where a bridge collapsed. investigators have also revealed more about the material onboard the cargo ship. 764 tonnes of hazardous materials, mostly corrosives, flammables. the un investigates a plausible case of israel using starvation as a weapon of war against the population in gaza. the french far—right party, national rally, continues its campaign in rural areas where disatisfaction with politics grows fast. hello. a very warm welcome to the programme. i'm sally bundock.

authorities in the us city of baltimore say the bodies of two construction workers have been recovered following the collapse of the francis scott key bridge when it was struck by a cargo ship. four workers remain missing and divers are unable to safely reach the area where it is believed they may be located. the search for the men has been suspended due to bad weather conditions. chair of the national transportation safety board jennifer homendy said investigators have also identified hazardous materials in the ship. one of ntpc�*s senior hazmat investigators began to look at the cargo and the cargo manifest today. he was able to identify 56 containers of hazardous materials, that's 764 tonnes of hazardous materials, mostly corrosives, flammables and some miscellaneous class nine hazardous materials, which would include lithium ion batteries.

some of the hazmat containers were breached. we have seen sheen on the waterway. the federal, state and local authorities are aware of that, and they will be in charge of addressing those issues. marine traffic has been temporarily halted in and out of the port of baltimore. maryland governor wes moore is calling for support to fix the bridge and get one of the busiest ports in the us up and running again. the collapse of the key bridge is notjust a maryland crisis. the collapse of the key bridge is a global crisis. the national economy and the world's economy depends on the port of baltimore. the port handles more cars and more farm equipment than any other port in the country.

last year alone, the port handled $80 billion of foreign cargo, the largest in the country. our north america correspondent, gary o'donoghue, is in baltimore and sent us this report. throughout the day, the gruesome task of recovering the bodies of those who died has continued, as their identities have begun to emerge. two names have so far been released — miguel luna was from el salvador and a father of three and manuel suazo was from honduras. his brother, martin, spoke outside the family home. translation: he became a fundamental pillar - of ourfamily, a bastian so others could travel over there and get visas and everything. he was a driving force for all of us. they have been working the night shift, fixing potholes on the bridge,

when authorities were alerted to the ship was veering off course. radio: if we could stop traffic and make sure nobody - is on the bridge right now. i am not sure if there is a crew up there. i want identify the form and get them off the bridge, temporarily. but the ship hit just moments later. dispatch, the whole bridge just fell down! everybody, the whole bridge just collapsed! thoughts have now turned to the process of how best to remove the ship and clear the channel. i think the main challenge here, as you can see - by the imagery on scene, - is removing those large trusses and the steel from i the bow of the ship. once that happens, - we will have the underwater survey complete in terms of how that vessel is connected - to the bridge pier, _ but i think once that is done, the salvage will be ready to do that in necessary action - to refloat the vessel

and move it. - to achieve all that, the navy is supplying heavy lift crane is to clear the river and the submerged sections of the bridge. meanwhile, at least two dozen investigators have been on the ship, securing its data recorder, and have attempted to reassure the public that the containers on board aren't posing a threat to public health. up close like this you can see the sheer scale of the problem facing the investigators. not only are they trying to find those that lost their lives in these frigid waters, in these choppy and rainy conditions, but also in terms of the baot, moving it and getting the bridge it is hugejob. local and national officials have vowed to protect the incomes of around 15,000 workers at the port, which is also crucial to 140,000 jobs in the wider region. this is an important port

for both imports and exports. it is america's largest vehicle handling port, which is important not only for car imports and exports, but also farm equipment. in the coming months, many questions will be asked about the safety record of the dali and the construction of the key bridge itself. gary o'donoghue, bbc news, baltimore. let's speak to michael bell, professor of ports and maritime logistics at the university of sydney. welcome to the programme. how critical is the support from your perspective?- critical is the support from your perspective? from an australian _ your perspective? from an australian perspective - your perspective? from an australian perspective it i your perspective? from an australian perspective it isj australian perspective it is probably not so critical and i can see it as a complete disaster for baltimore with tragic loss of life. but from a container shipping point of view or indeed a car carrier point of view, it is a port of call arejust means point of view, it is a port of call are just means baltimore can't be called at. i think

container shipping will continue. it is a bigger impact on car shipping, it is a more significant port for the quantity of cars.- significant port for the quantity of cars. significant port for the auanti of cars. ., ., ., quantity of cars. for ford and general motors, _ quantity of cars. for ford and general motors, those - quantity of cars. for ford and general motors, those kind i quantity of cars. for ford and | general motors, those kind of companies, they will feel the pain, logistical short—term headache for them. but there are other ports that will have to be navigated to. that's right. space, etc, the other ports, as this is out of action, will soon fill up and there will be logistical problems for some time? there will be short-term _ problems for some time? there will be short-term logistical - will be short—term logistical problems for some time, as you say, but i think it is really more of a local issue. i don't think the uk or indeed australia will notice very much. ~ ., australia will notice very much. ~ . , , australia will notice very much. ~ ., ,, ., much. whatever the issue of insurance? _ much. whatever the issue of insurance? it _ much. whatever the issue of insurance? it will _ much. whatever the issue of insurance? it will be - much. whatever the issue of insurance? it will be hugelyl insurance? it will be hugely costly, waiter, in terms of repairs, payments to the

relevant parties? it is a big issue, isn't it? it relevant parties? it is a big issue, isn't it?— issue, isn't it? it will be a massive _ issue, isn't it? it will be a massive build, _ issue, isn't it? it will be a | massive build, absolutely. issue, isn't it? it will be a l massive build, absolutely. i see that president biden has already offered reconstructive bridge but in short terms of insurance claim it will be anonymous and there are concerns about the effect that that might have. my understanding is that the ship was insured with the britannia hyundai club —— p&i. britannia, despite its name, is based in a number of countries but nonetheless it will put a big strain on the p&i club system because there are 13 p&i club better together in an international group and they will be sharing the costs between. even despite the

sharing and reinsurance, it will be a significant head. the baltimore _ will be a significant head. the baltimore the _ will be a significant head. the baltimore the economic impact is huge with its key port which, as we've heard, is very important to many particular industries, is out of action for the foreseeable future, they are not saying for how long. unknown at this point, isn't it, how difficult it will be to make this a figure used because of what is underneath the water there?— the water there? exactly. it not 'ust the water there? exactly. it not just the _ the water there? exactly. it notjust the bridge, - the water there? exactly. it notjust the bridge, with - the water there? exactly. it| notjust the bridge, with the shipping having to be removed, but containers would be floating around the water, i suspect. i don't know how many of them fell into the sea but containers floating or semi floating also be submerged are well known hazards are particularly smaller ships. yes, it will take a long time to read clear that passageway

and remove.— and remove. and rebuild the bride. and remove. and rebuild the bridge. let's _ and remove. and rebuild the bridge. let's not _ and remove. and rebuild the bridge. let's not forget - and remove. and rebuild thej bridge. let's not forget that. that will take _ bridge. let's not forget that. that will take the _ bridge. let's not forget that. that will take the time, - bridge. let's not forget that. that will take the time, yes. | that will take the time, yes. michael, good to have your take on what is happening. michael bell. it's a story will keep it ion in the and business. to the war in gaza now, and the united nation's most senior human rights official says there is a plausible case that israel is using starvation as a weapon of war. volker turk says, if proven, that would amount to a war crime. humanitarian agencies are calling for an immediate ceasefire and large deliveries of aid in where a famine is looming. israel insists it's letting in all the humanitarian aid that's needed. from jerusalem, here's our international editor jeremy bowen. we should warn you, his report contains images some viewers may find distressing. gaza is no place to be ill. noura mohammed had lung and liver problems before the war. now, after months of starvation and without the right medical

care, she is deteriorating fast. "my daughter can't move," says her mother. "she's anaemic, always sleeping and there's nothing "nutritious to eat." there is plenty to eat, only a few miles away, in the lorries that are backed up on the egyptian side of the border, and much more that could come from israel — if the israelis let it into gaza. from geneva, volker turk, the un's most senior human rights official, told me there is plausible evidence that israel is using starvation as a weapon of war. look, when it comes to humanitarian assistance, let's be clear — israel is an occupying power and has an obligation to provide humanitarian assistance, and if that humanitarian assistance does not come in, in the scale, speed and predictability that is required, yes, very serious

questions are raised. so let's get it very clear — israel's to blame? israel is to blame in a significant way, yes. you're aware, of course, that israel says they're not to blame at all, that they give as much aid as is possible, that if anyone's to blame, it's the un and it's particularly hamas? it is absolutely clear what happened on the 7th and the 8th of october by hamas and some of the other armed groups is unconscionable. these are flagrant violations of international humanitarian law and international human rights. at the same time, the brutality of the attack by israel, and the method of warfare, it begs the question of the proportionality of the response. you're saying "questions". you say there is no doubt about hamas. are there any doubts about israel? you always have to prove the intent. but, as i said, collective punishment, the collective punishment that was declared with the siege indeed amounts to a war crime, and it needs

to be dealt as such. on social media, false claims circulate that famine in gaza is a lie. the hebrew caption says there's more shawarma in gaza than in israeli haifa, and israel's government dismisses the un's accusations. total nonsense, totally irresponsible thing to say. israel is accepting all the aid that the us and the world is giving to gazan innocent people, which a lot of it goes to extend the war. how many innocent people are in gaza, in your opinion? that's not. . .. i'm not going to quote any number. i'm basically saying that over 70% of gazans support october 7 massacre. so they're not innocent? people that are supporting hamas, they have a different thought. they're an enemy. i thank our friends around the world for supporting our strategic goal, and i'm telling you... but they don't like the way you're doing it, do they?

that's tough. we're going to finish the war. we'll do everything we can to kill the hamas terrorists and to minimise collateral damage as much as we can. the evidence of gaza's humanitarian catastrophe is overwhelming, and it is deepening international pressure on israel. swollenjoints, wasted limbs and dermatitis are classic symptoms of acute malnutrition. these children reached hospital. most ofjust over1 million gazans considered to be in acute need will not have that option. jeremy bowen, bbc news, jerusalem. let's speak to amin saikal, professor of middle eastern, central asian and islamic studies at the australian national university. welcome to the programme. clearly volker turk is saying that israel is committing a walk. what is your response to

that and israel's denial? i think that has been widely articulated by different agencies of the united nations and of course human rights organisations and i think, as the reporter said, israel is potentially committing war crimes by using starvation as a means to subdue a population and that is in gaza and i think what has been happening in gaza is absolutely catastrophic and at the same time it is against every norm of humanity that the world and particularly the western democracies stand for. israel says it is thankful that its friends around the world are supporting the strategic goal. do you see that support and to what extent is israel becoming more isolated as this war continues? i

becoming more isolated as this war continues?— war continues? i think israel is enormously _ war continues? i think israel is enormously isolated - is enormously isolated internationally and with the recent united nations security council resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire and release of the hostages, in fact, united nations has thrown the ball into the court of prime minister benjamin netanyahu. now he has to really fundamentally to make choices. one is to comply with the resolution or the other one is to reject it. if he complies and of course he is going to face errors result tablet and thatis face errors result tablet and that is a given. and if he does not comply, and of course that will cause greater rift and israel's relations with its main international supporter, thatis main international supporter, that is the united states, and i think the biden administration hasjust i think the biden administration has just had enough with prime minister netanyahu and it is about time

that netanyahu and his supporters will have to listen to what the international community is saying, not only for the sake of the palestinians but also for the sake of the israelis. they are suffering as a result of this israeli operation in gaza as well. ., ., israeli operation in gaza as well. ., , , well. how do you see this -la in: well. how do you see this playing out _ well. how do you see this playing out with - well. how do you see this | playing out with diplomatic talks between parties seemingly broken down? what do you think might happen in the weeks and months ahead? i might happen in the weeks and months ahead?— months ahead? i think prime minister netanyahu - months ahead? i think prime minister netanyahu and - months ahead? i think prime minister netanyahu and his l minister netanyahu and his supporters are absolutely determined to go ahead with the attack on rafah and tried also destroy rafah irrespective of how many people will be killed, how many people will be killed, how many people will be killed, how many more people will be starved. they have made this decision and at the same time not only does the israeli government but israel as an estate will be internationally condemned and will be held in

contemplation for a long time to come. i think that is something that i think he is really leadership will have to take into consideration. i think the time has come for israel to accept the ceasefire, secure the release of the hostages. if a minister netanyahu is not prepared to call an election, the knesset and israeli parliament and israeli president can call a snap election so that the israeli public can vote. whether they are really going to support premise or they want to support premise or they want to change government, perhaps possibly under the leadership of national unity government of benny gantz who has said that he is open to dialogue with palestinians and possibly opening the way for some sort of negotiation, medical negotiation.— of negotiation, medical negotiation. of negotiation, medical neuotiation. �* ., ~ negotiation. amin saikal, thank ou for negotiation. amin saikal, thank you for talking _ negotiation. amin saikal, thank you for talking to _ negotiation. amin saikal, thank you for talking to us _ negotiation. amin saikal, thank you for talking to us and - you for talking to us and giving us your perspective on what's happening, australian national university.- what's happening, australian

national university. around the world and across the uk, this is bbc news.

the newly formed presidential council in haiti has pledged to restore public and democratic order once it's installed. the council said it would appoint a new prime minister to organise long—overdue presidential and congressional elections. criminal gangs have continued their campaign of violence in the capital, port—au—prince, attacking government buildings and burning police stations. our north america correspondent, nomia iqbal, sent this update from the northern town of cap—haitien. this is the first time we've heard from the traditional council and in the statement they say they want to restore democratic order and alleviate the suffering of haitian

people. it has been a month since we saw the frequented by going in the capital port—au—prince which has led to the displacement of thousands of people and hearing cap—haitien we see those of us regularly coming in from the capital covering families with children and babies. they've made this long, six—hour and dangerous journey made this long, six—hour and dangerousjourney to try made this long, six—hour and dangerous journey to try and seek refuge here. the prime minister ariel henry stepped down more than two weeks ago. he is locked out of haiti but said that he will officially resign once this council has been formally established. but there is scepticism about this council and exactly what it will achieve. council and exactly what it willachieve. i council and exactly what it will achieve. i spoke to the mayor of cap—haitien and she said that this council was a temporary but not permanent solution. for many haitians, i think one of the problems with the council is that it is seen as a solution that is not being proposed by haitians inside the country but by the international committee of the

many them it is therefore seen as foreign interference. the statement was signed by eight members of what is supposed to be a 9—member council so it is not quite variable. but there is no indication yetjust how much more time is needed for the final person to get on board. nomia iqbal and patient. nomia iqbaland patient. ——in cap—haitien. a rural french town just a stone's throw from the swiss border was the location of choice for the far—right national rally�*s second stop on the campaign trail for the european parliament elections. keen to build on the growing success they've enjoyed in recent years, particularly with young voters, their leader — marine le pen's young protegejordan bardella — is slick, charismatic and embodies the transformation the former national front is keen to promote. mark urban has been to the industrial town of montbeliard to speak to people there about why the far—right speaks to people's politics. montbeliard, a place on the

mountainous fringes of france. they bought a land close to germany and switzerland. we've got here is typical of what they call a friend is profound, deep france. the rural areas wherejob deep france. the rural areas where job losses, deep france. the rural areas wherejob losses, economic dislocation, unhappiness with the way things are have created opportunities on the far left it is true but mainly to the far right. the questionnaires, whether in these elections they will make really substantial gains and change the political game in france. christian worked at the peugeot car five decades and now it is largely closed. he is trying to organise resistance to the far right.

these days, the national front calls itself the national rally. and this person is among the local militants or activists under the leadership of marine le pen and jordan bardella, the party's new talent who is coming to montbeliard. at montbeliard concert hall, the crowds gather. thousands of people. for decades, many french board of this as a far—right party, a racist party. so what they've is to rebrand it, changing the name six years ago, now increasingly

trying new messages and new faces likejordan bardella. and here at least it is during the crowds. finally, limitarrives. thousands three the national rally party bright new. the party president, just 28 years old, and now spearheading campaigning forjune's european elections. so the right gets ready to harvest boats here and across this country. as to whether they can amount to more than a protest movement, that will be “p protest movement, that will be up tojordan bardella. the others elected to the european parliament. the top business stories are here next.

hello. well, let's see how the weather is looking. and yes, more rain on the way. it's been raining for such a long time now — i know some of us are starting to complain. it's so soggy out there and further rain clouds heading away. in fact, the north atlantic and much of europe, dominated by a huge area of low pressure with smaller area of low pressures embedded within it. and look at all these weather fronts circling this big low, which is approaching us right now. and in fact, some very strong winds on the way for a time on thursday, particularly across southern areas of the uk. so through the early hours we will have had some rain from southern parts of the uk through merseyside, the irish sea into northern ireland. temperatures early in the morning, three, four, five degrees celsuis, maybe colder in some spots where skies will have cleared. but on those winds in the south — exposed areas could see 60—65 mile an hour gusts at times. inland, central southern counties there, 50 miles an hour. very windy in london, very windy in the midlands, east anglia, too, so

a very blustery day. so through the morning, one where the front moves northwards. so outbreaks of rain through yorkshire into northern ireland and then this circulation here with those very strong winds buffeting the south and the southwest and those heavy showers that have sunshine in between, but also thunderstorms and hail. a really turbulent day. the temperatures quite disappointing, 9—10 degrees celsius. now into friday then, so the area of low pressure is still very much with us. look how big it is. it's absolutely huge. it's dominating a really large chunk of the planet really here. and we'll see further showers sweeping across the uk. i don't think the winds are going to be quite as strong on friday, but still enough of a breeze out there and certainly pushing those showers along. again, hail and thunder possible, but some sunshine, too. so that's good friday. also a little milder, maybe 10—13 degrees celsius. if you're wondering where the warmth is, it's actually across more eastern parts of europe in excess of 20 degrees celsius. are we going to get any of that? well, it does look as though

with this area of low pressure, we are going to see some changes in the wind direction as we head into sunday. more of a southerly breeze developing — still very changeable on the weather front — but that southerly breeze will mean that those temperatures will recover at least somewhat. so perhaps the mid—teens, but changeable weather across the south. still disappointing in the north, closer to nine degrees celsius. that's it from me. bye— bye.

live from london, this is bbc news. a reckoning for the fallen crypto king. sam bankman—fried to be sentenced in the next few hours for stealing billions of dollars from customers of his ftx exchange. he faces decades behind bars. also coming up, spoiling the party. how soaring rents in tourist hotspots like ibiza are making locals homeless and starving businesses of vital staff. plus, sleep tight, mind the bed bugs don't bite. uk hotels have seen levels of the pest almost triple in the past two years. could ai tech bring a whole new meaning to the phrase software debugging? hello and welcome. if you just

joined us, i'm sally bundock.