this is the briefing. i'm victoria fritz. our top story: democrats in the united states say the mueller report on russian election meddling is a damning verdict on president trump's behaviour, showing that he lied repeatedly. as climate protests in london enter a fifth day — activists are warned not to target heathrow airport over easter. a 29—year—old woman is killed following disturbances in northern ireland, police call it a terrorist incident. and, he avoided making political statements, could this man be the next president of ukraine? as the international car industry grapples with the threat of tariffs from president donald trump. we check out the mood

at the new york auto show. a warm welcome to the programme, briefing you on all you need to know in global news, business and sport. forget the gym, your best personal trainer may come on four legs. new research shows dog owners in britain are four times more likely to be fit than those without a hound. but the link to health is far weaker in other countries. wherever you are, does your dog get you out and about? let me know — #bbcthebriefing.

democrats in the united states say the mueller report on allegations of russian interference in the 2016 presidential election contains damning evidence about president trump's behaviour, in spite of clearing him of colluding with moscow. the report details ten seperate instances in which the president tried to obstructjustice, including attempts to fire the man conducting the investigation. however, robert mueller left open the issue of whether or not these actions constituted a crime. our north america correspondent david willis reports. leaving washington for his florida retreat, the president must have been hoping this marks a moment of closure. an end to the investigation that has overshadowed his time in office. and which at one time he thought might even spend the end of his presidency. — spell. despite emery ‘s links between the trump

campaign in russia, robert mueller report found no evidence between the us and russia in collusion. when it came toa us and russia in collusion. when it came to a question of destruction of justice, the report was less equivocal. attends to appear the investigation and have robert mueller fired, investigation and have robert muellerfired, failed only because members of the administration of the former white house counsel, refused to carry out orders. based on the fa cts , to carry out orders. based on the facts, we are unable to reach that judgement. referring to obstruction of justice. accordingly judgement. referring to obstruction ofjustice. accordingly while this report does not include the president committed a crime, it also does not exonerate him. to the president though, the report represents total vindication and at a white house event for wounded vetera ns, a white house event for wounded veterans, he could hardly contain his glee. having a good word too. it

was called, no collusion, no obstruction. his view of the whole thing summed up in hif and game of thrones inspired to eat. it's not come over in the sense that there's a lot we need to know that is redacted in the report, again, this report only goes to what is criminal or not criminal. other actions that may have —— might have compromised the president or others around him our may not be included in the report. the special counsel having the crucial question i'm resolved, it may be a two congress to decide whether or not the president ‘s actions amounted to obstruction of justice. president ‘s actions amounted to obstruction ofjustice. democrats are already calling for topamax to give evidence in person. this presidential holiday may not last long. and if you don't have time to read

the 448—page document mueller report, you can log on to our website for a 60 second summary of all you need to know. for this and other top stories and analyses, just log on to bbc.com/news. a 29 year old woman has been killed following disturbances in northern ireland. police say it is being treated as a terrorist incident and a murder inquiry has been launched. shots have been fired in londonderry and petrol bombs thrown at police. emma vardy reports. disorder broke out following police raids in the city. social media should petrol—bombs being thrown at armoured police vehicles. officer said that after shots being fired, 29—year—old woman was killed. she was a journalist, on the scene of the writing. police have described it as the writing. police have described itasa the writing. police have described it as a terrorist incident. they say a murder enquiry has been launched.

the dickel leaders in northern ireland have condemned the violence. —— political leaders. it was called an attack on all the community. the leader of the democratic unionist army —— and foster said it was a senseless act. the 29—year—old journalist who was killed has not yet been officially named by police. dissident republicans are being planned for last mass violence which led her death. the climate change protests in london are entering their fifth day, as more than a thousand police officers are deployed to cover the demonstrations over the easter weekend. campaigners from the group extinction rebellion are continuing to block sites including oxford circus and waterloo bridge. since monday, more than 500 activists have been arrested, with some roads in the city still blocked. kathryn stanczyszyn reports.

cam doubted for central locations, these campaigners say they are in for the long haul. —— camped out. i've taken a couple of weeks holiday for this. as long as we can really. it means another day of major disruption for the capital. already thought to be costing millions to businesses. for some, enough thought to be costing millions to businesses. forsome, enough is enough. outrageous that the police force... they don't believe in law and order. they think they should be able to disrupt and block transport. this is not a peaceful protest. but the protest to say this is going exactly as it meant to. they say it's the best way to get the government to take notice. they've apologised to those affected but say this action is absolutely necessary if we are going to have the best chance of saving our planet. despite more than 500 arrests, illegal

roadblocks at key locations remain in place. the metropolitan police is the extra effort being put into policing demonstrations is an unwelcome strain on an already stretched service. many officers are not going away when they had anticipated doing that. we brought people in on 12 hour shifts so much longer working hours. all of that will eventually have an effect on people ‘s well—being and resilience. extinction rebellion says it plans to target heathrow airport next. less worn activists were met —— be met with a robust response if that happens. joel kibazo, partner atjk associates and a former director of communications at africa development bank joins me now. you've been in washington, he missed the last four days of this. the fifth day now, huge amount of disruption across london. are they right to be doing what they're doing? a peaceful protest is part

and parcel of a free democracy and so, there's nothing wrong with that. however, in this case what you do haveis however, in this case what you do have is in a large part of london, it's been affected, not only can people not travel and get diverse parts but businesses that serve these people, especially in areas such as the oxford street, which is a main shopping boulevard in london, have been effect it greatly. we've had business people complaining. without people walking by, they can't do business. so we do have a situation where there is a protest about climate change and ensuring that the environment is protected but you are doing down business. isn't this a waste of police resources if these people are peacefully protesting? so to go and process 500 activists, lock them up, perhaps charge them, with very low level offences, that's an awful lot

of police time, administrative time in the course as well. that's an extra cost associated with this was not it is an extra cost that as i said, there is the freedom to protest, the issue is not causing any problems. in this case it seems as if they got on the way of some actions and so the police have carted off over 500 people. they say that some of the detention centres are getting full and they're having to go around london. it is that challenge but in a peaceful democracy we have the right to protest. we certainly do. we're going to leave it there. we will see you in about half—an—hour. let's brief you on some of the other stories making the news. the prime minister of libya's un—backed government, fayez al—sarraj, has condemned what he called the international community's silence in response to the deadly attacks on tripoli by the military strongman khalifa haftar. more than 200 people have been killed in two weeks. authorities say three top professional climbers

are presumed dead in an avalanche in the canadian rockies. the trio were attempting to scale howse peak and failed to check in on time. the men have been named as david lama and hansjoerg auer from austria, and jess roskelley, from the us. a bone in the knee, that appears to serve no purpose and which scientists thought was being lost to evolution, seems to be making a comeback. researchers at imperial college london say the fabella is now three times more common in the human body than in 1918. their study also found people with arthritis appeared to be more likely to have one. tens of thousands of people are expected in kiev‘s olympic stadium later to watch a debate between the final two candidates in ukraine's presidential election. the run—off vote will take place on sunday and having won the first

round volodymyr zelensky, a comedian and actor is the clear favourite to beat the incumbent petro poroshenko. the campaign has been extraordinary not least because mr zelensky has avoided almost all of things that candidates normally do in elections. our correspondentjonah fisher sent this report from the ukrainian capital, kiev. it's the final stretch of ukraine's presidential election. and this man is all set to win. this is zelensky. communicating the way he prefers. through light—hearted videos on social media. his campaign has barely existed in real life. his avoided debates, rallies and political speeches. his left his

opponent angrily chasing shadows. country of 45 million people cannot vote for a virtual person who they only see on screen and in film. the polls suggest that the ukrainians are about to do just that. incredibly, the less mr zelensky has said about politics, the more popular he's become. in major state m e nts popular he's become. in major statements they made some major controversy. they cause an uproar, really because there are sometimes illogical arguments, and it's better for him tojust illogical arguments, and it's better for him to just keep silent. there is no doubt that a large part of the support is a protest vote. people in the ukraine are fed up with the politicians, they are often corrupt. many people also see a friendly

familiarface. someone many people also see a friendly familiar face. someone who many people also see a friendly familiarface. someone who has many people also see a friendly familiar face. someone who has what it takes to be this country ‘s next president. and that's because for the last three years, ukrainians have been watching him on tv. playing the part of a principled, fighting president. in a satirical drama series. up up until now, mr zelensky has avoided what could be a very difficult face—to—face encounter with the real president. it certainly face questions about his own toes to a controversial oligarch. the only time the candidates have publicly exchanged views, by phone, it was a disaster. this is how mr zelensky likes to

work, making slick videos while his advisers try to explain what, if anything, the comedian stands for. europe has nothing to be afraid of, in fact it is the opposite. the president will be much less dependent on russia than this oligarch. it looks like a longer date —— long—awaited presidential debate will finally take place in the national stadium. something extraordinary will have to happen for it to affect the final result. if it is to be president zelensky, ukrainians will be taking the chance. on a man who has courted the vote while answering very few serious questions. stay with us on bbc news, still to come: questions are raised about the real motives behind big donations for the reconstruction of notre—dame.

them coming the stars and stripes at half mast outside columbine high. the school sealed off, the bodies of the dead still inside. i never thought that they would actually go through with it. one of the most successful singer songwriters of all time, the american pop star prince has died at the age of 57. he was a great musician and, you know, a genius. for millions of americans, the death of richard nixon, in a new york hospital, has meant conflicting emotions. a national day of mourning next wednesday sitting somehow uneasily with the abiding memories of the shame of watergate. and liftoff of the space shuttle discovery, with the hubble space telescope, our window on the universe.

you're watching the briefing. our headlines: democrats in the united states say the mueller report on russian election meddling is a damning verdict on president trump's behaviour, showing that he lied repeatedly. as climate protests in london enter a fifth day — activists are warned not to target heathrow airport over easter. some of france's richest companies have vowed to give hundreds of millions of euros to help rebuild paris's notre dame cathedral — after it was partially destroyed by fire earlier this week. but the generosity is raising questions about what the real motives are behind such donations — notably because of the sizeable tax deductions attached to corporate gifts invested in philanthropy. caroline rigby reports.

it's an image that shocked the nation and astir generosity and many beyond france's borders, whether encouraged to date on websites of the daily shop, french citizens are reaching deep into their pockets to give what they can for the restoration of one of paris's most iconic landmarks. trans- mac i restoration of one of paris's most iconic landmarks. trans- maci say we saw there are a lot of donations flooding in, large donations. i think people should give what they are able to. even a small donation will allow for the rebuilding of notre dame. it's a paris monument and it has so much history so the faster we gathered the money, the faster we gathered the money, the faster it can be rebuilt. among the highest offers, 100 million euros pledged by the family behind the gucci and eve sent on fashion brands. a donation of $200 million by the head of a business empire that includes louis witt on and that

was matched by the family that controls french cosmetics giant l'oreal. some big donors have said they would forgo the fiscal favours including tax rebates attached to giving that questions remain over whether such vast sums of money could be better spent elsewhere. because for months now, the french capital has been the focused —— focus of the yellow vest movement. their protests against economic injustice have, at times, turned violent in these mega donations for a church rather than society could further fan the flames of discontent. when you see this money in this country, there are billionaires with lots of money. look, in a click on the 200 million, 100 million. it also shows the inequality in this country. the french president, immanuel micron, says he hopes the catastrophe of notre dame will help the country

come together but any sense of national unity in the way of the fire remains agile. —— emmanuel macron. now it's time to get all the latest from the bbc sports centre. shipped this sport. we start with a footballing news that chelsea and arsenal are through to the europa league semifinals. the blues were 4— three winners in the czech republic. taking them through to a semi—final against frankfurt. while the gunners also qualify for the last four after beating natalie 3— nil on aggregate in their quarterfinal tie. they will face valencia in the last four. napoli, also with their supporters, they show us they wanted to do something important here and if we wa nt something important here and if we want that, it's because i think we

we re want that, it's because i think we were could very well and we took a big section. now to golf where shane lowry leads by a stroke on 6 under after the opening round of the rbc heritage in south carolina, and it was so interesting the native wildlife wanted a closer look so world number one dustin johnson obliged as he looks to go one better than his tied second finish at the masters last sunday. he's three strokes off the lead on 3 under. rafael nadal is throught to the quarter finals of the monte carlo masters after beating grigor dimitrov 6—4, he's proving that he's still the man to beat on clay. nadal‘s record here is extraordinary — this was his 70th victory in 7a matches and he'll play argentina's guido pella next. novak djokovic is also through to the last eight — he'll play daniil medvedev later on friday. djokovic — the top seed — beat the american taylor fritz 6—3, 6-0. the world number one, a two time winner here, is through to the quarters for the ninth time in 13 appearances

in this event. in the nba the oklahoma city thunder will have home court advantage later for game 3 of their first round playoff series with the trail blazers. portland have a 2 nothing lead after a big win on wednesday. cj mccollum and damian lillard once again led the way — they scored a massive 62 points between them as it finished 114—94. the trailblazers have won just one nba championship — that was back in 1977. i know how quickly things can change, i know how the series doesn't start until you down the road, with just got to maintain our focus, stay sharp in the things that we been sharp in and understand how well we played in the first game in the second game is not going to be good enough and third game, especially on the home floor so we just gotta keep our heads down and keep working.

and finally, what about this for one of the shortest ever substitute appearances. mattias ozgun was instantly injured after being poked in the eye by his departing team mate in a swedish second tier game on tuesday. he was caught by the gloved thumb of the man he was replacing as they exchanged a pair of high fives. you can get all the latest sports news at our website — that's bbc.com/sport.but from me tt and the rest of the team that is your friday sport briefing. international supermodel naomi campbell has told the bbc that a country in asia has refused to use her picture for a recent campaign because of the colour of her skin. speaking in nigeria, the top model was in lagos to launch arise fashion week, an event that showcases diversity and the best fashion designers from across africa. mayenijones began by asking her about the discrimination that she faces today.

something happened to me the other day and i was quite taken aback. i did a campaign for someone and i was told that one of the countries in asia won't use the picture because of the colour of my skin. ironically, i have that gene in my family. you were here last year, why is it important to you to keep coming to nigeria? last year, i was here just as coming to nigeria? last year, i was herejust as naomi doing arise is a model and now, it is arise with naomi campbell and we brought some other designers and editors from america, from london, from europe and we want the world to know and see and to be able to get out there, the perception, to change the perception they have, and to see the young emerging designers from all across africa. they are so talented

and african designers deserve the right to be championed just like every other designers around the world. do you think africa should have a globalfashion world. do you think africa should have a global fashion capital like milan or paris? would that help? yes, it would be good. it would be good if we could have that here. we've got many different fashion things but right now what's important is that we get the outside fashion brands to recognise this continent as african, this continent recognises their brands, a part of making their brands who they are. we have a huge influence on what we we re have a huge influence on what we were and how we wear it. tell me what you think about our talking point today — according to new research, dogs will make you fitter so wherever you are in the world, does your dog get you out and about? tweet me your thoughts. i've got some of their thoughts. i've got some of their thoughts here. this one says, my fellow ta kes

thoughts here. this one says, my fellow takes me out to all sorts of places and i am 70 plus. barry and south dakota says yes, we are out all the time. shadow cast to get this out and about. and missing our dog walkers as well. send us pictures of your dogs, we want to see them all. hello there. for all four nations of the uk, thursday was the warmest day of 2019 — so far, that is. 23.3 was the top temperature, that was recorded in west sussex but over the easter weekend, those temperatures are set to climb a little further. widely into the 20s on saturday across the south—east corner, some could get to 25, even 26 degrees and with that, high—pressure, keeping things generally settled in holding weather fronts and for the most part is i'll show you in a moment but for good friday, it's a fine looking day. we are looking at lots of sunshine. we may see a bit of patchy

cloud and temperatures widely into the high teens although 20 celsius, somewhere towards the south, could get up to 2a degrees. we mostly wa nted get up to 2a degrees. we mostly wanted to patches developing. where they do form, they could be quite dense, and one of those weather fronts trying to make inroads, with the odd spot of rain to northern ireland in the far north—west of scotla nd ireland in the far north—west of scotland but for the most part on saturday, that area of high pressure will hold this sprint away. northern ireland, north—west scotland might see a bit more cloud. we could see fog patches close to some north sea coasts but it's a sunny day in a very warm one and this is today where we could see 25, possibly 26 degrees. contrast that with the holiday hotspots of southern spain, heavy rain could bring flooding through the weekend and even further east across the mediterranean with a cool north—easterly breeze lowering into athens, damages could be a lot

lower than they are here in the uk. i pressure holds firm for most of us into the second half of the weekend but remember those weather fronts up to the north—west? they will always be there wriggling around and there is some uncertainty about how quick they will make progress south—east woods. most of us will be dry, there is always the chance of some range fringing to the western side of northern ireland and the north—west of scotland, those temperatures again wellup into of scotland, those temperatures again well up into the 20s, even across parts of southern scotland. most of us find again, there is just the chance of some of that extra cloud in the north—west.

this is the business briefing. i'm victoria fritz. the international car industry grapples with the threat of tariffs from president donald trump. we check out the mood at the new york auto show. and check out who's behind the wheels of these sleek, luxury cars on dubai's roads. and on the markets. a lot of markets are shut for the easter