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Tax and spending bill in USA passed

It was approved after two days of high political drama.

President Trump's massive tax and spending bill has been narrowly approved by the US House of Representatives after two days of high political drama. In the end only two Republicans voted against -- after a drive to bring dissenters on side. The bill cuts taxes - especially for wealthier Americans - while giving tens of billions of extra dollars to Mr Trump's anti immigration campaign. Critics of the bill say it could effect millions of poorer Americans and lead to cuts in federal assistance programmes. We will discuss the bill with a policymaker who supports it.

A former security contractor for Gaza's controversial new Israel - and US-backed aid distribution sites has told the ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ that he witnessed colleagues opening fire several times on hungry Palestianians who had posed no threat, including with machine guns. We have a report from our correspondent.

And we look at the number of Palestinian doctors and healthworkers being held in Israeli prisons. We hear from a doctor's campaign group who say they are being held without violation of law or explaination of detention.

Presenters: James Copnall and Pria Rai

(Photo: The US Capital dome in Washington DC. Credit: Shawn Thew/EPA-EFE)

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