an hour and a half before we were expecting the much delayed un security council vote on a new resolution calling for a pause in the fighting in gaza, that vote was delayed until wednesday to allow negotations to continue. we'll be live at the un. also coming up, rishi sunak gets one final grilling from senior mps before christmas as he answers question from the liaison committee on issues including israel and his rwanda scheme. president zelensky tells the ukrainian people that he is confident they will win the war despite not getting more military funding and calls for half a million more ukrainians tojoin the army. on the panel tonight to discuss it all is jack blanchard, who's the uk editor of politico, and esther brimmer, who's a senior fellow at the council on foreign relations and has previously worked at the us department of state. negotiators in the united nations

security council have spent the day trying to come to an agreement over the wording of a resolution calling for a humanitarian pause in fighting in gaza. they have delayed the vote multiple times in the last 2a hours to try and come to an agreement that will avoid a us veto. in the last hour we have heard it has been delayed until tomorrow. remember, the us was the only country to vote against the last security council resolution calling for a cease—fire. we have heard from the state department in the last hour or so. in a statement, they said the us would welcome a resolution that supports addressing humanitarian needs of gaza, but the details of any resolution matter. let's take a look at the language in the resolution that the us state department is referring to. first, the wording originally proposed by the arab states called for "an urgent and sustainable cessation of hostilities to allow safe and unhindered humanitarian access". that was replaced with this.

the us suggested a change to the wording, replacing the call for a "cessation" of hostilities with instead a call for the "suspension" of hostilities. so instead of a cease—fire, a pause in fighting. our correspondent nada tawfik is in new york keeping an eye on things for us. firstly, explain why we have had yet another delay. this firstly, explain why we have had yet another delay-— another delay. this time the united states requested _ another delay. this time the united states requested that _ another delay. this time the united states requested that the _ another delay. this time the united states requested that the vote - another delay. this time the united states requested that the vote be l states requested that the vote be postponed as negotiations continue. i actually asked the deputy ambassador robert wood a short time ago if the united states is on board with this resolution. he said it is too early. they are still working with key players on this draught and they will see how negotiations go this afternoon. speaking to other diplomats, there are two key issues that the united states still has with this draught. even though the

language was changed to a suspension of hostilities, there is still a freeze in their calling for urgent steps towards a sustainable cessation of hostilities. the us does not want to see there. it is uncomfortable with that language. they are also getting concerns from israel about this un monitoring mechanism being proposed to streamline aid into gaza. israel feels the mechanism would prevent them from controlling and inspecting properly, the delivery of humanitarian aid. so those are the key sticking points. it is why despite diplomats thinking they were so close on an agreement, that we are now seeing this boat postponed continuously to try and bridge those gaps. continuously to try and bridge those . a s, ., ~' continuously to try and bridge those a a as. ., " , ., continuously to try and bridge those as. . ~ i. ., continuously to try and bridge those as. . ~ ., ., ~ continuously to try and bridge those gaps. thank you for talking to me, of course keeping _ gaps. thank you for talking to me, of course keeping our _ gaps. thank you for talking to me, of course keeping our that - gaps. thank you for talking to me, of course keeping our that through tomorrow. let's bring in our panel guests. joining me is jack blanchard, who's the uk editor of politico

and esther brimmer, who's a senior fellow at the council on foreign relations and has previously worked at the us department of state. so what you make of this further delay? we are still waiting, what does that mean, do you think? it is im ortant does that mean, do you think? it is important to _ does that mean, do you think? it 3 important to know that the diplomacy is at work. that if we were in a situation where there was no hope of agreement, they would not have a postponed it. the postponement allows continued negotiation. one has to keep in mind that in the hothouse of the security council, it is those negotiations where governments actually figure out if they can't agree. so there is a small bit of hope here, that maybe they can get to an agreement. certainly, with no one voting no. the importance of the weight and credibility of the security council behind a single list of objectives would be important. so while we would be important. so while we would all like to see this resolved, if they can get to the language that has the support of the full security

council and no one vetoes, that could help move forward towards a resolution of this tragic situation. jack, what do you make a? i know that uk abstained last time so very much stuck in the middle of this diplomatic battle.— much stuck in the middle of this diplomatic battle. very much stuck in the middle _ diplomatic battle. very much stuck in the middle and _ diplomatic battle. very much stuck in the middle and have _ diplomatic battle. very much stuck in the middle and have been - in the middle and have been throughout. the uk is always keen to stay close _ throughout. the uk is always keen to stay close to america and sees it as its closest _ stay close to america and sees it as its closest ally, but on this the us has been — its closest ally, but on this the us has been increasingly isolated from much _ has been increasingly isolated from much of— has been increasingly isolated from much of the rest of the world and its full— blown support for much of the rest of the world and its full—blown support for israel seemingly at all costs. it is interesting to see the prospect of the u _ interesting to see the prospect of the u was — interesting to see the prospect of the u was actually shifting position on that— the u was actually shifting position on that now. as we have just fact the then— on that now. as we have just fact the then negotiations are continuing is an indication that the us slowly shifting _ is an indication that the us slowly shifting its position. in turn, that is an— shifting its position. in turn, that is an indication of how far things have _ is an indication of how far things have moved since those horrendous attacks— have moved since those horrendous attacks in_ have moved since those horrendous attacks in october we are almost

total— attacks in october we are almost total global support for israel slowly— total global support for israel slowly shifting giving what we have seen play _ slowly shifting giving what we have seen play out in because of the last two half— seen play out in because of the last two half months. how seen play out in because of the last two half months.— two half months. how difficult complicated — two half months. how difficult complicated or _ two half months. how difficult complicated or difficult - two half months. how difficult complicated or difficult this i two half months. how difficult complicated or difficult this is| two half months. how difficult i complicated or difficult this is for president biden given where we are seeing international allies compared to where america stands? managing diloma to where america stands? managing diplomacy in — to where america stands? managing diplomacy in the _ to where america stands? managing diplomacy in the middle _ to where america stands? managing diplomacy in the middle east - to where america stands? managing diplomacy in the middle east is - diplomacy in the middle east is always extremely difficult. in the middle of an acute and tragic armed conflict, it is even more difficult. the united states bears many responsibilities, of course a permanent member of the security council and an ally of israel, but also a supporter of the rule of law. and the importance of how armed conflict is conducted. ultimately, the importance of protecting civilians. manage all of that is extremely difficult, but if the security council and the united states are able to come to a single framework that would be a positive

step forward. the united states plays a unique role in this and this is where you see diplomacy at its most difficult, but its best. words of the matter. i will say, when the united states boats for a resolution, any resolution with the security council, it assumes it to implement what is in that resolution immediately so therefore words matter because governments will therefore make decisions and use resources and support of what they have just voted for at the security council. so getting the language right is important.— council. so getting the language right is important. thank you very much for that. _ right is important. thank you very much for that. let's _ right is important. thank you very much for that. let's bring - right is important. thank you very much for that. let's bring things l much for that. let's bring things back now to uk politics. now, a 90—minute grilling by a group of senior mps probably wasn't on rishi sunak�*s christmas wishlist, but that's what the prime ministerfaced earlier with the commons liaison committee. its job it is to scrutinise his work. he fielded questions on everything from the israel—gaza war and aid for ukraine to his climate policies and inequality in the uk. one of rishi sunak�*s five pledges to voters ahead of a general

election expected next year is to stop migrants crossing the channel in small boats. he was asked about that by the labour mp diana johnson, who chairs the home affairs select committee. so when will you have stopped the boats? what's the date for that? well, the first to say is we have made progress, and that is the numbers this year are down by a third, which is considerable progress... but still the second—highest on record, though, aren't they, this year? they are for the first ever time down. they're still the second—highest, but what is the date? well, there isn't a firm date on this because i've always been clear from the beginning... you said you were going to stop the boats, so ijust wonder what the date is? and we will keep going until we do, but this is not one of these things where there's a precise date etched on it. you don't have a date? this is something where before i took this job they had only ever gone up, and now they're down by a third _ and an important part of finishing the job is having a deterrent for everybody. let's take a closer look at those five pledges, including stopping the boats,

which rishi sunak is putting front and centre of his pitch to voters. bbc verify�*s nick eardley has taken a look at how the government is performing against those goals. back injanuary, the prime minister set out his five priorities for 2023, focusing on the economy, the nhs and stopping small boats. here's what rishi sunak said. i will only promise what i can deliver. and i will deliver what i promise. a big pledge, but how has the government done so far? let's start by looking at inflation. as you can see, at the start of the year, it was high. io%, went up to just below ii%. but on this one, the government is doing pretty well. you can see that inflation has come down. in the latest figures, it was 4.6%. so it has more than halved. now, we're still waiting for the overall figures for the final three months of the year. it's worth pointing out this

is the job of the bank of england rather than the government, but it looks like this one is going to be achieved. the second big economic pledge was to get the economy growing. we're going to say that this one is unclear. if you look at these figures, they're quite up and down. but if you look at october 2023, growth is pretty flat over the course of the year. so this one — a question mark. it's in the balance. finally, on the economy — debt. the government said it was going to make sure that debt was falling when compared to the size of the economy. you can see here as things stand, it's actually gone up a bit since january. now, ministers are saying that they will bring debt down in a few years' time. forecasts say that is likely to happen, but it would involve some unpopular spending cuts. so again, with this one, we're going to say it's in the balance. now, if we move on from the economy, it actually gets a bit trickier for rishi sunak. let's start with the nhs.

rishi sunak said he would bring waiting lists down. have a look again. it's not happening. when he made that pledge, waiting lists were just over 7.2 million, now there just above 7.7 million. they've gone up by 500,000. strikes haven't helped. there's a covid backlog involved in this. and we should point out that some of the longer waits have been cut. but for ministers to achieve this, there's a long way to go. finally, small boats. this is something we've talked a lot about in the last few weeks. but if you have a look at this, 2022 — record highs. the number has dropped this year so far, but it's still pretty high. it's still around 30,000. so that doesn't really equate to stopping the boats. the government did pass legislation earlier in the year, as it promised, but so far ministers can't actually remove people from the uk in large numbers because the courts of course blocked the rwanda plan. so this one, we're going to say not on track at the moment.

so to summarise our report card for rishi sunak — one tick, two question marks, two crosses. rishi sunak didn't say all of this would be done this year, but as 2023 draws to a close, there's a lot to do if the government is going to turn that into five ticks. better than any report card i have ever had. tell me this. inflation looks like the only one he has got to so far, interestingly.— one he has got to so far, interestinal . �*, , ., , ., interestingly. let's be honest about that. that interestingly. let's be honest about that- that is — interestingly. let's be honest about that. that is not _ interestingly. let's be honest about that. that is not something - interestingly. let's be honest about that. that is not something in - interestingly. let's be honest about that. that is not something in the l that. that is not something in the government's gift to bring down inflation — government's gift to bring down inflation even though that is something rishi sunak promised to do. something rishi sunak promised to do it— something rishi sunak promised to do. it happens through global economic factors into one big institution that can affect it is the bank— institution that can affect it is the bank of england which is independent of government and it has its own— independent of government and it has its own inflation target of 2% which we are _ its own inflation target of 2% which we are nowhere near. so even the

green _ we are nowhere near. so even the green tick— we are nowhere near. so even the green tick we all there is an iffy one, _ green tick we all there is an iffy one. it — green tick we all there is an iffy one. it is — green tick we all there is an iffy one, it is not really managed to rishi _ one, it is not really managed to rishi sunak that it is down. the other— rishi sunak that it is down. the other ones— rishi sunak that it is down. the other ones are as you have heard our way off— other ones are as you have heard our way off and _ other ones are as you have heard our way off and that is worrying for a prime minister going into what is almost _ prime minister going into what is almost certain to be a general election— almost certain to be a general election year. yes at this bar for his cell — election year. yes at this bar for his cell he _ election year. yes at this bar for his cell. he said he wanted some simple _ his cell. he said he wanted some simple ideas the people could get their head around and show progress on. their head around and show progress on but— their head around and show progress on but you — their head around and show progress on. but you start to wonder if he did not— on. but you start to wonder if he did notiust _ on. but you start to wonder if he did notjust overpromise a bit. in particular— did notjust overpromise a bit. in particular that promise to stop the boats _ particular that promise to stop the boats. that sounds like all boats, doesn't _ boats. that sounds like all boats, doesn't it? — boats. that sounds like all boats, doesn't it?— doesn't it? i'm sure the fairies will not like _ doesn't it? i'm sure the fairies will not like that. _ doesn't it? i'm sure the fairies will not like that. let - doesn't it? i'm sure the fairies will not like that. let me - doesn't it? i'm sure the fairies will not like that. let me ask l doesn't it? i'm sure the fairies i will not like that. let me ask you this. stop the book is obviously a slogan pushed by the prime minister but how important is that to the uk electorate, what do the polls tell us about what people are worried about in this country right now? —— boats. about in this country right now? -- boats. ., . , ., , ., boats. concerns about levels of mi . ration boats. concerns about levels of migration have _ boats. concerns about levels of migration have risen _ boats. concerns about levels of migration have risen over- boats. concerns about levels of migration have risen over the i boats. concerns about levels of i migration have risen over the past year or— migration have risen over the past year or two — migration have risen over the past year ortwo. but migration have risen over the past year or two. but it is certainly not

peoples _ year or two. but it is certainly not peoples top concern. the cost of living _ peoples top concern. the cost of living is — peoples top concern. the cost of living is by— peoples top concern. the cost of living is by far what people are most _ living is by far what people are most concerned about. however, in the way— most concerned about. however, in the way our— most concerned about. however, in the way our electoral system works, rishi sunak— the way our electoral system works, rishi sunak is very focused on particular— rishi sunak is very focused on particular small groups of voters in particular— particular small groups of voters in particular parts of the country, the swing _ particular parts of the country, the swing voters in the swing states he knows _ swing voters in the swing states he knows he _ swing voters in the swing states he knows he needs to hang to, if you will get _ knows he needs to hang to, if you will get reelected next year. in amongst — will get reelected next year. in amongst of those groups, those small groups— amongst of those groups, those small groups of— amongst of those groups, those small groups of people, the calculation by the conservative party is that they do care _ the conservative party is that they do care an — the conservative party is that they do care an awful lot about the stuff and actually, he needs to be seen as throwing _ and actually, he needs to be seen as throwing everything out that if he will keep— throwing everything out that if he will keep those people on site. let's _ will keep those people on site. let's talk— will keep those people on site. let's talk about american comparisons. the one that comes to mind is build the wall from president trump, it never actually got built in the end, how important is migration as an election issue in american next year?— american next year? indeed. it is interesting _ american next year? indeed. it is interesting to _ american next year? indeed. it is interesting to listen _ american next year? indeed. it is interesting to listen to _ american next year? indeed. it is interesting to listen to about - american next year? indeed. it is| interesting to listen to about what is happening different countries because the migration and the movement of people is one of the most important phenomenon going on in the world today. the world is

actually shaped by the movement of people, indeed the issues related to immigration will be important in the presidential election in 202a. we also have to remember that migrants are crucial to the us economy. in the united states, about 46 million people in the us were born outside of the us. 35 million of those arrived legally, around 11 then liens are illegal. much attention will be on the illegal migrants but perhaps because of the yesterday's international day of migrants on december 18, international day of migrants on december18, but international day of migrants on december 18, but we should recall that those migrants are bringing economic value to our countries as well. and as part of economic revitalisation, we need to have the movement of people. to take one subgroup, look at international students. the us are back up to 1 million international students here. the united states and uk welcome

many international students. the us contribute $40 billion to the us economy. education is actually a major export. so thinking about migrants and thinking about the hot rhetoric we will hear in the election season, we also want to remember the benefits we gain from migration. some of that may also come up in rhetoric around a presidential election.- come up in rhetoric around a presidential election. thank you. let's sta presidential election. thank you. let's stay in _ presidential election. thank you. let's stay in the _ presidential election. thank you. let's stay in the uk _ presidential election. thank you. let's stay in the uk and - with uk politics. some news that has come in and the last hour or so. former tory mp peter bone has lost his seat in a vote by constituents. it means a by—election will be held in wellingborough early next year. the recall petition was held after he was suspended as an mp over bullying and sexual misconduct allegations, which he denies. earlier i spoke to our political correspondent. he was elected as a conservative mp way back in 2005

for the northamptonshire constituency of wellingborough, but about a month ago, parliament's independent behavioural watchdog published a report of an investigation it had done into claims of bullying and sexual misconduct. and it found that he had broken the rules on those, that he had bullied a staff member, physically striking him and throwing things at him, and that he had indecently exposed himself to a staff member on an overseas trip. now, what happened then was that parliament voted to suspend mr bone for six weeks, and that triggered what's known as a recall petition. there is a piece of legislation that was passed in 2015 in the uk which means that if an mp is suspended for a certain number of days from the commons, then the petition is automatically triggered in their constituency. and if 10% of eligible voters sign it, then they are no longer the mp and a by—election is held. that is what has happened here. 13.2% of voters in his constituency have voted for this, so as of tonight, peter bone is not an mp.

there will be a by—election next year. now it is possible that mr bone could stand in that, but because he has been suspended also by the conservative party over all this, he would not be able to stand as a tory. now, he has also issued a statement. we've got that in the last few minutes from mr bone himself, who is querying the process of this. he says he finds it bizarre that as "86.8% of the electorate did not want to remove me from office, nor for there to be a by—election, yet still we are to have one". but he says that it came about as a result of an inquiry into alleged bullying and misconduct towards an ex—employee which was alleged to have occurred more than ten years ago. he says they are totally untrue and without foundation. and he says, "i will have more to say on these matters in the new year," so at this point, he's not confirming either way whether he would stand as an independent. i have to ask you about this, jack. what do you make of what has happened here because this is not to

the news that rishi sunak want to secure before christmas and after the new year, yet another by election for the conservative party. you are totally right although it will not. — you are totally right although it will not, as the big surprise to rishi — will not, as the big surprise to rishi sunak given the nature of the allegations involved in this case, nevertheless a nightmare for him. rishi _ nevertheless a nightmare for him. rishi sunak's partnership has only been _ rishi sunak's partnership has only been prime minister for around 12—14 months. _ been prime minister for around 12—14 months. has — been prime minister for around 12—14 months, has been punctuated by these by elections _ months, has been punctuated by these by elections of mps who have decided to stand _ by elections of mps who have decided to stand on _ by elections of mps who have decided to stand on and should have been safe speeds for the conservative party— safe speeds for the conservative party and — safe speeds for the conservative party and he has watched them lose almost _ party and he has watched them lose almost every single one. every time it happens— almost every single one. every time it happens it is another body blow to him _ it happens it is another body blow to him it — it happens it is another body blow to him. it adds to the narrative that the — to him. it adds to the narrative that the tories are losing and are disliked _ that the tories are losing and are disliked by— that the tories are losing and are disliked by the public and also costs— disliked by the public and also costs him one more seat and its increasingly fragile parliamentary majority — increasingly fragile parliamentary majority which makes it even harder for him _ majority which makes it even harder for him to— majority which makes it even harder for him to get the last few bits of legislation through before the elections. so it is the last thing he wanted going into the new year, an election — he wanted going into the new year, an election year and more of the

same _ an election year and more of the same. another battle and which should — same. another battle and which should be — same. another battle and which should be a tory safe seat in normal times— should be a tory safe seat in normal times but— should be a tory safe seat in normal times but you have to think, the opposition— times but you have to think, the opposition labour party will have their— opposition labour party will have their eyes— opposition labour party will have their eyes firmly set on it and will have _ their eyes firmly set on it and will have every— their eyes firmly set on it and will have every chance of winning it. thank _ have every chance of winning it. thank you — have every chance of winning it. thank you very much for that. around the world and across the uk, you are watching bbc news. let's look at some other stories making news. the scottish government has announced a new 45% band for people earning over £75,000, meaning higher earners in scotland will be paying more income tax. the top rate, which is paid by those earning more than £125,000, will also rise to 48%. the housing secretary announces a pledge to intervene if there have been delays to house—building as a result of poor performance among planning teams. michael gove says that he will call out local authorities that are "dragging their feet" when it comes to processing housing applications. an independent energy think tank estimates that £40 will be added to the average uk household's electricity bill this year because of the grids inability

to handle extra wind power. carbon tracker says turbines must be switched off if it's too windy to avoid overloading the grid and the costs involved are passed onto the public. you are watching bbc news. ukraine's president zelensky has called for the mobilisation of half a million more troops in the fight to push back russia's invasion of his country. speaking during his end—of—year address, he said that ukraine's counteroffensive has stopped moscow from making any military advances at all in 2023, though he said that without extra support from allies in washington and brussels, it is impossible to say when the war with russia will end. translation: regarding the reduction in aid, if we're talking _ about weapons and if that had an impact, the fact that ukraine didn't have air supremacy,

that had an impact on the southern operation in 2023. we don't control the skies. we don't have enough ammunition, but that doesn't mean that we will not find a solution. but for this, we really need support because we simply lack some weaponry. that was president and zelensky. i know that at one point, he was asked about us support for ukraine and he admitted it was obviously difficult that ukraine needs us support right now and it does not feel like it is getting it. now and it does not feel like it is caettin it. , , ., getting it. indeed. the support of the united states _ getting it. indeed. the support of the united states and _ getting it. indeed. the support of the united states and of- getting it. indeed. the support of the united states and of partners| the united states and of partners around the world are extremely important to support ukraine at this time of its defence both of its territory and its principle of the sanctity of state borders. so indeed, they are on the front lines

of a crucial global issue and indeed support from the united states is important. as you know, in our system we of course need to support our foreign system we of course need to support ourforeign policy actions system we of course need to support our foreign policy actions with dollars voted by our congress. at this stage the two houses are in very different places. the house of representatives has already left for the holiday susan —— a season. the senate are still working on this and what is ironic, the leadership generally supports support for ukraine. it is very convenient to use a critical issue in order to raise the highly charged issue of immigration policy. something as complex as immigration policy which has been on the national agenda for years will not be solved by these sorts of tactics at the end of the year. that said, i would fully anticipate us support to be adopted, perhaps early in the new year. i saw ou perhaps early in the new year. i saw you nodding — perhaps early in the new year. i saw you nodding there, _ perhaps early in the new year. i saw you nodding there, jack, are - perhaps early in the new year. i saw you nodding there, jack, are you in agreement?—

agreement? this is such a massive issue over — agreement? this is such a massive issue over here _ agreement? this is such a massive issue over here in _ agreement? this is such a massive issue over here in europe. - agreement? this is such a massive issue over here in europe. people. issue over here in europe. people are watching these negotiations over in the _ are watching these negotiations over in the us— are watching these negotiations over in the us congress with baited breath— in the us congress with baited breath because of course, if there is one _ breath because of course, if there is one thing — breath because of course, if there is one thing that western europe is united _ is one thing that western europe is united on— is one thing that western europe is united on is— is one thing that western europe is united on is that russia cannot be like to— united on is that russia cannot be like to win — united on is that russia cannot be like to win this war and from that to be _ like to win this war and from that to be prevented from happening us dollars— to be prevented from happening us dollars are essential. they have been _ dollars are essential. they have been completely essential in helping ukraine _ been completely essential in helping ukraine and it's a battle against russian — ukraine and it's a battle against russian invaders in all of his success— russian invaders in all of his success so far and if that spending top were _ success so far and if that spending top were to — success so far and if that spending top were to be turned off there is enormous — top were to be turned off there is enormous here in western european car capitals — enormous here in western european car capitals if what that would mean if putin— car capitals if what that would mean if putin were to achieve his end to roll through ukraine at the end of next year— roll through ukraine at the end of next year to come right up against the borders of nato countries and what _ the borders of nato countries and what that — the borders of nato countries and what that would mean for security applications across europe. so we have _ applications across europe. so we have seen— applications across europe. so we have seen a — applications across europe. so we have seen a procession of european politicians _ have seen a procession of european politicians over the past few weeks holding _ politicians over the past few weeks holding meetings with republicans on the hill— holding meetings with republicans on the hill to— holding meetings with republicans on the hill to talk them around and remind — the hill to talk them around and remind them how big of a deal this

is. remind them how big of a deal this is this _ remind them how big of a deal this is this is — remind them how big of a deal this is. this is not some political chess piece _ is. this is not some political chess piece to— is. this is not some political chess piece to play with, but a matter of global— piece to play with, but a matter of global security of the utmost importance. global security of the utmost importance-— global security of the utmost imortance. . ~' , . importance. thank you very much, both. importance. thank you very much, both- itack— importance. thank you very much, both- itack in _ importance. thank you very much, both. back in a _ importance. thank you very much, both. back in a few _ importance. thank you very much, both. back in a few minutes - importance. thank you very much, both. back in a few minutes with l both. back in a few minutes with both. back in a few minutes with both of you. briefly if we can, let's take you back to iceland. these pictures are absolutely incredible, are they not? they are spectacular pictures of the irruption. the volcano which has erupted in the last 24 hours. there have been weeks of intense earthquake activity culminating in this, worries tonight of some gas moving towards the icelandic capital, reykjavik but for now we will leave you with these pictures and we will be back for more soon with bbc news. hello there. it's been quite a poor day today across many southern parts of england with a lot

of rain around. further north, well, we did see some sunshine eventually across the north of england and into parts of wales, and we've seen a mixture of sunshine and showers earlier in scotland. this was the shield of cloud that stretched across england and wales. you can see how it's been shifting south—eastwards and the rain is getting taken away at long last. following on from that, we've got clear spells through the night. showers continuing in the north, maybe a bit wintry over the hills in scotland and some further rain coming in from the atlantic to northern ireland and western scotland by the end of the night. a bit chilly ahead of that in the north—east of scotland. typical temperatures elsewhere around 6—7 degrees. now, there may not be a lot of sunshine around for tomorrow. we've got this rain coming in from the north—west. now, most of it will continue to affect the hills in the west, where it's going to be very misty and murky with some hill fog. there is going to be a lot of cloud, but it's going to be a lot drier than today in the south and the south—east. and it's a milder day on the whole, temperatures typically 10—11 degrees, but it will turn windy through the day. however, the winds will strengthen further on wednesday

night and into thursday, and it's during this period that we've got a greater risk of some travel disruption. and it's getting windier because this deep low pressure here, possibly a named storm, will sweep across the north of scotland, heading to scandinavia with the really strong winds wrapped around that. and it will be a windy day everywhere on thursday. widely gusts of 50—60 mph, but it's across northern parts of scotland that we're more likely to get gusts of 80 mph. very windy day in scotland, sunshine and wintry showers to come here. sunshine and showers across other areas, but further south, may well hang on to more cloud and a bit of patchy rain as well. here in those strong winds, temperatures will reach 12—13, but the day gets colder, i think, with those wintry showers and strong winds in scotland. and as the low pressure moves away, we get this push of strong winds south through the north sea, bringing some big waves, some rough seas, bit of a storm surge going on and the risk of some coastal flooding. things could be a lot worse, though, if we had some spring tides.

now, the winds do gradually ease down a bit on friday. for most of us, we're in some colder air, more wintry showers in scotland, milder air trying to come into the west.

hello, i'm maryam moshiri. you're watching

the context on bbc news. gas pollution warning for reyjkavic, after a spectacular volcano eruption in south—west iceland. we have more on the icelandic vocational eruption shortly in the programme, taking you back to those amazing life pictures. he also suggested he would be prepared to talk to western leaders about ukraine but would defend moscow's national interests. or rush or editor steve rosenberg reports from moscow.