live from london. this is bbc news. the us senate has given final approval for tens of billions of dollars in military aid for ukraine, israel and taiwan after months of stalemate in congress. to our friends to ourfriends in ukraine, our allies in nato and our allies in israel, and to sue billions around the world in need of help, help is on the way. america's top diplomat antony blinken is visiting china, where he's expected to urge beijing to end its military support for russia a special report from the english channel — as a bbc team witnesses a fatal migrant crossing, just hours after a bill is passed aimed at stopping them.

there's real battle going on on the beach here, must be more than 100 migrants trying to get to the water, they are letting off firecrackers to try and keep the police away from them. screeching and the 9—year—old british boy who's won a european championship for his uncanny impression of a seagull. hello. a warm welcome to the programme, i'm sally bundock. the us senate has approved a $95 billion aid package for ukraine, israel and taiwan. the overwhelming vote in favour marks the end of six months of deadlock in congress. the measures approve around $61 billion in long—awaited aid for ukraine alone. the package also designates

more than $26 billion in aid for israel and $8 billion for taiwan and us indo—pacific allies. on saturday, the house of representatives ended months of stalemate to pass the aid package. it's expected to be signed into law by president biden shortly. the senate majority leader, chuck schumer, said the united states had shown its allies that it would not turn its back on them. a lot of people inside and outside the congress want this package to fail. today those in congress who stand on the side of democracy are winning the day. to ourfriends in ukraine, our allies in nato, our allies in israel, and to civilians around the world in need of help, help is on the way. to our friends help, help is on the way. to ourfriends in ukraine, america will deliver more ammo and air defences and basic supply that you need. to resist vladimir

putin on the battlefield. let's speak to our north america correspondent, peter bowes, who's in los angeles. i would imagine this is a huge relief for a lot of their zelensky and others who know that this funding is coming but talk about how they reach an agreement in the end because it was horse trading to get to this, wasn't there? fix, was horse trading to get to this, wasn't there?- was horse trading to get to this, wasn't there? a lot of horse trading _ this, wasn't there? a lot of horse trading and - this, wasn't there? a lot of horse trading and as - this, wasn't there? a lot of horse trading and as you i this, wasn't there? a lot of l horse trading and as you said this had been delayed for month after month, largely the problem being in the house of representatives and that was cleared on saturday with the vote and in large part the difficulties posed by conservative republicans who would rather see money spent in the united states on immigration issues and the southern border with mexico as opposed to helping foreign nations in their war effort. that does seem to have been a change of heart by some republicans, including speaker of the house, allowing this boat to go ahead initially in the house and now in the

senate. it was a slightly easierjob in the senate but it was bipartisanship or by the end of the day to get this massive bill passed, $95 billion, about $61 billion would be going to ukraine. it looks as if the pentagon and united states will be moving very quickly on this, we have a radio from president biden indicating that the vitally needed military aid for ukraine will be on the way by the end of this week. we heard from volodymyr zelensky in the last few days explaining why this is so desperately needed. desperately needed, the full bill for all of this, $95 billion. that is a huge sum, isn't it? obviously consequently the controversy surrounding it in getting it passed. in terms of israel and taiwan, what is the feeling about that, the continued support for israel? continued su- ort support for israel? continued support for — support for israel? continued support for israel, _ support for israel? continued support for israel, again -

support for israel? continued support for israel, again not l support for israel, again not without some controversy and there were some senators speaking out against further aid for israel, $26 billion was agreed at the end of the day and this will be aid for israel. also humanitarian aid for the citizens of gaza which are facing a tremendous difficulty at the moment and there has been previous aid from the united states. double continue but it is right to reflect the disquiet among some americans in that respect and that aid that is going to israel. as you mentioned, it billion dollars for taiwan and this is to i think an effort to stave off potential action by china on some of the uncertainties in that part of the world. uncertainties in that part of the world-— uncertainties in that part of the world. ~ ,. ,, ., the world. we will discuss that now, the world. we will discuss that new. thank — the world. we will discuss that now, thank you _ the world. we will discuss that now, thank you for _ the world. we will discuss that now, thank you forjoining - the world. we will discuss that now, thank you forjoining us | now, thank you forjoining us with the latest on that. at the same time the senate was approving those multi—billion dollar aid package — the us secretary of state

was travelling to china, where he's expected to urge beijing to end its military support for russia. antony blinken is due to meet with senior officials in beijing and shanghai. china and the us — the world's two biggest economies — remain deeply at odds over trade, technology, taiwan and the ukraine war. let's speak to laura bicker, our correspondent in beijing. hello to you. took us through his agenda, this is his second trip to china now as secretary of state, isn't it?— of state, isn't it? and this is an effort _ of state, isn't it? and this is an effort to _ of state, isn't it? and this is an effort to try _ of state, isn't it? and this is an effort to try and - of state, isn't it? and this is an effort to try and stabilise| an effort to try and stabilise us—china ties but as we have just seen there is a lot to talk about. let's deal with ukraine to start with, because as that bill has gone through, certainly antony blinken will be here to discuss china and what part china can play in trying to end that war. china does not supply weapons to

russia and has not since the start of the war. but america believes that china supplies parts and components which could be used for weapons. they want the supplies to stop. that is one of the reasons why antony blinken will come here and try to persuade china to stop that trade happening between moscow and beijing. 0ne between moscow and beijing. one of the things we are hearing is certainly there are reports that the us is getting ready, some trade sanctions that could be put in place to prevent that trade if china does not stop it of its own accord. china will see that as being tactics. it may be a difficult and tricky conversation for antony blinken to have. let's then deal with some of the other major issues they will have to discuss, you heard about taiwan, that is a redline for china, one of the issues that they will not budge on. they believe the

self—governing island is part of the mainland and they will not be pushed as they say by the united states of that. they also say the united states is building an alliance in the region to try and counter china. that's another area where the two sides completely differ. ., ~' , ., , . let's speak to william courtney — a former us ambassador — who is an adjunct senior fellow at the rand think—tank. good to have you on the programme. listening in there, there's an awful lot at stake here as far as the strip is concerned. give us your take on the trip? than concerned. give us your take on the tri? �* ., concerned. give us your take on thetri?�* ., , the trip? an important part is our the trip? an important part is your correspondent _ the trip? an important part is| your correspondent mentioned the trip? an important part is . your correspondent mentioned is antony blinken is going to urge the chinese to reduce their support to russia. the chinese have at large—scale not been providing little arms but have been providing technology and equipment that can be used for legal arms, such as drones being shipped from china not as legal arms but the writer can turn them into little arms.

——we thought arms. antony blinken�*s hand is strengthened because of the aid of boat that has just gone through congress. chinese are going to begin to wonder both the europeans and the us are now fully funding aid pledges to ukraine which reduces russia's military prospect in ukraine and the chinese may think hard about that. ~ ., chinese may think hard about that. ~ . ., ., that. what about the fact that con . ress that. what about the fact that congress is — that. what about the fact that congress is just _ that. what about the fact that congress isjust approving - that. what about the fact that congress isjust approving $8| congress isjust approving $8 billion worth of aid for taiwan?— billion worth of aid for taiwan? . ., , , taiwan? of course the chinese will say something _ taiwan? of course the chinese will say something to - taiwan? of course the chinese will say something to antony l will say something to antony blinken about that but this is not a surprise, china knew this was coming all along. in not a surprise, china knew this was coming all along.- was coming all along. in terms of what we _ was coming all along. in terms of what we will _ was coming all along. in terms of what we will achieve - was coming all along. in terms of what we will achieve on - was coming all along. in terms of what we will achieve on the | of what we will achieve on the trip, his pressurising china to reduce its support to russia as you just explained. will this be achieved? will china change its tactics at all?—

its tactics at all? china may do that, — its tactics at all? china may do that, because _ its tactics at all? china may do that, because now- its tactics at all? china may do that, because now the i do that, because now the chinese are going to see there is really no ukraine fatigue in the west. the europeans and the united states are keen on ukraine doing well in the battle. there will be more weapons, some of the weapons coming to ukraine, the russians are increasing fighting with all the weapons. the russian, the chinese may think that the russian military prospects have gone down. therefore they may try to continue to support russia in this war, it may be diminishing.— russia in this war, it may be diminishina. ., , ., , diminishing. how big a problem is for the us? _ diminishing. how big a problem is for the us? china's _ diminishing. how big a problem is for the us? china's close - is for the us? china's close ties with russia?— is for the us? china's close ties with russia? those are significant _ ties with russia? those are significant problems, - significant problems, particularly because after the war started when the russians launched their full—scale invasion, trade between russia and china have gone up. a good view of that is the result of sanctions and that has been a big problem for the united

states. �* , , ., big problem for the united states. �*, , ., ., ~ states. it's been good to talk to ou states. it's been good to talk to you william _ states. it's been good to talk to you william courtney - states. it's been good to talk to you william courtney from rand think tank, thank you for your time. the traveller should ship —— trade relationship we will unpack leader in business. let's get some of the day's other news now. the first witness at donald trump's hush money trial has told the court in new york about a secret deal to block stories that might have damaged his presidential bid in 2016. the former publisher of the national enquirer, david pecker, said he'd agreed with mr trump to buy the exclusive rights to such stories, but didn't print them. the us government says allegations that israeli forces buried more than 300 palestinians in a mass grave at a medical complex in gaza are incredibly troubling. it said it was seeking the israeli government's response. earlier, israel's military rejected the palestinian accusation, calling it baseless and unfounded. it said its attack against hamas militants in the area was precise and targeted.

delegates from around the world are meeting in canada for a fourth round of talks aimed at reaching a binding global agreement to end plastics pollution. countries agreed in 2022 that a treaty to tackle the problem would be finalised by the end of this year. global plastic production has more than doubled this century to 460 million tonnes. in a few weeks time — millions of people will head to the polls across europe — for the first eu elections since 2019. the intervening years have been difficult, to say the least. there's been the covid—19 pandemic, war in europe, inflation, higher energy costs, tight labour markets and disrupted supply chains. add to that the effects of climate change. sofia bettiza has been looking at what areas the next european parliament might need to address.

the cost of living crisis will be a determining factor in how people are going to vote at the european elections. let's have a snapshot of how things are looking. two years ago inflation, the increase in the price of something over time, tripled. in 2022 it reached 11.5%, which is the highest rate in the past four decades. what this means is that the prices of food, housing and energy spiked. since then, inflation has been gradually falling. but many are still struggling to make ends meet. and according to a recent poll, about a third of europeans in a precarious financial situation as you can see here. that means that almost one in three people

say that they are no longer able to have three meals a day on a regular basis. they are having to make other compromises to including not turning on the heating or treating a health problem because it is too expensive. another symptom of the cost of living crisis is that it is becoming really hard to find somewhere to live. in the last ten years house prices have massively gone up, we are talking about a 47% price increase. that's across the board, including wealthier countries like germany for example. it is especially young people who are being hit hardest. they are living with their parents for longer and they are much more likely to rent rather than owned. and people are angry. in recent months we have seen protests

against house prices across europe. in amsterdam, and lisbon. what does this all mean when it comes to the european election? europeans are increasingly dissatisfied with the way that politicians are responding to the cost of living crisis. this anger has been seized upon by some far right political parties. and it could drive more people than ever before to vote for populist politicians, as they may feel that the status quo is just not working anymore. sofia bettiza there and we will have more on that as well in business. we will go to spain to see how one port has been impacted by these challenges. around the world and across the uk. this is bbc news.

five people, including a child, died when they fell off a boat trying to cross the channel — just hours after a bill was passed to try to stop such boat crossings. these were the chaotic scenes on a beach near calais just before daybreak. as migrants attempted to launch an overcrowded boat into the waves to begin journey across the channel. the french coastguard said there 110 people on board this dingy when it set off from wimereux, just south of calais. the search—and—rescue operations have been continuing all day. a bbc crew that was filming on the beaches, saw the migrants getting into that boat. andrew harding reports. we had to a popular launch site

for small boats and sit for hours in moonlight and wait. somebody is walking there. i can hear somebody walking nearby there. to shadows almost certainly smugglers come to check we are not police. above us a police plane circles. we have arranged for a bbc cameraman to be on board. the crew spot to groups of migrants on their thermal imaging camera. they are in the sand dunes and moving towards each other. on the beach a french foot patrol quickly arrives. surely the migrants will give up surely the migrants will give up now. but they don't. suddenly the beach erupts, shouting. 0k, we are running with the police as we try to intercept a group of looks like 60 or 70 migrants.

intercept a group of looks like 60 or70 migrants. now intercept a group of looks like 60 or 70 migrants. now things turn violent. fireworks thrown at the police. several young man pulling up weapons. you can see the smugglers here, some of them have sticks, they are trying to protect the migrants as they head towards the sea. to stop the police from stopping there. and it works. a few stragglers are left behind, but the boat is allowed to move out towards open water. look at the child on someone's shoulders on the right. could the french police have done more to stop this? we ask one officer. we are not allowed to go in the water, he says, do you notice they have sticks and there were children so we have to be careful. the boat is

wildly over loaded, you can see another child being laid out with an orange lightjacket. more than 100 people tried to squeeze on board. somewhere in the scrum, a seven—year—old girl's last moments. it sounds like someone crying for help. rescue boats to arrive a little later, the five dead are taken away. but then, something remarkable happens. 58 people, more than half the birds original passengers remain on board, refusing office of rescue. instead, they start their motor and managed to get to the middle of the channel where they are picked up by this british battle. they are brought to the country they were ready to take such risks to reach. a reminder of how hard it is to deter some people and how complicated it can be for the police to intervene.

andrew harding, bbc news. in northern france. a man in iraq has started the first legal action of its kind against the uk oil giant bp, over the death of his son. this is alijulood — who died at the age of 21. his father, hussein julood, alleges that gas burning at an oilfield run by bp in southern iraq caused his son's leukaemia. a bbc investigation in 2022 found that ali's village had high levels of cancer—causing pollutants known to come from flaring. bp says it understands the concerns, and that it's continuing to support the operator to reduce flaring at the oil field. esme stallard has the story. ali julood was a happy child who loved playing football with his friends. at 15, he was diagnosed with leukaemia, and last year, after six years of treatment for cancer, he died. in 2022, he documented his life for the bbc, living close to polluting gas flares, where gas is burned off

during oil production. his family have been left devastated by ali's passing. now his father has started legal action against bp seeking compensation for his son's medical treatment. translation: it has been a year since ali died. - may his soul rest in peace. it was very sad year for the family. for me, his mother, for his brothers, too. ali was an unforgettable person. he was my backbone. i depended on him in my work, my life, and in everything in the house. all the days we live are sad. this claim will be the first time that an individual has taken legal action against an oil giant for gas flaring. gas flaring happens all over the world at oilfields,

it's a by—product of oil production, but it's happening at very significant levels here both in absolute terms and in relative terms to other oil fields around the world. so we're effectively saying that his leukaemia was caused by this excessive gas flaring, which was occurring within five kilometres of his home. bp says it's not the operator of the rumaila field and doesn't have any ownership or rights to the oil produced. but bp�*s own report shows that it was the biggest stakeholder in the operator. in a statement, they said... ali's family will now wait to hear if bp will accept liability or refute the claim. but for all those living in rumaila, they hope for the day when the flaring ends. esme stallard, bbc news.

parts of the french city of beziers have been brought to a standstill by a demonstration against the local mayor. protesters a re u nha ppy with robert menard — claiming he represents �*far right�* ideas. he'sjust announced a night—time curfew for anyone under the age of 13 — which he says is necessary to tackle youth violence. but others think there is a more sinister motive. translation: this whole international _ translation: this whole international contacts - translation: this whole international contacts that suggest by right ideas are gaining ground. we have nationstates that are increasingly in competition with each other and those who suffer at the workers are on the front line, whether it's on the front line, whether it's on the labour market or even on the labour market or even on the battlefields. that's what we see in countries that are not so far away. a zoo injapan that's spent years puzzling over the behaviour of a male

hippopotamus has discovered that �*he' is actually a �*she'. genchan arrived at 0saka zoo with import documents certifying his manhood. but he didn't display many of the signs typical of male hippo behaviour — specifically that of splattering faeces around while defecating — with a propeller—like tail motion — in order to mark territory. now a dna test has finally revealed that the hippo is female. the zoo says genchan won't be getting a name change and is now urging everyone to come and see her. mystery solved. before i move on to business. to an uncanny imitation of — let's see if you can guess... screeching brilliant isn't it, because it's a seagull. this impeccable impression has won 9—year—old cooper from chesterfield the european seagull screeching championship. he has scored 92 points

out of a possible 100, congratulations, we back with the business news next. hello, there. it's not a particularly inspiring weather story at the moment, is it? but we've still got that west—east divide across the country. on tuesday, we had the highest temperatures across south wales, with 16 degrees, and there was some glorious sunshine, at times, with a little bit of shelter from the breeze. but out to the east, it was disappointingly cool. a brisk northerly wind, temperatures struggled — only around seven degrees across that east yorkshire coast. we're going to keep quite a lot of cloud, as well, over the next few hours. that'll prevent temperatures from falling too far. lowest temperatures to start the day on wednesday morning will be in the far north and west of scotland. we could have some thicker cloud and a little bit of drizzle, first thing wednesday morning, easing away from south wales and south—west england. but, again, west will be best, in terms of sunshine.

a brisk northerly wind, feeding in cloud from time to time, few scattered showers, and keeping those temperatures pegged back to single figures. so, a top temperature of nine degrees along the east coast. further west, we'll see 12 or 13 degrees. now, clear skies will continue through wednesday evening and overnight, and that's going to allow those temperatures to fall away to low single figures. so, thursday morning, perhaps a chilly start, quite widely, across the country, and temperatures low enough in rural areas, further north and west, for a touch of frost, so gardeners and growers take note. but into thursday, this little weather front here could introduce a slight change. it will certainly bring more in the way of cloud, as we go through the latter stages of the morning, into the afternoon, and maybe some dribs and drabs of showery rain, pushing its way steadily south. so there'll be more cloud a little bit further west, and the temperatures really disappointing for the end of april, 9—13 degrees once again.

moving out of thursday, into friday, sees low pressure starting to push in from the south. that will introduce some wetter weather across central and southern england, but, potentially, a little less cold. so, as we close out the month of april, perhaps temperatures in the south back to where they should be for the time of year, but don't expect anything dry, settled and sunny. it's going to stay pretty unsettled, but we could see temperatures back up into the mid—teens, for some.

live from london, this is bbc news. low battery! tesla profits slump as the road gets rockier for the electric car industry. but a promise of new models recharges the share price. also to come: could time soon be up for tiktok? the us senate passes a bill demanding its chinese owners sell up within months, orface a ban in the us. now the legal battle begins. plus: canals, gondolas, and art! venice hosts the 60th biennale — the olympic games for the global art industry. we'll be getting the lowdown from one artist who has just got back.