of violence in ecuador, a wave of violence in ecuador, hundred prison guards and staff are held hostage. in we will have the latest from new york where donald trump is in court in the closing arguments of the trial. will give you the top stories from will give you the top stories from around the globe. we will start in the core lawyers have outlined their case of the un top court, alleging that israel's military offence in gaza amounts to genocide. south africa also alleges of the international court that israel possible his plan to destroy gaza comes from the highest level of state. israel, which will present its case on friday, as denounced the allegations is atrocious and

baseless. they claim to be acting in self—defense due to the attack by hamas on the seventh. they're calling for an immediate halt to israel's military operations. this report for a diplomatic respondent. for three months the world has looked on in horror at the scenes from gaza, the huge numbers of palestinian civilians killed orforced to move, the shear level of destruction. south africa says this is evidence of genocide. no one is spared, not even newborn babies. israel has killed more than 23,000 palestinians. more than 300,000 housing units have been damaged or destroyed and around 85% of the population has been displaced.

people have to relocate for their children — people have to relocate for their children and in places where they had been — children and in places where they had been told to evacuate to. and the entire — had been told to evacuate to. and the entire multi—generational families— the entire multi—generational families will be obliterated. and more _ families will be obliterated. and more palestinian children will become — more palestinian children will become wc and ss, wounded child, no surviving _ become wc and ss, wounded child, no surviving family. what become wc and ss, wounded child, no surviving family-— surviving family. what is genocide, accordinu surviving family. what is genocide, according to _ surviving family. what is genocide, according to a _ surviving family. what is genocide, according to a convention, - surviving family. what is genocide, according to a convention, it - surviving family. what is genocide, according to a convention, it is... l according to a convention, it is... israel says it was acting in self—defense following the attack on october the 7th, the worst attack on the jewish populace october the 7th, the worst attack on thejewish populace since the holocaust. . irate

the jewish populace since the holocaust. ._ holocaust. . we are fighting terrorist and _ holocaust. . we are fighting terrorist and wise, - holocaust. . we are fighting terrorist and wise, we - holocaust. . we are fighting terrorist and wise, we saw l holocaust. . we are fighting l terrorist and wise, we saw an holocaust. . we are fighting - terrorist and wise, we saw an upside down _ terrorist and wise, we saw an upside down world — terrorist and wise, we saw an upside down world and _ terrorist and wise, we saw an upside down world and israel— terrorist and wise, we saw an upside down world and israel is accused - terrorist and wise, we saw an upside down world and israel is accused of. down world and israel is accused of genocide _ down world and israel is accused of genocide while _ down world and israel is accused of genocide while it is fighting - genocide while it is fighting against _ genocide while it is fighting against genocide. - genocide while it is fighting against genocide.— genocide while it is fighting against genocide. genocide while it is fighting auainst uenocide. , against genocide. outside the court, emotions are — against genocide. outside the court, emotions are running _ against genocide. outside the court, emotions are running high, - emotions are running high, supporters say the charge of genocide is out and bridges. hamas is committing crimes against _ and bridges. hamas is committing crimes against humanity - and bridges. hamas is committing crimes against humanity and - and bridges. hamas is committing crimes against humanity and no i and bridges. hamas is committing i crimes against humanity and no one is talking about it stop by the court years to reach the verdict but it court years to reach the verdict but |. . ., court years to reach the verdict but it could within weeks rule that israel should _ it could within weeks rule that israel should halt _ it could within weeks rule that israel should halt its - it could within weeks rule that israel should halt its military i israel should halt its military operation. it has no power to make that happen but it will add to the pressure mounting on israel to act differently in gaza. there's been plenty of reaction to events there we been getting some reaction from the us and this is

white house national security spokesperson you can see they're taking questions from reporters and very standard procedure and was asked and i have spoken about the events that paul adams as outlined in this is what he said. the united states is no basis for south africa's allegations of genocide against israel over civilian deaths in gaza. and he also told reporters the allegations were unfounded. so, the allegations were unfounded. so, the us squarely behind its ally israel on that. i've been talking to the israel ambassador to south africa between 1992 in 1994, i asked what the reaction is been in israel to south africa's evidence. the reaction is _ to south africa's evidence. the reaction is very _ to south africa's evidence. tie: reaction is very negative to south africa's evidence. tte: reaction is very negative and to south africa's evidence. t“t9 reaction is very negative and south africa is accused for imagining

things and the claim here is described as completely unacceptable but this is natural. people who are very angry and still traumatised by the war and especially the events of the war and especially the events of the 7th of october. 0bviously, the war and especially the events of the 7th of october. obviously, the reaction in the public is very negative and people are, i would say surprised and very angry. why do you see any arguments the south african lawyers today? i do not see any merit to the claim that it is genocide and i do not think they will be able to prove that the intention of israel is to exercise masculine of genocide and this is a

long—term process is worried by the short—term process and interim decision that comes up with about two weeks and because israel to international difficulties and to stop the war and israel is focusing on this. : , ,., ,:, on this. and they said something similar that _ on this. and they said something similar that this _ on this. and they said something similar that this could _ on this. and they said something similar that this could cause - similar that this could cause problems for israel because other countries supporting of israel will feel under a different pressure. the feel under a different pressure. tt9: complication, feel under a different pressure. t“t9 complication, the real complication can be if you will go to the united nations security council, although

most of us here believe that the americans will veto the united nations security council resolution will be very costly for them to veto such a decision and such, they might come to israel with complete demands for stopping the war and maybe suggesting a date and coming back to the negotiating table and maybe even under the two states formula and this is what worries israel most, not the reaction of the media and public opinion but especially the american government and maybe also, as europe but also if it is government acts not public opinion

x. in government acts not public opinion x. y ., government acts not public opinion x. in your diplomatic experience of israel, x. in your diplomatic experience of israel. south _ x. in your diplomatic experience of israel, south africa _ x. in your diplomatic experience of israel, south africa and _ x. in your diplomatic experience of israel, south africa and the - israel, south africa and the diplomatic links, can you tell us a bit about will be an extraordinary low point, obviously. find bit about will be an extraordinary low point, obviously.— low point, obviously. and it is especially _ low point, obviously. and it is especially painful— low point, obviously. and it is especially painful to - low point, obviously. and it is especially painful to see - low point, obviously. and it is especially painful to see this. low point, obviously. and it is - especially painful to see this point between the two countries and serving as the ambassador to nelson mandela and wonderful relationships between two countries because we had also processed the iranian parallel and mandela ministers were as sure as we were that this would lead to peace with the palestinians and freedom to the palestinians. the problem started with the process of the collapse and the last two or three years and the ruling part, and

harshly criticising israel and it was not a big surprise that it was a game played. hundreds of post office staff wrongly accused of fraud because of a faulty it system some are sent to prison and others lost their livelihoods and today the inquiry of post office for investigations involved in criminal inquiries into sub postmasters denying claims he and others behave like mafia gangsters while investigating losses and branches, they said they were not technically minded it is not equipped to know if there were bugs and errors in the computer system. listening to his evidence.

it's a big day forjanet skinner, a former sub—postmistress wrongly convicted and jailed for theft in 2007 but later cleared. it has impacted everything, this has controlled my life since 2006. i was employed by the post office in 1994, so they've had the best part of 30 years of my life. i swear by almighty god... and it is this man she is here to see, stephen bradshaw, whose investigation but janet behind bars, himself being interrogated. you were at the post office in a significant role - during the group litigation, during the court of-

appeal proceedings. they would been told they're the only ones — they would been told they're the only ones with _ they would been told they're the only ones with this _ they would been told they're the only ones with this problem. - they would been told they're the only ones with this problem. i i they would been told they're the only ones with this problem. i never said that to — only ones with this problem. i never said that to anybody _ only ones with this problem. i never said that to anybody and _ only ones with this problem. i never said that to anybody and you're - only ones with this problem. i never said that to anybody and you're the | said that to anybody and you're the only one that ever different, i've never said that and i will stick to that. in never said that and i will stick to that. , , . ., that. in this document, they claim that. in this document, they claim that mr bradshaw _ that. in this document, they claim that mr bradshaw called _ that. in this document, they claim that mr bradshaw called her- that. in this document, they claim that mr bradshaw called her a... l that. in this document, they claim | that mr bradshaw called her a... in a telephone call witnessed by her husband. t a telephone call witnessed by her husband. :, .., a telephone call witnessed by her husband. :, ., , a telephone call witnessed by her husband. :, ., husband. i did not call any way that i be husband. i did not call any way that i be named- _ husband. i did not call any way that i be named- is— husband. i did not call any way that i be named. is shown _ husband. i did not call any way that i be named. is shown that - husband. i did not call any way that i be named. is shown that you - husband. i did not call any way that i be named. is shown that you are. i be named. is shown that you are reared i be named. is shown that you are prepared to _ i be named. is shown that you are prepared to be — i be named. is shown that you are prepared to be aggressive - i be named. is shown that you are prepared to be aggressive and - i be named. is shown that you are l prepared to be aggressive and other people _ prepared to be aggressive and other people have — prepared to be aggressive and other people have described _ prepared to be aggressive and other people have described you - prepared to be aggressive and other people have described you as - prepared to be aggressive and other people have described you as very l people have described you as very confrontational _ people have described you as very confrontational and _ people have described you as very confrontational and this _ people have described you as very confrontational and this is - people have described you as very confrontational and this is the - people have described you as very confrontational and this is the way you behave. — confrontational and this is the way you behave, isn't _ confrontational and this is the way you behave, isn't it. _ confrontational and this is the way you behave, isn't it. find- confrontational and this is the way you behave, isn't it.— you behave, isn't it. and they said his boss never— you behave, isn't it. and they said his boss never told _ you behave, isn't it. and they said his boss never told him _ you behave, isn't it. and they said his boss never told him about - you behave, isn't it. and they said his boss never told him about the | his boss never told him about the faulty computers of horizon. he had

never written it, he said he was not technically minded in the inquiry also heard he was sent a memo about also heard he was sent a memo about a court case and our guilty plea to a court case and our guilty plea to a lesser charge of fraud might be acceptable as long as the defendant said it was nothing to do with horizon. at this point, the chair intervened. is horizon. at this point, the chair intervened-— intervened. is it appropriate for someone representing - intervened. is it appropriate for someone representing the - intervened. is it appropriate for someone representing the post intervened. is it appropriate for- someone representing the post office to say— someone representing the post office to say we _ someone representing the post office to say we witt— someone representing the post office to say we will accept _ someone representing the post office to say we will accept your _ someone representing the post office to say we will accept your plea, but . to say we will accept your plea, but only if— to say we will accept your plea, but only if you — to say we will accept your plea, but only if you do — to say we will accept your plea, but only if you do not _ to say we will accept your plea, but only if you do not blame _ to say we will accept your plea, but only if you do not blame horizon? ii only if you do not blame horizon? thought he was called, and that he was arrogant. —— called. this thought he was called, and that he was arrogant. -- called. this slowly “oins the was arrogant. -- called. this slowly joins the dots- _ prison inmates have taken many more guards hostages in the past 24 hours as violent scripts the country.

hundred 78 guards and staff are not being held by inmates, 39 more 24 hours ago in the countries armed forces say they arrested more than transient subject gang members since the president called a state of emergency, masked gunmen storming the tv stations and there was live on air. the spike in violence appears to be emergency powers by the president and data security situations and more on this, i spoke to bbc london. situations and more on this, i spoke to bbc london-— to bbc london. information being released by _ to bbc london. information being released by the _ to bbc london. information being released by the 180 _ to bbc london. information being released by the 180 staff - to bbc london. information being released by the 180 staff and - to bbc london. information being released by the 180 staff and the | released by the 180 staff and the prisons at around 20 staff members of the prisons that taken as hostages in the last hours in ecuador and the vice president of

the workers say no and goes in and no one is coming out of the prisons and information about what is going on there and distressing videos of been seen and some of these hostage being subjected to extreme violence in these gangs but yesterday, the armed force commander said that they have not been killed.— have not been killed. whereby the situation across _ have not been killed. whereby the situation across the _ have not been killed. whereby the situation across the country? - have not been killed. whereby the situation across the country? they sa the situation across the country? they say they are _ situation across the country? they say they are yesterday _ situation across the country? t“t9 say they are yesterday was situation across the country? t“t91 say they are yesterday was the first state that was a new decree and the army went out to the streets and they reported 300 members of these

gangs contained and right now, people are starting to live in these situations and schools are suspended in their working from home also and this would be like that at least until next week.— this would be like that at least until next week. remind us of why the sudden — until next week. remind us of why the sudden uptick— until next week. remind us of why the sudden uptick in _ until next week. remind us of why the sudden uptick in violence? - until next week. remind us of why| the sudden uptick in violence? this is related to _ the sudden uptick in violence? this is related to the _ the sudden uptick in violence? “tt 3 is related to the boom of narcotic trafficking latin america and it is sandwiched between colombia and peru which are the largest producers of cocaine and has been in the latest years, a country where it is with the united states and europe. this is linked to the rise of violence in ecuador but this is not the only reason and i have spoken with

several experts in violence my country and they say the violence is coming from a systemic crisis and the solution is also to be systemic to tackle violence. we are talking about a country that is more than 30% of the population living in poverty with no access to education or health systems. around the world and across the uk. this is bbc news. let's look at some other stories making news. petrol prices have fallen to the lowest level since october 2021, new figures show. the aa said the average price, for a litre of the fuel, fell below £1.40 for the first time since october 2021. the uk government is planning the biggest expansion of its nuclear power industry in 70 years. a new nuclear plant would quadruple supplies by 2050, which the government claims would lower bills and improve energy security. nuclear power currently provides around 15% of the uk's electricity but many of the country's aging

reactors are due to be decommissioned over the next decade. researchers at oxford university say the death—rate among pregnant women and new mothers rose, during the pandemic, to its highest level in nearly two decades. blood clots in the veins, was the most common cause of death, with heart disease and poor mental health also common. the department of health says "last year, nhs england published a three—year plan to make maternity and neonatal care safer". you're live with bbc news. a court in new york is hearing closing arguments in president trump's civilfraud trial. he has been barred from speaking during the final day of proceedings after the judge said the former president had failed to agree to limits on what he could say.

mr trump and two of his sons deny hugely exaggerating the value of their properties to secure better loans. this book and asked about the proceedings. is defence lawyer wanted an opportunity to speak and when the judge asked if donald trump is willing to abide by the restrictions he had put in place, donna trump responded in a rant saying that he wasn't an innocent man and didn't want to abide by the restrictions thejudge had set want to abide by the restrictions the judge had set because want to abide by the restrictions thejudge had set because he want to abide by the restrictions the judge had set because he want to speak outside of those topics were always there was political persecution and explained that he never had any problems before he ran from office and there was an interesting number thejudge from office and there was an interesting number the judge said from office and there was an interesting number thejudge said by the way, you said you never had problems you act like you've never been sued before to which donald trump ignored and moved on. in the end, donald trump to get to speak in court today despite the judge wanting to prevent him from campaigning on this day which was meant to be focused on closing

arguments for both sides. we did have a comprehensive look at the defences main points that were put forward and have not been finished and there was no victim here, the banks are paid in full in the banks and rolled out the red carpet to get donald trump loans and those are key points to thejudge donald trump loans and those are key points to the judge himself is already criticised and head back on saying that even if the banks are happy, if the lenders were getting monday at a lower rate than they could add than they were damage —— money. damage. they will issue a verdict in this case.— verdict in this case. what difference _ verdict in this case. what difference could - verdict in this case. what difference could and - verdict in this case. what difference could and of. verdict in this case. what - difference could and of these verdicts make and what could be the outcome? the verdicts make and what could be the outcome? ~ :, , , ., ., outcome? the attorney general after the ten week — outcome? the attorney general after the ten week trial _ outcome? the attorney general after the ten week trial has _ outcome? the attorney general after the ten week trial has raised - the ten week trial has raised the stakes here at first, she wanted to

penalties saying that's what was gotten in ill—gotten gains by this fraud. and actually the judge of what he found the donald trump in the company did commit fraud. she wants $370 million and also wants to permanently ban donald trump from ever doing business in new york, five year ban on his two oldest sons and she wants an independent monitor to look over the trump organisation for at least the next five years. these are some of the remedies she is seeking and we will see with the judge decides but certainly, it will be a big blow to donald trump who really made his brandon his whole white house run and time in office of this image of him being a business mobile. the race to be the next president of the united states is hotting up, with the primary season about to start in the state of iowa — when republican party supporters

will begin selecting their candidate for the white house. donald trump dominates in the polls, but so far he's refused to take part in the televised debates. on wednesday night though, his two closest rivals nikki haley and ron desantis, did appear in front of the cameras to try to tempt voters away from mr trump. from washington, will vernon reports. please welcome florida governor ron desantis. cheering and applause. it should have been the top three candidates taking the stage. south carolina governor... but donald trump has refused to take part in the debates, claiming his huge lead in the polls means he doesn't need to. former newjersey governor chris christie... so it was down to just two — nikki haley and ron desantis, in a last—ditch attempt to win over iowans. but viewers had to wait an hour

and a half before there was any real discussion of donald trump and his efforts to overturn the presidential election result three years ago. that election, trump lost it. biden won that election. i think what happened onjanuary sixth was a terrible day and i think president trump will have to answerfor it. i think there's a larger issue republicans have got to think of. donald trump's going to lose that appeal, he's going to end up going to trial in front of a stacked left—wing dcjury of all democrats. i don't think he gets through that and so what are we going to do as republicans in terms of who we nominate for president? cheering and applause. donald trump's lead in this race is astonishing. around 62% of all republicans plan to support him. the former president held his own event in iowa last night, brushing off any suggestion that his republican rivals pose a threat. mr trump still faces over 90 criminal charges in four separate cases. last year, his rating increased with each new indictment. and no one would tell- the truth about donald trump. and here's one less opponent mr trump has to worry about — former newjersey governor chris christie, the self—styled anti—trump candidate,

has pulled out of the race. in a speech, christie attacked the other nominees for refusing to condemn trump outright. i want to promise you this. i am going to make sure that no way do i enable donald trump _ to ever be president - of the united states again. the former president appears to believe he's already won and with such a commanding lead in the polls, some here think he may be right. will vernon, bbc news, washington. they may not look all that exciting but neverjudge a book by its cover. the scripts contain words that

millions of friends fans tuned in to hear. :, ~ millions of friends fans tuned in to hear. . ,, ., . millions of friends fans tuned in to hear. :, ~ :, : this millions of friends fans tuned in to | hear._ this sitcom hear. take the rachel. this sitcom was filmed — hear. take the rachel. this sitcom was filmed at _ hear. take the rachel. this sitcom was filmed at fountain _ hear. take the rachel. this sitcom was filmed at fountain studios - hear. take the rachel. this sitcom was filmed at fountain studios in i was filmed at fountain studios in london in 1998. workerfound them in the live recording in the bin and they later forgotten in the live recording in the bin and they laterforgotten in her the live recording in the bin and they later forgotten in her house until now. it they later forgotten in her house until now. , , , ., :, , until now. it seems surreal to see it in writing. _ until now. it seems surreal to see it in writing, what _ until now. it seems surreal to see it in writing, what you _ until now. it seems surreal to see it in writing, what you watched . until now. it seems surreal to see it in writing, what you watched on j it in writing, what you watched on the screen. it in writing, what you watched on the screen-— it in writing, what you watched on the screen. ,., ., the screen. going under the hammer to £6,800 but _ the screen. going under the hammer to £6,800 but demand _ the screen. going under the hammer to £6,800 but demand is _ the screen. going under the hammer to £6,800 but demand is so - the screen. going under the hammer to £6,800 but demand is so high - the screen. going under the hammer| to £6,800 but demand is so high that the auction house has opened up for my distributors.— my distributors. originals that should've been _ my distributors. originals that should've been destroyed - my distributors. originals that - should've been destroyed because on the cast includes retort to get rid of them so the ending would not be leaked. ~ :, :, , of them so the ending would not be leaked. 9 . ., , ., of them so the ending would not be leaked. 9 . . , ., ., leaked. what was it that made friends so _ leaked. what was it that made friends so popular? _ leaked. what was it that made friends so popular? they - leaked. what was it that made friends so popular? they are l leaked. what was it that made l friends so popular? they are our leaked. what was it that made - friends so popular? they are our age in the f seven _ friends so popular? they are our age in the f seven to _ friends so popular? they are our age in the f seven to ten _ friends so popular? they are our age in the f seven to ten years _ friends so popular? they are our age in the f seven to ten years before i in the f seven to ten years before they work— in the f seven to ten years before they work out what they're doing. there _ they work out what they're doing. there quite relatable. | they work out what they're doing. there quite relatable.—

there quite relatable. i watch it every night _ there quite relatable. i watch it every night of _ there quite relatable. i watch it every night of regular— there quite relatable. i watch it every night of regular sleep - there quite relatable. i watch itj every night of regular sleep and it's unfamiliarity because you know them so well. it's unfamiliarity because you know them so well-— it's unfamiliarity because you know them so well. they feel the style of writin: , them so well. they feel the style of writing. and — them so well. they feel the style of writing. and he _ them so well. they feel the style of writing, and he hasn't— them so well. they feel the style of writing, and he hasn't aged - them so well. they feel the style of writing, and he hasn't aged well- writing, and he hasn't aged well but one of the deaths of the show starts as reignited peoples passions for the series and tomorrow, one of them might on these where —— rare pieces. hello. it has been a cold day again up and down the uk. mostly dry though, thanks to the high pressure and that area of high pressure will be with us again for friday to bring another cold and dry day with variable amounts of cloud, a little bit of sunshine, but there will be quite a bit of cloud around i think through friday across england and wales. best of the clearer spells across scotland and northern ireland with the best of the sunshine.

but through tonight, under those clear skies, light wind scotland, northern ireland could see some fog developing and it really will turn quite cold. a sharp frost developing in places particularly central scotland, down to minus eight celsius. but where we have more cloud for england, wales, then it should remain frost free. but it does mean friday will be a rather gray, gloomy morning for england and wales. cold, frosty stuff, crisp start for scotland, northern ireland, best of the sunshine here. stubborn mist and fog could linger all day in places and we could see a few breaks in the cloud further south till off some sunny spells here and there. temperatures again struggling to get much of a two or three across scotland, seven or eight for england and wales. as we move through friday night, we'll see this weather front bring some patchy rain, maybe some hill snow to northern scotland for a while. elsewhere, it's patchy cloud and clear spells. and where we have clear skies and it'll be frosty where we hold on to the cloud,

then frost free. this weather front seeing south was weakening into a band of cloud. as we head on into saturday, another one will push into northern scotland to bring further showers here. to bring frequent snow showers. here, it'll turn cold and windy. saturday, then a chilly day to come, variable cloud, the odd spot of rain with those weak weather fronts, some sunny spells here and there temperature wise, generally range between five and eight celsius. as we head into sunday, though, we'll see this weather front sink southwards and weaken. there'll be some patchy rain on it, some sunshine to the south. it turns windy, cold and snowy across northern scotland. these snow showers becoming quite frequent, even down to lower levels. and there'll be significant accumulations by the end of the day, but less cold in the south. into next week it stays cold across the northern half of the country. further snow showers, maybe even an area of more prolonged snow for a while. then we need to keep an eye on this area of low pressure which could approach the south. if it pushes northwards into the cold air, it's likely that we could see a spell of sleet and snow across the south of the country. but it's quite a lot to play for here, so stay

tuned to the forecast.

this is bbc news, the headlines. the iranian navy says it is behind the seizure of an oil tanker in the gulf of oman. armed masked men boarded the st nikolas. state media say, it follows a court order authorising the move. lawyers for the south african government have told the united nations' highest court that israel is committing genocide in gaza and wants

to destroy the territory. israel has rejected the accusations as "baseless". a former post office investigator has been giving evidence to the post office public inquiry in the uk, dening he and colleagues behaved like "mafia gangsters" towards wrongly accused sub postmasters. closing arguments in the civil fraud trial against donald trump yhavew been taking place in new york. the former president and two of his sons deny hugely exaggerating the value of their properties to secure better loans. to the united states. this is the the scene in new york. we could potentially see donald trump come through those doors and presumably say a few words. if you haven't been