hello, you're watching afternoon live. i'm simon mccoy. today at 2... they're used to wildfires in the summer here, escalating tension between but not in february. the nuclear powers — pakistan claims to have captured a dry winter and unusually warm this pilot after shooting down temperatures have dried out two indian warplanes. the heather and the peat underneath it, the perfect a liar and a cheat. conditions for a majorfire. president donald trump's convicted former lawyer michael cohen is expected to accuse him of criminal conduct during a hearing on capitol hill — i think this is possibly one of the biggest fires i've seen we'll be there live. in west yorkshire for wildfire and because it's running labour mp chris williamson apologises for comments he made through heather, does have a really high flame front about the party's handling because it's so combustible. of anti—semitism amid calls so yes, it is quite dramatic for him to be disciplined. to see, but it's nothing that we can't deal with. president trump has warm words getting the crews and their gear for the north korean leader on site was half the battle. as they meet in vietnam. it was a 45 minute walk to the fire line. a specialist vehicle was used to carry equipment i think that your country has over the rough terrain. tremendous economic potential. but by midnight the conditions unlimited. i think you will have a were deemed too dangerous for the dozens of firefighters on the moor. tremendous future with your country they were forced to pull back. asa tremendous future with your country as a leader, and i look forward they returned at first light with the fire still burning, but the crews now believe they have it under control.

what triggered it is not yet clear but as fire brigades around the country are finding, wildfire season has begun early. richard lister, bbc news. time for a look at the weather. here's helen willets. it has been dry but also warm but i just want to show you how fickle the weather is this time last year we had photos like this coming in from oui’ had photos like this coming in from our weather watchers as we were then in the throes of the beast from the east of the cell are very different complexion to the weather this february. many of those still on half term have been enjoying these beautiful conditions was up and we have had temperatures above average in the uk, a very mild february and that continues today with plenty of sunshine around. but as we lose

these dry and warm southerly winds we pick up this atlantic feed in the next four or five days for the still relatively mild but the difference is it is moisture laden so we have more cloud. this is the satellite picture at the moment, beautiful out there if you like the sunshine. some fog creeping into some irish sea coasts but for most of us warm again, we've already seen 17 degrees. they could get up to 20. but the cloud creeps in to the evening and overnight as we have weather fronts approaching from both the west and the north. with that increasing moisture it is turning quite misty with low cloud around tomorrow morning and the prospect of some rain especially for england and wales. but showers also across northern ireland and the north—east of scotland. there will be some

brightness between those bands of showers. and the temperatures, 9 degrees, 13 degrees, very much lower than those we have seen but still above average for february. going through the evening and overnight we keep quite a bit of cloud. we move into friday on a drier note but quite a bit of low cloud still around. it is still not much warmer and then we have more rain and a strengthening wind coming into northern ireland later in the day for that we have all these weather fronts queueing up to come our way through the weekend. so it is all about to change. stay tuned. that's all from the bbc news at one — area good afternoon.

it's a big night in the premier league later — with leaders liverpool hosting watford, manchester city at home to west ham, and spurs travelling to chelsea. all of the top six teams are in action — and the top six is no doubt what new leicester manager, brendan rodgers, will be targeting next season. he was welcomed last night to the king power stadium and watched his new side beat brighton 2—1. rodgers has signed a contract untiljune 2022, replacing claude puel who was sacked on sunday after 16 months in charge. the opportunity to speak with leicester and find out their ambitions, where we can grow the club, the training facility. of course, the big attraction for me is the players. it's a young and dynamic squad with huge potential. like i say, you have some players

with feel—good experience also. neil lennon will now take over at celtic for the rest of the season. lennon led celtic to three league titles during his first spell and says he's "returning to one of the biggest and best clubs in world football." his first game in charge will be in the scottish premiership against hearts at tynecastle tonight. he's been speaking at a press conference this morning. this is a club that means a hell of a lot to me. as a player and as a manager. i had four great years here as the manager. it is a privilege. these opportunities come round once—in—a—lifetime. for me, it has come down twice. our liberty with all the other stuff as best i can. for the short term, just focusing on game by game and making sure we do the right things is the right times. finally, don't forget england's cricketers have just got underway against west indies in the fourth one day international in grenada. england lost the toss and were put into bat.

the series is currently tied at 1—1. you can keep up to date with that and the rest of today's sport on the bbc sport's website. that's bbc.co.uk/sport. let's return to the news that pakistan says it has shot down two indian air forcejets in a major escalation of the kashmir conflict. a spokesman said one plane had fallen inside pakistani—administered territory and two pilots had been arrested. it comes a day after indian jets struck militants in pakistan. both india and pakistan claim all of kashmir — but control only parts of it. these pictures from the pakistani information ministry shows what they say is footage of one of the downed indian jets. in another video, which has since been deleted, the information ministry showed one of the captured pilots. in the last hour, the british government has been given its response to the escalating tensions in the region.

this is what the minister of state for asia, mark field, told mps. the foreign secretary spoke to his indian and pakistani counterparts on monday to discuss the situation, and we are in regular contact with both countries at senior levels to encourage restraint, and to avoid escalating tensions further. we are monitoring developments closely and considering the implications for british nationals. i shall be speaking to both the indian and pakistani high commissioners this afternoon, and will continue to press for the importance of restraint. we urge both sides to engage in dialogue and to find diplomatic solutions to ensure regional stability. we are working closely with international partners, including through the united nations security council, to de—escalate tensions. india and pakistan, mr speaker, are both long—standing and important friends of the united kingdom. we have many, and significant, links to both countries through sizeable diaspora of communities. as a consequence, we enjoy strong bilateral relationships with both nations.

the uk government's position on kashmir remains that it is, and must be, for india and pakistan to find a lasting political resolution to this situation — taking into account the wishes of kashmiri people. it isn't for the uk to prescribe, to intervene, or to interfere with a solution or to act as a mediator. i know that the house has previously raised concerns about the humanitarian and human rights situation in both india—administered kashmir and pakistani—administered kashmir. we continue to monitor the situation and we encourage all states to ensure their domestic standards are in line with international standards. more now on brexit and mps have started debating the government's negotiating strategy ahead of a series of votes this evening. the votes are not binding,

but will show what support theresa may has on her brexit deal — ahead of the second meaningful vote which the prime minister has promised to bring back to the house of commons by 12th march. this is the current scene inside the house of commons. our assistant political editor, norman smith, is at westminster. just explain what we are expecting today. we are expecting a lengthy but inconsequential brexit debate. some of the crunching amendment which could have led to a showdown have been told by mrs mike yesterday. she announced she was opening the door to delay. the site brexit closer, does it make a people's vote more likely? i'm by mps here. following mrs may's

announcement, do you think brexit has now become less likely or more likely? i'm afraid to say it more likely. i thought for a while that she was going to get her way. her strategy has clearly been a two who mps feet to the flames to the last minute and blackmail is all but his binary choice of her awful deal or the even worst aspect of no—deal. anticipating that the dup and a significant chunk of the muffled and simply accept it. do you think labour will fold next month?|j suspect labour will fold next month?” suspect that is what will happen. labour will fold next month?” suspect that is what will happenm they do not forward and go into a delay, does that not open up all sorts of options and scenarios. we could have people saying let's have an indicative mood, let's have another referendum ? an indicative mood, let's have another referendum? what is highly irresponsible of the prime minister is to continue to keep no—deal on

the table when it is clear there is fio the table when it is clear there is no majority in parliament for it. but, businesses and people are getting ready to boot and it is highly damaging. the hashing she should have done is take no—deal of the table. the minister is playing russian roulette with the country. she cannot talk about the national interest, the only thing she has in mind is the interest of her tory party. you wrote this morning that a vote for delay is a vote for another referendum, how soon? the longer this process carries on, the more chance there is that further away from that 2016 referendum, the more they will try to wriggle out of a decision made by the country in 2016, which is to leave the eu. i think the more time is allowed, the more likely that is. you ask, i'll be more or less likely? i think that the way the pieces are finally

falling together now suggest this moral of a chance of leaving probably on how deal, tweet on the backstop. this is predicated on the brexiteers blinking next month. if they don't, is there a possibility they don't, is there a possibility the eu will say, you can have your delay, but it could be a very long delay, but it could be a very long delay, which really would open up options. i don't think it is predicated on the eurosceptics blinking. i think they will need something very real and tangible from europe. they made from colleagues, i see them in meetings i see them a lot, is that they need something solid, something legally binding. i seemingly didn't get that —— assuming they didn't, if the executive, the prime minister and cabinet do not vote for that, you do

not end up in a long delay. so i think a long delay is still a very unlikely outcome, as it is a second referendum. i think they terrified the erg and others. they know the mood has changed in the country, the country now knows they have been lied to about brexit. it will be deeply damaging for our economy and they are desperately worried the delay could lead to what we ought to be doomed democratically, which is putting us back to the people. and thatis putting us back to the people. and that is why they will fold the tent and trouser this bad version of brexit. it is a disaster for the country. the chips are on the table very soofi country. the chips are on the table very soon for the erg. the question ultimately has a was been whether they will back the prime minister's deal. i cannot see the eu will give the primer so much because it would completely undermine the integrity of the single market. if the eu has to choose between two evils, they will probably go and say, if that is where the uk wants to go. but they

will not undermine the integrity of the single market. the erg will ultimately have to do with a sticking plaster. it is hard to see what the eu do, never mind the erg. i cannot allowed to go and challenge that democracy by asking the question again three. 0ne that democracy by asking the question again three. one the other had something called the people's referendum, the original referendum. to rework that in their claim that represents democracy... how can more democracy less democracy? you keep on asking when you don't get the a nswer on asking when you don't get the answer is you want. the underdevelopment we had this week was obviously the decision byjeremy corbyn, may be through gritted teeth, to open up the possibility of another referendum. how seriously do you take the prospect thatjeremy corbyn, after months of avoiding calling for another referendum, could suddenly be converted to backing another referendum ?” could suddenly be converted to

backing another referendum? i think jeremy corbyn has essentially always been eurosceptic at best, anti—european has largely been the way he has voted. i think he has made under pressure within the labour party from grassroot members who are wholly opposed to brexit i know it is not reconcilable with labour values. i think the leaving of the labour party from some of my colleagues, some of them driven out by anti—semitism, has also pushed on into having to adopt this position. doi into having to adopt this position. do i think it is heartfelt on his part? no. the case of chris williamson is also in the news today. he was filmed saying the party had been too apologetic about its response to the anti—semitism claims. he has apologised, the party has it that his comments are inappropriate. he will be investigated. isn't that enough? now, his comments were utterly repugnant. what he said was that we had been apologising too much for anti—semitism in the labour party.

we should be utterly horrified that there is anti—semitism in the labour party, and let me be clear, there is, lots of it. just look at the comments supporting chris williamson's remarks today on the social media from labour members. he should be instantly suspended for what he said, calling our party utterly into disrepute. it is frankly inadequate for him to apologise, it is also inadequate for the leadership to announce that they are going to investigate him. but they are not going to suspend him. i cannot remember under the incidence of summary of the stature, as it were, this prominence, calling into disrepute the name of our party and not being suspended. let me ask you both briefly. it is notjust in the labour party, why now does it seem to be becoming more of an issue?” think the rise of the extreme right wing is also very much to blame for this. it's absolutely despicable. we

know it is notjust in this country but across europe, there is a rise of anti—semitism. i blame populist right—wing parties for that.” of anti—semitism. i blame populist right-wing parties for that. i think brexit also has something to do with that. i never speak at this but i actually am jewish. in the conservative party, i have never experienced even a moment of anti—semitism. jeremy corbyn has just failed to get on top of it. he cannot say that he is behind, sorting the problem out, if it doesn't, for example, suspend chris williamson. not making this as a party political point. when somebody has uttered something which could be construed as racist, and all the political parties, they tend to have the whip removed. it is the minimum required ina the whip removed. it is the minimum required in a situation such as this. thank you forjoining us. i thought the most interesting question was the last one, it was peter bone, who suggested we should televise cabinet. i don't know why

he would call it, get me out of here, and a cabinet minster, something like that. in a moment, we'll have all the business news, but first — the headlines on bbc news: pakistan claims to have captured this pilot after shooting down two indian warplanes — as tensions escalate between the two nuclear powers. donald trump meets the north korean leader — promising a bright future if he gives up nuclear weapons. britain's answer to netflix — the bbc and itvjoin forces with a new streaming service called britbox i'm ben bland. in the business news: marks and spencer has confirmed recent speculation that it will launch a joint venture with 0cado to offer a food delivery service. the deal will see m&s take a 50% stake at a cost of £750m. it means 0cado's 19 year relationship with rival supermarket, waitrose, will end. the bbc and itv,

are in advanced talks to create a rival to netflix. it'll be called britbox. the aim is to launch in the second half of the year. the paid—for service is available in the us, where it launched two years ago. the service will screen archive programmes, new series and specially commissioned shows — and is expected to sign up other uk broadcasters too. the finances of more than 10,000 former wonga customers are being "damaged from beyond the grave" — that's according to a committee of mps. wonga fell into administration in august last year, with customers awaiting a ruling on whether they were mis—sold loans. many have given up hope that they'll get an answer or any compensation. let's get more on that tie up between m&s and 0cado. the two firms will launch a joint venture with each firm holding a 50% stake. the move would allow m&s to sell and have its food products delivered via the 0cado website — and allow customers to do a full shop online.

earlier, we spoke to emma shipp, partner and head of business services at hewitsons law firm. we we have seen other firms trying to merge. but, the sainsbury‘s and asda deal is a completely different beast. there you have got the second and third largest supermarkets in the uk trying to come together, so that was always going to have some regulatory issues — which we've seen being announced. this one is different. you've got m&s the retailer, you've got an online platform coming together — it does seem to make a lot of sense, certainly, from 0cado's point of view. british employer's confidence in the economy has fallen sharply ahead of brexit — according to an industry survey. it's notjust a matter of them losing sleep — the effects of that drop in confidence mean they are holding back on investing and hiring new staff. this, of course, as mps still haven't found a way forward on the deal for britain leaving the eu — and so, uncertainty persists around things like getting goods and parts into and out

of the uk. joining us now is tom hadley ? director of policy and professional services at the recruitment and employement confederation. are there any specific examples of investment and hiring decisions being put on pause? but across the board. 0ur but across the board. our members supply into most sectors. what we are seeing, and it's no real surprise, is employer confidence is declining. we have seen that for a number of months, but the decline is really sharp this month. is the first month is starting to impact on confidence and actually hiring staff. at the same time, there is still demand in the jobs staff. at the same time, there is still demand in thejobs market staff. at the same time, there is still demand in the jobs market at one of the challenges for many employers is finding enough staff to fill the vacancies. so, a mixed picture. won't this just even out once britain has left the eu, one way or another, won't those

businesses resume hiring etc? possibly. 0ne possibly. one of the interesting things wherever. .. possibly. one of the interesting things wherever... survey today is that 80% of employers are saying they have little or no capacity. if you do start to see more certainty coming back, increase demand for services and products, employers will have to start higher quite quickly. this country has a vibrant employment sector which will help staff get pretty quickly if that confidence returns. that confidence is pushing wages up. interesting to note that, by contrast, consumer confidence has held up relatively well. salaries have been increasing for some time now. it is a tight sector,

it is hard to find candidates to fill the rules which is why our recruiters are having to work very ha rd to recruiters are having to work very hard to do it. a lot of employers out there are thinking what else they can do to attract people to their business. flexible working, for example, company culture is another big trend. employers across the uk are having to think what they can do differently to attract people and change their current procedures. the machinations around the exit had been moving for the last few days. from your perspective, what our businesses seem to do? what with their favoured outcome be? businesses seem to do? what with theirfavoured outcome be? of course, some sort of withdrawal agreement, but in the absence of that, what did they want? we are very clear that he new deal with probably the worst scenario for the —— no—deal would be the worst scenario for thejobs —— no—deal would be the worst scenario for the jobs market. —— no—deal would be the worst scenario for thejobs market. beyond brexit, whatever happens, we will still have the challenge of meeting

demand for staff. 0ne still have the challenge of meeting demand for staff. one of the m essa 9 es demand for staff. one of the m essa g es to demand for staff. one of the messages to government is that we do need a post—brexit immigration strategy, which is evidence—based and reflects the needs of business. that will contain to be the message whatever the outcome on brexit. ftse 100 is extending the losses it made yesterday. marks & spencer tumbled after announcing a rights issue — so offering new shares to existing shareholders — to fund an online food joint venture with 0cado. m&s slumped and was on course for its steepest one—day decline in more than two and a half years after saying it would also be cutting the dividends it pays to shareholders to finance that project. metro bank shares are down to an all—time low. they fell after it announced it'll need to raise £350 million through new shares to plug a gap from an accounting error. 0n currencies: the pound is holding up against the dollar and the euro — extending the gains from yesterday

after the prime minister accepted mps could vote to delay brexit if there's no deal. that's all the business news. now it's time for a look at the weather. we can cross the newsroom to helen willetts. how much longer are we going to hold on to the sunshine? just for today. this is a weather watcher picture from last year, shovelling snow, not a sound. that is not happening in the here and now. temperatures are soaring into the high teens, plenty more sunshine will be enjoyed today. in fact, most of this month will be remembered, i think, for temperatures well above average. these show, on most days, temperatures somewhere in the uk exceeded the average. i'm pretty

sure that will happen tomorrow as well. the reason we have had this dry but warm air pulled up from north africa across europe. we give that today, but from tomorrow onwards, there will be a subtle change. there will be more moisture. this dry warmth we have had will be replaced with relatively mild but cloudy air. the clouds are already bumping into the northern isles of scotland, cloudy skies across the isle of man. some of it creeping into northern ireland and the western isles as well. through the evening and overnight, we will start to find more cloud are closing in. a week with a front is sinking into the north of scotland. secondly, these were the front starting to make progress in off the atlantic. further away from those areas of cloud and central eastern areas, we will see a little bit of frost, largely for three to nine, not as cold as a recent nights. we'll probably stop rather murky tomorrow morning, more mist and fog around

because the air is moist there. there are showers to come across england and wales. not too many for scotla nd england and wales. not too many for scotland and northern ireland, but a look at the temperature differences. 0nly 8—10, so that his five or 6 degrees down on today. still, four february, fairly respectable. the evening will see that rain cleaning way, but with lots of moisture around, we will be greeted by lots of cloud, mist and fog on friday morning. that will clear and it looks like a dry day, temperatures will get to 1a—15d. later on, when stefa n will get to 1a—15d. later on, when stefan and the rain starts. the next area of low pressure comes in, bringing windy weather, swiftly followed by another spell of wet and windy weather into sunday. it will be cold enough for some snow over the scottish mountains, so certainly a shock to the system for many of us. a shock to the system for many of 00:27:58,283 --> 4294966103:13:29,430 us. bye for now.