hello, this is the briefing. i'm sally bundock. our top stories: the polls open in south africa in an hour's time, claims of corruption have dominated the campaign. comeback kings — liverpool enjoy one of their greatest nights beating barcelona in the semifinals of the champions league. as the european parliamentary elections approach, we take a look at the rise in popularity of far—right parties. and markets fall for a third day as investors continue to worry that the trump administration will increase tariffs on chinese imports on friday.

a warm welcome to the programme, briefing you on all you need to know in global news, business and sport. we have a parked briefing for you as ever. “— we have a parked briefing for you as ever. —— packed. also controlling your home or controlling you? google reveals to us more about nest hub, it's latest smart device that comes with a camera in your home. but what is google doing with the data it collects? we'd like to know, are you embracing this technology or are you wary? tell us what you think, just use the hashtag #bbcthebriefing. so, let's get started. we start in south africa, where polls will open in an hour's time for the country's sixth democratic election since apartheid ended, and nelson mandela

became president in 1994. but the party he led — the african national congress — is under pressure over corruption. former president, the anc‘s jacob zuma was ousted last year, accused of looting state funds and awarding contracts for cash. his successor, cyril ramaphosa, has promised dishonest officials will be jailed. our africa editor, fergal keane, reports from the campaign trail. tropical durban, south africa's tourist playground is a political battleground. where the party of mandela is fighting a bitter internal struggle in the midst of a presidential election. this man, president cyril ramaphosa, is promising to clean out endemic corruption in the anc. first stop of the president's day, a tourism conference. and the national anthem ofa conference. and the national anthem of a people longing for a moral revolution. cyril ramaphosa

humourously reminding them his legacy he is claiming. coming to a tourism event in durban i thought i should wear the type of show that nelson mandela used to wear. they said no, no, no, that is not appropriate. wary suit and look presidential. cyril ramaphosa is in a hurry to undo an entire system of official corruption. on durban's streets, workers protest over anc miss rule. across south africa, there is fury over what has been stolen. billions have been lost in bribes played to top officials —— paid. lucrative tenders, profits from state enterprises handed to cronies of the former president jacob zuma. all this with unemployment running at 27%, and deepening disillusionment in a slum like foreman road, where they wait

forjobs and proper homes. this woman is the mother of three who i’u ns woman is the mother of three who runs a roadside stall. how long have you lived in this place? 20 years now. 820 years? yeah. 20 years? yeah. —— 20 years. now. 820 years? yeah. 20 years? yeah. -- 20 years. do you think you will ever get out of here? laughter this man was a long time anc activist here at quit in disgust over the growing corruption. the worst thing about corruption is when you see the conditions that people are living in getting worse. we blame the government because the government other ones that are supposed to be responsible for this. the anc can still rally the crowd near durban and is expected to win, but has lost support to more radical alternatives. when president cyril ramaphosa arrived at the rally, i

put to the question to him that i heard from numerous south africans. can you save this country from the cooks trying to destroy it? the anc is going to win this election —— crooks, we are going to proceed with oui’ crooks, we are going to proceed with our courses of renewal. i've got to go now, the people have been waiting. for renewal, purges and prosecutions will be needed. look who's come to see his arrival. durban's mayo has numerous allegations of corruption against her. and this man was forced to deny her. and this man was forced to deny he had ordered the killing of a party comrade. popular leader of the party comrade. popular leader of the party losing, that's because he has pledged to defeat corruption but cannot do it given how pervasive it is within his own party and almost any is within his own party and almost a ny level of is within his own party and almost any level of government. winning the

election may be the least of his battles. fergal keane, bbc news, durban. so, as i mentioned the polls will be opening shortly in south africa. and i'll also be speaking to our africa business editor live from johannesburg in about 20 minutes. he will tell us about the expectation is going to the polls. here in the uk the first cross—party brexit talks since the local elections have ended with no sign of compromise with the opposition labour party calling on the government to move on its so—called red lines. it comes after it was announced that the uk will now have to take part in the forthcoming eu elections. ahead of those elections, a new wave of far—right politics is sweeping across the continent, promising to smash the ruling elite, end migration and shake—up the european union. but are these parties fuelling hate? the bbc‘sjean mackenzie has

travelled across europe, to find out why these movements are surging. the first report in this series comes from germany, where the far—right afd party is now the main opposition in parliament. a loud and defiant selection lines, the germany's fa righty, alternative for deutschland. —— far right party. with immigration top of the agenda, the afd as part of a new wave of populism that is spreading across europe. campaigning is already under way in leeds the —— leipzig. your opponents call you racist.

these views make many here bristled. germans are acutely aware of their not the past and some fine parallels deeply troubling. francisco left the afd concerned it was becoming more extreme. the most extreme ideology is that there are good persons and bad persons, not because of their behaviour, but because of their genetic code. and if you are arabic, then you are worth less than good, wide germans. that ideology exists? it dominates the party. francisco says concerns here in germany, but the party was my place in politics is emboldened in more extreme groups. —— the party's. alex is an activist for the pyrite youth movement generation identity. and from facebook, generation identity spread their message on youtube. we say, ok, germany shall be the country of natives. let's start re—

migration, let's start everyone not allowed to be in germany to go back. it's now emerged that the man behind the christchurch mosque shootings donated to them. what happened in christchurch was terrible. it has nothing to do with generation identity. i know but some of the ideas you promote about migrants not belonging, can you not see that it might lead some people to act out violently might lead some people to act out viole ntly towards might lead some people to act out violently towards those people? if a freak violently towards those people? if a frea k ta kes violently towards those people? if a freak takes ideas from every... area he canfind, freak takes ideas from every... area he can find, then it isn't the idea. it's a freak. i want to know what impact this is all happening on muslims who have grown up in germany. do you feel that germany has become more islamic phobic? maybe more openly racist. people are more likely to show that they don't welcome you, that they don't — that they think that this is their

country. you know? you are muslim, you have to be a refugee. the generation identity has changed the conversation around migration certainly. as it is up to try and win more seats in the european parliament, it'sjoined win more seats in the european parliament, it's joined forces with far right us get parties in other countries. ——, new alliances emerging trying to challenge the political status quo. jean mckenzie, bbc news. let's brief you on some of the other stories making the news. the us secretary of state, mike pompeo, has paid a short visit to iraq to assure it of american support and urge it to break free of iranian influence. after meeting the prime minister, adil abdul—mahdi, mr pompeo said baghdad must also ensure the safety of americans in the country. venezuela's supreme court has ordered the criminal prosecution of six leading opposition assembly members, on allegations they took

part in last week's attempted military uprising. the plot apparently failed because key maduro loyalists who'd been expected to back the opposition stuck with the president. but the us has now lifted sanctions on the head of intelligence, who did turn against president maduro. an 18—year—old student has died and at least eight people have been injured in a school shooting in colorado. police have arrested two pupils from the school, which is just about eight kilometres from columbine, the scene of one of the deadliest american school shootings 20 years ago. brazil's far—right president, jair bolsonaro, has changed the country's gun laws, making it easier for people to import guns and own multiple weapons. he's also allowed gun owners to purchase more ammunition. critics fear the move could pave the way for people to carry weapons, in a country already known for a high rate of gun crime.

we are keeping a close eye on financial markets as ever. today, the beginning of trading sessions in asia we saw a sharp violence box once again. this is the third day in a row as investors continue to try and figure out what is happening with the us—china trade war as it were, the developments have changed a lot in the last few days with president trump really upping the anti— and saying tariffs on chinese emperors could go up on friday —— ante, chinese imports. but negotiations are still ongoing. with me is our business reporter ramzan karmali. we dragged him in today. as you said, markets in asia were down quite a lot at the start of the day and they were down a lot yesterday. they seem to have measured that loss, though. the shanghai index down by 0.1%, the losses yesterday we re down by 0.1%, the losses yesterday were a lot bigger. european markets we re were a lot bigger. european markets were down across the board as well.

everyone is worried about these trade talks, tomorrow expect the economic representative from china to arrive in washington for thoughts. he was meant to stay for two days, three days, is only staying for two now, that's a bit worrying. joan also said they are going to retaliate with tariffs of their own if the us goes ahead. —— china also said. these talks, if they go ahead, seemed very honest thing, there was talk of a possible breakthrough and dotting the eyes and crossing the tees. now it seems there is dissension in the ranks and it's hard to tell what is going on behind the scenes —— dotting the is and crossing the t‘s. behind the scenes —— dotting the is and crossing the t's. this could be donald trump's brinkmanship, but there's no without fire. this could turn into quite a bitter war and have a big impact on global stocks. global stocks and global trade.

exactly. if tariffs increase substantially on friday and tariffs increase, what impact will that have on the global economy? every single stock in the dowjones was down yesterday and this is the worry. what is going to happen to these big companies that rely heavily on international trade? they are all on —— they are what all of our pension funds are invested in. give us your thoughts on that, we'll be going live to our asia business hub in the business briefing for more of that in about 15 minutes we was time. we'll have all the sports news as well including... kings of the kop — liverpool beat barcelona 4—0 to reach the final of the champions league. we'll tell you all you need to know. i, nelson rolihlahla mandela,

do hereby swear to be faithful to the republic of south africa. after six years of construction and numerous delays, the channel tunnel has been formally opened by the queen and president mitterand. but the tunnel is still not yet ready for passengers and freight services to begin. for centuries, christianity and islam struggled for supremacy. now, the pope's visit symbolises their willingness to coexist. roger bannister became the first man in the world to run a mile in under four minutes. memories of victory as the ve celebrations reach their climax. this night is dedicated to everyone who believes in the future of peace and freedom.

you're watching the briefing. our headlines: south africa prepares to go to the polls, but claims of corruption still dominate the campaign. liverpool enjoy one of their greatest ever nights, beating barcelona in the semi—finals of the champions league. a vetera n a veteran who served in the war is planning to sue the ministry of defence for the return of his long service and good conduct medal. the accolades are taken from him and he was forced out of the navy because of his sexuality. he was discharged in 1993 of his sexuality. he was discharged ini993 and of his sexuality. he was discharged in 1993 and there was a ban on lgbt people serving in the armed forces. his lawyers are father military personnel and the same position to have the lost metals return. personnel and the same position to have the lost metals returnlj personnel and the same position to have the lost metals return. i love life in the navy because of the combo chip. your new each other. ——

you all knew each other. his focus praised by his seniors. when he joined up in the 19705, there praised by his 5enior5. when he joined up in the 19705, there was a ban on lgbt people serving in the armed forces. and joe says throughout his career, he hid the fa ct throughout his career, he hid the fact that he was bisexual. it was a double life i was living. i was watching every day what i was 5aying, watching every day what i was saying, what i was doing. joe served in the falklands war, he also did tours of duty in northern ireland and conflict 5pots tours of duty in northern ireland and conflict spots in the middle east. in 1993, an allegation involving another sailor which is a lwa y5 involving another sailor which is always denied ended his career. and during the descent ternary proce55, his as he was the track forced to di5close his as he was the track forced to disclose his sexuality. thi5 his as he was the track forced to disclose his sexuality. this is a medalfor northern disclose his sexuality. this is a medal for northern ireland, disclose his sexuality. this is a medalfor northern ireland, this one for this other buddy. joe was allowed to hold onto to have his

medal5 but he was stripped of the metal he had been awarded for long 5ervice metal he had been awarded for long service and conduct. that metal proved to me that i was good enough for all those years. and yet, someone canju5t for all those years. and yet, someone can just come and take it away from you. the statement, the ministry of defence said we are currently looking at how personnel discharged from service because of their sexuality or now abolish sexual offences can have the metals return. joe says that because he was dismissed from the navy, has also lost out on his pension. he's never fought for money. at the of 68, he just wants his middle back. we started whensoever world ‘5 press will hopefully capture prince harry and the duchess of sussex making the first public appearance. later in washington the house committee on thejudiciary will washington the house committee on the judiciary will vote on washington the house committee on thejudiciary will vote on a motion to fine the us attorney general in

co nte m pt of to fine the us attorney general in contempt of congress. for refusing to release a redacted version of the special council ‘5 report. and later in vancouver, technology of while i will appear in court to hear the date set for the extradition to the us. now it's time to get all the latest from the bbc sports. centre. hello i'm tulsen tollett and this is your wednesday sport briefing where we start with the news that liverpool have pulled off an astonishing recovery to beat barcelona 11—3 on aggregate and qualify for a second successive champions league final. trailing 3—0 after the first leg in spain last week, two goals each from georginio winjaldum and divock origi secured the victory as they became the first team to ever come back from such a deficit at this stage of the competition.

we know that we need luck in the situation or a genius moment like trent alexander arnold. i saw the ball flag on the net and had no idea who took a corner and who scored because it was too quick for me. no sort back and it's just incredible. smart. liverpool will play either ajax or tottenham in the final. ajax have a one goal lead going into the second leg of their semi—final against spurs later, and the dutch side have home advantage in amsterdam. their win in london last week makes them favourites to go through to the final in madrid at the start ofjune. but spurs will have forward son heung—min back after he was suspended for the first match. tottenham will also have defender jan vertonghen available— he's been training in a mask after suffering a nose injury last week. their manager mauricio pochettino wants them to approach the game without fear.

it's an exciting game ahead, it's an exciting moment for us to be in the semi—final and i think we need to enjoy, we need to enjoy and feel more freedom to play. we need to start, the approach was good for our side. i think we need to feel more freedom to play tomorrow, nothing to lose. from the beginning, we know we need to win and try. rafael nadal plays canadian teenager felix auger aliassime in the madrid open on wednesday. the spaniard is yet to win a tournament this year but has claimed the trophy in the spanish capitalfive times. nadal knows it could be novak djokovic that he meets if he makes the final. the world number one made a strong start to his clay court season beating taylor fritz — 6—4, 6—2. in cricket news england and pakistan begin their pre—world cup one day series later on wednesday. the hosts won their one—off 20—20 game on sunday. a half century from captain eoin morgan showed he's in form.

and they may see more from barbados bornjoffra archer who has just qualified to play for england. he's pushing for a place in the squad for the world cup which starts at the end of this month. the first of five games takes place at the oval in london. and have you seen this on social media? norwich city have done anything but park the bus this year in their promotion push to the premier league but they have have now had to push the bus! they were crowned championship winners at the weekend. but their parade saw players having to give their bus a push. in the end they had to ditch the broken down canary yellow vehicle and get a red replacement in for the open top tour of the city. you can get all the latest sports news at our website — that's bbc.com/sport. but from me tulsen tollett and the rest of the team, that is your wednesday sport briefing.

for years afghanistan has been a country plagued by war. the taliban continues to wage a violent campaign against the government in kabul — and more often than not — it's civilians that get caught in the crossfire. but, as the bbc‘s tim allman reports, the spirit of one injured boy remains strong. five years old, happy as can be, ahmad loves to dance. this video got more than half a million views in just one day after it was posted on social media. you see, ahmad is no ordinary little boy, he is a survivor of warand an amputee. he was just eight months old when, along with his sister, he was seriously injured in a firefight between the taliban and the afghan army. he lost his leg just below the knee, but this is a boy who never gives up. "i am so happy for him," said his mother, raisa,

"that now he can be independent." according to the un, last year nearly 4000 people were killed in afghanistan's ongoing civil war — the deadliest year yet. of that number more than 900 of them were children and another 7000 people were injured. which means a medical centre like this one in kabul plays a vital role. translation: we feel proud when we see an amputee child coming in in his mother's arms but leaving on his prosthetic leg. a5 for ahmad, he keeps on smiling, he keeps on dancing, proof that even in the most desperate of times, there can be hope. tim allman, bbc news. i love the report there. let's have a look at what even saying to us

about the google nest hub. the conferences about the google nest hub. the co nfe re nces a re about the google nest hub. the conferences are at the moment been telling they are attendees that —— about all sorts of stuff. the new phones with an amazing camera, lots of information online at a bbc story on the tech page. there is a family with dennis staub and we will be hearing from someone who's talking to dave lee at the developers, once about this smart device. are you wa ry about this smart device. are you wary about what is happening to all the data that's been collected in your home? and also cameras as well. joe says, wary as hell, none of these gadgets in my house, thank you very much indeed. jerome says, i'm not going to have one into unconvinced they are secure, voice recognition so someone can't control devices by speaking to the answerphone for example. that's a lot i hadn't body but was not senses

for more sense, so much memories occupied by priorities. good luck to ai. thank you for your thoughts. hello there. there was some warmth in the sunshine as we saw yesterday but generally through the rest of this week it will stay on the chilly side and we have rain and showers. look at this curl of cloud. an area of low pressure pushing the cloud up from the south—west bringing outbreaks of rain. we still have rain further north, a little snow over the tops of the mountains and that wet weather will be joined by this heavy rain pushing up on the south—west heading towards scotland and northern ireland and continuing to rain in northern england. following that there is sunshine and showers which could be heavy and thundery. wind changes to a south—westerly afterwards but ahead of an easterly wind. so an easterly wind in eastern scotland and the rains there, it will be cold.

temperature 6—8 degrees. not so bad for western scotland where all it will not be so wet and double figures in northern ireland but rain is not far away. a cold day for northern england with heavy rain over the pennines. these are heavy showers, potentially thundery, heading up towards the home counties and east anglia. low pressure is in charge of the weather. that was the curl of cloud we saw in the centre of the low was drifting eastwards across the uk. the weather front in the north is still there, that is the main focus for the rain and that should move away from scotland allowing sunshine from the north but the damp weather continues to feed into northern england and north wales showers for northern ireland and further south across england and wales heavy showers especially in the south—east of england. underneath the cloud it will be another chilly day. temperatures below average for this time of year. low pressure tends to pull away and takes away the rain on the weather front as well. low pressure there, low pressure here, high pressure

there and there. without sort of weather pattern you get showers. difficult to say where they will be. this is our best forecast at the moment. some showers could be heavy and possibly thundery again but large parts of the uk will be dry with some sunshine. again, temperatures below average. as we head into the weekend it starts off chilly but temperatures are set to rise over the weekend, turning warmer and into next week. drier with more sunshine on the way.

this is the business briefing. i'm sally bundock. voters in one of africa's biggest economies go to the polls — but south africa faces big economic challenges including stubbornly low growth, high unemployment and one of the most unequal societies on the planet. controlling your home, or controlling you? google launches a new device to manage your smart home but what happens to all the data google collects? and on the markets, declines continue across the board as investors consider the threat of higher tariffs on chinese imports