hello, i'm christian fraser. you're watching the context on bbc news. "we have to verify it" —

president biden airs his scepticism over a deal with china to curb the flow of fentanyl into the us amid a nationwide crisis. it is not often we get the palestinian foreign office calling into the office on his way around the europe, so my apologies to our panel with us tonight, lester holloway and former lieutenant governor of florida, jennifer carroll. thank you both for your patients tonight. -- think —— think you both for your patience tonight. i want to hear your action tonight. i want to hear your action to what you heard. he has been to meet sergey lavrov, he is meeting david cameron here and he is off to macron tomorrow. it sounded to me he is on a mission and they are in the game, they want to maybe take over in gaza, whatever people have said. it sounds that way but interestingly

enough, he is not admitting... when you are going to be credible you have to admit either one site has done wrong and this is the way to correct it or the other side is doing things right and this is what we can embrace. now, they did have their elections, democratic elections, in gaza, and they elected hamas to be their leaders, so, to be the leaders of that area, and you see how things unfolded out macro that was back in 2005, six, there was a bloody that was back in 2005, six, there was a blood— that was back in 2005, six, there was a blood that was back in 2005, six, there wasa blood w ., _ ., .,, was a bloody takeover by hamas. the other party. — was a bloody takeover by hamas. the other party. they _ was a bloody takeover by hamas. the other party, they were _ was a bloody takeover by hamas. the other party, they were in _ was a bloody takeover by hamas. the other party, they were in gaza, - was a bloody takeover by hamas. the other party, they were in gaza, were | other party, they were in gaza, were kicked out, and they have ruled since then, so the real question is whether the palestinian authority would go back there with any credence, with any ability to govern the people who are there. here credence, with any ability to govern the people who are there.— the people who are there. here it is, and with _ the people who are there. here it is, and with the _ the people who are there. here it is, and with the people _ the people who are there. here it is, and with the people come - the people who are there. here it l is, and with the people come back? people have been so displaced and it is going to be a long time until it is going to be a long time until it is rebuilt again. a lot of people

make money in the construction and clearing up of that area, but who will come back into the area? that is another question. so he is assuming all these displaced palestinians will choose to come back into the area and have free and fair elections as he would like, but it may even be a mixed bag, it may not only be palestinians and. lester, he talked about elections. i tried to put them on the spot, it is hard to have elections when you don't have the infrastructure, the clearly they will be added urgency to get some sort of mandate. do you think could be done within a year, and could the palestinian authority rule in gaza in the interim? i and could the palestinian authority rule in gaza in the interim?- rule in gaza in the interim? i don't know how — rule in gaza in the interim? i don't know how long _ rule in gaza in the interim? i don't know how long it _ rule in gaza in the interim? i don't know how long it will _ rule in gaza in the interim? i don't know how long it will take, - rule in gaza in the interim? i don't| know how long it will take, but one of the _ know how long it will take, but one of the interesting points that the policy— of the interesting points that the policy and foreign minister made was to use _ policy and foreign minister made was to use the _ policy and foreign minister made was to use the word marshall plan, so he was talking _ to use the word marshall plan, so he was talking about was a widescale rebuilding of gaza, much of which has been — rebuilding of gaza, much of which has been absolutely flattened, almost — has been absolutely flattened, almost half of homes have been destroyed there, so before there are

elections. _ destroyed there, so before there are elections. it— destroyed there, so before there are elections, it will need to be rebuilt _ elections, it will need to be rebuilt. there is no education that palestinians in gaza who have been displaced _ palestinians in gaza who have been displaced want to go to other countries —— there is no indication. they— countries —— there is no indication. they want— countries —— there is no indication. they want to — countries —— there is no indication. they want to return but actually they want — they want to return but actually they want to quite a few interesting homes _ they want to quite a few interesting homes in _ they want to quite a few interesting homes in which they were originally raised. _ homes in which they were originally raised. and — homes in which they were originally raised, and many have been displaced from the _ raised, and many have been displaced from the west bank and other areas of israet. _ from the west bank and other areas of israel, but particularly the west bank, _ of israel, but particularly the west bank. and — of israel, but particularly the west bank, and those are the gazan residents— bank, and those are the gazan residents that are currently under siege _ residents that are currently under siege and — residents that are currently under siege and under barred so that shows actually, _ siege and under barred so that shows actually, it— siege and under barred so that shows actually, it is about dealing with that situation. when it comes to elections — that situation. when it comes to elections the other thing we need to bear elections the other thing we need to hear in _ elections the other thing we need to bear in mind is thatjust as bear in mind is that just as the current— bear in mind is that just as the current conflict did not start october _ current conflict did not start october the 7th, it has its roots going _ october the 7th, it has its roots going back— october the 7th, it has its roots going back decades, so too the situation — going back decades, so too the situation of hamas being in control

in gaza _ situation of hamas being in control in gaza is— situation of hamas being in control in gaza is notjust a recent phenomenon. previously, the plo are very strong _ phenomenon. previously, the plo are very strong and represented palestinians, and they were undermined by past israeli governments which actually empowered hamas _ governments which actually empowered hamas. with all of the killing and 13.000 _ hamas. with all of the killing and 13,000 palestinians have been killed in this— 13,000 palestinians have been killed in this conflict, we have to be real and to— in this conflict, we have to be real and to actually acknowledge that that is _ and to actually acknowledge that that is going to have a negative effect, — that is going to have a negative effect, it— that is going to have a negative effect, it is going to radicalise many— effect, it is going to radicalise many people there, because if you've seen your— many people there, because if you've seen your family many people there, because if you've seen yourfamily being many people there, because if you've seen your family being killed, your neighbours being killed, that is going _ neighbours being killed, that is going to — neighbours being killed, that is going to have an effect. we know that bombing radicalise his people, so how— that bombing radicalise his people, so how is— that bombing radicalise his people, so how is that going to affect an election— so how is that going to affect an election was met that is the dilemma, because if you don't allow elections. _ dilemma, because if you don't allow elections, effectively, you've got an occupation, and if you do allow elections. — an occupation, and if you do allow elections. if— an occupation, and if you do allow elections, if you do allow the palestinian people to choose, then

the impact — palestinian people to choose, then the impact of this current crisis is going _ the impact of this current crisis is going to — the impact of this current crisis is going to show in how they vote. yeah, _ going to show in how they vote. yeah, the — going to show in how they vote. yeah, the psyche of the palestinians, as you say, is an unknown factor because it has been so long since they have gone to the ballot, and if they were free from hamas rule in gaza, what would that mean and who would they choose? let's move on. i want to get your thoughts on the both of you, on this story. sir chris whitty, england's chief medical officer, says the british government could have "moved up a gear" in february 2020 when he warned the pandemic could lead to thousands of deaths. he was speaking at the covid inquiry today. he said ministers failed to act when "it was reasonable to think that we could be looking at maybe as many as 100,000 to 300,000 deaths. despite escalating these concerns to "the top of government", they were slow to take action. sir chris said the dangers posed by covid "had not in my view been seized in the way that a similar kind of level of existential threat would have been from another direction."

this wasn't some maverick coming in and saying this. this is on the basis of sage meetings chaired by the chief scientific adviser, cobra had met, the world health organization has by now declared a public health emergency, there's international concern. this is all over the news. now, the point i would like to make on this, because i think this is actually something where we really do need to think very seriously in government, is that had, let us say, the director general of m15 or the chief of the general staff come in and said, "there is a possibility "of100,000—plus people sadly dying from a terrorist attack "or from an attack on the uk," the chances that this would have been the response in the letter and that this is what the system would have continued as it did, next cobra meeting, chaired by the secretary of state for health and social care, i think is quite small.

lester, let me pick this up with you. he said in reality does think the measures, the lockdown measures that they introduced in figure 2020, made much difference at the time. genetic testing showed the vast majority of covid infections were spread out by chinese travellers coming in but by british tourists. he knew that it was bad, but he does not think that had they shut the borders, as america did, it would have made any difference? i cannot answer that — have made any difference? i cannot answer that precisely, _ have made any difference? i cannot answer that precisely, and - have made any difference? i cannot answer that precisely, and i - have made any difference? i cannot answer that precisely, and i think . answer that precisely, and i think when _ answer that precisely, and i think when we — answer that precisely, and i think when we were reflecting back, on the lockdown, _ when we were reflecting back, on the lockdown, particularly the first lockdown, particularly the first lockdown, clearly, ithink lockdown, particularly the first lockdown, clearly, i think the public— lockdown, clearly, i think the public acknowledge that in many ways governments, including ours, were finding _ governments, including ours, were finding their way, governments, including ours, were finding theirway, and governments, including ours, were finding their way, and so we allow them _ finding their way, and so we allow them a _ finding their way, and so we allow them a certain amount of leeway to make _ them a certain amount of leeway to make mistakes. but then there is a

line that _ make mistakes. but then there is a line that we — make mistakes. but then there is a line that we draw, as civilians, as voters. _ line that we draw, as civilians, as voters. have _ line that we draw, as civilians, as voters, have they actually cross that line — voters, have they actually cross that line into incompetence? what is coming _ that line into incompetence? what is coming out _ that line into incompetence? what is coming out in this covid inquiry is evidence — coming out in this covid inquiry is evidence that that is beyond that line, _ evidence that that is beyond that line, confusion in government, disagreements tween patrick vallance and chris— disagreements tween patrick vallance and chris whitty, borisjohnson not understand — and chris whitty, borisjohnson not understand the science, rishi sunak as chancellor not consulting and seeking — as chancellor not consulting and seeking scientific evidence when he came _ seeking scientific evidence when he came to _ seeking scientific evidence when he came to the eat out to help out, and £46 billion— came to the eat out to help out, and £46 billion that was awarded to often _ £46 billion that was awarded to often mates of conservative ministers, and i think that type of narrative — ministers, and i think that type of narrative that is coming out of the inquiry— narrative that is coming out of the inquiry actually shows that it is beyond — inquiry actually shows that it is beyond the sort of general mistakes that governments are going to be making _ that governments are going to be making when they are dealing with an unprecedented and new pandemic, and

it goes— unprecedented and new pandemic, and it goes into _ unprecedented and new pandemic, and it goes into the realm of people believing — it goes into the realm of people believing that this is just it goes into the realm of people believing that this isjust purely incompetence. it believing that this is 'ust purely incompetenceh believing that this is 'ust purely incom etence. ., _, . incompetence. it did give a concrete examle incompetence. it did give a concrete example of— incompetence. it did give a concrete example of something _ incompetence. it did give a concrete example of something that - incompetence. it did give a concrete example of something that the - incompetence. it did give a concrete example of something that the uk l incompetence. it did give a concrete i example of something that the uk 30s could and should have done differently. he was asked about the first cases of covid emerging in wuhan and generate 2020, he said the uk did not consider enough the possibility of mandatory quarantine for all travellers coming from china. but then neither did the united states.— china. but then neither did the united states. that's correct, and united states. that's correct, and united states _ united states. that's correct, and united states is _ united states. that's correct, and united states is in _ united states. that's correct, and united states is in the _ united states. that's correct, and united states is in the same - united states is in the same predicament, in that some of the information, wear masks, don't, get a vaccine, get boosters, don't get boosters, that confusion to the general public comes as the... the mistrust come from the people. if the whole blanket statement is of everybody quarantine or everyone get vaccinated, everyone get boosters,

and yet you're still seeing people get the boosters, get the vaccine, getting covid multiple times, including the president and his wife a macro cannot ask you on that, jennifer? , ., , ,., ., jennifer? lester has pointed that out. politicians _ jennifer? lester has pointed that out. politicians are _ jennifer? lester has pointed that out. politicians are not _ jennifer? lester has pointed that out. politicians are not experts l jennifer? lester has pointed that| out. politicians are not experts on anything, they navy lawyers, like you, the median mechanics who served in the forces, very good at what they do, but the world is changing so fast. if you look at the critical issues the world is facing right now, ai, climate change, pandemics, the internet, it is all science —based and their huge issues politicians are not trained to deal with. doing to upskilling i politicians?— politicians? first off, our politicians _ politicians? first off, our politicians need - politicians? first off, our politicians need to - politicians? first off, our politicians need to admitj politicians? first off, our - politicians need to admit they politicians? first off, our _ politicians need to admit they don't know everything and most of the time they responding to something when it discrete to kamas in the end up with their policies making more of a problem than what was initially a prompt to begin with —— when it comes to critical mass. if they're honest about themselves, they need to be honest of that, i don't know

everything, i need to go to the experts and we need to have a roundtable of all the experts to come up with better policies. {lilia come up with better policies. 0k, we'll leave _ come up with better policies. 0k, we'll leave it _ come up with better policies. 0k, we'll leave it there. _ we will discuss another issue in the united states today, also to do with health. more than 110,000 people died in the united states last year from a drug overdose. two—thirds of them had taken the synthetic opioid fentanyl. last week, after a biden—xi summit in san francisco, the administration announced welcome news. beijing said it would take action against 25 chinese companies that manufacture the pre—cursors, the chemicals used in the manufacturing process, which often end up in illegal labs in mexico. that deal to slow the supply is a promising start. but it has to be verified. and at a meeting with experts at the white house today, president biden said he is sceptical. the united states is going to seek to work together with china to target the fentanyl components. as a result of our recent diplomacy, china has already taken steps to shut down companies dealing

in illicit trade of precursor chemicals. we are notjust going to trust that this is happening, we have to verify it, and that's going to save lives. the reason he is sceptical, jennifer, i will come to you first because it is of your side, is because it is of your side, is because there are plenty of other countries that can supply these precursors and also although the republicans make a lotta point about the border being open, a lot of the stuff comes through the borders in vehicles, through legal entry points. vehicles, through legal entry oints. , , vehicles, through legal entry oints. ,, , ., , points. this is very true, and it is like repeat _ points. this is very true, and it is like repeat itself. _ points. this is very true, and it is like repeat itself. we _ points. this is very true, and it is like repeat itself. we went - like repeat itself. we went through the same situation with chinese drywall and it was impacting, in a health way, too many people with the illegal drugs on the street utilising the material from illegal drugs on the street utilising the materialfrom chinese drywall, now here we are with fentanyl, and the manufacturing of it with other items. the bottom line

is, yes, we have fentanyl coming across our borders, whether it is straight to the northern or the southern, and the other issue is that it southern, and the other issue is thatitis southern, and the other issue is that it is very toxic and is lethal and we need to shut the borders of at least have legal immigration coming through where people are documented, and inspected, and also having the right nor can so that people that are impacted by this and we can save their lives —— the right narcan. it we can save their lives -- the right narcan. , ., ,., , narcan. it is also uniquely american. _ narcan. it is also uniquely american, lester. - narcan. it is also uniquely american, lester. i- narcan. it is also uniquely american, lester. iwasl narcan. it is also uniquely - american, lester. i was looking narcan. it is also uniquely - american, lester. iwas looking at american, lester. i was looking at theissue american, lester. i was looking at the issue on this side. we just don't have a fentanyl problem on this side, fingers crossed the barely 50 deaths reported in europe in 2021. we barely 50 deaths reported in europe in 2021. ~ ., 4' barely 50 deaths reported in europe in 2021. ~ ., ~ ., . in 2021. we need to think our lucky stars for this. _ in 2021. we need to think our lucky stars for this, but _ in 2021. we need to think our lucky stars for this, but it is _ in 2021. we need to think our lucky stars for this, but it is quite - stars for this, but it is quite interesting, joe biden talking to the chinese president, xi jinping, about— the chinese president, xi jinping, about the — the chinese president, xi jinping, about the supply of fentanyl, because _ about the supply of fentanyl, because dealing with supply might go

some way— because dealing with supply might go some way to dealing with the overall problem. _ some way to dealing with the overall problem, and it does not necessarily deal with— problem, and it does not necessarily deal with the issue of demand, and the issue _ deal with the issue of demand, and the issue of— deal with the issue of demand, and the issue of fentanyl is not simply about— the issue of fentanyl is not simply about the — the issue of fentanyl is not simply about the drug coming over illegally, through borders, from china _ illegally, through borders, from china to — illegally, through borders, from china to mexico and into the united states. _ china to mexico and into the united states. it _ china to mexico and into the united states. it is — china to mexico and into the united states, it is also prescribed legally— states, it is also prescribed legallv i_ states, it is also prescribed legally i doctors in america and it has been — legally i doctors in america and it has been over prescribed, and that is one _ has been over prescribed, and that is one of— has been over prescribed, and that is one of the issues that has been raised _ is one of the issues that has been raised in — is one of the issues that has been raised in relation to this drug, that— raised in relation to this drug, that it — raised in relation to this drug, that it is — raised in relation to this drug, that it is actually being effectively pushed, and we know with the private _ effectively pushed, and we know with the private author system that exists — the private author system that exists in — the private author system that exists in the united states, there is an— exists in the united states, there is an emphasis on making money —— private _ is an emphasis on making money —— private health care. i think we need to look— private health care. i think we need to look at— private health care. i think we need to look at that as well as the issue of fentanyl— to look at that as well as the issue of fentanyl and its component parts coming _ of fentanyl and its component parts coming in _ of fentanyl and its component parts coming in to the united states via mexico _ coming in to the united states via mexico ,— coming in to the united states via mexico. , , . ~ , mexico. , 'ust very quickly, jennifer. _ mexico. , just very quickly, jennifer, that _ mexico. , just very quickly, jennifer, that is _ mexico. , just very quickly, jennifer, that is it? - mexico. , just very quickly, jennifer, that is it? it - mexico. , just very quickly, jennifer, that is it? it is - mexico. , just very quickly, jennifer, that is it? it is a l

jennifer, that is it? it is a hangover from jennifer, that is it? it is a hangoverfrom the opioid jennifer, that is it? it is a hangover from the opioid crisis created by the american pharmaceuticals. created by the american harmaceuticals. ~ , , ., pharmaceuticals. absolutely, and coin: pharmaceuticals. absolutely, and auoin back pharmaceuticals. absolutely, and going back to _ pharmaceuticals. absolutely, and going back to the _ pharmaceuticals. absolutely, and going back to the government - going back to the government policies when critical mass hits the lawmakers put a policy in place and they find some way around it and now we are back to the same crisis again, so what we really need to do is to address what is the source of the problem, the pharmaceuticals, which we have laws in place around the country now to help do not over prescribed these medicines after surgeries and painkillers to get attached to them, and abuse them, but also the border crisis. if we know we have this amount of fentanyl in other substances coming across, in other substances coming across, in bulk, we need to stop that at the rivers edge. brute in bulk, we need to stop that at the rivers edge-— rivers edge. we will leave that there. rivers edge. we will leave that there- we _ rivers edge. we will leave that there. we will _ rivers edge. we will leave that there. we will get _ rivers edge. we will leave that there. we will get a _ rivers edge. we will leave that there. we will get a short - rivers edge. we will leave that i there. we will get a short break. around the world and across the uk, this is bbc news. bbc news — bringing you different stories from across the uk. cheap street. when the call comes in on the radio,

pcso brooks has got to be quick. she's chasing after hundreds of pounds�* worth of designer handbags. managed to catch up with him, and goods were recovered to the value ofjust over £300. in house of fraser, it's a problem the store is taking seriously. we have facial recognition cameras on each of the doors. so as people come in, it picks up a face. if you have committed a crime in store before, we will get an alert to say, "this face has come in." sam, like lots of the security guards, now know the faces to look out for. but sometimes even he's surprised. there is a woman recently who is in a hostel, cos she'd been in an abusive relationship, and she came in stealing food for her son, who was in a pushchair. and i felt really bad for her. i paid for it. for more stories from across the uk, head to the bbc news website. you're live with bbc news. it's budget day tomorrow.

and the chancellor has already teased a change he is planning to the benefits systems. those with mobility and mental—health problems will be told to look for work that they can do from home. and if they don't, then their benefits could reduced by up £4,500 a year. the prime minister says the existing benefits system is not "sustainable". there are 2.4 million people claiming incapacity benefits — that's a steep rise since the pandemic, which has alarmed the chancellor at a time when businesses are struggling to fill a million vacancies. it is notjust a uk problem. the us chamber of commerce reported this week that the us economy is missing 1.7 million americans from the workforce, compared to february of 2020. about half of them are not willing to take jobs that do not offer the opportunity for remote work. almost a quarter say government aid packages during the pandemic have incentivised them to not actively look for work. lester, one in five of those judged

unfit for work in america said they would like a job, 49% of those who have left the workplace in america said they want to work remotely. the government here thinks the right strategy is to help tens or hundreds of thousands of people back to work by working at home. your thoughts quickly? for by working at home. your thoughts ruickl ? ., ., , i, ., quickly? for many, those type of “obs are quickly? for many, those type of jobs are rrot _ quickly? for many, those type of jobs are not going _ quickly? for many, those type of jobs are not going to _ quickly? for many, those type of jobs are not going to be - quickly? for many, those type ofl jobs are not going to be available, guite _ jobs are not going to be available, quite often those are white—collar, qualified. — quite often those are white—collar, qualified, middle—class type jobs hubble _ qualified, middle—class type jobs hubble we have is an economy which is increasingly about gig economy, low-wage, — is increasingly about gig economy, low—wage, and those type ofjobs are requiring _ low—wage, and those type ofjobs are requiring you to be there in person. and the _ requiring you to be there in person. and the reason why we have so many people _ and the reason why we have so many people economically inactive is because — people economically inactive is because of the way the economy has developed _ because of the way the economy has developed. it is increased stress, increased — developed. it is increased stress, increased depression, and all of these _ increased depression, and all of these physical ailments as well, as a result— these physical ailments as well, as a result of— these physical ailments as well, as a result of more and more people being _ a result of more and more people being sucked into this type of exploitative work. gk,

being sucked into this type of exploitative work. 0k, jennifer, very quickly. — exploitative work. 0k, jennifer, very quickly. we _ exploitative work. 0k, jennifer, very quickly, we have _ exploitative work. 0k, jennifer, very quickly, we have got - exploitative work. 0k, jennifer, very quickly, we have got 30 i very quickly, we have got 30 seconds? what do you think? the genesee generation is saying they want to— genesee generation is saying they want to be hired for their personality, not for their productivity —— generation 2. that productivity -- generation z. that is a topsy-turvy — productivity -- generation z. that is a topsy-turvy with _ productivity —— generation 2. trisgt is a topsy—turvy with business because business want people to be hired for productivity, but with covid people got comfortable with being at home, it reduces a lot of funds for travelling to work and the stresses of getting new outfits to go to work... stresses of getting new outfits to go to work- - -_ go to work... laughter jennifer. _ go to work... laughter jennifer. l _ go to work... laughter jennifer, i could - go to work. .. laughter jennifer, i could tell- go to work... laughter jennifer, i could tell you| go to work... laughter - jennifer, i could tell you were in the forces! you drive a hard deal. thanks so much. sorry to squeeze you guys. lesterand jennifer, good guys. lester and jennifer, good night. hello there. this is your update from the bbc sport centre. i'm gavin ramjaun. wales' hopes of reaching next summer's european championship automatically are over — but not without controversy. it all started so well in cardiff in a game they had to win, neco williams putting them ahead against turkey.

and they thought they should have had a penalty — brennanjohnson bundled over — but nothing given. there was a penalty in the second half, though — ben davies adjudged to have fouled kenan yildiz — and turkey scored from the spot. johnson had a goal disallowed late on, but it finished 1—1, and wales can now only reach the euros next summer via the playoffs in march. had wales won, they would have also needed croatia to drop points against armenia — which also didn't happen. the home side winning 1—0 in zagreb to go through as runners up behind turkey. elsewhere, france lost their 100% record by drawing 2—2 with greece in athens. yousef fofana with the superb french equaliser. france finish top of group b, ahead of the netherlands, who beat gibraltar 6—0. greece finished third. elsewhere, the republic of ireland drew 1—1 with new zealand in a friendly in dublin. matthew garbutt with new zealand's equaliser, and a few minutes later, the end of an era forjames mcclean, as he ended his international career after 103 caps.

england head coach sarina wiegman says beth mead has "shown enough" to be recalled back into the squad. the arsenal striker has been named in wiegman's latest 23—player squad for the upcoming nations league matches against the netherlands and scotland. mead has been out for a year, after suffering an acl, but wiegman insists mead is ready to return. she is a character that brings positive energy, on—pitch and off—pitch. i think we have more players like that, but it's good to have back, of course, her experience, the way she plays. she's different than other players on the wing, so she brings different things, so that's good for the team too. so we have different opportunities again. so, yeah, i expect, on and off—pitch, that is going to give us some extra energy. a premier league proposal to stop clubs bringing in players on loan from associated teams has fallen just short of coming into force. the idea was to prevent a club like newcastle temporarily signing someone from a team in the saudi pro league that is also

owned by the country's public investment fund. 13 clubs voted in favour of the block on loan moves between teams under the same ownership, but that was one short of the two—thirds majority needed for it to be passed. the international cricket council has released new regulations that stops transgender women from playing cricket at the highest level. any player who has gone through male puberty will not be eligible for women's internationals, tegardless of any surgery —— for women's internationals, regardless of any surgery or treatment undertaken, with this decision made after a nine—month consultation process. but the regulations will be reviewed within two years. what cricket is trying to do, i guess, today, in line with other sports are trying to do, is to find a position of certainty and a perspective of fairness. from now on, to compete internationally in women's cricket, you need to go through puberty as a woman. to put it from the other side of it, i guess, there is now no facility to go through male—to—female gender reassignment post—puberty and then to play women's cricket. now, this does bring cricket broadly into line with the stance that international sports in general are trying to take

on this issue. it is an emotive topic and it is one that has been very difficult to find a position of clarity and fairness on. the icc also announced that sri lanka' suspension has been lifted. they had been banned in the wake of government interference in sri lanka's cricket administration but now will be able to compete internationally again. the icc will however retain control over the board's funding. it's been a day of mixed injury news for england's rugby team ahead of february's six nations. ben earl is fit to play, despite injuring his knee whilst warming up for his club saracens on saturday. however, tom curry will miss the entire six nations after his club sale revealed the forward needs hip surgery. he's been troubled by the injury since the world cup and has been told by a specialist an operation is the only option. there'll be a moment of history on magic weekend in next season's super league. the event — which was first held

in 2007 — will take place at leeds united's elland road for the first time in 2024. elland road becomes the sixth ground to stage magic weekend — after the principality stadium, murrayfield, the etihad stadium, anfield and newcastle's st james' park. and the ice hockey match between the vancouver canucks and the sanjose sharks began with a royal seal of approval on monday night. prince harry dropped a ceremonial puck to start the match in the national hockey league, marking the countdown to the invictus games — which are in vancouver in february 2025. harry's wife meghan was also present, sitting alongside harry during the game at the rogers arena, which the canucks won 3—1. loving it. and that's all the sport for now. we will see you later on. some changes in the feel of our weather over the next few days, tuesday brought temperature generally around the average for the time of year. it was a little bit

chilly in some locations. for wednesday, westerly winds introducing milder air and double digit temperatures for the majority, but then the end of the week will bring northerly winds and something colder. in the wednesday morning brings high pressure to the south of us, low pressure to the north and this frontal system between us more from here and this cold front here a wage of warm or least mild air. within that wedge of mild air, a lot of cloud. that cloud producing some rain at times. that ring enhanced by a weather front in the north of scotland. he cloud for northern ireland, northern england, north wales, the odd spot of rain. further south and east a few brighter quinces on what will be a breezy day of a windy one in fact, across the northern half of the uk. temperatures in double digits broadly, 11—14. as we had to wednesday night, we will see this frontal system starting to journey southwards, outbreaks of ring with that. ahead of it a lot of cloud. it

is going to be very mild. behind that from the system we willjust start to introduce something a little bit colder, turning increasingly windy too across the north of scotland. here's our weatherford for thursday. moving southwards. it is a cold front, you notice, that is the air behind it is going to be turning colder —— here is our weatherfront. going to be turning colder —— here is our weather front. here going to be turning colder —— here is our weatherfront. here is going to be turning colder —— here is our weather front. here is our frontal system. ahead of it a lot of cloud through the day on thursday. behind the weather front, showers, some of those turning wintry over higher ground. it really will feel in the north cold by the end of the afternoon. further south, in the north cold by the end of the afternoon. furthersouth, hold onto something milder, but by friday, all of us into the northerly winds, some showers which will be wintry, especially over high ground in the north of our perhaps even to lower levels in the north. some decent spells of sunshine. 1! degrees in cardiff and plymouth but most places feeling colder than that. when we factor in the strength of the wind, it will feel subzero for some parts of eastern and northeastern

scotland. into the weekend, we stick with the chilly feel. there will be quite a lot of dry weather, though, and some spells of sunshine. goodbye for now.

tonight at 10pm... israel is on the brink of a hostage deal with hamas — up to 50 civilians could be released. women and children seized on october 7th are expected to be among the first released from gaza, in exchange for palestinian prisoners held by israel. tonight, families here are waiting

anxiously for the government to sign off on a deal that could see dozens off on a deal that could see dozens of the most vulnerable hostages brought home. our other main story... after a massive search for the teenagers who went missing on a camping trip to north wales, police find four bodies in an overturned car. as the chancellor prepares to deliver his autumn statement tomorrow, our political and economic editors will be here to tell us what they're expecting. and the extraordinary moment when 41 workers trapped in a collapsed tunnel in india were seen for the first time in more than a week. on bbc london... and on newsnight at 10.30, we'll go deeper behind the headlines and speak live to key players on today's big stories. plus, we take a look at tomorrow's front pages. good evening. tonight, israeland hamas

are on the cusp of what could be a critical moment in the course of the war.