against ukraine over the course of the last three days. we didn't reach any particular plan, in large part because the united states very rigorously adheres to the simple maxim of "nothing about ukraine without ukraine". big meetings in washington tomorrow. joining me tonight, former conservative minister justine greening and the msnbc columnistjulio ricardo varela. but i'm going to call himjulio for the rest of the night! first, the latest headlines. the world health organization says israel and hamas have agreed to several three—day pauses in fighting to enable more than 600,000 children in gaza to be vaccinated against polio. the israeli prime minister, benjamin netanyahu, stressed that these pauses did not amount to a ceasefire. in the uk, the prime minister

says the government is considering banning smoking in more public places in england, as part of plans to drive down the use of tobacco. pub gardens and outdoor restaurants are being looked at, as well as sports venues and hospital grounds. officials injapan have ordered more than five million people to evacuate their homes as a major storm crosses the country. four people have died since tuesday and over 80 have been injured. hundreds of thousands have been left without power. and the operator of a cruise ship that's been stranded in belfast for three months says the vessel is expected to launch at the end of next week. the villa vie 0dyssey was due to set off on a three—year voyage in may but hasn't been able to leave because of problems with its rudders and gearbox. you are very welcome to the programme. at the white house tomorrow, two of the most senior

ukrainian officials will present the biden administration with a list of priority targets inside russia. they want permission to use long range american missiles to strike target deeper in russia, military aircraft, control nodes, which have been moved further from the front lines. president zelensky has long insisted that assistance of this kind is the only way to defend the ukrainian population. ukraine has asked and asked all of you to support our actions with sufficient number of weapons and shells, and it is a realistic request. the two ukrainians travelling to washington — andriy yermak, who heads zelensky�*s presidential office, and the defence minister rustem umerov — argue that it is no more provacative to hit targets inside russia than it is to hit those that are closer to the border. the white house recognises the dilemma, but they are wary of further escalation that would further draw in nato countries. there isn't a precedent i can think of, like for like, where one nuclear power gives an ok to a third power

to use its weapons to attack the other nuclear power�*s airbases on its own territory. that's not happened historically, and hence why i think there's such reticence in the us. you imagine the intel assessments are getting better brains than you and i working on this. that's why there's this resistance, i think. britain has skirted with the idea of loosening the restrictions on the storm shadow they supply. but that missile is manufactured in partnership with the french, and so it is not entirely the uk's decision. and no doubt that was part of the discussions in paris today when sir keir starmer met with the french president. so how do the europeans see it? a little bit warmer, and some people here in brussels are saying, "that's the way it was during those brexit negotiations." france was always seen as a bit more of a hard cop, germany more inclined to be a bit more pragmatic, try to give britain

that little bit more, although ultimately they came together as one within the eu. look, it is significant he is on this trip. it is signalling warmer relationships between london and these two capitals. we will see if starmer can persuade president macron stub what about the americans? julio, crucial meeting tomorrow. in a way he could well set the course for the winter and how ukraine defends itself. where do you stand on it? do you think it's time to release the shackles or are you wary of where that might take us? ., �* , wary of where that might take us? . �* , . . us? yeah, it's a great question. _ us? yeah, it's a great question. i— us? yeah, it's a great question. ithink- us? yeah, it's a great question. i think the l us? yeah, it's a great - question. i think the problem here in the united states, i don't think a lot of people are talking about it, right? it's not dominating the headlines, it's not on it in the political news, because we have gone through perhaps one of the most consequential periods of american political history since america became america. so i think what ever happens in

this context, i'm not necessarily thinking that more work is what people want, and i do think when you have someone likejoe biden who really comes from this cold war, world war ii mentality, it might be... for me, it's like, we don't know until we know, and maybe biden is the person that's trying to sort of save this, but no one is talking about this here. i but no one is talking about this here-— this here. i think that's a really important - this here. i think that's a really important when i this here. i think that's a l really important when you this here. i think that's a - really important when you make of the way that he comes at this with his history in the senate, in that cold war mentality. but he has crossed redlines before, and i was listening to democrat councilman, a former cia, senior democrat, running for governor in virginia, she signed a letter last year

calling for the f—16 fighter just to be sent. she said, ukrainian people's ability to defend their citizens is paramount but they need to provide more detail on what they are targeting, and i wonder, she seemed to be leaning this way, whether in fact that's what they are after, differentiation in target? if there are military targets behind front lines, 0k, targets behind front lines, ok, if they are closer to cities, not ok. if they are closer to cities, not 0k-— if they are closer to cities, not 0k-_ not ok. yeah, and i don't think--- _ not ok. yeah, and i don't think... |_ not ok. yeah, and i don't think... i actually - not ok. yeah, and i don't think... i actually agree l not ok. yeah, and i don't i think... i actually agree with you in that sense and i don't think the united states is unanimously behind the ukraine situation. it's been pretty clear over the last couple of years republicans, several republican voices have called out ukraine, and it seems like this untenable american political alliance, and i think, you are absolutely right, it comes back tojoe biden, his worldview of what it means to be a world power, and i don't necessarily think that

if there was someone else in power, we'd be having a different... they would be a different... they would be a different scenario, but again, i'm not finding information here in the united states. it's about the presidential election. that is what the entire american psyche has been focused on, and i hate to be the, hey, here come the isolationist americans, but that's where we are right now as a country, i think. that's where we are right now as a country, ithink.- as a country, i think. that will be the _ as a country, i think. that will be the concern - as a country, i think. that will be the concern from | will be the concern from adjusting, for the europeans? they are going, ukrainians, tomorrow because they see the election, hence this is their opportunity to hit these targets before perhaps donald trump comes back to office. where do you think the weight of the decision lies, keir starmer seemingly would loosen the shackles, but do you think any of the europeans would take that decision without washington's say—so? i that decision without washington's say-so? i think havinu washington's say-so? i think having the — washington's say-so? i think having the alliance _ washington's say-so? i think having the alliance between l washington's say-so? i think i having the alliance between the us and — having the alliance between the us and europe more broadly has been _ us and europe more broadly has been really important, as as the nato _ been really important, as as the nato alliance behind all of this — the nato alliance behind all of this i—

the nato alliance behind all of this. i suspect what everyone is looking _ this. i suspect what everyone is looking at is, can you adapt the rules— is looking at is, can you adapt the rules to reflect today's warfare _ the rules to reflect today's warfare techniques? in other words — warfare techniques? in other words, ukrainians have already been _ words, ukrainians have already been allowed by the us to use arms— been allowed by the us to use arms when it is in relation to cross—border, clear cross—border, clear cross—border defence. now, if part— cross—border defence. now, if part of— cross—border defence. now, if part of that defence can be proven _ part of that defence can be proven to be longer—range and further— proven to be longer—range and further into russia than that might— further into russia than that might give the opening to say, actually, — might give the opening to say, actually, this is exactly the same — actually, this is exactly the same approach, this is essentially cross—border essentially cross— border defence, and essentially cross—border defence, and we can prove it, but i — defence, and we can prove it, but i think— defence, and we can prove it, but i think it is extreme we hard — but i think it is extreme we hard and _ but i think it is extreme we hard and i think it does take diplomacy into a different space _ diplomacy into a different space than where... it�*s diplomacy into a different space than where... it's so tric , space than where... it's so tricky. this. _ space than where... it's so tricky, this, justine. i space than where... it's so | tricky, this, justine. patrick tricky, this, justine. patrick bury, who was on earlier, who studies this intensely, was saying, they are developing their own long—range weapons and that's where he help should

be, so they can unilaterally take their own decisions, take it out of the western diplomacy circle. that presumably is where president zelensky would like to go and maybe that's the help he is getting behind the scenes? . . scenes? indeed, and there is almost this— scenes? indeed, and there is almost this short-term i scenes? indeed, and there is almost this short-term need | scenes? indeed, and there is i almost this short-term need on almost this short—term need on the ground for ukraine and that's— the ground for ukraine and that's why it's so important that— that's why it's so important that the _ that's why it's so important that the west stays the course, and then— that the west stays the course, and then there's this medium of trying _ and then there's this medium of trying to— and then there's this medium of trying to find an actual solution, and president zelensky has talked about having _ zelensky has talked about having a vision on the end game _ having a vision on the end game i_ having a vision on the end game. i think his rep is be talking _ game. i think his rep is be talking about that in the states _ talking about that in the states tomorrow but he put all this together with the fact that— this together with the fact that they have said their own trees— that they have said their own trees across the border —— their— trees across the border —— their own _ trees across the border —— their own troops. the sense of actually, — their own troops. the sense of actually, ukraine really ratcheting up the pressure on russia, — ratcheting up the pressure on russia, and it's going to be very— russia, and it's going to be very hard _ russia, and it's going to be very hard for president putin to now— very hard for president putin to now say this is a war that he's — to now say this is a war that he's waiting when actually he has ukrainian troops on his home — has ukrainian troops on his home territory. ukraine makes an important strategic move stub— an important strategic move stub how it plays out, we will

find _ stub how it plays out, we will find out _ stub how it plays out, we will find out. ., , ., , , find out. the europeans must have ascertained _ find out. the europeans must have ascertained from - find out. the europeans must have ascertained from that i find out. the europeans must have ascertained from that it| have ascertained from that it will be difficult to curtail. in berlin yesterday, the british prime minister was talking up a treaty that establish much closer defence links and in the years to come draw germany and poland into thejoint expeditionary force — that is the rapid response group comprising the uk, the nordic and baltic states and the netherlands. labour's plan is that if britain shows willing on the eu's defence and security, then much more becomes possible. today, sir keir starmer made another visit to paris, where he met with the french president. a very warm embrace. the prime minister knows all too well that the route to brussels and more favourable terms on trade always runs through berlin and paris. i thought we were going to hear from the prime minister.

clearly not. let me just pick up clearly not. let me just pick up this european issue with you, justine. what do you make of the plane he said in recent days? clearly he is talking defence of the moment. does it follow that if you become closer on security that the options on trade start to open up? options on trade start to open u . ? �* , options on trade start to open u? �* , , , options on trade start to open u? ,�* options on trade start to open up? it's possible, isn't it? and we — up? it's possible, isn't it? and we already _ up? it's possible, isn't it? and we already have i up? it's possible, isn't it? and we already have a i up? it's possible, isn't it? i and we already have a bilateral treatv — and we already have a bilateral treaty with france so it makes sense — treaty with france so it makes sense to — treaty with france so it makes sense to investigate the prospect of one with germany. i think— prospect of one with germany. i think these are tentative steps from _ think these are tentative steps from the — think these are tentative steps from the new government to, as they— from the new government to, as they put— from the new government to, as they put it. _ from the new government to, as they put it, have a reset on relations— they put it, have a reset on relations with the european union, _ relations with the european union, and i think they have to make _ union, and i think they have to make some effort to now regular lies our— make some effort to now regular lies our religion that's been very— lies our religion that's been very difficult in recent years -- maka— very difficult in recent years —— make regular. it's arts with defence — —— make regular. it's arts with defence but let's hope that we can build — defence but let's hope that we can build on that further. the americans — can build on that further. the americans busily _ can build on that further. tia: americans busily would be pushing their closest ally in that direction was not because the one thing biden and from agree on is that the europeans have to do more on procurement

to manufacture, they have to look after their own back yard, and that obviously involves all the three big, four if you include italy, big powers? absolutely. 0bviously, include italy, big powers? absolutely. obviously, if president trump were to become president again, there is a sense of, europe, you got to take care of your own business stub not to get back to biden and being the world war ii cold war type of president, when he was thinking about dropping out, he was very strong about nato, right? before he was about to drop out, he had the nato countries, and i actually think that there's still a disconnect politically, right? i think that's where... i think it is because of the generational thing happening in the united states right now. because there was this in biden was of the older generation and there was a history... world

war ii is like 80 years ago, the cold or was 60, 70 years ago. i honestly don't get the sense, and again, it's this point of, good thing there are some adults in the room in washington, because i do think the united states does respect this, i do think they want to be cooperative, i do think they want the european union and the uk to play an active role, because i didn't there is this general sense that democracy is good, right? freedom is good. but they frame it very much in their near security, in clear terms of the border, rather than this far—away war in ukraine and on your applause borders. even though maybe in the long run if he were to spill into europe and into nato countries that have to come to your applause defence? yourapplause defence? , defence? exactly. that's the oint. defence? exactly. that's the point- the — defence? exactly. that's the point. the ukraine _ defence? exactly. that's the point. the ukraine russia i point. the ukraine russia border is one of the most

consequential relationship border relationships in the world. and the fact that it's still being contained, that it has not seeped into the european theatre, is pretty remarkable. and it could... but we don't know, right? you have a world superpower with meagre weapons, we don't know, and those are things that terrify a lot of people —— nuclear weapons. lot of people -- nuclear weapons-— lot of people -- nuclear weaons. , ., ., weapons. just a quick one, justine. — weapons. just a quick one, justine. on _ weapons. just a quick one, justine, on the _ weapons. just a quick one, justine, on the trade i weapons. just a quick one, i justine, on the trade element of this. if starmer really wants to give the uk economy a shotin wants to give the uk economy a shot in the arm and improve growth, which he consistently says that he does, then you would think he's got to start looking at some of his own redlines at he is sticking to? do you think he is going far enough on this issue given that actually now a majority support seems to be for a softer brexit at the very least? i seems to be for a softer brexit at the very least?— at the very least? i think italy difficult _ at the very least? i think italy difficult politically. l at the very least? i think i italy difficult politically. he has to _ italy difficult politically. he has to drive growth in the uk.

reading — has to drive growth in the uk. reading between the lines of the joint decoration between the joint decoration between the uk — the joint decoration between the uk and germany, my sense is what _ the uk and germany, my sense is what he _ the uk and germany, my sense is what he would do is perhaps do more _ what he would do is perhaps do more trade missions, sectoral deals, _ more trade missions, sectoral deals try— more trade missions, sectoral deals, try to bring together literally— deals, try to bring together literally business people between these countries, and he will start— between these countries, and he will start there. the reality is, will start there. the reality is any— will start there. the reality is, any fresh attempt to approach a trade deal with the eu will— approach a trade deal with the eu will have to be done via de moore — eu will have to be done via de moore telnet, certainly. —— via the ell — moore telnet, certainly. —— via the ell via _ moore telnet, certainly. —— via the eu. via research and innovation, absolutely. we are auoin to innovation, absolutely. we are going to focus _ innovation, absolutely. we are going to focus on _ innovation, absolutely. we are going to focus on who - innovation, absolutely. we are going to focus on who the i innovation, absolutely. we are going to focus on who the next decision—maker in washington might be after the break, kamala harris sitting down for her first interview this afternoon. we will talk about that shortly. around the world and across the uk, this is bbc news. let's take a look at what's making news across the uk. a 17—year—old boy has been found guilty of the murder of holly newton, 15, who was stabbed to death in northumberland, in january 2023.

holly had complained about the boy "stalking" her hours before she was repeatedly stabbed by him in an alleyway. he will be sentenced at a two day hearing at the same court beginning on 310ctober. the rac says it expects a temporary 5p cut in fuel duty to be scrapped in the budget in october. the cut was introduced in 2022 by the conservative government and extended until march next year. but the rac claims fuel retailers have failed to pass it on to motorists and used it to boost their profits instead. paralympics gb have won theirfirst gold medal of the games in paris. poppy maskill set a world record with her win in the women's 100 metres s14 butterfly event. great britain is currently in third on the medal table. kamala harris and her running mate tim walz have sat for their first televised interview this afternoon. it has been done by dana bash

of cnn, it will air in prime time tonight. we are starting to get the first clips and lines from the interview. in it, she said donald trump and the republicans have been calling for her to sit down, they claim the public does not know who kamala harris is and what she stands for. in the first preview from cnn of that interview, she addressed that concern. the most important and most significant aspect of my policy perspective and decisions is my values are not changed. my values are not changed. my value around what we need to do to secure our border, that value has not changed. i spent two terms as the attorney general of california prosecuting transnational, and organisations, violations of american laws, regarding the passage, illegal passage of guns, drugs and human beings across our border. my values have not changed. that interview comes at the latest pulling dominic

—— latest pulling from fox news shows things are going pretty well for the vice president. just a warning — there is a 3% margin of error in this polling, which tells you that, really, there is no clear leader. but her improvement in the popular vote is now mirrored in georgia, nevada and arizona, which for democrats is a much improved picture to the one they were facing several months ago, when it was biden at the top of the ticket. where trump does retain a distinct advantage is on the economy and on border security. no surprise she addressed that in her interview there. so from the vice president's perspective, there is plenty of work to do to put some meat on the bone of her policies. but in general terms, what seems to be making things easier for her is the renewed enthusiasm among african american women and among the younger voters. pollsters would tell you that to be in play in these sun belt states, she needs 80% support — at least — among african american voters.

all in the balance. julio, it is interesting that the one clip we have so far, very strict rates on this, relates to the border, because that is where she's exposed.- where she's exposed. yeah, i mentioned — where she's exposed. yeah, i mentioned why _ where she's exposed. yeah, i mentioned why ukraine i where she's exposed. yeah, i mentioned why ukraine is i where she's exposed. yeah, i mentioned why ukraine is not being mentioned in american politics, because this election is going to come down to economy, immigration and the border, and the enthusiasm is definitely there. to borrow a bad sports analogy in american football, there are about two men slept in the game and in the real game of football, we are an actortime, the real game of football, we are an actor time, and the democrats might be a goal behind and are going equalising maybe take the game. that's where we are, right? you can't deny the fact that the registration numbers have gone up registration numbers have gone up and have favoured young black women of young latinos, young people. these are

first—time voters. the demographic change of america is there. this comes down to who's going to show up on election date or in the mail and votes, how big is 19 compare to your team. i don't think emma right now, there is such strong support for trump on the republican side, democrats were a little bit schedule with biden, and now you have harris and walz, but in the end, people said, she's got to do an interview, she did it, she's on cnn. i'm going to be looking for tonight, see what happens, but it's pretty clear that the game is on in the united states right now. justin, from someone who is a very senior woman in government yourself, what do you make of the fact that she went to this interview with tim walz? i know he's popular, and obviously they are introducing the ticket to the voters. but doesn't it give an impression that she's not competent to do it on her

own, that she needs a man alongside her? is it the rate impression? to alongside her? is it the rate impression?— alongside her? is it the rate impression? to be honest, i think that's _ impression? to be honest, i think that's complete i impression? to be honest, i i think that's complete rubbish. if think that's complete rubbish. if you — think that's complete rubbish. if you had had a vice president candidate _ if you had had a vice president candidate running for president and they— candidate running for president and they brought there, they were — and they brought there, they were male, and they brought their— were male, and they brought their female vp candidate, no one would even be talking about this _ one would even be talking about this. other one would even be talking about this. 0therthan one would even be talking about this. other than present a united _ this. other than present a united front. this. other than present a united front.— this. other than present a united front. , ., ., united front. trump would not to with united front. trump would not go with jd _ united front. trump would not go with jd vance, _ united front. trump would not go with jd vance, which i united front. trump would not go with jd vance, which he? l united front. trump would not i go with jd vance, which he? he go withjd vance, which he? he would go on his own, single or. but he did! he did go withjd vance. but he did! he did go with jd vance. ., ., ,, ., vance. ok. fair enough. i know they have _ vance. ok. fair enough. i know they have been _ vance. ok. fair enough. i know they have been a _ vance. ok. fair enough. i know they have been a lot _ vance. ok. fair enough. i know they have been a lot on - vance. ok. fair enough. i know they have been a lot on stage l they have been a lot on stage recently and ijust they have been a lot on stage recently and i just think, they have been a lot on stage recently and ijust think, she needs to reintroduce herself to the american public, and this is a big opportunity, and for me, i wonder why invite him? it's about you. you are the candidate, you're going to be the commander—in—chief. candidate, you're going to be the commander-in-chief. maybe it shows. the commander-in-chief. maybe it shows- l _ the commander-in-chief. maybe it shows. i don't _ the commander-in-chief. maybe it shows. i don't think _ the commander-in-chief. maybe it shows. i don't think people i it shows. i don't think people would — it shows. i don't think people would he _ it shows. i don't think people would be asking these questions if she _ would be asking these questions if she is— would be asking these questions if she is a — would be asking these questions if she is a man, but what it does — if she is a man, but what it does show his tim walz has been

a real— does show his tim walz has been a real asset to her, as a vast potential— a real asset to her, as a vast potential -- _ a real asset to her, as a vast potential —— as a vice present shall— potential —— as a vice present shall pick— potential —— as a vice present shall pick the in the opposite way that— shall pick the in the opposite way thatjd vance shall pick the in the opposite way that jd vance seems to be a real liability for trump, as his vice _ real liability for trump, as his vice present or pick. in the — his vice present or pick. in the end. _ his vice present or pick. in the end, what you are seeing is 'ust the end, what you are seeing is just a _ the end, what you are seeing is just a continued, real problem for the — just a continued, real problem for the republicans of trying to find — for the republicans of trying to find something stick on kamala _ to find something stick on kamala harris, and so now they picked — kamala harris, and so now they picked on — kamala harris, and so now they picked on this fact she took tim — picked on this fact she took tim walz, but i don't think it really— tim walz, but i don't think it really makes any difference to people — really makes any difference to people and i think it underlines that they will need to have — underlines that they will need to have a _ underlines that they will need to have a much clearer strategy if they— to have a much clearer strategy if they are — to have a much clearer strategy if they are going to make progress against this very different candidate to the one they— different candidate to the one they were facing i guessed over a month— they were facing i guessed over a month ago. we they were facing i guessed over a month ago-— a month ago. we have talked before of— a month ago. we have talked before of how _ a month ago. we have talked before of how close - a month ago. we have talked before of how close these i a month ago. we have talked i before of how close these races might be in wisconsin, in michigan. maybe it comes down to 10,000, 20,000 votes. states where there is a sizeable uncommited vote, arab—american, muslim—american, who are watching closely what she says on the middle east.

the un chief antonio guterres spoke out against israel's current operations in the west bank, which is fuelling, he says, an already explosive situation. how important will that element of the interview be tonight? specifically with nausea and the israeli issue? she specifically with nausea and the israeli issue? she needs to address it _ the israeli issue? she needs to address it head _ the israeli issue? she needs to address it head on. _ the israeli issue? she needs to address it head on. it - the israeli issue? she needs to address it head on. it was i address it head on. it was embarrassing for democrats and i have a palestinian american speaker and perhaps one of the most inclusive conventions in american history —— to not have. that there was not a palestinian american boys last week. there's a lot of eyes on harris about this. because the reality is, what's happening in gazais reality is, what's happening in gaza is happening during a harris... iam gaza is happening during a harris... i am sorry, a gaza is happening during a harris... iam sorry, a biden harris... iam sorry, a biden harris administration, and the uncommitted vote, they were getting 19, 20% in some of these states like minnesota and michigan, michigan, which dearborn is incredibly political active, dearborn is incredibly politicalactive, right dearborn is incredibly political active, right outside of detroit, a strong arab

american and muslim population, a strong palestinian population, and this is going to come down to getting that boat out. and i know she said what she said, i note harris said what she said accepting the nomination when bringing up self—determination for palestine, but it feels as if the deal has not been done, because of what's happening, it is happening under a biden white house and there is, we are going into the... we're going to go into 0ctober, are going into the... we're going to go into october, and notjust a couple of going to go into october, and not just a couple of weeks away, and i think all eyes are on kamala harris. so we will see what she says tonight on cnn, but it's not something that they could just brush off. you have enthusiasm and excitement, and now they need to deliver. irate excitement, and now they need to deliver-— to deliver. we did see, hear, in leicester _ to deliver. we did see, hear, in leicester south, _ to deliver. we did see, hear, in leicester south, jonathan | in leicester south, jonathan ashworth lost his seat and wes

streeting almost lost his seat on the specific issue, and of course george galloway won the by election in rochdale, so she ignores it at her peril. let me bring you a couple of lines we're getting from cnn on what she said. she said she has changed some of her positions on fracking on immigration, and she had shifted her positions because of what she is seen as vice president. she had been given new perspective on some of those issues. interestingly, she said she would name it republican to serve in her cabinet, if she's elected. also she brushed off her rival�*s washing of her racial identity, to say, remember, donald trump said she once said she was of indian descent and then turned to her black heritage, same old tired playbook, she said in response to that. what do you make of mixed cabinets, very quickly, justine? 0nly make of mixed cabinets, very quickly, justine? only a minute. what do you make of that? is minute. what do you make of that? , ., , minute. what do you make of that? , ., ., , that? is potentially a really tood that? is potentially a really good idea- _ that? is potentially a really good idea- l _ that? is potentially a really good idea. i served - that? is potentially a really good idea. i served in i that? is potentially a really good idea. i served in a i good idea. i served in a coalition— good idea. i served in a coalition government. i thought it was— coalition government. i thought it was their effective and it was — it was their effective and it was great to have the debate

within— was great to have the debate within government to get them sorted — within government to get them sorted out rather than consul he sorted out rather than consul be having _ sorted out rather than consul he having to play to the public _ he having to play to the ublic. , ., ., ~ he having to play to the ublic. , . ., public. very good. ok. we are out of time. _ public. very good. ok. we are out of time. we _ public. very good. ok. we are out of time. we will— public. very good. ok. we are out of time. we will go - public. very good. ok. we are out of time. we will go to i public. very good. ok. we are out of time. we will go to a i out of time. we will go to a short break. the other side of the break, we'll go down i talk about smoking in public places and also talk about that cut in fuel duty —— we will talk about. always a big issue in the american election. might be interesting to hear whatjulio interesting to hear what julio says interesting to hear whatjulio says about that. we'll be right back. hello there. whilst it was a bit cooler and fresher today, most of us got to enjoy some warm sunshine. we have seen more cloud, though, earlier on pushing eastwards across scotland. that's been bringing some showers as well. those showers are going to retreat up towards the far north of the country, and the winds will drop. and the clearer skies will develop in most areas. a few mist and fog patches out to the west, and it's going to be quite chilly overnight. temperatures in scotland, northern ireland could be as low as lt—s degrees, and 7—8 across england and wales.

any mist and fog in the west will soon lift, and it's going to warm up in the sunshine. remaining showers in northern scotland move away. the winds will be light. cloud will develop over land, but around the coasts, with the sea breeze, it should be quite sunny. and a dry day, temperatures similar to those of today. perhaps a degree or so higher. 18 perhaps in scotland, northern ireland, 21t in the south—east of england. high pressure is with us at the end of the week, which is why it's so quiet, but it's not going to last long. it's moving away even into saturday, allowing that weather front to move up from the south. and that's going to bring with it more cloud northwards across england and wales, and there could be one or two showers as well, although many places will be dry. we've got more sunshine for the far north of england, scotland and northern ireland. the winds will be a bit stronger on saturday. an easterly breeze for england and wales, so some of these north sea coasts will be a bit cooler, but it should be a warmer day with more sunshine for scotland and northern ireland. temperatures in glasgow and london much the same. we will have more cloud in london until late on in the day. that cloud moves northwards overnight. the high pressure continues to

pull away towards scandinavia. this weather front eventually arriving in the south—west, but ahead of that, we're going to draw up something a little bit warmer, more humid, but the potential of some storms. and we're drawing that cloud northwards into scotland and northern ireland. some sunshine for england and wales. we'll build up the cloud that will trigger a few thunderstorms during the latter part of the afternoon. quite warm and humid air coming up from the near continent, so temperatures could reach 26—27 degrees. may not be quite as warm on sunday in scotland and northern ireland with more cloud. so, over the weekend, much of the weekend will be dry, but as we head into the beginning of next week, pressure will be lower. we're going to find some wet weather on monday followed by quite a few showers on tuesday.

hello, i'm christian fraser. you're watching the context on bbc news. the uk government considers banning smoking in pub gardens and outdoor restaurants, as part of a drive to phase out tobacco. welcome back. in whichever country you live, there is always a debate about debt and how much government departments are spending. it seems to be all we talk about here in the uk. the times reports this morning that the treasury has

instructed several departments to find more than £1