north korea does not have many. the second threat is possible degradation of united states rok alliance. one of the biggest concerns was normalization between the countries would inevitably lead to u.s. troops from south korea and ultimately the degradation of the alliance. it is a lack of progress in negotiations that can lead to this collapse. in ability achieve progress in negotiation with north korea is more likely the cause. in the position of north korea, it is not an interest in hostile relations with north korea. the image of the superpower can be tarnished if it is unable to come to an agreement. it can potentially push its asian allies to seek their own stance. excuse me. remembered that and japan conducted their nuclear programs in the past and have all of the necessary economic, scientific capabilities to create nuclear weapons in the short term. they just need political will to transfer their nuclear programs to military. the next threat is further threatening of china's monopoly. china has almost resto

she is an expert on north korea and north korean security policy. she will be talking to us about u.s. dprk normalization and the role of surrounding powers including russia, giving her perspective and the view from russia about what this relationship looks like and what the potential for normalization is. then we have our discussion today, sharon squassoni, who many of you know, a research professor at the elliott school of international affairs at gw. she is a well-known expert in washington on nuclear energy, arms control, disarmament. and among a long history of senior positions in this role, spent a lot of time here at csis as well. anastasia's presentation, on the screen, will be about 30 minutes, then we will have sharon provide a little bit of discussion and context, and then we will open it up to all of you. you can see the cameras, we are being recorded, this will be available on the russia eurasian program website tomorrow. it also means that we are on the record. please silence your phones and other noisemaking devices. if there are no o

earned tens of millions of dollars for north korea as a representative of pyongyang's north east asia bank in two thousand and three he was suspected of having passed on information about the regime's finances he fled to south korea today the former banker works for his new country's intelligence agencies he supports them in their struggle against the regime he wants war eternal allegiance to our main goal is to make for in cash and this foreign cash business is secret. complete the secret office number for ny and continued creating that the system is setup like it's all north korean institutions where these foreign cash is generated there is to report it to can to the top and then should bring that should pay that in cash to family and now turns on and before thousands of years so you get there all this and then spend it or according to his priorities so two economies one is two family economy and the other one is the national economy run by the cabinet and run by their so called inner central planning so to family i called it you know royal court economy royal court economy the prin

special representative to north korea. he is the tip of the spear of diplomatic, the trump administration trump, dramatic and ministration and north korea. i am the correspondent with the new york times, i am very happy to be here and we are really excited to have steve, welcome steve. >> thank you much. >> so you have been on the job for six months, how is it going? >> [ laughter ] >> it feels like a lot more than six months. >> really? >> yeah. let me start by saying the obvious that diplomacy is still very much alive and well we have not made as much progress in the six months as i would've hoped coming in on the first day, at least they closely engaged with our counterparts in north korea, we just came off of a summative meeting with president trump and chairman kim jong-un. spent two days together discussing some very weighty issues. the president said in his press conference and it is true, that we remain engaged. the doors are open. and we will continue to work with the north koreans to try to achieve our goal. of c

special representative for north korea. he's the tip of the spear of diplomatic -- the trump administration's diplomatic initiatives in north korea. and i'm very happy. and pentagon correspondent with "the new york times," and i'm very happy to be here and we're really excited to have steve, so welcome, steve. >> thank you very much. >> so you've now been on the job for six months. how is it going? >> it feels like a lot more than six months. >> really? >> yeah. let me start by saying the obvious, that diplomacy is very much still alive. and while we haven't made as much progress in the six months as i would have hoped coming in on the first day, we stay closely engaged with our counter parts in north korea. we just came off a summit meeting in hanoi where president trump and chairman kim jong-un spent two days together discussing some very weighty issues, and the president said in his press conference and it's true, that we remain engaged. the door is open, and we will continue to work with the north koreans to try to achi

the north koreans offered a portion for lifting all the sanctions against north korea. in effect, that would put us in a position where we would be in a position where we would be lifti lifting all the economic pressure that's been imposed upon north korea for the totality of its weapons of mass destruction programs. we would lift that pressure, but in exchange for only a portion of those weapons of mass destruction programs. that would have put us in a position, a very difficult position, of essentially subsidizing what would to potentially be ongoing development. we need a total solution. this is what the president brought to the table. and this is what the president sincerely conveyed to chairman kim jong-un. the united states is ready to go down this road with north korea, to transform relations, to create permanent peace regime, to denuclearize and also to close humanitarian issues like the return of remains. but north korea has to be committed. and what the president -- as the president said at his press conference, he challenged chairman kim to go big, to buy int

before the north gives anything and i think the north thought in vietnam they can convince us to lift sanctions for very little in return from the u.s. we have seen this over and over again with north korea that the north koreans get us involved in negotiations, we give them concessions and they either give us nothing or whatever they agree to they backtrack on later and they are aware of that. north korea has an opportunity to do the right thing and negotiate but if they don't we are going to resume the pressure we had put on before and i understand it is difficult to watch u.s. officials interacting with such a ruthless dictator. i find it difficult to watch but i also see it's developing hydrogen bombs and missiles that could possibly hit the east coast of the united states and this is a significant threat. if we are not going to bomb or attack them and the u.s. is not going to do that, we have to find a diplomatic solution but it has to be one on our terms. i know this is hard to watch and i wish there was another way to do it but realistically i think this is a way of approaching

special representative for north korea. he is the tip of the spear of diplomatic the trump administration's diplomatic initiatives in north korea and i am very happy to have elaine cooper pentagon correspondent with the new york times. i am very happy to be here and we are excited. welcome steve. >> thank you. >> you have been on the job six months how is it going? >> i feel like it's a lot more than six months. let me start by saying diplomacy is still very much alive and while we haven't made as much progress in six months that i would've hoped coming in that we stay closely engaged with our counterparts in north korea. we just came off of a summit meeting where president donald trump and kim jong un spent two days together discussing issues and the president had a press conference and it's true we remain engaged in the doors open and we will continue to work with the north koreans to try to achieve our shared goal of complete denuclearization of the peninsula. let me frame in a little more broadly so you have a sense of

back to that kim's death was a political assassination planned by north korean agents. as if that episode wasn't strange enough there's been a nother cloak and dagger incident involving north korea here in europe you may remember that break in it happened last month at the north korean embassy in madrid well over the weekend north korea finally responded calling it quote a grave terror attack the group of armed men have charged into the building and tied up the staff spanish authorities have issued arrest warrants for members of the mysterious french human rights group called free cho son also known as child huma civil defense it claims to have shared information from the raid with the f.b.i. the group posted this video to you tube reportedly from inside the embassy which shows a man destroying portraits of the kim family. joining me now is all of her hof i'm managing editor of and k. news dot org all over this is such a strange story what is going on here. well you know it's difficult to say when we first heard about this news it was just as the us did go ok some it wa

assassination plots and secret raid see the light of day we'll look at two shadowy incidents involving north korea that could have been lifted right from a spy novel also coming up. thailand's chaotic election leaves voters confused and angry we'll see how young people's hopes for political change are turning into frustration and. potential carter's new subway news congestion in the traffic choked indonesian capital we'll speak to a public transport consultant trying to end the gridlock. i'm melissa chant welcome to the program it's good to have you with us we start out in malaysia where the sole remaining suspect charged in the murder of the north korean leader's half brother may soon be out of jail drunk long from vietnam has pleaded guilty to a lesser charge and could be released as early as next month the other suspect was released in march both have been arrested for the two thousand and seventeen quoting for air force killing of kim jong nam with the deadly v. x. nerve agent the women say they thought they were part of a prank t.v. show it's a suspected that kim's death was a political

eighty five because north korea supported mollies china. the improved in the media and then in one thousand eight hundred nine gorbachev recognized south korea in one thousand eight hundred eight and there was again a certain cool you know relations but still russia is the only country which south korea and north korea at least partially droste because you cannot trust mike but pale you cannot trust my companion russia is a neighbor it's in russia. and the reason why south korea is driven towards russia is because. mike pouncey can afford a war on the korean peninsula south korea cannot jump and cannot go back to you i mean there moaning we were hearing for from the administration the possibility of another summit i mean after the train wreck called hanoi what's the point and what would be different because the u.s. seems to have this need jerk reaction to anything it's always a to. a map from a list position i surrender and then we can talk all there's no way in the world north korea is ever going to do that and we've said this on this pro

of north korea's traders with china ensures a long and porous border with north korea but the chinese will be will be supportive of any measures that include russia given that china and russia are also enjoy close relations and also both have a vested interest in pushing back against the way of us again many so we see something over an hour winds forming here obviously nothing ratified as such but the ofi countries are in the same and on the same site when it comes to their understanding of the role of washington and impeding progress not only on the needle on the korean peninsula but overall and the global sense when it comes to the growth of a multi poor alternative to u.s. led western you know polarity so there's a geo political and regional importance to the summit and to for the so much going forward. potentially very strong economic links to be had on there between these countries we've been discussing there russia north korea and china i mean if relations are normalized in that part of the world the whole region economically could benefit. while there's massive untapped potenti

our top stories: a guard of honourfor the north korean leader as he arrives in russia.he first ever summit between kim jong—un and vladimir putin is getting underway. top sri lankan officials lose theirjobs over the intelligence failures before sunday's attacks, as new details emerge about the bombers. heavy rain and floods kill at least 60 people in durban, south africa. thousands more have had to flee their homes. the last post prince william takes part in anzac day commemorations in auckland, as new zealand, australia and turkey honour their fallen. hello to you. the north korean leader kim jong—un is about to meet the russian president, vladimir putin, for one to one talks in russia's far eastern city of vladivostok. it's the first ever summit between the two men. live now to vladivostok and our correspondent, sarah rainsford. sarah, peter is a picture of what is happening, what is about to happen, how significant it is. well, we're here at the far eastern university, which is where the first summit between vladimir putin and the north korean leader kim jong—un betw

korea, to denuclearise north korea.” seen, to try to make north korea, to denuclearise north korea.'t think that's going to happen, not in the near future. let's think that's going to happen, not in the nearfuture. let's talk think that's going to happen, not in the near future. let's talk about the near future. let's talk about the climate change protesters where you stand in all of this? really divided opinion, it's brought london toa divided opinion, it's brought london to a standstill. a lot of people are saying the peaceful protests, 500 people shouldn't have been arrested asa people shouldn't have been arrested as a result of these. climate change isa as a result of these. climate change is a very important topic. one of the key speakers of the imf was richard attenborough talking about climate change. even the ministers of finance of the world were gathered, as they gathered, this was a hot topic so there is no way of getting away from climate issues in the protests we are seeing this week in london however, of course, there is the other side to this which is that these prote

but the most historic as well do you think these sorts of meetings of the north korean north korean leader and a sitting u.s. president the russian president that cetera is a perhaps symbolic of more of a willingness from pyongyang to show some some really way to show some ball game here get out there and negotiate around the table and perhaps get that peace treaty moving forward which you have said is crucial to establishing peace on that continent yes we've had for too long demonization running the ship the crazy leaders. looking at the situation in north korea with a lot of judgment and it's not that they don't have problems and it's not that they don't have human rights challenges and i'm not saying that i'm simply saying that in this climate to be able to as a leader in the country with nuclear weapons without nuclear weapons if you can stand. face to face with people magical things can happen if both parties have an intent to get to peace and unfortunately some of the people who've gotten involved in us negotiations john bolton and some others have long said their objective is the en

the last meeting between north korean and russian leaders. securing opportunities for chinese security companies developing. the chinese security. while. it's good to have you with us it's been a meeting between all the friends in the new world a world where north korea is straining under the weight of international sanctions and russia is looking to boost its stature on the world stage not couldn't leader kim jong un and russian president vladimir putin have met in eastern russia and discussed the deed of the korean peninsula this against the backdrop of north korea's failed the talks with the u.s. in february or sanctions relief here's what. i have to say after their meeting. vladivostok. yet it has for the threat of nuclear confrontation without a question the international community is common goal is to avoid what. i have the impression that the north korean leader wants that as well he just needs to be reassured of his safety about a mission a limited series. on the people of the two countries who share a valuable friendship that was cre

president promises positive efforts toward peace on the korean peninsula in a first ever summit with north korean leader. kim says the. nuclear weapons program this just two months after kim's meeting with donald trump. also coming up. in the aftermath of the horrific attacks new security measures are in place but fear of backlash. businesses have already been attacked islamic leaders have condemned the attacks and condolences to the victims' families the bombings killed more than three hundred fifty people. hello i'm terry martin good to have you with us russian president vladimir putin and north korean leader kim jong il and have met face to face for the first time this is in the far eastern city. where the two met both privately and then with advisors they discussed of of issues including security on the korean peninsula kim is believed to be seeking support from moscow especially for ending international sanctions imposed over north korea's nuclear program just two months ago a summit with u.s. president donald trump broke down over that topic. well before kim went into their private m

the russian leader in the north korean leader. because of the north korean leader.k, and advocate for easing sanctions on north korea as way out of this crisis. that‘s not what america wants, it talks about maximum pressure. ithink america wants, it talks about maximum pressure. i think russia may be prepared to lobby for a slightly different approach and as far as kim jong—un is concerned, that is certainly what he wants to get out of this if that is at all possible. thank you so much, sarah rainsford in vladivostok. 0ne thank you so much, sarah rainsford in vladivostok. one more word on this from laura bicker in seoul. it looks like a warm greeting. it‘s interesting to watch these two together, given we have seen kim jong—un and president trump together in very similar circumstances but it and well. i've been watching kim jong—un with the presidents of south korea and the us and now he is here with vladimir putin. he said with the world‘s attention on the korean peninsula, he hoped he could have fruitful discussions with vladimir putin. it ensures that the world‘s

we are discussing many important things, including north korea, the relationships with north korea. i had, in many respects, a very good meeting. we did not fulfill what we wanted to, but in many ways we -- certain things were agreed to. my relationship is very good with, as you know, chairman kim. if we go on that way, we will probably know, but we will be discussing that, discuss trade, military, military purchases. south korea buys a great deal of equipment from us, especially military equipment. >> [speaking foreign language] president trump: we have just recently completed a new and very large trade deal with south korea, and it is just now going into effect. it will very much increase trade both ways between our two countries. it is a very important transaction and something we have been working on for a while. for years, they have been trying to redo it. we have a new deal, and it has been good for both our countries. big difference. translator: [speaking korean] pres. trump: president moon and south korea have agreed to purchase a tremendous amount of our military equipment,

washington of north carolina. and he lived beyond 1915, so you start to see the racial climate shift post-1915. more individuals, more african-americans, are demanding things now. the gradualist approach goes away. the gradual approach goes away. in many ways he goes, by the end of his life he starts to shift. one instance that i discuss in this work is, on a cold winter day, in january of 1927, he goes to the state capitol to lobby for funds for his institution. he has on an overcoat. he has on a hat. he gets on the elevator with all white legislators. code of racial etiquette of the day was african-americans were always supposed to take their hat off in the presence of white males. well, while he was on this elevator he kept his hat on. no one said anything, but a few days later, one of the legislators requested a bill to remove funding from the institution from under the school, the public instruction, and put it under, directly under the rule of the legislators, because he wanted to really punish shepard for t

hello there the next storm system is ramping up over parts of north america on the satellite picture you can already see the cloud as it's marching its way eastwards it is thickening up all the while and it's in the south where there's the greatest chance of seeing that severe weather so this is where there's the greatest risk of seeing some large hail some very gusty winds maybe the old tornado as well that system will gradually edges way eastwards as we head through friday and as it does so we'll see the temperatures really drop behind it so ahead of it you can see the winds feeding up from the south dragging in all that warm air behind it seven degrees will just be on maximum in chicago further west it looks like it should be dry for us on friday except for the northwestern parts and the western parts of canada now a bit further towards the south we're just seeing the tail end of that system over north america just about dive its way into parts of mexico so a few showers are likely here to the south of that it should be fine just one or two showers bubbling up at times and you're

another round of talks in syria is expected to take place in the capital of north. russia or turkey and iran believes they have played pivotal roles in the conflict and now want to know what's in it for them while progress on a political solution is expected there are still sticking points on other issues then a halt to tells us more from. russia is further cementing its foothold in syria government leaders in damascus granting russia access to the mediterranean port of tartus for the next forty nine years it's the latest deal between the two countries as russia strategic and financial rewards in post-war syria. syria's other main ally iran seems to be doing the same after partnering to keep president bashar assad in power the iranians and russians are talking about dividing the spoils of war. you're sure. you know. there's a structure but it's our. congress and it's in arts grants you. russia and iran cooperate with turkey iran's foreign minister mohammad said if there's a turkey's capital ankara following a trip to damascus the iranians are trying to mend the rela

that is unacceptable to the north koreans.im jong—un, at the moment, is exploring other options. he has warned the united states that his patients will only last until the end of the year for them to change their position. you wa nt them to change their position. you want his new year speech that north korea may seek a new path stop this isa korea may seek a new path stop this is a warning shot saying, look, we do have other options. there is also, certainly, a lot of reports that kim jong—un might also, certainly, a lot of reports that kimjong—un might be, and they emphasise this, might be heading to russia soon to meet with vladimir putin. this would be a significant summit between russia and north korea as a significant time, because it does show that kim jong—un is looking around, wondering exactly what else he can get and where he can get it from, if he is not to be dealing with the united states. so far no reaction from soul. we are waiting for a reaction from the presidential, the blue house. we're waiting this morning.

crackdowns against minorities on martin north. and a national emergency has been declared here again just as it was during the two decades of civil war that civil liberties were after the. us national security and countering terrorism and we have an experience of civil liberties being curtailed dramatically during the course of the war and he went after the war in the name of fighting six terrorism so days of worry that the similar situation may arise probably again as. muslims and christians have always kept a respectful distance. now there is hope that the easter sunday. as a reason to build stronger bridges between the two communities. well joining me now . is journalist. is clearly. how worried are the country's people that there may be more violence to. at this moment of time straight i'm going to extremely worried and scared i didn't want to know what to expect in the coming days in fact security docs have been all across columbus to d.m. police are checking all the new clothes and putting kumble for leaving on the enjoy a r

oliver north has been asked to step down.y has been potentially mismanaged, the internal power struggle over fun funds has boiled over leading to oliver north being told he was never wanted. before going, north wanted to have a letter that he wrote read outloud, a

russia of course shares a border with north korea does some minimal amount of trade with north korea but also a large amount of trade with south korea and has good normal business like relations with both countries russia is very interested in seeing some type of peace arrangement not only between north korea and south korea but between north korea and the united states which are of course still technically at war there only being an armed us this still in force since the korean conflict decades ago which is one of north korea's principal demands to actually have a peace agreement as as well as wider security guarantees russia would like to see negotiations towards denuclearization of the entire korean peninsula which would of course not only mean north korea giving up its nuclear weapons program but the united states removing nuclear weapons nuclear capable weapons and cease doing provocative military drills with them on north korea's border but the problem is that the u.s. does not exactly have a good track record in deals for removing of weapons of mass destruction with other coun

maybe 10 or 11 in the north.fter admitting even he was kept out of the loop over prior warnings ahead of sunday's bombings. some of the victims have been laid to rest as the number of those killed reaches 321. north korean leader kimjong—un has set off for his first summit with russian president vladimir putin. the two will meet in the russian city of vladivostok. it comes just two months after the breakdown of talks between kim jong—un and us president donald trump. nine activists who helped to organise mass pro—democracy protests in hong kong in 201a are in court to be sentenced. the nine — who were convicted earlier this month — could face up to seven years in prison. they were found guilty of breaking rarely—used public

and north korea all want denuclearization are key to this is showing that north korea would maintain your symbol its own security and sovereignty he says that is primarily the sticking point but he believes that believes that dialogue is the only way forward and you cannot just solve problems by trying to show that might is right i think in reference to the united states about a quick summary of that press conference took place and it's alas it just ran about half an hour maybe and that does conclude the summit took place the historic summit place the first one between kim jong un and vladimir putin. to do. so let's get some reaction to all of this we can bring in dr rana he's an expert on political and geo strategic issues to you very welcome thanks for coming on i'm not sure how much you heard of that press conference there but generally speaking he was saying look we talked about denuclearization i think it's something the world wants the question is how do we do it and he was stressing the need for north korea to feel it can maintain its sovereignty and it will have guarantees ab

with those groups traveling north thanks for that update many. french president emmanuel macron has offered tax cuts for middle class workers in a bid to end months of anti-government protests but supporters of the so-called yellow vest movement say that's far from enough many a planning to take to the streets once again on saturday natasha about to reports from paris. at his first presidential press conference on domestic affairs emanuel mark all said he'd listen to people's grievances over social inequality and the french political system in response he offered a raft of new policies including a reduction of m.p.'s and income tax cuts for work let me you're going to fuel the best way to address the needs of fiscal justice is not to increase the taxes of dispersal of that person no it's rather to lower taxes for the greatest number of our fellow citizens in particular for those clothes and part of the middle class is also touched on personal matters saying he regretted that some people considered him out. i've given the impression of always givi

of resolving the denuclearisation issue in north korea.his is no accident. it comes a couple of months after the kim jong—un balls talks with donald trump in the united states broke down. it has now come here, the north korean leader, looking for a new light in russia's president vladimir putin. much of this is designed to send a message to washington in particular, but there are things that putin will want from this? you doesn't want a nuclear armed neighbour? no, ithink this? you doesn't want a nuclear armed neighbour? no, i think you are right. travelling to vladivostok, it seven time zones away from moscow, we are close to the north korean border. that is a reminder of why this matters, one reason why it matters, to russia. this is a neighbouring country in russia says it doesn't want a nuclear armed state on its border and it is committed, it signed up to all the un sanctions on north korea up till now. but i think what russia also has is a different approach to north korea. it has argued in the past and will begin to login more, i su

and north korea, but north korea and south korea and whether or not america would be able to signal toorea that they would be, perhaps, ok with some economic development between north and south korea and that is another big unknown. no sanctions right now are on the table to be lifted from a u.s. perspective against pyongyang. david: that is my question about economic relations with south korea. we do not know what is going on behind closed doors between the presidents. have weekend and -- have we gotten any indication of what might be on the table? it seems like president trump once the north to give up its nuclear weapons in the north once president trump to roll back sanctions and both saying they do not want to do that. of where thiss goes, north koreans would like to see activity from the u.n. that is something the president has suggested he is not comfortable working with the u.n. on. the north koreans have also been working closely with the chinese in terms of even more economic development. , it the chinese perspective is a look at the type of trading that has gone on in north

you mentioned the north the talks over the moon of duty clear is ation on the north korean in north korea do you think that moscow really could help maybe play break achieve some sort of break in at least in the deadlock if not a breakthrough but breaking the deadlock all those talks on denuclearizing the korean peninsula. well of course it's hard to know but it seems that russia could be a good intermediary. north korea inside the country often presents the u.s. as you know as enemy number one whereas russia and north korea have historic ties the soviet union was one of north korea's its first ally its main backer the main backer of kim jong un's father kim jong il and so that could be a much more natural fit and what also is strategically smart or clever of the russians is that they've been keeping china close as well when it comes to discussions of need of denuclearization in north korea both countries have been advocating this road map that they wrote in two thousand and seventeen and it's important to point out that putin will actually after this meeting travelling on directly to bei

north korea. i had in many respects a very good meeting. we did not fulfill what we wanted to, but in many ways we -- certain things were agreed to. my relationship is very good with, as you know, chairman kim. and i think that it will go on that way. we'll see. we'll probably know, but we'll be discussing that, we'll be discussing trade, military, military purchases. south korea buys a great deal of equipment from us, especially military equipment. please, go ahead. >> [speaking in native tongue] >> [speaking in native tongue] >> we've just recently completed a new and very, very large trade deal with south korea, and it's just now going into effect, and and it will very much increase trade both ways between our two countries. it's a very important transaction and something we've been working on for quite a while. i know that for years they've been working on trying to redo it, and we have a new deal, and it's been, i think, very, very good for both our countries. big difference. >> [speaking in

it's good to have you with us it's been a meeting between old friends in a new world a world where north korea is straining under the weight of international sanctions and russia is looking to boost its stature on the world stage north korean leader kim jong un and russian president vladimir putin have met in eastern russia and discussed the deed of the korean peninsula this against the backdrop of north korea's failed to talks with the u.s. in february or any sanctions relief here as well. worn have to say after their meeting in vladivostok. as for the threat of nuclear confrontation without a question the international community's common goal is to avoid one. i have the impression that the north korean leader wants that as well he just needs to be reassured of his safety. you are both of the soonest. people of the two countries who share a valuable friendship that was created and strengthened while overcoming every hardship in challenge through into his by history have a deep understanding that the ceaseless development of north korea russia ties only serves our mutual interests but is

told in talks with visiting north korean leader kim jong un. with that story and join rob mcbride our correspondent in seoul of course with the reaction from south korea and of course regional neighbors whether they be south korea japan or china will be looking very carefully at what's been said putin meeting was sort of reaction have you had heard from in seoul. indeed and events will be followed close to still from south korea are for obvious reasons they are very supportive generally of this whole process of bilateral summits it is if you like or of the process of normalize ation of north korea interacting with its neighbors interacting with the rest of the world not being so isolated so they are supportive of this whole process and have said so in seoul today thursday in fact there has been a senior representative of the russian government a senior security official who has been briefing the south korean government just on what vladimir putin's goals have been with this summit in blood of our stock and also elaborating on what's been we thi

. us to determine precisely what the north koreans have testedm us to determine precisely what the northed. it is good to talk through what we have. ankit panda, specialising in defence. thank you for your insights. we will bring you more details as and when we get them. la cazette, details as and when we get them. lacazette, this is a developing story at the moment. we will keep an eye on this one. —— like i said. let's take a look at some of the day's other news. at least 29 people have died in a bus crash on the portuguese island of madeira. the vehicle was carrying more than 50 people when it came off the road on a bend east of the island's capital, funchal. all the victims were german. ben ando has more. the coach, which was carrying german holiday—makers, came to rest on its on its side after apparently coming off the road on a tight curve and rolling down the mountain. exactly how it happened isn't clear. the bus is badly damaged with most of its windows broken. it seems many of the victims were thrown onto the ground in the crash. local people quickly gathered, some assisting the

and north korea have stalled over denuclearization at a summit meeting in in hanoi in february north korean officials actually walked out of the meeting and last week again they were railing against mike pompei as the u.s. secretary of state and saying that he's reckless that he should be removed from talks so now kim is kind of showing look i also have i also have these russian partners and of course there's also an economic factor as is so often the case in these these political meetings. kim is trying to expand ties with russia after all things aren't looking so rosy for the north korean economy with sanctions really biting and china is its main trade partner but russia is also an important source of income there are thousands of north korean workers just over the border in russia which have provided an important source of a foreign currency for the country so that is something that kim is hoping to get out of this meeting today expanding ties because so that's where north korea is coming from the russians saw it with interest. in meeting kim jong il. well for putin the economic s

but further north, actually a different picture here.and too. temperatures here about 10—14 degrees or so. further south, we're likely to see some slightly milder weather. moving through now, monday night and on into tuesday, we've still got this weather front, which is going to be lingering across the uk. some uncertainty about exactly how far north that's going to be. low pressure sitting out towards the south—west. with an easterly breeze, we could well see a bit of cloud lingering around the east coast for a time. still some rain on tuesday on that weakening weather front. it's most likely across southern england into wales, but it could be a little bit further north. at the moment, it looks like much of scotland, northern ireland and northern england should see some sunshine, 8—11 celsius, 1a or 15 degrees in that milder air, but you've got the cloud and the rain further south. so, looking ahead towards the middle part of the week. we've got that mild airfor a time, particularly in the south, but you'll notice the blue colours start