of the european commission on a visit to the italian island of lampedusa. the antarctic sea—ice has declined to its lowest winter level on record — according to satellite data. live from our studio in singapore, this is bbc news. it's newsday. hello, and welcome to the programme. the chinese foreign minister wang yi has met with white house national security adviserjake sullivan for two days of talks in malta. the discussions come as the world's two largest economies look to stabilise troubled relations. little of substance is being said publicly by either side, but we do have this from a senior us

official stressing the effort to lessen tensions with beijing. the official told reporters that said mr sullivan "underscored that the united states and china are in a competition. but that the united states does not seek conflict or confrontation. on taiwan, united states opposes "unilateral changes to the status quo from either side. " jake sullivan also emphasised that washington does not back taiwan seeking formal independence from china. big independence from china. headlines coming out of meeting. big headlines coming out of that meeting. live now to rana mitter, who is chair in us — asia relations at harvard kennedy school. thank you for your time on the bbc. how significant in your opinion has this meeting been? i how significant in your opinion has this meeting been?— this meeting been? i think it is significant _ this meeting been? i think it is significant for _ this meeting been? i think it is significant for two _ this meeting been? i think it is significant for two reasons, - this meeting been? i think it isi significant for two reasons, the first is it enables a pathway to be set out in which the us and china

can dial down the very hot temperature of the relationship between the two sides. it was just a few months ago there were fears that might be a conflict or war over the status of taiwan. it's very clear that both sides by meeting in malta want to make it clear that's not on the agenda, at least not in the near future. in addition both countries the united states and china are grappling with the dilemma, they both eat economic growth to improve domestic circumstances but also need each other at the same time to protect themselves against each other. there are two dilemmas that essentially are the contacts for this meeting in malta in the last couple of days. we this meeting in malta in the last coume of deve— couple of days. we have seen a series of high-profile _ couple of days. we have seen a series of high-profile visits - couple of days. we have seen a series of high-profile visits to l series of high—profile visits to china and the recent past with live held meetings with officials in beijing. can talks be restored to the previous levels of diplomatic engagement that we've seen? i think we're auoin engagement that we've seen? i think we're going to _ engagement that we've seen? i think we're going to see — engagement that we've seen? i think we're going to see the _ engagement that we've seen? i think we're going to see the friendly - we're going to see the friendly relations or work through much of the mid—i9 90s and early 2000. the

reason being at that time, chinese economy were in tried with each other. some people including the historical neil ferguson said that you were linked together. that's no longer true because national security in both cases for china and the us is in some way overcoming the need for most efficient economic relationship. it would be cheaper for america to import more from china but also potentially those supplies could be cut off if relations become worse. the same is true the other way around. she xi jinping has talked about the need for security as the primary characteristic of chinese politics, not necessarily the highest level of economic growth if it involves being more open to the outside world and particularly the us. these days the relationship is looking a little bit warmer but national security trumps economics in both cases. the warmer but national security trumps economics in both cases.— economics in both cases. the us is also saying — economics in both cases. the us is also saying they — economics in both cases. the us is also saying they do _ economics in both cases. the us is also saying they do not _ economics in both cases. the us is also saying they do not back- also saying they do not back taiwan's independence from china. in the past president biden has said

the past president biden has said the us could defend taiwan militarily if it comes to that. how much of a sticking point is this to iron out differences between both countries? ~ ., , ., countries? words matter here. the words defend _ countries? words matter here. the words defend taiwan _ countries? words matter here. the words defend taiwan don't - words defend taiwan don't necessarily mean actually sending american troops physically to fight in taiwan. under the taiwan relations act passed by congress way backin relations act passed by congress way back in 1979 when presidentjimmy carter recognised the united states sorry china is a government of the mainland. it was also stated that the us congress could authorise payments to allow taiwan to buy weapons, military and get training to defend itself. i think that's really what president biden is referring to in this case. it's a reminder to charlie that while the us is not looking to intervene military in any direct conflict any more than it is in ukraine it does still have the capacity to train and supply taiwan if it were to be unilaterally placed in a conflict

situation. in unilaterally placed in a conflict situation. . , ., ., unilaterally placed in a conflict situation. . ., ., situation. in conclusion, what are some of the _ situation. in conclusion, what are some of the major _ situation. in conclusion, what are some of the major challenges - situation. in conclusion, what are some of the major challenges we | situation. in conclusion, what are - some of the major challenges we need to be reminded of that both countries need to overcome to get relations back on track? bath relations back on track? both countries _ relations back on track? both countries need _ relations back on track? both countries need to _ relations back on track? brit? countries need to stimulate relations back on track? ifizf7ii�*u countries need to stimulate their domestic economy and to do that they need a relationship with each other. that's in terms of global supply chains but also stimulating domestic consumer demand in china, for instance goods from overseas. in the us understanding that is just not possible simply to isolate the american economy from china at 100%. the understanding that there will be more mutual engagement even if it is lower level then 25 years ago that is the key discovery that needs to be made on both sides.— be made on both sides. nipah virus, we appreciate _ be made on both sides. nipah virus, we appreciate your _ be made on both sides. nipah virus, we appreciate your time _ be made on both sides. nipah virus, we appreciate your time on - be made on both sides. nipah virus, l we appreciate your time on newsday. thank you for that perspective. —— nipah virus. a woman who claims the comedian, russell brand, raped her, has been giving more details of the alleged attack.

in an interview with the sunday times newspaper, she describes how the star asked for her forgiveness, and says she was scared of the implications for herself and herfamily, if she went to the police. the woman is one of four making allegations of sexual assault against the comedian, when he worked at channel 4, the bbc and in hollywood. russell brand denies all the allegations, and says his sexual relationships, were consensual. here's david sillito. russell brand, comedian, actor, political commentator accused of multiple sexual assaults and the rape of a woman that the programme dispatches called nadia. he is grabbing at my underwear, pulling it to the side. i'm telling him to get off me, he won't get off. i was distraught, trying to get out of the house with him being so much taller than me, like holding me up against the wall. further details have now been published about nadia reporting the incident to a rape crisis centre

and a series of text messages investigators say russell brand sent to nadia. the exchange begins with him saying, "i am sorry, i will make this up to you". and then he goes on to ask, "will you everforgive me?" it was just as these allegations first began to emerged that he arrived for a performance in london. on stage he was met by fans with cheers and a standing ovation. he has these days, millions of followers on social media... this is antiestablishment anti—authoritarian. .. where he has cast himself as a voice of dissent against mainstream media. but the catalogue of accusations and concerns about his behaviour stretch over his many years in mainstream tv and radio and the foreign secretary says it raises wider questions about the entertainment industry. i think there are some real challenges where you have these very, very acute differentials in power. whether that be in the entertainment

industry, whether that be in politics and we see this in the commercial world as well. and i think we have to be particularly careful when we listen to the voices of the people who are relatively powerless. 0nly been locked up for four days and yet already... russell brand made his name on channel 4's big brother. dispatches featured claims that staff helped pick out girls for him from the audience. it felt like we were essentially taking lambs into slaughter. channel 4 says it has no evidence that any of the alleged incidents were brought to its attention at the time. oh, no, this is andrew sachs' answer phone? and the bbc, which parted company with russell brand after a scandal over offensive voice mail messages, has also said it's making urgent inquiries. meanwhile, russell brand has issued a statement in vehemently denying all of the allegations. i was very, very promiscuous. during that time of promiscuity, the relationships i had were absolutely always consensual.

i was always transparent about that then. and to see that transparency metastasized into something criminal, that i absolutely deny, makes me question, is there another agenda at play? however, in 2020, a woman the programme called alice said a relationship had begun when she was 16 and that she'd been assaulted by brand and contacted his agent. i phoned the offices and i asked to speak to his agent. they say they now believe that they were misled by brands denials. and as his tour continues, many others are facing questions about what they were told and what did they do? we will be checking reactions to that story on the bbc. we will be checking reactions to that story on the bbc. an emergency plan of action has been laid out by the european commission president, following the arrival last week

of thousands of migrants on the italian island of lampedusa. ursula von der leyen said european countries had to tackle the migration issue together. the italian prime minister giorgia meloni said the influx to the island and to italy had to be stopped — it wasn't enough to just redistribute migrants across the eu. the bbc�*s mark lowen reports. one of europe's migration choke points is gasping. more than 8,000 arriving in lampedusa injust three days this week. the migrant centre, built to hold 400, was at ten times its capacity. congested, chaotic, some trying any futile way to get free. today, two new arrivals, rather more planned — the italian prime minister giorgia meloni and the eu president ursula von der leyen, to see for themselves the turmoil at europe's door. italy's leader is under pressure. elected with promises to curb

migration, numbers are now double the same period last year. translation: what is at stake | here is the future, the future that europe wants to set for itself, and it is very important to be able to tackle the huge, massive challenges which lie ahead for us, especially in terms of illegal immigration. the eu president offered more help from the bloc�*s border force to crack the smugglers, and more efforts to distribute migrants across europe — something several eu members have refused, prompting fears she was armed more with rhetoric than with workable solutions. migration is a european challenge and it needs a european answer and solution. it is concrete actions that will bring change on the ground. but lampedusa has repeatedly seen promises come as quickly as the migrant boats and vanish soon after, and patience here is wearing thin.

translation: as far as i'm - concerned, europe's done nothing for lampedusa so far. theyjust come here to parade. translation: we've been undergoing this extreme situation for years - and it's not fair that we continue to suffer from it. the camp is emptying out as new arrivals are transferred elsewhere, but conditions remain grim — aid agencies stretched to breaking point. face to face with the dreams of europe turning to misery, the continent's leaders will try yet again to solve it, just as countless more of the desperate will try yet again to come. mark lowen, bbc news. some breaking news... the british opposition leader, keir starmer, has promised he'll try to re—write britain's brexit deal with the european union if his labour party wins the next general election. speaking to the financial times newspaper, mr starmer said

he would make closer relations with the eu a priority to bolster britain's economic growth. he said there were improvements to be made in areas like security, innovation and research. but he's ruled out re—joining the customs union, the single market or the eu itself. around the world and across the uk. this is bbc news. bbc news, bringing you different stories from across the uk. it was only five days early on tuesday morning when the team arise. they found this window smashed at all the shelves inside stripped of almost everything that they had. with more than 80 people a week using this facility they simply have nothing left to give. look at it now. the volunteers set up an online shopping wish lists and the community set about making those wishes come true. 0ver about making those wishes come true. over the course of about two or three days we were just blown away ijy three days we were just blown away by the number of people that turned

up by the number of people that turned up to help, the number of people that came to fix the window, the number of people i came down to donate. , ,., , , number of people i came down to donate. , , ., _ donate. everybody is astounded by what everybody — donate. everybody is astounded by what everybody in _ donate. everybody is astounded by what everybody in the _ donate. everybody is astounded by what everybody in the village - donate. everybody is astounded by what everybody in the village has l what everybody in the village has done _ what everybody in the village has done it's— what everybody in the village has done. it's been absolutely amazing. the support has been fast has to come _ the support has been fast has to come from — the support has been fast has to come from young to old everybody has been absolutely fantastic. it�*s come from young to old everybody has been absolutely fantastic.— been absolutely fantastic. it's been absolutely amazing. _ been absolutely fantastic. it's been absolutely amazing. we _ been absolutely fantastic. it's been absolutely amazing. we couldn't i absolutely amazing. we couldn't believe it when we saw everything today. for believe it when we saw everything toda . ., ., believe it when we saw everything toda. ., ., ,., , ., today. for more stories from across the uk head — today. for more stories from across the uk head to _ today. for more stories from across the uk head to the _ today. for more stories from across the uk head to the bbc _ today. for more stories from across the uk head to the bbc news - today. for more stories from across i the uk head to the bbc news website. you're live with bbc news. ukraine is claiming to have recaptured another village, during its offensive in the east of the country. it says that the small village of klishchiivka, has now been cleared of occupying russian forces. the village is just a couple of miles from bakhmut, the city captured by russian forces in may after a long battle. since then, ukraine says it has been re—taking land surrounding bakhmut —

including andriivka, which it claims to have ta ken on saturday. russia has denied ukraine's claims. the area of sea—ice surrounding antarctica is well below any level previously recorded in the antarctic winter, satellite data shows. the map image shows the typical extent of sea ice at this time of year, specifically on the 14th of september. that's the yellow dotted line, but the actual extent of ice is much less than the median. and as we head into the antarctic summer, much of the existing ice will continue to melt. i'm joined now by dr t] young, lecturer in physical geography at university of st andrews. thank you for your time here on newsday. how do you react to these findings and how significant a change in levels we in? i

findings and how significant a change in levels we in? i think the findinus change in levels we in? i think the findings are _ change in levels we in? i think the findings are quite _ change in levels we in? i think the findings are quite significant - change in levels we in? i think the findings are quite significant and l findings are quite significant and of great concern to us researchers, not just of great concern to us researchers, notjust in the uk but all over the world, researchers researching cis because the amount of sea ice reduced... it acts as a natural buffer between the ocean in the solar heating from the suns rays. a reduction of that extent can result in out larger proportion of the ocean surface being heated by the sun. essentially less cis means more melting in our two antarctic 0cean. until 2016 antarctica is winter cis have been growing in size and this was a region considered to be fairly resistant to climate change what do you think are the factors that can serve it to the situation we're seeing today?— serve it to the situation we're seeing today? research is still under way _ seeing today? research is still under way until _ seeing today? research is still under way until the _ seeing today? research is still under way until the exact - under way until the exact mechanisms. if i were to hazard a guess the major driver, it would

likely be contributing to this would be a combination of the extremely warm air and be a combination of the extremely warm airand ocean be a combination of the extremely warm air and ocean temperatures that we're seeing in 2023. amplified by the continued effects of climate warming from human activity. if a double will me right there. you touched noon _ double will me right there. you touched upon this _ double will me right there. you touched upon this briefly in your first answer but i want a little more detail on this, polar experts have warned that in unstable antarctic could have far—reaching consequences. how boring is this and what is likely to be the long—term global impact? what is likely to be the long-term global impact?— global impact? essentially, the reduced sea — global impact? essentially, the reduced sea ice _ global impact? essentially, the reduced sea ice cover - global impact? essentially, the reduced sea ice cover leads - global impact? essentially, the reduced sea ice cover leads to l global impact? essentially, the - reduced sea ice cover leads to more heat entering the ocean then if the trends were to continue we would perhaps see a potential ice free winter as well as the summer. the ice is supposed to act as a natural barrier between the sun and the

ocean. this continued warming of the water it will be a lot harder to create new eyes. because warm water just won't freeze in general. i5 just won't freeze in general. is there anything that can be done? what are researchers seeing? we would expect warm air and ocean temperatures as well as human activity that contribute to climate change, the only thing we can control is the human activity portion of that. if we wanted to do something about it we would have to address the extent of human activities that are contributing to this global warming. brute activities that are contributing to this global warming. we appreciate our time this global warming. we appreciate your time here _ this global warming. we appreciate your time here on _ this global warming. we appreciate your time here on newsday. - this global warming. we appreciate your time here on newsday. thank| this global warming. we appreciate - your time here on newsday. thank you for helping us understand the situation as it stands. let's take a look at some other stories in the headlines. north korea's kimjong—un has left russia, after a six day visit, making a final stop in the far

eastern city of vladivostok. he's making the journey back to pyongyang in his armoured train — and is not expected to arrive until later on monday. the united nations says at least 11,000 people are dead and another 10,000 are missing, a week after two dams collapsed in northeastern libya during a powerful storm. it caused flooding that swept whole neighbourhoods out to sea. one of the hardest hit areas is the city of derna, where there's no electricity or clean water, but international aid is slowly beginning to get through. public gatherings have been curbed in the southern indian state of kerala, as authorities try to contain a rare outbreak of the nipah virus. they have also closed some schools in the state. the virus usually spreads to humans from animals or through contaminated food, but it can also be transmitted directly between people. now what do a collection of tombs in south korea,

a town in india and a viking fortress in denmark have in common? they are amongst the latest places to be added to the united nations list of world heritage sites. 0ur reporter nicky schiller is in the newsroom with more. some of the world famous places that are world heritage sites include the great barrier reef. there's the taj mahal, the pyramids of giza, and indeed the great wall of china. now, globally, there are over 1170 sites in more than 165 countries. but the united nations cultural body unesco's meets each year to consider adding to this list. member countries get to nominate places. now this time, 50 sites were nominated to make the list. a site has to be cultural and natural heritage from around the world, considered to be of outstanding value to humanity. so what places were added this time?

well, amongst them was this — a prehistoric site in the occupied west bank. tel san is nearjericho. it contains evidence of human activity dating back more than 10,000 years. now palestinians claim it's the world's oldest continually inhabited settlement. this town in west bengal is also on the list. india had been working for years to get it, added. prime minister narendra modi tweeted that he was delighted and that it was a proud moment for all indians. this collection of ancient tomb clusters in south korea, which date back to the fourth and fifth centuries, has also been added. now, the united nations said it showed a diversity of ancient civilisations in east asia. also making the list, a viking age ring fortress. in denmark, there was a tenth century temple complex in the north cambodianjungle and indeed a bronze age site in mongolia. now, globally, it's italy that has the most listed sites like here in venice. that is followed by china.

now, the united nations hopes by adding places to the list, it helps protect them for future generations. us actress drew barrymore has paused the new season of her tv talk show. it follows a backlash against her decision to resume filming during the ongoing hollywood writers strike. many on social media suggested she was not standing in solidarity with the cause. she issued a tearful on—camera apology for continuing her cbs talk show "the drew barrymore show" — which was due to return to screens on monday. i deeply apologise to writers. i deeply apologise to unions. i deeply apologise... i don't exactly know what to say because sometimes when things

are so tough it's hard to make decisions from that place. so all i can say is... that i wanted to accept responsibility. carlos sainz has won the singapore grand prix, ending formula one leader max verstappen's record run of ten wins in a row. it was close though, with sainz only 0.81 seconds clear at the chequered flag. mclaren's lando norris and mercedes' lewis hamilton completed the top three, as red bull were swept off the podium for the first time since last november's brazilian grand prix. yeah, an incredible feeling, incredible weekend. making this huge effort to turn around and managed to win this season after a tricky

beginning, now, we're nailed the weekend and we nailed the race, we did everything that we had to do with it perfect and we brought home that ferrari is going to be happy today. and in tennis — in the davis cup — great britain came out on top in their winner takes all tie against france. the match was tied going into the deciding doubles — after a victory for dan evans, and defeat for cameron norrie. dan then teamed up with neil skupp—ski, with neil skuppski, and the pair had to come from a set down to take their match — winning the tie break in the third set. the victory puts great britain into the last eight for the finals, which will be played in malaga in spain in november. before we go — some reassuring news for residents in china where authorities have managed to re—capture 66 crocodiles after five days of them being on the loose. they had escaped from a farm that was hit by torrential downpours in guangdong province.

the flood waters caused part of the crocodile enclosure to collapse and the reptiles managed to escape through two gaps. residents within a five kilometre radius had been warned not to go into the water. five crocodiles though still remain unaccounted for. that's all for now — stay with bbc news. hello. it is shaping up to be a very unsettled and autumnal week of weather with some strong winds and some heavy rain. and talking of heavy rain on sunday, parts of south west england had localised flash flooding because of some really intense downpours and thunderstorms that drifted up from the south. you can see the shower clouds there on our earlier satellite picture. we've also got a couple of different frontal systems pushing in from the west. so whichever way you slice

it, quite a wet start to monday for many of us. still some hefty showers across parts of eastern england first thing. then here comes our band of rain, some particularly wet weather across parts of scotland. behind our rain bands, we see a mixture of sunny spells and showers. some of those could be on the heavy side. and also behind our rain band, a cooler, fresherfeel. so temperatures north to south, 13 to 20 degrees. so cool and fresh as we head into monday night, some clear spells, still some showers. and then here comes our next weather system, a zone of cloud and outbreaks of heavy rain across northern ireland, south west scotland, northwest england, parts of wales. turning very mild down towards the south west, rather chilly across north eastern parts of scotland. so here comes our next frontal system for tuesday that is going to bring some heavy bursts of rain, particularly wet, i think over high ground in southwest scotland, northwest england and parts of wales. to the south of that, some patchy rain and a fair amount of cloud.

but it is going to be windy, particularly for england, wales, northern ireland. inland spots could see gusts of 50 miles per hour. around some of the coasts the winds could be a little bit stronger than that. temperature wise, well we could get to 20 or 21 degrees if the cloud breaks at all eown towards the south of england and south wales. tuesday night into wednesday, we see all these white lines, all these isobars on the chart, that shows us that it is going to be windy still, windy on wednesday, particularlyjust ahead of this band of cloud and rain, this cold front which will be pushing its way southwards and eastwards through the day. to the north and west of that, well, we see a mix of sunny spells and showers returning — temperatures of 1a to 22 degrees. for the end of the week it does stay very unsettled showers or longer spells of rain and it will often be windy, particularly in the northwest of the uk

as we head into next weekend.

welcome to hardtalk, i'm stephen sackur. are the machines about to take over? that basic fear seems to underpin much of the discussion about artificial intelligence, and parallel developments such

as synthetic biology. the latest wave of tech advances offers us extraordinary new possibilities, but do we flawed human beings have the will and the means to contain and control them? well, my guest is mustafa suleyman, ceo of inflection ai and the author of a challenging book on al and us. is that a doomed relationship? mustafa suleyman, welcome to hardtalk. thanks for having me.

it's a great pleasure to have you here.