hello. my name is tom donkin. welcome to bbc news, broadcasting to viewers in north america and around the globe. here's our top stories. "a nutjob." how donald trump is said to have described his sacked fbi director to russian officials. he also reportedly said firing him "took the pressure off." the revelations comes as mr trump embarks on his first foreign trip as us president. counting is under way in iran's presidential election after a high turnout forced polling to be extended for several hours. the wikileaks founderjulian assange claims a personal victory, as sweden drops a long—running rape investigation against him. and the world premiere of a film controversially entered into the cannes film festival is repeatedly interrupted by boos from the audience. donald trump's presidency has run into further controversy after two

separate american newspapers made two new allegations about possible links between the white house and russia. the first relates to a meeting the president had with russian officials, with the new york times claiming donald trump told them this. and then this from the washington post. "the senior white house adviser under scrutiny by investigators is someone close to the president." the reports were made publicjust as donald trump was leaving for his first overseas visit as president.

and in yet another development this evening, we've heard that james comey will testify in an open session before the senate intelligence committee. let's take you straight to the bbc‘s laura bicker in washington. we will start with the latest development in a long line of developments. james comey will give evidence in an open hearing. what he has to say will be crucial to know about the circumstances surrounding his dismissal. yes. it is one of those hearings where the entire washington and parts of the united states may go to a standstill. james comey, he allegedly wrote a memo after a private meeting with the president in which the president is alleged to have leaned over and said i hope you can see your way to letting this go, letting michael flynn go, with regards to an

investigation, and enquiry coming to the former national security adviser, michael flynn, and his alleged links to russia. so, the allegation is that president trump asked the fbi director to drop an investigation into michael flynn. now, james comey will be able to give his own account of both his firing and exactly every dealing that he has had with the president. let us just take your viewers back to the report by the new york times which talks about something donald trump said to officials in the oval office. why does that matter? the reason this matters is not only did he described former directorjames comey has a nutjob, he more damagingly went on to describe the investigation, saying he hoped it would relieve the pressure over russia. now, according to the white house, i have got a statement they

said by grandstanding and politicising the investigation into russia's actions, james comey created unnecessary pressure into the ability to negotiate and engage with russia. the investigation would a lwa ys with russia. the investigation would always continue and obviously the termination of james comey always continue and obviously the termination ofjames comey would not end it. the thing to take from the words of donald trump to russian officials is that he was relieved to get rid of the fbi director in this investigation, perhaps, into russia. however, what the white house is saying is that that is not correct. they are saying that donald trump acted in the interests of the nation, not in his own. laura bicker, interesting that the white house has not denied these allegations, as you said. donald trump supporters have been loyal throughout his many controversies so far, he has only been in office 100 days. are the supporters are still within? approval ratings, are they

weathering the storm is? they are the lowest they have been since he has come to office. the problem is, for donald trump and the white house, is they have kept their base, the diehard supporters, but they are losing those who were perhaps undecided, perhaps on a whim thinking donald trump would be a good punt. most of it is over repeated headlines and the continuing saga with regards to whether or not russia meddled in the 2016 presidential election. it is a saga that just 2016 presidential election. it is a saga thatjust cannot be shaken off. when it comes to the headlines, they keep coming. not only that, donald trump is on a very ambitious first foreign trip, one where he is negotiating a path towards peace for the middle east. at the same time, here, in washington and around the united states, there is allegation after allegation, a drip,

united states, there is allegation afterallegation, a drip, drip, drip feed. this has been one of the most homogenous weeks yet when it comes to headline making for donald trump. tumultuous. indeed. who knows what will come next. thank you. let's take a look at some of the other stories making the news. the self—proclaimed libyan national army says an attack on a southern airbase on thursday, claimed at least 140 lives. this included civilians and was more than twice the number originally reported. the lna forces support an administration based in tobruk. the internationally—backed libyan government in tripoli has denied ordering the attack which breached a ceasefire. yemen could have as many as 300,000 cases of cholera within six months, and an "extremely high" number of deaths. that's according to the world health organisation. nearly 250 people have died in the past three weeks alone. a judge in the us state of minnesota has ruled that the six brothers and sisters of the pop star prince

are the heirs to his estate. the six, including tyka, who is seen here, shortly after his death last year, will take shares of the singer's 300 million dollarfortune, although other people can still lodge claims with the court. the polls in iran's presidential election have now closed after a high turnout forced officials to extend voting by six hours. the votes are being counted, although there have been no exit polls or early results released so far. the incumbent president hassan rouhani is facing strong competition from the hardliner ebrahim reiesee, who promises a tougher stance on the west. now, the bbc has not been given permission to cover the election from within iran. but, our middle east editor jeremy bowen has this report which does contains flash photography. people are encouraged to vote in iran because it gives the system legitimacy, but the election, as ever, isn't free, because the candidates have to be approved by the unelected guardian council. it's looking like a close race between the main candidates. at this polling station they were supporting hassan rouhani, the current president. translation: we will stand in these

queues for as long as it's needed in order not to go backwards, for the shadow of the war not to hang over people's heads. translation: i want socialjustice, social freedoms and political development, and good relations with all countries in the world. iranian elections, with all their flaws, produce vigorous campaigns and moments of political openness. candidates have traded accusations of corruption and criticised iran's security policies. remarks that at other times could land iranians injail. iranians don't seem particularly enthused by the candidates. for many, it's a choice between bad and worse. the main challenger is ebrahim raisi. he is a veteran conservative hardliner. he is deeply suspicious of the west, and if he wins, there could be crises ahead. president hassan rouhani wants to have another term. he's a moderate who would like more openness in politics and society.

rouhani was elected last time because he promised better relations with the outside world and the relaxation of economic sanctions through making a deal about iran's nuclear plans. president rouhani is running on the success of the deal in which iran accepted restrictions on its nuclear industry. if he loses, it's because voters think he's handling the economy badly. raisi opposed the nuclear deal when it was being negotiated, but now says he'd keep it, though he insists his toughness will make sure iran stays strong. whoever‘s going to be the next iranian president, whether it be hassan rouhani or ebrahim raisi, it's going to change the tenor of iranian politics, its ability to dialogue with the international community and the west, particularly the united states, and also its relationship with its neighbours in the region. whoever wins will have to work

with the supreme leader, ayatollah khomeini. in iran, he has the power and the last word. viewed from tehran, the country's a regional power with legitimate security interests and the right to help allies like the syrian regime. but that alarms its adversaries, especially the us, the saudis and israel, and that won't change. jeremy bowen, bbc news. the results of the iranian presidential election are expected at some point on saturday afternoon, local time. we will of course bring you the outcome as it happens, and in the meantime you find much more on our website, including profiles of the candidates. just log on to bbc.com/news. the wikilea ks founder, julian assange, is claiming a "victory," after swedish prosecutors decided to drop their investigation into claims

he carried out a sexual assault. but, he remains in the ecuadorean embassy in london, where he took refuge five years ago. british police say if he was to leave they would still arrest him for failing to attend court. caroline hawley reports. out into the fresh air. cheering. on the balcony of the ecuadorian embassy, julian 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, why my children grew up without me. that is not something that i can forgive. it is not something that i can forget. but the prosecutor in sweden hasn't

cleared julian assange. she said that, in his absence, she simply couldn't pursue the case any further. translation: the decision to discontinue the investigation is not based on an assessment of the evidence but because we don't see possibilities to advance the investigation further, so we do not make any statement on the issue of guilt. this complex international drama began in 2010 when two women alleged thatjulian assange had sexually assaulted them on a visit to sweden, accusations he's always denied. he was detained in britain under a european 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 asking for political asylum. the metropolitan police mounted a 24—hour guard at the embassy. by october 2015, it had cost over £13 million. and it's not over yet. julian assange is no longer wanted on an international arrest warrant, but the police say that

if he stepped out of the embassy, they're 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 at the investigation was being shelved. julian assange was not held without charge for seven years, he was subject to extradition proceedings within the eu, under the european arrest warrant scheme. he would have received a fair trial in sweden, had he chosen to go back, and the fact that proceedings lasted seven years was entirely down to him seeking refuge in the ecuadorian embassy rather than going to face trial in a country that is governed by the rule of law. light ‘em all up. come on, fire! it was this footage of an american

helicopter shooting civilians in iraq that first brought wikileaks to international attention. a flood of other state secrets followed. julian assange has always said it was his fear of extradition to the us that drove him through the doors of the ecuadorian embassy. thanks, guys. free assange! so, despite today's dramatic twist in this long—running diplomatic and legal saga, tonight, he's back inside, not, for the moment, going anywhere. stay with us on bbc world news. still to come: $98 million. thank you, sir. a painting by the late american artist, jean—michel basquiat, is sold for a record breaking price. this morning, an indian air force plane carrying mr gandhi's body landed in delhi. the president of india walked to the plane to solemnly witness mr gandhi's final return from the political battlefield.

the polling stations are all prepared for what will be the first truly free elections in romania's history. it was a remarkable climax to what was surely the most extraordinary funeral ever given to a pop singer. it's been a peacefulfuneral demonstration so far, but suddenly these police are teargassing the crowd, we don't yet know why. the pre—launch ritual is well established here, helen was said to be in good spirits butjust a little apprehensive. in the last hour, east timor has become the world's newest nation. it was a bloody birth for a poor country, and the challenges ahead are daunting. but for now, at least, it is time to celebrate. this is bbc news. the latest

headlines: donald trump departs on his first foreign trip, leaving in his wake fresh turmoil in washington. he's reported to have told russian officials that firing his fbi chief eased "great pressure" on him. counting is underway in iran's presidential election, after a high turnout forced polling to be extended by several hours. let's return now to those latest reports out of washington. rick perlstein is an author and journalist who has written extensively about the rise of the conservative movement in america, and joins us from chicago. this has been a tumultuous week for donald trump, ending with his approval ratings at their lowest since he was inaugurated. where do you see this heading, briefly? one of the interesting indications of where this might be heading is a new development in the public opinion polls, because republicans, between the last two soundings, add down by

about 6%. and the reason that is important is because with republicans can join both important is because with republicans canjoin both houses important is because with republicans can join both houses of congress, it will be the strength of his own party that will declare whether he can be appeased. that is where we are. —— republicans in control of both. people are now drawing the parallels between richard nixon and donald trump. but thatis richard nixon and donald trump. but that is in the london, is that it? because there is been no proof that donald trump has done anything wrong at this stage. it is a little unfair to richard nixon because he was a shrewd intelligent operator. richard dixon was pleasure. donald trump, a yusufiy he was playing checkers, but 110w yusufiy he was playing checkers, but now i think he's playing tic—tac—toe. the ability he has to indicate himself on the record, in public, has been quite extraordinary, in the last few weeks. of course, we are not as far

as richard nixon got, but, you know, this is only the 118th day in office. richard dixon was in office for a good two years between the watergate break—in and his resignation. things are moving at a breakneck pace. going from history to the current day, and looking at the white house response, it has been quite, you know, there has been little from the white house so far. perhaps they are waiting to be president of land in saudi arabia before making their message united, because that is something they have been criticised for, isn't it, not being united, in the white house? that is correct. one of the extraordinary things about donald trump, in contrast with richard nixon, he knew how to play the game, is that every time one of his spokespeople, whether it is sean spicer or his vice president, basically gives an excuse for what has happened in the past, donald trump opens his mouth and contradict

that. the metaphor is that he saw the limb under people have put their neck on the line for him. razaleigh, they cannot with elaborate cover story fought the firing of james comey, that he was doing so the recommendation of the deputy attorney general. now we have the deputy attorney general saying that he was not recommending the firing ofjames he was not recommending the firing of james comey. and he was not recommending the firing ofjames comey. and we he was not recommending the firing of james comey. and we have he was not recommending the firing ofjames comey. and we have donald trump himself saying he was keen to fight james comey, the trump himself saying he was keen to fightjames comey, the matter the recommendation. so a lot of confusion in the white house. you have charted the history of the conservative movement in america. where do you think donald trump will sit in that history? -- no matter the. right now, it seems he might sit briefly. but already, he has left a strong imprint. the conservative movement has relied on the reaction of middle—class americans to the rise of minorities, and women, in american society, but they have done so in a way that we

describe as a sort of dog whistle. you are not allowed to say explicitly bigoted things. that is the way with ray hinted at and the way that nixon did. but donald trump has said bigoted things without that sort of polite veneer over it. —— reagan. for instance, when he says that the mexicans who are coming to america are rapists, that was really a quantum leap in the incivility in oui’ a quantum leap in the incivility in our political discourse. that is something i am afraid his legacy is going to be, matter what happens to his presidency. very good to good to talk to you, rick. he has written extensively about the conservative movement in america. now, one of the most controversial entries at this year's cannes film festival hasjust had its world premiere. the fuss is not so much about the film itself, but who made it.

the screening of ija by netflix, has upset some critics who feel the big screen experience is being threatened by online streaming services. greg dawson reports. it had the clamour of a hollywood cast, and the clamour of the red carpet photographers. it may have looked like any other premier at cannes, but it was not.|j looked like any other premier at cannes, but it was not. i took nature and science and a synthesised. ija, a film about friendship and a genetically modified super league, is made by netflix. it is the first year that the stringy service has made an entry at cannes, and deadening purists, because it will not get a cinematic release. —— superpig. at a screening, the logo was jeered. everytime the logo appeared, there

isa everytime the logo appeared, there is a lot of controversy about its appearance. people were shouting and be really excited. some people are just like this is netflix. with a strategy of producing its own films and television series, nap leaks now has 100 million subscribers, globally, and the service believes its presence at the festival is a reflection of the industry catching up reflection of the industry catching up with technology. —— netflix.|j think it is an enormous an interesting conversation that is beginning. but the truth is, if you wa nt to beginning. but the truth is, if you want to know what i really think, i think, as in many matters, there is room for everybody. ija has been warmly received by critics. more the pity, say some, that many will strea m pity, say some, that many will stream it from their phone or laptop, incidentally it on the big screen. greg dawson, bbc news. staying with the arts, now. a new record has been set for the work of an american artist.

a painting byjean—michel basquiat has sold for a huge $110 million. he came to fame as a graffiti artist in the 1970s and died of a heroin overdose atjust 27 years old. our arts editor will gompertz reports. $57 million. $58 million. the moment is about to arrive at sotheby‘s last night. 65 million on the telephone. when the american neo—expressionist painter, jean—michel basquiat, who died nearly 30 years ago... is that a bid, sir? $69 million. ..hit the big—time. the hammer is up, sir. i'm selling it on this side of the room. it's yuki's bid. a fair warning and selling, thank you, sir, for $98 million. thank you, yuki, congratulations. the sale price when commissions are included puts him in the exclusive auction house $100 million plus club. along with pablo picasso and francis bacon. we definitely had an idea that everybody felt that it was a masterpiece but the air gets pretty thin at those sort of levels financially.

so, of course, the previous record price was less than half what we've achieved this evening so you're going into very new territory. the buyer, yusaku maezawa, a japanese online fashion retailer, was delighted, he said, at winning this past piece, which is great. —— masterpiece. but why might he have be willing to pay so much? it's the kind of rock and roll way he put images and text together, it's extremely influential. that mixed with a kind of expressionistic style of painting, added to the fact that he is, you know, a black american artist. it's a kind of explosive mix. that's andy warhol. to that you could now add the almost mythical nature of basquiat‘s short life, which was immortalised and romanticised in this biopic with his friend and mentor andy warhol, played by david bowie. who himself became a collector of the one—time street artist's work. whatever one thinks of the eye—watering auction price paid for the work, there is no question

that jean—michel basquiat fits into the story of modern art. his paintings reference the so—called low art ofjean dubuffet. .. there's something ifind quite alarming about that picture. ..and the expressionism of vincent van gogh and the street art scene of 1970s new york — he is a significant figure in the canon. of course, nobody knows whether his paintings can sustain $100 million prices but given most are still held privately, the chances are will find out fairly soon. will gompertz, bbc news. two more astronauts have been inducted into nasa's hall of fame at a ceremony at the kennedy space centre in florida. they are michael foale — who has uk—us citizenship —

and america's ellen ochoa. she was the first hispanic woman in orbit. both took part in numerous shuttle launches and spent time on the international space station. and you can get in touch with me and most of the team on twitter. good morning. quite wet through the small hours in the north and north—east of the uk. quite breezy as well, particularly in the north—east. further west, there are clear spells to be had and a scattering of showers. with the clear skies it's turning fairly fresh. 9—10 degrees for major towns and cities. rural spots could get a few degrees lower than that. so it is a fresh start across the board and still wet through the morning across a large chunk of scotland. some south—western parts will stay dry and largely bright through the morning. northern ireland will see a couple of showers through the morning, but also some sunshine. scattered showers in northern england, but a good deal of sunshine as well, especially in manchester and across hull. early showers across wales and the south—west of england. towards the midlands, east anglia and the south—east, it's largely a dry start. a couple of early showers

towards east anglia and they aren't far away from the south coast. as we get on through the day we will see showers developing widely across england and wales, northern ireland and scotland. pretty wet into the afternoon. some of them could contain rumbles of thunder and maybe hail. still some spells of sunshine into the afternoon. 17—18 will be the top temperatures in the south—eastern corner. scottish in the south—eastern corner. premiership action un way. scottish premiership action under way. showers at hamilton, and wetter weather in inverness. we also have some premier league action. i suspect we will see some rain at times, and those showers at liverpool and manchester could be frequent and cool. go through the evening, a lot of those showers will tend to fade away. we will keep few going in the northern scotland in particular. but that is to move away towards the north. by sunday, we are starting on a dry note for most places. it will be chilly first thing, but dry and bright weather,

clearly further south and east, with lighter winds. it will feel warmer at19- lighter winds. it will feel warmer at 19- 20 lighter winds. it will feel warmer at 19— 20 degrees. a few degrees cooler in the north—west. there we will season keidanren. selling at the weekend, saturday will see heavy showers, but also some spells of sunshine. so sunday looks the better of the two days, because it looks mostly dry, with few showers. and it will be a little bit warmer, as well. that warming trend continues into monday for some of us, because we have the southerly breeze ahead ofan area we have the southerly breeze ahead of an area of dry pressure —— high pressure. heavy downpours the south and east and the winter light. coming in from the south—east. dry and bright. and quite warm, it 22 or 23 degrees by monday afternoon. this is bbc news. the headlines: us media are reporting that president donald trump told russian officials that firing fbi directorjames comey eased "great pressure" on him. he's also said to have described mr comey as a "nutjob." the revelations comes as mr trump heads to saudi arabia on his first

foreign trip as us president. voting has ended in iran's presidential election after being extended for several hours beyond the time polling stations were meant to close. the interior ministry says that turnout was about 70%. results are expected to come in as early as saturday afternoon. the wikilea ks founder, julian assange, says it's a personal victory that swedish prosecutors have shelved a lengthy rape investigation against him. but mr assange said his legal battle with the us and britain would continue, and he would never forgive or forget that his name had been slandered. now on bbc news, hardtalk.