03/06/2017 World News Today

And one of the most eagerly anticipated football matches, the

Champions League final, reaches its climax.

Hello and welcome to World News Today.

Reports from the Iraqi city of Mosul say dozens of civilians have been

killed while fleeing a neighbourhood held by Islamic State fighters.

Exactly how they died is not yet clear.

But there have been reports of the militants targeting civilians

Iraqi government forces retook eastern Mosul back in January.

They began a new push this week to capture the remaining

part held by Islamic State in the west.

The latest fighting is focused on Al Zanjili

They are escaping. They decided to gather their children and take their

chances in the streets of this war zone, fleeing neighbourhoods

controlled by the militants. There was danger all around, from the

militants and the attacking Government forces and their US

allies in aircraft overhead. TRANSLATION: I went out to bring

water from a nearby place. We were about 200 or 250 people, and a

member of Islamic State walked amongst us. Minutes later, a plane

struck the crowd. He managed to escape and we were hurt. In amongst

the families came the casualties. In one place, many did not survive,

their bodies were left lying where they fell. There is this account of

what happened. How the slaughter here unfolded. In the last two days,

IS has been shooting people escaping from this area in the street. I saw

over 50 dead bodies yesterday. We work with the Americans to give

smoke and Iraqi tank, and we followed behind them and rescued one

little girl and one man. While the civilians tried to flee, the battle

for Mosul rages on. There has been a month after month of intense street

fighting. Every house is being fought for. But the soldiers are now

closing in on the militants' last Bastian, Mosul's historic old city

and the few areas around it. For some, those who made it through the

front lines, there is relief, a sudden sense that, at least for now,

the worst is over. Alan Johnston, BBC News.

Days after President Trump pulled the United States out

of the Paris climate deal, France and India have reaffirmed

At a meeting in Paris, Mr Macron said they stood

India is the third-largest greenhouse gas emitter in the world.

Mr Modi said the Paris climate agreement was part

TRANSLATION: We are in favour of this Paris agreement and we will

Even if this agreement did not exist, we will ensure that

future generations receive something good from ours.

-- future generations receive something good from us.

Actually, it's about something that can protect future

generations, that can give rise to a new Hope.

It's not simply just about the protection

of the environment, it's about our common responsibility

The deputy leader of Afghanistan has survived a bomb attack at a funeral

in the capital, Kabul. That the seven people were cold and over 100

injured in the explosions. The funeral was taking place of the son

of a prominent politician. He was killed yesterday during clashes

between demonstrators and police. From Kabul, we were sent this

report, which contains images find upsetting. Bloodshed in a

graveyard. Mourners were targeted in the cemetery as they were burying...

Survivors describe the carnage they had witnessed. TRANSLATION: There

were explosions everywhere, and I saw my hands and face were burning.

There were parts of human bodies lying all around me. After that, I

had to get to hospital. This is the third time in four days that dead

and injured Afghans have been brought to emergency hospitals

across the city. Kabul used to be one of the most secure places in the

country, now it seems it is one of the most dangerous. Relatives

gathered, anxious for news of their loved ones. This man was describing

how the suicide bombers blew themselves up one after another,

when suddenly gunfire rang out. It turned out to be warning shots from

the police, but it's a measure of how tense the city is. Kabul is

still reeling from a blast on Wednesday which killed 90 people.

Many residents are furious with the authorities for not providing better

security. One of the leaders of the unity Government was at the funeral

today, and I asked him why so many attacks seemed to be succeeding. I

would say that we will raise this issue very seriously within our own

system. You are not resigning? If that would have been the solution,

that would have been the first thing I would have resorted to. Them is

real anger here at the rising tide of violence, but it seems no one,

not the Government and not the international community, knows how

to stop it. He's a fellow with the Atlantic

Council's South Asia Center. He joins me live from Washington. A

tragic few days in Afghanistan. As the Government lost control of the

country? They have been fighting the insurgency on multiple fronts. It is

not just the Taliban that are active in Afghanistan, but according to the

top US commander in the country, there are at least 20 other militant

terrorist groups active in Afghanistan and Pakistan in the last

couple of years. At least 20 of them are involved in breast activities in

the country, including an affiliate of Islamic State. Their results of a

Pakistan -based network which Afghan intelligence has said was behind the

recent truck bombing in central Kabul on Wednesday. Needless to say

that this year and last have been the years of survival for the Afghan

Government. Often times, their ability to take on each of the

insurgent groups that operate in the country and be effective at it is

overstretched, but it does not mean they are losing control over their

security situation. We saw in our report that

The Government controls much of the territory, but occasional attacks in

places like Kabul and other urban areas do happen. The reasons behind

it is attributed to a failure of intelligence on the Afghan part. The

Afghan security forces are also on the front line and they are fighting

very bravely, which has also led to an alarming number of casualties.

The Afghan Government has ruled out a new security plan to work on the

effectiveness of the Afghan security forces, including building the

offensive capabilities of the force and improving its leadership, which

I think will prove very useful in the months ahead in the fight

against the Taliban. This year will be a challenging one nonetheless,

for both the the goverment and security forces, with setbacks in

like Kabul. Unfortunately, it seems that before the situation gets

better, it is likely to get worse. Thank you very much for being with

BBC World. Let's take a look at some of

the other stories making the news. The US Defence Secretary,

James Mattis, says China's actions in the South China Sea show

a 'blatant disregard to the militarisation

of international waters and contribute

to instability in the region. A worldwide clinical trial has

reduced the risk of dying from prostate cancer

by nearly forty percent. The trial is believed to be

the largest of its kind. And uses a drug to stop more

testosterone reaching the prostate An outdoor music festival in Germany

has resumed after a terror threat Organisers say they were given

the go-ahead after an intensive search of the area found no evidence

of a concrete threat. It's less than a week before the UK

general election and the ruling Conservatives are coming under

pressure over their tax plans. The opposition Labour Party -

gaining in the polls - says the wealthy are being protected

from tax rises at the expense of the poor, a charge

the Government strongly denies. Senior Conservatives, including

the Defence Secretary and Foreign Secretary, have been sending

out a strong message If you are worried that income tax

might rise if we are elected, don't The Conservative manifesto

is nowhere near as explicit. What people will know

when they've vote on Thursday, it is the Conservative Party who

always has and is a low tax party. It is our intention to reduce taxes

for ordinary working families. What does the Conservative

manifesto say on tax question at the last election

David Cameron promise not to increase income tax,

national insurance or VAT. The 2017 manifesto,

only the Pledge on VAT Promising to raise the level

at which people pay the standard and higher amount of tax

would also amount to a reduction. Theresa May could have

tough Brexit talks ahead. There is no pledge not to increase

income tax was that she and her colleagues are talking

about tax today because they want to refocus attention in this campaign

about what would happen if a Labour Chancellor moves into

number 11 Downing Street. Labour says the policy of making

the better off and big businesses pay more is popular

and the There is chaos going

on at the top of the What Labour is offering

is no tax rises or An increase in

corporation tax and some other tax increases at the top end

to pay for social care. Theresa May could be

finding it is more convivial to talk about

tax than social care. colleagues are trying

to stir the enthusiasm of traditional voters

by saying instincts on

taxation are the same. Ariana Grande has made a surprise

visit to fans still in hospital after last month's concert attack.

The moment of crowning. By a signal given, the great guns of the tower.

Tanks and troops are patrolling the streets of central Peking after...

You can see it's mighty tail fin, the only sign left that an aircraft

had been here. Uefa imposes an indefinite ban on English clubs

playing in Europe. Today is the 20th anniversary of the release of the

Beatles LP, Sergeant Pepper 's lonely hearts club band.

Dozens of civilians are reported to have been killed in the Iraqi city

of Mosul while trying to get out of an area controlled by the Islamic

State group. India has promised to go above and

beyond and cut its pledged under the Paris climate accord following the

United States' withdrawal from the treaty.

Is Russia interfering with US politics?

It's the question hanging over Washington ever

Moscow has always denied involvement.

Those Russians whose names have emerged usually

But this week some were at the annual St Petersburg Economic Forum.

Our correspondent Sarah Rainsford was there, attempting

Can I just ask what it is you would like

Sarah Rainsford on the alleged Russian links to the Trump campaign.

So, over in America, where has the investigation

I asked our correspondent David Willis.

Next Thursday, the former director of the FBI, James Comey, is due to

give evidence to a Senate committee. This is the man who was leading the

investigation into links between the Trump administration and the

Russians before he was dismissed last month by Donald Trump. Now, any

evidence from his testimony that Donald Trump has sought to impede

that enquiry will be seized upon by opponents of the president. It had

been thought that perhaps the White House might seek executive privilege

to prevent James Comey from testifying. They can do that if a

Government official is threatening to reveal secrets, but the downside

of that, of course, is that the White House then looks as though it

has something to hide, so no indication at the moment that it is

going to do that. Meanwhile, a lot of speculation about the possible

role played by the President's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, in this

whole ongoing Russian investigation. Tell us more about Jared Kushner. He

is a person of interest. That's right. Yes, and he is a man who is

very close to the president, of course, the son-in-law of President

Trump, but also a special adviser to Mr Trump. It has been reported here

that he had meetings with the Russian ambassador to the US, and to

a Russian banker with close ties to the Russian president, Vladimir

Putin. There are also suggestions that Mr Kushner explore the

possibility of setting up a secure communications channel using a

Russian diplomatic facility to enable discussions between the Trump

Administration and Moscow, the suggestion being as well that these

meetings between the Russians and Mr Kushner took place in December of

last year, after Donald Trump add won the election but before his

administration had actually taken office.

The singer Ariana Grande has made a surprise visit to fans

still in hospital after last month's terror attack.

On Sunday she'll be joined by other music stars,

in a charity concert to raise money for the victims and their families.

From Manchester, Philip Norton reports.

Helping to mend broken hearts and shattered lives.

Pop star Ariana Grande visiting young fans who were injured

in the suicide bomb attack at her concert less

She posted a photo of her visit to Royal Manchester Children's Hospital

Among those she visited, eight-year-old fan Lily Harrison.

She suffered spinal injuries in the blast at Manchester Arena.

Our room was the last room on the ward of the corridor.

I think I was probably just as nervous as Lily.

She said, I think I might need to go to the toilet.

And then, yeah, she just came skipping onto our ward.

There's been an outpouring of love for the 22 victims who died

Ariana Grande has returned to the UK for a benefit concert in Manchester

tomorrow night and many of those injured, including Lily,

We said, if you want to go, we'll make sure you've got tickets.

If we get to the venue, or are on the way to the venue,

and you say you don't want to go, we're more than happy

Proceeds from the concert will go towards that We Love

Manchester Emergency Fund, set up by Manchester City Council

and the British Red Cross to support grieving families

A huge stage and tight security is in place.

An effort that would normally take months of planning

This is where the eyes of the world will be focused tomorrow night.

Millions of people will watch as Ariana Grande is joined on stage

by the likes of Coldplay, Take That and Katy Perry.

This concert will be broadcast tomorrow in 50 countries

A night of unity, remembrance and a shared love of music.

Lets get some sport with Hugh. A big match in Cardiff?

That's right the first man to score in three Champions League finals has

set his team on the road to history, and he has done it twice for Real

Madrid in Cardiff. Cristiano Ronaldo struck his first for Real Madrid in

the 20th minute, his side helping to be the first team to win the

Champions League twice in a row. Then the Juventus equalised with a

brilliant overhead kick, a stunning goal that may well have been the

headline if it wasn't for what happened subsequently. It brought

Juventus level at the time but then to goals in a few minutes change

things. There are about 30 minutes of normal time left, and a lot for

Juventus to do. They are trailing 3-1 in Cardiff.

The world number one is safely into the second week at the French Open

tennis after beating Juan Martin del Potro in the third round at Roland

Garros, getting the better of two fiercely contested opening sets.

Murray won the first on a tie-break, then the second 7-5, then he

clinched his place in the last 16 in impressive style, taking the third

set without dropping a game. It is a big win for the eve. It was

never going to be easy today. He is a tough guy to play against,

especially this early in a major. He came out playing very aggressive,

serving really well at the beginning and it was tough, but I managed to

turn it around and play some really good stuff at the end, so it was a

very positive win for me. South Africa have beating Sri Lanka by 96

runs in the opening match in group B. South Africa made 299-6, Hashim

Amla scoring a 25th ODI century in his career. The Sri Lankan batting

was all-out for 203. The British and Irish Lion started their tour of New

Zealand with a 17-13 victory over the Barbarians. It was expected to

be straightforward with a side made up of fringe players. The barbarians

had a 7-3 lead at the break. The lions edged ahead on 53 minutes,

then the conversion gave them a little bit of breathing space. They

held on in the end for a scrappy victory.

Britain's richest horse race, the Epsom Derby, has been won by the

40-1 outsider Wings Of Eagles, who came from behind, passing several

horses in the last 100 metres to win. It was the first win for the

Irish jockey, and the sixth for his trainer, Aidan O'Brien. That is all

the sport for now. Don't forget you can get

in touch with me and some