we will states and also on israel. we will of course take you to the vote as when it comes in. our top story tonight, the british government has avoided defeat in a first vote on the contentious rwanda legislation, which would pave the way for the government to offshore some of the uk's asylum processing. rishi sunak won the vote with a majority of 44. 313 mp's voted in favour of the progression of the bill with 269 voting against. number ten worked throughout the day to see off a rebellion. they even hauled back the minister negotiating at cop 28, graham stewart who flew back before a climate text had been agreed — and will return after the vote. it was like the old days of brexit. although at its inception, this bill was never supposed to be as important as brexit. it has become so, to rishi sunak, because at stake here is his authority and whether his conservative party can still govern. at the start of the debate, the home secretary defended the legislation

and what is sets out. labour have said they will repeal the bill if they win the next election. labour's shadow home secretary yvette cooper said it was a waste of taxpayers money. this all comes after came robertjenrick resigned as immigration minister over the bill last week. continuing to press his concerns that it wasn't fit for purpose. 3i3 — 269 better than was expected. but plenty of danger still ahead. rachel, what did you make of events tonight at the end of it all? there's been an enormous amount of arm—twisting through the course of the day. arm-twisting through the course of the da . . , ., ., ., , the day. there have been an enormous amount of arm-twisting. _ the day. there have been an enormous amount of arm-twisting. it _ the day. there have been an enormous amount of arm-twisting. it was - amount of arm—twisting. it was clear, i think that it was just a lot of hot air coming from opponents. when push came to shove

they would actually fall into line and support this bill. it did take a lot of people back to the bad old days of brexit when the country was entire convulsing over these kinds of votes, where the tory party was itself divided. and therefore holding the entire country on a cliff edge because of it. as you say, it's not the same scale in terms of issue. but in terms of sucking up all the oxygen in the country in terms of news, bandwidth and political commentary, that's exactly what it succeeded in doing for the past few days. it is after all over a bill that won conservative lord described as a bill trying to say that dogs were now cats. just because the government wants to say that rwanda is a safe country but doesn't actually make it a safe country,

which is of course why there rwanda asylum plan failed in the first place. because the highest court in the country said rwanda is not a safe country. all of this political theatre over a ridiculous bill that is probably going to get torn to shreds and house of lords just seems like a terrible waste of our time and money. like a terrible waste of our time and money-— like a terrible waste of our time and mone . ., ., _ and money. the government would say that there's been _ and money. the government would say that there's been a _ and money. the government would say that there's been a 3096 _ and money. the government would say that there's been a 30% reduction - and money. the government would say that there's been a 3096 reduction in i that there's been a 30% reduction in small boats coming across and the legislation were it to pass would save them £8 million a day among those asylum—seekers who are kept in hotels. that if it works as a deterrent then it would be money well spent. what would you say to that? i well spent. what would you say to that? h, , well spent. what would you say to that? ,, , , ., that? i say the entire premise of deterrent is _ that? i say the entire premise of deterrent is flawed _ that? i say the entire premise of deterrent is flawed and - that? i say the entire premise of deterrent is flawed and is - that? i say the entire premise ofj deterrent is flawed and is always been flawed. first of all, there are fewer boats in winter, that's the reality of how things work. the reason deterrence will never work is

because people who are desperately fleeing persecution, war, catastrophes, climate and environmental catastrophes aren't being pulled two countries, they are being pulled two countries, they are being pushed away from their own country. so the idea that you can prevent people from fleeing catastrophe, persecution and war is a faulty want to begin with. if the government really wanted to reduce those bills it could do so easily by providing safe and legal routes for asylum—seekers with up it could do so easily by putting more money into processor asylum claims. there are very many ways in which the government could meet its own objectives if they want to do. i suspect the real reason for this bill and this entire policy is a giant distraction devised from its own failures, the government that is on its knees and has the lowest polling ever, i think.

on its knees and has the lowest polling ever, ithink.— on its knees and has the lowest polling ever, i think. according to the government, _ polling ever, i think. according to the government, immigration - polling ever, i think. according to the government, immigration is l the government, immigration is creeping up a list of the public priorities in the last year. are you confident that labour has the right alternative to this? we've heard from yvette cooper tonight who said a greater policing unit to tackle the gangs but that governments invested an awful lot of money in tackling the games and it hasn't worked. i tackling the games and it hasn't worked. ~ ., tackling the games and it hasn't worked. ~' ., ., ., ~' tackling the games and it hasn't worked. ~' ., ., ., ~ ., worked. i think we need to look at why immigration _ worked. i think we need to look at why immigration gained _ worked. i think we need to look at why immigration gained salience. | why immigration gained salience. will be talking about why it has salience in the us as well. when we look at asylum seekers it's objectively the case that most do not end up in that uk. most will end “p not end up in that uk. most will end up in neighbouring countries to the ones of which there fleeing photo of the ones that come to europe most of those end up in mainland europe. the idea that it's a crisis for anyone other than the actual asylum seekers is a bit of a farce. but when we put

it in the news headlines every day as we have been doing in the uk it does create the perception that we have a problem disproportionate to the actual scale of the issue. i think we need to look at that to begin with. as you say, you get cooper, the shadow home secretary for labour has been putting up a defence all day as this bill went through parliament. they do say one of the things i think is the most interesting is they say they want to cooperate with european countries, particularly france in a way that i'm not sure that the uk has done particularly with this government, particularly with this government, particularly post—brexit frame. that is the element of policy i would pay more attention to as well as putting more attention to as well as putting more money into actually processing claims. we will come back to that. we're

waiting for a vote from the general assembly. countries have been invited to speak before that vote. israel is currently speaking for the fairly strong words from israel let's have a listen.... will fairly strong words from israel let's have a listen. . . .- let's have a listen. . .. will this brina let's have a listen. . .. will this bring peace — let's have a listen. . .. will this bring peace and _ let's have a listen. . .. will this bring peace and stability - let's have a listen. . .. will this bring peace and stability to i let's have a listen. . .. will this| bring peace and stability to the region? of course not. a cease—fire is a death sentence for countless more israelis and gazans. by voting in favour of this resolution you are supporting their survival of jihadist terrorism and the continued suffering of people of gaza. the exploitation of the palestinians has made the un a moral stain on humanity. why are you continuing to allow them to make the united nations irrelevant? if this parties intentions are just, why don't you just start by demanding a cease—fire only from those responsible for violating the past two? why don't

you hold the rapists and child murders are countable? the time has come to put the blame where it belongs, on the shoulders of the hamas monsters. but this resolution does not even condemn hamas, it doesn't even mention hamas. i honestly don't know how can someone look in the mirror and support a resolution that does not condemn hamas and doesn't even mention hamas by name. so at the very last i urge you to vote for ending the condemnation of hamas of the resolution. you know what? i have an idea, if you want a real cease—fire here is the right address. this is the phone number of hamas in his office in gaza. you can all call. tell hamas to put down their arms,

turned themselves in and return our hostages. this will bring a complete cease—fire that will last forever. so why are you not doing this? why are you not holding hamas accountable? ironically, today is the united nations international day of neutrality. the day on which the un reminds itself to be an impartial mediator in de—escalating conflict. ignoring the war crimes of genocidal terrorists on today of all days this body further proves it's utter irrelevance look up what a disgrace. this resolution is absurd further than protecting genocidal terrorists. this resolution is a written paradox for the on the one—handed it calls for a cease—fire yet on the other hand it calls for the release of all hostages, all. have you forgotten who are dealing with, have you forgotten that hamas. .. ?

with, have you forgotten that hamas- -- ?— with, have you forgotten that hamas... ? , ., _ hamas... ? the generalassembly in new york making _ hamas... ? the generalassembly in new york making his _ hamas... ? the generalassembly in new york making his thoughts - hamas... ? the generalassembly in new york making his thoughts very l new york making his thoughts very clear. the un irrelevant, and he says why don't you call for a cease—fire from hamas, why are you not holding hamas culpable for what has gone on? you will know that in recent weeks there's been some fierce criticism from the israeli side, the un secretary—general and the un as a body. let's bring rachel back in. separate from that there's been fairly strong words from joe biden who says that israel is starting to lose support from the international community because it's killed so many palestinian civilians. he would want to say that president netanyahu needs to strengthen and change the israeli government. it doesn't want a two state solution but it can't say no to one. you can pick up they are a shift in tone from the white house over the last few days. you can ick house over the last few days. you can pick up _ house over the last few days. you

can pick up a _ house over the last few days. you can pick up a shift _ house over the last few days. m. can pick up a shift in tone. i think a lot of people will look at what biden is saying and say that it is far too little and far too late. this is some months into horrifying assault on gaza. to be clear, hamas attacks on october the 7th were utterly horrendous and despicable and there is nojustification utterly horrendous and despicable and there is no justification for them. but the response from israel has been so disproportionate that it has been so disproportionate that it has had such a devastating effect on civilian life. i think some two out of three people killed in gaza are thought to be civilians. then we have this humanitarian catastrophe unfolding with the vast majority of the population of gaza has been displaced. it is also undersea so is under starvation with a lack of food, fuel and water. we have all these humanitarian —— under siege.

globin, hardened veterans of several wars and several humanitarian disasters saying in no uncertain terms, this is the worst thing we have ever seen. and in the face of that biden is saying to israel, well, you guys to do a bit better. but obviously, israel is dependent on us arms and aid in order to perpetuate these attacks. it does seem to be, i think the tragedy of this is notjust pack for palestinians but obviously it is the worst thing, it's almost certainly going to make things worse for israel. it's devastating for the region and its devastating for biden and for america as well. the ramifications of this are immense. we will keep an eye onto vote. the

still ongoing. will bring you the result of that as and when we get it. the israeli representative has finished talking but clearly there are others in line to have their say is well. six insurgents were killed, the group affiliated to the pakistani taliban said its fighters carried out the assault. taliban said its fighters carried out the assault. yemen's iran—backed houthi rebels say they were behind a missile strike on a norwegian—flagged tanker off yemen's coast on monday. no casualties were reported. meanwhile, the government of france says one of its warships has taken action to protect shipping nearyemen, including shooting down a drone which was threatening a tanker. the award—winning south african

singer popularly known as zahara has died at the age of 36. announcing her death, the country's culture minister said the afro—pop star had been suffering from liver problems. the songstress won fame in 2011 with her album loliwe, loved across africa, but in 2019, zahara opened up about her battle with alcohol addiction. you're live with bbc news. president zelensky has been in washington today. he has been meeting with a bipartisan group of senators on the hill. he also spent some time this afternoon with speaker mikejohnson, who said last night the house will go into recess on thursday without any resolution to this current standoff over funding for ukraine's war against russia. mrjohnson laid the blame for that firmly on the president. i have asked the white house since the day that i was handed the gavel as speaker for clarity. we need a clear articulation of the strategy to allow ukraine to win, and thus far, their responses have been insufficient.

they have not provided us the clarity and the detail that we have requested over and over since literally 2a hours after i was handed the gavel as speaker of the house. in washington where we're expecting zelensky and president biden to appear eminently. well, mr zelensky arrived a short time ago at the white house for his meetings with president biden. within the next 15 minutes, which we will take you to. what a difference a year makes. remember the standing ovation he got in congress, the pledges from all sides of unflinching support? a year on, and the war has devolved into stalemate. the american public tiring of the investment they are making in this war. a majority according to the latest pew polling think they are spending too much on ukraine. ron christie has joined

ron christie hasjoined us ron christie has joined us with that we had a technical problem but he is now here. they go on recess thursday. i think president zelensky will be making the case quite forcibly today just how will be making the case quite forcibly todayjust how urgently this money is needed. it doesn't seem to be the same urgency on the part of republicans. goad seem to be the same urgency on the part of republicans.— part of republicans. good evening, christians. technical— part of republicans. good evening, christians. technical problems - christians. technical problems averted i am with you right now. here's where things stand, president zelensky met with all 100 senators earlier in the day. he had the chance to meet with the speaker of the house and then ultimately right now with the president of the united states. i think the lack of urgency comes from the fact that a lot of republicans are sitting around and saying, we've been given hundreds of billions of dollars to ukraine, we haven't sealed our southern border and it looks like were in a quagmire in the ukraine— russian standoff. could we reallocate these dollars

elsewhere? i think they're going to leave on thursday to go for christmas holiday and i don't think they get a pass and aid package. in zelensky strip may have been in vain. i zelensky strip may have been in vain. ., ,., zelensky strip may have been in vain. ., ., , ., , vain. i heard some of the democrats toda sa vain. i heard some of the democrats today say look. _ vain. i heard some of the democrats today say look, we _ vain. i heard some of the democrats today say look, we want _ vain. i heard some of the democrats today say look, we want lots - vain. i heard some of the democrats today say look, we want lots of - today say look, we want lots of things on gun reform. we would like all sorts of measures passing to stop down attacks in america but we don't attach them to ukraine spending. while the republicans chosen to do this is such a critical moment? , , .. , _ ., moment? the republicans say we have to have two separate _ moment? the republicans say we have to have two separate votes _ moment? the republicans say we have to have two separate votes on - to have two separate votes on several packages. let's vote for ukraine, israel, and the southern border. we shouldn't and sons the mid—19 90s that we've actually ever gotten our budget on time. for everything in one catchall bill and say oh, he about $1 trillion, vote upper no and then go home for the

holidays. my sense is talking to folks on capitol hill that they want to have a clear and clean vote on each one of these separate aid packages and not throw them all in one package as many of the republican leadership and the democrats would like. we republican leadership and the democrats would like.- republican leadership and the democrats would like. we go to the white house _ democrats would like. we go to the white house without _ democrats would like. we go to the white house without you've - democrats would like. we go to the white house without you've been i white house without you've been watching president zelensky his movements through the course of the day. he is politically astute as to what's going on in washington, why did he come today knowing that it was very likely republicans would go to recess on thursday without a decision? , , ., decision? interested he must get a sense of what _ decision? interested he must get a sense of what it's _ decision? interested he must get a sense of what it's like _ decision? interested he must get a sense of what it's like here - decision? interested he must get a sense of what it's like here in - sense of what it's like here in washington, how politics can be very brutal. he was supposed to go to that meeting last week but postponed it, arriving today. as at the capital earlier when he met with the 100 senators to make his case. smoke also to the most powerful

republican, to meet president biden, they are on the same page. trying to convince the republican is the hard part there's probably a sense of coming in person, his wartime leader coming in person, his wartime leader coming to appeal to those republicans are due back at him in theory. lindsey graham, republican, we spoke to him after the meeting he said that i back him in theory. what's happening to ukraine is brutal but the republicans have seen it opportunity to tie the issue of us security border. we know it's one of those issues that has confounded lawmakers in this country for decades without it such a contentious issue. while zelensky is making the powerful argument, if you don't help me now that we will lose this war and what then what vladimir putin will do will be bad news for america. but republicans are hitting back with a powerful argument to say we care about security but we care about our security. and you know that messages doesn't render

resonate with the american public. the democrats also know there's this influx of migrants at the border. we're heading into an election year and they are cognizant of that. ukraine is a new phase of the war for the president zelensky has talked about reinforcing defensive position and god is the top of a counteroffensive. when you listen to ukrainian mps with out of the programme over the past week or so, to them it's incomprehensible that there wouldn't be support for that yes, plenty of economic aid from europeans but it's the military aid from the united states which is so vitally important. do republicans fully understand that, do you think? i think they do. all of them are saying that we understand if we were in the situation many years ago you'd have many republicans who are hawkers, they probably wouldn't be this stalemate. but america has massively changed, certainly under

donald trout. a lot of these republicans are resistant to sending money to ukraine, these policies which have been more about isolationism, malik america first two resonate with the public. —— donald trump. they are taking this position in which their argument is that our security matters and they are seeing this opportunity to tie... to try to get what they want out of the democrats was up president biden is also facing pressure from his own party to do something. a statistic about the influx of migrants— you got legal crossings top daily up to 8000 this yearfor the biden is facing pressure from his own party to do something. but they differ in how far the changes go. democrats say what republicans are asking for, a lot of those changes are brutal, inhumane and unworkable. let me add,

mitch mcconnell said a deal will not happen at all until president biden reaches an agreement with republicans. mitch mcconnell is one of the most experienced republicans in politics with that that is what he is said today. i in politics with that that is what he is said today.— in politics with that that is what he is said today. i will bring you the vote that _ he is said today. i will bring you the vote that is _ he is said today. i will bring you the vote that is come _ he is said today. i will bring you the vote that is come in - he is said today. i will bring you the vote that is come in from i he is said today. i will bring you i the vote that is come in from new york. new york, the general assembly. these are the voting results coming in. 89 in favour at the moment of the resolution. let's listen in was up... the moment of the resolution. let's listen in was up. . ._ listen in was up... abstentions without having _ listen in was up... abstentions without having failed _ listen in was up... abstentions without having failed to - listen in was up... abstentions without having failed to obtain| listen in was up... abstentions . without having failed to obtain the required _ without having failed to obtain the required two thirds majority draught amendment a, l 28 is not adopted. applause — amendment a, l 28 is not adopted. applause. we now turn to draught

amendment eight — es ten — l 29.| amendment eight — es ten — l29. i think amendment eight — es ten — l 29. think this is amendment eight — es ten — l 29. i think this is voting on the amendments, actually. we're still waiting for the main vote on the resolution itself. let's bring in the panel. a slightly confusing picture. prematurely calling vote, which i shouldn't do. speak if you weren't on the issue we were discussing as we wait for the vote command on ukraine. it's quite clear by now that if the us funding to ukraine wasn't there, it's not feasible that the europeans would be able to fill the europeans would be able to fill the military gap. ida. the europeans would be able to fill the military gap-— the military gap. no, it's not feasible- _ the military gap. no, it's not feasible. europe _ the military gap. no, it's not feasible. europe is _ the military gap. no, it's not feasible. europe is a - the military gap. no, it's not feasible. europe is a source | feasible. europe is a source of funding for ukraine but it doesn't

have the means and the type of military aid that i think ukraine is asking for at this moment. i have to say, it is from a far quite bizarre to see congress work in this way where there republican sort of binding to things together in this way. in holding one hostage to the fortunes of the other. also to compare migrants crossing the border from the south to an illegal invasion by a hostile country, under putin seems a strange analogy to make. i think the military hardware that ukraine is after is something that ukraine is after is something thatis that ukraine is after is something that is quite specific to the us. we will no that is quite specific to the us. we will go to a short break for that we will go to a short break for that we will keep an eye on both of these life story some press conference at the white house which is coming up

and the vote, which i keep teasing and the vote, which i keep teasing and will bring. still a few minutes away. state with us. good evening. we've had no shortage of wet weather over the last few days, but things do lookjust a little bit drier over the next few days as this area of low pressure begins to journey away from our shores, moving eastwards out into continental europe. still close enough, though, in the short term to drive some persistent rain across parts of south east scotland, north east england, quite windy here as well through the evening and overnight. could be enough rain for some localised flooding. a bit of snow mixing in, you'll notice, over high ground there in scotland. generally through the night, england and wales will keep a lot of cloud and some showery rain. but for northern ireland

and a good part of scotland, the skies will clear and for some there will be a touch of frost, particularly in northern scotland. we could see lows of minus three in the highlands, milderfurther south where we keep more cloud but into tomorrow, as our area of low pressure journeys eastwards, we'll be left on the back edge of that low, with more of a northeasterly wind bringing a colder feel. certainly nothing exceptional for this point in december, but a slightly chillier day. a lot of cloud and some showery rain for central and eastern parts of england, western england, wales seeing some sunshine and northern ireland and scotland actually should have a mostly dry and mostly sunny day, but quite a cold one in place four degrees there in aberdeen, nine in cardiff. we could get to ten in the south west of england and the channel islands. now, in this slice of clear sky here, we will see some quite cold conditions developing for a time on wednesday night into thursday. but then this band of rain moves its way in from the west and behind it we get into westerly winds, really quite strong winds

actually in the north of scotland, a few showers, but a lot of dry weather and things begin to turn just a little bit milder. now, as we get into friday, i think these mild south—westerly winds will start to deliver quite a lot of mist and murk and low cloud, some bits and pieces of showery rain, particularly in the northwest of scotland. best of the sunshine towards the southeast of england. still a little bit chilly in eastern areas, but milder out towards the west. that's a sign of things to come into the weekend. split weather fortunes. this area of high pressure builds strongly across the south. further north, frontal systems bringing a bit of rain into the north of scotland, particularly strong winds, but mild winds, those winds coming from the south or the southwest. so that is going to bring a mild feel to proceedings over the weekend, most places into double digits, but it will be rather cloudy with some rain in the north of the uk.

hello, i'm christian fraser. you're watching the context on bbc news. the un general assembly meets on a resolution the voting process has started at the un general assembly on a resolution for an immediate ceasefire in gaza. 153 have voted in favour of this resolution. it's an emergency resolution. it's an emergency resolution calling for a cease—fire. ten countries have voted against. and we hear that 23 have abstained. so 153. .. and we hear that 23 have abstained. so 153... in favour. ten against and 23 have abstained. our panel are with us this evening.

rachel, what do you think that kind of effect will have on the israeli government?— of effect will have on the israeli rovernment? ~ ., , , ., , ., government? well, as you 'ust heard from the israeli * government? well, as you just heard from the israeli representative - government? well, as you just heard from the israeli representative to - from the israeli representative to the un general, they don't really hold that body in much regard. the officials described the un as hostile to israel, so i don't think they will be taking that very seriously. it does, however, puta squeeze on the us in some way. i mean, these are all sort of mounting pressure areas, aren't they, coming from different sources and building up from different sources and building up over the last week. to reach this crescendo. i mean, it is the scale of the assault, again, just so incredibly damaging, and we are all seeing these images. it's causing so

much distress, it's