hello, i'm christian fraser. you're watching the context on bbc news. after chaotic scenes in a house of commons vote on gaza, serious questions are being asked about lawmakers�* safety. welcome back. cpac — the conservative political action conference — has this week looked like a coronation for the former president trump, underscoring the extent to which he has taken over the republican party. he will address the conference saturday, just hours after winning the presidential primary in south carolina, where the former governor nikki haley in trailing a distant second. no room for her in maryland. and today was the dress rehearsal for trump's potential running mate. south dakota governor kristi noem and the congresswoman elise stefanik both on stage. the roster of speakers includes maga influencers, right—wing conservative media types, and this man — the conservative

activist jack posobiec — who spoke at the opening session on wednesday on a panel moderated by former white house adviser, steve bannon. all right, welcome, welcome. ijust wanted to say welcome to the end of democracy. - we are here to overthrow it completely — we didn't getl all the way there on january 6th, | but we will endeavour to get rid | of it and replace it i with this right here. we will replace it. with this right here. amen. that's right, because all glory is not to government, - all glory to god. right, setting that aside for a second, but i'd like to talk about is the numerous attendees who have been on stage this week who say they've been impressed by formerly fox news's tucker carlson, who did that vladimir putin interview — all of them seemingly adopting trump's position on ukraine. 56% of

republicans now say the united states is doing too much on ukraine. ronald bacon will be turning in his grave. that's ronald reagan. what's so funny about _ grave. that's ronald reagan. what's so funny about that _ grave. that's ronald reagan. what's so funny about that interview - grave. that's ronald reagan. what's so funny about that interview is - so funny about that interview is tucker carlson actually got the normal earful from flattery b putin, his lengthy historical lecture he talks about how ukraine, russia and belarus are all part of one, and he couldn't get a word in edge wise, which must�*ve been nervous making for a news man, wouldn't you say? when you've got so much time for an interview and the first half of it is taken up by a historical lecture, that's always a problem, you're right. but this issue of ukraine funding, he really has bent the party to his will on this, and particularly house republicans— 60 billion euros of funding still in the balance, where are we with that

" $60 billion. the balance, where are we with that -- $60 billion. its the balance, where are we with that -- $60 billion-— -- $60 billion. its $50 billion, the house leadership, _ -- $60 billion. its $50 billion, the house leadership, which - -- $60 billion. its $50 billion, the house leadership, which is- -- $60 billion. its $50 billion, the house leadership, which is a - house leadership, which is a republican at this moment, is bending to trump us back will, but i'll note that on the senate side, several publicans joined the several publica ns joined the democrats several publicans joined the democrats to put together a bipartisan assistance bill including funding for ukraine and israel. and on the house side, apparently there are still votes available on their public inside, in other words some bipartisan support for this bill if the leaders will allow it to come to the leaders will allow it to come to the floor. but that is the issue, so it is true the republican party has been captured by donald trump and his opposition to the war in ukraine— but at the same time, i think there is still potential for a bipartisan agreement on this bill, so i'm not 100% certain, but let's keep ourfingers so i'm not 100% certain, but let's keep our fingers crossed. at the same time, it is shocking that these republicans have really ditched the notion of having alliances abroad,

partners abroad, partners fighting hard for their survival like ukraine that actually allows the united states to defend in depth, that in actuality we don't see war coming to our shores because we have partners and allies abroad who are serving as and allies abroad who are serving as a bulwark against that kind of conflict here in the united states. those kinds of arguments at the end of the day were right at the heart of the day were right at the heart of what convinced some sceptics way back when at the end of world war ii to adopt nato. but back when at the end of world war ii to adapt nate-— to adopt nato. but on that issue, the conference _ to adopt nato. but on that issue, the conference slogan _ to adopt nato. but on that issue, the conference slogan is - to adopt nato. but on that issue, the conference slogan is "wherel the conference slogan is "where globalism goes to die." yet it has an unusual global flavour. yesterday it was liz truss, today it's nigel farage — borisjohnson told the sun's harry cole, "there's little doubt the world felt safer and calmer and more stable under trump 0zment presidency, and that much of the world is craving the stability that goes with strong and decisive american leadership." this is the prime minister who stood shoulder to

shoulder with president zelensky. it's embarrassing both for herself and the _ it's embarrassing both for herself and the country that she's there and rubbing _ and the country that she's there and rubbing shoulders effectively with steve _ rubbing shoulders effectively with steve bannon, a convicted criminal. and indeed, — steve bannon, a convicted criminal. and indeed, ithink steve bannon, a convicted criminal. and indeed, i think even in that context. — and indeed, i think even in that context, something was said about tommy— context, something was said about tommy robinson, the extreme right win- tommy robinson, the extreme right wing british politician, to which she didn't — wing british politician, to which she didn't demur. sol wing british politician, to which she didn't demur. so i think there's something — she didn't demur. so i think there's something very strange going on on the extreme right, and it's very disheartening to see any british politician, especially a mainstream one, signing up to it.— one, signing up to it. let's move on, talk about _ one, signing up to it. let's move on, talk about divisive _ one, signing up to it. let's move on, talk about divisive politics. l when the commons speaker apologised for his part in creating the chaos on wednesday night's vote on gaza, he explained that his decisions had, in part, been motivated by fear. fear for mps' safety — if, that is, they were not able to vote for a full range of motions on a ceasefire in gaza. the speaker told mps, "i never want to go through a situation where i find a friend from any side has been murdered." he'd been told — not least

by the leader of the opposition — that mps were facing notjust protests at their homes and offices as they walked the streets in their constituencies, but also threats to them and their families if once again, they did not vote for a ceasefire. this morning, the co—founder ofjust stop 0il, sarah lunnon, defended activists targeting mps at their private residences, on the today programme. at that point, i think we have a duty to do everything we can — nonviolently — to ensure we are protected. and if that means asking mps at their homes to commit to end tory oil and gas, than i think that's an ok thing to do. it is a problem that crosses continents. in america, at least three members of congress reported "swatting" incidents over the past week — the new york republican brandon williams being the latest to be subjected to an act of criminal harassment. it generally involves prank—calling 911 to get a heavily—armed swat team to show up at the target's home. nikki haley's parents were home when she was targeted by a "swatting" hoax. in that incident, officers had "guns

drawn" and pointed at her parents. joining us tonight, dal babu former — chief superintendent in the metropolitan police — and james hamilton, a former fbi special agent who has protected government officials and leading religious figures. welcome to you both, gentlemen, thank you for your time this evening. let me start with you — where's the line between legitimate protest unacceptable intimidation? well, the law is effectively the line. there's legislation that protects people, and shores people can be arrested, charged if they intimidate or harass politicians, or other people —— ensures people. the challenge we have in the country over the last few years is that politics has become more and more polarised — i think we saw that with brexit, where we had a very divided

country, and that's just continued. and we have politicians in high—stakes of office who make quite shocking comments — for example, suella braverman, when she was still home secretary, talked about islamist groups, talked about the country being hate marches— which emboldened the far right who turned out to protect an area that the palestinian march was nowhere near. so there is a responsibility for politicians to speak properly, but we also must acknowledge we have a very polarised country which is often impacted by social media, and indeed the anonymity of social media that whips up hatred and huge amounts of attention. i that whips up hatred and huge amounts of attention. i apologise, i'm callin: amounts of attention. i apologise, i'm calling you _ amounts of attention. i apologise, i'm calling you by _ amounts of attention. i apologise, i'm calling you by your _ amounts of attention. i apologise, i'm calling you by your surname. l amounts of attention. i apologise, i i'm calling you by your surname. one of the question i wanted to ask you about, this controversy about the slogan that was beamed onto the

palace of westminster, "from the river to the sea," which some see as anti—semitic. the speaker we are told is looking at defending the area around the palace of westminster — is not a good thing and do the police have enough powers and do the police have enough powers and that protection to protect mps? i think the police have sufficient powers. i think the difficulty we haveis powers. i think the difficulty we have is we must remember that police were reduced significantly in their size, a quarter of all london's police officers have less than five years experience, so this is partly about an experience amongst police officers, but partly around having sufficient resources to deal with events as they occur. in terms of language, it's important to understand there will be different views of that phrase you talk about, just as there are different views around jihad. just as there are different views aroundjihad. and just as there are different views around jihad. and they are western politicians who will say that they know better than arabic scholars who

have studied the phrases ofjihadi. so we need to be very careful if we are going to have the west trying to determine what is and is not acceptable. if i would just make the point, guns aren't allowed in our country. so it makes a huge difference in terms of policing. we don't have the fear that there is in america where gun crime is at such a high level. it’s america where gun crime is at such a hiuh level. 3 . ' high level. it's a different thing here with knives. _ high level. it's a different thing here with knives. james, - high level. it's a different thing here with knives. james, that's high level. it's a different thing i here with knives. james, that's a good point to bring you in. swat raids are a different threat in the united states given the gun culture — aimed at both parties, this, how do you stop it? - aimed at both parties, this, how do you stop it?— do you stop it? how are you, christian? — do you stop it? how are you, christian? there's _ do you stop it? how are you, christian? there's definitely | christian? there's definitely concern, _ christian? there's definitely concern, the politicians have been targeted _ concern, the politicians have been targeted for all of history, and right— targeted for all of history, and right now— targeted for all of history, and right now we are in a tough time, and this— right now we are in a tough time, and this is— right now we are in a tough time, and this is a — right now we are in a tough time, and this is a new technique due to our emerging technology. police

department obviously don't want to do that, _ department obviously don't want to do that, they are balancing the threat — do that, they are balancing the threat to— do that, they are balancing the threat to the community and thinking it's a swatting. sol threat to the community and thinking it's a swatting. so i think we are doing _ it's a swatting. so i think we are doing a — it's a swatting. so i think we are doing a betterjob on that, but technology is definitely fast and we need to— technology is definitely fast and we need to keep pace with it, and it's kind of— need to keep pace with it, and it's kind of a _ need to keep pace with it, and it's kind of a counterbalance. we do one thing. _ kind of a counterbalance. we do one thing. they— kind of a counterbalance. we do one thing, they do something else, and it's quite _ thing, they do something else, and it's quite difficult. but i think we're — it's quite difficult. but i think we're doing a good job of it, but it's obviously harrowing for those who went — it's obviously harrowing for those who went through it. it is it's obviously harrowing for those who went through it.— who went through it. it is social media that's — who went through it. it is social media that's probably _ who went through it. it is social media that's probably stoking l who went through it. it is social media that's probably stoking a j who went through it. it is social. media that's probably stoking a lot of this because there were always people up and down the sandwich boards, but now people on social media often turn up outside lawmakers homes. what is the law say in the united states about that? because of course freedom of speech in america is an essential principle of the constitution — how do law offices deal with that if people turn up outside congressional figures�*s homs? it’s turn up outside congressional figures's homs? it's extremely difficult - _ figures's homs? it's extremely difficult - there _ figures's homs? it's extremely difficult - there is _ figures's homs? it's extremely difficult - there is public - figures's homs? it's extremely difficult - there is public land i figures's homs? it's extremely i difficult - there is public land and difficult — there is public land and property— difficult — there is public land and property outside of the residence,

so it's— property outside of the residence, so it's actually difficult, if they're _ so it's actually difficult, if they're standing in a sidewalk, and it's very— they're standing in a sidewalk, and it's very hard for a police officer to remove. _ it's very hard for a police officer to remove, as you've seen in the news _ to remove, as you've seen in the news with— to remove, as you've seen in the news with the supreme court justices bein- news with the supreme court justices being targeted at their home, it's a very difficult situation. the laws clear. _ very difficult situation. the laws clear. as — very difficult situation. the laws clear, as long as they aren't doing anything _ clear, as long as they aren't doing anything threatening, they have the ability— anything threatening, they have the ability to— anything threatening, they have the ability to stay there and if you don't — ability to stay there and if you don't have a big bump out of state with a _ don't have a big bump out of state with a big — don't have a big bump out of state with a big push fence and those things. — with a big push fence and those things. a — with a big push fence and those things, a lot of people don't have that kind — things, a lot of people don't have that kind of money, the sidewalk is i’ilht that kind of money, the sidewalk is right in— that kind of money, the sidewalk is right in front of their home, people can stand _ right in front of their home, people can stand there. the folks standing on the _ can stand there. the folks standing on the sidewalk have the ability and our country— on the sidewalk have the ability and our country to protest, and conversely the people inside — i don't _ conversely the people inside — i don't know— conversely the people inside — i don't know if you've ever been subject— don't know if you've ever been subject to _ don't know if you've ever been subject to that, but it's a little bit unnerving — if you're inside and there's— bit unnerving — if you're inside and there's a _ bit unnerving — if you're inside and there's a lot — bit unnerving — if you're inside and there's a lot of people on your sidewalk— there's a lot of people on your sidewalk and saying things that aren't— sidewalk and saying things that aren't so— sidewalk and saying things that aren't so kind, especially if your kids are — aren't so kind, especially if your kids are there, it's quite uncomfortable.- kids are there, it's quite uncomfortable. ., , ., , uncomfortable. indeed, to show us what difficulty _ uncomfortable. indeed, to show us what difficulty police _ uncomfortable. indeed, to show us what difficulty police officers - what difficulty police officers encounter in this sort of situation. thank you both very much for that.

rose, nobody wants legislators or mps to be put on a pedestal, but if people are being intimidated for the intention of making them not vote the way they believe is right, that's very damaging to our democracy, isn't it? that's very damaging to our democra , isn't it? ~ , ., democracy, isn't it? absolutely, and i'm ve democracy, isn't it? absolutely, and i'm very mindful— democracy, isn't it? absolutely, and i'm very mindful of— democracy, isn't it? absolutely, and i'm very mindful ofjanuary - democracy, isn't it? absolutely, and i'm very mindful ofjanuary 6th, - i'm very mindful ofjanuary 6th, 2021, when legislators of both parties were cowering on the floor of our chamber, and some felt they were escaping with their lives to get off to their offices. that's the most extreme example, but i agree with your previous speaker, there is something about gun culture in the united states that adds a greater level of concern and violence. but i also want to underscore this is nothing new. also want to underscore this is nothing new— nothing new. the debate is different. _ nothing new. the debate is different, is _ nothing new. the debate is different, is it _ nothing new. the debate is different, is it not? - nothing new. the debate is different, is it not? yes, i nothing new. the debate is. different, is it not? yes, the debate is — different, is it not? yes, the debate is supercharged - different, is it not? yes, the debate is supercharged by l different, is it not? yes, the l debate is supercharged by this year's election, but it's been happening now for a considerable

period of time. it's also been supercharged byjanuary period of time. it's also been supercharged by january 6th. period of time. it's also been supercharged byjanuary 6th. but period of time. it's also been supercharged by january 6th. but the fact is that a softball game a couple years ago of members from capitol hill, of our congress was targeted. sadly enough, it happens all the time in the united states. the only thing legislators should fear is the ballot box, but that's not what they fear at the moment, and many of them don't want to be there any more, the quality of our mps will suffer if that's the result. �* . , mps will suffer if that's the result. �* ., , , ., mps will suffer if that's the result. . ,, ., �* ., result. and as you know, we've had two mps killed _ result. and as you know, we've had two mps killed effectively _ result. and as you know, we've had two mps killed effectively in - result. and as you know, we've had two mps killed effectively in and . two mps killed effectively in and around — two mps killed effectively in and around their public surgeries that they do— around their public surgeries that they do in— around their public surgeries that they do in their constituency. it's difficult — they do in their constituency. it's difficult to — they do in their constituency. it's difficult to see how you can conduct a democracy when the threat that supposed — a democracy when the threat that supposed to mp5 it means they don't have proper consultation and contact with their— have proper consultation and contact with their constituents and people. ithink— with their constituents and people. i think we — with their constituents and people. i think we are in a very worrying culture — i think we are in a very worrying culture now, and i think its field of course — culture now, and i think its field of course by social media and hatred being _ of course by social media and hatred being whipped up anonymously on there. _

being whipped up anonymously on there. and — being whipped up anonymously on there, and something must be done about— there, and something must be done about it _ there, and something must be done about it. ,., there, and something must be done about it. �* , there, and something must be done about it. �*, ., about it. indeed so, it's good to seak about it. indeed so, it's good to s - eak to about it. indeed so, it's good to speak to about _ about it. indeed so, it's good to speak to about it. _ around the world and across the uk, this is bbc news. bbc news — bringing you different stories from across the uk. the decision to build an incinerator here has upset a lot of people. local residents have protested about the plans, saying it will cause pollution in a built—up area, and a total of five local councils across cambridgeshire and norfolk oppose them, too. despite this, the government has approved plans for the incinerator to be built on the algores industrial estate. the company behind the plans, mvv environment, says the facility, which would be one of the biggest in europe, would burn up to 625,000 tonnes of non—recyclable household, commercial and industrial waste each year. this could generate more than 50 million watts of electricity, and up to 30 million watts of steam heat. this project will help a government that's under pressure to provide energy security and reduce landfill — but it once again highlights that there is often a conflict

between national needs and the impact on local communities. for more stories from across the uk, head to the bbc news website. now it's time for the panel. pa rt part of the programme where the panel chooses what they talk about. rose, you've chosen vladimir putin taking a ride as a copilot of a blackjack nuclear armed bomber. if that doesn't send the message, i don't know what does. it that doesn't send the message, i don't know what does.— that doesn't send the message, i don't know what does. it was part of his nuclear — don't know what does. it was part of his nuclear sabre _ don't know what does. it was part of his nuclear sabre rattling _ don't know what does. it was part of his nuclear sabre rattling this - don't know what does. it was part of his nuclear sabre rattling this week. his nuclear sabre rattling this week as we approach the second anniversary of his full—scale invasion of ukraine in 2022. again it's part of a pattern, vladimir putin loves to do all sorts of stunts — i note that he kept his shirt on, which is good, it can be quite chilly and those bomber cabins so it was nice to see he was suited up.

so it was nice to see he was suited u -. . ., up. indeed, the nuclear threat, should we _ up. indeed, the nuclear threat, should we take _ up. indeed, the nuclear threat, should we take it _ up. indeed, the nuclear threat, should we take it seriously? i l up. indeed, the nuclear threat, - should we take it seriously? i think we alwa s should we take it seriously? i think we always have _ should we take it seriously? i think we always have to _ should we take it seriously? i think we always have to take _ should we take it seriously? i think we always have to take nuclear- should we take it seriously? i think. we always have to take nuclear sabre rattling seriously because it has an impact on nuclear deterrence. 0f impact on nuclear deterrence. of course nuclear weapons have not been used in warfare, thank god, since world war ii, hiroshima and nagasaki, and we want to give it that way. that's why firm nuclear deterrence and serious treatment of nuclear weapons is so important. what about hours in the uk, the one that fell in the water next to the sub? should we be worried about that? i sub? should we be worried about that? ., �* . ., sub? should we be worried about that? ., �* _, ., ., that? i won't comment on handling procedures — that? i won't comment on handling procedures in _ that? i won't comment on handling procedures in the _ that? i won't comment on handling procedures in the uk, _ that? i won't comment on handling procedures in the uk, i'll— that? i won't comment on handling procedures in the uk, i'll leave - procedures in the uk, i'll leave that for my uk colleagues. but i will say, just the strength of the deterrent is so important, and when you're rattling a nuclear sabre, in a way you're like the little boy crying wolf, which is not a good thing. crying wolf, which is not a good thin. ,, crying wolf, which is not a good thin _ ,, ., ., crying wolf, which is not a good thinu. ,, ., ., ., thing. spare a thought for christopher _ thing. spare a thought for christopher steele - thing. spare a thought for christopher steele who i thing. spare a thought for. christopher steele who wants thing. spare a thought for- christopher steele who wants to thing. spare a thought for— christopher steele who wants to talk about his beloved everton tonight, who are in a bit of a financial mess. i'm not laughing because we are below you in the league, so i

have nothing to laugh about. i’m are below you in the league, so i have nothing to laugh about. i'm on safe ground. _ have nothing to laugh about. i'm on safe ground, but _ have nothing to laugh about. i'm on safe ground, but i _ have nothing to laugh about. i'm on safe ground, but i think— have nothing to laugh about. i'm on safe ground, but i think everton - safe ground, but i think everton footbali— safe ground, but i think everton football club is one of the oldest in the _ football club is one of the oldest in the country, one of the most successful— in the country, one of the most successful historically, produced great _ successful historically, produced great players, wayne rooney and gary lineker, _ great players, wayne rooney and gary lineker, and— great players, wayne rooney and gary lineker, and others. and it has a very— lineker, and others. and it has a very passionate supporting base which _ very passionate supporting base which i — very passionate supporting base which i count myself as one. unfortunately over recent years, it's the _ unfortunately over recent years, it's the one thing that's caused me to lose _ it's the one thing that's caused me to lose more sleep than vladimir putin— to lose more sleep than vladimir putin in— to lose more sleep than vladimir putin in the last couple years, when they've _ putin in the last couple years, when they've been in relegation fights. they built — they've been in relegation fights. they built a beautiful new stadium — but the _ they built a beautiful new stadium — but the club — they built a beautiful new stadium — but the club has been so badly managed financially and in terms of its development, they are now facing 110 its development, they are now facing "0 point _ its development, they are now facing 110 point deduction this season, the possibility— 110 point deduction this season, the possibility of another one. and there _ possibility of another one. and there apparently —— they are currently— there apparently —— they are currently £500 million in debt. this is really— currently £500 million in debt. this is really disastrous for us, if we -et is really disastrous for us, if we get relegated it could be that the

club itself disappears, which would be unthinkable.— club itself disappears, which would be unthinkable. should the premier leaaue be unthinkable. should the premier league take — be unthinkable. should the premier league take more _ be unthinkable. should the premier league take more interest - be unthinkable. should the premier league take more interest in - be unthinkable. should the premier league take more interest in how i be unthinkable. should the premier| league take more interest in how its finances are? the league take more interest in how its finances are?— finances are? the trouble with the premier league _ finances are? the trouble with the premier league is _ finances are? the trouble with the premier league is it _ finances are? the trouble with the premier league is it seems - finances are? the trouble with the premier league is it seems to - finances are? the trouble with the premier league is it seems to be l premier league is it seems to be having _ premier league is it seems to be having double standards, it's unafraid _ having double standards, it's unafraid to punish the big clubs at the top, _ unafraid to punish the big clubs at the top, and it's making an example of everton— the top, and it's making an example of everton which i think it's very unfair, — of everton which i think it's very unfair, given the openness with which _ unfair, given the openness with which we've conducted our affairs with the — which we've conducted our affairs with the premier league. so watch this space, — with the premier league. so watch this space, it will be as dramatic i think— this space, it will be as dramatic i think as _ this space, it will be as dramatic i think as the — this space, it will be as dramatic i think as the war in ukraine over the next few— think as the war in ukraine over the next few months.— next few months. away upright and tomorrow, best _ next few months. away upright and tomorrow, best of _ next few months. away upright and tomorrow, best of luck. _ next few months. away upright and tomorrow, best of luck. lovely - next few months. away upright and tomorrow, best of luck. lovely to i tomorrow, best of luck. lovely to see you both thanks for your company this evening. same time —— back same time next monday, hope you'lljoin for that. time next monday, hope you'lljoin forthat. bye—bye.

hello from the bbc sport centre — i'm lizzie greenwod—hughes, here with your latest sports news. we're starting with the night's championship football action — because there's a big game going—on in the championship as the top two go head to head. it's second—placed leeds against leicester — both sides looking to bounce straight back to the premier league. leicester were leading by 1—0 until the 80th minute, but leeds scored twice in three minutes, and are now leading 2—1 -- is —— is the 92nd minute. if it stays like this, leicester's lead over leeds will be cut to six points with 12 games of the season left. now two months on from failing to qualify for this summer's 0lympics, england's women have won their first match of 202a. and they did it in pretty convincing style, beating austria 7—2 in a friendly in marbella near their spanish training camp. grace clinton scored on her debut. and beth mead and alessia russo

both scored two each. the lionnesses are back in action on tuesday, when they face italy in another friendly. northern ireland won their crucial nations league play—off. they beat montenegro 2—0 in the first leg of their group b match to move a big step towards staying in the second tier. both goals came in the second half — lauren wade scoring the opener in podgorica. and demi vance with the second in injury time. the return fixture is in belfast on tuesday. on to cricket — and england will be back at the crease in ranchi in a few hours' time for day two of their fourth test in india. they'll resume on a healthy 302—7, afterjoe root rescued a disappointing start with a remarkable unbeaten century. patrick gearey reports. in test cricket, sometimes the stage can be the main character.

these cracks on the pitch are like chasms for batters — they make everything unpredictable. england decided to brave it and they made a solid enough start until duckett edged it. as for crawley. .. again, deep trouble. watch how that ball moved — and look how this man kept low to ben stokes. england's captain said he'd never seen a pitch like this. his team, five wickets down. so they now did something unusual — they were careful. joe root nudged past 50. this was a new tempo. slow—moving, gradually regaining control. joe root allowed others to add occasional rays of sunshine — the odd glimpse of the ultra—attacking cricket for which england are known, with regular reminders of this pitch's peril — and india's skill. joe root so all of and just kept concentrating. for all the questions about his form and style, he crafted a truly timeless,

priceless centuryjust when his country needed it. the pitch might be cracked, but england's foundation is solid, right down to the root. patrick gearey, bbc news. on to rugby union now — and after a fortnight�*s break, the six nations is bac tomorrow. table—topping ireland host wales tomorrow, while england will be looking to maintain their 100% record when they take on scotland in edinburgh for the calcutta cup. england captainjamie george says the match will be special and emotional, following the death of his mother last week. he says he's decided to play because his mother, jane, never missed a game, and it's what she would have wanted. the rest of his family will be in the stands. it has been amazing to be able to come back into camp. it has been a tough couple of weeks but what a great environment for me to come back into. the boys have welcomed me back and been there for me, giving me enough time and space, but this is a huge game this weekend and that is why i'm desperate to be involved in it. we have a huge amount of respect for scotland and what they have done over the last couple of years and the team they have created here.

we know it is a huge test and i love playing at murrayfield so it is nice to be back in edinburgh. well, scotland will be keen to bounce back after following their opening victory against wales, with a controversial defeat to france in their last match at murrayfield. they've won the last three calcutta cups against england. lewis hamilton says mercedes have "definitely improved" their car for the new season, but red bull "clearly are out in the distance". hamilton could only set the i2th—quickest time on the final day of testing in bahrain — ahead of his final campaign with mercedes, before hejoins ferrari — a move hamilton felt he had to make. it was obviously the hardest decision that i have ever had to make. i've been at mercedes for 26 years — they have supported me, we've had an incrediblejourney together, we have created history within the sport and it is something i take pride in, and very proud of what we have achieved.

but ultimately, i'm writing my story, i felt like it was time to start a new chapter. and that's all the sport for now. hello there. friday was a day of sunshine and showers, some of the showers heavy with some hail mixed in. and with colder air moving in across the country, we saw a bit of snow return to the top of the cumbrian fells. this is the top of helvellyn, snow—covered there in cumbria. now, so far this february, it has been a bit of a wash—out across england and wales. cardiff and coventry have had well over double the average rainfall so far this month. parts of east anglia, houghton hall, in norfolk, have had three times the average rainfall, and there is more to come as well. now, on the satellite picture, all of this white speckled cloud you can see to the north and west of the uk is shower cloud, and there are loads of those. so we are looking at more showers working in. and over the next few hours,

by and large the showers are most likely to be across northern and western scotland, a few for the north and west of northern ireland, one or two for wales and the south—west of england. but otherwise, particularly across inland areas, we'll have clear spells to take us into saturday morning and a cold start to the day, with some frost or maybe one or two icy stretches. should be a fine if somewhat chilly start to the day, then, on saturday, but it is another day where we'll see showers pop up. some of those across northern scotland, some of the heaviest ones probably across southern areas of england and southern and western wales, with a real threat of seeing some hail and a bit of thunder mixed in. still, where the sunshine comes out, temperatures of around 8—10 degrees to be expected. that's about average at this time of the year. for sunday, there'll be further showers across northern scotland, but an area of low pressure looks set to run in across northern france. now, this could bring a spell of rain and windier weather to southern counties of england and southern wales, or it could be that the rain just holds a bit further south out in the english channel. so that's the big zone

of uncertainty, really, as we head through sunday, but still the bulk of the uk having a fair amount of sunshine and temperatures still about 8—10. now, if we do see that rain in the south, could still be affecting east anglia and south—east england into monday, with quite breezy weather conditions. but further north, for northern ireland and scotland, good parts of northern england and wales will be underneath the influence of this ridge of high pressure, and so the weather should be drier with more in the way of sunshine. after a cold and locally frosty start to the day, our temperatures not really changing that much day—to—day, highs of again around 8—10 degrees or so. then deeper into the new working week, it stays unsettled, temperatures often near double figures, but there will be rain at times.

tonight at ten, the mother

of alexei navalny, the russian opposition leader, is reportedly given an ultimatum about burying her son's body. his mother is told she must agree to his body being buried in secret or in the arctic penal colony where he died a week ago. explosions. two years on from the start of the war in ukraine, we have a special report from eastern ukraine. here in kyiv, ukrainians are now accepting this will be a long war. but they still insist it's a war they must and can win. as the unexploded second world war bomb in plymouth is taken out to sea, residents are told they can return home. a new experience. i'm glad it's over. it has been different, to say the least. what you're doing there, you shouldn't be doing. and why this social media post by a female professional golfer went viral.

and shortly on bbc london...