Now on bbc news, Rebecca Morelle looks back on the year in science, from british astronaut tim peakes adventures in space, to a discovery that will transform our understanding of the universe. Thats review 2016 the year in science. From the mission of a lifetime, this was the year british astronaut tim peake spent six months in space. To a colossal feat of engineering. In 2016, the Worlds Largest Radio Telescope was unveiled. We also learned about the secret life of seals and what they get up to underwater. And saw advances in a controversial new genetic technique. Human organs are growing inside these pigs. This was also the year a Global Climate deal came into force but the election of donald trump placed a Question Mark over its future. And after decades of searching, scientists have detected Gravitational Waves. Its been called the discovery of the century, making 2016 a truly momentous year for science. Im here at thejodrell Bank Observatory in the north of england. For more than
There have been other Flight Recorders found in the black sea. That is one story we will have more detail on the website, but in a moment. Now, our world killing the ganges. The ganges is one of the greatest rivers in the world, but it is in trouble. Pollution on a vast scale has turned its Sacred Waters into a stinking and lethal cocktail. Oh, god. Theres industrial waste. What are you stopping . Why are you stopping . The sewage from a50 million people. All the while, so much water is being taken out that large stretches of the river dont flow for months. The indian Prime Minister has staked his political reputation on cleaning it up. But is the ganges, indias sacred river, still being killed by pollution . Dawn breaks over the himalayas. And the glacier that is the source of the ganges. A small stream emerges from a cave in the ice. Gomukh, the cows mouth, they call it, one of the most sacred sites in all hinduism. As the river descends from the mountains, it gathers pace. It is kno
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
I am stephen sackur. Imagine you are a patient about to undergo Brain Surgery. If it goes well it could save your life, if it goes wrong you could end up paralysed or dead. Of course you want to believe your surgeon is infallible, a superhero, but he is not, he is all too human, just like you. And that simple truth emerges from the extraordinary honest writing of my guest today, one of britains leading Brain Surgeons, henry marsh. He has given us rare insight into the mind of the doctor. Is that reassuring or troubling . Henry marsh, welcome to hardtalk. Thank you. The veryjob description, Brain Surgeon, for most people it prompts a sense of awe and maybe fear as well. And certainly mystery. But you have decided to lift the veil on what it is really like and i wonder why. I have been subject to that myth of Brain Surgery myself. I decided to become a neurosurgeon many years ago. I am the youngest of four and i have been Drawing Attention to myself from an early age. I wanted to convey
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