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tv   BBC News  BBC News  November 18, 2021 8:00pm-9:01pm GMT

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this is bbc news. i'm james reynolds. the headlines at 8pm — the government has confirmed it's scaling back plans for the high—speed hs2 rail line. the extension between the east midlands and leeds has been scrapped. if hs2 is not going to be arriving in yorkshire in the way it was meant to be arriving in yorkshire, that undermines the local place and that affects businesses of every sector. but the government says it is spending £96 billion on improvements which will make journey times faster, sooner. i think that this is a fantastic, this is a monumental programme for rail investment, for commuters, for passengers in the east midlands, the west midlands, the whole of the north of the country. former yorkshire cricketer azeem rafiq has apologised for anti—semitic messages he sent ten years ago. it comes just days after he gave
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powerful testimony to mps about the racist abuse he faced himself while a professional player. a life sentence for zephaniah mcleod, the man who stabbed eight people in birmingham in what the judge called a "murderous rampage". a new report reveals the mental health problems suffered by people living in blocks of flats with unsafe cladding. and the prince of wales and duchess of cornwall visit egypt's ancient and iconic giza pyramids as part of a two—day tour of the country. good evening. the government has scrapped the h52 line between the east midlands and leeds which was promised a decade ago. instead, as part of the integrated rail plan, the government will increase investment in existing lines which they say will deliver
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faster journeys sooner. but labour has called the scaling back of the high—speed rail line a betrayal of the north. hs2 was originally meant to connect london with birmingham, manchester and leeds. the leg between the east midlands and leeds will now be scrapped. between manchester and leeds, there will be some improvements with new high—speed rail in parts, but not what was originally planned. ministers say the journey time between those two cities will still be cut from 53 to 33 minutes, instead of the 29 minutes that had been promised. in total, £96 billion will now be spent upgrading existing services and building new, but shorter stretches of high—speed track. our correspondent katy austin reports from leeds. this south yorkshire logistics business has been on its own fast journey of expansion, and it is not done yet. the boss hoped hs2 stretching up
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to leeds would free up much more space on the railways for freight and ease road congestion. i really think that the country needs more rail, more rail infrastructure, to reduce carbon, take more wagons off the road and improve on supply chain demands. the government insists its new plan will still produce faster journey times and add capacity, but deliver improvements sooner. that's not enough for some. if hsz is not going to be arriving in yorkshire in the way it was meant to be arriving in yorkshire, that undermines the local place and that affects businesses of every sector. and therefore, people from all walks of life, whether they're in rail or whatever industry, are upset and invested in this decision. 42 of the £96 billion announced today was already allocated to the first stages of h52, linking london to birmingham and crewe. among the schemes to be funded by the remaining money are the western leg of h52 to manchester and extensive upgrades to other parts of the rail network.
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two other sections of high—speed rail will be built, but those sections will be smaller and cheaper than under previous proposals. the prime minister nearly missed his train to yorkshire today. once on board, though, he defended the changes. why should people in the north accept less than they were promised? because they're getting _ an absolutely fantastic new system and, yes, of course... it's not quite what they were promised. people will argue that you're better off spending a long i time and tens of billions more carving through virgin - countryside and building whole new lines everywhere, - but what we're doing is doing something that brings - the benefits ten years, - or up to ten years faster and delivers much shorterjourney times. but labour has accused the government of going back on its word. the north of england have been betrayed because the prime minister made two very important promises — hs2 all the way to leeds, a new line, that promise has been ripped up. he also promised northern
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powerhouse rail, a new, line from manchester to leeds, and that plan's been ripped up. the plans have received more of a welcome in some places. so, midlands connect thinks this is a win for the midlands because it will take high—speed trains from birmingham to the east midlands, but also allows us to progress our flagship scheme, the midlands rail hub, which will unlock 11 million seats along the rail network, allowing us to have quickerjourneys from places like hereford, worcester and other cities up and down the midlands. and opponents of h52 are celebrating. is it good news or what? yay! the railway would've torn right through this village near rotherham. in parts of northern england, though, there's a feeling what could've been a golden opportunity has been diminished. katy austin, bbc news. let's get more on this with gareth dennis, who is a railway engineer and writer. thank you so much forjoining us. what do you make of the new plan? i5 what do you make of the new plan? is a betrayal. nothing short than a
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betrayal. we have seen new grand plans from the government this is the biggest expenditure this entry but what they are doing is delivering more cut silica services than in the 1960s. it's shocking. details? than in the 19605. it's shocking. details? than in the 1960s. it's shocking. details? ., , details? the government is saying it is delivering — details? the government is saying it is delivering the _ details? the government is saying it is delivering the same _ details? the government is saying it| is delivering the same improvements as the existing rail network but they are going to sacrifice local services. that means if you reserve into local stations along these rail lines so unless you live it one of the bigger city stations, you will lose out and have a smaller reduced local service and this is catastrophic. that is what the whole point of it hs2 catastrophic. that is what the whole point of it h52 and the new lot across the pinouts was. it was to avoid the situation, the clash between local and long—distance services was that what they have done is make that worse by improving speeds on the vissing network which will let down local services so it's really bad news across the country. the government has said today it
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wants to deliver fasterjourneys sooner with the emphasis on sooner. that is something that some people would think they will get a quicker journey sooner than they might otherwise have got.— journey sooner than they might otherwise have got. trouble with that is is not _ otherwise have got. trouble with that is is not true. _ otherwise have got. trouble with that is is not true. if _ otherwise have got. trouble with that is is not true. if you - otherwise have got. trouble with that is is not true. if you look - otherwise have got. trouble with that is is not true. if you look at | that is is not true. if you look at the integrated rail plan published today and look at the details of when this work is going to be delivered, it is not going to be... before they say will deliver the equivalent is not going to be completed until about the same time that that work is to be completed based on the original hs2 plans this is a serious problem. the based on the original h52 plans this is a serious problem.— is a serious problem. the figures re orted is a serious problem. the figures reported in _ is a serious problem. the figures reported in the _ is a serious problem. the figures reported in the beginning - is a serious problem. the figures reported in the beginning and . is a serious problem. the figures reported in the beginning and i l reported in the beginning and i don't know if you are able to listen between manchester in lead ministers of the journey between the two cities will cut from 53 to 33 minutes instead of 29 that they have been promised. 33 versus 29 minutes, a four minute gap. in the whole scheme of things, is that some people except? the scheme of things, is that some peeple except?— scheme of things, is that some people except? the trouble is the oint of people except? the trouble is the point of the _ people except? the trouble is the point of the new _ people except? the trouble is the point of the new money _ people except? the trouble is the point of the new money to - people except? the trouble is the point of the new money to get - people except? the trouble is the | point of the new money to get that dream time benefit without sacrificing localjourneys. let me
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explain for a moment. so the problem we have the moment with bridge rail is in the tremendous mixture of fast nonstop services and kind of stopping services that caught local stations and actually the other useful i's really the cable out of their cars. trouble with that mixture is that in order the fast ones don't slow up the stopping trains you to leave a big gap in the timetable. what hs2 and the new like across the pinouts did was take those faster is it with them on their own new life and allow all the old trains on the old line to bunch up old trains on the old line to bunch up closer together and increasing capacity. government proposes is to get trained him improvements and actually you need to the gap will get bigger as the trains get faster so the faster trains don't catch up to the stoppers which means you can only actually run even fewer services on the existing network. this is the problem. government is talking about inhaling their wonderful newjourney times is achieving those times by revising local communities and local stations and it's catastrophic.— and it's catastrophic. thank you so much, and it's catastrophic. thank you so much. gary- _ and we'll find out how this story
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and many others are covered in tomorrow's front pages at 10:30pm and 11:30pm this evening in the papers. our guestsjoining me tonight are author and journalist yasmin alibhai—brown and john stevens, who's the deputy political editor of the mail. the former yorkshire cricketer azeem rafiq has apologised and said he is "deeply ashamed" after it emerged he had used anti—semitic language in social media messages ten years ago. rafiq has been at the centre of the racism controversy which has engulfed yorkshire cricket club. let's speak to our sports presenter gavin ramjaun. do go ahead. i was going to say that we did hear— do go ahead. i was going to say that we did hear from _ do go ahead. i was going to say that we did hear from rafiq _ do go ahead. i was going to say that we did hear from rafiq today - do go ahead. i was going to say that we did hear from rafiq today issuing a statement of pot apology after those facebook messages were on earth. it was involvement another cricketer on facebook and you have to litter them to not cause further offence and he put out on twitter earlier on.
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he said also that he was 19 at the time and hopes and believes that he is a different person today. so as he rose, rafiq very much at the centre of that yorkshire county cricket racism scandal and he was abused, taunted and made to feel suicidal at the hands of the club which he blamed on institutional racism there. he first raised those issues back in 2020. the club had reported and launched an investigation where they did come under a lot of fire and were criticised in so many ways for it rafiq's complaint. that is what he has had to say after those facebook messages what on earth today and we do understand bbc sport has seen some of those messages but they are anti—semitic in nature and he has apologised today. some of the reaction from that, there has been a lot of sympathy. claudia mendoza of the co—chief executive of thejewish leadership councils said rafiq had learned a lot since 2011 when those messages were posted. and very
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awkward situation, she said, for him on twitter but he has taken full ownership and apologised and undoubtedly through his own experiences has learned a lot about racism since then. the president of the board of deputies of british jewish people had said rafiq has ever terribly in cricket and he says he understands the hurt in this situation has caused thejewish community for what has been set and this message is ten years ago so they do feel it seems heartfelt the apology and there is no to believe it is not completely sincere there. so no excuses, rafiq says, from his standpoint today and he said he is also incredibly angry at himself and apologises to the jewish also incredibly angry at himself and apologises to thejewish community as well. apologises to the jewish community as well. ,., apologises to the jewish community as well. ,. ., ~ apologises to the jewish community as well. ., ,, , ., apologises to the jewish community as well. . ~' ,., ,., apologises to the jewish community as well. . ~' y., . jamie raynor is the presenter of the bbc radio leeds cricket show. you may remember we spoke to jamie after azeem rafiq's hearing in front of the digital, culture, media and sport select committee on tuesday.
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great to be able to speak to you again. some people might look at what hasjust happened again. some people might look at what has just happened in the last few hours and think that the discovery of anti—semitic messages will dilute the impact of rafiq posit testimony. how do you see it? it's important that we separate the two incidents in isolation and in doing _ two incidents in isolation and in doing so, — two incidents in isolation and in doing so, we don't dilute the testimony and don't detract attention away from the experiences of rafiq _ attention away from the experiences of rafiq during his time at the yorkshire _ of rafiq during his time at the yorkshire county cricket club. what this shows — yorkshire county cricket club. what this shows and what this illustrates is a wider— this shows and what this illustrates is a wider picture of domestic county— is a wider picture of domestic county cricket and it seemingly its struggles — county cricket and it seemingly its struggles in grappling with all forms— struggles in grappling with all forms of discrimination. i feel as if this— forms of discrimination. i feel as if this situation with rafiq which he has — if this situation with rafiq which he has owned and since apologised for shows— he has owned and since apologised for shows that there is a need for
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education — for shows that there is a need for education and training for all young cricketers _ education and training for all young cricketers coming through academy set ups— cricketers coming through academy set ups at— cricketers coming through academy set ups at respective counties, that they understand the repercussions of their actions and language and it seemingly here rafiq is still a victim — seemingly here rafiq is still a victim of— seemingly here rafiq is still a victim of racial harassment and bullying — victim of racial harassment and bullying as found by that internal investigation carried out by the cluh _ investigation carried out by the cluh he — investigation carried out by the club. he is also a perpetrator as he has owned — club. he is also a perpetrator as he has owned up to and apologised for, but it's_ has owned up to and apologised for, but it's important to not detract attention— but it's important to not detract attention away from what rafiq spoke about in _ attention away from what rafiq spoke about in his testimony only two days a-o. about in his testimony only two days auo. �* ., .., , about in his testimony only two days auo. ., , ago. and of course he says he has crown u- ago. and of course he says he has grown on since — ago. and of course he says he has grown up since those _ ago. and of course he says he has grown up since those messages . ago. and of course he says he has i grown up since those messages back in 2011. you know him. he interviewed him when he first to speak about racism last year. do you get a sense of how he might have developed as a person how he might be dealing with this now? absolutely. i mean as you rightly point _ absolutely. i mean as you rightly point out, — absolutely. i mean as you rightly point out, this was ten years ago and we _ point out, this was ten years ago and we can— point out, this was ten years ago and we can very much liken it to a very— and we can very much liken it to a very recent — and we can very much liken it to a very recent incident with that of
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current— very recent incident with that of current test cricketer for england ali robinson, who had a similar historic— ali robinson, who had a similar historic tweets come back to the four~ _ historic tweets come back to the four~ he — historic tweets come back to the four. he served as punishment, a one-game — four. he served as punishment, a one—game band handed out by the england _ one—game band handed out by the england and wales cricket board, and therefore _ england and wales cricket board, and therefore showed that he was apologetic and remorseful and his actions. _ apologetic and remorseful and his actions, served his punishment and he looks— actions, served his punishment and he looks to — actions, served his punishment and he looks to move forward as a more mature _ he looks to move forward as a more mature individual. the same can be said for— mature individual. the same can be said for rafiq even his own worst during _ said for rafiq even his own worst during testimony two days ago, he is very much— during testimony two days ago, he is very much of— during testimony two days ago, he is very much of the understanding that everyone _ very much of the understanding that everyone deserves a second chance as lon- everyone deserves a second chance as long as _ everyone deserves a second chance as long as they— everyone deserves a second chance as long as they are remorseful in their previous— long as they are remorseful in their previous actions and i believe that that is— previous actions and i believe that that is what rafiq has done over this period. again he was very, very articulate _ this period. again he was very, very articulate in— this period. again he was very, very articulate in the way he described how the _ articulate in the way he described how the loss of his son in 2017 and the way— how the loss of his son in 2017 and the way that was handled by the yorkshire — the way that was handled by the yorkshire county cricket club was really _ yorkshire county cricket club was really a _ yorkshire county cricket club was really a light bulb moment for him for want _ really a light bulb moment for him for want of— really a light bulb moment for him for want of a better phrase in it realising — for want of a better phrase in it realising that he had been a victim of racial— realising that he had been a victim of racial discrimination and harassment during his time at the
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cricket _ harassment during his time at the cricket club. that allegation really stuck _ cricket club. that allegation really stuck with — cricket club. that allegation really stuck with many in the way that they viewed _ stuck with many in the way that they viewed his— stuck with many in the way that they viewed his testimony two days ago and one _ viewed his testimony two days ago and one would believe that he has matured _ and one would believe that he has matured and has in the bravery to come _ matured and has in the bravery to come forward and speak with his experiences and will no doubt be aware _ experiences and will no doubt be aware of— experiences and will no doubt be aware of the repercussions of his actions _ aware of the repercussions of his actions ten — aware of the repercussions of his actions ten years ago. he aware of the repercussions of his actions ten years ago.— aware of the repercussions of his actions ten years ago. he has called eo - le to actions ten years ago. he has called peeple to come _ actions ten years ago. he has called people to come forward _ actions ten years ago. he has called people to come forward to - actions ten years ago. he has called people to come forward to discuss l people to come forward to discuss their own experiences of suffering racism in the world cricket and of course as he would not talked about on tuesday, notjust cricketers but part of what a society as it will come forward as he is done, might they expect the question is there anything they have done in their own past life which caused them to fall below the standards they now ask of others? , , ., , ., below the standards they now ask of others? , ,., ., ,, others? this is a societal issue. this is i would _ others? this is a societal issue. this is i would believe - this is i would believe unfortunately reaching an age now where _ unfortunately reaching an age now where social media is very prevalent in many— where social media is very prevalent in many professional's outlook and outset _ in many professional's outlook and outset and — in many professional's outlook and outset and the same can be said for professional sports men and women and professional cricketers right now _ and professional cricketers right
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now and — and professional cricketers right now. and no doubt many will consider their previous actions on social media, _ their previous actions on social media, their previous language in years— media, their previous language in years gone — media, their previous language in years gone by, but one would hope that that _ years gone by, but one would hope that that would not affect their confidence in coming forward and speaking — confidence in coming forward and speaking openly about an issue that needs— speaking openly about an issue that needs to _ speaking openly about an issue that needs to be tackled head on as rafiq profit _ needs to be tackled head on as rafiq profit testimony proved to days ago. ithink— profit testimony proved to days ago. i think it's _ profit testimony proved to days ago. i think it's important that we don't discredit _ i think it's important that we don't discredit likely go back to our initial— discredit likely go back to our initial point we don't discredit people's— initial point we don't discredit people's testimonies and experiences as a result _ people's testimonies and experiences as a result of their own actions many— as a result of their own actions many that— as a result of their own actions many that we question ourselves as individuals in society and clearly this is— individuals in society and clearly this is a — individuals in society and clearly this is a problem that not only governing bodies of a professional sport— governing bodies of a professional sport wanted to grapple with the individuals themselves with talk about— individuals themselves with talk about their own experiences. it unfortunately is a progression in a social— unfortunately is a progression in a social media 85 ourselves in right now _ social media 85 ourselves in right now. . ~' social media 85 ourselves in right now. . ~ , ., social media 85 ourselves in right now. . ~ . social media 85 ourselves in right now. . . doubts have been cast on an email supposedly written by the chinese tennis star peng shuai saying that she's safe and well. the two time grand slam doubles champion hasn't been
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seen for a fortnight, since she accused china's former vice premier zhang gaoli of sexual assault. the email, purportedly from her, has been published by chinese state media, but the head of women's tennis says he has a hard time believing that it's genuine. our china correspondent robin brant reports from shanghai. for years, peng shuai has let her racket do the talking, and she's risen to the top, a star in a sport where there are not many chinese success stories. at 35, she is someone the ruling communist party leaders could be proud of. but an allegation about one of those senior party figures change that. in this social media posting earlier this month, peng named vice premier zhang gaoli, and she claims he forced her to have sex with him.
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china's state censors removed the posting within an hour. peng hasn't been seen in public or heard from since. if recent history is a guide, few people are allowed to publicly challenge senior authorities like zhang gaoli without paying some price, and i think it would be telling if she were able to leave the country, for example, and speak freely, where she wouldn't face those kinds of repercussions the government pose if she's still in the country. in the ensuing days, tennis stars old and new spoke out, worried about her. billiejean king and naomi osaka were among them. then, in the middle of the night, an email appeared, or at least what one arm of chinese state media says is an e—mailfrom peng shuai to the head of the women's tennis association. basically, the message is, "don't worry, i'm fine, and i didn't mean what i said two weeks ago."
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in what looks like a screenshot, it's claimed she started out saying, "hello, everyone," and went to say the allegations made two weeks ago were in fact false, and she has just been resting at home. "everything is fine," she adds. promise people do disappear in china. the tech billionaire jack ma wasn't seen in public for months after criticising state regulators. but athletes, that's unusual. in a hasty response, the man to whom the email was reportedly sent, wta chief steve simon, said he had a hard time believing peng actually wrote it. this comes as this country prepares to be at the centre of the sporting world when beijing hosts the winter olympics next february, a games that is already facing the prospect of some kind of boycott over what the us says is genocide against chinese uyghurs in the west of this country.
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the former world number one serena william has said she is devastated and shocked about the news over the disappearance of peng shuai. in a tweet, the american said she hoped the chinese tennis start was safe and found as soon as possible. we can speak now to rui zhong, who is the programme associate for the wilson center. she joins us live from washington. if the e—mail is not from the tennis star, who is it from? if the e-mail is not from the tennis star, who is it from?— if the e-mail is not from the tennis star, who is it from? well, we don't really have — star, who is it from? well, we don't really have confirmation _ star, who is it from? well, we don't really have confirmation of - star, who is it from? well, we don't really have confirmation of that, - really have confirmation of that, but i think the point of the e—mail is to essentially remind especially foreigners as it was tweeted out from the cgtn account, to remind them who peng shuai is under the jurisdiction of and ultimately that if the jurisdiction of the people posit republic of china. so this type of english language messaging differs a lot from, you know, what
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is being done on this as a media topic back in china, where not only peng shuai's name is not searchable, but you are also seeing the dampening of discussions related to tennis more broadly, to players who are supporting her and certainly the tennis association at the centre of this. so tennis association at the centre of this, ., , tennis association at the centre of this. ., , , ., ., this. so what is china's over a oli this. so what is china's over a policy here? _ this. so what is china's over a policy here? to _ this. so what is china's over a policy here? to essentially i this. so what is china's over a | policy here? to essentially say this. so what is china's over a - policy here? to essentially say peng shuai is fine but does not want to sing in public? how far does this go? sing in public? how far does this no? sing in public? how far does this io? ., . ~' ., sing in public? how far does this go? the lack of transparency is kind of a trademark _ go? the lack of transparency is kind of a trademark for _ go? the lack of transparency is kind of a trademark for certain _ go? the lack of transparency is kind of a trademark for certain types - go? the lack of transparency is kind of a trademark for certain types of l of a trademark for certain types of high profile cases, and in this case you have a celebrity tennis player, you have a celebrity tennis player, you have a former vice premier, and so it takes up a lot of boxes as to what makes it politically sensitive. and so the likely outlook for this case is we may not see or hear from
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herfor case is we may not see or hear from her for several months. this case is we may not see or hear from herfor several months. this has happened before too high profile actress who disappeared in 2018 for several months and then the news eventually came out that she was evading taxes with her production company. so then because the process is very not transparent, the timetable for when we hear about peng shuai again is not able to be determined at this time. and peng shuai again is not able to be determined at this time.— determined at this time. and of course a few — determined at this time. and of course a few months' _ determined at this time. and of course a few months' time - determined at this time. and of course a few months' time as i course a few months' time as a reporter said, course a few months' time as a reportersaid, beijing is course a few months' time as a reporter said, beijing is hosting the winter olympics. all countries are expected to attend in the moment, but what impact might this have on those olympic games west i think certainly it for now it has... sporting associations, tennis obviously, asking a lot of questions about specifically where is this
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athlete? one thing that i've noticed about the tennis community, so from the players, including really high—profile ones like naomi osaka commit alleging king at serena williams, is that there request here is very specific. they want to know what this person is and they want to make sure that she is able to sort of communicate still. and this is a very impressive showing from that sporting community. granted tennis is not a winter 2022 sport, but in a time when china has not that much time when china has not that much time left to really sort of go out and make the public statements of what the only but games are, this really raises a lot of questions for the foreign ministry and for
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communications tools and teams related to the 11 games to really scramble to address.— related to the 11 games to really scramble to address. thank you so much forjoining _ scramble to address. thank you so much forjoining us. _ more than four years after the grenfell tower fire, up to half a million people are still living in blocks of flats with flammable cladding and fire safety issues. it's left many feeling scared and trapped in their own homes. now a new study of those caught up in the cladding crisis has found people are being treated foranxiety, depression and on medication, with some even having thoughts of self—harm and suicide. sarah corker has been given exclusive access to the report. are you ok? sophie bought herfirst home in chelmsford just weeks before son reuben was born, a proud moment. but all that quickly changed. which bit of the building is the problem? so, all of this is acm cladding. that's the same type of cladding as grenfell. to remove it could cost flat—owners thousands, and living here is taking its toll
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on sophie's mental health. it's kind of like a crippling depression where you can't get up. just couldn't see the point in anything. and i've had such bad issues with my anxiety. some days, ifeel like i can't leave the house and i have, like, physical problems leaving the house cos i'll feel so sick. sophie's now been prescribed anti—anxiety medication, and her doctor was so shocked by the cladding situation, he wrote to sophie's mp imploring her to raise the issue in parliament. the housing select committee has warned that the cladding scandal is becoming a public health crisis, and psychologists have told the bbc that people living in these conditions, with no end in sight, will need long—term counselling and support to get through it. new research by the university of sheffield, based on a series of in—depth interviews, found the situation is having a catastrophic impact on the mental health of some leaseholders. things like just feeling that they couldn't go on,
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that they were trapped and that they couldn't see a way out of this crisis was leading to feelings of suicide and self—harm. and in those situations, individuals have to seek immediate help, either for themselves or for a member of the household. it's like having a ball and chain wrapped around your legs. - willis a junior doctor who owns a flat in sheffield with dangerous cladding. so, i'm going to show you this video diary you did a year ago to see what's changed for you. he sniffs. i'm just... i'm just so exhausted - and so tired of this situation. it is so consuming. an absolutely fantastic supporter of us. - campaigning for change has helped him cope, but will deeply regrets his decision to ever buy a flat. i was so embarrassed. i was utterly ashamed that i, like, a sensible person, - had made this colossal mistake, i
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like, this huge error ofjudgment. the impact it's had on my mental | health will stay with me forever. | the government says it's allocated £5 billion to make the highest—risk blocks safe. but we also have a responsibility to relieve some of the obligations that are being faced by leaseholders at the moment, who are innocent parties in this. are you going to hold my hand? back in chelmsford, since we filmed with sophie, the developer has now agreed to pay to remove the dangerous cladding. it's a huge relief. but for thousands of others, the wait for help continues. sarah corker, bbc news, in essex. a group of young female afghan footballers have arrived in the uk. the squad had been in pakistan on temporary 30—day visas since fleeing from afghanistan following the taliban takeover. they faced the threat of being sent back once their asylum period ran out if another country hadn't accepted them. a privately—funded flight brought them to the uk, where they will begin their new lives.
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the girls had the support of the owner of leeds united football club, andrea radrizzani, who told us about the complicated rescue operation. with good communication and support of all the parties, we managed to drive this group to pakistan. and then we managed with the organisation and along with the other team, we supported the cause to keep the group in pakistan. and finally, last night, we were able to fly them in the uk, and of course i want to thank all the people in the government and the home office that have been very helpful and supportive. prince charles and the duchess of cornwall have visited the giza pyramids at the start of a two—day tour of egypt. the royals were given a tour of the pyramids�* exterior and held talks with the country's president, which centred on climate change, female empowerment and efforts to preserve cultural heritage. tomorrow, they will head to egypt's second largest city, alexandria. sharm el—sheikh is the host
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of the next cop26 summit. now it's time for a look at the weather with helen willetts. good evening. it's been very mild across the uk today. despite that chilly start, we've had 15 and 16. now, overnight, it will remain mild because of all the cloud, all the breaks will tend to fill in with misty low cloud, and that will prevent the temperatures from falling very much. but you can see we keep wetter weather towards the north and west. there'll be some drizzly rain with the thicker cloud elsewhere as well, but low cloud shrouding the hills and the coasts. so, it may well be quite a grey start, grey, misty and murky on friday. probably less sunshine around than we've see today, but it may well brighten up east of the grampians, in eastern parts of england and wales, sheltered from that breeze, which should be a little down on that of today, the wind strength that is. but it's still mild despite more cloud around, 14—16 degrees celsius. but it's all change as we go into the weekend. a cold weather front will bring some
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rain southwards on saturday, the day of transition, and behind that, colder by day and indeed by night. hello, this is bbc news with james reynolds. the headlines... the government has confirmed it's scaling back plans for the high—speed hs2 rail line. the extension between the east midlands and leeds has been scrapped. but there will be 96 billion pounds of improvements — which ministers say will make journey times faster, sooner. former yorkshire cricketer azeem rafiq has apologised for anti—semitic messages he sent 10 years ago. it comes just days after he gave powerful testimony to mps about the racist abuse he faced himself while a professional player. there's continuing mystery over the whereabouts of this chinese tennis star. she disappeared after making sexual assault allegations. now doubt is cast over an email apparently claiming she's safe.
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a life sentence for zephaniah mcleod — the man who stabbed eight people in birmingham in what the judge called a �*murderous rampage'. a new report reveals the mental health problems suffered by people living in blocks of flats with unsafe cladding. more now on our main story and the government has announced it is scrapping the leeds leg of the hs2 high speed rail link. one city that will definitely lose out is bradford. the city had hoped to be included on the proposed new leeds to manchester line with a station built for the new trains. danny savage has been getting reaction to today's news. the north of england, a place where new trains run on old lines. there is a load of land outside as well, and we could make this into a station by 2028. there was hope that this market in bradford would be redeveloped as a station for a new high—speed trans—pennine link, known as northern powerhouse rail. but today, that hope died.
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really disappointing. i mean, i am somebody who puts my place above politics. so i genuinely believe government when they say they want to level up and they want to invest, but this is a real kick in the teeth for the north. journey times from bradford to leeds will be halved, but passengers heading west, to manchester and beyond, are disappointed. i catch the train from bradford to bolton. it can take up to two hours. it would have been great, wouldn't it, for the north. to be able to travel on a train that gets you somewhere to your destination a lot faster. instead of a new link, this existing one, between huddersfield and leeds, is going to be upgraded. today's announcements will transform this line but it won't be easy. this is a railway the victorians built. there is an awful lot of engineering work to be done, and it will take years. the plan has divided tory mps whose constituencies are 75 miles apart.
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what i was very hopeful to see was northern powerhouse railj with a stop in bradford. we are one of the most socially deprived areas of the uk, - and i'm really passionate - about increasing that economic | prosperity of the bradford district, and of course that relies on having excellent transport links east, but also west, to manchester. i think levelling up, personally, is about creating good, sustainable, well—paid jobs, and helping people to get there, and there are lots of things to celebrate, from a nottinghamshire perspective, in this plan. but what do the paying customers in leeds think? it seems like obviously on the lancashire side, it has all been sorted that way, they have given us these fantastic times of when you're going to get to london, but here, it seems as if we have been forgotten, yet again. i think itjust creates a bigger divide, doesn't it, with the north and the south, which is a shame. yes, i suppose it is disappointing, but again, it is not something - i was desperately in need of. i think what we've got already is more than sufficient. - in time, passengers will notice
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a better rail network in the north, but today's announcement falls far short of aspirations this government built up. danny savage, bbc news. tara wellard's old house was on the eastern leg of hs2 in mexborough. she sold it and now that part of the route has been scrapped. thanks forjoining us. your thoughts tonight? thanks for “oining us. your thoughts toniaht? ,., ., ., thanks for “oining us. your thoughts toniaht? ., ., tonight? good evening. i got to the oint tonight? good evening. i got to the point where — tonight? good evening. i got to the point where i _ tonight? good evening. i got to the point where i was _ tonight? good evening. i got to the point where i was accepting - tonight? good evening. i got to the point where i was accepting it - tonight? good evening. i got to the point where i was accepting it and l point where i was accepting it and trying to move on and now it is like another book has been opened, another book has been opened, another chapter. when now i have got more questions. and i'm considering can i move back to my home? can we get our homes back? is that going to be an option? ijust feel that get our homes back? is that going to be an option? i just feel that all this time in all this money for us moving and trying to settle again in
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a house was for nothing. teiiii moving and trying to settle again in a house was for nothing.— a house was for nothing. tell us about the _ a house was for nothing. tell us about the decision _ a house was for nothing. tell us about the decision then - a house was for nothing. tell us about the decision then to - a house was for nothing. tell us| about the decision then to move a house was for nothing. tell us - about the decision then to move from the house, to sell it. when was that? it the house, to sell it. when was that? ., , �* ., the house, to sell it. when was that? �* ., . , ., ., that? it wasn't our decision and it wasn't a decision _ that? it wasn't our decision and it wasn't a decision we _ that? it wasn't our decision and it wasn't a decision we made - wasn't a decision we made straightaway. a lot of my neighbours moved earlier than what i did. i moved earlier than what i did. i moved 12 months after the first neighbours started moving out. it got to the point where the estate was bleak, i had got no neighbours. the estate was unfinished. to the point where i went to the bank to see, just to renew my mortgage and seeing that my house values at zero. that was a little bit of a wake—up call. and the unsettling thing was could i have a cell if i wanted to? it was just a decision that i didn't think i would make until the end.
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here, it isjust a shame. but! think i would make untilthe end. here, it isjust a shame. here, it is 'ust a shame. and what has here, it isjust a shame. and what has happened _ here, it isjust a shame. and what has happened to _ here, it isjust a shame. and what has happened to your— here, it isjust a shame. and what has happened to your old - here, it isjust a shame. and what has happened to your old house? | here, it isjust a shame. and what| has happened to your old house? i drive past my house quite often. we stayed in mexborough for the schooling my children. i have seen anotherfamily schooling my children. i have seen another family move in there. schooling my children. i have seen anotherfamily move in there. you do processing in your head. you think it is a stopgap. when that is your family home and you have had it from day one, to see a family now living in there, that should still be my home. i should still be living in the home. i know that one day will may be considered to go back to our homes for the people i want to. haste homes for the people i want to. have ou had homes for the people i want to. have you had any — homes for the people i want to. have you had any correspondence about that with anyone? ida. you had any correspondence about that with anyone?— you had any correspondence about that with anyone? no, because this is uuite that with anyone? no, because this is quite new — that with anyone? no, because this is quite new news. _ that with anyone? no, because this is quite new news. i _ that with anyone? no, because this is quite new news. i do _ that with anyone? no, because this is quite new news. i do hope - that with anyone? no, because this is quite new news. i do hope that itj is quite new news. i do hope that it would be considered and there would be some kind of plan, some guidance
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and some support for each case personally with people i want to do that. because i personally downsized to be able to afford a house on the amount that i agreed. so to go back to my home would be amazing for me but obviously i would need that reassurance that in another five years i'm not going to be in this position again.— years i'm not going to be in this position again. tara well at, thank ou so position again. tara well at, thank you so much _ position again. tara well at, thank you so much for— position again. tara well at, thank you so much forjoining _ position again. tara well at, thank you so much forjoining us. - position again. tara well at, thank you so much forjoining us. thank| you so much for “oining us. thank ou. the two men convicted of killing the american civil rights leader — malcolm x — have had their convictions quashed. malcolm x was shot multiple times as he was giving a speech in harlem in 1965. the ruling in new york city acknowledged the wrongful convictions of the two men. they are muhammad aziz, who is 83, and khalil islam, who died in 2009. both were released from prison on parole in the 1980s. prosecutors said the two men didn't get the justice that they deserved.
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we are moving today to vacate the convictions and the indictments of muhammad aziz and khalil islam for the assassination of malcolm x on february 211965. but i want to begin by saying on the record to mr aziz and his family and to the family of mr islam and the family of malcolm x that i apologise for what were serious, unacceptable violations of law and the public trust. i apologise on behalf of our nation's law enforcement for this decades' long injustice, which has eroded public faith in institutions that are designed to guarantee equal protection of the law. your honour, we cannot restore what was taken away from these men and their families but by correcting the record perhaps we can begin to restore that faith. let's speak to our correspondent
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in washington barbara plett usher. barbara, we heard the district attorney there say five decades. why did it take so long? it’s attorney there say five decades. why did it take so long?— did it take so long? it's a question that a lot of _ did it take so long? it's a question that a lot of people _ did it take so long? it's a question that a lot of people are _ did it take so long? it's a question that a lot of people are asking, i that a lot of people are asking, james, particularly because the case against these two men was shaky from the beginning. both of them had alibis, neither of them had any physical evidence that tied them to the crime scene or the murder. and so there have been questions and doubts about their guilt all along. the district attorney who you are hearing there, he decided to look into the case about two years ago. this happened just as a very searing documentary was aired in which some very clear detective work was done in determining who might have actually been the killer of malcolm x and arguing that these two men were innocent. so that all happened around the same time and gave
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impetus to this investigation. but what they found when they reopen the files is that the fbi and the police had withheld evidence that pointed to other suspects and that pointed away from these two men. that was one of the key reasons why they asked for the two men to be exonerated. because if that evidence had been in court then the two men probably wouldn't have been convicted and the judge agreed with that. she said this is a very rare thing to do to exonerate people and we only do so when the case cries out for fundamentaljustice. we only do so when the case cries out forfundamentaljustice. and out for fundamental justice. and this is out forfundamentaljustice. and this is a time when the case is crying out for fundamentaljustice. crying out for fundamental justice. what crying out for fundamentaljustice. what reaction has there been from the men's families or supporters? well, we were listening to the sons of one of the men, khalil islam, he died a couple years ago but his sons were speaking outside the court. they were saying that, you know, it
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had been very hard for his father. when he was released from prison in the 1980s when he struggled to re—adapt to society. he struggled to get his life back together. they struggled with their relationship with him, they said. we understand that now because they understood what he was going through. there were several times he had said to them he was sorry he couldn't be there for him. so they were talking a little bit about the pain that they had been through. earlier, muhammad aziz, who is 83 now, he had put out a statement saying that he didn't need this process to tell himself to prove to himself that he was innocent but he was glad that the truth was out there officially now. but he said that he hoped that the justice system which had wronged him so badly would take responsibility of trying to address what he called a repairable damage to his life. so there is gratitude, there is happiness, there is a sense of relief that this has now been
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officially recognised. but at the same time, a real sense of lost years of trauma that cannot be fixed really. and both thejudge years of trauma that cannot be fixed really. and both the judge and the district attorney mentioned that. barbara, thank you so much. a man who stabbed eight people in birmingham city centre in september last year — killing one of them — has been detained for a minimum of 21 years. zephaniah mcleod, who's 28 and has paranoid schizophrenia, will serve his sentence in a secure hospital. from birmingham, phil mackie reports. in court it was described as a murderous rampage. zephaniah mcleod stabbed eight people, killing one and leaving two more fighting for their lives. , , ., , their lives. they were serious attacks, often _ their lives. they were serious attacks, often targeted - their lives. they were serious l attacks, often targeted towards people's head, chest and upper neck areas which have left victims with some catastrophic injuries. in
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areas which have left victims with some catastrophic injuries.- some catastrophic in'uries. in the onusifon — some catastrophic in'uries. in the confusion, police _ some catastrophic injuries. in the confusion, police didn't _ some catastrophic injuries. in the confusion, police didn't initially i confusion, police didn't initially realise all the attacks were related but within a day they had arrested him. jacob illingworth died after being stabbed in the neck. welcome to the garden sessions. this is him on the left with his band. the singer, the second from the right is his best friend who was also stabbed. michael nearly died. in a statement read in court he said he sometimes wished he hadn't made it but he has made astonishing progress and was determined to come to court. at the time, zephaniah mcleod was psychotic and hearing voices. he had only recently been released from prison and was not been supervised. he was allowed to carry out a rampage on the streets of birmingham, attacking eight innocent people. this included my lovely son jacob and his friend, michael. those who were responsible for the monitoring of mcleod have many questions to answer. the
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monitoring of mcleod have many questions to answer.— monitoring of mcleod have many questions to answer. the impact of what happened _ questions to answer. the impact of what happened is _ questions to answer. the impact of what happened is still— questions to answer. the impact of what happened is still being - questions to answer. the impact of what happened is still being felt, i what happened is still being felt, not least by the family and friends of jacob illingworth, not least by the family and friends ofjacob illingworth, who not least by the family and friends of jacob illingworth, who was ofjacob illingworth, who was described as a talented young man with a bright future ahead of him. more than 400 iraqi migrants have arrived back in their country after being repatriated on a flight from belarus. they ve been among thousands of migrants camped in near freezing temperatures on the polish border, all hoping to enter the european union. meanwhile, the polish authorities say hundreds of migrants camped out on the belarusian side of the border have been moved into a nearby warehouse. let's talk to hanna liubakova, a belarusian journalist and non—resident fellow at the atlantic council. thank you forjoining us. some migrants have flown back to baghdad or other places. do you get a sense that this crisis might be easing a little bit? i that this crisis might be easing a little bit? ~' that this crisis might be easing a little bit? ~ , little bit? i think it might be easin: a little bit? i think it might be easing a little _ little bit? i think it might be easing a little bit _ little bit? i think it might be easing a little bit because . little bit? i think it might be - easing a little bit because firstly there is this situation of the
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flight that the iraqi government organised for migrants and that is definitely progress. however, there are hundreds at least of migrants who are still on the border. they were offered this roof over their head, they're staying in a warehouse. this is basically a logistical centre where packages are being held. and they have sleeping bags, they have sleeping places there but it doesn't mean that their fate is decided because they don't want to go yet. there are syrian citizens there and i don't see how they would be repatriated. there are many questions. also, there are at least thousands of migrants in belarus who still are rough sleeping in the capital minsk. they don't have anywhere to go so their situation hasn't been decided yet either. ~ . , �* ., , ., either. what is the belarusian government's— either. what is the belarusian government's attitude - either. what is the belarusian government's attitude to -
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either. what is the belarusian - government's attitude to migrants? they do not receive help from the belarus and state, the government. most recently because of the well�*s attention to the situation on the border. some migrants were offered a warehouse, basically this kind of roof over their head but otherwise they did not receive much assistance. propaganda medias were showing that migrants were receiving food and water but what people on the border were saying is that there was not enough water, they were badly dehydrated. it was cold, many of them did not have tents. many of them had to sleep in sleeping bags. they did not have tents. so it all looked... and thanks to the international attention to the crisis of their situation has improved. but it does not mean that the situation has been resolved. for what we in from some of the migrants themselves their aim was not to stay
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in poland but to cross into poland and then to get through to germany. given the route that they are taking, poland is highly fortified, how realistic was that hope for many migrants to end up in germany? weill. migrants to end up in germany? well, there was a lot — migrants to end up in germany? well, there was a lot of _ migrants to end up in germany? well, there was a lot of i _ migrants to end up in germany? well, there was a lot of i would say - there was a lot of i would say promises, false promises, from those tourism agencies that were selling packages and selling visas to migrants from the middle east to come to belarus and that they would have this fast track to europe, to the eu. and many of them dream of germany because there is this idea of germany as a safe country that would host migrants and they would find refuge there. but some forests in belarus can be deadly dangerous during winter and late autumn, it can be minus five celsius here in belarus and many of them actually
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have hypothermia. and many people died of it. . ~ have hypothermia. and many people died of it. ., ,, , ., have hypothermia. and many people died of it. ., ,, y., have hypothermia. and many people died of it. ., ,, . since 2018 thousands of migrants have passed through bosnia on their way west. however, human rights groups have accused neighbouring croatia of illegally pushing many of them back across the border. most of them back across the border. most of the migrants in bosnia as single men but there are also families trying to enter eu as our special correspondent fergal keane reports. near the croatian border, a refugee family is waiting to cross. akram was an engineer in kabul. zarah was a policewoman in herat, but fled in 2016. baby sara was born in greece, where the family had a previous asylum request denied.
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we are countryless. we are illegally... what should we have to do? they say they've been pushed back from croatia 39 times — once, they allege, with force. they came and hit my husband, and i said, "why are you hitting my husband?" and they hit me also in my face and said, "shut up." who will help us? life will become like hell for us, for all of us. some migrants wait in abandoned factories from which they can easily reach the border at night. others in temporary reception centres like this, run by the united nations. how concerned are you by the numerous reports of pushbacks that are happening in this region? we see many of the migrants themselves being returned back. we see that they've been deprived of their shoes, they're being deprived of their basic goods,
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and sometimes, of their dignity. the croatian government didn't respond to our request for comment, but has already denied a policy of pushbacks, and says it upholds its legal obligations to asylum—seekers. three policeman were suspended after being accused of violence against migrants. but only the snows due here soon are likely to slow the desperate attempts to reach the eu. it's just after five o'clock in the morning and the family is preparing for another attempt of crossing the border. we'll go with them as far as we're allowed to on the bosnian side. let's just see what happens if they're able to cross. there's fear that baby sara will cry and alert border guards. she's really fast asleep now.
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we must leave her this way. if she wake up, especially at the border, she will cry, and the people that are close to the border will call the police. so, we'rejust coming up to the border. they've seen a car on the other side which they suspect is croatian police. so, what do you plan to do? we have to cross. this journey has already taken nearly 4000 miles. several hours later, akram sent us a video of the families inside croatia.
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so, we are here, we are in croatian now. the police came and put them in this van. because greece refused asylum, croatia can reject them, but it must first check their background and status. instead, they say they were pushed back — again. are you going to keep trying? we have to do. we don't want to be hopeless. every time police are deporting us, we say, ok, no problem, _ we will try to go again. croatia, europe want to stem the flow of migrants. but there's no way home now, no way forward. fergal keane, bbc news, bosnia. to the pandemic now. the latest government figures show there were 46,807 new infections recorded in the latest 24—hour period —
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the highest daily figure for a month on average 39,500 new cases were reported per day in the last week. 199 deaths were recorded, that's of people who died within 28 days of a positive covid—19 test. on average in the past week, 147 related deaths were recorded every day. almost nearly 13.9 million people have now had their booster injection. hospital emergency departments and ambulance services in wales have recorded their worst ever performance figures again. last month only 65 per cent of patients were treated within 4 hours in a&e. and just half of callouts to people with immediately life threatening injuries were reached within the 8 minute target. to germany now — which was praised for its initial handling of the pandemic. but along with much of europe, the country is desperately scrambling to contain a fourth wave. germany records its highest infection rate yet — over 65,000 newly confirmed cases today.
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and chancellor angela merkel has announced tough new curbs on the unvaccinated. and healthcare workers and employees in care homes will be obliged to get the vaccine. here's ms merkel speaking earlier. translation: it starts _ with hospitalisation index of three. when it's exceeded, only those who are vaccinated or recovered from covid—19 will be allowed into certain public events and that will apply to the whole region. i've come to the cat—walk for a reason — for something im—pawsible. .. a couple from birmingham were fe—line bereft when their cat left their canal boat home a decade ago, and didn't return... until now. colin clayton and eva bellamy were paw—sitively overjoyed, when they got the call that �*big ginge' had been found. ben sidwell has all the mews.
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settling into life back at home after a ten year adventure. big ginge is a cat who has definitely used up most of his nine lives. in 2001, his owners had taken a trip for their honeymoon on the canal boat when big ginge, who they had had since birth, decided to head for dry land. we went to fradleyjunction and he got up one day and he didn't come back, so we went off with posters and knocking doors and calling people... lots of walks. we spent five days looking for him and there was no sign of him, so we had to return back to birmingham without him. after a few months of searching, the couple gave up hope of ever seeing big ginge again. but then last week colin got a very unexpected phone call. they said someone has brought a stray cat in and we've just scanned it and it's chipped and it's called big ginge and it's yours! the call came from this vets in rugeley in staffordshire,
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who had had him brought into them by the local cats protection. they were so excited and in a state of shock themselves and of course when they saw him they knew him instantly. he knew them. it's magical really, isn't it? the question is, just where did big ginge go? big ginge's travels eventually brought him here to this car park in lichfield and it seems that those living nearby really took a shine to him with some feeding him on a regular basis. but here he wasn't known as big ginge, the locals called him marmalade. so how is he settling back in? i was a bit stressed that he would be trying to get out all the time because we had been told to keep him in but he doesn't want to go out, does he? he's just... no. he likes to lie around and get up and have an eat and then go back to sleep again. yeah, he hasn't shown any interest whatsoever in going out. i think you might have had enough
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of wandering around outside. yeah, he's done outside! ben sidwell, bbc midlands today, birmingham. purfect. now it's time for a look at the weather with helen. good evening. despite a little bit of a ground frost here and there this morning, temperatures have recovered, and actually it's been very mild across the board. and it's going to stay that way tonight and tomorrow, and also mostly dry. the reason for the mild air is because we've got this flow off the atlantic, this wind flow off the atlantic. and the high pressure in the south is keeping our weather fronts at bay. that said, we've still got some rain to come across northern and western parts of scotland, some drizzle with thicker cloud in many other areas, but where we've seen the breaks in the cloud through the day, those will tend to fill in with misty low cloud overnight. so, hill and coastal fog. and it should be milder because we'll have more cloud, which also means we won't have as much sunshine as we start tomorrow morning. it won't be cloudy all the way. there could be some brief brighter breaks, some sunshine coming through east of high ground, shelterer from that south—westerly.
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but on the whole, there will be leaden and grey skies, misty, murky and pretty damp. but like today, it will be mild. temperatures will be well above where they should be for this time of year. we may again reach 15—16 east of the grampians. it's all change as we go into the weekend. our weather front really takes shape through tomorrow night. some quite wet weather tomorrow night for northern and western scotland. for most parts on the mild side. if there are a few breaks in the cloud as we've seen in recent night, temperatures will drop lower. but it's behind this cold weather front that the arctic air arrives over the weekend to all parts, and it will feel much colder. so, the day of transition on saturday. ahead of that misty low cloud, fog breaking to bring some brighter weather. behind it certainly much sunnier skies, and we will have some showers. that wind really accentuating how chilly it feels. saturday night into sunday, that weather front clears away, so the cold air floods southwards with some showers
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through the day on sunday. a little bit wintry over the hills, and certainly feeling colder, particularly in this brisk northerly wind. wind—chill factor comes into play. into sunday night, really cold, quite a widespread frost to start our monday morning. we're into that cold air for much of the week. later in the week, it gets colder still with the risk of snow. as ever, we'll keep you updated.
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this is bbc news. i'm christian fraser. the uk government confirms it's scaling back high—speed rail plans for england and spending billions on improvements instead. the extension of the hs2 rail line between the east midlands and leeds has been scrapped. a new trans—pennine route linking leeds and manchester will not be built in full. a fourth wave of the covid pandemic is sweeping across europe, forcing many countries to consider tighter restrictions. one of the men accused of murdering blackjogger ahmaud arbery admits to prosecutors his defence in court looks different to an account he gave police on the day of the shooting. and we're live in british columbia, where a state of emergency is in place after a major storm this weekend cut road and rail links to the city of vancouver.

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