live from washington, this is a bbc news special looking at access to abortion in the us. a legal challenge over the approval of an abortion drug is set to be heard by the supreme court. we'll look at the high—profile legal battle of kate cox in texas and the impact it may have on other cases. and how abortion referendums could influence the 2024 election in several key battleground states. hello, i'm sumi somaskanda. we'll be looking at all that and more in a moment. but first, a quick look at today's top stories. israeli military forces told the bbc that they are investigating the accidental killing of three hostages. israeli authorities said that the misidentified them as a "threat".

yotam haim, alon shamriz and samer talalka were abducted on october 7 when hamas carried out its deadly attacks on israel. prime minister benjamin netanyahu has called the incident "an unbearable tragedy". relatives of hostages taken by hamas have been protesting the accidental killings in tel aviv while also calling for a ceasefire and agreement for the release of those still held captive. more than 100 hostages remain in gaza. a federaljury has ordered former president donald trump's ex lawyer, rudy giuliani, to pay more than $1118 million, or £116 million, to two women over lies that they tampered with votes in the 2020 presidential election. a judge had already found mr giuliani liable of making defamatory claims about the georgia poll workers. mr giuliani told reporters outside the court, he has no regrets. we will have more on those stories in the next hour. we start with the us supreme court, which announced this week it will hear a case challenging the food and drugs administration's

approval of the abortion drug, mifepristone. the biden administration asked the supreme court to intervene after an appeals court ruled to allow the pill to remain legal, but with significant restrictions on patients�* access. this is the first time a major abortion case will appear on the supreme court's docket since it overturned the constitutional right to the procedure injune 2022. since then, more than a dozen states have enacted abortion bans or restrictions. the biden administration wants the court to overturn a decision to limit access to the drug mifepristone over anti—abortion groups�* safety concerns. the pill has been legal in the us since 2000 and research has shown it is safe. the supreme court, which has a 6—3 conservative majority, will hear arguments early next year. a ruling is expected next summer, just months before the next presidential election. shortly after the court's announcement on wednesday, i spoke to nicole freehill, an 0bgyn in louisiana who previously prescribed mifepristone/misoprostol to her patients.

well, i think that it's already been stated as an extremely safe medicine, and i think that safety is what it comes down to. and there are a lot of complications and a lot of problems that can happen when patients do not have access to healthcare. and mifepristone is healthcare and limiting its use and banning it could only potentially cause catastrophic events as far as safety is concerned. the battle over abortion has centred on medication abortions. that's now the most common method of ending pregnancies in the us, according to pro—abortion research group the guttmacher institute. the two drug—regimen was approved for use up to 10 weeks of pregnancy by the fda in 2000. when used, a patient is first given mifepristone to induce an abortion and then misoprostol to empty the uterus. us studies say medication abortion is effective at ending pregnancy about 95% of the time and there is less than 1%

chance of further medical follow—up. i spoke to the president and ceo of the planned parenthood federation of america, alexis mcgilljohnson, about the abortion medication and access. we saw that the supreme court is taking up access to the abortion medication at mifepristone. from your perspective planned parenthood, what implications could this have on abortion access in the us? it have on abortion access in the us? , . u, have on abortion access in the us? , . ., us? it is critical that the court has _ us? it is critical that the court has taken - us? it is critical that the court has taken up - us? it is critical that the court has taken up this | us? it is critical that the . court has taken up this case because mifepristone is on its hands right now. here we are, just 18 months after the dobbs decision, and one in a three women in america are now seeking access to abortion when they live in states that no longer have access to abortion. it is kinda outrageous that we are back here, with 50% of patients who seek abortion who

use mifepristone. it was at all into perspective that we are now back in court.— into perspective that we are now back in court. given the number of — now back in court. given the number of conservative - now back in court. given the i number of conservative justices on the court, do you have any sense of how you expect the court may rule on this? honestly, it is hard to read the tea leaves. it may be easier last year but i think it is important they took up the case. we are no longer have access to abortion if they denied it and what i can say now to all of our patients and all those people who will be needing access to abortion that mifepristone remains legal through this court case and we will continue to demonstrate in a court of public opinion how critical it is for us to maintain access to mifepristone and medication abortion. a ban on mifepristone would affect notjust on mifepristone would affect not just what is on mifepristone would affect notjust what is happening in bed states but a face what is happening across the country. we obviously have a critical fight ahead of us and we do hope the court understands and

offers some mercy too many patients here who seek access to care. ., , ., ., , to care. the conservative group alliance defending _ to care. the conservative group alliance defending freedom - to care. the conservative group alliance defending freedom is i alliance defending freedom is challenging the use of mifepristone as you know. they deemed the drug to be dangerous and they made these points on their website. and they made these points on theirwebsite. i and they made these points on their website. i want to read them to you. as many as 20% of women who have a medical abortion is of a complication and they also say that one review, 42,000 first trimester chemical abortions and that more than one in six women suffered from a severe bleeding after taking these drugs. again, this is on their website and i know the fda deemed unsafe but is it guaranteed that mifepristone is a safer women to take? it that mifepristone is a safer women to take?— that mifepristone is a safer women to take? it is safe. it is effective. _ women to take? it is safe. it is effective. it _ women to take? it is safe. it is effective. it has _ women to take? it is safe. it is effective. it has been - women to take? it is safe. it| is effective. it has been used by more than 5 million people since the fda approved more than 20 years ago for abortion and miscarriage care. there are many instances in which pregnancy is actually no longer safe for many people because of

these abortion it bends. it is a little bit — they are trying to undermine our public health, trying to create more of a healthcare crisis related to maternity and seeking access to abortion care. the fda has already proven that mifepristone is safe and we have obviously many cases to prove that. have obviously many cases to prove that-— prove that. looking at the bi aer prove that. looking at the bigger picture. _ prove that. looking at the bigger picture, since - prove that. looking at the bigger picture, since the l bigger picture, since the overturning of roe v wade, the constitutional rights to an abortion, we have seen several says implement restrictive measures on access to abortion. how have things across the country changed since then? we have 21 country changed since then? - have 21 states that have restrictions or bans on access to abortion, that means that patients are no longer able to get care when they needed in their own state, it means they have to get on planes and trains and drive long distances. in some cases, upwards of 900 miles in order

to get an appointment out—of—state. the landscape has really devastated maternal healthcare. it is definitely devastated the experience for notjust patients, it is also created a lot of chaos for our providers. they are in fear of actually being criminalised for providing the care that they know may be necessary for many of their patients. what can i say, is a public health crisis, as i said before, and i think thatis as i said before, and i think that is something that again will be looming in the court of public opinion when the supreme court looks at this case next year. court looks at this case next ear. �* , court looks at this case next ear, �* , ., ., court looks at this case next ear. ~ , ., year. alexis, good to get your thou~hts year. alexis, good to get your thoughts on — year. alexis, good to get your thoughts on this _ year. alexis, good to get your thoughts on this story. - year. alexis, good to get your thoughts on this story. thank| thoughts on this story. thank you forjoining us today. this follows the highly publicized legal battle of kate cox versus texas. the 31—year—old mother of two from dallas sought an abortion after learning her fetus had a fatal genetic condition. ms cox's doctor said she needed the procedure

to preserve her health and future fertility. but, due to the us supreme court's overturning roe v wade over a year ago, her doctors told her they could not legally perform the abortion. ms cox did get a court order allowing her to terminate her pregnancy, but the texas attorney general, ken paxton, then appealed to the state's supreme court, which subsequently reversed the lower court's ruling. her lawyers say she left the state to receive the procedure elsewhere. here's what one of her lawyers told us this week. this is a stunning development out of texas. here in the united states, abortion is prohibited in 14 different states and there are severe gestation restrictions and many others. patients like kate cox simply cannot receive abortion care in their home states. while politicians like to tower to medical exemptions as being reasonable and available, as she has experience, they simply do not exist in a practice.

what we have in texas is politicians refusing to take responsibility for the laws passed, we have courts saying they cannot help, the medical board says they cannot help, and it leaves physicians in an impossible situation and more importantly leaves are so many patients suffering. the texas supreme court's decision could possibly deter future women in similar situations from seeking a court—authorized abortion. and potentially have political consequences for republicans in the state. texas senators ted cruz and john cornyn have refused to weigh in on the case. some republican candidates are taking it on. nikki haley, who was looking to beat donald trump for their party �*s presents a nomination exicom is addressing the issue head—on in the campaign. you know, i'm pro life. i welcome the states that have become pro—life, but this is exactly why you have to show compassion and humanise the situation. we don't want any women to sit there and deal with a rare situation and have to deliver a baby in that

sort of circumstance. any more than we want women getting an abortion at 37, 38, 39 weeks. we have to humanise this situation and deal with it with compassion. conservative and anti—abortion groups warn that mifepristone is a dangerous drug — despite the food and drug administration assuring it is safe. and they have accused the fda of being reckless in removing safeguards on how the medication is used. the susan b anthony pro—life america's state policy director kate daniel said the following: the alliance defending freedom, an anti—abortion organisation,

says on its website that as many as 20% of women who have a chemical abortion will suffer a complication. joining me live is michelle erenberg, exec director of lift louisiana, an advocacy organisation that campaigns for abortion rights and policy change two. good to see you. louisiana has completely banned abortions with a very limited exceptions. have those exceptions been tested in louisiana like they have now been in texas with kate cox?— have now been in texas with kate cox? they have. what is happening — kate cox? they have. what is happening in _ kate cox? they have. what is happening in texas _ kate cox? they have. what is happening in texas is - happening in texas is frighteningly familiar here in louisiana. we have had several stories that have been reported and local and national media, including a story about a woman who had a diagnosis of a foetus that had a severe abnormality and her doctor would not

perform the abortion. the position was not included on a list of conditions for the department of health that are deemed eligible for the limited exception in a statute. she had to travel 1500 miles out—of—state in order to access the abortion care that she deserved and that she should have been able to receive based on the exception. the vagueness of the laws in louisiana and texas and countless other states around the country are creating a lot of confusion and quite frankly a lot of fear among medical providers because although their best medical judgement may be to intervene and provide their patient with the best care they know how, there is a risk of them going to jailfor ten or maybe there is a risk of them going to jail for ten or maybe even 15 years in louisiana.- 15 years in louisiana. since louisiana _ 15 years in louisiana. since louisiana enacted - 15 years in louisiana. since louisiana enacted a - 15 years in louisiana. since louisiana enacted a band, | 15 years in louisiana. since - louisiana enacted a band, what have women there been doing to want to access an abortion? its, want to access an abortion? lot of women are finding the

means to travel out—of—state and we're very grateful for all the abortion funds, the public aid organisations that have come to their assistance and try to provide them with the resources to go out—of—state. louisiana is one of the worst season the country, we are flanked on all by band stays and so to access an abortion, illegal abortion, and so to access an abortion, illegalabortion, in and so to access an abortion, illegal abortion, in another state, people are having to drive hours and hours, hundreds of miles, and so that is a huge barrier and there are many people that become pregnant that i just absolutely people that become pregnant that ijust absolutely not going to be able to overcome those barriers. people that have never gotten on an aeroplane before, they have never left the state of louisiana before. they are being forced to carry these pregnancies to term in a state thatis pregnancies to term in a state that is really doing way too little to support single balms,

to support low income families, and to really provide the resources that people need to bring a child into the world and to raise them in a safe and comfortable environment. i have soken to comfortable environment. i have spoken to pro-life _ comfortable environment. i have spoken to pro-life groups - comfortable environment. i have spoken to pro-life groups who i spoken to pro—life groups who say they are trying to provide exactly that. better access to care is for mothers so they can choose to carry their baby to term. 0thers' changes being felt? is that at all having an impact? i don't think so. their solution is to pump a lot of taxpayer dollars into pregnancy resource centres. for taxpayer dollars into pregnancy resource centres.— taxpayer dollars into pregnancy resource centres. for some may know them — resource centres. for some may know them as — resource centres. for some may know them as crisis _ resource centres. for some may know them as crisis pregnancy l know them as crisis pregnancy centres. anti—abortion centres provide very few or if any actual medical services to medical people. they are at best referral centres. most of them are religiously affiliated and in order to receive

services there are, people had to actually undergo some sort of religious counselling, attended religious classes to access services they are providing. it is not providing the type of care and especially the type of care and especially the kind of long—term care people need. the kind of long-term care people need-— the kind of long-term care people need. one more quick question- _ people need. one more quick question. there _ people need. one more quick question. there is _ people need. one more quick question. there is a - people need. one more quick. question. there is a republican supermajority in the louisiana house senate as a result of senators choosing these elected representatives who have chosen to act abound on abortion. absolutely not. the public opinion has shifted so

dramatically. lsu published a poll earlier this year showed 52% of people in easy anna said abortion should be legal in almost states. a poll we did earlier in the year said 73% of people support allowing patients to obtain an abortion if in a doctor's medical judgement it is necessary to protect the patient�*s health. sorry, we have to leave it there but thank you for providing the information. really good to have you on the show tonight.— show tonight. thank you for havin: show tonight. thank you for having me- _ let's turn to the political implications of all of this. there are at least 12 us states where we could see abortion access on the ballot next year. they include colorado, iowa, maryland, missouri, nebraska, new york, south dakota, and washington. and in the key battleground states of arizona, florida, pennsylvania, and nevada, abortion referendums may play a crucial role in boosting turnout in november 2024. and a new npr/marist survey, polling americans

on when they believe abortions should be allowed says that: 25% of americans believe that a woman should be allowed to have an abortion at any time, while 21% believe the procedure should be done at 15 weeks. 21% of americans are not in favour of an abortion at any time and 18% believe that abortions should be allowed during the first six weeks. three states from across the political spectrum have already put the issue of abortion access to a public vote, and in each state, 0hio, kentucky and virginia voters came down in favour of protecting that access. to talk about the political implications, i spoke to eleanor klibanoff and caroline kitchener — two reporters who cover women's health issues. we have seen two important developments in abortion access this week and i want to start with the texas supreme court ruling against kate cox. eleanor, starting with you. this is a story garnering national attention. what impact has it had on taxes? this national attention. what impact has it had on taxes?— has it had on taxes? this case was the first _ has it had on taxes? this case was the first significant - has it had on taxes? this case was the first significant test i was the first significant test

of texas abortion laws on a pregnant person seeking abortion actively in that moment. i think in many ways this was the case. a lot of people were waiting for. while she was not able to get a abortion and taxes it revealed abortion and taxes it revealed a lot about how the state intends to go after people, these educators where it is not clear if the exceptions would apply or not. the texas supreme court showing his hand a little bit, so it is not really planet to intervene and showing the full force of going after people who try to find workarounds.- people who try to find workarounds. , u, , ., , people who try to find workarounds. , , ., , , workarounds. this case has been reverberating — workarounds. this case has been reverberating in _ workarounds. this case has been reverberating in washington - workarounds. this case has been reverberating in washington as l reverberating in washington as well. picked up by democrats in particular. tell us more about the reaction you have seen. i think democrats are really eager— think democrats are really eager to talk about this case because _ eager to talk about this case because a lot of people don't really—

because a lot of people don't really understand what it means to qualify — really understand what it means to qualify or not qualified for a medical exemption under some of these — a medical exemption under some of these laws. a lot of people would — of these laws. a lot of people would have assumed just hearing the details of kate cox's case that— the details of kate cox's case that she _ the details of kate cox's case that she would have easily qualified. this is an example democrats are pointing to to show — democrats are pointing to to show how restrictive these laws can be — show how restrictive these laws can be. we know from election after— can be. we know from election after election that americans are very— after election that americans are very frustrated and concerned with abortion bands. this is— concerned with abortion bands. this is something that really turns— this is something that really turns out— this is something that really turns out voters and so democrats are eager to talk about — democrats are eager to talk about this as much as possible. to follow— about this as much as possible. to follow up on that, we also saw other development, mr freestone taken up by the supreme court. abortion medication. is this something democrats are speaking about? what is important about that case — what is important about that case is — what is important about that case is in _ what is important about that case is in affects notjust the states— case is in affects notjust the states with strict abortion

bands _ states with strict abortion bands but the entire country. this— bands but the entire country. this is— bands but the entire country. this is a _ bands but the entire country. this is a drug used in over 50% of abortions this country. we are talking about going back to 2016— are talking about going back to 2016 protocols for the drug which — 2016 protocols for the drug which would make it significantly more difficult for people across the country to access _ for people across the country to access. that is something else — to access. that is something else that _ to access. that is something else that in the lead up to the election— else that in the lead up to the election democrats are going to be very— election democrats are going to be very quick to .2. if election democrats are going to be very quick to .2._ be very quick to .2. if you look at — be very quick to .2. if you look at the _ be very quick to .2. if you look at the poll _ be very quick to .2. if you look at the poll numbersl be very quick to .2. if you i look at the poll numbers we looked at how americans feel about abortion access, there is broad support for that access. as we heard, democrats believe this will be an important issue to galvanise voters in an election year. we spoke to the former texas congressmen and presidential candidate 0'rourke, i want to play you are, what he told us. $5 o'rourke, i want to play you are, what he told us. as more americans _ are, what he told us. as more americans realise _ are, what he told us. as more americans realise how - are, what he told us. as more americans realise how cruel i are, what he told us. as more i americans realise how cruel and dvstopian— americans realise how cruel and dystopian republican _ americans realise how cruel and dystopian republican leadershipj dystopian republican leadership is, it— dystopian republican leadership is, it is— dystopian republican leadership is, it is on— dystopian republican leadership is, it is on full— dystopian republican leadership is, it is on full display— dystopian republican leadership is, it is on full display right- is, it is on full display right here — is, it is on full display right here in— is, it is on full display right here in texas, _ is, it is on full display right here in texas, they- is, it is on full display right here in texas, they are - is, it is on full display right. here in texas, they are going to choose _ here in texas, they are going to choose democrats. - here in texas, they are going to choose democrats. not. here in texas, they are going i to choose democrats. notjust at the — to choose democrats. notjust at the top _ to choose democrats. notjust at the top of—

to choose democrats. notjust at the top of the _ to choose democrats. notjust at the top of the ticket - to choose democrats. notjust at the top of the ticket but - to choose democrats. notjust at the top of the ticket but in i at the top of the ticket but in congressional— at the top of the ticket but in congressional bases- at the top of the ticket but in congressional bases that - at the top of the ticket but in congressional bases that willj congressional bases that will decide — congressional bases that will decide control— congressional bases that will decide control of— congressional bases that will decide control of the - congressional bases that will decide control of the house i congressional bases that will. decide control of the house of representatives. _ decide control of the house of representatives.— representatives. elinore, i found it interesting. - representatives. elinore, i found it interesting. he - representatives. elinore, i. found it interesting. he added it might not be enough to save joe biden when he was asked that question. what do you make of his words? i that question. what do you make of his words?— of his words? i think abortion is havin: of his words? i think abortion is having significant - is having significant repercussions. basically every level of government. in elections we are seeing it as forcing republicans to talk about something i think many of them would prefer to leave in 2021. really forcing them to grapple with the outcomes of these laws. whether it will ship collections, we found when the question is do you want more abortion restrictions, people will say no. but when voting on a whole person, whole candidate, on a whole slew of issues, is abortion a thing that will motivate voters that remains to be seen? irate that will motivate voters that remains to be seen?- remains to be seen? we are lookin: remains to be seen? we are looking at — remains to be seen? we are looking at a _ remains to be seen? we are looking at a map _ remains to be seen? we are looking at a map on - remains to be seen? we are looking at a map on screen l looking at a map on screen where abortion access might be

on 2024 ballot. democrats are really pushing to get abortion —related initiatives onto the ballot in some very important states. we know there were referenda in ohio, kentucky, virginia that showed more support for the right to access abortion. if you look at that, could this issue and republicans in some of these more competitive races next year? i more competitive races next ear? ~ . , year? i think that is the democratic _ year? i think that is the democratic strategy. i year? i think that is the i democratic strategy. they year? i think that is the - democratic strategy. they are honing — democratic strategy. they are honing in _ democratic strategy. they are honing in on florida, arizona, other— honing in on florida, arizona, other states they would really like to — other states they would really like to win because they know. it like to win because they know. it is _ like to win because they know. it is still— like to win because they know. it is still a _ like to win because they know. it is still a little unclear whether the candidate '5 view on abortion is going to turn out — on abortion is going to turn out people in the same way these — out people in the same way these referendums, pro— abortion— these referendums, pro— abortion or against abortion i train — abortion or against abortion i train people out in droves as we have _ train people out in droves as we have seen since the court

decision _ we have seen since the court decision i_ we have seen since the court decision. i think there are a lot of— decision. i think there are a lot of conversations happening within— lot of conversations happening within the democratic party, with— within the democratic party, with abortion rights activists, alcan — with abortion rights activists, alcan may strategised to make sure _ alcan may strategised to make sure this — alcan may strategised to make sure this makes it on the ballot _ sure this makes it on the ballot in _ sure this makes it on the ballot in places most strategically important forjoe strategically important for joe biden — strategically important forjoe biden. ., ., , biden. how are you seeing republicans _ biden. how are you seeing republicans dealing - biden. how are you seeing republicans dealing with l biden. how are you seeing i republicans dealing with this particularly with an eye on the elections coming up. some candidates have been asked specifically about abortion, they seem to breath a needle in this. i they seem to breath a needle in this. ~' ., ., , this. i think the kate cox case has forced — this. i think the kate cox case has forced people _ this. i think the kate cox case has forced people to - this. i think the kate cox case has forced people to grapple l has forced people to grapple with the reality of these abortion bands including republican candidates at all levels of the ticket. it is a lot easier to talk about abortion bands in the abstract and a lot harder when you talk about an individual case where you are able to say you think the specific woman in texas should be forced to continue pregnancy? should she have to travel out of state? that is putting people on the spot and

forcing them to grapple with the ramifications of these laws. we are seen i think a lot more spread between the candidates on that than we do when we talk about argue pro life, pro—choice in these terms that candidate will prefer talking. that candidate will prefer talkina. ~ . ., ;;:: talking. we have about 30 seconds — talking. we have about 30 seconds left _ talking. we have about 30 seconds left but _ talking. we have about 30 seconds left but i - talking. we have about 30 seconds left but i want - talking. we have about 30 seconds left but i want to | talking. we have about 30 i seconds left but i want to get your take on that as well and how you see republicans handle this. i how you see republicans handle this. ~ ., , , this. i think former president donald trump _ this. i think former president donald trump stands - this. i think former president donald trump stands apart i this. i think former president | donald trump stands apart on this — donald trump stands apart on this he — donald trump stands apart on this. he has come and said that since _ this. he has come and said that since we — this. he has come and said that since we abortion bands are terrible _ since we abortion bands are terrible. this is the man that shows— terrible. this is the man that shows the _ terrible. this is the man that shows the ante abortion justices that allowed roving wav — justices that allowed roving wav to _ justices that allowed roving way to be overturned. he is making _ way to be overturned. he is making every strategic choice earlv — making every strategic choice early in — making every strategic choice early in the election to get there _ early in the election to get there and say he is not behind strict — there and say he is not behind strict abortion restrictions despite _ strict abortion restrictions despite his record. it will be one — despite his record. it will be one of— despite his record. it will be one of the most important questions of the election, will people — questions of the election, will people by that?—

questions of the election, will people by that? interesting to net our people by that? interesting to get your paws _ people by that? interesting to get your paws and _ people by that? interesting to get your paws and i _ people by that? interesting to get your paws and i thank - people by that? interesting to get your paws and i thank you | get your paws and i thank you forjoining us on bbc news. thank you. stay with us here on bbc news it was a stunning day we had over the week. it was a eastern england and eastern — week. it was a eastern england and eastern scotland _ week. it was a eastern england and eastern scotland we - week. it was a eastern england and eastern scotland we had i and eastern scotland we had today's lowest temperatures, six degrees. it is said to get milder into the weekend. it is not because it is cloudy and it is with us for the next few hours. damp weather moving across where it is quite breezy. there may will be odd patches but no frost around. it will be a mild start to saturday. this weekend sees a weather front they get stuck across the north—west of scotland and it will bring very

large rainfall accumulations with a brain building up through the weekend. potentially as much as 200 millimetres of rain across the high ground in the highlands, enough to cause flooding consent and one or two landslips as well. the weekend dominated by these mild southwesterly winds. temperatures will be meeting double figures widely. saturday, ran across scotland. damp weather to start the day across the west with a bit of mist and fog and otherwise cloudy. a chance abates few breaks given there is more went over the well silenced. to the east of the high ground and across the midlands, might actually start to see breaks in the crowd and a bit of sunshine otherwise staying cloudy for most of the day. similar story on sunday. some damp weather for northern ireland. at the same time, better prospect of seeing cloud breaks move up from north france. a bit of

sunshine across the south of england and the southern parts of wales for the second part of the weekend. mother continues with the mild flow of air. some areas of rain across western areas. that is having a better chance of a few breaks and a few bright sunny spells. it is going to be a very mild day for december. beyond that, the weather turns colder. may will be cold enough. the shelves to turn wintry towards the end of the week or perhaps the following weekend.

voice-over: this is bbc news. we'll have the headlines for you at the top of the hour, which is straight after this programme. it is the country transforming the sporting landscape, from signing top stars to a revamped football league. to when upheaval of professional golf and the seizing of boxing's biggest buyers. saudi arabia investment in sport has gone into overdrive. the country now that you have the 2034 world cup as well. there is also controversy among fees are one of the worlds richest oil space is using sports to distract from its human rights record and its impact on the environment. i travelled to jeddah for a rare opportunity to speak to one of the key figures behind the country is remarkable sporting revolution.