calls for a ceasefire. algeria drafts a un resolution, demanding an end to the killing in rafah in southern gaza. the political future of the veteran mp diane abbott remains uncertain after she was reinstated to the labour party. 28 million voters head to the polls today in south africa for a general election which could see the governing anc lose its majority in parliament. and donald trump's hush—money trial edges closer to its conclusion, as the prosecution and defence wrap up their closing arguments. hello, i'm mark lobel. algeria has said it will present a draft un resolution to stop the killing in rafah in southern gaza.

the move was announced after a closed meeting of the security council at which sunday's deaths at a displaced persons camp were discussed. palestinian officials say twenty one people were killed by strikes on a refugee camp in al—mawasi, west of rafah, yesterday. israel has denied firing at the area. lucy williamson has sent this report from jerusalem. rafah was once gaza's refuge, the safest place in a dangerous war. today, the city's west and centre was emptying, those still sheltering here fleeing again amid air strikes and artillery fire. taking whatever they need to survive, whatever they can't leave behind. there's been no evacuation order from israel's army and for many, no sense of where to go. translation: i'm just

walking in the street, l i don't know where to go, there is nowhere safe. where should we go? this is not a life, this is not a life. they were packing up, too, in the displacement camp at tal al—sultan to the west of the city, still scarred by fires triggered in an israeli air strike on sunday. dozens dead, survivors spent. there's more than one way to lose a life. israel says its operation in rafah is key to defeating hamas and that the strike on sunday on hamas commanders in the camp was carried out with precise munitions that would not, by themselves, have caused so many deaths. we're talking about munition with 17 kilos of explosive material. this is the smallest munition that ourjets can use.

following this strike, a large fire ignited for reasons that are still being investigated. our munition alone could not have ignited a fire of this size. while people fled today, gaza's health ministry said more than 20 were killed in fresh air strikes to the west, over half of them women. as far beyond these borders, three european nations officially recognise a palestinian state, and gaza's last urban centre begins to fall under israeli control. lucy williamson, bbc news, jerusalem. with me is now is said shehata from bbc arabic. international condemnation on the strikes on gaza and algeria trying to use the un to stop the strikes.— trying to use the un to stop the strikes. �* ., , ., ., the strikes. algeria proposed a draft which _ the strikes. algeria proposed a

draft which is _ the strikes. algeria proposed a draft which is calling _ the strikes. algeria proposed a draft which is calling for- the strikes. algeria proposed a draft which is calling for a - draft which is calling for a ceasefire in gaza in addition to releasing the hostages held by hamas in addition to an immediate halt of the israelis offensive in rafah, this is the brief of the draft but if you remember in march, there was a resolution passed by the security council demanding a ceasefire that was not implemented so the problem with all of this international efforts to put pressure and achieve peace and the international court ofjustice also issued a resolution for a halt of all operations in rafa that was not respected and with the prosecution of the international court on the 20th of may this month also asking for, seeking, requesting an arrest warrant for benjamin

netanyahu and the israeli minister of defence, with the hamas leaders, so all of that, the international pressure doesn't seem to do anything to change, unfortunately. it doesn't seem to make much of a difference. on the ground, any senseif difference. on the ground, any sense if israel is getting closer to its objectives? they deny they had anything to do with this fatal strike on tuesday night and we also hear reports that the humanitarian naval peer that had been guilty is out for a week because of rough seas. is out for a week because of rough seem-— rough seas. the situation is tou . h. rough seas. the situation is tough- on _ rough seas. the situation is tough. on the _ rough seas. the situation is tough. on the ground - rough seas. the situation is tough. on the ground therej rough seas. the situation is - tough. on the ground there are two things, military operations and humanitarian disasters because this was damaged and it was helping a little bit, it wasn't great for the language through the crossings but since the 7th of may the crossing was closed after the israelis

targeted operations and also there was a little aid and there was a little aid and there was a problem of aid inside gaza and in addition to the killing of people in the humanitarian area so according to local sources in gaza. they said at least 20 people were killed because of the strike in western rafah which is supposed to be the humanitarian area but the israelis denied that. but two days ago, at least a0 people also died and were killed because of an air strike, according to israeli, targeted to commerce but there were civilian casualties and there were more than 100 aid workers were killed and this is unprecedented so the situation on the ground, humanitarian or military is disastrous for people there so the call for a negotiation to reach a deal is the only way in order to get out of this disaster.- out of this disaster. let's

ick out of this disaster. let's pick up — out of this disaster. let's pick up -- _ out of this disaster. let's pick up -- issue - out of this disaster. let's pick up -- issue and - out of this disaster. let'sl pick up -- issue and thank out of this disaster. let's - pick up -- issue and thank you pick up —— issue and thank you for that. let's speak to eyal mayroz. they are a senior lecturer in peace and conflict studies at the university of sydney i guess people will look at america and the pressure it can exert on israel but america say none of the red lines have been crossed yet. i none of the red lines have been crossed yet-— crossed yet. i think the americans _ crossed yet. i think the americans hold - crossed yet. i think the americans hold the - crossed yet. i think the | americans hold the key crossed yet. i think the i americans hold the key to crossed yet. i think the - americans hold the key to an immediate ceasefire and have so far been reluctant to go all the way. as all other countries are nations and governments are juggfing are nations and governments are juggling a number of considerations and interests that are not always aligned with international law or humanitarian efforts and at the moment the biden administration doesn't seem to prioritise the leverage it has over israel. where do you think the west's red lines on gaza are and what would spur them into action? i

think the words in the west don't fit because each government within europe, the australians, the americans, they all arejuggling australians, the americans, they all are juggling their own considerations some european states have already said that their line was crossed for them a while for others it hasn't and i think while the europeans are flexing their muscles more than they have in the past that action requires consensus and that will not happen because of the hungarians and other nations still supporting israel, so i think whether the europeans can help more is in relation to pressure for humanitarian aid and the stopping of the mass killing in rafah, in macro —— in gaza is only something the americans can influence. d0 only something the americans can influence.— only something the americans can influence. do you think the ush for can influence. do you think the push for the — can influence. do you think the push for the palestinian - can influence. do you think the push for the palestinian state i push for the palestinian state and the recognising of the palestinian state by ireland, norway and spain is making a

difference to anybody thinking here? i difference to anybody thinking here? ~ , , ., here? i think this is a positive _ here? i think this is a positive step - here? i think this is a positive step but - here? i think this is a positive step but not| here? i think this is a i positive step but not in here? i think this is a - positive step but not in terms of what is happening on the ground. ithink of what is happening on the ground. i think the international community needs to get rolling a longer—term into resolving the conflict and that will take a very, very long time and this is something that needs to happen in terms of recognition but will not make a difference to the situation on the ground at the moment. . ~ situation on the ground at the moment. ., ,, , ., situation on the ground at the moment. . ~' , ., , situation on the ground at the moment. ., ,, , ., , . situation on the ground at the moment. ., ,, i. , . ., moment. thank you very much for “oininr moment. thank you very much for joining us- — here in the uk, it's unclear whether the veteran mp, diane abbott, will stand as a labour candidate at the election — or be allowed to do so — following her reinstatement to the party yesterday. ms abbott was suspended by labour last year after suggesting thatjewish, irish and traveller people did not face racism "all their lives." she later apologised. here's our political correspondent damian grammaticas. diane abbott — campaigner, trailblazer. for a0 years, she's been

a fixture on the left of politics, unafraid to criticise her own party — such as over the iraq war. whenjeremy corbyn became leader, she became shadow home secretary. but 13 months ago, she was suspended by labour. this was 1987 — the day she changed the face of parliament. the first black woman elected to be an mp. good morning, my name's diane abbott, i'm a new member. yes, i know. if you'd like to go through the swing doors, they'll look after you. thank you very much. what got her suspended was this letter to the observer, saying, "jewish, irish and traveller people do undoubtedly experience prejudice," adding, "but they're not all their lives subject to racism." diane abbott withdrew her remarks and apologised. an internal investigation completed in december gave a formal warning for conduct prejudicial to the party. sir keir starmer, who's made a priority of rooting out anti—semitism from labour, was even yesterday under pressure to say whether she would be allowed back in.

the process overall is obviously a little longer than the fact—finding exercise, but in the end, this is a matter that will have to be resolved by the national executive committee, and they'll do that in due course. finally, last night, the party confirmed she'd been restored to her position as a labour mp. the way it has been handled and the time it has taken has drawn criticism from within labour's own ranks. i think it's important that the whip was returned to diane. she went through the process. i do feel that there are some people around keir — not keir himself, that maybe have watched a little bit too much scandal or — do you know what i mean? — the west wing and think that's how politics is done. that isn't how politics is done, and it is important that somebody like diane gets her due respect. the question now is whether she chooses to put her name forward to stand again — and, if she does, whether the party will endorse her or block her.

it's a decision for diane, whether she wants to stand. is it? and then there's a process which goes... it's her decision? as all of us, as mps, the process of deciding whether you end up being a candidate — obviously, you personally have to decide if you want to stand and then there's a party process about whether you get the party nomination. and that's what's going to happen, i guess, over the next week. for almost four decades, diane abbott has been a labour mp, but with little more than a week to go until final nominations must be submitted, it's far from clear if she will stand again for her party. damian grammaticas, bbc news, westminster. and on the wider election campaign trail, the economy has taken centre stage on the campaign trail in recent days. the prime minister says he will protect pensioners from a tax hike if the conservatives win the next election. rishi sunak launched what's being called the "triple lock plus" plan which will increase pensioners�* personal allowance to prevent more people paying income tax. labour says the plan is not credible. meanwhile the shadow chancellor rachel reeves has said that labour is the "natural party for british business".

faisal islam reports. the prime minister was inspecting china in the potteries today, but there are no delicate ming vases in his campaign. the conservatives' strategy appears to be move fast and break things, with bold policies. today's new offer — no tax for those on the basic state pension. for people who work hard all their lives and put in, then we need to make sure that they have the dignity they deserve when they've finished. and that is why i have already protected pensions and the triple lock and you have seen our announcement today, the triple lock plus, where we will raise the threshold, make sure that pensioners get a tax cut and they will never pay tax on the state pension, as well as the triple lock going up. 30 miles down the a50 at rolls—royce in derby, labour's top two are also talking economics. at britain's world beating exporter ofjet engines, the shadow chancellor, rachel reeves, heralded

the support of over 120 business executives for a change of government. i can say with confidence that this labour party is the natural party of british business. it's take—off for the election campaign with big calls being made by the two main parties. the conservatives are making almost daily policy announcements that involve tax and spend, without being fully accounted for. labour say they don't want to follow the conservatives down what they say is a rabbit hole and have a singular message of stability, stability, stability — and they're trying to remind the electorate of what happened under liz truss with the mini budget. no tax rises, says the shadow chancellor, rachel reeves, but nor will she match the pension tax cut. what you won't get from me, either in this election campaign or if i become chancellor of the exchequer in a few weeks' time, is any commitments that is not fully costed and fully funded, because if you do that, you're going down the liz truss route and we saw the damage that she did to our economy.

rishi sunak is going down that route — i never will. but you can address pensioners who are thinking about where to cast their x in the ballot box in six weeks' time, and at the moment, they have an offer from the prime minister and the current chancellor which is, if you're on the basic state pension, you won't get taxed on it if you vote for them, whereas with labour, you would. well, pensioners are only looking at paying tax on the basic state pension because of what the conservatives have done. people shouldn't believe these promises from the government because unless a plan is fully funded, you shouldn't have any confidence it is going to be delivered. and that is the problem with the conservative party — they're throwing around these ideas with no idea of how they are going to pay for them. in the lake district, some other opposition parties were chasing floating voters, perhaps. the lib dem leader, sir ed davey, said the state pension move was a u—turn. the last thing pensioners need is another dose of conservative government — the last thing the country needs.

liberal democrats have some really attractive policies for pensioners. not only are we behind the triple lock, as the ones who began it in the first place, we want to make sure the health service that pensioners rely on is properly funded, that there's a care system there. of course, we want to see - investments in people's pockets and making sure pensioners are seeing a benefit to any. economic improvement in the situation that - the country faces. but we are seeing the - consequences of ia and a half years of austerity that both labour and the tories - are committed to continuing. at a bowling club in leicestershire, the pm pressed his case with what has been a dependable demographic for his party. the question is whether older voters prefer a tax cut offer for those on the state pension or believe the promise of stability under a changed government. who is on target with this argument could well determine the winner injuly. faisal islam, bbc news, in the east midlands.

plenty more coverage on the bbc website looking forward to the ath ofjuly, another day, another pledge, the conservatives will be promising to boost apprenticeships and labour will be promising to clear nhs waiting lists. around the world and across the uk, this is bbc news.

lawyers for the prosecution and defence have wrapped up their closing arguments in the fraud trial of the former us president, donald trump. they did so at length, with the court sitting more than three hours longer than scheduled. prosecutors say he engaged in a fraud against the american people. mr trump's lawyers said the case was based on lies. with the end of the trial now in sight, donald trump repeated his claim that the whole things a political sham.

make no mistake about it. pop i'm here because of crooked joe biden. while inside the court with his family watching on, his defence lawyers rested their case. their closing arguments were focused on mr trump's former lawyer and fixer, michael cohen. just before the 2016 election, he paid stormy daniels to silence her allegation that she had had sex with mr trump. but mr cohen's claim his boss knew the payment was made to influence the election was a lie, the defence said. and while mr trump's son continued the attack on the steps of the court... and he's actually lied to that veryjury, and yet he's the only person of relevance that this entire case... ..the prosecution, in their closing arguments, agreed, mr cohen was dishonest. that's precisely the point, they told the jury — he lied on behalf of, and in the pay of, donald trump.

and as if the political circus couldn't get any bigger, there was an unexpected cameo appearance with a warning about mrtrump. we don't want to wake up after the election saying, "what, again? my god, what the hell have we done?" well, the world's media has been here from the start, but there's no doubt these press pens are now filling up in anticipation of a moment in history — the first verdict in the first criminal trial of a former president, with uncertain political consequences — whichever way it goes. all that's left is for the judge to instruct the jury, then 12 ordinary new yorkers will decide his fate. john sudworth, bbc news, new york. we will bring you the verdict as soon as it is known. it's polling day in south africa — nearly 28 million voters will have the chance to elect representatives to the national and provincial parliaments. this will be the country's seventh democratically held general election since 199a.

polls suggest that the ruling anc party may be on track to lose its majority as high unemployment, which hit 32% last year, alongside economic inequality and frequent power cuts have reduced its popularity. let's speak to catherine byaruhanga. tell us where you are and what the mood is like for one of the closest elections in decades. the sun is about to rise and we can see it in assistance and voters will go to the polls in about a0 minutes' time and this is an exciting collection for south africans and there is a prospect that nelson mandela's african national congress party that has been in powerfor three decades could lose its majority in government. cyril mariposa are doing everything to make sure that doesn't

happen. i'mjoining to make sure that doesn't happen. i'm joining you from orlando west high school in the soweto township and this is a historic part of the township where a lot of the apartheid struggle happened and we are a stone's throw away from nelson mandela is home and we are joined by the anti—apartheid activist who led and was part of the leaders of the soweto uprising when students in this area stood up and demonstrated against the apartheid regime., of course hundreds of people were killed during those demonstrations. how far do you think south africa has come in the 30 years since at the end of apartheid. the 30 years since at the end of apartheid-— of apartheid. some of us are still going — of apartheid. some of us are still going through _ of apartheid. some of us are still going through the - of apartheid. some of us are still going through the pain | of apartheid. some of us are | still going through the pain of having — still going through the pain of having to see ourselves leading students — having to see ourselves leading students and children out of the classroom is only to be killed — the classroom is only to be killed and the time came where we thought we are now in our freedom _ we thought we are now in our freedom and we are young

democracy are always experiences of many other black people _ experiences of many other black people has not changed that much — people has not changed that much. much has changed what we can put— much. much has changed what we can put across and further than that but— can put across and further than that but the majority of black peopie. — that but the majority of black people, the life they are leaving _ people, the life they are leaving is not that much hetter~ _ leaving is not that much better. not much better than the life — better. not much better than the life that we were promised after— the life that we were promised after 1994, that it would be a after199a, that it would be a better— after 1994, that it would be a better life for all. we are still _ better life for all. we are still awaiting that time. of course the anc still awaiting that time. oi course the anc says today it's done a lot to bring millions of south africa out of policy but the legacy has been questioned with the elections. and how significant are the elections today? significant are the elections toda ? , , , , , today? the biggest issues confronting _ today? the biggest issues confronting the _ today? the biggest issues confronting the many - today? the biggest issues i confronting the many people today? the biggest issues - confronting the many people who are the _ confronting the many people who are the majority of this country— are the majority of this

country has even meant the anc in conflict — country has even meant the anc in conflict created new parties amongst _ in conflict created new parties amongst themselves. even amongst themselves. even amongst themselves. even amongst the parties at the moment are even going to be standing _ moment are even going to be standing today, they are big number, _ standing today, they are big number, 300 or something, and that also— number, 300 or something, and that also tells us of the issues _ that also tells us of the issues that we are faced with, and it— issues that we are faced with, and it is— issues that we are faced with, and it is another level but let me assure you that democracy has its — me assure you that democracy has its own challenges and anc has its own challenges and anc has the — has its own challenges and anc has the greatest challenges because they have another allowed us to have the fruit of the tree — allowed us to have the fruit of the tree of liberation that many— the tree of liberation that many black people died for ordered _ many black people died for ordered the plant.- many black people died for ordered the plant. thank you forjoining — ordered the plant. thank you forjoining us— ordered the plant. thank you forjoining us on _ ordered the plant. thank you forjoining us on bbc- ordered the plant. thank you forjoining us on bbc news. l forjoining us on bbc news. there you have it, some of the issues that are being discussed in these elections. some say it's the down side of the

maturing of the south african election and it was noisily going to be they could not be the longest party forever and it could be a watershed moment when south africans see a new democracy emerging. i’m when south africans see a new democracy emerging.— when south africans see a new democracy emerging. i'm sure wu will be back _ democracy emerging. i'm sure wu will be back to _ democracy emerging. i'm sure wu will be back to this _ democracy emerging. i'm sure wu will be back to this today, - democracy emerging. i'm sure wu will be back to this today, and - will be back to this today, and we might get results early on the whole thing might be wrapped up by sunday and that is what the estimate say. just one of the story. researchers are warning that action is needed to stop voters being misled by a.i. generated content during the uk's election period. the uk's centre for data science and artificial intelligence says the use of deepfake videos — where the face of one person is replaced by another — could be particularly damaging. stay with us here on bbc news.

hello there. we've seen a lot of wet weather around lately. the ground is already pretty saturated in many spots, but on tuesday, there were some sunny spells around, and of course, in the best of the sunshine at this time of year, it always feels pleasantly warm. but the general theme doesn't change over the next couple of days — more heavy thundery downpours in the forecast, some brighter spells in between. it won't be raining all the time, but it has been very wet over the last 2a hours or so with this band of rain pushing eastwards, clearing away into the north sea. some showers still behind it as we head into wednesday morning, but it is a mild start to the day. and then on wednesday, it's another day of scattered heavy downpours, also some brighter spells, of course. this time the focus for the thundery showers will tend to be across central and eastern areas of scotland. now, some of these showers could be particularly slow—moving with light winds, so they could last for some time and lead to some very high rainfall totals, maybe even some flash flooding, so do take care within this area. also, some thunderstorms breaking out across northeast england,

down through lincolnshire, parts of east anglia, too. a good scattering of showers elsewhere, possibly drier out towards the south and west by the end of the day. and it will feel a bit warmer highs of 19, maybe 20 degrees in the south east of england, perhaps. a few changes as we go into thursday. the low has now pulled away. high pressure starts to build in from the west. that spells better news in time for the weekend. but still another day of showers on thursday. this time, the heaviest, most thundery of the showers will tend to be across the south of england and south wales. a good scattering of more isolated showers, though, still further north. and it will be feeling a bit cooler, too, on thursday with more of a northerly wind blowing, so a slight drop in temperature for many of us as we go into friday. the high pressure has been building in, remember? so lots of dry weather with some sunshine developing, but windy and really quite cloudy for many eastern coastal areas, particularly for east anglia down through parts of kent as we head through friday. so, there will be some cloud around and it won't be feeling particularly warm, but temperatures could build a little further through the weekend, particularly out towards

the north and the west as that high pressure starts to edge in. so lots of dry weather, but just a brisk wind for those north sea facing coasts and also more in the way of cloud here. but we could get to 21—22 celsius in parts of the north and the west, maybe. bye— bye.

looking good — the international monetary fund upgrades china's economic growth — but warns of leaner times ahead. polls open in south africa today for a general election which could see the anc lose its parliamentary majority for the first time in 30 years. and one dunk or two? today is national biscuit day here in the uk, and we'll be examining our insatiable appetite for the crunchy stuff. welcome to business today, i'm mark lobel. is china rising once more? the international monetary fund has announced its conclusions on the future prospects of china's economy. it is set to grow 5% this year, after a strong first quarter. that's an upgrade of its earlier forecast of a.6% expansion — though it expects slower growth in the years ahead.

the imf said it welcomed steps announced by policymakers