i'm tim willcox with bbc world news. our top stories. evidence of human rights aabuses in ukraine, in the region controlled by pro russian separatists. >>> more than 3 million refugees from the war in syria and half the people in the country itself have left their homes according to the refugee agency. >> displaced multiple times, exhausted there. they've exhausted savings and resources. they have no other option but to find a way out. >>> malaysia airlines to cut 6,000 workers following two separate air disasters that hit the company this year. >>> red alert. eruption near a volcano forces the air traffic control to shut down around the site. >>> hello. pro russian separatist in eastern ukraine are detaining and torchering civilians according to the group. in some cases their family members. the report is released as the west raises accusations of direct russian involvement. >> they've seen escalations before, but now it may be entering a critical phase. pro russian rebels have launched a counter attack and pushed back government forces

my colleague tim willcox is there. we see the royal family leaving the commemoration. there are going to be more ceremonies later tim. >> exactly right. this is an hour and a half drive from here. in a few hours time, the belgium king and queen, katherine, prince william and prince harry will be here. this is what organizers are pushing in this small semitri. a combination of german and common wealth soldiers lying together in the same area. the first british casualty it is believed private john par is buried here. the last british casualty november 11, 1918, george ellisson. he's buried three meters away from the first british casualty. 9.5 million lives later. a very special place for the families of the dead who come here today to attend this ceremony. 500 people, world leaders, royalty speaking later to michael higgins and belgium prime minister. all of them stressing how par europe has come in the last 100 years, how reconciliation is important. also the dangers of nationalism, dangers of conflict and terrible destruction conflict causes to millions of people if po

my colleague tim willcox is there. over to you. >> reporter: matthew, thank you very much indeed.tarted half past 8:00. william, katherine, prince harry also the british prime minister david cameron. the theme on reconciliation. this is the most beautiful, striking, tranquil spot, this cemetery. 518 fallen soldiers split equally between german and common weather. you can hear the rehearsals going on behind me. let's speak to one man taking part in the ceremony later in the evening. you are reading german rights. explain what that's about. >> writing about a poet, writer in belgium. he was with this company and realizes coming from a background realizes how cruel war can be. that's what he is writing about. >> you're with nato headquarters. it's close by. it's striking 100 years on how bitter enemies now are here to make peace. >> i'm glad to be here as part of this partnership, brother ship. i'm really happy to be part of nato and belgium. >> in belgium there seems to be a national conscious about the importance of the first world war. do you find younger generations remember it a