welcome to bbc news, broadcasting to viewers in north america and around the globe. our top stories: brexit, nuclear weapons and the future of social care — voters quiz theresa may and jeremy corbyn ahead of the uk election. california pledges to keep on cutting carbon emissions despite president trump's withdrawal from the paris climate agreement. the british prime minister, theresa may, and the opposition labour party leader, jeremy corbyn, have been facing questions from voters in the final televised debate before next week's general election. they were questioned seperately by members of the studio audience after mrs may refused to debate directly with other party leaders.

she stressed that she was the best person to lead brexit negotiations. it would have been easy. i could have said, i'm prime minister, there's another couple of years, why don't ijust there's another couple of years, why don't i just stay and hang there's another couple of years, why don't ijust stay and hang on in the job? tie didn't do that. i have called an election because of brexit. i was willing to do that it isi brexit. i was willing to do that it is i think this is a really important moment for our country. you've called a general election for the good of the conservative party and it's going to backfire on you. we we re and it's going to backfire on you. we were all told lies, so even people who voted out, perhaps they should be given a second chance, you should be given a second chance, you should have the confidence to say, shall we have another vote? should have the confidence to say, shall we have another vote ?|i should have the confidence to say, shall we have another vote? i think collectively people here in the uk said, you know what, that's not the way to behave. if the people have given their choice that this to the people and actually deliver it. on the wrong information! you can spend your whole life, obviously, working ha rd your whole life, obviously, working hard to build up a nest egg. not if

it is all going to be sort of taken away from you again, if your care is needed, essentially, why should you even bother in the first place?m is today that we see people sometimes having to sell their house in order to pay those bills. what we say is that under the system we introduce, which is important, because we need a sustainable system for the future, given the ageing population, if we do nothing our social care system will collapse. population, if we do nothing our social care system will collapsem you can tell us what the floor is now, why can't you tell us the cap? because on the floor, i think it is important that we give people the protection of their savings, which is greater than it is today. that's why we set that figure at £100,000. but on the cap, as to where you set that figure, the absolute figure that figure, the absolute figure that the poor pay, the amount people pay, i think it is right we have that consultation. my wage slips from 2009 reflect exactly what i'm earning today. so how can that be fair? we have had to take some hard choices across the public sector in

relation to public sector pay restraint. we did that because of the decisions we had to take to bring public spending under control, because it wasn't under control under the last labour government. —— labour. i'm being honest with you, saying that we will put money into the nhs, but there isn't a magic money tree. then it was mr corbyn‘s turn. he promised a left—wing alternative to spending cuts, but was challenged over the last labour government's legacy of debt. we are not approaching these negotiations by threatening europe with setting up some kind of low tax haven for big corporations in this country. we are instead saying we want to continue that trading relationship outside the european union. is labour's manifesto a realistic wish list, or is itjust a letter to santa claus? i urge you to read it. i think it is a serious and realistic document that addresses the issues that many people in this country face. i'm thinking of last time labour were in government,

they left a note in the chancellor's office, saying, "we've no money left. " do you know what? the very richest in our society have got richer. there has been more and more tax giveaways at the top end and more and more charges at the other end. it's time to rebalance it. if the uk were under imminent threat from nuclear weapons, how would you react? i think the idea of anybody ever using nuclear weapons anywhere in the world is utterly appalling and terrible. it would result in the destruction of the lives and the communities and the environment for millions of people. are you saying there are no circumstances under which you would use it? any circumstances where anybody is prepared to use nuclear weapons is disastrous for the whole planet. that is why there has to be a policy of disarmament, globally, but through multilateral policy, not a unilateral policy. would you allow north korea or some idiot in iran to bomb us and then say, we'd better start talking?

you'd be too late! of course not. of course i would not do that. you'd allow them to do it. of course not. how would you stop them? that is why i made the point a short time ago about the need for president 0bama's agreement with iran to be upheld. it is quite important, actually. and also to promote disarmament in korea. that is difficult, i appreciate. there's been a swift and harsh reaction around the world to donald trump's decision to withdraw the us from the paris climate change agreement. in america itself several states say they'll simply ignore president trump. california is one of them. it sees its future prosperity dependent on developing clean energy. james cook reports from kern county, north of los angeles. this is one of the windiest spots on earth and the birthplace of north

america's wind industry. it is the largest private employer here and when the great recession hit the united states one decade ago, california's determination to cut emissions kept the turbines spinning and the area afloat. i know local businesses here and across the country said that if it were not for the wind industry they would not be in business. property management companies, hotels, restaurants that are so grateful for our industry and it has a huge impact on the local economy. and so when the white house says it is withdrawing from the paris climate change deal to boost employment, it does not make a lot of sense here. donald trump says his presidency is all about creating jobs. he has talked about a resurgence of coal mining, about resurrecting american industry. american industry is changing. and here in the gusty hills of california, it increasingly looks like this.

california was driven to embrace the power of the wind and the sun by necessity. for years, los angeles look like this. to defeat the deadly smog, the state drafted the toughest emission standards in america, standards now embraced by a dozen other us states. california is on a different path from where president trump wants to take the country. we are not alone in this regard. most states now in the country are working hard to do things which, whether they call it climate change or not, are aimed at reducing emissions and ringing around cleanerfuels and cleaner ways of moving ourselves around. and that includes china, which is now turning to california for advice on how to tackle its own pollution problem. the two are partners but also competitors in developing renewable technology.

this is, i think, the area where some's decision on the paris agreement and where generally his decisions on climate change have the potential to harm the us economy in the long—term the most. and that is simply because other countries are not waiting. this is the coming economic boom and we really are losing heavy potential, to lose out on it. and on these hills they hope not. although merely one third of californians voted for donald trump, this state is fast becoming a beacon of opposition to the president. police investigating the manchester bombing have seized a car that they say could be a significant development following the attack at manchester arena. earlier prince william visited the city to meet some of the police officers and medical staff who were first on the scene after the bombing. our home affairs correspondent june kelly reports. a significant development in this

terrorist investigation. it could be, say the police. today, for a time, the bomb squad were back in russia in south manchester. —— rush on. it has become a key location for detectives. salman abedi is said to have been here. at a block of flats, the police focus was on a white nissan micra which had been left ear. a cord and went up and four hours residents had to leave their homes as specialist teams moved in. this morning the police came rushing m, this morning the police came rushing in, evacuated us from the house, telling us there was a bomb scare. it was all a bit overwhelming, know what i mean? got exams coming up, i've left all my books in there. it is affecting my studies in a way, really. over the past couple of weeks, residence here, as in other parts of manchester, have grown used

to police tape and offices outside their doors. detectives are trying to plot salman abedi's last days as he finalises plan to kill and injure scores of concert—goers. tonight this lorry back into position. the car was loaded up and taken away. will it yield important evidence? there is still a feeling of rawness in this city, as it welcomes high profile visitors. today the duke of cambridge met a police officer, michael buckley, who was off duty and tended the injured at the manchester arena. he did this while trying to find his own daughter. it was horrendous, said william, who away from the cameras made a private hospital visit to some of the injured. manchester is now preparing for this we can's that concert where security has become the all—consuming issue. security has become the all-consuming issue. the police -- please, firstly, do not right here.

use the facilities that are free. secondly, do not bring a bag in. if you can avoid it, please don't bring a bag, because it will slow the search procedure down. this will be a poignant return for so many concert—goers, and a reflection of all that has been lost, with the announcement that the inquest on the 20 victims will open a week from today. stay with us here on bbc news. still to come, ireland's set to have a new prime minister — the gay son of an indian immigrant. anti—government protests in northern morocco have continued for a seventh consecutive day. they were triggered by the arrest of the leader of the protest movement. he has been charged with threatening national security. it is the worst unrest in the country for several years. in

this city on friday, the riot shields were out again as police and protesters pelted each other with rocks. this is the north—eastern region, home to the worst anti—government protests in morocco for six years. the anger has been triggered by the rest of this man, nasser zefzafi, charged with threatening national security. for months, he has led a series of protests which began last october after the death of a fishmonger who was crushed by a rubbish truck as he tried to rescue stock that had been confiscated by police. 0ver tried to rescue stock that had been confiscated by police. over the last seven days, protesters have chanted," we are all zefzafi", and demanded his release. translation: chanted," we are all zefzafi", and demanded his release. translationzlj have had a broken bone because of the police, says this woman. we are a lwa ys the police, says this woman. we are always threatened. arrests in homes are multiplying, our children are scared. we ask for the kink intervened. —— king to intervene. marchers have also taken place in

casablanca and the capital, rabat. it is not just casablanca and the capital, rabat. it is notjust claims of corruption. protesters say they are also frustrated at the lack ofjobs in the country, especially the young people. so far much of the anger has not been directed at rocco's king. at the longer these demonstrations continue, the more likely it is to u nsettle continue, the more likely it is to unsettle both the government and monarchy in a country that isn't itself as a model of stability in a troubled region. —— presents itself. he is ireland's first openly gay minister, the son of an indian immigrant, and at the age of 38, leo varadkar is now set to be the youngest leader in europe as ireland's next prime minister. leo varadkar is the new face of modern ireland — the son of an immigrant, openly gay, and for months, he's been the favourite to become this country's new prime minister. i indeed have been elected the 11th leader of fine gael. he set out his vision of leadership, amid a sea of signs bearing one name.

i think if my election as leader of fine gael, today, has shown anything it's that prejudice has no place in this republic. and so every proud parent in ireland today can dream big dreams for their children. every boy and girl can know there is no limit to their ambition, their possibilities, if they are given the opportunity. varadkar‘s father was a doctor, who migrated from india, and married an irish nurse. two years ago, he came out as gay, ahead of a referendum on the introduction of same—sex marriage. he celebrated the "yes" vote on stage, a sign of social change in what many still call "catholic ireland". and leo is certainly different from last leader, enda kenny. he's not one of these high—fiving enda kenny types, but, you know, that's not

always what's needed. councillors and the parliamentary party know what is in him, and that's steel and determination. ireland's economy may have emerged from bank crises and bailouts, but brexit poses it's own challenges for the uk's neighbouring trading partner, as head of minority government, varadkar is go to find that his leadership is tested sooner rather than later. that's get a reminder of our top stories, now. with less than a week until the uk general election theresa may and jeremy corbyn have faced questions on brexit, nuclear weapons and the future of social care from a live television audience. and china, the european union, and others have confirmed their alliance with the paris accord as donald

trump confirms his intention to withdraw. let's stay with that story. earlier, i spoke to hilda heine, president of the republic of the marshall islands in the central pacific ocean. i asked her for her reaction to president trump's withdrawal from the climate change agreement. of course, we were very disappointed. we were... it is highly concerning for those of us that live on the front line of climate change. the decision by trump, president trump is... is quite disappointing, and brings sadness to people from the marshall islands, and countries like the marshall islands. as you say, you are on the frontline, can you just describe what the reality of climate change is for you and your islanders? well, in the last two years we have had to deal with droughts that have affected half of

the marshall islands. we have declared this disaster to the drought last year and again this year. seven months of last year it did not rain on the northern parts of the marshall islands and that means the level of water, of course, and lots of sickness for people who have limited safe water. cost to the government is more than we can afford, and this year that is starting all over again. in addition we've had inundation, all water is getting salty and our food crops are dying from saltwater intrusion into the systems. it is affecting us every day and we're living that and that is why president trump's decision is quite careless, as far as we are concerned. he does not appreciate the existential threat that climate change is really, or climate change

poses for countries like ours, marshall islands, and other countries similar to marshall islands. in terms of this particular battle with the united states, do you think it is over or do you intend continuing lobbying washington? well, we cannot give up. i believe there is more work to do and we are heartened by the support by other countries around the world, by non—state actors and other people around the world who are committed to the paris agreement and to implementing it in full force. 0bviously, your country has a particularly difficult history, doesn't it, with the united states. ijust wonder, does that makes this almost more personal from this particular country? well, yes, it does, because it seems like we have been helping the united states, we are one of their strongest, closet friends and strongest allies.

we really, over time, believed in the importance of us global leadership. of course, we have had a history of... a sad history due to the nuclear testing programme that was conducted by the united states in 19116 to 1958, with the testing of atomic bombs on some of our islands that have caused health issues for our people, have decimated some of the islands, and have caused relocation for many of our people from their homelands. until today, many of our people have dislocated or have been relocated from their islands. so we see this as another force that is coming on to us, not of our making, but is affecting the lives of people here, very much. we appreciate you talking to us on bbc news.

the conservative candidate for south thanet in kent, craig mackinlay, has been charged in connection with the alleged breach of spending limits, during the last general election campaign. in a statement, he described the decision to prosecute as "shocking" and insisted he'd done nothing wrong. this report from our home affairs correspondent, daniel sandford. in the 2015 general election, the voters of south thanet were deluged by big—name conservative campaigners, desperate to keep the seat away from nigel farage. their candidate post with every member of the front bench that he could find. craig mackinlay. the tories won, just. but following an investigation started by channel 4 news, craig

mackinlay was charged with filing false charges. this, the moment this morning when nigel farage heard the news. all right, that is big news. greg mckinley has just been charged. 0nce greg mckinley has just been charged. once again, it is bad judgement for theresa may. why would you allow somebody to go ahead as a general election candidate when this cloud was hanging over him. —— craig mackinlay. —— over him? was hanging over him. —— craig mackinlay. -- over him? the national party picked up the bills for these reminders. but a police investigation into whether or not they should appear on his individual action costs has now resulted in these current charges. the allegation is that expenses that

should have been on his return were not. and if they had been, he might have breached the strict limit each candidate has on how much they are allowed to spend. the conservative party continues to believe that these allegations are unfounded. craig mackinlay is innocent until proven guilty, and is still our candidate. in a statement, craig mackinlay said... he will continue to campaign to be re—elected, though, it has just been charged with filing false election expenses is not the scholar by you from becoming an mp. his first court appearance is less than four weeks after polling day. a growing number of americans say they find civil war monuments to confederate leaders offensive because of their links to slavery. in recent weeks four such statues in new orleans were removed

and other cities are considering doing the same. 0ur north america correspondent, aleem maqbool, has been taking a closer look at why this has become a flashpoint of america's racial divide. robert e lee led the army of the confederacy, the side in the civil war that wanted to keep slavery. now it is the battle over his memory that is being fought. surrounded in controversy, his and three other statues have now been removed in the city. while we were in new orleans, we spoke to many people fighting for the monuments to stay. these people were good people, they lived and died for a reason, you know, why should wejust forget it? why? but for some it was for the defence of the institution of slavery. ok but they are wrong. what is really the big story here tonight is the youths standing behind us who are convinced that these good people are all neo—nazis and that we are all racists and that they have been screaming at us all night. chanting: get the hell out of new orleans.

and they have no clue about history or anything that's happened. and it's a problem. so why such opposing views about what should and should not be represented on the streets of new orleans? well, it's partly down to the fact that even to this day there are such different ways of teaching things like the civil war, of slavery and segregation in schools in this city. how much of the slave history did you learn? i realized that if you had a white teacher you did not really learn too much because they did not want to feel uncomfortable in the class or you had black teachers, you learned a lot. if you were constantly told, as like a young child, maybe it was like your grandparents or something, the great old glory stories of how it used to be, it is kind of becomes embedded in you. in many places in the us, schools can teach civil war history however they like. not even saying at all that the war was about keeping slavery. so i guess this is really about the broader issue of narrative. when that comes to monuments,

it is notjust about what is there and needs to be taken down, but what is not there and should be. let's take a look at this building tha tourists are passing without a second look, here in the heart of the historic french quarter of the city. this was actually the biggest slave market in new orleans and yet there is not a single plaque to say that. i spend a lot of time in the south and there really are so few monuments that mark site that are related to slavery so it is about the way americans think about their country's sometimes shameful past. —— sites. but why is that important? you go to germany now, and you are forced to confront the legacy of the holocaust. it is a country that is determined to reconcile itself with its history. so there are stones and markers and memorials, you're told to go to the concentration camps. his point is, germany could only move forward when it was honest about its past but that has not happened here. in some senses it feels

like the divisions of the civil war are somehow still alive and that feeds into a racist mindset and into the big disparities that still remain. coming up it's the travel show. first the weather with phil avery. hello. we'll do the easy bit first and then i'll give you the forecast, which is probably the bit you're after, anyway. a mixture of sunny spells and showers. friday was notjust as straightforward. you'll see why go back to friday in a moment. it started well enough, then it started to look more threatening. that is probably because many of you were getting tied up with the weather front, which had fresher air on its western flank, but ahead of it, warm, moist, muggy air, which turned into thunderstorms in parts of east anglia

and the south—east, which is why some of you and your day looking more like that. yes, there were some localised flooding, due to be heavy downpours. and that muggy air is still there to be had, as we start saturday across this south—eastern quarter. the remnants of the old weather front still producing some rain across north—eastern parts of england. and it's out through the west that we see the finest conditions of the day. one or two showers to start the day across the western—facing coasts and hills. and they're there, too, through the western side of scotland. but it is out towards the east that we saw that overhang of cloud, the remnants of friday's weather, if you like. still enough about the cloud to create murky conditions east of the pennines and on the eastern side of scotland, too. let's get you on through the day, and see how things will shape up. i know there are a lot of shows and weddings planned for tomorrow. as we get through the day, the bulk of the showers will be found across central and northern parts of scotland, through, northern ireland, too, and fewer showers, but still there to be had, across the western side of england and wales. that murk will just

drift up the eastern shores and eventually, i think, the eastern side of england will improve as the bulk of that cloud and showery rain comes to lie there across the eastern side of scotland. so that's saturday. 0n into sunday, and i think it will be a quiet start for central and eastern parts, again. later on, i think we will see more showery rain in the south—west and into parts of wales, perhaps. and a slightly fresher feel through the day. this is monday. look at this. not one, two, but three areas of low pressure. this being the real driver of the weather. they could bring 50 millimetres of rain to you. so watch out for that dry start. it won't last like that across england and wales. in some of the gusts of wind easily in excess of 50 miles an hour. here we are as far ahead as tuesday.

and a slightly simplified area of low pressure still providing a really showery regime across all parts of the british isles. and a coolerfeel, too, given that the wind is somewhere between the west and the north—west.