Caribbean leaders navigate rampant gang violence that threatens to overtake haiti. In a meeting with the new prime minister, secretary blinken announced m5 million worth of new monetary and aid. Haitian authorities have expanded state of emergency order right across the entire country, the military situation that is rapidly deteriorating since the former prime minister resigned backin former prime minister resigned back in march. Eight agencies reported that nearly 580,000 people have been internally displaced by conflict with close to 5 million people facing severe hunger. About 400 canyon trips around the country injune canyon trips around the country in june as canyon trips around the country injune as part of the un backed security mission and before he left for neighbouring the mnuchin republic, mr blinken reaffirmed the united states commitment to supporting haitian people and fostering a secure and peaceful country. We have seen _ secure and peaceful country. Have seen the presidential council be stood up, government, prime minister stood up at the arrival of canyon colours to support the police in this critical security mission starting to see the results from that. All with the objective of putting haiti on a path to elections next year but also to creating a secure environment modelling at the elections but making sure that services can be delivered to the haitian people as needed. The government can move forward in life can return. I move forward in life can return— move forward in life can return. , return. I spoke to jacqueline charles. _ return. I spoke to jacqueline charles, haiti _ return. I spoke to jacqueline charles, haiti correspondingj charles, haiti corresponding for the miami herald. Realistically, what is hoped that this visit can actually achieve their in haiti? i think the first thing _ achieve their in haiti? i think the first thing you _ achieve their in haiti? i think the first thing you want achieve their in haiti? i think the first thing you want to i achieve their in haiti? i thinkj the first thing you want to do is light fire underneath the interim haitian leaders as far as the election so i think you will accomplish that but there's more practical question which is can you pull off elections? in a country were just in the capitol alone, gangs can from more than 85% of the capitol and if you take the capitol, the whole region will port—au—prince in the last election which was 2016, the represented about 60% of the electorate so, how do 60% of the electric go and vote in a place where gangs control practically everywhere? and that's the real question, today we have 400 canyons, if got 1600 or let's say 2500, that's not going to be enough to cover voting centres and that's something that we have not heard from us authorities in terms of speaking, how do you expect they shall publishing to go and vote if they desired to be because right now, i'll toe that this is the last thing that this is the last thing that a lot of people's minds, i just got back on the level of despair is incredible. Tell us more about that because a state of emergency has been expanded across the entire country, you are very familiar with the situation on the ground, has it improved at all since march? what's the sense you've been getting about how people are feeling? today, secretary blinken said there is a renewed sense of hope and i have to tell you, i did not get this at all, i went outside of port—au—prince of the southeast way they do not have the cams and since people told me, psychologically, they are feeling the consequences of this gang violence in brands and then i went to the community that's received 44,000 display stations in a town next door since may, people are literally living in the mud because they left their homes with nothing but the clothes on the back, the homestay bill with the money, the hard earned money is overtaken by gangs, they don't know where they're going to go, whether going to be next, there is such a loss, sense of loss and humanity for them, whether they are in the cams or living with somebody, i did not face this earthquake despite all the lost people have reason to hope, they saw ngos, they heard words of inspiration, today the not hearing any of this, they completely feel abandoned and they don't know whether going to run to next, one woman said to run to next, one woman said to me while, like the people of israel, if the gangs comes in the only choice is going to be either plunge into the ocean of face to firearms squad, that's how they feel at this moment. A devastating situation, sense of hopelessness you're describing among the population there, tell us more about why they do feel so hopeless and also, how that canyon soup curative force backed by the un has been received that, whatever have been able to make any kind of impact? what was such a lot of hope for that canyon forces but we are talking about 400 and people have seen is since the arrival, on the 25th ofjune, the communities that have fallen to the gangs, just a few miles east of the us embassy in a town, they resisted the gangs for two years and then injuly, that town was completely taken over, now you have a stand—off between the gang, 400 and the residents in the town next door which close to the border so nothing is getting through, the truck drivers are telling me that are limited to take this roundabout wave through the mountain and now it's a five day journey, mountain and now it's a five dayjourney, while it is passed on to the consumers so prices are going up, people did not feel secure and even if they don't have ten cities of the level of gang violence that you're seeing in port—au—prince, they basically feel that any particular moment their communities can be taken over, they are trying their best they can with the citizens, other scrutinising strangers who are coming in but if you take again, the southeast, 61,000 people have fled their, estimated 25,000 of them are school children and when i talk to parents, they tell me even with the assistance of unicef talking about providing to them in terms of get back to school kids, they don't even have the basic money for school uniforms offer school fees and a lot of students left their homes without identification papers orany without identification papers or any sort of record so that's what you're looking at and people are literally homeless. Can about the reporting from haiti, here in the us, police and the state of georgia said that they have arrested the father of colt gray, the team suspect in the apalachee high school shooting. Which happened on wednesday, colin gray has 54 according to the bureau of investigation faced four counts of involuntary manslaughter, to second—degree murder and accounts of cruelty to children. His son was arrested at this and taken into custody, police say colt gray was armed with a semiautomatic style weapon when he shot and killed four people and injured nine others. Both father and son were question last year in connection with an online threats to commit to a school shooting with the fbi saying at the time that there was no reason to arrest them. Here is the county sheriff speaking a short time ago. The the county sheriff speaking a short time ago. — short time ago. The young erson short time ago. The young person but _ short time ago. The young person but a _ short time ago. The young person but a gun short time ago. The young person but a gun into short time ago. The young person but a gun into a. Short time ago. The young person but a gun into a school, committed an evil act and he took lives and injured any other people, not only physically but mentally. But i am proud of the county, i'm proud of our superintendent, proud of our superintendent, proud of our superintendent, proud of these teachers, part of the schools and i'm proud of where i live. And we will get past this, you see behind me appear on the heel, a visual going on at our flagpole. I want the committee to go see those kids and the people that are hurting. Those kids and the people that are hurting— are hurting. Michel barnier, widely known _ are hurting. Michel barnier, widely known as _ are hurting. Michel barnier, widely known as european l widely known as european commissioner who negotiated brexit for the european union, has now been named francis new prime minister. 0utgoing prime minister seen here met with his successor in hand of the meeting early on thursday. President emmanuel macron appointed mr barnier of political deadlock in the country after snap elections and in a hung parliament. The 73—year—old old right wing has been tasked with performing new coalition government including with rival parties. The french parliament could still be vetoing president macron's choice and a vote of no—confidence. Michel barnier. A household name across the uk. Michel barnier, the eu's former chief brexit negotiator, has walked into our studio in london. Michel barnier, welcome to hardtalk. Mr barnier. . . I'm sorry but i don't want to answer questions now. I'm sorry, we are late to work. Let me work, please. Not something french politicians can normally boast unless they are the president. But mr barnier was the point man for the eu during the years and years of painful brexit negotiations. Charged with keeping eu member states united and the uk in check. It is quite ironic that the man who became nicknamed triple b, barnier, the brexit man in brussels, is pretty much better known in the uk and in eu circles then here in france. I've come to valenciennes, a town in northern france, to ask what people know of their new prime minister. Excusez—moi. Michel barnier is the new prime minister. No. You don't know him? merci. Do you know mr barnier, michel barnier? no. He's your new prime minister. Ah, 0k. No, sorry. Thank you, bye—bye. But mr barnier is no newbie to politics. Ahead of the last french presidential election, he tried and failed to get nominated as a centre—right candidate. So he is known here by people who follow politics closely. But his manner is more officious than personable, as we in the uk may remember. And he is viewed as president macron's prime minister of last resort. A predictable pair of hands hoping to calm even momentarily the political chaos and street protests since the snap parliamentary vote in july. Around the world and across the uk, this is bbc news. That's take a look now at some other stories making use. The ministry of defence says that a member of the british royal navy has died in a training exercise in the english channel. At after a helicopter ditched in the english channel during a nighttime operation with the hms queen elizabeth aircraft carrier. Three criminals were on board with their two survivors taken to their two survivors taken to the hospital but facing no serious injuries. Proposed antipollution law in england and wales could ban water companies bosses from receiving bonuses and subject them to prison time and effort to combat pollution. The government's new water bill would lower the burden of proof in civil cases so that the environmental agency can more easily bring criminal charges against water company bosses. The indie band english teacher has won the 2024 reprice with their debut album. The koorda who formed in leeds in 2020 other first from outside who formed in leeds in 2020 otherfirst from outside london to win the prize since 2014. It's what it every year to the best album released by music artist in the uk and ireland, previous winners have included pj harvey and porter said. You alive with bbc news. To east africa now where the family of the ugandan 0lympic athlete rebecca cheptegei is accusing police are failing to respond to warnings that her life was in danger following her death on thursday morning. Herfather her death on thursday morning. Her father says the security officials are not doing enough scene of the attacker who killed his daughter is still free, the marathon runner was doused in petrol and set on fire at our home in western kenya, allegedly attacked by a former boyfriend of a land dispute. She returned from her 0lympic debut in paris and the case has been reported on as an incident of domestic violence. A friend of her and fellow athletes spoke to the bbc about the perfect incident and also the perfect incident and also the founder of an organisation founded to address the killings of high—profile female athletes, she told the bbc that violence against female athletes is on the rise. They are subject _ athletes is on the rise. They are subject this _ athletes is on the rise. They are subject this violence are subject this violence because they are going against the various of the community, the various of the community, the cultural where a woman is just to be in the kitchen and gers have kids, when you see this young athletes, very talented and start to be independent in the run, the one operatives by themselves and so, men arejust operatives by themselves and so, men are just trying to use them as a property so it's most marriages based on the money. This incident appears to be part of a disturbing pattern in 2021, the canyon road runner who said world best world greatest was stabbed to death at home. Her husband is facing murder charges and in 2022, fellow athletes was found dead at her home, her boyfriend was identified as a suspect, he disappeared and has not been traced, those cases are part of a much larger number according to data compiled by the united nations in 2022, the estimated 20,000 victims of female, partner and family —related killings in africa is the highest rate in the world. In kenya in particular injanuary alone, there are at least 14 such cases and that prompted widespread protest, for more, and how it's impacting the nation, here's a africa respondent. This case has brought to the fore a very important discussion about domestic violence and the toll it is taking on communities. This is the third elite female athlete to fall victim to domestic violence injust to fall victim to domestic violence in just three years and it can year. There is a lot of outrage and anger and a disturbing sense of deja vu and people are asking what more can be done to end it. I have spoken to lawyers who have been involved in cases of domestic violence, dealing with victims, and they state that the laws exist to protect them and to deliverjustice however the implementation is where the problem is. We have two other cases of elite athletes killed as a result of domestic violence but to this day, families are still seeking justice. In one case, the suspect is still at large. He was somebody close to her and therefore the discussions are ongoing both in kenya and uganda and calling on the government and judiciary is to put in more resources to do more to make sure that victims are protected and the law follows its course and justice is delivered quickly. In the us the harris campaign is continuing, fighting for reproductive freedom. They are rallying supporters to push for access to abortions. It started in from a president donald trump backyard in mar—a—lago. Reproductive rights are a key concern in the country and the issue some state will be central. 0n issue some state will be central. On tuesday, reproductive rally was held in palm beach. — reproductive rally was held in palm beach. This is a national movement — palm beach. This is a national movement. Americans palm beach. This is a national movement. Americans have l palm beach. This is a national. Movement. Americans have time and time again that they will not tolerate a country where our daughters have fewer rights than their mothers and grandmothers, that they believe that women have the right to make their own healthcare decisions and not politicians. Meanwhile in louisiana, a new state law will limit a drug used in the case of miscarriage or post partum haemorrhage. It will now be classed as a controlled substance. Conservatives in the state have targeted its use because it can also be used for abortion. The law goes into effect on the first of october. For more on what is happening in louisiana i spoke to the executive director of the reproductive rights organisation lift louisiana. As of the first of october mifepristone will be reclassified as controlled substances. What will that mean? it substances. What will that mean? ,. , substances. What will that mean? ,. ,. Mean? it is a huge difference in the way — mean? it is a huge difference in the way that _ mean? it is a huge difference in the way that pregnancy mean? it is a huge difference | in the way that pregnancy care and pregnancy publications will be managed in louisiana. This is the drug that is prescribed daily as we understand and across the state of louisiana. They used to manage miscarriages, to induce labour, the use and even to insert iuds. This is a medication and other medical conditions including pushing syndrome so the scheduling of this medication will make it much more difficult for providers to be able to prescribe this medication and for patients to be able to access it. Michelle, i was reading that around 200 doctors in your state have signed a letter against this, i wonder now, how they preparing for this law to come into force from october? we have been having conversations with doctors both in private practice and those affiliated with large hospitals and it ranges. The law requires the department of health will provide guidance the law requires the department of health to provide guidance on the new law and what is required of them under the new law but as far as we can tell none of the providers have received any guidance from the louisiana department of health and instead hospitals and physicians are kind ofjust winging it. They are removing mifepristone from haemorrhaged carts which are often readily accessible. They are moved from room to room because when haemorrhaging occurs in labour and delivery, it is absolutely essential that this medication is quickly available to people to deal with the most significant impact of haemorrhaging or other serious pregnancy complication and if they are removing this medication from the haemorrhaging cart this will add time delay for patients to be able to receive the medication that could be life saving. We do have to say this is a situation in a state where maternal mortality is one of the worst in the country particularly for black women, black mothers, so presumably the objective of this is to get more women to have babies but ijust wonder, you are describing the risks here and when you speak to people, does that impact the process of thinking about getting pregnant? i think it is something that we really need to consider and, yes, you are right. In louisiana black women are 3—4 times more likely to die of pregnancy complications than that white counterparts in that state and there are a lot of things we can do to address these issues, things that have worked in other states and other countries. Instead we are increasing the risk by having medically law to stop life—saving medication. I think this is something. . . There is a balancing act in these kinds of situations. Of course, we want to support people in their decisions about pregnancy and becoming mothers and we want to applaud that and celebrate that and provide them with all of the resources but we also have to be realistic about the risks that the louisiana abortion ban and this law in particular poses to people. You are in a conservative state but if you take a look at the numbers right now and how the issue is shaping across the country when it comes to abortion, for women younger 45, abortion is overtaken the economy as the single most important issue for voters. Are you seeing that in your community? let me tell you, abortion is an important issue even in a red state like louisiana. Polling was conducted in april 2023 and what we found is 53% of likely voters in louisiana actually wanted abortion rights to be constitutionally protected in our state. That is not reflected in the way that our elected officials are voting on this issue but absolutely people in louisiana are concerned about this. It is an important issue for them and we hope it will be a voting issue for them. From left louisiana, thank you for sharing your perspective with us. The united states secured the release of 135 nicaraguan political prisoners on thursday on humanitarian grounds. The white house says those freed are all nicaraguan citizens and include members of a texas—based christian evangelical organisation, catholic lay people and students. A majority of prisoners arrived in guatemala on thursday morning, where they will have the opportunity to lawfully request to go to another country. The release comes after months of negotiations between the us and nicaragua. Nicaragua's president daniel 0rtega has been engaged in what is being described as a brutal crackdown of critics. Central america and cuba correspondent will grant. The contest of this prisoner release in nicaragua really goes back to 2018, when daniel 0rtega launched a major crackdown on opposition to his government in the country. There were wide spread protests, scores were killed in the streets and that really marked the moment when he and his wife, the vice president rosario murillo, strengthened the crackdown on opposition in the media, in civil society, ngos and of course the church. Specifically, we know that 135 people have been released under the step negotiated by the biden administration. The vast majority have gone to guatemala, where they have been received as refugees. Those who are related to texas—based evangelical group, called mountain getaway, they have been sent to the united states. Some of those who have gone to guatemala will apply asylum both in the us and other countries around the world. It is a significant step in the sense that it comes at a moment when relations between washington and the far left in latin america are extremely strained. In the wake of the election in venezuela, the presidential election, which washington says has not been free and fair, that president nicolas maduro, who is a close ally of daniel 0rtega in nicaragua, in essence stole the election. That is the inference from washington. Of course denied in venezuela and denied by daniel 0rtega. The fact that this has been achieved at this moment is significant and of course for those who were held, for theirfamilies, it is a very, very important day, one they have been hoping for, in some cases, for several years. 0ne story to update you in the us. Hunter biden has decided to change his plea to guilty in his tax evasion trial. Jury selection was due to begin in los angeles. Prosecutors accused him of not paying tax when he was paying for drugs, and luxury goods. You are up—to—date for the moment. Hello. The weather across the uk is certainly pretty varied right now. Looking back at thursday, some places got to see blue skies and sunshine. Gorgeous scenes there in the highlands. Compare that with the heavy downpours that affected not only kent, but many southern counties of england, the southern half of wales as well. It's all because the low pressure is swirling to the south of us. Instead of this area of low pressure moving through and clearing away, it willjust continue to churn around, and that means further outbreaks of rain across southern counties of england, pushing up into the south of wales and the south midlands. Further north, though, yes, some areas of low cloud, mist and fog, which may linger for some northern and eastern coasts. But further north and west, we see a good deal of sunshine, whereas these showers and thunderstorms will continue down towards the south right through into the late afternoon. Just to the north of that band of rain, 25—26 degrees. We could also get to 26 in western scotland, and it is going to feel quite humid. Now through friday night, this band of showers and perhaps still the odd thunderstorm drifting a little bit further northwards. But many spots will be dry with some mist and murk, again, some areas of fog. It's going to be another pretty warm and humid night. A humid start to saturday with our area of low pressure still churning to the south. That means there is the chance that we'll see further outbreaks of rain pushing up from the south across the channel islands into southern counties of england as we go through the day. Spots further north after early mist and murk clears should see, once again, some spells of warm sunshine, although i think it will stay quite grey for some of these eastern coasts. Again in the sunny spots with that humid air, temperatures could get to around 23—24 degrees. By sunday, it looks like our area of low pressure will start to move northwards. That will introduce outbreaks of rain, particularly across england and wales. Could see some of that into southern scotland later on. Some hefty thundery downpours following on into the south. Still quite a warm feel for the time being. That is set to change because as we head into next week, we change the wind direction, we bring the winds down from the northwest, and so things are going to feel very different. Temperatures, if anything, looks set to drop back to values below the average for the time of year, and it will still be quite unsettled. Showers or longer spells of rain and often breezy. Voiceover: this is bbc news. We'll have the headlines for you at the top of the hour, which is straight after this programme. Welcome to hardtalk. I'm stephen sackur. To be female in afghanistan is to be condemned to a life without visibility, agency or rights. The taliban regime requires women to conceal their faces, bodies, even their voices in public. They must never look at a man outside theirfamily, nor ever sing or read aloud. The un secretary general calls it systemic gender apartheid. But still it continues. And still, taliban officials conduct a dialogue with international counterparts. My guest is fawzia koofi, former deputy speaker of the afghan parliament. What is the right international approach to afghanistan?