and travelled to brussels ahead of a make or break summit this weekend. —— theresa may is in brussels ahead of a make or break summit this weekend. but can she find something in the shape of a future trading relationship, to win over disgruntled mp's at home. mrs may is looking to flesh out the future trading relationship, without unravelling progress that's has already made. deep concern over the case of a british academic — who's been jailed for life in the united arab emirates. matthew hedges has been found guilty of spying on behalf of the uk government the us president is facing pressure from congress over his decision to stand with saudi arabia. the saudi foreign minister tells us that criticism of the crown prince will not be tolerated. and a plate of human kindness? or a side serving of verbal warfare? we'll show you how to keep politics off the dinner table this thanksgiving. and through the christmas period. we have a few technical period this

evening —— problems this evening. but we will bring all of our normal political analysis and we will be in washington later. but we start with brussels... the british prime minister is back in brussels this evening, meeting with the european commission, ahead of a crucial summit of european leaders this weekend. the plan, on sunday, is to rubber stamp the withdrawal agreement, which spells out how the uk leaves the union. but what of the future? the withdrawal agreement spans 585 pages. but that political declaration, which relates to plans for a future free trade agreement, is scant on detail. just 7 pages long. mrs may is in brussels to try and flesh out the detail, before sunday's summit. let's speak to our europe editor, katya adler. i have been looking at the pictures tonight, katya, she was supposed to

be meeting jean—claude juncker 40, but i don't see any scones! —— for afternoon tea. the meeting lasted about one hour and a half. we are expecting a statement from prime minister theresa may any moment now. but it isn't a joint press statement withjean—claude but it isn't a joint press statement with jean—claude juncker. we are just hear the european commissioner's spokesman that it was a successful meeting and that work continues. continues on what? fleshing out the document you talked about. the document on the future relations between the eu and the uk after brexit. i think it's important to point out that this isn't a trade deal. it isn't a final trade deal. negotiations on that cannon and only start and eu law after the uk leaves the eu. just a declaration, unlike

that. can it, the withdrawal agreement, which is legally binding. the sticker ocean on the future is not, which gives the uk and the eu wiggle room for more aspirational language, and that's why theresa may was here in brussels tonight. just a few days before the seal a deal summit where she and eu leaders are expected to sign off the text of the brexit deal. she was a few extra agreement on the future promises, particularly on trade, to help her sell this deal back home in front of all her many critics. i said at the outset it was a rubber—stamping exercise, i've already booked my train home on sunday evening, but you were saying in your blog that things are not maybe as simple as that... things are not maybe as simple as that. . . they things are not maybe as simple as that... they are not. firstly, theresa may isn't out of the woods yet politically at home. there are lots of critics of the brexit deal.

in fact, on brexit itself, in the uk, and don't forget whatever may or may not be rubber stamped with the eu leaders, this deal needs to get through the european parliament, which i don't think will be a problem, but it needs to pass through the house of commons in the uk, as well. there support does not add up for theresa may. the dramatist is mindful of that and so are eu leaders. —— theresa may is mindful of that. that is why there is this summit on sunday. the eu is trying to give her the optics to sail this back home. but they don't wa nt to sail this back home. but they don't want to move from red lines, such as guarantees over the irish border, for example, such as keeping the single market together and not allowing the prime minister to cherry pick the bit she likes and leaves the bits she doesn't, which she would like to do. they are holding steadfast on that. what is making it more complex is that at

the last minute it's notjust theresa may who wants more from the eu, bear right eu countries who want more from her. spain has clear speculations about gibraltar and how it appears speculations about gibraltar and how itappears in speculations about gibraltar and how it appears in the document. —— there are other eu countries. it cannot be taken legally for are other eu countries. it cannot be ta ken legally for granted are other eu countries. it cannot be taken legally for granted that they will immediately applied to gibraltar. france would like to guarantee a fishing right in the uk water after brexit. they are insisting on that. germany, not impressed, doesn't want anybody to be stamping their feet at this stage, just once these tax to be finished so they can be, as you say, rubber—stamped on sunday, and the process ca n rubber—stamped on sunday, and the process can move forward the parliament in the uk and here in brussels, or strasberg in the european parliament, as well. it isn't quite so straightforward at the moment. nobody is suggesting that they would stand in the way of the text and refuse to sign it in

the text and refuse to sign it in the end. the problem is that text lie in the uk. may be a flexible ticket on sunday, then? chuckles you are welcome any time, i will even give you scones. thanks very much. the prime minister has warned those who oppose the withdrawal agreement risk the chaos of no deal oi’ agreement risk the chaos of no deal or no brexit at all. but, in herfirst interview since returning to the cabinet, the new work and pensions secretary, amber rudd seemed to suggest that in the event of a vote going against the prime minister — ‘no deal‘ would be stopped, by parliament. have a listen. it is my view that when is the deal comes before parliament it will get through, despite what people say. i also feel, having spent the past six months on the backbenches talking to other backbenchers, parliament. they no deal. —— parliament will stop a

new deal. katy balls is a political correspondent for the spectator. what you think will happen? there is a belief that it could be stopped because parliament get a meaningful vote. there is a mate, late january, if nothing has been agreed, if theresa may hasn't managed to get the votes, which is looking likely, it will fall to parliament. not to command the government but definitely point them in a direction. the people who think no deal isn't possible, given the majority of mps wouldn't want it to happen, it would get difficult for the uk government to keep ignoring what everybody was saying in these directions. i don't think there is a device to stop no deal. not to get too much into the weeds, but article 50 is an act of parliament. what are you putting an amendment to. that

doesn't obviously supersede an act of parliament. is the prime minister somebody who will try and rescind or take—back somebody who will try and rescind or ta ke—back article 50 somebody who will try and rescind or take—back article 50 or spend it? there are many suggestions that it isn't something she would do. she said we will be leaving in march 2019. we are getting lots of different messages from ministers, from number ten, from theresa may, and they all mean one thing, getting vote for the deal. it doesn't mean they make perfect sense or they are com pletely they make perfect sense or they are completely watertight, but i think by saying this, because there is confusion about exactly what would happen, it is safe to say that you cannot guarantee you are heading on to win no deal scenario some brexiteers would like to happen if the deal isn't devoted through. that's the mechanics. let's talk about the communication strategy from number ten. ithought about the communication strategy from number ten. i thought this threat of no deal was dangled over the heads of the remainers to focus attention. if you don't back the deal this is the chaos that could

ensue. amber rudd says don't worry about that, what undermines the strategy, doesn't it? as soon as she said this morning on radio four, people thought she had gone off the script. it isn't quite clear. that didn't happen. it isn't clear it would because what we are actually saying and what i've heard from recent guests to number ten, is what they have in mind is the two prong approach. the cunning plan they have come up with is when you tell the brexiteers, look, if you go down this deal there is a serious chance that you start to have a second referendum, remain minded mps take control of the house. even though we are exiting in march 2019. you cannot be certain they could be an amendment to the people's vote, which means a second referendum. the other thing they are saying is they are trying to say to the remain mps at the same time, if you put this

down be careful because we could have a low cliffs exit. there is a problem here. you cannot have it both ways! instead of both groups taking both threats seriously, both have decided neither has much merit. but it touches on one thing, nobody is 100% clear what happens if this deal is repeatedly voted down. number ten are trying to latch onto both. but i think it is a risky strategy. that much is clear! chuckles thanks very much indeed. a british phd student accused of spying for the uk government has been sentenced by a court in the united arab emirates to life in prison. matthew hedges, who is 31 years old and was studying for a phd at durham university, and was arrested in dubai in may after a research trip. mr hedges' lawyer was not in court to represent him today and the trial lasted just five minutes. the uk foreign secretary jeremy hunt, who's spoken to the crown prince in abu dhabi about the case, says it could damage relations between the two allies. paul blake reports from dubai. matthew hedges in happier times

with his wife daniela. the durham university academic was in the united arab emirates to research the country's foreign policy, but as he was about to return to the uk, he was detained, with his family saying he was held in solitary confinement, forced to sign a confession in arabic and fed a cocktail of drugs. today, despite hopes for his release, the academic was sentenced to life in prison. his wife, daniela, who was in court, issued a statement. "i'm in complete shock. i don't know what to do. matthew is innocent. this has been the worst six months of my life, let alone for matt, who was shaking when he heard the verdict." friends of the couple suggested that matthew hedges had been on the verge of being released. we are all shocked. there were expectations that the pressure, and added to the actions of the uk government, would have led to a different verdict. the uk and uae have historically enjoyed warm diplomatic ties,

but it appears today's ruling came as a surprise to the british government. the uae is supposed to be a friend and ally of britain's. we have given them repeated assurances about matthew. and if we can't resolve this, there are going to be serious diplomatic consequences, because this is totally u na cce pta ble. foreign media, including the bbc, were barred from observing today's court proceedings, and we were told by authorities that we weren't even allowed to report from outside the court. ultimately, most of the details had to come from the family, who say the hearing lasted fewer than five minutes, with no lawyer present. matthew hedges' colleagues say there is no legitimate basis for his arrest. the information we have been given — and the uae authorities have provided very, very little about this — is that matt was kind of brought to their attention by a citizen of the uae, who was concerned about the questions he was asking. we don't know who that person was. as far as we are aware, that person remains entirely anonymous. matthew hedges' family have maintained his innocence throughout

and say that his mental and physical health have worsened while detained. reports suggest he will have 30 days to appeal, but for now, a nightmare for one family is quickly becoming yet another diplomatic crisis for britain. paul blake, bbc news, in abu dhabi. the backlash is growing, democrat and senior republicans have sharply criticised donald trump after he said he wouldn't punish saudi arabia for the murder ofjournalist said he wouldn't punish saudi arabia for the murder of journalist jamal khashoggi. he went on to discuss whether the crown prince knew about the murder, he said maybe he did, maybe he didn't. senators from both side of congress have attacked president trump with forcing him to plan more robust action. let's listen to those comments from donald trump from earlier. we are not going to give up hundreds of billions of dollars and let russia and china and

everybody else have them. for me, it is america first. saudi arabia, if we broke with them, i think your oil prices would go through the roof. i've kept them down. they've helped me keep them down. the oil price is moderate, i would like to see it go lower. it is a simple equation for me, i'm about make america great again, and i'm about america first. what are the saudi arabians make of this? here is the view from riyadh, saudi arabia. this wasn't a cover. we released information at the time. as we received more information we could update what happened and come up could update what happened and come up with a picture that's more complete. why did they want jamal khashoggi back? that he was such a threat that if he didn't want to come back he would have to be killed? jamal khashoggi wasn't

wa nted killed? jamal khashoggi wasn't wanted in saudi arabia. he obviously was, 15 members went to saudi arabia, including members of crown prince mohammed's personal god, a leading forensic expert, and a body double. people exceeded their authorities. people committed a crime. people are going to be held accountable for it. —— crown prince mohammed's personal team. there have been sanctions against individuals who were implicated in this, and who we re who were implicated in this, and who were detained by the public prosecutor ‘s office. but that's different from sanctioning the government. as a government, saudi arabia is responsible for this. the us senator has said there should be sanctions for appropriate members of the royalfamily, sanctions for appropriate members of the royal family, which sanctions for appropriate members of

the royalfamily, which would be a huge step. people can say lots of things. they can be inaccurate. they can be misplaced. it doesn't matter, in saudi arabia our leadership is oui’ in saudi arabia our leadership is our red line. the crown prince is a red line. they represent every saudi citizen and every saudi citizen represents them. we won't tolerate any discussion of... of anything that... is disparaging against our monarch or a la prince. the head of the cia has concluded, it seems, that it could not have happened without an order from the ground prince. —— or our crown prints. without an order from the ground prince. —— or our crown printslj have seen prince. —— or our crown prints.” have seen the statement from the spokesperson from the state department who said the reporting on the report was inaccurate. i've seen the report was inaccurate. i've seen the statement from the president saying the information isn't accurate. the crown prince of saudi arabia isn't involved in this. we've

made that clear. we have an ongoing investigation. we will punish the individuals responsible for this. we will make sure it doesn't happen again. we said time and again the investigation is open and the public prosecutor has asked any country that has information that could help com plete that has information that could help complete the picture to provide that information. there are a lot of gaps we don't know about. we don't know where the body is. we don't know certain things. we don't know what's in the tapes, other than the transcripts that were provided. we haven't listened to them. if the evidence does lead to the crown prince, will then... evidence does lead to the crown prince, will then. .. we've made evidence does lead to the crown prince, will then... we've made it very clear that the crown prince is not involved. is this a red line for the kingdom? not involved. is this a red line for the kingdom ? whatever the not involved. is this a red line for the kingdom? whatever the evidence is? show us the evidence. if turkey has the evidence, please provide it.

all we hear is leaks. leaks. show us the evidence. and then we talk. the crown prince isn't involved in this. we've made that clear. it is a red line when you have individuals calling for replacement of our leaders. that's ridiculous. but a cce pta ble leaders. that's ridiculous. but acceptable in saudi arabia. no saudi citizen will tolerate this. normally this hour we would be side by side with washington. plenty of reaction in washington to the statement that was put out yesterday. certainly is. no boxes. maryjordan isjoining me, also outside a box, she is the national correspondent for the washington post. you just heard the saudi arabia foreign minister saying quite unequivocally that the crown prince has nothing to do with this, also donald trump saying maybe he

was, maybe he wasn't. what message does that send? it tells tyrants around the world that if money is involved, if enough money is involved, if enough money is involved, then it's ok, you can break international norms, you can kill people, and that human rights has a price. people are shocked at the president's statement here. many have had to deal with countries and rule rs have had to deal with countries and rulers who have done terrible things. what makes donald trump's stance different? it's how he dealt with it. there is bad actors and things you have to deal with for strategic reasons. there wasn't even a moment. he was siding with the saudis against us intelligence of course this didn't go down without the

prince knowing. he immediately started talking about money. people did not read it as america first, but money first. a lot of people on the public site, the senate, people in donald trump haase party, are pushing against this. —— the republican side. many americans might be thinking this is not worth losing all of that money. —— donald trump's party. there is a big difference between jeopardising the relationship and saying we don't tolerate this. let's have a moment. let's have america standing for something. you cannot have someone living in the us, have them taken to turkey, and have them disappeared. it's not saying that we're never

going to deal with saudi arabia, but i think people are shocked, as people have said, there wasn't even a moment of, look, we are going to have some sort of punishment. now the senate and congress is taking that up because they are shocked. they are also saying of course we have today with people we don't agree with. but there has to be some for this amazingly he —— heinous, horrible murder. given what donald trump has said, is this going to be enough? is the interesting -- it will be very interesting. donald trump reacts to public opinion. this case, it was one man getting a paper to get married, and there is video of it. i think people understand. but we also want to feel good that we have some sort of moral standing. it'll be interesting if donald

trump, heading towards the election, says that he thinks people think we are better than them. congress is pushing back. it isn'tjust democrats, it is republicans. we had senator bob caulker, very senior, tweeting that he said he never thought he would see the day the senate moonlighting. —— bob corker. he will try to cement that relationship in the public eye. and we have seen this again with other world leaders. we have seen him say that in his famous summit with north korea, with president putin. there does seem to be an element about these people that donald trump really likes and tries to even court

their interest by putting america first. thanks very much. and this year the family get togethers, in fact on both sides of the atlantic, could be a minefield, if the conversation turns to politics. yes what do you do if a relative starts arguing with you about the midterm elections or brexit? well our next guest has some advice which mayjust get you through without a food fight. diane gottsam is an etiquette expert who joins us now from texas. i have read here that you should a lwa ys i have read here that you should always prep for pleasantness. what you mean? especially during the holiday season, and thanksgiving in particular, we are meant to be grateful to come together our friends and family. that means being civil. and respecting each other. we wa nt civil. and respecting each other. we want that across the board in life.

but you just have to turn on the news and see that isn't often what things are like. but sitting at thanksgiving, around the table, the host gets to set some clear boundaries about what he or she expects. what happens if all of a sudden things turn to donald trump this season? it is about sitting down trees and saying in advance, i am looking forward to having you altogether and my goal is to create an atmosphere free of discourse. you say that. that way, when it turns to something that begins to cause discord at the table, you can say, i really wa nt discord at the table, you can say, i really want this conversation to stay upbeat. maybe some financial penalties? i like that idea. i talked about that earlier with your producer. there is this idea of a swear jar, you put

producer. there is this idea of a swearjar, you put money in when you say a bad word, kids catch their pa rents, say a bad word, kids catch their parents, it is a light—hearted way to keep people from saying bad words. this is a way i feel you can get people to give to a good charity. every time they mention something about politics, as long as it goes along, the conversation, you say, listen, it is $5, $10 a minute, go ahead. but you don't expect them to do that. it is a light—hearted way to say i mean business. if it is family you can hold them to it. but it is also a good way to raise money for a good cause, or charity. it is a good idea. i will send that message out to people celebrating christmas, as well, because it isn't just about thanksgiving. you are watching beyond 100 days. foremost it did not feel quite as cold today,

but we had a dusting of snow over the high ground. here in derbyshire, for example, earlier on. nothing unusual. the weather changed across many parts of england and wales with welcome sunshine earlier on today. those clear skies mean temperatures are falling away quickly now. for many areas it could be quite frosty overnight. not much of around, we have a few showers, heavy ones in the west, they should go away. some showers coming into northern ireland and into scotland, those in the far east will continue. temperatures will fall away very quickly because of these clear skies. too much is down to —7 possible in 0xfordshire, for example. —— temperatures down to -7. for example. —— temperatures down to —7. the northern and eastern parts of scotla nd —7. the northern and eastern parts of scotland it would be as cold because of this cloud cover. but there will be some showers around, mostly rain. not as cold for northern ireland because a few showers will be moving west early in

the morning. clouding over quickly the morning. clouding over quickly the northern england and into the east midlands and east anglia. cloud coming into the south—east of england. away from that a bright and sunny start. this cloud is gradually encroaching into north wales and north—west england. showers coming back into northern ireland later. we will also seek more cloud for eastern scotland. most of the rave eastern scotland. most of the rave eastern scotland. most of the rave eastern scotland and north—east england. —— most of the rain in eastern scotland and north—east england. there would be much frost around friday morning, there will be more cloud in general. some sunshine here and there. most places will be dry. some sharp showers in the south—west. more rain for eastern parts of scotland. high pressure to the north of the uk. lower pressure to the south and south—west. threatening to push together with this front into more southern counties of england. all the while, into the weekend, we keep that

breeze. still not that warm. but temperatures heading in the right direction over the next few days. we might make double figures on saturday. a few more showers in the far south. and showers across eastern parts of scotland again. hello, this is bbc news. the has—beens... theresa may travels to brussels for crucial talks ahead sunday's planned eu summit, but warns critics back home that abandoning her plans could risk a no—deal brexit. a british phd student is jailed for life in the united arab emirates, after being convicted of spying for the british government. the uk's foreign secretary says there is great concern for matthew hedges' welfare. the us president is facing pressure from congress over his decision to stand with saudi arabia. in riyadh the saudi foreign minister tells the bbc that criticism of the crown prince will not be tolerated. and david attenborough is to take up the so—called ‘people's seat‘ at next month's united nations climate change conference.

the un's recent warnings on climate change make for sobering reading. in their latest analysis, published last month, scientists warn that drastic change is needed to slash carbon emissions to zero by 2050. the changes will be less extreme if temperature rises are curbed at 1.5 degree celsius above pre—industrial levels. if they are not, then within12 years we will see more drought, more flooding, the sort of extreme weather conditions that will lead to mass migration. next month, world leaders will come together in poland to work out what must be done. and ahead of that meeting we'll be talking to a series of key policy makers. this week, it's the turn of the canadian environment minister catherine mckenna. canada — like the us — has had to deal with fierce forest fires. i asked her about it. forcing these buyers that are

burning longer than ever before and they are stronger and having a greater impact. if you are being serious about taking action you need to understand the cause. climate change is having an impact around the world. seeing what is happening in california is a wake—up signal to everyone. let's talk about how serious canada is. your environment commissioner who has looked at canada commission says that only are you missing the target you set yourself the 20 20s but you are expected to be 20% above the target. we are committed to meeting our target. we came in as the new government three years ago after a government three years ago after a government that did nothing on climate change. we are aiming for a 90% clean electricity by 2030, we will be one of the few countries in the world at that level. we are putting a price on pollution across the country which is challenging with some conservative politicians who think it should be free to

pollute. it is hard and we're working hard to zag every country, you have to be working every day looking at how you reduce emissions and a smart way that also grows the economy and creates jobs. you talk about the challenge is to reduce carbon emissions, this is the carbon tax thatjustin trudeau wants to put in place at the heart of his pre—election campaign to mandate provinces to impose the carbon tax on people but it is controversial. this is the problem around the world, people don't vote for green issues that cost them. but as the prime minister has said when we made the recent announcement about the price of pollution across the country including provinces who are committed, if it is free to pollute there will be more pollution.” looked at one reports of they have said households in alberta and nova scotia will be hit with more than $1000 of carbon tax per year so there will be a rebate of conservative politicians can easily

point out that and people will vote against it and that is what i'm trying to drive up. around the world governments are facing local problems and we need a very difficult —— different attitude to climate change. i think we have to have honest conversations. people are looking for straight talkers who are looking for straight talkers who are saying climate change is real and you are the impact but we need to be mindful of the economic case and jobs and we have been able to grow our economy and reduce emissions. that is the sweet spot. you can't ignore climate change and if we do it is at our peril because there will be huge human cost and economic cost. the cost to our children and grandchildren of passing on an action that we have said we're not going to do that any more. for too long too many politicians have passed on the impacts of climate change and the tax ever to our children.” impacts of climate change and the tax ever to our children. i hate to keep going back to your neighbour

but does it make the argument more difficult when the president of the united states is talking about clean coal and putting jumps back into coal and putting jumps back into coal when you're trying to move away carbon? jobs are coming back in coal, we know that. the numbers including good use of natural gas which is cheaper. populism is a thing but we also need to talk about the economics. i get that. there are morejobs in the economics. i get that. there are more jobs in renewables the economics. i get that. there are morejobs in renewables vendor is in coal. targets are important. you when says we need to peak in global emissions by 2020 and reduce them to net zero by mid—century. you look at canada, a liberal government on board with green issues and you are missing your target. i ask you again, when you sit there and look at this as the environment minister do you worry that as a global

community we have no chance of meeting these targets?” community we have no chance of meeting these targets? i have three children, a son who is ten. in 30 yea rs children, a son who is ten. in 30 years but will the impact speed? extreme floods, extreme droughts, mass migration, that's think about the future we want our kids and grandkids. that is what motivates me and it keeps me up at night but we all have to be serious about this. this is as much an economic as environmental. we wish you the best with your work. thank you for being with your work. thank you for being with us. thank you. now at that climate talks in poland next month, sir david attenborough has said he will be taking up the ‘people's seat‘, by invitation of the un. he is going to represent millions of people around the world whose lives are about to be affected by climate change. many of whom feel their politicians are not responding quickly enough. the united nations felt that in their debates it shouldn't just be politicians, it shouldn'tjust be scientists, it should be ordinary people and people around the world. and around the world

there is an increasing understanding and recognition of the climate change problem and the catastrophe that awaits us unless we do something about it. and to sharpen the minds of those who are taking decisions in these complex debates, they thought it would be a good symbolic act if the overwhelming view of people around the world was represented. the question is, how do you do that? because we want people in china and in australia, and in europe, and in south america, and the pacific to have a chance of feeling that their reactions and their understandings and their view of what is happening in the world is important. and, so, there has been the suggestion that there should be

a seat and which politicians should see while they are debating, yes, those are the people of the world, this is not an abstract thing, these are the people of the world whose view is this, that and the other. some of that is impossible really. but it will give symbolic power and i hope make politicians emphasise that what is at stake is really extremely important and matters to every man, woman and child on this planet, let alone the natural world. no finer person to represent us at the un table. we will be speaking next week to the uk environment minister and i have invited you on

twitter to send questions if you have them for her. go back to brussels because theresa may has been meeting with jean—claude juncker ahead of that vital summit at the weekend. the meeting has concluded. let's listen to what she has to say. we have had a very good meeting this evening. we have made further progress. as a result we have given sufficient direction to our negotiators i hope them to be able to resolve the remaining issues and that work will start immediately. i now plan to return for further meetings including with presidentjuncker on saturday to discuss how we can bring to a conclusion this process and bring it toa conclusion this process and bring it to a conclusion in the interest of all our people. what are the problems that need to be solved so the summit can go ahead and all this can be signed off? there are some remaining issues we have discussed this evening with presidentjuncker. we have been able to give direction to our negotiators on resolving the veggies, so further progress has been made. i will be returning on

for further meetings including with presidentjuncker to ensure to how we can conclude this process is in the wave in the interests of all our people. wasn't meant to be finalised text ready for the eight hours before the summit was going to happen? there are some further issues that need resolution and we have given direction to our negotiators and the work will now start immediately. i believe we have given sufficient direction for them to be remaining issues. icq get the impression there that there are still some outstanding issues for all the good progress that the eu commission says has been made. he is now going back on saturday, the head of that summit to hammer out some of those details. the uk team will be blogging on through the end of the week to try and get something prepared in time for the summit. it's been three months since america lost one of its great statesman, the republican senatorjohn mccain. his family has vowed

to continue his work, and his wife cindy is doing just that, by becoming chair of the mccain institute, which focuses on international security. she's been speaking to the bbc‘s yalda hakim about senator mccain's legacy, and how she may never get over president trump's claims that her husband was not a war hero, because he was a prisoner of war. when the news came of his passing there was this extraordinary bipartisan outpouring. why do you think the nation reacted in that way? john was truly the conscience of the senate and i think in many ways the country. people recognised him for his ability to work across the aisle and his belief in working across the aisle. also his willingness to debate but not demean asa willingness to debate but not demean as a result of differences. i think we have lost those ideals forever

right now if that makes sense. i think he represented so much to the country and i am hoping we swing back and begin to realise really the importance of doing what john back and begin to realise really the importance of doing whatjohn did. many people said it wasn'tjust like a president had died, it was like a great president had died and it stops the nation at that moment and yet the president wasn't there. you have to remember even though it was a very public funeral, we are still a very public funeral, we are still a family. for all of us and the sake of my own children, i didn't want any disruption. this was aboutjohn, but about anything else at all. and our country. it was important to me that we kept it respectful and calm and not politicise it, sending funny coming from a political family in a political country but it was important we kept it with dignity. i

didn't want the hoopla that came with all that. many speakers at the memorial spoke about unity and that was one of the big things that came out of the memorial. just after we had the supreme court but and the whole brett kava naugh had the supreme court but and the whole brett kavanaugh fiasco. the environment has become incredibly toxic in every twist and turn. environment has become incredibly toxic in every twist and turnm is. unfortunately. 0nce toxic in every twist and turnm is. unfortunately. once again i go back to, they hate you because you area back to, they hate you because you are a different party, that does not how this is, if desired to it should be. this 24 hour news cycle and of course the instant access to twitter and be things have not helped at all. iam hoping and be things have not helped at all. i am hoping this election has proved that people are a little bit frustrated, more than a little bit frustrated, more than a little bit frustrated with what is going on and hopefully it will change. john would have been so disappointed in this election, just because the nastiness

and the discourse and in may own home state and across the country. there are a lot of people who say that today's republican party has abandoned the things thatjohn mccain or ronald reagan really stood for. where do you think the future of the republican party stands?” believe that we will once again be a strong and moderate party. we're the party of abraham lincoln. i cannot believe that this party will just go away, it won't. we will have to learn from our mistakes and lick our wounds and start again. does the president have your support in the 20 county elections? i don't even know they will run and i don't think he is sure is going to run. do you think you might not?” he is sure is going to run. do you think you might not? i don't know, i am like you, i have no inside track on this, i hear what i hear. am like you, i have no inside track on this, i hearwhat i hear. i am like you, i have no inside track on this, i hear what i hear. ithink we all need to support the white housein we all need to support the white house in anything because it is our

white house. we can be free to disagree and free to voice our disagreement also. as far as supporting a candidate i want to stay out elective politics for a while. i have been doing that for 38 yea rs while. i have been doing that for 38 years with my husband. ijust want to make sure that my kids are safe and my state is solid. but based on his performance so far, if there was an election today, would he have your blood? i can't answer that right now,. —— your vote? i would like to see some softening of the rhetoric, i really would. it is hurtful. where you hurt when the president said he wasn't a war hero? yes, i was, president said he wasn't a war hero? yes, iwas, that president said he wasn't a war hero? yes, i was, that it was inappropriate and wrong. it hurt the family. and he hurt the other men but served with john that were in prison as well. it wasn'tjust about

john. it was all the other people. i think that was a wrong thing to say andi think that was a wrong thing to say and i don't know if i will ever get over it, to be honest, but i am the wife, but is my prerogative, they don't have to. your daughter it out at the president, she was that. the america ofjohn mccain has no need to be made great again because america was with great. applause do you think she is carrying her father's straight talking?” do you think she is carrying her father's straight talking? i think so. idid father's straight talking? i think so. i did not know the text of the speech. i knew she was going to give one but i haven't read it and i was so preoccupied with so much. i thought she did an amazing job when she spoke her mind. i would expect nothing less from her and any other mccain. it is interesting to watch

your kids grow and especially meghan because she definitely isjohn mccain and address and we have been saying that a lot and she was a kid, she has the temperament and his style is. john mccain changed the world, how did you change your world ? world, how did you change your world? 0h, world, how did you change your world? oh, my gosh. i had the good fortune of knowing and marrying this incredible man and having a family with him and i had a front row seat to history in every way. i never expected that kind of life at all, anything close to it. it was and still is through the amazing. —— truly amazing. it was something i think we will all miss him for the obvious reasons, but he was the life of the party, when he walked on the door and you knew it was going to be a good night. he wasjust the guy. i

will miss that about him but it was something else. part of the bbc's 100 women series. one hundred years ago women in the uk were allowed for the first time to stand for election as members of parliament. the bill — called the parliament qualification of women act — was only one page long and it simply stated that women wouldn't be disqualified by their sex or by marriage. in december 1918, seventeen women ran for election. 0nly 0ne became member of parliament. fast forward to today and it's clearly a different picture, but the ratio of female to male mps is not yet fifty fifty. here's the chair of women and equalities select committee, maria miller. in this place 4503 men have been elected and just 491 women. i am proud that two of those conservative women became prime minister. but can

my right honourable friend share with me but she feels that parliament as well as the political parties could be doing to help encourage more of the women who are with us here today as part of the ask her to stand campaign as we do go forward and stand for election andjoin us on go forward and stand for election and join us on these green benches? 0nly and join us on these green benches? only recently has the... is compare it to the united states. we have seen record numbers of women running for office in the mid—term elections. but if we look at the overall numbers for lawmakers the gender gap is still very stark. in the past hundred years, 491 women have become mps in the uk. and in the us 331 women have been elected to congress since 1917 — whenjeannette ranking from montana first became a house representative. if we look at the current parliament — in the uk, 209 women are mps — about 32% of the house of commons. in the us, 108 women are members of the outgoing congress —

that's 20% between the house and the senate. whale song has bewitched and beguiled scientists and seafarers for centuries. now it seems the distinctive chorus of the mammals' squeaks and groans can change gradually over time. scientists working in australia say humpback whales undergo major changes which mean their song is constantly evolving. 0ur science correspondent helen briggs has been trying to crack the code. humpback whales are known for their haunting songs, and, much like human tunes, they can quickly spread until all whales in the group are singing from the same song sheet. whale song. this signature song evolves gradually over time, as individual males add embellishments, and others copy. seen here off the east coast of australia, this is what the whales were singing two years later. but every now and then,

a song completely disappears from the oceans, and it is replaced by something new in what scientists call a "revolution event". normally, when a song is evolving through gradual changes, you can hear the songs from one year to the next and hear those similarities. but with a revolution, the song is completely different, they essentially they start from scratch with a revolution. researchers studied whales over 13 years and found when they changed their tune, the new ballads were almost always more simple. it tells us there could be some kind of limitation to that learning, so there might be some kind of cap either in terms of how complex a thing that they can learn, or how much new material they can learn at one time. and that could explain how the crooners of the sea adapt and change their songs, ensuring their musical repertoire stands the test of time. helen briggs, bbc news.

my my wife often tells me to change the chin, ican my wife often tells me to change the chin, i can see why it wouldn't be the same for whales. —— june. with thanksgiving almost here a lot of us are looking to do a little exercise before we pile up our plate but this next story gives new meaning to taking a long walk. 38 year old matt green has logged more than 9000 miles over the past seven years — visiting every block in the five boroughs of new york city. he is now 500 miles short of reaching his goal and a movie comes out this week documenting this amazing urban trek. but why he's doing it remains a bit of a mystery as tom brook reports. chinatown in new york on a typical day. people go about the business, for that green that means continuing his marathon 9000 male new york city what. i am watching every block of every street in the five boroughs.

also parts, cemeteries, beaches, covering all the ground and public area and seeing what is there. while he has been on his walk matt greene has lived on as shoestring staying in different departments in exchange for activities such as cat sitting and raising money for donations to his outside. strangely he says he doesn't know why he has spent almost seven doesn't know why he has spent almost seve n yea rs doesn't know why he has spent almost seven years walking around new york covering the distance of 9000 miles. i think it occurred to me early on but a lot of time we felt like we had the way to sum up what we are doing and explain why it is important, a societal pressure to package that up but a nice bow on it and tell people about it. i don't really know why. in new york matt green has quite a few followers who monitor his progress. no wider audience is being introduced to his adventures by way of a new document

tree chronicle his exploits that opens this week. it is the distillation of 500 hours of 500 hours of video shot by director jeremy workman. it is a commission. but you tired's i am a little tired. the movie is about discovering the kind of amazing that this right in front of your eyes. you can just walk the streets and discover everything the city has to offer. i hope the film conveys that it is this different look at the world and it is asking people to slow down a little bit, to notice the things around them. some butterfly weed, the cool 0range flower. i saw that in marine park a couple of years ago. jesse eisenberg the hollywood actor who is executive producer of the world your feet, believes he has taken on the mission just because it was there to be done. a clip by edmund hillary who said asked him

why he climbed everest, because it was there. something about composting the thing for the sake of itself rather than some kind of capitalisation on it. good to talk to you, thank you for the info. matt greene has 500 miles left to go. he knows where it will finish, on the street where he studied, where there isa street where he studied, where there is a pizza parlour, a bagel salon and a nail shop. is a pizza parlour, a bagel salon and a nailshop. to is a pizza parlour, a bagel salon and a nail shop. to mark the completion of the what he intends to sample the offerings of all three establishments. a group of women mps have been shown the yellow card for playing football in the house of commons. the women's parliamentary team, they should have played their first match last night but it was postponed because it clashed with commons votes. here is the scottish national party mp hannah bardell, showing us her keepy—upees. speakerjohn burke wrote said the

chamber should not be used for this. he said letters of apology had been written and there were no hard feelings. maybe they will play on a real pitch next week. thanks for watching. good evening. it didn't seem cold for most of us today but a dusting of snow over some high ground. in derbyshire earlier on. nothing unusual about that. the weather changed across many other parts of england and wales with some welcome sunshine earlier on today. the clearer skies may mean temperatures fall away for now. it could be quite frosty overnight. not much rain around. a few showers. heavy in the south—west. they will move away. a few showers in northern ireland and in scotland they perhaps continue in the far north—east. largely clear skies developing quite widely. that allows temperatures to pull away quite quickly in 0xfordshire, could see minus six or minus seven. later in the night we will see more

cloud in eastern areas stopping temperatures getting too cold. for northern and eastern parts of scotland not as cold as further west. some showers mostly of rain. not quite as cold for northern ireland. a few showers running away towards the west early in the morning. clouding over quickly in northern england and east england's, east anglia, south—east of england, wales and the south—west getting up to a bright and sunny start. a decent day here. the cloud coming in from the north sea will get into north wales. later a few showers coming back into northern ireland. more cloud coming into western scotland. temperatures similar to today. easterly breeze as we head into friday. a nothing sort of day really. not as much frost on friday morning. more cloud in general. a little sunshine here and there. a few sharp showers in the south—west. more rain for eastern scotland.

the weather pattern fairly static. high pressure to the north of the uk. the pressure to the south and south—west threatening to push together with this weather pattern fairly static. temperatures in the right direction days. we might make double figures on saturday. most places dry. a little sunshine. a few showers in the far south and east of scotland. this is bbc news, i'm ben brown. the headlines. theresa may says further progress has been made during crunch brexit talks in brussels, as both sides look to finalise

a deal before sunday's eu summit. as both sides look to finalise we've had a very good meeting this evening. we've made good progress, and as a result, we've given sufficient direction to our negotiators, and i hope for them to be able to resolve the remaining issues, and that work will start immediately. concern for a 31—year—old british academicjailed for life on charges of spying in the united arab emirates. donald trump faces criticism after he rules out punishing saudi arabia for the murder of the journalist jamal khashoggi. and sir david attenborough is to take up the so—called "people's seat" at next month's united nations climate change conference.