welcome to bbc news. i'm lisa—marie misztak. our top stories: donald trump becomes the first former us president to face criminal charges. he's indicted after a probe into money paid to an adult entertainer. the former leader will be charged in new york over alleged hush money given to stormy daniels just before the 2016 presidential election. mr trump, who's running to be president again in 2024, has called the charges a "political persecution" and "election interference" at the highest level in history. the oscar—winning actress gwyneth paltrow wins a us lawsuit after being sued over a skiing collision in utah seven years ago.

welcome to our viewers on pbs in america and around the globe. donald trump has become the first us president in history to be charged with a crime. he'll be charged in new york over alleged hush money given to a porn starjust before the 2016 presidential election. mr trump, who's running again for president, has repeated he's innocent and called the indictment "political persecution" and "election interference". his son eric said it was the "opportunistic targeting "of a political opponent in a campaign year". the bbc�*s nada tawfik�*s outside the court in new york. nada, you've been outside there for a few hours now. what is the situation like now on the ground? the situation like now on the round? �* , , the situation like now on the round? 3 ,

ground? it's very calm here in new york- _ ground? it's very calm here in new york. there _ ground? it's very calm here in new york. there is _ ground? it's very calm here in new york. there is an - ground? it's very calm here in l new york. there is an increased police presence and in fact has been these metal barricades and extra security not really, for the past two weeks around this area, eversince the past two weeks around this area, ever since donald trump made that post last week that he would be arrested last tuesday. so, certainly, you know, the situation is well in hand here in new york if mass protest to break out but really, no—one is expecting that particularly in new york city, which is a pretty liberal city, but you know, again, we never know in terms of whether if tomorrow comes and president trump, for his call for supporters to come out and protest, if that will happen. but behind me is also where the district attorney's office is. he was there until late in the evening and then was escorted out by a security detail and he confirmed that they had reached out to mr trump's lawyers and started those negotiations about when he will turn himself in and have his first hearing,

his plea hearing in court, called an arraignment. we understand that is likely this coming tuesday so right after the weekend that mr trump would fly in from florida, is a state there, mar—a—lago, into new york on monday and then turn himself in to be formally booked, have his mugshot taken, be fingerprinted and then, as i say, the court appearance on tuesday. say, the court appearance on tuesday-— tuesday. you mentioned the district attorney _ tuesday. you mentioned the district attorney alvin - tuesday. you mentioned thei district attorney alvin brard. just explained to us exactly what his role is in all of this. —— alvin bragg. what his role is in all of this. -- alvin bragg. alvin bran this. -- alvin bragg. alvin bragg is — this. -- alvin bragg. alvin bragg is a _ this. -- alvin bragg. alvin bragg is a democrat. - this. -- alvin bragg. alvin bragg is a democrat. he l this. -- alvin bragg. alvin i bragg is a democrat. he was elected into the position and he, it was his predecessor cyrus vance who began the five—year investigation into whether, whether president trump, the organisation, falsified business records in regards to the hush money payment to the adult film star

stormy daniels. and alvin bragg, this is a local case here in manhattan. we know that federal prosecutors had gone after mr trump's former oil —— lawyer michael cowan who served prison time on the charges of federal campaign violations and the federal prosecutors never went after mr trump in that case. so, this is a local case but nevertheless, we are already hearing from republicans in congress, saying they want to investigate the district attorney. they are calling this politically motivated, saying that this is a weaponisation of the criminal justice system. but the district attorney, of course, here in new york has now confirmed that this indictment is moving forward and we will, in the coming weeks, be able to see what the exact charges are and the evidence but of course

the political stakes are extremely high for the district attorney to successfully argue this case because donald trump is notjust this case because donald trump is not just a this case because donald trump is notjust a former president, also the frontrunner in the republican party to make a comeback for the white house. nada, you mentioned there the republican�*s reactions to this but has there been any news on what the democrats have to say about the indictment?— about the indictment? yes, we've had _ about the indictment? yes, we've had a _ about the indictment? yes, we've had a much - about the indictment? yes, we've had a much different| about the indictment? yes, - we've had a much different tone from democrats. while republicans are, you know, saying that this is really a weaponisation of the criminal justice system and they want to investigate what happened, you have democrats making their point of view that everyone is equal under the law and they want the law, in this case, to run its course and saying that president trump has faced numerous investigations and that, again, this is nothing to do with politics. this is about the law. so, for example, white house is avoided commenting on this we have a very different

tone coming from republicans and democrats in relation to this legal case.— this legal case. nada, thank ou for this legal case. nada, thank you for the _ this legal case. nada, thank you for the update. - i'm joined now by former congressman and podcast host joe walsh from washington, dc. thank you so much for coming on the programme. this is a monumental day. just what is your reaction to all of this? it is a monumental day and it's something that's never happened in america before but one thing we all cherish in this country, we all cherish in this country, we love, is that no—one is above the law. not me, not donald trump, not anybody. and, look, eitherwe donald trump, not anybody. and, look, either we believe that or we don't. if we believe that, well, donald trump will have his day in court, just like any other american wood. donald trum - , other american wood. donald trump. of _ other american wood. donald trump, of course, _ other american wood. donald trump, of course, denies - other american wood. donald trump, of course, denies alll other american wood. donald l trump, of course, denies all of these charges. butjust give us a sense of what the reaction has been like so far from your

own perspective, from people and colleagues you've been talking to. and colleagues you've been talking ta— and colleagues you've been talking t0-_ talking to. clearly, this is, the reaction _ talking to. clearly, this is, the reaction is _ talking to. clearly, this is, the reaction is purely - the reaction is purely political. and i won't be the first want to say this but this indictment will help donald trump. donald trump right now, before today, was the favourite to be the republican party nominee. that may sound crazy to a lot of people around the world but this indictment will actually help trump. among republicans. it will strengthen him among republicans. because donald trump will do what he's always done, which is say "look at me. i'm a victim. they are after me. everybody�*s after me" and that resonates with his base, with republican voters. you mention this will actually potentially, in your opinion, boost donald trump's chances of re—election but what do you think the reaction will be right now across the us and the

republicans, democrats, those in between, how will they feel hearing that former president trump has been indicted? well, it will strengthen _ trump has been indicted? well, it will strengthen trump - trump has been indicted? well, it will strengthen trump and - it will strengthen trump and help his chances to get the republican party nomination in 24. i don't think it will help get him re—elected. because the stronger trump does in the republican party, more and more americans outside the republican party understand how absolutely unelectable he is. and this is a really important point. i mean, he wasjust indicted in new york for hush money to a porn star and he covered it up in his business filings and all of that but this is just the filings and all of that but this isjust the beginning. let's not forget donald trump is being investigated for inciting an attempt to overthrow an american election. donald trump will probably be

indicted for pressuring election officials in the state of georgia to overthrow that state's election results. so, there are much bigger, more important charges, i think, coming down the pipe that trump is going to have to deal with. in your assessment, what do you think donald trump is thinking right now? how do you think he's feeling about this indictment charge? well, the one thing _ indictment charge? well, the one thing we _ indictment charge? well, the one thing we know _ indictment charge? well, the one thing we know about - one thing we know about trumpers all trumpcare is about is trump. all he thinks about his trump. so right now, he's trying to figure out how this help me? how can this benefit me? and i think he and his people know that this will benefit him politically in the republican party. so, we're going to hear tonight, we will hear tomorrow, the day after, when he is arraigned next week, when he is arraigned next week, when he is arraigned next week, when he turned himself in, it's going to be the donald trump show and he's going to do what he has always done, which, again, is to look at republican

voters and cry and say "look at me. i am a big victim." that is what he will say. jae me. i am a big victim." that is what he will say.— what he will say. joe walsh, thank you — what he will say. joe walsh, thank you for _ what he will say. joe walsh, thank you for your _ what he will say. joe walsh, thank you for your time. - what he will say. joe walsh, i thank you for your time. thank ou. i'm joined now by our washington correspondent nomia iqbal. good to have you on the programme. you've been following this for weeks now. what is your reaction on this? we were expecting it to happen and there was some confusion about when exactly it would happen and we had heard that the grand jury was pausing this and it would be taken up to run next month and so, when the news came through a few hours ago, it was... it was exposing because we were not expecting it but we were also expecting this to happen and of course, is also totally unprecedented, as we've been hearing for the past few hours, it's the first time in us history that a president will be, it has not happened yet but will be, indicted. we don't know exactly the full nature of what those

charges are yet and i think it's been interesting, certainly to hear —— certainly here in dc to hear the lack of reaction, i was talking earlier about someone we have not heard from his president biden. i do think we are likely to. he has been asked quite a few times in the past few weeks when we knew this was potentially going to happen but i suppose there is no blueprint, is there, for a sitting president on how to react to his predecessor potentially being charged this way and i guess his approach is silence and to avoid being drawn into the scrum. this silence and to avoid being drawn into the scrum. as you say there _ drawn into the scrum. as you say there is _ drawn into the scrum. as you say there is no _ drawn into the scrum. as you say there is no blueprint - drawn into the scrum. as you say there is no blueprint for l say there is no blueprint for this but what do you think will be the real implications and impact on donald trump? it’s impact on donald trump? it's interesting — impact on donald trump? it�*s interesting listening to your previous guestjoe walsh who, in the past, joe walsh, for those who might not know who he is, former congressman, huge support of donald trump in the early years, before changing

his mind and i think he's someone who is clued into that base, that supports donald trump. i think that in terms of his supporters, i don't think this changes much, i think it just reinforces everything that they believe, which is that he has been politically persecuted, this is a witch—hunt, donald trump is not just been saying that for a few weeks but throughout the presidency and i think what be interesting is what the impact will be later on if he gets the republican nomination. i think the general view is that this may boost his support with the republican base. we saw after the raid on his home at mar—a—lago last year by the fbi there was a boost among republican support, republican voters. he is the frontrunner at the moment in the republican nomination. whether this goes on to help him get new votes, new voters, which he would need for the presidency, i think we are probably a long way from predicting that at this stage.

thank you very much for that update, nomia. i'm joined now by scott bolden, a white collar criminal defence attorney and former assistant district attorney at manhattan district attorney's office. scott is also the former chair of the dc democratic party but has worked with donald trump's defence team. good to get you on the show. first of all, unprecedented, historic moment, we've never had a former or sitting president indicted. what is your reaction to this? in legal circles, none _ your reaction to this? in legal circles, none of— your reaction to this? in legal circles, none of us _ your reaction to this? in legal circles, none of us are - circles, none of us are surprised in america that donald trump was indicted. we are hearing that this indictment, though unsealed, carries more accounts, some 30—40 counts, that include business fraud, financial fraud, conspiracy and even racketeering. this case is much bigger than stormy daniels. i've listen to your former guest talk about the political

ramifications of this case. i've represented the officials who have been running for office and been indicted at the federal level and at the state level and i must tell you you may have a political strategy but donald trump's liberty is at stake. his criminal acts that he allegedly has committed, the government has two burden of proof and it takes a lot of preparation and time for an elected official or rather a politician running for office to fully defend himself, work with his lawyers, and to ensure that his liberty, he maintains his liberty. so this is a criminal context. this isn't civil, it's not regulatory, it's not a campaign. his first and foremost priority, and i'm sure his defence attorney is telling him, is to remain free and to be found not guilty by a jury of his peers. that's a lot to run for president and to be facing a criminal charge or even a criminal trial during

the campaign. it's almost impossible.— the campaign. it's almost impossible. demille now is worth adding _ impossible. demille now is worth adding we _ impossible. demille now is worth adding we don't - impossible. demille now is| worth adding we don't have impossible. demille now is- worth adding we don't have the full details of what is in the indictment yet but in your opinion, what does this process look like moving forward was to mark having been in that office, i can tell you, once it has been indicted, the prosecutors are on the phone with his criminal defence lawyer and secondly, trying to arrange when he can come in and submit himself, if he does a perp walk or not. i submit himself, if he does a perp walk or not.— perp walk or not. i doubt it will be remotely _ perp walk or not. i doubt it will be remotely which - perp walk or not. i doubt it will be remotely which is i perp walk or not. i doubt it will be remotely which is a | will be remotely which is a possibility but then have the secret service �*s is to protect him, but they cannot protect him, but they cannot protect him from a criminal indictment process, if you will. it will have to be fingerprinted and will allow have an arrest record. he will probably do it on the day that he appears in court before the grand jury judge was some judgements been selected by a rotation system. and he will enter a plea of not guilty. despite the public and

the media attention, it will be “p the media attention, it will be up to the court officers in new york, up to the secret service in negotiations with the district attorney's obvious. it may be that they want him to do a public walk, because no—one is above the law, that is possible, but is safety and the safety of the district attorney employees and others will be paramount. the new york city police department will certainly be part of those negotiations. it's unprecedented but again, he is a defendant who has been indicted and he must follow these rules and procedures like any other defendant. that is the natural tension. we will have to wait and see how they work it out. have to wait and see how they work it out-— work it out. what does trump was back _ work it out. what does trump was back indictment - work it out. what does trump was back indictment mean - work it out. what does trump | was back indictment mean the 2024 presidential elections. i think as to whether his days in or not. when you represent people running for office,

money is the mother's milk of politics and despite his following, the idea that he is in indicted, he may be indicted at the federal level or the state of georgia, money dries up. popularity dries up. in the gop, the party will have to determine whether this is now a time to walk away or whether they pick another candidate because donald trump is too busy fighting for his liberty because of this indictment and perhaps other indictments. this is real. political ramifications for donald trump, they matter today. once the indictment sinks in, once is photographed and fingerprinted, psychologically, defenders no matter how tall they are coming to a reality check and a reality check is that they could go to jail, they could go they could be convicted and life could change forever so these are real considerations that have nothing to do with

politics of the pr strategy. he's got to stay a free man and thatis he's got to stay a free man and that is a real issue for him. the gop has to figure out how long they are going to hang with them or go for another candidate. with them or go for another candidate-— with them or go for another candidate. . ~' , ., , . candidate. thank you very much for our candidate. thank you very much for your time. _ i just want to break away from this story for a moment to bring you another update we've had in from the us — where a jury has found the oscar—winning actor gwyneth paltrow was not responsible for the injuries sustained by a man during a ski—slope collision, in 2016. the star was being sued over the incident in utah, but the jury ruled that it was in fact the claimant — a retired optometrist, terry sanderson — who was at fault. our correspondent sophie long was at the court for the verdict. well, there's been a huge amount of interest in this trial, of course, and it lasted just short of two weeks and it took the jury just two hours to deliberate and come

to their verdict and they found that gwyneth paltrow was not responsible for causing the collision with 76—year—old terry sanderson on the ski slopes a few miles from where i am standing now and they found in fact that he was responsible for the collision. this was a he said, she said trial. we heard a huge amount of evidence about his state of mind and his physical and mental health before and after that accident but we now know that the jury found that gwyneth paltrow was not responsible. he was suing her for $300,000. she countersued for $1. she has now been awarded that $1 in damages and he will also now be liable to pay her legal fees which will likely run into hundreds of thousands of dollars. gwyneth paltrow left court immediately after the verdict. she didn't stop to speak to reporters. she walked past very serenely and calmly as she has throughout the course of this trial and when terry sanderson came out, he stopped to speak to reporters and he said that gwyneth paltrow spoke to him on her way out of court and said, "i wish you well,"

and he said, "thank you." i spoke to a ski instructor who's been working on the mountain around here for several decades and he pointed out that collisions are not uncommon, skiing is a high—risk sport but it is very rare for a case to come to court. i think what most people here have been thinking about, there has been a huge spectacle. a lot of the evidence has been very dry, it's been very expert witness—heavy but winner paltrow�*s evidence was very interesting. she had a very different version of events than that of terry sanderson. both of them claimed that the other one ran into the back of them. this has sparked a huge social media circus, really, a huge amount of activity on tiktok and instagram and even late—night shows in america have turned this case into comedy. people here though in utah, in park city, have seen this as a positive thing in some respects and that it's raised awareness of safety on the mountains.

ms paltrow said in her initial evidence that she hadn't been completely aware that if a collision takes place, you must give your details to the other person, details must be exchanged when you leave the mountain. there is a clear code of conduct and a ski instructor i spoke to today said in a way it will raise awareness of that and in any way, the mountains will be a safer place because of this very high—profile trial. going back to donald trump. i'm joined now by criminal defence attorneyjoseph tully who is in san francisco. this is a huge moment in american politics. just talk us through your reaction thank you for having me first and foremost. i for having me first and foremost.— for having me first and foremost. ., ., , foremost. i am sad and dismayed sto i foremost. i am sad and dismayed stop i think _ foremost. i am sad and dismayed stop i think this _ foremost. i am sad and dismayed stop i think this will— foremost. i am sad and dismayed stop i think this will cause - foremost. i am sad and dismayed stop i think this will cause a - stop i think this will cause a lot of turmoil, no matter what side of the political once you are on. i think you want fair elections which are free of

controversy, representing the will of the people. better than the other person. now we're going have a more circus like atmosphere. these have been in the works for a while and it's not surprising they came, but it definitely shocking the matter how prepared you are for it. , , , ., ., matter how prepared you are for it. , , ., ., , matter how prepared you are for it. , .,, ., it. just explain to us what indictment _ it. just explain to us what indictment actually - it. just explain to us what| indictment actually means it. just explain to us what - indictment actually means and what will happen stop and indictment is from a grand jury indictment is from a grand jury in a grandjury indictment is from a grand jury in a grand jury is a secret people impaneled by a prosecutor, in this case, a new york state prosecutor, between 16 and 23 people. the prosecutor _ 16 and 23 people. the prosecutor project -- | 16 and 23 people. iia: prosecutor project —— presents evidence to this body and at the end of the presentation, they decide whether or not it is reasonable that a crime was committed in. in the prosecutor

can take that indictment and piloting court, and that's what triggers a criminal case.- triggers a criminal case. what consequences _ triggers a criminal case. what consequences could _ triggers a criminal case. what consequences could president trump actually face? depending on the charges. _ trump actually face? depending on the charges. , _ trump actually face? depending on the charges. , on _ trump actually face? depending on the charges. , on how- trump actually face? depending on the charges. , on how many| on the charges. , on how many there are. who knows? right now, what we do know is that the main charges will revolve around falsifying business records and that is a felony. it carries a charger a penalty between zero and four years. normally speaking, people who do plead to these charges as families do not expect felonies do not do anyjail time. they pay fines and that is it but who knows what would happen as this applies to donald trump. the indictment details haven't fully come out yet but what would be the potential legal

implication if he does run for the 2024 presidential election campaign? it’s the 2024 presidential election campaign?— campaign? it's interesting. a president _ campaign? it's interesting. a president has _ campaign? it's interesting. a president has the _ campaign? it's interesting. a president has the power - campaign? it's interesting. a president has the power of i campaign? it's interesting. a president has the power of a | president has the power of a pardon. if i was on the side of mr trump, and pardon. if i was on the side of mrtrump, and a pardon. if i was on the side of mr trump, and a defence attorney, which i'm not, then i would continue the case out as long as possible in the hopes that he wins the nomination and then wins the presidency. if he does win, he would pardon himself and the whole case goes away. i think it sets up a strategy delay, the delay will be good for this case. generally speaking, delay always holds the accused but in this case, it would have a far more very concrete objective. as we are saying, this is unprecedented. the first time a us president has been charged with a crime out as the us

legal system even begin to try to figure out how to navigate something like? i to figure out how to navigate something like?— to figure out how to navigate something like? i think you do it one step _ something like? i think you do it one step at _ something like? i think you do it one step at a _ something like? i think you do it one step at a time _ something like? i think you do it one step at a time and - something like? i think you do it one step at a time and i - it one step at a time and i think the new york state prosecutor will file charges or unsealed the indictment. once they unseal it, it will become public stop the former president will go to court, plead not guilty, he will walk out. arraignment is the first court date. everybody is always high strung about that but it's literally the kickoff of a ball game. all it is the start of things. nothing really happens. you walk into court, pleaded not guilty and walk out. it might be a photo shoot of him getting his fingerprints done, but that's it. and it's not without legal precedent. vice president spero agnew who was... ., ., y president spero agnew who was... ., ., , , ., was... unfortunately, sorry to interrupt_ was... unfortunately, sorry to interrupt you. _ was... unfortunately, sorry to interrupt you, we _ was... unfortunately, sorry to interrupt you, we run - was... unfortunately, sorry to interrupt you, we run out - was... unfortunately, sorry to interrupt you, we run out of l interrupt you, we run out of time. thank you so much for your time. that's all for now.

you can reach me on twitter — i'm @lmmisztak. thursday turned out to be the warmest day of the year so far, with temperatures in suffolk reaching highs of 17.8 celsius, very close to 18 degrees. but while there were some spells of sunshine, there were also some hefty downpours. and we're starting friday with, actually, some more persistent rain swirling around this area of low pressure. now, this has been named by the french weather service. it's been named storm martis for the strength of the winds in the north of france. but it is also bringing some very strong winds through the english channel affecting the channel islands,

southern coasts of england, even into the south coast of wales. gusts of 50, 60, 70mph as we start friday morning with some outbreaks of heavy and persistent rain. that rain really lingering through the day across the south—west of england, even as the winds slowly ease for the south—east of england, east anglia, the midlands, parts of wales will see some hefty showers. northern england and eastern scotland, quite cloudy with a bit of rain at times. some bright skies for western scotland and northern ireland, but with some showers as well. not quite as warm as it was on thursday — generally 8—13 celsius. and then, as we head through friday night, well, this band of rain stays quite stubbornly across western parts of the uk, a lot of cloud filtering into eastern areas as well. not a particularly cold night, temperatures generally between 3—9 celsius. so, into saturday, quite a messy weather picture. this area of low pressure's still fairly close by. a couple of different weather systems bringing a focus for some outbreaks of rain. we will have this band of rain likely to affect parts of northern ireland, wales and the south of england as we go through saturday. further east, a lot of clouds, some spots of rain with that and quite a brisk breeze,

meaning that for parts of eastern scotland and north—east england, it will feel really rather cool, in fact, quite chilly. and even further inland and further west, it is going to be cooler than it has been. now, as we get into the second half of the weekend, low pressure loses its influence and high pressure starts to build, and that means we'll have lighter winds for the most part on sunday, a little bit breezy in the south—east corner. there should also be less cloud and more in the way of sunshine. and aside from a few showers, most places will be dry, but still a little cooler than it has been — highs of 9—12 celsius.

this is bbc news. the headlines — donald trump has become the first former us president to face criminal charges. he has been indicted after a probe into alleged hush money given to the adult entertainer stormy daniels just before the 2016 presidential election. trump allegedly recorded the payment as a business expense. mr trump, who's running to be president again in 2024, has called the charges a "political persecution" and "election interference". he also criticised prosecutors and his democratic opponents and insisted the indictment would backfire on his successor, presidentjoe biden. a jury in the us state of utah has found the oscar—winning actor gwyneth paltrow was not responsible for the injuries sustained by a man during a ski—slope collision

seven years ago.