The European Unions Foreign Policy chief, josep borrell, Accused Israel of using starvation as a weapon of war, a claim israel rejects. Heres what us Secretary Of State Antony Blinken said a short time ago. According to the most respected measure of these things, 100 of the population in gaza is at severe levels of acute Food Insecurity. Thats the first time an entire population has been so classified. We also see again, according to, in this case, the united nations, 100 the totality of the population is in need of humanitarian assistance. Our state Department Correspondent tom bateman is in the philippines travelling with mr blinken, he filed this update a little earlier. After this visit mr blinken will head after this visit mr blinken will head to after this visit mr blinken will head to the middle east. On to cairo to media head to the middle east. On to cairo to media gypsy leadership. The point of this to media gypsy leadership. The point of this is to media gypsy leadership. The point of this is to to media gypsy leadership. The point of this is to with up support not ust of this is to with up support not just to of this is to with up support not just to get of this is to with up support not just to get the Ceasefire Deal over the tine just to get the Ceasefire Deal over the line but the backing of arab leaders the line but the backing of arab leaders to secure what they are referring leaders to secure what they are referring to as a post war plan for gaza referring to as a post war plan for gaza this referring to as a post war plan for gaza this is referring to as a post war plan for gaza. This is an absolutely critical issue gaza. This is an absolutely critical issue now gaza. This is an absolutely critical issue now because what we are seeing in gaza issue now because what we are seeing in gaza with issue now because what we are seeing in gaza with the catastrophic situation in gaza with the catastrophic situation on the ground is what will happen situation on the ground is what will happen if situation on the ground is what will happen if there is no proper security happen if there is no proper security or governance and i asked mr btihkeh security or governance and i asked mr blinken this, was the Current Crisis mr blinken this, was the Current Crisis and mr blinken this, was the Current Crisis and harbinger of gazas future crisis and harbinger of gazas future because there are such crucial future because there are such crucial differences between arab leaders crucial differences between arab leaders and the americans about what a postgaza leaders and the americans about what a post gaza situation should look like a post gaza situation should look like he a post gaza situation should look like. He replied with perhaps his strongest like. He replied with perhaps his strongest comments yet on the scale of the strongest comments yet on the scale of the humanitarian crisis in gaza. He said of the humanitarian crisis in gaza. He said 100 of the population according to the most respectable measure according to the most respectable measure was now experiencing severe ieveis measure was now experiencing severe levels of measure was now experiencing severe levels of acute Food Insecurity. He compared levels of acute Food Insecurity. He compared this to the dire Food Insecurity compared this to the dire Food Insecurity situation in sudan and afghanistan and said this was worse. This was afghanistan and said this was worse. This was the afghanistan and said this was worse. This was the first time an entire population, 100 of the population had been population, 100 of the population had been classified as such. He repeated had been classified as such. He repeated his call for hamas to lay down repeated his call for hamas to lay down arms repeated his call for hamas to lay down arms and hostages and ultimately they were responsible but he called ultimately they were responsible but he called on israel with urgency to let more he called on israel with urgency to let more aid in. He said it was incumbent let more aid in. He said it was incumbent adequate assistance get into gaza incumbent adequate assistance get into gaza. We know the americans have into gaza. We know the americans have ireen into gaza. We know the americans have been unsuccessful getting leveraged on the israelis, crucially to let leveraged on the israelis, crucially to let aid leveraged on the israelis, crucially to let aid in leveraged on the israelis, crucially to let aid in through land routes, particularly the north of the gaza strip particularly the north of the gaza strip through the crossings with israet~ strip through the crossings with israel. Largely that has not happened. There was one new route open happened. There was one new route open from happened. There was one new route open from the south and getting closer open from the south and getting closer to open from the south and getting closer to the northern part of gaza, he described that as some progress but reiterated his call for israel with urgency to let more humanitarian aid end. Suck blinkens comments follow us president joe bidens first call with israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in over a month on monday. Mr biden told mr netanyahu that a major Ground Operation in the city of rafah would be a mistake. Mr netanyahu defended the possibility saying opposing the operation was akin to opposing total defeat of hamas. gfx image sullivan Us National Security adviser Jake Sullivan called that � nonsense and a � straw man argument. Mr netanyahu defended the possibility saying opposing the operation was akin to opposing total defeat of hamas. National security adviser Jake Sullivan called that nonsense and a straw man argument. Some 1. 5 million palestinians from other parts of gaza are seeking refuge in rafah. Thats almost half the population. The problem becomes, where do they go . Qatars Foreign Ministry spokesperson has been speaking on both the rafah operation, and on the potential for a ceasefire. Heres what he said moments ago. We have cautioned and will still caution any attack on rafah will make the humanitarian situation considerably worse. It is terrible, this crisis with the number of atrocities that have taken place, but it would also difficult for Negotiation Process to succeed within the parameters of such an attack. I cannot comment on the details of the attack, we are in the midst of negotiations tomorrow. We are cautiously optimistic negotiations will continue through the meeting he described. It is still too early to any particular success and that is what gives is optimism right now. It isa it is a contrast to be talking about the potential for a ceasefire and a catastrophic Ground Operation as well. Sam rose, the director of planning at unrwajoined me from rafah for more on the starvation facing gazans. We have been saying for several weeks now, the situation is extremely catastrophic. It is beyond grim in rafah, i look out of my window and there are literally people everywhere, the place is teeming with people who have nothing. Many have been displaced several times, multiple times, this includes unrwa staff as well. But the place is just full with people who have nothing. They are waiting, they are fearing, they wake up every morning. They spend their nights listening to bombardments both in rafah and khan younis, they spend their nights listening to bombardments in khan younis, they also wait for news of relatives, friends, family who remain in the north where situation is difficult. Here in the south it is beyond catastrophic in gaza city and northern gaza. Where you are, the closest point to the Rafah Crossing where aid comes in. We have heard about the dire situation in the north, and you were reflecting on it, but even where you are, even at that point closest to entry there still isnt anywhere near enough aid arriving. No, there isnt enough aid arriving, there hasnt been now for several months since the borders was closed in early october. We struggled to get shipments in. Obviously, the situation is complicated, the with volume of aid in egypt, but it goes far beyond that. It is the procedures that are in place, the time it takes to bring aid in, the fact that if a truck has one item in it that doesnt meet the restrictions of the israeli authorities, the entire truck is turned back. We have functioning Crossing Points or Crossing Points that could function in the north of gaza that arent being used either. The un community and International Ngos have trucks of aid backed up on the border. I think it is important to say, i think one of the reasons why the situation is so catastrophic, you cant feed a population on aid alone. People need fresh food, they need proteins, ingredients that it is simply very difficult to bring in on a large scale basis through humanitarian aid shipments. This is why we are calling repeatedly for the commercial sector to begin functioning and to be allowed to resume functioning. A representative from the aid agency for palestine refugees in rafah. We have just had a new Operational Update from the idf, in particular they refer to operations in the Al Shifa Hospital in gaza we reported yesterday. They have said they have eliminated terrorists in close quarter combat and located weapons in the area while avoiding harm to civilians and medical staff and equipment thus far. The troops have killed over 50 terrorist and apprehended approximately 180 suspects. That statement from the idf on their continuing operation in gaza. Lots of different threads in the story. We will continue to keep you up to date from here and we have the rest of the news in london. A new photograph that appears to show the princess of wales, has been published just over a week after she admitted editing an official portrait of her, and her children. The Sun Newspaper has printed the picture on its front page, as well as the video it was taken from. Catherine is seen smiling and walking alongside prince william. The paper says the video was taken at a Farmers Market in windsor. The princess has not been seen in public since attending a Christmas Day church service. She had Abdominal Surgery injanuary. Simonjones gave us this update from windsor. Take a look at this. This is the front page of this mornings Sun Newspaper, the headline is royal World Exclusive first picture. And then it says, great to see you again, kate. The paper has spoken to who took the footage who says he was doing shopping looking for stake when he looked over towards the bread aisle and said he saw a woman who when she turned around looked rather familiar, he could not place then said when he saw the man he thought is that the royal couple . He said after leaving the farm drop went to his car and decided to film the couple as they left. It is possible in the past the sun and other newspapers would not have published, not any sort of royal engagement. The newspaper said it decided to publish the images and release the video because it says it wants to end what it calls the madness of recent social media speculation. Ever since it was announced kate had gone into hospital to have Abdominal Surgery that has no huge amount of speculation and conjecture online about exactly what she was suffering from, how her recovery was going. That speculation reached fever pitch on mothering sunday when Kensington Palace released a picture of her surrounded by her three children. People looking at it sort something doesnt look quite right. Catherine apologised saying she had edited the picture. And apologise for any confusion. They hope they have dampen down the fevered speculation that looking at social media Conspiracy Theorists are still very much in force. Staying with the royals, and after the row over this edited image released by Kensington Palace on mothers day, of the princess of wales with her three children, another recent royal image has been causing controversy. This image of Queen Elizabeth ii with her grandchildren and Great Grandchildren was shared in april last year to mark the late monarchs 97th birthday. The portrait was taken by Princess Catherine in august 2022, just weeks before the queens death. Although the picture has been in the Public Domain for nearly a year, the global picture Agency Getty Images said that, in accordance with editorial policy, it has placed an editors note on a hand out image stating the image has been digitally enhanced at source. Around the world and across the uk, this is bbc news. 0ur Correspondent will grant was one of the First International journalists to gain access to haiti, and hes been describing a country sliding into violence and anarchy. Gangs control much of the capital, port au prince, and are fighting militias armed with machetes, trying to protect their neighbourhoods. America is hopeful that a Transitional Council might help restore order to the caribbean country. But for now the fighting continues. Heres will grant, reporting from cap haitien. Just a day old, baby woodley� s first cries are the same of those of children born anywhere for food and for comfort. But as they get older, the children born in cap haitiens Maternity Wing will find such essentials are far from guaranteed in haiti. Markinsonjoseph tells me she would take her newborn boy out of the country altogether if she gets the chance. But she doesnt have the money to flee. The first ward for pathology. As he shows us around dark and empty wards, dr clervil says the gangs� control of the roads is making it impossible to find enough fuel to keep the lights on, let alone to bring in the drugs and equipment they need. Translation as you can see, we have beds and staff, but often the patients just cant reach us because of their economic situation, or, more often than not, their safety. For some, it has had terrible consequences. Louisemanie was eight and a half months pregnant when she came into hospital. By then, she had dangerously high blood pressure, and lost the baby. Pre eclampsia is treatable, had she been properly monitored or the baby been delivered early. Louisemanie knows her loss was avoidable. The head of unicef has called the situation in haiti horrific, and likened the lawlessness to the post apocalyptic film mad max. The security situation aside, the humanitarian need here is critical, and the aid response so far has been painfully slow. The essential things of life are increasingly hard to find. In port au prince, farah oxima and her nine children have been forced from their home by the violence, and shes struggling to provide the food and water they need. Only god can change this place, she says, because from where im sitting, i cant see where any other change is coming from. The gangs have such a grip of haiti, they are, in essence, dictating what happens next in this country who can govern it, who lives in it, and who dies. Will grant, bbc news, haiti. The former us president , donald trump, has reacted to his failure to secure an almost half A Billion Dollar bond. He needs it to appeal against a judgment in his civil fraud case in new york. Mr trump said that securing a bond of that size was practically impossible. He now has to find the money through other means, or New York State authorities could begin seizing his properties. Heres our North America correspondent peter bowes this is a case in which donald trump was accused of inflating what he was worth, the value of his properties, to get preferential Interest Rates for loans. Well, he lost the case. Now hes in a position where his lawyers are saying he doesnt have the cash, the available cash, to pay the 1164 million judgment against him. Now, clearly, he is still wealthy, he has property around the worth to the tune of billions, but he requires cash to pay this judgment. He has now less than a week to do that. And if he cant, well, thats why he needs a financial company, a bonding company, to come up with a bond of that amount. Actually, a little bit more than that, about half A Billion Dollars to, in effect, cover the former president while he pursues his appeal in the case, which could go on for many months, perhaps beyond the next election. And should he eventually lose the appeal and be unable to pay, or at least have the cash to pay the judgment then, thats what the bond is for. But his lawyers are saying theyve spoken to some 30 different companies, none of which are prepared to provide a bond of this colossal amount. It is an unusually high amount of money for one of these Financial Institutions to provide a bond. So it leaves the former president in the position where some of his properties in new york may well be sold off, and potentially sold off pretty quickly, to come up with the cash to pay this judgment. That is likely to happen within the next week or two. And clearly, this isnt something that is going to sit well with a man who has really built his image on his wealth and his ownership of property. The us Fentanyl Epidemic shows little sign of abating. More than 100,000 died in the us last year of an overdose, the majority of which were from synthetic opioids such as fentanyl. It can be up to 50 times stronger than heroin. 0ur Correspondent in San Francisco James Clayton has been speaking to a former addict about how addiction took over his life and how he nearly died. Brian was homeless on The Streets Of San Francsco for three years between 2020 and 2023. Theres someone actually doing fentanyl right there. Oh, yeah, thats. Youre going to see that. Like, people dont give a bleep. This is his account of what life is like homeless and addicted to fentanyl. For, like, a year, i didnt go to sleep on purpose. I fell. Where i fell is where i slept. And i always wondered, like, how do you. Why dont you go and get undercover or something . And its because youre just exhausted. Youre like. Just sheer exhaustion and you lay where you fall, you know . So, yeah, ive been there. Ive been there plenty of times. Its an all encompassing desire, like, its a 2k hour a dayjob. All youre doing is acquiring money to make sure you still have dope. Because even when you run out, like, obviously withdrawals are looming. Like, theyre going to. Theyre going to come in a matter of hours. To keep up his habit, brian regularly stole items from stores and sold them on the streets for his next fix, which he knew could be his last. There was one time we were sitting on a ledge smoking dope, like, me and a few guys near the drug dealers spot. And there was a guy, like, laying down on the ground, kind of watching him, but he wasnt moving, but people laying on the ground, sleeping all over the place in that area, you know . And then somebody went over to him and he was dead. And thats just regular Tuesday Morning or whatever. In 2022, brians feet were starting to get more and more swollen, a common problem forfentanyl users. He walked with a limp. I had cellulitis, like, which is a cellular infection in my legs due to, like, poor circulation. On our walk, we run into an old friend whose heavily bandaged legs are dripping wet, likely from a similar infection. Is he, like, 0k . Its, like, wet. Oh, yeah. I dont know what thats. Yeah, see, thats. Thats what happens. Its, like, weeping wounds. You got to change the dressing all the time. You already know, like, its. It sucks. Last year, brians legs became septic. I was, like, laying in the station, unresponsive, apparently, like in the chair. And somebody checked on me. It was, like, real hit or miss. Like, they thought i was going to die a few times. Brian did survive, though, and says the experience changed him. Hes been clean for nearly a year now. You definitely regain or even grow a greater appreciation for little, like, small pleasures, like the sound of Skateboard Wheels on the concrete, rather thanjust, like, i couldnt enjoy anything if it wasnt, like. Fentanyl was the first concern. Brian could consider himself lucky. During the period that he was on the streets from November 2020 to april 2023, 1683 people died in San Francisco due to a drug overdose, most of them from synthetic opioids like fentanyl. To the olympics next. The paris games are drawing near and the International Olympic Committee Executive board is meeting in switzerland to discuss the participation of russian and belarusian athletes in the Opening Ceremony. Under current restrictions, they are only allowed to take part in the games under a neutral flag, with no anthems being played. They were sanctioned after russia invaded ukraine in 2022. So could they return to International Competition . Earlier, i spoke to Imogen Foulkes who is covering the meeting for us. We know paris has this grand plan of the athletes sailing down the river seine, it could be, you know, very a very beautiful Opening Ceremony. But for the International Olympic committee, the key thing and for other countries participating in the olympics, is that russia should not be allowed to demonstrate itself as a powerful countrys a military power, particularly now as it has annexed these parts of ukraine, called in moscow, the new territories. Theoretically, you could have athletes from those parts of ukraine under russian occupied territory going to the olympics, you know, representing russia. So what the ioc is looking at now is can we allow the few individual russian athletes who will come . Can they be in the Opening Ceremony . Can they sail down the seine under the russian flag . I think the answer to that is almost certainly going to be no. Hello again. Many of us started the day on a cloudy note with a fair few showers. A lot of the showers will ease through the course of the day. But as we go through the next few days, well, we are still looking at spells of wind and rain. Its going to be mild by day and by night, but it will turn colder at the end of the week. Well be talking about significant wind chill, for example, by the time we get to the weekend. This is the kind of rainfall you can expect. Were looking at accumulations, especially in the west where you see The Dark Blues and greens. This is the key. So up to 50 millimetres, possibly a bit more in places, falling on already saturated ground. Now, today, a lot of the cloud will tend to break up. Sunny spells will develop. Therell still be a few showers here and there. The cloud thickening in the south west, heralding the arrival of some rain, and the wind will continue to ease. Temperatures nine to 16 Degrees North to south. This evening and overnight the rain gathers pace as it pushes northwards and eastwards. It will miss a lot of the south east. It wont get into the north west of scotland, where well have clear skies. Here, temperatures could dip down towards freezing so we could well start the day with a touch of frost, but mild for the time of year as we push down towards the south. Now, tomorrow, we start off with all this rain across parts of wales, Northern England, southern and eastern scotland. It could travel a bit further north than this, but sunny skies will follow on behind, pushing eastwards. The sunnier skies, though, for much of the day will be in the south east, where we could have highs of 18 degrees. But a lot of cloud will linger across Northern England and wales with some patchy light rain. Now, as we move from wednesday into thursday, the south hangs onto this ridge of high pressure, Weather Fronts across the north of the country. And you can see from the isobars, its going to be windy. In fact, were looking at the risk of gales across the northern and western isles, the rain pushing from the west towards the east, drier conditions as you come further south. But it will be fairly cloudy, but it still is mild here 16 degrees, 12 in stornoway. Beyond that, well, you can see how a cold front comes in and pushes south, chasing away that mild air the blues representing the colder conditions and the wind changes to more of a northerly direction. So this weekend we will be talking about a significant wind chill. It will be wet and windy at times and the temperatures will be lower anyway. So dont put away your big coatjust yet. The end of an era in a seismic shift, the Bank Of Japan raises Interest Rates for the First Time Since 2007, bringing an end to its negative Interest Rate policy. And uk Childcare In Crisis with fewer places and soaring costs, we look at the impact on parents and carers. Welcome to World Business report. Lets begin injapan where today marks the end of an era. The bank ofjapan has raised Interest Rates for the First Time Since 2007 making an historic shift away from a focus of reflating growth with decades of massive monetary stimulus. The widely expected move comes as workers at some ofjapans Largest Companies secured their biggest pay rise since 1991 giving the central bank the confidence to make its move. One that puts decades of deflation in the rear view mirror. Heres the governor of the bank ofjapan explaining the measure. Translation we have established. That our Inflation Target of 296. Will be achieved in a sustainable and stable way