it has credible evidence mm it has credible evidence that hostaes - it has credible evidence that hostages have _ - it has credible evidence that hostages have been - - it has credible evidence that hostages have been held| - it has credible evidence - that hostages have been held there. a setback for two of the world's biggest economies — the uk and japan fall into recession. we will be looking at how the uk recession compares with other countries. recession compares with other countries-_ countries. three, two, one, ignition! — and fly me to the moon — again... a us rocket could make the first lunar landing in more than 50 years. hello, i'm samantha simmonds — welcome to verified live, three hours of breaking stories, and checking out the truth behind them. a new yorkjudge has refused donald trump's request to dismiss criminal charges over alleged hush money paid to a porn star. the decision paves the way for the first—ever criminal trial of a former us president. the trial — scheduled for next month — is the first of four criminal

cases mr trump faces. he's pleaded not guilty — and says the cases are politically motivated. we are here for something that is not a crime. nobody has ever seen anything like this. what it is is election interference. it is being run byjoe biden's white house. his top person was placed here in order to make sure everything goes right. this is a terrible time for our country. this is a real dark period for our country. his top person called angelo and some others have been placed into the da's office to make sure they do a good job of election interference. we can cross live to our correspondent nada tawfik who is outside the courthouse in new york for us. dramatic developments, donald trump is hoping the case would be thrown out but he has been given a court date. , ., out but he has been given a court date. , . , ., ., .,

out but he has been given a court date, , ., , ., ., ., ,': i: date. this hearing began around 30 minutes ago _ date. this hearing began around 30 minutes ago and _ date. this hearing began around 30 minutes ago and the _ date. this hearing began around 30 minutes ago and the judge - date. this hearing began around 30 minutes ago and the judge wasted l date. this hearing began around 30 l minutes ago and the judge wasted no time denying mr trump and his lawyers request to have the case dismissed. he said the trial will go ahead on the 25th of march, as was originally scheduled. that means that this case which was donald trump, the first time a former president was criminally indicted, will be the first time a former president goes on trial for criminal charges. this is significant, the district attorney alvin bragg who brought the case had originally expressed a willingness to let the trial date fall back yet another criminal case dealing with election interference was to get underway first but the lawyers for donald trump had blocked that with many motions and delays so far so that trial is still waiting to see when that will take place but in the meantime this one will start as scheduled on the 25th of march. the

judge saying he expects the trial to last six weeks. that got an objection from the lawyers for donald trump saying it was a grave injustice and saying the timing of this would amount to election interference. march the 25th is just three weeks after super tuesday here in the united states when most states have their primary son of an donald trump will hope to mug up the republican presidential nomination so they are arguing this puts their client in an impossible situation. but nevertheless, the judge saying that a certain, the trial will move ahead, the 25th of march, this trial in relation to hush money payments, so call hush money payments allegedly paid to the former adult entertainer stormy daniels and that necessarily it would not be illegal but what the district attorney in new york argues is that donald trump falsified business records when he had his former fixer paying that

money and reimburse the money paid to stormy daniels. this money and reimburse the money paid to stormy daniels.— to stormy daniels. this is the first of four criminal _ to stormy daniels. this is the first of four criminal cases _ to stormy daniels. this is the first of four criminal cases he - to stormy daniels. this is the first of four criminal cases he faces, i of four criminal cases he faces, remind us of the other charges he faces. �* , ,., , remind us of the other charges he faces. , , . remind us of the other charges he faces. . " faces. absolutely correct. 91 felony counts in total, _ faces. absolutely correct. 91 felony counts in total, this _ faces. absolutely correct. 91 felony counts in total, this case _ faces. absolutely correct. 91 felony counts in total, this case in - faces. absolutely correct. 91 felony counts in total, this case in new. counts in total, this case in new york, there is 3a felony counts in this but the other one is tied to it till criminal cases that come at a special prosecutorjack smith of �*s investigations in relation to election interference tried the sixth cap about rights, title donald trump allegedly mishandling classified documents in my lago and then the georgia case, a case brought by georgia prosecutors again alleging election interference and in fact there was a hearing exactly today at the same time as this one in new york in a situation related

to that. the prosecutor in that case had hired a lawyer who she was also romantically involved with and there was a hearing to see if that had any impact on the case so that hearing in george it today as well.- in george it today as well. thank ou, ou in george it today as well. thank you. you can _ in george it today as well. thank you. you can see _ in george it today as well. thank you, you can see we _ in george it today as well. thank you, you can see we are - in george it today as well. thank you, you can see we are keepingi in george it today as well. thank i you, you can see we are keeping an eye on the pictures inside the courthouse and we expect donald trump to exit shortly and we will keep an eye on that and if there's anything else to bring to you then be well and we will keep across the developments on the bbc news pages, for an update on everything that is going on in that courthouse in new york. the israeli army says its special forces have raided the main hospital in southern gaza. the army says it has credible intelligence that hamas held hostages in nasser hospital and that their bodies may still be there. hamas — which the uk and us consider a terrorist organisation — has called israel's claim "lies". israel describes it as a "precise and limited" operation

at the site in khan younis. medical sources say israeli forces fired into the hospital, killing a patient and wounding several others. a trauma surgeon has contacted the bbc to say "tanks and snipers" were surrounding the hospital from "all directions". jenny hill sent this report from jerusalem. where there should be healing and hope, chaos and injury. shouting. this is the nasser hospital in khan younis. corridors filled with smoke and panic. "we are being attacked by israel," this doctor shouts. he checks for casualties. gunfire. "there is shooting," he shouts. "get your heads down." yesterday, israeli forces ordered civilians to leave the hospital. this was, they claim, a precision strike, because they believe hamas fighters held israeli hostages here. we have credible intelligence

from a number of sources, including from released hostages, indicating that hamas—held hostages at the nasser hospital in khan younis and that there may be bodies of our hostages in the nasser hospital facility. israel continues its assault on gaza. earlier, its forces claimed to have killed more hamas fighters. talks aimed at a temporary ceasefire and the return of israeli hostages are ongoing, but there's no sign of a breakthrough, and so the eyes of the world are on rafah. more than a million displaced civilians have sought refuge in gaza's southernmost city. but israel believes hamas fighters are hiding here too and despite growing international protest, plans a major ground offensive. among those voicing their concern, the german foreign minister. "more than half of gaza's population is currently seeking "shelter in rafah," she says. "many have nothing more than small children in their arms "and the clothes on their backs.

"these people cannot simply vanish into thin air." some are trying to move away, but where to go? there are few safe options and right now little hope of peace. the israeli defence minister yoav gallant says that both israel and hezbollah in lebanon have stepped up their exchanges of fire across the border. the israeli military says it killed a hezbollah commander in air strikes on several areas in south lebanon in wednesday, in which at least five children were also killed. live now tojerusalem and our diplomatic correspondent paul adams. let's start with what is happening in gaza, first of all at the nasser hospital. what do we know about the operation and how long it might last for? we operation and how long it might last for? ~ ., ., ., . for? we have not heard much information _ for? we have not heard much information about _ for? we have not heard much information about how- for? we have not heard much information about how big - for? we have not heard much| information about how big the operation is, we have not seen picture — operation is, we have not seen picture yet _ operation is, we have not seen picture yet showing israeli forces inside _ picture yet showing israeli forces inside the — picture yet showing israeli forces inside the hospital although i imagine _ inside the hospital although i imagine we will see those shortly

but what — imagine we will see those shortly but what you had in the package, israelis _ but what you had in the package, israelis believe the hospital as a place _ israelis believe the hospital as a place hamas has used recently and where _ place hamas has used recently and where hostages may at some point in the last— where hostages may at some point in the last few— where hostages may at some point in the last few months, have been held so they— the last few months, have been held so they will_ the last few months, have been held so they will want to go in there, they— so they will want to go in there, they will— so they will want to go in there, they will want to search the hospital _ they will want to search the hospital and presumably at some point _ hospital and presumably at some point produce any evidence that they find. point produce any evidence that they find~ this _ point produce any evidence that they find. this whole episode is somewhat reminiscent— find. this whole episode is somewhat reminiscent of the situation that existed — reminiscent of the situation that existed at— reminiscent of the situation that existed at another hospital in gaza city towards the end of last year when _ city towards the end of last year when the — city towards the end of last year when the israelis in that case argued — when the israelis in that case argued there was a major hamas command — argued there was a major hamas command and control centre underneath. they went in and found evidence _ underneath. they went in and found evidence of— underneath. they went in and found evidence of a hamas presents underneath the hospital, it was not perhaps— underneath the hospital, it was not perhaps a _ underneath the hospital, it was not perhaps a large—scale command and control— perhaps a large—scale command and control centre they had spoken about but it was— control centre they had spoken about but it was clearly evidence they felt that — but it was clearly evidence they felt that hamas had abused and used the about— felt that hamas had abused and used the about hospital. they are making essentially— the about hospital. they are making essentially the same argument here with the _ essentially the same argument here with the additional element they believe — with the additional element they believe hostages at some point were held there _

believe hostages at some point were held there. ~ ., ., ,, ., ., held there. what do we know about this hezbollah — held there. what do we know about this hezbollah commander- held there. what do we know about this hezbollah commander killed, l held there. what do we know about i this hezbollah commander killed, we understand by an israeli strike in lebanon? , , ., ., lebanon? this was the result of an attack yesterday, _ lebanon? this was the result of an attack yesterday, a _ lebanon? this was the result of an attack yesterday, a rocket - lebanon? this was the result of an attack yesterday, a rocket attack i lebanon? this was the result of an | attack yesterday, a rocket attack on an israeli _ attack yesterday, a rocket attack on an israeli military base in the north— an israeli military base in the north which killed a female soldier. and that _ north which killed a female soldier. and that triggered a major israeli response. — and that triggered a major israeli response, one of the largest responses we have seen by the israelis. — responses we have seen by the israelis, tit—for—tat exchanges along — israelis, tit—for—tat exchanges along the _ israelis, tit—for—tat exchanges along the northern border in the wake _ along the northern border in the wake of— along the northern border in the wake of the hamas attacks out of gas on the _ wake of the hamas attacks out of gas on the 7th _ wake of the hamas attacks out of gas on the 7th of october. that situation _ on the 7th of october. that situation along the northern border has been _ situation along the northern border has been a — situation along the northern border has been a source of great concern to the _ has been a source of great concern to the government here, to the government in beirut and also of course _ government in beirut and also of course to— government in beirut and also of course to the international community with the americans trying very hard _ community with the americans trying very hard to — community with the americans trying very hard to make sure the situation there _ very hard to make sure the situation there does— very hard to make sure the situation there does not escalate into an all-out— there does not escalate into an all—out conflict. there is little sign _ all—out conflict. there is little sign yet — all—out conflict. there is little sign yet of that happening, it seems as though _ sign yet of that happening, it seems as though the exchanges of gunfire are all—

as though the exchanges of gunfire are all within what is referred to as the _ are all within what is referred to as the rules of the game, not escalating to the point anyone feels the need _ escalating to the point anyone feels the need to do anything significant. the fact— the need to do anything significant. the fact these exchanges continue and lice _ the fact these exchanges continue and lice are claimed on both sides nreans— and lice are claimed on both sides means that — and lice are claimed on both sides means that remains a highly combustible situation and one which could _ combustible situation and one which could deteriorate significantly at any moment. could deteriorate significantly at any moment-— could deteriorate significantly at an moment. . , g any moment. paul adams in jerusalem, thank ou. let's speak to sir richard dalton, uk ambassador to iran between 2002 and 2006. thank you forjoining us. what is your overall assessment of the israeli military strategy? we have the action at the nasser hospital, warnings from benjamin netanyahu that they will continue with this assault on rafah, once they say citizens have been evacuated. how much pressure do you think is coming to bear on the israeli leadership from the us and other allies and is

making a difference? idem; from the us and other allies and is making a difference?— making a difference? very little more pressure, _ making a difference? very little more pressure, it— making a difference? very little more pressure, it is— making a difference? very little more pressure, it is almost - making a difference? very little - more pressure, it is almost entirely symbolic. a number of countries are repeating their positions, spain, belgium, ireland, one ortwo repeating their positions, spain, belgium, ireland, one or two are coming out of the woodwork like britain or germany but they are not saying anything harsh towards there israeli partners. nantes is real will deduce from this that they are as yet have no reason to moderate their strategy which they declare as total victory and total victory for them means an invasion of the area in and around rafah to defeat the numbers of fighters that they say from hamas are there and to continue their search for hamas leaders. we are where we are, facing this intense and dangerous moment for the people of gaza because of the long—term toleration since the 7th of october of the savage military

tactics are visceral and we have placed our support for their military endeavours above our claim support for international law. what support for international law. what about pressure _ support for international law. what about pressure on _ support for international law. what about pressure on hamas, the palestinian authority president mac meant a mass said he wanted to avoid scenes of devastation, blood pressure on hamas and the urgency to reach a ceasefire deal be workable? possibly, we do not know the state of the negotiations but apparently there is a chance that there would be the israeli declared aim of devastating rafah will be encouraging qatar and egypt alongside the president of the palestinian authority mahmoud abbas him you have just quoted,

palestinian authority mahmoud abbas him you havejust quoted, to moderate amounts and find a way to exchange palestinian prisoners in israel for those israeli hostages who are still alive. but it is very hard to look into this issue and be confident that the positions of both israel and hamas will moderate sufficiently to allow an agreement. what is your analysis of the wider picture? in the past few hours, the us says it seized an iranian weapons shipment en route to cathy rebels and we hear from shipment en route to cathy rebels and we hearfrom our correspondent there are continuing concerns and worries about whether escalation in the region, your thoughts? i worries about whether escalation in the region, your thoughts?- the region, your thoughts? i agree with the analysis _ the region, your thoughts? i agree with the analysis from _ the region, your thoughts? i agree with the analysis from paul, - the region, your thoughts? i agree with the analysis from paul, it - with the analysis from paul, it could escalate out of control, fundamental interests of both israel and hezbollah are not to let that happen while sustaining the eye for

an eye attacks with both sites continuing to launch on a relatively small scale on the other. so at the moment, it's likely to be a sideshow rather than the main event of this continuing crisis but you should never say never. 50 continuing crisis but you should never say never.— continuing crisis but you should never say never. so richard, thank ou. never say never. so richard, thank you- around _ never say never. so richard, thank you. around the _ never say never. so richard, thank you. around the world, _ never say never. so richard, thank you. around the world, and - never say never. so richard, thank you. around the world, and across| you. around the world, and across the uk, this is bbc news. a boy aged 16 has been fatally stabbed in bristol. police say he was attacked by two people wearing masks who escaped on bikes. he's the third to be stabbed to death in the city in three weeks. our correspondent at the scene

brought us up to date with what is happening. we know this attack happened in the park in bristol at around 6pm last night, you can probably make out the police forensic tent, surrounding one of the benches here in the park and the police say the 16—year—old was stabbed by two masked figures who made their escape on bikes. we heard from local people who run some of the shops half a mile from here that they were trying to save his life while waiting for an ambulance but sadly he was pronounced dead at the roadside outside the shops despite the efforts of people to save him. there is a murder inquiry underway, police are looking for the two figures, trying to work out exactly who was responsible for the death of the boy. police say there is no evidence this was connected to other teenage stabbings in the city but he is the third 16—year—old to lose his life in three weeks, there was a stabbing of a 15 and a 16—year—old and other teenagers have been injured in bristol stabbings already this week police were talking about extra patrols across the city to tackle knife crime in bristol. there will be increasing calls for that action and there is concern in this community and more widely across bristol about how many young people are losing their lives are being injured in the course of knife crime

and local people telling us the cctv cameras do not work, they had to wait for the ambulances, police have withdrawn from the community because the police station has been closed and that there must be more action to protect young lives. you can keep up—to—date with all of those stories on the bbc news website. two of the world's leading economies — the uk and japan — have gone into recession. the uk economy shrank by 0.3% in the final three months of last year. while japan's contracted by 0.4%. a recession is often measured by a fall in the economy over two consecutive quarters. it's a widely used method across many countries — and is often referred to as a technical recession. let's speak to linda yueh, economist at oxford university and london business school. we see very similar trends, germany has been stagnant. putting this in context, we should not be surprised. when a stagnant economy teeters on the brink, you could end up with 0.1% contraction and a 0.3% 0.i% contraction and a 0.3% retraction in the fourth quarter but the awful picture is that the

economy was stagnant but this recession, this technical recession is considered to be very shallow given the numbers that ijust gave you. the 2023 economy as a whole grew by 0.1% because of growth in the first part of the year so all of thatis the first part of the year so all of that is to say technically in recession but it was shallow and looking ahead, despite the figures, the bank of england have upgraded growth this year, 2a, because we are now on the rebound part of coming out of the recession because rates are expected to come down that will ease up mortgage rates and inflation has begun to slow helping businesses so i suppose the takeaway as we were in recession last year, we did not know it but now that we know we are currently not in recession and by our current forecast we growth this year. our current forecast we growth this ear. ~ ., ., our current forecast we growth this ear. . . ., ., ,., , our current forecast we growth this ear, ~ ., ., ., ,., , , year. what are the reasons behind the stagnation _ year. what are the reasons behind the stagnation and _ year. what are the reasons behind the stagnation and recession - year. what are the reasons behind the stagnation and recession as i year. what are the reasons behind| the stagnation and recession as we know it? ads,

the stagnation and recession as we know it? �* , the stagnation and recession as we know it? . , ., , know it? a number of things. clearl , know it? a number of things. clearly. we — know it? a number of things. clearly, we have _ know it? a number of things. clearly, we have had - know it? a number of things. clearly, we have had a - know it? a number of things. l clearly, we have had a number know it? a number of things. - clearly, we have had a number of supply shocks and what i mean by supply, the energy supply. looking at inflation as a year measure, when we at the russian invasion of ukraine, february 2022, that caused a spike in inflation with exporters, it was high and peaking over 11% in the spring of last year but because it is a year—on—year change measure unless you have another shock inflation will work through the system and it has been slowing since last march. so that high inflation means people have less money in their pockets, and that is why you find higher rates to control inflation makes the cost of borrowing higher and all of that means it's got very recessionary last year, even without the data telling us technically but that is

also for the picture ahead looks brighter with english and harry do my higher at li%, not close enough to be 2% target but because we are in recession the reason why 2a, we expect growth, is because a recession economy means the bank of england has more reason to cut interest rates so they may do that interest rates so they may do that in the spring and the government must step up efforts to boost investment. we were in recession hopefully we will not be for much longer. hopefully we will not be for much loner. ., ~' ,, hopefully we will not be for much loner. . ,, i. ., hopefully we will not be for much lower, ., ~' y., ., ,., hopefully we will not be for much loner. ., ., ., ., nato's secretary general has warned that a delay in approving new us military aid for ukraine is already having an impact on the battlefield. jens stoltenberg was speaking after kyiv described the situation on the front line as increasingly difficult. he said he expected congress would eventually approve an aid package.

it's being held up by republicans in the lower house. when you look at support for nato it is high. i am confident nato will remain the strongest and most successful alliance in history and i expect the united states to continue to be a staunch ally for at least three reasons, firstly, it is in the national security interest of the us to have a strong needle. second there is broad bipartisan support for nato in the united states and thirdly, the criticism in the united states is not primarily against nato, it is against nato allies, not spending enough money on nato. let's speak to professorjamie shea, former nato deputy assistant secretary general for emerging security challenges.

thank you forjoining us. nato defence ministers meeting today and the secretary general saying they are united today, the comments from donald trump at the weekend perhaps commenting —— debating the strength of that so would you assess that his words are having a lasting impact? i think over easter a little something of an alarm signal sounded in the alliance because from donald trump as the us president last time it was as the us president last time it was a rough ride, frankly, for the allies, particularly threats that the united states would withdraw its protection from those individual allies who were not meeting the 2% goal and when donald trump was president the first time, last time, only three of the non—us allies were reaching that target which meant the us might have withdrawn its protection from over 25 old allies

which obviously would be good news for nato but at the time, come up paradoxically, trump reinforced the number of us troops and infrastructure in central and eastern europe, regularly sent aircraft carriers nato exercises so if i could use an expression on his pork roast with than his bite, as restraining influence was interesting, the republicans in congress, senior personnel belonging to nato on the number of nato lawyers in the national security council. ambassadors, generals, able to restrain donald trump certainly don't must hope that there is some adults in the room. i don't must hope that there is some adults in the room.— adults in the room. i have seen different analysis _ adults in the room. i have seen different analysis and - adults in the room. i have seen different analysis and reaction l adults in the room. i have seen. different analysis and reaction to his comments, some arch saying his madness and acrobat will strengthen nato, others will say european

security will need to be redrawn from the back of this but where do you sit? i from the back of this but where do ousit? , , you sit? i suppose in the middle because i think _ you sit? i suppose in the middle because i think that's _ you sit? i suppose in the middle because i think that's the - you sit? i suppose in the middle because i think that's the best l because i think that's the best place to be! it is true. trump was using this high polluting rhetoric and shock therapy to induce the europeans into spending more and i was in a couple of meetings with donald trump when he took the credit for the shock therapy and showing the results in terms of increased european defence spending and claiming he had got the attention of european allies in a way that the more polite us presidents ever did so as a tactic to get europe to spend what you can claim it had some success and he is on solid ground when he says this is not a commitment he has unilaterally imposing on nato. back in 2014 before donald trump, the allies agreed to spend 2% of gdp on defence so it is a commitment they

themselves had taken on and out of solidarity with those allies who made the sacrifice to spend 2%, they should do it but on the other hand the united states, whether donald trump wins the presidency or not, he will be involved in the middle east, the indo pacific, and i cannot see congress will allocate enormous sums to ukraine that it has been allocating so if you are a european it is wise insurance to take over the burden of arming and supporting ukraine and increasingly also seeing how you get much more capability out of the $380 billion europe is currently spending every year on defence. �* , , currently spending every year on defence. . , , . defence. and briefly, your defence ofthe defence. and briefly, your defence of the situation _ defence. and briefly, your defence of the situation in _ defence. and briefly, your defence of the situation in ukraine - defence. and briefly, your defence of the situation in ukraine on - defence. and briefly, your defence of the situation in ukraine on the l of the situation in ukraine on the war effort. of the situation in ukraine on the war effort-— war effort. where do you stand? let's be frank, _ war effort. where do you stand? let's be frank, it's _ war effort. where do you stand? let's be frank, it's not _ war effort. where do you stand? let's be frank, it's not good. - let's be frank, it's not good. ukrainians have an army which is tired, having been in the trenches for two years, it needs to be

rotated and refreshed, and forced conscription and a lot more soldiers, that will take time and we know ukraine are suffering from a shortage of ammunition and that american aid, even the european aid granted already is going to take time to come in to stop its greater that germans are building and munitions factory so it will take time and your client must get through the winter.— time and your client must get through the winter. professor come so sor , through the winter. professor come so sorry. we — through the winter. professor come so sorry. we must— through the winter. professor come so sorry, we must live _ through the winter. professor come so sorry, we must live at _ through the winter. professor come so sorry, we must live at that. - so sorry, we must live at that. thank you. stay with us here on bbc news. hello there. we've got some unseasonably mild air across much of the uk today. temperatures are a lot higher than they would normally be at this time of the year and higher than yesterday perhaps as well. we've widely got 15 degrees across england and wales and some eastern areas, 17 or even 18 degrees is possible. that's helped by a bit of sunshine coming through. as you can see here earlier on in essex. and continuing the nautical theme, you can see just how different

the weather here is in aberdeenshire — fog, low cloud and some rain that's been affecting scotland. that's going to move northwards and out of the way, should dry off in northern ireland. but we're seeing rain developing in england and wales that could be quite heavy for a while. it'll push its way south eastwards. clearer skies will follow and a few showers overnight across some northern and western parts of the country. temperatures aren't going to be quite as high as they were last night, but still 7 to 9 degrees — pretty mild start to friday. and then we're going to see some sunshine on friday. a few showers initially across northern scotland. those will tend to fade away. the odd shower further south, into northern ireland, pushing into england and wales. but i think southern areas are likely to have a dry day and there won't be many showers around at all. temperatures are still 12 in the central belt, 14 in the south east of england, not quite as high as today, but still above average for the time of year. there are some weather fronts to head our way over the weekend. that one's going to fade away. this is the main driver coming in during saturday and then heading eastwards during sunday as well. ahead of that, we've got a slight ridge of high pressure,

so dry weather, could be quite a bit of cloud, mind you. best of the sunshine in the east. a few spots of rain coming in ahead of the main rain band. so it will get wetter in northern ireland. that rain will push before nightfall into western parts of scotland. ahead of it, again, those temperatures probably peaking at 13 or 14 degrees. now, that band of rain on that weather front will push eastwards across all areas overnight. so it's going to be wet for a while. whilst northern areas should see the rain clearing away, it's going to be a bit of a struggle further south across england and wales. main rain band, followed by a cluster of rain here, pushing towards the south east. the best of the drier weather probably across northern england, northern ireland and scotland, with just a few showers in the far northwest. and temperatures over the weekend are not changing very much. 12 to 14 degrees is mild, just not quite as high as today.

this is bbc news. the headlines: donald trump will face his first criminal trial next month after a judge in new york denies his bid to have the case dismissed. it's in relation to a hush—money payment to an adult—film star. everything that i've heard and read from legal scholars says there's absolutely no case for this kind of crime. the israeli army raids southern gaza's main hospital —

it says it has credible evidence hostages have been held there.