joining me tonight are michael crick, writer and journalist and robert a george, journalist, and the former editorial writer for bloomberg opinion first — the day's top stories: ukraine has reacted angrily after chancellor scholz of germany telephoned the russian president vladimir putin for the first time in two years — calling it an attempt at appeasement. president zelensky said the call undermined efforts to isolate russia. a man in his 40s and four teenagers have been convicted of murdering two best friends — in a case of mistaken identity. 15—year—old mason rist and 16—year—old max dixon were attacked with knives and machetes in bristol in january, just yards from mason's front door. the jury was told that

the friends had been wrongly identified as having thrown bricks at a house earlier that day. the uk economy hardly grew at all between july and september — expanding byjust 0.1%. negative language and uncertainty in the long run up to the budget is among the things being blamed for the weaker than expected growth. the chancellor rachel reeves said she's �*not satisfied' with today's figures. scientists and former political leaders say the un climate talks are �*no longer fit for purpose�* and need urgent overhaul. the latest gathering, cop 29, is currently taking place now in azerbaijan. the country's role has already been criticised after its president said oil and gas were a �*gift of god'. the week's news has been dominated by donald trump's picks for his top team as he prepares to return to the white house. some choices have sent shockwaves through washington and further afield.

critics accuse the president—elect of putting loyalty before suitability and warn that his second presidency will be more extreme than his first. taking a closer look at the most controversial nominees. robert f kennedyjunior — donald trump's pick for health secretary — is a prominent vaccine sceptic and conspiracy theorist. shares in global vaccine makers have fallen in the wake of his nomination. he's been criticised for making false medical claims, including that vaccines are linked to autism. donald trump has said rfkjr has a "great mind" and will make america healthy again. robert f kennedyjunior. and he is going to help make america healthy again. the backlash has been significant, with the head of the american public health association saying, he and his organisation will "absolutely oppose" rfk jr's nomination.

speaking to the bbc, executive director georges benjamin said kennedy has.."already caused great damage in health in the country", referring to his vaccine scepticism. he goes on to say: "he is not competent by training, management skills, temperament or trust to have this job," adding "he's just absolutely the wrong guy for it". the apha is the oldest and largest organisation of public health professionals in the us, representing more than 25,000 members. let's bring in our panellists. michael crick, writer and journalist— robert a george, journalist, former editorial writer for bloomberg 0pinion robert, what is this going to mean for the health care that americans receive?— mean for the health care that americans receive? well, that is the million _ americans receive? well, that is the million dollar _

americans receive? well, that is the million dollar question | is the million dollar question a lot of people are asking right now. things that have been settled policy going back 50, 60 years on childhood vaccination for example, it potentially could be threatened with robert f kennedyjunior running everything. what has created some certain cultural criticism of robert kennedy junior is that many conservatives, many conservatives, many conservative supporters of president trump are somewhat worried that he was selected because he is very pro abortion as the pro—life movement would put it, they think it sends a bad message in terms of the republican administration that are supposed to be supportive

of life. you are getting some criticism from both sides. it is probably of all the appointment so far, it is the second,it appointment so far, it is the second, it is has created the second, it is has created the second most amount of opposition. second most amount of opposition-— second most amount of ouosition. . ,, ., , opposition. perhaps a confusing appointment — opposition. perhaps a confusing appointment. michael, - opposition. perhaps a confusing appointment. michael, this- opposition. perhaps a confusing appointment. michael, this is i opposition. perhaps a confusing appointment. michael, this is a| appointment. michael, this is a theme we will probably return to during our conversations over the next hour, there is a question over whether he will actually be confirmed by the senate. this is going to be an expose of exactly how much power donald trump has now and whether there are any senators who are willing to act in a more independent way, put the brakes on, i suppose, some of these appointments. the senate traditionally _ these appointments. the senate traditionally has _ these appointments. the senate traditionally has been _ these appointments. the senate traditionally has been a - these appointments. the senate traditionally has been a much i traditionally has been a much more — traditionally has been a much more independent bodies than the house. they only have to -et the house. they only have to get elected every six years.

there — get elected every six years. there is_ get elected every six years. there is only 53, 47 and the there is only 53,47 and the senate, _ there is only 53,47 and the senate, so it does not take many — senate, so it does not take many senators to oppose some of these — many senators to oppose some of these choices. there is a theory— these choices. there is a theory the reason why donald trump — theory the reason why donald trump has chosen so many zany, is the _ trump has chosen so many zany, is the most — trump has chosen so many zany, is the most neutral word, if he throws — is the most neutral word, if he throws so _ is the most neutral word, if he throws so many zany appointments at the senate they may object to some of them but they cant— may object to some of them but they can't object to all of them _ they can't object to all of them so _ they can't object to all of them so some of them will get through — them so some of them will get through. who knows? robert f kennedy— through. who knows? robert f kennedy is clearly, i think his views— kennedy is clearly, i think his views on— kennedy is clearly, i think his views on the vaccines are mad but in — views on the vaccines are mad but in some things he is quite good — but in some things he is quite good he _ but in some things he is quite good. he is against processed food, — good. he is against processed food, he — good. he is against processed food, he is against big pharma. he is— food, he is against big pharma. he is in— food, he is against big pharma. he is in favour of healthy eating _ he is in favour of healthy eating i_ he is in favour of healthy eating. i look forward to how he tries— eating. i look forward to how he tries to persuade to donald trump — he tries to persuade to donald trump to— he tries to persuade to donald trump to eat more healthily and fewer—

trump to eat more healthily and fewer cesspits, so there is a good — fewer cesspits, so there is a good side _ fewer cesspits, so there is a good side to him too. my feeling _ good side to him too. my feeling as the appointments we've — feeling as the appointments we've heard so far, like last time — we've heard so far, like last time round, most of them will not he — time round, most of them will not be there in a year or two. some — not be there in a year or two. some of— not be there in a year or two. some of them will not get appointed in the first is because they were blocked by the senate and others will end ”p the senate and others will end up resigning or being sacked or whatever _ up resigning or being sacked or whatever. we up resigning or being sacked or whatever. ~ ., ~ up resigning or being sacked or whatever. ~ ., ,, ., ,., whatever. we were talking about that earlier. _ whatever. we were talking about that earlier, there _ whatever. we were talking about that earlier, there could - whatever. we were talking about that earlier, there could be - whatever. we were talking about that earlier, there could be a - that earlier, there could be a parting of the ways and differences of opinion is that we saw during donald trump's first presidential term. rfk talking about dealing with diabetes and obesity something he wants to get on with. meanwhile, the speaker of the house of representatives has advised against releasing a report by the house ethics committee into matt gaetz, donald trump's choice for attorney general. mr gaetz has previously been under investigation for sex and drug offences, which he denies. in a statement announcing the selection of the florida congressman, mr trump said: "few issues in america are more important

than ending the partisan weaponization of our justice system". his inner circle has described the attorney general as key to the president—elect�*s plans to carry out mass deportations, pardonjanuary 6th rioters and seek retribution against those who prosecuted him over the past four years. and he has his supporters: he is street smart, he has got the legal background, he is not scared of taking a risk, what he has done in the house has been phenomenal. i back him 100%. he will make a difference in this new role when he gets confirmed. do you think this report by the house ethics committee is going to get out into the world one way or another? it to get out into the world one way or another?— to get out into the world one way or another? it is going to net out way or another? it is going to get out into _ way or another? it is going to get out into the _ way or another? it is going to get out into the world, -

get out into the world, firstly, i think it looks like bad form for the speaker of the house to say, well, i do not think this report should be released. the ethics committee has been in session for a couple of years now doing work into some of these things, some of these things in matt gaetz�*s past. even though for whatever reason the department of justice decided not to bring charges against him, that does not mean there were no serious ethical concerns raised by his behaviour allegedly with the young lady under the age of 18. that is material that the senate needs to have in front of it to make a reasoned decision on whether he should be approved. that is just basic common sense. he

be approved. that is 'ust basic common sense._ be approved. that is 'ust basic common sense. he stood down from his post — common sense. he stood down from his post earlier— common sense. he stood down from his post earlier in - common sense. he stood down from his post earlier in the - from his post earlier in the week and his supporters are saying only members can be investigated so now he is beyond the jurisdiction of the ethics committee. if you think the report will come out. even if it's not _ the report will come out. even if it's not officially _ if it's not officially released, the way things work in washington, it will end up getting leaked in some form. michael, the attorney general are supposed to be independent of the president, an independent lawyer, do you think matt gaetz is the sort of person who is going to do what donald trump said he wants to do, take on what he wants to do, take on what he wants to do, the deep state and get vengeance on those he perceives have wronged him over the last eight years. have wronged him over the last eight years— eight years. sounds like it, i do not know— eight years. sounds like it, i do not know enough - eight years. sounds like it, i do not know enough about l eight years. sounds like it, i. do not know enough about his past _ do not know enough about his past to— do not know enough about his past to give a properjudgment on past to give a properjudgment oh that — past to give a properjudgment oh that it _ past to give a properjudgment on that. it is clearly wrong that— on that. it is clearly wrong that of— on that. it is clearly wrong that of all the posts in the us

government, somebody with these questions — government, somebody with these questions about his past should be appointed to be attorney general. there are also questions about the present day itself, _ questions about the present day itself, if— questions about the present day itself, if you have a president who— itself, if you have a president who is— itself, if you have a president who is a _ itself, if you have a president who is a convicted criminal, you — who is a convicted criminal, you know. _ who is a convicted criminal, you know, this is what will happen— you know, this is what will happen and it undermines the whole — happen and it undermines the whole justice system in america, it seems to me. and the whole _ america, it seems to me. and the whole respect for law and rules— the whole respect for law and rules and _ the whole respect for law and rules and all of that. if you've _ rules and all of that. if you've got back in the white house — you've got back in the white house having been convicted of those _ house having been convicted of those charges in relation to the case _ those charges in relation to the case with the woman who... all the _ the case with the woman who... all the other outstanding charges, and now you have got matt— charges, and now you have got matt gaetz, the cases were not pursued, — matt gaetz, the cases were not pursued, nonetheless a question about— pursued, nonetheless a question about him. — pursued, nonetheless a question about him, you would never appoint— about him, you would never appoint anyone in that position in the —

appoint anyone in that position in the western world to a senior, _ in the western world to a senior, to the senior, the head of the — senior, to the senior, the head of the justice system essentially, in the way that this— essentially, in the way that this has— essentially, in the way that this has happened. to essentially, in the way that this has happened. to move on to a couole _ this has happened. to move on to a couple more _ this has happened. to move on to a couple more of— this has happened. to move on to a couple more of the - to a couple more of the appointment so we can get through looking at some of the appointments,... donald trump 5 choice of tulsi gabbard as us intelligence chief has sent shockwaves through the national security establishment. she left the democratic party in 2022 to become an independent and has little direct experience with intelligence work. the post of director of national intelligence oversees 18 spy agencies. tulsi gabbard has been critical of president biden 5 support for ukraine, which has prompted some critics to accuse her of parroting kremlin propaganda. she consistently opposed us intervention in syria, even meeting secretly in 2017 with syrian president bashar al—assad, with whom washington had severed all diplomatic ties in 2012. the meeting sparked criticism from both sides of the aisle in congress. intelligence officials say

among the risks of ms gabbard's appointment is that foreign allies may be reluctant to share vital information. tulsi gabbard has said some strange things about the ukraine war, notably saying publicly that putin was justified in his concerns about ukrainejoining nato. so that is something we'll have to watch. mr trump's selection of pete hegseth as us defense secretary was met on wednesday with surprise at the pentagon. he's a former infantary officer and host on fox news, who's poured scorn on so called �*woke' policies in the us armed forces, and opposes women serving in combat. he has little management or government experience. in a post on x, adam smith, the top democrat on the house armed services committee said: "the job of secretary of defense should not be an entry—level position". this is the view of professor todd belt, director of the political

management program at george washington university: a lot of these picks look like they will be people who are going to implement the donald trump agenda which is the america first agenda. if you look at somebody like pete hegseth and you look at somebody like tulsi gabbard, these are two people who were pretty isolationist and want the united states not to be involved in ukraine and not to be involved in israel and for the us to withdraw from its leadership place internationally. back to robert and michael. robert, what is interesting here, one of them many interesting aspects of this discussion, we have not seen any falls on what the public makes of all of these appointments. donald trump, he won the electoral college and he also won the popular vote. it will be fascinating to see, is he having public backing for really trying to shake things up really trying to shake things up with his choice of appointees?- up with his choice of appointees?

up with his choice of a- ointees? ., , ., , appointees? that is a big question _ appointees? that is a big question indeed. - appointees? that is a big question indeed. most i appointees? that is a big question indeed. most ofj appointees? that is a big - question indeed. most of these appointments were all announced within the last few days, it's too early for the polling to kick in. things we do know on issue by issue basis, childhood vaccination is and has long been very popular. the fact that if there is anything the public does no about robert kennedyjunior, it is his opposition to vaccines, not only the covid—19 vaccine which is a little bit more controversial, but the panoply of childhood vaccination. that is something i would imagine hold strongly with the public and the fact that kennedy is against that is something that the president would have to deal with.

the president would have to deal with-— dealwith. michael, on tulsi gabbard at _ dealwith. michael, on tulsi gabbard at intelligence - dealwith. michael, on tulsi gabbard at intelligence and | gabbard at intelligence and pete hegseth at defence, if is yoursense pete hegseth at defence, if is your sense of how the rest of the world and specifically the uk and europe, the eu, is looking at these appointments, we have heard concerns expressed, what concerns are you hearing about?— expressed, what concerns are you hearing about? strikes me that normally _ you hearing about? strikes me that normally these _ you hearing about? strikes me that normally these jobs - you hearing about? strikes me that normally these jobs are i that normally these jobs are given— that normally these jobs are given to _ that normally these jobs are given to people with really weighty backgrounds. often, there — weighty backgrounds. often, there are people who have run huge _ there are people who have run huge companies? robert mcnamara, kennedy's defence secretary, and johnson's for a long _ secretary, and johnson's for a longtime _ secretary, and johnson's for a long time in the 1960s. he ran ford _ long time in the 1960s. he ran ford motors. often they run a huge — ford motors. often they run a huge corporation, they have a bil huge corporation, they have a big background in very senior academic— big background in very senior academicjob, very seniorjob academic job, very senior job in academicjob, very seniorjob in congress. these people, they

are hot— in congress. these people, they are not big — in congress. these people, they are not big figures. in some of the big — are not big figures. in some of the big departments like intelligence and defence, you are working alongside people with huge experience, big brains. _ with huge experience, big brains, and you need people who are equal— brains, and you need people who are equal to them. and the rest of the _ are equal to them. and the rest of the world and much of the world — of the world and much of the world including britain, we are hugely— world including britain, we are hugely dependent on american defence, we are members of nato, — defence, we are members of nato, much of the world depends on america to act as the policeman of the world, they will he — policeman of the world, they will be worried these are not people — will be worried these are not people of sufficient calibre to make — people of sufficient calibre to make the decisions, to have the right— make the decisions, to have the rightjudgment for make the decisions, to have the right judgment for dealing with what _ right judgment for dealing with what is — right judgment for dealing with what is a — right judgment for dealing with what is a very, very dangerous world — what is a very, very dangerous world right now.— world right now. michael and robert come _ world right now. michael and robert come and _ world right now. michael and robert come and stay - world right now. michael and robert come and stay with i world right now. michael and | robert come and stay with us, we have to go to a break, but we have to go to a break, but we will come back to you shortly. around the world and across the uk. this is bbc news.

let's take a look now at how donald trump's picks will be vetted and confirmed. all of the cabinet officers, other than

the vice president, require the consent of the senate. supreme court nominees and ambassadors also come under this category. but some other advisers, like elon musk in his government efficiency role, don't require confirmation. the relevant senate committee holds a hearing and votes on whether the nominee should be advanced. this can take many hours and involve rigorous questioning. a wide vote then takes place in the full senate. republicans have a 53—47 majority in the chamber, but that won't guarantee success. in trump's first term, several nominees withdrew when it became clear they wouldn't secure approval. the president can circumvent this process by making what's called a recess appointment when the senate is not sitting. back to professor todd belt, director of the political management program at george washington university for his thoughts on what may happen: they could just bend the knee, as we say. they willjust do what the president does.

the president says he wants because they believe in the president is entitled to have the people he wants to work with him. also the president has a mandate from the people to govern. it looks like donald trump will have over 50% of the vote, and so that means that's who the people wanted and they should get the administration that they voted for. secondly, the senate could take very seriously its advice and consent role and decide that these people, such as tulsi gabbard, pete hegesth and matt gaetz, are not qualified to serve in the roles that they have been appointed, and they could reject them. that would really slow some of the mobilisation of the first 100 days of the trump administration. still with me, michael crick, writer and journalist— robert a george, journalist, former editorial writer for bloomberg opinion still

the senate's obligation is to allow the president to select people who he believes are best fit for the position. senate rules give them the authority to vet, but through the sheer well and the political resources we have at our disposal, i believe that all of donald trump's nominations will make it through the senate. that's an interesting phrase, sheer will, that's an interesting phrase, sheerwill, michael, that's an interesting phrase, sheer will, michael, to you first of all, do you think because of that popular vote, donald trump will be exerting as much pressure as possible on the senate to confirm all of those people, even if some people have misgivings about them? flit people have misgivings about them? .., , people have misgivings about them? , ., , them? of course donald trump willt them? of course donald trump will try to _ them? of course donald trump will try to push _ them? of course donald trump will try to push them _ them? of course donald trump will try to push them all - will try to push them all through, but it is funny how in the last— through, but it is funny how in the last few days people have been — the last few days people have been talking about the election, trump one overwhelmingly in a landslide, it wasn't, _ overwhelmingly in a landslide, it wasn't, it was pretty close in the — it wasn't, it was pretty close

in the electoral college and the popular vote, closer than most — the popular vote, closer than most presidential elections in my lifetime, the last 65 years. the important thing is that the constitution was drawn up in such— constitution was drawn up in such a — constitution was drawn up in such a way that the senate was given— such a way that the senate was given these powers to vet and approve — given these powers to vet and approve senior appointments in order— approve senior appointments in order to — approve senior appointments in order to ensure that corrupt people. _ order to ensure that corrupt people, that criminals were not appointed to this post. if the president is going to insist that— president is going to insist that they should no longer have those _ that they should no longer have those powers, that is a very serious _ those powers, that is a very serious development. it changes the balance, the clever balance of power— the balance, the clever balance of power is that there are with at the — of power is that there are with at the american system between the legislature and the congress in other words, the executive, the white house and the government in other words and the — the government in other words and the supreme court. so it might— and the supreme court. so it might those checks and balances are key— might those checks and balances are key to — might those checks and balances are key to the american system of government. do

are key to the american system of government.— of government. do you think this is going _ of government. do you think this is going to _ of government. do you think this is going to come - of government. do you think this is going to come down l of government. do you think| this is going to come down to an argument between the traditional, let's call it the traditional, let's call it the traditional republican party and the republican party under trump, the maga republican party? i trump, the maga republican -a ? ~ trump, the maga republican .a ? «' party? i think so, there will be several _ party? i think so, there will be several senators, - party? i think so, there will be several senators, i- party? i think so, there will be several senators, i am l party? i think so, there will l be several senators, i am not familiar— be several senators, i am not familiar with the modern senate as i familiar with the modern senate as i used — familiar with the modern senate as i used to be, who will want to exert— as i used to be, who will want to exert their independence and will he — to exert their independence and will be conscious of the fact that — will be conscious of the fact that trump might be riding high note _ that trump might be riding high note ltut— that trump might be riding high note but he may not be riding high — note but he may not be riding high in — note but he may not be riding high in two years' time in or infour— high in two years' time in or in four years' time or six years' _ in four years' time or six years' time, and who will believe _ years' time, and who will believe it is their duty to ensure _ believe it is their duty to ensure that the people at the highest — ensure that the people at the highest levels of government are of— highest levels of government are of the highest calibre. that— are of the highest calibre. that is— are of the highest calibre. that is why i think some of these _ that is why i think some of these appointments are likely to he — these appointments are likely to be blocked. i these appointments are likely to be blocked.— to be blocked. i want to bring robert in _ to be blocked. i want to bring robert in briefly _ to be blocked. i want to bring robert in briefly on _ to be blocked. i want to bring robert in briefly on this - to be blocked. i want to bring robert in briefly on this as i robert in briefly on this as well, we are almost out of time

for the segment. robert? your thoughts on the tussle between the traditional republican party and the party under trump, or do you think those lines are blurred?— trump, or do you think those lines are blurred? those lines are blurred, _ lines are blurred? those lines are blurred, you _ lines are blurred? those lines are blurred, you mentioned i lines are blurred? those lines| are blurred, you mentioned at the top of the segment, the idea of a recess appointment is something that the president elect, trump, is pushing, because it is actually a constitutional loophole in the advice and consent part of the senate which would allow the congress to go into recess for, say, a week or two weeks, and during that time, the president would be allowed to appoint basically almost his entire cabinet if he so chose, and those people would stay in their positions for two years. and that is in the

constitution, it has never been, it hasn't been tried in close to 200 years, but it is there and donald trump has been nudging the senate to look into that... ~ , ., that... we will see what happens. _ that... we will see what happens, please - that... we will see what happens, please stay i that... we will see what l happens, please stay with that... we will see what - happens, please stay with us. stay with us on the context on bbc news. hello! there is quite a big change on the way in our weather, a transition to something colder. that cold air right now lurking to the north of us, is going to sink its way southwards as we head through the weekend, but it's not a straightforward process. milder air tries to stage a comeback from the southwest through the early part of next week, before this arctic air really wins out. but as that transition takes place, it may well be that some places see some quite significant snowfall, some ice in the mix as well. and certainly it is going to turn cold for all

of us into next week. the first signs of that cold air digging in behind this cold front, bringing a band of cloud and patchy rain southwards across scotland, northern ireland. ahead of that, through the night, england and wales seeing large amounts of clouds and mist and fog patches down towards the south. behind our weather front, the skies will clear, but there'll be some showers and it will be pretty windy up towards the far north of scotland. gales for the western and northern isles. a touch of frost for some in northern scotland. conversely, where we start saturday morning with this cloud, mist, murk, outbreaks of rain, it will be a milder start to the day. our frontal system continuing its journey slowly southwards through the day. a lot of cloud ahead of it. behind it though, lots of sunshine, but with scattered showers which will be wintry over high ground in northern scotland. certainly a colder feel to the weather, here will stay quite windy in the north as well. still milderfor the time being further south. now sunday getting off to a cold start for many. quite a lot of sunshine around with a scattering of wintry showers.

but through the day we see this approaching frontal system from the west bringing some rain into northern ireland, southwest scotland, northwest england, parts of north wales. now this is a warm front and it's going to try to usher in some milder air, but that cold air will still be sitting to the north. and as this weather fronts and this area of low pressure runs eastwards, that interaction between the milder and the cold air could give some of us some quite significant snow, but there is still a lot of uncertainty about exactly where that might be. but as that low swings away eastwards, all of us will be left in the cold air later next week with some wintry showers.

hello, i'm annita mcveigh. you're watching the context on bbc news. still to come, as a swedish cabinet minister reportedly bans bananas from meeting rooms, we investigate why she thinks they're un—a—peel—ing. more now on the incoming trump administration. elon musk and vivek ramaswamy�*s department of government efficiency is on the lookout for "super high—iq" individuals to help with cost—cutting while working

more than 80 hours a week. a post on doge's new x account reads... when an x user mentioned the task would require a lot of work, musk responded from his personal x account. musk wrote, adding a cry—laughing emoji. michael crick, writer and journalist. robert a george, journalist, former editorial writer for bloomberg opinion. they are still with me on the panel today. that is certainly a way to encourage people to apply for thejob. a way to encourage people to apply forthejob. michael, apply for the job. michael, what do apply forthejob. michael, what do you make of this particular advert and indeed this approach? a little bit

similar i think of something elon musk day