we begin in bolivia, where president luis arce seems to have defeated a military coup attempt led by a rebel military leader who deployed hundreds of soldiers and armoured vehicles to the city of la paz, claiming he wanted to "restructure democracy." this is the moment generaljuanjose zuniga, leader of the coup attempt, and former commander of the bolivian armed forces, was arrested by police who took him away in a car while speaking to reporters outside a military barrack. the president and vice president then took to the main square of la paz to greet supporters. the public prosecutor's office now says it will launch a criminal investigation into general zuniga and those who backed him. on wednesday, hundreds of soldiers and armoured vehicles surrounded government buildings in the capital. they fired shots at government supporters who tried to stop them. an army tank knocked down the main gate of the presidential palace while troops entered the building. general zuniga said there would be a change of government and announced that he would release political prisoners. rumours have been swirling

for days that the general was on the verge of being dismissed. in the past hour, the head of the united nations has said he's "deeply concerned" about the attempted coup. in a statement, secretary—general antonio guterres said : joining me live is our correspondent, will grant. good to see you. will, it appears a coup has been averted. what is the latest you can tell us? it does look that way, looks like it was short lived and ill—advised by general zuniga. he led the armed forces and brought this group of apparent rebels into the la paz in the square and right to the door of the palace, it has been at

times the presidential palace and the national palace and it is essentially the seat of power. what was he doing and why was he doing it? these are the questions bolivians are asking us as much as those watching on from abroad, the answer lies in the fact he was the satisfaction with the direction of the government of president luis arce, dissatisfaction with the way he considers military figures and members of the conservative groups and conservative elites were laid out to dry or sort of made to pay the price for events in 2019 when evo morales the then president was forced into exile by the military as well. quite a bit of history involved in it all but it does seem like it was an attempted coup that never really got off the ground. coup that never really got off the ground-— coup that never really got off the round. ., ., the ground. those are some of the ground. those are some of

the aims of _ the ground. those are some of the aims of general _ the ground. those are some of the aims of general zuniga, i the aims of general zuniga, what more do we know about him? he has led the armed forces, he has led the army, sorry, and all three branches of the armed forces have been replaced by president luis arce in an attempt to take back control. that seemed to bring things to a very quick and, in terms of general zuniga, a very quick and, in terms of generalzuniga, he a very quick and, in terms of general zuniga, he is now making claims this was all a plan, and all he was trying to do was speak to the president about the direction of the country, and forced changes but there are a lot of contradictory statements over the past 2a hours while he also said while he recognised president luis arce he did not recognise his government. it does look like that is one of the changes he was trying to force as well as those were still serving sentences over the events in 2019. really difficult for ordinary people in bolivia to watch this unfold the top of the country �*s military and top of country �*s

government. military and top of country 's government.— military and top of country 's covernment. . . , ., government. that was well grant re ”ortin. in less than 2a hours, us presidentjoe biden and former president donald trump will take to the stage in atlanta for the first presidential debate of the 2024 election. the highly—anticipated debate is a chance for both candidates to address issues that have plagued their campaigns thus far. this will be the first debate since trump was convicted of 3a felony counts in his new york criminal trial. he is also awaiting trial in three other criminal cases, one of which is in the state of georgia where the debate is being held. president biden, under increasing scrutiny about his age and frustrations from the left flank of his party, is coming off the back of his son's recent gun trial conviction. polls across the country currently show an essential tie between the candidates, with mr trump holding a small lead in some of the key swing states that will ultimately decide the election. when they meet for their historic re—match for the first debate since 2020, voters will be able hear each candidates' stance on major policies. some of the key issues

will likely be at the center of the discussion. immigration will highlight a partisan divide following executive orders passed by president biden, border security will likely be on the agenda. since the pandemic, economic inflation is a growing concern as the cost of living has risen for many americans despite a growing workforce. president biden is expected to lean on his support of reproduction rights as abortion availability is split across the country. the state of democracy may also come up, both within the country's borders and aiding democracies around the world. thursday's debate could potentially prove to be a turning point for voters in the race to the white house. for more i spoke to bloomberg's washington bureau chief peggy collins and senior axios contributor margaret talev. margaret talev. how high—stakes is this debate? it has the potential to be huge the potential to be you know things we already knew about leaders we have been living with for the last decade or so

but there are a lot of eyes on this in a couple of different categories. in particular many republican voters have expressed they are excited to watch the debate because they think president biden is going to fumble or show he is incapable of running for another term that will elevate donald trump, democrats are in a different position, they are thinking they want to see questions towards former president trump, to hold them accountable forjanuary six, accountable for january six, for accountable forjanuary six, for refusing to validate the election results, and a lot of votes cast afterwards. a lot of people will be tuning in we don't know if it will ship the needle and there are not that many american voters really trying to make up the mind between the two, there are many american voters trying to decide whether to bother voting and whether to go hail mary on and whether to go hail mary on a third—party candidate. for voters it could be really important. voters it could be really important-— voters it could be really important. voters it could be really imortant. ., ., , ., important. your thoughts on this, how — important. your thoughts on this, how high-stakes - important. your thoughts on this, how high-stakes a - important. your thoughts on - this, how high-stakes a moment this, how high—stakes a moment to think this could be? i

this, how high-stakes a moment to think this could be?— to think this could be? i think it is high-stakes _ to think this could be? i think it is high-stakes because - to think this could be? i think it is high-stakes because it i to think this could be? i think it is high-stakes because it isi it is high—stakes because it is so competitive this race and coming down to a handful of seats one of them being georgia where the debate will be set, i think for president biden really needs to appeal to young voters and black voters in particular. also defy the odds on his age, we did see in our reporting and poles about this after his state of union, this could give him a seppi does have a good performance tomorrow night and for donald trump an opportunity to separate a little from his legal troubles and his criminal conviction and start to pick up some other voters who are unhappy with the economy or suburban women in particular. what you think there potential game plans are, could it be a case of for president biden touting what he sees be his achievements, for donald trump putting forward potential policies were actually, peggy going after their arrival? what do you think the plan could be? i think they are going to try to cut through with some policy

issues, especially on the economy and border security as you would just mentioning. i think the danger is it devolves into a back and forth between don't pick him pick me, don't pick him, pick me and that well as margaret was saying potentially not draw in more voters that might be on the fence, in terms of been able to sway at all. fence, in terms of been able to sway at all-— sway at all. there are some potential— sway at all. there are some potential to _ sway at all. there are some potential to hear _ sway at all. there are some potential to hear that - sway at all. there are some potential to hear that offer| potential to hear that offer the past. there are different rules— the past. there are different rules to _ the past. there are different rules to the debate, the mic is not supposed to be on for the person— not supposed to be on for the person whose turn it is not to talk — person whose turn it is not to talk you _ person whose turn it is not to talk. you do not have the same audience — talk. you do not have the same audience dynamic, there is no studio— audience dynamic, there is no studio audience of voters there. _ studio audience of voters there. it _ studio audience of voters there, it will come down to whether_ there, it will come down to whether to some extent the moderators can manage the flow of these — moderators can manage the flow of these questions, control the candidates, that could be very important, there is also a lot of history. _ important, there is also a lot of history, remember the debates i happening before either— debates i happening before either one of these two gentlemen has formally become the nominee for their party. well— the nominee for their party. well that set a new president?

is that — well that set a new president? is that how all presidential debates will be going forward, voters — debates will be going forward, voters start voting earlier in the process, is thisjust a continuation of the permanent campaign? and these are two rivals— campaign? and these are two rivals who _ campaign? and these are two rivals who have a lot of questions that voters want them to answer— questions that voters want them to answer about themselves, not 'ust to answer about themselves, not just attack— to answer about themselves, not just attack the other and talk attout— just attack the other and talk about the past.— about the past. interesting talkin: about the past. interesting talking about _ about the past. interesting talking about the - about the past. interesting talking about the policy - about the past. interesting i talking about the policy there or personality. peggy, do you think when american voters chewed and they will be looking here for really big —— being clear on policy or will it be the overarching feeling of performance, how they pull it off? ., . . , performance, how they pull it off? ., ., . , , off? performance will be big because so _ off? performance will be big because so much _ off? performance will be big because so much of- off? performance will be big because so much of the - off? performance will be bigj because so much of the race off? performance will be big - because so much of the race has centred around the fact both men are older, and this is historic in the sense it is the first debate between a setting and former president as well. it is going to be about what voters take away in terms of the strength of the candidate in terms of their answers and stamina through the debate if there is a moment one or the

other does cut through on these key policy issues, we have found time and time again when voters are thinking about the election, the economy and immigration come up time and time again. do immigration come up time and time again-— time again. do you think foreian time again. do you think foreign policy _ time again. do you think foreign policy will - time again. do you think foreign policy will come | time again. do you think - foreign policy will come up? i hope so because it is such a bil hope so because it is such a big issue _ hope so because it is such a big issue and the rest of the world — big issue and the rest of the world is— big issue and the rest of the world is watching the debate, the selection of one candidate over— the selection of one candidate over another will have profound applications for russia, nato and israel and gaza and china. there — and israel and gaza and china. there are _ and israel and gaza and china. there are real implications for global— there are real implications for global democracy as well, american democracy and for half a century— american democracy and for half a century or more of american foreign — a century or more of american foreign policy. did want to say debates— foreign policy. did want to say debates are meant to be about iongforrn — debates are meant to be about longform and nuanced but i think— longform and nuanced but i think we _ longform and nuanced but i think we all know that in the time — think we all know that in the time of— think we all know that in the time of social media they really— time of social media they really get reduced to memes and clips, _ really get reduced to memes and clips, there are tens of mitiions— clips, there are tens of millions of americans who say they— millions of americans who say they are — millions of americans who say they are going to watch the debate, _ they are going to watch the debate, does that mean they will watch the whole debate or they wiii— will watch the whole debate or they will catch up on their phone _ they will catch up on their phone with a —— these can be

reduced _ phone with a —— these can be reduced to _ phone with a —— these can be reduced to very selective clips depending on what your source of news — depending on what your source of news or— depending on what your source of news or entertainment is. i think— of news or entertainment is. i think we — of news or entertainment is. i think we will watch two debates unfold. — think we will watch two debates unfold, one is the full—length debate — unfold, one is the full—length debate and the other is those probable moments that candidates feel they can turn into a — candidates feel they can turn into a meme or campaigns can and those— into a meme or campaigns can and those will be the things most — and those will be the things most voters remember. gr and those will be the things most voters remember. or the moment someone _ most voters remember. or the moment someone does - most voters remember. or the moment someone does not. most voters remember. or the l moment someone does not want most voters remember. or the - moment someone does not want to remember as well. this is high—stakes as well. on that point of the nitty—gritty do you think legal worries will come up. peggy, both candidates have talking points in that regard? in terms of legal? donald trump styles and the hunter biden conviction there. the fact there are criminal pieces hanging over donald trump and in terms of the hunter biden cases, had been running through this campaign throughout, i don't think it will be avoidable in the debate, the question will be how do they respond, are they

able to respond without emotion starting to run high, because for both men it is very personal to them. for donald trump about his business dealings and he feels like he is been rolling accused or attacked and forjoe biden editors family and his son. the question will be can they hold the line and bring the conversation back to policy. your thoughts on that? hunter biden— your thoughts on that? hunter biden is— your thoughts on that? hunter biden is not running for president, i understand as a political— president, i understand as a political matter it is like well, _ political matter it is like well, you know, it's really not the same _ well, you know, it's really not the same thing if hunter biden were _ the same thing if hunter biden were running for office it would _ were running for office it would be a parallel situation. this— would be a parallel situation. this is— would be a parallel situation. this is the former president facing — this is the former president facing multiple accounts in multiple jurisdictions, the question is — where other moderators to go, where will joe biden go and how will president trump deal with those issues _ president trump deal with those issues but they are on the minds _ issues but they are on the minds of— issues but they are on the minds of many voters and certainly— minds of many voters and certainly going to come up.

around the world and across the uk, this is bbc news. let's look at some other stories making news. police have arrested a man in his mid—20s on suspicion of harassment and offences, in connection with the westminster honeytrap scandal. it is understood the man was a labour party member, whose membership was suspended after labour was notified of the arrest. the party says it will not comment further due to an ongoing police investigation. princess anne is said to be recovering well after suffering a minor head injury and concussion — thought to have been caused by a horse. her husband, sirtim laurence, visited her in hospital in bristol, thanking medical staff and emergency services who attended their estate in gloucestershire. he also said he and the princess royal were touched by kind messages they had received. england football star phil foden has left the team's euro 2024 camp and returned to the uk for the birth of his third child. he's expected to be back in time for sunday's game. england will play slovakia in the last 16 for a place in the quarterfinals. if they advance, they would play either switzerland or italy.

you're live with bbc news. kenya's president, william ruto, has scrapped a finance bill that included controversial tax hikes following a day of massive demonstrations in which at least 23 people were killed. the bill aimed to raise an additional $2.7 billion in taxes in an effort to lighten the heavy debt kenya is facing. the proposal contained tax hikes on basic goods and services. 0pponents to the bill said tax hikes would harm people already struggling with the cost of living. initially, president ruto responded with defiance to the demonstrations, but in a sudden change of course — he now says, "the people have spoken". having reflected on the continuing conversation around the content of the finance bill 2024, and listening keenly to the people of kenya, who have

said loudly, that they want nothing to do with this financial —— financial bill 2024, i concede and therefore i will not sign the 2024 finance bill, and it shall subsequently be withdrawn and i have agreed with these members that that becomes our collective position. meanwhile, amnesty international and local organisations in the country are accusing the government of human rights violations claiming that at least 12 people suspected of involvement in the protests have been abducted. in a statement, the groups said that such practices: 'instil fear and uncertainty among the populace'. they are calling for the release of all detained individuals. 0ne activist whose focused on supporting kenya's youth is auma 0bama, the half—sister of former us president barack 0bama.

she joined the protests and spoke to caitriona perry about what's driving so many kenyans to demonstrate. thank you very much forjoining us on bbc news today. we see that president ruto announced he will not sign the finance bill, can that be described as a victory of sorts for the protesters?— a victory of sorts for the protesters? i'm not sure because _ protesters? i'm not sure because if— protesters? i'm not sure because if you _ protesters? i'm not sure because if you look - protesters? i'm not sure because if you look at i protesters? i'm not sure l because if you look at the protesters? i'm not sure - because if you look at the mood in the country, the social media comment that are being posted following his speech and announcement i think there is a lot of scepticism, because i think also for legal reasons it is very difficult to withdraw a bill at the stage and we have a very strong and good constitution that is clearly outlining what is possible and what is allowed and what is not, and individual cannotjust not, and individual cannot just withdraw not, and individual cannotjust withdraw a bill, goes through a process. and the thing that is may be unlucky for us older people, i call us the

generation of old people, and kenyan language, and we are the older people we have underestimated the young people, generation said, they are very well informed and well organised, they have legal people among them who are informed, the conversation happening right now is yes, it is greatly president has made this announcement and has actually said he has conceded but the reality is — you can't do this on his own it as a whole process, there is a lot of scepticism among the young people and a lot of i would say anxiety in the country, regarding what took place in the last days.— regarding what took place in the last days. just to ask you about that. _ the last days. just to ask you about that, we _ the last days. just to ask you about that, we saw - the last days. just to ask you about that, we saw the - the last days. just to ask you l about that, we saw the protest provoked a significant response from the kenyan authorities, human rights groups estimated 23 people were killed, calling for restraint, what did you see, you were tear gas yourself at one point, i gather?-

at one point, i gather? yes, i was there. — at one point, i gather? yes, i was there, what _ at one point, i gather? yes, i was there, what i _ at one point, i gather? yes, i was there, what i saw - at one point, i gather? yes, i was there, what i saw was . at one point, i gather? yes, i. was there, what i saw was young people peacefully and i repeat peacefully protesting. the status quo that they are concerned about, peacefully trying to have their voices heard, peacefully trying to reach out to our leaders to listen to them. and unfortunately what we experienced and this is even before i came out on the streets, i was able to observe it already by 930 — ten, tear gas was being shot at the young people. and it was coming out of vehicles, this was the interesting thing and notjust that was out of vehicles because what was coming out of the ammunition and the equipment being carried was rubber bullets that came later and then the live bullets, i experienced the teargas being shot at the young people, very, very early and i assume it was to disburse them and not to enable them together. this already was a wrong approach because it is the constitutional right of every

kenyan to demonstrate and to talk and express their views around issues that concern them. that is what helps governance. you can only govern a people if you talk with a people, if you know their issues and let them be part of the decision—making process thatis the decision—making process that is what the young people wanted and they did not get it. the only violence i saw on the street was the violence against young people and the later looting that happened in the evening happened after the young people were leaving the city centre because all of us were leaving and all of us were telling the young people to leave because at that point there were the issues in parliament and when you young people would be targeted and a lot of lives could be lost. we pleaded with young people and we did not have to plead with every young person was very focused and very well behaved, at least this is what i experienced.- at least this is what i experienced. at least this is what i exerienced. , ., ., experienced. just on that point of how unhappy _ experienced. just on that point of how unhappy young - experienced. just on that point of how unhappy young people | of how unhappy young people are with the administration and situation in kenya, you work

with young people through your foundation just what is like for, what is your life like for young kenyans?— for, what is your life like for young kenyans? almost 80% of the population _ young kenyans? almost 8096 of the population is _ young kenyans? almost 8096 of the population is under- young kenyans? almost 8096 of the population is under 35, - young kenyans? almost 8096 of the population is under 35, of l the population is under 35, of the population is under 35, of the gen z and millennials, there is almost 60% of the population. this group of people within our community, over 50% are unemployed. they have a sense they have a situation their futures are hopeless and they don't see and feel the government is working for their benefit, or the benefit of kenyans as a whole. what has happened is that — every step of the way, they have been hearing what they will have to pay, what they have to pay, and what parents have to pay, and what parents have to pay, all of the taxation coming up, all things kenyans cannot cope with. it is a buildup of a lot of economic stress and this is before this current government, but the current government, but the current government, but the current government would have been better placed, to look at

the situation as it was and see what they could do for the kenyans. the big conversation about the fact we are all being taxed because debts have to be paid, this is enraging notjust the youth but the generation and generation before me those wounds are still with us, they are feeling pretty hopeless, and this is the rest of us. you get taxed and you are paying for a debt you did not sign up for, this is what is causing the problem it is not adding up because our country, this country in particular, we were told the reason why we are getting all these taxation because we have a debt to pay by october or some month actually specified. and you cannot off the back of the people try to pay debts you haven't heard, does not make sense and it is a responsible, to incur those debts when the people are jobless and have no way of giving you the money to pay back is irresponsible, it cannot work it is not how one

should be governing a country. and for the young people they are just saying this is not our problem that has been made our problem and we refuse it, we say, no. a new un—backed report warns that there is a high risk that famine is imminent in gaza as civilians rely on dwindling resources to get vital aid. before the seventh of 0ctoberattacks, more than 500 truckloads of humanitarian resources were delivered to gaza daily. that's been reduced to about 400 aid trucks that have come in since the beginning of the war. now nearly a quarter of the population is facing food insecurity. in march, american troops began building a temporary aid pier in the mediterranean sea. but rough waters and the ongoing conflict means keeping it up and running has been a challenge. our partner, cbs news, is one of the first media outlets invited by the us army to get an exclusive look at their operation on gaza's coast. cbs correspondent imtiaz tyab reports. we travelled across the eastern mediterranean with us forces. to the devastated central coast of gaza. among the first

journalist to visit the $230 million humanitarian platform. where we saw trucks carrying pallets of food aid into the besieged palestinian territory. since it became operational two months ago only 400 and eight aid trucks have come off at. the need in gaza is desperate just over there. before the october seven attacks over 500 0ctober seven attacks over 500 truckloads a day would enter gaza in a single day. mil truckloads a day would enter gaza in a single day.- gaza in a single day. all i know is _ gaza in a single day. all i know is my _ gaza in a single day. all i know is my objective - gaza in a single day. all i know is my objective is l gaza in a single day. all i | know is my objective is to gaza in a single day. all i - know is my objective is to get as many supplies as i can into gaza, for the people of gaza. the platform plagued by problems, and has only been fully operationalfor a problems, and has only been fully operational for a total of 16 days. when israeli forces rescued four hostages in gaza earlier this month, in an operation that killed over 270 palestinians, and israeli military helicopter was seen taking off from the beach in front of the platform.

prompting the world food programme to suspend operations there over concerns that had been compromised. this there over concerns that had been compromised.- been compromised. this is a humanitarian _ been compromised. this is a humanitarian platform. - been compromised. this is a humanitarian platform. it. been compromised. this is a l humanitarian platform. it was not part of any operation, its focus is on humanitarian assistance and that is my mission. assistance and that is my mission-— mission. critics of the platform _ mission. critics of the platform said - mission. critics of the i platform said president mission. critics of the - platform said president brian should have focused on israel opening a trucks to gaza but american officials are determined to make it work saying the platform should remain open longer than previously planned. before we go, some news on boeing's starliner spacecraft, which launched earlier this month. the spacecraft was due to return to earth on wednesday evening. however, its return has been delayed as engineers try to get to the bottom of helium leaks found in the vessel. the capsule has been plagued by problems since its launch with its astronauts stuck, waiting to return to earth. nasa says it is carrying out a review of the technical problems before deciding when

to bring the astronauts home. you are watching bbc news. i am helena humphrey thanks for your company and thank you from all of us in washington and dc. 0ur colleagues in london takeover from now. goodbye for now. hello there. wednesday was the warmest day of the year so far, with 31 celsius reached in wisley in surrey. but that's the last of these sorts of temperatures for now. it does look like for the rest of the week, into the weekend, it's going to be turning fresher for all areas and the winds will be picking up as well. but we'll still have quite a bit of sunshine around. now, the change is all courtesy of this area of low pressure, pretty deep for the time of year, pushing to the north and the west of the country, where it'll bring significant winds and some rain. but the cold front associated with it will spread across the country, pushing the warm and humid air back out to the near continent. this is the cold front — barely anything on it as it

reaches southern and eastern england. but it will bring a change to the air temperature. plenty of sunshine here, but windy with showers or long spells of rain for north—west england, north wales, northern ireland and into scotland. so temperatures here much lower than of late. highs of 24 to 25 degrees across the southeast. but warmer along north sea coasts, as we've lost the onshore breeze. but it will be a very blustery end to the day for thursday. gales across the far west of scotland, far north of northern ireland, showers or longer spells of rain, whereas i think as we head through thursday nights across much of england and wales, it should be largely dry with some clear spells. lighter winds the further south that you are. but it will be a cooler night to come for all, with temperatures 10 to around 12 degrees. so as we head into friday, then, we see that area of low pressure pulling away from the north of the uk, but it will take its time. it stays quite windy, blustery, with outbreaks of rain across scotland, whereas for england and wales, closer to a ridge of high pressure. so the further north that you are, it will be windier with showers or longer spells of rain.

the further south that you are, variable cloud, but some good spells of sunshine. and i think for many, it will stay dry on friday. temperatures perhaps reaching around 23, maybe 24 degrees. otherwise, it's the mid to high teens further north, so you can see that cooler trend is continuing. into the start of the weekend, bit of a question mark on it, but it looks like this area of weather fronts will bring thicker cloud and outbreaks of rain to the central slice of the uk through the day. to the north of it, it stays quite blustery with sunshine and showers, feeling cool. but some good sunny spells across the south and southeast could put temperatures up to around 25 celsius, so feeling quite warm again, but cooler further north. but as we head into part two of the weekend, it does look like it'll be cloudy with some further spots of rain and feeling cooler for all.

voice-over: this is bbc news. we'll have the headlines for you at the top of the hour, which is straight after this programme. welcome to hardtalk. i'm stephen sackur. it is hard to overstate the levels of turmoil and uncertainty in french politics right now.

thanks to president macron's early dissolution of the national assembly, france faces two rounds of voting in the next two weeks, after which parliamentary power could be in the hands of marine le pen's far—right national rally party. what would that mean for france, for europe? well, my guest is national rally member of the european parliament, fabrice leggeri. is the stability of france at stake? fabrice leggeri in paris, welcome to hardtalk. thank you for the invitation. it's great to have you on the show. let's start with your own

personal political choice.