i'm suranjana tewari. bashar al assad, who was forced out of power a week ago, has issued what appears to be his first statement since he left the country. he is the former president. in what is believed to be a telegram post from moscow, the statement explains how he left after rebels took over, and that he never intended to seek refuge in russia. it's not certain that the post was written by him. here's our russia editor steve rosenberg. where is bashar al—assad 7 he hasn't been seen since he fled syria. today, a statement purporting to be from him appeared on the social media accounts of the former syrian president, dateline moscow. it's unclear who controls the accounts and whether assad wrote this: president putin, who met army chiefs today, has reportedly granted assad asylum. but the kremlin leader has said nothing publicly about it. most of this speech was about the war in ukraine — not a word about syria. despite having this naval base in syria, in tartus, and a major airbase, events there seem to

i'm suranjana tewari. voted to impeach president yoon suk yeol. hello and welcome to business today. i'm suranjana tewari. china released a fresh round of economic indicators house prices fell 5.7% year—on—year in november,

i'm suranjana tewari. several hundred people, and possibly even thousands, are now feared to have died in a powerful cyclone that hit the the island of mayotte, a french indian ocean territory off the coast of madagascar. winds of more than 220 kilometres per hour and heavy rain battered the territory — causing widespread devastation. authorities there say the final number of victims may never be known. mayotte is a french territory, and a member of the eu. many people there lived in makeshift homes, and the french government says they have all been destroyed. cyclone chido has now made landfall in mozambique and is also threatening other countries in the region. greg mckenzie reports. the french indian ocean territory of mayotte. cyclone chido made landfall here on saturday. the devastation and aftermath clear to see. entire communities flattened by gusts of more than 140mph. islanders sheltering any way they can. officials fear the death toll will be in the hundreds, or even higher. located northwest of

i'm suranjana tewari. we are keeping a close eye on developments in syria. rebel forces captured damascus over the weekend, toppling the regime of bashar al—assad. his family have been in power for more than half a century. the deposed president has fled to moscow and will be given asylum there, according to russian state media. uncertainty in the middle east and also here in asia, where the focus is back on south korea. its president, yoon suk yeol has narrowly survived an impeachment vote after a short—lived attempt to declare martial law.the benchmark kospi index is trading around 2% lower. andrew gilholm from control risks consultancy says uncertainty could persist for weeks. this has really drawn out this crisis a bit further with this surprise last—minute deal between president yoon and his party to keep him in power a bit longer. so all eyes now really are on what happens next with yoon�*s party and him and will he resign, will there be another impeachment vote, maybe next weekend? it seems like president yoon is finished and now it's really a questio

i'm suranjana tewari. china released a fresh round of economic indicators house prices fell 5.7% year—on—year in november, house prices fell 5.7% year—c a -year in november, house prices fell 5.7% year—c a consumption nber, house prices fell 5.7% year—c a consumption based not be a consumption based stimulus. and that is why november data is again much poorer than october because what they did on november eight, the national people's congress was really to announce 10 trillion rmb to clean it up, not reallyjust stimulus not really just stimulus consumption. that's why the data is where it is.— data is where it is. leaders must have _ data is where it is. leaders must have been _ data is where it is. leaders must have been getting . data is where it is. leaders - must have been getting advice all year and we've been reporting china's downturn significantly. why do you think it took so long for the stimulus measures? , , stimulus measures? the stimulus measures were — stimulus measures? the stimulus measures

i'm suranjana tewari. we're keeping a close eye on developments in syria.el forces captured the damascus, effectively toppling the regime of bashar al—assad that has been power for more than half a century. the deposed president has fled to moscow according to russian state media. uncertainty in the middle east and also here in asia where the focus is back on south korea. its president, yoon suk yeol, has narrowly survived an impeachment vote after a short lived attempt to declare martial law. the benchmark kospi index is trading almost 2% lower this lower this morning. for more on the latest developments in south korea, i'm joined by andrew gilholm from the control risks consultancy. this is really drawn out this surprise last—minute joint —— deal between president yoon and his party to keep him in power a bit longer. all eyes really are on what happens next with president yoon �*s party and him and will he resign, will there be another impeachment vote may be another impeachment vote may be next weekend? it seems like president yoon is finished and now it

welcome to newsday, i'm suranjana tewari.ppears to be his first statement since he left the country. he is the former president. in what is believed to be a telegram post from moscow, the statement explains how he left after rebels took over, and that he never intended to seek refuge in russia. it's not certain that the post was written by him. here's our russia editor steve rosenberg. where is bashar al—assad ? he hasn't been seen since he fled syria. today, a statement purporting to be from him appeared on the social media accounts of the former syrian president, dateline moscow.

suranjana tewari is following the story from our asia business hub in singapore.at we do know. , , , know. yes, this is quite the sto . know. yes, this is quite the story- the _ know. yes, this is quite the story. the us _ know. yes, this is quite the story. the us state - know. yes, this is quite the - story. the us state department says the way the scheme worked was that between 2017 and 2023, about 130 north korean workers managed to get itjobs at us companies and nonprofits using stolen us identities. they then allegedly stole sensitive company information, including source code, and threatened to leak it unless the employer made an extortion payment. they are thought to have generated, as you said, at least $88 million. the us says part of the total was the workers' salaries, which ultimately went to the north korean government. the us accuses pyongyang of using that money for weapons of mass destruction. we don't know the companies' names, they have been identified, and the north korean mission to the united nations in new 1535 00:15

for more on all of this, let's bring in suranjana tewari live from the newsroom.was a busy morning for you. what more can you tell us? the discussion between these two were first reported by japan's nikaev newspaper. but now the bbc understands that honda and nissan are discussing a potential merger. the discussions are understood to be in the very early stages and there is no guarantee that a deal will be struck. but this is the clearest sign yet of some sort of reorganisation injapan's auto industry. in the face of immense challenges posed by both tesla and chinese ev makers. the manufacturers had already agreed to collaborate on some aspects of making electric vehicles, with that announcement coming back in march. undersaying announcement coming back in march. under saying this time around nothing has been decided yet but it is clear that any tie—up of the number two and three automakers would create a formidable domestic rival to toyota which, of course, is japan's largest automaker. some analysts say this is good news. putting together a very significant japa

i'm suranjana tewari.srael's prime minister, benjamin netanyahu, has warned that his country's "just getting started" against the houthis in yemen after israel launched air strikes which reportedly killed at least six people. the united nations has called for restraint, warning that air strikes on ports in the red sea and on airports pose grave risks to humanitarian operations. the arial bombardment targeted the international airport in the capital, sanaa. the israel defense forces said it was conducting "intelligence—based strikes on military targets belonging "to the iran—backed houthi terrorist regime on the western "coast and inland yemen". the strikes hit port towns and power stations as well as the airport. a video from inside sanaa airport shows people running out of the terminal in a panic. the head of the world health organization, dr tedros, said the bombardment happened "meters away" as he was about to board a flight in sanaa. our correspondent shaimaa khalil has more. this is the second israeli

i'm suranjana tewari.

i'm suranjana tewari. china has released a fresh round of economic indicators.uggle in the property sector. meanwhile, retail sales data for november shows an uptick of 3%, and that is lower than estimates. china is still on track to achieve its growth targets for the year. when it comes to stimulus, economist alicia garcia is not convinced the latest measures have been enough to boost growth in the world number two economy. we did see an _ world number two economy. - did see an improvement in october but that was basically well affected, meaning the stimulus started to be announced, that was the centre bank first but 4 september we had a golden week, everything was perfect, the stock market booming but it actually corrected when we realised that it would not be

i'm suranjana tewari.yoon shop declaration of martial law before he you turned hours later. the country �*s main labor union has called for an indefinite general strike until the president resigns. calls for his impeachment are growing. south korea's finance ministry and central bank have plugged to billions of dollars of funds to stabilise financial markets. markets are currently trading lower with the benchmark kospi index down i.7i%. the benchmark kospi index down 1.71%. the korean currency fell after a choppy night reacting to events and south korea. more from an a—listers —— analyst from an a—listers —— analyst from the economist intelligence unit. your reaction in terms of the regional impact of what happened in south korea overnight? i happened in south korea overnight?— happened in south korea overniuht? , , overnight? i think i've because we know there _ overnight? i think i've because we know there have _ overnight? i think i've because we know there have been - overnight? i think i've because we

i'm suranjana tewari. rights groups in syria are appealing to the country's new leaders to preserve evidence of atrocities committed under former president assad's regime. investigators from organisations like amnesty international and human rights watch have been visiting detention facilities and mass graves after rebels took over the capital. they say that evidence in the prisons is essential for prosecuting those who helped in the detainment and disappearance of tens of thousands of people under the rule of assad. this comes as several eu countries pause applications from syrians seeking asylum following the overthrow of the assad regime. international human rights groups havce criticised the move as premature. our special correspondent fergal keane has gone back to some of those he met fleeing the war in syria in its early days to file this report. a warning his report contains some distressing testimony. i never imagined that i will witness something like that in my life. and i'm so happy. very happy.

i'm suranjana tewari. a law that would force its parent company bytedance to sell the app by january. according to the law, if it fails to do so, the platform will be banned in the us. but even as tiktok is facing hurdles, it's also finding new allies like incoming president donald trump, who says he will look into revoking the ban. we will take a look at tiktok. i have a warm spot in my heart for tiktok because i won we will take a look at tiktok. i have a warm spot in my heart for tiktok because i won the youth by 3a points and there are those that say tiktok has something to do with it. trump's comments came on the same day he met with the social media platform's chief executive at mar—a—lago. the ban, which had bipartisan support when signed into law, is expected to go into effect on 19january — one day before trump's inauguration. during his first term in office trump led the call to ban

i'm suranjana tewari. israel's prime minister, benjamin netanyahu, has warned

for more on all of this, let's bring in suranjana tewari live from the newsroom.a and nissan are discussing a potential merger. the discussions are understood to be in the very early stages and there is no guarantee that ideal will be struck. but this is the clearest sign yet of some sort of reorganisation in japan's auto industry. in the face of immense challenges posed by both tesla and chinese ev makers. the discussions would allow the manufacturers to co—operate more closely on technology and help japan's number two and number three automakers to create a more

welcome to newsday, i'm suranjana tewari.a significant week of negotiations

welcome to newsday, i'm suranjana tewari.sraeli prime minister benjamin netanyahu says a negotiation team has returned to tel aviv for �*internal consultations�* after a significant week of negotiations in qatar. officials say that both sides have shown a greater willingness to reach a deal but that key details must still be worked out. it comes as israel intensifies its attacks in gaza, with the territory's health ministry reporting that three hospitals in the north were targeted earlier on tuesday — forcing patients to evacuate. meanwhile, christmas celebrations are muted for a second year in bethlehem since the war between israel and hamas erupted last year. local authorities have scaled down festivities and ceremonies in the holy city — with church leaders providing spiritual guidance to those in grief. our correspondent, shaimaa khalil, is in bethlehem. midnight mass at the nativity church ushers in yet another sombre christmas here in bethlehem, the big celebrations have been cancelled and the ceremonies have been sombr

i�*m suranjana tewari. we�*re keeping a close eye on developments in syria. according to russian state media. uncertainty in the middle east and also here in asia where the focus is back on south korea. its president, yoon suk yeol, has narrowly survived an impeachment vote after a short lived attempt to declare martial law.

i'm suranjana tewari. rights groups in syria are appealing to the

i'm suranjana tewari. a dramatic night in south korea.nlimited cash to shore up financial markets. and the central bank as well will meet soon. it comes hours after turmoil with the president yoon suk yeol declaring martial law before announcing he would lift the order. chaotic scenes while protesters gathered outside the national embassy in seoul. a vote was held overnight in parliament with the majority deciding to block his decision to declare martial law. financial meetings held a bed in a attempt to stabilise the economy. south korea's main labour union has called for an indefinite general strike until the president resigns. calls are growing to impeach yoon. markets opened this morning with the benchmark kospi index down 2%. the korean currency, the won, stabilising after a choppy night of trading. across

i'm suranjana tewari. we are keeping a close eye on developments in syria.ent has fled to moscow and will be given asylum there, according to russian state media. uncertainty in the middle east and also here in asia, where the focus is back on south korea. its president, yoon suk yeol has narrowly survived an impeachment vote after a short—lived attempt to declare martial law.the benchmark kospi index is trading around 2% lower. andrew gilholm from control risks consultancy says

welcome to newsday, i'm suranjana tewari. we start with the latest on syria.rst statement since he left the country. in what is believed to be a telegram post from moscow, the statement explains how he left after rebels took over, and that he never intended to seek refuge in russia. it's not certain that the post was written by him. here's our russia editor steve rosenberg. where is bashar al—assad ?

let�*s head over to our asia business hub and suranjana tewari is there. hello.s, sally, this is the i annual economic work meeting, as you mentioned it is to map out policies for the next year. leaders have already hinted at more forceful stimulus. we have already had a package this year and that�*s because china is still in an economic slowdown. the property crisis is still a problem and there is low spending, and the other is the threat of a potential trade war with donald trump coming into the presidency in the us. now, this is a two day meeting, is expected to run through thursday, and it typically gathers some central government and provincial leaders along with the heads of state owned financial institutions and companies. we are sensing, as i mentioned, a bit of change in tone with official signalling on monday that they are ready to deploy whatever stimulus is needed to counter the impact of expected us trade tariffs on it next year�*s economic growth. top communist party officials, which are known as the politburo warmaking, and officials say they would

welcome to newsday, i'm suranjana tewari. several hundred people, and possibly even thousands, are now feared to have died in a powerful cyclone that hit the the island of mayotte, a french indian ocean territory off the coast of madagascar. winds of more than 220 kilometres per hour and heavy rain battered the territory — causing widespread devastation. authorities there say the final number of victims may never be known. mayotte is a french territory, and a member of the eu. many people there lived in makeshift homes,

let's get more on this from our asia business reporter suranjana tewari. tell us more.t give _ tell us more. china's regulator didn't give any _ tell us more. china's regulator didn't give any details - tell us more. china's regulator didn't give any details on - tell us more. china's regulator didn't give any details on what| didn't give any details on what laws nvidia might have broken. we do know that in some sort of antimonopoly law, but as you say, there seems to be the latest retaliation against washington was made latest curbs on the chinese chip sector. last week the us launched its third crackdown in as many years on china's semiconductor industry with washington banning, curving exports, rather, to 140 companies. nvidia is of course world famous for its artificial intelligence and gaming chips and has had something of a meteoric rise this year as the demand for al chips skyrockets. nvidia's shares closed 2.5% lower on wall street with a spokesperson saying it is happy to answer questions about the business and that the chipmaker provides the best products in e

let's go straight to our asia business correspondent suranjana tewari in singapore.ore about what you know? ,. , , ., , tell us more about what you know? ,. ,, know? the discussions between the auto giants _ know? the discussions between the auto giants were _ know? the discussions between the auto giants were first - the auto giants were first reported by a japanese newspaper and now the bbc under the dance that honda and nissan are discussing a potential merger. the discussions are understood to be in the early stages and there is no guarantee that a deal will be struck but this is the clearest sign yet of some sort of reorganisation in the auto industry injapan in the face of immense challenges posed by both tesla and chinese electric vehicles makers. the manufacturers had already agreed to collaborate on some aspects of making electric vehicles, the announcements coming back in march, honda has said nothing has been decided in terms of these discussions but any tie—up sure of the number two and number three automaker would certainly create a formidable domestic r