thousands of congress. thousands of protesters criticised the visit and israel's war in gaza. thank you forjoining us. in an oval office address of the country, president biden said he exited the election race to defend democracy. he was surrounded by his family during his remarks, including his wife, first ladyjill biden, son hunter and his daughter. the decision came after a poor debate performance against donald trump injune and falling polling numbers. i believe my record as president, my leadership in the world, my vision for america's future all merited a second term but nothing, nothing can come in

the way of saving our democracy. that includes personal ambition. democracy. that includes personalambition. so democracy. that includes personal ambition. sol democracy. that includes personal ambition. so i have decided the best way forward is to pass the torch to a new generation, it is a best way to unite our nation. vice—president harris is now running in his place as a likely presidential nominee. i want to thank our great vice president, kamala harris. she is experienced, tough and capable as she has been an incredible partner to me and a leaderfor incredible partner to me and a leader for our country. now the choice is up to you, the american people. choice is up to you, the american --eole. ~ ., i. american people. meanwhile you ollin: american people. meanwhile you polling shows _ american people. meanwhile you polling shows that _ american people. meanwhile you polling shows that while - american people. meanwhile you polling shows that while mr - polling shows that while mr trump holds a three point lead nationally over the vice president that is within the three point margin of error. it also shows ms harris performing better among younger voters. and black voters. and women. figs

and black voters. and women. as ou and black voters. and women. is you know, three days ago we officially defeated the worst president in the history of our country, crooked joe biden. he quit because he was losing so badly in the poles, he was down in every single pole and down by a lot so he quit, so now we have a new victim to defend, lyin' kamala harris. lyin' — l-y-i-n'. the lyin' kamala harris. lyin' — l—y—i—n'. the most incompetent and far left vice president in american history.— american history. that was president _ american history. that was president trump _ american history. that was president trump speaking | american history. that was i president trump speaking at american history. that was . president trump speaking at a rally in north carolina earlier, where he addressed his rival, kamala harris. ispoke about a call to unite the democratic party and preserve democracy. i democratic party and preserve democracy-— democracy. i think this is obviously the first - democracy. i think this is obviously the first time l democracy. i think this is i obviously the first time that we are hearing from president

biden sent his decision to step aside beyond the written statement and it was really about explaining the rationale to the american public and are laying out what he believed are the stakes of the election and certainly a little bit more of a speech but he focus on this idea that america is not ruled by kings and dictators and this is about saving the democracy and political on the republic and political on the republic and it is a republic in the american people can keep it that way. it was kind of sounding the same kinds of warnings about the stakes in november and weeding into his decision to step aside because that was really the argument democrats made to him that if you truly believe what you're saying, you will accept you are not the most equipped messenger

or candidate to make that case the american people over the course of the next three months evenif course of the next three months even if i do agree this is presenting the situation, we all know it took some time for him to reach this decision and he certainly would not have reached it if he had not been forced by number democrats to step aside. i5 forced by number democrats to step aside-— step aside. is this a bittersweet - step aside. is this a i bittersweet moment, step aside. is this a _ bittersweet moment, reflecting on his legacy and passing the torch and realising perhaps his place in the parties longer the future. in place in the parties longer the future. :: :: ., ., , future. in 2020, he had always positioned _ future. in 2020, he had always positioned himself _ future. in 2020, he had always positioned himself as - future. in 2020, he had always positioned himself as a - future. in 2020, he had alwaysi positioned himself as a bridge, a transitionalfigure positioned himself as a bridge, a transitional figure within the democratic party who is going to be a conduit between his tenure in office to the next generation of leaders and thatis next generation of leaders and that is why it was very puzzling or really surprising to some democrats when he chose to some democrats when he chose to run for election because

people had interpreted those comments in the 2020 campaign that he only intended given his age to perhaps remain in office for one single time. kind of having this full circle moment, where he is coming back to this idea is really interesting but i also think, yes, when you heard talk about he did believe that his record and his vision deserved a second term, he ultimately has come to the conclusion, even if it took some persuasion from democrats, that it some persuasion from democrats, thatitis some persuasion from democrats, that it is time to move on to the next generation of leaders and that moment when he talked about being a bridge, that moment has come now. seems that oval office address, _ moment has come now. seems that oval office address, the _ moment has come now. seems that oval office address, the first - oval office address, the first lady doctorjill biden posted on instagram saying...

we have our panel with us tonight, who have been watching the oval office address. stephanie, this address puts perhaps an end to the chapter of president biden seeking election but of course we're now looking ahead to kamala harris and still has six months left in his term. how do you think this address marks at this moment and the path forward? i this moment and the path forward?— forward? i think it was his opportunity _ forward? i think it was his opportunity to _ forward? i think it was his opportunity to explain - forward? i think it was his| opportunity to explain how forward? i think it was his - opportunity to explain how we came to the decision to step down from being the presumptive nominee. we should be clear that he was not yet the nominee and he took himself out of the running for it because he had seen the polling and the path was not possible and he felt it was not possible and he felt it was time to hand the baton over to a younger generation, as he talked about tonight, because the stakes were too high and he made a selfless act and had a

moment to kind of talk about that. he did so just less than four months shy of the election and so now he has handed it over and i guess at this point our presumptive nominee will be harassed but she has 100 days to run a campaign —— vice—president harris. my first campaign was only four months and i unseated a 2k year incumbent so there are advantages to having short campaigns especially when the electorate wants change anything i think this electorate has been telling us for some time they want change so we will see how this campaign plays out over the next less than four months. kamala harris, you are pointing to the fact that some of those numbers not as good as they need to be. you have run campaigns. how do you see how

the next 100 days will play out? p , the next 100 days will play out? g , ., ., out? my first race was also a short race — out? my first race was also a short race and _ out? my first race was also a short race and i _ out? my first race was also a short race and i happen - out? my first race was also a short race and i happen to i out? my first race was also a l short race and i happen to win but the — short race and i happen to win but the closest victory margin in the — but the closest victory margin in the nation, 1002 boats and i know_ in the nation, 1002 boats and i know how— in the nation, 1002 boats and i know how tightly can be. this will be — know how tightly can be. this will be a _ know how tightly can be. this will be a race down to the wire _ will be a race down to the wire. america is polarised and when — wire. america is polarised and when you _ wire. america is polarised and when you go into the state that matter— when you go into the state that matter in — when you go into the state that matter in the electoral college, they are pretty similar. probably within the margin— similar. probably within the margin of error. most americans have _ margin of error. most americans have made — margin of error. most americans have made up their minds. kamala _ have made up their minds. kamala harris has proven to be a disasier— kamala harris has proven to be a disaster as a presidential candidate. someone said she is not the — candidate. someone said she is not the same candidate, a different period and she will be able _ different period and she will be able to prosecute the case against — be able to prosecute the case against donald trump. i will remind _ against donald trump. i will remind herview is against donald trump. i will remind her view is that it was her experience as a prosecutor that—

her experience as a prosecutor that got— her experience as a prosecutor that got her eviscerated on the debate — that got her eviscerated on the debate stage because you put hundreds of african—american teenagers into jail for petty marijuana crimes. these other types — marijuana crimes. these other types of— marijuana crimes. these other types of vision that president trump — types of vision that president trump will be able to differentiate himself on the campaign trailand it differentiate himself on the campaign trail and it was president trump who helped pass historic— president trump who helped pass historic criminaljustice measures so those margins can -et measures so those margins can get even — measures so those margins can get even tighter unless she truly— get even tighter unless she truly becomes a candidate that america — truly becomes a candidate that america has ever seen yet. but 'ust to america has ever seen yet. but just to note. — america has ever seen yet. iei,ii just to note, what was a negative for her in eight democratic primary, which was being too tough on people who committed crimes... it being too tough on people who committed crimes... sit a being too tough on people who committed crimes. . ._ committed crimes... at a time when we _ committed crimes... at a time when we were _ committed crimes... at a time when we were coming - committed crimes... at a time when we were coming off - committed crimes... at a time when we were coming off a - committed crimes... at a time i when we were coming off a black lives matter practice and a real driver policing reform... that's correct, that is now an advantage to her at a time when republicans are trying to say democrats are soft on crime.

she actually has a record of being very tough on crime. that i think, being very tough on crime. that ithink, it being very tough on crime. that i think, it is all about context and a lot has changed in the four years since she ran in the four years since she ran in the four years since she ran in the democratic primary and running in a general, her record as a prosecutor and attorney general plays differently than it did when she was running in a democratic primary, as you said, in a historic moment in this country. historic moment in this country-— historic moment in this count . ~ ., ,, ., country. we will talk about votin: country. we will talk about voting groups _ country. we will talk about voting groups that - voting groups that traditionally vote in democratic primaries. young voters. — democratic primaries. young voters, african—american voters and females. this is the democratic base and her numbers i’ilht democratic base and her numbers right now— democratic base and her numbers right now in a general election matchup— right now in a general election matchup against what president biden— matchup against what president biden said is a threat to democracy, using rhetoric that ithink— democracy, using rhetoric that i think is— democracy, using rhetoric that i think is still dangerous, president trump is not a threat to democracy. president trump is running — to democracy. president trump is running to be president of the united states and many

americans still support him. it is a dangerous rhetoric we're talking — is a dangerous rhetoric we're talking about and steel, those democratic voters in those certain _ democratic voters in those certain demographic groups are still not — certain demographic groups are still not looking to kamala harris _ still not looking to kamala harris as a democrats they want _ harris as a democrats they want. ~ ., ., , want. we heard from president trump today — want. we heard from president trump today that _ want. we heard from president trump today that kamala - want. we heard from president| trump today that kamala harris will destroy the country if she takes office. how do you think republicans are now going to approach kamala harris going forward, with a similar rhetoric? i forward, with a similar rhetoric?— forward, with a similar rhetoric? . , rhetoric? i have been the victim of— rhetoric? i have been the victim of violence - rhetoric? i have been the victim of violence from i rhetoric? i have been the - victim of violence from danger and is — victim of violence from danger and is inspired rhetoric on the left and — and is inspired rhetoric on the left and on the right. i think we all— left and on the right. i think we all ought to turn this down but when _ we all ought to turn this down but when president trump says something, he is condemned. and president — something, he is condemned. and president biden, because he says— president biden, because he says it — president biden, because he says it in _ president biden, because he says it in a nicer way is not the — says it in a nicer way is not the same _ says it in a nicer way is not the same result? it certainly is. politicians into take a step—

is. politicians into take a step back and say neither a reference to the survival of the country. reference to the survival of the country-— reference to the survival of the count . ~ ., ,, ., the country. when we talk about defendin: the country. when we talk about defending democracy _ the country. when we talk about defending democracy or - defending democracy or democracy is on the line is different than donald trump saying why can't we shoot them in the legs, talk about george floyd protesters. that is an actual called to a physical violence action, a little bit different to present but saying we have to defend democracy. i do agree we need to turn down the rhetoric but talking about violent action and defending democracy are not the same thing. democracy are not the same thin. , , ., .,, ., thing. this is going to be a debate we _ thing. this is going to be a debate we will _ thing. this is going to be a debate we will talk - thing. this is going to be a debate we will talk for - thing. this is going to be a i debate we will talk for some time. great to have you as always. around the world and across the uk, this is bbc news. now to some other headlines. a 24—year—old man

was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and a number of knives were seized after a soldier was stabbed. a british army officer is in hospital under a stable but serious condition. the attack is not believed to be terrorists base. dangerous driving under the a61 the bentley on sunday, police asking for anyone saw a great polish 9/11 in the area to come forward. a man, his partner and two young daughters died when they collided with motorbikes which killed also at the two riders. an video by police say firearm officers were attacked following a fight at the airport on tuesday. the force that it had referred itself to the independent officer of police conduct and one office has been removed from operational duties. israeli

prime minister benjamin netanyahu address the us congress in nearly a decade. there were several notable absences by democrats, including nancy pelosi and vice—president harris. benjamin netanyahu received a warm welcome in the chamber with several standing innovations led by republicans. outside, thousands protested against his visit and his war on gaza. the prime minister dismissed protesters as idiots. he painted it as a fight for his country's survival. israel will retain security control for the immediate future. he called for gaza to be demilitarised and after the war but for the territory to be under civilian palestinian control. the premise are also thank president biden for his backing throughout the world but called for more american aid. i deeply

appreciate _ for more american aid. i deeply appreciate america's _ for more american aid. i deeply appreciate america's support, i appreciate america's support, including an this current war. but this is an exceptional moment. fast tracking us military aid can dramatically expedite an end to the war in gaza and help prevent a broader war in the middle east. and world war ii, as britain fought on the front lines of civilisation, winston churchill appealed to americans with these famous words, give us the tools and we will finish the job. today, as israel find on the frontline of civilisation, i to appeal to the frontline of civilisation, ito appeal to america, give us the tools are faster and we will finish the job faster. democratic congressman brad sherman gave his assessment of mr netanyahu's speech. i think it was an extremely effective speech. he put forward israel's position clearly _ forward israel's position clearly. he got i think a very

strong — clearly. he got i think a very strong response from the audience. he didn't break any new_ audience. he didn't break any new policy grounds. he is not giving — new policy grounds. he is not giving us _ new policy grounds. he is not giving us something new where we can— giving us something new where we can say, aha, that's where we're — we can say, aha, that's where we're going, or that was a surprise, _ we're going, or that was a surprise, but he answered his critics— surprise, but he answered his critics rather well and very cogently. critics rather well and very cogently— cogently. said the former speaker _ cogently. said the former speaker of _ cogently. said the former speaker of the _ cogently. said the former speaker of the house - cogently. said the former i speaker of the house nancy pelosi as you do no nay did not attend the speech and she wrote after the speech that it was the worst presentation of any foreign dignitary invited and honoured with the privilege of addressing the congress of the united states. senator chris murphy today saying the speech was a setback for us israel relationships and the fight against hamas, adding that the downplaying of the humanitarian crisis was astonishing and he went on to say it would be a bulletin board recruiting material for terrorists for years. what's your response to that? i years. what's your response to that? ., �* ~ that? i don't think he downplayed - that? i don't think he downplayed the - that? l don't think he - downplayed the humanitarian crisis — downplayed the humanitarian crisis he _ downplayed the humanitarian crisis. he knows there are people _ crisis. he knows there are people in— crisis. he knows there are people in gaza who aren't

getting _ people in gaza who aren't getting food and he told us why. — getting food and he told us why, and that there is huge quantities of food going on, and — quantities of food going on, and then— quantities of food going on, and then hamas both steals the food and — and then hamas both steals the food and shoot people who are trying — food and shoot people who are trying to — food and shoot people who are trying to distribute the feud. -- the — trying to distribute the feud. —— the food. he didn't downplay it, —— the food. he didn't downplay it. he _ —— the food. he didn't downplay it. be just — —— the food. he didn't downplay it, he just indicated what the cause — it, he just indicated what the cause of— it, he just indicated what the cause of that humanitarian crisis — cause of that humanitarian crisis was. mr netanyahu frequently referred to israeli hostages being held in gaza in his speech, but he gave no clue as to whether a deal to secure their release was on the cards. the closest he got was when he said, "we're actively "engaged in intensive efforts to secure their release." this did not go unnoticed back in israel. opposition leader yair lapid called the speech "a sham" adding that mr netanyahu "spoke for an hour without saying "there will be a hostage deal." israeli officials estimate that about 116 people are still being held hostage in gaza and some family members of those in captivity are criticising mr netanyahu's trip to washington. among them is ayelet levy shachar, who is desperate to bring her 20—year—old daughter naama back home. naama had just began her military service when she was taken on october 7.

ms levy shachar spoke to our correspondent she is a girl of values, and apc care. she is a good sister to her siblings. she is a good daughter, although she likes to fight with her mum, whichjust means that she is very normal. i think she very strong.- i think she very strong. your face lights — i think she very strong. your face lights up _ i think she very strong. your face lights up when - i think she very strong. your face lights up when you - i think she very strong. your face lights up when you talk| face lights up when you talk about her. face lights up when you talk about her-— about her. well, i miss her very much. _ about her. well, i miss her very much, and _ about her. well, i miss her very much, and i— about her. well, i miss her very much, and i worry, i about her. well, i miss her| very much, and i worry, but when i talk about her, i mean, it's like she's here with me. and yes, of course, i love her. tell me, the prime minister is going to the united states and askedif going to the united states and asked if he would come along on his plane, and you said you would not accompany the prime

minister on his plane. why is that? i minister on his plane. why is that? , ., that? i 'ust feel that the focus that? i just feel that the focus right _ that? i just feel that the focus right now - that? i just feel that the focus right now is i that? i just feel that the focus right now is on i that? | just feel that the | focus right now is on the that? | just feel that the - focus right now is on the talks and on the negotiations, and on getting this deal sealed and bringing our hostages back home. so ijust think bringing our hostages back home. so i just think this bringing our hostages back home. so ijust think this is not the right time for this. you think it might lead to a delay on this issue? it might lead to a _ delay on this issue? it might lead to a delay, _ delay on this issue? it might lead to a delay, it _ delay on this issue? it might lead to a delay, it might i delay on this issue? it might| lead to a delay, it might lead to a distraction. i'm asking and hoping that our prime minister's commitment to this will be his first priority. haifa will be his first priority. how important — will be his first priority. how important do _ will be his first priority. how important do you _ will be his first priority. how important do you think i will be his first priority. how important do you think the us role is? i important do you think the us role is? ~' ,, , ._ , important do you think the us role is? ~' ,, , ., role is? i think the us plays a critical role _ role is? i think the us plays a critical role in _ role is? i think the us plays a critical role in the _ critical role in the negotiations. they are reaching the point of breaking a deal. both sides are coming closer with their demands, and, you know, even saying that, it sounds wrong to me, because how can you be talking about demands when you are talking

about my daughter's life? so are ou about my daughter's life? so are you hopeful, then? yes. | about my daughter's life? so | are you hopeful, then? yes. i am not losing _ are you hopeful, then? yes. i am not losing hope _ are you hopeful, then? yes. i am not losing hope at - are you hopeful, then? yes. i am not losing hope at any i am not losing hope at any point. we are over nine months, so i am actually feeling desperate. it has to happen, it has to happen. let's talk let's discuss the prime minister's washington visit with wa'el alzayat, a former us state department middle east advisor. a lwa ys always good to hear you on bbc news. thank you for coming tonight. we heard about the reactions from this speech, a congressman who said it was a very effective speech, to the mother of a young woman still being held hostage saying he shouldn't be in the us delivering the speech. what did you make of this and what did you make of this and what did you make of the speech itself? thanks for having me, always good to be with you. i think it is very telling that the hostage families are more critical of the israeli prime

minister than the american congress. that tells you the state of our congress and how much it represents the american public, and even the israeli public, and even the israeli public in some cases. you know, the speech was pretty horrific really. it was as expected, a belligerent, bellicose call to drag the united states into another confrontation in the middle east. you know, 20 years ago it was a right, now it's iran, tomorrow it will be another country. and i think many lawmakers, including pelosi, called it for what it is, and it is not helpful at a time where we need that ceasefire, we need that hostage deal and palestinian prisoners to be released to allow the loved ones to be reunited and to begin the healing of gaza. where so many thousands have been traumatised, and are left destitute. if you look at this

from the perspective of the israeli prime minister, a mean, what do you think he achieved in this address. was it the sign of solidarity of so many members of congress getting up to applaud him? what do you think that was? in that perspective, you know, he did. he came in and defied his standing with members of congress who are already strong believers in israel and in its war against hamas. i think that's not going to change. i'm not sure he won over any new allies orfans, not sure he won over any new allies or fans, whether in congress or in the american public. i think there is certainly a segment of american society and the majority of republicans who do support netanyahu in his policies, but on the democratic side you are seeing overwhelming support for a ceasefire, from continuing aid for israel over not having the united states to be complicit in these crimes. felines are pretty set where they are, and i think it is

unhelpful for the they are, and i think it is unhelpfulfor the prime minister to be coming in and lecturing the american people, and i think his attacks against couege and i think his attacks against college students, many of them jewish, i don't think is going to endear any of them as they grow up and move forward in life, either to israel or certainly not to netanyahu and his brand of right wing politics. that is just the feedback we're from folks, not just from arabs and muslims but many young people in america as you see the polling. brute many young people in america as you see the polling.— you see the polling. we know the prime _ you see the polling. we know the prime minister _ you see the polling. we know the prime minister will i you see the polling. we know the prime minister will meet | the prime minister will meet with president biden of course at the white house. we have spokenin at the white house. we have spoken in the past about the fact that you and members of the arab—american, muslim american community have been very critical of president biden for his continued support of israel. what do you anticipate coming out of this meeting, what do you want to see? , ., . ., ., see? there is anticipation and there is once. _ see? there is anticipation and there is once. i— see? there is anticipation and there is once. iwill— see? there is anticipation and there is once. i will stick- there is once. i will stick with once, which are really a more forceful response to the

israeli prime minister regarding a need to bring about an end to these hostilities, to implement the president's own policy, which includes a temporary ceasefire, followed by a permanent one, at a minimum the delivery of more aid, given the starvation that is happening, and to the targeting of civilians, civilian infrastructure, displaced people, schools, hospitals. that has to be raised. we are hoping that vice president kamala harris would make a point to raise those issues. we are very clear eyed that she is still the vice president. this is the policy of the president, which has been very, very unfortunate, and quite frankly hated in many segments in our community, as it should. but we think that she should lean in. this is a moment her to distinguish herself, and to give some hope to average americans, but particularly those in places

like michigan and pennsylvania and all the swing states that are now saying right now they don't believe there is a difference between these two parties and i think she needs to show that indeed there is. always great to have you on bbc news, thank you for your thoughts tonight. thank you. the very latest on the president has met oval office address, the analysis, and also on vice president kamala harris's movements today and former president donald trump speaking in a rally in north carolina. that is all on the website. thank you for watching. hello. we've got a fairly humid and moist air mass with us at the moment. that's bringing quite a lot of low cloud, some mist and some murk around, as we start thursday. generally, through the day, it's going to continue to feel fairly humid — some spells of sunshine, but also a chance of some rain for some of us. now, across southern

counties of england, you can see a bit of rain likely here, particularly through the morning hours in the south west, probably going to push into the southeast of england by the afternoon. some of that could be quite heavy. a few scattered showers further north, particularly so for northern ireland and for scotland, too, especially in the north and the west. but in between these two areas, quite a lot of dry weather. in the sunnier spells, temperatures up to about 2k degrees, but i think most of us, we're looking at about 16 to 22. now, into thursday evening, some more spells of rain moving through the english channel, affecting southern counties of england for a time. some scattered showers continue to move in from the north. but the cloud moves away towards the south east, so still a reasonably humid night across parts of east anglia and the south east — 15 degrees or so. but most of us, a cooler, fresher feel to friday morning, and that fresher air will continue to roll in on a westerly breeze behind this weather front on friday, so a real change in the feel to the weather. with that fresher air comes more sunshine on friday. still a few showers, here and there, particularly so for northern ireland and for scotland, but there could be one or two elsewhere across england and wales. dry and bright for many,

though, especially towards the south. in the east, top temperatures up to about 2k degrees in the warmest spots, most of us, typically, 18 to 22 on friday. rolling into saturday, still a lot of dry weather, but you can see a few showers moving in from the west, potentially affecting northern ireland, scotland, western parts of england and wales. down towards the south east, you're more likely to avoid any of those showers. higher pressure holding on here and temperatures again between about 16 to 22 degrees. but this big area of high pressure builds in and sticks with us, as we head through sunday and into the first part of next week at least, weather fronts trying to move in from the atlantic but bumping into high pressure. so, sunday, ithink, dry, really, across the board. light winds, long spells of sunshine for all of us and it's going to feel that little bit warmer. so we'll start to see temperatures up at around about 25 for the warmest spots, but, quite widely, high teens and low 20s. outlook for next week — a lot of dry, settled weather. perhaps a little bit of rain, at times, later in the week, particularly in the north and north west, but it's likely to be turning warmer, especially in the south and south east. bye— bye.

joe biden says he will continue to prove the us economy as president in his present residence dropping out of the presidential race. also programme — swiatek pros are turning to donald trump.

welcome to business today. the us presidentjoe biden has laid out plans for his last six months in office, seeing he will continue to lower costs for hard—working families and grew the us economy. he made his first address of the nation since dropping out of the presidential race and endorsing vice president kamala harris. morale, donald trump targeted kamala harris in his first campaign rally since she became the presumptive democratic nominee, speaking in north carolina he claimed that her tie—breaking vote in the senate passed legislation and they created the worst inflation in half a century. estimating the middle class. there are a lot of questions around what her approach to the economy is likely to be anna ryan a suite is an economist at oxford economics explains it is likely to be more of the same. {lam to be more of the same. our expectations _ to be more of the same. our expectations would - to be more of the same. oi" expectations would be that the vice president carries on a

similar agenda to president