we will be back to hear your thoughts about bbc news coverage again next week. goodbye. good morning welcome to breakfast with rachel burden and rogerjohnson. 0ur headlines today: good morning welcome to breakfast with rachel burden and rogerjohnson. our headlines today: the race begins for a new leader

of the conservative party after theresa may announces she will step down. four candidates have confirmed they'll stand — many more are expected to put their names forward in the coming days. president trump deploys extra troops to the middle east amid growing tensions with iran. a family who fled vietnam in a tiny boat a0 years ago are re—united with the man who rescued them. celtic are looking to make history this afternoon. they are going for their third treble in as many years, when they face hearts in the scottish cup final at hampden park. spice girl fans get what they really, really want — as the band returns for their first tour in ten years. it's a largely warm and sunny start to this bank holiday weekend across much of southern and eastern england, but there is cloud and outbreaks of rain further north. all the details coming up shortly.

all the details coming up shortly. it's saturday, 25th may. our top story: the race to become the next conservative party leader has begun. theresa may has confirmed she will step down next month, meaning a new prime minister could be in place by the end ofjuly. four current or former cabinet ministers have already put their hat in the ring as our political correspondentjessica parker reports. stepping out to acknowledge it's over. never easy to admit failure, least of all when so many are watching on. i will shortly leave the job that it has been the honour of my life to hold. i will shortly leave the job that it has been the honour of my life to hold. the second female prime minister, but certainly not the last. i do so with no ill will, but with enormous and enduring gratitude to have had the opportunity to serve the country i love. theresa may had tried,

time and again, to get her brexit deal approved by parliament. but yesterday's retreat signalled an end to those efforts and the start of something else. him, her, and more besides, declared or otherwise, names being talked about is leadership contenders, entering what looks likely to be a crowded field. leadership hopefuls will no doubt try to project a sense of purpose and optimism for the future, but there's no getting away from the present brexit deadlock. whoever comes next, will inherit the same divided party and parliament here in westminster. he's running for sure, declaring that the uk must leave the eu by the end of october — with or without a deal. forgive me, i do not wish to elaborate now on what we're going to do and how we're going to it, but, believe me, you will be hearing possibly more about that than you necessarily want to hear. laughter.

another one throwing their hat in the ring, for him leaving without an agreement just isn't the answer. well, i think it's partly about positions on brexit. i think candidates who try to run with a no—deal brexit and are pushing for what that means for our economy would find it very difficult to reunify the country. candidates will offer up different visions of how to handle brexit and so many other issues, but that's the easy bit. winning sufficient support to deliver that vision so very much harder. jessica parker, bbc news. let's look now at how the weeks ahead should pan out. mrs may will step down as party leader on seventh june, but will stay on as prime minister until a successor is chosen. the race for the conservative leadership will begin formally on tenth june. tory mps will have to select two candidates, then the winner will be chosen by party members. the final result is expected by the end ofjuly, with the successful candidate expected to become britain's new prime minister.

let's get the very latest from our political correspondent tom barton, who is in westminster now. after the emotional street in dining —— emotional speech in downing street yesterday, all the attention turned away from theresa may and onto whom i take on the top job. there are four people who have already said they want to take on thatjob. the most high profile probably is boris johnson, thatjob. the most high profile probably is borisjohnson, the former foreign secretary. he is the book—keeper is my favourite. also stamping is jeremy hunt, book—keeper is my favourite. also stamping isjeremy hunt, esther mcvey, the former work and pensions

secretary, and rory stewart, the international development secretary. we are expecting many other names to end up in the frame as well. among those, the current environment secretary michael booth, who was heavily involved in the leave campaign. andrea leadsom, she was the second choice for party leader when theresa may took the job a couple of years ago, and sajid javid, the home secretary. you will hear much more over the next few days from several of those people, may be saying that they are going to ta ke may be saying that they are going to take part in this contest. then, in a couple of weeks, the race will formally get under way. in a few minutes, we'll be talking to one of those confirmed leadership contenders, rory stewart, at 8.10am. us troops have been deployed to the middle east as tensions between america and iran

continues to rise. the relationship between the two countries has been strained for months since president donald trump imposed sanctions on iran and backed out of the iranian nuclear deal. here's our washington correspondent, chris buckler. america is making its presence felt in the middle east. the pentagon has already deployed an aircraft carrier strike group to the gulf and it's now announced that extra trips are being sent to the region. all actions intended to send a message to iran, even if president trump has been playing down the possibility of conflict. we're going to be sending a relatively small number of troops, mostly protective. right now i don't think iran wants to fight, and i certainly don't think they want to fight with us, but they cannot have nuclear weapons. as you know, mr president, from day one... with tension heightened, president trump is doing his best to maintain his relationship

with saudi arabia, america's influential ally in the middle east. $3 billion, $533 million, $525 million. in the past, he's boasted of their weapons sold to the saudis. now he's pushing through deals to them and others worth $8 billion. crucially, he is also denying the us congress the right to approve the arms sales by declaring a national security related emergency because of iran. that's likely to ensure conflict in washington, even if the president insists he doesn't want a new fight in the middle east. chris buckler, bbc news, washington. police are questioning a man and a woman on suspicion of murdering two boys aged 13 and 14 following an incident at a house in sheffield. police were called to the property on friday and six youngsters were taken to hospital. four other children, aged between seven months and ii

years are not seriously injured. universities in england should not "scaremonger" over their finances ahead of a possible reduction in tuition fees — that's according to the education secretary. damian hinds has also warned the government is looking closely at the quality of degrees and graduate earnings. there have been warnings that lowering tuition fees to £7,500 per year could put some at risk of going bust. a review of how to fund post—18 education is expected to be published in the coming weeks. homeowners in england will be allowed to build larger extensions to their houses without planning permission. temporary rules, which allowed bigger single—storey rear extensions without a formal application, are being made permanent. additions to terraced and semi—detached homes can be up to six meters, detached houses will be able to extend up to eight meters. but councils are warning they won't be able consider the impact of building work on neighbours.

girl power is back, time to look out your unionjack dresses, tracksuits, platforms and leopard print because last night the spice girls returned to the stage to kick off their arena tour with their hit single spice up your life. baby, scary, ginger and sporty took to the stage minus posh for their first performance since 2012's opening ceremony of the london olympics. here's ben ando. scary, baby, ginger, and sporty, back onstage together after seven years. no posh, but that seemed no problem to the 80,000 fans who'd come to dublin's croke park for this first show of the spice girls new world tour. # so tell me what you want, what you really, really want. # i wanna, i wanna, i wanna, iwanna, iwanna...# the spice girls burst onto the scene in 1996. their message of girl

power struck a chord and, apparently, it still does. this night was unbelievable. it exceeded all my expectations. it was amazing. honestly, it wasjoyous. it was fantastic. out of ten i would give it 20. spice girls! the spice girls are, of course, all now women in their mid—40s. many of their fans have teenage daughters of their own. but the songs and the style are still selling. ben ando, bbc news. politics, like time, waits for no man or woman, no sooner had mrs may said she was off than a number of tory mps and ministers declared they were interested in becoming the next tenant of number ten. we'll speaking to one of those

hoping to take the top job injust a moment, but first here's what people from across the country make of the prime minister's departure. she has been in a very difficult situation for a long period of time with the split country and herjob as being undoable. i'm happy. it's probably a good idea. i'm not particularly surprised. in today's climate quite a lot of people want to write. it has been going on for quite a bit so i think it is time for her to quite a bit so i think it is time for herto go, quite a bit so i think it is time for her to go, but the big question is, he will succeed her? boris johnson comes to mind. is, he will succeed her? boris johnson comes to mindlj is, he will succeed her? boris johnson comes to mind. i voted for remain, buti johnson comes to mind. i voted for remain, but i went to the european election this week and i voted for a brexit partyjust as a protest. boris. why? because he has a lovely personality and he believes in

brexit until do it for us. i'm sure there are a lot of other people with a lot of other qualities to give.|j wouldn't for any of them now. i wouldn't for any of them now. i wouldn't have confidence in any of them. get rid of the lot of them, start again. what about boris johnson, he seems to be the favourite? no way, no way. boris is a joke. boris is a joke. well, one man hoping to be the next tory leader is international development secretary, rory stewart. hejoins us now. do you think the party gave theresa may the support and dignity she deserve? i have been a real admirer

in the cabinets and the national security council of the way the prime minister conducted herself. she was an amazing public servants andi she was an amazing public servants and i have been very proud to serve her and and i have been very proud to serve herandi and i have been very proud to serve her and ifeel and i have been very proud to serve her and i feel immense loyalty towards her. but you were campaigning to unseat her? no, never to unseat her. i said clearly to the prime minister before she put me in the cabinets that she had allowed she was going to stand down and i would myself for the to succeed her. i have been one of her strongest supporters. when you look at what it has done to her, why on earth would you want to put yourself through that? do you think you have the magic answer that can resolve this bug is a conundrum? anybody selling magic answers at the moment will be misleading the country and themselves. the reason i want to do

themselves. the reason i want to do thejob as i have themselves. the reason i want to do the job as i have a two—year—old at the job as i have a two—year—old at the four—year—old and i want the country when they are 17 and i9 the four—year—old and i want the country when they are 17 and 19 to bea country when they are 17 and 19 to be a country that they and the whole world a re be a country that they and the whole world are proud of, a country where people look at british hospitals and schools and think they are amazing. i want to address the thousand of small injustices of life which my constituents come —— come to me week m, constituents come —— come to me week in, week out. we need to get brexit done and move on. how will you get brexit done? there are no magic a nswe i’s. brexit done? there are no magic answers. the one thing we know isn't going to work it's trying to push for a new deal brexit, which people like boris and a lot of these candidates are talking about, because that is a delay, it is not deliverable. the only way of doing this is to get a brexit deal and that involves coming back to my own life, i spent a lot of time in

afghanistan and iraq, i'm the goose it is about being truthful. all the labour mps to come up to me who want to get a brexit deal done, who want to get a brexit deal done, who want to move on... sorry to interrupt, these are fine words, but how would you resolve the situation? you talk about getting labour on board, she attempted that. they wanted a permanent customs union but she knew that would split along party. what is the one thing that you will offer, can you be specific? it is about listening to people on the it will not answer the question entirely. it is just about negotiation. they have been negotiating for three years. to be

really blunt, theresa may was very good at certain parts of a job, she was a wonderful chair of the cabinets. what i don't think she wasn't good that is negotiating, communicating, reaching across the house of commons. i can think of a dozen labour mps who have come up to me and said they wanted to vote for the deal but nobody wanted to listen to them, nobody sat down at them. i'm not saying it is easy, but i promised you that the other alternatives, going for new deal or going for a second referendum, are much, much worse. let me give this one more try. what would you change specifically about the deal that is on the table at the moment?m specifically about the deal that is on the table at the moment? it isn't about setting red lines. it is a mistake that boris is now making. it

is about negotiating. you don't set out red lines. you listen to people and communicates. it is like negotiating any deal. red lines are not the way forward. it is about how you do it, how you talk and bring people behind you. people have to trust you. our fresh people behind you. people have to trust you. 0urfresh new leader gives you the opportunity to do that. it is all a bit vague but you're suggesting at the moment. borisjohnson is almost a brand. i would you get people in the street talking about rory. i will never make the brand rory as famous as boris. he is the nearest thing that we have in this country to the kind of politicians we see in the united

states or italy, recently. i am not the kind of person. i worked with boris and the foreign office and as prisons minister, i am somebody to get something done. i have not been a professional politician my whole life. i set up a charity in afghanistan, i worked life. i set up a charity in afghanistan, iworked in life. i set up a charity in afghanistan, i worked in a war zone in iraq, and i have proven i can turn things around. i'm not about talk, but action. if you are not successful, is there anyone in the contenders spoken about that you would not work with and a future cabinet? it gives me a pm to say this but i would not serve and a boris cabinet. if he asked me to be his foreign secretary i would have to say no because i think the policy he is pursuing, and i sat down with him a couple of weeks ago, i thought

he had assured me he would not go for a new deal brexit, but he has come out saying that he will crash out of the european union at the end of october. he is not being straight with people. he's a very smart man, but we have to be straight about the fa ct but we have to be straight about the fact that no deal isn't a thing. if you offer that to people, even if it gets you elected, it will damage the country because it is a recipe for uncertainty and delay. sadly, i would not be prepared to serve in boris's cabinet. we got clarity on that, certainly. this matt hancock is also confirmed to the bbc this morning that he will put himself forward this morning as well. and liam fox has not ruled himself out. and liam fox has not ruled himself out. here's louise with a look at this morning's weather.

this is the kind of weather we would all like, this is the weather in the moment. this weather from all like, this is the weather in the moment. this weatherfrom pushing in is just starting to bring a little bit of rain into western fringes of scotla nd bit of rain into western fringes of scotland and northern ireland. that is where the bulk of the rain will stay for much of the day to day, but itan stay for much of the day to day, but it an increase in cloud. so, some rain into north—west england and wheels by this afternoon. it will be warm in the southeast with highs of 23 degrees. 0vernight tonight the cloud and rain will continue to linger in scotland and much of northern ireland's. but it will be dry elsewhere. we will see more rain for many of us had to go into some day. we start off on a mild note in central and southern areas. we could have some early morning sunshine

here yet again, but a cold front is moving in the. it will bring more cloud and outbreaks of rain through the day. the quite heavy and persistent for scotland and northern ireland. we will see some room to start with across much of northern england and will is, but an improving picture into the afternoon. the rain will become showery as it moves into the midlands and south—east. behind it, some sunshine, but it is a cold front so introducing this fresher air. the front continues to clear from bank holiday monday. the isobars will squeeze together, so a colour source of the wind that will drive in showers along west fest and coasts. the best of any drier weather will be in eastern areas for bank holiday monday. some of the showers will be happy so if you do catch on and you will know about it and it will be a colder feel to the

day. 10—i2d in the north, 18 in and it will be a colder feel to the day. 10—12d in the north, 18 in the south—east. the cooler feel continues for half term week. we need to keep abreast of the forecast if we were going to spend any time outside with the kids. you're watching breakfast from bbc news, it's time now for a look at the newspapers. kathryn simpson, a senior lecturer in political economy, is here to tell us what's caught her eye. we'll speak to her in a minute, there's only one story on the front pages this morning — theresa may's resignation. let's look at how the papers have been reporting on it. "broken by brexit" — that's the guardian's headline. the paper also uses a quote from the prime minister's speech — that not delivering brexit will always remain a "matter of deep regret" to her. and this from the times: "it

all ends in tears". the paper also uses an image of an emotional mrs may outside downing street towards the end of her announcement. the daily mirror uses word play to draw a comparison with margaret thatcher — not the iron lady, but "the crying lady". the paper also reports that borisjohnson is tipped to be theresa may's replacement. and the sun appears to give its backing to borisjohnson, as the race to find the next leader of the conservative party gets underway. let's begin with the times. and what will be at the top of the to—do list for a future conservative leader. this article says that none of the political challenges that theresa may faced will disappear once we have a new prime minister in place. they outline about seven areas that

the next prime minister will have to tackle. these range from solving the irish backstop. trying to get the dup back onside. they talk about dealing with brussels, and what kind of approach the next prime minister will take the negotiating. also looking at things like no deal preparations. domestically, looking at setting a spending review, also restoring party discipline. also the domestic agenda moving forward after eight to ten years of austerity. also navigating international issues, such as the us and china relationship and keeping them on side as we need a trade negotiation with both countries. people talk about runners and riders, the only paper i could find that you could literally as the daily mail. this is their double page spread of everyone

lined up on the starting line. we can add matt hancock, he has confirmed, he is the youngest at a0 yea rs confirmed, he is the youngest at a0 years old. lots of the papers are using this horse racing analogy. the daily mail do it very well. using that horse race language, listing candidates by pedigree, by stabling, by form, by strength, weaknesses. the two main candidates at the moment out in front are boris johnson and dominic rab. it is quite a nice way of introducing what is going on and dividing it up between brexiteers and remainers, as well. there seems to be a lot of debate about weather a new deal brexit is more 01’ about weather a new deal brexit is more or less likely. we know that parliament is in theory is against it, but it is still the legal

default. there is no parliamentary mechanism as i understand it to stop new deal at the moment. you're absolutely right. we have the extension up to the 31st of october. whatever happens domestically, that deadline is still there. the financial times look at this in particular and said that the departure of theresa may does increase the chance of a new deal brexit. they do this very good 0 and a. how will they navigate the waters of brexit? there is no legislation in parliament at the moment to stop a new deal brexit, and that is the default option on the 31st of 0ctober. there is the possible

discussion of another extension to article 50. and labour say there is no more talking to be done. there is a lot of political will needed to avoid the new deal brexit scenario. this is in the daily mail today, a drop in cervical and breast screening. it is an interesting article that says when we should be trying to use technology and text m essa 9 es trying to use technology and text messages and online booking systems to really encourage women to go for cervical screening checks but also breast screening checks. this is a report on bass and mike richard, the nhs cancer director, who has compiled this report. 0ne nhs cancer director, who has compiled this report. one of the interesting things in this article is that screening for breast cancer

for women between their 50s and 70s is the law since 2003. we need to use this technology to make sure that women are getting the health they need. there was a brilliant story about a woman offering free bikini waxes for any woman going for oui’ smear bikini waxes for any woman going for our smear test. i thought that was genius. they talk about the new fear scheme that is being introduced in middlesbrough and newcastle, so women can request a female doctor, to again get away from that embarrassment of going for these kind of tests. gps, dentists, they've taxed you to remind you you have an appointment. exactly. we use this and many other areas of the nhs so why not use it to target appointments. our 15

so why not use it to target appointments. 0ur15 mph so why not use it to target appointments. our 15 mph zone is going to be set up in london. it is quite difficult to drive at 15 mph. very difficult. this is something thatis very difficult. this is something that is going to be introduced in the city of london to prioritise the over 500,000 workers that commute into the city either by foot or by b i cycle. into the city either by foot or by bicycle. a lot of people are saying this is great, it will help... the paper doesn't like it. traffic is so bad there that it really would make any difference because nothing has moved faster than a horse and cart through the city for years. stay with us, headlines coming up.

hello, this is breakfast with rogerjohnson and rachel burden. coming up before 9, louise will be here with the weather. but first — a summary of this morning's main news. the race to become the next conservative party leader has begun. theresa may has confirmed she will step down next month, meaning a new prime minister could be in place by the end ofjuly. mrs may had been coming under increasing pressure from both sides of her party over her handling of brexit. in the last half hour, the health secretary, matt hancock, has announced he will be be standing as a candidate in the tory leadership contest.

i'm going to run to be the next prime minister because i believe from the bottom of the heart that we need a leaderfor the from the bottom of the heart that we need a leader for the future, not just an hour. of course we need to deliver brexited and i will. but immunity when the argument for free enterprise in a free society and to do all the other thing is that wind to do to make this country a great place to live. the international development secretary, rory stewart, is also one of those to have declared his intention to stand in the conservative leadership contest. he told this programme where he thought mrs may fell short in delivering brexit. to be really blunt, i find is to look to see the day after the prime minister hasn't left. she was very good at herjob in the security council. and if they do what i don't think she was good at was negotiating, reaching across the house of commons. i can think of probably a dozen labour mps who

wanted to vote for this deal but nobody wanted to listen to them. us president donald trump has sent 1,500 troops to the middle east as tensions with iran escalate. the deployment includes surveillance and fighter aircraft, and a patriot missile defence battalion. the relationship between the two countries has been strained for months since president donald trump imposed sanctions on iran and backed out of the iranian nuclear deal. police are questioning a man and a woman on suspicion of murdering two boys aged 13 and 1a following an incident at a house in sheffield. police were called to the property on friday and six youngsters were taken to hospital. four other children, aged between 7 months and 11 years are not seriously injured. universities in england have been told not to complain about a lack of funding ahead of a report which could suggest reducing fees by nearly £2,000 . a review to be published in the coming week is expected call for better value

for money for students. the education secretary, damian hinds, says the sector is in good financial health and has warned university bosses against scaremongering. homeowners in england will be allowed to build larger extensions to their houses without planning permission. temporary rules, which allowed bigger single—storey rear extensions without a formal application, are being made permanent. additions to terraced and semi—detached homes can be up to 6m, detached houses will be able to extend up to 8m. but councils are warning they won't be able consider the impact of building work on neighbours. crew had to evacuate a cargo ship after it began listing on the river mersey. the container vessel got into trouble at gladstone dock in liverpool in the early hours of yesterday morning. the maritime and coastguard agency says the ship is now back on an even keel and everyone is safe. let's introduce you now

to a puppy named shuck who has become the newest recruit at a thatcher‘s firm in norfolk. hejoins his owner, richard, on roofing jobs across east anglia, without showing any fear of heights. they've only been together for a few weeks, but have become inseparable. it is tiring work they will not come at labour but this little fella, he is finding it quite tiring. he gets his feet up a bit on the scaffold. 0h, his feet up a bit on the scaffold. oh, dear, dear, a long days work. this when we showed these, it gave rachel the bright idea of you

sending in some of your own pets. this is rosie, the collie with some cauli! she's been helping owner duncan out in somerset. dawn has a number of furry helpers on this boatyard in staffordshire. their helpers are called dudley, spot and poseidon. according to kevin, this pooch called cooper is becoming quite famous for his office work here in shrewsbury. thank you so much for all your photographs, we have had dozens and dozens photographs, we have had dozens and d oze ns of photographs, we have had dozens and dozens of them, it's brilliant. i'm sojealous, i would love i'm so jealous, i would love to have a job where you bring your dog is to work. my hairdressers bring their dogs to work. now, i do not go to a dogs to work. now, i do not go to a dog rumours before anyone says, it

is definitely a hairdressers. it would be lovely to bring a dog in here. this afternoon, a huge day of spot ahead of us. celtic have the chance to claim an unprecedented domestic treble—treble in the scottish cup final at hampden this afternoon. they've already won the league cup and the premiership title, and have won every scottish honour available for the past three seasons. but standing in the way are hearts, who have not won a game since their semi final victory over a month ago. hearts are another difficult obstacle hearts are another difficult o bsta cle to hearts are another difficult obstacle to overcome. i'm just wary of everyone talking about turbo

ta bles of everyone talking about turbo tables and bus parades and all that. we have to play the game, that is the occasion, that is really important, the message we will be hammering home to the players. we are going for the single—single. it isjust as important to us. we have recent history of beating celtic. and i feel the preparation for the game, particularly the last two or three weeks, has gone extremely well. england's women take on denmark in walsall later in their penultimate warm—up match before the world cup in france. head coach, phil neville, said the starting line—ups for the final two friendlies will provide a good indication as to his starting eleven for their first game against scotland. he says his side will be ready for the pressure of france. we've not gone easy on them, we've not let them cut corners, and we've not let them cut corners because when it comes to nice on the 9th ofjune, it will be, the expectation will be on england, expectation will be on england to do well in the tournament.

and i want my players to be ready for that, and prepared for that, and if they are prepared and they go out there and they enjoy themselves, we will be happy and we will be a force to be reckoned with. and england against denmark is live on bbc one this afternoon, kick off is at one o'clock. clearly, training going pretty well too... have you ever nutmegged anyone? when you put the ball between your opponent's legs — football's ultimate insult. well, phil neville felt the shame during training yesterday... nutmegged by one of his own team, alex greenwood. and toni duggan, luckily, on hand to film it. oh, the shame. we're only five days away from the start of the cricket world cup, and there was worrying news yesterday for england — the tournament's hosts and favourites. captain eoin morgan picked up a finger injury in practice — and while he's expected to be fit for their opening game against south africa on thursday,

he'll miss today's warm—up match against australia in southampton, one that brad haddin expects to be a pretty tense affair. you're starting to get really close to that first game now, so it's really important that we get into some really good habit and there's no better way than to get that competitive edge than a practice game against england. i think we can talk a lot about it being a practice game, getting some miles on your legs, but once you walk across the line pride takes over and you want to do well against england. we have a big weekend of rugby union in store, with two premiership semi—final play—offs and the pro1a final. more than a0,000 fans are expected at celtic park for glasgow warriors against leinster. warriors are on a nine—match winning run, but leinster are defending champions. it's a massive day for the whole squad, for all our extended people, and backroom staff, and so on, and just a hell of a lot of work from a hell of a lot of people.

and so that makes it special. but, yeah, we can't wait for the whistle to roll. the rugby league posts are up at liverpool's anfield stadium for the annual super league festival, the magic weekend — with six matches over two days. it's part of plans to showcase super league in different parts of the country to widen the sport's appeal. and for the players — it's a chance to play at an iconic football stadium. i got a chance to go there on monday and do the promotion for the magic weekend at anfield and just walking down the tunnel go on to the field and you see the you'll never walk alone and the signs on the side of the wall in the change room, it's an event i've been looking forward to since i've signed. you know, can't wait to get a taste of what it is like to play on there. it such a busy weekend, we also have the league 2 play—off final between tranmere rovers and newport county.

you can follow all the action right across the day on the bbc. it is very difficult to try and get everything in. hopefully, the weather will state nice. if you think about snow sport events you'd expect skis or boards to feature but a new freezing challenge that has already proved a hit in europe requires neither. in what must be a mike bushell first, he's been tackling yetis in conditions usually found in the north pole rather than in milton keynes where he's been competing in a snow storm race. music. deep breath at the top of the ski slope, taking it all in, ready to descend. there's just one thing missing — we've got no skis. running on the snow is an obstacle in itself.

for us it's the wall, which is not that high, but when you consider, when you consider your feet and your hands are slipping, might need a bit of a hand. that's the idea. that's all fine. having started up in europe, obstacle racing on the snow is now coming to the uk to challenge our fitness in this new way. and when you get down on the hard snow, it was a bit painful at first. you don't want to wear heavy snow ski gear, that would just weigh you down, slow you down. it is just to offer something a bit different. people have been doing mud runs for the past six or seven years. it's something new in the sequence of activities. people find it really fun. running on snow is a bit like running on sand, which is really hard work. you have a 15 degrees incline, which is tremendously hard. you also have —a degrees,

which is hard to run in. so it's a bigger fitness challenge than anyone will have had before. go, go, keep your head down, go! actually, a cuddle from a yeti was a chance to feel a bit of warmth for a few seconds. having said that, by the top of the course we had worked up a sweat anyway. go on, get up there. this is not like any ski lift i've ever been on. you've got to do all the work. it was really hard. i did not think it was going to be this hard. also because of the cold, as well. i'm finding it hard to breathe. it's an entirely different experience. different type of breathing. using different muscles. working the core, working your legs. the physical environment may have been cold, but the warmth in the group meant that everyone got round. excellent, yeah, it's very good. once you get used to the course. and the cold.

having a challenge, running against the snow and also my other friends as well, it's really good. it's a pretty good challenge. for me, especially, good for my mental health. it's only a few hundred yards, but what a work—out this is. and for some of those taking part from the milton keynes running club, this was their first ever taste of exercise on snow and the hope is, through this, more people will be tempted to take up snow sports as well. no, i've never skied before. i don't know how to ski, but i'm thinking about taking up skiing. after all the hard work, it was downhill all the way. mike bushell, bbc news, from milton keys.

let's have a look at the weather. you had a picture they are. it was a picture of madge, very self—indulgent. if you're watching earlier, she made a special appearance. enough of my dog which i'm desperately trying to bring to work. this is cambridgeshire. lots of sunshine, we will see the best of the weather today. there is a change to come over the bank holiday weekend, each they will get a little bit cooler because of the series of fronts moving in from the atlantic. more cloud and this front will eventually introduce a cooler air source, so make the most of any sunshine if you have it. across eastern areas, sunshine will turn

increasingly hazy throughout the day. cloudy weather in the west, fairly persistent cloud throughout the day and a disappointing feel in scotland. as we move through the overnight period, the cloud and rain will intensify through scotland and we will see more rain into northern ireland as well. elsewhere, it will bea mild ireland as well. elsewhere, it will be a mild and dry night, keeping temperatures in the budget ditch is but a change to come as you move into tomorrow. the cold front will gradually move in, bringing more rain. it will introduce a cooler feel also. the isobar sweden together from a westerly direction soa together from a westerly direction so a cooler source. which that have died, settled at sony again across much of eastern england. rain arrives into the north—west, it will wea ken arrives into the north—west, it will weaken as it pushes his way into the south—east corner but there will be a little rain. summer sunshine coming through behind it. the only

exception being in scotland, cold and disappointing here. by the time they move out of sunday into monday, they move out of sunday into monday, the isobar is still squeezing together, that north—westerly flow will dry together, that north—westerly flow willdry in together, that north—westerly flow will dry in the shallows, feeling cool on those exposed coasts with cloud and showers around. the showers hit miss a cost england and wales, but they could be heavy if you catch one. bank holiday monday, temperatures look likely to peak around 10—18d. it is half term for many so if you are going to be spending time outside, you need to keep abreast of the forecast, some rain in end but feeling that little bit cooler. which i suppose we exhausted all the good weather over the last bank

holiday. a0 years ago a family risked everything when they war torn home in vietnam for a new life in the uk. linh spearing and her family spent days at sea without food and water. they were eventually rescued. now, decades later they've been able to thank the sea captain who rescued them. sarah—jane bungay tells their remarkable story. . somerset is at the play is linh the place linh spearing calls home but her life began many miles away, in ho chi minh city in vietnam. it was 1979, linh‘s father had spot in the army against communist taking over the country. fearing for his family's safety, he made a bold decision, the decision to escape the country by c. i can't imagine the decisions and feelings that they went through, it must have been a life or death situation for them to go through to go make that decision.

the boat was a small fishing boat, over 300 people, really scary. and very sad, horrible. for the family now, a desire to say thank you. to the man they believe saved their lives a0 years ago this week. the man they believe saved their lives 40 years ago this week. but masters of both bouts had stories of having already buried several small children. captain hilly martin stopped his cargo ship, rescuing hundreds from two small boats. how long would those books have lasted? their bouts might have lasted a while but people would have died. now for the first time, the family and making the long anticipated journey to belfast to meet the captain who allowed them to settle here, to allow them to have a life without fear. the journey to belfast means a lot to my parents. they have

talked about it over the years, but wanting to repay a debt. now in his 80s, captain martin lives this care home so this is where the family has come, along with many others also on the fishing boats. a0 years to the day since they were rescued, linh and her family have day since they were rescued, linh and herfamily have come day since they were rescued, linh and her family have come to say thank you to the man who saved our lives. when the reunion kind, it was slightly chaotic, so many people here want you to show their gratitude. there were people here from america, malaysia. this man was just a baby when he was rescued, he was airlifted to hospital, something the captain remembers all these yea rs the captain remembers all these years later. there was a lady here who held a baby in her arms. and if you went to the hospital. the baby is here as well? the baby is here.

the baby was filming this video. we owe him our life. thank you. they are two short words but for this family, they sum up a lifetime of gratitude. yesterday, we showed you a picture taken by a mountain climber who was stuck in a queue of people while tackling mount everest‘s summit. it's since been shared around the world. the image was taken two days ago — in a week when seven climbers died while scaling the world's tallest peak. it's thought overcrowding has contributed to the fatalities. reaching the top is no mean feat. everest is just over 29,000 feet in height, that's 8,8a8 metres. everest is just over 29,000 feet in height, that's 8,8a8 metres. once you've reached

the 8,000 metre point — you are then in what's known as the mountain's "death zone". for this year's spring season, nepal has issued 381 permits to climbers, costing over £8000 each. let's speak now to nirmal purja — he is a mountaineer who took a photo of the queues at everest‘s summit this week, and is in kathmandu. nine that, thank you very much for talking to us this morning. what do you think we saw that line of people, is it the kind of thing you had seen before? not really. i was quite wary when i seen the queue but i know how to do it. the biggest concern there was, if the wind had picked up by five knots, it was 25 on that day, if it had got any higher, i think there would be more fatalities up there. it looked really dangerous, we are now looking

at the photograph you to it, all those people are not that you are holding onto one group, currently? —— one rope. holding onto one group, currently? -- one rope. that's correct. how dangerous is it for those people standing there? it very dangerous, definitely a risk to life. there are so many inexperienced climbers there as well which puts even more at risk for everybody or not the mountains. i think it is what it is for many of us now. i think it is what it is for many of us now. hopefully, something will be done about these problems after the season. they have given out all these permits this year, what do they need to do, is it a case of giving out if you are on making sure people are better qualified? in

order to be allowed to have a permit. i think this can be remediated easily. they need to make the season a bit longer, put the lines quicker, and have the weather window open mod. for example, there we re window open mod. for example, there were only about three weather windows this year. i think it could be safer. yacht in the process of climbing all 1a of the over 8000 metre peaks, climbing all 1a of the over 8000 metre pea ks, you're climbing all 1a of the over 8000 metre peaks, you're trying to do it in seven months, i think i'm writing saintly recce before was seven yea rs ? saintly recce before was seven years? how tough a challenge ends that? well, the challenge is tough but i do believe it can be achieved. in the last 21 days, i've climbed six mountains, including some of the most extreme mountains in the world. so far, it's good. but i'm massively

worried about the funding for my second phase but, hey, i have given 100% or. i've remortgaged my house. but here i am today, now the mission is to focus on the second phase, happening in 1a days' time. is to focus on the second phase, happening in 14 days' time. we wish you the best of luck with it. thank you the best of luck with it. thank you forjoining us. congratulations on taking that photograph, it really has a surprise, and shot people around the world. and here with us now is mountaineer simon lowe. you organised expeditions, in fact, you had a group that had just this indeed. they were there on wednesday morning, the first 0, if you like. they know that was coming so they had got up a day earlier to get ahead of it. they got to the top

camp, they stuck their heads out when it was time to go, it was too windy which was forecast that they had to wait which puts them back to the back of the line. they set out very much earlier than they would do, climb to the summit, came back down. they were probably three hours slower than they would have normally up slower than they would have normally up because of having to accommodate other people as well? yes, people coming up, as you say, it's a very narrow piece of ground and you have to pass people to come back down. the big mountains we have here, snowdon, i went recently and it wasn't that busy. this is bonkers, the highest mountain in the world. you look at it and you think it's bonkers. it's a bit of an unusual

season, a bit counterintuitive. because we have is such good weather forecasting, people can see when they goodwill it is coming, everest has always been about weather windows, winning thejet has always been about weather windows, winning the jet stream has always been about weather windows, winning thejet stream is lifted off the summit. back in the 90s, you didn't have weather forecasting is you stuck your head out of the tent and just went up if the weather was good. it's clearly problematic, there have been seven deaths this year. absolutely. what i would also say is that there are also doubts when there is no queue. there are a baseline of fatalities which needs to be eradicated. you think the issue is an experience and lack of preparation? and there are a baseline of fatalities which needs to be eradicated. you think the issueis to be eradicated. you think the issue is an experience and lack of preparation? not they are quite happy to take people regardless of experience. we have this ridiculous situation when people go onto the ice wall who have never put crampons

on before, they put them on even back to front. the ice wall is a very treacherous part of the mountain, the fishing you get to coming from base camp. what are the evening doing there? you said to them it's ok? people who are rich enough to effectively pay their way 7 enough to effectively pay their way hey enough to effectively pay their way up? they market is fairly split, actually. there are people who are trying to pay as little as possible to go to everest. i'm afraid, those are the people who sadly died. do you any qualifications? we have a lwa ys you any qualifications? we have always said that, our preference is that someone has already been to another 8000 metre peak so you know they will acclimatise. you know they have been in tough situations. i like it when someone says either all the munro is in scotland because you know that they have been out by themselves, taking on tough weather 01:00:00,386 --> 2147483052:06:45,654 decisions and made tough decisions. 2147483052:06:45,654 --> 4294966103:13:29,430 get