translation: they will be | arrested, they will be judged and they will be punished commensurate to the crime that they have committed. this is the man who was freed

in the bloody assault — 30—year—old mohammed amra, a convicted local burglar. but he was also the suspect in a fatal kidnapping to georgia, where thousands of protestors remain on the streets and around parliament after mps on tuesday approved a divisive "foreign agent" law. under the bill ngos and independent media that receive more than 20% of their funding from foreign donors would have to register

as organisations "bearing the interests of a foreign power". critics are likening the bill to legislation in neighbouring russia — used to stiffle dissent and silence criticism of the kremlin. earlier, there were clashes with riot police, when protesters tried to break through metal barriers near the parliament building. rayhan demytrie has more. earlier, there were clashes with riot police, when protesters tried to break through metal barriers near the parliament building. rayhan demytrie has more. they marched in with a warning against the protesters who have been demonstrating outside parliament for weeks. protesters stood defiantly, refusing to move away... ..and then violence...

..all in the name of a contentious law which protesters fear will mark the end of georgia's democracy. you get a sense, now, they are moving more intensely. and the protesters are beginning to boo. they're being pushed away from the square. we will be in the eu. freedom to the georgians! georgian people are standing for their rights, to make a decision, which is to be against this law. we do not wish it. it is dragging us back into the same hole that we finally crawled out of. a similar foreign agents bill law exists in russia, used there to crack down on the government's critics. georgians worry the same thing might happen here. they are liars, they are putin's guys, you know? they are doing russian work here. earlier, mps from the governing party passed the law after a debate turned into a brawl. authorities defended the bill, saying it would help protect georgia from foreign interference. critics suspect the government is trying to defend

the interests of one man, bidzina ivanishvili, a billionaire who made his fortune in russia. that is also intrinsically very russian — to defend the interests of one man against the interests of one nation. these mass protests have been driven by georgia's youth, standing up to defend the national dream of a future in europe. let's speak to politico correspondent — gabriel gavien who's in tbilisi. what has been happening overnight?— what has been happening overniuht? , overnight? yesterday as the parliament _ overnight? yesterday as the parliament passed - overnight? yesterday as the parliament passed on - overnight? yesterday as the parliament passed on the i overnight? yesterday as the i parliament passed on the third reading — parliament passed on the third reading this controversial foreign _ reading this controversial foreign agent bill, tens of thousands of people took to the streets — thousands of people took to the streets and we saw footage of people — streets and we saw footage of people trying to tear down the metal— people trying to tear down the metal barricades outside parliament, the response from the police _ parliament, the response from

the police was immediate, we saw again, riot police with shields. _ saw again, riot police with shields, batons making detentions, they used tear gas teargas in tear gas in the past. they are trying to drive people away _ they are trying to drive people away from the parliament. the city has — away from the parliament. the city has come to a standstill, afier— city has come to a standstill, after being moved on from parliament large crowds many wrapped — parliament large crowds many wrapped in eu flags and georgian flags, often equipped with gas masks, helmets, to keep— with gas masks, helmets, to keep safe during the protest, moved — keep safe during the protest, moved to what is known as hero square, — moved to what is known as hero square, a — moved to what is known as hero square, a critical roundabout in the — square, a critical roundabout in the infrastructure of the city, — in the infrastructure of the city, paralysed traffic through the city, _ city, paralysed traffic through the city, saying we will not move _ the city, saying we will not move until this law is dropped. what you think will happen next? �* , . what you think will happen next? �*, ., ., ~ ., , next? it's hard to know, this is not the — next? it's hard to know, this is not the first _ next? it's hard to know, this is not the first time - next? it's hard to know, this is not the first time the - is not the first time the governing party has tried to

introduce this kind of restrictions on civil society and — restrictions on civil society and critics, they initially proposed these plans last year, and faced _ these plans last year, and faced with mass protest, probably smaller than these ones. — probably smaller than these ones. as_ probably smaller than these ones, as well as condemnation from _ ones, as well as condemnation from the — ones, as well as condemnation from the us and eu, they dropped them and said we will indefinitely solve —— show of these — indefinitely solve —— show of these. the decision to bring them — these. the decision to bring them back indicates they are ready— them back indicates they are ready for— them back indicates they are ready for another fight like this— ready for another fight like this and _ ready for another fight like this and are not interested in what — this and are not interested in what their citizens or friends abroad — what their citizens or friends abroad think. the biggest driving _ abroad think. the biggest driving factor is not this is a civit— driving factor is not this is a civil society thing, affecting ngos. _ civil society thing, affecting ngos, the real problem here is the european union has said this— the european union has said this law— the european union has said this law is incompatible with european values, it will stymie georgia's— european values, it will stymie georgia's path to the eu. just six months it was granted candidates status, for a lot of people — candidates status, fora lot of people i— candidates status, for a lot of people i am speaking to it is not of— people i am speaking to it is not of the bill affecting ngos, this is— not of the bill affecting ngos, this is about the entire future of the — this is about the entire future of the country whether it chooses _ of the country whether it chooses a path of european integration or at remains in

the — integration or at remains in the moscow sphere of violence, and that— the moscow sphere of violence, and that is— the moscow sphere of violence, and that is something they are not ready— and that is something they are not ready to give up yet. interesting to see what happens in the next few days, it has been pushed through parliament now and come become law, it has huge consequences for the future of georgia? opposition leaders are — future of georgia? opposition leaders are convinced - future of georgia? opposition leaders are convinced the - leaders are convinced the process is not over yet, the president is independently elected and critical of the georgia party and has vowed she will not sign the bill, that throws a spanner in the works in terms of the legislative process. howeverthat in terms of the legislative process. however that veto can be overridden with a simple majority in parliament which we know is georgia dream has, they have passed every reading of the bill with a majority in parliament, if they want to they can force the through, the question their friends in the european capitals, and citizens are saying, you might be able to force the through but at

what cost?— to force the through but at what cost? good to get your take on what _ what cost? good to get your take on what is _ what cost? good to get your take on what is happening. l take on what is happening. thank you very much. let's get some of the day's other news now. singapore swears in a new prime minister later for only the fourth time in its 59—year history. cabinet minister lawrence wong will replace his mentor lee hsieng loong, son of singapore's first leader lee kuan yew, who's decided to step down after 20 years in office. the first report by investigators into the collapse of a bridge in the us city of baltimore says the ship that crashed into it had experienced an electrical blackout. the findings said the cargo vessel, the dali, had a power outage hours before while undergoing maintenance. thousands of residents in western canada have been ordered to evacuate their homes in the face of fierce wildfires. firefighters say the wildfire season is well under way, with more than a hundred blazes classed as "out of control".

in ukraine, america's top diplomat, anthony blinken, says that russian president vladimir putin must pay to rebuild what he has destroyed in ukraine. the us secretary of state was making a surprise visit to kyiv. he said washington has the power to seize russian assets in the us and will use them to help rebuild ukraine. take a listen. there's one more crucial step that we can take, making russia pay for ukraine's recovery and reconstruction. what putin destroyed, russia should and must pay to rebuild. it comes as ukraine's energy operator has rolled out emergency blackouts after weeks of russian strikes on power plants left the country unable to deal with a sharp drop in temperatures. meanwhile in the east of the country, ukrainian forces are struggling to hold back a major russian incursion near kharkiv.

it's one of the most significant russian ground attacks since the start of the war. jonathan beale sent this report. gunfire there was some ukrainian resistance when russian troops first crossed the border. this video shows ukrainian border guards trying to stop that advance. but others simply walked in, and russia's taken more than 50 square miles of ukrainian territory in a matter of days. russian troops have now entered vovchansk. this recent drone feed shows a fierce fight for the town. even ukraine's most senior commanders admit the situation is critical and tense. one reason why they're now restricting access to the front. people living close to the fighting taking everything they can, by any means possible, are leaving in their hundreds.

the local officials are trying to dispel any sense of panic. translation: no, i we were not surprised by this attack. we just didn't know where exactly it would happen. we knew that some kind of attack was expected and that they would look for a place to find the weakness. he said the situation had stabilised, but that's not how it felt to valentina, who had to be rescued from her home. translation: it wasn't 'ust loud, it was very loud. h we hardly had time to get out. the russians were already close. really close. yana had already packed her belongings before this latest russian attack. yes, we were ready because all the warnings were just clear- that that could happen. and do you think the ukrainian army was ready? i don't think so. this is what the

russians left behind the first time they were here in 2022 — a village completely destroyed and deserted. and just a few miles up there, the russians are doing exactly the same again in this latest assault. kharkiv city is where thousands are taking refuge, but it too is only 20 miles from the russian border. many here have already endured occupation, then liberation, and they're having to live through the trauma once again. let's talk about the trial taking place in new york. donald trump's legal team have begun their cross—examination of his ex lawyer, michael cohen, at the former president's hush—money trial in new york. mr cohen has already testified that he's lied many times

fortrump, including under oath, out of "loyalty" and to "protect" the president, when he was his personal counsel. sarah smith has been following proceedings in new york. they were once so close, michael kohn said he would take a bullet donald trump. now he could be providing the evidence that convicts the former president. these days he appears on social media like this and sells the t—shirt showing donald trump behind bars, demonstrating how biased he is. convinced is firm effexor is now set on revenge donald trump brought along a very large entourage. his lawyers, ready to take on michael cohen, as well as relatives and a cast of supportive political allies. mr trump, will you testify? i do have a lot of surrogates and they are speaking very beautifully. and they come from all over washington and they are highly respected and they think this is the greatest scam they've ever seen. in court, michael cohen was confronted with many of the insults he has

hurled at donald trump. his lawyer, todd blanche, said, "you referred "to president trump as a dictator "douche bag, didn't you?" "sounds like something i would say," he replied. he was also asked repeatedly if he wants to see donald trump convicted. "sure," he said. some of these very blunt replies were making the jury smile. donald trump's kept his eyes closed for all of this testimony. he's not allowed to hit back, but his friends can. this is a man who is clearly on a mission for personal revenge and who is widely known as a witness who has trouble with the truth. he is someone who has a history of perjury and is well known for it. earlier today, mr cohen appeared to seal the prosecution case when he said he paid hush money to stormy daniels so her story about having sex with mr trump would not affect his chances of becoming president. susan hoffinger for the prosecution said, "if not for the campaign, mr cohen, would you "have paid that money?" "no, ma'am," he said. "at whose direction and on whose "behalf did you commit that crime?" "on behalf of mrtrump," he said.

the star witness for the prosecution and donald trump's nemesis will be back on thursday to face more cross—examination. he will again be accused of lying to try and send his former boss to jail. sarah smith, bbc news, new york. around the world and across the uk, this is bbc news.

hospital leaders in england say there are continuing delays and concerns about funding of the official plan to build a0 new hospitals by 2030. nhs providers, who represent nhs trusts in england, says a year on from the government's renewed commitment to the plan some hospitals are still waiting for detailed blueprints and financial allocations. our health editor hugh pym reports. as hospitals like this one it

is a story of delay and uncertainty. princess alexandra and essex was part of the original a0 hospital plan and the new building intended to be ready by this year but the land has not yet been bought, officials admitted earlier this month project may not be finished until 2032. the government recommitted to its plan last may and included hospitals like the queen elizabeth at kingsland with structural problems caused by outdated concrete. but a year on nhs trust representative say there is still in decision on funding and timetable what we have seen since the government i s have seen since the government 's commitment to the new hospital programme is significant delay in any progress and we know that is costing money having a real impact on patients and undermining staff morale. the 40 new hospitals _ undermining staff morale. tue: a0 new hospitals by undermining staff morale. tte: a0 new hospitals by 2030 pledge was in the conservative manifesto for the 2019 general

election. tt manifesto for the 2019 general election. . , manifesto for the 2019 general election. . ., , election. it was officially confirmed _ election. it was officially confirmed by _ election. it was officially confirmed by the - election. it was officially - confirmed by the government in october 2020, later emerging sum involved major new buildings on existing sites. some hospitals say they are spending £1 million a month patching up crumbling buildings and looking after sites identified for development but we were cannot yet start, one trust has reported inflation has pushed up the cost of its project by £220 million over the last three years, the department of health said there was continued good progress with the programme and there had been extra investment this yearfor upgrading nhs year for upgrading nhs buildings. hugh pym, bbc news. it is finally open — the uk's biggest indoor arena, co—op live, has staged its opening performance after weeks of last—minute cancellations and chaos. the new £365 million venue has been blighted by setbacks. colin paterson has more.

this was the moment co—op live finally got under way. afterwards a chance to get fans to review the band and the venue. ,., to review the band and the venue. ., ., venue. elbow were amazing. the venue. elbow were amazing. the venue was _ venue. elbow were amazing. the venue was really _ venue. elbow were amazing. the venue was really good _ venue. elbow were amazing. the venue was really good after- venue. elbow were amazing. the venue was really good after the i venue was really good after the trouble — venue was really good after the trouble and concern, the venue was really— trouble and concern, the venue was really great, really organised. a was really great, really organised.— was really great, really oruanised. ~ , ., organised. a couple of hooks missin: organised. a couple of hooks missing on — organised. a couple of hooks missing on the _ organised. a couple of hooks missing on the back- organised. a couple of hooks missing on the back of- organised. a couple of hooks missing on the back of the i missing on the back of the toilet— missing on the back of the toilet doors. _ missing on the back of the toilet doors.— missing on the back of the toilet doors. ~ ., ., toilet doors. we are worried we would have _ toilet doors. we are worried we would have to _ toilet doors. we are worried we would have to bring _ toilet doors. we are worried we would have to bring hard i toilet doors. we are worried we would have to bring hard hats l would have to bring hard hats and we did. would have to bring hard hats and we did-— and we did. fiona and adam about to _ and we did. fiona and adam about to play _ and we did. fiona and adam about to play their - and we did. fiona and adam about to play their own i and we did. fiona and adam| about to play their own small part in the history of the venue. first in the queue and first in the arena, how does it feel? can't wait.— feel? can't wait. are you nervous? _ feel? can't wait. are you nervous? no, _ feel? can't wait. are you nervous? no, only- feel? can't wait. are you nervous? no, only we i feel? can't wait. are you i nervous? no, only we don't get to the front. nervous? no, only we don't get to the front-— to the front. and then the moment _ to the front. and then the moment the _ to the front. and then the moment the doors - to the front. and then the i

moment the doors opened. to the front. and then the - moment the doors opened. after opening night been cancelled on three previous occasions, a gig was actually going ahead. you no was actually going ahead. you go through — was actually going ahead. tm. go through something like this you go to bed at night with the demons. �* ., , ., demons. before the show the boss gave _ demons. before the show the boss gave us _ demons. before the show the boss gave us the _ demons. before the show the boss gave us the tour. - as much as i love doing these interviews with you, and i think this is our third one, i don't think we will be doing a fourth. he acknowledged when it came to their reputation a lot of work had to be done. the manchester business community have spoke about how they feel embarrassed about how they feel embarrassed about what has happened. let’s about what has happened. let's make sure _ about what has happened. let's make sure we _ about what has happened. let's make sure we put _ about what has happened. let's make sure we put this - about what has happened. let's make sure we put this in - make sure we put this in perspective, we will have the largest economic impact of any project in manchester. what are you embarrassed about? we will fill hotels, thousand people working at the venue, 10,000 people we pay to build this building privately. but co-op live was finally, _ building privately. but co-op live was finally, finally i building privately. but co-op live was finally, finally live! | live was finally, finally live! by live was finally, finally live! by the way i look forward to

never seeing you again. the legendary singer—songwriter stevie wonder is officially ghanaian. on monday, the musical icon's 7ath birthday, he was granted citizenship by the nation's president. the superstar was born and bred in the us state of michigan but has long had an affinity for ghana — a west african nation thousands of miles from home. he told the bbcs thomas naadi what being ghanaian meant to him. when i first came, the first time i felt the essence of it, as if i had been here before. and that was really the key, i said this is where i need to be. ., ., , ., , , said this is where i need to be. ., , , be. how do you see this impact in our be. how do you see this impact in your life _ be. how do you see this impact in your life and _ be. how do you see this impact in your life and work? - be. how do you see this impact in your life and work? i - be. how do you see this impact in your life and work? i see i be. how do you see this impact in your life and work? i see me | in your life and work? i see me havin: in your life and work? i see me having hr _ in your life and work? i see me having hr to — in your life and work? i see me having hr to just _ in your life and work? i see me having hr to just do _ in your life and work? i see me having hr to just do great i having hr to just do great things, bringing ourfamily things, bringing our family together, things, bringing ourfamily

together, to celebrate the greatness of africa. and obviously the greatness of ghana because i was able to know the history of the first president,. know the history of the first president. -_ president,. are there any upcoming _ president,. are there any upcoming projects - president,. are there any upcoming projects or i upcoming projects or initiatives you plan to undertake in this country? what i would undertake in this country? what i would like _ undertake in this country? what i would like to _ undertake in this country? what i would like to see _ undertake in this country? what i would like to see happen i undertake in this country? twat i would like to see happen is africa have an awards show, and where they can really acknowledge the greatness of people that have done great things in the world. obviously, i would love to work with allowing there to be an opportunity for people to have jobs opportunities, to really build the nation and the nations, with their own hands. i think that when you think about it, the youngest generation is in africa. so we need to think about how their

greatness can shine. haifa need to think about how their greatness can shine.- need to think about how their greatness can shine. how do you envision single _ greatness can shine. how do you envision single platform - greatness can shine. how do you envision single platform to i envision single platform to promote positive change in ghana and beyond? conversation, obviousl , ghana and beyond? conversation, obviously, action! _ ghana and beyond? conversation, obviously, action! in _ ghana and beyond? conversation, obviously, action! in the - obviously, action! in the spirit of notjust talking about it, but being a part of it, and understanding that in that we are the original people of this whole planet. it is only meant to be that we are the ones who really take this world to a better and brighter place. forall world to a better and brighter place. for all humanity. stevie wonder, place. for all humanity. stevie wonder. we — place. for all humanity. stevie wonder, we have _ place. for all humanity. stevie wonder, we have business i place. for all humanity. stevie wonder, we have business to l wonder, we have business to date next. hello. we've some damp weather out there at the moment, and there's also some rain

in the forecast for wednesday — not an awful lot. here's the outlook for the rest of the week — a bit of a mixed bag, a little bit of sunshine, some scattered showers, but at least it'll be relatively warm. now, on the satellite picture, you'll notice this swirl of cloud — that's an area of low pressure. this is the weather front, and this low pressure will stick around really for the rest of the week. so actually, the overall weather pattern won't change an awful lot across the uk, but there will be some regional differences from day to day, of course. here's the morning, then — around 7am, we will have had temperatures between 12—1a celsius, some damp, if not at times wet, weather from east anglia into lincolnshire and along these eastern counties. but elsewhere, it's a bright and even sunny start to the day, and through the afternoon, i think our best weather will be in the north of scotland. some sunshine there in the highlands, and temperatures could reach 23 celsius. that's the exception, though — for most of us, it'll be in the range of 18—20 celsius. now, with this low pressure not really moving away anywhere, the weather front�*s still in the same place,

so thicker cloud and, at times, outbreaks of rain from east anglia and across northern england, and elsewhere, we'll see some clear spells. and here's thursday morning — again, the weather front still in the same place, at least roughly. there'll be some glimmers of brightness between the layers of cloud, but also some rain at times — or at least showers — coming and going. and again, temperatures between around 18—20 celsius — maybe a little bit cooler where the clouds thicker and the rain's just that little bit heavier. into friday, then, you can see the distribution of showers in slightly different places in scotland, maybe the northwest of england, too. i think further south, it should be brighter, and again, temperatures don't really change — it's because that area of low pressure is basically carrying the same atmosphere, and the temperatures won't be changing. high pressure is starting to push in through the weekend, but it'll be a very slow process, so don't expect major changes. so here's the summary for the rest of the week and the forecast into the weekend —

notice that actually more northern parts of the uk fare better as we head into the weekend, with some sunshine on the way for belfast, and really quite warm. bye— bye.

cheating, not competing —

joe biden takes aim joe biden announces new tariffs, including 100% border tax on electric vehicles. timer;r tax on electric vehicles. they are flooding _ tax on electric vehicles. they are flooding the _ tax on electric vehicles. they are flooding the market i tax on electric vehicles. they are flooding the market and l are flooding the market and driving manufacturers out of business in europe. we won't let that happen.— let that happen. investors on edge ahead _ let that happen. investors on edge ahead of— let that happen. investors on edge ahead of crucial- let that happen. investors on | edge ahead of crucial inflation figures withjerome powell indicating interest rates may go higher for indicating interest rates may go higherfor longer. the ai race intensifies. google unveils its latest artificial intelligence products, a day after it launched its new chop block as the big tech companies jostle for dominance. and the film industry has descended on the french riviera. live with more business the french riviera. live with more business news the french riviera. live with more business news on the french riviera. live with more business news on that. good to have you with us. this

is business today.