interference and political warfare. the former president and two of his sons are accused of fraudulently inflating the value of assets owned by the trump 0rganisation by billions of dollars. this is what he said going in. this comes at a time when the former president is by far the favourite to become the republican nominee for the presidential election. this is what he said going in. and it's a very sad situation - for our country, we shouldn't have — this is for third—world countries. and it's very unfair, it's very unfair. - but in the meantime, - the people of the country understand it, they see it, and they don't like it, - they don't like it, _ because it's political warfare, as you would call it, _ or political lawfare, another name — i got a lot of names for it, but usually it takes placel in third—world countries and banana republics. i nobody's ever seen that to this . extent, we've never seen it here. but we will go along - and we will hopefully do very well in every regard, _ we will win the election and make america great again, - that's what we're going to do. we are going to make america great again. i live now to nada tawfik, our north america correspondent in new york. so the usual trump blustar going in, but it's been pretty testy the last couple hours, hasn't it? it but it's been pretty testy the last couple hours, hasn't it?- couple hours, hasn't it? it really has, couple hours, hasn't it? it really has. matthew. _ couple hours, hasn't it? it really has, matthew, and _ couple hours, hasn't it? it really has, matthew, and donald - couple hours, hasn't it? it really. has, matthew, and donald trump couple hours, hasn't it? it really- has, matthew, and donald trump is testing the patience of this judge who has already remarked several times now for him to just answer the questions posed to him by prosecutors directly, to stop giving a monologue and a speech each time. he told donald trump, "this is not a political rally," asking his lawyers to get him under control. he has told donald trump when he's answered, "relevant, irrelevant, answered, "releva nt, irrelevant, just answered, "relevant, irrelevant, just answer the question." so we can clearly hear the frustration of the judge, but he's letting trump go on and give those answers, at one point as he can prosecutors if they are ok with all trump just rambling on. as he can prosecutors if they are ok with all trumpjust rambling on. —— at one point asking prosecutors. but donald trump has given a few answers that are quite telling, he's gotten democrat missed —— admitted... at times such as the seven springs property in westchester, he did think it was valued at too high, or like the trump tower penthouse that he did also think they placed the value to high. but today, he's referring to his external accountants — he, like his sons, continually tries to repeat this defence of theirs that they trusted their accountants to verify and attest to the accuracy of their statements, and he never directed them one way or the other to lower or raise those valuations. so some interesting comments there from donald trump, but he is certainly treating this as a political opportunity — on the stand, he criticised the attorney general, saying she was a trump heater, and this trial was crazy. —— trump hater. this trial was crazy. -- trump hater. . ~' , ., live now to gregory germain, professor of law, syracuse university college of law. thank you so much for being here with us. in terms of the last couple hours, is it roughly what you expected? it hours, is it roughly what you “meted?— hours, is it roughly what you expected? hours, is it roughly what you exected? �*, ., expected? it sounds like he's doing a tem - le expected? it sounds like he's doing a temple dongle — expected? it sounds like he's doing a temple dongle -- _ expected? it sounds like he's doing a temple dongle -- typical- expected? it sounds like he's doing a temple dongle -- typical donaldl a temple dongle —— typical donald trump appearance, with the rambling and political speeches in court, and thejudge and political speeches in court, and the judge doesn't like that. but he's a hard guy to control, i think, for anyone, he's a hard guy to control, i think, foranyone, including he's a hard guy to control, i think, for anyone, including ajudge or his own attorneys. in for anyone, including a judge or his own attorneys— own attorneys. in terms of the prosecution. — own attorneys. in terms of the prosecution, what _ own attorneys. in terms of the prosecution, what are - own attorneys. in terms of the prosecution, what are they - prosecution, what are they fundamentally trying to show here? that's a really good question. i mean, all these celebrity witnesses really have very little to say about the remaining issues in this case, which are whether or not he was justly enriched by the use of these false financial statements. and the other witnesses who are getting very little press coverage are the ones who are really saying things that are relevant to the issues in the case. i think it's more political theatre than anything else, and it seems to be working for trump. pt barnum's statement that there is no such thing as bad publicity seems to be coming true in this case. in terms of that defence, that basically this was all the accountants and we knew very little, but they signed the documents, didn't they, the two sons? the sons and donald — didn't they, the two sons? the sons and donald trump _ didn't they, the two sons? the sons and donald trump personally - didn't they, the two sons? the sons| and donald trump personally signed the documents, so it's not much of a defence, especially when there's been so much evidence from former lawyers and accountants that he was directing them to raise these values. so you know, there's a credibility problem, i think, with what he's testifying to. but again, that's really not the issue at this stage in the proceedings, the issue is, by how much was he enriched as a result of using these false statements? and none of these witnesses have anything to add on that score, so they are all trying to relitigate what the judge has already decided, which is that the statements were false.— already decided, which is that the statements were false. exactly on that point. — statements were false. exactly on that point. the — statements were false. exactly on that point, the judge _ statements were false. exactly on that point, the judge has - statements were false. exactly on that point, the judge has already. that point, thejudge has already decided and ruled on fraud, so what are they trying to establish? what are they trying to establish? what are they trying to establish? what are the things that move here? i think what these celebrity witnesses are trying to establish is that they want personally involved, and they are trying to put the blame on somebody else. and also, they're trying to make political points, rather than legal points that are relevant to the case. and rather than legal points that are relevant to the case. and in terms of what is at _ relevant to the case. and in terms of what is at stake, _ relevant to the case. and in terms of what is at stake, there - relevant to the case. and in terms of what is at stake, there is - relevant to the case. and in terms of what is at stake, there is a - relevant to the case. and in terms| of what is at stake, there is a huge amount at stake, it is a big fine but probably more pertinent for donald trump is that potentially here, he could be stopped and prevented from actually doing business in that state of new york. well, thejudge has already business in that state of new york. well, the judge has already ruled that his business licence should be revoked, and his businesses should be liquidated by a receiver. those two decisions were stayed pending appeal, so it'll be up to the appellate court whether those remedies are available. the only thing that's left for the trial court to determine is how much he's been unjustly enriched and should have to disgorge, in terms of getting back money, how much money does he have to pay back? it's not so much a penalty, but the claim is that he's been unjustly enriched. and as i said, none of the witnesses that are getting publicity have testified regarding that issue. there have been to other witnesses who have gotten almost no publicity, who have gotten almost no publicity, who are the relevant witnesses on that issue. the attorney general has called michael mccarty, an investment baker who's tried to come up investment baker who's tried to come up with some estimates of how much she's been unjustly enriched —— investment banker, and there's been a deutsche bank executive who testified that he kind of believed the financial statements, although not in every detail, and i think there will be real issues on appeal as to whether that's enough to establish unjust enrichment and disgorgement, which is what the attorney general is seeking. greg. attorney general is seeking. greg, we have to — attorney general is seeking. greg, we have to leave _ attorney general is seeking. greg, we have to leave it _ attorney general is seeking. greg, we have to leave it there _ attorney general is seeking. greg, we have to leave it there but - attorney general is seeking. greg, we have to leave it there but think so much forjoining us on the programme, thank you. around the world and across the uk, this is bbc news. let's look at some other stories making news. thousands of people in surrey are still without water after a technical issue at a thames water treatment works. the company has apologised to those affected and bottled water stations have been set up to help residents. some schools have been forced to close. the company says the problems were caused by storm ciaran. up to 20,000 health workers in england will receive a one—off bonus of at least £1,700, after previously missing out because they worked for non—nhs organisations. the extra payment was agreed as part of the nhs pay deal in england this year, but some staff were not included. after employers launched legal action, the government has now agreed to provide the funding. the prince of wales was said to have " kept up really well" during a training session with a british dragon boating team in singapore. the prince took to the water on the eve of the annual earthshot prize ceremony. five winners are chosen each year, with each receiving £1 million to fund projects that aim to save the planet. you're live with bbc news. let's turn to the middle east. the hamas—run health ministry in gaza says more than 10,000 people in the strip have been killed since the war with israel began a month ago. the announcement followed one of the heaviest bombardments so far by israeli forces. the director of al shifa hospital, in gaza city, said 200 people were killed overnight. he told the bbc, people used donkeys to move casualties because they couldn't phone ambulances. the israel defense forces said hundreds more targets had been hit some a50 in 2a hours, and a hamas military compound had been seized by troops. meanwhile, israeli ground forces have now reached the coast, in effect dividing the gaza strip in to two. the united nations has renewed its call for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in gaza. a statement on behalf of the leaders of 11 separate un agencies together with six humanitarian groups, also urges israel to protect civilians and allow more food, water, medicine and fuel into gaza. it said, an entire population was besieged and denied access to the essentials for survival. the us secretary of state, antony blinken, has held talks in turkey on the final stop of a regional tour. he told reporters washington was playing play a leading role in preventing the conflict from spreading, and ensuring that more aid reached gaza. earlier, i spoke to the israel defense forces spokesman, lt col peter lerner, about the continued offensive on northern gaza. the idf is moving forward with its plan stage by stage, strike by strike, to dismantle and destroy hamas as a governing authority and a terrorist entity on the border with israel. this is part of the plan. and indeed, overnight we achieved the last stage of our encirclement of gaza city and taking the war to hamas so that they are pursued and can't live in comfort as they continue their attacks and attempted to continue their strikes against us. of course, part of this operation is indeed from the strategic perspective of removing hamas from governing gaza, but also keeping in mind the 240 or so hostages that hamas is still holding. well, on that, let me ask you a question. do you think those strikes, a50 through the course of the last 2a hours, makes it more or less likely those hostages will be released ? there are lots of efforts taking place in order to bring the hostages home, both operationally and diplomatically. there is, from our perspective, it is part and parcel of the effort and the war effort that is ongoing, absolutely. we have brought home and rescued some from captivity, and we will utilise all of the tools at our disposal in order to bring home the hostages. indeed, it is a huge... sure, that's a rescue of one out of 240. let's talk about the civilians, because upwards of 300,000 civilians still in the north of gaza. you've said before hamas was using them as human shields. you've said before that hamas is preventing them from leaving, yet the bombing by israel continues. are those people effectively collateral damage? i heard one soldier on the border talk about civilians as collateral damage. are those upwards of 400,000 people potentially collateral damage now? matthew, what we are seeing today on the border with israel in northern gaza is a true tragedy, a human tragedy of people that have suffered for at the hands of hamas, and are now suffering the repercussions of hamas's feeble decision. but it's your strikes that are killing them at the moment. matthew, they are paying the price for their government that failed the miserably. sure, but it is your strikes that are killing them at the moment. that is fact, isn't it? matthew, i'm seeing the images coming out and any decent person cannot be heartbroken by what's going on. but nevertheless, hamas have to go. this is the root cause of everything bad happening in the gaza strip today. they decided to go to war with israel. there is no other clear proscription other than removing hamas. and indeed, we need the international community, we need the international humanitarian organisations to rally around the paradigm change. well, they have rallied around, they've said today, "enough is enough." we've had reports that casualties are being taken to hospital by donkey because people can't actually phone for ambulances because you cut communications. cutting communications also means that the outside world can't see what you're doing, doesn't it? there is no lack of reportage from gaza. you've been reporting it extensively on the bbc. i would say that the reality on the ground is one dictated by our need to get rid of hamas. that is what needs to be done, and needs to be done quickly. indeed, there is a huge humanitarian cost to this war, and it is on both sides of the fence. but we need to do this and do it quick, and we need to make sure that both israelis and palestinians can live without this looming threat of hamas all the time. 0ur operations are conducted within the realm of international law and the laws of armed conflict, we operate based on distinction that hamas don't do. we operate in the understanding that we need a clear military necessity on the strikes that we're conducting. sure, i know you keep saying that, and you will be aware that there are plenty of those that contest that, i don't want to get go down that because i've gotjust time for ask you one more question, because the arc of these conflicts over the decades have been pretty much the same. israel is attacked, they're then given space to exercise self—defence. then the images come, and they continue to come in terms of horrors of what we're seeing, and then eventually, the us tells you to stop. is that the pattern that we're going to see here, as well? there is one or the major difference between all of the previous conflicts we've had with hamas and palestinian islamicjihad attacking us from gaza in the past, there was never a strategic decision to get rid of hamas. this is the decision that hamas ultimately, when they declared war, when they strategically decided to abduct murder, massacre, rape, bombard israel, they signed their own destiny. so this is different, even if even if washington says, "enough," you will make the decision? is that what you're saying? hamas need to be banished from the realm of existence. it's for the good of all decent people in this region. everybody deserves to live in peace, israelis and palestinians alike. good timing because the un secretary—general has just entered the room and talking to journalists about the situation in the middle east. , . ~ about the situation in the middle east. , . . ., . , ., east. the israeli defence forces and continued bombardments _ east. the israeli defence forces and continued bombardments are - east. the israeli defence forces and | continued bombardments are hitting civilians, hospitals, refugee camps, mosques, churches, and un facilities including shelters. no one is safe. at the same time, hamas and other militants use civilians as other shields and continue to launch rockets and is currently towards israel. i reiterate my utter condemnation of the abhorrent acts of terror perpetrated by hamas on the 7th of october, and repeat my calls for the immediate and conditional, and safe return of hostages in gaza. nothing can justify the deliberate torture, killing, injuring and kidnapping of civilians. the protection of civilians. the protection of civilians must be paramount. i'm deeply concerned about clear violations of international humanitarian law that we are witnessing. let me be clear, no party to an armed conflict is above international humanitarian law. ladies and gentlemen of the press, gazais ladies and gentlemen of the press, gaza is becoming graveyard for children. hundreds of girls and boys are reportedly being killed or injured every day. morejournalists have reportedly been killed over a four—week period than in any conflict in at least three decades. more united nations aid workers have been killed then in any comparable period in the history of our organisation. i salute all those who continue their life—saving work, despite the overwhelming challenges and risks. in the unfolding catastrophe makes the need for a humanitarian cease—fire more urgent with every passing hour. the parties to the conflict, and indeed the international community face an immediate and fundamental responsibility to stop the human collective suffering and dramatically expand humanitarian aid to gaza. today, the united nations and our partners are launching a 1.2 billion dollar package to help 7 million people, the entire population of the gaza strip, and offer palestinians in the west bank, including jerusalem. some life—saving aid is getting into gaza from egypt's crossing, but the trickle of assistance does not meet the ocean of need. and let's be clear, the crossing alone does not have the capacity to process eight trucks at the scale required. just over 400 trucks have crossed into gaza over the past two weeks, compared with 500 a day before the conflict. and crucially, this does not include fuel. without fuel, newborn babies in incubators and patients on life—support will die. water cannot be pumped or purified. raw sewage could soon start gushing into the streets, further spreading diseases. trucks loaded with critical relief will be stranded. the way forward is clear, a humanitarian cease—fire now. all parties respecting all their obligations in international humanitarian law now. this means the unconditional release of the hostages in gaza now. the protection of civilians, hospitals, un facilities, shelters and schools now. more food, more water, or medicine, and of course if you gaza safely, swiftly at a scale needed now. and better access to deliver supplies to all people in gaza now. and the end of the use of civilians as human shields now. none of these appeals should be conditional on the others. and for all of these, we need more funding now. in addition, i remain gravely concerned about rising violence and an expansion of the conflict. the occupied west bank, including eastjerusalem, is that a boiling point. let us also not forget the importance of addressing the risks of the conflict spilling over into the wider region. we are ready witnessing a spiral of escalation from lebanon and syria to yemen. that must stop now. cool heads and diplomatic efforts must start now —— must prevail. hateful rhetoric and provocative actions must cease. i'm deeply troubled by the rise in anti—semitism and anti—muslim bigotry. jewish and muslim communities in many parts of the world are on high alert, fearing for their personal safety and security. emotions are at a fever pitch. tensions are running high, and in the images of suffering are heartbreaking and soul crushing. but we must find a way to hold to our common humanity. i think of civilians in gaza, the vast majority women and children, terrified by the relentless bombardments. ijoin the families in morning 89 colleagues killed in the conflict in gaza, many of them with members of their families. they include teachers, school principals, doctors, guards, support staff, and a young woman who did not let her muscular dystrophy or a wheelchair confining her dreams. she was a top student, became a software developer, and involved her skills to working on information technology. i am so deeply inspired by her example. and i think of all those tortured and killed in israel, nearly one month ago, and the hostages subducted from their homes, theirfamilies, their friends who are simply living their lives. ten days ago, i met with some of the family members of those hostages. i heard their stories, felt their anguish, and was deeply moved by their compassion. i will never relent in working for their immediate release. this is essential, in itself, and central to solving many other challenges. 0ne mother movingly shared with me her desolation over an abducted son. she also spoke outside the security council, and on the subject of constructing hatred, she said, "when you only get outraged when one side's babies are killed, then your moral compass is broken and humanity is broken." even in her hour of despair, she stood before the world and reminded us, "in the competition of pain, there is never a winner." we must act now to find a way out of this brutal, awful, agonising dead—end of destruction. to help end the pain and suffering, to help heal the pain and suffering, to help heal the broken, and to help pave the way to peace, 282 state solution with israelis and palestinians living in peace and security. —— to a two state solution with israelis. peace and security. -- to a two state solution with israelis. there ou heard state solution with israelis. there you heard from — state solution with israelis. there you heard from antonio _ state solution with israelis. therej you heard from antonio guterres, again, strong words from the un secretary—general talking about the various facilities that have been hit, no one is safe. you're watching bbc news. let's continue with this because watching all that is james lendale. a similar message, but greater urgency from the un secretary—general katella greater urgency, but again, no clear route to achieving what he wishes to see. that's the key _ to achieving what he wishes to see. that's the key problem, _ to achieving what he wishes to see. that's the key problem, the - to achieving what he wishes to see. that's the key problem, the un - to achieving what he wishes to see. that's the key problem, the un is l that's the key problem, the un is seen by many diplomats as being incredibly crucial on the ground, many thousands of un staff working for the un agency he referred to there, they are absolutely crucial in the ground. but in terms of the international leadership, the united nations it is not seen as the vehicle through which the member states are trying to achieve a solution here. that's the problem that mr guterres has got, his duty as he sees it, as we've just seen, is to call out and describe what he things is happening, to be very blunt about the situation on the ground. but also at the same time, many countries are saying, "the un isn't where the action is at, there has to be some sort of action in the middle east itself to try and find a solution." so that's the problem, there is a disjunction between the public rhetoric we've seen from the un and how the member states themselves want to use the organisation and private. it’s organisation and private. it's interesting _ organisation and private. it's interesting because he talked again about the hostages and called for their immediate release, but you said gaza is becoming a graveyard for children and he's concerned about what he says are clear violations of humanitarian law, so he couldn't be clearer. and violations of humanitarian law, so he couldn't be clearer.— he couldn't be clearer. and he's caettin he couldn't be clearer. and he's getting very _ he couldn't be clearer. and he's getting very explicit _ he couldn't be clearer. and he's getting very explicit about - he couldn't be clearer. and he's getting very explicit about this | getting very explicit about this now, saying that in his view, what is taking place in terms of the sheer number of civilians who are dying is in breach of humanitarian law, by which he means that the actions of the israeli government and armed forces are excessive for each individual strike. now that is obviously a matter for other members tojudge, particularly for courts, but clearly mr guterres is of the view that it is of the scale now that in his view, international humanitarian law is being breached in the same way that he makes it very clear it was also a breach by hamas at the beginning of this process by taking hostages, by killing civilians, and also by their own indiscriminate rocket attacks into israel, which are equally seen as contrary to international humanitarian law.- as contrary to international humanitarian law. ~ , ., ., humanitarian law. aside from that, we've seen — humanitarian law. aside from that, we've seen antony _ humanitarian law. aside from that, we've seen antony blinken - humanitarian law. aside from that, we've seen antony blinken on - humanitarian law. aside from that, we've seen antony blinken on this| we've seen antony blinken on this latest leg, multiple destinations on the diplomatic push — your assessment on how much progress he's actually made? i assessment on how much progress he's actually made?— actually made? i think he was very frank and saying _ actually made? i think he was very frank and saying it _ actually made? i think he was very frank and saying it was _ actually made? i think he was very frank and saying it was work - actually made? i think he was very frank and saying it was work in - frank and saying it was work in progress, those are his words. the key thing is trying to do is get a pause in the fighting, because he's torn between the arab country saying we need a cease—fire, and the israeli countries saying there's a move on the hostage issue. if you get some sort of pause in fighting, you can unlock the other issues, maybe get some more international democrat internationals out of gaza. but at the moment there's little progress on that. where he would admit to more progress is saying we are at least avoiding escalation. this situation could be much worse, so for example over the weekend, he met the prime minister of iraq — today he's in tehran, talking to the president, in other words the lines of communication — diplomacy is taking place but progress in terms of shifting was actually happening on the ground in gaza is not changing much of the moment. talking about what's happening _ changing much of the moment. talking about what's happening on _ changing much of the moment. talking about what's happening on the - about what's happening on the ground, we've had more border exchanges with lebanon through the course of last couple of hours. what is the latest in terms of british advice for that whole area? the travelling advice has been don't travel to beirut. a today, they updated their base to say that they are withdrawing all diplomatic family members and some diplomatic staff from the uk mission in bay ridge because of the situation. the solids at the americans did a few days ago. this tends to be what happens. the americans take the first lead on whether or not diplomats should pull out or reduce their staff, so the uk are doing that now. it shows you just how concerned the uk and other countries are about the possibility of violence in lebanon and other countries in the region. we violence in lebanon and other countries in the region. we had from the pentagon — countries in the region. we had from the pentagon a _ countries in the region. we had from the pentagon a spokesperson - countries in the region. we had from the pentagon a spokesperson say - the pentagon a spokesperson say civilian casualties are in the thousands, not getting a specific number. i was talking to a former analyst there who worked at the pentagon and by saying that that was a significant statement, given just the response there had been whenjoe biden repeated what the israeli government had said about the numbers being exaggerated by hamas. that went to town very badly in certain sections of the us, didn't it? ., , certain sections of the us, didn't it? ., y ., ., ., it? clearly the pentagon have decided they _ it? clearly the pentagon have decided they want _ it? clearly the pentagon have decided they want to - it? clearly the pentagon have decided they want to get - it? clearly the pentagon have decided they want to get into | it? clearly the pentagon have - decided they want to get into the numbers game. they are not putting any numbers but at least they're putting multiples of that. that shows, just if you think