republicans across 99 counties will meet at churches, schools, and polling location around the state in the next hour to choose their party 5 presidential nominee through the unique process of caucusing. former us president donald trump has the momentum as voting begins, with former governor nikki haley, florida governor ron desantis, entrepreneur vivek ramaswamy, and former governor asa hutchinson fighting to lead the republican party. which means —— all eyes now are on the race for second place. as the candidates spent the day making the case to voters and urged them to get out the vote. think out the vote. i president trump was the right think i president trump was the right president at the right time i agree with a lot of his policies, but rightly or wrongly, chaos follows him you know i am rights close —— chaos follows him and we can't be a countries in disarray and a

world on fire and go through four more years of chaos, we won't survive it.— four more years of chaos, we won't survive it. donald trump is running _ won't survive it. donald trump is running for _ won't survive it. donald trump is running for his _ won't survive it. donald trump is running for his issues, - is running for his issues, nikki _ is running for his issues, nikki haley is running for donor_ nikki haley is running for donor issue, i am running for your— donor issue, i am running for your it's _ donor issue, i am running for your it's you and your family's issues, — your it's you and your family's issues, to— your it's you and your family's issues, to turn this country around~ _ the latest real clear politics average shows trump with 34—point lead over the rest of the republican field in iowa. he 5 trailed by haley with 19 % of support among likely caucusgoers and desantis with 16 %. haley and desantis are fighting to gain much needed momentum ahead of the next crucial primary battles as they look to topple trump 5 lead. meanwhile, iowa democrats are not sitting this caucus out. they will begin casting mail—in ballots for their party 5 nominee which will be announced on the 5th of march 7 super tuesday. tonight, we ll take a look at the crucial issues facing iowa 5 caucusgoers and impacting the potential outcoming of the us elections in november. from israels war in gaza, military support for ukraine to trump s busy legal calendar 7 we ll break down the latest with reporters, experts, and former administration officials.

and in iowa —— another big story has been the weather. iowa caucusgoers are braving life—threatening cold temperatures to make their picks. tonight will be the coldest iowa caucuses since it began in 1972. the forecast for today in iowa was zero degrees fahrenheit —— that's negative 17 degrees celsius. with a wind chill advisory in effect until noon tuesday making temperatures feel as low negative 25 degrees fahrenheit or negative 31 degrees celsius. the bbc has been speaking to voters across the state about the important issues to them in this election year and why they ll vote tonight despite the historic temperatures. the weather has changed everything. roads closed, rallies canceled, snowdrifts, but the show must go on. in

this state, agriculture is big business, one third of the pork in the united states comes from iowa, and there are seven peaks for every person. iowa, and there are seven peaks for every person-— for every person. here we go, what a beautiful, _ for every person. here we go, what a beautiful, beautiful - for every person. here we go, | what a beautiful, beautiful day to chore. hi babies, is it warm in there?— in there? this man is a medium-sized - in there? this man is a medium-sized pig - in there? this man is a - medium-sized pig farmer, the medium—sized pig farmer, the fifth generation of his family to work this land. in excess of the roads meant we could not make it in person to his farm over the weekend, but farmers will do whatever they can to get to the caucus, he says. irate get to the caucus, he says. we take caucus — get to the caucus, he says. we take caucus in _ get to the caucus, he says. - take caucus in very serious, as do most iowa citizens, and we will make it. i have heard snowplows with a roar on thursday to make sure we get out on our homes to caucus. there are many issues he wants to see addressed. i there are many issues he wants to see addressed.— to see addressed. i am part of our industry — to see addressed. i am part of our industry that _ to see addressed. i am part of our industry that is _ to see addressed. i am part of our industry that is an - to see addressed. i am part of our industry that is an asian . our industry that is an asian industry and i'm concerned about the future of agriculture

in terms of potential and the stability for the country. we have had ground water issues for a long time and those issues are combinations of over fertilization, process size that we use and herbicides that we use in our crop are another source of ground water contamination, and if you do crop rotations or if you use more than just corn and soybeans over and over, you can mitigate the amount of herbicides you have to use. water quality is of particular concern to farmers and to all iowa citizens, as anna gray of the iowa national heritage foundation explains. iowa's water quality _ foundation explains. iowa's water quality has _ foundation explains. iowa's water quality has not - foundation explains. iowa's water quality has not seen | water quality has not seen significant improvements in the last ticket or so and some trends show the levers of nitrate in our watch is getting worse, and we know that has very negative health impacts. iowa is the second highest, has

the second—highest cancer rate in the country, and the only state to have a rising cancer rate. and we don't know the cause of that but as we are looking to determine that because we do know high levels of nitrate to increase risk factors for cancers and birth defects, so prioritizing then detection that improves our water quality, is a critical task for us to undertake to address public health concerns as well as environmental impacts. in as well as environmental impacts-— as well as environmental imacts. ;;:: , ., , impacts. in the last 30 years, farm consolidation _ impacts. in the last 30 years, farm consolidation has - impacts. in the last 30 years, farm consolidation has meant the number of pig farmers has reduced by 80%, making it harder to make a living. this man is a professor of economics at iowa state university. we have seen — at iowa state university. we have seen some _ at iowa state university. - have seen some prices sink over the past year but farmers still have opportunities for profit as they are looking forward to 2024. we as they are looking forward to 202k. we have seen 202a. we have seen consolidation within farming, and what we tend to see,

especially for our younger generation, they tend to farm and have some sort of off farm job, usually related to agriculture, like selling crop insurance or being an agricultural lending, and there can be issues that flare—up a month the last time we saw a big change in the agricultural economy due to the presidency would be with president trump. when he got into the trade conflict with china. there's a sense of mistrust, if you will, from us farmers about, especially in the chinese markets, specifically. iowa citizens pride _ markets, specifically. iowa citizens pride themselves i markets, specifically. iowa i citizens pride themselves on first in a nation status and their spirit, so despite the cold conditions, they are determined up to caucus. as to who they would vote for, that is the question. all will soon be revealed. caucus and will

start in about 50 minutes or so, and we will go over and speak to carl and his is the situation like where you are now? ~ . . now? we are at the middle school -- _ now? we are at the middle school -- middle _ now? we are at the middle school -- middle school. now? we are at the middle - school -- middle school outside school —— middle school outside of des moines iowa, one of the caucus sites behind me is one of the registration tables and their multiple pre—sincere mum a present located behind me and one over there and one in the cafeteria so about 200 or so people, you could see hundreds of people coming here tonight, as you mentioned the caucus starts in about one hour. let me show you where exactly they will go once registered. they will go once registered. they will head in here, the school auditorium, there's plenty of room to fit lots of caucus goers, if you ron desantis signs in the background, but they were coming here, take a seat, a bit of official business people —— business to

select i caucus leader emma and hear his speech from the candidates. it representative from ron desantis is a former classmate, and he will be speaking on his behalf, you can be a caucus goer, you can show up be a caucus goer, you can show up and might change your mind based on one of those speeches. if you're a nikki haley supporter, you might hear a speech about donald trump and change your vote, and it's one of the interesting and different aspects about this caucus. people getting into the room and talking politics. once thatis room and talking politics. once that is done the early pieces of b. —— paper handed out for you to write your candidate down, those will be collected and tallied up, and within about one hour they should have the official results. i've spoke with a few caucus goers were trickling in right now despite the weather, and i spoke with one person who was a first time caucus goer and just

move to the state, he says he's likely to caucus for donald trump, so if flavor of what succumb. but this is the auditorium here where the caucus will be taking place and it is the scene all across iowa. 99 different counties my own 15 or 1600 different reasons, so this is how it will go down in about one hour across the state. democracy in motion, thank _ across the state. democracy in motion, thank you _ across the state. democracy in motion, thank you for - across the state. democracy in motion, thank you for that - motion, thank you for that carl, we would check on you later in the night. over to you sumi. tonight's caucuses in iowa are a unique and sometimes complicated process compared to how most of the us picks their presidential nominee.0ur helena humphrey, takes us inside the process and explains what exactly will take place. every four years, iowa takes centre stage in american politics as it becomes first place to host a vote in the race for the white house. if you're listening to this tonight, you're thinking, what is a caucus? let's break it down and take a closer look the

best way to think about this is a simply a big neighborhood meeting. essentially, that is exactly what it is. the difference from a primary race, which you will hear a lot about coming weeks and months, those are organized by the state but it caucus is organized greatly political party and goes way back, back to the 1800s here in the united states. what would happen tonight at seven p:m., is the moment people will gather, they have to go to vote in person, and they would meet any kind of community centre, school, libraries, local gyms, for example, if you are not really rural area you might even see people open their homes in that order of business takes roughly around 90 minutes start to finish. what are some of the races that are important to watch westmark these are the ones we watch here at the bbc. for example, in the northwest corner of iowa, it's important to watch because traditionally

use the socially conservative policies play out will hear, you will hear about evangelical christians and their vote, they make up a significant part of the population, around two thirds of people who are identified as gop caucus bores. it's a area where ron desantis has been out aggressively on a camping trailer court to not vote for some other places to watch out for, we see population density, urban areas, paul, where you find a state capital of des moines, blackhawk, the city of waterloo, the most diverse publishing in iowa, which is significant because largely, overwhelming my fairly white state in the 19 states, and then lynn, which is home to cedar rapids, nikki haley has been out there campaigning heavily and if she wants to do well she would have to try and gain votes might notjust in these urban areas, would also

out in rural areas as well to see some kind of crossover appeal. so what would happen tonight? when people gather inside these community centers, schools, because it's cold out tonight, you will see people give speeches on behalf of their preferred candidate, it cannot find the case, and then simply, people cast their votes, in some case just writing on their favorite candidate on a piece of paper, all of those votes counted very quickly. this is what the candidates are plain for tonight, a0 delegates. i will expend a caucus master you. essentially, people are casting their votes to elect delegates, and depending on how many votes it candidate gets might to get a proportion of that in terms of delegates, and those delegates go to wisconsin this yearfor delegates go to wisconsin this year for the republican national convention, which would be taking place injuly

when, ultimately, the presidential nominee is chosen. matthew few things to keep in mind, though. when it comes it turned out, we expected to be high, very cold right now, —a0 celsius, minus four degrees fahrenheit as well, it's a moment where celsius and fahrenheit crossover amount with the wind—chill factor, potentially keeping people at home, and with to see whether it helps or hinders certain cabinets, and also a criticism and some people say in the caucus system is out of date because it is prohibitive in terms of who can go out and cast their votes, particularly shift workers and people with reduced mobility, for example will stop other people say, caucuses are the heart and soul of american democracy, where people can debates and chatter, they attract enthusiastic voters, and for the candidates, it's notjust about getting the delegates, it's about bragging rights and they hope as well, momentum to take their camping

on the way to the white house. professor rachel paine caufield is an expert in iowa's political history at drake university. thank you forjoining us. we havejust heard from thank you forjoining us. we have just heard from helen at their how it caucus works in all of that will stop what is it that sets what you do here in iowa apart from the rest of the country? mil in iowa apart from the rest of the country?— the country? all across the country. — the country? all across the country. peeple _ the country? all across the country, people go - the country? all across the country, people go to - the country? all across the l country, people go to polling places and individually they go to a little booth or sit at a table with their ballot, and inability —— individually it would mark their ballots and turnit would mark their ballots and turn it in. in iowa, we do a part symington, all caucuses, an opportunity for members of the party to come together in one place at one time and talk about candidates they prefer and the candidate platform and in exim delegates to leave the party going forward. it's an in person and party meeting. for

some peeple. _ person and party meeting. for some people, that caucus tonight, nipping in long it lasts, ten minutes or so, the process leading up to the iowa caucus is a never ending one, isn't it? it caucus is a never ending one, isn't it? , ., ., isn't it? it is, here in iowa we asked _ isn't it? it is, here in iowa we asked rick— isn't it? it is, here in iowa we asked rick to - isn't it? it is, here in iowa we asked rick to see - isn't it? it is, here in iowa - we asked rick to see candidates year before the caucus occurs, they come out and visit with newco party activists, people have been present for other caucuses and participate regularly to stop the might be people who can help on the candidate messages and candidates will see is this a place where i can actually float a viable campaign, and over the course leading up to the caucus state come up to iowa and i said the years leading up to the caucus is when we see candidates coming earnest. they are wobbly and new. so, over the course of the year, they will take time and do regular public events and hone their message and their stump speeches will get stronger, their company organization will get stronger,

and over time you see candidates develop and learn and it's an interesting process. and it's an interesting process-— process. it's really is democracy _ process. it's really is democracy in - process. it's really is democracy in living l process. it's really is - democracy in living technical here, but for iowa citizens how much attention pay to the year—long process or do they just tuning in the final days and weeks when the candidates themselves are on the ground in a serious way? it themselves are on the ground in a serious way?— a serious way? it depends on what you _ a serious way? it depends on what you have _ a serious way? it depends on what you have a _ a serious way? it depends on what you have a small- a serious way? it depends on what you have a small group| a serious way? it depends on l what you have a small group of iowa citizens all across the state or local activist and our meeting candidates years ahead of time helping them grow their network supporters and hone their message and figuring out what sorts of issues are important to iowa citizens, which issues will animate the campaign question mark and they will be the closest advisors on the ground to some of the campaigns going forward. many iowa citizens was started tuning at the state fair, and then there whole new group was tuning in november as we head into the final stretch, and

then of course the final few daysin then of course the final few days in iowa, we know that iowa caucus goers likely make up their mind, many of them, make up their mind, many of them, make up their mind and the final days, which is one of the mythologies of the iowa caucus, there's often a late—breaking shift in support and momentum that goes for a candidate. it sometimes people across the country. sometimes people across the count . ~ , ., sometimes people across the count . ~ i. ., , country. when you look at this ears country. when you look at this years crop _ country. when you look at this years crop of— country. when you look at this years crop of candidates, - country. when you look at this| years crop of candidates, some who have made a big deal of their ground game ron desantis and others, saying that than to do —— the full amount of counties, the case of nikki haley coming a bit later to it and donald trumpjust in haley coming a bit later to it and donald trump just in the last few days, how important is that? how much based time they're putting in and how much of the state they cover? the caucuses — of the state they cover? the caucuses are _ of the state they cover? the caucuses are about - of the state they cover? tie: caucuses are about 1657 much of the state they cover? tt2 caucuses are about 1657 much to be precise, artsy meetings taking across the state, so even the tiniest little town in iowa, you have neighbors gather, and it that means they are getting out, you can'tjust

camping in the population centers, you really do have to go out to every single nook and cranny and meet with people everywhere. 50 cranny and meet with people everywhere-— cranny and meet with people eve here. ., ., , everywhere. so what about this cro this everywhere. so what about this crop this year? _ everywhere. so what about this crop this year? donald - everywhere. so what about this crop this year? donald trump l crop this year? donald trump has always — crop this year? donald trump has always been _ crop this year? donald trump has always been an _ crop this year? donald trump has always been an anomaly, j crop this year? donald trump i has always been an anomaly, he comes in and does big rallies, so is less geographically spread out but very enthusiastic supporters, so he draws big crowds wherever he goes. vivek ramaswamy has done a tonne of events much more salmon estate and any other candidate, ron desantis, of course, part of his 99 counties. often times on the trail he'll talk about the small towns he has been to an nikki haley has been steadily going out and meeting with voters in the small towns. she has been a bit later to complete the cycle but, you know, all of these candidates, network is important. you have to have the ground game and the

organization, you need to motivate people all across the state. ., ., state. your neutral in the university. _ state. your neutral in the university, but _ state. your neutral in the university, but would - state. your neutral in the university, but would you j state. your neutral in the - university, but would you give me a name of we think might be on top tonight? i me a name of we think might be on top tonight?— on top tonight? i don't think there's any _ on top tonight? i don't think there's any question - on top tonight? i don't think there's any question donald | there's any question donald trump once a night, the question, and that's always a question, and that's always a question for 22 to four, who comes in second.— question for 22 to four, who comes in second. we'll watch this over _ comes in second. we'll watch this over the _ comes in second. we'll watch this over the next _ comes in second. we'll watch this over the next few - comes in second. we'll watch this over the next few hours, | this over the next few hours, thank you professor for this over the next few hours, thank you professorforjoining thank you professor for joining us. over to you sumi. let's take a look at the situation in israel and the fate of some of the israeli hostages. last night hamas published a video showing three of the hostages two of them 53—year—old yossi sharabi and 38—year—old itai svirsky spoke in that recording and asked for the israeli government to free them from gaza. we don't know when that was filmed but at the end of the video hamas said they would reveal today, what had happened to those hostages. and now we have

the follow up video. narrated by a third hostage who would appears to still be alive, who says the other two were killed in israeli air strikes. were killed in israeli it is important to stress that the hostage is speaking under duress and that hamas has provided no evidence for that claim that these two men were killed in israeli air strikes. but it is deeply upsetting for all the families concerned. israel says more than 100 hostages are still being held by hamas. and there is no sign, as yet that negotiations to free them, are making any progress. joining me live is michael singh,managing director at the washington institute for near east policy.more good to have you in bbc news, i don't want to start with the situation still facing more than 100 hostages being held in gaza. what would it take at this point to reallyjump—start the negotiations again? to lead to some sort of cease—fire and an agreement to get hostages released? , ., , , �*, released? obviously it's the traumatic — released? obviously it's the traumatic issue _ released? obviously it's the traumatic issue for - released? obviously it's the traumatic issue for israelis i traumatic issue for israelis but these folks are a bargaining chip for hamas. as

israel really seems to be tightening the circle around khan younis, which is where the hostages are believed to be held were also hamas leadership is believed to reside, i think we can assume that hamas price for releasing these meaning group of hostages to the extent any of them are life, which is one of the big unknowns, their price will be high. they will want to see in and, certainly, to his residence offensive will stop they might have significant billing me more exhausting demands are first time around when they use the initial group of hostages to buy some time and space and get some aid into the strip. the cost in gaza _ some aid into the strip. the cost in gaza has _ some aid into the strip. the cost in gaza has been - cost in gaza has been unimaginable, they have mass run health ministry they are seen more than 2a,000 people have died from israel's campaign. do you think the us should be putting more pressure on israel to go back to the new bushing people and find some sort of solution to end the

fighting, at least temporarily? i think the discussions between the us and israel have coalesced around the idea that the fact hamas must be them dismantled and destroyed as a result of israel's military campaign, and you have seen the message from the secretary of state, antony blinken, urging israel to wrap things up as quickly as possible in terms of the grown offensive and then moved to a different phase of combat, which israel is in the process of doing. i think now, we are in the discussion and debate was sensor is less on the question of that but on the question of tackling the day after issues, now, the diplomacy and discussion of reconstruction, or does it need to wait until after the next phase of precision strikes from outside of gaza is waged by israel what you mark that is where the us and israel it might start to disagree a bit. while we have you here, we also

want to ask about the iowa caucuses and where republicans stand on that important foreign policy issues. we know foreign puzzle —— policy doesn't usually factor in heavily into the primaries and presidential election, but looking at the candidates in iowa, they have all been staunchly pro—israel over the past few weeks and months, to what extent do you think this conflict plays into what iowa caucus goers are thinking about when they're making their selection? i don't think it plays — making their selection? i don't think it plays that _ making their selection? i don't think it plays that much - making their selection? i don't think it plays that much into i think it plays that much into their calculation, all of the republican candidates are quite pro—israel, maybe with a minor exception here are their and their differences on this issue are sort of detail it differences. for example, to what extent do they support the two state solution and what extent they stand behind more extreme measures by israel, for example? and what extent would they be involved in peace

terms, they donald trump did in his first term. but foreign policy has really divided americans underwrite, like with aids in ukraine. but the question of american leadership with the world, how engaged the united states be in the world? it is that last question, in my view, that would most impact allies like israel or partners like ukraine.— like ukraine. for some 'ust about so i like ukraine. for some 'ust about 30 seconds * like ukraine. for some 'ust about 30 seconds left, h like ukraine. for some just| about 30 seconds left, what will you be looking out for these candidates in iowa? i think what we're looking to see is how close his arrears, how close to the finish? it would tell us about how the next races and how candidates try to disc initial themselves and foreign policy could be one of the distinguishing issues for those candidates.— those candidates. always interesting _ those candidates. always interesting to _ those candidates. always interesting to get - those candidates. always interesting to get your i interesting to get your perspective, michael, thank you forjoining us tonight. stay

with us, we will have more from iowa emma katrina standing by their with more analysis and experts, we will take a quick break, stay with us. hello. this week is certainly shaping up to bring some of the coldest and snowiest weather of the winter so far. we started the week on monday in the grip of this arctic air. cold northerly winds feeding frequent wintry showers, especially into northern, eastern, and some western parts of the uk. tuesday remains cold — snow and ice will cause problems for some. but a slight shift in the wind direction, more of a west or northwesterly wind — so that means not as many showers across eastern parts, more showers out towards the west. and then, this little frontal system here will generate a mix of rain, sleet and snow across the northern half of the uk. ice as we move

through the morning — that could cause some quite poor travelling conditions. and then, we will see frequent snow showers in northern scotland. this area of snowfall in central and southern scotland, this could bring snow to quite low levels. for northern ireland and for northern england, at low levels, it may be that we see some rain and some sleet mixing in — most of the significant snow over high ground — but there could be some travel disruption, say, over the high—level routes in the pennines. to the south of that, well, mostly dry with some spells of crisp winter sunshine. maybe not quite as cold in southern counties of england or south wales, whereas parts of scotland will stay below freezing all day long. and in scotland, we'll see further snowfall during tuesday evening — could cause some disruption for the rush hour. mix of rain, sleet, and snow across parts of northern england into wales, the odd snow shower pushing down across the midlands. a very, very cold night indeed, some places likely to get to —10 in the highlands. now for wednesday, we're keeping a close eye on this area of low pressure, which is moving its way in towards france, but it may just graze this weather system close enough to southern

counties of england to bring the risk of a bit of light sleet and snow here. we'll keep an eye on that one for you. the channel islands seeing rain, maybe something wintry mixing in. elsewhere, sunny spells, a scattering of wintry showers, a very cold—feeling day — many places around or, perhaps in some spots, below freezing even through the afternoon. now that weather system moves away, thursday will bring further snow showers. high pressure builds in for friday, so it is a drier end to the week for many. and then, we start to develop a westerly wind. atlantic weather systems will bring wind and rain, and something milder as we head into the weekend, so this cold spell may not last all that long.

live from iowa, this is bbc news. it's caucus day here in chile iowa. the big question, will the weather affect the turnout is a 202a presidential primary season officially begins? find season officially begins? and in dc, season officially begins? and in dc. from _ season officially begins? and in dc, from foreign _ season officially begins? fific in dc, from foreign policy to zone from's legal challenges, there's a number of key issues voters in iowa and across the country will be watching in the lead up to november.

hello, i'm catrina perry. we are just 30 minutes away from the start of the first presidential contest of 202a. tonight, republican voters across 99 counties are battling bitterly cold temperatures to make their pick for their party's presidential nominee. but with donald trump maintaining his lead as the party's frontrunner — the focus has turned to race for second place as nikki haley and ron desantis battle to keep their campaigns afloat just as the 202a race heats up. in 30 minutes, those caucuses will begin. live now to our north america correspondent gary o'donoghue in van metre, iowa. gary, tell us what's happening there at the moment. this gary, tell us what's happening there at the moment.- gary, tell us what's happening there at the moment. this is in van metre. _ there at the moment. this is in van metre, and _ there at the moment. this is in van metre, and i'm _ there at the moment. this is in van metre, and i'm meeting i there at the moment. this is in i van metre, and i'm meeting two townships. this is a growing area and population terms, and they are expecting a robust

turn out to see people already arriving here. to tell us a