indian police have fired tear gas at thousands of farmers who are marching to delhi to demand guaranteed prices for their crops. and joe biden hasjoined tiktok. the us president signs up to the platform despite its ban on most us government devices hello, i'm lauren taylor. during the first month of the war between hamas and israel, northern gaza was under heavy israeli bombardment. paramedics from the international red cross and red crescent society, many of whom are volunteers, are the first to respond to calls on gaza's emergency number, 101. local film—maker feras al—ajarmi documented their lives and work over several weeks — here's his special report produced by bbc arabic.

he sobs. sirens wail.

he sobs. in response to that report, the israel defense forces said "any claim that we intentionally target red crescent or medical workers is baseless and untrue. we act in accordance with international law and take feasible precautions to mitigate civilian harm in our operations." and if you're in the uk, you can watch gaza 101: emergency rescue — the full film by bbc arabic. it's available to watch now on bbc iplayer, online and on the app. senior officials from the united states, qatar, egypt and israel are expected to hold talks in cairo, as international pressure grows for a ceasefire in gaza. the meeting is happening as israeli

forces prepare to launch a ground offensive against hamas in rafah. these are live pictures of that area now. more than a million people are sheltering in the overcrowded city. earlier, president biden said the displaced palestinians were exposed and vulnerable, and called for their protection let's speak to abdelbassir hassan from bbc arabic, who joins us from cairo. tell us who is in cairo for the meeting and what the shape of the discussion will be? what meeting and what the shape of the discussion will be?— discussion will be? what we have heard from _ discussion will be? what we have heard from the _ discussion will be? what we have heard from the israeli _ discussion will be? what we have heard from the israeli side - discussion will be? what we have heard from the israeli side so - discussion will be? what we have heard from the israeli side so far| heard from the israeli side so far is that heads are expected in cairo and the cia chief, the top spy official from and the cia chief, the top spy officialfrom patton and the cia chief, the top spy official from patton and the chief official from patton and the chief of the egyptian spy agency should be meeting —— the top spy official from

qatar. all we have is from western media that four teams will meet in cairo for a possible discussion on how to get back to the negotiation table and regarding the pause between israel and hamas. gage table and regarding the pause between israel and hamas. gave us an idea of how long _ between israel and hamas. gave us an idea of how long a _ between israel and hamas. gave us an idea of how long a pause _ between israel and hamas. gave us an idea of how long a pause might - between israel and hamas. gave us an idea of how long a pause might be - idea of how long a pause might be and what the stumbling blocks are at this stage? h0 and what the stumbling blocks are at this staue? ., ., u, and what the stumbling blocks are at this staue? ., ., , . ., this stage? no one can expect how lona it will this stage? no one can expect how long it will take _ this stage? no one can expect how long it will take for _ this stage? no one can expect how long it will take for negotiations i long it will take for negotiations in cairo but we are sure that the teams from israel have already been to cairo. both sides are willing, israel and hamas, to come to the table. israel has said they are willing to do their best to get the hostages back, whatever the means,

including discussing both with hamas, and in spite of the fact of the response from israel and the latest offer from hamas, the response from israel and the latest offerfrom hamas, they the response from israel and the latest offer from hamas, they said they are willing to sit down and negotiate for a possible agreement in the future, especially as the situation in rafah is very grave. all sites are warning against a ground offensive from israel, including the united states. after the meeting between president biden and joe otten came last night, biden said the united states is offering a six week pause between israel and hamas with the hope this could be extended to a deal in the future for a ceasefire, but at the moment the offer is a six—week plan. the

reports from israel have already shown that israelis expect... can agree on the first and second phases of the earlier plan which has been discussed over the last few days, it speaks about a release of civilian hostages in hamas hand in return for many prisoners from the israeli side and the second phase speaks about exchanging the bodies of israelis and hamas hands, but none of them agreed to a ceasefire or a return to the situation before the 7th of october, so they say israel did not show any signs of normalising the situation in gaza as per their demands, meaning leaving the city and freeing the movement and the return of the displays to their

homes. m ,, return of the displays to their homes. a ,, ., , ., return of the displays to their homes. a ., “ homes. abdelbassir hassan from bbc arabic, thank — homes. abdelbassir hassan from bbc arabic, thank you. _ joining me now to discuss the ongoing diplomatic process is mina al—oraibi, editor in chief of the national newspaper. thank you for being with us. we heard from our bbc arabic corresponds about the spy chiefs are meeting in cairo. how significant is that and what does it tell us about the stage in negotiations? it is uuite the stage in negotiations? it is quite significant _ the stage in negotiations? it 3 quite significant because we need some form of trust building at the moment. politicians have too much at stake, it is widely known now that for israeli prime minister benjamin netanyahu he is much more invested, on the flip side hamas began once this war starts that there will be a reckoning around october the 7th, getting the spy chiefs there is a sign of not only seriousness but how can you build some sort of confidence to get to a point where a truce can be declared, even if

temporary, to ease the suffering of the palestinians. there is at least 1.4 million palestinians in rafah now, you have been doing incredible reporting on showing how people are stuck at the border, there are concerns of famine, the world food programme says people are beginning to die from hunger to having the spy chiefs there is a sign of seriousness but also maybe making a deal that so far diplomats and politicians have not been able to. how much do you think the events in rafah, the prospect of a possible ground invasion from the israeli troops, is being discussed in part as a negotiation tactic while these talks are going on, or how much is it realistically a prospect that they will go into rafah? we it realistically a prospect that they will go into rafah? we can only 'udue from they will go into rafah? we can only judge from what _ they will go into rafah? we can only judge from what the _ they will go into rafah? we can only judge from what the israelis - judge from what the israelis are saying and what they have done in the last five months and every time we thought something was too much, they would not do it, they did, so far it seems that i the stakes are

something they are willing to do, just like her rusted on the october seven attack. so for this to be happening in cairo it's very important, this is criticalfor the egyptians, there is a terrible humanitarian situation but also a terrible political situation where the egyptians are feeling the force of some members of the israeli cabinet saying time and again they want to push palestinians from their homeland into egypt, which is a red line, they even threatened they would reconsider a peace deal with israel so it is hugely critical but also i think this point of a possible military incursion, the israelis have done things we thought impossible in the last five months. mina al—oraibi from the national newspaper, thank you. around the world and across the uk, this is bbc news. let's look at some other stories making news here in the uk. seven women are accusing devon and cornwall police of failing to investigate serving and former officers for domestic abuse and sexual violence.

the group claims that in some cases the men were promoted to specialist roles dealing with violence against women and girls, despite the complaints against them. the force has referred the allegations to the police watchdog. official figures show that the rate at which wages are rising dropped in the three months to december — but it still outpaced the level of inflation. the office for national statistics said wage growth dropped by 0.4 percentage points to 6.2% in the last quarter of last year. a proposal to formally move the statue of transatlantic slave trader edward colston into a museum display is set for approval. the statue was pulled down during a protest in bristol in 2020 before being put on a temporary display at the city's m shed museum. it has been out of public view since january 2022. you're live with bbc news. police in northern india have

fired tear gas on farmers marching towards delhi — as they call for minimum prices for crops. thick clouds of gas were used to disperse protesters near the city of ambala — after last—minute talks to prevent the major planned protest ended without a breakthrough. farmers' union officials complained that government ministers had failed to take their demands seriously. public gatherings in delhi have been banned for a month. earlier i spoke to our south asia correspondent samira hussain who's in delhi. to give you a sense of what kind of high alert the city is in, just behind me, you can see a whole lot of police officials and army personnel who have gathered, there are metal barricades and this is actually a scene that you are seeing in various parts of the city. we are more than 100 kilometres away from the nearest border where any of those clashes have been, that is how seriously the capital is taking this protest. there are thousands of farmers coming in from three neighbouring states that are making

their way into delhi. they are being blocked by concrete barricades and metal nails and barbed wire and the government really does not want to see these protesters getting anywhere near the capital city. what is the main sticking point between the farmers' unions and the government? what they are really looking for, the farmers are saying we want a bare minimum pricing for their crops. they also want to see some debt forgiveness and frankly they are also looking to see that india withdraws from the world trade organization. this is not the first time we have seen protesters or farmers protesting in this way. three years ago, farmers protested for more than a year and they were rallying against these agricultural reforms that have been put in place. eventually, the government relented on some of those parts and part of this protest stems from these previous protests

because farmers are saying some of the promises that were guaranteed to us back then still have not come to fruition. we are just months away from a general election in india and farmers form a massive voting block. they do not uniformly vote, but the prime minister certainly does not want to be seen as having to deal with mass protests just before any kind of general election. you mention 2020 and the measures in place to avoid it becoming gridlocked in delhi, but some of those diversions behind you seem to be causing quite a trafficjam? yes. there is the issue that delhi is constantly riddled with traffic but of course there are many more of these kinds of roadblocks happening all around the city, particularly when you start crossing into the state of haryana, and lots of people commute

from delhi to that state on a daily basis and that is really why we are seeing a lot of problems. the german chancellor, olaf scholz, has called for a massive increase in the european production of armaments. speaking during a foundation—laying ceremony for a major new arms manufacturing plant, mr scholz said those who wanted peace had to be able to deter aggressors. his remarks follow donald trump's election campaign comment that he would encourage russia to attack any nato country that hadn't spent enough on defence. jessica parker reports from berlin. states in the grounds for a new ammunition factory in germany as european leaders try to look resolute despite fresh fears that a new trump presidency could wreck transatlantic defence guarantees —— spades in the ground. what do you make of donald trump as my comments over the weekend? i am

make of donald trump as my comments over the weekend?— over the weekend? i am sure he was absolutely clear _ over the weekend? i am sure he was absolutely clear that _ over the weekend? i am sure he was absolutely clear that we _ over the weekend? i am sure he was absolutely clear that we are - absolutely clear that we are cooperating with the nato alliance of assets for the peace and security of assets for the peace and security of america and other european countries and he will be sure that this is the decision of the people of america. this is the decision of the people of america-— this is the decision of the people of america. ~ , ., , ., , this is the decision of the people of america. ~ , .,, ., , ., of america. must europe get ready to no it alone of america. must europe get ready to go it alone if— of america. must europe get ready to go it alone if necessary? _ of america. must europe get ready to go it alone if necessary? i _ of america. must europe get ready to go it alone if necessary? i think- go it alone if necessary? i think euro -e go it alone if necessary? i think eumpe must— go it alone if necessary? i think europe must be _ go it alone if necessary? i think europe must be ready - go it alone if necessary? i think europe must be ready no - go it alone if necessary? i think| europe must be ready no matter go it alone if necessary? i think- europe must be ready no matter what. the situation _ europe must be ready no matter what. the situation we are in, with a more and more _ the situation we are in, with a more and more oppressive russia, it shows us that_ and more oppressive russia, it shows us that we _ and more oppressive russia, it shows us that we have to scale up. at and more oppressive russia, it shows us that we have to scale up.— us that we have to scale up. at this wea on is us that we have to scale up. at this weapon is planned, _ us that we have to scale up. at this weapon is planned, everyone - us that we have to scale up. at this weapon is planned, everyone is - weapon is planned, everyone is trying to appear composed but there is alarm because the us is crucial to european security. so how long before the continent could defend itself? i before the continent could defend itself? ., before the continent could defend itself? ,, , ., , itself? i think we need ten years, because the _ itself? i think we need ten years, because the stocks _ itself? i think we need ten years,

because the stocks are _ itself? i think we need ten years, because the stocks are empty - itself? i think we need ten years, | because the stocks are empty and itself? i think we need ten years, i because the stocks are empty and if you really have an aggressor who want to fight against nato, to be really prepared we need ten years. the country's —— the countries in queen match the nato spending target last year. in red are those which didn't, including france, italy and germany. this man used to campaign for disarmament but says he has changed and so has germany. a nation that has been nervous of rearming after the catastrophic conflicts of the 21st century. i after the catastrophic conflicts of the 21st century.— the 21st century. i remember the last da s the 21st century. i remember the last days of _ the 21st century. i remember the last days of the _ the 21st century. i remember the last days of the second - the 21st century. i remember the last days of the second world . the 21st century. i remember the l last days of the second world war, fleeing from the east, hearing the cannons. i rememberthat. it happens because democracy wasn't defended. germany is set to increase its

defence budget this year, and with nine months until the us election europe will, for now, have to concentrate on the things that can actually control. the former prime minister of pakistan — imran khan — has ruled out forming a coalition with another party, according to local reporters — after last week's general election left no party with the clear majority to form a government. mr khan made the comments while arriving at court, over his alleged involvement in violent protests last may, following his arrest on corruption charges. let's go live now to our pakistan correspondent caroline davies. bring us the very latest. this is alwa s bring us the very latest. this is always quite — bring us the very latest. this is always quite an _ bring us the very latest. this is always quite an extraordinary l bring us the very latest. this is - always quite an extraordinary moment with imran khan, he is currently in prison and all of this court case happening was happening insidejail, so the times when he decides to speak to reporters happen inside jail, inside a courtroom, yet he is still able to get messages out, international media has not been

allowed inside the jail to witness any of the trials but local media has and we understand that when they came into court, mr khan directly address them, much to the continued consternation of the jail authorities. he still literally seems to be able to hold court in court. during the process he talked about the fact that it was not thinkable but they would form a coalition with nawaz sharif�*s pml—n party, or with the ppp, and she also spoke about the fact that no government officials had come into jail to be ten, that has been something some of the media has talked about. he denied that had happened and called on other parties who felt they had the polls are rigged against them to join together with his supporters to protest against that too. authorities here deny any rigging has taken place but this is a continued narrative we are hearing both from imran khan when he is able to speak to his reporters

and also from his party, they have tried to sustain pressure on the system. they won the largest number of seats as independent candidates in the general election but not enough to form a majority. they claim they have won many more seats and are trying to challenge some of those in court to show, they say, that rigging has taken place. that is something imran khan's party are continually pushing. and we know the pml-n, continually pushing. and we know the pml—n, nawaz sharif is my party, and that of alberto because my party, the ppp, have had ongoing discussions about whether the ppp, have had ongoing discussions about whether they will form a government. so we have no idea who will rule at the moment. so we have no idea who will rule at the moment-— the moment. thank you very much indeed. in brazil, the final parade of rio carnival takes place on tuesday. the annual celebrations dominate february across brazil, as top samba schools compete with one another. with more, here 5 our south america correspondent ione wells.

lent might be the time to hold back. but the holiday before it starts is the time to go all out. all out dancing... ..all out costumes... ..all out music. translation: the| carnival is amazing. i'm loving it. i come every year, and every year it's better than the last one. rio's carnival is perfect. crowds swarm here from around the world to watch the parades. a chance for performers to highlight political issues too. this samba school, salgueiro, paid tribute to the country's largest indigenous group, the yanomami, asking that the amazon and local communities be protected from illegal mining and the contamination of water and the rainforest it causes. translation: salgueiro was very i present in this historical time . that we are living by bringing the yanomami here, because right now

the yanomami territory is suffering with gold miners and folks that don't respect the forest people. the school also paid tribute to the british journalist don phillips and local indigenous expert, bruno pereira. they were murdered in the amazon in 2022, after investigating illegalfishing, logging and drug trafficking in indigenous reserves. this is the place where politics and partying collide, because if there was anywhere to make a noise about something, it's here. ione wells, bbc news, sao paolo. schools have closed and part of the australian state of victoria because of what emergency services say are the most dangerous fire conditions in the region for years. officials have warned of potentially catastrophic fires because of rising

temperatures, high wins and the threat of thunderstorms after weeks of dry weather. one person is missing on 12 have been taken to hospital in the swedish city of gothenburg. huge flames engulfed a newly built water park in the city, forcing the evacuation of nearby hotels and offices. police also warned nearby residents to remain indoors because of the smoke. the park was still several months away from its official opening and the cause of the blaze is currently unknown. before we go president biden hasjoined tiktok with his first video captioned: 'lol hey guys.�* the post has already racked up more than six million views. he answered questions on the super bowl in a brief video — take a look.

you can catch up until the reaction to it and all of the stories we are covering by checking out our website. stay with us here on bbc news. hello again. over the next few days, the temperature is going to creep up. it's going to turn much milder. what we have today, this weather front across the north—west of scotland producing some showers. it's behind this weather front coming into the south—west that we start to drag in the milder conditions. but with it, too, its bringing in a lot of cloud and some rain and some drizzle across england and also wales.

that rain pepping up across northern england through the day. eventually, we'll see a bit more cloud into the far south of southern scotland and also parts of northern ireland, but clearer skies, some hazy sunshine across much of the rest of scotland. and we're looking at 6 to 9 here, but 10 to 12 in the south. now through this evening and overnight, we continue with cloudy and wet conditions across england, also wales, getting into northern ireland and then eventually southern scotland. but under clearer skies across the highlands, for example, temperatures in sheltered glens could fall away to —5 or —6. much milderfurther south. into tomorrow then we've got a clutch of weather fronts. this one heading northwards. you can see this one trailing across the south. so essentially it means once again, we're looking at a cloudy and a wet day. the rain on and off through the course of the day pushing northwards. here's the trailing front. in between there'll be some brighter skies, but the brightest skies will be in the far north of scotland where we see some hazy sunshine.

highs 6 to 8, but note how the milder conditions are spreading further north. and that process will continue as we head on through thursday. we still have weather fronts in the forecast, but it's all but the very far north of scotland, the northern isles, that are going to be in the milderair. so on thursday, it's another cloudy and wet day. again, we've got the rain pushing north, more rain coming in across the southwest, some brighter skies in between. but it's the temperature that will be the talking point because on thursday, somewhere in the southeast could hit 16 or 17. but the milder air continuing to track that bit further north. then as we move on into friday, the rain clears away from the east. we've got a ridge of high pressure building in. there'll be variable amounts of cloud. but even so, we'll see some breaks in that cloud with a few showers scattered in the west, particularly west wales and temperatures slipping a little bit but still up to 14.

this is bbc news, the headlines... as smoke rises above the rafah crossing, ceasefire negotiations are due to take place across the border in cairo involving american, egyptian, israeli and qatari officials. labour suspends its rochdale by—election candidate, azhar ali, as more details emerge about the comments he made about israel.

the ymca is calling for the next government to commit to more funding for youth services — and says thousands of young people are missing out. pet owners are being urged to take more care after a rise in wild animals being attacked by cats and dogs. labour has withdrawn support for its candidate in the rochdale by—election, azhar ali, because of remarks he made about israel. the party says further information has now come to light. it had previously defended mr ali after he'd apologised. it's too late for labour to change its candidate. opponents have accused the party of being in disarray. here's the audio, published by the daily mail newspaper, with those comments from mr ali. he shouldn't have been suspended. i know him really well. the media and some of

the people in the media from certainjewish quarters were giving **** about what he said.