Transcripts For BBCNEWS BBC 20240704 : comparemela.com

The decision to declare both a State Of Emergency and a night time curfew in the Haitian Capital comes after fierce fighting by armed gangs who are now in control of most of the city. During the fighting, gunmen entered the main prison in Port Au Prince and quickly overwhelmed the guards, allowing some 4,000 inmates to escape. Eyewitnesses report seeing several bodies inside and around the prison compound. The gangs in haiti which oppose mr henrys rule sense a possible power vacuum and an opportunity to force him from office. A notorious gang leader, a former elite Police Officer called jimmy cherizier, also known as barbecue, has claimed responsibility for the latest outbreak of violence. He has warned mr henry to stay away from haiti, saying the armed groups in the provincial towns and the armed groups in the capital are united. Given the strength of those gangs, enforcing a curfew may prove extremely difficult. That was our carribean correspondent will grant reporting. Harold isaac is a Freelance Journalist in Port Au Prince. He gave us this update on the situation there. We have entered a State Of Emergency along with a curfew. And this is the answer of the government to the latest developments in the last few hours where the Security Situation has seriously degraded here in the capital of Port Au Prince. For the most part, everybody here are expecting to have a disrupted week as over 4,000 inmates have fled the two Detention Centers the two Detention Centres here in Port Au Prince. And creating a Real Security crisis, aggravating what was already a challenging time to be in the city. So its really a lot of questions with very little answers at this point. Many of the high profiles, especially the colombians or people that were involved in the assassination of the president , some of them decided to stay in order not to get killed in crossfires between the police and gangs, or to have their sentence aggravated as a result of fleeing the prison. So there are many implications for those who have actually fled. 0ur correspondent Barbara Plett usher is in kenya and joins us now. Thank you for your time. What more do we know about the situation . What do we know about the situation . What we know from do we know about the situation . What we know from here do we know about the situation . What we know from here is do we know about the situation . Wiat we know from here is that do we know about the situation . Writ we know from here is that Kenyan Police are saying that the Prime Minister left the country via an Emirates Air Flight to dubai minister left the country via an Emirates Airflight To Dubai and he landed safely in haiti on sunday. He was in nairobi in order to sign a Security Deal with the kenyan government which would have removed the last obstacle holding up the deployment of Kenyan Police, a force of about 1000 Kenyan Police, which was aimed to go to haiti to try to bring law and order. But while he was here signing that deal, the gangs took advantage of his absence and launched this coordinated move, as you were hearing. So we were wondering whether the Prime Minister might end up having to be in exile in kenya. But according to Kenyan Police he has returned to the country. We have not had confirmation of that as far as i am aware from haiti itself. Confirmation of that as far as i am aware from haiti itself. What more do we know aware from haiti itself. What more do we know about aware from haiti itself. What more do we know about his aware from haiti itself. What more do we know about his visit aware from haiti itself. What more do we know about his visit to do we know about his visit to nairobi and the negotiations he was having . He nairobi and the negotiations he was havin . ,. , having . He did sign this deal. There had been legal having . He did sign this deal. There had been legal challenges having . He did sign this deal. There had been legal challenges to having . He did sign this deal. There had been legal challenges to the had been legal challenges to the deployment of this kenyan force which is supposed to lead a Multinational Mission to haiti in order to deal with the gangs. So the courts had said it couldnt happen because there wasnt a reciprocal arrangement between haiti and kenya, kenya didnt have the authority to Deploy Police unless there was a reciprocal arrangements. So the two leaders assigned that deal. There were still lots of questions about the next step, whether it would need to be ratified in parliament, whether they would need to go back to the court. Whether the force can now be deployed at all given what has happened in porto Port Au Prince. Given they said the Prime Minister ariel henry is not a legitimate leader, so thats coming from this side as well. From this side as well. Barbara plett usher. From this side as well. Barbara plett usher, thank from this side as well. Barbara plett usher, thank you from this side as well. Barbara plett usher, thank you for from this side as well. Barbarai plett usher, thank you for that update. Lets look at the middle east now. Negotiations for a six week ceasefire in gaza, that is backed by the United States, have hit a major road block. Members of hamas are in cairo, alongside international mediators, but israel says it wont attend the meeting until hamas provides it with a list of hostages still alive. Hamas took 253 hostages when gunmen launched an attack on october 7th. It says it cant provide the information because of israels continuing bombardment and blockade of gaza, saying it was impossible to collect a list of names because the hostages are dispersed among different palestinian groups and in different areas of the gaza strip. The us Vice President Kamala Harris has said that people in the gaza strip are starving, and has called on israel to do more to increase the flow of aid into the territory. She said that desperate people seeking food had been met with gunfire and chaos. Heres what the Vice President said. They must open new border crossings. They must not impose any unnecessary restrictions on the delivery of aid. They must ensure humanitarian personnel sites and convoys are not targeted, and they must work to Restore Basic services and promote order in gaza so more food, water and fuel can reach those in need. In another development, benny gantz, an influential centrist member of israels war cabinet, will call on senior american officials in washington on monday. Israeli Right Wingers have criticised his visit. Joining me from london is Yossi Mekelberg hes an associate fellow at the middle east and north Africa Programme at chatham house. Thank you for your time. What more do we know about the reaction from Benjamin Netanyahus allies to the visit of benny gantz to washington, dc . ,. ,. , visit of benny gantz to washington, dc . H,. ,. , ~ , dc . Good morning. Prime minister netan ahu dc . Good morning. Prime minister netanyahu is dc . Good morning. Prime minister netanyahu is very dc . Good morning. Prime minister netanyahu is very upset. Dc . Good morning. Prime minister netanyahu is very upset. He dc . Good morning. Prime minister. Netanyahu is very upset. He doesnt like the idea that somebody who might turn against him, or will turn against him in the next election, and according to Public Opinion is actually going to win and win comfortably, is basically now discussing the security issues, how to conduct the role in gaza, the humanitarian aid, the release of hostages, with the american administration, the Biden Administration. This is a clear sign by the Biden Administration they are completely fed up with netanyahu and his right wing government and the approach that in their view harms american interests and the interests of stability in the region. And it is a clear sign also for the day after netanyahu. Is a clear sign also for the day after netanyahu. Is a clear sign also for the day after netan ahu. ~. ,. , , after netanyahu. What does this Say Secificall after netanyahu. What does this say specifically about after netanyahu. What does this say specifically about frictions after netanyahu. What does this say specifically about frictions right specifically about frictions right now when it comes to israels war cabinet . , now when it comes to israels war cabinet . ,. ,. , cabinet . There are differences of oinions. Cabinet . There are differences of opinions. Bearing cabinet . There are differences of opinions. Bearing in cabinet . There are differences of opinions. Bearing in mind cabinet . There are differences of opinions. Bearing in mind that i cabinet . There are differences of opinions. Bearing in mind that Benny Gantzjoined only at opinions. Bearing in mind that benny gantz joined only at the opinions. Bearing in mind that Benny Gantzjoined only at the beginning of the war to play the responsible aduu of the war to play the responsible adult in a government full of far right, ideology that is very dangerous, including people who think it is a good idea to Reoccupy Gaza Long Term and even building jewish settlements. So he along with some others, in order to bring some rational thinking into the government. There was no love lost, actually, before the last election benny gantz and his party said they want, because of netanyahu corruption, dont want to share power. But the october seven attacks changed everything. But now the frictions are obvious in how they conduct the future of the nation with the palestinian side, how to deal with releasing hostages, humanitarian aid. And i think benny gantz and his colleagues will probably lead to the Israeli Government one day. Probably lead to the israeli covernment one da. ,. ,. , government one day. From that point, what is it for government one day. From that point, what is it for washington government one day. From that point, what is it for washington when it what is it for washington when it comes to this meeting . How much leverage does benny gantz have domestically in israel . I leverage does benny gantz have domestically in israel . Domestically in israel . I think it is clear that domestically in israel . I think it is clear that the domestically in israel . I think it is clear that the united domestically in israel . I think it is clear that the United States l domestically in israel . I think it i is clear that the United States and the Biden Administration is giving full backing to benny gantz and between him and benjamin netanyahu, they want to see the back of netanyahu. The american interests are the interests of peace. And also Public Opinion polls, they will see in washington that if there were elections today, benny gantz is the most likely candidate to become Prime Minister. So this is in preparation, but also sending a signal to the israeli people, you should move on to a new leadership because the current leadership doesnt serve your interests. Yossi mekelberg. Doesnt serve your interests. Yossi mekelberg, thank doesnt serve your interests. Yossi mekelberg, thank you doesnt serve your interests. Yossi mekelberg, thank you for doesnt serve your interests. Yossi mekelberg, thank you for your time. Live to our middle east correspondent yolande knell. Thank you forjoining us. We were just talking about this visit in washington, dc and we have heard of the strong comments from Kamala Harris. What more do we know about the International Pressure on israel right now . The International Pressure on israel riaht now . ,. , right now . Certainly that is extremely right now . Certainly that is extremely intense right now . Certainly that is extremely intense at right now . Certainly that is extremely intense at the l right now . Certainly that is extremely intense at the moment on israel, and also on hamas, in particular to try to reach some kind of agreement on a six week truce, the so called Paris Framework Deal that was laid out more than a week ago. There are talks currently going on in cairo involving egyptian and qatari mediators with a hamas delegation said to be present. It had been hoped israel should have its delegation there as well but israel has not sent a delegation. We understand thats because it has been demanding an advance official hamas response to the paris framework proposals. It also wants in particular a full list of surviving israeli hostages being held by hamas in gaza so that would be part of an Exchange Deal swapped for palestinian prisoners in israeli jails. But a Senior Hamas Official has told the bbc that at the moment, because of the ongoing israeli bombardment in gaza it is not possible for practical reasons to come up with that full list that has been demanded. He said a ceasefire is needed before that data can be provided. Is needed before that data can be rovided. Is needed before that data can be rovided. ,. , is needed before that data can be rovided. ,. , , provided. Ramadan is approaching. What are the provided. Ramadan is approaching. What are the concerns provided. Ramadan is approaching. What are the concerns about provided. Ramadan is approaching. What are the concerns about how l provided. Ramadan is approaching. I what are the concerns about how that can impact the war . Can impact the war . Ramadan is now about one week can impact the war . Ramadan is now about one week away. Can impact the war . Ramadan is now about one week away. The can impact the war . Ramadan is now about one week away. The hope can impact the war . Ramadan is now about one week away. The hope was | can impact the war . Ramadan is now l about one week away. The hope was to have this six week truce deal in place for the holy month, but that looks increasingly in doubt. The concern is that during ramadan israeli restrictions are expected to be imposed on palestinians access to the most important it muslim site in the old city ofjerusalem, al aqsa mosque. Israel expected to impose restrictions for its own security reasons, particularly driven by the ongoing war in gaza and that will actually ratchet up tensions even higher and could make it even more complicated to get some kind of truce deal. Kind of truce deal. Yolande knell, thank ou kind of truce deal. Yolande knell, thank you for kind of truce deal. Yolande knell, thank you for the kind of truce deal. Yolande knell, thank you for the update. Kind of truce deal. Yolande knell, thank you for the update. We kind of truce deal. Yolande knell, thank you for the update. We will| thank you for the update. We will have more on the war in gaza later in the programme. Around the world and across the uk, this is bbc news. Lets look at some other stories making news here in the uk. The Charity Barnardos has told the bbc the closure of a fund for people struggling with Cost Of Living pressures will be catastrophic. More than 160 councils have warned that thousands of vulnerable families are facing a cliff edge without the household support fund. But the government says other benefits are rising to help cover living costs. There are calls for an independent inquiry into the treatment of unaccompanied children seeking asylum in the uk. A report by the now former Chief Inspector of Borders Claims � basic bread and butter checks to keep children safe were not being done. The home office says the safety of unaccompanied children is its utmost priority. A charity has warned that former Coal Mining Areas are falling further behind the rest of britain decades on from pit closures. 40 years after the miners� strike, the Coalfields Regeneration trust said communities had been let down by a lack of investment since the loss of an industry which employed more than 220,000 people. Youre live with bbc news. Chinas parliament, the National Peoples congress, will kick off its annual session on tuesday, with all eyes on plans to support growth in the worlds second largest economy. Ahead of the meeting, it has been announced that the country 5 premier will not be holding a Press Conference at the end of the Congress Starting this year. This ends a tradition maintained for three decades signifying a State Of Emergency<\/a> and a night time curfew in the Haitian Capital<\/a> comes after fierce fighting by armed gangs who are now in control of most of the city. During the fighting, gunmen entered the main prison in Port Au Prince<\/a> and quickly overwhelmed the guards, allowing some 4,000 inmates to escape. Eyewitnesses report seeing several bodies inside and around the prison compound. The gangs in haiti which oppose mr henrys rule sense a possible power vacuum and an opportunity to force him from office. A notorious gang leader, a former elite Police Officer<\/a> called jimmy cherizier, also known as barbecue, has claimed responsibility for the latest outbreak of violence. He has warned mr henry to stay away from haiti, saying the armed groups in the provincial towns and the armed groups in the capital are united. Given the strength of those gangs, enforcing a curfew may prove extremely difficult. That was our carribean correspondent will grant reporting. Harold isaac is a Freelance Journalist<\/a> in Port Au Prince<\/a>. He gave us this update on the situation there. We have entered a State Of Emergency<\/a> along with a curfew. And this is the answer of the government to the latest developments in the last few hours where the Security Situation<\/a> has seriously degraded here in the capital of Port Au Prince<\/a>. For the most part, everybody here are expecting to have a disrupted week as over 4,000 inmates have fled the two Detention Centers<\/a> the two Detention Centres<\/a> here in Port Au Prince<\/a>. And creating a Real Security<\/a> crisis, aggravating what was already a challenging time to be in the city. So its really a lot of questions with very little answers at this point. Many of the high profiles, especially the colombians or people that were involved in the assassination of the president , some of them decided to stay in order not to get killed in crossfires between the police and gangs, or to have their sentence aggravated as a result of fleeing the prison. So there are many implications for those who have actually fled. 0ur correspondent Barbara Plett<\/a> usher is in kenya and joins us now. Thank you for your time. What more do we know about the situation . What do we know about the situation . What we know from do we know about the situation . What we know from here do we know about the situation . What we know from here is do we know about the situation . Wiat we know from here is that do we know about the situation . Writ we know from here is that Kenyan Police<\/a> are saying that the Prime Minister<\/a> left the country via an Emirates Air Flight<\/a> to dubai minister left the country via an Emirates Airflight To Dubai<\/a> and he landed safely in haiti on sunday. He was in nairobi in order to sign a Security Deal<\/a> with the kenyan government which would have removed the last obstacle holding up the deployment of Kenyan Police<\/a>, a force of about 1000 Kenyan Police<\/a>, which was aimed to go to haiti to try to bring law and order. But while he was here signing that deal, the gangs took advantage of his absence and launched this coordinated move, as you were hearing. So we were wondering whether the Prime Minister<\/a> might end up having to be in exile in kenya. But according to Kenyan Police<\/a> he has returned to the country. We have not had confirmation of that as far as i am aware from haiti itself. Confirmation of that as far as i am aware from haiti itself. What more do we know aware from haiti itself. What more do we know about aware from haiti itself. What more do we know about his aware from haiti itself. What more do we know about his visit aware from haiti itself. What more do we know about his visit to do we know about his visit to nairobi and the negotiations he was having . He nairobi and the negotiations he was havin . ,. , having . He did sign this deal. There had been legal having . He did sign this deal. There had been legal challenges having . He did sign this deal. There had been legal challenges to having . He did sign this deal. There had been legal challenges to the had been legal challenges to the deployment of this kenyan force which is supposed to lead a Multinational Mission<\/a> to haiti in order to deal with the gangs. So the courts had said it couldnt happen because there wasnt a reciprocal arrangement between haiti and kenya, kenya didnt have the authority to Deploy Police<\/a> unless there was a reciprocal arrangements. So the two leaders assigned that deal. There were still lots of questions about the next step, whether it would need to be ratified in parliament, whether they would need to go back to the court. Whether the force can now be deployed at all given what has happened in porto Port Au Prince<\/a>. Given they said the Prime Minister<\/a> ariel henry is not a legitimate leader, so thats coming from this side as well. From this side as well. Barbara plett usher. From this side as well. Barbara plett usher, thank from this side as well. Barbara plett usher, thank you from this side as well. Barbara plett usher, thank you for from this side as well. Barbarai plett usher, thank you for that update. Lets look at the middle east now. Negotiations for a six week ceasefire in gaza, that is backed by the United States<\/a>, have hit a major road block. Members of hamas are in cairo, alongside international mediators, but israel says it wont attend the meeting until hamas provides it with a list of hostages still alive. Hamas took 253 hostages when gunmen launched an attack on october 7th. It says it cant provide the information because of israels continuing bombardment and blockade of gaza, saying it was impossible to collect a list of names because the hostages are dispersed among different palestinian groups and in different areas of the gaza strip. The us Vice President<\/a> Kamala Harris<\/a> has said that people in the gaza strip are starving, and has called on israel to do more to increase the flow of aid into the territory. She said that desperate people seeking food had been met with gunfire and chaos. Heres what the Vice President<\/a> said. They must open new border crossings. They must not impose any unnecessary restrictions on the delivery of aid. They must ensure humanitarian personnel sites and convoys are not targeted, and they must work to Restore Basic<\/a> services and promote order in gaza so more food, water and fuel can reach those in need. In another development, benny gantz, an influential centrist member of israels war cabinet, will call on senior american officials in washington on monday. Israeli Right Wingers<\/a> have criticised his visit. Joining me from london is Yossi Mekelberg<\/a> hes an associate fellow at the middle east and north Africa Programme<\/a> at chatham house. Thank you for your time. What more do we know about the reaction from Benjamin Netanyahus<\/a> allies to the visit of benny gantz to washington, dc . ,. ,. , visit of benny gantz to washington, dc . H,. ,. , ~ , dc . Good morning. Prime minister netan ahu dc . Good morning. Prime minister netanyahu is dc . Good morning. Prime minister netanyahu is very dc . Good morning. Prime minister netanyahu is very upset. Dc . Good morning. Prime minister netanyahu is very upset. He dc . Good morning. Prime minister. Netanyahu is very upset. He doesnt like the idea that somebody who might turn against him, or will turn against him in the next election, and according to Public Opinion<\/a> is actually going to win and win comfortably, is basically now discussing the security issues, how to conduct the role in gaza, the humanitarian aid, the release of hostages, with the american administration, the Biden Administration<\/a>. This is a clear sign by the Biden Administration<\/a> they are completely fed up with netanyahu and his right wing government and the approach that in their view harms american interests and the interests of stability in the region. And it is a clear sign also for the day after netanyahu. Is a clear sign also for the day after netanyahu. Is a clear sign also for the day after netan ahu. ~. ,. , , after netanyahu. What does this Say Secificall<\/a> after netanyahu. What does this say specifically about after netanyahu. What does this say specifically about frictions after netanyahu. What does this say specifically about frictions right specifically about frictions right now when it comes to israels war cabinet . , now when it comes to israels war cabinet . ,. ,. , cabinet . There are differences of oinions. Cabinet . There are differences of opinions. Bearing cabinet . There are differences of opinions. Bearing in cabinet . There are differences of opinions. Bearing in mind cabinet . There are differences of opinions. Bearing in mind that i cabinet . There are differences of opinions. Bearing in mind that Benny Gantzjoined<\/a> only at opinions. Bearing in mind that benny gantz joined only at the opinions. Bearing in mind that Benny Gantzjoined<\/a> only at the beginning of the war to play the responsible aduu of the war to play the responsible adult in a government full of far right, ideology that is very dangerous, including people who think it is a good idea to Reoccupy Gaza Long Term<\/a> and even building jewish settlements. So he along with some others, in order to bring some rational thinking into the government. There was no love lost, actually, before the last election benny gantz and his party said they want, because of netanyahu corruption, dont want to share power. But the october seven attacks changed everything. But now the frictions are obvious in how they conduct the future of the nation with the palestinian side, how to deal with releasing hostages, humanitarian aid. And i think benny gantz and his colleagues will probably lead to the Israeli Government<\/a> one day. Probably lead to the israeli covernment one da. ,. ,. , government one day. From that point, what is it for government one day. From that point, what is it for washington government one day. From that point, what is it for washington when it what is it for washington when it comes to this meeting . How much leverage does benny gantz have domestically in israel . I leverage does benny gantz have domestically in israel . Domestically in israel . I think it is clear that domestically in israel . I think it is clear that the domestically in israel . I think it is clear that the united domestically in israel . I think it is clear that the United States<\/a> l domestically in israel . I think it i is clear that the United States<\/a> and the Biden Administration<\/a> is giving full backing to benny gantz and between him and benjamin netanyahu, they want to see the back of netanyahu. The american interests are the interests of peace. And also Public Opinion<\/a> polls, they will see in washington that if there were elections today, benny gantz is the most likely candidate to become Prime Minister<\/a>. So this is in preparation, but also sending a signal to the israeli people, you should move on to a new leadership because the current leadership doesnt serve your interests. Yossi mekelberg. Doesnt serve your interests. Yossi mekelberg, thank doesnt serve your interests. Yossi mekelberg, thank you doesnt serve your interests. Yossi mekelberg, thank you for doesnt serve your interests. Yossi mekelberg, thank you for your time. Live to our middle east correspondent yolande knell. Thank you forjoining us. We were just talking about this visit in washington, dc and we have heard of the strong comments from Kamala Harris<\/a>. What more do we know about the International Pressure<\/a> on israel right now . The International Pressure<\/a> on israel riaht now . ,. , right now . Certainly that is extremely right now . Certainly that is extremely intense right now . Certainly that is extremely intense at right now . Certainly that is extremely intense at the l right now . Certainly that is extremely intense at the moment on israel, and also on hamas, in particular to try to reach some kind of agreement on a six week truce, the so called Paris Framework Deal<\/a> that was laid out more than a week ago. There are talks currently going on in cairo involving egyptian and qatari mediators with a hamas delegation said to be present. It had been hoped israel should have its delegation there as well but israel has not sent a delegation. We understand thats because it has been demanding an advance official hamas response to the paris framework proposals. It also wants in particular a full list of surviving israeli hostages being held by hamas in gaza so that would be part of an Exchange Deal<\/a> swapped for palestinian prisoners in israeli jails. But a Senior Hamas Official<\/a> has told the bbc that at the moment, because of the ongoing israeli bombardment in gaza it is not possible for practical reasons to come up with that full list that has been demanded. He said a ceasefire is needed before that data can be provided. Is needed before that data can be rovided. Is needed before that data can be rovided. ,. , is needed before that data can be rovided. ,. , , provided. Ramadan is approaching. What are the provided. Ramadan is approaching. What are the concerns provided. Ramadan is approaching. What are the concerns about provided. Ramadan is approaching. What are the concerns about how l provided. Ramadan is approaching. I what are the concerns about how that can impact the war . Can impact the war . Ramadan is now about one week can impact the war . Ramadan is now about one week away. Can impact the war . Ramadan is now about one week away. The can impact the war . Ramadan is now about one week away. The hope can impact the war . Ramadan is now about one week away. The hope was | can impact the war . Ramadan is now l about one week away. The hope was to have this six week truce deal in place for the holy month, but that looks increasingly in doubt. The concern is that during ramadan israeli restrictions are expected to be imposed on palestinians access to the most important it muslim site in the old city ofjerusalem, al aqsa mosque. Israel expected to impose restrictions for its own security reasons, particularly driven by the ongoing war in gaza and that will actually ratchet up tensions even higher and could make it even more complicated to get some kind of truce deal. Kind of truce deal. Yolande knell, thank ou kind of truce deal. Yolande knell, thank you for kind of truce deal. Yolande knell, thank you for the kind of truce deal. Yolande knell, thank you for the update. Kind of truce deal. Yolande knell, thank you for the update. We kind of truce deal. Yolande knell, thank you for the update. We will| thank you for the update. We will have more on the war in gaza later in the programme. Around the world and across the uk, this is bbc news. Lets look at some other stories making news here in the uk. The Charity Barnardos<\/a> has told the bbc the closure of a fund for people struggling with Cost Of Living<\/a> pressures will be catastrophic. More than 160 councils have warned that thousands of vulnerable families are facing a cliff edge without the household support fund. But the government says other benefits are rising to help cover living costs. There are calls for an independent inquiry into the treatment of unaccompanied children seeking asylum in the uk. A report by the now former Chief Inspector<\/a> of Borders Claims<\/a> \ufffd basic bread and butter checks to keep children safe were not being done. The home office says the safety of unaccompanied children is its utmost priority. A charity has warned that former Coal Mining Areas<\/a> are falling further behind the rest of britain decades on from pit closures. 40 years after the miners\ufffd strike, the Coalfields Regeneration<\/a> trust said communities had been let down by a lack of investment since the loss of an industry which employed more than 220,000 people. Youre live with bbc news. Chinas parliament, the National Peoples<\/a> congress, will kick off its annual session on tuesday, with all eyes on plans to support growth in the worlds second largest economy. Ahead of the meeting, it has been announced that the country 5 premier will not be holding a Press Conference<\/a> at the end of the Congress Starting<\/a> this year. This ends a tradition maintained for three decades signifying a Major Political<\/a> shift. 0ur China Correspondent<\/a> Stephen Mcdonell<\/a> reports. This is a big change in Power Politics<\/a> in china. It has been announced at the premiere, the countrys number two leader, will now no longer be giving a Press Conference<\/a> at the end of the annual National Peoples<\/a> congress. Given that these Press Conference<\/a>s have been staged events with only screened questions aloud, many people might wonder, well, who cares . The crucial thing is that it represents an even further reduction in the power of the premier and an even further increase in their power of chinas number one leader, xi jinping. It seems that he doesnt want to be upstaged by another seniorfigure in the communist want to be upstaged by another senior figure in the Communist Party<\/a> for even the slightest amount of time, even a couple of hours. Like i said, these Press Conference<\/a>s have been dull in the past but they have also featured some big moments, like when the Media Conference<\/a> was used to politically obliterate a would be leaderjust before he was taken away. Now we will not be seeing even scripted Press Conference<\/a>s like this from the premiere, they are to be no more. It seems that yet again we are seeing evidence that xi jinping is a leader in china unmatched by any other in recent history apart from. Chairman mao. That was stehen from. Chairman mao. That was Stephen Mcdonell<\/a>. Spacex has launched three american astronauts and a russian cosmonaut into space on a mission to the International Space<\/a> station for nasa. The Spacex Falcon<\/a> 9 rocket blasted off from the Kennedy Space<\/a> centre at cape canaveral. Heres the moment they took off. Three, two, one, ignition. Engines full power. And lift off of nasa crew 8. Go falcon, go spacex and go nasa. Endeavour ascends, a beacon of human ambition. 1. 7 Million Pounds<\/a> of thrust are now propelling falcon 9 and crew 8. For more heres keith cowing, the editor of nasawatch. Com. The russian thing first. As youve probably noticed, being a news person, we dont get along with russia down here on earth, but up in space for the past 25 years, other than a few hiccups here and there, everybody gets along. And when things are bad down here, theyre 0k up there. So, you know, people say, why are we doing all this stuff in space . Theres a reason to do all the science up there. But one important thing is maybe were learning how to get along with each other up there. Maybe that can be applied back down on earth. Just a silly thought. At this point, the Space Station<\/a> is fully functional. Its got everything that its got to have. And theres something for everybody. Theres biology, theres space medicine, theres material science, theres engineering, theres communications, pretty much. And they have 200 or so Different Things<\/a> theyll be doing in the course of the six months that theyll be up there. So theyll be busy. Ive been on some expeditions to the arctic and the himalayas that are long, so, you know, you arrive in a strange place and you dont know whats going on. They say, well, this is where the the food is, heres where the candy is, heres the toilet paper. And, you know, when you arrive in space, some people do get a little bit of nausea and that takes a day or so to clear. Republican president ial candidate nikki haley has won herfirst primary, beating donald trump in washington, dc. Shes the first woman to win a republican primary in us history, though her victory is seen as largely symbolic. The win gives her a total of 49 republican delegates . Well behind Donald Trumps<\/a> 247. And hes poised to rack up more delegates this week on whats known as Super Tuesday<\/a>, when a dozen states nominate their choice. Joining me now is naomi ruchim from cbs. Can you tell us more about these results arent what they mean in The Grand Scheme<\/a> of things . It results arent what they mean in The Grand Scheme<\/a> of things . Grand scheme of things . It will not land nikki haley grand scheme of things . It will not land nikki haley The Grand Scheme<\/a> of things . It will not land nikki haley the republican land nikki haley the republican president ial nomination but the former un ambassador is celebrating her win last night in washington, dc. In a social media post she thanked voters in the Nations Capital<\/a> saying republicans closest to washingtons dysfunction know that donald trump has brought nothing but chaos and division for the past eight years. It is time to start winning again and move our nation forward. Nikki haley still trails far behind the former president. The delegates do not stack up at this point. He is also expected to pick up hundreds more delicates tomorrow when voters in 16 states and territories take to the polls for Super Tuesday<\/a>. Trump spoke confidently to a crowd in virginia this weekend after picking up more wins in missouri, michigan and idaho. Still, Nikki Haley Made History Last Night Becoming<\/a> the first woman to win a republican primary in american history. You mentioned primary in american history. You mentioned Donald Trumps<\/a> comments, how he is speaking confidently, but what has he said about these results in dc . \ufb01n what has he said about these results in dc . ,. ,. , what has he said about these results in dc . ,. ,. , in dc . On a post on Truth Social Trump<\/a> attacked in dc . On a post on Truth Social Trump<\/a> attacked nikki in dc . On a post on Truth Social Trump<\/a> attacked nikki haley in dc . On a post on Truth Social Trump<\/a> attacked nikki haley on | trump attacked nikki haley on previous performances in previous look at the larger results and new cbs polling against former President Trump<\/a> and president biden, former President Trump<\/a> like now nationally is ahead by four points, which is the most significant lead of the entire campaign. It seems the economy is a huge issue for voters and we will likely see that as we head into Super Tuesday<\/a> tomorrow. Nikki haley has also hedged some of her language, hasnt she, when it comes to a pledge to support the eventual republican nominee. What has she said . You eventual republican nominee. What has she said . Has she said . You are right, normally has she said . You are right, normally it has she said . You are right, normally it is has she said . You are right, normally it is assumed has she said . You are right, normally it is assumed that l has she said . You are right, normally it is assumed that whoever wins the republican president ial nomination will then receive the support of the other potential candidates. But nikki haley has said she no longer feels candidates. But nikki haley has said she no longerfeels bound by a pledge that requires all gop contenders to support the partys eventual nominee in order to participate in if debates. It had been made a prerequisite for all candidates and nearly every major contender signed except forformer contender signed except for former president donald contender signed except forformer president donald trump, the current front runner, who ended up skipping the debates. Front runner, who ended up skipping the debates the debates. Thank you for that u date, the debates. Thank you for that update. We the debates. Thank you for that update, we appreciate the debates. Thank you for that update, we appreciate it. Uk chancellor jeremy uk Chancellorjeremy Hunt<\/a> is under growing pressure to introduce tax cuts in the budget on wednesday, likely to be the last budget before the general election. Some backbench conservative mps want to see taxes lowered from current levels. Mr hunt hinted he would do that but only in a responsible way. Our Political Correspondent<\/a> Hannah Miller<\/a> reports. In homes across the country, and Public Services<\/a> on the ground, it can seem like everyone is crying out for cash. We have got roads full of potholes. Are you confident that the chancellor will be persuaded to give you more money to spend on housing in the budget in a few weeks time . Well, im doing everything that i can. I mean, short of laying siege to his own home. Well, i want us to be, you know, l cutting taxes in a responsible way. Under pressure from backbenchers and with less money to play with than hed hoped for the chancellors scrabbling around for ways to pay for a tax cut on a scale that voters will notice. Today, mr speaker, im going to cut the main 12 rate of Employee National<\/a> insurance. Last year, he chose to cut National Insurance<\/a> contributions and its thought he may do that again. A tax cut for workers that brings no benefit to pensioners. The Number Crunching<\/a> going on inside number 11 is not just about the state of the nations finances its a political calculation, as well. Under the rules the government has set for itself, theres a limited amount of money for the chancellor to spend. Do people want to see more going into Public Services<\/a>, or more cash in their own back pocket . While the government is today announcing \u00a3360 million for manufacturing, investing in Medicines Research<\/a> and zero carbon aircraft, labour say they would have a focus on getting young people into work with careers advisers, Mental Health<\/a> support and new technical excellence colleges to cut youth unemployment. Businesses say those are welcome, but theres more that could be done to encourage growth. Wed like to see the rising tide lift all boats, and measures in the budget such as changing vat on international visitors, changes to the vat threshold, and changes to Business Rates<\/a> that can actually help all businesses grow and prosper. Whatever the chancellor chooses to do on wednesday, the tax burden is historically high. Its pretty much impossible to imagine that he can do anything to prevent households from paying more tax than in 2019, and that may come with a political price. Hannah miller, bbc news. Finally this half hour i wanted to show you some amazing pictures out the us. Take a look at this. Imagine driving into this. Its a Tumbleweed Swarm<\/a> that has rolled into neighbourhoods in utah and nevada. Roads and cars were covered by thousands of the invasive weeds after a Strong Spring<\/a> storm hit the region. Homes south of Salt Lake City<\/a> also got overtaken by the weeds which formed piles up to three metres high in some places. The non native weed, called the russian thistle, was introduced to the us in the 19th century and is seen as a symbol of the american west. Stay with us here on bbc news. Hello again. Some of us got off to a frosty and also a foggy start to the day. Thats now lifting quite nicely. And most of us will have a dry day, but there is some rain in the forecast. Weve got a Weather Front<\/a> draped across the Northern Isles<\/a> that will bring rain on and off through the day. And also rain which has been coming in from the southwest thats moving northwards and eastwards. But in between we do have the sunshine. At times the rain in Shetland Will Drift Towards 0rkney<\/a> and we also have the rain which has been coming into the southwest, Pushing Northeastwards With Cloud Building<\/a> ahead of it and the wind picking up in the southwest and the english channel. Temperatures seven to about 11 degrees. Through this evening and overnight this band of rain continues to push northwards and eastwards. You can see the rain coming back into Northern Ireland<\/a> by the end of the night. And we also have some heavy showers which could be thundery in the Channel Islands<\/a> drifting in the direction of hampshire. These are overnight lows, but actually as the cloud and Rain Pushes Northwards<\/a> and eastwards, temperatures will rise by a degree 01 so. So into tomorrow. Weve got this Weather Front<\/a> draped across us. We also have High Pressure<\/a> out towards the east and as the wet front bumps into the high, pressure really is a fairly weak affair. So weve got some showers across the far north east of scotland, a lot of dry weather. And then weve got some Showery Rain Moving Out<\/a> of Northern Ireland<\/a> into western scotland, Western Parts<\/a> of england and wales. The showers that came into hampshire overnight look likely to drift over towards the southeast. They could be heavy and thundery. And these are our temperatures, 6 to 12 degrees, but windy through the North Channel<\/a> and western scotland. As we head into wednesday, High Pressure<\/a> is effectively blocking all these fronts coming in from the atlantic. There will be quite a bit of Cloud At Times Across Eastern Scotland<\/a> and eastern parts of england. Push further west, this is where well see the lions share of the sunshine. But having said that will be some showers and a bit more cloud at times across Northern Ireland<\/a> and also south west england. Temperatures six to about 13 degrees, and it will be breezy in Northern Ireland<\/a> and also Western Areas<\/a> too. Towards the end of the working week therell be a lot of dry weather around. Will be one or two showers at times in the west. But what you find is after chilly starts, these temperatures are roughly where they should be at this stage in march. This is bbc news, the headlines us Vice President<\/a> Kamala Harris<\/a> calls for an immediate ceasefire in the conflict between israel and hamas. She also urged israel to significantly increase the flow of aid into gaza. The news comes as israel says it will not attend truce talks in cairo. A State Of Emergency<\/a> is declared in the capital of haiti after armed gangs carry out major jail breaks, Freeing Thousands<\/a> of inmates. Night curfews are in force until wednesday. France is to Enshrine Abortion Rights<\/a> into its constitution as a \ufffd guaranteed freedom. Its the first country in the world to protect the right to end a pregnancy in its basic law. Polls show around 85 of the French Public<\/a> support the reform. Lets start in the middle east. A Senior Hamas Official<\/a> has told the bbc that israels continuing bombardment in gaza means it cannot provide a list of surviving israeli hostages. Israel says that without such a record it wont attend this weeks planned peace talks in cairo. On sunday, the us Vice President<\/a> , Kamala Harris<\/a>, said a Ceasefire Deal<\/a> was on the table and hamas should agree to it. Given the immense scale of suffering in gaza, there must be an immediate cease fire. Crowd cheers. For at least the next six weeks, which is what is currently on the table. This will get the hostages out and get a significant amount","publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"archive.org","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","width":"800","height":"600","url":"\/\/ia800206.us.archive.org\/4\/items\/BBCNEWS_20240304_090000_BBC_News\/BBCNEWS_20240304_090000_BBC_News.thumbs\/BBCNEWS_20240304_090000_BBC_News_000001.jpg"}},"autauthor":{"@type":"Organization"},"author":{"sameAs":"archive.org","name":"archive.org"}}],"coverageEndTime":"20240707T12:35:10+00:00"}