Theres been an angry reaction in britain to the resignation of the ambassador to the United States, whos quit under intense criticism from president trump. Britains foreign secretary jeremy hunt, said the resignation is a black day for british diplomacy. His rival in the race to become Prime Minister, borisjohnson, has been criticised for failing to back the ambassador, although its emerged he did phone sir kim on wednesday, praising him. The head of the uks Diplomatic Service says hes not seen a situation like it, in 37 years. Sir kim darroch, 42 years a loyal public servant, the boy from the Council Estate who advised Prime Ministers and, until this morning, her majestys ambassador to the United States. He resigned, he said, because his leaked remarks, critical of donald trump, had made it impossible for him to carry out his role. At westminster, there was anger and support in equal measure. Sir kim has given a lifetime of service to the United Kingdom and we owe him an enormous debt of gratitude. Good government depends on Public Servants being able to give full and frank advice. I think the comments made about him are beyond unfair and wrong. I think hes given honourable and good service and he should be thanked for it. At last months state visit, mr trump and sir kim were on good terms, but his private description of a dysfunctional white house prompted a wave of president ial insults and a refusal to deal with the man he called, the wacky ambassador. I will keep him until hes due to retire and i think wed like to know if you would . 0k, well, im not going to be so presumptuous. But it was these words, the repeated refusal of borisjohnson last night to defend sir kim that prompted the ambassadors decision to go. According to whitehall sources, mrjohnsons critics were furious. Boris johnson, a former foreign secretary, and he hopes to be a future, the future Prime Minister, has basically thrown our top diplomat under the bus. And there are a lot of people here in the commons who are very, very angry. Allies of mrjohnson said this was a shabby attempt to politicise the resignation, and that sir kims position had become untenable before last nights debate. He was a superb, is a superb diplomat and i worked with him for many years, and i think that whoever leaked his diptels really has done a grave disservice to our Civil Servants. You said last night you werent going to back him . No, on the contrary. My view is its wrong to drag Civil Servants into the political arena, thats what i think. That did not assuage the fury of Foreign Office officials, nor did the fact that mrjohnson chose to phone sir kim this afternoon, to praise him for his dedication and hard work. Sir kims resignation has wrought a heavy blow on british diplomacy. Morale here at the Foreign Office is low and the risk is that it leaves britain looking like a leaky ship, buffeted by a foreign power, with its diplomats fearful in future of speaking truth to politicians who may not defend them if that truth were ever to leak. This afternoon, Foreign Office staff met to show solidarity with sir kim. Earlier, their boss said it was unprecedented for a friendly government not to co operate with a british ambassador. Whats morale like in the Foreign Office at the moment . Erm, i think people are shaken by what has happened. There is a reason why ive asked to see all my colleagues at four oclock this afternoon. The basis on which we have worked all our careers suddenly feels as though it is challenged. The question now is who will choose the next resident of the British Embassy in washington, theresa may oi her successoi . Either way, theyll have a big repairjob to do. James landale, bbc news. Five boats believed to belong to Iranian Revolutionary guards have approached a British Oil Tanker in the gulf, asking it to stop in iranian waters but reportedly withdrew, after a british warship warned them over radio. The incident occured in the strait of hormuz, a stretch of water between the persian gulf and the gulf of oman, bordered by iran and the united arab emirates. Joining us now for more on this is our north america correspondent peter bowes. I know that details are limited, no comment at the moment from the british mystery of defence, what are you hearing and tell something more about the background of this very tense time in that region. Youre right, and is extremely tense. These potentially five iranians boats approach the British Heritage as it was moving out of the persian gulf is crossing into the strait of hormuz. Under the tango, is crossing into the strait of hormuz. Underthe tango, itself is crossing into the strait of hormuz. Under the tango, itself was being escorted by a frigate and it was the guns on that frigate that we re was the guns on that frigate that were trained at the tabernacle were given a warning to back off and no shots were fired, they did a golf in the tanker was allowed on its way. The background to this is that about a week ago, a iranian supertanker was intercepted and seized of the coast of gibraltar with the help of British Royal marines on that vessel was suspected of taking oil from iran to syria which would have been in breach of eu sanctions. Now iran has described this as a form of piracy and a iranian official has said that the British Oil Tanker should be seized if that detained iranian ship will not were not released. Were still piecing together the sequence of events in the details of what has happened but perhaps this looks like an attempt to follow up, a british vessel in retaliation for what happened last read. Last week. In a statement from the Us Department of defence, the statement comes in saying, the spokesman for Us Central Command saying, we are spokesman for Us Central Command saying, we are aware spokesman for Us Central Command saying, we are aware of the reports of Islamic Revolutionary guard cornelius, harassment and attempts to interfere with the passage of the uk flagged merchant vessel near the strait of hormuz. The statement refers us to the uk ministry of defence for further information, threats to International Freedom of navigation, it says, require an International Solution to world the World Economy depends on the free flow of commerce, it is incumbent on all nations to protect and preserve this linchpin of global prosperity. That is coming in officially from the Us Department of defence, there will be more, we will bring it to. Lets get some of the days other news. Flights at London Gatwick airport were suspended for two hours on wednesday because of an issue with air Traffic Control systems. 28 flights were cancelled, 26 were diverted to other airports. In december, flights were suspended for more than a day when drone sightings caused chaos for tens of thousands of passengers. A man has been detained for climbing over a fence onto the forecourt of buckingham palace. Its understood he scaled the barrier to the side of the building in the early hours of wednesday. He was arrested moments later. Royal Officials Say he did not enter the palace building. Taylor swift is the worlds top earning celebrity, according to the annual forbes countdown of highest paid stars. Forbes estimates she made 185 million in pre tax earnings in the year beginning june 2018. The bulk of her earnings likely come from her reputation tour, thought to be the biggest grossing tour in american history. In Myanmars Rakhine state, hundreds of new houses have been handed over to families displaced by the violence against the Rohingya Muslims in 2017. But none of the homes was actually for the minority group. Almost two years on, theres no sign the 700,000 rohingya who fled over the border to neighbouring bangladesh will be returning soon. Myanmar denies its troops carried out ethnic cleansing and genocide. Our myanmar correspondent nick beake gained rare access to the affected part of rakhine. It takes time to reach myanmars killing fields. A grim journey to where, they say, a genocide was committed. Far from the eyes of the outside world. For the past year, the myanmar government has not allowed us to travel to northern Rakhine State. Finally we now have permission to go to an event there. How much the authorities will let us see is another matter. This was the highway from hell. Two years ago, hundreds of thousands of Rohingya Muslims escaped along this route. Fleeing the burmese armys campaign of rape and murder. But now we are told, some of those displaced in the bloodshed are coming back. Under close scrutiny we are invited see 250 new homes and the people who will live in them. They have been paid for by neighbouring india. This family are waiting to talk to us. Although it turns out they will not be sleeping here tonight. They will be going back to their nearby village. Because these are not Rohingya Muslims coming home. Like everyone we meet here, they are hindu. How would you feel if your muslim neighbours came back . We would not like it, she tells us. Many hindus were killed in muslim villages. Many outsiders believe Rakhine State is still soaked in religious hatred and it is not safe for different communities to live side by side. But ministers claim progress is being made. And today they are celebrating their efforts. They are battling on with this event despite the relentless rain because myanmars government is desperate to show it is doing things in Rakhine State to try and improve lives. The reality is none of the houses we see here today are for rohingya people. They remain in refugee camps across the border in bangladesh and for now, two years on after the terrible violence, there is no home. The families today are hindu families. Will you be providing housing for the rohingya families . Not only for the hindu people but also for the muslim people and the rakhine people. The project will become more and more. Up to half a million Rohingya Muslims who did not flee the 2017 persecution remain in Rakhine State. One United Nations investigator said they live in modern day concentration camps, denied many freedoms. And while there is such a Bleak Outlook there is little chance that friends and family across the border in the refugee camps will be coming home tojoin them. The United States has opened an investigation into french plans to tax internet and tech giants such as google and facebook. The us trade representative has said hes concerned the Digital Services tax will unfairly target american companies. The french government says companies that make big profits selling Digital Services in france should not be able to escape tax simply because their headquarters are elsewhere. Dave lee is in san francisco. It does look as if the French Parliament is going to approve this on thursday, france is taking a risk here, taking on the us, isnt it . Yes, it is taking a risk and for now at least france is fairly isolated. They have been talks of a europe wide digital tax like this but that fell through because of opposition from countries that ireland that have some of these tech countries accompanies basing their european operations there. Francis pledged to go ahead alone, implement this 3 tax on the revenues that tech Companies Make in france, and the criteria for being part of this tax is that its a company that owns more than 750 Million Euros every year, globally, and so the american complaint is that many of those companies that fit the criteria, the majority of the companies that fit the criteria in france are american companies, google, apple, facebook, is like that and that is why america says it is going to investigate what is happening to see whether or not, as they see it, an American Company is being unfairly targeted by this new tax from france. But the kind of investigation the americans are talking about has been valued to punitive tariffs, hasnt it . Yes, it has and that is what france is going to be particularly wary of you. There is a precedent here where the us has begun this kind of investigation and then as a result, started in permitting new us tariffs, most notably involving china. France, although as part of the eu, it is more difficult to different specific arabs, what the us can do is look at particular industries were france is particularly active when it comes to exporting to the us. That is something the us could look to do. But it seems both sides do you think the privileges of this eventually might be the proper way to solve this might be an agreement on how companies should be taxed around the world a re companies should be taxed around the world are not Just Companies should be taxed around the world are notjust in france. Many thanks for that. Stay with us on bbc news, still to come a heros welcome for the us football team, winners of the womens world cup back in new york city. Central london has been rocked by a series of terrorist attacks. Police say there have been many casualties, and there is growing speculation that alqaeda was responsible. Germany will be the hosts of the 2006 football world cup. They pipped the favourites, south africa, by a single vote. In south africa, the possibility of losing hadnt even been contemplated, and celebration parties were cancelled. The man entered the palace through a downstairs window and made his way to the queens private bedroom. Then he asked her for a cigarette, and on the pretext of arranging for some to be brought, she summoned a footman on duty, who took the man away. One child, one teacher, one book and one pen can change the world. Education is the only solution. Applause welcome back. Good to have you with us. This is bbc news. The latest headlines many british politicians have expressed concern at the resignation of britains ambassador to washington, after his confidential criticism of president Trumps Administration was leaked. The United States has launched an investigation into frances plan to Tax Technology giants like google and facebook, saying it may unfairly target american companies. More than 20 countries at the United Nations Human Rights Council have signed a letter condemning chinas treatment of uighur muslims and other minorities, in its Western Region of xinjiang. The letter, signed by countries, including britain, france and germany, it expresses concern at mass detention, widespread surveillance and other restrictions. Im joined now by the china director of the campaigning organisation human rights watch, sophie richardson. Shes in washington dc. Thank you very much for talking to us. Thank you very much for talking to us. The background to this is there is not wholehearted support at the council . It has been a long road to get this far but the fact that 22 countries essentially reiterated some of the calls the human rights have called for is incredibly important. It is only the second time anything counselleds existence this has happened and it is an increase number. Council. Inaudible china has sought impunity at the council. Realistically, how do you think china will read it . It is in such a strong economic position with so many countries. Is in such a strong economic position with so many countriesm has had to work harder than it thought it would to hold back criticism. It has changed its story, invited journalists on tours, encourage diplomats to speak up in its defence in institutions like the Human Rights Council. And still we see government pulling it out, saying that do not believe its narrative and remain concerned about gross Human Rights Violations in xinjiang. It goes a long way to accountability. This is a very important step forward. We have some problem with the connection but what chance do you see of the rest of the world managing to moderate chinas treatment of the uyghurs and its general human rights record . Many countries to fight back and ask tough questions and chinas efforts tough questions and chinas efforts to minimise criticism about its record means the rest of the world is not giving up and that is partly because people outside of china is seeing inaudible. Thank you for talking to us. The german chancellor, Angela Merkel, has suffered another shaking spell the third, in less than a month. It happened as she stood alongside the finish Prime Minister for the national anthem, in berlin. Concerns about her health were first raised after she was seen shaking during a ceremony with the ukrainian president last month. Angela merkel played down the issue, insisting there was no cause for alarm. Ramzan karmali reports. Angela merkel making headlines but not for the reasons she would want. Up not for the reasons she would want. Up until now the german press has been pretty subdued in response to the leaders shaking episodes but her public bouts of shaking have fuelled speculation about her health. First she was seen in volu nta ry health. First she was seen in voluntary shaking during military honours for the visiting president volodymyr zelensky. She said she felt better after drinking some water. She was then seen shaking two weeks ago i had offered trip to japan for the g20 summit. Again she told journalists she was fine. Her latest trembling episode took place as she stood next to finish Prime Minister antti rinne. She insisted there was nothing to be concerned about. Translation to start i am fine. Have recently said i am working for what happened during the military honours with president volodymyr zelensky. There is progress, i must live with this for a while but i am well and you do not have to worry. Angela merkel has been a mainstay of german politics since the demolition of the berlin wall. She was made womens minister in 1991 wall. She was made womens minister in1991 and wall. She was made womens minister in 1991 and continued to rise up through the ranks of the ruling christian democrats party. Ultimately become chancellor in 2005. Her work ethic has become stuff of legends and she has even prided herself on having camelot capacity to store up sleep now her health is likely to come up under more scrutiny. Those incidents show wea kness more scrutiny. Those incidents show weakness and weakness is not something you want to sleep with your head of government and certainly not with such a very powerful woman as Angela Merkel is, the leader of europe as some people say, so i guess she would have to give some proper answers and the media now here in germany is demanding for such answers. Angler michael is in herfourth and last term as chancellor. She has a red indicated she believe politics when her current term ends in 2021. Soon she will be going on her Summer Holidays and hopes to return in good health. Ramzan karmali, bbc news. Thousands turned out in new york city today to honour the Us Womens Soccer Team, world cup champions once again. There were official speakers, but the players and especially team captain, megan rapeino, were very much the stars of the show. The bbcs nada tawfik was there. Cheering and applause how is this for a homecoming . New york was buzzing with excitement as the Us Womens Soccer Team made their way down the canyon of heroes. Red white and blue, tickertape raining down from above, the world champions passed in the glory of their win. There is so much energy and pride for the Us Womens Soccer Team. They have shown that they are a force on the field and they have proved that perseverance on another battle, the fight for equal pay. Fans hearsay they no doubt deserve it. |j fight for equal pay. Fans hearsay they no doubt deserve it. I think they no doubt deserve it. I think they deserve more pay. They have wonderful book up and the men have ten. We need some women to stand up for this world and we are ahead of man sometimes. The party continued all the way to city hall where the players showed off that victory dance. Co captain, megan rapinoe, a focal point. It is our responsibility to make this world a better place. I think this team does an incrediblejob better place. I think this team does an incredible job of better place. I think this team does an incrediblejob of taking better place. I think this team does an incredible job of taking that on our shoulders. And understanding the position that we have and the platform that we have. The players we re platform that we have. The players were honoured with a symbolic key to the city by eight deblasio who spoke about future generations. They have inspired particular young women to believe in themselves, to be brave, to be bold, to be fierce. This team record breaking run shows once again that women ares soccer is a force to be reckoned with. The big question is, after the celebrations are over, and they are back on the field, will they receive equal pay . A reminder of ourbreaking story this hourfive boats believed to belong to Iranian Revolutionary guards have approached a British Oil Tanker in the gulf, asking it to stop in iranian waters but reportedly withdrew after a british warship warned them over radio. It trained its guns on them as well. The incident occured in the strait of hormuz, a stretch of water between the persian gulf and the gulf of oman, bordered by iran and the united arab emirates. An area of great tension at the moment. You may remember a week ago, and uranian supertanker was seized. Believed to be in breach of us sanctions. A statement from the Us Central Command criticises what it calls uranian harassment and attem pts calls uranian harassment and atte m pts to calls uranian harassment and attempts to interfere with a merchant vessel. Iran. There is dou btless merchant vessel. Iran. There is doubtless more honour that to come. Thank you very much for watching. More on that to come. Well, its been a very humid couple of days across many parts of the uk. Temperatures have got up to 27 degrees. Some of that humidity is going to spark off a few thunderstorms. Certainly across northern and eastern parts of the country on thursday. Not everybody is going to get them though. This is what it looks like through the early hours. So already some showers dotted around across the uk. The south is largely dry early in the morning. And very warm 15 16 degrees after dawn, just in the north west there, maybe around 12 degrees in stornoway. Now, low pressure is crossing the country on thursday. Thats going to spark off some thunderstorms. Once again across scotland and eastern parts of the uk. Further south it is looking dry. The weather is looking absolutely fine for wimbledon. Partly cloudy skies. Temperatures around the mid 20s and light winds. But still quite humid. So the forecast for the morning, showers possible almost anywhere across central, northern england, scotland, maybe one or two in northern ireland. It is later on from lincolnshire, the eastern counties, and eastern scotland where we will see the heaviest of the showers brewing. 20 degrees in the north. In the south, around 25 or 26. Another warm, humid day. Lets zoom into eastern scotland. These showers will continue to move across scotland into the evening hours and, again, thunderstorms possible almost anywhere from yorkshire northwards. Thursday night into friday, that low pressure pushes away. This High Pressure is trying to build on that will help improve the weather as we head into the weekend. Here is fridays weather forecast. There is a shift in the wind direction, coming from the north west. It will put away some of that humidity. Temperatures will drop a touch as well. On friday, again, further showers are possible in some eastern areas of the uk. Temperatures typically around the low 20s, maybe touching 23, 2a degrees in southern parts of the uk. Thats friday. Lets have a look at saturday. The winds mostly in from the north. So feeling a little bit fresher, i think, across the majority of the uk. It will cloud over at times. There is the chance of one or two showers, but on the whole it is a dry saturday for most of us. Not a bad one. Quite a bright one. Temperatures typically 21 22 degrees. Sunday looks fairly similar as well. In cardiff, 2a, light winds, really a very pleasant saturday and sunday on the way. Bye bye. This is bbc news. The headlines british politicians have expressed concern at the resignation of britains ambassador to washington. Sir kim darroch quit after his confidential criticism of the Trump Administration was leaked, prompting the us president to say he wouldnt work with him. The foreign secretary called the resignation a black day for british diplomacy. The American Government has launched an investigation into frances plan to Tax Technology giants like google and facebook, saying it may unfairly target us companies. The french government says the companies should not be able to escape paying tax simply because their headquarters are in other countries. The bbc has learned that 250 houses donated by the Indian Government for displaced people in Myanmars Rakhine state will only be used to house hindu villagers. Rohingya muslims in a camp for internally displaced people said no one from their ethnic group had been provided with new homes
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