france as well so here is that front again —— central parts of the uk. you will not see the northern lights here it's too cloudy but more appear. a fresh 7 degrees in aberdeen in the morning, 1a in liverpool and similar across the south of the country. this is the morning, pretty wet for a time in belfast, damp in the irish sea and around the lakes and into the southern uplands. the best weather across the bulk of england and wales this is where we have the highest temperatures, 2a in norwich, low 20s in the midlands, cardiff and london could nudge 26 but a fairly fresh and disappointing 14th in glasgow and disappointing 14th in glasgow and belfast. the weatherfront and disappointing 14th in glasgow and belfast. the weather front is still with us on saturday but it is kind of stuck close to this area of high pressure, little wind to push it around. it is just moving along the flow so some cloudy conditions here across northern england, cooler again in newcastle, 14 but one in london at 26 and later we could see

some showers and thunderstorms in the south—west but they really will not get going until sunday. frequent lightning, gusty winds, spreading into south—western and western areas and all that will move further north. temperatures on to win the election? the labour leader, in the hague today, is repositioning his party on europe but how will he square a new entente cordiale with the brexit voters who deserted labour in 2019? we'll be joined first by the conservative mp laura farris and then we'll be speaking to oliver ryan, the labour

candidate in burnley where two thirds voted leave, and the labour mp for walthamstow stella creasy, the constituency where two thirds voted to remain. also tonight, syria's president faces growing protests in the city of suweida where three activists were shot, but the people say they won't back down. so how hard will assad crack down? professor lina khatib, the director of soas middle east institute, is here. donald trump faces two more lawsuits based on post civil war section of the 14th amendment, barring candidates who take part in or give succour to insurrectionists. and this was st paul's cathedral last night when the australian grammy nominated ry x played a sell out concert.

# i'm a child of sun and the stars i love he's here on newsnight for his only uk tv interview. good evening. we are most definitely in pre election season. labour is starting to put some flesh on the key policies keir starmer, facing his first electoral test as leader, thinks will resonate with the voters he needs to win back if he is to have a shot at downing street. health policies, migration and how close a relationship we should foster with europe, are so far top of the list, and today he was in the hague to shape a possible deal with europol, of which we are no longer a member, to engage in joint intelligence and operations to deal with the traffiking gangs, possibly in return for the uk accepting a quota of migrants from the eu. next tuesday, in an unusual diplomatic move, the labour leader will head to paris for talks with emmanuel macron, on among other things, regulatory alignment.

but calibrating a new closer relationship with europe, but commiting not to rejoin, is a political high wire act — fall on one side, and the coveted red wall could be insurmountable. here's nick. when that time comes, i will campaign for when that time comes, i will campaignfor remain when that time comes, i will campaign for remain alongside millions of other people in this country. millions of other people in this count . , country. cheering a different - country. cheering a different era, - country. cheeringl a different era, and country. cheering - a different era, and burned country. cheering _ a different era, and burned by that experience, keir starmer then kept europe largely at arms length. but today, visiting the eu's main crime—fighting agency to illustrate labour's tough approach towards cross—channel people smugglers, and the next step would see a labour government negotiate a returns agreement with brussels. that could see some migrants sent back to the eu and the uk taking a quota in the

other direction. this leads to tory outrage and labour saying, you floated the eu returns agreement last month. floated the eu returns agreement last month-— last month. that is embarrassing nonsense from _ last month. that is embarrassing nonsense from the _ last month. that is embarrassing nonsense from the government. | last month. that is embarrassing . nonsense from the government. but with the plans of labour unravel brexit? �* , ., ., _, brexit? there's nothing that could be interpreted _ brexit? there's nothing that could be interpreted as _ brexit? there's nothing that could be interpreted as a _ brexit? there's nothing that could be interpreted as a betrayal- brexit? there's nothing that could be interpreted as a betrayal of- brexit? there's nothing that could be interpreted as a betrayal of the brexit vote and we have a real problem that tens of thousands of people are coming across the english channel every year and the government is failing to do anything about it. ,, ., ., , ,., about it. keir starmer has some re about it. keir starmer has some pretty clear _ about it. keir starmer has some pretty clear red _ about it. keir starmer has some pretty clear red lines _ about it. keir starmer has some pretty clear red lines on - about it. keir starmer has some pretty clear red lines on the - about it. keir starmer has some pretty clear red lines on the eu, about it. keir starmer has some i pretty clear red lines on the eu, he is not for rejoining and he is not forjoining the single market, but as he showed today, he does believe in a close security relationship and a close economic relationship. the british prime minister should regularly turn up for dinner at european summits, one of his allies told me. if he becomes prime minister, he would not probably go quite that far, but the uk

relationship with the eu would look very different. john relationship with the eu would look very different-— very different. john curtice was our man in charge _ very different. john curtice was our man in charge of _ very different. john curtice was our man in charge of the _ very different. john curtice was our man in charge of the exit _ very different. john curtice was our man in charge of the exit poll... i very different. john curtice was our man in charge of the exit poll... alj man in charge of the exit poll... al polling grow, sees method in labour's thinking. —— polling guru. the labour party with an enormous lead in the opinion polls and the red well something they can recover relatively easily given its current standing, the labour party finds itself at the moment on course to be elected into office by an electorate which is overwhelmingly, at least 3-1, which is overwhelmingly, at least 3—1, in favour of being inside the eu, so we should not be surprised that the labour party have concluded that the labour party have concluded that at least moving somewhat closer towards the eu and being willing to some degree to talk about this is now not as difficult a strategy for the party to pursue as it looked a couple of years ago. fix, the party to pursue as it looked a couple of years ago. a commentator on the centre-left _ couple of years ago. a commentator on the centre-left thinks _ couple of years ago. a commentator on the centre-left thinks labour - couple of years ago. a commentator on the centre-left thinks labour is l on the centre—left thinks labour is in a strong place.

on the centre-left thinks labour is in a strong place.— on the centre-left thinks labour is in a strong place. they are throwing eve hinu in a strong place. they are throwing everything they _ in a strong place. they are throwing everything they can _ in a strong place. they are throwing everything they can at _ in a strong place. they are throwing everything they can at labour - in a strong place. they are throwing everything they can at labour and i | everything they can at labour and i think_ everything they can at labour and i think you _ everything they can at labour and i think you will be difficult to make it stick— think you will be difficult to make it stick because firstly, they themselves have been talking about striking _ themselves have been talking about striking deals with the eu and i think— striking deals with the eu and i think voters will see through this idea that — think voters will see through this idea that the only type of arrangement we might have with the eu is full_ arrangement we might have with the eu is full membership again. it doesn't — eu is full membership again. it doesn't make sense. the government themselves— doesn't make sense. the government themselves have just renegotiated for the _ themselves have just renegotiated for the uk to rejoin the horizon programme sol for the uk to rejoin the horizon programme so i think the conservatives are hoping that the eu will stitt— conservatives are hoping that the eu will still he _ conservatives are hoping that the eu will still be toxic for labour in a way it— will still be toxic for labour in a way it was_ will still be toxic for labour in a way it was a few years ago but i think— way it was a few years ago but i think it — way it was a few years ago but i think itjust isn't going to land with— think itjust isn't going to land with voters in the same way. a with voters in the same way. former conservative adviser sees dangers for keir starmer. i former conservative adviser sees dangers for keir starmer.- dangers for keir starmer. i think keir starmer _ dangers for keir starmer. i think keir starmer as _ dangers for keir starmer. i think keir starmer as an _ dangers for keir starmer. i think keir starmer as an issue - dangers for keir starmer. i think keir starmer as an issue with . keir starmer as an issue with consistency and one of the problems is going to be, that he can have a consistent position on europe and whether he can marry the two

seemingly different groups of the country that he needs to bring together, the red wall, deeply sceptical about the eu and the more southern seats which have a bit more remain about them, so he has to walk a tight path. trying to put himself into a position now seems like a bit of misstep. the into a position now seems like a bit of misstep-— of misstep. the city of lights and the ci of of misstep. the city of lights and the city of dreams, _ of misstep. the city of lights and the city of dreams, and - of misstep. the city of lights and the city of dreams, and the - the city of dreams, and the next stop on keir starmer�*s european odyssey, with a meeting with emmanuel macron. in a moment we will hearfrom a labour mp and a labour prospective mp but i am joined by a conservative mp first of all. first of all, what do you make of the plans of labour for a possible

return steel?— plans of labour for a possible return steel? some of what was announced was _ return steel? some of what was announced was consistent with l announced was consistent with what they have intimated at the dispatch box or the way through the debates on immigration we have had in the last couple of years —— all the way through. they have talked about tackling criminal gangs at the top which is very difficult to do, similar to saying we are going to stop drug dealing by stopping drug barons and that is something which is incredibly challenging to do. and also they talked about speeding up processing which they have mentioned before. i suppose the most revealing part of what they said is that they would seek to deal with the problems of small boats by reaching a returns agreement with the eu, although they would not be post, but they accepted that would be a negotiating arrangement —— they would not be pushed. that is a clear distinction with what the conservative government did with its legal migration bill, now act, which received royal assent injuly, which made it clear that the issue of accepting applications for asylum would be subject to a cap that would

be decided here in the uk, working in conjunction with local authorities from across the uk according to what they could accommodate and manage and what he was doing today was essentially saying that would be an outsourced agreement, subject to agreement with the eu, where, don't forget, there is a huge degree of disagreement between the state of the eu themselves, but irrespective of that, it would require that the uk signing up once again certainly to a formula decided by the eu. let’s signing up once again certainly to a formula decided by the eu. let's be uuite formula decided by the eu. let's be quite clear. — formula decided by the eu. let's be quite clear. he _ formula decided by the eu. let's be quite clear, he is _ formula decided by the eu. let's be quite clear, he is considering - formula decided by the eu. let's be quite clear, he is considering a - quite clear, he is considering a returns deal and just a month ago the conservatives considered eight returns deal and remain open to it, so it is exactly the same policy? take a step back in what you mean... it is true. , ., ., ., it is true. returns deal we have at the moment _ it is true. returns deal we have at the moment is — it is true. returns deal we have at the moment is a _ it is true. returns deal we have at the moment is a bilateral- the moment is a bilateral arrangement with albania which came

in to effect last year. this arrangement with albania which came in to effect last year.— in to effect last year. this is something _ in to effect last year. this is something completely - in to effect last year. this is - something completely different. you were not talking about albania a month ago. you were talking about the possibility of a return deal which would allow for a certain quota of legal migration coming to a safe and legal route, that is what keir starmer is suggesting. he is sa in: keir starmer is suggesting. he is saying something _ keir starmer is suggesting. he: 3 saying something different. he keir starmer is suggesting. he: 1 saying something different. he is saying something different. he is saying that illegal immigrants arriving by small boat would be either accepted or returned subject to a deal with the eu, and we have talked about new safe and legal routes and that is integral to the operation of the legal migration bill. ., , ., bill. he said there would be an illeual bill. he said there would be an illegal route _ bill. he said there would be an illegal route which _ bill. he said there would be an illegal route which would - bill. he said there would be an illegal route which would be i illegal route which would be determined by this deal and there would be quotas and the whole point about it would be there would be a burden sharing aspect and if you did a deal there would be a burden sharing as well? it is a deal there would be a burden sharing as well?— a deal there would be a burden sharing as well? it is clear if you read the illegal _ sharing as well? it is clear if you read the illegal migration - read the illegal migration act, section 60 makes clear the formula we would use to decide upon a quota

that would be decided in conjunction with local authorities according to a capacity and there is no question of us outsourcing the numbers we would admit lawfully to this country. would admit lawfully to this count . ., , would admit lawfully to this count . .,, g a would admit lawfully to this count . g , country. robert jenrick, you must have seen — country. robert jenrick, you must have seen his _ country. robert jenrick, you must have seen his tweet... _ country. robert jenrick, you must have seen his tweet... if- country. robert jenrick, you must have seen his tweet... if you - country. robert jenrick, you must have seen his tweet... if you are| have seen his tweet... if you are suggesting _ have seen his tweet... if you are suggesting there _ have seen his tweet... if you are suggesting there is _ have seen his tweet... if you are suggesting there is alignment i have seen his tweet... if you are| suggesting there is alignment on that, it is important to note that labour voted against that bill through every stage in parliament. robertjenrick tweeted today, 100,000 migrants per year and counting, something like that, but thatis counting, something like that, but that is what is happening, the policy is yours. it happened under your watch. that photo that robert jenrick put in the tweet happened under the watch of this government. to go back one step, kirsty, last year nearly a million people arrived in the eu claiming asylum, and it is realistic to imagine that figure will go up as things like climate

change and conflict and other factors push people across borders, in a way that the 1951 refugee convention never conceived of. the measures we have put in place so far, for example the new agreement with france, the most recent agreement with turkey, they have been effective in helping to reduce the numbers and so far they are down 20% and there has been a much high number of people trying to make the crossing and partly because of the effectiveness of the security arrangements we have reached with france, we have stopped a lot of crossings this year, and you will know in a couple of weeks the supreme court will hear the rwanda case and people talk to this bill is theissue case and people talk to this bill is the issue of removal to save third countries to create a complete deterrent to this most intractable problems. it deterrent to this most intractable roblems. ,, , ., ., , problems. if the supreme court goes our wa . problems. if the supreme court goes your way- thanks _ problems. if the supreme court goes your way. thanks for _ problems. if the supreme court goes your way. thanks forjoining - problems. if the supreme court goes your way. thanks forjoining us. - problems. if the supreme court goes your way. thanks forjoining us. we l your way. thanks forjoining us. we can now speak to 0liver ryan, prospective parliamentary candidate for labour for burnley and also the

labour mp stella creasy for walthamstow. labour lost burnley in 2019 because you lost the trust of the voters over europe, so would the labour voters who deserted you then come back if you are promoting a returns deal? the come back if you are promoting a returns deal?— come back if you are promoting a returns deal? ., , ., , ., returns deal? the conservatives are doinu returns deal? the conservatives are doin: the returns deal? the conservatives are doing the best _ returns deal? the conservatives are doing the best they _ returns deal? the conservatives are doing the best they can _ returns deal? the conservatives are doing the best they can to _ returns deal? the conservatives are doing the best they can to conflatel doing the best they can to conflate several different issues and they are desperate to rerun the last election. it is almost like they have become contrary and i think this policy is a good one, sensible, and keir starmer is saying rationally that we need to create a solution to what is a very serious problem, small boats, and we want to work with our european partners to deal with that. keir starmer has been there today hopefully to lay the groundwork for those agreements that will hopefully come into place as and when a labour government takes power. that is the right thing to do and regards the whole brexit question, without getting into a university dissertation as to why we

left, it is sensible that we are approaching our allies and working where the criminal activities taking place and that is where the criminals are. fit place and that is where the criminals are.— place and that is where the criminals are. at the heart of brexit was — criminals are. at the heart of brexit was take _ criminals are. at the heart of brexit was take back - criminals are. at the heart of brexit was take back control| criminals are. at the heart of. brexit was take back control and criminals are. at the heart of- brexit was take back control and i wonder if you want to see a labour policy which is essentially brimming in a substantial number of migrants and it would be a quota system —— bring in. it would be determined by the eu policy of burden sharing. i wonder what the labour voters in burnley who voted for brexit would make of that?— make of that? labour voters in burnle make of that? labour voters in iturnley at _ make of that? labour voters in burnley at the _ make of that? labour voters in burnley at the moment - make of that? labour voters in burnley at the moment are - burnley at the moment are recognising that the conservatives just don't have control of our borders and the conservatives go on about open borders and open border policy but immigration is at the highest it has ever been this 175,000 people on the asylum backlog list and we have a solution to fix it and deal with it, saving the taxpayer £2 billion per year, and

tackling the backlog. but instead the conservatives are wanting to rerun some kind of neo— brexit referendum to say, we are ok to work with them but labour does not seem to be. syria stella creasy, is brexit safe syria stella creasy, is brexit safe in labour's hands? in what syria stella creasy, is brexit safe in labour's hands? ., , , in labour's hands? in what sense? brexit is a — in labour's hands? in what sense? brexit is a series _ in labour's hands? in what sense? brexit is a series of _ in labour's hands? in what sense? brexit is a series of problems - in labour's hands? in what sense? brexit is a series of problems and l brexit is a series of problems and the british— brexit is a series of problems and the british public can see that, whether— the british public can see that, whether it is the impact on the cost of food, _ whether it is the impact on the cost of food, the — whether it is the impact on the cost of food, the problems with school kids stuck— of food, the problems with school kids stuck in coaches for hours at the border— kids stuck in coaches for hours at the border or even things like roaming — the border or even things like roaming charges and the extra paperwork that businesses are drowning in as a result. i think the british— drowning in as a result. i think the british public have moved on from 2019. _ british public have moved on from 2019. to _ british public have moved on from 2019, to seeing those problems in 2025 _ 2019, to seeing those problems in 2023. nobody wants to go back. i want _ 2023. nobody wants to go back. i want to _ 2023. nobody wants to go back. i want to he — 2023. nobody wants to go back. i want to be clear. i said as chair as labour— want to be clear. i said as chair as labour in— want to be clear. i said as chair as labour in europe, but we are calling to sort— labour in europe, but we are calling to sort out— labour in europe, but we are calling to sort out the problems. what keir

stanner— to sort out the problems. what keir starmer and yvette cooper were doing was exactly _ starmer and yvette cooper were doing was exactly that. the worry for us, the damage — was exactly that. the worry for us, the damage that brexit is doing to this country is getting worse every single _ this country is getting worse every single day — this country is getting worse every single day. so the solutions to these — single day. so the solutions to these practical problems it has created. — these practical problems it has created, about cooperation, about sharing _ created, about cooperation, about sharing data, catching the awful people — sharing data, catching the awful people who are putting people in boats— people who are putting people in boats and putting their lives at risk, _ boats and putting their lives at risk, need _ boats and putting their lives at risk, need urgent action now. the sooner— risk, need urgent action now. the sooner you — risk, need urgent action now. the sooner you talk about that, the sooner— sooner you talk about that, the sooner we _ sooner you talk about that, the sooner we can get on and solve these problems _ sooner we can get on and solve these problems. let sooner we can get on and solve these roblems. , ., , ., problems. let me put to you the latest yougov _ problems. let me put to you the latest yougov poll _ problems. let me put to you the latest yougov poll from - problems. let me put to you the latest yougov poll from july - problems. let me put to you the i latest yougov poll from july saying 57% of respondents, the highest ever, sayed was wrong to vote leave. yet the majority say it was wrong to leave and yet labour would like to be the government and doesn't labour have to take that into account and actually reopen the discussion about actually reopen the discussion about a possible return to europe? i sit here as chair _

a possible return to europe? i sit here as chair of _ a possible return to europe? i sit here as chair of labour in europe. there_ here as chair of labour in europe. there are— here as chair of labour in europe. there are two reasons, the priority is the _ there are two reasons, the priority is the businesses think they will go to the _ is the businesses think they will go to the walt— is the businesses think they will go to the wall because they can't cope with the _ to the wall because they can't cope with the added cost to the supply chain _ with the added cost to the supply chain the — with the added cost to the supply chain. the challenge with rejoining, if you _ chain. the challenge with rejoining, if you talk— chain. the challenge with rejoining, if you talk to colleagues in ukraine it is 7-10 _ if you talk to colleagues in ukraine it is 7—10 years of negotiations. if you look— it is 7—10 years of negotiations. if you took at— it is 7—10 years of negotiations. if you look at scotland. in it is 7-10 years of negotiations. if you look at scotland.— you look at scotland. in principle should keir— you look at scotland. in principle should keir starmer _ you look at scotland. in principle should keir starmer be - you look at scotland. in principle should keir starmer be bolder? l you look at scotland. in principle - should keir starmer be bolder? he's already said, laboursaid should keir starmer be bolder? he's already said, labour said it wouldn't rejoin the customs union. is that a hard and fast decision, though? indie is that a hard and fast decision, thou~h? ~ . is that a hard and fast decision, thou h? . ., ., ., “ is that a hard and fast decision, thou~h? . ., ., though? we are looking at the pan-european _ though? we are looking at the pan-european mediterranean l pan—european mediterranean convention which cuts across a number— convention which cuts across a number of— convention which cuts across a number of countries and has some of those _ number of countries and has some of those functions about reducing the paperwork because of the origin rules _ paperwork because of the origin rules i— paperwork because of the origin rules. i don't think it is being holder. — rules. i don't think it is being holder. we _ rules. i don't think it is being bolder, we have said we want a closer— bolder, we have said we want a closer relationship with europe because — closer relationship with europe because things like the small boats crisis _ because things like the small boats crisis showed the folly of going it alone _ crisis showed the folly of going it alone. should we challenge those people _ alone. should we challenge those people who still want... we have

left the _ people who still want... we have left the european union, so that question— left the european union, so that question has happened. we can see the damage being done by brexit. we want to— the damage being done by brexit. we want to sort those problems as quickly— want to sort those problems as quickly as— want to sort those problems as quickly as possible.— want to sort those problems as quickly as possible. stella creasy sa s that quickly as possible. stella creasy says that starmer _ quickly as possible. stella creasy says that starmer should - quickly as possible. stella creasy says that starmer should be - quickly as possible. stella creasy i says that starmer should be clearer about europe. what does he need to be clear about?— be clear about? sorry, i think stella and — be clear about? sorry, i think stella and i — be clear about? sorry, i think stella and i are _ be clear about? sorry, i think stella and i are probably - be clear about? sorry, i think stella and i are probably in i be clear about? sorry, i think - stella and i are probably in violent agreement in that we both want a closer relationship with europe on science, renewable, jobs, the economy, terrorism, data and so on. what is nice is that we could have two conservatives sat here still debating the european issue from maastricht. what labour has is a really firm position. but maastricht. what labour has is a really firm position.— maastricht. what labour has is a really firm position. but it doesn't alter the fact _ really firm position. but it doesn't alter the fact that _ really firm position. but it doesn't alter the fact that two _ really firm position. but it doesn't alter the fact that two thirds - really firm position. but it doesn't alter the fact that two thirds of i alter the fact that two thirds of your constituents voted to leave and two thirds of stella creasy�*s

constituency voted to remain. is there a difference with what the voters in burnley want?- there a difference with what the voters in burnley want? stella and i have been clear, _ voters in burnley want? stella and i have been clear, the _ voters in burnley want? stella and i have been clear, the question - voters in burnley want? stella and i have been clear, the question has l have been clear, the question has been settled. we want to see solutions to problems and that's what our constituents in both constituencies want. people in burnley and walthamstow and elsewhere were promised a brexit dividend and it is up to us to try and deliver that, to move with europe to solve the problems. but isn't the problem, if keir starmer doesn't deliver clarity it might suit the voters of walthamstow but not necessarily those in burnley, for example? if under a returns quota system you were taking upwards of 50, 60, 70,000 migrants a year, do you think the voters of burnley would think that's a good idea? the voters of would think that's a good idea? tie voters of burnley would see that is a huge difference to what we have at the moment, a huge asylum backlog, a huge number of people crossing in

small boats, a system at the border thatis small boats, a system at the border that is broken. the labour party has a clear position. we represent constituencies that voted deftly on brexit but people want solutions and want politicians to provide that. genuinely keir starmer has provided a sound explanation for our future in europe and how we want to use those partners in europe and european institutions like interpol to tackle things like the small boats crisis.— since bashar al—assad retook the majority of syria, aided by the firepower of russia, there have been few outbreaks of resistance, but over the past weeks, in the government controlled southern druze city of suweida, activists have held weeks of demonstrations protesting desperate living conditions and the government decision to lift fuel subsidies. more than 2,000 anti government protestors marched throught the city largely unopposed at the weekend, but yesterday three people were wounded when a hail of bullets was fired at protesters, allegedly by ba'ath party operatives. so what will assad do next?

in may, he was welcomed back into the fold of the arab league, so might that impact his response? in a moment, i'll be speaking to professor lina khatib, but first we asked a film crew in suweida to film the protests and talk to the people there for us. here's emir. sweida in southern syria. this is a city under the control of president bashar al—assad. for the fourth week, protesters are out on the street in defiance of the authoritarian regime.

what makes these protests so striking is that they are the largest to take place in areas under assad's control since the government violently crushed the uprising against him. a brutal civil war that has levelled cities and displaced 1a million syrians from their homes.

yesterday, as protesters entered the local branch of assad's political party, shots were fired. but so far, there's been no major response by the regime. how long this might last, no—one is sure. sweida has been one of the lesser affected cities under the syrian civil war, but now locals feel the situation tightening around them.

sweida is home to mostly druze people, a minority religion in the middle east, their rainbow flag widely carried by demonstrators. president assad has attempted to present himself as a protector of minority groups, a claim rejected by these protesters, who say that they believe in unity with their fellow syrians, but with assad out of the picture.

in the protesters' eyes, the entire apparatus of the syrian state has been captured by powers that don't have their interests at heart. after using chemical weapons on his own people in the civil war, assad is now being reintroduced to the international community. returned to the arab league, he'll also attend cop this year.

defiant. fearless. the citizens of sweida have been witnesses to a terrible civil war and yet have made the decision to stand up and be counted. now, a bloody regime trying to present a new face to the world holds theirfate in its hands. i'm joined by professor lina khatib, who is director of the soas thank you forjoining us. this is the first substantial uprising of the first substantial uprising of the druze and we've got people of

all ages, led by religious leaders. when it has been undressed before it has been more muted. how significant is it? it has been more muted. how significant is it? , , .., has been more muted. how significant isit? ,, ,, has been more muted. how significant isit? ,, , , is it? it is significant because as we heard in _ is it? it is significant because as we heard in the _ is it? it is significant because as we heard in the report, - is it? it is significant because as we heard in the report, assad i is it? it is significant because as i we heard in the report, assad had been presenting himself as the protector of minorities for the longest time and this is the first time that this community in syria is protesting notjust about time that this community in syria is protesting not just about the economy but they are very clearly demanding the fall of the regime. so this is a significant shift in the patron client relationship that assad had been taking advantage of four years regarding minority communities in syria. but four years regarding minority communities in syria. but this is a sinale communities in syria. but this is a single city- _ communities in syria. but this is a single city- and — communities in syria. but this is a single city. and what _ communities in syria. but this is a single city. and what do _ communities in syria. but this is a single city. and what do you - communities in syria. but this is a single city. and what do you think| single city. and what do you think his response is going to be, though? we can talk about contagion in a minute but he hasn't crackdown on this, so what would happen? if he cracks down _ this, so what would happen? if he cracks down then _ this, so what would happen? if he cracks down then the _ this, so what would happen? if ie cracks down then the mask this, so what would happen? if “ie cracks down then the mask is going to fall. actually these protests

already show that the mask has fallen because the community are now saying that we do not want this regime. in the past, five years ago for instance, in 2018, what the regime did when some protests started in the same area of sweida is to allow isis fighters, the islamic state, to enter sweida and basically engage in a massacre. 50. basically engage in a massacre. so, he won't send _ basically engage in a massacre. so, he won't send in regular syrian forces. the danger is that he will sendin forces. the danger is that he will send in extremists.— send in extremists. yes, this is something _ send in extremists. yes, this is something that _ send in extremists. yes, this is something that assad has - send in extremists. yes, this isj something that assad has been send in extremists. yes, this is - something that assad has been doing again and again, throughout the syrian conflict. these kind of indirect operations, incidence if we can call them that with islamic state have been used as a tool by the assad regime.— state have been used as a tool by the assad regime. what happens if the assad regime. what happens if the contagion _ the assad regime. what happens if the contagion happens _ the assad regime. what happens if the contagion happens quickly - the assad regime. what happens if the contagion happens quickly and | the assad regime. what happens if. the contagion happens quickly and he can't simply do that in one city? it's very difficult for the assad regime right now to react the way

that it did in 2011 because the regime doesn't have the same capacity it did. the syrian army was much stronger in 2011, even after the defections. right now the syrian state is basically bankrupt. all of the money is going to the pockets of assad and his inner circle club he doesn't have the capacity to handle multiple protests in many different cities. ~ . , . ., , cities. what difference does it make, if cities. what difference does it make. if any. _ cities. what difference does it make, if any, that _ cities. what difference does it make, if any, that he - cities. what difference does it make, if any, that he is - cities. what difference does it make, if any, that he is in - cities. what difference does it make, if any, that he is in the cities. what difference does it - make, if any, that he is in the arab league and also the fact that he is going to cop, which seems extraordinary? to going to cop, which seems extraordinary?— going to cop, which seems extraordinary? going to cop, which seems extraordina ? ., , ., , , extraordinary? to be honest it is more about _ extraordinary? to be honest it is more about countries _ extraordinary? to be honest it is more about countries who - extraordinary? to be honest it is- more about countries who normalised with assad than about syria itself. it is more about the interests of those countries to show that they can set the agenda but i don't think they ever took assad seriously. they don't think his behaviour would change and he would stop cracking down on people. here we have what is happening in sweida proving that the

behaviour of this regime would not change. behaviour of this regime would not chance. . .. behaviour of this regime would not chance. ., ,, ,., it's hard to keep track of the lawsuits facing donald trump indicted in four cases in four months and facing a battery of legal scrutiny. now campaigners in two states have brought actions against the former president under an ancient, post civil war provision in the 14th amendment of the us constitution. first a candidacy challenge was mounted in colorado, and now, this week, minnesota, lawsuits citing section 3 of the amendment which bars a potential candidate who has engaged in insurrection, or who has given aid or comfort to insurrectionists from running for president. here's david, first with a breaking story about hunter biden. what have we learned? hunter biden, the son of the — what have we learned? hunter biden, the son of the president, _ what have we learned? hunter biden, the son of the president, has - what have we learned? hunter biden, the son of the president, has been i the son of the president, has been indicted himself on three charges, three felony charges, these have to do with the purchase of a cult cobra 38 special revolver from a shop in

delaware in 2018 and at the time he had to fill in a form saying that he was not using drugs or addicted to drugs and that was a lie so he is charged with lying on the form and one count of illegally owning that weapon. what has that got to do with his dad, you might say, but the prosecutor looking at that case is also looking at other alleged crimes, having to do with things like his tax affairs, and whether he was an unregistered foreign agent. in america you cannot lobby for foreign interest without registering, was he doing that? the republicans say he was and was part of a biden family influenced per labelling operation and this week they launched —— pedalling operation, and this week the house of representatives launched their own indictment, investigation into joe biden's affairs on that, whether he would be impeached. so that is all facing joe biden at the moment and they think they will get the proof.

and they think they will get the roof. . . and they think they will get the roof. , , ., ., ., ,, proof. this is going to make the election even _ proof. this is going to make the election even more _ proof. this is going to make the election even more legally - proof. this is going to make the i election even more legally fraught, if that is possible. if election even more legally fraught, if that is possible.— if that is possible. if that indeed is possible- _ if that is possible. if that indeed is possible. joe _ if that is possible. if that indeed is possible. joe biden _ if that is possible. if that indeed is possible. joe biden is - if that is possible. if that indeed is possible. joe biden is facing l if that is possible. if that indeed is possible. joe biden is facing a big challenge in his re—election, and after all, three quarters of americans tell pollsters they think he's too old to run again and that is challenge already, and his party already are looking around thinking about whether there could be a plan b but on the other side of the coin, is donald trump's legal difficulties and this 14th amendment which has loomed large in the last week. i have been looking at the arguments on that question. the 14th amendment to the us constitution was passed in the wake of the civil war. it made those liberated from bondage full citizens and, in section 3, it barred anyone from ever holding state or federal office who had

engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the united states, or given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof. according to many americans, the events of january 6th, 2021, can only be described as an insurrection or rebellion, an attempt to prevent the lawful and peaceful transfer of power to keep in office a president who'd lost an election. last month, two conservative legal scholars, william baude and michael stokes paulsen, published a paper arguing that section 3 of the 14th amendment hadn't died with the last confederate soldier or politician. this opinion is supported by many other eminent legal voices. the only question is, if donald trump does not fit that description, if what he did in trying to overturn the 2020 election up to and including fomenting violence, if that is not disqualifying

insurrection, then nothing is. but this provision of the constitution was designed to protect us against anyone who takes an oath and then basically commits what amounts to treason against the country and its constitution. so, that is going to be tested in court and there are lawsuits on their way right now. it is an honour to appear in this historic hall- of democracy, yet today... but other legal minds see problems with this argument. to now decide what is an insurrection, you need a process. was the attempt to try to destroy state buildings after the horrible murder of george floyd, was that an insurrection? there are many things in our history that could have been called insurrections by some people. insurrection is in the eye of the beholder, and if you're going to use it to take somebody out of office or disqualify somebody, you better have a process, a careful process.

who makes the decision? by what criteria? how is it reviewed? none of that appears in the 14th amendment, which indicates to me it was never intended to apply in the year 2023 in a political campaign. legal cases calling for the removal of donald trump from the ballot have begun in several states, including colorado, organised by a pressure group called citizens for responsibility and ethics in washington. we feel confident, actually, that the chance of success is quite high. there are a couple of reasons for that. one is our organisation, actually, last year was able to successfully represent new mexico residents, bringing a lawsuit to remove from office an official there in new mexico who participated in the january 6th, 2021 insurrection and somebody who was an organiser and recruiter for that, but not somebody who was personally violent himself.

and that's important as a sort of precedent for donald trump. and this person, former county commissioner couy griffin, was removed by a court after the court heard significant evidence. the first time that this provision was enforced by a court in over 150 years. so, we've done it before. we think we can do it again. we think the evidence with respect to donald trump is overwhelming and we're ready to go to court and put that evidence on. in a close election, it would only take a couple of key states to remove donald trump from the ballot to make victory for him nationally mathematically impossible. there's no doubt that if he's defeated squarely, roundly and fairly at the ballot box, that ends the reign of donald trump as an influencer in american politics. but if he's disqualified, he just gains more power among his group saying, "see? _

"they're so afraid of him they wouldn't allow him to run." it's one of the most anti—democratic tactics i've ever seen. the phrase that you use there i is "hashtag fight for trump," right? but the law here is unclear. republican georgia congresswoman marjorie taylor greene faced a similar 14th amendment legal challenge when she stood for re—election, but she won her court case. i was asking people to come for a peaceful march, which is what everyone is entitled to do under the first amendment. but i was not asking them to actively engage in violence or any type of action. it seems a certainty that this matter will quickly reach the us supreme court for final judgement. back in 2000, the justices sealed george w bush's victory over al gore, but whatever the constitutional or legal position, this can only further extend america's angry political divisions.

now, how to ensure the future of our most treasured religious landmarks, if, as the last census suggests, we are moving towards a non religious future? australian, grammy nominated, ry x was the first contemporary act to play wren's magnificent st paul's cathedral last night, joined by the london contemporary 0rchestra, in a gig that was sold out in two hours. good evening. what is it like performing in an iconic space like that? is it a deep —— different atmosphere? that? is it a deep -- different atmosphere?— that? is it a deep -- different atmoshere? , , ., ., ., atmosphere? yes, it is. you have a certain amount _ atmosphere? yes, it is. you have a certain amount of _ atmosphere? yes, it is. you have a certain amount of gravitas - atmosphere? yes, it is. you have a certain amount of gravitas and i atmosphere? yes, it is. you have a| certain amount of gravitas and there is an exploration of understanding how your music is going to relate to the space. in st paul's cathedral, a place where contemporary music has not been performed and you have an audience which has not been there

before, so you are building a relationship on the spot for the first time in history. you relationship on the spot for the first time in history.— first time in history. you are buildin: first time in history. you are building a — first time in history. you are building a relationship i first time in history. you are building a relationship with l first time in history. you are | building a relationship with a different orchestra, as well. yes. different orchestra, as well. yes, and also these _ different orchestra, as well. yes, and also these cultural _ different orchestra, as well. ie:1 and also these cultural institutions and also these cultural institutions and landmarks of society, the london symphony orchestra, the underground club scene from london was involved in this as well, so it is a beautiful thing to build these bridges in society and culture. you are travelling _ bridges in society and culture. you are travelling away and now you are going tojordan and you are going to do an outside concert near petra but you are coming back here. if you were going to play different places every time you come, what is the possibility for your next visit? it is hard when you get to a place like st pauls, to do it for the first time, and now there is conversation about whether we go to westminster and do something there. westminster abbe ? and do something there. westminster abbey? yes. — and do something there. westminster abbey? yes. and _ and do something there. westminster abbey? yes, and do _ and do something there. westminster abbey? yes, and do something i and do something there. westminster abbey? yes, and do something there| abbey? yes, and do something there that has not — abbey? yes, and do something there that has not been _ abbey? yes, and do something there that has not been done _ abbey? yes, and do something there that has not been done before i abbey? yes, and do something there

that has not been done before and i that has not been done before and keep challenging what these