hiv. didn't he grab the basic with hiv. didn't he grab the basic one point? that gold, sticky thing that's on the table in between the two front benches for that what was that about? i two front benches for that what was that about? ~ . , two front benches for that what was that about? ~ ., , ., that about? i think it was over brexit. i think— that about? i think it was over brexit. | think it _ that about? i think it was over brexit. i think it was... - that about? i think it was over brexit. i think it was... he - that about? i think it was over brexit. i think it was... he is i that about? i think it was over| brexit. i think it was... he is a verym — brexit. i think it was... he is a verym a— brexit. i think it was... he is a very... a passionate guy. but there have _ very... a passionate guy. but there have been— very... a passionate guy. but there have been instances, i'm trawling through— have been instances, i'm trawling through my memory where he has behaved _ through my memory where he has behaved in — through my memory where he has behaved in a way that has called into question an issue with myriam kate who _ into question an issue with myriam kate who is — into question an issue with myriam kate who is a socially conservative mp, kate who is a socially conservative mp. where — kate who is a socially conservative mp, where he was seen to sit next to her and _ mp, where he was seen to sit next to her and that— mp, where he was seen to sit next to her and that was seen as overly aggressive. it is a mixed record to this _ aggressive. it is a mixed record to this. , ~ . ., , aggressive. it is a mixed record to this. , a . , this. did michael heseltine grabbed the mace? he _ this. did michael heseltine grabbed the mace? he grabbed _ this. did michael heseltine grabbed the mace? he grabbed the - this. did michael heseltine grabbed the mace? he grabbed the mason l this. did michael heseltine grabbed l the mace? he grabbed the mason it was in the 1970s. _ the mace? he grabbed the mason it was in the 1970s. i _ the mace? he grabbed the mason it was in the 1970s. i think— the mace? he grabbed the mason it was in the 1970s. | think it - the mace? he grabbed the mason it was in the 1970s. i think it was - was in the 1970s. i think it was over— was in the 1970s. i think it was over the — was in the 1970s. i think it was over the nationalisation of shipbuilding. . it was a billthat

went— shipbuilding. . it was a billthat went through and open to question and labour— went through and open to question and labour mp started seeing the red fla- and labour mp started seeing the red flag and _ and labour mp started seeing the red flag and what he regarded as a triumph — flag and what he regarded as a triumph of a way the maze for led to his great— triumph of a way the maze for led to his great nickname of tarzan. your memory is — his great nickname of tarzan. your memory is phenomenal. _ his great nickname of tarzan. your memory is phenomenal. i'm - his great nickname of tarzan. your. memory is phenomenal. i'm probably wronu. memory is phenomenal. i'm probably wrong. newscasters _ memory is phenomenal. i'm probably wrong. newscasters know— memory is phenomenal. i'm probably wrong. newscasters know their - memory is phenomenal. i'm probably wrong. newscasters know their date | wrong. newscasters know their date so that they will message in if you are wrong. that was pre—tell parliament so we never saw that. hie. parliament so we never saw that. no. ima . ine parliament so we never saw that. no. imagine that- — parliament so we never saw that. no. imagine that. it's _ parliament so we never saw that. firm imagine that. it's always been a constant in the background of my life. �* . ., , ., , constant in the background of my life. �* ., ., ., , life. i've heard that story many times through _ life. i've heard that story many times through my _ life. i've heard that story many times through my whole - life. i've heard that story many times through my whole life i life. i've heard that story many i times through my whole life what life. i've heard that story many - times through my whole life what i was younger because of his nickname of tarzan and grabbing, i pictured him ina of tarzan and grabbing, i pictured him in a loincloth doing it. when i was like, 12. i him in a loincloth doing it. when i was like. 12-— him in a loincloth doing it. when i was like, 12. i remember when you can only listen _ was like, 12. i remember when you can only listen to _ was like, 12. i remember when you can only listen to parliament - was like, 12. i remember when you can only listen to parliament on i was like, 12. i remember when you | can only listen to parliament on the radi0~ _ can only listen to parliament on the radi0~ i_ can only listen to parliament on the radio. i remembertuning in, i should— radio. i remembertuning in, i should have been doing my a level.

radio _ should have been doing my a level. radio was _ should have been doing my a level. radio was what they had before podcast. radio was what they had before odcast. ., ., ., , ., podcast. 0h, radio. to listen to the live debate — podcast. 0h, radio. to listen to the live debate of— podcast. 0h, radio. to listen to the live debate of the _ podcast. 0h, radio. to listen to the live debate of the wesson - podcast. 0h, radio. to listen to the live debate of the wesson debate, | live debate of the wesson debate, which _ live debate of the wesson debate, which very— live debate of the wesson debate, which very nearly brought out margaret thatcher. the famous debate which walked into the commons and said i_ which walked into the commons and said i may— which walked into the commons and said i may not be prime minister by the end _ said i may not be prime minister by the end of— said i may not be prime minister by the end of today. and then neil kihhock— the end of today. and then neil kinnock did a performance that was pretty— kinnock did a performance that was pretty solid part. i talked to jacob rees—mogg about this and he said i listen _ rees—mogg about this and he said i listen to— rees—mogg about this and he said i listen to that debate as well. gh, listen to that debate as well. oh, ou too. listen to that debate as well. oh, you too- i — listen to that debate as well. oh, you too. ithink— listen to that debate as well. oh, you too. i think we _ listen to that debate as well. on you too. i think we can speak to chris mason on the phone. hello. collar, chris mason on the phone. hello. collar. where _ chris mason on the phone. hello. collar, where are _ chris mason on the phone. hello. collar, where are you _ chris mason on the phone. hello. collar, where are you calling i chris mason on the phone. hello. i collar, where are you calling from? what you want to ask the panel? taste what you want to ask the panel? we exect what you want to ask the panel? , expect to see you on the screen. to be honest, i'll be crying out for the long wave signal that nick was talking about the whole project me into the newscast for the perhaps

slightly better quality than the phone line. at least these phone lines were, which is more than can be said on the contraption i was attempting to construct is now for the we can hear each other, that's a good thing. i’m the we can hear each other, that's a good thing-— good thing. i'm ready to roll. what if ou good thing. i'm ready to roll. what if you were — good thing. i'm ready to roll. what if you were working _ good thing. i'm ready to roll. what if you were working on _ good thing. i'm ready to roll. what if you were working on today? i good thing. i'm ready to roll. what i if you were working on today? we've been doin: if you were working on today? we've been doing a — if you were working on today? we've been doing a bit _ if you were working on today? we've been doing a bit of— if you were working on today? we've been doing a bit of a _ if you were working on today? we've been doing a bit of a student - if you were working on today? ,, been doing a bit of a student with keir starmer for labour on monday and nigel faraj yesterday for the liberal democrats in the coming days. today on the southwest of england following rishi sunak who has been leaning into the energetic nonstop frenetic campaign for the vital all the leaders are doing now. they're all try to get to a to be on public transport, private transport for the rishi sunak really consciously leaning into it. getting the london to cornwall overnight into this morning for the talking

about apprenticeships, that's the thing, conservative circle of events, policy announcements in england. and doing q&a in a workplace and gathered a gaggle of employees in a semicircle around him and do the pitch, which is similar from one workplace to the neck. back to other and message of discipline and consistency. then taking questions from employees and reporters as well. been shuffling off to the next place. that's what we've been doing for the tailing the prime minister as we head into a place called ford street.- prime minister as we head into a place called ford street. okay. have ou place called ford street. okay. have you seen- -- — place called ford street. okay. have you seen--- l've _ place called ford street. okay. have you seen... i've not— place called ford street. okay. have you seen... i've not seen _ place called ford street. okay. have you seen... i've not seen any- place called ford street. okay. have you seen... i've not seen any lame l you seen... i've not seen any lame pictures of rishi sunak on social media for the last 20 hours or so. do you think maybe the conservative campaign has got out of that doom look people were saying they were in where people say he would turn up to places with bad names or be

photographed in front of embarrassing things? mar; photographed in front of embarrassing things? photographed in front of embarrassin: thins? , photographed in front of embarrassinuuthins? , , embarrassing things? may be, may be. i don't embarrassing things? may be, may be. i don't know. — embarrassing things? may be, may be. i don't know, maybe _ embarrassing things? may be, may be. i don't know, maybe all _ embarrassing things? may be, may be. i don't know, maybe all campaigns i i don't know, maybe all campaigns get a little at some points. with the five weeks it's fair to say there haven't been those things that people are pointing out in the last week, what was a? the titanic in belfast the funny thing is, when you're on a plane that small, i was on a trip but we're on a plane that small you post a photo of the challenges are visible. part of me wonders, is much as pr types and spin doctors and social advisers try to avoid those pictures where you're near an exit sign or in with antlers on the wall or whatever, they've definitely been keen to project that sense of zipping about everywhere. notjust turning up in lots of different places but visualising and

demonstrating them hurling around. perhaps a desire to do that came with the downside of that size. things like that are trivial. to what extent they are trivial but you get comments and perhaps sucking away a bit of the energy and time talking about other stuff. the other thing that is cycling and conservatives being with them today in the last few days and we noticed this for three or four days is that they are trying to make a splash early on by saying new stuff. and by announcing new policy, particularly the whole national service thing. and other stuff about apprenticeships, the state pension. to try to make an argument that they got fresher, newer stuff to say and their opponents don't. and labours thing has been more cautious, judicious, core messages, don't get drawn any... chris, a let go someone else wants to use _ any... chris, a let go someone else wants to use the _ any... chris, a let go someone else wants to use the phone _ any... chris, a let go someone else wants to use the phone box. i any... chris, a let go someone else wants to use the phone box. deep. | wants to use the phone box. deep.

beep. taste wants to use the phone box. deep. bee -. ~ ., , ., wants to use the phone box. deep. bee. ~ ., ., wants to use the phone box. deep. bee. ~ . . ., beep. we hear you and the world will soon hear you — beep. we hear you and the world will soon hear you to _ beep. we hear you and the world will soon hear you to coin _ beep. we hear you and the world will soon hear you to coin a _ beep. we hear you and the world will soon hear you to coin a phrase. i beep. we hear you and the world will soon hear you to coin a phrase. yet, | soon hear you to coin a phrase. yet, we can make — soon hear you to coin a phrase. yet, we can make it _ soon hear you to coin a phrase. yet, we can make it office _ soon hear you to coin a phrase. iéijf we can make it office variation? soon hear you to coin a phrase. yet, we can make it office variation? i'm| we can make it office variation? i'm interested to _ we can make it office variation? i'm interested to know... the perception is that— interested to know... the perception is that it's _ interested to know... the perception is that it's been a really bad start for campaigns for the conservatives. and the _ for campaigns for the conservatives. and the first polls taken in the last week, most of them show all looking _ last week, most of them show all looking good for labour or if anything slightly increasing their lead although this one pole that say that the _ lead although this one pole that say that the labour lead has gone down by two _ that the labour lead has gone down by two points. that is the perception. and yet in terms of substance, chris reeled off that list of _ substance, chris reeled off that list of policies, the national service _ list of policies, the national service thing, the pension rrr plus, apprenticeships, in terms of substance the tories are talking about _ substance the tories are talking about new star for that labour is talking — about new star for that labour is talking about stuff already announced while labour says the reason _ announced while labour says the reason were talking about stuff already— reason were talking about stuff already announced is it's credible, serious _ already announced is it's credible, serious stuff. in already announced is it's credible, serious stuff.— serious stuff. in terms of other stuff that happened _ serious stuff. in terms of other stuff that happened today, i serious stuff. in terms of other. stuff that happened today, junior doctors in england and going to go

on strike again. that strike will end two days before polling day what is your theory about the impact that might have? you is your theory about the impact that might have?— might have? you can take the fact that you're — might have? you can take the fact that you're going _ might have? you can take the fact that you're going to _ might have? you can take the fact that you're going to have - might have? you can take the fact that you're going to have during . that you're going to have during that you're going to have during that period again, people have hospital appointments cancelled, people will see the impact of the doctor strikes as they seen before. it is no surprise that the conservatives reaction to it is this is so political from the junior doctors, junior doctors say if you resolve the pay issue we would be in this situation having to strike again. timing is going to be key. it's come right in the final week of the general election campaign. i think already what you've seen today other questions for the parties, if you are in the next government how you are in the next government how you can resolve this issue? it's been going on for ages and ages. we know there was this inching towards mediation before general election period hooked up with the shadow health secretary today saying we're not going to commit to 35% pay rise at thejunior doctors are not going to commit to 35% pay rise at the junior doctors are asking for but i work towards a pay deal in the

long term. i think it's going to focus minds about the election campaign on one of the key issues, which is nhs, which is what labour wanted to actually talk about today regardless for the right at the point when people are going to go to the polls. point when people are going to go to the olls. . ., . ~ ,, , the polls. victoria atkins cover the health secretary _ the polls. victoria atkins cover the health secretary said _ the polls. victoria atkins cover the health secretary said the - the polls. victoria atkins cover the health secretary said the british . health secretary said the british medical association was using a highly cynical tactic. she said i in —— conservative government had made tough decision to keep spending down tough decision to keep spending down to bear down on inflation which is now back to normal. quickly, i thought with labour announcement on nhs waiting list it was interesting because they've narrowed down their target, the market to target all waiting lists, all appointments. it's people having to wait more than 18 weeks, which is an old government target. that's what they will focus on. you could still end up waiting quite a long time other health secretary nhs.— quite a long time other health secretary nhs. quite a long time other health secreta nhs. , , ., secretary nhs. their focus is to hit the tar: et secretary nhs. their focus is to hit the target which _ secretary nhs. their focus is to hit the target which is _ secretary nhs. their focus is to hit the target which is 9296 _ secretary nhs. their focus is to hit the target which is 9296 of - secretary nhs. their focus is to hit the target which is 9296 of patients j the target which is 92% of patients being seen with an 18 weeks by the

end of the first labour government. they are acknowledging it might take a bit of time to get there. they've specified where they couldn't specify before but i guess in fairness the parties that they will continue to do that as the campaign progresses and the manifestos and all the parties have said.— all the parties have said. alex, thank you _ all the parties have said. alex, thank you very _ all the parties have said. alex, thank you very much. - all the parties have said. alex, thank you very much. nick- all the parties have said. alex, thank you very much. nick i i all the parties have said. alex, i thank you very much. nick i have myself agreeing with you. i agree with adam. _ myself agreeing with you. i agree with adam. i _ myself agreeing with you. i agree with adam, i agree _ myself agreeing with you. i agree with adam, i agree with - myself agreeing with you. i agree with adam, i agree with alec- myself agreeing with you. i agree with adam, i agree with alec so l myself agreeing with you. i agree i with adam, i agree with alec so that i with adam, i agree with alec so that i agree _ with adam, i agree with alec so that i agree with — with adam, i agree with alec so that i agree with everyone. so agreeable. i agree with everyone. so agreeable. i agree _ i agree with everyone. so agreeable. i agree with — i agree with everyone. so agreeable. i agree with newscast. i agreed to stay up late and watch the news night. that's all for this episode of mexer one. we recorded extra stuff that will be in a podcast edition, which you can listen to on bbc sound. we will see you again very soon. bbc sound. we will see you again very soon-— very soon. bye-bye. newscast from the bbc. hello. it's been another day of heavy downpours for some parts of the uk. i think they will become fewer and further between as we head towards the weekend and even today, some of us got to see some sunshine,

gorgeous scenes there for a weather watcher in whitstable in kent. but this area of low pressure still close by. so there is a bit more rain to come. in fact, this little weather feature bringing some really heavy downpours southwards across scotland and then getting down into parts of northern england. as we head on through the night, we will also see some showers for northern ireland pushing down into wales and the south west of england. but many other areas starting tomorrow morning on a dry note, temperatures around nine, ten or 11 degrees. so into tomorrow morning, this band of cloud and rain, quite heavy bursts of rain still pushing southwards across northern england, down into wales, into the midlands, east anglia, and then getting down towards the south coast where it'll break up into some sharp and perhaps thundery showers, more cloud and rain for this east coast of england. that will make it feel quite disappointing, particularly when combined with the strength of the wind further west, not as many showers, more dry weather, some spells of sunshine and temperatures perhaps getting up to around 19 or possibly 20 degrees in sheltered spots. now, as we move out of thursday

into friday, the focus shifts from this area of low pressure, which starts to roll away eastwards. the focus shifting to this area of high pressure just starting to build in from the west. now still cloud and some showery rain across some eastern counties of england. but further north and west, it should be largely dry, spells of sunshine, a bit more cloud here as well, into the north west of scotland, maybe only iii degrees for stornoway, but given some sunshine, glasgow could get to 19, 19 in cardiff as well. some spots likely to get to 20 degrees. and this area of high pressure still with us as we head into the weekend, but with some fairly large areas of cloud circulating around it. so it won't always be sunny. on saturday it does look like we'll see quite a lot of cloud across parts of england, maybe into wales and another bank of cloud trying to roll into northern ireland and the north west of scotland. but where we do see some sunshine temperatures doing quite nicely, 20, perhaps up to 21 degrees. and as we head into the second half of the weekend, i think similar temperatures, high teens, low 20 celsius,

a fair amount of cloud at times, but still with some spells of sunshine.

hello, i'm rajini vaidyanathan.

you're watching the context on bbc news. the winding road to polling day still has plenty around the corner, and where every announcement prompts a flurry of reaction as each party seeks to undermine the others. this has been a closely—fought election, and that's because the anc's record in government over the past 30 years is being questioned. in november, on the territory- in which i'm standing, us territory, there'll be a choice between trump and biden, and behind me, - in a few days' time, mexicans will also have their choice. i 2024 is a year of elections and, here on the context for the next hour, we're taking you around the globe as we look at some of the key votes coming up. here in the uk, campaigns

are in full swing as we hurtle towards thejuly lith election date. also tonight... in the last few minutes, polls have closed in south africa. we'll be live in the capital for all the reaction as we await the results. and we're also live in mexico near the us border. it's election day on sunday, and immigration is set to be a big issue for voters and, of course, there's an election in the us. but before that happens, all eyes on donald trump — the jury has begun deliberations in his hush money trial in new york. guilty or not guilty — whatever happens, it'll have huge ramifications for november's vote. we start tonight with the latest from the campaign trail here in the uk. labour has been attempting to focus its efforts on the nhs today, with plans for hospitals to do more out—of—hours work and use the private sector to tackle england's nhs waiting lists, but the attention has been firmly on the party's

handling of diane abbott. there's still confusion tonight over whether the long—serving labour mp can or can't stand again in the general election. keir starmer says there is no decision about that yet, but diane abbott says she is barred and has doubled down tonight at a rally in hackney. i was shocked to learn yesterday that i am going to be banned from running for the labour party. booing shame! i have been selected by my local party members, many of whom are here today, but the national party is insisting that i be banned. they haven't communicated

with me personally. they haven't given a reason for banning me. they just want me excluded from parliament. ms abbott signed off her speech by saying that she wanted to remain the mp for her constituency for as long as it is possible, but she didn't address the issue of whether she would run as an independent. 0ur correspondentjoe pike pressed her on that issue as she left the event. will you stand as an independent candidate in this election, diane abbott? will you stand as an independent? will she or won't she. we still don't know, there are a lot of unknowns in all of this. 0ur correspondent nick eardley

is in hackney for us. what do we know and what do we know when it comes to what is happening with diane abbott and her candidacy? we don't know exactly what has happened here. there are competing stories between keir starmer and diane abbott. what we do know is that there is an almighty row taking place between factions of the labour party and it has completely overshadowed their campaign today. what diane abbott has done tonight at happening town hall, just part of her constituency is to say publicly what she has been saying privately today which is, she thinks she has been banned from standing from the seat that she has held for 37 years. she is blaming the leadership. she sang the leadershipjust she is blaming the leadership. she sang the leadership just does not want her in parliament and she is making it absolutely clear she does want to stand. it's interesting because there has been a rumour during the rounds for a few weeks

now that labour was trying to work on a deal that would allow diane abbott back into the party, give her the whip back, but with the expectation that she would then call it a day at this election. she does not sound like she wants to stand down at all, saying she will stay the mp year for as long as possible. it feels to me, two things. firstly, she is left a door open to standing as an independent mp, even though she is not engaging with that question tonight. secondly, it feels like the story is just going to run and run and run until there is some finality to it. the labour leader keir starmer was asked about this this afternoon and he said it was wrong to say that miss abbott had been barred from bidding for parliament for the labour party. i've checked with his team tonight asking if there were any updates, they say no, that is still the position from their perspective. but until it is resolved, the questions are not going to go away. that will

be tricky for labour because it needs some of the factionalism that keir starmer was trying to stamp out is going to continue to be in the headlines. that is going to continue to be in the headlines-— is going to continue to be in the headlines. �* . , ., headlines. at that event where diane abbott has just _ headlines. at that event where diane abbott has just finished _ headlines. at that event where diane abbott hasjust finished speaking, i abbott has just finished speaking, thank you. now let's turns to the conservatives. rishi sunak has been in south—west england today. he said his party would replace what he called "rip—off" university degrees and fund 100,000 more apprenticeships instead. the south—west is a key battleground for the conservatives. 0ur political editor chris mason has been following the prime minister on his campaign train today and sent this report from dunkeswell in devon. bodmin in cornwall, one week into the general election campaign. and the verdict from some folk here? it is ok, really. i think it is a good idea to have it. they are looking for your vote, of course, but ijust think they are fighting with each other and it is ridiculous.

what do you make of the whole election fun and games? it is a total nightmare. i can't bear it. i can't watch television... it isjust dreadful. you can't be telling me you're not watching television! i am trying not to. planes and policies, trains and yet more trains. the prime minister arriving in penzance this morning, not looking too rough after a night on the sleeper from london. first up, a rail maintenance deeper to first up, a rail maintenance depot to talk up his idea on apprenticeships in england. we were closed and underperforming university degrees that are letting our young people down, and instead using that money to fund 100,000 new high quality apprenticeships.

meet, greet, talk and move on is the rythmn for all of the party leaders out and about. it is lunchtime, and the prime minister is arriving at a local broadband company. i have heard you are a bit of an expert... having a go at other people's jobs, all part of many a—visit. and listen out for the generous job offer, depending how things turn out. that is perfect, if you're looking for a job in telecoms... the winding road to the lith ofjuly, polling day, still has plenty around the corner, and where every announcement prompted a flurry of reaction as each party seeks to undermine the others. 0ur message that the conservatives have let people down— in the west country over i the health service, economy, things like sewage on our rivers and beaches, - is resonating with people. the conservatives have to say, if they announce any policy, how they are going to pay for it. that is what we in the labour party deliver, fully costed policies, and that is what we expect from the conservatives. it is the cost of the union

on the table, we have a cost of living crisis inflicted by westminster, challenges connected to brexit, and of course austerity policies. the prime minister has made quite a thing of projecting a certain energy. he has hurtled around england, scotland, wales, and northern ireland in the first couple of days. now he is here in the south—west of england, a region teeming with conservative seats he really needs to cling onto. and after a morning in cornwall, next it is devon. late this afternoon, rishi sunak arrived at a military vehicle manufacture to talk to members of staff and to reporters. prime minister, there is no doubt you are meeting plenty of people out and about, but are you changing many minds? look, chris, you can see we are having a conversation here, but i am determined to talk to as many people as i can across this country over the remaining weeks of this campaign. that is how i started it, and as you heard, i am thoroughly enjoying myself. i am enjoying having conversations with people about... changing minds?

about the things that matter. yes, lam changing minds. the tour for all party leaders trundles on, you can tell the election is getting near that when you see pictures like this. five weeks ago. chris mason, bbc news, in devon. let's speak to the bbc world service uk political correspondent rob watson. chris they're reporting that the prime minister is enjoying himself, i hope you are as well as we enter the early stages of this election campaign. lots to discuss, let's kick off with what we were talking about at the start of the programme which is all about diane abbott. a long serving mp, lots of questions about whether or not she is going to be able to stand for the labour party, or whether she will choose to stand as an independent. just to remind our viewers, why was she suspended from the labour party? she

was suspended from the labour party? sue: was suspended, i should say first of all, i am enjoying it, was suspended, i should say first of all, lam enjoying it, 0xley was suspended, i should say first of all, i am enjoying it, 0xley chris was enjoying it the best thing about elections is getting out on the road. she had been suspended because she said thatjewish people, people with red hair and travellers did not really experienced racism in the same way they experienced a kind of prejudice but did not experience racism all the time. that, she written that in an article in a national newspaper in the uk and a disciplinary procedure followed which has brought us to where we are now. ~ ., , ., which has brought us to where we are now. ~ ., y ., ~ , which has brought us to where we are now. ~ ., i. ~ , ., , now. where do you think this leaves the labour now. where do you think this leaves the labour party _ now. where do you think this leaves the labour party on _ now. where do you think this leaves the labour party on a _ now. where do you think this leaves the labour party on a day _ now. where do you think this leaves the labour party on a day where i now. where do you think this leaves| the labour party on a day where keir starmer wanted to focus on his party's plans for the national health service, a key issue whenever there is a general election and now there is a general election and now there has been a distraction with this? ., ., , . , ., this? for a party which is out in front and _ this? for a party which is out in front and clearly _ this? for a party which is out in front and clearly pursuing i this? for a party which is out in front and clearly pursuing a i front and clearly pursuing a strategy of let's not rock the boat, because this is our election to lose

if the polls are to be believed. this is not welcome at all. but i suspect stepping back from it all, if the labour leadership confronted with a choice concerning diane abbott, if they have to choose between upsetting more on the left, activists on the left of their party or upsetting centrist voters, as they would see it, i suspect they are going to choose the former. that is really why keir starmer has, ever since he took of the leadership of the labour party from jeremy corbyn, always erring on the side of upsetting those in the left of the party because he takes the view that you win elections in this country very much from the centre ground. let's talk about the conservative campaign. we saw a rishi sunak on thatjourney, chris mason tagging along today. he has been in the south west of england will stop there are a lot of seats that, clearly, if you see where he has

plotted and gone today, they are worried they could potentially lose if the polls are to be believed. quite right. the problem the conservative party faces apart from the obvious one of political gravity and having been in powerfor iii years is that they are in danger of having their vote share nibbled from the right, if i could put it that way by the reform party which is a pro brexit control immigration party, but also they risk losing votes to the left of centre, either to labour in large parts of the country or to the lib dems and so it is an incredibly difficult and tight spot to be in electorally, but that is where mr sunak and his party find themselves. , is where mr sunak and his party find themselves., of course we have now had the confirmation of when the first television debate between the leaders will be. it first television debate between the leaders will be.— leaders will be. it will be aired on itv next tuesday _ leaders will be. it will be aired on itv next tuesday at _ leaders will be. it will be aired on itv next tuesday at nine - leaders will be. it will be aired on itv next tuesday at nine o'clock. | itv next tuesday at nine o'clock. what is your take ahead of that, the

first one of a number. i will definitely — first one of a number. i will definitely be _ first one of a number. i will definitely be watching. i first one of a number. i will definitely be watching. the | first one of a number. i will. definitely be watching. the tv debates are interesting. they are a new phenomenon that i think starting in 2010, if i remember in this country. i know they have had them in the us and other countries. i think the feedback so far is you get lots of people complaining saying, oh they say all the same things and are very tedious. but actually beget quite high viewing numbers and people do say that they watch with great interest and that their vote is influenced in some ways. i'm not sure that they have changed the outcome, but do they energise politics in this country, to they get people watching and talking, yes. to go to the start of the keys from chris mason we heard from ordinary voters and you get that sense of a really profound for failing anti—politics, anti—politician mood, notjust the government but all of them. so things like debates are a chance for politicians to try and at least

reach out to the voters, distrustful and ratherfed up as reach out to the voters, distrustful and rather fed up as they may be. rob watson with the very latest, thank you very much. some developments ona on a story that we are following in the united states. as we have been reporting throughout the day, jurors in donald trump's historic criminal trial have begun deliberations and a development that we are hearing from the court is that the judge has said, that they have received a notes because a juror, one of them i should say, has a question. what we know is that that note contains four requests. we have more information on that on the bbc news life page that you can see there. where my colleague is inside the court sending us updates so that we know what is going on. it is typical when a jury is deliberating for them to

send notes to clarify and ask questions. it is unclear what those four requests are, but we can confirm that as both deliberations in new york have begun on the criminal trialfor in new york have begun on the criminal trial for donald trump around hush money allegations, that around hush money allegations, that a notes has been received by the judge containing four requests. we will have more information on that when we get it. around the world and across the uk, this is bbc news.

we promised we would take you around the world in witness various elections in this hour so... from elections in the uk to south africa, where the polls have just closed in the country's general election. the vote is being seen as the most pivotal in three decades and is considered a test of the ruling anc's — the african national congress —

hold on the country. the party of nelson mandela, the anc has been the majority party in power since the end of apartheid and has held the presidency since then. but could corruption scandals, rising crime and unemployment and frequent power cuts impact their fortunes? current leader and president cyril ramaphosa cast his ballot in soweto, saying he said he was in no doubt voters would once again back the anc. let's go live to my colleague, catherine byaruhanga, in soweto. with the very latest at the polls have disclosed.— with the very latest at the polls have disclosed. , ,., have disclosed. indeed. this polling station where _ have disclosed. indeed. this polling station where we _ have disclosed. indeed. this polling station where we are _ have disclosed. indeed. this polling station where we are in _ have disclosed. indeed. this polling station where we are in soweto i have disclosed. indeed. this polling station where we are in soweto can| station where we are in soweto can be seen as a model polling station because it has just gone past nine o'clock here and this polling station is closed. party representatives are also inside. they are taking a short break and then the folk counting will begin

here. but what we are hearing from across south africa is that in some polling stations, there is still hundreds of people waiting to cast their ballots. the electoral commission says that, if they are in the queue at nine o'clock, they can then weights and they will still be given the opportunity to cast their ballot. so why does this matter? this matters of course in a hotly contested election where the margins will be, could be small so that making sure each party gets its voters out voting really does matter. the selection is important, of course, as he mentioned there because there is the prospect that the agency which has dominated south african politics for 30 years could lose its majority in parliament. it is also 30 years since the end of apartheid, the dawn of democracy in this country. this is also a moment that some of those people that did

not live through apartheid are also taking stock of the legacy of anc. we are joined taking stock of the legacy of anc. we arejoined by taking stock of the legacy of anc. we are joined by one of the people who are called the born free in south africa because you were born in 1994 after the dawn of democracy here in south africa. the selection has been described as something that is historic for the country. how do you see it yourself? ibis is historic for the country. how do you see it yourself?— is historic for the country. how do you see it yourself? as a country, i feel like we — you see it yourself? as a country, i feel like we are _ you see it yourself? as a country, i feel like we are left feeling - feel like we are left feeling despondent and failed and we need to change _ despondent and failed and we need to change and that is where it is at right— change and that is where it is at right now — change and that is where it is at riaht now. ~ . change and that is where it is at right now— change and that is where it is at riaht now. ., ., ,. ., ., right now. what does change mean ersonall right now. what does change mean personally for _ right now. what does change mean personally for you? _ right now. what does change mean personally for you? you _ right now. what does change mean personally for you? you told i right now. what does change mean personally for you? you told me i personally for you? you told me earlier, you spoke when he came to vote earlier today, you mention you have a child. so what does the future look like for you? taste have a child. so what does the future look like for you? we “ust need to have i future look like for you? we “ust need to have less i future look like for you? we “ust need to have less violence, i future look like for you? we just need to have less violence, less| need to have less violence, less crime. _ need to have less violence, less crime, i— need to have less violence, less

crime, i can't be working and crime, ican't be working and minding— crime, i can't be working and minding my child in the dark. we can't _ minding my child in the dark. we can't be — minding my child in the dark. we can't be having water outages in this day— can't be having water outages in this day and age. i kept hearing the same _ this day and age. i kept hearing the same problems that my grandmother had in _ same problems that my grandmother had in 2024. so that needs to change — had in 2024. so that needs to change it_ had in 2024. so that needs to chance. �* . . . had in 2024. so that needs to chane. �* . . . . ~' had in 2024. so that needs to chance. . . . ., ., ,, change. a real change. thank you very much — change. a real change. thank you very much for— change. a real change. thank you very much forjoining _ change. a real change. thank you very much forjoining us - change. a real change. thank you very much forjoining us on i very much forjoining us on bbc news. she cast her vote and talked about change there. that is something we have heard consistently throughout the day from various voters, people who support anc and also those who want to vote for the opposition. so what does this all mean in terms of the final results that we could be seeing out of south africa today? we are joined by a politics professor at the university of cape town and he joins us from cape town. thank you forjoining us here on bbc news. the word change has been mentioned throughout the day, not only on bbc news, but also on south african

media. what you think this means for the final results and what this could mean for anc?- the final results and what this could mean for anc? ,., ., . could mean for anc? good evening and thank ou could mean for anc? good evening and thank you for— could mean for anc? good evening and thank you for having _ could mean for anc? good evening and thank you for having me. _ could mean for anc? good evening and thank you for having me. i _ could mean for anc? good evening and thank you for having me. i think- thank you for having me. i think that there — thank you for having me. i think that there is an expectation that every— that there is an expectation that every election will somehow produce the kind _ every election will somehow produce the kind of— every election will somehow produce the kind of result that we see either— the kind of result that we see either a — the kind of result that we see either a loss of the anc or a change in the _ either a loss of the anc or a change in the party— either a loss of the anc or a change in the party scene distribution and that would — in the party scene distribution and that would make our system a lot more _ that would make our system a lot more competitive. i think the problem _ more competitive. i think the problem with that is, i would say in the last— problem with that is, i would say in the last 20 — problem with that is, i would say in the last 20 years or so, there has been _ the last 20 years or so, there has been no _ the last 20 years or so, there has been no significant impact the parties — been no significant impact the parties of opposition have made to dented _ parties of opposition have made to dented that deficit between themselves and the anc. so even though— themselves and the anc. so even though people have very high expectations as to what this

election— expectations as to what this election can achieve, i don't think the election can achieve, idon't think the deficit— election can achieve, i don't think the deficit between anc and the second — the deficit between anc and the second largest party which is the democratic alliance is small enough to worry _ democratic alliance is small enough to worry us — democratic alliance is small enough to worry us to think there would be the kind _ to worry us to think there would be the kind of— to worry us to think there would be the kind of shift or the kind of, call it— the kind of shift or the kind of, call it change if you want. so based on the _ call it change if you want. so based on the voting pastors of the last 15 years or— on the voting pastors of the last 15 years or so — on the voting pastors of the last 15 years or so we are expecting more or less a _ years or so we are expecting more or less a predictable results —— voting patterns _ less a predictable results —— voting patterns a — less a predictable results —— voting patterns. a one that has produced anc leadership. a patterns. a one that has produced anc leadership.— anc leadership. a reduced vote. briefl , anc leadership. a reduced vote. briefly. anc— anc leadership. a reduced vote. briefly. anc is — anc leadership. a reduced vote. briefly, anc is losing _ anc leadership. a reduced vote. briefly, anc is losing votes i briefly, anc is losing votes consistently over the years but the opposition, as you say is not gaining votes. what is happening? is it people are choosing to not come out and vote? i it people are choosing to not come out and vote?— out and vote? i think that the namic is one where — out and vote? i think that the namic is one where the _ out and vote? i think that the namic

is one where the swing _ out and vote? i think that the namic is one where the swing voters i is one where the swing voters matter~ — is one where the swing voters matter if_ is one where the swing voters matter. if you take percentages out in took _ matter. if you take percentages out in took at _ matter. if you take percentages out in look at the actual number of people — in look at the actual number of people who are registered and vote for anc_ people who are registered and vote for anc and those who vote for the second _ for anc and those who vote for the second and — for anc and those who vote for the second and third largest parties, we have about — second and third largest parties, we have about 27 million people on the voters _ have about 27 million people on the voters rote — have about 27 million people on the voters role as of the selection. in the last— voters role as of the selection. in the last 25— voters role as of the selection. in the last 25 years, the anc's share of that— the last 25 years, the anc's share of that has— the last 25 years, the anc's share of that has been within the band of ten and _ of that has been within the band of ten and 11— of that has been within the band of ten and 11 million people. it has never— ten and 11 million people. it has never shifted. and if one looks at the second — never shifted. and if one looks at the second largest party which is the second largest party which is the democratic alliance, it is never gone _ the democratic alliance, it is never gone beyond three and half million which _ gone beyond three and half million which means that the number of peopte _ which means that the number of people who are not showing up is more _ people who are not showing up is more than — people who are not showing up is more than the combined total of all peopte _ more than the combined total of all people who don't vote for the anc and it— people who don't vote for the anc and it means the people who don't show— and it means the people who don't show up. _ and it means the people who don't show up, equal the amount of people

who vote _ show up, equal the amount of people who vote for anc. so what we have here ism _ who vote for anc. so what we have here is... . . who vote for anc. so what we have hereis... . , ,., , ., here is... incredible statistics there. here is... incredible statistics there- 0f _ here is... incredible statistics there. of course, _ here is... incredible statistics there. of course, as - here is... incredible statistics there. of course, as we i here is... incredible statistics there. of course, as we get l here is... incredible statistics i there. of course, as we get those there. of course, as we get those results, we will be able to unpick and analyse them. thank you for joining us here on bbc news. so that you have it. polls closing across most polling stations in south africa. those results will start coming in overnight and we will be bringing them to you here on bbc news. . .. bringing them to you here on bbc news. . ,, , ., for the moment. let me bring you these pictures. this shows donald trump walking back into court. we have just heard that the jury, which has been deliberating, as requested to hear and see some evidence again. we will have more on that after the break. stay with us here on the context. hello. it's been another day of heavy

downpours for some parts of the uk. i think they will become fewer and further between as we head towards the weekend. and even today, some of us got to see some sunshine. gorgeous scenes there for a weather watcher in whitstable in kent. but this area of low pressure still close by, so there is a bit more rain to come. in fact, this little weather feature bringing some really heavy downpours southwards across scotland and then getting down into parts of northern england as we head on through the night. we will also see some showers for northern ireland, pushing down into wales and the south—west of england, but many other areas starting tomorrow morning on a dry note. temperatures surrounds nine, ten or 11 degrees. so into tomorrow morning, this band of cloud and rain, quite heavy bursts of rain still, pushing southwards across northern england, down into wales, into the midlands, east anglia, and then getting down towards the south coast, where it'll break up into some sharp and perhaps thundery showers. more cloud and rain for this east coast of england. that will make it feel quite disappointing, particularly when combined with the strength of the wind. further west, not as many showers, more dry weather, some spells of sunshine and temperatures perhaps getting up to around 19 or possibly

20 degrees in sheltered spots. now, as we move out of thursday into friday, the focus shifts from this area of low pressure, which starts to roll away eastwards. the focus shifting to this area of high pressure just starting to build in from the west. now, still cloud and some showery rain across some eastern counties of england, but further north and west, it should be largely dry, spells of sunshine. a bit more cloud here, as well, into the north west of scotland. maybe only 14 degrees for stornoway, but given some sunshine, glasgow could get to 19. 19 in cardiff as well. some spots likely to get to 20 degrees. and this area of high pressure still with us as we head into the weekend, but with some fairly large areas of cloud circulating around it. so it won't always be sunny. on saturday, it does look like we'll see quite a lot of cloud across parts of england, maybe into wales. and another bank of cloud trying to roll into northern ireland and the north—west of scotland.

but where we do see some sunshine, temperatures doing quite nicely, 20, perhaps up to 21 degrees. and as we head into the second half of the weekend, i think similar temperatures, high—teens, low—20 celsius. a fair amount of cloud at times, but still with some spells of sunshine.

hello, i'm rajini vaidyanathan. you're watching the context on bbc news. jurors in donald trump's hush money trial have begun their deliberations, but in the last few minutes, the jury has requested to look at some of the evidence again. sport, and for a full round—up from the bbc sport centre, live in new york at the courtroom in a moment. sport, and for a full round—up from the bbc sport centre, here's marc edwards. thank you very much. we're going to start at the french open, where an absolutely enthralling contest between defending champion and world—number—one iga swiatek and quadruple grand slam—winner naomi 0saka went the distance. in a tense first set, it was the in—form swiatek, with four titles to her name already this season, who took it on a tie—break before 0saka dominated the second, overpowering her opponent to take it 6—1.