these are live pictures of paris, because the country's youngest ever and openly gay prime minister. with the top us diplomat antony blinken in israel for talks, dozens of people are reported killed in gaza. and also, we are expecting former president donald trump to appear in court. it's a landmark legal case over whether he should be immune from criminal prosecution. you're watching bbc news. in one of the biggest miscarriages ofjustice in one of the biggest miscarriages of justice the in one of the biggest miscarriages ofjustice the uk has ever seen, more than 700 postmasters received

criminal convictions over a tpelier of 16 years after faulty software. pressure on the government has ramped up after a major tv drama aired, telling the story of those impacted. in the last hour, the former head of the post office paula vennells, she led the organisation at the time, has announced she will hand back the honour she was given by the late queen for services to the post office and her charity work. let's take you to our political correspondent in westminster.— political correspondent in westminster. . ., ., , westminster. what has paula vennells sad? in the last _ westminster. what has paula vennells sad? in the last hour— westminster. what has paula vennells sad? in the last hour or _ westminster. what has paula vennells sad? in the last hour or so, _ westminster. what has paula vennells sad? in the last hour or so, paula - sad? in the last hour or so, paula vennells, the head of the post office in a crucial period in the scandal, though 16 years, she was head from 2012 until 2019, a crucial period. she repeatedly denied in that period this faulty software you mentioned that led to it being

looking as though money was disappearing from a council when it wasn't, which led to a number of people wrongfully convicted. many were sent to prison, and some have died with those criminal convictions. pressure has been mounting. in the last couple of hours, she's released a statement, the first time she has commented. she said she is truly sorry for the devastation caused to those serb postmasters, those who run post office branches across england's and the uk, sorry for the devastation caused to those postmasters and their families. caused to those postmasters and theirfamilies. she said she caused to those postmasters and their families. she said she will hand back her cbe, the order she received from the king, and she will make no further comment until an inquiry which is ongoing concludes. many are proposing a law to quash these convictions.—

many are proposing a law to quash these convictions. where are we out? the justice secretary _ these convictions. where are we out? the justice secretary alex _ these convictions. where are we out? the justice secretary alex chalk - the justice secretary alex chalk said this morning in the house of commons the government is actively considering a new law which would quash all these convictions. that would be unusual for the government, politicians don't normally interfere with matters of the court, but they are looking into quashing those convictions. he says he hopes to update mps. it is one of a number of options the government is considering. this all really has arisen due the political attention because of a tv drama that aired over the christmas period on itv. that has given... we have known this issue for many years, and now it has given politicians and the public a new wave of anger and impetus to do something. new wave of anger and impetus to do somethina. . , ., ~ i. new wave of anger and impetus to do somethina. . , . ~' ,, ., something. harry, thank you for u ”datin something. harry, thank you for updating us- _ something. harry, thank you for updating us. there _ something. harry, thank you for updating us. there is _ something. harry, thank you for updating us. there is a -

something. harry, thank you for updating us. there is a live - something. harry, thank you for| updating us. there is a live page something. harry, thank you for . updating us. there is a live page on the bbc website following the developments. do take a look and logon. more on alex chalk and what he has said, as well as reaction from paula vennells. let's take you live to paris. we are watching the new prime minister. president macron announcing the current educational minister will be taking over. what is being seen as extraordinary is that he is only 3a and he is openly gay, so he becomes the youngest prime minister in modern french history, and the first person in the post to be openly gay. he is addressing the media, speaking live right now. we know he is a loyalist of president macron and cause controversy when he made a ban on

the head covering of muslim girls in schools. what a task ahead of him because he has to lead the government into the european parliament elections nextjune. they are getting a battering in the polls. he is addressing the media in paris, and we will bring you more on the story. european scientists say that 2023 left the records "tumbling like dominoes", confirming it was the hottest year ever recorded. the average global temperature in the past 12 months was 14.89 degrees, which beats the previous hottest year set in 2016 by 0.17 degrees, according to the eu's climate change service copernicus. the met office in the uk believes this record could be short—lived, as their forecasts suggest 2024 could be even hotter. wildfires raged across southern europe this summer. vegetation parched by heatwave

and drought was tinder—dry. many tourists and locals had to flee for shelter. the exceptional european heatwave was just one example of the impacts of the record global temperatures in 2023. our climate is changing, and it's changing drastically, and not only is this recorded in record temperatures around the world but it's also recorded in the frequency and intensity of extreme events, and what we've seen in 2023 were seven of the months of that year were the warmest months on record. the main driver of these record temperatures was greenhouse gas emissions, mostly carbon dioxide. but extra heat also came from a weather fluctuation in the pacific called el nino, where warm ocean waters come to the surface. the uk got off relatively lightly — it was the second hottest

year on record here, but the heatwave injune brought some severe impacts. high temperatures and low rainfall meant oxygen levels plunged in some rivers, leading to an unprecedented number of fish death incidents, according to angling groups. the oxygen reader is telling me it's1.7% oxygen when it should be 60% to 100%. it left fish gasping, making them easy pickings for the flocks of seagulls — just one example of the effects of the high temperatures the world is experiencing. let's look at how the warming planet is affecting people around the world. we'd been in nairobi to look at extreme droughts. last world. we'd been in nairobi to look at extreme droughts.— world. we'd been in nairobi to look at extreme droughts. last year, east africa was experiencing _ at extreme droughts. last year, east africa was experiencing famine. - at extreme droughts. last year, east

africa was experiencing famine. the | africa was experiencing famine. the un said about 27 million people in kenyan and somalia were facing hunger because of not having enough rain. this is a region which relies heavily on it. we saw real—time effects are people going hungry because of famine and drought. it’s because of famine and drought. it's havin: because of famine and drought. it's having an effect in southeast asia as well. our correspondent told us more about what people are experiencing in pakistan. pakistan has seen the _ experiencing in pakistan. pakistan has seen the impact _ experiencing in pakistan. pakistan has seen the impact of _ experiencing in pakistan. pakistan has seen the impact of climate - has seen the impact of climate change in multiple ways. it all starts with the melting of glaziers in the northern mountainous region where pakistan has lost resources at a fast pace because of global warming and changing weather patterns. the country has seen heatwaves, for instance in the last year, we had two successive heatwaves during march and april, which was unlikely. that resulted in

destruction of crops and livestock at a large—scale, and the government wasn't prepared. to at a large-scale, and the government wasn't prepared-— wasn't prepared. to spain now, whether record _ wasn't prepared. to spain now, whether record heatwaves - wasn't prepared. to spain now, whether record heatwaves were experienced. in whether record heatwaves were exnerienced-— whether record heatwaves were experienced. in spain, we had a heatwave where _ experienced. in spain, we had a heatwave where it _ experienced. in spain, we had a heatwave where it started - experienced. in spain, we had a heatwave where it started in - experienced. in spain, we had a i heatwave where it started in april, so we saw temperatures normally associated with a midsummer, in the mid—30s, in april. that had never happened before. you mentioned wildfires, one of the many repercussions we see as a cause, huge problem in spain, greece and southern france and italy. but tourism can be affected, in greece last summer, the acropolis monument was closed down temporarily because of concerns for people queueing up. let's update you in the middle east. antony blinken is meeting benjamin netanyahu on his strategy and what

happens after the fighting ends. antony blinken on his fourth tour is expected to say everything is needed to do to harm doha reduce harm to people. he emphasised the need to reduce the impact. hezbollah said one of the people was killed. before his meeting, benjamin netanyahu was on the northern border where he signalled he is prepared if necessary to escalate military operations in lebanon. hamas officials say 23,000 people have been killed in gaza since the conflict began. let's listen to antony blinken after meeting with the president of israel, saying he would share with him the views of its neighbours. i would share with him the views of its neighbours.— its neighbours. i have 'ust come from a number_ its neighbours. i have 'ust come from a number of _ its neighbours. i have just come from a number of countries - its neighbours. i have just come from a number of countries in l its neighbours. i have just come i from a number of countries in the region, turkey, greece, jordan,

saudi arabia, and i want to share with the president and the cabinet. we will sit with the families of the hostages and discuss our relentless efforts to bring everyone home and back with their families. there's lots to talk about with the way forward. i look forward to these conversations as always.- conversations as always. heath content south _ conversations as always. heath content south africa _ conversations as always. heath content south africa for - conversations as always. heath content south africa for filing l conversations as always. heath content south africa for filing a j content south africa for filing a case we will go to the court ofjustice and presents proudly our case of using self defence under law. we are

doinu our using self defence under law. we are doing our utmost _ using self defence under law. we are doing our utmost under _ using self defence under law. we are doing our utmost under complicated | doing our utmost under complicated circumstances on the grounds to make sure there _ circumstances on the grounds to make sure there will be no unintended consequences and sibling casualties. we will_ consequences and sibling casualties. we will he _ consequences and sibling casualties. we will be back to the middle east and that diplomatic tour antony blinken is on. let's return to one of our top stories, huge story. the legal scandal which has caused paula vennells to hand and on a back. she was in charge at the time when hundreds of local post office managers were prosecuted fraud because money appear to be missing from their accounts. it's a merge of faulty computer programme was to blame, but many managers had gone bankrupt and four took their lives. she was honoured with a cbe, and she said she will return it. let's take you live to lead castleton. what is

your reaction as we get the news paula vennells will hand back her honour? i paula vennells will hand back her honour? , ~ , honour? i 'ust think it is sad, the rocess honour? i just think it is sad, the process has _ honour? i just think it is sad, the process has been _ honour? i just think it is sad, the process has been a _ honour? i just think it is sad, the process has been a terrible - honour? i just think it is sad, the | process has been a terrible thing, including paula vennells. it is the right thing to do. it might have been right to do it earlier, maybe not. ijust hope she is ok and that the group as a whole have been through some terrible things. i don't think handing back a cbe is a very important, but i also think in orderfor the group and very important, but i also think in order for the group and alan bates particularly to move forward, it is the right thing to do.— the right thing to do. morally, it is riuht. the right thing to do. morally, it is right- the _ the right thing to do. morally, it is right. the justice _ the right thing to do. morally, it is right. the justice secretary i the right thing to do. morally, it i is right. the justice secretary alex is right. thejustice secretary alex chalk is considering this law to quash hundreds of these fraud convictions. he said it is receiving active consideration. would you like that to happen? i

active consideration. would you like that to happen?— that to happen? i would like... there are _ that to happen? i would like... there are various _ that to happen? i would like... there are various mechanisms| that to happen? i would like... l there are various mechanisms to that to happen? i would like... - there are various mechanisms to do it, and i don't know what they would use, but whatever, the victims deserved to move quickly. i hope thatis deserved to move quickly. i hope that is remembered, rather than possibly delay after delay like we have had, to actually come to the end of this part of the whole process. it needs to be more quickly locked out and moved on quickly. harper locked out and moved on quickly. how has all of this — locked out and moved on quickly. how has all of this affected you and your family? has all of this affected you and yourfamily? it has all of this affected you and your family?— has all of this affected you and your family? it has 'ust been 20 ears of your family? it has 'ust been 20 years of the h your family? it has 'ust been 20 years of the most _ your family? it hasjust been 20 years of the most terrible, - your family? it hasjust been 20 i years of the most terrible, terrible injustice. notjust for me, the whole group. my family have suffered terribly, my wife has had seizures from anxiety which led to epilepsy. my from anxiety which led to epilepsy. my children were bullied, my daughter was spat at. we been verbally abuse out in the street, for me being allegedly a thief.

apparently i stole pension money from old people. non—odd that can ever be put right, but it is time for everyone to move on and allow us to get on with our lives. i am glad the drama has brought this up to everyone's front rooms and allowed everyone's front rooms and allowed everyone a voice. thank you for joining us. everyone a voice. thank you for joining us— another story we're keeping across today — the federal appeals court in washington dc will be hearing arguments on whether donald trump can be criminally prosecuted, on charges he tried to overturn the 2020 presidential election. we know donald trump will appear today. any sign of him yet? we are exectin: today. any sign of him yet? we are exoecting him _ today. any sign of him yet? we are expecting him imminently. - today. any sign of him yet? we are expecting him imminently. his- expecting him imminently. his hearing is due to start at 230, and hearing is due to start at 230, and he left his golf course sometime

ago. we are hearing sirens in the distance, which would suggest that as him on the way. he will come into the garage at the back of the court, where he came when he was arraigned on the original charges relating to january the sex, and where today he will hear this argument —— january the 6th. whether a president can have immunity from total prosecuted for things he did while president. that is his case today, case which is important for him, but a huge question for the american system, a question for the american system, a question which hasn't been asked before. can a president be prosecuted for crimes while she was president? we've got some protesters, the odd protest because the weather is appalling, so not many people here. that is a question which will be decided in a short

hearing today, maybe 20 minutes either side. hearing today, maybe 20 minutes eitherside. donald hearing today, maybe 20 minutes either side. donald trump is lawrence, the department for justice, and then the judges lawrence, the department for justice, and then thejudges he would go away and think about it —— donald trump is not lawyers. it will also potentially have an impact on the case in georgia, the state level case where the district attorney down there is prosecuting the present but haven't tried to overturn the election. that is an important case. if he has immunity, that would make that case very hard to proceed. the knock on for this crucial election year can't be overstated today. aha, crucial election year can't be overstated today.— crucial election year can't be overstated today. crucial election year can't be overstated toda . ~ .. , overstated today. a case with huge implications _ overstated today. a case with huge implications. we _ overstated today. a case with huge implications. we avoid _ overstated today. a case with huge implications. we avoid back- overstated today. a case with huge implications. we avoid back with i overstated today. a case with huge l implications. we avoid back with you when we see donald trump back.

let's look at some other stories making news around the world. the uk and the us have questioned the legitimacy of sunday's elections in bangladesh, due to mass arrests and violence ahead of the polls. the main opposition party boycotted them, which were won by the prime minister, sheikh hasina. she said the absence of one party does not mean the absence of democracy. cuba has announced a 500% increase in fuel prices, as it tries to reduce state subsidies and public spending. the government, which subsidises almost all essential goods and services, announced a series of measures in late december, aimed at cutting the deficit at a time of severe economic crisis across the country. the majority—serb region of bosnia is holding a holiday that marks the beginning of its breakaway republic in 1992. the celebrations, involving a parade of paramilitary forces, are a gesture of defiance against bosnian statehood. the country's highest court has declared it unconstitutional. bosniak muslims and croats view the date as the start of a campaign

of forced displacement and murder. you're live with bbc news. united airlines say it has found multiple bolts which needed tightening on its aircraft. the inspections were ordered after part of a fuselage loo out in mid air. let's get more now. for passengers, it would have been terrifying — an unused cabin door blew off a boeing 737 max minutes after take—off from portland airport on friday, leaving a gaping hole in the fuselage. there was just a really loud boom which was so startling and the plane just filled with wind and air. and it's just crazy, because that shouldn't happen, right? you know something is wrong and you don't know what. i didn't know where the air was coming from. the oxygen masks dropped. 170 aircraft of the same type were grounded as investigators began examining the plane.

the door was found in a back garden not far away. alaska airlines, which had been operating the flight, says it has since found loose door bolts in other aircraft in its fleet. another american carrier, united, has made a similar discovery. that could indicate a wider problem that goes beyond one aeroplane. we need to, first and foremost, figure out what happened here on this aircraft. if we have a bigger, systemwide orfleet issue, we will issue an urgent safety recommendation to push for change. for boeing, this is extremely serious. the 737 max is its best—selling aircraft, but its safety record has already been badly tarnished. two crashes involving the plane in indonesia and ethiopia a few years ago killed 346 people. the company was accused of putting profits before passengers' lives and hurrying a flawed aircraft into service. boeing insists it has changed since then, and safety is its number one priority. but campaigners including a former

boeing manager say the rush to build planes quickly has caused serious problems in the factories where the plane is built. i get people contacting me all the time. they tell me that it's worse than it was when i was there. so no, i'm not at all surprised. i mean, we are fortunate. this might be a major blessing to have such a highly visible incident occur that will cause them to have to admit that they have some serious problems. in a statement, boeing said... but suggestions that lax production standards could have contributed to friday's accident will inevitably put more pressure on boeing and could raise further questions about the 737 max itself.

let's return to the middle east. in the past few minutes, the state department has said antony blinken told benjamin netanyahu to avoid further civilian harm in gaza. i've been speaking with our middle east correspondent about the significance of his trip at this critical time. he knows he's coming here as a very serious moment for the region, and he has that message, he's asking for the numbers of sibling casualties to be reduced in gaza, for more to be done to deal with the humanitarian situation there. he has had in the past one birthdays messages coming from the israeli military it is shifting to a lower intensity of warfare. the challenge there is what we see on the ground is battles considering to rage. injust the past day, particular in the south of gaza and the centre, still very heavy israeli air strikes going on,

and a medic saying dozens have been killed. it is possible antony blinken will get some new commitments on aid, he will have something to say about possible talks on the release of israeli hostages. that is something people here want to hear. just underlining how difficult his challengers are, he wants to talk about preventing an escalation of this war, a regional escalation. in the course of the day, we've had these reports from lebanon of hezbollah operatives being killed there, and the lebanese armed groups saying it has attacked an israeli army base.— an israeli army base. we've seen antony blinken _ an israeli army base. we've seen antony blinken meeting - an israeli army base. we've seen antony blinken meeting with - an israeli army base. we've seen i antony blinken meeting with other leaders, in the gulf states as well. they are after a ceasefire, we've had this pause. will he ask for that again? i had this pause. will he ask for that auain? . had this pause. will he ask for that a . ain? ., ., had this pause. will he ask for that auain? ., ., , ., again? i mean, that is a

possibility. _ again? i mean, that is a possibility. he - again? i mean, that is a possibility. he has- again? i mean, that is a possibility. he has not l again? i mean, that is a - possibility. he has not been clear about what exactly his plans are there. i think it is interesting he's coming here of the back with there's meetings, he's trying to turnit there's meetings, he's trying to turn it into a positive for israel. there is a country is calling for an immediate ceasefire. he is trying to hold out the possibility to israel of much better relations with its arab neighbours, if there is this clear post—war vision for gaza, one he says should have a practical pathway due to creation of a future palestinian state, something arab leaders want to hear. it will be a hard sell in israel.— hard sell in israel. back to washington _ hard sell in israel. back to washington where - hard sell in israel. back to washington where a - hard sell in israel. back to - washington where a landmark case whether donald trump should be immune from criminal prosecution is heard today. gary, we understand donald trump may have arrived at

court, possibly taken in a back way? we haven't seen him, and we haven't seen him come in the entrance he used for his arrangements. he normally would have gone into the garage, but he may be inside. the case is due to start at 930, and the judges wouldn't want to be kept hanging around. we are waiting for it to start, and it should last about an hour when his arguments are made. we about an hour when his arguments are made. ~ , made. we will be back with you. do sta with made. we will be back with you. do stay with us — made. we will be back with you. do stay with us on _ made. we will be back with you. do stay with us on bbc— made. we will be back with you. do stay with us on bbc news. - made. we will be back with you. do stay with us on bbc news. you - made. we will be back with you. do stay with us on bbc news. you are| stay with us on bbc news. you are watching bbc news. lord cameron is about to appear at his first foreign affairs committee as foreign secretary. the cross—party committee is likely to grill the foreign secretary on the israel gaza war,

ukraine and the relationship with china amongst the topics. with more i'm joined by our diplomatic correspondent. let's go through the significance of lord cabn appearing before the committee because he's not a member of parliament —— lord cameron. not a member of parliament -- lord cameron. , ., , .. . cameron. explain the significance. david cameron _ cameron. explain the significance. david cameron came _ cameron. explain the significance. david cameron came back- cameron. explain the significance. david cameron came back to - david cameron came back to government as apia, a member of the house of lords, because he was out of parliament, but when he was reappointed and made foreign secretary last november he had to be accountable to parliament, so he was made a peer, which means he takes questions from peers. he is also accountable to all members of parliament, whether pierce or elected mps. although he can't take questions on the floor of the house of commons, he can take questions

and be held accountable by mps, which he will do today. it is as first time, and it was delayed because of various travel changes early in the year. i think mps will be keen to get their bit in the tea. it is over two hours long, long time to get through detail. this is different to the cut and thrust of the house of commons chamber, where it can become like the gladiators. it is slower pace, but equally tough. when committee members have their hats on. tough. when committee members have their hats on-— their hats on. yesterday we saw the shadow foreign _ their hats on. yesterday we saw the shadow foreign secretary _ their hats on. yesterday we saw the shadow foreign secretary table - their hats on. yesterday we saw the shadow foreign secretary table and j shadow foreign secretary table and urgent question when it comes to the conflict in gaza. that is likely to dominate the questioning today. obviously, two large conflicts going on in which the uk is playing a role, so of course the middle east

will centre very heavily in the questioning coming up. not least because mps will want to know, what is the uk during notjust in the political space, is the uk during notjust in the politicalspace, in is the uk during notjust in the political space, in terms of what it is trying to do to influence events on the ground, but on the passaic detailed stuff. what are they doing to try to push the israelis to allow more humanitarian aid in? there will be discussion about the big picture, where is the conflict going, but what is the nitty—gritty, to get uk aid to help people. what is the nitty-gritty, to get uk aid to help people.— what is the nitty-gritty, to get uk aid to help people. would you say since david _ aid to help people. would you say since david cameron _ aid to help people. would you say since david cameron became - aid to help people. would you say i since david cameron became foreign secretary, there's been a shift of the uk government's focus in terms of the gaza conflict?— of the gaza conflict? what we have heard from — of the gaza conflict? what we have heard from lord _ of the gaza conflict? what we have heard from lord cameron - of the gaza conflict? what we have heard from lord cameron is - of the gaza conflict? what we have heard from lord cameron is a - heard from lord cameron is a slightly harder edge to british

policy. he has been more willing to deliver tough messages, both in private and public, to the israelis than perhaps some of his predecessors were willing to. i went to israel and the occupied palestinian territories with david cameron and he was willing to be specific with the israelis in terms of their needs to do more to protect civilians and then the two allow more aid in. whether that has had any impact is another question. one of the big which remains unanswered is whether or not what we have seen in recent months is the limitation a western influence over what has been discussed, because we have seen the uk and the us urging the israeli government to take certain action, be more restrained in the way it conducts its war against hamas in

gaza. and occasionally there are struggles to determine where israel has been influence, because there are many people who believe israel hasn't taken that much focus and listening to what western allies have said. that has been noted in other parts. i have said. that has been noted in other parts-— other parts. i am 'ust looking at what the foreign — other parts. i am just looking at what the foreign office - other parts. i am just looking atj what the foreign office minister said to parliament yesterday, uk ministers are lobbying the government of israel hard and regularly to allow more aid in and reduce the numerous constraints hindering many aspects of our efforts to help goals in civilians. that is what we heard yesterday. let's move on to ukraine. we've heard from president zelensky for more aid for that fight in ukraine. what questions do you expect lord cameron to get on that? i what questions do you expect lord cameron to get on that?— what questions do you expect lord cameron to get on that? i think the obvious question _ cameron to get on that? i think the obvious question will _ cameron to get on that? i think the

obvious question will be _ cameron to get on that? i think the obvious question will be over- cameron to get on that? i think the obvious question will be over whatl obvious question will be over what the uk is