tv BBC News Now BBC News January 29, 2024 12:00pm-12:31pm GMT
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to make the products less attractive to children. international success thanks to a former member of one direction. hello, welcome to bbc news now, three hours of fast—moving news, interviews and reaction. president biden has said the united states will respond to a drone attack on an american military base injordan near the syrian border, at a time and in a manner of its choosing. mr biden blamed the attack on radical iran—backed militant groups operating in syria and iraq. tehran has denied any involvement in the attack in which three service personnel were killed and 3a injured.
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it's the latest in a series of attacks against us bases in the region since the war in gaza began. our world affairs correspondent, paul adams reports. the americans say the attack happened at a base known as tower 22, right on the syrian—jordanian border. it's one of many american bases across the region. there have been dozens of drone and missile attacks in recent months, but no american personnel have been killed until now. joe biden, seen here attending church, was quick to point the finger. it's not necessarily a tipping point into uncontrolled escalation between the united states and iran, but it's another very dangerous step because, as i say, the us will have to respond even more strongly than it's done to previous attacks. carefully cultivated over years,
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iran has a wide network of allies and proxies operating in countries across the middle east. they're all opposed to israel and the united states. it's sometimes called the axis of resistance. there are pro—iranian militias in lebanon, the palestinian territories, gaza and the west bank, plus iraq and syria, and far to the south, there's also the houthis in yemen. over the weekend, the houthis have been launching their own attacks, hitting a tanker in the gulf of aden. british warship hms diamond used an air defence missile to bring down a houthi drone. with british help the us have been hitting houthi military targets for a couple of weeks. so far, the houthis seem undeterred. they say they'll stop attacking ships if and when there's a ceasefire in gaza. the problems america is dealing with across the region aren't all about gaza, but the war there has left the whole middle east a lot more dangerous. paul adams, bbc news.
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we have heard in the past few minutes or we have heard in the past few minutes or so we have heard in the past few minutes or so that we have heard in the past few minutes or so that the we have heard in the past few minutes or so that the princess we have heard in the past few minutes or so that the princess of wales has left hospital. she had been 13 days in hospital having abdominal surgery. we have a statement from kensington palace saying she has returned home to windsor, she will continue her recovery from surgery, and is making good progress. and a big thank you from the prince and princess of to the entire team at the clinic, especially to the dedicated nursing staff. the wheels family continues to be grateful for the well shows they have received from around the world. the princess of wales, catherine, has left hospital, she had spent 13 days there following abdominal surgery, and has returned home.
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and the best use of all, she is making progress. —— best news of all. live now to beirut and our correspondent hugo bachega. what have you been hearing about a strike on damascus in the past few hours? details are still coming in about what happened. reports suggest at least two people have been killed in an explosion that according to the first report hit an area that was being used by iran's revolutionary guards. we know that iran has a significant military presence in syria. we know that israeli forces are often believed to be behind those attacks that have been happening in syria. the targeting of military positions in syria. but this happens one day after the deadly attack targeting a us base in
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jordan, nearthe deadly attack targeting a us base in jordan, near the border with syria, and amid fears of the possible us retaliation. we have seen that american forces have been frequently targeted in syria and iraq since the beginning of the israeli offensive against hamas in gaza. it was inevitable at some point american forces would be killed, because us officials said more than 150 attacks have targeted us positions, us bases, in iraq and syria. yesterday we heard from president biden, accusing iranian—backed groups of being behind this deadly attack. he vowed to retaliate. he said that american forces would respond to that attack. i think you today the question is about how this us response is going to look like. we see that american forces have been targeting those groups in iraq and
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syria, but again, those attacks have not been stopped, the action from those groups, supported by iran, part of what iran describes as the axis of resistance, this alliance of forces across the middle east. i will ask you in a much more about the concerns where you are in lebanon, but first let us listen to the uk prime minister, rishi sunak, he hasjust urged iran the uk prime minister, rishi sunak, he has just urged iran to continue ds quitting tensions in the middle east. we are concerned and would urged iran to continue to de—escalate tensions in the region. we absently condemn what has happened over the past couple of these. my thoughts are with those impacted, their families, those that are injured, we stand with our allies to bring stability and peace to the region and that's what we will continue work towards. rishi sunak saying he wants to see tensions ds leaders. we are meeting that response from the us, they have what they are calling a menu of options available to them in an attempt to dry to de—escalate, also
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do something which act as a deterrent, which is quite a challenge. what is the feeling in beirut, concerned that things could up beirut, concerned that things could up the ante, in terms of hezbollah? the authorities in iran are not interested in a major confrontation with the united states. president biden is now under pressure, he needs to be seen to be giving a strong response after what happened in jordan. strong response after what happened injordan. this shows how violence has spread across the middle east and that the war in gaza. we talked medals attacks in iraq and syria. houthis have been targeting commercial vessels in the red sea, that has led to the response with air strikes by the us, uk and other countries. here in lebanon hezbollah is an attacking israeli positions almost every day. there have been
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fears that this could lead to a major confrontation between hezbollah and istria. so far we have not seen any indication that the group here, hezbollah, which is an extremely powerful military force in lebanon, is preparing to escalate the situation, but again, all eyes now on president biden, and what he is going to decide in terms of the us response following this attack. we will be talking more about that and what the options are for the us throughout the programme. thank you so much for now. inside gaza, is really military seeing it has killed dozens of palestinian gunmen, it says ground forces carried out several attacks in the area around khan younis, palestinians there are continuing to search for places of safety.
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talks are continuing in paris this week in an effort to bring about a truce in gaza. at the weekend the negotiations were described as "constructive". the talks are looking to secure the release of hostages still held by hamas. however, a statement from prime minister netanyahu said gaps remained. representatives from israel, the united states, egypt and qatar have been discussing a proposed deal which would see israel suspend fighting for about two months in exchange for the freedom of around 100 hostages still believed to be in gaza. israela 0ron, is a retired brigadier—general who served on the national security council under ehud barak and ariel sharon. she's in tel aviv. thank you forjoining as here on bbc news. the talks taking place in paris, benjamin netanyahu says there are still significant gaps that remain. what are those gaps and can they realistically be closed?
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the main gap is the guarantee that hamas is asking from israel after releasing the hostages, and two month ceasefire, that israel will not renew its attack on hamas and apparently stop the military operation in gaza. this demand is not reasonable because the main purpose of this military operation in gaza is that hamas. being the regime in gaza, and restore its military capabilities. this is the gap, it is not a small gap. however, continuation of the military
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operation in khan younis is trying to convince hamas that it is better for them to agree a ceasefire and release the hostages than to expect a lot more from the ceasefire. how imperative do you now see it to get that ceasefire quickly, given we are now seeing what appears to be this maelstrom of violence that stretches all the way from lebanon to yemen, i know that every instant has a direct link to what is happening in gaza and it is part of this wider picture, how imperative is it that the ceasefire is obtained soon? ido soon? i do not think that this is the major consideration for the iranians right now. however, because the iranians are playing with everybody in the region, they are using
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proxies to get what they want and to achieve their targets. 0ne proxies to get what they want and to achieve their targets. one of them is israel. that they really want to be the main power in the region. what happened yesterday injordan, the attack on the us military, is not a surprise, however, contain the level of the conflict, of the fire... how concerned are you in israel about this escalation of tensions across the region? we have been live in beirut is talking to our correspondent about what hezbollah could do now. the fact that the idf, israeli forces, are going to be so stretched, if that happens? the situation in the north, and what happened yesterday injordan, is not
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looking promising with regard to future settlement with hezbollah in the north. it increases the possibility of a wider war they are. israel does not use the same means in the war in the north as in gaza. and the lebanese government... stay with as. you are watching bbc news. just continue with that thought. the israeli military forces are not using the same means and the same methods in future war in lebanon, we believe that the lebanese government
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cares about their civilians, and we know exactly that war in lebanon, and i think they should be very careful. i know that hezbollah has the upper hand in lebanon, but i think the international community, if they want to prevent an escalation in our area, should restrain hezbollah and iran. as your correspondent said, the operations of houthis, hamas, all this has signs that iran is heavily involved in it. we should try to prevent a
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major escalation. right now it seems as if all the parties try to contain, but ongoing provocations makes it very difficult to contain. thank you very much for your thoughts and forjoining as top lots to talk about. we will bring you more on the latest developments in 15 minutes' time. we will be holding a live question—and—answer session with the bbc�*s chief international correspondent, lyse doucet, parham ghobadi, correspondent at bbc persian, and fawaz gerges, professor of international relations at the london school of economics. they will be here with us to answer your questions live. get in touch using the hashtag #bbcyourquestions or email yourquestions@bbc. co. uk.
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let's look at some other stories making news. the body of a baby girl has been found in a west yorkshire pub toilet, police have confirmed. emergency crews were called to the three horseshoes pub in 0ulton, near rothwell on sunday. police described it as a "traumatic incident" and are urging the newborn�*s mother to seek "urgent" medical help. west yorkshire police said: "we are urgently appealing for the mother of the baby "girl to contact us." one person has died after being hit by a bus outside victoria bus station in central london. the bus station is closed. the railway station is not affected.
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nine days of industrial action by train drivers in the aslef union are getting under way — starting with an overtime ban. from tuesday, there will be strikes affecting 12 rail companies on different days over the course of a week. the walk—outs are part of the long—running dispute over pay and conditions. you're live with bbc news. live pictures from france. hundreds of french farmers converging at points around the outskirts of paris, this has been going on for a few days, continuing protests by these farmers. they are upset about their falling these farmers. they are upset about theirfalling incomes, the fact these farmers. they are upset about their falling incomes, the fact that red tape they see is increasing, and also competition from imports. there has been a warning to the farmers from authorities that their declared aim to stop food deliveries to supermarkets is not a good one. they say they should not try to enter paris either. 15,000 police have been mobilised to stop these
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tractors from the outskirts of paris entering the capital. protest there by french farmers we are keeping an eye on. disposable vapes are set to be banned across the uk because of concerns they are fuelling an increase in illegal vaping among under—18s. you talk to any parent or teacher as i have been doing, they will talk to about the worrying rise in vaping amongst children. children should not be vaping. we do not want them to get addicted, we still do not understand that long—term health impacts of vaping. it is right that take strong action. banning
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disposable feats, taking powers to go after them, flavours, packaging, we are of apes are displayed, also improving enforcement, making it easier to levy on the spot fines stop —— packaging where vapes are displayed. princess of wales has left hospital after 13 days. king charles has spent a third night in hospital in london, where he has been receiving treatment for his prostate. we have not had an update on the king's condition yet. let's get more on this with our news correspondent graham satchell.
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it seems that the princess is doing well. what else have you heard? we had a statement from kensington palace in the last ten minutes saying that katherine, princess of wales, has been discharged from the clinic, and she has made her way back to her residence at windsor. the statement says she is making good progress. the prince and princess wish to see huge thank you to the team here at the london clinic, especially the dedicated nursing staff, they say they continue to be grateful for the well—wishers they received from around the world. catherine went into hospital onjanuary 16 around the world. catherine went into hospital on january 16 for abdominal surgery. into hospital onjanuary 16 for abdominalsurgery. experts into hospital onjanuary 16 for abdominal surgery. experts said it would be about two weeks in hospital. and it is two weeks tomorrow. she is pretty much on target. it will be a significant period of time and now that she will need to recuperate. her diary has been cleared until at least the
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star. she will be at home with the family recovering from this surgery. when did we last have an update on king charles? we heard from queen camilla over the weekend who told well—wishers that he was doing well, that he was fine. king charles came in here on friday for treatment on an enlarged prostate. we understand that that procedure went well. again, experts say, having had that procedure you normally stay in hospital for between one and three days. that was friday, we are now monday. there is the possibility that the king may also be discharged from hospital and head home today. and we would back with you when that happens. just confirming, catherine, princess of wales has returned home from windsor to continued recovery from windsor to continued recovery from surgery. two teenage boys who died after being stabbed in bristol have
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been named locally as 15—year—old mason rist and 16—year—old max dixon. witnesses say they were attacked by a group of people who fled in a car. police in bristol say they have arrested a 44—year—old man and a 15—year—old boy and they remain in custody. police have begun a murder investigation and they said a vehicle had been seized. the metro mayor of the west of england, dan norris, told us what action is needed to prevent these attacks. this needs national attention from national government. every week there is a stabbing of this kind, as serious as this, in my region alone, which covers beyond bristol. just in the last two years, there was another incident where a young person was stabbed and killed in a mining community, radstock. it also happens in other communities, places like bath had a fatal stabbing last year where another young person was killed, and now we have these two incidents in bristol. so we need to grasp the fact that this is a very serious thing that's happening right across the region, in my area, but also the country, across all sorts of different types of community.
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the world's most indebted property developer, evergrande, has been given a winding—up order by hong kong's high court. the company, which has extensive holdings in china, has more than $300 billion in liabilities. evergrande's shares fell by 20% on the exchange in hong kong, before trading was suspended. 0ur china correspondent, stephen mcdonell has more. people are already trying to understand how this is going to play out. one problem is it's not even guaranteed that officials in china will recognise the court—appointed liquidator�*s right to be able to seize assets in mainland china. i mean, according to some estimates, only a very small percentage of what's owed can possibly be repaid via this method and so, in a funny way, it's also the chinese system on trial, if i could put it that way.
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this country wants more foreign investment and investors are going to be looking at how this plays out and if these international creditors, and they're the ones who've brought this to the courts in hong kong in the first place, if they can't get their money back, if they can't get access to these assets that evergrande has in mainland china, well, i think yet again there will be people questioning should i really be investing that much money in china? is it too risky? so a lot to be played out yet. funnily enough, in the interim, for potentially years to come, evergrande will keep building buildings here because there's a lot of unwinding, a lot of reorganisation that has to take place and even, would you believe, the chance of yet another attempt to strike a deal to somehow bail them out. japan says its moon lander, which was shut down due to a solar panel malfunction,
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is now working again. the probe, illustrated here by computer generated images, has begun to explore the moon and is already sending back images of its surroundings. japan is only the fifth nation, after the us, the soviet union, china and india, to land on the lunar surface. stay with us here on bbc news. hello again. the weather this week once again is going to be fairly changeable. today, what we've got is cold air coming in across the north behind this weather front, which is producing rain. but we are still in the milder conditions, represented by the yellows further south. now, that rain we are looking at is going to be heavy in parts. it's affecting parts of southern scotland, northern england, wales, the north—west midlands and the southwest. the heaviest of which will be
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falling across the north of england. we could have some sleet and snow in the hills of the southern uplands and also the hills of the north of england. but to the north of that in the sunshine it's going to be colder than it was yesterday and not as windy. come south, we are looking at 1a or indeed 15, way above average for the time of year, which in parts of the southeast is eight or nine. through this evening and overnight, the rain continues to push steadily eastwards. behind it, for england and for wales there will be a lot of cloud, patchy light rain and drizzle. but for scotland and northern ireland, under clear skies, it's going to be a cold night. we could see —5, that's our lowest temperature, with the risk of ice and some frost. we could actually also see some frost across parts of northern england, but as we come south, no issues with frost at all. so tomorrow, we are left with a bit of cloud across england and wales. bits of that will break up through the day to allow some brighter spells to come through. we've got a ridge of high pressure building up across us, so a lot of dry weather. any showers we see in the north—west
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highlands could prove to be wintry on the hills and temperatures slipping down, 5 to about 9 degrees will be our maximum temperatures. then as we move on through the rest of wednesday, low pressure is crossing into the north of scotland, but look at all those isobars, and this weather front. it's going to be a very windy day in the northern half of the country on wednesday with gales, even severe gales, and this rain will be heavy as it pushes steadily southwards, with some hill snow in it. come further south again into england and to wales, and we are looking at a drier day, blustery winds, not as windy as in the north, and these are our temperatures. so they are starting to go up a little bit once again, a range of 7—11 north to south. beyond that, if we look at the outlook period, well, temperatures will be roundabout where they should be at this time of year. it will be wet and windy at times, especially so in scotland. further south, though, we are looking at something drier, but windy at times too.
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palestinians in gaza say 26,000 have now been killed. we'll take your questions about the ongoing situtation in the middle east. among those doing the answering is our chief international correspondent, lyse doucet. social media site x bans searches for taylor swift after explicit fake images of her appear online. the organisation that was supposed to be treating a man for paranoid schizophrenia before he went on a violent rampage and killed three people is to be investigated. the families of those who died, barnaby webber, grace 0'malley kumar and ian coates, are demanding answers from health authorities in england about how the attack was allowed to happen. the bbc�*sjon kay has been speaking to barnaby�*s family, who say support for the victims needs fixing. yeah, so this was barney's room. remembering his big brother. seven months on, charlie webber says losing barney will never get any easier. i mean, obviously, it's massively, massively devastating.
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