millions at risk of flooding after torrential rain storms in china. hello, i'm lucy hockings, welcome to bbc news now, three hours of fast—moving news, interviews and reaction. less than seven months before voters in the united states go thanks to the polls, the unprecedented new york trial of one of the presidential candidates — donald trump — moves to opening statement in a few hours. the former president faces 3a counts of business fraud in a scheme to pay off porn—star stormy daniels to make sure an account of his alleged extramarital sexual encounter with her did not get published on the eve of the 2016 presidential election. the identities of the five women and seven men on thejury are being kept secret for their own protection. security is tight,

coming just three days after a man set himself on fire outside the courthouse in an unrelated incident. the man later died. you can imagine the amount of cameras operational in new york around the courthouse and around here, trump tower. they are expecting donald trump to leave his home shortly, going to the manhattan courthouse where the trial will get under way. we expect opening arguments to start in a couple of hours. he has pleaded not guilty to 34 hours. he has pleaded not guilty to sa counts of falsifying 3a counts of falsifying business records. he also denies having an affair with stormy daniels. let's speak to richard painter, who was the chief white house ethics lawyer. he is now a law professor at the university of minnesota. opening statements in a few hours.

what can we expect today?- opening statements in a few hours. what can we expect today? today will be the opening _ what can we expect today? today will be the opening arguments _ what can we expect today? today will be the opening arguments in - what can we expect today? today will be the opening arguments in the - be the opening arguments in the case _ be the opening arguments in the case first— be the opening arguments in the case. first presented by the prosecution and then the lawyers representing donald trump the defendant. this is essentially a case _ defendant. this is essentially a case of— defendant. this is essentially a case of a — defendant. this is essentially a case of a falsification of business records — case of a falsification of business records. falsification of business records — records. falsification of business records for— records. falsification of business records for a very momentous purpose. _ records for a very momentous purpose, which was to conceal a substantial payment of well over $100,000 in connection with a 2016 campaign _ $100,000 in connection with a 2016 campaign. in the us, it is illegal to have — campaign. in the us, it is illegal to have sex _ campaign. in the us, it is illegal to have sex with a pornography star and legal _ to have sex with a pornography star and legal to pay them not to talk about— and legal to pay them not to talk about it — and legal to pay them not to talk about it but if you do so in connection with a campaign, federal campaign, _ connection with a campaign, federal campaign, that must be reported on the federal— campaign, that must be reported on the federal election commission reports — the federal election commission reports on what donald trump did, allegedly, — reports on what donald trump did, allegedly, according to the prosecution, was falsifying records the trump —

prosecution, was falsifying records the trump organisation to conceal the trump organisation to conceal the donation. that is why he is going — the donation. that is why he is going to — the donation. that is why he is going to trial today in new york. these _ going to trial today in new york. these are — going to trial today in new york. these are allegations and have to be proven _ these are allegations and have to be proven by— these are allegations and have to be proven by the prosecution. beyond reasonable doubt. if they are, he will he _ reasonable doubt. if they are, he will be held guilty of a felony. we exect a will be held guilty of a felony. - expect a shorter day in court due to passover. the session could end as early as 2pm. does it mean we will have time today to hear from witnesses?— have time today to hear from witnesses? ~ ., , , ., witnesses? we made. it depends on how quickly — witnesses? we made. it depends on how quickly the _ witnesses? we made. it depends on how quickly the opening _ witnesses? we made. it depends on how quickly the opening argumentsl witnesses? we made. it depends on l how quickly the opening arguments go and whether the witnesses are available. the prosecution will begin— available. the prosecution will begin to — available. the prosecution will begin to put on its case probably today~ _ begin to put on its case probably today if— begin to put on its case probably today. if not, we have later in the week _ today. if not, we have later in the week this — today. if not, we have later in the week. this case will proceed as expeditiously as possible. the jury is in place. — expeditiously as possible. the jury is in place, members of the jury have _ is in place, members of the jury have day— is in place, members of the jury have dayjobs they have to get back to, and _

have dayjobs they have to get back to, and the — have dayjobs they have to get back to, and the court will do everything it can _ to, and the court will do everything it can to— to, and the court will do everything it can to make sure this is a speedy trial~ _ it can to make sure this is a speedy trial. ., ., ., , ., “ trial. how long do you think the trial. how long do you think the trial could _ trial. how long do you think the trial could last? _ trial. how long do you think the trial could last? this _ trial. how long do you think the trial could last? this could - trial. how long do you think the trial could last? this could last| trial could last? this could last two weeks. — trial could last? this could last two weeks. we _ trial could last? this could last two weeks, we do _ trial could last? this could last two weeks, we do not - trial could last? this could last two weeks, we do not know, i trial could last? this could last two weeks, we do not know, it depends— two weeks, we do not know, it depends on the nature of the evidence _ depends on the nature of the evidence. donald trump the defendant is entitled _ evidence. donald trump the defendant is entitled to present any evidence he believes may be mitigating or prove _ he believes may be mitigating or prove his— he believes may be mitigating or prove his innocence, prove that someone — prove his innocence, prove that someone else falsified the business records, _ someone else falsified the business records, whatever defence he chooses to put _ records, whatever defence he chooses to put up _ records, whatever defence he chooses to put up. he has apparently chosen not to, _ to put up. he has apparently chosen not to, but— to put up. he has apparently chosen not to, but we will see if he will put up — not to, but we will see if he will put up a — not to, but we will see if he will put up a defence that persuades at least some of the jurors he is not guiltv _ least some of the “urors he is not uuil . ~ . , least some of the “urors he is not iuil .~ ., , least some of the “urors he is not uuil .~ . ., least some of the “urors he is not uuil .~ . , ., ., guilty. what is your view of the gag order in place? _ guilty. what is your view of the gag order in place? prosecutors- guilty. what is your view of the gag order in place? prosecutors want i guilty. what is your view of the gag | order in place? prosecutors want to hold donald trump in contempt for allegedly violating it. than? hold donald trump in contempt for allegedly violating it.— allegedly violating it. any other defendant would _ allegedly violating it. any other defendant would know - allegedly violating it. any other defendant would know you - allegedly violating it. any other - defendant would know you certainly do not _ defendant would know you certainly do not go _ defendant would know you certainly do not go and make public statements

about the _ do not go and make public statements about the judge's daughter unless you want— about the judge's daughter unless you want to be put injail. that is well— you want to be put injail. that is well beyond the bounds of acceptability. another thing is a defendant cannot make comments about witnesses, _ defendant cannot make comments about witnesses, seeking to intimidate witnesses, seeking to intimidate witnesses in the public arena. the -a- witnesses in the public arena. the gag order— witnesses in the public arena. the gag order is— witnesses in the public arena. the gag order is essential that it is complied — gag order is essential that it is complied with and a defendant who does not _ complied with and a defendant who does not comply with such an order is subject— does not comply with such an order is subject to — does not comply with such an order is subject to imprisonment or other sanction~ _ is subject to imprisonment or other sanction. . ., ., ., , ., sanction. richard, great to get your thou~hts. what will we see in the courtroom? we bring you more of those who might come across in the next couple of days. come across in the next couple of da s. , ., , , , , come across in the next couple of das. days. obviously, trump is at the heart of the _ days. obviously, trump is at the heart of the case _ days. obviously, trump is at the heart of the case but _ days. obviously, trump is at the heart of the case but there - days. obviously, trump is at the heart of the case but there is - days. obviously, trump is at the l heart of the case but there is also a number of key players and it has been described as a hollywood blockbuster cast. first we have the justice, a seasoned new yorkjudge,

who proceeded over the trump is my organisation tax case. we also have the prosecutor who inherited the investigation when he took office in 2021. his former colleague is trump's top trial lawyer and he used to be a registered democrat before becoming a republican and taking on the biggest client of his life. in trump's trial, it has been difficult to find a jury and the court had to whittle it down from hundreds to just 12 jurors. whittle it down from hundreds to just 12jurors. their identities will remain anonymous due to security concerns but we know there are five women and seven men. and now for the witnesses. we have stormy daniels, an adult film star, who alleges she received a payment from michael cohen, a lawyerfor the trump organizationjust from michael cohen, a lawyerfor the trump organization just before the

2016 election to keep silent about her claimed affair with trump. and here we have michael cohen, the fixer, who pleaded guilty to making that hush money payment to stormy daniels in 2018 but he says trump directed him to send that money. another potential witness is a playboy model karen mcdougall who claims to have had a previous illicit affair with mr trump and said she was paid hush money by american media incorporated for her story forcing her to keep quiet, which brings me to the then chairman and ceo of that tabloid who was part of a catch and kill scheme to support mr trump's 2016 presidential run. he would essentially buy the rights to stories that would make trump look bad and then refused to publish them, to suppress the damaging information. he is expected to be the first witness called after the opening arguments. ads,

to be the first witness called after the opening arguments.— to be the first witness called after the opening arguments. a slate of intriuuuin the opening arguments. a slate of intriguing potential— the opening arguments. a slate of intriguing potential witnesses - the opening arguments. a slate of intriguing potential witnesses that j intriguing potential witnesses that could be called over the coming days. we can show you live pictures of trump tower as we wait for donald trump to leave his home. media from around the world have their cameras everywhere in new york following donald trump. outside the courthouse and trump tower. we have corresponded tos on the scene and willjoin them through the day to bring you the latest. ukraine's president zelensky says the 61 billion dollar military aid package — approved by american lawmakers —(tx will give his country a chance of victory in its war against russia. in an interview on american television he said more weapons would help kyiv retake the initiative — especially long—range missiles. ukrainian forces have been coming under increasing pressure recently in the east of the country — and there have been concerns in the west about russian advances —

including the capture of the strategic town of avdiivka in february. james waterhouse has the latest from kyiv. a production line waiting for a presidential sign—off. freshly made artillery shells in this factory in pennsylvania, usa — now almost certain to make their way to a ukrainian battlefield, where there are holes instead of rounds. after america threw its weight back behind ukraine, the message here is "you make it, we'll use it." near kupiansk in the north—east, it is the russians who are edging closer. translation: it's better now- if we let them attack and we defend but when we get the shells, drones, and whatever else from this package, we can turn things around.

it's hoped this us aid will save ukrainian lives and cities like kyiv but it has been a painful wait. translation: our guys need help because they have - nothing to protect us. we always need help because without it, our enemy can advance further and can be in the centre of our city. of course it is not too late. in any case, aid is needed, and whether it would be later or earlier, in any case it will help. there has been a constant flow of diplomats through kyiv as they have tried to pave the way for this bill to be passed. "better late than never" is the reaction we are hearing this weekend. never would have meant almost certain defeat for ukraine. however, late still means it will be difficult for kyiv to change momentum on the battlefield straightaway. translation: this aid - will strengthen ukraine and send the kremlin a powerful signal that it will not be the second afghanistan.

the united states will stay with ukraine and it will protect democracy in the world. this is a show of leadership and strength. while the west has wavered, russia has stayed committed to its invasion. ukraine needs to make america's return count to keep moscow and western doubt at bay. james waterhouse, bbc news, kyiv. we will have more on how that will help strategically on the battlefield later in the programme. to the middle east now. major general aharon halevi accepted responsibility for security failings that allowed the tax on october the 7th to take place. he has resigned. in other developments, benjamin

netanyahu is vowing to reject any sanctions on the military after reports the us plans to cut to one unit. there is ongoing violence in the occupied west bank and the us said it will respond to any human rights violations against palestinians. and this is gaza today. 15 children among the dead after an israeli air strike on the southern city of rafah. more than a million displaced palestinians are sheltering. more than 3a,000 people have died since the start of the war, it has been said. and emergency workers say they have covered and uncovered more than 200 bodies in khan younis. the world health organisation previously said bodies were being buried within hospitals under israeli siege. palestinians have accused israeli forces of killing some of the victims. israel

said hamas uses medicalfacilities in gaza as command centres. with war, our middle east correspondent. major general aharon haliva is the most senior israeli official that we've had so far to step down from his role in connection with the failings that led to the october the 7th attacks by hamas that really shocked israel and shocked the rest of the world. and he did come out in the week after those attacks and say that he publicly accepted responsibility, his share of the blame. but it's taken until now with six months of a war raging on in gaza for him to hand his resignation letter in. and he has said "the intelligence division under my command did not live up to the task we were entrusted with. i carry that black day with me ever since." really, the major general�*s announcement sets the stage for possibly more resignations from top security officials in the country, will put pressure on some in the political echelons,

as well, where responsibility hasn't really been taken for other failings that may have contributed to the 7th of october attacks. all of this comes as fighting continues in gaza. the focus over the past couple of days has been very much on what's been happening in khan younis in the south after israeli ground forces pulled out of that city, which is seen as a hamas stronghold, earlier this month. local people had been going back, trying to find out what happened to about 2,000 palestinians who were missing and presumed dead, buried under the rubble. and in the grounds of the nasser hospital, they've just found another mass grave in the past day with dozens of bodies in it. and there have been processes going on to try to identify those. this brings close now to 200 the total number of bodies that have been found in the grounds of that hospital.

around the world and across the uk, this is bbc news.

here in the uk, rishi sunak says his government's —— here in the uk, rishi sunak says his government's rwanda bill will become law — despite fierce opposition from the house of lords. speaking in the past couple of hours, the prime minister said mps and the lords will have to vote tonight, until the bill — to send some asylum seekers to rwanda — is finally passed. mr sunak said the first flight to rwanda would leave in 10 to 12 weeks and the legislation will again be put before the commons in the coming hours. there has been a prolonged stand—off between the two houses of parliament for the past four months, amid concerns about how safe rwanda actually is for asylum seekers. mr sunak set out a timeline for his plan. the first flight will leave in ten to 12 weeks. now, of course that is later than we wanted, but we have always been clear that processing will take time and if labour peers had not spent weeks holding up the bill in the house of lords

to try to block these flights altogether, we would have begun this process weeks ago. let's let's take a closer look at the controversial policy and the stakes. so far this year, more than six thousand migrants have made the journey across the channel from continental europe to england. under the policy, anyone entering the uk illegally" could be sent to rwanda, with no limit on numbers. the government hopes the policy will stop people trying to make the dangerous crossing on small boats. the plan has been strongly criticised by human rights groups and the uk supreme court ruled the policy was unlawful. (read on) let's speak to our political correspondent, harry farley, who's live in westminster. what are the timings today and what will happen? what are the timings today and what will ha en? . what are the timings today and what will happen?— will happen? later this afternoon, we do not know— will happen? later this afternoon, we do not know when, _ will happen? later this afternoon, we do not know when, the - will happen? later this afternoon, we do not know when, the housel will happen? later this afternoon, i we do not know when, the house of commons mps will vote and debate the changes that the house of lords inserted last week. we expect mps to

reject those changes. the bill will go back to the house of lords probably early this evening at some point. and then the question will be well the house of lords reinsert the changes they want to see, certainly from speaking to labour sources in the lords they are keen not to back down and they want the government to offer concessions, particularly on whether those who work with uk forces overseas, particularly they are thinking of people in afghanistan, who helped british troops there, whether they will be exempt from being deported. the government said there are enough safeguards in the bill already. it seems like a stand—off but labour saying they will not back down and the government saying they will not offer concessions so it will then most likely balance between the two houses until eventually the house of lords we expect will give way, and it may happen late this evening. it depends on how much those in the house of lords are willing to push

it. the other issue expect to be debated in the lords, it wants to insert into the bill the role of an independent monitoring committee to decide whether rwanda is safe. the supreme court ruled the policy of selling asylum seekers to rwanda was unlawful last year. they said the main reason was because they said it was not safe and there was a risk those sent to rwanda would be sent back to the country they had fled from. and this bill aims to address that. the president of ecuador has won won a referendum on introducing tougher security, to counter a surge in violence by drugs gangs. the new measures include allowing the military to patrol the streets, and the imposition of harsher jail sentences. the country now has the highest murder rate in latin america, as the influence of powerful drug cartels has grown.

ione wells sent this report from the capital, quito. ecuador�*s capital, quito, is bursting with life. but among the songs and smiles, clues that this is now the continent's most violent country. the bloodshed at this youth centre is just a sport. but on the streets, many young people are losing their lives at the hands of violent drug cartels. carmen's brother was killed by a gang member who wanted money when he wasjust 19. translation: the gang i threatened us at our house, throwing stones at us because the murder occurred next to my son. they said if the gang member goes to the prison, my son would be the next person to die. i think militarising the country is not the solution. instead of investing that, they should invest in the youth. a cocaine dealer known as el gato illustrates her point. translation: | started selling - and smoking when i was 14 years old. we went through financial problems.

my mother was always working and never there for me. i was alone in the house, crying and screaming for my mum. then i met my friends — bad friends — who introduced me to drugs. i believe that the country's economic crisis is what led to so much crime. surprisingly, he backed more security measures, saying he wanted a way out of this life and addiction. this vote was called in response to scenes like these — armed men holding a tv station hostage, prison riots, mass killings and kidnappings. this led to a state of emergency, where the military were brought in to fight gangs. the government hopes the results gives it s a mandate for this to continue. translation: we need security. get rid of narco trafficking and criminality to bring peace to this country. i'm voting no because militarising ecuador won't be beneficial for ecuadorians. for example, during the protests, they brought out the military and that wasn't against narco traffickers, but against the people. this vote to increase police

and military powers, has had a mixed reaction here. those who have been victims of police brutality tell me they worry it could lead to more human rights abuses. but some of those who voted yes told me they think it could give them back another right — the right to go about their daily lives without a constant fear of violence. most people agree on one thing — they all want this nation to go back to being the relatively peaceful haven it once was, even if many think that might take a miracle. ione wells, bbc news in quito. in china they say the situation

looks grim. in china they say the situation looks grim-— in china they say the situation looks rim. , ,. , ., looks grim. they describe the water levels is grim- _ looks grim. they describe the water levels is grim. they _ looks grim. they describe the water levels is grim. they have _ looks grim. they describe the water levels is grim. they have monitored them for days. there are days and days of heavy rain, coupled with what had been localised storms. the storms have been so fierce, even heavy hail, big enough to go through windscreens, has fallen from the sky. even reports of some tornadoes. they have monitored water levels and there were fears of a once in a half—century flooding event as water levels began to rise. quietly flowing rivers turned into torrential rivers which raised the water levels, risking tens of thousands of homes. they have evacuated around 60000 and taken them to safety. but it does seem that the worst has passed for now. water levels are beginning to recede and officials are a little less worried for now, especially as the rain is easing. but now the clean—up

begins. 38 homes have been washed away and more have been damaged. there are worries of landslides and there have been a number already that have blocked roads and highways that have blocked roads and highways that makes it difficult to get rescue teams to where they may be needed. they are still searching for the 11 people who are missing. what happens now is water levels will be monitored throughout the week, but this is an area that is used to flooding, prone to flooding, so people there know how to deal with it. the reason the government takes it. the reason the government takes it so seriously is that this is the most populated province with 127 million living here. it is also home to many of china's major factories but they are used to this type of flooding and the after—effects and clean—up. flooding and the after-effects and clean-u. a . ~ flooding and the after-effects and clean-u. 1, . ~ ., flooding and the after-effects and clean-u-.1_~ ., ., ~' flooding and the after-effects and clean-u. 1, . ,, ., ., ,, .,, clean-up. back to new york as we wait for donald _

clean-up. back to new york as we wait for donald trump _ clean-up. back to new york as we wait for donald trump to - clean-up. back to new york as we wait for donald trump to leave - clean-up. back to new york as we - wait for donald trump to leave trump tower to make his way to the manhattan courthouse where the next phase of the criminal trial he is involved in will be under way in a few hours and opening arguments are due then. stay with us. hello again. yesterday was northern ireland's warmest day this year so far. today, temperatures will be a little bit lower here. but by the time we get to wednesday, we'll all be in some chillier conditions with temperatures below the seasonal average. it will be the risk of night frosts, and then we'll see some rain coming our way this weekend, particularly saturday night into sunday as low pressure comes back to our shores. but today we've got this weather front sinking south. you can see there's a lot of cloud around and that weather front is producing some patchy light rain and some drizzle extending from south—west england, eastern parts of wales, the midlands, northeast england, you could also see the odd shower across parts of south east scotland, but brightening up across much of scotland and northern ireland

through the afternoon. and this is where we'll have the highest temperatures, 16 degrees in glasgow, we're looking at 10 or 11 in london and norwich. the average in the far southeast is m or 15. now through this evening and overnight, this is the weather front, still producing some patchy light rain and drizzle. behind that, though, the skies do clear, it's going to be a cold night once again, colder in the north than last night, a little bit milder under all this cloud in the southeast than last night. so, a real change in fortunes. as we head through tomorrow, we still have this weather front draped across southern areas, producing cloud and patchy light rain, the clearance in the sky, especially out towards the west. so, we hang on to quite a lot of cloud in parts of the southeast through the day, but brightening up southwest england, wales, northern england, scotland and northern ireland. but we'll have a brisk wind coming down the north sea coastline and that will accentuate the cold feel. the temperatures are quite low anyway.

but quite a blustery day really wherever you are. then for wednesday again there'll be a few showers coming down this north sea coastline, getting into norfolk, for example. some of these could be wintry in parts of the highlands and the pennines, a bit more cloud around during the course of wednesday. but there will be some brighter breaks nonetheless. and these are our temperatures, 7 to about 13 degrees north to south. as we move on through thursday and friday, there'll be some showers around. temperatures rising a little bit through the weekend. but then that low pressure comes in saturday night and sunday bringing some rain.

this is bbc news, the headlines... the criminal trial of former president donald trump kicks off shortly, as the court prepares to hear opening statements. more dangerous then heroin, the bbc investigates the synthetic drugs, advertised online and smuggled into the uk. ecuadoreans vote in favour of allowing the military to patrol their streets, to counter a surge in violence by drugs gangs. and, we'll tell you why taylor swift's latest album means there's no blank space left at one pub in south london. let's go to new york where the unprecedented new york

trial of one of the presidential candidates — donald trump — moves to opening statements. these are the scenes outside the trump tower. the former president faces 3a counts of business fraud in a scheme to pay off porn star stormy daniels — to make sure an account of his alleged extramarital sexual encounter with her did not get published on the eve of the 2016 presidential election. let's go to new york and cbs news correspondent, wendy gillette. a busy day for the media camped outside, what are we expecting to happen today?— outside, what are we expecting to happen today? yes, we are going to have opening _ happen today? yes, we are going to have opening statements _ happen today? yes, we are going to have opening statements at - happen today? yes, we are going to. have opening statements at 9:30am, about two hours from now, we don't know how long the statements were last but they are not typically long as the defence and prosecution ugly out their basic elements of the cases. and try to sway the jurors in

the early stages