tv BBC News Now BBC News July 13, 2023 2:00pm-2:30pm BST
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hello, i m maryam moshiri, welcome to bbc news now, three hours of fast—moving news, interviews and reaction. we start here in the uk where millions of workers are to get a pay rise after the government accepted the recommendations of the independent pay review bodies on how much to increase public sector salaries. here in england dr angeli achrekar best ——... figures announced by the government include 6.5% for teachers, 6% forjunior doctors, 7% for police officers, 7% for prison officers and 5% for the armed forces. education unions are recommending that teachers accept the offer and call off strike action. the by minister
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the prime minister, rishi sunak, said there would be no new borrowing to fund the rises. instead, they will come from what he called "efficiencies from existing budgets." here's how mr sunak made the announcement, a little earlier: ican i can confirm today that we are accepting the headline recommendations made by the union body in full. but we are not making this by doing tax rises. it would not be right to include tax rises for everyone to pay for some to be paid more, physically when household budgets are so tight. nor would it be right to pay for it by more boring because high borrowing just makes inflation worse. instead, because we have a fixed pot of money to spend from, that means government departments have had to find efficiencies and savings elsewhere, in order to prioritise paying public sector workers more. there is a clear message here. there are always choices. budgets are not infinite. when some ask for higher pay, that will always create pressures elsewhere, costs which must
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ultimately be borne by the taxpayer or by spending less on other priorities. so that is our decision. and having honoured the independent pay review process, i urge all union leaders to accept his pay offers and call off their strikes. wright unions have been reacting to the government's decision. he was the tuc secretary, paul no. six points 7% is the highest ever increased... they— 7% is the highest ever increased... they have — 7% is the highest ever increased... they have also said they will fund school _ they have also said they will fund school so — they have also said they will fund school so that schools will have a pay rise _ school so that schools will have a pay rise and it won't have an impact on their_ pay rise and it won't have an impact on their budget and i think that is why our— on their budget and i think that is why our teaching unions are going to take that _ why our teaching unions are going to take that two members and recommend that they— take that two members and recommend that they accept those proposals, so ithink— that they accept those proposals, so tthihk that _ that they accept those proposals, so i think that is a positive step forward _ i think that is a positive step forward. in other parts of the public— forward. in other parts of the public services, for example in prisons. — public services, for example in prisons. i_ public services, for example in prisons, i know are prison officers' association — prisons, i know are prison officers' association will actively be considering the offer. i take some comfort— considering the offer. i take some comfort from the fact that the prime
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minister— comfort from the fact that the prime minister accepted the pay review hodies' _ minister accepted the pay review bodies' findings in full. i think the question, other parts of the public— the question, other parts of the public services will be, will he be able public services will be, will he be abte to— public services will be, will he be able to deliver, to fund those pay rises _ able to deliver, to fund those pay rises anyway but won't have a negative _ rises anyway but won't have a negative impact on services? i think our members will be looking long and hard that— our members will be looking long and hard that because what they won't want to _ hard that because what they won't want to see is peter being robbed to pay paut— want to see is peter being robbed to pay paul and those pay rises leading to a tax— pay paul and those pay rises leading to a tax on— pay paul and those pay rises leading to a tax on services or cuts to services. — to a tax on services or cuts to services. in— to a tax on services or cuts to services-— to a tax on services or cuts to services. . , , services. in the last three minutes, we have had _ services. in the last three minutes, we have had some _ services. in the last three minutes, we have had some news _ services. in the last three minutes, we have had some news also - services. in the last three minutes, we have had some news also from | services. in the last three minutes, i we have had some news also from the two main teachers' unions and they are of course the ne eu and the nasuwt and they have said that they will now, they will consider the offer on the prime minister and have agreed that it should be put to their members and they will recommend that their members accept the offer. should their members vote to accept the offer, then strike action involving teacher members in the autumn term will not go ahead. if you remember, they had threatened to continue the strike action by teachers in england through to the autumn term. that is the latest from
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the teaching unions. junior doctors in england have begun a five—day strike, described by their union as, "the longest in the history of the national health service." the british medical association is calling for a 35% increase to make up for the impact of inflation over recent years. as we know now, the government is offering 6% in its latest pay offer. our correspondent simonjones has been getting reaction to the government's announcement at university college hospital in central london.— university college hospital in central london. this is one of the [arrest central london. this is one of the largest hospital _ central london. this is one of the largest hospital trusts _ central london. this is one of the largest hospital trusts in - central london. this is one of the largest hospital trusts in the - largest hospital trusts in the country and junior doctors walked out at 7am this morning. they are demanding a 35% pay rise. the government says it is prepared to give them a 6% pay rise for the coming year, following the recommendation of the independent pay review body. let's talk now to a couple of the junior doctors here, dollar. alex, tell me first of all,
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you're asking for 35%. what do you make of the 6% of the? i you're asking for 3596. what do you make of the 696 of the?— make of the 696 of the? i think i will have to _ make of the 696 of the? i think i will have to look _ make of the 696 of the? i think i will have to look at _ make of the 696 of the? i think i will have to look at it _ make of the 696 of the? i think i will have to look at it probably l will have to look at it probably because — will have to look at it probably because we have onlyjust heard what it involves _ because we have onlyjust heard what it involves and what it means going forward, _ it involves and what it means going forward, but obviously that is far off what — forward, but obviously that is far off what we are asking for. and i think— off what we are asking for. and i think wherr— off what we are asking for. and i think when you consider the impact of the _ think when you consider the impact of the strike so far, i think to settle — of the strike so far, i think to settle for— of the strike so far, i think to settle for that you have to question, why were we striking the first place? — question, why were we striking the first lace? ., ., i. , first place? how do you feel being on strike today? _ first place? how do you feel being on strike today? it _ first place? how do you feel being on strike today? it must _ first place? how do you feel being on strike today? it must be - on strike today? it must be difficult because you're going into the profession wanted to help people and today you have been standing on and today you have been standing on a picket line. it is and today you have been standing on a picket line-— a picket line. it is difficult, it is really frustrating. - a picket line. it is difficult, it is really frustrating. no - a picket line. it is difficult, it is really frustrating. no one | a picket line. it is difficult, it - is really frustrating. no one goes on to— is really frustrating. no one goes on to medical school to do what we have had _ on to medical school to do what we have had to — on to medical school to do what we have had to do today, but we feel like we _ have had to do today, but we feel like we have to do this in order to protect— like we have to do this in order to protect both the future of a doctor's _ protect both the future of a doctor's career in this country, but also the _ doctor's career in this country, but also the nhs as a whole because if staff, _ also the nhs as a whole because if staff, if— also the nhs as a whole because if staff, if the conditions and pay keep— staff, if the conditions and pay keep deteriorating, as they are, we are hot— keep deteriorating, as they are, we are not going to have the staff that we need _ are not going to have the staff that we need to— are not going to have the staff that
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we need to provide the health care this country needs.— this country needs. let's turn to rebecca now- — this country needs. let's turn to rebecca now. i— this country needs. let's turn to rebecca now. i know— this country needs. let's turn to rebecca now. i know you - this country needs. let's turn to rebecca now. i know you work | this country needs. let's turn to | rebecca now. i know you work in maternity here. no such thing as a typical day, but give us an idea of what you face when you go into work and how challenging it can be. 50. and how challenging it can be. so, it is an absolute privilege to do the job— it is an absolute privilege to do the job that _ it is an absolute privilege to do the job that i _ it is an absolute privilege to do the job that i do. _ it is an absolute privilege to do thejob that i do. |_ it is an absolute privilege to do the job that i do. i love - it is an absolute privilege to do the job that i do. i love it. - it is an absolute privilege to do the job that i do. i love it. and| it is an absolute privilege to do . the job that i do. i love it. and at the job that i do. i love it. and at the same — the job that i do. i love it. and at the same time, _ the job that i do. i love it. and at the same time, it— the job that i do. i love it. and at the same time, it is— the job that i do. i love it. and at the same time, it is very, - the job that i do. i love it. and at the same time, it is very, very. the same time, it is very, very intense — the same time, it is very, very intense it— the same time, it is very, very intense it is— the same time, it is very, very intense. it is the _ the same time, it is very, very intense. it is the same - the same time, it is very, very intense. it is the same job, i the same time, it is very, very intense. it is the same job, ifi the same time, it is very, very. intense. it is the same job, if you have _ intense. it is the same job, if you have seen. — intense. it is the same job, if you have seen, this _ intense. it is the same job, if you have seen, this is— intense. it is the same job, if you have seen, this is going - intense. it is the same job, if you have seen, this is going to- intense. it is the same job, if youl have seen, this is going to hurt,, which _ have seen, this is going to hurt,, which i _ have seen, this is going to hurt,, which i think— have seen, this is going to hurt,, which i think was _ have seen, this is going to hurt,, which i think was a _ have seen, this is going to hurt,, which i think was a bbc— have seen, this is going to hurt,, i which i think was a bbc production, it is the _ which i think was a bbc production, it is the same — which i think was a bbc production, it is the same as _ which i think was a bbc production, it is the same as that, _ which i think was a bbc production, it is the same as that, so— which i think was a bbc production, it is the same as that, so it - which i think was a bbc production, it is the same as that, so it is - it is the same as that, so it is normal— it is the same as that, so it is normal for— it is the same as that, so it is normal for there _ it is the same as that, so it is normal for there to _ it is the same as that, so it is normal for there to be - it is the same as that, so it is normal for there to be life - normal for there to be life threatening _ normal for there to be life threatening situations - normal for there to be life threatening situations for| normal for there to be life - threatening situations for pregnant people _ threatening situations for pregnant people and — threatening situations for pregnant people and their _ threatening situations for pregnant people and their babies— threatening situations for pregnant people and their babies every- threatening situations for pregnant. people and their babies every single day and _ people and their babies every single day and we — people and their babies every single day and we want _ people and their babies every single day and we want to _ people and their babies every single day and we want to provide - people and their babies every single day and we want to provide care - people and their babies every single| day and we want to provide care that is hot _ day and we want to provide care that is hotjust_ day and we want to provide care that is hotiust safe, _ day and we want to provide care that is notjust safe, but _ day and we want to provide care that is not just safe, but excellent - day and we want to provide care that is not just safe, but excellent to - is not just safe, but excellent to those _ is not just safe, but excellent to those people _ is not just safe, but excellent to those people. it _ is not just safe, but excellent to those people. it is _ is not just safe, but excellent to those people. it is intense - is not just safe, but excellent to those people. it is intense and i is not just safe, but excellent to| those people. it is intense and it is hot _ those people. it is intense and it is not an— those people. it is intense and it is not an easy— those people. it is intense and it is not an easyjob _ those people. it is intense and it is not an easyjob to _ those people. it is intense and it is not an easyjob to do. - those people. it is intense and it is not an easyjob to do. and - those people. it is intense and it is not an easyjob to do. and i. is not an easyjob to do. and i think— is not an easyjob to do. and i think that _ is not an easyjob to do. and i think that we _ is not an easyjob to do. and i think that we see _ is not an easyjob to do. and i think that we see shifts - is not an easyjob to do. and i think that we see shifts that l is not an easyjob to do. and ii think that we see shifts that go unfilled — think that we see shifts that go unfilled every— think that we see shifts that go unfilled every single _ think that we see shifts that go unfilled every single week, - think that we see shifts that go| unfilled every single week, that need _ unfilled every single week, that need to— unfilled every single week, that need to be _ unfilled every single week, that need to be filled, _ unfilled every single week, that need to be filled, we _ unfilled every single week, that need to be filled, we put- unfilled every single week, that need to be filled, we put out i need to be filled, we put out additional— need to be filled, we put out additional locums_ need to be filled, we put out additional locums and - need to be filled, we put out additional locums and i- need to be filled, we put outj additional locums and i think need to be filled, we put out i additional locums and i think that needs— additional locums and i think that needs to — additional locums and i think that needs to change. _ additional locums and i think that needs to change. so _ additional locums and i think that needs to change.— needs to change. so it looks like this latest pay —
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needs to change. so it looks like this latest pay offer— needs to change. so it looks like this latest pay offer is _ needs to change. so it looks like this latest pay offer is unlikely . needs to change. so it looks like| this latest pay offer is unlikely to satisfy both the british medical association, people may be asked to vote on it, but can you see any end to this dispute in sight? i vote on it, but can you see any end to this dispute in sight?— to this dispute in sight? i think it has been frustrating _ to this dispute in sight? i think it has been frustrating to _ to this dispute in sight? i think it has been frustrating to see i to this dispute in sight? i think it has been frustrating to see the l to this dispute in sight? i think it i has been frustrating to see the way in which _ has been frustrating to see the way in which the — has been frustrating to see the way in which the government _ has been frustrating to see the way in which the government has - has been frustrating to see the way i in which the government has refused to negotiate — in which the government has refused to negotiate irr— in which the government has refused to negotiate in a _ in which the government has refused to negotiate in a meaningful- in which the government has refused to negotiate in a meaningful way. i. to negotiate in a meaningful way. i am really— to negotiate in a meaningful way. i am really proud _ to negotiate in a meaningful way. i am really proud of— to negotiate in a meaningful way. i am really proud ofjunior_ to negotiate in a meaningful way. i am really proud ofjunior doctors, i am really proud ofjunior doctors, the work— am really proud ofjunior doctors, the work that _ am really proud ofjunior doctors, the work that we _ am really proud ofjunior doctors, the work that we do, _ am really proud ofjunior doctors, the work that we do, but - am really proud ofjunior doctors, the work that we do, but also i am really proud ofjunior doctors, the work that we do, but also thej the work that we do, but also the way in _ the work that we do, but also the way in which _ the work that we do, but also the way in which we _ the work that we do, but also the way in which we are _ the work that we do, but also the way in which we are standing i way in which we are standing together— way in which we are standing together on— way in which we are standing together on this. _ way in which we are standing together on this. both - way in which we are standing together on this. both for i way in which we are standing - together on this. both for ourselves and for— together on this. both for ourselves and for our— together on this. both for ourselves and for our patients. _ together on this. both for ourselves and for our patients. and _ together on this. both for ourselves and for our patients. and i- together on this. both for ourselves and for our patients. and i think- and for our patients. and i think that our— and for our patients. and i think that our union _ and for our patients. and i think that our union is _ and for our patients. and i think that our union is right— and for our patients. and i think that our union is right behind i and for our patients. and i think that our union is right behind usj that our union is right behind us and we — that our union is right behind us and we are _ that our union is right behind us and we are going _ that our union is right behind us and we are going to— that our union is right behind us and we are going to stand i that our union is right behind us. and we are going to stand strong. thank— and we are going to stand strong. thank you — and we are going to stand strong. thank you both _ and we are going to stand strong. thank you both very— and we are going to stand strong. thank you both very much - and we are going to stand strong. thank you both very much for- and we are going to stand strong. i thank you both very much forjoining us. both of them work here at university college hospital in london. the government says it is prepared to go back to the negotiating table, but what it wants to see is any future strike action called off. lets go straight to westminster in our political correspondent, charlotte rose, who is there for us now. give us a bit more of a flavour of what the government has been saying today about this pay offer? figs government has been saying today about this pay offer?— government has been saying today about this pay offer? as people i've been hearing. _
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about this pay offer? as people i've been hearing, that _ about this pay offer? as people i've been hearing, that offer _ about this pay offer? as people i've been hearing, that offer has - about this pay offer? as people i've been hearing, that offer has now. been hearing, that offer has now been hearing, that offer has now been made, a pay increase of between 5-7% been made, a pay increase of between 5—7% for most of those major public sector groups. rishi sunak saying, though, earlier that the money was going to have to come from within existing departmental budgets. he says he couldn'tjustify being able to increase taxes at a time when household budgets are so tight and that he also couldn'tjustify borrowing more money when inflation is so high and the money the government would have to pay back would therefore be so high as well. now, rishi sunak was saying that there will be additional funding coming from two specific sources. one of those is increasing the charge on migrant users, so when migrants arrive in the uk and have to pay for a visa, the charge on that will go up. he has also said there will be an increase in the surcharge that migrants pay to use the nhs, so those two distinct sources of funding will be going towards funding some of this increase. we are also hearing that
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for the armed forces there will be a freeze on mod recruitment, so those savings will be used for the armed forces pay settlement. we have started to get some reaction coming through from some of the unions. we have heard from you for teaching unions. they are welcoming the 6.5% increase for teachers. and we have been hearing from mary belstead from the neu, who says in terms of where the neu, who says in terms of where the additional 3% is going to come from to fund that 6.5% pay uplift, she said it is going to come from existing departmental underspend is, but that is not going to fetch front line services, she says this has been agreed with the government that there will be no cuts to post—i6 services, to special provision or to spending on... so as we have been hearing, the unions will put this to their members and the teaching unions will recommend that their members accept this 6.5% pay offer.
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0k, members accept this 6.5% pay offer. ok, charlotte, thank you very much. as always, you can go to the bbc�*s website if you want all the very latest on what exactly this means. it affects millions of workers in england and some in wales as well. there is a good expiration, actually, about what exactly pay review bodies are. basically, there are bodies that are made up of economists and experts on human resources who advise the government on what they think pay offers should be at the government doesn't have to take their advice, but usually it does accept the recommendations, which are not legally binding. very, very clear explanation, as always, on the bbc�*s website. let's move on from that now and take you to many parts of southern europe. we start with the fierce heatwave gripping parts of southern europe. temperatures are forecast to rise above a0 degrees celsius in parts of france, spain, greece, croatia and turkey. in italy, temperatures could reach nearly 49 degrees. red alert warnings, meaning there's a threat to life,
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have been issued for ten cities, including florence and rome. residents have been advised to drink at least two litres of water a day and to avoid coffee and alcohol, which can cause dehydration. our correspondent, sofia bettiza, gave us this update from rome. very hot at the moment. it's about 35 celsius here in rome right now. it's the middle ofjuly. as you can see, there are a lot of tourists who visit italy at this time of year. in the last few days, several tourists have collapsed here in rome because of heat stroke. one tourist from the uk passed out in front of the coliseum. this heatwave has been named cerberus — a three—headed monster that features in dante's inferno. it's a very powerful heatwave which could cause temperatures
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to reach 48.8 celsius, as you mentioned just now. that could break a record for the hottest temperature ever to be recorded in europe. but as you said, this isn't just happening in italy, it is happening across several european countries. france, germany, spain, for example, is already recording its second heatwave. in greece we have seen temperatures of 44 celsius and some of the most famous archaeological sites are going to be closed for the next few days. authorities here are urging people to take this very seriously because heatwaves like this one could be quite dangerous for people's health. absolutely. sofia, when heatwaves happen in the uk, we have issues with infrastructure, things not working because they haven't been built to withstand that level of heat. is that the case in italy? do you have trains not
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running, roads melting? i would say that italy, as a country in southern europe, is a bit more prepared. those sort of problems have not been seen yet. but that doesn't mean there aren't dangers that come with the extreme weather. extreme weather like this can kill, it can cause heat stroke, it can cause existing conditions like respiratory diseases to get much worse. the italian health ministry has issued some guidelines about how to deal with the heat, urging people to stay indoors from 12—6pm, to avoid exercise during the day. as you said earlier, to drink plenty of water and avoid alcohol and coffee, and to avoid heavy foods, so try to stay away from pizza or carbonara. they are also asking people to check on their elderly neighbours who live alone because it is elderly
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people and young children who are particularly at risk. that is sofia bettiza, who was in rome just by the spanish steps. those soaring temperatures are affecting other parts of the world as well. nearly 100 million americans are facing a prolonged spell of sweltering heat. warnings have been issued in many cities across the country. and as you can see from this map, the south—west us is among the areas look at all that red. as this heat builds across the south—west us, we are looking at potential daily records for high temperatures being broken from california to the west, through arizona, all the way into west texas. so it's a really significant expansion of the heat and daily records could be broken. it looks like the peak of the heat looks to be coming in friday through next monday and that's when a lot
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of records will be in jeopardy. around the world and across the uk, this is bbc news. new figures say the uk economy shrank in may, but not as much is predicted. analysts had forecast a bigger drop because of the bank holiday in may marking the kings coronation would have had an impact. when drop of friends and family at some of the uk's biggest airports next summer, charges for a short stay car parks at airports have risen by almost a third, while officers defend the hike, saying the revenues help to keep costs down for passages. the royal veterinary couege passages. the royal veterinary college estimates that in 2021 more than 10% of properties bought in the uk were illegally reported. that is more than double the figure for
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2019. the rbc also says that animals brought into the uk illegally are also more at risk of having been exposed to infectious diseases abroad. the charity but paid says pets brought in from abroad are more likely to be aggressive ones as well. —— mike the charity pet aid. you're live with bbc news. unaids has announced in their latest report that there is a "clear path to end aids by 2030." but once that stigmatisation is hampering efforts. 30 million people worldwide are living with hiv aids and almost 30 million of them are receiving vital anti—retroviral treatment, which is a huge increase in treatment levels over the last decade. let's go live now to dr angeli achrekar, deputy executive director, programmes, unaids. it is so good to get you on the programme, thank you so much for joining us. took me through how hopeful you are that this can happen
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in time. . ~ hopeful you are that this can happen in time. ., ,, i. hopeful you are that this can happen in time. . ~' ,, . hopeful you are that this can happen in time. ., ,, i. . ., in time. thank you so much for havin: in time. thank you so much for having us _ in time. thank you so much for having us on — in time. thank you so much for having us on and _ in time. thank you so much for having us on and let _ in time. thank you so much for having us on and let me - in time. thank you so much for having us on and let me just i in time. thank you so much for l having us on and let me just say, in time. thank you so much for i having us on and let me just say, we are extremely hopeful, we are optimistic. as you noted, today the joint united nations programme on hiv and aids, we launched our new global aids report and we are calling it, the path but ends aids. this year's report makes it crystal clear that there is indeed a path to end aids and where the path has been followed, we see significant progress against hiv. some of these solutions are really critical. the hiv response succeeds when it is anchored in strong political leadership to scale up evidence—based hiv prevention and treatment, tackle inequalities holding back progress, enable communities to assume their vital roles in the response and that we ensure sufficient and sustainable funding. however, the world as a whole is not yet on the path that
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ends aids and so, we must move with urgency, with diligence and with sheer commitment to get to the end by 2023. sheer commitment to get to the end b 2023. ~ , ., sheer commitment to get to the end b 2023- ., ., by 2023. when you say not all the world is on _ by 2023. when you say not all the world is on that _ by 2023. when you say not all the world is on that path, _ by 2023. when you say not all the world is on that path, what - by 2023. when you say not all the world is on that path, what is i by 2023. when you say not all the world is on that path, what is it i world is on that path, what is it that differentiates countries that are on that path and other ones that may be have lost their way? weill. are on that path and other ones that may be have lost their way? well, we are seeinu may be have lost their way? well, we are seeing that _ may be have lost their way? well, we are seeing that countries _ may be have lost their way? well, we are seeing that countries that - may be have lost their way? well, we are seeing that countries that are i are seeing that countries that are putting people and communities first in their policies and programmes, these are the countries that are indeed leading the world on the journey to end aids by 2030, countries like botswana, rwanda, zimbabwe, for example. they have done the extraordinary, they have achieved 95—95— 95 targets, but that essentially means that 95% of people living with hiv in their respective countries to know their status, 95% of those people who know they are living with hiv are on life—saving anti—retroviral treatment and 90,000% anti—retroviral treatment and 90 , 000% of anti—retroviral treatment and 90,000% of those people on treatment
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are virally suppressed. in another 16 or so countries, they are close to these targets as well. i also know that what is holding countries backis know that what is holding countries back is a lot of the structural policy barriers that prohibit access to health services and hiv prevention and treatment to scale up. there is political commitment and financial commitment that is required in order to ensure that these countries succeed. fik. required in order to ensure that these countries succeed. 0k. thank ou so these countries succeed. 0k. thank you so much — these countries succeed. ok. thank you so much for— these countries succeed. 0k. thank you so much forjoining _ these countries succeed. 0k. thank you so much forjoining us, - these countries succeed. 0k. thank you so much forjoining us, doctor. | you so much forjoining us, doctor. it has been really interesting to talk to you about this, dr angeli achrekar, thank you.— talk to you about this, dr angeli achrekar, thank you. thank you so much. the actor, kevin spacey, has appeared in the witness box at southwark crown court in london, to begin his defence against sexual abuse charges. the oscar—winner and former artistic director of the old vic, denies 12 counts against four men, dating between 2001 and 2013. our correspondent, frankie mccamley, is outside the court.
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over the last nearly two weeks we have been hearing from alleged victims who claimed kevin spacey had assaulted them over a 12 year period. however, today it was the actor is' turn to give his side of the story. in the usual fashion, he arrived here at court in a london black cab with his defence lawyers and within half an hour of entering the court and the court beginning, he was in the witness box. he was relaxed, he seemed to be smiling and he talked about his early career initially. he spoke about his family, his first times in london when he came and he was acting in the theatres here. he then went on to talk about his time when he was working at the old vic, a theatre in south london. he wanted to rejuvenate old vic, this old theatre, and this was the period of time when he was artistic director, but some of these allegations have been made. now, this morning the main focus was on the first alleged
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victim, whom seven of the 12 charges relate to. this man claims kevin spacey assaulted him on a number of occasions, but today in court mr spacey said things did not happen in the way this man had described, in this violent, aggressive, painful manner. they had a very relaxed, respectful and developing relationship. he also claimed some of the accusations this man had made were madness, he said, as they simply never happened. now, in a trial like this, we do of course have a very famous actor involved and they of course will have famous friends and colleagues and we heard about some of those today, the likes of dame judy about some of those today, the likes of damejudy dench has been mentioned a number of times, when he wrote a letter to her and worked with her in the theatre. eltonjohn and val kilmer was mentioned at one point, but we are talking about the time he first heard these allegations from this initial victim. mr spacey said, i was
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crushed, i never thought after 20 years this man would stab me in the back, and of course kevin spacey is facing 12 counts of sexual assault, all of which he denies. in thailand, the reformist winner of elections in may has failed to win enough support in parliament to become the country's next prime minister. pita limjaroenrat and his move forward party lead a progressive coalition with a majority of seats in the lower house. with a majority of seats but to form a government he needed endorsement from members of the unelected senate — where members either abstained or voted against him. our south east asia correspondent, jonathan head, gave us the latest from bangkok. well, if you can properly hear behind me, there are a lot of very angry speeches being made here, in a little parkjust outside parliament. this is where supporters move forward, the party that did so well in the election gathered to listen as the votes are counted one by one and they are bitterly disappointed.
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although this result was not that much of a surprise. thailand has a constitution that was written by a military government, a military government that in the past was devoted to protecting things, particularly the monarchy, in keeping things as they are. those conservative forces around the monarchy were very uncomfortable with the idea of a reformist government, particularly because move forward had zeroed in on the severe world defamation law where people go to prison for years for criticising the royal family. people go to prison for years for criticising the royalfamily. they wanted to amend that and during this debate we have heard today, lots of conservative mps have stood up and said, that is unacceptable. unsurprisingly, this 239 strong appointed senate that was put there by the military as a kind of check on any kind of elected government almost all failed to support this young leader to become prime minister. so we have a stalemate, we have a population that has voted for change, that is voted for a reformist coalition, but still the
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forces of constitution, the political order here have been able to block him and it has led to something of a state of political paralysis. something of a state of political aral sis. �* g ., ., ., something of a state of political aral sis. . g ., ., ., , ., ., paralysis. and jonathan, explain to us what happens — paralysis. and jonathan, explain to us what happens next. _ paralysis. and jonathan, explain to us what happens next. well, i paralysis. and jonathan, explain to us what happens next. well, there | us what happens next. well, there will be another _ us what happens next. well, there will be another vote _ us what happens next. well, there will be another vote next - us what happens next. well, there will be another vote next week, i us what happens next. well, there | will be another vote next week, but i think that is more or less just going through the motions because it is clear that this reformist coalition is not going to get enough senators on board. after that, there will be a compromise, there will be a candidate putting together some of the conservative party is, we will probably end up with a government in the next month or two, but it would be a long way from what people hoped for when they voted and as many people are said to me down here today, they say, what is the point today, they say, what is the point to having an election is what we vote for doesn't get represented and we don't get the government we voted for? you can hear the anger of people here dr angeli achrekar shouting. no i think it is very dangerous for thailand in particular because the moniker was used to block this coalition coming to
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power. the monarchy has been kept out of politics, but today the monarchy was at the very centre of the discussion about who should form the discussion about who should form the next government. now to the goodwood estate in west sussex, where 200,000 people will be gathering from today for the annual festival of speed. the festival has been held for the past 30 years on the site of the historic goodwood racing circuit. it's a celebration of all things fast on four and two wheels — from supercars to classic racing cars and motorcycles. one for the petrol heads, i am sure! stay with us on bbc. hello, another one of those days where the cloud is building up together some showers, probably not quite as many or as heavy as yesterday and not quite as windy either, but temperature is very similar to yesterday not quite as high as they normally are at this time of the year. we still have some showers late afternoon to evening, particularly her levy ones into scotland. but there is more cloud
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continuing to push up on the south—west and that is going to bring pockets of rain through northern ireland, northern england heading into southern scotland, but it is this wet weather arriving in the south—west that will bring quite a significant change in weather for tomorrow. southern parts of england, southern and western wales that could be quite windy tomorrow, approaching gale force and some rough seas picking up as well, and not only that, we have this rain. the first area of rain is going to head north into scotland, but this will develop widely across england and wales and northern ireland, could be heavy or possibly thunder in places. perhaps not so much rain in places. perhaps not so much rain in the south—east, could be quite muqqy in the south—east, could be quite muggy here for a while, but again temperatures not changing too much. the winds pick up across england and wales and it is all around that area of low pressure here, this is not a typical summer weather pattern, but whether it's pushing north through the weekend and it will bring some unusually windy weather for this time of the year. there is some rain around as well that could be heavy and thunder and again it is doing
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rather cool as well. we have some windy weather for england and wales on saturday. the biggest impacts are probably more likely to be across this area where the winds could be gusting 50 having 55 mph, particularly around southern coasts and hills. but it will be windy across the whole of england and wales and we will see these downpours developing more widely, perhaps even thunder as well. not quite so windy. and i'd northern ireland, but we do have some areas of rain here as well, all dampening down those temperatures to 18—20 . there may be a bit of sunshine in between those downpours, we may see a bit more sunshine for the second half of the weekend as the low pressure continues to move north, tending to pull away and take away the strongest of the winds as well. the strongest of the winds are more likely to be across scotland, northern england, perhaps northern ireland. there will still be some showers around, but a bit more sunshine to, as well, those winds is not a strong across the southern parts of the uk, but it is still
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