This is bbc news. Im rebecca jones. The headlines at 11 00 the duke and duchess of sussex say theyre to step back from their role as senior royals, saying theyll work to become financially independent. It follows weeks of speculation about the couples future after they took a break from royal duties. Iran fires more than 20 missiles at us air bases in iraq in retaliaiton for the assassination of their military commander there were no casualties says President Trump. Iran appears to be standing down, which is a good thing for all
parties concerned and a very good thing for the world. Mystery after a ukrainian plane crashes shortly after take off in iran killing 176 people other airlines are now avoiding iranian airspace. And breaking cover in beirut the fugitive former nissan boss carlos goshn on why but not how he skipped bail injapan and at 11 30, well be taking a second look at the papers with our reviewers lord jones and henry bonsu. Do stay with us for that. The duke and duchess of sussex have issued a personal statement saying they will step back as senior royals and work to become financially independent. They made the announcement without consulting any members of the royal family a decision which is said to have left the family feeling hurt. Prince harry and meghan say they will continue to fully support the queen but now plan to split their time between the uk and north america. This report from our royal correspondent Nicholas Witchell contains flash photography. Canada house in london yesterday. Harry and meghan had just returned from their extended break in canada. Laughing. Its now clear that although they had been discussing a new role for themselves with other members of the royal family, they did not tell senior members of the family or their officials that they were about to issue a personal statement setting out their intentions. The bbc understands Buckingham Palace is
disappointed thats unusual. In their statements, the sussexes said, after many months of reflection and internal discussions, we have chosen to make a transition this year in starting to carve out a progressive new role quite what a progressive new role means is unclear, though the statement says they plan to balance their time between the United Kingdom and north america. The signs that the couple were unhappy with their royal life have been apparent for some months, notably during and since their tour of southern africa, when both of them gave interviews. Harry conceded that he and his brother, william, were not as close as before. Inevitably, you know, stuff happens, but were brothers, well always be brothers, and were certainly on different paths at the moment,
but i will always be there for him, as i know he will always be there for me. Underpinning so much of it is what the couple see as the unfair treatment of them by the tabloid media. My british friend said to me, im sure hes great, but you shouldnt do it, because the british tabloids will destroy your life, and i very naively, im american, we dont have that there, what are you talking about . Just 20 months ago at their wedding in windsor, it had all seem to offer such promise. A young prince and his american bride, harry and megan were a couple who, it was said, and as they demonstrated, could bring something fresh to the British Royal family and reach sections of the population which were otherwise largely indifferent to the royals. But, now, some at least of those hopes have been dashed. I think this is the most extraordinary news, but its also very sad. I mean, harry and meghan are very much loved, and if we are not going to see so much of them, i think thats a real tragedy. So the sussexs have taken the initiative, without waiting for the approval of the queen or the prince of wales, they have made their own announcement about their new life. There isntjust disappointment at the palace, there is hurt at the most senior levels of the family. Nicholas witchell, bbc news. 0ur royal correspondent is Nicholas Witchell. He is Nicholas Witchell. Has been explaining the significance he has been explaining the significance of the decision. They have been disenchanted, hurry for some months. The clues have been there in the trajectory of their behaviour. The interviews in southern africa, harrys rant against the british media. Things have been getting on top of them, in particular. No sooner are they back from canada when they issue this personal statement without consulting any other family or officials. I have never known Buckingham Palace to allow it has been known there is disappointment and hurt among the royal family
about other members of the royal family stop a terse formal statement from the palace saying these are complicated issues that will take time to work through. Well, a progressive new path as they describe it. What does that actually mean . Earning their own living or financially independent. What does that mean . Has this been fully thought through . I think this remains to be seen. And well find out how this story and others are covered in tomorrows front pages at 11 30 this evening in the papers our guests joining me tonight are the former trade minister, lord jones and broadcaster, henry bonsu. President trump says iran appears to be standing down after it launched overnight more than 20 missiles at iraqi bases where us troops are stationed. Donald trump urged countries including the uk to send a clear and united message to iran that its campaign of terror will no longer be tolerated. The attack was ordered in response to the assassination of general Qassem Soleimani by the us. The Ballistic Missiles were launched from the western kermanshah province. Al asad airbase in iraqs Anbar Province was hit 17 times, including by two missiles that failed to detonate. According to the iraqi government, a further five missiles were targeted at a base in irbil. Both the uk and american governments have said none of their citizens were killed or injured. 0ur middle east editor, jeremy bowen, is in the iraqi capital, baghdad. There have been some explosions in baghdad in the last hours so not very farfrom here, baghdad in the last hours so not very far from here, some baghdad in the last hours so not very farfrom here, some rockets a p pa re ntly very farfrom here, some rockets apparently fired towards the american embassy. Fortresslike structure, no casualties there. Far away in washington, President Trump seems to believe he has the iranian
is in retreat. That could be wishful thinking. The first phase of their reaction to the association may well now be over but, you know, its not the end of the story and whats more, the fundamentals of the conflict remain very toxic, very dangerous. The iranians kept their promise and may have bought some time. Iran had to calibrate its missile launchers. Enough to satisfy angry iranians, not enough to provoke a much more destructive american response. They seem to have guessed right. Iraqi soldiers shouted warnings to each other. Shouting. They share the huge al assad base in western iraq with the americans. Afterwards for the leaders came a chance to save face, claim victory and step back for the moment. No americans were harmed in last nights attack by the Iranian Regime. We suffered no casualties. All of our soldiers are safe. Iran appears to be standing down, which is a good thing for all parties concerned and a very good thing for the world. It looks different in iran. A few in tehran even got up early to celebrate revenge. Here is a university student. I have a great feeling, she said. I hope revenge continues and i hope to see trump fail. And later, the regimes faithful chanted death to america as the supreme leader, ayatollah ali khamenei,
told them he hadnt finished yet. Translation the issue of revenge is something else. What happened last night was just a slap in the face. For him, the assassination promotes unity in a divided country, and now iran has more time for its speciality, Unconventional Warfare using proxies and allies. Here in baghdad, the morning had nothing for iraqis who want iranians and americans to leave them alone. The badr 0rganisation, a Political Party based on a pro iranian militia gathered to mourn the assassinations and condemn the us refusal to pull their troops out of iraq. They insist on their presence in iraq. That means they force everybody in iraq, everybody in iraq to go for military resistance against them. Do you think now that
the iranians have made this attack, it is the end of this chapter . They do more. They increase, i think. I think this is only a message, not more. A message to the americans, saying. . Saying, we are serious. This is a long term conflict. The biggest danger of the moment in the most unstable part of the world. Without a political dialogue and some kind of deal, the slide towards war will continue. Jeremy bowen, bbc news, baghdad. In his address this afternoon donald trump said the us would impose additional sanctions on iran. Mr trump has been a fierce critic of the 2015 deal aimed at limiting Irans Nuclear ambitions and hed pulled the us out of it. Today he urged europe and the other signatories to the deal to follow his lead. 0ur north amercia correspondent,
nick bryant, reports from washington. From the president of the United States, an almost celestial entrance. His military chief standing at his shoulder, a core belief of the trump doctrine on his teleprompter. As long as im president of the United States, iran will never be allowed to have a nuclear weapon. Good morning. Though flanked by his generals, hes decided not to respond militarily to irans attacks. Hes opted for more economic sanctions against tehran, a de escalation. And there was a call too for americas european allies, including britain, to finally abandon the Iranian Nuclear deal negotiated by the 0bama administration. They must now break away from the remnants of the iran deal, orjcpoa, and we must all Work Together toward making a deal with iran that makes the world a safer, and more peaceful place. Christmas, 2018. Cheering. A surprise visit from donald trump to the al assad one of the targets for last nights iranian attack. The pentagon received what one official called multiple hours warning from satellites and communication intercepts, plenty of time for troops to take shelter in bunkers. Theyre playing down reports of getting a tip off from the iraqi government, and that iran was deliberately trying to miss. In the oval office, 2a hours ago, the president was threatening strong us military retaliation for any iranian attack. If iran does anything that they shouldnt be doing, theyre going to be suffering the consequences and very strongly. But in the white house situation room last night, facing perhaps his biggest test as commander in chief, he opted for circumspection, amidst public indications from iranian officials they wanted to call it quits. For now, the Trump White House can present this
as a Foreign Policy victory. Dramatically weakening the Iranian Regime by assassinating its second most powerfulfigure, without embroiling us forces in another protracted middle east conflict. Nick bryant there. The Prime Minister spoke to President Trump about the iranian crisis this afternoon. Before that, borisjohnson addressed the crisis at Prime Ministers questions, warning iran not to repeat the reckless and dangerous missile attacks on the air bases. He also said general soleimani had the blood of british troops on his hands but called for urgent de escalation. This report from our Political EditorLaura Kuenssberg contains some flashing images. Reporter why have you not spoken about iran, Prime Minister . Not the first day back at work, but the first glimpse of the Prime Minister this year. The task, to try and cool tempers
between the middle east and the man in the white house thousands of miles away. The solemn situation a contrast with Boris Johnsons conquest of the commons. We of course condemn the attack on Iraqi Military bases hosting coalition forces. Iran should not repeat these reckless and dangerous attacks, but must instead pursue urgent de escalation. But the labour leader still at the dispatch box with a new one months away claims that americas original act, killing the iranian general, was against international law. What evidence has the Prime Minister got to suggest that this attack on him and his death was not an illegal act by the United States . The strict issue of legality is not for the uk to determine, since it was not our operation. But i think that most reasonable people would accept that the United States has a right to protect its bases and its personnel. The Prime Minister attacked
mr corbyn for not explicitly condemning Qasem Soleimani for his role in terror attacks. That man had the blood of british troops on his hands. Mr speaker, if we stand by international law, as im sure the government does, surely killing somebody in a foreign territory is an illegal act. Ministers wanted to avoid any further conflict, but also theres a sense the government wanted to avoid getting tangled in the politics of all of this with a deeply unpredictable friend in the white house and some uncertainty about how the Prime Minister wants to shape his relationships with the rest of the world. That depends in part on you guessed it brexit, and the kind of long term relationship the Prime Minister agrees for after we leave with his new visitor today, the eus top official. Borisjohnson must define the uks links with its neighbours, friends and hostile rivals abroad. Laura kuenssberg, bbc
news, westminster. The headlines on bbc news the duke and duchess of sussex say theyre to step back from their role as senior royals, saying theyll work to become financially independent. Iran fires more than 20 missiles at us air bases in iraq in retaliaiton for the assassination of their military commander there were no casualties says President Trump. Mystery after a ukrainian plane crashes shortly after take off in iran killing 176 people. Other airlines are now avoiding iranian airspace. A ukranian passenger plane, carrying 176 people, including 3 britons, crashed shortly after take off in iran this morning, just hours after the Iranian Missile attacks. There were no survivors. The majority of passengers on the boeing airliner
were from iran and canada. Several airlines have now said they will avoid iranian airspace. Heres our transport correspondent, tom burridge. Devastation, minutes after take off. Later, bodies of those on the Ukrainian Airlines flight were taken away. There were no survivors. Most of those killed were iranians or canadian. British nationals, sam zokaei and Mohammed Reza kadkhoda zadeh, were on board. So were Saeed Tahmasebi and his wife, niloofar, who recently got married in tehran. Tonight, one report quoted a canadian intelligence official saying initial evidence suggested the plane was not brought down by a missile and may have suffered a technical malfunction. Ukrainian airlines said the airliner was only three years old and was serviced two days ago. At an emotional press conference, the airlines technical director said the plane was one of their best. The plane left the iranian capital tehran early this morning. It was bound for the ukrainian capital kyiv. Data published online shows the plane crashed minutes after take off. The boeing 737 steadily climbed some 11,500 feet. Take off initially appeared normal. Then the plane suddenly disappears from radar. That suggests there was a type of catastrophic incident. There was an initial suggestion from a ukrainian official of an engine failure. But if an engine fails, a boeing 737 should be able to keep flying. Pilots train regularly for that scenario. Crucial to establishing the cause of the crash will be the aircrafts flight data and cockpit voice recorders. The iranians have them. Protocol dictates they will lead the investigation. Its claimed this video shows the plane. If genuine, it seems to be on fire. Theres a flash before the impact. If there had been an engine failure, one of the two engines on board the aeroplane, it would still be capable of climbing and therefore capable of returning to the airfield and if necessary abandoning the approach, climbing away again, coming around for a second approach. There should be no reason why the aeroplane fell out of the sky as it did. Airlines have re routed flights away from iranian and iraqi airspace, following irans missile strikes on us bases. Because the plane was made by boeing, the americans should have a role in the investigation. But the animosity between washington and tehran will make that hard. Tom burridge, bbc news. The fugitive businessman, carlos ghosn, who skipped bail and fled japan before his trial for financial misconduct, has spoken for the First Time Since his extraordinary journey to lebanon. The former boss of nissan said the decision to leave was
the most difficult of his life. Carlos ghosn was under house arrest in tokyo, when he escaped on 29th december. That afternoon, its thought he boarded a bullet train to osaka. From the airport in osaka he boarded a privatejet to istanbul. And from there he flew to beirut in lebanon. Our world editorjohn simpsons report contains flash photography. It was chaos. Everyone wanted a first glimpse of