17/02/2017 World News Today

This is BBC World News Today, broadcasting in the UK

The headlines: Tony Blair puts himself on a collision course

with the British government as he asks Britons to rise

The former Prime Minister kicks-off a campaign to find a way out

of what he called the government's plans to "rush over

The people voted without knowledge of the terms of the exit. As these

terms become clear, it is the right to change their mind.

President Trump's search for a National Security Adviser goes

on after his second choice for the top post says,

Also, the latest twist in the killing on the half-brother of North

Korea's leader. After more than 20 years at Arsenal,

what next for Arsene Wenger as he hints he could be managing

another team next year. The former British Prime Minister

Tony Blair has launched a campaign to persuade people in the UK

to change their minds He said the current government

was set on leaving the EU "at any cost", which would damage

the economy and weaken But the speech has been ridiculed

by Leave supporters, with the Foreign Secretary,

Boris Johnson, accusing Mr Blair of insulting

the public's intelligence. Here's our political

correspondent, Carole Walker. A rallying cry from

the former Prime Minister. Time, he said, to rise up and force

a rethink on the decision The people voted without knowledge

of the terms of Brexit. As these terms become

clear, it is their right Our mission is to

persuade them to do so. He said he would expose the risks

of the current plans for Brexit, damage to the economy and jobs,

put the break-up of the UK He said controlling immigration had

become the government's main consideration as it took the country

towards not just hard Brexit, I would actually question

whether the referendum really provides a mandate for Brexit

at any cost. We will withdraw from the single

market, which is around half We will also now leave the customs

union, covering trade This impacts everything from airline

travel to financial services The Prime Minister has been

meeting her French counterpart this afternoon as she prepares to begin

the formal Brexit She said she will seek

the greatest possible access to the European single market

through a new free trade agreement. Will you take the advice

of Tony Blair? Ministers are scathing

about Mr Blair's intervention. We heard all these

arguments last year. It is insulting the intelligence

of the electorate to Tony Blair believes the government's

approach to Brexit is being driven by ideologues passionate

about the move to take Britain out of the European Union

and that the Labour Party is failing But some will doubt

whether he is the man to lead a popular movement to overturn

the Brexit vote. Tony Blair did not say he wants

a second referendum. Do you really think you are the one

with the popular appeal to get a different answer if you did get

a second go? This is a free country,

so I have a right to speak and you have the freedom

to listen or not. You don't want to listen to me,

you don't want to listen to me. I know there will be

a volley of abuse that will come my way for speaking,

but I am speaking because I believe And he still has some supporters

in the party he used to lead. Whether you love him or loathe him,

I think he is somebody He has huge experience

of politics at the top level. But Theresa May is unlikely to be

swayed by warnings from one of her predecessors as she embarks

on the complex and difficult negotiations to take

Britain out of the EU. A day after the US President Donald

Trump told a news conference that his administration was running

like a "fine-tuned machine", senior Republican Senator John McCain has

said it is in disarray. His comments came after the former

naval admiral chosen by President Trump to be his

National Security Advisor While the search for a new security

adviser goes on, the president returned today to one

of his favourite themes - talking about jobs and

the American economy. I would do everything I can to put

our great people back to work. This is our mantra, by American and

higher American. We want products made in America, made by American

hands. Let's focus on the lingering

questions about his team, including Wyatt is so to find and national

security adviser. But that question to the deputy assistant secretary of

defence, former, of Middle Eastern policy. There has been turmoil at

the highest ranks of the White House. There are several different

individuals or fractions who are vying for power with this president.

The dismissal of Mike Flynn, who might have been the best choice to

begin with, has thrown the National Security decision-making process

into turmoil. The fact that Bob Harward, losing to be the first

choice of the president to replace Mike Flynn has now turned the

position down, citing family and financial reasons, but it seems that

the chaos of the White House seems to have played a role than that. It

has left the United States and many of our allies and confused as to

hide the president makes decisions, how this White House makes

decisions. We might have Cabinet secretaries and place, in terms of

the Secretary of State, secretary of defence, but they don't have a lot

of people underneath them. This is a dangerous time for the US National

Security Council at eight and it is incumbent the White House to set the

ship of State straight sooner rather than later. I suppose, if people are

not following the minutiae of politics, they don't live in

Washington, DC, the Mitre students that this is all just political

matter nations and ultimately somebody will be advising him on

security matters -- matters, so what does it really matter? From the very

beginning, this administration was not necessarily prepared to govern.

The president himself like the idea of running for president, enjoyed

it, but was not prepared to govern. At this point in 2009 when the Obama

administration came in, you already had undersecretaries of state, not

just nominated but confirm, and putting in teens in the departments

of defence and state ready to implement the President's policy.

This administration was not prepared for the challenges of filling the

key roles in the national security architecture, not just in the

National Security Council, but in the Department of State and the

Department of defence. As a result, there has been more chaos than

usual. This is something that is really quite unique. Mike Flynn

lasted just over 20 days as the National Security adviser. The

previous document to last the least amount of time lasted a year. This

is unprecedented in terms of the turmoil we are seeing in the highest

levels of the national security community right now.

And Mr Trump has got through another key appointment.

The US Senate has confirmed his choice to head

He's Scott Pruitt, the Oklahoma Attorney General.

He was chosen in spite of concerns by Democrats and green groups

about his views on climate change and his ties to the coal

Mr Pruitt has sued the Environmental Protection Agency more than a dozen

One woman arrested in Malaysia over the killing of the half brother

of North Korea's leader has said she was duped into thinking she was

part of a comedy show prank - that's according to Indonesia's

national police chief, who's been briefed by Malaysian authorities.

Kim Jong Nam died after being attacked at Kaula Lumpur

Meanwhile, North Korea has made a plea to Malaysia to release

We strongly urge and the manse the Malaysians side not to be entangled

with a political plot by the hostile forces towards the DPRK, who want to

damage the image of her country. And to release the body immediately

without any condition. The American food giant Kraft Heinz

says it will continue to press for a takeover deal

with the Anglo-Dutch firm Unilever, despite its initial

bid being rejected. The offer, which would be one

of the biggest ever corporate mergers, amounted to ?115 billion,

which Unilever said "fundamentally Pakistan's security forces

have carried out raids across the country, killing

and arresting dozens It follows the suicide attack

at a famous Sufi shrine in the south The attack has been claimed

by the so-called Islamic State. The prime minister, Nawaz Sharif,

says his nation is fighting a war Spain's Princess Cristina has been

cleared of tax fraud related charges following an investigation

into her husband's However her husband

Inaki Urdangarin, was sentenced to over six years for fraud

and tax evasion. More than 300 people have broken

through a fence separating the Spanish territory

of Ceuta from Morocco. Most of the group are believed to be

migrants from sub-Saharan Africa, Video footage shows them using clubs

and shears to create gaps The German Defence Minister,

Ursula von der Leyen, has warned the United States

against damaging European cohesion. Speaking at a security

conference in Munich, he said the US tone on Europe

and NATO had a direct impact The new US Defence Secretary,

James Mattis, has given a new assurance that American

security is permanently tied But he stressed the need for members

to contribute their fair share. President Trump came into office and

has thrown his full support to Nato. He, too, spices need to's the

adapted today's strategic situation for it to stay credible, capable and

relevant. As the Minister noted last week, it is at the demand that all

who benefit fund the best alliance in the world carry the proportionate

share of the necessary costs to defend our freedoms and we are

committed to passing those freedoms in tact the next generation.

Least to set has been in Munich speaking to those involved.

Many of the world's top diplomat and secretaries have been here in

Munich. There is real time diplomacy here, real negotiations going on

behind the scenes, and even on the public platforms to tackle the great

crisis of the world. There is a buzz this year, largely because of the

uncertainty and anxiety about the new policies emerging from President

Trump's new team in Washington. Most of all there is concern about the

transatlantic relationship. Let's hear from Britain's Defence

Secretary, Michael Fallon. General Mathis said he was committed to

Nato, but there have been comments from many attending that the weren't

convinced by his speech. He repeated the commitment that Donald Trump

gave to Theresa May when she went to Washington, that America remains

100% committed to Nato. We are no doubt that America has a continuing

commitment to Nato. Even the chairman of the Munich community

Forum said he wanted to hear from the United States that they would

not try to break up the European Union and destroyed the pillars that

have been in place since the Second World War. That is quite

extraordinary. Nobody is suggesting that America wants to break up

Europe. This is the Munich Security form! You get uncertainty over a new

administration, particularly when it changes from Democrat Republican or

vice versa. On the commitment to Nato, we are in no doubt that

America is behind the Alliance. They want Europe to do more to contribute

more. We agree that two and a half years ago. We all agreed we would

spend 2% and in Britain we do. America wants the other European

countries to step up as well. If you saw British prime ministers given

more than an hour press conference the President Trump came gave

yesterday, would you be worried about the leadership in your

country? We all handle these things in different ways. This is the

beginning of the new administration for a very new president. What is

important is to judge this administration and what it actually

does, not what was said during the campaign. Over here, temp three has

reassured all the allies that the two remains behind the Alliance. If

President Trump decides he wants a more aggressive, kinetic action for

Islamic State, will Britain back him in that special relationship? We are

making probably the second biggest contribution... Would you change

Britain's engagement of President Trump changes his? We will keep

making the contribution we are making. The RAF flying six nights a

week in this campaign and we've been doing it for two and a half years.

Many of the times that Daesh occupied have been liberated. In the

end, the fighting has to be done by local troops that have the support

of the local population. Thank you. We will watch in the months to come

what happens on the ground. Much more to come, both at the public

Ponton also behind-the-scenes. Stay with us on BBC

World News, still to come: We hear how a British soap actor is

trying to make it in Bollywood. Tony Blair urges Britons to

reconsider Brexit, saying people voted without knowing the true terms

of the deal. President Trump's search for a

national-security adviser goes on after his second choice for the top

post turns it down. Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has

been at the club for more than 20 years but has suggested he'll decide

whether to stay any longer He's under increased pressure

after the 5-1 defeat to Bayern Munich in the Champions

League. And our football reporter

John Bennett was listening as Wenger spoke to reporters ahead of their FA

Cup game against Sutton on Monday. Composed and determined, it is no

supplies, really. He has shown his determination in 20 years at

Arsenal. Asim Wenger looks like a disc -- has recovered from that

awful night in Munich. He made it clear that far from focusing on his

future, he is focusing on is next game. What really stood out is the

comment about still being a manager next season, whether with Arsenal or

elsewhere. Let's see what happened at one of the most anticipated press

conferences of the season. Do you feel offended by some of the things

that you read? No. Why? Because I am used to hate. I've been here for 20

years. I think in life it is important to do what you think is

right and all the rest his judgment, and I am in a public job and I had

to accept that. I think I have to behave with my values and do things

the way I see my job and accept that everybody can have an opinion on it.

Did you say to anyone this week that you would decide your future in

March or April? Yes. March or April? I don't know. If I said March or

April, it is because I do not know. No matter what happens I will manage

next season, whether it is here or somewhere else, that is for sure.

Asim Wenger moving forward, not looking back. People are starting to

think what Arsenal will be like after he leaves. But to Arsenal fans

have to be careful what they wish for? What is important is that the

club makes the right decisions for the future and I did not work year

for 20 years not to care about this club, because I had many

opportunities to go somewhere else in that period and I care about this

club and they care about its future and I think it is very important

that the club is always in safe hands, be it me or someone else, I'm

sure it will be. Next up is Sutton United, from the fifth tier of

English football. They have an Astroturf pitch, a crowd of 5,000.

Anything less than a big win and the pressure will increase even further.

Former New Zealand fly-half Dan Carter has apologised

after he failed a drink-driving test in Paris on Wednesday.

The three-times World Player of the Year who plays

in France's top league was stopped in his car in the centre

of the capital. Writing on Facebook he's said,

Budapest could decide as soon as next week

whether to withdraw its bid to hold the 2024 Olympics.

The Hungarian captial's mayor has said he's considering dropping

their attempts to host the games while protesters say they have

collected enough signatures to force a referendum which would ask

Budapest residents if they agreed that City Hall

At the moment they're in the running along with Paris and Los Angeles.

Rome and Hamburg have already withdrawn.

A decision will be made by the IOC on September 13.

A British soap star is the latest in a number of Brits

Alex Avery, who's been in Eastenders, is starring

in Rangoon, a period drama about the Burmese conflict.

The movie also stars top names from the Indian film

industry like Kangana, Shahid Kapoor and Saif Ali Khan

Bollywood movie Rankine has A* cast, and plenty of music. It is a period

drama set in the aftermath of World War II. For British actor Alex

Avery, it is a break-in to the Indian film industry. He is playing

an English army officer. The usual rules for English actors is one of

being a major in the British Army. Do you feel that you your typecast?

I think western actors probably do get typecast, especially British,

because the imperialistic nature between India and Britain, a lot of

it is Army centred. Going to India to look for jobs in the movies is

not the most obvious career choice for an actor is more used to British

soaps. Most of the rules are in Hindi and go to established Indian

stars, but Alex is hoping that things will change. If you go back

to older films, not Bollywood comes necessarily, but Gandhi, passage to

India, you realise there are rules that British people could play in

terms of education, legal, journalists, but they are all

slightly periods. In the last decade there have been a number of

Hollywood stars who have appeared in Indian films, likes best solution

and Ben Kingsley. Only ten years ago it used to be if you wanted to make

a film in India he needed to make her masala movie or an arthouse

movie. Five people are making movies that are neither. And they have the

opportunities to make those movies. India is a rich place to make movies

that could work for a global audience, so I think we will see

more actors from different backgrounds working in India on

Indian movies. Mastering the language is the next step.

Mastering the language is the next step.

Its not unusual to be asked for directions by someone from out

Well, unless they happen to be driving a military helicopter.

A lorry driver in Kazakhstan has captured the moment a pilot landed

on a highway to ask for help after apparently losing his way.

The pilot asked how to get to a city in the the north-west

of the country, much to the amusement of

The country's Ministry of Defence said the pilot had been taking part

in a visual orientation exercise when he lost his bearings.

Dick Bruna, the Dutch illustrator and author who created

the much-loved cartoon rabbit Miffy, has died at age of 89.

He wrote more than 30 books about Miffy's adventures,

which sold over 80 million copies worldwide.

It was created in 1955 to entertain his young son.

That's it for the moment. The weather is next. Thanks for

watching. Good evening. There will be a

detailed look at the weather in the UK at the top of the hour, but right

now let's look at the weather elsewhere in the world. In

California, this massive cloud has