it's newsday. welcome to the programme. starting with the big story in the uk. prime minister rishi sunak has announced a major shift on efforts to tackle the climate crisis — saying he wants a pragmatic approach which eases the burden on british people. among measures he's announced: a ban on the sale of petrol and diesel cars will be introduced in 2035 instead of 2030. the scrapping of gas boilers, to be replaced by heat pumps will also be delayed until 2035. but he says he remains commited to reaching net zero by 2050 —

meaning the uk would no longer add to the total amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. the debate about how we get to net zero has thrown up a range of worrying proposals, and today i want to confirm that under this government they will never happen. the proposal for government to interfere in how many passengers you can have in your car, i've scrapped it. the proposal that we should force you to have seven different bins in your home, i've scrapped it. the proposal to make you change your diet and harm british farmers by taxing meat or to create new taxes to discourage flying or going on holiday, i've scrapped those too. and nor will we ban new oil and gas in the north sea, which would simply leave us reliant on expensive imported energy from foreign dictators like putin. we will never impose these unnecessary and heavy handed measures on you, the british people, but we will

still meet our international commitments and hit net zero by 2050. and if we're going to change politics in the way i'm talking about, we can never allow carbon budgets to be set in the same way again. here's how steve reed, the shadow secretary of state for environment, reacted to mr sunak�*s announcement. we had, you know, late night leaks from 10 downing street and midnight press releases and this rushed speech, i think the speech that rishi sunakjust gave, he is pretty much so that the biggest economic opportunity of the 21st century, and that is for britain to lead the world in transitioning to the good newjobs well paid secure jobs of the green economy, and in doing that, he is undermining business competence. he is deterring inward investments that will pay the wages of british workers in the future. it's notjust me saying that, that comes from the chairman of ford, one of the captains of british industry. the prime minister said delaying the ban on the sale of petrol and diesel cars would align the uk with countries like france and germany — today's announcement will be a relief to some motorists.

but a number of car manufacturers say the move brings �*confusion and uncertainty�* to their industry. here's our business editor simonjack. car—makers have been working overtime and spending big to put batteries like these at the heart of the industry ahead of a ban of new petrol and diesel sales in 2030. delaying that deadline by five years drew sharp criticism today from ford's uk boss, who said it needed ambition, commitment and consistency from government, and today's announcement undermined all three. moving, unpredictable deadlines deter investment, according to others. who wants to invest in a country that continuously changes its mind, changes its policy? a lot of companies have invested a lot of money. but not all agree. jaguar land rover said it brought the uk into line with france and germany, and toyota agreed that was

pragmatic, while vauxhall owner stellantis said today's announcement would not change their plans. but what might it do to consumer behaviour? electric and hybrid sales have accelerated quickly. these numbers show the growth in new sales last year alone, but they still make up only 6% of all cars currently on the road. the 2030 ban was forcing new buyers into an early costly switch, according to driver groups. drivers will be very, very happy about this because they're not going to be forced into spending a lot of money on electric vehicles, which hopefully by 2035 will be come down to more reasonable levels. that's the good thing about this. opinions and the reasons for them was divided in staffordshire today. i think it's a bad move because everyone's pressing for the environment, you know, improvements and all the rest of it and it's... it's going back. i've just had to queue for over an hour to charge the car. i'm going to have to wait an hour for the car to be charged. we just don't have the infrastructure for it. the right thing is help people, because it's quite expensive . at the moment, cost of living.

it gives people more chance and time to maybe save up and move over to electric. 2030 was always considered ambitious, but it was also a date which drove car manufacturin, investment, charging, installation and consumer behaviour. some companies who've invested hundreds of millions of pounds are furious. some consumer groups may be relieved. but for businesses, notjust in transport but in housing and in heating, what they crave is certainty and predictability. and today's sudden change is anything but that. for both businesses and consumers, the speed on the road ahead has changed, but the government insists the destination remains the same. simon jack, bbc news. well rishi sunak was notably absent from the ongoing un general assembly in new york. there, secretary general antonio guterres implored policymakers around the world to phase out climate—warming fossil fuels. live now to our correspondent sumi somaskanda in new york.

we have been talking about this since yesterday, the issue of climate change and how to tackle it remains contentious, it very much continues to dominate headlines. absolutely, that is the case. he can see that everywhere at the un general assembly from the un general assembly from the sustainable goals summit to the sustainable goals summit to the general debate where we heard world leaders including joe biden talk about climate change as a collective effort that needs to be made, combating climate change, of course, and that is something we heard again today from the un secretary—general who held this climate ambition summit, something he planned to invite world leaders, heads of state but also business leaders who are willing to make a real commitment on combating climate change. that means concrete commitments on slashing emissions and also aiding developing countries. interesting that that has happened on the very same day that we saw this announcement from british prime minister rishi sunak. 0ne

from british prime minister rishi sunak. one of the countries that was present at the summit was scotland, and scott and's first minister came over to us after that summit and told us how the news of rishi sunak�*s announcement had gone down at that summit. take a listen. the mecca very firmly takes the uk out of the global consensus. the global consensus is we need to do more to tackle climate change, and the reason why scotland has been invited, for the first time, for the climate ambition summit is because we are showing leadership. the same way we are showing leadership, the same way the whole world is gathered to talk about what more we can do, we have uk prime minister rolling back on commitments. d0 rolling back on commitments. do ou rolling back on commitments. do you think he is not showing leadership?— you think he is not showing leadershi? ., ., , , ., leadership? not only is he not showin: leadership? not only is he not showing leadership, _ leadership? not only is he not showing leadership, i- leadership? not only is he not showing leadership, i think. showing leadership, i think what — showing leadership, i think what he _ showing leadership, i think what he is doing is utterly unforgettable. it is something, that you — unforgettable. it is something, that you would see on the fringes, _ that you would see on the fringes, not on the mainstream, on the _ fringes, not on the mainstream, on the fringes of politics, not in the — on the fringes of politics, not in the mainstream. and what he has done — in the mainstream. and what he has done is _ in the mainstream. and what he has done is taken uk out of that— has done is taken uk out of that global consensus. he's been — that global consensus. he's been to— that global consensus. he's been to heads of government

talking — been to heads of government talking to heads of nations and every— talking to heads of nations and every single one have spoken to, virtually every single one has asked me what on earth the planet— has asked me what on earth the planet esther is doing. it is frankly— planet esther is doing. it is frankly an embarrassment. how have ou frankly an embarrassment. how have you answered? _ frankly an embarrassment. how have you answered? i _ frankly an embarrassment. how have you answered? i say - frankly an embarrassment. how have you answered? i say look, | have you answered? i say look, i am from _ have you answered? i say look, i am from scotland, _ have you answered? i say look, i am from scotland, i _ have you answered? i say look, i am from scotland, i promise l i am from scotland, i promise you we — i am from scotland, i promise you we will continue to show leadership, we will transfer from — leadership, we will transfer from fossil fuels to renewables. we will do everything we can to get the uk government to u—turn, to change course, _ government to u—turn, to change course, because it is simply unforgivable because our children and future generations will be — children and future generations will be the ones who suffer as a result _ will be the ones who suffer as a result. in the uk has lost a lot of— a result. in the uk has lost a lot of influence over the years. _ lot of influence over the years, brags that, it is now, i'm — years, brags that, it is now, i'm afraid, _ years, brags that, it is now, i'm afraid, diminished beyond recognition. if i'm afraid, diminished beyond recognition.— recognition. if you look at what rishi _ recognition. if you look at what rishi sunak - recognition. if you look at what rishi sunak has - recognition. if you look at | what rishi sunak has said, recognition. if you look at - what rishi sunak has said, he has said that people are struggling with cost of living and the uk will still be able to meet its climate goals. what is your response to that? people are struggling with the cost crisis because his predecessor completely tanked the economy with the miniature budget— the economy with the miniature budget with the inflation going up budget with the inflation going up10%~ — budget with the inflation going up 10%. let's put that to the

side — up10%. let's put that to the side for— up 10%. let's put that to the side for a _ up 10%. let's put that to the side for a moment. up 10%. let's put that to the side fora moment. he is up 10%. let's put that to the side for a moment. he is right, people — side for a moment. he is right, pe0pte are _ side for a moment. he is right, people are costing that in accepting the cost—of—living crisis — accepting the cost—of—living crisis. government must stand up crisis. government must stand up and — crisis. government must stand up and support people. in scotland, for example, when it comes— scotland, for example, when it comes to — scotland, for example, when it comes to if you want to buy an electric— comes to if you want to buy an electric vehicle, we provide monetary support, when it comes to changing a heating submission to a zero emission heating — submission to a zero emission heating system, we provide funding _ heating system, we provide funding. we provide funding in order— funding. we provide funding in order to — funding. we provide funding in order to transition away from oil and — order to transition away from oil and gas and try to renewables. governments have to step up _ renewables. governments have to step up step back. at renewables. governments have to step op step back-— step up step back. at the same time it will— step up step back. at the same time it will also _ step up step back. at the same time it will also be _ time it will also be difficult to balance in scotland combating climate change and also helping people with the cost—of—living. {iii also helping people with the cost-of-living._ also helping people with the cost-of-living. of course. this is all about — cost-of-living. of course. this is all about different _ cost-of-living. of course. this is all about different choices. l is all about different choices. let's — is all about different choices. let's not _ is all about different choices. let's not equivocate. this is going — let's not equivocate. this is going to _ let's not equivocate. this is going to be difficult. the climate catastrophe deserves difficult — climate catastrophe deserves difficult choices. we have to make — difficult choices. we have to make difficult choices. if we don't. — make difficult choices. if we don't, what we saw this summer, all the _ don't, what we saw this summer, all the scenes of devastation across— all the scenes of devastation across the world, including here — across the world, including here irr— across the world, including here in the united states, it will be — here in the united states, it will be worse next year and where's _ will be worse next year and where's the year after and the year— where's the year after and the year after— where's the year after and the year after and the year after. it year after and the year after. it is — year after and the year after. it is more _ year after and the year after.

it is more expensive both for economic— it is more expensive both for economic costs of the human cost — economic costs of the human cost to— economic costs of the human cost to do— economic costs of the human cost to do nothing. i economic costs of the human cost to do nothing.— cost to do nothing. i want to come back _ cost to do nothing. i want to come back to _ cost to do nothing. i want to come back to a _ cost to do nothing. i want to come back to a point - cost to do nothing. i want to come back to a point about. cost to do nothing. i want to i come back to a point about the uk's place in the world. we spoke earlier to the former us vice president, al gore can and he said that he was also befuddled. he doesn't have any thoughts on uk politics can as he is not a citizen, but is befuddled by the decision and said the following... he said he had spoken to members of the conservative party who had used the face did x—rays butter disgust and contempt. is that the sentiment in scotland as well? , , ._ .,, well? they feel betrayed most of at least _ well? they feel betrayed most of at least the _ well? they feel betrayed most of at least the difference - well? they feel betrayed most of at least the difference is - of at least the difference is that — of at least the difference is that people in scotland have a scottish — that people in scotland have a scottish government that can try to — scottish government that can try to prevent some of the harm that is— try to prevent some of the harm that is coming from westminster. but we cannot do all of— westminster. but we cannot do all of that. al gore is absolutely right. butter discussed at the uk's government u—turn. the penn minister's — government u—turn. the penn minister's u—turn of dumping some — minister's u—turn of dumping some of— minister's u—turn of dumping some of these pledges. i don't some of these pledges. idon't think— some of these pledges. i don't think it's — some of these pledges. i don't think it's going to work. i think— think it's going to work. i think he _ think it's going to work. i think he taking a political calculation. he's looked at

some _ calculation. he's looked at some number somewhere and said if you _ some number somewhere and said if you go— some number somewhere and said if you go for this issue it will— if you go for this issue it will help— if you go for this issue it will help you in the polls. i think— will help you in the polls. i think most people out there see the news — think most people out there see the news see the pictures, see the news see the pictures, see the devastation, and what they don't _ the devastation, and what they don't want is there world leaders _ don't want is there world leaders are the heads of government, regardless of politics— government, regardless of politics to roll back. they want _ politics to roll back. they want them to step up. that's just— want them to step up. that's just a — want them to step up. that's just a shame that the uk government, as i say can have further— government, as i say can have further diminished their standing in the world by this nonsensical announcement. rishi sunak would _ nonsensical announcement. rishi sunak would make _ nonsensical announcement. rishi sunak would make the _ nonsensical announcement. fl si sunak would make the argument that his constituents in uk would say we need to bring down the cost of energy where people are really struggling to pay the bills at the end of the month and that in the meantime while still meeting 2050 goals, it is important to make sure people can get by. i it is important to make sure people can get by.- people can get by. i agree. peole people can get by. i agree. peeple are _ people can get by. i agree. people are struggling. - people can get by. i agree. people are struggling. so l people can get by. i agree. i people are struggling. so the responsibility for the uk government is to make sure they do energy— government is to make sure they do energy market reform. i don't — do energy market reform. i don't they make sure that they price _ don't they make sure that they price renewable energy so that it is cheaper than electric and gas? — it is cheaper than electric and gas? 0h— it is cheaper than electric and gas? on our it is cheaper than electric and gas? 0n ourwest it is cheaper than electric and gas? on our west coast, we have the united _ gas? on our west coast, we have the united states that have brought in the inflation

reduction act. they've shown that— reduction act. they've shown that they— reduction act. they've shown that they are willing to put money _ that they are willing to put money to incentivise, to bring that— money to incentivise, to bring that investment in renewable technology to their country. in our east — technology to their country. in our east coast, we have the eu with— our east coast, we have the eu with the — our east coast, we have the eu with the greendale partnership, and what — with the greendale partnership, and what has the uk done? they have _ and what has the uk done? they have twiddled her thumbs, sat on their— have twiddled her thumbs, sat on their hands and decided that they are — on their hands and decided that they are not going to do anything. and that is bad for our planet, it's also believed that— our planet, it's also believed that the _ our planet, it's also believed that the cost—of—living crisis. scotland _ that the cost—of—living crisis. scotland has an abundance of renewable technology. if you've ever been — renewable technology. if you've ever been to scotland, and a half. — ever been to scotland, and a half. it— ever been to scotland, and a half. it is— ever been to scotland, and a half. it is a _ ever been to scotland, and a half, it is a windy place, not great — half, it is a windy place, not great for— half, it is a windy place, not great for interest expense, but great _ great for interest expense, but great for — great for interest expense, but great for renewables. uk government have never priced it properly— government have never priced it properly and they could do that and it— properly and they could do that and it needs to pay energy bills— and it needs to pay energy bills for— and it needs to pay energy bills for everyone in the uk. he said _ bills for everyone in the uk. he said scotland will transition from the oil and gas capital to these next year capital to these next year capital and provide moral leadership on the climate crisis. but can scotland actually still do that with the pain minister's announcement today? i pain minister's announcement toda ? , , ., today? i wish i could give you the absolute _ today? i wish i could give you the absolute straight - today? i wish i could give you the absolute straight answerl the absolute straight answer and say _ the absolute straight answer and say definitely, the difficulty is we need to look up difficulty is we need to look up at — difficulty is we need to look up at the uk government have done _ up at the uk government have done and — up at the uk government have done and whether that impacts

us because many of the levers still exist— us because many of the levers still exist with the uk government. the power is in their— government. the power is in their hands overa government. the power is in their hands over a number of issues — their hands over a number of issues so— their hands over a number of issues. so i need to look at the — issues. so i need to look at the detail— issues. so i need to look at the detail of that. i want to step— the detail of that. i want to step back and our ambition. 0ur ambition— step back and our ambition. 0ur ambition remains to be next 05 years— ambition remains to be next 05 years earlier in the uk —— down the uk — years earlier in the uk —— down the uk. that remains ambition. and even— the uk. that remains ambition. and even if— the uk. that remains ambition. and even if the uk put up a roadblock after roadblock, we will find — roadblock after roadblock, we will find a way to overcome that — will find a way to overcome that roadblock stop i don't understand you have to go back and look — understand you have to go back and look at the details, but what — and look at the details, but what concrete steps can you take _ what concrete steps can you take in — what concrete steps can you take in scotland to move forward _ take in scotland to move forward despite these restrictions that will be coming from the uk? 0ne restrictions that will be coming from the uk? one of the biggest — coming from the uk? one of the biggest things we can do is put up biggest things we can do is put up as— biggest things we can do is put up as we — biggest things we can do is put up as we have agreed to do, £500 — up as we have agreed to do, £500 million for the just transition from oil and gas to renewables because ultimately we don't — renewables because ultimately we don't want to leave a single oil and — we don't want to leave a single oil and gas worker on the scrapheap. that's not fair, that— scrapheap. that's not fair, that is— scrapheap. that's not fair, that is not a just transition. so what _ that is not a just transition. so what we have to do is we have — so what we have to do is we have to _ so what we have to do is we have to invest, and what i've said — have to invest, and what i've said is— have to invest, and what i've said is you _ have to invest, and what i've said is you have extracted billions _ said is you have extracted billions of pounds to the uk economy and over the decades, a fraction _ economy and over the decades, a fraction of— economy and over the decades, a fraction of that is put back in order— fraction of that is put back in order to _ fraction of that is put back in order to help us with a just transition and that is what i would —

transition and that is what i would urge the pain minister to do. ., . do. one of the current debate is over rosebank, _ do. one of the current debate is over rosebank, the - do. one of the current debate is over rosebank, the largest | is over rosebank, the largest oil field that is still untapped. now with the pain minister's announcement, will you push for that to remain? i'm not talking about to rosebank going ahead for a quite — rosebank going ahead for a quite obvious reasons, i think. particularly the argument around _ particularly the argument around energy security but the majority, — around energy security but the majority, as you rightly say, that — majority, as you rightly say, that whale gets exported. it doesn't _ that whale gets exported. it doesn't stay in scotland or ndp uk. doesn't stay in scotland or ndp uk what— doesn't stay in scotland or ndp uk. what i would say is if you want — uk. what i would say is if you want another example of the application political responsibility for prime minister, he came up to scotland a week, two weeks at most _ scotland a week, two weeks at most after the secretary of the general— most after the secretary of the general of the un said that july was said to be the hottest ntonth— july was said to be the hottest month in— july was said to be the hottest month in human history. and unlimited _ month in human history. and unlimited oil and gas extraction is not going to help scotland, the uk, and most important it's not going to help— important it's not going to help the planet.— important it's not going to help the planet. what message are ou help the planet. what message are you taking _ help the planet. what message are you taking back _ help the planet. what message are you taking back from - help the planet. what message are you taking back from this i are you taking back from this un general assembly, particularly in climate? abs, particularly in climate? a pretty simple message. we all

have _ pretty simple message. we all have to — pretty simple message. we all have to do more. we have to do that— have to do more. we have to do that with — have to do more. we have to do that with pace and urgency and let stopped over complicating the matter. we have to put up the matter. we have to put up the finance in order to transition, we have to make sure — transition, we have to make sure that _ transition, we have to make sure that we work with the global— sure that we work with the global south on loss and damages and we have to phase out oil— damages and we have to phase out oil and gas. it's pretty simple _ out oil and gas. it's pretty simple when you boil it down and you _ simple when you boil it down and you have to take collection action— and you have to take collection action and _ and you have to take collection action and scotland is certainly willing to pay our part — certainly willing to pay our art. ~ , certainly willing to pay our art, ~ , ., ~' certainly willing to pay our art. ~ , . part. minister, thank you so much for — part. minister, thank you so much forjoining _ part. minister, thank you so much forjoining us. - part. minister, thank you so much forjoining us. thank i part. minister, thank you so i much forjoining us. thank you much for “oining us. thank you for our much forjoining us. thank you for your time. _ much forjoining us. thank you for your time. so _ much forjoining us. thank you for your time. so you - heard that from the first minister unsurprisingly perhaps very critical of the british pain minister, rishi sunak�*s announcement, saying that at the climate ambition summit that he attended on behalf of scotland, of course, that world leaders were really looking and asking what on earth is happening in the uk, but this decision is being made while we here are talking about how to push forward with climate ambition. at the same time, it is important to note that at that very summit, the un secretary—general actually didn't invade countries that he

believed or his office believed where not making enough of a commitment on the question of climate change commitment means there is some notable emissions, so the united states and china, the world's emissions, so the united states and china, the worlds to biggest emitters were not part of the summit. so indeed some struggles there for the un secretary to ensure that everyone is on the same page. but at the same time, the question of the uk's commitment to this very battle against climate change is being called into question. irate climate change is being called into question.— into question. we leave it there, thank _ into question. we leave it there, thank you - into question. we leave it there, thank you for - into question. we leave it there, thank you for that l there, thank you for that perspective. around the world and across the uk. this is bbc news. when i'm on the make it so much adrenaline, it's a blur. i love the pressure. the pressure is like rocket fuel for me. i use it and channel it. the drive to the top of the world drinking has been fuelled by dedication and discipline. i has been fuelled by dedication and discipline.— and discipline. i started by winnin: and discipline. i started by winning a _ and discipline. i started by winning a medal— and discipline. i started by winning a medal and - and discipline. i started by winning a medal and i - and discipline. i started by -

winning a medal and i thought, 0k, winning a medal and i thought, ok, i need to do it again, and theni ok, i need to do it again, and then i was consistently being right up there with all the big hitters in my category and now that i'm number one in the world can i have to train it like a number one in the world. i have to eat, sleep, act like number one in the world. time's committed _ number one in the world. time's committed to — number one in the world. time's committed to train _ number one in the world. time's committed to train every - number one in the world. time's committed to train every single l committed to train every single day around school and travel to be under the tutelage of coach sandy is reaping rewards. last year, he won gold at the commonwealth karate championships and has racked up nearly 1800 points across eight competitions in the past year and a half, taking him to world number one in his age group. the ultimate aim is to become world champion. that is the big goal, the big victory. for world champion. that is the big goal, the big victory.— goal, the big victory. for more stories from _ goal, the big victory. for more stories from across _ goal, the big victory. for more stories from across the - goal, the big victory. for more stories from across the uk, i stories from across the uk, head — stories from across the uk, head to _ stories from across the uk, head to the _ stories from across the uk, head to the bbc— stories from across the uk, head to the bbc news - stories from across the uk, - head to the bbc news website. you're live with bbc news. azerbaijan's president, ilham aliyev, says he has restored full sovereignty over the armenian—majority region of nagorno karabakh, which has been ruled as an unrecognised breakaway repulic since 1991. in a statement after accepting a ceasefire deal from the separatist forces, mr aliyev insisted he had nothing against the ethnic

armenian population, only what he called their "criminal leadership". mr aliev launched a military offensive two days ago, claiming that troops from neighbouring armenia were on ground in nagorno—karabakh. amenian officials denied those claims and said azerbaijan had carried out a clear violation of international law. despite those reassurances, many armenians appear to be fleeing the region. russian peacekeepers say they've already evacuated at least 2,000 people. reports say hundreds — if not thousands have headed to the region's main airport. some ethnic armenian officials say thousands more have been displaced. meanwhile, thousands of people have gathered in the armenian capital, yerevan, to protest about the government's perceived failure to support the breakaway republic.reyhan demetrie has more.

the wednesday cease—fire agreement marks the failure of a 35 year struggle of the karabakh armenians for self—determination. uncertainty now looms over the 120,000 ethnic armenians living in the region. almost everybody there has a family member who fought in wars with azerbaijan, and many fear persecution. azerbaijan says the rights of ethnic armenians will be guaranteed under its constitution, but there is very little or no trust between the two communities. azerbaijan's anti—terrorist operation was the final push to regain territories at lost in the 19905 with the aim to return hundreds of thousands of azerbaijanis displaced by the conflict. the republic of armenia, which supported karabakh armenians both financially and militarily, has suffered a bitter defeat. and its relations with russia, once a powerful ally, have reached a new low.

let's take a look at some other stories in the headlines. poland's prime minister, mateusz morawiecki, has said his country will no longer send weapons to ukraine. a diplomatic dispute between warsaw and kyiv about grain exports has quickly escalated. poland has banned the sale of ukrainian grain overfears that large quantities of imports will hurt polish farmers. president biden and israeli prime minister, benjamin netanyahu, have pledged to work together to forge diplomatic relations between israel and saudi arabia. the joint declaration followed face—to—face talks between the two leaders at the un general assembly in new york. president biden reiterated his support for a two—state solution to the israeli—palestinian conflict. the indian government has introduced a bill guaranteeing a third of seats for women in the lower house of parliament and state assemblies.the contentious bill, first proposed in 1996, has been pending for decades amid opposition from some

political parties.its revival is expected to boost the governing bharatiya janata party's fortunes in general elections next may. syria's president bashar al—assad will head to china later this week in his first visit to beijing since the start of his country's 12—year conflict during which china has been one of his main backers. china has been expanding its reach in the middle east after mediating a deal in march between saudi arabia and iran, and it continues to support assad in the syrian war. earlier i spoke to ibrahim al—assil, a fellow at the middle east institute in washington, dc. i started by asking him how important this meeting is for both countries. assad needs any kind of help they can get to me generates his global legitimacy, but also it's clear that china is trying to challenge the american—led world order

by inviting somebody who has been committed over a decade multiple crimes against humanity, killed over half a million civilians inside syria and displaced millions of refugees in the region and in other places around the world. so those syrians are still suffering on this trip will not make their lives better, but i think this comes as a very interesting time where china is trying to assert itself on the global stage as a competitor with the united states and also at the same time it's trying to increase its influence in the region in the middle east and, of course, syria is a place where it can show that influence and can try to find new opportunities where it can capitalise. in your opinion, how will the west be watching these developments? unfortunately, over the last few months, we haven't seen a strong response from the biden administration

if we are talking about the united states in particular. the biden administration early on and said that they will put the human rights at the centre of the current policy. 0n the first day of their state visit to france — king charles and queen camilla have attended a glittering banquet at the palace of versailles tonight hosted by president macron. our royal correspondent daniela relph reports. the glitz and the glamour of the state banquet at versailles. the actor hugh grant made the guest list, as did rolling stone mick jagger. last to arrive, the king and queen, welcomed by president macron and his wife brigitte. inside versailles's hall of mirrors, speaking mostly in french, the king thanked his hosts and stressed the need to work together to protect the environment. he speaks french. earlier, the king and queen were given a ceremonial welcome

at the arc de triomphe. god save the king plays. full of pomp and pageantry... singing la marseillaise. ..and reminders of shared sacrifice. the post—brexit relationship between the uk and france has been bumpy, but there was a show of unity from the king and the president... ..as they shared a sunroof down the champs—elysees. state visits are about strengthening future relationships, finding common ground. but on this trip, there is a touch of nostalgia too. je me rappelle le plaisir quej�*ai eu. during her reign, the late queen made five state visits to france. her son will walk in her footsteps this week, revisiting some of the same places. but right from the start, the message of this visit was clear, even the fly—past was a joint enterprise.

the french air force and the red arrows flying together, for a trip where shared experiences will be the focus. daniela relph, bbc news, paris. that's all for now — stay with bbc news. hello, there. wednesday was a wet and a windy day starting off across northwest wales, capel curig, where we had gusts of wind of 70 miles an hour. it was here where we also saw some very heavy rain. over the space of 36 hours, 133 millimetres fell — a good chunk of the september average. and so far this month, we've actually had 226 millimetres of rain, so it has already been a wetter september than average. and, of course, there's more of septemberjust around the corner. the same area of low pressure that brought all of us wet and windy weather conditions stays to the north of the uk over the next couple of days, and certainly windy at the moment with rain in scotland.

another rain band slowly pulling away from east anglia and southeast england. what follows essentially for england and wales is a day of sunny spells and showers. however, that low pressure will continue to bring strong winds to scotland and to northern ireland. and, in fact, it's notjust windy — this band of rain will push its way southwards, so the rain does return to the central lowlands and to northern ireland after a sunny start. for england and wales, those showers really get going into the afternoon, and i think across parts of wales and south west england, some of the showers will merge together to give some really intense downpours. it could be pretty prolonged, as well. temperatures quite close to average, really — about 15 to 19 degrees celsius. 0n into friday, it's the same story. the low pressure is still there for northern scotland. these strong northwesterly winds bringing frequent showers to the north and western side of the uk, but into the afternoon there'll be showers popping up in the east, as well. some of them could be heavy — again, with the odd rumble of thunder — and the temperatures not really changing too much, about 15 to 18 degrees celsius.

feeling cool in the north, given those strong winds. now, heading into saturday, another change — we'll get a ridge of high pressure building in ahead of this next weather system. what all this means is that saturday, actually, is going to be an ok day. 0k, there'll be a few showers for northern scotland, but most of us will have a fine and sunny morning. make the most of that because cloud will tend to build in, and certainly into the afternoon we'll start to see some rain arriving in northern ireland, and perhaps fringe into western scotland, but that is towards the end of the day and, overall, saturday's looking 0k. by sunday, well, the low pressure in the atlanticjust nudges a bit closer, we've got another band of rain moving into the west, and so it does turn quite windy and increasingly unsettled with rain and showers around, and that's probably going to stay with us, as well, into the early part of next week.

however longer, the us federal reserve hold steady and interest rates but warned that the fight against inflation is far from over. the fight against inflation is farfrom over. —— higherfor longer. reviving tourism in the land of smiles, we'll look at why thailand is anxiously waiting for the return of chinese visitors. hello and welcome to asia business report with me, arunoday mukharji. we begin in the us where the latest

monetary policy decision by the federal reserve it is announced and has kept rates unchanged but not without leaving the door open to an increase before the end of the year. officials are feeling more optimistic about growth in the world's largest economy, but also saying they expect rates to stay higher for longer. this saying they expect rates to stay higherfor longer. this is how wall street reacted to the news, all three major us stock indices retreating in the wake of the announcement. michelle fleury has more from new york. the us federal reserve left interest rates steady between my 5% and 5.5%, its highest level in over two decades, as it weighed up its next steps. officials at america's central bank signalled they are prepared to hike one more time this year, they also don't expect to cut rates as much next year, as they have suggested perhaps in the past. it was explained why central bankers were moving toward holding rates higherfor holding rates higher for longer. holding rates higher for loner. ., . ,

holding rates higher for loner. ., , longer. economic activity has been stronger _ longer. economic activity has been stronger than _ longer. economic activity has| been stronger than expected, stronger than we