and we hear from 3 bollywood superstar — who's dreaming of an oscar for his new film. hello. we start with the latest on syria a week after the fall of the assad regime. syria's de—facto leader, ahmed al—sharaa, has condemned israel for its continued airstrikes on his mr al—sharaa, who was previously known as abu mohammed al—jolani, said the strikes an unwarranted escalation in the region. israel says it wants to prevent syrian weapons falling into the hands of its enemies. it comes as the united states has made "direct with the rebel group, hts, which now controls the country the country

the us currently still designates the rebel group as a terrorist organisation. america's top diplomat, secretary of state, antony blinken, speaking injordan after a summit on syria's furture with representatives from several arab countries, turkey and europe, said it was important for the us to communicate with the islamist group. here's what mr blinken had to say. america and our partners have an important stage in helping the syrian people charge this new path. we know that what happens inside of syria can have powerful consequences well beyond its borders, from mass displacement to terrorism. and we know that we can't underestimate the challenges of this moment. our middle east correspondet, lina sinjab, is in damascus and has more on those comments about israel de facto leader. this is the first time that ahmed al—shara, known as al—jolani, the leader of the hayat tahrir al—sham, comes out to comment on israeli air strikes. it's been a week since the toppling of the president, bashar al—assad, but also

a week of israeli air strikes on syria, nearly 400 throughout the week and 60 this night. so mr al—shara is under pressure that he has to make comments, that he has to address this issue. he has been under criticism from, you know, syrians here. so he made his statement saying that israel is using false pretexts in its attacks on syria, but at the same time made sure that he doesn't want to engage in any conflict — he's focused on rebuilding syria, on rebuilding the economy. and this is what we are seeing today. it is the first week, the first day of the week after the toppling of assad. universities are open. i'm actually now in damascus, university students are pouring in to the university, going to classes. the children went to school this morning as well. public institutions are open, so everything is going back into action.

and it seems that, you know, this is the focus of this interim government. in a meeting yesterday, mr al—shara told people, told journalists that he wants to rebuild the country, that he may also nominate himself as a president for syria in case the people wanted him. and it seems that this is the time where also there is international diplomatic efforts to support the transition to power, provided that this transition will be inclusive and that the government is going to be representative of all syrian society, protects minorities�* rights, and protects women's rights. so while this new leadership is getting a lot of support from around the world, but also is being watched of its actions and how they are going to move ahead and not turn this country into an islamist state government. syria is under sanctions that really crippled the economy, crippled the livelihood of people, so many activists

are now calling for the us and for the world to lift these sanctions. and having hts in power, and it is a designated also on the terrorist list, may hinder support or, you know, financial support coming into the country. so it seems that, you know, many countries are reconsidering how to deal with hayat tahrir al—sham and also watching how mr al—sharaa and his the interim government are going to work. it's three months of transitional government that after that should be an inclusive government that includes all denominations of the syrian society. nearly 13,500 migrants who did not have the right to stay in the uk, have been returned to their home countries since the election according to the government. but, new figures are expected to reveal more than 35,000 people have arrived in britain in small boats this year, a number the home secretary, yvette cooper, says

is "far too high". 0ur political correspondent damian grammaticas explains. what she has been saying is that although you know these numbers, you see about 35,000 this year. yes, it's a bit of an increase on last year where it was around 30,000 or, yes, around 30,000 last year. higher the previous year, though, than any of these 45 odd thousand. she says this is a priority. it's a complex issue. but the government, she said, is not going to resort to gimmicks. this is what she told sunday with laura kuenssberg this morning. we've made clear that the border security is actually one of the foundational issues. before you even get to any of the missions, the approach we're taking to this is really step by step. we are putting in place the things that we need, the agreements with other countries, asking people to be. patient then with the existing situation. well, ithink we're being kind of very clear and straight with people about the complexity of this, because the gimmicks did not work. what we had previously

was a whole lot of gimmicks. everybody promised it was going to solve it immediately. and what we're doing is the very serious action. we've already substantially increased. we've had over 25% increase in terms of the returns. we're having over 30% increase in enforcement raids. so we're already increasing step by step. but of course this is complex. and of course this takes time. so accusing the previous conservative government of gimmicks there, what have they had to say about this. well, what they say is that they think the government is failing in its task, and what they actually want to do is return to policy that they were pursuing before the election, scrapped by the labour government, which was a deal with rwanda to send those who don't have a right to stay in the uk there to be dealt with in rwanda. that's a scheme that has cost £700 million. no enforced returns had been sent at all before the election. but chris philp, the shadow minister, this is what he said this morning.

we would aim to resurrect a deterrent style scheme. now, whether the rwanda scheme is still available in five years time, we'll have to see. but certainly a deterrent scheme like that, where if somebody crosses the channel dangerously, illegally and unnecessarily, unnecessarily because france is safe, they will rapidly be removed somewhere else, would simply stop issuing visas when the cap was reached. so there's no way that can be circumvented. and we would set that out in law. in terms of numbers, we haven't set a number yet, but we're working on that at the moment. but it will be far. speaking broadly speaking, it will be far, far lower than the figures that were published a couple of weeks ago. and it will also be far, far lower than the 0br forecast accompanying the budget. that was 350,000 per year. interestingly, keir starmer and yvette cooper have refused to set out a cap at all. so there's a big difference there between the parties. that cap he's talking about there is on overall immigration to the country. so visas that are issued and as he says, the labour government does not want to do that. it doesn't want to set numerical targets because it believes that those

are things that have got governments into big problems over before. a woman has died and a man is fighting for his life in hospital after a shooting in north—west london. police were called to gifford road in brentjust after 9 o'clock last night, where a woman, believed to be in her 40s died at the scene. two men, both in their 30s were also injured. police have described the incident as "truly shocking" and says a team of experienced detectives are working to piece together the events and identify who is responsible. no arrests have been made. seven tourists have been taken to hospital in fiji after suspected alcohol poisoning. it s believed they were all guests at a resort on fiji's coral coast, where they drunk cocktails where they drank cocktails afterwards. it comes just a few weeks after the death of six tourists in laos because of suspected methanol poisoning. because of suspected with me is our reporter who's from fiji — vandhna bhan.

what are the authorities this incident happened at a luxury resort. unlike the louse poisonings that happened as a backpacker hostel, this happened at a 5—star resort. i like pass in southeast asia, fiji is not known as a backpackers haven. it is expensive. it is tailored towards those family holidays and honeymooners. the ministry of health on fiji has said that those affected range from 18 years old to 56. we understand that four of them are australians and one is american. two of them are foreign nationals who live in fiji. very different to the ones in the backpackers hostel. fiji does not have a large

bootleg alcohol issue like parts of southeast asia. this is unusual for fiji. they are very protective over how they see themselves and the tourism industry internationally, because it is their largest industry, accounting for 40% of gdp. a lot of questions here about how this happened at a 5—star resort. about how this happened at a 5-star resort.— about how this happened at a 5-star resort. very concerning in li . ht 5-star resort. very concerning in light of— 5-star resort. very concerning in light of what _ 5-star resort. very concerning in light of what happened - 5-star resort. very concerning in light of what happened at i in light of what happened at the backpackers hotel. what are the backpackers hotel. what are the authorities saying to people? it the authorities saying to --eole? , . the authorities saying to --eole? ,., ., ., people? it is an ongoing investigation. _ people? it is an ongoing investigation. it - people? it is an ongoing investigation. it is - people? it is an ongoing investigation. it is at - people? it is an ongoing| investigation. it is at the early stages. the police are taking very seriously and on remaining on—site at the hotel. the ministry of health has issued a warning to those in fiji to just be careful of what they are consuming over this festive period. the australians have also issued a warning to those travelling to fiji because it is a busy time in the southern hemisphere. it is summer. an unusual incident in

fiji. the authorities will want to get the bottom of this as soon as possible.— to get the bottom of this as soon as possible. thank very much. now it's time for a look at today's sport. after two of the top three dropped points on saturday both chelsea and manchester city could close in on the premier league leaders later. but it's hard to guarantee city will do the same in the latest edition of the manchester derby. their run of one win in 10 is the worst pep guardiola has ever endured, amongst that seven defeats, including to sporting and the new manchester united boss ruben amorim. but they meet at the etihad on sunday with guardiola insisting he's not going to bail despite their poorform.

i would regret leaving now. i cannot— i would regret leaving now. i cannot leave a situation like this — cannot leave a situation like this they— cannot leave a situation like this. they could sack me. but leaving — this. they could sack me. but leaving now, no chance. my boss is not _ leaving now, no chance. my boss is not happy with me, they can do it — is not happy with me, they can do it but _ is not happy with me, they can do it. but leaving now in that position. _ do it. but leaving now in that position, no chance. i do it. but leaving now in that position, no chance.- position, no chance. i really focused _ position, no chance. i really focused on _ position, no chance. i really focused on the _ position, no chance. i really focused on the details. - position, no chance. i really focused on the details. i - position, no chance. i really| focused on the details. ijust want — focused on the details. ijust want to— focused on the details. ijust want to improve _ focused on the details. ijust want to improve the - focused on the details. ijust want to improve the state i focused on the details. ijust - want to improve the state team. it want to improve the state team. it will _ want to improve the state team. it will be — want to improve the state team. it will be a — want to improve the state team. it will be a normal _ want to improve the state team. it will be a normal derby - want to improve the state team. it will be a normal derby as - it will be a normal derby as usual _ it will be a normal derby as usual two _ it will be a normal derby as usual. two teams - it will be a normal derby as usual. two teams fighting i it will be a normal derby as l usual. two teams fighting for the title _ usual. two teams fighting for the title it— usual. two teams fighting for the title. it is— usual. two teams fighting for the title. it is not— usual. two teams fighting for the title. it is not that - usual. two teams fighting for the title. it is not that in - the title. it is not that in this— the title. it is not that in this moment. _ the title. it is not that in this moment. 0ne - the title. it is not that in this moment. 0ne morej the title. it is not that in - this moment. one more game the title. it is not that in _ this moment. one more game with the opponents _ england had a rare bad day in their test series with new zealand who are in total control after day two of the third match in hamilton despite having lost the series. the home side took theirfirst innings total to 3li7 thanks to mitchell santner who then helped bowl england out cheaply along with matt henry and will 0'rourke as the tourists made only 143

in theirfirst innings. already more than 200 runs ahead. new zealand then had a steady start to their second innings with both will young and kane williamson making half centuries. the home side are 136 for 3 and will start day three with an advantage of 340 runs. we probably didn't have heaps of wrens — we probably didn't have heaps of wrens in the first two test. we also — of wrens in the first two test. we also played very well in the first two — we also played very well in the first two tests. when their momentum is going good, they bowled — momentum is going good, they bowled really well. then we were — bowled really well. then we were one down at lunch. we were able to— were one down at lunch. we were able to take it on after lunch. it's able to take it on after lunch. it's going _ able to take it on after lunch. it's going to be pretty difficult _ it's going to be pretty difficult on _ it's going to be pretty difficult on this - it's going to be pretty. difficult on this position. it's going to be pretty- difficult on this position. we never— difficult on this position. we never say— difficult on this position. we never say never. _ difficult on this position. we never say never. we - difficult on this position. we never say never. we have i difficult on this position. we never say never. we have a | difficult on this position. we - never say never. we have a site full of _ never say never. we have a site full of matchwinners. _ never say never. we have a site full of matchwinners. it - never say never. we have a site full of matchwinners. it only. full of matchwinners. it only takes — full of matchwinners. it only takes a _ full of matchwinners. it only takes a couple _ full of matchwinners. it only takes a couple of _ full of matchwinners. it only

takes a couple of them - full of matchwinners. it only takes a couple of them to i full of matchwinners. it only| takes a couple of them to do something _ takes a couple of them to do something special. - takes a couple of them to do something special. this- takes a couple of them to do something special. this is. takes a couple of them to do something special. this is al something special. this is a ground _ something special. this is a ground that _ something special. this is a ground that is _ something special. this is a ground that is set _ something special. this is a ground that is set up - ground that is set up for something _ ground that is set up for something special. - ground that is set up for something special. it. ground that is set up for something special. it isl ground that is set up forl something special. it is a ground that is set up for- something special. it is a fast field — something special. it is a fast field also _ something special. it is a fast field. also the _ something special. it is a fast field. also the small- field. also the small boundaries - field. also the small boundaries as- field. also the small boundaries as well. i field. also the small. boundaries as well. it field. also the small- boundaries as well. it takes something _ boundaries as well. it takes something special, - boundaries as well. it takes something special, but- boundaries as well. it takes something special, but we. boundaries as well. it takes - something special, but we have the belief— something special, but we have the belief that _ something special, but we have the belief that we _ something special, but we have the belief that we can _ something special, but we have the belief that we can break- something special, but we have the belief that we can break a l the belief that we can break a record — the belief that we can break a record if— the belief that we can break a record if we _ the belief that we can break a record if we need _ the belief that we can break a record if we need to. - centuries from steve smith and travis head put australia on top against india on day two of the third test in brisbane after the opening day was almost entirely lost to rain. that despite a late burst from india's jasprit bumrah who completed his 12th five—wicket haul in tests. smith and head came together at 75 for 3 and shared 241 for the fourth wicket before bumrah removed both and then mitchell marsh with the second new ball at the gabba. the five—match series is level at 1—1. the nottingham panthers ice hockey team held a ceremony to remember the life of adam johnson who died after being injured during a game last year. his number 47jersey was �*officially retired' by the club before theiir game with the fife flyers last night. johnson's aunt spoke at the event on behalf

of the family and described him as �*humble, modest and down—to—earth'. and that's all the sport for now. the five remaining members of the so called "bali nine" drug ring have been freed and flown back to australia — after almost 20 years in an indonesian prison. the five australians were jailed for their roles in a heroin smuggling plot in bali in 2005. after years of advocacy from the australian government, the group were flown back to australia earlier today. the case made news worldwide when the gangs two ringleaders were executed by firing squad in 2015. prime minister anthony albanese thanked president prabowo.. people in the french indian ocean territory of mayotte say conditions there are apocalyptic after cyclone chido tore

through the islands — killing 14 people. french officials say all makeshift homes there have been completely destroyed. mayotte sits in the indian ocean, about 500 kilometres east of mozambique and about 350 kilometres west of madagascar. the storm brought heavy rain and winds that peaked at more than 220—kilometres an hour. the french interior minister said he feared a �*heavy�* death toll. the cyclone has also wrecked homes, brought down electricity poles and trees and smashed boats. france's transport minister called the situation extremely worrying, and that ships were being deployed to ensure supplies. paris is sending military and medical reinforcements. new french prime minister, francois bayrou, held an emergency meeting with ministers. it's been described as the worst storm in mayotte in 90 years. 0ur correspondent, hugo schofield, has more. well, as i understand it, it is very grave, because, as no doubt you've been reporting, this is an island in which many people live in great poverty.

and there are a lot of shanty towns, i think about a third of the population live in these shanty towns. many of them are people who've migrants from from the comoros islands not very far away, live in very poor conditions. in any case, the cyclone has just wreaked devastation across these shanty towns, where the dwellings are made out of wood and tarpaulin and metal sheeting and so on. and if you look at the pictures, you can see that it's just been destroyed. theyjust all come down. so there are tens of thousands of people, maybe a third of the population or more, who are without dwellings now, and they're being urged to report to government run shelters across the island. and at the same time, you know, all the usual services, electricity, water, telecoms, are all down or very badly affected. and the true toll has yet to be drawn up. i mean, we'rejust getting initial reports from here in paris where the government

is mobilised and sending in help. we're hearing paris is sending military transport planes and emergency workers over. i mean, if there's no electricity, it's going to make this process of helping people who are injured and unwell very difficult, isn't it? well, of course, the airport is down, because the control tower has been very badly damaged by these very, very high winds of 140—150mph and the military transport planes will be able to land and will bring in a first consignment of necessary goods. but there'll be more to come, undoubtedly. the interior minister is due in the island tomorrow. and don't forget that, you know, as far as france is concerned, this is technically part of france. this is a department of france in the same way that the var or paris

is a department of france. so they are treating it as a domestic incident, tragedy and are, you know, responding accordingly, sending in the same kind of emergency supplies and emergency help that they would for a part of mainland france. cyclone chido has now made landfall near pemba in northern mozambique — weather services say the storm intensified as it crossed the mozambique channel. there are reports of damaged homes. let's turn now to the political crisis in georgia. 0pposition supporters have continued their protests in the capital, tbilisi, and other cities — something they've been doing since the end of last month. a rally outside parliament was addressed by the pro—western president, salome zurabishvili , who told the crowd that new elections were needed to achieve peace and justice. earlier, a new president was elected by georgia's disputed parliament — the former manchester city

footballer, who's known for his nationalist, anti—western views. the protesters claim his election was illegal and some of them showed him the red card, saying this was the only language he understands. the shortlist for the academy awards 2025 will be announced on tuesday — and one film vying to be included is india's official pick for the best international feature film category. lost ladies is a satire, about a young man who brings the wrong bride home. meanwhile, his wife ends up lost, having to fend for herself. sadia khan sat down with bollywood superstar aamir khan who co—produced the film to discuss his hopes for an oscar and his career.

this is a great script that talks— this is a great script that talks about an important issue. women — talks about an important issue. women are subjected to a lot of challenges. all over the world, notiust— challenges. all over the world, not just in _ challenges. all over the world, notjust in india. i felt that she — notjust in india. i felt that she is— notjust in india. i felt that she is a _ notjust in india. i felt that she is a story that brings that out in — she is a story that brings that out in a — she is a story that brings that out in a nice way. that is why i out in a nice way. that is why i wanted _ out in a nice way. that is why i wanted to— out in a nice way. that is why i wanted to produce it and i was — i wanted to produce it and i was very— i wanted to produce it and i was very keen.— i wanted to produce it and i was very keen. india has never won the best _ was very keen. india has never won the best international - won the best international feature film award.- won the best international feature film award. there was mother india _ feature film award. there was mother india about _ feature film award. there was mother india about 50 - feature film award. there was mother india about 50 years l mother india about 50 years ago — mother india about 50 years aio. ~ , ., mother india about 50 years ato, . , ., mother india about 50 years aio.~ , ~ mother india about 50 years aio.~ , ., ~ ., ago. why do you think indian films have — ago. why do you think indian films have not _ ago. why do you think indian films have not been - ago. why do you think indian films have not been able - ago. why do you think indian films have not been able to l ago. why do you think indian l films have not been able to cut through on the global stage in

terms of award recognition, despite having audiences over the world?— the world? you are looking at the world? you are looking at the foreign-language - the world? you are looking at i the foreign-language category. the foreign—language category. it is the foreign—language category. it is the — the foreign—language category. it is the toughest category at the oscars. it is tougher than lrest— the oscars. it is tougher than best film _ the oscars. it is tougher than best film. you're competing with— best film. you're competing with the _ best film. you're competing with the best film each country. india has made really great — country. india has made really great films over the years. occasionally, it is a matter of the right— occasionally, it is a matter of the right feel not getting seen _ the right feel not getting seen. orthe best film the right feel not getting seen. or the best film not getting _ seen. or the best film not getting seen. but otherwise, we have _ getting seen. but otherwise, we have to — getting seen. but otherwise, we have to understand that the film — have to understand that the film is — have to understand that the film is that you are competing against — film is that you are competing against -- _ film is that you are competing against —— you are competing against —— you are competing against five or six films. each country's _ against five or six films. each country's best film has been sent — country's best film has been sent i— country's best film has been sent. i feel that a film that is well— sent. i feel that a film that is well made, it travels. good films travel. _ is well made, it travels. good films travel. what _ is well made, it travels. good films travel. what would - is well made, it travels. good films travel. what would it. films travel. what would it mean for you to win the oscar for india? i mean for you to win the oscar for indie?—

for india? i would be very ha - . for india? i would be very happy- it— for india? i would be very happy. it would _ for india? i would be very happy. it would be - for india? i would be very happy. it would be a - for india? i would be very - happy. it would be a tremendous opportunity for the film. it would _ opportunity for the film. it would be seen by a lot more people _ would be seen by a lot more people. film is when oscars are seen _ people. film is when oscars are seen by— people. film is when oscars are seen by more people. more people _ seen by more people. more people want to see it. it opens a huge — people want to see it. it opens a huge window of opportunity for a — a huge window of opportunity for a larger audience for the film — for a larger audience for the film. then, more important than that, _ film. then, more important than that, indians are so film crazy, _ that, indians are so film crazy, we have been dying to win the — crazy, we have been dying to win the academy award for an indian — win the academy award for an indian film which has not happened yet. the country will io happened yet. the country will go ballistic. it will go mad. if go ballistic. it will go mad. if we — go ballistic. it will go mad. if we win _ go ballistic. it will go mad. if we win. just for the people of our— if we win. just for the people of our country, and for our country. _ of our country, and for our country. i— of our country, and for our country, i would of our country, and for our country, iwould be of our country, and for our country, i would be really happy— country, i would be really happy if— country, i would be really happy if we win the award. i happy if we win the award. knew happy if we win the award. i knew what you can watch the full interview with aamir khan here on the bbc news channel and if you re in the uk on the bbc iplayer.

the pope has arrived in france and will be visiting emmanuel macron. he went on a tour around corsica and met members of the public. he is spending a lot of time now going out amongst the people. we should see him shortly. let us have a listen to some of the singing. singing this is the first papal visit

to corsica. 90% of the population there is catholic. 250,000 people. very traditional catholic country. we are not actually going to be seeing images of the popejust now. we will come to it a little later on in the programme. what we can show you is a spectacular meteor shower which has been lighting up the night sky. hello. a different looking week of weather heading our way. certainly compared with last week, we will be much, much milder to begin with. chillier air will return though later in the week. but to get there, we're going to see some windy weather at times and certainly more rainfall around. now, some of the wettest conditions will be to the northwest of the country. and, as our chart shows for the next three days, rainfall amounts are greatest here.

and it's around the western highlands where up to 150mm of rain to take us through to tuesday, coupled with snow melt, could lead to flooding, because we've got a conveyor belt of moisture set to pile its way and focus in this part of the country throughout. that same conveyor belt, though, pushing lots of cloud across the country today. there will be some low cloud towards the west of england and wales, northern ireland, some light rain or drizzle here. but many places will be dry. some breaks, even a little bit of sunshine, best of which to the east of high ground in scotland. but that wet weather there in the northwest becomes heavy. persistent gales developing too. for all, temperatures well above the late december average, some around 7 or 8 degrees warmer than it should be. 14 or 15 possible in eastern scotland and northeast england. now, into tonight, the rain continues to fall across some parts of the western highlands. to the north of it, we'll see some clearer skies, something a little bit cooler, a few showers. to the south of it, another mild night with temperatures 9 or 10 degrees into the start of monday morning. as for monday, rain continues to pile in across the western highlands, also the western isles.

orkney, shetland, a little bit brighter with sunshine and showers. a bit more cloud to northeastern scotland though compared with today. but southern scotland, northern ireland, england and wales, a few more cloud breaks around. greater chance of some sunshine at times. the odd shower can't be ruled out, more especially through the english channel. temperatures down on today, but still pretty mild. and the run of mild air continues into tuesday. but as this area of low pressure pushes in towards the west of us, we're going to see the wind strengthen to gale force across some western areas later in the day. outbreaks of rain becoming more widespread here into the afternoon and evening. a wet day to the north and west of scotland too, but the further east you are, you might stay that little bit drier. temperatures here around 10, 11 degrees. but 13 in the west. a very mild day to come on wednesday, as this next batch of low pressure pushes through, bringing rain more widely. but as it clears through into thursday, we're back to northerly winds. so still some wet and mild weather midweek. but, beyond that, turning cooler with a mixture of sunshine and, for

some, wintry showers.

this is bbc news, the headlines: syria's new de—facto leader condemns israel over continued air strikes on his country — saying they threaten an unwarranted escalation. israel has said its goal is to prevent syrian weapons falling into the hands of its enemies. here, the government says over 13,000 migrants have been removed from the uk since labour took power — but admits the rate of illegal channel crossings is still too high. fourteen people are

reported to have died after a powerful cyclone tore through the indian ocean territory of mayotte. the storm has now made landfall in northern mozambique. and the comedian chris mccausland has been crowned this year's winner of strictly come dancing. the competition's first—ever blind contestant lifted the glitterball trophy in saturday's live tv final. now on bbc news — path to the presidency. we'll see tiktokers marching on capitol hill and the white house, demanding... dancing on capitol hill. dancing, yeah, dancing their way up pennsylvania avenue. well, here we are again.

another week, another path to the presidency.