racist history of blackface. i'm nuala mcgovern in london. also in the programme: preparing to protest for the planet — students around the world get ready for friday climate strikes. and why gay rights activists in south korea say lack of laws to protect them is forcing many young people to take their own lives. good morning. it's midnight in london, 7am here in singapore and 8am tokyo where — if you didn't already know — the rugby world cup gets underway later today. this is the first time the tournament is being hosted by an asian nation. it's only four years