about the growing number of civilian casualties in gaza. we will hear from two veteran diplomats about what they think it will take to end the fighting. also tonight, we will focus in on brussels. eu leaders are talking about more money for ukraine, but not everyone is on board. will they be able to convince hungary's viktor orban to sign off on the much—needed military aid? and coming up, our weekly focus on artificial intelligence, ai decoded, where we'll get up to speed on all the latest developments. we start tonight in israel. us national security advisor jake sullivan is there. he has been meeting with prime minister netanyahu, talking about protecting civilians and a possible timetable for ending the war. back in washington, white house national security spokesperson john kirby gave an update on what happened in those talks behind closed doors.

one of the things thatjake did talk to him about was progress in the war and where the israelis think it's going to go. he did talk about possible transitioning from what we would call high—intensity operations, which is what we're seeing them do now, to lower—intensity operations some time, you know, in the nearfuture. but i don't want to but a timestamp on it. i think you can understand that the last thing we'd want to do is telegraphed to hamas what they're looking to face in coming weeks and months. also today, israel's ambassador to the uk says israel would not accept a two—state solution when the war in gaza ends. on the ground, bombing and fighting continue. this is the aftermath of a strike in rafah in the south of the gaza strip. the hamas—run health ministry says at least 2a people have been killed in air strikes on two houses

in rafah today. we start tonight with a special report from our international editorjeremy bowen, and a warning, you may find it distressing. jerusalem, a historian wrote, is the only city where the dead are more important than the living. he meant the weight of its bloody past, but it's the last two months and more of killing that have sent palestinians and israelis into new and unknown territory. and here in the holy city which both sides claim as their capital, they are tense, watchful, waiting. choices lie ahead. a cease—fire will come eventually. will itjust be a pause before the next war? or will israel and the palestinians decide that the only way to avoid more sorrow and death is to try again to make peace? arabs and jews have contested the land between the mediterranean and thejordan riverfor more

than a century. this is hebron, on the israeli—occupied west bank. do you have many families left here? i can see since october 7th... and this is issa amro, a palestinian activist. since the 7th of october, palestinians who live near hebron�*s illegaljewish settlement have been mostly under a curfew. so, the army's coming. what do you think they want? intimidation. yeah? everything they do, it's about intimidating the palestinian population and make them scared, to make this area empty. that is what they do. issa is well—known in hebron, and the army regard him as a troublemaker. they didn't want us to film, but we did when one of the soldiers butted into our conversation. you don't know what it's like to grow up in israel with neighbours like this. i know them. i live with them. i want peace. they don't want peace. even the ones working for me, they hate me. take your mask off.

i'm not your enemy. confrontation is built into israel's military occupation of the palestinian territories. peace is impossible while it continues. can you have peace? with them? no, we should force them to peace, pressure them. you should...? pressure them. pressure them? yes. the international community and the international law must be implemented. the international community should make israel accept peace. do you think that the shock of the war in gaza and everything that's happened — the hamas attacks, everything that israel did in response — do you think that will change things orjust make them deeper and worse? i think its two opportunities. it's either we choose to make it deeper and worse, or we make it as an opportunity to solve the conflict and to solve the occupation, to solve the apartheid and make living together possible, because their security solution failed.

israel says it has a right to be in hebron and this is security, not apartheid. this was kibbutz be�*eri just after the 7th of october. the government here says the only response is to destroy israel's enemies. vivian silver lived at the kibbutz. she was one of israel's best—known peace campaigners. she believed israelis would never have real security until palestinians had their own state. on the 7th, she was at home, in the place where she'd brought up her two sons. the bodies of israelis killed by hamas were still being recovered when we went there to try to find vivian's house. her family hoped she was a hostage inside gaza. as hamas shot their way into be�*eri, she texted her son, yonatan, that she feared a massacre. her house was burnt. a month later, vivian silver's remains were identified in the ash left by the fire.

so, you were there, i i was there afterwards, and her bones were in the safe room all the while. _ yonatan believes the war lacks a political objective. war, if we're not naive, - it should be a means, right? but it feels like this war is - a cause in itself, of revenge, of... ..of making a point. you are still a believer in peace even though these people came over into your country and killed your mother? they came into my country and killed my mother- because we didn't have peace, so, to me, thisjust proves- the point that we need it. after the war, the americans want israel's walls and fences, here between jerusalem

and bethlehem, to go from a security measure into an international frontier with an independent palestine. the current israeli government says the two—state solution will not happen. so, when the war is over, what needs to go right to give peace a chance? well, first of all, a change of leader on both sides. there's too much bad history, and they don't trust each other. next, there has to be even—handed mediation, something the americans have never managed to do. and as well as that, both israelis and palestinians are going to have to accept painful compromises on things that really matter to them, especially territory. so much has to go right to move from war to peace. so much has already gone wrong that peace mightjust be impossible. jeremy bowen, bbc news, jerusalem. jeremy they're raising several

questions. we are going to dig in with them now. joining me now is david schenker, former us assistant secretary of state for near eastern affairs, and sir richard dalton, who was the uk's consul general injerusalem in the mid—1990s, responsible for dealings with the palestinian authority after the oslo accords. gentleman, thank you both very much for coming on the programme. if we could start, david, with you, i will come onto specifically the relations and the role of the us in a moment, but first of all putting up on some of the broad things there from jeremy bowen's report. where things stand now, what do you think have to happen to try to move towards peace here? ~ ~ , ., ., here? well, i think first of all, hamas cannot _ here? well, i think first of all, hamas cannot be _ here? well, i think first of all, hamas cannot be in _ here? well, i think first of all, hamas cannot be in control. here? well, i think first of all, hamas cannot be in control of| here? well, i think first of all, - hamas cannot be in control of gaza. they are not going to be a potential peace partner, but certainly i think the israelis are going to have to accept ultimately that there will have to be a palestinian partner out

there that they can do business with. this is not this palestinian authority of mahmoud abbas, a guy who is going into his 19th year of a four—year term, who is going into his 19th year of a four—yearterm, but who is going into his 19th year of a four—year term, but ultimately it will be the plo despite the raw feelings in the aftermath of october the 7th and the intervening war. fix, the 7th and the intervening war. a partner with new personalities effectively. and i asked the same question to you, sir richard, what do you think needs to happen to move towards peace? i do you think needs to happen to move towards peace?— towards peace? i agree with mcdavid, and i aaree towards peace? i agree with mcdavid, and i agree and _ towards peace? i agree with mcdavid, and i agree and my — towards peace? i agree with mcdavid, and i agree and my heart _ towards peace? i agree with mcdavid, and i agree and my heart goes - towards peace? i agree with mcdavid, and i agree and my heart goes out - towards peace? i agree with mcdavid, and i agree and my heart goes out to| and i agree and my heart goes out to that man _ and i agree and my heart goes out to that man who lost his mother by stating _ that man who lost his mother by stating the obvious that peace is an absolute _ stating the obvious that peace is an absolute necessity and jeremy bowen is right _ absolute necessity and jeremy bowen is right to _ absolute necessity and jeremy bowen is right to require major compromises from both. i would add that gaza _ compromises from both. i would add that gaza is — compromises from both. i would add that gaza is going to be really difficult — that gaza is going to be really difficult over the next period, and envisaging a transition to a plo

based _ envisaging a transition to a plo based government there is going to take a _ based government there is going to take a long time. palestinian unity is going _ take a long time. palestinian unity is going to — take a long time. palestinian unity is going to be needed, and that will mean, _ is going to be needed, and that will mean, considering the views and stances — mean, considering the views and stances of— mean, considering the views and stances of the leaders of hamas which _ stances of the leaders of hamas which wiii— stances of the leaders of hamas which will emerge, because not all hamas— which will emerge, because not all hamas fighters going to be killed and new— hamas fighters going to be killed and new leaders will be there who will have — and new leaders will be there who will have to be reckoned with. secondly, _ will have to be reckoned with. secondly, there is going to have to be a very— secondly, there is going to have to be a very extensive aid agency presents — be a very extensive aid agency presents in gaza to assist with the formation— presents in gaza to assist with the formation of a new government. there is going _ formation of a new government. there is going to _ formation of a new government. there is going to have to beat recruitment and training of a palestinian police force. _ and training of a palestinian police force, maybe with some arab security presence _ force, maybe with some arab security presence. but that's for the medium term _ presence. but that's for the medium term in— presence. but that's for the medium term in the — presence. but that's for the medium term. in the short term, we are going _ term. in the short term, we are going to — term. in the short term, we are going to have more war, well over 20,000 _ going to have more war, well over 20,000 civilian deaths. we are going to be approaching the test for

genocide, namely intent to destroy in whole _ genocide, namely intent to destroy in whole or— genocide, namely intent to destroy in whole or in part, taking into account— in whole or in part, taking into account the deprivation of food, the destruction— account the deprivation of food, the destruction of utilities and it's going — destruction of utilities and it's going to — destruction of utilities and it's going to take a long while to get back to — going to take a long while to get back to a — going to take a long while to get back to a situation in which both israei— back to a situation in which both israei and — back to a situation in which both israel and the palestinians are content — israel and the palestinians are content to work with each other in the context — content to work with each other in the context of an emerging palestinian state. in the west bank, it should _ palestinian state. in the west bank, it should be quicker.— it should be quicker. david, let's ick u- it should be quicker. david, let's pick up on _ it should be quicker. david, let's pick up on i _ it should be quicker. david, let's pick up on i suppose _ it should be quicker. david, let's pick up on i suppose the - it should be quicker. david, let's pick up on i suppose the idea - it should be quicker. david, let's i pick up on i suppose the idea there that possibly in the short term about what happens in gaza. in your eyes, in the short term and the fighting stops, what role does israel play? what role possibly an international force? israel play? what role possibly an internationalforce? how does it actually worked before you get that unity of palestinian governments as to richard was talking about, what happens before that? essen to richard was talking about, what happens before that?— to richard was talking about, what happens before that? even if the war ends and israel _ happens before that? even if the war ends and israel pulls _ happens before that? even if the war ends and israel pulls out _ happens before that? even if the war ends and israel pulls out most - happens before that? even if the war ends and israel pulls out most of- ends and israel pulls out most of its troops from gaza, it will still play a heavy security role. hamas

will not be entirely eradicated. there will still be hundreds if not thousands of gunmen wandering around. there will have to be some sort of international force. i think we can rule out the un after the sort of anaemic, feckless role that they played in lebanon allowing hezbollah to rearm intervention of un security council resolution 1701. i don't think israel would deign to accept the un... 50 i don't think israel would deign to accept the un. . .— accept the un... so what kind of international— accept the un... so what kind of international organisation - accept the un... so what kind of international organisation is - accept the un... so what kind of. international organisation is there thanit international organisation is there than it is not the un?— international organisation is there than it is not the un? well, i think the that estates _ than it is not the un? well, i think the that estates is _ the that estates is currently thinking about some sort of arab force. there are arab forces out there. the rapid reaction force in there. the rapid reaction force in the gulf that's got 40,000 troops in it, this could be reconstituted with troops from countries that have relations not only with the

palestinians, but with israel. talking about bob rain, the uae, saudi arabia, jordan, egypt. egypt is already expressed some holiness to do this if there is a political horizon out there, so i think this is something that's feasible. daeid is something that's feasible. david let's move to _ is something that's feasible. david let's move to the _ is something that's feasible. david let's move to the listenership - is something that's feasible. david let's move to the listenership with the us. what do you make of the language change we have seen over the last few days? i language change we have seen over the last few days?— the last few days? i think that the united states _ the last few days? i think that the united states is _ the last few days? i think that the united states is getting _ united states is getting increasingly concerned with not only the high number of civilian casualties, but that with the timetable that israel has put forward. there is an understanding that hamas has to be degraded, that they have to lose power in gaza. there is also an understanding that there cannot be a return to the status quote. if hamas emerges from this war in control, there will be another war in this war in control, there will be anotherwar in a this war in control, there will be another war in a short time. so the united states understands that israel is going to have to complete the vast majority of its work, and

with less intensive airpower. something that results in less civilian casualties. so that's what the discussion is about right now, which is how israel is going to move to a different phase of operations. i would anticipate we are talking in terms of the united states patients in terms of weeks, not months. weeks, not months. do you agree with that, sir richard?— that, sir richard? know, because the us is weak- — that, sir richard? know, because the us is weak- it — that, sir richard? know, because the us is weak. it is _ that, sir richard? know, because the us is weak. it is not _ that, sir richard? know, because the us is weak. it is not use _ that, sir richard? know, because the us is weak. it is not use any - us is weak. it is not use any leverage _ us is weak. it is not use any leverage so far. it's bleeding about potential— leverage so far. it's bleeding about potential strategic defeat for israei— potential strategic defeat for israel or criticism of indiscriminate warfare, has not been hacked _ indiscriminate warfare, has not been backed up— indiscriminate warfare, has not been backed up in— indiscriminate warfare, has not been backed up in any way. and israel is reading _ backed up in any way. and israel is reading united states intentions quite _ reading united states intentions quite differently, so i am deeply pessimistic. i think that one of the key difficulties for making peace,

and i_ key difficulties for making peace, and i hope this is something where the united — and i hope this is something where the united states will be able to take a _ the united states will be able to take a lead, is to roll back the current— take a lead, is to roll back the current israeli myth—making. we hear statements— current israeli myth—making. we hear statements that is not possible to find a _ statements that is not possible to find a partner for peace because they want— find a partner for peace because they want a state from the river to they want a state from the river to the sea _ they want a state from the river to the sea. that's the palestinians. we hear that— the sea. that's the palestinians. we hear that israel is fighting for its existence — hear that israel is fighting for its existence. clearly its existence as a state _ existence. clearly its existence as a state is — existence. clearly its existence as a state is not under threat. and the conclusion— a state is not under threat. and the conclusion which has been drawn from these _ conclusion which has been drawn from these and _ conclusion which has been drawn from these and other myths in israel is that it's _ these and other myths in israel is that it's they who should have the state _ that it's they who should have the state from — that it's they who should have the state from the river to the sea. and it's time for— state from the river to the sea. and it's time for a — state from the river to the sea. and it's time for a much more robust attitude — it's time for a much more robust attitude hy— it's time for a much more robust attitude by all israel's allies to make — attitude by all israel's allies to make clear that a two state solution requires _ make clear that a two state solution requires fundamental change, more change _ requires fundamental change, more change in _ requires fundamental change, more change in israel than in the arab

side of— change in israel than in the arab side of the — change in israel than in the arab side of the potential union. david, ou're not side of the potential union. david, you're rrot here — side of the potential union. david, you're not here to _ side of the potential union. david, you're not here to represent - side of the potential union. david, you're not here to represent the i side of the potential union. david, l you're not here to represent the us butjust in you're not here to represent the us but just in 20 you're not here to represent the us butjust in 20 seconds as a kind of right to reply, ijust butjust in 20 seconds as a kind of right to reply, i just wondered right to reply, ijust wondered if you wanted to respond to anything there. . ~ you wanted to respond to anything there. ., ,, ., there. yeah, i think there are --eole there. yeah, i think there are people on _ there. yeah, i think there are people on the _ there. yeah, i think there are people on the right _ there. yeah, i think there are people on the right in - there. yeah, i think there are people on the right in israel | there. yeah, i think there are i people on the right in israel that don't envision a two state solution, but i think the vast majority of israelis probably do. and it's a problem right now with gaza. being ruled by a group that does not believe in israel's right to exist, and that's not going to be a piece partner for the palestinians or for the israelis. partner for the palestinians or for the lsraelis— the israelis. 0k, david, sir richard. — the israelis. 0k, david, sir richard, in _ the israelis. 0k, david, sir richard, in the _ the israelis. 0k, david, sir richard, in the mid-90s i the israelis. 0k, david, sir. richard, in the mid-90s and richard, in the mid—90s and resourceful for dealing with the posting authority after the oslo accords, thank you both very much. a simpering and enlightening conversation, thank you. thank you. thank you- — around the world and across the uk, this is bbc news.

let's look at some other stories making news. new cctv footage has been released of the last known movements of a woman who has been missing since friday. gaynor lord, who's 55, was reported missing in norwich after failing to return home from work. police say there's a "high probability" that she went into the river wensum in the city. specialist divers are continuing to conduct searches of the area. the father, step—mother and uncle of ten—year—old sara sharif, who died at her home in woking in august, have pleaded not guilty to her murder. urfan sharif, beinash batool and faisal malik appeared at the old bailey by video link. french police say they have found a british boy who disappeared in spain six years ago. alex batty, from oldham, near manchester, disappeared along with his mother and grandfather while on holiday. police in a town near toulouse said a boy answering to the name "alex batty" and matching his description was brought to them

on wednesday morning. you're live with bbc news. next to russia, vladimir putin held his first major press conference since he launched the full—scale invasion of ukraine. he said russia's objectives have not changed and that peace with ukraine will only take place "when we achieve our objectives". our russia editor steve rosenberg was there. there haven't been many — actually, any — opportunities for western media to get anywhere near vladimir putin since his full—scale invasion of ukraine. but today, the kremlin invited us and otherforeign media to the president's end—of—year tv extravaganza — half press conference, half phone—in. on the war in ukraine, he sounded confident. translation: there will be peace when we achieve our goals. - they haven't changed.

practically along the entire line of contact, our armed forces are, to put it modestly, improving their position. they are in an active stage of operation. there was a definite military theme to the show, which was broadcast by every main tv channel in russia and went on for hours. the public had plenty of questions about what the kremlin's still calling its special military operation, like would there be a new wave of mobilisation in russia? mr putin said no. this didn't happen last year. the kremlin had cancelled the annual putin phone—in and his end—of—year press conference following the full—scale invasion of ukraine. the fact that the four—hour tv marathon is back reflects his growing confidence nearly two years into the war. he was asked about two americans

being held in russianjails — wall streetjournal reporter evan gershkovich and former marine paul whelan. is a prisoner swap possible? translation: we want to do a deal, but these agreements should be - mutually beneficial. we're in contact with our american partners on this matter. a dialogue is under way. it's not easy. i won't go into detail, but in general i think we understand each other and i hope that we will find a solution. irina was lucky. she got a question about egg prices. "you're my favourite president," she says. but all i got, afterfour hours, was a sore arm. pity, that. i have so many questions for vladimir putin. another day, perhaps. steve rosenberg, bbc news.

good stuff from steve there. ukraine now. the priority for president zelensky right now — getting more money and supplies to keep the fight going. earlier this week, he tried and failed to convince hard—line republicans in washington to approve $60 billion in funding for his war effort. today, he turned to brussels. eu leaders met to discuss a 78—billion—euro aid package and the opening of formal negotiations for ukraine tojoin the eu. they have agreed to start those proceedings on eu's accession to the eu, butjust like in washington, there are holdouts when it comes to funding — hungary's leader, viktor orban. he gave the green light to ukraine's eu membership, but he has suggested he could block the funding plans. kurt volker is the former us ambassador to nato and former us special envoy for ukraine.

thank you very much for coming on the programme. thank you very much for coming on the programme-— the programme. thank you for having me. let's the programme. thank you for having me- let's start _ the programme. thank you for having me. let's start with _ the programme. thank you for having me. let's start with this _ the programme. thank you for having me. let's start with this latest - me. let's start with this latest fundin: me. let's start with this latest funding round, _ me. let's start with this latest funding round, as _ me. let's start with this latest funding round, as it— me. let's start with this latest funding round, as it were. - me. let's start with this latest. funding round, as it were. what me. let's start with this latest - funding round, as it were. what is your assessment of zelensky�*s efforts? your assessment of zelensky's efforts? ~ ~ ., , efforts? well, i think it was unrealistic _ efforts? well, i think it was unrealistic to _ efforts? well, i think it was unrealistic to think - efforts? well, i think it was unrealistic to think that - efforts? well, i think it was unrealistic to think that he l efforts? well, i think it was i unrealistic to think that he was going to get a boat done in washington this week without the administration and congress agreeing on what to do on the southern border. nothing to do with ukraine at all. you have a majority of republicans in both chambers and a majority of democrats in both chambers who want to support ukraine but their publicans feel than a political cover to show that they're doing something about us security on the southern border first in order to justify the spending for ukraine as well. it sounds like the administration and congress are close to a deal and it'll probably happen but probably not until january. happen but probably not until janua . a, .,

happen but probably not until january-— lti happen but probably not until janua . a, ., it was a january. moving to the eu. it was a bit of surprise _ january. moving to the eu. it was a bit of surprise to _ january. moving to the eu. it was a bit of surprise to hear _ january. moving to the eu. it was a bit of surprise to hear today - january. moving to the eu. it was a bit of surprise to hear today that i bit of surprise to hear today that they all approve the opening of accession talks. can you see me now? carry—on, we've got you. it accession talks. can you see me now? carry-on, we've got you.— carry-on, we've got you. it was a bit of it is — carry-on, we've got you. it was a bit of it is a — carry-on, we've got you. it was a bit of it is a surprise to _ carry-on, we've got you. it was a bit of it is a surprise to see - carry-on, we've got you. it was a bit of it is a surprise to see that l bit of it is a surprise to see that they agreed on the accession talks already. the speculation of a few days ago was that they would cut a deal with hungary on funding, releasing some eu funds for hungary in exchange for getting the ukraine funding. it may be that he would hold out on accession talks. i think is positive that they agreed on the accession talks already and i suspect the next thing will be an agreement on the funding is well with the release of funds for hungary and the approval of a budget for ukraine. {lilia hungary and the approval of a budget for ukraine. . �* . for ukraine. 0k, interesting. let's move on to _ for ukraine. 0k, interesting. let's move on to bigger— for ukraine. 0k, interesting. let's move on to bigger picture - for ukraine. 0k, interesting. let's move on to bigger picture than - for ukraine. 0k, interesting. let's move on to bigger picture than a l move on to bigger picture than a presuming let's work on the basis that you are right about the money in the funding in the military aid and supplies, what is your view of the status of the war right now? and i'm not going to ask you for timescales or anything like that,

but the real worry of a stalemate kicking in? i but the real worry of a stalemate kickin: in? ., but the real worry of a stalemate kicking in?— kicking in? i do think you were auoin to kicking in? i do think you were going to see — kicking in? i do think you were going to see some _ kicking in? i do think you were going to see some fairly - kicking in? i do think you were going to see some fairly little | going to see some fairly little movement right now on the front line. i don't think the russians are able to advance. they keep throwing wave of people at the front lines, especially in one area, but they are not getting anywhere. the ukrainians also had decided to shift to a more defensive posture right now, and i think you are not going to see a lot of movement. what is needed is for better technology and longer—range equipment to get to the ukrainians so that they... equipment to get to the ukrainians so that they- - -_ so that they... kurt, we heard everything _ so that they... kurt, we heard everything op _ so that they... kurt, we heard everything up to _ so that they... kurt, we heard everything up to you - so that they... kurt, we heard everything up to you starting l so that they... kurt, we heard. everything up to you starting to talk about better technology and then he froze. so that's the perfect note to end it on, i'm afraid. we will leave it there and we will need some better technology, thank you very much for your time. things are coming on the programme. do stay

with us, plenty more to come and i'm backin with us, plenty more to come and i'm back injust a with us, plenty more to come and i'm back in just a couple of minutes will stop this is bbc news. hello there. thursday brought us some big temperature contrasts across the uk. western areas, it turned pretty mild. swansea, we had temperatures, for example, reaching double figures with some bright skies here. but across parts of east anglia through much of the day, temperatures struggled in places to reach much above four degrees celsius, and there was some drizzle around, too. overnight tonight, i think it's going to stay pretty cloudy across wales, parts of the midlands, southern counties of england, northern ireland and probably western scotland, too. the clearer skies — eastern scotland and parts of north—east england, and that's probably where we'll see some of the lowest temperatures. so, tomorrow, probably a lot of cloud for wales and southern counties of england. northern ireland, cloudy. western scotland, cloud thickens to bring some rain. there will be some sunny spells, the best of these probably across the eastern side of england, particularly to the east

of the pennines, and across parts of eastern scotland for a time. mild across the west, temperatures reaching 12 degrees, but across eastern england, not quite so mild with temperatures of around eight. then as we head into the weekend, we get a weather front that gets stuck across the north—west of scotland, bringing some very large falls of rain, particularly focused in the highlands, where over the high ground we could see around 175 mm of rain. that's a huge amount and could bring some flooding issues, may also trigger one or two landslips. aside from that, the weekend will be dominated by south—westerly winds that will be bringing mild air across the uk. mild it may be, however it's also likely to be pretty grey and cloudy on saturday. and across these western areas, the cloud would be thick enough for a bit of drizzle. a few mist and fog patches around. heavier rain, then, into the north—west of scotland. some breaks in the cloud. again, the best of these are likely to be across parts of north—east england and for a time across eastern scotland, although any sunshine is likely to be very hazy there. for sunday, if anything, rain becomes a bit more

extensive in scotland. perhaps some of the rain fringing into northern ireland for a time, too. england and wales largely dry, and a better chance of seeing the cloud break with some spells of sunshine coming through. very mild. temperatures could reach between 12—14 degrees celsius for the vast majority. however, the mild air won't stay with us all that long because into next week, we swap south—westerly winds for north—westerly winds and down go the temperatures. as well as that colder air arriving, there'll be plenty of showers, and as the colder air digs in, some of those will start to turn wintry.

who can hello, i'm lewis vaughanjones. you're watching the context on bbc news. the bank of england say they see interest rates staying high for an "extended period". will get more on that in a moment. sport and for a full round—up, from the bbc sport centre, here's lizzy greenwood. hello from the bbc sport centre. thanks we're starting with a busy night of european football. in the europa league — it's first v second in group a as west ham take on freiburg at home — they're winning a as west ham take on freiburg 1—0 after half an hour. west ham only need a draw in this match to go directly into the last

16, while brighton need to beat marseille to go though automatically — goalless there. rangers are away at real betis and their task is to equal sparta prague's result against aris limassol to reach the knockout stages — otherwise they will drop into the europa conference league. rangers are 2—1 up, while sparta are winning 2—0. and liverpool played earlier, they have already won group e, so it doesn't matter that they lost to union saint gilloise. villa real beat rennes which means they take the top spot in group f. villa real beat rennes, which means they take the top spot in group f. but, despite winning tonight, roma will have to play off after slavia prague stayed top of group g. in the europa conference league — aston villa are playing in bosnia against zrinjski mostar and need a draw to seal top spot and move straight into the last 16. it is one altare. that is a result. that is a result. aberdeen can't progress

so it would only be a consolation against eintracht frankfurt.