hello i'm helena humphrey. glad you could join me. the first—ever trial of a former us president is nearing its end, as donald trump's defense team rested its case on tuesday. closing arguments in the historic hush—money trial are set to begin next tuesday. then, the jury will begin weighing the evidence on whether mr trump illegally covered up a payment to adult film star stormy daniels. the former president faces 3a felony counts of falsifying business records. as he left the courthouse earlier, mr trump characterized the trial as political interference. this is all about biden. can't campaign so he's trying to injure his opponent. they're trying to hurt the opponent because they can't win it fair and square. it's law. it's a

third world country way of campaigning. our new york correspondent nada tawfik sent this report from outside the courthouse. both sides have now rested their case — the defence early tuesday, after calling two witnesses, and donald trump deciding not to take the stand. that had been the major question looming over this weeks—long trial, because donald trump had said publicly that he would — though legal analysts doubted throughout that he would actually take the risk, given he would be opening himself up to damaging questions by prosecutors, and ultimately it is his fifth amendment right not to be compelled to be a witness against himself, the burden of proof is on prosecutors here. and thejudge will instruct thejury not to hold it against donald trump. now donald trump said he thought his team presented a great case. he wasjoined in court by a large entourage of republican politicians and his eldest son, donjr. outside of court,

donjr was asked why his father didn't testify — he said that he wouldn't subject himself to it, that there was absolutely no reason and no justification for him to, slamming the case as a scam and a farce — repeating very much his father's talking points throughout this entire trial. well, both sides will now have the long weekend to prepare for their closing arguments next tuesday after the long holiday weekend. they spent tuesday afternoon debating how the instructions to the jury would be formulated with the judge. so the judge, after closing arguments, will instruct thejury, and then, it'll be down to those 12 new yorkers to look at the evidence and decide, is donald trump guilty or not guilty of falsifying business records? also on tuesday, donald trump removed a video from his social media after accusations that it used language often associated

with the nazi regime. on monday, trump's truth social shared a video featuring stylized headlines if he were to win the 2024 election. one of which referred to — "a unified reich." the trump campaign said it was not an official campaign video and was not posted by the former president. our us partner, cbs news, reported that the probable origin of the graphic is a video template website. the stock template has the "unified reich" text on it. the biden campaign painted the video as — "part of a pattern of trump's praise for dictators and echoing antisemitic tropes." mr trump has repeatedly faced criticism for using inflammatory language. meanwhile, nearly a dozen trump allies appeared inside an arizona courtroom pleading not guilty to charges of conspiracy and fraud, during a preliminary hearing. former new york mayor and trump lawyer rudy giuliani pleaded not guilty to nine felony charges on his alleged efforts to help the former president overturn

the state's 2020 election result. ten others are accused of posing as election officials, and attempting to falsely cast arizona's electoral votes to declare mr trump the winner of the 2020 election. similar �*fake elector�* cases are being pursued in georgia, michigan, and nevada. joining me live is our panel — stephanie murphy, former democratic congresswoman for florida, and rodney davis, former republican congressman for illinois. a warm welcome to you both. stephanie, would like to begin with you. the trump hush money trial — donald trump won't be testifying. not something that's uncommon for criminal defendants. but, of course, all this while, he had been dangling that possibility. so, are you at all surprised that donald trump appeared to resist? ., �* ., ., .,

resist? no, i'm not at all surprise- _ resist? no, i'm not at all surprise. he's _ resist? no, i'm not at all surprise. he's always - resist? no, i'm not at all| surprise. he's always said resist? no, i'm not at all- surprise. he's always said that he is willing to testify, and i thinkjust in rare cases, his lawyers have allowed him to do so. i do think that he talks a lot about how this is a political effort. but really, it appears that he's the only one who is using this trial for politics. to interview his vice—president candidate, to identify loyal republicans who would show up and support him. to raise money for his campaign and to attack his political opponents. and none of that is too much of a surprise these days. i want to on your words of using this for politics. rodney, what do you make of prominent republicans go to manhattan, standoutside the court house and call this trial a sham, casting doubt on the judicial system. a sham, casting doubt on the judicialsystem. do a sham, casting doubt on the judicial system. do you think that that is appropriate? well, i find it interesting _ that that is appropriate? well, i find it interesting that - that that is appropriate? well, i find it interesting that many l i find it interesting that many republican candidates, especially those who are pining to be _ especially those who are pining to be president trump's vice—presidential nominee, are going _ vice—presidential nominee, are

going there. i think it sets is terrible _ going there. i think it sets is terrible precedent for politics for the — terrible precedent for politics for the future of our country. but — for the future of our country. but at — for the future of our country. but at the _ for the future of our country. but at the same time, the trial itsetf— but at the same time, the trial itself is — but at the same time, the trial itself is a — but at the same time, the trial itself is a trial that is being put forth at the state level for charges that should have been — for charges that should have been federal charges through the federal election commission. that they and the doj decided against. sol commission. that they and the doj decided against. so i do think— doj decided against. so i do think that the is questionable in and — think that the is questionable in and of— think that the is questionable in and of itself. but at the same _ in and of itself. but at the same time, i also find it very disturbing _ same time, i also find it very disturbing that many, many republicans are actually using the trial— republicans are actually using the trial as the opportunity to show— the trial as the opportunity to show support. the trial as the opportunity to show summ— the trial as the opportunity to show support. stephanie - your thou~hts show support. stephanie - your thoughts on _ show support. stephanie - your thoughts on that? _ show support. stephanie - your thoughts on that? well, - show support. stephanie - your thoughts on that? well, i - show support. stephanie - your thoughts on that? well, i do i thoughts on that? well, i do find it regretful _ thoughts on that? well, i do find it regretful that - thoughts on that? well, i do find it regretful that so - thoughts on that? well, i do| find it regretful that so many elected officials are using the judicial system in this trial to campaign. and also, to attack our institutions. i think the american people deserve better than that from their elected. i

deserve better than that from their elected.— their elected. i mean, talking about trust _ their elected. i mean, talking about trust in _ their elected. i mean, talking about trust in institutions - about trust in institutions right now — if we take a look at what's been happening in arizona, also in georgia, michigan, nevada, for example, these fake elector cases which are now piling up. stephanie — do you think that that is registering with voters? i registering with voters? i think voters are dealing with the day—to—day issues that they have to try to manage — getting their kids to practise and to school and putting food on the table. so they're not really watching all of the different cases. but at the end of the day, they should see that around the former president, there is a lot of people who play fast and loose with the rules — whether it was to create fake business documents, to cover up hush money payments, or whether it was to put forward a slate of fake electors after the secretary of state of arizona as well as the

other states had certified the electors for that state. they were trying to create confusion in the last election. i were trying to create confusion in the last election.— in the last election. i mean, rodney. _ in the last election. i mean, rodney. your— in the last election. i mean, rodney, your take? - in the last election. i mean, rodney, your take? do - in the last election. i mean, rodney, your take? do you | in the last election. i mean, - rodney, your take? do you think voters care?— voters care? no, they don't. that shows _ voters care? no, they don't. that shows because - voters care? no, they don't. that shows because the - voters care? no, they don't. l that shows because the more indictments that come towards donald — indictments that come towards donald trump, the more controversy — the higher his boiling _ controversy — the higher his polling numbers seem to go. right — polling numbers seem to go. right now, if you look at if the — right now, if you look at if the election were held today, donald — the election were held today, donald trump would win in a landslide. and he recognises this — landslide. and he recognises this his _ landslide. and he recognises this. his team recognises this. but i _ this. his team recognises this. but i don't _ this. his team recognises this. but i don't think that the biden— but i don't think that the biden campaign or the biden administration recognises that they are — administration recognises that they are part of the problem. they— they are part of the problem. they are _ they are part of the problem. they are not addressing the major— they are not addressing the major issues that most voters care _ major issues that most voters care about. they're not addressing our surge, they're not addressing inflation. and stephanie is correct — most americans do not live, eat and breathe — americans do not live, eat and breathe politics like we do. and — breathe politics like we do. and they're just not paying attention right now. and what they— attention right now. and what they are — attention right now. and what they are paying attention to is driving — they are paying attention to is driving them towards donald trump — driving them towards donald trump ih _

driving them towards donald trump in the next election, rather— trump in the next election, rather than away.— trump in the next election, rather than away. rodney, on that point _ rather than away. rodney, on that point - — rather than away. rodney, on that point - you _ rather than away. rodney, on that point - you mention - that point — you mention inflation there. there's been some encouraging data recently when it does come to the economy, though. ijust wonder whether you think that that actually could boost biden as we head into november when, of course, that's something that donald trump had been speaking about often?— about often? well, it's going to depend — about often? well, it's going to depend on _ about often? well, it's going to depend on how _ about often? well, it's going to depend on how low - about often? well, it's going to depend on how low the i to depend on how low the inflation rate goes. remember, it's spiked. and then having a slight — it's spiked. and then having a slight regression is not the help— slight regression is not the help that most americans are looking — help that most americans are looking for. and as long as interest— looking for. and as long as interest rates for homeownership and other borrowing continue to stay at high — borrowing continue to stay at high rates compared to the last administration, that gives donald _ administration, that gives donald trump the ability to campaign on — he can do better when— campaign on — he can do better when it— campaign on — he can do better when it comes to the economy. and polling right now clearly shows— and polling right now clearly shows that the republicans have a super — shows that the republicans have a super majority when it comes to those — a super majority when it comes to those who feel that they can do better— to those who feel that they can do better on the economy. if do better on the economy. we... do better on the economy. if we... stephanie, yourthoughts we... stephanie, your thoughts on that? ~ ., .,

on that? well, i think that inflation — on that? well, i think that inflation numbers - on that? well, i think that inflation numbers are - on that? well, i think that inflation numbers are a i inflation numbers are a macroeconomic number and they mean things to economists and maybe elected officials in washington, but they don't mean much to the average american who goes into a grocery store. i got to listen to a focus group recently, and they could tell me how much a head of cabbage costjust a few tell me how much a head of cabbage cost just a few years ago and how much it costs today. how much a gallon of gasoline costs. and when it comes to how much people are paying the at the grocery store and the gas station, it's not going to have the positive effect that it needs to have. and unfortunately, when you're president — you own the economy. president - you own the economy-— president - you own the econom. ,, , ., , , ., economy. stephanie, briefly to ou and economy. stephanie, briefly to you and then — economy. stephanie, briefly to you and then hopefully - economy. stephanie, briefly to you and then hopefully over i economy. stephanie, briefly to you and then hopefully over to| you and then hopefully over to rodney. with regards to that post that we saw using the language, "unifieded reich." how much of a nightmare would that be for a campaign, or should it be?— that be for a campaign, or should it be? the interesting thin . should it be? the interesting thin is should it be? the interesting thing is that _ should it be? the interesting thing is that the _ should it be? the interesting thing is that the trump - thing is that the trump campaign has always been able

to have their dog whistle, but do it in a way with plausible deniability. as you know, they've denied and said it was an accident. i do think that if it was an accident, it is are reflection that too many conservative sites carry too much anti—semitic language that you could sweep it up and accidentally post it. i accidentally post it. rodney? i thinkthat _ accidentally post it. rodney? i think that the _ accidentally post it. rodney? i think that the trump - accidentally post it. rodney? i| think that the trump campaign needs— think that the trump campaign needs to — think that the trump campaign needs to be more disciplined in what _ needs to be more disciplined in what they— needs to be more disciplined in what they post. it is indicative in the political spectrum, both republicans and democrats running for office are too _ democrats running for office are too quick to hit the post button _ are too quick to hit the post button rather than taking a look— button rather than taking a look closely at what they're retweeting or reposting. this is another example of that, and i personally see how ill—disciplined the trump effort _ ill—disciplined the trump effort is, even when he was president, when it came to that — president, when it came to that i_ president, when it came to that. i was in marine one with him _ that. i was in marine one with him when _ that. i was in marine one with him when he made a great post about— him when he made a great post about the — him when he made a great post about the hero dog who chased down _ about the hero dog who chased down al—baghdadi and the kids during — down al—baghdadi and the kids during that fight.

down al-baghdadi and the kids during that fight.— during that fight. rodney daviless and _ during that fight. rodney daviless and stephanie i during that fight. rodney - daviless and stephanie murphy - daviless and stephanie murphy — many thanks to you both. around the world and across the uk. this is bbc news. let's look at another story making the headlines. the conservative mp, craig mackinlay, will return to parliament on wednesday, after losing his hands and feet to sepsis. he was given just a 5% chance of survival when he was rushed to hospital last september, and put into an induced coma as his organs began to fail. now back home and using prosthetic limbs, he's been speaking to our political correspondent helen catt. within about half—an—hour, i went this very, very strange blue... you went blue? yes, my whole body, top to bottom, ears, everything, blue. and that is — i can't remember the full name of it, but it's called a septic shock dic, is when you're having a very severe septic event. they knew what it was and they pretty much immediately put me into an induced coma. what's the first

thing you remember? there was discussions happening about these arms and legs. because by then, they had turned black. craig's hands and feet were amputated in december. he plans to campaign for faster access to his types of prosthetics and raise awareness about sepsis. you're live with bbc news. speaker of the house mike johnson is reportedly considering legislation to sanction the international criminal court, a day after the court requested arrest warrants for the israeli prime minister and defence minister over accuastions of war crimes. arrest warrants were also issues for three hamas leaders including yahya sinwar. the us denounced the icc�*s decision. speaking at a senate foreign relations committee hearing, us secretary of state antony blinken was critical of the move and said the decision will only draw out the war in the middle east. the extremely wrong—headed decision by the icc prosecutor

yesterday. the shameful equivalence implied between hamas and the leadership of israel — i think that that only complicates the pros pecks for getting such an agreement. we'll continue to forge ahead to do that. but that decision, as you said, on so many levels, is totally wrong—headed. and we'll be happy to work with congress, with this committee, on an appropriate response. those comments from the us secretary of state came as he faced criticism from democrats and republicans over the administration's israel policy. as he began his testimony, mr blinken was interrupted by protestors who called him a war criminal and accused him of being involved in genocide. at one point, he appeared to flinch when a protestor approached him from behind — waving a sign that said �*criminal�* before being taken away by security. meanwhile in the middle east, israel has pledged to return broadcast equipment that it seized from the associated press. the equipment

was used by the american news agency to show the shot you see here — which was a continuous live view of gaza, from israel. the move to cut the ap camera shot was condemned as shocking by the united nations and raised concern from the us — an israeli ally. israel said it confiscated the equipment for security purposes and accused the associated press of providing footage to aljazeera, which israel banned earlier this month. medical workers in israel have told the bbc, that palestinian detainees from gaza are routinely being kept shackled to hospital beds, and forced to wear blindfolds and nappies. israel's army has said that restraints are only used when there's a security risk. this report from our middle east correspondent lucy williamson contains some details and images you may find distressing. sufian abu salah survived months of war unscathed. he left military detention in israel

permanently disabled. a taxi driver from khan younis, released without charge after weeks of interrogation. his return soured by sadness. translation: my leg got infected and turned blue l and soft as a sponge. after seven days they took me to the military hospital. they operated twice to clean the wound but it didn't work. afterwards they took me to a public hospital where the doctor gave me two options — my leg or my life. neither israel's army nor health ministry has responded to these allegations. there is growing concern over the medical care of gazan detainees in israel. classed as unlawful combatants even before interrogation, doctors say they are kept shackled and blindfolded, including during hospital treatment.

allegations have centred on a new field hospital at the sde teiman military base. one senior medic there says patients are kept blindfolded and in nappies, with all four limbs handcuffed to the bed. the army, not me, they create the patient to be depending 100% on you like a baby. you are cuffed, you are with diaper, you need the water, you need everything. it's dehumanisation of them. the army told us that the need to handcuff detainees in the medical facility was examined individually and daily and that cuffing was done when the security risk required it. diapers — or nappies — it said, were only for those patients with limited movement. dr donchin told us these measures were applied to all patients without assessment, even those who couldn't walk.

if they can't stand on their legs why are they shackled? i can't answer this, this is stupid. the hamas attacks on the 7th of october left israel's hospital staff treating captured fighters alongside their israeli victims. many current detainees are released without charge but the complex feelings of some medics remain. two medics told us painkillers had been withheld, causing what one described as an unacceptable amount of pain. this man, who we are calling yoni, described a case he said took place in a public civilian hospital. his words have been voiced by an actor. i have knowledge of one case where the painkillers were used selectively during the procedure. if you put together that someone is undergoing an invasive procedure which involves even incisions

and the patient doesn't know about that and is blindfolded, then the line between treatment and assault thins out. treating gazan captives on military sites was meant to resolve doctors' ethical dilemmas, but those dilemmas remain. "the moment our hospital at sde teiman closes," one told me, "we will celebrate." lucy williamson, bbc news, jerusalem. funerals have begun for iran's president days after he and the country's foreign minister were killed in a helicopter crash. thousands of iranians turned out to mourn president ebrahim raisi in tabriz on tuesday. despite the huge crowds broadcast on state television, not all iranians supported the president, with many celebrating his death on social media. mr raisi will be buried in his birthplace, mashhad, on thursday. one person is dead and at least seven critically injured,

after a flight from london to singapore hit extreme turbulence. the pilot diverted to bangkok in thailand, where our south east asia well, we saw some of the passengers that had gathered their belongings and were greeted by members of the singapore air staff here. one by one, they took them out and we saw them reunited with their families. there were some real emotional moments and some big hugs after such an arduous trip. they met each passenger individually as they got them from their luggage all the way true to meet their loved ones and we saw some emotional moments there when finally, they can connect and they can hug and embrace and realise that you know, for some of them, this is the final destination and they had finally arrived. i mean, this has been a long, harrowing trip. one of the things that we did see here is that the members of the family had waited for quite some time to

get information. they were in a very secured room — quite far away from where the media was as they were getting announcementsment and also, there was mental health assistance. there was one particular woman who seemed very shaken by the day's events and they had offered her help and they had offered her help and a place to go. but again, seeing these passengers finally reunited with their families that was the end of a very long and arduous journey. that was the end of a very long and arduousjourney. now, we are told by singapore officials that they are working with thai authorities, and really, the main priority still is the wellbeing of the passengers and the crew. a trial is under way in germany, of nine people accused of plotting to overthrow the german government in 2022. the alleged conspirators include an aristocrat, a formerjudge and retired military officers. our correspondent, jessica parker, sent this report from frankfurt. behind me is a specially constructed high—security court house surrounded by a barbed wire perimeter fence on the

outskirts of frankfurt. and inside, nine people have been facing allegations that they were involved with or even the ring leaders of an alleged coup plot. now, what prosecutors allege is that the plan was to enter the german parliament and arrest mps and use special military units to implement the new order across germany. one of those on trial is a 72—year—old man called heinreich13th — a man of german aristocratic descend. and it is alleged that he would have been the head of state, or earmarked as the head of state had the alleged coup succeeded. we've been speaking to his defence lawyer today who says that his client had no violent intennings, wasn't a leader of this movement, and that really, in his words, that this is a collection of slightly crazy conspiracy theorists. now, this is one of three trials happening across germany. they've been split up because

this legal case is so massive. it's a view millions of tourists come to see and have their picture taken with. but now the authorities injapan have put up a large barrier at a popular mount fuji photo spot to discourage large crowds of tourists. our tokyo correspondent, shaimaa khalil, has more the most japanese of views gone viral. one of the country's most ubiquitous shops set against its majestic, snowcapped volcano. you've probably seen this on your instagram or tiktok. this is the famous mount fuji lawson, the social media money shot for millions of visitors. but it's not going to be around for long. in the picturesque town of fujikawaguchiko, local residents are fed up with tourists behaving badly, all for the perfect snap. as a last ditch effort, this black barrier is being constructed to discourage the big crowds, but that itself has attracted more attention. if this screen is meant to stop people from coming, it hasn't done so yet. some locals are also not convinced

that this is the solution. translation: traffic here is quite - heavy and we are all very concerned about accidents. i know it's dangerous, but i don't want them to put up the black screen. well, the black screen is up now and you can see the idea. it is blocking the very spot where people gather to take the mount fuji lawson photo. already people are asking how effective it's going to be and if there are other ways around it. i definitely believe that in several days someone will make a hole and just take a shot, taking photos through the hole, honestly. there's other beautiful places for you to take the photos. you can see mount fuji just even going up the ropeway. there's other places to take photos, yeah. there's no shortage of stunning backdrops in this area, but social media has become a big pull for this particular spot. for the first time ever, japan has had more than three million visitors two months in a row, thanks to a weak yen and the lifting of post—pandemic restrictions.

but it's a tough balance to strike for a country with a struggling economy — a tussle between boosting businesses and protecting the country's treasured locations from overtourism. shaimaa khalil, bbc news, mount fuji. you're watching bbc news. i'll have more at the top of the hour. thank you for your company. see you soon. hello, thanks forjoining me. we had wet weather today but wednesday will be a wash—out for some of us. persistent and heavier rain at times and it's starting this evening. now, here's the forecast. it's already been quite wet in east anglia and the southeast. the rain will spread into the midlands through the night. it will nudge into the peak district and then spread into northern england by the early hours of wednesday morning. could reach eastern parts of wales, too. but scotland and northern ireland, apart from a few showers here and there, actually looking generally dry.

so tomorrow's forecast then. this is the morning — a widespread area of rain. we'll zoom in and see what's happening around three or four in the afternoon. by that stage, the heaviest of the rain will have cleared east anglia, the southeast and along the southern counties, blustery winds and occasional showers. so here's that persistent rain from the midlands, wales, the north of england, pretty much almost everywhere. that rain isjust nudging into southern scotland. more showery, though, across the highlands. look at northern ireland — escapes most of the rain. if anything, that rain should reach you later in the afternoon. probablyjust into the east of northern ireland. now, this is an area of low pressure that's parked itself in the north sea and that weather front will just spiral around the centre of the low. so in some areas, the rain will keep falling in the same place for a couple of days, so really a substantial amount of rainfall is possible. now, by thursday, the rain will be not quite as heavy and it will be more patchy, but i think a lot of cloud and at least a chance of encountering some rain on thursday. best of the weather

in the south and the southeast of east anglia. in norwich, london, portsmouth and plymouth, it could be cool. it could end up being a fairly bright and sunny day, but cool. how much rain? a lot. the teal colours in the pennines and northern england could indicate ito—50mm of rain. but the met office is suggesting in extreme case, we could have as much as 100mm of rain or more, and that would lead to some flooding. here's the good news as we head towards the end of the week and the weekend. the weather will slowly settle down and there are indications as we go into the when in bank holiday monday, we are going to have primarily dry and bright weather with just a scattering of showers. some good news for you there. bye— bye.

it was another record day on wall street, as investors await ai—darling nvidia's quarterly report card. tourists continue to flock to japan in record numbers. we discuss what's driving demand with the country's top travel agency. hello and welcome to business today. i'm steve lai. it was another strong session on wall street with both the s&p 500 and tech—heavy

nasdaq closing at record highs. which means a lot of focus will be on nvidia's quarterly report card which is due on wednesday. our north america business correspondent michelle fleury filed this preview. the s&p 500 and the nasdaq both closed at new record highs each rising more than two tenths of a percent. meanwhile the dowjones industrial average had a small gain after earnings from some big retailers shed light on how american consumers are faring. shares in macy's closed up 5% as its turnaround plan does appear to be working. however it did still see a drop in sales as shoppers continue to pull back on spending. that has been a big worry that they are feeling under pressure from rising prices. investors are turning their attention now to the giant chipmaker nvidia. it is expected to post another strong set of earnings after the market

close on wednesday. the stock has soared more