, life, freedom, and thatis premise of women, life, freedom, and that is huge for somebody who was a leader of the reformist movement to come out and say, look, it is just not possible to work within the current confines of the islamic regime. i think that really reflects the sentiment is notjust of the protesters but of the national mood.

and how many people does amnesty international believe is currently in detention as a direct result of those antigovernment protests that, of course, we have been witnessing and people have been seeing images of around the world.— and people have been seeing images of around the world. rate, you know, u . of around the world. rate, you know, u- to tens of around the world. rate, you know, up to tens of — of around the world. rate, you know, up to tens of thousands, _ of around the world. rate, you know, up to tens of thousands, that - of around the world. rate, you know, up to tens of thousands, that is - up to tens of thousands, that is based on leaked recordings. so up to tens of thousands have been detained as part of the protests, unfairly so, just simply for exercising their right to freedom of assembly and freedom of expression, and of course, hundreds were killed as part of those protests, lethal force was used against protesters, light bullets were used and hundreds are killed. fouryoung bullets were used and hundreds are killed. four young protesters were arbitrarily any executed, hung in secret, and many more are at risk. he said that at least a0 are at imminent risk of execution, including a young man who has mental

health concerns as well. he remains in risk of execution, and we know for example these pardons do not extend to those who have received death sentences. and to have, you know, i received the sentences as a result of torture, tainted confessions. we have said, we have recorded that these individuals have been raped, tortured, flogged. and as a result have confessed for crimes which are not committed, they've just been involved crimes which are not committed, they'vejust been involved in peaceful protest, and you know, the government has said that they are not subject to these pardons. really, the government needs to drop all the charges, push convictions and a death sentence to all of those involved in peaceful protest. thank ou for involved in peaceful protest. thank you for your _ involved in peaceful protest. thank you for your time _ involved in peaceful protest. thank you for your time from _ involved in peaceful protest. thank you for your time from amnesty i you for your time from amnesty international, thank you. here in the uk new pictures of nicola bulley, who went missing while walking next to a river in lancashire, have been released showing her on the morning of her disappearance. police have said their assumption is that she fell into the river — and today many members of the local

communityjoin the search to find her. a key witness, who was pushing a pram near where ms bulley disappeared nine days ago has come forward. here's danny savage. this is nicola bulley leaving home on the day she vanished. setting off on the school run, putting her spaniel, willow, in the boot. her family today released these pictures to show exactly what she was wearing. for days, police have been searching for any trace of the mother of two young girls. today was no different. what did seem very obvious was the large number of other people out, too. this is the bench where nicky's mobile phone was found a week last friday. today is dry and sunny and the number of people out along here is extraordinary. there are dozens and dozens of people along this stretch, along the other stretches as well, all walking the riverside paths to try and assist in the search.

i mean, if you went missing in the same way, i would be expecting people to go looking. do you understand what i mean? i would really want there to be a search party. if it was myself, my eldest, we both takesthe dogs out on our own. if it was one of us that was in that situation, iwould hope the community would do the same thing for us as well. ijust feel like everybody should be doing their part. she disappeared without trace. police believe she accidentally fell in the river wyre, but it's the not knowing for sure which is keeping people looking. danny savage, bbc news, st michael's on wyre. pakistan's former president, general pervez musharraf, has died following a long illness. he was 79 years old. president musharraf seized power in a bloodless military coup in 1999 — serving in office for seven years from 2001. at the time of his death he had been living in exile in dubai. i am nowjoined by husain haqqani,

former ambassador of pakistan to the united states— he is also a director of the hudson institute for south & central asia — a think tank based in washington but nowjoins me from dubai. we will discuss his legacy. thank you so much forjoining us. your view on the legacy of musharraf. general musharraf was the man who brought some semblance of stability to pakistan in the aftermath of 9/11 when he leveraged pakistan's position by realigning with the united states for his critics and opponents which are numerous as well, the man who overthrew the constitutional order, promised to bring democracy to pakistan, stabilise its economy and feed on all three counts.— all three counts. failed on all three counts. _ all three counts. failed on all three counts. and _ all three counts. failed on all three counts. and talk- all three counts. failed on all three counts. and talk to - all three counts. failed on all three counts. and talk to us, | all three counts. failed on all- three counts. and talk to us, if you could come about the role of the military. was it augmented under his

period? military. was it augmented under his eriod? , ., military. was it augmented under his eriod? , . ~ , ., ., ., period? general musharraf took over after ten years _ period? general musharraf took over after ten years of _ period? general musharraf took over after ten years of bad _ period? general musharraf took over after ten years of bad civilian - after ten years of bad civilian rule. and then he went on with the help of pakistan's intelligence services in the military. the intrusion of the military in public life increased underhand and it is a legacy that persists. pakistan's military continues to look on with pakistani politicians with contempt. it does not help the political process with that attitude, and to general musharraf certainly enhanced that point of view is. and general musharraf certainly enhanced that point of view is.— that point of view is. and how it would therefore, _ that point of view is. and how it would therefore, he _ that point of view is. and how it would therefore, he would - that point of view is. and how it would therefore, he would be i that point of view is. and how it - would therefore, he would be living in dubai for some would therefore, he would be living in dubai forsome time, would therefore, he would be living in dubai for some time, obviously, but how would you summarise the big question, i know, but how would you summarise the country's political outlook here today?— outlook here today? pakistan's olitics outlook here today? pakistan's politics has _ outlook here today? pakistan's politics has polarised, - outlook here today? pakistan's politics has polarised, their - politics has polarised, their economy is in freefall, pakistan has few friends left in the world. in all three counts, things are a

little bit better under musharraf because of his iron hand for the first two years, but because the institution was not stabilised, things are a mess today. the he will get, of course, a burial with full military honours, but his long—term legacy will still be of leaving behind a very, very polarised nation instead of helping overcome the divisions that characterised pakistan's politics and society. very many thanks for your time tonight. thank you for your reflections here in bbc news. former ambassadorfor pakistan reflections here in bbc news. former ambassador for pakistan to the united states, and our director of the hudson institute think tank based in washington, dc. we will bring you continuing coverage of all of today's main stories. you are watching bbc news. the uk government and the health unions remain far apart on the eve of the biggest health workers strike

so far in england. the two sides remain deadlocked as nurses, paramedics and physiotherapists are among those due to walk out this week. 0ur political correspondent jonathan blake, has more. they chant. a week of walk—outs by nhs staff in england. nurses, ambulance workers, physiotherapists and others are due to strike in the coming days. as industrial action continues by unions demanding higher pay, they are trying to put pressure on the government to negotiate. i can categorically say to you we are in no talks at any level whatsoever with the government about pay in the nhs. that is a real abdication of responsibility. why is rishi sunak not coming to the table? what do we want? fair pay! when do we want it? now! _ in wales, some unions have suspended strikes to consider a new offer from the labour—run welsh government. but uk government ministers responsible for setting pay

in england are showing no sign of giving ground. i don't think we need to be having these strikes at all. the reality is, as i said, actually, over a million nhs workers got a pay rise last year when there wasn't one on offer. there is a pay rise on the table this year. and just to clarify one point, the government has actually, the system is agreed by the unions, asked for by the unions, that there is an independent pay review body that accepts evidence from the unions, from the management, and then they recommend a figure to the government. labour hasn't said how it would fund higher pay for nhs staff in england or what its offer would be, but insists the government should at least engage. it is the government's responsibility. they can sort this. you know, the unions have said even before this started at christmas, if you meet us to discuss pay, we'll call this strike off. we have seen when proper negotiations take place about pay, not everything else,

they can stop it. nhs staff determined to secure higher pay, a government adamant its offer is fair. and for now, no sign of an end to the stand—off. the former uk prime minister, liz truss, has blamed what she's called a "powerful economic establishment" — and a lack of support from the conservative party — for her downfall. liz truss was forced to resign as prime minster after barely 7 weeks, after her package of tax cuts caused panic in the markets and the pound dropped to a record low.(read 0n) ——panic in the markets and the pound dropped to a record low. earlier, the former conservative cabinet minister david gauke gave us his view. i think it is a pretty unconvincing case, to be honest. the fact is that the government pursued a fiscal strategy, a tax and spend policy that did not have credibility. the markets took fright,

interest rates rose accordingly. the pound fell, and the uk faced a real problem, a market crisis. that was a consequence of a reckless approach to the public finances. i don't think there is really an indication from liz truss that she properly recognises that, or recognises the errors that she made, and her chancellor made, in pursuing a policy that undermined market confidence. let's discuss all this with the deputy editor of the website conservative home, him that henry hale. welcome to bbc news. do you think the assessment of the article is fair?— the article is fair? essentially, es. it's the article is fair? essentially, yes. it's completely _ the article is fair? essentially, - yes. it's completely understandable that liz truss would to carve a continuing role for herself in public life. nobody wants to spend

so long coming to the top and be so committed to their ideas and then be remembered as a failure and a short—lived prime minister. ultimately most of her article is about exultation, trying to shift the blame and blame outside forces what happened for her premiership and she does have to take responsibility for what happened. how concerning is her stance and the fact that she's putting herself back out there politically, how concerning is that to rishi sunak at the moment? i concerning is that to rishi sunak at the moment?— the moment? i don't think that oliticall the moment? i don't think that politically it's _ the moment? i don't think that politically it's necessarily - the moment? i don't think that politically it's necessarily bad l the moment? i don't think that. politically it's necessarily bad for him to have liz truss saying that what he is doing is not what she would have done, given the recent public memory of how her government went. in terms of political organisation from the conservative party is very divided and there are more than enough mps who sympathise with liz truscott they could cause trouble with the payments are in the house of commons with regards to his legislative agenda. however, i think mostly what this is about is trying to rally the libertarian wing of the conservative party that as is when

they lose office, they are ready to fight it out to the other wings of the party for control in opposition and trying to shape the future of the party once they have left government. in the party once they have left government.— the party once they have left covernment. , ., ., government. in the way you are describing — government. in the way you are describing all _ government. in the way you are describing all of _ government. in the way you are describing all of that, _ government. in the way you are describing all of that, even, - government. in the way you are| describing all of that, even, you know, the use of the language that you are using there, is it's quite bitter? you are using the word battle and is it a bitterfight already? battle and is it a bitter fight alread ? ., battle and is it a bitter fight alread ? . , , ., , already? there are deep divisions within the conservative _ already? there are deep divisions within the conservative party - already? there are deep divisions within the conservative party at i already? there are deep divisions i within the conservative party at the moments, they have been in office in one form or another and 13 years, that for several prime ministers, several changes of approach, lots of accumulated grievances, frustration that having been in power, they haven't got more done, whatever that is. yes, absolutely, is increasingly rancorous, and you can see that in the briefing that's coming out from different politicians speaking honestly too generous about other conservative politicians. ultimately the problem is that at this point the problem is that at this point the conservative government doesn't really have a sense of mission. it

doesn't have you know, margaret thatcher, the great tory icon, she was prepared to be unpopular. that's extremely unpopular, no matter what you thought of her, that sense of what the government was in office to do, that was a great help for providing discipline. currently, doesn't really have that, and that has given lots of space for tory mps have different political views and different personal views to have it out with each other.— out with each other. really interesting _ out with each other. really interesting to _ out with each other. really interesting to talk - out with each other. really interesting to talk to - out with each other. really interesting to talk to you. | out with each other. really i interesting to talk to you. as out with each other. really - interesting to talk to you. as ever, thank you very much for now. the deputy editor of conservative home. the us is trying to recover the wreckage of a chinese surveillance balloon which it shot down — after it was seen flying over us airspace for days, including above sensitive military sites. beijing has accused america of an over—reaction, with china's foreign ministry insisting the balloon was for weather research. 0ur correspondent barbara plett—usher reports from beijing. for days, this solitary object floated serenely through us airspace, putting a diplomatic

crisis onto television screens in real time. was it or homeless weather balloon, as a chinese claimed? or a spy in the sky? moments after it arrived over the atlantic, the us brought an explosive end to the drama. that trail of white vapour you see on the left of the screen is an american fighterjet heading for the building. ——is an american fighterjet heading for the balloon. the second vapour trail is from a heat—seeking missile fired from the jet, easily finding its target. whoa! did you hear that? shortly after impact, the sound of the explosion was heard by people watching on the ground. then, what was left of the balloon came down in the sea off the coast of south carolina. suddenly we saw something to go from the jet and we knew that was a missile, and you could see the explosion. gosh, it was almost like a moving cloud coming down. a bit scary. it is a different way of spying on us, let's put it that way. i the us navy is now recovering debris

spread over seven miles in relatively shallow water. down to earth, the us shots down a suspected spy billing monitoring us military sites... this was how america woke up to the news on sunday morning. late yesterday, an air force fighter jet fired a single air to air missile into the balloon, bringing it down. president biden was criticised by republicans for not acting sooner, but he chose his own time. i ordered the pentagon to shoot it down on wednesday as soon as possible. they decided — without doing to any damage to anyone on the ground — they decided the best time to do that was over water, within a 12 mile limit. china's foreign ministry accused the us of overreacting. the statement said... the incident has blown up a chance

to ease tensions between the world's two great powers, with the us secretary of state antony blinken postponing a planned trip to beijing. here in beijing, the foreign ministry had been expecting to welcome antony blinken today to talk about stabilising the relationship and carefully planned meetings. instead, suddenly relations have taken a sharp turn for the worse. the visit could still very well take place later in the year. butjust getting here is now part of the problem. barbara plett usher, news, beijing. a british family are to travel to grenada later this month to apologise publicly for their ancestors�* ownership of more than 1000 african slaves. the trevelyans owned six sugar plantations on the caribbean island in the nineteenth century. the family includes the bbc�*s new york correspondent, laura trevelyan, who says she is paying reparations by donating a 100,000 pound fund.

i'm joined now by professor trevor burnard, who's the director of the wilberforce institute at the university of hull. that evening to you. your thoughts first of all on the public acknowledgements and the fact that this is being discussed openly and of course the donation. i this is being discussed openly and of course the donation.— of course the donation. i think it is something — of course the donation. i think it is something which _ of course the donation. i think it is something which is _ of course the donation. i think it is something which is both - of course the donation. i think it is something which is both quite remarkable and something to be very much welcomed. in fact in some ways it's not a surprise that it comes from that your valiant family. a very distinguished family, one which has always had a strong public profile. you can look at the edge of aliens as being some of the most distinguished people in the 19th century and 20th century, one of the surprises i think is that the family on the really discovered or rediscovered their links to slavery, and they were one of the most significant slave owners in the british empire. they earned over

1000 -- british empire. they earned over 1000 —— they owned over 1000 enslaved people, but they didn't really know much about it in the 20th and 21st century. it shows i think the extent to which british links with slavery and individual links with slavery and individual links with slavery have disappeared. it is interesting given the course that your valiance had amongst their ranks and a very important historian, so something i think about both how things have changed recently and what we now know a great deal more about links with slavery and people have more connections with it. i think what that your valiance have done is quite remarkable and very impressive. what i think is most impressive. what i think is most impressive is that they have acknowledged their role within british slavery and the british empire in grenada and are taking direct involvement with that particular colony and recognising their connections historically with that place. i think also the fact

that place. i think also the fact that they matched that apology with quite a considerable amount of money is all to their credit. i think about how recently things like legacies of british slavery database that we are more and more aware of just how many people and what extends of slave ownership in britain within the 19th century and how people benefited from it. so something i think to be wildly applauded. 0k, ok, i'm sorry we don't have more time. very interesting to hear your thoughts on that straight. thank you so much. we will keep you up—to—date with all of today's main stories here on bbc news. that takes us to a look at the weather prospects. let's get all the latest details from chris. hello again. well, it's certainly been a weekend of two halves. take yesterday's weather.

the satellite picture from saturday shows extensive cloud across the country, whereas today it's been, well, a lot sunnier, particularly across england, wales, northern ireland and at times, the south and east of scotland, enjoying some brighter conditions as well. there have been some areas of high cloud in the sky like here in pembrokeshire. just made the sunshine a little on the hazy side at times. but despite the sunniest skies working in today, it's actually been quite a bit cooler. temperatures dropping by around about four degrees celsius in places and closer to average for this time of the year. now, overnight, high pressure is going to stay dominating across england and wales, keeping the skies clear and starry. some clear weather as well for eastern scotland. and it's for these areas that we'll see a widespread frost with the lowest temperatures in the countryside, probably getting down to what, minus five or so, whereas across the northwest of the uk, here there'll be a lot more cloud around, and so probably a frost—free start to the day on monday. and indeed that cloud may thicken up enough to bring

an odd spot of drizzle. 0therwise, we're looking at a largely dry day. the best of the sunshine, though, once again, will be across england and wales, with temperatures quite close to average, seven or eight degrees, quite typically. some of the higher temperatures will be where it stays cloudier in the north west of the country, with temperatures up to ten. now for tuesday, i think we're going to start the day with quite extensive and dense patches of freezing fog across parts of the south of the uk. some of that will last into the afternoon, making the weather particularly cold. a weak weather front drifts southwards across southern scotland, northern ireland, into northern england, thickening the cloud up to give an odd spot of drizzle. but still, for most of you, tuesday will be another dry day. by wednesday, the winds will start to pick up, and that could mean that we don't see quite as much in the way of mist and fog and a better chance of seeing some cloud breaks to the east of high ground. temperatures still quite close to average across england and wales, 6 to 8 degrees. scotland and northern ireland still mild, nine or ten here. now, there will be some further changes later in the week as this

cold front moves southwards across the country on thursday. there won't be a great deal of rain left on it by the time it reaches southern parts of england and wales. but it will allow some cooler air into northern areas. lerwick, for example, five degrees on thursday and we could even see a few wintry showers in the far north. bye bye.

this is bbc news. the headlines:

iranian state television says the country's supreme leader has pardoned thousands of prisoners, including many who took part in recent anti—government demonstrations. some human rights groups believe 20,000 people have been detained over the protests since mid—september. new cctv pictures of missing lancashire woman nicola bulley have been shared by one of her friends. the images show the a5—year—old in the hours before she went missing whilst walking next to the river wyre, nine days ago. the united states is trying to find the wreckage of a chinese surveillance balloon, which it shot down over the atlantic on saturday. beijing has accused the us of an over—reaction. the former president of pakistan, pervez musharraf, has died in hospital at the age of 79. general musharraf took power in a coup in 1999, and served as president for seven years from 2001.

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