in the dutch election. the uk's chancellor sets out the government's spending plans — saying tax cuts will boost growth but official forecasts paint a gloomy picture. and a surprise return. sam altman is back as the head of openai — five days after he was fired by the board. you're with bbc news. israel had been gearing up for the release of the first group of hostages held by hamas as early as thursday morning. but at the 11th hour, its national security adviser dashed those hopes, saying the release of 50

hostages under a temporary truce agreement with hamas will not happen before friday. the deal was agreed last night by israel and hamas — which is designated a terrorist organisation by some western governments. it could also mean a delay to a four—day temporary ceasefire and the release of 150 palestinian women and teenagers from israeli prisons. our senior international correspondent orla guerin reports — and there are distressing images from the start. a reminder of how all this began on october 7th, hamas gunmen storming across the borderfrom gaza, hunting israelis to kill or capture. around 240 were taken hostage. among them, shiri bibas, trying to shield her two little boys from the horror all around them.

ten month old kfir had just started crawling. ariel, who's four, loves climbing and batman. now they and their mother are expected home in the coming days, along with dozens of other women and children. they don't know yet that hamas killed their grandparents. shiri's cousin, yifat, is caught between hope and torment. i don't know what kind of children will come back to us. the trauma, what they saw. and until i see them in my own eyes, i don't believe any lists of names and i don't believe any news coming today from. . .anywhere. i need to see them in my own eyes. i need to hold my cousin in my arms. sobbing.

but for many in gaza, just the anguish of goodbye. hassan lost his niece, three brothers and his grandmother. relatives say they were killed by an israeli air strike on a residential building. gaza is teeming with grief and desperation. this was the struggle for a few bottles of water. the truce will clear a path for hundreds of trucks carrying food, fuel and medical supplies. for now, gaza keeps burying its dead with more than 100 bodies in this mass grave. the next few days may bring quiet, but israel and hamas have said that after the truce the war will resume.

0rla guerin, bbc news, tel aviv. 0ur correspondent injerusalem, tom bateman, has more on the delay in the release of the hostages. well, the sense we had all day was that according to the agreement, the ceasefire would start around 10:00 local time on thursday morning, and then by noon you would start to see the release of the first batches of hostages held by hamas. and following that, a release of prisoners held in israeli custody. now, it was, i think, by the evening, wednesday night, that we started to see that perhaps things weren't quite as they seemed, because daniel hajari, the chief spokesman for the israeli military, was by now saying there wasn't

a clear time for a ceasefire. they didn't know what time a ceasefire might begin. so the first seeds of doubt there, i think, and what we've had now is tzachi hanegbi, the national security adviser in israel, saying that there will be no release of hostages before friday. so it seems like a significant delay now, despite the fact that we had the israeli government having signed off on all this on tuesday night and all the expectations were that the package would start to be implemented on thursday. now, he also said the entire deal is progressing, that they still expected to take place effectively. but we do have this very significant delay. and i think what this goes to show and to underline is just how fraught with risk, the risk of failure that all of this is, because it's so unprecedented, the numbers involved and in particular, and now one of the relatives of a hostage was saying earlier that they wouldn't believe that any of the releases were taking place until they saw their loved one in person. and so it continues to underline how the people

were feeling this most amid all the reporting and speculation that it might take place. the toughest, of course, is for the families of those waiting for their loved ones to come home. exit polls in the netherlands suggest the anti—islam, anti—immigrant freedom party led by gheer wilders led by gheert wilders is heading for a dramatic victory, which could shake up dutch politics. it's expected to secure a comfortable lead with 35 seats in parliament — giving mr wilders the first chance at forming a coalition. he immediately vowed to "return the country to the dutch", saying his party can't be ignored. but finding other parties willing tojoin him in government could be a challenge. anna holligan has more from the hague. if these indications are confirmed, it means that

the early results are sending a shock wave through dutch society who had predicted that this woman who would become victorious in the first several female prime minister of the netherlands. she has taken a hard line on immigration and she came to the netherlands as a child refugee and now she is being accused by her opponents of opening the door to make way for wilders saying she was prepared to work with him in a coalition government something her predecessor, the longest serving prime minister of the netherlands had ruled out. wilders now that the results are confirmed to have the opportunity to try inform a governing coalition. that is no easy task because so many parties have previously ruled out working with him although now some are saying they will have to step over their shadows and make concessions in order to represent the people. so many of whom who had voted for

wilders. populist, anti—immigration, anti—islam party. the final results are expected on thursday. from that moment on, the process of forming a coalition will begin and if wilders does not manage to do it it will fall to the next biggest party which is looking like the green left labour alliance which just reflects the fact that the dutch society is so polarised at the moment and one of the main challenges for the future coalition will be to try to bring people back together and restore faith in politics. in the uk — the chancellor jeremy hunt has unveiled his tax and spending plans for the year ahead. it includes a tax cut in national insurance payments for millions of workers and a rise in state pension and some benefits. the uk is predicted to narrowly avoid recession this year but the overall picture is gloomy — with growth forecasts sharply downgraded. 0ur political editor chris mason has the details.

one minute! days like today here come with a certain anticipation. smile on his face, the autumn statement under his arm... is now the right time - for tax cuts, chancellor? and the questions beginning forjeremy hunt. i now call the chancellor to make the autumn statement. jeremy hunt. the big thing talked up in advance of today was tax cuts, and here was the main one for many workers. today, mr speaker, iam going to cut the main 12% rate of employee national insurance by two percentage points, from 12% to 10%. that change will help 27 million people. it means someone on the average salary of £35,000 will save over £450. and mr hunt said this cut would happen in earlyjanuary. but the overall tax burden is still rising, albeit a little less than it

would otherwise have done. for the self—employed, there is a tax cut, too. the abolition of what is known as class 2 national insurance, and a cut in class 4 national insurance. taken together with the abolition of the compulsory class 2 charge, these reforms will save around 2 million self—employed people an average of £350 per year from april. as ministers try to kick—start a sluggish economy, companies will be able to deduct their spending on new equipment and machinery from their profits, and so pay less tax. i will today make full expensing permanent. that is the largest tax cut in modern british history. other things announced today — from april, benefits will go up by 6.7%, the state pension by 8.5%, and the minimum wage for those aged 21 and older will be £11.44 per hour. jeremy hunt also said he was determined to help

people who are out of work to find work. and... if after 18 months of intensive support, job—seekers have not found a job, we will roll out a programme requiring them to take part in mandatory work placements. and if they choose not to engage with the work search process for six months, we will close their case and stop their benefits. the chancellor summarised his plan like this. the biggest package of tax cuts to be implemented since the 1980s. an autumn statement for a country that has turned a corner. an autumn statement for growth, which i commend to the house. incoming next, the reaction, firstly from the woman who wants the chancellor's job. as the sun begins to set on this divided, out of touch, weak government, the only conclusion that the british people will reach if this —

after 13 years of conservatives, the economy is simply not working, and despite all the promises today, working people are still worse off. and the wider debate is now getting under way. things are still getting worse for people. inflation is still more than double the target that it should be. and that means prices and costs for people in their homes are still going up, day by day. this statement is a deception from the chancellor after years of unfair tax hikes. under this conservative government, economic growth is flatlining and public services are on their knees. inflation is still more than double the target that it should be. and that means prices and costs for people in their homes are still going up, day by day. this statement is a deception from the chancellor after years of unfair tax hikes. under this conservative government, economic growth is flatlining and public services are on their knees. chancellor, thank you for having us in the treasury. for all the talk today of tax cuts, living standards have fallen by more than at any point since records began, and the tax burden is still going up every year. that is the blunt truth, isn't it?

well, we did have to put up taxes. i have never shied away from saying that. but i think it was right to support families who were suffering because of the energy crisis and to support businesses through the pandemic. you say that the country has turned a corner, that the economy is turning a corner but is that how people feel? well, i think people are feeling bruised. we had a once in a century pandemic. we had a 1970s style oil shock. what we have tried to do is to support families. for the chancellor and the prime minister, against a tricky economic and political backdrop — the task now, selling their plan. two people have died after a car exploded on the rainbow bridge, linking canada with the united states. an eyewitness said the car accelerated at high speed, swerving past another vehicle. it then hit a fence, flew into the air and burst into a ball of fire. the incident led to the closure of four border crossings between new york state and canada in both directions. new york governor kathy hokul says the preliminary investigation has found no

indication of a terror attack. local law enforcement officials gave an update to media a short time ago. we have a subject in mind, we're fully running him down to find out who he is. as the us attorney said, right now, we have no indications of a threat of terrorism from it. the investigation continues. we're still doing notifications for family members, but we do have someone in mind for it. and we're working through it through the jttf. 0ur correspondent in washington, gary 0'donoghue has the latest. the car seemed to come from the us side, hit a customs post on the border and kind of leap into the air and burst into flames. the two people inside, as we now know, were killed and one customs officer on the ground was injured and taken to hospital. at first there was a great deal of

concern that this may have been some kind of attack simply because of the nature of the explosion. we then started to hear that there were perhaps no explosives found inside the car. we finally got confirmation from kathy hochul, as you heard there, that there is no indications of a terror attack. now, that bridge itself remains closed, but the other ones in the area that were closed have reopened. and, of course, that's crucial because of the thanksgiving holiday, which starts in earnest tonight and goes through tomorrow. big moment of travel in the united states and between canada and the united states. and one of those moments where security is a big concern for people as millions move around the country. around the world and across the uk. this is bbc news. let's look at some other stories making news. four men have been sentenced to life in prison for the murder of 28—year—old ashley dale, who was shot dead

inside her home in liverpool, in august last year. the trial heard that ashley dale's boyfriend was the intended target of the attack. the public inquiry into the crimes of serial killer, lucy letby, has formally begun — although hearings may not begin until next autumn. the inquiry will examine how the nurse was able to murder seven babies and try to kill six others. it will also look at how the nhs handled the case and its response to doctors who raised concerns. hundreds ofjobs are at risk after the owner of scotland s only oil refinery, at grangemouth, announced that it could close in 18 months time. its owner petroineos said it plans to turn grangemouth into a terminal for importing fuel. the bbc has been told that, if confirmed, the move would result in at least 400 job losses. you're live with bbc news.

it's been 40 days since new zealand's election — and the country's centre—right parties have yet to form a coalition government, despite intense negotiations. the leaders of the national, act and new zealand first parties have been holed up in hotel meeting rooms ironing out sticking points which include who will be the country's deputy prime minister. a recent poll found 66% of respondents think the negotiations are taking too long. but while the country remains somewhat rudderless, 40 days falls well short of the record held for longest time a country has spent without a formal government. that would be belgium, which spent 592 days without an elected government from the end of 2018 to 2020. the country beat its own record of 541 days. but back to new zealand — while party leaders have been in negotiations,

the country's political journalists have been staking out their meeting haunts trying to decipher cryptic post—negotiation gifts and interviews. among them is political editor at newshub, jenna lynch who is outside parliament in wellington. great to talk to you. tell me what is the absolute latest in this drama? fist what is the absolute latest in this drama?— this drama? at this stage we still don't — this drama? at this stage we still don't have _ this drama? at this stage we still don't have a _ this drama? at this stage we still don't have a deal, - this drama? at this stage we still don't have a deal, we i still don't have a deal, we still don't have a deal, we still don't have an incoming government. the still have not been able to form a coalition. as he mentioned there has been 14 days since new zealand people went to polls and a plurality with the national party, the centre—right party and also they need, the new zealand first party, the populist party here and to the libertarian party to form a government of act. of those leaders have behind closed

doors for 40 days now trying to flush out the details of a deal. 0ne flush out the details of a deal. one of the large sticking points is the deputy prime minister. they have sorted out policy and the fact that they are going to get into a three—way coalition which new zealand has never seen before in our system.— zealand has never seen before in our system. sorry to “ump in but what exactly h in our system. sorry to “ump in but what exactly is _ in our system. sorry to “ump in but what exactly is the h in our system. sorry to jump in but what exactly is the hold - in our system. sorry to jump in but what exactly is the hold up| but what exactly is the hold up and why are those issues so contentious?— and why are those issues so contentious? ., ., ., , contentious? part of the holdup is a coume _ contentious? part of the holdup is a coursle of — contentious? part of the holdup is a couple of these _ contentious? part of the holdup is a couple of these parties - is a couple of these parties new zealand first and act have been at each other since time in memoriam over the last few years. the leaders of both parties pursued public bars constantly. part of the reason is also because we have official votes in new zealand and three weeks to officially count and another three to

approve the final election results in the proper negotiations started happening after that. , ., , , after that. presumably, while this is going _ after that. presumably, while this is going on _ after that. presumably, while this is going on for _ after that. presumably, while this is going on for the - after that. presumably, while this is going on for the work i this is going on for the work of government is stalled. fix, of government is stalled. little bit. tonight we had a caretaking convention in new zealand so the outgoing labour party government has continued to hold the reins, the party was elected with jacinda ardern who resigned earlier this year, i've lost track of time in this negotiation. , earlierthis year and has not been taken over by chris hipkins and sworn in as the prime minister of new zealand and told coalition government is enacted. in must've an atmosphere there for must�*ve an atmosphere there for a politicaljournalist a political journalist gathered. i a politicaljournalist gathered. i heard you have received the odd gift. tell us more. ,, ., , ., more. shane jones who is a new zealand first _ more. shane jones who is a new zealand first mp, _ more. shane jones who is a new zealand first mp, basically - zealand first mp, basically sprinkles infidels all of the

time came down this morning with a couple of chocolate bars forjournalists. we don't know if there's any hidden meaning behind it, sometimes it is sometimes there is not but this is what we are basically reading into at this point. we have been staking out every entrance of the parliament buildings, our building source split and there are a myriad of entrances of all over the city and some of the talks have been happening away from the major city so flying all over the country trying to get to the bottom of what these leaders are discussing. they're a couple of contentious issues here as well and some stuff around our constitutional arrangements and some big debate of around foreign home—buyers to be let in the new zealand home—buying market. so we wait to see what is made of the politicians negotiations. i of the politicians negotiations. of the politicians neuotiations. ., �* , negotiations. i don't envy you havin: negotiations. i don't envy you having to _ negotiations. i don't envy you having to decipher _ negotiations. i don't envy you having to decipher those - negotiations. i don't envy you | having to decipher those kinds of messages. political editor

from news hub and new zealand. many thanks. the artificial intelligence firm 0penai says its co—founder sam altman is back as ceo — just five days after he was sacked. he was reinstated after nearly all of the company's more than 700 staff signed a letter demanding his return. here's our technology editor zoe kleinman. it's been a popcorn—grabbing boardroom drama. even chatgpt failed to predict this. ask the bot what would happen if sam altman was fired and it says there would likely have been contingency plans. in reality, 0penai's plan, if there was one, has been in freefall for the last five days. on friday, he was fired as ceo. we still don't know why. over the weekend, staff said they wanted the boss back. by monday, 0penai investor microsoft had offered sam altman a newjob, but the majority of 0penaistaff signed a letter threatening to quit if he wasn't reinstated. microsoft told those staff

they could also jump ship. today, sam alman is back where he started — 0penai ceo. i do think that's the bit that was the most extraordinary, is just how dramatic it seemed, how reactionary everything seemed to be playing out, how much this came down to personalities as well. and that's the part that is probably disheartening, because silicon valley probably gets a bad rap for that as it is. this won't help erase that at all. there are two reasons why this tech drama is so important — money and power. ai potentially promises a great future if things go well, and destruction if they do not. investment money is pouring in, but you also need expertise to develop these tools and keep them safe. this latest merry—go—round has distracted from 0penai's fundamental ambition — trying to create technology which can benefit the whole of humanity. zoe kleinman, bbc news. 0ur south asia correspondent samira hussain is at the scene

in india, rescuers have now drilled three—quarters of the way through the debris of a collapsed road tunnel in uttarakhand state. 41 workers have been trapped there for 10 days. 0ur south asia correspondent samira hussain is at the scene and gave us this update. rescue workers say that they are making really good progress, that this new machine that they have brought up to start that drilling has been really fast. now, let me just try to explain what we're talking about here. just behind me, that is the mouth of the tunnel. and if you go inside, that's where the construction workers were working and that's where the landslide happened and part of the tunnel collapsed. so what they're doing now is that they're drilling through the debris to try and reach the workers. now, at the last update, and that was several hours ago, they said they got through 45 metres and that in total, they're estimating that they have to get through 57 metres in order to reach the workers. people here are seemingly confident that they're going to get out within

the next few hours. already there are some ambulances that are inside the mouth of the tunnel. there are several more just neighbouring around here in case anyone needs it. it's really been a rescue operation that's been going on now for 11 days. and if they do get out now, it will come to a great relief to the family and friends that have gathered here. that's all for now — stay with bbc news. hello. we're all under the influence of mild atlantic air at the moment. so temperatures were higher on wednesday than they were tuesday. around the moray firth, actually, we had 15 degrees celsius, well above average. but it's all about to change. by the end of the day ahead, the cold air�*s established across northern scotland, and across all parts, that arctic air is with us for the start of friday. in fact, it's sitting behind this weather front here. so some wetter weather rolling south across scotland through the remainder of the night towards the central belt.

really mild and murky to the south of that, some drizzle around the coasts and hills in the west, some hill fog as well. so a fairly unpleasant rush hour for central parts of scotland, southern scotland. that rain pushes its way southwards through the day. further south, though, after a little bit of a grey and murky start, some dampness around, perhaps a little bit more optimistic of getting some sunshine through those clouds during the course of the afternoon because it gets windier. the wind helps to break up the cloud. it's mild, though. wetter for the afternoon across parts of northern ireland and northern england. windier as well here — gusts of about 50 miles an hour — but gusts of perhaps 60, 65 miles an hour picking up across scotland, pushing those heavy frequent showers and turning to snow by the end of the day across the northern isles and continuing to blow southwards through the night, blowing that rain out of the way. not much rain left on that weather front by the time it gets to the south and temperatures should still hold up, but it will be far colder further north to start friday morning. and those snow showers initially at lower levels, probably lifting onto the hills through the day, but it will feel a lot colder.

we'll really notice that, even where we keep some cloud around, i think, but particularly for scotland and for eastern parts of england, these are maximums. but i think add on the effect of that wind still blowing a gale across northern and eastern areas, potentially it will feel much, much colder than we've become used to. and, actually, by saturday morning, a widespread frost to greet us, but that means plenty of sunshine. and just a few showers still, as we see on friday, pestering eastern coastal counties. still that keen breeze here and a wind chill, but i think the winds easing elsewhere. fewer showers around and we should see not as high temperatures as friday, but actually without the wind, probably not feeling quite as bitter. still another cold start on sunday, but a question mark as to how quickly the rain comes in from the west. it does look as though we'll still see a good deal of dry, bright weather. the best of the sunshine in the morning.

fired on friday, re—hired on tuesday. sam altman has returned to 0penai's top job, but can things really stay the same at the tech pioneer? plus, we'll have the latest on the fight to make expensive cancer drugs affordable to the 1.4 million people seeking treatment in india.

hello and welcome to asia business report. i'm suranjana tewari. we begin with the latest twist in the drama that rocked silicon valley this week. confirmation came from 0penai itself, the artificial intelligence pioneer saying on x it had struck a deal for its co—founder sam altman to be reinstated as its chief executive. the news came just days after the shock announcement that he had been ousted by the firm's board. the debacle has shone a spotlight on some of the biggest players in al and raised more serious questions about how the companies that control the nascent technology are run. earlier i spoke to wei sun, an ai expert from counterpoint research, who told me how the ai community in china has reacted to the news. the whole ai community, at least in china, are sleepless

watching