hello, i'm ben thompson. you're watching the context on bbc news. for china, if it wants to have better relations, not only with us but with countries in europe, it can't do that while at the same time helping to fuel the biggest threat to european security since the end of the cold war. beijing has not supplied moscow with any arms since the start of russia's invasion in ukraine, however, the us believes that china is supplying moscow with components that can be used for weapons. the us criticism of china being the key backer— the us criticism of china being the key backer of _ the us criticism of china being the key backer of russia _ the us criticism of china being the key backer of russia and _ the us criticism of china being the key backer of russia and its - key backer of russia and its invasion_ key backer of russia and its invasion in_ key backer of russia and its invasion in ukraine, - key backer of russia and its invasion in ukraine, this. key backer of russia and its invasion in ukraine, this is. key backer of russia and its . invasion in ukraine, this is not key backer of russia and its - invasion in ukraine, this is not a small_ invasion in ukraine, this is not a small matter. _ invasion in ukraine, this is not a small matter, and _ invasion in ukraine, this is not a small matter, and then - invasion in ukraine, this is not a small matter, and then the - invasion in ukraine, this is not al small matter, and then the other invasion in ukraine, this is not a - small matter, and then the other way around _ small matter, and then the other way around china — small matter, and then the other way around china saying _ small matter, and then the other way around china saying that _ small matter, and then the other way around china saying that it _ small matter, and then the other way around china saying that it does - small matter, and then the other way around china saying that it does not l around china saying that it does not want the _ around china saying that it does not want the us— around china saying that it does not want the us supplying _ around china saying that it does not want the us supplying weapons - around china saying that it does not want the us supplying weapons to i want the us supplying weapons to taiwan _ and in the panel, we arejoined byjournalist and author matthew syed who's in london and political strategist

shannon felton spence in charlestown, massachusetts. first — the latest headlines. the un is warning that the amount of rubble in gaza generated by israel's offensive could take fourteen years to clear. israel's offensive has damaged or destroyed the majority of the buildings in the palestinian territory, according to satellite imagery. at least 70 people are now known to have died in the floods affecting kenya and many other countries in east africa. more than a hundred people have been killed in neighbouring tanzania. buckingham palace says king charles will return to public duties next week, after starting cancer treatment 11 weeks ago. the king's medical team are said to be pleased with his progress so far. his first trip back will be a visit to a cancer treatment centre next tuesday.

we start with some developing news from the us. defence secretary lloyd austing has confirmed more military support for ukraine. it's the second instalment after a huge aid bill was approved in washington earlier this week. a new six—billion—dollar package of aid will focus on air defence. this includes interceptor missiles, anti—drone systems and artillery ammunition. what's not included are the new patriot air defence batteries, something ukrainian president volodymyr zelensky says are critical. lloyd austin spoke about the importance of the aid a little earlier. take a listen. the outcome in ukraine will determine the trajectory of our times. if vladimir putin prevails in ukraine, the security consequences will be grave and global. europe would face a security threat that it has not seen in our lifetimes.

as president biden has noted, russia will not stop in ukraine. if the kremlin gets its way, if putin's war of imperial aggression succeeds, every tyrant on earth will take note. the war in ukraine was also a topic of discussion, when us secretary of antony blinken met with china's president xi in beijing on friday. a visit that's seen as a chance to ease tense relations between the two powers. but while there was praise — there was also warning. mr blinken — america's top diplomat — accused china of helping russia to sustain its assault on ukraine by continuing to supply items to make weapons. he called on them stop — warning if china did not act — the us would. it's helping russia perpetuate its aggression against ukraine. but it's also creating a growing threat to europe because of russia's aggression.

and what i'm hearing from europeans is deep concern about this. so for china, he wants to have better relations, not only with us but with countries in europe, it can't do that while at the same time helping to fuel the biggest threat to european security since the end of the cold war. relations between washington and beijing have been strained by china's claims over taiwan and the south china sea, as well as us export bans on advanced tech. they were further damaged by a row over a spy balloon last february. and in recent days, the us passed a law that would force chinese—owned tiktok to sell the hugely popular video app or be banned in america. mr xi said the earth was �*big enough�* for both countries to achieve development and prosperity. translation: the two countries should be partners, not rivals. i

they should achieve mutual success, not harm each other. they should seek common ground while reserving differences instead of vicious competition for that they should honour their words rather than say one thing and doing another. lets talk to our panel tonight. poiiticai— lets talk to our panel tonight. political strategist _ lets talk to our panel tonight. political strategist shannon i lets talk to our panel tonight. - political strategist shannon felton in massachusetts _ political strategist shannon felton in massachusetts and _ political strategist shannon felton in massachusetts and 'ournalist and in massachusetts and journalist and author— in massachusetts and journalist and author matthew _ in massachusetts and journalist and author matthew syed. _ in massachusetts and journalist and author matthew syed. good - in massachusetts and 'ournalist and author matthew syed. good evening to ou both. author matthew syed. good evening to you both- thank— author matthew syed. good evening to you both. thank you _ author matthew syed. good evening to you both. thank you for _ author matthew syed. good evening to you both. thank you for being - author matthew syed. good evening to you both. thank you for being with - you both. thank you for being with us. matthew, there is so much to talk about here about these meetings and it strikes me that once again the meeting of the world's two largest economies, and all we hear about are their differences and not areas of cooperation. that you are really far apart, even though as we head there, xijinping saying really far apart, even though as we head there, xi jinping saying the world is big enough or both of us. it is about time that the west recognised the threat of china, which has been moving in a mortar totalitarian direction under the

president. and to recognise a growing alliance between china, russia, iran, north korea, the autocratic axis, china is buying gas from russia, funding its military expenditure, and it is a brutal and horrific war taking place in europe with prisoners being mutilated, women raped, children abducted, so it is perfectly true that america and china need to coexist. the trading relationship is very profoundly integrated. but i think it is a good thing that the west recognises the direct threat to the freedom of the liberal democratic world, and i am glad to see that the rhetoric is stronger, the funding is coming, europe has been rather delinquent on defence expenditure for much of the last 50 years, we have been called out by the americans again and again, we are slowly beginning to step up but i think a reality check was required and i hope very much that it is

finally registering.— and i hope very much that it is finally registering. shannon, an interesting _ finally registering. shannon, an interesting point, _ finally registering. shannon, an interesting point, as— finally registering. shannon, an interesting point, as antony - finally registering. shannon, an - interesting point, as antony blinken was saying he says that china is helping to fuel the biggest threat to european security, particularly when it comes to supplying those pads for weapons that are being used by russia in ukraine. he says washington will act if china does not stop supplying them. he does not say what that action would be though. what might we expect that action to look like?— action to look like? listen, while i auree action to look like? listen, while i agree with — action to look like? listen, while i agree with everything _ action to look like? listen, while i agree with everything that - action to look like? listen, while i agree with everything that has - action to look like? listen, while i| agree with everything that hasjust agree with everything that has just been said i think this is a bit of a good new story because last year it would be unimaginable to have the secretary of state gone to china twice in a year, are the treasury secretary who has gone four times in the past several months. this is a huge improvement in conversations and diplomacy amongst these two giant rivals. the state department says it is to manage competition so that we mitigate any risk of miscalculation or conflict, but the

fact that they can even visit each other, the president and xijinping have been on the phone many times in recent months, these conversations are good news for the world. now, where that will go, listen, these ads still tough visits and conversations but the fact that they can sit down in one room together is a huge improvement and i view that is a good news story. can a huge improvement and i view that is a good news story.— is a good news story. can be us really turn _ is a good news story. can be us really turn on — is a good news story. can be us really turn up in _ is a good news story. can be us really turn up in china _ is a good news story. can be us really turn up in china and - is a good news story. can be us really turn up in china and say l is a good news story. can be us i really turn up in china and say that we want to work with you, be collaborative, you have to do all of these things but at the same time we are going to ban your tech exports, your apps, are going to ban your tech exports, yourapps, your are going to ban your tech exports, your apps, your actions in the south china sea, the us is demanding a lot and china might rightly turn around and china might rightly turn around and say, hang on, search ourselves out before you come at us. it is and say, hang on, search ourselves out before you come at us.- out before you come at us. it is a very tricky _ out before you come at us. it is a very tricky situation _ out before you come at us. it is a very tricky situation and - out before you come at us. it is a very tricky situation and there i out before you come at us. it is a| very tricky situation and there are lots of needles to thread. i agree that there are several things that happen this week right as the state, excuse me, the secretary of state visit was queued up. it sort of made his trip much tougher. the tiktok ban being one of them. this was probably the most bipartisan thing

that passed the house in the last year. it was almost unanimous. it was very widely viewed as a national security threat to have the social media app owned by the chinese. that is not the warmest signal in these diplomatic conversations, but what i will say is that we have an excellent ambassador in nick burns representing the us and making these headway is in china. and the fact that these conversations are even happening, iam that these conversations are even happening, i am telling you, it is a past improvement from last year. matthew, interesting when you look at what xi jinping is saying, he says the country should be brightness and are not rivals and if the us took a positive view then relations could stabilise and get better and move forward. but is there will be big enough for two huge superpowers that are trying to exert a lot of dominance, a lot of influence, notjust in their own countries but around the world? ball well, you are right about the influence around the world. china has been more strategically intelligent has been more strategically intelligen—

has been more strategically intelliuren _, , ., intelligent when it comes to the ener: intelligent when it comes to the energy transition. _ intelligent when it comes to the energy transition. they - intelligent when it comes to the l energy transition. they dominate intelligent when it comes to the i energy transition. they dominate the mining _ energy transition. they dominate the mining and _ energy transition. they dominate the mining and processing of the rare earth _ mining and processing of the rare earth elements and minerals that are going _ earth elements and minerals that are going to _ earth elements and minerals that are going to be _ earth elements and minerals that are going to be absolutely central to building — going to be absolutely central to building out a critical infrastructure of renewables. america _ infrastructure of renewables. america sold its last cobalt mine and has — america sold its last cobalt mine and has been, i think, america sold its last cobalt mine and has been, ithink, very america sold its last cobalt mine and has been, i think, very unwise in the _ and has been, i think, very unwise in the way— and has been, i think, very unwise in the way that it thinks about this, — in the way that it thinks about this, until— in the way that it thinks about this, untilat in the way that it thinks about this, until at least the signing of the inflation reduction act which has closed some of the gap. we have to look— has closed some of the gap. we have to look at— has closed some of the gap. we have to look at the wider context. china has set _ to look at the wider context. china has set many things at the last 20 or 30 _ has set many things at the last 20 or 30 years — has set many things at the last 20 or 30 years since the economic growth — or 30 years since the economic growth was unleashed by the former president _ growth was unleashed by the former president. but it has serially violated _ president. but it has serially violated its trade agreements, stolen — violated its trade agreements, stolen intellectual property, almost all of the _ stolen intellectual property, almost all of the undertakings of xi jinping _ all of the undertakings of xi jinping have been again violated, there _ jinping have been again violated, there is— jinping have been again violated, there is a — jinping have been again violated, there is a genocide taking place in china, _ there is a genocide taking place in china, the — there is a genocide taking place in china, the building of a surveillance state, so the west has to be _ surveillance state, so the west has to be clear — surveillance state, so the west has to be clear eyed. this is an autocratic— to be clear eyed. this is an autocratic and increasingly totalitarian government that has no

democratic checks on its power. it is showing — democratic checks on its power. it is showing aggression in the south of china _ is showing aggression in the south of china sea and says that it has de facto _ of china sea and says that it has de facto ownership over taiwan and is menacing — facto ownership over taiwan and is menacing that as well which is very important — menacing that as well which is very important for silicon chips. so, yes, _ important for silicon chips. so, yes, we — important for silicon chips. so, yes, we have to cooperate where we need _ yes, we have to cooperate where we need to _ yes, we have to cooperate where we need to cooperate, but at the same time we _ need to cooperate, but at the same time we have to be very sensible in understanding the risks, and i think america _ understanding the risks, and i think america has— understanding the risks, and i think america has been all over the place in its _ america has been all over the place in its foreign policy towards china, since _ in its foreign policy towards china, since the — in its foreign policy towards china, since the masterminding of henry kissinger — since the masterminding of henry kissinger. there was a wake up and i am glad _ kissinger. there was a wake up and i am glad to— kissinger. there was a wake up and i am glad to see democrats equally hawkish — am glad to see democrats equally hawkish. . ._ am glad to see democrats equally hawkish. ,, ._ , ,., am glad to see democrats equally hawkish. ,, , ., hawkish. stay with us, both, for now. i hawkish. stay with us, both, for new i want _ hawkish. stay with us, both, for now. i want to _ hawkish. stay with us, both, for now. i want to talk _ hawkish. stay with us, both, for now. i want to talk about i hawkish. stay with us, both, for. now. i want to talk about another day of political chaos in scotland today. first minister, humza yousaf, continues to fight for his political future. mr yousaf says he will not resign from the position — despite facing a no—confidence vote at holyrood next week. yesterday he terminated a coalition with the scottish greens — saying he was prepared to lead a minority snp administration. the greens have said

they will vote against him. speaking in dundee, mr yousaf said his plan was in the best interest of scotland. matthew, what is going on here? that is a very difficult question to and is a very difficult question to and is coherently. i am speaking to you from _ is coherently. i am speaking to you from south—west london and i don't know— from south—west london and i don't know about — from south—west london and i don't know about you but i remember quite vividly _ know about you but i remember quite vividly during the pandemic that nicola _ vividly during the pandemic that nicola sturgeon, the first minister in the _ nicola sturgeon, the first minister in the snp, were held up as an archetype _ in the snp, were held up as an archetype of rational discursive administration that boris johnson and the _ administration that boris johnson and the london westminster government could do well to learn from _ government could do well to learn from. since then it has been a rolling — from. since then it has been a rolling disaster. embezzlement, arrests. — rolling disaster. embezzlement, arrests, the breakdown of the confidence and supply agreement between — confidence and supply agreement between the snp and the green party, all sorts— between the snp and the green party, all sorts of— between the snp and the green party, all sorts of other turbulence. i find _ all sorts of other turbulence. i find it— all sorts of other turbulence. i find it quite difficult to analyse and deconstruct what seems certain

is the _ and deconstruct what seems certain is the snp _ and deconstruct what seems certain is the snp are heading for some kind of electoral— is the snp are heading for some kind of electoral disaster and it has been — of electoral disaster and it has been one _ of electoral disaster and it has been one of the most dramatic and dizzying _ been one of the most dramatic and dizzying turnarounds in modern poiiticai — dizzying turnarounds in modern political history. it dizzying turnarounds in modern political history.— political history. it will be interesting _ political history. it will be interesting to _ political history. it will be interesting to see - political history. it will be interesting to see how. political history. it will be l interesting to see how this political history. it will be i interesting to see how this plays out. we will keep across every twist and turn. it really does feel pretty messy right now. thank you both for now. around the world and across the uk, you are watching bbc news.

joe biden has said he will debate donald trump ahead of this year's presidential election. it's the clearest declaration yet of his willingness to debate face—to—face with his republican rival before voters cast ballots in november. it's worth noting that when previously asked, mr biden said a debate depended on how his rival behaved. mr trump hasn't yet responded — he's been spending the day in court in new york, as his hush money trial continues. the prosecution is continuing

to outline its case that mr trump falsified business records to cover up a payment to the adult film star, stormy daniels, in the run up to the 2016 election. here's mr trump arriving at the court today. i think yesterday went very well in this courthouse, it should be over. the case is over. if you heard what was said, the case should be over. but you will have to make that determination and i think we have a judge who will never allow this case to be over in a positive way. he is highly conflicted, the most highly conflicted judge i have ever seen, and yesterday i think in the supreme court, it had to do with immunity. i heard the argument, it was brilliant. i listened to it last night and i thought it was really brilliant. i thought that the judge's questions were great, and all presidents have to have immunity. this has nothing to do with me.

0ur north america correspondent nada tawfik is following developments from new york. you have been at the court all week, what is your assessment about whether we have really learned anything new in this first week of the prosecution, laying out its case? , ., . case? yes, look, we today had the first chance _ case? yes, look, we today had the first chance where _ case? yes, look, we today had the first chance where the _ case? yes, look, we today had the first chance where the defence i case? yes, look, we today had the first chance where the defence gotj first chance where the defence got to cross examine one of i would say the key witnesses, the former publisher of the national enquirer. someone who, for the prosecution, has really laid the groundwork for what they say is this criminal conspiracy, this alleged plan to catch and kill stories and basically suppress them from the boating public. and david packer was very clear in his testimony that this whole arrangement was to the benefit of the trump campaign. the defence tried to get him under cross examination to say that this was a

really for his business. this was a business decision to publish or not publish the stories and in fact even cooperating with prosecutors was a business decision because he was in the middle of a media acquisition deal i don't want that threatened by a possible indictment. but david packer, just on redirect from the prosecution said, i have been telling the truth, this was about the campaign. the defence not really able to make much ground in hurting that narrative that the prosecution has put out there. in that narrative that the prosecution has put out there.— has put out there. in court, mr trump has _ has put out there. in court, mr trump has been _ has put out there. in court, mr trump has been pretty - has put out there. in court, mr trump has been pretty quiet i has put out there. in court, mrj trump has been pretty quiet at has put out there. in court, mr i trump has been pretty quiet at some points reports were suggesting he was taking a little sleep. but outside court, very bullish, speaking to his supporters outside of court and saying all of this is politically motivated, simply designed to keep him off the campaign trail ahead of elections in november. , ., , campaign trail ahead of elections in november. , . , ., november. yes, that is right and we, really because _ november. yes, that is right and we, really because he _ november. yes, that is right and we, really because he has _ november. yes, that is right and we, really because he has been _ november. yes, that is right and we, really because he has been in - november. yes, that is right and we, really because he has been in court i really because he has been in court all day long, it has been those

moments in front of the cameras assembled outside the courtroom where we do get to hear his latest thoughts on the campaign. and of course on his social media posts. today he again attacked the judge outside of the courtroom saying that he thought this case was going well but it was all a witchhunt. then he actually addressed in social media president biden saying he would be willing to debate. he says that he would do it even next week in new york. he would do it anywhere, anytime, anyplace. certainly interesting there from donald trump. we know of course that us media outlets have been trying to get the two to put a date on the calendar, saying that it is an american tradition and needs to be carried on. ., tradition and needs to be carried on, ., ., tradition and needs to be carried on. ., ., ., ~ i. tradition and needs to be carried on. for now, thank you. i know you will keep us — on. for now, thank you. i know you will keep us up-to-date _ on. for now, thank you. i know you will keep us up-to-date as - on. for now, thank you. i know you will keep us up-to-date as this i on. for now, thank you. i know you | will keep us up-to-date as this case will keep us up—to—date as this case continues. let's talk to the panel. shannon, what do you make of the behaviour of mr trump this week? i

was saying that at some points he looks sleepily, long days in a hot courtroom, but outside he is using it as much as he can to his advantage, isn't he? he absolutely is usin: it advantage, isn't he? he absolutely is using it to _ advantage, isn't he? he absolutely is using it to his _ advantage, isn't he? he absolutely is using it to his advantage - advantage, isn't he? he absolutely is using it to his advantage but i advantage, isn't he? he absolutely is using it to his advantage but he. is using it to his advantage but he is using it to his advantage but he is also low energy. his men sort of bullish nature has not been coming out in those snippets in and out of the courtroom. he looks tired, i don't think it is just from sitting in the courtroom, i think this is a big deal. he is a man who is very bolstered by when there is a lot of energy and they are chanting his name, and those crowds are just not outside of that courtroom, this is new york city and he is not the most beloved figure there. he is not getting to draw those big crowds that are cheering him on when he is walking in and out of the courtroom. this is a different donald trump and we have seen, we know from the campaign that he is trying to run a more disciplined campaign and a more disciplined and subdued messaging which sometimes works for him and sometimes does not, but my thoughts

on him is that this is a man who is sort of under siege and is notjust tired because he is not having 12 diet coke spot is tired because this is an uphill battle that he is fighting. is an uphill battle that he is fiuuhtin. ., ., ., fighting. you say are more disciplined _ fighting. you say are more disciplined campaign, i fighting. you say are more| disciplined campaign, what fighting. you say are more i disciplined campaign, what does fighting. you say are more _ disciplined campaign, what does that look like, what do we take that to mean? , ~ , ., mean? yes, i think the prevailing theo for mean? yes, i think the prevailing theory for how — mean? yes, i think the prevailing theory for how he _ mean? yes, i think the prevailing theory for how he could _ mean? yes, i think the prevailing theory for how he could win i mean? yes, i think the prevailing theory for how he could win in i mean? yes, i think the prevailing i theory for how he could win in 2016, nobody thought he was going to win, was just unleashing and let him be himself, that really worked. but because the calculus between two candidates are so tight and you talk about a debate between the two candidates, it is not actually really necessary because there is nobody in america that does not know exactly how they feel about donald trump or exactly how they feel about joe biden. we don't need a debate, there is no daylight between policies and we just don't need to see what those differences are on stage. this comes down to a man who isjust trying to, stage. this comes down to a man who is just trying to, he can't lose any support, he needs to gain support,

and anywhere that he is going to be able to cobble that together on margins that are this tide, he is trying to do that by appearing more presidential, perhaps, then he was in 2016. n, presidential, perhaps, then he was in 2016. ~ ., ., in 2016. matthew, we know that donald trump — in 2016. matthew, we know that donald trump does _ in 2016. matthew, we know that donald trump does not - in 2016. matthew, we know that donald trump does not like i in 2016. matthew, we know that. donald trump does not like being told what to do but he is being compelled to be at court every day for the trial this week. and what also feels pretty ironic about all of this, and of course we don't know the outcome of this case yet, but paying the actual hush money is not illegal, it is how it was recorded in the books of the business. we could find that he gets done on a technicality on a bit of book—keeping. technicality on a bit of book-keeping.- technicality on a bit of book-keeping. technicality on a bit of book-keeinu. . , ., ., , book-keeping. that is what worries me about this _ book-keeping. that is what worries me about this case. _ book-keeping. that is what worries me about this case. personally i i me about this case. personally i think— me about this case. personally i think trump is the worst president in us— think trump is the worst president in us history and that is notjust for policies, i think some of the policies — for policies, i think some of the policies were very sensible, but the way he _ policies were very sensible, but the way he violated the social tacit norms — way he violated the social tacit norms and institutional conventions and due _ norms and institutional conventions and due process. a very important, the invisible — and due process. a very important, the invisible struts of a democratic system~ _ the invisible struts of a democratic system he —

the invisible struts of a democratic system. he attempted to thwart the peaceful— system. he attempted to thwart the peaceful transfer of power, but i think— peaceful transfer of power, but i think the — peaceful transfer of power, but i think the democrats have reacted to this by— think the democrats have reacted to this by themselves engaging in violence — this by themselves engaging in violence towards the norms and the obligations that i think they owe to the other— obligations that i think they owe to the other side. gerrymandering has become _ the other side. gerrymandering has become common on both sides, the ringing _ become common on both sides, the ringing of— become common on both sides, the ringing of districts. certain types of corruption. i think trump played fast and _ of corruption. i think trump played fast and loose with the judicial system — fast and loose with the judicial system but i think some of the indictments clearly have credibility indictments clearly have credibility in court _ indictments clearly have credibility in court but this particular one had the feet— in court but this particular one had the feet to — in court but this particular one had the feel to me of not seeing her crying _ the feel to me of not seeing her crying and — the feel to me of not seeing her crying and thinking how are we going to prosecute the villain, but we think— to prosecute the villain, but we think that — to prosecute the villain, but we think that trump is a villain and how— think that trump is a villain and how can — think that trump is a villain and how can we _ think that trump is a villain and how can we find a crime to pin on him? _ how can we find a crime to pin on him? if— how can we find a crime to pin on him? if that — how can we find a crime to pin on him? if that becomes part of the modus _ him? if that becomes part of the modus operandi of american politics, democracy— modus operandi of american politics, democracy will end.— democracy will end. interesting take on it, democracy will end. interesting take on it. matthew _ democracy will end. interesting take on it, matthew. thank _ democracy will end. interesting take on it, matthew. thank you _ democracy will end. interesting take on it, matthew. thank you to - democracy will end. interesting take on it, matthew. thank you to you i on it, matthew. thank you to you both for now. in the last couple of hours it has been announced that king charles is to return to some public facing duties.

public facing duties — his first since it was revealed that he'd been diagnosed with cancer, in early february. this photo of the king and queen camilla has been released tonight, taken the day after their 19th wedding anniversary. next week they will make a joint visit to a cancer treatment centre. buckingham palace said doctors had been very encouraged by his progress so far — and remain positive about the continued recovery. we talked at length about that diagnosis when it was first announced. what pick—up is it getting in the us right now, people talking about this? i get getting in the us right now, people talking about this?— talking about this? i get booked by american media _ talking about this? i get booked by american media all— talking about this? i get booked by american media all of— talking about this? i get booked by american media all of the - talking about this? i get booked by american media all of the time i talking about this? i get booked by american media all of the time to l american media all of the time to talk about the royal family. it is a fascination of the royal family for americans. it is very high. there is an appetite to know what is going on. this past 100 days has obviously just been absolutely crazy across social media but also across american networks. the news of the princess of wales in particular really drove the conversation for several weeks, really drove the conversation for severalweeks, but

really drove the conversation for several weeks, but i think the king... i am glad that this is happening, he is returning to public duties, i am happening, he is returning to public duties, iam hoping happening, he is returning to public duties, i am hoping that he feels better. from a communications perspective it is exactly how he should be returning to public duties. visiting cancer centres with his beautiful lovely photograph. i hope that both he and the princess of wales use this as a point of advocacy and education for the millions of americans and brits and worldwide people that are facing similar situations like this for themselves for their families. but! themselves for their families. and we certainly _ themselves for their families. and we certainly saw _ themselves for their families. and we certainly saw that with of those announcements. matthew, the point that we will all look at really closely here is the palace saying that doctors remain positive about the king's continued recovery. that is the important point from hereon in, isn't it? it is the important point from hereon in, isn't it?— in, isn't it? it is. iam an unapologetic _ in, isn't it? it is. iam an unapologetic monarchistj in, isn't it? it is. i am an- unapologetic monarchist and i in, isn't it? it is. i am an— unapologetic monarchist and i know that it _ unapologetic monarchist and i know that it is _ unapologetic monarchist and i know that it is slightly irrational but by and — that it is slightly irrational but by and large it is a unifying institution and i am so glad that the king — institution and i am so glad that the king is feeling better. ithink

the king is feeling better. ithink the princess of wales is a huge asset— the princess of wales is a huge asset to — the princess of wales is a huge asset to britain. i actually... this is maybe — asset to britain. i actually... this is maybe too— asset to britain. i actually... this is maybe too long a story but i bumped — is maybe too long a story but i bumped into a completely randomly on a train _ bumped into a completely randomly on a train with— bumped into a completely randomly on a train with my son and she did not know— a train with my son and she did not know that — a train with my son and she did not know that i — a train with my son and she did not know that i was a journalist and she wasjust_ know that i was a journalist and she wasjust so— know that i was a journalist and she wasjust so kind and nice to my son. my son— wasjust so kind and nice to my son. my son did — wasjust so kind and nice to my son. my son did not have a clue who she was and _ my son did not have a clue who she was and that seem to be indicative of a character that hasjust, according _ of a character that hasjust, according to everyone who meets her, so good _ according to everyone who meets her, so good and _ according to everyone who meets her, so good and so decent. i wish you well, _ so good and so decent. i wish you well, too — so good and so decent. i wish you well, too i— so good and so decent. i wish you well, too. , so good and so decent. i wish you well, too-— so good and so decent. i wish you well, too. , , ., , well, too. i remember you telling us the sto , well, too. i remember you telling us the story. did _ well, too. i remember you telling us the story. did you — well, too. i remember you telling us the story, did you come _ well, too. i remember you telling us the story, did you come out - well, too. i remember you telling us the story, did you come out of- well, too. i remember you telling us the story, did you come out of the l the story, did you come out of the loop on the train and she was talking to your son and you suddenly realise that she was there having a great conversation. really good to talk to you both. we will talk to you more in a little while. plenty of headlines coming up as we continue the programme here on bbc news. we will see you shortly.

hello there. one thing that's been in quite short supply this month is sunshine. so i'm sure these sunny skies that we have through friday morning would have been welcomed. but it was a cold start for some. cumbria had temperatures down as low as minus six degrees celsius. and through the afternoon, we did see quite a few showers develop, as you can see here on the afternoon radar picture. some of those showers worked into cornwall. you can see quite big thunderclouds here on the horizon of helston. now, during this evening and overnight, we got outbreaks of rain moving into southern england, perhaps reaching the far south of wales. a few showers for northern scotland, but otherwise the day showers will melt away. clear skies for scotland, northern ireland and northern england will allow another widespread and sharp frost. in the south, it's frost free because we've got that cloud and rain moving in. and this weekend we are going to see this area of low pressure move up from spain, bringing with it some quite heavy rain for a time. now, on saturday, we'll get some rain pushing into southern england early in the morning, reaching across parts of wales into the midlands and east anglia.

as that moves in, there'll be a chilly northeasterly wind, perhaps a few heavy showers into southern england into the afternoon. for northern ireland, northern england and scotland, after a cold and frosty start, there'll be some sunshine, but showers will be around into the afternoon and it's going to be another chilly day — temperatures 10—13 degrees. for sunday, our area of low pressure moves in from spain, bringing rain across quite large areas of england, working into east and scotland. west is best. that's where we'll see the driest weather. not completely dry, though. it will be a day of sunshine and showers out west — temperatures 10—13 degrees. so it's another chilly day. but this is the last of the chilly days. as we head into next week, we're going to see temperatures rise as much milder air gets pulled in from europe. but with low pressures around about the uk, it's not exactly going to be a dry forecast. on monday, we start to see some of that milder air arrive on these southerly winds. outbreaks of rain, though, pretty extensive, probably the wettest

weather for northern ireland, probably south western parts of england and wales seeing rain, eastern areas this time seeing the driest weather. but these temperatures are rising and climbing back to average for this time of the year, and that warming trend continues into next week. in the warmest spots, we could see temperatures reach the high teens or even low 20s, but there will be some showers or outbreaks of rain around as well. bye for now.

hello, i'm christian fraser. you're watching the context on bbc news. thejohn lewis group publishes questions for alljob levels on its website, in an attempt to make the process fairer. applying for a newjob can be a stressful time — afterfinding a vacancy and preparing an application, the interview process can add another layer of anxiety. so what if some of that could be removed? john lewis supermarkets says it'll now show applicants the questions they're likely to be asked ahead of any interview they take, in an attempt to make the process fairer. the department and supermarket chain has published questions for alljob levels — from customer assistants to directors — on its website in an attempt to make the process fairer, widening the recruitment pool.

i'm joined by tab ahmed, the founder and ceo of employability —