hello, i'm steve lai. you're watching the context on bbc news. i was certain i was going to die input and's prison. i was certain i was going to die in putin's prison. i did not believe i would ever see my wife again. i did not believe i would ever see my family again. this feels really surreal. this feels like a film. i must confess that there are other comrades in prison left. there are over 1,000 political prisoners — including those who should have been sitting at the table instead of me. this was a good day. for president biden — he hasn't had many lately. and an even better. day for the families. while moscow is getting back agents and spies and a hit man, out of russian jail estimate going the other way, dissidents, journalists and an artist. quite a contrast.

first, the latest headlines. two of the most high—profile russian dissidents freed as part of a major prisoner swap say they refused officials�* demands to plead for mercy from president putin to secure their release. vladimir kara—murza and ilya yashin said they considered him a tyrant, a murderer and a war criminal. hundreds of mourners have attended funeral prayers for the hamas political leader, ismail haniyeh, in qatar. 0fficals from a number of arab and muslim countries were there, as well as prominent figures from fatah, the main rival palestinian faction to hamas. the chairman of the democratic national committee in the united states, says kamala harris has secured enough votes from democratic delegates to officially be the party's nominee for president.

the online voting process doesn't end until monday, but she's now crossed the threshold. mexico says the us has gone too far by recognising the opposition candidate as the winner of venezuela's contested presidential election. mexico's president, andres manuel lopez 0brador, said no country had the right to intervene in "an internal matter. let's return to that extraordinary story of the biggest prisoner swap between russia and the west since the cold war. two of the most high—profile russian dissidents freed as part of a major prisoner swap said they refused officials�* demands to plead for mercy from president putin to secure their release. they also urged the world to distinguish between russia's people and its president as they thanked everyone who had helped secure their release and that of 14 other political prisoners from russianjails. let's hear from one of those released — vladimir karamurza. this isjust...this isjust a drop in the ocean, that exchange yesterday, because so many innocent people who have never committed a crime in their life are being held in torturous conditions, either

physically or psychological or both, in putin's prisons for the only crime of speaking the truth, for the only crime of opposing the war — of opposing a dictator. this is being hailed as a coup for the democrats. and its significance is two—fold. it's a resolution to one of the most urgent foreign policy challenges during his time in office — as his presidency slowly draws to a close. and it's also seen as a boost for kamala harris — the presumptive democrat nominee. more on what this could mean for the dems — here's amy mackinnon, a national security reporter at foreign policy magazine. well, certainly a vindication of biden�*s foreign policy. i mean, when he came into office, one of the things he stated that he wanted to do was to rebuild, you know, trans—atlantic partnerships and rebuild those relationships and alliances which had really been strained under trump, and particularly with germany. some officials have questioned, you know, former trump officials have questioned whether the german chancellor

would have made a decision and taken a risk like this for a different us president. what we heard from the white house yesterday is that when olaf scholz finally made the decision to release the russian assassin, he said to biden, he said, "for you, i will do this." you know, so that kind of personal diplomacy is something that the white house has really been kind of came to celebrate in wake up this exchange. as all this plays out in the run—up to november's election — let's take a look at what republicans have said. as we know, central to the historic deal was the release of this man — a convicted russian hit man by the name of vadim krasikov. he was serving a life sentence in germany for shooting a man on direct orders from the kremlin. posting on truth social, former president trump said: "are we releasing murderers, killers, orthugs? just curious because we never make good deals, at anything, but especially hostage swaps. we've also heard from trump's vp pick, jd vance. he's suggested that a share of the credit for the deal should go to trump. he told cnn...

when those comments were put to the white house national security adviser jake sullivan responded — "i don't follow. hilary rosen, democratic strategist and mutaz ahmed, associate comment editor at the telegraph. we will get to jd we will get tojd vance in a moment, but this is a significant win for harris and biden. it but this is a significant win for harris and biden.— harris and biden. it is. the president _ harris and biden. it is. the president has _ harris and biden. it is. the president has long - harris and biden. it is. the president has long touted l harris and biden. it is. the i president has long touted his harris and biden. it is. the - president has long touted his own ability to improve diplomatic relations around the world. he made a big point over the last two days and saying that he believes his personal relationships created this result. there is no reason to doubt that. that has been a strong suit of the biden administration. putin

that. that has been a strong suit of the biden administration.— the biden administration. putin is claimin: the biden administration. putin is claiming this _ the biden administration. putin is claiming this as _ the biden administration. putin is claiming this as a _ the biden administration. putin is claiming this as a win _ the biden administration. putin is claiming this as a win for- the biden administration. putin is claiming this as a win for russia | the biden administration. putin is| claiming this as a win for russia as well. what does it mean that the us and russia have found some common ground here, given their ongoing rivalries over ukraine, for example. it's been on the table for some time _ it's been on the table for some time if— it's been on the table for some time. if you look back at tucker carlson's— time. if you look back at tucker carlson's interview, he said that he indicated _ carlson's interview, he said that he indicated that he would be willing to do— indicated that he would be willing to do a _ indicated that he would be willing to do a prisoner swap for people like the — to do a prisoner swap for people like the journalist, which is great news _ like the journalist, which is great news for— like the journalist, which is great news for him who it is back in the us as _ news for him who it is back in the us as a _ news for him who it is back in the us as a journalist. the fact is that depending — us as a journalist. the fact is that depending on western leaders willingness to release hit men and former_ willingness to release hit men and former fsb agents. and we have to be honest_ former fsb agents. and we have to be honest here, _ former fsb agents. and we have to be honest here, this is great news for autocrats — honest here, this is great news for autocrats who think they can take innocent — autocrats who think they can take innocent people prisoner and get their— innocent people prisoner and get their spies back in return. the your thou~hts? their spies back in return. the your thoughts? i — their spies back in return. the your thoughts? i think— their spies back in return. the your thoughts? | think that _ their spies back in return. the your thoughts? i think that is _ their spies back in return. the your thoughts? i think that is true. - their spies back in return. the your thoughts? i think that is true. it. thoughts? i think that is true. it is a moral— thoughts? i think that is true. it is a moral dilemma. _ thoughts? i think that is true. it is a moral dilemma. i— thoughts? i think that is true. it is a moral dilemma. i am not. thoughts? i think that is true. it i is a moral dilemma. i am not sure that you can appreciate how complex it is unless you are in that

situation, unless it is your family member who has been taken. look, is there a good chance that vladimir putin will celebrate the assassin coming back to russia and commit additional crimes, yes, there is a chance of that, but there is also the commitment that the united states and other western democracies have two protecting its citizens from strong men, and that has to outweigh this. donald trump is making a big deal out of these last couple of days, suggesting that if he were president, this wouldn't be the case, but in fact donald trump was responsible for several prisoner swaps when he was president. it is not a pretty thing for a leader to have to do but sometimes that's what they do to protect their citizenry. end if we get both of your reactions tojd end if we get both of your reactions to jd vance end if we get both of your reactions tojd vance and his suggestion that some of the credit should go to trump. what do you think about that?

i don't think that's realistic. as i said, _ i don't think that's realistic. as i said. it's — i don't think that's realistic. as i said, it's been on the table for some — said, it's been on the table for some time. it's unfortunate that republicans, traditional republicans would _ republicans, traditional republicans would have a good attack line which is to say— would have a good attack line which is to say that ukraine has been left out of— is to say that ukraine has been left out of the — is to say that ukraine has been left out of the equation, for instance, in this— out of the equation, for instance, in this trust— out of the equation, for instance, in this trust building exercise between _ in this trust building exercise between vladimir putin and america. there's_ between vladimir putin and america. there's no— between vladimir putin and america. there's no mention of ukraine from others _ there's no mention of ukraine from others no _ there's no mention of ukraine from others no mention of ukraine's interests _ others no mention of ukraine's interests. of course they can't use that interests. of course they can't use that attack— interests. of course they can't use that attack line because republicans like jd _ that attack line because republicans like jd vance don't care about ukraine _ like jd vance don't care about ukraine. they've made a big deal out of that _ ukraine. they've made a big deal out of that but _ ukraine. they've made a big deal out of that. but the line that trump, as jake sullivan said, i don't quite follow — jake sullivan said, i don't quite follow. ., ., ., jake sullivan said, i don't quite follow. ., ., , jake sullivan said, i don't quite follow. ., ., ., . follow. your reaction to jd vance and the republican _ follow. your reaction to jd vance and the republican response - follow. your reaction to jd vance and the republican response to i follow. your reaction to jd vance - and the republican response to this? i suppose they are very much, you know, on the sidelines of this having to react and try to spend this in a way that works for them class. . this in a way that works for them class. , ., . . ~ this in a way that works for them class. , ., . a , class. the trump vance ticket is t in: to class. the trump vance ticket is trying to sell— class. the trump vance ticket is trying to sell itself— class. the trump vance ticket is trying to sell itself on _

class. the trump vance ticket is trying to sell itself on strength, | trying to sell itself on strength, power, world domination, power through strength. that is a hallmark of donald trump's legacy. he believes that it is a successful legacy on that it will bring americans to the voting booth for him. because his admiration for putin, for the leaders in pyongyang, for victor 0rban in hungary, he believes those relationships actually help improve america's peace and security. i don't think that's going to sell, but i think it is clearly something that they are hoping will persuade people. let’s hoping will persuade people. let's sta riaht hoping will persuade people. let's stay right there — hoping will persuade people. let's stay right there and _ hoping will persuade people. let's stay right there and we will turn our attention to developments in the middle east now. another big foreign policy issue forjoe biden. and while he might have hoped to deescalate the tensions in the region by the end of his term, back—to—back assassinations of a hezbollah commander in lebanon and the political leader of hamas in iran have scuppered those plans. hundreds of mourners attended the funeral prayers at the state

mosque for hamas' ismael haniyeh, who was assassinated on wednesday. 0fficals from a number of arab and muslim countries attended, as well as prominent figures from fatah, the main rival palestinian faction to hamas. hamas and iran have both vowed revenge on israel, which has so far refused to confirm that it carried out the attack. all this has heightened anxiety about a wider regional conflict — given that ceasefire talks to stop the war in gaza and to secure the release of israeli hostages seem to be at a standstill. president biden was asked about this on thursday — have a listen. i'm very concerned about it. i had a very direct meeting with prime minister that night and very direct. we have the basis for cease—fire we should run it, and we should run it now. it has not helped.

former us ambassador and president of the middle east policy council, gina abercrombie—winstanley. explain why the us has still struggled to de—escalate tensions? it comes down to, really, our long—standing relationship and the president's personal commitment to israel. and this does include, until now, a wide latitude for the leader of israel to carry out activities and supported this conflict, prime minister netanyahu sees fit. it is an uncomfortable place for the united states to be in, since, of course, it does cost us treasure, it may put us lives in danger and yet we are not controlling the circumstances of escalating the conflict. the united states, the

diplomats from around the region are focused on lowering the temperature. and we can see a division in the region, including in the united states and iran about who is interested in lowering the temperature reaching a cease—fire and those parties which do not apparently half that as a priority. we heard there from the former ambassador, quite a difficult spot for the us to biden used the words "unhelpful" with regards to calling tensions with regards to those two assassination attempts. what can america do and why can't they rein in israel and america do and why can't they rein in israeland in america do and why can't they rein in israel and in particular the prime minister, benjamin netanyahu? it is a strange line from joe biden. does _ it is a strange line from joe biden. does the _ it is a strange line from joe biden. does the us now supports protecting the lives _ does the us now supports protecting the lives of hamas leaders? is a very— the lives of hamas leaders? is a very strange line to take. this guy is no _ very strange line to take. this guy is no nelson mandela. he is a figurehead of a group that sees power— figurehead of a group that sees power in — figurehead of a group that sees power in gaza by force, conducted these _

power in gaza by force, conducted these atrocities, vows to repeat these _ these atrocities, vows to repeat these atrocities, vows to repeat these atrocities will stuff the fact is that— these atrocities will stuff the fact is that this man was killed in iran and that— is that this man was killed in iran and that says it all, right? the destabilisation in the middle east, to run. _ destabilisation in the middle east, to run. the — destabilisation in the middle east, to run, the biden administration removed — to run, the biden administration removed their rose tinted glasses, they will_ removed their rose tinted glasses, they will be able to see that rather than defending the lives of hamas leaders. _ than defending the lives of hamas leaders, which is the most uncomfortable position to be in. is uncomfortable position to be in. [s it that uncomfortable position to be in. it that they uncomfortable position to be in. is it that they are defending the lives of hamas leaders or are theyjust trying to push for a de—escalation in tensions? trying to push for a de-escalation in tensions?— trying to push for a de-escalation in tensions? well, i think it is the latter. ithink_ in tensions? well, i think it is the latter. i think this _ in tensions? well, i think it is the latter. i think this is _ in tensions? well, i think it is the latter. i think this is true. - in tensions? well, i think it is the latter. i think this is true. it - in tensions? well, i think it is the latter. i think this is true. it is - latter. i think this is true. it is an awkward place to be in, but, you know, in some respects, to be frank, it feels like president biden is just throwing things against the wall and hoping that something sticks, because prime minister benjamin netanyahu is not listening to him. so he is not listening to him about pushing for the cease—fire for making compromise, he's not listening to him about humanitarian aid or reducing, you know, what has

become an increasing escalation in in southern gaza, so i think that he is really kind of desperately seeking a change in the current environment and that is probably why it seems like he exhibited empathy for the killing of this hamas leader, but i agree, let's not mourn this man, i mean, he is one of the key people responsible for the october seven massacre, for a 0ctober seven massacre, for a significant amount of killing of his own people. so, we have to be realistic that israel is not going to lay down their arms while the cease—fire negotiation is going on. you mention the uncertainty coming from the biden administration. i mean, there is uncertainty over all of who will be in the white house in november, that has also got to be playing a part in the calculations that the players in the region are making. do you think that also plays a part and perhaps why these actions are happening now? it a part and perhaps why these actions are happening now?— are happening now? it does, because the message —

are happening now? it does, because the message from _ are happening now? it does, because the message from the _ are happening now? it does, because the message from the trump - are happening now? it does, because the message from the trump team i are happening now? it does, because the message from the trump team is j the message from the trump team is confusing. _ the message from the trump team is confusing, to say the least, one minute — confusing, to say the least, one minute donald trump is pro israel and using — minute donald trump is pro israel and using the term palestinian as an insult. _ and using the term palestinian as an insult, accusing chuck schumer of being _ insult, accusing chuck schumer of being palestinian. 0n the other hand. _ being palestinian. 0n the other hand, straight after the october seven— hand, straight after the october seven massacre, donald trump saw fit to criticise _ seven massacre, donald trump saw fit to criticise israel. and almost sort of, to criticise israel. and almost sort of. you _ to criticise israel. and almost sort of, you know, despite some sympathy for the _ of, you know, despite some sympathy for the palestinians. of, you know, despite some sympathy forthe palestinians. it of, you know, despite some sympathy for the palestinians. it is very hard — for the palestinians. it is very hard for— for the palestinians. it is very hard for countries to, you know, to lay out— hard for countries to, you know, to lay out their — hard for countries to, you know, to lay out their diplomacy when there is such— lay out their diplomacy when there is such uncertainty.— is such uncertainty. hillary, what do ou is such uncertainty. hillary, what do you think _ is such uncertainty. hillary, what do you think going _ is such uncertainty. hillary, what do you think going forward? - is such uncertainty. hillary, what do you think going forward? we l is such uncertainty. hillary, what i do you think going forward? we are all waiting to see what iran and its associated parties are going to do in response to israel's attacks. is the us really ready?— in response to israel's attacks. is the us really ready? well, you know, i think the the us really ready? well, you know, i think the us — the us really ready? well, you know, ithinkthe us is — the us really ready? well, you know, i think the us is ready _ the us really ready? well, you know, i think the us is ready policy - the us really ready? well, you know, i think the us is ready policy wise, i i think the us is ready policy wise, but i don't think they are ready militarily, and i think what we have

experienced is an increasingly isolated israel and a dependence on the us support regardless of what they do and i'm just not sure that they do and i'm just not sure that the will of the american people is as strong as israel believes that is, which is why i actually believe that the election doesn't have much to do with it. i think we see the ambivalence of both republicans and democrats in leadership positions in the us right now about what is happening in israel and about their ability to control the end result. we have a lot more to discuss. do stay with us. around the world and across the uk. this is bbc news.

returning to that story, let's hear from one of those

released. let's hear from one of those released-— let's hear from one of those released. ., , .., let's hear from one of those released. ., , .. _ released. the only thing i can say is da s released. the only thing i can say is days like _ released. the only thing i can say is days like this _ released. the only thing i can say is days like this are _ released. the only thing i can say is days like this are possible - is days like this are possible because contrary to stereotype and contrary to what pessimists think, there are still people, including important people in the political establishment in democratic nations for whom the protection of human life and the saving of human life is more important than experience or a short—term game. more important than experience or a short-term game-— short-term game. let's cross to sarah rainsford _ short-term game. let's cross to sarah rainsford for— short-term game. let's cross to sarah rainsford for this. - short-term game. let's cross to sarah rainsford for this. you - short-term game. let's cross to i sarah rainsford for this. you listen to the news conference, tell us more about what was said. that to the news conference, tell us more about what was said.— about what was said. that was 'ust a cli- from about what was said. that was 'ust a cli from a about what was said. that was 'ust a clip from a short i about what was said. that was 'ust a clip from a short interview i i clip from a short interview i managed _ clip from a short interview i managed to grabjust clip from a short interview i managed to grab just after the press conference _ managed to grab just after the press conference was finished. the key thing _ conference was finished. the key thing that— conference was finished. the key thing that stuck out to me that what was said _ thing that stuck out to me that what was said then end the press conference was the most stark thing

was that— conference was the most stark thing was that he — conference was the most stark thing was that he said i thought i was never_ was that he said i thought i was never getting out of that prison. i thought— never getting out of that prison. i thought i— never getting out of that prison. i thought i would die there. he had been _ thought i would die there. he had been sentenced, don't forget, to 25 years. _ been sentenced, don't forget, to 25 years, accused and convicted of treason. — years, accused and convicted of treason, but the only reason, the only charges on his indictment were all about— only charges on his indictment were all about his politics, all about his opposition to vladimir putin and to a war— his opposition to vladimir putin and to a war in — his opposition to vladimir putin and to a war in which he had always condemned. he was a political prisoner— condemned. he was a political prisoner until his release, we heard them _ prisoner until his release, we heard them talking in great deal about how that came _ them talking in great deal about how that came about and how he and the others _ that came about and how he and the others who— that came about and how he and the others who were speaking here today knew nothing about what was coming _ they were however given pieces of paper— they were however given pieces of paper they— they were however given pieces of paper they were supposed to sign to request— paper they were supposed to sign to request a _ paper they were supposed to sign to request a pardon from vladimir putin and one _ request a pardon from vladimir putin and one of— request a pardon from vladimir putin and one of the opposition politicians here today and vladimir karamuza — politicians here today and vladimir karamuza refused to sign that piece of paper~ _ karamuza refused to sign that piece of paper. they said today extremely firmly— of paper. they said today extremely firmly that _ of paper. they said today extremely firmly that they would not ask for mercy— firmly that they would not ask for mercy from a man they describe as a dictator— mercy from a man they describe as a dictator and — mercy from a man they describe as a dictator and a man they accused of

murder~ _ dictator and a man they accused of murder~ so. — dictator and a man they accused of murder. so, very strong feelings, very strong — murder. so, very strong feelings, very strong emotions. the other politician — very strong emotions. the other politician who is speaking most today— politician who is speaking most today was very emotional because he said he _ today was very emotional because he said he never wanted to be exchanged. he's russian, he's been torn from _ exchanged. he's russian, he's been torn from his— exchanged. he's russian, he's been torn from his home, from his country _ torn from his home, from his country. he said he would've preferred _ country. he said he would've preferred to stay behind bars than to he _ preferred to stay behind bars than to be here — preferred to stay behind bars than to be here in another country which is not _ to be here in another country which is not his— to be here in another country which is not his own, because he believes that his _ is not his own, because he believes that his role — is not his own, because he believes that his role is to be as a politician in russia. but he had to come _ politician in russia. but he had to come out. — politician in russia. but he had to come out, he said, because he was basically— come out, he said, because he was basically told if he didn't, nobody else would ever be exchanged in the future _ else would ever be exchanged in the future but _ else would ever be exchanged in the future. but he was very, very emotional— future. but he was very, very emotional talking bout that. and also the — emotional talking bout that. and also the fact that of course, in return — also the fact that of course, in return for— also the fact that of course, in return for all of these russian political— return for all of these russian political prisoners who have now been _ political prisoners who have now been released from a convicted assassin — been released from a convicted assassin was relieved here in germany. _ assassin was relieved here in germany, and in particular, he said that was— germany, and in particular, he said that was really hard psychologically to deat— that was really hard psychologically to deal with. really painful to know that because of their release, convicted _ that because of their release, convicted sfb assassin was allowed to -o convicted sfb assassin was allowed to go back— convicted sfb assassin was allowed to go back to russia. what convicted sfb assassin was allowed to go back to russia.— to go back to russia. what will ha en to go back to russia. what will happen to _ to go back to russia. what will happen to them _

to go back to russia. what will happen to them next? - to go back to russia. what will happen to them next? they i to go back to russia. what will| happen to them next? they are to go back to russia. what will. happen to them next? they are all to go back to russia. what will- happen to them next? they are all a bit u- in happen to them next? they are all a hit up in the — happen to them next? they are all a bit up in the air, _ happen to them next? they are all a bit up in the air, to _ happen to them next? they are all a bit up in the air, to be _ happen to them next? they are all a bit up in the air, to be honest, i bit up in the air, to be honest, they— bit up in the air, to be honest, they have _ bit up in the air, to be honest, they have been here having medical checks. _ they have been here having medical checks, seeing doctors, having blood tests and _ checks, seeing doctors, having blood tests and just checking on their health — tests and just checking on their health. 0ne tests and just checking on their health. one thing that really struck me, seeing all three of them here today— me, seeing all three of them here today in_ me, seeing all three of them here today in particular, karamuza has lost a _ today in particular, karamuza has lost a huge — today in particular, karamuza has lost a huge amount of weight in prison — lost a huge amount of weight in prison he — lost a huge amount of weight in prison. he spent around about a year of that— prison. he spent around about a year of that in_ prison. he spent around about a year of that in solitary confinement, in ektremely— of that in solitary confinement, in extremely difficult punishing conditions as a vindictive way of treating — conditions as a vindictive way of treating him. he's absolutely adamant _ treating him. he's absolutely adamant about that, he has been denied _ adamant about that, he has been denied pretty much everything, hooks. — denied pretty much everything, books, paper25 denied pretty much everything, books, paper 25 cues he told me he'd lost. books, paper 25 cues he told me he'd lost~ even— books, paper 25 cues he told me he'd lost~ even so. — books, paper 25 cues he told me he'd lost. even so, he managed tojoke and say— lost. even so, he managed tojoke and say it— lost. even so, he managed tojoke and say it was a good kgb regime if you want— and say it was a good kgb regime if you want to — and say it was a good kgb regime if you want to lose weight. so that is the kind _ you want to lose weight. so that is the kind of— you want to lose weight. so that is the kind of bittersweet mood of all of this. _ the kind of bittersweet mood of all of this, men and women who are extremely— of this, men and women who are extremely happy to be out of the russian — extremely happy to be out of the russian prison system. they're facing — russian prison system. they're facing long prison sentences and no prospect— facing long prison sentences and no prospect of release and how they are free, prospect of release and how they are free. of— prospect of release and how they are free, of country, country which the

two key _ free, of country, country which the two key factors, people we spoke to today— two key factors, people we spoke to today had _ two key factors, people we spoke to today had either gone back to russia after the _ today had either gone back to russia after the war the full—scale invasion— after the war the full—scale invasion of ukraine where they stayed — invasion of ukraine where they stayed in — invasion of ukraine where they stayed in russia after the full—scale invasion of ukraine even though— full—scale invasion of ukraine even though they were going to condemn that and _ though they were going to condemn that and they knew that they would be arrested. so extremely brave individuals who are now grappling with some really tough questions about— with some really tough questions about their future. wanting to help change _ about their future. wanting to help change russia into a democratic and free country. that's what they were talking _ free country. that's what they were talking about today, but now they are outside of that country and, of course. _ are outside of that country and, of course, things are going to be pretty— course, things are going to be pretty difficult for them. but they are free _ pretty difficult for them. but they are free and extremely grateful to those _ are free and extremely grateful to those who helped get them out. interesting to see what they do next and where they turn their focus. thank you so much for getting us up to speed with that. turning to the us election now. vice—president kamala harris says she�*s �*deeply honoured�* to have secured enough delegates to win the democratic party nomination. next — she�*ll be nominating her pick for vice president. and there�*s been plenty of speculation around who that might be. governorjosh shapiro of pennsylvania is reportedly on the short list, as is mark kelly,

governor of arizona and tim walz, governor of minnesota. just a few of the names we�*ve been hearing. in any case, kamala harris and whoever she chooses will be setting off on a tour of battleground states next week. my my panel is back with us to discuss all things us politics. the number one question i suppose at the moment is who is going to the vice presidential pick. the is who is going to the vice presidential pick.- is who is going to the vice presidential pick. the top three choices really _ presidential pick. the top three choices really each _ presidential pick. the top three choices really each brings i presidential pick. the top three i choices really each brings something unique and good to the ticket and i think probably any one of them will be effective and helpful. obviously the governor of pennsylvania is very popular. pennsylvania is a must win state for kamala harris. mark kelly the senator from arizona is a hero, an astronaut, very experienced on some of the critical issues that vice president harris is vulnerable on, like talking about the border

with mexico, he has a lot of experience in that because, you know, being from arizona. you look at governor tim walz who is folksy and charming and very intelligent, good with the rural voters, so each one of them has to be a good choice. the vice president i obviously know her. she�*s going to make a decision based on who she believes is going to be a good partnerfor her in governing day today, because all of these pics are good pics, so really it comes down to chemistry and trust. ,., , ., ~ it comes down to chemistry and trust. i. ~ , �*, it comes down to chemistry and trust. ~', �*, ., ., , trust. do you think she's already made u- trust. do you think she's already made up her _ trust. do you think she's already made up her mind? _ trust. do you think she's already made up her mind? who - trust. do you think she's already made up her mind? who would l trust. do you think she's already i made up her mind? who would you pick? mr; made up her mind? who would you ick? ~ , . . made up her mind? who would you ick? g , , , made up her mind? who would you ick? ~ , , , , , made up her mind? who would you ick? g ,, ,, ., , pick? my guess is she has made up her mind. pick? my guess is she has made up her mind- l — pick? my guess is she has made up her mind. ithink— pick? my guess is she has made up her mind. i think i _ pick? my guess is she has made up her mind. i think i favour— pick? my guess is she has made up her mind. i think i favour mark i her mind. i think i favour mark kelly over the other two, but i think any one of them would be a great pic. think any one of them would be a treat ic. �* ,, ., , ., ., great pic. and your thoughts on who she miaht great pic. and your thoughts on who she might choose? _ great pic. and your thoughts on who she might choose? historically, i great pic. and your thoughts on who she might choose? historically, the| she might choose? historically, the choice for vice _

she might choose? historically, the choice for vice president _ she might choose? historically, the choice for vice president doesn't i choice for vice president doesn't make _ choice for vice president doesn't make a — choice for vice president doesn't make a huge difference. that choice for vice president doesn't make a huge difference.- make a huge difference. that is something _ make a huge difference. that is something donald _ make a huge difference. that is something donald trump i make a huge difference. that is something donald trump said l make a huge difference. that is i something donald trump said recently as well, hasn�*t it? stand something donald trump said recently as well, hasn't it?— as well, hasn't it? and he is right. the question _ as well, hasn't it? and he is right. the question is _ as well, hasn't it? and he is right. the question is whether _ as well, hasn't it? and he is right. the question is whether she pick | the question is whether she pick someone — the question is whether she pick someone on the left of her party, like she _ someone on the left of her party, like she has been in the past, on the right— like she has been in the past, on the right of— like she has been in the past, on the right of her party, because at some _ the right of her party, because at some point— the right of her party, because at some point this honeymoon is going to end _ some point this honeymoon is going to end and _ some point this honeymoon is going to end and people are going to start asking _ to end and people are going to start asking why— to end and people are going to start asking why she took such left—wing positions _ asking why she took such left—wing positions when she ran for president in the _ positions when she ran for president in the past _ positions when she ran for president in the past and if she has a progressive vice president, that doesn't — progressive vice president, that doesn't exactly help her. and progressive vice president, that doesn't exactly help her. and how do ou think doesn't exactly help her. and how do you think donald _ doesn't exactly help her. and how do you think donald trump _ doesn't exactly help her. and how do you think donald trump is _ doesn't exactly help her. and how do | you think donald trump is responding to running against harris? i you think donald trump is responding to running against harris?— to running against harris? i think he is confused. _ to running against harris? i think he is confused. i _ to running against harris? i think he is confused. i think— to running against harris? i think he is confused. i think it's i he is confused. i think it's muddying the waters and not much is sticking _ muddying the waters and not much is sticking at— muddying the waters and not much is sticking at the moment, because even though— sticking at the moment, because even though she's been vp for four years, people _ though she's been vp for four years, people like _ though she's been vp for four years, people like new things, he'sjust going _ people like new things, he'sjust going to — people like new things, he'sjust going to have to wait for things to settle _ going to have to wait for things to settle down. it going to have to wait for things to settle down-— going to have to wait for things to settle down. ., , , ,. , settle down. it does seem like he is lookin: for settle down. it does seem like he is looking for a — settle down. it does seem like he is looking for a way — settle down. it does seem like he is looking for a way to _ settle down. it does seem like he is looking for a way to attack - settle down. it does seem like he is looking for a way to attack the i settle down. it does seem like he is looking for a way to attack the vice l looking for a way to attack the vice president and see what sticks. thank you to the panel, do stay with us. plenty more to come here on bbc news to discuss. we will see you again soon.

hello there. we�*ll get into the forecast in just a moment. but first of all, i thought we�*d look back at the massive thunderstorms that developed during thursday across central england. these huge storms brought 35mm of rain to fairford in gloucestershire, in the space ofjust one hour. the result of downpours that intense and some of the heaviest i�*ve seen all year, was some severe flooding in parts of guildford. we also had reports of flooding elsewhere in surrey, hampshire and oxfordshire as well. now, looking at the weather picture overnight tonight, we�*ve got a weak weather front that�*s pushing its way eastwards across england and wales. with that there will be a bit of rain, but it�*ll turn increasingly light and patchy. maybe a few mist and fog patches around. fresherair, meanwhile, gets into scotland and northern ireland as the rain moves out of the way and clearer skies follow, so more comfortable conditions for the northwest of the uk. still quite humid in the east. that�*s where we start off the story on saturday,

still with cloud and patchy outbreaks of rain for east anglia and south east england, although that should clear through the morning. what follows is sunny spells for most of the country, with just a few showers working into the afternoon across parts of scotland and northern ireland. temperatures near average for this time of the year, but feeling a lot less humid across eastern england in particular. second half of the weekend, while another area of low pressure is on the way. that�*s going to be bringing rain to northern ireland and western scotland, where it will also be increasingly windy. gusts could reach around a0 or 50 miles an hour here. still a lot of dry weather for england and wales, with some bright or sunny spells coming through the cloud. temperatures high teens to low 205. now, that weather front across the north west of the uk is a particularly slow—moving front, that�*s going to take, essentially, a couple of days to cross the uk. and so because it�*s slow—moving, we really see those rainfall totals build up, especially across parts of western scotland, where we might see some localised surface water flooding building in during monday. here is monday�*s chart, then — outbreaks of rain, northern ireland and scotland, often heavy across western scotland with a risk

of localised flooding. england and wales a lot of dry weather, and across the south in the east it will probably turn increasingly sunny and humid and warm if not hot. temperatures could hit 27 celsius in norwich. once that band of rain, though, has gradually pushed its way eastwards across the country and cleared, we�*re looking at a number of showers for the rest of the week, especially across northwestern areas. bye for now.

hello, i�*m steve lai. you�*re watching the context on bbc news. venezuela�*s foreign minister accuses the us of being behind a coup attempt against the government. it comes after sunday�*s disputed and controversial presidential election. let�*s stay on that disputed and controversial election in venezuela now. president nicolas maduro has claimed victory for a third term. but several countries in the region, including argentina and ecuador, have recognised the opposition candidate, edmundo gonzalez. we�*ve had the same message from the us, citing overwhelming evidence. but mexico�*s president says the us has gone too far by recognising gonzalez as the winner, saying no country had

the right to intervene in an internal matter.