live from washington, this is bbc news. welcome to viewers on pbs in america. sudan's warring forces start a 72—hour ceasefire, after days of intense negotiations. russia's foreign minister faces the un security council. i speak to us ambassador to the un, linda thomas—greenfield. and we speak to two of the tennessee three, after they meet with president biden to discuss gun control. hello, i'm sumi somaskanda. we start in sudan where a three—day ceasfire between two rival military groups has come into effect to allow people to be evacuated, but there are concerns

that it may not hold. hundreds of people have died since fighting started between the sudanese army and rsf paramilitary force. in recent days, more countries have attempted to evacuate their diplomats and citizens — this is a member of the dutch military handing out earplugs as they get ready to take off. and this was the scene as the spanish defence ministry helped diplomats and citizens on to their plane. so far we know that germany evacuated 311 people this weekend to jordan, with 1000 german soldiers involved in that operation. france evacuated 388, both french nationals as well as a significant number of people from other countries, including the uk. italy flew out 200 people — 140 of them italian nationals. in comparison, just 30 british nationals and 70 americans have been evacuated from sudan. and the the us and uk have a far higher number of people to evacuate — 16,000 and 4,000 passport holders respectively. before the ceasefire was announced, we heard from the un secretary

general antonio guterres. he said the united nations would not leave sudan, even though some staff were relocated temporarily. there was also this warning. since the start of fighting on 15th april, hundreds of people have been killed and thousands injured. the finance must stop. it risks a catastrophic conflagration within sudan that could engulf the whole region and beyond. today's un security council meeting was chaired by russia's foreign minister, sergey lavrov. the un secretary general took direct aim at russia, accusing the nation of inflicting great suffering through its invasion of ukraine. the us, france and britain were among the nations condemning russia for its war against ukraine, saying it struck at the heart of the un charter. mr lavrov offered a counter—argument, criticising previous us—led wars and saying that no—one had appointed the west to speak for all humankind.

the us ambassador to the united nations, linda thomas—greenfield, was in the chamber as russia's foreign minister was speaking. i spoke to her earlier. ambassador, it is great to have you with us. i want to ask you about what one of russian�*s foreign minister sergei lavrov�*s stronger comments that he made today. translation: as was i the case in the cold war, we have reached a dangerous, possibly even more dangerous threshold. the situation has been worsened by the loss and faith in multilateralism. what do you make of that? if there is any loss of trust in multilateralism it is russia's fault. we are dealing with some really critical issues. a pandemic, climate change. issues of war and peace. and right at that point, russia invades one of its smaller neighbours. really, just challenging the entire foundation of the un charter.

challenging all the values that we have all worked on since the founding of the united nations so if this is an issue for the russians, they are responsible for creating that issue. their hypocrisy today was unbelievable. the fact of them calling for discussion of multilateralism, when if they have taken such an aggressive, unilateral action as to attack one of their neighbours. 0bservers there at the un see sergei lavrov�*s speech as a direct provocation of the west. how do you deal with that type of provocation? they did notjust provoke the west, they provoked the entire un system. they provoked every single member state. and i still think it is important for us to point out that 1111 countries condemn their actions

and they heard all 1a members of the security council in different ways, stand—up for the values of the un charter and condemn their actions as being actions that bring into question their own commitment to multilateralism. their own commitment to the un system. their unprovoked aggression against ukraine cannot be justified. it cannot be put in front of us as a defence of multilateralism. what russia needs to do is pull their troops out of ukraine and end this war. you accuse russia of violating international law by wrongfully detaining americans. so you cold for the release of the wall streetjournal reporter, evan gershkovich, and also ex—marine paul whelan, and you actually invited his family to that session today. are you making any attempt to speak to sergei lavrov about these two americans?

the secretary of state has spoken to lavrov, and i have spoken to my counterpart here in new york, their permanent representative vasily nebenzya, and raised this at that level. i have no plans to meet with lavrov, but he knows what our position is, and he heard my statement loudly and clearly today in the council. the un security council is supposed to prevent wars like the one we're seeing right now. is it a failure of the body that russia has already invaded a country before — we know with crimea — can invade another, invade another, rather, and also preside over this body? it's shaken the confidence of member states it's shaken the confidence of member states in the council, but the council continues to function. we're continuing to deal with peace and security issues across the globe. we will be meeting tomorrow

on the situation in sudan. we have addressed the situation in libya. we met last week on the situation in yemen. so, the council functions in spite of russia's unprovoked attack on ukraine. but certainly what they are doing has made the world look at the council in a different way, and it's really impressed upon us how important it is to look at security council reform and to really evolve the security council to take into account the issues of peace and security that we're facing today, many of them different from what we faced almost 80 years ago when the un was created. what kind of reform would prevent one of the permanent members from invading another country?

first and foremost, we need to make the council more representative of the world. so right now, there are no african permanent representatives on the council, no one from latin america as a permanent representative on the council. so, to expand the council and make it more representative is one of the things that we would certainly look to doing. you mentioned latin america. we know that sergei lavrov, previous to his trip to new york, traveled through south and central america, including cuba. are you concerned about russia's growing influence in the region? russia is trying their best to get as many countries on their side as possible. but the truth of the matter is only five countries have consistently supported russia in the resolutions that we have brought before the general assembly.

so, they are in a minority community and they're fighting to bring more people into their sphere, and they're failing at that effort. ambassador linda thomas—greenfield, thank you very much forjoining us. it's really been wonderful to be with you, sumi. thank you for having me. around the world and across the uk, this is bbc news. it has been described as a buzzer or asjeff it has been described as a buzzer or as jeff cole it has been described as a buzzer or asjeff cole it it has been described as a buzzer or as jeff cole it a natty little gadget but for something so small it impact is huge. iii something so small it impact is hue. something so small it impact is hu . e. ., ' something so small it impact is hue. ., ' �* huge. if i turn it off... and then i turn _ huge. if i turn it off... and then i turn it _ huge. if i turn it off... and then i turn it back- huge. if i turn it off... and then i turn it back on - huge. if i turn it off... and | then i turn it back on again, jeff is one of the first people to use the q1.

addenbrooke's is the first hospital in the country to trial the cue 1, and patients have been surprised of the result. it has such a quick _ surprised of the result. it has such a quick effect _ surprised of the result. it has such a quick effect and - surprised of the result. it has such a quick effect and a - surprised of the result. it has such a quick effect and a lot i such a quick effect and a lot of the drugs they need to treat that condition have a lot of side—effects. that condition have a lot of side-effects.— that condition have a lot of side-effects. over 40,000 eo - le side-effects. over 40,000 peeple are _ side-effects. over 40,000 peeple are on _ side-effects. over 40,000 people are on the - side-effects. over 40,000 people are on the list - side-effects. over 40,000 people are on the list for l side-effects. over 40,000 i people are on the list for the cue one. so he's one of the lucky ones. a scooter would have been unthinkable and now walking the dog a in the park. you're live with bbc news. a group of tennessee lawmakers known a group of tennessee lawmakers known as the tennessee three met with president biden and vice president harris in the oval office today to discuss gun control. it's been just over three weeks since representatives justin jones and justin pearson were expelled by a republican—led legislature. they were voted out for protesting gun violence on the house floor but were reappointed

on a temporary basis. a third white lawmaker who protested, gloria johnson, narrowly surivived expulsion. and today, they sat in the oval office, meeting with president biden to discuss gun control. here's what biden had to say: what the republican legislature did was shocking and undemocratic and it was without any precedent, to turn it around very quickly and, look, we passed the most significant gun laws we have passed in 30 years but there is more to do. earlier i spoke to the two previously expelled legislators from tennessee. how was the meeting with the president into the oval office? thank you for having us today. it was a good meeting. we talked about gun violence as a moral issue. and talked about how we need to act in extraordinary ways to protect our kids so it was a really productive meeting. we came on behalf of the people in our state the majority of whom

support commonsense gun laws. we're talking about an assault our democracy. we think it was a very productive meeting. it was a productive meeting and showed — was a productive meeting and showed we talked about there being — showed we talked about there being a — showed we talked about there being a movement, notjust in time _ being a movement, notjust in time but — being a movement, notjust in time but of people, especially young — time but of people, especially young people, in tennessee and across_ young people, in tennessee and across the — young people, in tennessee and across the country, who are demanding legislators and elected people do something. do something that over 70% of americans are doing. to make sure _ americans are doing. to make sure there _ americans are doing. to make sure there are background protections and red flag laws and even in places like tennessee and more conservative pieces _ tennessee and more conservative places within the power of movement.— places within the power of movement. ., ., ., ., movement. you wanted to ask the president to _ movement. you wanted to ask the president to make _ movement. you wanted to ask the president to make gun _ movement. you wanted to ask the president to make gun violence i president to make gun violence a public health emergency. is that something the president is going to do? irate that something the president is going to do?— going to do? we lifted that is an issue because _ going to do? we lifted that is an issue because we - going to do? we lifted that is an issue because we have - going to do? we lifted that is| an issue because we have had more mass shootings and it is uniquely an american problem. we are gratefulfor uniquely an american problem. we are grateful for his support and we talked about how we have

to use this moment to continue the momentum of a movement. and do things that will raise and elevate the issue and force a conversation and to use what we have in our hands to create change because there is a crisis in the united states. president biden has essentially said he has done everything he can do. ~ ., ., ,, said he has done everything he cando. ., ,. can do. what do you expect him to do? the _ can do. what do you expect him to do? the support _ can do. what do you expect him to do? the support of _ can do. what do you expect him to do? the support of the - can do. what do you expect him to do? the support of the white house _ to do? the support of the white house on — to do? the support of the white house on the issue of gun violence. _ house on the issue of gun violence, using executive orders _ violence, using executive orders to promote this issue and — orders to promote this issue and realising their strategies we have _ and realising their strategies we have in nashville, kentucky, this does— we have in nashville, kentucky, this does not have to be the way— this does not have to be the way things up but as we continue to build this movement we are _ continue to build this movement we are expecting and hopeful the white house is going to use their— the white house is going to use their authority, the white house is going to use theirauthority, presence the white house is going to use their authority, presence and power— their authority, presence and power to— their authority, presence and power to help move forward and advance — power to help move forward and advance the conversation about the end — advance the conversation about the end of gun violence not as a democratic basis conservative issue _ a democratic basis conservative issue but— a democratic basis conservative issue but is an issue all americans care about because we all care _ americans care about because we all care about protecting kids over— all care about protecting kids over guns, to assure kids can io over guns, to assure kids can go to— over guns, to assure kids can

go to school and be safe. so it is the — go to school and be safe. so it is the support that they are offering _ is the support that they are offering to continue to help us build — offering to continue to help us build this— offering to continue to help us build this movement, listening to the — build this movement, listening to the voices of young people to the voices of young people to protect our communities. you mention you _ to protect our communities. gm. mention you wanted what happened in tennessee to be a movement but also as a model for the rest of the country. what you expect? governor is now holding a special legislative session on gun violence. what do you expect for that to pass? haste violence. what do you expect for that to pass?— for that to pass? we have an and hen _ for that to pass? we have an and iran endorsed _ for that to pass? we have an and iran endorsed governor. | for that to pass? we have an i and iran endorsed governor. -- and iran endorsed governor. —— and iran endorsed governor. —— and r. it would be immoral to let this year pass and do nothing. —— nra. we need to ban assault weapons, storage laws and these are things that is a

uniquely american problem. haste uniquely american problem. have an of uniquely american problem. have any of your— uniquely american problem. have any of your republican _ any of your republican colleagues shown any movement on this question?— on this question? there are republicans _ on this question? there are republicans who _ on this question? there are republicans who want - on this question? there are republicans who want to i on this question? there are l republicans who want to see on this question? there are - republicans who want to see red fla l republicans who want to see red flag taws — republicans who want to see red flag laws pace and supportive of the — flag laws pace and supportive of the governor's bill and we know— of the governor's bill and we know a — of the governor's bill and we know a special session is going to help — know a special session is going to help republican colleagues who are — to help republican colleagues who are running legislature more — who are running legislature more like a mob, helps and see thousands— more like a mob, helps and see thousands of people from tennessee and around the world of wanting to see us passjust reforms — of wanting to see us passjust reforms and if there are republican to support by the governor is seeking to do and we believe as more people show up we believe as more people show up all— we believe as more people show up all across our state, we can pass— up all across our state, we can pass more _ up all across our state, we can pass more just lost.— pass more 'ust lost. after beinu pass more just lost. after being expelled _ pass more just lost. after being expelled your- pass more just lost. after being expelled your back| pass more just lost. after l being expelled your back as temporary representatives, have you i think we are dealing with similar issues as before, we have an institution that is full of marginalisation of

people invoices. that has not significantly changed and our work and our presence is to continue to resist that by being the voices in the best way that we can.— way that we can. and our colleagues _ way that we can. and our colleagues are _ way that we can. and our colleagues are not - way that we can. and our colleagues are not our. colleagues are not our constituents, we are not there to make — constituents, we are not there to make trends, we are there to make _ to make trends, we are there to make changes to be we are there on behatf— make changes to be we are there on behalf of 78,000 people, it is one — on behalf of 78,000 people, it is one of— on behalf of 78,000 people, it is one of the most multiracial districts— is one of the most multiracial districts in— is one of the most multiracial districts in the state so we are — districts in the state so we are there _ districts in the state so we are there to write for our constituents and make sure that our children are not having active _ our children are not having active shooter drills and they should — active shooter drills and they should be able to be children and flourish and thrive. the two of you _ and flourish and thrive. the two of you in _ and flourish and thrive. tie: two of you in particular have had a really busy last few weeks with everything that has happened to be how has it been for you to go from legislating on a local level to becoming these national figures? on a local level to becoming these nationalfigures? i these national figures? i think, these nationalfigures? i think, as the vice president told us sometimes we have two rise to the moment. we are the youngest black lawmakers in our state and we come from a community in tennessee where young people have led a movement to transform america and so we are facing this

reconstruction where we are building a multiracial coalition and we know that this is bigger than us because if we are successful in tennessee it will set a model for the nation to value the lives of our children over guns. that's exactly right. _ children over guns. that's exactly right. this - children over guns. that'sl exactly right. this moment children over guns. that's . exactly right. this moment is about— exactly right. this moment is about the _ exactly right. this moment is about the people we represent. it's about the people we represent. it's larry— about the people we represent. it's larry thorne, my classmate who _ it's larry thorne, my classmate who was — it's larry thorne, my classmate who was killed by gun violence earlier— who was killed by gun violence earlier this year stop it's the people — earlier this year stop it's the people in _ earlier this year stop it's the people in our communities whose voices— people in our communities whose voices are — people in our communities whose voices are being elevated on an international level. whose demands for change sent us to the state — demands for change sent us to the state legislator and the well — the state legislator and the well of _ the state legislator and the well of the floor and in this moment, _ well of the floor and in this moment, in this time, it is a movement— moment, in this time, it is a movement of people who keep showing — movement of people who keep showing up, who keeps picking up showing up, who keeps picking up regardless of whatever systems of oppression are telling _ systems of oppression are telling them not to, that we are a — telling them not to, that we are a part of, we are notjust leaders — are a part of, we are notjust leaders in _ are a part of, we are notjust leaders in the statehouse and in a state _ leaders in the statehouse and in a state legislature but we are members of this movement alongside — are members of this movement alongside folks who are advocating forjustice and advocating for justice and change _ advocating forjustice and change and fortunate to be a part — change and fortunate to be a part of _ change and fortunate to be a art of. . , change and fortunate to be a art of. ., , , ., change and fortunate to be a artof. , ., ., part of. last question, you are advocating _ part of. last question, you are advocating for _ part of. last question, you are advocating for change - part of. last question, you are advocating for change of - advocating for change of course, are you optimistic that you will be able to move something forward concretely in

your legislature?— something forward concretely in your legislature? what gives me ho -e is your legislature? what gives me hope is that _ your legislature? what gives me hope is that young _ your legislature? what gives me hope is that young people. - hope is that young people. generations e is going to be a force to be reckoned with and there's young people who are leading this protest that our state capital, people who can't even vote yet who are saying we want to live in a different avenue of america. it's forcing my colleagues to act and to call a special session. into the movement and it is being led by young people and that is what gives me hope and i think the paradigms shift being. i am eternally optimistic. wonderful, thank you so much forjoining us here in the studio, great to have you with a. . ~' studio, great to have you with a. . ~ , ., ., a. thank you for the opportunity- - let's turn to australia now. dawn services have taken place in australia and new zealand to mark anzac day, to commemorate troops killed at war and servicemembers. the date marks the anniversary of the landing of australian and new zealand soldiers — the anzacs — on the gallipoli peninsula. the celebations come as the the australian government is embarking on its biggest defense overhaul since world war ii.

live now to sydney and our correspondent phil mercer. the defence report reflects china's growing military power and influence. what changes are being made? this review into australia's military capabilities coincides with anzac day, arguably the most sombre and poignant day in the calendars in both australia and new zealand. this is a day when both countries remember their war dead on the anniversary of the landing of the anzac soldiers at gallipoli in turkey in 1915 so today is about looking back over australia and new zealand's military past, this defence review is very much about looking into the future. it is a response to what the government here in australia is describing is china's rapid military expansion but also its territorial ambitions in the south china sea. this report states that there is no direct threat to australia from china but it believes that china's

growing assertiveness damages australia's national interest. how is australia looking to balance this difficult challenge of working with china when it comes to trade, of course would also reflect in china's growing military power. australia always has a delicate climatic balancing act between china, its biggest trading partner, the united states, long—standing security partner and its other neighbours in the indo—pacific region, so since the election last year of a left of centre labor government here in australia we have seen tensions with beijing and australia ease, the australian prime minister anthony albanese has always insisted that a stable relationship is needed but there will be disagreement. phil mercer for us but there will be disagreement. phil mercerfor us there but there will be disagreement. phil mercer for us there in sydney, thank you so much.

a big media shakeup in the us today, fox news and tucker carlson, have announced they have parted ways. "tucker carlson tonight", averaged 3.32 million total viewers last year and received the largest audience in all of cable news. last week the network agreed to a huge financial settlement to end a lawsuit over false claims about the 2020 election. carlson had been expected to be a key witness in the trial. their rival, cnn also terminated one of their top presenters today, don lemon. cnn didn't give a reason for their action. lemon was recently suspended and had to apologise for comments he made about women. for more on this i spoke to katie robertson. she's a media reporter with the new york times. hi katie, do we know what happened here?— hi katie, do we know what happened here? well, i think that is the — happened here? well, i think that is the big _ happened here? well, i think that is the big question, - happened here? well, i think that is the big question, isn't| that is the big question, isn't it? apparently this was a that was just made it? apparently this was a that wasjust made on it? apparently this was a that was just made on friday by the ceo of fox news and they didn't tell tucker until this morning, until monday morning and sources say that he was shocked and surprised and everyone inside the network was

surprised as well. 0bviously outside of the network it came as a shock to everyone. and what we understand is that he was really the subject of a lot of tumult both inside and outside. he was set to be a witness in the dominion trail and a lot of unflattering e—mails and text messages had come out of that is part of the discovery. is also facing a lawsuit from a former producer who accused him of presiding over a hostile workplace culture. over a hostile workplace culture-— over a hostile workplace culture. ., , , culture. can you tell us why this is such _ culture. can you tell us why this is such a _ culture. can you tell us why this is such a big _ culture. can you tell us why this is such a big deal? - culture. can you tell us why this is such a big deal? he l culture. can you tell us why | this is such a big deal? he is one of the — this is such a big deal? he is one of the top _ this is such a big deal? he is one of the top rated - this is such a big deal? he is one of the top rated cable i this is such a big deal? he is i one of the top rated cable news hosts and certainly one of the biggest stars at fox and as you said commands a huge audience and has a lot of influence especially in politics here in the us and so to see him let 90, the us and so to see him let go, to be fired so quickly and abruptly with really no warning i think came as a real surprise for a lot of people. and certainly people... katie, we mentioned — certainly people... katie, we mentioned tucker _ certainly people... katie, we mentioned tucker carlton's l mentioned tucker carlton's ratings, we also saw fox's

shares drop on this news today. what is all of this going to mean for fox's viewership, seeing the impact of all of this? �* , ., seeing the impact of all of this? �* , . ., seeing the impact of all of this? �*, . ., , ., seeing the impact of all of this? ., , ., ., this? it's a great question and i think this? it's a great question and i think we _ this? it's a great question and i think we will— this? it's a great question and i think we will have _ this? it's a great question and i think we will have to - this? it's a great question and i think we will have to wait - i think we will have to wait and see but i think fox executives like to believe that fox itself is bigger than any one star. they have cut people before, and they persevered and each host has sort of knelt on the last one so i think for them it is a matter of preserving fox news as it is then protect in any one talent. you expect more anchors to be fired? ~ ., fired? well, we were wondering what was going _ fired? well, we were wondering what was going to _ fired? well, we were wondering what was going to happen - fired? well, we were wondering what was going to happen in - fired? well, we were wondering| what was going to happen in the aftermath of the dominion trail which obviously didn't quite make it to trail, a huge settlement of nearly 800 million us dollars. i think there is a good chance that we may see more host fired or even more executives fired as fox clears health and tries to get back on track.— clears health and tries to get back on track. what about what is next for _

back on track. what about what is next for tucker _ back on track. what about what is next for tucker carlson. - back on track. what about what is next for tucker carlson. as i is next for tucker carlson. as he possibly eyeing a presidential bid in 2024? that some of the rumours we've been hearing. irate some of the rumours we've been hearinu. ~ . �* ., ., hearing. we haven't heard from him et, hearing. we haven't heard from him yet. this — hearing. we haven't heard from him yet, this happened - hearing. we haven't heard from him yet, this happened nearly l him yet, this happened nearly 12 hours ago now and he hasn't put out a state, he hasn't made any comments, he has certainly not replied to any of our phone calls or text messages or e—mails so i don't know what is going to happen. we have seen other conservative hosts forge their own paths as independent podcast is or having their own tv show so they could possibly be what he does next. and tv show so they could possibly be what he does next. and 'ust one be what he does next. and 'ust question i be what he does next. and 'ust one question on i be what he does next. and 'ust one question on seeing i be what he does next. and just one question on seeing cnn'sl one question on seeing cnn's don lemon fired as well about previous success comments he made, are we seeing american media go through some kind of reckoning here? it media go through some kind of reckoning here?— reckoning here? it looks like that's not — reckoning here? it looks like that's not ba _ reckoning here? it looks like that's not ba do _ reckoning here? it looks like that's not ba do think - reckoning here? it looks like that's not ba do think that | reckoning here? it looks like i that's not ba do think that cnn and fox timing apparently is a coincidence, it certainly made for a very busy day for us but i think after the #metoo movement which was maybe five years ago now, certain things no longer can happen at these

networks and i think executives know that they need to make some tough decisions. bit some tough decisions. all ri . ht, some tough decisions. all right. katie _ some tough decisions. all right, katie robertson, media reporter with the new york times, very interesting to get your insights on this big day and american media news, thank you, katie. the former strictly come dancing head judge, len goodman, has died, aged 78. the champion ballroom dancer and teacher found fame later in life as a head judge on both the uk and us versions of the popular celebrity dance series. he's been remembered as a "kind and brilliant" man who "lit up the screen". buckingham palace said the queen consort, an avid strictly fan, was saddened to learn of his death. that's our programme at this hour, we will keep you updated

on the situation in sudan where a three—day ceasefire between the rival military groups has come into effect. stay with us here on bbc. hello there. very few places on monday had a completely dry day and temperatures struggled to get into double figures. we've seen the colder air down from the arctic move down across the whole of the uk. that's firmly in place right now. there are some weather fronts trying to push up from the south—west, but most of the showers that we had earlier on are getting drawn away into the north sea as that low pressure heads towards scandinavia. so as the showers die away, skies are clearing, and with the winds lighter, temperatures are falling quite sharply. it'll be a cold start to tuesday. lowest temperatures, scotland and northern ireland, —4 or —5 celsius. so, a frosty start for much of the country on tuesday. but it should be a bright and sunny one. as is quite typical

for this time of the year, through the morning, as temperatures rise, the cloud will bubble up. in the afternoon, it spreads out and it becomes increasingly cloudy. very few showers around, mind you, most of them in the north of scotland — again, a touch wintry over the hills — but the winds are a lot lighter here and we'll have light winds elsewhere as well. those temperatures ranging from 7 degrees in northern scotland to only 12 celsius in the south—east of england. so colder weather is in place, these weather fronts trying to move up from the south—west, making very little progress. we are going to see more cloud coming in overnight into wednesday, so the frost is going to be more limited to scotland and northern england. and here, there may well be some sunshine for a while on wednesday, so too northern ireland, but again the cloud will build up, we'll see a few more showers breaking out, mainly across northern england. further south, wales, the midlands and southern england look pretty cloudy. quite a dull day. bit misty over the hills in the south—west, and the clouds thick enough to give a few spots of light rain or drizzle. and those temperatures not really changing very much into wednesday. there is some milder air, as i say, trying to come in from the south—west, but it's making very slow

progress, pushing away that cold air that we've drawn down from the arctic. and it looks like whilst there could be some sunshine around for a while across northern areas, again, the cloud will increase and it's looking pretty dull further south. the cloud thickening in the south—west to bring with it some outbreaks of rain, into south—west england and south wales. those temperatures creeping up but only by a degree or two. it will be a cold start to this week, a chilly week ahead, certainly, with those early frosts around, before the cloud comes in, limiting the frost, lifting the temperatures just a little bit, but bringing with it later in the week the chance of some rain.

voice-over: this is bbc news. we'll have the headlines and all the main news stories for you at the top of the hour, straight after this programme. welcome to hardtalk, i'm stephen sackur. there — i'vejust used seven words and communicated quite a lot. words can bind us together or push us apart. in a sense, we are all wordsmiths, but many of us shy away from the art form that best harnesses the power of words — poetry. but not my guest today. john cooper clarke was once dubbed �*the punk poet'. all his life, he has used

words, rhythm and rhyme to find