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tv   BBC News  BBC News  January 8, 2024 2:00am-2:31am GMT

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consecutive term in office after an election marred by widespread crackdowns. and, tonight marks hollywood's first big award show since twin strikes shut down tinseltown. we'll bring you the big winners from tonight's golden globes. hello, i'm carl nasman. eyewitness reports from gaza say many people have been killed in an israeli air strike on a building in the jabalia refugee camp, in the north. images from the scene show bodies of women and children in the rubble. there's been no comment from israel. meanwhile, israeli airstrikes hit khan younis early on sunday, killing and injuring dozens. the eldest son of al jazeera's gaza bureau chief was killed in that air strike in southern gaza. this is a picture of him with his son who's
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on the right. there's been violence in the west bank too — nine palestinians and two israelis were killed on sunday. the hamas—run health ministry says that almost 23,000 people have been killed since the war began. speaking from qatar, the us secretary of state, antony blinken, said palestinians must not be put under pressure to leave gaza and must be allowed to return to their homes once conditions allow. mr blinken is currently on a week—long diplomatic tour of the region to prevent the conflict from spreading. as the conflict from spreading. we have made clear fri one, as we have made clear from day one, it is imperative in dealing with this very difficult challenge, that it do so in a way that puts a premium on protecting civilians and making sure people get the assistance they need. the bbc�*s wyre davies has more from jerusalem. a warning — viewers
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may find some images in his report distressing. images coming from jabalia in northern gaza today are difficult to watch. reporters quickly on the scene described dozens of bodies lying in the rubble of a destroyed building, many of them women and children. unconfirmed reports say at least 70 people were killed here in what was reported to be an israeli air strike. the israeli military has not yet responded to a bbc request for more information. across gaza, say aid agencies, the civilian toll is unbearable. this, the aftermath of another attack in khan younis. health officials say that even medicalfacilities, including hospitals, are unsafe as israel's relentless campaign continues against hamas military targets. the staff inside of this hospital are heroes who are doing everything they can without sleep, without food, without knowing if their own families are safe, in order to save the lives
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of others. so this hospital and the staff in this hospital have to be protected. with an increasing sense of urgency, the american secretary of state is on a whistle—stop tour of middle eastern capitals. with real concern about the humanitarian situation and the possibility of a region—wide conflict, antony blinken is being urged to use america's influence over israel to demand an immediate ceasefire. but even if washington presses that point, israel's leader isn't yet listening. translation: we are not stopping until victory. - the war must not be stopped until we achieve all of its goals — the elimination of hamas, the return of all of our hostages, and ensuring that gaza no longer poses a threat to israel. i say this to both our enemies and ourfriends. wael al—dahdouh wishes the fighting would end. he's already lost family and several colleagues. today, the aljazeera
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correspondent buried his son, hamza, also a reporter killed in an airstrike. israel says they were targeting a suspect and were aware of others in his car. the latest of at least 75 local journalists who have been killed in gaza. paying the highest price to report this war to the world. wyre davies, bbc news, jerusalem. for more, i'm joined by former us ambassador to malta and middle east policy council president, gina abercrombie—winstanley. i want to start with comments by the us secretary of state antony blinken on sunday, saying "more needs to be done to prevent civilian casualties." how much influence does the us have right now to change the behaviour of either israel or hamas?. thank you. the influence is
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considerable. it is a matter of whether that influence that pressure, that leverage will be used. the statement from the secretary of state, the public one is one that has been repeated behind the scenes almost from day one. it is one that has been ratcheted up for the last over three months, and now it is clear to everyone, to the public that there is a stark disagreement about the prosecution of this war. there are domestic political constraints as to how much pressure the administration can put on the government of israel but the reality is there are growing questions among the american population about this prosecution. american population about this prosecution-— prosecution. this will be the first time — prosecution. this will be the first time the _ prosecution. this will be the first time the secretary - prosecution. this will be the first time the secretary of i first time the secretary of state has made a trip to israel since the over seven attacks, there has been mounting criticism on israel, you say the us has leverage, might they
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begin to change tactics potentially if there is that urgency, to reduce the number of civilian casualties question?— of civilian casualties cuestion? , , question? the possibility is certainly there, _ question? the possibility is certainly there, this - question? the possibility is certainly there, this will. certainly there, this will remind us all all of us who remember the term shuttle diplomacy, secretaries of state going to israel the middle east and partners, this is a primary example of that. there are number of pieces of leverage the administration has, there is the nuclear bomb of cutting off aid to israel or stopping to provide the diplomatic protection, especially in multilateral forum and the united nations, but there are many other things that can also happen. certainly, the government can make more clear in public statements that the support the way that the government is prosecuting the war has diminished. when you think about the first day when president biden flew out to
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israel and embraced the prime minister of israel there is a clear understanding now that the prosecution of this war may be helpful to the prime minister and may not be in the best interest of the people of israel as well as the people of the region. so more statements making that clear could go on, as the aid comes forward, it could be examined more carefully, conditions can be placed on it, you see questions coming from members of congress. i know there were senators out at how the humanitarian aid gets into the gaza strip, that is a primary concern from the government, whether it is the executive branch, the president or the legislative branch, so those challenges of getting aid into gaza, seeing there are decisions made that ends were previously blocked at the border and sent back that it is only 200 trucks getting in as opposed to the five to needed
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700 to get in, all of these things can put additional pressure. meanwhile, regional tensions are on the rise with hezbollah in lebanon and with the houthis in the red sea and new violence in the west bank. how concerning do you think that is for secretary blinken? he is making several visits to partners in the region in arab countries?— countries? this is of considerable - countries? this is of| considerable concern countries? this is of- considerable concern hence countries? this is of— considerable concern hence the strip. keeping in mind israel as our ally we want the best for israel, we want israel safe and secure but that requires safety and security for others in the region as well. so in addition to some very tough talk with the government of israel, we are indeed making the case to our partners and allies in the region that it be hoops all of us to do the best to keep this conflict confined as much as possible. i have
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said from the beginning that there are any number of ways it could expand unexpectedly and unplanned by mistakes happening, by missiles going in different directions than intended so the danger is extremely high. and we see that not only us but the countries, the egyptians, immoralities, all the people with whom the secretary is engaging, all are going to try their best to confine this conflict. gina winstanley _ confine this conflict. gina winstanley former - confine this conflict. gina winstanley former ambassador to the middle east thank you for your perspective. ukraine says russia launched 28 attack drones and three cruise missiles into its territory overnight, a continuation of russia's bombing campaign that escalated late last year. ukraine's air defenses shot down 21 of the drones. regional authorities in the central city of dnipro said 12 people were injured when drones struck residential buildings, including a school dormitory.
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video from sunday captured charred buildings and vehicles as distraught residents assessed the damage. 0ne described the moment a drone made a direct hit on her home. translation: we were at home when the air raid alert sounded. we were getting ready to go to the shelter because we equipped it with everything necessary last year when all of the started. then we heard a buzzing sound and an explosion. we started running very fast with blaster splinters all over the ground. initial results in bangladesh show the country's prime minister, sheikh hasina has secured another five years in office after a campaign marred by violence. bangladesh's chief election commissioner has told the bbc that the ruling awami league, ms hasina's party, has won more than half the seats in parliament. though official results haven't yet been declared, it will be ms hasina's fifth term. she's already the country's longest—serving prime minister. the electoral commission says
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the turnout was low, standing at about a0%. the country's main opposition party did not participate, accusing the government of being unable to hold free and fair elections. human rights groups have reported a severe crackdown democratic freedoms ahead of the election, with nearly 10,000 activists arrested. and at least 14 polling stations were set on fire and a commuter train was allegedly set alight — killing four passengers. 0ur south asia correspondent samira hussain has more. the result of these elections come as no real surprise, prime minister sheikh hasina was all but guaranteed a win. but now there are going to be questions about whether the results actually read back to the will of the people. the country's main opposition party will —— will boycott —— boycotting the election saying they could not believe the government could hold free and fair elections. they also encouraged supporters not to go out and vote. then
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there was a general sense of apathy amongst voters because the main opposition party was not on the ballot in terms of choices of who to vote for you could either vote for the ruling party or you could vote for an independent candidate most of whom are supportive of the ruling government. and then if you have to take into consideration the environment in which these elections were taking place. many human rights groups have been increasingly critical of bangladesh and its crackdown on democratic freedoms. nonetheless, these elections have taken place. and prime minister sheikh hasina looks to be able to form a government and another five years in office. but there are questions about whether or not the international community will see this as legitimate. it's not clear yet what
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the reaction will be from within bangladesh over the results. sadanand dhume, senior fellow, american enterprise institute tells us how things could play out. it could go on one of two directions you could see major protests in which case you would see instability, you would see instability, you would see instability, you would see the garment sector hit, you would see exports and so on that be very new —— bad news for bangladesh. we could see a tepid protest that peter out and bangladesh resume its path towards faster economic growth and so on. my own sense is that sheikh hasina is here to say in both the other countries in the region and the world will find some, will have to find some way to work with her and to make peace with bangladesh because the fact is thatis bangladesh because the fact is that is an important country, the eighth most populous country in the world �*s third most populous muslim nation, she is not going away the westerners how do we come to terms with her. the us aviation regulator has
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said 171 boeing 737 max nine planes will remain grounded until it is satisfied the planes are safe. the federal aviation administration has been inspecting the jets after part of an alaska airlines plane's fuselage fell off in mid—air on friday. the faa said its first priority was "keeping the flying public safe". the grounding of the jets has had an immediate impact on travellers. alaska airlines cancelled a further 170 flights on sunday, on top of the 160 flights it cancelled on saturday. the airline said approximately a8,000 passengers have been affected already. and united airlines says it cancelled 180 flights on sunday after already cancelling 90 on saturday. both airlines told passengers to expect more cancellations throughout the week. the us national transportation safety board said they're still searching for the plug door that blew out of the plane — and are asking the public for help. they believe the door fell to the ground in the western suburbs of portland, oregon about 6.5 minutes after the jet took off
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on its way to california. around the world and across the uk, this is bbc news. let's look at some other stories making news. measures are being considered by the government to clear the names of hundreds of sub—postmasters convicted in the post office horizon scandal. more than 700 branch managers were incorrectly convicted of false accounting, theft and fraud based on faulty software. fewer than 100 people have had their convictions quashed. the prime minister said the government was reviewing options. rishi sunak has said it was his job when he was chancellor to question the cost of the government's rwanda scheme but denies ever doubting it could work. papers seen by the bbc this week suggested that in 2022 mr sunak wanted to scale back plans to send asylum seekers to the african nation. the documents also indicated he was not sure the policy would be a deterrent. strikes on the london underground, which would have crippled services from this evening until friday,
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have been suspended. little or no service was expected across the capital's entire network from sunday evening to friday morning. the union said "positive discussions" meant further talks could take place. you're live with bbc news. here in washington, congressional leaders say they have reached a deal on the overall spending level for the rest of 202a. the bipartisan agreement would total $1.6 trillion. now, the clock is ticking for lawmakers to negotiate and finalise the bill's text with just 12 days before funding for many federal agencies expires onjanuary 19. the rest runs out on february 2. so far, none of the bills that would fund the government for a full year have made it through the republican—controlled house and the democratic—led senate. congress has relied on short term funding extensions to keep the government operating. speakerjohnson acknowledged in a statement that the funding levels deal, "will not
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satisfy everyone." joining me live is kadia goba, she's the politics reporter for semafor. so the big number here, a $1.66 trillion agreement financing the federal government in 202a. just an agreement, not a bell. walk us through the details and maybe you can translate for us what this deal means. i'd say it is pretty significant. as you mentioned, there is a january 19 funding deadline. the anticipation was that congress would not be prepared for this. they are showing way in advance they have been working on it. lucky said, this is something they are putting forth. there is an with speakerjohnson and with speaker johnson and majority with speakerjohnson and majority leader schumer over in the senate to fund 800 billion
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in defence and more than 700 billion in non— defence measures. this is the top line from last year that was negotiated between kevin mccarthy and also obviously the senate. at $1.59 trillion. some hardliners are not going to be happy with this because they want the funding levels to be lower but i would say it is a win for overall congress because i think they can get this past. 0r because i think they can get this past. or at least pass it on the floor.— on the floor. you think this could actually _ on the floor. you think this could actually pass - on the floor. you think this | could actually pass because on the floor. you think this i could actually pass because it has been going back and forth. we saw the previous speaker kevin mccarthy essentially ousted over some previous agreements over funding. ousted over some previous agreements overfunding. do ousted over some previous agreements over funding. do you think this will lay a solid framework now for republicans, democrats to work together and get the funding for the government past? i get the funding for the government past? get the funding for the covernment ast? ~ ., government past? i think i am cautiously _ government past? i think i am cautiously optimistic. - government past? i think i am j cautiously optimistic. probably the better way to put it. there
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are going to be some hardliners that are going to be happy with this because they did want some of that border funding implements of that borderfunding implements it here. i would say they are probably going to do, leadership is probably going to do some magic and throw it in a suspension bill that would override the rules portion so it cannot be blocked on the floor or before it comes to the floor. just so they can get it passed. and to avoid the government from shutting down. just a few days left for some congressional magic. january 19 the first deadline, fabbri second the second deadline. we have the conflicts in ukraine and gaza, the white house pressing for congressional aid package for more military funding for both ukraine and israel. i want to believe you, this is republican house speaker mikejohnson early on speaker mike johnson early on sunday. speaker mikejohnson early on sunday. take a lesson. we speaker mike johnson early on sunday. take a lesson. we have to insist upon — sunday. take a lesson. we have to insist upon securing - sunday. take a lesson. we have to insist upon securing our - sunday. take a lesson. we have to insist upon securing our ownl to insist upon securing our own country — to insist upon securing our own country. also if we get the
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necessary information and necessary information and necessary answers with regard to what — necessary answers with regard to what is _ necessary answers with regard to what is the endgame in ukraine _ to what is the endgame in ukraine and how will we be responsible with the expenditure of those resources? the white — expenditure of those resources? the white house has not given us the — the white house has not given us the necessary information. the house _ us the necessary information. the house speaker they're the house spea ker they�* re sounding the house speaker they're sounding fairly sceptical around extra military funding to ukraine. according to your reporting, where does any kind of aid package stand right now in congress? it of aid package stand right now in congress?— in congress? it is all going to be contingent _ in congress? it is all going to be contingent on _ in congress? it is all going to be contingent on whether - in congress? it is all going to be contingent on whether or| in congress? it is all going to i be contingent on whether or not democrats and republicans can agree on this border measure. i was down there last week and that very same spot with the speaker and dozens of republican members. to me, it kind of felt like they were all on the same page with making this a rally cry for 202a. kinda fill up in the air whether they are going to push for it. there are specific measures the senate has
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proposed. the conflict is that the house members want this measure cold hr to that passed almost a year ago to go for it. a little more strict than what republicans in the centre and democrats in the senate happen mind. it is going to be a matter of if they can agree on passing something. and that will determine whether the $105 billion the white house is requesting for aid to ukraine and other countries will even go forward. and other countries will even go forward-— and other countries will even go forward. still a lot of work to be done — go forward. still a lot of work to be done and _ go forward. still a lot of work to be done and we _ go forward. still a lot of work to be done and we are - go forward. still a lot of work to be done and we are just i to be done and we are just getting started with 202k. thank you very much. getting started with 2024. thank you very much. the pentagon has given an update on the condition of the us defence secretary, lloyd austin, who has been in hospital since new year's day receiving treatment for an unspecified medical issue. in a statement, a spokesperson said secretary austin remains at walter reed medical centre but is recovering well.
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he resumed his duties from hospital on friday, but no timescale has been given for when he might be discharged. earlier, us media reported that president biden had not been informed of his defence secretary's hospitalisation for several days. mr austin has accepted responsibility for the lack of communication. let's turn to some important news around the world. the european council president, charles michel, has downplayed criticism of his plan to resign early, insisting there's plenty of time to choose a successor. there are concerns his departure could leave the controversial hungarian prime minister viktor 0rban in charge of meetings, as hungary assumes the rotating eu presidency from july. mr 0rban is close to president putin of russia and regularly opposes eu initiatives to support ukraine. rescue workers in slovenia say five people are trapped in a cave after their escape route was flooded. the family of three and their two guides entered the krizna jama cave in central
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slovenia on saturday morning. cave divers located them overnight, two kilometres from the entrance. rescuers say all five are in a stable condition. the death toll from japan's new year's day earthquake hasjumped to 161, up from 128. authorities said the number of people unaccounted for fell to 103, down from 195. snow has hindered the recovery effort and made it difficult for workers to deliver supplies. chances for survival greatly diminish after the first 72 hours but rescuers have still been finding survivors amongst the rubble. the 7.6 magnitude earthquake destroyed 11100 homes and left thousands without power. hollywood's first big awards ceremony of the season. the golden globes is under way. the world's biggest stars have walked the red carpet and big wins are anticipated for two movies that saw massive success. barbie, leads the pack with nine nominations
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and 0ppenheimer follows with eight. the bbc�*s emma vardy sent this update from the ceremony. the biggest stars in hollywood are here on the red carpet and this is really the year of barbie and 0ppenheimer. think back to the summer were unusually these two films were released on the same day but he created a lot of excitement around both of them, stopping audiences going to the cinema to see both of those films and a phenomenon was born for people who managed to get along to see both of them. they picked up a number of nominations at the golden globes. a successful event for them. but what has not been forgotten here is this event is still trying to somewhat prepare its reputation after two years ago tv coverage was pulled from the golden globes after a series of damaging scandals over representation and corruption. there has been and corruption. there has been a whole load of new members behind the scenes that have
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been voting on the awards this year to try and help make them more transparent and more representative. it has been a difficult year in hollywood, months of actors and writing trays, production halted and red carpet event is cancelled. many people who have been really glad to get back to the business of promoting their films. not to mention enjoying a party. and winning a calling globe does not hurt if you have your eye on an oscar in a couple of months time. da'vinejoy randolph won the first award of the night, for best supporting actress for her performance in the holdovers. robert downeyjunior also picked up the award for best supporting actor for his role in 0ppenheimer. had to the website. plenty of coverage online right now. hello there. well, the falling rain has now eased and there is still plenty of ground water out there,
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the rivers will take some time to subside and the number of flood warnings has been in steady decline but still plenty of them out there. all the details are on the bbc weather website. the weather has certainly changed. it is still looking mostly dry, a few showers. it will be feeling cold, frost, fog and ice all forming through the overnight period. that is thanks to this area of high—pressure building through the course of the weekend and set to stick around and it will block the atlantic systems moving in from the west. we should stay mostly dry. this is how we are starting off monday morning with a widespread frost, patches of fog and they will be slow to lift and clear as we head through the morning. some icy stretches and showers streaming in from the north sea and a brisk north—easterly wind across the london area, and the south east of england, wintry over the high ground and could possibly see a light dusting of snow in some places. as the wind picks up, it becomes more easterly and will drive the showers further west into central
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southern england and perhaps even eastern wales but for many away from the fog there will be weak spells of winter sunshine and areas of clouds, thickest at the east, top temperatures between two and five celsius, so feeling cold but feeling even colder still in exposure to the brisk north—easterly winds and that will always feel strongest towards the south. it will feel subzero here for most of the day. heading through tuesday, there is little more of a breeze towards the south, the wind is picking up, there should be more sunshine and maybe some showers towards the southwest of england and through the channel islands, but otherwise it is looking dry. there will be some weak winter sunshine on offer and temperatures once more between two and five celsius but plenty of added wind chill again. exposure to that easterly wind. more cloud on wednesday and moisture and slightly less cold—feeling air perhaps, most of the cloud will be
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towards the north of the uk and the best of the sunshine will be further south. and you will notice that temperatures start to improve a little as we head through thursday and friday. a lot more cloud and moisture in the air, still possibly some frost. a fine night. bye— bye.
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the boeing boss promises to work transparently with us regulators after they ground thousands of planes. five terms and counting. the bangladesh prime minister sheikh hasina has been re—elected. we look into the implications for the south asian economy. hello and welcome to asia business report. i'm steve lai. we begin with the crisis at boeing after friday's incident involving a 737 max 9 plane. boeing's ceo has said he will address the causes of the event and make sure it will not happen again. he was speaking after the federal aviation administration said boeing jets fitted with the same panel as the one which blew off during the alaska airlines flight will remain grounded until deemed safe to fly. earlier i spoke to an aviation analyst who told me all eyes on wall street and how investors will react when markets open in the us. the immense reputation damage boeing has continued to suffer. with the boeing 737 max has been an incredibly costly
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