this is bbc news, i'm lukwesa burak. the headlines.... us intelligence officials say saudi arabia's crown prince personally approved an operation that killed the journalist jamal khashoggi. police in nigeria begin a search operation after more than 300 girls were abducted from a school in the country's north west. more good news on the effectiveness of covid vaccines as a british study shows even a single dose of the pfizerjab stops the virus spreading. this is my first time on being on an open topped bus. is it really? yeah. no! i'm not really allowed to. a new american life but still one of service — prince harry explains why he felt compelled to move across the atlantic. it was destroying my mental health. i was like, "this is toxic." yeah.

so, i did what any husband or any father would do is, like, "i need to get my family out of here." hello, and welcome if you're watching on pbs in the us or around the world — and stay with us for the latest news and analysis from here and across the globe. the us government has published a report, compiled by its intelligence services — which accuses saudi arabia's crown prince, mohammed bin salman, of personally approving the operation which led to the murder of the journalist jamal khashoggi. it's the first time the us has officially and openly accused the crown prince — who is a key american ally in the middle east. mr khashoggi disappeared after entering the saudi consulate in istanbul

in october, 2018. his body was neverfound — but subsequent investigations by turkish officials found he had been killed inside the building. the saudi crown prince denied any involvement — and several people were convicted of his murder by a saudi court — but the trial was closed to the public, and the names were not released. i'm joined now by our state department correspondent barbara plett usher, in washington. hello there, barbara. it's pretty key, isn't it, that the crown prince has been specifically named in this report? how significant is that? yeah, well, publicly naming him in the us government document as having approved of an operation to capture or kill kush 0b is extraordinary

rebuke and one that had been classified and one that had been pushed by congress to be declassified for many years, it's something that the trump administration refused to do in the biden administration agreed to do as part of its reset with saudi arabia. —— khashoggi. focusing more on calling out human rights abuses. so it is very significant. the question is what that will lead to, and there is what that will lead to, and there is pressure to sanction the crown prince since the intelligence assessment hears that he was responsible for this killing. that is very sensitive, however, because he is the defect or ruler of a key us ally and could become the official ruler at any time, really, if his father would pass away. so far, we haven't had any indication that that is going to happen, but the administration has taken some steps to punish those around him announced this afternoon. find steps to punish those around him announced this afternoon. and what about the likelihood, _ announced this afternoon. and what

about the likelihood, barbara, - announced this afternoon. and what about the likelihood, barbara, thatl about the likelihood, barbara, that saudi arabia will also take some action? you know, there are some names that have been put forward in that report. will it be on saudi arabia to also be seen to be taking some sort of action, as you say, they are key allies and they both have key crucial regional priorities in the middle east.— have key crucial regional priorities in the middle east. well, that would be one way to _ in the middle east. well, that would be one way to respond _ in the middle east. well, that would be one way to respond for _ in the middle east. well, that would be one way to respond for the - be one way to respond for the kingdom to take further steps. what it has set up until now as it has done everything that it could, that it tried 11 individuals that it said were responsible and jailed eight of them. it sacked five senior government officials also that had some connection to the killing, but did notjailed any of them. we will see if they take any action now after this report. so one of those individuals who was sacked and even tried by the saudi government was

acquitted. he is a free man in saudi arabia, but he has been designated now today by the us treasury department for sanctions. now today by the us treasury department forsanctions. he now today by the us treasury department for sanctions. he was the former deputy intelligence chief, very close to the crown prince and allegedly involved in this killing. so the americans have taken action against him now, but he is somebody that the saudis acquitted. we will wait to see whether the kingdom does take any further action. qm. take any further action. 0k, barbara. — take any further action. 0k, barbara, we _ take any further action. 0k, barbara, we will _ take any further action. 0k, barbara, we will leave - take any further action. 0k, barbara, we will leave it - take any further action. 0k, barbara, we will leave it there for now. thank you very much. here's a reminder of what we know about the events surrounding the killing ofjamal khashoggi. mr kashoggi was last seen entering the saudi consulate in istanbul, on the second of october 2018, to obtain papers that would allow him to marry his fiancee. a few days later, turkish officials reported that a hit squad was present in the building, on the day of his disappearance. on the 11th of october, president trump announced an investigation into the killing,

but said the us would continue diplomatic ties with the kingdom. on the 19th, saudi arabia confirmed khashoggi was dead, claiming he had died in a fist—fight with their officials. early in 2019 saudi arabia put 11 unnamed individuals on trial, in connection with the journalist's murder. in september, prince mohammed said, that he, ultimately, bears responsibility for the death. but denied he had ordering the killing. then in december the court sentenced five individuals to death for the murder. three others were handed prison sentences. let's speak tojonathan schanzer, he is the senior vice president at foundation for the defence of democracies. he joins us from washington: thank you forjoining us here on bbc news. first off, your reaction to this report to?— news. first off, your reaction to

this report to? well, certainly not surrisin: this report to? well, certainly not surprising and _ this report to? well, certainly not surprising and i _ this report to? well, certainly not surprising and i think— this report to? well, certainly not surprising and i think anyone - this report to? well, certainly not surprising and i think anyone who | surprising and i think anyone who has been — surprising and i think anyone who has been following this case is, i think. _ has been following this case is, i think, looking at this insane well, of course — think, looking at this insane well, of course we knew this. we knew the crown _ of course we knew this. we knew the crown prince — of course we knew this. we knew the crown prince had a hand in this. we knew_ crown prince had a hand in this. we knew that _ crown prince had a hand in this. we knew that saudi arabia ultimately hears_ knew that saudi arabia ultimately bears responsibility. i think we also _ bears responsibility. i think we also knew— bears responsibility. i think we also knew that ultimately the biden administration or any democratic administration or any democratic administration for that matter would likely move to hold saudi arabia to account _ likely move to hold saudi arabia to account. the trump administration really— account. the trump administration really did — account. the trump administration really did not do that for the last four years. — really did not do that for the last four years, and really did not do that for the last fouryears, and i think really did not do that for the last four years, and i think the democrats here in washington have been waiting for their opportunity to set_ been waiting for their opportunity to set the — been waiting for their opportunity to set the record straight with the saudis _ to set the record straight with the saudis. the question is, really, what _ saudis. the question is, really, what happens from here? that's the question— what happens from here? that's the question i_ what happens from here? that's the question i think that a lot of us are asking _ question i think that a lot of us are asking because this does obviously have the potential a few years _ obviously have the potential a few years later now to really unseat the relationship and to really take it off track — relationship and to really take it off track. so that's the concern i think— off track. so that's the concern i think we — off track. so that's the concern i think we are now watching for those of us _ think we are now watching for those of us looking at the middle east. 0k, of us looking at the middle east. ok. so— of us looking at the middle east. ok. so it — of us looking at the middle east. ok, so it might be impossible to answer, but who has got the most to

lose here? the united states or saudi arabia?— lose here? the united states or saudi arabia? ~ , ., saudi arabia? well, there is quite a lot ridin: saudi arabia? well, there is quite a lot riding on — saudi arabia? well, there is quite a lot riding on this _ saudi arabia? well, there is quite a lot riding on this from _ saudi arabia? well, there is quite a lot riding on this from the _ saudi arabia? well, there is quite a lot riding on this from the saudi - lot riding on this from the saudi perspective, they have always looked to the _ perspective, they have always looked to the united states as their kind of military— to the united states as their kind of military protector and they have a special _ of military protector and they have a special relationship with the united — a special relationship with the united states based on a steady and inexpensive supply of oil. so that's always— inexpensive supply of oil. so that's always been a core component for them, _ always been a core component for them, and — always been a core component for them, and for the always been a core component for them, and forthe us always been a core component for them, and for the us side, always been a core component for them, and forthe us side, a major source _ them, and forthe us side, a major source of— them, and forthe us side, a major source of energy for us, and more recently. — source of energy for us, and more recently. we — source of energy for us, and more recently, we have seen the saudis begin— recently, we have seen the saudis begin to _ recently, we have seen the saudis begin to really open up, and we are seeing— begin to really open up, and we are seeing reforms in that country that ithink— seeing reforms in that country that i think we — seeing reforms in that country that i think we want to try to encourage and this— i think we want to try to encourage and this could be a setback. there's also the _ and this could be a setback. there's also the peace agreements that have emerged _ also the peace agreements that have emerged in the middle east between israel emerged in the middle east between israel and _ emerged in the middle east between israel and some of saudi arabia's neighbours. as a something of course of the _ neighbours. as a something of course of the united states wants to continue _ of the united states wants to continue to pursue. that could be in jeopardy _ continue to pursue. that could be in jeopardy so— continue to pursue. that could be in jeopardy. so there is a lot riding with both — jeopardy. so there is a lot riding with both countries right now. it is ultimately— with both countries right now. it is ultimately in our interest to try to reset— ultimately in our interest to try to reset those relationships, but i think— reset those relationships, but i

think there is a question of how to -et think there is a question of how to get past _ think there is a question of how to get past that when the heir apparent in saudi _ get past that when the heir apparent in saudi arabia is at the centre of all of— in saudi arabia is at the centre of all of this— in saudi arabia is at the centre of all of this and appears really to be snubbed _ all of this and appears really to be snubbed by the united states. | all of this and appears really to be snubbed by the united states. i was -- that was — snubbed by the united states. i was -- that was going — snubbed by the united states. i was -- that was going to _ snubbed by the united states. i was -- that was going to be _ snubbed by the united states. i was -- that was going to be my - snubbed by the united states. w1?» —— that was going to be my next question. there are so many interests at stake, maybe it's a diplomatic move, but certainly a cooler relationship between mr biden and the crown prince. is it wise to be bypassing him at the moment? because he is the de facto leader, he is also the defence minister. i think this is one of the questions i have _ think this is one of the questions i have that — think this is one of the questions i have that is — think this is one of the questions i have that is what is the strategy here? _ have that is what is the strategy here? because right now, what president — here? because right now, what president biden has done is snub the man who _ president biden has done is snub the man who holds the most amount of power— man who holds the most amount of power in _ man who holds the most amount of power in the kingdom. yes, king solomon— power in the kingdom. yes, king solomon is— power in the kingdom. yes, king solomon is the king, but his health has been _ solomon is the king, but his health has been in — solomon is the king, but his health has been in question, and just his energy— has been in question, and just his energy level is not what his sons is, so _ energy level is not what his sons is, so we — energy level is not what his sons is, so we all— energy level is not what his sons is, so we all see mbs, he is known as the _ is, so we all see mbs, he is known as the power— is, so we all see mbs, he is known as the power broker in saudi arabia.

the first— as the power broker in saudi arabia. the first call, — as the power broker in saudi arabia. the first call, by the way, went to the king, — the first call, by the way, went to the king, not to the crown prince, which _ the king, not to the crown prince, which i _ the king, not to the crown prince, which i think— the king, not to the crown prince, which i think was another snob from the white _ which i think was another snob from the white house. so one can only imagine _ the white house. so one can only imagine what this young and rather impulsive _ imagine what this young and rather impulsive crown prince is thinking right— impulsive crown prince is thinking right now— impulsive crown prince is thinking right now about this administration and what _ right now about this administration and what it— right now about this administration and what it might mean when his father— and what it might mean when his father passes away, what kind of relationship he will have and also come _ relationship he will have and also come i_ relationship he will have and also come i think it's worth noting that, you know. — come i think it's worth noting that, you know. i— come i think it's worth noting that, you know, iadmits come i think it's worth noting that, you know, i admits this great power of competition between china and russia, _ of competition between china and russia, it's possible that the crown prince _ russia, it's possible that the crown prince is _ russia, it's possible that the crown prince is already wondering whether he should _ prince is already wondering whether he should be looking for other great powers _ he should be looking for other great powers that are a bit more transactional in nature and perhaps it's time _ transactional in nature and perhaps it's time to — transactional in nature and perhaps it's time to pivot away. this would be a _ it's time to pivot away. this would be a huge — it's time to pivot away. this would be a huge mistake at least from my perspective and one of the reasons why a _ perspective and one of the reasons why a move — perspective and one of the reasons why a move for strong may have been, i why a move for strong may have been, i don't _ why a move for strong may have been, i don't know— why a move for strong may have been, idon't know if— why a move for strong may have been, i don't know if the word is ill—advised because it was deserved, but there _ ill—advised because it was deserved, but there may have been ways of curbing _ but there may have been ways of curbing some of the sharp elbows that were — curbing some of the sharp elbows that were being thrown.— curbing some of the sharp elbows that were being thrown. there is a lot of regional _ that were being thrown. there is a lot of regional geopolitics - that were being thrown. there is a lot of regional geopolitics taking i lot of regional geopolitics taking place, isn't there? there is the

chance of ties between saudi arabia and russia, the threat of iran, but i would just like to return back to the united states because you have brought up congress. just how much, the pressure came from congress for this report to be released unclassified, how much unified support is there in washington for action to be taken?— action to be taken? look, i would sa that action to be taken? look, i would say that on _ action to be taken? look, i would say that on the — action to be taken? look, i would say that on the democrat - action to be taken? look, i would say that on the democrat side - action to be taken? look, i would| say that on the democrat side and action to be taken? look, i would i say that on the democrat side and of course _ say that on the democrat side and of course democrats control congress i’i l ht course democrats control congress right now, _ course democrats control congress right now, it's nearly unanimous, the democrats in congress would like to see _ the democrats in congress would like to see saudi arabia held to account. this is— to see saudi arabia held to account. this is the _ to see saudi arabia held to account. this is the cause for the release of the report— this is the cause for the release of the report and i think some of the pressure — the report and i think some of the pressure we're seen from the new treasury— pressure we're seen from the new treasury designation for wannabe individuals involved, that i think also comes from kind of a groundswell from support coming from democrat _ groundswell from support coming from democrat. gk. democrat. 0k. sorry. - democrat. 0k. sorry, finish i democrat. 0k. - sorry, finish opera democrat. 0k. _ sorry, finish opera quickly democrat. ok. sorry, finish opera quickly stepped those winches as far as republicans are concerned, i think they are probably a are concerned, i think they are robabl, .. . are concerned, i think they are robabl ., , ., ,,

probably a bit more split. you have _ probably a bit more split. you have republicans - probably a bit more split. | you have republicans who probably a bit more split. - you have republicans who are probably a bit more split. _ you have republicans who are largely supportive _ you have republicans who are largely supportive of donald trump's position— supportive of donald trump's position with regard to the saudis and the _ position with regard to the saudis and the close relationship that was being _ and the close relationship that was being forged looking at arms sales and the _ being forged looking at arms sales and the like, but there are of course — and the like, but there are of course many republicans that are still deeply committed to human rights _ still deeply committed to human rights and other american principles that of— rights and other american principles that of course the saudis have violated in recent years. jonathan, thank ou violated in recent years. jonathan, thank you so _ violated in recent years. jonathan, thank you so much _ violated in recent years. jonathan, thank you so much for— violated in recent years. jonathan, thank you so much for your - violated in recent years. jonathan, thank you so much for your time i violated in recent years. jonathan, l thank you so much for your time and urinalysis. thank you. thank you.— urinalysis. thank you. thank ou. ., ., i, , let's leave the final word on this story to the fiancee of jamal khashoggi. hatice cengiz was due to be married to jamal, before he was murdered. since the us intelligence report was declassified, she has simply tweeted this picture of him — with the hashtag, justice—for—jamal. for the second time in just over a week in nigeria, a gang of armed men has kidnapped a group of children at gunpoint. this time it was schoolgirls who were targeted.

it happened in the north western state of za mfara. more than 300 were taken from their boarding school — the government girls science secondary school injangebe — when the gang, said to be 100 strong, struck in the middle of the night. they came in a motorised convoy, and were heavily armed. security forces are searching for the captives — thought to have been forced to walk into the bush. here's the local commissioner of police explaining the situation. it's an established fact that the students were kidnapped. we are on the trail of the kidnappers. that's why you find us in the fringes of the forest here, as part of our location efforts, it's part of our coordinated effort to trace the kidnappers and retrieve the students.

so far, little information has been made available to the relatives. many gathered near the school on friday. some of the girl students avoided being taken, and relatives were keen to be reunited with them. no group has admitted responsibiilty. it's not clear if the abduction was carried out by a militant group, or rather by bandits hoping for ransom to be paid. as we mentioned, this abduction is just the most recent in a string of similar incidents. at least 42 people, including 27 students, who were kidnapped last week in the central state of n—eye—ger ——who were kidnapped last week in the central state of niger are yet to be released. in december, more than 300 boys were kidnapped by gunmen and later released after negotiations. it's not clear who carried out this latest attack. but the 2014 kidnap of 276 schoolgirls in the town of chibok by islamist militants was what brought global attention to the mounting security

challenges in the country. with the latest, here's our correspondent in the nigerian capital abuja — ishaq khalid. well, basically, the police are saying that they are now trying to rescue these girls are more than 300 of them, but we don't have details about that rescue. we spoke to some residents there, they said that the gunman in large numbers stormed the girls secondary school and also, you know, wounded a local guard there _ and kidnapped the children from their dormitories. so the communities are in a state of shock and distress, and some of the parents are saying that they are shocked and devastated. there are reports that some of them even collapsed when they gathered at the school premises. stay with us on bbc

news, still to come... the islamic state supporter who ran away from london and is now stuck in syria — britain's highest court says the uk doesn't have to let her return. lets bring you up to date on the latest official data on the coronavirus pandemic here in the uk. according to the latest official figures published this afternoon by the government. in all there were 8,523 new coronavirus infections recorded in the latest 24—hour period. that means an average of 9,688 new covid cases were recorded per day in the last week. across the uk, an average of15,1i85 people were in hospital with coronavirus over the seven days to sunday — including suspected cases in wales. in the last 2a hours, 3a5 additional deaths have been recorded, that's

people who have died within 28 days of a positive covid test. on average, 357 deaths were announced every day in the past week. the total number of people who've died during the pandemic is 122,415. now on to the vaccination programme, nearly a85,720 people had their first dose of a vaccine in the latest 2a hour period. this is bbc news, our main story this hour... a declassified us intelligence report says that the saudi crown prince approved and likely ordered the murder of the journalist jamal khashoggi. he was killed at the kingdom's consultate in istanbul three years ago. let's look at the latest news from the pandemic now — starting in the us — where the white house says that nearly half of all americans aged 65 and over have received at least one shot of vaccine.

the biden administration says that more than 50 million doses have been administered since he took office on the 20th of january. the us is also set to approve a third vaccine for use alongside the pfizer and moderna treatments. thejohnson and johnson jab — made by its subsidiaryjanssen — needs just one dose, and trials suggest it is more than 85% effective in preventing severe covid disease. there's further evidence that covid vaccines may help prevent the spread of coronavirus as well as protecting against getting ill. a study of health care workers in cambridge here in the uk, has found that a single dose of the pfizer vaccine dramatically cuts the risk of getting the virus without symptoms. our medical editor fergus walsh reports. like thousands of health care workers in cambridge, daniella does a weekly swab test

for coronavirus before she goes to work at addenbrooke's hospital. it will show whether she could be carrying the virus without displaying symptoms. that swab is analysed at these university labs, where they compared the results from staff like daniella who'd received the pfizer vaccine with those yet to be immunised. in early data, they found that two weeks after the first dose, the risk of asymptomatic infection — carrying the virus without knowing it — was reduced by 75%. an england—wide study of health workers found a similar protective effect. this is a genuine good news story. people should be really pleased that the vaccine will protect them and they should have the vaccine in order to prevent themselves and others from getting infected. i think it will help us get out of lockdown,

help other countries get out of lockdown and it will allow us to get back to normal. hi, laura. can i check your blood pressure? daniella is a nursing apprentice at addenbrooke's. nearly nine in ten staff here have had their first dose of vaccine — important, as it reduces their chance of getting infected and may protect patients. it makes me feel very happy knowing that i will not pass the virus to anyone around me. it's very reassuring. very reassuring. it was one of the big unknowns — can vaccines help slow transmission of coronavirus? the study here adds to growing evidence that they do. that has huge implications. it suggests vaccination benefits notjust the individual but the wider community. it's vital people have both doses of vaccine. but while highly effective, they don't offer 100% protection from catching coronavirus or passing it on. so while infection rates remain

high, social distancing will continue to be important. fergus walsh, bbc news. the uk's supreme court has ruled that shamima begum — the woman who left britain as a teenager tojoin the islamic state group in syria — should not be allowed to return to challenge the removal of her british citizenship. the 21—year—old is currently in a camp in northern syria. our home affairs correspondent daniel sandford reports shamima! shamima begum, last summer in the al—roj camp in northern syria, where she remains to this day. she has been has stripped her of her british citizenship for running away to become an islamic state fighter�*s bride aged just 15. inquired, her lawyers argued that she must be allowed back to the uk to have a fair hearing to fight that decision. but today, the supreme court unanimous this —— unanimously ruled against her sink case should sibley be postponed.

saying her case should simply be postponed — national security comes first. the right to a fair hearing does not trump all other considerations, such as the safety of the public. she and two school friends both not believed to be dead left london aged just 15 tojoin the believed to be dead left london aged just 15 to join the islamic state group in syria. there, she married a foreign fighter and had three children, all of whom have now died. when the rule collapsed two years ago, she reappeared, asking to be allowed home to britain. ijust want allowed home to britain. i just want forgiveness, really, from the uk. like everything i've been through him i didn't expect that i would go through that. human riahts that i would go through that. human rights groups — that i would go through that. human rights groups say _ that i would go through that. human rights groups say she _ that i would go through that. human rights groups say she and _ that i would go through that. human rights groups say she and others - rights groups say she and others like her must not be left in the camps. to bring the 15 to 20 british family units back and then prosecute the adults— family units back and then prosecute the adults where there are charges to answer~ — the adults where there are charges to answer. that is say.— to answer. that is say. there is no --rosect to answer. that is say. there is no prospect of _ to answer. that is say. there is no prospect of that — to answer. that is say. there is no prospect of that for _ to answer. that is say. there is no prospect of that for now, - to answer. that is say. there is no prospect of that for now, and - to answer. that is say. there is no prospect of that for now, and she | prospect of that for now, and she will remain in the camp, no longer a british citizen and in legal limbo.

daniel sanford, bbc news. britain's prince harry says he felt forced to step back from his duties with the royal family because press coverage was damaging his mental health. he's been speaking with the chat show hostjames corden, on a us television show — and claimed any husband orfather in his position would have moved to america. but he insisted he was stepping back — not stepping down from public service. our royal correspondent daniela relph reports. here we are. this is very nice. yeah _ it's the first time i've been on an open tour bus. is it really?! yeah. no! i'm not really allowed to. in the la sunshine, from the top deck of a tourist bus, prince harry opened up to his friend james corden about leaving the uk and, ultimately, royal duty. it was never walking away, it was... it was stepping back rather than stepping down. right. you know, it was a really difficult environment, as i think a lot of people saw. we all know what the british press

can be like and it was destroying my mental health. really? i was like, this is toxic. yeah. so, i did what any husband and what any father would do, i was like, i need to get my family out of here — there were lighter moments too, including a call to his wife. haz, how's your tour of la going? haz? i didn't know we were calling you "haz" now! no, you're not my wife, so...! james corden offered a sympathetic ear and harry was clearly at ease. he revealed that he had watched the tv series the crown, his son archie's first word was "crocodile" and there'd been a special gift the queen. interesting, my grandmother asked us what archie wanted for christmas and meg said a waffle maker. sorry, you're glossing over the fact that i cannot for the life of me imagine the queen ordering a waffle maker! for two brits living in california there were some memories of home. there you go, a little slice of home, huh?! next weekend, it will be meghan's turn, with the broadcast of her interview with oprah winfrey.

daniela relph, bbc news. president biden has been visiting communities devastated by snow storms in the us state of texas. the president has been meeting volunteers at harris county emergency centre in houston, as the city starts to recovers from the severe winter weather. many homes and businesses have been damaged across texas, and millions have been left without power. meanwhile the first lady, jill biden has been helping out, packing carriers bags at a local foodbank. the couple will later visit a health centre which is administering covid—19 vaccinations. jill biden they're helping out at the centre with provisions for those left stuck without power in texas. don't forget you can get

in touch with me and some of the team on twitter — i'm @lukwesaburak good evening. friday brought us another springlike day, with some blue sky, some sunshine and temperatures warm for this time of year. this was the scene as the sun set in cambridgeshire a little bit earlier on. largely clear skies there, a little bit of patchy cloud drifting around, but it's going to be quite a cold night under those clear skies for many of us. so through the weekend, things are staying dry largely. some sunny spells around but some chilly nights as well. it won't be dry across the board. we have got a weak front that's working in from the northwest. that will be a bit of a player in the weather through into saturday morning, but it should clear away later saturday and into sunday. it is bringing more cloud and some light patchy outbreaks of rain to scotland and northern ireland through the course of tonight. england and wales are staying dry with some mist and some fog patches and a touch of frost as well, as temperatures get down to freezing or a few degrees below in one or two spots.

the areas most likely to see the mist and fog are across parts of the welsh marshes, south wales, down towards somerset and into dorset as well. so some early frost for some of us, some mist and some fog patches that should clear away fairly quickly as the sunshine gets going. through the day, then, this band of cloud and patchy light drizzly rain pushes out of scotland and northern ireland, pushing into northern england later on in the afternoon. sunshine in the north. further south, sunshine through the course of the dayjust breaking up the early mist and low cloud as well, so temperatures between about ten to 13 degrees. won't be wall—to—wall blue skies but a decent day, with light winds and sunny spells too. into saturday evening and overnight into sunday, we have still got a fair amount of cloud, the remnants of that we confront which has fizzled itself away. but by the time we get to sunday morning, there could be some mist and some fog patches. won't be quite as cold, though, first thing sunday morning, temperatures generally holding up a few degrees above freezing for most of us. but high—pressure well and truly established right across the uk

as we move through the second half of the weekend, so that brings a dry day on sunday with light winds. we have got a fair bit of cloud, patchy cloud that's drifting around. that will tend to thin and break up through the day, so some sunny spells certainly by the afternoon, temperatures on sunday perhaps a degree or two down on what we are going to see on saturday but still about 9—11 through the course of sunday. and as high—pressure holds on as we look into next week, that largely dry settled theme continues, some sunny spells by day, but watch out for some chilly nights with some frost and fog.

this is bbc world news, the headlines a us intelligence report says the saudi crown prince approved a plan to capture or kill the dissidentjournalist, jamal khashoggi. he was murdered in the kingdom's consulate in istanbul in 2018. the prince has always denied having anything to do with the killing. nigeria's president has warned the kidnappers of more than 300 schoolgirls that his government won't give in to blackmail. describing those behind the latest abductions as bandits, he said they should not interpret the government's restraint as a sign of weakness. there's further evidence that covid vaccines may help prevent the spread of coronavirus. a study of health care workers in england found that a single dose of the pfizer vaccine dramatically cuts the risk of getting the virus without symptoms.

you are watching bbc news... the former first minister of scotland alex salmond says scotland's current leaders and its prosecution service have failed. mr salmond has been giving evidence all afternoon to a parliamentary inquiry — investigating the scottish government's mishandling of sexual harassment claims against him. alex salmond — who led the snp for 20 years — was cleared of all charges in a trial last year. he has previously accused people close to his successor, nicola sturgeon, of plotting against him. she has denied his claims. our scotland editor sarah smith has the story. alex salmond arriving at the very parliament he once dominated as the most powerful man in scotland, with a story to tell about government failings and a conspiracy to destroy him. he is speaking under oath. i swear by almighty god that i will tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.

but angry. he's been told there are things he cannot discuss for legal reasons. i received a letter of what i was and wasn't allowed to talk about and, according to that letter, i'm not allowed to talk about areas of my written evidence that were submitted in good faith to this committee, which are easily available online in reputable journals for anybody to see. he said he didn't think scotland's democracy was failing, he blames the people, and that includes nicola sturgeon at the top of the system. the scottish civil servant hasn't failed, its leadership has failed. the crown office hasn't failed, its leadership has failed. scotland hasn't failed, its leadership has failed. one majorfail was in 2019, when alex salmond won a legal battle with the scottish government over how it handled complaints of sexual harassment against him.

it was ruled unlawful, that's what the inquiry�*s investigating, and don't forget, mr salmond was paid over £500,000 of public money for his legal costs. in terms of the people watching this, the people who paid the £630,000 that the government wasted, many people watching this will find it surprising that anyone is seriously arguing that the judicial review in the full public court was worth the public expenditure that the government wasted upon it. during the criminal trial last year, in which mr salmond was acquitted of all sexual assault charges, he did admit to inappropriate behaviour towards women he worked with. of the behaviours you have admitted to, some of which are appalling, are you sorry? over the last three years, there have been two court cases, two judges and a jury and i'm resting on the proceedings of these cases. nicola sturgeon originally told

parliament that the version you have complaints against alex salmond was on the 2nd of april, when he told her about it at a meeting at her home. she later had to admit she had forgotten about a meeting on the 29th of march with samolnds chief of staff in which he says the complaints were discussed. mr salmond says she is lying and he thinks he knows why. if the meeting of the 29th of march is admitted and indeed the subject matter is admitted, then it makes it very difficult to argue that the meeting of the 2nd of april was party business as opposed to government business. if that was the case, then under the ministerial code the correct thing to do would have been to correct the record as strongly as possible. there are now significant questions for nicola sturgeon to answer. why was there no official record kept of the meeting with alex salmond, which they must if it was government business? he says he has no doubts she broke the ministerial code. she will set out her version

of events to the inquiry next week. let's return to the news that health officials have been warning people to stick to the social distancing restrictions despite the fast roll—out of the vaccine. england's deputy chief medical officer, jonathan van tam, has said he's positive about the progress of the vaccination programme — but warned that there is a long way to go and we must continue to stick to the rules. we have now completed 19 million first doses of vaccine. we have given those first doses very successfully to cohorts 1—4, and we are moving at some speed through cohorts 5—6. but these are first doses, people do need a second dose, and given that the totality of the cohorts 1—9, the priority cohorts, is about 30 million people,

each of whom need two doses of the vaccine, by my rough calculations, there are still a0 million doses of the vaccine to be given. so much as it is encouraging, and much as i am really very upbeat about vaccines and how they are going to change how we live and what the disease is like between now and the summer, there is a long way to go. and my inbox in the last week has been besieged with people writing in, saying, "i have had the vaccine, essentially, can i now start to break the rules? can i go and see my grandchildren? " can i do x, y and z? and the answer to that is no. we are not yet collectively, as a country, in the right place. and all of the patients that

i vaccinate, and they will know it if they are listening on the tv, i say to them, "and remember, all of the rules still apply to all of you and all of us until we are in a much safer place. " it doesn't change because you have had your first dose of vaccine. and so, please don't be tempted to think, "one home visit might be all right now, weather's getting better, going to be a nice weekend, one small gathering in your house won't really matter. " i'm afraid it does, and the data on the slides speak for themselves. so my kind of key message tonight is, look, this is all going very well, but there are some worrying signs that people are relaxing, taking their foot off the brake at exactly the wrong time. it's a bit like being 3—0 up in a game, thinking we can't possibly lose this now. but how many times have you seen the other side take it 4—3? do not wreck this now.

it is too early to relax. just continue to maintain discipline and hang onjust a few more months. do not wreck this now. we are so close. lets get more on the news that the supreme court has ruled that shamima begum — the woman who left britain as a teenager tojoin the islamic state group in syria — should not be allowed to return to challenge the removal of her british citizenship. dal babu is a former chief superintendent with the metropolitan police, and is a former adviser for the begum family. thank you forjoining us. what were your thoughts on today's ruling? what do you think should happen next? i what do you think should happen next? . . . what do you think should happen next? , , , ., ., what do you think should happen next? , ,, ., next? i surprise the court of appeal were uuite next? i surprise the court of appeal were quite firm _ next? i surprise the court of appeal were quite firm in _ next? i surprise the court of appeal were quite firm in their _ next? i surprise the court of appeal were quite firm in their view - next? i surprise the court of appeal were quite firm in their view that i were quite firm in their view that she should be allowed to come back and fight for her passport. the decision by the supreme court is

that she can can be delayed. that's acknowledgement that there is issues around safety of her. issues about solicitors having access to in terms of when she's in that camp. it was an interesting ruling. when i expected. also i think it's about the process for her challenging her passport retake. the process for her challenging her passport retake-— the process for her challenging her passport retake. okay. you sound as if ou're passport retake. okay. you sound as if you're surprised _ passport retake. okay. you sound as if you're surprised at _ passport retake. okay. you sound as if you're surprised at the _ passport retake. okay. you sound as if you're surprised at the ruling. - if you're surprised at the ruling. what are her legal options moving forward then? part what are her legal options moving forward then?— forward then? part of the ruling sa s that forward then? part of the ruling says that there _ forward then? part of the ruling says that there could _ forward then? part of the ruling says that there could be - forward then? part of the ruling says that there could be a - forward then? part of the ruling says that there could be a delay forward then? part of the ruling i says that there could be a delay in her making an application if she feels unsafe. there is problem with her ——. i could see a situation where there will be an attempt to appeal that decision. if she goes to special immigration advisory court

where she will be tested. i can just see her challenging this legally and her lawyers will be going through the supreme court ruling to see what they can do next. ultimately she is left in a situation where she has to appeal against her passport being taken away from her from a foreign country without access. fin taken away from her from a foreign country without access.— taken away from her from a foreign country without access. on the point of national public _ country without access. on the point of national public security, _ country without access. on the point of national public security, many - of national public security, many people would say yes, she was 15, she was groomed and were safeguarding issues. is it too late to reverse that grooming? has there been any success of a reversal of grooming of youngsters the uk? you have to grooming of youngsters the uk? gm. have to remembera grooming of youngsters the uk? gm. have to remember a number of young people have come back. this is grooming. it's ultimately a very naive, foolish individuals, children who have been picked on by isis from across the world. they are being told that they can come from their

secure country where they are to eight war—torn country. and individuals like her fell for it. what we have to remember in the school she attended, one girl had already gone, girl had already gone, another was actually taken on a plane... another was actually taken on a lane... �* . �* . another was actually taken on a lane... �* , �*, ., another was actually taken on a lane... �* , h .,' another was actually taken on a lane... . v ., plane... but she's not 15 anymore, she's a woman. — plane... but she's not 15 anymore, she's a woman, she's _ plane... but she's not 15 anymore, she's a woman, she's an _ plane... but she's not 15 anymore, she's a woman, she's an adult. - plane... but she's not 15 anymore, | she's a woman, she's an adult. but when the she's a woman, she's an adult. elf when the grooming happened she was 15. herfriends were 1a when the grooming happened she was 15. her friends were 1a and 15 foot up 15. her friends were 1a and 15 foot up there would be language differences with her parents in addition to technology, her parents didn't have the technology. i think that's what you say goes to the heart of the matter. she was a 15—year—old child who went out there and she's now a 21—year—old woman. and people struggle to see the child. ., ~ and people struggle to see the child. . ~ ,., and people struggle to see the child. . ~ y., , . ., and people struggle to see the child. . ~ , . ., ., military explosive specialists are assessing the scene where an unexploded world war ii bomb was discovered in a residential area of exeter.

people were forced to leave their homes, including residents at a care home and students at the university's halls of residence, when builders working on private land came across the massive device. tonight police have extended the evacuation area. duncan sleightholme has sent this report: well, to give you an idea of the size of the problem, i'm told the bomb is around two and a half metres long, around 70 cm wide, and it's packed with explosives. experts are trying to decide whether it can be diffused where it is or whether it has to be taken out and destroyed somewhere else. and if that happens, it could mean the cordon has to be extended, meaning even more disruption for even more people living around here. with a 100 metre cordon around their homes, residents are having to stay somewhere else tonight — many left without any possessions this morning, some, like adam, allowed back in briefly to pick up pets and other essentials. basically, i've obviously had to pack a few good four or five bags for kids to go

to their grandparents. i packed a bag for me and the girlfriend. yeah, just going to try and make the best of a bad situation, if you like. the cordon was set up after workmen on a building site found what looks like a world war ii bomb. police officers asking people living in around 100 homes here to leave immediately. we got woken up this morning by the police saying that there is a bomb outside of our house, so we had to evacuate quite quickly and quite unexpected as well. so, yeah, it was all very sudden, i would say. we can't go home, we can't do anything in particular. - i didn't take my phone or anything, so a bit stuck, really. _ bomb disposal experts are trying to decide if they can diffuse it here or if they will have to take it somewhere else to make it safe, which will mean a much bigger cordon. we will have to have contingency plans in place, so we might have to look at a 400—500 metre

evacuation, which in this area, being near to saint dover's train station, fuel stations, we've got other utility companies, it's actually quite a logistical task to do all of that. lorries delivering sand started arriving here. i understand around 300 tonnes has been ordered. that's around 15 lorry loads. it will be used to pack around the bomb to keep it safe, but with light fading, and he worked to diffuse it will be kept until tomorrow. the uk should act to bolster its financial technology — or fintech industry, if it is to remain competitive — that's according to a new government—backed review. it suggests a series of reforms to support the sector, including a new fast—track visa scheme which is expected to be launched in next week's budget. our reporter nina nanji joins me. what is the "fintech" industry all about? well, you may not be familiar with the term but many of us already use

it in our day—to—day life. if you're using apps on your smartphone to make payments or to trade stocks and shares, that's all on as finn tech. it is is the name suggests a combination between finance and technology for that we really saw the emergence of this ecosystem after the 2008 financial crash was that what you saw them was the emergence of these smaller more nimble players which were seeking to disrupt the mainstream. this really grown is become incredibly important to the uk economy. in fact the sector employs around 60,000 people all around the uk. notjust in london. and it's worth around £11 billion per year to the uk economy. okay. what was this review all about? ~ .. , okay. what was this review all about? ~ . , , about? what were they saying? this was a major — about? what were they saying? this was a major new _ about? what were they saying? this was a major new report _ about? what were they saying? this l was a major new report commissioned by the government was up and made a series of recommendations on how to support the finn tech industry. those included fast tracking work visas to try and ensure that we can continue to attract the best attack from around the world. also the creation of a £1 million start up

fund. on top of that they