antony blinken is in china in a bid to reduce tensions between the two countries. an appeals court overturns the rape description of disgraced former hollywood producer harvey weinstein, ordering a new trial. humanitarian groups warn of worsening conditions inside gaza as the us military begins construction of a temporary pier to boost aid deliveries. hello. i'm carl nasman. us secretary of state antony blinken is meeting china's foreign minister in beijing as part of a trip aimed at reducing tensions between the two countries. blinken and wang yi are expected to discuss taiwan, russia's invasion of ukraine and restoring connections between the us and chinese militaries. on thursday, blinken spoke

about the importance of direct engagement, saying china and the us must resolve their differences responsibly. although tensions have eased between the two nations since last year, disagreements on issues such as trade and security remain. he opened friday's meeting asking mr blinken whether the china—us relationship would involve international cooperation or rivalry and confrontation which he said could even slide into conflict. he is the response from the secretary of state. the president asked me to travel back to work on moving forward about the agreements that our two presidents reached in san francisco at the end of last year. resuming communication on counter narcotics, restarting our military to military conversations, looking together at the future of artificial intelligence, risks and safety issues and trying to strengthen our people to people

connections. but also, critically, managing responsibly our differences. let's go straight to beijing. stephen mcdonell is there. he heard secretary blinken laying out a pretty long agenda with his counterpart for this meeting. how much optimism is there that the two sides can find some sort of agreement on any of these issues? it’s any of these issues? it's interesting _ any of these issues? it's interesting that - any of these issues? it�*s interesting that both of them have said not only their own governments but the whole world was calling on them to find a way forward, to co—operate on so many areas because if they don't co—operate, well, of course, the economic impact alone could be significant. but it is interesting, the words from wang yi were pretty tough and we thought they might be but i am getting a readout now of it. "the us should not interfere in china's internal affairs. suppressed china's

development or trample on china's red lines close include involving china's security, treasury and sovereignty interests, tough words but we expected they would be. what expected they would be. what about when — expected they would be. what about when it _ expected they would be. what about when it comes - expected they would be. what about when it comes to - expected they would be. what about when it comes to the i about when it comes to the economy? clearly it's only agenda as you mentioned. is there a risk now that these clashes between the two countries could result in some sort of trade war with a different spas with fencing back—and—forth? i different spas with fencing back-and-forth?_ different spas with fencing back-and-forth? . , , back-and-forth? i mean, i guess "trade war" _ back-and-forth? i mean, i guess "trade war" is — back-and-forth? i mean, i guess "trade war" is a _ back-and-forth? i mean, i guess "trade war" is a sort _ back-and-forth? i mean, i guess "trade war" is a sort of— back-and-forth? i mean, i guess "trade war" is a sort of point - "trade war" is a sort of point that analysts will say we are now in or not ian but whether it is officially a trade war or not, those tensions are already there, the impacts are already being felt. anybody trading between the two countries will tell you they are feeling pressure. any industry that even slightly touches on an application to do with the military or ai application to do with the military or al or something

like this is really feeling it and so, it is possible to find and so, it is possible to find a way forward on these areas because now, they don't trust one another to tell the truth. the trick is to find the places where they can co—operate, where they can co—operate, where they can free up trade. stephen, what are the chances we can see— and this is something we'll be hearing rumours of—a meeting between secretary blinken and china's president xijinping? secretary blinken and china's president xi jinping?- president xi jinping? yeah, well, of course, _ president xi jinping? yeah, well, of course, we've - president xi jinping? yeah, | well, of course, we've been asking about this, is it going to happen? neither side said that it will. part of the reason i think it could happen is that he's already had his meeting today with wang yi. the secretary of state. what will he do for the rest of the day? something must be on the agenda and so, it's quite possible we could see a meeting between the us secretary of state and china's top leader xi jinping.

that would be pretty significant stuff. stephen mcdonell therefore us in beijing, thank you. new york's top court has overturned the 2020 rape conviction of disgraced hollywood producer harvey weinstein, paving the way for a new trial. in what was a 4—3 ruling, the state's court of appeals found mr weinstein did not get a fair trial, saying the judge made a mistake by allowing women to testify about allegations that were not part of the charges he faced. the accusations against mr weinstein began in 2017. they sparked the movement known as #metoo that exposed sexual abuse at the highest levels of hollywood and beyond. the 72—year—old will remain in prison, serving a 16—year sentence for rape in a separate case in la — that conviction is not directly affected by this ruling. emma vardy has more from los angeles. when harvey weinstein — one of the most powerful men in hollywood — was accused of rape, it led to an outpouring about a culture of sexual assault and misogyny

experienced by women around the world — what became known as the #metoo movement. many women came forward, accusing harvey weinstein of forcing them into sex. for years, there was a fear of speaking out, they said, because of his ability to make or break careers. but now, the rape conviction against harvey weinstein that came out of the #metoo movement has been overturned in new york. the court of appeal said prosecutors had called witnesses whose accusations were not part of the charges against him. that meant, it said, he was unfairly tried for past behaviour. harvey weinstein was also convicted of rape in a separate case here in la. last year, he was sentenced to 16 years for raping a woman in a beverly hills hotel. he will remain in prison while a decision is made in new york over whether to retry him. harvey weinstein�*s lawyer has commended the appeals court, he said for upholding

the principles that should govern a criminal trial. in this courthouse behind us, at that trial, the law was not applied fairly to harvey weinstein. you can't throw out 100 years of legal precedent because someone is unpopular. harvey weinstein�*s conviction in california is also being appealed. his legal team are looking into what implications the new york ruling could have here. emma vardy, bbc news, los angeles. one of the first women to go public with allegations against harvey weinstein was actress ashleyjudd. she says the court overturning his 2020 conviction is an act of institutional betrayal. speaking to the bbc, she shared more reaction to the decision. when you heard this morning that this conviction had been overturned, what was

your first reaction? my first reaction — i was actually reserving campsites for the great american national park, yosemite — was that male sexual violence and institutional betrayal can really ruin a woman's day. there i was, going about my business, planning an incredible family holiday and yet again, male entitlement to female bodies intrudes and disrupts and ambushes and takes over a woman's life. you were the first actress to speak out about harvey weinstein. talk to me a little bit about the bravery, the courage, the strength that it took for you and so many others subsequently to do that. well, i definitely want to emphasise that i walk in solidarity with all survivors of male sexual violence and on this day, especially those who litigated this case against harvey weinstein in the state of new york— they were so vulnerable

and so courageous. and to have his conviction overturned by a 4—3 narrow majority — and we definitely recognise that feisty minority opinion that those judges wrote — it's a hard day for survivors but we live in our truth. we know what happened, and the truth is consistent. you know, when harvey sexually harassed me and then defamed and interfered with my economic and creative opportunities after i escaped him in that hotel room in 1996, i told anyone who would listen. i was filming kiss the girls at the time. i went straight to the set that night, told gary fleder, the director, told the screenplay writer, told my agent and no—one listened. and there were all these systems thatjust not only tolerated but enabled him — both men and women — at the time. and part of what's so important about the metoo movement is that not only do men who stay silent about other men's violence no longer tolerate that, but that we end impunity.

and so, there are all these forces at play, the institutional betrayal i mentioned earlier, and we need to have responses of institutional courage — which is actually a thing that lives at stanford university and people can check it out online. there is research—based and data—informed concrete steps that institutions take that respond to survivors with institutional courage. you know, oftentimes survivors say that the betrayal and the moral injury we suffer within the system is worse than the sexual body invasion we experienced in the first place. the court found it was a mistake by the trialjudge that harvey weinstein therefore had not received a fair trial and that the manhattan da's offers said it was going to do everything in its power to retry the case and remain steadfast, it said, in its abatements —— commitment to survivors. would a retrial ease some of that shock, that upset, but betrayal that you and other survivors are feeling today? you know, what's important to

know is that a court room is not a safe environment for survivors of male sexual violence. they can be very traumatising spaces. the most dangerous place in america for a woman is in her home. we know the men who assault and rape and murder us. and a lot of judges are still catching up to that reality and juries don't necessarily know that information either. we still think of rape as a stranger rape, someone whojumps think of rape as a stranger rape, someone who jumps us think of rape as a stranger rape, someone whojumps us in an alley, and so a courtroom isn't necessarily, even if harvey were retry and convicted in the state of new york, a place where survivors are going to get their healing, and that's what we need. you know, that's what we need. you know, that's what we need. you know, that's what we need. it may be a fair outcome if he was reconvicted in new york. and that would, you know, sure, be a magic wand. survivors need trauma informed help and for men to stop raping women. his

la er men to stop raping women. his lawyer said _ men to stop raping women. his lawyer said that everyone has the right to justice. lawyer said that everyone has the right tojustice. he lawyer said that everyone has the right to justice. he said even people who are very unpopular in our society, known as above the law but below the law, either. i as above the law but below the law. either-— law, either. i agree with that. of course _ law, either. i agree with that. of course i — law, either. i agree with that. of course i do. _ law, either. i agree with that. of course i do. everyone - of course i do. everyone deserves justice. of course i do. everyone deservesjustice. and i support you process. i have the opportunity to meet the great supreme courtjustice ruth supreme court justice ruth bader ginsburg supreme courtjustice ruth bader ginsburg and we talked about due process, even for people who are accused of the most egregious sexual crimes. and actually right now at the university of conductor, where i did my undergraduate degree, a couple of a former student athletes experienced terrible institutional betrayal and have accused by university, of which i'm very proud and which i love, of complicity and other betrayals and, you know, we're going to go through due process there, and i love my university enough to hold it accountable. so, i definitely support you process and there is no doubt

that harvey weinstein is a serial sexual predator, doesn't change the fact he committed these crimes. over 100 women came forward after i was the main source in the new york times investigation. find main source in the new york times investigation.- times investigation. and on that point. _ times investigation. and on that point, separate - times investigation. and on that point, separate 16 - times investigation. and on that point, separate 16 yearj that point, separate 16 year sentence handed down in california is not affected and he will stay in prison and will not be freed. does that bring you and other survivors any sense of comfort orjustice or healing that you're describing? you know, it's more complex than that because i don't think the castle system in the united states does perpetrators of male sexual violence any favours either. what i would love to have is a restorative justice conversation with harvey weinstein. i think it's stories and narrative that helps change hearts and minds. i'm not about punitive measures. i am about community and safety and belonging and forgiveness. iforgive harvey weinstein a long time ago and it was no favour to him—i did

it was no favour to him—i did it for myself. and, you know, that's a whole other conversation in terms of the american cultural system but harvey hasn't had a change of heart. he doesn't necessarily — his last words when convicted and wanting out of the courtroom is how does this happen in the united states? what would be a more satisfying outcome is if men look to their entitlement to female bodies and thought that is a person of dignity. she is a person of worth. i do not have the right to encroach on her bodily autonomy. that would be satisfying. autonomy. that would be satisfying-— autonomy. that would be satisfying. autonomy. that would be satis inc. ., ., satisfying. you mentioned there that ou satisfying. you mentioned there that you would _ satisfying. you mentioned there that you would like _ satisfying. you mentioned there that you would like to _ satisfying. you mentioned there that you would like to have - satisfying. you mentioned there that you would like to have a . that you would like to have a restorative justice conversation with harvey weinstein. have you made any approach to his lawyers or his team about doing something like that? i team about doing something like that? 4' team about doing something like that? ~ ., �* , team about doing something like that? ~ ., �*, ., that? i think that's a conversation - that? i think that's a conversation for - that? l think that's a - conversation for another day and harvey probably knows me

pretty well. to get out of that hotel room, i had to switch up my game plan because i was saying no to him many times in many ways and i can talk really fast in order to get my needs met and i realised that he wasn't speaking my language and so, i had to start to speak the language of male sexual violence because that's how he communicates, and that's how i slipped away from his grasp. and i saw him at the premiere of doublejeopardy in and i saw him at the premiere of double jeopardy in new york city, a movie that had tested with audiences very well and was predicted to have an opening weekend of over $20 million and i was getting ready to confront him publicly, in front of barbara walters. he came up to me and sort of let me off the hook, you know? i am going to start respecting you now. and after that, he began to treat me with respect and

public, and i think that harvey knows who i am as a humanitarian and if he were willing to acknowledge me as someone who would have a dialogue, i think he would have done that already by now. we're out of time- _ done that already by now. we're out of time. ashley _ done that already by now. we're out of time. ashley judd, - out of time. ashleyjudd, actor, author and activist, thank you so much for speaking to us on bbc news today. we appreciate your time.- to us on bbc news today. we appreciate your time. thank you for wishing _ appreciate your time. thank you for wishing to _ appreciate your time. thank you for wishing to speak _ appreciate your time. thank you for wishing to speak with - appreciate your time. thank you for wishing to speak with me. i around the world and across the uk, this is bbc news. let's look at a big story making news in the uk. scotland's first minister humza yousaf faces the threat of being ousted after his party's former coalition partner said they will vote against him when he faces a no—confidence vote in parliament. the greens said on thursday they'lljoin some other parties to vote against the scottish national party leader. yousaf had ended a power—sharing agreement between the snp and the greens just hours earlier. the coalition ran into trouble over a failure to meet a key climate change target

and a dispute over transgender healthcare. it is now myjudgement that the balance has shifted. the bute house agreement was intended to provide stability to the scottish government, and it is made possible a number of achievements, but it has served its purpose. the first minister has decided, i'm sorry to say, to capitulate to the most reactionary, backward—looking forces within the snp, and it's the opposite of what is in scotland's best interests. the vote could come next week. you're live with bbc news. the un relief agency for palestinians is warning about disease outbreaks in gaza amid worsening weather conditions, lack of sufficient water and waste disposal. the us military confirmed it started the construction of a temporary pier off the coast of gaza to boost aid deliveries. following reports that the israel defense forces

are preparing for a ground offensive in the city of rafah, satellite images show new tent encampments in southern gaza. wyre davis has more. it's pretty clear now that israel's preparations for this much—anticipated, much—heralded assault on rafah, in southern gaza, are gathering pace. there's been an all—day meeting of the israeli war cabinet. it is still israel's intentions to finish off hamas, notjust politically but also militarily. according to israeli sources, about 25% of hamas's fighting force remains, along with the leadership, and most of it is thought to be in rafah in southern gaza. alongside, though, of course, it must be remembered that about 130 hostages, those that were taken and abducted into gaza on october 7. so, there's also 1.5 million gazans or thereabouts, internal refugees, thought to be in rafah, and that is why the international community — in particular, the americans and british and other allies of israel — have urged israel not

to undertake this big, full—scale military operation in order to get or to facilitate the movement of some of those internal refugees because there's already a humanitarian crisis in gaza and the prospect of a big military operation alongside more than a million internal refugees is something a lot of people don't want to consider. the one thing that might prevent a big military operation happening is if peace talks, or talks about a ceasefire between the israelis and hamas, were suddenly to get somewhere. those peace talks haven't really got anywhere in recent days. the mediators, the egyptians in particular and qataris, have expressed some frustration at the big distance between the two sides. there are reports in israel tonight that egyptian negotiators are due to meet the israelis, perhaps with a view to getting those talks about a ceasefire going again. but as things stand, but as things stand, there are no talks about a ceasefire and israel's military operation is still looking as though it

will happen at some point in the nearfuture. it has been nearly a month since seven workers from the world central kitchen aid group were killed in gaza by israeli forces. on thursday, they were remembered in a ceremony held in washington. the founder of the us—based charity chefjose andres gave an emotional eulogy at the memorial service, saying they risked everything to feed people they didn't know. with his voice breaking at times, he demanded more answers from the israeli army. i know we all have many unanswered questions about what happened, and why. there is excuse for these killings. none. the official explanation is not good enough and we are still, obviously, demanding an investigation into the actions of the idf against ourteam. even one innocent life taken is one too many.

to haiti, where a new transitional council have been sworn in following the resignation of prime minister ariel henry. the government shake—up follows a recent surge in gang violence across the nation. as nine members of the transitional council were sworn in, gunfire could be heard on the streets of haiti's capital port—au—prince, which remained mostly under gang control. the group, which is backed by other caribbean nations and the us, will try to restore order and democratic rule in haiti. it will set the agenda of a new cabinet, form a national security council and appoint an electoral commission to pave the way for an eventual vote. a new president is expected to be sworn in by early 2026. earlier, i spoke to associated press caribbean correspondent danica coto, who is in haiti. i understand you are there for this swearing—in ceremony

and you wrote there are champagne toasts but also a few streets away, there was gunfire in the streets — talk us through this moment and what it means for the country. there were actually two ceremonies and in a signal as to how violent parts of the capital has become, they first held a secret ceremony, so we had all of the other local journalists were in pentonville, an upscale part of port—au—prince, while secretly, the council was being sworn in in downtown port—au—prince at the national palace. for security reasons, they did not tell many people about this and we have video from people at the ceremony, officials, with gunfire breaking out. wow. ..breaking out while the new prime minister spoke and later on while other council members were gathered and when the council

moved to petion—ville, it was a bit more quiet, you could not hear the gunfire from there but still appreciate the billowing black smoke coming from downtown port—au—prince as well as very heavy military presence. clearly, there will be a lot on the plate for this new transitional council to deal with. is there the feeling there in the country that it's up to these challenges? it's unclear yet. i think many haitians hope they are but there been disappointed so many times as they told me, that sort of fear having hope but at this point, has been more than 2500 people injured or killed just from january to march alone, and more than 90,000 people have left the capital itself in search of safer towns and cities in northern and southern haiti and so, it remains to be seen. — the interim prime minister is the finance minister so it's

unclear if he will remain. there is a lot to go and still they would like to hold general elections as well and have a president sworn in by february seven, 2026... how realistic is that? you mentioned it's a big goalfor the council, a couple of years. is it possible? they've been talking about elections for many years now in haiti. right, well, they haven't held elections here in almost a decade and that was back when the gang violence was not as widespread as it is today, so it's hard to say. i mean, obviously the first thing is how to quell the violence. some people have said a deal must be reached with gangs because before, the political and economic elite of haiti said they've been manipulating gangs and financing them but now, the gangs have grown independent. so, it all depends on how much they control the gang violence as to whether they can quell some of that in order to have a safe space

to have general elections. checking on some other stories making headlines. more than 100 inmates escaped from a nigerian prison after heavy rains damaged the building. the official say an hours—long downpour on wednesday damaged a perimeter wall. ten people were recaptured. students at us universities are continuing to protest against the war in gaza. the university of southern california says it is cancelling its main graduation ceremony in mid—may due to new safety measures following pro—palestinian protests on campus that led to arrests. it comes one week after cancelling the valedictorian speech by a muslim student, who said she was silenced by anti—palestinian hatred. administrators say they were alarmed about security risks and social media chatter following her selection as valedictorian. some 65,000 people normally attend the event. before we go, china's space station has three new astronauts, you see them there taking photos and sending messages to ground staff. it willjoin others there and are expected to spend six months in space.

carl nasman here on earth. stay with us for more on bbc news. hello. there are signs that the weather might warm up a bit next week, but not just yet. we stay in the rather chilly air for friday. a mix of sunny spells and showers and, actually, across the south of the uk, a frontal system that will bring more in the way of cloud and some splashes of rain. low pressure generally in charge of the scene through the day ahead. so, after a cold start, most places will see some spells of sunshine and a scattering of showers. some wintriness in the showers over high ground in scotland. but that frontal system will bring cloud and rain across the channel islands and across southern counties of england. temperature—wise — well, about where we have been over the last few days. north to south looking at values between 8 and 13 degrees. now, as we head through friday night, we'll see this band of rain in the south pushing its way further northwards. a lot of cloud with that, too.

that will hold the temperatures up to some extent but northern england, northern ireland and scotland holding on to some clear spells, and it will get chilly again. we'll have a frost to start saturday morning. not as cold further south thanks to that extra cloud, those outbreaks of rain, which will be moving northwards as the day wears on. as the rain clears, it may brighten up a little bit towards the south coast but that could allow some sharp showers to break out. for northern ireland and scotland, it's a mixture of sunny spells and showers once again through the day and those temperatures — well, maybejust creeping up a little bit in some areas. highs between 9 and 1a degrees. into the second half of the weekend, we see this area of low pressure drifting northwards. that's going to bring outbreaks of rain for some, especially across the eastern side of the uk. but it may well be that some of this rain comes a little bit further westwards, affecting quite large parts of england and wales, maybe clipping into eastern scotland. the further west you are, though, it's that mix of sunny spells and showers. some of the showers will be on the heavy side. temperatures between 9 and 12, maybe 13 degrees in the southwest. but as we head into next week, it does look like things

will slowly but surely warm up. we start to bring a feed of winds from the near continent — these orange colours on our air mass chart. temperatures are set to climb, perhaps up to 19 or 20 degrees celsius through the middle part of the week, but that doesn't mean sunshine all the way — still unsettled with some rain at times.

voice-over: this is bbc news. we'll have the headlines and all the main news stories for you at the top of the hour, straight after this programme. welcome to hardtalk. i'm stephen sackur. lebanon has long been a dysfunctional state. judge briefly led many people it suits many powerful players, both inside and outside the country to keep it that way. having just about staved off total economic collapse at the start of this decade, 11 on is currently the arena for an increasingly dangerous showdown between israel and the iranian backed militia hezbollah. my guess is slipknot becoming mr immense alum. does his government have the means and

will to avert a