hello, i'm ben boulos, this is outside source. it's a tiktok performace that's grabbing attention , the chief executive of the video—sharing site responds to some tough questions from american politicians. all protected us data will be under the protection of us law. this eliminates the concern some of you have shared with me that tiktok user data can be subject to chinese law. shou zi chew did his best to reassure , but can he slow the growing calls for the popular app to be banned?also in the programme. violent clashes on the streets of paris , as anger grows over emmanuel macron�*s plan to raise the retirement age. and .

more pressure for some british homeowners , as the bank of england hikes interest rates to their highest level for m years. let's start with a big story from the us. the head of the social media app tiktok has been giving evidence to a congressional committee over security concerns. shou zi chew has faced a barrage of hostile questions on tiktok�*s relationship with the chinese state, the data it collects and what it does with it. we'll be getting into what it all means — first, have a listen to some of what he had to say. us tiktok data is stored by default in oracle servers. only vetted personnel operating in a new company called tiktok us data security can control access to this data. additionally, we have plans for this company to report to an independent american board with strong security credentials. now, there is still some work to do.

we have legacy us data sitting on our servers in virginia and singapore. we are deleting those and we expect that to be complete this year. when that is done, all us data will be under the protection of us law and under the control of the us—led security team. so let's put this into context. tiktok is a hugely popular short form video app. it's grown rapidly — with around 150 million users in the us. like most apps, tiktok collects personal information about its users. but what's alarmed lawmakers in this case is that it's owned by the chinese company bytedance, which they argue spells a security risk. this is republican cathy mcmorris rodgers, who's chairing the hearing. i expect today you will say anything to avoid this outcome, like you are, "100% responsible" for what tiktok does, that you suddenly endorse a national data privacy standard, that project texas is more than a marketing scheme, that tiktok doesn't harm our innocent children,

or that your ties to the chinese communist party through bytedance isjust a myth. we are not buying it. let's take a closer look at what lawmakers are concerned about. the main worry is that the app could provide user data to the chinese government. and that beijing could influence what americans see on the app — which would have an impact on things like elections. it's already been outlawed on all us federal and some state government devices. it's also blocked by several public universities. and this is what we heard a few weeks ago — from the director of the fbi. could they use tiktok to control data on millions of users? yes. could they use it to control the software on millions of devices given the opportunity to do so? yes. so there's a lot resting on today's hearing. here's chris stokel—walker — author of �*tiktok boom'. this is going to be uncharted territory for him and it would be really interesting to see

whether he sinks or swims. i think there is a real risk that if this hearing doesn't go well, that has a massive impact on the future of tiktok. many of those who use tiktok are business owners — who rely on the app for their income. this was the scene in washington on wednesday — tiktok creators protesting against a potential ban of the app. let's hear from a few of them. a tiktok ban wouldn'tjust put my business at risk. 95% of my livelihood would disappear overnight. it's become a vital platform for advocates across society and across the political spectrum to connect, share their stories and help change people's lives. so, to congress, i urge you to consider the impact that a ban on _ tiktok would have on advocates like myself. tiktok has given me _ and countless others like me the opportunity to showcase our talents and make a living doing what we - love, so i urge you to consider-

the impact that banning tiktok could have on people like me. it will not only take - away a source of income, but will also stifle - creativity and prevent from sharing their art with the world. - caitlin chin is from the centre for strategic and international studies, a bipartisan think tank. i think it's notjust that this app collects data about what access it has and what you would do with it? do you think the chief executive assured the lawmakers that it was safe? i assured the lawmakers that it was safe? ., �* ~' �* , assured the lawmakers that it was safe? ., �* ~ �*, ., , safe? i don't think there's anything he could've — safe? i don't think there's anything he could've said _ safe? i don't think there's anything he could've said to _ safe? i don't think there's anything he could've said to assuage - he could've said to assuage lawmakers. from one thing they came in with their minds made up. one of them said right from the start that they believe tiktok should be banned. even during the hearing, many members of congress did not give him a chance to answer a

question. members of congress interrupted him and some even testified form, answering the question for them. i think that's really a shame. i think harry could be a good way to get detailed responses ceo and get them on the record to talk about their data sorry data privacy and data security practices. instead, what we had was a circus. in practices. instead, what we had was a circus. . , ., ., , ., a circus. in which case, what do you think they should _ a circus. in which case, what do you think they should have _ a circus. in which case, what do you think they should have done - think they should have done differently given the strength of feeling and security concerns raised by people like the director of the fbi no less? i by people like the director of the fbi no less?— fbi no less? i think, first of all the hearings — fbi no less? i think, first of all the hearings provide _ fbi no less? i think, first of all. the hearings provide opportunities to get ceos on the record talking about how their companies operate. members of congress should have given the tiktok chief and opportunities of the answer and we heard over and over them yelling for him to answer the question. many answers surrounded complicated data

privacy practices aren't yes or no questions. they require thoughtful responses from ceo and lawmakers weren't given him an opportunity to answer to those. when he was when he was asked questions he didn't always answer the question directly, did he? ~ . , answer the question directly, did he? ~ ., answer the question directly, did he? when he was asked about ractices he? when he was asked about practices he — he? when he was asked about practices he kept _ he? when he was asked about practices he kept referring - he? when he was asked about practices he kept referring to i practices he kept referring to individual standards rather than what the app would do for example problematic content. that what the app would do for example problematic content.— problematic content. that is one of tiktok stalking _ problematic content. that is one of tiktok stalking points _ problematic content. that is one of tiktok stalking points that - problematic content. that is one of tiktok stalking points that tiktok, | tiktok stalking points that tiktok, their data privacy practices or content moderation, are not very different from other major us social media companies. there is some truth to that even if tiktok were owed by an american company, there's not much to stop it from collating and doing with private information like thousands of other apps do. is this

right? no. if tiktok should be held to higher and security standards. i think the response we saw from legislature showed that these concerns aren't necessarily about tiktok are one company its really concerns about the chinese government and the chinese communist party and that's what the hearing really revealed. just party and that's what the hearing really revealed.— really revealed. just briefly, do ou think really revealed. just briefly, do you think lawmakers _ really revealed. just briefly, do you think lawmakers in - really revealed. just briefly, do you think lawmakers in the - really revealed. just briefly, do you think lawmakers in the us| really revealed. just briefly, do - you think lawmakers in the us where vanish or not? it’s you think lawmakers in the us where vanish or not?— vanish or not? it's going to be very difficult either _ vanish or not? it's going to be very difficult either way. _ vanish or not? it's going to be very difficult either way. i _ vanish or not? it's going to be very difficult either way. i honestly - difficult either way. i honestly don't think there are any good of a clean solutions here. if lawmakers question that i would expect the code changes from tiktok and tiktok users first based on first amendment grounds. i think law if lawmakers escalated and pushed for a band it's not clear that the band would go through. not clear that the band would go throu~h. . ., not clear that the band would go throu~h. ., ~ i. not clear that the band would go throu~h. . ~ i. ., not clear that the band would go throu~h. . ~' ,, ., ., through. thank you caitlin for “oininu through. thank you caitlin for

joining us- — over to france now, where there have been fresh violent clashes as anger grows over the government's decision to raise the state pension age to 64. in central paris, police fired tear gas and used batons to charge some demonstrators, after being pelted with fireworks, bottles and other projectiles. they made several arrests. there has also been violence across other parts of france. this was the scene in rennes, where fighting broke out with police, who used a water cannon and tear gas on the protesters. meanwhile demonstrators also clashed with riot police in nantes in western france, where a peaceful march degenerated into scuffles. most of the rallies on this ninth nationwide day of action organised by the unions have been peaceful. the government says there was over

one mission people protesting. one million people protesting. this was the scene at the place de la bastille in paris — where a large group of demonstrators gathered to have their voices heard. here is what a few of them had to say. translation: | came here - because i opposed this reform. i really oppose the fact that democracy no longer means anything. we are not being represented and we are fed up. they should not underestimate the importance of citizen movement. we should not give up. they should know that 3% of the population are mobilising for revolution. so, at any point a citizen movement to change things. strikes have seriously disrupted transport, with roads and airports affected. these demonstrators managed to get on to the railway tracks near the gare de lyon station in paris. france's state—owned railway company said to expect severe disruption , with half of all high—speed trains cancelled. so why is president macron so keen

on pushing this reform through? and why is it proving so tricky? currently, france's state retirement age is 62 — much lower than many of its european neighbours. in the uk it's 66, germany and italy 67, and spain 65. the problem, according to macron is demographics. there are only 1.7 workers for every pensioner in france, down from 2.1 in 2000. if the retirement age were to remain fixed at 62, there would only be 1.2 taxpaying workers to support each retiree in 2070. retirement spending by the state was equal to 13.6% of its economy in 2021, compared to about 10% in germany and nearly 11% in spain. those arguments have not convinced many opposition politicians. here's clementine autain from the hard—left france unbowed party.

translation: it is unbelievable i to have a government in power that doesn't hear anything. that doesn't listen to anything and talks nonsense. i think there is something profound happening in the country today and that is why i speak of a regime crisis. that is to say, we cannot continue in a society where there is such a chasm between the majority of the population and those who govern. that is not possible. the message from the unions is similar, a call to drop the reform , and a threat to remain on the streets. translation: mr. president, look at us. we had sincere things to say to you. we had quantify things for you. we give you a case file ready to go and all you had to do was listen to us. we are in the street, we can already tell you this is not the last time we will be in the street because today there will be even more people than we thought. if president emmanuel macron is listening, he's doing it from abroad. he's attending the european council summit in brussels.

pensions are very much not on the agenda there. eu leaders are due to talk about support for ukraine as well as boosting economic competitiveness. but yesterday, mr macron gave a defiant defence of his decision in a televised interview. translation: there aren't 100 j solutions if we want the pension system to be balanced. it no longer is and the more we wait the more it will get worst. this reform is necessary and i say this to the french people, i don't enjoy doing this, i would prefer not to do this but it is also because of a sense of responsibility. he said france has to balance the books. and that the national interest was more important than opinion polls. but did he win over his fellow citizens? apparently not. a recent poll suggests 71% of french viewers found the president unconvincing, while 61% believe he's actually raised the level of tension even further. opposition to the reforms has risen to 72% among those surveyed and while three quarters of those condemn violent acts or clashes

with the police as many as 42% say they understand violence against elected officials in favour of the reform. mireille clapot, is an mp for monsieur macron's renaissance party. do you think he's doing the right thing get in this reform pushed through? thing get in this reform pushed throu~h? ., ., ., through? hello, good evening. of course, through? hello, good evening. of course. this— through? hello, good evening. of course, this reform _ through? hello, good evening. of course, this reform was _ through? hello, good evening. 0f| course, this reform was necessary. through? hello, good evening. of. course, this reform was necessary. i did not fully agree with the terms of this reform in the beginning but we have a system which is based on redistribution and it is not sustainable any more so we have to incite people to work more but maybe it was not the best access to tell people that the legal retirement age would be raised from 62 to 64. we

have to convince people that they will gain something in the reform and for the moments, although we tried very hard, they didn't hear that they could have some advantages of this. is that they could have some advantages of this. , ., ., ., ., , of this. is it that the advantages are hard to _ of this. is it that the advantages are hard to find _ of this. is it that the advantages are hard to find or— of this. is it that the advantages are hard to find or is _ of this. is it that the advantages are hard to find or is it - of this. is it that the advantages are hard to find or is it that - are hard to find or is it that they're not being communicated well enough? i they're not being communicated well enou~h? ~ _, they're not being communicated well enou~h? ~ ,, , they're not being communicated well enou~h? ~' , enough? i think the system is so comlex enough? i think the system is so complex that _ enough? i think the system is so complex that you _ enough? i think the system is so complex that you would - enough? i think the system is so complex that you would always l enough? i think the system is so i complex that you would always find somebody that tells you i would lose somebody that tells you i would lose some advantage with this reform. for example, we had long discussions with the women because women, is true, don't have equality their time and wages what is due not to the system, is due to the inequality of careers. and the inequality of wages

of course, they are used to choosing some careers that do not provide the same salaries. so, we had to reform not only the retirement system but also the working system and, for example, the conditions of work so when senior workers tell you that there will not be able to work after 62, that means that they have a problem with their health due to their professional life and we have to work on that. i their professional life and we have to work on that.— to work on that. i wonder if we'll be seeing _ to work on that. i wonder if we'll be seeing this — to work on that. i wonder if we'll be seeing this level _ to work on that. i wonder if we'll be seeing this level of _ to work on that. i wonder if we'll be seeing this level of anger- to work on that. i wonder if we'll be seeing this level of anger and this much protests and demonstrations if this had gone through a vault in parliament rather than being pushed through? there was a vote in parliament _ than being pushed through? there was a vote in parliament but _ than being pushed through? there was a vote in parliament but it's _ than being pushed through? there was a vote in parliament but it's true - a vote in parliament but it's true that, for example, the international assembly due to obstructions

especially from the far left opposition, we were frustrated. we had to stop before and in the debates. for example, i had some admin mints about senior work and training and those could not be discussed. certainly, the way the government should chose to process this reform through budget law and rectification financial law for security was not the best one because it had some consequences. on the way discussions were led and the limitation of time and further on the consequences, it needed to have in this year 2023, so this reform should have been done in a different way but it was passed in a legal way because this farm famous article 43

at the end was a legal one from the constitution. so, we cannot say that it was a push by force, finally, it was done in committee with the constitution. i was done in committee with the constitution. i i was done in committee with the constitution.— was done in committee with the constitution. ., ., ., , ., constitution. i i wonder how many of us heard of— constitution. i i wonder how many of us heard of 49-3 _ constitution. i i wonder how many of us heard of 49-3 before _ constitution. i i wonder how many of us heard of 49-3 before the - constitution. i i wonder how many of us heard of 49-3 before the this - constitution. i i wonder how many of us heard of 49-3 before the this we | us heard of 49—3 before the this we and return have now. acute mireille. thank you. here in the uk, there's fresh pain for borrowers and people with mortgages after the bank of england has raised interest rates again, the 11th successive hike within 18 months. the bank has increased the benchmark rate by a quarter of a percentage point to 4.25%. it follows wednesday's surprise jump in the cost of living, with uk inflation rising to 10.4 % for the year to february.

one former bank of england rate—setter — dame deannejulius — told us the battle against inflation is far from over: it's not that inflation went up, it's also that services inflation went up, it was that core inflation went up, food prices went up, even on the last month's basis, let alone in the last three months. so, it was pretty significant that inflation is embedded. the governor of the bank of england, andrew bailey, told the bbc that inflation remains far too high. but he also said he was much more hopeful that the uk can avoid a recession: the really pronounce falls in energy prices are helping there because it gives more spending part of people and more demands on the economy. that's helpful. back in the beginning of february we were in an knife edge and we thought the economy beat be quite stagnant i'm not saying it's off to the races but

i'm a bit more optimistic on that front. well take a look at this graph, showing just how far and fast uk interest rates have risen. they were at 0.1% at the start of december 2021. they're now at a 14 year high, hitting millions of british homeowners who have variable mortgages and are already being squeezed by the soaring cost of living. since december 2021, a typical tracker loan — that's one that "tracks" bank of england rates — has soared by £394 — or $485 — a month. a typical standard variable rate has gone up by £251. that's $309 dollars. let's hearfrom one homeowner in cambridge, whose mortgage bills have gone up so much, he's at risk of being forced to sell: it takes your breath away whenever you see a santander envelope come through the letterbox. you think, "oh, god, not another one."

you despair quietly, inwardly. today's bank of england decision was widely seen as a tricky one, against the backdrop of recent global financial market turbulence. it follows the collapse of a trio of small banks in the us and the hurried sale of credit suisse. let's hearfrom sarah hewin from standard chartered bank: just a few days ago the expectations had been that the bank of england would in fact keep rates on hold because of the international, financial markets turmoil that we have experienced. then we had the inflation reading which came through higher than expected, so the policymakers are really having to balance the domestic inflation rates against the threat that credit growth and low growth could slip quite dramatically and be bad for the economy. the bank of england move comes less than 24 hours after the us central bank, the federal reserve, raised rates again there, despite that turmoil

in the global banking sector. it hiked rates by quarter of a percentage point at the conclusion of its two—day meeting, leaving the benchmark overnight rate in a range of 4.75 to 5%. it was the ninth hike in us rates since march last year, as the federal reserve also battles to rein in decades—high inflation. but it did hint that it's nearing the end of its hiking cycle. we can speak to former labour treasury minister, now chief economist at the institute of directors, kitty ussher. do of directors, kitty ussher. you think the bank of er do you think the bank of england was in a spot where it had no choice but to raise interest rates given the jumping we saw?— to raise interest rates given the jumping we saw? yes, but it wasn't 'ust the jumping we saw? yes, but it wasn't just the jump _ jumping we saw? yes, but it wasn't just the jump in _ jumping we saw? yes, but it wasn't just thejump in inflation. _ just thejump in inflation. unemployed tenants has remained lower than expected which is obviously great news for people in work are looking forjobs and the

governor of the bank of england said as well that they no longer think there would be a different goat recession. that could possibly be avoided. all of the debts is coming in a bit better. this means more demand in the economy which is harder if you try to bring inflation down. i harder if you try to bring inflation down. . ., . harder if you try to bring inflation down. ., ., , ., harder if you try to bring inflation down. ., ,, ,, down. i cover a lots of business news and _ down. i cover a lots of business news and whenever _ down. i cover a lots of business news and whenever the - down. i cover a lots of business news and whenever the topic i down. i cover a lots of business news and whenever the topic of interest rate rises but people always say how on earth does it help struggling households when the cost of food and energy is higher? i know their mortgages in many cases are higher and even the effects of rent occurs as well. why aren't the bank of england doing this if people are already struggling? the of england doing this if people are already struggling?— of england doing this if people are already struggling? the amount of difficul it already struggling? the amount of difficulty it is _ already struggling? the amount of difficulty it is created _ already struggling? the amount of difficulty it is created for _ already struggling? the amount of difficulty it is created for those - difficulty it is created for those of people is very real as we've heard on your programme and you just described. the difficulty for

policymakers is that everybody hurts always when inflation is high. so, there are some difficult policy trade—offs to be made and what successive governments have decided in britain is that having an independent central bank who who is slightly insulated from what politicians might want to do to not rate raise interest rates because of the pain you havejust rate raise interest rates because of the pain you have just described. because of the bank of england is insulated from that they are more likely to right thing for inflation is up which is sadly to constrain the economy abates and constrained spending powers of the law of supply and demand would bring prices down. that's not to say it is easy or enjoyable in any week but it is seen as the least worst option in situations like this.-

as the least worst option in situations like this. ., , ., situations like this. there are some that were saying — situations like this. there are some that were saying the _ situations like this. there are some that were saying the bank- situations like this. there are some that were saying the bank of - situations like this. there are some i that were saying the bank of england was wrong to raise interest rates, i am thinking of danny branch fro who was formerly on the committee himself who said that puts not rates against was a mistake especially given the trouble in the financial markets and banks recently. hope significant is that too? it’s markets and banks recently. hope significant is that too?— significant is that too? it's hard to sa in significant is that too? it's hard to say in the — significant is that too? it's hard to say in the moment. - significant is that too? it's hard to say in the moment. i- significant is that too? it's hard to say in the moment. i think l significant is that too? it's hard l to say in the moment. i think the difficulty of england has is there's quite a long lead time between raising interest rates and the effect on the economy was up about 18 months, and it is only 18 months since they began. you might expect that the impact of rising rates is only now beginning to be felt, so it's hard for them to calibrate it. so, time will tell but they may have to reduce it all quite quickly if inflation falls very rapidly. it is all about the _ inflation falls very rapidly. it is all about the numbers and the numbers on the clock are telling me where race incident in the

programme. thank you very much kitty. think for watching and i'll be back in a few minutes, don't go in. hello there. good evening. it's been a very changeable day of weather today with sunny spells, but also some rather blustery showers around, too. typically spring like weather, lots of rainbows as captured by our weather watchers in denbighshire and in north lincolnshire. and we're likely to see a lot more tomorrow, too, because it's a very similar looking day. some blustery showers. yes, some sunshine. and the air stays mild until we get to the weekend. now, overnight tonight, the rain that's been across southern england pulling into east anglia will gradually clear away into the north sea to leave behind clearing skies. it does stay rather breezy. more showers piling into northern ireland and also throughout much of scotland, too. temperatures dropping to between four and seven degrees celsius. so, it's another frost free start to the day on friday. now on friday, low pressure becomes a lot more centred

over northern ireland. so, here the showers are likely to be heavy and probably quite slow moving through the day. but elsewhere, tight squeeze on the isobars. the showers will rattle through really very quickly. but it should be a largely dry start to the day for most of us. and there'll be some sunshine around. the showers will become more widespread through the afternoon. some lightning, some thunder, some hail all possible, sunny spells in between very gusty winds, particularly towards south western facing coast, the windiest day of the week for england and wales. and also still mild temperatures peaking between 12 and 14 degrees celsius, but the mild air is not set to last. low pressure pulls eastwards out of scotland on friday night into saturday morning, allowing for more of a northerly wind, and some of these showers could turn out to be a bit wintry. cold air spilling down from the arctic. further south , then, it should be a drier picture, lighter winds, the air still mild. this rain is going to be moving into southern england and south wales on saturday night into sunday morning. high pressure will then build back in as we head through sunday,

allowing this cold arctic air to spill its way southwards across the whole of the uk. so we're all into much colder feeling air by the time we get to sunday evening, the early rain set to clear. it will turn cold. a wintry showers possible in the north and towards north sea, facing coasts with a widespread frost and maybe some icy stretches on sunday night into monday. here's the outlook for our capital cities as we head through the start of next week. milder air with some wet and windy weather pushing eastwards on tuesday.

hello, i'm ben boulos. this is outside source. it's a tiktok performance that's grabbing attention. the ceo of the video—sharing site responds to some tough questions from american lawmakers. all protected us data will be under the protection of us law. this eliminates the concern that some of you have shared with me that tiktok user data can be subject to chinese law. also in the programme: the potential split in the cabinet comes as hundreds of thousands of israelis once again held protests across the country, denouncing the planned overhaul as a threat to democracy. and world athletics bans transgender female athletes from competing in female world—ranking events.

to israel now, where the parliament has ratified a law that would make it more difficult for courts to remove a prime minister deemed unfit for office. he said he was determined to press ahead with the reforms and wanted to restore unity and reach a solution acceptable to both supporters and critics of the proposal. chanting �*s address came as hundreds of thousands of israelis held protest against the new law protecting the prime minister from removal and also denouncing the planned judicial overhaul as a threat to democracy. to israel now, where the parliament has ratified to remove a prime minister deemed unfit for office. after the vote, opponents began what they called

a "day of paralysis". here, protesters clashed with police, sometimes violently. as you can see in these pictures, crowds of thousands blocked highways. this is in tel aviv, where police tried to clear the demonstrators with water cannon. and these protesters are dressed in costumes from the dystopian series the handmaid's tale. many in israel see the reforms as a threat to democracy. he sprayed us with mace, and then i tried to stop him and he hit me with the can on the face. how does this make you feel about all of this, what's happening in your country? we have a dictator in israel that is trying to make these people hate us. you tell your government, you tell your people. this government is the first post—zionist messianic government. my father and his brothers didn't fight in wars for a theocracy for orthodox jews. the new incapacitation law passed by 61 votes to 47

in the 120—seat knesset following a heated all—night debate, following a heated all—night debate. it stipulates that "only the pm himself or the cabinet, with a two—thirds majority, can declare the leader unfit". that effectively prevents israel's attorney general from declaring mr netanyahu unfit to hold office if she believe he is attempting to halt his trials. mr netanyahu is standing trial on charges of bribery, fraud and breach of trust in three cases. he denies any wrongdoing and says he is the victim of a "witch hunt". opposition leader yair lapid has slammed the law in a twitter post, which also featured a screenshot of mr netanyahu and israel'sjustice minister laughing after the vote. i'm joined now by yaniv roznai, vice—dean of the radzyner law school at reichman university. good to have you with us. this

statement from the prime minister that he will find a way forward, that's acceptable to supporters of the law and the critics, what do you think you might do? this the law and the critics, what do you think you might do?— think you might do? this is a very disappointing _ think you might do? this is a very disappointing speech _ think you might do? this is a very disappointing speech by - think you might do? this is a very disappointing speech by our - think you might do? this is a very| disappointing speech by our prime minister. instead of saying they will stop the reform, they seem to continue with it. the only thing he said about few positive is that he will push toward some sort of enactment, but this unfortunately means nothing. if there will be an override and if our report is captured, the bill of rights is useless. therefore i'm extremely disappointed by this speech. itruihat disappointed by this speech. what would ou disappointed by this speech. what would you have _ disappointed by this speech. what would you have preferred to hear from him, that he was going to withdraw this law? irlot from him, that he was going to withdraw this law? not completely, i assume,

withdraw this law? not completely, i assume. he — withdraw this law? not completely, i assume, he will _ withdraw this law? not completely, i assume, he will not _ withdraw this law? not completely, i assume, he will not enact _ withdraw this law? not completely, i assume, he will not enact the - withdraw this law? not completely, i assume, he will not enact the law. assume, he will not enact the law that changes the weightjudges are selected. he will start negotiating with the opposition towards a more balanced reform that will be good for israel, and this doesn't seem to be that. �* ., , ,.,, ., ., be that. and the opposition leader yair la - id be that. and the opposition leader yair lapid is _ be that. and the opposition leader yair lapid is urging _ be that. and the opposition leader yair lapid is urging what _ be that. and the opposition leader yair lapid is urging what he - yair lapid is urging what he describes as responsible members of the party to a rebel against these reforms. how likely do you think it is? . �* , reforms. how likely do you think it is? ., �*, ., , , ., is? that's a very good question. there are _ is? that's a very good question. there are numerous _ is? that's a very good question. there are numerous members l is? that's a very good question. i there are numerous members who is? that's a very good question. - there are numerous members who have already expressed their opposition to this ongoing judicial overhaul, and they are saying that this is not the kind of reform they were hoping for and certainly not in this process. i really hope they will get

a sense, some kind of common sense and put some effort into the leaders to stop this reform and bring something that is good for israel and much more balanced. it is possible. and much more balanced. it is ossible. , ., ., and much more balanced. it is possible-— and much more balanced. it is ossible. , ., ., �* , possible. this law that we've been talkin: possible. this law that we've been talking about _ possible. this law that we've been talking about will _ possible. this law that we've been talking about will make _ possible. this law that we've been talking about will make it - possible. this law that we've been talking about will make it harder. possible. this law that we've been | talking about will make it harder to declare the leader unfit was part of a wider package ofjudicial reforms that are being attempted. what is it about them that is provoking such anger and unrest that we're seeing this level of street protests? me this level of street protests? we need to this level of street protests? - need to understand that the israel assistant, unlike any other democracy, is extremely weak. we have no serious checks and balances. the only checks on political power that we have are the judiciary and the attorney general and the so—called reform is aimed to weaken

precisely these two bodies. therefore, israelis are afraid, because what will prevent future coalitions from undermining political and civil rights? those politicians who are in government tell us, "trust us, we will not undermine your rice." it is built on mechanisms of checks and balances —— your rights. mechanisms of checks and balances -- our riahts. . , , your rights. really interesting conversation. _ your rights. really interesting conversation. thank - your rights. really interesting conversation. thank you i your rights. really interesting conversation. thank you for i conversation. thank you for explaining us, yaniv roznai, vice dean of rifle university. think of your time. australia's leader has unveiled crucial details of a planned referendum which could see it change its constitution for the first time in almost 50 years. if approved, the vote later this year would establish an aboriginal and torres strait islander voice — a formal body for indigenous people to give advice on laws. here's the prime minister. are there any circumstances in which

this will not be put to a vote? the answer to that is no, because to not put this to a vote... sorry, ijust... to not put this to a vote is to concede defeat. you can only win when you run on the field and engage. and let me tell you — my government is engaged. we're all in. let's ta ke let's take a look at it in more detail. the so—called voice department was recommended by... draughted by more than 250 indigenous australia leaders. the prime minister said...

some opposition politicians opposed the move. i'm joined now by isabella higgins, former indigenous affairs correspondent for the australian broadcasting corporation. why is it dividing aboriginal australians in this way? aboriginal and torres strait _ australians in this way? aboriginal and torres strait islander- australians in this way? aboriginal and torres strait islander people l and torres strait islander people are not the homogenous group. they represent all different corners of the country. they represent many different communities, to those who live in cities and rural areas, so it can't be expected that all these people would have the same views on any issues. but perhaps one of the biggest things that divide the community is whether the best approach to engaging with the australian government is to push for a treaty between aboriginal people and the commonwealth government,

because many aboriginal people believe their sovereignty on the grounds should be recognised. then you have another large portion in the aboriginal and torres strait islander community. australia's founding document recognises the first nations people that this is not the final steps, but this is the first step to building a new relationship between first nations people. where they work together and talk together and aboriginal people are heard and they have a say in how laws are implemented in these countries and how law implements theirfamilies. the reality is countries and how law implements their families. the reality is that for decades upon decades, governments made laws put in place legislation that was incredibly detrimental to aboriginal and torres strait islander people and their families. these policies happened in

the 19705 that saw aboriginal children being removed from their families and forced to assimilate to european way5. the5e families and forced to assimilate to european way5. these are living histories. thi5 european way5. these are living histories. this isn't european way5. these are living histories. thi5 i5n'tju5t about three establishing historical role5, it's about addressing the entrenched inequity between indigenous australians all others. this inequity between indigenous australians all others. this will be -ut australians all others. this will be ut to a australians all others. this will be put to a referendum _ australians all others. this will be put to a referendum whether- australians all others. this will be put to a referendum whether or i australians all others. this will be l put to a referendum whether or not there should be this formal body to give aboriginal and torres strait islander australians a voice in policy. is it likely to get approval of a referendum? that policy. is it likely to get approval of a referendum?— policy. is it likely to get approval of a referendum? at this stage, it's incredibly hard _ of a referendum? at this stage, it's incredibly hard to _ of a referendum? at this stage, it's incredibly hard to say. _ of a referendum? at this stage, it's incredibly hard to say. it's - incredibly hard to say. it's certainly not a sure thing. very few have succeeded in history if they haven't had biparti5an have succeeded in history if they haven't had bipartisan support, and that's what the situation is at the moment. you have the labour government who are pushing for a

referendum. then you have the opposition coalition, one party in which is against it and you have the other party, the liberal party, who are not for or against it, but the way they talk about it makes it feel as if they are against it. so, there are some poll5 as if they are against it. so, there are some polls that suggest that the australian public may support this, but there's certainly a lot of misinformation out there and really big and loud voices campaigning about this, including indigenous voices, very well—known indigenous australians who say this isn't the best step forward. it's very be5t step forward. it's very difficult to say where this goes, but certainly the labour government and the indigenous working group who are standing behind the australian prime minister, they have a lot of work to do to convince people. isabella higgins, thank you.

the ukrainian army is continuing to lose ground to russian forces in and around bakhmut in ukraine's eastern donbas region. but, further south, it's a different story — continuing attacks by russian tanks and armoured vehicles have resulted in heavy losses for moscow's forces with almost nothing to show for it. our correspondent, quentin sommerville and camera journalist darren conway have sent this report which you can the closest trench near the town.

this is dima's daily duty. for months, the 1st separate tank brigade have been under russian attack. but they've barely given the enemy an inch of ukrainian soil. this way. come on, run. run, run. straight to me. open ground here is the enemy's friend. come on, this way. there are spotter drones above. russian eyes are always watching... down, down, down, down. ..waiting for movement. get in, get down. that's two russian shells that have just come in. i think it's tank fire landing very close to these positions. it gives you an idea of how exposed it is here. he pants. there's absolutely no tree cover. the safest place for these men is in the trenches. they've already taken a couple of casualties here in the last week. he pants.

you all right? yeah. yeah? keep down. he pants. the bombardments never stop. explosion. you can watch that report in full right now on the bbc news website. stay with us on outside source. still to come — it's a common condition that can make everyday sounds intolerable. we'll speak to the author of a new study about misophonia. now to the story of a man who says he's the luckiest head teacher alive, and that's because his decision to install a life—saving defibrillator in his school's playground ended up saving his own life,

as john maguire explains. cheering tent it's the first day back for this head teacher, who has been off work since the final day of work last summer when he suffered a cardiac arrest in the playground. he was saved by staff using one of the school's defibrillators. i'm so lucky, and the part that everyone played in saving my life, and being able to be back in school today for the first time in months and months... the staff reaction took just 32 seconds. if you had asked me years ago, if i would be able to do chest compression is on someone, use a defibrillator, i would have said no... but something happens. there was no

neuative. it but something happens. there was no negative- it was _ but something happens. there was no negative. it was all very _ but something happens. there was no negative. it was all very positive. i negative. it was all very positive. the outcome _ negative. it was all very positive. the outcome will _ negative. it was all very positive. the outcome will be _ negative. it was all very positive. the outcome will be positive. i negative. it was all very positive. i the outcome will be positive. nick is the 68th — the outcome will be positive. nick is the 68th person _ the outcome will be positive. is the 68th person to be treated the outcome will be positive.- is the 68th person to be treated by defibrillator and training set up by mark king, whose son died after cardiac arrest at 12 years old. the hit return means the school band are getting back together. this is a bcd. mark is star of the week. following the government pledged to put machines into all schools in england by the summer, it's hope they won't be needed, but if the need arises, they will be there ready for deployment, ready to say precious lives. john maguire, bbc news, birkdale, southport.

this is outside source, live from the bbc newsroom. our lead story is that the ceo of tiktok has told a congressional committee in washington that the chinese—owned social media app is not a threat to us national security. world athletics, the global governing body for track and field, has announced it will exclude transgender women from elite competition. the governing body's president, lord coe, also said the doping ban on russian athletes would be lifted, though they remain barred from competition while the war in ukraine continues. here's some of what lord coe had to say on tightening restrictions on transgender athletes. the council has agreed to exclude male—to—female transgender athletes who have been through male puberty from female world ranking competitions from march the 31st this year. however, in order to do further research into our transgender eligibility guidelines, we will be establishing a working group whose remit will be to consult

specifically with transgender athletes to seek views on competing and athletics, to review and maybe commission additional research where there is currently limited research, and to put forward recommendations to the council. joanna harper is a visiting fellow for transgender athletic performance at loughborough university. she told us she's disappointed but not surprised. i was part of the group that came up with the preferred option of keeping the testosterone—based regulations that decreasing the testosterone level and increasing the time. and i thought, just as the working group did, that that was the preferred option. clearly, things have changed and the executive has decided to go in this direction. i'm disappointed because i don't think it's necessary. there's no trans woman who has

competed at international levels of athletics and, in sports that continue to allow trans women to compete, trans women are not taking over and are still hugely underrepresented. here's our sports reporter alex capstick. yes, lord sebastian coe, who is the president i of world athletics, has been laying out the new transgender policy, i and it's similar to those adopted by swimming and rugby. - so, as you said, anyone that's been through male puberty will not be i able to compete at elite female. events, and he said that decision was made because he wanted to protect the integrity - of the female category, - and after consulting with member of the trans community and _ the international olympic committee. but this isn't the end - of the matter, a working group will be set up to study. evidence as it emerges. as it stands, he said, - with the science so unclear,

he had no choice but to act decisively today. i meanwhile the rules - surrounding dsd athletes — that's those with differences of sexual development — i they have been tightened. they must lower their testosterone levels from five per litre, _ to a maximum of two and a half per litre. l that's important for world athletics because currently, there are 13 dsd athletes in international— competition and no trans athletes. let's talk about insufferable noises. you know, those annoying sounds, like the crunching of a crisp packet, or someone chewing really loudly. well, if those kinds of noises bother you — to the point where you become panicked, or even angry — then you're in good company. the way they bother me! a new study has found as many as one in five people in the uk have misophonia, which means they find some everyday sounds intolerable. researchers from king's college london and the university of oxford discovered that more than 18% of people suffer from misophonia. they have a strong negative

reaction to common noises, usually made by other people, and this can cause a significant problem in their lives. now, if that sounds like you, a warning to perhaps mute your audio for a few seconds as we're about to play examples of potentially triggering noises. not too much! a common complaint for misophonia sufferers is loud chewing, like this. ..orloud snoring... i'm glad it was only a short clip. sounds like these can trigger a fight—or—flight response in people with misophonia. experts say that can lead to anger and feeling the need to escape. let's learn more about this very common condition that many people aren't even aware they have.

i'm joined now by one of the lead authors of this study — drjane gregory, clinical psychologist at the university of oxford. i think many people will have found those noises irritating, as indeed i did. is that misophonia or is that something that's more serious? i think that's a great question. most people would find those sounds annoying, and that was one thing we found. we did a study in the general population, and i think 85% said the sound of loud chewing was irritating or disgusting. it's really normal to find those sounds annoying, but for people with misophonia, they were more likely to say those sounds cause them to feel anger or panic and the need to escape and feeling like they were trapped if they couldn't get away. the nature of the reaction is really different. you have misophonia _ reaction is really different. you have misophonia yourself. when did you realise that you had the condition? i

you realise that you had the condition?— you realise that you had the condition? ., , ., ., ., condition? i only found out about it about five or _ condition? i only found out about it about five or six _ condition? i only found out about it about five or six years _ condition? i only found out about it about five or six years ago. - condition? i only found out about it about five or six years ago. i i condition? i only found out about it about five or six years ago. i read i about five or six years ago. i read an article and everything fell into place because i had been bothered by these sounds extensively when i was a child, and they've gotten a little bit better over time, but some noises still really just bit better over time, but some noises still reallyjust because a really strong panicky feeling. when i read this article that mentioned the word misophonia and explained what it was, i knew straightaway that that's what it was, and that's when i started getting into research and misophonia.— and misophonia. there are some... i've and misophonia. there are some... i've made — and misophonia. there are some... i've made my _ and misophonia. there are some... i've made my old _ and misophonia. there are some... i've made my old list _ and misophonia. there are some... i've made my old list here, - i've made my old list here, whistling out of tune, sniffling instead of blowing your nose, cracking knuckles, people flicking an empty can of soft drink and making that clicking sound — the list could go on. some of those are irritating, but when you talk about a physical reaction, like nails on a blackboard, if you cringe when you hear that, blackboard, if you cringe when you hearthat, is blackboard, if you cringe when you hear that, is that misophonia or is thatjust

hear that, is that misophonia or is that just a hear that, is that misophonia or is thatjust a dislike?— thatjust a dislike? that's slightly different because _ thatjust a dislike? that's slightly different because the _ thatjust a dislike? that's slightly different because the sound i thatjust a dislike? that's slightly different because the sound of. thatjust a dislike? that's slightly i different because the sound of nails on a chalkboard has an acoustic quality to it called roughness, which is designed to be intolerable. it's what they used to create sirens and alarms so that you're not meant to ignore them. whereas these are sounds that don't have that quality to them, yet for some reason, still because that panic as if it's an alarm and it's hard to ignore as a siren. is alarm and it's hard to ignore as a siren. , . , alarm and it's hard to ignore as a siren. , ., , , .,, alarm and it's hard to ignore as a siren. . ., , , .,, .., siren. is there anything people can do about it — siren. is there anything people can do about it if _ siren. is there anything people can do about it if they _ siren. is there anything people can do about it if they think _ siren. is there anything people can do about it if they think they i siren. is there anything people can do about it if they think they have | do about it if they think they have misophonia?— do about it if they think they have misophonia? do about it if they think they have misohonia? ~.,, , .,, , , ., misophonia? most people 'ust rely on noise cancelling i misophonia? most people just rely on noise cancelling headphones - misophonia? most people just rely on noise cancelling headphones and i noise cancelling headphones and earplugs and playing music at the dinner table and things like that. for people at the more severe end, we think there are some aspects that can be helped. we do this in oxford and for some people it can be helpful. i and for some people it can be helful. . , .,

and for some people it can be helful. ., , ., ., helpful. i hear the distant sound of the music. — helpful. i hear the distant sound of the music, which _ helpful. i hear the distant sound of the music, which means _ helpful. i hear the distant sound of the music, which means we're i the music, which means we're reaching over the programme. doctor jane gregory, thank you very much and thank you for watching. i'm @benmboulos. i'll see you next time, bye—bye. hello there. good evening. it's been a very changeable day of weather today with sunny spells, but also some rather blustery showers around, too. typically spring like weather, lots of rainbows as captured by our weather watchers in denbighshire and in north lincolnshire. in denbighshire and in and we're likely to see a lot more tomorrow, too, because it's a very similar looking day. some blustery showers, yes, some sunshine, and the air stays mild until we get to the weekend. now, overnight tonight, the rain that's been across southern england pulling into east anglia will gradually clear away into the north sea to leave behind clearing skies. it does stay rather breezy. more showers piling into northern ireland and also throughout much of scotland, too. temperatures dropping to between 4—7 celsius. so, it's another frost—free start

to the day on friday. now, on friday, low pressure becomes a lot more centred over northern ireland, so here, the showers are likely to be heavy and probably quite slow slow—moving through the day. but elsewhere, tight squeeze on the isobars. squeeze on the isobars, the showers will rattle through really very quickly. but it should be a largely dry start to the day for most of us, and there'll be some sunshine around, and the showers will become more widespread through the afternoon. some lightning, some thunder, some hail all possible, southwestern facing coasts — the windiest day of the week for england and wales, and also still mild. temperatures peaking between 12—14 celsius, but the mild air is not set to last. low pressure pulls eastwards out of scotland on friday night into saturday morning, allowing for more of a northerly wind, and some of these showers could turn out to be a bit wintry. cold air spilling

down from the arctic. further south, then, it should be a drier picture, lighter winds, the air still mild. this rain is going to be moving into southern england and south wales on saturday night into sunday morning. high pressure will then build back in as we head through sunday, allowing this cold arctic air to spill its way southwards across the whole of the uk. allowing this cold arctic air to spill its way southwards across the whole of the uk, so we're all into much colder feeling air by the time we get to sunday evening. the early rain set to clear, it will turn cold. a wintry showers possible in the north and towards north sea, facing coasts with a widespread frost and maybe some icy stretches on sunday night into monday. here's the outlook for our capital cities as we head through the start of next week.

hello, i'm ben boulos, this is outside source. it's a tiktok performace that's grabbing attention, the chief executive of the video—sharing site responds to some tough questions from american politicians. all protected us data will be under the protection of us law. this eliminates the concern that some of you have shared with me that tiktok user data can be subject to chinese law. shou zi chew did his best to reassure, but can he slow the growing calls for the popular app to be banned? also in the programme. violent clashes on the streets of paris, as anger grows over emmanuel macron's plan to raise the retirement age. and more pressure for some british homeowners, as the bank of england hikes interest rates

to their highest level for 14 years. let's start with a big story from the us. the head of the social media app tiktok has been giving evidence to a congressional committee over security concerns. shou zi chew has faced a barrage of hostile questions on tiktok�*s relationship with the chinese state, the data it collects and what it does with it. we'll be getting into what it all means — first, have a listen to some of what he had to say. us tiktok data is stored by default in oracle servers. only vetted personnel operating in a new company called tiktok us data security can control access to this data. additionally, we have plans for this company to report to an independent american board with strong security credentials. now, there is still some work to do. we have legacy us data sitting on our servers in virginia and singapore.

we are deleting those and we expect that to be complete this year. when that is done, all us data will be under the protection of us law and under the control of the us—led security team. so let's put this into context. tiktok is a hugely popular short form video app. it's grown rapidly — with around 150 million users in the us. like most apps, tiktok collects personal information about its users. but what's alarmed lawmakers in this case is that it's owned by the chinese company bytedance. which they argue spells a security risk. this is republican cathy mcmorris rodgers, who's chairing the hearing. i expect today you will say anything to avoid this outcome, like you are, "100% responsible" for what tiktok does, that you suddenly endorse a national data privacy standard, that project texas is more than a marketing scheme, that tiktok doesn't harm our innocent children, or that your ties to

the chinese communist party through bytedance isjust a myth. we are not buying it. let's take a closer look at what lawmakers are concerned about. the main worry is that the app could provide user data to the chinese government. and that beijing could influence what americans see on the app — which would have an impact on things like elections. it's already been outlawed on all us federal and some state government devices. it's also blocked by several public universities. and this is what we heard a few weeks ago — from the director of the fbi. could they use tiktok to control data on millions of users? yes. could they use it to control the software on millions of devices given the opportunity to do so? yes. so there's a lot resting on today's hearing. here's chris stokel—walker — author of �*tiktok boom'. this is going to be uncharted territory for him and it would be really interesting to see whether he sinks or swims. i think there is a real risk that

if this hearing doesn't go well, that has a massive impact on the future of tiktok. many business owners rely on tiktok for their income. these are protesters protesting against a potential ban of the app. let's hear from a few. i potential ban of the app. let's hear from a few-— potential ban of the app. let's hear from a few. i tiktok been would not 'ust ut from a few. i tiktok been would not just put my — from a few. i tiktok been would not just put my business _ from a few. i tiktok been would not just put my business at _ from a few. i tiktok been would not just put my business at risk. - from a few. i tiktok been would not just put my business at risk. it i from a few. i tiktok been would not just put my business at risk. it has i just put my business at risk. it has become _ just put my business at risk. it has become essential to help people connect — become essential to help people connect and change peoples lives. so to congress, i urge you to consider the impact — to congress, i urge you to consider the impact that a ban on tiktok would have on advocates like myself. tiktok _ would have on advocates like myself. tiktok has _ would have on advocates like myself. tiktok has given me and countless others _ tiktok has given me and countless others the — tiktok has given me and countless others the opportunity _ tiktok has given me and countless others the opportunity to - tiktok has given me and countless| others the opportunity to showcase our talents — others the opportunity to showcase our talents and _ others the opportunity to showcase our talents and make _ others the opportunity to showcase our talents and make a _ others the opportunity to showcase our talents and make a living - others the opportunity to showcase our talents and make a living doing what we _ our talents and make a living doing what we love _ our talents and make a living doing what we love. so _ our talents and make a living doing what we love. so i _ our talents and make a living doing what we love. so i urge _ our talents and make a living doing what we love. so i urge you - our talents and make a living doing what we love. so i urge you to i what we love. so i urge you to consider— what we love. so i urge you to consider the impact _ what we love. so i urge you to consider the impact that - what we love. so i urge you to i consider the impact that banning tiktok— consider the impact that banning tiktok could _ consider the impact that banning

tiktok could have _ consider the impact that banning tiktok could have on _ consider the impact that banning tiktok could have on people i consider the impact that banning tiktok could have on people like| consider the impact that banning i tiktok could have on people like me. it tiktok could have on people like me. it would _ tiktok could have on people like me. it would not — tiktok could have on people like me. it would not only— tiktok could have on people like me. it would not only take _ tiktok could have on people like me. it would not only take away - tiktok could have on people like me. it would not only take away a - tiktok could have on people like me. it would not only take away a source i it would not only take away a source of income. _ it would not only take away a source of income. but — it would not only take away a source of income, but also _ it would not only take away a source of income, but also stifle _ of income, but also stifle creativity— of income, but also stifle creativity and _ of income, but also stifle creativity and prevent i of income, but also stifle i creativity and prevent talented individuals _ creativity and prevent talented individuals from _ creativity and prevent talented individuals from sharing - creativity and prevent talented individuals from sharing their. creativity and prevent talented l individuals from sharing their art with the — individuals from sharing their art with the world. _ the bbc�*s michelle fleury is on capitol hill. not since donald trump threatened to ban the outback in 2020 has this company has faced such a serious threat to its future. one that is very real. you got the treasury department currently reviewing tiktok right now. president biden has said he would like to ban the app. all of this coalescing at a time where us—china relations are deteriorating and there are serious concerns about espionage, national security concerns that we keep hearing again and again. the point that shou zi chew was trying to make is that 150 million americans use the app, so if there is a ban, which would be hard to implement, that would presumably would be noticed by a lot of people. and tiktok is trying to make the point that people would not be too happy. caitlin chin is from the centre for strategic and international studies,

a bipartisan think tank. i think, first of all the hearings provide opportunities to get ceos on the record talking about how their companies operate. members of congress should have given the tiktok chief and opportunities of the answer and we heard over and over them yelling for him to answer the question. many answers surrounded complicated data privacy practices aren't yes or no questions. they require thoughtful responses from ceo and lawmakers weren't given him an opportunity to answer to those. when he was when he was asked questions he didn't always answer the question directly, did he? when he was asked about practices he kept referring to individual standards rather than what the app would do for example problematic content.

that is one of tiktok�*s talking points that tiktok, their data privacy practices or content moderation, are not very different from other major us social media companies. there is some truth to that even if tiktok were owed by an american company, there's not much to stop it from collecting and doing with private information like thousands of other apps do. is this right? no. tiktok should be held to higher and security standards. i think the response we saw from legislature showed that these concerns aren't necessarily about tiktok are one company only, its really concerns about the chinese government and the chinese communist party and that's what the hearing really revealed. just briefly, do you think lawmakers

in the us where vanish or not? it's going to be very difficult either way. i honestly don't think there are any good of a clean solutions here. if lawmakers question that i would expect the code changes from tiktok and tiktok users first based on first amendment grounds. i think law if lawmakers escalated and pushed for a ban it's not clear that the ban would go through. over to france now, where there have been fresh violent clashes, as anger grows over the government's decision to raise the state pension age to 64. in central paris police fired tear gas and used batons to charge some demonstrators, after being pelted with fireworks, bottles and other projectiles. they made several arrests. demonstrators dressed in black and known locally as "black bloc" radicals have been out on the streets, throwing stones and setting fire to bins. there has also been violence in other parts of france. this was the scene in rennes, where fighting broke out with police, who used a water cannon

and tear gas on the protesters. meanwhile demonstrators also clashed with riot police in nantes in western france, where a peaceful march degenerated into scuffles. most of the rallies on this ninth nationwide day of action organised by the unions have been peaceful. the government says more than a million people were on the streets protesting. this was the scene at the place de la bastille in paris — where a large group of demonstrators gathered to have their voices heard. here is what a few of them had to say. translation: i came here - because i opposed this reform. i really oppose the fact that democracy no longer means anything. we are not being represented and we are fed up. they should not underestimate the importance of citizen movement. we should not give up. they should know that 3% of the population are mobilising for revolution. so, at any point a citizen movement to change things. strikes have seriously disrupted transport, with roads and airports affected.

these demonstrators managed to get on to the railway tracks near the gare de lyon station in paris. france's state—owned railway company said to expect severe disruption, with half of all high—speed trains cancelled. so why is president macron so keen on pushing this reform through? and why is it proving so tricky? currently, france's state retirement age is 62 — much lower than many of its european neighbours. in the uk it's 66, germany and italy 67, and spain 65. the problem, according to macron is demographics. there are only 1.7 workers for every pensioner in france, down from 2.1 in 2000. if the retirement age were to remain fixed at 62, there would only be 1.2 taxpaying workers to support each retiree in 2070. retirement spending by the state was equal to 13.6 percent of its economy in 2021, compared to about 10 percent in germany and nearly

11 percent in spain. those arguements have not convinced many opposition politicians. here's clementine autain from the hard—left france unbowed party. translation: it is unbelievable i to have a government in power that doesn't hear anything. that doesn't listen to anything and talks nonsense. i think there is something profound happening in the country today and that is why i speak of a regime crisis. that is to say, we cannot continue in a society where there is such a chasm between the majority of the population and those who govern. that is not possible. the message from the unions is similar, a call to drop the reform, and a threat to remain on the streets. translation: mr. president, look at us. we had sincere things to say to you. we had quantify things for you. we give you a case file ready to go and all you had to do was listen to us. we are in the street, we can already tell you this is not

the last time we will be in the street because today there will be even more people than we thought. if president emmanuel macron is listening, he's doing it from abroad. he's attending the european council summit in brussels. pensions are very much not on the agenda there. eu leaders are due to talk about support for ukraine as well as boosting economic competitiveness. but yesterday, mr macron gave a defiant defence of his decision in a televised interview. translation: there aren't 100 j solutions if we want the pension system to be balanced. it no longer is and the more we wait the more it will get worst. this reform is necessary and i say this to the french people, i don't enjoy doing this, i would prefer not to do this but it is also because of a sense of responsibility. he said france has to balance the books. and that the national interest was more important than opinion polls. but did he win over his fellow citizens? apparently not. a recent poll suggests 71 percent of french viewers found the president unconvincing, while 61 percent believe he's

actually raised the level of tension even further. opposition to the reforms has risen to 72 percent among those surveyed. and while three quarters of those condemn violent acts or clashes with the police. as many as 42 percent say they understand violence against elected officials in favour of the reform. mireille clapot is an mp for monsieur macron's renaissance party. this reform was necessary. i did not fully agree with the terms of this reform in the beginning but we have a system which is based on redistribution and it is not sustainable any more so we have to incite people to work more, but maybe it was not the best access to tell people that the legal retirement age would be raised from 62 to 64. we have to convince people that they will gain something in the reform and for the moment,

although we tried very hard, they didn't hear that they could have some advantages of this. is it that the advantages are hard to find or is it that they're not being communicated well enough? i think the system is so complex that you would always find somebody that tells you, "i would lose some advantage with this reform." for example, we had long discussions with the women because women, is true, don't have equality their retirement wages what is due not to the system, is due to the inequality of careers. and the inequality of wages

of course, they are used to choosing some careers that do not provide the same salaries. so, we had to reform not only the retirement system but also the working system and, for example, the conditions of work so when senior workers tell you that they will not be able to work after 62, that means that they have a problem with their health due to their professional life and we have to work on that.

i wonder if we'll be seeing this level of anger and this much protests and demonstrations if this had gone through a vault in parliament rather than being pushed through? there was a vote in parliament but it's true that, for example, the international assembly due to obstructions especially from the far left opposition, we were frustrated. we had to stop before and in the debates. for example, i had some amendments about senior work and training and those could not be discussed. certainly, the way the government should chose to process this reform through budget law and rectification financial law for security was not the best one because it had some consequences. on the way discussions were led and the limitation of time and further on the consequences, it needed to have in this year 2023, so this reform should have been done in a different way but it was passed in a legal way

because this famous article 43, at the end was a legal one from the constitution. so, we cannot say that it was a push by force, finally, it was done in committee with the constitution. do stay with us. think you vaguely much more hopefulfor the uk economy as interest levels are raised for the highest levels in 14 years. applause i'm so proud of both of you. let there be no more war or bloodshed between arabs and israelis.

with great regret, the committee has decided that south africa will be excluded from the 1970 competition. chant streaking across the sky, the white hot wreckage from mir drew gasps from onlookers on fiji. this is outside source live from the bbc newsroom. our lead story is... the ceo of tiktok has told a congressional committeee in washington that the chinese—owned social media app is not a threat to us national security.

strikes and demonsrations against president macron's plan to raise the retirement age are causing serious disruption in france. here in the uk, there's fresh pain for borrowers and people with mortgages after the bank of england has raised interest rates again, the 11th successive hike within 18 months. the bank has increased the benchmark rate by a quarter of a percentage point to 4.25 percent. it follows wednesday's surprise jump in the cost of living with uk inflation rising to 10.4% for the year to february. one former bank of england rate—setter — dame deannejulius — told us the battle against inflation is far from over: it's not that inflation went up, it's also that services inflation went up, it was that core inflation went up, food prices went up, even on the last month's basis, let alone in the last three months. so, it was pretty significant that inflation is embedded. the governor of the bank of england, andrew bailey, told the bbc that

inflation remains far too high. but he also said he was much more hopeful that the uk can avoid a recession: the really pronounce falls in energy prices are helping there because it gives more spending part of people and more demands on the economy. that's helpful. back in the beginning of february we were in an knife edge and we thought the economy would be quite stagnant. i'm not saying it's off to the races but i'm a bit more optimistic on that front. well take a look at this graph, showing just how far and fast uk interest rates have risen. they were at 0.1% at the start of december 2021. they're now at a 14 year high, hitting millions of british homeowners who have variable mortages and are already being squeezed by the soaring cost of living.

since december 2021, a typical tracker loan — that's one that "tracks" bank of england rates — has soared by 394 pounds — or 485 dollars — a month. a typical standard variable rate has gone up by 251 pounds. that's 309 dollars. let's hearfrom one homeowner in cambridge, whose mortgage bills have gone up so much, he's at risk of being forced to sell. it takes your breath away whenever you see a santander envelope come through the letterbox. you think, "oh, god, not another one." you despair quietly, inwardly. let me just bring you a statement from the chancellor, or uk finance minister. jeremy hunt says, "with rising prices strangling growth and eroding family budgets, the sooner we grip inflation the better for everyone. "that's why we support the bank of england's actions today. the bank of england move comes less than 24 hours after the us central bank — the federal reserve — raised rates again there, despite that turmoil in the global banking sector.

it hiked rates by quarter of a percentage point at the conclusion of its two—day meeting leaving the benchmark overnight rate in a range of 4.75 to 5 percent. it was the ninth hike in us rates since march last year, as the federal reserve also battles to rein in decades—high inflation. but it did hint that it's nearing the end of its hiking cycle. for more, i spoke with kitty ussher, the former labour treasury minister, now chief economist at the institute of directors. it wasn'tjust thejump in inflation. unemployment has remained lower than expected which is obviously great news for people in work or are looking forjobs and the governor of the bank of england said as well

that they no longer think there would be a different recession. that could possibly be avoided. all of the debts is coming in a bit better. this means more demand in the economy which is harder if you try to bring inflation down. i cover a lots of business news and whenever the topic of interest rate rises but people always say how on earth does it help struggling households when the cost of food and energy is higher? and now their mortgages in many cases are higher the effects on renters as well. why aren't the bank of england doing this if people are already struggling? the amount of difficulty it is created for those of people is very real as we've heard on your programme and you just described. the difficulty for policymakers is that everybody hurts always when inflation is high. so, there are some difficult policy trade—offs to be made

and what successive governments have decided in britain is that having an independent central bank who is slightly insulated from what politicians might want to do to not raise interest rates because of the pain you have just described. from that, they are more likely to right thing for inflation is up which is sadly to constrain the economy abates and constraining spending powers of the law of supply and demand will bring prices down. that's not to say it is easy or enjoyable but it is seen as the least worst option in situations like this. there are some that were saying the bank of england was wrong to raise interest rates, i am thinking of danny branchflower

who was formerly on the committee himself who said that puts not rates against was a mistake especially given the trouble in the financial markets and banks recently. what do you feel? it's hard to say in the moment. i think the difficulty of england has is there's quite a long lead time between raising interest rates and the effect on the real economy it's about 18 months, and it is only 18 months since they began. you might expect that the impact of rising rates is only now beginning to be felt, so it's hard for them to calibrate it. so, time will tell but they may have to reduce it all quite quickly if inflation falls very rapidly. have a look at this. the worlds largest flower garden is back this season. opening its doors to visitors today. more than a million people from all of the world come over to the park. in amsterdam every year. in washington, dc the cherry blossoms are out in near full bloom.

peak bloom is when 70% of the trees are flowering. so it looks like spring has indeed sprung unless you are in the summer —— southern hemisphere in which case apologies. let's take a look at the weather for the week ahead. hello there. good evening. it's been a very changeable day of weather today with sunny spells, but also some rather blustery showers around, too. typically spring like weather, lots of rainbows as captured stretching into east anglia blustery with the brisket south—westerly when especially for south—western facing xhosa still some... temperatures

peaking between 12 and 15 to resources, well above seasonal averages. as we had through this evening and overnight the area ran towards the south of england will be pushing its way out of east anglia as we head through the small hours still some uncertainty to the extent of the rain. a lot of clear skies around, temperatures frost free before 4—7 more showers through northern ireland and scotland continuing tomorrow morning. centre of low—pressure cross northern ireland so they could be rather slow moving. osbert showers blowing swiftly on the south westerly wind possibly the windy city of the week and some showers will have some lightning and thunder. and some hail at times. the air is still mild. temperatures will peak between 12 and 14 degrees but that is about to change. as this area of low—pressure force its way out of scotland into the north sea on friday night. we start to draw in more of a northerly wind allowing that cold arctic air to push southwards. some of the showers could turn out to be a bit

wintriness up the good be some wind—chill a messy picture on saturday for the south if you are showers with lighter winds. the air still mild. this rains that the push in on saturday night into sunday morning. also, we've reenter british some time with the clock spring forward by one hour. it will not feel their summary at all. in fact it will feel an awful lot more like winter. as our area low—pressure force its way eastwards again we will see that northerly wind become more widespread some cold air and a widespread frost.

we will have the headlines and all the main news stories for you at the top of the hour, straight after this programme. this week, we're going flat out with a formula 1 team that's hoping to stay ahead of the pack. spencer's on a building site to put up a house, although it looks like he has got away without doing any actual work.

there has to be some banging at some point?