a transitional council is expected to be appointed in violence—hit haiti shortly following the resignation of the prime minister. the chief of staff of the late russian opposition leader alexei navalny has been attacked with a hammer in lithuania. and the planet's largest trees, the giant redwood, are thriving in britain where they can now be found in a bigger number than in the us. hello. i'm sally bundock. we start in the united states where we now know that it's going to be president biden versus donald trump in this november's presidential election.

it's the first us presidential election rematch since 1956. joe biden secured sufficient delegates to become the democratic candidate for president. mr biden said he was honored that the party had put its faith in him again. he faced only token opposition, and will be formally anointed at his party's national convention in chicago in august. donald trump clinched the nomination for the republicans after primary races in several states. his main rival — the former un ambassador nikki haley — dropped out of the race last week. his campaign for a second term in the white house has zeroed in on stricter immigrations laws, as well as fighting crime and ending the war in ukraine. let's speak to our north america correspondent david willis. hello to you, it is now official that these two are going head—to—head?

official that these two are going head-to-head? that's ri . ht, going head-to-head? that's right. now. _ going head-to-head? that's right, now, the _ going head-to-head? that's right, now, the stage - going head-to-head? that's right, now, the stage is - right, now, the stage is formally said as you save for a rematch of the 2020 election, we've been here before. trump versus biden and both candidates, as you mentioned, put out statements saying they are honoured to be their respective party's presidential nominees. president biden faced only really token opposition during his run for his party's presidential nomination, donald trump 114 out of 15 state contest on super tuesday and that prompted his lone surviving rival nikki haley, the former u.n. ambassador to drop out of the republican race. —— won 14. even though donald trump is facing more than 19 criminal indictments, he still has a lead in most of the opinion polls here over nikki haley. the early conclusion to these nominating contest means that people in

this country are now facing a very long, ugly and expensive election campaign, one which as you mentioned, in the national conventions that either party will hold over the summer. is will hold over the summer. is it fair to say, most americans, according to polls, etc, would rather not be in this position in choosing between these two men again? i in choosing between these two men again?— men again? i think it is fair to say that _ men again? i think it is fair to say that not _ men again? i think it is fair to say that not least - men again? i think it is fair. to say that not least because there is a feeling that 77 and 81 respectively, donald trump and joe biden are simply too old, a lot of people here would rather see fresh faces going into this presidential campaign. indeed, wherejoe campaign. indeed, where joe biden campaign. indeed, wherejoe biden to be re—elected and serve another four years, he would be 86 years old by the time he leaves office. there is a feeling that there is time, there will be a much more

interest in the selection were they to have been candidates that people haven't seen before or perhaps seen the hopeful but haven't been competing in this particular level in american politics so, we should wait and see the turnout of course, could be a crucialfactor. it’s could be a crucial factor. it's likel it could be a crucial factor. it's likely it will _ could be a crucial factor. it's likely it will be, _ could be a crucial factor. it's likely it will be, that's all the play for in the selection because it very hard to say what the will be? mil because it very hard to say what the will be? all playful and some — what the will be? all playful and some of— what the will be? all playful and some of the _ what the will be? all playful and some of the key - what the will be? all playfuli and some of the key issues, what the will be? all playful. and some of the key issues, i think, will be immigration, donald trump is found to close the border as his put it, he also inflation with the economy here is improving butjoe biden doesn't seem to be getting the credit for that, and of course, there's the issue of reproductive rights which has been thrown into the mix particularly of late in the wake of the publication of roe

versus wade, the competition or right of all americans to have an abortion so, a lot of very important issues but we will weigh on this election, donald trump, ithink weigh on this election, donald trump, i think will be hoping sally that his legal woes can provide some sort of rally cry for the base of the republican party amongst two he remains extremely popular. {lila party amongst two he remains extremely popular. 0k, david, thank you _ extremely popular. ok, david, thank you for— extremely popular. 0k, david, thank you for that. _ extremely popular. 0k, david, thank you for that. without - extremely popular. 0k, david, | thank you for that. without the latest news on us inflation, it ticked up a little, it's likely in the wrong direction, will unpack that further in our business coverage lead in this programme. now, let's bring you the latest on haiti. the us says it expects a transitional council to be in place over the next two days as the violence—ridden country is left without a leader. it will be tasked with nominating a new prime minister following the resignation of ariel henry on monday. the un says it strongly hopes the agreement will help end the violence carried out by the gangs that control much of the capital. gang leaders had demanded that the prime minister step down. our central america

correspondent will grant is just outside of haiti and sent us this report. this is the dajabon border between the dominican republic and haiti. and we have already seen dominican authorities deporting haitians back in to the poorest country in the americas at a time that it is facing its most acute humanitarian crisis since the 2010 earthquake. it is also that they are being deported into a political vacuum. prime minister ariel henry stood down, citing the fact that his situation was untenable given to the violence on the street of the capital, port—au—prince. his decision came after the caricom group of caribbean nations and the us secretary of state held an emergency meeting injamaica, and made clear that they saw the roadmap towards a transitional administration in haiti starting with his resignation.

so, what happens next? well, the truth of the matter is that unfortunately things can still get much, much worse in haiti. the gangs are going to feel considerably emboldened by the fact that that have forced mr henry from power, and they already control around 80% of the capital, port—au—prince. and the hopes for a 1,000—strong kenyan—led security force are beginning to hit difficulties, as the kenyan authorities themselves are saying that you did not deploy police to the streets of port—au—prince without a sitting administration. a long—time ally of the late russian opposition leader alexei navalny has been attacked outside his home in lithuania. leonid volkov was assaulted with a hammer and tear gas while in his car in vilnius on tuesday night.

the alleged assailant is unknown, as is their motive. mr volkov has lived outside russia for some years for his own safety and served as mr navalny�*s chief of staff until the opposition leader died suddenly in prison in the russian arctic last month. speaking earlier on the day he was attacked, mr volkov highlighted the threats navalny�*s team were facing by standing up to vladimir putin. that's why vladimir putin launches all these criminal cases and does that, does poising and killing of that, indeed to push people out of the country where it is very public headed for them to stay relevant. let's speak to matthew sussex, senior fellow of central european studies at the australian national university. a warm welcome to the programme, matthew. give us your take on what you happened here? i your take on what you happened here? ~ ., ., , , here? i think that regardless of who was _ here? i think that regardless of who was directly - here? i think that regardless i of who was directly responsible

for beating up leonhard volkov, the message that it sends will be a fairly common one for those who follow russian politics and that is that if you are an opponent of the putin regime, as mr volkov through his relationship with navalny was, then it is possible for you to end up injured. ostracised or potentially dead. —— leonid volkov. more importantly, they can happen regardless of whether you are in russia's borders or outside of them and i think that's how this message will be interpreted. the elections _ will be interpreted. the elections in _ will be interpreted. the elections in russia - will be interpreted. the elections in russia taking place next weekend, timing of this? , , ., , this? yes, it is sad reality that when _ this? yes, it is sad reality that when it _ this? yes, it is sad reality that when it comes - this? yes, it is sad reality that when it comes to - this? yes, it is sad reality- that when it comes to elections in russia, bad things tend to happen to people in the lead up to the selection of course, as navalny dying and impressing so and morkov being beaten, we can remember back to 2018 when the

poisoning of the salisbury happen only two weeks before the russian presidential election. —— volkov. these things tend to somewhat link. it's interesting because alexei navalny is widow has called on opponents of vladimir putin to turn up at polling stations across russia and midday on sunday, in an act of peaceful political protest but even that is risky, isn't it? would you say? is risky, isn't it? would you sa ? �* , is risky, isn't it? would you sa? �*, .,., say? it's exceptionally risky. you can be _ say? it's exceptionally risky. you can be sentenced - say? it's exceptionally risky. you can be sentenced to - say? it's exceptionally risky. you can be sentenced to tenj say? it's exceptionally risky. i you can be sentenced to ten - you can be sentenced to ten — 15 years for criticising the special military operation in ukraine or even find yourself arrested and subject to searches perhaps even being sent to the ukrainian front for carrying a blank piece of paper, people who were mourners at the valley's funeral found themselves arrested and fined

so, this is a very risky things for russians to do because the leaders take control are so robust. —— navaly�*s. leaders take control are so robust. -- navaly's.- leaders take control are so robust. -- navaly's. from what ou robust. -- navaly's. from what you understand, _ robust. -- navaly's. from what you understand, across- robust. -- navaly's. from what you understand, across russia, is go to the polls, they will know it's a given that vladimir putin will be in time for another season as leader but, what's on their minds most about the russian economy, etc, what's the biggest issue? the will in ukraine? 0ne what's the biggest issue? the will in ukraine? one would think that the war in ukraine would be foremost in their mind but not really something that they have any political agency over. not something that they can affect, a lot of russians since the war began after in the minds inward and is a sense of profound apathy about the future that realistically holds more of the same and that may be worse, it is instructive to

note that some of the biggest copies of the debate over things like a prices. the daily cost of living _ things like a prices. the daily cost of living for _ things like a prices. the daily cost of living for russians - things like a prices. the daily| cost of living for russians and concern about what that's going to get better or worse as this conflict drags on. interesting, thank you. — conflict drags on. interesting, thank you, matthew - conflict drags on. interesting, thank you, matthew sussex. | prime minister rishi sunak has said that alleged comments about mp diane abbott made by a top conservative donor were "racist and wrong". technology boss frank hester — who donated £10 million to the party last year — is said to have made the comments in 2019. 0ur political correspondent hannah miller has more. when rishi sunak made this visit to a lead in november, his helicopter ride had been provided by one of his party's biggest donors. frank hester, who last year donated £10 million to the conservative party, now alleged to have made comments that the prime

minister spokesperson was described as racist and wrong. frank hester apologised and said that he aborts racism. in a statement he said that he accepts that he made comments that were rude about diane abbott but said his criticism had nothing to do with her gender, another colour of her skin. the prime minister suggested that he accepts that apology but today he is likely to face questions about what will happen to the money frank hester donated. labor are calling for it to be given back. ., , , back. the absolutely reprehensible - back. the absolutely - reprehensible comments, back. the absolutely _ reprehensible comments, rishi sunak should now apologise to diane abbott and the £10 million the tory party have taken from this individual, rishi sunak should order that

money to be paid back. last niaht, a money to be paid back. last night, a leading _ money to be paid back. last night, a leading member of one conservative pressure group suggested it could be used to promote ethnic minority groups. i would hope that actually, seisia hq would use that money to invest in rosters, they are so many main activist in the conservative party, there have been groups and forums and i think that actually so many of them are so unsupported that they would be a perfect opportunity to actually improve that engagement. —— cchq. opportunity to actually improve that engagement. -- cchq. diane abbott described _ that engagement. -- cchq. diane abbott described the _ that engagement. —— cchq. diane abbott described the comments is frightening and reported them to the police unit task with investigation alleged crimes against mps. buffer rishi sunak, the prime minister who stood in downing street and want against racism and extremism politics, questions remain about the language used by some of those who support him. hannah miller, bbc news. around the world and across

the uk, this is bbc news. let's look at some other stories making news. two people have been released on bail after police removed 35 bodies and a quantity of ashes from a funeral parlour in hull. detectives say they're investigating a truly horrific incident, and families are understandably distraught and heartbroken. officers say they've received more than a thousand calls from concerned members of the public. the first minister of wales, mark drakeford, will give evidence to the covid inquiry later today. he's expected to be questioned over whether he was slow to react to the spread of the virus, and how tensions grew between his government and downing street during the pandemic. a bbc investigation has found a 21% increase in dog attacks recorded in england and wales in 2023 compared with the year before. experts say the rise in behavioural problems is partly down to puppies, bought during lockdown, missing out on

normal socialisation. we've seen a rise in the activity sense. you're live with bbc news. the palestinian ambassador to the un has told the bbc�*s hardtalk programme that an israeli offensive on rafah risks dangerously escalating the conflict to a much higher level. speaking to stephen sackur, he also said that, "the palestinian leadership welcome assistance "in any way possible," including president biden's initiative to build a port. but when it comes to aid, he insisted that there is no alternative to unrwa and the focus must be on land crossings. the united states and in particular presidentjoe biden while saying that in his view, far too many civilians have been killed in gaza, rather than restore support for unrwa, with the americans are

proposing to do, number one, they launched a limited airlift of food and tragically, we know that at least one of those airlift and in the death of a number of palestinians who were hit by a pallet that landed upon them and also, biden has announced that us military engineers are going to build some sort of doc or peer off the coast of gaza to allow shipments to come in by sea, i wonder what you, as diplomat in the un, make these american workarounds which they say will get aid into gaza? let workarounds which they say will get aid into gaza?— get aid into gaza? let me say two things. — get aid into gaza? let me say two things, the _ get aid into gaza? let me say two things, the first - get aid into gaza? let me say two things, the first thing - get aid into gaza? let me say two things, the first thing is l two things, the first thing is that there are other leaders including the director of the cia. what we are saying —— who was saying that you cannot address the acute starvation situation of palestinians in gaza without having a massive amount of aid through land

crossing so, he's asking for opening the crossings and allowing for a mass number of trucks to get in, the second thing is, you cannot distribute this massive number of aid that reaches an elevated self of the level of needs of the palestinian people without a ceasefire. having said that, which is number one, let me also say that the palestinian leadership welcomed assistance to our people in all part of gaza in any way possible, provided that it will not allow prime minister netanyahu to try to show that there is an alternative to on right and the un, there is no alternative to on right and the un, they have the experience, the capability, they have the 313,000 employees who are part of the palestinian people in the gaza strip that

are capable of carrying on a very efficient and effective way the task of distributing humanitarian assistance to all parts of the gaza strip. —— unrwa. you can watch the full hardtalk programme on wednesday at 10:30 and 22:30 gmt. giant redwoods — the biggest trees on the planet — are thriving in the uk. that's the conclusion of a new survey published in the royal society journal 0pen science. the trees aren't quite as big as those found in california just yet, but they're becoming a key part of our landscape. 0ur science editor rebecca morelle has been to see some of the giants. they are becoming a standout feature of our forests, giant redwoods are the biggest trees on the planet, this native californian wonders are fast—growing and can look up vast amounts of carbon and now, they are living large across they are living large across the landscape in the uk. these

giant redwoods really live up to their name, they are suitably huge so, here, are a couple of questions, how many of these trees do you think there are in their native californian region? well, the answer is only about 80,000. and how many giant redwoods do you think there are here in the uk? what you might be surprised to learn that there is an estimated 500,000 and that number is growing. the latest optic shows the trees are thriving here, these giant redwoods were planted in way cast in sussex about 150 years ago and it turns out that the damp british weather, especially ms a day like this, is good for them.— especially ms a day like this, is good for them. where they crow in is good for them. where they grow in california _ is good for them. where they grow in california is _ is good for them. where they grow in california is cooler. grow in california is cooler and moister than you would typically envisage california and we have a similar cult climate here, the need the moisture to grow.- climate here, the need the moisture to grow. the estimate of how many — moisture to grow. the estimate of how many there _ moisture to grow. the estimate of how many there are - moisture to grow. the estimate of how many there are here - moisture to grow. the estimate of how many there are here in l of how many there are here in the uk, seems to be an awful

lot, were you surprised by that? , ., , y lot, were you surprised by that? , y ., ., that? yes, absolutely. half a million trees _ that? yes, absolutely. half a million trees is _ that? yes, absolutely. half a million trees is quite - that? yes, absolutely. half a million trees is quite a - that? yes, absolutely. half a million trees is quite a lot. that? yes, absolutely. half a million trees is quite a lot to | million trees is quite a lot to go under the radar until now but it's when you start looking for them in the landscape and compiling this together that you realise how many there are. so here is the next question, how high do you think these trees can grow? well, the answer is up to 90 metres tall. this one is not quite there yet. fortheirstudy, yet. for their study, scientists have yet. fortheirstudy, scientists have been using lasers to scan the trees. it means they can build up a detailed 3d picture of each one so they can accurately measure them. this giant redwood is 46 metres tall but the scans also let scientists calculate the weight of the tree so they can work out how much carbon is been soaked up.— work out how much carbon is been soaked up. these trees, the are been soaked up. these trees, they are about _ been soaked up. these trees, they are about 30 _ been soaked up. these trees, they are about 30 ton - been soaked up. these trees, they are about 30 ton which i they are about 30 ton which means is ten — 15 tons of carbon stored in the tissue compared to the large austrian

california which has about children 50 tons of carbon stored in it, they are quite small but these could get as big. small but these could get as bi. small but these could get as bi-. . ., , small but these could get as bi-. , ., ~ small but these could get as bi. , .,~ ,, big. the country park in essex is one of— big. the country park in essex is one of the _ big. the country park in essex is one of the sites _ big. the country park in essex is one of the sites that's - big. the country park in essex is one of the sites that's been | is one of the sites that's been surveyed, it is an avenue of giant redwoods, planted to provide a grand entrance for a stately home that is no longer here. these trees were once the ultimate status symbol. i here. these trees were once the ultimate status symbol.- ultimate status symbol. i see it all over _ ultimate status symbol. i see it all over the _ ultimate status symbol. i see it all over the place _ ultimate status symbol. i see it all over the place and - ultimate status symbol. i see it all over the place and mayl it all over the place and may p0p up it all over the place and may pop up in the most weird and wonderful places and i think partly, they have this iconic status because they are the biggest organisms on earth and they are some of the oldest organisms on earth so we hold them in regard of exotic species. them in regard of exotic species-— them in regard of exotic secies. ., , ., ., species. final question, how lona do species. final question, how long do you _ species. final question, how long do you think— species. final question, how long do you think these - species. final question, howl long do you think these trees can live? the answer to that is a very long time. more than 2000 years. in california, asian redwood forestry how colossal these trees can get

but they are under threat in the national home for climate change. in the uk, they seem to be flourishing. in change. in the uk, they seem to be flourishing.— be flourishing. in terms of climate. _ be flourishing. in terms of climate, it's _ be flourishing. in terms of climate, it's properly - be flourishing. in terms of climate, it's properly the l be flourishing. in terms of- climate, it's properly the case that they are going to have a less pressured as distance sincere that they would do in california. 50 sincere that they would do in california-— california. so this could be the new — california. so this could be the new home _ california. so this could be the new home of - california. so this could be the new home of the - california. so this could be the new home of the giant| the new home of the giant redwood?_ the new home of the giant redwood? �* , ,., , , redwood? absolutely, here they are. even redwood? absolutely, here they are- even in _ redwood? absolutely, here they are. even in our— redwood? absolutely, here they are. even in our foggy _ redwood? absolutely, here they are. even in our foggy weather, | are. even in our foggy weather, the uk's giant— are. even in our foggy weather, the uk's giant redwoods - are. even in our foggy weather, the uk's giant redwoods are - the uk's giant redwoods are hard to miss. but they are still unlikely to find out like how well they fit into our forests and the heights that will eventually reach. rebecca morelle, bbc news. a japanese rocket carrying a small government test satellite has exploded shortly after lift—off in the west of the country. the 18—metre—long rocket erupted into a ball of smoke and flames within seconds of its launch. its owners, tokyo—based start—up space 0ne, had hoped to become the first japanese private firm to successfully put a satellite into orbit. the company said it is investigating what happened.

it's not clear if there were any injuries. the singer lenny kravitz has unveiled his star on hollywood's walk of fame. the star, who's a four—time grammy award winner, was joined at the ceremony by his daughter, the actor zoe kravitz, and oscar winning actor denzel washington. lenny kravitz has also been nominated for the 2024 rock and roll hall of fame. i used to walk these very streets because the action and the great that i was missing in new york was right here in hollywood. as a teenager, i spent a lot of time walking up and down hollywood boulevard seeking the names of all my idols. i never dreamt about having a star. i was usually just looking for a place to crash. he is more than a friend, his more — he is more than a friend, his more than _ he is more than a friend, his more than a brother. we are twins, — more than a brother. we are twins, we _ more than a brother. we are twins, we just don't look alike _ twins, we just don't look alike. we have had a close

brother_ alike. we have had a close brother ship, friendship for, well, — brother ship, friendship for, well, he _ brother ship, friendship for, well, he was seven when we met, for 30 _ well, he was seven when we met, for 30 years _ well, he was seven when we met, for 30 years. god has blessed them — for 30 years. god has blessed them with an unbelievable talent _ them with an unbelievable talent but even more so, an unbelievable height. lenny kravitz and denzel washington there. we have so much more for you on the programme so do stay with us, we'll be looking initially at the outlook for the uk economy because in an hour and a half, i have him with my calculation, will be getting the latest data on growth. will the uk be back in growth? as i mentioned, looking at the us, the latest inflation numbers, tiktok in the wrong direction for the federal reserve which is grappling on interest rates. i'll be back in a moment. hello there. after a very wet february, the rain has continued to fall during march,

particularly across southeast england. here, it's been much wetter than average. we've seen 2 inches of rain, 50mm in some places, and that's more than the average march rainfall, and we're not even halfway through yet. it is looking a bit drier for the southeast in the next few days, but there is rain elsewhere. and we're going to see a spell of milder conditions in the next few days. that's because the air is coming all the way from a long way south, up across the uk, in between these two weather fronts here, and it's this second one here that's focusing the rain as we head into wednesday. now, that is stumbling its way across scotland and northern ireland, heading into northern england and north wales. there's going to be some sunshine following to the north, but the winds picking up, bringing some gales in northern scotland and some showers. and for england and wales, there's going to be a lot of cloud again. still some damp, drizzly, low cloud across western coasts and hills. but further east, with the brighter skies, temperatures could reach 15 degrees and we're going to be double figures in scotland

and northern ireland. now, that area of low pressure bringing that windy weather in northern scotland will pull away overnight, so things do calm down. and those weather fronts start to move northwards, back into scotland and northern ireland. here, it will be a little bit chilly first thing on thursday morning, but, again, a very mild start for the rest of the uk. we've got that rain moving northwards into scotland and northern ireland. some sunshine for the north of the country, but we will see further showers coming in to wales, western parts of england, some eastern areas of england, and particularly southeast england and east anglia may well be dry. and we should get a bit of sunshine here, so 16, 17 degrees not out of the question. things are a little cooler still across scotland and northern ireland. that weather front, then, does move northwards, taking rain across more of scotland. the low pressure then driving that system sits across the uk. that weather front will be out of the way for friday. things will be turning a little bit cooler. windy weather actually through the english channel,

and we'll see showers coming into england and wales — some of these could be heavy and thundery. bit of snow over the scottish mountains, otherwise it's rain sinking southwards here, a northerly wind pushing down — that's going to introduce cooler air. but we still could see 13 degrees across some southeastern areas to end the week.

hello. live from london, this is bbc news.

are we back in growth? the latest gdp data in the uk is out in a few hours whioh last time showed a recession. euro mps vote on the artifical intelligence act today — will innovation be stifled by new regulation? we'll weigh up the arguments. is gaming the key to getting young girls excited about science and technology? we check out a scheme in copenhagen. and i'll bejoined by the chief executive of capri sun as his business launches fully recyclable drinks pouches in the uk. good to have you with us if you have justjoined good to have you with us if you havejustjoined us. you are in time for the top business stories. we begin in the uk.