joining me tonight are susan page, usa today washington bureau chief, and kim darroch, former uk ambassador to the us and eu. first, the latest headlines... iran is holding five days of mourning for president ebrahim raisi, who was killed in a helicopter crash. the wreckage was located overnight in mountainous terrain. the country's foreign minister was also killed. iranian media has reported that the head of the army has ordered an investigation into the crash. an inquiry into an infected blood scandal in britain has concluded that victims were failed repeatedly by the health service and successive governments. more than 30,000 people

were infected with hepatitis c and hiv after being given contaminated blood products and transfusions between the 1970s and �*90s. the high court in london has, at least for now, blocked the extradition of the wikileaks founder, julian assange, to the united states. it granted him permission to appeal against the order that he should stand trial for leaking military secrets that endangered lives. donald trump's one—time lawyer is today finishing his testimony at the former president's hush money trial in new york. michael cohen has been a witness for the prosecutors, who hope to establish that mr trump knew about the payments to buy the silence of the adult film star stormy daniels and efforts to cover them up. good evening. the chief prosecutor for the international criminal court, karim khan, is seeking arrest warrants for benjamin netanyahu and yahya sinwar, the hamas leader, on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity. he is also issued separate warrants for yoav gallant,

the israeli defence minister, and two other top hamas leaders. the decision ultimately will rest with the court pre trial chamber, a panel ofjudges that will decide in the coming months, whether there is enough evidence to support warrants. notably, his list does not include any israel defense forces officials, for now. the warrants are focused solely on the political decision makers. the charges he is seeking against mr netanyahu and mr gallant include "starvation" used as a "method of war" against civilians and wilful killing — intentionally directing attacks against a civilian population as a war crime. the arrest warrants for three leaders of hamas include charges of murder, on october 7th, the taking of hostages, mr khan said he was acting on the recommendation of an expert panel who had looked at the evidence gathered. let's take a listen to what the prosecutor had to say. | translation: it's alleged that these i crimes were committed in the context

of the ongoing armed conflict and as part of a widespread and systematic attack against the civilian population of gaza pursuant to a state policy. unfortunately, these crimes continue to this day. my office submits that these individuals, through a common plan, have systematically deprived the civilian population of gaza of objects indispensable to human survival. the arrest warrants for three leaders of hamas include charges of murder, on october 7th, the taking of hostages, rape and other acts of sexual violence used as crimes against humanity, and also as war crimes in the context of captivity. and in the last hour, the israeli prime minister released a video statement.

the outrageous decision by the icc prosecutor karim khan to seek arrest warrants against the democratically elected leaders of israel is a moral outrage of historic proportions. it will cast an everlasting mark of shame on the international court. israel is waging a just war against hamas, a genocidal terrorist organization that perpetrated the worst attack on the jewish people since the holocaust. just for clarity i should remind you the icc, the international criminal court, is nothing to do with the icj, the international court ofjustice, even though they both sit in the hague. the icj is part of the un, it's a civil court, it is there to resolve disputes between states. that is the one hearing the south african genocide case against israel. the icc, quite separately, is a criminal court with jurisdiction over individuals in states that have ratified the rome statute which established it. great to have you on the great to have you on the programme, great to have you on the programme, susan. can we talk about the statement the secretary blinken gave today saying, he will do nothing to help and it could jeopardise ongoing efforts to reach a cease—fire agreement that would get hostages

out and search humanitarian assistance in. we have heard from guests in the last hour who said two things about that, one is that they think that karim con has pressed these warrants not because the situation on the ground is not getting any better and that undermines that argument. the second is we have heard from our correspondent who said that it is always difficult to find a balance between the legal side in the search for peace and this is always been a problem with the icc, i wonder what you make of that. fit problem with the icc, i wonder what you make of that.— you make of that. of course great concern in — you make of that. of course great concern in the _ you make of that. of course great concern in the united _ you make of that. of course great concern in the united states - you make of that. of course great concern in the united states but l concern in the united states but what is happening in gaza and to sympathy and outrage for what is happening to palestinians there, the palestinian civilians. but the icc has managed to do something that has been difficult in recent days which is getting the us government directly behind netanyahu. president biden has become increasingly critical of netanyahu has he has been unyielding in the prosecution in this war but he put out a

statement today: using the same words that netanyahu would use calling it outrages to bring these arrest warrants against the is involved the statement did not mention hamas warrants with arrest warrants against them. i think the us believes this makes things tougher, it has been hard enough to get israel to compromise as it takes steps that make it more likely for it to come to a cease—fire, and release hostages that are still alive. and that this is a complication. it also, by the way, helps undermine support for the icc and congress will stop the us is not and congress will stop the us is not a member of the icc and you heard an enormous criticism of this action today on capitol hill. this enormous criticism of this action today on capitol hill.— today on capitol hill. this is the real issue. _ today on capitol hill. this is the real issue, kim, _ today on capitol hill. this is the real issue, kim, that _ today on capitol hill. this is the real issue, kim, that there - today on capitol hill. this is the real issue, kim, that there is i today on capitol hill. this is the | real issue, kim, that there is an enormous political pressure right now on the icc and when you look at

the allies that israel has in the west, obviously the united states is not a signatory to the icc but the uk definitely is. downing street said today that this will do nothing to help reach a pause in the fighting, but there has been a row in the comments this evening because the shadow foreign secretary david lammy has questioned whether they should be undermining what he called, a cornerstone of the international legal system. it is going to put the british government in a tight spot at these warrants are upheld. it in a tight spot at these warrants are upheld-— are upheld. it absolutely is. remember. _ are upheld. it absolutely is. remember, far _ are upheld. it absolutely is. remember, far from - are upheld. it absolutely is. l remember, far from ducking are upheld. it absolutely is. - remember, far from ducking out of support— remember, far from ducking out of surmort for— remember, far from ducking out of support for the icc, we were strong permits _ support for the icc, we were strong permits of— support for the icc, we were strong permits of it when it was setup. it has suited — permits of it when it was setup. it has suited us quite well for example when _ has suited us quite well for example when it— has suited us quite well for example when it was— has suited us quite well for example when it was going after some of the leaders _ when it was going after some of the leaders in _ when it was going after some of the leaders in serbia and croatia during the wars _ leaders in serbia and croatia during the wars in — leaders in serbia and croatia during the wars in the balkans in the 1990s— the wars in the balkans in the i990s~ 50— the wars in the balkans in the 19905. so at that time we were all

behind _ 19905. so at that time we were all behind it — 19905. so at that time we were all behind it. but it was inevitable at some _ behind it. but it was inevitable at some point that the icc would do something that did not suit us. understand, completely white number ten i5 understand, completely white number ten is saying that this is unhelpful. it is unhelpful in terms of the _ unhelpful. it is unhelpful in terms of the timing. if there is still a potential— of the timing. if there is still a potential for a cease—fire and some exchange _ potential for a cease—fire and some exchange of hostages going on. but it has— exchange of hostages going on. but it has been— exchange of hostages going on. but it has been coming, this kind of thing _ it has been coming, this kind of thing. there is a lot of people in the international legal community, notiust_ the international legal community, notjust british the international legal community, not just british lawyers, the international legal community, notjust british lawyers, but other respected — notjust british lawyers, but other respected international lawyers who had been _ respected international lawyers who had been election that both sides of the work— had been election that both sides of the work committee in gaza. —— war crimes— the work committee in gaza. —— war crimes committed in gaza. this has been _ crimes committed in gaza. this has been written in the stars. let crimes committed in gaza. this has been written in the stars.— been written in the stars. let me ut u- been written in the stars. let me put up the _ been written in the stars. let me put up the conservative - been written in the stars. let me put up the conservative writer . been written in the stars. let me put up the conservative writer on j put up the conservative writer on twitter weighing in of israel saying...

which is, to what you were speaking aboutjust now, susan. is the support, the quick support that came from the secretary of state and the president today political in an election year?— election year? everything is olitical election year? everything is political in _ election year? everything is political in an _ election year? everything is political in an election - election year? everything is political in an election year. election year? everything is. political in an election year. i don't think that is the question. here is what struck me today and the reaction on capitol hill, a cam not only from conservative republicans who have long not supported the icc, it came from some democrats as well who are among the strong supporters, john federman for example the senatorfrom pennsylvania. that is john federman for example the senator from pennsylvania. that is a warning flag for supporters of the international criminal court. for what might be ahead. the united states, is not a signatory to the icc, so it's not like something can be done about that, but they could be done about that, but they could be us sanctions against icc officials or other steps taken that

would lead us to controversies that do nothing to help solve or ease the situation we see happening in israel and gaza. just situation we see happening in israel and gaza. , , , ., and gaza. just in terms of the timin: , and gaza. just in terms of the timing. and — and gaza. just in terms of the timing, and it _ and gaza. just in terms of the timing, and it does _ and gaza. just in terms of the timing, and it does occur- and gaza. just in terms of the timing, and it does occur to i and gaza. just in terms of the i timing, and it does occur to me and gaza. just in terms of the - timing, and it does occur to me that over recent days, we have had forthright statements from gallant and penny gantz, the opposition leader who sit in the war cabinet saying that they want a clear plan as how this comes to an end and in some ways, putting direct pressure on prime minister netanyahu but now you have this interference, if you will put it that way, from the icc which brings everyone back together again and i wonder if it strengthens netanyahu's handed within the work cabinet as a result. i netanyahu's handed within the work cabinet as a result.— cabinet as a result. i rather think it does. cabinet as a result. i rather think it does- -- _ cabinet as a result. i rather think it does- -- war— cabinet as a result. i rather think it does. -- war cabinet. - cabinet as a result. i rather think it does. -- war cabinet. it - cabinet as a result. i rather think it does. -- war cabinet. it is - cabinet as a result. i rather think it does. -- war cabinet. it is this| it does. —— war cabinet. it is this sort of— it does. —— war cabinet. it is this sort of action, _ it does. —— war cabinet. it is this sort of action, not to criticise the mo _ sort of action, not to criticise the la. there — sort of action, not to criticise the la. there is— sort of action, not to criticise the icc, there is a british lawyer on the councii—

icc, there is a british lawyer on the council will have made a judgment and it will be remain to seeing _ judgment and it will be remain to seeing whether that will be endorsed by the _ seeing whether that will be endorsed by the leadership of the icc, but this well, — by the leadership of the icc, but this well, i— by the leadership of the icc, but this well, i think put pressure on the members of the israeli war cabinet — the members of the israeli war cabinet who are publicly criticising netanyahu's leadership and the lack of planning for the phase after war. put pressure on them to come into line because this will be seen as an attack— line because this will be seen as an attack on _ line because this will be seen as an attack on israel as a whole. so in that sense, — attack on israel as a whole. so in that sense, i_ attack on israel as a whole. so in that sense, i think it is also unhelpful. iran's supreme leader has called for five days of mourning following the death of the president and foreign minister. the hardline president, who was seen as an outsider to succeed khamenei once the 85—year—old passed away, was killed on sunday when his helicopter crashed into a mountain as he returned from a visit to azerbaijan. their bodies have since been recovered from the crash site. it's thought another seven people were on the helicopter, which came down in thick

fog and rain. throughout the day, iranian people have been gathering in the main squares of tehran carrying pictures of the late president. although there are plenty of messages online in which the opponents of the regime are celebrating. an election to find a successor to president raisi will take place within the next 50 days. raisi's death is not expected to disrupt the direction of iran's foreign policy orjolt the islamic republic in any consequential way. and already in line with protocol, mr raisi's deputy mohammad mokhbar has been appointed as the interim president. i always thinks when there is instability in iran that means more pressure, what did you make of the speed of which they acknowledge the death of the president and the replacement that was brought into takeover. ihla replacement that was brought into takeover. ., , , ., ,, takeover. no suggesting that the us was behind the _ takeover. no suggesting that the us was behind the helicopter _ takeover. no suggesting that the us was behind the helicopter attack, i was behind the helicopter attack, that was a relief. for quite a

catastrophic event, the united states us officials i've heard from today do not seem to think this will be a very consequential one. they don't think it will change policy in iran. it is hard, the united states in iran, very much, and although not without some contact with one another behind the scenes, i was struck particularly since the october the 7th attack in israel how iran behind—the—scenes has tried to make the case to the us that it does not want a wider war in the region. so us officials seem to think that this is a great disaster for iran, it may cause a period of some instability, but maybe not much change when it comes to its relations with the united states and the rest of the world. i relations with the united states and the rest of the world.— the rest of the world. i would not think so. the _ the rest of the world. i would not think so. the conservative - think so. the conservative hardliners have control of all branches of power, both elected and non—elected and when it comes to the selection, whoever stands will be very carefully selected to ensure

continuity. but i think the regime will probably be on edge because whenever there is a vacuum, there is instability which they do not like. i think we will be on edge. i think that this — i think we will be on edge. i think that this is — i think we will be on edge. i think that this is a little step into the unknown — that this is a little step into the unknown for them. raisi was extreme hardliner— unknown for them. raisi was extreme hardliner and was unknown for them. raisi was extreme hardlinerand was an unknown for them. raisi was extreme hardliner and was an architect of what _ hardliner and was an architect of what i _ hardliner and was an architect of what i have to recognise as a highly effective _ what i have to recognise as a highly effective repression policies against _ effective repression policies against the iranian people. and whatever— against the iranian people. and whatever you see in terms of people gathering _ whatever you see in terms of people gathering now, i suspect the majority— gathering now, i suspect the majority of the population were not great _ majority of the population were not great supporters of him. ayatollah ali khamenei, the supreme leader is 85 and _ ali khamenei, the supreme leader is 85 and in— ali khamenei, the supreme leader is 85 and in uncertain health and there will be _ 85 and in uncertain health and there will be a _ 85 and in uncertain health and there will be a transition sooner or later in iran~ _ will be a transition sooner or later in iran~ raisi _ will be a transition sooner or later in iran. raisi would have been one of the _ in iran. raisi would have been one of the candidates for it. so there has opened up a new space for someone — has opened up a new space for someone else to emerge. i fear, whoever— someone else to emerge. i fear, whoever emerges, will be at least as hard line _ whoever emerges, will be at least as hard line is— whoever emerges, will be at least as hard line is this individual and we

will see _ hard line is this individual and we will see the repression against the irahiah_ will see the repression against the iranian people, i have great sympathy for them, it may continue. do you _ sympathy for them, it may continue. do you think— sympathy for them, it may continue. do you think that this will have an impact on what is happening in the war in gaza? freeze iran's involvement in what is going on there or do things continue with the proxies as per. in there or do things continue with the proxies as per-— proxies as per. in the united states 50 da s it proxies as per. in the united states 50 days it seems _ proxies as per. in the united states 50 days it seems like _ proxies as per. in the united states 50 days it seems like a _ proxies as per. in the united states 50 days it seems like a snap - 50 days it seems like a snap election because because from one election because because from one election to the next. 0ur elections last about four years. so i realise there is some contrast with the uk on that but i would suspect it freezes in place, the iranian policies, until it gets through the election season. i policies, until it gets through the election season.— election season. i believe that there. election season. i believe that there- -- _ election season. i believe that there. -- leave _ election season. i believe that there. -- leave that. - around the world and across the uk, this is bbc news. let's take a look at some of the other stories in the headlines. there've been a record number

of sightings of asian hornets in the uk, particularly in the south, where they're a growing threat to native bees and insects. the national bee unit said it destroyed 72 nests in 56 locations in 2023, most of which were in kent. flash flooding has been described as the main environmental risk to people living in the capital by the greater london authority. one solution put forward is that london should become a "sponge city", an urban area designed to absorb and hold rainwater. 0fcom has said it is considering a statutory sanction against gb news, after the channel was found to have broken due impartiality rules. it's over a q and a session which saw prime minister rishi sunak take questions from the public. the final report of the infected blood inquiry has been six

years in the making, but it reflects a scandal that has unfolded over many decades. more than 30,000 people in this country were infected with hiv or hepatitis c after being given contaminated blood between the early 1970s and early 1990s. 3,000 people have since died, thousands of others have suffered, are suffering at the hands of a health system that was supposed to help them. the inquiry concluded that there was a a "subtle, pervasive and chilling" cover up at heart of the establishment, for which the prime minister and the opposition duly apologised, directly addressing the victims and their families this afternoon. today, i want to speak directly to the victims and their families, some of whom are with us in the gallery. i want to make a wholehearted and unequivocal apology for this terrible injustice. politics itself failed you. that failure applies

to all parties, including my own. there is only one word. sorry. sir brian langstaff, who chaired the investigation, said the enormous calamity that unfolded could "largely, though not entirely, have been avoided" had successive governments and others in authority "put patient safety first". in his letter to the cabinet office, he said he would now do everything in his power to ensure the recommendations of the report are not allowed to "collect dust on the cabinet office shelf". the infections happened _ because those in authority doctors, the blood services and successive governments did not put- patient safety first. they lost sight of what was known about the risks of viral _ infections from blood. doctor knows best with such a strong belief that health departments - did not issue guidance to curb the unsafe use of blood - and blood products.

sir brian ended his statement by referring to perry evans, who had haemophilia, and was infected with hiv in the 1980s, and he gave evidence to the inquiry on the first day it opened. he had been able to lead an active life, but he died five weeks ago before the report was published. here is some of his testimony from that opening day. there is a huge impact on family. because they carry you and... but the focus is always on the patient — the person is suffering. but i know that i wouldn't be here without friends and family. his family meant so much to him. we thought we would play you this message from his daughter, kerry ann. throughout this whole

inquiry, i felt confusion over the compensation. i know that money can be life—changing, but it isn't life—replacing. the money doesn't compensate the suffering that the tainted blood scandal caused because no amount of money can cure the victims who are alive today or bring back the ones we've lost. so i'm frustrated that the money is somewhat drawing a line under the issue because the injustice can never be fixed. my dad was alive for the majority of this inquiry, and it's really sad he can't be here today. in his first testimony, he said he hopes for closure, but simultaneously acknowledged how closure is impossible for many affected. when questioned about the emotional toll, he did not complain or express anger. he felt grateful for his friends and family around him. so all i can say is i hope anyone affected by this topic can take it as an opportunity to hold those they love even tighter and not forget those we've lost. talking about her father, pierie athens who passed away. why did it take so long here in the uk? i

listed in the first hour, all of the governments that did a lot in the 80s and 90s to investigate and competent families, germany, canada, france, japan. what is it about the establishment in this country the covers up something that should have been sent a lot earlier. this covers up something that should have been sent a lot earlier.— been sent a lot earlier. this is an important _ been sent a lot earlier. this is an important question _ been sent a lot earlier. this is an important question because - been sent a lot earlier. this is an important question because it. been sent a lot earlier. this is an important question because it is| been sent a lot earlier. this is an i important question because it is not confined _ important question because it is not confined to — important question because it is not confined to this. this inquiry is more — confined to this. this inquiry is more than _ confined to this. this inquiry is more than 20 years after most of these _ more than 20 years after most of these people, it was 1970 in the i990s _ these people, it was 1970 in the 19905 that most of this happened so it is him _ 19905 that most of this happened so it is him is— 19905 that most of this happened so it is him is 25 years afterwards that— it is him is 25 years afterwards that we — it is him is 25 years afterwards that we are finding this out. it is not confined to this instance. if you look— not confined to this instance. if you look example at the post office scandal. _ you look example at the post office scandal, there was a culture of cover-up — scandal, there was a culture of cover-up in _ scandal, there was a culture of cover—up in that. but even more recently. — cover—up in that. but even more recently. a — cover—up in that. but even more recently, a much smaller thing, this contaminated water in devon. the initial— contaminated water in devon. the initial response of the water authority was to pretend nothing was happening _ authority was to pretend nothing was happening and cover it up. so we

have _ happening and cover it up. so we have to _ happening and cover it up. so we have to face up that reality of our institutions — have to face up that reality of our institutions of which we have been extremely— institutions of which we have been extremely proud, as part of our system, — extremely proud, as part of our system, that we think they are strong, — system, that we think they are strong, robust and transparent. but records _ strong, robust and transparent. but records show that across the wards, they are _ records show that across the wards, they are inclined to cover up rather than to— they are inclined to cover up rather than to open up in confessing and recognising when things go wrong. things— recognising when things go wrong. things will always go wrong. at the blame _ things will always go wrong. at the blame here i think much more is about— blame here i think much more is about the — blame here i think much more is about the cover—up then about, humans — about the cover—up then about, humans make errors. but the cover—up culture _ humans make errors. but the cover—up culture it _ humans make errors. but the cover—up culture it seems to be pervasive in the uk _ culture it seems to be pervasive in the uk in — culture it seems to be pervasive in the uk. in the evidence of several difference — the uk. in the evidence of several difference occurrences and schedules of recent _ difference occurrences and schedules of recent years. difference occurrences and schedules of recent years-— of recent years. there is liability on the part _ of recent years. there is liability on the part of— of recent years. there is liability on the part of the _ of recent years. there is liability on the part of the politicians i of recent years. there is liability| on the part of the politicians and liability on part of the company which were americans. of course there were two factor viii drugs which were available. the cheaper version keep up the united states where they were pooling plasma. and of course, they were paying for

people to come forward to give blood samples and many of those were prisoners, drug users, people who needed money. has there been an inquiry in the united states about this? has there been some soul—searching about what happened? this is not a story out that i have covered so i'm not in a good position to answer that question but it if you talk about these failure of institutions like the government and corporate players here, let me ask a question. what about the institution of the press? this is a fundamental role ofjournalists in a democracy to provide accountability when the government or corporations will not do so. did the press play its role in this case?— its role in this case? yes, there have been _ its role in this case? yes, there have been so — its role in this case? yes, there have been so many _ its role in this case? yes, there have been so many times, i i its role in this case? yes, there i have been so many times, i think she started at the local paper when she was 21 and she followed it all the way through to the sunday times where she now works so people have doggedly followed it, but i think the problem is is that politicians

have repeatedly given families reassurances when they did not have enough information to give those assurances, when there was evidence available in other countries that suggested that there was a problem. i agree with that. i think the press actually— i agree with that. i think the press actually has a pretty good record in this country all the way back through— this country all the way back through my lifetime with the scandal of the _ through my lifetime with the scandal of the 70s _ through my lifetime with the scandal of the 705 and exposing some of these _ of the 705 and exposing some of these cover—ups and some of the underlying — these cover—ups and some of the underlying scandals behind them. i think the _ underlying scandals behind them. i think the press are pretty good on the political face as well. but in the political face as well. but in the institutions, and government, i'm the institutions, and government, i'm afraid — the institutions, and government, i'm afraid in— the institutions, and government, i'm afraid in the service, things have _ i'm afraid in the service, things have gone _ i'm afraid in the service, things have gone wrong and i welcome these inquiries _ have gone wrong and i welcome these inquiries because they are a chance to really— inquiries because they are a chance to really expose this, to try and make _ to really expose this, to try and make sure _ to really expose this, to try and make sure it does not happen again. ithink— make sure it does not happen again. i think a _ make sure it does not happen again. i think a deep call for the sunday times political editor, i mean

caroline bullard, i respect all of the work she has done on that and i hope the families get some of the answers from the report published today. plenty more on that story, no doubt. we will take a short break and on the other side will talk aboutjulian massage and the trump trial, a lot of developments in the last hour, we will get into some of that and the implications of that. stay with us. hello. thanks forjoining me. it's been a warm monday and a fine end to the day for many of us with scattered, fairweather, clouds, hazy sunshine. but also one or two heavy showers and thunderstorms have been breaking out across parts of wales, also northern ireland. and these downpours may last for a while. for many of us, though, the evening and night is looking dry and generally quite clear. but later on in the night, thick cloud may bring some rain

to parts of east anglia, lincolnshire and maybe the midlands, but it'll be quite localised here. quite nippy for some of us in the north around four or five degrees. but for many major towns and cities it's closer to ten. so here's the forecast then for tuesday and overall it won't be quite as sunny, at least a lot of hazy sunshine out there and at times really quite thick cloud. also a greater chance of encountering the showers. and they will be breaking out across parts of south western england, wales, where especially here in western, northern ireland and also the highlands. but there is a possibility of running into a bit of rain almost anywhere in the uk. temperatures where the sun does come out for any lengthier period of time could get up to around 20 or 21. but for most of us, the highs will be in the upper teens and really quite gloomy along the north sea coast at times. and that rain may turn quite steady in east anglia and lincolnshire during tomorrow evening. then wednesday it's all change. a large area of low pressure will sweep out of the east southeast and this is really

quite substantial rain. so rain early in the day reaching eastern counties. then it will spread right across northern england into scotland. now to the west and to the south the rain will be more showery, meaning that there will be some sunshine. so belfast i think cardiff, plymouth, portsmouth, london should get at least a bit of bright weather. but remember showers from time to time. further north, though, the rain will be heavy. now talking about the rainfall being its being substantial. look at the accumulation over the course of the week in some areas, 30 to a0 millimetres of rain, perhaps even as much as 100 around the murray firth, which could cause some problems. so a thoroughly wet wednesday into thursday. and as you can see, most of us in for at least some rain, least of which will fall in the south. now, here's the outlook for the rest of the week and into the weekend. it does look as though things could dry out as we get towards friday and saturday so that heavy rain won't last for too long. that's it for me. bye— bye.

hello, i'm christian fraser. you're watching the context on bbc news. wikileaks founder — julian assange — wins the right to appeal his extradition to the united states. let's restart there. julian assange has been granted an appeal against his extradition to the united states, where he faces charges

under the espionage act. the wikileaks founder, now 52 has been suffering from mental and physical health problems. he was now in court for the hearing. he was not in court for the hearing. his wife, stella, was there, while hundreds of supporters gathered outside, including jeremy corbyn, the former labour leader. assange is wanted in the us over the publication of hundreds of thousands of leaked documents relating to the afghanistan and iraq wars. his team appealed on the grounds he could face the death penalty — and that as an australian he would not be able to rely on a first amendment right to free speech, while on trial for spying. had the ruling gone against him he could have been forced onto a flight to america, within 21t hours. let me start with you, kim, what do you make of this case? he spent five years in broadmarsh, a high—security prisoner, he has lived as a fugitive for years at the ecuadorian embassy

to avoid