live from london, this is bbc news. the uk government starts the operation to get british nationals out of sudan, after growing criticism at the speed of the response. sudan's warring factions agree a ceasefire. she response. sudan's warring factions agree a ceasefire.— response. sudan's warring factions agree a ceasefire. she had very good local knowledge _ agree a ceasefire. she had very good local knowledge and _ agree a ceasefire. she had very good local knowledge and may _ agree a ceasefire. she had very good local knowledge and may be - agree a ceasefire. she had very good local knowledge and may be able - agree a ceasefire. she had very good local knowledge and may be able to l local knowledge and may be able to find a safe route, the routes from where i was in the south of the si city to the north and beyond is a very difficult route. ice city to the north and beyond is a very difficult route.— very difficult route. joe biden confirms he _ very difficult route. joe biden confirms he will— very difficult route. joe biden confirms he will stand - very difficult route. joe biden confirms he will stand for - very difficult route. joe biden confirms he will stand for a i very difficult route. joe biden - confirms he will stand for a second term as us president. and it has

emerged prince william was paid a long sum by the owners of the sun newspaper to the north and beyond is a very difficult route. joe biden confirms he will stand for a second term as us president. and it has emerged prince william was paid a long sum by the owners of the sun newspaper to settle historic phone hacking claims. and described as the king of calypso, harry belafonte has died at the age of 96. welcome to bbc news. let's start in sudan, with the uk government urging british passport holders to head to an airport tojoin british passport holders to head to an airport to join evacuation flights. the foreign secretary said uk nationals would have to make the journey without a military escort and said it is impossible to know

how long the pause in the fighting will last. it is thought there maybe up will last. it is thought there maybe up to 4,000 britons in sudan. rishi sunak authorised the operation on monday, after criticism that only diplomats had been rescued with, with british nationals left feeling abandoned. 0ther with british nationals left feeling abandoned. other countries had managed to get some of their civilians out. a shaky ceasefire is holding in the sudanese capital, allowing civilians on to the streets for some days. some gun fire can be heard, but forces appear to be observing the three—day truce. those scrambling to leave sudan are confronted with a series of possible routes out. all of them are perilous. those who can't reach the airport face a long journey north to

egypt. many british nationals live in the east of khartoum, the route to the airfield is in the north. it involves crossing the nile with at least some of the bridges reporting to be under the control of rival militia's. william spoke to me and told me of the dangers of the journey he made. he said it was too danger trousers — dangerous to get people to the airport. we danger trousers - dangerous to get people to the airport.— danger trousers - dangerous to get people to the airport. we know going throu~h people to the airport. we know going throu . h the people to the airport. we know going through the egyptian _ people to the airport. we know going through the egyptian border- people to the airport. we know going through the egyptian border and - people to the airport. we know going through the egyptian border and so i through the egyptian border and so far so good and elated. halal through the egyptian border and so far so good and elated.— through the egyptian border and so far so good and elated. how long has it taken you — far so good and elated. how long has it taken you and _ far so good and elated. how long has it taken you and dangerous _ far so good and elated. how long has it taken you and dangerous was - far so good and elated. how long has it taken you and dangerous was it - far so good and elated. how long has it taken you and dangerous was it in l it taken you and dangerous was it in the early parts. we it taken you and dangerous was it in the early roam-— the early parts. we left at 5pm on 23rd april- — the early parts. we left at 5pm on 23rd april- we _ the early parts. we left at 5pm on 23rd april. we are _ the early parts. we left at 5pm on 23rd april. we are still _ the early parts. we left at 5pm on 23rd april. we are still on - the early parts. we left at 5pm on 23rd april. we are still on the - 23rd april. we are still on the move. we had an overnight in a safe

house. the night before was on the bus. the first three or four hours were horrible. we were not shot at, but we heard two shots from a policeman�*s pistol we think. he was shooting at someone else. we went through back roads. we didn't know where we were. i think we were going around the eastern side of khartoum. which went up north and the road is 1,000k. we which went up north and the road is 1,000k. ~ ., i. which went up north and the road is 1,000k. ~ ., y , 1,000k. we heard you yesterday critical of the _ 1,000k. we heard you yesterday critical of the uk _ 1,000k. we heard you yesterday critical of the uk government, i critical of the uk government, complaining of no help, nonsense was the word you used. now they're starting the airlift operation, i assume if you knew that was coming you might have waited for it? ida. you might have waited for it? no, the solution _ you might have waited for it? no, the solution they _ you might have waited for it? iifr, the solution they have come up with that we heard about this morning was drive to a place that is in the

north of khartoum, 20 kilometres north, to an airstrip where they will take you off. 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 city, which is a war zone and it has got worse. and we would have had to find this place that we had never been to before on our own. that was the advice. the solution�*s a good one, but what people need most is support to get there. that is what the french and irish embassies have done. ., ~' the french and irish embassies have done. ., ~ . ., . done. you think the current advice, it is simply — done. you think the current advice, it is simply too _ done. you think the current advice, it is simply too dangerous - done. you think the current advice, it is simply too dangerous for - done. you think the current advice, it is simply too dangerous for many britons to attempt what they're suggested?— britons to attempt what they're su: nested? ., ., , , , suggested? from many i live, yes, where i suggested? from many i live, yes, where i lived. _ suggested? from many i live, yes, where i lived, and _ suggested? from many i live, yes, where i lived, and from _ suggested? from many i live, yes, where i lived, and from where - suggested? from many i live, yes, | where i lived, and from where most of the ex—pats live. if you have good local knowledge, you might find a safe route. but it is a very

difficult route. it took us for or five hours to sort of do the same thing, it was at night and our guide knew what he was doing. it was still a difficult route even then. so you know bribes had to be paid, we heard gunshots, there were various barriers, but little military. 7 for barriers, but little military. ? for ou and barriers, but little military. ? for you and your _ barriers, but little military. ? for you and your family, do you know what you're going to do now? yes. you and your family, do you know what you're going to do now? yes, we are auoin what you're going to do now? yes, we are going to — what you're going to do now? yes, we are going to coventry! _ what you're going to do now? yes, we are going to coventry! we _ what you're going to do now? yes, we are going to coventry! we are - what you're going to do now? yes, we are going to coventry! we are going i are going to coventry! we are going to spend a couple of nights in cairo i think before we see the family. we are in touch with them and they're following the progress. can it put in one final word? the people of sudan do not deserve this. this is a disasterfor sudan do not deserve this. this is a disaster for them sudan do not deserve this. this is a disasterfor them like nothing else that you could imagine. it is practically the end of the country as far as most of sudanese we have

spoken to see it. they're packing the airports. they're great people. not the airport, the departure area. we have been talking to a few and it is awful. ., ., , ., we have been talking to a few and it is awful. ., .,, ., �* ., is awful. that was one briton talkin: is awful. that was one briton talking to — is awful. that was one briton talking to me _ is awful. that was one briton talking to me as _ is awful. that was one briton talking to me as he - is awful. that was one briton talking to me as he crossed i is awful. that was one briton i talking to me as he crossed the border. in the last few seconds rishi sunak�*s spokesman said the first uk evacuation flight has left sudan, expect there to be two more flights over night on tuesday. so one flight already in the air. two more planned perfect the end of tuesday. that information just coming to us from downing street. let us talk to retired air marshal graham bagwell. welcome to the programme. just how difficult in your assessment is this entire operation?— your assessment is this entire oeration? , , , ., �* operation? they probably don't get

much more — operation? they probably don't get much more complex. _ operation? they probably don't get much more complex. there - operation? they probably don't get much more complex. there is - operation? they probably don't get much more complex. there is a - operation? they probably don't get much more complex. there is a lotj operation? they probably don't get i much more complex. there is a lot of reasons high these sort of evacuations can be challenging. we saw the afghanistan, kabul evacuation not long ago. this probably usurps that in terms of complexity. fora probably usurps that in terms of complexity. for a bunch of reasons. we weren't on the ground to start with and trying to figure out who is who and where it is safe and where it is not, the geography is challenging, you only have so many places you can get to and we have so many national uk citizens there. that is why the uk has a different challenge to other countries. what challenge to other countries. what do ou challenge to other countries. what do you think _ challenge to other countries. what do you think of _ challenge to other countries. what do you think of the _ challenge to other countries. what do you think of the decision not to go and escort people out, because there are many people on the ground who are possiblyjust too scared to make that journey on who are possiblyjust too scared to make thatjourney on their own? yes. make that “ourney on their own? yes, i have make that journey on their own? yes, i have onl make that journey on their own? yes, i have onlyjust _ make that journey on their own? yes, i have onlyjust heard _ make that journey on their own? yes i have onlyjust heard that. it sort of makes sense. let me explain my own logic and i'm sure the mod may

have their own reasons and their own intelligence, but if we are talking 2,000 people tlus, to find vehicles, buses, whatever, to move those people, go around the city collecting them, which in itself would be a challenge and literalry go around and picking up 50 people in each coach would in itself be dangerous, if you could find the transport locally. we won't be able fly in those vehicles. if you try and do a convoy with military support, there is a danger you look like a military convoy and you could misidentified as the wrong type of military convoy. so actually without me knowing the situation and your previous caller explained a dangerous journey, previous caller explained a dangerousjourney, it may previous caller explained a dangerous journey, it may be safer to make the journey from what you know and rather than bus through

what is probably still a fragile ceasefire. it is about risk and time. and it probably is less risky and quick er to do what they recommended.— and quick er to do what they recommended. ., ~ ., , ., recommended. you will know this from our recommended. you will know this from your previous — recommended. you will know this from your previous work, _ recommended. you will know this from your previous work, how _ recommended. you will know this from your previous work, how nimble - recommended. you will know this from your previous work, how nimble do - your previous work, how nimble do your previous work, how nimble do you have to be in situations like this, because we have a ceasefire, but at any stage it could break down and presumably routes out become almost impossible by air. how flexible do you have to be? extremely flexible. the great thing about planes is they can turn around and fly to somewhere else. you've a high degree of flexibility. the trick is to have a safe area to start with. clearly that area has been identified as a safe area. i can't believe it is in either side's

interest to interfere with an international flight for humanitarian reasons and you would hope they would be allowed to get on safely. there will be troops on the ground making sure that is a secure area. they will need to police the area, to give access to the people area, to give access to the people are eligible and not those who aren't. the challenge of course is how far do you make that security bubble go out? this is the challenge about whether you left people make their own way or get them. that is what happened with the embassy. mainly because it was a limited number in one place and it is a different challenge.— number in one place and it is a different challenge. thank you for “oininr us different challenge. thank you for joining us here — different challenge. thank you for joining us here on _ different challenge. thank you for joining us here on the _ different challenge. thank you for | joining us here on the programme. different challenge. thank you for - joining us here on the programme. to repeat that line from downing street, the first flight has taken off and left sudan. two more expected by the end of the day. the no 10 spokesman said we are looking

at alternative evacuation routes, including port sudan. that is the latest from the prime minister's spokesman at downing street. more on that here through the course of our programme. but let's turn from the situation from sudan to the breaking news of the last hour, that the singer and civil rights campaigner, harry belafonte has died at the age of 96. he came to fame in the 50s as a singer and started working with martin luther king during the civil rights movement. 0ur correspondent looks back at his life. filth. rights movement. our correspondent looks back at his life.— looks back at his life. 0h, island in the sun. _ looks back at his life. 0h, island in the sun, willed _ looks back at his life. 0h, island in the sun, willed to _ looks back at his life. 0h, island in the sun, willed to me... - looks back at his life. 0h, island| in the sun, willed to me... harry belafonte _ in the sun, willed to me... harry belafonte was _ in the sun, willed to me... harry belafonte was called _ in the sun, willed to me... harry belafonte was called the - in the sun, willed to me... harry belafonte was called the king i in the sun, willed to me... harry belafonte was called the king of| belafonte was called the king of calypso. 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 had 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. # day—oh... of new york, that caught attention. # day-oh-u— of new york, that caught attention. # day-oh... # day-oh. .. the first the performer to sell over — # day-oh. .. the first the performer to sell over a _ # day-oh. .. the first the performer to sell over a million _ # day-oh. .. the first the performer to sell over a million copies - # day-oh. .. the first the performer to sell over a million copies of- # day-oh. .. the first the performer to sell over a million copies of a - to sell over a million copies of a single _ to sell over a million copies of a single album. to sell over a million copies of a single album-— to sell over a million copies of a single album. to sell over a million copies of a sinale album. ., . ., , , single album. carmen jones with its all-black cast _ single album. carmen jones with its all-black cast gave _ single album. carmen jones with its all-black cast gave him _ single album. carmen jones with its all-black cast gave him a _ single album. carmen jones with its all-black cast gave him a lead - single album. carmen jones with its all-black cast gave him a lead in i single album. carmen jones with its all-black cast gave him a lead in a l all—black cast gave him a lead in a film and he won awards for stage and tv work. but this was also an era of

political struggle. inspired by paul robeson he was at the forefront of battle for civil rights. i robeson he was at the forefront of battle for civil rights.— battle for civil rights. i was requested _ battle for civil rights. i was requested to _ battle for civil rights. i was requested to organise - battle for civil rights. i was requested to organise as i battle for civil rights. i was - requested to organise as many artists as available to come down to perform tonight. harry belafonte, who has died at the age of 96. around the world and across the uk, you're watching bbc news. it has gone 3am and... i have managed to get an hour and a half in. that isn't bad for me. but i look as rough as a bag of spanners. dan has struggled to get to keep for nearly a decade. the problem is not

just about how long it takes him to drift off. , ., , , just about how long it takes him to driftoff. , .,, , , �* drift off. getting to sleep isn't the issue. _ drift off. getting to sleep isn't the issue, but _ drift off. getting to sleep isn't the issue, but i _ drift off. getting to sleep isn't the issue, but i can _ drift off. getting to sleep isn't the issue, but i can be - drift off. getting to sleep isn't the issue, but i can be awake| drift off. getting to sleep isn't - the issue, but i can be awake again in within an hour. that could be a knock at the door a dog barking and thatis knock at the door a dog barking and that is me again for the day. it is not a case of going back to sleep. in a 24 hour period, how much sleep roughly are you getting?— roughly are you getting? probably two hours. sometimes— roughly are you getting? probably two hours. sometimes i'm - roughly are you getting? probably two hours. sometimes i'm lucky i roughly are you getting? probably| two hours. sometimes i'm lucky to get three. sleep deprivation is a massive issue. it has health implications. i think it has working life implications. relationships especially. you know, it needs addressing. especially. you know, it needs addressing-— especially. you know, it needs addressina. ., �* “ addressing. you're live with bbc news. a addressing. you're live with bbc news- a court — addressing. you're live with bbc news. a court in _ addressing. you're live with bbc news. a court in london - addressing. you're live with bbc news. a court in london has - addressing. you're live with bbc. news. a court in london has heard claims that the prince of wales has settled a court case with a media relationships especially. you know, it needs addressing. _ relationships especially. you know, it needs addressing. you're - relationships especially. you know, it needs addressing. you're live - it needs addressing. you're live with bbc news. _

it needs addressing. you're live with bbc news. a _ it needs addressing. you're live with bbc news. a court - it needs addressing. you're live with bbc news. a court in - it needs addressing. you're live i with bbc news. a court in london it needs addressing. you're live - with bbc news. a court in london has heard claims that the prince of wales has settled a court case with a media organisation for hacking his phone. it the details came out during a case brought by his brother prince harry. let's get the latest from our correspondent. that is quite a revelation suspect it? == quite a revelation suspect it? -- isn't it? yes _ quite a revelation suspect it? -- isn't it? yes it _ quite a revelation suspect it? » isn't it? yes it is another bombshell from prince harry and he is in court again in his battle with the tabloid press. this isn't a trial as such, it is a hearing about whether it will go to trial. the newspaper group is trying to strike it out before it reaches trial. as part of court papers, we have discovered the claim that the prince of wales has reached a settlement for a large sum with news group newspapers. that came as a surprise to most people. we don't know the terms of the deal. we know it was in 2020 and it has not been confirmed

that the prince of wales' team have said they won't comment on an ongoing legal case. but it is a striking claim.— ongoing legal case. but it is a striking claim. you were saying there that _ striking claim. you were saying there that it _ striking claim. you were saying there that it revolves _ striking claim. you were saying there that it revolves around i there that it revolves around whether the whole case should be struck down. in terms of arguments around that, take me through it. that's right, the news group claim is the case should have been brought long ago and it is out of time. prips harry's team said they acted when they had the information. part of that is the claim there was a confidential secret agreement between palace officials and the newspaper group, in which royals weren't going to be asked to give evidence. that suggestion was that any royal cases would only come at the end of the settlement of other hacking claims. so prince harry claims it is not out of time and

this secret agreement means it is still current. what happens next is “p still current. what happens next is up to the judge. but it is another another dramatic moment in his battle with the press.— another dramatic moment in his battle with the press. thank you for that update- _ battle with the press. thank you for that update. let's _ battle with the press. thank you for that update. let's turn _ battle with the press. thank you for that update. let's turn back- battle with the press. thank you for that update. let's turn back to - that update. let's turn back to washington and president biden has announced he is running for a second term in office next year, confirming that news in a video message that focussed on protecting personal freedom and crew a line between his party and the republican party. president biden said that kamala harris will be running for another term as vice—president. it comes four years to the day since he first announced he was running for the white house at the last election. so let's get more and head to sou carolina and talk to robert moran. what do you make of the move, no

real surprise, what do you make of the move, no realsurprise, but what do you make of the move, no real surprise, but in terms ofjoe biden as the democrat candidate, how do you see it?— do you see it? sure, it is no surprise- — do you see it? sure, it is no surprise. however - do you see it? sure, it is no surprise. however it - do you see it? sure, it is no surprise. however it is - do you see it? sure, it is noj surprise. however it is clear do you see it? sure, it is no i surprise. however it is clear he do you see it? sure, it is no - surprise. however it is clear he is trying to do a number of things. first to clear the democratic field, signal to supporters and donors that he is in the game. also get all the modern machinery of a political campaign up and running and firing on all cylinders now. so that he can push forward with his much momentum as possible into the primary season and beyond. so it is a good starting point for him. he is trying to get that ahead early.— that ahead early. that push, the ticket, finish _ that ahead early. that push, the ticket, finish the _ that ahead early. that push, the ticket, finish the job, _ that ahead early. that push, the ticket, finish the job, what - that ahead early. that push, the ticket, finish the job, what do i that ahead early. that push, the l ticket, finish the job, what do you make of that as a pitch? i ticket, finish the job, what do you make of that as a pitch?— make of that as a pitch? i think it is tou~h. make of that as a pitch? i think it is tough- if _ make of that as a pitch? i think it is tough- if you — make of that as a pitch? i think it is tough. if you look _ make of that as a pitch? i think it is tough. if you look at, - make of that as a pitch? i think it is tough. if you look at, there - make of that as a pitch? i think it is tough. if you look at, there are three things, the first thing is essentially his support levels. we know those. the second thing are the

macro factors, the economic factors, war and peace, all that stuff. the third is his opponent, which we will not know for some time. those are the three things. the only one we really have are his support levels. today, hisjob approval, what really have are his support levels. today, his job approval, what we poll on for presidents, is 42% and his disapproval is 54%. that puts him two points ahead of where trump was in the midterms, three points below where 0bama was after his first midterm. and it puts him exactly where bill clinton was at the midterm in 1994. so he's on a knife's edge. the question then is, how do we think about those other factors? the macro factors, those are tough to gauge. where the economy goes, that is usually decisive for a president seeking re—election. and then there is one last bit of information that is a

challenge for any incumbent, not just him, any incumbent in our system, which is we have a question about the mood of the country, it is call right direction, wrong track. 25% of americans say the country is on the right direction. headed in the right direction. and 65% say the country is off on the wrong track. it is very heart for an incumbent president to ask for four more years when you have 65% of americans saying that the country is on the wrong track. saying that the country is on the wrong track-— wrong track. who is the best republican _ wrong track. who is the best republican to _ wrong track. who is the best republican to take _ wrong track. who is the best republican to take him - wrong track. who is the best republican to take him on? | wrong track. who is the best i republican to take him on? do wrong track. who is the best - republican to take him on? do you share the analysis the legal jeopardy we are seeing being played out, that helps donald trump to get the republican ticket, but it makes it harder in an election withjoe biden? it harder in an election with joe biden? i ~ ii ., biden? yes, i think all the legal issues right _ biden? yes, i think all the legal issues right now _ biden? yes, i think all the legal issues right now that _

biden? yes, i think all the legal issues right now that donald - biden? yes, i think all the legal. issues right now that donald trump issues right now that donald trump is facing, in a way help him with his base. who feel that he is being persecuted. but it hurts him in a general election. i think the strongest republican challenger to president biden is obviously ron de santis. but that is a very open question mark, about whether de santis could defeat trump in a wide—open primary. the issue is is that we can assume based on the polling that right now donald trump has somewhere between 33 and 40% of the republican primary vote in state after state. that means there is a majority that don't want to back him. but the problem is, if you have more than one other candidate in the race, that divides up the non—trump republican vote. so if somebody like de santis needs a clear shot or get all the other challengers out fast to have a direct shot at trump so

the non—trump republicans go to them. that is in a nutshell the challenge now.— them. that is in a nutshell the challenge now. them. that is in a nutshell the challenae now. i ., i, .,~ i, challenge now. what do you make of the fundamental _ challenge now. what do you make of the fundamental choice _ challenge now. what do you make of the fundamental choice that - challenge now. what do you make of the fundamental choice that seems l challenge now. what do you make of| the fundamental choice that seems to be emerging that you know donald trump is there in his 70s, you have joe biden at 80. in term of american public, they clearly view when youlike look at polls, they don't want either of them as their main opponents. is that going to be a factor in the election? this opponents. is that going to be a factor in the election?— opponents. is that going to be a factor in the election? this is the last election _ factor in the election? this is the last election for _ factor in the election? this is the last election for boomer - factor in the election? this is the i last election for boomer politicians running for president. this is it. and you're seeing an end of an era essentially. and you're right, i think in modern america right now, there is some level of fatigue with there is some level of fatigue with the existing options set. and so i

think you're going to see quite a bit of energy after the boomers leave the stage. aha, bit of energy after the boomers leave the stage.— bit of energy after the boomers leave the stage. a final questions about issues _ leave the stage. a final questions about issues that _ leave the stage. a final questions about issues that will _ leave the stage. a final questions about issues that will play - leave the stage. a final questions about issues that will play big - leave the stage. a final questions about issues that will play big in i about issues that will play big in the election, clearly the cost—of—living, the american economy is going to be a big issue, but the issue of abortion of course, after rowe versus wade being overturned, in a sense the republicans are in disarray of whether they do with —— of what they do with that now as a position. how big will that play in the election? i position. how big will that play in the election?— position. how big will that play in the election? i think your analysis is sot the election? i think your analysis is spot on. _ the election? i think your analysis is spot on. i _ the election? i think your analysis is spot on, i think _ the election? i think your analysis is spot on, i think that _ the election? i think your analysis is spot on, i think that abortion i is spot on, i think that abortion and reproductive rights will be a discussion item. if history is any guide the decisive issue will be the economy and the projected direction of the economy. how people are feeling about their own economic circumstances, how they're feeling

about the nation's economic circumstances and what they think about the future prospects economic prospects for their children. i think that will be the decisive issue. that the election turns on. final question, if it does turn out to be donald trump that is the republican candidate, what sort of election do you think it is going to be, how low do we go in terms of some of the campaigning?- be, how low do we go in terms of some of the campaigning? well, i think in the _ some of the campaigning? well, i think in the modern _ some of the campaigning? well, i think in the modern era, - some of the campaigning? well, i i think in the modern era, americans feel like the campaigns have been down at the gutter level. except that that was the standard in the 19th century. you're going to have what we rough live had, a no—holds—barred campaign that is equivalent to what the kind of campaigns we had in the 19th century. campaigns we had in the 19th centu . ii ~ campaigns we had in the 19th centu . i, ,, campaigns we had in the 19th centu . i, ., ,, campaigns we had in the 19th centu . ii ~ ii ~'

campaigns we had in the 19th centu . i, ., i, century. thank you. thank you for “oininr us century. thank you. thank you for joining us live _ century. thank you. thank you for joining us live to _ century. thank you. thank you for joining us live to give _ century. thank you. thank you for joining us live to give us _ century. thank you. thank you for joining us live to give us that - joining us live to give us that insight in terms of election and one of the candidates we now know about it for the coming presidential election. more injust a moment or two. hello there. it's been a very cold and frosty start for many of us, but dry with plenty of sunshine around away from the north of scotland, which has seen wintry showers. as we move through the second half of today it will remain quite chilly and it looks like the blue skies will be replaced by quite a lot of cloud. this cloud infilling across many areas. there will still be some sunny spells around, but it could be quite chilly and grey for some. we'll continue to see showers peppering northern and eastern scotland, eastern parts of england. these will be wintry, certainly over the high ground across scotland. temperature—wise, after that cold start, i think generally 7—11 or 12 degrees in the warmest spots in the south. as we move through tonight, it looks like many places will stay dry. a few wintry showers continuing across northern scotland,

the northern isles. we'll see thicker cloud rolling into central and southern and western areas bringing some spots of light rain, so here less cold than it was the previous night, but still another cold night to come in northern england and certainly across scotland under the clear skies. temperatures below minus—five celsius in a few spots. so another cold, frosty start across northern scotland for wednesday. sunny spells, a few wintry showers continuing, but elsewhere it's less cold. there will be more cloud around, limited sunshine, a few spots of rain here and there, as well. again, temperatures range around seven to perhaps 12 degrees across more southern areas. but then we start to see some changes taking place as we move out of wednesday into thursday. this low pressure system with its weather fronts working its way in across the country brings thicker cloud and outbreaks of rain. more crucially, it's going to change the feel of the weather as milder air starts to push northwards across many areas, but still you can see northern scotland in the blue colours there. with weather fronts pushing into the cold air, we could see a spell of rain, sleet and snow, certainly over the mountains through thursday across scotland. further south, more weather fronts pushing in, bringing showery bursts of rain, some of which will be quite heavy

in places later in the day. but those temperatures rising generally in the south, where we're up to 13 to 15 degrees. still another cold day, though, for northern scotland. as we move into friday that heavy rain clears into the near continent. then it's a day of rather cloudy weather, benign weather, i think, with one or two spots of rain or showers around. very mild airfor england, wales and also northern ireland. we're up to the mid—teens there, perhaps 16 degrees. still cold for northern scotland. it turns milder still into the weekend, but it's quite a mixed picture. quite a lot of cloud around. some heavy showers perhaps on saturday. given some sunshine, it will feel very mild indeed.

this is bbc news. the uk government starts their operation to get british nationals out of sudan. two more will follow overnight. joe biden confirms he will stand for a second term as us president. it is likely he will oppose donald trump. we have the latest in the phone hacking claims. and it described as the king of calypso, the legendary singer and campaigner harry belafonte has died at the age

of 96.