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 the fallout of further tariffs. plus, finding the sweet spot — the boss of britain's tate & lyle tells us how the company's turned its back on sugar to focus its science on feeding the world's growing population. wherever you're watching, welcome to the programme. now, donald trump hasn't even been sworn in as us president, but he's already got the global economy in a spin. he's promised to start imposing new tariffs or import taxes on his first day in office. that's the 20th of january next year. he'll focus first on the three countries america does most trade with — china, canada and mexico. but businesses and consumers all over the world will likely feel the impact.

when it comes to goods, last year, mexico was america's biggest trading partner with nearly $800 billion worth of stuff crossing the border in both directions. it was followed closely by canada and then china. for america's two neighbours, mexico and canada, president trump says he'll impose a 25% tariff on what they sell to the us. for china, he's pledged an additional 10% tariff above any additional tariffs on what it sells to the world's biggest economy. according to mr trump's social media posts, the tariffs are part of an effort to crack down on illegal migrants and drugs entering the united states. and for other countries, it's about making sure

as well as protecting american jobs and technology. well, trump's first—term tariffs led to many big companies like apple, dell and nike moving some of their manufacturing to countries that wouldn't attract tariffs. but what are the implications of mr trump's new proposals? well, we'll hearfrom businesses in canada in a moment, but first, here's the view from china. translation: if the tariff is higher for chinese businesses like us, - maybe we have to raise our prices, so when the products sell there, the prices will go up too. hopefully it won't have too much impact on these small products. translation: we can't do too much about this problem. - we can try to increase some exports to other countries. for example the middle east, africa, south america and russia, and also southeast asian countries. if you're not able to do it, you have no other way out. i hope that this won't happen - so we can keep doing business more easily with our neighbours. now, is it going to be like... ..it�*s going to have a snowball effect on everybody? to be honest, i'm not sure. i hope not. so what are those potential snowball effects? well, us inflation is currently 2.6%, but the tariffs could push it

up to 3.5% next year as goods get more expensive. that's according to wall street bank goldman sachs. interest rates are currently set at a range of 4.5%—4.75%, but if inflation goes up, so too might the cost of borrowing. that would reduce the spending power of consumers, in turn stifling economic growth. well, governments around the world who often borrow in dollars would also end up spending more on interest payments, leaving them with less to spend on other stuff. well, mexico's president has been reflecting on her conversation with donald trump a few days after he made his tariff threat. translation: from our point of view, there are going to be other— conversations between now and when he takes office between the teams because the important thing was to address the argument he made for which he would be imposing tariffs. there will be no potential tariff war. translation: china's stance of opposing unilateral tariff i increases has been consistent. imposing tariffs arbitrarily on trade partners cannot solve problems within the united states itself.

if trump opens a new trade war, starting putting tariffs _ to everybody, it's not going to help the world economy. _ it's going to create difficulties to everyone, starting - with the americans themselves. so where could it all leave the global economy? well, growth in many places remains fragile after the pandemic, the war in ukraine and stubbornly high inflation, so could the promised tariffs derail the recovery? well, i've been speaking to a former economic adviser to president 0bama, who was also chief economist at the international monetary fund. he's now with the washington think tank the peterson institute for international economics. maurice 0bstfeld, good to have

you on the programme. and we're talking about what these promised tariffs from donald trump could mean for the global economy. what is your assessment of the impact they could have, notjust in the united states but around the world? well, for the united states, the tariffs would clearly be inflationary. i think they would also be contractionary because if they are, as promised, levied on intermediate goods that are used as inputs to production, those would raise costs and lower business profits, hurting investment, but they would also have a very

goods flow across borders. the goal was for the , . ,,., ., goods flow across borders. the goal wasforthe . ., , was for the predecessor to establish a aood was for the predecessor to establish a good market _ was for the predecessor to establish a good market. it _ was for the predecessor to establish a good market. it depends - was for the predecessor to establish a good market. it depends on - was for the predecessor to establish a good market. it depends on the i a good market. it depends on the supply chain that is spread across the three countries. if you disrupt that chain, your massive distractions in the market. white this is just about protecting the us economy, is annette? it's about bringing jobs back to the united states? i bringing “obs back to the united states? ., , .., bringing “obs back to the united

states? ., , ., states? i he does care other migration — states? i he does care other migration drug _ states? i he does care other migration drug issues. - states? i he does care other migration drug issues. i - states? i he does care other migration drug issues. ijustj states? i he does care other- migration drug issues. ijust wish used actual power as a way of extruding great partners more broadly. they're the central players with 100 plus tariffs. there obviously is an agenda bringing manufacturing back to the us and the gender refusing i don't think present from feels he will or will need to be restricted freezing tariffs for economic goals. critics would say the — tariffs for economic goals. critics would say the timing _ tariffs for economic goals. critics would say the timing could - tariffs for economic goals. critics would say the timing could be i tariffs for economic goals. critics - would say the timing could be works. just as the economy is starting to

get back on his feet, after several still really high inflation, what do these tariffs mean for the global economic recovery. is there a risk of this actually derails that fragile recovery you seen her in the world. ~ , ., , world. well, we see china struggling no all the world. well, we see china struggling go all the america _ world. well, we see china struggling go all the america struggling, - world. well, we see china struggling go all the america struggling, we . go all the america struggling, we see caesar struggling, he was not doing so well. introducing these types could be harmful to growth, could throw the world into recession. the us with stronger growth is better positioned with the effects tells of the nashville be

affected. this is not strategy for an economy where they definitely fragility �*s that could be exacerbated by this policy. fragility 's that could be exacerbated by this policy. you've been there- _ exacerbated by this policy. you've been there. you _ exacerbated by this policy. you've been there. you talk _ exacerbated by this policy. you've been there. you talk to _ exacerbated by this policy. you've been there. you talk to obama i been there. you talk to obama telling him how much... how much you think the incoming presidency will have, how much thought they will have, how much thought they will have given. is this purely put american first and hell everyone else. it american first and hell everyone else. . , american first and hell everyone else. , , american first and hell everyone else. . , , . american first and hell everyone else. , ., , american first and hell everyone else. ._ , ., , ., american first and hell everyone else. , ., , ., , else. it may be that this threat is rimaril else. it may be that this threat is primarily meant _ else. it may be that this threat is primarily meant as _ else. it may be that this threat is primarily meant as some - primarily meant as some negotiating tactic. i think there is a sense that it would actually be helpful, but the united states and president trump himself seems to exhibit a

pretty limited understanding. they are paid by foreign explorers. they are paid by foreign explorers. they are attacks on american consumers and businesses. i'll think there's a lot of deep thought into the state of world economy. there isn't even... negatively impact the united states. to even... negatively impact the united states. ., , ., states. to ever see a time where this battle _ states. to ever see a time where this battle for— states. to ever see a time where this battle for supremacy - states. to ever see a time where | this battle for supremacy reaches states. to ever see a time where l this battle for supremacy reaches a conclusion with the us and china can coexist when it comes to global trade. i coexist when it comes to global trade. , ., ., , , trade. i use to... had been very different systems _ trade. i use to... had been very different systems and _ trade. i use to... had been very different systems and agendas. | trade. i use to... had been very i different systems and agendas. if things get bad

enough will definitely require some big changes on the chinese side. negative effect on us trading partners, who depend on accessing the us market to sell their wares. by raising these prices and reducing the demand for those products, foreign exporters would be hurt and therefore foreign economies would be hurt. talk to me about the impact on america's neighbours. i'm thinking here particularly canada and mexico. they are in the firing line of these tariffs, front and centre. the two biggest trading partners with the united states. what does it mean for them? well, the tariffs could be particularly devastating for them. and at the same time, those tariffs could be particularly harmful to the united states. mexico and canada are part of the usmca agreement and goods flow tariff—free across borders. the goal of nafta, which was the predecessor, was to establish an integrated market. and so the market for autos, for example, depends on a supply chain that is spread across the three countries. if you disrupt that supply chain, you have massive disruptions in the auto market. what is your assessment of the real focus of this, donald trump suggesting this

is about migration and drugs, and limiting their ability to get into the united states? this is just about protecting the us economy, though, isn't it? it's about bringing jobs back to the united states, "putting america first", as he often talks about. well, i think he does care about the migration and drug issues, and i think he views tariffs as a way of exerting pressure on trade partners more broadly. for example, he recently threatened the brics countries, to which brazil, russia, india, china, south africa are the central players, with 100% tariffs if they go ahead with plans for what they call a brics currency. now, there obviously is an agenda of bringing manufacturing back to the united states, an agenda of reducing us trade deficits. that is the prime motivation for these things, but i don't think president trump feels he will or need be restricted to the use of tariffs for purely economic goals. that can be geopolitical goals as well. critics would say the timing could not be worse, just as the global economy's starting to get back on its feet after the pandemic, after soaring, stubbornly high inflation, after the war in ukraine that still causes so many problems when it comes to both supply chains and inflationary pressure. what do these tariffs mean for the global economic recovery? is there a risk that this absolutely derails that pretty fragile recovery we've seen around the world? thank you for being with us.

well, trump's first—term tariffs led to many big companies like apple, dell and nike moving some of their manufacturing to countries that wouldn't attract tariffs. but what are the implications of mr trump's new proposals? well, we'll hearfrom businesses in canada in a moment, but first, here's the view from china. michael hart, welcome to the programme. it's good to have you with us. talk to me about these tariffs that have been proposed by donald trump on the campaign trail. what impact could they have on your members if indeed he follows through with that promise? so i think it's important to keep in mind that, currently, us—china already has some tariffs that were put in by donald trump when he was president. president biden didn't take them away. and so, of course, incoming president donald trump has talked about adding new tariffs, everything from 60% to 10% — the numbers being bandied about seem to change every day — but what does seem likely is that president trump will again go to tariffs to try to extract whatever terms that he thinks he can get from the chinese. so amcham china member companies are expecting that there will be some sort of tariffs that we have to deal with in our trade with china. it's interesting you talk about this as a negotiation, you know, what president trump may be able to extract from the chinese. is this about politics or economics?

i would certainly say politics first. in many cases, we try to remind our chinese friends that it is actually about politics. there are generally tariffs put on for a reason and not specifically economic, but because president trump, at least before, he felt the trade wasn't balanced, it wasn't fair, and he felt that tariffs were a way to go forward. a number of folks that we've spoken to who were in the previous trump administration pointed us to robert lighthizer�*s book no trade is free, which... he was president trump's ustr head the first time around and they state pretty clearly that president trump really looks at balance of trade, and if he thinks that one country has an advantage over the other, then he'll look to try and extract some concessions out of them. and again, tariffs seem to have been president trump's favourite tool. if you're a big american company, maybe making stuff in china to sell to american consumers, what are your options right now? and i know we don't have the detail yet, but are those businesses thinking, "look, we'rejust going to have to put prices up," or is it getting to the stage where they say, "you know what? "we just don't make it in china any more." covid—i9 and zero—covid in china for three years was really a wake—up call for us companies, and all companies, actually, doing work in china, but in that case, supply chains were disrupted, companies

started to look around. there is no easy option to producing in china or sourcing from china. from covid—i9 forward, companies have started to look around to see who else in southeast asia, who else in other parts of the world could replace china. again, no easy answers. companies have very slowly started to move supply chains to other locations. but if you remember, it took 30—a0 years for china to emerge as such a strong supplier and manufacturer. it's not going to be an easy transition to anywhere else in the world. companies have tried to mitigate some of those risks, but, again, no—one's prepared now to completely replace china. the chinese economy itself is in a very different position than it was in the first trump presidency. it's grappling with its own debt crisis, its property crisis, unemployment, particularly amongst young people, still an issue. does that change the balance of power in these negotiations, that china may be forced to come to the table in a way that in the first trump presidency, they didn't need to? it certainly is true that more recently, when the chinese leaders talk, in some ways, i would say, they're a little more humble or they're realistic that their economy itself does have challenges. the chinese economy is not growing as fast as it used to,

which makes it harder within china itself. many companies not only produce and source from china, but they look to sell to china. and so companies are very aware that the chinese economy has been softer. this does mean that when foreign companies are looking at their production in china or considering additional investments in china that the chinese government is more welcoming of that investment. and so, you know, recently i had a meeting with premier li qiang with a small group of business leaders, and he said a couple of things. 0ne, he said, you know, "we really appreciate companies "who participate in the global supply chain, "so we don't want that to go away," but he also hinted that indicators in the economy are that, in his view, the chinese economy is recovering. and he said, you know, indicators are strong. and so, at the same time, the chinese government is trying to continue to get support from foreign companies to participate in the chinese economy by making things here, sourcing them here. he also wanted foreign companies to be confident that the chinese economy was getting stronger. and if you look at the figures, there was a i7% fall, i think, in trade between the us and china last year. that's even before president trump's second term. in trade between the us and china last year. that's even before president trump's second term. do you get a sense from your members that they say, "actually,

it's just not worth it any more." given the limitations, the restrictions, the potential for further tariffs, they say, "hang on, you know what? it's just not worth it. "we will go elsewhere"? so i do worry that foreign investment in china has hit a number of challenges, and so i often refer to this as the ecosystem forforeign investment. there are a lot of things over the years that built up to make investment by foreign companies in china easier. we're starting to see some things reverse. for example, earlier this year, we've seen a number of us and international law firms close their offices in china and leave. that means future investment in china will be harder, because there won't necessarily be those helpers, those consultants, those experts to assist foreign companies. but i don't think people are going to, by and large, throw up their hands and say, "let's leave china now, "it's just too hard," because china continues to be such a large market and such a large supply base that, you know, most companies are going to continue to play in china for a long time. you know, i spoke earlier today with a company who sells commodities to china. and, you know, us farmers are going to want to continue to sell commodities into china. china is going to continue to be a huge consumer market, and so we certainly want trade going both ways, and it's not an easy puzzle

to try and figure out. michael hart, really good to talk to you. thank you for being with us on the programme this week. thank you. still to come: a recipe for the future — the boss of britain's tate & lyle explains why processed food will be key to making sure we all have enough to eat. welcome back to talking business. now, you may know tate & lyle as a sugar business, one that was founded in britain more than 150 years ago, but whilst it's still in the food business, it's turning its back on sugar and now trying to use science to solve one of the biggest problems facing the planet — just how to feed a growing population. well, i've been speaking to its chief executive about the future of food. nick hampton, welcome to the programme. and we've been focusing in this programme about what president—elect trump's tariffs could mean for business right around the world. what significance would tariffs have on your business and what you do, given where you source your material from? well, i mean, it's important to say that we should wait and see what the incoming administration actually does. i mean, for us, we're a global business, so we're looking to source ingredients globally and deliver products to customers globally, and what tariffs could mean is reshaping our supply chain in a way that allows us freedom of trade in a cost—effective

way for the business. that shift away from being a sugar business, loads of people around the world will know you for exactly that. they think what you do is make sugar and sell it around the world. describe the business to me now. what does it look like? so, in some ways, you could say we've gone from being a sugar producer to a sugar reducer. and we're now a business very much focused on where the future of food is going, which is aligned to the growing consumer demands for healthier, tastier and more sustainable food and drink. and we do that through three core platforms. we've got a sweetener platform, which help take sugar out of food. we've got a platform that we call mouthfeel, which helps complement the taste of food, and we've got a fortification platform as well, which is primarily focused on adding fibre and protein to food. we've made five acquisitions in the last few years and that's not easy. we've renovated or refocused the business in a way that keeps it relevant for today. you've touched on those acquisitions that you've made as a company. what do they tell us about your strategy in terms of what you want to become? because you've been on that acquisition campaign, haven't you, quite aggressively recently? and what are you looking for? what do you want this business to be? i mean, ultimately, we're trying to create a company in tate & lyle

that is a growth—focused speciality solutions business. what does that mean in english? so what does that mean? we're trying to provide ingredients and solutions to our customers that allow them to create more sustainable, healthier, more nutritious food and beverage products for consumers of today. and what is it that you're buying? you know, what do you need to purchase that maybe you can't do organically? is it stuff like technology and r&d that allows you to do new things that maybe you couldn't do in your current form? we're looking to buy new ingredients that complement our current platforms. so cp kelco, the big acquisition that we've just completed is a really good example of that because they're bringing new ingredients in our portfolio that allow us to produce better solutions for our customers. it enhances, if you like, the strength of our platforms to allow us to build new solutions for customers that will delight their consumers and drive growth. and a final thought in terms of ultra—processed foods, though, in the sights of so many people right now, and i understand the argument you make about needing to feed a growing population, and that's going to involve science, but there is a big backlash against ultra—processed foods. do you worry about that? so it's something that we're very focused on. and, look, what science tells us is that the nutritional content of food is what's really important, not the level of processing.

and i think it's also important that we should remember that processing does some really important things. it makes food safe and preserves it, so it can be accessed by millions of people affordably. it reduces waste. so, currently, 30% of the world's food goes to waste. that's a huge problem when you think about the climate impact and the growing demand for food, and it offers a convenient way to provide nutritious foods for families. however, it's also important to say that many or some ultra—high—processed foods are not nutritionally balanced, and that's where reformulation comes in. it's key. we've got to improve the nutritional content of processed food so that it creates better balance nutritionally for consumers, and that's where we're trying to focus our efforts at tate & lyle. so how do we help take sugar, calories and fat out of food, and add fibre back in and add protein back in, and create more nutritional balance in processed food that will be critical to the feeding of a growing population? nick hampton, good to have you on the programme this week. thanks for being with us. thank you. that's all from us for this week. you can keep up to date with all the latest on the global economy on the bbc news website and smartphone app. we'll see you very soon. bye— bye. nick hampton, welcome to the programme. with its focusing on this

programme. with its focusing on this programme about what president trump elect�*s tariffs could mean. but it events would they have on your business, given where you sorcerers materials? it’s business, given where you sorcerers materials? �* , ., business, given where you sorcerers materials? �*, ., ., materials? it's important to say that we should _ materials? it's important to say that we should wait _ materials? it's important to say that we should wait and - materials? it's important to say that we should wait and see - materials? it's important to say l that we should wait and see what materials? it's important to say - that we should wait and see what the incoming administration actually does. for us, whereby a global business, so we're looking to source ingredients slowly and deliver products to customers globally. what this is basically reshaping the supply chain. the this is basically reshaping the suoply chain-— this is basically reshaping the su -l chain. ., �* supply chain. the given that we're facin: a supply chain. the given that we're facing a squeeze _ supply chain. the given that we're facing a squeeze of _ supply chain. the given that we're facing a squeeze of income, - supply chain. the given that we're facing a squeeze of income, howl supply chain. the given that we're - facing a squeeze of income, how much they can pass on it mean obviously they've seen significant inflation fortunately for us, although we provide some of the crippled functionality for our customers, we are a relatively cost free part of our finished are a relatively cost free part of ourfinished products. who been able to pass their inflation without impacting consumer price for two years. that chipped away from being a sugar business. they way you do is make sugar enj sell it around the world. what is the business look like? ., ., ., like? you can save you going to bein: a like? you can save you going to being a sugar — like? you can save you going to being a sugar producer- like? you can save you going to being a sugar producer to - like? you can save you going to. being a sugar producer to reduce her. we are now focused on very much forfood is doing. you do that through platform. we have a platform that we calm out field that helps complement the taste of food, and we have a fortification platform as well, which is primarily focused on adding fibre and protein to food. we've made acquisitions in the last few years. that's not easy. renovated or refocus my business in a way that keeps it better. i can only advise other women was that mean. we're trying to provide ingredients to our customers. allow

them to create more sustainable, healthier, more nutritious food and beverage for consumers. what healthier, more nutritious food and beverage for consumers.— beverage for consumers. what is it that you're — beverage for consumers. what is it that you're buying, _ beverage for consumers. what is it that you're buying, that _ beverage for consumers. what is it that you're buying, that maybe - beverage for consumers. what is it that you're buying, that maybe you can't do organically? is it stuff like technology that allows you to do new things that maybe you could do new things that maybe you could do in your current form?— do in your current form? we're lookin: do in your current form? we're looking to _ do in your current form? we're looking to buy. _ do in your current form? we're looking to buy, so _ do in your current form? we're looking to buy, so the - do in your current form? we're looking to buy, so the big - looking to buy, so the big acquisition that we've just completed is a really good example because they're bringing more ingredients. enhances if you like, the strength i have... drive, and file thought _ the strength i have... drive, and file thought in _ the strength i have... drive, and file thought in the states of 75 right now, i understand the argument you make about needing to feed her growing population. but there is a

big backlash. do you worry about that. you ., big backlash. do you worry about that. you . ,. . big backlash. do you worry about that. you ., ,. . , , , that. you what science tells us is that. you what science tells us is that the nutritional— that. you what science tells us is that the nutritional contents - that. you what science tells us is that the nutritional contents of i that. you what science tells us is i that the nutritional contents of the food is _ that the nutritional contents of the food is what's really important, not the level_ food is what's really important, not the level of— food is what's really important, not the level of processing. and i think it's important we should remember processing — it's important we should remember processing doesn't important things. currently. _ processing doesn't important things. currently, 30% of the world's food goes _ currently, 30% of the world's food goes to _ currently, 30% of the world's food goes to wait. we try to offer a way to provide — goes to wait. we try to offer a way to provide food for families. it's also _ to provide food for families. it's also important to say that many are not had _ also important to say that many are not had at _ i think that's where context needs to come _ i think that's where context needs to come in. — i think that's where context needs to come in, is key. that's where we have _ to come in, is key. that's where we have to _ to come in, is key. that's where we have to focus — to come in, is key. that's where we have to focus our efforts. and

create — have to focus our efforts. and create more nutritional values and processed — create more nutritional values and processed food that will be critical for defeating the growing population. for defeating the growing population-— for defeating the growing population. for defeating the growing --oulation. ., ,, ., , population. thank you for being with us. that's population. thank you for being with us- that's all — population. thank you for being with us. that's all from _ population. thank you for being with us. that's all from much _ population. thank you for being with us. that's all from much for - population. thank you for being with us. that's all from much for this - us. that's all from much for this week. see you goodbye. bye—bye. 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 continent, 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, for scotland, northern ireland, with clearer skies here, light with clearer skies here, light winds, some frost and some ice. winds, some frost and some ice. a little less cold further south a little less cold further south and east because we'll have more cloud around and more of a breeze. and east because we'll have more but you can see the remnants of storm darragh pretty much fizzling out at this point, fizzling out at this point, so we'll have more of a breeze again so we'll have more of a breeze again across the southeast corner, across the southeast corner, though nowhere near as windy though nowhere near as windy as it has been. as it has been. the further north and west the further north and west that you head, closer that you head, closer to the high pressure, to the high pressure, the winds will be much lighter the winds will be much lighter

with widespread sunshine here after that cold 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. bringing very light winds and settled weather —

live from washington. this is bbc news syrian rebels are reportedly approaching the capital of damascus, as president assad's office denies reports he's already fled the country. office denies reports he's storm darragh rages across the uk — leaving two people dead and hundreds of thousands of people without power. south korea's president avoids impeachment over his brief declaration of martial law — but questions remain over his future and paris' 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 towards the capital. the government of president bashar al—assad says reports

the army had withdrawn from areas around the city are untrue.