phil mercer in — cooperation agreement. phil mercer in sydney _ cooperation agreement. filed for bankruptcy last month. barcelona is on of the most popular cities in the world. for many of its residents, tourism has become a major challenge. the cities due to hold a local election this weekend. its status as a tourism magnet is one of the top issues driving voters to the polls. another day, and cruise liner docks barcelona harbour. around 400,000 cruise passengers december here each month. the city of gao these modernist architecture is a major tourist hub. —— goudie's modernist architecture. visitors have returned to pre—pandemic levels. 10 million people visited barcelona in 2022 but many locals do not like the impact tourism is having. noise, crowded streets, and unaffordable housing are just some of the problems it causes. translation:— translation: touris end up occuwing — translation: touris end up occupying public _ translation: touris end up occupying public space - translation: touris end up occupying public space and l translation: touris end up i occupying pub

phil mercer, bbc news, sydney.t me tell you about the escalating feud between the florida state government and disney. a board appointed by florida governor ron desantis that oversees disney's special district has voted to sue the entertainment giant. it comes a week after disney filed a suit against mr desantis. board chairman martin garcia said the board had "no choice now but to respond". the row between desantis and the house of mouse began after disney criticised the state's parental rights in education act, dubbed by critics as the "don't say gay" bill. and that's it for this edition of asia business report. thanks for watching. at 91—years—old, norma deeves is cycling down familiar roads. as she pedals on this adaptive exercise bike, the screen takes her to beaumaris, where she grew up. this venture is all about getting older people moving and stimulating the brain. seeing her hometown, norma is reminded of the tradition of throwing hot pennies from a hotel balcony. the kids were going mad, you know, to get

phil mercer, bbc news, sydney.o give free vape samples to children is set to be closed under government plans to curb their use among young people. prime minister rishi sunak wants a new crackdown on vape marketing would prevent the "unacceptable" targeting of children and teens. there will also be a review into the rules around the sale of "nicotine—free" products to under—18s. apple supplier foxconn is ramping up efforts to recruit more workers for the world's largest iphone factory, ahead of the launch of a new model. foxconn says new workers at its plant in zhengzhou, china, will get bonuses of up to $424 if they stay in the job for at least 90 days. current employees who successfully refer a friend or family member will also qualify for an award. don't forget you can get in touch with me and some of the team on twitter, i'm @ bbc ben thompson. rehearsals in the hall of eyke primary school. children aged 6—11 are practising a zulu song. they offer a unique music programme here, going beyond the required governm

let us cross now live to our correspondence, phil mercer. here with us in sydney. in the lead up to the feeling in the lead up to the coronation where you are? i think overall the mood here in australia will be one of perhaps reluctant to enthusiasm. i don't get the sense that many or most australians are clamouring for information about the coronation, but of course, for some australians, this is a very significant day. we have just been at a garden party at new south wales government house here in sydney, attended by 200 guests for a celebration of the coronation of charles iii. a lot of enthusiasm there about today's events at westminster abbey. about today's events at westminsterabbey. but about today's events at westminster abbey. but i get the sense among the general australian community that this is going to be a very low—key affair. if you look at tv coverage, it will be far less expensive than the previous royal weddings or the funeral of queen elizabeth ii. we do know that there are some events, coronation events around the country, they are pretty limite

phil mercer there and australia.t between now and sunday to mark the coronation, with the colours of the union flag and the national flowers of all four home nations. hundreds of soldiers, many on horseback, marched down from buckingham palace past trafalgar square and downing street to westminster abbey. that's all for now — stay with bbc news. hello there. many of us had some beautiful late spring sunshine on wednesday. in fact, in bournemouth, there was just over 13 hours of sunshine, a glorious day. but top temperature, well, that was in south wales, in gwynedd, just shy of 20 celsius, and it felt very pleasant indeed. now it's not out of the question that we could see 20 celsius on thursday, but the weather story is certainly on the change with low pressure starting to move in from the southwest. so as we go through the day on thursday, it's a tale of three halves, really — we've got cloud driving in off the north sea, affecting eastern england and northeast scotland. we've got rain pushing into the southwest —

phil mercer, bbc news, sydney. number one issue in schools on our website. beijing has called onjapan to stop the controls of semiconductor exports to china. japan along with the netherlands agreed injanuary to match us export controls which limit the sale of chip—making tools to china. this prevents 23 different types of japanese equipment being exported. it has categorised these restrictions as being part of its duty to contribute to international peace and stability. that's it for this edition of asia business report. you can keep abreast of the latest news on our website. sally has been an hgv driver forjust over a year. she only drives in the day but says finding somewhere decent and safe to park is difficult. some have got good parking, others haven't. in the day, it's not so bad, but i know i wouldn't feel safe at night. i have done one night out alongside my husband. we had to park on the side of the road. moreton runs his family haulage firm in gloucestershire and is chair of the road haulage association.

phil mercer has more. gas has ignited a fierce row over australia's energy future.ew gas field will give the power grid the reliability it needs during the transition to renewable sources. australia also wants to reassure its partners that it is a dependable supplier of liquefied natural gas. you make the practical reality is that we need to be investing in more gas supply. we are a large exporter alongside quatar and the us, we are one of the world's largest exporters and that is really supporting emissions reductions and energy security in our partnering countries including japan, korea, china. but in march, the us secretary general cold and wealthy countries such as australia to urgently stop approving new fossil fuel projects. critics accuse canberra of failing to heed warnings from the intergovernmental panel on climate change and believe that gases are fading resorts. since 2014 and the electricity system, gas use has collapsed tired and if we look after 2030, australia manning market says it will fall a further 34% so you have had a crash upon a crash. the re

phil mercer, bbc news, sydney.ries, we can spoke to the deputy chief executive from action on smoking and health. hazel cheeseman. it's really good news that the government is taking action on this. we really need a more action for a number of years now but i don't think that these things announced today are really going to do the trick. were certainly going to see regulation on products and one of the things that we have been looking for is a specific excise tax on these disposable products because it is very much these very brightly coloured disposable shapes that are driving the increase in young people trying e cigarettes in this country. and prior to them hitting the market we had very low levels of use. they're bad for the environment, they are needless product. paying significant excise tax on these products, would make a really big difference to the availability of them to people under the age of 18. and that is certainly something we would like to see the government take forward. would like to see the gove

phil mercer, bbc news, sydney.ults. analysts are expecting the oil giant to show some healthy profits, as energy firms continue to benefit from soaring prices. last year the company announced annual profits ofjust over 40 billion dollars, which is the highest in its 115—year history. so what's in store today? we're nowjoined by cornelia meyer, who's an independent energy analyst. is to work out bp under lord brown. let's talk about the numbers. another bumper rise in profits. it’s numbers. another bumper rise in rofits. fl ., numbers. another bumper rise in rofits. �*, ., ., , looking good, in terms of revenue, it's probably going to be slightly below what we saw first quarter. but in terms of earnings, it's going to be better because they had a charge for the russian business in the first quarter last year. so it is probably going to look pretty good. so it is probably going to look pretty good-— pretty good. that well, once a . ain pretty good. that well, once again commit _ pretty good. that well, once again comm

phil mercer, bbc news, sydney.e in schools on our website. you can keep up with all of the day's news, and you can download our app. that's it for this edition of asia business report. sally has been an hgv driver forjust over a year. she only drives in the day but says finding somewhere decent and safe to park is difficult. some have got good parking, others haven't. in the day, it's not so bad, but i know i wouldn't feel safe at night. i have done one night out alongside my husband. we had to park on the side of the road. moreton runs his family haulage firm in gloucestershire and is chair of the road haulage association. he has handed a petition to downing street calling for safer and more secure truck stops around the country, at a time when thefts from lorries across the industry over £400 million per year. the figure is growing. most of us wouldn't work in offices without proper toilets, welfare facilities, a kitchen to have our lunch and those things. these truck drivers don't have that. they have modern tru

our sydney correspondent, phil mercer, brought us more details on this story.ice officers were called to this nursing home in the town of cooma in the state of new south wales. it is a relatively short distance to the national capital canberra. there they found the 95—year—old woman who had taken a serrated steak knife from a kitchen and was brandishing the knife. the two officers and the care home staff members try to calm the situation, but according to the police this elderly woman was advancing towards those police officers and she was tasered twice, once in the chest and once in the back, falling over, fracturing her skull, suffering a bleed on the brain and according to family members they don't expect her to survive these critical head injuries she is being treated for in hospital. so that police investigation you refer to will have to answer many questions, one of which is why the police felt threatened by a 95—year—old woman advancing towards them, using a walking frame and she was just 92" tall and weighing less than 100le. so many questions for the p

phil mercer, bbc news, sydney. tesla's chief executive, elon musk, is visiting china this week.e officials as well as visit the tesla's shanghai plant. after the united states, china is tesla's second—largest market, with it's shanghai plant the electric carmaker�*s largest production hub. you are up to date. we will see you very soon, by barry. rehearsals in the hall of the primary school. they are practising and rehearsing as a zulu song. they offer a unique music programme here, going beyond the required government's required one hour a week music lesson. they have specialist music teachers and voice coachesin specialist music teachers and voice coaches in every child learns and musical instrument. this all does come at a cost and with inflation rising, and school budgets being cut, the school can't continue to deliver their music programme. we can't deliver their music programme. - can't afford it. that is the honest answer. that is why we are now having to move to establish a charity so we can access funding in other ways. charity so we can access funding in other ways-— ot

from sydney, phil mercer reports. gas has ignited a fierce row over australia's energy future.will give the power grid the reliability it needs during the transition to renewable sources. australia also wants to reassure its partners that it's a dependable supplier of liquefied natural gas. the practical reality is that we actually need to be investing in more gas supply. we're a large exporter alongside qatar and the us with one we're a large exporter, alongside qatar and the us we're one of the world's largest exporters of lng. and our lng is really supporting emissions reductions and energy security in our partner countries. so that includes japan, korea, china and others. but in march, the un secretary general called on wealthy countries such as australia to urgently stop approving new fossil fuel projects. critics accuse canberra of failing to heed warnings from the intergovernmental panel on climate change and believe that gas is a fading resource. since 2014 in the electricity system, gas usage has collapsed, it's halved. and if we look out to 2030, our australian energy

phil mercer and arunoday mukharji explain. india is australia's sixth largest trading partner.o—way trade in goods and services was worth about 13 billion us dollars but australia once more it sees immense economic opportunities with the world with my biggest democracy. last year, officials from both countries signed an interim trade agreement and second stage negotiations are well under way. second stage negotiations are well underway. now, second stage negotiations are well under way. now, australia is approaching emigration milestone of1 million people of indian origin. there has been a surge in skilled workers and international students coming from india to australia, and this is a country that sees great economic opportunity in those personal connections, those personal connections, those personal connections, those personal journeys those personal connections, those personaljourneys of people coming from india to australia. so, a great dealfor narendra modi and his australian counterpart anthony albanese de to discuss. they will focus on security, renewable energy and of

phil mercer, bbc news, sydney. behavioural issue in schools on our website. beijing has called onjapan to stop its export control of semiconductors to china. in a statement, the country's commerce minister labelled the controls a wrongdoing, saying they seriously violate international trade rules. now japan violate international trade rules. nowjapan only agreed to violate international trade rules. now japan only agreed to match violate international trade rules. nowjapan only agreed to match us export controls which limited chips to china. this affects 23 different types of equipment from being exported. it's characterised these restrictions as being part of its duty to contribute to international peace and stability. tesla's chief executive elon musk is expected to visit china this week, according to sources which have been speaking to the newswire reuters. he is expected to meet with senior chinese officials as well as at the tesla shanghai plant. that's all we have for you now, shanghai plant. that's all we ha

phil mercer, bbc news, sydney. the country's commerce minister labelled the controls wrongdoing, saying they seriously violate international trade rules. japan, along with the netherlands, agreed injanuary to match us export controls which limit the sale of chip—making tools to china. for japan's part, this prevents 23 types of different equipment being exported. it's characterised these restrictions as being part of its duty to contribute to international peace and stability. tesla's chief executive elon musk is expected to visit china this week, according to sources from reuters. he is expected to meet with senior chinese officials as well as visit the tesla's chain type plant. after the us, china is tesla's second—highest market with the shanghai plant the electric car maker's largest production hub. that's all we have for you here on asia business report, i'm monica miller, bye for now. in a few months, baby helena will have the first of numerous surgeries to repair her cleft lip and palate — a condition which

let's speak to the bbc�*s phil mercer, who is in sydney. the state of queensland, attacks? in the state of queensland, at rare. attacks? in the state of queensland, at rare- since — attacks? in the state of queensland, at rare. since record-keeping - attacks? in the state of queensland, at rare. since record-keeping began| at rare. since record—keeping began backin at rare. since record—keeping began back in the 1980s, there's only been over a dozen fatal attacks. what we do know about kevin darmody is that he was fishing with friends in far northern queensland, on cape york over the weekend. his friends didn't see the attack, but they certainly heard it — they heard a yell and a very large splash, and this was a group fishing along the river bank, when they got to the scene, the missing man wasn't there, the only thing that was left were his shoes, his flip—flops. and the authorities over the course of the next 2a hours hunted down two large crocodiles — one was three metres, one was four metres, both were shot dead and human remains were f

lets go to sydney, where bbc�*s phil mercer is covering the visit.? i think australia has great _ discussions? i think australia has great ambitions - discussions? i think australia has great ambitions to - discussions? i think australia has great ambitions to tap i discussions? i think australia i has great ambitions to tap into the markets in the world's largest democracy. trade between australia and india last year was worth about $30 billion, and australia wants to increase that. also significantly, australia wants to diversify its global trade, it's dominated with trade with china, australia's biggest trading partner, so certainly australia is looking to tap into other markets to boost its trading relations. and we do here, after these talks between anthony albanese and no random mode d, that a free trade agreement between the countries could even be signed this year. —— and prime minister modi. he -- and prime minister modi. he received a _ —— and prime minister modi. he received a rock star welcome yesterday, how popular is the indian prime mi

live now to sydney and our correspondent phil mercer. more detail on this. like a packaging? this is similar to reforms that came into australia over a decade ago when the government introduced plain packaging for cigarettes. these reforms introduced packaging that was a drab, olive colour, the idea that it would take away any glitz or glamour of traditional cigarette packaging, so the same thinking applies to vapours that they will be sold in some sort of drab packaging to reduce their appeal, especially to younger people. the australian government is announcing this massive crackdown, if you like on vaping. it's accusing the tobacco companies of using e cigarettes to create a new generation of nicotine addicts. nicotine vape can only be sold in this country with a doctor's prescription but there is a thriving black market so this is where the reforms come in, as you say. the government wants vapes to only be sold in pharmacies with the drab packaging as it hopes to reverse a growing trend, especially among the young in australia towards the use of vapes. b

enough and transparent enough as an organisation to do what has to be done. 0ur sydney correspondent phil mercern of cooma in new south wales, a short distance to the capital. they found a 95—year—old woman who are taking a serrated steak knife from a kitchen and was brandishing that night. the two officers and the care home staff members tried to calm the situation, but according to the police, this elderly woman was advancing towards those police officers and she was tasered twice, once in the chest and once in the bark, falling over, fracturing her school, suffering a bleed on the brain, and according to family members, they don't expect her to survive these critical head injuries she's being treated for in hospital. that investigation you refer to what have to answer many questions, one of which is why the police felt threatened by a 95 ruled woman advancing towards them, using a walking frame. she was just five tall, so many questions for the police in eastern australia to answer. �* , ., ~' police in eastern australia to answer. 2 .,~ police in eastern australia to answer. 2 ., police in e

certainly mature enough and transparent enough to do what has to be done. 0ur sydney correspondent phil mercerwo police officers were called to the nursing home in new south wales, it is a short distance to the national capital. they found a 95—year—old woman who are taking a serrated steak knife from the kitchen and was brandishing that knife. the two officers and the care home staff members tried to calm the situation, but according to the police, this elderly woman was advancing towards those police officers and she was tasered twice, once in the chest and once in the park. she fell over, fracturing her skull, suffering a bleed on the brain, and according to family members, they don't expect her to survive these head injuries. so dark police investigation referred to will have to answer many questions, one of which is why the police felt threatened by a 95 law the woman advancing towards them using a walking frame? she was just 52 inches tall and weighing less than £100. many questions for the police to answer. ., , , to answer. there has been quite the reaction to the _ to answer. there ha

phil mercer, bbc news, sydney. )before we go, i want to show you some footage of an elaborate bear rescue of the back seat of a parked car in northern nevada. police officers were called to the scene when local residents discovered the creature. they then constructed an escape plan, using a long piece of rope to pull open the door from a distance and to set the bear free. it then scarpered off into the woods and, happily, neitherthe animal, nor any human beings, were harmed. stay with us here on bbc news. hello again. over the next few days the weather is fairly settled for most of us. high pressure remains firmly in charge, although we'll start some mornings on a cloudy note, the cloud tending to burn back to parts of the east coast, but it could be thick enough for the odd spot of drizzle. most of us staying dry. the warmest, sunniest conditions in the west. at times there will be a chilly breeze across the south. the peak of the heat is likely to be today and tomorrow somewhere in the west, more than likely around the glasgow area where we'll reach 25 or 26 degrees. where we hang on to

the australian prime minister, anthony albanese will also be there. 0ur correspondent, phil mercer, isee you, tell us more about why the indian prime minister is there and what he is expected to say?— minister is there and what he is expected to say? there has been a rock — is expected to say? there has been a rock star _ is expected to say? there has been a rock star welcome - is expected to say? there has been a rock star welcome for| been a rock star welcome for narendra modi in sydney. at the airport he was mobbed by fans and there was much excitement outside of his hotel as well. he is in australia for talks with the australian government regarding security, trade and renewable energy. so this was a highly anticipated visit by mr modi. he was supposed to be here for a meeting by the quad metres, an alliance of australia, japan, the united states and india, but president joe biden has biggerfish to fry at home regarding the debt ceiling negotiations. so mr modi is here and he has the spotlight for himself. analysts are saying that india and australia have been driven together in re

our corresondent in sydney, phil mercer, has more.ndra modi's oratory skills. very charismatic piece of oratory from the indian prime minister, talking about and praising local politicians in australia, food and cricket, referring to the passing of the australian cricket legend shane warne a year ago. and also, asking the audience if they share his dream, his ambition of india becoming a developed country. that drew a huge amount of applause. mr modi is addressing a crowd of about 20,000 people at sydney olympic park. the venue for the olympics back in 2000. there was a slight bit of tension outside the arena. riot police were called into what they say de—escalated bit of friction between sikh activists and narendra modi supporters. i think it's important to say that the visit of the indian prime minister to australia really highlights divisions within the expatriate migrant indian community in this country. there are muslim members of the community and sikh campaigners who want to raise various human rights and other political grieva

i spoke to our correspondent in australia, phil mercer and asked just how common these crocodile attacksre's only been over a dozen fatal attacks. what we do know about kevin darmody is that he was fishing with friends in far northern queensland, on cape york over the weekend. his friends didn't see the attack, but they certainly heard it — they heard a yell and a very large splash, and this was a group fishing along the river bank, when they got to the scene, the missing man wasn't there, but the only thing that was left were his shoes, his flip—flops. and the authorities, over the course of the next 2a hours, hunted down two large crocodiles — one was three metres, one was four metres, both were shot dead and human remains were found inside one of those large reptiles. but wildlife authorities believe that both crocodiles were involved in this fatal attack. phil, mr darmody was an experienced fisherman, so do we know what exactly provokes a crocodile to want to eat someone alive? crocodiles are a direct link to our prehistoric past. it's estimated they've been on the planet for 65 mill

economic ties with australia, where there's a growing indian diaspora. 0ur corresondent in sydney, phil mercerof narendra modi's oratory skills. very charismatic piece of oratory from the indian prime minister, talking about and praising local politicians in australia, food and cricket, referring to the passing of the australian cricket legend shane warne a year ago. and also, asking the audience if they share his dream, his ambition of india becoming a developed country. that drew a huge amount of applause. mr modi is addressing a crowd of about 20,000 people at sydney olympic park. the venue for the olympics back in 2000. there was a slight bit of tension outside the arena. riot police were called into what they say de—escalated bit of friction between sikh activists and narendra modi supporters. i think it's important to say that the visit of the indian prime minister to australia really highlights divisions within the expatriate migrant indian community in this country. there are muslim members of the community and sikh campaigners who want to raise various human rights and other political

let's go onward to australia, our correspondent phil mercer joining me in sydney.oss australia, _ there? i think across australia, loki - there? i think across australia, loki is - there? i think across - australia, loki is probably the best description of the way the coronation is being marked. —— low key. a member of the commonwealth. australia is also a constitutional monarchy. charles iii is australia's king as well. a number of small official events, this one here on sydney harbour. private parties and other get—togethers. but in terms of television coverage, it's far less extensive than it was for previous royal weddings and the death of queen elizabeth last year. so certainly australians are marking the coronation of king charles iii but it's not a massive event in this country. the australian prime minister is in london, we understand, meeting with members of the royal family as well. how is that seems there?— that seems there? anthony albanese. _ that seems there? anthony albanese, the _ that seems there? anthony albanese, the labour - that seems there? an