angerfrom nhs workers in england, after they're told of a proposed pay rise this year of 1%. one nursing union says it's already preparing for possible strikes, and staff are urging the government to think again. ijust implore boris to just take himself back to this time last year, i believe, when he was taken care for in a fantastic nhs hospital and was given excellent care. and that's what we give. the government says public finances are under pressure. we'll have the latest reaction. also this lunchtime: the duke of edinburgh has been moved back to a private hospital in london, for recuperation after a heart procedure earlier this week. new figures show the number

of people with coronavirus fell by about a third last week across the uk. cyprus says any britons who've had both doses of a vaccine can travel there without quarantine, from 01 may, even though foreign holidays are still illegal. and pope francis has arrived in baghdad for the first ever papal visit to iraq. and coming up on bbc news: india seize control of the final test against england. a century from rishab pant means indian are closing in on a series win. good afternoon and welcome

to the bbc news at one. unions are calling it a kick in the teeth. nhs staff in england have reacted angrily to the government proposal of a i% pay—rise. the royal college of nursing says the increase should be 12.5%, and have set up a fund to prepare for any potential strikes. ministers say public finances are under pressure, and many other public sector workers are to have their pay frozen. the labour leader, sir keir starmer, says health workers deserve better. our political correspondent iain watson reports. nhs staff have been working hand in glove, working together through the pandemic. for many, the cost has not just been financial. fix, pandemic. for many, the cost has not just been financial.— just been financial. a difficult time. i know _ just been financial. a difficult time. i know nurses - just been financial. a difficult time. i know nurses that - just been financial. a difficult| time. i know nurses that have just been financial. a difficult - time. i know nurses that have been suffering with ptsd. for some nurses, i honestly believe this is

the final straw. in nurses, i honestly believe this is the final straw.— the final straw. in 2018, a three-year _ the final straw. in 2018, a three-year pay _ the final straw. in 2018, a | three-year pay settlement the final straw. in 2018, a - three-year pay settlement was the final straw. in 2018, a _ three-year pay settlement was agreed three—year pay settlement was agreed in england, but now a new deal is needed for the next financial year. a i% needed for the next financial year. a i% pay rise is proposed for health service staff in england. the royal couege service staff in england. the royal college of nursing have said this is pitiful. that amounts to £3 50 per week for an experienced nurse. they're calling for i2.5%. the government insists nhs pay is more generous than first appears. those earning less will get a bigger cash injection. nurses have had an increase of 12% in recent years and newly qualified junior doctors can get an 8% rise. health minister say nhs staff in england have been well treated, compared to everyone else in public service jobs. treated, compared to everyone else in public servicejobs. and they were pleased the chancellor could find any extra cash at all. i were pleased the chancellor could find any extra cash at all.- find any extra cash at all. i knew we had frozen _ find any extra cash at all. i knew we had frozen public _ find any extra cash at all. i knew we had frozen public sector-

find any extra cash at all. i knew we had frozen public sector pay. j find any extra cash at all. i knew. we had frozen public sector pay. no one in_ we had frozen public sector pay. no one in the _ we had frozen public sector pay. no one in the public sector is receiving _ one in the public sector is receiving a pay rise, so i was pleasantly— receiving a pay rise, so i was pleasantly surprised that we were making _ pleasantly surprised that we were making an offer. and i think it's 'ust making an offer. and i think it's just one — making an offer. and i think it's just one thing —— worth mentioning as weli— just one thing —— worth mentioning as well that — just one thing —— worth mentioning as well that in the private sector many— as well that in the private sector many people are actually losing their— many people are actually losing theirjobs and have been on very much _ theirjobs and have been on very much reduced incomes over the past year~ _ much reduced incomes over the past year~ |t— much reduced incomes over the past ear. ., ~' , year. it may feel like winter, but the political _ year. it may feel like winter, but the political temperature - year. it may feel like winter, but the political temperature is - year. it may feel like winter, but i the political temperature is rising. this morning, the nurses union, the rcn, said they were setting up of £35 million strike fund to compensate members for loss of earnings if they decide to take action over pay. it's notjust health service workers have been on the front line during the pandemic. teachers have been holding classes for children of key workers. labour wants to see everyone in the public service rewarded with an increase. public sector workers should get a pay rise, it should not be frozen. they have been keeping our country going throughout this pandemic. it is absolutely wrong to freeze their

pay at this time. but is absolutely wrong to freeze their pay at this time.— pay at this time. but labour have not said the _ pay at this time. but labour have not said the estimate _ pay at this time. but labour have not said the estimate -- - pay at this time. but labour have not said the estimate -- have - pay at this time. but labour have | not said the estimate -- have not not said the estimate —— have not stated how the estimated cost of £1 billion would be raised. the government has been keen to show its appreciation for nhs staff, but health union say last year's clap for carers has been replaced with a hands—off attitude to public sector pat’- and iainjoins us now from westminster. the government must be aware of the strength of feeling? thea;t the government must be aware of the strength of feeling?— strength of feeling? they can fill to be aware _ strength of feeling? they can fill to be aware of— strength of feeling? they can fill to be aware of that, _ strength of feeling? they can fill to be aware of that, but - strength of feeling? they can fill to be aware of that, but also - strength of feeling? they can fill| to be aware of that, but also they will be aware of the size of spending during the course of this pandemic. i have the submission to the independent pay review body. they make the argument... it is three times the cost of extending the furlough scheme, the universal credit increase, for another six

months. things are tight at the moment, but in this document they say they are giving health service staff and increase above inflation. the trouble is that very credible economic forecasts are suggesting that inflation next year could be above i%. the unions and the labour party are saying this could represent a real term cut. the other problem is that the independent body will report in may and they will need to look at what kind of pay would be necessary to encourage the retention and recruitment of nhs staff, which unions a manager says a problem. it's more than likely they will come back and say it needs to be more than i%. then the government will have a dilemma, to the advice or do they cut spending elsewhere to meet a larger increase. so this acute pain today for the government

to —— could turn into something more chronic. to -- could turn into something more chronic. ., . ., ., ~' , ., the duke of edinburgh has been moved back to a private hospital in central london after a successful heart procedure earlier this week. our royal correspondent nicholas witchell is here. what do we know? an encouraging sin, i what do we know? an encouraging sign. ithink- _ what do we know? an encouraging sign. i think. he — what do we know? an encouraging sign, ithink. he is— what do we know? an encouraging sign, i think. he is clearly- what do we know? an encouraging sign, i think. he is clearly stable . sign, i think. he is clearly stable and well enough to be transferred back. he was transferred to st bartholomew's hospital on monday, thatis bartholomew's hospital on monday, that is a specialist centre for cardiac care. the surgical procedure is carried out on wednesday, it's in connection with a pre—existing heart condition, we don't know precisely what. whatever it was, at 11:20am this morning, an ambulance was seen to be leaving st bartholomew's hospital, an nhs hospital. he has been there forfour hospital, an nhs hospital. he has been there for four nights. it was a shortjourney been there for four nights. it was a short journey across been there for four nights. it was a shortjourney across london and it arrived back at the king edward vii's hospital at 11:35am, and that

is the hospital that he was first moved on 16 february. an hour later, at 12:30pm, the palace confirmed he had been moved and they said he is expected to remain in hospitalfor a number of days for rest and recuperation.— number of days for rest and recueration. . ., .,, ~ . recuperation. nicholas witchell, thank ou recuperation. nicholas witchell, thank you very _ recuperation. nicholas witchell, thank you very much. _ coronavirus infection rates are continuing to fall across the uk, according to figures released in the last hour by the office for national statistics. the data suggests the number of people with the virus fell by about a third last week. but as the vaccination programme continues, bbc news has found that some people with asthma who are eligible forajab are being refused one, by some gps. our health correspondent katharine da costa reports. asa as a child, sophie says she was hospitalised many times because of her asthma. hospitalised many times because of herasthma. she hospitalised many times because of her asthma. she takes a daily steroid to manage the condition, but was told by her gp she would still

have to wait for her age group, the over 405, to get her vaccine. i’zfe over 40s, to get her vaccine. i've had bronchitis _ over 40s, to get her vaccine. he: had bronchitis and pneumonia over 40s, to get her vaccine. i9: had bronchitis and pneumonia several times, so i probably have lung scarring. i was told that i am in phase two because of my age group. government guidance recommends that those with severe asthma should be prioritised in group six. in some patients have been told only recent hospital admissions count. campaigners want more clarity. we think— campaigners want more clarity. we think there — campaigners want more clarity. we think there needs to be an urgent communication out to gps to clarify the guidance. and also to help find these _ the guidance. and also to help find these people, if gp systems are not quite _ these people, if gp systems are not quite fit _ these people, if gp systems are not quite fit for — these people, if gp systems are not quite fit for purpose in this regard _ quite fit for purpose in this regard. it also speaks to gps being able to— regard. it also speaks to gps being able to use — regard. it also speaks to gps being able to use their clinicaljudgment. white _ able to use their clinicaljudgment. white the — able to use their clinicaljudgment. while the uk is moving apace, vaccinating more than one in three adults, the eu is still lagging

behind. production delays have affected both pfizer and astrazeneca. italy has now blocked a shipment of a quarter of a million doses of vaccine to australia. it’s doses of vaccine to australia. it's a little ironic _ doses of vaccine to australia. it's a little ironic that europe didn't seem _ a little ironic that europe didn't seem very— a little ironic that europe didn't seem very keen— a little ironic that europe didn't seem very keen on— a little ironic that europe didn't seem very keen on the - a little ironic that europe didn't- seem very keen on the astrazeneca vaccine _ seem very keen on the astrazeneca vaccine a _ seem very keen on the astrazeneca vaccine a few— seem very keen on the astrazeneca vaccine a few weeks _ seem very keen on the astrazeneca vaccine a few weeks ago _ seem very keen on the astrazeneca vaccine a few weeks ago and - seem very keen on the astrazeneca vaccine a few weeks ago and all- seem very keen on the astrazeneca vaccine a few weeks ago and all of. seem very keen on the astrazeneca| vaccine a few weeks ago and all of a sudden _ vaccine a few weeks ago and all of a sudden once — vaccine a few weeks ago and all of a sudden once the _ vaccine a few weeks ago and all of a sudden once the uk— vaccine a few weeks ago and all of a sudden once the uk demonstrated i vaccine a few weeks ago and all of a| sudden once the uk demonstrated it was a _ sudden once the uk demonstrated it was a good — sudden once the uk demonstrated it was a good vaccine, _ sudden once the uk demonstrated it was a good vaccine, we _ sudden once the uk demonstrated it was a good vaccine, we see - sudden once the uk demonstrated it was a good vaccine, we see a - was a good vaccine, we see a shipment _ was a good vaccine, we see a shipment to— was a good vaccine, we see a shipment to australia - was a good vaccine, we see a shipment to australia block. i was a good vaccine, we see a - shipment to australia block. back was a good vaccine, we see a shipment to australia block. back in the uk, infections _ shipment to australia block. back in the uk, infections continue - shipment to australia block. back in the uk, infections continue to - shipment to australia block. back in the uk, infections continue to fall . the uk, infections continue to fall from a peak in early january. the latest survey from the office of national statistics show the number of people with a virus dropped by about a third and this week's data. in england, won in 120 —— one in 220 had the virus. it was one in 285 in wales, one in 325 in northern ireland and in scotland one in 335 had the virus. it ireland and in scotland one in 335 had the virus.— had the virus. it grows exponentially - had the virus. it grows exponentially and - had the virus. it growsj exponentially and falls

exponentially. - exponentially and falls exponentially. so - exponentially and falls exponentially. so this i exponentially and falls - exponentially. so this could be things— exponentially. so this could be things continuing _ exponentially. so this could be things continuing to _ exponentially. so this could be things continuing to come - exponentially. so this could bel things continuing to come down exponentially. so this could be - things continuing to come down at the same — things continuing to come down at the same rate _ things continuing to come down at the same rate. if— things continuing to come down at the same rate. if you _ things continuing to come down at the same rate. if you look- things continuing to come down at the same rate. if you look at - the same rate. if you look at hospital— the same rate. if you look at hospital figures, _ the same rate. if you look at hospital figures, they- the same rate. if you look at hospital figures, they show i the same rate. if you look at| hospital figures, they show a the same rate. if you look at - hospital figures, they show a more consistent— hospital figures, they show a more consistent decline _ hospital figures, they show a more consistent decline and _ hospital figures, they show a more consistent decline and there - hospital figures, they show a more consistent decline and there is - hospital figures, they show a more consistent decline and there is no. consistent decline and there is no particular— consistent decline and there is no particular indication _ consistent decline and there is no particular indication of _ consistent decline and there is no particular indication of that - particular indication of that siowinq _ particular indication of that slowing anytime _ particular indication of that slowing anytime soon. - particular indication of that slowing anytime soon. thej particular indication of that slowin: an ime soon. :, slowing anytime soon. the government has promised — slowing anytime soon. the government has promised a — slowing anytime soon. the government has promised a bumper _ slowing anytime soon. the government has promised a bumper month, - slowing anytime soon. the government has promised a bumper month, is - has promised a bumper month, is vaccine supply here is ramped up. but keeping infections low is seen as crucial to protect those still waiting for a jab and to minimise the risk if new variants emerge. katharine da costa, bbc news. and the health secretary matt hancock will be leading a downing street news conference at 5pm this afternoon. there will be full coverage on bbc one in england and on the bbc news channel. cyprus' government has said any britons who have had both doses of a coronavirus vaccine can enter cyprus from 01 may without having to quarantine, even though foreign holidays are still illegal, and restrictions won't be lifted for people in england until at least 17 may. before the pandemic, about a million britons visited cyprus every year. richard galpin reports.

the warm beautiful beaches of cyprus, a world apart from the dark and claustrophobic days of winter and claustrophobic days of winter and locked—in. but no holidays in the sun here are on offer from the ist of may, even though it will be illegal for british tourists to travel abroad until at least the middle of that month. the authorities _ middle of that month. the authorities in _ middle of that month. the authorities in cyprus - middle of that month. tt9 authorities in cyprus are convinced it is still possible.— it is still possible. british people will be able _ it is still possible. british people will be able to _ it is still possible. british people will be able to enter _ it is still possible. british people will be able to enter the - it is still possible. british people will be able to enter the country| will be able to enter the country for their— will be able to enter the country for their summer holidays, and not having _ for their summer holidays, and not having to _ for their summer holidays, and not having to go through any testing whatsoever. as of the 1st of may. this is _ whatsoever. as of the 1st of may. this is a — whatsoever. as of the 1st of may. this is a decision that went through our deputv— this is a decision that went through our deputy ministry of tourism and we are _ our deputy ministry of tourism and we are delighted with these developments.— we are delighted with these developments. there will be no requirement— developments. there will be no requirement to _ developments. there will be no requirement to quarantine - developments. there will be no requirement to quarantine in i developments. there will be no - requirement to quarantine in cyprus, all that is needed for a holiday is to have had both doses of a vaccine.

this is now being looked into by other eu member states. the prospect of a vaccine passport, also called a green pass, being developed for ease of travel within the eu. taste green pass, being developed for ease of travel within the eu.— of travel within the eu. we have to work towards _ of travel within the eu. we have to work towards resuming _ of travel within the eu. we have to work towards resuming tourism . of travel within the eu. we have to work towards resuming tourism as| work towards resuming tourism as fast as— work towards resuming tourism as fast as possible in a safe way. i guess— fast as possible in a safe way. i guess the — fast as possible in a safe way. i guess the green pass will be the huge _ guess the green pass will be the huge answer to that challenge, because — huge answer to that challenge, because if you're not vaccinated but if you _ because if you're not vaccinated but if you have — because if you're not vaccinated but if you have a — because if you're not vaccinated but if you have a test or you are immune, _ if you have a test or you are immune, you can travel safely. as we all want. enabling _ immune, you can travel safely. as we all want. enabling british _ immune, you can travel safely. as we all want. enabling british tourists - all want. enabling british tourists to return to popular destinations across europe will be welcomed by the industry which has been hit particularly hard by the coronavirus pandemic. particularly hard by the coronavirus andemic. ~ �* , , , , , pandemic. we've seen cyprus putting their head above _ pandemic. we've seen cyprus putting their head above the _ pandemic. we've seen cyprus putting their head above the parapet - pandemic. we've seen cyprus putting their head above the parapet and - their head above the parapet and welcoming — their head above the parapet and welcoming british— their head above the parapet and welcoming british tourists. - their head above the parapet and welcoming british tourists. i- their head above the parapet andi welcoming british tourists. i think welcoming british tourists. i think we will— welcoming british tourists. i think we will see — welcoming british tourists. i think we will see more _ welcoming british tourists. i think we will see more and _ welcoming british tourists. i think we will see more and more - welcoming british tourists. i think we will see more and more of- welcoming british tourists. i thinkl we will see more and more of this. these _ we will see more and more of this. these british— we will see more and more of this. these british tourists _ we will see more and more of this. these british tourists are - we will see more and more of this. these british tourists are essentialj these british tourists are essential to those _

these british tourists are essential to those economies. _ these british tourists are essential to those economies. they - these british tourists are essential to those economies. they can't - these british tourists are essential. to those economies. they can't wait to those economies. they can't wait to get— to those economies. they can't wait to get the _ to those economies. they can't wait to get the brits _ to those economies. they can't wait to get the brits back. _ to those economies. they can't wait to get the brits back. find _ to those economies. they can't wait to get the brits back.— to get the brits back. and yet with linuaerin to get the brits back. and yet with lingering uncertainties _ to get the brits back. and yet with lingering uncertainties here - to get the brits back. and yet with lingering uncertainties here in - to get the brits back. and yet with lingering uncertainties here in the | lingering uncertainties here in the uk about travelling abroad, many people have been booking staycations, holidays in this country, and costs have already shot up. the high levels of vaccination in this country compared with parts of europe perhaps influencing the decision to holiday in the uk. richard galpin, bbc news. the time is 1:14pm. our top story this lunchtime: angerfrom nhs workers in england, after they're told of a proposed of a proposed pay rise this year — of i%. and coming up — blooming again — how front gardens across the uk are becoming greener. coming up on bbc news: world cup gold for britain's world champion — charlotte bankes wins an exciting medal prospect for the beijing winter games next year.

racist abuse directed towards footballers on social media is a growing problem. now the police are calling on the premier league and english football league to do much more to tackle it. the senior officer dealing with football for the national police chiefs' council, says it's often difficult to get access to players to speak to them about reported incidents — and that's making it harder to catch the people behind offensive material. june kelly has the story. yan dhanda. swansea via manchester city in the recent fifth swansea v manchester city in the recent fifth round of the fa cup. it is a corner to swansea. after swansea's defeat, online racist abuse was directed at their british asian player yan dhanda. it did have a big effect on me and i was upset and i was angry. dhanda one of so many footballers who have been targeted by the trolls. others include the manchester united trio marcus rashford,

anthony martial and axel tuanzebe, laurenjames of united's women's team, her brother reece who plays for chelsea and his team—mate antonio rudiger, romaine sawyers of west brom, southampton's alex jankewitz and the arsenal willian and eddie nketiah. 11 players from different clubs, but all in the same team as victims of abuse. deputy chief constable mark roberts is the lead on football for the national police chiefs council. the bbc has used the freedom of information act to obtain a copy of a letter he has written to the chairman of the english football league, rick parry. he has sent a similar one to the chief executive of the premier league, richard masters. the league says mr masters was only made aware of it when we asked for a response. the letter calls for a joined—up approach to tackling racism both at grounds and on social media. it was sent two months ago. neither organisation responded.

the bbc contacted them both this week. since then, both have replied to the letter. i think it is disappointing. mark roberts wants better co—operation from clubs to get access to players, vital in mounting a prosecution. we actually have some difficulty getting through legal departments, player welfare teams. we have had experiences where the force has been making attempts to try to get to a player, they have hit this wall at a club and then publicly the players are saying, "where are the police? why are they not making contact?" sterling here, makes it two! the premier league said it had been involved in regular discussions with the police and it was doing everything possible to eradicate online abuse. and the english football league said it was looking at ways in which football and policing could be better coordinated. june kelly, bbc news. china has announced sweeping reforms to hong kong's electoral system, which will further strengthen beijing's grip on the territory. the changes are likely to further reduce opposition

to the communist party. china has tightened its control of hong kong since pro—democracy protests caused sustained disruption in 2019. the uk government has urged the chinese authorities to uphold their commitments to the territory's people. stephen mcdonnell reports. nearly 3,000 delegates are in the chinese capital to rubber stamp initiatives already approved by the upper echelons of the communist party, and over the next week the many challenges this country is facing will be presented in various forms. however, one issue is set to dominate the news — the complete overhaul of hong kong's electoral system. a change which will remove even limited opposition from formal politics in the city. the chinese government says there is nothing wrong with this because only patriotic hong kongers should be allowed to hold office anyway. translation: we will stay true to the spirits of the principle - of one country, two systems, and reach the people of hong kong,

administer hong kong. this change will be ushered in without even a hint of dissent here. but why rebuild an electoral system already rigged in favour of your allies? it could be because of the shock result in the most recent local council elections when pro—democracy teams seized control of all but one municipality. so under the new rules notjust anybody will be able to stand for election in hong kong. they must first be vetted by an election committee controlled by beijing. the same committee will also directly appoint a large proportion of the city's mini parliament, the legislative council. it will be almost impossible for any candidate advocating democratic change to be elected. the communist party is trying to annihilate the electoral system of hong kong and its proposal is moving backwards

in terms of its openness and fairness and it has become an extremely autocratic election system. here in the chinese capital the central government is rapidly changing the very nature of hong kong. for party loyalists they are celebrating rolling victories over a rebellious city that needed to be brought under control. there's not even the slightest bit of acknowledgement that ever—deteriorating freedoms there seem to show a breach of promises made at the time of handover. loyalty to the motherland is paramount. nothing else is getting a look in. stephen mcdonnell, bbc news, beijing. pope francis has arrived in baghdad for the first ever papal visit to iraq — and his first international trip since the start of the pandemic. the pope will show his support for iraq's christian minority. our correspondent mark

lowen is in baghdad. tell us about the significance of this. , :, :, :, , this. his third international trip but b far this. his third international trip but by far the _ this. his third international trip but by far the most _ this. his third international trip but by far the most historic - this. his third international trip | but by far the most historic and riskiest. historic because it is the first trip to iraq by a —— ——. riskiest. historic because it is the first trip to iraq bya —— ——. in a country that is in the midst of an upsurge of the covid pandemic with daily infections that a new high of 5000 a day. many had advised him not to travel internationally but he was determined to do so. he said that he was feeling very happy, that he described this as a special trip. in terms of the substance he is holding political meetings today with the president and prime minister of iraq talking about the need to strengthen democracy and the need for fraternal

coexistence. also meeting the christian minority. 1.5 million previously, 250,000 today. tomorrow a hugely important meeting with the top shia leaders. hugely symbolic. the covid pandemic has meant public gatherings are limited but on sunday there will be a mass of at least 10,000 people and that is raising fears that this could become a super spreader. the united nations says it is yet to see evidence from the united arab emirates that the daughter of dubai's ruler — princess latifa — is still alive. in secretly—recorded videos obtained earlier by the bbc, princess latifa accuses her father, sheikh mohammed, of holding her hostage in dubai and says she fears for her life. the un has requested proof from the uae government

that she is alive. a un spokesman told reporters there'd been no response so far. the leading racehorse trainer gordon elliott has appeared before a disciplinary panel in ireland, after an image emerged of him straddling a dead horse. we've chosen to crop the photograph you're about to see. the circulation of this photo of the grand national—winning trainer has sparked fury and disgust across the sport. mr elliott faces a possible ban after what he has described a "moment of madness". he's been temporarily barred from racing in britain, pending the irish investigation. a us intelligence report concluded last week that the saudi crown prince, mohammed bin salman, approved the operation to capture or kill the journalist jamal khashoggi. publication of the report may have implications for the west's dealings with saudi arabia for decades. ros atkins looks at america's relationship with the country — and what it tells us

about a global power struggle. it's been six weeks since joe biden became president. six weeks to start turning campaign promises into policy. promises like this on saudi arabia. we are not going to in fact sell more weapons to them. we are going to in fact make them pay the price and make them in fact the pariah that they are. that was on the campaign trail. this is the biden administration in power. we are very focused on future conduct and that is part of why we have cast this not as a rupture but a recalibration. the complex bond between the us and saudi arabia will not easily be broken and joe biden faces an early test because of a murder. jamal khashoggi was a saudi journalist and a us resident. in 2018 he entered the saudi consulate in istanbul and was murdered. this week a us intelligence report said it believes the killing was approved by the saudi crown prince mohammed

bin salman, something he denies, and despite pressure from senior democrats the biden administration announced sanctions against some saudis but not the crown prince. jamal khashoggi's fiancee responded saying if the crown prince is not punished it will endanger us all and will be a stain on our humanity, but there was no punishment from donald trump, nor now from joe biden. this obama—era ambassador to saudi arabia, jim smith, helps us understand why. doing sanctions right now would not have done very much to advance us interests other than to give some of us satisfaction. and this map helps explain those american interests. saudi arabia sits across the gulf from america's long—time foe iran. america believes it needs saudi arabia to counter the iranians and there is also america's position as the world's super power to consider, as this american commentator explains. the reality is we would rather

have a flawed and perhaps even deeply—flawed ally than an adversary in this era of new and big power competition where saudi arabia may depend more on china, more on russia, for its arms deliveries for its economic strength. this may often be unpalatable but to america it is seen as necessary — a marriage of convenience, if you like. president obama understood this. he went to saudi arabia. a dancing president trump understood this too and so does president biden, which is why joe biden's promise to make saudi arabia a pariah is unlikely to come to pass. it turned into an exhausting day for england's cricketers in the 40 degree heat of ahmedabad. despite the best efforts of ben stokes, india took control of the match. they closed the day on 294 for seven — a first innings lead of 89. our sports correspondentjoe wilson has been watching. there was no rest in the fourth

decisive test, not far ben stokes. england needed wickets quick. one for ben stokes. england needed wickets click. oneforjack leach. the ball for stokes to catch from folks. stokes fully next. robert sharma had made 49. lbw gone, stokes was keeping a condemn again. trying to reboot his bowling satnav. the afternoon was pushing 40 degrees. and god welted. they had only picked two seam bowlers —— england wilted.

growing more audacious by the minute. absolutely thrilling, unless you were bowling. like when an opponent is knocked out. india 89 ahead. weekend plans? why move? green spaces are known to improve health and wellbeing, and for many people gardens have been a real help during the pandemic. and it seems the uk is getting greener. the royal horticultural society says 40 square miles of new trees, flowers and grass has been created across the uk over the last five years. tim muffett reports. that garden has got me through what has been a really challenging three years. when camilla added plants to herfront garden in sheffield, the effects were far—reaching. four years ago, my front garden was in really bad shape, so it had been used pretty much as a builders' yard. and at the same time, my mum was diagnosed with cancer,

so we had a pretty rough time as a family. being able to go outside and just make everything a little bit better i think was one of the few things that i could do at that time. the uk's front gardens are getting greener, according to the royal horticultural society. its research suggests that plant cover has increased by almost 40 square miles over the past five years. what's been really lovely is seeing how people respond to the garden, because, you know, we're a little street, so you see people walking up and down, and if somebody stops and smiles then that's, yeah, that's very much the reward. in woking, another front garden with plants instead of paving. when i come home, i feel good about arriving at my own door. and because it changes every day, you get involved, you get interested in what's going on. neighbours stop to talk, so i know more people in my road. compared to 2015, it's thought more

than one million more front gardens in the uk now contain only greenery, so why the big change? well, in 2008, paving or concreting over a front garden did become more difficult. since then, you've needed planning permission to do that for an area over five square metres. gardens max your physical, mental, and social well—being. with the covid—19 impact, i think people are recognising the health benefits. the royal horticultural society's garden in wisley. it's notjust home to thousands of beautiful plants — a lot of research goes on here. there's a new science centre being built. we've just recently done a study where we put two tiny planters and a tree in a salford street, and we measured cortisol — which is a stress hormone. we found a 6% decrease in stress, which is equivalent to eight mindfulness sessions.

a new season is approaching, and for many, a new sense of optimism.