let's ta ke let's take a look at the headlines this hour. donald trump will be the first former us president to face criminal trial. the date�*s been set for next month. the case is linked to payments made to the porn star, stormy daniel. we have a special report from the front line in ukraine, where in some areas ukrainian soldiers have run out of munitions. israel says it's detained dozens of suspects during its raid on the main hospital in southern gaza. the medical director describes the raid as catastrophic. and the uk fell into recession at the end of last year. the prime minister's opponents say his promise to grow the economy is in tatters. let's start in the us. donald trump will face

the first ever criminal trial against a former us president. a new yorkjudge has rejected trump's appeal to dismiss charges against him over allegations of falsifying business records. it's linked to payments made to the porn star, stormy daniels, who claimed she'd had an affair with mr trump. we have a start date for the trial — march 25th. it's a very unfair situation. they want to keep me nice and busy so i can't campaign so hard. but maybe we don't have to campaigned so hard because the other other side is incompetent. the other side's done a horrible job running this country. nada tawfik has been following that case. , . , nada tawfik has been following that case, , ., , ., ., nada tawfik has been following that case. , ., , ., ., ., . case. this was a hearing to decide how the judge _ case. this was a hearing to decide how the judge would _ rule on how to throughout this case entirely. just as the hearing was getting started, thejudge entirely. just as the hearing was getting started, the judge got right to the point, saying this case would

not be dismissed. he said the trial would go ahead as planned on march 25. beginning withjury would go ahead as planned on march 25. beginning with jury selection. that was a big loss to donald trump to his team, who argued that should be pushed till after the election. they say it amounts to a collection interference, that it's a great injustice to have donald trump trying to prepare for the election as he's campaigning. but that simply wasn't a legal argument, thejudge said, and prosecutors made the case that the trial will be getting under way weeks after what's known as super tuesday, when most states will have picked who they want to be their nominee for president. a loss there for donald trump. it's been a familiar sight seeing him there for donald trump. it's been a familiarsight seeing him in there for donald trump. it's been a familiar sight seeing him in the corridor, speaking to the press, slamming these cases as a witchhunt. in court, he really left it to his lawyers to battle it out. they were unsuccessful. now we were waiting for so long to see in this election

year which of his four criminal trials would go to trial, marking the first time a former president will face criminal charges. now we have the answer, it will be the hush money case. have the answer, it will be the hush money case-— money case. let's speak to the faneuil person. _ on the panel tonight — progressive policy institute's claire ainsley, who served as an executive policy director for the uk labour party under keir starmer, and former policy adviser to governor mitt romney, lanhee chen, now with the hoover institute. with your reaction to donald trump of the court case, lanhee. i with your reaction to donald trump of the court case, lanhee.- of the court case, lanhee. i think the court room _ of the court case, lanhee. i think the court room is _ of the court case, lanhee. i think the court room is epic— of the court case, lanhee. i think the court room is epic -- - of the court case, lanhee. i think the court room is epic -- an - the court room is epic —— an extension of the campaign trail. we have seen this since day one. he has seen this as an opportunity to

advance his narrative. obviously, it does take him off the fiscal campaign trail, but the reality is that he's going to be campaigning from the courtroom and from the hallways outside those courtrooms in the same way as he would for rallies. it's the same message which is that he's being persecuted and this is joe is that he's being persecuted and this isjoe biden�*s witchhunt against him. these themes are the ones we can expect to hear continually between now and probably the election in november because it serves his purpose to do so. i don't know if it changes very much in terms of the campaign and what his strategy is. it continues to be him against the legal system and joe biden and what he perceives to be the political salvation of the legal process and the use us —— the politicisation. process and the use us -- the politicisation.— process and the use us -- the politicisation. what do you make of it? i'm looking _ politicisation. what do you make of it? i'm looking for— politicisation. what do you make of it? i'm looking for it _ politicisation. what do you make of it? i'm looking for it kind _ politicisation. what do you make of it? i'm looking for it kind of- it? i'm looking for it kind of auhast it? i'm looking for it kind of aghast at — it? i'm looking for it kind of aghast at this _ it? i'm looking for it kind of aghast at this prospect - it? i'm looking for it kind of aghast at this prospect of i it? i'm looking for it kind of. aghast at this prospect of this rematch — aghast at this prospect of this rematch between trump invited. lots

of what _ rematch between trump invited. lots of what this _ rematch between trump invited. lots of what this might be of a potential trump _ of what this might be of a potential trump presidency. i think the case shows_ trump presidency. i think the case shows that — trump presidency. i think the case shows that there is an opportunity for democrats to get their message out. for democrats to get their message out we _ for democrats to get their message out. we had some bad news today, and it is outperforming many of its competitors. i think there is an opportunity for bite into get on the front foot — opportunity for bite into get on the front foot here.— front foot here. lanhee, one more thou~ht, front foot here. lanhee, one more thought, because _ front foot here. lanhee, one more thought, because donald - front foot here. lanhee, one more thought, because donald trump i front foot here. lanhee, one more - thought, because donald trump denies all the allegations. he is innocent until proven guilty. do you think the actual outcome of any of these, but could any of these outcome make any difference to what you are talking about, using them as a

campaigning opportunity? i don't think it'll make _ campaigning opportunity? i don't think it'll make a _ campaigning opportunity? i don't think it'll make a difference - campaigning opportunity? i don't think it'll make a difference with| think it'll make a difference with respect to becoming a republican nominee. i think that die is cast and regardless of the outcome, we've seen it time and time again. when we seen it time and time again. when we see the former president getting into legal trouble with anything it enhances its standing with the republicans —— his standings. i think this will ultimately come down with the state level not so much. i think those have been a little bit more political in their nature. i think he successfully characterised them as such. i think it's really them as such. i think it's really the federal i know my cases that can derail his campaign. i think a lot of that will depend on the campaign —— the federal cases. those issues i think are much more problematic for the former president, so the outcome of those cases i think has much more of those cases i think has much more of an effect on his political

standing than the state level even criminal cases will. those are the ones we're watching and obviously, some will depend on when the supreme court of the us hands down a decision regarding former president trump's claim that he is complete immunity for activity undertaken while president. that will need to be litigated before the supreme court. . . be litigated before the supreme court. ., ., ., court. lanhee, claire, for the moment. _ court. lanhee, claire, for the moment, thank— court. lanhee, claire, for the moment, thank you - court. lanhee, claire, for the moment, thank you both - court. lanhee, claire, for the| moment, thank you both very court. lanhee, claire, for the - moment, thank you both very much. next. the secretary—general of nato says america's failure to approve continued military assistance to ukraine is already having an impact on the battlefield. jens stoltenberg was speaking after ukraine described the situation on the front line as increasingly difficult. the nato chief said he expected congress would eventually approve an aid package. it's currently being held up by republicans in the lower house. his warning comes as russian forces appear close to surrounding the ruins of the front line town of avdiivka in the donetsk region, following months of heavy fighting in eastern ukraine. as our correspondent,

andrew harding reports, ukraine's army is struggling with shortage of ammunition and other military supplies. ukrainian tanks heading into battle. we are close to the russian lines here and to a town the kremlin has been desperate to capture for months. inside avdiivka, it's not going well for ukraine. these troops are increasingly pinned down and struggling. in the ditch here, a wounded soldier needing urgent help. so, what's going wrong for ukraine after two years of war? a simple answer can be found a few kilometres away. a ukrainian artillery team. last year, these men were firing 80 shells a day at russian positions around avdiivka. not any more.

so, these are the last two shells that you have? "yes", says the officer in charge. "and these two don't even work." it is an alarming situation. russia is now outgunning ukraine by perhaps five to one. "we're upset", says oleksii. "it means our infantry in avdiivka are fighting "on their own without our support. "i'm worried it will mean a lot more casualties." speaking of which, more wounded arrive at a nearby field hospital. 24—year—old andrii has shrapnel in his ankle. ukraine, with a far smaller army than russia's, can't afford to lose many soldiers. in the next storeroom, 48—year—old vadym was hit by shrapnel this morning as he stormed a russian position. "we just don't have

enough weapons", he says. what would you say to american politicians who are saying they're not going to give more weapons to ukraine? "i would tell them to come here just once", he says. "then they'll understand the blood and sweat required to build a peaceful world." and the surgeon has this warning. "i urge the west to be more decisive in assisting ukraine", says vitalii. "otherwise, their soldiers will end up having to fight this russian evil, too." in the woods nearby, a live fire training exercise. ukraine is racing to rebuild its war—weary army. but there aren't enough volunteers any more, so more conscripts are being drafted in to fill the ranks. ukraine is not losing this war, at least not yet. but if it's to stand any chance

of actually winning, then it's going to have to train an awful lot more men like this and find a lot more weapons for what, right now, looks like it's going to be a very long conflict. andrew harding, bbc news, in eastern ukraine. here is the nato secretary general speaking about the impact of the delay in us funding for ukraine a little earlier. the fact that us has not been able to make a decision so far has already had consequences. it is impacting the flow of support. to some extent, this can be compensated by increased support from other allies, and the european allies and canada are stepping up, are doing more. and if we put together the military, economic and humanitarian support, actually, canada and european allies are providing more support than the united states, but the united states being by far the biggest ally, of course it's vital

they continue to pledge support. and therefore, i continue to expect that they will be able to make a decision and hopefully as soon as possible. well, we can now speak to rose gottemoeller, who served as nato deputy secretary general during the trump administration. thank you very much for coming on the programme. my thank you very much for coming on the programme-— thank you very much for coming on the programme._ to i thank you very much for coming on - the programme._ to agree the programme. my pleasure. to agree that the us continued _ the programme. my pleasure. to agree that the us continued is _ the programme. my pleasure. to agree that the us continued is vital? - the programme. my pleasure. to agree that the us continued is vital? 0h, - that the us continued is vital? oh, i believe the _ that the us continued is vital? oh, i believe the us _ that the us continued is vital? oi i believe the us continued that the us continued is vital? ©“i, i believe the us continued support is vital and i hope that message is getting through loud and clear to our house of representatives. clearly, the senate was able to vote this week with a bipartisan vote. i that 22 republicans voted for the assistant to ukraine, as well as israel. there is bipartisan support as a whole, but the republican readership of the house has been getting in the way. i hope we can getting in the way. i hope we can get that assistance flowing again to ukraine. ~ ., v get that assistance flowing again to ukraine. ~ ., �*, i. get that assistance flowing again to ukraine. ,, get that assistance flowing again to ukraine. ., �*, ,, ., ukraine. what's your assessment of the levels of —

ukraine. what's your assessment of the levels of assistance _ ukraine. what's your assessment of the levels of assistance that - ukraine. what's your assessment of the levels of assistance that are - the levels of assistance that are needed right now? we saw there and andrew harding's report some of those soldiers close to the front line with just two shells left. both of those not working.— of those not working. frankly, i think it's a _ of those not working. frankly, i think it's a good _ of those not working. frankly, i think it's a good thing - of those not working. frankly, i think it's a good thing that - of those not working. frankly, i think it's a good thing that the l think it's a good thing that the sharpest ukrainian needs now are things that the europeans are concentrating on. the european nato allies have pledged to deliveri million artillery shells to the ukrainians. they were supposed to do it before the christmas holiday, but they now say they will do it in the spring period by march. let's hope that's true. they've also put together out of this latest nato defence minister meeting a consortium where they are planning to deliver a large number of drones with a consortium of nato european allies. those of the two areas that i think are the highest priority, and i'm glad to see that the

ukrainians, i hope, will have the support from the european allies. interesting. i spoke to ukrainian mp just 2a hours ago. they are trying to increase their home—grown supplies. that isn't going to be enough to make up for any continued shortfall or delay in funding from allies like the us, is it?— allies like the us, is it? well, and i do want allies like the us, is it? well, and i do want to _ allies like the us, is it? well, and i do want to underscore _ allies like the us, is it? well, and i do want to underscore the - i do want to underscore the ukrainians have been incredibly clever at using their home—grown indigenous capabilities — whether it's their drones — and indeed, increasing the production of modern drones as well. also making use of capabilities like the star link communication system, which they've been making clever use of. so the ukrainians have a lot going for them and i like to stress that point. but again, the assistance coming — and i

want to really say that the united states assistance is quite important because the united states is the first in the alliance. if it is falling down, then i fear there could be a drag effect on nato as a whole. we're not seeing it right now and the europeans are stepping up. rose gottemoeller, please stay with us. i want a final thought and i just want to bring in our panel. lanhee, what impact do you think that words like we've just heard from jens stoltenberg have inputted the needle towards getting this resolved quickly. i’m the needle towards getting this resolved quickly.— the needle towards getting this resolved quickly. i'm not sure it has an impact — resolved quickly. i'm not sure it has an impact frankly _ resolved quickly. i'm not sure it has an impact frankly it - resolved quickly. i'm not sure it has an impact frankly it all- resolved quickly. i'm not sure it - has an impact frankly it all amounts those _ has an impact frankly it all amounts those who— has an impact frankly it all amounts those who oppose this for political reasons _ those who oppose this for political reasons. forall over those who oppose this for political reasons. for all over sorts of reasons _ reasons. for all over sorts of reasons that are unrelated. that's

most _ reasons that are unrelated. that's most frustrating part. this has become — most frustrating part. this has become a _ most frustrating part. this has become a political battle and not a subsequent... i do assume we will find a _ subsequent... i do assume we will find a way— subsequent... i do assume we will find a way to— subsequent... i do assume we will find a way to a solution in the us, but it's_ find a way to a solution in the us, but it's not— find a way to a solution in the us, but it's not going to come without a lot of— but it's not going to come without a lot of political bargaining this is really— lot of political bargaining this is really about politics and not substance now. not where we want to be. ., �* , ., substance now. not where we want to be. ., ., be. claire, there's a contrast now. the bipartisan _ be. claire, there's a contrast now. the bipartisan nature _ be. claire, there's a contrast now. the bipartisan nature of— be. claire, there's a contrast now. the bipartisan nature of the - be. claire, there's a contrast now. the bipartisan nature of the split i the bipartisan nature of the split in the us not replicated so much in the uk. �* , ., in the us not replicated so much in the uk. �*, ., ., in the us not replicated so much in theuk. ., ,, the uk. there's a real consensus in the uk. there's a real consensus in the uk. there's a real consensus in the uk across _ the uk. there's a real consensus in the uk across the _ the uk. there's a real consensus in the uk across the main _ the uk. there's a real consensus in the uk across the main political- the uk across the main political parties — the uk across the main political parties that _ the uk across the main political parties that ukraine _ the uk across the main political parties that ukraine will - the uk across the main political parties that ukraine will get - parties that ukraine will get britain's _ parties that ukraine will get britain's tracking _ parties that ukraine will get britain's tracking and - parties that ukraine will get britain's tracking and the i parties that ukraine will get - britain's tracking and the labour party. _ britain's tracking and the labour party. which— britain's tracking and the labour party. which is— britain's tracking and the labour party, which is currently- britain's tracking and the labour party, which is currently in- party, which is currently in opposition_ party, which is currently in opposition - _ party, which is currently in opposition — but _ party, which is currently in opposition — but there - party, which is currently in opposition — but there will| party, which is currently in. opposition — but there will be party, which is currently in- opposition — but there will be an election— opposition — but there will be an election this _ opposition — but there will be an election this year— opposition — but there will be an election this year — _ opposition — but there will be an election this year — have - opposition — but there will be an election this year — have been i opposition — but there will be anj election this year — have been at pains _ election this year — have been at pains to— election this year — have been at pains to stress _ election this year — have been at pains to stress this _ election this year — have been at pains to stress this will - election this year — have been at| pains to stress this will continue. we very— pains to stress this will continue. we very much— pains to stress this will continue. we very much hope _ pains to stress this will continue. we very much hope the - pains to stress this will continue. we very much hope the us - pains to stress this will continue. we very much hope the us will. pains to stress this will continue. - we very much hope the us will come in along _ we very much hope the us will come in along the — we very much hope the us will come in along the side _ we very much hope the us will come in along the side the _ we very much hope the us will come in along the side the eu _ we very much hope the us will come in along the side the eu and - we very much hope the us will come in along the side the eu and uk and i in along the side the eu and uk and continue _ in along the side the eu and uk and continue to— in along the side the eu and uk and continue to support _ in along the side the eu and uk and continue to support the ukrainian . continue to support the ukrainian people _ continue to support the ukrainian people in— continue to support the ukrainian people in their—

continue to support the ukrainian people in their fight _ continue to support the ukrainian people in their fight against - people in their fight against russia _ people in their fight against russia i— people in their fight against russia. ., ., , russia. i want to bring in rose gottemoeller _ russia. i want to bring in rose gottemoeller again. - russia. i want to bring in rose gottemoeller again. can - russia. i want to bring in rose gottemoeller again. can we . russia. i want to bring in rose l gottemoeller again. can we just russia. i want to bring in rose - gottemoeller again. can we just look forward for the rest of this year? i'm not asking for any battlefield for evictions, but there are fears given the discrepancy that this year will be very difficult for ukraine to make any substantive gains. it's more of a fact of holding on until perhaps next year. is that a fair assessment or not? i perhaps next year. is that a fair assessment or not?— perhaps next year. is that a fair assessment or not? i think it's a fair assessment _ assessment or not? i think it's a fair assessment for _ assessment or not? i think it's a fair assessment for the - assessment or not? i think it's a fair assessment for the ground l fair assessment for the ground battle and i think ukraine really does have to maintain the front line as it exists now following their failed offensive. they have to defend their positions and they seem prepared to do so as they're training new troops. i do want to point out however that ukraine has been extremely successful again with its indigenous capabilities and exercising control of the black sea. they have destroyed two russian

naval ships in the past two weeks, really making crimea off—limits. the russian navy has had to shift further east. this is really enabling the ukrainians to benefit from what they call their humanitarian corridor to ship grain out of the black sea. 20 million tonnes in the last couple months. the ukrainians have some real areas of success in this war. i think we need to give them credit for that and help them in this period of defending and rebuilding. rose gottemoeller _ defending and rebuilding. rose gottemoeller and _ defending and rebuilding. rose gottemoeller and our - defending and rebuilding. rose gottemoeller and our panel, thank you all very much. around the world and across the uk. this is bbc news. let's look at some other stories making news here in the uk. the number of patients in england waiting more than 12 hours for a bed on a ward after being seen in a&e was 19 times higher this winter than it was before the covid pandemic. new data shows there were nearly 100,000 12—hour waits in december and january — compared to about 5,000 in 2019 to 2020.

british gas has announced its profits for 2023 increased tenfold to £750 million. the supplier said the jump from £72 million in 2022 was due to regulator ofgem allowing it to recover losses of £500 million it racked up in the aftermath of russia's invasion of ukraine. centrica, british gas's parent company, said its profits fell by i7% to £2.8 billion. new figures show that the number of patients in england this winter waiting more than 12 hours for a bed in a&e was 19 times higher than it was before the pandemic. as we were just mentioning. you're live with bbc news. let's turn to the middle east now, where the director of nasser hospital in southern gaza has described the situation there as catastrophic after israeli troops raided the facility. he told the bbc conditions at the hospital in khan younis were very dangerous

and remaining patients were now piling up in wards. israel has described its operation as precise and limited. it said some bodies of hostages might be inside the hospital. footage shows medical staff working under gunfire, with medical sources telling the bbc israeli troops had fired into a ward killing one patient and wounding several others. lucy williamson reports. a medical refuge, turned military target. in nasser hospital, they hunted for safety to the sounds of destruction, by the light of mobile phones. hospitals are no protection from israel's army — a message for hamas heard by all. the israel army now is almost about to enter the hospital. their protection against israel's powerful army — a table.

we have patients who need care, but after the israeli army bombed the hospital directly, most of our health care workers here are afraid about themself and they have to leave the hospital. about a0 health care workers stay at the hospital right now. israel had ordered people to leave the hospital. "when people went out, they shot at them, and some were killed," mohammed said. "they said there was safe passage, but they approached us "with a bulldozer and a tank. "every half an hour, they let a few people go." with israeli forces surrounding the hospital, the army said it believed hamas fighters were inside. today, it said it had arrested several suspects there. because hamas terrorists are likely

hiding behind injured civilians inside nasser hospital right now, and appear to have used the hospital to hide our hostages there, too, the idf is conducting a precise and limited operation inside nasser hospital. israel's army has been fighting its way through khan younis. homes, turned to battlefields, street by street. the only relics from a previous life, its people. now fleeing to the border town of rafah, the last stop for civilians in this war. the red cross has warned of unimaginable carnage if the army follows them there. but israel's prime minister has been clear — he will fight hamas wherever it hides, and that rafah will be next. lucy williamson, bbc news, jerusalem.

earlier, i spoke to spokesperson peter lerner.— earlier, i spoke to spokesperson peter lerner. . ., , , peter lerner. and the last few days, we've been — peter lerner. and the last few days, we've been appealing _ peter lerner. and the last few days, we've been appealing to _ peter lerner. and the last few days, we've been appealing to the - peter lerner. and the last few days, we've been appealing to the people| we've been appealing to the people who have taken refuge in the hospital to evacuate. we announce we arrested several suspects this morning and this evening, we announce the name of three terrorists and they have participated in the attack on the 7th of october. absolutely, hamas are continuing their actions throughout this war of holding up inside hospitals, utilising hospitals to conduct attacks, to hide, conceal hostages, and they're all doing at the detriment of people of gaza.

let's bring in our panel again. claire, we're getting the details of that operation, but the international community more likely looking at what happens next. you can see there _ looking at what happens next. you can see there are growing concerns amongst _ can see there are growing concerns amongst the international community, parts of— amongst the international community, parts of which were initially supportive of the actions of the israeli — supportive of the actions of the israeli government. but the threat to rafah _ israeli government. but the threat to rafah and the refugees, bearing in mind _ to rafah and the refugees, bearing in mind this is where these people have been— in mind this is where these people have been told to go, is obviously of great _ have been told to go, is obviously of great concern. you've seen australia, — of great concern. you've seen australia, the us, uk, canada all send _ australia, the us, uk, canada all send warnings about that. you would hope that _ send warnings about that. you would hope that that has an impact on the israeli _ hope that that has an impact on the israeli government as they consider the next _ israeli government as they consider the next steps and consider how to restart _ the next steps and consider how to restart those negotiations which

appear— restart those negotiations which appear to have broken down in egypt towards _ appear to have broken down in egypt towards a _ appear to have broken down in egypt towards a sustainable cease—fire. lanhee. — towards a sustainable cease—fire. lanhee. as — towards a sustainable cease—fire. lanhee, as ever, the us has a significant role in what happens next up it does, and i think it's shifted a little bit. there was a tremendous amount of support for israel and its response after october the 7th. i still think the predominant perspective is pro—israel, but we are maxing on the progressive left much more agitation towards support for the palestinians, mainly concerns about what israel is doing. i think that's permeated into politics. it's permeated into the decisions and some of the utterances we see from president biden and his administration. there is a much more cautious tone and what the president of the others are saying about what israel is doing. like every other issue in america, this one becomes politically a little bit more

polarised, even though it ought not to be. i think that polarisation continues given it is an election year. continues given it is an election ear. . . continues given it is an election ear. ., ., ., " year. lanhee and claire, i think you both for the — year. lanhee and claire, i think you both for the moment. _ we're also keeping across that vote. we're also keeping across that vote. we will have that one happens. i'm lewis vaughanjones. this is bbc news. hello there. normally at this time of the year, maximum temperatures would be 8—9 degrees. now, today wasn't a record—breaker by any means, but it was unusually mild, particularly for england and wales. 17 degrees in worcestershire and also suffolk, and in the north—east of england, it was 16 degrees in durham. those high temperatures came because we had a southerly breeze, and we also broke the cloud up to give some sunshine here and there as well. but that was ahead of the rain. and whilst it was 15 degrees in manchester for a while, we have seen the cloud thickening across wales and western parts of england with some rain developing.

the rain's cleared away from scotland and northern ireland, but this band of rain will push south—eastwards across england and wales. will push south—eastwards should be gone by the end of the night, and it's going to leave some clear spells, but a few showers towards the north and the west. and not quite as warm as it was last night, but still a mild start to friday. and friday should be a quiet day, really. we're going to find some spells of sunshine. the odd shower coming over the irish sea into england and wales, and a few showers for a while in the far north of scotland. may well turn out to be quite sunny across southern counties of england, and the winds should be fairly gentle as well. those temperatures not quite as high as today, but 12 degrees in the central belt of scotland is above average still, and ia in the south—east of england and across east anglia. now, over the weekend, we're looking to the atlantic to see some rain. that first weather front is just going to fade away. this is the main feature of the weather through the weekend. of the weather through the weekend, that rain pushing its way eastwards. starting dry for many places, i think, on saturday,

but there will be a lot of cloud. a few spots of rain ahead of the main rain band that's that's bringing some wet weather over northern ireland, moving a little more quickly over the irish sea into western parts of england and wales and into western scotland later on in the day as well. but still ahead of that, we've got temperatures reaching 13—14 degrees if it does brighten up a little bit. that band of rain moves eastwards overnight. we're all going to get some spells of rain for a while. it does clear away more readily from the northern half of the uk, but a different story further south, where we could well hang on to some rain across parts of england and wales even into the afternoon. this rain pushing slowly south—eastwards, eventually clearing wales. more sunshine and dry weather for northern england, for scotland and also for northern ireland barring the odd shower in the far north—west of scotland. we're still in this quite mild air mass, so again, temperatures will be around 12—14.

hello, i'm lewis vaughanjones. you're watching the context on bbc news. a setback for two of the world's biggest economies — the uk and japan fall into recession. we'll get a sense of the mood among the uk's smallerfirms. the uk tipped into recession in the second half of last year as the economy shrank for two consecutive quarters between july and december. the figures from the office for national statistics estimate that gross domestic product, a key measure