recovered — 65—year—old yehudit weiss. we're told her body was recovered at a stretch near to the al—shifa hospital. we're inside the gaza strip with the israeli army. they're taking us to gaza city and to the shifa hospital which, over the last few days of intense fighting, has emerged as the epicentre of this conflict. all communication is down tonight in gaza and is going to be - down for a long time, because this time it's| not by israel, it's- because of the lack of fuel. that's it, as of tomorrow morning we are not able to send our trucks to bring in the supplies that have been coming in for more than three weeks now via egypt.

beijing does not want to "unseat" the united states as the world's superpower, but xi jinping tells president biden china's absorption of taiwan is inevitable. we will take you this hour to san francisco where the asia pacific countries are sitting down for a working lunch. in the uk rishi sunak�*s government will present new legislation to set aside the supreme court's ban on sending asylum seekers to rwanda. but backbench mps want assurances from number ten the bill will be tight enough to prevent future legal challenges. and what about labour. a party of government or a party of protest. the shadow front bench staged a mass rebellion last night, over keir starmer�*s stance on a ceasefire in gaza. we will get the thoughts on all of that from our panel tonight. with us labour'sjohn mctiernan,

formerly tony blair director of political operations. also here tara setmeyer, former communications director for the republican party, and now a resident scholar at the university of virginia's centre for politics. good evening. xijinping got a standing ovation in san francisco yesterday, from a group of 300 top us executives who do business in china. they want to know as does the rest of the world what the chinese president has in mind. and there has been a change. the wolf warrior diplomacy which characterised the relationship for much of the past four years, has suddenly given way to panda diplomacy. softer more cuddly? well, no, not entirely — but the chinese president did speak for over half an hour about an enduring friendship between china and the united states that could not be diminished by all the recent turmoil. the number one question for us is: he said

"are we adversaries or partners?" seeing the other side as a competitor, he added would only lead to misinformed policy and unwanted results. "well, the results of yesterdays meeting were positive. the two sides have agreed to restore military to military communications. there is an agreement to limit the export of chemical precursors to mexico, which have been used to produce fe nta nyl. and an agreement to begin a dialogue on artificial intelligence and how it relates to defence. we've heard from both leaders since in the day since that meeting — here's a little of what each had to say. during the several hours with the meeting with president xi, and i believe they were some of the most constructive and productive discussions we've had. i have been meeting with president xi since both of us were vice president over ten years ago. our meetings have always been candid, straightforward. we haven't always agreed but they've been straightforward. translation: i believe that once the door to china us relations - is open, it will not be closed again. once started, the calls of china us friendship cannot be derailed halfway.

the tree of our peoples' friendship has grown tall and strong and it can surely withstand the assault of any wind or storm. this hourjoe biden is sitting for a working lunch with the 20 other asia pacific countries. they include indonesia, the phillipenes, australia, vietnam, japan, south korea all of whom form an important part of the united states defence posture in the indo—pacific region. let's talk to helena humphreys who is there watching the summit i thought you talked about climate change and is just one area, this is when area with the americans can find some compromise and a way forward with china. that agreement and talks on — forward with china. that agreement and talks on climate _ forward with china. that agreement and talks on climate change - forward with china. that agreement and talks on climate change was - forward with china. that agreement| and talks on climate change was set outjust and talks on climate change was set out just of the and talks on climate change was set outjust of the sideline meeting in

terms of working together to reduce greenhouse gas emissions particularly when it comes to methane of the 28th summit taking place in dubai is the matter of weeks but there are other areas of cooperation agreed on the saw. to communication when president biden spoke about that around an hour ago and received a round of applause and keepin and received a round of applause and keep in mind that even during the cold war, those channels of communication were open, i think that shows how frosty the communications of become. when it comes to fentanyl, there is an agreement to cooperate on tackling narcotic limiting in asked chemicals coming into the united states and will see whether or not that holds but president biden, that could be key to get a 2024 because that opioid epidemic, you know yourself

from reporting and covering it in the united states, is devastating here. contributing to 75,000 deaths in the united states this year alone in the united states this year alone in the united states this year alone in the conversation piece with regards to ai in the conversation piece with regards to aland perhaps, china might agree to not integrate ai might agree to not integrate aland nuclear weapons and they haven't gotten there yet and to working group but nevertheless, even though it's a president biden and president xijinping at the end of it's a president biden and president xi jinping at the end of the press conference in the chinese foreign ministry replied saying that i was irresponsible ofjoe biden to call him a dictator, but the message coming out of the sideline and of the summit is the progress was made and this certainly was a constructive meeting. and this certainly was a constructive meetinu. . ~ , ., , constructive meeting. thank you very much. communication _ constructive meeting. thank you very much. communication and _ much. communication and collaboration with china is vital

especially considering the middle east in ukraine. china holds the keys. it east in ukraine. china holds the ke s. east in ukraine. china holds the kes. .,. east in ukraine. china holds the kes. .. ., keys. it was problematic that the relationship _ keys. it was problematic that the relationship had _ keys. it was problematic that the relationship had become - keys. it was problematic that the relationship had become so - keys. it was problematic that the | relationship had become so frosty because we are reliant on each other. china is an enemy due to hegemonic aspirations around the world but ever since poor permanent normal trade relations happened, the economic relationship between the us and china has become so intertwined that we need them and they need us. and so, when the us and china are not speaking you have this tension in the south china sea and you see what's going on with ukraine and other parts of the world and relationship between china and russia, how does that impact taiwanese relationships, it is really complicated. to see that there's been some progress in the us

and china and their respective counterparts are now back with an open line of communication, that is definitely progress for stability across the world. we definitely progress for stability across the world.— definitely progress for stability across the world. ~ ., across the world. we need each other but ou across the world. we need each other but you look — across the world. we need each other but you look at _ across the world. we need each other but you look at the _ across the world. we need each other but you look at the inflation _ across the world. we need each other but you look at the inflation effect - but you look at the inflation effect that chinese exports of that across the world last decade or so it would happen to the economy since covid—i9, you can see perhaps my both sides would want a relationship on trade. the both sides would want a relationship on trade. ,., . , on trade. the impact the chinese im orts on trade. the impact the chinese imports had _ on trade. the impact the chinese imports had on — on trade. the impact the chinese imports had on inflation - on trade. the impact the chinese imports had on inflation every i on trade. the impact the chinese i imports had on inflation every year, it's a _ imports had on inflation every year, it's a major— imports had on inflation every year, it's a major contribution in the standards_ it's a major contribution in the standards of living and working people — standards of living and working people and the thing we remember is, we have _ people and the thing we remember is, we have to _ people and the thing we remember is, we have to cooperate with china on many _ we have to cooperate with china on many challenges whether it's regulatory a higher doing the crisis. — regulatory a higher doing the crisis, but had to compete with china _ crisis, but had to compete with china in— crisis, but had to compete with china in some areas, economically

but in _ china in some areas, economically but in security and defence and seeking — but in security and defence and seeking to collaborate and compete. ithink— seeking to collaborate and compete. llhink you _ seeking to collaborate and compete. i think you could challenge the relationship but there should never be collusion. and if there's a proper— be collusion. and if there's a proper relationship starting between the proper relationship starting between lhe us— proper relationship starting between the us and china, that is for the benefit — the us and china, that is for the benefit of— the us and china, that is for the benefit of all of us as long as the core _ benefit of all of us as long as the core values — benefit of all of us as long as the core values that we stand for and democracy, — core values that we stand for and democracy, human rights, those are respected _ democracy, human rights, those are respected in — democracy, human rights, those are respected in the case is made on them _ respected in the case is made on them an— respected in the case is made on them an essential part of that is them an essential part of that is the continued independence of time and is _ we have seen conflict ripping apart the past _ we have seen conflict ripping apart the past couple of years we do not want more — the past couple of years we do not want more-— want more. probably positive in australia has _ want more. probably positive in australia has been _ want more. probably positive in australia has been to _ want more. probably positive in australia has been to beijing i want more. probably positive in | australia has been to beijing and thatis australia has been to beijing and that is a step forward and setting the tone here in the united states. 0ne

the tone here in the united states. one line that stands out as this line the beijing's absorption of taiwan is inevitable and that its implications for everyone else sitting at the table. you never leave any _ sitting at the table. you never leave any of — sitting at the table. you never leave any of these _ sitting at the table. you never| leave any of these conferences about one or two provocative sentences that they slip in there. and that is one of them. taiwan is a hot spot thatis one of them. taiwan is a hot spot that is a point of contention for years and it will continue to be and we do need to ensure that taiwan's independence from china does not see escalation of only. it would not be good for anyone involved. but, china will always assert itself in this issue because they do not recognise taiwan as being an independent state. it's important to understand that even though we see it as the cooling of the relationship, you start to be very keen on what's

going on behind the scenes but beijing is doing, particularly with its relationship with russia. in europe and how that plays out as far as weaponry, as far as strategic alliances. we need to be very careful that we do not underestimate china's wish to overtake the united states is the superpower in the world. trust but verify as a president once said. the labour leader sir keir starmer says he is more concerned by the crisis in gaza than the unity within his party, after 10 mps were either sacked or resigned from his frontbench last night over their opposition to his stance on a ceasefire. eight of his shadow ministers and two parliamentary private secretaries left his top team, after defying the party whip. they voted for a ceasefire rather than backing his calls for so—called "humanitarian pauses". among the most high profile resignation wasjess phillips who said she was leaving

the shadow cabinet with a "heavy heart". the labour leader has given an interview to itv tonight. let me just read you the statement he gave them. you wouldn't expect me to stand here today and say my concern what happens in the labour party or anywhere in the commons is not going to have a dramatic affect on what is happening in the middle east. but voters will look at a party that is leading in the polls, preparing for government and will question whether the shadow front bench as a veneer over a party of protest in the back benches. is it? . over a party of protest in the back

benches. is it?— benches. is it? , you phrase that well, preparing for _ benches. is it? , you phrase that well, preparing for government, | benches. is it? , you phrase that - well, preparing for government, that is in keir_ well, preparing for government, that is in keir starmer's mine, and this is in keir starmer's mine, and this is 12_ is in keir starmer's mine, and this is 12 months— is in keir starmer's mine, and this is 12 months ahead, after a general election— is 12 months ahead, after a general election when he was with the government as prime minister in the same _ government as prime minister in the same things said as of the labour prime _ same things said as of the labour prime ministers in norway and australia — prime ministers in norway and australia assist the parties in spain — australia assist the parties in spain or— australia assist the parties in spain or in germany, they're not going _ spain or in germany, they're not going for— spain or in germany, they're not going for a — spain or in germany, they're not going for a cease—fire, they're gone for extended humanitarian calls and you do— for extended humanitarian calls and you do not— for extended humanitarian calls and you do not have to be stuck i may have _ you do not have to be stuck i may have to _ you do not have to be stuck i may have to bring in all the necessary supplies— have to bring in all the necessary supplies but you have to remember at the very— supplies but you have to remember at the very beginning of this, what keir starmer said, their hostages, stanch— keir starmer said, their hostages, stanch the — keir starmer said, their hostages, stanch the people being held hostage tty stanch the people being held hostage by hamas— stanch the people being held hostage by hamas and the difficulty in the labour— by hamas and the difficulty in the labour party is not a difference of principle — labour party is not a difference of principle or— labour party is not a difference of principle or the outcome, i think of them _ principle or the outcome, i think of them peace — principle or the outcome, i think of them peace and security in israel and palestine but peace and security that is— and palestine but peace and security that is therein guaranteed for both

sides _ that is therein guaranteed for both sides that— that is therein guaranteed for both sides. that is a two state solution and international effort is needed to get— and international effort is needed to get there and also one which understands israel is going to have to respond — understands israel is going to have to respond to the terror attack and israel— to respond to the terror attack and lsrael in _ to respond to the terror attack and lsrael in the — to respond to the terror attack and israel in the israeli government in the lsraeli — israel in the israeli government in the israeli people what the hostages hack _ the israeli people what the hostages back the _ the israeli people what the hostages back. the difficulty of the labour party— back. the difficulty of the labour party is — back. the difficulty of the labour party is that some people say, other members _ party is that some people say, other members or— party is that some people say, other members or mps in front benches believe _ members or mps in front benches believe that what we say in britain, our commentary on that might affect what's _ our commentary on that might affect what's going on in the middle east. 0nly america can bring the effort and the _ 0nly america can bring the effort and the energy under israel and on the countries like qatar can bring pressure — the countries like qatar can bring pressure on hamas to release the hostages — pressure on hamas to release the hostages. because of the end of the day, the _ hostages. because of the end of the day, the quickest way to change what is happening on the ground would be for hamas— is happening on the ground would be for hamas to release the hostages because _ for hamas to release the hostages because then they could go into a completely different phase. the

ener: completely different phase. the energy they _ completely different phase. tue: energy they need completely different phase. tte: energy they need to bear, completely different phase. t'te: energy they need to bear, we'll completely different phase. t“te: energy they need to bear, we'll talk about it in the second before we move on from labour�*s issues. in some ways, what is happening is peculiar to the middle east. but yes, people would be keir starmer and say he is holding this position under enormous pressure from his back benches but government is contentious with many issues that appear when you are the governing party and they will want to know that at every turn, there aren't going to be eight or ten people resigned being from the shadow front bench, does he have his full party behind him seeking government take these difficult decisions?— these difficult decisions? probably these difficult decisions? probably the opposition _ these difficult decisions? probably the opposition parties _ these difficult decisions? probably the opposition parties is _ these difficult decisions? probably the opposition parties is the - these difficult decisions? probably the opposition parties is the worstj the opposition parties is the worst defeats— the opposition parties is the worst defeats as — the opposition parties is the worst defeats as the 1930s as the labour has run _ defeats as the 1930s as the labour has run 200 and peace of the general election— has run 200 and peace of the general election with the current pulse, labour— election with the current pulse, labour at— election with the current pulse, labour at 400 and peace. they prev love a _ labour at 400 and peace. they prev love a talent to choose from but you have to _ love a talent to choose from but you have to choose well and people have

decisions _ have to choose well and people have decisions to make and there would need _ decisions to make and there would need to— decisions to make and there would need to be — decisions to make and there would need to be back benches and their constituencies that represent their people _ constituencies that represent their people i_ constituencies that represent their people. i think here, especially once _ people. i think here, especially once keir— people. i think here, especially once keir starmer stands for, it's pretty— once keir starmer stands for, it's pretty clear — once keir starmer stands for, it's pretty clear what he stands for, has _ pretty clear what he stands for, has been — pretty clear what he stands for, he's been really clear of the gaza conflict _ he's been really clear of the gaza conflict and that clarity is of the country — conflict and that clarity is of the country wants to see, not bending, not swanky — country wants to see, not bending, not swanky not having different identities like rishi sunak seems to adopt— identities like rishi sunak seems to adopt but— identities like rishi sunak seems to adopt but keir starmer is that what he believes and is stuck to it and that is— he believes and is stuck to it and that is an — he believes and is stuck to it and that is an important part of leadership for the country. the country with — leadership for the country. the country with the _ leadership for the country. t“te: country with the real leverage is the united states and the administration is to keep extremely close with israel and when they call for restraint, they can do that. and a lot of people are common, mr humanitarian paws it doesn't appear right now that the biting

administration as the leverage that he thought it did. this administration as the leverage that he thought it did.— he thought it did. this is a very difficult situation _ he thought it did. this is a very difficult situation because - he thought it did. this is a very l difficult situation because you're in the united states domestically we are seeing that president biden is being impacted politically by his unwavering support for israel and there's no question that the humanitarian pauses are trying to get israel to take a step back a little bit from their offensive is coming from a place of understanding policy here in the us in recent protests going on across the united states and constituencies and keys swing states will be important for next years presidential campaign at michigan with a large muslim constituency there, and there is more than just a very long multifaceted complex again and going on in the middle east with israel

but there is still domestic political implications for it as well. it is difficult because we have to support israel's unwavering right to defend itself from terrorist attacks and brutal terrorist attacks and brutal terrorist attacks. what is happening to the palestinian people is tragic to the palestinian people is tragic to understand that hamas is primarily responsible for this. not israel and where do you draw the line? it is difficult tojonathan's point, if they want this to stop, release the hostages. the ball is really in the court of hamas. idistill really in the court of hamas. will talk a little _ really in the court of hamas. will talk a little bit — really in the court of hamas. will talk a little bit more but israel and the situation in the middle east in the minutes ahead but let's go to a quick break, you watching bbc news. a quick break, you are watching bbc news. let's look at some other stories making news

in a world first — british regulators have approved a gene therapy that aims to cure two blood disorders — sickle cell disease and beta thalassemia. it's the first treatment to be licensed that uses a tool known as crispr, which can be used to correct faults in the dna of cells — allowing them to produce haemoglobin. the energy regulator — 0fgem — is launching a public consultation on standing charges. the fees are added to most gas and electricity bills at a daily rate — and can't be reduced no matter how much you cut back on your usage. people have until the nineteenth of january to submit their views. bbc analysis shows two—thirds of nhs maternity units in england don't consistently meet safety standards — as assessed by the health regulator. the care quality commission says maternity has the worst safety ratings of all the hospital services it inspects. the government said maternity care is of the �*utmost importance'.

you're live with bbc news. in the last few hours, the israeli military says it has found a tunnel shaft in the grounds of al shifa hospital in gaza. it released this video — which it says shows an operational tunnel shaft — and claimed there was also a vehicle containing a large number of weapons. we've not yet been able to independently verify the footage, nor the location. it's worth noting that israel has consistently said it believes hamas has an underground command headquarters beneath al—shifa hospital — hamas has denied this. more broadly in this conflict — there's hope for a humanitarian pause, in return for the release of 50 hostages who are being held in gaza. but today — yet another dire warning from the un agency that supports palestinians in gaza. this was the tweet that was sent out this afternoon. and later confirmed on this programme by unrwa's director of communications. i think we've been warning not for days, but for weeks on end now.

and that's it. as of tomorrow morning, we are not able to send our trucks to bring in the supplies that have been coming in for more than three weeks now via egypt. we were able to do this today, but tomorrow i'm afraid we won't be able to do it. this was the last time we were able to communicate with our teams in gaza and they relate this message. some grim news to report tonight. the body of an israeli mother—of—five who was taken hostage by hamas has been recovered by the idf from a building near al—shifa hospital. yehudit weiss, a 65—year—old pensioner, who had breast cancer, was abducted from her home in kibbutz be'eri on october seventh, her husband, shmulik weiss was also murdered. her body is being returned to her family.

johnny, if i could. how do you balance the operation against hamas, the threat to the hostages, the tunnel and the compound for this warning from tonight that their operation is suspended indefinitely? you have to find a way to supply fuel as _ you have to find a way to supply fuel as well as of the aid that is necessary in the labour party in london — necessary in the labour party in london yesterday was voted down because _ london yesterday was voted down because they said that there needs to be _ because they said that there needs to be an _ because they said that there needs to be an extended humanitarian cause lifted for— to be an extended humanitarian cause lifted for a _ to be an extended humanitarian cause lifted for a season in the hospital but i _ lifted for a season in the hospital but i think. — lifted for a season in the hospital but i think, we know from us intelligence as well as israeli intelligence as well as israeli intelligence that the concerns about

the network are underneath the hospital— the network are underneath the hospital and we have to balance and i hospital and we have to balance and i agree _ hospital and we have to balance and i agree with the secretary of state that too _ i agree with the secretary of state that too many palestinians have died and there _ that too many palestinians have died and there needs to be a huge effort to find _ and there needs to be a huge effort to find the — and there needs to be a huge effort to find the fuel that can bring the supplies— to find the fuel that can bring the supplies and the logistics and i'm not going — supplies and the logistics and i'm not going to pretend to understand the logistics on the ground but that needs— the logistics on the ground but that needs to _ the logistics on the ground but that needs to not be a part of the time and it's_ needs to not be a part of the time and it's about supplies it's about supply— and it's about supplies it's about supply chains it's about bringing staff and — supply chains it's about bringing staff and and i'm sure that will be further— staff and and i'm sure that will be further by— staff and and i'm sure that will be further by the israelis of the tunnel— further by the israelis of the tunnel network and access point is been _ tunnel network and access point is been identified. this tunnel network and access point is been identified.— tunnel network and access point is been identified. , ., ., ., been identified. this poor woman who had breast cancer— been identified. this poor woman who had breast cancer was _ been identified. this poor woman who had breast cancer was abducted - been identified. this poor woman who had breast cancer was abducted from | had breast cancer was abducted from her home, reminds us of the absolute horror of what happened 0ctober

seven and went the other hostages are in. joe biden said last night that he's moderately hopeful that he will be of use of these hostages backin will be of use of these hostages back in return for humanitarian pause. how involved eating the ministration is in a politically important is it to get some of them back? , ., , ., ~ , ., back? very involved. the stakes are hue and back? very involved. the stakes are huge and as — back? very involved. the stakes are huge and as we _ back? very involved. the stakes are huge and as we mentioned - back? very involved. the stakes are huge and as we mentioned earlier, l huge and as we mentioned earlier, the united states is the greatest partner that israel has here because our interests align. i want to make sure that the most successful democracy in that region continues. we do not want more in the middle east and we know that it is an untenable situation for the status quo with the palestinian people and civilians caught in the middle here. what we need to also not forget, not only the brutality and. sometimes it

is forgotten what took place on probably mention that a cease—fire was in place on october six and so, those are calling for, hamas is not a good faith factor in this effort, they're taking the supplies, they have fuel in these tunnels and other places and at the palestinian civilians and that is a challenge as well because we bring the humanitarian supplies in the gaza, where is actually going, preventing palestinian civilians, from evacuating, it it annapolis is a challenge with the humanitarian side of this as well. we challenge with the humanitarian side of this as well.— of this as well. we have to go to a cuick of this as well. we have to go to a quick break _ of this as well. we have to go to a quick break and _ of this as well. we have to go to a quick break and we'll _ of this as well. we have to go to a quick break and we'll talk about i quick break and we'll talk about ukraine on the other side. to stay with us. hello. some of us did get to see

a bit of sunshine today. the best of that was in the north of scotland. further south, the weather was dominated by a storm that pushed across france. this storm was named storm frederico by the french weather service. it brought strong winds and heavy rain for france, but it only really dealt us a glancing blow, swinging away south—eastwards now. we have got this band of showery rain pushing its way eastwards. behind that, a mix of clear spells and showers. if the skies stay clear across northern scotland for long enough, we could see another very cold night, maybe down as low as minus three or minus four celsius. actually, quite a chilly night for many of us. into tomorrow, though, this ridge of high pressure will give something of a break between weather systems. more in the way of dry weather. we will start off with this band of cloud and some showery rain clinging to eastern coasts of scotland and england.

a few showers out towards the west. there could be some fog patches too for northern ireland and scotland, they should tend to clear. then we're looking at a lot of dry weather, spells of sunshine. six degrees in aberdeen, 13 in plymouth, turning milder in the south—west corner as this band of rain approaches. that is our next weather system. that will be pushing its way northwards and eastwards as we move through friday evening, so turning wet across many western areas through the evening. that rain then sweeps eastwards into the first part of saturday in association with this frontal system, all driven, of course, by a big area of low pressure in the atlantic. the wind circulating around that low. we have a south—westerly wind with this for saturday, so some very mild air in place. this is how saturday it looks. outbreaks of heavy rain to start off across parts of south wales, southern england and then lingering across some eastern coasts of england and scotland as we go through the day. behind that, sunny spells and heavy

thundery, blustery showers. these are the wind gusts we're expecting. we could well see gales around some coasts in northern and north—eastern scotland. temperatures, though, 15, 16 degrees in the south, even scotland, ten, 11, 12 degrees, so milder for just about all of us. low pressure still with us into the second half of the weekend. we mayjust see this little frontal system here causing the showers to clump together into a longer spell of rain in central and southern scotland, northern ireland, northern england. but, broadly speaking, sunday is a sunshine and showers day. still quite blustery, particularly in the west and the south—west, and still mild, with double digit temperatures for just about all of us.

hello, i'm christian fraser. you're watching the context on bbc news. ukraine's president zelensky

welcomes britain's new foreign secretary — former pm david cameron — for his first overseas trip in the role. the british foreign secretary, david cameron, just a week into his newjob, has paid a visit to to ukraine to meet with president volodymyr zelensky. lord cameron reiterated the uk's support for ukraine, amid the understandable concerns in kyiv that the world's attention has been diverted by the war in the middle east. mr zelensky congratulated mr cameron on his new post and thanked him for the uk's continued backing. here's part of that exchange.