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tv   Verified Live  BBC News  February 21, 2024 3:00pm-3:31pm GMT

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live from london. this is bbc news. the israeli parliament votes to support pro—minister benjamin netanyahu's declaration opposing a two state solution.— two state solution. fighting continues — two state solution. fighting continues in _ two state solution. fighting continues in gaza _ two state solution. fighting continues in gaza with - two state solution. fighting continues in gaza with loud | continues in gaza with loud explosions heard in the north. we speak to a british doctor who has just returned from khan younis. british mps debate with a call for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire. this is the sea life at westminster. uk insists its nuclear deterrent is viable after the second trident missile test failure a row. and a pioneering satellite known as one of the grandfathers of earth observation is set to fall back to earth in this hour. we will have the latest.
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hello, i'm matthew amroliwala, welcome to verified live, three hours of breaking stories, and checking out the truth behind them. we begin with the war in gaza — and over the next couple of hours on the programme we'll bring you the latest on the ground — we also have a vote coming up, in the british parliament, on calls for an �*immediate humanitarian ceasefire' — that debate has already started. more on that, in a moment. first though, these are some of the latest pictures of israel is now into its fourth month of military operations — in the north, south and central parts of the territory — since the hamas attacks on october the 7th. and in the last hour, the israeli parliament, the knesset, has voted to oppose any unilateral creation of a palestinian state. this is what the israeli plan is to had to say in the last little while. the people of israel and their elected representatives are united today as never before. the knesset voted overwhelmingly to oppose any attempt to unilaterally impose a palestinian state on israel. such an attempt will only endanger israel
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and will prevent the genuine peace that we all seek. peace can only be achieved after we achieve total victory over hamas and through direct negotiations between the parties, direct negotiations without preconditions. live now to jerusalem and our correspondent paul adams. this was not unexpected but still significant. this was not unexpected but still siunificant. ~ ., . ., , significant. well, no, it certainly wasn't unexpected. _ significant. well, no, it certainly wasn't unexpected. in _ significant. well, no, it certainly wasn't unexpected. in fact, - significant. well, no, it certainly wasn't unexpected. in fact, it. significant. well, no, it certainly. wasn't unexpected. in fact, it was clear from last week that this was the line that the israeli government was going to take. you had it essentially... benjamin netanyahu essentially... benjamin neta nyahu made essentially... benjamin netanyahu made his position very clear. the knesset approved his remarks and then knesset followed suit today. it was pretty unanimous. i think 99 out of 120 knesset members, that is a big majority. it included plenty of people in the opposition who share the view that israel should not be
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dictated to by outside powers talking about recognising a palestinian state before the conclusion of peace negotiations. i think there is an apprehension here that as we hear the united states, britain and others talking more and more about trying to secure some kind of political horizon, some kind of better future out of the horrendous mess that is the gaza crisis, that this notion of unilateral recognition of a palestinian state is beginning to be talked about more and more. as a step along a process, not as at the end result of a process. that is something that clearly the israelis are anxious to fall stall, they see that as pre—empting as you heard from benjamin netanyahu the outcome of political negotiations between the parties. but i think there is a view that that process of a peace
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process in which the two sides were left to themselves to try and sort this out, that frankly died a long time ago. and there is a growing belief in the international community that it is going to take some big steps by israel's allies, including the recognition of palestinian statehood, to try and drive this process forward.- drive this process forward. paul, more immediately, _ drive this process forward. paul, more immediately, let's- drive this process forward. paul, more immediately, let's talk - drive this process forward. paul, i more immediately, let's talk about rafa. we got that indication from benny gantz, but at what stage are we likely to get any sort of indication from the israeli authorities what their evacuation plan is? because if it has any chance, any remote chance, have been effective for 1.3 million people, then presumably those people have got to know what they are supposed to do pretty soon. you got to know what they are supposed to do pretty soon-— to do pretty soon. you would think so, to do pretty soon. you would think so. wouldn't _ to do pretty soon. you would think so, wouldn't you? _ to do pretty soon. you would think so, wouldn't you? certainly - to do pretty soon. you would think so, wouldn't you? certainly the - so, wouldn't you? certainly the americans are saying that they have not heard anything yet that suggests that they are aware of what the plan is. i think we are still some way
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off, matthew. at the moment we are hearing the israelis telling people that actually into neighbourhoods up in the edge of gaza city that they should be evacuating and heading to the al—mawasi area on the mediterranean coast. we are also seeing the continuation of military activity in khan younis and also in the what are known as the central camps. so not much talk about rafah, and i think the thing to look for will be at what point do the israeli start to drop leaflets over rafah. send text messages, make phone calls. those are the moves that preceded the major offensives in gaza city and khan younis, and we have seen absolutely no sign of any of that happening yet, which suggests to me that this is still some way off. suggests to me that this is still some way off-— some way off. paul adams in jerusalem. — some way off. paul adams in jerusalem, thank _ some way off. paul adams in jerusalem, thank you - some way off. paul adams in jerusalem, thank you very i some way off. paul adams in i jerusalem, thank you very much some way off. paul adams in - jerusalem, thank you very much for jerusalem, thank you very much for that will stop we are juggling that voter that i was telling about in the headlines on the programme here because i have already been angry
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scenes at westminster ahead of the vote that we expect in the next couple of hours. it is about the exact wording of the ceasefire most of that mp said debating. that is the live scene. let's bring in our political correspondent because he is there in westminster getting a reaction to this crucial debate. you might guess, matthew, welcome to the house of commons. angry scenes outside and passionate debate going on inside. the outside and passionate debate going on inside. ., ., ., , , outside and passionate debate going on inside. ., ., .,, , _ on inside. the motion was bred by the snp here _ on inside. the motion was bred by the snp here in _ on inside. the motion was bred by the snp here in the _ on inside. the motion was bred by the snp here in the uk _ on inside. the motion was bred by the snp here in the uk calling - on inside. the motion was bred by the snp here in the uk calling for| the snp here in the uk calling for an immediate ceasefire in gaza. its leader stephen flynn joins an immediate ceasefire in gaza. its leader stephen flynnjoins me now. stephen, a few minutes ago the speaker decided to choose up a labour amendment as well as a government amendment to your motion calling for an immediate ceasefire. your reaction festival to that decision from the speaker. there is auoin to decision from the speaker. there is going to be — decision from the speaker. there is going to be a _ decision from the speaker. there is going to be a huge _ decision from the speaker. there is going to be a huge amount - decision from the speaker. there is going to be a huge amount of- going to be a huge amount of commentary around the procedure and the fact— commentary around the procedure and the fact that the speaker of the house — the fact that the speaker of the house of— the fact that the speaker of the house of commons has deviated significantly from the procedure. there _ significantly from the procedure. there is— significantly from the procedure. there is a — significantly from the procedure. there is a letter that has been placed — there is a letter that has been placed by— there is a letter that has been placed by his senior clerk which of course _ placed by his senior clerk which of course outlines the fact that the speaker — course outlines the fact that the speaker has made a somewhat unique decision— speaker has made a somewhat unique decision today. this has never been
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about— decision today. this has never been about amendments on motions, this has always— about amendments on motions, this has always been about the people of palestine _ has always been about the people of palestine. the people of gaza who are under— palestine. the people of gaza who are under constant bombardment by the israeii _ are under constant bombardment by the israeli defence forces. we have seen 30,000 people killed, 70,000 injured _ seen 30,000 people killed, 70,000 injured and — seen 30,000 people killed, 70,000 injured and currently 1.4 million people — injured and currently 1.4 million peopie are _ injured and currently 1.4 million people are sheltering in rafa awaiting an israeli bombardment. we have been_ awaiting an israeli bombardment. we have been clear and consistent in our view— have been clear and consistent in our view that there has to be an immediate _ our view that there has to be an immediate ceasefire, that enough is enough _ immediate ceasefire, that enough is enough i_ immediate ceasefire, that enough is enough. i am just delighted that we have managed to insert a backbone into the _ have managed to insert a backbone into the leadership of the later party— into the leadership of the later party and that they now agree there needs— party and that they now agree there needs to _ party and that they now agree there needs to be an immediate ceasefire. i will therefore be backing and i civilly— i will therefore be backing and i civilly hope that they will back our motioh _ civilly hope that they will back our motion. the only difference between the two _ motion. the only difference between the two of— motion. the only difference between the two of us is the fact that we refer— the two of us is the fact that we refer to — the two of us is the fact that we refer to the collective punishment of the _ refer to the collective punishment of the palestinian people. if the labour— of the palestinian people. if the labour party don't want to vote for that, _ labour party don't want to vote for that, they— labour party don't want to vote for that, they need to explain that to the likes— that, they need to explain that to the likes of yourselves. i am very confident— the likes of yourselves. i am very confident in— the likes of yourselves. i am very confident in our opposition. you say this is about — confident in our opposition. you say this is about the _ confident in our opposition. you say this is about the situation _ confident in our opposition. you say this is about the situation in - confident in our opposition. you say this is about the situation in gaza i this is about the situation in gaza and the suffering going on there. can i put you a point that that others will make that you are playing politics with this but am bringing this motion and seeking to
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cause a divide within the labour party which would obviously key to the election later this year and actually what you are doing here is playing politics with a very sensitive issue in which a number of mps have had their lives and homes and families threatened. what mps have had their lives and homes and families threatened.— and families threatened. what we have sought _ and families threatened. what we have sought to — and families threatened. what we have sought to do _ and families threatened. what we have sought to do on _ and families threatened. what we have sought to do on this - and families threatened. what we have sought to do on this issue i and families threatened. what we have sought to do on this issue is| have sought to do on this issue is be as consistent and clear as we possibly can be. the snp as soon as we see the scale of the brutality of the israeli government's response to the israeli government's response to the aberrant terrorist attacks of october the 7th we call for an immediate ceasefire. that position has been consistent. the only thing that has changed is the view of the labour party at this moment in time. the only reason that has changed is because of two reasons. one because of public pressure at the outrage amongst the public at the seams they are witnessing but also the fact that the snp have continued to raise this at pm cues that seem see the likes of the debate today. it was not for the snp moving the debate today than we would not be in a position where westminster is about the abhorrent situation that we see in gaza. all we have sought to do is give a voice to the voiceless. if i may, i think we are succeeding.
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diplomacy is about language and fine tuning language. 0ne diplomacy is about language and fine tuning language. one of the differences between your motion and the labour wording is a specific condemnation of hamas and of the attacks on the 7th of october. why does your motion not condemned as attacks and hamas particularly? you or i have been unequivocal since the very moment it became newsworthy are very moment it became newsworthy —.e: apparent on very moment it became newsworthy 5.e: apparent on the very moment it became newsworthy 5s: apparent on the news that hamas had done what they had done on the 7th of october. they had to be condemned. hamas have to be defeated andindeed condemned. hamas have to be defeated and indeed they have to release the hostages. we have said that since the very start of this situation and i have been unequivocal on that. i do not feel the need to explain that in the motion before us today because i have been so totally clear on it. today's motion was about the hostages and about calling for that immediate ceasefire because we need to see the release of the hostages and we need to see that immediate ceasefire because that is the only way that we can stop the killing thatis way that we can stop the killing that is taking place in gaza. the only way that we can get to a
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position where we have peace. i am just so glad that the labour party now agree with the snp that that of course shows the strength of having snp mps at westminster.— snp mps at westminster. stephen fl nn, snp mps at westminster. stephen flynn. thank— snp mps at westminster. stephen flynn. thank you — snp mps at westminster. stephen flynn, thank you very _ snp mps at westminster. stephen flynn, thank you very much - snp mps at westminster. stephen flynn, thank you very much for- flynn, thank you very much for joining us. that debate is continuing in the house of commons just a few metres away from me. there will be a series of birds in a few hours' time and we will be bringing you those as they come. harry, thank you very much for now. let's return to the situation on the ground in gaza because the pressure continues to grow on gaza's remaining hospitals. the world health organization has released footage, from monday — of the evacuation of 32 critically ill patients from the nasser medical complex, in khan younis. it says, the hospital is barely able to function, with patients moved to a group of field hospitals in rafah — and to the nearby european gaza hospital. let's speak to a british orthopaedic surgeon who recently returned from working at that european gaza hospital in khan younis. sarah, thank you so much for being here on
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bbc news. why don't you start by just describing what it was actually like in the hospital, the things that you were seeing and dealing with. ,., .. that you were seeing and dealing with. ,., ., ., ., ., ., ,, i. with. good afternoon, thank you. the chari , i with. good afternoon, thank you. the charity. i have — with. good afternoon, thank you. the charity, i have been _ with. good afternoon, thank you. the charity, i have been going _ with. good afternoon, thank you. the charity, i have been going to - with. good afternoon, thank you. the charity, i have been going to gaza - charity, i have been going to gaza for about 11 years and so european gaza hospital quite well. but this time was so different. the hospital itself is normally only about 250 beds, it was increased during covid to 450 and has a prefab field hospital in the grounds. but it has now got about 900 patients. but not only the patients, theirfamilies, a lot of the doctors are also having to live within the hospital itself. so the hospital itself is absolutely packed. the patients and relatives sleeping in corridors. under tarpaulins, tensing the grounds. tell me more about the types of
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operations that are having to be done, the medication that is available, anaesthetics, how relentless is it for the medical staff? it relentless is it for the medical staff? , . ., , relentless is it for the medical staff? , . . , ,, staff? it is certainly relentless for the local _ staff? it is certainly relentless for the local staff _ staff? it is certainly relentless for the local staff who - staff? it is certainly relentless for the local staff who have i staff? it is certainly relentless i for the local staff who have been decimated either by being displaced orjust not simply being able to get to the hospital. so they are working with very few staff and it is supplemented by the international groups that are going in. the injuries themselves are sort of two different types. there will be the acute injuries and then there will be the continuing need to treat those injuries and those patients who sustained them a couple of months ago. at least 40 to 70% of injuries will be orthopaedic injuries, and those are the ones that require long—term input into. so you have the acute injuries with
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horrible open fractures, loss of soft tissue and bone, traumatic amputations, and then you need the ongoing care for those patients as well. so there were only five theatres in the main block at european gaza, the icrc were downstairs and also the neurosurgical theatre. the theatre is were running at least 12 hours a day. if not longer. 50 is were running at least 12 hours a day. if not longer.— day. if not longer. so that is what it is like in — day. if not longer. so that is what it is like in the _ day. if not longer. so that is what it is like in the hospitals. - day. if not longer. so that is what it is like in the hospitals. i - day. if not longer. so that is what it is like in the hospitals. i know. it is like in the hospitals. i know that you also were in and around rafah, just describe far as what that was like and the volume of people there, and any sense of lawlessness that is creeping in that officials are increasingly talking about and i worried about. yes. officials are increasingly talking about and i worried about. yes, you can only cross _ about and i worried about. yes, you can only cross through _ about and i worried about. yes, you can only cross through rafa. - about and i worried about. yes, you can only cross through rafa. which | can only cross through rafa. which was a new experience for me. so i don't know it that well. essentially on the first day when we crossed
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over we had to travel up what is called the philadelphia road which actually borders the border and then actually borders the border and then a refugee camp. and you have got this road, and the tents are almost across the road. there was no room, it was absolutely packed. and then going along this road, there were groups of adolescents who would probably attack a vehicle, and we heard last week that one international group as �*s vehicle had been attacked. we weren't attacked because we paid for to ride shotgun in our lead vehicle. standing on the vehicle either side of the passenger and the driver side. that was to prevent us from being attacked. i certainly saw one kid in the ground with a stone in his hand ready to throw at us. and thatis his hand ready to throw at us. and that is just simple desperation,
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because they have no food, they have no water, they have absolutely nothing. and in other words, we did nothing. and in other words, we did not travel that much because it wasn't that safe, so just travelling into the hospital and ourfirst wasn't that safe, so just travelling into the hospital and our first day and then travelling out on our last day. but all of the roads, everywhere is just full of tents and idp. driving pace is about walking pace because of the crowds. sarah phillis, pace because of the crowds. sarah phillips. good _ pace because of the crowds. sarah phillips. good of— pace because of the crowds. sarah phillips, good of you _ pace because of the crowds. sarah phillips, good of you to _ pace because of the crowds. sarah phillips, good of you to take - pace because of the crowds. sarah phillips, good of you to take time to speak with us. thank you so much forjoining us here on bbc news. thank you for your time. just a pointer because he on the programme in about 15—20 minutes we are going to talk to the world food programme who have now stopped deliveries to the north of the gaza strip the cost of some of the security concerns we were hearing about there. we will have that interview coming up on the programme as i say in about 15—20 minutes. around the world and across the uk, you are watching bbc news. let's take a look at a couple of other stories making the headlines
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today because thousands ofjunior doctors across wales have begun every day strike in their latest action in a pay dispute. the strike means thousands of appointments and operations have been cancelled. it is the second walk—out since january by doctors, who say they've effectively lost about a third of their pay in the last 15 years. the doctors' union, the bma, says the welsh government's offer of a five % increase is the worst in the uk. actor ewen macintosh, best known for playing keith in the classic british comedy the office, has died at the age of 50. the series co—creator ricky gervais has paid tribute to macintosh, writing on social media —that he was "an absolute original." the government is implementing one of the key recommendations of the independent inquiry into child sexual abuse — by making it a �*legal requirement�* for many people who work with children in england and wales to report evidence of abuse. those who fail to comply with the mandatory reporting duty could be barred from working with young people, while covering up abuse could result
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in a prison sentence. you are levied bbc news. for the second time in a row the test firing of a trident missile from submarine has failed. it was supposed to have flown several thousand miles, before landing harmlessly in the atlantic — between brazil and west africa. instead, the missile, dropped into the ocean off florida, close to where it was launched. the ministry of defence insists the deterrent is still effective. here�*s our defence correspondentjonathan beale. this test actually took place injanuary, but only now have details been revealed. the missile was launched from britain�*s hms vanguard off the coast of florida. it was supposed to fly about 3700 miles and land harmlessly in the sea off west africa. instead the unarmed test missile hit the water close to the launch site. so what do we know about the missile itself? its us manufacturer says it has a range of more than four and a half thousand miles and can carry multiple nuclear warheads,
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each of which can be directed towards different targets. there have been 191 successful test launches, the most carried out by the us, just a dozen by the uk. and the last two of those uk tests have gone wrong. that is our defence correspondent. let�*s speak to rear admiral chris parry. he�*s a former royal navy warfare officer. thank you forjoining us on the programme. this is pretty embarrassing, isn�*t it? i programme. this is pretty embarrassing, isn't it? i don't think it is _ embarrassing, isn't it? i don't think it is as _ embarrassing, isn't it? i don't think it is as embarrassing i embarrassing, isn't it? i don't think it is as embarrassing as| think it is as embarrassing as people are making out. from what i have heard what went wrong with this what the test equipment that was rigged on the missile itself to calibrate its trajectory and performance got in the way of the test and probably caused a malfunction. either that or it induced what we call a command detonation, because the missile was perceived to be operating in
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accurately. the missile itself i think was ok but something to do with the test was anomalous. who; think was ok but something to do with the test was anomalous. why do ou think it with the test was anomalous. why do you think it is — with the test was anomalous. why do you think it is not _ with the test was anomalous. why do you think it is not embarrassing - you think it is not embarrassing given that nuclear deterrence is all about projecting strength and this presumably chips away at that? he. presumably chips away at that? no, it is a dummy _ presumably chips away at that? mr, it is a dummy missile. it is designed to calibrate the way in which the submarine under the system itself operates. as far as we can see the submarine under the system operated perfectly and as i said, i think something managed to go wrong with the test equipment or the test protocols. the missile itself seem to have flown properly, so that to tell the truth. asjonathan just pointed out, there have been 191 launched of these missiles and they have all performed perfectly. we had a problem in 2016 with one of our missiles which was because the wrong coordinates had been put in by some human being, that was a human error. and so therefore, again, the missile launch had to be aborted. nothing
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left of the submarine, it went on its way, we can have confidence in that to tell you the truth. ii'iin�*n�* its way, we can have confidence in that to tell you the truth.- that to tell you the truth. how do ou think that to tell you the truth. how do you think of _ that to tell you the truth. how do you think of the _ that to tell you the truth. how do you think of the people _ that to tell you the truth. how do you think of the people love - that to tell you the truth. how do you think of the people love you | you think of the people love you this, not perhaps within the ministry of defence and here, but russia an obvious observer to things like this? are you not concerned about how this actually looks? trio. like this? are you not concerned about how this actually looks? ha. i about how this actually looks? no, i think russia — about how this actually looks? no, i think russia knows _ about how this actually looks? no, i think russia knows that _ about how this actually looks? no, i think russia knows that for - about how this actually looks? i157, i think russia knows that for the last 70 years we have maintained a continuous deterrence at sea with our submarines in the north atlantic, and i am afraid the russians looking at the failures that we have had will then reflect on their own which are infinitely worse, i am afraid to say. they have had a series of catastrophic failures with their nuclear submarines and with their ballistic missile launches. so i think the russians will be saying, crikey, how do they get it right almost all of the time? ., ., ., the time? final thought then, a twin thou~ht, the time? final thought then, a twin thought. what _ the time? final thought then, a twin thought, what is _ the time? final thought then, a twin thought, what is the _ the time? final thought then, a twin thought, what is the cost _ the time? final thought then, a twin thought, what is the cost of- the time? final thought then, a twin thought, what is the cost of each i the time? final thought then, a twin thought, what is the cost of each of| thought, what is the cost of each of these tests and roughly how long will it be before those within the
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ministry of defence know exactly why it went wrong? i ministry of defence know exactly why it went wrong?— it went wrong? i think they probably know now, it went wrong? i think they probably know now. to _ it went wrong? i think they probably know now, to tell _ it went wrong? i think they probably know now, to tell you _ it went wrong? i think they probably know now, to tell you the _ it went wrong? i think they probably know now, to tell you the truth, i know now, to tell you the truth, matthew. the telemetry and the information that was sent back would have told you that. it is rather like a black box in an aircraft. they cost about 15—17,000,000 a shot and i have to tell you that is cheaper the price if it is going to work on the day. i keep saying to people that the nuclear deterrent that keeps us safe costs less per capita than home insurance does, it is a pretty good system. goad capita than home insurance does, it is a pretty good system.— is a pretty good system. good to talk to you- _ is a pretty good system. good to talk to you. thank _ is a pretty good system. good to talk to you. thank you _ is a pretty good system. good to talk to you. thank you for i is a pretty good system. good toj talk to you. thank you forjoining us unverified live. a pioneering european satellite is set to fall back to earth in the next little while. the second earth remote sensing satellites described as one of the grandfathers of earth observation has been gradually descending since it stopped operating back in 2011 and will finally fall into the earth�*s atmosphere at some stage in the next few hours. 0r atmosphere at some stage in the next few hours. or even in the next few
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minutes. the european space agency says that most of the two tonne satellite will actually burn up on the way down. let speak to our science correspondent who is keeping an eye on this. john, welcome to the programme. when and where did he expect this to come down? ii the expect this to come down? if the projections _ expect this to come down? if the projections are — expect this to come down? if the projections are right, _ expect this to come down? if the projections are right, matthew, l expect this to come down? if ii�*uéi projections are right, matthew, the satellite is still up there, it is passing over the horn of africa as we speak but it is on its last orbit. so it is well under 150 kilometres above the earth, it will head north over the arctic, come back down through the canadian arctic, the northwest territory of british columbia, and as i say if the projection is correct it will dig in the atmosphere somewhere over the north pacific. if there is any debris that reaches the surface it is going to go for a swim. i will come back— is going to go for a swim. i will come back to _ is going to go for a swim. i will come back to that _ is going to go for a swim. i will come back to that in _ is going to go for a swim. i will come back to that in a - is going to go for a swim. i will| come back to that in a moment is going to go for a swim. i will come back to that in a moment but in terms of the satellite, it really was cutting edge in its time, just tell you are not familiar with it
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what exactly it did over the years. saw the european space agency put up two satellites in the 1990s, they were called the earth remote sensing satellites, there was a number—one model which went first and in the 19905, model which went first and in the 1990s, they were called the earth remote sensing satellites, there was a number—one model which went first and another two model. it is the number two model which and they were equipped with instruments that studied the earth in completely novel ways. they were able to track theice novel ways. they were able to track the ice fields, fires, they were able to look at the earth as it buckled during earthquakes, they studied the atmosphere, they set the scene for some of the meteorological level observation is that i now routinely made about planet earth as well. everything really stems from these two satellites, certainly in europe, in terms of earth observation. so today you may have had have the copernicus programme, the sentinel satellites, which is something that the european union and the european space agency started. the uk is not in the eu but it is part of this programme. a
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really sophisticated suite of satellites now looking at the earth in lots of different ways. very high fidelity, and that system really owes an enormous debt to these two satellites. and the first of which is about to re—enter the atmosphere. you are absolutely right. i was just reading comments from glazier experts about an hour or so ago who are saying the satellite simply revolutionised their knowledge about what was going on and confirming what was going on and confirming what was going on and confirming what was not coming on as well. a final thought though in terms of how we actually know when it has come down and whether all of it has burnt up. how will we actually be able to work that out? 50 up. how will we actually be able to work that out?— work that out? so the satellite itself was. _ work that out? so the satellite itself was, as _ work that out? so the satellite itself was, as they _ work that out? so the satellite itself was, as they say, i work that out? so the satellite itself was, as they say, past i work that out? so the satellite i itself was, as they say, past abated quite a long time ago. almost 16 years ago. they drained the batteries, got everything out of the fuel tanks and switched it off. there is no signal, it is coming in
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under control, but they have a series of radars dotted around the planet and they will be looking at the radar to see whether or not it is actually visible. if it is not visible that means it is down. john, thank ou visible that means it is down. john, thank you very _ visible that means it is down. john, thank you very much. _ visible that means it is down. john, thank you very much. a _ visible that means it is down. john, thank you very much. a little i thank you very much. a little earlier you said that could even be within the next 20 minutes or so. we will keep an eye on that and you will keep an eye on that and you will as well and we will talk again perhaps throughout the course of our programme. just before we take a break i want to show you the live pictures of gaza coming into us from southern israel, because throughout the last few hours plumes of smoke is what we have been seeing as the israeli military continues its operations. we are over four months into this military assault since the october the 7th attacks by hamas. that is going on on the ground. whilst at westminster that debate that british mps are having, they will vote on that in about one and a half hour. we will get the latest from that story as well. all of that
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here unverified live over the next couple of hours. hello there. it is hardly going to come as a shock to say that it has been a mild but very wet winter so far. but for some it has been a record—breaking one. we have still got another week of february to add to the statistics. in aberdeenshire, in worcestershire and in north yorkshire is the average rainfall total that we should see over the winter period and we have smashed those figures. some areas seeing 75% more rainfall already. and there is more rain to come over the next 48 hours. this will be the story so far today. this blanket of cloud and rain sweeping its way steadily eastwards. that frontal system will gradually start to ease away as we go through the day and we are expecting an improving picture the further north and west you are. to some late afternoon sunny spells and a few scattered showers. it will continue to be a windy day with widespread
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gale force gusts of winds. severe gales are still likely in a far north of scotland where we have got the heaviest of the rain. but in terms of the feel of things, those temperatures are still above average for the time of year. double digits quite widely once again. through the night tonight we will have quite a speu night tonight we will have quite a spell for a time before another frontal sd system brings a spell of heavy rain across us. ahead of it it stays mild at seven to 9 degrees. behind it are slightly cooler conditions. as we go into first day we will start off wet and windy again with a spell of gales from the channel across the south—east. behind that frontal system as it clears it is dragging in cooler air as the wind direction changes to more of a north—westerly. another speu more of a north—westerly. another spell of wet and increasingly windy weather, particularly across channel coasts first spring in the morning. behind it are sunny spells a scattering of showers and some of these showers at the higher ground will turn increasingly wintry as that fresh air kicks in. so these
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are the temperatures we should be seeing really at this time of year. not too much of a shock to the system bit unusual for february so far. more unusual as we go through the night we see the blues arriving which means under those clearer skies we could have a touch of frost. low single figures in towns and city centres, may be just below. friday morning we will certainly start off on a chilly night. friday and into the weekend, not a writer by any means with sunny spells and scattered showers.
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this is bbc news, the headlines... gaza residents face intensifying hunger. we speak live to the world food programme as they suspend their operations in the north of the territory. british mps debate with a call for an �*immediate humanitarian ceasefire�*. this is the scene live at westminster. and the beatles are getting a fab four films made about them — a biopic for each member. sport and for a full round—up, from the bbc sport centre, here�*s tanya. hello from the bbc sport centre. it�*s been confirmed that manager thomas tuchel will leave bayern munich at the end
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of the season. he�*s going a year earlier than planned, as part of "a sporting

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