reports that the there are reports that the government is planning to cut national insurance on tomorrow's budget. at least 35 people have died in pakistan after unexpected snowfall and heavy rain hits remote areas. we begin this hour in the middle east. the us secretary of defence antony blinken has said there is an opportunity for an immediate ceasefire in gaza. his comments come as leaders of the palestinian group and mass are expected to hold more talks in cairo with mediators although israel says it will not directly attend until hamas provides a list of hostages it's holding. let's have a listen to what antony blinken had to say. it’s let's have a listen to what antony blinken had to say.— let's have a listen to what antony blinken had to say. it's also urgent

irrespective _ blinken had to say. it's also urgent irrespective of _ blinken had to say. it's also urgent irrespective of ceasefire _ blinken had to say. it's also urgent irrespective of ceasefire to - irrespective of ceasefire to dramatically increase the humanitarian assistance getting to people _ humanitarian assistance getting to people inside gaza. the situation for children and women and men who are caught _ for children and women and men who are caught in— for children and women and men who are caught in the crossfire is unacceptable and unsustainable. israel_ unacceptable and unsustainable. israel has — unacceptable and unsustainable. israel has to maximise every possible _ israel has to maximise every possible means, every possible method — possible means, every possible method of getting assistance to people — method of getting assistance to people who need it.— method of getting assistance to people who need it. meanwhile on the round and people who need it. meanwhile on the ground and guards _ people who need it. meanwhile on the ground and guards of— people who need it. meanwhile on the ground and guards of the _ people who need it. meanwhile on the ground and guards of the war - ground and guards of the war continues. they have been more air strikes in the south territory including in the southern city of rafa. the who says some 8000 patients in gaza urgently need to be moved out of the territory. it is also warning of extreme malnutrition among children. another development to give you and hamas which is then designated a terrorist organisation

by the uk and other western governments has denied a report by a team of experts from the un which said there are reasonable grounds to believe that sexual violence occurred during the 7th of october attack and it says there is convincing information that hostages taken were subjected to it. we can go live to our correspondent who was in jerusalem go live to our correspondent who was injerusalem for us. there are lots of developments to discuss. let's start with what we've been hearing from the us secretary of state antony blinken. how significant do you think his remarks are? there is of course increasing _ you think his remarks are? there is of course increasing pressure - you think his remarks are? there is of course increasing pressure from | of course increasing pressure from the americans on the israelis in particular and we have seen that tension rising over the last few weeks. to go to cairo and join in these indirect talks which may hopefully result in a temporary ceasefire. the israelis have chosen not to go to cairo, for the two days of talks. hamas, the qataris and the

americans and the egyptians are said to be in cairo. the americans are trying to persuade the israelis to go but the israelis have laid these preconditions that hamas must release a list of those hostages were still alive and it would be released as part of a deal. there is frustration on the american side, they say openly that is a need for more aid to get into gaza. the americans have undertaken a second a drop of over 36,000 meals by small parachutes in conjunction with the jordanian air force, dropping those into gaza itself. the americans are doing the wrong thing and are even embarrassing the israelis showing how much of a humanitarian crisis there is in gaza and the need for israel to get around the table and start these talks towards a possible ceasefire. �* �* , ., , ., ceasefire. and it's not “ust aid, we have been — ceasefire. and it's not “ust aid, we have been hearing _ ceasefire. and it's notjust aid, we have been hearing from _ ceasefire. and it's notjust aid, we have been hearing from the - ceasefire. and it's notjust aid, we have been hearing from the world| have been hearing from the world health organization which is saying that some 8000 patients in gaza,

many have been injured in their ongoing conflict, urgently need to be moved out of the territory. so there are also pressures on an already ailing healthcare system. i was going to come to that point, the healthcare was going to come to that point, the healthca re system was going to come to that point, the healthcare system has been smashed. a lot of hospitals in gaza are not operational because they have been damaged, a lot of the medical staff have been taken prisoner by israel. some of them have been killed. some of them have fled. many of the hospitals are not functional. that means people are dying from survivable illnesses. people from dying from malnutrition and war wounds and infections that could be patched up. the who says about 8000 people need to leave gaza for urgent treatment. in northern gaza where the crisis of eight and healthcare is at its most acute according to

the who, children are at risk of dying from starvation and malnutrition. that is the point we have got to. it's pretty clear that the impact of the war and of the lack of aid in food and health care getting in means people are dying. israel says it will allow in as much aid as possible and as can be delimited by international bodies, but it clearly not enough.- delimited by international bodies, but it clearly not enough. thank you ve much but it clearly not enough. thank you very much for— but it clearly not enough. thank you very much for bringing _ but it clearly not enough. thank you very much for bringing us _ but it clearly not enough. thank you very much for bringing us up - but it clearly not enough. thank you very much for bringing us up to - very much for bringing us up to date. the republican primaries will be

held in all of the states while the democratic primary will happen in all of the states except alaska. the party will also hold caucuses in american samoa. we will get the results of the democratic contest in iowa as well which has been ongoing by post for a number of weeks. as expected for a sitting presidentjoe biden faces little opposition on the democratic side, he's all but guaranteed to become the party's nominee for the selection. on the republican side donald trump is inching ever closer to becoming his party's pick the candidate once again with another win predicted over his only remaining rival nikki haley. from colorado, here is more from emma vardy. america's getting ready for a big political contest. but despite the millions of votes being cast, it's already pretty clear which candidates will be facing off in the presidential battle. as colorado goes to the polls, sisters mandy and nicky are headed to the ice.

we are such a divided nation. but the one thing i like is when i walk into the hockey rink, we're all the same. the feeling is rather different on the campaign trail. crooked joe biden, you're fired! before polls have even closed, there's been a victory for donald trump. the state of colorado was in a fight to kick him off the ballot entirely for his role in the capitol riots onjanuary 6th. but the us supreme court struck it down. his republican opponent is undeterred. i defeated a dozen of the fellas. cheering. ijust have one more fella i got to catch up to. the question is whether nikki haley quits the race, or decides to hang on. it wasn't presidentjoe biden, but the first lady doing the rounds on the democratic side, going after female voters. donald trump is dangerous to women and to our families. we simply cannot let him win.

but the prospect of a joe biden rematch with donald trump is unpopular with many voters. i do wish there were more choices. that's another thing i don't love about our political system here. contenders that have been there before and they're kind of ready to go again. so not the most exciting match? not this time, no. because neitherjoe biden nor donald trump has any serious competition this year, as political games go, the result is rather a foregone conclusion. what matters now is that after tuesday, the real start of the election campaign will begin. and unlike this somewhat predictable super tuesday, the result of the presidential election in november will be much harder to call. emma vardy, bbc news, colorado.

what is your instinct on nikki haley staying in the race? i what is your instinct on nikki haley staying in the race?— staying in the race? i think it's auoin to staying in the race? i think it's going to be — staying in the race? i think it's going to be really _ staying in the race? i think it's going to be really hard - staying in the race? i think it's going to be really hard for - staying in the race? i think it's going to be really hard for her| staying in the race? i think it's l going to be really hard for her to hang on. she has said that she will remain until super tuesday concludes but then we will see if she actually sticks to that. it's very likely that donald trump is going to continue doing what he has which is winning pretty much all of the primary election so far, the only one he didn't win was in washington. but we will see. we will see how long nikki haley will decide to hang on for but as we've been hearing today it's pretty much a foregone conclusion that donald trump will clean up in the primary elections. so we are heading towards eight donald trump thejoe biden rematch. i was reading some polls which say there are quite a lot of americans who would rather not have either

candidate. . �* , who would rather not have either candidate. ., �* , , ., candidate. that's true. many of the olls do candidate. that's true. many of the polls do suggest — candidate. that's true. many of the polls do suggest that. _ candidate. that's true. many of the polls do suggest that. they - candidate. that's true. many of the polls do suggest that. they point i candidate. that's true. many of the | polls do suggest that. they point to the fact that both men are old, president biden being the oldest president ever. there are also concerns about the criminal indictments donald trump is facing. president biden looks to sweep the primary as well today. there is no real challenger. but there was a protest vote against the michigan of what's happening in gaza. so whilst yes i think it's fair to say that most americans are many americans don't want a rematch, what i think will be interesting to see today when the results come through it by what margins they win. they are still enough independent voters in this country believe it or not and i think the both men their campaign team will be looking at how well they do in all the states and how america is feeling right now about those men. i5 america is feeling right now about those men-— america is feeling right now about those men. , ., , ., ., those men. is it too early for me to ask ou those men. is it too early for me to ask you what _ those men. is it too early for me to ask you what people _ those men. is it too early for me to ask you what people are _ those men. is it too early for me to ask you what people are saying - those men. is it too early for me to l ask you what people are saying about who donald trump, assuming he does

become the candidate, who he might pick to have running mate? that’s pick to have running mate? that's the big question. _ pick to have running mate? that's the big question. he _ pick to have running mate? that's the big question. he is _ pick to have running mate? that's the big question. he is almost - pick to have running mate? that's| the big question. he is almost like running it as a contest. he was very famous of course for the apprentice. there are some suggestions it could be the tech entrepreneur vivek ramaswamy who ran for the republic presidential candidacy but didn't do very well. his name has popped up. there was some suggesting that nikki haley could potentially be running mate but she has rejected that. she has said she won't be considering that although there are some people who suggest it could still happen. i also want to add you can't really get through any story in america without mentioning taylor swift, arguably the biggest pop star in the world right now, but she has put up

a story on her instagram urging people to get out and vote including in her own state of tennessee telling them to get out and vote there and vote on all the other states. i think she has about 280 million followers on instagram so that's definitely more than donald trump and joe biden put together. for a moment i thought you were going to tell me that taylor swift was in the running! that going to tell me that taylor swift was in the running!— going to tell me that taylor swift was in the running! that would be interesting _ was in the running! that would be interesting. thank— was in the running! that would be interesting. thank you _ was in the running! that would be interesting. thank you very - was in the running! that would be interesting. thank you very much | was in the running! that would be i interesting. thank you very much for the moment- — interesting. thank you very much for the moment. we _ interesting. thank you very much for the moment. we will _ interesting. thank you very much for the moment. we will have _ interesting. thank you very much for the moment. we will have coverage | the moment. we will have coverage from the rest of the team across the united states throughout today and tomorrow and if you want to find out more about super tuesday and why so significant in this race for the white house there is plenty more on the bbc news website where we have a special guide to the day along with plenty more articles in the run—up to the presidential election and thatis to the presidential election and that is not before we mention a life page which had a blow by blow account if you don't want to stay up

and watch tv. to china next where the biggest event in the country's political calendar is under way. nearly 3,000 delegates have gathered in beijing for the national people's congress. the country's premier delivered a major address on the economy where he's announced that import tarrifs on advanced technology will be cut to try and boost growth. security at the annual gathering inside the great hall of the people is tight. later this year us they will choose the new president. what the chinese communist party elite think of this? or do they want to win?

it's like pulling teeth.

there is a sense from the delegates that they don't want to speak out of turn when it comes to expressing an opinion on us politics, but they are worried about china us relations and they want them to improve. around they want them to improve. around the world and across the uk, this is bbc news. let's take a look at some of the other stories making the news in the uk. unions representing senior doctors in england have given their backing to an improved pay offer to stop the deal includes an extra £3000 for those few years into the consultant creates. the proposals will now be put to union members to see if they are ready to accept. consultants have staged for strikes in the pay dispute so far. a toxic environment in swim clubs in

england is able bullion to just four years according to a review. it is extreme competitiveness led to an ongoing and systemic cultural fear at all levels of aquatic sports and was a major threat to its future. sports governing has apologised. heroes are introduced in northern ireland to restrict the ownership of excel bully dogs, the have to be muzzled and on a leading public. new legislation will also require owners to get an exemption form for the excel bully. the breeding and selling of the dogs will be banned. you are live with bbc news. speculation is growing about what measures the chancellorjeremy hunt will set out in his spring budget tomorrow. councils in england will be told to reduce their spending on consultants and diversity schemes and the bbc understands the chancellor will extend freeze to fail to feel duty again. it's also

been widely reported thatjeremy had is considering a catch to national insurance contributions paid on earnings set at different rates to income tax. for more than all of this we can go live to westminster and join our political correspondent. lots of speculation swirling around the head of this flagship budget because it is likely to be the last major budget before an expected general election. what more are you hearing? you an expected general election. what more are you hearing?— an expected general election. what more are you hearing? you are right, the olitics more are you hearing? you are right, the politics of— more are you hearing? you are right, the politics of this _ more are you hearing? you are right, the politics of this is _ more are you hearing? you are right, the politics of this is going _ more are you hearing? you are right, the politics of this is going to - more are you hearing? you are right, the politics of this is going to be - the politics of this is going to be so important because this is the last budget we expect this government to set before it calls an election. a general election has to be held byjanuary next election. a general election has to be held by january next year. election. a general election has to be held byjanuary next year. so this will be the last budget but if they went very light could be another financial statement. this does mean the politics behind the decisions that are made in this budget are going to be really important. as you said we had a lot of speculation in the last few days and that is normal in the run up to and that is normal in the run up to a budget, that feel duty frees that

you spoke about i think, no chancellor has raised feel duty since 2011 so that one seems like a fairly good bet. then there is the issue of personal tax cuts. we know that rishi sunak and jeremy hunt have been indicating that they want to cut personal taxes. they made that could to national insurance back in the autumn statement. the government isn't denying this afternoon reports in the times newspaper that they're going to take another 2p off national insurance tomorrow, that's the cost of about £10 billion. they have been suggestions that perhaps he could have cut income tax, that is a more expensive option for the government and that is because national insurance is only paid by working people whereas income taxes paid also by some pensioners. so these are the sorts of things that have

been swirling that this is against the backdrop of an economy that is not been growing, it's been stagnant for some time. it went into recession in the last quarter of last year so what we are also getting is a lot of speculation about whatjeremy hunt might do to try and raise some money to pay for these. so the things that are being suggested are that he might increase the air passenger duty on business class flights, that he might catch some of the tax breaks for some people have second homes and most interestingly from a political perspective the idea that he might actually pinch some of the ideas that labour has been putting forward as the way they would fund some of their potential spending plans like for example reforming the non—dom status for people live in the uk but have their official home elsewhere and don't pay tax on the foreign earnings. and also extending the levy on the profits of oil and gas companies. those are two things labour said they would do to pay for

some of the plans. that will appeal tojeremy hunt as well if he were to go down that road because it would also either push labour into saying it will have to reverse the tax could save... it will have to reverse the tax could save. . ._ it will have to reverse the tax could save... ., ~ i. , . could save... thank you very much for that update. _ could save... thank you very much for that update. we _ could save... thank you very much for that update. we will _ could save... thank you very much for that update. we will have - could save... thank you very much for that update. we will have full. for that update. we will have full coverage of the budget here in the uk on wednesday on the bbc news channel. medical leaders have backed an increase in the number of physician associates working for the health service. the health professionals will play a supporting role for doctors, they don't have a medical degree and shouldn't make diagnoses on supervised. they are now coming under the same regulator as general practitioners and some are worried this could blur the lines between doctors and physician associates. the family of one young woman who died after being seen by a physician associates instead of a doctor is calling for more regulation and clarity for patients.

to lose a child is terrible but when you find out your daughter's death was preventable, it's just devastating. was preventable, it's “ust devastatingi was preventable, it's “ust devastatina. , ., ., , devastating. emily would have been celebratin: devastating. emily would have been celebrating his _ devastating. emily would have been celebrating his 32nd _ devastating. emily would have been celebrating his 32nd birthday - devastating. emily would have been celebrating his 32nd birthday this i celebrating his 32nd birthday this year and performing in musicals like she dreamt of. but in november 2022 those dreams were destroyed when emily died of a pulmonary embolism. emily died of a pulmonary embolism. emily had a pain in the left calf and she phoned doctor's surgery. it didn't get better she made an appointment and was seen by a physician associates. she believes that the time it was a doctor. it wasn't. , , , . ., that the time it was a doctor. it wasn't. , , wasn't. the physician associates dia . nosed wasn't. the physician associates diagnosed with _ wasn't. the physician associates diagnosed with a _ wasn't. the physician associates diagnosed with a sprain - wasn't. the physician associates diagnosed with a sprain and - wasn't. the physician associates - diagnosed with a sprain and anxiety. she actually had a blood clot in left calf. emily's condition worsened and she collapsed. she died in hospital three weeks after her

30th birthday. tlitur in hospital three weeks after her 30th birthday-— in hospital three weeks after her 30th birthday. our emotions range still from disbelief _ 30th birthday. our emotions range still from disbelief is _ 30th birthday. our emotions range still from disbelief is the _ 30th birthday. our emotions range still from disbelief is the major - still from disbelief is the major one. still from disbelief is the ma'or one. f , , , , still from disbelief is the ma'or one. , , y ., �* �* one. emily's gp surgery told the bbc it was deeply — one. emily's gp surgery told the bbc it was deeply saddened _ one. emily's gp surgery told the bbc it was deeply saddened by _ one. emily's gp surgery told the bbc it was deeply saddened by her- one. emily's gp surgery told the bbc| it was deeply saddened by her death, adding that staff have been told to be transparent with patients about who they are seeing. abs, be transparent with patients about who they are seeing.— who they are seeing. a physician's associate or _ who they are seeing. a physician's associate or a _ who they are seeing. a physician's associate or a physician's - who they are seeing. a physician's| associate or a physician's assistant was someone to literally help the physician — was someone to literally help the physician. i can understand why there _ physician. i can understand why there is— physician. i can understand why there is this confusion. but they shouldn't— there is this confusion. but they shouldn't be a point that we are putting — shouldn't be a point that we are putting these individual, these patients— putting these individual, these patients and their families at risk by hot _ patients and their families at risk by not having them see somebody with the full— by not having them see somebody with the full training that takes to manage _ the full training that takes to manage both the simple but also the complex— manage both the simple but also the complex and the uncertainty. this ear will complex and the uncertainty. this year will see _ complex and the uncertainty. this year will see the _ complex and the uncertainty. try 3 year will see the regulation of physician and anaesthetic associates which will allow the general medical council to oversee their training

and validate if they are fit to practice. and validate if they are fit to ractice. , ., ., ., , , practice. legislation has been assed practice. legislation has been passed which _ practice. legislation has been passed which is _ practice. legislation has been passed which is great - practice. legislation has been passed which is great news. l passed which is great news. revelatioh_ passed which is great news. revelation provides - passed which is great news. revelation provides a - passed which is great news. - revelation provides a mechanism for reporting _ revelation provides a mechanism for reporting any — revelation provides a mechanism for reporting any concerns _ revelation provides a mechanism for reporting any concerns which - revelation provides a mechanism for reporting any concerns which will- reporting any concerns which will improve — reporting any concerns which will improve patient— reporting any concerns which will improve patient safety— reporting any concerns which will improve patient safety and - reporting any concerns which willl improve patient safety and reduce patient _ improve patient safety and reduce patient harm~ _ improve patient safety and reduce patient harm. so _ improve patient safety and reduce patient harm. so this _ improve patient safety and reduce patient harm. so this should - improve patient safety and reduce patient harm. so this should helpl patient harm. so this should help correct _ patient harm. so this should help correct that — patient harm. so this should help correct that and _ patient harm. so this should help correct that and give _ patient harm. so this should help correct that and give confidence i patient harm. so this should helpi correct that and give confidence in the workforce _ correct that and give confidence in the workforce. the _ correct that and give confidence in the workforce.— the workforce. the faculty of physicians — the workforce. the faculty of physicians associates - the workforce. the faculty of physicians associates makes | the workforce. the faculty of i physicians associates makes it the workforce. the faculty of - physicians associates makes it clear they are health care professionals working in multidisciplinary teams with the supervision of doctors will stop it says regulation is vital to improving patient care and drawing the profession. thea;r improving patient care and drawing the profession.— the profession. they have a role to -la and the profession. they have a role to play and there _ the profession. they have a role to play and there needs _ the profession. they have a role to play and there needs to _ the profession. they have a role to play and there needs to be - the profession. they have a role to play and there needs to be some l the profession. they have a role to i play and there needs to be some sort of patient _ play and there needs to be some sort of patient information campaign to ensure _ of patient information campaign to ensure that they know who it is they are speaking to. and what that person's— are speaking to. and what that person's skill set is. this are speaking to. and what that person's skill set is.— person's skill set is. this is an isolated incident _ person's skill set is. this is an isolated incident but - person's skill set is. this is an isolated incident but her- person's skill set is. this is an | isolated incident but her family once they are to be more transparency so patients know who they are saying. be

transparency so patients know who they are saying-— they are saying. be aware, be proactive. _ they are saying. be aware, be proactive, don't _ they are saying. be aware, be proactive, don't be _ they are saying. be aware, be proactive, don't be passive i they are saying. be aware, be l proactive, don't be passive and they are saying. be aware, be i proactive, don't be passive and if in doubt ask for a gp appointment. don'tjust assume you are seeing a fully qualified gp because you may not be. lgale fully qualified gp because you may not be. ~ ., ., ., ., fully qualified gp because you may not be. ., ., ., ., , not be. we have more on that story on the bbc — not be. we have more on that story on the bbc news _ not be. we have more on that story on the bbc news website. - not be. we have more on that story on the bbc news website. before i not be. we have more on that story. on the bbc news website. before we go let's take you live to the united states where it's super tuesday. we do have some live shots showing you some people who have already begun to vote in minnesota and in north carolina. as we have been saying, photos and more than a dozen states who are effectively deciding which candidates they want to represent their party in this year's presidential race in november. will it be a joe biden versus donald trump contest come november? the

republican primary contest will be in all 15 states, democrats will vote on the same states except alaska. we are running a live page with updates on the bbc news website and you can stay across the story they all stay with us here on bbc news. hello. our quiet theme of weather continues with a bit of a lottery at the moment. there are winners and losers. some lovely sunshine to be found in lancashire earlier on but a different story further east. the cloud thick enough for a spot of drizzle and showery rain. there is a weather front draping itself along the east coast and it's going to linger through much of the day and also the potential for some sharp showers with the odd rumble of thunder across the south—east. this weather front end northern thunder across the south—east. this weatherfront end northern ireland will slowly ease further north and an improving picture as we go

through the afternoon. many central and western areas keeping the sunshine. we keep the frontal system setting out to the east. a grey and damp drizzly affair for many with some showers still potentially heavy. underneath the cloud we are looking at around eight or 9 degrees. furtherwest looking at around eight or 9 degrees. further west with the sunshine, 11 or 12 celsius. tonight that weatherfront is sunshine, 11 or 12 celsius. tonight that weather front is going to continue to feed more cloud into eastern areas are so further west clear skies and a touch of fog forming and the potential for some frost. but that is where we will have the best of the early morning sunshine once any fog lifts. we may keep the sunshine here for much of the day. a little more cloud with weather front desperately trying to push into the south—west and once again cloudy along the east. but we should across parts of lincolnshire and east anglia see that cloud thinning and breaking and a few scattered showers. temperatures

between seven and 12 celsius. into thursday high pressure across scandinavia is dominating the weather but the winds will start to freshen, a south—easterly that they are circulating around that high—pressure which means more of a breeze which means potentially cooler and fresher on those exposed coasts. western areas having the best of the sunnier moments. a few scattered showers but in the sunshine it should feel pleasant as temperatures are likely to peak around 12 degrees. where you have that exposure to the wind on the east coast it's a little bit fresher. not a bad start to the weekend but there is the potential on sunday for more showers or longer spells of rain.

this is bbc news. the headlines: ukraine says it has destroyed a russian patrol ship with naval drones in the black sea. german defence minister boris pistorious says �*individual error�* is to blame after a call between senior military officers is leaked. at least 35 people have died in pakistan after unexpected snowfall and heavy rains hit remote areas. a new report warns of "systemic gender inequality" in women's sports and exercise research.

sport, and for a full round—up, we head over to the bbc sport centre. some breaking tennis news in the last few minutes, the former world number one simona halep is free to play again after having her 4 year doping ban reduced by the court of arbitration for sport. the two time rand slam champion tested postive for a prohibited blood boosting substance before the us open in 2022. she blamed the test on contamintaed supplements. cas has reduced her ban to 9 months, which she has already served. it remains to be seen if there will be a counter appeal by the international tennis federation, which banned herforfour years in

the first place. more on