syrian rebels are reportedly approaching the capital of damascus, as president assad's office denies reports he's already fled the south korea's president avoids impeachment over his brief declaration of martial law — but questions remain over his future and paris's notre dame cathedral is reborn, with world leaders including donald trump and volodymyr zelensky marking the moment. hello, i'm helena humphrey. the syrian army says it's boosting the deployment of forces around damascus, as rebel fighters continue their advance on the capital from the north and the south. the government of president bashar al—assad says reports the army had withdrawn from areas around the city are untrue. rebel forces are rapidly moving south from towards damascus

from aleppo and from the key strategic crossroads of homs, which appears to have fallen to opposition forces in the past few hour. other rebel factions are converging on the capital from the south, where they've taken over the province of daraa. but there are signs that the regime's control over its capital is slipping: this footage from the suburbs of damascus shows protesters toppling a statue of president bashar al—assad's late father, hafez, who founded the ruling dynasty. our security correspondent, frank gardner, has the latest. they think they've won already. these are syrian rebels in the south of the country, in daraa, part of a pincer movement that is closing in on the capital, damascus. more celebrations today in the north, in the city of hama. the rebels' advance across the country has been lightning fast. and outside the strategically vital city of homs, islamist led rebels are streaming towards the city centre, reportedly freeing hundreds from the prison there.

of syria's president bashar al—assad, there is little sign. this does now feel like the dying days of the al—assad regime. a family dynasty that has held syria within its brutal grasp for more than half a century. but where is the syrian army in all of this, because they mostly seem to be surrendering or defecting? but tonight, syrian state television did put out a video with the impression that the al—assad regime is still very much in charge. the reality is, syria's army is weak, without enough support from russia, iran and hezbollah, it's been unable to hold back the rebels. we do have some pictures of the syrian army. here they are today crossing the border into iraq, to get away from the fighting. assad had really been absent and this tells you a great deal about psychological warfare.

it seems to me that the opposition has already won because they have really won the psychological warfare against the regime itself and the syrian army does not really seem to be standing up. bashar al—assad was last seen on sunday, meeting his backers from iran. but that country has been weakened by conflict with israel and can no longer give him the support he needs. the assad regime has murdered, gassed and tortured thousands of its own people. but a big question now hangs over what comes next. as his rule crumbles around him, many fear what could follow for syria. frank gardner, bbc news. as bashar al—assad's fate hangs in the balance, the un's envoy for syria has told the bbc a negotiated solution is still possible — and that a deal is necessary to avoid bloodshed and chaos. geir pederson was speaking in qatar's capital doha, where diplomats are holding emergency talks.

key regional players, including saudi arabia, egypt, turkey, jordan, iran and iraq were in attendance, along with russia's foreign minister, sergei lavrov. joining me live is broderick mcdonald, associate fellow at kings college london. welcome to you, good to have in the programme. the view from the united states from various officials is that damascus could fall. i know to have sources there underground, what are you hearing from them was to mark? ,., ., ., ~ are you hearing from them was to mark? h, ., . ~' i., mark? good evening, thank you, the situation in — mark? good evening, thank you, the situation in damascus _ mark? good evening, thank you, the situation in damascus is _ mark? good evening, thank you, the situation in damascus is tense, - situation in damascus is tense, shops have been closed all day, people are emergency buying food and staying close to their families and homes because nobody knows exactly what is happening next, but we do know that the regime has pulled back everything it ties to the capital, so they have taken troops from the south and other regions, but everything around the damascus

outskirts, really trying to reinforce and hold on to what they have there. reinforce and hold on to what they have there-— have there. talking about all of this, the dynamics _ have there. talking about all of this, the dynamics have - have there. talking about all of this, the dynamics have shifted geopolitically, very much in the past decade, even in recent russia and iran bogged down in their own affairs, what do you think the chances are no of them up in the anti—, ortrying chances are no of them up in the anti—, or trying to drive the others back and support their ally? i anti-, or trying to drive the others back and support their ally? i think it's too late- _ back and support their ally? i think it's too late. iran _ back and support their ally? i think it's too late. iran and _ back and support their ally? i think it's too late. iran and russia - back and support their ally? i think it's too late. iran and russia were l it's too late. iran and russia were too slow getting started in this offensive, they failed to stop or really intervene seriously when the rebels took aleppo, which is the second largest city in syria, and though we saw once engagement once they reached homs though we saw once engagement once they reached horns and hama, no the what were seen from the riverside

from hds and from the south, is too serious for any extra country to come in and put a stop to that. beyond that, we also see question marks as to whether or not iran or russia are willing or able to support their ally this time, they have popped up president assad for years, but it. cc in certain they are unable to do that at this time. if damascus falls and we see a regime on the way outs, you mentioned there speaking to syrians underground who are anxious today, what do you think this does for civilians? �* , ,., ~' what do you think this does for civilians? �* , ,., ~ ., what do you think this does for civilians? �* , ., . ., civilians? i've spoken to civilian -- syrian _ civilians? i've spoken to civilian -- syrian friends _ civilians? i've spoken to civilian -- syrian friends and _ civilians? i've spoken to civilian | -- syrian friends and colleagues —— syrian friends and colleagues today and that the overwhelming senseis today and that the overwhelming sense is a mixture of pleasure or happiness to see the side regime, which is bombed and tortured and present syrian civilians for 14 years since this conflict began, but

also a serious sense of concern about what comes next. there are significant questions about hds, which is leading the northern offensive, designated a rebel group by the united nations and others, and we don't know what the future of cereal will let let cereal with it like if this group comes to power or any coalition that takes place after this. in any coalition that takes place after this. ., , this. in the future of president aside as well, _ this. in the future of president aside as well, one _ this. in the future of president aside as well, one might - this. in the future of president i aside as well, one might imagine authorities aren't insane he remains in the country, but where he to leave or flee, in the country, but where he to leave orflee, do in the country, but where he to leave or flee, do you have any sense of where he might go, countries, for example, which might be friendlier to him? , ., , example, which might be friendlier to him? , . , ., , ., to him? they have been rumours about iran, to him? they have been rumours about iran. perhaps — to him? they have been rumours about iran, perhaps moscow, _ to him? they have been rumours about iran, perhaps moscow, perhaps - to him? they have been rumours about iran, perhaps moscow, perhaps the - iran, perhaps moscow, perhaps the uae, we know there have been back channel unicode —— communications with these countries in the last few days and hours, but at this point, resident aside does not have many

options and is also the chance he may try to hold on or stay within the coastal region where he has always been strong always his traditional heartland, but we will see, the next few days and hours for the first bucket ridging are critical and he is running out of options diplomatically and militarily and politically. talking about those _ militarily and politically. talking about those options, _ militarily and politically. talking about those options, you - militarily and politically. talking about those options, you say i militarily and politically. talkingi about those options, you say he militarily and politically. talking i about those options, you say he is running out of them diplomatically, do you think there's any prospect for negotiations, and i want to ask to what extent do you think the us could still be invested compared to a decade ago when of course we are not waiting for a change in administration was to mark? we have seen desperate _ administration was to mark? we have seen desperate moves _ administration was to mark? we have seen desperate moves by _ administration was to mark? we have seen desperate moves by the - administration was to mark? we have seen desperate moves by the first - seen desperate moves by the first michael regina in the last few hours reaching out to an allegedly us politicians and others in europe to try to negotiate some sort of deal or put settlements before ings get even worse for them, but i think the likelihood of this is extremely

unlikely. while president trump may be different from biden, he puts out a statement today saying your us should leave it syria alone and not engage with it, not to mention the trump administration will not come into powerfor a good month and a half yet, so we do not see many options for the assad regime in europe or the us, and within the region, he is diplomatically isolated and opposed by arabs and populations right across the middle east, so it is difficult to see how any of these the poetic efforts could make any difference at this point. could make any difference at this oint. �* ., x' could make any difference at this oint. �* ., a ., ., point. broderick mcdonald, good to have our point. broderick mcdonald, good to have your perspective, _ point. broderick mcdonald, good to have your perspective, thank - point. broderick mcdonald, good to have your perspective, thank you i point. broderick mcdonald, good to l have your perspective, thank you for being with us. south korea's opposition mps have vowed to continue pushing for the impeachment of the country's president after he survived an attempt to oust him by just a handful of votes. tens of thousands of people

had gathered outside the country's parliament, calling on president yoon suk yeol to resign. he declared martial law earlier this week — only to reverse just a few hours later amid widspread public and political outrage. our correspondent, laura bicker reports pop music plays. mass protests can feel like pop concerts in korea, even when they're calling for the impeachment of a president. young and young—at—heart sung together, united in the hope that yoon suk yeol will be removed. the president suddenly declared martial law late on tuesday night and the country's elected politicians were forced to battle their own military to overturn it. today, he said sorry to try to save his career. translation: i sincerely apologise to the citizens who were likely - alarmed and disturbed

by these events. the crowds still cried for his removal. but soon, they realised the president's own party would not vote to impeach him, and the singing stopped. translation: what i believed and thought as democracy - and freedom, it all collapsed in a single moment. i'm very angry. now is the time for each person to rise and come out here with us. the lawmakers, they should represent the people, not the president. and we are very angry. we are very upset. we are not going to back down until he is impeached. in contrast to the crowded streets, the seats of the ruling party sat empty as they boycotted the vote. all efforts to get them to return were in vain. this was not the result that they were hoping for.

president yoon might think that he can stay on for another two years as a lame duck president, or his party might think of other ways to get rid of him, but south koreans have proved themselves to be resilient and determined protesters and these demonstrations are only going to get louder and larger. with one last plea, the crowd pushed forward towards the parliament gates. calling on mps to get back inside and vote. the people of south korea are now challenging the politicians. and disconsolate but defiant, they have vowed to return. laura bicker, bbc news, seoul. joining me now is troy stangarone, deputy director of the indo—pacific programme at the wilson centre. thank you forjoining us this

evening. so, we have seen note that president survived that impeachment vote, what comes next? right president survived that impeachment vote, what comes next?— vote, what comes next? right now, his -a vote, what comes next? right now, his party is — vote, what comes next? right now, his party is trying — vote, what comes next? right now, his party is trying to _ vote, what comes next? right now, his party is trying to find _ vote, what comes next? right now, his party is trying to find an - his party is trying to find an alternative to impeachment. about eight years ago to this date, another president also of their party was impeached, and they're trying to find an alternative solution, likely his resignation, but that is against his character, so the next thing is likely to be an impeachment vote on wednesday. what impeachment vote on wednesday. what do ou think impeachment vote on wednesday. what do you think the — impeachment vote on wednesday. what do you think the likelihood of that coming to pass, him being impeached in that particular vote? i coming to pass, him being impeached in that particular vote?— in that particular vote? i think this is the _ in that particular vote? i think this is the difficulty _ in that particular vote? i think this is the difficulty that - in that particular vote? i think this is the difficulty that party| this is the difficulty that party faces, the opposition party can get you to bring impeachment votes against president yoon suk yeol, public dissent will likely build on them so it's difficult to see how long they can last against such a vote if he doesn't resign. we see --eole vote if he doesn't resign. we see people taking — vote if he doesn't resign. we see people taking to _ vote if he doesn't resign. we see people taking to the _ vote if he doesn't resign. we see people taking to the streets, - people taking to the streets, particularly the younger generation, we heard the president apologised

last night to the public, you think that would be enough to eventually quell their anger, that would be enough to eventually quell theiranger, how that would be enough to eventually quell their anger, how long do you think they can continue to apply that pressure, those protests was to mark? ii that pressure, those protests was to mark? ., . ~' that pressure, those protests was to mark? ., . ~ ., ~ ., mark? if we go back to the park and hate impeachment, _ mark? if we go back to the park and hate impeachment, they _ mark? if we go back to the park and hate impeachment, they enfolded i mark? if we go back to the park and i hate impeachment, they enfolded over weeks, it took place during the winter, i don't think weather will be an issue here, and was seen pulling suggests that 75% of the public leaves the president should be impeached, so this is something, given the gravity of the situation, the declaration of martial law for this first time since south korea became a democracy will be taken we on this process —— process and drive it out —— the public out. on this process -- process and drive it out -- the public out.— it out -- the public out. certainly that declaration _ it out -- the public out. certainly that declaration of _ it out -- the public out. certainly that declaration of martial- it out -- the public out. certainly that declaration of martial law i it out -- the public out. certainly. that declaration of martial law was an extraordinary event in of audit itself, what you think that is revealed about presidents grip on power, has revealed about his brand of leadership? he

power, has revealed about his brand of leadership?— of leadership? he has difficulties 'ust in of leadership? he has difficulties just in dealing — of leadership? he has difficulties just in dealing with _ of leadership? he has difficulties just in dealing with the _ of leadership? he has difficulties just in dealing with the national. just in dealing with the national assembly. we have seen 22 of his office, or his cabinet, attempted to be impeached, and now the challenge here for the president is that he has also not taken or trying to engage with the national assembly, to find some copper mines, so what we have seen is blockages of bills at the national assembly, the budget was a major issue here right now, and what we have seen is a president who rather than try to compromise and find a way forward, he has been obstinate. what we sow with the declaration of martial law, even though it was brief, it was his effort or ditch effort to try to enforce his will on the assembly rather than reach a compromise, which brought us to this point. itruiith which brought us to this point. with the e es of which brought us to this point. with the eyes of the _ which brought us to this point. with the eyes of the world watching this, what do you think this battle of leadership means at a time when we are witnessing geopolitical instability, of course, you will have north korea watching, does it expose our open south korea to further risks?—

expose our open south korea to further risks? ., ., ., _ further risks? from a foreign policy perspective. _ further risks? from a foreign policy perspective. i _ further risks? from a foreign policy perspective, i don't _ further risks? from a foreign policy perspective, i don't know— further risks? from a foreign policy perspective, i don't know if- further risks? from a foreign policy perspective, i don't know if this i perspective, i don't know if this could have been more poorly timed. your point to where the trump administered shall be coming office in about one month and half, lots of demands that the trump administration may have in terms of trade and national defence and bird —— burden sharing, and you have this deepmind relationship between north korea and russia, and what we are likely to see, if president yoon suk yeol survives, it's a weakened president who will be unable to really engage internationally on theseissues really engage internationally on these issues effectively, and if he does not survive or is impeached and resigns, south korea will go through a period of political vacuum where you will have an acting president, why the court determines if the president impeachment charges were valid, if he is impeached, or if you resigns, they were going to a 60 day election, so either we there will be a vacuum at the critical foreign policy point.

a vacuum at the critical foreign policy point-— a vacuum at the critical foreign oli oint. ,, ., ., ., ., ~' policy point. troy stangarone thank ou for policy point. troy stangarone thank you for being _ policy point. troy stangarone thank you for being with _ policy point. troy stangarone thank you for being with us. _ two people have been killed by falling trees as storm darragh brings severe weather to parts of the uk. 200,000 homes are without power, mainly in wales and northern ireland. a wind gust of 93mph was recorded this morning in wales. and there's been travel disruption across rail networks and at airports. our wales correspondent hywel griffith reports. damage and disruption in the wake of storm darragh. after standing strong for almost 150 years, llandudno's pier couldn't cope with hurricane—force gusts of wind. we got up this morning to, like everybody else, a nightmare, really. and to see the damage and how rough the weather has been has really shocked us. it's heart—wrenching. overnight, roofs were ripped off. the hope is that something can

be salvaged from this chapel near newtown. fallen trees, closed railway lines and roads. here in lancashire, one claimed the life of a driver in his 40s. a second motorist was killed in birmingham this afternoon. in swansea, the occupants of this car were fortunate to get out unscathed. flights were cancelled. those already in the air were in for a bumpy landing. the winds may have eased, but the risks from storm darragh remain persistent. rain has triggered flood warnings right across wales. falling on already saturated ground, the fear is that river levels will rise quickly. cars were close to being submerged as the river wye burst its banks. tonight, flood warnings remain in place.

thousands of people are still without power. it looks like the worst part is over but there is still very, very high winds, more rain to come, and people should be very, very careful. as the fourth named storm of the season keeps sweeping through, people around the country are left to count the cost. hywel griffith, bbc news, cardiff. five years after a devastating fire ripped through notre dame cathedral in paris, it reopened in a lavish restoration ceremony on saturday evening. the colossal project — costing more than $700 million — has been completed broadly in the timeframe promised by french president emmanuel macron. world leaders descended on paris to mark the reopening. us president—elect donald trump and ukraine's president volodymyr zelensky were there, meeting with mr macron ahead of the ceremony. representing the united kingdom

was prince william — who also met with the us president elect. our paris correspondent andrew harding has more on the momentous night. cathedral bells toll. the famous bells ring out once more. then three knocks at the cathedral door, and notre—dame is officially reopened. some would say reborn. inside, no hint of the fire's damage. instead, gleaming limestone and a host of vips. prince william is here, alone, to represent the united kingdom, greeting donald trump, who seemed close to arm wrestling the french president, emmanuel macron. applause inside for the firemen who tackled the blaze and saved much of the building. and a french "thank you" projected on the outside. president macron, weakened politically these days, sought to inspire and to unite.

translation: we have rediscovered what great nations can accomplish - l to achieve the impossible. this cathedral has shown us what a nation is and what the world should be. it was late on 15th april 2019 that notre—dame caught fire. an inferno spread, a watching world gasping as the famous spire collapsed. but the work of 2,000 craftsmen and women, a flood of donations and a strict deadline have brought france's most beloved building back to life. before tonight's ceremony, time for a short meeting between macron, trump and ukraine's embattled leader volodymyr zelensky. it certainly seems like the world is going a little crazy right now, and we'll be talking about that. but the focus tonight was on one building that has weathered centuries of storms and has

re—emerged, looking and sounding perhaps even better than new. joining me live now is professor emerita at duke university, caroline bruzelius. thank you for being with us on this momentous evening. ijust want thank you for being with us on this momentous evening. i just want to begin by getting your reaction to the reopening and at some of those spectacular scenes we saw today. by, spectacular scenes we saw today. great day for france, i must say, the reconstruction is beautiful, the cleaning of the cathedral takes it back to it hundred and 50 years ago when it was newly built, so we have an amazing opportunity to see the building fresh again. it's great. it's fresh and gleaming and sparkling, how long will it stay that way? sparkling, how long will it stay that wa ? , ., , ., i: i: i: i: that way? they are estimated 40,000 visitors a day. — that way? they are estimated 40,000 visitors a day, which, _ that way? they are estimated 40,000 visitors a day, which, of _ that way? they are estimated 40,000 visitors a day, which, of course, i visitors a day, which, of course, will bring in some degree of dirt. i

don't know, but if i were you, i would go soon. flit don't know, but if i were you, i would go soon.— don't know, but if i were you, i would no soon. , i. would go soon. of course, you were affiliated with _ would go soon. of course, you were affiliated with the _ would go soon. of course, you were affiliated with the stone _ would go soon. of course, you were affiliated with the stone and - would go soon. of course, you were affiliated with the stone and mortar| affiliated with the stone and mortar group working on the building, talk to us about much of a challenge this was, the restoration, the repair work, and as you say, it's essentially getting it it's looking this way. essentially getting it it's looking this wa . ., ., essentially getting it it's looking thiswa. ., ., ., , ., this way. you have to remember that the entire interior _ this way. you have to remember that the entire interior was _ this way. you have to remember that the entire interior was covered i this way. you have to remember that the entire interior was covered with l the entire interior was covered with dust from the lead roof, which was very dangerous, so everybody going into the building had to wear hazmat, and for scholars like myself, however, in spite of wearing all that gear, to be able to climb up all that gear, to be able to climb up a scaffolding and go all the way up up a scaffolding and go all the way up to the height of the votes and up and down the length of the building, we could see things, especially because they were cleaning the building so wonderfully, that we

could never seen before. at the high parts of the building. so we now have so much more information about the construction of the cathedral, the construction of the cathedral, the groups of workers, not only nobodies, of course, but back in the 12th century when we have no documents, when notre dame was begun, no text survive about the beginning of the construction nor about the labour force, but we can tell a lot no from mason's marks and chisel marks, we can really tell a story about the cathedral that is much more detailed than anything we could see before. that much more detailed than anything we could see before.— could see before. that is fascinating, _ could see before. that is fascinating, what - could see before. that is fascinating, what is i could see before. that is fascinating, what is one | could see before. that is i fascinating, what is one of the facts that you find a that really stands out to you that you did not know before? {line stands out to you that you did not know before?— know before? one thing that the stone and mortar— know before? one thing that the stone and mortar team - know before? one thing that the stone and mortar team find i know before? one thing that the stone and mortar team find out. know before? one thing that the i stone and mortar team find out about was the mason's marks. we now have something like people, groups of people, coming in with improved mental and chisels and so on

overtime, so we can really read the story of the building. and speaking of metal, another new marvellous piece of information is the integration of metal into the construction of this cathedral. mental claims were integrated everywhere, starting in about 1170 or so, and that is exciting or new information. or so, and that is exciting or new information-— information. and briefly if you don't mind. — information. and briefly if you don't mind, just _ information. and briefly if you don't mind, just wrapping i information. and briefly if you don't mind, just wrapping up | information. and briefly if you i don't mind, just wrapping up the programme, what do you think the status us about the fact that so many people have been riveted on this cathedral, what does it mean to the world? i this cathedral, what does it mean to the world? ~ �* , this cathedral, what does it mean to the world? ~ �*, ., , ., the world? i think it's a message of ho e. the world? i think it's a message of hoe. i the world? i think it's a message of hope- i think _ the world? i think it's a message of hope. i think it's _ the world? i think it's a message of hope. i think it's a _ the world? i think it's a message of hope. i think it's a message - the world? i think it's a message of hope. i think it's a message that i hope. i think it's a message that things can get done and marvelously well if we all end of our backs to the task. it's a lovely story, and it's a great competent defence. it is a great message, caroline bruzelius, thank you for being with us on bbc news, more at the top of the hour, jamie than if you can.

goodbye. hello there. storm darragh has continued to pull out, now weakened as it moves into the near continent. however, it's brought a swathe of disruption across parts of the country, with damaging gusts of wind. part two of the weekend does look better — although it will stay very windy, we should see some sunshine across northern and western areas, and it won't be quite as windy as what we've had through friday night and saturday. however, the winds could still cause some travel disruption, particularly for the channel ferry crossing, so just stay abreast of the weather forecast and keep up to date with your latest local radio stations. you can see the system, then, pushing across the near content, sitting over the low countries. still lots of isobars on the chart, so sunday will be a very windy day, especially so across more eastern and southeast areas in towards the channel islands with gales here, further cloud and showery rain. wintry showers affecting northern scotland, but more in the way of brightness for western parts of the country — for northern ireland, wales, perhaps into western england. but when you factor in that cold northerly wind, it's going to feel cold wherever you are, with temperatures through the day ranging

from around 5—9 celsius. so it stays blustery through sunday evening and sunday night across large parts of england and wales, south east scotland, especially strong towards the south east into the channel islands, where we'll have further showers here. further north, though, high pressure begins to topple in. so for monday morning, it's going to be a cold start for scotland, northern ireland, with clearer skies here, light winds, some frost and some ice. a little less cold further south and east because we'll have more cloud around and more of a breeze. but you can see the remnants of storm darragh pretty much fizzling out at this point, so we'll have more of a breeze again across the southeast corner, though nowhere near as windy as it has been. the further north and west that you head, closer to the high pressure, the winds will be much lighter with widespread sunshine here after that cold and frosty start. temperatures struggling to get much above three degrees, perhaps, through the central belt of scotland — further south, we're looking at 7—9 celsius. but as we move deeper into the week, this area of high pressure

dominates the scene, sitting across the uk, bringing very light winds and settled weather — quite a difference to what we've had at the weekend. it does mean, though, it will turn quite chilly, and with that benign air mass with very little wind, we could see quite a bit of cloud at times, too. where skies clear at night, we're likely to see a return to some frost and some fog. that's it from me. take care.

this is bbc news. we'll have the headlines for you at the top of the hour, which is straight after this programme. hello and welcome to talking business. here's what's on the programme this week: trump taxes and tariffs — hello and welcome to talking business. here's what's on the programme this week: trump taxes and tariffs — donald trump talks tough on trade. we'll assess what his second stint could mean for the global economy as he promises new tariffs on overseas imports. the incoming us president has mexico and canada in his sights, as well as long—standing foe china, so what will new tariffs mean for trade with the world's largest economy? i'll discuss all of this with these two — former chief economist at the international monetary fund will tell me the impact that new tariffs could have on inflation and how governments around the world may deal with a us president that's vowed to put america first. and i'll speak to the head of the american chamber of commerce in china. it represents hundreds of companies,

including boeing, nike and facebook. he tells me how his members are adapting to manage