Skip to main content

tv   BBC News  BBC News  March 8, 2023 5:00pm-6:01pm GMT

5:00 pm
this is bbc news, welcome if you're watching here in the uk around the world. i'm ben brown, ourtop stories... britain's government is accused of utter failure over new asylum rules to stop migrant boats crossing the channel, but prime minister rishi sunak insists his plan is the people's priority. we're doing what's right, acting with compassion and fairness and we are acting to respect the laws and borders of our country. this are acting to respect the laws and borders of our country.— borders of our country. this is their fifth _ borders of our country. this is their fifth prime _ borders of our country. this is their fifth prime minister, - borders of our country. this is| their fifth prime minister, their six immigration plan, and after all this time, — six immigration plan, and after all this time, all they offer is the same — this time, all they offer is the same old _ this time, all they offer is the same old gimmicks and empty promises. same old gimmicks and empty romises. same old gimmicks and empty promises-_ same old gimmicks and empty romises. ,, ,. , promises. downing street describe criticisms by _ promises. downing street describe criticisms by the _ promises. downing street describe criticisms by the bbc _ promises. downing street describe criticisms by the bbc presenter - promises. downing street describel criticisms by the bbc presenter gary lineker as...
5:01 pm
�*spoken to' after he criticised the government's immigration plans on social media. —— unacceptable. kyiv denies any involvement in reports that a pro—ukrainian group was behind september's attack on the nord stream pipeline. i think that the investigation i official authorities will describe every detailed, because it's like - a complement for our special forces, but this is not our activity. a crime the two victims. how gangs forcing migrants carry out online scams worth hundreds of millions of dollars. police in pakistan used tear gas and water cannon to disperse supporters of the former prime minister and ron con ahead of a planned rally —— imran khan.
5:02 pm
princess lilibet diana was born injune in 2021 and christened on friday. hello. the british prime minister has been defending his government's new plan to stop migrants arriving illegally in the uk on small boats. rishi sunak told the house of commons that "only the conservatives" would stop the boats. but the labour leader sir keir starmer said the government is simply offering "gimmicks and empty promises". the measures announced yesterday would effectively ban those who come here illegally from claiming asylum, and require that they be detained and deported. the prime minister says they will detain people who aren't eligible to claim asylum here and then return them. well, they already tried that under the last legislation. last year, 18,000 people were deemed ineligible to apply for asylum, that's the easy bit, the talk, but as for the action, prime minister, how many of them
5:03 pm
have actually been returned? he asked about her loss. when i was in dover yesterday, they told me precisely because of the laws of the conservative government passed last year, they have now been able to arrest more than double the number of people they did before. 397 in the last six months. stopping the books is notjust my priority. it is the people because �*s priority. let's talk now with our political correspondent, helen catt. quite a fiery pmqs. does that show the battle lines are drawn over this issue? , ~ . , the battle lines are drawn over this issue? , . ., , ., ., the battle lines are drawn over this issue? , . . , ., . ., issue? very clearly. not in that one side wants — issue? very clearly. not in that one side wants to _ issue? very clearly. not in that one side wants to stop _ issue? very clearly. not in that one side wants to stop once _ issue? very clearly. not in that one side wants to stop once i _ issue? very clearly. not in that one side wants to stop once i doesn't, l issue? very clearly. not in that one side wants to stop once i doesn't, i | side wants to stop once i doesn't, i think there is a consensus. but
5:04 pm
there are very clear differences in approach and use all that highlighted there in those exchanges from prime minister's questions. the way that the spokesman for sir keir starmer put it, it's not a question of whether or not you want to start the boats —— stop the boats, but the government plan won't do it. you can hearfrom rishi sunak saying government plan won't do it. you can hear from rishi sunak saying that they tried lots of other different things and they haven't worked, and he believes this plan is part of the way to do it. it's a question on how they intend to stop this happening. they've also been away from prime minister questions.
5:05 pm
signed by her which seem to suggest it said an activist blob of left—wing lawyers. they have accused sue wille —— is suella braverman of attacking the the home secretary didn't see this e—mail or signed off. they were at pains to point out that the prime minister had been very clear that he is grateful to the work of both the cabinet secretary and civil servants. she said they had thanked him civil servants... that's also been brewing this afternoon. servants. .. that's also been brewing
5:06 pm
this afternoon.— this afternoon. helen, thank you very much _ this afternoon. helen, thank you very much indeed. _ this afternoon. helen, thank you very much indeed. professor - this afternoon. helen, thank you | very much indeed. professor andy this afternoon. helen, thank you - very much indeed. professor andy is a lecturer in law college of london. what do you make of this government policy? the new proposal that has been put forward today, the first initial thought is that maybe 50% of the proposed legislation within the bill are incompatible with human rights convention. it's very proud of its... the problem this is will be that it will be very difficult to apply this in practice. if half of the bill is breaking in any legal
5:07 pm
framework. the bill is breaking in any legal framework-— the bill is breaking in any legal framework. ., ., , framework. you have studied the issue of albanians _ framework. you have studied the issue of albanians coming - framework. you have studied the issue of albanians coming here. | framework. you have studied the issue of albanians coming here. i think last year, 12,000 migrants came in small boats. what was driving those people to come to albania —— from albania? bg’s driving those people to come to albania -- from albania? 3096 of those who _ albania -- from albania? 3096 of those who arrived _ albania -- from albania? 3096 of those who arrived in _ albania -- from albania? 3096 of those who arrived in small - albania -- from albania? 3096 of those who arrived in small boats| those who arrived in small boats were albanian nationals. in my study that we have done so far, there are two main themes. one is related to inflation and cost of living prices. maybe 56% of the wages go to food in 2020, and that is a massive factor why many wanted to leave. the second recurring theme is the majority of
5:08 pm
those who have come to the uk do not believe that they can live a prosperous life in albania, and that's largely linked to the government. it's linked to insecurity in terms of the legislation, the rule of law and so forth. the last thing is that albania for far too long have tried to join the albania for far too long have tried tojoin the eu and it's getting nowhere. that was largely a geopolitical objection. geopolitical ob'ection. quite a lot of these geopolitical objection. quite a lot of these peeple _ geopolitical objection. quite a lot of these people have _ geopolitical objection. quite a lot of these people have been - geopolitical objection. quite a lot| of these people have been coming here on small boats for economic opportunities because suella braverman said some time ago, let's stop pretending that they are all refugees in distress. is she right? well, the situation is far more complex, and when if we want to narrate it down, the majority are
5:09 pm
for economic reasons. it's important that we have due process and every single case �*s case by case, if we look at the albanian women for example the majority of do good asylum approval. from that perspective, it's important that we have due process. the proposed bill has kind of taken away the due process in the uk.— has kind of taken away the due process in the uk. andy, thank you very much — process in the uk. andy, thank you very much indeed. _ well, let's speak to the labour party's emily thornberry, who is the shadow attorney general for england and wales. thank you very much indeed for being with us. you heard the prime minister in the commons today saying that their priorities on stopping the boats coming across the channel with their new proposed legislation is the people's priority. you agree
5:10 pm
with that? ., ., ~' ~' is the people's priority. you agree with that? ., ., ~ ~ ., with that? look, we think we need to sto the with that? look, we think we need to step the boats- _ with that? look, we think we need to stop the boats. it's _ with that? look, we think we need to stop the boats. it's terrible _ with that? look, we think we need to stop the boats. it's terrible to - with that? look, we think we need to stop the boats. it's terrible to see - stop the boats. it's terrible to see people drowning. it's appalling to see what's happening at the moment. it has to stop. the question is how are we going to stop it? and the conservatives produced this ridiculous bill which they say is going to stop it and it's simply not. then they start throwing abusive grounding claiming we are not supporting this in this... it's all nonsense. what the public need to do is look and see whether or not this stopped the boats? hos? to do is look and see whether or not this stopped the boats?— this stopped the boats? how would the labour party — this stopped the boats? how would the labour party stop _ this stopped the boats? how would the labour party stop them - this stopped the boats? how would the labour party stop them if - this stopped the boats? how would the labour party stop them if you l the labour party stop them if you are in government? first the labour party stop them if you are in government?— the labour party stop them if you are in government? first of all, we need to speed up _ need to speed up the decision—making. the last piece looks very much like this legislation. identified 18,000 people who the legislation
5:11 pm
identified as being people to claim asylum. how many of those 18,000 have been sent back? 21. this is not the way to do things. you can'tjust say if you come over here, we will lock you up and we won't let you go to court or claim asylum. what are you going to do with all this people? are you just going to filling —— keep filling up hotels? casting the taxpayer a huge amount of money and achieving what? isn’t of money and achieving what? isn't the oint of money and achieving what? isn't the point it's _ of money and achieving what? isn't the point it's all— of money and achieving what? isn't the point it's all about _ of money and achieving what? isn't the point it's all about deterrence, about deterring people from making that perilous journey in the first place? they have to believe those people that they won't be able to stay in britain. the people that they won't be able to stay in britain.— stay in britain. the way to stop this is a number— stay in britain. the way to stop this is a number of— stay in britain. the way to stop this is a number of things, - stay in britain. the way to stop this is a number of things, and j this is a number of things, and it actually isn't one simple thing. the first thing is we should have a particular sale at the nca which looks at and goes after people for
5:12 pm
smuggling games. two thirds of the people running those gangs live in britain. are they being prosecuted? no. very little is happening to them. do we have agreements with countries so that we can send people back? no, we don't. we aren't getting those agreements. do we have safe and legal routes? no, we don't. we need to make sure we establish those so that people don't get onto the boats. if we simply, when people come off a boat onto britain, if they're not allowed to claim asylum, there will be legitimate refugees amongst those people who will be locked up and there will be people who are taking the mickey. what we need to have his pos system this is fast and fair and firm —— have a system. our asylum system is completely broken and there's only one government that's responsible, and that is this conservative government over the last 13 years. you will have heard rishi sunak
5:13 pm
saying keir starmer is another lefty leader standing in our way. that the abuse they chuck _ leader standing in our way. that the abuse they chuck around. _ leader standing in our way. that the abuse they chuck around. the - leader standing in our way. that the i abuse they chuck around. the problem is the law. the problem is what they're doing in the confines of the wall? —— the law. we'll see whether it is illegal. it is nothing to do with the political views of the lawyers. politicians ought to understand that they can't do whatever they like, they have to do it within the confines of the law, and they really can'tjust point fingers and say it's the lawyers' fault. no, it's the fault of the law and democracy.— fault. no, it's the fault of the law and democracy. one last question about gary — and democracy. one last question about gary lineker. _ and democracy. one last question about gary lineker. he _ and democracy. one last question about gary lineker. he compared | and democracy. one last question i about gary lineker. he compared the language that the government used around this proposed legislation to stop illegal migration, comparing it to germany in the 1930s. would you
5:14 pm
make that comparison? i to germany in the 1930s. would you make that comparison?— make that comparison? i personally wouldn't. i think _ make that comparison? i personally wouldn't. i think we _ make that comparison? i personally wouldn't. i think we need _ make that comparison? i personally wouldn't. i think we need to - wouldn't. i think we need to remember that the holocaust has a particular... was of so evil that there is nothing to compare it with. i would not have use that. i know he is a huge amount of compassion for refugees and has invited them into his home and campaigned on this, but i don't think that it does cause any good to compare it to the nazis. so he went too far with that? personally, i think so. personally, ithink so. emily thornberry, _ personally, ithink so. emily thornberry, thank _ personally, ithink so. emily thornberry, thank you - personally, ithink so. emily thornberry, thank you so . personally, i think so. emily i thornberry, thank you so much for your time. ukraine has denied any involvement in an attack last september on the nordstream pipelines, which were built to carry russian gas to europe. this map shows where they run, along the sea bed, from russia, across the baltic, to germany. the damage was discovered near the danish island of bornholm. it's also relatively close to the russian territory of kaliningrad. the damage was first noticed
5:15 pm
when huge amounts of gas bubbled to the surface. when cameras were sent down to film what had happened, this is what they recorded — several experts said it appeared the pipes had been damaged by an exterior explosion. it's not yet been established who was responsible — but a report in the new york times has now quoted anonymous us security officials as suggesting a pro—ukrainian group was to blame. ukrainian defence minister oleksii reznikov commented on nord stream allegations, here's what he said. on nord stream allegations — here's what he said. for me, it's a little bit of a strange story because the story is nothing with us, and i think that the investigation of official authorities will describe every detail. it's like a compliment for our special forces, but this is not our activity.
5:16 pm
serafine dinkel, associate fellow at the alfred von oppenheim centre for the future of europe of the german council on foreign relations, explained to us what exactly drives the debate in germany about the rumoured involvement of ukrainian divers in the nordstream explosion. this is referring to some findings of the german federal public prosecutor which was also investigating this issue, and the findings that they confirmed from the leaked documents seem to suggest that there was a port 88 boat charter to carry the explosives, owned by a polish company which was owned by ukrainian nationals. this has not been confirmed by the federal government, the federal prosecutor has only confirmed that it's true that the boats being referred to are being connected in some way to the nord stream sabotage, but as german government officials
5:17 pm
like the defence minister boris pistorius this morning at the margins of the eu defence ministerial search, there are no conclusions yet officially and before any conclusions can be drawn, the results of this official independent prosecutorial investigation will need to be awaited. if there was any ukrainian involvement, with that the un secretary—general is in ukraine today holding talks with the country's president, volodymyr zelensky, about extending a deal which allows ukraine to export grain. the black sea grain initiative was signed injuly last year and allows ships to sail from southern ukraine, from odesa, into the international waters of the black sea, crossing past the bosporus strait in istanbul, avoiding mined areas. now, it's up for renewal next week and russia has signalled it may not sign off on the deal. antonio guterres today says the deal
5:18 pm
offers critical relief to people in developing countries. the black sea grain initiative, agreed lastjuly in istanbul, i has provided for the exportl of 23 million tonnes of grain from ukrainian ports. it contributed to lowering - the global cost of foods and has i offered critical relief to people | who are also paying a high price for this war, particularlyj in the developing world. indeed, the food and agriculture i organisation's food price indexl has fallen by almost i 20% over the last year. exports of ukrainian, . as well as russian food and fertilisers, are essential to global food security- and food prices. i want to underscore the critical importance of the rollover- of the black sea grain initiative i on 18 march and of working to create the conditions to enable _ the greatest possible use of export
5:19 pm
infrastructures through the black sea in line i with the objectives of the initiatives. i we can update you now on the fighting in ukraine, and in particular the battle to control the ukrainian city of bakhmut, which is close to the front line of the russian advance into ukraine's donbas region. before the war, bakhmut was home to around 80,000 people, but most have fled following months of fighting. russian forces, led by the wagner private military group, have been attacking — but ukraine's government insists it is inflicting heavy losses and will not abandon the city. russian forces are reported to have entered the city, and the head of the wagner group, yevgeny prigozhin, has now said that his forces have captured the city's eastern bank and all of the eastern suburbs. you can see the river as a dark line, running from the top to the bottom in the middle of this map —
5:20 pm
with the eastern bank on the right of the screen. that would represent around a third of bakhmut. ukraine hasn't yet commented. here's what the nato secretary generaljens stoltenberg had to say about the situation a little earlier. we cannot rule out that bakhmut may eventually fall in the coming days. therefore, it is also important to highlight that this does not necessarily reflect any turning point of the war, and itjust highlights that we should not underestimate russia. we must continue to provide support to ukraine. the former director of the us centers for disease control
5:21 pm
and prevention has told a us congressional panel that he believes covid—19 was likely the result of an accidental laboratory leak in china. dr robert redfield, who led the cdc from 2018 to 2021, was testifying at the opening session of a house of representatives committee set up to investigate the origins of the virus. there's a clinical virologist that i felt —— as a clinical virologist, i felt —— as a clinical virologist, i felt it was not plausible that this virus went from a bat to humans and became one of the most infested viruses we have. all viruses are not the same. —— infectious. when sars and mers enter the human species via intermediate, they never learned how to go human—to—human, even to this
5:22 pm
day. so you can't equate ebola with coronavirus. day. so you can't equate ebola with coronavirus— day. so you can't equate ebola with coronavirus. let's go live to capitol hill in washington where we can speak to our correspondent nomia iqbal. nomia, there seems to be a growing body of evidence in the united states that covid did originate in a lab leak in china. this states that covid did originate in a lab leak in china.— lab leak in china. this hearing is 'ust lab leak in china. this hearing is just wrapping — lab leak in china. this hearing is just wrapping up _ lab leak in china. this hearing is just wrapping up behind - lab leak in china. this hearing is just wrapping up behind me, i lab leak in china. this hearing is| just wrapping up behind me, and lab leak in china. this hearing is i just wrapping up behind me, and this particular hearing is one of many, trying to find the answer to a question that has created so much political tension in this country, that has divided so many agencies — where did covid—19 come from? there are two theories. there is the lab leak theory that it originated from a lab from the chinese government in southern wuhan. you heard from doctor robert redfield, who believes
5:23 pm
that theory, the other theory is it spread from an animal to a person in wuhan. so, you've got this congressional committee that is made up congressional committee that is made up of nine republicans and seven democrats. the republicans now newly empowered and want to get to the bottom of this. doctor redfield was one of their star witnesses, and the former director of the cdc, and when he was asked if he thought there was a cover—up or an attempt to try and stop the lab leak theory, he said he doesn't think there was a cover—up, but he does think there was an attempt to stop him from being included in any e—mails that even suggested the lab leak theory. it is important to stress that scientists still say there is no scientific evidence yet to confirm the lab leak theory. whilst there's no white
5:24 pm
house consensus or who consensus, at the moment, scientists are still saying the lab leak theory cannot be backed, but this committee wants to get to the bottom and start asking those questions. that get to the bottom and start asking those questions.— those questions. that lab leak theo , those questions. that lab leak theory. we — those questions. that lab leak theory, we heard _ those questions. that lab leak theory, we heard that - those questions. that lab leak theory, we heard that from i those questions. that lab leak| theory, we heard that from the those questions. that lab leak i theory, we heard that from the fbi as well, and then china responded to that saying the american intelligence committee has a history of misdeeds and deception. the chinese were furious. thea;r of misdeeds and deception. the chinese were furious. they were, and the fbi director _ chinese were furious. they were, and the fbi director said _ chinese were furious. they were, and the fbi director said on _ chinese were furious. they were, and the fbi director said on camera i chinese were furious. they were, and the fbi director said on camera he i the fbi director said on camera he believed in the lab leak theory. they didn't get a sense of what degree they thought that had been reported. the fbi had moderate confidence, which means they think it did come from a lab but they don't have the evidence to nail it down. with the fbi's assessment came
5:25 pm
after the department of energy had low confidence that it came from a lab. the intelligence committee with all different views, the majority of the agencies to think it originated naturally. what was interesting from doctor redfield, he said we will get down to the bottom of it, but he said the answer will come from the scientific community. he believes in the end, it will come from the intelligence community. the other thing to add as well that was raised in the committee, what's made this difficult is that china has blocked key data in order to understand the origins of covid—19. ihla key data in order to understand the origins of covid-19.— origins of covid-19. no me a fall, thank you — origins of covid-19. no me a fall, thank you very — origins of covid-19. no me a fall, thank you very much _ origins of covid-19. no me a fall, thank you very much indeed. i protests are also taking place in greece — these were triggered by last week's larissa train crash, in which 57 people died. many of those taking part are rail workers, who've staged a series of 24—hour
5:26 pm
stoppages since last thursday to demand better safety on the network. you're watching bbc news. hello. today, we've seen a good covering of snow here and there, particularly across wales, southern parts of england, too. for many of us, it has been rain and drizzle, of course, and this wintry mix is going to continue through the course of this evening. by 8 o'clock, we will have seen more snow across parts the midlands, just to the north of london, too. but on the south coast, it's much too mild for snow, so we are talking about heavier rain showers. and then in the north, we've got clearer skies across northern parts of northern ireland, also scotland, a few heavier snow showers there in the very far north of scotland. but this is where the really cold air is early in the morning on thursday — —7
5:27 pm
degrees in aberdeen, —5 for glasgow, colder than that in the glens. than that in the glens, and then elsewhere, it's that icy morning mix a little further south. here's the next area of low pressure as it sweeps in on thursday. to the north, we've got the cold air, and that's where the snow is going to be. so, it starts snowing early in the morning across parts of wales, especially the north around snowdonia. that snow reaches the north west of england, reaches the peak district and really then spreads across many parts of northern england. it won't be snow absolutely everywhere — in fact, there will be some sleet and rain as well. and then, to the south of that, where the milder air is, it really is too mild. in fact temperatures here around to 10 degrees celsius, so we're talking about heavy showers. but that snow really could turn quite heavy a second half of the afternoon and into the evening hours, particularly across northern england and around the pennines. and also, it's snowing across southern parts of scotland and into northern ireland. now, it's prompted the met office to issue an amber warning
5:28 pm
for the pennines area, valid from 3 pm on thursday into friday, and in the worst case, we could see up to a0 cm of snow in some of the higher elevations. but in most towns and cities, it'll be a covering here and there. early in the morning on friday, that weather front with its snowy weather clears towards the east — it may have a sting in its tail. you can see some wintry weather from lincolnshire into east anglia, maybe essex, but then come the afternoon it clears into the netherlands and into germany as well. and then, we're in between where the systems — a cold northerly wind with a few snow showers in the north. a really chilly day on friday.
5:29 pm
5:30 pm
hello again this is bbc news. britain's government is accused of utter failure over new asylum rules to stop migrant boats crossing the channel. but prime minister rishi sunak insists his plan is the people's priority. a bbc spokesperson says one of its most popular presenters gary lineker is being �*spoken to' after he criticised the government's immigration plans on social media. kyiv denies any involvement in reports that a pro
5:31 pm
ukrainian group was behind a attack. a crime with two victims how gangs in south east asia are forcing migrants to carry out online scams worth hundreds of millions of dollars. police in pakistan use tear gas and water cannon to disperse supporters of former prime minister, imran khan, ahead of a planned rally where he was due to kick start his election campaign. the daughter of the duke and duchess of sussex has been christened at the couple's california home. sport now and for a full round—up, here's the bbc sport centre. marcus rashford says the idea that manchester united players �*gave up' during their 7—0 loss to liverpool is "nonsense." jurgen klopp's side scored six times in the second half at anfield on sunday. it was united's worst defeat in the premier league era and biggest loss since 1931.
5:32 pm
stand in captain bruno fernandes was heavily criticised for his performance and his behaviour towards team mates. manager erik ten hag insists he'll continue to lead the side. rashford feels he has to learn from their mistakes. irate rashford feels he has to learn from their mistakes.— their mistakes. we did not give up that's nonsense. _ their mistakes. we did not give up that's nonsense. we _ their mistakes. we did not give up that's nonsense. we were - their mistakes. we did not give up i that's nonsense. we were unorganised and communication was bogged and that's what we conceded the goal. but it comes down to the fact that i believe that everyone was trying to get back into the game that much. we had come away from the teams principles and out of position. it happened in the only thing that we can do is learn from it. and move on. so i'm happy and grateful that we have a game so quickly have an opportunity to take a step forward from the last game and put it behind
5:33 pm
us. attention turns to north london as tottenham look to join chelsea in the last eight of the champions league. spurs have work to do to get there though there though they trail italian side ac milan 1—0 from the first leg, of their last 16 tie. the match will be the first time head coach antonio conte will be back on the touchline after recovering from gallbladder surgery. honestly i want to come back early, but... in this case i showed respect to the doctor. i am here to stay with the players and to breathe in this atmosphere and the training grounds and to prepare the game and to stay with them. also on wednesday, there's a huge clash as bayern munich take a 1—0 lead into the second leg of their last 16 tie against paris saint germain. neymar is out for the rest of the season for psg due to injury while the hosts, bayern, have won all seven champions league games this season, keeping clean sheets in
5:34 pm
six of those games. translation: i would not say weakness but _ translation: i would not say weakness but they _ translation: i would not say weakness but they have i translation: i would not say weakness but they have a i translation: i would not say weakness but they have a veryj translation: | would not say - weakness but they have a very clear characteristic that i do not want to describe not otherwise i would give away a lot of our match plan. it will be key not to limit ourselves to defend in order to limit ourselves to how many great players psg has or to send our own great players onto the pitch and then put them into the best positions to exude threats and score goals ourselves. club brugge have sacked boss scott parker after just 12 games in charge of the belgian club. the former fulham and bournemouth manager was relieved of his duties after their heavy 7—1 aggregate defeat to benfica in the last 16 of the champions league on tuesday night. parker took over on new year's eve but wonjust two games during his time in charge. well the lionesses are involved at the women's world cup this summer the tournament's been in the spotlight of late. football australia one of the host nations asked fifa to "urgently clarify" their position on plans
5:35 pm
for saudi arabia as sponsors. then england players kiera walsh and lucy bronze outlined their reservations. and the fa director of women's football baroness sue campbell says she's making "their position very clea r" the gulf kingdom has been accused of human rights abuses. at the moment we are talking as we should privately to fifa and making our position very clear and that is as much as we want to say at the moment. we are working, we had the president with us at the weekend and we were talking and trying to explain our position and we are hoping that fifa will make the right response to that.— response to that. what is your position? _ response to that. what is your position? i _ response to that. what is your position? i am _ response to that. what is your position? i am not— response to that. what is your position? i am not going i response to that. what is your position? i am not going to i response to that. what is your position? i am not going to go response to that. what is your i position? i am not going to go there we are having _ position? i am not going to go there we are having private _ position? i am not going to go there we are having private conversationsl we are having private conversations and i think it is only right that we do that. it might be that we have to be more public at some point but right now but players ourselves are having private conversations. there's a hundred days to go until this year's edition of the women's ashes the event has now broken the sales record
5:36 pm
for england women's fixtures. 55,000 tickets have been sold, more than for all of england's games in 2022. this year, the men's and women's ashes will being played alongside one another. without any fixture clashes and it'll also be the first time that all games in the women's multi format series are played at test match grounds. england all rounder nat sciver brunt says a big crowd could make a �*real difference' to their campaign which begins on 22june. that's all the sport for now. we will be back with more later on see them. the un secretary—general antonio guterres, has said it is critically important for an agreement allowing ukraine to export grain to be renewed next week. he was speaking after meeting ukraine's president zelensky in kyiv. the black sea grain initiative was signed injuly last year
5:37 pm
and allows ships to sail from southern ukraine, from odesa, into the international waters of the black sea, crossing past the bosporus strait in istanbul, avoiding mined areas. now, it's up for renewal next week and russia has signalled it may not sign off on the deal. to kyiv now where we can speak to our diplomatic correspondent james landale. how important is this green initiative? it how important is this green initiative?— how important is this green initiative? , ., , ., initiative? it is really important. im ortant initiative? it is really important. important to — initiative? it is really important. important to ukraine _ initiative? it is really important. important to ukraine because i initiative? it is really important. important to ukraine because it| important to ukraine because it needs to sell its grain so he gets hard foreign currency and employ its farmers and empty all of the silos and its southern port so they can be filled up again for the harvest later this year. but it also matters for the rest of the world. if ukraine's grain does not reach the world food markets, globalfood prices will soar. that has an impact on food insecurity and hunger around the world in places like somalia south to don in places like that.
5:38 pm
but at the same time it adds to inflationary pressures elsewhere in the global economy. —— sudan. at a time were global banks were in trying to get inflation down. so bad news for everyone if the deal is not extended. �* . . ~ news for everyone if the deal is not extended. �* , ., ,, ., extended. let's talk about the situation on _ extended. let's talk about the situation on the _ extended. let's talk about the situation on the battlefield i extended. let's talk about the situation on the battlefield in l extended. let's talk about the i situation on the battlefield in the bike moved in particular the east. the russians are making claims of progress there what is the latest status of that city? this progress there what is the latest status of that city?— progress there what is the latest status of that city? this battle has been auoin status of that city? this battle has been going on _ status of that city? this battle has been going on for— status of that city? this battle has been going on for more _ status of that city? this battle has been going on for more than i status of that city? this battle has| been going on for more than seven months now. russians are making very slow incremental advances and more claims today by the head of the mercenary private army group that they have consolidated their position in the east of the city. essentially the position is this. russia has positions to the north south and east. ukraine holds the city centre and has access to the west just about. city centre and has access to the westjust about. at city centre and has access to the west just about. at the city centre and has access to the westjust about. at the moment, russia is still throwing hundreds, thousands of men into this battle to
5:39 pm
try and secure the city, bakhmut. now that there is much left of it. and ukraine maintains its defence for a simple reason. they are killing an awful lot of russian soldiers. so ukraine is there to defend, not the rubble but it is to kill russian soldiers. to degrade russia's military machines that its potential to launch a further offensive down the line is diminished and its capacity to withstand a potential counteroffensive by ukraine is also weekend. it is a brutal calculation of ratio of lives that is being played out every day in extraordinarily bitter conditions. brutal indeed. and finally the un general secretary antonio genta here is, his third visit there all together what has to be doing, saying. together what has to be doing, sa inc. , ., ., together what has to be doing, sa in. ., ,. ,, ., saying. they are to discuss that train saying. they are to discuss that grain deal _ saying. they are to discuss that grain deal to — saying. they are to discuss that grain deal to be _ saying. they are to discuss that grain dealto be renewed i saying. they are to discuss that grain deal to be renewed at i saying. they are to discuss that grain deal to be renewed at the j saying. they are to discuss that i grain deal to be renewed at the end of next week. essentially he is here
5:40 pm
to talk to ukrainians and in discussions with ukrainians —— russians to saying let's not complicate this and stick on more issues into the steel and let's just get it over the wire because it really, really matters. at the moment russians have put up a few obstacles saying they want more restrictions on their own agricultural exports to be lifted. they are saying the western sanctions are having an indirect sanctioned affect on that. the turkish are also in on this because they helped broker the deal and at they helped broker the deal and at the moment their sync difficulties with the russians have not been overcome so there is a lot of hard diplomacy and discussions between now and the end of next week. thank ou, now and the end of next week. thank you. james — now and the end of next week. thank you. james who _ now and the end of next week. thank you. james who is — now and the end of next week. thank you, james who is in _ now and the end of next week. thank you, james who is in kyiv. _
5:41 pm
let's turn to the former soviet republic of georgia now where there have been violent protests against new laws which critics say will limit freedoms. the demonstrations were centred in the capital, tbilisi with police using water cannon and tear gas to disperse the crowds. it comes after the parliament backed a law which would force non governmental organisations and independent media, which receive certain levels of funding from overseas, to declare themselves as foreign agents. our correspondent rayhan demytrie is in tbilisi. she sent us this update. more and more protesters are joining the rally outside georgia's parliament here in the capital tblisi to protest against a law which lawmakers from the governing georgian green party passed its first reading on tuesday. people here are chanting, "no to the russian law," they're waving georgian and eu flags and they're holding banners that read, "we are europe". this is a controversial law which the governing party has been pushing to adopt. they are saying that they want to ensure transparency among civil society
5:42 pm
and non—governmental organisations. this law would require all non—governmental organisations and independent media that receive more than 20% of their funding from abroad to declare, to label themselves as foreign agents. the opposition and protesters here are saying that this law would bring nothing good for georgia, that it would bring the country closer to authoritarian countries such as russia and belarus. we have seen how many people are here and how they're trying to do something to save their nation as a european nation, as a free nation, and to get as far away from russian influence as possible. protesters and the country's opposition are saying that this law would stigmatise georgia's vibrant civil society and non—governmental organisations and eventually would silence the country's free media.
5:43 pm
a weekly injection for losing weight has been approved for use by the nhs in england. sema gloo tide, makes people feel fuller, so they eat less. semaglutide, makes people feel fuller, so they eat less. experts have described the decision to make it availbale on the nhs as a pivotal moment for the treatment of people living with obesity but others have warned the drug is not a �*quick fix�*. our health correspondent catherine burns reports. the main weapons against obesity are exercise and dieting. but they are not quite cutting it. by 2035 we expect half of the world�*s population to be overweight or obese. but you might have heard recently about semaglutide, weekly injections that make you feel full. studies show people losing about 12% of their body weight on them. one, two, three. kelly wood lives in america and has been injecting herself for seven months, losing a third of her body
5:44 pm
weight in the process. when you take this medication, it takes the work out of telling yourself, should i eat this, should i not eat this. you just stop eating when you�*re full. the papers are calling it a wonderjab. a drug called wegovy. but it is not going to be available on the nhs for everyone who just wants to lose a few pounds. the wegovy pen is a single dose, prefilled pen... it is mainly being recommended in england for people with a bmi of 35, severely obese. they must also have at least one weight—related condition like type two diabetes, high blood pressure or heart disease. like every medication, there are side effects. it�*s mainly gastrointestinal side—effects such as nausea and vomiting. not all patients will experience that but it is really important that the care is there for the patients. so anyone being prescribed it on the nhs will get other support to help them eat
5:45 pm
healthily and exercise. and they will only get the drug for a maximum of two years. i welcome it as a tool but obesity is more complex than this and there are other aspects of obesity that need to be dealt with. moreover, after two years when you come off the drug, weight gain is likely, is highly probable. this is not a magic bullet. those not eligible for it on the nhs have another option, paying privately. but that will cost them at least £100 a month. catherine burns, bbc news. would you take a ride in a self driving car through the streets of london? or any city for that matter? well for the past three years a team in woolwich have been deliberately sending autonomous cars out to dice with traffic, as part of a government backed research project. our correspondent theo leggett has been finding out more. a chaotic mix of cars, buses, lorries and pedestrians.
5:46 pm
the roads of woolwich in south east london are challenging enough for any driver, but the car i�*m going to ride in doesn�*t actually need one. the car is now in autonomous mode. it�*s a self—driving vehicle festooned with cameras, laser guidance systems, gps and radar. the seerity project has been running for three years, operated by a consortium including nissan, the transport research laboratory and nottingham university. we have tuned the vehicle in such a way that it gels into the environment. cars like these have covered some 1600 miles around here without an accident, although a safety driver�*s always on hand. well, we�*ve been driving around the busy streets of woolwich for about five minutes now. as you can see, i�*m in the back seat. i�*ve got a screen in front of me that sees what the car sees. there�*s a human driver as well, tom. i don�*t know what he�*s doing. he tells me his hands are not on the wheel. well, from where i�*m sitting in the back, it feels exactly the same as if he was driving the car.
5:47 pm
there�*s no difference whatsoever. i could be in a normal taxi. and that, it seems, is exactly the point. we�*re trying to expand the boundaries of the current systems that you get on vehicles today. and so we want to be able to improve not just the ability to drive on the highway, but then take on complex environments, but most importantly, do it in a what we call a human—like feel. what�*s unique about this project is that the car doesn�*tjust rely on its own sensors. it also uses data from other sources, such as roadside cameras, to detect possible hazards in advance. we've been looking at, particularly as around things like parked vehicles and buses and bus stops that are beyond the line of sight. so we've been using our roadside cameras and infrastructure to be able to see those situations a bit like x—ray vision beyond the line of sight in such a way that that can then be transmitted to the vehicle. technology like this is still years away from going mainstream, but the project has shown that the car of the future will not only be able to drive itself,
5:48 pm
it�*ll communicate with roadside units, with other cars and quite possibly with us as well. theo leggett, bbc news. police in pakistan are using tear gas and water cannon to disperse supporters of the former prime minister, imran khan, ahead of a planned rally where he was due to kick start his election campaign. pictures on social media show dozens of men and women gathering in the city and some being taken into custody for violating a ban barring all public gatherings for a week. bbc urdu�*s tarhub asghar is in lahore and has just sent this report. protesters are on the other side and they are using tear gas shelling and also they are using water cannons to
5:49 pm
disperse them, to push them back so that they cannot reach their destinations. today grain khan announced that he is going to start announced that he is going to start a big election campaign in the city but they have stopped here so they cannot reach the residents of khan where he supposed to start the rally. tear gas, the police are using tear gas and water cannons and khan was demanding for the last nine or ten months that he wants the early election in pakistan. he has been contesting different cases as well and recently the elections were announced by election commission provinces of pakistan, but right now the spec conflict is happening between police officers and
5:50 pm
supporters of we will be finding some space and moving back from this place because from both sides are throwing stones and they are during tear gas shells. so right now this is happening and has yet to be started. a bbc investigation has found the number of dog attacks recorded by police in england and wales has risen sharply. last year there were nearly 22 thousand cases of out of control dogs causing injury that�*s an increase of about 30 % on five years ago. the number of dogs being seized is also going up, meaning police have to spend millions of pounds on kennels and vet bills as danny savage reports. whoa, whoa, whoa! the aftermath of a dog attack in london. police try and contain the animal with a fire extinguisher. but look at the strength in its pull. a 13—year—old child is being treated on the ground nearby. siren. this is a growing problem in the uk.
5:51 pm
it was a cross between a rottweiler and a shar pei. it was behind the letterbox waiting for me. it heard me coming down the path, and it was ready. as soon as i lifted that lid of the letterbox, snout was there. didn�*t see the snout, i wasn�*t expecting it. but it was there, and it were a clean bite. sarah king started 2022 with ten fingers — she finished it with nine. still hurts, very numb, very sensitive. there�*s things i can�*t do. holding your phone, your mobile, you actually use your full handspan. little things, definitely. it has affected me. it feels like training dogs is of growing importance. clever boy, yes. this dog is not a dangerous animal, but more than 20,000 dog attacks on people or assistance dogs were reported last year. and the number of dangerous
5:52 pm
dogs seized has soared over the last few years. at the moment, if you�*ve got money, you can have a dog. simple as. there�*s no kind of safeguards. there�*s no checks done. and basically, i think that�*s part of the problem. looking back, in retrospect, it could've been my throat. janet was attacked by two of her neighbour�*s dogs. pictures of her injuries at the time are too graphic to show. nearly a year on, she has to do physio and is expecting more operations on her arm. they were with their owner, so it was a big surprise and a big shock to be attacked, and i didn't realise how much damage a dog can do in seconds. just... especially you don't see it coming. dangerous dogs are a growing problem, and all too often animals are left to bite again — with little meaningful action taken against owners. danny savage, bbc news.
5:53 pm
it�*s international women�*s day, an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of women and also reflect on the global challenge of gender equality. in the most recent gender gap index report released by the world economic forum. japan ranked 116th overall out of 146 countries. our correspondent shaimaa khalil sat down with the first female mayor of one of the tokyo�*s biggest districts — she says challenging japan�*s male dominated politics is a difficult but necessaryjob. this is not your averagejapanese politician. she is an outsider challenging the status quo. after living in belgium for the last decade, she has become one of only three female mayors in tokyo�*s mean 23 districts in the first in the
5:54 pm
history of the area. injune the former environmental activist and democracy advocate beat the conservative incumbent by a narrow margin. she says the first few months on thejob margin. she says the first few months on the job have margin. she says the first few months on thejob have been margin. she says the first few months on the job have been a margin. she says the first few months on thejob have been a rough ride. this months on the “ob have been a rough ride. �* . . months on the “ob have been a rough ride. �* , . ., . . months on the “ob have been a rough ride. .,. ., months on the “ob have been a rough ride. ., ., ., ride. as a woman and especially as a fairly young i'm not _ ride. as a woman and especially as a fairly young i'm not from _ ride. as a woman and especially as a fairly young i'm not from the - fairly young i�*m not from the bureaucracy, politicians so automatically it is difficult. issues like climate change, diversity, you know, gender equality of course has been challenged by the old politics., you know the boys club. old politics. , you know the boys club. m. old politics. , you know the boys club. ~ ., , ., old politics., you know the boys club. ., , ., club. most of the senior political osts in club. most of the senior political posts in her _ club. most of the senior political posts in her districts _ club. most of the senior political posts in her districts are - club. most of the senior political. posts in her districts are operated by men. japan is the world third largest economy yet it has an abysmal record when it comes to women in politics ranking at the
5:55 pm
bottom tenth of 146 countries and guessed traditional social norms here make it very difficult for women to pursue a political career, but those who do have to deal with misogyny and harassment. there are some career success stories. but it will take generations for women to get equal seats injapan�*s get equal seats in japan�*s decision—making get equal seats injapan�*s decision—making tables. was christened on friday by the reverend john taylor. the announcement was the first time she has been publicly been called a princess. since getting the right to that title when king charles came to the throne. a blast of arctic weather has been sweeping parts of
5:56 pm
the uk causing widespread travel disruption met office issuing several yellow weather warnings for snow and ice and parts of scotland, northern ireland and southern england. you�*ve been watching bbc news. hello. today, we�*ve seen a good covering of snow here and there, particularly across wales, southern parts of england, too. for many of us, it has been rain and drizzle, of course, and this wintry mix is going to continue through the course of this evening. by 8 o�*clock, we will have seen more snow across parts of wales, the midlands, just to the north of london, too. but on the south coast, it�*s much too mild for snow, so we are talking about heavier rain showers. and then in the north, we�*ve got clearer skies across northern parts of northern ireland, also scotland, a few heavier snow showers there in the very far north of scotland. but this is where the really cold air is early in the morning on thursday — —7 degrees in aberdeen, —5 for glasgow, colder than that in the glens, and then elsewhere, it�*s that icy morning mix a little further south.
5:57 pm
here�*s the next area of low pressure as it sweeps in on thursday. to the north, we�*ve got the cold air, and that�*s where the snow is going to be. so, it starts snowing early in the morning across parts of wales, especially the north around snowdonia. that snow reaches the north—west of england, reaches the peak district and really then spreads across many parts of northern england. it won�*t be snow absolutely everywhere — in fact, there will be some sleet and rain as well. and then, to the south of that, where the milder air is, it really is too mild. in fact temperatures here around to 10 degrees celsius, so we�*re talking about heavy showers. but that snow really could turn quite heavy a second half of the afternoon and into the evening hours, particularly across northern england and around the pennines. and also, it�*s snowing across southern parts of scotland and into northern ireland. now, it�*s prompted the met office to issue an amber warning for the pennines area, valid from 3 pm on thursday into friday, and in the worst case, we could see up to 40 cm of snow in some of the higher elevations.
5:58 pm
but in most towns and cities, it�*ll be a covering here and there. early in the morning on friday, that weather front with its snowy weather clears towards the east — it may have a sting in its tail. you can see some wintry weather from lincolnshire into east anglia, maybe essex, but then come the afternoon it clears into the netherlands and into germany as well. and then, we�*re in between where the systems — a cold northerly wind with a few snow showers in the north. a really chilly day on friday.
5:59 pm
6:00 pm
the match of the day host claimed the language used to describe the illegal migration bill was "not dissimilar to that used by germany in the �*30s". a former bbc editor says it�*s a difficult situation. clearly, this is damaging for the bbc. it undermines trust in the organisation and undermines its reputation for impartiality, but gary lineker can argue, as a freelancer, he is entitled to say what he wants when he not broadcasting for the bbc. the bbc said it was having a "frank conversation" with the presenter. also on the programme... the new weight loss drug soon to be available on the nhs in england —
6:01 pm
the appetite suppressant, given as an injection, is being hailed as a game changer. the nurse on trial for

60 Views

info Stream Only

Uploaded by TV Archive on