to israel, while condemning the latest toll of civilian casualties in gaza — where 8,796 people have now been killed, according to the hamas—controlled health ministry. there was another huge explosion today in the jabalia refugee camp, the second in as many days. the eu's foreign policy chief josep borell said he is appalled by the reports he's getting. is the steely determination to track down the hamas leaders, blinding israel to its responsibilities under international law? we will discuss that tonight with our panel, from boston the democratic strategist mary anne marsh and from london, the former education secretary justine greening. republicans have put forward an emergency funding bill that includes iii billion dollars for israel but does not include any funding at all for ukraine. we'll get reaction tonight from kyiv. and did a sexist, macho culture in downing street hamper the uk government's response to coronavirus? the rafah border crossing finally opened today to let a select number of foreign nationals out of gaza and into egypt. a palestinian official on the gaza side said there were 320 foreign passport holders who left on six buses. the first out were on a list of around 500 people who were cleared to leave by the israeli and egyptian authorities. also taken out were 76 wounded palestinians, who will need specialist surgical intervention. they will be first transferred to a field hospital in the sinai. among those trying to get out — are some 200 british passport holders — and there is news tonight that a few of them have crossed. more will be called forward in the coming days. the bbc has been keeping in touch with abdelkader hammad — he is a british—palestinian doctor. he is in rafah city and is on the uk foreign office list. he told pm's evan davies — after the phone line was cut repeatedly — that he had just received authorisation to head to the border. yes i have the information out that we are going. it came from the un so lam going we are going. it came from the un so i am going now to get everything, 0k? ., ., , ., i am going now to get everything, 0k? ., ., y ., ., 0k? 0k, how are you giving to the border, 0k? 0k, how are you giving to the border. do — 0k? 0k, how are you giving to the border. do you _ 0k? 0k, how are you giving to the border, do you have _ 0k? 0k, how are you giving to the border, do you have a _ 0k? 0k, how are you giving to the border, do you have a car? - 0k? 0k, how are you giving to the border, do you have a car? we - 0k? 0k, how are you giving to the l border, do you have a car? we have 0k? 0k, how are you giving to the i border, do you have a car? we have a car. do border, do you have a car? we have a car- do you — border, do you have a car? we have a car- do you know— border, do you have a car? we have a car. do you know what _ border, do you have a car? we have a car. do you know what happens - border, do you have a car? we have a car. do you know what happens on . border, do you have a car? we have a| car. do you know what happens on the other side? — car. do you know what happens on the other side? no. _ car. do you know what happens on the other side? no, i— car. do you know what happens on the other side? no, i don't know. - car. do you know what happens on the other side? no, i don't know. we - other side? no, i don't know. we will have to _ other side? no, i don't know. we will have to see _ other side? no, i don't know. we will have to see what _ other side? no, i don't know. we will have to see what happens. i other side? no, i don't know. we. will have to see what happens. we will have to see what happens. we will see if we can get in contact with them and see if in fact, he did cross. the gaza strip suffered another communications blackout today. the conservative mp, alicia kearns, chair of the foreign affairs committee, told radio 4, she expects british nationals will be able to leave in the coming days, despite those communication problems. ido i do know thatjames i do know that james cleverly was very clear that he has been working to get british nationals are into his hope for this morning was that british nationals would be coming out so how they are going to prioritise who comes in how they are called forward, that is the priority to now understand but also, as part of that come as a priority to make sure that communication stay on across gaza or else we will not be able to tell our nationals to come forward to get out. as we know that last week they had been switched off and that is a real problem in terms of us getting our people out. speaking in minnesota in the past hour, this is what president biden had to say about today's developments at the rafah crossing: the american citizens able to exit todey— the american citizens able to exit today as — the american citizens able to exit today as part of the first group of probably— today as part of the first group of probably over 1000, we will see more of probably over1000, we will see more of this— probably over 1000, we will see more of this process going on in the coming — of this process going on in the coming days. working nonstop to get americans— coming days. working nonstop to get americans out of gaza as soon and as safely— americans out of gaza as soon and as safely as— americans out of gaza as soon and as safely as possible. this is the resull— safely as possible. this is the result of— safely as possible. this is the result of intense and urgent american diplomacy with our partners in the _ american diplomacy with our partners in the region. the biggest of the trauma hospitals are in the northern part of gaza, where the fiercest fighting continues. there was a second huge blast today in the jabalia refugee camp. similar pictures to those we saw yesterday. another huge crater. the israel defense forces say the strike yesterday took out this man. ibrahim biari, the commander of the centraljabalia batallion, who they say was a key part of the seventh october attacks. according to the idf he had trained and mobilised elements of the nuqba force, the hamas commando unit that crossed into israel almost four weeks ago. the target today is still unknown, but clearly they continue to focus on the tunnels, and the command and control structures underground, that are deep beneath these buildings. but it is coming at a cost. the israeli government said today 15 soldiers have been killed since tuesday. with some of the first funerals taking place earlier. i want to review a statement that was just but out of the office of the high commissioner of the united nations human rights council, he says this, given the high number of civilian casualties and the skill and destruction following israeli air strikes onjabalia refugee camp, there are serious concerns that these are attacks that could amount to war crimes. we understand what the target was yesterday and why he is a prime target, but was it proportionate?— is a prime target, but was it proportionate? is a prime target, but was it --roortionate? ~ , ., ., proportionate? when we you and i were on the _ proportionate? when we you and i were on the show— proportionate? when we you and i were on the show together - proportionate? when we you and i were on the show together in - proportionate? when we you and i were on the show together in the l were on the show together in the very first days after the attack we talked about the fact that president biden lay down a marker about the importance of democracies following the rules of law. secondary antony blinken reinforce that. you have heard that since every single day since yesterday, secretary blinken said before the united states senate that because hamas is using human shields that does not absolve netanyahu from going after them. he has to protect the civilians. today, this afternoon, sec. blinken wrote an op—ed in the washington post that set, we don't have to decide between defending israel and eating palestinian civilians, we must do both. so all of that to say, there are real concerns about the way netanyahu and israel are going about this. yes, war is messi and terrible, but there are much more tactics and strategies that can be used that can protect palestinian civilians, take out hamas and opening the gates and the borders and the passages is one. the targets are everything. right now, yes israeli soldiers are losing their lives, but scores upon scores upon scores of palestinian civilians and innocent civilians are losing their lives as well.— lives as well. we'll talk shortly about what _ lives as well. we'll talk shortly about what that _ lives as well. we'll talk shortly about what that is _ lives as well. we'll talk shortly about what that is due - lives as well. we'll talk shortly about what that is due to - lives as well. we'll talk shortly about what that is due to the l about what that is due to the politics in the house, but when i look at these pictures, i recognise because i was there in 2008 and they look like the creators of these big bunker buster bombs, huge ordinance that reached deep down into the earth. what people want to understand when we do these interviews with the idf is whether there is a threshold. there is always, there has to be a redline in any conflict. in which the state must consider collateral damage. do you think that they crossed a line here? i you think that they crossed a line here? ~ , , here? i think it is extremely difficult now _ here? i think it is extremely difficult now because - here? i think it is extremely difficult now because the i here? i think it is extremely i difficult now because the level here? i think it is extremely - difficult now because the level of palestinian casualties is obviously significant. whilst everybody understands the is really right to self—defense and all of that, what it is trying — self—defense and all of that, what it is trying to do militarily is clearly— it is trying to do militarily is clearly having a huge humanitarian consequence. —— israeli's right. therefore — consequence. —— israeli's right. therefore these things are distinct challenges but they both need rapid resolutions. the first thing is clearly — resolutions. the first thing is clearly some kind of a functioning humanitarian core door. i spent nearly— humanitarian core door. i spent nearly four— humanitarian core door. i spent nearly four years of the development secretary _ nearly four years of the development secretary in — nearly four years of the development secretary in the uk working with you when _ secretary in the uk working with you when responding to some of the biggest — when responding to some of the biggest crises around the world including — biggest crises around the world including the syria crisis. getting humanitarian aid to people who desperately needed is the most important thing to do now. for israel— important thing to do now. for israel in — important thing to do now. for israel in the military operation it is carrying — israel in the military operation it is carrying out, it needs to very carefully — is carrying out, it needs to very carefully understand the proportionality of the steps it is taking _ proportionality of the steps it is taking and set that against the niilitary— taking and set that against the military winds it is seeking to gain and it— military winds it is seeking to gain and it really needs to understand whether— and it really needs to understand whether that proportionality now remained sensible. the palestinian red crescent _ remained sensible. the palestinian red crescent said _ remained sensible. the palestinian red crescent said today, _ remained sensible. the palestinian red crescent said today, 55 - remained sensible. the palestinian red crescent said today, 55 trucks| red crescent said today, 55 trucks entered gaza, we know that is no near enough. they were sending it around a hundred a day before the conflict. the problem is there are no fuel on the convoys so they cannot keep the water pumping, you needed to move the eight trucks and they are now moving aid by donkey and in some places by hand. he cannot feed 2 million people that way. cannot feed 2 million people that wa . �* , , ., , , , cannot feed 2 million people that wa. h , way. it's impossible. absolutely we are not way. it's impossible. absolutely we are rrot even _ way. it's impossible. absolutely we are not even close _ way. it's impossible. absolutely we are not even close to _ way. it's impossible. absolutely we are not even close to having - way. it's impossible. absolutely we are not even close to having a - are not even close to having a substantial humanitarian response yet. substantial humanitarian response yet~ back — substantial humanitarian response yet. back in 2012, bear in mind, the un released — yet. back in 2012, bear in mind, the un released a report saying that by 2020. _ un released a report saying that by 2020, gaza will become unlivable because _ 2020, gaza will become unlivable because of the existing challenges around _ because of the existing challenges around electricity and power and 'ust around electricity and power and just a _ around electricity and power and just a general population density that was— just a general population density that was making day—to—day life intolerable. i was even before we had this— intolerable. i was even before we had this military conflict blow up. now, _ had this military conflict blow up. now. of— had this military conflict blow up. now, of course, it has gotten far more _ now, of course, it has gotten far more profound in what was already one of— more profound in what was already one of the — more profound in what was already one of the most densely populated parts of— one of the most densely populated parts of the world, it is seen its population— parts of the world, it is seen its population shoot into its southern side _ population shoot into its southern side so— population shoot into its southern side so all— population shoot into its southern side. so all those existing challenges that were already acute are made — challenges that were already acute are made even worse and we still don't _ are made even worse and we still don't have — are made even worse and we still don't have any sort of comprehensive plan to— don't have any sort of comprehensive plan to get— don't have any sort of comprehensive plan to get humanitarian aid to people — plan to get humanitarian aid to people who desperately now need it. president _ people who desperately now need it. president biden is key that we do not forget where this started. he is in minnesota this hour and is talked about the moo people slaughtered in southern israel, he is right, we should not forget where this started. but the politics in the house,is started. but the politics in the house, is starting to reflect the disquiet that there is but the message that he is putting out. we have seen members of the squad, the house progressive, accused the white house of empowering israel to retaliate in a way that puts the lives of palestinians at risk. this is what the palestinian america said, i want biden to know, as a palestinian american, and also of some of the muslim face come that i'm not going to forget this. she is in a key michigan district, a key swing state. there are nine house democrats who voted against a resolution last week and so 15. a small number but a growing number. what sort political problem is in progress for the president? it is progress for the president? it is clear that joe — progress forthe president? it 3 clear thatjoe biden and his long 50 year plus relationship with israel was front and centre when this first happened and it is also clear now that the white house is making a shift to make sure that they address concerns of the palestinians as well. where the real dress was coming right now is in the funding. the funding to israel which the united states is committed to is now being bolick stopped by a new republican house speaker who wants to drop the ukraine ate that it was going to be a part of it. that is the politics you see now. yes, it's concerning that 15 democrats in certain key states in states like michigan, voted against it, but the bigger problem is now, when there was an agreement to do funding to israel and ukraine, that now the republican house does not want to do that. every democrat in the senate supports aid to israel and ukraine together. most of the republicans do as well. every democratic except for the 15 do as well and president biden has vowed to veto any funding bill that comes to him on israel unless ukraine is included. mitch mcconnell, the from a bully republican minority leader one up to that saying he wants a bill that has israel, ukraine and taiwan in an effort to box the house republicans. so effort to box the house republicans. 50 nice of the politics of this stuff is gone well beyond the palestinian supporters in the house. it is a much broader political problem not that everyone is trying to result to get aid to israel and not ignore ukraine.— to result to get aid to israel and not ignore ukraine. let's pick up on that theme — not ignore ukraine. let's pick up on that theme and _ not ignore ukraine. let's pick up on that theme and recounts _ not ignore ukraine. let's pick up on that theme and recounts on what i not ignore ukraine. let's pick up on i that theme and recounts on what has been said. the new republican speaker mikejohnson, wants to split off israel aid from ukraine funding rather than pass the sweeping national security package thatjoe biden sent to congress some weeks ago. house republicans have put forward a stand alone bill for israel that does not include any funding at all for ukraine. the president has warned he will veto any stand alone bill and any attempt to make israel a political pawn. the speaker's decision to split the package is divisive even within his own party. here's the senate minority leader mitch mcconnell who supports more funding for ukraine. iran would love to see a russian victory against ukraine that divides the west and deepens its own defence cooperation with moscow. and china, for its part, would love to see america's resolve to stand with european and israeli allies and re—establish actual deterrence against russia and iran crumble. so at the risk of repeating myself, the threats facing america and our allies are serious and they're intertwined. so let's get some reaction to that. with us tonight the ukrainian mp, inna sovsun. it's a good opportunity to check in with you and talk about what is going on in ukraine because i do not want to lose sight of it across of what is happening in the middle east. let's talk first of all about funding. what is the reaction in kyiv to is going on in the house right now? we kyiv to is going on in the house right now?— kyiv to is going on in the house right now? we are probably not followin: right now? we are probably not following a _ right now? we are probably not following a lot _ right now? we are probably not following a lot of _ right now? we are probably not following a lot of ukrainian - right now? we are probably not| following a lot of ukrainian news right now? we are probably not. following a lot of ukrainian news is much as we are following the situation in the american congress because reality is of course those decisions are critical for us here because we cannot really continue in this war and continue to defend the western values unless we get the weapons. this is a critical debate and... ., , ., ., and... how urgent is that? how ruickl and... how urgent is that? how quickly does — and... how urgent is that? how quickly does that _ and... how urgent is that? how quickly does that money - and... how urgent is that? how quickly does that money need l and... how urgent is that? howl quickly does that money need to come? , ._ , quickly does that money need to come? , , ., , quickly does that money need to come? , ., , ., , ., quickly does that money need to come? , , ., , ., ., come? yesterday, they answer to that is yesterday- — come? yesterday, they answer to that is yesterday- the _ come? yesterday, they answer to that is yesterday. the reality _ come? yesterday, they answer to that is yesterday. the reality to _ come? yesterday, they answer to that is yesterday. the reality to that. - is yesterday. the reality to that. every single day of the label mean the russians will continue to mind the russians will continue to mind the territory, continue to build bombs and missiles while we are waiting for political debates to be overin waiting for political debates to be over in the american congress and for the weapons to be transferred to ukraine. 50 every single day of delay actually means it will take much longer buds that weapons is delivered to use it wisely and to get to some results with that. this is what is critical to understand. we have spent nine months trying to debate and argue what sort of weapons we need to. those nine months, the russians have used two mind territory and now go through them even with the weapons being delivered. 50 that is critical to understand. we delivered. so that is critical to understand-— delivered. so that is critical to understand. ~ . , ., understand. we have debated before, the two of us. — understand. we have debated before, the two of us, whether— understand. we have debated before, the two of us, whether the _ understand. we have debated before, the two of us, whether the aid - the two of us, whether the aid provided was enough to win or was it just enough not to lose and at the moment it's not even enough for the status quote is what you are effectively saying.— status quote is what you are effectively saying. given that russians are _ effectively saying. given that russians are not _ effectively saying. given that russians are not standing . effectively saying. given that l russians are not standing still, it's not like they are staying there and just waiting for things to happen. they are building their own capacities, they still have capacity to produce drones, access the some of the western technologies, can still buy kits from the american companies and all of that, they are using it very wisely. while the democratic countries are debating, russians and a very to bully men are building their capacities. one year ago they were buying drones from iran, now it is they have set their own production of the iranian trends in their own territory. so we have to understand that russians are not waiting. they are actually pairing while the west is deliberating. haste while the west is deliberating. we soke while the west is deliberating. we spoke last night on the programme to senator mike lee who was the senator for utah, one of the republicans who opposes more ukraine funding. it is not only the republicans who opposes more ukraine funding. it is not only fatigue with how long times to the corruption. what would you say to the republicans who think their money is not being used for the fight against russia?— fight against russia? obviously several things. _ fight against russia? obviously severalthings. first _ fight against russia? obviously several things. first of - fight against russia? obviously several things. first of all, - fight against russia? obviously. several things. first of all, every single piece of weapon that has been provided here by the americans, or any other country, is being accounted for. there was not a single proof that any single piece of weapon, be it a gun or a system has been mishandled or ended up in the wrong hands so unless it was captured during warfare which is of course something that cannot be prevented. there were no major cases this. it's not a single case of the weapons being misused or sold somewhere with corrupt motives. second, we are doing our best to prevent corruption. not a single country on earth is corruption free but trust me, we and ukraine understand how critically important for us it is to be transparent with our partners. so we are setting up a new anti—corruption infrastructure new anti—corru ption infrastructure and new anti—corruption infrastructure and we have set up probably the toughest asset declaration system for public officials in the world. so now, me as member of parliament have to declare absolutely everything until the end of my life. that covers my child as well. he will always be a public person with specific monitoring of his life. you're doing what you can, ok. i just want to go back to the fatigue issue because as a breaking story tonight with george maloney be entirely prime minister was called up entirely prime minister was called uo by entirely prime minister was called up by russian pranksters on a programme in prussia, she thought she was speaking to the african union but here's what she said in the context of the conversation. she admitted that we are all at the moment, everyone understands that we need a way out of this. she is talking about ukrainian fatigue. she was talking to fellow politicians, does that tell us actually what is going on in europe that actually there are a number of legislators across europe who have had enough of this. if across europe who have had enough of this. , ., across europe who have had enough of this. ,, ., across europe who have had enough of this. i. ., . this. if you ask me, we feel so much fatiaue this. if you ask me, we feel so much fatigue from — this. if you ask me, we feel so much fatigue from this. _ this. if you ask me, we feel so much fatigue from this. but _ this. if you ask me, we feel so much fatigue from this. but we _ this. if you ask me, we feel so much| fatigue from this. but we understand that there is no way out of this except for winning. except for winning, that will mean putin wins and probably, people in the west do not understand to what extent putin and putin's russia hates all of you. he hates what europe stands for, he hates what the whole buster project is based on. he hates the values that are so dear to the european minds will stop so that is what people fail to understand. it's not just the work at sucre. it's the war against what the west to stands for. it's we can get tired of this. important message that people needs to hear. thank you so so much for always is, onto the programme. point that general mark really makes time again just because people are tired of ukraine does not mean bunny will stop to coming. if you give up on the spy in ten or 15 orso you give up on the spy in ten or 15 or so you will need to double the defence spending bill because russia will regroup and it will continue to fight. —— defence spending bill. that's absolutely right and we saw in syria _ that's absolutely right and we saw in syria that even when he got very difficult _ in syria that even when he got very difficult for — in syria that even when he got very difficult for the president, the russians— difficult for the president, the russians supported that regime and the last— russians supported that regime and the last edit out and that is why he is still— the last edit out and that is why he is still in _ the last edit out and that is why he is still in power today. so that they— is still in power today. so that they are — is still in power today. so that they are not going anywhere. therefore, i completely agree your previous _ therefore, i completely agree your previous correspondent. we only have one option _ previous correspondent. we only have one option. that is to see this through— one option. that is to see this through to _ one option. that is to see this through to successful compilation. this is— through to successful compilation. this is not— through to successful compilation. this is not some conflict on the other— this is not some conflict on the other side _ this is not some conflict on the other side of the world in a part of the world — other side of the world in a part of the world that we cannot relate to. this is— the world that we cannot relate to. this is the — the world that we cannot relate to. this is the one that is absolutely, on our— this is the one that is absolutely, on our doorstep and it has a broader residence _ on our doorstep and it has a broader residence as — on our doorstep and it has a broader residence as you have to sit on geopolitics with iran and actually what _ geopolitics with iran and actually what is _ geopolitics with iran and actually what is happening right now in gaza, hamas. _ what is happening right now in gaza, hamas. and — what is happening right now in gaza, hamas, and has a broader issue around — hamas, and has a broader issue around those competing systems. are we going _ around those competing systems. are we going to _ around those competing systems. are we going to have a broker that is based on — we going to have a broker that is based on the rule of law and a rules -hased _ based on the rule of law and a rules —based order driven through the you and/or— —based order driven through the you and/or we _ —based order driven through the you and/or we going to have a world that basically— and/or we going to have a world that basically run by different set of values — basically run by different set of values were effectively aggression wins and _ values were effectively aggression wins and aggression pays. that will not he _ wins and aggression pays. that will not he a _ wins and aggression pays. that will not be a world that any of us will want _ not be a world that any of us will want to— not be a world that any of us will want to live _ not be a world that any of us will want to live in. it will also be a brawl that— want to live in. it will also be a brawl that stifles economic growth and leads— brawl that stifles economic growth and leads to poverty. let�*s brawl that stifles economic growth and leads to poverty.— and leads to poverty. let's talk about economic _ and leads to poverty. let's talk about economic growth. - president biden is on a tour of rural america. his first stop today, a family farm in minnesota, in what the white house is billing as a two—week "barnstorming" tour. they will be heading to some key election battlegrounds, like michigan, pennsylvania, arizona, keen to highlight a year out from the election the investment the white house is putting into rural communities, where one in five americans live. the us economy is doing ok. stronger—than—expected job growth, stronger—then—anticipated economic growth, yet president biden doesnt seem get any credit for that. only 35% of voters in seven swing states trust him on the economy, according to a bloomberg/morning consult poll with 51% saying the economy was better under donald trump. and perhaps the reason for that is that inflation still isn't where the fed would want it. at 3.1i% in september it's still well above the target and americans are feeling it. the fed has been trying to regain control by squeezing consumers with higher interest rates to stop them spending. but today after a policy meeting, it decided for the second time in a row, that its benchmark rate will remain unchanged in a range between 5.25—5.5%. here's the fed chair, jerome powell. inflation has moderated since the middle of last year and readings over the summer were quite favourable. but a few months of good data are only the beginning of what it will take to build confidence that inflation is moving down sustainably toward our goal. the process of getting inflation sustainably down to 2% has a long way to go. things to point out is that inflation figures tend to reflect what has already happened, interest rate rises to quite a while to take effect. maybe six months— one year. the signal here is that the cycle of rate rises may be at an end, which is good news forjoe biden because if he is looking six months ahead, may be the star is a start to a line for him. in may be the star is a start to a line for him. ,., ., may be the star is a start to a line for him. ., , ., for him. in politics there is a treat for him. in politics there is a great saying. _ for him. in politics there is a great saying, it's _ for him. in politics there is a great saying, it's always - for him. in politics there is a i great saying, it's always better for him. in politics there is a - great saying, it's always better to be lucky than good. jill biden has been very good when it comes to the economy, especially coming out of the united states and any other country coming out of covid but he needs to get lucky as well. on the prices and that is really where the inflation rate makes a huge difference. the everyday purchases that many people make in this country, gas is still high, groceries are still high. everything is higher than it used to be. things are coming back to you, there is a housing shortage here where you need to build more houses, more affordable houses, but with mortgage rates higher than that they have beenin rates higher than that they have been in years that's what we will head back to post up if any of that comes down, joe biden has a much easier path to reelection, i believe he wins anyways, but this will be a two or three point race and that is why you see not only in swing states but appealing to rural voters who normally, multiple would think democrats would not appeal to. jill biden, like even after blue—collar workers in tween 20, going after rural voters in 2020 for that very reason. i rural voters in 2020 for that very reason. ., , ., ., ~' rural voters in 2020 for that very reason. . , ., ., ~ ., rural voters in 2020 for that very reason. ., reason. i was looking at some ollina reason. i was looking at some polling today _ reason. i was looking at some polling today in _ reason. i was looking at some polling today in south - reason. i was looking at some| polling today in south carolina which of course was the launch pad for his run in 2020 anti—very much to the police depended on african—american voters down there and get they are feeling it and they are not coming out for him and saying silly back in the same numbers that they were so yes to something but the prices in the way that the cost of living prices that they fill around the country. we have weeks _ they fill around the country. - have weeks to go into the presidential election here and when you look at the entire spectrum of voters that need to come out for a bite into win, i think we have time to get people up and running —— president biden. to return to ukraine, the fatigue is real on all kinds of things. a lot of people have stopped watching the news, you stuff to run with the election is tomorrow. the mormon information you get out there, the more voters will pick it up, so will me get closer to the election, when they start to focus, they will already have some information that helps them solidify that. so i'm still optimistic about the reelection prospects of president biden but it will be ugly and not easy. president biden but it will be ugly and rrot easy-— president biden but it will be ugly and not easy. president biden but it will be ugly and not eas . , ., ., ., and not easy. plenty more to come on the programme- _ and not easy. plenty more to come on the programme. he _ and not easy. plenty more to come on the programme. he will— and not easy. plenty more to come on the programme. he will take a - and not easy. plenty more to come on the programme. he will take a quick l the programme. he will take a quick break. and check on the weather. some fairly horrific weather coming our way. some fairly horrific weather coming ourway. here some fairly horrific weather coming our way. here is chris. hello, there. storm ciaran is set to bring some potentially damaging gusts of wind to parts of the south. here is ciaran continuing to rapidly intensify underneath a powerful atlantic jet stream. it's this part of the storm here that's going to bring a swathe of particularly violent winds. the met office have issued a couple of amber weather warnings for parts of southern england where there will be some localised disruption. gusts of around 70 or 80 odd miles—an—hour. but the violent winds will be heading across north—west france and the channel islands, where there could be some gusts of wind over ioomph, strong enough to rip roofs off a few buildings and bring down a number of trees. but there will be parts of southern england that see winds that are kind of more typical for a normal area of low pressure and won't be too much of a problem. variable winds from this potentially dangerous storm for some, but it's this swathe of violent winds going into north—west france and the channel islands that are of particular concern. it's here where, as i say, there could be some roofs being brought down. i think quite a large number of trees will be toppled by those strong winds, particularly given that the trees are still in leaf. so some severe transport disruption and probably disruption to power supplies on the way for these areas. now, it will also be very windy for a time across parts of south—west england, the isles of scilly, cornwall, devon. later in the day we'll see some very strong winds working into kent. these areas could see some localised impacts, as well, but close to the centre of the low pressure, actually, it won't be unusually windy. gusts of wind, perhaps around a0 or somph — a blowy day, but nothing particularly special. heading into friday, as our area of low pressure works into the north sea, it's weakening by this stage. again, quite blustery winds, but probably no impact from the winds. rather, though, we are concerned about heavy rain. eastern scotland, down into parts of eastern england, the rain for these areas could be heavy enough to bring some localised flooding back to some communities, especially given how wet the weather has been throughout october. now, beyond that into the weekend, it does stay unsettled. we've got some pretty wet weather to come across southern parts of england and wales on saturday. showers or longer spells of rain into the north and west. storm ciaran bringing some violent gusts of wind, the strongest of which bringing some severe damage to parts of the channel islands and also north—west france, but some damaging winds across parts of southern england too. we hello, i'm christian fraser. you're watching the context on bbc news. people told to brace for damaging wind and heavy rain as storm ciaran sweeps in towards the british isles. the met office has issued yellow and amber warnings for much of southern england and wales, north—east england and eastern scotland. welcome back. yesterday at the covid inquiry we got the fireworks many had expected from former senior adviser dominic cummings, but the testimony today, of the quietly—spoken helen macnamara was pehaps more explosive. she was deputy cabinet secretary during the pandemic. she told the inquiry that downing street had displayed an "unbelievably bullish" and dismissive approach to coronavirus at the start of the pandemic. i would find it hard to pick one day when the regulations were followed properly inside that building. and i know that because, as i've said in my statement, there was one meeting where we absolutely adhered to the guidance to the letter and that was the cabinet meeting and everybody moaned about it. moaned and tried to change it repeatedly. yesterday the hearing was shown misogynistic messages that dominic cummings had written about helen macnamara on whatsapp.