leading to the risk of localised flooding and some travel disruption. some of those really intense showers perhaps getting into the far north of england as well. further south, not as many showers, temperatures climbing to 20 or 21 degrees towards the south—east of england. now, through wednesday night into thursday, this area of low pressure will still be close by. but as it shifts eastwards and a little bit further southwards, well, that will shift the focus for the showers southwards as well. so the most widespread showers by thursday afternoon across southern and southeastern parts of england. further north and west, not as many showers, some spells of sunshine, quite a brisk north or north—westerly wind. so that will make it feel a little bit on the cool side, but still in the best of the sunshine, highs of 19 degrees. by friday, cloud and still some showers down towards the south and the east. also, more cloud into the northern half of scotland. but in between, quite a lot of sunshine and certainly a drier end to the week. and that is a sign of things to come for the weekend because this area

of high pressure will be nosing its way in from the west. now, some big areas of cloud moving around the highs. so it's not going to be completely sunny, but it will be largely dry. and, actually, across northern areas, particularly parts of scotland, it is going to turn very warm indeed, with temperatures by sunday of 22 or 23 degrees.

hello, i'm christian fraser. you're watching the context on bbc news. a "full blown freak out" at democratic party headquarters — according to politico — asjoe biden continues to struggle in the polls. welcome back. right now, president zelensky is on a whirlwind european tour, trying to secure crucial military aid for ukraine. and he needs it quickly. russian forces are making considerable progress towards the eastern ukrainian city of kharkiv. and with air defences running low, ukraine's second largest city is all but defenceless against the air attacks. those still there, soldiers and civilians alike, are sitting ducks. on the latest leg of his trip — to belgium — the government there offered to send 30 f—16 jets to kyiv by 2028. good news. but that's not going

to change the situation on the frontline any time soon. and, ian, that is really the problem, there are lots of pledges out there to get in the cherry aid to ukraine, itjust not arriving weekly enough? ——, jerry aid. it is weekly enough? --, jerry aid. it is artiall weekly enough? --, jerry aid. it is partially that. _ weekly enough? --, jerry aid. it is partially that. it — weekly enough? --, jerry aid. it is partially that, it is _ weekly enough? ——, jerry aid. it 3 partially that, it is partially there's not enough air defence support existing or in trained to help the ukrainians defend their key cities, kharkiv most importantly right now, and also there just aren't enough ukrainian soldiers that are trained up in mobilise to be sent to the front line, so russia is a much bigger country, and ultimately their ability to continue to push this more is taxing the ukrainians mightily. they're very courageous and they are fighting in their defence and they're still willing to do it, god bless them, but as of right now, it's not looking good for these guys. hilary,

the nato secretary-general- looking good for these guys. hilary, the nato secretary-general said - the nato secretary—general said yesterday in an interview that the allies have to get rid of their redlines. if the russians are approaching from their own border towards kharkiv, the ukrainians have towards kharkiv, the ukrainians have to be able to use cruise missiles to hit russian positions, logistic positions, beyond their own border, and yet that still seems to be a redline for the united states and also for germany.— redline for the united states and also for germany. yes, and i think with elections _ also for germany. yes, and i think with elections coming _ also for germany. yes, and i think with elections coming up - also for germany. yes, and i think with elections coming up in - also for germany. yes, and i think with elections coming up in the . also for germany. yes, and i thinkj with elections coming up in the uk now, _ with elections coming up in the uk now. i_ with elections coming up in the uk now. ithink— with elections coming up in the uk now, i think that you have a similar sentiment — now, i think that you have a similar sentiment of — now, i think that you have a similar sentiment of restraint as well, and, look, _ sentiment of restraint as well, and, look. i'm _ sentiment of restraint as well, and, look, i'm sure this will be a subject at the g7 meeting — this will be a subject at the g7 meeting in two weeks, and how far to id meeting in two weeks, and how far to goagain, _ meeting in two weeks, and how far to go again, this was a major subject at last_ go again, this was a major subject at last year's g7. there is a lot on leaders _ at last year's g7. there is a lot on leaders plates between gaza and ukraine, — leaders plates between gaza and ukraine, and i think particularly in this time — ukraine, and i think particularly in this time when you have so many elections — this time when you have so many elections around the world, you are really— elections around the world, you are really taxing local populations cosmit—

—— population's patience for war efforts, — —— population's patience for war efforts, and ian is right, the trainings _ efforts, and ian is right, the trainings are valiantly fighting this, — trainings are valiantly fighting this, and _ trainings are valiantly fighting this, and to the extent that they can, _ this, and to the extent that they can, i_ this, and to the extent that they can, ithink— this, and to the extent that they can, i think they are going to and ”p can, i think they are going to and up consistently fighting on their own for— up consistently fighting on their own for a — up consistently fighting on their own for a long time to come. the one who has been — own for a long time to come. the one who has been on _ own for a long time to come. the one who has been on a _ own for a long time to come. the one who has been on a journey _ own for a long time to come. the one who has been on a journey here - own for a long time to come. the one who has been on a journey here in - europe, president macron, he refuses to rule out putting boots on the ground. as you say, there is a new draft law, but they need more young people near the front. is the answer perhaps, then, to send western trainers to get them there? i perhaps, then, to send western trainers to get them there? i think that macron _ trainers to get them there? i think that macron is _ trainers to get them there? i think that macron is trying _ trainers to get them there? i think that macron is trying to _ trainers to get them there? i think that macron is trying to create - trainers to get them there? i think that macron is trying to create a i that macron is trying to create a sense of urgency so that the europeans will focus more on nato, that they will focus more on spending more for european defence, that's why he's giving these interviews and saying that europe is mortal, europe can die for some i think macron does like everybody that ukraine is going to likely end “p that ukraine is going to likely end up partitioned, they are not going to get all of their territory back,

but its decisive effect ukrainians are certain to lose that is making a lot of nato allies, especially in europe, take about what that means for them and what that means after noncircular selection in november. that's exercising akron more than a single line about how he is not ruling anything out —— uncertain us election. ruling anything out -- uncertain us election. �* 1, . ruling anything out -- uncertain us election. �* . , ., , . election. and the baltic states. we have spoken _ election. and the baltic states. we have spoken to _ election. and the baltic states. we have spoken to the _ election. and the baltic states. we have spoken to the latvian - election. and the baltic states. we l have spoken to the latvian president on the programme, using that uncertainty to try and push for more european spending. the difficulty, and this was a question i put to him, was that the political forces are heading off to the right, and among the nationalists and some of the euro sceptic parties, there are those who are closer to russia, and you wonder other that integrated spending will be there the other side of the european election next week. ., , ., ., ., , week. people are right to worry about donald _ week. people are right to worry about donald trump _ week. people are right to worry about donald trump in - week. people are right to worry about donald trump in that - week. people are right to worry - about donald trump in that regard, and he _ about donald trump in that regard, and he has — about donald trump in that regard, and he has said repeatedly that he has a _ and he has said repeatedly that he has a good — and he has said repeatedly that he has a good relationship with putin, i has a good relationship with putin, i don't _ has a good relationship with putin, i don't think he is going to be

willing — i don't think he is going to be willing to _ i don't think he is going to be willing to spend a nickel if he has his way— willing to spend a nickel if he has his way on— willing to spend a nickel if he has his way on defending ukraine. so, i think— his way on defending ukraine. so, i think that _ his way on defending ukraine. so, i think that people's fears are well—founded here. think that people's fears are well-founded here.- think that people's fears are well-founded here. . . ., , well-founded here. yeah. it could be donald trump- _ well-founded here. yeah. it could be donald trump. we _ well-founded here. yeah. it could be donald trump. we are _ well-founded here. yeah. it could be donald trump. we are going - well-founded here. yeah. it could be donald trump. we are going to - well-founded here. yeah. it could be donald trump. we are going to talk i donald trump. we are going to talk about that right after the break. around the world and across the uk, this is bbc news.

if you are in thejoe biden camp, looking at the polls, wondering how to reverse the recent momentum that donald trump is building, what you want to read is that your troops are out on the campaign, not that they are in "full blown freakout" mode. that was the headline in politico this morning. according to more than a dozen party leaders and operatives in the campaign... ..largely fuelled by the consistently poor polling numbers they are getting. the latest polls over the memorial day holiday suggest trump is winning. real clear politics has biden

trailing trump 46.4% against trump's 47.5%. at this stage of the race in 2020, joe biden was five points ahead. hilary clinton was even further ahead in 2016. and what concerns them more is that trump's fundraising has outpaced the president's by $25 million last month, and that total sum included a record—setting $50 million haulfrom an event in palm beach, florida. hilary, the point we should make is thatis hilary, the point we should make is that is a national poll, it does not necessarily pertain to the sixth, possibly seven swing states in this election, but when you have got the campaign questioning whether the strategy is right and whether they can reverse this trend with six months to go, you can understand why alarm bells may be ringing. the stales alarm bells may be ringing. the staples are _ alarm bells may be ringing. the staples are worse! in michigan, in arizona _ staples are worse! in michigan, in arizona and — staples are worse! in michigan, in arizona and nevada, they worse, and

so there _ arizona and nevada, they worse, and so there is— arizona and nevada, they worse, and so there is a — arizona and nevada, they worse, and so there is a sort of collective concern. _ so there is a sort of collective concern. i_ so there is a sort of collective concern, i would say. so there is a sort of collective concern, iwould say. i so there is a sort of collective concern, i would say. i think it's shabby— concern, i would say. i think it's shabby when he opened to people talk to reporters, but won't give their name. _ to reporters, but won't give their name. and — to reporters, but won't give their name, and one of those people, i will give _ name, and one of those people, i will give mechanisms right up front. people _ will give mechanisms right up front. people spent a lot of time talking about— people spent a lot of time talking about donald trump, but frankly this election. _ about donald trump, but frankly this election, like all reelections, our referendums on the sitting president, and joe biden is not doing _ president, and joe biden is not doing enough to make joe biden popular — doing enough to make joe biden popular. they are spending a lot of energy— popular. they are spending a lot of energy trying to make donald trump unpopular. _ energy trying to make donald trump unpopular, and as i said before, this not— unpopular, and as i said before, this not much you can tell the american _ this not much you can tell the american people about donald trump that they— american people about donald trump that they don't know. joe biden has a lot of— that they don't know. joe biden has a lot of assets, and has a lot of plans. — a lot of assets, and has a lot of plans. and _ a lot of assets, and has a lot of plans, and he just really needs to start— plans, and he just really needs to start talking about the future and not everything he has done, voters are not— not everything he has done, voters are not grateful for what politicians have done for them in the past. — politicians have done for them in the past, they are interested in what _ the past, they are interested in what they— the past, they are interested in what they are going to do for them in the _ what they are going to do for them in the future, and if there is one advice _ in the future, and if there is one advice i— in the future, and if there is one advice i would give on tv to the biden— advice i would give on tv to the biden campaign, it would be to talk about— biden campaign, it would be to talk about the _ biden campaign, it would be to talk

about the future, and i think we are seeing _ about the future, and i think we are seeing that— about the future, and i think we are seeing that in the uk, with sunak and keir— seeing that in the uk, with sunak and keirstarmer. seeing that in the uk, with sunak and keir starmer. starmer is very aggressively talking about what labour — aggressively talking about what labour is going to be doing in the future _ labour is going to be doing in the future for— labour is going to be doing in the future for voters. that is what voters — future for voters. that is what voters need to hear. the future for voters. that is what voters need to hear.— future for voters. that is what voters need to hear. the view among the optimists — voters need to hear. the view among the optimists in _ voters need to hear. the view among the optimists in the _ voters need to hear. the view among the optimists in the democratic - the optimists in the democratic camp, ian, is they have a very good argument on abortion, that from the boat people will start to focus on the choice they have before them, and he threat to democracy in the united states, but this piece, one seniorfigure was asked united states, but this piece, one senior figure was asked to set out the argument for a joe biden presidency and he has a difficulty doing that, and i wonder if the campaign does not have that message, as hilary says, whatjoe biden stands for into the future, and maybe that's because of his agent. i'm a little surprised that the person the interview could not to click the message that you just set out pretty well, christian post so are the two things that biden has going for him most finally, among

priorities. issue priorities in the election. it's abortion and if the state of american democracy. having said that, immigration and the border and inflation in the economy are two issues that trump has going for him, strongly, against biden, and are not likely to turn around. we are six—month away, so let's be clear — i can tell you who is going to win the russian elections six—month in advance, we cannot tell you who is going to enact the us election six—month in advance. 0ne election six—month in advance. one of these two men could be dead in six months. they are pretty advanced in age. we really have no idea, but we should remember this is not about who's the better president, it's about who's the better campaigner, and the us election in all of our wisdom is the biggest most expensive media spectacle in the world. it is about bread and circuses and no matter how unfit trump is as a president, he is extraordinarily charismatic on tv. he is great at promoting his brand that's what a

superpower is, it is effectively a big campaign. biden has never been good at that. that's a hard thing to swear even when you're the sitting president with the benefit of incumbency. president with the benefit of incumbency-_ president with the benefit of incumben . . , ., , incumbency. yeah, trump does it well, in incumbency. yeah, trump does it well. in spite _ incumbency. yeah, trump does it well, in spite of _ incumbency. yeah, trump does it well, in spite of the _ incumbency. yeah, trump does it well, in spite of the court - incumbency. yeah, trump does it well, in spite of the court case, i incumbency. yeah, trump does it| well, in spite of the court case, in spite of the indictment he faces an in spite of his leg which. —— his language. remember, all the way back in 2016, when the character of a candidate still mattered, when a political campaign could be almost derailed by a throw away comment that was played and replayed all the way to the election. you can put half of trump's supporters into what i call the basket of deplorables. laughter right? that speech caused a mountain of problems for the clinton campaign. trump used it at his ralles, his team put it on the t—shirts. hilary clinton admitted it was one of the biggest regrets of her campaign. but fast forward to this statement — published on monday, as the country paused to remember...

wrote donald trump... iam i am trying to imagine, hilary, what might happen had joe biden referred to the other side as human scum or vermin, as has been used previously. donald trump gets away with things that normal politicians don't get away _ that normal politicians don't get away with — that normal politicians don't get away with because people don't see him as— away with because people don't see him as a _ away with because people don't see him as a politician, they see him as somebody— him as a politician, they see him as somebody plane spoke, somebody who is speaking _ somebody plane spoke, somebody who is speaking for them in many cases, butjoe _ is speaking for them in many cases, butjoe biden is a class act, and he cares _ butjoe biden is a class act, and he cares about— butjoe biden is a class act, and he cares about the institution of the presidency, he cares about making things— presidency, he cares about making things better for the middle class, helping _ things better for the middle class, helping poor families get education and support. he cares aboutjobs at the worker— and support. he cares aboutjobs at the worker level, and donald trump is the _ the worker level, and donald trump is the opposite of that, and there

is the opposite of that, and there is no _ is the opposite of that, and there is no way— is the opposite of that, and there is no way to— is the opposite of that, and there is no way to reconcile the differences between these two people except _ differences between these two people except to _ differences between these two people except to the point that ian smartly makes. _ except to the point that ian smartly makes, which is the theatre of running — makes, which is the theatre of running for president. and donald trump _ running for president. and donald trump masters that theatre, and in a way that— trump masters that theatre, and in a way that nobody has in our lifetime, and people. — way that nobody has in our lifetime, and people, i way that nobody has in our lifetime, and people, lam in england now, people _ and people, lam in england now, people come up to me on the street and say. _ people come up to me on the street and say. he — people come up to me on the street and say, he really cannot win, can he? _ and say, he really cannot win, can he? how— and say, he really cannot win, can he? how does he get away with what he? how does he get away with what he gets— he? how does he get away with what he gets away with? and you cannot really _ he gets away with? and you cannot really explain it. all you can say is he _ really explain it. all you can say is he is — really explain it. all you can say is he is a — really explain it. all you can say is he is a unique figure in politics. _ is he is a unique figure in politics, although when we look at examples — politics, although when we look at examples in europe, look at... we have _ examples in europe, look at... we have more — examples in europe, look at... we have more examples in europe of figures _ have more examples in europe of figures like this than americans are used to _ figures like this than americans are used to |_ figures like this than americans are used to. ., ., , ., ., , used to. i want to show our viewers art of used to. i want to show our viewers part of that — used to. i want to show our viewers part of that theatre _ used to. i want to show our viewers part of that theatre and _ used to. i want to show our viewers part of that theatre and how - used to. i want to show our viewers part of that theatre and how it - part of that theatre and how it works. we were talking about concerns there have been in the biden camp,

how well trump has been campaigning, and also in some of the liberal areas. areas he has boasted he could win, improbable as that sounds. on saturday, this happened. he invited onto the stage two men who got a rapturous welcome. here as well is rapper sheff g. does everybody know sheff? where is sheff g? where is he? come on up, fellas. rapper sleepy hallow! one thing i want to say — they're always going to whisper your accomplishments and shout your failures. trump going to shout the wins for all of us. thank you very much. i like those teeth. i got to get my teeth like that. i don't know whether sheff g and sleepy hallow, ian, share trump as nephews on nato, america's involvement overseas, the rising price of oil but what they do share is they are all on bail. sleepy hallow and sheff g, i was reading

today, aren't million—dollar bail in a group indictment for murder and assisted murder, and i am wondering what would happen —— are on million dollar bail. what would happen if those two people were on a democrat stage? why did the singles not apply? stage? why did the singles not a- -l ? v stage? why did the singles not a . .l ? �* , ., stage? why did the singles not aul? stage? why did the singles not apply? there's a macro problem here, which is that — apply? there's a macro problem here, which is that american _ apply? there's a macro problem here, which is that american democracy - apply? there's a macro problem here, which is that american democracy is i which is that american democracy is in crisis. supporters of biden believe and understandably so that trump is an existential threat to democracy but that his win will undermine and potentially break core institutions in the united states, checks and balances, and that he has no problem with that. trump supporters believe that democracy is already wrecked. this is the deep state concept of the idea that very special interests, deep politics in the united states have already made it certain that the averagejoe in the united states will be screwed.

by the united states will be screwed. by the political elite. democrat or republican. and they see trump as someone who is securely hated by those elites, including in the republican party, right? privately, they say they can't stand this guy. that is a feature, it's not a bug, and he fact that trump is the person willing to say, i will burn it down, i will take the fight to them, i will go after the failing media, i will go after the failing media, i will support all of these people that are considered the deplorables of the undesirables, the unmentionables of the people on bail, right, that is... if you believe your democracy does not function any more, you want someone who is very, very much willing to break the rules, and trump is that, trump absolutely is that, christian. it is really fascinating, that. it reminds me that tomorrow, hilary, is a important anniversary, the week in a important anniversary, the week in a bursary of nikki haley throwing her lot in with donald trump —— the week anniversary. she said he cannot be president, was not fit to hold a

driving licence, now she is going to vote for him. driving licence, now she is going to vote for him-— vote for him. yeah. again... laughter — laughter and what does that say about politicians generally? after all she said and the voters trust in an alternative, does that reinforce that donald trump has co—opted the republican party? it that donald trump has co-opted the republican party?— republican party? it reinforces a nicism republican party? it reinforces a cynicism about _ republican party? it reinforces a cynicism about politicians - republican party? it reinforces a cynicism about politicians and i republican party? it reinforces a i cynicism about politicians and their self interest, that's for darn sure. and nikki — self interest, that's for darn sure. and nikki haley once a future in the republican party and you cannot have a future _ republican party and you cannot have a future in _ republican party and you cannot have a future in their publican party todav— a future in their publican party today unless you —— the republican party _ today unless you —— the republican party today— today unless you —— the republican party today unless you're at the feet of — party today unless you're at the feet of the king, and that is donald trump _ feet of the king, and that is donald trump. there is a group of independents who voted for the independents who voted for the independent republicans, and some suburbs _ independent republicans, and some suburbs in _ independent republicans, and some suburbs in key states, who voted for nikki haley— suburbs in key states, who voted for nikki haley who the biden campaign is hoping _ nikki haley who the biden campaign is hoping to bring along, who they have _ is hoping to bring along, who they have a _ is hoping to bring along, who they have a shot — is hoping to bring along, who they have a shot at getting. is is hoping to bring along, who they have a shot at getting.— have a shot at getting. is whether the will have a shot at getting. is whether they will get _ have a shot at getting. is whether they will get them _ have a shot at getting. is whether they will get them now. _ hilary, we are out of time. thank

you both for your company this evening. goodbye. hello. i am marc edwards which were sport. we're going to start in paris, where katie boulter is flying the flag as the last british player left in the singles at the french open, but she has a fight on her hands. the british number one is up against spanish former world number two paula badosa, and despite taking the first set 6—4, badosa has struck back to take the second 7—5 and level the match at one set all. boulter leads 1—0 with a break in the third. british number three dan evans has gone out in the first round, losing in straight sets to 13th seed holgar rune. evans went into the match having won just three times on the atp tour this year, and while he was competitive, he was no match for the 21—year—old dane, who ultimately cruised to a 6—4, 6—4, 6—4 win. it is only the fourth time this century that no british men's singles player has reached

the second round at roland garros. england's t20 world cup preparations have been dented further by a wash—out in the third t20 against pakistan in cardiff. persistent rain fell throughout the evening, which led to the game being abandoned without a ball bowled just after 8.10pm. the first match of the four—game series at headingley was also rained off, before england took a 1—0 lead at edgbaston. the final match takes place at the 0val on thursday before england start their world cup campaign against scotland in barbados on tuesday. days after the second game of their own limited overs series with pakistan was washed out at taunton, england's women are gearing up for the third and final match — weather permitting — at chelmsford. england secured a victory in the first match, but despite leading the series, bowler kate cross says they're still searching for improved performances. how we played in derby probably was not how we would like to play the game. we were a little bit

untidy with the ball and probably at not our best in the field, and equally did not put as much pressure on the pakistan bowling attackers as we would've liked. so those areas and all of those facets, we would like to improve on. we know on our best day that we can beat any team. we saw that in the ashes last year with australia. we were able to put them under pressure in real key moments. to athletics now. world heptathlon champion katharina johnson—thompson will headline a 72—strong great britain and northern ireland team for the upcoming european athletics championships in rome as preparations continue ahead of the olympics. world 800m silver medallist keeley hodgkinson, who ran the fastest time of the year over the distance at the diamond league meeting in eugene, is also included in the team, having received a wild card for the event. hodgkinson will be joined by fellow world medalists matthew hudson—smith and zharnel hughes. world 1500m championjosh kerr is a notable absentee for the european championships. the scot has guaranteed that britain will win a medal in the event at the olympics.

his biggest threat is likely to be norwegianjakob ingebritsen, whom kerr beat at the worlds last year and in eugene on saturday. it's a rivalry he says is good for the sport. and you have a competition that comes up every four years, it is, when two guys are going at it, trying to be the best in the world, and you have a competition that comes up every four years, it is... you're going to annoy each other a bit and that's just the art of running these days. some people get annoyed if you say you want to go out and win, but it is my personality to tell people what i want to do and then go and try and do it, because i think it brings more value to the fans and to the sport and get more eyeballs on it. so i've been a lot more vocal recently and that has been annoying some people, i would say. to football now. kieran mckenna is expected to sign a new deal to remain as ipswich town manager,

having been on chelsea's shortlist of names to replace mauricio pochettino. mckenna guided ipswich to the premier league in a run that has seen them achieve to back—to—back promotions from the third tier up to the top flight. ipswich were mid—table in league one when the northern irishman left his job as manchester united assistant first—team coach to take the helm at portman road in december 2021. tottenham hotspur have agreed a deal to keep timo werner at the club on loan for another season. the germany forward made 1a appearances in all competitions and scored twice for spurs afterjoining them on a temporary basis from the bundesliga side injanuary. under that arrangement, spurs had the option to sign werner permanently for £15 million this summer. however, the new agreement will contain an £8.5 million option to buy. just enough time to tell you it is one game all in the deciding set between katie bolter and paula bedosa. more on the bbc sport website throughout the evening.

hello. we've seen some pretty hefty downpours getting going today and we have more of the same to come over the next few days, although there will be some drier, sunnier gaps in between the showers. so not a complete wash—out, but certainly a very mixed weather story. now, on the earlier satellite picture, you can see a fair bit of clouds streaming in from the atlantic, bringing outbreaks of rain. and in this clearer slice here, yes, we did see a little bit of sunshine, but that also allowed some big showers and the odd thunderstorm to pop up. some of those showers continuing through the evening, into the night, most of them fading through the early hours of wednesday. so most places starting wednesday morning on a dry note — temperatures, 10, 11, 12 degrees. a fair amount of cloud, some showers from the word go, but most places seeing some spells of sunshine. now, as we go through the day, the showers will become more widespread across england, wales, northern ireland, perhaps here, we will see some slow—moving, heavy, thundery downpours which could dump a lot of rain in a short space of time,

leading to the risk of localised flooding and some travel disruption. some of those really intense showers perhaps getting into the far north of england as well. further south, not as many showers, temperatures climbing to 20 or 21 degrees towards the south—east of england. now, through wednesday night into thursday, this area of low pressure will still be close by. but as it shifts eastwards and a little bit further southwards, well, that will shift the focus for the showers southwards as well. so the most widespread showers by thursday afternoon across southern and southeastern parts of england. further north and west, not as many showers, some spells of sunshine, quite a brisk north or north—westerly wind. so that will make it feel a little bit on the cool side, but still in the best of the sunshine, highs of 19 degrees. by friday, cloud and still some showers down towards the south and the east. also, more cloud into the northern half of scotland. but in between, quite a lot of sunshine and certainly a drier end to the week. and that is a sign of things to come for the weekend because this area of high pressure will be nosing its way in from the west.

now, some big areas of cloud moving around the highs. so it's not going to be completely sunny, but it will be largely dry. and, actually, across northern areas, particularly parts of scotland, it is going to turn very warm indeed, with temperatures by sunday of 22 or 23 degrees.

tonight at ten — diane abbott is readmitted as a labour mp after an investigation into her conduct. but it's not clear if britain's first black female mp will be allowed to stand at the election. meanwhile, police say labour's deputy leader angela rayner will face no further action after allegations that she broke electoral law. with the first full week of election campaigning under way — the main parties have been focussing on the economy today — we'll have all the details. also tonight — under attack — ukraine's second biggest city kharkivjust 20 miles from the russian border — and russia's soldiers are advancing. the ukrainians are having to make some very hard choices about what they can defend, and they are fighting an enemy that has adapted itself to exploit their weaknesses. closing arguments at donald trump's hush money trial — the prosecution says he conspired to corrupt the 2016 presidential election — his lawyers say it's all lies.