the former president is facing a criminal investigation into his handling of classified files after leaving the white house. ukraine's president tours the flooded areas affected by a burst dam, as the world health organization warns that cholera could spread. president biden and british prime minister rishi sunak announce a new economic partnership between the two countries — but they appearfar from a free trade agreement. today we have agreed the atlantic declaration — a new economic partnership for a new age, of a kind that has never been agreed before. hello, i'm sumi somaskanda. welcome to our show. we start with the news former president donald trump has been indicted — over his handling of classified files after he left

the white house. i the white house. am an innocent man, i am an innocent i am an innocent man, i am an innocent person. he said disputed the claims and it accompanying written posts he said : i have been summoned to appear at the federal courthouse in miami on tuesday, at3 pm. us media reports he faces seven charges — including unauthorised retention of classified files. it is the second indictment of mr trump, who is campaigning once again to be president. his first was a state indictment — this is a federal case. it's the first ever federal indictment of a former president prosecutors had been looking into the transfer of files to mr trump's mar—a—lago florida estate since last year. the beachside property was searched last august and 11,000 documents were seized, including around 100 marked as classified. some of these were labelled top secret. mr trump has repeatedly denied wrongdoing and has described the investigation as politically motivated.

joe moreno, who is a former federal prosecutor at the department ofjustice. katty kay, our us special correspondent what do you make of this indictment? it what do you make of this indictment?— what do you make of this indictment? , , ., . ., indictment? it is historic, not necessarily — indictment? it is historic, not necessarily in _ indictment? it is historic, not necessarily in a _ indictment? it is historic, not necessarily in a good - indictment? it is historic, not necessarily in a good way. it| necessarily in a good way. it is sort of embarrassing. look, we are where we are and based on what we understand of this case, donald trump has no—one to blame but himself. he had every opportunity to avoid this situation. by all accounts he spent months negotiating the return of these arguments with the national archives. he was served with a subpoena. he said i have given you everything on thenit i have given you everything on then it took an fbi raid to recover more documents. for him to say i am an innocent man and this is a fact, the fact is he put himself in a position and

absolutely knew better and now we are where we.— absolutely knew better and now we are where we. donald trump has sent on _ we are where we. donald trump has sent on truth _ we are where we. donald trump has sent on truth social - we are where we. donald trump has sent on truth social that - has sent on truth social that the joe biden has sent on truth social that thejoe biden administration the joe biden administration has thejoe biden administration has indicted him but this is the department ofjustice? it is one and the same. it all stems from the executive power of the president to charge people federally.- of the president to charge people federally. remind us of what led up — people federally. remind us of what led up to _ people federally. remind us of what led up to this, _ people federally. remind us of what led up to this, katty - people federally. remind us of what led up to this, katty kay. | what led up to this, katty kay. after he left office, donald trump, _ after he left office, donald trump, ratherthan handing after he left office, donald trump, rather than handing over all of— trump, rather than handing over all of the — trump, rather than handing over all of the documents that he had that_ all of the documents that he had that were to do with his while — had that were to do with his white house business and which belong _ white house business and which belong to — white house business and which belong to the us government, took_ belong to the us government, took some of them with him, including _ took some of them with him, including 100 down to mar—a—lago marked as classified and did _ mar—a—lago marked as classified and did not— mar—a—lago marked as classified and did not hand them back again — and did not hand them back again. the question is did he not had _ again. the question is did he not had them back because he was trying to obstruct justice or because he did not realise

he had — or because he did not realise he had them, which is not totally— he had them, which is not totally unheard of because we have — totally unheard of because we have had _ totally unheard of because we have had the former vice president mike pence and the current— president mike pence and the current presidentjoe biden from — current presidentjoe biden from when he was vice president had also — from when he was vice president had also taken with them classified documents and kept them — classified documents and kept them in — classified documents and kept them in that position after leaving _ them in that position after leaving office but the difference was when they were asked — difference was when they were asked to — difference was when they were asked to hand them back, it seemed _ asked to hand them back, it seemed to have been a mistake that they— seemed to have been a mistake that they took them and handed them _ that they took them and handed them back voluntarily but whereas donald trump was asked to have _ whereas donald trump was asked to have the back and did not. what — to have the back and did not. what he _ to have the back and did not. what he did with those documents, whether he deliberately kept in, whether he supported the department's attempt — he supported the department's attempt to get it back. that he supported the department's attempt to get it back.- attempt to get it back. that is attempt to get it back. that is a question. — attempt to get it back. that is a question, can _ attempt to get it back. that is a question, can you _ attempt to get it back. that is a question, can you tell - attempt to get it back. that is a question, can you tell us - a question, can you tell us what you think about how strong a case the prosecutors might have? there are reports of seven counts.— have? there are reports of seven counts. what people are auoin to seven counts. what people are going to find — seven counts. what people are going to find is _ seven counts. what people are going to find is that _ seven counts. what people are going to find is that this - seven counts. what people are going to find is that this is - going to find is that this is not a difficult case to

understand. there's been a lot of debate about whether donald trump had declassification authority and whether he used that an accused it properly. i almost do not think that really matter so much. if a grand jury him with a subpoena that said turn over all documents with classification markings on them, and donald trump, through his lawyers issued a sworn statement saying i have given you everything and the fact is he had not given over everything and he had over 100 more in his possession, that is the case. call it obstruction of a grand the case. call it obstruction ofa grandjury, the case. call it obstruction of a grand jury, call it perjury, but that is effectively what that is, the allegation that he lied. and while i think many people get hung up about the classified information part of this and say how come mike pence was not charged and how comejoe biden does not look like it be charged, katty kay but said is that distinction is that they

too were cooperative but donald trump allegedly lied about possessing these documents and it can be said that no—one, including a former president should be allowed to defy justice like that and get away with it. ~ , justice like that and get away with it. . , , , justice like that and get away withit.~ ,, , with it. why is this case brought _ with it. why is this case brought in _ with it. why is this case brought in florida? - with it. why is this case | brought in florida? that with it. why is this case i brought in florida? that is effectively _ brought in florida? that is effectively where - brought in florida? that is effectively where all - brought in florida? that is effectively where all the l effectively where all the events happen, whether documents were stored. if they were misstatements or lies told, it was effectively down there. that is where the fbi raid wasn't le sommer. while prosecutors have a lot of flexibility about that it is a good thing to have it here. —— the fbi raid was there. good thing to have it here. -- the fbi raid was there.- the fbi raid was there. what does this — the fbi raid was there. what does this mean _ the fbi raid was there. what does this mean for - the fbi raid was there. what does this mean for him - the fbi raid was there. what does this mean for him and l the fbi raid was there. what i does this mean for him and his candidacy for the republican nomination. irate candidacy for the republican nomination.— candidacy for the republican nomination. we have only had this news _ nomination. we have only had this news for _ nomination. we have only had this news for a _ nomination. we have only had this news for a few _ nomination. we have only had this news for a few hours. - this news for a few hours. let's _ this news for a few hours. let's wait _ this news for a few hours. let's wait and see. we have another—

let's wait and see. we have another 17 _ let's wait and see. we have another 17 months of this election— another 17 months of this election campaign anything could — election campaign anything could be more indictments coming _ could be more indictments coming the president's way. it would — coming the president's way. it would be _ coming the president's way. it would be foolish to say how this — would be foolish to say how this will— would be foolish to say how this will turn out politically. we can _ this will turn out politically. we can look at what has happened in the path and what has happened in the past is whenever donald trump estate legal _ whenever donald trump estate legal problems or incidents like this, it has not really affected his popularity with the base of america who supported him. the last and ivan — supported him. the last and ivan bailey moved the needle one way— ivan bailey moved the needle one way or the other in terms of poll— one way or the other in terms of poll numbers in comparison tojoe — of poll numbers in comparison tojoe biden. sol of poll numbers in comparison tojoe biden. so i do not think we know— tojoe biden. so i do not think we know yet. it is possible that — we know yet. it is possible that the _ we know yet. it is possible that the cumulative nature of the scandals and the legal problems facing donald trump could — problems facing donald trump could eventually chip away at some — could eventually chip away at some of— could eventually chip away at some of those people who might have voted for him. you can think— have voted for him. you can think of— have voted for him. you can think of - _ have voted for him. you can think of — people of a stock about— think of — people of a stock about the suburban woman in the suburbs _ about the suburban woman in the suburbs of— about the suburban woman in the suburbs of philadelphia or

atalanta or milwaukee, those key cities in key states in plate _ key cities in key states in plate next year and how will they— plate next year and how will they feel if there are multiple indictments against the former president but i do think we should _ president but i do think we should also point out that at the moment the president thinks this will— the moment the president thinks this will break in his favour. the — this will break in his favour. the truth _ this will break in his favour. the truth social post comes with — the truth social post comes with a — the truth social post comes with a donate button. he has a previous— with a donate button. he has a previous indictment to raise money— previous indictment to raise money and he will try to do that— money and he will try to do that again. he and his supporters believe this is a witch—hunt against him and you will see — witch—hunt against him and you will see they will rally some support _ will see they will rally some support. the question is, will it affect — support. the question is, will it affect any of the very few people _ it affect any of the very few people in america left who have not made — people in america left who have not made up their mind about her that— not made up their mind about her that going to vote for. possibly _ her that going to vote for. possibly could swing towards the president's side.- possibly could swing towards the president's side. what do ou the president's side. what do you think _ the president's side. what do you think democrats - the president's side. what do you think democrats will - the president's side. what do | you think democrats will make of this? , ., .. , of this? they will do exactly what they — of this? they will do exactly what they have _ of this? they will do exactly what they have been - of this? they will do exactly what they have been doing. of this? they will do exactly l what they have been doing for the last— what they have been doing for the last few months which are soggy— the last few months which are soggy about the fact this is a president who has been found liable — president who has been found liable in— president who has been found liable in a civil suit back in

april. _ liable in a civil suit back in april, surrounding an allegation of sexual assault, that— allegation of sexual assault, that is— allegation of sexual assault, that is now being charged in a federal— that is now being charged in a federal case with obstructing justice. — federal case with obstructing justice, and they will point out — justice, and they will point out this— justice, and they will point out this is very different from the documents asjay out this is very different from the documents as jay was saying thatjoe — the documents as jay was saying thatjoe biden and mike pence had in — thatjoe biden and mike pence had in their possession, different to hillary clinton, different to hillary clinton, different and talking that the doj is — different and talking that the d0] is doing this, it is a doj is doing this, it is a special— d0] is doing this, it is a special counsel doing this and they— special counsel doing this and they will— special counsel doing this and they will try to make sure everybody realises this is not a political witch—hunt but the course — a political witch—hunt but the course of _ a political witch—hunt but the course ofjustice and that nobody _ course ofjustice and that nobody is above the law. joe, what happens _ nobody is above the law. joe, what happens next? - nobody is above the law. ire: what happens next? could this possibly come to trial any time soon? we know the other indictment in new york will start trial in march, in middle of the republican primary

season? ~ . , , of the republican primary season?— of the republican primary season? . . , , ., of the republican primary season? . , , ., ., ., season? we lawyers get a lot of criticism and _ season? we lawyers get a lot of criticism and one _ season? we lawyers get a lot of criticism and one of— season? we lawyers get a lot of criticism and one of it _ season? we lawyers get a lot of criticism and one of it is - season? we lawyers get a lot of criticism and one of it is we - criticism and one of it is we do not work fast. in the coming few days, it sounds like donald trump may have to surround himself to federal court next week but after that you will see a lyle, the occasional headline, but most likely it will be well into next year this case goes into trial. and a jury convened. ——lull. and that could be right in the middle of the presidential campaign. middle of the presidential campaign-— middle of the presidential campaign. middle of the presidential camaiun. , ,, . campaign. news reporters secret service will— campaign. news reporters secret service will meet _ campaign. news reporters secret service will meet with _ campaign. news reporters secret service will meet with trump - service will meet with trump staff to develop a plan for miami. ~ ., staff to develop a plan for miami. ~ . , staff to develop a plan for miami. ~ ., , miami. what will be said? probably _ miami. what will be said? probably most _ miami. what will be said? probably most will - miami. what will be said? | probably most will happen behind closed doors. you may see donald trump's moto cade pull up, you may see him briefly exit the car but mostly it will be behind closed doors and it will be an awkward negotiation between the secret service and other federal court

security officers about how to handle this very unprecedented and frankly shameful situation. great to get both of your insides, katty kay and joe moreno. 0ur bbc website has a live page on the story and you can get the updates and we will keep you up in the show as well. we turn to ukraine now, and the world health organization is warning that cholera could spread in areas of the country now under water after the destruction of dam in the southern kherson region earlier this week. president volodymyr zelensky visited the flooded areas on thursday. while there, he thanked rescuers but also criticized international aid agencies, saying they had been too slow to respond. meanwhile, ukraine and russia have accused each other of attacking the dam. just a matter of hours after the visit, the area came under intense russian fire, killing one person, and making rescue operations even harder. 0ur ukraine correspondentjames waterhouse sent this report.

it is hard to picture an estimated amount of water. they have not stopped for two days, searching for people trapped. why don't you want to leave? so they have said we do not want to leave, there are older people who cannot get away, give us your power packs so they can charge devices. while they can charge devices. while the water levels have stabilised, they are still dauntingly high. we are just now passing through two blocks and it feels like a strange themepark ride because of what we are having to weave through and yet people asking people whether they want to be evacuated and no—one yet has

taken up on the offer. why do you think people will not leave their home? because many, many people are stupid. they think it is again, everything after one day, two days it will be a k but not ok, every time water more and more. when it is finally receives it you wonder what will be left, a war, an invasion by russia which takes everything. james waterhouse, bbc news, kherson. with fighting continuing in ukraine, i discussed the recent developments with ro khanna, democrat congressman from california. we recorded this interview before the news of the former president's indictment. congressmen thank you for joining us here on bbc news tonight. i want to start with the situation in ukraine. nato summit coming up injuly and the former nato secretary

general said nato cannot agree on a clear path forward for ukraine, there is a clear possibility that some countries individually might take action. " he is talking about nato members putting boots on the ground in ukraine. what do you make of that? i ground in ukraine. what do you make of that?— make of that? i support president _ make of that? i support president biden - make of that? i support president biden in - make of that? i support - president biden in providing aid to ukraine and providing military assistance to ukraine. that has been successful and unsupported president biden keeping nato unified. as we help ukraine push back against the unprovoked aggression of russia. 50 the unprovoked aggression of russia. , ., the unprovoked aggression of russia, ., the unprovoked aggression of russia. , ., ., ., russia. so you would not support _ russia. so you would not support a _ russia. so you would not support a nato _ russia. so you would not support a nato memberl russia. so you would not - support a nato member state putting boots on the ground in ukraine? i believe that we need to be co—ordinated and the president of the united states needs to lead the alliance as we have been. my view is that the president and antony blinken

have been dividing the ukrainians with aid without risking a world war with russia and they have been very prudent about balancing that so i think we need to be unified in nato and we need to let the united states lead, we are the ones that are funding this quite what would you say to a country like poland if they would consider putting polish soldiers on the ground in ukraine, would that be risking further escalation? i would say that they should make sure that we are leading as nato and look to the united states which has borne most of the costs, which has continued to provide most of the aid and i believe that antony blinken has done a phenomenaljob in unifying nato and we don't want freelancing because that ultimately weakens the nato alliance. i because that ultimately weakens the nato alliance.— the nato alliance. i want to move onto _ the nato alliance. i want to move onto the _ the nato alliance. i want to move onto the visit - the nato alliance. i want to move onto the visit of the l move onto the visit of the british prime minister here in the us, he held a press conference earlier with the us president as you know and they announced this framework for a

new economic co—operation and our political editor chris mason was at the press conference, he asked them about the prospect of a new trade deal and this is what rishi sunak said.— deal and this is what rishi sunak said. ., , ., �* sunak said. the only way we're auoin to sunak said. the only way we're going to meet _ sunak said. the only way we're going to meet those _ sunak said. the only way we're| going to meet those challenges is to work together, to strengthen the resilience of our supply chains, research the technologies of the future together that's what we have announced today, is a partnership that will deepen our cooperation, to strengthen the economic security and that's— the economic security and that's good for all our systems at home — that's good for all our systems at home. �* ., ., ., ,~' at home. and i wanted to ask ou at home. and i wanted to ask you about _ at home. and i wanted to ask you about this _ at home. and i wanted to ask you about this because - at home. and i wanted to ask you about this because they l you about this because they know you have been talking a lot about economic patriotism, making sure that the us is producing domestically, is investing in factories at home. is a deal like this good for the us? ~ ., ., is a deal like this good for the us?— the us? we are going to continue _ the us? we are going to continue to _ the us? we are going to continue to build - the us? we are going to . continue to build resilience, the us? we are going to - continue to build resilience, i think it is a little bit ironic to have prime minister sunak talking about trade when written basically had brexit which in my view, for the decline of england. england lost its entire manufacturing base post—world war ii, the

united states wants to making that mistake, and then i believe it was a disastrous policy or britain to have brexit and that's one of the reasons they are facing economic stagnation. you look at the inflation there and the potential recession there, i'd certainly don't think we need to be learning economic lessons from what is going on.— from what is going on. would ou from what is going on. would you support _ from what is going on. would you support a _ from what is going on. would you support a free-trade - from what is going on. would j you support a free-trade deal you support a free—trade deal with the uk at some point? what with the uk at some point? what i would with the uk at some point? what i would support _ with the uk at some point? what i would support as _ with the uk at some point? what i would support as britain - i would support as britain first getting their own economic policy right, making sure that they listen to people like cameron and tony blair who view brexit i think as an economic suicide pact, that they repair their relationships with europe, i think they need to worry more about that in the united states.— united states. one more question. _ united states. one more question, do _ united states. one more question, do you - united states. one more question, do you think. united states. one more i question, do you think that rishi sunak is the right man to get that ship in order?- get that ship in order? a defer to the british _ get that ship in order? a defer to the british electorate - get that ship in order? a defer to the british electorate in - to the british electorate in who they choose. 0bviously to the british electorate in who they choose. obviously has someone from indian origin i think it is a groundbreaking

achievement for him to ascend to the prime ministership and just in that way i respect that just in that way i respect that just has economic policies, i hope he has a reconsideration of brexit. i hope he has a reconsideration of brexit. . hope he has a reconsideration of itrait-— of brexit. i also want to ask ou of brexit. i also want to ask you about _ of brexit. i also want to ask you about artificial - you about artificial intelligence, a topic you have been speaking on multiple times stopper there has been a lot of discussion here in the us about regulating ai, the british parameter talked about a global summit that will be held in london in the. if there is a global summit on al how likely do you think it is that countries like china will actually attend and agree to such global standards? i think we have to — such global standards? i think we have to work _ such global standards? i think we have to work on _ such global standards? i think we have to work on it - such global standards? i think we have to work on it but - such global standards? i think we have to work on it but ai i we have to work on it but ai has been regulated by three entities right now, microsoft, google and 0penai, and we have to have the united states make sure that we are coming up with a framework, because all of the innovation is happening largely innovation is happening largely in the united states and i think we then need to make sure that our european allies and

other countries are participating. other countries are --articiatin~. ., participating. thank you so much for — participating. thank you so much for taking time - participating. thank you so much for taking time to . participating. thank you so i much for taking time to speak to us tonight. nearly 100 million people are facing hazardous air in north america. in fact, data from the us environmental protection agency shows cities in the region had the worst air quality in the world on thursday morning. the poor conditions have cancelled events and grounded flights across the us. philadelphia and washington dc are struggling with their worst air quality in years. in these pictures, you can see some of the most iconic monuments and sights here in washington are now covered in fog. and these are pictures from earlier today in new york. you can see that orange haze is still lingering over manhattan. all of this is as a result of intense wildfires in canada. 0fficials there say this is shaping up to be its worst wildfire season on record. the white house sent us firefighters to help, and presidentjoe biden described it as a stark reminder of the impacts of climate change.

there are unconfirmed reports that us secretary of state anthony blinken will visit china as soon as next week — that's according to the news outlet politico. he had originally planned to visit beijing in february, but the trip was postponed after the us shot down an alleged chinese spy balloon. the biden administration has been working to get its allies aligned on a common approach to beijing, as tensions rise over the disputed island of taiwan. this comes as a group of german lawmakers are in washington this week to meet with their counterparts in congress to compare notes on china. metin hakverdi, from the ruling social democratic party, is one of them, and hejoins me now. you and fellow members of the bundestag met with members of congress today for closed door talks on china. what came out of those discussions? we are finding ourselves in the same position, the concept of decoupling is an old idea that is not really pointing out the future, it is a question of the risking and how to do this in detail is something that we will have to talk about for a

little longer.— will have to talk about for a little longer. what does the riskinr little longer. what does the risking mean _ little longer. what does the risking mean in _ little longer. what does the risking mean in these - little longer. what does the i risking mean in these terms? the positive outlook means that we need to participate in the chinese economy, we don't want a world recession by putting china into a difficult situation and suffering ourselves but at the same time we obviously see the security issues of the independence of our industries, supply chains, heart security in the region and the question is whether we combine both, having the economic benefits of globalisation and international trade, but at the same time, not compromising on security. do your colleagues in congress really ci to i with your colleagues on the bundestag because it seems like europe is trying to promote economic ties with china on the one hand and challenge china on human rights issues and security in the asia pacific on the other hand so how do you balance that with what here in the us seems like a much stronger position towards china? irate a much stronger position towards china?— a much stronger position towards china? ~ towards china? we will continue towards china? we will continue to have human _ towards china? we will continue to have human rights— towards china? we will continue to have human rights issues -

to have human rights issues with china for a long time, this will not change overnight, it will be a problematic partner for a it will be a problematic partnerfor a long time it will be a problematic partner for a long time to go but it is in our own interest to have at least the benefits of the relationship, so i think there are several opinions also in congress, they are not all the same on this one. how tough to be on china, how much benefits to get out and how much security you have two have be safe from aggression particularly in the region but i think the abstract rule of having not either/or but having both of the benefits at the same time, security issues, is something we have at least closer ties than others. that is an interesting _ closer ties than others. that is an interesting perspective especially after those closed for discussions i want to ask you about germany and ukraine. german chancellor schultz will be going to meet in paris to discuss a security guarantees ahead of that big nato summit injuly and president zelensky said there is no point for him

to summit unless there is some signal that nato membership is on the cards. what do you think should then be signalled to ukraine and president zelensky? i perfectly understand to this approach of the ukrainian side to be a member of nato stopping my personal opinion is that it should be the choice of any country to choose the alliances freely. and i support the membership of nato, of ukraine personally but i think the main issueis personally but i think the main issue is hard security. we have two have security guarantees that work. we have the situation back after 214 and that didn't work.— situation back after 214 and that didn't work. what would that didn't work. what would that look like _ that didn't work. what would that look like for _ that didn't work. what would that look like for ukraine? i l that look like for ukraine? i think you have to have hard security on the ground to deter russia from coming back in a yearfrom russia from coming back in a year from today and by the way, the war is not over yet so you also have two always put, the first sentence to say is well, whatever it takes we will not

let ukraine down but in the future we have to take all measures to make sure this will not happen again.— not happen again. hard security on the ground, does _ not happen again. hard security on the ground, does this - not happen again. hard security on the ground, does this mean | on the ground, does this mean troops on the ground? big su ort troops on the ground? big support of— troops on the ground? big support of the _ troops on the ground? egg support of the conventional literary of ukraine, of course, yes. it literary of ukraine, of course, es. , , yes. it will definitely be interesting _ yes. it will definitely be interesting to _ yes. it will definitely be interesting to follow - yes. it will definitely be interesting to follow up| yes. it will definitely be i interesting to follow up on this story especially as we see this story especially as we see this meeting in paris. very quick last question, what you expect to come out of meeting between these leaders? i expect . reat between these leaders? i expect great support — between these leaders? i expect great support to _ between these leaders? i expect great support to the _ between these leaders? i expect great support to the next i between these leaders? i expect great support to the next weeks | great support to the next weeks and months to come for ukraine. great support in the form of more military assistance? flit more military assistance? of course. we more military assistance? oi course. we have the ammunition issue still going on, we don't know whether one big offensive will make the change on the battlefield. we are, whatever it takes for all of schultz on this one. it takes for all of schultz on this one-— it takes for all of schultz on this one. , . ., ., ., this one. great, great to have ou with this one. great, great to have you with us — this one. great, great to have you with us in _ this one. great, great to have

you with us in the _ this one. great, great to have you with us in the studio i this one. great, great to have you with us in the studio here i you with us in the studio here in washington. before we go just a reminder of that top story, donald trump again indicted, this time a federal case. us house speaker kevin mccarthy has said, today is indeed a dark day for the united states of america, it is unconscionable for a president to indict the leading candidate opposing him. iand to indict the leading candidate opposing him. i and every american who believes in the rule of law stand with resident drum, so that is with the speaker of the house, president trump has denied any wrongdoing in this case, he has also said that he will appear in a federal courthouse in miami on tuesday at 3pm so this is news that has come down to us in the past hour or two and will continue to keep you updated at the top of the next hour. thank you for watching bbc news.

hello. love it or loathe it, a spell of very warm weather's upon us — but what will be less desirable, i think, is the level of humidity, which will become particularly noticeable over the weekend. one thing that we do need is rainfall, and we haven't had much of it recently, and we are expecting some showers and thunderstorms through the course of the weekend. let's have a look at the satellite picture — and you'll soon see the sun setting over the storm clouds here out towards the south. initially, these storms will be very well—scattered, so not many of us will actually get them. but it's that humid air to the south that'll start arriving, ithink, friday night into saturday, and then through sunday. that'll also keep the nights really balmy, so some pleasantly warm evenings on the way, too, but quite sticky at night. so here's the forecast early on friday morning — cloudy skies across eastern scotland, eastern and central england. but out towards the west, it's sunshine, could be a few showers, maybe the odd thunderstorm across the southwest of england early in the morning. and then, through the afternoon, it's pretty much what we've had in the last few

days — so the cloud burns back to the coast, and just a few coastal strips there, hanging onto that cloud through the course of the afternoon, where it will be a little on the cool side. so maybe only 14 in newcastle and aberdeen, out towards the west, it's sunny and warmer, temperatures could be nudging up into the mid—to—high—20s in 1—2 spots on friday. then, friday night into saturday, this is the weather map, a weather front approaching — that'll spark off a few showers and thunderstorms during the day on saturday. starts off really sunny everywhere, but then, that risk of storms i think across parts of england and wales. some of the storms will bring torrential downpours, hail, and gusty winds — but very localised, and many of us will miss it altogether. temperatures low—to—mid—20s, high—20s in 1—2 spots — we could nudge up to 30 on saturday, which will be a little too hot for some. then saturday evening, look at that, at 10pm, temperatures could still be in the high teens, perhaps even in excess of 20 celsius in bigger towns and cities. this is sunday's forecast —

lots of sunshine right from the word go, and then, that increasing risk of showers and thunderstorms across some western areas. how about the temperatures? again, typically in the mid—to—high—20s, so warm enough for most of us. bye— bye.