of the trimester. the price of cryptocurrency bitcoin hit an all—time high, surging to more than $69,000. and st. paul's cathedral makes a secret hidden library available for a once—in—a—lifetime state. that's all coming up on the programme. let's go to china. whilst it is super the issue of the us election is something which has also come up in china which has been holding the biggest event in its political calendar, the national people's congress. it's a gathering of nearly 3,000 lawmakers — it is the largest legislative body in the world. the country's premier, li qiang, delivered a major address on china's economy where he announced plans to boost growth and, once again, increase military spending. but one question which was not addressed was who the authorities

in beijing would like to see winning the race for the white house. 0ur china correspondent steve mcdonell went to the great hall of the people to try to find out. later this year, the us announces their new president. what were the chinese comic party believe the of this equipment —— communist party. it's like pulling teeth.

all clamouring 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. good effort from steven mcdonald there. let's get more on china's economic vision for the future now, and its leaders have set out what they're calling an "ambitious" economic growth target of around 5% this year. china is facing a property crisis, falling prices and high youth unemployment. here's china's premier li qiang on their strategy going forward. translation: these expected targets i are proposed taking into account. both domestic and international situations, as well as other various factors. achieving these targets this year will not be an easy task. it requires focused policies, redoubling effort and work and concerted efforts from all sides. dr yujie is a china expert

at the think tank chatham house. she gave her assessment of beijing's economic plans. i think the mood in beijing, reading from the government report, it seems to be quite subdued. 0n the one hand, the government acutely aware of the challenges, but on the other hand, i think when it comes to actual measures, we're still waiting for more details. i'll give you an example on the youth unemployment. so, the target, according to government report, is around 12 million job creations this year, which is exactly the same target as what beijing put forward back to 2019, the time when the chinese economy grew around 8%. so, again, it's a very ambitious target beijing had just put forward, but really, for many global investors, they are looking to more substance and there is very little over there. ijust want i just want to bring you ijust want to bring you some breaking news here in the uk. coming

ahead ofjeremy hunt's budget tomorrow, birmingham city council have signed off a wave of cuts to services and a 21% rise in council tax over the next two years. there has been huge financial pressure on local authorities across the uk over the last few years. birmingham is the last few years. birmingham is the largest local authority in europe. it's declared itself effectively bankrupt and need to make £300 million in saving. that wave of cuts and a 21% rise in council tax over the next two years. let's go to birmingham in this report. at this food bank they know all about need. run by a local mosque, they're packing food parcels ahead of ramadan.

we get approximatelt 30 to a0 users, families every week. most are referrals from schools and social workers and they're having to choose between heating and food. as well as the food bank, the mosque runs you services. as well as the food bank, the mosque runs youth services — all things will be under strain as birmingham council cuts back. it's the youth that we're really concerned about because his is a generational thing. if our youth aren't getting what they need, what impact will it have on them when they apply forjobs? we need to have a priority system for these deprived areas of birmingham. outside the council, there was real anger as they met to vote on extensive cuts across the board and council tax going up more than 20% over two years. inside, there was a blame game. fingers pointed at the council over failings with equal pay and it systems and at the government.

my task is to address problems unique to this council, -

rather than given rein to spend more. alex forsyth, bbc news. it needs to make £300 million in savings. it also says it's going to increase council tax by 21%. that is massively significant for the people who live within the birmingham city council area. we will bring you much more on this story when we have it. still to come here — a roller coaster ride for coin.

and who fancies a sleepover in the hidden library of st. paul's cathedral? will not tell you all. around the world and across the uk. this is the world today on bbc news. ben is 18 and he applied for his test in november last year, but was given a date injuly this year. a weight of almost nine months. i'm waitin: weight of almost nine months. in waiting this whole time. i still got stuff to do, i got work in school. especially my mum as well, because she's a single mother. she's got to change her schedule around as an approved martin knows the impact. they are very nervous. _ martin knows the impact. they are very nervous. so — martin knows the impact. they are very nervous, so that _ martin knows the impact. they are very nervous, so that has - martin knows the impact. they are very nervous, so that has a - martin knows the impact. they are very nervous, so that has a direct. very nervous, so that has a direct impact _ very nervous, so that has a direct impact on — very nervous, so that has a direct impact on them going to test, knowing — impact on them going to test, knowing full well is they do unfortunately fail, they have to

wait another 22—23 weeks. for unfortunately fail, they have to wait another 22-23 weeks. for a fee, a- -s like wait another 22-23 weeks. for a fee, apps like this — wait another 22-23 weeks. for a fee, apps like this one _ wait another 22-23 weeks. for a fee, apps like this one will— wait another 22-23 weeks. for a fee, apps like this one will alert _ apps like this one will alert learners to the next available test, wherever it may be. but it can mean young drivers pass their tests without really having anything like enough practical experience on the roads. for enough practical experience on the roads. ., ., , ., roads. for more stories from across the uk head — roads. for more stories from across the uk head to _ roads. for more stories from across the uk head to the _ roads. for more stories from across the uk head to the bbc _ roads. for more stories from across the uk head to the bbc news - roads. for more stories from across i the uk head to the bbc news website. you're live with bbc news. let's turn to the world of cryptocurrency, because earlier today, the value of bitcoin hit an all—time high. a single coin achieved more than $69,000 in trading today, breaking its previous record of exactly one cent short of $69,000, which was set in november 2021. since then, bitcoin went on a roller—coaster and the world of cryptocurrencies has been embroiled in controversy over failed trading platforms.

david yaffe—bela ny talk david yaffe—belany talk to me why this record is important for bitcoin. the big news is bitcoin reached a value of $69,000, breaking the record that it previously set in november of 2021. this was a real cause for celebration in the crypto world, which has been in battle for years at this point. so, this was sort of a culmination of a bit of a revivalfor sort of a culmination of a bit of a revival for the crypto world. it’s revival for the crypto world. it's an interesting one because bitcoin is hitting its high, but so too is gold. gold is the safe currency that people invest in and seem uncertain, but that's certainly not what one could say about bitcoin. what does that tell us about how people feel? book, bitcoin or his will argue that if you look at the timeline going back to when it was created 15 years

ago, it's gone up —— bitcoiners. the trajectory is upward. if you look at it over time, it gained a huge amount of value. that's the argument that they would make, and also that bitcoin is a safe value that has resisted some of the kind of broader macroeconomics trends. is not true? no. macroeconomic factors still cannot affect the price. it's still a day to celebrate.— cannot affect the price. it's still a day to celebrate. you mentioned there is fluctuations, _ a day to celebrate. you mentioned there is fluctuations, and - a day to celebrate. you mentioned there is fluctuations, and as - a day to celebrate. you mentioned there is fluctuations, and as the i there is fluctuations, and as the old saying goes, mullet goes up must come down. are you just waiting for distraught now? i come down. are you 'ust waiting for distraught now?— distraught now? i think more volatility is — distraught now? i think more volatility is likely. _ distraught now? i think more volatility is likely. just - distraught now? i think more volatility is likely. just a - distraught now? i think more volatility is likely. just a fewl volatility is likely. just a few minutes after it hit that $69,000, it plunged right down to $66,000. it sort of capture is right there the way the price of bitcoin works. i think it's very possible that there could be another dip at some point.

that being said, some of the things that are driving this trend — big financial institutions offering new investment products tied to bitcoin, exploits of this —— expects of the code of bitcoin — those are factors that at least in the medium—term should continue to push the price up. should continue to push the price u -., , should continue to push the price u . _ g , ., , ., up. just finally, david. here are the uk, bitcoin _ up. just finally, david. here are the uk, bitcoin is— up. just finally, david. here are the uk, bitcoin is not— up. just finally, david. here are the uk, bitcoin is not protected j up. just finally, david. here are i the uk, bitcoin is not protected as far as investments go. 0ne are the risks when choosing to put your money in cryptocurrencies? the volatility is _ money in cryptocurrencies? the volatility is the _ money in cryptocurrencies? tia: volatility is the big money in cryptocurrencies? tta: volatility is the big risk. money in cryptocurrencies? tt2 volatility is the big risk. you might buy it at a certain price and realise it's worth a lot less. that even happened today. you know it isn't backed by anything, it sort of isn't backed by anything, it sort of is its own asset class, and there's something risky about that. you can see big gains, but also big losses. been revealed a vulnerable girl was...

a vulnerable girl in a young offenders institution was twice pinned down and forcibly stripped by male guards, according to the prisons watchdog. officials say staff at the site in wetherby in the north of england had acted to prevent the girl from using her clothes to harm herself. our home editor mark easton reports. a boys borstal, originally built in the 19505, wetherby young offenders institution today houses some of the most vulnerable and dysfunctional children in the country, including a very small number of girls. when prison inspectors turned up last november, they were deeply shocked to learn that one girl had twice been pinned down and stripped by a team of all male prison officers. staff had intervened to stop the girl potentially using her clothing to hang herself. but the inspection team noted the trauma this response would have had on someone with complex mental health needs. it is really shocking. it cannot be right that girls who are this vulnerable, who are this much of a risk to themselves, are being retraumatised by the processes by which they're being subjected to in this

kind of establishment. over the last 20 years in england and wales, the average number of children locked up for their crimes has fallen very significantly — down from more than 3,000 in 2002 to 440 in the latest figures. almost all the children in prison are now teenage boys. just seven are girls, and three of those girls accounted for more than half of the 900 incidents of self—harm recorded at wetherby jail in one year. the shift away from locking children up has prompted a rethink on how best to look after the few hundred whose crimes mean they must remain in custody. that's why formerjustice secretary dominic raab was posing for photos two years ago at what will be a secure school in kent for 49 of the most dangerous young criminals in the country. seven times over

budget and years late, the oasis restore school will have no guards, no uniforms and no cells. these reports show clearly the need for a radical overhaul of our approach to children in custodial sentences. we have a new school opening with a therapeutic approach, which we hope will begin to be part of that answer. the government has a new youth justice game plan, focusing on care rather than punishment. ministers believe it will help mark an end to the troubled management of the country's most challenging children. mark easton, bbc news. let's go to the caribbean. let's go to haiti, where the situation remains extremely volatile with armed gangs running wild. a state of emergency is still in place after that mass jailbreak on sunday, where more than about 3,700 inmates escaped. haiti's capital port—au—prince was under a curfew overnight and soldiers have been deployed to defend the capital's

airport from an assault by the gangs. on that, this here's our reporterfrom bbc mundo. people in the haitian capital port—au—prince are describing that it's a nightmare being there at this moment. the international airport at port—au—prince is the latest of state institutions that has been attacked in the past day by these gang leaders that are asking the president to resign. remember, haiti has been plagued by gang violence for years. but the situation has got worse since president moise's assassination at his home in 2021. we know currently gangs control 80% of the capital, port—au—prince, which means that violent scenes like these from over the weekend have become more common. it's for that reason, that haiti's prime minister let's go to venezuela. we're getting an update from the reuters news agency confirming that venezuela will be holding its presidential

election onjuly will be holding its presidential election on july the 28th. will be holding its presidential election onjuly the 28th. that's according to electoral officials. president maduro is expected to run for reelection. it's not clear who we will face in opposition. it is home to the world's largest oil reserves. how about spending the night in st. paul's cathedral in central london? well, to celebrate world book day, the church has revealed its "hidden library". you're being given the chance to sleep inside the landmark, the first time that's been done officially since world war two, when volunteers tried to protect it from bombing raids. it'll costjust £7 for two people, but it's only open for one night — on the 15th of march. amanda cupples told me about this. we pride ourselves on delivering unforgettable essays. we have partnered with arguably the

most iconic building in london. we are giving two very lucky guests the experience to stay inside built and designed by sir christopher wren. two very lucky people can come and stay and experience the glories of the hidden library for one night. amanda, i have to ask. this is unique, historic, also incredibly delicate. anyone who's airbnb there, their own or house or spare room knows the risk that comes with that. especially if you are not there to supervise your guests. there is the potential for some damage to be done there. how are you mitigating against that? we there. how are you mitigating against that?— there. how are you mitigating against that? there. how are you mitigating auainst that? ~ ., ., , , against that? we have obviously the hidden library _ against that? we have obviously the hidden library itself _ against that? we have obviously the hidden library itself it's _ against that? we have obviously the hidden library itself it's full - against that? we have obviously the hidden library itself it's full of i hidden library itself its full of very rare books. what we have done is build a separate bedroom to stay in. there are some rules about what you can bring into the space. so, no

coffee or no sort of fanta. you can touch the books in the airbnb library. you do have access to the real thing, we do ask that guests don't touch the books.— real thing, we do ask that guests don't touch the books. that's amanda cu les, don't touch the books. that's amanda copples. who — don't touch the books. that's amanda copples. who is _ don't touch the books. that's amanda cupples, who is with _ don't touch the books. that's amanda cupples, who is with airbnb. - what an incredible opportunity. in scotland, the mother of emma caldwell has met first minister humza yousaf to press for a public inquiry and a criminal investigation into the handling of her murder case. emma caldwell�*s body was found in woodland close to glasgow in 2005, but only last week, iain packer was jailed for life for killing her. police scotland have apologised for failings which left packer free to rape and assault more than 20 women. 0ur scotland correspondent steven godden reports. for almost two decades, margaret caldwell has sought answers for her daughter.

today, she met scotland's first minister to ask face—to—face for a public inquiry for emma and the other women who suffered at the hands of her killer. emma had a voice, and these other women, perhaps there's no—one. emma caldwell was working as a prostitute in 2005 when she was strangled and dumped in remote woodland. how could anyone do this? by 2007, police knew iain parker was sexually violent and had previously taken emma to the spot her body was found, but senior officers disregarded that evidence, wrongly pursuing four turkish suspects. parker continued to attack women. it was years before he was finally confronted. did you kill emma? no, i never. last week, packer was jailed for life for murdering emma caldwell and attacking 21 other women. both institutions of the crown office and the police must answer as to why one of the worst sex offenders

in the united kingdom was gifted his freedom for some 17 years. how many other women in that time were disbelieved, humiliated, challenged when seeking justice? the family's campaign for a public inquiry will ratchet up this week. tomorrow, they'll meet scotland's chief constable, and on thursday, the lord advocate, the most senior law officer in the country. thank you, everyone. having heard police scotland apologised for failings in the original investigation, margaret caldwell believes anything less than a public inquiry would be a betrayal of emma. she's been promised a quick decision. steven godden, bbc news, edinburgh. as wa nt as want to remind you of that breaking story within the last half hour. birmingham city councillors have approved a series of cuts to local services and a 21% rise in council tax over the next two years. some counsellors on the labour

authority called it devastating. this comes ahead of the budget announcement by the chancellor tomorrow. it was one of the timeless tv moments back in the mid—905. now it was one of those timeless tv moments ? which left many swooning ? when the actor colin firth emerged from a lake wearing a soaked white shirt in the bbc�*s adaptation of pride and prejudice. that was 1995. today, that famous shirt has gone up for auction. our culture reporter noor nanji has taken a look. it was the image that set pulses racing — colin firth as mr darcy, emerging from a lake in a wet shirt... mr darcy! ..in the 1995 bbc adaptation of pride and prejudice. now that very shirt could be yours. it's just a simple linen shirt, but it's going under the hammer with an estimate price of £7,000 to £10,000. it's one of more than 60 costumes to be auctioned in london tonight with the proceeds going to charity.

also up for sale are costumes from tv drama series including peaky blinders and downton abbey. but it is colin firth's famous shirt attracting the most attention. what does it mean to you? super sexy. sex on legs and amazing to watch the film, and it's now on sale — it's fantastic. certainly exciting, more so for my wife. she would love that piece. not so much for me, but a wonderful piece, i'm certain. i heard about it this - morning so i've come home there and i am tempted . because i love colin firth. as we pulled the curtains on my time, let's look at these. this woman is _ time, let's look at these. this woman is a — time, let's look at these. this woman is a cleaner, - time, let's look at these. this woman is a cleaner, anne i time, let's look at these. this woman is a cleaner, anne hughes, in southeast wales. she was here for opening when she accidentally got caught on the shutters. her

granddaughter the footage online and it has gone viral, as you can see. here's anne herself talking us through a happened. t here's anne herself talking us through a happened.— here's anne herself talking us through a happened. i was leaning auainst the through a happened. i was leaning against the shutters. _ through a happened. i was leaning| against the shutters. unbeknownst through a happened. i was leaning i against the shutters. unbeknownst to me. the shutters went up, and he couldn't hear me shouting. i scream his name and think of this, he came over. the comments that i've had have just been brilliant. over. the comments that i've had havejust been brilliant. i've over. the comments that i've had have just been brilliant. i've gone on socials and learned my lessons of. ., ., �*, ., of. poor woman! here's the weather with louise- — good evening. it certainly has been a day of mixed fortunes for some. after a frosty start, we had some lovely spells of sunshine. just take a look at this beautiful weather watcher picture of lancashire just a few hours ago. but there was quite a lot of cloud

around for others and the cloud thick enough for some drizzle. you can sense it's quite cold for the dog walk today in swanage and dorset, and despite the drizzle, you still needed that umbrella because it really does wet you through from time to time, doesn't it? this has been the story earlier on. you can see where the cloud has been sitting across western scotland, through east anglia and down along the south coast. now, the weather front that brought the cloud stubbornly sitting along exposed east coasts, will continue to feed in quite a lot of cloud through the night. bit more of a breeze here and the cloud and the breeze will prevent temperatures from falling too far. but where we have got some clearer skies once again, well, we could see a touch of frost and maybe some patchy fog. favoured areas for that likely to be across east wales, the midlands and down towards dorset. a little more cloud towards the southwest and here, maybe a few scattered showers as we go through the day. but the frost will lift, there'll be some sunshine coming through — a better morning for northern ireland. we keep some cloud into eastern scotland and northeast england. the cloud will break up, but we could see a few isolated showers through lincolnshire down into the southeast.

temperatures in the sun, 11—12 degrees, where we keep the cloud, only around 7—9 celsius. not much change in the weather pattern as we go through friday. we still got this southeasterly flow continuing to drag in cloud from time to time off the north sea and a bit more of a strengthening breeze here. so, sheltered western areas seeing the best of the sunshine and potentially the warmth when that sunshine comes through. the cloud may be thick enough at times to produce the odd isolated shower. in terms of the feel of the weather, though, we're still looking at temperatures widely into the double digits. maybe if you keep that cloud lingering across the northeast coast, it'll say at around 8—9 degrees. stronger breeze — 35—40 mile gusts of wind on friday before an area of low pressure could bring some showery outbreaks of rain into the southwest for the start of the weekend, so it looks somewhat like this. after a dry spell, we could see some wetter and windy weather into the far southwest.

hello, i'm christian fraser. you're watching the context on bbc news. crooked joe will not succeed with his plans, and he will not get away with these crimes, and they are crimes, he will be tried at the ballot boxes in november and he will be judged and convicted by the american people. i'm working with him very hard. we're going to get more...we must get more aid into gaza. no excuses, none. this is the state that has the biggest chunk of delegates for donald trump, as he's marching towards securing the nomination the republican presidential nominee. of course, this is a state where we are also seeing a lot of candidates spending a lot of energy looking at immigration as well.

it is super tuesday. donald trump hoping to clinch his party's nomination with a clean sweep of 15 states. but what of nikki haley? is this her last stand or is there a plan b? we have got expert analysis tonight from all sides. with us this hour, the entrepreneur and former white house communications director anthony scaramucci. also tonight, the war in gaza. ceasefire negotiations came to a close in cairo today, without a breakthrough, what does president biden do about that. and "man up" - the allies must be braver says the french president, in their efforts to resupply ukraine. good evening. the polls are open in 15 states. it is super tuesday a day

in the primary calendar that