this is bbc news — i'm lewis vaughanjones. our top stories. king charles�* state visit to france is postponed due to widespread protests against president emmanuel macron�*s retirement reforms. the price of dissent in russia: how a child's drawing sparked a police investigation, a criminal case — and a family torn apart. israel's prime minister benjamin netanyahu meets with uk pm rishi sunak in london, amid huge demonstrations in israel over his government's plans to limit the power of the court. china responds to the controversy around social media app tiktok — saying it's never asked any company to hand over data in foreign countries.

the state visit of king charles to france has been postponed. the french and british governments took the decision following a phone call between president emmanuel macron and the king and follows the widespread protests over france's pension reforms. the interior ministry says more than a50 protestors were arrested and 440 members of the security forces injured. more than one million people took to the streets on thursday

to protest against the retirement age being raised from 62 to 64. here's some of what mr macron said about postponing the king's visit. translation: i believe that you see the situation — translation: i believe that you see the situation linked _ translation: i believe that you see the situation linked to _ translation: i believe that you see the situation linked to the _ translation: i believe that you see the situation linked to the protests . the situation linked to the protests because of pension reform in france. from the moments last night when the unions announced a new day of mobilisation on tuesday and with the king's visit planned from monday to wednesday, i think we wouldn't be being serious and lacking some sense to propose to his majority and the queen consort to come and make a state visit in the middle of the demonstrations. soa so a significant moment there. we will have plenty more reaction to that later in the programme. israel's prime minister, benjamin netanyahu, has had talks with uk prime minister rishi sunak in downing street today, but the visit comes at a time of political turmoil in israel. the country has been gripped by months of some of the biggest

demonstrations in its history over the government's plans to limit the powers of the courts. protestors gathered outside downing street as well. a planned photo opportunity for the gathered media was cancelled and there was no joint statement. during their meeting, mr sunak and mr netanyahu were expected to discuss strengthening �*strategic ties', the war in ukraine, and forging �*a united international front�*against iran's nuclear programme — that's according to mr netanyahu's office. paul adams reports. reporter: mr netanyahu! your own attorney general says you are breaking the law. israel's prime minister arriving in downing street this morning. a warm welcome from rishi sunak. israel's prime minister arriving

in downing street this morning. but the sounds of anguished protests ringing out behind them. it's nothing mr netanyahu hasn't seen for weeks back home. on a much, much bigger scale. but his domestic woes are following him wherever he goes. for the first time in a really long time, britishjews are really making a stand and making a statement in support of the they don't want anything to do with what they see in israel, the racism, the extremism, the deterioration from democracy and liberal values. a battle for the soul of israel has been raging for weeks. mr netanyahu's opponents are furious at legal reforms which they say will undermine the rule of law and shield the prime minister from his own legal difficulties. we have a dictator in israel

that is trying to make these people hurt us. you tell your government, you tell your people. protesters outside the british embassy in tel aviv last week. they want israel's traditional allies to intervene, but this week, britain and israel said their bilateral relationship had never been closer. for palestinians, israel's political turmoil forms a noisy backdrop to their own difficult lives. this morning, they queued up at israeli checkpoints hoping to reach jerusalem for the first friday prayers of ramadan. there's real tension here, and violence is on the rise in the west bank. the coming weeks could be challenging. paul adams, bbc news. i'm joined now by doctor mori ram in newcastle upon tyne — a lecturer in politics at newcastle university. thank you for coming on the programme. thank you for coming on the programme-— thank you for coming on the programme. thank you for coming on the rouramme. , ., , ., ~ programme. good to be here, thank ou. what programme. good to be here, thank yom what do _ programme. good to be here, thank you- what do you — programme. good to be here, thank you. what do you make _ programme. good to be here, thank you. what do you make of _ programme. good to be here, thank you. what do you make of this - programme. good to be here, thank you. what do you make of this visitl you. what do you make of this visit by binyamin _ you. what do you make of this visit by binyamin netanyahu? _ you. what do you make of this visit by binyamin netanyahu? so, -

by binyamin netanyahu? so, basically. — by binyamin netanyahu? so, basically, prime _ by binyamin netanyahu? srr, basically, prime minister by binyamin netanyahu? s57, basically, prime minister sunak by binyamin netanyahu? s513, basically, prime minister sunak is meeting today a man who used to be a power broker, maybe the most powerful man in israel, now he is acting a as besieged prime minister, literally, fleeing from the country to meet whoever can meet him, abroad, while the country's gripped in turmoil and protests as we have just seen. it's, it is a foreign visit but it is in the middle of the biggest, civil protest wave israel has witnessed. is talk biggest, civil protest wave israel has witnessed. is— biggest, civil protest wave israel has witnessed. is talk us through wh ou has witnessed. is talk us through why you think _ has witnessed. is talk us through why you think it _ has witnessed. is talk us through why you think it has _ has witnessed. is talk us through why you think it has stiffered - has witnessed. is talk us through why you think it has stiffered this j why you think it has stiffered this amount of emotion in israel and so many people feel so angry. because, it is presented _ many people feel so angry. because, it is presented as _ many people feel so angry. because, it is presented as a _ many people feel so angry. because, it is presented as a reform, - many people feel so angry. because, it is presented as a reform, it - many people feel so angry. because, it is presented as a reform, it is - it is presented as a reform, it is dub confidence as a reform by the government but reform is a stretch for this process which is more like a stampede to overhaul the independence of the judicial system which has so far have managed to show independence, and it is done by

a prime minister who is embroiled in corruption, by government that represents a very sectorial portion of israeli society, and without any consultation, deliberationer, discussion with the wider groups representing israeli society. just on exactly on — representing israeli society. just on exactly on that some of the fierce critics are saying this is binyamin netanyahu, looking out for himself this is the end of the independence of the judiciary, how valid do you think those criticisms are? it valid do you think those criticisms are? , , ., . valid do you think those criticisms are? , ,., . ., valid do you think those criticisms are? , . ., . are? it is important to say that the 'udicia are? it is important to say that the judiciary in — are? it is important to say that the judiciary in israel _ are? it is important to say that the judiciary in israel is _ are? it is important to say that the judiciary in israel is not _ are? it is important to say that the judiciary in israel is not without - judiciary in israel is not without its flaws, and than is a whole different conversation but this will be an accurate depeckion, what it does, it, subjew gates the judiciary to complete control of the executive branch, who is already in control of the bran: israel does not have a constitution, has a one camera parliament which is controlled basically or is dominated

by the coalition government, and, eroding the independence of the judicial system will basically undermine whatever shreds of democracy as left in israel. {lilia democracy as left in israel. 0k, what about. _ democracy as left in israel. 0k, what about, that _ democracy as left in israel. 0k, what about, that is _ democracy as left in israel. 0k, what about, that is quite a damning perspective from your point of view, where do you think this sneeze the protests have been going on for month, what do you think happens? this is a pivotal moment, no doubt. i think that if you look at the past and net neets decision, he did prove to be a very caution political actor, who always managed with some form of brinkmanship, to navigate his coalition governments, but he is not doing, he is not doing successful recently, and i think although no—one can prof size, it will probably end with some kind of

compromise, the question is who will make the compromise, and what will be the price? on the positive side, there, this is a significant moment in israel's society where israeli, especially israeli jews have to question themselves, what are we talking about when we are talking about a democracy and hopefully to have implications about the ongoing situation in palestine and will palestinians and the occupation, so... i palestinians and the occupation, so... . palestinians and the occupation, so, , , ., ., ., palestinians and the occupation, so... . . . ., palestinians and the occupation, so... . . . . ., so... i am afraid we are running out of time, so... i am afraid we are running out of time. we — so... i am afraid we are running out of time. we do _ so... i am afraid we are running out of time, we do have _ so... i am afraid we are running out of time, we do have to _ so... i am afraid we are running out of time, we do have to return - so... i am afraid we are running out of time, we do have to return to - so... i am afraid we are running out| of time, we do have to return to our lead story. but we appreciate your time. thank you for coming on. thank ou. we return to our lead story, the visit has been postponed. we can speak to hugh schofield who is there. talk us through what has happened. . we have a statement

mid—morning, from saying in view of the strikes and protest going on, the strikes and protest going on, the state visit which was to start on sunday to wednesday, was being postponed and the way they put it was, this was a mutual decision taken by both british and french governments, subsequently the british government confirmed, the palace, buckingham palace confirmed this, but the emphasis seems to be this, but the emphasis seems to be this being on a french decision so both sides spinning a bit there, but the fact of the matter is i think, everyone can sina a state visit at this moment, thisjuncture is not opportune, the violence and the strikes we saw yesterday were, you know e dramatic, they were also in bordeaux, where king charles was to go on tuesday, the door of the very town hall which he was to enter was set on fire, so in these

circumstances, president macron put it, given the facts the unions has called for tuesday to be the next action day with big demonstrations again, it was gus the words of the president not serious go ahead with the state visit. i think everyone is a bit relieved, because it was going to be a monumental headache but everyone is disappointed and it's a great loss of face, i think, and a, the defeat and embarrassment for president macron. let us pick up on that issue, clearly this state visit a significant moment for the uk, significant being the first for king charles and also in a post—brexit world, an important nod and the symbolism being there, how big an issueisitin symbolism being there, how big an issue is it in france, how will politics the and people on the street there respond?- politics the and people on the street there respond? well, mine, in a wa street there respond? well, mine, in awa it is street there respond? well, mine, in a way it is not — street there respond? well, mine, in a way it is not quite _ street there respond? well, mine, in a way it is not quite a _ street there respond? well, mine, in a way it is not quite a big _ street there respond? well, mine, in a way it is not quite a big as - street there respond? well, mine, in a way it is not quite a big as deal- a way it is not quite a big as deal as britain, it is not, it is king charles, the british sovereign's first visit abroad and it is britain that was, you know, making a new

step towards europe, and, and so on. the symbolism of it was very very acute on british side, but it is also important here, the french value the british relationship, the king, they valued his mother, and they wanted this to be an important moment sealing this millennium long relationship again between the two countries and it wasn't to be. the french know this was a big deal, it was the king's first visit abroad, his first exposure as king on the world stage, it was a chance to build relationships and, with europe, and now, after months of organisation, and with all this at stake, they haven't been able to guarantee his security, and the smooth running of the state visit, whereas he can go to berlin, he will go to berlin, and so the state visit, the first state visit will be to germany, france's great friendly rival in europe. it is a big deal, and it is undoubtedly for an

embarrassment for macron, at the press conference he looked very very down, i am sure he is tired but he was not his usual smiling confident self and i think he feels very strongly this notion that he was the leader who was to champion europe, but make europe and france's voice heard across the world, and on this keyjuncture, when he was to seal a new kind of alliance, a new reestablish the alliance with this great neighbour britain, he couldn't do it. it is not a good look for him at all. . ~' ,. do it. it is not a good look for him at all. . ~ i. .. do it. it is not a good look for him at all. . ~ i. ., . the indian opposition leader, rahul gandhi, has been disqualified from parliament following his conviction for defamation on thursday. mr gandhi — who is a key congress party figure — was given a two—year prison sentence for remarks about the prime minister's surname — modi — in a campaign speech in 2019. mr gandhi was an mp in the southern state of kerala. he remains on bailfor 30 days and has said he will appeal the verdict.

from mumbai, the bbc�*s south asia correspondent yogita limaye reports. rahul gandhi has been sentenced to two years in jail by a court in the western state of gujarat. he has been found guilty of defamation for comments he made in 2019 about indian prime minister narendra modi's last name. the lower house of india's parliament, of which mr gandhi is an elected mp, they have put out a notice today saying that mr gandhi has been disqualified. several legal experts believe that the rules say that if an mp has been given a sentence that is of two or more years they cannot continue as a member of parliament. mr gandhi's party, the congress, has been protesting outside the parliament. they have called the court's judgment erroneous, unsustainable and politically motivated, accusing the ruling bjp party of being behind it. just to give you a context

of defamation cases in india, it is extremely rare for someone to get a jail sentence for defamation in this country. that's perhaps why we have seen several opposition parties support the congress and mr gandhi today. as far as the jail sentence is concerned, it is not expected that he will be jailed, or not at least at any time soon. but what lawyers say is if the sentence is contest elections. and national elections are due next year. russians who protest against the war in ukraine take considerable risks by doing so — they can lose theirjobs, even their freedom. but in one town, a russian man currently being prosecuted for anti—war posts on social media risks losing his daughter. the child, who's now 13, has been sent to a children's home and social services are taking legal action to restrict the father's parental rights. pressure on the family began last

year after the girl drew an anti—war picture at school. from the town of yefremov steve rosenberg reports. this is the last time masha moskalyov was seen in public. police had just detained herfather for anti war social media posts. masha was taken to a children's home. it was on march 1st. but the story began last year, with a picture. 12—year—old masha drew it at school. "glory to ukraine", it says. "no to war", as russian missiles fly in. then the problem started. town counsellor olga podolski says masha's father, a single parent, contacted her to say the school, shocked by the drawing, had called the police. her father alexei told me he was dumbfounded. then the police began checking his social media.

they told him he was bringing up his daughter in a bad way. the authorities want everyone to toe the line. no one is allowed to have their own opinion. alexei is under house arrest and not allowed to talk to us. since masha drew that picture he's been charged twice with discrediting the russian army. he could now be sent to prison. his lawyer says alexei is distraught without his child. alexei is very worried about his daughter. he doesn't know what's happening to her. the social services seem obsessed with this family. i think that's purely for political reasons. the family's problems only began after the girl drew that picture. we tried contacting masha's school to get its side of the story. school number nine didn't respond to a written request for comment. so we went along there, but were told, no, we couldn't come in.

we tried calling. same result. across town, supporters of the family gathered in court. "return masha to her father", it says. the localjuvenile affairs commission is taking legal action to restrict alexei's parental rights. the commission has yet to respond to our request for comment. alexei moskalyov had wanted to come here to court, but he wasn't allowed to interrupt his house arrest to be here. even though what's at stake is whether his rights as a father are going to be restricted and whether his child will be taken away from him. local activists are doing what they can to help, buying food and supplies forfather and daughter.

but when we ask the moskalyovs neighbours what they think, they're reluctant to say. "i'm scared to", angelina says. "i'm frightened to answer." "sorry", she says. "i won't express an opinion." and that, too, paints a picture of today's russia, of the level of fear. dissent is unacceptable, punishable. what those in power here expect is people's support no matter what decisions are taken. steve rosenberg, bbc news, russia. returning to our lead stories. nothing to do with king charles, this is because in france the huge protests against macron and his pension reforms are ongoing, so they

have decided mutually it seems to postpone that visit. we are going to get into some of the details, not so much about the visit, but the reasons the pension reforms and what is happening. with me is anne—elisabeth moutet — a paris—based journalist and political commentator. also i'm joined by madeleine schwartz — editor of the dial magazine and a journalist based in paris. thank you for come onst programme both. right, let us start, it is complicated, there is a lot to get through here, but let us start with you anne elizabeth. talk us through, this is about raising the pension age, from 62 to 64, which by many similar countries standards is quite low to begin with, what caused this outrage? well, many things, and at the state outrage? well, many things, and at the stage we _ outrage? well, many things, and at the stage we have _ outrage? well, many things, and at the stage we have reached - outrage? well, many things, and at the stage we have reached now, - outrage? well, many things, and at i the stage we have reached now, after almost six months of so—called negotiations, that weren't exactly

negotiations, that weren't exactly negotiations, and then, a great deal of hullabaloo in the house, is it is, if you start with a bill, the bill itself is one of many pension bills that the french have passed in the last 30 year, always accompanied with protest but not as bad as this time, what is being appropriated about the bill is that it is being so sort of, tinkered with, that it is almost impossible to understand, but what people do know, it is difficult to get hired again, after you are 50, so what they see in this bill, is notjust you have to work two more year, you will be mostly unemployed for two more years. mafia unemployed for two more years. nasa crucial distinction, _ unemployed for two more years. nasa crucial distinction, that is nuance that often gets lost, and is difficult to try and get across, riley appreciate that and just so people at home know, these are pictures of this is from thursday,

of these clashes between police and price for, lots of rally, protests have been peaceful but there have been significant clashes with police too. madeleine, can we bring you in, your thoughts onjust the too. madeleine, can we bring you in, your thoughts on just the scale of all this. your thoughts on 'ust the scale of all this. ~ ~ . , ., , all this. well, think it really goes to what anne _ all this. well, think it really goes to what anne elizabeth _ all this. well, think it really goes to what anne elizabeth just - all this. well, think it really goes to what anne elizabeth just said, j to what anne elizabeth just said, which _ to what anne elizabeth just said, which is — to what anne elizabeth just said, which is this is a reform that is seen _ which is this is a reform that is seen as— which is this is a reform that is seen as being unequal in its an care, _ seen as being unequal in its an care, everyone knew that macron was going _ care, everyone knew that macron was going to _ care, everyone knew that macron was going to reform the pension system, it is something he talked about doing _ it is something he talked about doing before both of his elections, but this— doing before both of his elections, but this reform is much less sweeping than the one he had originally talked about a few years a-o originally talked about a few years ago and _ originally talked about a few years ago end its application will mean very different things depending on how much education one has, how much money— how much education one has, how much money one _ how much education one has, how much money one has and it is seen as something — money one has and it is seen as something that will exacerbate inequalities in french society. anne

elizabeth. the — inequalities in french society. anne elizabeth. the hard _ inequalities in french society. effie: elizabeth. the hard economics is what emmanuel macron is banking on an ageing population, a relatively low retirement age, he says the country can't afford not to make these changes.— country can't afford not to make these changes. you got some very basic figure. _ these changes. you got some very basic figure, you _ these changes. you got some very basic figure, you know _ these changes. you got some very basic figure, you know that - these changes. you got some very| basic figure, you know that france, like britain, about the same time as you had the beveridge reforms in britain in 1945, the french created the pension system which is a pay—as—you—go system, people who are at work pay for the pension of people who have retired. in 1945 you had eight people working for one, now you have slightly under two people and of course that is unsustainable. that very understandable, you can't go on like that. . a, understandable, you can't go on like that. . a. . understandable, you can't go on like that. . . , that. given then, madeleine, that is a staggering — that. given then, madeleine, that is a staggering statistic, _ that. given then, madeleine, that is a staggering statistic, easy - that. given then, madeleine, that is a staggering statistic, easy for - that. given then, madeleine, that is a staggering statistic, easy for me l a staggering statistic, easy for me to say, but given the scale of that, how do you think this ends, do protestors finally turn round and

say that scale is something we can't fund and we will go home, or do they continue? ~ . , , continue? well, there has been president in _ continue? well, there has been president in the _ continue? well, there has been president in the past _ continue? well, there has been president in the past because i continue? well, there has been| president in the past because of social— president in the past because of social moments of —— movement, i think— social moments of —— movement, i think it _ social moments of —— movement, i think it is _ social moments of —— movement, i think it is worth saying this particular reform is not well liked by many— particular reform is not well liked by many french economists and i have spent _ by many french economists and i have spent much _ by many french economists and i have spent much of the morning talking to economists— spent much of the morning talking to economists about it, and many of them _ economists about it, and many of them say— economists about it, and many of them say that there are many other things— them say that there are many other things that — them say that there are many other things that the french government could _ things that the french government could be _ things that the french government could be doing, to get to exactly the kind — could be doing, to get to exactly the kind of problems that anne elizabeth mentioned, things like encouraging more employment both among _ encouraging more employment both among older workers and young wokker, — among older workers and young wokker, france has very high youth unemployment rate, ultimately if this is— unemployment rate, ultimately if this is going to be a trend, both in france _ this is going to be a trend, both in france and — this is going to be a trend, both in france and other european countries of ageing _ france and other european countries of ageing population, the government has to— of ageing population, the government has to be _ of ageing population, the government has to be thinking bigger rather than _ has to be thinking bigger rather than smaller about how the fix those problems _ than smaller about how the fix those roblems. . �* problems. interesting, anne elizabeth. — problems. interesting, anne elizabeth, that _ problems. interesting, anne elizabeth, that perspective l problems. interesting, anne -

elizabeth, that perspective being, changes are needed these are just the wrong one, how do you see it panning out?— the wrong one, how do you see it ”annin out? ~ ., �*, panning out? well, right now there's not very pleasing _ panning out? well, right now there's not very pleasing scenario _ panning out? well, right now there's not very pleasing scenario for - not very pleasing scenario for emmanuel macron, but after the bill has been rammed through parliament with article 49.3 which mean there's no vote on it, it goes to the constitutional council. the constitutional council. the constitutional council. the constitutional council decides whether the bill is constitutional but the council also has to decide on something else, which is that if you have over, think 180 or 190 mps, who request a referendum, on the law, they have to give it, or and there are something like 260 mps who have signed this, so they have to accept the idea of a referendum, what happens next is that there are nine months in which the law is suspended. meanwhile the people who are against the law have to find

four million people toped sign in favour of killing the rule. honestly... i favour of killing the rule. honestly. . ._ favour of killing the rule. honestl . . . ., favour of killing the rule. honestl . . . . ., honestly... i am afraid i have to 'um in honestly... i am afraid i have to jump in there — honestly... i am afraid i have to jump in there because _ honestly... i am afraid i have to jump in there because we - honestly... i am afraid i have to jump in there because we are i honestly... i am afraid i have to i jump in there because we are right out of time. thanks both. thank you. this is bbc news. we has stunning pictures sent last night with the aurora active, not only some vivid colours but it was spotted quite far south, even in parts of southern england. today, is a day of sunshine and showers and with more rain round, well those rainfall totals continue to tot up. it has been a have wet month, some places have seen nationally —— nearly double the rainfall for march and there is more to come. on the radar picture we can see just how widespread the showers are, with more general rain pushing into northern ireland where we are closest to our centre of low pressure, the showers in scotland will be particularly slow—moving

because it is not particularly windy, in england and wales it is a blustery day, that will blow the shower clouds through. if you find yourself under this line of shower, yourself under this line of shower, you cold see shower after shower after shower, there be some places in the south that have pretty unlucky weather. the winds up to 40 or 50mph, unlucky weather. the winds up to 40 or50mph, in gusts unlucky weather. the winds up to 40 or 50mph, in gusts across the south—west. overnight tonight, the low pressure slowly pulls away into the north sea, but it stays breezy overnight and patches of cloud round, temperatures staying above freezing four to nine degrees, tomorrow, the low pressure is still close enough to influence our weather, however, there is is a little ridge of high pressure building into wales and the south—west later in day. so showers initially widespread. some of the heaviest ones with, will by a cross northern ireland, northern england, the midland and into east anglia, across southern wales and south—west england, it should be a drier end to the day, with more in the way of

sunshine tomorrow afternoon, temperatures still on the mild side but then, for the second half of the weekend we start to get cooler air arriving from the north and with that, showers will start to turn wintry across scotland in particular, further south across england and wales, another cloudy day with fairly prolonged outbreaks of rain for some, the showers could bring snow fall across some of the highest hills in northern scotland. it will feel cooler here, temperatures down into sing figures and further south temperatures down on what we have seen in recent day, this weekend, the clocks change but the weather doesn't, there is loads more rain next week as well.

stress in the share price. european banks take another battering as politicians talk down a crisis. cashing in with canada. president biden seeks to bolster trade in computer chips and electric vehicles with his next door neighbour a warm welcome to you. this is world business report with me mark lobel if you thought the worries about europe's banks were over — think again. share prices in some of europe's biggest banks such as germany's deutsche bank and france's societe generale have