and thousands of people take to the streets of the canary islands in protest against what they say are the damaging effects of over—tourism. hello, i'm samantha simmonds. there are high hopes that a $61 billion military funding package for ukraine — which stalled in the us house of representatives months ago — will be unlocked in the next hour. president zelensky has said that without the additional weapons it'll bring, ukraine will lose the war with russia. these are live pictures from the house of representatives, where a debate has been under way for the last few hours. one issue was that the bill rolled together funding for ukraine, israel, and taiwan and other allies. to try and solve it, us house speaker mikejohnson has now broken it down into three separate votes, meaning members can approve elements they support and dismiss others.

during the debate, lawmakers in support of the legislation urged their colleagues to swiftly approve the aid, saying time is running out for the ukrainians. former speaker nancy pelosi was one of those to address the house. vladimir putin has instructed his troops to use rape, kidnapping and murder in front of family members as a weapon of war to demoralise the people of ukraine. i hope that our colleagues will choose democracy and decency rather than autocracy and evil. because i fear that if you choose the putin route, you will have blood on your hands. blood of the children, blood of their mothers, raped in front of their parents, raped in front of their children. i vote on this and all of the other bills before us today. the only us lawmaker born in ukraine, victoria spartz, a republican representative, who has been known for her staunch support of donald trump, has actually proposed an amendment that reduces military

aid for ukraine. she called the package a "blank cheque", a narrative often used by those against it. we still go with blank cheques and slush funds and unfortunately this strategy failed the american people, president biden failed the american people, on the border, on national security. congress failed the american people, on the border, on national security. president biden and president zelensky failed the ukrainian people. they were not ready before the war started. they didn't have good strategy when the war started, and really didn't fight and deter putin to go further. and now we have a very significant war in europe. joining me live from washington is our correspondent helena humphrey. she's on capitol hill following the vote. welcome. take us through what is happening there right now? just to

brin: ou happening there right now? just to bring you up-to-date _ happening there right now? just to bring you up-to-date with - happening there right now? just to bring you up-to-date with where i happening there right now? just to l bring you up-to-date with where we bring you up—to—date with where we are right now, forgive me for looking after the side because i am just watching the floor of the house right now. we are on the first of five votes today. this one is specifically with regards to immigration, a southern border bill and we are on the amendment stage of that but vote right now. i should stress that this particular vote needs a two thirds majority and it is unlikely to pass right now but you can see that they have still got a few minutes left on the clock right now, having that discussion and voting on the amendments that will be put forward. then what we will be put forward. then what we will see is, similar scenes throughout the course of the next couple of hours. we will then move onto this kind of wish list bill which has bipartisan support. so this is with regards to the possibility of a ban on tiktok if the owner does not divest, does not

sell it because many here see it as a concern to us national security. also things like further sanctions on iran, also a measure to use seized russian assets and put that towards ukraine aid as well. they have got bipartisan support. we then move on to what everyone is watching, those foreign aid bills. we have got three separate pieces here. firstly, ukraine, very much to watch, over $61 billion on the line. very much long awaited. then when it comes to israel, over 25 billion us dollars. there is also a revision effort humanitarian assistance to gaza, although not through the un palestinian thing that agency right

now because that is not some thing that the us government is currently doing, but in light of the humanitarian situation right now. and then over 8 billion said taiwan security and indo security region as well. so i was mentioning that part of this bill broken down into these three passes. it is expected to get over the line black democratic support that we saw in a procedural vote. the problem is that speaker johnson has courted this bypass and support and the hardline republicans, the concern is that he is working too closely with democrats will stop i do want to bring in leigh ann caldwell from washington post. very good to have you with us as always. ijust want to get your take on what is at stake here? , ., ., ., to get your take on what is at stake here? , . ., . , . ~' to get your take on what is at stake here? , ., ., ., , ., ~ .,

here? there is a lot at stake. not onl for here? there is a lot at stake. not only for speaker _ here? there is a lot at stake. not only for speakerjohnson - here? there is a lot at stake. not l only for speakerjohnson personally only for speaker johnson personally but for— only for speaker johnson personally but for the — only for speakerjohnson personally but for the world. that is what we have _ but for the world. that is what we have been— but for the world. that is what we have been hearing over and over again— have been hearing over and over again from — have been hearing over and over again from pro—ukrainian republicans, national security leaders. — republicans, national security leaders, democrats and even the white _ leaders, democrats and even the white house. they have been saying that this _ white house. they have been saying that this is _ white house. they have been saying that this is a critical moment as ukraine — that this is a critical moment as ukraine is— that this is a critical moment as ukraine is struggling with lack and ammunition, decrease morale on the battlefield _ ammunition, decrease morale on the battlefield and that this is just a pivotal— battlefield and that this is just a pivotal moment, notjust battlefield and that this is just a pivotal moment, not just for ukraine but for— pivotal moment, not just for ukraine but for the _ pivotal moment, not just for ukraine but for the entire world and what the future — but for the entire world and what the future of putin's reach will be. and so— the future of putin's reach will be. and so it — the future of putin's reach will be. and so it is — the future of putin's reach will be. and so it is really a big moment and one that _ and so it is really a big moment and one that people who support ukraine and supports this funding have been pushing _ and supports this funding have been pushing for for several months. speaker— pushing for for several months. speakerjohnson had quite a tortuous path getting here. it was not clear exactly _ path getting here. it was not clear exactly what he was going to do if

he was _ exactly what he was going to do if he was going to put forward a bill that funds — he was going to put forward a bill that funds ukraine at all. intel 'ust that funds ukraine at all. intel just monday, earlier this week. for months. _ just monday, earlier this week. for months. he — just monday, earlier this week. for months, he has been gathering without— months, he has been gathering without being very specific about what _ without being very specific about what he — without being very specific about what he was going to do but i am told he _ what he was going to do but i am told he has — what he was going to do but i am told he has received a tremendous number— told he has received a tremendous number of— told he has received a tremendous number of classified briefings, he has been — number of classified briefings, he has been listening to national security— has been listening to national security advisers, he has been listening — security advisers, he has been listening to the top level of intelligence and including, he has been _ intelligence and including, he has been reading polling about this and he has _ been reading polling about this and he has ultimately decided that this is the _ he has ultimately decided that this is the right thing to do, which is something — is the right thing to do, which is something he declared earlier this week _ something he declared earlier this week so — something he declared earlier this week. so this is a critical moment, notjust— week. so this is a critical moment, notjust the — week. so this is a critical moment, notjust the speaker week. so this is a critical moment, not just the speakerjohnson week. so this is a critical moment, notjust the speakerjohnson but week. so this is a critical moment, not just the speakerjohnson but for the whole _ not just the speakerjohnson but for the whole world order, really. find the whole world order, really. and 'ust talk the whole world order, really. and just talk to — the whole world order, really. and just talk to us _ the whole world order, really. fific just talk to us more about the whole world order, really. fific just talk to us more about that quandary that speakerjohnson appears to have been in. he appears to have had a change of heart. do

you think you could lose the gavel because of it? he you think you could lose the gavel because of it?— you think you could lose the gavel because of it? he has had a change of heart. when _ because of it? he has had a change of heart. when he _ because of it? he has had a change of heart. when he first _ because of it? he has had a change of heart. when he first became - of heart. when he first became speaker— of heart. when he first became speaker of the house, he had voted against _ speaker of the house, he had voted against every single ukraine aid package — against every single ukraine aid package except for the very first one _ package except for the very first one. when he was elevated that position. — one. when he was elevated that position, his conservative allies knew— position, his conservative allies knew that _ position, his conservative allies knew that. they knew that they were putting _ knew that. they knew that they were putting someone in power who was not someone _ putting someone in power who was not someone who had backed ukraine funding _ someone who had backed ukraine funding very much in the past. and now, _ funding very much in the past. and now. those — funding very much in the past. and now, those conservative allies are the exact — now, those conservative allies are the exact same people who are threatening speakerjohnson with his position _ threatening speakerjohnson with his position it— threatening speakerjohnson with his position. it is very likely he could lose his — position. it is very likely he could lose his gavel. we don't know exactly — lose his gavel. we don't know exactly when or if it will happen but representative marjorie taylor, republican from georgia has this motion _ republican from georgia has this motion to— republican from georgia has this motion to do this. she has two peopie — motion to do this. she has two people who have signed onto it,

there _ people who have signed onto it, there is— people who have signed onto it, there is only a two seat margin in house _ there is only a two seat margin in house so — there is only a two seat margin in house so that is enough. it is a very— house so that is enough. it is a very criticai— house so that is enough. it is a very critical time forjohnson. but he has _ very critical time forjohnson. but he has said — very critical time forjohnson. but he has said full well that he knows that this _ he has said full well that he knows that this is — he has said full well that he knows that this is a possibility and he is moving _ that this is a possibility and he is moving forward anyway. the —— as moving forward anyway. the —— always, leigh moving forward anyway. the —— —.3 always, leigh ann caldwell, moving forward anyway. the ——

deadline for the parent company to divest or potentially face a ban here in the us, before we go onto those three pieces of key foreign samantha. . ~ those three pieces of key foreign samantha. ., ,, , ., , those three pieces of key foreign samantha. . ~' , ., , . ~ samantha. thank you very much. we will keep an — samantha. thank you very much. we will keep an eye _ samantha. thank you very much. we will keep an eye on _ samantha. thank you very much. we will keep an eye on that _ samantha. thank you very much. we will keep an eye on that and - samantha. thank you very much. we will keep an eye on that and get - will keep an eye on that and get back to you when we get more on that vote to 80 ukraine. the palestinian authority will reconsider bilateral relations with the us after washington vetoed a request forfull un membership. the palestinian authority has had observer status since 2012 but cannot vote in proceedings. on thursday, 12 countries voted in favour of the resolution with the us opposing. palestinian president mahmoud abbas said in an interview with the wafa news agency that he will reconsider relations with washington, to ensure the interests of the palestinian people are protected. meanwhile in gaza, there have been more israeli air strikes in rafah in the south of the territory. this is the moment an israeli air strike hit rafah on saturday.

0vernight, other strikes hit and destroyed several houses, killing nine people, including at least four children. the israeli war cabinet has been planning a large offensive against hamas in rafah, which is where an estimated 1.5 million displaced palestinians are sheltering. the us and other allies have warned israel against a full—scale assault on the city. rafah isn't the only city to come under attack — israel has carried out air strikes across the strip, these images show the entrance of the al aqsa hospital in central gaza where many of the injured or dead were taken. one of the main un agencies responsible for getting aid to palestinians, the united nations relief and works agency is warning that the risk of disease is increasing across gaza because of the lack of sanitation and aid. 0ur correspondent in jerusalem wyre davies reports. the effect of six months of war has created a desperate humanitarian crisis in gaza. but amid the ruins of conflict, in some areas, aid is now getting

through and can make the difference between surviving or dying of hunger. a flour delivery, organised by the world food programme, allowed this bakery in gaza city to reopen for the first time since the war began. translation: finally, i there is something to eat. you can go to the bakery and buy bread. just a few days ago, it was hard, we were looking for wood, flour and you couldn't find anything to feed the children. but for most gazans, the brutal reality of war is a constant companion. at nasser hospital in rafah, parents and siblings consoled each other after several civilians, including children, were reported killed in overnight air strikes. israel said fighterjets and other aircraft struck dozens of terror sites. among the targets, it said, was military infrastructure, compounds and armed terrorists. the us has repeatedly urged israel not to launch what is expected to be a major offensive in rafah.

we cannot support a major military operation in rafah. we believe that a major military operation, with a large presence of a civilian population, would have terrible consequences for that population. words that seem to have little impact on benjamin netanyahu. he has repeatedly said the offensive in rafah must happen, if hamas is to be defeated and israeli hostages released. for most gazans, survival is still a daily struggle. retrieving food parcels from the sea — after an air drop — shows how chaotic the delivery of aid often is, as agencies warn of a worsening humanitarian crisis. wyre davies, bbc news, jerusalem. scott anderson, unrwa's affairs director who is now in gaza, told us about the situation in rafah, and the prospects of a bigger israeli offensive.

i think very much it's a daily struggle for people here in rafah. there's close to 1.5 million people that have been displaced, most of them multiple times. they spend most of their day trying to find food, water, toilets. and as the weather starts to get hotter now, they're trying to find shade as a means to keep cool. so i think that we've had increased aid coming in, which is welcome. i don't think we're at the scale that we need to be at yet to ensure that the 2.2 million people that reside across gaza are cared for. but the other thing that you see in rafa is there's a kind of a palpable aura of fear as they wait to see what will happen with an idf operation in rafah. thus far, there has not been any communication. 0ur expectation is that they will give the innocent civilians that are here in rafah an opportunity to relocate. they'll probably be given instructions to do so. our hope is they'll be allowed to take their belongings with them as they try to find somewhere safer than would be in rafah. but at this point, other than believing this operation will happen, we don't have any

indication around the timing of the operation, nor what the plan is for the innocent civilians and to deal with the humanitarian outfall of such an operation. israeli forces and palestinian militants have been exchanging fire for a second day of an israeli military raid in nur shams refugee camp in the occupied west bank. a number of people have been killed, including ten militants, according to the israeli army. palestinian sources say that at least five people have been killed, including a child. at least four israeli soldiers have also been wounded. violence in the west bank has intensified since the war between israel and hamas erupted last october. let's bring you some live pictures from tel aviv, where israeli protesters have gathered for their weekly demonstration against benjamin netanyahu's government. you can see many people out on the streets there as there have been for

many weeks and before october the 7th, attacks by hamas for many months indeed, protesting against him and his policies. iran's foreign minister has questioned whether israel was involved in friday's attack on iran, saying the weapons used were like "toys our children play with". but in an interview with nbc news, hossein amir—abdollahian said if israel did take "decisive action" against iran, the response would be "immediate" and "to the maximum". us officials said an israeli missile hit iran on friday. israel reportedly targeted an air defence radar system near the city of isfahan, which protects the natanz nuclear facility. it follows weeks of tensions between the rivals, during which israel attacked an iranian compound in syria, and iran launched an unprecedented assault against israel. meanwhile, in iraq, a base used by pro—iranian militias has been damaged by a large explosion, a day after israel's presumed strike on iran. one person was killed and eight others injured in the blast

and intense fire at the kalso military base, south of the capital baghdad. this footage from the scene shows the aftermath of the explosion, which iraqi security sources have described as a "bombing" which hit weapons and vehicles. the base is used by the popular mobilisation forces — an umbrella organisation linking several pro—iran militias who've recently attacked us personnel in iraq. the pentagon says it has not carried out any new strike in iraq. let's speak to jasmine el—gamal, a political analyst and former middle east adviser at the us department of defence. good to have you on the programme. lots to discuss. let's start with iran's response and reaction to that attack, which we think was by israel. what do you make of their response, really trying to downplay it? 50 response, really trying to downplay

it? ., ., , , .,, it? so the iranian response was basically to _ it? so the iranian response was basically to play _ it? so the iranian response was basically to play down - it? so the iranian response was basically to play down the - it? so the iranian response was l basically to play down the attack. there was a clear signal from iran after the attack that they did not want to escalate further. you will remember that before the israeli strike, the iranians were warning that if there was an israeli strike that if there was an israeli strike that was significant enough that the iranians would not hesitate to counterattack once again. and so the fact that they are downplaying this strike, there are a lot of messaging, there was a lot of messaging, there was a lot of messaging on social media from iran linked accounts that were almost kind of making fun of the types of weapons that had made their way onto their sites. weapons that had made their way onto theirsites. so weapons that had made their way onto their sites. so that is a clear signal, as we can understand from the iranians, that they are going to let this go, they are not interesting and escalating any further. they have made the point that they wanted to make by striking israel and for now, art sort of content to let things simmer down. what about israel? what do you think

there possible next step would be? would you categorise it as a limited operation with a powerful warning? i do. i think it was very much a fairly symbolic strike. again, as much as the us and other countries were urging israel not to respond, i think israel was going to have to respond of course. this was an unprecedented attack from iran onto its territory, even though the iranians gave them plenty of warning to intercept those missiles. so it was a show of force from iran but it still had to be responded to so they responded with this fairly symbolic attack. there were no casualties or anything that would force the iranians or embarrass the iranians into responding. so i think for now, as the iranians are using this attack and counterattack between israel and iran to try and won the international community of the danger that iran poses and try and

impose further sanctions on the iranian regime. that is as far as i think they are going to go for now. as a former middle east adviser at the us department of defence, we know that the us, president biden and antony blinken have been very vocal about their fears for what could happen in the region if both sides escalate theirs. but they continue to back israel 100%, they are still their strongest ally. what you thing the conversation will be in the department of defence? what you think they're planning is right now? i you think they're planning is right now? ~ , . you think they're planning is right now? ~' , . ,, . ., , you think they're planning is right now? . now? i think defence secretary lloyd austin, secretary _ now? i think defence secretary lloyd austin, secretary of _ now? i think defence secretary lloyd austin, secretary of state _ now? i think defence secretary lloyd austin, secretary of state antony - austin, secretary of state antony blinken, and of course president biden, they have all been speaking to israeli counterparts. trying to get them to understand that an escalation that could lead to a miscalculation or a regional war is not in israel's interest, that israel still has this huge issue in gaza that they have to focus on,

that they have to make sure that their goals of dismantling hamas are somewhat fulfilled, they are not near those goals yet, there is still this operation in rafah that they are talking about and also the americans are very against that and trying to get the israelis to rethink. so there are a lot of moving parts, a lot of sort of unfulfilled objectives, a lot of dangers and of course in the middle of it all, you have this horrific humanitarian situation in gaza where people are facing famine, people are still displaced from their homes with no hope of going back and so the last thing israel needs right now is to get dragged into a war and of course, we can't forget the president biden has explicitly said to the israelis that the us will not support an israeli offensive attack on iran that would be akin to a war. so all of those, the diplomacy behind the scenes, the public

statements and also the desire of the americans to get the israelis to start thinking about the day after in gaza and how to achieve this long term security that the israelis need is going to hopefully lead the prime minister netanyahu to avoid escalating things further in iran and really start focusing on the priorities of the israeli state as its stated objectives have laid out. thank you very much forjoining us and your thoughts. at least 58 people have died after their boat capsized in capital of central african republic's, bangui, on friday. most of the 300 passengers on the overcrowded ferry were travelling to attend a funeral. thousands of people have taken to the streets of the canary islands to protest against the impact of mass tourism. they say too many visitors are damaging the environment, and pricing locals out of the housing market. there are now calls for the spanish government to limit

the number of visitors. here's simonjones. in the baking spanish heat that helped bring in 16 million visitors to the canaries last year, local people are hot under the collar. the message from tenerife — tourism has gone too far. translation: the canary islands say, "enough is enough." _ they have a limit. 0ur resources and our population can't take any more. the environment is continuing to deteriorate and residents are suffering as well. the demonstrators insist they're not against tourism itself, it's vital for the economies of the island, but they want controls. there's particular concern about the supply of water in such a dry climate, and they claim there's too much focus on building hotels rather than local housing, making the area increasingly unaffordable for residents. the beaches are particularly popular with the brits. the authorities in the canaries stress they remain open for business. the spanish government admits it's about finding the right balance, so holidays

can continue harmoniously. simon jones, bbc news. the world's largest digital astronomy camera has finally been built. with a whopping 3,200 megapixels, the camera can produce 1,000 images per night. it'll allow scientists to study dark energy, dark matter, and the distribution of galaxies. it'll now be sent from the united states to chile, where it'll arrive in a month. the public will see its first images in 2025. taking 1,000 pictures a night is wild. that is not something that is currently done by other telescopes. and so taking that many pictures, in addition to having them being of more than the sky, in addition to having them be able to see really far, it is just a really powerful combination of being able to collect a lot of data. i like to think of it as, if you're looking for a needle in a haystack, which is essentially what you're doing when you're trying to find something cool in space, the more haystacks you have, the more likely you are to find some needles. and so we are putting together a million haystacks and we are really confident

there are going to be some pretty fun needles in there. stay with us here on bbc news. we are continuing to keep an eye on capital hill where lawmakers are due to vote very shortly on whether or not to release $61 billion in aid for ukraine. you can see you can see across many you can see across many countries, it has been colder than what we would expect in april. three degrees, flurries of snow, central parts of europe not even making double figures and we are

filling that chill as witty colder air rising from the north but at least it is high pressure to that is me that the weather is quiet. here's the satellite picture. clouds have been building through the course of the morning and into the afternoon. some areas are still quite sunny, other areas have turned a little more overcast. temperatures i think best in the west, possibly 15 in northern ireland. but on the north sea coast, we've a chilly breeze, it's only around 9 or 10. now, temperatures may be on the down, but the pollen levels are on the up. moderate widely across some central and eastern parts of the uk and even high in the south west. now, through tonight, variable amounts of cloud. it will turn damp for a time in scotland, particularly northern and central areas. i don't think this coming night will be quite as cold as last night, but still in some spots, temperatures could drop close to freezing early in the morning, given clearer skies overnight. variable amounts of cloud tomorrow, there will be some sunshine, for sure. i think further south, that's where the best of the sun will be, but some areas may be stuck underneath the cloud. now, interestingly, it is actually going to be a relatively warm day across western parts

of northern ireland again, 18 degrees. but closer to the north sea coast in that breeze, maybe not even making 10 celsius. now, into monday, well, high pressure's still with us, but a weather front caught on that eastern edge of the high pressure means thick cloud across much of the uk. little dribs and drabs of rain. i don't think it's going to feel particularly pleasant, again, the further east you are. 10 degrees in hull. 0ut towards the west, in belfast, around 1a celsius. is it going to warm up? well, not significantly so in the days ahead. in fact, if we look at the outlook for the week, it is going to stay generally on the chilly side with a little rain now and then.

this is bbc news. the headlines: let's straight to washington. 0ur correspondent in washington helena humphrey is standing by and watching all the action. to see you, and in the past human is the house has voted to ban tiktok if it does not cut ties to china. take us through that? ., �* , . �* ., ., that? that's right. we've had a flur of that? that's right. we've had a flurry of activity _ that? that's right. we've had a flurry of activity on _ that? that's right. we've had a flurry of activity on the - that? that's right. we've had a flurry of activity on the floor i that? that's right. we've had a i flurry of activity on the floor with regards to tiktok of this is all about concerns about the chinese parent company bytedance being a

national security concern for the united states, so essentially provision is the parent company has to divest, it has two celtic sock within a certain number of months —— sell tiktok, orface a band. that's got bipartisan support here. this is also with that package and approval for further sanctions when it comes to iran, china, russia as well, and then also freezing russian assets and using those russian assets to pay for some of the literary aid and aid to ukraine. there's also been the passing of that aid bill to taiwan of security in the indo—pacific region, with concerns about a more muscular china, potentially, eyeing a move on taiwan. that past, a lot of votes in favour for that, just to taiwan. that past, a lot of votes in favourfor that, just to bring up taiwan. that past, a lot of votes in favour for that, just to bring up to date with where we are now, taking a look at what we are seeing on the

floor, we are