of being a threat to democracy. donald trump hit back, criticising the president of fearmongering. reports of heavy shelling of palestinian settlements in parts of gaza overnight as the un reiterates its call for an immediate end to the war. police in london confirm they're investigating potential fraud offences in relation to the wrongful prosecution of hundreds of sub—post masters by the post office. # don't give up on us, baby. # tributes are paid to the singer and actor david soul, best known for his role in the tv series starsky & hutch, who has died at the age of 80.

hello and welcome. i'm lewis vaughan jones. let's begin in the us, where presidentjoe biden returns to the campaign trail, giving his first speech to kick off his re—election campaign. it was centred entirely around democracy, and the threat that he says former president donald trump poses to america's most sacred cause. speaking in pennsylvania, mr biden hammered mr trump repeatedly by name. he called mr trump's recent inflammatory language akin to that of nazi germany and said the former president's campaign was all about "revenge and retribution." with tomorrow marking three years since the the january 6th insurrection mr biden criticised mr trump's inaction that day where trump reportedly watched on television as his allies pleaded for him to do something, his supporters violently storming the us capitol with chants of hanging the former vice president and the speaker of the house.

biden said american democracy was pushed to the brink, and survived. he accused the former president of rewriting the history of something millions of people around the world saw with their own eyes. here's president biden speaking in the battleground state of pennsylvania on friday. trump's mob weren't a peaceful protest. it was a violent assault. they were insurrectionists, not patriots. they weren't there to protect the constitution, they were there to destroy the constitution. donald trump won't do what a us president needs to — he won't denounce political violence. as we begin the election year, we must be clear — democracy is on the ballot. your freedom is on the ballot. applause later on friday, former president trump held a rally in iowa, where he responded to president biden�*s warnings about democracy. he called the speech a "pathetic fearmongering

campaign event," and called president biden�*s record an "unbroken streak of weakness, incompetence, corruption and failure." trump also repeated false claims that the 2020 election was rigged and that the fbi was involved in the january 6 attack. members of far—right extremist groups, former police officers and even an olympic athlete were among the hundreds of people who have been convicted for their involvement in the capitol riot. in total more than 1,200 people have been charged with federal crimes. crimes range from misdemeanor offenses like trespassing to felonies like assaulting police officers and seditious conspiracy. the longest sentence was handed down to enrique tarrio, the former proud boys national chairman, who got 22 years in prison. and the hunt for suspects continues. meanwhile, the us supreme court has confirmed that it will decide

whether donald trump will be kept off the 2024 ballot in colorado and also other states. the colorado state supreme court removed trump from the primary ballot, citing the constitution's14th amendment to claim he should not be allowed to run because of his role in the january 6 insurrection. in the uk: the metropolitan police has confirmed it's investigating potential fraud offences in relation to the wrongful prosecution of hundreds of sub—postmasters by the post office. around 700 people were blamed for accounting mistakes caused by faulty it software, which made it look like money was missing. some were wrongfully imprisoned, in a scandal 0ur reporter, vincent mcaviney, has more details. mr bates versus the post office has brought to light a story for years those in power wouldn't believe. for the post

office branch managers across the country over two decades, it's been a nightmare they couldn't escape. i it's been a nightmare they couldn't escape.- it's been a nightmare they couldn't escape. i haven't got that money- _ couldn't escape. i haven't got that money. and _ couldn't escape. i haven't got that money. and couldn't escape. i haven't got that mone . and i couldn't escape. i haven't got that money. and couldn't escape. i haven't got that mone . and i don't couldn't escape. i haven't got that money. and couldn't escape. i haven't got that mone . and i don't know that money. and i don't know where it's gone.— that money. and i don't know where it's gone. noel, a former subpostmaster _ where it's gone. noel, a former subpostmaster in _ where it's gone. noel, a former subpostmaster in angle - where it's gone. noel, a former subpostmaster in angle sea - where it's gone. noel, a formeri subpostmaster in angle sea was one of those wrongly sent to prison. this week has offered some catharsis after years of torment. , ., torment. the rest of the country _ torment. the rest of the country knows _ torment. the rest of the country knows how- torment. the rest of the country knows how the l country knows how the government and the post office have dealt with us over the many, many years. it's been 18 years for me. and, you know, it's been hell for a lot of people. it's been hell for a lot of maple-— it's been hell for a lot of --eole. �* ., ., people. after a long battle, the court — people. after a long battle, the court of _ people. after a long battle, the court of appeal - people. after a long battle, | the court of appeal quashed noel and 38 others' convictions. but no—one responsible has been convicted for their role. now, the metropolitan police has confirmed it's investigating potential fraud offences arising out of the prosecutions, relating to

monies recovered from subpostmasters of prosecutions or civil actions. the force is already looking into potential offences of perjury and perverting the course of justice. two people have been interviewed already under caution. but no—one has yet been arrested. as a result of the 4—part itv drama, lawyers who act for claimants say that dozens more potential victims have come forward, finally ready to face their trauma. these people have been so heavily damaged psychologically by post office and their actions, they've been so fearful of coming forward and going through the process again. now, what the drama has done is brought awareness, huge widespread sympathy to these people. so alongside that, family encouragement, and speaking with other subpostmasters who have been on

this journey, subpostmasters who have been on thisjourney, they subpostmasters who have been on this journey, they have finally found the courage to come forward. ,.,, found the courage to come forward-— found the courage to come forward. ,.,, y . .,, forward. the post office has once again _ forward. the post office has once again apologised - forward. the post office has once again apologised for l forward. the post office has i once again apologised for the scandal this has caused. it has brought to attention the greatest miscarriage in justice in uk history. for hundreds of postmasters, there's hope justice may finally be delivered. reports say there's been heavy shelling of palestinian settlements in parts of gaza overnight. israeli warplanes have bombed positions in the central coastal strip, while tanks have shelled areas of khan younis. meanwhile, the united nations head of humanitarian affairs, martin griffiths, has again called for an immediate end to the war, saying the territory has become a place of death and despair. the us secretary of state antony blinken is in turkey at the start of another round of diplomacy. the state department says he will stress the need to increase humanitarian aid to civilians in gaza. with me is mohamed taha

from bbc arabic. so, lots on the agenda here. let's start with antony blinken in the region yet again. what will he be trying to achieve this time?— this time? the start of this tour in turkiye _ this time? the start of this tour in turkiye is _ this time? the start of this tour in turkiye is giving - this time? the start of this tour in turkiye is giving an| tour in turkiye is giving an indication that the key to this conflict might be not only between israel and the palestinians but in other regional — within other regional — within other regional partners as well like turkiye. so now the united states is very interested to ease down this conflict, not to make it spread more than what it is at the moment. there's five fronts at the moment of this conflict in gaza, west bank, south lebanon, inside iran and in the red sea. the united states is really interested to achieve something on this front. this is the

visit number five to antony blinken. he didn't manage to achieve a lot in the last four visits. he's keen this time to achieve something.— visits. he's keen this time to achieve something. and 'ust to be clear, we're �* achieve something. and 'ust to be clear, we're hearing _ achieve something. and just to be clear, we're hearing again i be clear, we're hearing again calls for an immediate ceasefire. that won't be on his agenda and priority list, will it? . ., , , , it? of course he is interested more in having _ it? of course he is interested more in having a _ it? of course he is interested more in having a pause - it? of course he is interested more in having a pause in - more in having a pause in fighting to allow humanitarian aid to enter gaza. the united states is not talking about ceasefire as this is not a priority of the israeli government at the moment. the israeli government want to achieve big victory on hamas. it didn't manage to do that yet. and the people who are paying the price are the civilians, there are 300 people died in the last 2a hours. and

the total deaths reach 2600 deaths. �* , ., ~ the total deaths reach 2600 deaths. �*, ., ~ ., , ., deaths. let's talk about israel then. deaths. let's talk about israel then- what — deaths. let's talk about israel then. what its _ deaths. let's talk about israel then. what its position - deaths. let's talk about israel then. what its position is. - deaths. let's talk about israel then. what its position is. we j then. what its position is. we heard last week some indications about effectively what the plans are for day one, it's called, after the war, and after the fighting has finished. but what do we know about the politics inside israel? , ., ., israel? of course there are now talks about _ israel? of course there are now talks about what _ israel? of course there are now talks about what is _ israel? of course there are now talks about what is after - israel? of course there are now talks about what is after the - talks about what is after the war. in gaza. and what is after the war in israel as well. so what is after the war in gaza, who is going to manage gaza? with the palestinian authority that's ruling the west bank, they will have an authority on gaza or not, will egypt play a role or not, will turkiye play a role or not, will qatar play a role or not, will qatar play a role or not? these are questions that need answers. but also what's happening inside israel is very important. because now after

the chief of staff formed a committee to investigate what happened on seven 0ctober committee to investigate what happened on seven october and who is responsible on that. there are indications that there is kind of conflict between the military wing and the political wing inside israel, who will pay the price, who will stay in power, and who will pay — be out of power. just bring us up—to—date with what's the latest on the ground in gaza right now. {iii what's the latest on the ground in gaza right now.— in gaza right now. of course there's fighting _ in gaza right now. of course there's fighting on - in gaza right now. of course there's fighting on three - in gaza right now. of course i there's fighting on three main parts of gaza, north, middle, and southern gaza, khan younis. 300 people died in the past 2a hours. the numbers of people killed reached 22,600 died. the number of people who are injured in this conflict

reached around 60,000 people injured. and as martin griffiths, the humanitarian chief in the united nations, is saying, the situation in gaza is full of despair, full of deaths, and there is no way out of this situation rather than having a ceasefire. find of this situation rather than having a ceasefire. and you mention — having a ceasefire. and you mention right _ having a ceasefire. and you mention right at _ having a ceasefire. and you mention right at the - having a ceasefire. and you i mention right at the beginning the different fronts of this conflict. where are we with the red sea? people have been of course aware what's happening there. what's the latest? this is really something _ there. what's the latest? ti 3 is really something causing a big anxiety and problems around the world because it is the main trade route through suez canal and the red sea. now the biggest shipping company, mersk, announced they will stop their ships passing the red sea

and they'll take the route around africa rather than this. this will increase the cost of these trips so much and the united states is keen to have an alliance to protect the red sea. the houthis replied and said any american alliance will not protect the ships that are going to israel.— not protect the ships that are going to israel. 0k. thank you very much _ going to israel. 0k. thank you very much for— going to israel. 0k. thank you very much for that. _ very much for that. thank you very much for coming. let's get some of the day's other news now. 0fficials injapan say the focus is turning to recovering the bodies of those killed in monday's earthquake, rather than finding survivors. at least 98 people are now known to have died, but more than 200 others are still missing. the work has been hampered by bad weather and damaged roads and other infrastructure. police in bangladesh have arrested three people in connection with a fire on a moving train. four people died in the blaze,

which flared up on the outskirts of the capital, dhaka. 0fficers said those detained had been found in possession of petrol bombs. two of the train's passengers are also being questioned a white former police officer in the us state of colorado, randy roedema, has been sentenced to 1a months injail in connection with the killing of a young black man in 2019. elijah mcclain was put in a choke hold and injected with a tranquilliser after an officer claimed he'd tried to grab a gun. bolivia says it's seized almost nine tonnes of cocaine concealed in a lorry near the city of 0ruro. officers have arrested four people including a colombian national described as a �*big fish'. 0fficers believe the haul was destined for europe, where it would have a street value of around half a billion dollars. a clean—up operation for communities across england is underway following days of heavy rainfall that led

to more than 1,000 homes and businesses being flooded. from the midlands to the cotswolds, people are rallying together to recover their belongings and livelihoods while questioning what more could have been done to prevent such destruction. meanwhile, more than 200 flood warnings remain in place. dan johnson reports. you might think these sign says it all but it does not capture the miserable reality of what flooding really does to people and their homes. longford has been turned into well a very long forward. the river seven crept over these fields submerging the village. pumping is the new year of session trying to keep homes above water. for many it's too late. some people have left stop but not rodney. what's it like? wet. my gosh. you are paddling

in it. 81 lived here 47 years flooded for a fourth time and without heat. will you stay tonight? without heat. will you stay toniaht? , , tonight? probably i will, yes. you can't _ tonight? probably i will, yes. you can't keep _ tonight? probably i will, yes. you can't keep wading - tonight? probably i will, yes. you can't keep wading about| tonight? probably i will, yes. i you can't keep wading about in this. ~ ~ ., �* , this. with wellington 's, i don't mind. _ this. with wellington 's, i don't mind. people - this. with wellington 's, i don't mind. people are i don't mind. people are struggling _ don't mind. people are struggling to _ don't mind. people are struggling to get - don't mind. people are l struggling to get through however they try. this wasn't the most effective. people are looking out for each other. and local officials are checking on residents. local officials are checking on residents-_ residents. it's 'ust getting sandbags_ residents. it's 'ust getting sandbags to _ residents. it'sjust getting sandbags to them, - residents. it'sjust getting sandbags to them, food i residents. it'sjust getting l sandbags to them, food and medical help. in nottinghamshire a major incident but little sign of help, so simon is one of those delivering people and supplies. you can't stand by and let people struggle in miss doctor's appointments, a lot of elderly and vulnerable people around here you have to do your bit. .. bit. the river trent reached its highest _ bit. the river trent reached its highest levels _ bit. the river trent reached its highest levels for - bit. the river trent reached i its highest levels for decades. we go into the house, and

farmed in the newjulian day have not seen this bad in the 25 years they have lived here. as soon as it starts to receive we can work out what they will do with everything, until that point, we are underwater! and point, we are underwater! and we'll chat _ point, we are underwater! and we'll chat this _ point, we are underwater! and we'll chat this was _ point, we are underwater! and we'll chat this was bradford on almost under the avon. the school bus had to be rescued from flooded roads in essex. and look how much of the lincolnshire countryside is now under way. lincolnshire countryside is now underway. it lincolnshire countryside is now under way. it was a difficult drive home for oxford and rail journeys have been disrupted. further down the seven water levels were still rising.- levels were still rising. they no levels were still rising. they to fast. levels were still rising. they go fast- and _ levels were still rising. they go fast. and look. _ levels were still rising. they go fast. and look. those - levels were still rising. they l go fast. and look. those who have lost _ go fast. and look. those who have lost the _ go fast. and look. those who have lost the battle - go fast. and look. those who have lost the battle are - have lost the battle are getting angry. about the damage and the necessary repairs. that makes a way that causes more water into the house. see makes a way that causes more water into the house.- water into the house. see how much it splashes _ water into the house. see how

much it splashes up. - water into the house. see how much it splashes up. in - much it splashes up. in longford a special delivery for rodney. the longest river, crosses county and far beyond, people are still struggling in wild west may be over, the cleanup hasn't even really begun the. dan johnson, bbc news. let's return to our main story: president biden has denounced donald trump as a threat to democracy, as the two men hit the campaign trail at the start of an election year. live now to larry gerston, who is a professor of political science at sanjose state university — he's also the author of trumpism, bigotry, and the threat to american democracy. thank you for coming on the programme. we heard president biden being pretty critical putting this issue of democracy at the heart of his speech, why do you think he is using that line? �* .., , do you think he is using that line? �* .. , , , do you think he is using that line? �* , , , ., line? because he believes as do some americans _ line? because he believes as do some americans that _ line? because he believes as do some americans that the - line? because he believes as do| some americans that the former president trump was

extraordinarily how can i put this — irresponsible at the minimum and probably acting illegally when he tried to prevent the turnover of the election to president biden. and that goes all the we —— way back to the events to during and after the fab —— famous january six insurrection. in terms of an election issue, a campaign issue there must be research that this is going to get people out and get them voting? get people out and get them votin: ? get people out and get them votina? , ., , , voting? the democrats believe that talking — voting? the democrats believe that talking about _ voting? the democrats believe that talking about preserving i that talking about preserving democracy is probably more important than any other issue, the economy, the abortion issue, immigration, you name it, they have said and some data supports them, that trying to upset any election, the way the former president did, is virtually treasonous. it is the kind of thing that has never been done in this country

before. the problem is that while democrats believe this, it is amazing that the large number of republicans who do not, in fact two—thirds of republicans to this day believe that president trump won the election. former president trump won that, two—thirds of republicans to this day, after all of the data, after all of the images we saw, the court hearings, the sentences of nearly 1000 people, for the involvement in the insurrection, they still believe that the election was the as to when and they are furious that for my president trump has been out of office. it is quite the difference between them and the democrats and to a great degree the independence. 50 and to a great degree the independence.— independence. so is the strategy _ independence. so is the strategy from _ independence. so is the strategy from president | independence. so is the - strategy from president biden that those voters those potential voters will effectively back donald trump will not back anyway those

people you just mentioned. so therefore this is an appeal to independence, undecided, who? he is appealing festival for the democrats to close ranks and go the independence. joe biden has his issues, the age question has wanted him there is not much to do about that, but is only three years older than former president trump, but biden has a different appearance from former president trump, former president trump, former president trump, former president trump is out there, screaming to the higher rooms about biden taking the election away from him. he says this again and again to crowds, and president biden has been doing things that presidents do, only today did we see for the first time president biden come out and start campaigning. the democrats camper —— believe that they had done this earlier it would have fallen on deaf ears after a while. it certainly has not for former

president trump and the republicans but nonetheless president biden is running now and he has got a lot of work to do because all the polls show, despite everything, the polls show former president trump leading him slightly in some cases and even in others, not a good place for an incumbent to begin. good place for an incumbent to beuin. ., ~' ,, good place for an incumbent to beuin. ., ~' , good place for an incumbent to beuin. ., , . ., begin. thank you very much for cominu begin. thank you very much for coming on _ begin. thank you very much for coming on the _ begin. thank you very much for coming on the programme. - begin. thank you very much for i coming on the programme. thank ou. tributes have been paid to the actor and singer, david soul, who's died aged 80. he rose to fame in the american police drama starsky and hutch, and appeared in tv shows on both sides of the atlantic. the hollywood star, ben stiller, described david soul as "defining "70's cool". david sillito looks back at his life. # don't give up on us, baby# # we're still worth one more try...# david soul, and don't give up on us, baby. 1977 was the year for david solberg, the blonde, blue—eyed son of a lutheran pastor

from south dakota. two number ones, the star of one of the biggest shows on tv, and his uk tour was pandemonium. my abiding memories of my first trip to the uk with this record was terror. i'm talking about, "whoa!" the reaction was just extraordinary. he'd made his name as hutch in starsky and hutch — cops who relied on frequent car chases and the all—knowing huggy bear to fight crime. and every now and again, he'd find a reason to sing. david soul had long wanted to be known for his voice more than his looks. # i'm at peace with myself # i'm at peace with my soul...# which is why his music career began with this... # i can reach any goal...# ..as a masked singer. but he had more success acting,

appearing here as a malevolent policeman with clint eastwood in magnum force. you heroes have killed a dozen people this week. what are you going to do next week? kill a dozen more. however, by the end of the '70s, he was keen to escape from hutch and the attendant fame. he ended up moving to the uk, appearing in holby city... i took this on because i had to know whether i could still do what i used to do. ..jerry springer: the opera... thank you and welcome to the show. ..and little britain. along the way there was a drink problem and he was arrested after hitting the third of his five wives. but for a certain generation, david soul would always be the blond singing superstar of his '70s heyday.

# here i am, a million miles from home...# david soul, who's died at the age of 80. one of the all—time greats of brazilian footballer, mario zagallo, has died at the age of 92. he won two world cups as a player, but is best loved in his homeland for his coaching of the great national team that won the cup in 1970. zagallo played alongside the greats such as pele and garrincha stay with us here on bbc news. i will be back in a couple of minutes with the headlines. plenty more online and do download the bbc news at as well. i'm lewis vaughan jones. bye bye.

hello. after such a wet week, i can bring you some better news in the weekend weather forecast because although it will be colder, it is also going to be drier. now, not completely dry — still a few showers around, a few bits and pieces of rain, particularly as we start saturday across northern and eastern areas, where we have had a fair amount of cloud. but this slice of clear sky spilling in from the west, that's been allowing temperatures to drop with some frost and fog and ice to start saturday morning. with so much water around, where temperatures have dropped to freezing or below, we are likely to see some ice. some of the fog could be slow to clear across parts of north west england and south west scotland. some rain persisting across the northern isles into the afternoon, this band of cloud quite persistent as well across eastern counties of england with a few bits and pieces of showery rain. the odd shower out west, but some sunshine to you — highs of 5—9 degrees. during saturday night, this band of cloud in eastern england will roll, i think, a little bit further westwards back into the midlands. again, could bring the odd shower. but where we keep clear, starry skies overhead,

it will get cold. a widely cold night — temperatures around or below freezing, maybe down to minus 4 or minus 5 or perhaps even lower than that in some parts of scotland. and then, we head into sunday with a bit of cloud and quite a brisk wind in the southeast corner — that will provide the odd shower. but elsewhere, mainly fine conditions, some spells of sunshine but it will feel cold — 2—6 degrees. particularly cold, actually, if any morning fog lingers for any length of time. now, as we head into monday, this area of high pressure, if anything, will be strengthening, centred across the north of the uk. quite a few isobars down to the south, though — that means some quite strong winds. and those easterly winds combined with some quite cold airwill make fora decidedly chilly feel. so, there's brisk winds down towards the south. further north, not as windy but we could have some persistent fog. certainly, some misty, murky conditions, some sunny spells as well. but top temperatures maybe just 2 or 3 degrees in parts of scotland. northern ireland, england and wales, 3—6 degrees celsius. but when we factor in

the strength of the wind, look at these feels—like temperatures — this includes the wind chill. in some places, it will feel subzero. so, very chilly on monday. perhaps turning a little bit less cold as the week wears on but staying mostly dry.

this is bbc news, the headlines: president biden has kicked off his election campaign by accusing his predecessor of being a threat to democracy for his role in the attack on the us capitol building exactly three years ago. donald trump has hit back, dismissing the president's comments as "pathetic fearmongering". there have been reports of heavy shelling of palestinian settlements in parts of gaza overnight. it comes as the un reiterates its call for an immediate end to the war saying the territory has become a place of death and despair. meanwhile, top western diplomats are in the region for a fresh push to calm tensions. and police in london confirm they're investigating potential fraud offences in relation to the wrongful prosecution of hundreds of sub—postmasters by the post office. more than 700 branch managers were accused of wrongdoing now on bbc news —

the arts interviews: sir anthony hopkins.