welcome to the world today — an hour of international news from the bbc. here in the uk — mps are debating the government's controversial rwanda bill, which aims to send some asylum seekers to the central african country. prime minister rishi sunak says the first flight carrying asylum seekers to rwanda will leave in 10—12 weeks time "come what may" with an airfield on standby and charter planes booked. rishi sunak had originally promised the first flight would take off this spring, but his timetable now suggests a delay until the summer. and he says peers and mps will have to sit through the night tonight if necessary to pass the government's controversial rwanda legislation. let's take a closer look at the controversial policy and the stakes. so far this year, more than 6,000 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. here is mr sunak setting out a timeline for his plan. the first flight will leave in 10—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 speak to our political correspondent in westminster, peter saull. peter, it's been months of this being blocked, how different is this evening going to be?—

being blocked, how different is this evening going to be? someone told me earlier on tonight _ evening going to be? someone told me earlier on tonight that _ evening going to be? someone told me earlier on tonight that i _ evening going to be? someone told me earlier on tonight that i wouldn't - earlier on tonight that i wouldn't have to bring my sleeping bag tonight, we'll have to wait and see. it could be a long night — at the moment, the ping—pong ball that is this bill is about to land in the house of lords's court, so in the next 10—15 minutes we expect the debate to get under way on the red benches. they'll be considering two new amendments — they can't debate the exact same ones that passed previously under the rules, so there will be slight tweaks to the two issues they've already raised. the first one is the idea that those who have served alongside british armed forces overseas should be exempt from being deported to rwanda. the second is all about this independent monitoring committee in rwanda, a group of experts who can say to the government that rwanda is a safe country or not, effectively, which would delay it for a further few months. further into the future, they could ensure that rwanda is still a safe place to be sending

potentially vulnerable asylum—seekers. the votes than in the house of lords probably will get under wayjust before 8pm and we will wait to see if there is still the resolve to send it back once again to the house of commons. but it seems like the government is in no mood to compromise, we'll wait and see what the government say in the lords — might they be able to win over some of those wavering cross bench on it? we will have to wait and see, but rishi sunak absolutely adamant that tonight should be the night it finally gets over the line, this piece of legislation. he's prepared to go along into the night to achieve that. he was blaming labour earlier on for the delays in this legislation, but they say there's been ample opportunities the government to schedule time for this bill to be voted on in the recent weeks and months. then, when will we actually see flights in the air? 10-12 actually see flights in the air? 10—12 weeks is the new timeline the prime minister has sent out, rolling

back on the early pledge of flights by the end of the spring, some logistical hurdles to overcome and some legal challenges too. but rishi sunak confident that by the time we get into the summer months, there will be flights he says regularly taking off from the uk to the east african country of rwanda.- taking off from the uk to the east african country of rwanda. peter, i wish ou african country of rwanda. peter, i wish you and _ african country of rwanda. peter, i wish you and your _ african country of rwanda. peter, i wish you and your sleeping - african country of rwanda. peter, i wish you and your sleeping bag - african country of rwanda. peter, i wish you and your sleeping bag the best tonight, hopefully you don't have to use it.— a review into the palestinian refugee agency unrwa has found it needs to improve its neutrality, staff vetting, and transparency. the review was ordered after israel alleged that unrwa staff had participated in the october 7th attacks, and that many others were members of hamas. but the report says the israeli government has yet to provide "supporting evidence" that "a significant number of unrwa employees are members of terrorist organisations". it includes an extensive list of recommendations but insists that unrwa is "irreplaceable and indispensable to palestinians' human and economic development".

here's an update on those findings. 0verall, overall, the findings of the review are that unwra is in place of a very significant number of mechanisms and procedures to ensure compliance with the humanitarian principle of neutrality stuff actually, probably have a more developed system than other organisations or agencies — which is a necessity, considering the very difficult environment, complex and difficult situation they operate, and the uniqueness of their mission. . , ., ., ., mission. earlier i spoke to a former director of — mission. earlier i spoke to a former director of unwra _ mission. earlier i spoke to a former director of unwra in _ mission. earlier i spoke to a former director of unwra in gaza - mission. earlier i spoke to a former director of unwra in gaza from - director of unwra in gaza from 2017-21. he's director of unwra in gaza from 2017—21. he's currently serving as senior adviser to the undevelopment regional coordination team in

africa. he explained what he thought some of these findings. i africa. he explained what he thought some of these findings.— some of these findings. i think it's. .. some of these findings. i think it's... itook_ some of these findings. i think it's. .. i took away _ some of these findings. i think it's. .. i took away two - some of these findings. i think it's. .. i took away two main i some of these findings. i think- it's. .. i took away two main things it's... i took away two main things from it. one, as you already mentioned, as long as there is no just solution for palestinian refugees, unwra remains an indispensable agency. secondly, the main finding indispensable agency. secondly, the mainfinding for indispensable agency. secondly, the main finding for me is that the agency does have robust systems in place, and i can confirm that from my own for years in gaza, there are ways of improving it. so in a way, it's a solid management report, that the management needs to take on board and see where it can further improve the already considerable work being done to ensure the neutrality and integrity of the agency. 50 neutrality and integrity of the ace“ . neutrality and integrity of the auen . u, , neutrality and integrity of the auen . , ., agency. so where can we see that improvement _ agency. so where can we see that improvement being _ agency. so where can we see that improvement being necessary? i agency. so where can we see that - improvement being necessary? because according to the report, there needs to be a little bit more investigating into neutrality, staff vetting, transparency — those are

elements that will be difficult to sort out, given the current situation in gaza. mr; sort out, given the current situation in gaza. ~ , , ., situation in gaza. my understanding is that the secretary-general - situation in gaza. my understanding is that the secretary-general has i is that the secretary—general has tasked with the commissioner to come up tasked with the commissioner to come up with a detailed plan of action, so we will have to wait and see what that says. a couple of thoughts — one is on transparency, that's mainly in terms of transparency towards the donors, and that's an easy thing to fix, including neutrality violations. secondly, the report clearly outlines you need to have some capacity to manage, in the case of gaza, 13,000 staff and to monitor whether they act in compliance with the un standards and values. so the recommendation there is, there's a couple, but one of them is capacity. the un needs to have good, qualified and trained people to monitor installations in the behaviour of staff.—

the behaviour of staff. more of course as _ the behaviour of staff. more of course as always _ the behaviour of staff. more of course as always on _ the behaviour of staff. more of course as always on that - the behaviour of staff. more of course as always on that story | the behaviour of staff. more of i course as always on that story on the bbc website. the former news anchor huw edwards has resigned from the bbc. he worked at the bbc for a0 years, the highest profile and highest pays —— highest—paid news presenter who headlined major national events. he's been off air since lastjuly after newspaper reports emerged claiming he paid a man for sexually explicit images. a very good evening from edinburgh... this was the last time huw edwards appeared on air, back in july last year. tonight at 10pm, no breakthrough yet... he had been at the helm of the bbc�*s flagship news at ten for more than two decades. today the presenter resigned and left the bbc, nine months after allegations about his private life made headlines. tonight at 10pm, one of the biggest military operations... the bbc said, "after a0 years of service, huw has explained

that his decision was made on the basis of medical advice from his doctors. the moment of crowning has arrived. huw edwards was more than just a regular presenter. he has been the face of the bbc through some of the nation's landmark moments. for the fourth time in the space of five years... he presented elections... we're live in downing street. ..and held our hands through royal and state occasions. even announcing the death of queen elizabeth. the palace has just issued this statement. but a newspaper headline changed everything. last summer, the sun published a series of articles alleging that an unnamed bbc presenter had paid a young person to send what the paper described as "sordid images". within days, lawyers representing that person said it was totally wrong and there was no truth in it. but speculation about who the unnamed bbc presenter

was ended when huw edwards' wife issued a statement revealing his name. she said he was suffering severe mental health issues. police said there was no evidence anything illegal had taken place — but huw edwards remained suspended, and the bbc said its internal investigation into the presenter�*s behaviour would continue. there are 650 mps... resolving the issue of whether he would return to screen has taken months, during which it's believed huw edwards, the bbc�*s highest paid news presenter, continued to receive his salary — around £aa0,000 a year. welcome to windsor. today, his a0—year career at the bbc is over. from reporting on politics for bbc wales to his prestigious role bringing the news to the nation, this is now the end of an era. katie razzall, bbc news.

still to come on the world today — mps vote on the latest two around the world and across the uk, this is the world today on bbc news.

prosecutors in donald trump's unprecedented criminal trial have told the court in new york he orchestrated a conspiracy and a cover—up, and that common sense will show the jurors he is guilty. in the last few minutes, court proceeding have just wrapped up for the day. mr trump — who left the court a few minutes ago — denies falsifying business records to hide payments of hush money to a porn actress stormy daniels, in order to stop their affair being made public before the 2016 presidential election. on a day of opening statements in a packed courtroom, his defence lawyer said he was cloaked in innocence. in the past few minutes, the former president made these remarks to the waiting media. what they called a payment to a

lawyer, — what they called a payment to a lawyer, a — what they called a payment to a lawyer, a legal— what they called a payment to a lawyer, a legal expense - what they called a payment to a lawyer, a legal expense and - lawyer, a legal expense and the books — lawyer, a legal expense and the books they _ lawyer, a legal expense and the books. they didn't _ lawyer, a legal expense and the books. they didn't call- lawyer, a legal expense and the books. they didn't call it - books. they didn't call it construction, _ books. they didn't call it construction, they- books. they didn't call it construction, they didn'tj books. they didn't call it - construction, they didn't say you are building _ construction, they didn't say you are building a _ construction, they didn't say you are building a building, - construction, they didn't say you are building a building, it's- construction, they didn't say you i are building a building, it's called are building a building, it's called a payment — are building a building, it's called a payment to— are building a building, it's called a payment to a _ are building a building, it's called a payment to a lawyer _ are building a building, it's called a payment to a lawyer because, i are building a building, it's called. a payment to a lawyer because, as you know. — a payment to a lawyer because, as you know. cohen _ a payment to a lawyer because, as you know, cohen was _ a payment to a lawyer because, as you know, cohen was a _ a payment to a lawyer because, as you know, cohen was a lawyer- a payment to a lawyer because, as| you know, cohen was a lawyer who represented — you know, cohen was a lawyer who represented a _ you know, cohen was a lawyer who represented a lot _ you know, cohen was a lawyer who represented a lot of— you know, cohen was a lawyer who represented a lot of people - you know, cohen was a lawyer who represented a lot of people over. you know, cohen was a lawyer whol represented a lot of people over the years. _ represented a lot of people over the years. l'm _ represented a lot of people over the years. l'm not— represented a lot of people over the years. i'm not the _ represented a lot of people over the years, i'm not the only— represented a lot of people over the years, i'm not the only one. - represented a lot of people over the years, i'm not the only one. he - years, i'm not the only one. he wasn't — years, i'm not the only one. he wasn't very— years, i'm not the only one. he wasn't very good _ years, i'm not the only one. he wasn't very good in _ years, i'm not the only one. he wasn't very good in a _ years, i'm not the only one. he wasn't very good in a lot - years, i'm not the only one. he wasn't very good in a lot of - years, i'm not the only one. he i wasn't very good in a lot of ways, in terms — wasn't very good in a lot of ways, in terms of— wasn't very good in a lot of ways, in terms of his— wasn't very good in a lot of ways, in terms of his representation. i wasn't very good in a lot of ways, | in terms of his representation. he represented — in terms of his representation. he represented a _ in terms of his representation. he represented a lot _ in terms of his representation. he represented a lot of— in terms of his representation. he represented a lot of people. - in terms of his representation. he represented a lot of people. but l represented a lot of people. but keep— represented a lot of people. but keep puts — represented a lot of people. but keep puts in _ represented a lot of people. but keep puts in an— represented a lot of people. but keep puts in an invoice, - represented a lot of people. but i keep puts in an invoice, whatever, represented a lot of people. but - keep puts in an invoice, whatever, a bill, and _ keep puts in an invoice, whatever, a bill, and they— keep puts in an invoice, whatever, a bill, and they pay— keep puts in an invoice, whatever, a bill, and they pay and _ keep puts in an invoice, whatever, a bill, and they pay and they - keep puts in an invoice, whatever, a bill, and they pay and they call - keep puts in an invoice, whatever, a bill, and they pay and they call it - bill, and they pay and they call it a legal— bill, and they pay and they call it a legal expense _ bill, and they pay and they call it a legal expense. what— bill, and they pay and they call it a legal expense. what else - bill, and they pay and they call itl a legal expense. what else would bill, and they pay and they call it - a legal expense. what else would you call it? _ a legal expense. what else would you call it? nobody— a legal expense. what else would you call it? nobody else _ a legal expense. what else would you call it? nobody else has _ a legal expense. what else would you call it? nobody else has been - a legal expense. what else would you call it? nobody else has been able . call it? nobody else has been able to say— call it? nobody else has been able to say what— call it? nobody else has been able to say what else _ call it? nobody else has been able to say what else you're _ call it? nobody else has been able to say what else you're supposed i call it? nobody else has been able i to say what else you're supposed to call it. _ to say what else you're supposed to call it. it— to say what else you're supposed to call it. if a _ to say what else you're supposed to call it, if a lawyer— to say what else you're supposed to call it, if a lawyer puts _ to say what else you're supposed to call it, if a lawyer puts in a - to say what else you're supposed to call it, if a lawyer puts in a bill- call it, if a lawyer puts in a bill or an — call it, if a lawyer puts in a bill or an invoice _ call it, if a lawyer puts in a bill or an invoice and _ call it, if a lawyer puts in a bill or an invoice and you - call it, if a lawyer puts in a bill or an invoice and you pay- call it, if a lawyer puts in a bill or an invoice and you pay the. call it, if a lawyer puts in a bill. or an invoice and you pay the bill, in the _ or an invoice and you pay the bill, in the book. — or an invoice and you pay the bill, in the book, there's _ or an invoice and you pay the bill, in the book, there's a _ or an invoice and you pay the bill, in the book, there's a little - or an invoice and you pay the bill, in the book, there's a little line i in the book, there's a little line that says. _ in the book, there's a little line that says. it's— in the book, there's a little line that says, it's a _ in the book, there's a little line that says, it's a very _ in the book, there's a little line that says, it's a very small- in the book, there's a little line| that says, it's a very small little line, _ that says, it's a very small little line. i_ that says, it's a very small little line. idon't— that says, it's a very small little line, i don't know— that says, it's a very small little line, idon't know if— that says, it's a very small little line, i don't know if you - that says, it's a very small little line, i don't know if you could i line, i don't know if you could write — line, i don't know if you could write two _ line, i don't know if you could write two words, _ line, i don't know if you could write two words, you - line, i don't know if you could write two words, you can't . line, i don't know if you couldl write two words, you can't put line, i don't know if you could i write two words, you can't put a life story, — write two words, you can't put a life story, its _ write two words, you can't put a life story, its legal— write two words, you can't put a life story, its legal expenses, i write two words, you can't put a i life story, its legal expenses, this is what _ life story, its legal expenses, this is what i _ life story, its legal expenses, this is what i got — life story, its legal expenses, this is what i got invited _ life story, its legal expenses, this

is what i got invited on. _ life story, its legal expenses, this is what i got invited on. —— - is what i got invited on. —— indicted _ is what i got invited on. —— indicted on. _ let's now take a look at a number of key players we're expecting to hearfrom — starting with justice juan merchan, he is a seasoned new yorkjudge who proceeded over the trump organisation's tax fraud case. the prosecutor is this man, alvin bragg. his former colleague, todd blanche, is donald trump's top trial lawyer. meanwhile, the witnesses stormy daniels — the adult film star — who aledges she receieved hush money payment from michael cohen, a lawyer from the trump 0rgnaisation just before the 2016 election, to keep her silent about her claimed affair with trump. and michael cohen pleaded guilty to making that hush money payment to stormy daniels. and we may see karen mcdougal — a playboy model who also claims to have had an illicit affair with donald trump — also says she was paid hush money by american media incorporated. and this is david pecker, the then—chairman and ceo of american media incorporated. he was part of a catch—and—kill scheme in 2016, where he'd buy the rights to stories that made

trump look bad and then would refuse to publish them. 0ur correspondent nada tawfik has been following today's events and told us what we heard. a court has finished for the day, it stopped early for passover because a juror had a dental emergency. but we've been updating on it all and i'm here with my colleague, kayla epstein, who had a front row seat to all this. let's speak about the prosecution first because this is a complex case, how did they do in distilling it down for the juror? the prosecution was basically trying to provide _ the prosecution was basically trying to provide a road map for these average — to provide a road map for these average new yorkers to be able to understand the case. they had to walk them — understand the case. they had to walk them through these secret payments and shell companies, and alleged _ payments and shell companies, and alleged fake invoices in a way that alleged fake invoices in a way that a regular— alleged fake invoices in a way that a regular person can understand. so they really— a regular person can understand. so they really took it step—by—step and explained _ they really took it step—by—step and explained it clearly. he also sought

to tightrope to pretty much all these — to tightrope to pretty much all these actions and explain his motivations — and one of the most dramatic— motivations — and one of the most dramatic moments, we heard a prosecutor— dramatic moments, we heard a prosecutor reading out the transcript of that infamous access hollywood tape, the recording of trump _ hollywood tape, the recording of trump that was released right before the election where we heard him talk about— the election where we heard him talk about grabbing women without their consent _ about grabbing women without their consent it — about grabbing women without their consent. it was really tense in the courtroom, — consent. it was really tense in the courtroom, to showing how powerful that piece _ courtroom, to showing how powerful that piece of evidence will be later~ — that piece of evidence will be later. fif— that piece of evidence will be later. . ., , , ., later. of course, the burden of roof is later. of course, the burden of proof is on _ later. of course, the burden of proof is on the _ later. of course, the burden of proof is on the prosecution, i later. of course, the burden of| proof is on the prosecution, but trump needs to so i left out. how did they do on that?— trump needs to so i left out. how did they do on that? trump's lawyer basically went _ did they do on that? trump's lawyer basically went about _ did they do on that? trump's lawyer basically went about injecting - did they do on that? trump's lawyer basically went about injecting as - basically went about injecting as much _ basically went about injecting as much doubt as he could into what prosecutors had just told the jury, going _ prosecutors had just told the jury, going point by point questioning the integrity of star witness michael cohen, — integrity of star witness michael cohen, saying that what they were calling _ cohen, saying that what they were calling election variance was just normal— calling election variance was just normal business. and the lawyer reminded — normal business. and the lawyer reminded the jury that his client was innocent and saying the prosecution would not meet the high bar to _ prosecution would not meet the high bar to prove he was guilty. both

sides told jurors to use common sense, but we did just briefly get to the first witness in this david pecker, the owner of american media incorporated gave some insight into the tabloid news world, didn't it, but what is the kind of key point you think that prosecutors need to make with david pecker max want agreement as make with david pecker max want actreemen .,, ., make with david pecker max want actreemenfl ., , , , make with david pecker max want aareemen| .,, ., , , , ., agreement as former publisher of the national enquirer, _ agreement as former publisher of the national enquirer, david _ agreement as former publisher of the national enquirer, david pecker- agreement as former publisher of the national enquirer, david pecker was i national enquirer, david pecker was the one _ national enquirer, david pecker was the one who allegedly went about facilitating some of these hush money— facilitating some of these hush money payments, he also allegedly entered _ money payments, he also allegedly entered into an agreement to publish negative _ entered into an agreement to publish negative stories about trump's components, so he gave a lot of insights— components, so he gave a lot of insights into what exactly was agreed — insights into what exactly was agreed upon. insights into what exactly was agreed upon-— insights into what exactly was aa-reeduon. ~ , ., ., �*, agreed upon. absolutely, and that's 'ust the agreed upon. absolutely, and that's just the first — agreed upon. absolutely, and that's just the first witness, _ agreed upon. absolutely, and that's just the first witness, prosecutors i just the first witness, prosecutors say they have several corroborating witnesses, they'll be going through those business records, so a lot to

come over these next 6—8 weeks of this trial. come over these next 6-8 weeks of this trial. ., ., come over these next 6-8 weeks of this trial. ., ~' , ., come over these next 6-8 weeks of this trial. ., ,, , ., , . this trial. thank you very much indeed for _ this trial. thank you very much indeed for that, _ this trial. thank you very much indeed for that, nada - this trial. thank you very much indeed for that, nada tawfik. i let's speak to thomas gift, associate professor of political science and director of the centre on us politics at university college, london. thank you very much forjoining us on bbc news. let me ask you first of all, what are the political implications of this trial? it’s implications of this trial? it's ureat implications of this trial? it's treat to implications of this trial? it's great to be _ implications of this trial? it�*s great to be with you, thanks so much for having me. the political implications are — i think there is a general perception that out of all the trials trump faces, this new york city one is subsequently the weakest. i think that's not at all to downplay the gravity of the allegations, falsifying business records is a serious offence. but it's to point out in comparison to the other cases, the stakes and evidence seem weaker, and i think that'll have implications in terms of the politics because many americans maybe won't be swayed in terms of what they see. when the indictment came down by alvin bragg indictment came down by alvin bragg in new york city, it wasn'tjust republicans who ran to trump's defence, i think even some democrats were worried about the strength of

the evidence, there was a worry trump could effectively frame the prosecution as politically motivated. and the fact that this case comes first i think does play to trump's advantage, because some voters will extrapolate, they may be unconvinced there's a clear invocation of guilt, so they'll make some assumptions about the other cases, as well. [30 some assumptions about the other cases. as well-— cases, as well. do you think voters erceive cases, as well. do you think voters perceive the _ cases, as well. do you think voters perceive the trail _ cases, as well. do you think voters perceive the trail significantly - cases, as well. do you think voters perceive the trail significantly in i perceive the trail significantly in relation to the trump's political career? �* .., , ., relation to the trump's political career? �* , ., , , relation to the trump's political career? �* , , ,, career? americans are pretty split on trump's _ career? americans are pretty split on trump's legal _ career? americans are pretty split on trump's legal challenges, - on trump's legal challenges, particularly this new york city trial. i think most have already made up their mind one way or the other. the fact that trump based these indictments clearly help him into the primaries, where the public bought the narrative that they were a witchhunt — but they show there is some fraction of americans who would change their vote if trump were convicted. but i do think the number of truly on the fence voters who

would be swayed by a guilty verdict are few and far in between, and if the court does render a not guilty verdict, that would be a enormous boom for trump because he could frame it as an exoneration, like his two impeachment trials before that. interesting, some interesting times ahead, thank you for your time, thomas. ., ., ahead, thank you for your time, thomas. ., ,, , ., the head of israeli military intelligence, aharon haliva, has resigned the first senior israeli official to step down over the hamas attacks on october 7th. mr haliva has accepted responsibility for the military intelligence failures that led up to the hamas attack. 1,200 people were killed, mostly civilians, and hundreds more were taken hostage. what's the reaction been to this resignation? i expect we will get an official inquiry at some point down the line. �* , , ., official inquiry at some point down the line. �*, , ., . ., the line. there's been no official reaction from _ the line. there's been no official reaction from clinical— the line. there's been no official reaction from clinical circles - the line. there's been no officialj reaction from clinical circles yet, it's the start of the jewish holy

week of passover so a lot of the government are on holiday and it's very quiet injerusalem. but there's been reportedly another senior generalfrom the central been reportedly another senior general from the central command whose reportedly tendered his resignation tonight. these are the most seniorfigures so resignation tonight. these are the most senior figures so far to have resigned after the terrible events of october 7th when armed hamas gunmen stormed through the gaza border defence and 1200 people, mostly israeli civilians, were killed. there have been calls for political and military figures to be held accountable, but the positions certainly of the prime minister benjamin netanyahu is that any big inquiry will have to wait until after the war, and i think there will be perhaps an unprecedented inquiry, hopefully most israelis say a public inquiry because they do regard some of the responsibility for the scale of what happened on

october 7th should light on some of the military and intelligence officials. but to be fair to him in the first days of the war, he admitted his department had to be held responsible and his resignation letter, he calls 0ctober held responsible and his resignation letter, he calls october 7th a dark day that has lived with him ever since. but general aharon haliva is the first seniorfigure since. but general aharon haliva is the first senior figure to resign or lose his post over the events of october 7th. lose his post over the events of october 7th-— to china now — where more than 100,000 people have been evacuated from their homes in guangdong, after days of heavy rain caused massive flooding in the country's most—populous province. four people have died so far, while ten have gone missing, according to state media. weather forecasters say the situation's "grim". laura bicker has more from beijing. some almost managed to sleep through their rescue, cradled from the worst of the rising floodwaters. but others cried for help

as their streets were submerged. rescuers had to navigate their boats through a flooded urban landscape. tens of thousands of people were evacuated across the province. delivery drivers found themselves stranded. their chosen route disappearing in the deluge. roads became dangerous, fast—flowing rivers. and bridges couldn't withstand the force of the water. huang filmed as the floods crept closer to his home. "it was scary," he said. "this is how high the water came," he told the bbc in a video call. several provinces stayed on alert as water levels rose over the weekend, drowning dozens of rice paddies. guangdong is used to summer floods, but unusually powerful storms also

brought hail and heavy rain, turning rivers into raging torrents. "the rainfall�*s started getting heavier in the last two years," he said. "in the past, the floods rarely rose beyond this point." weather events in china have become more intense and unpredictable due to global warming. in guangdong, the clean—up can begin. officials will continue to monitor water levels in the hope that for now, the worst has passed. laura baker, bbc news, beijing. before i go, let's cross life to the house of lords because tonight is the big night for the government post micro on the bill. mps and peers are sitting in parliament for the show down on the safety of her on the bill where we are expecting a two and fro of amendments of votes. we will bring you the action life

here on bbc news. stay with us. —— action live here. hello there. a bit of a disappointing day again for this stage in april — rather grey, cloudy, damp, certainly across england and wales, where it did feel really chilly once again. and that chilly feel will continue for the rest of the week, with the best of the sunshine towards western areas — always more cloud towards the north and east. you can see the arctic air pretty much lingering across the uk over the next few days, pretty much until we reach the weekend, in fact, where things may turn a bit milder in the south. but we've had thick cloud across england and wales, courtesy of these weather fronts, which have brought outbreaks of light and patchy rain. and that patchy rain will continue across eastern england, spreading southwards into the midlands, southern southeast england through the night. further north and west we'll have clearer skies here — so quite a chilly night to come,

a touch of frost here and there. further south and east, less cold because we'll have the cloud cover and outbreaks of rain. so for tuesday, we hold onto our high pressure system sitting out to the west of us — that's what's bringing us these northerly winds and that chilly air. we have that weather front still lingering across the south and east of england. so, rather cloudy start, further patches of rain here through the morning. it doesn't really improve much into the afternoon here, so rather cool and grey, chilly along north sea coast with the odd shower, but some good spells of sunshine further west. where we have plenty of sunshine and shelter, like glasgow, 16—17 celsius — single digits though along the north sea coast, and generally for most, i think highs of around 10—12 celsius. factor in the breeze, it'll feel chillier than that. as we head into tuesday night, early wednesday with i think a greater amount of clearer skies, then it'll be a colder night, i think for most, temperatures from freezing to around four celsius. so wednesday starts chilly,

there will be sunshine from the word go — out west, more cloud, northern and eastern areas, where there'll be more of an onshore breeze for north sea coast, again, feeling quite raw there. but i think it generally a dry day for wednesday, just the chance of the odd shower close towards the east, the north sea coast there, where temperatures will be in single digits. further west again, the low teens. now, as we move through towards the end of the week, we could see this area of low pressure skirting past southern and western areas — that could start to throw up a few more showers in our direction. this could change, the details of this could change, but i think it's looking a bit more unsettled as we head into the weekend, maybe turning a bit milder across the south.

this is the world today from bbc news. the headlines... donald trump has just left the courtroom on the first day of his criminal trial. he denies falsifying accounts to hide hush—money payments to porn star stormy daniels. four people have died, 11 others are missing and thousands have left their homes after flooding and landslides hit southern china. and the pull of taylor swift — why this london pub has suddnely found international fame. will the meteropolitan police has apologised to the mother of murdered teenager stephen lawrence —

will for breaking a promise and failing to answer questions raised by a bbc investigation into his killing. stephen was 18 when he was stabbed to death in a racist attack in south london — 31 years ago today. last year the bbc named matthew white as the sixth suspect in the case. following that apology from sir mark rowley — the mayor of london was asked whether he had confidence in the metropolitan police to deal with this case moving forward. i think the firm has been let down over the last three decades by police officers over the course of the last three decades. david lewis casey, in a recent report found that the police service was still institutionally racist. i think there are lessons to be learnt. i had a frank conversation with sir mark rowley today. he'll be asking a separate police force to look into the assessment the police the police have made in relation to the fresh evidence.

the police, the met police have made in relation to the fresh evidence.