hello, i'm maryam moshiri. this is outside source. millions of americans are voting in the crucial mid—term elections — to decide control of the senate and the house of representatives. abortion rights, the cost of living crisis and democracy are the big issues on the ballot — the first polls will close at midnight gmt. donald trump has been voting. his republican party is tipped to take the house, which would hinder presidentjoe biden�*s ability to push through his agenda. we'll hear from a pollster and be live in virginia. also in the programme: as thousands of football fans prepare to head to qatar, one of the country's ambassadors says homosexuality is the result of "damage in the mind".

everybody, they will accept them coming here, but they have to accept our rules. and the cop27 summit puts a price on tackling climate change — developing countries need $2 trillion every year by the end of the decade to help deal with the impacts of global warming. americans are heading to the polls in the first national elections since the january 6 attack on congress last year. the results of the midterms could shape the next two years of american politics and make it difficult for presidentjoe biden to pass legislation. the us president cast an early vote almost two weeks ago. and in the past few hours, we've seen former president donald trump vote in florida.

he has hinted he will announce a present run next tuesday. take a listen. , , , ., . listen. tuesday will be an exciting da fora listen. tuesday will be an exciting day for a lot _ listen. tuesday will be an exciting day for a lot of— listen. tuesday will be an exciting day for a lot of people _ listen. tuesday will be an exciting day for a lot of people i _ listen. tuesday will be an exciting day for a lot of people i hope - listen. tuesday will be an exciting day for a lot of people i hope to l day for a lot of people i hope to see amar lago._ see amar lago. why are you running? the country — see amar lago. why are you running? the country is — see amar lago. why are you running? the country is going _ see amar lago. why are you running? the country is going very _ see amar lago. why are you running? the country is going very bad. - see amar lago. why are you running? the country is going very bad. it - the country is going very bad. it has lost its way, it has lost its confidence. it has gone very bad. donald trump has been rallying for republican candidates across the country in this election, as nomia iqbal explains. it has the hype and drama of a presidential election. but this isn't about who lives in the white house, it's which party gets to control congress. for the past two years, the democratic party has been in charge of both house and senate, allowing president biden to pass the laws he wants. that will more or less end if either chambers, or both, flip to the republicans. however, at times you'd be forgiven for thinking it feels like a presidential election, because it hasn't stopped the current president — or the one he beat two years ago —

from campaigning hard. democracy is on the ballot. political violence and intimidation are on the rise all across america. and you rememberjanuary 6, the angry mob that stormed the us capitol, attacked law enforcement, hunted down elected officials, erected gallows to hang vice president pence. democrats are worried about the hundreds of republican candidates running in a variety of races. they back donald trump's unsubstantiated claim that the 2020 election was stolen. if they win, they could have a huge say on how elections in their state will run in the future. let's ta ke let's take a look at what is on the ballot. congress is made up of the house of representatives and the senate. at the moment, democrats control both. the house decides which laws are voted on while the senate can block or approve new laws — as well as confirming appointments made by the president. each state has a different number

of representatives depending on its population size. there are currently 435 house representatives who serve for two years. all are up for re—election. every state also has two senators, who serve six years. this year, a third of senators are up for re—election. in 36 states, people will also be voting for their governor — who oversees state budgets, policing and, in some cases, state laws. let's cross over to our north america correspondent barbara plett usher, who joins us from a polling station in virginia. barbara, what has the moon been like at the polling station today? there's been a steady trickle of people coming through here during the day. when we got here in the morning, we were told there are 8000 registered voters in this city of fairfax city, and already nearly half of them have voted in early voting procedures, so the rest of them seem to have come through. we talked to a few of them. no surprise

of the economy was a big thing they mention. 0ne of the economy was a big thing they mention. one of them said, we have to go to several different stores to find a price we can afford. democracy also an issue. 0ne find a price we can afford. democracy also an issue. one of them said to us, i would never boat for some of he who denies that donald trump lost the election in 2020, he called them an election denierfor someone 2020, he called them an election denier for someone woman, abortion a big issue. the supreme court overturned federal abortion rights injune and there was a backlash against it, so democrats are hoping that will give them more votes at the polls. it is kind of a mixture of what is animating people across the country, and the republicans are quite convinced that they have a good chance of taking back one or maybe both houses of congress, and in many cases the discussion is, will it be a red whipple or will it be a red wave? find will it be a red whipple or will it be a red wave?— be a red wave? and if there is a red whi le be a red wave? and if there is a red whipple or— be a red wave? and if there is a red whipple or a _ be a red wave? and if there is a red whipple or a red wave, _ be a red wave? and if there is a red whipple or a red wave, what - be a red wave? and if there is a redi whipple or a red wave, what impact will that have on the biden presidency —— red ripple? it

will that have on the biden presidency -- red ripple? it means that his legislative _ presidency -- red ripple? it means that his legislative agenda - presidency -- red ripple? it means that his legislative agenda will- that his legislative agenda will essentially be blocked, which is the case when the president's party loses a house of congress at the midterms. that is not necessarily unusual. it happens quite frequently, it is a historic trend, and for president biden, that would mean he would probably have difficulty passing more climate legislation or working for further climate steps. it might mean that policy on ukraine could change. the republicans have signalled or suggested he might not approve as much aid to ukraine as a democratic controlled house of representatives. there would be quite a lot of contentious discussion over the bills that have to be passed, bills to fund the government and so on, so i can basically president biden�*s agenda for the next two years would be blocked. i have to say that what is happening in congress is important but what is happening in the states is just as important, perhaps even more so, because there,

state officials like governors and secretaries of state are on the ballot, and some of those have backed donald trump's claims that the 2020 election are stolen —— was stolen. and these are people that handle the election results. if there is going to be a change in that in the next provincial election, they will be the ones handling that.— election, they will be the ones handling that. election, they will be the ones handlin: that. . a' handling that. 0k, barbara, take you ve much handling that. 0k, barbara, take you very much indeed. _ handling that. 0k, barbara, take you very much indeed. -- _ handling that. 0k, barbara, take you very much indeed. -- in _ handling that. 0k, barbara, take you very much indeed. -- in the - handling that. 0k, barbara, take you very much indeed. -- in the next - very much indeed. -- in the next presidential _ very much indeed. -- in the next presidential election. _ let's look at what results we can expect. it's common for the president's party to lose seats in the mid—terms. and this year looks no different. democrats hold a five—seat majority in the house of representatives. latest polling suggests there's an 84% chance it could turn republican. meanwhile, the senate is currently split 50/50, with vice president kamala harris getting the decisive vote. republicans need a net gain of at least one seat in this election and have a 59% chance of getting it. for more, i'm joined by pollsterjon mchenry, vice president of north star opinion research.

thanks so much forjoining us. interestingly, polling has shifted quite a bit over the last few months. it quite a bit over the last few months. ., , quite a bit over the last few months. . , ., ., , ., ., months. it has. two months ago it looked very _ months. it has. two months ago it looked very likely _ months. it has. two months ago it looked very likely that _ months. it has. two months ago itj looked very likely that republicans would probably take the house back but not a wide margin, maybe by a tendency gain, putting them five seats ahead or so. and democrats looked very likely to hold onto the senate. fast—forward to now, it looks very likely that republik and nz are to get a 30, 35 looks very likely that republik and nz are to get a 30,35 c gaining the house and democrats will probably lose the senate at this point —— republicans will get. republicans will get maybe 52, 53 seats, where a month ago that looks very dicey, looks like a 50—50 split. month ago that looks very dicey, looks like a 50-50 split.- looks like a 50-50 split. which a vote is being _ looks like a 50-50 split. which a vote is being shifted _ looks like a 50-50 split. which a vote is being shifted towards - looks like a 50-50 split. which a j vote is being shifted towards her publicans again to make that difference? indie publicans again to make that difference?— publicans again to make that difference? ~ . , ., ., ., difference? we are seeing a lot of shift among _ difference? we are seeing a lot of shift among latino _ difference? we are seeing a lot of shift among latino voters -- - shift among latino voters —— republicans. certainly in florida, over republicans look like they are increasingly in good shape to hold onto the senate and the governors

race there. also a little bit in arizona, where they are still concerned about crime, and you see a lot of shift among some of the suburban women who, in the summer, sound like they were energised about abortion rights, but their attention has shifted much more back to inflation, general cost—of—living issues, especially gas prices, as well as crime in some of the suburbs, orsuburban well as crime in some of the suburbs, or suburban women did not seem to care as much about what republik is were offering in the summer. they have certainly shifted backin summer. they have certainly shifted back in the fall —— republicans were offering. is back in the fall -- republicans were offerina. , ., ., back in the fall -- republicans were offerin.. , ., ., , .,~ back in the fall -- republicans were offerin.. , ., ., _ offering. is that a mistake by democrat — offering. is that a mistake by democrat to _ offering. is that a mistake by democrat to focus _ offering. is that a mistake by democrat to focus much - offering. is that a mistake by democrat to focus much on | offering. is that a mistake by i democrat to focus much on the abortion issue, where people in some areas in america are just worried about the economy right now, about putting food on the table and prices? it putting food on the table and rices? ., ., ~ ., putting food on the table and rices? ~ ., , ., ~ putting food on the table and rices? ~ ., , .,~ ., prices? it looks like a mistake at this point. _ prices? it looks like a mistake at this point. but — prices? it looks like a mistake at this point, but the _ prices? it looks like a mistake at this point, but the problem - prices? it looks like a mistake at this point, but the problem is . prices? it looks like a mistake at. this point, but the problem is that with democrats in control, certainly as your reporter mentioned, it is typicalfor as your reporter mentioned, it is typical for the president's as your reporter mentioned, it is typicalfor the president's party to lose seats in the house. when you

credentialing the presidency, the house and descended here, you get blamed for whatever happens in the economy, so democrats did not have a great message use on the economy. maybe could have done a betterjob of focusing on the issue voters cared about, but the message he was going be tough there. let’s cared about, but the message he was going be tough there.— going be tough there. let's talk about specific _ going be tough there. let's talk about specific states. _ going be tough there. let's talk about specific states. a - going be tough there. let's talk about specific states. a key - going be tough there. let's talk. about specific states. a key state, georgia. what are you calling? i think the consensus is that herschel walker leads these evening. the challenge in georgia is it is one of the few states that has a few l mac runoff requirement, that you need 50% win that night, so we could look at a runoff in december, if it is something like walker 49 and warnock 48 or 47 and the libertarian taking the ballot. we could see a rerun of that. potentially with the control of the senate at stake, although it seems like republicans may be a 51 or 52 already before that is run off. , ,., or 52 already before that is run off. , ,._ .,, off. the party in power usually does that any midterms, _ off. the party in power usually does that any midterms, based _ off. the party in power usually does that any midterms, based on - off. the party in power usually does i that any midterms, based on polling, will this outcome to rub any

surprises for us? i will this outcome to rub any surprises for us?— will this outcome to rub any surprises for us? will this outcome to rub any surrises for us? ~ ., ., surprises for us? i think one of the bi est surprises for us? i think one of the biggest surprises, _ surprises for us? i think one of the biggest surprises, especially - surprises for us? i think one of the biggest surprises, especially for i biggest surprises, especially for folks in the uk who are maybe going to stay up until midnight to see what the elections are in the first returns, watch for new hampshire. look at that senate race. the democrat would be favoured, maggie hassan, but there's a chance don boldac pulls that out. that would be an early indication of a wave rather than a ripple, like you mention. jan than a ripple, like you mention. jon mchenry, thank you very much. than a ripple, like you mention. jon mchenry, thank you very much. myj mchenry, thank you very much. m pleasure, thanks. with just 13 days until the 2022 football world cup, controversy continues to surround the host nation. comments made by former qatari national football player — and now world cup ambassador — khalid salman to a german broadcaster have sparked a fresh wave of criticism over the country's views on homosexuality. we start with some of those comments. everybody, they will accept them coming here, but they have

to accept our rules here. but in the law, homosexuality is forbidden. this is haram. you know haram? yes, haram. it's haram. but do you think gay is haram? it's haram. because why is haram? i am not one big muslim, but it's haram why? because it's damaging the mind. so, khalid salman there describing homosexuality as a result of "damage in the mind" and saying any visiting fans must respect qatar's laws. immediately after that question was answered, a qatari official ended that interview. strong criticism has been levelled at qatar over its human rights record, as well as the treatment of migrant workers and the lgbtq+ community. same—sex relationships — and the promotion of those relationships — are criminalised. punishments range from fines to the death penalty. qatar has said it will welcome gay visitors, in its words, "without discrimination".

germany has been calling for a "guarantee of safety" for lgbtq+ fans. the german interior minister was quick to condemn the ambassador�*s comments today. let's hear from her. translation: that is why this security guarantee _ translation: that is why this security guarantee was - translation: that is why this security guarantee was so - translation: that is why this - security guarantee was so important to me. the prime minister gave it to me and i have no new indications from him that anything has changed. 0f from him that anything has changed. of course such comments are awful, and that is also the reason we're working to hopefully improve things in qatar the future. players and teams taking part in the fifa world cup have been responding to the issue more broadly, too. let's take a look at some. peaceful protests have been planned by some players. england's captain harry kane and nine other european captains will wear rainbow "one love" armbands to promote diversity and inclusion.

denmark will sport a "toned down" kit while playing. in late october, the australian squad released a video urging the qatari government to abolish its laws on same—sex relationships. a week later, on november 4, fifa president gianni infantino issued a response — a letter to all 32 teams competing. he called for football to be the focus, saying fifa was aware of the challenges and difficulties of a political nature all around the world. but he added... today, lgbtq+ activists held a protest outside the fifa museum in switzerland, calling out the qatari world cup ambassador�*s comments and fifa's letter. we are here to say that we are not an ideology, we are lgbt people whose existence in qatar is being threatened, and we will hold a to account. amid all of this today, former fifa president sepp blatter says that football's governing body made the wrong decision in awarding

the competition to qatar. this is the interview blatter gave with swiss newspaper tages anzeiger. that headline reads simply, "qatar was a mistake. the choice was bad". mr blatter was fifa president in 2010, at the time qatar was awarded the tournament. he was later forced to step down over over allegations he unlawfully transferred millions of swiss francs to a former uefa president. injuly, he was found not guilty of fraud. today, mr blatter told the swiss newspaper that qatar was "too small" for an event like the world cup. the bbc�*s jane dougall has more. ata time, at a time, lasser was a huge supporter of qatar the committee first middle eastern country to host the world cup comes this is a huge admission. thus far, there has been no response. to discuss all of this, i'm joined now byjack murley. he's the presenter of the bbc�*s

lgbt sport podcast. jack, first of all, tell us a bit more about mr blatter, or he has come from and why he has made these comments today. mr come from and why he has made these comments today.— comments today. mr blatter is one of the most the — comments today. mr blatter is one of the most the tories, _ comments today. mr blatter is one of the most the tories, well-known - the most the tories, well—known figures in world football, and these comments will come as a real blow to the qatari authorities, because when the qatari authorities, because when the world cup was awarded to qatar backin the world cup was awarded to qatar back in 2010, mr blatter was one of the champions of the company and going to the middle east —— the tories. mr blatter is no stranger to controversy, as you alluded to. he has had issues with fifa's ethics code, but he has seem to want to come out and speak about this today but deliberately, and even up to the world cup, distance himself from some of the controversy, the continues to hang around from this world cup when it comes to things like migrant rights, when it comes to lgbt plus rates and we have another day where the story, as we head towards what should be a celebration of football and would be in many other years is not about what is happening on the pitch, the squads that form who is doing what

when it comes to formations, it is about human rights and whether the workup should be in qatar at all. and how are the football teams taking part in managing this issue. it is a difficult situation. football teams and players in this workup are facing age—old quandary we saw in south africa with apartheid, that we saw in the cold war, whether or not you go to a particular olympics if it is being held in a certain country. there is no this distinction between commercialisation and drawing a sport on one hand and having make a compromise is when it comes to your own ethics and morals. as you said, the australian national team in many ways out of the forefront of this, releasing a very artful video, saying, we want same—sex relations to bd, and lysed in qatar. they are being very open —— to be decriminalised. bethany say she will participate in washing us it is hard

forget that message to get through —— beth mead saying she will not participate in watching... essentially saying, let us focus on football now, that is important, there is a real split in the game, as you alluded to ns football fans are experiencing.— are experiencing. listen, it has been good _ are experiencing. listen, it has been good to — are experiencing. listen, it has been good to to _ are experiencing. listen, it has been good to to you, _ are experiencing. listen, it has been good to to you, jack. - are experiencing. listen, it has l been good to to you, jack. thank are experiencing. listen, it has - been good to to you, jack. thank you been good to to you, jack. thank you very much. poorer nations need more help and the global north should pay more — that's the message coming out of the un's climate conference in egypt. there's been some frank criticism from the leaders of some developing countries. here's the president of sri lanka. the united nations should be giving leadership to work on climate challenges, ratherthan leadership to work on climate challenges, rather than abdicating the responsibilities. it is ironic that the $100 billion split annually have not been available to finance climate challenges. as many developed nations... on their

climate contributions. the call for compensation for poorer, vulnerable countries which bear the brunt of climate change has also come from pakistan, where months after devastating floods, millions remain homeless, roads are destroyed and tens of thousands of schools and hospitals lie in ruins. here's the country's prime minister, shehbaz sharif. because the duty and responsibility of global_ because the duty and responsibility of global north to understand our difficulties and our plight. ladies and gentlemen, it is now or never. for us, _ and gentlemen, it is now or never. for us, there — and gentlemen, it is now or never. for us, there is indeed no planet b. and pakistan is not the only place that's been affected by extreme weather events in recent months. almost1 million people have fled their homes in kenya and somalia as a drought worsens, putting millions of people at risk of hunger. typhoon noru left at least eight people dead in the philippines,

flooding communities and damaging crops. parts of northern europe, including germany, slovenia and the czech republic, were among those hit by forest fires. and the yangtze's water levels fell rapidly due to a drought and a heatwave in china's southwestern region. there's also been criticism of oil and gas companies and calls for compensation from that industry. gaston browne, prime minister of antigua and barbuda, spoke on behalf of island nations endangered by rising sea levels and tropical storms. it is about time that these companies are made to pay in global carbon tax on their profits. a source of funding for loss and damage. while they are profiting over the planet is burning. if this continues unabated, our entire human civilisation will be imperiled.

it all comes as a un—commissioned report says rich countries should recognise that helping developing nations is in their self—interest. the report says developing countries need more than $2 trillion a year by 2030 to deal with the effects of global warming. it also calls for grants and low—interest loans from developed countries to double from about $30 billion annually today to $60 billion by 2025. it says the rest of the money — about $1.4 trillion — should originate domestically from private and public sources. current investments in emerging and developing economies other than china stands at about $500 billion. some western leaders seemed to agree. here's ursula von der leyen, president of the european commission. let us not take the highway to hell. let us not take the highway to hell. let us not take the highway to hell. let us earn the clean ticket to heaven. that is our responsibility. we urge our partners in the global

north to step up their climate finance, to the global south. kelly sims gallagher is director of the climate policy lab at tufts university's fletcher school. she also served as a senior policy adviser in the white house's office of science and technology policy during the obama administration. kelly, thanks for joining kelly, thanks forjoining us on outside source. let me ask you first of all, why is it do you think that governments around the world, especially rich ones, seem to be in many people's eyes, failing to follow through on their climate agreements?— follow through on their climate aureements? , ., ., ., agreements? there is a rather long histo of agreements? there is a rather long history of the _ agreements? there is a rather long history of the industrialised - history of the industrialised countries failing to live up to commitments they themselves made, and most notably, they committed in paris, around the time of the paris agreement, to mobilise $100 billion per year in public and private sources, and then had to acknowledge last year at the climate negotiations in glasgow that they had failed to reach that target and

that they hoped... at the time, they hoped they would be able to achieve the target by 2023. so that lack of mobilisation was very frustrating, and then i think we also see statements like the ones that were made by world bank president in new york around the un general assembly, just last month, not even acknowledging the climate change was acknowledging the climate change was a serious problem. as you just reported, we see developing countries are suffering serious climate damages today, and so they are asking, how many disasters do we need to experience before the climate finances are forthcoming? and what is it that are stopping countries from putting forward this money? is it because, obviously, there are other issues, include high

costs, inflation, the war between russia and ukraine? what is it that is stopping richer nations for making those commitments, but more important in sticking to them? i think that they got pretty close, and they're just trying to get up to that final level, but the real issue is that the governments are going to be unable mobilising public dollars to get to the trillions that are needed and as you noted. we are not just talk about $100 billion, we are talking about at least 1— $2 trillion needed per yearfor both mitigation and adaptation efforts, and so to get to those levels, the private sector needs to be mobilised, and the private sector has not stepped up and i think the other sector that could do much more thanit other sector that could do much more than it has been doing is the multilateral development banks. you're talking about the world bank and the imf? what more can they do? yeah. those countries have indeed

provided some finance for clean energy, but they could do much, much more. they have billions of dollars in lending capacity that is just not going to these countries, and it needs to go. another way to thing about this is when a country like pakistan experiences a flood like a just experienced, and their 30— $40 billion in damages, that it is money thatis billion in damages, that it is money that is going after, from the global north to assist developing countries to recover —— and there is 30— $40 billion in damages... {lilia to recover -- and there is 30- $40 billion in damages... 0k, kelly sims gallaaher, billion in damages... 0k, kelly sims gallagher. it — billion in damages... 0k, kelly sims gallagher, it has _ billion in damages... 0k, kelly sims gallagher, it has been _ billion in damages... 0k, kelly sims gallagher, it has been good - billion in damages... 0k, kelly sims gallagher, it has been good to - billion in damages... 0k, kelly sims gallagher, it has been good to talk | gallagher, it has been good to talk to you. thank you very much for your time. we appreciate it.— stay with us on bbc news and outside

source. plan to come in a few minutes' time. goodbye for now. hello there. it's been a very showery day. once again, some heavy downpours in places interspersed with sunny spells. we hold on to the sunshine and showers theme into tomorrow as well, but there'll be fewer showers around, i think, and it won't be quite as windy. but the shower activity continues this evening and overnight again, some of them heavy across southern and western areas, all tied in with this area of low pressure, the centre of it sitting to the northwest of scotland. so here, it'll be windiest, with most of the showers affecting particularly the highlands and islands. further south, some clear spells. but again, southern england, into the southwest, parts of wales will see pretty frequent and at times heavy showers. overnight lows, 4—10 degrees, so nowhere particularly cold

because of the strength of the wind and also the cloud and the showers. so wednesday morning starts off quite blustery. there'll be further showers from the word go. but as we head through the afternoon, the winds turn a little bit lighter, coming in more from the west—southwest, and we should see increasing amounts of sunshine. some areas staying dry all together, central and eastern areas. these are the average wind speeds. so not as strong as what we had yesterday, but still quite windy around the northwest of scotland. some pretty intense gusts there. temperature—wise, 11—15 degrees. that'll probably be a degree or so down on what we had through this afternoon. then beyond wednesday, we see high pressure building over the near continent. that will try and keep these weather fronts out of bay, but they will graze scotland and northern ireland at times over the next few days. what this air flow will do, though, is drag very warm air from the azores right across our shores. so it'll be notably very mild both thursday and friday, both by day and by night. quite a lot of cloud around, some drizzle over some western hills, more persistent rain for western scotland, northern ireland, closer to those weather fronts. best of any sunshine will be towards the south and east of england. look at these temperatures —

the high teens in places. a very mild night to come thursday night takes us into friday. a similar note — very windy, but also extremely mild. some persistent rain affecting the north and west of scotland, northern ireland, some drizzle across northern and western hills of england and wales. the best of the sunshine again across the south and the east. top temperature 17, maybe 18 degrees. so, a very mild end to the working week. it stays pretty mild into the weekend as well. but then by sunday, looks like things will start to turn wetter and windier across western areas later.

hello, i'm maryam moshiri. this is outside source. millions of americans are voting in the crucial mid—term elections — to decide control of the senate and the house of representatives. abortion rights, the cost of living crisis and democracy are the big issues on the ballot — the first polls will close at midnight gmt. donald trump has been voting — his republican party is tipped to take the house — which would hinder presidentjoe biden's ability to push through his agenda. we'll hear from our correspondents in the key battleground states. also in the programme: the un says a prominent pro—democracy activist on hunger strike in an egyptian prison is in great danger — he hasn't had water in two days

and his family fears he may die. and downing street says it's undertaking an informal investigation into the accusations of bullying and harrassment against the cabinet minister, gavin williamson. more now on our top story — americans heading to the polls to vote in the midterm elections. the results could shape the next two years of american politics and make it difficult for presidentjoe biden to pass legislation. congress could change hands if republicans make a net gain of 5 in the house of representatives and a net gain ofjust one in the senate. it's that close. let's get a sense of what things are like on the ground in three key states. here'sjon sudworth in pennsylvania. the polls here are very close, too close to call. not over the race for governor here with the republicans

putting a pack candidate in doug master gado, so extreme, so steve didn't do election to lionel that is by even some republicans. but even the senate race here, john federman who suffered a stroke and made his recovery and of course standing against him the republican the doctor oz, a sleek celebrity tv doctor. the polls are so close, that's why we see the democrats sending injoe biden, former president obama why we had a drop in the state, all of them trying to appeal to those undecided voters in appeal to those undecided voters in a race that could swing the senate either way and could determine the future direction for the rest ofjoe biden's first term in office. republicans are expecting a blow out night. take for example where i am in miami—dade county, the states

most populous, more republicans than democrats of cats early votes here. while that's not the full picture it is certainly adding to the republicans hopes that they can lift this county, once a democratic stronghold. a key reason for that is the gains they've made with latino voters for that not just cuban—americans but also south americans that trump made gains with backin americans that trump made gains with back in 2020. for the first time ever as well we have more registered republicans and democrats in this day. many are feeling that the governor rhonda santos will win by an even larger margin than donald trump did. that would certainly help him kick—start a presidential campaign if he decided to run. there is already in ad he's put out that's getting a lot of attention. it depicts him as being a fighterfor god. clearly they are appealing to the religious right, painting democrats as liberals who are trying to take away peoples individual

freedoms. there will be a lot of eyes on how it someone who is currently behind donald trump as number two in currently behind donald trump as numbertwo in a currently behind donald trump as number two in a hypothetical republican primary. absolute dead heat at the moment for this crucial senate seat that could decide the outcome of power in washington for the next years. rafael warnock, the incumbent is fighting for his life against herschel walker, a controversial republican, former football star, men facing allegations of violence against women, having paid for abortions against his stated beliefs. but they are still at mackinac. crucially they are both shy of the 50% they need to win this race outright. georgia demands that you want to get elected you have to get more than 50% of the vote for them at the moment the libertarian candidate is preventing both men from doing just that. we could get a runoff in just four weeks' time by the beginning of december to decide the outcome for

these added. bear in mind what happened two years ago when there were two runoffs here that gavejoe biden a 50—50 senate with a casting vote by the president and the opportunity to do his inflation reduction act, his microchip to act, all of the big bills and those big legislative wins, it is decide how joe biden can do and what he can get donein joe biden can do and what he can get done in the next two years. so a lot of close races to be keeping an eye on, let's now go to christian fraser with a breakdown of what issues are driving voters this election. in recent weeks, republicans say they've regained momentum as inflation becomes the priority issue. now, the economy grew by 2.6% in the last quarter, but voters aren't feeling it — their weekly shop is getting more expensive. despite the fed raising interest rates five times this year, headline inflation is currently at 8.2% in september — down from a high of 9.1% injune.

and in every race up and down the country, that is a message the republicans are hammering home. savings are down and costs are up. the biden—pelosi economy is on the ballot. but from inflation to abortion rights — which democrats say is an issue that continues to impact the key battleground areas in their favour. following the supreme court's decision injune to overturn roe v wade, the democratic party has ploughed unprecedented resources into making this year's election a referendum on abortion access. congressman chabot sponsored the bill that would outlaw birth control and ban all abortions — with no exceptions for rape, incest or life of a woman. but in the minds of the voter, does abortion supersede the fear of crime? in a recent gallup poll, a record 56% of people say local

crime has increased where they live. that, said gallup, marks a 5% uptick since last year. republicans say the crime crisis is peeling off suburban voters and independents. democrats say it's largely overblown. but in new york, what an unlikely situation. a republican candidate for governor is competitive against the incumbent democrat. no republican has won a state—wide race in the empire state since 2002. but after a random shooting outside his home, the republican candidate lee zeldin — he seized the opportunity. these are national issues which define local races, but the outcome by no means determined. we will know which strategy has worked best come wednesday morning. as egypt hosts world leaders for climate talks — its government is coming under increased pressure to release one its most high—profile prisoners, who has escalated his hunger strike.

alaa abdel fattah is a prominent pro—democracy activist with dual british citizenship. he's been on hunger strike for 7 months. in the past two days — he's stopped taking water. his family fear his life is at risk. so does the un. on the 2nd of april this year alaa abdel fattah started a partial hunger strike with minimal calorie intake. on the 1st of november with his health already fragile, alaa abdel fattah stopped his hunger strike. he then stopped drinking water on the first day of cop 27, on the 6th of november. abdel fattah is in great danger, his dry hunger strike puts his life at huge risk. alaa abdel fattah was an iconic figure in the pro—democracy uprising that toppled president hosni mubarak in 2011. here he is addressing demonstraters in cairo in 2013. in 2014 — abdel fattah el sisi — a new authoritarian

president came to power. that same year — alaa abdel fattah was jailed for five years on charges of participating in an unauthorised gathering. he was arrested again in 2019 and again in 2021 — and jailed for another five years for allegedly "spreading false news". for the past 220 days, abdel fattah he's been on hunger strike in the wadi el—natrun prison in cairo in protest against the denial of british consular visits. he's been taking in a maximum of 100 calories a day. on sunday — he stopped drinking water to coincide with the first day of cop27, happening over 500 kilometres away in sharm el sheikh. in the past twenty—four hours his mother has tried to visit him, in prison. translationz. we just left wadi al—natrun, we were there since 10am and soent

all this time waiting for a letter that reassures us that alaa is doign well. they alleged that he is refusing to release a letter, that he is not unwell but he just won't send out a letter. i don't have any physical proof that alaa is alive and conscious. so — his mother doesn't know if alaa abdel fattah is still alive. his sister — sanaa — who served three prison sentences in egypt herself is also concerned. here she is speaking from sharm el sheikh. this is not in the interest of any party in this. surely, the loss of our family will be greater, but it is not in anyone's interest that alaa dies. and i hope we can take a moment and try to understand what happened and how things got to this point. we are talking about an innocent human being unjustly kept in prison for nine years, and they are not satisfied, rights groups say alaa abdel fattah is among 60,000 political prisoners held injail since mr sisi came to power in 2014 — though his government disputes this. but while there's pressure on egypt, there's also pressure on the british prime minister —

rishi sunak — who met president sisi in sharm el sheik on monday. mona seif is a human rights activist and also alaa's sister. she has high hopes. if he manages, if he and the world leaders, they managed to convince that they satisfied with that nine years tolling of my brothers ——stolen life. if he manages to bring him home alive, we will be united in safety. if he does not, if cop ends and rishi sunak returns without him, alaa will not make it out of prison. we know that, egyptians know that, everyone in egypt knows that so this is kind of our last hope. and i really, really hoping that rishi sunak will be up to the task and will be able to save my family and save my brother. today downing street said rishi sunak stressed his "deep concern" to president sisi and that he "hoped to see this resolved as soon as possible". while france's president emmanual

macron — also at cop — said mr sisi assured him that egypt was "committed to ensuring that the health of alaa abdel fattah is preserved". they deny their political prisoner in the country. it said prisoner authorities are providing alaa abdel fattah with health ca re care that is available to all inmates. there's no denying that this is taking a huge toll on his family. this is his aunt, the egyptian novelist and commentator ahdaf soueif. when broke out in 2011 and he came back from a job in south africa to join it everything seemed to be very good cause for optimism. and he him and his then wife went ahead and had and his then wife went ahead and had a baby. in the course of events it turns out that his son is autistic.

he is now approaching 11 years old and this has been a huge cause of worry and distress at being in and out of prison for a decade, where he has been unable to provide proper care. agnes callamard is the secretary general of amnesty international and is at the cop27 summit in sharm el sheikh. i asked her for the latest on alaa abdel fattah's condition. unfortunately, we have not heard anything — unfortunately, we have not heard anything new since yesterday he remains — anything new since yesterday he remains in — anything new since yesterday he remains in detention somewhere. i know_ remains in detention somewhere. i know that — remains in detention somewhere. i know that his mother tried to get information yesterday, she was at the prison— information yesterday, she was at the prison and there was little that came _ the prison and there was little that came we — the prison and there was little that came. we don't know how he is doing and where _ came. we don't know how he is doing and where he — came. we don't know how he is doing and where he is and whether or not he has _ and where he is and whether or not he has been — and where he is and whether or not he has been hospitalised, force—fed, we do _ he has been hospitalised, force—fed, we do not _ he has been hospitalised, force—fed, we do not know. we do not have

information.— we do not know. we do not have information. why is egypt insisting on keein: information. why is egypt insisting on keeping him — information. why is egypt insisting on keeping him imprisoned? - information. why is egypt insisting on keeping him imprisoned? i - information. why is egypt insisting i on keeping him imprisoned? i cannot be in the mind _ on keeping him imprisoned? i cannot be in the mind or _ on keeping him imprisoned? i cannot be in the mind or head _ on keeping him imprisoned? i cannot be in the mind or head of— on keeping him imprisoned? i cannot be in the mind or head of the - be in the mind or head of the egyptian _ be in the mind or head of the egyptian authorities. what i can say is that— egyptian authorities. what i can say is that the _ egyptian authorities. what i can say is that the egyptian government is overseeing one of the most greatest human— overseeing one of the most greatest human rights crisis at the moment. we have _ human rights crisis at the moment. we have tens of thousands of political — we have tens of thousands of political prisoners, including alaa abdel— political prisoners, including alaa abdel fattah. we have human rights defenders _ abdel fattah. we have human rights defenders being unable to leave the country. _ defenders being unable to leave the country, looking at case after case. their— country, looking at case after case. their assets — country, looking at case after case. their assets frozen. the government has made _ their assets frozen. the government has made some timid steps over the last few— has made some timid steps over the last few months by releasing close to l last few months by releasing close to l 28 _ last few months by releasing close to l 28 800 political prisoners, prisoners— to l 28 800 political prisoners, prisoners of opinion for but at the same _ prisoners of opinion for but at the same time — prisoners of opinion for but at the same time it is actually imprisoned twice _ same time it is actually imprisoned twice as _ same time it is actually imprisoned twice as many people as it is released _ twice as many people as it is released. overthe twice as many people as it is released. over the last two weeks it has imprisoned some 150 people on

very serious grounds, including people — very serious grounds, including people being picked up at checkpoints. so alaa abdel fattah is a symbol _ checkpoints. so alaa abdel fattah is a symbol of a repressive regime, a fear and _ a symbol of a repressive regime, a fear and one — a symbol of a repressive regime, a fear and one of the greatest human rights _ fear and one of the greatest human rights situation the world is confronting.— rights situation the world is confrontinu. ,, ., ., , ,, confronting. should a repressive reaime confronting. should a repressive regime which — confronting. should a repressive regime which elicits _ confronting. should a repressive regime which elicits this - confronting. should a repressive regime which elicits this level i confronting. should a repressive regime which elicits this level ofj regime which elicits this level of fear be hosting cup 27? you regime which elicits this level of fear be hosting cup 27?- fear be hosting cup 27? you are raisin a fear be hosting cup 27? you are raising a very — fear be hosting cup 27? you are raising a very important - fear be hosting cup 27? you are l raising a very important question. it raising a very important question. it certainly — raising a very important question. it certainly would not have been my first choice — it certainly would not have been my first choice. it was chosen and we decided _ first choice. it was chosen and we decided along with the rest of the natural— decided along with the rest of the natural rights organisation to make the most _ natural rights organisation to make the most of it. however, what we need _ the most of it. however, what we need to— the most of it. however, what we

need to tell the multilateral the most of it. however, what we need to tell the multi lateral body that are _ need to tell the multi lateral body that are in charge of organising cop is that— that are in charge of organising cop is that they— that are in charge of organising cop is that they cannot be complicit of the silencing of domestic or international civil society. if cop 27, 28. — international civil society. if cop 27,28, because it's going to be held _ 27, 28, because it's going to be held in— 27,28, because it's going to be held in uae, is to be held in a country where there is no freedom of expression, no freedom of association, freedom of assembly, the minimum we can require of multilateral body either they make it on condition for the holding of cop that — it on condition for the holding of cop that civil society be able to operate — cop that civil society be able to operate freely, independently and without _ operate freely, independently and without fear of reprisals. stay with us on outside source — still to come... we're in cornwall — ahead of the uk's first rocket launch — to deliver satellites into space.

many schools in england are considering cutting teachers or teaching hours to save money. that's according to a survey carried out by the head teachers�* union. of 11 thousand head teachers polled, 66% said they will have to make teaching assistants redundant or cut their hours. half said they may have to do the same for teachers. our education editor branwyn jeffreys has the story. lovely, perfect. thank you so much. do you want to show me the second one as well? keeping subjects like music matters at this school, but savings have to be found somewhere, so this winter they will cut back on supply teachers and use more online learning. last year, as a secondary school that suffered like many others the effect of staff absence during the pandemic, we had to spend £120,000 on external supply teachers. we are hoping to minimize that with the investment in technology and the support of our existing staff. bell rings.

this sheffield secondary added solar panels. energy bills have skyrocketed. gas, double this year. and staff are feeling the pressure on pay cheques, too. we know that people are leaving the job all the time because of that reason, but it's a lot more than money. this school is managing, but some others are being hit harder, like special schools, where children with special educational needs and disabilities need more staff and warmer classrooms. there is extra government cash going into england's schools, but costs are rising even faster. independent economists say that means a crunch. we are now in a position where we expect school spending per pupil to be lower in 2024 than it was 14 years earlier, in 2010. as ministers consider spending plans, schools want to make their case, uncertain about the years ahead. branwynjeffreys, bbc news.

this is outside source live from the bbc newsroom. our lead story... millions of americans are voting in the crucial mid—term elections to decide control of the senate and the house of representatives. the uk should soon have its first rocket launch. but this one will happen at 35,000 feet — that's around 11—thousand metres — from under the wing of a jumbo jet. virgin orbit�*s mission will lift off from spaceport cornwall at neruay airport and is the start of a race to make the uk a leader in delivering satellites to space as our science editor rebecca morelle reports. there's a lot riding on this rocket. in a few weeks' time, it should blast off for the first

ever launch from british soil. it will deliver satellites into orbit and mark the start of a push to make the uk space flight central. for the maiden mission, newquay airport has been transformed into spaceport cornwall. we build, you know, the majority of the world's small satellites here in the uk, and every one at the minute is getting shipped overseas to launch. to build our own launch capability here in the uk, i think, is just crucially important going forward. this is a launch with a difference. instead of taking off vertically from the ground, the rocket is hitching a ride on a jumbojet for a midair blast off. this is the rocket. it's called launcher one, and final preparations for its launch are under way. after it detaches from the plane, it fires its own engines and begins its journey to space. release, release, release. the drop happens at 35,000 feet. until now, the company behind the rocket, virgin orbit, have been carrying out these launches from california. now, the team has decamped

to cornwall, setting up a new mission control. we basically have three different launch systems out there. we have our ground hardware, we have an entire aeroplane and a rocket, and so we have people that kind of specialise in each area of expertise here in the control room. so, they are kind of looking at the data, making sure everything's healthy. consistent checking throughout the day to make sure everything is going really well and then we kind ofjust take it from there. the final tests are under way. the mission, though, still needs approval from the authorities before it gets the go for launch, and there has been some opposition to the plans. but this flight will be a first, and it won't be the last. several other space ports around the uk are set to join in the race to space. rebecca morelle, bbc news, spaceport cornwall, in newquay. here, downing street says it is undertaking an informal investigation into the accusations of bullying and harrassment against the cabinet minister,

sir gavin williamson. he's already been referred to parliament's bullying. it comes as new allegations have been made against him. so who is sir gavin williamson? he's currently minister without portfolio in the conservative government. he's a former chief whip — responsible for party discipline. he's also a former education secretary and defence secretary. leaked messages appear to show williamson threatening ex—chief whip wendy morton and accusing her of excluding some mps from the queen's funeral. she has referred her complaint to the independent complaints and grievance scheme. separately, other bullying claims have now come from an unnamed senior civil servant or government employee. they claim williamson "deliberately demeaned and intimidated them" telling them at one point to "slit your throat" and at another to "jump out of the window". in a statement, williamson says...

all this puts fresh pressure on the prime minister rishi sunak — over why sir gavin was appointed to his currentjob. we can cross live to westminster and our political correspondent jonathan blake. what can we expect from this investigation? are a couple of counts it is hard to know because the process is not exactly transparent. there is the independent parliamentary grievance scheme, which the former chief web wendy morton who received those messages from gavin williamson has complained to come of that investigation could well take months to complete. then there is a conservative party internal inquiry thatis conservative party internal inquiry that is under way as well. they don't really say much about how that works or how long it is likely to take. those i think are a couple of the reasons why downing street felt they needed to make clear today that it was taking action in itself and

try to work out what happened and get versions of events and come to a decision about gavin williamson future on the prime ministers behalf themselves. we were told by the prime ministers spokesperson that they may not wait until the processes in parliament and in the conservative party come to a conclusion before acting. there are further pressure on downing street, mr williamson himself this evening after comments by aaron melton, who is gavin williamson deputy when he was chief web in the conservative party of parliament, she is given an interview to channel 4 news talking about him behaving as she sees it in an inappropriate manner, discussing mp sexual preferences, offering financial assistance but saying that the individual mp concern was owned by him now. and various other claims. there's been no response from gavin williamson to those for the claims as evening nor has there

been any confirmation yet to reports that the ministry of offence, who is reported to have said that sir gavin williamson told him to slit their throat and jump out the window have now made a formal complaint to the parliamentary body which looks into claims of bullying. a swirl of accusations and claims against sir gavin williamson. while these denied any accusations of bullying he has yet to speak out in public himself. jonathan, thank you very much. and someone in america has won big — and it's got nothing to do with elections. a single lottery ticket purchased in california has won two billion dollarjackpot — that's a world record. tens of thousands of people across the nation placed their bets as the jackpot rolled over, rising each day. the powerball ticket was purchased at a service station

on the outskirts of los angeles. the announcement of a winner brought an end to hours of suspense, as results were delayed by a technical hitch. ican i can tell you, i was not that winter. maybe next time. that's it from me and the team. you are watching bbc. stay with us. hello there. it's been a very showery day. once again, some heavy downpours in places interspersed with sunny spells. we hold on to the sunshine and showers theme into tomorrow as well, but there'll be fewer showers around, i think, and it won't be quite as windy. but the shower activity continues this evening and overnight again, some of them heavy across southern and western areas, all tied in with this area of low pressure, the centre of it sitting to the northwest of scotland. so here, it'll be windiest, with most of the showers affecting particularly the highlands and islands. further south, some clear spells. but again, southern england, into the southwest, parts of wales will see pretty frequent and at times heavy showers. overnight lows, 4—10 degrees, so nowhere particularly cold because of the strength of the wind and also the cloud and the showers.

so wednesday morning starts off quite blustery. there'll be further showers from the word go. but as we head through the afternoon, the winds turn a little bit lighter, coming in more from the west—southwest, and we should see increasing amounts of sunshine. some areas staying dry all together, central and eastern areas. these are the average wind speeds. so not as strong as what we had yesterday, but still quite windy around the northwest of scotland. some pretty intense gusts there. temperature—wise, 11—15 degrees. that'll probably be a degree or so down on what we had through this afternoon. then beyond wednesday, we see high pressure building over the near continent. that will try and keep these weather fronts out of bay, but they will graze scotland and northern ireland at times over the next few days. what this air flow will do, though, is drag very warm air from the azores right across our shores. so it'll be notably very mild both thursday and friday, both by day and by night. quite a lot of cloud around, some

drizzle over some western hills, more persistent rain for western scotland, northern ireland, closer to those weather fronts. best of any sunshine will be towards the south and east of england. look at these temperatures — the high teens in places. a very mild night to come thursday night takes us into friday. a similar note — very windy, but also extremely mild. some persistent rain affecting the north and west of scotland, northern ireland, some drizzle across northern and western hills of england and wales. the best of the sunshine again across the south and the east. top temperature 17, maybe 18 degrees. so, a very mild end to the working week. it stays pretty mild into the weekend as well. but then by sunday, looks like things will start to turn wetter and windier across western areas later.

hello, i'm maryam moshiri. this is outside source. millions of americans are voting in the crucial mid—term elections — to decide control of the senate and the house of representatives. abortion rights, the cost of living crisis and democracy are the big issues on the ballot — the first polls close at midnight gmt. donald trump has been voting — his republican party is tipped to take the house — which would have major implications for presidentjoe biden's agenda. also in the programme; as thousands of football fans prepare to head to qatar — one of the country's ambassadors says homosexuality is the result of "damage in the mind". everybody, they will accept them coming here, but they have

to accept our rules. and after hours of suspense — a single lottery ticket purchased in california has won a 2.4 billion dollarjackpot — a world record. americans are heading to the polls in the first national elections since the january 6th attack on congress last year. the results of the midterms could shape the next two years of american politics — and make it difficult for presidentjoe biden to pass legislation. the us president cast an early vote almost two weeks ago. and in the past few hours, we've seen former president donald trump vote in florida. he's hinted he will annouce a presidential run next tuesday. take a listen.

wednesday will be a very exciting day for a lot of people, and i look forward to seeing you in mar—a—lago. our country has gone very bad. it's lost its way, it's lost its confidence. it's gone very bad. donald trump has been rallying for republican candidates across the country in this election. as our north america correspondent nomia iqbal explains. it has the hype and drama of a presidential election. but this isn't about who lives in the white house, it's which party gets to control congress. for the past two years, the democratic party has been in charge of both house and senate, allowing president biden to pass the laws he wants. that will more or less end if either chambers, or both, flip to the republicans. however, at times you'd be forgiven for thinking it feels like a presidential election, because it hasn't stopped the current president — or the one he beat two years ago — from campaigning hard. democracy is on the ballot. political violence and intimidation

are on the rise all across america. and you rememberjanuary 6, the angry mob that stormed the us capitol, attacked law enforcement, hunted down elected officials, erected gallows to hang vice president pence. democrats are worried about the hundreds of republican candidates running in a variety of races. they back donald trump's unsubstantiated claim that the 2020 election was stolen. if they win, they could have a huge say on how elections in their state will run in the future. let's look at what's on the ballot. congress is made up of the house of representatives and the senate. at the moment democrats control both. the house decides which laws are voted on. while the senate can block or approve new laws — as well as confirming appointments made by the president. each state has a different number of representatives depending on its population size. there are currently 435 house representatives who serve for two years.

all are up for re—election. every state also has two senators — who serve 6 years. this year, a third of senators are up for re—election. in 36 states, people will also be voting for their governor — who oversees state budgets, policing, and in some cases, state laws. let's look at what results we might expect. it's common for the president's party to lose seats in the mid—terms. and this year looks no different. democrats hold a 5 seat majority in the house of representatives. latest polling suggests there's an 84% chance it could turn republican. meanwhile, the senate is currently split 50/50 with vice president kamala harris getting the decisive vote. republicans need a net gain of at least1 seat in this election. and have a 59% chance of getting it. our north america correspondent barbara plett usher is in virginia outside a polling station. she told us what the mood has been like today.

there has been a steady trickle of people coming through here during the day. when we got here in the morning, we were told that there were 8000 registered voters in the city and already nearly half of them had voted in early voting procedures. so the rest of them seem to have come through. we talked to a few of them. no surprise, economy was a big thing they mention. one of them said we have to go to several different stores to find a price that we can afford. democracy also an issue. one of them said to us "i would never buy a vote for somebody who denies that donald trump lost the election in 2020." another issue, abortion rates were very important, rememberthe issue, abortion rates were very important, remember the supreme court overturned federal abortion rates injune. there was backlash against its of the democrats are hoping that will give them more votes at the polls. it's kind of like a mixture, really, i'd what is animating people across the country, and the republicans are quite

convinced that they have a good chance of taking back one or maybe both houses of congress, in many cases the discussion is will it be a red ripple or a red wave. stand cases the discussion is will it be a red ripple or a red wave.- red ripple or a red wave. and if there is a _ red ripple or a red wave. and if there is a red _ red ripple or a red wave. and if there is a red reptile _ red ripple or a red wave. and if there is a red reptile or - red ripple or a red wave. and if there is a red reptile or a - red ripple or a red wave. and if there is a red reptile or a red i there is a red reptile or a red wave, what impact will that have on the biden presidency?— wave, what impact will that have on the biden presidency? well, it means that his legislative _ the biden presidency? well, it means that his legislative agenda _ the biden presidency? well, it means that his legislative agenda will- the biden presidency? well, it means that his legislative agenda will be i that his legislative agenda will be blocked, which is the case on the president's party loses the house of congress at the midterms. that's not necessarily unusual, it happens quite frequently. it's a historic trend, and for president biden, that would mean that he would have difficulty passing more climates legislation or working on further climate steps. it might mean that policy in ukraine can change. republicans have suggested that they might not approve as much aid to ukraine as a democratic—controlled house of representatives. there would be quite a lot of contentious

discussion over the bills that have to be passed like bills to fund the government and so forth. basically president biden's agenda for the next two years would be blocked. i have to say that what's happening in congress is important, but what's happening in the states is just as important, perhaps even more so because there, members of state officials, governors, secretaries of state are on the ballot, and some of those have backed donald trumps claims that the 20/20 election was stolen. and these are the people who handle the election results. so if thatis handle the election results. so if that is going to be a change and not in the next presidential election, they will be the ones handling that. with just 13 days until the 2022 football world cup, controversy continues to surround the host nation. comments made by former qatari national football player — and now world cup ambassador — khalid salman to a german broadcaster have sparked a fresh wave of criticism over the country's views on homosexuality. we start with some

of those comments: everybody, they will accept them coming here, but they have to accept our rules here. but in the law, homosexuality is forbidden. this is haram. you know haram? yes, haram. it's haram. but do you think gay is haram? it's haram. because why is haram? i am not one big muslim, but it's haram why? because it's damaging the mind. so, khalid salman there describing homosexuality as a result of "damage in the mind" — and saying any visiting fans must respect qatar's laws. immediately after that question was answered, a qatari official ended that interview. strong criticism has been levelled at qatar over its human rights record, as well as the treatment of migrant workers and the lgbt+ community. same sex relationships — and the promotion of those relationships — are criminalised. punishments range from fines —

to the death penalty. qatar has said it will welcome gay visitors — in its words, "without discrimination". germany has been calling for a "guarantee of safety" for lg bt+ fans. the german interior minister was quick to condemn the ambassador�*s comments today. let's hear from her. translation: that is why this security guarantee i was so important to me. the prime minister gave it to me and i have no new indications from him that anything has changed. of course such comments are awful, and that is also the reason we're working to hopefully improve things in qatar the future. players and teams taking part in the fifa world cup have been responding to the issue more broadly, too. let's take a look at some: a number of european captains will wear armbands to promote diversity and inclusion. denmark will sport a "toned down" kit while playing. and in late october, the australian squad released a video urging the qatari government to abolish its laws

on same—sex relationships. in early november, fifa president gianni infantino issued a letter to all 32 teams competing. he said it was aware of the challenges "of a political nature". but he added: �*please do not allow football to be dragged into every ideological or political battle that exists." today, lgbt+ activists held a protest outside the fifa museum in switzerland — calling out the qatari world cup ambassadors comments, and fifa's letter. we are here to say that we are not an ideology, we are lgbt people whose existence in qatar is being threatened, and we will hold a to account. amid all of this today — former fifa president sepp blatter says that football's governing body made the wrong decision in awarding the competition to qatar. this is the interview blatter gave with swiss newspaper, tages anzeiger. that headline reads simply: "qatar is a mistake. the choice was bad". mr blatter was fifa president in 2010, at the time qatar

was awarded the tournament. he was later forced to step down over over allegations he unlawfully transferred millions of swiss francs to a former uefa president. injuly, he was found not guilty of fraud. for more on all of this, i spoke earlier to jack murley, presenter of the bbc�*s lgbt sport podcast. he says mr blatter's comments are a shift from his previous position. he is one of the most notorious well—known figures in world football, and these comments will come as a real blow to the qatari authorities because when the world cup was awarded to qatar back in 2010, he was one of the champions of the competition going to the middle east. he's no stranger to controversy, as you've alluded to, he's had issues with their ethics closed, but he seems to want to come out and about this today deliberately in the run—up to the

world cup to distance himself from some of the controversy, that continues to hang around this world cup when it comes to things like migrants rights, when it comes to lgbt rights, and we have another day where the story where we had towards a celebration of football and would be in many of the years is not about what would be happening on the pitch, who's doing what when it comes to formations, but about human rights and whether the world cup should be in qatar at all. haifa rights and whether the world cup should be in qatar at all. how are the football _ should be in qatar at all. how are the football teams _ should be in qatar at all. how are the football teams taking - should be in qatar at all. how are the football teams taking part i should be in qatar at all. how are the football teams taking part in l the football teams taking part in managing this issue? it’s the football teams taking part in managing this issue?— the football teams taking part in managing this issue? it's a really difficult situation. _ managing this issue? it's a really difficult situation. in _ managing this issue? it's a really difficult situation. in a _ managing this issue? it's a really difficult situation. in a way, i difficult situation. in a way, football teams and football players participating in this world cup are facing an age—old quandary that we signed south with apartheid that we saw in the cold war about whether or not you go to a particular olympics if it's being held in a certain country. there always been this distinction between commercialisation and growing a sport on one hand and having to make compromises when it comes to your

own ethics and morals. as he said, the australian national teams in many ways out of the forefront of this releasing and convey artful video saying that we want same—sex relationships to be decriminalised in qatar. they are being very open about what they would like. we've got the likes of the lionesses saying she will not participate in watching this world cup, but it's quite hard for that message to get through sometimes when you have the president of fifa rating to competing nations saying, look, let's focus on the football now. that's what's important. there's a real split in the game, as you have alluded to end as football fans are experiencing. poorer nations need more help — and the global north should pay more — that's the message coming out of the un's climate conference in egypt. there's been some frank criticism from the leaders of some developing countries. here's the president of sri lanka. the united nations should be giving leadership to work on climate challenges, rather than abdicating

the responsibilities. it is ironic that the $100 billion split annually have not been available to finance climate challenges. as many developed nations... on their climate contributions. the call for compensation for poorer, vulnerable countries which bear the brunt of climate change has also come from pakistan, where months after devastating floods, millions remain homeless, roads are destroyed and tens of thousands of schools and hospitals lie in ruins. here's the country's prime minister: because the duty and responsibility of global north to understand our difficulties and our plight. ladies and gentlemen, it is now or never. for us, there is indeed no planet b. it all comes as a un—commissioned report says rich countries should

recognise that helping developing nations is in their self—interest. the report says developing countries need more than two trillion dollars a year by 2030 to deal with the effects of global warming. it also calls for grants and low—interest loans from developed countries to double from about thirty billion dollars annually today to sixty billion by 2025. it says the rest of the money — about one point four trillion — should originate domestically from private and public sources. current investments in emerging and developing economies other than china stands at about 500 billion dollars. kelly sims gallagher is director of the climate policy lab at tufts university's fletcher school. i asked her why some nations are failing to live up to their public promises. there is a rather long history of the industrialised countries failing to live up to commitments they themselves made. you know, most

notably they committed in paris around the time that the paris agreement to mobilise $100 million per year in public and private sources and had to acknowledge last year at the climate negotiations in glasgow that they had failed to reach that target and they hoped, you know, at the time, they said they hoped they would be able to achieve the target by 2023. so that's a lack of mobilisation was very frustrating. and i think we also see statements like the ones that were made by a world bank president, david malpass in new york around the un general assemblyjust last month not even acknowledging that climate change was a serious problem. you know, as hejust reported, we see developing countries suffering serious climate damages today. so they are asking

when, you know, how many disasters do we need to experience before the climate finances forthcoming. bringing you some breaking news that we just got bringing you some breaking news that wejust got in bringing you some breaking news that we just got in the last three minutes, cabinet office minister, sir gavin williamson, has announced that he is stepping back from government. wejust had that he is stepping back from government. we just had that in the last few minutes, and his twitter account has tweeted a letter which he has addressed to the prime minister. i will read it out for you. he says dear prime minister, as you. he says dear prime minister, as you know, there is an ongoing complaints process concerning text messages i sent to a colleague. i'm complying with this progress and apologise to the recipient for those messages. since then, they have been other allegations made about my past conduct. i reviewed the characterisation of these claims, but i recognise these are becoming a distraction for the good work of this government and the british

people. it therefore decided to step back from government so that i can comply fully with the complaints process that is under way and clear my name of any wrongdoing. it is with real sadness that i tender my resignation but i want to take this opportunity to offer my full and total support from the back benches. i'm incredibly proud to have worked with you in government over the last few years and during the campaign. sojust to reiterate, gavin williamson, who is been reported to the mps bullying watchdog over messages to a tory colleague. there's also been other allegations we've been talking about on bbc news, he has now tendered his resignation. he was of course appointed as a cabinet office minister without portfolio by rishi sunak when he first became prime minister not so long ago. we will bring more on this story as and when we get it here in bbc news, butjust to reiterate that sir gavin

williamson has announced that he is stepping back from his position as a cabinet office minister. stay with us on outside source — still to come... we turn to egypt — where the un has raised concerns about a high—profile prisoner who is on hunger strike and has stopped drinking water. the bombastic establishment outsider at donald trump has defied to the pollsters to take the keys to the oval office. i feel great about the election results. i voted for him because i genuinely believe he cares about the country. it's keeping the candidate's name always in the public eye that counts. success or failure depends not only on public display, but on the local campaign headquarters and the heavy routine work of their women volunteers. berliners from both east and west linked hands.

around their liberated territory. and with no one to stop them, it wasn't long before the first i attempts were made to destroy the structure itself. _ yasser arafat, who dominated the palestinian cause for so long, has died. palestinian authority have declared a state of morning. after 17 years of discussion, the result was greeted with an outburst ofjoy. women ministers have felt only grudgingly accepted amongst the clergy, and suddenly felt welcome. more on that breaking news story, sir gavin williamson, cabinet office minister without portfolio has just announced in the last few minutes that he is stepping back from government. he has resigned. he's written a letter to the prime minister, rishi sunak, which he has posted on twitter in which he said

he decided to step back from government so that i can comply fully with the complaints process thatis fully with the complaints process that is under way and clear my name of any wrongdoing. i think we will cross live now to our correspondent in westminster, jonathan, i spoke to just a few minutes ago on bbc news about this story, and now we have sir gavin stepping back from government. what has he said? think that moves fast _ government. what has he said? think that moves fast this _ government. what has he said? try “ya; that moves fast this evening. he's posted a letter to the prime minister on twitter in the last few minutes announcing that he is resigning from government. he says that he's decided to step back from government so that he can comply fully with the complaints process thatis fully with the complaints process that is under way and to their meaning of any wrongdoing as he says. and those processes that he refers to, he goes into some detail about in the latter is saying, firstly, as you know, there is an ongoing complaints process concerning text messages i sent to a

colleague. i'm complying with that process, he says, and have apologised to the recipient for those messages. there he is referring to the former chief whip, messages he sent her were published in the sunday times over the weekend in the sunday times over the weekend in which he appeared to threaten her and use abusive language, accusing her of somehow rigging the allocation and of seats for mps at the funeral for allocation and of seats for mps at the funeralfor her allocation and of seats for mps at the funeral for her majesty the queen. she subsequently made a complaint to the conservative party and also to parliaments bullying watchdog as well. and then sir gavin goes on, "since then committing have been other allegations made of my past conduct them i reviewed the characterisation of these claims, but i recognise these are becoming a distraction for the good work of this government." there he is talking about a report in the guardian newspaper published last night in which a former official at the ministry of defence, when sir gavin williamson was defence secretary, accusing him of telling

him to slit his throat and jump out of the window. now, no formal complaint is made at the time but it's being reported tonight that that former official has now made a formal complaint, and in the light developed that is, there was another claim by sir gavin's from deputy, milton mp, that he had used inappropriate behaviour when he was chief whip. all of that combined has led sir gavin williams to take the decision tonight to resign and relieve the pressure that was mounting on a per minister to second. , ., ., ., ., ~ , ., someone has, in america, one big, very big, and it has nothing to do with elections. a single lottery ticket purchase in california has won a $2.04 billion jackpot. that's a world record, our correspondent is here to discuss it. i cannot believe the amount of money we are talking here. that's almost obscene. you

don't have — here. that's almost obscene. you don't have to _ here. that's almost obscene. you don't have to live _ here. that's almost obscene. you don't have to live in _ here. that's almost obscene. ym. don't have to live in the us to buy tickets, we cut apart 199, so we messed up big time. i was one of the people who is refreshing my computer nonstop to try to find a result, suddenly there were lots of twists and turns, a technical glitch, security protocols that needed to be finished and therefore people did not find out who was the jackpot winner for hours. not find out who was the jackpot winnerfor hours. and not find out who was the jackpot winner for hours. and they already waited three months because there had been dry upon draw since august and there was no winter. now, some in california has had the magic combination and has won a world breaking amount of money. they have a very difficult decision to make now. br; a very difficult decision to make now. �* y ., ., y a very difficult decision to make now. j ., ., , ., ., , a very difficult decision to make now. j ., ., , ., ., now. by to marry me or marry you? not quite. _ now. by to marry me or marry you? not quite. but — now. by to marry me or marry you? not quite. but if — now. by to marry me or marry you? not quite, but if we _ now. by to marry me or marry you? not quite, but if we find _ now. by to marry me or marry you? not quite, but if we find out - now. by to marry me or marry you? not quite, but if we find out who it | not quite, but if we find out who it is, let's talk about that then. we will figure out if they want to take the money in its full amount or whether they take a smaller amount straightaway in a lump—sum. not sure what you do stop at decisions, decisions. i think maybe every year, you know, having some money into

your account, let me ask you this, is this a normal amount of money for powerball? it's not. eitherway, you'll be in the minority, most people take a lump sum straightaway, not the kind of patients who are showing there. mi; not the kind of patients who are showing there.— not the kind of patients who are showing there. not the kind of patients who are showin: there. g ., ., ., , showing there. my granddad would be roud. it's showing there. my granddad would be proud- it's not — showing there. my granddad would be proud. it's not normal— showing there. my granddad would be proud. it's not normal commence i showing there. my granddad would be proud. it's not normal commence a i proud. it's not normal commence a hue proud. it's not normal commence a huge amount- _ proud. it's not normal commence a huge amount. part _ proud. it's not normal commence a huge amount. part of _ proud. it's not normal commence a huge amount. part of that - proud. it's not normal commence a l huge amount. part of that is because they made some tweaks to the powerball so that it's easier to win smaller amounts, powerball so that it's easier to win smalleramounts, infact, powerball so that it's easier to win smaller amounts, in fact, this time around 22 people one about $1 million, another person one $2 million, another person one $2 million, but it's not —— it's much harder to win the big jackpot, so it's been rolling over in snowballing into this massive amount. the odds according to powerball are one and snowballing into this massive amount. the odds according to powerball are one in 292 .2 according to powerball are one in 292.2 million, so this person had a lot of luck on their side. i 292 .2 million, so this person had a lot of luck on their side.— lot of luck on their side. i could do with that — lot of luck on their side. i could do with that sort _ lot of luck on their side. i could do with that sort of _ lot of luck on their side. i could do with that sort of like - lot of luck on their side. i could do with that sort of like like i lot of luck on their side. i could l do with that sort of like like that. very good to talk to you. thank you very much indeed. don't forget to come he can get in touch with me on twitter. it's been great to have you watching the programme plenty, as always, on our website.

watching the programme plenty, as always, on ourwebsite. more watching the programme plenty, as always, on our website. more on that breaking story about gavin williamson resigning. goodbye for now. hello there. it's been a very showery day. once again, some heavy downpours in places interspersed with sunny spells. we hold on to the sunshine and showers theme into tomorrow as well, but there'll be fewer showers around, i think, and it won't be quite as windy. but the shower activity continues this evening and overnight again, some of them heavy across southern and western areas, all tied in with this area of low pressure, the centre of it sitting to the northwest of scotland. so here, it'll be windiest, with most of the showers affecting particularly the highlands and islands. further south, some clear spells. but again, southern england, into the southwest, parts of wales will see pretty frequent and at times heavy showers. overnight lows, 4—10 degrees, so nowhere particularly cold because of the strength of the wind

and also the cloud and the showers. so wednesday morning starts off quite blustery. there'll be further showers from the word go. but as we head through the afternoon, the winds turn a little bit lighter, coming in more from the west—southwest, and we should see increasing amounts of sunshine. some areas staying dry all together, central and eastern areas. these are the average wind speeds. so not as strong as what we had yesterday, but still quite windy around the northwest of scotland. some pretty intense gusts there. temperature—wise, 11—15 degrees. that'll probably be a degree or so down on what we had through this afternoon. then beyond wednesday, we see high pressure building over the near continent. that will try and keep these weather fronts out of bay, but they will graze scotland and northern ireland at times over the next few days. what this air flow will do, though, is drag very warm air from the azores right across our shores. so it'll be notably very mild both thursday and friday, both by day and by night. quite a lot of cloud around, some drizzle over some western hills, more persistent rain

for western scotland, northern ireland, closer to those weather fronts. best of any sunshine will be towards the south and east of england. look at these temperatures — the high teens in places. a very mild night to come thursday night takes us into friday. a similar note — very windy, but also extremely mild. some persistent rain affecting the north and west of scotland, northern ireland, some drizzle across northern and western hills of england and wales. the best of the sunshine again across the south and the east. top temperature 17, maybe 18 degrees. so, a very mild end to the working week. it stays pretty mild into the weekend as well. but then by sunday, looks like things will start to turn wetter and windier across western areas later.

this is bbc news, the headlines voters across the us are going to the polls he told a civil servant to jump out of a window. former deputy chief whip described sir gavin's behaviour is unethical and immoral. whip described sir gavin's behaviour is unethicaland immoral. he whip described sir gavin's behaviour is unethical and immoral. he claimed to love salacious gossiping use as leverage for mps if the need arose. voters across the us are going to the polls in crucial midterm elections — as republicans and democrats fight for control of congress furore over comments from a qatari world cup representative and former footballer who's called homosexuality — in his words — "damage in the mind"

the veteran comedy actor leslie phillips — star of the carry on films — has died at the age of 98. you are watching bbc news. cabinet minister sir gavin williamson has resigned, he has posted this on social media and wanted to you through what gavin williamson wrote, i will read it out. as you know, there is an ongoing complaint process concerning text messages i sent to a colleague. i comply with this process and i've apologised to the for those messages and since then, sir williamson continues, i refute the characterisation of these claims but i recognise these are becoming a

distraction for the good work this government is doing for the british people and i therefore have decided to step back from governing so i can comply fully with the complaints process that is under way and clear my name of any wrongdoing and he concludes, it is with real sadness that i tender my resignation. but i want to take this opportunity to offer my full and total support from the backbenchers. i'm incredibly proud to have worked in government over the last few years and during the campaign, yours, gavin. that is the campaign, yours, gavin. that is the letter that is been written by sir gavin williamson in the last few minutes and posted on his twitter page. the letter which was sent to the prime minister and we will hear soon afterwards from the prime minister rishi sunak, who was at the claimant event in egypt. spending

plenty of time covering politics, this is moved pretty quickly this evening. this is moved pretty quickly this evenini. . ., this is moved pretty quickly this evenini. _, _ this is moved pretty quickly this evenini. _, ., this is moved pretty quickly this evenin.. .., , ., , , evening. one could say that it seems like an inevitability _ evening. one could say that it seems like an inevitability we _ evening. one could say that it seems like an inevitability we spend - like an inevitability we spend enough time in westminster when the prime minister's official spokesperson asked if he had full confidence, this supposed to say of course they do because anyone who remains within the government has to have full confidence of the prime minister that they would not be in government. now, these allegations of bullying have mounted and day after day, we note that there is a conservative party investigation and this has been escalated by wendy morton, the former chief whip at the time who mr williamson was alleged to have had in text messages. {lin to have had in text messages. on many investigations have been going on and what happens to them now? what happens to them now is those surrounding the conduct of mr williamson as a minister in those as an mp, they are going to continue but from his perspective, when the prime minister is being asked, the

pressure kind of mounts and he is left with little choice. it is not just wendy morton, other civil servants of said that mr williamson sent a message suggesting that they should quote, unquote, slit their throat. this is denied by mr williamson and this has become a distraction he said. tell williamson and this has become a distraction he said.— distraction he said. tell us about the role of _ distraction he said. tell us about the role of the _ distraction he said. tell us about the role of the gavin _ distraction he said. tell us about the role of the gavin williamson | distraction he said. tell us about i the role of the gavin williamson is played notjust in the days of rishi sunak�*s administration previously. suna k�*s administration previously. education sunak�*s administration previously. education secretary has been quite a bit of time last year, their questions and sort of how he would interact with teaching units and points. the position he took after having been forced, he was sacked by theresa may for linking documents as defence secretary. he is not the smoothest of rights for mr williamson anyway but rather an ambitious 2010 mp that is favoured at the time in some quarters but she

was in a position i wasjust too much to handle. in was in a position i was 'ust too much to handle.i was in a position i was 'ust too much to handle. in charge of party disciline much to handle. in charge of party discipline when _ much to handle. in charge of party discipline when making _ much to handle. in charge of party discipline when making very i much to handle. in charge of party discipline when making very small| discipline when making very small majority and even a minority in some stage. there's a fine line between bullying and imposing discipline or is the dividing line very clear? when he sees two expressions that whip 72 pick the tires and was referred to himself and you have to know where the bodies are buried and thatis know where the bodies are buried and that is a phrase that comes up again and again as far as gavin williamson is concerned because people speculate within parliamentary circles that actually he's the one who knows of the controversies are and he has been described by a couple of conservative mps in the past as the unstoppable man. but can resigned? apparently not. mi;

past as the unstoppable man. but can resigned? apparently not.— resigned? apparently not. my call rishi sunak _ resigned? apparently not. my call rishi sunak the _ resigned? apparently not. my call rishi sunak the new _ resigned? apparently not. my call rishi sunak the new prime - resigned? apparently not. my call i rishi sunak the new prime minister, what did we learn about him from this. �* , ~ , what did we learn about him from this. �* , ,, , ., this. he's like every other prime minister. this. he's like every other prime minister- he _ this. he's like every other prime minister. he stood _ this. he's like every other prime minister. he stood by _ this. he's like every other prime minister. he stood by his - this. he's like every other prime i minister. he stood by his government and his team and he is going to. i think back to the resignation of a very well—known cabinet minister, over the cannot name them but they told me in their office that when there was a scandal around their future, two minutes after, there was an e—mail from the future, two minutes after, there was an e—mailfrom the prime minister of the day saying look, they have my full confidence, i'm not resigning and i literally walked out the door in whitehall and they resigned. litter had been written apparently in their absence. and in these cases, these things snowball and there's only one eventual end when gavin williamson becomes the story day after day. the gavin williamson becomes the story day after day-— day after day. the country went throu . h day after day. the country went through 50 _ day after day. the country went through 50 days _ day after day. the country went through 50 days of— day after day. the country went through 50 days of the - day after day. the country went i through 50 days of the resignation but the home secretary and perhaps even a lot of events happened since then but one would imagine rishi sunak would like to few weeks

acquired before the first resignation because resignation stoned to death in this quickly, do they? stoned to death in this quickly, do the ? ., , ., �* , ~' they? know they don't but thinking back to the 2010 _ they? know they don't but thinking back to the 2010 government i back to the 2010 government resigning fairly quickly, those over and expensed story of the time you cast your mind back to think of 21 days and the circumstances but do not forget that he is a prime minister is talked about having an ethical government already under some pressure having reappointed forever minutes on secretary after she resigned herself following the sending of government on a personal e—mail and sending of government on a personal e—mailand so, to sending of government on a personal e—mail and so, to that degree, rishi sunak is not going to be happy about the situation but it was a situation that of kevin williamson had not resigned, maybe the action would've had to have been slightly more dramatic. latte had to have been slightly more dramatic. ~ ., ., dramatic. we want to remind her audience of _ dramatic. we want to remind her audience of the _ dramatic. we want to remind her audience of the letter _ dramatic. we want to remind her audience of the letter which i dramatic. we want to remind her audience of the letter which is i dramatic. we want to remind her i audience of the letter which is been posted by sir gavin williamson, now

former government minister which he writes to the prime minister saying i have decided to step back from government and following the complaints process, there are numerous complaints and it is under way and clear my name of any wrongdoing in its with real sadness that i tender my resignation by want to take this opportunity to offer my total support to the backbenchers. the full support from the backbenchers, that's almost four letters like this. full backbenchers, that's almost four letters like this.— letters like this. full support for the backbenchers _ letters like this. full support for the backbenchers maybe - letters like this. full support for| the backbenchers maybe suggest letters like this. full support for- the backbenchers maybe suggest that mr williamson may have his eye on the future and notjust now. this is a question of dramatically walking out and stabbing him in the front but gavin williamson would've known in his heart of hearts on sundays and pressure mounts to this degree, there's only one course of action in it's going to leave there eventually. it only so many times of the prime minister can be asked about conduct and allegations and as we know, the independent process in

terms of ethics, takes a very long time to investigate and the conservative party internal disciplinary process, to that degree, after remember that these inquiries have not actually concluded. it is possible in mr williamson's mind that they could side with him to some degree of need is a noob at the damages, so future planning can be read between the lines of that letter.— lines of that letter. talking about investigations, _ lines of that letter. talking about investigations, i— lines of that letter. talking about investigations, i did _ lines of that letter. talking about investigations, i did a _ lines of that letter. talking about investigations, i did a quick- lines of that letter. talking about | investigations, i did a quick check of the computer just investigations, i did a quick check of the computerjust now because in the back of my mind was the question, was gavin williamson the leader with the transient love. tell us about this.— us about this. point well-known westminster — us about this. point well-known westminster circles. _ us about this. point well-known westminster circles. gavin i westminster circles. gavin williamson has been very charismatic, somebody who i encountered quite a bit myself back in the early 2010 days within westminster. he is someone who himself has a reputation for being quirky, not necessarily in a

negative way, someone whose outlook is not necessarily the outlook of other government ministers and whether it is a good thing or a bad thing, that is for others to judge but he is a man certainly was not afraid to speak fairly freely, particularly in off record terms in times of times.— particularly in off record terms in times of times. that tarantula was re-housed — times of times. that tarantula was re-housed somewhere _ times of times. that tarantula was re-housed somewhere away i times of times. that tarantula was re-housed somewhere away from | times of times. that tarantula was i re-housed somewhere away from his re—housed somewhere away from his office and onto those investigations, do we have a sense of who is carrying out this investigations? presbyterians? latte investigations? presbyterians? we have investigations? presbyterians? - have the independence investigations in the conservative party are doing these investigations in downing street said is looking into the perspective and from the parliamentary perspective, more than 100 days, under 21 days roughly, the average as far as mps because not just government conduct comes in to scrutiny but in the house of

commons, this respect policy and people expect these things to be followed in wendy morton has not just confirmed that the complaint of a conservative party but against the independent body.— independent body. another for the o - osition independent body. another for the opposition to _ independent body. another for the opposition to the _ independent body. another for the opposition to the prime _ independent body. another for the opposition to the prime minister i independent body. another for the opposition to the prime minister is did he not know all of this when he appointed gavin williamson? is this not a feeling of the prime minister's onjudgment not a feeling of the prime minister's on judgment in not a feeling of the prime minister's onjudgment in picking someone around the cabinet table who lets me allegations against him that he would inevitably have to step down? , , he would inevitably have to step down? , _._, he would inevitably have to step down? , _.,_ ., he would inevitably have to step down? , _, ., , down? duty says that up with the prime minister _ down? duty says that up with the prime minister aside _ down? duty says that up with the prime minister aside on - down? duty says that up with the prime minister aside on this i down? duty says that up with the prime minister aside on this one | prime minister aside on this one because he was aware that there had been issues but not necessarily all of the details. i put it to one conservative mp earlier today with the prime minister not knowing and they said to me, and the original house, you may think that, but possibly certainly not the microscope is intentionally focused on notjust the messages but the

period of time because it has been dismissed by some as the heat of the moment matter and a current of her too long a period of time, these various inquiries, we want to the bottom of. i various inquiries, we want to the bottom of-_ various inquiries, we want to the bottom of. ., ., , ., bottom of. i want to bring in son'a from the observer, i bottom of. i want to bring in son'a from the observer, the i bottom of. i want to bring in son'a from the observer, the chief i bottom of. i want to bring in sonja| from the observer, the chief leader rider of the observer and your thoughts tonight on sir gavin williamson's resignation. was this inevitable? , ~ williamson's resignation. was this inevitable? , ,, inevitable? yes, i think it was in the fact that _ inevitable? yes, i think it was in the fact that it _ inevitable? yes, i think it was in the fact that it had _ inevitable? yes, i think it was in the fact that it had to _ inevitable? yes, i think it was in the fact that it had to be - inevitable? yes, i think it was in the fact that it had to be left i inevitable? yes, i think it was in| the fact that it had to be left into gavin williamson resigned rather than rishi sunak asking for his resignation a few days ago when these allegations first came out, it really signified the extent to which the government takes bullying seriously which is not very. i think these massive political questions for rishi sunak though, we know that rishi sunak was informed about the allegations against williamson before he appointed him to the cabinet minister and i think it

really does beg the question, why would you appoint somebody who against very serious allegations, speaking to mps and they say it is an open secret that gavin williamson use these sorts of tactics. it is completely unacceptable in a modern replacement should be unacceptable in parliament. mas replacement should be unacceptable in parliament-— in parliament. was in the particular role in parliament _ in parliament. was in the particular role in parliament that _ in parliament. was in the particular role in parliament that he - in parliament. was in the particular role in parliament that he played i role in parliament that he played that meant he had to be at the table? , ,., , .,, table? present some people might sa , but table? present some people might say. but what _ table? present some people might say. but what i _ table? present some people might say, but what i think _ table? present some people might say, but what i think it _ table? present some people might say, but what i think it comes i table? present some people might say, but what i think it comes to i say, but what i think it comes to bullying behaviour, you have to take a very hard line and it's not something that gets judged or should bejudged against other something that gets judged or should be judged against other things where they've got these other skills, a bit of a bully, which is up to bring them in anyway, that's not how it should work in a modern workplace. and i think that we've seen in recent months and years is the fact that parliament has a very serious issue with bullying cultures we so than the fact thatjohn burke, who

was former speaker, he was responsible for culture in parliament and he himself has been found by an independent review in parliament to have been a serial bully and a liar and he was still an mp and he would have been suspended from parliament and so, i think there is a cultural issue in parliament ——john there is a cultural issue in parliament —— john bercow. there is a cultural issue in parliament ——john bercow. not everyone, but i think some people tend to think that this is politics, this is rough—and—tumble it may be these cultures are acceptable in politics when they would not be in other walks of life and people looking at the text messages that he sent the chief whip, for example, thatis sent the chief whip, for example, that is not acceptable and a modern workplace and it's not acceptable in a normal workplace then why do mps think it is ok to talk to people like that and talk to colleagues like that and talk to colleagues like that. ., ., _, ,., . , like that. you have covered politics more intensely _ like that. you have covered politics more intensely than _ like that. you have covered politics more intensely than i _ like that. you have covered politics more intensely than i have, - like that. you have covered politics more intensely than i have, come i like that. you have covered politicsl more intensely than i have, come in todayjust more intensely than i have, come in today just to more intensely than i have, come in todayjust to be normal language from chief whip strain to impose party discipline, occasionally using that type of language?—

that type of language? there is to be of culture _ that type of language? there is to be of culture around _ that type of language? there is to be of culture around this - that type of language? there is to be of culture around this or- be of culture around this or bullying was more common and it was thought in the same way as some of the professions, likejournalism, for example, people talk about some of the cultures that were around there were terrible. still doing some places, notjust parliament but their issues but we are now in the 20 205 their issues but we are now in the 20 20s and bullying is not acceptable in the workplace and is really detrimental impacts on peoples mental health and if you look at some of the reporting that was done around john bercow and the people who made bullying allegations against him, the way they talk about the impact that it has on their lives and self—esteem, it's just not ok, and it's definitely an acknowledgement by parliamentary authorities that it is not ok and needs to be addressed by this bit of

it disjoint between the statements and mps entitled to treat people like this, making sure their behaviour does not go unchecked. rishi sunak is been in egypt at the conference, one can imagine he did not want the distraction from that conference is no doubt that distraction. it conference is no doubt that distraction.— conference is no doubt that distraction. , ., , ., distraction. it calls into question and sing before, _ distraction. it calls into question and sing before, rishi _ distraction. it calls into question and sing before, rishi sunak, i distraction. it calls into question j and sing before, rishi sunak, he knew about these allegations against williamson early some of them before he appointed him the cabinet and it certainly wasn't inconceivable that they were going to come in to light pretty quickly and they have come to light pretty quickly as a result of people like wendy morton speaking about the ministry of defence officials said kevin williamson among others told him to slit his own throat, really appalling conduct. it is now come out and first of all, it raises questions about rishi sunak�*s judgment

first of all, it raises questions about rishi sunak�*sjudgment if that's what he was thinking appointing braverman to the office when she had resigned from breaking the ministerial code afterjust six days previously, what was she thinking appointed gavin williamson to his cabinet where it is common knowledge around westminster that he behave like this. for rishi sunak, he wanted to give the impression that he is a different type of conservative leader and a clean break but we look at the people he surrounded himself with, it seems like the same sorts of issues about integrity, probability, bullying cultures and we saw that with patel breaking culture. i did cultures and we saw that with patel breaking culture.— breaking culture. i did not want to “um in breaking culture. i did not want to jump in but _ breaking culture. i did not want to jump in but we — breaking culture. i did not want to jump in but we will— breaking culture. i did not want to jump in but we will take _ breaking culture. i did not want to jump in but we will take each i jump in but we will take each of those cases individually because each of those people is the right to defend themselves as you would know. gavin williamson is written in his resignation letter that he wants to support the government from the back benches. does that suggest some form of a return to government and some kind of future?— kind of future? usually there is at least several _ kind of future? usually there is at least several months _ kind of future? usually there is at least several months before i kind of future? usually there is at i least several months before people

even contemplate coming back. but if she came back after six days, i think this is the third time that gavin williamson has had to go, he was sacked as defence minister, secretary back into 2019 and some pretty dodgy conduct when it came to rush and what he said about russia. in 2021, he was sacked as a result of the a—level grade fiasco and it happened two years in a row, and caused immense distress to young people taking a levels and gtf seats at the same time, is that the step away from cabinets and so, it's hard to see him coming back but you never know. the deputy leader of the labour party is put some comments i think that this is a damning reflection of the weak prime minister and

appointed gavin williamson with full knowledge of serious allegations about his conduct and that he had repeatedly expressed confidence in this. let's that in turn, if somebody remains in government, the prime minister is duty—bound to express full confidence because they do not have full confidence. they have to resign. that is just a political expression that gets thrown about the place. angela rayner has had on the point that many people are asking is what does the prime minister know and when did you know it. it's would be a question that is undoubtedly going to get asked in the prime ministers official spokesperson parliamentary lobby briefings and said that the prime minister made the appointment with full knowledge the general background but in the past, we have heard them say that he has full confidence and may know the extent of these messages and that now is going to be under the microscope both of the conservative party who say they are investigating the

independent complaints process. thank you so much for the moment. one of a politician is responded in the last few minutes. caroline lucas from the green party has posted extraordinary evening and gavin williamson seems to think he is innocent of any wrongdoing in the parliamentary tory party now needs to withdraw the whip from him and rishi sunak has serious questions to answer about why he ignored the warnings. kevin, the political editor. another quick resignation, how do you see this?— how do you see this? yeah, it's iuite how do you see this? yeah, it's quite incredible. _ how do you see this? yeah, it's quite incredible. rishi - how do you see this? yeah, it's quite incredible. rishi sunak. how do you see this? yeah, it's i quite incredible. rishi sunak on his first day and he said he would bring professionalism and integrity to the job and that is been immediately shattered this evening. yeah, i think the writing was on the wall

over the weekend and certainly looked as though things were slipping away as far as gavin williamson is concerned and looks as though the war revelations were going to come out and i think it is only a matter of time before ultimately, you would have to take in the course of action or rishi sunak would have had to have intervened. but very serious questions about rishi sunak�*s judgements this morning and saying that he still had confidence in him despite the revelations of the last couple of days so, it is usually embarrassing for rishi sunak and catastrophic for gavin williamson having been sacked twice already and i'm to resignjust a couple of having been sacked twice already and i'm to resign just a couple of weeks into his newjob and so, yes, a new prime minister but the chaos still continues. in prime minister but the chaos still continues. , , .,, ., .,, continues. in july, those are those mexican nations _ continues. in july, those are those mexican nations under— continues. in july, those are those mexican nations under boris i mexican nations under boris johnson's administration include months of september their

resignations under liz truss, you can imagine rishi sunak wanted to avoid becoming another prime minister the resignations. is some of the stump to the judgment he may or may not have exercised when he appointed gavin williamson? without appointed gavin williamson? without a doubt. we know _ appointed gavin williamson? without a doubt. we know from _ appointed gavin williamson? without a doubt. we know from the _ appointed gavin williamson? without a doubt. we know from the former. a doubt. we know from the former conservative party that rishi sunak was warned the day before he became prime minister that his complaint against gavin williams not been made by former chief whip wendy morton and he was from a more complete curious and saying that he did not ask any new questions about the nature of the complaint and he gave gavin williamson the job anyway and it's rather blown up in his face, yeah. gavin williamson is already controversial figure within the conservative parties so, giving him a job under any circumstances is always going to be increasingly

problematic and so having been told in advance of there was a standing complaint and giving them a job anyway raises serious questions about the prime minister's judgment. would you describe them as a powerful figure within the party? he: certainly has been powerful. the chief whip and defence secretary in education secretary and someone well known for a because she could see deploying the dark art, forget it working in the background and clearly very important for rishi sunak and a strong supporter and both leadership contests as in the past few months, rallying support for mr sue neck and clearly, that is why he was rewarded with this job —— he is someone that rishi sunak relied upon as a close ally and she has wielded a lot of power over the years and is a former mpe parliamentary aide to david cameron,

as well. he has been in the upper echelons certainly of the elementary party for quite some time. so, this is further embarrassing episode. the investigations that are under way, will they establish exactly what was known inside the party and on the prime minister's desk about sir gavin williamson on the day in which he was appointed? that gavin williamson on the day in which he was appointed?— gavin williamson on the day in which he was appointed? that was certainly the aim of the — he was appointed? that was certainly the aim of the investigation _ he was appointed? that was certainly the aim of the investigation and - the aim of the investigation and wendy morton has escalated that today by reporting it to the parliamentary authorities as well and so, probably in the short term... , .,, and so, probably in the short term... , ., term... kevin, we 'ust lost that line but it term... kevin, we 'ust lost that line but i think _ term... kevin, we 'ust lost that line but i think we — term... kevin, wejust lost that line but i think we got - term... kevin, wejust lost that line but i think we got most - term... kevin, wejust lost that line but i think we got most ofl term... kevin, we just lost that - line but i think we got most of what kevin had to say. joining me now is the political editor nick watts, half in the dark but we do just

about see you. who have you been speaking to tonight and what have they been saying? find speaking to tonight and what have they been saying?— speaking to tonight and what have they been saying? and the powers of westminster. — they been saying? and the powers of westminster, conservative _ they been saying? and the powers of westminster, conservative mps - they been saying? and the powers of westminster, conservative mps are l westminster, conservative mps are talking of nothing else but there is a general view that it was impossible to imagine rishi sunak standing up of prime minister's questions tomorrow and defending gavin williamson because there have been so many allegations and gavin williamson and his resignation statement is saying he rejects them and he is going to fight to clear his name. but he will put the prime minister in a very difficult position in about an hour before gavin williamson resigned, spoke to a member of the cabinet as far as they could see, gavin williamson had a robust character fighting they could see, gavin williamson had a robust characterfighting on they could see, gavin williamson had a robust character fighting on and they did not give them very long and are starting to one of the eldest one of the senior grand conservatives in the were telling me that they were looking very difficult for gavin williamson and they did not see how would possibly carry on. they did not see how would possibly car on. ~ . , they did not see how would possibly carry on. was the say about the prime minister? _ carry on. was the say about the

prime minister? obviously, - carry on. was the say about the | prime minister? obviously, rishi sunak did say — prime minister? obviously, rishi sunak did say that _ prime minister? obviously, rishi sunak did say that he _ prime minister? obviously, rishi sunak did say that he was - prime minister? obviously, rishi sunak did say that he was going | prime minister? obviously, rishi i sunak did say that he was going to lead a government of integrity and human appointed gavin williamson knowing that there was a complaint about him over the messages that she sent to wendy morton and the prime minister says that he didn't know at the time what was in those messages. interestingly, angela rayner who was the deputy leader of the labour party, she is put out a statement saying the appointment of gavin williamson by rishi sunak was a sign of a preppy backroom deal that dates back to the leadership contests, rather the context of is not a contest because it ended up with rishi sunak being the only one standing at the end of it. and certainly, rishi sunakfell under certainly, rishi sunak fell under the certainly, rishi sunakfell under the spell of gavin williamson is theresa may did in this boris johnson did thinking that he had some magical powers for conjuring up votes among conservative mps and rishi sunak felt that he needed to reward kevin williamson and this borisjohnson did but of course,

there is two former prime ministers and they ended up sacking gavin williamson. and they ended up sacking gavin williamson-— and they ended up sacking gavin williamson. ~ ., ., , ., ., ., williamson. what was the advantage of havin: williamson. what was the advantage of having them _ williamson. what was the advantage of having them in _ williamson. what was the advantage of having them in the _ williamson. what was the advantage of having them in the captive - williamson. what was the advantage of having them in the captive rishi . of having them in the captive rishi sunak�*s practical point of view? ihe sunak's practical point of view? he thought rishi sunak was a very important figure in gathering the large number of mps the rishi sunak got in such a large number that it's booked borisjohnson into not standing even though borisjohnson said they had when i or two which would've meant that he could go onto the ballot and if he had gone on to the ballot and if he had gone on to the ballad of the membership, there's a good chance a boris johnson would've won. and rishi sunak would've thought that he was in debt to gavin williamson and he would've also felt that he is somebody who knows his way from the parliamentary party in the dark arts of how you run a government in westminster but the problem is, gavin williamson really has a very small level of support. support comes in two areas. one, there's a pretty small band of tory mps that

are very loyal to gavin williamson and the second group are loyal to gavin williamson and prime ministers who think that he has a magical way of conjuring up numbers but of course, it has always ended in tears. . ~ course, it has always ended in tears. ., ~ , ., course, it has always ended in tears. ., ~ . ., course, it has always ended in tears. ., . ., ., tears. thank you so much for 'oining us. that tears. thank you so much for 'oining that is — tears. thank you so much for 'oining us. that is about it i tears. thank you so much for 'oining us. that is about it for the h us. that is about it for the coverage of the sacking of sir gavin williamson. it was another blustery day with the heavy showers or in interspersed with some spells of sunshine and tomorrow is looking pretty similar and will be increasing amounts of sunshine and fewer showers looking around and the winds would not be quite as strong and all tight in this area of low pressure sending to the northwest of scotland and to be feeding and showers in the west southwest direction as we move through the night but the winds will be easing down gradually overnight still quite a breezy night but not as windy as the previous night and some heavy showers still across southern and western parts of the country and across northwest

scotland in four to 10 degrees. showering start to tomorrow morning as we head through the day and it looks like the showers will be fewer and further between, increasing amounts of sunshine and eastern areas sting tribal temperature wise 11 to 14, areas sting tribal temperature wise ii to iii, maybe 15 degrees in the warmer spots but will be a lot milderfor warmer spots but will be a lot milder for thursday warmer spots but will be a lot milderfor thursday and warmer spots but will be a lot milder for thursday and friday both by day and by night but it will often be cloudy and very windy.

hello, i'm christian fraser. you're watching the context on bbc news live from washington. its election night in america. 16 billion dollars invested in a vote that will shape the final two years ofjoe bidens time in office. at stake, control of the house, the senate, they will vote for governors and legislators across the country. democracy itself is on the ballot. tonight from washington, we will bring results as they come in, from east coast to west coast; a verdict that will have a huge bearing on 202a. tonight with the context, the bbcs katty katy, the republican strategist and former rnc communications director doug heye amd stefanie brown james

co founder of the collective pac, that campaigns for equal representation in american politics.