the british prime minister is facing another test of his authority today, over plans to send migrants to rwanda. after two deputy chairman of his own party resigned. this is the scene in the comments as mps are due to vote on the prime minister is landmark bill. we will review all the details as soon as we got them. pakistan on its territory. the princess of wales temporary spec two step back from duties for health reasons. as china's population falls for the second year in a row we will take a look at what it means for china. the

british prime minister is facing a test of his authority over sending migrants to rwanda. rishi sunak is trying to revive proposals to send asylum—seekers to the east country arguing it will deter people from crossing the english channel from small boats in france. he suffered the biggest rebellion of his premiership in parliament last night. two deputy chairs of the conservative party resigned saying the bill wasn't tough enough for that. the bill wasn't tough enough for that. mps are now due to vote on the prime minister's landmark bill. here's our political editor, chris mason. this was over this morning. the rwanda bill is about putting people off attempting crossing. but no one who's made this journey has been sent there yet. what does the rwandan president make of it all? you are getting hundreds of millions of taxpayers money. it is

you are getting hundreds of millions of taxpayers money.— of taxpayers money. it is going to be... if of taxpayers money. it is going to be- -- if peeple — of taxpayers money. it is going to be... if people don't come - of taxpayers money. it is going to be... if people don't come we - of taxpayers money. it is going toj be... if people don't come we will return the — be... if people don't come we will return the money, _ be... if people don't come we will return the money, he _ be... if people don't come we will return the money, he says. - be... if people don't come we will return the money, he says. the . be... if people don't come we willl return the money, he says. the uk has already handed over £240 million. back in west minister the prime minister is trying again to get his rwanda policy to work for that for nearly two years it's been stymied in the courts the labour leader who scrapped the plant sought to mark rishi sunak over asylum—seekers who had gone missing. only this government could raise hundreds of millions of pounds on a removals policy that doesn't remove anyone. he still hasn't answered the question. i will try again. what progress has he made in locating the 4250 people his government is apparently lost? 4250 people his government is apparently lost? the prime minister dodged the question, but hit back. we have worked through a record number of cases and returned a record number of people back to where they have come.

all of that is a plan that is working, and we can see that is working because they numbers of people coming to this country are down by over a third. 18 months ago, this plane was due to take some migrants to rwanda, but at the last minute, using what was dubbed pyjama injunctions the european court of human rights said no, the plane never left. some conservatives want the default legal position to be that these rulings are ignored. the foreign court overrode englishjudges, overrode the will of the government. overrode the will of the british people to control our borders and stop the boats. that is the problem with the foreign court. and look at this, the former home secretary and former immigration minister now leading the criticism of the government. it is on us. we have the power to fix this, and we have the responsibility so let's use the opportunity we have today with the amendment we have brought forward to resolve this.

some aren't convinced and argue it's wrong to deny people rights that others do have. history shows us that that sort of legislation can put a state on a pretty slippery slope. while of course parliament can legislate to do whatever it likes in domestic law, simple fact is you cannot legislate away international law. the debate continues here, the votes will soon follow, well into the evening. live now to our deputy political editor, vicki young. welcome put up the votes have begun. take us through what's been happening there. we take us through what's been happening there.— take us through what's been happening there. take us through what's been ha enin: there. ~ ~ ., happening there. we think were on about number— happening there. we think were on about number six _ happening there. we think were on about number six in _ happening there. we think were on about number six in terms - happening there. we think were on about number six in terms of- happening there. we think were on | about number six in terms of votes. it's worth saying that normally we wouldn't see any of this, it would all be in a committee room because it's a committee stage of the bill where the goal line goal line by line and have a series of votes. because it's a significant wand with lots of people wanting to speak they

do it in the house of commons. a lot of the amendments are technical. there are a lot of them. one of the more interesting ones put forward by the immigration minister who resigned all of all of this, he put forward an amendment which would effectively mean the uk could ignore those so—called pajama rulings which chris talked about. his plan was defeated but there were 65 who voted for it haven't seen the breakdown but that will probably be a mixture of conservative rebel mps and dup. a pretty hefty rebellion but not enough for those rebels to get their way because the opposition parties are all voting and the opposite direction. the crucial want for rishi sunak is going to be third reading. that's the final hurdle for this bill in the house of commons before it goes to the house of lords. once we finish these votes they will be another hour of debate and then that vote will happen. all the signals today i think from those rebels from yesterday is that most

of them now will get behind this bill at this final stage. i think they think it's better to have this build even though they think it's fraud, it many saying they don't get your work publicly, they think it's better than having no bill at all. just how big a test is this being seen of his leadership right now in a year where it's likely were going to see a general election? that does come into it- — to see a general election? that does come into it. there _ to see a general election? that does come into it. there are _ to see a general election? that does come into it. there are some - to see a general election? that does come into it. there are some tory i come into it. there are some tory mps who don't want to undermine the authority of the prime minister. there are more than 60 of them yesterday deciding they would go against what he wanted. that was a huge rebellion. of course that is damaging to his authority. the truth is that most of these tory mps are in favour of this bill but they do disagree about the detail. they disagree about the detail. they disagree about the detail. they disagree about whether they think it's gonna work or not. for some they are very frustrated because they are very frustrated because they think the courts have blocked this bill, they've got pres ps attempts to deport people to rwanda and they think the same will happen

again. with this bill will go to the house of lords, there they will be plenty of peers who want to change it, amended in the opposite direction and try to water it down. we could end up in a situation where it is going between white house and the other for a while and not until it's gone through the lords will get to the point where there's a possibility of planes taking off to rolando. even then there are many who expect it will get challenged in the courts. == who expect it will get challenged in the courts. ., ”~' who expect it will get challenged in the courts-_ i _ who expect it will get challenged in the courts._ i think - who expect it will get challenged in the courts._ i think for i the courts. -- row $1. i think for them it's— the courts. -- row $1. i think for them it's early _ the courts. -- row $1. i think for them it's early today _ the courts. -- row $1. i think for them it's early today as - the courts. -- row $1. i think for them it's early today as we - them it's early today as we saw during questions you gave sir keir starmer the labour leader a chance to get up and ridicule the prime minister, to point to the infighting in the conservative party, the divisions that they are. at the moment the leader of the opposition is asking the questions, that's his right foot up as we get closer to the election a lot more scrutiny will fall on the labour party to find out exactly what their plans are. they talk about slashing the

people smugglers come again, working more with the french, ministers would say they're already doing that. i think there will be a lot more scrutiny. if this bill does get through for label the question will be, will you get back on it, will you take it out of log? they said that they will do that. i think the key thing for so many tory mps and the prime minister is if this bill gets through will it actually work? a question we can put to our next guest. now we go live to fizza qureshi, who is the ceo of the migrants' rights network. looking at the numbers after december last year or 29,000 people across the channel in small boats just last year alone. just a few days ago five migrants sadly lost their lives trying to do just that to get to the uk. the government says that this bill will work, it will stop those people making that dangerous crossing, risking their lives and into many cases losing their lives. do you agree? certainly

don't. we understand _ their lives. do you agree? certainly don't. we understand the - their lives. do you agree? certainly i don't. we understand the government is using the rwanda bill and the stop the boat campaign as a deterrent but it's not working. you can see people feel there is no option but to get into those bows and come to the uk for the there are no routes that allow them to come to seek sanctuary at refuge like ukrainians have to the uk. where schemes exist like the afghan and some settlement schemes that have been really minuscule in terms of numbers. a long waiting time, decision—making time and so people get desperate. sadly having to risk their lives in those boats. what get desperate. sadly having to risk their lives in those boats.— their lives in those boats. what is their lives in those boats. what is the answer _ their lives in those boats. what is the answer in _ their lives in those boats. what is the answer in your— their lives in those boats. what is the answer in your view? - their lives in those boats. what is the answer in your view? we - their lives in those boats. what is i the answer in your view? we would sa offer the answer in your view? we would say offer more _ the answer in your view? we would say offer more safe _ the answer in your view? we would say offer more safe routes - the answer in your view? we would say offer more safe routes for - say offer more safe routes for all nationalities. we had a ukrainian scheme which has worked really well. we've offered people sanctuary, we

welcome people in other conflicts. what we don't understand is why the government isn't offering are two other nationalities. we see quite clearly what humanitarian issues there are right now. saddam, god is and why aren't schemes available for them to escape their situations? sedan, gaza. recognise that it needs to offer protection, not outsources to offer protection, not outsources to other countries to do that protection. itjust recognise that it has human rights obligations to abide by and not try and circumvent them by creating new laws in parliament. them by creating new laws in parliament-— them by creating new laws in arliament. , ., ., parliament. many would say that creatin: parliament. many would say that creating those _ parliament. many would say that creating those routes _ parliament. many would say that creating those routes would - parliament. many would say that| creating those routes would open parliament. many would say that - creating those routes would open the floodgates and many of these migrants across the channel are economic migrants, not necessarily fleeing a war like people are in ukraine. would you suggest

separating out those who are fleeing war or famine to those who are perhaps seeking a better life elsewhere? i perhaps seeking a better life elsewhere?— perhaps seeking a better life elsewhere? ~ ., , ., ., elsewhere? i think what you need to do is assess — elsewhere? i think what you need to do is assess each _ elsewhere? i think what you need to do is assess each case _ elsewhere? i think what you need to do is assess each case and _ elsewhere? i think what you need to do is assess each case and each - do is assess each case and each individual on its merits and make sure... �* ., ., individual on its merits and make sure... ., ., . , sure... but do we have the resources for that? we — sure... but do we have the resources for that? we see _ sure... but do we have the resources for that? we see our _ sure... but do we have the resources for that? we see our immigration - for that? we see our immigration system completely overwhelmed with huge backlog. is that feasible? we've had larger numbers come to the uk before. we've managed with those numbers in 2002. the numbers are higher. the resources that we were using towards things like that rwanda plan offering money to other countries could be better used to create those safe routes. i think there is an idea that everyone is going to come to the uk. actually, that's not the case. many people are

displays, they get displays internally or they will go to neighbouring countries. there are some who will want to choose the uk because of family connections, legacy, they see the uk as a beacon or a country that respects human rights and that's why they feel they are going to be welcomed and they choose the uk. sadly, what we find is that's not the case with the way that the government has pushed through, notjust the rwanda plan but also the migration act. what we would like is the government and the politicians to return to this human rights obligations that we have in a refugee obligation that we have just offer a similar scheme that they have done to the ukrainians. labour sa s the have done to the ukrainians. labour says they would _ have done to the ukrainians. labour says they would get _ have done to the ukrainians. labour says they would get tough _ have done to the ukrainians. labour says they would get tough on - have done to the ukrainians. labour says they would get tough on the i says they would get tough on the people smugglers themselves, treat them like terrace was up to think that's a better solution? we don't think that's _ that's a better solution? we don't think that's going _ that's a better solution? we don't think that's going to _ that's a better solution? we don't think that's going to work. - that's a better solution? we don't think that's going to work. the . think that's going to work. the problem is that if you go there is

always an alternative for the people are so desperate. what you need to do is offer safe routes to people and then they won't need to resort to smugglers and having to pay to try to get to the uk or risk their lives in whatever ways they have to to get to the uk. i think it really is about not thinking about... it's about offering something similar to the ukrainian scheme to others. i think that will resolve many of the issues that we have.— think that will resolve many of the issues that we have. fizza qureshi, thank ou issues that we have. fizza qureshi, thank you for— issues that we have. fizza qureshi, thank you for being _ issues that we have. fizza qureshi, thank you for being with _ issues that we have. fizza qureshi, thank you for being with us. - around the world and across the uk. this is bbc news. let's look at some other stories making news here in the uk. politicians in northern ireland have once again failed to elect a stormont speaker. it is the seventh recall of the assembly since may 2022. the assembly collapsed almost two years ago due

to the democratic unionist party's opposition to post—brexit trade rules for northern ireland. a legal deadline to restore devolved government runs out on thursday. the final report of the public inquiry into the infected blood scandal will be published in late may. the chair of the inquiry, sir brian langstaff, said more time was needed to prepare "a report of this gravity". victims and their families were initially told they would learn the findings in autumn last year. the rate of inflation unexpectedly rose to 4% in december — the first increase in ten months, up from 3.9% in november. the office for national statistics says tobacco and alcohol had the biggest impact on prices. the chancellor insists the government's plan to bring down inflation is working. you're live with bbc news. two qatari military planes carrying medicines for hostages in gaza have arrived in egypt.

the consignment will be transferred to the territory under an agreement between israel and hamas — which will also see increased aid for palestinian civilians in gaza. these are the latest pictures from the rafah crossing were the aid convoy will enter the gaza strip — its unclear how exactly the medicines will be delivered to some 45 of the remaining more than 100 israeli hostages, who are reported to be suffering from chronic diseases or in need of other life—saving drugs. it comes as residents of khan younis in southern gaza say they have faced one of the most intense nights of air strikes since the start of israel's offensive. our correspondent yolande knell has more. residents of khan younis in southern gaza tell us that they have been experiencing some of the most intense israeli air strikes since the start of the war. and, actually, in videos posted on social media, you can see the orange flames that leap up from some of these israeli bombs that hit. you can hear gunfire reverberating

around the city as hamas fighters fight with israeli soldiers at close quarters. that has led to displaced people — and there have been thousands of them sheltering at the nasser hospital, one of the main hospitals in the city — now heading out of the city on foot. one man told us it had been a night of terror. people were panicking, he said. the kids had been screaming and crying nonstop. a localjournalist told us that people were heading westwards, not really knowing what fate awaited them. at the same time, there's a lot going on diplomatically, with qatar now having mediated this deal that will see medicines going in for israeli hostages being held by hamas in gaza in exchange for an increase in medicines being taken in for palestinian civilians. that's been seen as a very positive sign. and, at the same time, we've had the white house saying that qatar is mediating here what it's calling very serious, intensive discussions for a possible

new hostage release deal. it said that it looks hopeful. meanwhile, at the world economic forum in davos, switzerland, the us�* top diplomat, secretary of state, anthony blinken, was asked whether israeli lives matter more than palestinian lives. no. period. for me, i think for so many of us, what we're seeing every single day in gaza is gut—wrenching, and the suffering we're seeing among innocent men, women and children breaks my heart. the question is, what is to be done? pakistan has recalled its ambassador to iran in response to a missile and drone attack on its territory. tehran's envoy has also been blocked from returning to islamabad. iranian state media say the strike targeted a militant group in the sparsely—populated

province of balochistan. but the pakistani foreign ministry said two children were killed in the attack. a spokesperson called it a blatant breach of pakistan's sovereignty, and accused iran of violating international law. this was put to iran's foreign minister at the world economic forum in davos. translation: pakistan is neighbourly country, | a friend and our brother. it's not the target of iran's drones and missiles. the so—called groupjaish al—adl, which is an iranian terrorist group, has taken refuge in pakistani territory. we have discussed this topic many times with high—ranking military, security and political officials in pakistan. our correspondent caroline davies is following developments from islamabad. skirmishes between pakistan and iran on their border are not unheard of, but they're rarely as high—profile as this particular incident. iranian state media said yesterday that the iranian military have hit and targeted the headquarters

of a sunni militant group that is known as jaish al—adl, which has carried out multiple attacks inside iran, including claiming responsibility for an attack on a police station in december. now, the group itself has put out on social media. it says that this particular strike hit the homes of the militants and it killed family members of the militants rather than their bases themselves. they have also vowed revenge on iran. iran itself has not put out an official statement on this incident. now, pakistan's foreign ministry has said that two children were killed, and they have called this an unprovoked violation of pakistan's airspace. pakistan has now recalled its ambassador to iran, and it has told iran's ambassador to pakistan, who is currently out of the country, not to return. of course, the backdrop to all of this — and the reason why this is getting even more attention — is because of the timing. the fact that iran has also in recent days hit both iraq and syria.

now, put together, this suggests that iran is currently trying to show a display of strength and force against any group that it considers to be a threat. now we go live to antoine levesques who is a research fellow for south and central asian defence, strategy and diplomacy at the international institute for strategic studies. good to have you with us. what is your assessment to achieve with a strike in pakistan?— strike in pakistan? thank you for the opportunity- _ strike in pakistan? thank you for the opportunity- i _ strike in pakistan? thank you for the opportunity. i think - strike in pakistan? thank you for the opportunity. i think i - strike in pakistan? thank you for the opportunity. i think i ran - strike in pakistan? thank you for the opportunity. i think i ran is i the opportunity. i think i ran is escalating its behaviour and its use of force against a number of countries in a worrying pattern for the what is surprising is the extent to which it took the decision to target particular groups inside

pakistan. considering that relations between iran and pakistan have been cordial, it's not entirely trouble—free. over the last few years militants see on a bilateral cross—border basis possibly in connection to afghanistan has been a long—standing issue between iran and pakistan. but never before has there been such a dramatic escalation of the iranian use of force across the border in pakistan.— border in pakistan. islamabad has said the attack— border in pakistan. islamabad has said the attack was _ border in pakistan. islamabad has said the attack was illegal - border in pakistan. islamabad has said the attack was illegal for - border in pakistan. islamabad has said the attack was illegal for the | said the attack was illegal for the serious consequences being worn potentially for the book of consequences look like realistically, do you think? 50 consequences look like realistically, do you think? so far the pakistani _ realistically, do you think? so far the pakistani response _ realistically, do you think? so far the pakistani response has - realistically, do you think? so far the pakistani response has been| the pakistani response has been diplomatic as your correspondent just noted. the iranian ambassador

to islamabad was sent back to tehran. the pakistani envoy has been recalled, there's been a strong steady statement and they have been on the phone at the request of the iranian foreign minister to really try and defuse the situation. iran has also from stavros, the foreign minister has confirmed —— tableaux. from around part of the target was a narrow of militant and not pakistani sovereignty per se. i think the mood currently is a form of de—escalation. i don't discount the possibility that episod may seek to add troops to border security in the next few days of its 400 km border

with iran. as of now i see no indication that pakistan might seek to retaliate in any way proportionate to iran's disproportionate attack. we also heard from _ disproportionate attack. we also heard from the _ disproportionate attack. we also heard from the iranian _ disproportionate attack. we also heard from the iranian foreign i heard from the iranian foreign minister saying he's assured his pakistani counterparts that we do respect territorial integrity of pakistan. there is also been strikes in the past few days by iran and iraq and syria. they have said they are not interested in a wider conflict. what do you think they wider strategy actually is given that they obviously have this access that they obviously have this access that we're talking about here, this access of so—called resistance whether backing the who sees and in gaza, what do you think they want to achieve ultimately? mr; gaza, what do you think they want to achieve ultimately?— achieve ultimately? my organisation has written extensively _ achieve ultimately? my organisation has written extensively in _ has written extensively in research the question of iran's influence

networks in the wider middle eastern region. these extend to the countries we discussed just a minute ago. all the way to afghanistan and poses a question of sovereignty to a number of these countries, including pakistan. the pattern of escalation we're seeing presents a tempting nature whereby we would equate —— tempting picture, iran's escalation to be a blanket move across the region as a diversionary tactic or in the context of the gaza war some finally calculated escalation for the country. i think it's important to resist that particular blanket assessment the end iran is surrounded by neighbours and each neighbour has its own history with

iran. �* ., , , , iran. antoine levesques, we must leave it there. _ iran. antoine levesques, we must leave it there. after _ iran. antoine levesques, we must leave it there. after spending - iran. antoine levesques, we must leave it there. after spending a i leave it there. after spending a second date of two debating the rwanda bill... stay with us for the latest. hello there. the met office amber snow and ice warnings remains in force across northern scotland and the northern isles tonight and into much of tomorrow. these snow showers will come in thick and fast with some significant accumulations of snow in places. could lead to some issues by the morning period. elsewhere, it's largely clear that very cold and very frosty, probably the coldest night of this cold snap. so this weather fronts accentuating the snow showers across northern scotland and the northern isles. stronger northerly wind which allows some drifting and blizzard conditions. and we'll see further snow showers developing around some north sea coast, northern ireland and

through the irish sea. anywhere where we have wintry showers ice will be a significant risk. for most, it's dry and clear and very cold. north to south across the country could be down to —15 celsius central northern scotland. so it's a very cold start to thursday. there will be a lot of sunshine around, but wintry showers continue around. coastal areas could see a dusting of snow across some of these eastern counties. but the heaviest of the snow, again, falling across northern scotland to the northern isles. again, drifting and blizzard conditions perhaps in excess of ten centimetres of fresh snow by the time we reach the end of thursday. and it'll be a very cold day. a slightly stronger wind for all areas, so it will feel bitterly cold, i think. and then through thursday night, we start to lose the showers from the east coast as the wind changes. directions are more westerly. so its northern, western scotland which will continue to see the snow and the ice. elsewhere, clearer skies and other cold nights come, but maybe not quite as cold as what we're expecting tonight. subtle changes into friday. this area of high pressure starts to build in. so a lot of fine weather, but it cuts off the arctic northern and brings us a westerly. so i think it'll be noticeably

less cold on friday. but we'll continue with snow across northern and western scotland, certainly over the high ground, maybe wintry mix down to sea level and it will be breezier. so another cold day to come here. but you'll notice further south we've lost those blue colours, 4—6 degrees. then that area of high pressure pulls away into the weekend and allows low pressure off the atlantic to take over. so a very different feel to the weather through the weekend and indeed into next week. wetter, windier and much milder. but the combination of mild air with snowmelt and rain could lead to some localised flooding. so stay tuned.

hello, i'm samantha simmonds. you're watching the context on bbc news. former us president donald trump is back in court as writer, ejean carroll gives evidence in her second defamation trial against donald trump. sport and for a full round—up, from the bbc sport centre, here's mark edwards. hello, the final set of fa cup third round replays are under way in england. three matches to bring you up to date with including an all premiership clash in the shape everton vs crystal palace.

we're approaching half time in all the ties, andre gomes has put everton ahead at goodison park with a well struck free kick meanwhile third tier blackpool on the hunt for an upset as they host top flight side nottingham forest. but the opposite of a fairy tale start with the premier league team leading i—0 through andrew omo, also in the third tier. bristol rovers lead second division norwich by a goal to nil pre—tournament favourites morocco began their 2023 africa cup of nations campaign with a convincing win over io—man tanzania in group f. morocco won their sole continental title in 1976 but are firmly among the expected challengers for the trophy in ivory coast following their historic run to the semi—finals at the 2022 world cup. saiss scored in the first half but, despite their total dominance, morocco had to wait until the unfancied tanzanians were reduced to 10 men late in the second half before finishing them off. azzedine ounahi's slick finish doubled the lead before youssef en—nesyri converted achraf hakimi's cross to round off the win.

meanwhile dr congo are currently in action against zambia —