party says he will leave after the proceedings are completed. plus: a special report from syria on the presence of israeli troops in the buffer zone between the two countries contrary to international law. welcome to newsday, i'm suranjana tewari. several hundred people, and possibly even thousands, are now feared to have died in a powerful cyclone that hit the the island of mayotte, a french indian ocean territory off the coast of madagascar. winds of more than 220 kilometres per hour and heavy rain battered the territory — causing widespread devastation. authorities there say the final number of victims may never be known. mayotte is a french territory, and a member of the eu.

many people there lived in makeshift homes, and the french government says they have all been destroyed. cyclone chido has now made landfall in mozambique and is also threatening other countries in the region. greg mckenzie reports. the french indian ocean territory of mayotte. cyclone chido made landfall here on saturday. the devastation and aftermath clear to see. entire communities flattened by gusts of more than 140mph. islanders sheltering any way they can. officials fear the death toll will be in the hundreds, or even higher. located northwest of madagascar, mayotte is an archipelago comprised of one main island and several smaller ones. most of the island's 300,000 or so inhabitants live in shacks with sheet

metal roofs. tens of thousands of people have lost their homes. electricity, water and internet connections are all down. translation: no matter how the houses were built, everything has been destroyed. i think that you can see a little bit of that all around me. people are doing their best to try and rebuild their houses, but the work is going to be extremely long. the government in paris has sent a military transport plane with supplies and emergency workers as mayotte hasn't seen a storm this intense in more than a decade. strict lockdowns in place for the whole population, including emergency services, have now been lifted as some try to buy what little provisions are available. translation: we've come to get something to eat for the kids, for us adults, for everyone. we've got nothing left. we had stocked up, but the wind has taken it all away.

translation: we've had no water for three days now, so it's starting to be a problem. we're trying to get the bare minimum to live on because we don't know when the water will come back. now, those in its path in the mozambique channel brace themselves with more heavy rain and flooding predicted. greg mckenzie, bbc news. chido brought high winds and torrential rains to northern mozambique. the unicef representative in the city of pemba told the bbc that roofs had been ripped off many houses, and infrastructure was severely impacted. water supplies, which were already in a dire state, have been totally cut off in some rural areas, and power is intermittent. save the children's country director told the bbc it is a scary situation for those in the country. we had wind gusts of more than 200 kilometres an hour bringing

a lot of destruction among houses, schools, health systems centres and all other infrastructure especially pemba. also in another province. our staff has also been directly impacted. our offices and cyber officers have been damaged. some areas that have been hit by the cyclone are more densely populated than others like pemba, which is the capital of the province. other areas are less densely populated but also much poorer. the area that has been struck and hit by the cyclone is very large and very difficult in terms of access both for logistics but also for insecurity reasons. therefore

that we have to be determined. now to syria, where a week after the dictator, bashar al—assad, was ousted by islamist rebels, other countries are starting to establish how they wil deal with the new interim regime. on his first visit to damascus since mr assad fled, the un envoy for syria said he supports lifting sanctions on the country. he urged justice, not revenge — and he called for increased and immediate aid. a delegation from qatar has also been in the syrian capital, meeting the transitional government. whilst russia, which was a close backer of assad, has evacuated much of its diplomatic staff. the main rebel group, hts, remains a proscribed terrorist organisation in the uk, but the country's foreign secretary, david lammy, says british diplomats have established contact with the group, saying officials would deal with the group "where we have to". inside the country, syrians now face the challenge of overcoming the past,

and rebuilding for the future, as our international editor jeremy bowen reports. driving through the gates of sednaya prison was the journey no syrian wanted to take. many didn't come out alive. now the prison has been broken open, like the country, and on sednaya's forbidding hill outside damascus, there are signs in the prison yard of how far syria has come in just a week. volunteers are here to try to preserve sednaya's records. it looks as if someone tried to destroy what was done here. when dictators and their henchmen fall, making sure they don't take the truth with them is a big part of a betterfuture. it's slow work. runaway! yeah. a runaway guard. in sednaya's cell corridors, you can see how hard it will be to mend the country assad broke. families come here searching

for those they've lost. it is estimated more than 100,000 people disappeared since 2011, after being detained by the old regime. the volunteers found that the truth was even worse than they had feared in cells that still stink of misery. translation: it is terrible, terrible. there are bags of urine in on the floor. they couldn't go to the toilet, so they had to put urine in bags. the smell. there is no sun or light. i can't believe people were living like this, when we were breathing normally and living our normal lives. the rubble is left from attempts to find hidden cells. sednaya's basements were the dark heart of the assad regime. it used the fear of this place to coerce and repress the people. just punishing the torturers who lurked here and healing their victims is a huge undertaking on its own.

this prison is full of horrible little details of the way that people were mistreated. this area is full of blankets, bits of clothing, uniforms. i'd say there's a strong possibility that they kept dozens of men cooped up in here like sardines in absolutely brutal, bestial conditions. every syrian i've met has said that the future has to be built on justice for the past. these men in the prison yard called sednaya a mass grave and wanted bashar al—assad to be decapitated. ahmed, searching for the brother he said lives on in his dreams, did three years in sednaya. translation: it was so bad. the torture, the food, everything. we were suffering. we are many.

people from al qamishli, hasakah, raqqa, all looking for their loved ones. thousands are still in the streets looking for their children. it's notjust me. another huge challenge — reconstruction. who will pay? the economy was destroyed by the war and sucked dry by the corruption of the assads. this isjobar, close to damascus city centre. we drove through the ruins to see hassan abu shwab, back with his family after 11 years injail, sentenced to death for terrorism — the regime's word for rebellion, which he denies. the neighbours were firing into the air to celebrate the return of sons from the war. what do you think should happen to the sort of guys who tortured prisoners like you? translation: they should be punished. we are human souls after all, not stones. and the killers must be publicly executed.

otherwise we won't get through this. some of them tortured human beings to death. i saw a 49—year—old man in my cell die. they tortured him for three days, then wrote in the report that he had a stroke. you've been through a terrible experience. so has the whole country. how do you get over it and build a better place? translation: we need to forget to move on. this is a happy time for all syrians. we need to get back to work. we turn the page. all the sadness is behind us. forgetting the assads is not easy when they've left 90% of syrians in poverty. these men came to sednaya from aleppo to find their brothers. now they're camping in the prison, nowhere else to go and no escape from a hard future and a past full of pain. jeremy bowen, bbc news, damascus. the israeli government has

approved a plan to expand settlements in the occupied golan heights — a move considered illegal under international law. prime minister benjamin netanyahu defended the decision because of what he called the �*new front�* that's opened up in syria. israel captured the golan heights from syria in 1967. an armistice was signed between them in 1974 and a buffer zone established. but after the fall of president assad, israeli troops entered the buffer zone — again in violation of the agreement. our correspondent lucy williamson reports now from the village of hadar where she encountered israeli troops on syrian territory. an hourfrom damascus on a syrian country road, we met israel's army. an impromptu checkpoint on the only route into hadar village. military vehicles and troops in full combat gear.

earlier this week, israel said it was seizing control of syrian territory in a demilitarised zone set up in a ceasefire agreement 50 years ago. hadar overlooks this buffer zone. parts of the village even jut into it. the village chief points out the territory israel occupied in 1967 from the mountains of the golan to the galilee. many residents in this druze community have relatives still living there. now they see israeli forces moving around their own village. a week after president assad's regime fell, the sense of freedom here comes tinged with fatalism. maybe they leave. maybe they stay. maybe they go away. maybe they make the area safe and then go away to the border. we want to hope. but in the future, we will wait and see.

israeli bulldozers are clearly visible above the village. many syrians fear israel simply wants to grab more land. israel says it's motivated by the threat from jihadist groups and that its incursions would be limited and temporary. the iran—backed groups that israel was fighting here have been weakened by the fall of assad. israel is taking advantage of this moment to extend its reach here and deal with new potential threats. the village chief said dozens of men, including his own son, died defending the village from militia of all kinds during syria's war. israel is a state. we can't stand up to it. we used to stand up to individuals, but israel is a superpower. israel's prime minister has talked about a new front in syria.

syria's new islamist leader has warned of unnecessary escalation. its long—awaited freedom overshadowed by talk of war. lucy williamson, bbc news, hadar. israel says it's closing its embassy in ireland, months after it withdrew its ambassador from the country. the foreign minister gideon sa'ar accused the irish government of �*anti—semitic actions' and "demonising" israel. the irish prime minister simon harris called the decision deeply regrettable. he said ireland was not anti—israel, but pro— human rights and international law. last week, ireland decided to join south africa's genocide case against israel at the international court of justice. and earlier this year, it unilaterally recognised a palestinian state. around the world and across the uk. this is bbc news. let's look at some other

stories making news. a two—year—old boy has died and four adults have been injured in a hit—and—run incident involving a stolen car. it happened in smethick in the west midlands on saturday night. detectives say the driver of the porsche, which was stolen earlier this month, fled the scene of a crash. a woman is dead and a man critically injured in a shooting in north—west london. man was pronounced dead after police was called after 9pm on saturday. another man in his 30s was also injured. a vigil has been held outside the family house of 10—year—old sara sharif in surrey. around 500 people laid flowers and cards to pay tribute to the child. sara's father, urfan sharif, and stepmother, beinash batool, were found guilty of her murder in 2023 earlier this week

following a ten—week trial. her body was found at the house. you're live with bbc news. south korea's constitutional court has started its preparations for president yoon suk yeol�*s impeachment trial. justices are reviewing saturday's parliamentary vote to suspend him from office after his failed attempt to impose military rule. the court has up to 180 days to decide whether to uphold the impeachment, or reinstate mr yoon. if it's upheld, a snap election will be held within sixty days. mac president yoon is yet to appear at a questioning at the prosecutors office despite multiple requests. investigators hope to talk to him on wednesday. the role of the people power party has said

he will step down, 12 member for his party broke from their party planning to vote in favour of impeachment. he said it has become impossible to carry out his duties as party chief. i'm joined now by moon chung—in who was special adviser to president moonjae—in. who is in charge in south korea and what are your thoughts on who will be able to put up a united front?— united front? the prime minister _ united front? the prime minister has _ united front? the prime minister has become . united front? the prime| minister has become the united front? the prime - minister has become the acting president. he will take care of the transition process. he is quite a competent leader and i think he will handle the transition quite smoothly. we saw celebrations in south korea over that impeachment vote but

president yoon has refused the police summons, what is your reading on what he is thinking at the moment? he reading on what he is thinking at the moment?— reading on what he is thinking at the moment? he is trying to an ue at the moment? he is trying to argue his _ at the moment? he is trying to argue his declaration _ at the moment? he is trying to argue his declaration of- argue his declaration of martial law is out of his presidential right to govern but i think it was an outright violation of constitution and other related laws, therefore he will be arguing in the constitutional court he did the right thing, and he is rejecting the idea he committed a treason. evidence is overwhelming it would be extremely difficult for him to defend himself in the constitutional court and in the criminal court. he constitutional court and in the criminal court.— constitutional court and in the criminal court. he does have a leual criminal court. he does have a legal background, _ criminal court. he does have a legal background, so - criminal court. he does have a legal background, so he - criminal court. he does have a legal background, so he must| criminal court. he does have a i legal background, so he must be thinking ahead. do you see south korea having a new president by the time the president—elect donald trump is inaugurated? president-elect donald trump is inaugurated?—

inaugurated? no, it's two or -- no, it's inaugurated? no, it's two or -- no. it's too _ inaugurated? no, it's two or -- no, it's too early. _ inaugurated? no, it's two or -- no, it's too early. there - inaugurated? no, it's two or -- no, it's too early. there will. no, it's too early. there will be a the election called sometime in march or there will be an election in may next year. but as you pointed out, the constitutional court has six months to deliberate on the case. then the election of the president will be held within 60 days after the final deliberation by the constitutional court. there will be sometime between march and may. but still, it is unknown, it depends on the constitutional court judges. therefore there is some concerns. howeveras therefore there is some concerns. however as i pointed out the evidence is overwhelming it will be very difficult for president yoon to defend himself.— defend himself. quite a long rocess defend himself. quite a long process ahead. _ defend himself. quite a long process ahead. donald -

defend himself. quite a long| process ahead. donald trump defend himself. quite a long - process ahead. donald trump has previously said south korea needs to start paying for american troops on its soil, he hasjust appointed a american troops on its soil, he has just appointed a special envoy, how do you think interim leaders will deal with him? we leaders will dealwith him? we have leaders will deal with him? - have reached an agreement with the biden administration just two months ago, and i think that agreement should be upheld. it will be very unfair for the donald trump to revoke that and have another round of negotiation on that special agreement. it is yet to be seen, i thank the agreement we signed with the biden administration in october should be upheld and it should be binding. find should be upheld and it should be binding-— be binding. and 'ust as far as who might _ be binding. and 'ust as far as who might be _ be binding. and 'ust as far as who might be in]— be binding. and just as far as who might be in the - be binding. and just as far as who might be in the running | be binding. and just as far as i who might be in the running to be the next president, there are so many leaders under

investigation for their involvement in the fiasco. who do you think could be south korea's next president? if you look at the — korea's next president? if you look at the current _ korea's next president? if you look at the current opinion - look at the current opinion polls, president of the opposition democratic party of korea is leading all the other candidates by a great margin. he has a great chance of winning the next election. as you know he is liable to several legal cases, therefore it is yet to be seen. therefore korean politics is full of uncertainties.— korean politics is full of uncertainties. ~ ., ., uncertainties. we will have to leave it there, _ uncertainties. we will have to leave it there, special- uncertainties. we will have to leave it there, special advisor to the former president many thanks for your time.- thanks for your time. thank ou. police in the us state of massachussetts have arrested two men forflying drones near boston's logan airport. they're accused of trespassing but may also face other charges. the arrests follow a spate of drone sightings across six

north—eastern states that's caused widespread confusion. the senate majority leader, chuck schumer, said the aircraft were now "in the skies all over the place". our correspondent rowan bridge has the latest. boston police said they spotted a device flying dangerously close to the boston airport at half past four, they detected it was being flown from an island off the coast of boston long island, boston harbour police were dispatched, there were three people they try to track down, they got hold of two of them and one escape, the two of them and one escape, the two people arrested were 42—year—old robert raftery and robert falkirk and they also recovered a pack with a drone. those two men are due to appear in court charged with trespass being on then they were officially meant to be on but police say they could face

further charges because this is an ongoing investigation into what happened. flying a drone near an what happened. flying a drone nearan airport is what happened. flying a drone near an airport is extremely damage they can cause potential damage they can cause potential damage to the aircraft or helicopter which could be potentially extremely serious but they can also cause aircraft to have to of the last minute and that carries a major risk as well. let's take a look at some other stories in the headlines. the five remaining members of the so called "bali nine" this drug ring have been freed and flown back to australia after almost 20 years in an indonesian prison. they were jailed for their roles in a heroin smuggling plot in bali in 2005. the gang's two ringleaders were executed by firing squad in 2015. seven people have been taken to hospital in fiji after suspected alcohol poisoning. it's believed all those affected were guests at a resort where they drank cocktails in the bar on saturday night and fell ill shortly afterwards. it comes just a few weeks after the death of six tourists in laos because of suspected

methanol poisoning. leaders of the west africa regional grouping ecowas ratified the withdrawal of mali, burkina faso and niger from the economic bloc. they were meeting at a summit in abuja in nigeria on sunday. this means that from the end of january 2025, the three sahel countries, which are all ruled by militaryjuntas, will cease to be members. brazilian president, luiz inacio lula da silva, has been released from hospital after two emergency surgeries to fix a bleed on his brain. the 79—year—old spoke publicly at a hospital press conference in sao paulo — saying he was "healed" and "just needed to take care of himself". he stressed that he was keen to get back to work as soon as possible. before we go — there's just time for some festive fun from mexico city.

it's an annual event where hundreds of competitors — their children, and even pets dress up as santa claus and run through the capital. they run along three routes — the longest of which is ten kilometers. the 1—kilometre option is reserved for those with dogs and pushchairs, though. and it might be a hot sunny day but you can't take part without wearing the mandatory santa suit. that's all for now — stay with bbc news. hello. sunday brought temperatures as high as 1a degrees in some parts of the uk, and the new working week is getting off to a similarly mild start. now we are going to see some wet and windy weather at times this week. it will then turn colder for a while towards the end of the week, but for the time being, we find ourselves within this area of mild air. across the north of the uk, though, notice this weather front a very

slow moving weather front which is going to continue to deliver some heavy and persistent rain across the north west of scotland. some western parts of the highlands through monday and into tuesday could be looking at up to 150mm of rain that could give rise to some transport disruption and some flooding issues. elsewhere, a largely dry but rather cloudy start to the day. however, we will see that cloud thinning and breaking to give some spells of sunshine, maybe just a bit grey and murky for parts of southwest england and wales. breezy, in fact windy up towards the north but temperatures widely11, 12, maybe 13 celsius. now during monday night, the rainjust keeps on coming in the north of scotland. further south, a lot of dry weather, some clear spells for a time, but we will see cloud thickening up as our next weather system begins to work its way in towards the west, some rain into northern ireland, southwest scotland as we start tuesday morning, that first band of rain pushing its way northwards and eastwards, then a somewhat drier gap, maybe with a little bit of brightness before our next band of rain swings its way in from the west. the winds will be

strengthening, in fact quite gusty around some western coasts. with those winds coming up from the south, it's going to be another mild day. ten, 11, 12, 13 degrees. wednesday exceptionally mild. there will be some spells of sunshine. scattered showers too. looks like an area of heavy rain will start to push its way in towards the southwest and parts of wales later in the day. if you get yourself some brightness, ten to 15 degrees will feel very mild indeed for the time of year. however, that mild air for the middle part of the week is not going to last because the wind direction changes. into thursday, we bring down more of a north or northwesterly wind, and it is going to feel a little bit colder for the end of the week. so the week starts on a mild note. we'll see some wind and rain, and then it turns a little bit colder later.

china growth concerns persist as november is a retail sales and miss expectations. impeachment proceedings begin in south korea after lawmakers voted in favour of impeaching present unit. hello and welcome to business today. i'm suranjana tewari.

we begin in south korea where the highly anticipated vote to impeach president yoon suk yeol passed on saturday. house prices have fallen 5.7% year on year in november, highlighting a continued struggle in the property sector. the government has been rolling out measures to try to revive the market for questions remain over whether they have been enough. meanwhile, retail sales data for november shows an uptick of 3% and that is lower than estimated also to unpack what all this means for china's economy and the prospects for next year, i am joined by economist alicia garcia, good to have you with us. firstly your reaction to the data? with all the stimulus coming in, was it too little too late? it coming in, was it too little too late?— coming in, was it too little too late? ., , ., ., ., too late? it was not related to consumption _ too late? it was not related to consumption so _ too late? it was not related to consumption so we _ too late? it was not related to consumption so we should - too late? it was not related toj consumption so we should not see anything else. we did see an improvement in october but that was basically... meaning the stimulus that had been