in terms of the big picture today, what we've had from the party leaders fanning out across the uk is setting out their broad campaign messages. and you know what? we'll hear them repeatedly. first, the latest bbc news... uk party leaders have begun six weeks of campaigning before the election on the 4th ofjuly. rishi sunak has told supporters that economic stability has returned under the conservatives. but the labour leader, sir keir starmer, told a rally it was time to "end the chaos" of the conservative government. the post office offences bill has been passed by parliament. it means that sub—postmasters will have their convictions quashed tomorrow after the bill gets royal assent from the king. the legislation does not, however, cover scotland, which has a separate legal system.

china has started two days of military exercises around taiwan as a "strong punishment". the drills come after lai ching—te was sworn in as taiwan's new president this week and made an inauguration speech that china denounced as a "confession of independence". the late president ebrahim raisi was buried in his north—eastern hometown in the last day of state—organised funeral ceremonies. the state media have praised the funeral in mashhad, stressing that "millions" attended the ceremony. good evening. as theyjourneyed into work yesterday, recess looming, the mps at westminster were probably planning for a long bank holiday weekend. so much for that! today they were coming to terms with six weeks of frenetic campaigning, many of them already back in their constituencies, the lucky ones with party leaders alongside. there will be miles and miles of travel before voting day onjuly 4th.

even if they�* re are mostly guided by the maps that lead to target seats, not the same maps that we might use. the prime minister started his day at a distribution centre in ilkeston in derbyshire, sir keir starmer was in gillingham in kent, the liberal democrat leader, sir ed davey, headed to cheltenham. our political editor, chris mason, was tracking them. applause. placards and cheers and a baby is getting attention from politicians. keir starmer is quite a fan of visiting lower league football grounds and places he hopes labour can win. he was in gillingham in kent this morning, his deputy with him too. thank you. whatever service people try and access these days, they find it's like wading through treacle.

red cards aren't usually welcome for folk on a football pitch but expect to see plenty of these in the next month or so, spelling out labour's core message. we have had 14 years of going around and round in circles, getting absolutely nowhere. chaos and division, feeding chaos and division. if you want to change you have to vote for it, and if you vote labour it's a vote to stop the chaos, a vote to turn the page and its a vote to rebuild our country together. thank you very much. thank you. a general election is about winning seats and staying in them. rishi sunakjust about managed that in ilkeston in derbyshire, as he made the case the economy is on the up. inflation down from 11% when i got thisjob, down back to normal, just over 2%. energy bills, now falling by hundreds of pounds. wages have been rising by faster than prices for almost ten months now. the conservatives and labour might

have very different approaches to people crossing the channel in small boats. labour would scrap the tory plan to send some migrants to rwanda, which rishi sunak claims could make a big difference. how do we stop the boats? i am very clear, that requires bold solutions. that is why we need rwanda. got to make it crystal clear to everybody, if you come to our country illegally, you will not get to stay. but the prime minister told us today he didn't expect anyone to be sent to rwanda before the election. within hours, mr sunak was at a brewery in barry in south wales, having a go at the kit. there was then an awkward moment when he said this. looking forward to all the football? not so much my bag, but... but that's because you guys aren't in it. wales have not qualified for the euros, the football tournament starting next month. england and scotland have.

in edinburgh today, the new look scottish national party had their general election launch. onjuly the 4th, independence day, make sure your voice is heard. i expect over the next six weeks we will see the tories and labour really going at it. they will be going hammer and tongs to discredit each other. i will also be going hammer and tongs, but not against anyone, i will be going hammer and tongs to put scotland first. ready? right, cheering, let's go! cheering. and in cheltenham in gloucestershire, the liberal democrats were sorting out their choreography, some in party colours from head to toe. leader ed davey has a phrase we will hear a fair bit of. a fair deal where everyone can have a decent home that's secure and clean, and an affordable, comfortable retirement when the time comes.

a fair deal for every child has a decent school where they can have the opportunity to realise their potential. the next six weeks will involve a fair bit of ticker tape and assorted electioneering paraphernalia. luckily there are those keen to pick it up. chris mason, bbc news. i'm joined by lizzy buchan, deputy political editor at the daily mirror, brian taylor, political commentator and columnist for the herald, and lucy fisher, whitehall editor at the financial times. lucy, let's start with you, the announcement today was that no flights will take off her wand until after the election. labourers say that conservatives have spent something like £400 million on this project, which might well be cancelled if labour win. is there a moneyback guarantee?— cancelled if labour win. is there a moneyback guarantee? well, far from it. in fact, i — moneyback guarantee? well, far from it. in fact, ifeel_ moneyback guarantee? well, far from it. in fact, i feelthis _ moneyback guarantee? well, far from it. in fact, i feel this was _ moneyback guarantee? well, far from it. in fact, i feel this was quite - moneyback guarantee? well, far from it. in fact, i feel this was quite a - it. in fact, i feel this was quite a potentially significant misstep from rishi sunak today. let's not forget

that this flagship scheme to deport asylum—seekers to rwanda was first floated in 2022, two years later, the government is still asking the public to trust them pass it. come about to finally take off. see those flights take off. there is some scepticism we should also be aware that rishi sunak is trying to, you know, that create the manoeuvre room in case it doesn't happen but also hold back the surprise factor to that final week or so before the election in case some flights do get off the ground in order to try to enjoy a boost in the polls from that moment right before the public go to the ballot stations. so there is that potential as well but certainly immigration is shaping up to be quite the dividing line between the tories and labour at this general election. , ., tories and labour at this general election. ,., �* ., ., election. indeed so. brian, we have seen the new _ election. indeed so. brian, we have seen the new scottish _ election. indeed so. brian, we have seen the new scottish first - election. indeed so. brian, we havej seen the new scottish first minister are launching their campaign today, he would prefer the headlines where about that, but then we get news

detectives investigating the funding and financing of the snp have sent their report to the prosecution service in scotland, the timing could hardly be worse. it considers -- scarcely — could hardly be worse. it considers -- scarcely be _ could hardly be worse. it considers -- scarcely be worse. _ could hardly be worse. it considers -- scarcely be worse. the - could hardly be worse. it considersj -- scarcely be worse. the inquiries —— scarcely be worse. the inquiries going _ —— scarcely be worse. the inquiries going on— —— scarcely be worse. the inquiries going on for— —— scarcely be worse. the inquiries going on for some three years. suddenly— going on for some three years. suddenly it seems that their report and fiscal_ suddenly it seems that their report and fiscal service a day after the uk general election has been declared. nobody really commenting all that much _ nobody really commenting all that much because if this is to turn into a court _ much because if this is to turn into a court case, — much because if this is to turn into a court case, then charges are pending — a court case, then charges are pending or— a court case, then charges are pending or imminent end we presume that is— pending or imminent end we presume that is now— pending or imminent end we presume that is now being examined by the fiscal— that is now being examined by the fiscal service as to whether they go ahead _ fiscal service as to whether they go ahead with — fiscal service as to whether they go ahead with this. as you say, scarcely— ahead with this. as you say, scarcely helpful, he's the first minister. _ scarcely helpful, he's the first minister, but of course he is very well_ minister, but of course he is very well established within the snp having — well established within the snp having been a member of the scottish pariiament— having been a member of the scottish parliament since 99 and having been an mp _ parliament since 99 and having been an mp before that, he recalled he voted _ an mp before that, he recalled he voted for— an mp before that, he recalled he voted for the act that established the scottish parliament, treading an extremely— the scottish parliament, treading an extremely difficult and tricky path. he's got— extremely difficult and tricky path. he's got to deal with the flotsam

and jetsam of politics that surround and jetsam of politics that surround a party— and jetsam of politics that surround a party that spending government for lon- a party that spending government for long as _ a party that spending government for long as they have, these elections are about — long as they have, these elections are about issues like health and education — are about issues like health and education which are entirely devolved to the scottish parliament kimi 's _ devolved to the scottish parliament kimi 's got — devolved to the scottish parliament kimi 's got to cope with trying to reset— kimi 's got to cope with trying to reset and — kimi 's got to cope with trying to reset and revive the devolved government offer from the snp while at the _ government offer from the snp while at the same time, defending those westminster seats the party held in such large _ westminster seats the party held in such large numbers from the last uk generat— such large numbers from the last uk general election, particularly tricky— general election, particularly tricky position but then all the parties — tricky position but then all the parties in _ tricky position but then all the parties in a tricky condition where they seem — parties in a tricky condition where they seem to be abnormally anxious and fretfui. — they seem to be abnormally anxious and fretful, why wouldn't they be after _ and fretful, why wouldn't they be after the — and fretful, why wouldn't they be after the few years that we have endured — after the few years that we have endured. , ., after the few years that we have endured. ,., ~.,, , .,, endured. indeed so. most people will be lookin: endured. indeed so. most people will be looking rip — endured. indeed so. most people will be looking on the _ endured. indeed so. most people will be looking up the economy _ endured. indeed so. most people will be looking up the economy when - endured. indeed so. most people will| be looking up the economy when they go to vote in this election. they will want questions answered from all politicians as to what they are going to do about our prospects,

wages, skills, investment, innovation, what they will do about public services, counsel services, do we have any of that detail from the parties and when are we going to get it? in the parties and when are we going to et it? , ., ., ., , get it? in short, not really. obviously _ get it? in short, not really. obviously all _ get it? in short, not really. obviously all of _ get it? in short, not really. obviously all of the - get it? in short, not really. obviously all of the parties | get it? in short, not really. . obviously all of the parties are 0bviously all of the parties are talking a lot about the economy and it's because we know it is a key issue for voters and you can see that keir starmer to used his speech to talk about how there's been a major drop in living standards telling people that they don't need to put up with this. you saw on the bulletin that the liberal democrats moving about the economy as well, but the problem is because the government has been able to walk back inflation recently come down to 2.3%, but that's not really being born out in people's pay packets. people are still finding prices to be high. so that's going to be kind of the focus on a lot of the election campaign and at the moment

we haven't seen the manifestos, we haven't seen any kind of great detail because they have been playing their cards quite close to their chest, i think this is something that everyone will be watching very closely, whoever wins the election does with this incredibly gloomy picture of squeezes on public finances, the challenges of overcoming the pandemic and the war in ukraine and all of the shocks that the economy has suffered, and how do you do that whilst trying to improve living conditions for everyone in this country? edi conditions for everyone in this count ? , _ country? of course, lucy, the conservatives _ country? of course, lucy, the conservatives will _ country? of course, lucy, the conservatives will be - country? of course, lucy, the conservatives will be hoping, | country? of course, lucy, the - conservatives will be hoping, given they are so far behind the polls, once that policy comes out under the heat of the political battle, they will be able to start closing the gap, but that is largely dependent on the candidates because although neither of them have stellar personalities, these two main candidates is something of a presidential race, this, it feels like a presidential race, yet you've

got rishi sunak who didn't get off to a great start yesterday and then he dropped in wales over the football. how do conservatives feel about that? i football. how do conservatives feel about that? ~ ., , football. how do conservatives feel about that?— about that? i think many feel quite bruised at the _ about that? i think many feel quite bruised at the fairly _ about that? i think many feel quite bruised at the fairly soggy - about that? i think many feel quite l bruised at the fairly soggy campaign launch— bruised at the fairly soggy campaign launch on— bruised at the fairly soggy campaign launch on wednesday with rishi sunak getting _ launch on wednesday with rishi sunak getting drenched in that rather bizarre — getting drenched in that rather bizarre spectacle outside number 10 downing _ bizarre spectacle outside number 10 downing st and being drowned out practically by things can only get better, _ practically by things can only get better, of— practically by things can only get better, of famer —— famous labour anthem _ better, of famer —— famous labour anthem playing in the background played _ anthem playing in the background played by a protester, and of course, — played by a protester, and of course, as— played by a protester, and of course, as you said today, rishi sunak— course, as you said today, rishi sunak trying to make small talk, but in a very— sunak trying to make small talk, but in a very robotic fashion, bit of a gaffe _ in a very robotic fashion, bit of a gaffe that's _ in a very robotic fashion, bit of a gaffe that's made him look, again, a little bit _ gaffe that's made him look, again, a little bit odd, although the initiative was with rishi sunak to decide _ initiative was with rishi sunak to decide when to call the snap election. _ decide when to call the snap election, somehow it is keir starmer who has— election, somehow it is keir starmer who has ended up looking more prepared — who has ended up looking more prepared for this initial moment. his iaunch— prepared for this initial moment. his launch speech yesterday saw him behind _ his launch speech yesterday saw him behind a _ his launch speech yesterday saw him behind a wooden panel backdrop flanked —

behind a wooden panel backdrop flanked by union flags looking very presidential, i'm not surprised today— presidential, i'm not surprised today that some of the conversation has turned — today that some of the conversation has turned to tv debates. the tories laying _ has turned to tv debates. the tories laying down — has turned to tv debates. the tories laying down the gauntlet to labour to put _ laying down the gauntlet to labour to put up _ laying down the gauntlet to labour to put up keir starmer every week for the _ to put up keir starmer every week for the next six weeks before the public— for the next six weeks before the public head to the polls. they think that rishi _ public head to the polls. they think that rishi sunak, you know, tends to fare better— that rishi sunak, you know, tends to fare better in those pitched tete—a—tete battles. in my opinion that's— tete—a—tete battles. in my opinion that's what— tete—a—tete battles. in my opinion that's what we see at the weekly showdown at pmq 's that's what we see at the weekly showdown at pmq '5 every wednesday. it showdown at pmq '5 every wednesday. it does _ showdown at pmq '5 every wednesday. it does tend to be rishi sunak who is a little _ it does tend to be rishi sunak who is a little bit more nimble on his feet, _ is a little bit more nimble on his feet, although neither man is particularly political to their fingertips and able to manoeuvre quickly — fingertips and able to manoeuvre ruickl ., , ., , ., fingertips and able to manoeuvre ruickl ., , ._ ., ., quickly. just really two quick and starts, if quickly. just really two quick and starts. if you _ quickly. just really two quick and starts, if you could, _ quickly. just really two quick and starts, if you could, because - quickly. just really two quick and starts, if you could, because i. quickly. just really two quick and | starts, if you could, because i am up starts, if you could, because i am up against it, but in terms of those political debates come it seems to be that keir starmer, clearly rishi sunak would like every opportunity he could get, what is keir starmer saying? did i read today that he would agree to two?— saying? did i read today that he would agree to two? calling for tv debates as — would agree to two? calling for tv debates as an _ would agree to two? calling for tv debates as an underdog _ would agree to two? calling for tv debates as an underdog thing, - would agree to two? calling for tv | debates as an underdog thing, isn't

it? it always suits the person who is behind, so it's interesting the tories have decided to use that on the tactic of the first day of the campaign. ithink the tactic of the first day of the campaign. i think labour are up for it buti campaign. i think labour are up for it but i don't think they seem to want to commit to that many debates at the moment but we will see, i haven't had any confirmation on that. , , . , haven't had any confirmation on that. , ., haven't had any confirmation on that. , ,. ., that. this is always a tricky thing for leaders _ that. this is always a tricky thing for leaders in _ that. this is always a tricky thing for leaders in scotland. - that. this is always a tricky thing for leaders in scotland. they - that. this is always a tricky thing i for leaders in scotland. they would want to be part of the debate, and yet sometimes they get squeezed out of it. it yet sometimes they get squeezed out of it. , . ., , , ' of it. it is completely different discourse taking _ of it. it is completely different discourse taking place - of it. it is completely different discourse taking place in - of it. it is completely different. discourse taking place in scotland for a _ discourse taking place in scotland for a very— discourse taking place in scotland for a very good reasons. the prime fora very good reasons. the prime minister— for a very good reasons. the prime minister was — for a very good reasons. the prime ministerwas in for a very good reasons. the prime minister was in the highlands tonight— minister was in the highlands tonight and it was labour, he was talking _ tonight and it was labour, he was talking entirely about the snp as being _ talking entirely about the snp as being the antagonists for two reasons _ being the antagonists for two reasons. the conservatives gained six seats _ reasons. the conservatives gained six seats of— reasons. the conservatives gained six seats of the last uk elections in scotland and the second—place party _ in scotland and the second—place party in _ in scotland and the second—place party in each case is the snp, so they— party in each case is the snp, so they are — party in each case is the snp, so they are head—to—head with them in they are head—to—head with them in the northeast and in the south of scotland. — the northeast and in the south of scotland, but secondly it is more than _ scotland, but secondly it is more than that — scotland, but secondly it is more than that. the conservatives want to poiarise _ than that. the conservatives want to poiarise the — than that. the conservatives want to polarise the debate in scotland into a debate _ polarise the debate in scotland into a debate between discourse between the largest party advocating for the union. _ the largest party advocating for the union, that's them, and the largest party— union, that's them, and the largest party advocating for independence, the snp _

party advocating for independence, the snp. labour don't want to play that game — the snp. labour don't want to play that game. they want to talk about the two _ that game. they want to talk about the two governments as being equally an amicable to scottish interests, to devolved government and the uk government. they want to stay out of that constitutional test. of course, the conservatives want onto that and the conservatives want onto that and the snp _ the conservatives want onto that and the snp say when it comes to that, bring _ the snp say when it comes to that, bring it— the snp say when it comes to that, bring it on — the snp say when it comes to that, bring it on. they want to talk about independence and putting scotland first. , ., ., ., ., first. plenty more of that to come, no doubt. lovely _ first. plenty more of that to come, no doubt. lovely to _ first. plenty more of that to come, no doubt. lovely to see _ first. plenty more of that to come, no doubt. lovely to see you. - no doubt. lovely to see you. thank you. around the world and across the uk, this is bbc news.

in a carefully choreographed move that followed weeks of discussions, the norwegian, spanish and irish governments announced yesterday that they intend to recognise the state of palestine. the norwegians who have long played a role in middle east diplomacy said their decision was founded on the principle, that the only alternative to war was a political solution for israelis and palestinians alike. two states, living side by side, in peace and security.

the israeli prime minister said it was "reward for terrorism" and it would not bring peace to the region. his strategy is to pursue hamas wherever they might hide. and although israel and the united states describe the ground incursion in rafah as "limited", in practice, it is a deep ground operation, with a pattern of destruction said the newspaper haaretz, similar to what we have seen in other cities across the gaza strip. we have reproduced the images they have printed. this is an area north of the rafah crossing along the philadelphi corridor, taken in april by the satellite company planet labs. and this is how it looked this week. this one south of rafah, on the border with israel, near the crossing kerem shalom, in april and this week. i will see if we can get that picture for you. you see the before and after of april and this week.

the hamas —— the hamas run health ministry said israeli forces killed at least 38 palestinians across the gaza strip on thursday with close combat continuing in rafah. with me is the conflict mediator 0liver mcternan, who was deeply involved in the negotiations to free the israeli soldier gilad shalit. it's nice to have you here in person. i looked at some of the pictures today and some of those images that you printed and it did strike me we need to keep this in the headlines because there is an awful lot going on. i the headlines because there is an awful lot going on.— the headlines because there is an awful lot going on. i think when you see the pictures _ awful lot going on. i think when you see the pictures coming _ awful lot going on. i think when you see the pictures coming out - awful lot going on. i think when you see the pictures coming out of - awful lot going on. i think when you | see the pictures coming out of gaza, the question that comes to my mind, where is global humanity? where are we? the cease—fire must be the priority, and ifear now we? the cease—fire must be the priority, and i fear now with the election as you say on the agenda here, grabbing the news headlines, the realistic option of a cease—fire i think becomes less and less. hagar

i think becomes less and less. how do ou i think becomes less and less. how do you think _ i think becomes less and less. how do you think the _ i think becomes less and less. how do you think the icc _ i think becomes less and less. how do you think the icc decision has played into this? it’s do you think the icc decision has played into this?— played into this? it's a difficult one. i played into this? it's a difficult one- i think— played into this? it's a difficult one. i think we _ played into this? it's a difficult one. i think we have _ played into this? it's a difficult one. i think we have to - one. i think we have to have international rules, we have to have an international rules —based society. we've got to adhere to those decisions. i think in the long run it is probably the right decision because it's upholding the principles of law and without the principles of law and without the principles of law and without the principles of law, we are in a deeply, deeply serious situation. in some ways, what the french foreign ministry said this week, the spanish have sided with the icc, but lees doucette, who was set here earlier in the week said that when she spoke to the norwegians in the past and when they've been involved in previous conflict resolution, it does complicate the picture because you want to end the conflict first and you don't want the potential war crimes trials to stop that from happening. is there a danger of

that? i happening. is there a danger of that? 4' , ., ., , that? i think there is a danger, but i think we complicated _ that? i think there is a danger, but i think we complicated the - that? i think there is a danger, but| i think we complicated the situation a long time ago. we had an opportunity in 2006 when hamas made a decision to go into the political process and were elected to lead the palestinian government, not to control it or run it, but to lead it. and we refused to accept that. and i think we are suffering the consequences of that. we know from our own experience that we have had 800 years of conflict over ireland and it was only when it was realised that there had to be an inclusive process that those who saw the military option as the only option had to be brought to the table. and that led to the current situation we have in the north of ireland and i think there are lessons they are and insights they applicable to the israeli situation. in insights they applicable to the israeli situation.— insights they applicable to the israeli situation. in terms of what it's auoin israeli situation. in terms of what it's going on _ israeli situation. in terms of what it's going on around _ israeli situation. in terms of what it's going on around the - israeli situation. in terms of what it's going on around the table - it's going on around the table now, you keep in touch with both, that is your role as a mediator, the

israelis say they are still looking to find a cease—fire, is it genuine? i've had no indication eitherfrom the qatari �*s or from the egyptians. i think it's necessary for them to indicate that they are still trying to negotiate because of the pressure from the hostages.— from the hostages. obviously the families have _ from the hostages. obviously the families have great _ from the hostages. obviously the families have great concerns - from the hostages. obviously the l families have great concerns about what is going on in rafah, the families of the hostages. so is it political that they say a cease—fire is ongoing when really there isn't much force behind it? right is ongoing when really there isn't much force behind it?— is ongoing when really there isn't much force behind it? right from the bearinnin i much force behind it? right from the beginning i felt _ much force behind it? right from the beginning i felt if— much force behind it? right from the beginning i felt if you _ much force behind it? right from the beginning i felt if you set _ much force behind it? right from the beginning i felt if you set yourself - beginning i felt if you set yourself to incompatible targets, the one hand you say i'm going to negotiate i want to bring all the hostages back safely and on the other hand you say in my other objective is to annihilate the people holding the hostages, i thank you set yourself, well, it is a very high—risk

strategy if not impossible to achieve, and i think we've witnessed that over the past seven months. i think for me the sign of serious negotiation would be to say on humanitarian grounds, we call a cease—fire, a complete cease—fire so that we can get in on the first stage serious negotiation for the return of the hostages to their families, serious negotiation to ensure that the people of gaza, the 2.3 million who are suffering now have their immediate humanitarian needs in serious negotiations to get to the root cause of this conflict, which is essentially the occupation of the west bank and gaza, and until i think we address that core issue, we are papering over cracks and a continuation of conflict i fear will be the reality we face.— be the reality we face. there is alwa s a be the reality we face. there is always a life — be the reality we face. there is always a life page _ be the reality we face. there is always a life page on _ be the reality we face. there is always a life page on the - be the reality we face. there is always a life page on the bbc. always a life page on the bbc website where you can keep across events in the middle east. so much

to cover tonight. it is lovely to see you. to cover tonight. it is lovely to see ou. ., ~' to cover tonight. it is lovely to see ou. . ~ , ., to cover tonight. it is lovely to see ou. ., , ., thank see you. thank you, christian. thank ou for see you. thank you, christian. thank you for coming- _ the usjustice department is suing entertainment giant live nation, accusing it of using illegal tactics to maintain a monopoly over the music industry. the us attorney general, merrick garland made the annoucement earlier, arguing the concert promoter and its ticketmaster service has illegaly inflated concert ticket prices, and is hurting artists, venues and concert goers alike. music fans have complained for years that they are paying over the aid, and have been calling for a re—examination of live nation's purchase of ticketmaster in 2010. especially after the ticket seller botched sales to taylor swift's 2022 concert — her first tour in years — which meant fans spent hours in online queues, paying exorbitant prices for the tickets. we are not here today because live nation ticketmaster �*s conduct is inconvenient or frustrating.

we are here because, as we allege, that conduct is anti—competitive and illegal. 0ur complaint makes clear what happens when a monopolist dedicates its resources to entrenching its monopoly power and insulating itself from competition rather than investing in better products and services. joining me now is reporterfor american news website, axios, emily peck. emily, lovely to see you. how high is the bar that is set for the department ofjustice when it comes to suing live nation?— to suing live nation? yeah, i mean the department _ to suing live nation? yeah, i mean the department of— to suing live nation? yeah, i mean the department ofjustice - to suing live nation? yeah, i mean the department ofjustice has - to suing live nation? yeah, i mean the department ofjustice has beenj the department ofjustice has been working on this lawsuit since 2022 and the bar is really high. they don't go into this lightly. they spend a lot of time investigating, figuring out, getting all the details straight. it is a high bar. the cfo for live nation has been speaking in the last few minutes. he

says it's not the case that the doj can win, especially when you look at the prophets that they are making. they are quite punchy and some of the statements they've made which seems to be bringing both sides of congress together, which is quite the feat in the current political climate. �* , ., the feat in the current political climate. �* , . ., , climate. it's a remarkable accomplishment. - climate. it's a remarkable accomplishment. a - climate. it's a remarkable accomplishment. a lot. climate. it's a remarkable accomplishment. a lot of| climate. it's a remarkable - accomplishment. a lot of bipartisan agreement here lining up against live nation and ticketmaster. they have not won a lot of goodwill with the american people over the last few years. you mention the taylor swift debacle. i think that was kind of when the momentum really started shifting against this company. yeah, live nation is going to fight this. i think there was an attempt to settle before the department of justice filed its suit today, but obviously that did not work out. emily, a lot of us know what the problems are, but for those who haven't been following the story, just explain what has been going on and why fans and artists are so

angry about it. fans and artists are angry about it. fans and artists are angry because going to a concert right now is something that most people can't really afford any more, and even trying to buy a ticket to it concert is a frustrating process. the justice department it concert is a frustrating process. thejustice department is saying part of the reason that the justice department is saying part of the reaso— part of the reason that is true is because there _ part of the reason that is true is because there is _ part of the reason that is true is because there is one _ part of the reason that is true is i because there is one company that essentially runs the whole process and it doesn't have much of an incentive to make it less expensive for people or easier to manoeuvre through. for people or easier to manoeuvre throu~h. , , for people or easier to manoeuvre throu~h. , ., ., through. just quickly, how long before this _ through. just quickly, how long before this comes _ through. just quickly, how long before this comes to _ through. just quickly, how long before this comes to trial? - through. just quickly, how long | before this comes to trial? they have asked for a jury trial. it have asked for a jury trial. it should be a while. one year, two years, something like that to get to trial and then the trial will last for some time, a few weeks, and it takes a long time for these things to work out. 50 takes a long time for these things to work out-— takes a long time for these things to work out. so we are going to be auueuin to work out. so we are going to be queuing and _ to work out. so we are going to be queuing and paying _ to work out. so we are going to be queuing and paying for _ to work out. so we are going to be queuing and paying for some - to work out. so we are going to be queuing and paying for some time| to work out. so we are going to be i queuing and paying for some time to come then. don't get your hopes up. emily, lovely to see you and thanks for coming on the

programme. the other side of the break, elections everywhere, it is the year of the election. we are going to be talking about the parliamentary elections in europe for what our series europe votes 2024 and will what that means for the uk. new parliaments and place on both sides. hello. for some of us, the rain over the last couple of days has felt relentless. we've seen more than 100 millimetres of rain falling in some locations in the space of 48 hours. this weather system swirled its way in from the near continent and then just sat in place, and so the rainjust kept on coming. and this area of low pressure is still going to be with us through tonight and into tomorrow, but it will be weakening. it will be loosening its grip, so the rain will continue to ease off. some heavier bursts of rain for a time across the northern isles. still quite wet for a while across central and southern parts of scotland. could see some further flooding issues here. broadly speaking, though, the rain continuing to peter

out through the night. and where we see some clear skies, particularly down towards the south of england, it will actually be a little on the chilly side, maybe down to five, six or seven degrees. but that's where we'll start tomorrow morning with some spells of sunshine. further north, a good part of wales, the midlands, certainly northern england, northern ireland and scotland seeing a lot of cloud. that cloud still producing some bits and pieces of rain and drizzle, but it certainly isn't going to be as wet as it has been over recent days. in the sunniest spots down towards the south—east of england, temperatures will get to 19—20 degrees. and actually it does look relatively warm for this coming weekend. there will be some spells of sunshine, but also some heavy and possibly thundery showers. now, most places will actually see some dry weather on saturday. this little weather feature here trying to nose its way in from the continent. that may bring some showery rain for a timejust clipping into eastern counties of england. also a frontal system bringing cloud and rain into south—west england, the south—west of wales, parts of northern ireland

by the end of the day. but in between, there should be a slice of sunshine and just one or two showers. and where we have that sunshine, temperatures peaking at 20—21 degrees. now, as we head into sunday, there'll still be some sunny spells around, but also some pretty hefty showers. they'll be quite hit and miss. some places may avoid the showers and stay dry, others will get a real drenching with some thunder and lightning mixing in. in the sunniest spots, though, temperatures again into the high teens, maybe up to around 20 degrees celsius. perhaps a little bit less warm on monday. still some spells of sunshine, but also some hefty showers, especially in the north of the uk.