deliberations on thursday. a court in hong kong finds 1a pro—democracy activists guilty of subversion, in a landmark national security case. polls close and counting begins in south africa's general election, as the ruling anc fights to keep its majority in parliament. hello, i'm mark lobel. we start in the us — where jury deliberations have begun in former us president donald trump hush—money trial. mr trump is facing 3a counts of falsifying business records. prosecutors accuse the former president of an "elaborate scheme" that violated campaign finance laws, to cover up a $130,000 hush—money payment to adult fim star stormy daniels.

those business records include entries in business ledgers kept by the trump organisation, cheques and cheques stubs from a donald] trump account, and invoices from his former lawyer, michael cohen, who testified that he paid daniels on behalf of trump to suppress her claim of an affair from 2006. 0ur north america correspondent nada tawfik is in new york with the latest. 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. 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. let's speak to mark lindquist, former district attorney and seattle—based lawyer. market, we were just listening there — quite a lot of questions that the jury have asked because of the judge's orders there that they need to listen back to income into court. an indication how long it might take for them to come

back with a verdict?— back with a verdict? questions like these _ back with a verdict? questions like these are _ back with a verdict? questions like these are not _ back with a verdict? questions like these are not unusual. - like these are not unusual. nobody outside the jury room really can say how long that might deliberate. that said, this is a strange and complicated case that could drag on for days.— complicated case that could drag on for days. strange and complicated _ drag on for days. strange and complicated with _ drag on for days. strange and complicated with those - drag on for days. strange and complicated with those terms that the jury has to meet. how likely is a hung jury, do you think, in a case like this? i think, in a case like this? i think that's highly likely — in fact, i think a hung jury is likely the most likely result, given the complications, given the political undertones, and given people's generally polarised feelings about mr trump. 50 polarised feelings about mr trum, y” “ , trump. so you think the “ury themselves i trump. so you think the “ury themselves might �* trump. so you think the “my themselves might be h trump. so you think the jury themselves might be split i themselves might be split because of the different factors involved? correct, i thinkthat's_ factors involved? correct, i think that's highly - factors involved? correct, i think that's highly likely . factors involved? correct, i l think that's highly likely that they cannot reach a verdict. if they cannot reach a verdict. if they did reach a guilty verdict, presumably an appeal would follow in any case?

correct, they would set sentencing out intojuly. in the meantime, mr trump's lawyers will file an appeal, and i expect mr trump would stay out of custody pending that appeal. 50 stay out of custody pending that appeal-— that appeal. so that's important _ that appeal. so that's important - _ that appeal. so that's important - what - that appeal. so that's l important - what would that appeal. so that's - important - what would happen important — what would happen to mr trump important — what would happen to mrtrump and important — what would happen to mr trump and how long would that whole process take? that rocess that whole process take? that process could _ that whole process take? that process could drag _ that whole process take? that process could drag on - that whole process take? twat process could drag on for 1—3 years — in other words, mr trump will either win or lose an election before that appeal is resolved.— an election before that appeal is resolved. ., , ., , is resolved. have you ever seen a case like _ is resolved. have you ever seen a case like this? _ is resolved. have you ever seen a case like this? i _ is resolved. have you ever seen a case like this? i have - is resolved. have you ever seen a case like this? i have never i a case like this? i have never seen a case _ a case like this? i have never seen a case like _ a case like this? i have never seen a case like this, - seen a case like this, fortunately, and i hope to never see a case like this again. never see a case like this aaain. ~ . . never see a case like this auain.~ ., ., ., again. what have you learned from this _ again. what have you learned from this type _ again. what have you learned from this type of _ again. what have you learned from this type of case, - again. what have you learned from this type of case, what i from this type of case, what does it say about the justice system in america? i’m does it say about the 'ustice system in america?h does it say about the 'ustice system in america? i'm not sure it sa s system in america? i'm not sure it says something _ system in america? i'm not sure it says something about - system in america? i'm not sure it says something about the - it says something about the justice system, but it certainly has given many people

the impression that the prosecution has been politcised. and prosecutions should not be politcised — prosecution should be based of course on the evidence. so i think the aftertaste of this case is a sense of, or politics spilling into ourjustice system? which is not a good thing. system? which is not a good thin. ~' . ~' system? which is not a good thin. ~ ., ~ system? which is not a good thin. ~ . ~' ., system? which is not a good thin. ~ ., ., thing. mark, thank you for your comments _ thing. mark, thank you for your comments on _ thing. mark, thank you for your comments on the _ thing. mark, thank you for your comments on the case. - thing. mark, thank you for your comments on the case. and - thing. mark, thank you for your comments on the case. and i i comments on the case. and i think you. the high court in hong kong has found ia pro—democracy activists guilty of subversion for staging informal primary contests ahead of local elections. two others were acquitted, while 31 defendants had already pleaded guilty. it's been described as the biggest crackdown under the sweeping national security law imposed by beijing. let's speak to our reporter, martin yip. martin, can you tell us more

about what these subversion charges are and what it all means? , ,., , charges are and what it all means? , , ., means? yes, so this whole charue means? yes, so this whole charge surrounds _ means? yes, so this whole charge surrounds the - means? yes, so this whole charge surrounds the plan | means? yes, so this whole i charge surrounds the plan by these people who have organised and participated in an official democratic primary election backin democratic primary election back in 2020, that once they got into the legislative council, they might try to force the government to hear what they say by featuring budgets — and that's what the prosecutors have been alleging, that they tried to overthrow the government. and the judges do agree, this panel of three judges inside with a jury. so they say in the written judgment that if the plan were ever to be executed, it might create serious interference and disruption to the hong kong government's ability to perform

their duty, creating a constitutional crisis. therefore, they are found guilty, these ia defendants, of subversion. and just to be clear, the charge in chinese is subversion against the state — so they've always been accused of trying to overthrow the chinese government, it's all about the hong kong government. i don't know if the court has come back yet, but the sentencing is due in the next few hours, is that right? what's the mood like there? not everyone was found guilty. we've just had the two who are found not guilty coming out of the courthouse, and thanked the well—wishers. 0f the courthouse, and thanked the well—wishers. of course, the court will be convening at about two hours' time. but sentencing might not be immediately today because

there's a procedure called mitigation to be involved, where all these defendants will have a chance — including those who have pleaded guilty — to persuade... who have pleaded guilty - to persuade- - -_ persuade... martin, ithink we can't hear— persuade... martin, ithink we can't hear you _ persuade... martin, ithink we can't hear you right _ persuade... martin, ithink we can't hear you right now, - persuade... martin, ithink we can't hear you right now, a - can't hear you right now, a technical error there. but we will be bring you more on that in the sentencing a bit later from hong kong. national security adviser to benjamin that yahoo says he expects the war against hamas to continue for at least another seven months. the israeli military says it has established "full operational control" over the philadelphi corridor along the gaza—egypt border, discovering dozens of rocket launchers and at least 20 cross—border smuggling tunnels there so far. israeli troops first moved into rafah several weeks ago, following months of international warnings against entering the area, where more than half of gazans had taken refuge after being displaced by months of fighting elsewhere in the strip.

with me is now is mohamed taha, from bbc arabic. just firstly, what's the significance of this buffer zone between gaza and egypt that israel says it's now in control of?— that israel says it's now in control of? that israel says it's now in controlof? , . ., control of? the significance of this area at — control of? the significance of this area at that _ control of? the significance of this area at that this - control of? the significance of this area at that this area, - this area at that this area, according to camp david treaty between israel and egypt, it shouldn't be seized by any party. but now, by israel seizing this area, it means that the israeli soldiers, tanks, and armoured vehicles are in or can reach anywhere in gaza from its cross border to the north and egypt in the south. all gaza is now within reach of israeli forces, meaning the israeli forces are

also within target for hamas members anywhere. that's why we saw three soldiers killed in the last hours, and more than 50 israeli soldiers injured in the last hours. and on the other side, we saw 100 people die from the israeli shelling on many parts of gaza to guarantee that their forces would be safe from hamas members — but the people paying the price at the end of the day are these civilians in gaza. some words from a senior israeli official that the war would go on until the end of the year— which sound surprising from the point of view of international pressure that had been building, certainly the americans have been saying they don't want to see a full scale or ground offensive in rafah. and also there are reports which have to be clarified still that the american munitions used in the

last week's attack on sunday, which benjamin and yahoo even called a tragic mishap. so i guess a lot of pressure on america now with those words and this news.— and this news. indeed, the american _ and this news. indeed, the american position - and this news. indeed, the american position is - american position is understandable little bit. we saw understandable little bit. we sanohn kirby, speaker of the white house, saying that a 37 kilograms bomb used in that shelling in rafah, a 37 kilograms bomb is an american bomb. they call for a cease—fire, but at the same time, they provide israel with ammunition to continue their rafah operation. we also saw the big identification ofjohn kirby to what does a full—scale operation mean and ratify. now israel is controlling ratify fully, and soldiers and tanks are everywhere — so as you rightly said, there are

pressures on israel to cease fire. yesterday there was a statement from the red cross and the red crescent, a joint statement asking for a cease—fire. statement asking for a cease-fire.— statement asking for a cease-fire. ~ �* ., ., cease-fire. we've got china hostinu cease-fire. we've got china hosting arab _ cease-fire. we've got china hosting arab leaders - cease-fire. we've got china hosting arab leaders just i cease-fire. we've got china hosting arab leaders just to add to that list, president xi jinping saying he supports a piece conference, also saying in the middle east, justice cannot be absent forever. indeed, because china is now in support of a cease—fire, also adding pressure on israel to try to do something. and there is also internal pressure on benjamin netanyahu's government to go for a cease—fire and exchange hostages with the leader of the opposition, who met to put a plan to get rid of benjamin netanyahu's government.— benjamin netanyahu's government. benjamin netanyahu's covernment. ., . ., government. thanks so much for so clearly describing _ government. thanks so much for so clearly describing the - so clearly describing the position on the ground in these

diplomatic efforts, thank you. thank you. around the world and across the uk, this is bbc news.

welcome back to the programme. to the uk general election campaign now — and rishi sunak has been outlining his policy to end what he says are "rip—off" degrees. he was campaigning in the south west of england. 0ur political editor chris mason was there. bodmin, in cornwall, one week into the general election campaign. and the verdict from some folk here? it's ok, really. i think it's a good idea to have it. they're looking for your vote, of course, but ijust think they're fighting with each other and it's ridiculous. what do you make of the whole election fun and games? it's a total nightmare. i can't bear it. i can't watch television. it's just dreadful. you can't be telling me you're

not watching television! i'm 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 sleeperfrom london. 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. it's lunchtime, this is liskeard, and the prime minister is arriving at a local broadband company. i've heard you're a bit of an expert anyway... having a go at other people's jobs, all part of many a visit... cheering ..and listen out for

the generousjob offer, depending how things turn out. that was perfect, so if you're looking for a job in telecoms... the winding road to the ath ofjuly, 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. 0ur message, that the - conservatives have let people down in the west country over the health service, _ the economy, things like sewage in our rivers and on our- 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. in this general election, it is really 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's 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's devon. late this afternoon, rishi sunak arrived in dunkeswell at a military vehicle manufacturer 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's how i started it, and as you heard, i'm thoroughly enjoying myself. i'm enjoying having conversations with people about... and changing minds? ..about the things that matter. yes, iam changing minds. the tour for all the party leaders trundles on. oh, and you can tell the election is getting near when you see pictures like this. five weeks to go.

chris mason, bbc news, in devon. a number of people enjoying themselves. news is coming thick and fast, turn to the bbc news website. a line coming in that labour and conservatives both freezing out avett to make a raise of vat after the election. —— ruling out a raise of vat. millions of south africans have been voting in the country's election, 30 years since the first democratic poll, following the end of apartheid. the electoral commission of south africa says turnout in wednesday's general election was high. full results aren't expected until the weekend. the ruling african national congress is facing its toughest challenge yet, with widespread disappointment over the state of the economy, corruption, and high levels of crime. the anc could lose its majority in parliament for the first time. let's speak to our correspondent catherine byaru hanga.

turnout has been significant, hasn't it? many harking back to that sense of freedom fell back in 199a. that sense of freedom fell back in 1994. , n, ~ that sense of freedom fell back in 1994. , ~ ., ., �*, in 1994. yes, mark, and that's because of— in 1994. yes, mark, and that's because of the _ in 1994. yes, mark, and that's because of the pictures - in 1994. yes, mark, and that's because of the pictures that i in 1994. yes, mark, and that's| because of the pictures that we saw in different parts of the country, especially in kwazulu neto — we saw hundreds of people queuing around the block, waiting to cast their ballot stash kwazulu natal. those pictures are reminiscent of those we saw back in 199a when the majority of this country was able to vote for the first time in democratic elections. the projections from the electoral commission say that this will be a high voter turnout. and we are here at the national account centre, and you can see the screens they are showing the results as they come in. what i can see is about 1%, just under 1% of the total votes have been counted.

at the moment as it stands, the ruling anc party is leading in the votes, of course that's expected. but this is still very early on in the day here, as we start to get these results. and what's really crucial with those high voter turnouts is, how does that play into what's expected to be a tight election? remember what's at stake here is whether the anc, which has governed south africa in a democracy for three decades, could lose its majority in parliament, and what that would mean for governments in what is an important country in africa. how could a coalition come about, and how would a president then be chosen? exactly, what analysts say and what polls have shown for months now it's at the anc would come short of that 50%

voter come out of these elections, meaning it wouldn't be able to gain a majority in parliament. so we would have to shop around for coalition partners. they might look at the democratic alliance, or one of the dozens of smaller parties standing in these elections. now when south africans went to the ballot yesterday, they were voting for a party — it's the parties will then elect mps, mps will then sit in parliament and the over a president. so whoever has a coalition and the majority will be able to elect the president of south africa. we be able to elect the president of south africa.— of south africa. we will be back to you _ of south africa. we will be back to you at _ of south africa. we will be back to you at the - of south africa. we will be back to you at the resultsl back to you at the results centre soon, thank you. in the aftermath of the cannes film festival, french film—makers are savouring their success. the country produced some award—winning films — some featuring major hollywood stars that critics are likely to be talking about until the oscars in 2025. from cannes, emma jones reports. he's one of france's most—celebrated auteurs. a previous cannes palme d'0r

winner — and in 202a, the recipients of this year's cannesjury prize. jacques audiard is the director behind the film amelia perez, which is in spanish. the story's set in mexico, features two major hollywood actresses, is about a male gangster who wants a transition to become a woman — and is also a musical. audiard explained why this appealed. translation: the spanish language is one i don't - particularly speak. i like it because of its musicality — which is something that french does not have. spanish does all these sounds with the throat. it's very powerful, very poetic, very lyrical. a transgender spanish actress, karla sophia gascon, takes center stage in this vibrant, genre—twisting drama that also stars zoe saldana, selena gomez, and mexican actress adriana paz. the audaciousness of amelia perez also earned

the four actresses a joint best actress prize from the cannes film festivaljury — which gascon collected on their behalf — making the film a very rare double—winner at this festival. cannes may be the place where you can find the work of established french directors. but also, intriguingly this year, it was also the place to find the work of a first—time female french director who was showing her movie, wild diamond. wild diamond is the story of wannabe influencer liane, who's 19, working class, and auditions for reality tv. the theme of the film is how far she's willing to go. she's not the type of heroine who's been seen much in french film — and director agathe riedinger told me she'd been trying to make the film for seven years. initially, it wasn't seen as the right kind of film for audiences. translation: there j was a prevailing, sort of despising attitude socially by the intellectuals

that normally rule cinema and literature. but then, there was a shift with the metoo movement, and along with the proliferation of television reality, that prompted them to see that maybe the audience's tastes were changing, and there was a real interest in seeing someone like liane on screen. in 2021, the body horror film about a female killer — titane, by french director julia ducournau — took the palme d'0r prize at cannes. this year, another body horror movie, the substance, was one of the festival's most—talked about films — and earned its french director, coralie fargeat, the best script prize at the festival. actress demi moore stars in the movie — filmed in paris, but set in los angeles. she plays an aging star who goes to terrible lengths to revive her younger self, played by margaret qualley. the movie explores the male gaze on the female body.

in chasing a younger you, a better you that, instead of getting that, you get another you, it's like that unto itself was intriguing. yet again, it looks like a very successful year for french film—makers. and the critical excitement surrounding amelia perez and the substance could well mean france will replicate the success of last year's palme d'0r winner — anatomy of a fall, byjustin triet — right into awards season. emma jones, bbc news at the cannes film festival. just before we go — giant pandas are returning to washington. the smithsonian's national zoo announced that two pandas will be arriving to the us capitol from china later this year. the return marks the restart of panda diplomacy. see you soon.

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.

a fresh crisis for ticketmaster owner live nation — australia investigates claims by hackers that they've stolen the details of more than half a billion of its customers. mega deals in the pipeline. us oil giant conocophillips to buy rival marathon 0il — adding to a quarter of a trillion dollars worth of mergers in the industry last year. also coming up, ai for good — the un hosts a global summit focusing on the benefits as well as the risks of artificial intelligence. and preparing for take—off — what's it like to start an airline from scratch and challenge the biggest names in the business? we speak to the boss of riyadh air. welcome to business today, i'm mark lobel. we start with the event ticketing giant ticketmaster — because the australian

government says it's investigating claims by a hackers that they have