been i understand that cc hq have been aware of it for a while and have been investigating and i think some new information has come to light, i know that the mp denies it, but nonetheless, whip withdrawn in the meantime. the nonetheless, whip withdrawn in the meantime. ., , ., ., meantime. the government plan to take asylum — meantime. the government plan to take asylum seekers _ meantime. the government plan to take asylum seekers to _ meantime. the government plan to take asylum seekers to rwanda - meantime. the government plan toi take asylum seekers to rwanda has received another blow, as the house of lords has refused to back down on changes it once. and the scottish government has backed down on its climate targets. the post office's former litigation lawyer, rodric williams, is giving evidence at the inquiry into the horizon it scandal. he's going to be questioned over the next two days this is the live feed from the

inquiry, as you can see they are looking at some of the e—mails that have been sent, let's have a listen into some of the inquiry at the moment. ~ u, , into some of the inquiry at the moment-— into some of the inquiry at the moment. ~ u, , ., ., into some of the inquiry at the moment. ~ , ., ., ., moment. we can see an e-mail from nick wallis. — moment. we can see an e-mail from nick wallis. the _ moment. we can see an e-mail from nick wallis, the journalist, _ moment. we can see an e-mail from nick wallis, the journalist, dated - nick wallis, thejournalist, dated 16 december 2014. nick wallis, the journalist, dated 16 december 2014.— nick wallis, thejournalist, dated 16 december 2014. yes. to mark davis, 16 december 2014. yes. to mark davis. who _ 16 december 2014. yes. to mark davis, who was _ 16 december 2014. yes. to mark davis, who was essentially in charge of post office's media and communications, is that right? yes. and mr wallace _ communications, is that right? yes. and mr wallace says, _ communications, is that right? yes. and mr wallace says, i _ communications, is that right? yes. and mr wallace says, i wonder if your colleagues could help me with a few queries, and he starts setting them out. and this was i think you will recall in the run—up to the one show broadcast. will recall in the run-up to the one show broadcast.— will recall in the run—up to the one show broadcast. yes. thank you. if we no u- show broadcast. yes. thank you. if we 90 up the _ show broadcast. yes. thank you. if we go up the page, you will see mr davies passes it to a wider group of people, including you, another e—mailfrom the bbc now

people, including you, another e—mail from the bbc now raising people, including you, another e—mailfrom the bbc now raising a series of new questions. yes? and thenif series of new questions. yes? and then if we go to the foot of page two... we can see you replied... 16th of december, 2.16... rodric williams wrote... and then if we go to the top of page three... you say... without having read them closely, only that this is getting ridiculous. we're being asked to address an ever expanding range of serious issues on a piecemeal basis, with constantly shifting goals, in an attempt to get nick wallis's story, which is, quote, news. on the upside, they suggest we are starting to land our point. this line of inquiry is focused on the user—friendliness of horizon, not on the accuracy of what it records or what we do with that information. i will revert on the substance shortly... and then, if we go, please, to page one... at the foot

of the page... yourfurther reply please, to page one... at the foot of the page... your further reply to the same group of people, again on 16th december, atjust afterfour o'clock, so it is about an hour and a half after your immediate reaction, and you reply to your colleagues in detail, if we scroll down... and you say... hi, my substantive response is, to nick wallis's latest questions, are embedded in red. you essentially go through mr wallace's e—mail and right red paragraphs against what he has said, ok? if we go back to his e—mail, they don't show up in red, but i can tell you which ones they are, because i have compared the

text, next to the original of mr wallace's e—mail, we scroll back to page three, please. at the foot of the page, so, what mr wallis wrote was... i wonder if you or your colleagues could help me with a few queries. when was the last time the post office did any research into how satisfied or otherwise sub—postmasters are with the horizon system? it would be very helpful to know the scope of that research and its results. and then you wrote... post office constantly receives feedback on horizon from its tens of thousands of users through a variety of sources. and then over the page... the primary sources are the and bse, horizon service, userforum and bse, horizon service, userforum and an fsb. feedback is also delivered through a variety of

processes... studio: . , .,, processes... studio: . , '. studio: that is the post office in . ui studio: that is the post office inquiry which — studio: that is the post office inquiry which is _ studio: that is the post office inquiry which is going - studio: that is the post office inquiry which is going on, - studio: that is the post office inquiry which is going on, the l inquiry which is going on, the former litigation lawyer of the post office rodric williams being questions and they have been talking about a series of e—mails that nick wallis had sent to the post office, nick wallis, one of the journalists that followed this case right from the start. were talking about a report that he did for the bbc one show, that he also reported early on in the south of england on one of the current affairs programmes that went out there following this scandal as it was unfolding and has been one of the leading journalists on it, so, being questioned there at the inquiry about those e—mails from nick wallis. you can continue to follow that. there is a live feed throughout the day on bbc iplayer, you just have to scan the qr code that you can see on the side of your screen.

some breaking news... scotland's only gender identity clinic for under—18s has paused prescribing puberty blockers to children. the sandyford clinic in glasgow said new patients aged 16 or 17 would no longer receive gender—affirming hormone receive gender—affirming hormone treatment until they were 18. it follows treatment until they were 18. it follows a landmark review of gender services for under—18s in england and wales. dr hilary cass's review said children had been let down by a lack of research.she also said there was "remarkably weak" evidence on medical interventions. nhs england confirmed it would stop prescribing puberty blockers in march. you can get more on that on the bbc news website and we will keep you updated here a little later.

a global cyber gang accused of industrial—scale fraud has been busted by police. it's accused of offering a service to criminals which allowed them to steal from victims using fraudulent text messages. 37 people worldwide have been arrested, 24 of them in britain. it's estimated that 70,000 people have fallen victim to the scams, which saw them put their personal details into a website hosted by labhost. our correspondent tom symonds has the details. it's 5am in south london — the end of a two—year investigation. this was one of a series of coordinated raids, targeting cybercrime in 17 countries, masterminded from the uk. one man was arrested here and 23 others around the uk. and this all began about two years ago when security experts

for the banking industry spotted on the dark web criminals offering other criminals a service — a way to make money using phishing with a "ph". labhost provided the technology and training for other criminals to carry out phishing attacks — sending fraudulent text messages — to get people to hand over their personal data. the police say there were an estimated 70,000 victims in the uk, bombarded with messages linking to 47 fake websites usually seeming to be online payment or shopping services. 480,000 payment card numbers have been stolen and 64,000 pin numbers. and if you thought only older or less technically savvy people get scammed, well, you'd be wrong. the victims in this case have been aged between about 25 and 45, predominantly. pretty young, then. digital natives. well, its people who live their lives online that perhaps do their banking online, that shop online.

they're more likely to fall victim to this because their use of the internet is just so prevalent. as the arrests were taking place, including at luton and manchester airports... you have been identified as involved in labhost. ..police were also contacting 25,000 victims they've identified, giving details of how they've been scammed and giving them advice. as for labhost, well, yesterday, this was the moment it was shut down and replaced with this message from the police to the scammers. tom symonds, bbc news, south london. the scottish government is expected to ditch its flagship target of reducing greenhouse gas emission by 75 percent by 2030. the bbc understands that the government's annual climate targets could also be scrapped, but the final goal of reaching net—zero by 2045 will remain. our scotland editor james cook explains.

the scottish government, led by humza yousaf, prides itself on ambitious climate targets, pledging to reduce emissions to net zero by 2045, five years earlier than the uk government. that 2045 target will remain. but this afternoon the scottish government is expected to confirm that it's scrapping an interim target of a 75% cut in emissions by 2030. even before the formal announcement, one snp minister expressed her disappointment. the committee said that they had their concerns on it. i'm disappointed, i have to say. i have to admit that i am disappointed by that. disappointed with that. the move comes after an independent report said the scottish government's policies and plans to hit the 2030 target fell far short of what is needed. but the decision to actually ditch the target has still left some environmental campaigners frustrated. so if the scottish government scrap these targets, it would be the worst environmental decision in the history of the scottish parliament. the 2030 targets could and should have been met.

we need urgent climate action this decade, not more delays like this. the snp and its partners in government, the scottish greens, are now under pressure to explain in detail how scotland can credibly meet its 2045 emissions target without hitting the 2030 milestone. james cook, bbc news. we can go live now to our bbc scotland political correspondent andrew kerr, who is at holyrood. what has been the reaction from the other parties in scotland? 50 what has been the reaction from the other parties in scotland?— other parties in scotland? so kwe this has been _ other parties in scotland? so kwe this has been a _ other parties in scotland? so kwe this has been a really _ other parties in scotland? so kwe this has been a really interesting. this has been a really interesting day here at the scottish parliament because of course here in edinburgh, the greens, as james was pointing out, are in government with the snp. so, this has been a day, as the scottish conservatives have been saying, of abject humiliation for the snp and the greens in government. now, of course, they are still hoping to reach the 2045 net zero target, but they are dropping

this interim target. what makes it perhaps particularly embarrassing for the governor here is that they have been quite boastful in the past of having these world leading targets, as they have been described. the former first minister nicola sturgeon said they were the most stretching in the world. and it will be interesting now for us to wait and see not only the reaction from the opposition parties here, but also the reaction from green party members, too, the greens, who are in government with the snp. some people have also said this might be the lib dems moment for the greens, of course, the lib dems were income addition with the conservative party at uk government level from 2010 to 2015, and i think lib dems here are wondering if this might be the tuition fees moment, the moment when people perhaps turn against the green party, as people maybe turn against the lib dems. —— turned. but we also heard from james's package

about the reaction from environmental groups greenpeace, saying this is like lighting a match in a petrol station, it is a very dangerous step to take. at oxfam were saying, this is an acute global embarrassment for the scottish government. embarrassment for the scottish government-— embarrassment for the scottish covernment. ., , ~ , government. former first minister alex salmond _ government. former first minister alex salmond was _ government. former first minister alex salmond was on _ government. former first minister alex salmond was on radio - government. former first minister. alex salmond was on radio scotland this morning saying that the decision to stretch the targets was a mistake and that it was hugely embarrassing for first minister humza yousaf?— embarrassing for first minister humza yousaf? embarrassing for first minister humzayousaf? , ., , ~ humza yousaf? yes, of course, alex salmond, humza yousaf? yes, of course, alex salmond. the _ humza yousaf? yes, of course, alex salmond, the former _ humza yousaf? yes, of course, alex salmond, the former first _ humza yousaf? yes, of course, alex salmond, the former first minister, | salmond, the former first minister, who started to set up some of the, quotes, world leading targets, perhaps slightly more achievable ones, and of course mr salmond is no fan of the snp, despite being a former party leader, and of course in particular he is no fan of the scottish green party, either. he feels in particular they are dragging the snp over perhaps to the left, being in favour of such things as trans rights, which mr salmond is perhaps not so keen on talking about. he thinks that some of these

issues are talked about too much and there should be more of a focus on business and growth, for example, from the scottish government. so, mr salmond, no fan of the present scottish government, and of course the former first minister nicola sturgeon, saw that criticism has come far and wide. but when you look at what the scottish government are saying, they are blaming the united kingdom government for backpedalling on their own environmental commitments such as delaying or stalling when the ban on petrol and diesel engines should come in. so, this is a very significant day, very embarrassing day, perhaps, that the government are hoping to get over. the house of lords declined to back down on its requirements for changes to the law on sending migrants to

rwanda. we arejoined now by to the law on sending migrants to rwanda. we are joined now by a senior researcher at the university of oxford's migration observatory. thank you forjoining us. i wonder if i could first get your reaction to this ping—pong as it is known between house of lords and house of commons? .. between house of lords and house of commons? . . , , ., ., commons? yeah, which seems to have been iioin commons? yeah, which seems to have been going on — commons? yeah, which seems to have been going on for— commons? yeah, which seems to have been going on for quite _ commons? yeah, which seems to have been going on for quite some - commons? yeah, which seems to have been going on for quite some time - been going on for quite some time now. but in this most recent development, the amendments that were successfully tabled in the house of lords, they're not bill—wrecking amendments, they are actually fairly modest, one is to prevent the relocation to rwanda of people who have assisted the british military in the past, for example, afghan interpreters. and the other one is to allow the home secretary to be able to change their mind in future as to whether rwanda is safe, because the bill as currently drafted says, implies, that rwanda

is safe forever and always. so, these are quite modest amendments, all eyes now on the government to see if they are going to throw the lord a bone that the bill can pass next week. d0 lord a bone that the bill can pass next week-— next week. do you think we are likel to next week. do you think we are likely to see — next week. do you think we are likely to see them _ next week. do you think we are likely to see them do _ next week. do you think we are likely to see them do that? - next week. do you think we are likely to see them do that? i i next week. do you think we are i likely to see them do that? i think it is probable. _ likely to see them do that? i think it is probable. without _ likely to see them do that? i think it is probable. without wishing - likely to see them do that? i think it is probable. without wishing to | it is probable. without wishing to predict what the government and the lord's will do, there are a few moving parts here, but i think it is odds—on. and then the question is, what is the earliest that flights could actually take? the passing of the bill would mean that the legal challenges to removal, most of those would be removed. what remains are some logistical challenges, and they fall first on the rwandans, is there asylum system ready to process claims, do they have the accommodation? and on the uk side, can the uk get these flights up and running? those would be the remaining challenges. but of course legally that may not be the last word because some people could challenge their removal in the

strasbourg court, the european court of human rights. and it looks pretty certain that we are going to be on a crash course, the uk government, with the strasbourg court, and they may very well take the similar view as the supreme court did last year. on the policy itself, the government says it will deter people from trying to get to the united kingdom, do you think that is the case? that is the big question. _ do you think that is the case? “hat is the big question. now, the available evidence suggests that deterrence policies of this kind, where they have been trialled in other countries, tend not to have a big deterrent effect. there is a big caveat, though, which is, other countries have not pursued something quite so radical as the uk's rwanda scheme and i expect much will depend on the share of arrivals to the uk who are actually swiftly removed to rwanda. if that share is big, then people may think twice about getting in a small boat. if that share is a small, then the probable to of

getting sent to rwanda would be relatively small, and people would simply view that as one additional risk alongside the huge risks they are already taking by getting in a small boat in the first place. australia send asylum seekers to an island and they also intercept the boats, which is different from what the uk government does?- boats, which is different from what the uk government does? yeah, people sa , the uk government does? yeah, people say. australia — the uk government does? yeah, people say, australia solved _ the uk government does? yeah, people say, australia solved their _ the uk government does? yeah, people say, australia solved their regular- say, australia solved their regular maritime arrival problem, tens of thousands suddenly reduced to the tens. the challenge here is that the picture is more complicated, they didn'tjust offshore picture is more complicated, they didn't just offshore asylum picture is more complicated, they didn'tjust offshore asylum seekers, akin to what we are doing with rwanda, they also physically intercepted these boats and returned them to the country of departure, with the permission of those countries, and that is something the uk has not thus far been able to do, because it requires french co—operation, and the french say, with the use of small boats, unlike the bigger boats reaching australia, it is just too dangerous.

the bigger boats reaching australia, it isjust too dangerous.— it is 'ust too dangerous. thank you for it is just too dangerous. thank you for our it is just too dangerous. thank you for your insight. _ in many parts of the world, cinemas are still struggling to bring in audiences. in some instances film fans not totally won over by streaming are exploring new ways of watching movies by going to what are called micro—cinemas. tom brook explains. micro—cinemas can be found in all kinds of new york locations. inside this former fire station, or behind this non—descript brooklyn store front. they are modest, makeshift spaces often showing experimental or non—mainstream work. micro—cinema is put simply just a small cinema. you really don't need more than folding chairs, a projector and a white wall. staffed often by dedicated volunteers with a passion for film, micro—cinema programmers use their imagination to offer

something quite different from the multiplex experience. the mission is to run laps around better subsidised for—profit repertory movie theatres by showing films that should be on their radars. it's usually going to be a monster movie from the 1970s that played at midnight or perhaps a groundbreaking documentary fiction hybrid about some niche but extremely important political issue from a bygone era. this trailer is promoting a long—established new york micro this trailer is promoting a long—established new york micro—cinema, ctv, a venue that has a loyal following. do you know kim's video? among the recent documentaries shown here was kim's video, a film that explores a legendary now—closed new york video store. the co—editor of the documentary came to the dctv screening. to him, a big plus of microcinemas is they provide a space

for film—makers like himself to interact directly with audiences. it's like a learning experience for both sides. i feel like it's rather unique to small cinemas in a way you would never get at a multiplex. so, i don't need to have an enormous audience, i'm not even that excited about a million people streaming at home as much as i am having a small dialogue with an audience who cares about movies. in the financially fragile world of independent film—making, micro—cinemas are being seen as a lifeline and a particular help to documentary film—makers. we are a part of the documentary ecosystem in the world. and when we opened, which was right after the pandemic, it was also just a really challenging time, that most documentary films were not being bought and we're one of the few cinemas in new york that can screen films that don't have distributors. also part of this universe that includes micro—cinemas is an endeavour called mono no aware. in addition to screenings, it gives people the opportunity to literally handle film and make movies.

the idea — to put the digital revolution to one side and generate respect for the art of film—making with supervised instruction. we teach a number of workshops, we're a learning lab, so we teach super eight, 16 and 35 motion picture film—making. those who run micro—cinemas view them as a permanent feature of the landscape, a way of seeing films which will prevail and develop. micro—cinemas will continue to evolve because cinema itself is always evolving. at the same time, part of the allure of micro—cinemas and cinemas in general is that they address a very fundamental need for people to come together, to partake in a kind of public ritual in a shared space. that desire to see movies together is perhaps more than anything else what sustains micro—cinemas. despite the convenience of streaming, gathering together in the dark, even in small numbers, to watch in general is that they address

a very fundamental need that desire to see movies together is perhaps more than anything else what sustains micro—cinemas. despite the convenience of streaming, gathering together in the dark, even in small numbers, to watch a film, still, for many, holds an unbeatable magic. tom brook, bbc news, new york. steve backshall has been campaigning to have pollution levels in rivers discussed in parliament. he is used to facing danger in the wild, but what he found here in his own backyard after a nearby works discharged sewage into the river thames left him horrified. had this been a sample _ thames left him horrified. had this been a sample than _ thames left him horrified. had this been a sample than when - thames left him horrified. had this been a sample than when i - thames left him horrified. had this been a sample than when i was - thames left him horrified. had this i been a sample than when i was taking my tests, consuming that would put you in hospital, without any question. and it is not an exaggeration to say that it could have killed you. the levels of e. coli, norovirus, enterovirus, were so high that sometimes the laboratory would not even open the samples that were sent to them. and

they described it as being a death potion for the river, something that could kill anything living in or near to the river. figs could kill anything living in or near to the river.— could kill anything living in or near to the river. i could kill anything living in or near to the river. as an honorary lecturer at _ near to the river. as an honorary lecturer at bangui _ near to the river. as an honorary lecturer at bangui university, i near to the river. as an honorary lecturer at bangui university, he | lecturer at bangui university, he got the team down to put the river thames under the microscope. i was surrised thames under the microscope. i was surprised at — thames under the microscope. i was surprised at just _ thames under the microscope. i was surprised atjust how— thames under the microscope. i was surprised atjust how high _ thames under the microscope. i —" surprised atjust how high some of the readings were from steve's samples. —— bangor university. but unfortunately, it is becoming all too common. for unfortunately, it is becoming all too common-— unfortunately, it is becoming all too common. for steve, who has traversed — too common. for steve, who has traversed the _ too common. for steve, who has traversed the river _ too common. for steve, who has traversed the river with _ too common. for steve, who has traversed the river with his i too common. for steve, who has i traversed the river with his olympic medal winning wife helen glover, and who now takes his children on the water, it was a shock.— water, it was a shock. right now i would not — water, it was a shock. right now i would not go _ water, it was a shock. right now i would not go in _ water, it was a shock. right now i would not go in the _ water, it was a shock. right now i would not go in the river. - water, it was a shock. right now i would not go in the river. and i water, it was a shock. right now i l would not go in the river. and then there is the thought that there are people walking their dogs along the banks, there are kids splashing around the water, my own kids. and they could get seriously, seriously ill from this. they could get seriously, seriously ill from this-— they could get seriously, seriously ill from this. steve has now started a etition ill from this. steve has now started a petition to _ ill from this. steve has now started a petition to get — ill from this. steve has now started a petition to get sewage _ ill from this. steve has now started a petition to get sewage levels i ill from this. steve has now started a petition to get sewage levels in l a petition to get sewage levels in the river thames discussed in parliament. also accepted an invitation from thames water to tour

their little marlow sewage treatment works which is causing the problems in his area. he found the companies mindset alarming. is in his area. he found the companies mindset alarming.— mindset alarming. is there with a safe riiht mindset alarming. is there with a safe right now? _ mindset alarming. is there with a safe right now? you _ mindset alarming. is there with a safe right now? you would i mindset alarming. is there with a safe right now? you would have i mindset alarming. is there with a l safe right now? you would have to ask the environment _ safe right now? you would have to ask the environment agency i safe right now? you would have to ask the environment agency that, | safe right now? you would have to i ask the environment agency that, i'm afraid _ ask the environment agency that, i'm afraid. but— ask the environment agency that, i'm afraid. �* i. �* ask the environment agency that, i'm afraid. �* �* , ., afraid. but you're the company that ut the afraid. but you're the company that put the sewage _ afraid. but you're the company that put the sewage in _ afraid. but you're the company that put the sewage in there, _ afraid. but you're the company that put the sewage in there, surely i afraid. but you're the company that | put the sewage in there, surely that has to be your responsibility at some stage? i’m has to be your responsibility at some stage?— has to be your responsibility at some state? �* ., _ has to be your responsibility at some state? �* ., ., some stage? i'm not saying were not artiall some stage? i'm not saying were not partially responsible _ some stage? i'm not saying were not partially responsible for _ some stage? i'm not saying were not partially responsible for that, - some stage? i'm not saying were not partially responsible for that, but i partially responsible for that, but we are _ partially responsible for that, but we are not— partially responsible for that, but we are not responsible for letting the public— we are not responsible for letting the public know whether or not they can swim _ the public know whether or not they can swim in — the public know whether or not they can swim in the rivers.— the public know whether or not they can swim in the rivers. thames water have said taking _ can swim in the rivers. thames water have said taking action _ can swim in the rivers. thames water have said taking action to _ can swim in the rivers. thames water have said taking action to improve i have said taking action to improve the health of rivers is a key focus for us, and we are leading the way with our transparent approach to data. last month, the environment agency revealed raw sewage spills doubled last year in england, to 3.6 million hours of spills, compared with 1.75 million hours in 2022. transparency about the problem may be welcome, but people across the country want these privatised companies to pause paying

shareholder dividends to pay for action. to end this half—hour, i wanted to show you some stunning pictures out of iceland. take a look at this. it is of a wonderful display by mother nature, and it is coming up very shortly, a volcano has been erupting there over the past few months, but here, the lava and volcanic plume of gas has been combined with the world—famous northern lights. this time—lapse footage was filmed on wednesday, showing the display put on by the two at the eruption site in the south—west of the country. now let's get a look at the weather here in the uk, with sarah keith—lucas. it was a chilly start to the day particularly for central and southern parts of the uk and we had a touch of frost around. rain has been moving in from the north and for the rest of the day it will be damp across the northern part of the uk, whereas sunny spells will hold on in the south.

there is high—pressure out towards the west, but this weather front is coming around the northern side of that high pressure, bringing the cloud and rain to much of scotland. rain in northern ireland which is drying out a bit. northern england and north wales turning fairly wet in the afternoon. further south you're more likely to stay dry with sunshine lifting temperatures to 15 degrees in london, so a little bit warmer than recent days but still rather chilly in the north. we have got a colder, north—westerly wind developing overnight bringing a scattering of showers to scotland and a few further south as well. we have got the remnants of that system sitting across the southern part of the british isles first thing tomorrow. it will not be as cold as this morning, about five to 10 degrees to start friday. a weak frontal system in the south but high pressure towards the west and this combination will pull in the winds from north—westerly direction on friday, bringing sunshine and blustery showers. particularly windy in eastern scotland, but showers should clear and they will linger longest for central and south—eastern parts of england.

temperatures round about 14 or 15, but cooler where you are exposed to the northerly wind on the east coast. into the weekend high pressure will nudge its way a little bit further eastwards, so good news, drier weather at last after that relentless rain we have seen recently. a little bit of rain perhaps in the north of scotland. more cloud generally in eastern areas where we have that chilly and northerly wind. ten or 11 close to the east coast. towards the west 13 and 14 with longer spells of sunshine. a similar day on sunday. most of us dry with the best of the sunshine towards the west. a bit more cloud in the east and that breeze coming in off the north sea. 11 degrees or so for norwich and up to about 16 in belfast. next week it looks like high pressure is still fairly close, so a lot of dry weather, one or two showers, especially in the south, but those temperatures will continue to be a little below average for this time of year.

live from london, this is bbc news. qatar says it's reassessing its role as a mediator between israel and hamas, as the country's prime minister says it's being expoited and abused. the conservative mp mark menzies is suspended from the party after being accused of misusing campaign funds, claims he disputes. the government says an investigation is underway. scotland's only gender identity clinic for children has paused prescribing puberty blockers. the clinic in glasgow says new patients will no longer receive the hormone treatment

until they were 18. and a third day of disruption at the world's second busiest airport after the united arab emirates suffers its heaviest rain in more than 70 years. hello, i'm nikki schiller. we start this hour with the latest on the middle east conflict. qatar says it's reassessing its role as a mediator between israel and hamas, more than six months into the war. qatar has had a key role — along with egypt and america — in trying to secure a ceasefire between israel and hamas and the release of israeli hostages. but doha says its efforts were being undermined by politicians seeking to score points. take a listen to qatar's prime minister. translation: unfortunately, i mean,

we have seen that there has been i