live from london. this is bbc news. the uk government starts their operation to get british nationals out of sudan — after growing critiscm at thew spped of the response. sudan's warring factions — agree a 72 hour ceasefire. the british government tells people — to make their own way to the airport. she has very good local knowledge, but the routes from where i am in the south of the city, to the north, and beyond the north is very difficult. joe biden confirms he will stand for a second term as us president. at 80 — joe biden is already the oldest holder of the office in history — we have reaction and analysis — of today's major announcement.

and the singer harry belafonte has died. welcome to bbc news. we start in sudan — and developments in the last hour or so — with the uk government urging british passport holders to head to an airfield to the north of khartoum, tojoin evacuation flights. previous advice — to wait until they are contacted — has been dropped. the foreign secretary, james cleverly, said uk nationals would have to make the riskyjourney to the airbase �*without a military escort�* — and warned it is "impossible" to know how long the pause in the fierce fighting will last. the first of the british transport planes took off from an airbase in cyprus bound for sudan — it's thought there may be up to four thousand britons in sudan, a little

over two thousand have registered with the foreign office for evacuation. rishi sunak authorised the operation late on monday night, after growing criticism that only diplomats had been rescued — with british nationals left feeling abandoned. france, germany, greece, turkey, spain and itlay had all managed to get some of their civilians out. a shaky ceasefire is holding in the sudanese capital, khartoum, allowing civilians out on to the streets for the first time in days. some gunfire can still be heard, but both the sudanese army and the paramilitary rapid support forces appear to observing the three—day truce brokered by the united states. unverified videos posted online show people walking through streets where almost every building has been damaged. those scrambling to leave sudan are confronted with a series of possible routes out — all perilous. those who can't reach

the airport face a long journey north by road to egypt — if they can find transport — or by land and sea through port sudan. many british nationals live in the east of khartoum — the route to the airfield in the north involves crossing the nile, with at least some of the bridges reported to be under the control of rival militia. just before i came on air, i spoke to one briton — william — as he crossed the border out of sudan and into egypt. he told me about the dangers of making the journey over the last two days — and questioned the latest advice from the british government — he said it was too dangerous to ask people to get to the airport themselves. we are over the sudanese border and going through the egyptian border. so far so good and elated. haw going through the egyptian border. so far so good and elated. how long has it taken — so far so good and elated. how long has it taken you _ so far so good and elated. how long has it taken you and _ so far so good and elated. how long has it taken you and how— so far so good and elated. how long has it taken you and how dangerous | has it taken you and how dangerous was it in the early parts? we

has it taken you and how dangerous was it in the early parts?— was it in the early parts? we left at 5m was it in the early parts? we left at 5pm on _ was it in the early parts? we left at 5pm on 23rd _ was it in the early parts? we left at 5pm on 23rd april. _ was it in the early parts? we left at 5pm on 23rd april. we - was it in the early parts? we left at 5pm on 23rd april. we are - was it in the early parts? we left| at 5pm on 23rd april. we are still on the move now. we had an overnight last night in a safe house and the night before was on the bus. it was pretty horrible, the first three or four hours were. we weren't shot at. but we did hear some shooting. just two shots from a policeman�*s pistol we think, he was shooting at somebody else, not us. we went through back roads, it was dark and we didn't know where we were. i think we were going around the eastern side of khartoum. we went to the north. we eastern side of khartoum. we went to the north. ~ ., , ., eastern side of khartoum. we went to the north. ~ ., i. ., the north. we heard you on the programme _ the north. we heard you on the programme yesterday - the north. we heard you on the programme yesterday critical . the north. we heard you on the | programme yesterday critical of the north. we heard you on the - programme yesterday critical of the uk government, complaining about no help, nonsense was the word you used. now they're starting the a airlift operation, i assume if you knew that was coming you might have waited for it?—

waited for it? absolutely not. because the _ waited for it? absolutely not. because the solution - waited for it? absolutely not. because the solution they - waited for it? absolutely not. i because the solution they have waited for it? absolutely not. - because the solution they have come up because the solution they have come up that we heard about this morning was drive to a place in the north of khartoum, well north of khartoum, 20 kilometres north, to an airstrip. we live on the south of the city, we used to, 10 kilometres south of the city. we would have to go through the middle of the city, that is a worse zone and itself has got force and try and find this place that we had never been to before on our own. that was the advice. the solution is a good one, but what people need most is support to get there. that is what the irish and the french did and the eu in general have done. you think the current advice, it is simply too dangerous you think for many britons to attempt what they're suggesting? many britons to attempt what they're su: caestin ? ., many britons to attempt what they're su~estin~? ., , , suggesting? from where i live, yes. where i live- — suggesting? from where i live, yes. where i live. and _ suggesting? from where i live, yes. where i live. and from _ suggesting? from where i live, yes. where i live. and from where - suggesting? from where i live, yes. where i live. and from where mostl suggesting? from where i live, yes. | where i live. and from where most of the ex—pats have moved, it is difficult. if you have good local

knowledge, you might find a safe route. the routes from where i was to the north and beyond the north is very difficult. i say we had, it took us for orfive very difficult. i say we had, it took us for or five hours to sort of do the same thing. it was at night and a guy knew what he was doing, the coach driver and thanks goodness he did. it was still a difficult route even then. bribes had to be paid, we heard gunshots and little military. b, paid, we heard gunshots and little milita . �* ., paid, we heard gunshots and little milita . �* . , ., paid, we heard gunshots and little milita .�* . , ., ., military. a final question, for you and our military. a final question, for you and your family. _ military. a final question, for you and your family, do _ military. a final question, for you and your family, do you - military. a final question, for you and your family, do you know - military. a final question, for you | and your family, do you know what you're going to do now and your family, do you know what you're going to do no_ and your family, do you know what you're going to do now 1234? yes, we are auoin you're going to do now 1234? yes, we are going to — you're going to do now 1234? yes, we are going to coventry! _ you're going to do now 1234? yes, we are going to coventry! we _ you're going to do now 1234? yes, we are going to coventry! we are - you're going to do now 1234? yes, we are going to coventry! we are going l are going to coventry! we are going to actually spend a couple of of nights in cairo. but we are in touch with ourfamily. can i put in one final word? the people of sudan do not deserve this. this is a disaster

for them like nothing else you would imagine and it is practically the end of the country as far as the sudanese we have spoken to see it. they're packing people, the departure area of the sudanese side and we have been talking to a few and we have been talking to a few and it is just awful. that and we have been talking to a few and it isjust awful.— and it is 'ust awful. that was one briton and it isjust awful. that was one briton talking _ and it isjust awful. that was one briton talking to _ and it isjust awful. that was one briton talking to me _ and it isjust awful. that was one briton talking to me as _ and it isjust awful. that was one briton talking to me as he - and it isjust awful. that was one briton talking to me as he was i briton talking to me as he was crossing the border out of sudan. live now to general sir richard barrons —a former commanderjoint forces command. how difficult will this evacuation be? ., how difficult will this evacuation be? . ., ,, , be? the thing that makes it difficult are _ be? the thing that makes it difficult are the _ be? the thing that makes it difficult are the numbers. . be? the thing that makes it - difficult are the numbers. between 2,000 and 4,000 british passport holders may want to be evacuated. if you can fly between 100 and 200 on

an aircraft, that is a lot of flights in 72 hours. and there is the logistics of protecting the airfield around khartoum. and what do you do to 2,000 to 4,000 people who you move to cyprus and then on to the uk and the home office has to look after them. it will g harder if the ceasefire collapses and the ceasefires in general seem very poon ceasefires in general seem very poor. as many of our correspondents have indicated, if it should be the case that people can't get to the airport, and the uk feels it needs to go and fetch them, which it is not offering at the minute, that is a serious military operation. fin a serious military operation. on that last point, you heard that briton i was talking to questioning that whole strategy of encouraging people to make their own way with no sort of support. how difficult do you think it will have been coming

to that decision by the british government, because clearly others have operated and made different decisions? i have operated and made different decisions? ., have operated and made different decisions? ~' ., , decisions? i think the others in the main have moved _ decisions? i think the others in the main have moved very _ decisions? i think the others in the main have moved very small- decisions? i think the others in the i main have moved very small numbers of people relative to 2,000 to 4,000 and possibly from only one or two locations around khartoum. the challenge for her majesty's government is they may be looking to find people from all over khartoum and they have to find them. that means sending soldiers and vehicles, who can protect themselves as well as the people they can collect in a place like khartoum that they wouldn't know —— khartoum in a place they wouldn't know. you can see how mounting that is just full of risk to a successful outcome. the best solution remains, difficult though it is, that people get their own way

to the airport and i think that will last for some time yet.— to the airport and i think that will last for some time yet. there are so many difficult _ last for some time yet. there are so many difficult challenges _ last for some time yet. there are so many difficult challenges in - last for some time yet. there are so many difficult challenges in what - last for some time yet. there are so many difficult challenges in what we will see play out, but one of them will see play out, but one of them will be actually trying to deal with the people who are there at the airport that come, we were talking, or hearing from one briton yesterday, who said he had got out, thanks to a french flight, getting a lift on that. how difficult will it be in terms of those questions about other nationals, whether they get on these flights? 50 other nationals, whether they get on these flights?— these flights? so countries are very aood at these flights? so countries are very good at co-operating _ these flights? so countries are very good at co-operating and _ these flights? so countries are very good at co-operating and if - these flights? so countries are very good at co-operating and if there . these flights? so countries are very good at co-operating and if there is good at co—operating and if there is space, taking for example a french or german citizen is relatively easily arpged. the —— arranged. the problem is if you have more people than space on the aircraft. we should reflect although we are focussed on the evacuation, a much

broader solution is required to restore stability to sudan, to end this fight between the two military factions and stop a country collapsing with terrible consequences for migration and terrorism and humanitarian dire straits. ., ., terrorism and humanitarian dire straits. ., ~' , ., , terrorism and humanitarian dire straits. ., ,, , ., , . terrorism and humanitarian dire straits. ., , . , straits. thank you very much. sorry to leave it — straits. thank you very much. sorry to leave it there. _ straits. thank you very much. sorry to leave it there. but _ straits. thank you very much. sorry to leave it there. but it _ straits. thank you very much. sorry to leave it there. but it is _ straits. thank you very much. sorry to leave it there. but it is a - straits. thank you very much. sorry to leave it there. but it is a busy i to leave it there. but it is a busy afternoon. thank you. singer harry belafonte has died. 0ur arts and media correspondent looks back at his life. at? arts and media correspondent looks back at his life.— back at his life. # 0h island in the

sun... willed — back at his life. # 0h island in the sun... willed to _ back at his life. # 0h island in the sun... willed to me... _ back at his life. # 0h island in the sun... willed to me... he - back at his life. # 0h island in the sun... willed to me... he was - back at his life. # 0h island in the i sun... willed to me... he was called the kin: sun. .. willed to me... he was called the king of— sun... willed to me... he was called the king of calypso. _ sun... willed to me... he was called the king of calypso. # _ sun... willed to me... he was called the king of calypso. # i _ sun. .. willed to me... he was called the king of calypso. # i will- sun... willed to me... he was called the king of calypso. # i will sing - the king of calypso. # i will sing the king of calypso. # i will sing the praise--- _ the king of calypso. # i will sing the praise... he _ the king of calypso. # i will sing the praise... he was _ the king of calypso. # i will sing the praise... he was born - the king of calypso. # i will sing the praise... he was born in - the king of calypso. # i will sing| the praise... he was born in new york, the praise... he was born in new york. but— the praise... he was born in new york. but his _ the praise... he was born in new york, but his sound _ the praise... he was born in new york, but his sound was - the praise... he was born in new. york, but his sound was caribbean. from the calypso of trinidad to the folk songs of his childhood home, jamaica. he was for so many a musical reminder of a place they had left behind. he returned to america as a teenager and set his heart on becoming an actor. but it was his voice, singing in the clubs of new york, that caught attention. at? york, that caught attention. so

day—oh! york, that caught attention. # dair-oh! he — york, that caught attention. # day-oh! he sold _ york, that caught attention. # day-oh! he sold over- york, that caught attention. # day-oh! he sold over a - york, that caught attention. # day-oh! he sold over a million york, that caught attention. # i day-oh! he sold over a million of york, that caught attention. # - day-oh! he sold over a million of a coies of day-oh! he sold over a million of a copies of an _ day-oh! he sold over a million of a copies of an album. _ day-oh! he sold over a million of a copies of an album. # _ day-oh! he sold over a million of a copies of an album. # when - day-oh! he sold over a million of al copies of an album. # when your... carmen jones _ copies of an album. # when your... carmen jones gave _ copies of an album. # when your... carmen jones gave him _ copies of an album. # when your... carmen jones gave him a _ copies of an album. # when your... carmen jones gave him a lead - copies of an album. # when your... carmen jones gave him a lead role l copies of an album. # when your... | carmen jones gave him a lead role in carmenjones gave him a lead role in a film and he won awards for his stage and tv work. but this was also an era of political struggle. inspired by his hero paul robison, he was at the front of the battle for civil rights.— for civil rights. after dr king, i organised _ for civil rights. after dr king, i organised as _ for civil rights. after dr king, i organised as many _ for civil rights. after dr king, i organised as many artists - for civil rights. after dr king, i organised as many artists as l for civil rights. after dr king, i - organised as many artists as were available to take part in the march. i was called a communist and wouldn't work. he i was called a communist and wouldn't work.— i was called a communist and wouldn't work. he continued to cam aiun wouldn't work. he continued to campaign and _ wouldn't work. he continued to campaign and worked - wouldn't work. he continued to campaign and worked for - wouldn't work. he continued to | campaign and worked for unicef wouldn't work. he continued to -

campaign and worked for unicef and organised usa for africa. he spoke out against apartheid.— organised usa for africa. he spoke out against apartheid. they're here toda , but out against apartheid. they're here today. but then _ out against apartheid. they're here today, but then later... _ out against apartheid. they're here today, but then later... black- today, but then later... black power. today, but then later... black ower. ., ., ~ . power. no wonder spike lee chose him to be in his film _ power. no wonder spike lee chose him to be in his film black— power. no wonder spike lee chose him to be in his film black clansman. - to be in his film black clansman. belafonte said he was first and foremost an activist, who became a singer, but... what a singer he was! # man will live forever more, because of christmas day... harry belafonte, — because of christmas day... harry belafonte, who _ because of christmas day... harry belafonte, who has _ because of christmas day... harry belafonte, who has died - because of christmas day... harry belafonte, who has died at - because of christmas day... harry belafonte, who has died at the . because of christmas day... harry belafonte, who has died at the age of 96. more reaction to that story throughout the day. next up we will be live in washington after the

biden announcement that he will run again for the us presidency. that is next here. you are watching bbc news. an important step in her recovery from cancer, as maddison is reunited with her team mates. she is not well enough to play yet, but she has been asked to start the match. i enough to play yet, but she has been asked to start the match.— asked to start the match. i kicked off the final _ asked to start the match. i kicked off the final game _ asked to start the match. i kicked off the final game that _ asked to start the match. i kicked off the final game that my - asked to start the match. i kicked off the final game that my team'sj off the final game that my team's playing this season. haifa off the final game that my team's playing this season.— off the final game that my team's playing this season. how did it feel to be back out _ playing this season. how did it feel to be back out there? _ playing this season. how did it feel to be back out there? it _ playing this season. how did it feel to be back out there? it feels - playing this season. how did it feel| to be back out there? it feels good. it is to be back out there? it feels good. it is amazing _ to be back out there? it feels good. it is amazing to _ to be back out there? it feels good. it is amazing to see _ to be back out there? it feels good. it is amazing to see her— to be back out there? it feels good. it is amazing to see her back - to be back out there? it feels good. it is amazing to see her back and i to be back out there? it feels good. it is amazing to see her back and it| it is amazing to see her back and it melts _ it is amazing to see her back and it melts my— it is amazing to see her back and it melts my heart to see her back. hopefully — melts my heart to see her back. hopefully we can have her back next season _ hopefully we can have her back next season hie — hopefully we can have her back next season. ~ , ., hopefully we can have her back next season. ~ , . , ., season. we started the season with her. after season. we started the season with her- after kick— season. we started the season with her. after kick off, _ season. we started the season with her. after kick off, maddison - her. after kick off, maddison returned to _ her. after kick off, maddison returned to the _ her. after kick off, maddison returned to the sidelines - her. after kick off, maddison returned to the sidelines to i her. after kick off, maddison - returned to the sidelines to cheer on her team. she is five months into

treatment for leukaemia. she could be back playing the game next season. president biden has announced he's running for a second term in office next year. confirming the news in a video message focusing on protecting personalfreedoms, he drew a clear line between his party and members of the republican party who he called "extremists". mr biden also said that kamala harris, his current deputy, will be running for another term as vice—president. it all comes four years to the day since he first announced he was running for the white house at the last election. personal freedom is fundamental to us as americans. there is nothing more important, nothing more sacred. that's been the work of my first term — to fight for our democracy.

this shouldn't be a red and blue issue. to protect our rights, to make sure that everyone in this country is treated equally and that everyone is given a fair shot at making it. but around the country maga extremists are lining up to take out our most bedrock freedoms. cutting social security that you have paid for your entire life, while cutting taxes for the very wealthy. dictating what healthcare decisions women can make. banning books. and telling people who they can love. all while making it more difficult for you to be able to vote. live to washington and our correspondent nomia iqbal. this is the worst kept secret in us politics, but at least today it is official? i politics, but at least today it is official? ~ ., , , official? i know, we presented it as breakin: official? i know, we presented it as breaking news _ official? i know, we presented it as breaking news and _ official? i know, we presented it as breaking news and it _ official? i know, we presented it as breaking news and it is, _ official? i know, we presented it as breaking news and it is, but - official? i know, we presented it as breaking news and it is, but there i breaking news and it is, but there is no surprise to it. joe biden said it was his intention to run, in

february his wife said it was just a case of it being a formality. but yes, today there is that official confirmation thatjoe biden is going to be running in 2024. there is not much competition, not much challenge for that in the democratic party. in response to his video, the republican national convention released a video of its own, also very slickly produced, showing what they think an america would look like underjoe biden and ask what if the financial markets crumble and presented a dark version of america under president biden in the future. it what is interesting about that video, it is 100% generated by artificial intelligence. that is fascinating, given there is so much misinformation. if you contrast that

video with president biden's video and we are a yearfrom video with president biden's video and we are a year from the election, it is shaping up to be a pretty bitterly fought election in the same way that it was in 2020.— bitterly fought election in the same way that it was in 2020. live now to washington where we are joined by richard goodstein. he is democratic strategist and former adviser to bill and hillary clinton. thank you so much for being here on the programme. your headline thoughts? jae the programme. your headline thou~hts? ., �* , the programme. your headline thoughts?— the programme. your headline thouhts? �* , ., ., the programme. your headline thou~hts? ., �* , ., ., , thoughts? joe biden is going to be runnina on thoughts? joe biden is going to be running on a _ thoughts? joe biden is going to be running on a very, _ thoughts? joe biden is going to be running on a very, very _ thoughts? joe biden is going to be running on a very, very strong - running on a very, very strong record. the picture she paints is one o' — he paints of is ofjob growth and infrastructure development, the like of which donald trump could only talk and dream about, about getting out of covid better than the other industrialised countries. of re—engaging manufacturing, something people thought was impossible. and taking on climate change and reducing health care costs. let me say one thing, his poll numbers are

not great. now know who also had bad numbers was emmanuel macron, until he was pitted against a far right opponent and he won by 20 points. that is the analogy people should think about, that obviously the democrats would love to run superman. but they have somebody who hz a super record against donald trump, who not only is disfavoured by many, but has up with legal impediment after another. what by many, but has up with legal impediment after another. what about the elehant impediment after another. what about the elephant in — impediment after another. what about the elephant in the _ impediment after another. what about the elephant in the room, _ impediment after another. what about the elephant in the room, at _ impediment after another. what about the elephant in the room, at 80 - the elephant in the room, at 80 already, how is he going to campaign as you would ordinarily see, let alone run a second term? he as you would ordinarily see, let alone run a second term?- alone run a second term? he is caettin alone run a second term? he is getting up _ alone run a second term? he is getting up almost _ alone run a second term? he is getting up almost every - alone run a second term? he is getting up almost every day - alone run a second term? he is getting up almost every day in l alone run a second term? he is i getting up almost every day in the united states at factories, at schools, you name it. he was doing what up with does do on campaign trails. it is not like the american

public voted for a young person and three years later he became old. he was what he is and what he brings is wisdom. he showed in his state of the union address he could stand up to the republican hecklers and put together a coalition against vladimir putin that no president democrat or republican could have dreamed about. that is formidable. in terms of ticket you talk about, he spoke about finishing the job, they have talked about continuing that work on a ban on assault weapons, lowering the cost of prescription drugs, what do you think will be the major themes that he will have to fight and win on? two big issues. one is certainly abortion. that really hits all american, notjust women. something that now seems extraordinarily

extreme, even by maga levels. second, would bejust retaining democracy. i understand why friends of united states are worried in donald trump becomes president again, democracy is at risk. it is. nobody should sugar—coat it. but americans are scared about that too. one of the reasons that the democrats did so well in 2022, that is something else biden will talk about at considerable length. thank ou. live now tojon mchenry, a republican pollster. he's in virginia. the same first question, your headline thoughts? it is surprisingly _ headline thoughts? it is surprisingly negative . headline thoughts? it 3 surprisingly negative for an announcement campaign for a re—election campaign. to think this was the same sort of campaign you would run if you were the

challenger, and presenting a dystopian america. and that he still has work to do seems a strange note to start the campaign with. the economy. _ to start the campaign with. the economy, compared to many places, things are picking up in the united states, he boasts of the infrastructure bill, a list of achievements in office, let alope lone what richard was talking about, the way he has brought together the international community and restored relations, compared to wh went before. they are major achievements that will play? the before. they are ma'or achievements that will pray?— before. they are ma'or achievements that win pray?— that will play? the “my is still out on the t that will play? the jury is still out on the economy. - that will play? the jury is still out on the economy. there i that will play? the jury is still out on the economy. there is| that will play? the jury is still - out on the economy. there is still the threat of inflation. him not wanting to campaign on the economy is campaign on it a yearfrom now. that remains to be seen. the ukraine, his efforts in putting

together a coalition there have been impressive. i don't know that donald trump would even have attempted that. it sounds like ron de santis wouldn't have wasted more than a few minutes in a briefing on it. he has that to run on. hopefully americans will stay enthused about that. i don't know that will be a big campaigning push going forward. richard was talking about abortion there and of course the midterms went well for the democrats, that was seen as a key issue. it was interesting, because only about last week, kellyanne conway was handing out leaflets reminding people that 80% of people disagreed with that supreme court ruling. the republicans have got to get their ducks in a row on this and work out a strategy in terms of taking that decision to voters? it is a strategy in terms of taking that decision to voters?— a strategy in terms of taking that decision to voters? it is an amazing failint of

decision to voters? it is an amazing failing of the _ decision to voters? it is an amazing failing of the republican _ decision to voters? it is an amazing failing of the republican party - decision to voters? it is an amazing failing of the republican party to i failing of the republican party to have fought for 50 years to overturn rowe versus wade and not have a plan about how you talk about abortion after you win that fight. if republicans can focus on the life of a child, that is where they need to be talking. not talking about the women having the abortion. it is just a baffling myth to not have your focus on life, rather than we need to restrict it. zt} your focus on life, rather than we need to restrict it.— your focus on life, rather than we need to restrict it. 20 seconds, do ou think need to restrict it. 20 seconds, do you think donald _ need to restrict it. 20 seconds, do you think donald trump _ need to restrict it. 20 seconds, do you think donald trump will - need to restrict it. 20 seconds, do you think donald trump will be - need to restrict it. 20 seconds, do | you think donald trump will be the republican candidate? iie you think donald trump will be the republican candidate? he certainly looks like it — republican candidate? he certainly looks like it at — republican candidate? he certainly looks like it at this _ republican candidate? he certainly looks like it at this point. - republican candidate? he certainly looks like it at this point. there - looks like it at this point. there was a point over the course, you know after the november election, where it looked like everyone was blaming donald trump for the loss and people may move on. he has strengthened himself, having the first legal case. probably raised his profile and his position rather than hurt him.—

his profile and his position rather than hurt him. thank you. more on all of those — than hurt him. thank you. more on all of those headlines _ than hurt him. thank you. more on all of those headlines with - than hurt him. thank you. more on all of those headlines with me - than hurt him. thank you. more on all of those headlines with me in i all of those headlines with me in just a moment or two. it has been a cold and frosty start for many. but dry with plenty of sunshine away from the north of scotland which has seen wintry showers. through the second half of todayit showers. through the second half of today it will remain chilly and the blue skies will be replaced by cloud. this cloud across many areas. it could be chilly for some. and showers will pepper northern and eastern parts of scotland and these will be wintry over the high ground in scotland. after the cold start, temperatures seven to 12 degrees. as we move through tonight, many places will stay dry, a few wintry showers in scotland. thicker cloud rolling into central and southern and

western areas, bringing some light rain. less cold here, but another cold in northern england and scotland. temperatures below minus five in spots. another cold start in northern scotland. elsewhere less cold and more cloud and limited sunshine and some rain. temperatures from seven to 12 degrees. we start to see changes taking place op thursday. this low pressure system working in across the country, bringing thicker cloud and rain and it is going to change the feel of the weather as milder air pushes north across many areas. but still northern scotland in the blue colours. with fronts pushing into the cold air we could see rain, sleet and snow over the mountains in scotland. furthersouth sleet and snow over the mountains in scotland. further south showers, some of which will be heavy. but the

temperatures rising generally in the south and we are up to 15 degrees. still another cold day for northern scotland. as we move into friday, that rain clears and it is a day of cloudy weather. very mild for england, wales and also northern ireland. up to the mid teens. perhaps 16. still cold for northern scotland. turning milder into the weebd. but it is a mixed picture with cloud and heavy showers on saturday. and it will feel very mild.

this is bbc news, the headlines: the uk government starts their operation to get british nationals out of sudan — after growing critiscm at the speed of the response. sudan's warring factions agree a 72 hour ceasefire. the british government tells people to make their own way to the airport. if you have local knowledge you may be able to find a safe route, but the roots where i am up to the north and beyond the north, is a very difficult one. —— the routes. joe biden confirms he will stand for a second term as us president.

at the age of 80, mr biden is already the oldest