files with disclose information about afghan and iraqi operations by the us, place lies it risks. we are judged by nomia iqbal. there was about the agreement. although he has been injail in the uk since 2019, the actual story ofjulian assange has been running for more than a decade, hazarded? his wikileaks website rose to prominence in 2010. you mentioned this bridge that the american it was the largest of its kind in us military history. wikileaks military history. wikilea ks released military history. wikileaks released more than 90,000 classified military documents on the afghanistan war and also released more than 400,000 secret documents on the iraq war and he has long been accused of putting american operatives�* lives at risk. as you mention, almost all the charges that he faced were under the espionage act and he won�*t spend any time in the us, once again, the plea, expected to be finalised later this week, because it is roughly equivalent to the amount of time that he has spent in the uk fighting extradition to the us. , ., , , ., uk fighting extradition to the us. , , ., ., us. this has been running for a lona us. this has been running for a long time- _ us. this has been running for a long time. not _ us. this has been running for a long time. notjust _ us. this has been running for a long time. notjust the - us. this has been running for a long time. notjust the court i long time. notjust the court case. how significant is the agreement? i case. how significant is the agreement?— case. how significant is the agreement? i think it is a big moment _ agreement? i think it is a big moment. especially - agreement? i think it is a big moment. especially for - agreement? i think it is a bigj moment. especially forjulian assange�*s advocates. he has a lot of allies who believe that he was just doing the job of a journalist by releasing all these documents. they believe he is a figurehead for free speech. i think it was slightly collocated back in 2016, if you remember, when wikileaks released large volumes of e—mails from the democratic national party, and the account ofjohn podesta, who was then presidential campaign leader for hillary clinton. many democrats accused him of collaborating with russians, which he denied. but it is a big moment. it does put this saga to an end. the bind administration has been under pressure by the australians, which is a key ally for the united states, a key security ally, two and the legal limbo. it looks like that will happen this week. it looks like that will happen this week-— it looks like that will happen this week. w , ., ., this week. take us through what ha--ens this week. take us through what happens next- — this week. take us through what happens next. we _ this week. take us through what happens next. we understand i happens next. we understand there will be a hearing in the mariana islands. why and what will happen? it mariana islands. why and what will happen?— will happen? it is a twist. it is an exotic _ will happen? it is a twist. it is an exotic venue. - will happen? it is a twist. it is an exotic venue. it - will happen? it is a twist. it is an exotic venue. it is - is an exotic venue. it is expecting to be finalised on wednesday in the street caught in the mariana islands, us territory in the pacific, around 2000 miles from australia. that is convenient because the department of justice has said they expect him to return to his home in australia. but looking at the doj letter, they have also pretty much implied that is what he wants to do, that he doesn�*t want to voluntarily return to the continental united states, and i think that is because, you know, he harbours this deep mistrust of america, and he has spoken about that at length. at one point he accused the us and allies of allegedly trying to kill him with a drone, which the us denied. so that�*s why that particular venue has been chosen and the department of justice has said they anticipate that he will appear in the court there on wednesday.- in the court there on wednesda . ., ., wednesday. nomia iqbal with the latest reporting — wednesday. nomia iqbal with the latest reporting on _ wednesday. nomia iqbal with the latest reporting on this _ wednesday. nomia iqbal with the latest reporting on this for- latest reporting on this for us. thank you. for more unless we can speak to monique ryan, an australian member of parliament, who has been following the case very closely. you forjoining us on bbc news. i want to get your reaction to this agreement. it's reaction to this agreement. it�*s a source of significant relief to millions of australians that we understand today that there has been significant progress on the case ofjulian assange. we don�*t have at this point confirmation of exactly where things are and we know that things are and we know that things are and we know that things are under way in terms of ongoing legal proceedings, that millions of australians want him home. we have felt concern for his welfare for many years. the news that his release, or that has been progress on these proceedings has been warmly welcomed in this country. irate has been warmly welcomed in this country-— has been warmly welcomed in this country. we saw the video released by — this country. we saw the video released by wikileaks - this country. we saw the video released by wikileaks on - this country. we saw the video released by wikileaks on x, i released by wikileaks on x, formerly twitter, boarding a flight. you have advocated on julian assange�*s behalf to you as lawmakers. what was the reception like? think there will be support for this agreement? in will be support for this agreement?— will be support for this agreement? in the us or australia? _ agreement? in the us or australia? indeed. - agreement? in the us or australia? indeed. well, j agreement? in the us or| australia? indeed. well, i travelled _ australia? indeed. well, i travelled to _ australia? indeed. well, i travelled to us _ australia? indeed. well, i travelled to us at - australia? indeed. well, i travelled to us at the - australia? indeed. well, i travelled to us at the end | australia? indeed. well, i. travelled to us at the end of last year as part of the non—partisan delegation with a number of parliamentarians from across the political spectrum in australia. we were reflecting the desires of our constituents, which is that we advocate on behalf ofjulian assange and of press freedom globally. when we went to the us and spoke to colleagues and equivalent numbers in the congress, we have the same thing from them, that they were concerned about this individual and how his case had become politicised to some extent, and about his personal welfare. so we received a warm welcome when we received a warm welcome when we went to washington, because we went to washington, because we felt when we spoke about the importance of press freedom and about the australian—american international alliance, the people we were speaking to was big in the same language and heard what we had to say. to think that relationship with australia did perhaps bigger difference? i australia did perhaps bigger difference?— difference? i think it does. the fact — difference? i think it does. the fact that _ difference? i think it does. the fact that australia - difference? i think it does. the fact that australia and | difference? i think it does. - the fact that australia and the us have long had warm political relations means that we should be able to have difficult conversations about issues with our citizens. i understand the israeli government has been advocating onjulian assange�*s behalf for a long time. many may my constituents have been asking me to advocate to the prime minister and i understand he has been working with president biden on this. because many australian have been saying for years now that enough is enough and it is time forjulian assange to come home. i forjulian assange to come home. ., ., ., ., home. i want to ask you about some of the — home. i want to ask you about some of the criticisms - home. i want to ask you about some of the criticisms of - some of the criticisms of julian assange�*s actions. at a hearing in london in february the us government had still been arguing thatjulian assange put us operators at risk. we have seen officials and the boston civilians in iraq and afghanistan, human rights activists and other figures were forced into hiding, and the actual impact of the leaks could not be quantified, but was significant. what is your response to that? significant. what is your resonse to that? ~ response to that? welcome i get my response _ response to that? welcome i get my response would _ response to that? welcome i get my response would be _ response to that? welcome i get my response would be that - response to that? welcome i get my response would be that in i my response would be that in 2013 the state department at chelsea manning�*s trial acknowledge that they had no specific evidence, in fact, that any individuals have been placed in significant risk by the wikileaks — actions of wikileaks and ofjulian assange. it is difficult to reconcile that with things at the state department may have said more recently. i think you would probably need to talk to representatives of that state department about that. but it comes back to, i think, for many australians, the importance of press freedom, which we see as being under threat in this country. and we see it as being under threat in the uk and us as well. it is very important that journalists have the right to tell inconvenient truths and to bring to the public attention things which are perhaps not, you know, may not be perceived by politicians as being in their best interest or the best interests of government. free press, the free media is under threat globally. we saw this case is symptomatic of that. i think many australians, and i hope people globally, will gain heart from the fact that in this instance we have seen the freedom of the press be supported by, hopefully, as we understand, the us and australian governments. money, we have about _ australian governments. money, we have about 30 _ australian governments. money, we have about 30 seconds - australian governments. money, we have about 30 seconds left, i we have about 30 seconds left, but how significant you think this moment is, if you can sum it up for us? i this moment is, if you can sum it up for us?— it up for us? i knowjulian assange's _ it up for us? i knowjulian assange's family - it up for us? i knowjulian assange's family and - it up for us? i knowjulianl assange's family and have assange�*s family and have worked with them closely for some years. the news of his impending possible release and the settlement of these proceedings has brought tears to many australians. this is going to be an emotional day for thousands and thousands of people who feel incredibly strongly about this in australia. and i give my support and love to all of those people who have worked on his behalf. and i think the australian and american governments for working towards resolution of proceedings which have gone on for too long. monique ryan, thank you for joining us on bbc news. my pleasure- — joining us on bbc news. my pleasure. 0k, _ joining us on bbc news. my pleasure. 0k, we _ joining us on bbc news. my pleasure. 0k, we will- joining us on bbc news. my pleasure. 0k, we will movej joining us on bbc news. my i pleasure. 0k, we will move to some other — pleasure. 0k, we will move to some other news. _ yoav gallant has been meeting with us officials against the backdrop of continued hostility in different parts of the middle east. mr gallant vowed to bring back the remaining hostages from gaza, urging a continued close cooperation with the us despite recent public disagreements. the defense minister first met with cia chief bill burns, who has been a key voice in ceasefire negotations between israel and hamas. mr gallant then met with us secretary of state antony blinken. speaking on that meeting, state department spokesperson matthew miller said that mr blinken emphasized the need for israel to avoid further escalation in gaza and to develop �*robust�* and �*realistic plans�* for the next phase of the war. number one our ongoing commitment to israel�*s security. numbertwo, commitment to israel�*s security. number two, the importance of israel developing robust, realistic plans for the day after the conflict, plans that include a path towards governance, to security, and reconstruction. we have probably been working on the same ideas with partners in the region and engaging in conversations with israel. we think it is important that israel put forward its own ideas. he will need to emphasise the need for further avoidance of escalation and increased humanitarian access. we have seen a slowdown of access in the south of the secretary will emphasise to the minister that we want to see that situation reversed and he will hope to hear concrete commitments from him in regards to that problem. yoav gallant is scheduled to meet with secretary of defense lloyd austin on tuesday, and national security adviser jake sullivan on wednesday. against the backdrop of continued hostility in different parts of the middle east. in gaza, medics said israeli strikes on monday killed 11 palestinians. israel has not commented on that strike, but did say an overnight strike killed a senior hamas commander. further north on israel�*s border with lebanon — tensions are growing between israel and hezbollah. prime minister netanyahu says israeli forces may shift its focus to the north — warning of a full—blown war between the two sides. around the world and across the uk, this is bbc news. lucy letby has told a jury she has never intended, or tried to, harm any baby in her care. the former neonatal nurse is being re—tried over the alleged attempted murder of a baby girl, known as child k, at a hospital in chester in 2016. a verdict could not be reached in the case last year. leading economists have accused labour and the conservatives of not being transparent about the need to either raise taxes, cut spending, or increase debt in the next five years. the institute for fiscal studies said both parties had ignored the challenges to public finances in their election manifestos. labour and the conservatives both insisted their spending proposals were fully funded. the prime minister says he is "not aware of any other candidate" being investigated over alleged bets placed on the timing of a general election. four conservatives are being looked into by the gambling commission, including two standing in the general election. the former minister tobias ellwood has told the bbc rishi sunak should suspend the candidates involved. rishi sunak confirmed his party is carrying out its own internal enquiries. you are watching bbc news. the humanitarian association doctors without borders warned that access to healthcare is dire in sudan after 13 months of war. it comes after one of the groups, the rapid support force is, attacked the maternity hospital, killing a hospital worker. it�*s one of the last functioning hospitals in the area. friday�*s attack is the latest in a country that�*s been torn apart by more than a year of brutal civil war with catastrophic humanitarian consequences. now, the head of the un children�*s agency, catherine russell, says sudan is one of the worst places in the world for children. ms russell spoke to our correspondent barbara plett usher in nairobi, on her way to visit sudan. sudan is definitely up there for a couple of reasons. it is the largest displacement of children anywhere in the world. we are seeing real numbers and concerning numbers of children suffering from malnutrition, including the worst form of malnutrition, which is severe, acute manage tuition, which kills children. most all children here are out of school so it is, taken as a whole, a very dire situation for children.— very dire situation for children. ~ . . ., ., ., children. according to one projection. _ children. according to one projection. op _ children. according to one projection, up to - children. according to one projection, up to 596 - children. according to one projection, up to 596 of. children. according to one - projection, up to 596 of sudan's projection, up to 5% of sudan�*s population, 2.5 million people, could die of starvation by the end of the year. is there already a famine in sudan? famine is one of the things that it needs to be declared and there is a whole process. the clear answer is there is not enough food for many people here and many people on the verge of starvation and we are, you know, at the brink of famine, whatever that means. the reality is people are suffering here and they shouldn�*t be. the challenge for humanitarian entities and organisations like unicef is that we need to be able to have access to people so we can give them the help that they need. do you think the two sides are using starvation as a weapon of war? it using starvation as a weapon of war? , ., using starvation as a weapon of war? , . ., using starvation as a weapon of war? , ., ., ., _ war? it is hard for me to say that. i war? it is hard for me to say that. l don't _ war? it is hard for me to say that. i don't know— war? it is hard for me to say that. i don't know what - war? it is hard for me to sayj that. i don't know what their that. i don�*t know what their intentions are. i can only talk about the result. it is 100% a man—made famine. a man—made problem here. forsure. man—made famine. a man—made problem here. for sure. there is no question about that. the challenge for us is not that we don�*t have the food, we can�*t get it to the people that needed. get it to the people that needed-— get it to the people that needed. ~ . , ., needed. we have been hearing voices about _ needed. we have been hearing voices about hunger, _ voices about hunger, starvation, famine in sudan for a while now. is there a point, a while now. is there a point, a point of no return, when people start to die of starvation in mass numbers? aha, starvation in mass numbers? famine doesn't happen famine doesn�*t happen overnight. you know, unfortunately we we walk up to it. once it hits, it is hard to turn around. we need to act now. it is going to get worse. you can always eventually make progress on something. so nothing is completely impossible. but the individual babies, for children who are starving now, who are hungry, who are severely malnourished, it will be too late for them. let�*s take a quick look at some other headlines from around the world. a lithium battery factory in south korea was set on fire on monday after a series of battery cells exploded inside a warehouse, killing at least 22 people. 100 people working inside the factory when the fire broke out. eight were injured, two seriously. a fire official says it is not clear what caused the explosion. most hunter biden are requesting a new trial. he was convicted of a felony earlier this month on charges about lying about illegal drugs would buy a gun. princess anne, king charles�* sister, sustained a minor head injury and concussion on sunday. the cause of the injury is unconfirmed but sources suggest the concussion may have been caused by a horse accident. according to buckingham palace, she is expected to stay in the hospital for observation, expected to stay in the hospitalfor observation, but is expected to make a full and swift recovery. less than three days from now, donald trump and joe biden was where often the first presidential debate of the 2024 campaign. it will feature plenty of firsts. they are two oldest candidates to run to the white house, the first debate between a sitting president in a formal one, and it is the earliest base of yet, taking place before either candidate is the official nominee for their party. the stakes are with mr trump and mr biden essentially tied in the polls. they are expected to tackle topics like the economy, immigration, and abortion. we can talk about this with my two guests tonight. i�*m joined by stephanie lai, politics reporter from stephanie lai, politics reporterfrom bloomberg. we also have with us toluse 0lorunnipa, the washington post�*s white house bureau chief. can you tell us about how the preparation and went on what they have been doing? that preparation _ what they have been doing? that preparation has _ what they have been doing? trust preparation has been ongoing. several days of preparation. this will go to thursday. it is a very intense period. he has aids from different parts of his policy briefs, all trying to prepare him for the onslaught he will face when he gets on stage next to donald trump, who has been attacking him in rallies, calling his presidency the worst ever, attacking his mental ability, attacking his mental ability, attacking him over his age, his policies on everything from immigration to inflation. so president biden has been trying to figure out ways to respond to figure out ways to respond to the attacks, make attacks of his own against donald trump, and really try to showcase to the american people that not only easier but a better choice than donald trump, but that he is someone who can remain in the presidency for another four years, has the stamina and energy and capability and mentalfaculties to be president up until the age of 86. he has a lot of things he is trying to do and he is preparing for several days to be able to do all those things on the debate stage. stephanie, we 'ust on the debate stage. stephanie, we just heard — on the debate stage. stephanie, we just heard toluse _ on the debate stage. stephanie, we just heard toluse mention i we just heard toluse mention donald trump blasting the moderators of this debate, talking aboutjoe biden�*s mental acuity. what do you make of how he and his team are approaching the first debate? they are towing a difficult line here. donald trump has mentioned four months that presidentjoe biden is not fit for office, not mentally there, so he has been priming his base and voters to think that he is just not a capable president. so if just not a capable president. soifjoe just not a capable president. so ifjoe biden goes onstage and performs well, that could look very bad for the trump campaign. the last couple of weeks we started to notice that he and his campaign aids have been sort of tempering back that rhetoric and saying, you know, joe biden is a good debater, we shouldn�*t underestimate him. it is like they�*re walking back the statement is a bit so that they don�*t overselljoe biden�*s performance. that don't oversell joe biden's performance.— don't oversell joe biden's performance. don't oversell joe biden's erformance. �* performance. at the same time we saw george _ performance. at the same time we saw george at _ performance. at the same time we saw george at atlanta - we saw george at atlanta swarmed with advertising and stuff. how are they trying to reach out to voters in georgia? to make both campaigns have been making a big play. of course they are very close in the polls in the state. and whatever happens, their performance can have a really big sway in the narrative that we see moving forward. and so it isn�*t unexpected to cd biden campaign and the dnc hosting events early. the trump campaign has been, you know, visiting a couple of swing states here and there. i think we should — states here and there. i think we should expect _ states here and there. i think we should expect to - states here and there. i think we should expect to see - states here and there. i think| we should expect to see more activity on the campaign trail, least in the swing states. toluse 0lorunnipa, what can we expect on the debate itself was like there will be no audience. microphones can be cut. some of us remember the people debate between these two men in 2020. who do you think the conditions will benefit? the who do you think the conditions will benefit?— will benefit? the easiest way to answer— will benefit? the easiest way to answer the _ will benefit? the easiest way to answer the question - will benefit? the easiest way to answer the question is - will benefit? the easiest way to answer the question is to l to answer the question is to look at who implemented it and who asked for these conditions. it was the biden campaign. they said they didn�*t want to have a studio audience. donald trump is someone who likes to have a studio audience. he comes from the world of reality tv. his campaign has been built on rallies where he says something and people applaud him and he feeds off the energy of his crowd. he won�*t have that at this debate and the biden campaign, they are thinking that when you have president biden able to talk without being interrupted by donald trump, who like to interact people, that he will be able to get his point across. he won�*t have to worry about donald trump making him trip over his words. he won�*t have to worry about competing against donald trump in the crowd, just answering questions from the moderator. these conditions as opposed to advantage biden. but some also say that donald trump may be helped by this condition because he is someone who sometimes gets his own way by always talking of other people, coming across as rude, feeding summers of the crowd, and now he won�*t have that, and instead he won�*t have that, and instead he will have to be a bit more subdued, focus on answering questions and making points. that might make him look more presidential in the eyes of some voters. we will have to wait and see who gets the advantage. at the biden campaign wanted these conditions and got them and they are hoping that it plays to the advantage ofjoe biden. stephanie, what is your take? some have said the fact that there is no audience might mean there is no audience might mean the donald trump, who gained so much energy from audiences, will stay more on message and on point? i will stay more on message and on oint? ~' will stay more on message and on point?— on point? i think you both brina on point? i think you both bring op _ on point? i think you both bring up an _ on point? i think you both bring up an interesting i on point? i think you both i bring up an interesting point and that the trump campaign has sort of tried to temper down some of the comments that former president donald trump is made that might be a little bit more bombastic, right? if they cut off the mic before his time is up, before he goes into a screaming match withjoe biden, they could make him look more like, you know, a regular candidate whose commonsense, who is speaking truth to what the american people want to hear. if he can present himself as someone who cares about the policy and is really thinking about the average american voter, they complain his advantage.— voter, they complain his advantaae. ,, , . , advantage. stephanie, first ear, advantage. stephanie, first year. then _ advantage. stephanie, first year. then i _ advantage. stephanie, first year, then i will— advantage. stephanie, first year, then i will ask - advantage. stephanie, first year, then i will ask toluse| year, then i will ask toluse the same question. what do you think both men need to achieve on debate night? aha, think both men need to achieve on debate night?— on debate night? a good point. for donald _ on debate night? a good point. for donald trump _ on debate night? a good point. for donald trump is _ on debate night? a good point. for donald trump is that - on debate night? a good point. for donald trump is that make | for donald trump is that make the point that he is the better candidate for dealing with the economy, with the border. the border. he needs to try to downplay all of the comments thatjoe biden and his campaign have been making comments that he is a threat to democracy. so if you can the script on that and say "we�*re the ones who are being attacked, look at all the things we done in the past — in the last four years before biden�*s administration — i think you might be other designs to the average american voter. ~ ., designs to the average american voter. ~ . , ., ~' designs to the average american voter. ~ ., , ., ~ voter. what you think both candidates _ voter. what you think both candidates to _ voter. what you think both candidates to do, - voter. what you think both candidates to do, toluse i voter. what you think both candidates to do, toluse? | voter. what you think both l candidates to do, toluse? in his account of the attacks that everything is about himself and his legal drama and the attacks on democracy, that he is focused on prevention retribution. he will need to show that he not only has about himself of the american people. one of the things he is doing is not a revenge campaign but the advancement of the american people. joe biden is to show that he needs to stand on the stage for 90 minutes and be strong and energetic and put to rest the question about his age and whether or not he can withstand the presidency for another four years. withstand the presidency for anotherfouryears. he withstand the presidency for another four years. he will be judged not only on what he says but how he says it and how he looks, and his ability to stand up looks, and his ability to stand up next to donald trump. they are both about the same age but he will need to look younger than he has in previous public appearances and show the energy that people are looking for any president. and that is the biggest challenge in task you will have to face as he faces millions of voters on thursday. it will be a huge debate. we�*ll have to wrap it up there. really interesting points from both of you, stephanie lai and toluse 0lorunnipa. appreciate your insights. we will have full coverage of the debate right here on bbc news as well. caitriona perry will be in atlanta covered the debate. make sure to watch bbc news. stay with us. hello there. we saw the heat really building to start the new week in the sunshine. let me show you the picture from earlier on on monday in aberdeenshire. aboyne saw temperatures of 27 degrees on monday, making it the hottest day of the year so far in scotland. we also had our hottest day in northern ireland and in england — it was only wales that was missing out. temperatures reached 28 celsius in london — could get even hotter in the next few days. not so for scotland, northern ireland. tuesday will be cooler, and in the next few days, cooler, fresher air will push in from the northwest with a few showers. but the heat and humidity will linger for longer in england and wales. and into tuesday, we�*ve got more sunshine for england and wales, this cloud in the west tending to break up, but the cloud in northern england could trigger one or two showers over the pennines. looking mostly dry but cloudier in northern ireland. some rain or showers in scotland, some heavy showers in the afternoon in the east in particular. temperatures will be lower in scotland, but still could reach 22 in the central belt and the southeast. it�*s nearing 19 in northern ireland. hotter for england and wales, especially the midlands — towards the south east, potentially 30 degrees around london. more sunshine for england and wales on wednesday, this time a bit more cloud towards the east coast and some cloud in scotland but fewer showers here. should see a bit more sunshine in northern ireland picking the temperatures up just a little. but again, the higher temperatures, the heat is going to be across england and wales — and again, london and the southeast could hit 30 degrees. but we�*re all going to be changing by the end of the week. this low pressure is going to drive this weather front eastwards. there�*s not much rain on that at all, but it�*s all about the timing because following that weather front, we�*ve got cooler, fresher air coming in from the atlantic, pushing the heat and humidity into continental europe. so this is the picture for thursday. you can see our weather front here is just a narrow band of cloud, little or no rain on it. sunshine follows, blustery showers coming into scotland and northern ireland and making it feel cooler here. even with some sunshine for england and wales, temperatures will be lower, but there�*s still some heat across east anglia and the southeast — temperatures could be higher than 26 degrees here. but even here, things will change by the end of the week. cooler, fresher weather for all of us, i think, for friday and into the weekend, but mostly dry with some sunshine. artificial intelligence under fire. as the world�*s largest music label hits to american started with a lawsuit. plus, we will take a look at the business of cricket with a t20 world cup in full swing. —— as the world�*s largest music label hits two american start ups with a lawsuit. hello and welcome to business today. i�*m steve lai. let�*s begin in the us where to artificial intelligence start—ups are being sued by the world�*s biggest record labels. they are at odds over alleged copyright infringements and the case of the potential to set presidents for years to come. the bbc�*s erin delmore has more. the startups are called suno and 0deo, and the group of labels, including sony music universal music group and warner records say they�*ve been violating copyrights on an almost unimaginable scale. here�*s how the labels say it works. the ai startups ask users to enter a word prompt for a song like a storyline or a genre or lyrics or types of instruments to be used. and then the startups use their software, which the labels say were trained on existing music without consent or compensation to churn out the requested song. and the labels say the music is alarmingly similar, calling it wholesale theft that threatens to upend the entire music ecosystem. suno and udio did not immediately respond to requests for comment. it�*s far from the first time an association