Syria's president Bashar al Assad has promised to defeat those he described as terrorists and their backers, in his first public comments since a blistering rebel offensive began four days ago. Mr Assad said he would do so with help from his allies. The Jihadist-led forces have retaken swathes of land from his regime's troops, including much of Aleppo and are now reported to be approaching the city of Hama.

Also on the programme: we hear from Georgia's president Salome Zourabichvili amid the third night of anti-government protests; and will the buzz surrounding Gladiator II and Wicked help to turn around the film industry's fortunes?

(Picture: Syrian opposition fighters tear up a portrait of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in central Aleppo. Credit: Karam Al-Masri/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)