To discuss the situation. Israels Foreign Minister says this is possible if hamas agrees to free its hostages. Theres no sign of that happening at this point. A video showing two hostages, including an american, was released on saturday by hamas. In other diplomatic moves, the us Secretary Of State Antony Blinken has left for saudi arabia for talks with regional leaders. He and other key players are expected to meet on the sidelines of the World Economic forum. And its reported a hamas delegation will visit cairo on monday for Gaza Ceasefire talks. This is the appeal from palestinian president , mahmoud abbas, to the us, urging it convince israel to reconsider any offensive in rafah. Translation and i say here whats happening now in gaza, | and what will happen in the coming few days, and what israel will do by invading the city of rafah, all the palestinians from gaza are gathered in rafah and its only one small strike that would force them to flee the gaza strip. And here, the bigges
In south africa is loosening. He will relinquish leadership of the anc at the end of year. And whether he will complete his term as south africas president is uncertain, as allegations of cronyism and corruption pile up around his government. My guest to day it is thuli madonsela, south africas Public Protector until late last year. She exposed a web of worrying connections between the state and big business interests. But are her concerns about to be buried . Thuli madonsela, welcome to hardtalk. Thank you for being here stephen. It is such a honour. Well, i think we have to begin with that explosive report that you wrote and published before leaving the office of Public Protector at the end of last year. It was all about your concerns about State Capture. The idea was that certain big business interest, perhaps individuals, had undue influence on the government. You wanted a fully fledged Judicial Commission of inquiry to be set up within 30 days of your reports publication. Seven mo
In south africa is loosening. He will relinquish leadership of the anc at the end of year. And whether he will complete his term as south africas president is uncertain, as allegations of cronyism and corruption pile up around his government. My guest to day it is thuli madonsela, south africas Public Protector until late last year. She exposed a web of worrying connections between the state and big business interests. But are her concerns about to be buried . Thuli madonsela, welcome to hardtalk. Thank you for being here stephen. It is such a honour. Well, i think we have to begin with that explosive report that you wrote and published before leaving the office of Public Protector at the end of last year. It was all about your concerns about State Capture. The idea was that certain big business interest, perhaps individuals, had undue influence on the government. You wanted a fully fledged Judicial Commission of inquiry to be set up within 30 days of your reports publication. Seven mo
Live from our studios in singapore and london, this is bbc world news. Its newsday. Good morning. Its 8am in singapore, iam in london, and 3am in the last stronghold of so called Islamic State, the syrian city of raqqa. The extremists are facing all out war on several fronts now. Across the border, iraqi troops have re taken most of the city of mosul, but not in time to save the famous mosque there. In raqqa, us backed fighters of the Syrian Democratic forces are close to pushing is out. Our correspondent, gabriel gatehouse, and cameraman, fred scott, are with the sdf on the frontline, and sent this exclusive report from raqqa. This has been a long and brutal road. We are inside raqqa now, driving to the centre of the Syrian Democratic forces, the sdf, a Coalition Of Kurds and arabs. They have onlyjust retaken this street from fighters that called themselves Islamic State. Here is is often unseen but all the more dangerous for it. A noise in the sky signals the presence of a drone. Wha
Hardtalk. Now on bbc news, its time for welcome to hardtalk, im stephen sacker. For the 17 years Vladimir Putin has ruled russia, as president or Prime Minister, he hasnt done it alone. Hes been backed by a coterie of trusted associates, connected through past ties in St Petersburg, or in the kgb or in business. One of mr putins inner circle is my guest today. Vladimir yakunin ran Russian Railways for a decade and was a close putin adviser. So much so the us made him a target of sanctions after the invasion of crimea. He left the railway two years ago. Is he still a true believer in the putin project . Vladimiryakunin, welcome to hardtalk. Hello. I think its fair to say, you, for a decade more, were one of Vladimir Putins closest associates and advisers. In general terms, as you look at putins impact upon russia, would you say that you believe he is taking russia in a very positive direction . Thank you for your introduction. Listen, to tell the truth, i never considered myself a voice