this is bbc news. these are the latest headlines in the uk and around the world. president biden has set out spending plans running into trillions of dollars — which he intends to fund by raising taxes paid by the wealthy. america is rising anew, choosing hope overfear, truth over lies and light over darkness. after 100 days of rest and renewal, america is ready for take off in my view. the uk government is facing calls to make its new adviser on ministers�* conduct fully independent — with the opposition accusing it of marking its own homework. more medical aid is due to arrive in india — as the country reports nearly 380,000 thousand new covid cases —

the world's highest single—day total — we'll take a look at how the uk indian community are reacting. -- 380,000. the uk's biggest airport — heathrow — records losses of nearly £21; billion and passenger numbers down 90% — due to the pandemic. let me know your thoughts on any of today's stories — on twitter, it's @annita?mcveigh or #bbcyourquestions. also coming up this hour: on your marks: a return for parkrun — the volunteer—led initiative is hoping to restart its weekly 5k runs onjune the 5th.

hello and welcome if you're watching in the uk or around the world. president biden has set out plans for a vast expansion of government — and said it's time for the wealthiest americans to begin paying theirfair share. in his first speech to congress marking 100 days in office, the us president unveiled a sweeping investment plan forjobs, education and social care. 0n the coronavirus pandemic, he hailed the success of the mass vaccination programme. more than half of the us adult population have now received at least one dose of the vaccine. 0n the economy, president biden outlined a $4 trillion spending plan, calling it a "once in a generation investment". £2.3 trillion for creating jobs and infrastucture and £i.8 trillion for investment in education, child care and poverty relief. the president said his economic and social policies would be paid for by reversing tax cuts and getting the richest americans

and us companies to pay theirfair share. he said it's time for corporate america and the wealthiest i% of americans to pay higher taxes. 0n foreign policy, biden highlighted the threat from china and russia. saying the us was "in a competition to win the 21st century. he said china and the other autocracies think that "democracy can't compete in the 21st century." here's our washington correspondent lebo diseko. applause. it was an evening of historic firsts. president biden�*s first address to a joint session of congress, the first time two women flanked the president as he made that address. madam speaker, madam vice president... cheering. no president has ever said those words from this podium, no president has ever said those words and it's about time.

in a chamber with members limited by covid, where just a few months ago insurrectionists occupied the speaker's chair. afterjust 100 days i can report to the nation america is on the move again. this was a bold speech, a statement of far—reaching and, some might say, costly intent, a full—throttled endorsement of the idea of big government, two proposals which together will cost $4 trillion, taking in spending on education and paid family leave. my fellow americans, trickle—down economics has never worked. it is time to grow the economy from the bottom and the middle out. the president talked of prioritising climate change as a global ambition, of tackling the dual challenges of north korea and iran,

and he had strong words for russia and for china. that means making sure every nation plays by the same rules in the global economy, including china. in my discussions with president xi i told him we welcome the competition, we are not looking for conflict, but i made absolutely clear that we will defend america's interests across the board. with regard to russia, i know it concerns some of you, but i made very clear to putin that we are not going to seek exca... excuse me, escalation, but their actions will have consequences. america is on the move again was the theme of the speech, but this is a sharply divided congress. in his agenda he faces challenges from the right and from the left. joe biden was dismissed by his predecessor as sleepyjoe, but tonight he set out

an ambitious agenda. the big questions are, how much of this can he achieve? and how much of this can he afford? earlier i spoke to scott lucas who told me _ earlier i spoke to scott lucas who told me about the significance of the address. | told me about the significance of the address-_ told me about the significance of the address. . ., , , . the address. i have grown up since the address. i have grown up since the 1960s and _ the address. i have grown up since the 1960s and an _ the address. i have grown up since the 1960s and an ad _ the address. i have grown up since the 1960s and an ad account - the address. i have grown up since| the 1960s and an ad account where the 1960s and an ad account where the government was like a bulky word. government intervention in terms of cases has changed the course of the country and what you are seeing with the biden administration with the proposals for the economy and for infrastructure to deal with climate change and housing and education is the most ambitious programme since the most ambitious programme since the 1930s and that was government intervention. the no deal dead

change america. airdrie made america. the biden administration beyond left versus right is not a question of government versus the people, it is a question, a time of crisis and opportunity where the government can work with people to make this a better america for generations to come.- make this a better america for generations to come. looking to help low income and _ generations to come. looking to help low income and middle _ generations to come. looking to help low income and middle income - low income and middle income americans he is presumably trying to reach out to many of the voters who president trump saw as his natural base as well. president trump saw as his natural base as well-— base as well. that is absolutely ri . ht i base as well. that is absolutely right i think- — base as well. that is absolutely right | think. it— base as well. that is absolutely right i think. it is _ base as well. that is absolutely i right i think. it is understandable given that way america has polarised in recent decades especially given the way donald trump exploited that to simply say there is no in between. you are either with trump and the republicans who want to block this legislation you are with biden and the democrats. there is a middle ground in america of people

who have common interest in making sure they have roofs over their heads. education fortheir sure they have roofs over their heads. education for their kids and health care when they get sick. the coronavirus pandemic has elevated yet. do i think this means biden will get all of his packages passed congress? i cannot guarantee that but remember they have made a big start. $1.9 trillion american rescue plan to deal with the pandemic and its economic effects still known as big of forward with the jobs and families find the question to the republicans is do you want to tell the american people you are against jobs and families and it will be interesting to see how they respond. let's explore that. that is a big question. there has been some hostile reaction from republican politicians already to those who are instinctively and again idea logically oppose this idea of big scale intervention but they are going to be calculating whether there voters think this is good for

them so it is a difficult one for them. do they go with what they think their voters might want or do they instinctively decide to oppose they instinctively decide to oppose the president with their spec plan 100 in office? the the president with their spec plan 100 in office?— the president with their spec plan 100 in office? the problem for the republicans _ 100 in office? the problem for the republicans as _ 100 in office? the problem for the republicans as they _ 100 in office? the problem for the republicans as they are _ 100 in office? the problem for the republicans as they are in - 100 in office? the problem for the republicans as they are in a - 100 in office? the problem for the republicans as they are in a crisis| republicans as they are in a crisis of their own because from the trump area you have a division in the party, establishment republicans and trumpists and what we saw last night was using trumpist language that this is radicalism and bad socialism. as long as the republicans do that they will continue to obstruct the biden administration but as long as they continue to do that they will not present a positive way forward for americans. present a positive way forward for americans-— present a positive way forward for

americans. the government is being urged to give its new adviser on ministerial standards full independence to launch investigations — without needing boris johnson's permission first. lord geidt — who is the queen's former private secretary — was appointed to the role yesterday. he will review how the refurbishment of mrjohnson's downing street flat was funded. 0ur political correspondent damian grammaticas gave me this update from westminster. this is one of the investigation is going on into the downing street flight issue. there had been six months with nobody and the possession and the predecessor had resigned last november specifically because he had advised the home secretary in his view her behaviour had been what could have amounted to bullying and that had been dismissed or not accepted by the prime minister who said he felt otherwise

so he did not accept that reports of the previous adviser retained because his findings were not accepted. i knew one has been appointed with sports downing street said had been some changes. those amount to the fact that we were told he can consider whether an investigation should be launched and raised that confidentially with the prime minister but the prime minister still decides whether an investigation is launched into the conduct of a minister or the prime minister himself and then the findings are returned to the play minister who decides whether they are accepted or not and that is where labour last night sir keir starmer seeing that he would have an independent adviser, a fully independent adviser, a fully independent one, today the shadow social care minister also said that independence was important.

let's not forget that the last independent adviser on ministerial standards actually quit because the prime minister overruled his finding that priti patel had bullied staff. the new one who's onlyjust been appointed because the prime minister is under pressure doesn't have the power to even initiate investigations. it's notjust that borisjohnson would be marking his own homework, he'd be deciding he doesn't have any to do at aii~ — the reason this is so important is we have got to have trust in our democracy and ministerial standards and i'm afraid so far what the government is doing isn't good enough. 0nce once the government says, downing street says, it is important the prime minister has the final decision on whether ministers stay in office or not. this is the vaccine minister. the individual task with this has to report to the prime minister because we, as ministers, only are able to do ourjob because we carry the confidence of the prime minister.

when that confidence goes, because lord geidt finds against a minister in terms of breaking the code, then in terms of my role i would have to obviously step away from being a minister because i no longer have the confidence of the prime minister. it is important as an operation for the government to work for this to happen. the changes we've made has allowed lord geidt to be able to be proactive, notjust reactive, to be able to go wherever he needs to go in terms of ministerial conduct. he cannot quite do that. he is currently doing an investigation and will return his findings to boris johnson who will decide whether to accept those findings are not but of course then all of those downing street says the prime minister has followed all the regulations. the health secretary matt hancock has received his first dose of the covid—19 vaccination.

it was administered at london's science museum vaccine centre by england's deputy chief medical 0fficerjonathan van tam. there is some flash photography in these pictures. have you got your vaccine card? and this is the astrazeneca? yes, first dose. there we are. do you feel 0k? absolutely fine. all done. fantastic. you need to remember to come back in 12 weeks. 12 weeks' time. i've got it booked in already. it didn't hurt a bit. barely a scratch.

good. thank you. the uk health minister matt hancock getting his first covid vaccine, astrazeneca. the headlines on bbc news: president biden has outlined a programme to transform the us economy and society after the pandemic, worth almost $4 trillion. the uk government is facing calls to make its new adviser on ministers' conduct fully independent — with labour accusing it of marking its own homework. the jailed kremlin critic alexei navalny has appeared in court — via video link — it's the first time he's been seen in public since ending his hunger strike.

the jailed putin critic alexei navalny has appeared in public for the first time after ending a more than three—week hunger strike. he appeared via video link during a court hearing. the 44—year—old russian opposition leader was arrested earlier this year and is serving a two—and—a—half—year sentence in a prison east of moscow. in the past 2a hours india has recorded a further 3,645 deaths from coronavirus, with almost 380,000 new cases. later today, more than $100 million of aid from the united states will begin arriving. india's health system is under enormous pressure, and now volunteers are stepping in to help tackle the oxygen shortage across the country. in delhi, worshippers have turned the outside of a sikh temple into a drive—thru oxygen centre. piyush nagpal reports. another new arrival struggling for breath. this woman has just

arrived in a rickshaw. but it is not long before she is given help. car after car lining up in this makeshift oxygen drive through. each of them contains someone in desperate need of help. with shortages across the country, the cost of an oxygen cylinder has surged. but outside this sikh temple worshippers are helping people for free.

the volunteers have given oxygen to more than 1600 people so far. increasing numbers of countries are sending oxygen and supplies to india. russia, the uk and the us are all sending aid. but in the meantime, indians are looking to help themselves. piyush nagpal, bbc news, delhi.

india's foreign secretary harsh vardhan shringla spoke a little earlier about the international aid the country has received. the first flight that came and i think many of you will have seen was on the nature of the 27th of april from the uk bringing a number of oxygen concentrators, ventilators and other equipment. last night we had a flight from russia, two special aircraft that came in from russia that brought very large number of oxygen generating equipment. we had 20 of those and a lot of ventilators and bedside monitors and russia also gave us antiviral for covid—19 treatment. we are also expecting tomorrow and over

the next couple of days three flights from the united states. you would have seen that president biden spoke to the prime minister and offered extensive assistance. you would have seen the details of that assistance from the united states and of course that assistance also went into areas but the us is going to provide at an initial basis at least three of these aircraft coming in with much needed oxygen equipment and concentrators and other areas that we need assistance. we will also have a special cargo flight arriving to nato believe from the uae with ventilators —— arriving tonight. we also have a flight from ireland coming in with 700 concentrators. france has been very active and i think they are a flight

will be coming in on saturday. 0ver will be coming in on saturday. over 40 countries, notjust developed countries, our neighbours in bangladesh and mauritius have come forward to offer assistance. that was india's _ forward to offer assistance. that was india's foreign _ forward to offer assistance. that was india's foreign secretary who is directed at the british asian trust which has launched an emergency appeal getan get an urgency need. tell us about the response so far.— the response so far. thank you for havin: the response so far. thank you for having us- — the response so far. thank you for having us- it _ the response so far. thank you for having us. it has _ the response so far. thank you for having us. it has been _ the response so far. thank you for i having us. it has been overwhelming. we started off modestly and we are just over half £1 million. the support has been overwhelming. the need for oxygen, even the idea of it boggles your mind when you read

about it, and people are moved by what they are seeing in india. we have heard the desperate stories of people trying to get oxygen, travelling around with sick family members trying to find an oxygen supply. as this money comes in, more than half £1 million already, how quickly can you translate that into buying supplies and making sure that those supplies get to where they are needed? the those supplies get to where they are needed? , , ._ those supplies get to where they are needed? , , ., , ., those supplies get to where they are needed? , , ._ ., ., ., those supplies get to where they are needed? , , ., ., ., , needed? the best way to do that is to work through _ needed? the best way to do that is to work through a _ needed? the best way to do that is to work through a local— needed? the best way to do that is to work through a local partner - to work through a local partner organisations and that is what we are doing and these are organisation that has links with every state in india. our objective is to reach the last mind. you can use an oxygen concentrated out of hospital. getting it there is what we are doing and working in partnership with partners in the country. within a week we should be at that stage

where it is where it is needed. i5 where it is where it is needed. is money already saving lives? absolutely. that was our first focus, money needs to go to manufacturers. individuals coming through with all kinds of amazing resources. it is money and manufacturing support of oxygen concentrators equally well, and we will connect them. 50 concentrators equally well, and we will connect them.— will connect them. so many family ties between _ will connect them. so many family ties between the _ will connect them. so many family ties between the uk _ will connect them. so many family ties between the uk and _ will connect them. so many family ties between the uk and india. - will connect them. so many family | ties between the uk and india. your mother and father are in bombay i believe. how are they doing? the? believe. how are they doing? they are ok. believe. how are they doing? they are 0k- their _ believe. how are they doing? they are ok. they have _ believe. how are they doing? they are ok. they have had _ believe. how are they doing? tue: are ok. they have had the believe. how are they doing? tte: are ok. they have had the vaccine. the worry is every day notjust my colleagues have lost family, you cannot have a phone call with the team over there without there being tears or stress. i have never seen anything like this in 20 years. it

is the most stressful time. itiiui’hat anything like this in 20 years. it is the most stressful time. what are our is the most stressful time. what are your parents — is the most stressful time. what are your parents saying _ is the most stressful time. what are your parents saying to _ is the most stressful time. what are your parents saying to you _ is the most stressful time. what are your parents saying to you about - your parents saying to you about what is unfolding in their area and indeed around the country? t what is unfolding in their area and indeed around the country? i think the are indeed around the country? i think they are all _ indeed around the country? i think they are all touched, _ indeed around the country? i think they are all touched, the - indeed around the country? i think they are all touched, the message j they are all touched, the message they are all touched, the message they are all touched, the message they are giving as people are trying to stay safe and stay at home and as parents they are trying to make sure we are not worrying about them but the horrors are being shared dearly and i think a press coverage that that and preventable deaths are happening and people are not swinging into action to help that. the sheer scale of it does mean that there is international help is absolutely needed to try to get on top of the cases, to stem the flow of cases and of course to stop people from dying for lack of oxygen. people from dying for lack of ox ten. ~ , ,., y people from dying for lack of ox ten. , ., people from dying for lack of ox . , ., , people from dying for lack of ox ten, �* , ., , ., oxygen. absolutely. that is what the british asian — oxygen. absolutely. that is what the british asian trust _ oxygen. absolutely. that is what the british asian trust is _ oxygen. absolutely. that is what the british asian trust is focused - oxygen. absolutely. that is what the british asian trust is focused on, - british asian trust is focused on, staying focused, focusing on oxygen

concentrators because they are mobile and can go everywhere and using the british public to get out there and to support us.- using the british public to get out there and to support us. thank you for talkin: there and to support us. thank you for talking to _ there and to support us. thank you for talking to us. _ there and to support us. thank you for talking to us. continued - there and to support us. thank you for talking to us. continued good i for talking to us. continued good luck with the fundraising efforts. the british asian trust has launched an emergency appeal. the uk government has been accused of going back on its promises by cutting 85% of aid funding pledged to the united nations global family planning programme. the un population fund says the uk had pledged for its projects — but now says it will get around £23 million this year. i'm joined now by our diplomatic correspondent james landale. begin by giving us more detail of what the un says this cut in funding means for their programmes. this articular means for their programmes. t�*t 3 particular agency is the one that deals with reproductive health

around the world, giving contraceptives and maternal health care services to literally millions of women around the world in the poorest vulnerable states. since 2014 the uk has been the largest donor and made repeated commitments that it donor and made repeated commitments thatitis donor and made repeated commitments that it is going to give much more money to this agency. there was a conference last year. the agency has put out a statement saying that is going to stop and instead of getting 154 million this year it is going to be 23 million and they say there will be millions of women who will face unwanted pregnancies, dangerous abortions and all the other consequences of this issue that this agency is designed to deal with. what is the uk government response? the response is these are tough but difficult necessary decisions because of the state of the economy, because of the state of the economy, because of the impact the pandemic has had. the simple fact we are facing historic deficit levels and there is massive borrowing at the

moment the government has to make cuts somewhere and it has made the decision to take £4 billion out of the aid budget and they think although this is controversial in terms of aid agencies and others protesting they think that actually there are many people out there who think that charity begins at home and you need to focus on rebuilding the uk economy. the government also says the uk despite these cuts remains one of the biggest donors in the world and is still going to be given £10 billion to eat around the world this year so they think there is a discussion to be had. what we are seeing is the slow impact of those cuts and there is going to be lots more in months to come. fiur lots more in months to come. our diplomatic— lots more in months to come. 0ur diplomatic correspondent, thank you very much.

britain's biggest airport has seen losses during the pandemic rise to nearly £2.4 billion. passenger numbers passing through heathrow in the three months to the end of march are down more than 90% compared with the same period in 2019. and yesterday the civil aviation authority rejected the airport's request to increase charges for airlines using the terminal. we will continue to make those losses until we see international travel starting and that is why mi the 17th is important to start international travel. we know there is massive demand to fly. people have not seen their loved ones around the world for over a year. a lot of businesses have not seen their customers or subsidiaries around the world for over a year and of course a lot of people just want to go on holiday but the main constraint is the government opening borders again and doing it in a safe way and that is what we need to see happen. way and that is what we need to see ha en. ., , , way and that is what we need to see hat-en. ., , , happen. you must be disappointed that this request _ happen. you must be disappointed that this request for _ happen. you must be disappointed that this request for an _ happen. you must be disappointed that this request for an increase i happen. you must be disappointed that this request for an increase in | that this request for an increase in airline charges for airlines using the airport has been rejected. presumably that was one where you are looking to recoup some of those losses. , , ., , , , .,

losses. this is only the first stage ofthe losses. this is only the first stage of the process. _ losses. this is only the first stage of the process. the _ losses. this is only the first stage of the process. the civil- losses. this is only the first stage of the process. the civil aviation l of the process. the civil aviation authority who are our economic regulator are going to be reviewing our overall economics at the end of this year and so i hope that they will make an adjustment then. it is important they do because we have invested billions of pounds to create this world class airports, airlines are able to make higher margins here than at any other airport in the world that we are capped at how much we can charge and that protects the airlines and we need the airport to be protected so we can fund this massive infrastructure investment and that matters for us and for all of the other investments that the government wants to get under way as part of its recovery plan. tt government wants to get under way as part of its recovery plan.— part of its recovery plan. it was a premature _ part of its recovery plan. it was a premature request _ part of its recovery plan. it was a premature request surely, - part of its recovery plan. it was a premature request surely, i- part of its recovery plan. it was a premature request surely, i takej part of its recovery plan. it was a - premature request surely, i take the points you are using about airlines using the facilities but they as well as we look at all the pieces and there is jake so have to start weakening some of their losses before they can pass on any extra money to go presumably. brute

before they can pass on any extra money to go presumably.- before they can pass on any extra money to go presumably. we are not lookin: for money to go presumably. we are not looking for any _ money to go presumably. we are not looking for any changes _ money to go presumably. we are not looking for any changes this - money to go presumably. we are not looking for any changes this year, - looking for any changes this year, our places have come down this year, this is about charges over future years and it is a relatively small change in the scheme of things but airlines have flexible cost model, they do not pay for the airport if they do not pay for the airport if they are not using it, they do not pay for fuel, they do not pay for the engines that they are not using them whereas for others it is a massive investment with fixed costs which is why we have these 2.4 billion losses so far and that all has to be paid for and it is only ever paid for by passengers using the airport so that is why our places capped by the regulator are so important. the places capped by the regulator are so important-— places capped by the regulator are so important. the boss of heathrow airort. the headlines on bbc news... president biden has outlined a programme to transform the us economy and society after the pandemic, worth almost four trillion dollars. the uk government is facing calls to make its new adviser

on ministers' conduct fully independent, with labour accusing it of marking its own homework. more medical aid is due to arrive in india — as the country reports nearly 380,000 new covid cases — the world's highest single—day total. northern ireland's democratic unionist party begins its search for a new leader, after arlene foster announced she would step down. the uk's biggest airport — heathrow — has recorded losses of nearly £2.4 billion and passenger numbers down 90% due to the pandemic. let's get more now on us presidentjoe biden's speech to congress on the eve of his 100 days in office. we can speak to drjonathan parker, senior lecturer in us politics, university of keele. he joins us now. this was a big government speech, do you think his calculation is that, not only is this what the us needs

right now but what most fellow americans, asjoe biden would put it, want to hear? americans, as joe biden would put it, want to hear?— it, want to hear? yes, he is taking a big gamble- _ it, want to hear? yes, he is taking a big gamble- he _ it, want to hear? yes, he is taking a big gamble. he ran _ it, want to hear? yes, he is taking a big gamble. he ran as _ it, want to hear? yes, he is taking a big gamble. he ran as a - it, want to hear? yes, he is taking i a big gamble. he ran as a moderate candidate, talked about unity and bipartisanship. now he is in power he is going for it. he will spend as much as he can. he is limited, he cannot pass legislation without republican help and they will give him no help. bill republican help and they will give him no help-— republican help and they will give himnohel.�* ., ,,, him no help. all he can do is spend. is he him no help. all he can do is spend. is he going — him no help. all he can do is spend. is he going to _ him no help. all he can do is spend. is he going to get — him no help. all he can do is spend. is he going to get no _ him no help. all he can do is spend. is he going to get no help _ him no help. all he can do is spend. is he going to get no help at - him no help. all he can do is spend. is he going to get no help at all - is he going to get no help at all some republicans, they may not want to support his plans, his 100 days in office and give him that credence in office and give him that credence in the office of us president, but do you think that some republicans will say look, this is what our voters will want to hear? again, that is what _ voters will want to hear? again, that is what biden _ voters will want to hear? again, that is what biden is _ voters will want to hear? again, that is what biden is saying, - voters will want to hear? again, that is what biden is saying, he | voters will want to hear? again, | that is what biden is saying, he is pushing his policies and terms of what the public want. but the public was quite clear that they would be

happy to vote for republican candidates even if they supported democratic policies. he has got its eye on the election and is counting on the republican support and they are showing no sign of cooperating. what reaction have you heard from republicans? tt what reaction have you heard from republicans?— republicans? if you look at the moderates. — republicans? if you look at the moderates, mitt _ republicans? if you look at the moderates, mitt romney - republicans? if you look at the | moderates, mitt romney talked republicans? if you look at the - moderates, mitt romney talked here about him being a teenager having to have his credit taken away. they don't want to give the democrats a big win going into the midterms. remember, when presidents come in they have two years. president 0bama had two years before he lost control of congress. president trump had two years before he lost control of congress. joe biden sees this as him having he has to do everything before two years. tithe having he has to do everything before two years.— having he has to do everything before two years. one of the other eye-catching _ before two years. one of the other eye-catching lines _ before two years. one of the other eye-catching lines from _ before two years. one of the other eye-catching lines from that - before two years. one of the other. eye-catching lines from that speech, eye—catching lines from that speech, let's look at that, this is where he was talking about the us, china, russia and the relationship between these countries and how autocracies,

as he put it, thought democracy couldn't win in the 21st century. what did you make of that? he is auoin for what did you make of that? he is going for the _ what did you make of that? he is going for the grand _ what did you make of that? tie: 3 going for the grand narratives, he wants to tell a story about his presidency, he wants to go back to normal, he wants to rebuild big government spending and put it firmly in control of running the economy and he wants to reset american foreign policy in terms of protecting democracy and leading to the free world and the west. doctor jonathan parker, _ the free world and the west. doctor jonathan parker, good _ the free world and the west. doctor jonathan parker, good to _ the free world and the west. doctor jonathan parker, good to hear- the free world and the west. doctor jonathan parker, good to hear from| jonathan parker, good to hearfrom you today. northern ireland's democratic unionist party is beginning the process of selecting its next leader, and a new first minister in the devolved government. arlene foster announced she was standing down from both jobs yesterday, after more than 20 dup assembly members and four mps signed a letter expressing no confidence in her leadership.

staying with next week's elections — tonight, leaders of the main parties in wales will be taking part in a bbc wales debate. 60 seats are up for grabs in the senedd and acoss the day on bbc news we'll be taking a look at some of the key issues in wales ahead of tonights debate. and we can speak to 0wain clarke — health correspondent for bbc wales. to what extent is the nhs and recovery after covid—19 going to play out in these elections? goad play out in these elections? good morninu. play out in these elections? good morning- the _ play out in these elections? good morning. the nhs _ play out in these elections? good morning. the nhs has _ play out in these elections? good morning. the nhs has been - play out in these elections? (13mm morning. the nhs has been a top priority for voters in welsh elections since the beginning of devolution in 1999. the welsh government is in charge of pretty much all aspects of the nhs and spends more than half of its entire budget on health. but given the context of the covid pandemic and its affect on so many lives and livelihoods, not least the nhs and its staff having to pull out all the stops dealing with the biggest

challenge in its history, it's no surprise that recovery after the pandemic is a key priority this time round. not only will the incoming welsh government have to deal with the ongoing public health situation. yes, things are much better now than they were just a few months ago, but there could be challenges ahead. recovery, putting the nhs back on an even keel could be the biggest ever challenge facing an incoming welsh government. the stats tell you the story. because of the disruption caused by covid, over half a million people here in wales are now on some sort of nhs waiting list. that is a record number and by 220,000 of those have been waiting more than nine months for treatment. that is a record number. eight times as high as three pandemic levels. you can imagine at the very top of the entry for the next welsh health minister

will be the challenge.— will be the challenge. absolutely, and what is _ will be the challenge. absolutely, and what is proposed, _ will be the challenge. absolutely, and what is proposed, by - will be the challenge. absolutely, and what is proposed, by way - will be the challenge. absolutely, and what is proposed, by way of. and what is proposed, by way of policies to address these huge challenges?— policies to address these huge challenges? policies to address these huge challenues? ., , challenges? each of the parties say the will challenges? each of the parties say they will have _ challenges? each of the parties say they will have to _ challenges? each of the parties say they will have to recruit _ challenges? each of the parties say they will have to recruit more - they will have to recruit more staff, more doctors, more nurses, more training. and each of them have variations on their theme in terms of plans for nhs recovery whether thatis of plans for nhs recovery whether that is spending £1 billion, as labour promised on an nhs recovery plan. whether that is integrating health and care into a national service as plaid cymru propose. whether it is investing in community services, the big idea for the conservatives, or investing in mental health, the big idea for the liberal democrats. but each of the parties are agreed on the scale of the challenge ahead. nobody is in any doubt about that and bow detail on all of the policies the parties are proposing on the bbc wales

website. ., ., are proposing on the bbc wales website. ., ,, , ., , . ., website. thank you very much for that. and website. thank you very much for that- and we _ website. thank you very much for that. and we will _ website. thank you very much for that. and we will have _ website. thank you very much for that. and we will have full - website. thank you very much for. that. and we will have full coverage of that debate from eight o'clock tonight here on the bbc news channel and for a tonight here on the bbc news channel and fora round—up tonight here on the bbc news channel and for a round—up of everything you need to know about the elections, use our simple guide where you can find information on who is being elected and what the elections mean for you. you can find that on the website or use the bbc news app. if you'd like to get in touch about any of the stories, get in touch on twitter using the hashtag annita mcveigh. china has launched the first module for its new space station, as part of the country's ambitious space programme. a rocket blasted off from the wenchang launch facility on an island off china's southern coast. it's carrying a module which houses life support systems and living space for the space station's crew. the facility is expected to be fully operational by next year. 0ur china correspondent stephen

mcdonell has more from beijing. china's ambitious space programme is unfolding before our very eyes. china was locked out of being part of that international space station and, as a result, just decided to build its own, and so now, well, by next year assuming it all goes to plan, it will be the only country with its own space station. we saw the first module go up there today, as you mentioned, two more modules have to be attached to it. 11 missions in total — four, i think, with astronauts on board, fourjust are carrying cargo, and at the end of that, yeah, china will have its own space station orbiting the earth. certainly china's achievements in space play a really important role in the propaganda here but, then again, why wouldn't they? i mean, china launched its first satellite in the �*70s but it wasn't

until 2003 that it put the first person into space and then since then it has come along in leaps and bounds. now, people will be drawing conclusions to the cold war space race. given that china was sort of locked out of the international, you know, lab programme, has built its own space station and now has these other ambitions — they are talking mars, they are talking about building a lunar space station with russia, and all of this, of course, like in every country, serves to also justify to the public the enormous amounts of money which are going into these programmes. you can imagine how much it costs to build a space station and maintain it. i think once it's built, it will last for at least ten years, we are told. and funnily enough, if the international space station comes to an end when it was predicted to, we could see a situation where china has the only

space station still operating in orbit around the earth. as india's covid crisis worsens, many in the british indian community watch helplessly, unable to help friends and family. pria rai has been speaking to one man in leicester, who is thousands of miles away from his family, who are struggling in india. kalpesh is living in the heart of leicester's indian community. during the festival times, even this park is full of indian people. he tells me how difficult it's been being away from his family in india. my brother and my mother is positive and they are in quarantine at the moment. i regularly touch base with them. immediate family members we've got from my in law's side as well and my brother's in—laws as well. which is sadly, they have passed away. one of the family members, they mentioned they had been carrying a lot of cash

in their hand, that if someone can sell the oxygen... but unfortunately, we heard that his father passed away, just a lack of oxygen. like here in leicester, british indian communities across the country have strong family and cultural links to india. now, many can only watch helplessly as their loved ones face a crisis. i am very helpless. i can't do anything from here. the only thing i can do is to call them and ask them how they are and how they are coping. is there anything i can help from here? and they say, no, you can't do anything from there. so it is sad. he gives his brother a call. hello. hi. hi, you 0k? hi. how are you feeling? i'mnot so well.

i'm not so well. not so well, i can hear your voice, it's not normal. yeah, i have a sore throat, i have fever. i have lost, very close to my father—in—lawjust a few days before. he had a very bad situation. meanwhile, for kalpesh in the uk, lockdown restrictions are lifting, a world away from the reality in india. your life is now as if you are coming out ofjail and those people are now getting inside the jail. they are struggling and they are not having any help from anywhere. people want to help, but unfortunately, they are not able to. and you feel sad, you feel sad about it. pria rai, bbc news. thousands of protesters have taken to the streets accross colombia to demonstrate against a controversial government tax reform. in bogota, riot police set off tear gas to control large crowds, a number of protesters were detained, and some officers were reported injured.

the protests are the most recent in a series of marches which began in 2019 — against the social and economic policies of president ivan duque, who leaves office next year. the headlines on bbc news... president biden has outlined a programme to transform the us economy and society after the pandemic, worth almost $4 trillion. the uk government is facing calls to make its new adviser on ministers' conduct fully independent, with labour accusing it of marking its own homework. the jailed kremlin critic, alexei navalny, has appeared in court via video link — it's the first time he's been seen in public since ending his hunger strike. if you've ever lost a pet, you'll knowjust how distressing that experience can be. sadly — as dog thefts have increased during the pandemic — some criminals in the uk are making it even worse for the owners by pretending to have found their missing animals —

simply to extort money from them. tim spicer, was conned out of £1,000 by someone claiming to have his missing dog lexie, hejoins me. she doesn't want to sit on he only at the moment, but it is good to have her back. what happened? roughly 7.30 on saturday morning a couple of weeks ago, she went missing from the garden. i am one of the lucky ones, we got her back. off we went, friends, neighbours and family and even the guy from the next village brought his drone out and we were searching. we caught sight of her three hours later in the woods village and a half away and then a couple of hours went by and then a couple of hours went by and there were no sightings of her. and then a significant factor i

think, one of our neighbours put it on the lost dog local website, which included my partner's phone number. she got a call from a guy who said i have got your dog. there was a short period of immense relief and then he said, he wanted £1000 before he was prepared to return her. iloathed prepared to return her. what happened — prepared to return her. what happened next? _ prepared to return her. what happened next? obviously. prepared to return her. what happened next? obviously you were in a highly stressed situation, desperate to get lexie back? trier? desperate to get lexie back? very much so. desperate to get lexie back? very much so- he _ desperate to get lexie back? very much so. he hung _ desperate to get lexie back? very much so. he hung up _ desperate to get lexie back? - much so. he hung up initially and then he called back shortly afterwards. and then my partner, who took the call, she started questioning him saying, where are you? where can we find the dog, send a picture as proof you have got the dog. he was very, very robust with his response. clearly, having digested the nature of the call, we now know he has done it many, many times before, it was very well

rehearsed. he wouldn't give any information away at all. we didn't know he had the dog, but we didn't know he had the dog, but we didn't know that he didn't. as anyone who has lost their dog will know, if there is the slightest chance he might be able to get your dog back, you are going to take it. anyway, i will refer to him as the caller, i will refer to him as the caller, i will be careful how i refer to him, the caller rang back and my partner further questioned him, wanting to prove he had the dog. then he turned a little bit nasty and said, look, if you don't pay, if she has not been spayed, i will make thousands out of her, and if she has been spayed, i will use her as bait. the anxiety and distress multiplied somewhat. we made the decision to pay him. he gave as a bank account number and the sort code and name. we transferred the money and waited

for his call. after we hadn't heard back for about 20 minutes, we knew we had been scammed. you back for about 20 minutes, we knew we had been scammed.— we had been scammed. you quickly realise? luckily _ we had been scammed. you quickly realise? luckily for _ we had been scammed. you quickly realise? luckily for us, _ we had been scammed. you quickly realise? luckily for us, eight - we had been scammed. you quickly realise? luckily for us, eight hours| realise? luckily for us, eight hours later we found _ realise? luckily for us, eight hours later we found her _ realise? luckily for us, eight hours later we found her under _ realise? luckily for us, eight hours later we found her under a - realise? luckily for us, eight hours later we found her under a caravan j later we found her under a caravan in a farm village and a half away. so social media, clearly there are opportunists, criminals out there just waiting for these pictures to p0p up just waiting for these pictures to pop up on social media, contact details for worried pet owners worry to pray on them? —— ready to pray on them? to pray on them? -- ready to pray on them? �* ., ., , them? after going over his conversation _ them? after going over his conversation it _ them? after going over his conversation it is _ them? after going over his conversation it is a - them? after going over his conversation it is a really i them? after going over his i conversation it is a really well rehearsed sequence of events and he wasn't giving any way at all. he had a quick response to every question, every bit of evidence we wanted. have you told all of this to the police? have you told all of this to the olice? , ., ~ have you told all of this to the olice? , . . ., police? yes, we have. we are in contact with _ police? yes, we have. we are in contact with the _ police? yes, we have. we are in contact with the police - police? yes, we have. we are in contact with the police and - police? yes, we have. we are in contact with the police and in i contact with the police and in contact with the police and in contact with the bank. i understand

they have got a lot of cases to deal with, but eventually i think the police will be able to track this man down. we have given the police the bank account number and sort code. we managed to establish ourselves which bank it was. it was one of the big banks, so it wasn't an obscure bank. no doubt it will have been a false name, false id and he will have transferred the money from one account several times over. i remain hopeful that within the banking industry, they will be able to track this man down and they will look at the transactions. they will to see our £1000, they will see multiples of it and they will hopefully be able to track this guide are. tt hopefully be able to track this guide are-— guide are. it is a particularly nasty form _ guide are. it is a particularly nasty form of _ guide are. it is a particularly nasty form of scanning - guide are. it is a particularly nasty form of scanning and l nasty form of scanning and criminality when pet owners, i am one and we love our pets, they are members of ourfamily, one and we love our pets, they are members of our family, people like this pray on what they know is going to be a desperate situation? without

doubt. an to be a desperate situation? without doubt- any pet _ to be a desperate situation? without doubt. any pet owner, _ to be a desperate situation? without doubt. any pet owner, dog _ to be a desperate situation? without doubt. any pet owner, dog owner. to be a desperate situation? without| doubt. any pet owner, dog owner and people who have lost their dog, there is nothing worse. for a short eight hour period i knew what it was like and not knew where it was going. itjust compounded even worse by these people who absolutely pray on people at their most distressed and vulnerable time.— and vulnerable time. obviously, in hindsirht, and vulnerable time. obviously, in hindsight. he _ and vulnerable time. obviously, in hindsight, he possibly— and vulnerable time. obviously, in hindsight, he possibly wouldn't - and vulnerable time. obviously, in l hindsight, he possibly wouldn't have done what you did, dog lost uk, it advises do not transfer money to accounts and don't transfer to bitcoin wallets and don't meet people at a location with money. do ask for a photo of your dog showing the date but make sure it is not a photo you have used on social media post. this is good advice, which you know to your cost, in hindsight? absolutely. i have not heard of this particular incident before it happened to us. the police classify

it as blackmail because there was a threat made. it wasn't a scam or fraud it was blackmail. if i can give any advice to anybody out there, whatever you do, don't take there, whatever you do, don't take the people. but to anybody who has already been through what we have been through, make sure you report the details to the police, so they can build up a pattern. if multiples are people if the police the same information, they stand more chance of tracking these individuals down. thank you very much for telling us your story and we are pleased you were reunited with lexie, the reluctant star of our conversation today. thank you. detectives are continuing to search woodland in kent in southern england for clues after a police community support officer was found murdered. the body ofjulia james, who was 53, was discovered in snowdown, near dover, on tuesday afternoon. our reporter simonjones is at the scene and has sent us this update.

investigations are continuing this morning and the difficult enquiry for kent police because they are looking into the death of one of their own officers. it's understood thatjulia james was out walking her dog when she was attacked — that happened on tuesday afternoon. her body was found at around 4pm. in terms of what's happening here, this morning, we've seen officers in hi vizjackets in one of the fields here, continuing the searches. there have been door—to—door inquiries too and there is a police guard outside julia james's house. the tributes have been led by the home secretary priti patel who said she was so saddened to hear of the death, she said her condolences were very much withjulia james' friends, family and colleagues at kent police. and a senior officer at the force has said many of them are feeling

shattered by what happened, and that is very much the feeling in the local community. i spoke to one man who said that when he was younger, in his teenage years, he did get into a bit of trouble with the police but he said he was always treated fairly by pcso james and so he thanked herfor that. also in the community, people told me they used to go out walking their dogs with her, they desperately want answers as to what has happened here. the police are advising people to remain vigilant. now, in terms of pcso james, she joined the force back in 2007 and at that stage she gave an interview to a local paper in which she said she loved being part of the community, describing herself as a people person. this community very much in shock here today.

some good news from india where a 105—year—old man and his 95—year—old wife living in maharashtra state have beaten covid—19 after successful treatment. this is one of the worst affected states with covid. although the picture is very bad right across the country. the couple contracted the virus in march and were admitted to a government hospital in the state's latur district. they were discharged this month after 10 days of successful treatment. maharashtra is one of the worst—hit by the coronavirus pandemic in india. here, the royal mint has struck a new coin, but we wouldn't recommend trying to toss it. firstly, it weighs ten kilograms — that's 22 pounds — and is nearly eight inches wide. and secondly, it's worth £10,000. the coin took 400 hours to make and is the final piece in a collection inspired

by the statues which lined the queen's route to westminster abbey at her coronation. you're watching bbc news. joanna gosling is here with you next. now it's time for a look at the weather with carole. hello again. every night in april so far has had a frost and tonight once again we are going to see another one. the forecast for the next few days is one of sunshine and showers and also chilly. what's happening is, yesterday's low pressure is now across the near continent, it's taking its rain with it and we are looking at a mixture of sunshine and showers. but with the north—easterly wind we are going to have a colder day across the board. yesterday we hit highs of 15 degrees in suffolk. today we are not going to get anything like that and it is a mixture of sunshine and showers. the winds, as you can see, these are the average wind speeds, not particularly strong.

the gusts will be a little higher but it will feel cool along the north sea coastline and because of the low temperatures and that cold feel accentuated by the wind. inland we are looking at highs of 12 or 13 degrees. through this evening and overnight many, but not all of the showers will fade and will see further showers across the north west of scotland, some of those will be wintry on the tops of the mountains and these are the temperatures you can expect in towns and cities. in rural areas they will be lower, so another widespread frost. but under the clear skies tomorrow will dawn on a bright note with a fair bit of sunshine. unlike today, we'll see further showers develop. bigger chance of seeing them across southern areas tomorrow as well and temperatures getting up to 13 degrees. still cool along the north coastline but tomorrow through the day the wind will slowly start to ease and you can see friday into saturday, look at the isobars. a distinct lack of them on the chart so the wind will be lighter again on saturday. we start off on a cold and frosty note, a lot of dry weather,

a fair bit of sunshine and it won't take too long before the showers start to develop. a lot of them in the north, the west and the south. feeling better along the north sea coastline with highs up to 11 degrees. into sunday, another cold and frosty start for some of us. the showers getting going through the course of the day, light winds as well and temperatures a little bit higher. we are looking at up to 14 degrees by then. of course, monday is a bank holiday and on monday we are looking at this quite deep area of low pressure coming in from the atlantic and it looks like it's going to bring with it, significant rain and strong winds. the northern extent of it, still open to question.

this is bbc news. the headlines at 11am... president biden has set out spending plans running into trillions of dollars, which he intends to fund by raising taxes paid by the wealthy. america is rising anew, choosing hope overfear, truth over lies and light over darkness. after 100 days of rest and renewal, america is ready for take off in my view. jailed kremlin critic alexei navalny has appeared in court via video link. it's the first time he's been seen in public since ending his hunger strike. the government is facing calls to make its new adviser on ministers' conduct fully independent, with the

opposition accusing number ten of marking its own homework. more medical aid is due to arrive in india as the country reports nearly 380,000 new covid cases — the world's highest single—day total. we'll take a look at how the uk indian community are reacting. northern ireland's democratic unionist party begins its search for a new leader after arlene foster announced she would step down. on your marks... a return for parkrun — the volunteer—led initiative is hoping to restart its weekly 5k runs onjune the 5th. president biden has set out plans for a vast expansion of government, and said it's time for

the wealthiest americans to begin paying theirfair share. in his first speech to congress, marking 100 days in office, the us president unveiled a sweeping investment plan forjobs, education and social care. on the coronavirus pandemic, he hailed the success of the mass vaccination programme. more than half of the us adult population have now received at least one dose of the vaccine. on the economy, president biden outlined a $4 trillion spending plan. the money would go onjobs, education, childcare and infrastructure. the president said he would reverse tax cuts and make the richest americans pay their fair share. he said it's time for corporate america and the wealthiest 1% of americans to pay higher taxes. on foreign policy, biden highlighted the threat from china and russia. he said the united states were "in competition with other countries to win the 21st century." china, he said, and the other autocracies, think that "democracy can't compete in the 21st century." here's our washington correspondent lebo diseko. applause.

it was an evening of historic firsts. president biden's first address to a joint session of congress, the first time women flanked the president as he made that address. madam speaker, madam vice president... cheering. no president has ever said those words from this podium, no president has ever said those words and it's about time. in a chamber with numbers limited by covid, where just a few months ago insurrectionists occupied the speaker's chair. afterjust100 days i can report to the nation america is on the move again. this was a bold speech, a statement of far—reaching and, some might say, costly intent, a full—throttled endorsement of the idea of big government,

two proposals which together will cost $4 trillion, taking in spending on education and paid family leave. my fellow americans, trickle down economics has never worked. it is time to grow the economy from the bottom and the middle out. the president talked of prioritising climate change as a global ambition, of tackling the dual challenges of north korea and iran, and he had strong words for russia and for china. that means making sure every nation plays by the same rules in the global economy, including china. in my discussions with president xi i told him we welcome the competition, we are not looking for conflict, but i made absolutely clear that we will defend america's interests across the board. with regard to russia,

i know it concerns some of you, but i made very clear to putin that we are not going to seek exca... excuse me, escalation, but their actions will have consequences. america is on the move again was the theme of the speech, but this is a sharply divided congress. in his agenda he faces challenges from the right and from the left. joe biden was dismissed by his predecessor as sleepyjoe, but tonight he set out an ambitious agenda. the big questions are, how much of this can he achieve? and how much of this can he afford? the jailed putin critic alexei navalny has appeared in public for the first time after ending a more than three—week hunger strike. he appeared via video link during a court hearing. the 44—year—old russian opposition leader was arrested earlier this year and is serving

a 2.5—year sentence in a prison east of moscow. let's get more from our correspondent steve rosenberg in moscow. how did he seem in court? well, he looked gaunt. that is to be expected. he was on hunger strike for more than three weeks, so that is not a surprise. he said that he is not a surprise. he said that he is eating around four or five spoonfuls of oatmeal as he comes out of this hunger strike. she said it was great to see him. but despite looking gaunt, he was defiant. he demanded to be released. he said their cases were fabricated. referring to president putin, he said the president has no clothes. he said the crown is falling down over his ears and claimed the president could not care less about

russia. russian are being turned into slaves. so, a particularly defiant speech in court from mr alexei navalny. what was the hearing about? this particular hearing was alexei navalny�*s appeal against the conviction for libelling a world war ii veteran. he is not expecting, i think, to win the appeal. the pressure is mounting on alexei navalny and his supporters. it emerged today that the authorities have launched another criminal case against alexei navalny for allegedly setting up their nonprofit organisation that infringe the rights of citizens. also today, mr alexei navalny�*s allies as said they are disbanding his offices around russia. this comes ahead of another court case which is expected to

begin officially in may the 17th. moscow prosecutors have gone to court to try and get alexei navalny�*s political network unable extremist. if that goes ahead, then anyone connected with that network or those organisations could face prosecution themselves. how much coverage and what sort of coverage does this get? obviously, when he is in court he has a voice. that's right. but it remains to be seen whether that voice appears on the state networks. i doubt it very much indeed. all we have seen this morning is a picture of alexei navalny on a video screen from prison. audio of his defiant speech has come out from the court, but again, it is unclear how much of this russian citizens will get to

see. thank you very much. stephen rosenberg reporting from moscow. the uk government has been accused of going back on its promises by cutting 85% of aid funding pledged to the united nations global family planning programme. the un population fund says the uk had pledged for its projects, but now says it will get around £23m this year. our diplomatic correspondent, james lansdale told us a bit more about the cut. slight technical hitch. we will go back to that one. britain's biggest airport has seen losses during the pandemic rise to nearly 2.4 billion pounds. passenger numbers passing through heathrow in the three months to the end of march are down more than 90 percent compared with the same period in 2019. and yesterday the civil aviation authority rejected the airport's request to increase charges for airlines using the terminal. chief executivejohn holland—kaye said the losses weren't surprising.

we will continue to make those kinds of losses until we can to need to see international travel restarting. we know that there is massive demand to fly. people have not seen their loved ones around the world for over a year. a lot of businesses have not seen their customers or subsidiaries around the world for over a year, and of course a lot of people just want to go on holiday. but the main constraint is the government opening borders again and doing getting a safe way. and that is what we need to see happen on the 17th. northern ireland's democratic unionist party is beginning the process of selecting its next leader, and a new first minister in the devolved government, after arlene foster announced yesterday that she'll stand down. her decision followed a growing revolt within her own party. here's our ireland correspondent chris page. applause and cheering. arlene foster began her leadership with enthusiastic allies and electoral success.

but yesterday, with her support base all but gone, she conceded her time at the top was over. for me, the decision to enter politics was never about party or person, it was about speaking up for the voiceless and building a northern ireland which could prosper and be at peace within the united kingdom. unionists have felt northern ireland's place in the uk has been threatened by the fallout from brexit. a new trade border in the irish sea means there are checks on goods arriving from the rest of the uk. mrs foster's critics felt she should have opposed the arrangements more strongly, and strategically. an early favourite to replace her as first minister is edwin poots, who is currently in charge of agriculture in the devolved government. others being linked to the position of dup leader are two mps, sirjeffrey donaldson, and gavin robinson. the dup's main partner in the power—sharing stormont executive is the irish republican

party, sinn fein. it said the main priority should be making sure the coalition works. we all have a job here. politics must deliver for everybody and power—sharing must deliver for everybody. i'll play my part in that. i hope that the dup find a partner that's also willing to do the same. this is a huge moment in the complex and contentious politics of ireland. whoever takes over as the leader of unionism will have a defining role in shaping its future. chris page, bbc news, belfast. i'm joined now by alex kane, columnist for the belfast telegraph. thank you very much forjoining us. just getting context there obviously as to how important this particular moment is. how would you describe the state of playing politics in northern ireland right now? $5 the state of playing politics in northern ireland right now? as ever in northern — northern ireland right now? as ever in northern ireland _ northern ireland right now? as ever in northern ireland it _ northern ireland right now? as ever in northern ireland it is _ northern ireland right now? as ever in northern ireland it is unbalancedl in northern ireland it is unbalanced because no one was affecting theirs. i think there was a view that arlene foster would go at some stage. this

came very suddenly and very brutally in one sense, which, given the nature of the delicate balance in politics in northern ireland where one party has a major problem, it has a knock—on effect on the other parties when it comes to creating and recreating the executive. so the government will be hoping this transition of powerfrom government will be hoping this transition of power from foster to the two or three contenders, one of the two or three contenders, one of the two or three contenders, one of the two or three continues... new dynamics or new demands on new strategies to the existing process. do you think that can be achieved? obviously the issues and fallout around brexit has been part of the problem and does not go away. t problem and does not go away. i think that is key to all of this and it is going to be the biggest challenge for any new leader to take on board. simply becoming new leader is not gonna make the protocol

disappear. walking away from the assembly was some sort of unionism bad to happen is not going to make it go away. so, i think the first task for whoever succeeds foster is to do some straight talking to his own party and say to them that we can't do the following things. we have not got the power ourselves to do this so we need to look at other arrangements. we need to see if there is something we can do which makes a compromise without being considered a surrender. the other thing to say for your viewers, this is not a contest where hundreds of people will make the decision. this will be decided will buy 40 odd people. will be decided will buy 40 odd neale, will be decided will buy 40 odd --eole. ., ., people. looking further ahead when ou talk people. looking further ahead when you talk about _ people. looking further ahead when you talk about trying _ people. looking further ahead when you talk about trying to _ people. looking further ahead when you talk about trying to come - people. looking further ahead when you talk about trying to come up - you talk about trying to come up with some sort of compromise without surrender. there is a growing sense that, actually, ireland may end up

re—unifying over what is happening with brexit. obviously, we don't know. there is a long way to run, but do you think that the sort of compromise you talk about is achievable when you look at what is currently happening? t achievable when you look at what is currently happening?— currently happening? i think it is achievable- _ currently happening? i think it is achievable. i— currently happening? i think it is achievable. i think _ currently happening? i think it is achievable. i think the _ currently happening? i think it is achievable. i think the terms - currently happening? i think it is achievable. i think the terms ofl achievable. i think the terms of uniting ireland, there won't be for at least a decade. they don't want it. there is too much instability. they do not want that now. you have to bear in mind that some g listeners don't get the full extent of this. with unionism, the border in the irish sea, it is an economic trading arrangement, but from a unionist perspective it is a border which did not exist a year ago which defines them very physically and very psychologically and very politically and constitutionally from great britain. so in their

centenary year when they are supposed to be celebrating the amendment to the union, they are being tailed we are no longer quite part of the united kingdom. so i think it is notjust the dup that needs to come up with some sort of arrangement. its other parties as well. but i think it is also important that the british irish political establishment understand the psychological dimensions of this. the core identity and what the irish people imagine themselves to be has some time —— has somehow been stripped from them and i don't think that has been fully appreciated. thank you very much forjoining us. the headlines on bbc news... president biden has outlined a programme to transform the us economy and society after the pandemic, worth almost four trillion dollars. the jailed kremlin critic, alexei navalny, has appeared in court via video link. it's the first time he's been seen in public since ending his hunger strike. the uk government is facing calls

to make its new adviser on ministers' conduct fully independent with labour accusing it of marking its own homework. in the past 24 hours, india has recorded a further 3,645 deaths from coronavirus, with almost 380,000 new cases. later today, more than $100 million dollars of aid from the united states will begin arriving. india's health system is under enormous pressure, and now volunteers are stepping in to help tackle the oxygen shortage across the country. in delhi, worshippers have turned the outside of a sikh temple into a drive—thru oxygen centre. piyush nagpal reports. another new arrival struggling for breath. this woman has just arrived in a rickshaw. but it is not long before

she is given help. car after car lining up in this makeshift oxygen drive through. each of them contains someone in desperate need of help. with shortages across the country, the cost of an oxygen cylinder has surged. but outside this sikh temple worshippers are helping people for free.

the volunteers have given oxygen to more than 1600 people so far. increasing numbers of countries are sending oxygen and supplies to india. russia, the uk and the us are all sending aid. but in the meantime, indians are looking to help themselves. piyush nagpal, bbc news, delhi. the health secretary matt hancock has received his first dose

of the covid—19 vaccination. it was administered at london's science museum vaccine centre by england's deputy chief medical 0fficerjonathan van tam. there is some flash photography in these pictures. have you got your vaccine card? and this is the astrazeneca? yes, first dose. there we are. do you feel 0k? absolutely fine. all done. fantastic. you need to remember to come back in 12 weeks. 12 weeks' time. i've got it booked in already. it didn't hurt a bit. barely a scratch. good.

thank you. we'll do it like that. his eyes narrowed _ we'll do it like that. his eyes narrowed a — we'll do it like that. his eyes narrowed a little _ we'll do it like that. his eyes narrowed a little but - we'll do it like that. his eyes narrowed a little but he - we'll do it like that. his eyes narrowed a little but he did l we'll do it like that. his eyes l narrowed a little but he did say we'll do it like that. his eyes - narrowed a little but he did say it didn't hurt and i had narrowed a little but he did say it didn't hurtand i had mine narrowed a little but he did say it didn't hurt and i had mine and narrowed a little but he did say it didn't hurtand i had mine and it didn't. the government is being urged to give its new adviser on ministerial standards full independence to launch investigations without needing boris johnson's permission first. lord geidt, who is the queen's former private secretary, was appointed to the role yesterday. he will review how the refurbishment of mrjohnson's downing street flat was funded. and speaking this morning, the labour leader sir keir starmer has criticised the prime minister for not answering what he calls this �*simple question' let's get more from our political correspondent damian grammaticas. there is that new development of

someone else in place to oversee. yesterday, there had been a gap of six months with nobody filling that role of the advisor to the prime minister on ministerial standards. that is because the predecessor had reported into the home secretary's behaviour saying, reported into the home secretary's behavioursaying, in reported into the home secretary's behaviour saying, in his words, it could be what is seen to amount to bullying, could be described as bullying. he said that was not accepted by the prime minister, he said he didn't agree, so the adviser resigned. with the new adviser appointed yesterday, he is now looking into the flat issue, but six stammer out today, he was obviously pressing the prime ministerfor an answer who initially funded the downing street flat. that was not answered directly, so keir starmer said that that clarity would be very simple to provide.

the idea of having an advisor who can only investigate if the prime minister says so shows how weak the system is. that is why we are proposing that we clean up westminster. we have a proper independent commission and that that commission can start enquiries and come to conclusions and come to —— look to the lobbyists that aren't on the box. i love and i think above all else, we need an investigation with the power to claw back money where money has been wasted. the new tom terms for — where money has been wasted. the new tom terms for the _ where money has been wasted. the new tom terms for the adviser _ where money has been wasted. the new tom terms for the adviser means - where money has been wasted. the new tom terms for the adviser means that i tom terms for the adviser means that he can suggest that the —— it can only happen if the prime minister says so and is decided by the prime minister. it is important that the prime minister has the ultimate say about who his ministers are.

the individual task with this has to report to the prime minister because we, as ministers, only are able to do ourjob because we carry the confidence of the prime minister. when that confidence goes, because lord geidt finds against a minister in terms of breaking the code, then in terms of my role i would have to obviously step away from being a minister because i no longer have the confidence of the prime minister. it is important as an operation for the government to work for this to happen. the changes we've made has allowed lord geidt to be able to be proactive, notjust reactive, to be able to go wherever he needs to go in terms of ministerial conduct. but he cannot be entirely proactive because any recommendation he gives for an investigation to begin as a private one, the prime minister decides. so in this case, ludgate

will prime minister their prime minister's behaviour on the prime minister's behaviour on the prime minister patrick say so and report to the prime minister and he will say if he accepts those findings into his behaviour or not. china has launched the first module for its new space station, as part of the country's ambitious space programme. a rocket was launched from an island off china's southern coast. it's carrying a module which houses life support systems and living space for the space station's crew. the chinese space station is expected to be fully operational by next year. our china correspondent stephen mcdonell has more from beijing. china's ambitious space programme is unfolding before our very eyes. china was locked out of being part of that international space station and, as a result, just decided to build its own, and so now, well, by next year assuming it all goes to plan, it will be the only country with its own space station. we saw the first module go up there today, as you mentioned,

two more modules have to be attached to it. 11 missions in total — four, i think, with astronauts on board, fourjust are carrying cargo, and at the end of that, yeah, china will have its own space station orbiting the earth. certainly china's achievements in space play a really important role in the propaganda here but, then again, why wouldn't they? i mean, china launched its first satellite in the �*70s but it wasn't until 2003 that it put the first person into space and then since then it has come along in leaps and bounds. now, people will be drawing conclusions to the cold war space race. given that china was sort of locked out of the international, you know, lab programme, has built its own space station and now has these other ambitions — they are talking mars,

they are talking about building a lunar space station with russia, and all of this, of course, like in every country, serves to also justify to the public the enormous amounts of money which are going into these programmes. you can imagine how much it costs to build a space station and maintain it. i think once it's built, it will last for at least ten years, we are told. and funnily enough, if the international space station comes to an end when it was predicted to, we could see a situation where china has the only space station still operating in orbit around the earth. now it's time for a look at the weather with carol. hello again. the next few days the forecast is one of sunshine and showers, chilly by day and chilly by night. today we've got that mixture of sunshine and showers, many of us, of course, will miss the showers. they could be wintry across the tops of the mountains in scotland

and it's going to be a brighter day across southern england and wales than it was yesterday. these white circles represent the average wind speeds so it's not a particular windy day, but the direction is important and once again along this north sea coastline it will feel cool in the north—easterly wind. top temperature's likely to be between 11 and may be 13 degrees. through this evening and overnight, many of the showers will fade, but not all of them and under clear skies it's going to be cold enough once again for a widespread frost. these temperatures that you can see here represent towns and cities. so over the next few days we've got cold nights, frosty starts but a mixture of sunshine and showers but the winds will fall much lighter than they have been.

hello, this is bbc news with joanna gosling. the headlines: president biden has outlined a programme to transform the us economy and society after the pandemic, worth almost

four trillion dollars. the jailed kremlin critic, alexei navalny, has appeared in court via video link. it's the first time he's been seen in public since ending his hunger strike. the uk government is facing calls to make its new adviser on ministers' conduct fully independent, with labour accusing it of marking its own homework. more medical aid is due to arrive in india as the country reports nearly 380,000 new covid cases — the world's highest single—day total. northern ireland's democratic unionist party begins its search for a new leader, after arlene foster announced she would step down. the uk's biggest airport — heathrow — has recorded losses of nearly £2.4 billion and passenger numbers down 90% due to the pandemic. sport, and for a full round up from the bbc sport centre, here's katherine downes. good morning.

manchester city lead 2—1 going into next week's second leg of their champions league semifinal. they came from behind to win in paris last night but both managers insist the tie is farfrom over. it is far from over. it is farfrom over. was it is far from over. was an even game it. it is farfrom over. was an even game it. i think playing it was an even game it. i think playing a very good team like manchester city, i think we were goodin manchester city, i think we were good in the first half. i think 15 minutes after, in the second half, too, i think we were better, but in the end, the feeling is not so good because you lose the game. tide the end, the feeling is not so good because you lose the game. we were an aressive because you lose the game. we were aggressive and _ because you lose the game. we were aggressive and i _ because you lose the game. we were aggressive and i thought _ because you lose the game. we were aggressive and i thought with - because you lose the game. we were aggressive and i thought with the - aggressive and i thought with the ball, aggressive and i thought with the ball. with — aggressive and i thought with the ball, with passion, we found the goals _ ball, with passion, we found the goals we — ball, with passion, we found the goals. we could scored more, sojust half of— goals. we could scored more, sojust half of the _ goals. we could scored more, sojust half of the job, so if we play like this, _ half of the job, so if we play like this, not— half of the job, so if we play like this, not who we are, we have the quality— this, not who we are, we have the quality to— this, not who we are, we have the quality to turn it around. scotland and england rugby willjoin football and other sports by boycotting social media this weekend. they say it is a unified stand against racism and discrimination. the "show of solidarity

against online abuse" takes place between 3pm on friday and 11.59pm on monday night. tyson fury has promised to retire from his fight with anthonyjoshua if he fails to knock him out by round four. the fight is still being negotiated, with all four world heavyweight belts on the line. just been thinking, another message for ajay. just been thinking, another message forajay. if just been thinking, another message for ajay. if you go more than three rounds for me, i will go out. that's how confident i am, out. the number of inactive adults rose by 1.2 million by the time the country locked down for a second time in november. sport england has found over 12 million people did less than half an hour's physical activity a week compared to november the previous year. their chief executive tim hollingsworth says more must be done to help encourage people from all backgrounds to get active.

the worst elements of this, in some ways, is the fact that itjust confirms what we already knew, that this is not a level playing field for community sport and being active in people's lives. there are barriers to entry for certain parts of our community which the pandemic have made worse. definitely, social economic circumstances matters. young people particularly have suffered during the pandemic and i think we need to look very hard at that and why is it that our 60—24 —year—old have actually been one of the least active groups over the past year. the semifinals of the world snooker championship start this afternoon after a dramatic set of last eight matches concluded last night. the world number onejudd trump, was knocked out by shaun murphy. trump could have taken the match to a deciding frame, but missed that red, and murphy finished up winning by 13 frames to 11. he'll play kyren wilson in the last four. i feel like... ifeel like... you i feel like... you know ifeel like... you know in rocky

first mag where he gets company pummelled by the russian for an hour? did you see some of those shots he kicked off with? theyjust kept going in. ijust dug in when i eventually got my chance. —— rocky iv. england's charlie hull is five shots off the lead after the opening round at the women's world championship in singapore. inbee park tops the leaderboard on 8—under par. but one of the shots of the day came from another south korean. this is hee young park's approach at the tenth and it went in for an eagle! she's second on the leaderboard — a shot off the lead. finally, we have a new world record in golf and you may not have seen this done before. this is the furthest a golf ball has been hit, and caught in a moving car. the things people do. professional golfer marcus armitage drives the ball off a tee, on the runway at elvington in north yorkshshire. and driver paul o'neill, races along and catches it, as it comes down, 303 yards later. it beats the previous

record by 30 yards. imean, the i mean, the level of skill in all respects on display there. it's worth celebrating. that's all the sport for now. the united nations says it is facing an 85% cut in uk funding for its family planning programme. since 2014, the uk has been the world's biggest donor to the un population fund, which provides contraceptives and maternal health care to millions of women globally. but the government has now told the fund it will receive £23 million, rather than the £154 million originally agreed. in 2019, the government spent a total of £14.6 billion on international aid, with the three countries receiving the the greatest share of that money being pakistan, ethiopia and afghanistan. but the government is cutting aid spending from 0.7% of total national income to 0.5%. that 0.2% cut means to a reduction of more than £4 billion for aid programmes, but would still make the uk the second largest aid donor in the g7 group of major economies.

so what impact for the un's population fund? it helps people in more than 40 of the world's poorest countries, including places affected by humanitarian crises, like syria, yemen and bangladesh. it's estimated by the population fund itself that the reduction of £130 million for the fund would have helped prevent the deaths of about 250,000 mothers and children, as well as 14.6 million unintended pregnancies, and 4.3 million unsafe abortions. some development economists consider that funding family planning programmes is a cost—effective way of protecting the health of people around the world. for example, the copehnagen consensus center think—tank says that if international targets for sexual health and contraception provision were met, it could return up to £120 in benefits for every pound spent. lets speak now to bekky ashmore. she is advisor on sexual and reproductive health

and rights at development charity plan international uk. welcome, thank you forjoining us. so, tell us more about what you think the impact will be of this cut. , ., ., think the impact will be of this cut. , . ~' ,, think the impact will be of this cut. , ., ,, ., ., , cut. yes, thank you for having us. these cuts _ cut. yes, thank you for having us. these cuts are _ cut. yes, thank you for having us. these cuts are shameful - cut. yes, thank you for having us. these cuts are shameful from - cut. yes, thank you for having us. these cuts are shameful from the j cut. yes, thank you for having us. i these cuts are shameful from the uk government. they are going to have a huge impact and devastate the lives of so many women and girls, often in the poorest and most marginalised communities around the world. ithiheh the poorest and most marginalised communities around the world. when i brou:ht in communities around the world. when i brought in those _ communities around the world. when i brought in those figures _ communities around the world. when i brought in those figures about - communities around the world. when i brought in those figures about the i brought in those figures about the money that is not now being spent, it's estimated that it would have helped to prevent the deaths of about a quarter of a million mothers and children as well as 14.6 million unintended pregnancies and 4.3 million unsafe abortions. is it too crude to say that those will be the direct casualties of that money? is

it an equation that can be made? tide it an equation that can be made? we have it an equation that can be made? - have huge amount of evidence about the impact that funding to the ipf supplies and we know from out of those 14 million unintended pregnancies that it is going to result in more deaths of women and girls from unsafe abortion, pregnancy complications and adolescent girls, for instance, we know that adolescent pregnancy is the leading cause of death for girls around the world and this is going to make that so much worse. 50 around the world and this is going to make that so much worse. so you directly say — to make that so much worse. so you directly say lives _ to make that so much worse. so you directly say lives will _ to make that so much worse. so you directly say lives will be _ to make that so much worse. so you directly say lives will be lost - to make that so much worse. so you directly say lives will be lost as i to make that so much worse. so you directly say lives will be lost as a i directly say lives will be lost as a result of this cut? in a moment, i will speak to the chair of the women and equalities select committee in parliament and we can talk more about that, but in terms of how to mitigate that, the uk has cut money but it is the second highest aid donor in the g7 group, so is anyone else stepping up?—

donor in the g7 group, so is anyone else stepping up? yes, as the uk is hostin: else stepping up? yes, as the uk is hosting the — else stepping up? yes, as the uk is hosting the g7 _ else stepping up? yes, as the uk is hosting the g7 this _ else stepping up? yes, as the uk is hosting the g7 this year, _ else stepping up? yes, as the uk is hosting the g7 this year, they i else stepping up? yes, as the uk is hosting the g7 this year, they are l hosting the g7 this year, they are the only g7 country that is cutting its aid budget. every other country is maintaining or increasing its funding. this is a betrayal to women and girls around the world, that the uk has made promises to. they are breaking their promises and leaving behind empty words and it is going to have a huge impact, a direct impact on the lives of women and girls. impact on the lives of women and uirls. �* ., . ., , impact on the lives of women and uirls. �* ., _, , ., ,, girls. but will other countries make u . girls. but will other countries make u- that girls. but will other countries make up that shortfall _ girls. but will other countries make up that shortfall of _ girls. but will other countries make up that shortfall of £130 _ girls. but will other countries make up that shortfall of £130 million? . up that shortfall of £130 million? it is leaving a huge hole. it is unprecedented that a donor walks away quite on this scale and this timeframe. the uk are stepping back right now and that is going to take time to fill. tett right now and that is going to take time to fill. , right now and that is going to take time to fill-— right now and that is going to take time to fill. , ., ., time to fill. tell us more about the timeframe- — time to fill. tell us more about the timeframe. when _ time to fill. tell us more about the timeframe. when was _ time to fill. tell us more about the timeframe. when was the - time to fill. tell us more about the timeframe. when was the money | time to fill. tell us more about the i timeframe. when was the money agreed and when was it due to actually filter through? and when was it due to actually filterthrough? is and when was it due to actually filter through? is it money that has been earmarked for several years hence or is it literally a much shorter timeframe than that? this money was _ shorter timeframe than that? t�*t 3

money was originally pledged towards the end of 2019. actually amongst the end of 2019. actually amongst the midst of the trump administration and the rollback that we had been seeing on gender equality and sexual and reproductive health and rights, so this was a huge announcement from the uk that was really going to make a massive difference and fill some of that shortfall from the us, suffer them to step back now, as i said, it is shameful and it is going to have a huge, direct impact. but shameful and it is going to have a huge, direct impact.— shameful and it is going to have a huge, direct impact. but 'ust to be absolutely clear, i huge, direct impact. but 'ust to be absolutely clear, it i huge, direct impact. but 'ust to be absolutely clear, it was i huge, direct impact. butjust to be absolutely clear, it was pledged i huge, direct impact. butjust to be absolutely clear, it was pledged atj absolutely clear, it was pledged at the end of 2019. for which year was the end of 2019. for which year was the spending due? thei;r the end of 2019. for which year was the spending due?— the spending due? they made an overall pledge — the spending due? they made an overall pledge of _ the spending due? they made an overall pledge of 425 _ the spending due? they made an overall pledge of 425 million i overall pledge of 425 million through to 2025. long—term funding emittance like that is really beneficial and allows agencies to make plans, put things in place, do things in a really cost—effective way. you mentioned the statistics earlier of investment in family planning, contraception, reproductive rights, it is so cost—effective. it gives you everything you need and enables

women and girls to have control over their bodies, it allows girls to prevent unintended pregnancies, complete their education which we know it's a huge priority for the prime minister which is why this just doesn't make sense. trier?r just doesn't make sense. very cuickl just doesn't make sense. very quickly before _ just doesn't make sense. very quickly before i _ just doesn't make sense. very quickly before i speak - just doesn't make sense. very quickly before i speak to i just doesn't make sense. very quickly before i speak to caroline noakes, you talk about the spending programme going through to 2025, obviously, if this was back loaded then that gives more time for that shortfall to be made up. how imminent are those cuts actually going to be felt?— imminent are those cuts actually going to be felt? they will have an im act going to be felt? they will have an impact right _ going to be felt? they will have an impact right now. _ going to be felt? they will have an impact right now. it _ going to be felt? they will have an impact right now. it is _ going to be felt? they will have an impact right now. it is going i going to be felt? they will have an impact right now. it is going to i impact right now. it is going to mean that programmes running on the ground are going to be impacted. women and girls are not going to be able to access the contraception that they need and so we urge the uk government to come to its senses and reinstate funding for these vital services right now.— reinstate funding for these vital services right now. thank you very much, services right now. thank you very much. becky _ services right now. thank you very much, becky ashmore _ services right now. thank you very much, becky ashmore from i services right now. thank you very much, becky ashmore from plan | much, becky ashmore from plan international uk. let's speak now to caroline noakes, conservative mp and shair of the women and equalities select committee.

thank you forjoining us. what do you say about this cut?— thank you forjoining us. what do you say about this cut? well, i am very worried _ you say about this cut? well, i am very worried about _ you say about this cut? well, i am very worried about it. _ you say about this cut? well, i am very worried about it. we - you say about this cut? well, i am very worried about it. we know i you say about this cut? well, i am | very worried about it. we know that family— very worried about it. we know that family planning and contraception allows_ family planning and contraception allows girls to stay in education, it gives — allows girls to stay in education, it gives them greater choices over their_ it gives them greater choices over their own — it gives them greater choices over their own lives and it will have an ongoing — their own lives and it will have an ongoing economic cost to those countries — ongoing economic cost to those countries where these programmes were being delivered, sol countries where these programmes were being delivered, so i am very disappointed by it and feel that this is— disappointed by it and feel that this is a — disappointed by it and feel that this is a mistake, given the government's commitment to 12 years of education _ government's commitment to 12 years of education for girls, they will not be — of education for girls, they will not be able to receive that if they have _ not be able to receive that if they have unplanned pregnancies and end ”p have unplanned pregnancies and end up having _ have unplanned pregnancies and end up having children of their own. it up having children of their own. [t is up having children of their own. is your up having children of their own. tit is your government, have you had any direct conversations with boris johnson about this? t direct conversations with boris johnson about this?— direct conversations with boris johnson about this? i certainly have not soken johnson about this? i certainly have not spoken to _ johnson about this? i certainly have not spoken to the _ johnson about this? i certainly have not spoken to the prime _ johnson about this? i certainly have not spoken to the prime minister i not spoken to the prime minister directly— not spoken to the prime minister directly about this, but i have raised — directly about this, but i have raised questions with the foreign secretary— raised questions with the foreign secretary on the issue of cuts to our aid — secretary on the issue of cuts to our aid budget. we legislated to put the 07%— our aid budget. we legislated to put the 0.7% into law and yet we have not had _ the 0.7% into law and yet we have not had an— the 0.7% into law and yet we have not had an opportunity to full in the house — not had an opportunity to full in the house on the reductions that we are now— the house on the reductions that we are now seeing being made across a

whole _ are now seeing being made across a whole range of projects. 30, are now seeing being made across a whole range of projects.— whole range of pro'ects. so, how do ou feel whole range of pro'ects. so, how do you feel that — whole range of projects. so, how do you feel that reflects _ whole range of projects. so, how do you feel that reflects on _ whole range of projects. so, how do you feel that reflects on your - you feel that reflects on your party? you feel that reflects on your .a 2 . , party? well, i feelvery disappointed. - party? well, i feelvery disappointed. i- party? well, i feelvery disappointed. i have i party? well, i feelvery i disappointed. i have been party? well, i feelvery - disappointed. i have been quite outspoken about the importance of the aid _ outspoken about the importance of the aid budget, about protecting the aid budget. the impact that this will have — aid budget. the impact that this will have on the most vulnerable about _ will have on the most vulnerable about the — will have on the most vulnerable about the world, many of whom will be women _ about the world, many of whom will be women on the front line who will not get _ be women on the front line who will not get the — be women on the front line who will not get the education they need, they will— not get the education they need, they will not get the support they need _ they will not get the support they need to— they will not get the support they need to combat diseases, they will not be _ need to combat diseases, they will not be protected from unplanned pregnancies or sexy transmitters diseases — pregnancies or sexy transmitters diseases i— pregnancies or sexy transmitters diseases. i think this is a big mistake _ diseases. i think this is a big mistake and therefore billion pounds that is— mistake and therefore billion pounds that is being cut from the aid budget— that is being cut from the aid budget is frankly a drop in the ocean— budget is frankly a drop in the ocean compared to some other government spending. why ocean compared to some other government spending.- ocean compared to some other government spending. why do you think it is being _ government spending. why do you think it is being done, _ government spending. why do you think it is being done, then? i government spending. why do you think it is being done, then? the l think it is being done, then? the context, obviously, is covid and, i guess, essentially the message that charity begins at home but you see that the 4 billion is a drop in the ocean, so how do you see it in that picture? tt ocean, so how do you see it in that icture? , ., ., picture? it is important that we look at the _ picture? it is important that we look at the covid _ picture? it is important that we look at the covid spending i picture? it is important that we look at the covid spending and | look at the covid spending and reflect — look at the covid spending and reflect on how much that has cost

the government, cost the country, the government, cost the country, the taxpayer, but we need to look at aid spending in terms of commitments that have _ aid spending in terms of commitments that have been made and commitments like this— that have been made and commitments like this programme which was ongoing — like this programme which was ongoing until 2025 and now will not be delivered. we need to consider the impact — be delivered. we need to consider the impact this might have globally and those countries, will they turn to us— and those countries, will they turn to us for— and those countries, will they turn to us for further aid in the future? it is to us for further aid in the future? it is a _ to us for further aid in the future? it is a regressive step and i am sorry— it is a regressive step and i am sorry that _ it is a regressive step and i am sorry that the government has not chosen _ sorry that the government has not chosen to — sorry that the government has not chosen to bring this to the house of commons _ chosen to bring this to the house of commons for us to have a vote on it. iwonder— commons for us to have a vote on it. i wonder whether you feel you are in a party that reflects your values when this is something that clearly you feel so passionate about and you disagree with the party on it. t disagree with the party on it. i think it is important to reflect that— think it is important to reflect that there is a long internal discussion going on amongst colleagues. many of us feel the same way and _ colleagues. many of us feel the same way and many have spoken to the media _ way and many have spoken to the media over— way and many have spoken to the media over the course of the last few months about the aid budget and the importance of protecting it. my feeling, _ the importance of protecting it. my feeling, very strongly, is that i absolutely am a conservative and

that it _ absolutely am a conservative and that it is — absolutely am a conservative and that it is myjob to convince both the prime — that it is myjob to convince both the prime minister and the foreign secretary— the prime minister and the foreign secretary and, indeed, the chancellor that we need to make sure we maintain _ chancellor that we need to make sure we maintain our commitment to the wodds— we maintain our commitment to the world's poorest, that we should not be balancing our books on their backs — be balancing our books on their backs. ., ., ,, , ., ,, backs. caroline noakes, thank you ve much backs. caroline noakes, thank you very much for— backs. caroline noakes, thank you very much forjoining _ backs. caroline noakes, thank you very much forjoining us. - the headlines on bbc news: president biden has outlined a programme to transform the us economy and society after the pandemic, worth almost four trillion dollars. the jailed kremlin critic, alexei navalny, has appeared in court via video link. it's the first time he's been seen in public since ending his hunger strike. the uk government is facing calls to make its new adviser on ministers' conduct fully independent with labour accusing it of marking its own homework. a week today, voters go to the polls in scotland, wales and england in a series of elections. the outcome of the vote in scotland could have a big impact on the uk as a whole. if pro—independence parties win they will demand another referendum.

but the economic recovery after the pandemic is also a key issue. our politcal correspondent nick eardley reports from aberdeen. welcome to coming back indoors. a warm welcome back after a long winter lockdown. i hope you are hungry. hospitality on aberdeen's beachfront is back up and running. anyway, enjoy your lunch. despite a tough time recently, susie remains optimistic. we have to be positive going forward as from now with the reopening of everything. but it has been a very scary time this last year for everybody in aberdeen, aberdeenshire. do you think it's important that politicians focus on getting the economy moving again? 0h, first, yes. firstly and mostly, yes. there are green shoots here. shoppers back on union street, but aberdeen has been hit hard and local business groups want politicians to act. unemployment has been the highest in scotland. our number ofjob vacancies

has fallen the most. this is a vital election, possibly the most important of our lifetimes because i think the policy decisions that are determined now. that are determined now will see how we recover. we are asking for our business to be trusted by government, to be seen as part of the solution. after the challenges of the last year, economic recovery is playing a big role in the election debate. how to protectjobs and livelihoods when some of the emergency support schemes come to an end. but in scotland, it's also about independence, how strong is the economy here? would it suffer if scotland left the uk? over the country be able to make better, perhaps better economic decisions? aberdeen is no stranger to economic challenges. after the boom years of oil, they suffered when the price fell. that also had an impact on the economic debate around independence. and increasingly, scotland's energy sector is investing in renewables. sir ian wood made his money

from the oil boom, more than £1 billion of it. he says it still has a role to play, but diversification will be key for the city's future. i think we are in better shape than we were. we were to dependent on oil and is. frankly, the whole of the uk has been too dependent on oil and gas in our economy. so we are in a transition period, it's going to be challenging but i'm reasonably confident we'll work our way through that. but i can't think of anywhere else in the uk better to actually make a serious go at renewables. if you had your time again or if you are starting off now, rather, would you invest all your money in renewables? yes, i would. scotland is hosting a major climate change conference in november. world leaders trying to figure out how to make the move to green energy. that's one of the questions aberdeen is trying to answer right now, but after the pandemic it's not

the only one for this city and its politicians. staying with next week's elections, tonight, leaders of the main parties in wales will be taking part in a bbc wales debate. 60 seats are up for grabs in the senedd and across the day on bbc news, we'll be taking a look at some of the key issues in wales ahead of tonights debate. and we can speak daniel daniels — bbc wales political correspondent. welcome. who is best to lead wales out of the pandemic has been the big theme of the campaign. tell us how it is going. theme of the campaign. tell us how it is uaoin.~ , theme of the campaign. tell us how itis uaoin.~ , ., theme of the campaign. tell us how it is oin. ~ , ., ., it is going. welsh labour are certainly putting _ it is going. welsh labour are certainly putting a _ it is going. welsh labour are certainly putting a lot - it is going. welsh labour are certainly putting a lot of i it is going. welsh labour are i certainly putting a lot of emphasis on their leader, the first minister, mark drakeford and what they say has been his cautious approach towards handling the pandemic, especially when it comes to easing restrictions out of lockdown. they are convinced

that he is an asset on the doorstep. candidates will tell you that mark drakeford is popular although, remember, how many front doors have those candidates been able to knock on because this has been a shortened campaign canvassing was delayed by the pandemic, so they have only been out there really for a couple of weeks now. but that cautious approach carries on into labour�*s manifesto as well. they talk about ambition but rival say there really is a lack of ambition here. but labour is quite happy to own that, frankly. they say, look, we can keep our promises, we have been in government for 22 years, we know how much money that is, we know how difficult things are out there. labour is only promising to deliver things that it knows it can honour. but tonight, mark drakeford will be “p but tonight, mark drakeford will be up against rivals who will say that this pandemic has shown the frailties in public services in the economy, it's highlighted the

inequalities that exist in wales and they say he should be accountable for that because he has been involved in the government from the start of devolution either as an adviser to previous first ministers oras adviser to previous first ministers or as first minister himself and tonight, andrew rtd knees, the leader of the welsh conservatives will be facing him along with adam price, the leader of plaid cymru. they are the two rivals most likely to replace him as first minister if that happens after this election. also on the platform in this 90 minute debate at 8:30pm here at central square, the new home of bbc wales, will be jane dodds, the welsh liberal democrats who hope to retain their one seat in the senedd and also the leader of the abolish the welsh assembly party. the clue is in the name, they want to get rid of devolution. the name, they want to get rid of devolution-— the name, they want to get rid of devolution. ~ ., ., devolution. one week to go until the olls. devolution. one week to go until the polls- what — devolution. one week to go until the polls- what are _ devolution. one week to go until the

polls. what are the _ devolution. one week to go until the polls. what are the indications - devolution. one week to go until the polls. what are the indications from | polls. what are the indications from ullin: ? polls. what are the indications from pulling? we — polls. what are the indications from pulling? we do _ polls. what are the indications from pulling? we do not _ polls. what are the indications from pulling? we do not have _ polls. what are the indications from pulling? we do not have a - polls. what are the indications from pulling? we do not have a wealth i polls. what are the indications from \ pulling? we do not have a wealth of polling data here in wales. what pulls we have show that labour is in the lead as the biggest party, as it has been through two decades of devolution. behind them, then, is a bit of volatility for plaid cymru and the conservatives, but really quite a close race between them for second place, or so it would seem. the likelihood is that there will be some need for discussions between the parties in the aftermath of the election. coalitions and minority government have been a feature of devolution in wales and outright majorities in the welsh parliament are a very rare commodity indeed, so there have been quite a lot of attention between labour, plaid cymru and the tories about who will work with who. the conservatives and plaid cymru do not want to work with each other. labour do not want to

work with the conservatives, but all of those various configurations could well come into play if there is an inconclusive result from the election next thursday.— is an inconclusive result from the election next thursday. thank you very much- _ and we'll full coverage of that debate from eight o'clock tonight on the bbc news channel. and for a round up of everything you need to know about the elections, use our really simple guide, where you can find information on who is being elected and what the elections mean for you. find it on our website, or use the bbc news app. the landmark domestic abuse bill is due to be given royal assent this afternoon, four years after it was announced in the queen's speech. the bill will recognise for the first time domestic abuse as an official criminal offence. it will also strengthen rules surrounding controlling or coercive behaviour, target intimate image abuse — also known as revenge porn — and end the "rough sex defence" in court. however, despite an extra push from the lords this week,

it will not include a specific stalkers' register for dangerous serial abusers and stalkers. natasha saunders is a domestic abuse survivor and now campaigns with the domestic abuse charity refuge. welcome, thank you very much indeed forjoining us. what difference do you think this bill will make in terms of protecting people from domestic abuse?— terms of protecting people from domestic abuse? well, today is 'ust an absolutely — domestic abuse? well, today is 'ust an absolutely immense i domestic abuse? well, today is 'ust an absolutely immense day i domestic abuse? well, today is 'ust an absolutely immense day for h an absolutely immense day for everybody who has been involved in campaigning over the years, for refuge, of course, we are delighted to see the success of the inclusion of making it an offence to share intimate images. i'm very proud of being involved with this and it is nice to know that now prosecutors and police will have that legal standpoint. there is that remit to protect survivors. is the bill flawless? 0f protect survivors. is the bill flawless? of course not, but it does

give us that standpoint, that place to begin and now we can work to improve it in the place is necessary. l improve it in the place is necessary-— improve it in the place is necessa . ., ., ., necessary. i mean, i am wondering, obviously. — necessary. i mean, i am wondering, obviously. it — necessary. i mean, i am wondering, obviously. it is _ necessary. i mean, i am wondering, obviously, it is a _ necessary. i mean, i am wondering, obviously, it is a good _ necessary. i mean, i am wondering, obviously, it is a good thing - necessary. i mean, i am wondering, obviously, it is a good thing that. obviously, it is a good thing that things are enshrined in law, but it is not always easy to pin things down in a legal case and i guess you can think particularly of the fact that rate is obviously illegal, but when you look at the statistics on that, last year, onlyi.li% when you look at the statistics on that, last year, only 1.4% of rape cases recorded by police led to a suspect being charged, so are you concerned about a disconnect between the law and immelman take on? i the law and immelman take on? i think as a rape survivor myself, when i went through the court system backin when i went through the court system back in 2018, it was very worrying. the statistics were concerning. i was aware of them. and i do not believe, in our society, was aware of them. and i do not believe, in oursociety, i was aware of them. and i do not believe, in our society, i should have to count myself lucky to have secured a conviction against my perpetrator. i think one of the most important things is that now this has gained royal assent, we really

need to push to make sure that the home office and the department of justice are supporting the police and the cps, giving them the right guidance, giving them the right training so they can implement those steps. training so they can implement those ste s. , , training so they can implement those ste s. ,., , , , training so they can implement those stes. , , ,, training so they can implement those stes. , , , , ., training so they can implement those stes. , , ,, ._, steps. does this help people who are stuck in a situation _ steps. does this help people who are stuck in a situation to _ steps. does this help people who are stuck in a situation to see _ steps. does this help people who are stuck in a situation to see a - stuck in a situation to see a framework by which they are being supported? you mention that you are a survivor of domestic abuse, so you will know as well as anybody else that has been caught up in that situation how difficult it is to break out of it and sometimes actually to understand and see what you are going through and how wrong thatis you are going through and how wrong that is when you are in it. absolutely, and i think it is very hard to identify yourself as experiencing abuse and as a society, historically, we have made domestic abuse or domestic violence, physical act, and it is hard to accept that you are a victim of economic abuse

or coercive control and i think that framework being there helps women no doubt there is something to protect them. what they are going through is wrong and what would really help is the fact that now this is enshrined in law that perpetrators would know that and that there will be repercussions should they still choose to break the law. [30 repercussions should they still choose to break the law. do you trust that the _ choose to break the law. do you trust that the courts, _ choose to break the law. do you trust that the courts, that - choose to break the law. do you trust that the courts, that those j trust that the courts, that those who are involved in dealing with this understand it enough? i did a radio four show _ this understand it enough? i did a radio four show as _ this understand it enough? i did a radio four show as part _ this understand it enough? i did a radio four show as part of - this understand it enough? i did a | radio four show as part of refuge's campaign and i smoked a police officer in scotland where threats to share intimate images have already been made illegal. their prosecution rates are very good and i think that really does reflect the fact that for threats to share intimate images, at the very least, that there is the ability for prosecutors to get to grips with that

legislation and implement it to reflect in figures.— legislation and implement it to reflect in figures. thank you very much forjoining _ reflect in figures. thank you very much forjoining us. _ now, it's time for a look at the weather with carol. hello again. the next few days the forecast is one of sunshine and showers, chilly by day and chilly by night. today we've got that mixture of sunshine and showers, many of us, of course, will miss the showers. they could be wintry across the tops of the mountains in scotland and it's going to be a brighter day across southern england and wales than it was yesterday. these white circles represent the average wind speeds so it's not a particular windy day, but the direction is important and once again along this north sea coastline it will feel cool in the north—easterly wind. top temperature�*s likely to be between 11 and may be 13 degrees. through this evening and overnight, many of the showers will fade, but not all of them and under clear skies it's going to be cold enough once again for a widespread frost. these temperatures that you can see here represent towns and cities. so over the next few days we've got cold nights, frosty starts but a mixture

of sunshine and showers but the winds will fall much lighter than they have been.

this is bbc news. the headlines... the prime minister pledges to comply with the electoral commission as it investigates the funding of his flat refurbishment. labour says he should come clean now: i think this is getting a bit farcical. i think the prime minister could deal with this very quickly. we want him to do as an answer a very simple question. i we want him to do as an answer a very simple question.— we want him to do as an answer a very simple question. i don't think --eole very simple question. i don't think people want _ very simple question. i don't think people want to — very simple question. i don't think people want to focus _ very simple question. i don't think people want to focus on _ very simple question. i don't think people want to focus on that - very simple question. i don't think people want to focus on that kind | very simple question. i don't think i people want to focus on that kind of issue _ people want to focus on that kind of issue llul— people want to focus on that kind of issue but what we're doing to take people _ issue but what we're doing to take people the pandemic. president biden has set out spending plans running into trillions of dollars, which he intends to fund by raising taxes paid by the wealthy. america is rising anew, choosing hope overfear, truth over lies and light over darkness.

after 100 days of rescue and renewal, america is ready for take off in my view. jailed kremlin critic, alexei navalny, has appeared in court — via video link — it's the first time he's been seen in public since ending his hunger strike. more medical aid is due to arrive in india, as the country reports nearly 380,000 new covid cases — the world's highest single—day total. we'll take a look at how the uk indian community are reacting. the uk government is accused of going back on its promises by cutting 85% of aid funding pledged to the un global family planning programme. on your marks... a return for parkrun — the volunteer—led initiative is hoping to restart its weekly 5k runs onjune the 5th.

borisjohnson has pledged to comply with the electoral commission, as it investigates the funding of his downing street flat refurbishment. it follows comments by the labour leader sir keir starmer who said the affair is becoming "farcical". the government is being urged to give its new adviser on ministerial standards full independence to launch investigations, without needing boris johnson's permission first. lord geidt, who is the queen's former private secretary, was appointed to the role yesterday. this is what the prime minister said a few moments ago. i'm sure he will do an outstanding job, and i think what people are focused on overwhelmingly is not that kind of issue, but what we're doing to take the country through pandemic. and i am here in london in

marylebone talking to pupils about what we need to do to help them recover their last learning. there is no down that the pandemic has had an effect. young minds are incredibly resilient but they need help. so we have put 1.7 billion already into supporting education, that's was supporting holiday camps and all those sorts of things, extra tutoring. but we need to do more. i would say, when i look at the impact of this pandemic on our country, the impact on health care, delayed operations, delayed medical procedures is huge obviously, but education is the number one priority. education is the number one riori . ., ., ., priority. so, no commitment to do what is recommended. _ priority. so, no commitment to do what is recommended. on - priority. so, no commitment to do what is recommended. on the - what is recommended. on the electoral commission. they can be somewhat intrusive and annoying, they can ask you personally for

interview and as for your communications. you have had run—ins with the electoral commission before. could you just declare, do you have full confidence in the electoral commission to do this work properly? oi electoral commission to do this work --roerl ? u, , electoral commission to do this work --roerl ? , .,, electoral commission to do this work --roerl ? , properly? of course, as i said yesterday _ properly? of course, as i said yesterday in _ properly? of course, as i said yesterday in the _ properly? of course, as i said yesterday in the commons i properly? of course, as i said - yesterday in the commons where as i said to give this issue the run around the park, we will comply with whatever they want, and i don't think there is anything to seal to worry about. but what we are doing is focusing on the stuff that really matters, and i think, again, i look at what the priorities of the people in this country really are and they are making sure that we continue with the vaccine roll—out so that we can proceed with the road map. i think what people want is to open up more on may the 17th of we possibly can. i don't see any reason at the moment why we shouldn't be able to

do that. and then move vantage in the 21st. and at the same time, they want a government that is looking at a new road map for recovery, fair economic recovery, further education recovery as well. so, i have been talking to the teachers here, particularly the ways the lockdown has affected pupils's learning, how much learning they have lost and where the differentials really are, and you will be hearing more about what we want to do. as you know further recommendations are being produced. 50. further recommendations are being roduced. ., �* ~ ., ., produced. so, we don't know a statement _ produced. so, we don't know a statement of _ produced. so, we don't know a statement of full _ produced. so, we don't know a statement of full confidence i produced. so, we don't know a statement of full confidence in | produced. so, we don't know a - statement of full confidence in the electoral commission. you are welcome to give one.- electoral commission. you are welcome to give one. sorry, of course. welcome to give one. sorry, of course- with — welcome to give one. sorry, of course. with great _ welcome to give one. sorry, of course. with great respect, - welcome to give one. sorry, of course. with great respect, i i welcome to give one. sorry, of - course. with great respect, i don't think this is the number one issue for the people of our country. by

several orders of magnitude. by several orders of magnitude. by several good dose of magnitude, i would say that what the people want the government to focus on is education... the government to focus on is education. . ._ the government to focus on is education... ., ., , , . education... change of sub'ect. the uk is preparing * education... change of sub'ect. the uk is preparing to h education... change of sub'ect. the uk is preparing to cut _ education... change of sub'ect. the uk is preparing to cut 85%_ education... change of subject. the uk is preparing to cut 85% of - education... change of subject. the uk is preparing to cut 85% of aid i education... change of subject. the uk is preparing to cut 8596 of aid to | uk is preparing to cut 85% of aid to family planning programmes to the worlds poorest people that could prevent child deaths. that cash is a rounding error and coronavirus. is that really right? do rounding error and coronavirus. is that really right?— that really right? do not forget that really right? do not forget that this country _ that really right? do not forget that this country has _ that really right? do not forget that this country has been - that really right? do not forget . that this country has been through the massive stresses of the pandemic. that's why we are emphasising what we need to do route to remediate last learning and take our kids forward and be investigating classrooms and make sure this generation is in no way penalised. we have sent £407 billion protecting people, jobs and

livelihoods already during this pandemic. now, we are still spending £10 billion per year on overseas aid. that is a huge amount. we are still one of the biggest donors in the world. i think people in this country should be very proud of that. but i also think that they will understand, and i know that other countries around the world understand the particular pressures of the pandemic that mean we have two economising that way. but you asked me where we go at back to .7. the government has always been clear that we will when it is fiscally prudent to do so. at the moment, as you can tell, we have to focus on the classroom, we have to focus on the classroom, we have to focus on the backlog in health care, and many other issues that need to be fixed right now, urgently in our country. but we are getting on with it. find a ruestion but we are getting on with it. find a question i'm _ but we are getting on with it. find a question i'm afraid _ but we are getting on with it. find a question i'm afraid it's back to

that subject we began with. we keep asking you who paid initially who paid for the refurbishment of the flat and you haven't said. i suppose the question is is it worth it? tell the question is is it worth it? tell the nation, what is wrong withjohn lewis? the nation, what is wrong with john lewis? i , ,., , the nation, what is wrong with john lewis? i , , ., lewis? absolutely nothing. if there is one thing — lewis? absolutely nothing. if there is one thing that _ lewis? absolutely nothing. if there is one thing that i _ lewis? absolutely nothing. if there is one thing that i object _ lewis? absolutely nothing. if there is one thing that i object to - lewis? absolutely nothing. if there is one thing that i object to in - is one thing that i object to in this nonsense... i lovejohn lewis, but what i will say is that i think what people want this government to do is focus on their priorities, and i know that people love these types of issues, and you have just as the sort of question that i know westminster people are in chested and, quite properly, sam, but actually what i think people want our government to do is get on with the road map, get on with taking people forward, get on with the

vaccine roll—out programme in europe, get on with recruiting more police officers. i think now it 8771 more. we've beaten a target which was 6000 by this stage. and bring crime down, give people the opportunity of housing and get on with our agenda of uniting and levelling up across the country. as i say, by several orders of magnitude, i believe that is what the government want —— that is what people want the government to be focusing on right now. more now from our political correspondent. the answer keep switching around what the people —— what the prime minister thinks the people want to hear about. the minister thinks the people want to hear about. , minister thinks the people want to hear about-— hear about. the truth is that many many people _ hear about. the truth is that many many people in — hear about. the truth is that many many people in westminster - hear about. the truth is that many many people in westminster are l hear about. the truth is that many i many people in westminster are very keen to find out what really happened in terms of who paid for

the refurbishment of the number 11 flat. there are now a number of urn investigations into this up and running, the electoral commission of course, which said yesterday it would investigate any breach of law. and lord geidt who oversees the ministerial code will be trying to ascertain what happened, too, and he has given an assurance that he can produce his findings and this update the public in a timely manner. so a huge amount going on in to what should be very simple question to answer. who originally played the invoice for the redecoration of the prime minister's flat? he invoice for the redecoration of the prime minister's flat?— prime minister's flat? he said --eole in prime minister's flat? he said people in westminster - prime minister's flat? he said people in westminster are - prime minister's flat? he said l people in westminster are keen prime minister's flat? he said - people in westminster are keen to get the answer to these. that is absolutely true. what about the big picture, though? is the prime minister right that it is not cutting through on a wider context, and how tricky could this get to the

prime minister? it is and how tricky could this get to the prime minister?— and how tricky could this get to the prime minister? it is hard today say and it be an — prime minister? it is hard today say and it be an few— prime minister? it is hard today say and it be an few days _ prime minister? it is hard today say and it be an few days before - prime minister? it is hard today say and it be an few days before the - and it be an few days before the drama filters through to the opinion polls as to what the electorate think about all of this. but it does matter, it clearly does matter because there are principles of how to behave in public life, standards of public life that all politicians sign up to. that has produced a very complicated structure about how those rules principles are policed, and the fact that the prime minister and the fact that the prime minister and number ten have been evasive on this important question that involves money in politics, donations, potentially loans, questions around potential buying of influence. the prime minister of causing number ten this now that that has happened and say they entirely adhere to the rules, but it is questioning how to keep public life clean and we will see how this

plays out. we don't think it will be click —— we don't think it will be quick. the electoral commission will take its time investigating what has happened. britain's biggest airport has seen losses during the pandemic rise to nearly 2.4 billion pounds. passenger numbers passing through heathrow in the three months to the end of march are down more than 90% compared with the same period in 2019. and yesterday the civil aviation authority rejected the airport's request to increase charges for airlines using the terminal. chief executivejohn holland—kaye said the losses weren't surprising. we will continue to make those kinds of losses until we see international travel restarting, and that's why you made the 17th is such an important date to restart international travel. we know there is a massive demand to fly. people have not seen their loved ones around the world for over a year. a lot of businesses have not seen their customers or subsidiaries around the world for over a year, and of course, a lot of people just want to go on holiday. but the main constraint is the government opening borders again and doing it in a safe way,

and that is what we need to see happen on may the 17th. the jailed putin critic alexei navalny has appeared in public for the first time after ending a more than three—week hunger strike. he appeared via video link during a court hearing — his lawyers say he has lost weight. the 44—year—old russian opposition leader is serving a 2.5 year sentence in a prison east of moscow. here, the royal mint has struck a new coin — but we wouldn't recommend playing heads or tails with it. firstly, it weighs 10 kilograms — that's 22 pounds — and is nearly eight inches wide. and secondly, it's worth £10,000. the coin took 400 hours to make and is the final piece in a collection inspired by the statues which lined the queen's route to westminster abbey at her coronation. i'm going to be speaking to a former

electoral commissioner about that commissioning to their funding electoral commissioner about that commissioning to theirfunding of the downing street reservations. that is coming up. for now, if you are watching on bbc two, goodbye. hope you have a lovely afternoon. president biden has set out plans for a vast expansion of government, and said it's time for the wealthiest americans to begin paying theirfair share. in his first speech to congress, marking 100 days in office, the us president unveiled a sweeping investment plan forjobs, education and social care. on the coronavirus pandemic, he hailed the success of the mass vaccination programme. more than half of the us adult population have now received at least one dose of the vaccine. on the economy, president biden outlined a $4 trillion spending plan, calling it a "once in a generation investment". 2.3 trillion is for the americanjobs plan, creating jobs and 1.8 trillion for an infrastructure plan that would see investment in education,

child care and poverty relief. the president said his economic and social policies would be paid for by reversing his predecessor's tax cuts and getting the richest americans and us companies to pay theirfair share. he said it's time for corporate america and the wealthiest 1% of americans to pay higher taxes. on foreign policy, biden highlighted the threat from china and russia, saying the us was "in a competition with china and other countries to win the 21st century." he said china and the other autocracies think that "democracy can't compete in the 21st century." here's our washington correspondent lebo diseko. applause. it was an evening of historic firsts. president biden's first address to a joint session of congress, the first time women flanked the president as he made that address. madam speaker, madam vice president... cheering. no president has ever said those

words from this podium, no president has ever said those words and it's about time. in a chamber with numbers limited by covid, where just a few months ago insurrectionists occupied the speaker's chair. afterjust100 days i can report to the nation america is on the move again. this was a bold speech, a statement of far—reaching and, some might say, costly intent, a full—throttled endorsement of the idea of big government, two proposals which together will cost $4 trillion, taking in spending on education and paid family leave. my fellow americans, trickle down economics has never worked. it is time to grow the economy from the bottom and the middle out.

the president talked of prioritising climate change as a global ambition, of tackling the dual challenges of north korea and iran, and he had strong words for russia and for china. that means making sure every nation plays by the same rules in the global economy, including china. in my discussions with president xi i told him we welcome the competition, we are not looking for conflict, but i made absolutely clear that we will defend america's interests across the board. with regard to russia, i know it concerns some of you, but i made very clear to putin that we are not going to seek exca... excuse me, escalation, but their actions will have consequences. america is on the move again was the theme of the speech, but this is a sharply divided congress.

in his agenda he faces challenges from the right and from the left. joe biden was dismissed by his predecessor as sleepyjoe, but tonight he set out an ambitious agenda. the big questions are, how much of this can he achieve? and how much of this can he afford? the headlines on bbc news: labour says the lack of clarity surrounding the refurbishment of the prime minister's downing street flat is becoming "farcical". president biden has outlined a programme to transform the us economy and society after the pandemic, worth almost $4 trillion. the jailed kremlin critic, alexei navalny, has appeared in court via video link. it's the first time he's been seen in public since ending his hunger strike. sport, and for a full round up from the bbc sport and for a full round up, from the bbc sport centre.

scotland and england rugby willjoin football and other sports by boycotting social media this weekend. they say it is a unified stand against racism and discrimination. the "show of solidarity against online abuse" takes place between 3pm on friday and 11.59pm on monday night. tyson fury has been on social media and is promising to retire from boxing if he fails to knock out anthonyjoshua by round four. the fight is still being negotiated, with all four world heavyweight belts on the line. just been thinking, another message for aj. if you go past three rounds with me, i will quit in the corner because that is how confident i am taking you out within the first two, three rounds. out! the number of inactive adults rose by 1.2 million by the time the country locked down for a second time in november. sport england has found over 12 million people did less than half an hour's physical activity a week compared to november

the previous year. their chief executive tim hollingsworth says more must be done to help encourage people from all backgrounds to get active. the worst elements of this, in some ways, is the fact that it just confirms what we already knew, that this is not a level playing field for community sport and being active in people's lives. there are barriers to entry for certain parts of our community which the pandemic has made worse. definitely, social economic circumstance matters. young people particularly have suffered during the pandemic and i think we need to look very hard at that and why is it that our 16—24—year—old have actually been one of the least active groups over the past year. the semi—finals of the world snooker championship start this afternoon after a dramatic set of last eight matches concluded last night. the world number onejudd trump, was knocked out by shaun murphy. trump could have taken the match to a deciding frame, but missed that red, and murphy finished up winning by 13 frames to 11.

he'll play kyren wilson in the last four. first up at the crucible is mark selby against stuart bingham. england's charlie hull is five shots off the lead after the opening round at the women's world championship in singapore. inbee park tops the leaderboard on 8—under par. but one of the shots of the day came from another south korean. this is hee young park's approach at the tenth — and it went in for an eagle! she's second on the leaderboard — a shot off the lead. that's all the sport for now. i'll have more for you in the next hour. borisjohnson has pledged to comply with the electoral commission, as it investigates the funding of his downing street flat refurbishment. it follows comments by the labour leader sir keir starmer who said the affair is becoming "farcical". we can speak now to professor david howarth, a former member of the electoral commission

and a former liberal democrat mp. none welcome. thank you very much forjoining us. yesterday said the electoral commission was satisfied that there were reasonable grounds to suspect an offence or offences may have occurred. what do you think about that, coming directly before this all kicks off?— this all kicks off? well, i have no insiiht this all kicks off? well, i have no insight on _ this all kicks off? well, i have no insight on what _ this all kicks off? well, i have no insight on what is _ this all kicks off? well, i have no insight on what is happening, - this all kicks off? well, i have no| insight on what is happening, but this all kicks off? well, i have no i insight on what is happening, but it sounds to me as if it's the ordinary normal process that the commission goes through when a complaint arises when it sees something that of its own accord needs investigating. it does an initial investigation to see whether it's worth doing a full investigation. it's done that and it's come to the conclusion it's worth doing a formal investigation. how will the investigation happen? how will the investigation happen? how long could it take? who could

get questioned. the commissioners don't do any — get questioned. the commissioners don't do any of _ get questioned. the commissioners don't do any of the _ get questioned. the commissioners don't do any of the investigation. i don't do any of the investigation. the investigators go about the way you would expect investigations to happen. they started by looking at the documentary evidence. they collect documents and require people to send them documents. then they try to please think people together and their transactions we are interested in them. and then when we have enough of an idea what is going on, they will then call the relevant people to be interviewed. the commission has the power to require them to turn up, and if people fail to obey a court order to turn up there can be serious sanctions against them. so, this is a serious legal investigation. this is not just a sideshow was something that does not matter. this just a sideshow was something that does not matter.— does not matter. this is serious stuff. does not matter. this is serious stuff- boris _ does not matter. this is serious

stuff. boris johnson _ does not matter. this is serious stuff. boris johnson says - does not matter. this is serious stuff. boris johnson says he - does not matter. this is seriousj stuff. boris johnson says he will stuff. borisjohnson says he will cooperate. no one has a choice but to cooperate really do they?- to cooperate really do they? that's riiht. but to cooperate really do they? that's right- but it's _ to cooperate really do they? that's right. but it's good _ to cooperate really do they? that's right. but it's good of— to cooperate really do they? that's right. but it's good of him - to cooperate really do they? that's right. but it's good of him to - to cooperate really do they? that's right. but it's good of him to say i right. but it's good of him to say though. on the question of how long it takes, it shortens the time if the commissioner does not have to issue calls time and again for people who do not wish to cooperate. my people who do not wish to cooperate. my experiences it's very careful and very methodical and how it does these things, so you can't expect an instant answer at all.— instant answer at all. does it sound like a really — instant answer at all. does it sound like a really simple _ instant answer at all. does it sound like a really simple one _ instant answer at all. does it sound like a really simple one to - instant answer at all. does it sound like a really simple one to crack? i like a really simple one to crack? basically the question is whether fund just paid up front with no other alternative being looked at, or weren't they? ida; other alternative being looked at, or weren't they?— other alternative being looked at, or weren't they? no, it is not that sim-le at or weren't they? no, it is not that simple at all- _ or weren't they? no, it is not that simple at all. there _ or weren't they? no, it is not that simple at all. there are _ or weren't they? no, it is not that simple at all. there are lots - or weren't they? no, it is not that simple at all. there are lots of. simple at all. there are lots of different transactions here. starting with who paid the initial bill. and then, what happened in what order after that. and the question for each of those

transactions is, is that a donation or alone. who was it a donation or alone too? if it is to a party needs to be read because it did if it is more than £570,000 within a month. if it is a donation to an individual there is a net duke question as to how it is involved with the person's political activities, if it is it has to be recorded within the month if it is 50 thousand or more. each of these transactions has to be looked at and considered with regard to the rules about the particular transaction. 50 to the rules about the particular transaction-— transaction. so is this an investigation _ transaction. so is this an investigation into - transaction. so is this an investigation into boris l transaction. so is this an - investigation into boris johnson investigation into borisjohnson personally or into the conservative party? it personally or into the conservative pa ? . ., , personally or into the conservative pa ? , ,, party? it could be both. i think there is an _ party? it could be both. i think there is an indication _ party? it could be both. i think there is an indication from - party? it could be both. |think| there is an indication from their commission that they have at least started with the party because that could be concluded that the donations to borisjohnson went to

donations to borisjohnson went to do with political activity, but there is a very strong argument to say that they were to do with political activities. but they could just be doing a more straightforward investigation first. a donation alone to a political party, you do not have to ask the extra question about whether it is for political activity because they are presumed ljy activity because they are presumed by law to be involved in particular political activity.— political activity. what could the punishment _ political activity. what could the punishment potentially - political activity. what could the punishment potentially be - political activity. what could the | punishment potentially be where political activity. what could the - punishment potentially be where the electoral commission to decide there was an issue here? if electoral commission to decide there was an issue here?— was an issue here? if the issue is as i suspect _ was an issue here? if the issue is as i suspect it — was an issue here? if the issue is as i suspect it is _ was an issue here? if the issue is as i suspect it is that _ was an issue here? if the issue is as i suspect it is that the - was an issue here? if the issue is| as i suspect it is that the non-late as i suspect it is that the non—late registration of the loan, then we are talking about a fine for minor breaches. for minor breaches it is in the low hundreds. it might be more than that. if it gets more serious, the fine can theoretically

rise to £20,000. there is also the possibility of the commission going to court if it thinks that there has been deliberate concealment. at that stage, the court can make further orders stripping the donation of the loan away from the recipient, and in effect costing them for the donation of the loan. , ., , , .,, effect costing them for the donation ofthe loan. , ., , , effect costing them for the donation ofthe loan. , ., _ of the loan. obviously, as you say, it is a detailed _ of the loan. obviously, as you say, it is a detailed and _ of the loan. obviously, as you say, it is a detailed and serious - of the loan. obviously, as you say, it is a detailed and serious legal i it is a detailed and serious legal investigation, but do you think that the electoral commission has the teeth it needs? because this can effectively go on for a very long period of time. it effectively go on for a very long period of time.— period of time. it is a serious investigation. _ period of time. it is a serious investigation. no _ period of time. it is a serious investigation. no one - period of time. it is a serious investigation. no one will. period of time. it is a serious investigation. no one will be | period of time. it is a serious l investigation. no one will be in period of time. it is a serious - investigation. no one will be in any doubt about that. the question about whether the fine is high enough, the commission has always said that its powers should be changed to give it the power to make biggerfines, but

in this kind of case, i don't think thatis in this kind of case, i don't think that is an issue. the fines for this kind of offence are not that high. the more serious point is that this would be a person of immense political power in a party of immense political power failing to obey the law, and they should be setting an example, and that should be taken seriously by everyone with regards to how big the fine is. so how problematic potentially could this be for borisjohnson? it how problematic potentially could this be for boris johnson? it could be very serious — this be for boris johnson? it could be very serious indeed. _ this be for boris johnson? it could be very serious indeed. it - this be for boris johnson? it could be very serious indeed. it is - be very serious indeed. it is combined with the problems he has had in the past with their registry of political in chess where he has been accused of complying late with that. it is a pattern of behaviour and the public needs to make a judgment about his character. thank ou ve judgment about his character. thank you very much _ judgment about his character. thank you very much for — judgment about his character. thank you very much forjoining _ judgment about his character. thank you very much forjoining us. - now it's time for a look at the weather with carol.

hello again. the next few days the forecast is one of sunshine and showers, chilly by day and chilly by night. today we've got that mixture of sunshine and showers, many of us, of course, will miss the showers. they could be wintry across the tops of the mountains in scotland and it's going to be a brighter day across southern england and wales than it was yesterday. these white circles represent the average wind speeds so it's not a particular windy day, but the direction is important and once again along this north sea coastline it will feel cool in the north—easterly wind. top temperature's likely to be between 11 and may be 13 degrees. through this evening and overnight, many of the showers will fade, but not all of them and under clear skies it's going to be cold enough once again for a widespread frost. these temperatures that you can see here represent towns and cities. so over the next few days we've got cold nights, frosty starts but a mixture of sunshine and showers but the winds will fall much lighter than they have been.

hello, this is bbc news with joanna gosling. the headlines: labour says the lack of clarity surrounding the refurbishment of the prime minister's downing street flat is becoming "farcical". borisjohnson has pledged to comply with the electoral commission. the jailed kremlin critic, alexei navalny, has appeared in court via video link. it's the first time he's been seen in public since ending his hunger strike. president biden has outlined

a programme to transform the us economy and society after the pandemic, worth almost four trillion dollars. more medical aid is due to arrive in india as the country reports nearly 380,000 new covid cases — the world's highest single—day total. northern ireland's democratic unionist party begins its search for a new leader, after arlene foster announced she would step down. in the past 24 hours, india has recorded a further 3645 deaths from coronavirus, with almost 380,000 new cases. later today, more than a hundred million dollars of aid from the united states will begin arriving. india's health system is under enormous pressure, and now volunteers are stepping in to help tackle the oxygen shortage across the country. in delhi, worshippers have turned the outside of a sikh temple into a drive—thru oxygen centre. piyush nagpal reports.

another new arrival struggling for breath. this woman has just arrived in a rickshaw. but it is not long before she is given help. car after car lining up in this makeshift oxygen drive through. each of them contains someone in desperate need of help. with shortages across the country, the cost of an oxygen

cylinder has surged. but outside this sikh temple worshippers are helping people for free. the volunteers have given oxygen to more than 1600 people so far. increasing numbers of countries are sending oxygen and supplies to india. russia, the uk and the us are all sending aid. but in the meantime, indians

are looking to help themselves. piyush nagpal, bbc news, delhi. the fire safety legislation drawn up in the wake of the grenfell tower disaster has become law, but without the extra protections forflat owners demanded by campaigners and some mps. it means the owners of buildings could pass on the costs of removing cladding to their leaseholders. let's speak now to steph pike who is a leaseholder of a flat in bristol. welcome, thank you very much for joining us. just take us back to when you bought your flat because you bought it after granville and you bought it after granville and you raised questions at that point because you were aware of potential issues. tells what happened. yes. because you were aware of potential issues. tells what happened. yes, so the flat completed _ issues. tells what happened. yes, so the flat completed after _ issues. tells what happened. yes, so the flat completed after gren - issues. tells what happened. yes, so the flat completed after gren fell- the flat completed after gren fell in autumn 2017 and, obviously, as grenfell was in the forefront of

everybody�*s mind, i asked the questions to my solicitor about fire safety and cladding and all the replies came back satisfactory and, obviously, the solicitor is relying on the building sign offered all of that, so everything seemed absolutely fine.— that, so everything seemed absolutely fine. when did you discover it — absolutely fine. when did you discover it wasn't _ absolutely fine. when did you discover it wasn't ok? - absolutely fine. when did you discover it wasn't ok? well, | absolutely fine. when did you i discover it wasn't ok? well, we first discovered _ discover it wasn't ok? well, we first discovered there _ discover it wasn't ok? well, we first discovered there was - discover it wasn't ok? well, we first discovered there was a - discover it wasn't ok? well, we first discovered there was a bit | discover it wasn't ok? well, we i first discovered there was a bit of combustible cladding, a small amount, couple of years ago now but that was going to be easily resolved. but since we have had the external wall surveys, it has come out that there are missing cavity barriers, timber balconies and flammable installation and that resulted in our waking watch being put into effect in november of last year, so it has been five or six months now that we have known the full extent. 50 months now that we have known the full extent. . ,, . . full extent. so the waking watch, that is somebody _ full extent. so the waking watch, that is somebody just _ full extent. so the waking watch, that is somebodyjust being - full extent. so the waking watch, that is somebodyjust being on i

full extent. so the waking watch, - that is somebodyjust being on watch 24-7 that is somebodyjust being on watch 24—7 and that is expensive. what is happening there. we 24-7 and that is expensive. what is happening there-— happening there. we have people riatrollin happening there. we have people patrolling the _ happening there. we have people patrolling the building _ happening there. we have people patrolling the building 24 - happening there. we have people patrolling the building 24 hours i happening there. we have people patrolling the building 24 hours a | patrolling the building 24 hours a day which costs £4500 per week which is out to be quite cheap. some buildings i think are up to 10,000 or £15,000 per week. buildings i think are up to 10,000 or £15,000 perweek. it buildings i think are up to 10,000 or £15,000 per week. it is extortionate and they do not necessarily actually do theirjob. they kind of sit there doing nothing most of the time. haifa they kind of sit there doing nothing most of the time.— most of the time. how much has it personally — most of the time. how much has it personally cost _ most of the time. how much has it personally cost you? _ most of the time. how much has it personally cost you? so _ most of the time. how much has it personally cost you? so my - most of the time. how much has it | personally cost you? so my building is in a very fortunate _ personally cost you? so my building is in a very fortunate position - personally cost you? so my building is in a very fortunate position at - is in a very fortunate position at the moment where our landlord has forward funded a lot of the costs, but that is on the condition that the cost can be recovered from elsewhere and if they are not recoverable this year, we have been told that it will all be added onto our service charge for next year, so i do not know how they will do that. have you been told how much that would be at that point? iilat have you been told how much that would be at that point?— have you been told how much that

would be at that point? not for the wakini would be at that point? not for the waking watch. _ would be at that point? not for the waking watch, but _ would be at that point? not for the waking watch, but in _ would be at that point? not for the waking watch, but in terms - would be at that point? not for the waking watch, but in terms of - would be at that point? not for the waking watch, but in terms of the l waking watch, but in terms of the remediation bill, my personal bill is likely to be in the region of £70,000. mi; is likely to be in the region of £70,000.— is likely to be in the region of £70,000. g ~, ., £70,000. my gosh! as you say, going in and asking — £70,000. my gosh! as you say, going in and asking the _ £70,000. my gosh! as you say, going in and asking the questions _ £70,000. my gosh! as you say, going in and asking the questions because i in and asking the questions because of grenfell, it must be particularly galling for you to now find yourself in this position.— in this position. yes, i mean, i still think— in this position. yes, i mean, i still think it — in this position. yes, i mean, i still think it is _ in this position. yes, i mean, i still think it is completely - still think it is completely unbelievable. some days i am like, is this even happening? i cannot believe it, but i think it's bad for me but it is worse for other people who have been in this situation knowingly for three years now and they have been campaigning but nothing has been done and they have been paying extortionate amounts. some people have even gone bankrupt and it has been so hard for so many people having their service charge raised by thousands of pounds a month. it's... it is an unbelievable situation and i think a lot of

people don't actually believe what is going on and don't believe this could be happening in the uk and that the government will not step into protect us. ii that the government will not step into protect us.— into protect us. if you do have to -a that into protect us. if you do have to pay that bill. _ into protect us. if you do have to pay that bill, how _ into protect us. if you do have to pay that bill, how would - into protect us. if you do have to pay that bill, how would you - into protect us. if you do have to pay that bill, how would you do i into protect us. if you do have to i pay that bill, how would you do it? to be honest, i do not know at the moment. i'm very lucky to have a very supportive family and i would hope they would help me, but i do not think they could afford to pay that much and iama lawyer, so i have a professional qualification that i need to protect and obviously if i have to declare myself bankrupt, i will lose that soy would also lose my career and i am hoping something will happen before i get the bill, but i do not know. ijust do not know. but i do not know. i 'ust do not know. �* but i do not know. i 'ust do not know. . , ., but i do not know. i 'ust do not know. . ., , but i do not know. i 'ust do not know. ., , know. and you cannot sell the flats, like everyone _ know. and you cannot sell the flats, like everyone else _ know. and you cannot sell the flats, like everyone else in _ know. and you cannot sell the flats, like everyone else in these - know. and you cannot sell the flats, like everyone else in these blocks, i like everyone else in these blocks, you are stuck. like everyone else in these blocks, you are stuck-— like everyone else in these blocks, you are stuck. yes, so pretty much i

think every — you are stuck. yes, so pretty much i think every leaseholder _ you are stuck. yes, so pretty much i think every leaseholder or _ you are stuck. yes, so pretty much i think every leaseholder or flat - think every leaseholder or flat owner in the country at the moment cannot sell their flat because lenders will not lend on them, so lenders will not lend on them, so lenders are valuing them at zero so the only way to get out of this is to sell to a cash buyer for a the only way to get out of this is to sell to a cash buyerfor a huge discount and it is just such a waste for all these people who have been paying their mortgages for years to just lose all of that money. what paying their mortgages for years to just lose all of that money. what do ou think just lose all of that money. what do you think about _ just lose all of that money. what do you think about the _ just lose all of that money. what do you think about the government's i you think about the government's response? you think about the government's res-onse? . , , response? last night, i 'ust... it came as a — response? last night, i 'ust... it came as a devastating _ response? last night, ijust... it came as a devastating blow - response? last night, ijust... it came as a devastating blow and | response? last night, ijust... it| came as a devastating blow and i think i speak behalf of hundreds of thousands of leaseholders when i say that we have been campaigning... i have only been campaigning for about five months, but some people have been campaigning since grenfell now and ijust feel like been campaigning since grenfell now and i just feel like all we been campaigning since grenfell now and ijust feel like all we have put in, so much work, and it has not all gone to waste because it has raised awareness of the issue, but, yeah, i am devastated, just exhausted and it

is a crushing blow to everyone. what is a crushing blow to everyone. what would ou is a crushing blow to everyone. what would you say _ is a crushing blow to everyone. what would you say to _ is a crushing blow to everyone. what would you say to the _ is a crushing blow to everyone. what would you say to the government? i | would you say to the government? i would you say to the government? i would say please listen, please listen to our cries for help because at the moment, we do not feel like... yes, there are conservative backbenchers who have listened to us and are really supportive, labour and are really supportive, labour and the lib dems and there are so many people who are fighting for us and lots of the lords, but we just do not seem to be able to get through to the top of the government and i do not know what it is, i do not know why they will not help us. we have not asked the task pair to bail as out, wejust we have not asked the task pair to bail as out, we just want those who are responsible for the issues to pgy- are responsible for the issues to pay. there are many negligent parties and we want them to pay, not the taxpayer and leaseholders are taxpayers which the government seems to keep forgetting. but i would say please listen to our cries for help, please listen to our cries for help, please just help us because so many

people cannot hang on, people are facing these costs now and we need help. we do. please help us. star; help. we do. please help us. stay with us because _ help. we do. please help us. stay with us because we _ help. we do. please help us. stay with us because we will now speak to the conservative mp for stevenage. let's speak to the conservative mp for stevenage. who's been a strong campaigner on this issue. steph speaking the air about her frustrations and you are an mp who she mentioned is onside. what is your response to the government's decisions on this? i your response to the government's decisions on this?— decisions on this? i mean, it is absolutely _ decisions on this? i mean, it is absolutely devastating, - decisions on this? i mean, it is absolutely devastating, as - decisions on this? i mean, it is i absolutely devastating, as steph decisions on this? i mean, it is - absolutely devastating, as steph has said. absolutely devastating, as steph has said you _ absolutely devastating, as steph has said. you can hear the absolutely devastating, as steph has said. you can hearthe pain in her voicer _ said. you can hearthe pain in her voice. you— said. you can hearthe pain in her voice. you can— said. you can hearthe pain in her voice, you can tell she is fighting back— voice, you can tell she is fighting back her— voice, you can tell she is fighting back her tears. in terms of the mental— back her tears. in terms of the mental health for hundreds of thousands of leaseholders up—and—down be country, it is a hammer— up—and—down be country, it is a hammer blow. absolutely awful. it is shameful, _ hammer blow. absolutely awful. it is shameful, shamefulwhat hammer blow. absolutely awful. it is shameful, shameful what the government has done and i am shocked and astonished and you can tell i am upset _ and astonished and you can tell i am upset about—

and astonished and you can tell i am upset about it. we have fought and done _ upset about it. we have fought and done everything we possibly can. it showed _ done everything we possibly can. it showed the best of the lords and the woral— showed the best of the lords and the worst of— showed the best of the lords and the worst of the house of commons. it was horrific— worst of the house of commons. it was horrific to leaseholders up—and—down the country. from my point _ up—and—down the country. from my point of— up—and—down the country. from my point of view, — up—and—down the country. from my point of view, a strong message to all the _ point of view, a strong message to all the leaseholders listening, do not give — all the leaseholders listening, do not give up, do not stop opening. we are iiot— not give up, do not stop opening. we are not giving up, we will not give up are not giving up, we will not give up campaigning, we will fight to ensure— up campaigning, we will fight to ensure we have fairness for leaseholders. nobody realises except or accept _ leaseholders. nobody realises except or accept that this is right. no one believes— or accept that this is right. no one believes this is how to move forward and steph _ believes this is how to move forward and steph said, she has not got £70,000 — and steph said, she has not got £70,000 to make her building say. what _ £70,000 to make her building say. what has _ £70,000 to make her building say. what has happened not going to make the building safe up and down the country _ the building safe up and down the country. we need to look at a risk-based _ country. we need to look at a risk—based assessment and a whole variety— risk—based assessment and a whole variety of— risk—based assessment and a whole variety of other issues and there are a _ variety of other issues and there are a lot — variety of other issues and there are a lot of— variety of other issues and there are a lot of solutions, but as steph has rightly— are a lot of solutions, but as steph has rightly said, you know, the government chose not to listen at the very— government chose not to listen at the very last minute and we know that there — the very last minute and we know that there are huge numbers of mps, including _ that there are huge numbers of mps, including cabinet ministers, who are basically— including cabinet ministers, who are basically pleading with them to actually— basically pleading with them to actually do some kind of compromise

and help— actually do some kind of compromise and help leaseholders. so actually do some kind of compromise and help leaseholders.— and help leaseholders. so you said ou will and help leaseholders. so you said you will keep _ and help leaseholders. so you said you will keep fighting, _ and help leaseholders. so you said you will keep fighting, but - and help leaseholders. so you said you will keep fighting, but what. and help leaseholders. so you said | you will keep fighting, but what can be done now? 50 you will keep fighting, but what can be done now?— be done now? so realistically, the government _ be done now? so realistically, the government has _ be done now? so realistically, the government has actually - be done now? so realistically, the government has actually not - be done now? so realistically, the| government has actually not come forward _ government has actually not come forward with any detail on the schemes— forward with any detail on the schemes that they said they were going _ schemes that they said they were going to — schemes that they said they were going to deliver for leaseholders to help. _ going to deliver for leaseholders to help. so— going to deliver for leaseholders to help, so for example, although leaseholders were opposed to the loan scheme which i fully understand because _ loan scheme which i fully understand because of— loan scheme which i fully understand because of the impact on their potential— because of the impact on their potential property values going forward, — potential property values going forward, one of the things the government could do is recognise the cladding _ government could do is recognise the cladding is— government could do is recognise the cladding is only one part of the historic— cladding is only one part of the historic fire safety defect and therefore it could apply to all historic— therefore it could apply to all historic fire safety defects so instead — historic fire safety defects so instead of steph having to find £70,000 up front, it could be just £50 a _ £70,000 up front, it could be just £50 a month. whether leaseholders accepted _ £50 a month. whether leaseholders accepted that or not is a different matter. _ accepted that or not is a different matter, but it shows there is still an option. — matter, but it shows there is still an option, still summer to fight. another— an option, still summer to fight. another thing we could do is with the building safety fund, the

government is putting forward another— government is putting forward another £5 million in saying that is 'ust another £5 million in saying that is just for— another £5 million in saying that is just for cladding. again, we could widen— just for cladding. again, we could widen the — just for cladding. again, we could widen the scope as they actually that was— widen the scope as they actually that was for any historic fire safety— that was for any historic fire safety defects so that could also be done _ safety defects so that could also be done as _ safety defects so that could also be done. as steph rightly pointed out, on polluter— done. as steph rightly pointed out, on polluter pays, what you could also say — on polluter pays, what you could also say is — on polluter pays, what you could also say is what we have said all along, _ also say is what we have said all along, the — also say is what we have said all along, the government provides a safety— along, the government provides a safety net — along, the government provides a safety net so they can maybe provide upfront _ safety net so they can maybe provide upfront monies for the freeholders so they— upfront monies for the freeholders so they could get the works done and then the _ so they could get the works done and then the money be recouped back through— then the money be recouped back through the people who are responsible for top at the end of the day. — responsible for top at the end of the day, whether it was the developers, insurance companies, building _ developers, insurance companies, building regulators, we have always said it _ building regulators, we have always said it was — building regulators, we have always said it was going to cost, say, £20 billion, _ said it was going to cost, say, £20 billion, if— said it was going to cost, say, £20 billion, ifthe said it was going to cost, say, £20 billion, if the government provided the nioney— billion, if the government provided the money up front and then the nioney_ the money up front and then the money was collected through levies over the _ money was collected through levies over the next ten years, £2 billion per year. — over the next ten years, £2 billion per year. it— over the next ten years, £2 billion per year, it would be cost neutral for the _ per year, it would be cost neutral for the taxpayer and we would also have made — for the taxpayer and we would also have made all of our buildings safe. there _ have made all of our buildings safe. there is— have made all of our buildings safe. there is lots — have made all of our buildings safe. there is lots a lot we can do around risk _ there is lots a lot we can do around risk at _ there is lots a lot we can do around risk at the — there is lots a lot we can do around risk. at the moment, there are people — risk. at the moment, there are people being incredibly conservative around _ people being incredibly conservative around the risk, so if there is a

wooden — around the risk, so if there is a wooden balcony, it is being treated as though — wooden balcony, it is being treated as though it has cladding because technically the balcony is cladding, but the _ technically the balcony is cladding, but the fire risk from that is very limited. — but the fire risk from that is very limited, but they are treated exactly — limited, but they are treated exactly the same as if they are on the top _ exactly the same as if they are on the top of— exactly the same as if they are on the top of a — exactly the same as if they are on the top of a 35 story tower, so there — the top of a 35 story tower, so there is— the top of a 35 story tower, so there is a _ the top of a 35 story tower, so there is a lot to be done and we 'ust there is a lot to be done and we just need — there is a lot to be done and we just need to keep pushing and pressing — just need to keep pushing and pressing to make sure things are done _ pressing to make sure things are done to— pressing to make sure things are done to give leaseholders hope and the government is going to bring forward — the government is going to bring forward their building safety bill and we — forward their building safety bill and we will be back in the same place _ and we will be back in the same place trying to amend that and get fairness _ place trying to amend that and get fairness and justice for leaseholders.- fairness and justice for leaseholders. . . ., . fairness and justice for leaseholders. ,, , ,, , , leaseholders. steph, stephen is sa ini leaseholders. steph, stephen is saying that _ leaseholders. steph, stephen is saying that it — leaseholders. steph, stephen is saying that it is _ leaseholders. steph, stephen is saying that it is not _ leaseholders. steph, stephen is saying that it is not over - leaseholders. steph, stephen is saying that it is not over and - leaseholders. steph, stephen is. saying that it is not over and there are more things that can be done. how consuming has this been for you and for the other leaseholders in the same position who you know? can i 'ust start the same position who you know? can ijust start by saying thank you i just start by saying thank you very, very much to stephen for everything he has done to fight on our behalf. we are so, so grateful to you. in terms of, it is all consuming. this week, for example, i have spent every single evening either in meetings with my building

about things orjust, yeah, watching the lords, watching the house of commons and it is just taking over my life at the moment and i feel like i do not do or talk about anything other than cladding, so, yeah, ifeel like this is anything other than cladding, so, yeah, i feel like this is a anything other than cladding, so, yeah, ifeel like this is a long, long battle that we have our hands and it is going to be like this for some time to come. it and it is going to be like this for some time to come.— and it is going to be like this for some time to come. it will be over one da . some time to come. it will be over one day- i — some time to come. it will be over one day- i know— some time to come. it will be over one day. i know you _ some time to come. it will be over one day. i know you know- some time to come. it will be over one day. i know you know that, . some time to come. it will be over| one day. i know you know that, but it is horrible when you are going through something. we wish you all the very best, steph, thank you very much forjoining us and stephen mcpartland, thank you. the united nations says it is facing an 85% cut in uk funding for its family planning programme. since 2014, the uk has been the world's biggest donor to the un population fund, which provides contraceptives and maternal health care to millions of women globally but the government has now told the fund it will receive £23 million rather than the £154 million originally agreed. in 2019, the government spent

a total of £14.6 billion on international aid, with the three countries receiving the the greatest share of that money being pakistan, ethiopia and afghanistan. but the government is cutting aid spending from 0.7% of total national income to 0.5%. that 0.2% cut means to a reduction of more than £4 billion for aid programmes, but would still make the uk the second largest aid donor in the g7 group of major economies. so what impact for the un's population fund? it helps people in more than 40 of the world's poorest countries, including places affected by humanitarian crises, like syria, yemen and bangladesh. it's estimated by the population fund itself that the reduction of £130 million for the would have helped prevent the deaths of about 250,000 mothers and children, as well as 14.6 million unintended pregnancies, and 4.3 million unsafe abortions.

some development economists consider that funding family planning programmes is a cost—effective way of protecting the health of people around the world. for example, the copehnagen consensus center think—tank says that if international targets for sexual health and contraception provision were met, it could return up to £120 in benefits for every pound spent. lets speak now to the labour mp, sarah champion, chair of the international development select committee. thank you very much forjoining us. what do you say to the government on this? i what do you say to the government on this? . , . , . . , . this? i am 'ust appalled and ashamed and reall this? i am just appalled and ashamed and really in — this? i am just appalled and ashamed and really in shock— this? i am just appalled and ashamed and really in shock that _ this? i am just appalled and ashamed and really in shock that the _ and really in shock that the government have decided to put these cuts on the absolute poorest women in the world. what it has effectively done is taking away any choice for them. the choice of when to have children, if to have children, but also it has put them in great danger because, as you mentioned, the high risk of maternal

deaths but also what we have seen during the pandemic is, in a number of countries, girls are being taken out of school, are being put into forced marriage, or having fgm carried out on them and to then not have the safety of contraception, of good health care around them when they have gone through that horror, they have gone through that horror, the likelihood of them being able to rebuild their lives is very, very slim and ijust can't... i can't understand the government's logic and, as you said, we have always been very highly praised for the value for money and also the reach that our programme has had around family planning and women and children's health, so to take that away at the time of a global pandemicjust seems incredibly pandemic just seems incredibly short—sighted pandemicjust seems incredibly short—sighted and a painful choice that has been made. essen short-sighted and a painful choice that has been made.— short-sighted and a painful choice that has been made. even with the cut, the that has been made. even with the cut. the 0.2% _ that has been made. even with the cut, the 0.296 overall _

that has been made. even with the cut, the 0.296 overall cut, - that has been made. even with the cut, the 0.296 overall cut, £4 - cut, the 0.2% overall cut, £4 billion overall cut to aid programmes, the uk is still the second largest donor in the g7 group of major economies. in that context, is it fair enough to rebalance things, try to rebalance things? absolutely. i mean, the cuts were made last summer to reflect the economy dropping and that was fair, but what happened in the budget was a political choice was made to cut that budget even further. and to give a bit of context, the budget itself was very generous, £15 billion, and the government have chosen to take one third of that but thatis chosen to take one third of that but that is a lot of money and when you look at things like, i don't know, the track and trace scheme that we have had, that has cost £37 billion, so actually, the 4—5,000,000,000 which had such a global reach was such a small amount in the grand scheme of things but a very significant amount that on the

people it impacted on and also our global standing. because of our aid budget, we have always had a very strong reputation internationally as a country that has morals, does the right thing, stepped in when people are in need and at a time when the uk. brexit is trying to rebuild those relationships, particularly relating to trade, to do anything that damages that hard—won reputation is incredible short—sighted for the country and i just do not see the logic of it. you even have the chair of the defence select committee saying that cutting aid put the country at more risk in terms of security, so it is incredibly short—sighted, what they are doing, not to mention the immediate damaging effect it is going to have on the individuals on the ground. going to have on the individuals on the ground-— the ground. thank you, sarah champion- — china has launched the first module for its new space station as part of the country's ambitious space programme. a rocket blasted off from the wenchang launch facility on an island off china's southern coast.

it's carrying a module which houses life support systems and living space for the space station's crew. the facility is expected to be fully operational by next year. our china correspondent stephen mcdonell has more from beijing. china's ambitious space programme is unfolding before our very eyes. china was locked out of being part of that international space station and, as a result, just decided to build its own, and so now, well, by next year assuming it all goes to plan, it will be the only country with its own space station. we saw the first module go up there today, as you mentioned, two more modules have to be attached to it. 11 missions in total — four, i think, with astronauts on board, fourjust are carrying cargo, and at the end of that, yeah, china will have its own space station orbiting the earth. certainly china's achievements in space play a really important

role in the propaganda here but, then again, why wouldn't they? i mean, china launched its first satellite in the '70s but it wasn't until 2003 that it put the first person into space and then since then it has come along in leaps and bounds. now, people will be drawing conclusions to the cold war space race. given that china was sort of locked out of the international, you know, lab programme, has built its own space station and now has these other ambitions — they are talking mars, they are talking about building a lunar space station with russia, and all of this, of course, like in every country, serves to also justify to the public the enormous amounts of money which are going into these programmes. you can imagine how much it costs to build a space station and maintain it. i think once it's built, it will last for at least

ten years, we are told. and funnily enough, if the international space station comes to an end when it was predicted to, we could see a situation where china has the only space station still operating in orbit around the earth. the duke and duchess of cambridge are celebrating their tenth wedding anniversary today and to mark the occasion they've released a new photograph. a decade ago, two billion people around the world tuned in to watch william and catherine get married at westminster abbey. street parties and celebrations took place across the uk to mark the event. graham satchell has been talking to people about their memories of the big day. april 29, 2011, exactly ten years ago and the marriage of prince william to kate middleton. the wedding watched by an estimated 2

billion people worldwide. across the country, in time—honoured fashion, the great british street party. you need to stop _ the great british street party. ym. need to stop your! the great british street party. you need to stop your! jack _ the great british street party. you need to stop your! jack was - the great british street party. you need to stop your! jack was just i need to stop your! jack was 'ust ei . ht at need to stop your! jack was 'ust eight at the fi need to stop your! jack was 'ust eight at the time. i need to stop your! jack was 'ust eight at the time. i i need to stop your! jack was 'ust eight at the time. i was i need to stop your! jack was just eight at the time. i was going i need to stop your! jack was just| eight at the time. i was going to hyperventilate- _ eight at the time. i was going to hyperventilate. because - eight at the time. i was going to hyperventilate. because maggie j hyperventilate. because maggie helped to organise his street party, doing his best not to get too stressed. calm down, you are going to hyperventilate. it was such a good day. everyone was out on the street, we had auctions going on, raffles, cake going out to everyone. the royal wedding, everyone wanted to get involved. we were all sat in the front room and the atmosphere was just so happy and everyone was happy for the wedding. it was literally like a fairy tale, it was. so make what has it been like you today? a fantastic day. i’m

so make what has it been like you today? a fantastic day. i'm caroline and this is my _ today? a fantastic day. i'm caroline and this is my husband, _ today? a fantastic day. i'm caroline and this is my husband, trevor, - today? a fantastic day. i'm caroline | and this is my husband, trevor, and we got _ and this is my husband, trevor, and we got married _ and this is my husband, trevor, and we got married ten— and this is my husband, trevor, and we got married ten years _ and this is my husband, trevor, and we got married ten years ago - and this is my husband, trevor, and we got married ten years ago on - and this is my husband, trevor, and| we got married ten years ago on the 29th of— we got married ten years ago on the 29th of aprii — we got married ten years ago on the 29th of aprii it— we got married ten years ago on the 29th of april. it was _ we got married ten years ago on the 29th of april. it was pretty - 29th of april. it was pretty magical, _ 29th of april. it was pretty magical, i_ 29th of april. it was pretty magical, i think, _ 29th of april. it was pretty magical, i think, becausel 29th of april. it was pretty - magical, i think, because there was all the _ magical, i think, because there was all the hype — magical, ! think, because there was all the hype of— magical, i think, because there was all the hype of the _ magical, ! think, because there was all the hype of the royal— magical, i think, because there was all the hype of the royal wedding. i all the hype of the royal wedding. there _ all the hype of the royal wedding. there had — all the hype of the royal wedding. there had been— all the hype of the royal wedding. there had been the _ all the hype of the royal wedding. there had been the big _ all the hype of the royal wedding. there had been the big lead - all the hype of the royal wedding. there had been the big lead up i all the hype of the royal wedding. there had been the big lead up to| there had been the big lead up to the day— there had been the big lead up to the day and — there had been the big lead up to the day and we _ there had been the big lead up to the day and we watched - there had been the big lead up to the day and we watched the - there had been the big lead up to- the day and we watched the wedding. i am a _ the day and we watched the wedding. i am a royaiist~ — the day and we watched the wedding. i am a royalist. trevor— the day and we watched the wedding. i am a royalist. trevor quite - the day and we watched the wedding. i am a royalist. trevor quite likes- i am a royalist. trevor quite likes the royal— i am a royalist. trevor quite likes the royal family, _ i am a royalist. trevor quite likes the royal family, too, _ i am a royalist. trevor quite likes the royal family, too, but - i am a royalist. trevor quite likes the royal family, too, but i - i am a royalist. trevor quite likes the royal family, too, but i am i i am a royalist. trevor quite likesl the royal family, too, but i am so picture _ the royal family, too, but i am so picture and — the royal family, too, but i am so picture and just— the royal family, too, but i am so picture. and just loved _ the royal family, too, but i am so picture. and just loved the - the royal family, too, but i am so i picture. and just loved the moment watching _ picture. and just loved the moment watching kate _ picture. and just loved the moment watching kate, her— picture. and just loved the moment watching kate, her dress, - picture. and just loved the moment watching kate, her dress, her- picture. and just loved the moment watching kate, her dress, her hair, | watching kate, her dress, her hair, her nrake— watching kate, her dress, her hair, her make up. — watching kate, her dress, her hair, her make up, absolutely— watching kate, her dress, her hair, | her make up, absolutely everything was flawless — her make up, absolutely everything was flawless. she _ her make up, absolutely everything was flawless. she looked _ her make up, absolutely everything was flawless. she looked beautiful. and then _ was flawless. she looked beautiful. and then we — was flawless. she looked beautiful. and then we just _ was flawless. she looked beautiful. and then we just had _ was flawless. she looked beautiful. and then we just had a _ was flawless. she looked beautiful. and then we just had a wonderful. and then we just had a wonderful day. and then we 'ust had a wonderful da . ~ . . , and then we 'ust had a wonderful da. ~. and then we 'ust had a wonderful da. ., and then we 'ust had a wonderful da. ~. ., day. much has happened to the royal famil in day. much has happened to the royal family in the — day. much has happened to the royal family in the last _ day. much has happened to the royal family in the last ten _ day. much has happened to the royal family in the last ten years, - day. much has happened to the royal family in the last ten years, but - day. much has happened to the royal family in the last ten years, but in - family in the last ten years, but in what was an age of austerity, the royal wedding a decade ago was a moment of escape and celebration. in a moment, the bbc news at one with clive myrie, but first it's time for a look at the weather with carol. hello again.

every night in april so far has had a frost and tonight, once again, we're going to see another one. the forecast for the next few days is one of sunshine and showers and also chilly. now, what's happening is yesterday's low pressure is now across the near continent. it's taken its rain with it and we are looking at a mixture of sunshine and showers. but with the north—easterly wind, we're going to have a colder day across the board. yesterday, we hit highs of 15 degrees in suffolk. today, we're not going to get anything like that and it is a mixture of sunshine and showers. the winds, as you can see here, these are the average wind speeds, not particularly strong. the gusts will be a little higher, but it will feel cool along the north sea coastline. because of the low temperatures, that cold feel is accentuated by the wind. inland, we're looking at highs of 12 or 13 degrees. through this evening and overnight, many, but not all of the showers will fade and we will see further showers across the north—west of scotland. some of those will be wintry on the tops of the mountains. these are the temperatures you can

expect in towns and cities. in rural areas, they will be lower, so another widespread frost. but under the clear skies, tomorrow will dawn on a bright note with a fair bit of sunshine, but like today, we will see further showers develop, maybe the chance of seeing them across southern areas tomorrow as well and our temperatures getting up to 13 degrees. still cool along the north coastline but tomorrow through the day, the wind will slowly start to ease and you can see friday into saturday, look at those isobars, a distinct lack of them on the charts, so the winds will be lighter again on saturday. we start off on a cold and frosty note, a lot of dry weather, a fair bit of sunshine but it won't take too long until the showers are to develop. a lot of them in the north, the west and the south. feeling better along the north sea coastline with highs here up to 11 degrees. into sunday, again, another cold and frosty start for some of us, showers getting going through the course of the day, light winds as well and temperatures a little bit higher. we are looking at up

to 14 degrees by then. of course, monday is a bank holiday and on monday, we are looking at this quite deep area of low pressure coming in from the atlantic and it looks like it's going to bring with it some significant rain and strong winds, but the northern extent of it is still open to question.

today at one... borisjohnson insists he will comply with any investigation into the funding of renovations for his downing street flat. but he declined to say whether the findings of the new adviser on ministerial standards would be made public. i don't think there's anything to... ..to see here or to worry about, but what we are doing is focusing on the stuff that really matters. i think this is getting a bit farcical. i think the prime minister could actually deal with this very, very quickly. all he's got to do is answer a very simple question. we'll have the very latest from westminster. also this lunchtime... leaseholders may still have to foot the bill to remove dangerous cladding from buildings, as new fire safety rules after the grenfell tragedy become law.