tv BBC News BBC News April 18, 2024 1:00pm-1:31pm BST
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and why australia is fighting an infestation of fire ants, the super pest that can destroy agriculture and kill people. and coming up on bbc news... fa cup replays will be scrapped from the first round onwards from next season in an agreement between the football association and the premier league. good afternoon. a conservative mp has been suspended by the parliamentary party after claims he misused campaign funds. by the parliamentary party after the times newspaper alleges he used local party funds to pay off what he reportedly called "bad people" who had locked him in a flat. mark menzies "strongly" disputes the allegations. the conservative party was made aware of the allegations three
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months ago and says it is investigating. our political correspondent damian grammaticas reports. honesty needs to start now. the lack of clarity needs to stop. mark menzies. _ of clarity needs to stop. mark menzies, this _ of clarity needs to stop. mark menzies, this was _ of clarity needs to stop. mark menzies, this was him - of clarity needs to stop. mark menzies, this was him last i of clarity needs to stop. mark menzies, this was him last week urging transparency about the impact locally of a wind farm being built offshore. the allegation about his own behaviour, first reported by the times newspaper, is that last december at three o'clock in the morning he called his former campaign manager and said "bad people" had locked him in a flat, adding that he needed £5,000 as a matter of life or death. it is claimed campaign donations were later used to cover the payment, and also that he has received £14,000 to cover medical bills. the bbc has not been able to speak to him for a comment but in a statement to the times he said... i strongly dispute the allegations put to me, i have fully complied with all the rules for declarations as there is an investigation ongoing, i will not be
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commenting further. the conservative party was made aware of the allegations in january, party was made aware of the allegations injanuary, when the former campaign manager reported them. it is investigating and says them. it is investigating and says the process is confidential. mr menzies was only suspended as a conservative mp when the times investigated the claims. my investigated the claims. ij�*i understanding investigated the claims. m1 understanding is that some further information came to light yesterday, whether that was true that story or another route, i don't know, which led to the suspension of the whip. but in fact it has been being investigated.— but in fact it has been being investiated. ., ., ., , investigated. today's revelations... labour today _ investigated. today's revelations... labour today called _ investigated. today's revelations... labour today called the _ investigated. today's revelations... labour today called the claims - labour today called the claims extraordinary.— labour today called the claims extraordinary. labour today called the claims extraordina . , ., , , extraordinary. they raise some very serious questions _ extraordinary. they raise some very serious questions about _ extraordinary. they raise some very serious questions about the - extraordinary. they raise some very serious questions about the misuse | serious questions about the misuse of funds and the pressure put on others to facilitate it perhaps more importantly, also how these issues are handled by the conservative party. are handled by the conservative pa . ., ., ., , are handled by the conservative pa. party. the honourable lady mentions the very serious _ party. the honourable lady mentions the very serious allegations - party. the honourable lady mentions the very serious allegations and - the very serious allegations and other_ the very serious allegations and other incidents _ the very serious allegations and other incidents of _ the very serious allegations and other incidents of covert - the very serious allegations and other incidents of covert that i the very serious allegations and i other incidents of covert that came to light _ other incidents of covert that came to light during _ other incidents of covert that came to light during the _ other incidents of covert that came to light during the course - other incidents of covert that came to light during the course of- other incidents of covert that came to light during the course of the i to light during the course of the recess — to light during the course of the recess these _ to light during the course of the recess. these are _
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to light during the course of the recess. these are very- to light during the course of the recess. these are very serious i recess. these are very serious matters — recess. these are very serious matters. ., ,., recess. these are very serious matters. ., ., ., recess. these are very serious mattere— recess. these are very serious matters. ., ., ., ~ ., ., matters. labour want to know how [on ao matters. labour want to know how long ago senior — matters. labour want to know how long ago senior conservatives, - long ago senior conservatives, including rishi sunak, knew about the case, and whether the conservatives have reported to police issues that could relate to potential banality, the party says. damian grammaticus, bbc news, west mr. 0ur political correspondent iain watson is in westminster. what has been the political reaction to all of this so far, iain?— to all of this so far, iain? well, ben, in to all of this so far, iain? well, ben. in the _ to all of this so far, iain? well, ben, in the past _ to all of this so far, iain? well, ben, in the past hour - to all of this so far, iain? well, ben, in the past hour the - ben, in the past hour the conservative party has confirmed that mark menzies has been suspended as a trade envoy to various countries. downing street would not comment any further, but in general terms they said that the prime minister believed there was no place in parliament for inappropriate behaviour, and mps should act as role models. there has, however, been plenty of political reaction from labour, who are asking a series of questions. when did the prime minister himself know about the allegations? did mr menzies himself
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report the allegations to the police? did conservative head office reported the allegations to the police? additionally, they are also asking if there are indications for electoral law, because the allegations in the times suggested that donations for political campaigning was used for a quite different purpose. if mark menzies was suspended from the conservative whip, it means that in practice he cannot stand as a conservative candidate at the general election this year. but i think the bigger fearful conservative party bosses is that if he resigns, there could be a by—election. he has a really healthy majority of more than 16,000, but in recent by—elections, both labour and lib dems have overturned a much bigger conservative majorities. is another danger, too, ithink bigger conservative majorities. is another danger, too, i think for the prime minister. 0n another danger, too, i think for the prime minister. on monday he is hoping finally that his rwanda legislation will go through, but if questions persist about one of his mps who was until recently a trade envoy, then that might end up overshadowing the more positive news that downing street would prefer to
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be talking about. iain that downing street would prefer to be talking about.— that downing street would prefer to be talking about. iain watson, thank ou ve be talking about. iain watson, thank you very much. _ be talking about. iain watson, thank you very much. our _ be talking about. iain watson, thank you very much, our political - you very much, our political correspondent. police have broken up an alleged international cyber—crime gang that had been offering a service to criminals, allowing them to steal from people using fraudulent text messages. 37 people have been arrested worldwide, including 24 in the uk, and police believe there were 70,000 british victims. our home affairs correspondent tom symonds reports. it's 5am in south london — the end of a two—year investigation. police! this was one of a series of co—ordinated raids targeting cybercrime in 17 countries, masterminded from the uk. one man was arrested here and 23 others around the country. and this all began about two years ago when security experts for the banking industry spotted on the dark web criminals offering
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other criminals a service, a way to make money using phishing, with a "ph". labhost, freely available on the internet, provided technology and training to other criminals so they could carry out phishing attacks sending fraudulent text messages to trick 70,000 people into handing over personal information. technology is enabling crime to be delivered at scale in an almost industrial fashion. and these crimes—as—a—service, or fraud—as—a—service, are allowing people into this criminal marketplace who don't have necessarily technical skills but they can get these crime—as—a—service capabilities off the shelf — they can buy it online. as the arrests were taking place, including at luton and manchester airports, police were also contacting 25,000 victims they've identified, giving details of how they had been scammed and giving them advice. the victims in this case have been aged between about 25 and 45, predominantly.
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pretty young, then. yeah. digital natives. well, it's people who live their lives online, that perhaps do their banking online, that shop online, they're more likely to fall victim to this. people like alex, an accountant for tech firms who works online, scammed in february by criminals who targeted her business account. they sent you a text message? yes. they then called you? yes. they then got you to install an app? yes. and then they scammed you? correct. they made me believe i was protecting the funds in my bank from fraudsters. and how much did you lose? 53,000. £53,000? yes. they gloated. they said, how does it feel to have your money taken from you? how does it feel to have your money spent in louis vuitton dubai? welcome to your labhost wrapped — your recap of all the data we have about you... as for labhost — police seized so much data that they could send each criminal user a tailored video
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making clear how much they know about what's been going on, the strategy — to make the users think again about trusting these services. and yesterday, they shut the site down leaving this message for the fraudsters. tom symonds, bbc news, south london. operations at dubai airport are still severely disrupted, with record rainfall pounding the united arab emirates and neighbouring countries in recent days. the airport is one of the busiest in the world and there have been hundreds of flights delayed or cancelled. after a storm on tuesday, flash floods have killed 20 people in oman and one in the uae. frances read reports. it's normally a dry, arid landscape, but northern 0man has been transformed. completely submerged from an unforgiving storm that has claimed the lives of both adults and children.
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rescues take place in the most difficult of conditions and save those they can. yesterday, a hair—raising hoist, the only way to safety. this is not an area used to this kind of rainfall. 1,400 people have had to seek shelter elsewhere. a few hundred kilometres north, dubai is also affected, its main airport is filled with crowds and queues as it tries to restore operations. some inbound flights have started again, but the backlog from hundreds of delays and cancellations mean people rest where they can. so many rely on this huge hub to connect east to west. we came to the airport this morning. we've already been delayed about three hours and it's
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just absolute chaos in terms of the number of people around. the staff are doing their best to try to mitigate the bottlenecks but the sheer volume of people means there hardly breathing room. we were trying to get past check in for the passport control. near the hotels... i did tell them not to wear theirtrainers, but... ..these british newlyweds didn't quite get the honeymoon they expected. and ten inches of rain recorded injust 24 hours has led people to question, why? although we can say in broad terms that climate change is increasing extreme rainfall, and will continue to do so until we reach net zero, for a particular event like the dubai floods it takes really quite detailed analysis to try to quantify exactly. so much of this region was unprepared for the sheer amount of rain. so many now having to deal with the consequences. frances read, bbc news. scotland's only gender identity clinic for under—18s has put a hold on prescribing puberty blockers to children. the decision by the sandyford clinic in glasgow follows the landmark
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cass review of gender services for under—18s in england and wales, which said young people had been let down by a lack of research. lorna gordon is in glasgow for us now. lorna, tell us more about this decision in scotland? yes, ben, like other parts of the uk, scotland has seen a rapid rise in the number of young people questioning their identity, experiencing gender dysphoria, and the only specialist service for u18s is here at the sandyford clinic in glasgow. they have now formalised the decision to stop prescribing, or to pause prescribing puberty blocking hormones and cross sex for mounds such as oestrogen and testosterone, to young people, although there will be no change to young people already receiving treatment. it comes as you say one week after the cas review, which was about services in england, said that there was not enough evidence that giving puberty blockers to children experiencing
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gender dysphoria was safe or effective. in a joint statement, scotland's two biggest health boards, covering greater glasgow and clyde abra, described the cass review as a significant piece of work and said that patient safety was always the priority. —— greater glasgow and clyde abra. 0ne trans group says this decision is wrong, they say it will harm trans children and young people, while the scottish conservatives said the snp government had been dragged kicking and screaming towards taking the necessary action to safeguard vulnerable youngsters, and that this move was long overdue.— vulnerable youngsters, and that this move was long overdue. lorna gordon, thank ou move was long overdue. lorna gordon, thank you very — move was long overdue. lorna gordon, thank you very much. _ the scottish government is expected to ditch a flagship target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 75% by 2030. the bbc understands that the government's annual climate targets could also be scrapped, but the final goal of reaching net—zero by 2045 will remain. 0ur scotland editor
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james cook explains. this wild and windy nation has made strides towards cutting emissions of greenhouse gases. the scottish government prides itself on ambitious climate targets. but now, the snp and their scottish green party partners are admitting they are not moving fast enough. a formal announcement is expected here in the scottish parliament shortly, but at first minister's questions, humza yousaf was already under pressure. presiding officer, we of course have made progress. between 1990 and 2021, we've reduced our carbon emissions faster than any other nation in the uk. but let me also be clear, this government will not move back by, as i say, a single month, a week or even a day, from that 2045 target, to achieving net zero. buds target, to achieving net zero. anas sarwar. target, to achieving net zero. anas sarwar- only _ target, to achieving net zero. anas sarwar. only humza _ target, to achieving net zero. anas sarwar. only humza yousaf- target, to achieving net zero. anas sarwar. only humza yousaf could believe _
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sarwar. only humza yousaf could believe slamming _ sarwar. only humza yousaf could believe slamming the _ sarwar. only humza yousaf could believe slamming the brakes- sarwar. only humza yousaf could believe slamming the brakes is. sarwar. only humza yousaf could | believe slamming the brakes is an acceleration _ believe slamming the brakes is an acceleration, because _ believe slamming the brakes is an acceleration, because that - believe slamming the brakes is an acceleration, because that is- believe slamming the brakes is an acceleration, because that is whatj acceleration, because that is what they are _ acceleration, because that is what they are doing _ acceleration, because that is what they are doing this _ acceleration, because that is what they are doing this afternoon. - acceleration, because that is what| they are doing this afternoon. and we already— they are doing this afternoon. and we already know _ they are doing this afternoon. and we already know humza _ they are doing this afternoon. and we already know humza yousaf. we already know humza yousaf supports — we already know humza yousaf supports a _ we already know humza yousaf supports a tax _ we already know humza yousaf supports a tax on _ we already know humza yousaf supports a tax on workers - we already know humza yousaf supports a tax on workers but i supports a tax on workers but doesn't — supports a tax on workers but doesn't support— supports a tax on workers but doesn't support a _ supports a tax on workers but doesn't support a tax - supports a tax on workers but doesn't support a tax on - supports a tax on workers but doesn't support a tax on the i supports a tax on workers but. doesn't support a tax on the oil and .as doesn't support a tax on the oil and gas giants — doesn't support a tax on the oil and gas giants who _ doesn't support a tax on the oil and gas giants who are _ doesn't support a tax on the oil and gas giants who are making - doesn't support a tax on the oil and gas giants who are making record l gas giants who are making record profits _ gas giants who are making record rofits. . , gas giants who are making record rofits. ., , ., ., , profits. last month an independent re ort said profits. last month an independent report said the _ profits. last month an independent report said the scottish _ report said the scottish government's plans to hit the interim emissions target in 2030 fell far short of what was needed, but actually ditching that target has left environmental campaigners furious. , furious. so, if the scottish government _ furious. so, if the scottish government scrapped - furious. so, if the scottish i government scrapped these furious. so, if the scottish _ government scrapped these targets, it would be the worst environmental decision in the history of the scottish parliament. the 2030 targets could and should be met. we need urgent climate action this decade, not later.— need urgent climate action this decade, not later. less than three ears decade, not later. less than three years ago. — decade, not later. less than three years ago, leaders _ decade, not later. less than three years ago, leaders from _ decade, not later. less than three years ago, leaders from around i decade, not later. less than threel years ago, leaders from around the globe were gathered here on the clyde discussing how to tackle climate change. at the time, then first minister nicola sturgeon was keen to portray scotland as a world leader in that endeavour. but now, both the snp and the scottish greens
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are discovering that keeping promises is harder than making them. james cook, bbc news, glasgow. prince william has returned to official public duties today for the first time since his wife princess catherine revealed her cancer diagnosis four weeks ago. he visited a food charity in surrey, helping out in the kitchens and loading meals into delivery vans. our royal correspondent jonny diamond is here. thanks very much, it is back to the dayjob for prince william after a long easter break but perhaps more importantly on everybody�*s mind's, three went week since his wife the princess of wales made the announcement about undergoing treatment for cancer, having preventative chemotherapy, and this kind of event is meat and drink for the royalfamily, we are kind of event is meat and drink for the royal family, we are west of london, this is a place where they collect up surplus food, package it up, make sure it it shipped out to
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the needy and prince william was pitching in, chatting with volunteers here for around an hour. both outside the venue and almost certainly inside, a lot of curiosity, of course, about the condition of the princess of wales. there's been absolute silence. the palace isn't giving a running commentary or any kind of information about that, but there were no direct questions to the prince and he certainly wasn't offering up any comments. instead, he did get two get well cards, one for kate and one for the king. 0k, jonny dymond, thank you, our royal correspondent. the time is 1.17. our top story this afternoon... a conservative mp is suspended by the parliamentary party after claims he misused campaign funds. mark menzies, who represents fylde in lancashire, strongly disputes the allegations. and a story of perseverance and dedication — how a paralysed rider will compete in the british indoor carriage driving championships tomorrow.
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coming up on bbc news — a major restructure in domestic women's cricket is announced by the ecb, with eight counties set to host professional women's teams from 2025. there are calls today to improve treatment for strokes in children. the stroke association says a central database with details of young people who've suffered a stroke in the uk would improve standards of care. a mother whose son suffered a stroke at just two years old is backing those calls. here's navtej johal. three—year—old carter has been knocking down a lot of obstacles recently. i think it's been the same for us all, just the worry and the fear, the shock of it all. in october last year, on a day like any other, his and his family's life was thrown into turmoil.
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and i popped him the bath to get him ready for bed time and his face dropped on one side and ijust knew that he was absolutely having a stroke and we had to get him medical assistance straightaway. he was rushed to his local hospital by ambulance before being transferred to southampton children's hospital. we were told even before transfer to prepare ourselves for the worst and when we got to southampton we were told, you know, originally we were taking it one hour at a time. carter had suffered a rare form of stroke and was put into a medically induced coma. when he woke he couldn't eat, he couldn't speak, he couldn't move, he couldn't sit, so he had to really start again, like a newborn. age two. at aged two. doctors say he has made a remarkable recovery, but carter is still receiving regular rehabilitation. wow. it is really hard.
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dr shakti agrawal works at birmingham children's hospital and is an expert in childhood strokes. most commonly when we say stroke we are talking about what's called arterial ischaemic stroke, which means the blood supply to the brain is hampered because of one reason or another. a child's brain is a developing brain, so if you affect a developing brain's structure and function, then it is going to have long—lasting consequences. although most strokes affect older people, around 400 children a year are diagnosed with a stroke in the uk. newborn babies can be affected by them and even babies in the womb can have a stroke. but the research and data for childhood strokes is far behind that for adults. that's why the charity stroke association is calling for a childhood stroke registry. it would be a central online database that logs important details about strokes in children, similar to an adult version which already exists, providing data that could help with treatment.
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we'd be able to drive up standards of care and support for children - and families affected by stroke and ensuring those minimum i standards are met and even raising those even higher. l how important is it that a registry is developed? oh, it would be the biggest thing that could happen. i can't support it enough, to be honest. it's absolutely required, crucial. stroke association says a lack of funding is holding back the creation of a registry. the department of health and social care says it welcomes funding applications for research into childhood strokes. carter's family are supporting the charity's calls while marvelling at their son's progress. we are incredibly proud, incredibly proud of everything he does. it's really hard not to cheer when he does something that's naughty and very three—year—oldy, because on the one hand you don't want naughty behaviour but when it's so age—appropriate you just think, yes, that's excellent that you're doing that! navteonhal, bbc news.
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a post office in—house lawyer has been giving evidence at the inquiry into the horizon it scandal this morning. rodric williams said he was deeply sorry if he had caused anyone harm. he was questioned on his role within the organisation. our correspondent emma simpson is at the inquiry now. yes, ben. rodric williams was a post office lawyer and civil litigation, starting in 2012, and he is still employed by the post office today and it's fair to say he didn't have and it's fair to say he didn't have a comfortable morning, appearing hesitant and stumbling over a lot of questions about his role. he was the point man in legal dealing with media inquiries. he said in his witness statement it was important to maintain an open dialogue with journalists, but what we heard this morning painted a bit odd different picture. we saw a string of e—mails, a lot involving the bbc. he
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described one request is puerile, that he smelt a rat in another, admitting there was a bunker mentality at the post office. then the questioning has moved on to the issue of disclosure, or lack of it. this has been a key theme at this inquiry. we saw an e—mail sent to mr williams from a post office external solicitor, suggesting suppressing certain documents about post office investigation guidelines, but there was no record of mr williams replying to it and saying, no, and at this point the chair of the inquiry intervened.- at this point the chair of the inquiry intervened. this e-mail should have — inquiry intervened. this e-mail should have had _ inquiry intervened. this e-mail should have had a _ inquiry intervened. this e-mail should have had a prompt- inquiry intervened. this e-mail- should have had a prompt response from you to the effect of you can't possibly do that, that's right, isn't it? ~ ., ., ~' possibly do that, that's right, isn't it? ~ ., ., ~ ., , isn't it? when i looked at this it isn't it? when i looked at this it is uite isn't it? when i looked at this it is quite possible _ isn't it? when i looked at this it is quite possible and _ isn't it? when i looked at this it is quite possible and i - isn't it? when i looked at this it is quite possible and i offer- isn't it? when i looked at this it is quite possible and i offer this in no _ is quite possible and i offer this in no way— is quite possible and i offer this in no way as an excuse because that's— in no way as an excuse because that's what— in no way as an excuse because that's what would have been desirable, sitting here today i'd like to— desirable, sitting here today i'd like to say i did that, but i didn't _
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like to say i did that, but i didn't. ~ ~ . , like to say i did that, but i didn't. ~ . . , , like to say i did that, but i didn't. ~ . . , ., didn't. mr williams is continuing to ive didn't. mr williams is continuing to give evidence _ didn't. mr williams is continuing to give evidence this _ didn't. mr williams is continuing to give evidence this afternoon - didn't. mr williams is continuing to give evidence this afternoon and i give evidence this afternoon and tomorrow, over the many years that he was working behind the scenes at some of the key moments in this scandal is the alleged cover—up got under way, so we are reallyjust getting going with this today. 0k, emma simpson, thank you. scientists believe they have identified the largest marine reptile ever to swim the seas on earth — a gigantic ichthyosaur, measuring around 25 metres long — the size of two buses. fossils of the creature's jawbones have been discovered by amatuer fossilhunters in somerset. georgina rannard reports. and we can take a look. in a garage in swindon there is treasure hidden away. what am i looking at here? well, this is the jawbone of a giant ichthyosaur from the end of the triassic period. it's what's left of what scientists think was the largest marine reptile on earth. at 25 metres in length, it was as long as two buses nose to nose.
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so this piece ofjawbone would have come from an animal around the size of a dolphin? indeed, yes. and this piece ofjawbone is from the giant ichthyosaur? from the giant, indeed. so you can really see just how big this animal was. you can see the difference. paul de la salle dug the first piece out of a somerset beach in 2016, and then four years later, with the help of other fossil hunters, he found more. scientists now say it was a giant ichthyosaur, living alongside the dinosaurs and probably eating squid, and it may have been bigger than a blue whale, the largest animal ever to have lived. this ichthyosaur lived about 202 million years ago right at a time when there was a major extinction event. what this major extinction event led to was the eradication, the extinction, of these giant ichthyosaurs. after years in paul's garage, it's finally time to say goodbye. i've come to know it almost, i've studied it in such intense detail, that it will be sad to say
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cheerio to it. this gigantic ichthyosaur will soon go to its new home on public display at the bristol museum and art gallery. georgina rannard, bbc news, swindon. australia is suffering an infestation of fire ants, with a potentially devastating impact on the country's health and agriculture. the fire ants are originally from south america but are thought to have entered australia 20 years ago in shipping containers, and can kill people and livestock. phil mercer has the story. sniffer dogs are on the front line in australia's fight against a formidable invader. fire ants attack as a swarm. they are a danger to people, pets, livestock and wildlife. they lock their jaws onto their victims�* skin and inject venom through a spike on their abdomen. their sting causes
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a burning sensation. the invasive pests were first found in australia in 2001, but had probably been here undetected for years. their name is solenopsis invicta, meaning invincible. so no country that has been invaded by them has ever been able to eradicate them. we can't even have back yard barbecues any more, and kids' sporting fields can be infested. i mean, we are a sporting nation and we have had football clubs complaining about the football fields being infested because some of the mulch is coming with fire ants in it. the queensland state government says it eradication programmes are world class but the invasive ants have been detected over the border in new south wales. more fire ants there, more fire ants there. here, they can be seen forming a raft to travel across floodwaters. critics, though, insist that australia has underestimated the threat from fire ants and warn
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they are spreading out of control. phil mercer, bbc news, sydney. famous musicians are lining up to perform with a new up—and—coming artist known as...mother nature. yes, nature itself is now recognised as a musical artist in its own right. as of 11am this morning, you can now stream nature on most major platforms. ellie goulding is just one singer who has teamed up with the artist, blending her music with sounds from the colombian rainforest. at least 50% of recording royalties featuring nature will go to biodiversity conservation, in a project supported by the united nations. a keen horse rider who was left paralysed after a car accident has now qualified for the british indoor carriage driving championships.
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faye o'hara will become the only person in a wheelchair to compete in the event tomorrow. natalie pirks has been to meet her. i felt my life were over and i've wanted to die a few times and since he's come along, he's just give me everything back. this is a story of perseverance, passion, and a very special bond. you just want food, don't you? from the age of five, horses were faye o'hara's life. but a car accident at 15 years old changed everything. we hit head on with another car. i severed my spinal cord and i were critical for about six weeks. i was in a coma for three and i was calling my family up all the time to say, "this is it. we're turning machines off." eight months i was in hospital altogether. now paralysed from the chest down, with only the use of her left arm, for seven years after her accident, she shunned anything to do with horses. but eventually she realised they gave her purpose. this accident has taken my legs.
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it can't take this passion. i'm going to find a way to get back. enter majestic — a horse she bred and brought on as a foal. go on, back. i've created this bond. i've actually educated a horse from a chair. this is brilliant. how can i do more? and that's what i wanted to drive him and do everything else and he changed my life. majestic by name, majestic by nature. but whilst he's undeniably beautiful and cheeky, faye feels he's not best suited to indoor carriage driving. for that, she needs frankie. with the help of her friend nat and a specially—adapted carriage, faye is hoisted into her seat. all the adaptations have enabled frankie and faye to qualify for this weekend's national indoor carriage driving championships as the only wheelchair user. i never thought when i had my accident that i'd ever do anything with my life again. to go out into a competitive world
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and qualify for something like this, is just out of this world. like, itjust gives me a whole new sense of freedom and passion and achievement. go, go, go, go, go. i'm just happy again. she wants people to know there's always hope. itjust took a unique friendship for her to see it. did he save you, do you think? yeah, ido. and if anything ever happened to him, it'd just break my heart because i look at him and think, you gave me my life back. you literally give me me back. natalie perks, bbc news, halifax. time for a look at the weather. here's louise lear. we really don't know where we are from one day to the next. it was cold and frosty this morning, can you believe it, this is the lake district where temperatures got down
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