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tv   BBC News  BBC News  March 26, 2023 12:00pm-12:31pm BST

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this is bbc news — welcome if you're watching here in the uk or around the globe. i'm frankie mccamley. our top stories... ukraine accuses vladimir putin of making belarus a "nuclear hostage" after the russian leader said he would station nuclear weapons there. a state of emergency in mississippi — after a powerful tornado kills at least 26 people. as soon as we would go from one vehicle to the next vehicle orfrom building to building we could hear screams and we could hear cries for help. voters in berlin are to decide whether germany's capital should be carbon neutral by 2030. donald trump heads to texas to start his campaign to win back the us presidency in 202a.
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ukrainian security officials have accused russia of depriving belarus of its sovereignty, after president putin said he would station nuclear weapons there. the secretary of the national defence council, oleksiy danilov, said on twitter that the move was a step towards the �*internal destabilisation�* of belarus. and he said the kremlin had taken the country as a nuclear hostage. ukraine says the deployment violates nonproliferation commitments, something mr putin has denied. translation: we have already transferred - to belarus our well—known, very effective complex iskander. it can be a delivery vehicle as well. on april 3rd, we will start training the crews. onjuly 1st, we will finish
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the construction of the special repository to store the tactical nuclear weapon in belarus. i'm joined from kyiv by our correspondent, hugo bachega. how is this affecting already extremely high tensions in the area? i don't think there was any surprise here in ukraine. russia and belarus have been talking about the transfer of nuclear weapons for quite some time and i think this is part of the russian strategy here. president putin and a number of russian officials have raised the possibility of nuclear weapons being used here in ukraine since the beginning of the conflict. they know every time the nuclear word is used this is likely to spark a reaction from all players in this conflict. this is exactly what is happening. we have had reaction from washington and in kyiv here and a top adviser
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to president zelensky said that president putin was too predictable and that all a president could do was in his words scare with tactics. some experts are saying this is perhaps an attempt by president putin to exploit fears in the west of a nuclear escalation about the reaction from washington was perhaps an attempt to downplay concerns that russia could be planning to use nuclear weapons here in ukraine. a top official in washington said there was no indication russia was planning to use nuclear weapons and there was no reason to change the us position when it comes to its nuclear strategy. we position when it comes to its nuclear strategy.— position when it comes to its nuclear strategy. position when it comes to its nuclear strate: . ~ . ., ., nuclear strategy. we have heard from the us 'ust nuclear strategy. we have heard from the usjust saying _ nuclear strategy. we have heard from the usjust saying they _ nuclear strategy. we have heard from the usjust saying they don't - the us just saying they don't believe russia is preparing to use this but then we are hearing from russia, saying they will be starting
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to train crews to use these weapons. this was announced, yesterday, by president putin, this storage facility, the construction of this will be completed by the 1st of july. he said the issue of nuclear weapons being stationed in belarus had been raised by president lukashenko before and he said this was just another development in these discussions. obviously belarus has been a key ally of russia in this war. russian forces invaded ukraine from belarus last year so it perhaps shows that the military cooperation between these two countries is getting stronger but it is important to say the president did not specify, president putin did not specify when those nuclear weapons, tactical nuclear weapons would be transferred to belarus.
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really briefly, how do you think this is going to affect the ongoing war at the moment? i this is going to affect the ongoing war at the moment?— war at the moment? i think the reaction from _ war at the moment? i think the reaction from washington - war at the moment? i think the reaction from washington is - war at the moment? i think the i reaction from washington is there war at the moment? i think the - reaction from washington is there is no indication that russia is preparing to use any kind of nuclear weapons here so i think if you look at the strategy the russians have been using, again western experts have been saying this could be another attempt by russia to exploit those fears in the west, especially nato countries, but have been key allies of ukraine in this war, nuclear fears allies of ukraine in this war, nuclearfears the allies of ukraine in this war, nuclear fears the russians could try to use nuclear weapons in this conflict so perhaps this is another part of the russian strategy here, to exploit those fears but i think the reaction we had from washington is an attempt to downplay those concerns. . ~' is an attempt to downplay those concerns. ., ~ , ., professor elena korosteleva is an expert in belarusian politics from the university of warwick.
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she says the international community should start seeing belarus as a russian—occupied territory. this is very important for the future of belarus. what putin has shown is that he does not percieve belarus as a sovereign and independent country. it clearly shows that belarus is at the moment an occupied territory used by russia's military in the pursuit of putin's goals, and it also questions how much in control lukashenko is over belarus, because at the moment it seems like there is no control left at all and if anyone actually has the upper hand both in russia and belarus, it is putin.
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president biden has declared a major emergency in the state of mississippi, where a tornado has left hundreds homeless. this is the moment on friday when the wind barrelled through a school in the area, captured by cctv cameras inside. and these are the latest drone pictures after the tornado struck — carving a path of destruction 170 miles long. at least 25 people were killed in mississippi and one person in alabama. dozens have been injured. our north america correspondent sophie long reports. this is rolling fork, a small, close community in mississippi. there is little left. they've lost loved ones, their homes — everything.
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we get storms, like bad rain, or, you know, probably high winds or something, but we never experienced nothing like this where you can wipe out a whole town — you know, schools, children, parents, loved ones. it wiped out everything. these girls said they came back to look for their belongings. they didn't find much. this is what remains of people's homes here in rolling fork. you can see washing machines, signs of a life that took place here before. the tornado struck in the middle of the night — many people were sleeping. you can imagine just how terrifying this must have been. it meant many didn't hear the alerts. oh, man. dearjesus, please help them. ran through the bathroom and closed the door. jumped into it. francisco said the only warning
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he had was the sound of the wind, a sound which will haunt him forever. it was terrifying, like nothing i've ever heard. i don't want to experience that again in my life. i made it through there, but it was scary. he survived by sheltering in his bathroom — the only bit of the house that's still partially standing. there is some long—term resentment here. mississippi is the poorest state in america, and some feel forgotten by leaders in the nation's capital. excuse my language, damn, you forgot about us? just because we're last in everything, you forgot about us? that's heart—wrenching. we don't have support from the superior people also. president biden described it as heartbreaking and said he and the first lady are praying for those who have loved ones. —— who have lost loved ones.
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but people here are asking more than prayers and emergency relief. they want long—term support. sophie long, bbc news, rolling fork, mississippi. at least 19 people are reported to have died after a migrant boat heading for italy sank off the coast of tunisia. five other boats have gone down in the region in the last three days amid an unprecedented wave of departures. authorities in the italian island of lampedusa say they are overwhelmed, with thousands of arrivals after dozens of vessels completed the crossing. here in the uk — the british government is preparing to announce the use of ferries to accommodate migrants who have crossed the channel on small boats. the announcement could come as soon as this week. let's hear from our political correspondent helen catt. at the moment a large number of people who cross the channel are being put up in hotels. the bbc understands the number is around more than 51,000, across 395 hotels. and the government has signalled that it wants to move away from that and it's been looking for alternatives.
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so we understand that what is going to be announced are two military sites in england will be used to to house migrants with the first moving in within weeks. they'll have a capacity, sources say, of between 1500 to 2000. the expectation is that that will be largely for new arrivals in the first instance. they also expected to announce the use of, as you mentioned, ferries and what's being described as other temporary floating accommodation. there have been negotiations with ports, but we might not know exactly where those will be for the next few weeks. and the idea behind this policy, according to some of those who've drawn it up, is a big shift from hotels to a move to what they're describing as more rudimentary accommodation in the hopes, they say, that it will act as a deterrent. donald trump has opened his campaign to win back the us presidency by railing against the dark forces he says are lined up against him.
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at a rally in the us state of texas, mr trump claimed the multiple legal investigations into his conduct and finances were straight out of a stalinist russia horror show. shelly phelps reports. dressed for the occasion, die—hard donald trump fans turned out in their thousands for this airfield rally in the texan city of waco. the legal threats hanging over the former president at the forefront of some of their minds. if trump got arrested for the charges they're talking about now, i would vote for him ten times over, because if he was a democrat, it would never come up. donald trump is for america and he fights for americans. the far left doesn't like that, and so that's why they keep attacking him. it was his first public appearance since speculating a week ago that he would soon be arrested.
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new york prosecutors are investigating alleged hush money payments made on donald trump's behalf to former adult film star stormy daniels. addressing the crowd, he claimed it's been orchestrated by president biden. the district attorney of new york, under the auspices and direction of the department of injustice in washington, dc, was investigating me for something that is not a crime, not a misdemeanor, not an affair. donald trump went on to cast the 2024 presidential vote in apocalyptic terms, using language that some analysts warned could be dangerous. and if you look at what president trump said tonight, things like if we don't win in 2024, we won't have a country. it'll be over, world war three, take our country back. these are things that he knows are whistles to this crowd, and he's trying to rile them up,
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which is unfortunate because we saw in january 6th that that riling this base up caused violence and death. donald trump insists he still has a bright political future ahead of him, but he'll need to overcome some pretty big legal and electoral challenges in order to achieve it. shelly phelps, bbc news. two israeli cabinet ministers have called for the dismissal of defence minister yoav galant after he said plans to overhaul the judicial system should be halted. the proposed laws have divided the country — and resulted in weeks of protests. many fear they'll undermine the country's democratic institutions, while mr gallant said the divisions in society were affecting the fighting capabilities of the israeli defence force. benjamin netanyahu has refused to scrap the plan. emer mccarthy reports. tens of thousands of israelis took to the streets of tel aviv on saturday as protests
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against government plans to overhaul the justice system entered a 12th week. we all have to fight for our rights because of the plans of benjamin netanyahu that want to turn this nation into a dictatorship. what we are doing here tonight is protesting against the government, want to get all the power to itself and take all the rights from our citizens. and this is why we are here, fighting for our democracy. israel's prime minister, benjamin netanyahu, says the reforms will stop the courts overreaching their powers and that the public voted for them at the last election. proposed changes include enabling parliament to overrule decisions made by the supreme court. critics say the plans risk undermining the judiciary�*s independence and could be used for political ends. now israel's defence minister has broken ranks and is calling for the plans to be paused.
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translation: but now i declare loudly and publicly for the sake l of israel's security, for the sake of our sons and daughters, the legislative process should be stopped in order to enable the nation of israel to celebrate passover and independence day together, and to mourn together on memorial day and holocaust remembrance day. these are our holy days for us. chanting. next week, lawmakers are due to vote on a central part of the government's proposals, which would change the way judges are appointed. meanwhile, protest organisers are vowing to intensify demonstrations. emer mccarthy, bbc news. let's return to the tornado in mississippi. i'm joined now by cbs news correspondent cristian benavides from mississippi. took me three where you are at the
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moment. we took me three where you are at the moment. ~ ., ,, . , moment. we are in silver city mississippi — moment. we are in silver city mississippi and _ moment. we are in silver city mississippi and i _ moment. we are in silver city mississippi and i want - moment. we are in silver city mississippi and i want you - moment. we are in silver city mississippi and i want you to | moment. we are in silver city i mississippi and i want you to get moment. we are in silver city - mississippi and i want you to get a sense of the devastation around here. these are neighbourhoods and communities that have just been absolutely white off the map. we spoke to one man who lives right behind this debris and he said all of it lasted just about a minute and when he stepped outside he realised his home was one of the few that are left standing. he lost his cousin in the storm, his cousin passed away, also when he stepped out of his home, he said that a neighbour of his was holding a baby that was bloodied and neighbours were scrambling to try to help that baby, that baby was taken to hospital and sadly later on he found out that may be so this neighbourhood is thus a number of people. these are tight—knit communities. everybody
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knows someone who was affected. just lookin: knows someone who was affected. just looking where you are stood now it looks like utter devastation. we have seen so many pictures of flattened homes and villages and towns, its support getting through? president biden said they will do everything they can to help. are they? everything they can to help. are the ? . , ., ., they? certainly there are volunteer efforts, they? certainly there are volunteer efforts. there _ they? certainly there are volunteer efforts, there are _ they? certainly there are volunteer efforts, there are teams _ they? certainly there are volunteer efforts, there are teams on - they? certainly there are volunteer efforts, there are teams on the - efforts, there are teams on the ground, so many efforts at a state level and local level and federal level and local level and federal level where everyone is coming together, looking at what the need will be stop this is going to take time to rebuild. this is not something where people can stay in a hotel for a week and come back home. these are homes that are completely decimated, so the recovery will take quite some time and they are still assessing what that will look like. thank you.
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voters in berlin are heading to the polls in a referendum on whether to make the german capital climate neutral by 2030. the results of the binding referendum will be a test of whether germans want their country's climate policy to be more ambitious. germany aims to be europe's biggest carbon—neutral economy by 2045. critics say the campaign's goal is unrealistic, because it would not be possible to reach zero net emissions within seven years. i'm joined now by our berlin correspondent damien mcguiness. just talk us through this vote. 2.4 million people just talk us through this vote. 24 million people are eligible to vote in this. in orderfor it million people are eligible to vote in this. in order for it to million people are eligible to vote in this. in orderfor it to pass million people are eligible to vote in this. in order for it to pass and become law he would have to have at least 25% of eligible berlin voters to say yes. that would be more than
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600,000 people. the challenge is on because this is a very divisive issue. within the centre of the city where most constituencies have green party majorities this is very popular. a lot of young people, green voters, left—wing voters have been out on the streets, thousands of activists all year have been campaigning for this issue, it is supported by the youth movements of the green party, the centre—left parties, as well as fridays for features and other ngos so it has a lot of support, very active people pushing this issue. it also has a lot of opposition because if this went into law what would then happen in order to make berlin a climate neutral within the next seven years you would have to put forward some pretty drastic measures, including renovating all public buildings, a lot of private buildings to make the climate neutral, and putting severe limitations probably on car trouble with the city and really upping the amount of public transport. all that would be expensive which is why critics say it isn't affordable but
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environmental activists say this is a quiet emergency so it has to be done and what may, so it is a divisive issue dividing the city and it is also controversial because if the measures to go through it could really get the budget hard which is why a lot of people are not sure if it is the right thing, but it is certainly getting a lot of support among activists here. you certainly getting a lot of support among activists here.— certainly getting a lot of support among activists here. you talk about that divisive — among activists here. you talk about that divisive issue _ among activists here. you talk about that divisive issue and _ among activists here. you talk about that divisive issue and we _ among activists here. you talk about that divisive issue and we have - that divisive issue and we have heard a lot about the cost implications surrounding this but what about the logistical implications, what is this going to mean for people living in the city, will everyone have to have an electric car, we see big changes? i electric car, we see big changes? 1 think if it went through what electric car, we see big changes? i think if it went through what would then happen is this target, berlin climate neutral by 2030 would become law, but with the government then has to do is up to the government, so the actual concrete measures are not yet clear but it does mean a 95%
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reduction in co2 emissions compared to 1990 levels, and incredibly tough thing to do in seven years. activists say even if that wasn't miles at least it would be on the right direction. if the government didn't manage to push forward some of the measures needed they could then be taken to court by activists which would probably happen, and in terms of concrete measures, it probably would mean some sort of restrictions about car travel with traditional cars, within berlin, but crucially more investment in public transport. a lot of money involved but also an identity issue about how people want their city to look in the future. incredibly controversial but also something around the country and around your people are looking at because it berlin puts in this target other people may well follow. whether it is unrealistic or not is a matter of debate here. thank you. we will be following that throughout
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the day. the first protest has taken place in hong kong since china imposed sweeping restrictions on the rights and freedoms of people living in the territory. the small rally was closely monitored by the police. demonstrators had to wear numbered tags and were banned from wearing masks. they took to the streets to campaign against a land reclamation project that will be used to build rubbish collection facilities. they've been preparing for a journey of a lifetime — chris and julie ramsay from scotland are about to embark upon a drive which will take them from one of the earth's poles to the other. the couple are taking an electric car from the arctic to antarctica. ben philip reports. a first of its kind adventure, driving an electric carfrom pole to pole. one of the most common questions we get asked is how we're going to be charging in the polar regions where there is no
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electricity source. there will be a wind turbine and full double on this device that we will be towing along in the arctic and harnessing the renewable energy sources, the wind and the sun, to power the car. starting at the magnetic north pole the couple will navigate across sea ice into canada and in south through the us and mexico, and into warmer temperatures in south america. 17,000 miles and 14 countries later, they will cross the finish line at the south pole in ten months' time. modifications have been kept to a minimum, but bigger tyres have been added to help cope with harsh terrain. there are some mod cons — a drone launcher so they can film theirjourney and a coffee maker. i have every confidence we can do it but there will be challenges. we know that it will be a difficult road.
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but what is it without a challenge? we have to embrace it. if you don't try something and push boundaries, you will never know what you're capable of. chris and julie are no stranger to defying the odds. in 2017 they were the first team to complete the mongol rally in an electric car, a 10,000 milejourney from london to mongolia. they attempt to demonstrate that electric vehicles can be adopted anywhere in the world. at the moment, all research in antarctica and the arctic use fossil fuel vehicles, the most fragile ecosystems and environments on the planet. if we can help stimulate the conversation, that mindset, that potential change, i guess that is a huge part of a legacy. nearly a year on the road is a long time, so are there any home comforts they will be taking with them? i would like to take some tea cakes, caramel wafers. they are always good. and rowies.
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we could share them with a team and take some to scotland over on the expedition with us. out of all the challenges that might face them, perhaps explaining what a rowie is to somebody in the north pole might be their biggest task. what's more on our website. if you want to get in touch i am on twitter. hello there. it's been a rather wet start to the day for england and wales but, gradually, that rain has been clearing away to the south—east, and leaving quite a few puddles around this morning. that's the scene in kent at the moment. but it will get drier as the day goes on. that rain finally clears away from kent and east sussex this afternoon. one or two bright spells developing, but some wintry showers affecting the far north—east of scotland, some snow over the higher ground here. colder air spreading in, so temperatures, 3 or 4 celsius in northern areas.
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it will feel colder than that in the exposed wind. further south, stilljust about in double figures. but of course, we're now in british summertime, clocks have gone forward. just a reminder that sunset today is roughly about 7:30 this evening. now, as we go through into tonight, we're going to see those showers clearing away. there'll be some clear skies. one or two mist and fog patches forming into the early hours of monday, but with those clear skies and the colder air moving southwards, we're going to see a frost quite widely across northern and north—eastern areas. temperatures down to —1, —2 degrees celsius. perhaps only 3 or 4 degrees further south and west. but during monday, high pressure is in charge of the weather and that keeps things relatively settled. so it's going to be a drier day. we'll keep these weather systems just at bay for the time being. one or two mist and fog patches, then, first thing in the morning. those will clear away fairly quickly, and then we're looking at lots of blue skies and sunshine throughout the day. one or two showers, perhaps, in the far south—west of england, south wales later on.
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and again, it will still feel quite chilly. temperatures about 8,10 or 11 degrees celsius. but hopefully, some sunshine will at least compensate that. but through into tuesday, we're going to see this area of high pressure move away. a big area of low pressure then in the atlantic will throw some systems into the uk. now, as that wet weather hits the colder air across scotland, there could be a bit of transient snow over the higher ground. pretty wet conditions developing quite widely around the west. i think towards the eastern and south—eastern areas, it'll stay largely dry until later in the day. a blustery wind developing, but temperatures will start to creep up to about 11 or 12 degrees, although still a little bit chilly across the far east. now, for the rest of the week, it remains pretty unsettled, although you notice those temperatures will continue to climb. so by thursday, we could see temperatures rising to about 16, 17, maybe even 18 degrees celsius. so just a temporary blip of cold weather, before it turns milder again. goodbye.
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this is bbc news. the headlines: security officials in ukraine have accused russia of depriving belarus of its sovereignty. it comes after russia's president, vladimir putin, announced that his country would station nuclear weapons there. president biden has ordered that federal aid be sent to mississippi, as emergency services work to help
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