that cast doubt on council reports that cast doubt on joe biden to age and memory. you council reports that cast doubt on joe biden to age and memory. you are left to wonder — joe biden to age and memory. you are left to wonder why _ joe biden to age and memory. you are left to wonder why this _ joe biden to age and memory. you are left to wonder why this report - left to wonder why this report spends time making gratuitous and inappropriate criticisms of the president. police believe the man wanted for a london chemical attack is dead. his body thought to be in the river thames. rant or revelations? president putin gives his first interview in years with western media — in which he rules out further wars. the oscars is adding a new category to its awards for those with an eye for talent. let's return to our top story this hour. police hunting for the man suspected attacking a woman with a corrosive substance in london last week say he is probably dead. detectives say abdul shokoor ezedi was last caught on cctv on chelsea bridge, on the night of the attack, and they believe he went into the river thames. with me is former metropolitan police detective and crime expert, peter bleksley.

good to have you here. let's start with is this good to have you here. let's start with is this the good to have you here. let's start with is this the end good to have you here. let's start with is this the end of the good to have you here. let's start with is this the end of the story, is he dead?— with is this the end of the story, is he dead? , �* , is he dead? yes, abdul ezedi, the man who smuggled _ is he dead? yes, abdul ezedi, the man who smuggled himself- is he dead? yes, abdul ezedi, the man who smuggled himself into l is he dead? yes, abdul ezedi, the l man who smuggled himself into the is he dead? yes, abdul ezedi, the - man who smuggled himself into the uk years ago and then collected to criminal conviction for sexual offences along the way is dead. of that there is absolutely no doubt. the thing that allows me to say that with some authority is the value of non—cctv sightings. what i mean by thatis, non—cctv sightings. what i mean by that is, we've grown so used to over the years to seeing suspects on various images and we saw a number of images in abdul ezedi in various parts of london. what the officers have done here is followed as ccd tv trail that is got him can exclusively on chelsea bridge. what

has happened is cctv systems from buses, we know that possibly from private dwellings, authority alone, possibly traffic cameras have all been examined there after, after he's gone onto the bridge. there have been no sightings of him, which is what allows the officers to come to this working hypothesis of which they are entirely confident and all agree fundamentally he is gone into the thames. it is on survivable in february, it's on survivable most of the year, really even to an olympic swimmer. it such a large body of water with so much rain, title, such currents, on survivable, abdul ezedi is dead. ., ., , is dead. you mentioned cctv tv but that is 12 police _ is dead. you mentioned cctv tv but that is 12 police use _ is dead. you mentioned cctv tv but that is 12 police use to _ is dead. you mentioned cctv tv but that is 12 police use to track - that is 12 police use to track them down. talk me through the process of how they will of three traces movements. in how they will of three traces movements.—

how they will of three traces movements. in 2024 tech is so important _ movements. in 2024 tech is so important and _ movements. in 2024 tech is so important and follows. - movements. in 2024 tech is so important and follows. we - movements. in 2024 tech is so l important and follows. we know movements. in 2024 tech is so - important and follows. we know they couldn't recover his phone from the vehicles used in this horrendous vicious attack because corrosive substances were in the vehicle. the interior of that vehicle was contaminated. they could not recover the phone until that had been made say. thereafter you can guarantee that phone gave up its secrets because it would've been thoroughly examined. perhaps along the way because we know there were a number of search warrants executed both in newcastle and in the east end of london. any tech that may have belonged to him like an ipad or perhaps a laptop, anything like that would've been subject to the closest scrutiny in every single aspect of his life would've been thoroughly investigated.— his life would've been thoroughly investigated. privacy campaigners would have us— investigated. privacy campaigners would have us believe _ investigated. privacy campaigners would have us believe that - investigated. privacy campaigners would have us believe that all - investigated. privacy campaigners would have us believe that all of i would have us believe that all of our moments are tracked these days. nowhere to hide, you'll always be found for the it's taken them nine days to get to this point to be confident that he has not still been on the run. i suppose that answer

some questions about, it is still possible if you wanted to disappear, isn't it? it possible if you wanted to disappear, isn't it? , ., �* , possible if you wanted to disappear, isn't it? , ., h , isn't it? it is though it's very challenging- _ isn't it? it is though it's very challenging. if— isn't it? it is though it's very challenging. if you - isn't it? it is though it's very challenging. if you get - isn't it? it is though it's very - challenging. if you get technical kit on you like a phone you will be found in this day and age, its technical and forensic and cctv that tend to solve almost all serious crime that does get solved. yes, blanket coverage is a bit of a myth. there is a lotto coverage but there are still aspects of streets, high streets, car parks and the like that have those spots that are blind spots to cctv. if somebody knows what they are doing they can sometimes exploit that. fascinating to hear from — sometimes exploit that. fascinating to hear from you. _ sometimes exploit that. fascinating to hear from you. thank _ sometimes exploit that. fascinating to hear from you. thank you, - sometimes exploit that. fascinating j to hear from you. thank you, peter. to hearfrom you. thank you, peter. good to get your insight. former metropolitan police detective and crime expert. president putin says the west needs to realise that it is �*impossible' to defeat russia in ukraine. his comments came during a lengthy

interview with the american broadcaster tucker carlson, in what was his first one—on—one interviews with western media for more than two years. but mr putin faced few tough questions and wasn't challenged about alleged war crimes, or the supression of dissent in russia. here's our russia editor, steve rosenberg. hard hitting it wasn't. are we having a talk show or a serious conversation? laughter. but it was the first time vladimir putin has sat down with a western media personality since his full—scale invasion of ukraine. and he used the tucker carlson interview to send a message to the west. "stop arming ukraine, you won't defeat russia." translation: wouldn't it be better to negotiate with russia, _ make an agreement, already understanding the situation that is developing today, realising that russia will fight for its interest to the end? i'll give you these documents.

one bizarre moment. a present from putin — some 17th century documents and a lecture on 1,000 years of russian history. judging by how often his face is on russian tv, it's little surprise the kremlin chose tucker carlson for this interview. the conservative commentator from the us is a controversialfigure. much of what he says matches the kremlin's anti—liberal world view. most americans have no idea why putin invaded ukraine. ahead of the interview, tucker carlson claimed that since the russian invasion not a single western journalist had bothered trying to speak to putin. wrong there. in december, i spent four hours trying, and failing, to ask president putin a question. and the kremlin has turned down several bbc bids for an interview.

for president putin, this was a platform for transmitting to the west his narrative on the war in ukraine. according to that narrative, russia is completely innocent here, the war is the fault of the west, and for more than two hours he was able to do that pretty much unchallenged. this guy is obviously not a spy — he's a kid. but tucker carlson did ask about evan gershkovich, the respected us reporterjailed in russia on espionage charges. president putin hinted that moscow would be interested in an prisoner exchange, swapping mr gershkovich for a russian assassin convicted in germany. but no questions on war crimes, or domestic repression in russia. instead, two hours of the world according to vladimir putin. steve rosenberg, bbc news. let's get the latest from the

pakistan parliamentary election. with most results now officially declared, independent candidates linked to the imprisoned former prime minister, imran khan, have emerged as the single biggest group. but his rival and another former prime minister, nawaz sharif has already declared himself the winner — although he acknowledged that his party hadn't won enough seats to form a government on its own. mr sharif is widely seen as favoured by pakistan's powerful military. mr khan and his pti party were barred from contesting the election. our reporter farhat javed is following developments from islamabad. she has more on those comments made by nawaz sharif. nawaz sharif has just made this claim that his party has won most of the seats, and he has also announced that his party would talk to other opposition parties. the parties which were alliance with him in the previous during the previous government, he said that his party would speak to them, including pakistan people's party and some religious parties as well. and he also hinted upon reaching out to the independent candidates,

which are actually backed by imran khan's pti. but he says that his party would reach out to them and they would try to form a coalition government for the next five years. he also said that he aims to take this country out of the troubles it is facing now. and he said that he invites all other political leaders from all other parties to sit together and get this country out of out of the problems it is facing for for many years now. a couple of developments to bring you on that. reporting there, sharif acknowledging they haven't won enough seats to form a government outright. they may end up in some sort of coalition for the news coming in and the last few minutes that imran can't come off former prime minister, he has also now claimed victory in that general election. that would back up the claims we've seen from the links to

him, independent candidate link to him, independent candidate link to him saying they do have enough, have emerged as a single biggest group and could form a government. what is interesting about we've heard in the last few minutes is that the pta party has put out a message online, and ai generated message. it purports to show that these are the words of imran khan. we know he is in prison and unable to send out video. we're led to believe that this is a message that has been written by him but the video afterwards and the voice generated by artificial intelligence for the in it he claims victory in thursday's general election. rejecting the claim from sharif that he has won. while we work out what is going on it serves to underline the role that al and social media and the internet could play in what is a very busy year for elections right around the world. of course

here in the uk and in the us for the presidential election in november. it's worth saying that the message coming from imran khan is generated by aia. but we're told that the words in it are his it'sjust the message and the video generated by ai. we will clarify later what exactly that video doesn't show. one of america's biggest sporting events the super bowl takes place on sunday. the san francisco 49ers and kansas city chiefs will battle it out to take the top prize it's not just a big moment in sport, it is big business as well. it's thought more than iis—million people watched the super bowl last year — that's an all—time record. and it's those millions of eyes that have advertisers battling it out themselves — advertising spots on broadcaster cbs sold out in november. but they come with a hefty price tag.

a single 30 second ad during the event will cost advertisers — on average $7—million. and that's just for the airtime — before they've even made the ad itself. the most expensive advert was amazon's alexa commercial in 2022 — a mere 130 seconds of airtime cost $26—million. so how do firms make their ad stand out? usually with some celebrity stardust. one company has turned to one of hollywood's biggest names for help. martin scorsese will make his super bowl directorial debut — directing an ad for web design firm, squarespace. here he is in action, behind the scenes. but he also stars in the ad too. let's speak to kin—jill mather — the chief marketing office of of the american website building company squarespace — which the firm behind that advert. good to have you on the program. it is all about the attention for the

eyeballs will tell me about the ad. white martin scorsese and how much did you pay for the airtime? thank ou for did you pay for the airtime? thank you for having _ did you pay for the airtime? thank you for having me. _ did you pay for the airtime? thank you for having me. i _ did you pay for the airtime? thank you for having me. i can't - you for having me. i can't disclose what we paid for the ad, that's for the network to share. what i will say is it's our tenth year of doing super bowl ads. we're very disciplined in how we look at return on investment. it is a moment that keeps returning for us and that's why we returned back. why we do it, to your point, hundreds of millions of eyeballs on the ad. it is an iconic moment, it is the only stage and sporting event where people tune in notjust for the big game, they tune in to watch the ads. as a marketer that is our dream. and today's attention economy where you are trying to cut through the noise is much as possible it is one of the only places that people want to see the ads and talk about the ads. it

has a real return for us. the reason that we come to a place like super bowl with somebody like martin scorsese is because we want to be there at the beginning of the year when business formation is added an all—time high. we read a stat that one out of every two people under the age of 35 in the uk are starting a business. for that reason at the top of that year when there is a new year, new you mantra we want to be there talking about how you can launch your business online at squarespace. it's really important for us at the top of the year to get that message out for them and super bowl is that opportunity. does that message out for them and super bowl is that opportunity.— bowl is that opportunity. does a su er bowl is that opportunity. does a snoer bowl _ bowl is that opportunity. does a snoer bowl ad _ bowl is that opportunity. does a super bowl ad have _ bowl is that opportunity. does a super bowl ad have global - bowl is that opportunity. does a i super bowl ad have global appeal? bowl is that opportunity. does a - super bowl ad have global appeal? we know it's primarily a us audience, it has global reach. but where do you measure re—turn? is it's about us eyeballs or are you looking at the world as well?— the world as well? definitely a ulobal the world as well? definitely a global place- _ the world as well? definitely a global place. yes, _ the world as well? definitely a global place. yes, most - the world as well? definitely a global place. yes, most of -

the world as well? definitely a global place. yes, most of the viewers bases in the us predominately and especially for the ads. we use it as a launch pad for our global campaign. we start with the super bowl, we create buzz around what our ad is and then we launched at ad for the next two quarters around the globe. it proves to be a really great moment for us to be a really great moment for us to build chatter as we launch globally. to build chatter as we launch aloball . ., , , ., globally. martin scorsese, a huge holl ood globally. martin scorsese, a huge hollywood director, _ globally. martin scorsese, a huge hollywood director, he's - globally. martin scorsese, a huge hollywood director, he's on - globally. martin scorsese, a huge hollywood director, he's on board globally. martin scorsese, a huge i hollywood director, he's on board to direct your ad, he's also in it. talk to us about how you stand out. is it having big names? you said is well, it's his daughter that has got a whole new generation of young people interested and aware of dad even though we all know him for some of his hollywood greats. he is even though we all know him for some of his hollywood greats.— of his hollywood greats. he is still incredibly relevant. _ of his hollywood greats. he is still incredibly relevant. on _ of his hollywood greats. he is still incredibly relevant. on his- of his hollywood greats. he is still incredibly relevant. on his own, i of his hollywood greats. he is still| incredibly relevant. on his own, his daughterjust makes it sweeter the father — daughter duo which is marty and francesca is so amazing. we've

had a lot of big talent for that we've had sent dale, we've had adam driver, dolly parton, kiera reeves, idris alba, the talent list is long of who we use in ads of the last ten years. —— kiera reeves was up we hit 20 years at squarespace for our anniversary. ten years and super bowls we really wanted it big time storyteller and who better to tell our story for us in the grand master himself? it felt really right. we're also fans of doing things that are new and different. for him to be the first time directing in ad is really special as well. we first time directing in ad is really special as well.— first time directing in ad is really special as well. we will be watching at the weekend. _ special as well. we will be watching at the weekend. really _ special as well. we will be watching at the weekend. really good - special as well. we will be watching at the weekend. really good to - special as well. we will be watching | at the weekend. really good to have you on the program. chief marketing officer at squarespace. around the world and across the uk. this is bbc news. bbc news— bringing you different stories_ bbc news— bringing you different stories from _ bbc news— bringing you different stories from across _ bbc news— bringing you different stories from across the _ bbc news— bringing you different stories from across the uk. - stories from across the uk.

shoplifting _ stories from across the uk. shoplifting offences - stories from across the uk. shoplifting offences were . stories from across the uk. i shoplifting offences were not stories from across the uk. - shoplifting offences were not more than a third in wales last year. in newport when police say shoplifting now accounts for 10% of all crime. this man had been warning on shoplifting offences and continue to offend as he got out. is is typical offend as he got out. is is typical of what they see, repeat offenders stealing on a daily basis. major retailers and in particular meet and alcohol products are key targets. seemingly nowhere is safe. it's a constant problem for us. every day the staff will find empty hangers were some things been taken. i think there's a mix of people stealing for us out of necessity because they don't have any clothes to put on the child, of a dinner of winter coat, they need won. but equally, it's about the organised crime gangs. more stories for across the uk head to the _ more stories for across the uk head to the bbc— more stories for across the uk head to the bbc news— more stories for across the uk head to the bbc news website. _

more stories for across the uk head to the bbc news website. you - more stories for across the uk head to the bbc news website.— to the bbc news website. you are alive with sac — to the bbc news website. you are alive with bbc news. _ to the bbc news website. you are alive with bbc news. a _ to the bbc news website. you are alive with bbc news. a new- to the bbc news website. you are i alive with bbc news. a new category at the oscars will be recognised for best casting. it is the first new competitive category since best animated feature was added in 2002. casting directors have campaign to be recognised in the way of other film cross like sound, costume and here but speak to a casting director whose work on films like napoleon and house of gucci as well as tv shows like house of dragon. thank you for being with us. finally recognition at last was that what fascinates me about the job you do is if you get it right people don't notice. if you get it wrong they will. that is a secret, isn't it? that's exactly how our lives work. it's an incredible achievement what's happen for that we've been campaigning for 12 years. it is petsaurus a creative job,

campaigning for 12 years. it is petsaurus a creativejob, it's campaigning for 12 years. it is petsaurus a creative job, it's an entirely creative job. as you said, we do ourjob brilliantly no one will know what were doing. it's hard to quantify. so we can achieve what we just achieve, which to quantify. so we can achieve what wejust achieve, which is... everyone is emotional and incredibly relieved. what is the secret? there are so many moving parts in your job. you may decide you think you want start a and b but want you maybe can't afford to about one is already working on another project, how do you create that chemistry? do you have a plan b if the ones you want aren't available or affordable? plan b, c, d. it's a personality lead business. no one can sit down and say, were going to get this person in this role because it's all about timing. it's about economics, you just don't know whether this particular story is going to resonate for that particular actor.

it's a business. and in film you need to have people that have —— they want to see people they like and follow and support. it is a complicated want to explain. briefly because time _ complicated want to explain. briefly because time is _ complicated want to explain. briefly because time is tight, _ complicated want to explain. briefly because time is tight, what - complicated want to explain. briefly because time is tight, what stage i complicated want to explain. briefly| because time is tight, what stage do you get involved? are you right at the start of this when the idea is still on a storyboard or in someone's dash.- still on a storyboard or in someone's dash. , ., , ., �* , someone's dash. very early on. it's the scri -t someone's dash. very early on. it's the script first _ someone's dash. very early on. it's the script first and _ someone's dash. very early on. it's the script first and then _ someone's dash. very early on. it's the script first and then the - someone's dash. very early on. it's the script first and then the next i the script first and then the next one in mind —— we're the next one in mind. if we're in sync with the director and production and their vision that is ourjob to help tell the story anyway we can. we cut our cloth accordingly. i think a lot of people think or agents, we don't represent anyone. we're a creative force and really care about what we do. it's an incredible achievement

for all the people that have campaign. for all the people that have campaign-— for all the people that have campaign. for all the people that have cam..ain_ ., ., ., ~' ., campaign. kate, so good to talk to ou. campaign. kate, so good to talk to from joining _ campaign. kate, so good to talk to from joining us _ campaign. kate, so good to talk to you. joining us live _ campaign. kate, so good to talk to you. joining us live from _ campaign. kate, so good to talk to you. joining us live from london. l you. joining us live from london. there is much more on that story on the website, including the academies effort to try to reduce the length of the thing altogether. but they are adding another category. stay with us. you are watching bbc news. in what could be a major shake—up on the pitch referees could be using blue cards for bad behavior. in addition to the yellow and red cards, the blue card will be used to send players to the sin bin, for ten minutes for a cycnicalfoul or for showing dissent. the fa will consider trialling sin bins in the fa cup and women's fa cup next season. it's safe to say liverpool managerjurgen klopp was sceptical of the idea. they want to test it. i have no problem with testing. but if that's the first step to agreeing or already being sure

that it will happen. but i don't know that, to be honest. i have no idea how that's the first time about it. and yeah, it doesn't sound like a fantastic idea in the first moment, but actually i can't remember when the last fantastic idea came from these guys, if they ever had one. that tells you what he thinks. let's speak to darren lewis. he is a representative for bam—ref — an organisation that aims to increase representation for referees within all levels of the game for those of black, asian and mixed heritage. good to have you with us. what are you thinking about this, do you agree withjuergen cloc? your you thinking about this, do you agree with juergen cloc? your club won't have — agree with juergen cloc? your club won't have to _ agree with juergen cloc? your club won't have to worry _ agree with juergen cloc? your club won't have to worry for— agree with juergen cloc? your club won't have to worry for some i agree with juergen cloc? your club won't have to worry for some time | agree with juergen cloc? your club i won't have to worry for some time -- won't have to worry for some time —— juergen cloc. no plans to introduce that any time soon. just in relation to general question, everyone is

into discussion or concern that that will improve the players and managers for that i think the big concern is that the cards don't have widespread support yet they've been rushed through. there are other very significant challenges within the game like va are, representation within the game and criticism that need urgent attention. racism was and should not ever be a blue car, its dissent and should receive a red card. thank you for explaining what the rest does because it has succeeded in opening up a pathway for more black and asian referees in football. it's a really important distinction to make between blue cards and read or that they can do theirjobs properly. there is an official of a document on top and needs to go further so everyone is on the same page.— on the same page. what does it tell us about the — on the same page. what does it tell us about the behaviour _ on the same page. what does it tell us about the behaviour on _ on the same page. what does it tell us about the behaviour on the i on the same page. what does it tell| us about the behaviour on the pitch? we talked about this previously, particularly in grassroots football. and whether it's the parents on the

sideline demonstrating bad behaviour towards referee and that translate into their children behaviour for that at their professional level of a game like this, what is your assessment whether players are behaving themselves and there's been a change in how they will deal with the referee and whether that level of respect has declined? if it the referee and whether that level of respect has declined?— of respect has declined? if it does 0 en u- of respect has declined? if it does open up another _ of respect has declined? if it does open up another important - of respect has declined? if it does open up another important point. | of respect has declined? if it does i open up another important point. sin bins are already in operation at grassroots level and have been since 2019. the f8 do you have the response to that you be able to gaugein response to that you be able to gauge in relation to the higher levels. just to give you recent numbers, they reported a 38% total reduction in dissent across 31 leaves as a result of the sin bin. those numbers only to have the story for that speaking to referees at that level and obviously the people within banner as i can tell you the feeling leads to more inconsistency which doesn't get the scrutiny you get at the higher levels because they are low—profile clubs, low—profile teams and players. some

referees will have no issue with chat and robust exchanges with players and managers. but other referees do. others, that got a lot happening at grassroots levels for referees to content to without having to manage players on and off the field. you are getting the experience effective for fans. you can imagine at the higher levels with the issues that they already have with the delays caused by va r. —— four. have with the delays caused by va r. -- four. . ~' ,, have with the delays caused by va r. -- four. ., ~ i. ., , , -- four. thank you for being with us toniaht. -- four. thank you for being with us tonight. grateful— -- four. thank you for being with us tonight. grateful for _ -- four. thank you for being with us tonight. grateful for your _ -- four. thank you for being with us tonight. grateful for your time. i tonight. gratefulforyourtime. christian is here but the context next on bbc news with it before that let's check in on what the weather looks like. darren has those details. hello there, the snow that's now falling is restricted to the hills of scotland. elsewhere, well, we've seen some rain around that has led to some flooding. this is the picture earlier on in cambridgeshire. together with the heavy rain, of course, there's been some snow melt, and that's why

there are so many flood warnings. most of the flood warnings still across the midlands and southern england. the numbers may drop this weekend. it looks like it should be turning a bit drier. at the moment, though, this weather front is pushing northwards, at the moment, though, this weather front is pushing northwards, taking wetter weather northwards, particularly into scotland. and this is where we've got the last of the colder air. elsewhere, we've seen temperatures rising in the milder air as it's moved its way northwards. and with those rising temperatures, some of the snow has been melting. this was the picture earlier on in staffordshire. now, if i show you the radar picture. the blue is rain, so we've got these bands of rain moving northwards again. and the snow, the white there, sleet and snow getting restricted to scotland, and increasingly that's becoming confined to highland and grampian, where above about 300m there could be 20cm snow, so it is quite high elevations. we've got some rain elsewhere and the strong easterly wind that we've had will gradually ease overnight. but we'll see some further rain moving across northern england, into southern scotland and over northern ireland. england and wales actually

turning drier and clearer. it could be a little bit chillier in the south than it was last night. all depends on the amount of cloud and mist and fog as well. and we could see some of that mist and fog through the midlands heading towards lincolnshire for a while. otherwise, some sunshine coming through, some sunshine for northern england this time, and northern ireland and eventually across southern scotland as it turns drier. what's left of any rain, sleet and snow is really in the far north of the country. there will be some showers much further south, most of those into south—west england and south wales. those temperatures continuing to rise and getting up to 7 degrees widely in scotland on saturday. the last of the cold air away from northern scotland is getting moved away by that weather front. things will be much brighter in the north—west of scotland, still got low pressure close by for sunday, could be a bit of rain actually running northwards up these north sea coasts. otherwise, some sunshine breaking through the cloud eventually, leading to a scattering of showers in the west and the south, nothing particularly heavy. still quite gusty winds through the english channel. otherwise, the winds

will be lighter. temperatures continuing to rise in scotland. but further south, it may turn a little cooler.

hello, i'm christian fraser. you're watching the context on bbc news. my memory is fine, my memory — take a look at what i've done

since i've become president. none of you thought i could pass any of the things i got passed. you're left to wonder why this report spends time making gratuitous and inappropriate criticisms of the president. this report, although it completely absolves him legally, _ the political damage is perhaps even harder to been — this hour, the german chancellor is in washington, at a moment whenjoe biden is facing perhaps the biggest crisis in his presidency. behind in the polls, facing criticism for his position on gaza, and now his mental fitness in question. we will bring you any public comments live. in gaza, there are up to 1.5 million civilians around rafah, who fear the war is coming to them. also tonight. the met police say they think the man they've been

looking for in connection to the the clapham chemical attack,