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tv   The Context  BBC News  July 17, 2024 8:00pm-8:31pm BST

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hello, i'm christian fraser. this is the context on bbc news. my legislative government's programme will be mission led but based upon government's legislative the security, fairness and opportunity for all. a king's speech that returns politics to serious government, that returns government to public service, that returns public service to the interest of working people. we've just been hearing about. the state of american democracy. britain is a far older democracy. i think today on one level - it is reminding people around the world of the importance of history in britain. - a new parliament, a new plan. the king sets out what labour intends to do with this enormous majority — economic growth is at the heart
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of the new government's plans. there are bills on planning reforms, workers�* rights, english devolution, public transport, and border security. we'll examine whether sir keir starmer and his team, can deliver on their promises. it's day three of the republican convention, a night in the spotlight for donald trump's new running mate, jd vance. in other news, the california democrat adam schiff has called onjoe biden to pass the torch to a younger candidate. we will bring you all the reaction from milwaukee. good evening. it has been a day full of pomp and pageantry in westminster for the opening of a new parliament, with a new government, setting out in the kings voice what it plans to do setting out in the king's voice what it plans to do in the years ahead. for labour, this has been a long time coming. and they've set out a long list — 39 bills which labour say will help boost growth and take the "brakes off britain." there'll be reform of the planning system to build
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new infrastructure and housing. the railways will be nationalised over five years more powers devolved to metro mayor in england — who will have more control on development and things like bus services. improved rights for workers and renters and there'll be a new publicly owned clean power company great british energy. our political editor chris mason was watching. no space for passing traffic on a day whose rituals predates the motor car. a — count them — six—horsepower carriage, the king on board. much of all of this unchanged in years. but here's a bit not seen in a while. these are the plans to be unveiled today of a labour prime minister. fanfare. morning, prime minister. this, then, their election promises, or at least some of them, today with horses, fancy dress and trumpets.
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a parliamentary official known as black rod, no matter how quickly she walks, gets the doors to the commons slammed in her face... black rod! ..to symbolise the independence of the house of commons. and so to the speech, written by the government, read by the king. my government's legislative programme will be mission—led and based upon the principles of security, fairness and opportunity for all. stability will be the cornerstone of my government's economic policy. a knowing smile from the new chancellor. being trusted to manage the economy and firing it up is key for labour, and here's one big way they hope to do it. my ministers will get britain building, including through planning reform, as they seek to accelerate next, transport and a plan to give local leaders more power over local buses in england.
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and this on trains in england, scotland and wales. my ministers will bring forward legislation to improve the railways by reforming railfranchising, establishing great british railways and bringing train operators into public ownership. and what about dealing with crime and small boat crossings? my government will seek to strengthen the border and make streets safer. and now are for the new government to sort, or try to. ministers also want to give people in england who rent their homes more rights and eventually eradicate smoking. and this is worth a glance, the civility of small talk between victors and the defeated. it looks like rishi sunak approves of the new deputy prime minister's dress colour. order! to the debate, then, and the prime minister. sir keirstarmer!
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change is what this government of service will deliver. a king's speech that takes the brakes off our economy and shows to the british public that politics can be a force for good. a rejection in this complicated and volatile world of those who can only offer the easy answer, the snake oil charm of populism. and a new role for mr sunak, for now at least. on our side of the house, we will fulfil our duties as the loyal opposition professionally and effectively, and across this house, we are all first and foremost patriots. we all wish to see our country and our people flourish and succeed. the liberal democrats said labour faced massive challenges. they have a big job i to do, and so do we. we will work hard on i behalf our constituents. we all wish to see our country and our people flourish and succeed. the liberal democrats said labour faced massive challenges. they have a big job i to do, and so do we. we will work hard on i behalf our constituents. we will scrutinise the government's plans carefully and strive _ to improve them, and, _ mr speaker, we will oppose them when we think they've got it wrong.
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and plenty here think the government's got it wrong by keeping the two—child benefit cap, which prevents most parents claiming for a third child. surely it should be the bare minimum expectation of a labour government to seek to do everything it possibly can immediately to lift children out of poverty. and reform uk aren't impressed either. more taxes, more bureaucracy, more regulation. all this talk about energy, more renewable energy, will add to costs. we'll have more expensive energy. this is a programme that will lead to lower growth and people will get poorer. the fanfare departing, the politics returning. the ceremony doesn't change much, but, boy, the house of commons has. chris mason, bbc news, westminster.
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spare a thought for rob watson. he has to introduce himself to 330 new mps. new contact book! paar has to introduce himself to 330 new mps. new contact book!— mps. new contact book! poor old mps, that's all i have — mps. new contact book! poor old mps, that's all i have to _ mps. new contact book! poor old mps, that's all i have to say. _ mps. new contact book! poor old mps, that's all i have to say. having - mps. new contact book! poor old mps, that's all i have to say. having to - that's all i have to say. having to discuss things with an old black like me. warm greetings since we haven't seen each other since the election. i could have almost made the king and queen and a cup of tea, but i suppose they were busy. it’s and queen and a cup of tea, but i suppose they were busy.— suppose they were busy. it's a secial suppose they were busy. it's a special moment _ suppose they were busy. it's a special moment when - suppose they were busy. it's a special moment when the - suppose they were busy. it's a | special moment when the king suppose they were busy. it's a special moment when the king is reading the plan of the new government, especially when you've beenin government, especially when you've been in opposition for 11! years. yes, it was interesting. my teenage children — one is teenage, one is in
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their 20s — "you go there every time, dad." yes, because it is an extraordinary moment past of grandeur. it's an extra ordinary moment when the speech comes out of the gilded person and is handed to the monarch. 0n is handed to the monarch. on behalf of a party that's been out of party for 11! years. as chris make them was saying, it's a big deal —— chris mason. i5 saying, it's a big deal -- chris mason. , ., , ,, . saying, it's a big deal -- chris mason. , ., , , , . i: mason. is the longest speech in 20 ears. mason. is the longest speech in 20 years- seventh _ mason. is the longest speech in 20 years. seventh longest _ mason. is the longest speech in 20 years. seventh longest since - mason. is the longest speech in 20 years. seventh longest since the i years. seventh longest since the war. they packed a lot in. what is the priority, what comes first? i think the priority is undoubtedly the economic growth, how do you want to perceive and end. the problem is
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that it's not something that can be done quickly. it's the priority of all governments. but there's no doubt that's what the priority of this government is. somewhat more intangible than that, chris, that style more than policy, no drama starmer. may make it a bit tedious for you and me, starmer. may make it a bit tedious foryou and me, chris, buti starmer. may make it a bit tedious for you and me, chris, but i think the idea from the incoming government is to make politics a bit boring, it would be a good thing. what about the stuff that's not in there? no votes for 16—year—old, nothing on social care, wejust heard from stephen flynn, the snp leader in the house about the two child benefit cap. i understand there'll be amendment on that. is stella creasy going to put an amendment on the issue? i
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stella creasy going to put an amendment on the issue? i can't say for 10096 amendment on the issue? i can't say for 100% sure- _ amendment on the issue? i can't say for100% sure. i _ amendment on the issue? i can't say for 100% sure. i know— amendment on the issue? i can't say for 10096 sure. i know the _ amendment on the issue? i can't say for 10096 sure. i know the new - for 100% sure. i know the new government is trying to head off any sort of rebellion to the king's speech. —— the king rob, thank you for the company this evening. he's on me is, it's a long day! laughter —— he's gone on mute. so, the aim of many of these measures announced today is to boost growth — but what difference are they likely to make and how quickly will that growth come? vicky pryce was joint head of the government economic service during the last labour government. ahe now advises the think tank the centre for economics and business research. —— she. let's talk about what they inherit first of all. what about today's inflation figures?
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yes, inflation has been pretty good recently. people are concerned it would be lower than the 2% target. but that's pretty good. two months of being on target, not bad at all, frankly. they inherit low inflation in parliament. we've seen at the same time grocery prices being very, very low. all good news. also, the expectation hopefully that will have an effect of interest rates being cut. either on august the 1st or later. growth, which we were only seen doing better that had been dissipated, is now being upgraded
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for the whole of 202a. they expect .7% this year. some forecasters expect more. 0ver1%. that's all good. they do have short—term growth happening and maybe a little bit more revenues as a result. the question is what will the rest that was announced today do in the medium—term? that's where the emphasis is going to be. looking for the moment, in terms of how the other measures work, in terms of pushing growth in a sustainable way, it's something that still needs to be improved. it's something that still needs to be improved-— it's something that still needs to be improved. it's something that still needs to be imroved. ~ . �*, ., ., ~ be improved. what's not working as business investment. _ be improved. what's not working as business investment. it's _ be improved. what's not working as business investment. it's been - be improved. what's not working as business investment. it's been a . business investment. it's been a problem for several years now. what do you think would accelerate that investment? what do you see in those 39 bills that might help get more
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investment in the economy? stability, i think that's good. i national strategy, which is being now reinstated. we have a different government. the conservatives ditched any strategy that existed before. there's going to be quite a lot of emphasis from businesses as to what should be in it. i think that will be good news. that's good for businesses, and we've already seen business confidence has improved. 0f seen business confidence has improved. of course, we've seen in those bills quite an emphasis on extra money into particular areas where there is green or housing. not much money from the government's side, , , . ., ., , side, but planning and laws might hel. side, but planning and laws might help- yes. — side, but planning and laws might help- yes. they — side, but planning and laws might help. yes, they might _ side, but planning and laws might help. yes, they might help - side, but planning and laws might help. yes, they might help and i
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side, but planning and laws might l help. yes, they might help and lead to more houses— help. yes, they might help and lead to more houses being _ help. yes, they might help and lead to more houses being built, - help. yes, they might help and lead to more houses being built, but- to more houses being built, but also more infrastructure. also for businesses themselves, in terms of constructing warehouses and anything else. yes, that should help. fine else. yes, that should help. one thin that else. yes, that should help. one thing that might _ else. yes, that should help. one thing that might alarm bosses when it comes to investment is this added right for workers. there is access to parental leave. zero—hours contracts, fair pay, which should improve pay rates. people would say it's about time that the workers put first. in terms of investment, you can see there will be upfront costs for a lot of employers.— for a lot of employers. that's absolutely — for a lot of employers. that's absolutely true _ for a lot of employers. that's absolutely true and - for a lot of employers. that's absolutely true and that - for a lot of employers. that's absolutely true and that is i for a lot of employers. that's absolutely true and that is a l for a lot of employers. that's l absolutely true and that is a bit for a lot of employers. that's - absolutely true and that is a bit of absolutely true and that is a bit of a worry. 0ther absolutely true and that is a bit of a worry. other issues to do with employee also matter. —— employment. critically for 18—20 years old, that might go up significantly. that will
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cause pressure for businesses. they've been able to pass on to consumers so far. it's been wearing the bank of england on the service side. it is entirely possible because of the extra cost, we might find businesses either close down or reduce what they do or don't invest. i think you're absolutely right and we need to look at investment very carefully i was happening. for the moment, we don't have anything for the second quarter. year on year, it was still 1% down, and that needs to change, whether it is through the beds there's we just heard or also through more emphasis on regional plans and hopefully attracting industry in places where there are skills, which companies can use quite fruitfully. 0ne skills, which companies can use quite fruitfully. one of the good things about the bills is also that,
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a. things about the bills is also that, a, there will be a review of the levy, and second, there's going to be a skills england counsel, which is actually important involving employers... it’s is actually important involving employers - -_ employers... it's great for productivity _ employers... it's great for productivity. the - employers... it's great for productivity. the thing - employers... it's great for productivity. the thing is i employers... it's great for- productivity. the thing is though, universities are key. most of our anniversary �*s are facing real financial problems. —— universities. where does labour stand on student visas? it’s where does labour stand on student visas? �* , ., ., where does labour stand on student visas? �* , . ., , ., where does labour stand on student visas? �* , . . , ., . visas? it's a real question which we don't have — visas? it's a real question which we don't have the _ visas? it's a real question which we don't have the answer— visas? it's a real question which we don't have the answer for, - visas? it's a real question which we don't have the answer for, and - visas? it's a real question which we don't have the answer for, and i - don't have the answer for, and i don't have the answer for, and i don't know we announced... i don't see anything very much there. but there is no doubt that we have to rethink. we're talking now about those legislation changes that may happen through legislation that will be coming forward. but we solve the budget to come. a number of these
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issues that we are worrying about, including universities and whether any money might be redirected there or some extra help being given, we may have to wait for the budget and other measures that might allow that to happen. the whole immigration side and student permits and whether they can bring independence and so on, which is this man, the... reduction in applications will be a big issue. reduction in applications will be a bi issue. my reduction in applications will be a bi issue. ., ., ~ ., big issue. vicky, good to talk to ou. big issue. vicky, good to talk to you- thank _ big issue. vicky, good to talk to you- thank you _ big issue. vicky, good to talk to you. thank you very _ big issue. vicky, good to talk to you. thank you very much - big issue. vicky, good to talk to l you. thank you very much indeed big issue. vicky, good to talk to - you. thank you very much indeed for your thoughts. around the world and across the uk. this is bbc news.
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welcome back. we're going to continue our thoughts on the king's speech. we were supporting on the car that ploughed
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into a cafe in central paris. loss of sensitivity at the moment. the olympics over a week away. police 0lympics over a week away. police have held a press conference. they are telling us that one person was killed in the incident. three people, we understand, have been injured, and as far as i'm aware, they are still seeking the runaway driver. 0ne killed, three injured, and the driver still on the run. where does technology and ai fit into labour's plans? what did stand out today was the inclusion of a digital information and smart data bill. we're told tonight that the government's not planning to introduce its own digital id cards, which the last labour government flirted with, but they are planning legislation that creates a framework for third party providers to offer those trusted services. for opening back accounts, to starting jobs,
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collecting a parcel from the post office — that kind of thing. as for artificial intelligence labour's manifesto had promised to support the development of the sector and introduce regulation on companies that developing the most powerful ai models. but although there was some mention today of the government seeking to "establish appropriate legislation" they have stopped short of introducing a bill. so what do we make of all that? with me is my partnerfrom ai decoded, the author and tech expert dr stephanie hare. my my partner in crime. short translation, the legislation ain't ready to go, is it? that's been repeated around the world at a time when the sector does need some focus. ., when the sector does need some focus. . , ., focus. yeah, the thing is that the labour focus. yeah, the thing is that the labour party. _ focus. yeah, the thing is that the labour party, when _ focus. yeah, the thing is that the labour party, when they - focus. yeah, the thing is that the labour party, when they were - labour party, when they were campaigning, or even when they weren't, never really had very much to say on al or even technology or the digital economy. it was kind of the dog that didn't bark. it was bit weird given how much the uk is a leader in al. with our financial
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services sector, you would want to see something like the legislation put forward. in terms of ai at large, they were really not saying very much. they let the conservative party kind of lead on that, which you did a pretty good job in all fairness. that said, former prime minister rishi sunak was very clear in saying don't expect any legislation on al from the united kingdom. legislation on al from the united kinudom. , legislation on al from the united kinadom. , .., ., legislation on al from the united kinadom. , .., . . kingdom. they were encouraging a sort of voluntary _ kingdom. they were encouraging a sort of voluntary quote. _ kingdom. they were encouraging a sort of voluntary quote. the - kingdom. they were encouraging a | sort of voluntary quote. the people you've spoken to around labour, what's their approach? is that more laws a fair or do they intend to mimic the eu efforts to legislate in control —— voluntary code of. i think what concerning is that the labour party seems to be outsourcing thinking to the tony blair
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institute, who many people will remember was very big on things like the digital id card — a biometric car that took things and your eyes and want to use it for immigration and want to use it for immigration and control measures. people really push back on that. this was scrapped backin push back on that. this was scrapped back in 2010. we aren't even looking at something like that. what we will be looking for is something more towards online verification or digital verification, which arguably you need particularly in a world of ai, where i identity theft and impersonation is ever increasing. we discussed this on al decoded every week. what worries me in terms of the way the government is approaching ai is they're not being inclusive in talking to the rest of civil society as well as our talk to academics and researchers. it should not be the tony blair institute that they are looking for. you not be the tony blair institute that they are looking for.— they are looking for. you need exerts they are looking for. you need exoerts like — they are looking for. you need experts like yourself _ they are looking for. you need experts like yourself brought l they are looking for. you need i experts like yourself brought into they are looking for. you need - experts like yourself brought into a group to discuss this more fully.
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yes, he needs to draw on the top thinkers. it needs to involve civil society... thinkers. it needs to involve civil socie , ., thinkers. it needs to involve civil society- - -— society... joe biden has done something — society... joe biden has done something similar? - society... joe biden has done something similar? yeah, . society... joe biden has done something similar? yeah, hej society... joe biden has done - something similar? yeah, he has. it would be nice _ something similar? yeah, he has. it would be nice to _ something similar? yeah, he has. it would be nice to see _ something similar? yeah, he has. it would be nice to see the _ something similar? yeah, he has. it would be nice to see the uk - something similar? yeah, he has. it would be nice to see the uk do - would be nice to see the uk do something along the same lines, because ai for a lot of people is very abstract. that's not going to work with this technology. we need to take everybody with us. {lin work with this technology. we need to take everybody with us.- to take everybody with us. on the diaital id to take everybody with us. on the digital id stuff. — to take everybody with us. on the digital id stuff, you _ to take everybody with us. on the digital id stuff, you talked - to take everybody with us. on the digital id stuff, you talked about i digital id stuff, you talked about trust and verification. that also pertains to the companies that are running this. how would it work? would there be some sort of trustmark that indicates who can hold our identification and data and where that is held? yes. hold our identification and data and where that is held?— hold our identification and data and where that is held? yes, there are a lot of companies _ where that is held? yes, there are a lot of companies already _ where that is held? yes, there are a lot of companies already providing l lot of companies already providing digital verification services, and also many governments around the world. arguably, you need that. you
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would also be showing the types of identity forms that we used to verify ourselves. maybe it's a driver's licence or birth certificate or passport. but if they trusted third party that would hold those things, and their encrypted so that you don't ever have to necessarily use the raw passport or the raw birth certificate or the raw drivers licence. it's a code that can be used. it's an interesting market and you want to see that because some of the biggest advances in crime is identity theft. 50. because some of the biggest advances in crime is identity theft.— in crime is identity theft. so, the government _ in crime is identity theft. so, the government put _ in crime is identity theft. so, the government put out _ in crime is identity theft. so, the government put out a _ in crime is identity theft. so, the government put out a statementj government put out a statement tonight because there is a bit of confusion on the bill. they say he would still be able to use your paper documents just as you do now, but these third—party services will become more readily available. there have to be some sort of financial arrangement around that. also would
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these be free to use?— these be free to use? particularly if ou talk these be free to use? particularly if you talk about _ these be free to use? particularly if you talk about accessing - if you talk about accessing government services, anything that's public sector. what you would want to do is see it easing people's lives, and it should be a convenience. if the government is more on how it wants to design this, it should be gently moving people toward something like this because it's easier, faster, more convenient — not because it's expensive or a burden. - not because it's expensive or a burden. ,, , ., ., , - not because it's expensive or a burden. ,, , . . , - not because it's expensive or a burden. ,, , . . ., burden. stephanie, always good to aet our burden. stephanie, always good to get your expertise. _ burden. stephanie, always good to get your expertise. we _ burden. stephanie, always good to get your expertise. we will - burden. stephanie, always good to get your expertise. we will see - burden. stephanie, always good to| get your expertise. we will see you soon on al decoded. thank you very much. we are going to take a short break. jd vance making the first official campaign appearance since becoming a running mate of donald trump, and tonight on stage in milwaukee, he will get the prime time slot. we will discuss after break. do stay with us.
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hello. the weather has started to change. it has started to turn warmer, and it will continue to do so over the next couple of days, turning very warm, even hot in some places, turning very humid as well. but that certainly doesn't mean it's always going to be sunny, and today, we certainly saw more clouds rolling in across parts of northern ireland. that was how it looked earlier on at newcastle in county down. this stripe of cloud here on the earlier satellite image, that's going to bring rain across parts of northern ireland but that certainly doesn't mean it's always going to be sunny, and today, we certainly saw more clouds rolling in across parts of northern ireland. that was how it looked earlier on at newcastle in county down. this stripe of cloud here on the earlier satellite image, that's going to bring rain across parts of northern ireland and scotland overnight, but these various weather systems are mainly being steered away to the north at the moment, allowing this warm and humid air to work its way in. so, through this evening and tonight, yes, we do have that cloud and those outbreaks of rain across northern ireland, the western side of scotland.
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it's going to turn quite misty and murky, i think, for some coasts and hills in the west as that increasingly humid air arrives. some clear spells further south and east, temperatures holding up between 11—14 degrees. so, into tomorrow, cloud and outbreaks of rain for northern ireland, for scotland, perhaps the far north—west of england. whereas further south and east, we see some spells of sunshine, but western coast of england and west wales perhaps quite misty and murky at times. and west wales perhaps quite temperatures, well, north to south, we're looking at 16—27 degrees. 16—24 would be typical at this time of year, so in many spots, those temperatures just a touch above the average forjuly. we haven't seen many above—average days recently. now into friday, here comes another weather system pushing its way in from the atlantic, but ahead of that, we really start to import some warmth from the near continent. this is the day when south—eastern parts of england could potentially get to 30 degrees. again, though, some mistand murk for some western coasts, a bit more cloud in the mix generally for northern ireland and scotland. even here, though, we will see some spells of sunshine. sheltered spots along the moray coast may well do quite nicely temperature—wise — 22—23 degrees,
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but 29—30 in the south—east corner. however, it will not last, because through the weekend, through saturday, we're going to see this frontal system bringing outbreaks of heavy, thundery rain. and behind that, for sunday, we will be left with cooler, fresher air in places. so, some heavy, thundery rain on saturday, sunshine and showers on sunday, and by that stage, it will feel cooler.
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hello, i'm christian fraser. you're watching the context on bbc news. prominent democrat adam schiff calls on presidentjoe biden to "pass the torch" and allow another democrat to challenge donald trump in november. i will bring you to updates before the sport. first on the scene in paris, a car ploughing into a cafe terrace in the city centre tonight, an update from the police, one person was killed, six people is the update who are injured. three in critical condition. the six people injured in that incident, three in critical condition. still, no news on the motorist who fled the scene.
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0bviously, on the motorist who fled the scene. obviously, the search for him on going. the

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