hello, i'm lewis vaughanjones. you're watching the context on bbc news. in favour, 143. against, nine. abstentions, 25. draft resolution is adopted. with sick and twisted irony, the very body established to prevent evil is now welcoming a terrorist state into its ranks. a yes vote is a vote for palestinian existence — a yes vote is a vote for palestinian existence it— a yes vote is a vote for palestinian existence. it is— a yes vote is a vote for palestinian existence. it is not— a yes vote is a vote for palestinian existence. it is not against- a yes vote is a vote for palestinian existence. it is not against any- existence. it is not against any state — this is largely symbolic. the general assembly does not have the power to confer full membership on new states. that power belongs only to the security council.

hello and welcome to the programme. israeli fury as the un general assembly votes for full palestinian membership, effectively recognising a state of palestine. it's a symbolic vote, but it could have major ramifications for un relations with israel. also tonight... we will look at the situation in ukraine, as russian soldiers look to make inroads in the east of the country. good news for the uk — the economy grew by 0.6% in the first three months of the year, beating expectations and taking the country out of recession. and we will bring you the latest from new york, as donald trump's criminal trial wraps up a busy fourth week. the united nations general assembly backed a palestinian bid to become a full member of the un, in a move that would enhance

its status at the organisation and effectively recognise a palestinian state. here's the moment the resolution went through. the result of the vote is as follows. in favour, 143 against. in favour, 143. against, nine. abstentions, 25. draft resolution/io/l/30/i is adopted. the vote is symbolic — membership can only be decided upon by the un security council — but with the us veto at the security council, it's extremely unlikely that resolution would pass. but even so, israel has reacted with fury. its foreign minister said the vote was an absurd decision that is a prize for hamas.

and take a look at this — gilad erdan, israel's permanent representative at the united nations, shredding the un charter during a speech just ahead of the vote. this is what he said. today, with sick and twisted irony, the very body established to prevent evil is now welcoming a terror state into its ranks. what would churchill say if he were alive today? what would roosevelt think? they are turning in their graves. turning in their graves. it comes as prime minister benjamin netanyahu's war cabinet have reportedly approved an expansion of military action in rafah. us president biden warned he'll stop sending some american weapons there if there's a full—scale israeli attack on rafah. more than a million palestinians are sheltering there, most of them children and women. i'm joined now by former us ambassador to iraq

and turkey, and special envoy to the global coalition to defeat isis, jamesjeffrey. thank you very much for coming on the programme. thank you very much for coming on the programme-— thank you very much for coming on the programme. thanks for having me. can i first get — the programme. thanks for having me. can i first get your— the programme. thanks for having me. can i first get your assessment - the programme. thanks for having me. can i first get your assessment of - can i first get your assessment of those events at the un? it is can i first get your assessment of those events at the un?- those events at the un? it is not unexpected _ those events at the un? it is not unexpected and _ those events at the un? it is not unexpected and in _ those events at the un? it is not unexpected and in 1947 - those events at the un? it is not unexpected and in 1947 it - those events at the un? it is not unexpected and in 1947 it was i those events at the un? it is not| unexpected and in 1947 it was the those events at the un? it is not - unexpected and in 1947 it was the un general assembly, unexpected and in 1947 it was the un generalassembly, not unexpected and in 1947 it was the un general assembly, not the security council, in resolution 181 that calls for both a jewish state, what is now israel, and an arab and palestinian state, which is what we are talking about now, so it is nothing new and it reflects the fact that most countries, including the united states, which voted against this, do believe there should be a two state solution, and secondly, criticism of israel's behaviour in the west bank over the past 15 or ten years. so it is symbolic, but it is fighting an element of hamas right now, as well. you

is fighting an element of hamas right now, as well.— is fighting an element of hamas right now, as well. you said is not new but what _ right now, as well. you said is not new but what about _ right now, as well. you said is not new but what about the _ right now, as well. you said is not new but what about the specific i new but what about the specific timing of it? the new but what about the specific timing of it?— new but what about the specific timin: of it? , _ . timing of it? the timing is symbolic criticism. most _ timing of it? the timing is symbolic criticism. most reasonable - timing of it? the timing is symbolic| criticism. most reasonable countries are too minded about this, they don't like the civilian casualties, on the other hand, they understand that hamas is part of that volatile collection of extremist islamic thinking, be it iranian or extremist groups in the middle east that has torn at the regional part in the last 20 years and threaten the streets of their own capitals in europe and the united states, north america, so they are ambivalent about this and this is a way to send about this and this is a way to send a signal without doing anything really important.— a signal without doing anything really important. let's move on to the us israel— really important. let's move on to the us israel relationship, - really important. let's move on to the us israel relationship, what. really important. let's move on to| the us israel relationship, what do you make of netanyahu's response to biden's actions and that withholding of certain military supplies if it

is going to be used in rafah? right, uner is going to be used in rafah? right, unlike much — is going to be used in rafah? right, unlike much of _ is going to be used in rafah? right, unlike much of what _ is going to be used in rafah? right, unlike much of what netanyahu - is going to be used in rafah? ii grit, unlike much of what netanyahu has done and his coalition, his words reflect where most of the israeli people are and where israelis and frankly most of us who have a strategic background think israel should be, which is they have to finish the dismantling of hamas and that requires more operations in rafah. but the second thing is, no leader of any self—respecting country is going to let any other leader, in this case the american leader, in this case the american leader, dictate existential security questions. i think what president biden did is to perhaps make it more likely that netanyahu will launch a major offensive into gaza. i hope not, i think it could be more limited, but i think that may be the result of this, just to show that you can't order another state around. 50 you can't order another state around. , , , ., , around. so the presumption behind all that is the _

around. so the presumption behind all that is the remaining _ around. so the presumption behind all that is the remaining hamas - all that is the remaining hamas command units in rafah still represent an existential threat to israel, is that right? that represent an existential threat to israel, is that right?— israel, is that right? that is ritht, israel, is that right? that is right. there _ israel, is that right? that is right, there is _ israel, is that right? that is right, there is about - israel, is that right? that is| right, there is about 15,000 israel, is that right? that is i right, there is about 15,000 of them. they are much diminished, but there is no one to replace them. most people don't want the israeli defence forces to remain a long—term in gaza but who will come in if hamas, with 15,000 left, is going to be contesting that terrain? you won't see anybody come back in and rebuild gaza, sojoe biden should tell all of us how this will help long term the people of gaza. {jute long term the people of gaza. onto the operations _ long term the people of gaza. onto the operations in _ long term the people of gaza. onto the operations in rafah, _ long term the people of gaza. 0nto the operations in rafah, what do you make of the way it has been carried out so far and the chances of carrying out that mission, as you

have just been outlining there, without the significant civilian casualties?— without the significant civilian casualties? ., , ., casualties? so far the israelis have listened to joe _ casualties? so far the israelis have listened to joe biden, _ casualties? so far the israelis have listened to joe biden, they - casualties? so far the israelis have listened to joe biden, they have i listened tojoe biden, they have carried out a limited operation and it has been praised by a spokesperson here in washington, dc, because it has been limited. they have given warnings to limited numbers of the civilian population to move out of rafah and they have seized something strategic which is the rafah crossing and they are in a position to cut off most of the smuggling channels in what is called the philadelphia corridor along the egyptian border. if the israelis do this step—by—step, and that is the point you did make come up with the diminished military capabilities of hamas, the israelis can do this more low. it won't be the rating that washington seems to prefer, but it could be something much less than what we have seen in the preceding months. i think under the surface,

washington and jerusalem are trying to come up with a common position. james, thank you very much for giving us your analysis.- james, thank you very much for giving us your analysis. meanwhile, there are ongoing tensions in malmo at the eurovision song contest around israel's entry. the entrant for the netherlands has reportedly been stopped from rehearsing by organisers. the european broadcasting union said it was "investigating an incident reported to us involving the dutch artist." he will not be rehearsing until further notice. on thursday, klein had told the israeli entrant, eden golan, that she should answer a question about whether her appearance was compromising the safety of other participants. my colleague maryam moshiri is there and sent this update. tonight, the jury final takes place. that means that all the 26 acts will sing for the jury. the jury will then vote based on the performance tonight. so today, all the acts, obviously, were going through their rehearsals in the order that they would do them

on the actual night tonight and for some reason they skip past the dutch act, joost klein. there was no indication given as to why this happened. there was no indication from the ebu other than the fact they said there was an incident that involved the dutch act and they decided at that point to not allow the dutch act to continue to do the rehearsal. the props for his show were on stage when that decision was taken, so that's why there was a huge amount of confusion. you mentioned earlier there was a little bit of an incident during a press conference between the israeli delegation and joost klein. let's have a quick listen to this. and i want you to listen tojoost. at some point after the question is asked to eden golan, the israeli act, you can hearjoost in the background asking, "why not?" have a listen. have you ever thought that by being here you bring risk and dangerfor other participants and public?

you don't have to answer that question if you don't want to. why not? if you want to. if you want to answer, please. i think we're all here for one reason and one reason only. and the ebu is taking all safety precautions to make this a safe and united place for everyone. and so i think it's safe for everyone. the politics of your vision. the final tomorrow and we will keep across that for you. —— politics of eurovision. around the world and across the uk, this is bbc news.

this is bbc news. we are going to head to the us now. week four of donald trump's trial has wrapped up in new york. compared to the past two days of testimony with stormy daniels,

today was far slower. the lawyers on both sides really got into the nitty—gritty detail of phone records, which provided for rather dry listening. the main witness of the day being donald trump's former white house assistant. 0ur correspondent nada tawfik is in new york for us. we will get into the review of the week as a whole in a moment but first took us through what we need to know about today. yes. first took us through what we need to know about today.— to know about today. yes, as you mentioned _ to know about today. yes, as you mentioned there, _ to know about today. yes, as you mentioned there, it _ to know about today. yes, as you mentioned there, it was - to know about today. yes, as you mentioned there, it was a - to know about today. yes, as you mentioned there, it was a far - to know about today. yes, as you i mentioned there, it was a far slower day in court. in fact, courts finished at about midday, so half a day here. it was a day is damaged in between one massive witness who was stormy daniels the day before, and a very big witness coming up, try�*s format lawyer michael cohen. today, as you say, just going over phone records which will be important in

this case because donald trump, it has been established even before this trial and during testimony through several witnesses that he didn't use e—mail or text messages or even a computer, and most of his conversations were over the phone, and so a lot of those phone comb the stations will be dissected when michael cohen takes the stand, because remember, he says that donald trump directed him to make that hush money payment which prosecutors say mounted to an illegal campaign donation. of course, donald trump denies all wrongdoing, but those phone records will add evidence, prosecutors hope, to cooperate a lot of what michael cohen will say. the defence certainly will hit back that phone records don't prove anything, but besides that, we did have madeleine westerhout, who was the executive assistant at the oval office, and compared to stormy daniels and michael karen to come, she was someone who thought of donald trump quite favourably and she wrote a

book about how much she admired her former boss. qm. book about how much she admired her former boss-— former boss. ok, and “ust before we tet onto former boss. ok, and “ust before we got onto looking — former boss. ok, and “ust before we get onto looking at _ former boss. ok, and just before we get onto looking at next _ former boss. ok, and just before we get onto looking at next week- former boss. ok, and just before we get onto looking at next week which | get onto looking at next week which you have outlined a little bit, just the week as a whole, what will stand out most? , ., ., ~' ~' the week as a whole, what will stand out most? , ., ., ~ ~ , out most? yes, look, i think it is important _ out most? yes, look, i think it is important for— out most? yes, look, i think it is important for people _ out most? yes, look, i think it is important for people to - out most? yes, look, i think it is important for people to know- out most? yes, look, i think it is| important for people to know that there is not really one smoking gun perse there is not really one smoking gun per se in this case. it is rather a series of blocks building to the kind of central .4 prosecutors, all those led to donald trump. what we had this week was a series of witnesses that try to cooperate a lot of the prosecution's case. we had stormy daniels talking about, trying to prove that she hadn't lied about that sexual encounter with

donald trump that she denied, 20 say it was all about the election. in previous witnesses pulling out some of donald trump's own words when he talked about the importance of loyalty to him above all else, so we have reallyjust loyalty to him above all else, so we have really just seen loyalty to him above all else, so we have reallyjust seen prosecutors building up what they hope will help the narrative when michael cohen takes the stand. just trying to sew enough doubt in the jury to help the jury enough doubt in the jury to help the jury sided with them and find there is reasonable doubt and not enough evidence to convict donald trump. thank you very much for that. the uk is out of recession, after stronger than expected growth at the start of the year. the economy shrunk towards the end of last year as people faced higher prices in shops and higher interest rates. the prime minister said the uk economy has "real momentum" but admitted there is "more

work to do." let's hear from vicky pryce, chief economic adviser at the centre for economics and business research. thank you very much for coming on the programme. thank you very much for coming on the programme-— thank you very much for coming on the programme._ how. thank you very much for coming on - the programme._ how should the programme. thank you. how should we assess the — the programme. thank you. how should we assess the growth _ the programme. thank you. how should we assess the growth figures _ the programme. thank you. how should we assess the growth figures for - the programme. thank you. how should we assess the growth figures for the - we assess the growth figures for the start of this year? it is we assess the growth figures for the start of this year?— start of this year? it is quite positive- — start of this year? it is quite positive. after _ start of this year? it is quite positive. after all, - start of this year? it is quite positive. after all, we - start of this year? it is quite positive. after all, we had i positive. after all, we had recession the last two quarters of 2023 and now we have growth which is faster than anyone was anticipating. if you look at any of you is just a bit before people were talking possibly of 2% —— .2%, and we are at .6%, so it is a positive change that is taking place. it is notjust here, if you look across the waters, the european union, what you have got there is also an improvement in gdp and that is all happening because inflation has been coming down, there is hope for interest

rates to also start coming down, so thatis rates to also start coming down, so that is a bit of an improvement in confidence. that is a bit of an improvement in confidence-— that is a bit of an improvement in confidence. �* . ., ., , , confidence. and what are economists ex-tectin confidence. and what are economists expecting for — confidence. and what are economists expecting for the _ confidence. and what are economists expecting for the next _ confidence. and what are economists expecting for the next quarter- expecting for the next quarter and the rest of the year?— the rest of the year? grace again. there are some _ the rest of the year? grace again. there are some slight _ the rest of the year? grace again. there are some slight worries. . the rest of the year? grace again. there are some slight worries. --j there are some slight worries. —— growth again. even though confidence has improved, the public are still reluctant to go out and spend, particularly if they don't have two or if the weather isn't good, now we have some good weather so people may go out and spend. if we are looking at the next quarter, following the 01 data we just got, the april readings were disappointing and the relative concerns about certain sectors, pubs, restaurants etc and entertainment, people are not spending enough in theatres and so on, so there is this concern people are waiting to see what is going to happen next and there is a lot of

uncertainty around. but i think there will be great. bearing in mind there will be great. bearing in mind the forecast for the year overall, even though the bank of england yesterday suggested just .5%, if we take that seriously, we need to see that as being interpreted as perhaps not that fast growth over the next few quarters. this last quarter showed growth over the previous year, so if you just compare first quarter of 2024 to last quarter of 2023 is just .2%, quarter of 2024 to last quarter of 2023 isjust .2%, so quarter of 2024 to last quarter of 2023 is just .2%, so we are not out of the woods yet. we will look at what will happen, will there be a giveaway at fiscal event? it may be just before the elections to get a bit more of a beast. will interest rates full significantly? that would also give people a boost. and maybe people will feel happy about going out and spending. that is why the

forecast is pretty slow growth the 2024. ., ~ , ., let's turn now to ukraine. president volodomyr zelensky says a fierce battle is under way in the kharkiv region, with russia launching what some have described as a surprise attack. small groups of troops with armoured vehicles pushed through the front line — military sources say they advanced a kilometre before being pushed back. there are reports of sustained russian shelling. ukraine's defence ministry says reinforcements have been sent to the region. here's president zelensky. translation: russia started | a new wave of offensive actions in the kharkiv region. ukraine forces met them there with brigades and artillery fire. it's important to understand that they can increase and bring more forces in this direction. it is a fact. let's speak to patrick bewry, a former nato analyst and defence expert at the university of bath. thank you for coming on the programme. thank you for coming on the programme-— thank you for coming on the - programme._ how thank you for coming on the _ programme._ how should programme. good evening. how should we assess what — programme. good evening. how should we assess what is _ programme. good evening. how should we assess what is happening? -

programme. good evening. how should we assess what is happening? it - programme. good evening. how should we assess what is happening? it is - we assess what is happening? it is difficult to get _ we assess what is happening? it 3 difficult to get the total ground truth at the moment and certainly a zelensky�*s reaction would suggest they are taking it seriously. what it looks like is essentially a reconnaissance in the force, moving some troops, some supported by armoury, into a village on the border and taking some ground. the question is is this the opening of a new front, which some new agencies are saying, or will it be more? i think we have to go back and see what the context is and president putin has been talking about trying to create a buffer zone in this area to create a buffer zone in this area to stop ukraine being able to launch drone missile attacks, so taking maybe ten kilometres in advance, and if you are going to do that, this would be a good way to start because it is essentially reconnaissance in force, see what the defence is alike and if there is a crack emerging try and if there is a crack emerging try and reinforce that and exploit it. if not, you just try and keep your

buffer zone going. and there is a psychological element of taking more ukrainian territory, but the fear factor of kharkiv, which is very unlikely to fall at the moment. we have been hearing a lot about this temporary gap between us supplies for example getting into ukraine. would we be expecting more incursions like this from the russian side, trying to use that gap, or is the whole idea of a time pressure because of this gap not actually bearing out? ida. pressure because of this gap not actually bearing out?— pressure because of this gap not actually bearing out? no, i think it is really important. _ actually bearing out? no, i think it is really important. unfortunately, the aids didn't come when it should have back in october, 23 us, that didn't come in. that handed a window

in terms of case, talking about high—rise equipment, patriot missiles, stuff they need to hold the lines and secure their airspace. then you have the ukrainian decision difficulty to actually mobilise and get that draft law through to generate the force they need and again the public need to do that around 0ctober again the public need to do that around october and they are only getting around to it now. and finally, the fortification issue, if you are serious about going on the defensive again and getting ahead of the curve, you need to start building more and they are starting to do it that his is the time lapse. cumulatively, this has handed russia a window of opportunity and they know it and they know they have a couple of months before the american stuff starts coming in and they will do their best to exploit that. the two areas people are respecting is one around kharkiv and near donetsk which is high ground. if they were able to get through there, it would

be quite significant but there is no signs of thatjust be quite significant but there is no signs of that just yet.— signs of that “ust yet. given those two signs of that just yet. given those two potential— signs of that just yet. given those two potential areas _ signs of that just yet. given those two potential areas which - signs of that just yet. given those two potential areas which we - signs of that just yet. given those two potential areas which we will| signs of that just yet. given those i two potential areas which we will be keeping a very close eye on, is the overall strategic aim this year from the ukrainian point of view basically they will be happy to get the end of the year with no change? i think so, and if you go and speak to ukrainian soldiers, they would privately admit at least the reality of them being a small nation taking about ground that is lost seems to be slipping away, certainly this year. —— taking background. if ukraine had got its boots and a rabbit better, there would be a chance that they could do a larger offensive towards the end of the summer, but that has gone. the mood music is not really going that way,

it would be in 2025. so at the moment it is about holding on, making it costly for the russians to advance and then that sets the conditions for hopefully some sort of emergence of negotiation but we will have to wait and see, that is on the ukrainian is ultimately. fascinating, thank you very much for talking us through it. really appreciate your analysis is always. thanks for coming on the programme. i will be back injust a i will be back in just a couple of minutes' time. just want to take you to these live pictures in the middle east because we are keeping an eye on events that given the latest events in new york at the united nations, that un general assembly vote there symbolic vote enhancing the case for palestinian statehood, not in and of itself that's vote bestowing that but it is seen as important for that principle. we are

getting plenty more reaction coming up. stay with us here on bbc news. hello. after another very warm and mostly sunny spring day today, what are the chances of this weather lasting through the weekend? well, at first, it is going to be more of the same — mostly dry on saturday, spells of sunshine. it will be very warm. but by sunday, signs of a change, some thundery showers as atlantic weather fronts start to edge in. but in the short term, this area of high pressure just about holding firm. underneath that high through tonight, we'll have largely clear skies. and it is possible, particularly across the northern half of the uk, that you might get a glimpse of the northern lights, the aurora borealis. there's been a lot of geomagnetic activity, a solar storm heading our way, so do keep an eye to the sky. it could be an impressive display, particularly the further north you are. certainly staying dry with those clear skies, although an area of cloud likely to affect some parts of eastern

england, also some areas of low cloud close to shetland. temperatures overnight not dropping far, generally between 7 and 12 degrees. so into tomorrow, a fine start, some good spells of sunshine, any early cloud in eastern england burning back towards north sea coasts. now, there is just the small chance of catching a shower, especially up over high ground in scotland. could be the odd hefty one, the odd thundery one. but most places will stay dry. in the sunshine, temperatures in glasgow, for instance, up to 24 degrees. western counties of northern ireland particularly could just see one or two showers, one or two across the far north of england. but for the bulk of england and wales, spells of sunshine, just a bit of patchy, fair weather cloud. maybe a bit murky for some north sea coasts, but highs of around 25 degrees. now, as we head through saturday night and into sunday, our area of high pressure begins to loosen its grip and these frontal systems will start to push quite erratically in from the atlantic. so on sunday, the further east you are, a decent chance of staying dry with some very warm sunshine. a bit murky for some coasts

of eastern scotland. but out towards the west, we will see some thunderstorms starting to pop up. quite hit—and—miss, but if you catch one, could give you a lot of rain in a short space of time. still, though, very warm indeed, with temperatures up to around 25 or 26 degrees. those temperatures certainly will not last. into next week, a much coolerfeel. temperatures generally between 15 and 18 degrees, showers or longer spells of rain, turning much more unsettled.

hello, i'm lewis vaughanjones. you're watching the context on bbc news. here, in the uk — the labour party sets out their policy on dealing with small boat crossings in the channel — saying they'd scrap the rwanda plan straightaway if they come into government — but refuse to set a target for getting the numbers down. sport and for a full round—up, from the bbc sport centre, here's gavin. hello from the bbc sport centre. some big news to bring you from the world of football — kylian mbappe has announced that he will leave paris saint—germain at the end of the season. the france captain, widely regarded as one of the best forwards in the game, released a video on social media — saying he would always speak when the time comes. it clears the way for a likely

move to real madrid. psg's lost to dortmund this week in the champions league semi—finals.