despite a prominent social media campaign, he is not being allowed to leave eastern ghouta. translation: karim is injured, he's going to lose his sight. here in the ghouta he can't get treated. the doctor wants to perform an operation, so that he doesn't lose the sight in his other eye. for some there is now hope, but for most, help is not coming any time soon. martin patience, bbc news, beirut. anastasia isyuk is the spokesperson of icrc. earlier she explained the situation her colleagues are facing as they evacuate people from ghouta. the situation is very difficult, as you can imagine. already it was clear that the situation was deteriorating and people were angry. mothers who had to look for food for their children on a daily basis and now as the weather gets worse, with the lack of fuel and medical supply, the lack of fuel and medical supply, the situation is practically impossible the people. the current evacuation taking place, carried out by the searing red crescent and my colleagues, it is in its very early stages and we fully realise that it is not something that c

we have been pushing the icrc and all sides to have medical treatment inside eastern ghouta. to have medical supplies flown in on a regular basis. it has been under siege forfour years. we have been bearing witness to a steadily deteriorating humanitarian situation. we have seen a steady and depressing deterioration between august and november. there are two aggravating factors, very intense nonstop fighting for one month. plus, the cold that has started in syria. everything is becoming more urgent. we are hoping that not only those who are in dire need of medical treatment will be allowed to get out, but that for the rest of the people in eastern ghouta and other localities, humanitarian aid is being... transferred in, to make their life easier. the head of the un's humanitarian task force. we said that last week the original list had been 500 civilians who were in desperate need of evacuation. that was some months ago. the list was shrinking, not because they were getting better but because bluntly they were dying. you must be still concerned that there are a large number o

despite a prominent social media campaign, he is not being allowed to leave eastern ghouta. translation: karim is injured, he's going to lose his sight. here in ghouta he can't get treated. the doctor wants to perform an operation, so that he doesn't lose the sight in his other eye. for some there is now hope, but for most, help is not coming any time soon. martin patience, bbc news, beirut. we spoke to a spokesperson from the icrs and we spoke about the challenge that they are facing. icrs and we spoke about the challenge that they are facingm is very difficult as you can imagine. in november it was clear that the situation was deteriorating and people were angry and frustrated. mothers had to leave and look for food for frustrated. mothers had to leave and look forfood for their frustrated. mothers had to leave and look for food for their children on a daily basis. now the weather has gone worse. with a lack of food and medical supplies the situation is practically impossible for the people there. the current operation being carried out by the syrian red crescent and my co

what are conditions like in eastern ghouta? it's really difficult questions, eastern ghouta has been a siege in the past four yea rs. has been a siege in the past four years. under shelling and bombardment but in the past few months it was completely sealed off. no food and medicine. many hundreds of children are suffering from malnutrition. as we have seen in this story, many are also suffering from medical support and medical aid because of lack of medicines. this isa because of lack of medicines. this is a tactic used by the regime to force people into submission. it doesn't seem likely are going to have a happy ending at the end. 0nly 29 people were allowed out. many more are waiting to be evacuated. thank you very much. the company that ran grenfell tower is handing back control of its other properties to the local council, saying it can no longer give tenants the service they expect. the kensington and chelsea tenant management organisation has responsibility for 9,000 properties, as andy moore reports. grenfell tower is

unfortunately it is not over yet in eastern ghouta. if you're looking and saying there should be used that the absence of isis should have given syrian people hope, shouldn't it? this is the problem when only the terrorist angle is focused upon. the conflict is about more than terrorism. it is essentially about a regime that has been oppressing its people and this oppression contributed to the rise of terrorism and other things. so, ghouta has nothing to do with isis. it has been running parallel to the isis problem. in four years of sieges, isis only rose since 2013. ghouta was under siege since 2013. when you look back over this period, what are the strategic points missed? should there have been an intervention on assad sooner or was when putin came in? what do you think?

in total, 29 are being taken out of eastern ghouta under a deal with the government. aid groups had urged president assad to allow treatment for urgent cases, including seven children with cancer. now on bbc news, it's time for hardtalk.

despite a prominent social media campaign, he is not being allowed to leave eastern ghouta. translation: karim is injured, he's going to lose his sight. here in the ghouta he can't get treated. the doctor wants to perform an operation, so that he doesn't lose the sight in his other eye. for some there is now hope, but for most help is not coming any time soon. martin patience, bbc news, beirut. let's take a look at some of the other stories making the news: peru's culture minister has resigned as the controversy continues over the president's decision to pardon the country's former leader, alberto fujimori. it's not clear why the minister, salvador del solar, a former actor and film director, left his post. but he had been under pressure from peruvian artists and opposition leaders, to stand up for human rights. there's been another day of protests in the moroccan city ofjerada following the deaths of two brothers in a disused coal mine. the mine had been closed for years, but the protesters said many young people have no option but to carry on working below ground. they dem

despite a prominent social media campaign, he is not being allowed to leave eastern ghouta. translation: karim is injured, he's going to lose his sight. here in the ghouta he can't get treated. the doctor wants to perform an operation, so that he doesn't lose the sight in his other eye. for some there is now hope, but for most, help is not coming any time soon. martin patience, bbc news, beirut. we will keep on following that story for you, of course. let's take a look at some of the other stories making the news. peru's culture minister has resigned as the controversy continues over the president's decision to pardon the country's former leader, alberto fujimori. it's not clear why the minister, salvador del solar, a former actor and film director, left his post. but he had been under pressure from peruvian artists and opposition leaders, to stand up for human rights. a court in bosnia has sentenced a croat woman, known to her victims as the "mistress of life and death," to 14 years in prison for atrocities committed during the bosnian war in the 1990s. azra basic, a former

they dream of escaping their prison, eastern ghouta. translation: i wish i could have cookies, sweeties or any other delicious foods, and i wish someone could send me a pair of slippers and some new clothes and shoes. i really miss food, like chicken, cheese, tea and juice. in another home, two—and—a—half—year—old hamza is suffering from severe malnutrition. he wears make—shift nappies. hamza was abandoned before being taken in by a neighbour. oma mohammed says he's like one of her own children. "hamza's my son now", she says. there's supposed to be a ceasefire in eastern ghouta, but the fighting is intensifying. for the people here, there's no respite from the war. martin patience, bbc news, beirut. in southern california, firemen are trying to contain growing wildfires in ventura county, which have now spread over 115,000 acres. the fires have left at least one person dead, forced 27,000 people to evacuate, and destroyed more than 150 homes and businesses, including a psychiatric hospital. the bbc‘s james cook reports. t

but in spite of the terrible images coming out of eastern ghouta, un efforts to arrange medical evacuations have so far failed. last month, nine people with urgent medical needs died there after requests to evacuate them were denied. nearly 12% of children in eastern ghouta are suffering from acute malnutrition — the highest level recorded in syria since the war began. un humanitarian co—ordinator jan egeland said the situation was desperate. the most innocent in this bitter conflict are suffering the most, are dying, not because there was not relief, not because there was not people willing to go there even in great danger, but because they were part of a power play between mostly well—fed men with power and with guns. now british charity the union of medical care and relief organizations hopes that a phone call to the office of president bashar al—assad could save seven children with curable cancer but without the medicine to treat it. if we can save these seven children, maybe we may also able to get out the other 125 children in ghouta who, we understand, are desperately in need

despite a prominent social media campaign, he is not being allowed to leave eastern ghouta. translation: karim is injured, he's going to lose his sight. here in the ghouta he can't get treated. the doctor wants to perform an operation, so that he doesn't lose the sight in his other eye. for some there is no hope, but for most help is not coming any time soon. martin patience, bbc news, beirut. robert mardini is the middle east regional director for the international committee of the red cross — earlier i asked him about the condition the patients are in. of course they are exhausted and in dire need of medical treatment and we are happy to see this evacuation has taken place and we hope more people from ghouta will be able to exit to get the medical treatment in the coming days. this must‘ve been a hard won concession? well it is needed and i think medical treatment should not be part of any political tit—for—tat. but life is such that this has happened and today we're happy that this will take place and hope this is a new and positive dynamic that will enable more e

in the rebel held suburb of eastern ghouta, the most vulnerable have little help. sick and malnourished, trapped under siege since 2013. on christmas day, the bbc aired a story ofa christmas day, the bbc aired a story of a young baby, two—month—old who lost a n of a young baby, two—month—old who lost an eye and suffered severe injuries ina lost an eye and suffered severe injuries in a suspected government attack. un efforts to arrange medical evacuations from ghouta have until now fallen on deaf ears. last month, nine people who needed urgent medical care died after a request to get them out were denied. now the attention turns to those who can still be saved. including seven children curable cancer. but without the medicine to treat them.“ children curable cancer. but without the medicine to treat them. if we can save these seven children maybe we may also be able to get out the other 125 children in ghouta who are in desperate need of sophisticated medical support which they cannot get in ghouta. the syrian red crescent says the evacuations last night t

afterfour years of siege eastern ghouta's health care system is close to collapse. and it's the young, like eight—year—old rowan, who are suffering the most. translation: she was born as a perfectly healthy child who could walk. suddenly, she complained of eye pain and we rushed her to the doctor. doctors took biopsies from her head and then she fell ill. now she's completely paralysed. little rowan has kidney failure, subcranial haemorrhaging and cirrhosis of the liver. like nearly 12% of other children here she also has severe malnutrition. yet treatment is out of reach. translation: the road was blocked and i could no longer provide her with any medical help. it all stopped. her medical condition is constantly deteriorating and she's going from bad to worse. starved of medicines and equipment doctors in eastern ghouta can't treat complex cases. yet such care is available, just a stone's throw away. translation: we need immediate evacuation. 15 people have died and more are dying on a daily basis. people have tumours, heart deformities and others requiring sur

the children are among more than 130 needing urgent medical treatment in eastern ghouta. olivia crellin reports, there are some distressing images from the start. at only two months old, baby karim has become a symbol of the suffering of the 400,000 people trapped in eastern ghouta. karim lost an eye and suffered severe injuries in a reported government attack. his picture has inspired renewed focus on the plight of those trapped in the suburb of damascus, which is entering its fourth year, its fourth christmas under siege. the harrowing image of the maimed baby has spawned a social media awareness campaign with many, including the uk's ambassador to the un, matthew rycroft, and the syrian white helmets posting photos of themselves with a hand over their left eye. but in spite of the terrible images coming out of eastern ghouta, un efforts to arrange medical evacuations have so far failed. last month, nine people with urgent medical needs died there after requests to evacuate them were denied. nearly i2% of children in eastern ghouta are suffering from acute malnutrition

they dream of escaping their prison, eastern ghouta. translation: i wish i could have cookies, sweeties or any other delicious foods, and i wish someone could send me a pair of slippers and some new clothes and shoes. i really miss food, like chicken, cheese, tea and juice. in another home, two—and—a—half—year—old hamza is suffering from severe malnutrition. he wears make—shift nappies. hamza was abandoned before being taken in by a neighbour. oma mohammed says he's like one of her own children. "hamza's my son now", she says. there's supposed to be a ceasefire in eastern ghouta, but the fighting is intensifying. for the people here, there's no respite from the war. martin patience, bbc news, beirut. more tributes have been paid today to the indian actor and bollywood star shashi kapoor, who died yesterday at the age of 79 after a long illness. last night we showed the wrong images, for which we apologise. the actor, part of one of india's greatest acting families, appeared in more than 150 films, including a number of engli

she is amongst the first four patients to be evacuated from the besieged eastern ghouta region. but many are still waiting. three—month—old karim was hit in a mortar strike during shelling by government forces in october. he was only one—month—old when he lost his left eye. his skull was broken and his mother is gone forever. a worldwide campaign started in his support. civilians and world leaders joined the call for his evacuation. he needs critical medical attention, so he doesn't lose the sight in his right eye. translation: karim is injured, he is going to lose his sight. here in ghouta he cannot get treated. the doctor wants to perform an operation so that he doesn't lose the sight in his other eye. i want to thank everyone who has been working with us and supporting us in the campaign. i want to thank all of the international organisations that are helping us. but it is not enough. my message is that i want to take him to be treated abroad. this is another child in desperate need of help. he is two years old and was injured earlier this month in an air strike. he a

she was one of the first of almost 30 critically ill people evacuated from eastern ghouta. for weeks, international aid organizations have been calling on syrian president bashar al-assad to allow hundreds of people in desperate need of medical attention to leave the besieged suburb. tuesday night saw the first of them get into ambulances and leave. >> where they are in ghouta there have been no medical supplies for months. children are dying of malnutrition. it is an absolutely shocking state. so, a small glimmer of hope that there are 29 desperately ill children who should start receiving medical attention very soon. reporter: syrian government forces have laid siege to the eastern part of ghouta for the last four years now. not far from the capital damascus, it is one of the last rebel strongholds in the country. activists accuse government forces of trying to starve out any government resistance by blocking out deliveries. the u.n. says dozens of people have died in the suburb, after waiting for months for medical evacuation. turkey claims it used its clout for the late

he want to evacuate from eastern ghouta. >> reporter: this month a syrian photographer turned karim's plight into a social media movement. activists, journalists and politicians covered an eye, begging the world to open theirs. it may have helped. after two months of negotiations among human rights worker, rebels and the assad regime, 29 critically ill patients, mostly children, have been evacuated to damascus. baby karim was not among them, nor are the nearly 500 seriously sick and injured civilians in desperate need of care. but the war's wounded aren't its only casualties. >> patients suffering from cancer or even chronic diseases like diabetes or kidney failure, we know also there are some children who are suffering from malnutrition. >> reporter: two weeks ago a 6-month-old died before she could be evacuated. with isis all but defeated and syrian president bashar al assad nearing a brutal victory, many hope deals like this will expand. eastern ghouta is one of the last major rebel holdouts in syria. >> after five years of war, over half a million dead and the country razeed to th

despite a prominent social media campaign, he is not being allowed to leave eastern ghouta. translation: karim is injured, he's going to lose his sight. here in the ghouta he can't get treated. the doctor wants to perform an operation, so that he doesn't lose the sight in his other eye. for some there is no hope, but for most, help is not coming any time soon. martin patience, bbc news, beirut. let's talk to ahmad tarakji, the president of the syrian american medical society. thank you forjoining us. it's good news that aid workers have begun to move some of these sick children but the fact is there are hundreds of others needing evacuation as well. thank you for the opportunity. i agree with you. it's a good day for some of the patients, now they have hope that they can be treated. u nfortu nately hope that they can be treated. unfortunately as you described, there are hundreds in urgent need of medical treatment and evacuation. u nfortu nately medical treatment and evacuation. unfortunately they are waiting for the unknown. as you highlighted, the working paper and positio

despite a prominent social media campaign, he is not being allowed to leave eastern ghouta. translation: karim is injured, he's going to lose his sight. here in the ghouta he can't get treated. the doctor wants to perform an operation, so that he doesn't lose the sight in his other eye. for some there is now hope, but for most, help is not coming any time soon. martin patience, bbc news, beirut. let's have a brief look at some of the day's other news stories now. the ukrainian government and russian—backed rebels have completed the biggest prisoner exchange, since the conflict began nearly four years ago. the red cross says more than 230 people have now crossed a checkpoint, back to rebel—held territory. the kensington and chelsea tenant management organisation, which was heavily criticised after the grenfell tower fire, will hand over responsibility for almost 10,000 homes to the local council by the end of january. a consultation into the future management of the properties will take place soon. 61—year—old lorraine stephenson and 41 year—old pc dave fields have

eastern ghouta, a suburb near damascus, has been under the control of the rebels and almost 400,000 people besieged by forces loyal to president bashar al—assad. the united nations had pleaded for him to allow the evacuation of patients who will die without medical care. counting is under way in a runoff election to choose the next president of liberia. it is a straight fight between the current vice president joseph boakai, and world renowned footballer george weah. umaru fofana reports from the capital, monrovia. voting went peacefully with no reports of incidents. accompanied by his supporters, vice president joseph weah cast his vote. he sounded confident. asked as to whether he would accept the results he responded with a qualified yes. after that a decision will be made. were willing to work for whatever the final result is. for supporters of the former football superstars george weah it looked like a victory dance when he went to vote. the man who will won in the first round sounded confident. i'm not associated with losing. i will win. boakai associated with losing. i will win. b

despite a prominent social media campaign, he is not being allowed to leave eastern ghouta. translation: karim is injured, he's going to lose his sight. here in the ghouta he can't get treated. the doctor wants to perform an operation, so that he doesn't lose the sight in his other eye. for some there is now hope, but for most, help is not coming any time soon. martin patience, bbc news, beirut. an arctic cold snap is bringing sub—zero temperatures and heavy snow to large parts of north—east america and canada. temperatures have been reported as low as minus fifteen in toronto. while the us lakeside city of erie, in pennsylvania, had a record 1.5 metres of snow in 48 hours, with more on the way. laura podesta from cbs news reports. a snow emergency is in effect in erie after a record 53 inches of snow in less than 36 hours. you can't even tell how bad it is. snow is piling up on the roads, burying cars and bringing traffic to a halt. this place has been placed under a state of emergency because of heavy snow. 0fficials state of emergency because of heavy snow. officials

so far, only four cases have been evacuated from eastern ghouta in damascus. there was a little boy and three others. the number is much higher than that. we are hoping that another 15—20 will be evacuated within the next 48 hours. how ill are these children? they are very ill. they have been under siege forfour they are very ill. they have been under siege for four years, and they are very ill. they have been under siege forfour years, and it was a tight siege in the last six, seven months. the patients, kids, have had no basic treatment for a long time and they lack immunisation and inoculation and antibiotics. even when they have been subjected to treatment, they have been treated ina to treatment, they have been treated in a basic way. surgical tools have been reused without proper sterilisation. hepatitis, meningitis, polio, you name it, it is widespread now. you need to remember most of them... 12 persons, kids under ten have malnutrition, which puts you at a higher risk of being prone to infection and other problems. why has it taken longer than 24 ho

last night 12 people were allowed out of eastern ghouta — a further 13 are due to leave today. mr egeland said he understood that rebels had agreed to release captured government workers, in exchange for the safe passage of critically—ill children. he believes that kind of deal violates the youngsters‘ rights. if it has been an exchange, i find it problematic. it is wonderful for the families, wonderful for these children that have had their life saved, but it is not good if they have become bargaining chips in some kind of exchange with detainees. it has been all along an issue here that medical evacuations that should happen in any war at any time, where civilians have the right to be evacuated out of harm's way, have been part of another negotiation. the president of the syria american medical society said he too is suspicious that there may be other deals being made involving the children. some of them that are being evacuated, they are happy that there is hope for the future. having said that, we're talking about 29 total out of hundreds of patients who are in dire nee

in total, 29 are being taken out of eastern ghouta under a deal with the government. aid groups had urged president assad to allow treatment for urgent cases, including seven children with cancer. now on bbc news, rachel horne looks back at the big business stories this year, and asks what we can expect in the coming twelve months

in the rebel held suburb of eastern ghouta, the most vulnerable have little help. sick and malnourished, trapped under siege since 2013. on christmas day, the bbc aired a story of a young baby, two—months—old who lost an eye and suffered severe injuries in a suspected government attack. un efforts to arrange medical evacuations from ghouta have until now fallen on deaf ears. last month, nine people who needed urgent medical care died after a request to get them out were denied. now the attention turns to those who can still be saved. including seven children with curable cancer. but without the medicine to treat them. if we can save these seven children maybe we may also be able to get out the other 125 children in ghouta who we understand are in desperate need of sophisticated medical support which they cannot get in ghouta. the syrian red crescent says the evacuations last night took a long time to negotiate. the first of 29 critical cases approved by authorities. the remainder will be evacuated to damascus over the coming days. it may seem just a drop in the

last night, 12 people were allowed out of eastern ghouta — a further 13 are due to leave today. jan egeland, said he understood rebels had agreed to release captured government workers in exchange for the children — and he believed that kind of deal violates the children's rights. if it has been an exchange, i find it problematic. it is wonderful for the families, wonderful for these children that have had their life saved, but it is not good if they have become bargaining chips in some kind of exchange with detainees. it has been all along an issue here that medical evacuations that should happen in any war at any time, where civilians have the right to be evacuated out of harm's we, have been part of a novel negotiation. jan egeland there. we are talking about 29 evacuations which took place out of hundreds of people who are in need and at risk of death from treatable conditions. unfortunately we have seen many elements that undermine the operation to help the patients and evacuate. we know that four months ago when we started reaching out to the un security members as well

it's understood four have been moved from eastern ghouta to a hospital in damascus — the first of 29 to be transported for medical treatment. the un has pleaded with the syrian government to allow about 500 to leave. votes are being counted in liberia, in the presidential election run—off between the former international football star, george weah, and the current vice president, joseph boakai. there are hopes for the first smooth transfer of power in 73 years. now on bbc news — hardtalk. welcome to hardtalk, i'm steven sackur. in this age of the internet, we've come to expect instant access to knowledge but real deep understanding takes longer to acquire and to share. my guest today is one of the world's most acclaimed novelists, nobel prize winner, orham pamuk. he's lived almost all of his life in istanbul, writing stories about turkey which have, over decades, painted a vivid picture of a country and society pulled between east and west, past and future. what is the key to understanding orham pamuk‘s turkey? orham pamuk, welcome to hardtalk. very pleased to be here. i want t

it's understood four have been moved from eastern ghouta to a hospital in damascus — the first of 29 to be transported for medical treatment. the un has pleaded with the syrian government to allow about 500 to leave. votes are being counted in liberia, in the presidential election run—off between the former international football star, george weah, and the current vice president, joseph boakai. there are hopes for the first smooth transfer of power in 73 years. now on bbc news — hardtalk. welcome to hardtalk, i'm steven sackur.

eastern ghouta, a suburb near damascus, has been under the control of the rebels — and almost 400 —— 400,000 people besieged by forces loyal to president bashar al—assad. the united nations had pleaded for him to allow the evacuation of patients who will die without medical care. vladimir putin has been formally nominated by his supporters for re—election as russia's president. his main rival, alexei navalny, has called for a boycott of the vote after being barred from standing. mr putin is seeking a fourth term in office — and will run as an independent. from moscow, sarah rainsford reports. it was a big gathering of big names. at least, musicians and filmmakers all here to nominate their candidate for president. absent from this presidential nomination was vladimir putin, apparently so confident of winning this election he did not turn up. that did not dampen the enthusiasm of his supporters. they voted unanimously to back mr putin for a fourth term. translation: our country has been transformed from a country that was destroyed and without future, into a really powerful stat

he want to evacuate from eastern ghouta. >> reporter: this month a syrian photographer turned karim's plight into a movement. actors and politicians covered an eye begging the world to open theirs. it may have helped. after two months of negotiations, 29 critically ill patients, mostly children, have been evacuated to damascus. baby karim was not among them, nor are the nearly 500 seriously sick and injured civilians in desperate need of care. but theted t the wounded aren't its own casualties. >> cancer, kidney failure, there are some children suffering from malnutrition. >> reporter: two weeks ago a 6-month-old died before she could be evacuated. with isis all but defeated and syrian president bashar al assad nearing a brutal victory, many hope deals like this will expand. eastern ghouta is one of the last rebel holdouts. >> the country razed to the ground, we're hoping this might be a ray of sunshine. >> reporter: the war may finally be coming to an end, but for children like karim, a li lifetime of suffering is only beginning. matt bradley, nbc news. >>> three months after hurrica

ghouta for months the area has been under a tight government siege since twenty thirteen subjected to hundreds of airstrikes and artillery attacks before wednesday's transfers could be completed several people died waiting for help including a six month old baby and he said there is the spike spokesperson for the international committee for the red cross in syria she says there are many people inside eastern ghouta in desperate need of evacuation but declared an operation the number should be twenty nine people don't ration is still ongoing and maybe it might take a couple more days and we actually need to get it with you know. it's very hard for us to know right now when and how we're going to do all we can in order to speed up the losses france's president has urged saudi arabia to lift the blockade on yemen the blockade which has been in force since october is limiting supplies of fuel food and medicine says he's concerned about the humanitarian crisis in the amman where millions of people are on the brink of famine parts of yemen are also in the grip of a cholera outbreak. the ukr

no the war is not over eastern ghouta an enclave just outside damascus four hundred thousand people live there it is under siege it's been under siege since two thousand and thirteen but since april last year the government launched a major offensive and it closed many routes many smuggling routes so people inside are very desperate and the united nations issuing yet another appeal for medical evacuations saying that they have a list of names of almost five hundred people who need to be urgently evacuated among them children cancer patients and since this list has been drawn up twelve people have died because of the lack of medical access to medical treatment so the situation there is very desperate the u.n. saying this is a hellish place and it's not just the siege as of late in the past few weeks there have been nonstop bartman airstrikes two hundred civilians killed in three weeks so definitely the war is not over in this corner of syria and the people who live there say the government is stepping up attacks to pressure us to surrender and to agree to move elsewhere to the north of th

people in a rebel held on klav in syria's eastern ghouta have made a desperate plea for more medicines and food aid the un has called for the immediate evacuation of five hundred people including over one hundred sixty children from the area which is near the capital damascus nine people have died in recent weeks while waiting for permission from the government to be allowed to leave. because of the rockets the houses we live in have holes in the ceilings there is nothing else to say it is not enough that we are hungry and we are covering ourselves to keep and lighting fires to cook like a barn animals now we eat. what can i say god help us we don't know what will happen to us what is going to be the end of us what now what are we to do our children are dead from the shelling those have fled the head of the syrian government delegation has criticized the opposition for statements made ahead of the current round of talks in geneva bashar jafari says there can be no progress as long as the opposition keeps demanding that president bashar al assad steps down the government delegation is n

ghouta following airstrikes this week and agencies evacuated twenty nine critically ill people from the rubble hilarious part of a deal with the syrian government funeral has been held for a palestinian man who was shot by israeli soldiers during a demonstration in gaza the twenty year old was one of thousands of palestinians confronted by israeli forces along the border the protesters were demonstrating u.s. recognition of jerusalem as israel's capital liberia's president elect has made his first speech since winning the country's runoff election earlier this week george waya who is a former world footballer of the year as pledging to fight corruption. we would. put it to have a welcome. and good. for. those tools. to serve. the good. the love ruby who drew the moves of course. will have no clues placing california have arrested a man on suspicion of making a prank emergency call what's led officers to fatally shooting and a set man and the other us state police were sent to an address and kansas where the caller said he shot his father and was holding family members hostage a man

eastern ghouta is one of the last strongholds of rebels fighting the forces of president bashar al—assad. it has been under siege by government troops since 2013 and as peace talks in geneva have faltered, the humanitarian crisis has escalated. food and fuel shortages have led to rampant inflation, starvation, and with medical supplies severely limited, doctors are powerless to help those in need. to escape the constant bombardment, for months families have sheltered in the basements of shattered buildings. but they offer no protection from hunger and disease. these people have been besieged and bombed. and living in the most atrocious conditions. there is just a little chink now and if we can get the ceasefire extended, there are peace negotiations starting up again in sochi in the next few weeks. russian sponsored talks may offer a way out but so far rebel groups have refused to engage. meanwhile the un has identified nearly 500 seriously ill civilians in desperate need of evacuation from eastern ghouta. 29 may be a start, but there is much more to be done. matthew thompson, bbc news.

aid workers in syria have begun evacuations from the besieged rebel bastion of eastern ghouta emergency medical cases were among the first to leave according to the u.n. there are still more than three hundred fifty thousand civilians in one of the last remaining rebel strongholds in the country. a very unusual congress is on the way now in light sake as junkies digital activists in the chaos computer club hold that annual get together in a very. big also coming up in our series following the new silk road this week why china is so interested in building a billion dollar trade links with africa and the christmas consumption binges over again but many are returning items they want happy with as retailers start taking stock of their own. and daniel winter and this is your business update the chaos computer club has been keeping tabs on surveillance privacy and data security issues for over thirty years its annual me tops of grown ever logic and the leipzig event is no different the latest cyber threats and data privacy issues top the agenda and that will snowden is this year's keynote spe

ghouta to damascus forces loyal to the government of president bashar al assad sieging almost four hundred thousand people in that enclave the un has called on the government to allow the evacuation of five hundred patients urgently need medical care. of course in myanmar has responded to reuters journalists in custody for a second fourteen day period with origins of probing allegations that the to breach the country's official secrets act the journalists were reporting on the crisis in iraq and state where a military crackdown has seen more than six hundred thousand muslims flee. a judge in argentina says that i'll bet tony's mom the prosecutors shocked it in january twenty fifth teen was it this man's body was discovered just days after he accused former president at least enough of an undeserved covering up iran's role in the one thousand nine hundred four bombing of a jewish community center it's the first time any legal official has labeled the case. and in libya militants have blown up a pipeline pumping crude oil to the port of see that the explosion occurred near the town of. libya

ghouta for more than four years the u.n. has drawn up a list of at least five hundred people including children with cancer to be evacuated from the suburbs. all right while a joining us now from rome is francesco darko he is president of the international federation of the red cross a very good evening mr rocker this is a significant development set the scene for us how are the evacuations progressing . it's still ongoing i think a date is not a twenty four hours maybe for tomorrow. will be ended but we are very optimistic that this is the already beginning of a new battle of. our feeling let's open it see what's what will happen in the next days and weeks goes out twenty nine not. need a gun but not enough because as you mentioned there there are hundreds of people that are but he is going to be treated and nobody got there and efficient way that they cannot and they cannot be treated they met in that i am which lot or most of everything i give us a sense misurata these twenty nine patients that to the i.c.r.c. has been ab