bbc world news. still to come... it's bed rest, but all in the name of science — how researchers are testing the effects of zero—gravity. this is bbc world news todayer plane has crashed just outside moscow. officials say all 71 on board were killed. the new leader of the african national congress, cyril ramaphosa, says the party will ask president jacob zuma to step down. british foreign secretary boris johnson, has held talks with myanmar‘s leader aung san suu kyi, focusing on the rohingya refugee crisis. hundreds of thousands of people have been forced to leave myanmar, seeking shelter in neighbouring bangladesh, following a military crackdown, and violence from pro—government militias. our correspondent reeta chakra barti is travelling with the foreign secretary. among the burnt out remains of a rohingya home, borisjohnson took in the chilling sight, the charred remains of a former life. he found the site himself, although his visit to this region was heavily controlled by the myanmar authorities. can you work out where the house was? he travelled from village to village by helicopter. from the air, you could see whole areas razed to the ground

this is bbc world news today. our top stories. the un security council prepares to vote on a new ceasefire in syria — as government forces continue to target eastern ghouta, these are live pictures from the united nations in new york. the vote has been postponed several times. one of donald trump's former campaign aides omits to conspiring and lying to investigators. a blunt assessment from the european council president of the uk's plans for a post—brexit relationship with the european union. if the reports are correct, i am afraid that the uk's position today is based on pure illusion. were you the mastermind that cheated the olympics? yes. the man who revealed russian doping, now in fear for his life, says russia should not be allowed at the closing of the winter olympics. this is the most important moment in the history of the international olympic committee and if the flag is allowed to appear, it will be the worst decision. the olympics could die. hello and welcome to world news today. intensive diplomatic ef

bbc world news, still to come. we look at the reasons why the number of orangutans in borneo has halved injust 16 years. this is bbc world news todayting possible interference in the presidential elections, robert mueller, has brought charges against 13 russian suspects. the fbi has acknowledged that it mishandled a warning that it received last month about nikolas cruz, the man who killed 17 people at a school in florida. the new south african president, cyril ramaphosa, has delivered his first state of the nation address to parliament in cape town, a day after being sworn into office. he set out his plans for the economy and for ending the corruption scandals that forced his predecessor, jacob zuma, to resign. mr ramaphosa told the mps that this is the year that the tide will be turned on corruption in south africa's institutions. we must fight corruption, we must fight fraud and collusion, as well as in the private sector, with the same purpose and intensity that we want to fight it in the public sector. we must remember that every time someone receives a bribe, there is someone who is prepared to pay it. we will make sure that

nemtsov, this is bbc world news today. our top stories: a suspected chemical attack in syria. activists say these pictures are from a hospital in eastern ghouta, an area that's been under intense attack for a week. the political crisis in the democratic republic of congo — security forces open fire on a rally calling for president kabila to go. china's xijinping could remain china's xi jinping could remain as president for many years, and proposed constitutional changes. a team from poland trying to be the first to conquer the world's second—highest peak in winter — so why did one of the climbers strike out his own? hello and welcome to world news today. there are reports from syria of a chemical attack in eastern ghouta, an enclave on the outskirts of damascus that has been under intense bombardment from the syrian regime for a week now. the region is the last major rebel—held area near the capital, and the assad regime is now determined to take it back. these are pictures we've just received of that suspected chemical attack. the reports come a day after the united nations s

this is bbc world news today.its surveillance powers during the election campaign. the father of three sexual abuse victims has lunged at the disgraced usa gymnastics team doctor larry nassar during his final sentencing hearing. scientists studying the decline in the survival rates of polar bears have observed them expending more energy than they can consume as they hunt. the researchers found that the bears have a higher metabolic rate than previously thought and are unable to catch enough prey to meet their energy needs. victoria gill has more. a polar bear‘s view of the arctic. these remarkable images were captured cameras inside tracking collars that scientists fitted to nine solitary female polar bears. in a study carried out over three seasons in the arctic, the researchers set out to understand whether the animals were getting enough to eat during the critical spring thaw. satellite studies have shown that arctic sea ice is decreasing at a rate of about 14% every decade. and the bears need that ice to hunt

this is bbc world news today. i'm karin giannone. our top stories: defrosting relations on the ice, north and south korean women play their first hockey match together ahead of the winter olympics as a united team. top anc officials meet president zuma as pressure contines to grow on the south african leader to leave office. two trains collide in the us state of south carolina, killing two people, with more than 100 injured. and it's cold outside but the patriots and eagles will be inside in minneapolis as they battle it out in the 52nd super bowl. hello and welcome to world news today. another development in the diplomatic thaw between north and south korea over the winter olympics — the north is to send its highest ranking official for years to the south to the games. here he is — kim yong—nam, the ceremonial head of state, will lead a 22—member delegation to the south beginning on friday. it comes as the two nations put on an unprecedented show of sporting collaboration today, fielding a joint women's ice hockey team. it played an

this is bbc world news today, i'm karin giannone. our top stories: demanding action on gun control — survivors of the school shooting in florida plan to march on the us capital. a showdown at the munich security conference, as israel and iran trade insults — and threats. to the tyrants of tehran — do not test israel's resolve. iran will respond, we will respond seriously, and i believe it would be a response that people will be sorry. brought to a halt by a blizzard — rescuers postpone the search for a downed passenger plane in iran. as many as 66 people are feared dead. and... all in black on the red carpet. the stars of cinema show their support for the a campaign against sexual harrassment. iamjane i amjane hill at the royal i am jane hill at the royal albert hall in london where that ceremony is continuing. join me in half an hourfor is continuing. join me in half an hour for a is continuing. join me in half an hourfor a special is continuing. join me in half an hour for a special programme with all the winners. hello and welcome

this is bbc world news today. i'm duncan golestani. our top stories: after three days of haggling, the united nations finally agrees on a ceasefire resolution for syria. the security council, including russia, backs a call for a 30—day pause, as the number of dead from government strikes on a rebel—held enclave tops 500. we may not know the faces that we're talking about. we may not know their names, or these people, talking about. we may not know their names, orthese people, but talking about. we may not know their names, or these people, but they know us. and we all failed them this week. two major us airlines, delta and united, become the latest firms to cut ties with the powerful national rifle association in response to the florida school shooting. china calls for the withdrawal of the new us sanctions package against north korea, described by president trump on friday as the "largest ever". and, archeologists discover a 2,000—year—old burial site in egypt. we've found jewellery, amulets, part of the finery..

this is bbc world news today, i'm samantha simmonds, top stories: us congress releases a republican memoat the fbi abuse surveillance powers during the election campaign, the release is approved by president trump. election campaign, the release is approved by president trumplj election campaign, the release is approved by president trump. i think it isa approved by president trump. i think it is a disgrace what is happening in our country, and when you look at that and you see that and some of the other things that are going on, a lot of people should be ashamed of themselves. the disgraced us a gymnastics virgin sticks dr larry nassar is lunged at by a father of one of those that he abused, at his final hearing. abandoned in a mountain blizzard, how one syrian refugees survived after being left for dead by smugglers. unique view of poll and bears struggling to find enough food

this is bbc world news today. our top stories.ers of an islamic state execution cell should answer in court for their actions. if it goes to trial, i'll certainly be there. i certainly want to look them in the eye and let them know that i am who i am and they have destroyed a big part of my life. paris closes the eiffel tower for the second time this week as another blanket of snow covers the french capital.

this is bbc world news today. our top stories. brings charges against russian nationals for trying to help donald trump win the 2016 american election. the indictment charges 13 russian nationals and three russian companies for committing federal crimes while seeking to interfere in the united states political system. the fbi says it mishandled information warning about the danger of the florida school shooter. battling criminal gangs in rio dejaneiro — brazil's president orders the army to take over security in the state. the new south african president, cyril ramaphosa, has been setting out his plans to end corruption — in his first state of the nation address.

this is bbc world news today. our top stories. prepares to vote on a new ceasefire in syria — as government forces continue to target eastern ghouta, these are live pictures from the united nations in new york. the vote has been postponed several times. one of donald trump's former campaign aides omits to conspiring and lying to investigators. a blunt assessment from the european council president of the uk's plans for a post—brexit relationship with the european union. if the reports are correct, i am afraid that the uk's position today is based on pure illusion. were you the mastermind that cheated the olympics? yes.

a warm welcome to bbc world news today. i'm celia hatton. our top stories...d shortly after taking off from a moscow airport. officials say there are no sui’vivoi’s. the leader of south africa's ruling anc party cyril ramaphosa says he'll ask presidentjacob zuma to step down on monday. oxfam and other global charities under threat in the wake of a widening sex scandal. also in the programme...we‘ll update you on the action on day two of competition at the winter olympics. . .the netherlands celebrates its second gold medal. hello and welcome to world news today.

this is bbc world news today. i'm karin giannone.nd south korean women play their first hockey match together ahead of the winter 0lympics as a united team. top anc officials meet president zuma as pressure contines to grow on the south african leader to leave office. two trains collide in the us state of south carolina, killing two people, with more than 100 injured. and it's cold outside but the patriots and eagles will be inside in minneapolis as they battle it out in the 52nd super bowl.

this is bbc world news today. our top stories: the un security council prepares to vote on a new ceasefire in syria — as government forces continue to target eastern ghouta, where hundreds have died. these are live pictures from the united nations in new york. that gates has to lying to investigators. president trump has said that arming teachers in us schools could prevent gun attacks. mr trump used a speech to conservative activists took office in teacher to carry concealed weapons. and the man who revealed the extent of doping in russia said the extent of doping in russia said the country should not be allowed to go to the closing of the winter olympics. he told the bbc that followed from his testimony had led him to hiding in fearfor his life. at ten o'clock, fiona bruce will have the full round—up of the news, but first, we look at the world's longest river in this special programme damming the nile. the river nile is the world's longest river. it's where the world's first war over water could be fought. the

this is bbc world news today, i'm karin giannone.n gun control — survivors of the school shooting in florida plan to march on the us capital. a showdown at the munich security conference, as israel and iran trade insults — and threats. to the tyrants of tehran — do not test israel's resolve. iran will respond, we will respond seriously, and i believe it would be a response that people will be sorry. brought to a halt by a blizzard — rescuers postpone the search for a downed passenger plane in iran. as many as 66 people are feared dead. and... all in black on the red carpet. the stars of cinema show their support for the a campaign

nemtsov, this is bbc world news today. our top stories: a suspected chemical attack in syria.l in eastern ghouta, an area that's been under intense attack for a week. the political crisis in the democratic republic of congo — security forces open fire on a rally calling for president kabila to go. china's xijinping could remain china's xi jinping could remain as president for many years, and proposed constitutional changes. a team from poland trying to be the first to conquer the world's second—highest peak in winter — so why did one of the climbers strike out his own?

this is bbc world news today. i'm duncan golestani.ly agrees on a ceasefire resolution for syria. the security council, including russia, backs a call for a 30—day pause, as the number of dead from government strikes on a rebel—held enclave tops 500. we may not know the faces that we're talking about. we may not know their names, 01’ talking about. we may not know their names, or these people, talking about. we may not know their names, orthese people, but talking about. we may not know their names, or these people, but they know us. and we all failed them this week. two major us airlines, delta and united, become the latest firms to cut ties with the powerful national rifle association in response to the florida school shooting. china calls for the withdrawal of the new us sanctions package against north korea, described by president trump on friday as the "largest ever".

this is bbc world news today. our top stories. victims families command two members of an islamic state execution cell should answer in court for their actions. if it goes to trial, i'll certainly be there. i certainly want to look them in the eye and let them know that i am who i am and they have destroyed a big part of my life. paris closes the eiffel tower for the second time this week as another blanket of snow covers the french capital. hello and welcome to world news today. the families of the victims of two british islamic state members captured in syria, have called for them to face justice in court. alexanda kotey and el shafee el sheikh were part of a team of four is members whose british accents earned them the nickname "the beatles." us officials say the group are accused of executing 27 hostages. our home affairs correspondent daniel sandford has more. they became the most infamous gang of foreign fighters in the self—styled islamic state, callous torturers and public executioners of hostages. jihadijohn, his real nam

bbc news channel, next is the bbc news at10pm. if news channel, next is the bbc news at 10pm. if you're watching on world news todayscaped your attention that next week is the beginning of march. we are thinking about sunshine and flowers. sometimes we can see temperatures into double figures in march. for us, temperatures will struggle to climb above freezing. we are likely to see widespread frost and some significant snow. more on that at the end of the forecast. friday will be straightforward. under the influence of high pressure in scandinavia, things remain quiet, some clouds around, particularly in northern ireland, there will also be some sunshine on friday, temperatures cold but nothing in comparison to what we are going to see. saturday spurts of quite promising, in fact the weekend is shaping up to be very nice indeed. lots of sunshine around, a nagging easterly wind, particularly across essex and kent, meaning on that exposed east coast feeling quite raw. lots of sunshine hopefully to compensate. similarstory raw. lots of sunshine hopefully to compensate. similar story on sunday. under the influence of h

new world. david, so good to see you. that's it from business live today. there will be more business news throughout the day on the bbcin tomorrow. good morning. some of us have woken up good morning. some of us have woken up to eyes this morning, particularly in northern and western parts of the uk but for many others, some good spells of sunshine today, snow showers continuing her early towards northern and western areas. you can see snow towards northern and western areas. you can see snow showers towards northern and western areas. you can see snow showers of the speckled nature of the cloud down towards the south—east. there will be clearer skies and sunshine as well. we will keep the sunshine towards the south and east, into this afternoon. further north—west, this afternoon. further north—west, this little blobs, snow showers continuing to feed into north—west england, western and northern areas of scotland. the cloud increasing just a touch in northern ireland but foremost, good spells of sunshine, feeling quite again, maximum temperature of 5—8dc. this evening and night, continuing with clear skies in central

bbc world news. now on bbc news, it's time for hardtalk. welcome to hardtalk, i'm sarah montague. my guest today dream. an internationally acclaimed concert pianist and successful recording artist. but read his account of his life and it resembles a nightmare. when he's away from the piano, james rhodes is still haunted by the violent sexual abuse he suffered for years, from the age of six. he's written about how it drove him to drink, take drugs, self—harm and spent time in a psychiatric hospital. and how he was "saved by music". only discovering in his 30s that he could really play the piano. and in his latest book, he recounts what his successful life really feels like. and it's almost unbearable and distressing to hear. how can he live with the pain of the past? james rhodes, welcome to hardtalk. nice to be here. thank you. quite a dramatic introduction. quite a dramatic book. yeah, possibly. and you intended it to be so. no, i never intended, the whole drama thing, i had enough of. sometimes it can be quite sensationalist to talk about certain topics. and for me, what i really wanted to do

today's news. now on bbc news — our world "we lived through a war."re are flashing images from the beginning of this film. we have a pursuit. sirens wail ..heading eastbound, about 70mph... it's a pursuit. they're on the freeway, they're coming east. the crime situation is high. it's very, very busy for law enforcement. but, again, it's a very small percentage of people that are causing the problems. all right, bad guyjust crashed. all right. i'm going to get us a little bit off because we have, like, 17 guns pointed in this direction. over radio: ..they are starting to take the occupants into custody. a night patrol with the la sheriffs in the city of compton. two suspected members of the southside compton cripps gang are under arrest. it would be really unsafe for them to be in their rival‘s area and if they are there they are going to have to have protection, because it's almost expected for them to be armed. police estimate there are almost 4,000 gang members in compton. 0urarea, ourservice area, is ten square miles. fireworks sound fireworks. ten

bbc news because we have more to come. we will be taking the temperature in pyeongchang on britain's most successful day at a winter games so far. hello and welcome back to world news todaynational security adviser has called on world leaders to hold the syrian government to account for its continued use of chemical weapons. the russian foreign minister has dismissed as "blather" accusations that moscow interfered in the us presidential election. members of the uk independence party, ukip, which campaigned for brexit, have voted to sack their leader, henry bolton. he's been in office for less than six months. mr bolton has been under pressure to resign since his ex—girlfriend sent racially offensive messages about meghan markle, the fiance of queen elizabeth's grandson, prince harry. after the vote, he was asked whether he would have handled the controversy in a different way. that whole episode has been a hell ofan that whole episode has been a hell of an experience, and one that very few people in this country have ever been through. i have learned from that experience and with hindsight i would have dealt with certain aspects differently but we are all human, i tried

today. there will be more business news throughout the day on the bbc live webpage and on world business reportestern areas of the uk. quite a bit of rain around. 0ver higher ground, some snow falling, but it is across scotland where there will be snow falling through the morning and into the afternoon, and even down to lower levels there could be snow which could cause some organs. this weather front is straddled across the uk. early morning sunshine across the far east of england gradually being eroded by this cloud moving in. some cloud behind this weather system showing us where we have some showers. winter showers coming into the west. we get clearer weather coming through. but towards eastern part it will remain cloudy. snow at times over the pennines. down to low levels it is mainly rain and quite breezy conditions as well. during this afternoon, sunnier spells across much of south—west england, across wales, the west midlands, it is all remaining cloudy and wet. some snow for very northern scotland. and very cloudy skies. the weather front hanging on to give us outbreaks of rain. temper

today. there will be more business news throughout the day on the bbc live webpage and on world business report ground, things improving slightly today. looking brighter, quite breezy, a few showers dotted around, primarily in the north and west. the weather system that brought wet weather yesterday, clearing the way. low pressure is still firmly in charge and that is bringing in a north—westerly wind, still the risk of wintry showers in scotland and northern ireland today, showers dotted around northern england, perhaps the odd shower in southern areas too. for much of southern england, wales, closer look at this afternoon, looking mostly dry with sunshine continuing. temperatures into double figures in southern areas. with lighter winds, feeling fairly pleasant. further north, snow showers over the pennines, northern ireland, but in particular, the north and west of scotland were the snow showers continued to feed him. still a little bit chilly here. —— feed in. thursday evening, we will see the showers continuing across the north, elsewhere, clear spells. temperatures dropping down close to

bbc about his plans to build the hyperloop train in india. its tuesday. good morning, asia. hello, world. glad you could join us. hsbc will have a new ceo taking the helm todayer major restructuring turned its fortu nes major restructuring turned its fortunes around. uk—based lender reports full earnings and many will be watching for signs that the bank's pivot to asia will be a success. bank's pivot to asia will be a success. in the third quarter of last year, nearly 90% of its pre—tax profit came from here in the region. asia has been a key driving growth in the loans, insurance and wealth management business. the bank is betting big on the pearl river delta, the world's most populous urban area, by investing billions of dollars in infrastructure and the area but as stuart gulliver hands over tojohn flint, area but as stuart gulliver hands over to john flint, will this strategy continue? hsbc is in a sense of an asian bank, it makes most of its profit out of hong kong. the uk is not even second or third. but aren't they putting too many eggsin but aren't they putting too many eggs in one basket? are they betting too much of asia? it's a global bank. yes, b

bbc news, belfast. if you are in the right part of the world, the best advice is to look at. that is it from me. get in touch on twitter. hello, this is sport todayprogramme... aubameyang is now an arsenal man — a club record fee of $80 million for the gabon striker. antonio conte's chelsea are shocked at stamford bridge — conceding three at home to bournemouth. and formula 1 announces that the grid girls are to be no more. hello and welcome along to sport today, wherever you are watching us. so the january transfer window in european football has now closed. and the headline act on the final day was the move of pierre emerick aubameyang from borrussia dortmund to arsenal. the gabon striker arrived in london on a deal worth close to $80 million. and this was his reaction. said the league and they have the

today. that's "nightly business report" for tonight. i'm bill griffith. have a greatyovening. see u tomorrow. >> this is "bbc world news america." funding of this presentation is made possible by the freeman foundation,ko aner foundation, pursuing solutions for america's neglected needs. >> planning a vacation escape siat is relaxing, inting, and exciting is a lot than you think. you can find it here in aruba. families, couples, and friends can all find their escape on the island with warm, sunny days, coolg trade winds, and the crystal blue caribbean sea. nonstop flights are available from mosmajor airports. more informationor

today. there will be more business news throughout the day on the bbc live web page and on world business reportindy day, to see the very least, on thursday and coming from a pretty cold direction for the north and north—west, the wind probably the strongest across parts of scotland, especially western shores. some disruption on the ferries, and the only thing about the wind on friday, there will be less of it. bar is a little further apart. may not seem so little further apart. may not seem so at first but on the eastern shores of england a combination of a stiff northwestern and westerly breeze and quite a supply of showers as well, tending to lose their oomph through the day. out towards the west, some of the showers in western wales and the south—west will also lose their intensity. elsewhere, a really decent day. plenty of sunshine but again not overly warm if you are exposed to that breeze. temperatures tipping away under the clear skies until we bring in clouds associated with the weather front from the atlantic. this will be a major feature of interest from the meteorological point of vi

bbc news, talking books. welcome to talking books here at the cheltenham literary festival. a celebration of more than 1000 of the world's finest writers, poets, performers and politicians. today to the bestselling irish writer roddy doyle. he made his name 30 years ago with his debut novel the commitments, which was later turned into a hugely successful film and then a stage show. since then he has gone on to write more than 20 books for adults and children, including paddy clarke ha ha ha, which won the booker prize in 1993. his latest novel is called smile, and in it, he says, he hopes to shock and surprise people. roddy doyle, you have been writing for three decades. so there is a lot to talk about. but i'd like to start bang up—to—date with your latest novel smile, which is about a middle—aged man, victor, looking back on his schooldays as dark and disturbing memories begin to emerge. what was the starting point for the novel? i went to a christian brothers school in dublin, started in 1971, when i was 13. and that is a school run by the catholic church? yes, by the christian brothers, they are called. and a lot... for more than 100 years, a lot of working—class, lower—mi

today would undoubtably see much that would ill need to be done. sarahth sbbc news. road tos women' equality. i am laura trevelyan. thank you for watching "bbc world news america." >> with the bbc news app, our trtical videos are design work around your lifestyle, so you can swipe your way through aye news of the day and st up to date with the latest headlines you can trust. download now from selected app stores. >> funding of this presentation is made possible by the freeman foundation, and kovler foundation, pursuing solutions for america's neglected needs. >> planning a vacation escape ting, andelaxing, in exciting is a lot easier than you think. you can find it here in aruba. families, couples, and friends can all find their escape on the island with warm, sunny days, cool crystal blue caribbean sea. nonstop flights are available from most major airports. more information for your vacation planning is available at aruba.com. os "bbc world news" was presented by kcet,ngeles. ctaptioning sponsored by newshour produns, llc >> yang: good evening, i'm johng yang. judy woodruff is away. on the newshour tonight, walluf street takes another plunge: a

in pyeongchang, but today the second of the athletes failed a drug test, moving forward from sport's biggest crisis is easy task. dan roan, bbc news. laura: you are watching "bbc worldews america." still to come tonight's program, with a transgender actress in t leading role, "a fantastic woman" is breaking barriers. now this foreign film is hing to gon home with aoscar. many of us would like a selfie with a celebrity -- maybe brad pitt or rihanna. but madame tussaud is as close as we will get. now they are trying to follow the lead of the famous attraction. >> i do portrait paintings and sculptures. ye, iif i work on the pull the screen and zoom. it started a while back in some respects when i visited madame tussaud in new york. wow,lized that, something like that can be done in our country as we. i saw the wax museum and when i come act, i wanted to do something like that. it took me a long time from when i went to manager so until now -- madame tussaud until now. love them all. my mom wanted me to be a doctor. in medical school. i did only one, two months, and i left. until i had my first exhibition in new york. i had my work auctioned in new york. then she said,

today it was the better economic figures that won out. kamal ahmed, bbc news. venezuela, which has the largest oil reserves in the world a humanitarian crisis because of a shortage of food. charities say the situation is out of control, with no end in sight, as the economy has collapsed, bringing extreme hardship for millions. it's estimated that the rate of inflation could increase to 13,000% this year. and the level of child malnutrition now stands at almost 17%. the bbc‘s vladimir hernandez is one of the few international journalists who's been able to report from venezuela. singing they sing, but they're hungry. these are the faces of extreme poverty in venezuela. here, the economic collapse has left an unsettling sight. extremely thin children, who don't know when they'll eat next. kimberly has two young children, she says it's never been so hard to find food. this is the medical report for kimberly‘s youngest son, he was taken recently to hospital. what it says here is that he was suffering from diarrhoea, asthma, anaemia, but also from acute malnutrition. there's a whole list of medicines here also for him. i've

world is watching from a safe distance. jeremy bowen, bbc news. nick bryant is at the un, and says russia's stance is being blamed for delaying an agreement for a ceasefire. todayit took was the mere threat of a veto to block a draft resolution which would have called for a 30—day ceasefire, which would have allowed for humanitarian convoys to get into places like eastern ghouta and for medical evacuations to take place as well. the russians are saying we are proposing amendments, we do want a feasible agreement, but these negotiations have been going on for two weeks now. the russians have already been granted major concessions. the western powers are saying this is yet another delaying tactic by moscow to grab more time for the assad regime to continue its military offensive and to kill more people. britain and america today, again, as they have done for many years, bemoaned russian obstructionism. britain and america today, again, as they have done for many years, bemoaned russian obstructionism. but what they have never been prepared to do is back up those words with meaningful action in syria to counteract russia's influence. so they get to call the shots

bbc world news. now on bbc news it's time for hardtalk. welcome to hardtalk. i am stephen sackur. they say you can judge a man by the company he keeps. if that is true, my guest todayuld provide telling insight into the character of president donald trump. roger stone is a hugely controversial and divisive figure in american conservatism. he is a long—time friend and sometime adviser to mr trump. is he also a symbol of all that is currently wrong in american politics? roger stone, welcome to hardtalk. delighted to be here. we have just gone past the one—year anniversary of the donald trump administration. how would you describe the political atmosphere in the united states today? i would say improving. the president continues to be a polarising figure. he came out of a relatively close election where both candidates were exceedingly polarising. but the rising tide of a strong economy is helping enormously. we have created under the watch of trump 2 million newjobs, we have a record stock market, african american and hispanic unemployment is at historic lows. overall unemployment is extraordinarily low. suddenly, you have these billion—dollar companies like apple co

civilians are killed in eastern ghouta today as syria's government continues to bombard the rebel—held enclave. it is close to damascus. some headlines from bbc world service. newxpected to be hit by the remnants of cyclone gita. it caused extensive damage in tonga, samoa and american samoa last week. at the olympics, russian curler alexander krushelnitsky has returned a second positive test for the banned substance, meldonium. he had won a bronze with his wife. he's one of 168 russian athletes allowed to compete after extensive vetting. evidently not extensive enough. the queen was alongside vogue's editor—in—chief dame anna wintour at a show during london fashion week earlier. the queen then awarded the inaugural queen elizabeth ii award for british design to richard quinn. you may not know this but there is a big outbreak of measles in europe. these three countries are the most affected but 12 others are caught up in this including greece, germany and france. measles is extremely infectious causes blindness, brain damage and in extreme cases death. we know there were more than 20,000 cases reported last year. that is a 400% increase on 2016. we should say th

here's a summary of today's main stories from bbc news. the world'selon musk, whose company space x is behind the project, has called it a game changer for space travel. the $19 million spacecraft could one day transport people and supplies as far as mars, but on its maiden voyage the cargo is elon's own tesla car, with a space—suited mannequin in the driver's seat. seeing the two boosters land in synchronisation, reallyjust like the simulation... it makes you think it can be a scalable approach. you could imagine large numbers of those just coming in and landing, taking off, landing, doing many flights per day. hundreds of pa rt—time hundreds of part—time and flexible workers are to receive sick and holiday pay, as the result of a review into the gig economy. the number of self—employed workers has risen in recent years partly because of apps like uber and deliveroo. the high court will hear the start of a legal challenge this morning against the release of the serial sex attacker, john worboys. last month, the parole board was criticised when it ann

bbc news headlines this morning... theresa may will today launch a year—long review of how higher education is funded, admitting that england has one of the most expensive systems of tuition in the world of getting a degree. labour has accused the government of simply kicking the problem into the long grass. 0xfam has revealed that charity workers physically threatened witnesses during an investigation into sexual misconduct in haiti in 2011. the report includes accusations of bullying, intimidation of staff and use of prostitutes, as well as suggesting that 0xfam bosses ignored a recommendation that better ways should be found to inform other charities about problem staff. the former football coach barry bennell will be sentenced today for historical sexual assaults committed on young boys in his care. the 64—year—old, who worked with manchester city and crewe alexandra's youth teams, was convicted of 50 child sex offences at liverpool crown court. it's thought the former scout may have abused more than one hundred boys over a period spanning three decades. the equality and human rights commission says a survey of 1100 employee of its commission has revealed antiquated attitudes to r

bbc newsroom with a summary of today's news. in a speech this morning the brexit secretary david davis will say the uk will not be plunged into what he describes as a "mad max—style worldrs' rights and environmental standards. it's the latest speech by senior government ministers on brexit. former first secretary of state damian green maintains he did not behave inappropriately when he reportedly texted a younger woman. mr green was sacked from the cabinet after an inquiry looked into allegations made by kate maltby. speaking to the bbc this morning, the bbc said he felt compelled to ask miss maltby for a drink after seeing her pictured in a corset in a newspaper. —— speaking to the bbc this morning, the mps said. he has repeated his apology but claimed he did not do anything inappropriate. kate maltby says mr green's refusal to accept he had acted inappropriately was the problem. mrgreen mr green has spoken to radio 4.” have had political discussions over a number of years which continued afterwards, at no stage was there any inappropriate behaviour. if i on any inappropriate behaviour. if i on any occasion made herfeel uncomfortable, i am sorry about that. senior 0xf