this is bbc news, i'm rachel scofield. the headlines at 8pm: wikileaks founderjulian assange says his legal conflict with britain and the us continues, after swedish prosecutors dropped a seven year rape investigation. seven years without charge while my children grew up without me. that is not something i can forgive. it is not something i can forget. theresa may defends her election pledge to scrap winter fuel payments it to them opposed by some scottish conservatives. labour described the winter fuel plans as "sick and sneaky", claiming ten million older people would be hit. the families of the victims of serial killer stephen port express dismay at the slow progress of an inquiry into why police took so long to catch him.

also in the next hour, digital departures: how one british airport is to abandon its air traffic control tower and use technology to monitor planes from 80 miles away. welcome to hsbc... and: how a bbc reporter and his twin managed to fool hsbc‘s voice recognition security system, which is designed to prevent fraud. good evening and welcome to bbc news. the wikileaks founderjulian assange says he will not forgive or forget after a seven year rape investigation in sweden was dropped without charge. this afternoon he made a rare appearance on the balcony of ecuador‘s embassy in london where he's been holed up forfive

years to avoid extradition. he called the development an important victory for him but said it was "extremely regretful" that he is still being threatened with arrest if he leaves the embassy for skipping bail five years ago. prosecutors in sweden say they regret having to drop the case. his alleged victim says she stands by the allegation. our correspondent caroline hawley reports. out into the fresh air. on the balcony of the ecuadorian embassyjulian assange emerged this afternoon to have his say on the end of the swedish investigation against him. today is an important victory for me and for the un human rights system. seven years without charge while my children grew up without me. that is not something that

i can forgive, it is not something that i can forget. but prosecutors in sweden have not cleared julian assange, they have simply said they can't pursue the case any further. translation: there are now no further measures remaining which are possible to advance the investigation. in order to proceed, it would be necessary forjulian assange to be formally served notice of the crimes of which he is suspected. this was a measure that was to have been conducted during an interview in london, but mr assange refused to make this possible. this complex international drama began in august 2010 when two women alleged thatjulian assange had sexually assaulted them on a visit to sweden. accusations he has always denied. in december that year he was detained in britain under an international arrest warrant. in may 2012, the supreme court upheld a decision to extradite him to sweden for questioning.

and injune, mrassange walked into the ecuadorian embassy in london requesting political asylum. the metropolitan police mounted a 24—hour guard at the embassy. by october 2015, it had cost over £30 million. and it is not over yet. julian assange is no longer wanted on an international arrest warrant but the metropolitan police say that if he stepped out of the embassy they are still obliged to arrest him for failing to surrender to a london court back in 2012. at the embassy this evening his supporters were jubilant. but in sweden, the woman who accused him of rape issued a statement saying he was evading justice, and expressing her shock that the investigation was being shelved. julian assange was not held without charge with for seven years. he was subject to extradition proceedings with in the eu, under the european arrest warrant scheme he would have received a fair trial in sweden had he chosen to go back. the reason this has lasted seven years is entirely down to him seeking refuge

in the ecuadorian embassy rather than going to face trial in a country that has governed by the rule of law. the founder of wikileaks says it was fear that he would be extradited to the united states for leaking classified information that drove him through the doors of the ecuadorian embassy. so despite today's dramatic twist in this long—running diplomatic and legal saga, tonight he is back inside. not for the moment going anywhere. caroline hawley, bbc news. 0ur news correspondent tom burrows spoke to me earlierfrom outside the ecuadorian embassy. he said that mr assange had not given any interviews to journalists. no questions to the journalist below, no mention of the rape allegations against him in sweden, which he has always denied that he hasn't faced the legal system in sweden, because he's been holed up in the embassy behind me. it was a typical performance from julian

assange, defiant, vitriolic against westerman governments, particularly against the eu, against the british legal system, but if he were to walk out of the embassy behind me, even though that european arrest warrant has been dropped link to the investigation and sweden, he would still be arrested by british police. that is because the law states that five years ago, he failed to answer bailand five years ago, he failed to answer bail and basically turn up the court. and failure to answer bail and britain can, if convicted, carry and britain can, if convicted, carry a maximum prison sentence of one year. 0ur correspondent maddie savage is following reaction in stockholm and shejoined me a little earlier via webcam. i think still, a lot of initial shot from people here that this sudden development to this long case seven years of twists and turns, was announced by prosecutors earlier. there has been some reaction from one of the victims, i have contacted

her via text message, she didn't wa nt her via text message, she didn't want to make a formal statement that she reiterated sentiments that her lawyer had said earlier in the day, that she felt the julian assange was still guilty, that what happened today means he will not have the chance to prove himself innocent, and she is glad that these allegations are going to stick to him for the rest his life. in sweden, there has not been a huge amount of immediate analysis of what has happened but we are going to see questions. there were certainly some questions. there were certainly some questions on conference earlier about the length of time all this took, it was five years before swedish prosecutors even came to london to question julian assange, that was at the end of 2016, it all happened via translator is provided by the ecuadorian embassy. this is thena by the ecuadorian embassy. this is then a long process that has cost then a long process that has cost the swedish. authorities —— as well as the british authorities a lot of time and money. women's campaigners,

rape and sexual assault are taken very seriously as crimes in sweden. the definitions are broader than in many countries but there many backlash against cannon against the fa ct backlash against cannon against the fact sons not speak about these. —— julian assange will not speak about these. the barrister, gemma lindfield is here. thanks forjoining us. we have heard julian assange say today have that this is a victory for him. is that by? it is, in the sense that there was no longer a do appear in a rest once except the swedish allegations. therefore it is a victory for him but certainly for the victim, who has said that she maintains the allegation, it is certainly not a victory and i suppose that is the nature of court cases. it is that

victory to one is not victory to the other. and ultimately, it has to be remembered that the reason why this matters not proceeding, is that his presence is required and because also he wouldn't cooperate reportedly with the swedish investigators. so therefore it was the conclusion that they had to come to, purely for practical reasons rather than necessarily what they ultimately wanted to do. an pic for us ultimately wanted to do. an pic for us this fact of where it leaves him. we saw him on the balcony, holed up in the ecuadorian embassy, can he 110w in the ecuadorian embassy, can he now pack up his stuff and go? when he went into the embassy in 2012, he was under a negation to surrender to the authorities so he could be surrendered to sweden. he had exhausted all of his remedies here, he had made an application to the european court of human rights for emergency relief, and that had been

denied to him. he was under an obligation to surrender himself, so that he could be exported to sweden. in not doing that, he has breached his bail conditions. therefore, there is a warrant for his arrest. that will have to be executed. i know that he has made commons today that his legal team will be —— made announcements today that his legal tea m announcements today that his legal team will be coming to the arrangements, but ultimately failing to a nswer arrangements, but ultimately failing to answer his bail is an entirely separate matter. and a lesser issue? it is. but it's an obligation. when bail is granted he agreed to those conditions, they were breached. so despite the fact the matter might be discontinued, that doesn't affect the fact is breached his bail. he spoke little about the rape allegations, he was talking about this issue of the united states and

he always sees it as a much bigger issue, if he leaves the safety as it were, of the ecuadorian embassy, he risks being extradited to the us where he feels a lot of questions to be answered about wikileaks and documents released to the media. we don't quite know the us position on this? and nor does. there has been noises from some of donald trump's circle, that they would be looking at it. it may be a change in administration will change the position. he doesn't know that there's been an extradition request because the british government won't say, is that normal? yes. the british government wouldn't confirm 01’ british government wouldn't confirm or deny that there was an extradition request, it would undermine the whole system to openly discuss whether there is an extradition request in respect of

someone. extradition request in respect of someone. so we don't know. what i would say is if there had been an extradition request, the fact that he was in the embassy since 2012, it would have been impossible to arrest him just as the swedish matter is now been discontinued because of that, it would be a identical position for any british officer wanting to arrest him on a request from the us or elsewhere. really interesting to talk through this with you. thanks forjoining us. and we'll find out how this story — and many others — are covered in tomorrow's front pages at 10:40 this evening in the papers, our guestsjoining me tonight are henry mance, political correspondent at the financial times and lynn davidson, whitehall correspondent at the sun. there are divisions tonight within the conservative party over its manifesto commitment to means test winter fuel payments for pensioners. the scottish conservative leader, ruth davidson, said she was in favour of retaining the payments for all pensioners in scotland.

but the prime minister argued it was unfair that wealthy pensioners received the money, while some families were struggling. here's our deputy political editorjohn pienaar. would you trust are to keep things running, or run the economy? but has theresa may dropped a spanning in the works by keeping people guessing about tax and spending plans, and keeping pensioners guessing about who would keep and who would lose the winter fuel allowance? she was not giving much away. we will ensure that the least well off pensioners are protected. at the moment, we see well off pensioners able to be supported with fuel bills, when struggling ordinary working families are not. i think there is a principle of fairness that underpins this. that is not how all tories see it, especially scottish conservatives under ruth davidson, who greeted mrs may in edinburgh. the scottish tory manifesto says, social security devolution allows us to make different choices

in scotland, and so we will protect we believe that shouldn't be means testing for winter fuel payment. many of your viewers will acknowledge, scotland has a colder climate, devolution and allows you to make different decisions. mrs made positive answer, she is writing policy south of the border. as a government, we have given the scottish government significant powers in relation to welfare and they make a number of decisions about welfare benefits in scotland. you are a breath of fresh air... and who knows, more voters might feel the same ifjeremy corbyn's announced to protect fuel allowance chat zone. labour is being attacked for what is described as tax and

spending. she has caused a huge amount of variety, she hasn't announced what level, we believe that winter fuel allowance will be keptin that winter fuel allowance will be kept in the labour and will be with universal. one way for the snp to 90, universal. one way for the snp to go, right at the mesa way. —— theresa may. i think it taking away from pensioners of fought hard all their lives, isjust from pensioners of fought hard all their lives, is just wrong. from pensioners of fought hard all their lives, isjust wrong. the winter fuel payment is not a king's ransom. not all tories south of scotla nd ransom. not all tories south of scotland agree with mrs may on policies like social care. 0ne former minister told the baby opposing her except there's an election. that is one reason it's happening. —— they would be opposing her. the reason may want public positions if money gets tight after brexit. she would make risky promises if she wasn't so confident about winning. tories look upbeat about winning. tories look upbeat about this campaign is evident oars agree. but life could get tougher for them and a lot of people

afterwards whoever wins. while she was in scotland today, theresa may refused to give more details about a manifesto pledge that a second scottish independence referendum would not take place, unless there was ‘public consent‘ for it. 0ur scotland editor sarah smith, who is in edinburgh, has been following the campaign and explained what that meant. i asked her exactly that or would she be relying on opinion polls or if the snp were to win the majority of seats in scotland at this election, would that demonstrate public consent? and she wouldn't define exactly how she would decide if there was public consent for another vote. she said she would rather we weren't talking about independence at all because she thinks this debate could potentially wea ken thinks this debate could potentially weaken her hand in the brexit negotiations and accused the snp of being obsessed with independent. although i have to say, it is the tories in scotland who are making another referendum is absolutely central to their campaign. they are handing out with leaflets with independent and block capital letters. they are saying they are

the only part that can stop another referendum, and hoping to attract unionist voters. snp say they want to make scotland was her voice heard. theresa may ruled out the idea of giving them a seat at the negotiating table, she saying she would speak for the uk. the headlines on bbc news: julian assange says his legal issues continue after sweden drops a rape investigation. theresa may is forced to defend her election pledge to scrap winter fuel payments for some pensioners. some scottish conservatives have opposed this. the families of the victims of serial killer stephen port express dismay at the slow progress of an inquiry into why police took

so long to catch him. sport now, and a full round up, from the bbc sport center. good evening. lots going on tonight, starting with rugby union and cardiff blues can't qualfy for next season's european champions cup after losing their pro 12 semifinal play off against stade francais. the blues have the lead in the first target ended up well beaten by stan francais. 46—21 was the final score. sta n francais. 46—21 was the final score. stan francais will play either connaught or south talanoa saints. —— orthe connaught or south talanoa saints. —— or the same. meanwhile in the other semifinal, scarlets are at leinster... scarlet scored the first try through steph evans. leinster hit back but scarlet has just scored a second try, 14—10 is the latest score to the scarlet. the premiership semi—finals take place tomorrow but saracens' will be withouth their captain brad barritt in their game against exeter due to a calf injury.

he's the only change to the 15 that won the european champions cup last weekend. barritt actually picked up the injury in the final. duncan taylor comes in at inside centre to replace him. some good news for 0spreys and the lions this summer, skipper alun wynjones is back for the pro 12 semifinal at munster tomorrow. he hasn't played since picking up a shoulder injury in the six nations in march. the first of the semi—finals between leinster and scarlets is tonight in dublin there's one game in the scottish premiership semifinal play offs betwen falkirk and dundee united. this is football, by the way. it was 2—2 after the first leg — and falkirk have taken the lead... james craigan put them ahead in the tie for the first time, in the 11th minute. so falkirk 3—2 up on aggregate, although away goals don't count in the playoffs so an equaliser would put dundee united right back in it. england under 17s are hoping to create history tonight in the european championship final

against spain this evening as they aim to become the first team to lift the trophy three times. callum hudson—0doi got the young lions off to a great start with a lovely solo effort, curling the ball in to the net from just inside the box. but spain soon equalised just before half—time, mateu morey scoring his third goal of the tournament. it's still 1—1 in the second half. england after scored though, they are leading 2—1. —— england have just scored, though. arsene wenge is still keeping everyone guessing about his future as manager of arsenal. it is understand there's some news this evening on the ownership of arsenal football club... minority shareholder alisher usmanov has made a bid of around £1 billion to buy out stan kroenke's majority share. it's understood this bid has been rejected, it's been a difficult season for wenger with his side likely

to finish outside the top four for the first time in 20 years at the club. his contract expires after the fa cup final next saturday, when the board are expected to discuss his position. arsenal's final league match is at home against everton on sunday so could that be his last match at the emirates. of the season? yes. ever? i cannot tell you. i think what is most important for us is to win the football game on sunday. after that, what happens to me is less important. i am here to serve the club and the best way to do it is to win the next game. maria sharapova will not attempt to precure a wild card for wimbledon, instead opting to enter via qualifying. the former champion has relied on wildacrds to play since returning to compettion last month after a 15 month doping ban. she was denied a wild card to french open this week but her ranking allows her to enter wimbledon qualifying in which she needs to win three matches in a row to reach the first round. and rory mcilroy has withdrawn from the pga championship next week gta injury. he announced he is suffering from the same issue he had in the

off—season while trying out some new clu bs. off—season while trying out some new clubs. that's all the sport, more in the next hour. some breaking news coming to us concerning resident drum. this is from reuters quoting the washington post. —— concerning president trump. they are running a story saying a white house official is under investigation because of possible collusion between donald trump's campaign and russia. they are describing that as a person of significant interest, someone close to the president. the washington post also say that they have not been able to get any more detail about who that person may be. so certainly no name being released, officials refusing to say who the person of significant interest is. who is of cueing under investigation under possible collusion with russia. just on that. this is coming

from reuters, but the new york times are running a story about resident trump and russian officials, who he met in the oval office earlier this month. he is quoted as having told russian officials that firing the head of the fbi, james coney, had believed great pressure on him, apparently. and he said ijust fired the head of the fbi, he was crazy. they real notjob. those are being attributed to president trump by a story of the new york times. a lot of minds out of the united states, we will try to get more from our correspondents in a short while. the serial killer, stephen port, was jailed for life last year after he killed four men — their bodies were all found outside his flat or in a churchyard nearby. yet their deaths were not initially treated as murder and detectives missed a number of chances

to catch the killer. now the families of the victims say they're dismayed by slow progress of an inquiry into why the police took so long to catch him. here is our home affairs correspondent daniel sandford. the graveyard in barking that was stephen port‘s dumping ground for three of the bodies of the four men he killed with the date rape drug ghb. his first victim was 23—year—old anthony walgate. the last, 25—year—old jack taylor. theirfamilies have been waiting for an investigation by the independent police complaints commission into why detectives failed to spot that there was a serial killer at work for so long. but this week they told me their patience has run out. i don't feel that the ipcc are in control of the investigation at all. i think it's the police dictating to what stage it goes, what pace it goes, which is disgusting. stephen port used dating apps to lure the men to his home. he then gave them lethal doses of ghb. his first victim, anthony walgate,

was found at the door of his flat. the others, in nor near the local churchyard over the next 15 months. the police were asked on numerous occasions if the deaths could be linked. the ipcc investigation is designed to work out why detectives were so reluctant to connect them, but 20 months on, not a single police officer has been questioned. the best explanation for the further delay is an argument between the independent police complaints commission on the one side and the police officers, the police federation and their lawyers on the other side, over the amount of time it would take to go through the 7000 pages of evidence and 750 emails. but while the two sides argue, the families are getting no closer to the truth. the ipcc denied that there has been a row, saying the officers have asked for time to understand and absorb the information that will be put to them in interview, which we've agreed, so that the evidence we collect from them is as robust and complete as possible.

it's very frustrating, disappointing, like you've been let down all over again. i think we all feel that. we know we want answers to this and the ipcc dragging their heels is not helping us at all. the families really want to understand whether the men's murders were misinterpreted because they were gay, orfor some other reason, and they are worried that the police officers' memories will fail further if they are not interviewed quickly. daniel sandford, bbc news. let's take a look at some of the other stories making the news this afternoon. the former television star rolf harris has been released from prison, after serving nearly three years of his sentence. the 87—year—old is currently on trial on four counts of alleged indecent assault against three teenagers between 1971 and 1983, all of which he denies. he will attend the trial at southwark crown court in person from monday. tameside council has asked all its funeral directors to reject

any request to cremate the body of the moors murderer, ian brady. brady, who killed five children with myra hindley, died on monday. a former youth team coach at newcastle united football club has been charged with 29 sexual offences. george 0rmond, who is 61, will appear in court next month following an investigation by northumbria police into historical child sexual abuse. back to the election now, and the bbc understands the release of figures for the budget deficits of nhs trusts in england, may be delayed until afterjune the 8th. the health service regulator apparently wants to publish the figures soon, but has been advised by whitehall officials to wait. well throughout the election campaign, we're taking a look at some of the issues most important to voters, and hearing from our specialists. today, our heath editor, hugh pym, has been assessing the state of the nhs. the big challenge for the nhs

is coping with rising demand for care, partly because of a growing and ageing population. let's take a look at some figures which illustrate this. last year in england there were more than 23.5 million visits to a&e units, that's an increase of 3200 per day compared to the previous year. but funding hasn't kept up. traditionally, demand for health care rises at around 4% per year, but annual funding increases in england have been around 1%. many health leaders now say the nhs has to have more money. some, though, do point out that the health service could be more efficient, and more ways could be worked out to make resources go further. one way of ensuring that the nhs can make its money go further is treating more patients away from hospitals. that's where gps have a really important role to play. in many areas, local doctors are working with social care staff

to ensure that people can be treated in their communities or, if possible, at home. well, that's the theory, but it may take a while to get any savings from this process. the nhs is under serious financial pressure right now. in some parts of the country health commissioners are restricting the care they're prepared to fund. well, that's england, where the focus of the health debate has been during this general election campaign. scotland, wales and northern ireland run their own nhs services, and there are no elections for the devolved administrations this year. then to get a look at the weather this weekend. good evening. the past few days have brought 0swald come rain. there have been heavy downpours, speckled cloud and

downpours, speckled cloud and downpours, more persistent rain lingering across north—east england and scotland. the store overnight, the outbreaks of rain will stay across north—east and scotland, but that they starts on a fresh note for many. there will be sunny weather and showers across weathers, day wales, south—east england. they will be potentially heavy and thundery. though the sunshine between 18 degrees and rain across north—eastern scotland clearing away across saturday night. showers will fade too. heading through sunday, it'll be a dry day for most of the country. in the sa nta na for most of the country. in the santana will feel warmer with tebbit is up about ten cueing 20 degrees. the chances of showers in the northwest. good evening. 0ur headlines: julian assange has said he will not forgive

orforget how long assange has said he will not forgive or forget how long swedish prosecutors have been investigating him over allegations of rape. he was speaking from the balcony of the ecuadorian embassy in london where he remains. theresa may has defended her pledge to scrap winter fuel payments to some pensioners. the policy has been opposed by the scottish conservatives. labour described the winter fuel plans as sick and sneaky, claiming 10 million older people would be hit. that figure has been dismissed as guesswork by the tories. families of the victims of serial killers stephen port expressed dismay at the slow progress of their enquiry into why police took so long to catch him. let's return to the breaking news i was mentioning to you a short while ago. this was coming from the reuters news agency, but

specifically from us papers... the washington post and new york times running stories about essentially these ongoing allegations of the us's relationship with russia. and whether the president and his team have any inappropriate links. we have any inappropriate links. we have seen in the washington post they were reporting a person is significant interest in the investigation of possible collusion between the trump campaign and russia is a current white house official. within the new york times report, there was a suggestion that donald trump had described james comey, the fbi head who he had fired, as a real nutjob and crazy and talked about the fact that firing him had taken the pressure off him as regarded the whole issue with russia. i face off him as regarded the whole issue with russia. iface greater off him as regarded the whole issue with russia. i face greater pressure because of russia, apparently donald trump said, that's taken off. all of that swirling around, and in response the white house have just

put out a statement. they have said that james comey‘s grandstanding and politicising of russia, of the russia probe, hurt their diplomatic effo rts russia probe, hurt their diplomatic efforts with moscow. they have attempted to play down any of that, saying it was james comey, as head of the fbi, who was hurt in diplomatic efforts with moscow. and perhaps saying that's why trump had potentially made the statements. but i cannot actually see any particular response from the white house saying whether those are genuine statements from president trump or not. that's just coming to us in the last ten, 15 minutes. while all this goes on, trump has left the us for his first overseas trip since becoming president. he departed from andrews airport base with first lady melania

in the last hour. they are heading for saudi arabia. it'll be first of a six stop tour, and possibly his most controversial as his travel ban appeared to be anti—muslim. 0ur correspondent is in the capital of saudi arabia awaiting the arrival of the president. the rumours were swirling in the region that trump is facing, as we've been reporting, extreme pressure at home over alleged bad handling of stories. we all knew this trip matters a lot to trump. and it certainly matters to the saudi kingdom. it will now only be hours before the american president makes riyadh his first stop on his very first foreign visit. this is a city under tight security. add a city under tight security. add a city which is pulling out all of the stops to make this a visit like no other. everywhere you go in riyadh you see the slogan, "together we

will prevail", a summit, they say, like no other in history. this is a place full of superlative is now. notjust one place full of superlative is now. not just one summit, place full of superlative is now. notjust one summit, but three, a meeting with saudis, royal rulers, leaders from the gulf region, and leaders from the gulf region, and leaders from the gulf region, and leaders from across the arabic and islamic world. it is about turning a page on what they saw as an infuriating relationship with president 0bama and what they saw as his retreat from the middle east. they have hailed trump from the start. new york police say three people injured in yesterday's heart attack in times square are still in a critical condition. 0ne in times square are still in a critical condition. one woman died and 22 were hurt in the incident when a man drove along the pavement for three blocks in the heart of manhattan. he has been named as richard rice, us navy veteran. it's believed he had been taking drugs and told police he had been hearing

voices. —— richard rowass. a convoy has been attacked carrying militia fighters supporting president assad. the convoy was heading towards a base used by western special forces near the border with iraq. russia has condemned the attack as unacceptable. the incident comes as president trump prepares to visit saudi arabia come his first overseas trip since becoming president. 0ur correspondent reports. us warplanes launching air strikes so—called islamic state target in syria. now they are also attacking ground forces loyal to the syrian government. 0stensibly the air strike was designed to protect american and british forces like these, they are based on the south—east of syria where they are fighting is. these pictures were taken last year. the pro—syrian convoy including arabian fact ——

uranium backed militias were heading towards at ta nf. uranium backed militias were heading towards at tanf. unlike many previous strikes, us officials said they warned the convoy to turn around before attacking. there were reports that some tanks were destroyed and a number of troops killed. president assad's spokesperson condemned what they called an active government terrorism, which they said showed america's claims it was fighting only is were false. russian minister said the attack was the breach of serious sovereignty. the us claimed russia had tried but failed to dissuade the convoy from heading south. the american defence secretary insisted the air strike did not mark an escalation by the us. we are not increasing our role in the syrian war. but we will defend our troops. that is a coalition effort made up of more than us troops. we will defend ourselves. if people take aggressive

steps against us, that is. the diplomat said that as president trump was heading to saudi arabia the us was sending a strong signal that last month's attack on a syrian air base, allegedly used a chemical warfare, wasn't a one—off. and that the us was willing to use force to stop iranian—backed militias taking territory in syria. that is a message which will go down well in riyadh this weekend where they are laying out the red carpet for the us president. both sides are hoping the visit will improve relations between both countries that have been strained in recent years. polls have closed in iran in the election to choose the country's next president. the polling stations stayed open after five hours longer than the polling stations stayed open afterfive hours longer than planned to cope with long queues. the first results are expected tomorrow with president hassan rouhani to fight offa president hassan rouhani to fight off a challenge from a hard right rival to a second term. 0ur correspondent reports. the start of

a decisive day, a chance for millions of iranians to have their say on this country's future direction. the economy come human rights, and iran's international reputation all at stake. —— the economy, human rights. iranians can choose their president from an approved list. but it is this man who wield ultimate authority. he urged people to vote. the destiny of the country was in their hands, people should pay attention, he said. and voters seemed to be responding. long lines at polling stations. some people frustrated by what they see as the dead hand of an ageing revolutionary elite. 0thers fearful that old values are under threat. that the west is still the enemy and all impatient withjobs west is still the enemy and all impatient with jobs and a better life.

translation: we come here in order not to go backwards, we are the generation of war, and we don't have good memories of war. translation: i expect the president to carry out more economic development and i want social justice and good relations with all the countries of the world. the two main candidates, both hailed from the same establishment, but represent different vision of the future. hassan ra hat represent different vision of the future. hassan rahat ali, the order of the two. —— hasan rouhani. ebrahim raisi is less well—known. it looks peaceful so far, but there is

apprehension. the suspicion that hardliners read the results triggered months of protest last time. it was a national trauma which rocked the establishment of the call. no one wants to see that again. —— which rocked the establishment is poor. earlier i was speaking to a specialist from the persian tv channel. he said turnout far exceeded expectations. persian tv channel. he said turnout far exceeded expectationsm persian tv channel. he said turnout far exceeded expectations. it was much higher than we expected in a sense that from early morning we got reports that a lot of people are turning up. long queues everywhere, not just turning up. long queues everywhere, notjust on terror, but in other cities. the reason for this high turnout, it interesting, in a sense that this election is a fight between the hardliners and the moderates. there were indications that they were pulling all the stops. they were modernising all of

their forces. they were stops. they were modernising all of theirforces. they were bringing stops. they were modernising all of their forces. they were bringing as many people as they possibly could. that is the other side —— about asking the moderates to bring their supporters out in numbers. it is a fight between the two sides. it's a question of numbers. what is the prediction? are their exit polls in iran? there are no reliable ones. but generally speaking high turnout favours the moderates and president hassan rouhani. we are expecting, the way things are going, that we will probably see a second term of president rouhani. london city airport is set to become the first in the uk to replace its on—site air—traffic controllers with a remote digital control system operated from more than 100 miles

away. instead of sitting in a tower overlooking the runway controllers will watch live footage from hd cameras in hampshire. the new system will be operationalfrom cameras in hampshire. the new system will be operational from 2019. our correspondent reports. modern airport are dynamic, fast flowing, hundreds of pieces being moved around every minute, and all of those movements must be tightly choreographed to keep it safe. this is london city airport. that's just one of the 300 or so take—offs and landings that happen here every day. until now, all of those flights have been coordinated by a group of controllers who looked out of these windows here. but in the future those windows will be replaced by these high—definition television screens. controllers went to see the airport, they will be able to hear it, as well. thing is, this digital

control tower is 120 miles away from the airport. we have been shown this simulation. a 2019 controllers will be sitting here in directing traffic for real. using pictures fed from a new camera tower next to the runway. unlike the old tower that can zoom infora unlike the old tower that can zoom in for a better view, put radar data onto the screen to track aircraft. critically for safety the cameras can pick out rogue drains near the airport. and light the runway at night. my initial reaction was sceptical. because i'm used to being at the airport. they give the control more information in terms of what they can see and hear and identify targets so the awareness the controller gets is about being up. we get paid to look out of the window. it makes the job up. we get paid to look out of the window. it makes thejob much easier. i know exactly what you are thinking. my number one question i have been asked by everybody i have told about this, what if the tv

screens go down? what if the system is hacked? screens go down? what if the system is hacked ? how screens go down? what if the system is hacked? how secure is it? highly secure. it has been independently stress tested by security specialists. we have three cables in place between the airport and swanwick. if one of those was to fail there was a back—up. in the event that fails there was another cable there. and they are all rooted, taking different routes, between the airport and here. london city is convinced the new system will make their operation more efficient and more safe. the idea of a control tower miles from the airport may seem odd, but it isn't far away. the headlines: julian assange says his legal conflict with britain and the united states continues after swedish prosecutors dropped the seven—year rape investigation. theresa may defends her pledge to

scrap winter fuel payments for some pensioners. the policy has been opposed by the scottish conservatives. families of the victims of serial killers stephen port express dismay at the slow progress of an enquiry into why police took so long to catch him. here is a quirky one. a bbc investigation has found flaws in the voice recognition system used by one of britain's biggest banks, hsbc. it analyses a customer's voice patterns, allowing access to their accounts. the bank says everybody‘s voice is unique, making the system secure, click has found it is possible for strangers to access bank details. our correspondent reports. passwords, key fob and apps have been used to protect our spot over the past year a new gold standard insecurity has emerged, biometrics. like fingerprints, the

human voice is unique to each of us. and hsbc, along with other banks, have started using the voice of its customers as their password. they say it is secure. my voice is my password... but a simple experiment with my nonidentical twin brother... welcome to hsbc... proves with my nonidentical twin brother... welcome to hsbc. .. proves otherwise. my welcome to hsbc. .. proves otherwise. my financial details and the ability to tra nsfer my financial details and the ability to transfer money wide open. my financial details and the ability to transfer money wide openlj my financial details and the ability to transfer money wide open. i am absolutely shocked. by no circumstances should two people be able to get through with voice by a metrical identification. every voice is unique. it is up to the system to differentiate between voices and it hasn't done it in this case and granted access. unlike a password, a voice is public, and experts are worried that electronics can synthesise voice is so well that it would be able to clone a voice from

a sample of 30 seconds or less. a tool which could make the hacker‘s job easier. it is a scary application. we are working with our security researchers to figure out what is the best way to proceed with this. this is one of the reasons why we haven't published this to the public yet. in response to our attempt to break in, the bank said... most experts agree that by making security more personal you make it more secure, but if your voice can be lobbied then unlike password it may be difficult to get a new one. dan simmons, bbc news... the south of england is seen largely as a conservative stronghold, but voters have raised fears about cuts in local services in some areas. peter

henley, the bbc south's political editor, is in the south and on the isle of wight. iam isle of wight. i am amongst the miniature figures on the beautiful small island just off the south coast. i am at the model village at guptill. this is the largest constituency in the country. more voters than anywhere else. they've tried to split it up a few times that the islanders have a lwa ys few times that the islanders have always fought back. it is that sort of island spirit, which makes them wa nt to of island spirit, which makes them want to be much more independent. on the other hand, they agree on some things, they disagree bitterly on other things. there are parts of this constituency where the old industry has gone and there is real poverty, there are other parts which are busy with tourists and bursting with innovation. politically there are many contradictions, as well. for a small place there are some big contrast on the isle of wight. expensive yachts in cal ‘s harbour. picture postcard villages and a laid—back lifestyles. —— in cowes

dummigan harbour. you're getting a lot of people voting for local causes, school, education, things that matter to them. —— in cowes harbour. the citizens advice bureau has seen a record number of people getting into debt and using food banks. job security isn't that good. a lot of work is seasonal. we are making sure people are getting their writes. a lot of people are not getting their holiday pay and not getting their holiday pay and not getting their holiday pay and not getting their sick pay when they are entitled to it. cutbacks to the council mean that they are less able to support an ageing population. they are increasingly seeing numbers of people who are really struggling. to either access services. or to have enough money to live. that strip of water separating island

from the mainland also brings a street of defiance. 62% voted to leave in the referendum. fisherman pete williams says he has been hammered by eu quotas. we didn't have a lot of option, really. brexit was the only way we would get something better. it couldn't be any worse. are you going to get that something better from theresa worse. are you going to get that something betterfrom theresa may? worse. are you going to get that something better from theresa may?|j think something better from theresa may?” think she has a difficultjob, but she is possibly the right person. she has taken hold of a difficult job and she is getting on with it. the island is a microcosm of a divided country, and at the model village there are people just yearning for some old—fashioned certainty in turbulent political times. you have got to feel confident about your leader. if you don't, doesn't matter how much they say, what they offer in the ma nifesto, say, what they offer in the manifesto, if you don't believe in and you won't vote for them. the younger ones didn't bother to vote. and then come the results, it didn't go the way they wanted, come on, let's have another vote. is that their look out? it is tough

luck. people say you step back in time when you visit here. but with grammar schools on the political agenda and rail nationalisation may be the political parties are just catching up with what the public wa nts. catching up with what the public wants. combine that feeling of disconnection with real economic pressures , disconnection with real economic pressures, and at this political crossroads you cannot completely count on anywhere. the runners and riders in the contest, the conservatives are sitting on a big majority. new candidate, to control recently, and the rest cannot decide who the alternative vote should be. look out for the green coming up on the inside rails. ukip vote, where that goes come island stubbornness might suggest it will not all go to the conservatives. here is the full list of candidates on the isle of wight, largest constituency in the country. the norfolk broads don't immediately spring to mind when you think of fine wine, but now a family run

vignette has just beaten competitors from around the world in becoming the first in england to win one of the first in england to win one of the industry's top prizes. there is bacchus —— the bacchus has been selected as the finest white wine. it's been just ten years since the dire family decided there could be potential for planting vines here on the edge of the norfolk broads. and it turns out they were right. this season's grades are just starting to form. 2015's offering is now on everybody‘s lips. the first still english wine to win such a prestigious award. at the vineyard, while they are delighted, they are not surprised. the quality has been there. as english wine producers we know we've been making world—class wines. it is just now they are coming forward, getting the recognition, and getting known for the high quality we can make them. we have known it for a long time.

the high quality we can make them. we have known it for a long timem is just the fourth vintage of the variety which they have produced. judges, among 200 who took part, choseit judges, among 200 who took part, chose it from wines from around the world. producers have been doing it for decades if not centuries. 17,000 wines are entered. they are judged by international experts from around the world. to have picked up this award really is quite, quite exceptional. it is a huge achievement. england's's sparkling wines have been winning awards for some time now and make up two thirds of the 5 million bottles produced here every year. most are grown in kent and sussex. now with the world's best award to its name, this vignette has firmly put east anglia on the wine producing map. the rain may have brought all sorts of slugs, snails and slimy creatures to your garden but spare a thought for the people of peru where they are

suffering in infestation on a giant scale, literally. in the north of the country they have been overrun by giant african snails, one of the most harmful molluscs in the world. our correspondent reports. cordoned off, at first sight this appears to bea off, at first sight this appears to be a crime scene, but things are not what they seem. these are believed to be giant african snails, hundreds of them. brought here by heavy rains and flooding, these creatures can be deadly. harmless in themselves, but they are potential carriers of disease and infection. one conservation group has them listed in the top 100 most dangerous exotic species. the authorities in peru are determined to remove them as quickly as possible. translation: by habit they like to be in the dirt. in rat dung. that is

where they became contaminated and then they go on to transmit parasites and bacteria. so serious is the problem government officials have launched an information campaign to warn the public what to do is confronted by a giant african snail. translation: the number of poisonous snails is rising and i'm scared. they are climbing my wall. that is why am trying to kill with salt. with one region already placed on alert for a dengue epidemic, the people of peru are being told to steer clear of a threat that is a lot bigger than it looks. outside source is coming up but first let's get a look at the weather. a mixed bag of whether in terms of the weekend forecast. heavy showers like weekend forecast. heavy showers like we have seen today. this was ca ptu red we have seen today. this was captured in buckinghamshire. we have had big shower clouds, hailstones,

thunderstorms, some sunshine in between those showers as you can see on the satellite. the speckled cloud shows the outpost of showery rain. further towards the north—east more cloud has been bringing more persistent rain across the north—east of england and scotland. that'll continue tonight. elsewhere, most of the heaviest of the showers fade away. skies are clear and tonight across many southern, western and north—western part of the country. quite a fresh start here to saturday. towards the north—east we have that cloud and outbreaks of rain from the word go. this saturday, nine o'clock, the northern ireland and the south west of scotland, sunny spells and showers cropping up. more persistent rain lingering across northern and eastern scotland. patchy rain towards northumberland. it is looking brighterfor the towards northumberland. it is looking brighter for the likes of lancashire with sunshine. but a scattering of showers likely from first thing across wales and the south—west of england. where the midlands, southern and south—east

england should remain largely dry. the likes of kent and sussex, they may avoid most of the showers. elsewhere up to southern scotland, heavy showers are the order of the day. thunderstorms likely in the afternoon. they will be hit and miss, so some sunshine in between, lifting temperatures to around 18 degrees for most of us. by sunday, that rain clears from the north of scotland. it will be a dry day across the board with sunshine. light rain in the far north—west. most light rain in the far north—west. m ost pla ces light rain in the far north—west. most places looking dry. and it'll be warmer with temperatures in the south—east being around 20 degrees. saturday brings heavy, potentially thundery showers, editor sunshine in between, but during something more sunshine and fewer showers on the cards and things will be feeling that little bit warmer. —— and styles of sunshine in between. we will get a low—pressure approaching from the north west. it'll be breezy across north—western parts of the

country. towards the south—east, the temperatures, by monday, will be around 22 degrees. that is how it is looking. more details on the weather throughout the week ahead. this is bbc world news today, i'm alpa patel. our top stories. us media told donald trump said firing james coney believed great pressure and described him as a nut job. the new revelations come as donald trump sets off as his first overseas trip as president. wikileaks founderjulian assange welcomes sweden's decision to drop an investigation into an alleged rape. and its attempt to extradite him from the uk: seven years without charge while my children grew up without me. that is not something i can forgive. it is not something i can forget.

today is an important victory for me and for the un human rights system.