however welcome to the programme. hello, i'm frankie mccamley. we start this hour in maine, which has become the second us state to block donald trump from contesting the republican presidential primary. it comes days after colorado also banned mr trump from the ballot. maine's secretary of state shenna bellows said mr trump was not eligible because of his actions leading up to the us capitol riot injanuary 2021. the trump campaign has accused mrs bellows of being a "virulent leftist" and "hyper—partisan". she told the bbc how she came to that decision. it is really important for your viewers to understand maine law, maine process. every state is different. under the united states constitution, elections are held and it different voting rights are different ballot access laws.

under maine law, if a candidate qualifies for the ballot, any registered maine voter may bring a challenge. that is what happened here. i qualified trump for the ballot and there were three challenges brought. by citizens of maine, and in a couple cases, two former democratic state senators. that requires me under maine election law to hold an administrative hearing to review the evidence and facts. both parties may be presented by counsel, indeed mr trump was represented by an attorney, as were the challengers i mentioned. they brought forward witnesses, exhibits. i was then required to review the evidence and hearing record, the law and constitution and ultimately that is my sacred obligation. it is my duty to uphold the constitution.

that was the main secretary of state speaking earlier on. live now to daniel lippman, a reporter covering the white house and washington for politico. thank you forjoining us. first of all, talk is through this latest development and how it is being digested there? it is is being digested there? it is basically the _ is being digested there? it 3 basically the second domino here because there is a loss of democrats who do not think that trump is eligible because of his actions onjanuary the six foot until colorado did this recently, no—one was willing to take him off the ballot and so i think this is going to call for the supreme court to get involved as soon and decide whether he is eligible or not to be listed on the primary ballots. also for the general election that will carry through because right now you could have him on 25 ballots

and him not on 25 others and that republican states could try to take offjoe biden even though he has not been accused of anything similar. as a revenge force.— of anything similar. as a revenue force. ., ., revenge force. you mentioned this has happened _ revenge force. you mentioned this has happened in - revenge force. you mentioned this has happened in colorado | this has happened in colorado as well, this is another state to do so. do you think other states could follow? i to do so. do you think other states could follow?- states could follow? i think some other _ states could follow? i think some other states - states could follow? i think some other states will - states could follow? i think some other states will try i states could follow? i think. some other states will try but this is not something thatjoe biden is pushing for because they do not want to be seen as limiting the choices of people and their ballots. they also do not think the political and if it would be right for them because they know that this kind of antagonises and riles up kind of antagonises and riles up trump supporters because they want to be seen as a rating for their person and we do live in a democracy, after all, even if it is tested by violence once in a while. i want to ask you about that. every time trump seems to get

into some kind of travel, it seems to give him a boost with some people. do you think you could happen again? i some people. do you think you could happen again?— could happen again? i think it is happening _ could happen again? i think it is happening temporarily - could happen again? i think it is happening temporarily and| could happen again? i think it. is happening temporarily and it makes it much harderfor republicans in the primary, like nikki haley or chris christie or ron desantis, to get oxygen because we all still talking about donald trump. longer term, talking about donald trump. longerterm, because talking about donald trump. longer term, because trump faces all of these criminal charges related to his actions as president and also this move to take him off the ballot, some of the suburban swing voters that biden and trump are trying to battle over, they may be turned away from a trump because it is not like there was anyone arguing aboutjoe biden�*s eligibility, it was the scene of do we want a felon in the oval office potentially. just before we go, what do you think trump was a campaign will be thinking now? will they be looking for loopholes in these

states? could he run as an independent there? i states? could he run as an independent there? i think they will be counting _ independent there? i think they will be counting on _ independent there? i think they will be counting on the - independent there? i think they| will be counting on the supreme court were trumpet put three of those justices to keep court were trumpet put three of thosejustices to keep him eligible. i don't think they will read it maine or colorado in the general election and so i think they are putting their faith in thejudicial i think they are putting their faith in the judicial system which, i am glad they still have a them.— which, i am glad they still have a them. thank you for covering — have a them. thank you for covering the _ have a them. thank you for covering the white - have a them. thank you for covering the white house l have a them. thank you for. covering the white house and forjoining us here are bbc news and share your views. israel's bombardment of southern and central gaza has continued through the night. troops are battling hamas close to areas where large numbers of palestinian civilians are sheltering. meanwhile, egypt has put forward a plan to end the fighting, including more prisoner and hostage exchanges. shaimaa khalil has the latest from jerusalem, and her report contains some distressing images from the beginning.

once again, a child tells their story of the war. this child's home in khan younis was bombed overnight. "we were upstairs," she says, "then we were hit, "and i started running." she tries to comfort her sister, but she has no idea that her mother and brother were killed in the strike. herfather, abdullah, sits next to the body bags. he's still in shock. "this is my son," he says. "this morning, he asked me for biscuits. "i went to buy them. "when i came back, ifound him and my wife dead." the ground offensive continues to deepen in the southern city of khan younis, where hundreds of thousands have fled from the fighting in northern gaza. israel says it's trying to protect civilians during its operation against hamas fighters. but it said it regretted what it called "extensive "collateral damage"

in a strike last weekend. the hamas—run health ministry says at least 86 people were killed in the strike on al maghazi refugee camp in central gaza. israel says it used the wrong type of munition. people chant. here injerusalem, thousands of teenagers marched towards the israeli parliament. "alive! now!", they chanted. they want a new deal to return those still in captivity. the war is not going to end any time soon. that is the message from the israeli government. but that only increases the frustration among the young people gathered here, many of them from communities that have been worst—affected by the seventh october attacks. their message to those in power — bring the hostages back home now. i am from kibbutz kfar aza. i was there on october 7 and my people were kidnapped. we want them back. for me, personally, i really

hope that it ends for both sides as quickly as possible. war is horrible, on either end of it. judith weinstein haggai was thought to be in captivity still, but now she's believed to have been killed on october 7. her husband gadi is also believed to have been killed by hamas. in the agony of war, new life begins. iman tends to three of her quadruplets. one is still in intensive care. there is very little food and not enough formula or diapers. she and her family are sheltering in a un school, after being forced out of their home in the north. her new babies born into displacement. shaimaa khalil, bbc news, jerusalem. earlier, shaimaa told us more about the latest peace proposal from egypt. essentially this is a three stage proposal by egypt they

could see the gradual release of hostages in exchange for palestinian prisoners, they could see different phases of pauses infighting they could lead to a ceasefire but essentially the safe delivery and distribution that is desperately needed in gaza, but also they have put in a proposal about governance, a governing body of expose could take over the administration of gaza after the war but here is what this plan is up against. it is up against israel's determination to expand its military operation, to expand and even the great offensive, we have seen it even into central gaza but also the continuing fire of rockets into israel as recently as this week. we had about before the firing, a barrage of rockets, for example, it is any business plan, it has been thought through with qatar, the big negotiators in this conflict, and has represented to hamas

and has represented to hamas and israel and the us. again, we understand that the hamas delegation will give their observations and talk technicalities about this plan but whether or not this will go further, that is the big question. benjamin radd is a senior fellow at the university of california burkle center for international relations, and a lecturer in middle east studies. hejoins us now. wejust heard our reporter there on the latest proposals from egypt. egypt has been heavily involved in ceasefire negotiations. just talk us thorugh these latest proposals? this sticking point seems to be for each aside, let's begin with hamas, stating that it calls for a gradual — an initial ceasefire followed by release of hostages. for hamas,

they want a total and complete cessation of activities from israel before they even engage in a stage i. they want stage iii to happen before they ever get into stage i. from the israel perspective, there is a demand the hamas and jihad not be part of any future governing coalitions or entity in gaza was the conflict is over. that is a nonstarter position for hamas and other groups affiliated with hamas operating out of gaza. there lies the impasse. now we have heard hamas reject the egyptian proposal. hamas re'ect the egyptian proposal.— hamas re'ect the egyptian ro osal. ., ., , hamas re'ect the egyptian --roosal. ., . , ., proposal. there are a number of stickin: proposal. there are a number of sticking points. _ israel expanding its ground offensive in central gaza, tensions are rising on the border with lebanon. how likely is it we oculd see a ceasefire or de—escalation in hostilities? that will hinge upon the ability of both sides to negotiate a release of the remaining hostages. the israel

it remains the number one objective, at least in large part due to public and domestic pressure, discussed in the previous segment. the israeli people, they want the return of the hostages above and beyond any other objective, so for israel, securing the release would make it much easierfor all other negotiations and any permanent ceasefire. the challenge becomes how to get those remaining hostages out, which hamas still insist on keeping as leverage for some other reason, we are not sure. you mentioned is briefly but the reaction from hamas and the israeli government, what exactly are they saying at the moment? are they talking to one another? , ., ., ~ another? they are talking throu . h another? they are talking through intermediaries, l another? they are talking l through intermediaries, the israelis have indicated they appreciate and support the egyptian meetings in this process and egypt does have credibility and good relations with hamas leadership, so they are serving an important function here as facilitators

obviously associations but hamas's position it remains that any future governing entity or coalition in gaza was the conflict is over would include hamas or at least be left to the palestinian people to decide whether hamas would be a part. for israel that is a nonstarter. be a part. for israelthat is a nonstarter-— nonstarter. thank you for “oininu nonstarter. thank you for joining us _ nonstarter. thank you for joining us here _ nonstarter. thank you for joining us here on - nonstarter. thank you for joining us here on bbc. nonstarter. thank you for - joining us here on bbc news. let's get some of the day's other news now. venezuela's president, nicolas maduro, has ordered large military exercises around an oil—rich region of guyana claimed by venezuela. it comes after britain deployed a warship to the guyanese coast, and action mr maduro denounced as a threat by what he called guyana's "decadent, rotten" former colonial power. argentina's main labour union has called for a general strike in a month's time. it's protesting against sweeping reforms proposed by the new president, javier milei. on wednesday thousands

protested in buenos aires against the liberalising reforms. among a host of other new measures, president millei has presented bills that would see limits on public protests and allow speedier divorce. the un secretary general, antonio guterres, has reflected on a year of enormous suffering but with hopes for a better future in his new year message. mr guterres said 2023 saw the hottest year on record, more poverty, more ferocious wars, and trust in short supply. indian meteorological officials have issued a red alert for dense fog in the capital delhi and the neighbouring states of punjab and haryana. visibility has dropped to less than fifty metres in many places, causing travel chaos. on thursday, more than a hundred flights and twenty trains in the capital were delayed. people have been advised not to travel unless it is essential. a clean up operation is taking place after around 100 homes

were damaged by a tornado in stalybridge, in greater manchester, during storm gerrit. it tore the roof off some houses, blew over trees and damaged cars but incredibly there were no reports of any injuries. jayne mccubbin reports. the storm gerrit clean—up operation is well under way. the damage devastating. this was all caused by a freak weather event, a tornado with wind speeds of up to 160 mph. forfor this family in for for this family in stalybridge, forfor this family in stalybridge, it was also something of a christmas miracle. ., something of a christmas miracle-— miracle. you could feel it underneath _ miracle. you could feel it underneath the _ miracle. you could feel it underneath the ground. i j miracle. you could feel it - underneath the ground. i heard what i underneath the ground. i heard what i can _ underneath the ground. i heard what i can describe _ underneath the ground. i heard what i can describe as - underneath the ground. i heard what i can describe as a - underneath the ground. i heard what i can describe as a jet - what i can describe as a jet engine _ what i can describe as a jet engine noise coming down. | engine noise coming down. come up engine noise coming down. i come up to the kitchen, heard this aimighty— come up to the kitchen, heard this almighty bang _ come up to the kitchen, heard this almighty bang at - come up to the kitchen, heard this almighty bang at the - come up to the kitchen, heard this almighty bang at the top. this almighty bang at the top of the — this almighty bang at the top of the stairs, _ this almighty bang at the top of the stairs, and _ this almighty bang at the top of the stairs, and screamingl this almighty bang at the top i of the stairs, and screaming to -et of the stairs, and screaming to get out — of the stairs, and screaming to get out ran— of the stairs, and screaming to get out ran up— of the stairs, and screaming to get out. ran up to _ of the stairs, and screaming to get out. ran up to the - of the stairs, and screaming to get out. ran up to the top - of the stairs, and screaming to get out. ran up to the top of. get out. ran up to the top of the stairs— get out. ran up to the top of the stairs to _ get out. ran up to the top of the stairs to find _ get out. ran up to the top of the stairs to find the - get out. ran up to the top of. the stairs to find the bathroom wall

the stairs to find the bathroom wait is— the stairs to find the bathroom wait is no— the stairs to find the bathroom wall is no longer— the stairs to find the bathroom wall is no longer there. - the stairs to find the bathroom wall is no longer there. the . wall is no longer there. the roof— wall is no longer there. the roof no— wall is no longer there. the roof no longer— wall is no longer there. the roof no longer there. - wall is no longer there. the roof no longer there. and l wall is no longer there. the - roof no longer there. and there is a chimney— roof no longer there. and there is a chimney in— roof no longer there. and there is a chimney in the _ roof no longer there. and there is a chimney in the bathroom. i is a chimney in the bathroom. the _ is a chimney in the bathroom. the chimney— is a chimney in the bathroom. the chimney stack _ is a chimney in the bathroom. the chimney stack has - is a chimney in the bathroom. the chimney stack has gone l the chimney stack has gone through the bathroom wall into his room, missed him by millimetres. the front room, you can see the bed there, it was up on the captain �*s bed, he was their gaming and that pretty much saved his life. we managed to get everybody out unscathed. hat managed to get everybody out unscathed-— managed to get everybody out| unscathed._ that unscathed. not a scratch? that is the scratch. _ unscathed. not a scratch? that is the scratch. i _ unscathed. not a scratch? that is the scratch. i think _ unscathed. not a scratch? that is the scratch. i think i - is the scratch. i think i caught it trying to get the dog out. �* ., , ., ., ., out. all of this damage and the only injury _ out. all of this damage and the only injury amongst _ out. all of this damage and the only injury amongst two - out. all of this damage and the only injury amongst two entire | only injury amongst two entire households is one scratched finger. households is one scratched finer. ., . households is one scratched finger._ that's - households is one scratched finger._ that's it? | finger. that is it. that's it? that's it- — finger. that is it. that's it? that's it. and _ finger. that is it. that's it? that's it. and yards - finger. that is it. that's it? that's it. and yards away i finger. that is it. that's it? i that's it. and yards away from those damaged houses, have a look at this. aha, those damaged houses, have a look at this.— look at this. a tornado so stron: look at this. a tornado so strong it _ look at this. a tornado so strong it fired _ look at this. a tornado so strong it fired missiles i strong it fired missiles through cars. yet emergency services say there were no reported injuries across the whole area.— reported injuries across the whole area. ., , ., whole area. looks awful at the moment but —

whole area. looks awful at the moment but all— whole area. looks awful at the moment but all the _ whole area. looks awful at the moment but all the animals i i moment but all the animals i say. moment but all the animals i sa . ,, moment but all the animals i sa. ,, , ., moment but all the animals i sa. ., say. six people, two dogs... two dogs. — say. six people, two dogs... two dogs, three _ say. six people, two dogs... two dogs, three cats, - say. six people, two dogs... two dogs, three cats, the i two dogs, three cats, the torches is fine, all the fish are fine. torches is fine, all the fish are fine-— are fine. this is one of the cats? yes. _ are fine. this is one of the cats? yes, jesse. - are fine. this is one of the cats? yes, jesse. she - are fine. this is one of the cats? yes, jesse. she has| are fine. this is one of the i cats? yes, jesse. she has no idea how lucky she is. safe, yes but the emotional and financial cost of storm gerrit will be significant. she is crying. neighbours have rallied, hoping to clear debris and setting up collections. they need help, evan bayh —— everybody needs help. this they need help, evan bayh -- everybody needs help.- they need help, evan bayh -- everybody needs help. this is a handful of— everybody needs help. this is a handful of about _ everybody needs help. this is a handful of about 100 _ everybody needs help. this is a handful of about 100 homes - handful of about 100 homes damaged in the storm but the impact has been felt across the country. now that storm gerrit has passed, more unsettled weather is on the way. here in stalybridge amongst the debris, there is a lot to be grateful for it. after christmas time

tornado that could have so easily claimed the lives here. around the world and across the uk. this is bbc news. let's look at some other stories making news. the number of anti—semitic hate crimes recorded by some of the uk's largest police forces rose sharply in the weeks following the hamas attack on israel. data released by 31 forces shows incidents peaked in larger urban areas including west yorkshire, the west midlands, greater manchester and merseyside. campaigners against anti—muslim abuse describe the numbers as deeply worrying. around 1500 homes in parts of northern scotland have spent a second night without electricity. power company scottish and southern electricity networks say flooding and debris caused by storm gerrit has hindered repairs, with residents in the northeast and shetland worst affected. power has been restored to more than 16,000 properties in scotland since wednesday. the uk health security agency says at least 30 confirmed

cases of e.coli may be linked to contaminated cheese that was recalled on christmas day. the food standards agency is warning people not to eat four types of mrs kirkham's lancashire cheese, which is produced in preston. you're live with bbc news. the us military�*s secretive x37b robot space plane has blasted off from florida on its seventh mission. for the first time, it was carried into orbit by a falcon heavy rocket from elon musk�*s space x. the pentagon says the orbital vehicle will carry out a series of experiments during its mission. one will involve exposing plant seeds to the effects of radiation during long space flight. its last mission lasted more than 900 days. the us launch comes two weeks after china sent its own robot space plane into orbit for the third time.

leroy chiao is a former nasa astronaut and international space station commander. great to speak with you on bbc news. there's been quite a bit of mysetry surrounding this mission, what exactly do we know? all the missions remain classified. the first flight was about 2010. this is the seventh flight, walk one for this particular vehicle. the mission remains classified. it heavily suggests it is going to hire or become space regime. higher levels of radiation, probably carrying out similar experiments as done in the past. possibly testing new sensors. changing orbits doing different manoeuvres. nasa has a spacey experiment on board. we don't really know too much but we can guess some of these things.

but we can guess some of these thins. ~ . but we can guess some of these thins. ~ , ,, ., things. with this mission space x is involved. _ things. with this mission space x is involved. why _ things. with this mission space x is involved. why do - things. with this mission space x is involved. why do you - things. with this mission space x is involved. why do you think elon musk is getting involved in this one? i elon musk is getting involved in this one?— in this one? i think the us sace in this one? i think the us space force _ in this one? i think the us space force wanted - in this one? i think the us space force wanted to - in this one? i think the us space force wanted to get in this one? i think the us i space force wanted to get a rocket powerful enough to launch the x 37 80 high orbit. it was a logical choice. one of the least expensive choices to go with. kind of makes sense for the space forced to use that rocket.— for the space forced to use that rocket. ., ., ., that rocket. fulton about that rocket, that rocket. fulton about that rocket. the — that rocket. fulton about that rocket, the x-m _ that rocket. fulton about that rocket, the x-37b plane, - that rocket. fulton about that. rocket, the x-37b plane, many rocket, the x—37b plane, many people listening may not know what that is. talk us through what that is. talk us through what that is. talk us through what that plane is. it what that is. talk us through what that plane is.— what that plane is. it is an automatic— what that plane is. it is an automatic spacecraft, - what that plane is. it is an automatic spacecraft, a i what that plane is. it is an - automatic spacecraft, a winged vehicle. it goes up on a rocket and comes down under its own, into the atmosphere with its wings and lands on a runway for the biggest difference is no humans are on board this

vehicle. the last mission was around 900 days. very capable spacecraft. what exactly it is doing we don't know. an important part of the us space force. �* , . force. briefly while we still have to this _ force. briefly while we still have to this comes - force. briefly while we still have to this comes after i force. briefly while we still i have to this comes after china launched a similar mission. is this a new space race we are seeing between the us and china? i seeing between the us and china? ~ . seeing between the us and china? ~ , ., china? i think it is a continuing - china? i think it is a continuing of i china? i think it is a continuing of what i china? i think it is a i continuing of what has china? i think it is a - continuing of what has been going on recently in the last several years with trying to develop similar capabilities in space. i believe the us still has the lead but china is working very hard. launching their own space plan for the third time. probably has similar mission to the x—37b but we don't know for sure. the great game continues.- great game continues. really aood to great game continues. really good to have _ great game continues. really good to have you _ great game continues. really good to have you in - great game continues. really good to have you in the i good to have you in the programme, thank you for your thoughts. in an era of music streaming, you might have thought that

vinyl records were destined to become a thing of the past, or at least limited to older collectors. but it seems they are enjoying something of a resurgence. latest figures here in britain show sales of vinyl albums increased by almost 12% this year — returning to levels last seen more than 30 years ago. meghan owen has more. taylor swift's 1989, the rolling stones' hackney diamonds and lana del rey�*s did you know that there's a tunnel under ocean blvd? what do all of these have in common? they're the highest—selling vinyl albums of 2023. in fact, sales are the highest they've been in the uk since the 1990s. they've jumped by around 12% to 5.9 million, and they've continued to increase for the last 16 years. that's according to the british phonographic industry. now, although 80—85% of recorded music is still consumed via streaming, there's clearly been a huge surge in vinyl sales. and i asked gennaro castaldo from the british phonographic industry why this was.

i think people love the idea of having something to own and to collect. it's a beautiful kind of piece of artwork, really, from the sleeve artwork, the packaging and of course the baby boomers like me, who grew up with it, are still buying it. but we're seeing much youngerfans, millennials, certainly gen z, who are buying it. maybe they've been informed by their parents' record collections, certainly by streaming as well. but they love it cos i think it helps them to feel closer to the artists they love. there's this emotional connection that vinyl, in particular, i think sort of affords us as fans. it's notjust vinyl. in fact, cassette sales have been up this year as well despite having died out in the 1990s. and despite the decline in cd sales, they've now plateaued. in fact, 11 million were sold in the uk this year. so it shows that there's been a bit of a physical resurgence of the way that we're consuming music, and in many ways, you could say that it's gone full circle.

there is plenty more always on our website and also on the bbc news app. you can also get in touch with me. i am on x, formerly twitter. stay with us here on bbc news hello there. friday is shaping up to be a fairly decent day for many. there should be more sunshine around, the winds not quite as strong. there'll still be a few showers around. it will be a little bit cooler than of late, but things turn a lot more unsettled, though, for the last couple of days of 2023. you might want to take note if you have travel plans. for friday, then, we have low pressure anchored to the northeast of scotland. that's still going to bring strong gale force winds here to the northern isles, some snow showers at times. more sunshine for southern scotland. this weather front will bring a band

of cloud to northern england, northern ireland, a little bit of snow to the higher ground and plenty of sunshine for the rest of england and wales. but there will be a few showers running into wales, southwest england, the midlands, southern england later on. just about double figures in the south. otherwise, it's a cooler day across the board. as we head through friday night, it stays blustery. further showers across northern scotland, but many places will turn drier with clearer skies and light winds — a recipe of quite a cold night to come, i think, to start saturday, with widespread frost and ice to watch out for across parts of scotland. however, into the weekend, if you have travel plans, you'll want to take note to the forecast the next few days. we'll see further wet and windy weather, with snow on the hills in the north, so there could be some travel disruption. and it's all down to this next area of low pressure, a deep, low moving in on saturday to bring gales and heavy rain. many southern, eastern, northern areas will start dry and cold, but as the wind and the rain bumps into that cold air, we'll see snow falling over the high ground of northern england and across scotland,

maybe even to lower levels for a while. i don't think the conditions will be too bad across the south—east at this point for saturday. double figure values again, but wet and windy further north and west. that band of heavy rain spreads across all of england and wales through saturday night. the centre of the low moves in towards the north of the uk, so the winds turn a little bit lighter here. so i think on sunday — of course, new year's eve — the strongest, gustiest of the winds will be across southern britain, where we'll see plenty of showers rattling in. some of them could be quite heavy, but there will be some sunshine through central and northern areas. but it will be a chillier day, i think — temperatures in single digits for most. so an unsettled end to the year. as we head into new year's day, 1january, it stays quite cool and unsettled, and a chilly first week of january to come with low pressure always nearby.

this is bbc news. the headlines: maine becomes the second us state to bar donald trump from contesting the republican presidential primary. officials say they've banned him because he incited his supporters to storm the capitol building in january 2021. the trump campaign has criticised the decision. israel expands its ground offensive into palestinian refugee camps in central gaza, forcing thousands to flee. it comes as a hamas delegation heads to cairo to give its response to an egyptian

ceasefire plan. spacex has launched a secretive us military robot spaceplane into orbit. little is known about x—37b, which is understood to be built to conduct technology experiments on years—long orbitalflights. the launch faced two weeks of false starts due to poor weather and technical issues. now on bbc news: women in hollywood: the producers. a warm welcome. i'm kim chakanetsa. i've come to hollywood, to the women in film headquarters, where i'm joined by keri putnam and stephanie allain, two women who are working to reshape the industry. they are both part of an initiative founded

and led by women in film and the sundance institute