President obama and japans Prime Minister shinzo abe have laid wreaths at the site of the japanese attack on Pearl Harbour where nearly 2,500 americans died in1941. Its the first visit by a japanese leader while still in office. Mr abe pledged that the horrors of war must never be repeated but stopped short of apologising. Heres our tokyo correspondent Rupert Wingfield hayes. It has taken 75 years but today the Prime Minister of japan and the president of the United States stood side by side in silent contemplation, at the spot where the pacific war began. They threw flowers into the water where the wreck of the Battleship Arizona still lies. More than a thousand us sailors died when the arizona exploded under a Rain Ofjapanese bombs. In all, more than 2,400 americans were killed in the surprise 1941 attack. Today, Prime Minister abe spoke of his profound sadness that so many young lives were suddenly ended without warning. Translation we must never repeat the horrors of war again. Thi
In the latest sign of the huge political gulf between the incoming and outgoing american president s, and the likely impact of their very different worldviews, donald trump has again attacked the United Nations. The President Elect had already criticised the un for passing a Security Council resolution last week that condemned illegal israeli settlements on occupied palestinian land. Unusually, the us did not back israel in that vote, but abstained. Mr trump, just three weeks now from taking office, made his latest comments outside his home in palm beach, florida. The un has such tremendous potential and it is not living up to its potential. There is such tremendous potential. There is such tremendous potential. When you see the United Nations solving problems, they dont, they cause problems. So if it lives up to the potential its a great thing and if it doesnt its a waste of time. Jewish settlements are one of the most contentious issues between israel and the palestinians, which sees
In the latest sign of the huge political gulf between the incoming and outgoing american president s, and the likely impact of their very different worldviews, donald trump has again attacked the United Nations. The President Elect had already criticised the un for passing a Security Council resolution last week that condemned illegal israeli settlements on occupied palestinian land. Unusually, the us did not back israel in that vote, but abstained. Mr trump, just three weeks now from taking office, made his latest comments outside his home in palm beach, florida. The un has such tremendous potential and it is not living up to its potential. There is such tremendous potential. There is such tremendous potential. When you see the United Nations solving problems, they dont, they cause problems. So if it lives up to the potential its a great thing and if it doesnt its a waste of time. Jewish settlements are one of the most contentious issues between israel and the palestinians, which sees
As a result. And the first pictures of a Rare Giraffe Born at chester zoo discovered by staff when they arrived on boxing day morning. And in half an hour, well look back at the rio olympics and the Refugee Athletes who competed as a team for the first time. Good afternoon and welcome to bbc news. The russian president , vladimir putin, says the syrian army and opposition have agreed to a nationwide ceasefire which will come into effect at midnight. Therell also be fresh peace talks. The deal was brokered by russia and turkey, who are on opposing sides in the conflict in syria. Mr putin said they had signed a number of documents outlining the details of the deal. Daniel boettcher reports. Russia and turkey have been pushing for a nationwide ceasefire, particularly since the collapse of the key Rebel Stronghold in aleppo. Ina the key Rebel Stronghold in aleppo. In a statement the syrian army said the comprehensive Ceasefire Agreement was a result of recent military successes. The Syrian
Cuts in some national parks. They say there will need to be more cash so the beauty of the parks can be enjoyed by generations to come. The latest weather forecast. Fog has been causing problems across england, and across Central England into east anglia and the south east, some patches will linger all day, with poor visibility. Difficult travelling conditions, the risk of transport disruption. There are some breaks, the best of them in north east england. Wales, Northern Ireland and scotland it stays cloudy. Transport could be affected by these fog patches that will linger through the afternoon and well into the night time. The focus overnight across east anglia and South East England duty that poor visibility. Further west, a lot of cloud around. That should help improve visibility through the night. Northern ireland and scotland, it will be relatively mild, but we have some rain sinking its way southwards. There continues to new years eve. Eventual sea wet weather crossing into the