hello, i'm lewis vaughanjones. you're watching the context on bbc news. here, in the uk — the labour party sets out their policy on dealing with small boat crossings in the channel — saying they'd scrap the rwanda plan straightaway if they come into government — but refuse to set a target for getting the numbers down. sport and for a full round—up, from the bbc sport centre, here's gavin. hello from the bbc sport centre. some big news to bring you from the world of football — kylian mbappe has announced that he will leave paris saint—germain at the end of the season. the france captain, widely regarded as one of the best forwards in the game, released a video on social media — saying he would always speak when the time comes. it clears the way for a likely

move to real madrid. psg's lost to dortmund this week in the champions league semi—finals. the team face toulouse in ligue un, at the parcs des princes on sunday, which will be mbappe�*s final home game. it could be a defining weekend in the english premier league for teams sweating on survival down at the bottom. sheffield united are already relegated. so now it's nottingham forest, luton and burnley in the spotlight. forest are three points clear of third from bottom luton, so are favourites to stay up. they would have been safe — if their appeal against a four point deduction for breaking financial rules was upheld. it's been an eventful season for forest with their owner evangelos marinakis outspoken in his criticism of referees. it is not fair what is happened and we've had many decisions and then cost a lot of points and it is something that has been repeated and repeated. but will be expected the premier league and from the referees is to correct these

mistakes and we see that this is been repeated and repeated and it's something that we have great concern. for me, it is not bad to speak about it. i think that for me, speaking about it and having a great appetite to correct it does not damage the sport, what damages the sport is this unfair decisions in my opinion. james anderson could be set to bring the curtain down on his record—breaking england career this summer, following talks with head coach, brendon mccullum. it's been reported that mccullum recently made a five—day visit to the uk, to meet anderson — and tell him england are looking to build a pace attack for the future. it's not clear if anderson has played his last test, or whether he could get a farewell in the home summer. anderson is england's leading all time test wicket taker with 700 dismissals.

what england will look to is the looks to the young bowlers who have had opportunities in the england side, look to get more opportunities next winterfor the side, look to get more opportunities next winter for the gashes in australia, down under is the plan. jimmy anderson by that point would be 43 years old. when you look at it like that, understandable that england are looking at the succession plan in what someone who is fitted into that england test diagnose what he's doing, knows the plan and is ready and to go. diagnose what he's doing, knows the plan and is ready and to go. britain's geraint thomas has slipped to third in the overall standings at the giro d'italia after stage seven�*s 40 kilometre time trial, with tadej pogacar extending his overall lead pogacar finished 17 overall lead, pogacar finished 17 seconds ahead of italian time—trial specialist filippo ganna and two minutes in front of welsh rider thomas. the slovenian is now 2 minutes 36 seconds clear of colombian rider daniel felipe martinez in the overall standings. at the italian 0pen — world number one novak djokovic cruised into the third round —

with beating france's corentin moutet 6—3, 6—1 third seed alex zverev is also through. he eased past australian aleksandar vukic 6—0, 6—4 injust over an hour. germany's zverev, who won the rome masters back in 2017, will face italian luciano darderi next. in the women's singles, 0ns jabeur�*s tough 2024 continues, as the eighth seed suffered another early exit. she lost to unseeded sofia kenin 7—5, 2—6, 6—4 in the second round. the tunisian is yet to go past the quarterfinals on tour this year. and that's all the sport for now. a school board in the us state of virginia has voted to restore the names of historical figures from the american civil war to two schools. it appears to be the first time a school board has agreed to restore the names of controversial figures. the move has been quickly criticised by civil rights groups.

0ur north america correspondent will vernonjoins us now from washington. talk us through it's happening. this is about two — talk us through it's happening. ti 3 is about two schools in talk us through it's happening. ti 1 is about two schools in virginia whose names previously were named after three civil war military officers with the robert e lee, stonewalljackson and turner ashby. these men all fought on the side of the confederacy, that was the breakaway states that during the civil war intended to fight to maintain slavery in america. but four years ago in 2020 following the murder of george floyd and the black lives matter movement there was a kind of national reckoning on race in america. because of that many confederacy names, references, statues, things like that were changed. the argument was that this would send a message about racism

condemning racism and, that these figures associated with the confederacy shouldn't be honoured by having their names on buildings. many of those names were changed but many were not. there is believed to be around 2000 confederacy references and parks, monuments, things like that still in america. these two schools in virginia did have their names change four years ago. now the school board has voted to change them back again. what ago. now the school board has voted to change them back again.— to change them back again. what do we make of— to change them back again. what do we make of the _ to change them back again. what do we make of the timing _ to change them back again. what do we make of the timing here? - to change them back again. what do we make of the timing here? it's - we make of the timing here? it's interesting _ we make of the timing here? it�*s interesting because in virginia like many other places in america many conservatives, people with conservatives, people with conservative points of view were very unhappy about these changes. they thought the process was undemocratic, they think the confederacy is it important historical period and these men associated with the confederacy were not villains but american heroes. many on the right felt that the

heritage was basically being cancelled by a kind of left wing, woke agenda. we see this play out in various different ways, it's not just schools. there's all kinds of arguments over lg bt plus themes and children's books or diversity schemes in workplaces. we call it the culture wars, it's a very politically charged topic here in the us. in terms of virginia, at the school board of a dartboard like many others in america is elected. there was an election last year, many conservatives join that school board. they actually campaigned on a slogan of get to the left, woke agenda out of schools. it was very clear to most people which way this was going to go. the move has been condemned by civil rights groups, by local black residents, some can even remember when schools were segregated in virginia. 0ne local group we spoke to said that it deplored the decision to honour civil war figures that consciously

betrayed the united states and were proponents of slavery and segregation. another said that the confederate name shouldn't be memorialise anywhere the public is required to support financially saying the names represented hateful, white supremacist ideas. well, thank you very much for that. let's take a look at one story making waves online this week. a chinese zoo have defended their decision to dye dogs for a fake panda exhibition, because "people also dye their hair. earlier this month, taizhou zoo unveiled a new "panda dogs" exhibition, drawing large crowds. but visitors were surprised to see two chow chows whose fur had been dyed black and white, leading zoo owners to admit they didn't have any real pandas to show. the zoo has come under fire for dyeing the dogs — but they say "natural dye can be used on dogs if they have long fur".

i'm joined now by peter li who is china policy adviser at the humane society international and visiting fellow of the animal law & policy programme at harvard law school. thank you for coming on the program. good to be here. panda dogs, they are dyed to look like pandas. it's come under quite a lot of criticism. is something agree with? i’m come under quite a lot of criticism. is something agree with?— is something agree with? i'm not surrised is something agree with? i'm not surprised about _ is something agree with? i'm not surprised about definitely - is something agree with? i'm not surprised about definitely i - is something agree with? i'm not surprised about definitely i don't| surprised about definitely i don't agree with that. the act of dying child chose to make them black—and—white to look like a panda and called panda dogs, there is no such dog on the book i believe that the act has violated responsibility it's also an animal welfare issue.

it could also potentially violate laws. the entire drama is totally unacceptable.— laws. the entire drama is totally unacceptable. laws. the entire drama is totally unaccetable. 1 ., ., .,~ ., unacceptable. what do you make of their argument _ unacceptable. what do you make of their argument that _ unacceptable. what do you make of their argument that humans - unacceptable. what do you make of their argument that humans dyed i their argument that humans dyed their argument that humans dyed their hairand dog their argument that humans dyed their hair and dog skin to? humans, es, we their hair and dog skin to? humans, yes. we die — their hair and dog skin to? humans, yes. we die are _ their hair and dog skin to? humans, yes, we die are here _ their hair and dog skin to? humans, yes, we die are here for _ their hair and dog skin to? humans, yes, we die are here for the -- - their hair and dog skin to? humans, j yes, we die are here for the -- dogs yes, we die are here for the —— dogs can do to can make the decision but these dogs are forced to die their hair into black and white, they had no choice. what i understand is, zoos are public places, businesses that have a social responsibility to send the right message to society. by send the right message to society. by dying the dogs to make them look like a panda bear is sending a wrong message. basically saying that you can do anything to animals and to your dogs put up some people in china i would say are out of

ignorance, they dyed their dogs to make them look like tigers, look like pandas and not knowing that the diet might be toxic. another thing important to understand is even if they can't take selfies but are self—conscious. they know. by changing their colour they could create psychological trauma to the dogs. those are all animal welfare issues. , , issues. does it tell us anything more while _ issues. does it tell us anything more while it _ issues. does it tell us anything more while it dues _ issues. does it tell us anything more while it dues widely - issues. does it tell us anything | more while it dues widely about issues. does it tell us anything - more while it dues widely about zoos in china or regulations on animal welfare? i in china or regulations on animal welfare? ., _ , in china or regulations on animal welfare? ., , ., , ., , welfare? i would say this also shows a failure in oversight. _ welfare? i would say this also shows a failure in oversight. in _ welfare? i would say this also shows a failure in oversight. in this - a failure in oversight. in this particular zoo minorities and members of china's zoo associations but i strongly believe any zoo, whether inside the association are outside the association should be supervisor regulated by the local government. at the high level china

is one of the few countries, probably the only industrialised country that does not have anti—cruelty law. china is 202 years behind the most progressive country in the world in terms of anti—cruelty legislation. i strongly believe that it's time china consider adopting such a law. peter li, thank you _ consider adopting such a law. peter li, thank you for _ consider adopting such a law. peter li, thank you for coming _ consider adopting such a law. peter li, thank you for coming on - consider adopting such a law. peter li, thank you for coming on the program. around the world and across the uk. this is bbc news.

migration and border security is going to be a key issue at the next uk election. and today labour laid out part of its policy. sir keir starmer says a labour government would scrap the tories rwanda policy straightaway but would not bring

back migrants who may have already been deported there. but the labour leader refused to commit to stopping the boats saying he would not put "false numbers" on his plans. new figures from the home office show more than 9,000 people have crossed the channel in small boats this year. that's a rise of 35% on the same period last year. 0ur political editor chris mason is in dover. dover this morning. the latest arrivals picked up by border force in the english channel. the ambulance a reminder of the perils of a crossing. a few miles away, the man who thinks he has a solution. and just look who's following in keir starmer�*s footsteps. the local mp, natalie elphicke, who walked into this week as a conservative mp and ends it sitting with labour. sir keir�*s main idea is this... border security command will bring together hundreds of specialist investigators — the best of the best —

from the national crime agency, the border force, immigration enforcement, the crown prosecution service, and, yes, mi5. listening, responding — the prime minister. and as far as i can tell, all the things they're talking about today are all things that we're already doing. crunching through the backlog, having more law enforcement officers do more. that's all happening already. we announced all of that more than a year ago. there is then a battle of ideas and a tussle over sounding tough. these vile people smugglers are no better than terrorists. they're a threat to our national security and a threat to life. that means new powers that will allow us to shut off internet access, close their bank accounts. labour want to use counter—terrorism laws "to smash people smuggling gangs", as they put it. but how much difference would this make? so i think there's an open question here about what precisely these anti—terrorism powers will amount

to, whether it will make it considerably easier to police smuggling gangs and ultimately whether it will have a material impact on getting small boat arrivals down. next then, time to scrutinise labour's ideas. keir starmer, you say that you want what you call a border security command. the prime minister's set up a small boat 0perational command. what, in practical terms, is the difference? well, let me tell you. the prime minister's operation, which is good, is a processing operation here, coordinating with those in france about the boats that are actually coming across. but i want something much more ambitious than that, which is to set up a command that will take down the gangs that are putting people in the boats in the first place. how can you be certain that the government's rwanda scheme won't be a deterrent? maybe, just maybe, it'll work. i think it's a gimmick. i think it's an extremely

expensive gimmick. £600 million to removejust a few hundred people, less than i% of those that arrive via small boat. maybe it will act as a deterrent. i do not think it's going to work. i'm not going to come into government, if we're privileged enough to do so, and flog a dead horse at great expense to the taxpayer. a deeply complex issue over which keir starmer and rishi sunak grapple for credibility and long for solutions — as partial as they may prove to be. chris mason, bbc news in dover. let's speak now to the home secretary james cleverly. thank you for coming on the program. we heard keir starmer describing the rwanda plan as a gimmick, too expensive, it won't work, it can be scrapped. is it time to give it up? i'll tell you what is a gimmick, a gimmick is him announcing the creation of a multi—agency organisation to stop small boats crossings when there is already and has been for over a year now a multi

agency organisations stop small boat crossings that works with european law enforcement agency, works with the french authorities, interrupts boat supply, engine supply, illicit finance and is led by a former british army general, a former, out. unless keir starmer is get a sack all those people and then re—created, firing and rehiring i really don't see what the proposals he put forward today add to the attempts to stop the small boat crossings. attempts to stop the small boat crossinus. ., �* _ attempts to stop the small boat crossinus. ., �* ,, ., attempts to stop the small boat crossinus. ., �* ., , crossings. you're saying that his ideas like your _ crossings. you're saying that his ideas like your ideas _ crossings. you're saying that his ideas like your ideas are - crossings. you're saying that his ideas like your ideas are you - ideas like your ideas are you therefore will his ideas? ha. ideas like your ideas are you therefore will his ideas? no. his ideas are a _ therefore will his ideas? no. his ideas are a pale _ therefore will his ideas? no. his ideas are a pale imitation - therefore will his ideas? no. his ideas are a pale imitation of - ideas are a pale imitation of whatever he puts in place it's not even complete. he saying that he's going to... he saying he's going to do some of the things that we're currently doing but he's going to scrap the rwanda plan even though

the early indications are that it is already having the start of its deterrent effect. a number of illegal people that arrived here, illegal people that arrived here, illegal migrants and asylum—seekers have said that they are going to leave the uk because they don't want to get such a rondo. he's going to it. if to get such a rondo. he's going to it. , ., to get such a rondo. he's going to it. i. ., ., ~ to get such a rondo. he's going to it. if you look at the actual numbers -- _ it. if you look at the actual numbers -- rolando. - it. if you look at the actual numbers -- rolando. at i it. if you look at the actual l numbers -- rolando. at this it. if you look at the actual - numbers -- rolando. at this time of numbers —— rolando. at this time of year, this point last year there were more people crossing this year than last year, more people than the year before that and more people than the year before that. the numbers don't say it's a deterrent at all, do they? numbers don't say it's a deterrent at all. do they?— numbers don't say it's a deterrent at all, do they? what we have found is that the actions _ at all, do they? what we have found is that the actions we _ at all, do they? what we have found is that the actions we have - at all, do they? what we have found is that the actions we have taken - is that the actions we have taken drove down small boat crossings last year, drove down the number of people crossing by a 3rd. the people smugglers have been changing their tactics. they've been forcing more and more people onto the boats.

sadly, that's why we're seeing people lose their lives in the channel. we're determined to bring those numbers down. the channel. we're determined to bring those numbers down.— channel. we're determined to bring those numbers down. the numbers are auoin u. those numbers down. the numbers are going up- let — those numbers down. the numbers are going up- let me _ those numbers down. the numbers are going up. let me finish. _ those numbers down. the numbers are going up. let me finish. what - those numbers down. the numbers are going up. let me finish. what keir - going up. let me finish. what keir starmer announced _ going up. let me finish. what keir starmer announced today - going up. let me finish. what keir starmer announced today is - going up. let me finish. what keir starmer announced today is a - starmer announced today is a weakening of what we've already got in place, which will inevitably mean the numbers will go up even further and because he is taken rwanda off the table there is literally nowhere to return people to if they come from countries where either the regime or for whatever reason we don't have a return agreement. so where will he return people from who arrived from afghanistan? will will he return them to if they arrive from iran or syria? he's inevitably going to have to have in amnesty because he cannot return them to those countries. he because he cannot return them to those countries.— because he cannot return them to those countries. he would have tens

of millions of— those countries. he would have tens of millions of pounds _ those countries. he would have tens of millions of pounds extra, - those countries. he would have tens of millions of pounds extra, 70 - of millions of pounds extra, 70 million, is a?— of millions of pounds extra, 70 million, is a? ., ., �* million, is a? no, he wouldn't. he wouldn't because _ million, is a? no, he wouldn't. he wouldn't because the _ million, is a? no, he wouldn't. he i wouldn't because the accommodation bill... ,_ , wouldn't because the accommodation bill... , ., , wouldn't because the accommodation bill... ., , ,, wouldn't because the accommodation bill... , ., , ,, ., bill... says the money spent would be completely _ bill... says the money spent would be completely wasted _ bill... says the money spent would be completely wasted then? - bill... says the money spent would be completely wasted then? the . bill... says the money spent would i be completely wasted then? the facts are we have — be completely wasted then? the facts are we have reports _ be completely wasted then? the facts are we have reports from _ be completely wasted then? the facts are we have reports from migrants - are we have reports from migrants saying they are being deterred because of water $1. the saying they are being deterred because of water $1. , , ., because of water $1. the numbers are still oaian because of water $1. the numbers are still going up- — because of water $1. the numbers are still going up- it _ because of water $1. the numbers are still going up. it doesn't _ because of water $1. the numbers are still going up. it doesn't matter- because of water $1. the numbers are still going up. it doesn't matter a - still going up. it doesn't matter a great deal if the numbers are still going up. == great deal if the numbers are still aaoin u, ., ., great deal if the numbers are still aoain u ., . ., , great deal if the numbers are still t oil'l a u a . ., ., , ., great deal if the numbers are still aoain u-. . . , ., , going up. -- rwanda. they will go up significantly — going up. -- rwanda. they will go up significantly faster _ going up. -- rwanda. they will go up significantly faster and _ going up. -- rwanda. they will go up significantly faster and further - significantly faster and further under this halfhearted, poorly thought through labour plan. the point i'm making about rwanda is if people arrive here from countries where we don't have a return agreement or where we can return them to he will inevitably have to grant in amnesty because the safer country, rwanda he would've taken off the table. he was asked about the he dodged the question. unless he is going to have a return

agreement with the taliban or return agreement with the taliban or return agreement with the taliban or return agreement with asad or a return agreement with asad or a return agreement with asad or a return agreement with tehran. he's going to have to grant amnesty. and the point that we've made is this halfhearted, poorly thought through, pale imitation of what is already in place but without the deterrent of rwanda will inevitably see numbers go up. his proposals will make the uk the asylum capital of the world. and this is where the money comes in, the accommodation costs will massively outweigh the costs of the rwanda scheme if his numbers don't add up, the plans don't add up and he will inevitably have to put in endlessly in place, which we completely oppose.- endlessly in place, which we completely oppose. endlessly in place, which we com-letel o-rose. ~ ., , completely oppose. what happens next comes on the — completely oppose. what happens next comes on the outcome _ completely oppose. what happens next comes on the outcome of— completely oppose. what happens next comes on the outcome of the _ completely oppose. what happens next comes on the outcome of the general. comes on the outcome of the general election. without labour atten p,

not from the left of the conservative party, not from the centre many would say but from the right of the conservative party. what does that say about you as a party right now? i what does that say about you as a party right now?— party right now? i genuinely don't understand _ party right now? i genuinely don't understand how _ party right now? i genuinely don't understand how natalie _ party right now? i genuinely don't understand how natalie who - party right now? i genuinely don't understand how natalie who was l understand how natalie who was delivering leaflets this week saying that the labour party was weak on migration that keir starmer didn't have a plan and an open door policy. i don't know what it was that attracted her to the labour party. she told you it was the failings of rishi sunak to get a grip. she was delivering leaflets this week saying keir starmer it doesn't have a plan and would have an open—door immigration policy and that we would see immigration and asylum claims sore under labor. she was delivering

leaflets this week.— leaflets this week. despite that she still thinks rishi — leaflets this week. despite that she still thinks rishi sunak _ leaflets this week. despite that she still thinks rishi sunak handling - still thinks rishi sunak handling has been worse. she still thinks rishi sunak handling has been worse.— has been worse. she is saying completely — has been worse. she is saying completely contradictory - has been worse. she is saying. completely contradictory things has been worse. she is saying - completely contradictory things with them if you want to understand her motivations, understand how someone who was saying we should have a public route with the french over migration controls, who said the labour party and notjust once or twice, she said consistently that keir starmer and the labour party are weak on immigration. if you want to understand how she can hold those completely contradictory thoughts simultaneously you'll have to ask her. . ., , ., her. the election itself, given that the local election _ her. the election itself, given that the local election we _ her. the election itself, given that the local election we just - her. the election itself, given that the local election we just had - the local election we just had there aren't many conservative mps who are bouncy and optimistic right now, are there? i bouncy and optimistic right now, are there? ~ ., �* bouncy and optimistic right now, are there? ~ . �* , , there? i think what we've seen is there? i think what we've seen is the labour— there? i think what we've seen is the labour party _ there? i think what we've seen is

the labour party and _ there? i think what we've seen is the labour party and many - there? i think what we've seen is| the labour party and many areas, including the tees valley, the west midlands who are expected to rob home very easily didn't overturn in the tees valley.— the tees valley. there was a big swina the tees valley. there was a big swing into _ the tees valley. there was a big swing into labour, _ the tees valley. there was a big swing into labour, wasn't- the tees valley. there was a big | swing into labour, wasn't there? they didn't win in the tees valley. and they only won by a hares breath, by a whisker in the west midlands. two areas traditionally that have been labour strongholds. the labour party have absolutely not sealed the deal. they have not made a convincing case. we have got to demonstrate to the british people that our plan is working. we've seen today the economic growth that figures are better and earlier than many people predicted. national insurance contribution, people of more money in their pocket. as that filters through to peoples lives and they feel better off, i think we will have a very credible case to make to the british electorate that

we have a plan, that is working... i'm afraid we're to time. james cleverly, thank you. this is bbc news. hello. after another very warm and mostly sunny spring day today, what are the chances of this weather lasting through the weekend? well, at first, it is going to be more of the same — mostly dry on saturday, spells of sunshine. it will be very warm. but by sunday, signs of a change, some thundery showers as atlantic weather fronts start to edge in. but in the short term, this area of high pressure just about holding firm. underneath that high through tonight, we'll have largely clear skies. and it is possible, particularly across the northern half of the uk, that you might get a glimpse of the northern lights, the aurora borealis. there's been a lot of geomagnetic activity, a solar storm heading our way, so do keep an eye to the sky. it could be an impressive

display, particularly the further north you are. certainly staying dry with those clear skies, although an area of cloud likely to affect some parts of eastern england, also some areas of low cloud close to shetland. temperatures overnight not dropping far, generally between 7 and 12 degrees. so into tomorrow, a fine start, some good spells of sunshine, any early cloud in eastern england burning back towards north sea coasts. now, there is just the small chance of catching a shower, especially up over high ground in scotland. could be the odd hefty one, the odd thundery one. but most places will stay dry. in the sunshine, temperatures in glasgow, for instance, up to 24 degrees. western counties of northern ireland particularly could just see one or two showers, one or two across the far north of england. but for the bulk of england and wales, spells of sunshine, just a bit of patchy, fair weather cloud. maybe a bit murky for some north sea coasts, but highs of around 25 degrees. now, as we head through saturday night and into sunday, our area of high pressure begins to loosen its grip and these frontal systems will start to push quite erratically in from the atlantic. so on sunday, the further east you are, a decent chance of staying

dry with some very warm sunshine. a bit murky for some coasts of eastern scotland. but out towards the west, we will see some thunderstorms starting to pop up. quite hit—and—miss, but if you catch one, could give you a lot of rain in a short space of time. still, though, very warm indeed, with temperatures up to around 25 or 26 degrees. those temperatures certainly will not last. into next week, a much coolerfeel. temperatures generally between 15 and 18 degrees, showers or longer spells of rain, turning much more unsettled.

hello, i'm lewis vaughanjones. you're watching the context on bbc news. in favour, 143. against, nine. abstentions, 25. draft resolution is adopted. with sick and twisted irony, the very body established to prevent evil is now welcoming a terrorist state into its ranks. a yes vote is a vote - for palestinian existence. it is not against any state. this is largely symbolic. the general assembly does not have the power to confer full membership on new states. that power belongs only to the security council. joining me tonight are annabel denham, comment editor at the telegraph and the american journalist, brian stelter.