From the crew. As chiles president gives in to one of the key demands of Anti Government protesters, we have a special report on how months of unrest have changed what was once one of latin americas most stable nations. The United Nations estimates that nearly a quarter of a Million People have fled syrias Idlib Province in the past three weeks. The government and Russian Forces are intensifying their attacks on what is the rebels last stronghold. The un says the Maaret Al Numan region in Southern Idlib is now almost empty as the bbcs tim allman reports. Before the war, more than 50,000 people lived and worked and thrived here, but now it looks more like a ghost town. The streets almost empty, the houses deserted. Convoys of cars and vans and lorries snaking out of this town and others like it as the people of idlib flee for their lives. From the end of april until the end of august, we had more than 400,000 people displaced at that time. So the latest displacement figures comes on top
The government has announced that from april, thousands of nhs patients, visitors and staff will benefit from free parking at hospitals in england. Most visitors to hospitals in scotland, wales and Northern Ireland are already exempt from charges, as our correspondent James Waterhouse reports. For nhs patients and those who visit them, its an age old complaint. Paying to park at hospitals. During the election, the conservatives promised to do something about it in their manifesto for specific groups. So, from april, all 206 hospital trusts in england will be expected to give free parking to those being described as in the greatest need. This includes blue badge holders, frequent visitors to outpatient clinics, parents of Sick Children staying overnight and staff working night shifts. And lets not forget, hospitals make a lot of cash from parking. According to freedom of information requests, trust in england last year made more than £254 million from charges, a further 1. 5 million fr
The United Nations estimates that nearly 250,000 people have fled syrias Idlib Province in the past three weeks. The government and Russian Forces are intensifying their attacks on what is the rebels last stronghold. The un says the Maarat Al Numan region in Southern Idlib is now almost empty as the bbcs tim allman reports. Before the war, more than 50,000 people lived and worked and thrived here, but now it looks more like a ghost town. The streets almost empty, the houses deserted. Convoys of cars and vans and lorries snaking out of this town and others like it as the people of idlib flee for their lives. From the end of april until the end of august, we had more than 400,000 people displaced at that time. So the latest displacement figures comes on top of that, so what we have is one crisis compounding another. These are desperate times, people taking what they can, what few possessions they are able to carry with them. Many have fled north, heading to refugee camps like this one ne
Household names from the worlds of showbiz, sport and politics have been recognised in the new year honours list. The singer Olivia Newton john, has been made a dame. Four members of englands World Cup Winning Cricket Team including ben stokes have been recognised, as has sir eltonjohn. Lizo mzimba reports. Youre the one i want Olivia Newton john says shes honoured and grateful to be made a dame for services to charity, Cancer Research and entertainment. A damehood, too, for Floella Benjamin for her life long work with childrens charities. Absolutely amazing to be recognised this way, for doing charity work. I realised that a childhood lasts a lifetime, and i had to give back to children. Because when i did play school, 43 years ago, i realised children didnt have a voice. There are knighthoods for two british film makers steve mcqueen, who directed the oscar winning 12 years a slave, and sam mendes, who directed bond films skyfall and spectre. In the world of sport, eoin morgan, who c