0k great hello, i'm christian fraser. you're watching the context on bbc news. my report finds that there are reasonable grounds to believe that the threshold indicating that israel is committing the crime of genocide against the palestinians as a group in gaza has been met. the collective punishment that was declared with the siege is indeed amounts to a war crime and needs to be dealt with as such. we have no interest - in harming gazan civilians. we are after hamas. we are after the genocidal murderers of hamas and we need our— hostages back right now. on our panel this evening — from fife, kezia dugdale, for leader of the scottish labour party and from washington, republica startegist, mike shields.

first, the latest headlines. investigators in the us city of baltimore are examining the data recorder from the ship that brought down a bridge, killing six people. inspectors are also looking at the twisted remains of the francis scott key bridge, as they try to determine how and why the incident occurred. the un high commissioner for human rights has told the bbc israel is significantly to blame for the appalling humanitarian situation in gaza. volker turk said if israel was using starvation as a weapon of war, that would be a crime. a review has found there were numerous missed opportunities, which may have prevented the death of finley boden, a ten—month—old boy — who was killed by his parents in derbyshire, a man is in hospital with life—threatening injuries after being stabbed on a train in south london. british transport police said it received reports of two men fighting while entering a train at shortlands railway station in bromley. the un high commissioner for human rights has told the bbc

israel is significantly to blame for the appalling humanitarian situation in gaza, where famine is looming. volker turk said israel had obligations as the occupying power, and was placing unreasonable demands on the delivery of aid. he's been speaking to out international editorjeremy bowen who asked him if he had evidence to back up his previous comments suggesting israel may be using starvation as a weapon of war. the reason why we said this is because of the report that was issued last monday by the independent panel of experts what do you say to them using this as a weapon of war? the reason why we said this is because of the report that was issued last monday by the independent panel of experts that identified famine as a very serious risk with starvation starting from now until the mid to mid—may. if there isn't a massive humanitarian assistance coming into gaza.

so that brings up the question with all the restrictions that we currently see, whether there is a plausible claim to be made that starvation is or may be used as a method of war. and that is a breach of the laws of war. it is effectively a war crime if proven, right? it is a proof if proven. it's a war crime indeed. looking in general at international humanitarian law in the course of this war. is there any sense in which it's been respected? are all sides breaking the rules? i mean, how would you characterise it right now? i mean, it is absolutely clear what happened on the seventh and the 8th of october by hamas and some of the other armed groups is unconscionable. these are flagrant violations of international humanitarian law and human rights law. you cannot willfully kill civilians en masse. you cannot take hostages.

you cannot commit sexual violence and rape. you cannot send indiscriminate projectiles into israel. i mean, all of these are very clear and flagrant violations of international humanitarian law and international human rights law. at the same time, the brutality of the attack by israel and the method of warfare, including the, i mean, if you look at the facts, if you have 32,000 people having been killed in within a couple of a couple of months, out of whom 70% are women and children, it begs the question of the proportionality of the response. so, yes, these are very serious issues coupled with forcible relocation, coupled with forcible displacement, coupled with the lack of humanitarian assistance coming in. so all of this combined questions, the respect to international humanitarian law on both sides.

you're saying questions. you say there is no doubt about hamas. are there any doubts about israel? i mean, you always have to prove the intent. but as i said, collective punishment, the collective punishment that was declared with the siege is indeed amounts to a war crime, and it needs to be dealt as such. jeremy also spoke to israel's minister of economy nir barkat — who gave his response to the un's accusations. nonsense, totally irresponsible thing to say. israel is accepting all the aid that the us in the world is giving to gaza, "innocent people", which a lot of it goes to extend the war. how many innocent people are in gaza in your opinion? i'm not going to quote any number. i'm basically saying that over 70% of gazans support the october seven massacre. so they are not innocent? i think people that are supporting hamas, they have a different thought, they are in enemy.

i think our friends around the world for supporting our strategic goal, and i'm telling you... but they don't like the way you are doing it, do they? that's tough. we are going to finish the war. we will do everything we can to kill the hamas terrorists and to minimise collateral damage is much as we can. i'm joined now byjeremy bowen. jeremy, some fascinating interviews. if it is a war crime, who do they hold ultimately responsible and who would ever prosecute it?— ever prosecute it? well, the last auestion ever prosecute it? well, the last question is _ ever prosecute it? well, the last question is a _ ever prosecute it? well, the last question is a very _ ever prosecute it? well, the last question is a very interesting - ever prosecute it? well, the last i question is a very interesting one. when i spoke to him he said accountability is going to be all important. i've heard that from other diplomats as well, including from security council permanent members of the last few months. the international criminal court can

prosecute individuals. the international court ofjustice which, at the moment, is dealing with those allegations of genocide, which were brought against israel by south africa. that deals with states postop it doesn't deal with hamas. in theory, individuals could be holed up in front of the international criminal court, which says has jurisdiction over what's been going on here. now, in terms of assessing whether a war crime has occurred as was said, what's important, what they have to prove, what lawyers have to prove is intent. , ., , , ., , intent. obviously, there have been revious intent. obviously, there have been previous conflicts _ intent. obviously, there have been previous conflicts like _ intent. obviously, there have been previous conflicts like this - intent. obviously, there have been previous conflicts like this were - previous conflicts like this were allegations of war crimes have been made as far as i'm aware they've never been prosecuted to the full. do you think there is a sense of impunity withinjerusalem when do you think there is a sense of impunity within jerusalem when these sort of allegations are brought

impunity withinjerusalem when these sort of allegations are brought up? because obviously people tiptoe around them. it's a very grave thing that we are talking about here, particularly in the context of israel when you consider the founding of the country was as a consequence of genocide in the europe. people do tiptoe around us when it comes to israel and israeli leadership. when it comes to israel and israeli leadership-— when it comes to israel and israeli leadershi. . �*, ., , , , leadership. that's also why because ofthe leadership. that's also why because of the circumstances _ leadership. that's also why because of the circumstances of _ leadership. that's also why because of the circumstances of the - leadership. that's also why because | of the circumstances of the founding of the circumstances of the founding of the circumstances of the founding of the state of israel, that's one reason why israelis are absolutely outraged that they have been accused of genocide because of the genocide, the holocaust that killed 6 million dues at the hands of nazi germany in world war ii. however, other people are arguing that there are strict legal definitions of these things and they need to be applied no matter what the history is. yes, there are accusations which should be made repeatedly over the years

that not necessarily, though sometimes about war crimes, but also about aspects of international law like security council resolutions that israel has been protected by its allies, especially the united states from being fully exposed to the rigors of those particular measures. in the rigors of those particular measures-— the rigors of those particular measures. , ., ., measures. in terms of the resolution that is in place. _ measures. in terms of the resolution that is in place. it — measures. in terms of the resolution that is in place, it is _ measures. in terms of the resolution that is in place, it is pretty _ that is in place, it is pretty definitive and that clearly is being ignored by both sides. what is the point of un security council resolution if it can't be enforced? well, i think that's because what it does, they would argue that it shows the will of the international community, and if necessary, it's something that can be used as a foundation for further measures, in theory, and i don't think this would happen to him i don't think the

americans would allow it through the security council, there could be in theory a move to say, well, there should be another�*s security council resolution, because the cease—fire resolution, because the cease—fire resolution was not followed by israel with some kind of section attached to it. i think we are in the grounds of hypotheses now that's unlikely to happen. have abstained and allow that measure to pass was a really very public sign and a deliberate public gesture by the americans that they were fed up with the way the israelis have been ignoring their increasingly strident advice about the way to fight the war in the way mr netanyahu responded with a very fierce denunciation of what the americans had done, the israeli prime minister, that is, and, you know,

here in israel and also among the americans, there is quite a cynical response from many critics of benjamin netanyahu saying that he is deliberately trying to fan this row with the united states for his own political reasons, because the argument goes that he wants to prolong the war to put off the day of reckoning when israelis say to him what responsibility did you have, mr netanyahu, for the security lapses that left israel vulnerable to those hamas attacks. the lapses that left israel vulnerable to those hamas attacks. the word in the last hour — to those hamas attacks. the word in the last hour is _ to those hamas attacks. the word in the last hour is the _ to those hamas attacks. the word in the last hour is the white _ to those hamas attacks. the word in the last hour is the white house - to those hamas attacks. the word in the last hour is the white house is l the last hour is the white house is trying to set up a meeting, to bring the israelis over to washington as they were supposed to this week for a discussion on rafah. there have been plenty of disagreements between israeli prime ministers and us presidents, he didn't have a particularly good relationship at times with bill clinton or indeed barack 0bama, but this feels for me quite unprecedented at the moment,

the splits that have emerged particularly between the democrats and the israeli government. there are oles and the israeli government. there are poles as _ and the israeli government. there are poles as well _ and the israeli government. there are poles as well saying _ and the israeli government. there are poles as well saying that - and the israeli government. there are poles as well saying that the l are poles as well saying that the general feeling, are poles as well saying that the generalfeeling, that are poles as well saying that the general feeling, that within the united states, there is now a majority saying they are not happy with the way at the us government has been responding to the war here and to what israel has been doing. so i think that it's because of the scale of the war. this is a massive thing that's been happening starting with the outrageous and appalling attack followed by a massive israeli vengeful response. i think that because of the outcome of the stakes are so much higher and while mr netanyahu has a long history of irritating american presidents and having various kinds of breaks with

them, the alliance they have together their two countries, israel and the united states is very firm and the united states is very firm and it will continue.— and the united states is very firm and it will continue. jeremy, good to talk to you _ and it will continue. jeremy, good to talk to you tonight. _ and it will continue. jeremy, good to talk to you tonight. thank- and it will continue. jeremy, good to talk to you tonight. thank you | to talk to you tonight. thank you very much for coming on the programme. can i pick some of that “p programme. can i pick some of that up with you. clearly with the house speaker, calling for mr netanyahu as is the senate minority leader, mitch mcconnell i read some comments from donald trump yesterday this needs to end and we need to finish this were to think american patients generally starting to wear thin with how this is going. it’s starting to wear thin with how this is anoin. fl , starting to wear thin with how this is anoin. �*, , ., starting to wear thin with how this ishoin, �*, , . is going. it's become a partisan issue and _ is going. it's become a partisan issue and president _ is going. it's become a partisan issue and president biden - is going. it's become a partisan issue and president biden is . is going. it's become a partisan i issue and president biden is trying to thread this needle of maintaining the us support for israel after they were attacked, and speaking to elements of his party's coalition

that are predisposed to be more favourable because it is an election yearfor favourable because it is an election year for him favourable because it is an election yearfor him and he has seen a loss in pulling from his base and in particular from in pulling from his base and in particularfrom important in pulling from his base and in particular from important swing states like michigan. we are his initial strength of support for israel, there is backlash to it. domestic politics in america who from precedent biden when it comes to trying to find the right place to be with forever supporting his or her on one hand and saying things that are very supportive and sending aid and then other times trying to do things to hold them back and say, wait a do things to hold them back and say, waita minute, i've do things to hold them back and say, wait a minute, i've got some people in my bass that are going to cost me an election if i go too far. so it's become, now it's become a partisan political football in the united states. �* , ., , , , states. because it some fairly stiff lan . ua . e states. because it some fairly stiff language coming _ states. because it some fairly stiff language coming this _ states. because it some fairly stiff language coming this evening. - states. because it some fairly stiff i language coming this evening. what did you make of that interview? the

onus and responsibility it puts on the shoulders of the israeli government.— the shoulders of the israeli government. the shoulders of the israeli covernment. , ., ., , government. yes, i thought it was such an interesting _ government. yes, i thought it was such an interesting interview, - government. yes, i thought it was such an interesting interview, not| such an interesting interview, not least _ such an interesting interview, not least because i think it demonstrates how isolated israel is becoming _ demonstrates how isolated israel is becoming in light of what has happened at the un earlier this week — happened at the un earlier this week as — happened at the un earlier this week. asjeremy bowen happened at the un earlier this week. as jeremy bowen described they are know. _ week. as jeremy bowen described they are know, the relationship between the united — are know, the relationship between the united states and israel is a very solid — the united states and israel is a very solid and long—standing one, but this_ very solid and long—standing one, but this is— very solid and long—standing one, but this is a — very solid and long—standing one, but this is a serious turn of events which _ but this is a serious turn of events which leads— but this is a serious turn of events which leads israel with very few international friends when it comes to the _ international friends when it comes to the practicalities of the day—to—day warfare and the issue which _ day—to—day warfare and the issue which is _ day—to—day warfare and the issue which is broken through here really is the _ which is broken through here really is the ability to get humanitarian aid in _ is the ability to get humanitarian aid in a — is the ability to get humanitarian aid in a particular food into gaza and the — aid in a particular food into gaza and the suggestion that by blocking that, they are committing genocide by starving innocent people and you saw in _ by starving innocent people and you saw in that — by starving innocent people and you saw in that interview the gentlemen say that— saw in that interview the gentlemen say that anyone who supports hamas is an enemy — say that anyone who supports hamas is an enemy. i thought that was really— is an enemy. i thought that was really quite striking. very little empathy — really quite striking. very little empathy for that view. in really quite striking. very little empathy for that view. in terms of

the resolution, _ empathy for that view. in terms of the resolution, you _ empathy for that view. in terms of the resolution, you know, - empathy for that view. in terms of the resolution, you know, i- empathy for that view. in terms of the resolution, you know, i get. empathy for that view. in terms of the resolution, you know, i get a i the resolution, you know, i get a sense listening tojohn kirby, the security adviser who's been speaking to the press this week that they are trying to walk some of it back, they are saying it is not binding, it's not legally binding, there's been no change in the position, but i think clearly there has been a change in position, hasn't there? especially when it comes to what is planned in rafah. , , ., when it comes to what is planned in rafah. , , . ., rafah. this is that needle threading that i'm talking _ rafah. this is that needle threading that i'm talking about. _ rafah. this is that needle threading that i'm talking about. they - rafah. this is that needle threading that i'm talking about. they didn't i that i'm talking about. they didn't vote no, they didn't vote yes, they abstained and they came in with a statement saying they support key elements of it. but they also weren't going to support it. it leaves them in no man's land, and quite frankly leaves it a little bit confusing, considering how un—confusing us policy normally is towards israel, especially at the united nations, so it feels unprecedented for them to be pulling back from their support and they are going to get a backlash from

republicans, conservatives and pro—israel democrats in the country for not standing stronger, but that shows you this needle that they are trying to thread, the biden administration is trying to walk through. administration is trying to walk throu~h. ., , ~ ., , administration is trying to walk throu~h. ., , ~ , through. clearly the white house is car in: through. clearly the white house is carrying water _ through. clearly the white house is carrying water for _ through. clearly the white house is carrying water for the _ through. clearly the white house is carrying water for the government i through. clearly the white house is l carrying water for the government of israel and its poisoning relations, the united states has with the global south. and also with allies in the region, so the longer it goes on, the more difficult that becomes, particularly when you start talking about the next day preparations in gaza, what comes after the war. you can see why they are trying to shift the israelis to an end game. you can, and the israelis to an end game. you can. and on _ the israelis to an end game. you can, and on the _ the israelis to an end game. you can, and on the other _ the israelis to an end game. you can, and on the other side of that, there's— can, and on the other side of that, there's people who think that america _ there's people who think that america have acted in moving from their previous position to an exemption far too late that there were _ exemption far too late that there were catts — exemption far too late that there were calls for weeks ago if not months — were calls for weeks ago if not months ago for the united states to speak— months ago for the united states to speak more loudly about the atrocities which were happening in

the middle east, in particular with regards _ the middle east, in particular with regards to— the middle east, in particular with regards to access of humanitarian aid for— regards to access of humanitarian aid for the — regards to access of humanitarian aid for the papi food, water or medical— aid for the papi food, water or medical supplies and it feels like it's taken— medical supplies and it feels like it's taken america broadly for weeks to get— it's taken america broadly for weeks to get into _ it's taken america broadly for weeks to get into this position in doing so very— to get into this position in doing so very tentatively, very softly, hacked — so very tentatively, very softly, backed more explicitly and shows you them _ backed more explicitly and shows you the... , ., the... ok, we believe that there because i— wa nt to want to talk about another political hot potato that is discussed in both our countries. that is migration. the law one of the principal reasons the uk left the european union was to take the law uropean union was to take back control of its borders. the government's prime objective right now, is to force through a bill that would make it easier to ship asylum—seekers to rwanda. there is a furious political debate about the size of net migration. it might seem counterintuitive then, to think of the uk

as a nation of immigration. and yet that is what it is. britain now has a larger share of foreign—born residents than america. one in six of its inhabitants began life in another country. it is a myth that britain is dividing into ghettos. every ethnic group has consistently become less segregated since the census started keeping track in 1991. the foreign—born population is growing fastest not in birmingham or in inner city london but in the suburbs and smallish towns. britain excels at getting foreigners up to speed economically. in the eu migrants with degrees have an employment rate ten points lower than natives with the same qualification. in britain its only a two point difference. the children of migrants score better in maths, in germany it is the other way around. just 5% told the world values survey that they would object to living next to an immigrant.neither does the country crow about the migrants it has.

this is an extraordinary piece, given the politics in the uk right now. do you feel that? do you feel anecdotally, and in the right way we give them the opportunities that they come here to see. yes. give them the opportunities that they come here to see.- give them the opportunities that they come here to see. yes, i do. and i celebrate _ they come here to see. yes, i do. and i celebrate the _ they come here to see. yes, i do. and i celebrate the story, - they come here to see. yes, i do. and i celebrate the story, i - they come here to see. yes, i do. and i celebrate the story, i think. and i celebrate the story, i think it's a _ and i celebrate the story, i think it's a fantastic set of statistics to demonstrate the great value that immigration has brought to the united — immigration has brought to the united kingdom. 0ur nhs would be on its knees _ united kingdom. 0ur nhs would be on its knees in _ united kingdom. 0ur nhs would be on its knees. in our fields and agriculture and hospitality industry, would go without picking, io industry, would go without picking, go without— industry, would go without picking, go without being served, this is a country— go without being served, this is a country that is economically very, very reliant — country that is economically very, very reliant on migrant labour, my goodness — very reliant on migrant labour, my aoodness. ., , very reliant on migrant labour, my aoodness. . , , �* goodness. that is the point, isn't it? there will _ goodness. that is the point, isn't it? there will be _ goodness. that is the point, isn't it? there will be some _ goodness. that is the point, isn't it? there will be some that - it? there will be some that don't want to hear this that the uk is an attractive proposition for migrants, but i looked simultaneously the is a

record low to keep numbers down there ministers and other departments and please don't introduce the ear because we need them. �* , ., , introduce the ear because we need them. �* , . , ., ., them. british families are having fewer children, _ them. british families are having fewer children, and _ them. british families are having fewer children, and because... i them. british families are having. fewer children, and because... on our working population it also means that we are projected to move from spending to around about 35% of our public money in scotland, because of the health needs and the demands of having some of older people that it brings, the only way, there are two ways to address that, one is a mechanism to encourage british families to have more kids, that's very much related to the cost crisis and the cost of childcare and the size of houses that we build in the united kingdom and all sorts of issues like that. the other way to do it is with migration, and that is

the incredible truth.— the incredible truth. mike, the united states _ the incredible truth. mike, the united states is _ the incredible truth. mike, the united states is always - the incredible truth. mike, the - united states is always celebrated the people who come and make a success of themselves in your country. in fact as an immigration museum in new york which gets millions of tourists every year, is it still an open country to migrants? has the crisis at the southern border changed public attitudes? ., , , ., attitudes? no, it still is, and as someone _ attitudes? no, it still is, and as someone who _ attitudes? no, it still is, and as someone who grew _ attitudes? no, it still is, and as someone who grew up - attitudes? no, it still is, and as someone who grew up in - attitudes? no, it still is, and as someone who grew up in both i attitudes? no, it still is, and as - someone who grew up in both britain and america, the values that they share _ and america, the values that they share are — and america, the values that they share are welcoming, especially when people. _ share are welcoming, especially when people. as _ share are welcoming, especially when people, as the report mentioned, assimilate — people, as the report mentioned, assimilate and become a part of the fabric— assimilate and become a part of the fabric of— assimilate and become a part of the fabric of the culture, and there is a difference between wanting, there is a reason _ a difference between wanting, there is a reason why people want to move to britain— is a reason why people want to move to britain as — is a reason why people want to move to britain as immigrants, that's because — to britain as immigrants, that's because they know when they get there _ because they know when they get there they will be welcomed and be part of— there they will be welcomed and be part of a _ there they will be welcomed and be part of a society, otherwise they would _ part of a society, otherwise they would go — part of a society, otherwise they would go elsewhere. there's a difference between doing that and saying _ difference between doing that and saying i'm going to move here and actually— saying i'm going to move here and actually reject the culture that theyjust moved into. i think that's where _ theyjust moved into. i think that's where a _ theyjust moved into. i think that's where a lot— theyjust moved into. i think that's where a lot of the debate around migration— where a lot of the debate around migration lives. in the united

states— migration lives. in the united states commits a different issue. the problem is that americans, america — the problem is that americans, america is— the problem is that americans, america is a country built on immigration that's merit—based and allows— immigration that's merit—based and allows humanitarian ways to come through— allows humanitarian ways to come through that is safe and unfortunately the biden administration of one of our borders open _ administration of one of our borders open that— administration of one of our borders open that people on terrorist watch lists are _ open that people on terrorist watch lists are coming across, human trafficking _ lists are coming across, human trafficking is coming across very poor— trafficking is coming across very poor people from central america are being _ poor people from central america are being told _ poor people from central america are being told to risk their lives i�*m being told to risk their lives i'm not being told to risk their lives i“n not disputing there's a crisis what shines through in this report for me though is that simulation can work one of the problems i know in new york where one of these migrants —— where many of these migrants are book bus to come up they cannot get jobs they cannot assimilate in that

society is that with the uk is doing society is that with the uk is doing so well? it obviously needs all these people, but it gets them into work, gets them into society much quicker. i work, gets them into society much ruicker. , ~ �* , ., quicker. i just think there's a difference — quicker. i just think there's a difference between - quicker. i just think there's a j difference between someone quicker. i just think there's a - difference between someone who is illegally coming into the country and has control of coming in matches that up with jobs and skills versus people that have come illegally and aren't going to be in some parts of america, the local governments don't want to use law enforcement to treat them as an illegal person in the country. that is dangerous and it's also not good for them. it is difficult to then integrate them into society and to have them find jobs. from a cultural perspective, americans welcome immigrants always and they assimilate. and it comes part of the political debate to say if you want to control the border and make it safe, then you are accused of being a racist who doesn't want immigrants to come into the country underjust couldn't be anything further from the current —— further from the truth. if you love

america and government immigrants you want them to come here safely in a way that is controlled. just you want them to come here safely in a way that is controlled.— a way that is controlled. just a minute left. — a way that is controlled. just a minute left, we _ a way that is controlled. just a minute left, we have - a way that is controlled. just a minute left, we have our- a way that is controlled. just a - minute left, we have our problems, we have our prejudice, we have aggressive islamism that comes in as well, and we don't particularly deal with asylum—seekers as well as we deal with economic migrants. that's largely because of the way the home office works. are the things we 0ffice works. are the things we could do better quickly? yes. office works. are the things we could do better quickly? yes, that's wh much could do better quickly? yes, that's why much of— could do better quickly? yes, that's why much of the — could do better quickly? yes, that's why much of the united _ could do better quickly? yes, that's why much of the united kingdom i why much of the united kingdom because my political debate now is based around people coming across the channel on small boats. there needs to be better safe routes for people to claim asylum so they don't have to go on unstable dinghies. we should be talking more, salvaging the role of immigration because we can continue to immigrate communities properly and benefit from all the great advantages. it is certainl a from all the great advantages. it is certainly a political debate. i don't hear a lot, that's why it stood out to me when i read it this week. we will go to a short break. 0n the other side of a break, we will get mike's views former chair of the rnc who has just been kicked

out. hello there. it's going to stay very unsettled as we head into the easter weekend. and today was certainly very mixed weather. we had some sunshine and some brief warmth of 12 degrees in eastern england before we saw that spell of rain. but it was in scotland where the rain hung around for much longer and that really kept the temperatures much lower as well. it's so very unsettled because we've got low pressure sitting close to us and this one is going to strengthen the winds into thursday. we've got this weather front here bringing rain back up from france, in across england and wales. there may even be a bit of sleet and snow over exmoor and into the cotswolds, more particularly over the hills of wales. further north, there'll be some showers for a while, but it may well turn drier and it will also get colder with a frost likely in some parts of scotland. let's head to the south of england, though, where it's going to get windy through the day on thursday, particularly so along these coastal areas, gales are likely large waves, maybe even some travel disruption as well. and together with those strengthening winds, it's going to get wetter from the south west.

this is the overnight rain, though, moving into northern england. some heavier rain again, unfortunately for northern ireland. it'll turn more showery, i think in scotland, so not as wet as today was, but we will see these showers or longer spells of rain developing more widely across england and wales as the winds pick up and that will prevent the temperatures rising too high. although nine degrees will be better in the central belt than it was today. still got low pressure around as we head into good friday. the wind is not going to be quite as strong across southern areas by this stage, but we're still in this sort of showery air stream. there will be some sunshine at times and that will give us a little bit of warmth, sufficient to trigger more showers, mind you. and these are going to be turning heavy and thundery, particularly across the western side of the uk. we've got a top temperature of 13 or iii degrees on good friday. now the really warm air, if you are travelling further afield into europe, it's going to be across eastern europe and the eastern mediterranean could make the mid 20s. for western areas of europe, we've got this cooler air and this is where it's going to be a wetter as well. with the heavier rain more likely across iberia heading into the south of france, we've got the low pressure to the west of the uk and so it's

not going to be a wash—out over the easter weekend. will feel warm when the sun is out, but the showers are never too far away, particularly in the west.

hello, i'm christian fraser. you're watching the context on bbc news. donald trump is adding bible salesman to his resume — now promoting the god bless the usa bible for the cool price of 59.99. it's nbc news has ousted former rnc chair ronna mcdaniel after intense backlash over her past rhetoric on the 2020 election. she had been hired as a political commentator. the network had forked out 300 thousand dollars to bring her on board. and those who anchor the main political shows said they were not consulted. joing us from new york, the media commentator brian stelter. brian, it is good to see you. the man who used to be there but on the