recent hello, i'm kasia madera. you're watching the context on bbc news. we are closely monitoring the situation in syria and have been in contact with the countries in the region. the rebels have faced very little opposition in this offensive so far. the syrian military is demoralised and exhausted after more than 13 years of conflict, but this could change. iran says it will send missiles, drones and advisers. everyone in syria at the moment are bad actors, especially- the islamists trying to gain control over syria. - if they do, just think - what would happen if isis...in the height of isis control over iraq — joining me tonight are jessica elgot deputy political editor of the guardian and the journalist

robert a george. we will catch up with our panel in a moment but first, the latest headlines. syrian government forces appear to be struggling as rebel groups advance. islamist—led units are within kilometres of syria's third city, homs while kurdish—led forces in the east say they've entered a government—held part of deir ezzor. clashes were also reported in suwayda and deraa. the singing. we are live in georgia with a ninth night of protest under way where the president has

described to be neutralising the halting accession talks around 3 million people around wilson's office and could have been sent an emergency alert as storm darragh approaches as large as use of the warning system yet and has been sent to mobile forms. the european commission the european commission has drawn up a proposed free trade deal with the mercosur bloc of four south american countries. 700—million citizens. rebel forces in syria are now reported to be as little a three miles outside the country's third city, homs, following their conquest of hama yesterday. the loss of homs would mean that three of the country's four largest cities homs, hama and aleppo would no longer be under the control of the government of bashar al—assad. it also threatens the road linking the capital damascus and the heartland of support

for president assad. in hama, crowds toppled a statue of president assad. the offensive that saw the city fall was carried out by the rebel group hayat tahirir al sham, which emerged out of the north of the country, much of which has been out of government control now for years. the leader of hayat tahrir al sham said its goal is the end regime of bashar al assad. the seeds of the regime's defeat have always been within it. it has been effectively dead since that time. however, the iranians attempted to revive the regime, buying it time, and later the russians also tried to prop it up. but the truth remains — this regime is dead. the city of hama is home to one million people and was one of the few cities that's remained mostly under government control in the conflict. here's how one resident reacted to the arrival of rebel forces. translation: well, frankly,

we heard the violent clashes | between assad's forces and the rebels, and we stayed home and didn't move. and then, with god's help and the help of these young men, we went out, celebrated and welcomed them. in the end, they are the people of this country, and god willing, we will reach damascus. meanwhile, the rebels have be celebrating their lightning gains. just take a listen to this exchange between one fighter and a journalist. translation: 0ur| feeling regarding the liberation of hama, it is a great battle. | praise be to god. god has been generous to us with the victory, and god - willing, we are coming to homs. how was your interaction with the people? translation: the interaction| with people is very, very good. it is the best it could be. they are happy and calm. they are the sweetest people. in the east, kurdish led forces say they've entered the government controlled western side of deir ezzor, which has reportedly been abandoned by government soldiers now heading

to the main battle front. it comes as the head of the syrian democratic forces said they were open to dialoge with other rebel groups. translation: we wanted to tie-escalate _ translation: we wanted to de-escalate with _ translation: we wanted to de-escalate with hayat - translation: we wanted to i de-escalate with hayat tahrir de—escalate with hayat tahrir al—sham and other parties and to solve our problems with dialogue with all parties. we were surprised to see the sudden and rapid collapse of syrian government forces on the front lines as factions took control of large areas imposing a new political and military reality. we can speak to our first guest with lots to discuss. anna borshchevskaya, is a senior fellow at the washington institute. what are we looking at here? you focus on russia's policy towards the middle east and i will talk about it that in a moment but are we seeing the end game for president assad? good evening and thank you for having me on the show. we are

certainly seeing the most dramatic events in syria in years and up until today, i did not think it was possible for president decide to fall, the story is still unfolding but the situation looks increasingly dire by the minute, we don't want to say it is over until it is but it looks quite bad for a solid. never say it's over until it is over, but it is looking very bad you focus on russia's policy towards the riddle —— middle east and right now russia is focusing on its aggression in ukraine, arguably, is that where the opportunity came for this group, hyt to make inroads into what is happening in syria? the opportunity _ what is happening in syria? tue: opportunity came what is happening in syria? tte: opportunity came from what is happening in syria? "tte: opportunity came from several events coming together at once and this is an example is how syria has been the crucible for great powers in the region and how serious stopping syria a

long time ago. first, not only russia but iran and its proxies have been weekend and we have the cease—fire with israel, has bullet in particular suffered severe setbacks so two of a sawed's main backers, iran and russia both have been either distracted or weekend and that brings us to the situation we are seeing today where a site is showing he cannot stand on his own. , , ., ., his own. just reading on the lines now. _ his own. just reading on the lines now, reuters - his own. just reading on the lines now, reuters news - his own. just reading on the - lines now, reuters news agency is saying that the turkish foreign minister is telling the us secretary of state the syrian government should establish dialogue with the opposition, is that realistic in terms of the rebels speaking to a side's regime, is that even possible? t to a side's regime, is that even possible?— to a side's regime, is that even possible? i think that is the key question _ even possible? i think that is the key question to - even possible? i think that is the key question to ask, - even possible? i think that is the key question to ask, is i even possible? i think that is the key question to ask, is it| the key question to ask, is it

possible. aside, historically has never compromised —— president aside this is been a unique challenge with dealing with him over the years, he never compromises whether in a weak or strong position so if it came down to ultimately his survival, could he potentially change for the first time and act the way he never acted before, maybe but that remains to seen. i will bring injessica and robert because we know it the white house is said they are closely monitoring what is happening in syria and arguably they do not want to see an islamic state type caliphate creating itself, what is the conversation potentially that is happening when it comes to this fast developing situation in syria? t this fast developing situation in s ria? ~ ., , this fast developing situation in s ria? ~' . , ., this fast developing situation ins ria? ~ ., , ., , in syria? i think many of us know closely _ in syria? i think many of us know closely monitoring i in syria? i think many of us| know closely monitoring the situation is often diplomatic speak— situation is often diplomatic speak for, oh my goodness, were

not quite — speak for, oh my goodness, were not quite sure what is going on right— not quite sure what is going on right now _ not quite sure what is going on right now. your guestsjust right now. your guests just spoke _ right now. your guestsjust spoke about how iran has been slightly— spoke about how iran has been slightly distracted by the collapse of hezbollah and russia _ collapse of hezbollah and russia has its own issues going on here — russia has its own issues going on here and frankly we have just— on here and frankly we have just gone _ on here and frankly we have just gone through an election here — just gone through an election here as — just gone through an election here as well so the united states— here as well so the united states is arguably somewhat distracted on this and it became a perfect time for rebels _ became a perfect time for rebels to make a move. you are correct, — rebels to make a move. you are correct, i— rebels to make a move. you are correct, i don't think united correct, idon't think united states— correct, i don't think united states seems hesitant, to say the least _ states seems hesitant, to say the least about the clearing who — the least about the clearing who should be considered the good — who should be considered the good guys, particularly when we are about — good guys, particularly when we are about ready to go into, move — are about ready to go into, move into a new administration so as— move into a new administration so as you — move into a new administration so as you say, it is a fast—moving situation and i don't — fast—moving situation and i don't think washington, when you have _ don't think washington, when you have an outgoing abide in administration and an incoming

trump — administration and an incoming trump administration really has a good — trump administration really has a good sense of who they want to come — a good sense of who they want to come out on top right now. arguahty— to come out on top right now. arguably it has caught everyone off guard because we know there was an ongoing situation in syria and we know assad held tight onto the country that had years ago to overthrow his rule, but to the point of robert, we were all looking elsewhere and suddenly we have this very fast—moving situation. this very fast-moving situation.— this very fast-moving situation. �* , . situation. and i very much felt in recent _ situation. and i very much felt in recent years _ situation. and i very much felt in recent years that _ situation. and i very much felt in recent years that assad - situation. and i very much felt in recent years that assad was being — in recent years that assad was being cautiously— in recent years that assad was being cautiously being - in recent years that assad was| being cautiously being brought back being cautiously being brought hack into — being cautiously being brought back into the _ being cautiously being brought back into the fold _ being cautiously being brought back into the fold of— back into the fold of international- back into the fold of international affairs | international affairs especially - international affairs especially among . international affairs. especially among arab international affairs— especially among arab states. there — especially among arab states. there seem _ especially among arab states. there seem to— especially among arab states. there seem to be _ especially among arab states. there seem to be a _ especially among arab states. | there seem to be a willingness to have — there seem to be a willingness to have a — there seem to be a willingness to have a relationship - there seem to be a willingness to have a relationship again - to have a relationship again with— to have a relationship again with him. _ to have a relationship again with him, but— to have a relationship again with him, but then - to have a relationship again with him, but then you - to have a relationship again| with him, but then you have this— with him, but then you have this absolute _ with him, but then you have this absolute perfect - with him, but then you have this absolute perfect storm i this absolute perfect storm which — this absolute perfect storm which is _ this absolute perfect storm which is a _ this absolute perfect storm which is a assad _ this absolute perfect storm which is a assad military. which is a assad military completely— which is a assad military completely hollowed - which is a assad militaryl completely hollowed out, which is a assad military- completely hollowed out, poor morale, — completely hollowed out, poor morale, defections, _ completely hollowed out, poorl morale, defections, corruption, 13 years — morale, defections, corruption, 13 years of _ morale, defections, corruption, 13 years of war— morale, defections, corruption, 13 years of war and _ morale, defections, corruption,

13 years of war and then - morale, defections, corruption, 13 years of war and then you - 13 years of war and then you have — 13 years of war and then you have its _ 13 years of war and then you have its two _ 13 years of war and then you have its two main _ 13 years of war and then you have its two main allies iranj have its two main allies iran and — have its two main allies iran and moscow— have its two main allies iran and moscow distracted - have its two main allies iran and moscow distracted as l have its two main allies iran . and moscow distracted as your other— and moscow distracted as your other guests _ and moscow distracted as your other guests have _ and moscow distracted as your other guests have spelled - and moscow distracted as your other guests have spelled out. but this— other guests have spelled out. but this is— other guests have spelled out. but this is a _ other guests have spelled out. but this is a nightmare - other guests have spelled out. but this is a nightmare for- but this is a nightmare for westerh_ but this is a nightmare for western governments. . but this is a nightmare for| western governments. we but this is a nightmare for- western governments. we saw that when — western governments. we saw that when syria _ western governments. we saw that when syria was _ western governments. we saw that when syria was in - western governments. we saw that when syria was in the - that when syria was in the depths— that when syria was in the depths of— that when syria was in the depths of its _ that when syria was in the depths of its turmoil - that when syria was in the depths of its turmoil a - that when syria was in the j depths of its turmoil a few years— depths of its turmoil a few years back, _ depths of its turmoil a few years back, it— depths of its turmoil a few years back, it was - depths of its turmoil a few. years back, it was obviously a horrific— years back, it was obviously a horrific conflict _ years back, it was obviously a horrific conflict and _ years back, it was obviously a horrific conflict and cost - years back, it was obviously a horrific conflict and cost so i horrific conflict and cost so many _ horrific conflict and cost so many lives _ horrific conflict and cost so many lives and _ horrific conflict and cost so many lives and so - horrific conflict and cost so many lives and so much i many lives and so much suffering, _ many lives and so much suffering, but _ many lives and so much suffering, but it- many lives and so much suffering, but it also - many lives and so muchj suffering, but it also led many lives and so much i suffering, but it also led to horrific— suffering, but it also led to horrific terrorists _ suffering, but it also led to horrific terrorists incidentsl horrific terrorists incidents abroad _ horrific terrorists incidents abroad as _ horrific terrorists incidents abroad as well— horrific terrorists incidents abroad as well and - horrific terrorists incidents abroad as well and that. horrific terrorists incidentsl abroad as well and that will horrific terrorists incidents - abroad as well and that will be the last— abroad as well and that will be the last thing _ abroad as well and that will be the last thing to _ abroad as well and that will be the last thing to see _ abroad as well and that will be the last thing to see anythingl the last thing to see anything of that— the last thing to see anything of that nature _ the last thing to see anything of that nature that _ the last thing to see anything of that nature that could - the last thing to see anythingj of that nature that could start to re-emerge _ of that nature that could start to re—emerge in— of that nature that could start to re—emerge in syria - of that nature that could start to re—emerge in syria would i of that nature that could start i to re—emerge in syria would be a terrible — to re—emerge in syria would be a terrible provocation _ to re—emerge in syria would be a terrible provocation to - to re—emerge in syria would be a terrible provocation to add i a terrible provocation to add what — a terrible provocation to add what is _ a terrible provocation to add what is already— a terrible provocation to add what is already a _ a terrible provocation to add what is already a terrible - what is already a terrible situation _ what is already a terrible situation in _ what is already a terrible situation in the - what is already a terrible situation in the middle . what is already a terrible - situation in the middle east. and — situation in the middle east. and it — situation in the middle east. and it is _ situation in the middle east. and it is a _ situation in the middle east. and it is a diplomatic- and it is a diplomatic nightmare as you say for western countries looking into this because there are so many different ways of looking at it. i mentioned that the turkish foreign minister was saying the assad regime should

be talking to this opposition movement, explained to us because what is the turkish involvement with this? because arguably they do support some of this faction which is a moving into the swathes in overthrowing the regime. turkey does support _ overthrowing the regime. turkey does support some _ overthrowing the regime. turkey does support some of _ overthrowing the regime. turkey does support some of these - does support some of these factions. the degree to which turkey was specifically involved in the latest events of the last several days is still a matter of debate, but for turkey, specifically for their interest, they are primarily interested in the kurdish issue. turkey and syria has a large kurdish population and this involves groups including the syrian democratic forces and the pkk which was listed as a terrorist organisation in the united organisation in the united states so what syria —— turkey states so what syria —— turkey worries about the most is worries about the most is potentially the kurds being potentially the kurds being

used against them inside used against them inside turkey and this is something that is played out throughout the years and it shows you the complicated mosaic that syria truly is and how many powers and interests are involved in this one country. the fact of the matter is turkey had links to hts, the question is to what extent hasn't known about this offensive or to what extent does hts acting on its own and thatis does hts acting on its own and that is unclear. abs, that is unclear. a complicated mosaic is _ that is unclear. a complicated mosaic is absolutely - that is unclear. a complicated mosaic is absolutely such - that is unclear. a complicated mosaic is absolutely such an i mosaic is absolutely such an elegant way of describing what is an absolutely impossible situation. seniorfellow is an absolutely impossible situation. senior fellow of the washington institute, really get to your expertise and analysis, thank you forjoining us. we are keeping

he's not planning to increase taxes again before the next election, but warned that "unforeseen" circumstances could change that. sir keir starmer said he knew some of his decisions had been unpopular, but added voters could judge him on what he'd delivered in five years' time. he was speaking to bbc breakfast shortly after setting out six pledges, including a promise to put more money in the pockets of working people. i don't want to in any way suggest that we're going to keep coming back from all, because that isn't the plan... so no more tax rises? so we did the tough stuff in order to stabilise because what individuals and particularly businesses have said to me is, "look, do the tough stuff, but then we need the degree of certainty. we need to know that things aren't going to materially change." so that's the approach that we've taken. what i can do is say to you there are no circumstances unforeseen in the future that would not lead to any change at all. more houses is one area

the government has been focused we were watching yesterday how keir starmer was making those pledges or enhancing those pledges, how they would be tangible, i wonder, pledges, how they would be tangible, iwonder, where pledges, how they would be tangible, i wonder, where is he in terms of rebuilding trust when it comes to what he was offering especially during his campaign pledges in the run—up to the election here in this country?— country? obviously is incredibly _ country? obviously is incredibly important i country? obviously is l incredibly important for country? obviously is - incredibly important for them to impress upon the idea that they have done their biggest budget and that is the biggest tax raising moment of this parliament and it was big tax rises and big spending as well particularly on the nhs and people will want to see material improvements on two things. living standards which he talked a lot about and is pledges. you see him ditching that language about the highest growth in the g7, he does not talk about that in one of the reasons is the guardian had the biggest growth in the g7 and

his party was defeated at the last election so what it is about as he will focus in on peoples living standards, the wages and the price of things they are buying to make that. the second thing is the functioning of the state which is probably people see that as the nhs and how well it is functioning. whether they can get their appointments on time, how long they are spending on waiting lists. those are the two real focuses that he needs to deliver from the budget the other things he talked about, crime, immigration as well, but those two things broadly will mean whether he gets the verdict of the electorate as having done well or not. jessica touched upon what was happening in your side of the pond, so to speak and he will not want to go down the wayjoe biden did of course he faced the wrath of the voters despite his enviable gdp figures. that's exactly right. the

consensus here in the united states— consensus here in the united states is— consensus here in the united states is that democrats were probably not going to win this past — probably not going to win this past election regardless of who the candidate was because the voters — the candidate was because the voters were feeling it in their pockets _ voters were feeling it in their pockets and in the context of inflation _ pockets and in the context of inflation. they did not really care — inflation. they did not really care that _ inflation. they did not really care that the us gdp was excellent, unemployment was low and so _ excellent, unemployment was low and so forth, all they could see — and so forth, all they could see was— and so forth, all they could see was over the last four years. _ see was over the last four years, they were spending a whole — years, they were spending a whole lot more for basic goods, the cost — whole lot more for basic goods, the cost of— whole lot more for basic goods, the cost of buying homes have gone _ the cost of buying homes have gone up — the cost of buying homes have gone up and so forth. ultimately does come down to pocket — ultimately does come down to pocket issues and hopefully, the prime minister will be able to keep — the prime minister will be able to keep his promise. i'm always interested — to keep his promise. i'm always interested in when he says, borrowing —— barring unforeseen circumstances. overthe borrowing —— barring unforeseen circumstances. over the course of five — circumstances. over the course of five years there will be any number— of five years there will be any number of things could be

considered an unforeseen circumstance and the question is will— circumstance and the question is will he — circumstance and the question is will he been trying to make an excuse _ is will he been trying to make an excuse about to raise taxes and see — an excuse about to raise taxes and see what response to the electorate will have to that. it certainly is the question. don't go away and thank you for the time being. around the world and across the uk. this is bbc news.

the president of romania has said he will remain in office until a new head of state is elected a move aimed at reassuring allies that it remains a stable, pro european country. the comments from klaus iohannis camejust hours after romania's constitutional court scrapped elections for his successor. it means the process will be restarted from scratch, with the government due to decide a date for a new vote. it comes just two days before the final round was due to take place, which the surprise victor of the first round, calin georgescu, had been tipped to win. the announcement was made, days after security

services revealed details of what appears to be a major attempt to interfere with the elections using the social media platform tiktok, and a series of cyber attacks. president iohannis outlined what will happen next. translation: the new government of romania will set _ new dates for the two rounds of the election for the president of romania. so, once again, the new parliament will be convened, the new government will be elected, the new government will determine when the new presidential elections will take place. but not everyone agrees, elena lasconi, from the opposition save romania union was hoping to win the second round run off on sunday. she condemned the court's ruling. translation: i strongly condemn what happened today. _ i think they destroyed everything we have worked so hard to achieve in the last 35 years. today, they destroyed 35 years of hard work. the court's decision

is illegal, immoral and crushes the very essence of democracy, the vote. such a deviation will cost us dearly in the years to come. so that's what the policians think, but what about the voters? here's a view from the streets of bucharest. undemocratic and it is very bad this has happened. that's it, that's all. this has happened. that's it, that's all-— that's all. it's quite uncertain, - that's all. it's quite - uncertain, unfortunately. it's uncertain— uncertain, unfortunately. it's uncertain and we don't know which — uncertain and we don't know which direction it is going which _ which direction it is going which scares us and our families _ which scares us and our families.— which scares us and our families. a , ., families. as you can see, what is happening — families. as you can see, what is happening is _ families. as you can see, what is happening is pretty - families. as you can see, what is happening is pretty seriousl is happening is pretty serious and especially— is happening is pretty serious and especially since - is happening is pretty serious and especially since the - and especially since the elections _ and especially since the elections were - and especially since the i elections were postponed, and especially since the - elections were postponed, it's not really— elections were postponed, it's not really good _ elections were postponed, it's not really good politics, - elections were postponed, it's not really good politics, but. not really good politics, but that's— not really good politics, but that's was— not really good politics, but that's was happening. - let's bring in our panel. i must say that i was speaking a little earlier on today to a friend in bucharest and i was there a few weeks ago and he said it isjust there a few weeks ago and he said it is just unprecedented in the country is in shock. how

have we got to this position where are russian interference and i ask you first for a good reason, why russian interference is changing the political makeup of the country. it political makeup of the country-— country. it is certainly troubling _ country. it is certainly troubling to _ country. it is certainly troubling to say - country. it is certainly troubling to say the l country. it is certainly i troubling to say the very least _ troubling to say the very least. obviously, it is something that we have been facing — something that we have been facing in _ something that we have been facing in dealing with in the united _ facing in dealing with in the united states over the last three — united states over the last three elections to a lesser or greater— three elections to a lesser or greater degree. we had a numberof situations in our electionjust as last election just as last month where _ election just as last month where our federal authorities identified clear russian attempts including bomb threats, at polling places and so forth _ threats, at polling places and so forth. so this is something that— so forth. so this is something that putin _ so forth. so this is something that putin has been doing a crossed _ that putin has been doing a crossed the country. excuse me,

across— crossed the country. excuse me, across the — crossed the country. excuse me, across the world. it is also interesting that they are utilising tiktok as well because we just had a federal court — because we just had a federal court ruling that came down today— court ruling that came down today that the united states has the _ today that the united states has the right to ban tiktok so that— has the right to ban tiktok so that will— has the right to ban tiktok so that will be another major decision— that will be another major decision and challenge for the new administration when it comes— new administration when it comes in— new administration when it comes in injanuary. will comes in in january. will certainly _ comes in in january. will certainly pick _ comes in in january. will certainly pick up - comes in in january. will certainly pick up on - comes in in january. will certainly pick up on that| comes in injanuary. ll certainly pick up on that in a moment, but while we look at this eastern european country that arguably the candidate, the so—called tiktok candidate who became a in that first round which has now been an old, he was a very pro—kremlin and another country we are monitoring now and i willjust bring pictures and butjust a warning of flashing images there with loads of flashes going on. georgia. this is the

ninth night that georgia that the protesters are out on the streets because they did not want the ruling georgia dream government taken into the direction of being more pro—russia rather than pro—eu. we are seeing a believe at this across europe. it we are seeing a believe at this across europe.— across europe. it 'ust shows how much h across europe. it 'ust shows how much of _ across europe. it 'ust shows how much of a _ across europe. itjust shows how much of a destabilising| how much of a destabilising influence russia still is and is going to be particularly in eastern european countries. the situation in romania really does leave people between a rock and a hard place on the one hand, of course it feels like it is justifiable to investigate russian interference, but courts stopping and election, particularly that gets support from the older more established parties, it feeds into this conspiratorial narrative about establishments the chops and

deep state which is a theory that has caught fire across the western world in many parts of the world, on social media, adding fuel to those things is also incredibly dangerous and so it is very difficult to see how you could try and walk that tight rope especially in such high stakes. t tight rope especially in such high stakes.— tight rope especially in such high stakes. i want to quickly throw in something - high stakes. i want to quickly throw in something that - high stakes. i want to quicklyj throw in something that links our previous discussion as well and that— our previous discussion as well and that impacts us politics, president—elect trump's choice for the — president—elect trump's choice for the head of the department of national intelligence has been — of national intelligence has been identified as someone who leans— been identified as someone who leans towards assad and also has been _ leans towards assad and also has been accused of being something of a kremlin whisper herself — something of a kremlin whisper herself. so her senate hearings are going —

herself. so her senate hearings are going to be something that will be — are going to be something that will be very watchable. we certainly — will be very watchable. we certainly will _ will be very watchable. we certainly will be _ will be very watchable. - certainly will be watching. don't go away. hello there. storm darragh is going to bring damage and disruption widely across the uk this weekend. there is this red wind warning issued by the met office. these are really quite rare. it means a danger to life. the winds are going to be gusting 90 miles an hour through this part of wales, and for a while through the bristol channel as well. that warning runs from the early hours of saturday morning into saturday. and not only a danger to life, there'll be travel disruption, power cuts and some large and potentially dangerous waves as well. now, there's the storm, and it has been bringing wet and windy weather eastwards, the winds continuing to strengthen through the night, and as well as rain, we've got a spell of snow over the hills across northern parts of scotland. but let's focus on the winds again, because not only do we have that red warning, but we also have an amber wind warning that covers a largerarea, including

northern ireland and south—west scotland, and lasts for longer on saturday, with the winds gusting 70 or 80 miles an hour. and, on top of that, an amber rain warning. given how wet it's been in this part of wales, with more heavy rain to come, there's likely to be some furtherflooding issues here. and we're all going to have a windy and potentially wet day. those strengthening north to north—westerly winds feeding in showers or longer spells of rain, and as the low, the storm, tracks into the north sea, so the winds will pick up around the north sea coast, perhaps as they begin to ease a little out towards these western areas. temperatures tomorrow very similar to what we saw today. now, for the second half of the weekend, there's the storm. it is going to start to track away into continental europe, but it's still going to be a windy day on sunday, perhaps not quite as windy. the strongest of the winds are going to be through the midlands and eastern england, perhaps eastern scotland for a while, and this is where we're going to find most of the showers streaming in. but towards the west and north

it's going to be less windy, it'll be drier and there'll be more in the way of sunshine, but it is a northerly wind, so temperatures will be seven or eight degrees. over the weekend, then, we'll see that storm tracking across the uk, bringing wet and windy weather, but into the beginning of next week that moves down into the mediterranean. high pressure will build across the uk, the winds eventually dropping in southern areas. we'll all get lighter winds, quieter, drier weather and some sunshine.

hello, i'm kasia madera. you're watching the context on bbc news. this may sound like a movie plot — developers behind chatgpt say, in testing, the ai programme attempted to prevent itself from being shut down when it was led to believe it might be replaced. no kidding. that coming up injust a moment, but now let's turn to the situation in ukraine. as the war in ukraine grinds on, president putin has pledged to deploy his new intermediate—range hypersonic missile to neighbouring belarus. the announcement came during a summit in minsk with long—time ally alexander lukashenko, where the two leaders signed

a mutual defence agreement.