on the panel tonight — observer columnist sonia sodha and former chief of staff to donald trump, mick mulvaney. we will get to a panel shortly. let me bring you the latest bbc news. let me bring you the latest bbc news. rishi sunak says the uk will steadily increase its defence spending — until it reaches 2.5 percent of gdp by the year 2030. he warned that the world is facing its most dangerous time since the end of the cold war — and promised to ramp up the uk's weapons production. the usjustice department says it will pay out almost $140 million to victims of the former team usa gymnastics doctor, larry nassar. the settlement comes after claims that the fbi was too slow to act after receiving a number of complaints. nassar was jailed after being convicted of sexually assaulting hundreds of athletes.

israel's military has rejected accusations that its forces buried the bodies of palestinians at a medical complex in gaza. more than 200 bodies were found under the courtyard at the hospital in khan younis. the city of baltimore is taking legal action against the operators of the container ship which hit and destroyed one of its main bridges last month. the lawsuit says the container ship, the dali, was clearly unseaworthy, and had an incompetent crew. the ship's owners have already asked a court to limit their liability. good evening. the british prime minister rishi sunak said the deaths of at least five migrants, including a seven—year—old girl, that were attempting to cross the channeljust hours after his rwanda deportation legislation passed the commons, were a sobering "reminder of why the governments plan is important". these were the chaotic scenes

on a beach near calais this morning, just before daybreak as a group of migrants, attempted to launch their boat on the journey to england. the boat which was leaving wimereux, just south of calais had been overloaded with 112 migrants. the boat's motorfailed, causing a panic in which some people were crushed. some fell into the water some were rescued, others were found unconscious in the boat. the authorities have been carrying out search—and—rescue operations at sea through the day. it is still unclear whether the five dead were crushed or if some drowned. our correspondent andrew harding was on the beach when the incident happened. okay. we're just running to catch up with some migrants here. made a break from the dunes, trying to get to the water. police chasing them. there's another group here, more than 100, i'd say, migrants. some sort of fight going on, the police. on a flight to poland today

rishi sunak told reporters that his plan to send asylum seekers to rwands will eventually "deter to rwanda will eventually "deter vulnerable migrants from making these perilous crossings". so far all attempts to break the business model of the criminal gangs has failed — and as andrew witnessed this morning once the migrants had boarded the inflatable boat, the police made no further attempt to stop them. home office figures released yesterday showed the number of migrants arriving by small boats had increased by 2a % to 6,265 in the first four months of this year, compared to last year. human rights groups have been critical of the rwanda plan, but there are other countries looking at similar policies. the home secretary was in italy today to visit lampedusa, which for many migrants is the first european port of call. italy has also signed a third country deal with albania, who will house up to 3,000 migrants in two centres for italy while their asylum requests are being processed. also in italy today a representative from denmarks immigration committee.

the danish parliament passed legislation three years ago, that would enable them to send migrants to a third country for processing. they are watching the rwanda plan closely to see how effective it will be. thomas skriverjensen is the chair of the danish immigration and integration committee — and a member of the danish social democrats. i asked him if denmark was ready to follow rishi sunak�*s lead on sending migrants overseas. it is still our plan to use a third country option. we believe it's the best way. we believe it has to do with other countries in the eu and we look to be able to do that in the near future. let's bring in our panelists. i watched the police who were not allowed to go into the water. i look at the amount of money spent so far, but half £1 billion invested over the next three years. i wonder what the next three years. i wonder what the solution is. would labour really

be ready to scrap the rwanda plan if it came to government? it be ready to scrap the rwanda plan if it came to government?— it came to government? it was a terrible tragedy _ it came to government? it was a terrible tragedy could _ it came to government? it was a terrible tragedy could what - it came to government? it was a - terrible tragedy could what happened in the channel this morning. five people dead including a seven—year—old girl. i think the depressing thing is, when you look at the rwanda plan in my view is flawed on many levels. i think it actually will fail on the prime ministers own terms, which is his test if it works is will it deter people from crossing the channel? i'm afraid to say when you got desperate people willing to risk their lives and people crossing the channel they know they are risking their life, the children's life, they are living in desperate circumstances. many of them with legitimate asylum claims flee in places like iraq, syria, afghanistan. when people are willing to risk their lives, the small percentage chance it might end up at rwanda, let's not forget that a

scheme caters for 300 people at the moment. we get tens of thousands of people detained in the uk says the government passed legislation last year saying... government passed legislation last year saying-"— year saying... what of denmark, ital , year saying... what of denmark, italy. germany. _ year saying. .. what of denmark, italy, germany, countries- year saying... what of denmark, italy, germany, countries are . year saying... what of denmark, - italy, germany, countries are looked at their country options all said, you come here with you to set you up to a third country to be processed? we might send you back to africa from whence you came. with that sort of message be a deterrent to the migrant flows we have seen? the evidence is _ migrant flows we have seen? tue: evidence is deterrence migrant flows we have seen? tte: evidence is deterrence isn't very effective. people who want to try to claim asylum in europe, it's a very small proportion of the worlds refugees to come to europe, the vast majority of refugees or middle income countries close to where they come from. i don't think these deterrence effects work. the other thing is that we've got a deal for 300 people with rwanda. we haven't got any other deals. none of these other countries have deals house is going to work in practical level?

you did ask about labourers alternative proposal, it is to put much more money into processing asylum claims quickly. to me that seems like a fair thing.— seems like a fair thing. that's a oli of seems like a fair thing. that's a policy of the — seems like a fair thing. that's a policy of the united _ seems like a fair thing. that's a policy of the united states - seems like a fair thing. that's a policy of the united states are l policy of the united states are looking for some more judges, policy of the united states are looking for some morejudges, quick processing time for the mick, do you think that will work or do you think a plan mike rishi sunak says the answer? we a plan mike rishi sunak says the answer? ~ , ., answer? we did something similar in the trump administration _ answer? we did something similar in the trump administration is - answer? we did something similar in the trump administration is remain l the trump administration is remain in mission — the trump administration is remain in mission green bicycle. it was suriposed — in mission green bicycle. it was supposed to be a motivation for folks_ supposed to be a motivation for folks to — supposed to be a motivation for folks to stay in mexico. if you are coming _ folks to stay in mexico. if you are coming to— folks to stay in mexico. if you are coming to seek amnesty, mexico was a democracy, _ coming to seek amnesty, mexico was a democracy, but relatively safe compared to the places they were coming _ compared to the places they were coming from. we cut a deal with mexico — coming from. we cut a deal with mexico to— coming from. we cut a deal with mexico to so we might allow some folks to _ mexico to so we might allow some folks to stay there. it worked a little _ folks to stay there. it worked a little bit — folks to stay there. it worked a little bit. none will solve this entirely— little bit. none will solve this entirely for that the reason i people — entirely for that the reason i people is— entirely for that the reason i people is a combination of situations where they are from also

the bas—relief, whether it's right or wrong, — the bas—relief, whether it's right or wrong, well—founded or not, the belief_ or wrong, well—founded or not, the belief that — or wrong, well—founded or not, the belief that they will be allowed to stay for _ belief that they will be allowed to stay for the weather is in the us or the uk _ stay for the weather is in the us or the uk. keep in mind, the numbers we dealwith— the uk. keep in mind, the numbers we deaiwith her_ the uk. keep in mind, the numbers we dealwith herso the uk. keep in mind, the numbers we deal with her so much were staggering. i think you showed a slide _ staggering. i think you showed a slide of— staggering. i think you showed a slide of about 6000 people so far this yeah — slide of about 6000 people so far this year. the last couple of months i've this year. the last couple of months i've seen— this year. the last couple of months i've seen solid numbers in december where _ i've seen solid numbers in december where we _ i've seen solid numbers in december where we had to earn 25,000 people in the _ where we had to earn 25,000 people in the month of december alone cross _ in the month of december alone cross. ., ., , , , , cross. no one is disputing there is a crisis or the _ cross. no one is disputing there is a crisis or the southern _ cross. no one is disputing there is a crisis or the southern border. i a crisis or the southern border. someone has to do something about it. speakerjohnson put migration on the floor on saturday as part as a separate bill, it would have re—enacted donald trumps remain in mexico policy. it might have restored the building of the wall on the us— mexico border and it didn't get the two thirds majority. the us- mexico border and it didn't get the two thirds majority. get the two thirds ma'ority. because re - ublicans get the two thirds ma'ority. because republicans voted _ get the two thirds majority. because republicans voted against _ get the two thirds majority. because republicans voted against it. - get the two thirds majority. because republicans voted against it. those | republicans voted against it. those things— republicans voted against it. those things will— republicans voted against it. those things will help. the situation is

so desperate with these folks are coming _ so desperate with these folks are coming from you'll never solve this entirety _ coming from you'll never solve this entirely. there are things you could do differently the rwanda policy might _ do differently the rwanda policy might be part and parcel of a collection of different tools. no one silver— collection of different tools. no one silver bullet to this for that no one — one silver bullet to this for that no one policy is going to change immigration for the it would help put them — immigration for the it would help put them on aeroplanes and fly them back to _ put them on aeroplanes and fly them back to the _ put them on aeroplanes and fly them back to the country they came from. we've _ back to the country they came from. we've done — back to the country they came from. we've done some of them. it felt a little _ we've done some of them. it felt a little bit _ we've done some of them. it felt a little bit but not a lot. lots we've done some of them. it felt a little bit but not a lot.— little bit but not a lot. lots to net to little bit but not a lot. lots to get to tonight. _ little bit but not a lot. lots to get to tonight. one _ little bit but not a lot. lots to get to tonight. one minute i little bit but not a lot. lots to - get to tonight. one minute breaking news before we go to the break, we're hearing from leprechauns arose two of ryan's back has billet group that it was launched targeting military bases. its deepest attack into israeli territory since gaza war began. things have been pretty active in the northern border in recent weeks with the lebanese media say comes after an israeli air strike in southern lebanon killed

eight mother and girl from the same family. exchanges of fire continuing across the border, which is a dangerous situation, has the law of very radiant proxy very close to turn around. will remember what happened just the other weekend. we will keep our eye on that as it develops. we will take a quick break for that when we come back we will be talking about donald trump and the latest from that major criminal trial in new york. around the world and across the uk. this is bbc news.

welcome back. in other news today rishi sunak announced the uk will steadily increase its defence spending to 2.5% of gdp by 2030. the prime minister was speaking in the polish capital warsaw. the government says it is the biggest uplift in defence spending in a generation and will put the uk's defence industry on a war footing. as we make our historic commitment to increase defence

spending to 2.5% of gdp, we will move past the stop—start piecemeal way of backing ukraine, so that alongside our long—term security guarantee, we are today providing a long—term funding guarantee of at least the current level of military support to ukraine for every year it is needed. that is the longest commitment any nation has provided, and it shows that ukraine is not allowing, and that ukraine —— not alone will never be alone. mr sunak was in poland to pledge an extra 500 million pounds of military aid for ukraine which was welcomed by nato secretaryjens stoltenberg. that will include some of the latest equipment the stormshadow, which is the longer range cruise missile. in washington the senate has just begun debating the house package that was passed on saturday votes tomorrow on the $61 billion for ukraine. this was the moment yesterday

when the zelensky met with a bipartisan delegation in kyiv including the democrat congressman bill keating from massachusset gave him a document with the official tally of saturdays vote. hello, sir. bill keating, from massachusetts. good to see you. and i have something that you are really going to like. yeah? this is the official tally of the vote... yes, i see. for the supplemental aid, and look at that vote, 73%. yes, thank you so much, 73. that's a good vote. very good. thank you so much. i'm not sure where president zelensky will put that certificate. he might put that 27% held up the vote which is why he's been waiting for aid for the last six months anyway, we're making progress. i want to ask you whether the statement from rishi sunak today changes the emphasis in washington? if your main ally is saying we're now in a war footing and we're

spending 2.5%, does it isolate people like marjorie taylor green? no. i think there's an international narrative _ no. i think there's an international narrative that there is an isolationist group of the gop, especially in the house. certainly there _ especially in the house. certainly there are — especially in the house. certainly there are isolationist. i know there is a handfui— there are isolationist. i know there is a handful of people, a variety of reasons people voted against this. you one _ reasons people voted against this. you one of— reasons people voted against this. you one of the reasons in your previous— you one of the reasons in your previous segment, which is a lot of foths— previous segment, which is a lot of folks have — previous segment, which is a lot of folks have been told by the speaker of the _ folks have been told by the speaker of the house and told and turned their— of the house and told and turned their constituents that they would be their constituents that they would he no _ their constituents that they would be no funding for ukraine or israel or taiwan — be no funding for ukraine or israel or taiwan without a corresponding move _ or taiwan without a corresponding move for— or taiwan without a corresponding move for improvements on the southern — move for improvements on the southern border of the united states without _ southern border of the united states without having steak themselves out like that _ without having steak themselves out like that they found difficult to change — like that they found difficult to change. there's another smaller subset— change. there's another smaller subset that didn't like the fact that none of this was paid for. additional deficit spending. we have a group _ additional deficit spending. we have a group of— additional deficit spending. we have a group of fiscal hawks. i get the fact that — a group of fiscal hawks. i get the fact that 27% voted against the deal. _ fact that 27% voted against the deal. it— fact that 27% voted against the deal, it was bipartisan but mostly republican but there's a variety of reasons to — republican but there's a variety of reasons to do it. does the british position— reasons to do it. does the british position change things? etiquette

changes— position change things? etiquette changes for the better. certainly america — changes for the better. certainly america doesn't want to believe that it's in— america doesn't want to believe that it's in this _ america doesn't want to believe that it's in this alone. you and i talked about this — it's in this alone. you and i talked about this a — it's in this alone. you and i talked about this a year ago when it was pretty— about this a year ago when it was pretty much the americans doing all the heavy— pretty much the americans doing all the heavy lifting with the french and the — the heavy lifting with the french and the germans doing practically nothing _ and the germans doing practically nothing. that's changed a little bit. ., , nothing. that's changed a little bit. . , ._ nothing. that's changed a little bit. ., , nothing. that's changed a little bit. .,, bit. dramatically, germany. they are not one of the _ bit. dramatically, germany. they are not one of the biggest _ bit. dramatically, germany. they are not one of the biggest funders. - bit. dramatically, germany. they are not one of the biggest funders. they| not one of the biggest funders. they are in france — not one of the biggest funders. they are in france is _ not one of the biggest funders. they are in france is talking but that seems — are in france is talking but that seems to— are in france is talking but that seems to be what they're good at. you asked — seems to be what they're good at. you asked a — seems to be what they're good at. you asked a question, does the rishi sunak— you asked a question, does the rishi sunak and _ you asked a question, does the rishi sunak and as we change the dynamic? it sunak and as we change the dynamic? it does _ sunak and as we change the dynamic? it does it's_ sunak and as we change the dynamic? it does. it's nice to know we're not in this— it does. it's nice to know we're not in this alone — it does. it's nice to know we're not in this alone-— in this alone. there is a political divide with _ in this alone. there is a political divide with labor. _ in this alone. there is a political divide with labor. sir _ in this alone. there is a political divide with labor. sir keir - in this alone. there is a political i divide with labor. sir keir starmer has said he will only increase defence spending 45% resources allow. this would be a boost to dispense contractors in the uk for the —— dispense contractors in the uk for the -- 2.5%. dispense contractors in the uk for the —— 2.5%. to think that my change position or? t the -- 2.5%. to think that my change position or?— position or? i don't think there is much between — position or? i don't think there is much between the _ position or? i don't think there is much between the two _ position or? i don't think there is much between the two party - position or? i don't think there is - much between the two party positions as it might first look. yes, the

government is committed to do this. but whoever wins the next election is going to have to figure out a way of raising money or cutting it. it's a huge sum of money for the tens of billions of pounds for the petting government the budget. if you take out the nhs in school core services that you are looking at, we've already got big public service cuts baked in over the next parliament. that's what the government have done for the labour has said they're going to stick to it for the keir starmer is also very enthusiastic about increasing defence spending. he knows is more likely to be prime minister at the rishi sunak after the election. i think that's probably why he striking a more cautious note. there is definitely a question of where the money is going to come from. personally, there is a lot of cross party support for the long—term goal of increased defence spending. as you said, spending in

this area can have a multiplier effect in terms of growth because of the injection of cash into the economy. let's hope that we have government they might be prepared... that is the point that moderate republicans will be making to their colleagues with a new pump this money into ukraine it does help contractors at home. it does come back to the economy. i suppose if donald trump was the president and it was keir starmer it would be a brave move to step off that 2.5% pledge. i'm not sure donald trump would like that. the republican infighting on the ukraine was on full display in sunday. jd vance of ohio over his "garbage" assertions that ukraine does not have the manpower to deal with russian forces. ijust got back from ukraine said graham they changed their conscription laws. they have all the manpower they need. " president zelensky signed the mobilization bill last week

which they hope will ease the pressure on the exhausted troops at the frontline. from now on ukrainian men between 18 and 60 will ned ijust got back i just got back they ijust got back they have all the manpower they need. but do they? from now on the only to update their personal data would be military authorities are our contractors to see who can be called up. there are tougher penalties for draft dodgers. today they've gone a step further with new orders for ukrainian men who'd gone overseas, foreign minister says measures to restore fairness, as he put it saying abroad does not relieve ukraine of his or her duties to the homeland. lately bring in a ukrainian journalist, currently living in the uk and working with us here at the bbc news channel. he worked on this very program. greg, lovely to have you with us. what has changed today? as of today if you're a ukrainian

citizen like me, fear man, if you're 18 to 60 and you live abroad, and let's say your passport has expired or you lost your passport, which sometimes happen. you no longer have an opportunity to request a new document board. —— abroad. what you can is a return travel document, which will allow you to only travel back to ukraine and if you go back through crane most probably you would not be able to leave the country any more as almost all men living in ukraine age from 18 to 60 cannot travel abroad. well without having legitimate exemption from fighting. it's quite easy to understand why ukraine is doing pat. —— ukraine is doing that. you

talking about russia after a series of mobilisation campaigns outnumbering forces, they do need more people and it's getting harder and harder to get them. t5 he more people and it's getting harder and harder to get them. is he right, actuall , and harder to get them. is he right, actually. at — and harder to get them. is he right, actually. at the _ and harder to get them. is he right, actually, at the moment _ and harder to get them. is he right, actually, at the moment they - and harder to get them. is he right, actually, at the moment they don't| actually, at the moment they don't have the men they need which is why they've gone this extra step today? it's getting harder and harder to get these people. that is why the conscription age is not lower. that is why ukraine is trying to get those ukrainian citizen living abroad. they can't really feel from that comment from the foreign minister, it's an attempt to reestablish justice or fairness. it's a really big demand of fair treatment. t it's a really big demand of fair treatment-— it's a really big demand of fair treatment. , . , . treatment. i understand they include men of fighting _ treatment. i understand they include men of fighting a _ treatment. i understand they include men of fighting a serving _ treatment. i understand they include men of fighting a serving abroad. - men of fighting a serving abroad. you can go work for the government abroad and not be part of the draft. i seen these videos today of people

standing in embassies looking for passports, men looking for passports we not been able to verify these videos so i can show you. are you hearing from ukrainians who are trying to get a passport who can't now? �* ., trying to get a passport who can't now? �* . ., ., ., , now? i'm hearing a lot now. it is eas to now? i'm hearing a lot now. it is easy to understand _ now? i'm hearing a lot now. it is easy to understand why - now? i'm hearing a lot now. it is easy to understand why many i now? i'm hearing a lot now. it is - easy to understand why many people may be very angry now. it is also very easy to understand why ukraine is doing bad. it is also easy to understand the argument. during the day i had very different types of conversations, including me as a ukrainian, iwill conversations, including me as a ukrainian, i will have to win this comes into power and form my country consulate, i don't how the system will work in future. we didn't have this kind of system in the past. if

you live abroad, you live abroad, that's all. you legally left the country. i've lived outside ukraine for many years already. i'm talking to other people who also left the country legally and many are actually trying to reestablish connections with other friends and being outside of ukraine, we will get the order to go back and join the army. people are getting ready for that. ., ., , ., ., for that. coming to terms for that. greao for that. coming to terms for that. gregory zhvgalov. _ for that. coming to terms for that. gregory zhygalov, we _ for that. coming to terms for that. gregory zhygalov, we thank - for that. coming to terms for that. gregory zhygalov, we thank you i for that. coming to terms for that. i gregory zhygalov, we thank you very much indeed for that. we will talk more about that off the air. but, there is a young guy, a friend of mine, works in our programme, he's a patriot. i don't think he shirking his responsibilities. it has implications. that i know is what

republicans want see. at the same time, those people who are going to serve on the front mind will want to know they're going to be supported. and they are. as of this afternoon as i and they are. as of this afternoon as i sit— and they are. as of this afternoon as i sit here — and they are. as of this afternoon as i sit here in washington i believe _ as i sit here in washington i believe the senate might be voting as we _ believe the senate might be voting as we have this conversation. the question— as we have this conversation. the question senator vance raises valid questions. — question senator vance raises valid questions, you remember what they talked _ questions, you remember what they talked about in terms of the defence budget— talked about in terms of the defence budget in_ talked about in terms of the defence budget in the uk, someone mentions 70 or— budget in the uk, someone mentions 70 or £80 _ budget in the uk, someone mentions 70 or £80 billion we just gave ukrainians $60 billion, that's a huge _ ukrainians $60 billion, that's a huge sum — ukrainians $60 billion, that's a huge sum of money. i don't think it's outrageous to ask questions along _ it's outrageous to ask questions along with that. like is the money being _ along with that. like is the money being spent properly, is anything been _ being spent properly, is anything been stolen and do you have enough men and _ been stolen and do you have enough men and women to put your plan into action? _ men and women to put your plan into action? those are reasonable questions _ action? those are reasonable questions that the countries were friendly— questions that the countries were friendly with each other ask. i�*m friendly with each other ask. i'm fascinated _ friendly with each other ask. t�*rn fascinated by speakers at johnson's fascinated by speakers atjohnson's damascus conversion on this boat. he voted against it at every turn up until the weekend. he makes the

point, rather ukrainians like red be fighting for his country than sending his son who's going to the naval academy. sending his son who's going to the navalacademy. isn't sending his son who's going to the naval academy. isn't the point to be accounted two americans that ukrainians will do that as long as you support them? t ukrainians will do that as long as you support them?— ukrainians will do that as long as you support them? i think the thing for all in the — you support them? i think the thing for all in the west, _ you support them? i think the thing for all in the west, the _ you support them? i think the thing for all in the west, the us, - for all in the west, the us, and other allies is russia cannot be allowed to win this war. it's fair enough to ask question but what we get redo? are we not going to give the ukrainians what they say they need? that would absolutely disastrous. notjust for ukrainians for whole western alliance.- disastrous. notjust for ukrainians for whole western alliance. mick, 30 seconds. for whole western alliance. mick, 30 seconds- are — for whole western alliance. mick, 30 seconds. are we _ for whole western alliance. mick, 30 seconds. are we sending _ for whole western alliance. mick, 30 seconds. are we sending british - for whole western alliance. mick, 30 seconds. are we sending british and| seconds. are we sending british and american young _ seconds. are we sending british and american young people _ seconds. are we sending british and american young people if _ seconds. are we sending british and american young people if they - seconds. are we sending british and american young people if they run l seconds. are we sending british and| american young people if they run at a man? _ american young people if they run at a man? |_ american young people if they run at a man? �* ., ~ american young people if they run at a man? �* . ,, ., a man? i didn't make that suggestion- _ a man? i didn't make that suggestion. these - a man? i didn't make that suggestion. these are - a man? i didn't make that suggestion. these are the a man? i didn't make that - suggestion. these are the tough questions- _ suggestion. these are the tough questions. it's _ suggestion. these are the tough questions. it's fine _ suggestion. these are the tough questions. it's fine to _ suggestion. these are the tough questions. it's fine to ask- questions. it's fine to ask questions _ questions. it's fine to ask questions but _ questions. it's fine to ask questions but they've - questions. it's fine to ask questions but they've got questions. it's fine to ask- questions but they've got met on questions. it's fine to ask— questions but they've got met on the ground and they need more weapons. the delay we seen from the us senate has been absolutely

disgraceful. it's been people playing domestic politics and using an international crisis. actually is an international crisis. actually is a threat to stability worldwide. hello there. it was another chilly day for the time of year pretty much everywhere, but where we had the sunshine across the north and the west of the uk, it didn't feel too bad. but it was chilly further east, where we had thicker cloud, even a few spots of rain. that's the story for the next few days. it will remain — the temperatures — below the seasonal norm, and there will be more cloud always towards eastern areas. and you can see why. this northerly arctic airflow has brought this chilly air to our shores and it's going to hang around for the next few days. high pressure sits out towards the west, hence the northerly wind. we've got low pressure developing out in the north sea. it's feeding in a lot of cloud, generally in northern and eastern areas, a few showers mixed into there as well. could even see some wintriness over the high ground, as the air is cold enough for that. but where we have clearer skies through tonight,

this is where we'll see the lowest of the temperatures, a touch of frost in places. where we have the cloud, temperatures staying above freezing. bit of a grey start, i think, wales, south—west england, certainly down the north sea coasts of both england and scotland. the cloud tends to clear in the south—west, but it continues to be fed in on that northerly breeze across eastern areas. could see a few showers. like i mentioned, they could be wintry over the higher ground. best the sunshine towards the north and the west. perhaps a cooler day a little bit tomorrow. i think for most areas, highs of 13, maybe 1a degrees. single digits on the north sea coast. as we head through wednesday night, we start to see an area of more organised showers, longer spells of rain pushing south into scotland. there will be some snow on the hills. the air is cold enough for that. elsewhere, a chilly night to come. where we've had clearer skies out west, then a touch of frost. some subtle changes, i think, as we head into thursday. we start to see two areas of low pressure beginning to encroach into our shores, so i think we'll see more cloud around generally, limited sunshine here and there, though the best of the sunshine will probably be through

the morning period. showers will get going and they will be of a wintry nature to the hills of scotland and northern england, mainly of rain, i think, across more southern parts of britain and in towards northern ireland. temperature—wise, up to 13 degrees in the south, still chilly in northern and eastern areas. and then as we push to the end of the week, friday and the weekend, it does look like low pressure will start to take over. moving up from the south, it'll bring stronger easterly winds and outbreaks of rain. what it will do is also usher in some slightly warmer air to our shores, generally across southern areas, eventually pushing northwards, but it will be turning more u nsettled. take care.

hello, i'm christian fraser. you're watching the context on bbc news. the second day of evidence in donald trump's criminal trial has ended in new york. it's been a difficult one for the former president and his lawyers. the key prosecution witness today is david pepper, the long—time publisher of the national enquirer, who has been describing a 2015 meeting with mr trump and his fixer, michael d cohen. at that meeting, mr pepper said mr cohen and mr trump had asked him what he and his magazines could do "to help the 2016 campaign" — a statement that would seem to support the prosecution's argument that the men were notjust

protecting mr trump's reputation, but aiding his campaign, as is alleged. "i would be your eyes and ears," mr pepper recalled telling them, as he described the tabloid practice of "catch and kill", by which publishers will buy the rights to a story, with the intention of burying it and never running it. with us tonight the retired district judge shira schneidlin. thank you for being here. did the prosecution, for you, set up the trail of it's evident today? t prosecution, for you, set up the trail of it's evident today? i think he did. i think— trail of it's evident today? i think he did. i think david _ trail of it's evident today? i think he did. i think david pepper's - he did. i think david pepper's testimony is effective to the case. he described a meeting that you can only describe as a conspiracy, the three of them agree and how they will keep out of the news information that they thought would harm the donald trump's electoral chances. so it is a conspiracy to commit electoral interference. to make it clear. it is not legal to

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