a group of mps says it's time for the ministry of defence to ‘cough up‘ to protect the future of britain'shting forces. good morning, it's sunday, 4th february. also this morning: a senior conservative mp accuses ministers of being "vague" and "divided" over brexit. harvey weinstein faces fresh claims of sexual assault, as uma thurman says she was attacked by the film producer in the 1990s in london. a jihadist group in syria says it shot down a russian warplane yesterday using a shoulder—launched missile. and in sport, there's a thumping win for wales against scotland, and ireland pip the french in paris with the last kick of the match — it's a thrilling start to the six nations championship. every time i see that, i wonder if it will make it over the bar. and ben has the weather. it's shaping up to be a brighter day for most of us. quite a lot of sunshine but some treat showers, two, brought in on a cold, north—easterly winds. although weather details you need to know on the way. good morning. first, our main story. there's a warning this morning from mps that cuts to the royal marines w

the mail on sunday reports that the ministry of defence is setting up a helpline for british troops sufferingrom conditions including ptsd. and the independent has a picture of the actress emma chambers — best known for playing alice tinker in the tv series, the vicar of dibley — who has died at the age of 53. a nice mixture of front pages there, we shall start. shall we start with the observer? in the lead story really for us today was that draft resolution that was passed in new york at the un, what are your thoughts on that, realistically? sadly, one fears that not a lot will actually happen. within minutes of the security council resolution, which was unanimous and all 50 members of the security council voted for the 30 day ceasefire, the bombs started falling again in this province, this on clay on the outskirts of northern damascus. the regime in syria cares not at all about the lives of these people, it does not, and unless russia can be brought to the table and forced to do something about it, because russia the strong power in the middle east, then nothing will change and we will hav

the ministry of defence say the royal marines play a vital role in protecting the uk, but its budget ts being made by other government departments, defence is trying to ensure its case for increased funding is heard. daniela relph, bbc news, at the mod. to pensioners have been injured in a suspected gas explosion near bolton. emergency services were called to a town where a man in his 70s is in a serious condition. the undullah stoney is here at two o'clock. now it is sport today wigmore on the super bowl. —— is here hello, i'm gavin ramjaun, and this is sport today, live from the bbc sport centre. coming up on this programme: super bowl lii is under way, with the patriots hoping to equal a long—standing record as they take on the eagles in minnesota. drama till the very end as a controversial injury—time penalty sees tottenham come away with a draw at liverpool. and cameron can't save the day. great britain are beaten by spain in the davis cup after norrie loses in four sets. we start with super bowl, which has just got under way in sub—zero conditions in minnesota. the new england p

the mail on sunday reports that the ministry of defence is setting up a helpline for british troops sufferingitions including ptsd. so no consensus over the main story, but brexit appears in several guises, perhaps not surprisingly. should we be surprised at that? we will start with the observer. and syria, the breaking news this evening, good news on the face of it. on the face of it, but so long awaited, more people getting killed everyday, allegedly 500 this week in this besieged enclave. in the outskirts of damascus. here we have two children and one shudders to think... the observer calls an endless agony, and so is it going to endless agony, and so is it going to end for 30 days which are not the vote has been delayed so many times -- is it vote has been delayed so many times —— is it going to end for 30 days? is it going to be countrywide across syria? is it going to be countrywide across syria ? easy—going is it going to be countrywide across syria? easy—going to be implemented? the us ambassador nikki haley says it needs to be implemented straightaway — — it needs to be implemented s

, but many of the inventions and breakthroughs happened in secret research projects for the ministry of defence a great theatre and concert venue. of course the creation of academic city was a great achievement. a new generation of scientist has been nurtured here. most people who work in academic city now are graduates of university and what does russia live on today? gas and oil, of course. and who found and explored those resources? our siberian scientists. victor varand, who still lives in academic city. and that's all from this edition of witness, here at the british library. we'll be back here next month to bring you more extraordinary moments of history and the remarkable people who witnessed them. but for now, from me and the rest of the witness team, goodbye. most parts of the country today had horrendous weather. grey, cold, dark, all full day with outbreaks of rain. sunday is looking a lot better. this is what we have been dealing with. this slow—moving weather front. what does that mean? it means that once it is over us, it stays there and is cloudy and horrible. it is stuck between

, but many of the inventions and breakthroughs happened in secret research projects for the ministry of defencescientists was built and it had a great theatre and concert venue. of course the creation of academic city was a great achievement. a new generation of scientist has been nurtured here. most people who work in academic city now are graduates of university and what does russia live on today? gas and oil, of course. and who found and explored those resources? our siberian scientists. victor varand, who still lives in academic city. and that's all from this edition of witness, here at the british library. we'll be back here next month to bring you more extraordinary moments of history and the remarkable people who witnessed them. but for now, from me and the rest of the witness team, goodbye. hello, it's a great picture out there for many. some people have seen snow in higher parts in scotland. the higher you are, you may see something more wintry today. it is cold, grey, damp. some parts brightening up this afternoon with a few showers and overnight, patchy rain, sleet and snow beginning

the ministry of defence says it is grateful to the servicemen, but says three previous studies of theovernment set up the aged veteran fund in 2015 to help fund this new research. the flemings want to take part in this study and are waiting to hear if they have been selected. we want recognition. that is what we are fighting for. so, 60 years on, nuclearfamilies are still living in the aftermath of these bomb tests. sarah corker, bbc news. time now to take a look at the weather forecast. plenty of this sort of thing around, leaden skies, bits of pieces of rain in the forecast as well. this is how we are shaping up through the evening and tonight. rain into northern ireland and western scotland. the western half of the british isles, until later on in the night. but without that cloud around, the breeze coming in from the south—west, not a cold night. nautical start to the new day on monday. here's how we shape up, the warm weather front moving across the british isles. the cold weather front giving away a lot of the cloud way out in the atlantic. so we are stuck with what we started w

the ministry of defence says it is grateful to the servicemen, but says three previous studies of theup the aged veteran fund in 2015 to help fund this new research. the flemings want to take part in this study and are waiting to hear if they have been selected. we want recognition. that is what we are fighting for. so, 60 years on, nuclearfamilies are still living in the aftermath of these bomb tests. the bafta awards ceremony has just got under way at the royal albert hall in london, and the first winner of tonight has just been announced. three billboards 0utside ebbing, missouri. that was the first award coming in. it was heavily tipped to duberry well tonight. earlier, the duke and duchess of cambridge joint the stars outside the albert hall. programme crowe leads the nominations, with 12 nods in total. —— the shape of water. many stars w0 re —— the shape of water. many stars wore black in solidarity with the time's up movement. the rising star award has gone to daniel kaluuya. we will have more on that throughout the evening. jane hill has done watching all of the stars arrive,

the ministry of defence says it is grateful to the servicemen, but says three previous studies of thethey set up the aged veteran fund in 2015 to help fund this new research. the flemings want to take part in this study and are waiting to hear if they have been selected. we want recognition. that is what we are fighting for. so, 60 years on, nuclearfamilies are still living in the aftermath of these bomb tests. sarah corker, bbc news. a new swedish fitness craze has reached british shores. plogging or picking litter while jogging is gaining momentum in the uk. greg dawson explains. in many ways, it looks like any other weekend fitness routine. you'll need a pair of these. a warm—up will help — it is february. but don't forget to pick up one of these. and maybe this will come in handy too. plogging, or plucking and jogging, first gained popularity in sweden but it's quickly caught on around the world, from the beaches of australia to the pavements of india, and here in the parks of south—east london. ilike running. i like doing stuff in the community. i like finding places that i didn'

the defence secretary, gavin williamson, for taking control of the defence review but again warned that he won't be able to prevent harsh cuts without extra funding from the treasury. the ministryhat protecting the uk is its priority and stress that the royal marines play a vital role in defending the play a vital role in defending the country. daniella relph, bbc news. joining me is former royal marine commando, ed hill. and throw in. and in iraq in 2003. if there were to be cuts to the royal marines why do you think that would be damaging for this country? —— you were would be damaging for this country? —— you were a would be damaging for this country? —— you were a sniper in the royal marines. at the forefront of the military is the royal marines. the royal marines has always been at the spearhead of pretty much every operation since, well, certainly since the second world war. to reduce that capability by such a figure would certainly been to be detrimental to the uk's military ability. some people would say, yes, but there have to be financial cuts somewhere. we cannot have every bit of the military untouched by austerity. agreed. there has to be financial cuts somewhere.

the ministry of defence says it is grateful to the servicemen, but says the previous studystudies of no link with ill health. the flemingto take part in this dna study, and are waiting to hear if they have been selected. we wa nt to ta ke hear if they have been selected. we want to take recognition, this is what we are fighting for. so, 60 yea rs what we are fighting for. so, 60 years on, nuclear families are still living in the aftermath of these bomb tests. a new swedish fitness craze has reached british shores. "plogging", or picking up litter while jogging, is gaining momentum in the uk. greg dawson explains. in many ways, it looks like any other weekend fitness routine. you'll need a pair of these. a warm—up will help — it is february. ‘s but don't forget to pick up one of these. and maybe this will come in handy too. plogging, or plucking and jogging, first gained popularity in sweden but it's quickly caught on around the world, from the beaches of australia to the pavements of india, and here in the parks of south—east london. ilike running. i like doing stuff in the community

the ministry of defence says it is grateful to the service men, but says three previous studies of the015, which will help fund this new research. and the flemings want to ta ke research. and the flemings want to take part in this study and are waiting to hear if they‘ve been selected. we want recognition. and this is what we‘re fighting for. selected. we want recognition. and this is what we're fighting for. so, 60 years on, nuclearfamilies this is what we're fighting for. so, 60 years on, nuclear families are still living in the aftermath of this on tests. —— these bomb tests. stay with us on the briefing. also on the programme: the biggest show on earth. the chinese television spectacular that welcomes in the lunar new year. nine years and 15,000 deaths after going into afghanistan, the last soviet troops were finally coming home. the withdrawal completed in good order, but the army defeated in the task it had been sent to perform. malcolm was murdered. that has a terrible effect on the morality of the people. i‘m terrified of the repercussions in the streets. as the airlift got und

the restructuring plan is underway with the ministry of defence for the last three years.onsultants and they have been using consultants and they have been working to restructure the whole defence ministry. at the same time, the war in yemen was the first w0 re time, the war in yemen was the first wore the saudi military had fought in the last two decades. so there is a learning curve they went up during this war which has benefited the project and given a lot of information to the leadership at how best to restructure the military. but it's not as dramatic as a late—night purge. some of them were normal retirements. but i think the new appointments are significant in the sense they are part of the programme to reorganise and re—energise the military. the saudi military was a parade ground military was a parade ground military for the last 20, 30 years. it hadn't fought a war by itself. this was a steep learning curve that has been taking place for the last two years and this is the culmination of a well thought out and study programme. culmination of a well thought out an

the defence secretary, gavin williamson, for taking control of the defence review but again warned that he won't be able to prevent harsh cuts without extra funding from the treasury. the ministry that protecting the uk is its priority and stress that the royal marines play a vital role in defending the play a vital role in defending the country. daniella relph, bbc news. i'm joined from westminster byjulian lewis, chair of the defence select committee. thank you for being with us. why are you so worried about cuts to the marines? because the capability they offer is absolutely central to any coherent strategic concept to be able to intervene effectively in any theatre of war that may be necessary , theatre of war that may be necessary, in any conflict that could arise in the future, because we won't know in advance where what it will be. this is the only way that you can land large numbers of troops, effectively, with heavy equipment from the sea at a point on an enemy coastline where, we are not talking about storming the d—day beaches, where in fact they don't know you were coming ashore and the first thing they know about it is you aren't sure and bear with heavy equipment.

praises the defence secretary, gavin williamson, for taking control of the defence review, but again says he will not be able to prevent harsh cuts without extra funding from the treasury. the ministry protecting the uk is its priority and stress the royal marines play a vital role in defending the country. daniela relph, bbc news. let's get more on the train crash in south carolina. our correspondent is in washington. we had the news conference in which the governor, henry mcmaster, had important information to convey about the accident. yes, he did, he said this incident occurred involving a passenger train belonging to the national rail carrier amtrak which had 139 passengers on board at the time and eight crew. a stationary freight train, the passenger train was headed from new york to miami, florida, when this collision occurred. it was about shortly after 2:30am in the morning local time. this was near columbia, which is the capital of south carolina. the passenger train was travelling at about 59 miles an hour and the two people known to have died were both amtrak employees. 116 people had been taken to hospital, most with fairly minor injuries, some with broken bones. a shel

the defence secretary, gavin williamson, for taking control of the defence review but again warned that he won't be able to prevent harsh cuts without extra funding from the treasury. the ministry that protecting the uk is its priority and stress that the royal marines play a vital role in defending the play a vital role in defending the country. daniella relph, bbc news. dr peter roberts is director of military services at the royal united services institute, and a former commanding officer in the royal navy. thank you forjoining us. do you think the government are considering cuts to the marines? we are not quite sure what the government is doing. we have been subject to a rolling defence review for the past six months. it looks like the new secretary of state will continue for another six months. i think we will have a degree of uncertainty for quite some time. there is no doubt there will be significant cuts to there will be significant cuts to the british military. the uk will be a less safe place as a result of the latest review, unless we find a new way to do business and get over the hurdle we are currently finding ourselves in. what is your view, if the marines were to

praises the defence secretary, gavin williamson, for taking control of the defence review, but again says he will not be able to prevent harsh cuts without extra funding from the treasury. the ministryrotecting the uk is its priority and stress the royal marines play a vital role in defending the country. daniela relph, bbc news. sinn fein has confirmed that one of its stormont members removed a clamp from the front wheel of his car in belfast. video footage of gerry kelly taking the clamp off and driving away has been posted on social media. live now to our correspondent, john campbell in belfast. john, what more can you tell us? gerry kelly is a former senior ira man who has been a leading sinn fein politician for many years. he came out of his gym on friday morning to find his car had been clamped. he was parked in a clearly marked restricted area. what happened next unfolded on these videos posted on social media. they show mr kerry on his knees next to the car, putting up his knees next to the car, putting up the chain is attaching the clamp. next to him on the ground were a pairof next to him on the ground were a pair of bolt cutters which he a p pa re ntly pair of bolt cutter

praises the defence secretary, gavin williamson, for taking control of the defence review, but again says he will not be able to prevent harsh cuts without extra funding from the treasury. the ministrysays protecting the uk is its priority and stress the royal marines play a vital role in defending the country. daniela relph, bbc news. former royal marine commando ed hill has been giving his reaction to the proposed cuts. the uk has a very capable and admired military and at the forefront of that military is the royal marines. the royal marines has always been at the spearhead of pretty much every operation certainly since the second world war and to reduce that capability by such a figure would certainly be detrimental to the uk's military capability. an elderly man has died after a fire at a care home at stevenage in hertfordshire, believed to have been caused by an oxygen cylinder explosion. six other residents were also taken to hospital after the incident at woodlands view care home, one is said to be in a critical condition. herefordshire county council says a full investigation will be carried out. sinn fein has confirmed that one of its stormont members removed a clamp from

the defence secretary, gavin williamson, for taking control of the defence review but again warned that he won't be able to prevent harsh cuts without extra funding from the treasury. the ministryys that protecting the uk is its priority and stress that the royal marines play a vital role in defending the play a vital role in defending the country. daniella relph, bbc news. i've been discussing this issue with the former head of the royal navy at the former head of the royal navy at the former head of the royal navy at the former security minister lord west. quite clearly there is insufficient money within the defence budget and each service will have been told to go away and look at measures that can be taken and the bracket within thennavy that's being looked at to make those sort of savings will involve the paying off of the landing ship docks, these are for the albion and bulwark, which are crucial to amphibious landing and a reduction in the marines. because if you don't have the amphibious shipping capability, there's no point really in having a large marine force. but that amphibious capability has taken many years to build up and you can'tjust suddenly create it again.

the ministry of defence say the royal marines play a vital role in protecting the uk, but its budget uments being made by other government departments, defence is trying to ensure its case for increased funding is heard. daniela relph, bbc news, at the mod. an elderly man has died after a fire at a care home at stevenage in hertfordshire, believed to have been caused by an oxygen cylinder explosion. six other residents were also taken to hospital after the incident at woodlands view care home — one is said to be in a critical condition. hertfordshire county council says a full investigation will be carried out. 0ur correspondent richard smith is at the scene. investigators are trying to piece together why there was an explosion and fire at this care home. the localfire brigade is being supported by police and the london fire brigade in that work. police cordon is around the building and people arriving today have been met by police. fire crews were called to reports of an explosion at about half past four in the afternoon yesterday, 41 people were in the affected pa rt of yesterday, 4

and the mail on sunday reports that the ministry of defence is setting up a helpline for british troops ptsd. so no consensus over the main story, but brexit appears in several guises, perhaps not surprisingly, let's have a look. let's start off with the observer. they're talking about let's start off with the observer. they‘ re talking about labour, jeremy corbyn. jeremy corbyn reno was going to make an important speech tomorrow. which may commit labour to staying in the customs union. absolutely. he's going to be a little bit annoyed this morning because the observer has splashed on the story. there are splits, exposing splits within the labour party. because 80 senior figures across the party, including baroness kennedy and lawrence, have warned corbyn that he is not going to be able to fund his promised fund more schools, more hospitals, unless the uk stays in the eu single market. jeremy corbyn poised to make a speech tomorrow that he's gone to signal that labour will back permanent membership of the customs union, this is just permanent membership of the customs union, this isjust

the ministry of defence say the royal marines play a vital role in protecting the uk, but its budget being made by other government departments, defence is trying to ensure its case for increased funding is heard. defence is trying to ensure its case daniela relph, bbc news, at the mod. defence is trying to ensure its case a senior sinn fein politician, who speaks for the party on policing, has been reported to police in belfast for alleged criminal damage. to police in belfast gerry kelly was filmed removing a wheel clamp from his car after it had been clamped in the city centre. a wheel clamp from his car after it sinn fein says the matter is being handled by mr kelly‘s solicitor. from belfast, john campbell reports. handled by mr kelly‘s solicitor. gerry kelly represents north belfast in the northern ireland assembly. he‘s a formerjunior minister and speaks for his party on policing matters. and speaks for his party on friday morning, he parked outside his gym in what is clearly marked as a restricted area. outside his gym in what is clearly what happened next was captured by eyew

the defence secretary, gavin williamson, for taking control of the defence review but again warned that he won't be able to prevent harsh cuts without extra funding from the treasury. the ministrye says that protecting the uk is its priority and stress that the royal marines play a vital role in defending the country. daniella relph, bbc news. a senior conservative mp has accused ministers of being vague and divided over brexit. bernard jenkin, who was on the board of the official leave campaign, said civil servants deserved an unambiguous and united direction from ministers, singling out the chancellor philip hammond for criticism. it comes ahead of key ministerial meetings this week on the uk—eu relationship. a russian militaryjet has been shot down in north—western syria, an area held by syrian rebels. the defence ministry in moscow said the pilot had managed to deploy a parachute, but was killed on the ground. sarah corker reports. the burning wreckage of what looks like a russian fighterjet, red stars clearly visible on the wing. this footage posted online appears to show the plane being hit and bursting into flames in a rebel—held area of north—west syria. jihadist group

praises the defence secretary, gavin williamson, for taking control of the defence review, but again says he will not be able to prevent harsh cuts without extra funding from the treasury. the ministrys its priority and stress the royal marines play a vital role in defending the country. daniela relph, bbc news. the headlines on bbc news: the home secretary says government ministers are more united over brexit than the critics claim. two people been killed and dozens injured after two trains collided with each other in the united states. a fire which killed a man at the care home in hertfordshire is believed to have been caused by an oxygen cylinder exploding. the german chancellor, angela merkel, is holding talks in what may be her final attempt to form a governing coalition with the centre—left social democrats. four months after the general election, germany still has a caretaker government and the country remains in political limbo. our correspondent damien mcguiness is following developments in berlin. she has already tried once to form a government with the liberals and the green party. those talks collapsed in november. this, now, though, a potential government with the centr

the ministry of defence says it is grateful to the servicemen, but says three previous studies of thep the aged veteran fund in 2015 to help fund this new research. the flemings want to take part in this study and are waiting to hear if they have been selected. we want recognition. that is what we are fighting for. so, 60 years on, nuclearfamilies are still living in the aftermath of these bomb tests. sarah corker, bbc news. you're watching breakfast from bbc news, it's time now for a look at the newspapers. it is 8:23am. digital marketing and technology expert dan sodergren is here to tell us what's caught his eye. first let's look at the front pages. the mail on sunday this morning, they have an interview with the husband of the former labour mp, the late labour mpj cox in which he admits to inappropriate behaviour in the past. he has been speaking to the past. he has been speaking to the mail on sunday about that. taking a quick look at the sunday telegraph, their main story there about labour mps and the suggestion that 15 labour mps have fought to have met spies, the latest and g

the ministry of defence says it is grateful to the servicemen, but says three previous studies of theup the aged veteran fund in 2015 to help find this new research. the flemings want to take part in this study and are waiting to hear if they have been selected. we want recognition. that is what we are fighting for. so, 60 years on, nuclearfamilies are fighting for. so, 60 years on, nuclear families are still living in the aftermath of these bomb tests. sarah corker, bbc news. sarah corker, bbc news. you're watching breakfast from bbc news. time now for a look at the newspapers. digital marketing and technology expert, dan sodergren, is here to tell us what's caught his eye. we'll speak to dan in a minute. there is a lot to get through this morning. we will start with this story about growing human organs, a pancreas, within sheep. the technology now exists. the next 5—10 yea rs technology now exists. the next 5—10 years we ca n technology now exists. the next 5—10 years we can grow organs in sheep. it is exciting for people with diabetes because it could be that your pancreas could g

would not support a scheme that we would not support a scheme that was not supported by the ministry of defencesexual misconduct. mark goldring has been called to answer questions from the international development committee about staff using prostitutes in haiti in 2011. let's talk to andrew macleod in geneva. he is up for un worker. —— eight former un worker. a very clear apology from mark goldring, i wonder how you respond to that in the context of all this. it's a nice start but it came kicking and screaming. it has taken 0xfam a long time to realise how much they have betrayed the taxpayer and donors and to realise they are not above the law, not in haiti for the uk or belgium. the trail is a strong word which implies you want to hear more from them, what specifically? they need to take their head of delegation back to haiti and face justice there. they also need to find the prostitutes involved and make sure they are properly compensated, and make sure this horrendous situation is turned into something positive and give us a definitive answer on whether any of these prostitutes were child

of six people. a syrian rebel group says it has shot down a russian fighter plane. the russian defence ministrya is defending its plans to hold a military parade on the eve of the opening ceremony of the winter olympic games in south korea. scenes like these have marked the founding of the country's military for the last a0 years, but the parades are usually in april. this year, pyongyang has decided to move that anniversary to february 8th. i spoke to paul french, the author of the book north korea: state of paranoia, and asked him why north korea decided to hold its military paradejust before winter olympics. there's going to be a lot of journalists just over the border in south korea for all sorts of reasons. it's a publicity coup, a rather evocative one, as you say, they often have these in april, they don't have them in february largely because it's too cold and they're going for it this year. of course there was no plan for this a couple of weeks ago, now there is, it's pa rt of weeks ago, now there is, it's part of the great chess game of korean relations. do you think that we are in mor

of non—consensual sex. russia's defence ministry has declared there will be a daily five—hour pause in the fighting in rebel—heldallow civilians to leave. pro—government forces are still pounding the damascus suburb, despite a ceasefire brokered by the un security council. the first five—hour pause is planned for tuesday. tom donkin reports. it is not what the un agreed but russia's version of a ceasefire is the best chance of survival for those who call eastern ghouta home. more than a week of shelling has led to the deaths of 500 people, but from tomorrow russia will order a daily pause in the shelling so civilians can escape. yet another sign ofjust how much sway russia has in syria's war. this enforced truce will take away the focus from the security council earlier resolution, which, with no exact start date, looked over before it had begun. security council resolutions are only meaningful if they are effectively implemented. that is why i expect the resolution to be immediately implemented and sustained, particularly to ensure the immediate safe and sustained delivery of humanitarian aid and services. from

this is the impact of the saudi air strike in a neighbourhood close to the defence ministry.ilians are not a target. but they are being hit. this family, like many others, lost their home in a coalition bombing. they have taken refuge here. "we are begging for help," cries this woman. "yesterday my three children did not eat." "i am ill, always ill." "neither dead nor alive." it is hard to escape from this war. it has pushed these families from place to place. at this temporary settlement they are digging in. trying to make a new home from the little they now have. the arab world's poorest nation now a battle ground for regional powers in a middle east which grows ever more combustible. saudi arabia and iran know they are playing with fire. new data from africa shows that not a single country on the continent is set to end childhood malnutrition by 2030. that target and date was set by the un as a sustainable development goal and is published here on their website. but these are just two of a series of new detailed maps studying child growth and education that conclude that's

this is the impact of the saudi air strike in a neighbourhood close to the defence ministry.nce. the saudis insist civilians are not a target. but they are being hit. this family, like many others, lost their home in a coalition bombing. they had taken refuge here. we are begging for help, cries this woman. yesterday my three children did not eat. i am ill, always ill. neither dead nor alive. it is hard to escape from this war. it has pushed these families from place to place. at this temporary settlement they are digging in. trying to make a new home from the little they now have. the arab world's poorest nation now a battle ground for regional powers in a middle east which grows ever more combustible. saudi arabia and iran know they are playing with fire. great reporting. in the next half hour president trump will be hosting democratic and republican lawmakers at the white house to discuss the issue of gun control. in the wake of the parkland shooting there have been a number of proposals but will congress take action or simply hit gridlock? back with us is ron christie. pr

the chinese defence ministry said the us had engaged in presumptuous speculation about beijing's intentions. with me is elizabeth minor an advisor at article 36, a member of. what is your reaction to what the us has announced with its policy change? as you were saying, china is saying that this represents a cold war mentality we think the risk from nuclear weapons never went away since the cold war so this policy represents a kind of reckless development on what was already a dangerous status quo. you think it rejuvenates the of having nuclear weapons rather than rejuvenating it? the nuclear weapons they think should be more usable and they should be more usable and they should be more willing and able to use them and there is a proposal that low yield nuclear weapons should be more available but the low yield weapons they are talking about are similar size to the bombs dropped on hiroshima in nagasaki to such horrific effect in 19115. we think that any policy that makes these more usable is poor. the us is talking about the deterrent factor, it is saying that countries like russia see the bombs that the us have as too big to be used so they are not, in e

russia's defence ministry said the pilot ejected from the aircraft but was killed on the ground by the rebels in idlib province. sarah corker reports. the burning wreckage oft looks like a russian fighterjet, red stars clearly visible on the wing. this footage posted online appears to show the plane being hit and bursting into flames in a rebel—held area of north—west syria. jihadist group hayat tahrir al—sham, formally linked to al-qaeda, said it had shot the plane down with a surface—to—air missile. moscow said the pilot ejected and survived the crash but was killed by rebels on the ground. the sukhoi 25 fighter was shot down near the city of saraqeb, close to a major highway in idlib province. it was back in december when the syrian government, backed by russian air power, launched a major offensive against rebel groups in idlib, the last province under rebel control. but civilians are paying a heavy price. thousands have fled. on friday, rescuers said they pulled the bodies of at least seven civilians from cars hit by air strikes south of aleppo. this incident is a rare loss for the russian air force. opposition groups have in the past shot down syrian

of six bodies. a child was injured in the seven story building. the syrian government, backed by russian air power, launched a major offensive in december against rebel groups in the province. russia‘s defence ministryhardline islamist militants in syria, but rescuers say civilians are paying a heavy price. thousands have fled their homes. stay with us on the briefing. also on the programme: men in south korea apparently buy more beauty products than their counterparts anywhere else. we will ask why that might be, and hear from someone trying to change perceptions about men and make—up. will this is the moment that millions in iran had been waiting for. after his long years in exile, the first hesitant steps of ayatollah khomeini on iranian soil. south africa‘s white government has offered its black opponents concessions unparalleled in the history of apartheid. the ban on the african national congress is lifted immediately, and the anc leader, nelson mandela, after 27 years injail, is to be set free unconditionally. the aircraft was returning from belgrade, where manchester united had entered the semi—final of the european cup. two americans have become the first humans to walk in space without any