welcome to newsday, reporting live from singapore, i'm steve lai. the headlines... a ship carrying 200 tonnes of aid to gaza prepares to leave cyprus — after securing all necessary permits to travel. it's the final day of china's national people's congress — we'll look at what the government in beijing could announce about the year ahead. the princess of wales thanks the public for their support as kensington palace shares the first official photo of her since she underwent surgery. and the biggest night on the entertainment calendar is finally upon us. will oppenheimer dominate the 2024 oscars?

welcome to bbc news — broadcasting to viewers in the uk and around the world. we begin in cyprus, where a spanish charity ship carrying vital supplies is preparing to set sail for gaza, along a new maritime aid corridor. it's been loaded with around 200 tonnes of food and medical supplies. but, without a working port, it's not clear yet where the ship will actually dock — or how its cargo will be distributed inside gaza. 0ur middle east correspondent quentin somerville is in the port city of larnaca in cyprus — and sent us this report. it's a drop in the ocean of gaza's need, but this is the first direct aid shipment by sea about to leave cyprus. the spanish ship the open arms, seen here in larnaca port, getting ready to set sail. it has a long journey ahead of it. the barge has 200 tonnes of desperately needed essentials — rice, flour and pre—prepared meals. this has taken months in planning. the cargo was loaded all weekend.

the final security clearances from israel came through in the last few hours. well, we've done truckloads of food through the rafah crossing. we've done airdrops with thejordanian army. this is the next step into providing food aid into gaza. but this is only a small breakthrough. israel's offensive has led to a collapse in civil order. few aid organisations dare risk delivering to the north. gaza is on the brink of famine. world central kitchen, the us charity, provided the speeded—up footage of preparations under way to build a pier to receive the aid. gaza has no functioning port. and israel will be watching. this aid will be allowed to pass, says its defense minister. translation: we will bring the aid through a maritime route _ that is coordinated with the us on the security and humanitarian side with the assistance of the emirates on the civil side and appropriate

inspection in cyprus. we will bring goods imported by international organisations with american assistance. at the operations centre here in cyprus, they're mapping its route. it would normally take 15 hours, but the vessels involved and the cargo means it could take as long as two days. so starting point is larnaca port, and the landing zone is somewhere in the gaza strip. the open arms is on a journey that should be unnecessary. all the food that the hungry of gaza need is right by their border in israel and egypt, but the politics of war keeps it from their grasp. quentin somerville, bbc news, larnaca. the stakes are high. the hamas—run health ministry says more than 31,000 palestinians have now been killed since israel began its military action following hamas's attack on october the 7th.

around 1,200 people were killed, and more than 250 people were taken hostage. with the latest — here's our senior international correspondent, orla guerin — and a warning, her report contains images you may find distressing. from the skies over gaza, aid comes dropping. but so little, and so late. on the ground, a desperate rush. many come away empty—handed. like this woman. "i'm taking care of orphans," she says. "i want to feed them." and here, some of the most vulnerable, born prematurely into war and man—made hunger. staff say all the babies delivered at this hospital in rafah since december have been underweight. struggling from their first breaths as many mothers have struggled.

dr ahmed al—shair says there's been no proper food for pregnant women for the past four months. no meat, milk, eggs, fruit or vegetables. barak is fighting to keep her children alive. she can't hide the bullet holes, and she can't hide her despair. "i'm feeding my baby with water," she says, "just so she doesn't die. i shouldn't be giving her this at her age. but i have nothing else." after five months of war, much of gaza is in ruins, and hunger is killing now as well as israeli missiles and bombs.

this man was buried alive after an israeli air strike. palestinian civil defence prised him free. but they say nine people were killed here in this residential building, crushed as they slept — the fate of many palestinian civilians. in gaza, the muslim holy month of ramadan will be marked in the rubble, amid grief and burials and a looming famine. whatever aid may trickle in by air or sea won't be enough, and won't stop the war. beijing is preparing for the final day of the national people's congress. the annual political extravaganza held each spring allows the chinese government to review the past year, and set goals for the upcoming 12 months. high on the agenda this year — economic stablisation, defence spending, and tensions with taiwan.

with me in the studio now is drew thompson, he is a former pentagon official, now a seniorfellow at the lee kuan yew school of public policy at the national university of singapore. thanks for coming in and speaking with me today. what's your biggest take away from this year? this ear's take away from this year? this year's should _ take away from this year? this year's should go _ take away from this year? this year's should go into - take away from this year? ti 3 year's should go into history books for what hasn't happened. the president of china will not give a speech, we haven't had a new foreign minister announced or any other personnel news and i think also importantly we haven't had any significant economic proposals that would dramatically change the current economic dynamic which is facing significant headwinds, so this is a very status quo and pc. there's two things you mentioned together, no speech by the president

and no conference by the prime them. the chinese government is less accountable to the people into the media, there is also a major shift in the communist party's consolidation of sheeting —— xijin ping. that really reflects the shift of power from the state to the party. find reflects the shift of power from the state to the party.— state to the party. and what does that mean for— state to the party. and what does that mean for countries _ state to the party. and what does that mean for countries dealing i state to the party. and what does i that mean for countries dealing with china, like the us for example? when they look to gauge which direction china is going to be taking? it you china is going to be taking? if you look at what _ china is going to be taking? if you look at what xi _ china is going to be taking? if you look at what xi jin _ china is going to be taking? if you look at what xi jin ping _ china is going to be taking? if you look at what xi jin ping said - china is going to be taking? if you look at what xi jin ping said last i look at what xi jin ping said last year at the npc, he made it very clear they have to balance security and development and it's really that struggle between leading economic

forces and free market forces drive innovation and drive economic growth versus control. and i think xijin ping is very concerned about maintaining control. the new catchphrase is, stability is the requisite for development and asperity. so i think the message is going to be clear that economic development is dependent on the party's confidence in itself and the security it can guarantee for itself, so economic development is going to be placed in a second priority tear over security of the party itself. 50 priority tear over security of the party itself-— party itself. so let's talk about the economy _ party itself. so let's talk about the economy then. _ party itself. so let's talk about the economy then. of - party itself. so let's talk about the economy then. of the - party itself. so let's talk about l the economy then. of the target party itself. so let's talk about - the economy then. of the target was 75% gdp growth, that's a modest target, same as the year before. does that tell us a lot about the situation china is in. ? the bailout

funds for local _ situation china is in. ? the bailout funds for local governments, - situation china is in. ? the bailout| funds for local governments, about the same as last year, defence spending also about the same. it's been very status quo and consistent and it's not really addressing the fairly significant challenges like the property bubble, high unemployment particularly amongst youth and a lack of confidence in consumer spending which is harming the economy and there's limits to how much they can grow through investment and infrastructure. it's reaching saturation point in many areas. so i think they are not really addressing the challenges, they're kind ofjust running to

stand still at this point. imilli they're kind ofjust running to stand still at this point. will have to to wait and _ stand still at this point. will have to to wait and see _ stand still at this point. will have to to wait and see how _ stand still at this point. will have to to wait and see how the - stand still at this point. will have to to wait and see how the year l to to wait and see how the year unfolds for china and how it impacts the rest of us as well. drew thompson, lee kuan yew school of public policy at the national university of singapore. let's turn to the us now, where president biden and donald trump, are expected to clinch their party's nominations this week, for november's presidential election, and both men have been campaigning in the swing state of georgia. joe biden won it four years ago but with a majority of fewer than 12,000. now there's a fear among democrats, that african americans may be turning away from the party. gary o'donoghue, has more from the state's capital, atlanta. victory here in november could turn on just how many african americans decide to vote. are you going to vote this upcoming election? i wasn't looking at doing it. wasn't? 0k. it's an attitude voting advocates are trying to combat and they're finding frustration with the democrats on the doorstep. the republicans, they can say one thing and people will catch on to it, you know, and it is sticks. you know, and it sticks. and so i want us to have more one—liners. i do want more aggression. 88% of black voters supported joe biden in 2020. but some surveys show that as many as one in four could now back donald trump, with the cost of living a big factor. with eight months to go until the election, this race is going to be a long one, and few seem excited about the trump—biden rematch. a lot of people in my community kind of feel like we're stuck between a rock and a hard place.

biden is a good president. he's not a great president. and a lot of us are concerned about his age. look, i'm not a young guy. that's no secret. the biden campaign has sought to address the age issue head—on. here in georgia, his focus was squarely on voters of colour. and we're here to say a simple thank you. thank you. 2020 was the first time in more than a quarter of a century that democrats won the presidential election here. and with more than a third of georgia's voters coming from the african—american community, joe biden knows he needs that support to win and cannot take it for granted. 70 miles up the road, it was a very different looking crowd for donald trump, who's facing 13 criminal charges in the state connected to the last election. his message to black voters was blunt. i did more for black people than any president other than abraham lincoln.

it's true. the road to the white house runs through battlegrounds like georgia. and joe biden will take comfort that despite doubts, some african americans still want to be seen with him. gary o'donoghue, bbc news, atlanta. we shift focus now for a moment from the current us president to the former us president bill clinton, who has been visiting prague, to mark the anniversary of the 1999 nato expansion, which included the czech republic, poland, and hungary. scheduled to speak at the security conference at prague castle on tuesday, he was seen back at the reduta jazz club in the czech capital, where 30—years ago he gave an impromptu saxophone performance, given to him moments earlier by vaclav havel,then president of czech republic. the german foreign ministry has said its embassy staff in haiti along with other european union representatives have been evacuated from the capital, port—au—prince, as the country spirals

into gang violence. the diplomats were flown by helicopter to neighbouring dominican republic. earlier, the united states said it had airlifted its nonessential embassy staff out of the country and reinforced security around the diplomatic compound. the humanitarian situation in the capitla, port—au—prince, in the capital, port—au—prince, continues to worsen. the un has warned that the escalation in violence could soon cause issues with the food and water supply to the country. sister paesie is a french nun who works with impoverished children in haiti. most of the people here very much living one day at a time, people from the international community send messages like they have to organise election as soon as possible, this shows a lack of knowledge of the reality here because the country has to be stabilised before there can be any election, it's stabilised before there can be any election, its total chaos.

exit polls from the country's parliamentary election put the centre—right democratic alliance in the lead — but as expected, no party looks set for an outright majority, in the snap vote, which was triggered by the socialist prime minister resigning over a corruption investigation involving his staff. support for the far—right chega party appears to have surged — though the centre—right leader luis montenegro has ruled out any deals with them. results are expected in around an hour's time. antonio costa pinto, professor of political sciences at lisbon university, told us more. probably with a 20—21% of parliament, is going to be a serious problem, and at the same time a serious threat to the stability of the party. but clearly, after eight years of socialist government, there is clearly a conservative turn,

although of course it could be an elephant in the room making it very difficult to have a stable majority. this is the photo that was set up by kensington palace on sunday it's the first image of princess catherine since her surgery injanuary. it appears to show some inconsistencies in the alignment of the hand of their daughter princess charlotte. the palace has not commented on the withdrawal of the photo by the news agencies. around the world and across the uk. this is bbc news. also in the news this hour... a man and a woman have been arrested in hull, in connection with an investigation into a funeral director. they were arrested after reports of "concern for care of the deceased". humberside police said they removed 3a bodies from legacy independent funeral directors

and took them to the mortuary. the metropolitan police has confirmed that more than 30 current and former officers are suing it "for personal injury and losses following their role in the grenfell tower fire". 72 people died in the fire in a tower block in west london in 2017. victims of islamist—inspired terror attacks have signed a joint letter against what they describe as anti—muslim hate. signatures warn its "irresponsible" for some politicians to equate extremists with "the majority of british muslims who strongly deplore such violence". it comes as the government prepares to set out a new definition of extremism. it says it will make it easier to ban funding and engagement with islamist and far—right groups. you're live with bbc news. it's hollywood's big night — the oscars. things are livening up in los angeles, ahead of the ceremony, which gets under way a bit later. christopher nolan's oppenheimer,

which has 13 nominations, is expected to sweep up many of the top awards. then there's barbie — last year's biggest hit at the box office — which has eight nods. our culture editor, katie razzall has been getting the latest from hollywood. the 96th academy awards and the oscars' red carpet is filling up with the stars of stage, screen and sport. this is the day hollywood prepares for all year. over the next few hours, these stars and others from behind the camera will vie for the highest accolades the movie business has to offer. members of the osage tribe turned out to support the martin scorsese film that tells their story. but the sense here in hollywood is that tonight will belong to another director — christopher nolan. his oppenheimer biopic looks set to win best picture, best director, best actor for cillian murphy... can't believe it. ..and best supporting actor for robert downeer. can you explain quantum mechanics to me? but not best supporting actress

for britain's emily blunt. i had you got stuck- with baby—sitting duty. it would be a huge oscars shock if the holdovers davi and joy randolph didn't win that one. surprises could be thin on the ground, but the best actress race feels the least certain. and tonight, history could be made. if lily gladstone triumphs for killers of the flower moon, she'll be the first native american to win an acting oscar. she's an experiment. but she could lose out to emma stone for her tour de force in frankenstein esque poor things. it's not all red carpet glamour for oscar nominees. jonny byrne is also collecting sound for a new film while he's here. it's the background sounds, the unusual things that you only get if you go out and collect them in the real world. those are the things that give credibility to to a film soundscape. byrne created the haunting sound in the zone of interest. you never see what's happening in auschwitz — what you hear tells the horrors. he also worked on poor things.

i've worked on films that have come to the oscars, but never with this much buzz around them. and obviously to be here with two films is pretty extraordinary. so, yeah, it's quite wild. here we are — the oscars! with the academy trying to lure back viewers, oscars hostjimmy kimmel made a parody film with the babi cast. the biggest film of the year is unlikely to be taking many oscars back to the barbie dreamhouse. but what it's done for cinema is something to shout about. katie razzall, bbc news, los angeles. let's speak now to my colleagues peter bowes and tom brook who've been soaking up the atmosphere in los angeles. guys come over to you. welcome to hollywood. _ guys come over to you. welcome to hollywood. the — guys come over to you. welcome to hollywood, the 96th _ guys come over to you. welcome to hollywood, the 96th academy - guys come over to you. welcome to i hollywood, the 96th academy awards, as you can hear in the background,

well under way. as you can hear in the background, well underway. let as you can hear in the background, well under way. let me just described you the scene behind me. we are in the hollywood roosevelt hotel, blossom room, which is a banquet room here, and was the scene of the very first oscar is back in 1929. a very different affair then, it was actually a very small dinner party for a few of the great and good of hollywood, followed by a 15 minute ceremony to announce the winners for that year. one of the nominees was charlie chaplin. how things have changed since then, the oscars taking place at the derby theatre which is across the road from here and still, some of the great and good of hollywood have gathered in this particular venue at one of the monies watch parties that are taking place all around los angeles. and as you say, with me here in hollywood is the bbc�*s tom brooks. of talking movies, also amy nicholson. really great to see you

both here. we are going to talk about oppenheimer, tom, 13 nominations. a lot of people here saying they're not expecting it to win 13, saying they're not expecting it to win13, only seven or eight of the night. win 13, only seven or eight of the niuht. . �* , win 13, only seven or eight of the niyht, ., �* , ., win 13, only seven or eight of the niuht. ., �*, ., jg win 13, only seven or eight of the niuht. ., �*, ., �* win 13, only seven or eight of the niuht. ., �* ., night. that's what you're saying to me earlier. _ night. that's what you're saying to me earlier. you — night. that's what you're saying to me earlier, you think _ night. that's what you're saying to me earlier, you think it _ night. that's what you're saying to me earlier, you think it might - night. that's what you're saying to me earlier, you think it might win| me earlier, you think it might win seven_ me earlier, you think it might win seven or— me earlier, you think it might win seven or eight. i'm no magician in this respect, — seven or eight. i'm no magician in this respect, but i think it will .et this respect, but i think it will get 5-6 — this respect, but i think it will get 5—6 trophies. to make the history— get 5—6 trophies. to make the history books you would have to get 11, i think_ history books you would have to get 11, i think that's what ben hur got in lord _ 11, i think that's what ben hur got in lord of— 11, i think that's what ben hur got in lord of the rings, return of the kim} _ in lord of the rings, return of the kim} that's— in lord of the rings, return of the king. that's not going to happen. it is going _ king. that's not going to happen. it is going to — king. that's not going to happen. it is going to be a good night for oppenheimer but not a huge steam roller_ oppenheimer but not a huge steam roller that_ oppenheimer but not a huge steam roller that obliterates all the other — roller that obliterates all the other great film talent we seen this year. _ other great film talent we seen this year. i— other great film talent we seen this year, i think that's the point to make. — year, i think that's the point to make. it — year, i think that's the point to make, it has been an incredibly good year for— make, it has been an incredibly good year for cinema, all the ten best picture _ year for cinema, all the ten best picture nominees are films i admire, and one _ picture nominees are films i admire, and one or— picture nominees are films i admire, and one or two i think are brilliant _ and one or two i think are brilliant.— and one or two i think are brilliant. , ., , ., ., brilliant. these are films that have since been — brilliant. these are films that have since been seen _ brilliant. these are films that have since been seen around _ brilliant. these are films that have since been seen around the - brilliant. these are films that have since been seen around the worldl brilliant. these are films that have i since been seen around the world and we can't let this conversation go without talking about barbenheimer.

in the atomic dust of barbenheimer, it seems— in the atomic dust of barbenheimer, it seems oppenheimer— in the atomic dust of barbenheimer, it seems oppenheimer is _ in the atomic dust of barbenheimer, it seems oppenheimer is the - in the atomic dust of barbenheimer, i it seems oppenheimer is the nominee that people _ it seems oppenheimer is the nominee that people think— it seems oppenheimer is the nominee that people think have _ it seems oppenheimer is the nominee that people think have the _ it seems oppenheimer is the nominee that people think have the biggest - that people think have the biggest chance _ that people think have the biggest chance to — that people think have the biggest chance to walk— that people think have the biggest chance to walk away— that people think have the biggest chance to walk away with - that people think have the biggest chance to walk away with the - that people think have the biggest. chance to walk away with the awards. i feel chance to walk away with the awards. i feel the _ chance to walk away with the awards. i feel the same — chance to walk away with the awards. i feel the same way, _ chance to walk away with the awards. i feel the same way, and _ chance to walk away with the awards. i feel the same way, and if— chance to walk away with the awards. i feel the same way, and if it - chance to walk away with the awards. i feel the same way, and if it were . i feel the same way, and if it were up i feel the same way, and if it were up to— i feel the same way, and if it were up to may, — i feel the same way, and if it were up to may. barbie _ i feel the same way, and if it were up to may, barbie would - i feel the same way, and if it were up to may, barbie would actually. i feel the same way, and if it were i up to may, barbie would actually be my top— up to may, barbie would actually be my top pick— up to may, barbie would actually be my top pick for— up to may, barbie would actually be my top pick for best _ up to may, barbie would actually be my top pick for best director - up to may, barbie would actually be my top pick for best director but - my top pick for best director but that's— my top pick for best director but that's why— my top pick for best director but that's why critics _ my top pick for best director but that's why critics and _ my top pick for best director but that's why critics and academy. that's why critics and academy voters. — that's why critics and academy voters. we _ that's why critics and academy voters, we don't _ that's why critics and academy voters, we don't really- that's why critics and academy voters, we don't really align, i that's why critics and academyl voters, we don't really align, it makes — voters, we don't really align, it makes it— voters, we don't really align, it makes it interesting. _ voters, we don't really align, it makes it interesting. ifilth?- voters, we don't really align, it makes it interesting.— voters, we don't really align, it makes it interesting. why do you think it is that _ makes it interesting. why do you think it is that barbie _ makes it interesting. why do you think it is that barbie is - makes it interesting. why do you think it is that barbie is only - think it is that barbie is only going to go home with a couple of trophies? the going to go home with a couple of trohies? ., ,., , , trophies? the reason i believe it is and i trophies? the reason i believe it is and i hope — trophies? the reason i believe it is and i hope i'm _ trophies? the reason i believe it is and i hope i'm wrong, _ trophies? the reason i believe it is and i hope i'm wrong, is _ trophies? the reason i believe it is and i hope i'm wrong, is the - trophies? the reason i believe it is i and i hope i'm wrong, is the academy still has _ and i hope i'm wrong, is the academy still has a _ and i hope i'm wrong, is the academy still has a pretty— and i hope i'm wrong, is the academy still has a pretty original _ and i hope i'm wrong, is the academy still has a pretty original idea - and i hope i'm wrong, is the academy still has a pretty original idea as - still has a pretty original idea as to what— still has a pretty original idea as to what a — still has a pretty original idea as to what a best _ still has a pretty original idea as to what a best picture _ still has a pretty original idea as to what a best picture nominees should _ to what a best picture nominees should he, — to what a best picture nominees should be, it _ to what a best picture nominees should be, it should _ to what a best picture nominees should be, it should be - to what a best picture nominees should be, it should be about i to what a best picture nominees . should be, it should be about war, serious _ should be, it should be about war, serious topics. _ should be, it should be about war, serious topics, a _ should be, it should be about war, serious topics, a pink— should be, it should be about war, serious topics, a pink comedy- serious topics, a pink comedy doesn't — serious topics, a pink comedy doesn't seem _ serious topics, a pink comedy doesn't seem to _ serious topics, a pink comedy doesn't seem to fit _ serious topics, a pink comedy doesn't seem to fit into - serious topics, a pink comedy doesn't seem to fit into theirl serious topics, a pink comedy- doesn't seem to fit into their idea but it— doesn't seem to fit into their idea but it should _ doesn't seem to fit into their idea but it should. the _ doesn't seem to fit into their idea but it should. the academy- doesn't seem to fit into their idea but it should. the academy has i doesn't seem to fit into their idea but it should. the academy has a| but it should. the academy has a history— but it should. the academy has a history of— but it should. the academy has a history of nominating _ but it should. the academy has a

history of nominating the - but it should. the academy has a history of nominating the best. history of nominating the best picture — history of nominating the best picture of— history of nominating the best picture of the _ history of nominating the best picture of the year _ history of nominating the best picture of the year and - history of nominating the best picture of the year and that's. history of nominating the best. picture of the year and that's how it was— picture of the year and that's how it was up— picture of the year and that's how it was up until— picture of the year and that's how it was up until the _ picture of the year and that's how it was up until the 70s. _ picture of the year and that's how it was up until the 70s. it- picture of the year and that's how it was up until the 70s. it should i it was up until the 70s. it should be it was up until the 70s. it should he a _ it was up until the 70s. it should he a film — it was up until the 70s. it should he a film that _ it was up until the 70s. it should be a film that resonates - it was up until the 70s. it should be a film that resonates with - it was up until the 70s. it should j be a film that resonates with the audience — be a film that resonates with the audience but _ be a film that resonates with the audience but also _ be a film that resonates with the audience but also with _ be a film that resonates with the audience but also with the - be a film that resonates with the i audience but also with the voters. considering — audience but also with the voters. considering two— audience but also with the voters. considering two films _ audience but also with the voters. considering two films that - audience but also with the voters. considering two films that they i audience but also with the voters. | considering two films that they did so incredibly well at the box office, that's not usually the conversation at the oscars, is it? normally you have what people think of as being obscure art—house pictures— of as being obscure art—house pictures of for best picture and it's really— pictures of for best picture and it's really going to help the oscars telecast— it's really going to help the oscars telecast that you have two humongous heads _ telecast that you have two humongous heads up _ telecast that you have two humongous heads up for best picture. they need all the _ heads up for best picture. they need all the help— heads up for best picture. they need all the help they can. i mean, the readings — all the help they can. i mean, the readings last year for the oscars were _ readings last year for the oscars were around 20 million within the us, compare that with the super bowl if you _ us, compare that with the super bowl if you weeks ago which was 123 million — if you weeks ago which was 123 million. they need to get an audience, _ million. they need to get an audience, and i think barbenheimer will help— audience, and i think barbenheimer will help that. let audience, and i think barbenheimer will help that-— will help that. let me ask you both in the few seconds _ will help that. let me ask you both in the few seconds we _ will help that. let me ask you both in the few seconds we have - will help that. let me ask you both in the few seconds we have left, i will help that. let me ask you both| in the few seconds we have left, do you predict any surprises or to put it another way, are there any surprises that you would like to see happen? i surprises that you would like to see ha en? ., surprises that you would like to see hauen? ., ., , , surprises that you would like to see ha en? ., ., , , ~' ., surprises that you would like to see hauen? ., ., , , ~ .,, happen? i would honestly like to see an bod happen? i would honestly like to see anybody but — happen? i would honestly like to see anybody but robert _ happen? i would honestly like to see anybody but robert downey - happen? i would honestly like to see

anybody but robert downey junior i anybody but robert downeyjunior take it _ anybody but robert downeyjunior take it i— anybody but robert downeyjunior take it i hope— anybody but robert downeyjunior take it. i hope mark— anybody but robert downeyjunior take it. i hope mark ruffalo- anybody but robert downeyjunior take it. i hope mark ruffalo or- anybody but robert downeyjunior| take it. i hope mark ruffalo or ron gosiing _ take it. i hope mark ruffalo or ron gosiing would _ take it. i hope mark ruffalo or ron gosiing would get _ take it. i hope mark ruffalo or ron gosling would get those. _ take it. i hope mark ruffalo or ron gosling would get those. those - take it. i hope mark ruffalo or ron| gosling would get those. those are complicated performances, - gosling would get those. those are complicated performances, little i complicated performances, little more _ complicated performances, little more to — complicated performances, little more to do — complicated performances, little more to do then _ complicated performances, little more to do then oppenheimer. i complicated performances, little| more to do then oppenheimer. ti complicated performances, little - more to do then oppenheimer. ti bit more to do then oppenheimer. a bit of a backlash — more to do then oppenheimer. of a backlash because barbie didn't get the nominations that other people were hoping, could there be a backlash that some people would vote for it and you wouldn't expect it? i for it and you wouldn't expect it? i think barbie is a very involved, intelligence film and i think it deserves serious consideration. in terms _ deserves serious consideration. in terms of— deserves serious consideration. in terms of sentiment i had some problems— terms of sentiment i had some problems with it it's a better film than oppenheimer.— problems with it it's a better film than oppenheimer. let's hope, steve, that there are — than oppenheimer. let's hope, steve, that there are still— than oppenheimer. let's hope, steve, that there are still some _ than oppenheimer. let's hope, steve, that there are still some surprises. - that there are still some surprises. the night is still young. it sure is, and will be excited to see who wins all the awards. thank you very much for that, looking very dapper as well. you can find out more on our live page for the oscars, it's up our live page for the oscars, it's up and running, in the meantime bbc news continues right here.

hello there. march so far has been quieter, but colder and the wind direction has played its part. we've seen an easily wind so far, and in the last few days, we've seen an easterly wind so far, and in the last few days, it's brought a lot of cloud in off the north sea and temperatures struggled along those exposed coasts — only around six degrees. but the story is set to change as we go through the next few days. with the wind direction swinging round to a south—westerly, temperatures may well peak into the mid—teens, but there's still a chance of seeing a return to some showers or longer spells of rain. monday, however, will be a quieter story. this weakening weather front still producing a cloud thick enough for some drizzle. first thing monday morning, a lot of cloud and some fog around as well early on. some showery outbreaks of rain moving out to the far north of northern ireland, into the far north—west of scotland. and still, the wind direction coming from an easterly. here, always that little bit cooler, eight or nine degrees. but out to the west, with the best of any brightness, we could see temperatures peaking at 12 celsius.

now, as we move into tuesday, this weather front could bring some showery outbreaks of rain into wales and southern england for a time. it's a really messy story on tuesday. there'll be outbreaks of rain drifting their way steadily east, drizzle as well a little bit further north. but the far north of scotland could cling onto some sunshine here, not quite as warm, around 6 to 8 degrees, but further south, we'll see temperatures peaking at 13 celsius. low pressure will sit to the north by the middle part of the week and this trailing cold front will introduce the risk of more rain. but the south—westerly winds starting to pick up the milder air moving in. so despite a lot of cloud around potentially on wednesday, there should be some breaks in the cloud. temperatures will start to rise. highs of 16 degrees. brighter, with a few scattered showers, into the far north and west. so as we move into thursday and friday, weatherfronts will continue to bring the threat of showers or longer spells of rain. and some of the showers

could be heavy and thundery, but the wind direction will continue to push this milder air across the country. so temperatures on the rise, particularly in comparison to march so far. so, yes, there is a risk of some showers or some heavier rain from time to time, but it will be mild with it, with highs of 16 celsius.

welcome to hardtalk. i'm stephen sackur. how can we understand the present without interrogating the past? history matters to our sense of ourselves, the place we live in, and the world beyond. so believes my guest today, the writer and historian sathnam sanghera, whose own family story, indian sikhs migrating to the english midlands prompted him to look afresh at the impact of the british empire, both on britain and the vast territories colonised and controlled from london. did the british empire really do so much to shape the world of today?