hello, i'm lewis vaughanjones. you're watching the context on bbc news. the uk government says it has met a promise to clear a large part of the backlog of asylum claims despite figures showing thousands of �*complex' cases remain unresolved. hello and welcome to the programme. the home secretary says the government has "done what it promised" and dealt with a backlog of older asylum cases. james cleverly said "every single one" of the backlog applications had been processed although there are around 16,000 "complex" cases still being looked at. take a listen. it is about disrupting supply chain on engines and boats that are used

to ferry people across the channel, it is about getting after the money of these people smugglers and it is about working hard both on the uk border and across europe. that is what driven this 36% reduction. at the same time, is that you're seeing an 80% increase. we are a positive outlier because of the actions that we have taken. so this is not about the weather, this is about the work the home office officials have been doing both domestically and with their counterparts across europe. opposition labour party says ministers are manipulating the figures. here's the shadow home secretary yvette cooper. rishi sunak's claim to have cured the asylum backlog isjust totally false. in fact, the figures are nearly 100,000 cases and they haven't even fully cleared the bit of the backlog they were targeting.

our political correspondent nick eardley has been working with the bbc verify team and looking at the claims. the big claim from the government today is that it's got rid of the legacy backlog of asylum applications. this is what rishi sunak told parliament in december 2022. when he talked about the backlog, number ten said he was referring to all cases before the 20th ofjune 2022. now, the home secretary said this morning they had all been processed, so the government had fulfilled this promise. but it's complicated, and we think the government is going too far in claiming that the backlog of older cases has gone completely. have a look at this. this is the number of cases submitted before the 28th ofjune 2022. when rishi sunak made the pledge in december, you can see there were around 92,000 still to be processed. there's no doubt that the government has brought this down quite significantly. there are big falls, particularly

towards the end of the year. but then have a look at this — december. there are still 4,500 cases left. the government says these have been looked at, but more work needs to be done. but what's clear from this, from the home office's own figures, that there are still some cases in the older asylum backlog. it's not gone entirely. now, it's also worth having a look at how the government has got the backlog down so significantly. these figures are for the first nine months of the year. as you can see, the number of cases being approved has gone up significantly. that's led critics of the government, like nigel farage, to say that they've rushed through claims. it's also worth having a look at this bit in yellow, the number of withdrawn cases. that's at a record high. it includes people who decide not to pursue their asylum case, but it also includes those the home office decides to take out of the system for things

like missing application meetings or not keeping in touch with the home office. and finally, have a look at this quote from the home office's release today. it says that from the figures it's produced, 35,000 cases were non—substa ntive decisions. that often means that they've been withdrawn from the figures. so as you can see, it's a lot more complicated than some of the government's headline claims suggest. and finally, ijust want to show you this. although the legacy backlog has gone down considerably, this is cases after the 28th ofjune 2020. have a look. they have gone up considerably over time. they now stand at 94,000 — more than the legacy backlog was when rishi sunak pledged to get rid of it. there is no timescale for dealing with this at the moment. was when rishi sunak pledged to get rid of it.

there is no timescale for dealing with this at the moment. we will get the thoughts of our panel on claim and counterclaim in a moment but first some breaking news from the world of darts which is something i don't see very often but it is worth it whether you're interested in darts or not because it is an extraordinary moment. teenager luke littler is now in the final of the world darts championship. he hasjust one in the semifinals of the competition there at alexandra palace. he isjust i6 at alexandra palace. he isjust 16 years old. there he is throwing. just 16 years old and has just been former champion, 2018 champion, in the semifinal. in the last few minutes, confirming that he has reached the pdc world darts championship final. if he wins i

think it is something like half £1 million. he is already one around £100,000. so he's been in the 2018 finals champion there rob cross so he moves into the final. a 16—year—old. first time there and this time in 2a hours' time, this time tomorrow, he will be in the finals seeing if he can go all the way. remarkable achievement for the 16—year—old, luke littler. let's go back to our panel now. and she will over the claim and counterclaim over the asylum. on tonight's panel mary anne marsh — political analyst and democratic party strategist. and sebastian payne, the director on onward — a centre—right think—tank, and formerjournalist. sebastian, what have you made about the claim and counterclaim here? obviously the government is trying to get— obviously the government is trying to get a _ obviously the government is trying to get a good story out of this

because — to get a good story out of this because migration is probably the biggest _ because migration is probably the biggest political hot potato in westminster at the moment as 2424 started. _ westminster at the moment as 2424 started. an _ westminster at the moment as 2424 started, an election year and clearly— started, an election year and clearly the conservative party is keen _ clearly the conservative party is keen to — clearly the conservative party is keen to show that it is on top of migration— keen to show that it is on top of migration and making progress on asylum _ migration and making progress on asylum claims, it all folds into the small_ asylum claims, it all folds into the small boats issue as well which has been _ small boats issue as well which has been huge. — small boats issue as well which has been huge, the increase the number coming _ been huge, the increase the number coming across the channel. clearly clearing _ coming across the channel. clearly clearing the backlog is a huge achievement and that should not be undermined throughout this debate because _ undermined throughout this debate because the home offers which processes migration claims often said to _ processes migration claims often said to be — processes migration claims often said to be a dysfunctional department, struggles with the demands on it. sol department, struggles with the demands on it. so i think what rishi sunak— demands on it. so i think what rishi sunak and _ demands on it. so i think what rishi sunak and the prime minister, sorry, the home _ sunak and the prime minister, sorry, the home secretaryjames cleverly have tried — the home secretaryjames cleverly have tried to do is to prove that they— have tried to do is to prove that they managed to get through that backlog _ they managed to get through that backlog before asylum rules were changed — backlog before asylum rules were changed and heralding that is progress was up there are still those — progress was up there are still those 5000 claims left that are more complicated in nature and your correspondent was talking about earlier, — correspondent was talking about earlier, a —

correspondent was talking about earlier, a lot of questions but when they witi— earlier, a lot of questions but when they will get those back in the next question— they will get those back in the next question is— they will get those back in the next question is going to be claims after june 2022~ — question is going to be claims after june 2022. because asylum rules did change _ june 2022. because asylum rules did change at _ june 2022. because asylum rules did change at that point and there is quite _ change at that point and there is quite a _ change at that point and there is quite a lot— change at that point and there is quite a lot that needs to be gone through there. this isjust one piece — through there. this isjust one piece in — through there. this isjust one piece in the puzzle of trying to get to a place — piece in the puzzle of trying to get to a place on migration where asylum ctaims _ to a place on migration where asylum claims are _ to a place on migration where asylum claims are being processed at a faster— claims are being processed at a faster rate, because it is not sustainable to have these backlogs all of the _ sustainable to have these backlogs all of the time. will also try to regain — all of the time. will also try to regain for— all of the time. will also try to regain for the conservative party, bubtic _ regain for the conservative party, public confidence on this. because at the _ public confidence on this. because at the moment it is such a big issue in dominating a lot of the news coverage _ in dominating a lot of the news coverage. in the government when a -ood coverage. in the government when a good story— coverage. in the government when a good story off the back of it. just as a oint good story off the back of it. just as a point of _ good story off the back of it. just as a point of view, some of the issues you raised there, the fact that, yes, there are still four and a half thousand, 5000 not yet resolved and the language around the celebratory posts by rishi sunak and also the numbers you mentioned, the

huge numbers still involved post—law change, if you are in opponent you are thinking, these are two good lines of attack, as it were. so if you are the conservative government, why would you want to be talking about an area where it seems to have about an area where it seems to have a pretty big holes in what you are saying? a pretty big holes in what you are sa in: ? , ., a pretty big holes in what you are sa in ? , ., ., a pretty big holes in what you are sa inu? , ., ., saying? first of all as i said i think getting _ saying? first of all as i said i think getting this _ saying? first of all as i said i think getting this back - saying? first of all as i said i think getting this back lock l saying? first of all as i said i | think getting this back lock it saying? first of all as i said i - think getting this back lock it down is a political achievement, that is what _ is a political achievement, that is what the — is a political achievement, that is what the government is trying to heratd _ what the government is trying to herald this at the set them on as having _ herald this at the set them on as having doing that on social media. second _ having doing that on social media. second thing, is to put in the context— second thing, is to put in the context of— second thing, is to put in the context of a general election year. that the _ context of a general election year. that the campaigns are essentially beginning now, that labour's keir starmer— beginning now, that labour's keir starmer coming on thursday to talk about _ starmer coming on thursday to talk about his _ starmer coming on thursday to talk about his vision of change for the country— about his vision of change for the country and i am sure that legal ntigration— country and i am sure that legal migration will play a part of that. ithink— migration will play a part of that. i think from the conservative point of view, _ i think from the conservative point of view, they think they are stronger— of view, they think they are stronger than the liberal party on this and _ stronger than the liberal party on this and have a better message in trying _ this and have a better message in trying to— this and have a better message in trying to show they are making progress — trying to show they are making progress. do trying to show they are making rouress. ,, ~ trying to show they are making rouress. ,., ~ ., , ., progress. do you think that is a aood progress. do you think that is a

good strategy? _ progress. do you think that is a good strategy? that _ progress. do you think that is a good strategy? that is - progress. do you think that is a good strategy? that is clearly l progress. do you think that is a l good strategy? that is clearly the policy that the decided and we will talk about and we want to, do you think that will work? j talk about and we want to, do you think that will work?— think that will work? i think trying to show progress _ think that will work? i think trying to show progress being _ think that will work? i think trying to show progress being made - think that will work? i think trying to show progress being made is i to show progress being made is something that has to happen because immigration is i think one of the, the third — immigration is i think one of the, the third most important issue to british— the third most important issue to british voters and re—we have done, it has— british voters and re—we have done, it has shown — british voters and re—we have done, it has shown that it has gradually increased — it has shown that it has gradually increased as the government has struggled — increased as the government has struggled with asylum claims, to get them closed. so the fact they are talking _ them closed. so the fact they are talking about this is a good thing, ultimately, the question now is what about— ultimately, the question now is what about the _ ultimately, the question now is what about the backlog since june 2022 and what — about the backlog since june 2022 and what about the other claims, that is— and what about the other claims, that is the — and what about the other claims, that is the question they have to answer — that is the question they have to answer. argus has been made, but clearly— answer. argus has been made, but clearly we — answer. argus has been made, but clearly we are not exactly where we need _ clearly we are not exactly where we need to _ clearly we are not exactly where we need to be — clearly we are not exactly where we need to be. —— progress has been made _ need to be. -- progress has been made. a . ~ need to be. -- progress has been made. 1, . ,, ., need to be. -- progress has been made. . ,, ., , ., made. back with our panel in 'ust a moment. just bringing you some new developments in the israel gaza war.

this is separate to development we have been talking about this hamas announcing the death of senior leaders in lebanon. we have a separate development now. because in the past hour or so the us has denounced controversial comments by two israeli ministers who said palestinians should be encouraged to emigrate from gaza and forjewish settlers to return to territory. state department spokesperson quote, reject recent statements from the israeli ministers advocating for the resettlement of palestinians outside of gaza. let's bring in sebastian again. let's bring in sebastian again. let's put you on the spot there, unfairly so, what do you make of it? a clear denunciation from the us of those recent comments by a small

number of those israeli ministers? this is the problem netanyahu has -ot this is the problem netanyahu has got himself into. he got back into power— got himself into. he got back into power by— got himself into. he got back into power by having a coalition with some _ power by having a coalition with some of— power by having a coalition with some of the most extreme elements of israeti _ some of the most extreme elements of israeli politics with far right figures _ israeli politics with far right figures there by any metric. and it is something he is widely criticised for. is something he is widely criticised for and _ is something he is widely criticised for. and netanyahu's domestic standing — for. and netanyahu's domestic standing in israel is shaky at the moment— standing in israel is shaky at the moment so it is not a surprise at all that— moment so it is not a surprise at all that his — moment so it is not a surprise at all that his comments have been criticised — all that his comments have been criticised and i think you see where this att— criticised and i think you see where this all continues, but at some point _ this all continues, but at some point there is going to be a political— point there is going to be a political reckoning for netanyahu over october the 7th. i think it is exposing — over october the 7th. i think it is exposing just how fragile his political— exposing just how fragile his political position is in israel. of political position is in israel. ©er course political position is in israel. course the political position is in israel. qt course the recent decision by the courts allegedly the ongoing battle netanyahu has been having on that front exposes the domestic policy challenges that he faces. with regards to the coalition and to the

right—wing in power in israel, there is a great deal of pressure on netanyahu from internal party politics and coalitions, do you think that will continue to have a significant impact on the course of the war or do you actually think that netanyahu, regardless of using that netanyahu, regardless of using that coalition would be continuing along vaguely similar lines anyway? ultimately at the moment, there is unity— ultimately at the moment, there is unity about how to address the war situation~ _ unity about how to address the war situation. that goes across all parties — situation. that goes across all parties in _ situation. that goes across all parties in israel. everyone is on the same — parties in israel. everyone is on the same lines, but ultimately at some _ the same lines, but ultimately at some point, we are several months into this _ some point, we are several months into this now— some point, we are several months into this now and it is going to get harder, _ into this now and it is going to get harder, it — into this now and it is going to get harder, it is— into this now and it is going to get harder, it is going to get more difficult — harder, it is going to get more difficult and obviously, the international approach has changed quite a _ international approach has changed quite a lot — international approach has changed quite a lot. from everyone is full sguare _ quite a lot. from everyone is full

square behind israel and its approach year, but ultimately that thing _ approach year, but ultimately that thing about having a humanitarian cease-fire. — thing about having a humanitarian cease—fire, language the uk is using, — cease—fire, language the uk is using, lord cameron has push that forward _ using, lord cameron has push that forward here, language starting having — forward here, language starting having wider adoption at the un, i think— having wider adoption at the un, i think the _ having wider adoption at the un, i think the question is going to be, the do _ think the question is going to be, the do the — think the question is going to be, the do the more radical elements of the do the more radical elements of the netanyahu government and pull away if— the netanyahu government and pull away if they turn out to be more consolatory elements in terms of the approach _ consolatory elements in terms of the approach of— consolatory elements in terms of the approach of the war. at the moment, ithink— approach of the war. at the moment, i think there — approach of the war. at the moment, i think there are still full support behind _ i think there are still full support behind that. as i sat on the other side, _ behind that. as i sat on the other side, there — behind that. as i sat on the other side, there is going to be a reckoning for this because the october— reckoning for this because the october the 7th attacks were the most _ october the 7th attacks were the most devastating attack israel has had in _ most devastating attack israel has had in a _ most devastating attack israel has had in a generation on its own soil. a tot _ had in a generation on its own soil. a tot of— had in a generation on its own soil. a lot of questions about how they did not— a lot of questions about how they did not see this coming, were intelligent services will prepared and in _ intelligent services will prepared and in that instant, the question will fatt— and in that instant, the question will fail on— and in that instant, the question will fall on bat himself in at some point, there will be elections in the people of israel will make that verdict _ the people of israel will make that verdict on — the people of israel will make that verdict on it. —— netanyahu. it is clear— verdict on it. —— netanyahu. it is clear that — verdict on it. —— netanyahu. it is clear that those extreme elements on

making _ clear that those extreme elements on making his _ clear that those extreme elements on making hisjob more difficult. let�*s making his 'ob more difficult. let's no back to making his job more difficult. let's go back to the _ making his job more difficult. let's go back to the us. _ making his job more difficult. let's go back to the us. this _ making hisjob more difficult. let�*s go back to the us. this is the us state department clearly reacting to previous comments by two is really ministers who said, palestinians should be encouraged to emigrate from gaza and a jewish settlers to return there. the us state department denouncing that emphatically saying, it rejects recent statements from those ministers. what you make of that? j ministers. what you make of that? i think you are starting to see the fact that the support of the united states for israel does not mean support for netanyahu. that is now breaking out more publicly and these comments are just another example. when you look at this, president biden has put pressure on netanyahu all along. the fact that you would make statements about integrating the targeting or lack of targeting to try to avoid the civilian casualties, all of it is leading to

the day that netanyahu leaves. i don't think this is netanyahu, is going to make it, it is the beginning of the end for him. i think you saw that especially with the decision to overturn the judicial situation, that in many ways led to the inability of the idf to respond to the attacks by hamas. so i think this is the beginning of the end for netanyahu. it will be messily, no questions about it, and he will resist at every step of the way because netanyahu, much like donald trump is trying to avoid accountability for many things he has done. so i think the united states will always support israel, but that does not mean it supports netanyahu. but that does not mean it supports netan ahu. . ~ but that does not mean it supports netan ahu. ., ,, ,., but that does not mean it supports netan ahu. ., ,, y., , but that does not mean it supports netan ahu. . ~' ,. , . netanyahu. thank you very much, both. netanyahu. thank you very much, both- back— netanyahu. thank you very much, both- back in _ netanyahu. thank you very much, both. back in a _ netanyahu. thank you very much, both. back in a moment. - bbc news — bringing you different stories from across the uk. oh, dear! kezia is 17 months old. she's thriving. when she was born, times were tough

for her mother, alice. so when her midwife delivered a special basket full of items, it meant the world. it was such a relief to not have to worry how i was going to afford everything, that she had somewhere safe to sleep, but also that so much care and thought had gone into putting this basket together. the moses project began life in 2016 on a kitchen table. run by a local church, it's grown and grown. this year it's provided 200 moses baskets packed full of essentials from baby grows to toiletries and some little luxuries, too. we support families that are facing hardship, maybe from a workless household, refugees that have come into the country and don't have any other family support. for more stories from across the uk headed to the bbc news website. you're live with bbc news.

it is time for the panel. this is the part of the show where our panelists get to talk about what they want to talk about. sebastian you start. j they want to talk about. sebastian ou start. . , w' they want to talk about. sebastian ou start. . , a , you start. i am picking up with the resignation _ you start. i am picking up with the resignation of _ you start. i am picking up with the resignation of the _ you start. i am picking up with the resignation of the harvard - resignation of the harvard president, claudine gay who appeared in that— president, claudine gay who appeared in that famous panel on capitol hill when _ in that famous panel on capitol hill when they— in that famous panel on capitol hill when they were asked about anti—semitism and several times by repubtican— anti—semitism and several times by republican congressman by whether they can _ republican congressman by whether they can define genocide for the jews _ they can define genocide for the jews it — they can define genocide for the jews. it was one of the most appalling hearings i have seen it 'ust appalling hearings i have seen it just shows how much institutions have _ just shows how much institutions have tied — just shows how much institutions have tied themselves in complete knots— have tied themselves in complete knots over what is right and wrong and what — knots over what is right and wrong and what is — knots over what is right and wrong and what is the, some would say the woke _ and what is the, some would say the woke or— and what is the, some would say the woke or right thing to say and she has been — woke or right thing to say and she has been under huge pressure under this also— has been under huge pressure under this also for— has been under huge pressure under this also for her academic record as wett~ _ this also for her academic record as wett~ with — this also for her academic record as well. with questions about plagiarism in her past work. there were _ plagiarism in her past work. there were three — plagiarism in her past work. there were three uses —— us presidents on

this committee, mitjoining so ultimately i think she has been the i’ili'it ultimately i think she has been the right thing because harvard is one of the _ right thing because harvard is one of the worlds best universities with a strong _ of the worlds best universities with a strong track record of freedom of speech— a strong track record of freedom of speech and — a strong track record of freedom of speech and i think was let down by miss gav— speech and i think was let down by miss gav in — speech and i think was let down by miss gay in this hearing. we learned about that resignation _ miss gay in this hearing. we learned about that resignation just _ miss gay in this hearing. we learned about that resignation just a - miss gay in this hearing. we learned about that resignation just a few - about that resignation just a few hours ago so very on—topic. mr; about that resignation just a few hours ago so very on-topic. my topic is swattin: hours ago so very on-topic. my topic is swatting when _ hours ago so very on-topic. my topic is swatting when people _ hours ago so very on-topic. my topic is swatting when people call - hours ago so very on-topic. my topic is swatting when people call police l is swatting when people call police and say there is a violent crime under way in the go to the home and find out that is indeed not the case. it has become a political tool and target of political entities. judges in colorado, secretaries of state and colorado when they removed the donald trump name from the ballot were all swatting and it is a dangerous situation because please go in guns blazing, already to go and you find it innocent people are in these homes. more and more elected officials are being subjected to this and it may be a harbinger of, unfortunately, the kinds of violence and bullying that could be a hallmark of the 2024

elections in the united states, especially for the presidential race. ,, ., especially for the presidential race. , .,, especially for the presidential race. , ., , ., race. some people hearing this for the first time. _ race. some people hearing this for the first time, what _ race. some people hearing this for the first time, what is _ race. some people hearing this for the first time, what is the - race. some people hearing this for the first time, what is the term? l the first time, what is the term? swatting. so it is a swat team that would respond to a situation like this because it is a violent crime so when it is a false claim it is called swatting. pm so when it is a false claim it is called swatting. an extraordinary development _ called swatting. an extraordinary development there. _ called swatting. an extraordinary development there. thank - called swatting. an extraordinary development there. thank you i called swatting. an extraordinary| development there. thank you so called swatting. an extraordinary - development there. thank you so much both for your time on the panel and for being with us over the last hour. mary anne marsh — political analyst and democratic party strategist. and sebastian payne, the director on onward — a centre—right think—tank, and formerjournalist. just before i head off, just a reminder of that breaking news from the world of darts. because i will probably never be able to bring you breaking news from the world starts again, luke littler, a 16—year—old has won his match in the semifinal and is now into the final of the world darts championship which will take place tomorrow. that is it.

this is bbc news. hello from the bbc sport centre. i'm paul scott. let's get more on darts. history has been made. history has been made at the pdc darts world championship at alexandra palace. 16—year—old luke littler has become the youngest person ever to reach the final. he did in some style. despite losing the first set to 2018 champion rob cross, littlerwho the first set to 2018 champion rob cross, littler who does not turn 70 for another 19 days soon levelled and then took control. including this audacious 1—2—3 check out in the end, rob cross had no answer as luke littler came through 6—2. he will now face either scott williams or luke humphreys in the final tomorrow. the second semifinal has literallyjust tomorrow. the second semifinal has literally just got tomorrow. the second semifinal has literallyjust got under way.

brighton have missed the opportunity to move up to 6th place in the premier league after a goalless draw at west ham. this eagles had the best of what was a quiet first half. paschal chris with the best of the chances but the visitors with this header. despite 22 shots in total they could not break the deadlock. petrol unlucky after this attempt at score. the draw means brayton have kept a clean sheet for the first time in 24 league games. while west ham remains six after a fourth clean sheet in a row. celtic have gone into the scottish premiership winter break with their 8 point lead at the top of the table intact. they've beaten st mirren 3—0. they were 2—0 up inside six minutes. japanese international daizen maeda putting them one up after just 54 seconds. soon after, matt o'riley doubled celtic�*s lead. st mirren's were also down to ten men after toyosi olusanya was shown a straight red

card, and then went 3—0 down. greg taylor with celtic�*s third. elsewhere rangers responded losing that crucial old firm derby to celtic on saturday with a 3—1win over kilmarnock. third placed hearts and aberdeen also won while hibs needed an injury time equaliser to draw with motherwell. dundee against stjohnstone was called off. but, the home side at least didn't waste the food they had ready for the game, offering pies, hot dogs andburgers to fans for free. wayne rooney says he doesn't believe 13 weeks was "sufficient" to "oversee changes" at birmingham city, following his sacking by the championship club earlier today. he's been dismissed afterjust 15 games in charge, following a dismal run of form. birmingham were in the top six when rooney took over. but after just two wins, the club are now in 20th place and just 6 points clear of the relegation zone. in a statement, rooney does admit, results had not been at the level

he wanted them to be. the spanish footballer, jenni hermoso, has testified to a madrid court that a kiss from the country's football federation president luis rubiales was "not consensual". rubiales kissed hermoso on the lips after spain won the women's world cup last year. a judge will now decide whether rubiales should be tried for sexual assault and coercion. rubiales denies the allegations. it's been a day of milestone comeback victories for two former tennis grand slam champions. after almost a year out, rafael nadal looked like he'd never been away as he eased past dominic thiem in the first round of the brisbane international, while emma raducanu also won herfirst match back on the court in auckland after 259 days out with injury. our tennis correspondent russell fuller watched both matches.

of two impressive comebacks who have been out for nearly a year in brisbane. that's all was spectacularly good as he beat 75—61. with his greatest hits in the first few games of the match alone and an exceptionally good performance. once while it does not make a summer, nadal has had. he has set about backing it up in game after game match after match as he returns to the tour after a hip operation last june. as for emma raducanu, that was very encouraging. she won a tight match having twice served, 5—2 in the third second only to have her serve broken twice. she managed to win that the sightings at 75. uncork for 2.5 hours and served pretty well for 2.5 hours and served pretty well for much of the match and it was a very encouraging return for a woman who used to be the british number one, but returns at 301 in the world rankings after nine months out. and that's all the sport for now.

hello. storm henk certainly made its presence felt today with numerous flood warnings issued, particularly across england and wales. we also had this amber warning from the met office, this warning expiring through the early parts of the evening. some very strong winds, though, easing eastwards as the area of low pressure responsible storm henk continues to slide away. some outbreaks of rain pushing eastwards as well. most of the rain clearing out into the north sea, but some will remain across eastern parts of scotland, bending into the far north—east where we'll see some snow falling across shetland. it does stay very windy across the north—east of scotland, still quite windy through the night across english channel coasts as well. temperatures generally holding up between 3—10 degrees so the vast majority will avoid a frost. so as we head into tomorrow,

low pressure still with us. although the main body of storm henk will be moving towards southern scandinavia by this stage, where it will be bringing some quite significant snowfall. for us, many places seeing a day of sunny spells and heavy showers, still blustery down towards the south coast. those winds only slowly easing. also staying windy in the north—east of scotland. still a bit of rain, sleet and snow across orkney and shetland and some showery rain more generally across the northern half of scotland. temperature—wise, 8—11 degrees in many places. and then as we head into thursday, here comes another weather system. this one set to bring some heavy rain, particularly across the channel islands and into southern coastal counties of england. some of this rain could be on the heavy side. it mayjust be that this pulse of wet weather shifts a little bit further northwards as we go through the day. elsewhere, sunny spells and showers, some more persistent rain continuing to affect the north—east of scotland, still cold in shetland. and elsewhere, those temperatures just starting to come down a little bit. that's a sign of things to come. as we move into the weekend, low pressure will loosen its grip and high pressure will start to build, both from the west and from the east.

so that is going to settle things down. as that happens, we'll see some colder air developing. nothing exceptional for this time of year, it is early january, after all, but those temperatures certainly lower than they have been by day and by night. any showers that do crop up could be wintry in nature. there'll be some frost and fog at night, but a lot of dry weather.

at ten: their survival is nothing short of a miracle. hundreds of people escape an airliner that bursts into flames in japan. the intense fire was the result of a collision with a smaller aid plane en route to help victims of yesterday's massive earthquake. terror on board, as smoke fills the cabin and the plane catches fire. translation: i can only say it was a miracle. - we could have died if we didn't evacuate at that point. but five people did die on the aid plane. also on the programme: in lebanon, a drone strike kills the deputy leader of hamas, threatening an escalation of the war with israel. junior doctors in england are due to go out on a six—day strike from tomorrow, the longest continuous industrial action in nhs history. the former head of

the charity kidscompany, camila batmanghelidjh, has died. she was 61.