0:00:09 > 0:00:12This is BBC News.
0:00:12 > 0:00:16Our top story - the US says it agrees with Britain that Russia
0:00:16 > 0:00:19was behind the nerve agent attack that poisoned a former spy
0:00:19 > 0:00:21and his daughter on UK soil.
0:00:21 > 0:00:25Moscow's ambassador to the UN denied Russian involvement in the attack.
0:00:25 > 0:00:27Earlier, Britain announced the expulsion of 23
0:00:27 > 0:00:29Russian diplomats.
0:00:29 > 0:00:32Tributes have been paid to the world famous scientist,
0:00:32 > 0:00:35Stephen Hawking, who popularised theoretical physics
0:00:35 > 0:00:40in a best-selling book, A Brief History of Time.
0:00:40 > 0:00:42He's died at the age of 76.
0:00:42 > 0:00:47And video of the American student gun protest is trending on BBC.com.
0:00:47 > 0:00:50In the US, tens of thousands of students staged a series
0:00:50 > 0:00:54of classroom walkouts to demand tighter gun safety laws.
0:00:54 > 0:00:57The protests were led by survivors of the Florida school shooting
0:00:57 > 0:01:00in which 17 people were killed by a former student.
0:01:11 > 0:01:14Stay with BBC News.
0:01:15 > 0:01:17And another top story here in the UK -
0:01:17 > 0:01:21Toys R Us is closing all 100 of its UK stores in the next six
0:01:21 > 0:01:23weeks after administrators failed to find a buyer.
0:01:34 > 0:01:41Don't panic, don't do anything drastic. Recognise him? He is the
0:01:41 > 0:01:47new economic adviser for President Trump. Singapore tops that economic
0:01:47 > 0:01:52index for the fifth year in a row, but which cities are the most
0:01:52 > 0:01:55expensive to live in?
0:02:01 > 0:02:08Good morning, age, hello, world. Glad you could join us. We start off
0:02:08 > 0:02:14with US President Donald Trump and he has appointed his new economic
0:02:14 > 0:02:18adviser, and it is a familiar face to many of you who watch business
0:02:18 > 0:02:23television. Larry Kudlow has been a TV commentator for decades. His
0:02:23 > 0:02:28predecessor resigned last week in a disagreement over tariffs on steel
0:02:28 > 0:02:32and aluminium imports. The incoming economic adviser said China has
0:02:32 > 0:02:38earned a tough response from the US. China has not played by the rules
0:02:38 > 0:02:43for a long time. I have talked about that, intellectual property rights,
0:02:43 > 0:02:48corporate technologies, other barriers, Trans each month -- ship
0:02:48 > 0:02:52was to get around things. I don't think you should punish your friends
0:02:52 > 0:02:57to try to punish your enemies in international affairs.They don't
0:02:57 > 0:03:01necessarily see eye to eye on Sun economic issues, so why did Donald
0:03:01 > 0:03:08Trump pick him? I asked the question to Joe Miller.He is really good on
0:03:08 > 0:03:12TV, and that counts for a lot. The President watches a lot of
0:03:12 > 0:03:16television, watches his friend on television, and what is striking is
0:03:16 > 0:03:20as you saw in that clip, Larry Kudlow has been critical of Donald
0:03:20 > 0:03:23Trump's tariffs on steel and aluminium that he announced last
0:03:23 > 0:03:29week, and that was the reason that Larry Kudlow's red assessor left the
0:03:29 > 0:03:34White House over a disagreement over Donald Trump's tariffs, and now he
0:03:34 > 0:03:37has been replaced with someone who has been equally critical of those
0:03:37 > 0:03:42tariffs. He is a very good communicator, he is very good on TV
0:03:42 > 0:03:46and he is broadly supportive of the economic agenda and has been for
0:03:46 > 0:03:50some time. It makes sense that he has been chosen for this role.Apart
0:03:50 > 0:03:56from trade tariffs, where does Larry Kudlow stand on other issues such as
0:03:56 > 0:04:02free trade?He is a traditional free trade person, he is someone who
0:04:02 > 0:04:08worked in the Reagan administration, he has always been traditionally for
0:04:08 > 0:04:13open markets, for low taxes, and in that way, he is very supportive of
0:04:13 > 0:04:18Donald Trump's tax policies. It is not really a departure from the very
0:04:18 > 0:04:22standard Republican agenda when it comes to the economy, and he has
0:04:22 > 0:04:27softened his stance but towards some of Donald Trump's less free trade
0:04:27 > 0:04:31and more protectionist agenda.And that was Joe Miller in New York. We
0:04:31 > 0:04:37have add news from Toys R Us. It is closing all of its UK and US stores.
0:04:37 > 0:04:43We will find out why it from my colleague. Doing so well here in
0:04:43 > 0:04:49Asia, but in the Western countries, it is not.That's right. We know
0:04:49 > 0:04:54Toys R Us is a very successful chain, but in the UK and US they
0:04:54 > 0:04:57have been struggling for quite sometime. Shoppers are going to
0:04:57 > 0:05:02online shopping, like Amazon, and also children are choosing
0:05:02 > 0:05:07electronic gadgets over toys, and as parents we can attest to that. In
0:05:07 > 0:05:11the UK, they are closing the remaining 75 stores in the next six
0:05:11 > 0:05:15weeks and that will result in the job losses of about 3000. The number
0:05:15 > 0:05:21is worse in the US. We understand they are closing all of its 885
0:05:21 > 0:05:27stores, and if that is true, it could risk for two 33 thousand jobs.
0:05:27 > 0:05:31They have been looking for a buyer and it is reported that Toys R Us
0:05:31 > 0:05:36will file for bankruptcy later today.In Q4 that update. Hong Kate
0:05:36 > 0:05:42-- Hong Kong are interested to buy the shares it doesn't own the Toys
0:05:42 > 0:05:51"R" Us Asia franchise. Thank you very much. Moving on now. To India,
0:05:51 > 0:05:58which has set itself an ambitious target. By 2022, they want to insult
0:05:58 > 0:06:03renewable energy capacity and that is four times more than the country
0:06:03 > 0:06:08is currently out. The sources for renewable energy include wind, water
0:06:08 > 0:06:12and the sun. While the push of the two business opportunities for these
0:06:12 > 0:06:20industries, it is an uphill task or solar panel produces.
0:06:20 > 0:06:25It is meticulous work. 36 of these cells need to be strung together to
0:06:25 > 0:06:30make a working solar panel. With the government mandate and rising demand
0:06:30 > 0:06:34for clean energy, many will think that means bright prospects for the
0:06:34 > 0:06:40solar industry here.But businesses are struggling. We are making good
0:06:40 > 0:06:46quality solar panels. The toughest thing we are facing is from the low
0:06:46 > 0:06:51quality imports of solar panel and components from the neighbouring
0:06:51 > 0:06:57countries, particularly in China. China, Malaysia and Taiwan supplier
0:06:57 > 0:07:00the majority of solar panels to India, which are much cheaper to
0:07:00 > 0:07:05produce an Indian units. That is largely down to its senses the
0:07:05 > 0:07:10government has offered them. Indian producers are subject to strict
0:07:10 > 0:07:14politic controls and face higher domestic service, making it
0:07:14 > 0:07:20impossible to compete with overseas players. India is an entirely of
0:07:20 > 0:07:25clean energy because of this pollution. Delhi is one of the most
0:07:25 > 0:07:31polluted cities in the world. The last three years, Indian solar panel
0:07:31 > 0:07:35manufacturers have been able to double their production. But it is
0:07:35 > 0:07:38the import from China of cheaper solar rocks that has gone up by
0:07:38 > 0:07:46600%. To try and get a foothold in this market, now Indian solar panel
0:07:46 > 0:07:51manufacturers are demanding to impose a duty on these products. The
0:07:51 > 0:07:57Indian government is considering a 70% tariff on imported panels. But
0:07:57 > 0:08:01solar power installer say a tariff would make the generation of solar
0:08:01 > 0:08:05power much more expensive. The government says the benefits of
0:08:05 > 0:08:10import duties will outweigh the costs.When people buy, they look at
0:08:10 > 0:08:15who offers the low prices, so they be the Chinese, the militias, the
0:08:15 > 0:08:23Taiwanese. But we do want to look at that.Local manufacture, we have
0:08:23 > 0:08:28gone on policy. India recently hosted the first official meeting of
0:08:28 > 0:08:32the International solar Alliance in Delhi, a treaty to promote the use
0:08:32 > 0:08:37of solar energy. Taking the lead there signals in the's ambition to
0:08:37 > 0:08:41take pole position in a switch to clean energy. At a dispute over
0:08:41 > 0:08:47tariffs at home could derail Prime Minister goals.
0:08:47 > 0:08:54Singapore has been topping the cost of living index for some time and it
0:08:54 > 0:09:01is still the most expensive city for expats. It has topped the list for a
0:09:01 > 0:09:06fixed consecutive year. For example, the goods and services or 16% more
0:09:06 > 0:09:09inner-city public stake in PT New York. Paris has jumped to second
0:09:09 > 0:09:13place due to a stronger euro. As for Hong Kong, it has slipped to number
0:09:13 > 0:09:19four slot. Tel Aviv is now in the top ten due to higher transportation
0:09:19 > 0:09:23cost and so too has Sydney. The strong Aussie dollar raises the cost
0:09:23 > 0:09:27of living into other cities, Brisbane and Adelaide. The study
0:09:27 > 0:09:32takes into account price of 160 products and services including
0:09:32 > 0:09:35rent, utility bills, private schools as well as household supplies.
0:09:35 > 0:09:40Earlier I spoke to Simon Baptist from the EI you and he explained why
0:09:40 > 0:09:47Singapore remains at the top of the list.Singapore is about 4% more
0:09:47 > 0:09:50expensive than Paris, which is in second place, and Singapore does
0:09:50 > 0:09:56come up as very high at cost concern categories. The biggest one is
0:09:56 > 0:09:59owning and running a vehicle. It is the most expensive thing about
0:09:59 > 0:10:02living in Singapore. Also, alcohol and cigarettes are also quite
0:10:02 > 0:10:06expensive.It will get more expensive here in Singapore because
0:10:06 > 0:10:10over the next three to four years, the government will raise the goods
0:10:10 > 0:10:14and services tax.There might be some tax increases here, although I
0:10:14 > 0:10:18am not sure they will be faster than elsewhere. It might not affect the
0:10:18 > 0:10:23ranking. Singapore is actually more in line with the Asian business city
0:10:23 > 0:10:28average in some other categories. It is a cheap place to buy food, and it
0:10:28 > 0:10:33is also a fairly cheap place to get domestic help and also for personal
0:10:33 > 0:10:38services.How critical are changes in currency valuations of the cost
0:10:38 > 0:10:42of living?Currencies are one of the most important that it is. If you
0:10:42 > 0:10:45are an international company, moving people around the world, looking at
0:10:45 > 0:10:48how much you are an international company, moving people around the
0:10:48 > 0:10:52world, looking at how much it will pay to hire or for allowances of
0:10:52 > 0:10:55people travelling, then the currency is one major driver. Other big
0:10:55 > 0:10:58drivers are taxation and regulations, as you brought up, and
0:10:58 > 0:11:02demand and supply. Singapore might top the list for the
0:11:02 > 0:11:07world for the most expensive cities, but unfortunately, for those of us
0:11:07 > 0:11:11here, it has not taken the number one spot as the world's happiest
0:11:11 > 0:11:18nation. That title goes to Finland. The annual report has been released
0:11:18 > 0:11:22ranking 156 countries buy happiness levels, taking into account such
0:11:22 > 0:11:26factors such as income and life expectancy. Australia, and Canada
0:11:26 > 0:11:32made the top ten. The US came in at number 18. Singapore was in 30
0:11:32 > 0:11:37Fourth Place. Let's have a quick look at their markets and currently
0:11:37 > 0:11:41as you can see on the Asian market boards they are all in negative
0:11:41 > 0:11:45territory due to a fall in the Dow and the NASDAQ. To pounds, Hong Kong
0:11:45 > 0:11:48and Australia in the red in mid-morning trade. Thank you for
0:11:48 > 0:11:54investing your time with us. Sport Today is coming up next.
0:11:54 > 0:11:56The top stories this hour -
0:11:56 > 0:12:00the US says it agrees with Britain that Russia was behind the nerve
0:12:00 > 0:12:03agent attack that poisoned a former spy and his daughter on UK soil.
0:12:03 > 0:12:06Russia has dismissed the allegation.
0:12:06 > 0:12:08The world has paid tribute to Professor Stephen Hawking,
0:12:08 > 0:12:12the world famous physicist and author,
0:12:12 > 0:12:15who's died at the age of 76.
0:12:15 > 0:12:18Almost 800,000 people who live here in the UK
0:12:18 > 0:12:21speak little or no English.
0:12:21 > 0:12:24Now, the government is planning to spend 50 million pounds
0:12:24 > 0:12:28to try to change that and to encourage social integration.
0:12:29 > 0:12:31Five councils in England have been selected for special help -
0:12:31 > 0:12:34Bradford, Blackburn, Peterborough, Walsall
0:12:34 > 0:12:36and Waltham Forest in London.
0:12:37 > 0:12:41Judith Mortiz sent this report from Bradford.
0:12:41 > 0:12:42What about this one?
0:12:42 > 0:12:46What sound does that give?
0:12:46 > 0:12:52One sound at a time, these women are learning English.
0:12:52 > 0:12:55Whilst their children are at school, they're studying too,
0:12:55 > 0:12:57wanting to improve their language for lots of reasons.
0:12:57 > 0:13:00It would be easier for me and my husband
0:13:00 > 0:13:01to establish our own business.
0:13:01 > 0:13:02I've got four children.
0:13:02 > 0:13:05Need to help with the children.
0:13:05 > 0:13:06You want to help your children?
0:13:06 > 0:13:08Yeah.
0:13:08 > 0:13:10To do homework.
0:13:10 > 0:13:14I'm really clever and I'm good at my work and I can do anything.
0:13:14 > 0:13:16I'm creative.
0:13:16 > 0:13:20But I can't be my 100% if I don't have my skill of English.
0:13:20 > 0:13:22Empowering marginalised women and boosting language skills
0:13:22 > 0:13:25are amongst new government plans to tackle segregation.
0:13:25 > 0:13:30Bradford is one of five areas which have been selected.
0:13:30 > 0:13:34We've got florists, we've got artists, we've got tailors,
0:13:34 > 0:13:37we've got women with a plethora of experiences that they come
0:13:37 > 0:13:39with, but unfortunately, they can't engage
0:13:39 > 0:13:42in the local society because of the lack of the language.
0:13:42 > 0:13:45Now, if the language is there, just open one barrier,
0:13:45 > 0:13:48we'll open a whole field full of opportunities for these women.
0:13:48 > 0:13:52Bradford was at its lowest ebb in 2001 when race riots erupted
0:13:52 > 0:13:57and segregated communities were shown to be leading parallel lives.
0:13:57 > 0:14:0517 years on, tackling segregation here is still a work in progress.
0:14:05 > 0:14:08But what Bradford has achieved has now earned it extra funding
0:14:09 > 0:14:12and a chance to show other areas how to improve.
0:14:12 > 0:14:14Two years ago, a report warned that segregation and social
0:14:14 > 0:14:18exclusion were at worrying levels in Britain.
0:14:18 > 0:14:21Its author has long been calling on the government to take action.
0:14:21 > 0:14:24Some of these communities that we're worried about,
0:14:24 > 0:14:26these very isolated communities,
0:14:26 > 0:14:28have abject poverty and that will take money.
0:14:29 > 0:14:32I'm not sure that 50 million over two years will be enough.
0:14:32 > 0:14:35The government says its plans are designed to get more people
0:14:35 > 0:14:37to mix together, live together and play together.
0:14:37 > 0:14:40Judith Moritz, BBC News, Bradford.
0:14:40 > 0:14:45Toys R Us is closing all 100 of its UK stores in the next six
0:14:45 > 0:14:48weeks after administrators failed to find a buyer.
0:14:48 > 0:14:513,000 jobs will be lost as a result.
0:14:51 > 0:14:54Some 25 stores have either already closed in recent days
0:14:54 > 0:15:02or are due to close by tomorrow.
0:15:02 > 0:15:07Jim Molan best known as the presenter of the game-show Bullseye
0:15:07 > 0:15:13has died at the age of 80. He was inspired to try stand-up comedy
0:15:13 > 0:15:14after seeing Ken