we are anticipating antony bunken area. we are anticipating antony ltlinken press — area.ticipating antony blinken press conference in - area. we are anticipating antony blinken press conference in the l area. we are anticipating antony - blinken press conference in the next 45 minutes. around the world and across the uk, you are watching bbc news. let's look at some other stories making news. new figures show, retail sales increased byjust one point 7% across the uk in december significantly lower than the 6.9 % rise in 2022. the british retail consortium says shoppers held back on their festive spending due to a lack of confidence in the economy. the group warned shoppers and retailers of a "challenging" year ahead. the insurance firm admiral says pothole related claims soared last year. they say customers made 40% more claims for pothole damage in 2023, at an average cost of over £3000 per claim. higher tech vehicles and a general rise in the price of repairs is thought to be behind the spike. as a cold spell hits much of the uk a double decker bus in kirkcaldy lost con

we've seen antony blinken _ an israeli army base.een antony blinken meeting with - an israeli army base. we've seen i antony blinken meeting with other leaders, in the gulf states as well. they are after a ceasefire, we've had this pause. will he ask for that again? i had this pause. will he ask for that auain? . had this pause. will he ask for that a . ain? ., ., had this pause. will he ask for that auain? ., ., , ., again? i mean, that is a possibility. _ again? i mean, that is a possibility. he - again? i mean, that is a possibility. he has- again? i mean, that is a possibility. he has not l again? i mean, that is a - possibility. he has not been clear about what exactly his plans are there. i think it is interesting he's coming here of the back with there's meetings, he's trying to turnit there's meetings, he's trying to turn it into a positive for israel. there is a country is calling for an immediate ceasefire. he is trying to hold out the possibility to israel of much better relations with its arab neighbours, if there is this

antony blinken has just arrived in israel. conditions in gaza continue to deteriorate. 250 people have been killed in the last 2a hours the un said uk ministers have met to consider how to clear the names of those wrongly convicted in an the post office scandal. we'll speak to two victims who are still seeking compensation. alaska air cancelled 140 flights today, as more details emerged of that dramagic mid air blow out on a boeing 737 the panel door has now been recovered. and blast off for the first american moon mission in 50 years but after the textbook launch the spacecraft is running out of power, with the mission now in severe jeapordy. good evening. we start tonight in the middle east, with a number of developments to update you on. the first from lebanon where his brother has confirmed that one of its senior commanders was killed today by an israeli drone strike, in the south of the country. wissam al tawil was the deputy head of the group's radwan force which managed many of the military operations in southern lebano

antony bunken his israeli counterparts. antony blinken is in _ his israeli counterparts.saudi _ his israeli counterparts. antony blinken is in saudi arabia - his israeli counterparts. antony blinken is in saudi arabia for i his israeli counterparts. antony i blinken is in saudi arabia for talks with the crown prince so what should we be looking out for from that meeting? we be looking out for from that meetin: ? . , we be looking out for from that meetin: ? ., , ., meeting? primarily, what he will hear will be _ meeting? primarily, what he will hear will be similar _ meeting? primarily, what he will hear will be similar to _ meeting? primarily, what he will hear will be similar to what - meeting? primarily, what he will hear will be similar to what he i hear will be similar to what he heard in other arab capitals, a call for a ceasefire and a rejection of any idea of displacement of palestinians from gaza, these are red lines for arab countries and i have not seen arab diplomacy so united as i have seen around these particular issues. for united as i have seen around thes

we have antony blinken, the _ houthi attacks. we have antony blinken, the us _ houthi attacks.hi attacks. we have antony blinken, the us secretary of. houthi attacks. we have antony i blinken, the us secretary of state, appearing in greece. we talked about our nato alliance, the tremendous solidarity that we have and continue to have in supporting ukraine against the russian aggression. we have talked a little bit about steps to prepare for the nato summit that will take place in washington early this summer. and we also focused on what both countries have done through the leadership of president erdogan and prime minister miss attackers to bring greece and turkey closer together including the summit meeting of both leaders just last month. in turkey we also focused extensively on what turkey can do using its influence, using its ties to help prevent the conflict in the middle east from spreading. and we also talked about the role that turkey can play both in the day after for gaza turkey can play both in the day afterfor gaza in turkey can play both in the day after for gaza i

these countries that antony blinken is touring at the moment.ny blinken is touring at the moment.— these countries that antony blinken is touring at the moment. one of the o tions is touring at the moment. one of the options the — is touring at the moment. one of the options the united _ is touring at the moment. one of the options the united states _ is touring at the moment. one of the options the united states and - is touring at the moment. one of the options the united states and israel. options the united states and israel have been putting forward is for the palestinian authority to control gaza and govern gaza but the trouble with the palestinian authority is its own lack of legitimacy amongst palestinians but also its resources and inability to do so, so really it doesn't appear as if there is a viable solution for the day after. that's a really good question, but one that continues to elude concrete answers. ., ~' one that continues to elude concrete answers. ., ~ , ., y one that continues to elude concrete answers. ., ~ , ., , . as th

antony blinken is meeting. it is a la: of the antony blinken is meeting. you _ antony blinken is meeting. it is a lag of the trip you had _ antony blinken is meeting. it is a lag of the trip you had to - antony blinken is meeting. it is a lag of the trip you had to make, i antony blinken is meeting. it is a i lag of the trip you had to make, he could not appear as shunning of the palestinian authority but really had nothing to offer. he couldn't even bring the israelis to release palestinian money that they are withholding in order to ensure that the palestinian authorities does not collapse because at the moment the israelis are basically choking this authority... they don't have many money to pay salaries or any bills because of this hijacking of the money. he could not even deliver on that so there was not really much to say and that is why the visit lasted less than an hour, there was no joint press statement, no joint press conference, nothing like that. he got out of there soon as you can. what would you like to have seen? again the issue of money wo

i can tell you that antony blinken, _ prime minister?r? i can tell you that antony blinken, between he - prime minister? i can tell you that antony blinken, between he and l prime minister? i can tell you that l antony blinken, between he and us, there is no daylight about the goals of this war. the importance to continue it until hamas is eliminated. if hamas laid down their weapons tomorrow, there wouldn't be a humanitarian crisis. if they stop their aggressions — they are still harbouring 128 israeli hostages, they are still launching rockets at israel almost daily. they're not doing anything in their to try to minimise... doing anything in their to try to minimise. . ._ doing anything in their to try to minimise... �* ,., , , ., minimise... i'm sorry, but we are havin: minimise... i'm sorry, but we are having some _ minimise... i'm sorry, but we are having some difficulties _ minimise... i'm sorry, but we are having some difficulties with - minimise... i'm sorry, but we are having some difficulties with the l having some difficulties

antony l going to take place? antony banen going to take place?place? antony blinken delayed this - going to take place? antony blinken delayed this visit, . going to take place? antony| blinken delayed this visit, he was about to come a few days ago but had his visit delayed after the assassination of saleh al—arouri. he is trying to do his best to contain this regional conflict. but apparently it is getting worse. thank you so much for the very latest on what is happening. prince andrew and former president bill clinton have been named in newly released court documents relating to sex offenderjeffrey epstein. they include associates, friends and alleged victims of the disgraced billionaire, who killed himself injail five years ago. the papers relate to a case that was brought against epstein's associate ghislaine maxwell. she is currently serving a twenty—year jail sentence for child sex trafficking. peter bowes is in los angeles. peter, this is a hefty document, isn't it? with a lot to read. what more can you tell us? it to read. what more can

you mentioned antony blinken, he is in the region| antony blinken, he is in the region as you say, dueounding countries and is on his way to a man and jordan at the moment. he said before he got on the plane his focuses on this conflict from spreading and making sure that he engages with those regional countries to try and assist in that effort. what influenced you think he will be able to bring to bear when he arrives in israel and with those surrounding countries? it is surrounding countries? it is interesting _ surrounding countries? it is interesting he _ surrounding countries? it is interesting he is _ surrounding countries? it 3 interesting he is going to those countries before coming to israel and the palestinian territories. you would think given the relationship between israel and americans that this might be his first port of call but it is not. he is taking a message from those countries, people like president erdogan and people in jordan and egypt, and he is making sure the israelis hear loud and clear the regional message, that they are concerned about the humanitarian sit

yes, antony bfinken is that right? yes, antony blinken who _ is that right?s that right? yes, antony blinken who was on a - is that right? yes, antony| blinken who was on a tour through dot bahrain, qatar, saudi arabia, greece, turkey, westbank and meeting the egyptian president. mentioned in his visits the importance of containing the conflict, not to be out of gaza, because there is fear of haskalah, and fear of the houthi attacks, vera ran back intervening and also like yesterday in kurdistan they shot down a drone targeted to a military airport used by the global alliance against what is called isis, the islamic state group. so all about, you know, put pressure on israel because all the countries agreed on ceasefire, all the arab countries, palestinians and all of them. only israel does not like ceasefire. american supporting them. ling, said to state solution but all about based on a kind of truce to help negotiation for the two state solution.— help negotiation for the two state solution. another very important — state solution. another very important d

i'm going to come back to antony and cleopatra. played lady macbeth, hadn't you, i think 10, 12 years earlier in... africa. west africa. ..a tour of west african countries? yes. we did... where'd you go? ghana, sierra leone... ? ghana, sierra leone and nigeria. and we were the very, very first lot to go. and that was british council? british council. right. the british council said, would we go? because macbeth, twelfth night, and arms and the man were the set books for these young people, the children in nigeria, ghana, sierra leone. would we go and perform them? it was an experience i'll never, ever, everforget. ever. everything that rhymed made everybody laugh a lot. so "the thane of fife had a wife" used to bring the house down. absolutely... imean... oh, god. but that sort of performance, that sort of tour, taking it, as you say, to the people, i mean, it must give you a different insight into the power... of shakespeare. ..and the potential of shakespeare. you bet. nkrumah was a political prisoner at the time. we played in hi

. ♪ christian: antony blinken has just arrived in israel.ons in gaza continuing to deteriorate. 250 people have been killed in the last 24 hours. also in the program tonight, u.k. ministers have met to consider how to clear the names of those wrongly convicted in the post office scandal. we speak to two victims still seeking compensation. alaska air canceled 140 flights today as more details emerged about a dramatic midair blowout on a boeing 737. and last off for the first american moon mission in 50 years. but after the textbook launch, th spacecraft is now running out of power, with the mission in severe jeopardy. a ry good evening. we start in the middle east with a number of developments to update you on. the first from lebanon, where hezbollah has confirmed one of its senior commanders was killed by an israeli drone strike. he was the deputy head of the group's force which managed many of the military operations in southern lebanon. in gaza, the fighting has intensified. in the last 24 hours israeli strikes have killed 249 palestinians

not among many black we hope that antony, blinking. m god. that blinking looks at us with an eye of mercy and the ends, the war ends. the misery we're living in. we are a people that must live a free and dignified life for not getting him. but his rescuer search through rebels after another is rarely ever striking the south of the gaza strip. prospect of peace seems hopeless. a link in the middle east tour continues as he prepares to meet other leaders, including israel and the occupied westbank on his mission to try to control the fall of from this conflict. german foreign minister and elaina bab bulk is also on a trip to the middle east, making her 4th visit to the region since the october 7th attacks. the bulk is due to hotels with the is ready, president to and foreign minister before leaving the foreign minister called for an end to the cycle of violence in the middle east. she said both sides would be able to live in peace only if quote, each sees the suffering of the. all right, well that's got more on the box trip from our chief polit

it comes as us secretary of state antony blinken heads back to the region.wartz, who is a senior fellow at the rand corporation, a us think tank and a research organization. thank you very much for being with us today. is blinken as interested in israel's plan for gaza's future as he is about the ongoing bombardment of the area? what you think is top of his priority? i what you think is top of his riori ? ~ priority? i think the future governance _ priority? i think the future governance and _ priority? i think the future governance and security i priority? i think the future | governance and security of priority? i think the future - governance and security of gaza is very high on the priority of secretary antony blinken in the united states. a lot of work is being done with the us national security is council staff and the department of state to develop options to present to the government of israel on the future of governance in gaza. obviously involving the palestinian authority as the core or future governance. i think it is a very important visit that

can i assume antony blinken cominu hamas. can i assume antony blinken coming back— hamas.oming back to _ hamas. can i assume antony blinken coming back to the _ hamas. can i assume antony blinken coming back to the region _ hamas. can i assume antony blinken coming back to the region this - hamas. can i assume antony blinken| coming back to the region this week? you have asked them before to be more forceful with israel and try and bring about a cessation of hostilities, even to have a pause that so further aid can get into gaza. have you been disappointed so far in him particularly and in the united states?— far in him particularly and in the united states? indeed. let me say that we will — united states? indeed. let me say that we will be _ united states? indeed. let me say that we will be receiving _ united states? indeed. let me say that we will be receiving him - united states? indeed. let me say that we will be receiving him with i united states? indeed. let me say| that we will be receiving him with a heavy heart. we have to listen to what he has to say but we are e

antony blinken also soke israel's government.so spoke about _ israel's government. antony blinken also spoke about the _ israel's government. antony blinken also spoke about the regional - also spoke about the regional approach to bring an end to the conflict. we approach to bring an end to the conflict. ~ . ., ., approach to bring an end to the conflict. ~ _, ., ,. ,, conflict. we continued to discuss how to build _ conflict. we continued to discuss how to build a _ conflict. we continued to discuss how to build a more _ conflict. we continued to discuss how to build a more durable - conflict. we continued to discuss i how to build a more durable peace and security for israel in the region. as i told the prime minister, every partner that i met on this trip said that they are ready to support a lasting solution that ends the long—running cycle of violence and ensures israel's security. but they underscored that this can only come through a regional approach that includes a pathway to a palestinian state. these goals are attainab

we know that antony blinken has told israel's i antony blinken has told israel's prime minister to avoidn, it seaks that really basic message? i mean, it speaks a — that really basic message? i mean, it speaks a little _ that really basic message? i mean, it speaks a little bit _ that really basic message? i mean, it speaks a little bit to _ that really basic message? i mean, it speaks a little bit to the - that really basic message? i mean, it speaks a little bit to the nature . it speaks a little bit to the nature of the israeli prime minister. i mean, he's a bulldog, he's a former soldier, he had a brother who was lost in a hostage rescue mission. so he is very focused on securing israel's border and the safety of its citizens. in the administration agrees with that, of course, to a certain extent, but it also can't be secured in the carpet bombing of areas and without concern for civilians. and i'm sure that's what the secretary heard in his meetings that preceded this — he was in qatar, the uae, saudi arabia most recently yesterday — and i'm sure all those arab states have said the

antony blinken has been relatively adept.if any government is meant to make a difference it is the biden— meant to make a difference it is the biden administration, and they have so far— biden administration, and they have so far managed to get various pauses — so far managed to get various pauses. they have managed to beat relatively— pauses. they have managed to beat relatively nifty in diplomatic circles — relatively nifty in diplomatic circles when it comes to the united nations— circles when it comes to the united nations some kind of consensus. and this will— nations some kind of consensus. and this will be _ nations some kind of consensus. and this will be a — nations some kind of consensus. and this will be a long and hard road in terms _ this will be a long and hard road in terms of— this will be a long and hard road in terms of building that post—conflict future _ terms of building that post—conflict future it _ terms of building that post—conflict future. it would be very difficult but if _ future. it would be very

antony blinken talking at lenath you. antony blinken talking at length they — you.to reporters, l you. antony blinken talking at i length they are to reporters, ending with those meetings he had earlier with those meetings he had earlier with mahmoud abbas, talking about the need for hard choices from leaders in any region to try to end this conflict. but spent most of the time talking about the attacks yesterday in the red sea and talked about the freedom of shipping and how it needed to be guaranteed. he said there was a red sea attacks were aided and abetted by iran. the houthis rebels, of course, attacking shipping yesterday and said very clearly, there will be consequences if the attacks continue, and repeated that they needed to be clarity, that the world would need to come together to actually insure these attacks. and when pushed on what was consequences meant, he would not go further. a video ofjailed russian opposition campaigner alexei navalny has offered the first glimpse of him since his sudden disappearance from jail in central russia in early december

antony blinken is meeting with benjamin netanyahu today and israeli defense ministers.ere's what mr blinken told journalists as he left saudia arabia. everywhere i found when i found leaders determined to prevent the conflict we are facing now from spreading and to do everything possible to deter escalation and prevent a widening of the conflict. we also spoke _ widening of the conflict. - also spoke about the future for this region and i think there is broad agreement on a few basic objectives. first, that israel and israelis should be able to live in peace and security, free from the fear of terrorist attacks or aggression from any neighbour. second, that the west bank and gaza should be united under palestinian lead governance. third, the future of the region needs to be one of integration not division and not conflict. and fourth, for that to happen we need to see the establishment of an independent listing in state. —— list indian state. no—one i speak to things any of this will be easy and they recognise the hurdles are no—one thinks anything will happen overnight

secretary of state antony blinken, _ minister?, between i minister? secretary of state | antony blinken, between him minister? secretary of state - antony blinken, between him and us there is no daylight about the goals of this war and in automatic to continue it. until hamas is eliminated. if hamas laid down their weapons tomorrow, inaudible military crisis. before humanitarian crisis. before humanitarian crisis. if they stop the aggressions to what they are still harbouring 128 israeli hostages and launching rockets thatis hostages and launching rockets that is well almost daily. they are not doing anything in their power to try to minimise... sorry, we are having some difficulties with the signal there, sojust difficulties with the signal there, so just to difficulties with the signal there, sojust tojump in, you arejust freezing there, sojust tojump in, you are just freezing slightly on us to jump are just freezing slightly on us tojump in, as you mentioned the hostages there. you're obviously a member of the blue and white pa

this is a big question why antony blinken and is not going to visit egypt in this wide tour. gaza and plays a role in whether the americans suspect that egypt is playing a role in giving, in providing hamas with arms or that they are against having more palestinians come and live in egypt.— and live in egypt. thank you so much for _ and live in egypt. thank you so much for your— and live in egypt. thank you so much for your time. _ and live in egypt. thank you so much for your time. i - and live in egypt. thank you so much for your time. i know - and live in egypt. thank you so| much for your time. i know you and the team are following developments constantly. two un human rights officials say there needs to be "full accountability for alleged crimes against civilians" — during the original attacks in israel on october 7th. the experts say armed palestinian groups may have committed war crimes and crimes against humanity. first responders gave testimonies in the wake of the attacks and continue to live with the trauma. yossi landau is head of operations for the southern comma

what he is auoin to coming from antony blinken?d point of his visit is humanitarian, so that they can be food and fuel, medicine for palestinians who suffer in this war, and the third one is the day after, meaning what is going to happen when this conflict in gaza stops, and at that point there are a number of issues that could be put on paper. the first one is there are going to be obviously the holistic approach of the situation, meaning that first creating a conducive environment for peace for israel, for security, and for the palestinians in regarding to the governance, and americans will be that help with the international community to create institutions to prevent any kind of terrorist activity like the ones committed by hamas on the 7th of october, and after that, the question is, of the most important question is the two state solution and how to implement that. it is much easier to say than to do, but in that sense obviously the americans need to work closely with the arab governments who will play a role in terms of prov

antony blinken has been on a tour of the middle east.spread further. here in the uk, some parents believe the covid pandemic has shown that it's not essential for children to attend school every day, according to a new report. the centre for socialjustice says more support is needed to tackle school absences. our education editor branwen jeffreys has the story. bell rings it's part of the legacy of covid, a broken contract with school for some families. last year, almost twice as many children missed 10% of lessons. mental health issues, the cost—of—living crisis aren't helping. this report suggests parents' attitudes have shifted. almost a third agreed the pandemic showed going every day was not essential. to repair the missing link between school and families, it suggests mental health support for every school, expanding the use of mentors forfamilies, creating a right to sport for secondary pupils, to have five hours of extra activities every week. also looking at how fines are working and investing in youth clubs. some of the solutio

ti 3 is a fifth trip of antony blinken in the region and the most wide trip.to greece, tojordan, to qatar. it does not look as though he has managed to achieve a lot in these trips so far. his main reason for the visit is to contain the conflict and now we can say comfortably that there are seven fronts in the war in gaza, in the west bank, in jerusalem there was a stabbing in the last 2a hours and in lebanon on hezbollah strike and also regarding the houthis in iraq and syria. he also regarding the houthis in iraq and syria.— iraq and syria. he is indicating the - iraq and syria. he is indicating the white | iraq and syria. he is - indicating the white house line, trying to get the message to israel that they should not be targeting civilians, women and children etc. what is the feeling to what extent israel is listening to him in that respect? is listening to him in that rested?— is listening to him in that resect? �* , , . respect? apparently, they are not listening. _ respect? apparently, they are not listening. as _ respect? apparently, they are not liste

the us secretary of state, antony blinken, is back in the region this week.colleagues at unwra, are calling for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire. that means we need full—throated humanitarian access into gaza. i know there was a un resolution to this event —— to this effect but we've seen very little change on the ground. karem shalom, the border that allows trucks into it, has opened but it is still very difficult, if not sometimes impossible, for unwra to get those resources that come in — which are not enough by any means — but even to get those meagre resources to those in need. that's because within the border in rafah, those areas have been bombed. our own staff at unwra has come underfire. we have lost many of our own staff members, as i've said, and the roads leading out from rafah have been damaged. some of unwra's own trucks are stuck and we've not got access to them. so, we not only need more food, more medical supplies — we need diapers for the kids and, mind you, there are 50,000 pregnant women in gaza right now, 180 giving birth a day. we jus

what you| hope for from antony blinken's visit? ~ . .., hope for from antony blinken's visit?~ ., ., ., visit? we are calling for an immediate _ visit? we are calling for an immediate ceasefire, - visit? we are calling for an - immediate ceasefire, meaning we need full throated humanitarian access into gaza. i know there was a un resolution to this effect, but we have seen very little change on the ground. the border that allows trucks into it has opened, but it is still very difficult, if not sometimes impossible, for unrwa to get those resources that come in which are not enough by any means, but even to get those meagre resources to those in need, because within the border in rafah, the areas have been bombed. our own staff at unrwa has come underfire. we have lost many of our own staff members, as i said, and the roads leading out from rafah and have been damaged. some of unrwa's own trucks are stuck in the north with no access to them. we need not only more goods, more food, more medical supplies, there is only that we are estimating one quarter of the diapers needed for

we begin in the middle east, where us secretary of state antony blinken is making his fourth visit tohe region since israel began the bombardment of gaza on the 7th of october. he's there at a pivotal moment. today, a senior commander with the islamist hezbollah movement was reportedly killed in an apparent israeli drone strike in southern lebanon. and israel's prime minister benjamin netanyahu was on the northern border today, where he signalled that he is prepared, if necessary, to escalate military operations in lebanon, with 80,000 israeli's now displaced from their homes. with 80,000 israelis now displaced from their homes. to the south, the death toll in gaza stands at 23,000, according to the hamas—run health ministry. and so intense is the fighting that several aid agencies have now begun withdrawing medics from the only functioning hospital in central gaza. on his visit to qatar, secretary blinken said washington has "an intense focus on preventing this conflict from spreading" and a warning to some members of the israeli government. well, first in with regard to the lebanon.

high levels visited mexico city including secretary of state antony blinken.mocrats and republicans seem to realize that the border crisis is a problem that needs to be addressed immediately and some members of congress are taking steps to come up with an agreement with that goal. there's no agreement yet, but this issue is tied with a larger supplemental package that would include funding for ukraine and israel. the package the president would very much like to deliver to those countries. in an interview with fox news on sunday, texas governor greg abbott said he's confident his state will prevail against a lawsuit filed by the biden administration, which is trying to stop a new law that makes it a state crime in texas to enter the state illegally. the federal government is not enforcing immigration law. the state is obligated to do so. this is who how abbott explained it. >> the law prohibits the allowance of. for years they have to go to court, the biden administration simply is not enforcing that. they must hold the biden administration responsible to deny

caitriona: secretary antony blinken visited the seat of the palestinian authority.said washington supports tangible steps toward the creation of the palestinian state, adding that he was insured to committing to addressing israeli security concerns while uniting the gaza strip and the west bank. the head of the world health organization said his agency was forced to cancel six missions to northern gaza and the last two weeks, accusing israel of -- intense bombardments led to fuel shortages and poor communications are making it almost impossible to reach those in need. israel has repeatedly said it has done what he can to allow aid into the gaza strip. antony blinken tries diplomacy against the houthis, the military is projecting force. the joint u.s. and u.k. mission done operation prosperity appears to be having some effect. on tuesday the houthis fired 20 projectiles at ships and the red sea. it was their largest salvo yet but the u.s.-led task force shot down all but two of them. no ships sustained any damage. can the operation keep the crucial sea lane open? i s

i asked how much of a difference antony blinken�*s visit will make. of course it will.ean, it will not be a breakthrough but without the constant american engagement with israel and with the arab countries, one could expect to see even further deterioration. so it's part of a crisis management approach, but there is no expectation of a breakthrough at the moment. and what do you think could feasibly come out of it, then? there is lots of different angles to this, people who want the hostages obviously to come home as soon as possible, there are many who want more aid to cross into gaza, and, of course, there is a question about what happens in a post—conflict gaza. these are just a few of the issues. i mean, there are also issues relating to lebanon, to the west bank, to the houthi militias in yemen, but when it comes to gaza in particular, i think the focus from blinken will be on israel lowering the intensity of the fighting. i think the us continues to support israel's objective of degrading hamas, of disarming hamas, yet the civilian casualties are such that it is m

before mr blank and left he had this to say. —— mr antony blinken. we have an intense focus on preventing this conflict from spreading. a big part of the conversations we will have over the coming days with all of our allies and partners is looking at the steps they can take using the influence and ties that they have to do just that, to make sure that this conflict does not spread. second, we will look at what we can do to maximise the protection of civilians, maximise humanitarian assistance getting in to them and also to get hostages out of gaza. i spoke to dr lisel hintz — assistant professor of international relations atjohns hopkins university 7 about the significance of mr blinken�*s visit to turkey. secretary blinken has been carrying out a number of these campaign trips in order to try to quell tensions in the region to prevent the conflict spreading, to secure the release of hostages, to try to get turkey's corporation, to get turkey on board with securing hostages, with humanitarian assistance, potentially with post—conflict reconstruction

as they've got to, we're going to hear anything from antony blinking about causes future to the stress that gaza is policy and will remain policy new with had several signals and several statements from is riley ministers. only recently the state department released the statement criticizing a what c a is riley ministers is sat also calling for a police to needs to be expelled from gaza. this statement of the state department of red that it was inflammatory and irresponsible statements. so it will definitely be something that we'll talk about that he will talk about with is rarely officials, but also it with a policing insufficient that he will meet in the west back. yeah. speaking of that, you just said that the blinking will also go to the west bank to talk to the palestinian authority. once he's message they going to be committed much more that boss, the president of the, of the policy. and you know, 30 in the west bank in november he, they spoke about at tax and advice settlers in the west bank and also their commitment it via the us that will definitely have tough talk. that's wha

the us secretary of state antony blinken is holding more talks with middle eastern leaders.o negotiate to a ceasefire. the uk prime minister rishi sunak has denied having doubts about the plan to send some asylum seekers to rwanda when he was chancellor in 2022. number ten documents seen by bbc news indicate he was not sure the deterrant would stop channel crossings. polls close in bangladesh�*s elections, which are expected to be a landslide for the current prime minister. most opposition parties boycotted the election. the us aviation regulator has ordered the grounding of 171 boeing 737 max 9 aircraft, after part of an alaska airlines plane�*s fuselage fell off on friday in mid—flight. now on bbc news, click: sustainability stories.

antony blinken has undertaken several _ number of times.s undertaken several trips. _ number of times. antony blinken has undertaken several trips. bisson - number of times. antony blinken has undertaken several trips. bisson won| undertaken several trips. bisson won just a few weeks ago when he visited a number of countries in the region, met with key regional players. —— we saw one. to try to prevent this conflict in gaza from spreading across the region, from escalating. of course, the last thing the us wants is the danger of any direct military confrontation with other players in the region. iran, of course, most dangerously. the us is expelling a lot of diplomatic energy and effort to ensure that that kind of nightmare scenario of escalation in the region doesn't happen. thank ou for in the region doesn't happen. thank you forjoining _ in the region doesn't happen. thank you forjoining us. _ in the region doesn't happen. thank you forjoining us. that's _ in the region doesn't happen. thank you forjoining us. that's get - in the region

antony blinken and even his own deputy secretary of defense kathleen hicks did not know that he was incapacitated last week. he was admitted to walter reed last week after complications from an elective surgery. natasha bertrand and arlette saenz are gathering more details. and how were so many top officials kept in the dark about what was happening? >> well, that is really the big question that we have right now, fredricka, is whose information is this to keep it from the public and also from the white house for roughly three days after secretary austin was first transferred into austin reed hospital to receive treatment for a complication from an e elective surgery that he had, but what we know is that the secretary of defense was learning that she was to take on some of the duties of secretary of defense austin's duties, but she was not told that he was hospitalized and this is the reason that she was taking over some of his responsibilities. now, according to the pentagon press secretary at major secretary-general pat ryder, she assumed some responsibilities that required secure capabilities,

the us secretary of state antony blinken holds more talks with middle eastern leaders.e to a ceasefire. polls close in bangladesh's elections, which are expected to be a landslide for the current prime minister. most opposition parties boycotted the election, which was preceded by a wave of violence, with 1a polling stations being set on fire and police today firing shotguns to break up opposition protests. the head of the us transport safety board says no passengers were seated next to where part of a plane fell off mid—flight. meanwhile, the american airline regulator has ordered the grounding of 170 boeing 737 max 9 jets after the incident, while inspections take place. now on bbc news, the travel show: uzbekistan: the heart of central asia.

antony blinken said the us _ this update. antony blinken said the us response i this update. us response would| this update. antony blinken i said the us response would be decisive a haemorrhoid a lot of language we heard from president biden that they would respond at a time and in a manner of their choosing. there was a of bit new language as well and that was about seeing the response could come in stages. and over a period of time. but does not sound like the kind of thing that some of the kind of thing that some of the most hawkish senators here in washington republicans a pinpoint for some of those putting pressure on president biden for an attack on iran itself. the politics of washington is playing into how the administration responds in the administration responds in the middle east, president biden knows he will have to show this is a decisive and forceful response that will deter further attacks on deterfurther attacks on american deter further attacks on american forces but at the same time it will not spiral into further war in the middle east. in the end, the fu

us secretary of state, antony blinken, begins his latest trip to the middle east and the wider regionor talks — his fourth since hamas�* october attack on israel. police in london confirm they're investigating potential fraud offences in relation to the wrongful prosecution of hundreds of sub—post masters by the post office. the uk health security agency issues a week—long cold weather alert as parts of england still struggle with floods following a week of heavy rain. three arrests over a fire on a bangladesh train after at least four people, including a child, died. it comes ahead of this weekend's election. hello, i'm lauren taylor. the powerful iranian—backed lebanese group, hezbollah, says it's launched a barrage of rockets at northern israel, in response to an explosion in beirut that killed a top hamas official earlier this week. a statement said they hit an air traffic control base in meron with sixty—two rockets. the israeli military said it had identified about forty launches from lebanon, and that it had responded, without giving details. these are live pictures from the le

us secretary of state, antony blinken, begins his latest trip to the middle east and the wider regionor talks — his fourth since hamas�* october attack on israel. police in london confirm they're investigating potential fraud offences in relation to the wrongful prosecution of hundreds of sub—post masters by the post office. the uk health security agency issues a week—long cold weather alert as parts of england still struggle with floods following a week of heavy rain. hello, i'm lauren taylor. let's return to that breaking news we brought to you earlier. an alaska airlines flight from the us city of portland has made an emergency landing after part of the aircraft blew out in mid—air. listen to this emergency call from a member of the cabin crew. social media video shot inside the boeing 737 max 9 shows a window section missing. the passengers remain in their seats, oxygen masks dangling, looking remarkably calm. alaska airlines said the 177 passengers and crew landed safely back at portland. it has temporarily grounded its 65 max aircraft for inspection. the aeroplane has a chequere

it into gaza will be in antony blinken's to do list?t would be a going concern if major combat - going concern if major combat operations remove that excuse for israel to say they can't get it in, there will be growing expectations to allow the necessary humanitarian goods to get into gaza. the israelis are all already under pressure from americans and others to allow gazans to return to their homes in the northern part of the strip where major combat operations are more or less over an incident in search of the phase, and i think israel it would have to give some going on that. ida would have to give some going on that. ., ., , i. ., would have to give some going on that. ., ., , ., ,, that. no doubt, you are speaking earlier but _ that. no doubt, you are speaking earlier but the _ that. no doubt, you are speaking earlier but the issue _ that. no doubt, you are speaking earlier but the issue regarding i earlier but the issue regarding escalation, and significant week regarding the assassination of a hamas leader in their route, which i

antony blinken recently said _ the long run. antony blinken recently said the _ the long run.ly said the longer - the long run. antony blinkenl recently said the longer probe grades "increases the time, cost and time of moving food, fuel medicines and humanitarian assistance." does that extra cost ultimately fall back into the lap of the consumer? this is impacting — the lap of the consumer? this is impacting all— the lap of the consumer? t'i 3 is impacting all goods the lap of the consumer? ti 3 is impacting all goods from medicine to food to anything that you would find in a supermarket shelf pretty much as being impacted by this. hence, the consequences and the need for quick mobilisation to have this situation resolved. we do not really see another solution right now, than to sell south of the cape of good hope. we have shops shutting out and colleagues at risk whose and we can simply not justify selling through dangerous waters the way the situation is right now. —— sailing shipping prices have shot up and you are seeing already some of the cost secretary blinken is talki

the us secretary of state, antony blinken, begins his latest trip to the middle east as gaza health officialsay 18 palestinians were killed in an overnight israeli attack in khan younis. three arrests over a fire on a bangladesh train after at least four people, including a child, died. it comes ahead of this weekend's election. hello, i'm lauren taylor. we start with drama on an alaskan airlines flight in america which had to make an emergency landing, after a part of the fuselage fell off in mid air. despite the issues, no—one was hurt, and everyone was able to leave the plane safely. these pictures illustrate where the part of the fuselage went missing — a panel next to a row of seats. it's not known if anyone was in the seat next to the panel when it failed. audio has emerged of the moment the on board crew informed flight control of what was happening — take a listen. we are declaring an emergency. we are descending down to 10,000. to recap what was said there — the crew was declaring an emergency, and carrying out an urgent descent. it's not yet known what caused the panel to detach fro

secretary of state antony blinken yesterday saying that this war is not spreading in the region. but given the attacks overnight, surely this is fundamentally false to make that claim now given that we've had a military escalation. >> yes, i agree with your assessment. i think it has spread already. and not only that, i think that we have a long term strategic challenge for the united states interests in the middle east but also international navigation in the red sea. i think that we have to think about that in the long term. if we in the united states and ud deal with the escalation in the red sea as short term events, i think that we will have wrong answers to this problem. i think the strikes were n-- wil not deter the attacks. i think that they will increase. all the partners in the middle east have been cautions against expanding the strikes. and i think in addition it will have effects on the yemen and houthis may be embolemboldened, deterr deterred. >> houthis have said they are attacking ships link to the israel in response to the war in gaza. and the u.s. and uk have ac

and now by the fourth visit of antony— and now by the fourth visit of antony blinken to israel, he'ss been saying the — antony blinken to israel, he's been saying the same thing he's been saying _ saying the same thing he's been saying on— saying the same thing he's been saying on the other visits. he is having — saying on the other visits. he is having very— saying on the other visits. he is having very little impact, i think absolutely because of the influence of the _ absolutely because of the influence of the far— absolutely because of the influence of the far right leaders on netanyahu who needs their support to stay in _ netanyahu who needs their support to stay in power. yeah, interesting the saudi _ stay in power. yeah, interesting the saudi ambassador to the uk to the bbc, _ saudi ambassador to the uk to the bbc, the _ saudi ambassador to the uk to the bbc, the problem in israel there is an extreme — bbc, the problem in israel there is an extreme absolutist perspectives but that _ an extreme absolutist perspectives but that doesn't work to achieve compromise and you are not

antony blinken in essence telling both sides that they need to change. no change -- or two that will happen. >> thank you very much. >>> coming up, agree high- profile war of words between one of late night tv's biggest stars and one of the highest paid quarterbacks in the nfl. aaron rodgers is not apologizing. we have the latest. i'm free to explore. i'm free to learn. i'm free to forge my own path. contra costa college is free for full-time students, which makes you free to explore all the incredible opportunities unleashed by higher learning. start your future and apply today at contracosta.edu/free >>> neure new york jets quarterback aaron rogers is not backing down his first public comments one week after baselessly insinuating late night star jimmy kimmel's name might turn up in documents connected to illegally and politically explosive scandal. brian todd is monitor the story for us. brian, what's the latest? >> wul, this all emanates from comments aaron rogers made last week implying jimmy kimmel might be named in the jeffrey epstein documents, w

america's top diplomat, antony blinken, has been holding talks with palestinian leaders in the occupied west bank — after telling israeli leaders that the toll of the war on civilians in gaza is too high. britain's ministry of defence says the uk and us navies have fought off the largest attack so far by the iranian—backed houthi rebels. hello, i'm samantha simmonds. we begin in the uk, where pressure is mounting on the government to deal with what has been described as one of the uk greatest miscarriages ofjustice. more than 700 sub—postmasters were wrongly convicted in the post office horizon scandal after faulty software made it look like money was missing. their case is in the spotlight following the itv drama mr bates vs the post office, a new four—part series telling the heartbreaking tales of bankruptcies, suicide attempts and jail sentences. the minister responsible for the post office, kevin hollinrake, says the government is "very, very close" to announcing its plans to clear hundreds of sub postmasters who were wrongly convicted. he's due to attend a meeting of the horizon co