hello. welcome to bbc news. for the first time in 150 years — the us house of representatives has impeached a member of the president's cabinet. tueday�*s vote marked a historic and highly—partisan push to charge department of homeland security secretary, alejandro mayorkas with willfully refusing to enforce border laws and breaching the public�*s trust. and the margin could not have been any closer. the have been any closer. aas are 214 and the natives are the aas are 214 and the natives are to 13. the resolution is adopted. it all came down to a single vote. 214 votes for impeachment, 213 votes against. several members declined to participate. several others missed the vote because of weather or illness. tuesday's vote was

the second attempt to remove secretary mayorkas, after a bid last week by republicans failed. here is house speaker mikejohnson�*s statement following the secretary's impeachment... the speaker went on to say... president biden responded tonight in a statement... president biden went on to criticise for blocking of deal

that had both democratic and republican support in the senate but is been torpedoed after former president donald trump came out to oppose the bill. live now to npr congressional correspondent claudia grisales. this vote failed last week but passed tonight.— this vote failed last week but passed tonight. what changed in the meantime? _ passed tonight. what changed in the meantime? there _ passed tonight. what changed in the meantime? there were - passed tonight. what changed in | the meantime? there were three republicans who joined democrats in this very narrowly controlled republican chamber to block the effort to impeach alejandro mayorkas last week. that said, republicans were missing a key member. house majority whip steve scalise has been out battling cancer and was unable to return to the houses evening giving republicans in the house that one—vote margin to be able to push this impeachment across the line. and see the secretary

impeach tonight on articles saying that he had failed in terms of his duty as secretary. despite how many impeachments we've seen in recent years they are incredibly rare. what is significant about what happened here? , , u, significant about what happened here? , , ' :: here? very significant. 150 ears here? very significant. 150 years since _ here? very significant. 150 years since we've - here? very significant. 150 years since we've seen - here? very significant. 150 years since we've seen a l here? very significant. 150 - years since we've seen a member of a presidential cabinet impeach. this is a big historic moment for house republicans also for the house speaker mike johnson, his only a few months into hisjob. this is something republicans have been talking about ever since they took control of the house last year. and even before then this was a major goal for them and even before then this was a major goalfor them to and even before then this was a major goal for them to go after mayorkas. it is an historic moment but it will not go far. we do not expect much from the democratic controlled senate to do with this house action. it wasn't unanimous a month asked

house republicans, three did vote against it. did they say why? mike gallagher of wisconsin, he is in outgoing member, this is his last term in the house. he said he did not believe that this claim that back at three failed in his duty enough so that he would be impeach. that threshold was even reached and all three republicans voted against this for that pretty much said similar in terms of not seeing enough here in terms of impeaching mayorkas. some raised concerns that this is going to become a back and forth between democrats and republicans to continue to impeach members of the opposing party. impeach members of the opposing .a . ., , impeach members of the opposing -a . . , ., party. that belief that it doesn't _ party. that belief that it doesn't reach _ party. that belief that it doesn't reach the - party. that belief that it doesn't reach the bar. party. that belief that it doesn't reach the bar to party. that belief that it. doesn't reach the bar to be considered a high crime and misdemeanor, is that a view that perhaps some senate republicans may share? that's another interesting _ republicans may share? that's another interesting wrinkle - republicans may share? that's another interesting wrinkle in i another interesting wrinkle in all of this. while senate

democrats are adamantly opposed to this there are also senate republicans who are opposed to this as well. you need 60 votes in the senate to convict. assuming the senate goes forward with some sort of impeachment trial there just is nowhere near that number of senators who would get on board in terms of supporting a conviction of mayorkas. just on that point. _ conviction of mayorkas. just on that point, how _ conviction of mayorkas. just on that point, how do _ conviction of mayorkas. just on that point, how do we - conviction of mayorkas. just on that point, how do we think- conviction of mayorkas. just on that point, how do we think or| that point, how do we think or do we know how the senate is going to handle this?- do we know how the senate is going to handle this? they have a few options. _ going to handle this? they have a few options. they _ going to handle this? they have a few options. they could - going to handle this? they have a few options. they could hold i a few options. they could hold in abbreviated trial, they are not in for at least two weeks, they just left this not in for at least two weeks, theyjust left this morning. it's very possible this is something they could pick up when they come back. senate majority leader chuck schumer railed against this evening, said it was not something that would go very far. but that

they would address it in the senate in terms of procedure demands them too. it is something that he and other democrats are very much frustrated and angry that this is an issue that they now have to take up in the higher chamber.— to take up in the higher chamber. ~ ., ., , chamber. we will wait to see what happens _ chamber. we will wait to see what happens next. - thank you so much forjoining us. this all comes as the us—mexico border is being overwhelmed with record making migrate crossings. in december or patrol agents reported more than 250,000 apprehensions of migrants across the southern border unlawfully. that's the most arrests ever made on the southern border in a single mum breaking a record of 212,000 set previous. staying on capitol hill now — a showdown over foreign aid is looming in the us house. a bipartisan group of senators approved a $95 billion aid

package for ukraine, israel, the indo—pacific and global humanitarian efforts. the next stop for the bill is the house, but it's unclear if the lower chamber will vote on or adopt the provisions after the house speaker mike johnson dismissed it. before the passing senate vote speakerjohnosn criticised the current iteration of the legislation for not addressing issues at us—mexico border, which has seen a record number of migrants crossings under the biden adminsitration. mrjohnson implied he wouldn't schedule a house vote any time soon — though president biden called on the speaker to act quickly. iurge i urge speakerjohnson to bring it to the floor immediately, immediately. there is no question that the senate bill was put on the floor and house of representatives it would pass. it would pass. for republicans in congress who think they can oppose ending for ukraine and not be held of accountable, history is

watching. history is watching. failure to support ukraine at this critical moment will never be forgotten. the bill allocates or than £70 billion in aid for america's national security and trust. roughly 60 billion is earmarked for keith, 14 for israel and another 10 billion for humanitarian efforts including indo—pacific allies tuesday supplemental bill is a stripped—down version of the hundred $18 billion aid package that sent two senate republicans voted down after he drew criticism from former president trump and speaker johnson. in kyiv, ukrainian president volodymyr zelensky applauded the senate's passage of the deal, writing on x...

0ur sarah rainsford has more on the view from kyiv. this news has been a welcome here in kyiv we've heard from zelensky saying it brings peace closer in ukraine and talked about the deal helping the security and prosperity of american and the free world not just ukraine. he also talked about it boosting confidence year inside ukraine itself. everyone knows this is not a done deal, this isjust one step on the way to clearing that aid package for ukraine. basically, people here think it's absolutely critical. i've heard analysts telling me that it would be catastrophic for ukraine if ultimately this aid package isn't passed. it's not just about money for the budget, notjust about helping ukraine keep taxes down and helping ukraine keep inflation down it is also critically money for military assistance. this is about buying the ammunition and weaponry that ukraine needs to keep on

defending itself atop a comes up defending itself atop a comes up in a precarious time for this country when the fighting on the front line is for us but it is not advancing. ukraine is holding russian forces back but it is not able to take new territory and desperately low on ammunition. i heard a very senior source telling me in one of the hottest spot on the front line that ukrainian forces are outmanned 821 and may also outgun eight one. russia has a huge advantage and is getting weaponry from north korea and iran. ukraine really needs american support. live now tojohn herbst — former us ambassador to ukraine who currently serves as senior director of the atlantic council's eurasia centre. thank you forjoining us on bbc news. we heard president zelensky describing the passage of this bill for the us senate meaning of life will continue in cities and will triumph over

war. do you see it in those terms? inaudible. president zelensky is exactly right. if it's not passing the house then the american aid to ukraine, aid ukraine desperately needs to continue thwarting russia will be much diminished. and house republicans as you mention has to pass through the house, one link to border security they view that as a national security concern as well. what is your view of linking those issues together? i think the border is a national kit security concern and should be addressed. there is no need to link it, both are critical interest for the united states was that it would be great if we could solve the border and aid to ukraine but we shouldn't let hold up on one of those prevent the other and that's what were saying right now. , �* ., ,

now. president biden has said ofthe now. president biden has said of the house _ now. president biden has said of the house doesn't - now. president biden has said of the house doesn't pass - now. president biden has said of the house doesn't pass the | of the house doesn't pass the bill the consequences for america's national security will be significant. what does he mean by that in your experience? if he mean by that in your experience?— he mean by that in your experience? he mean by that in your exerience? ., ., , ., experience? if as a result of america _ experience? if as a result of america stopping _ experience? if as a result of america stopping aid - experience? if as a result of america stopping aid to - experience? if as a result of - america stopping aid to ukraine putin succeeds in conquering ukraine, we have to worry about much more aggressive kremlin that might strike against maddow two nato allies which are much harder to defend that ukraine which is a large country. two, american leadership will be seen as weak and this will in courage using ping to move on taiwan. it will around to produce more provocations against united states and israel in the middle east. it would make the consequences of our disastrous withdrawal from afghanistan seem small. it's quite odd that politicians who rightly criticised that withdrawal from afghanistan are advocating policies that are far more dangerous to american security.

you mentioned american leadership on a global stage. what message does it send all of this back in for on domestic politics, what message is that sent to american allies about future promises of support? allies are quite concerned about the current situation. you hear talk about europe trying to find ways to cope with its own security. but people who paid attention over the last 75 or 80 years, since the last 75 or 80 years, since the end of world war ii note that the great piece that the world has enjoyed in europe and elsewhere the absence of great power words are the great result of the institutions united states helped create, especially nato. if the united states is seen as an unreliable partner or ally by its friends, by its allies this will embolden the authoritarian which very much want to reduce

american security, heaven american prosperity. we have a clear interest and a vital stake in making sure that ukraine is able to stop russian aggression in ukraine. as long as we provide the assistance we've been providing that will happen. if we were bold in providing assistance we can hasten putin his defeat in ukraine. but we have to first maintain assistance. that's what this aid bill is all about. , , ., about. there is separate preposed _ about. there is separate proposed funding - about. there is separate proposed funding in - about. there is separate proposed funding in this| about. there is separate . proposed funding in this bill for israel's military action in gaza and humanitarian aid for gaza and humanitarian aid for gaza as well. given you also spent many years in israel for the us state department, this impending assault on rafah, the un has described it as could lead to slaughter. do you think the us needs to look again at its support for israel?- its support for israel? there is an historic _

its support for israel? there is an historic pattern - its support for israel? there is an historic pattern going i is an historic pattern going back many decades where israel suffers some form of aggression, whether it's from other states in the region or from terrorist groups and in response and when it begins to response and when it begins to response it usually has some success and there is great global pressure, including the un to reign in israel. in the un to reign in israel. in the un which provides support sometimes response to that pressure and tries to persuade the israelis to be rests with soil. this is what we're seeing now. but israel does have a right to defend itself and america should stand alongside israel, which is not to say america should endorse every single action that israel undertakes. i see the middle eastis undertakes. i see the middle east is us allowing iran to strike against proxies. how many hundreds of attacks on

american bases with small american bases with small american response? and three american response? and three american soldiers died recently. how many missiles have been launched by the cooties which would be impossible without iranian direction, —— cooties. this is a problem too. direction, -- cooties. this is a problem too.— direction, -- cooties. this is a problem too. plenty more to discuss on _ a problem too. plenty more to discuss on that. _ a problem too. plenty more to discuss on that. we _ a problem too. plenty more to discuss on that. we will - a problem too. plenty more to discuss on that. we will leave | discuss on that. we will leave it there for the moment. john herbst thank you forjoining us. talks are ongoing in egypt over a potential ceasefire between israel and hamas. senior intelligence officials from the us, egypt, and israel along with the qatari prime minister attended. a us official tells our news partner cbs that those conversations were productive, but there were no significant breakthroughs. 0ne sticking point is how many palestinian prisoners will be released for israeli hostages. here's our correspondent nick beake. there have been talks which have continued in egypt today.

that is to try and bring about some sort of cease—fire. certainly a lull in the fighting for maybe six weeks or so in which the hostages taken by hamas on october seven can be released for that we understand that some palestinian prisoners in israel would probably be freed as well. hard to ascertain how much progress is being made in these talks. america seems to think they are moving in the right direction. it would seem over the past few weeks that israel and hamas really are very far apart on some crucial elements to any possible cease—fire deal. finally, the israeli defence forces tonight have released a video and they state this video shows the leader of hamas in gaza in the days after the october seven attacks. he is said to be underground in the vast tunnel network in the city of kant unit is apparently with family members, including children. ——

card units. i think that the israelis are trying to do here is to say this is the man who was responsible for the atrocities on october the 7th. i think they're trying to give this as a reminder to the world as to why the big military operation continues despite the growing international criticism. around the world and across the uk. this is bbc news. let's look at a top story in the uk. radio listeners in the uk are mourning the loss of steve wright, the bbc presenter who's died at the age of 69. wright hosted bbc radio shows for more than four decades. he also fronted television programmes, including top of the pops. peter bowes worked with wright back in the 1990s, and shared his memories. people felt as if they knew him, it was a one—to—one relationship that his comedy, often times is very everyday comedy, related to them. i think that's what made him

special. he wasn't as he described himself, he wasn't thejock, he wasn'tjust spinning the discs as they met said in the olden days with him he had a conversation, light—hearted conversation about life sometimes. mel did that with the music it was fun to be with, fun to listen to. —— melted fat. wright's career at the bbc began when he started working as a clerk. he then got his own show called steve wright in the afternoon in 1981. wright was last on air on sunday. you're live with bbc news. indonesians head to the polls on wednesday in one of the world's largest presidential elections. jobs seem to be the biggest concern for younger voters — who make up more than half of the 205—million voters who will casting their ballots for the country's next leader. the current frontrunner, seen here in the middle, is former defence minister prabowo subianto, a retired general. ganjar pranowo and anies baswedan are also in the running.

unofficial quick count results are expected to come within hours. joining me now, bbc presenter steve lai. steve talk us through what's at stake here. talk us through what's at stake here. , ., , talk us through what's at stake here. , . ., ., here. the polls close at one and counting _ here. the polls close at one and counting starts - here. the polls close at one and counting starts beyond | and counting starts beyond that. official results don't always come out for 35 days after that. quick outs give us an indication as to who will be winning and candidates have conceded victory based on these cows for that hopefully we will have a clear picture later this evening. you talk about the key issues, jobs and certainly one of them. especially for the young prabowo subianto population here. you mentioned, the front runner. will get more on that with my guest. jonathan, prabowo subianto perhaps more known on the international stage than other candidates but not necessary for the best reason. aha, candidates but not necessary for the best reason.- for the best reason. a very controversial _ for the best reason. a very

controversial character. . for the best reason. a very i controversial character. was the son _ controversial character. was the son in— controversial character. was the son in law of the dictator who— the son in law of the dictator who ran _ the son in law of the dictator who ran indonesia during the cold — who ran indonesia during the cold war— who ran indonesia during the cold war and was ousted 26 years — cold war and was ousted 26 years ago. he's also very outspoken man, often about how weston _ outspoken man, often about how weston democratic values should for indonesia. there were some concerns— for indonesia. there were some concerns about what would happen _ concerns about what would happen to this young and lively democracy if prabowo subianto wins _ democracy if prabowo subianto wins the — democracy if prabowo subianto wins the presidency. he's been ahead — wins the presidency. he's been ahead of— wins the presidency. he's been ahead of his 200 two other candidates for much of the campaign. he's refashioned himseif— campaign. he's refashioned himself as an older figure, quite — himself as an older figure, quite quirky, very slick social media — quite quirky, very slick social media campaign. he's promising continuity — media campaign. he's promising continuity. the president has done — continuity. the president has done a — continuity. the president has done a successfuljob of building up infrastructure and advancing the economy. 0n building up infrastructure and advancing the economy. on most key policies prabowo subianto is saying — key policies prabowo subianto is saying you get more of the same — is saying you get more of the same. ., , ~ ., ~ same. voters like that. tiktok is been his _ same. voters like that. tiktok is been his medium _ same. voters like that. tiktok is been his medium to - same. voters like that. tiktok is been his medium to reach l same. voters like that. tiktok. is been his medium to reach out to young voters with thejoe biden perhaps emulating as well. indonesia is the worlds

third largest after india and the united states in the most populous. it is an ally of the us. depending on who wins if prabowo subianto were to win do you see a change in his relationship with the united states? i relationship with the united states? ., �* ~' relationship with the united states? ., �* ~ ., states? i don't think that will chance. states? i don't think that will change. indonesia _ states? i don't think that will change. indonesia prides- states? i don't think that will. change. indonesia prides itself on being — change. indonesia prides itself on being a good global citizens like all— on being a good global citizens like all these countries they do feel_ like all these countries they do feel kind of caught in the us - — do feel kind of caught in the us — china rivalry. china is criticai— us — china rivalry. china is critical of— us — china rivalry. china is critical of their economies a lot of— critical of their economies a lot of the _ critical of their economies a lot of the infrastructure here was — lot of the infrastructure here was built _ lot of the infrastructure here was built with chinese investment. but indonesia worries— investment. but indonesia worries about china's ambitions in the _ worries about china's ambitions in the south china sea and has been _ in the south china sea and has been a — in the south china sea and has been a key partner for the us along — been a key partner for the us along with other countries like vietnam _ along with other countries like vietnam. and this balancing act and it— vietnam. and this balancing act and it won't change. it's a pluralistic country, it's inclusive is. there's lots of religions— inclusive is. there's lots of religions and cultures here. that's— religions and cultures here. that's something that we see none — that's something that we see none of— that's something that we see none of the division between istam — none of the division between islam and secularism that we've seen _ islam and secularism that we've seen in — islam and secularism that we've seen in the past was that it does — seen in the past was that it does seem inclusiveness is a bil does seem inclusiveness is a big part _ does seem inclusiveness is a big part of the indonesia package.

big part of the indonesia package-— big part of the indonesia package. big part of the indonesia ackaue. ., . package. one quick word about one misconception _ package. one quick word about one misconception about - one misconception about indonesia about in democracy? it's a young juan, they've only been — it's a young juan, they've only been having reelections for the last 25— been having reelections for the last 25 years. they are not going _ last 25 years. they are not going to _ last 25 years. they are not going to buy all of the western package — going to buy all of the western package people don't like conflict here. they were if could _ conflict here. they were if could get out of hand. the president has brought everyone in and _ president has brought everyone in and you haven't had a lot of debate about policies it's not always — debate about policies it's not always the kind of adversarial democratic politics that we're used — democratic politics that we're used to— democratic politics that we're used to in the west.- democratic politics that we're used to in the west. thank you very much _ used to in the west. thank you very much for— used to in the west. thank you very much for that _ used to in the west. thank you very much for that for - used to in the west. thank you very much for that for that - used to in the west. thank you very much for that for that you | very much for that for that you can see there's quite a bit at stake here regarding elections and who could win it. back very much a front runner for today. we will be watching closely here on bbc news with up i'll be out on the ground here in jakarta as polling results come in. ., ~' , ., for that, steve. let's turn to some important news around the world.

the us secretary of defence lloyd austin was released from a military hospital — after undergoing treatment for bladder issues. the pentagon says — austin was discharged from walter reed medical centre on tuesday and will perform his duties remotely from home for now, while he recuperates. the 70—year—old has been hospitalised twice this year following prostate cancer surgery — sparking a political controversy after he failed to disclose his treatment to the white house. polls have just closed in the us state of new york, where voters are deciding on who will fill the congerssional seat left vacant by republican george santos. mr santos was expelled last december amid allegations of fraud. democrat tom suozzi is a former congressman who's running against mazi pilip. she's a black israeli—american who served in the israel defence forces. both parties have poured millions of dollars into the race. and finally — if there's one thing the brits love — it's tea. but now, there's a national tea shortage brewing caused

by houthi attacks on shipping in the red sea. british shoppers are being warned they could struggle to find tea on supermarket shelves. grocery chain sainsbury�*s has warned of nationwide problems and tetley tea, the country's second biggest tea brand, said supplies were "much tighter" than it would like. but, good news, don't panic because the british retail consortium says the tea disruption is temporary. stay with us here on bbc news. hello. it's wet, it's mild. if anything, it's going to get even milder across some parts of the country. but this story is not true for scotland — it's been quite the opposite. at the moment we've got clear skies. it's very cold in the highlands. and early on wednesday morning, temperatures in some spots could be as low as —8 degrees celsius, but not in northern ireland, england and wales.

the air current is coming in from the southwest. weather fronts are crossing us here. a lot of cloud and outbreaks of rain. so the clear skies will be across scotland through the early hours and this is where we've got also light winds. we recently had some snow showers as well in the last 24 hours. so hence the temperatures are pretty low, close to the ground. but just to the south of that, we have the weather fronts, that thick cloud, layers of cloud, outbreaks of rain. 10 degrees in the south, around about 6 by the time we get to belfast and a couple of degrees above freezing in the morning in glasgow and edinburgh. so here's the forecast for wednesday. now, these weather fronts or rain—bearing clouds will be shifting northwards through the course of the day. again, some wintriness across the highlands. i think to sum up wednesday, rain possible almost at any time, almost anywhere across the country. but also one or two glimmers of sunshine. temperatures should reach 14 or 15 degrees celsius, i think, across parts of england. and then on thursday, a more substantial area of rainfall crosses scotland. this is actually a cold front, so the air behind it is slightly cooler.

ahead of it, here around east anglia, lincolnshire, the south east, where the sky's clear with a bit of sunshine, it is possible that temperatures may reach 16 or 17 degrees celsius. not unheard of this time of the year. in fact, it's happening more and more often. so, why so mild? well, if we track this airstream, you can see the air�*s coming in all the way from portugal and spain, in fact, the canaries. and you can even trace it back all the way into the subtropical atlantic — a really mild air mass streaming our way over the next few days. but i mentioned something about a cold front. here it is, as it moves over the uk during the course of friday and then introducing something a little less mild. it's not going to get cold, it'sjust not going to be as mild. let's have a look at the outlook, then, over the next few days. so, the peak of this mild spell will be around thursday. but after that, it looks as though those temperatures will ease a little bit. staying on the mild side, and overall, the weather very changeable with rain at times.

i'm steve lai injakarta, as one of asia's largest democracies is heading to the polls. we'll bring you the latest on what it means for businesses and jobs. signs the us economy is still running hot but may be further away than anticipated.

hello and welcome to asia business report. i'm arunoday mukharji. let's quickly cross to hong kong, where the stock exchange voters in southeast asia's largest economy — indonesia — have begun casting their votes for the country's next president. polls opened at 7am local time across the archipelago. but whoever wins will have big challenges ahead — including improving growth and creating jobs. injakarta, my colleague steve lai has the story. good to have you back. what is the latest?— the latest? thank you. polling is under way _ the latest? thank you. polling is under way and _ the latest? thank you. polling is under way and closes - the latest? thank you. polling is under way and closes at - the latest? thank you. pollingj is under way and closes at one when counting will begin. you mentioned it's southeast asia's largest economy, ranks 15th in the world. it'sjust largest economy, ranks 15th in the world. it's just below spain and just above turkey. it's a sizeable country when it comes to its economic weight and what happens in indonesia

obviously has an impact