israeli troops press on with their rafah operation, amid reports that us—supplied weapons were used in sunday's deadly air strike. and votes are being counted after what could be a pivotal election in south africa. hello, i'm carl nasman. day one ofjury deliberations in donald trump's hush—money trial wrapped up without a verdict. the 12 jurors will return to court on thursday. they're tasked with deciding whether the former us president is guilty of falsifying business records to cover up a hush—money payment to adult film star stormy daniels. just hours after the jury began meeting behind closed doors, they returned to the courtroom to request to re—hear testimony from david pecker,

publisher of the tabloid the national enquirer. he testified early—on in the trial about a "catch—and—kill" scheme to buy and bury stories that might harm mr trump's political campaign. before deliberations began, juan merchan, thejudge presiding over the trial, told jurors they should set aside whatever bias they might have about mr trump, and only consider the evidence presented in court. during the six—week trial, the jurors heard from 22 witnesses, including miss daniels — who described in detail the 2006 sexual encounter she says she had with the former president — and from michael cohen, donald trump's former attorney and fixer, who paid ms daniels $130,000 to allegedly buy her silence shortly before the 2016 presidential election. the defence argued the case was built on lies told by mr cohen — a point mr trump echoed while speaking earlier. mother teresa could not be

these — mother teresa could not be these charges. _ mother teresa could not be these charges. these - mother teresa could not be . these charges. these charges are rigged. _ these charges. these charges are rigged. the _ these charges. these charges are rigged, the whole - these charges. these charges are rigged, the whole thing . these charges. these charges are rigged, the whole thing is rigged~ — are rigged, the whole thing is rigged~ the _ are rigged, the whole thing is rigged. the whole _ are rigged, the whole thing is rigged. the whole country- are rigged, the whole thing is rigged. the whole country is. rigged. the whole country is a mess— rigged. the whole country is a mess between— rigged. the whole country is a mess between the _ rigged. the whole country is a mess between the borders - rigged. the whole country is a i mess between the borders and the fake — mess between the borders and the fake elections. _ mess between the borders and the fake elections. when- mess between the borders and the fake elections. when you l the fake elections. when you have — the fake elections. when you have a — the fake elections. when you have a trial_ the fake elections. when you have a trial like _ the fake elections. when you have a trial like this - the fake elections. when you have a trial like this with - the fake elections. when you have a trial like this with a i have a trial like this with a judge _ have a trial like this with a judge who's _ have a trial like this with a judge who's so _ have a trial like this with a judge who's so conflicted, | have a trial like this with a i judge who's so conflicted, he can't — judge who's so conflicted, he can't breathe. _ judge who's so conflicted, he can't breathe. he's _ judge who's so conflicted, he can't breathe. he's gonna - judge who's so conflicted, he can't breathe. he's gonna do| can't breathe. he's gonna do his can't breathe. he's gonna do hisjoh — can't breathe. he's gonna do hisjoh - _ can't breathe. he's gonna do hisjoh - and _ can't breathe. he's gonna do hisjob — and it's _ can't breathe. he's gonna do hisjob — and it's not - can't breathe. he's gonna do hisjob — and it's not for- can't breathe. he's gonna do hisjob — and it's not for me, | hisjob — and it's not for me, i can— hisjob — and it's not for me, i can tell— hisjob — and it's not for me, i can tell you. _ hisjob — and it's not for me, i can tell you. it's a - i can tell you. it's a disgrace. _ i can tell you. it's a disgrace, and- i can tell you. it's a disgrace, and i- i can tell you. it's a i disgrace, and i mean i can tell you. it's a - disgrace, and i mean that. mother— disgrace, and i mean that. mother teresa _ disgrace, and i mean that. mother teresa could - disgrace, and i mean that. mother teresa could not . disgrace, and i mean that. i mother teresa could not beat those — mother teresa could not beat those charges, _ mother teresa could not beat those charges, but _ mother teresa could not beat those charges, but we'll- mother teresa could not beat those charges, but we'll see. | mr trump faces 3a charges of falisfying business records. if all i2jurors agree that donald trump is not guilty on every count, he will be acquitted of the crime. another possible outcome could be a hung jury — if they cannot all unanimously agree. if the jury remains deadlocked after much deliberation, judge merchan will declare a mistrial. if thejury finds him guilty — all 12 must agree that prosecutors proved mr trump's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. he could face anything from a large fine to prison time — although that is unlikely.

if convicted, donald trump would become the first major—party candidate to run for president as a felon. 0ur correspondent nada tawfik has more from outside the courthouse in new york. the jury went home without reaching a verdict on the first day, deliberating for nearly five hours. the judge started off the morning by instructing them, telling them to not let any bias against donald trump get in the way and to decide this case on the facts. and he instructed them that they need to find two parts to find donald trump guilty. first, that he personally or in concert with others falsified business records. and secondly, that he did that to conceal and with intent to conceal another crime. they said that other crime could include a violation of new york or federal election law, or even tax violations. and he also told them that they can't convict donald trump on michael cohen's word alone.

he said under the law, michael cohen is an accomplice and they must find corroborating evidence to back up his testimony. well, jurors got the deliberations under way. the first time they were able to discuss the evidence after nearly five weeks of testimony, hearing from 22 witnesses. and after about three—and—a—half hours, they came back with a note asking to see testimony from the first witness in the trial under the prosecution's case, the former publisher of the national enquirer, david pecker. they also wanted testimony read back to them from the prosecution's star witness, michael cohen. they were concerned about an august 2015 meeting in trump tower, a meeting which prosecutors said was where the so—called "catch and kill" scheme was formulated, where david pecker would notify michael cohen about any negative stories about donald trump to try to buy them

and then bury them — and all of that to help donald trump's campaign. so the jury, clearly wanting a closer look at what was said in that meeting with pecker, cohen and donald trump. they also want to see pecker�*s testimony from a call he had with donald trump, where trump allegedly told him that he knew karen mcdougal and also testimony where pecker said he ultimately abandoned a plan to be reimbursed by trump for paying karen mcdougal, the former playboy model, hush money to also stay quiet about her story. and then after a bit more time, jurors had another note for thejudge asking that he reread his instructions to them from the morning. all of this signalling that the jury is taking their job extremely seriously. these notes are common during deliberations when jurors have additional questions and want clarification.

but here we are, day one of deliberations down, and they will return again to resume those deliberations on what will be a historic decision. meanwhile, presidentjoe biden is campaigning in philadelphia, in the battleground state of pennsylvania, to court black voters before november's presidential election. he'sjoined by his running mate, vice president kamala harris. it comes as mr biden continues to lose support among this critical voting bloc with polls showing support for his rival, donald trump, on the rise. a new york times/philadelphia inquirer/siena college survey shows president biden�*s support among black voters is at 77% — which is 15 percentage points lower from where he stood in 2020. donald trump, meanwhile, had just 8% support of the black vote in 2020 — now he's up ten points to 18%. the biden campaign's concern is not that black voters hours after the rally in

philadelphia, president biden continued his push to win over black voters, saying on x... at the rally on wednesday, biden addressed campaign promises he believes he's made good on — like addressing police misconduct. he also continously attacked donald trump. president biden said mr trump wants to erase black history and criticised him forjanuary 6th. what you think he would've done on january 6th what you think he would've done onjanuary 6th if black americans had stormed at? think about this. what would've happened if black americans had stormed the capitol? i don't think he would've been talking about pardons. this is the same guy who wanted to tear gas you as you peacefully protested george floyd's murder. with me now in studio

is rebecca pearcey, who served as political director and senior adviser on elizabeth warren's presidential campaign in 2020. you heard the comments there from president biden, he also said during that rally, "i'm still optimistic, but i need you," speaking to the audience there. how badly does the president need the black vote in november? i president need the black vote in november?— president need the black vote in november? i think he needs it very badly- _ in november? i think he needs it very badly- i _ in november? i think he needs it very badly. i think— in november? i think he needs it very badly. i think it - in november? i think he needs it very badly. i think it was - in november? i think he needs it very badly. i think it was a i it very badly. i think it was a major building block of what his winning coalition was in 2020, and to see these numbers now, i think it's critical that he doubles down on the black community. and i don't think the bite and menstruation has done enough in the black community to ensure he wins again in 2020.— community to ensure he wins again in 2020. he's been taking criticism from _ again in 2020. he's been taking criticism from democrats - again in 2020. he's been taking criticism from democrats and i criticism from democrats and his supporters, saying that the campaign is essentially taking the black vote for granted — do you think that's true? the black vote for granted - do you think that's true?- you think that's true? i think this today — you think that's true? i think this today announcement is l this today announcement is a demonstration that they are deathly not taking black votes for granted. they are doubling down on the record, which is

the lowest black unemployment in over 30 years. they are doubling down on black small business growth being at its highest in decades, they are doubling down on the doubling of the aca enrolment for black americans — so black americans are insured at a 90% rate. also are insured at a 90% rate. also known as _ are insured at a 9096 rate. also known as obamacare. - are insured at a 9096 rate. also known as obamacare. it - are insured at a 9096 rate. also known as obamacare. it is - known as obamacare. it is obamacare. _ known as obamacare. it is obamacare, so _ known as obamacare. it is obamacare, so they - known as obamacare. it is obamacare, so they are i known as obamacare. it 3 obamacare, so they are showing 0bamacare, so they are showing that they've delivered time and again for black americans, and i think it's really important that the biden campaign show black americans what they've done, and not let donald trump drive this narrative that there's been nothing done in there's been nothing done in the black communities for four years. the black communities for four ears. �* .,, years. are those | accomplishments years. are those - accomplishments that you years. are those _ accomplishments that you listed resonating? why do you think, as we saw those polling numbers, why do you think support might be dropping? i support might be dropping? i think it's too early to be seeing if those accomplishments are resonating, but i think they will resonate. because those are the things people think about when we think about, what do we need to go and do to supportjoe biden at

the end of the day? and i think it's a lot of these issues that we've all kind of forgot about because of the pandemic. it is we need health insurance, employment, we want to be small business owners — black wealth is at an all—time high. under donald trump, you didn't see these kinds of numbers. you saw 300,000 black americans lose their health insurance in the first two years under trump's administration. and to see that switch from that number in a deficit to being doubled on the aca under the biden administration is enough for a lot of people to say "joe biden�*s my guy." we don't need to vote for perfect, but what's good for us and our communities.- good for us and our communities. ~ ., ., , ., good for us and our communities. ~ ., ., ., communities. what do you that make of donald _ communities. what do you that make of donald trump's - make of donald trump's increase? and we saw the numbers, it's a pretty significant increase in support by the black community. he's been very vocal about courting the community, really boasting about those numbers. i the community, really boasting about those numbers.- about those numbers. i think he's been — about those numbers. i think he's been very _ about those numbers. i think he's been very active - about those numbers. i think he's been very active in - he's been very active in courting this community because he knows it's something he would need in order to succeed in 2024. would need in order to succeed in 202a. he views the black

community is up for grabs, and what i think we need to talk about is donald trump ran eight races campaign in 2020, he will run a race is campaign in 2024, and he will implement a racist agenda again if he's reelected. so that means that he's not looking out for black americans, he's not looking out for minorities in america, and we need to talk about his record for black americans stop what he said he was in the bronx the other day touting his support among the black community, and framing many issues, . ., ., issues, including immigration, as a failure — issues, including immigration, as a failure by _ issues, including immigration, as a failure by president - issues, including immigration, as a failure by president biden to look out for the black community because he says that's a community that's hit hard by illegal immigration. true, and i think the trump campaign has gotten smarter in the way they pander to black americans and the ways they talk about how donald trump may be for the black community — but i think the record goes back to show he's not actually for the black community. murder in the black community spiked under donald trump — don't forget about the city park...

the central park five? the central park _ the central park five? the central park five - the central park five? the central park five back - the central park five? the central park five back in l the central park five? tie: central park five back in new york and what he wanted there. he's called for a reimplementation of stop and frisk — there is just many, many policies that impact the black community that he's not willing to talk about because he knows it's bad for us. there was a another _ he knows it's bad for us. there was a another member- he knows it's bad for us. there was a another member of- he knows it's bad for us. there was a another member of the l he knows it's bad for us. there i was a another member of the and menstruation, vice president, harris, the first female vice president, first african—american vice president, first south asian vice president — what role do you see it the back of her playing in this campaign facilities a massive part of this and i think of what the biden terrace and this and i think of what the biden terrace and ministers and has been has — biden terrace and ministers and has been has been _ biden terrace and ministers and has been has been having - biden terrace and ministers and has been has been having a - has been has been having a validator like kamala harris to go out and say, "he was for us and here's why." but she's helped implement policies that directly impact women and minorities, particularly black

and south asians. so we are able to see her as a person who is in the room, we trust this, and that's whyjoe biden is for us. and that's why joe biden is for us. ., ., and that's why joe biden is for us. ., ., ., , and that's why joe biden is for us. ., ., ., , ., and that's why joe biden is for us. ., ., , . us. you have lots of experience in prosocial campaigns, - in prosocial campaigns, working with elizabeth warren back in 2020 - with elizabeth warren back in 2020 — what do you make of this launch on behalf of biden and harris? is this enough with just a few months to go? we are 23 weeks out. — just a few months to go? we are 23 weeks out, i _ just a few months to go? we are 23 weeks out, ithink— just a few months to go? we are 23 weeks out, i think it's - 23 weeks out, i think it's enough, but i think there be groups that come in and also want to talk with black voters in their states, and i think the states that the biden campaign is focusing on are the right ones — particularly in the urban centres where he won because of the black coalition. so we are talking about places like detroit, philadelphia, pittsburgh, madison, milwaukee, places like that where i think he's putting in the effort, and i'm glad to see he's doing it now when most candidates usually take the black community really for granted and don't start the effort until after labour day. seems

like the biden _ until after labour day. seems like the biden campaign is i like the biden campaign is constantly up there in pennsylvania, big swing state. yes it is! , pennsylvania, big swing state. yesitis! , , pennsylvania, big swing state. yesitis! , _ ., ~ yes it is! rebecca percy, thank ou ve yes it is! rebecca percy, thank you very much- _ yes it is! rebecca percy, thank you very much. thank- yes it is! rebecca percy, thank you very much. thank you. - around the world and across the uk, this is bbc news. let's look at another story making news. rishi sunak has been campaigning in south west england. he pledged his party would fund 100,000 more apprenticeships. the south west is a key battle ground for the conservatives. 0ur political editor chris mason has been following the prime minister on the campaign trail. first up, a rail maintenance depot to talk up his idea on apprenticeships in england. a future conservative government will take the bold action of closing down 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 rhythm for all the party leaders out and about.

meanwhile, labour's diane abbott said "the national party is insisting" she be banned from being a labour candidate in the general election. she was suspended from the party following comments on race that she made in a letter to a newspaper last year. sir keir starmer denied the party has decided to bar herfrom standing. you're live with bbc news. lengthy queues at urban polling stations in south africa has meant voting continued long past the scheduled close. all those waiting to cast their ballots have been allowed to express their preference. the electoral commission said there'd been a late surge, especially in cities. 0ur africa correspondent barbara plett usher has been monitoring polls in pretoria — she sent us this report. vote counting has already begun, and the results will be coming into this centre over the next couple days and what

seems to have been a significant election. voter turnout was quite high, it looks as if it was higher than the election in 2019, and there were long queues outside voting stations as the day ended — not because people were excited to exercise their right to vote like 30 years ago, but because they are unhappy with how they've been governed since. there's a lot of anger about high unemployment, high crime, corruption scandals, ongoing power cuts, and so on. ifound that the older voters tended to be more loyal to the african national congress, the governing anc, because of that legacy of liberation. 0ne governing anc, because of that legacy of liberation. one man said to me, "i'm voting for mandela's party because it gave me dignity." also because they are bit more wary about the new parties who think they might make things worse. but when it comes to young people, especially those who have not experienced apartheid, they are much more critical. i spoke to a number of them who are voting, or who were voting for other parties, and theirjobs

was a really big thing because more than 40% of the youth are unemployed. there was a certain amount of scepticism about whether anything would change, how much things would change — but it is the most hotly contested and uncertain election that south africa has had since the end of apartheid. the anc has had an absolute majority until now, and it looks as if it could lose that — in which case it would be forced to share power. that is uncharted territory which could lead to some instability and governance — but it might mean a coalition, meaning some south africans feel they are better able to hold their leaders to account then if it's a single dominant party. joining me live is senior global adviser at international foundation for electoral systems, rushdi nackerdien. thanks for being here. we've seen some reports on the ground there in south africa that there've been these long lines at polling stations, many staying open for several hours even after the deadlines

tonight to allow people to finish voting. what do you make of the votes that have been taking place there, is this out of the ordinary?— taking place there, is this out of the ordinary? thank you. it definitely _ of the ordinary? thank you. it definitely reminds _ of the ordinary? thank you. it definitely reminds me - of the ordinary? thank you. it definitely reminds me of - of the ordinary? thank you. it i definitely reminds me of 1994's elections, i think there's definitely a sense of the power of the vote and the belief in democracy. and for me, it's also sitting outside the country in washington, dc, it's kind of hard to see that belief still firmly rooted in people's ability to stand in long queues, not going home, convinced that there will —— they will actually be able to cast a vote. so i think that's really great to see. i cast a vote. so i think that's really great to see.- really great to see. i was auoin really great to see. i was going to _ really great to see. i was going to ask _ really great to see. i was going to ask you, - really great to see. i was going to ask you, this i really great to see. i was - going to ask you, this seems like it's set to be a very large turnout there in south africa — what are you seeing, and why do you think that turnout has been so big? you compared this to 1994.- turnout has been so big? you compared this to 1994. yes, i mean, compared this to 1994. yes, i mean. i _ compared this to 1994. yes, i mean, ithink— compared this to 1994. yes, i mean, i think there's - compared this to 1994. yes, i mean, i think there's a - compared this to 1994. yes, i l mean, i think there's a general excitement. in the last

election, we only saw turnout of 66%. i think definitely people's belief in the fact that change lies within their handsis that change lies within their hands is breaking the polls —— bring them to the polls. and we will see as the numbers start coming out exactly how big the turnout will be. but i predict it'll be more than what we saw in 2019. we will have to little bit —— wait a little bit because there's three ballots, as to two which were cast into as to two which were cast into a 19, so that might take a little bit longer. but by saturday, we should start to see the real impact of people —— cast in 2019. i would say one thing, just as a voter sitting outside the country, in 2019, only about 19,000 people registered to vote outside the country — this year the numbers are over 50,000. and that for me tells me that what we are seeing outside the country

could also be an indication of what we might see inside the country, and excitement actually go to the polls the selection. actually go to the polls the selection-— actually go to the polls the selection. . , ., , ., selection. once these votes are actually counted, _ selection. once these votes are actually counted, and _ selection. once these votes are actually counted, and you - selection. once these votes are actually counted, and you said. actually counted, and you said that could take a couple of days, what happens next? just remind us of the ways south africa's political system goes about selecting its next president. 50 about selecting its next president. about selecting its next resident. , ., president. so basically, what we should — president. so basically, what we should see _ president. so basically, what we should see by _ president. so basically, what we should see by about - president. so basically, what i we should see by about sunday is the declaration of the election result from the election result from the election commission. 0nce election result from the election commission. once that happens, parliament needs to convene in one of its first cash and one of its first tax will have to be the election of a speaker. we will have to see how the vote turns out, and there's lots of talk about coalitions and so forth. but it is for parliament than to elect, and parties will have to get 50% plus one of the vote to be able to elect the president, and the president can then form the cabinet. so everybody will be waiting with baited breath to see on sunday what the

outcome will be, and if there will be any talk of coalition governments, as has been theorised by many pundits. you mentioned _ theorised by many pundits. you mentioned some _ theorised by many pundits. you mentioned some 50,000 voters expected to cast their ballots overseas — are there any demographic groups within south africa itself that could be voting may for the first time, or larger numbers that might tip the results here? i or larger numbers that might tip the results here?- tip the results here? i think it was mentioned _ tip the results here? i think it was mentioned in - tip the results here? i think it was mentioned in the - tip the results here? i think it was mentioned in the clip before that younger voters are coming out with different kinds of issues, and i think everybody still has that sense that they can naturally do something. forfolks like myself who voted for the first time in 1994, we might be more interested in the way we think about politics, but the younger generation definitely might have a big impact on the outcome of the selection. it certainly is a different political landscape — can you

just put, generally to perspective, this is being called potentially the most important election since the end of apartheid.— important election since the end of apartheid. yes, we are kind of looking _ end of apartheid. yes, we are kind of looking at _ end of apartheid. yes, we are kind of looking at a _ end of apartheid. yes, we are kind of looking at a situation l kind of looking at a situation where there is possible talk of a ruling party —— the ruling party not getting the 50% plus votes that they are needing. we've seen them trending negatively over the past couple of years. and for the first time, people are talking about the reality of possible coalitions being formed going into parliament. and we will have to wait until sunday to see what the outcome is. we will be waiting _ see what the outcome is. we will be waiting for those results on sunday along with you, thank you very much for your analysis.— the us is under pressure to address reports us—manufactured bombs were used in sunday's deadly israeli strike in rafah. 45 people were killed when the air strike sparked a massive fire in a densely—populated displacement camp.

investigations by the new york times and cnn claim that debris from the strike is consistent with remnants from a type of 37—pound boeing—built bomb called gbu—39 — similar to these weapons. it is intended to hit targets with greater precision than larger munitions. us officials have pushed israel to use these bombs rather than heavier ones, in order to reduce the risk of civilian casualties. the white house made clear it would limit weapons supplies to israel, if forces entered rafah's "population centres" or launched a major ground operation. hugo bachega has more. the remarks by the israeli national security adviser appeared to reject the idea that we could be near the end of the war in gaza. he said fighting might continue for at least the rest of the year — although he didn't give details about how intense the conflict might be. now all eyes are on ref, nearthe

might be. now all eyes are on ref, near the border with egypt. the id cheapish and that i could israeli officials say it is vital to enter the city because they believe four hamas battalions are still operating their —— all eyes are on rafah. but israel is under a lot of international pressure to limit its operations in the city to minimise civilian casualties, and officials are describing what's happening there as a limited operation. still, scores of palestinians have been killed in recent days, and the un says more than1 million people have fled rafah because they are concerned that the israeli military may launch a full—scale operation. virtually everyone outside israel, including the united states, which is the country's main ally, is against the idea of a major operation in rafah because they fear that this could have a catastrophic impact on the civilian population. so the main phase of this operation is still to come. now hamas still holds

many israeli hostages, and recent efforts to try to reach a deal for recent efforts to try to reach a dealfor those recent efforts to try to reach a deal for those hostages recent efforts to try to reach a dealfor those hostages to be released in order for a dealfor those hostages to be released in orderfor a released in order for a cease—fire released in orderfor a cease—fire in gaza have collapsed. so as the israeli national security adviser suggested, the indications are that we are still far from the end of the war in gaza. let's turn to some important news around the world. india has recorded its highest—ever temperatures. the capital, new delhi, hit around 52.3 celsius — orjust over 126 farenheit. hospitals have reported a surge in heat related in comic illnesses. voting is also taking place for congress in local posts. stay with us, plenty more news coming up at the top of the hour on bbc news. hello there. well, wednesday was certainly

a day of contrast. the sun is strong at this time of year, and if you get some, well, those temperatures start to climb. in fact, it was a beautiful afternoon in surrey, with a high of 21 celsius — 70 fahrenheit. it was a different story however, further north and east, we had a real cluster of thundery downpours across eastern scotland and they drifted their way into northeast england, threatening—looking skies to close out wednesday across sunderland. and those showers are continuing to move their way steadily southwards as we go through the day thursday. so, some of the showers will continue to be quite heavy. not too bad a day across much of scotland, and northerly winds still feeding in a few scattered showers here. but there is a greater risk across the east midlands, east anglia, and southeast england by the middle part of the afternoon, seeing some sharp thundery downpours. and if you catch one of them, well, they could bring a lot of heavy rain. now, further west, we will see the best of the sunshine. fewer showers here, 19—20 celsius not out of the question. a pleasant afternoon for northern ireland on the whole, fewer showers generally through scotland.

and, if you get more in the way of sunshine, fewer showers here, 19—20 — again, it's quite possible in sheltered western areas. now as we go through thursday evening and overnight, those showers will ease away. but that northerly wind always just feeding in a little more cloud off the north sea. a relatively mild start to our friday morning. and with clearer skies out to the north and west, there will be some early morning sunshine around. but, because of the wind direction, we always run the risk across eastern england, down towards the southeast of seeing a few scattered nuisance showers. and if you don't get the showers, you could have quite a grey day. further north and west, there'll be a lot of sunshine, maybe some cloud continuing to linger in the northwest of the great glen. but where we get the best of the sunshine, again, we could see temperatures into the high teens, possibly 20 celsius. a little bit cooler on those exposed east coasts. as we head towards the end of the week, this high pressure will continue to feed in from the west. we will be chasing cloud

amounts around from time to time, but it's certainly going to be a drier story. some significantly drier weather. we haven't seen a good five—day stretch quite widely across the country of dry, settled weather since january. so enjoy the sunshine and the warmth.

bhp walks away

from anglo american, as the uk mining giant refuses to accept its $49 billion takeover offer. if you've done some online shopping recently, you may find it's taking more time to receive your parcels. we find out why. hello and welcome to business today. i'm mariko 0i. to our top story this morning — the australian mining giant, bhp, has scrapped its $49 billion offer to buy its british rival, its british rival anglo american. its decision came after anglo american rejected a request to extend a deal—making deadline. bhp had been particularly attracted to the uk mining giant's copper assets — which, thanks to its mines in south america — would have given a combined company control of roughly 10% of global supply. another sticking point was reaching an agreement on job security for more than 40,000 south african miners employed by anglo american. in a statement, bhp ceo mike henry said their proposal

was the most effective structure to deliver