for more, we can spoke to the bbc‘s laura bicker who's in seoul.e weekend took many by surprise, with its plea tojo song—gil to come to south korea. there is a concern among the defectors community and many i have been speaking to that, in the current climate, as north and south korea kind of pursue peace, are north korean defectors welcome? and what thae yong—ho is trying to do with his public platform is say, look, are defectors welcome, and what kind of defection has to offer. thae yong—ho is interesting, he was a deputy british ambassador, one of the highest profile north korean defectors, and he has used that platform here in the south to try to both raise awareness of north korean issues and also raise awareness of issues for defectors here in the south. what he is doing today, in the centre of seoul, is try to get a real clear line from the ministry of unification here in seoul. are the north korean defectors welcome, and what is on offer for them when they come here? we have asked the ministry of unification and they say they are always wil

laura bicker there, speaking to us from south korea. police officer, have been wounded in a stabbing at a train station in manchester in the north of england. it happened at manchester victoria station. in a statement, british transport police said officers had responded to reports of a man wielding a knife. one man has been arrested. a bbc producer, sam clack, witnessed the incident, and he told us what he saw. it was pretty scary, i have to say that, for a start. and there was just me on the platform, and as i was standing there, ijust heard the most bloodcurdling scream that i've ever heard. the police very quickly were on the platform, in hivis vests, they were shouting at him, but the guy started backing up towards me and he got to probably within six to eight feet of me, and he was looking around very skittish. and at this point, i didn't know that anything was happening, other than a fight or some kind. it's new year's eve, people get drunk and have fights. but i looked down and it might have been his right hand, i looked down an

laura bicker, bbc news.yer, has died at the age of 81. # when you're in love with a beautiful woman it never ends # he was known for his trademark hat and eyepatch, which he wore after losing his right eye in a road accident. the group's hits included sylvia's mother and when you're in love with a beautiful woman. a decent day out there for a new year's walk, run or cycle. most places dry. one or two isolated showers in the north east of scotland, eastern counties of england, and with remnants of a weather front across the south. but mostly dry, long sunny spells and temperatures down on recent days, most in single figures as we finish the day. it stays breezy with some further shower clouds east of scotland, east of england through tonight, but in central and western areas clear skies, light winds, a widespread frost. even in some city centres it could get down to around minus five, minus six in some parts of central scotland. so if you are heading back to work tomorrow it will be a case of grabbing the ice

laura bicker, bbc news.pital, brasilia, shortly. these are the live pictures. the country's first far—right leader since the end of military rule in the 1980s has pledged to relax gun laws, roll back bureaucracy and tackle crime and corruption. he isa he is a pretty controversial figure, he won the election by a wide margin but he was propelled to victory by his campaign which promised to curb brazil's option and crime and he has proven a deeply divisive figure. he is accused of making racist, homophobic and misogynistic remarks, which have angered many. at the inauguration, the united states will be presented by secretary of state mike pompeo. and prime minister benjamin netanyahu will represent israel. and hungary's prime minister viktor orban is the only leader from the eu who is set to attend. the leader has portrayed himself as a political outsider, or he did during his campaign. he actually served seven terms in brazil's lower house of congress. he has got very close ties to the military. he served him

laura bicker, bbc news.he age of 81. # when you're in love with a beautiful woman it never ends # he was known for his trademark hat and eyepatch, which he wore after losing his right eye in a road accident. the group's hits included sylvia's mother and when you're in love with a beautiful woman. now it's time for a look at the weather.

laura bicker, thank you very much.ts have reportedly fled islands off thailand's south—east coast to escape an approaching tropical storm. authorities have also been preparing shelters for those deciding to stay put. thailand's met office says tropical storm pabuk will bring strong winds and 7 metre waves, but it is unlikely to become a typhoon. a special afghan tribunal has convicted three men of being involved in the murder of bbcjournalist ahmad shah. mr shah, who worked for the bbc‘s pashto language service, was shot dead by unidentified gunmen last april. a spokesman for the attorney general‘s office has told the bbc one man was sentenced to death, the others to 6 and 30 years in prison. $75 billion has been wiped off the value of shares in the technology giant apple after it warned that its latest revenue figures would be worse than expected. apple shares ended the day 10% down on wall street. the revenue warning prompted by weaker sales in china, fuelled falls in the main us stock markets. we'll have more on tha

laura bicker, bbc news.thoughts of some of our best brexit brains. it‘s almost the impossible question. what is going to happen here in 2019 with brexit? can it be any madder than last year? yes, it probably can. the one thing we do know is we are set for the big meaningful vote in the middle ofjanuary. at least we think we are. that should be a moment of some clarity. we will know if the prime minister‘s deal will go down or if mrs may surprises everyone and delivers on her brexit deal. if it does go down, a whole range of options just explode all over the place. option one is we could drift towards no deal. we could simply slip out on march 29 without any agreement. the other possibility is momentum really builds behind a second referendum. there are all sorts of questions. how do you set it up? what would be the questions? would it resolve anything? that leaves option three, which, i think, might be what possibly happens. that is we ask for time. we can‘t make up our minds. so yes, we better take a bit lo

laura bicker reporting there.rought forward their christmas shopping to november. the office for national statistics said all sectors except for food and fuel declined last month. dharshini david is here. let's talk a little bit more about these figures and what they tell us. it's really interesting. shopping is an unavoidable part of modern life. we understand that more robust are taking advantage of things like black friday, bringing shopping forward. to get a picture of the high street you have to look back a few months. they can from what retailers like and ice and debenhams have been saying, that the run—up to christmas simply failed to meet expectations. —— m&s. look back over last year, consumer spending has been losing momentum. terrible news for retailers. they are struggling with bills such as business rates and higher wages. one with bills such as business rates and higherwages. one shopping centre has been put up for sale with a price tag that could be as low as £1. it also tells us that consumer spend

laura bicker, bbc news. one to watch this year.ing them through the most treacherous of waterways. despite this, the industry is struggling to attract young people into the profession. 0ur reporter sarah corker has been given rare access to the pilots on the humber estuary, who work 365 days a year, whatever the weather. in a0 mile an hour winds and two—metre high waves, marine pilots are on their way to board a container ship off the east coast of grimsby. in the humber, any ship over 60 metres has to take a pilot to ensure the safe navigation in the estuary. we've got one of the strongest tides in the uk, and the shallow water as well, there's lots of sand banks, they are shifting, so we have to navigate between them to ensure the ship can get there safely. how do you make sure you don't get seasick? just keep looking at the horizon. simon, rachel and guy work in all weathers at any time of day and keep trade moving in and out of the ports. fourth—generation pilot. my father was a pilot here for over a0 years, and it's just nice

laura bicker, thank you.ver the holiday period, fear has returned to wall street. apple's warning about its business in china helped to trigger steep falls in the main stock market indices, the dow closing down 2.8% and the tech—heavy nasdaq off 3.1%. it's another piece of evidence pointing to a looming slowdown in the world economy, some even say a recession. iain anderson, founder of the international communications agency, cicero group, joins me now. the r—word is not good for global communications? it isn't. it will all come in, where you get peaks and troughs you get lots to do. watch out, apple has had to explain in some detail what is going on with the global economy and what is going on in china right now. absolutely fascinating. and indeed their results, how they have managed those results, how they have managed those results, has kind of said some of that market sentiment in the last couple of days. the fear, isn't it, is that this is another indication that china's economy is slowing down? and it i

laura bicker has more fromoeu seoul. b.: jo song-gil was last seen in november, according to officials here. it's high in authorities say that they have had no obligations for asylum from a north korean ambassador. but it does come amid reports in seoul that he was asking for a italian authorities for protection and trying to seek asum from a third country. what we understand is that his faer and his father-in-law diplomats.ormer his father-in-law is one of the phigh-ranking workety officials. these are thegy elites in pyg. defected, iteed would be embarrassing for ki as we understand from another former director, the former ambassador, deputy ambassador britain, what he told reporters here in seoul is that mr. jo was part of the network to try to pyongyang.goods into also, he claims that mr. jo might have knowledge of north korea's nuear plans. as you can imagine, u.s. intelligencels offic would love to get their hands on that information. when it comes to where he has, we are not exactly sure, but we have heard from the

laura bicker, bbc news.f the day's news with ben brown. now it's time for a look at the weather with louise lear. good evening. christmas was dominated by dry, mild weather, but it came at a price, the crisp new year. temperatures struggling. behind this front we kept the cloud and drizzle the south west, and that will continue through the night to night, but behind the frontal system, clearer skies. the exception is along the east coast with the northerly winds driving a little more cloud. that will prevent temperatures from falling below freezing, but further west with those clearing skies we will see temperatures just below freezing and a touch of light frost first thing on wednesday morning. so if you are up on wednesday morning. so if you are up and off back to work, it will be a cold and frosty start, but hopefully a sparkling one, lots of sunshine particularly the further west you are, and the risk of an isolated shower of north sea coasts and a noticeably cooler feel right across the country, 3—7 deg

0ur correspondent in seoul, laura bicker, has more details.chol is pyongyang's former spymaster. in fact, well, kim yong—chol is pyongyang's formerspymaster. infact, it well, kim yong—chol is pyongyang's former spymaster. in fact, it is thought that he ordered the torpedoing of a south korean warship which killed 44 sailors, so he is quite a controversial figure, which killed 44 sailors, so he is quite a controversialfigure, but he isa quite a controversialfigure, but he is a top rate of kimjong—un quite a controversialfigure, but he is a top rate of kim jong—un and quite a controversialfigure, but he is a top rate of kimjong—un and he does seem to have taken the position of chief negotiator when it comes to these talks over denuclearisation. remember last time, he took that extremely large letter from kim jong—un to donald trump, so we're wondering what message carrying this time. now what does signify is that after seven seven—month stalemate, it does seem that finally there are talks happening about future talks. we have got some kind of mo

thank you very much, laura -- laura bicker in seoul.lowing avalanches caused by a weekend of heavy snowfall. mountain rescuers are continuing to search for several missing people as the second—highest avalanche warning remains in place across parts of austria, germany and italy. eliza phillipides reports. roads are blocked, schools are closed. but, even so, people are trying to clear pathways to get out of their homes. with so much snow already on the ground and more on the way, officials say the chances of further avalanches are high. translation: the bavarian avalanche warning institute has issued a level four warning, the second—highest, which also poses a high risk of avalanches in unsecured skiing areas. in central and northern austria, up to 1.5 metres of snow has already fallen since the middle of last week. this greenhouse in salzburg collapsed under the weight of the snow. in southern austria, it snowed all day. many roads are blocked. the situation is very difficult. people have been stranded in villages and the helicopters de

laura bicker, bbc news.sions of recent yea rs". in his new year message, he says the uk is "wonderfully more diverse" than it used to be, and yet he says people are disagreeing on many things and are struggling to disagree well. 0ur religon editor martin bashir reports. can i make you a cup of coffee? for his new year's message, the archbishop of canterbury, justin welby, didn't venture far. this is the kitchen at his london residence in lambeth palace. a home that he shares each year with around 20 young people who commit themselves to ten months of prayer, study and community service. they have an extraordinary range of backgrounds, cultures and opinions. they live together, cook together, volunteer with charities together, and because they are human, they clash together. named after a benedictine monk who became archbishop of canterbury at the end of the 11th century, the community of st anselm is an attempt to challenge whatjustin welby says is increasing division and rancour in british society. we disag

laura bicker, bbc news. government. the money, previously announced by the chancellor, has now been made available. it will pay for extra doctors and specialist equipment. these fonts will give charities the chance to bid for specialist equipment. —— funds. airambulance is not only bring patient into hospitals, they take chocolate and specialist equipment to patients at the scene of accidents, and that is why it is crucial this money is there. one of the singers with the american 70s band dr hook, ray sawyer, has died at the age of 81. # when you are in love with a beautiful woman, it never ends. he was known for his trademark hat and eye patch, which he wore after losing his right eye in a road accident. the group's hits included sylvia's mother and when you're in love with a beautiful woman. now it's time for a look at the weather, with matt taylor. hello. a decent day for a new year ‘s walk, run or cycle. most places dry. some isolated showers in the north and east of scotland, eastern england, and the re

the bbc‘s laura bicker is in seoul.visit is a sign that both sides are serious about holding another meeting between the two leaders. i think when it comes to kim yong—chol‘s visit, we are looking at it in the sense that it is laying the groundwork perhaps for a potential second summit between kim jong—un and donald trump. remember, the last time this senior aide to kim jong—un travelled to washington, it was just before donald trump met kim jong—un in singapore. we all remember that very large letter that he handed over from the north korean leader to the us president, so it may well be that these talks taking place in washington over the next couple of days are all about laying the groundwork for a second summit. we are also aware that there are talks taking place between the united states and north korea in sweden, so after a seven—month stalemate, there is now this kind of flurry of diplomatic activity. you're in the south korean capital, of course. this is not a man the south koreans are much going to want to see,

called "another path", and warned the us not to misjudge north korea's patience. 0ur correspondent laura bickera, what the making of address? well, first of all, that renewing of his commitment denuclearisation, i would not just gloss his commitment denuclearisation, i would notjust gloss over that. yes, the international community that this and donald trump, from here and south korea's president moonjae—in about the agreements that kim jong—un signed up to, at kim jong—un's near address is mainly domestic. that means that people sitting around the breakfast tables of credit for the north korean leader himself, they have heard the words denuclearisation, so do not think that that should be taken too lightly. second war, when it came to his warning, he was very clear, he was very unequivocal. —— second war. despite he acknowledged what had gone on in 2018 between himself and donald trump, relationship that was once hostile had been made new, you did givea once hostile had been made new, you did give a warning to the united states and that warning was we're not going to wait around for ever, it c

laura bicker in seoul has more.he north korean embassy in rome in late november with his wife. south korean officials have not seen or heard from him since. the italian authorities say they have received no application for asylum from a north korean ambassador or diplomat. this disappearance comes amid reports thatjo song—gil has actually asked italian authorities for protection while he seeks asylum from a third country. what we know aboutjo song—gil also is that he is said to be the son and son—in—law of two elite officials in pyongyang — they were former ambassadors themselves and could have connections high up within the workers‘ party. these are the league in pyongyang. if he had defected, this would be embarrassing for kim jong—un. clearly more on that to come. stay with us on bbc news. still to come: with the democrats once again in charge of the house of representatives, can congress find a way to end the us government shutdown? the japanese people are in mourning following the death of emperor hirohito. tho

underway to decide where his next summit with kimjung—un should be held. 0ur seoul correspondent laura bickera carrying the north korean leader. state media in china has also announced the visit and said he is there read the invitation of the chinese president so we assume we too will meet at sometime over the next few days. this is a four—day visit in total so it will be his longest visit in china to date. as you mentioned, it is his birthday. thought to be his 35th birthday so we will see what he gets up to. and of course, the key diplomatic ally. they did not meet for the first six yea rs they did not meet for the first six years that kim was in power though both yes. a six-year gap and then last year kim jong—un began both yes. a six-year gap and then last year kimjong—un began his diplomatic journey starting with beijing and president xijinping, a courtesy to his main ally. 90% of north korean trade comes from china and is its main source of aid. also it is worth pointing out that every single time he has gone to beijing, just afterwards there have been discussions with either south kore

laura bicker reports. this new year offers a tantalising prospect for north koreans.year of talks between the north, south and the united states m ea ns the north, south and the united states means that some are now daring to hope that 2019 is the year that dream is achieved. translation: i think kim jong un is hesitant right now. just a few miles away, the capital celebrated the new year with more than usual flair. the north's leaderboards also upbeat and rewarded those watching his speech from washington and seoul by renewing his commitment to denuclearisation. translation: we have proclaimed we would no longer make nuclear weapons, use them or spread them. then came the warning. i am always ready to sit down again with the us president at any time and will make effo rts president at any time and will make efforts to produce the outcome but the international community would welcome, but if the gs miscalculates our people's patients, or gives more pressure, we would have no option to explore and to protect sovereignty. the deal reached in singapore in june was so big

laura bicker reports. flanked by huge portrait of his father and grandfather, kim jong—un made huge portrait of his father and grandfather, kimjong—un made his annual televised address to the north korean people at the end, there was a for donald trump. he said he was willing to meet the us president at any time and that he was committed to denuclearisation. he also acknowledge the progress the two countries had made in 2018, which he described as a dramatic turnaround for the most hostile relationship on earth. however, then camea warning. relationship on earth. however, then came a warning. he said that if washington continued with its pressure and sanctions on pyongyang and misjudged his country's patients, then he would have no choice but to seek a new path. this may mean that north korea is waiting for the us to act in 2019 and unless it does, the current pause on nuclear weapons testing could be over. “— nuclear weapons testing could be over. —— patience. earlier i spoke to laura and asked her what w

the two sides had made, as he put it, a lot of progress on denuclearisation. 0ur correspondent laura bickerm seoul. i think, when it comes to vietnam, it's looking more and more likely. and perhaps hanoi, perhaps da nang, we'll have to wait and see. when it comes to the swedish talks, though, they are looking meaningful. certainly the south korean nuclear envoy is also in sweden, which means it's north korea, south korea and the us all round one table, being led by, we understand, some swedish officials. it does look like those talks are meaningful and could lay the groundwork for discussions in that summer. so let's just be clear. there is no official confirmation of a second summit. there's just a lot of speculation about where it may be. i think when it comes to the second summit, donald trump has said it will happen at the end of february, so we can be sure there will be a meeting. when it comes to the location, well, vietnam is emerging as a front runner. there have been several reports from bloomberg, and our colleagues in reuters, who say that there will be a state visit by kim jong—

laura bicker, bbc news.ne of the singers with the american ‘70s band dr hook, ray sawyer, has died at the age of 81. # when you're in love with a beautiful woman it never ends # he was known for his trademark hat and eyepatch, which he wore after losing his right eye in a road accident. the group's hits included sylvia's mother and when you're in love with a beautiful woman. now it's time for a look at the weather. happy new year. good morning. not a bad start to the new year. if your headis bad start to the new year. if your head is on the sore side this morning too many mince pies over the festive period, a good day to get out. walk, run, cycle also the paramount sunny weather as well. showers in the north and east of scotla nd showers in the north and east of scotland and the north—east of england. mostly dry with sunny spells by day and clear skies at night. away from the eastern counties there are small cloud with the chance of or two showers. clear skies and not widely frosty night to come. temperature

seeking asylum in a third country, but their whereabouts are unknown. 0ur correspondent in seoul, laura bicker we have heard from officials here in seoul is that'sjo song—gil was last seen leaving the north korean embassy in rome in late november with his wife. italian south korean officials have not seen or heard from him since. the italian authorities say they have received no application for asylum from a north korean ambassador or diplomat. this disappearance comes amid reports thatjo song—gil has actually asked italian authorities for protection while he seeks asylum from a third country. if this is indeed the case, it could be a huge embarrassment for the north korean leader, kim jong—un. when it comes to defectors, they're seen in north korea as traitors, traitors to their country and to the people. to have such a high official leave, well, that could be potentially embarrassing. what we know aboutjo song—gil also is that he is said to be the son and son—in—law of two elite officials in pyongyang — they were former ambassadors themselves and could have connections high up within the wor

our correspondent in seoul laura bicker has more details.ongyang's former spymaster. in fact, it's thought that he ordered the torpedoing of a south korean warship, which killed 44 sailors, so he's quite a controversial figure, but he is a top aide of kim jong—un and he does seem to have taken the position of chief negotiator when it comes to these talks over denuclearisation. remember last time he went to washington with that extremely large letterfrom kim jong—un to donald trump, so we're wondering what message carrying this time. now what does signify is that after a near seven—month stalemate, it does seem that finally there are talks happening about future talks. we have got some kind of movement then, but we have not had much movement when it comes to the actual denuclearisation on the part of north korea? no, there has been a stalemate in the has been a stalemate for a reason. basically, north korea wants the us to act first. it says it wants sanctions or some kind of concession. united states says no, none of that is happening until

laura bicker is in seoulfor us. th korea what exactly is being reported. what do we know? and matthew was last seen leaving the ambassadors residence in rome in november with his wife. officials in seoul south korea said he hasn't been heard of or seen since. it comes amid unconfirmed reports he was asking wrong protection from the italian birdies to try and seek asylum in a third country. when it comes to defectors seeking asylum, north korea takes a very dim view. in fact to pyongyang in the past has accused defectors of being traitors to the country and to its people and those who have managed to safely leave the secretive state have told us that the consequences for family members left behind can be severe. we understand that jo left behind can be severe. we understand thatjo song—gil may not have simply just understand thatjo song—gil may not have simplyjust been an ambassador. according to the last diplomat to defect, who was the deputy ambassador to london, he says he worked alongsidejo ambassador to london, h

the bbc‘s laura bicker is in seoul., i think they it comes to the differences between the two, after singapore the agreement was so the two, after singapore the agreement was so vague that the two sides did not seem to agree on what they had agreed upon. north korea has been asking on several occasions for the united states to move. they said is up to america to make the first move and they are asking for either a lifting of economic sanctions or other concessions. america, on the other hand, has said repeatedly, on repeated occasions, that north korea march ugliest concrete measures towards demutualisation for those sanctions can be lifted. —— must show. the idea that kim jong youghal, who is the north korea ns's idea that kim jong youghal, who is the north koreans‘s chief negotiator, is on his way to washington, i do not think that kim jong—un would send this level of messenger to washington to meet with the us secretary of state if there was not either a serious offer on the table or serious prospect of a second summ

let's go now to the bbc‘s laura bicker in seoul. what are you eating into this?comes to kim yong—chol‘s visit, it is in the sense that it is laying the groundwork for a potential second summit between kim jong—un and donald trump. remember, the last time this senior aide to kim jong—un travel to washington, it was just before donald trump met kimjong—un in singapore. you may remember that very large letter that he handed over from very large letter that he handed overfrom kim very large letter that he handed over from kim jong—un to the us president, so it may well be that these talks taking place in washington over the next couple of days are all about laying the groundwork for a second summit. we aware that there are talks taking place between the north korea and south korea in sweden. this is not a man the south koreans are going to wa nt to man the south koreans are going to want to see, is that? of a controversial figure. well, want to see, is that? of a controversialfigure. well, kim yong—chol is the former spymaster in pyongyang and certainly, he is though

laura bicker spoke to me earlier from the south korean capital, seoul, cho song—gil was last seen leavingto officials here they say they haven't heard or seen of him since. the italian authorities also said they have had no application for asylum from a north korean ambassador. but it does come amid reports here in seoul that he was asking for italian authorities for protection and trying to seek asylum from a third country. what we understand is that his father and his father—in—law we re his father and his father—in—law were both former diplomats. his father—in—law is one of the high—ranking workers party officials. so these are the elite in pyongyang. if he has indeed defected, it would be embarrassing for kimberley—macro. we have heard from the former deputy ambassador in britain and what he has told reporters in seoul is that cho song—gil was part of the network to try to get luxury goods into pyongyang. he also claims that cho song—gil might have an knowledge about north korea's nuclear plans. us intelligence officials would love to get their hands on that information. when it comes

he's spoken to laura bicker. london, and he left in 2016. since he's made his new life here in south korea, he's written a book here which is become a bestseller. so when he speaks, people tend to listen. but when it comes to the case of his colleague and friend, he is deeply concerned, notjust about his welfare, but about whether or not he feels welcome to come to south korea. this is a sensitive time, north and south korea relations are at a moment where both are trying to work together. there is a fear amongst some within the community that perhaps such a high—profile defector could put that at risk. what thae yong—ho is trying to urge the south korean government to do is show their willingness, notjust to take this high—profile defector, but to embrace all north koreans. this is what thae yong—ho said to me after the press conference. it is right that he is a political asylum seeker, so according to international law and humanitarian practise, he should be provided with the right place to residence and the ri

laura bicker has more from the south korean capital, seoul.imply an ambassador. what we understand is that both his father and father—in—law were former diplomats. we also understand that his father—in—law is one of the high—ranking workers party officials. so these are the elite in pyongyang. if he has indeed defected, it would be embarrassing for kim jong—un. we do understand from another former director, he was the former deputy ambassador in britain, and what he has told reporters here in seoul is that mr cho was part of the network to try to get the jury goods into pyongyang. also, he claims that mr cho might have knowledge about north korea's nuclear plants, as well as obviously with those connections, knowing about the pyongyang elite. as you can imagine, us intelligence officials would love to get their hands on that information. so when it comes to where he is, we aren't exactly sure, but we've heard from the south koreans that they've not heard from him, we've heard from the italians that they have had no asylum application. so what

our correspondent in seoul laura bicker gave us this update.the us secretary of state, mike pompeo, when washington, dc wakes up. he is there, we understand, with a message from kim jong—un. you might remember last time, just before the singapore summit, kim yong—chol went to washington, dc with this huge letter from kim jong—un, so we are wondering exactly what he has been dispatched with this time. but certainly, sending a messenger of the calibre of kim yong—chol would suggest that north korea is serious about a second summit. we also understand that talks are taking place in sweden between north korea and the united states. it may well be that all of these meetings are to try to lay the groundwork for a second summit. when it comes to the details of the proposed second summit, we are hearing from our reuters colleagues in vietnam that kim jong—un is planning a state visit there. that may give us a clue as to the location of a second summit. as to the details of what the two leaders may talk about, well, certainly, when it comes to north kor

laura bicker reporting there.ifficult to make the nhs sustainable without a long—term funding settlement for social care. the warning threatens to undermine the prime minister's claim, that the government's ten year plan represents an ‘historic‘ shift for the nhs, as our health editor, hugh pym, explained. there was a lot of fanfare last week when the prime minister and the head of the nhs england simon stephens went to liverpool to unveil the plan, they went to alder hey hospital and they went to a children's ward, the ambitions were set out including the acceleration of cancer detection and more money for community health, but now cold water has been thrown on that by the official watchdog. in its report it says the ambitions are prudent given the money that has been allocated to the money that has been allocated to the nhs in england by the government but it says right now the big question is about the sustainability of the service because of financial problems at some trusts, the government is bailing some out

our correspondent in seoul laura bicker gave us this update.'s right—hand man, will meet with the us secretary of state, mike pompeo, when washington, dc wakes up. he is there, we understand, with a message from kim jong—un. you might remember last time, just before the singapore summit, kim yong—chol went to washington, dc with this huge letter from kim jong—un, so we are wondering exactly what he has been dispatched with this time. but certainly, sending a messenger of the calibre of kim yong—chol would suggest that north korea is serious about a second summit. we also understand that talks are taking place in sweden between north korea and the united states. it may well be that all of these meetings are to try to lay the groundwork for a second summit. when it comes to the details of the proposed second summit, we are hearing from our reuters colleagues in vietnam that kim jong—un is planning a state visit there. that may give us a clue as to the location of a second summit. as to the details of what the two leaders may talk about, well, cer

laura bicker is in seoulfor us, and she has this update. an intriguing case, this.ties to try to seek asylum in a third country. when it comes to defectors seeking asylum, north korea takes a very dim view. in fact, pyongyang, in the past, has accused defectors of being traitors to the country and to its people. and those who have managed to safely leave the secretive state have told us that the consequences for family members left behind can be severe. but we understand that mrjo may not have simplyjust been an ambassador. according to the last diplomat to defect, who was the deputy ambassador in london, he says he worked alongside mrjo and that mrjo was responsible for trying to get luxury goods to north korea. and, he claims, that mrjo may have some knowledge of north korea's nuclear plans. as you can imagine, this is the kind of intelligence that the united states might well want to get hold of. but where is he right now? we're not exactly sure and we may never find out what has happened to mrjo and his family until the country that he is in has determined that

our correspondent laura bicker sent us this update.before last year, kim jong—un had spent six years in power without going to see his closest ally and his main source of both trade and aid — around 80—90% of north korea's trade comes from china. but, if he was going to meet other global leaders, if he was about to step on to the international stage, well, he probably thought it was time that he met president xi in beijing first, before he met other leaders. so, the last time he'd kind of gone to beijing was before, first of all, before his first historic summit with president moonjae—in, and then secondly, before his summit with president trump. so, either he's going perhaps for strategy talks, or he's going as a courtesy, or a bit of both, to try to show china what it means to north korea. thousands of penguins become stranded on the coastline of south america every year, and most of them are females. why it happens has been a mystery for years, but now scientists believe they may have found the answer. the female penguins travel lon

>> laura: we wanted to take you outside of the partisan bickering to the folks on the front lines of this fight. joining me now, he is the president of the national border control council. every day he sees firsthand just how bad this crisis on the border is and he even met with president trump just last week about it, and erwin carmichael is the former sheriff of a county in north carolina peered he was defeated after he supported a program that allowed he is a police department with i.c.e. and the detainers on illegal immigrants. and last year, his son was shot down dead by an illegal alien who made it back into the country despite being previously deported. thank you all for being here. brandon, you would think that if democrats felt that they had, i don't know, the upper hand in this debate, they wouldn't be afraid, right? to step in and say, i don't know, let's sit down and have a conversation. they don't want to discuss the specifics of so many families across the country that have been devastated by illegal immigration's. they hide behind the cliches of all, we are a country o

0ur correspondent laura bicker gave us this update from seoul.m it is looking more and more likely. perhaps hanoi perhaps delaying we will have to wait and see. when it comes to the swedish talks, they are looking meaningful. the south korean nuclear envoy is also in sweden which means it is north korea, south korea and the united states all around the one table being led by, we understand, some swedish officials. it does look like those talks are meaningful and could lay the groundwork for discussions in that summer. 50 the groundwork for discussions in that summer. so let's be clear. no official confirmation of a second summitjusta official confirmation of a second summit just a lot official confirmation of a second summitjust a lot of speculation about where it may be? when it comes to the second summit, donald trump has said it will happen at the end of february so we can be sure there will be a meeting. when it comes to the location, well, vietnam is emerging as a front runner. there have been several reports from bloomberg and our colleague