Lets get more on our top story, the palestinian president says only the us can prevent an Israeli Attack on rafah, where more than a million have fled. Efforts are under way to negotiate a truce between israel and hamas. The us Secretary Of State is heading to riyadh, where he will meet arab leaders to discuss the situation. Lets speak to Gina Abercrombie winstanley, president of The Middle East Policy Council and former us ambassador. Thank you very much for coming on the programme. Antony blinken on his way. What you think he is hoping to achieve . Hes got a tough road ahead, he has got to convince the players he is meeting in riyadh are several things. Players he is meeting in riyadh are severalthings. Number players he is meeting in riyadh are several things. Number one, players he is meeting in riyadh are severalthings. Number one, he has got to convince the saudis there is a deal ahead, that the us Security Guarantees are going to make it worthwhile for them to continue forward.
Newsroom. The number of people waiting to start routine hospital treatment has hit a record high of 7. 68 million. Its the highest number since records began in august two thousand and seven. Earlier, the government announced the nhs will receive. £200 million to will receive. £200 million to help the service in the coming winter. Labour says the monies are sticking plaster, but the Prime Minister says the government is trying to improve waiting times. Waiting times. Well winter is always a challenging time for the nhs and this year we started planning for winter earlier than ever before. Today were announcing before. Today were announcing £200 million, which will go to the nhs to help build extra capacity and resilience for this winter season, making sure that patients can care that patients can get the care that they need. Earlier this year, we also announced the long term workforce plan , making sure that workforce plan, making sure that for the first time we train more doctors a
Stories coming live from the bbc newsroom. There are a number to focus on across the hour. Of course well talk about the royal engagement. These are some of the latest pictures from indonesia where thousands of people are being told to leave their homes because of this enormous volcano to leave their homes because of this enormous volcano and barley. Weve also got this special report to play, its about Lake Victoria and pollution damaging the lives of fishermen. Hope frances is in myanmar and thats going to be a delicate diplomatic trip because of theissue delicate diplomatic trip because of the issue of the Rohingya Muslims. We will talk about that in detail as well. Theres no doubt what the most popular story has been at bbc all day. The american actress and campaign Meghan Markle is engaged to prince harry. Here they are making their first appearance since the announcement. Harry has taken the royalfamily announcement. Harry has taken the royal family somewhere new. Announcement. Ha
It comes after a massive snow storm that reached as far south as florida. In parts of the us, temperatures are forecast to fall below minus 30 degrees celsius. The extreme weather has so far been linked to up to 19 deaths in the us and two more in canada. Andrew plant reports. A new year, a new low for north americas east coast, bracing itself against subzero temperatures and several inches of snow. It is those who live outside who are now the most vulnerable to a weather event exceptionally rare. In chicago, thermometers are still falling. Those on the streets encouraged to come inside. In boston, homeless shelters are bringing in more emergency bed, as dozens flee from the biting cold. And in washington, dc, as volunteers serve hot meals to be home this year, the fear is that the frozen ground and the forecast for record lows this weekend could become a lethal combination. for record lows this weekend could become a lethal combination. I dont know that we have reported any deaths bas
But i think its entirely possible, so were trying to help in whatever way we can, which is opening the centre between meals, we have warm clothing available for people who need it, and providing hot meals to people when they come in here. But after years of living outside, some still say theyll stay away from the homeless shelters. People in the neighbourhood have been looking out for us. They are totally looking out for us. Socks, sweatpants, i mean, more than we even need the mass of low pressure is moving north up north americas atlantic coast, leaving heavy snowfall behind, and the possibility of temperatures as low as 30 celsius. Much colder, though, in the fierce winds. Cars and homes already frozen in floodwater. Even large bodies of water are now pale and still. In cities like new york, road salt has helped get traffic moving. But in rural areas, the problems will persist even longer. So far, at least 19 people have died. Temperatures could return to normal next week as the sto