Its 8am in singapore, midnight in london and 6 pm in the us state of alabama where an unprecedented political battle is drawing to a close. Voters are choosing between a former judge whos accused of Sexual Misconduct and molesting an under aged girl and a former lawyer who is pro choice and once prosecuted members of the ku klux klan. The republican candidate roy moore has denied the allegations against him, but polls suggest a tight race with his democratic rival doug jones. Nick bryant reports. I got it just when you thought american politics couldnt get any weirder, weirder, judge roy moore rides to the polling station on horse back and then sets it to music. Hes come to personify the polarisation of this manic political age. To his female accusers, hes a sexual predator who molested teenage girls in his 30s. To his fans, hes a crusading evangelical, a firebrand populist in the mould of donald trump. I want to make America Great again with President Trump. I want America Great, but i want america good and she cant be good until we go back to god. Moore fiercely denies the allegations of Sexual Misconduct and his supporters have adopted the new default position of the politically embattled, theyre crying fake news. All of a sudden, here come the allegations blah, blah, blah from a0 years ago. That make it is highly, highly, highly suspect in my mind. Oh, thats nothing but a bunch of fake news. Things that happened so long ago, theres such a thing and redemption. Though many Senior Republicans have refused to back roy moore, he has a cheerleader in donald trump. For the president , its morally uncomplicated to advance his legislative agenda, he needs a republican in the senate. So get out and vote for roy moore. Do it, do it. I mean, i literally broke down in tears over all of this. These republicans cant bring themselves to vote for roy moore, theyve defected to the democrat, doug jones. Its because im a republican. Its because im a christian. Its because the party i belonged to does not support people like roy moore. Alabama was a great battleground of the civil rights era, this too is a climatic defining struggle. This has become so much more than a senate race, its a battle for the soul of the Republican Party between the establishment and more radical populous forces. Its a test of whether any allegation is disqualifying in modern day public life here, and its an indication of the extent to which donald trump has changed americas political culture. In this age of upsets, could this republican state go democrat . Nick bryant, bbc news, alabama. Our correspondent Gary Odonoghue is in montgomery, alabama. This Senate Election carries immense political implications. Yes. The polls will close in about one hour from now. The last efforts to get their voters out from both sides will be going on as we speak. We are hearing from Election Officials that turn out is at the higher end of their expectations, around 25 , one infour their expectations, around 25 , one in four eligible will have voted. It is not just a in four eligible will have voted. It is notjust a seat in the us senate from the state of alabama but also the balance of power in the long term and also what to do about those accused of Sexual Harassment and assault, how will they be treated in public life . And of course, the question of donald trump. Well alabama elect someone who is like in western market and outsider, an insurgent, someone who is not necessarily politically correct, all will they go for a democrat for the first time in a quarter of a century . There is a lot at stake here and no one is, at this stage, confident enough to call the outcome even with one hour to go. The polls closing in less than one hour. Thank you for the update from montgomery, alabama. Our other stop story the us secretary of state Rex Tillerson says washington is ready to enter into talks with north korea without conditions. Tillerson made the comments in a speech in washington dc. He added that pyongyang must be willing to change course in its nuclear and missile programmes. And if it doesnt, he said the us has its full range of military options ready. We have said, from the diplomatic side, we are ready to talking anytime north korea would like to talk, and we are ready to have the first meeting without preconditions. Lets just meet, and we can talk about the weather if you want. We can talk about whether it is going to be a square table or a round table, if that is what you are excited about. But can we at least sit down and see each other face to face. And then we can begin to lay out a map, a roadmap of what we might be willing to work towards. But there seems little sign of pyongyang wanting to change course. North korean state media has since reported kim jong un vowing to make his country the worlds strongest nuclear power. The north korea leader made the comments in a speech to missile test workers. The bbcs Barbara Plett usher gave us the latest from washington. It was interesting, yes, he said that the americans were ready to sit down at the first meeting anyway, without any preconditions, whether the North Koreans were ready and they could talk about whatever. He seemed to be very much pushing the idea that we need to at least have an idea of what kimjong un is like. It is not realistic to say they can only talk about Nuclear Disarmament. They can put what they want on the table, we can put what we want on the table. It seems to be an offer ofa the table. It seems to be an offer of a new diplomatic opening. Rex tillerson has in the past not spelt out what preconditions for talks would be like and he said most recently, we will know that when we see them. But he said they are ready to get together and talk about anything, not necessarily Nuclear Disarmament and that is a softening of the us position. How much of what he has said is in line with what we have heard from President Trump on this . Publicly, they have found different. President chun has had fiery rhetoric and has been militarised. Trump. The policy he is pursuing is that the whole is one the whole administration has been pursuing and he is trying to get the diplomatic support to isolate pyongyang to the degree that it has never been isolated before. He said earlier today that he has had afair he said earlier today that he has had a fair bit of success with that and that it is reaching a new zenith. Ultimately, though, if pyongyang and north korea continues the weight is going with its weapons tests a nd the weight is going with its weapons tests and development, at a certain the community will not have done anything more. Will not be able to do anything more. The way it is going. He said if the secretary of defence has to take over, he has confidence he will also be able to succeed in whatever he is doing. I think the policy is probably across the administration. The diplomatic channel is going to be used until the bombs dropped, he said. Certainly, it has been expressed in different ways and certainly, President Trump has tried to present the idea of an alternative in credible military response if necessary. Also this hour bangladesh has launched a Major Programme to vaccinate rohingya children against diphtheria a highly contagious respiratory disease. A suspected outbreak has killed nine refugees and infected more than 700. Over 640,000 Rohingya Muslims have sought refuge in bangladesh after fleeing violence in neighbouring myanmar. Firefighters in los angeles say a wildfire which swept through bel air, one of the citys most exclusive neighbourhoods, started in a homeless encampment. The fire is one of several that has destroyed hundreds of homes and forced more than 100,000 people to evacuate. Indonesian police are on a manhunt for an american convicted on drug charges after he escaped Balis Kerobokan prison. The man identified as Cristian Beasley sawed a hole in the roof of his cell to escape. The prison is notoriously overcrowded, with just eight guards watching over thirteen 100 male prisoners. Charges after he escaped Balis Kerobokan prison. The man identified as Cristian Beasley sawed a hole in the roof of his cell to escape. The prison is notoriously overcrowded, with just eight guards watching over thirteen 100 male prisoners. 1,300. Chinese president xijinping is expected to attend a commemoration event marking 80 years since the nanjing massacre. In december 1937, japanese troops invaded the city killing tens of thousands of people. My colleague mariko oi has been to nanjing for a bbc documentary and spoke to survivors. I personally became interested in the incident as a young student, actually, when i read several sentences in my history textbook, saying that many people were killed during japans invasion. I remember thinking to myself, what happened . I wa nt to thinking to myself, what happened . I want to know more. I visited the city, firstly as a tourist. I have two admit, i was quite scared because of all of the anti japanese protests a nd because of all of the anti japanese protests and again as part of a bbc documentary. It is a complicated issue which prompts very extreme views on both sides but it is fair to say that many historians injapan and china agree that many people, tens of thousands of people, were killed, including civilians and soldiers. China claims that 300,000 people were killed and that number gets questioned, notjust injapan but some chinese historians question is as well because the population of the city was actually fewer than that. The issue becomes very controversial and contentious. And, up controversial and contentious. And, up to this day, china continues to ask for an apology . Indeed. I met some people that said that unless the japanese emperor or the Prime Ministers this is an the city and apologises and they will never forget japan. If you apologises and they will never forgetjapan. If you look at history, though, japan has repeatedly apologised about it and offered some financial compensations. Chairman mao in fact said to the japanese Prime Minister when he said sorry about all of the atrocities, he said no need for a an apology because you got rid of the head of the civil war so it is fine. I was fascinated when i was in china to learn that Chinese Youths are not taught about it so not only do we have japanese youth who only read several sentences about the incident, you also have Chinese Youth that dont know much about japans post war efforts to train wreck conciliate the relationship. What is the centre mount injapan . To try and reach conciliate. Conciliate. The majority of historians agree that something horrible took place. Whether or not an apology is necessary and whether that will be conveyed to the chinese public is another matter. You have some prominent politicians who deny the massacre and of course you have a shrine which honours the war dead including the war criminals and when politicians, including Prime Minister shinzo abe at back in the day before he became Prime Minister, visited the shrine, it becomes a hugely controversial issue. Mariko oi lloyd on the nanjing massacre of 1937. Youre watching newsday on the bbc. Still to come on the programme could the ancient riddle of the elusive yeti have been solved . Scientists believe their discoveries have cracked the case of the abominable snowman. Also on the programme the force is with london as the latest star wars film, the lastjedi, seeks royal approval at its european premiere. John lennon was shot at the entrance to the dakota building, in the centre of new york. Theres been a crowd here standing in more or less silent vigil. And the flowers have been piling up. The 14th ceasefire of this war ended at the walls of the old city of dubrovnik. This morning, witnesses said shells were landing every 20 seconds. People are celebrating the passing of a man they hold responsible for hundreds of deaths and oppression. Elsewhere, people have been gathering to mourn his passing. Imelda marcos, the widow of the former president of the philippines, has gone on trial in manila. Shes facing seven charges of tax evasion. She pleaded not guilty. The prince and princess of wales are to separate. A statement from Buckingham Palace said the decision had been reached amicably. Me this is newsday on the bbc. Im rico hizon in singapore. Im Babita Sharma in london. Our top stories voters in alabama are choosing a new senator in an election where the Republican Partys candidate, roy moore, is accused of preying on teenage girls. Us secretary of state Rex Tillerson tells north korea were ready to talk with no preconditions. Lets take a look at some front pages from around the world. Britains Financial Times looks at the mega deal between disney and fox that could reshape the media landscape. The company is reported to be closing in on Rupert Murdochs 21st century fox in a deal that could be worth 60 billion. The South China Morning Post says the global race to get self driving vehicles on the road could be speeding up. The paper says the Southern City of shenzhen is giving their self driving buses a public test drive. And finally, would you ever feel guilty about taking a paid vacation . Well, according to the japan times, japanese workers ranked the worlds lowest in using paid vacation days. And they also felt most guilty about taking time off from the office. The french president , emmanuel macron, has warned the world that it is losing the battle against Climate Change. He told World Leaders and heads of companies at the one planet summit in paris that action against Global Warming was not being taken fast enough. The world bank announced at the summit that is would stop Financing Oil and Gas Exploration and extraction from 2019. From paris, Lucy Williamson reports. The french president has a way of sending messages. This one involved a river cruise. His guests, kings, Prime Ministers and Business Leaders may have different visions and values, it seemed to say, but when it comes to the future of the planet, we are all in the same boat. And two years after the Paris Agreement, mr macron said it was heading for a fall. Translation we are losing this battle. Those who came before us had an advantage we could say we didnt know and it was true but for the last 20 years or so, we have known and we are finding out more every day. The world bank has said it. Funding oil and Gas Exploration from 2019 and there are new commitments took from from business on renewable energy. But how much will these commitments need without the worlds only superpower . Us President Donald Trump has said his country is pulling out of the Paris Agreement and mr macrons show of solidarity is partly aimed at him. Just along the river from the summit venue is a reminder of frances long relationship with america. Its shared history, shared values. Emmanuel macron has been himself as a Global Leader on human rights and democracy and is now on Climate Change but this time, at least, donald trump isnt here. Before the meeting, the british by minister, theresa may, met mr macron at the lycee palace, and other bilateral relationship undergoing change. But few of the agreements most powerful leaders were here in paris. This meeting was less about policies and more about a political message that with a wealth whether without the united states, this agreement will survive. Lucy williamson, bbc news, paris. Could the mystery of the yeti, better known as the abominable snowman, have been solved . According to ancient folklore the ape like creature inhabits the windswept peaks of the himalayan mountains. But its always managed to elude explorers. Now a team of scientists think they may have cracked the case. And thereve made some surprising discoveries. To tell us more im joined by the first author on the paper. Tianying lan is from the Nanyang Technological University in singapore. Why do you think yeti could be in asian etiquette there . Our findings is based on 20 paul sample is collected in this field for the museum and nine of which were reported as being the 80s by the locals. We did rigourous dna testing and analysis and came on the conclusion of the identity of those samples which are local bears including himalayan brown bears, himalayan black bears and tibet and brown bears. But why is everyone saying that yeti is a mythical creature . Was this basically concocted by people or is it really confirmed that he is just a bet . Concocted by people or is it really confirmed that he isjust a bet . We cannot confirm the yeti is a bear. We cannot say that. We can only say the samples that we reported as yeti, they are bearers, but were not experts on mythology so we dont know the exact origins those myths. It could have originated from a bear or maybe something else. Because yeti sightings have continued through the second half of the century. Could your findings also be wrong . Well, the research we did is scientific research. It is systematic and unbiased examination of all the evidence and does its best to find the truth. Our conclusions is based on the scientific tools and a conclusion about those samples are indeed, could not be wrong. But do you still need further evidence to confirm that yeti could just be a bear . Well, the more samples we can analyse and the more evidence we get that it analyse and the more evidence we get thatitis analyse and the more evidence we get that it is a bear, i would say it is more likely that it is about. I cannot say for sure. I really sorry to tell you, professor, but you have really disappointed with what we have come up with. That many yeti hunters were claiming that it is a mythical creature and not a bear. I understand. There are many samples out there. If they could find Scientific Evidence but there may be some new conclusions coming up. it is indeed in asia to bear, tianying lan, a visiting professor from Nanyang Technological University. Its a0 years since the first star wars movie and the latest instalment the lastjedi received royal approval in london on tuesday. The stars of star wars, cinema royalty, on the red carpet with actual royalty. Princes william and harry, such fans of the saga, during filming, they secretly played cameos as stormtroopers, much to the excitement of the cast. It was great, fantastic. Fantastic. Phenomenal. And theyve done an official visit as well. They got in an x wing and all that kind of stuff. It was fun. Alljust one more indication of the impact the series has made since its return. One key factor in the recent success of star wars has been the expansion of its own universe, with respect to on screen representation of both race and gender. I think movies start a conversation. Its a wonderful place for a reflection of societial changes, hopefully and progress. Action. Shot here in the uk at pinewood studios, the films are amongst some of the most expensive ever made, ensuring they connect with 21st century audiences is crucial. Its five years since some questioned the wisdom of disney paying around 4 billion for lucasfilm and the right to keep making star wars films. The first new movie made 2 billion at the global box office. Now the deal is looking like one of the better hollywood bargains. Telling a wonderful story, creating characters that people care about we Pay Attention to all those things inside these movies and hopefully, then shareholders and business and everything that goes along with it are happy. We always start with that. The strategy has ensured continuing adulation from fans and helped disney consolidate its position as hollywoods top studio. Lizo mzimba, bbc news. May the force be with you. You have been watching newsday. Stay with us. Still to come. A gear change for uber in asia, as the Ride Hailing Service forges new deals with regional cab firms. Well be speaking to the companys asia pacific boss. And before we go, have a listen to this. Its the most number of people playing a piano piece at the same time. Twenty bosnian youngsters have set a Guinness World record for the performance in sarajevo. The previous record was 18 people playing the same piece simultaneously in italy in 2014. What a talented bunch they are thats all for now stay with bbc world news. Well, the weather story is getting a bit messy now during the middle of the week and while we will see cold air through the middle of the country, there is the risk over the next few days of some snow and further rice and we are starting wednesday morning off the risk of ice across scotland and england due to overnight rain moving through falling on freezing surfaces and skies will clearfor a falling on freezing surfaces and skies will clear for a time during wednesday morning before the next bout of rain moves in so thats where we will see the ice risk ahead of this next rain band and it will be quite showery pushing into northern scot scotland and Northern England and northern ireland, a lot of standing water around with the snow melt as those temperatures will be a little less cold and we have had over the last few mornings seward will be falling over the mountains of scotland and maybe a bit of sleet over the Higher Ground of wales. Generally speaking, rain here combined with the snow elsewhere. A lot of snow in the last few days. A lot of standing water around. Dry across the east but we have the ice risk. The rain will be spreading to the east during the course of the day. Some heady bursts on this as it spreads south east of the skies are bright. Some sunshine for england and wales. Slightly colder air moves into scotland and northern ireland. Increasingly wintry. Across the south, 9 11 celsius. Slightly milder. As we head through wednesday night, the next rash of showers and rain producing a bit of snow on the Higher Ground may be down to lower levels in the heaviest bursts. The next morning, the risk of a bit of light snow and ice as temperatures fall away. A bit of travel disruption. Into thursday day, quite messy picture. Quite windy once again, plenty of showers moving into northern and western areas. We could even see some substantial snow across central parts of scotland through the day causing disruption and those temperatures are bit lower than wednesday. As the area of low pressure m oves wednesday. As the area of low pressure moves away on friday, we open the floodgates again to the arctic and it looks like it will be very cold to end the week because the blue is extending right across the blue is extending right across the British Isles as far south as france and northern spain. It does mean that friday is going to be cold. The device to watch out for places. A few wintry showers across coastal areas but that said, plenty of sunshine too. To wrap up, its going to be cold. Im Babita Sharma with bbc world news. Our top story. Voting is drawing to a close in alabama to choose a representative for the us senate. The campaign has been dominated by allegations of Sexual Misconduct against the republican candidate, roy moore. Hes denied the claims. If his rival, doug jones, wins, hed be the first democrat in 25 years to take the seat. Us secretary of state, Rex Tillerson, has said hes ready to talk to north korea without preconditions. His offer appears to be a change from previous demands that north korea must first disarm. And this story is trending on bbc. Com. Its 40 years since the first star wars movie and now the latest instalment the lastjedi received royal approval in london at its european premiere. Thats all from me now. Stay with bbc world news. Now on bbc news its time for hardtalk