this is bbc news. i'm clive myrie at holyrood. the headlines at five on the last day of campaigning in a series of elections across england, scotland and wales... millions of people will head to the polls tomorrow for the biggest set of national and local elections in 50 years. voters in scotland and wales will elect members of their devolved parliaments both here at holyrood, and at cardiff bay. in england, the control of 143 local authorities will be decided. there's also a crucial by—election in hartlepool. and i'm ben brown. the other main stories this hour... kent police appeal to the public for new information as they release a new image of pc50 julia james in the same clothes she wore

the day she was last seen. a covid scare hits the g7 summit in london, with the entire indian delegation self—isolating after two of them test positive for coronavirus. the prime minister has arrived at the talks. the first of their kind to take place, face—to—face, for more than two years. the government prepares for a booster vaccination campaign in the autumn as official figures show the number of covid deaths in the uk has reached its lowest level since last september. and the multi—billion pound project to save the world's coral reefs from overfishing and climate change.

a very good afternoon to you. it's five o'clock. we're at holyrood in edinburgh on the final day of campaigning in a series of elections across great britain. only northern ireland won't be going to the polls. the voting tomorrow represents the biggest set of local and national elections in almost half a century. political parties here in scotland are making theirfinal push ahead of elections to the holyrood parliament. voters will elect 129 msps, with the campaigning this year looking a little different. and polling day and the count will also be unusual, as lorna gordon explains. getting ready for tomorrow's vote. constructing booths, cleaning surfaces. pandemic procedures mean polling stations like this one in glasgow will be a little different

this time around. there'll be screens to protect staff and voters... that will have to go at the front there. ..familiar one—way systems, and the number of people in a polling station at any one time will be limited. outside the polling stations, we will also have marshals who will welcome voters to the polling station. we do expect that there will be an element of queueing required. it's something we've got very used to over the last year, going to supermarkets and the like, so they'll have to ensure that physical distancing is maintained throughout that whole period of the poll day, from seven in the morning till 10.00 at night. in glasgow alone, 250,000 single—use pencils have been bought to reduce the risk of infection, and for those who are having to self—isolate, their part in the democratic process is assured. you'll still be able to vote, you'll be able to apply for what's known as an emergency proxy. if you have to self—isolate because of covid reasons, even on polling day, you can apply for one up to 5pm on polling day,

and you appoint someone to vote on your behalf. and that is common to england, wales and scotland. counting won't start till 9.00 on friday morning. ballot boxes will be disinfected and then guarded overnight. and that won't be the only change. the counts will look and feel very different this year. the officials counting the ballot papers are much more spread out, and instead of seeing a huddle of party agents looking over their shoulders, seeing which way the vote is going, they all have to keep their distance, and their numbers are vastly reduced. the hubble and bubble of the count centre, with politicians talking to each other and masses of people, that won't happen. because we have to spread people out, we are using largely the same buildings, it means you can have fewer people in the building, so that includes counting staff, so that is the real reason why it's going to take longer than normal. it will be saturday before the final result in scotland becomes clear. the new intake here

will have their work cut out, though, with covid recovery, and the question of another referendum on scottish independence dominating the debate. lorna gordon, bbc news. strange days indeed. joining me from aboyne, in aberdeenshire, is lorraine mackie, who opposes independence for scotland. let's take a look now at what's at stake in england — where 4,650 council seats are being contested across 143 local authorities. 13 directly elected mayors are being selected, including for london where 25 seats are also up for grabs in the city's assembly. elsewhere, all eyes will be on hartlepool where there's a parliamentary by—election to choose a new mp. voters across england and wales will also have the chance to select a total of 39 new police and crime commissioners. 0ur political correspondent helen catt has a round up of a frantic day of campaign

visits around england. it's being called super thursday. tomorrow, voters in england will choose who is in charge of services like policing, social care, recycling and mending the roads. because of covid, it will be a bumper set of elections, unlike any other, but the pressure on the political parties to do well remains the same. i've got five plus one, is that...? there's particular scrutiny on how the numbers add up for labour. keir starmer, at a food bank in pontefract this morning, is facing his first public test of opinion as leader. he's under pressure for labour to win in areas where the tories took seats from them in the general election. what we need across the country are labour candidates from their communities, of their communities, that are going to stand up against this government, and that's the choice before the country tomorrow. there is also a by—election to choose a new mp for hartlepool. labour has represented it since 1974, so anything other than a win would be very difficult for sir keir. morning, everybody. morning, morning, morning. for the conservatives,

these elections are largely about staying on track. how they perform with voters in places like the midlands and in northern england will be key, as they try to make sure that gains at the general election weren't a one—off. these are a very important set of elections and the choice i think is clear, between, you know, the labour opposition who seem absolutely determined to continue to play political games, and government, that is getting on with our agenda. who gets elected as councillors, mayors, police and crime commissioners, will have an influence on everyday life. but it has a political impact, too, and these results will be watched very closely at westminster. out in london, the greens. they've gained seats in recent local elections and hope to go further. we stood up for those that have no voice, those who have been neglected by local authorities, we've given them a platform to be heard, and people have appreciated that and people have voted green. a whole bunch of second places really isn't going to deliver the change that we need.

also in london, the lib dems. they've struggled to gain in recent elections, and hope their traditional strength in local campaigning will see them advance. we have had a weird election campaign because of the pandemic, and we've not been able to get on the doors as much as we would have liked to, but when we have managed to talk to people, they're responding positively to the liberal democrat message, because we are community politicians, people know that people know that if they get a liberal democrat councillor, things get done. ultimately, it is the voters who will decide, when the polls open tomorrow. helen catt, bbc news. back to their situation here in scotland our political correspondent is with me. they're calling tomorrow super thursday. you could potentially be a super thursday for here in scotland? —— who could it be a super thursday for? what is the possibility the snp could get that

majority they crave in order to push for a second referendum? it is majority they crave in order to push for a second referendum?— majority they crave in order to push for a second referendum? it is a big cuestion, for a second referendum? it is a big question. can _ for a second referendum? it is a big question, can the _ for a second referendum? it is a big question, can the snp _ for a second referendum? it is a big question, can the snp when - for a second referendum? it is a big question, can the snp when 65 - for a second referendum? it is a big question, can the snp when 65 or l question, can the snp when 65 or more seats in there which were given the power to do what they want domestically and, they think, give them a much stronger mandate for another independence referendum. if you meet anybody that tells you they know the answer, don't believe them. there is a lot at stake and a lot at play here. it is very tight. there a different pulse of adjusting different pulse of adjusting different things. nobody in any of the parties is prepared to call it. i've been on the phone this afternoon. there are many people nervous about what the result will look like on friday. but it matters notjust in scotland but across the uk as well, one of those results that will, like hartlepool, the watch very closely in downing street. although the prime minister is planning to say no to another referendum and he's made that clear again today, if the snp have a majority or there is a pro independence or pro—referendum

majority in there, it changes things. it puts us back in a place well in these parties will continue to argue that they have the right to hold another referendum. it raises all sorts of questions about the democratic decision making process if borisjohnson were to continue to say no to that. in the last few hours of campaigning the snp and nicola sturgeon is dotted around the country trying to wean off del might persuade voters in the final few seas that would get them over the line to back her party. —— trying to win or persuade voters. at the same time, the liberal democrats are trying to persuade people to vote tactically and think about the union when they go to the ballot box tomorrow. there is a lot more at stake here in this place is important and makes big decisions in peoples lives. however the first minister is a monday will have to make one about lockdown easing, the thing that is a lot of people's mines around edinburgh today, but

this is a really important election and what happens over the next 2a hours or so it really matters. fiur hours or so it really matters. our olitical hours or so it really matters. 0ur political correspondent there and it is, of course, the last day of campaigning for elections to the senate in wales as well. all 60 seats having contention. —— senedd. all 60 seats at the senedd or welsh parliament are in contention. the senedd — based at cardiff bay — looks after devolved issues such as education, health and transport. if you are in england, scotland or wales you can find out what elections are in your area by entering your postcode into the tool on our website or the bbc app. now back to ben in the studio. thanks very much indeed, clive.

other news, now. the entire indian delegation to the g7 meetings in london is self—isolating after two members tested positive for covid—19. the news came as foreign ministers re—convened for the last day of the talks, which had been hailed as a return to face—to—face diplomacy. in the past few minutes, the prime minister borisjohnson has arrived at summit — and the labour leader sir kier starmer says the two covid cases show questions should be asked about the summit, as our diplomatic correspondent james landale reports. i had a very good meeting... this is the indian foreign minister, subrahmanyamjaishankar, meeting his american counterpart in london on monday, using his invitation to this week's g7 meeting to do some rare face—to—face diplomacy. he also met the home secretary, priti patel, yesterday. and in theory, he was supposed to join the official g7 talks this morning here at lancaster house, but then this. in a tweet, he said he was made aware yesterday evening of his exposure to possible covid positive cases. "as a measure of abundant caution, i decided to conduct my engagements in the virtual mode."

india has been suffering grievously from the pandemic in recent weeks, and it appears that two junior officials may have travelled while infected. the indian delegation has not yet attended any meetings at lancaster house, where the foreign office has imposed tight covid rules, but the cases were detected during mandatory daily tests yesterday morning. officials said that after an intensive test and trace exercise, public health england said the meeting could continue, to the prime minister's relief. we have a very important relationship with india, with our g7 partners. as i understand it, what has happened is that the individuals concerned, they are all isolating now, and i will be seeing the indian foreign minister later on this afternoon, but that will be a zoom exchange, i am given to understand. so, this morning, the indian ministerjoined the meeting in the traditional way — by video link.

officials say the discovery of these two cases show the effectiveness of the tight regulations they put in place. but it will surely raise questions about whether it is too early for face—to—face diplomacy like this, and whether future planned international meetings should go ahead in person as planned. and so, today's meeting continued. top of the agenda? yes, the covid pandemic. james landale, bbc news. the government has released the latest coronavirus figures for the uk. it shows that 2,144 people have tested positive for the virus in the latest 24 hour period. there were also a further 27 deaths — that's within 28 days of a positive coronavirus test. and almost 34.8 million people have now had their first vaccination dose. the government is preparing to give booster jabs this autumn,

to help fight off another wave of coronavirus. there are reports that people over 50 and those with underlying health conditions, may be offered a third vaccination later on in the year. meanwhile the government has also promised almost £30 million to fast—track the development of vaccines which can deal with new variants of the virus. let's speak now with drjennifer rohn, cell biologist at university college london. thanks for being with us and, first of all, let's talk about that important research which is being funded by the government to make sure that vaccines can keep track of these new variants. how important is that? it these new variants. how important is that? ., , ., these new variants. how important is that? ., y ., . that? it was not very important. we have all been _ that? it was not very important. we have all been following _ that? it was not very important. we have all been following with - have all been following with interest these various variants p°ppin9 interest these various variants p°pping up interest these various variants popping up all over the place. variation with coronavirus is quite normal but there are quite a few that are of concern and it is theoretically possible that some of these might be able to escape from our current vaccines, so it's really important that we are always one step ahead of this virus and that we

can create vaccines that will be effective in the future. and can create vaccines that will be effective in the future. and create them pretty _ effective in the future. and create them pretty quickly. _ effective in the future. and create them pretty quickly. when - effective in the future. and create them pretty quickly. when a - effective in the future. and create them pretty quickly. when a newl them pretty quickly. when a new variant pops up, you need to speed on your side. it is variant pops up, you need to speed on your side-— on your side. it is true. we have a a treat on your side. it is true. we have a a great situation _ on your side. it is true. we have a a great situation where _ on your side. it is true. we have a a great situation where a - on your side. it is true. we have a a great situation where a lot - on your side. it is true. we have a a great situation where a lot of. on your side. it is true. we have a | a great situation where a lot of the vaccines are now plum in place because you basically swap out the old pattern but in the new part but it is not that simple because we still have to test them, not like we could just happen to people. we are going to have to do some tests, not on the scale of the first wave of vaccines but will still have to do that. it might take six weeks to do the research and development to swap in one of these new development vaccines but they might take five or six months to get through the regulatory procedure again. looks more and more _ regulatory procedure again. looks more and more likely _ regulatory procedure again. looks more and more likely that - regulatory procedure again. looks more and more likely that is - regulatory procedure again. looks more and more likely that is going to be some sort of booster vaccine in the autumn for older people, may be healed over 50s. is that sensible and what sort of vaccine will not be? —— may be the over 50s.

and what sort of vaccine will not be? -- may be the over 50s. what is an immunity — be? -- may be the over 50s. what is an immunity like? _ be? -- may be the over 50s. what is an immunity like? those _ be? -- may be the over 50s. what is an immunity like? those of - be? -- may be the over 50s. what is an immunity like? those of us - be? -- may be the over 50s. what is an immunity like? those of us who | is an immunity like? those of us who have had two shots already, maybe we don't need a booster? we really had to wait and see what is out there and in our own bodies before we can make that decision. doers and in our own bodies before we can make that decision.— make that decision. does it look likel that make that decision. does it look likely that people _ make that decision. does it look likely that people who _ make that decision. does it look likely that people who have - make that decision. does it look. likely that people who have already had the vaccine in the second dose are going to be facing a third dose may be in september? it is possible. coronaviruses _ may be in september? it is possible. coronaviruses are _ may be in september? it is possible. coronaviruses are not _ may be in september? it is possible. coronaviruses are not known - may be in september? it is possible. coronaviruses are not known to - may be in september? it is possible. coronaviruses are not known to be i coronaviruses are not known to be wildly, you know, they don't really tend to cause long—term immunity but on the other hand we have been devised by this virus and find immunity longer than we thought we would already. i think a booster would already. i think a booster would be a nice thing that i am worried about the rest of the world that has even had their firstjab and as long as it is raging out of control in other parts of the world we are all in danger because that is a breeding ground for new variants. when you look at the daily figures, we have just reported 27 deaths and

actually the office for national statistics have been reporting the latest death figures as well and showing that the trend is definitely downwards. how is that? i’m showing that the trend is definitely downwards. how is that?— downwards. how is that? i'm very encouraged _ downwards. how is that? i'm very encouraged by — downwards. how is that? i'm very encouraged by this _ downwards. how is that? i'm very encouraged by this because - downwards. how is that? i'm very i encouraged by this because schools have been open for a long time and we have had an easing of restrictions that has started to filter through already and this is showing to me that the vaccine is working because otherwise you would have expected a rebound like every time in the past we have seen a rebound, so the fact that has not happened is a good sign. so rebound, so the fact that has not happened is a good sign.- rebound, so the fact that has not happened is a good sign. so we are winnin: happened is a good sign. so we are winning the — happened is a good sign. so we are winning the war _ happened is a good sign. so we are winning the war against _ happened is a good sign. so we are| winning the war against coronavirus, is that how you could put it? we are, but is that how you could put it? - are, but wheels have to stay vigilant. —— we always have to stay vigilant. -- we always have to stay viailant. . , vigilant. -- we always have to stay viailant. ., , . ., vigilant. thanks very much for your time. kent police have made a fresh appeal to the public for help in catching the killer of police community support

0fficerjulia james. detectives have released a new picture of her in the same clothes she was wearing on the day she was murdered. but they say they still don't know the motive for the killing and no arrests have been made so far. today we have read a photograph ofjulia wearing the clothes that she was wearing when she was murdered. some bluejeans and a light—coloured blue waterproof coat with a hood. you will also see her dog toby who was with her at the time she was murdered. i'm hoping that these images will spark a memory in someone or help someone recall what they saw that could be of assistance to the investigation. i would like to thank, particularly the, local residents, of snowdown and alesham — they've been massively supportive and patient with the investigation. they've provided over 700 pieces of information to the investigation team. that is so important. it's helping us to piece together everything that happened

at that time. i would again appeal for anybody who has any information, any recollection, anybody who is in that location on monday, tuesday or wednesday last week. in the area of the woods and fields to the south of alesham. donald trump's ban from facebook and instagram has been upheld by facebook�*s oversight board — but the board also criticised the permanent nature of the ban as beyond the scope of facebook�*s normal penalties. the former president was banned from both sites injanuary following the capitol hill riots. donald trump says the actions of facebook, twitter and google are a "total disgrace" and an "embarrassment to our country." i'm joined now by our correspondent gary 0'donoghue in washington. things have been a bit quiet since donald trump left the white house but he's making a lot of noise this evening about his social media ban. in many ways, it placed over into

his hands in the sense that it is big tech and mainstream media in effect conspiring against him, which is something he has said all along and his supporters very much like to hear him say. the interesting thing about the decision as it does leave open the possibility that he may return to facebook. maybe not for six months or so, but it could happen at some point because the board has said that facebook has to go and re—examine the whole decision, and whilst the initial decision, and whilst the initial decision to suspend his account was justified, the indeterminate nature of it wasn't argued for, not provided for. that could still be the outcome after six months. they could still draw up some new policies are decided retrospectively, actually, indeterminate ban, thanks very much, but they could also reinstate the page or impose another determinate ban so all those options are still on the table. this one is being kicked down the road, basically. so while the ban is still in force, how has he been getting his message out

there? well, he is still doing interviews with some of his favour networks, holding lots of meetings, having a lot of free media coverage when republican politicians go to mar largo and take selfies with the bear, that is happening still, and he set up the source of blog on his website called from the desk of donaldj trump in which he is firing out missives, including this one condemning the social media platforms including facebook is a total disgrace, so he's doing all that. it's was saying then that despite his sort of pulpit of twitter being taken away from him, there's 88 million followers, he still has maintained and continue to maintain a vice —like grip on the republican party in this country, so it is not affecting his ability to remain relevant, certainly in gop

politics. d0 remain relevant, certainly in gop olitics. ., ., , remain relevant, certainly in gop olitics. ., ., , ., ., remain relevant, certainly in gop olitics. ., .,., , politics. do we have any idea of his lonu-term politics. do we have any idea of his long-term plans? _ politics. do we have any idea of his long-term plans? is— politics. do we have any idea of his long-term plans? is he _ politics. do we have any idea of his long-term plans? is he still- long—term plans? is he still thinking of any kind of political combat? . ~ thinking of any kind of political combat? ., ,, ,., ~ combat? yeah, i think so. i think he has made that _ combat? yeah, i think so. i think he has made that pretty _ combat? yeah, i think so. i think he has made that pretty clear- combat? yeah, i think so. i think he has made that pretty clear that - combat? yeah, i think so. i think he has made that pretty clear that he l has made that pretty clear that he is mulling all his options and is very involved in supporting people, republicans of his ilk in particular races and primary battles and is looking forward to the 2022 midterms, of course, where the republicans have a real chance of taking back the house. he is slamming people like liz cheney who is a more moderate republican who is one of those few republicans who voted to impeach him, of course, and trying to get her removed from the leadership of the party, so he is very much involved in using the tools at his disposal to do that. he clearly thinks he has a future, there is no question about that. do ou there is no question about that. do you think the media missing? journalists like you? he was always

good copy, whatever you thought about him. laughter look, i think whatever you thought about donald trump, it was an extraordinary period of time where it was actually very difficult to do thisjob it was actually very difficult to do this job because all the it was actually very difficult to do thisjob because all the norms it was actually very difficult to do this job because all the norms were broken and what you thought was workable and acceptable, the art of the possible politically, etc, all of those things got blown out of the water, so it was very difficult to try and navigate those waters for the sake of our viewers and our consumers, so, in that sense, you know, it's a little bit easier now but, make no mistake, even though he is not in the white house, what we're seeing in this new administration is a radical new kind of politics that's being deployed by joe biden, whether you like it or not. , . . ., ., not. he is much, much more radical, and i use not. he is much, much more radical, and i use that _ not. he is much, much more radical, and i use that word _ not. he is much, much more radical, and i use that word carefully. - not. he is much, much more radical, and i use that word carefully. he - not. he is much, much more radical, and i use that word carefully. he is i and i use that word carefully. he is much more radical than many thought he would be and he is proposing and

suggesting a whole bunch of policies that could really change america, particularly in the source of areas of social support and the way in which the state is involved in people's lives, so it may be a bit more conventional in its appearance, in the weight is presented, but it is incredibly far—reaching if he gets his way on some of these things. gets his way on some of these thins. , . ~ gets his way on some of these thins. , ., ,, i. ,., things. interesting. thank you so much for being _ things. interesting. thank you so much for being with _ things. interesting. thank you so much for being with us _ things. interesting. thank you so much for being with us tonight. l things. interesting. thank you so much for being with us tonight. i | much for being with us tonight. i will washington correspondent. the bbc�*s panorama has been investigating the long and costly process young people who were born in britain but are not citizens have to go through to secure the right to

stay. they never questioned their british identity, but when the family overstayed their visas and apply to a new one in 2013, the home office put them on the ten year route towards british citizenship. it requires a series of costly bees renewals. i requires a series of costly bees renewals-— requires a series of costly bees renewals. ~' , . , renewals. i think the prices, the cost, the entire _ renewals. i think the prices, the cost, the entire process, - renewals. i think the prices, the cost, the entire process, is - renewals. i think the prices, the cost, the entire process, isjust| cost, the entire process, isjust not something that an average working class family can realistically afford. why smack every two and a half years, applicants have to pay for a new visa, now around £1000, applicants have to pay for a new visa, now around e1000, and a fee to use the nhs, currently almost £1600. it is as if i have to pay my way to

be british but the uk is all i have ever known. why should i have to pay for something like that? the fees meant daily life was a struggle for the family when we were younger? there were times when we were rationalising essential things that we need in the house, water, bread, and itjust rips a body of their dignity. and itjust rips a body of their diuni . , , ., , dignity. the uk is unusually exoensive _ dignity. the uk is unusually expensive compared - dignity. the uk is unusually expensive compared to - dignity. the uk is unusually. expensive compared to other countries. there are countries that are also_ countries. there are countries that are also expensive but the uk is ceriainiy— are also expensive but the uk is certainly on the very high end of that _ certainly on the very high end of that it— certainly on the very high end of that. , ., ., that. it is thought there are 180,000 — that. it is thought there are 180,000 children _ that. it is thought there are 180,000 children in - that. it is thought there are 180,000 children in the - that. it is thought there are 180,000 children in the ukj that. it is thought there are - 180,000 children in the uk who aren't british citizens but who have spent more than ten years here. people are part of our society. why are we _ people are part of our society. why are we creating systems that make it prohibitive _ are we creating systems that make it prohibitive for you to become british? — prohibitive for you to become british? why are we doing this? shouldn't— british? why are we doing this? shouldn't it be expensive because otherwise everybody would apply? their�*s expensive and then there's

exploitation and this is an expensive, this is exploitation. the home office _ expensive, this is exploitation. the home office says all fees are kept under review and it offers several fee waivers and exemptions from the need to pay. it also says it recognises there may be individuals hear from a young age who, though through no fault of their own, had not formalised their status, and is working with those affected. greg mckenzie, bbc news london. you can see panorama, and i british, at 730 this evening on bbc one later on the bbc iplayer. —— panorama, am i british? 730 pm this evening. prime minister borisjohnson has indicated there will be some "opening up" of international travel on 17 may, and many countries are waiting to find out if they will be on the approved list. one country who felt the full effect of the uk's third lockdown is jamaica — which took place at the peak

of the caribbean tourist season. joining me now is the jamaican tourism minister, edmund bartlett. thank you very much forjoining us and it is very good of you to spare for some time. first of all, the fact that people haven't been able to travel to jamaica from the uk, how damaging has that been in terms of your tourist industry? it has costis of your tourist industry? it has cost is just over 300 million of your tourist industry? it has cost isjust over 300 million us dollars based on the tourism expenditure from our british travellers. we normally get a little over 250,000 uk visitors annually and that, when compared to overall arrangement, is a little over 11% of our total arrivals. so, the impact has been very strong indeed. it has affected our inflows in terms of dollars, as i indicated, and there are definitely implications for

jobs. so, a big impact, in short. what would you say to the british government now because they are considering this week which countries to allow british countries to travel too easily, this traffic light system with green countries where you can go without quarantining as long as you take a test before and after. would you say that jamaica should be test before and after. would you say thatjamaica should be on test before and after. would you say that jamaica should be on the greenest?— that jamaica should be on the areenest? , ~ greenest? -- green list? well, i thinkjamaica — greenest? -- green list? well, i thinkjamaica should _ greenest? -- green list? well, i thinkjamaica should be - greenest? -- green list? well, i thinkjamaica should be because greenest? -- green list? well, i i thinkjamaica should be because of the current performance and the fact that we are perhaps the only country in the world that has established a very credible and well recognised column which we call the resilient coverdale, the covid—free is a link of it all, and that is an area where 85% of the touristic values of our location at located. we have had an enormously strong location dominant performance there where we have done interviews with 67,000 visitors and we have had a case of 0.1% infection

level so the positivity rate on that coverdell is 0.1%. that is a performance that should put jamaica strongly in the green list. i performance that should put jamaica strongly in the green list.— strongly in the green list. i mean, the indications _ strongly in the green list. i mean, the indications are _ strongly in the green list. i mean, the indications are at _ strongly in the green list. i mean, the indications are at the - strongly in the green list. i mean, | the indications are at the moment, from what we hear, that jamaica wouldn't be on that list initially. it might be in a few weeks' time but initially it will be places like portugal, malta, maybe barbados in the united states and israel, but probably notjamaican at the united states and israel, but probably not jamaican at first. what would you say if it wasn't on the first wave of the green list countries?— first wave of the green list countries? ~ ~ ., . countries? well, i think that much of how these _ countries? well, i think that much of how these discussions - countries? well, i think that much of how these discussions are - countries? well, i think that much of how these discussions are done j of how these discussions are done and the decisions came down start to look at countries who, perhaps, had levels of vaccination per population and also looks at positivity rates, death rates, and also infection rates and i think that, in all fairness, the caribbean as a home has performed extremely creditably

in terms of that jamaica's performance has not really been, in my mind, out of line, but, however, ithink my mind, out of line, but, however, i think that the positioning of jamaica, iwait i think that the positioning of jamaica, i wait to see, but i believe it won't be in the green but in the amber we will be able to manage. in the amber we will be able to manare. . , in the amber we will be able to manare. ., , in the amber we will be able to manate. ., , , manage. that is the message. ok, so ou are manage. that is the message. ok, so you are exoecting _ manage. that is the message. ok, so you are expecting amber. _ manage. that is the message. ok, so you are expecting amber. thank- manage. that is the message. ok, so you are expecting amber. thank you | you are expecting amber. thank you for talking to was in very good luck and let's hope that your tourism industry does recover very quickly and i know there are lots of people from this country very keen to go to jamaica again very soon.— jamaica again very soon. thank you very much. — jamaica again very soon. thank you very much. then. — jamaica again very soon. thank you very much, then, and _ jamaica again very soon. thank you very much, then, and your- jamaica again very soon. thank you | very much, then, and your invitation is open. any time after the 17th, just let me know. i is open. any time after the 17th, just let me know.— is open. any time after the 17th, just let me know. i will take you up on that. thanks _ just let me know. i will take you up on that. thanks so _ just let me know. i will take you up on that. thanks so much _ just let me know. i will take you up on that. thanks so much in - just let me know. i will take you up on that. thanks so much in need. l on that. thanks so much in need. edmund butler bear, the tourism minister ofjamaica. —— edmund bartlett.

all eyes on a potential all english champions elague final in istanbul at the end of may if chelsea can knock out the 13 times champions real madrid later. they head into tonight's semi final second leg with the tie level at 1—1. but with restrictions on all non essential travel set to be lifted by the 29th may — the date of the final. along with a local lockdown in istanbul, fans from both english clubs could attend. manager thomas tuchel focussing soley on the football. with plans to lift restrictions on all non essential travel along with a local lockdown in istanbul, fans could attend. to arrive with a certain level of self belief and self—confidence is absolutely necessary, otherwise you have no chance to play against a team like real madrid, without belief, without the inner belief, and it doesn't help so much of your coaches talking about it. you need to feel it, and if i talk about it, ijust talk about it because i'm sure that they feel it and we can see in all the games that the team is self—aware that we are able to produce the performances. ole gunnar solskjaer said fans went one step too far,

following the injury to a police officer during sunday's protests at old trafford. frustrations spilled over, as fans broke into the stadium and invaded the pitch in protest at the glazer ownership, forcing the postponment of their fixture with liverpool. the owners have faced heavy critcism for their part in the superleague proposals, solskjaer says he's spoken to them. i've been communicating with the owners. i've got an apology, personally. they have apologised to the fans how this came out. it is a difficult position for me to be in, this, because i got to focus on the football, and i've always had a good relationship, and they listen to me, and they do listen to the fans, and i'm sure there will be better communication coming. away fans will not be able to attend the final two rounds of premier league matches. spectators — or 25% of a stadium's capacity —

will be made up of home fans only due to operational challenges. it means every premier league club will play at least one home game in front of fans before the season's out. arsenal captain pierre—emerick aubameyang says catching malaria on internationmal duty was the worst moment of his life. he became ill while away with gabon, spending three days in hospital, missing four matches. he's fit for their europa league semifinal second leg, but says he only feels 90% fit. i was feeling very, very bad, i and i think this was the worst moment of being sick in my life, because it was really hard. - for three days in a row i had fever, all day and all night, _ stayed in for three days. i was really, really down, i and i think i lost four kilos,

so it was a really bad moment, and i think my family was a bit| scared to see me like this. britain's dan evans is through to the third round of the madrid open, after he knocked out tenth seed john millman. evans came from a set down to win 6—3 in the decider. he now faces a tough test against world number six alexander zverev in the final 16. eight of the 11 england players involved in the indian premier league have arrived back home. their departure follows the continuing covid—19 crisis, with india now the second country to register over 20 million infections. the players were on an overnight flight that landed at heathrow this morning. they'll now begin ten days' quarantine in government—approved hotels. the three players remaining in india are eoin morgan, chrisjordan and dawid malan, but they should be leaving within the next 48 hours. obviously, a lot of people just desperate to get home. that is all

from the bbc sport centre now. we will see you thenjohn, thank you very much indeed. let's bring you more on those elections across great britain this week. let's head back to my colleague clive myrie in holyrood. hi ben, we've been talking to all the major parties over the last couple of days to get their sense of how they think people will go. tomorrow when voters cast their ballots. and now we can talk to the smp. let's go to fiona hyslop candidate for lythgoe.- smp. let's go to fiona hyslop candidate for lythgoe. hello there. it's aood candidate for lythgoe. hello there. it's good to — candidate for lythgoe. hello there. it's good to see _ candidate for lythgoe. hello there. it's good to see you. _ candidate for lythgoe. hello there. it's good to see you. i _ candidate for lythgoe. hello there. it's good to see you. i wonder, - candidate for lythgoe. hello there. | it's good to see you. i wonder, how confident are you that smp will get the kind of majority, 65 seats in the kind of majority, 65 seats in the holyrood parliament that will give nicola sturgeon or she says on what she believes will be a mandate for a second independence referendum?—

for a second independence referendum? ~ ~ referendum? well, i think we did will do well- _ referendum? well, i think we did wau do well. it — referendum? well, i think we did will do well. it depends - referendum? well, i think we did will do well. it depends on - referendum? well, i think we did i will do well. it depends on turnout and people wanting to come out and vote for serious initiative and have that recovered from covid that nicola sturgeon can lead. in terms of how many seats we can win, we know that this can be a knife edge. it's extremely difficult and challenging to win a majority in the scottish parliament. if we get as many votes on the regional vote as we do on a constituency in terms of percentage of votes that we can get that majority. we got there before. but it's all to play for. but it really will be about motivating our supporters to come out and vote for the smp votes tomorrow. so nobody is taking anything for granted. we always worked very hard, we set a very strong programme for recovery and manifest brimming full of good and manifest brimming full of good and new ideas to take the country forward. we think we can do this. and we desperately need to have those power of independence. because

it's part of that recovery how we can make sure that we can deliver the type of country people want. really, people have reassessed their lives of this last period. and there is a value system to be judge as to what type of country we want to be. we cannot have a recovery like boris johnson or one like the people scotland with nicola sturgeon as a first minister.— first minister. okay. if you don't aet first minister. okay. if you don't net the first minister. okay. if you don't get the 65 _ first minister. okay. if you don't get the 65 seats _ first minister. okay. if you don't get the 65 seats and _ first minister. okay. if you don't get the 65 seats and you - first minister. okay. if you don't get the 65 seats and you need i get the 65 seats and you need potentially the green party that also backs independence, would you be happy with that, a majority at least within the holyrood parliament for pro—independence parties? i’zre for pro-independence parties? i've been a for pro—independence parties? ia: been a government minister for pro—independence parties? i�*”2 been a government minister since 2007. i've served it minority smp governments and we can forward art manifesto. we work with others and it was established to have pressparty working. we have worked with all the different parties at different times. and that shows you

the type of country we can be. if we can all pull together to deliver that independence and to draw... in terms of projecting a number of seats in any deals to be done, that isn't the business we're in. where in the business of winning outright and a majority government i know. because i served in both governments a majority government allows us to deliver what we want as quickly as we want and as securely as we want. and that is what we are looking for. given your vote to anybody else at this point, it does not help the smp when a majority government. the way to get the strong smp government preferably a majority government is to make sure we have all. otherwise if you vote for another party ear not voting smp. shill if you vote for another party ear not voting smp.— if you vote for another party ear not voting smp. all right, we will end that they _ not voting smp. all right, we will end that they are. _ not voting smp. all right, we will end that they are. fiona - not voting smp. all right, we will end that they are. fiona hyslop i end that they are. fiona hyslop thank you. let's turn to labour

and we can now speak to sarah boyack, from the scottish labour party. good to see you. labour once ran pretty much all the councils in scotland, had most of the mps. you've been out of power since 2007. have you seen anything in the current campaign that suggest that you are now beginning to cut through and beginning to build back up from such a low base? i and beginning to build back up from such a low base?— such a low base? i think for me it's clear that having _ such a low base? i think for me it's clear that having a _ such a low base? i think for me it's clear that having a new _ such a low base? i think for me it's clear that having a new leader- such a low base? i think for me it's clear that having a new leader is i clear that having a new leader is transforming people's approach. they're listening to us, we were out in the street talking to people, were having conversations, the not just ignoring us. and i think there is definitely discussion going about what to do with the powers of this parliament for the next five years? and the concept of building recovery is absolutely critical. that has been cutting through whether it's jobs, nhs, education forthe been cutting through whether it's jobs, nhs, education for the smp have been in charge for 14 years

now, you're right, we lost powerfor two years ago and people are beginning to get disenchanted, disappointed. we've got a huge waiting list for a nhs and the educational has gone into reverse. so that means that kids from low income backgrounds are actually doing worse under the smp. for me every single labour seat we get gives us a better chance of holding this government to account and making the change that our country needs. and keeping them to focus on covid recovery which has to be the top priority. everybody agrees with but actually delivering it is going to need to be 110% of all our energies after this week. yeah, you are ullin: energies after this week. yeah, you are pulling at _ energies after this week. yeah, you are pulling at around _ energies after this week. yeah, you are pulling at around about - energies after this week. yeah, you are pulling at around about 1496. . energies after this week. yeah, you are pulling at around about 1496. so j are pulling at around about 14%. so things are getting a little bit better. but they are not huge numbers. was it a mistake perhaps not to have formed some kind of

loose unionist alliance with the liberal democrats and that conservatives? and paying the sort of pro union drum in order to sort of pro union drum in order to sort of head off the pro—independent faction that you see from the greens and the smp? i faction that you see from the greens and the smp?— and the smp? i think to be fair to us, we and the smp? i think to be fair to us. we have _ and the smp? i think to be fair to us, we have been _ and the smp? i think to be fair to us, we have been absolutely - and the smp? i think to be fair to. us, we have been absolutely clear. we do not think that we should be having an independence referendum now. it's clearfrom having an independence referendum now. it's clear from the first minister when she talks about it that they have a got their plans in place. so we would actually see huge energy in the next parliament talking about the position of banks, currency, especially after brexit the whole border of the uk. we would much rather focus on covid recovery. i think were right to focus on math. and that has been cutting through, with respect, there is a variation and it's definitely showing as second and being a better second than some of the constituencies but also performing well on the list. i

think what i say to people is, you've got to vote, use them both. and the critical vote about the list vote which is the second ballot is that that's where in the last couple of elections a lot of our seats have come from. and i think nicola sturgeon is much more nervous about a strong labour opposition that she is with the conservatives. because they are much more easy to dismiss. so for me it's about 14 years, the smp are tired, independence will be divisive again. we would rather build a country that is fairer, greener and it tackles deep—seated inequalities that covid has actually worsened. shill inequalities that covid has actually worsened. �* ~ , worsened. all right. we will end up there. worsened. all right. we will end up there- sarah. _ worsened. all right. we will end up there. sarah, labour— worsened. all right. we will end up there. sarah, labour smp _ worsened. all right. we will end up there. sarah, labour smp thank- worsened. all right. we will end up| there. sarah, labour smp thank you very much forjoining us here on bbc news. that's it for now from edinburgh. it's back to you been in the studio. the headlines on bbc news... millions of people will head

to the polls tomorrow for the biggest set of local and national elections in fifty years. kent police appeal to the public for new information as they release a new image of pcso julia james in the same clothes she wore the day she was last seen. a covid scare hits the g7 summit in london with the entire indian delegation self—isolating after two of them test positive for coronavirus. police in pakistan is searching for two men after fatal killing of a british woman. 24—year—old was found deadin british woman. 24—year—old was found dead in her rented flat on monday. our south asia correspondent has this report. this is the street in a quiet upmarket neighbourhood where they rented the upper portion of a house. the law graduate arrived in pakistan around two months ago with her parents who when they return to the uk following a family wedding she stayed on here. on monday

morning police received an emergency call from a maid who had discovered her dead body inside the home. she had been shot twice. her uncle has registered a case with the police say she told him she was being threatened by two men who had wanted to marry her but who she had turned out. today at a mosque funeral prayers were held for her. her father in one of her brothers have travelled over from the uk understandably, they were too emotionally distraught to talk to us. police say so far they've carried out a number of interrogations that made no formal arrest. this case is resonating both in the uk and in pakistan. where is and many countries activists say it more needs to be done to prevent violence against women. news from israel now because in the last half an hour or so the president there has as the leader of the centrist tea party to try to form a coalition

government. that could mean an end to 12 consecutive years in power for benjamin netanyahu. who is unable to form a coalition of his own after the elections in march. the president has been fighting to hold onto offers four inconclusive since 2019. the french president emmanuel macron has written led commemoration to our 200 years since the death of napoleon bonaparte. every wreath was laid in paris followed by a minute of silence and the national anthem. the military general who ruled france after the resolution has become a more divisive figure of the last couple of decades. with fresh focus on his dictatorship and reinstatement of slavery. it's fear that one of the consequences of the pandemic is a lost generation of the pandemic is a lost generation of swimmers. the sport's governing body estimates 2 million children haven t swum at all in the past year. the concern is not only that many children have suffered through lack of exercise,

but also that they've missed out of learning a skill that could save their life. joe wilson reports. a busy afternoon in birmingham. after—school swimming lessons are back on. so, children learning, parents watching. a long time, you couldn't do it. oh, yeah, oh, yeah. derek, he loves swimming more than anything. it's about the mental health benefits of being with their peers and doing something that they love and getting out and doing some exercise. you never know where and when it is going to be important. _ birmingham, we are in. the middle of the country, but we have a lot of canals. over the past year of lockdown restrictions, some two million children have missed out on swimming completely, the governing body swim england estimate. by the time they leave primary school, all children in england are supposed to be able to swim 25 metres — it is part of the national curriculum. there is concern that, this summer,

there might be 250,000 children in england who should have learned to swim but won't have managed to. now, with summer holidays in particular often taking place near to water, the fear will move towards drowning. the drowning statistics will be out around may time for last year. we are expecting to see an increase in those, which, to me, is absolutely heartbreaking, and a lost generation willjust add to that as the years go on, so we can't afford a lost generation of children not being able to swim. commentator: now the big moment has arrived for leon taylor. _ there are many ways to reach a pool. here is how leon taylor did it. the olympic diver has recently become a proud father and ten—month—old ziggy has given leon a fresh perspective. swimming was actually my first love before i eventually found diving at the age of eight, so i am chomping at the bit to get ziggy in an environment where he can splash. he loves it in the bath, it is too cold for him in the sea —

i go in the sea every day. too cold for him, the sea, of course. but, you know, places like this, our local pool here, so important and i can't wait to share that experience with him. swim england believe 90% of pools are now operating again, most of them offering lessons. there's so much to catch up on after lockdown. their reminder is to learn to enjoy and to respect water. joe wilson, bbc news, birmingham. they are known as the rainforests of the sea — coral reefs that are home to around a quarter of all marine species, and a precious part of our global ecosystem. but they are under growing threat — over—fishing and rising sea temperatures mean more and more coral reefs have become grey and lifeless. now, in indonesia, there's a pioneering initiative to try to restore them — as our science editor david shukman reports. it's one of the most shocking sights in the underwater world when corals die, either because they're damaged or because the sea becomes too hot

for them and they turn into what looks like a graveyard. when you dive on a reef and it's just quiet and it's all monotone grey, it's desolate, it's so depressing. the solution, pioneered by professor smith, involves whole communities in indonesia. they take these metal frames, called reef stars, and fix them to the sea bed. fragments of live corals are attached to them, and the result is a revival of a habitat that many depend on. you see fish come in, you dive on it one day and you see the small fish sort of finding a hole in the reef stars amongst the coral. six months later, medium—sized fish — the whole ecosystem responds when you give it this chance of kick—starting the system. the latest reef to be helped in this way is called hope. the word is spelt out in the new corals and the aim

is to apply the same technique in other areas around the world. over the years, there have been dozens of attempts to try to bring reefs back to life, some more successful than others. and they have all been on a really small scale, as with this latest initiative, so there will be questions about it. it is funded by the pet food company sheba, which uses a lot of fish in its products, so can this venture really make any kind of difference? well, scientists i've spoken to are impressed by the way that reefs that were once dead are now being revived, and, because the task is so huge, they welcome funding from big—name companies. for businesses involved, dependent on fish and marine resources, to actually invest in restoring the ocean, in recovering depleted reefs, is a good thing. obviously in business, you always have that extra filter of scrutiny.

and because most corals are threatened as global temperatures continue to rise, any attempt to save even small areas will need real determination. david shukman, bbc news. for almost ten years d—day veterans have been campaigning to honour theirformer their former comrades. it will be officially opened at this year's d—day commemoration events, but, due to travel restrictions, the british veterans and their families will have to watch the ceremony virtually from this side of the channel. john maguire has been to catch up with one of those veterans. all of it. keep going. you just can't keep a good man down. harry is back. overwhelmed. it brings tears to my eyes, and people, you couldn't really see who they were until they took the masks off, and then i recognised them. they've been wonderful. before the pandemic, harry billinge, a veteran of the d—day landings,

was a regular fixture here at parr market, near st austell in cornwall, but covid forced him to stay at home. he was awarded the mbe for his efforts raising money for a memorial to the 22,442 men and women under british command who died on d—day, and the subsequent battle of normandy. it was a very, very tiring job. impossible to describe. hell on earth. noise and noise and noise and more noise. guns fired over your head, guns fired from inland and the germans. it would be opened officially at ver—sur—mer, above what was on d—day gold beach. due to french covid restrictions, veterans and their families are being invited to the national memorial arboretum in staffordshire, to watch a live screening of the ceremony, which will take place onjune sixth, the 77th anniversary of the invasion.

someone else who also raised thousands, cycling hundreds of kilometres, is harry salmon. his father, also called harry, was killed in normandy and the memorial bears his name. i saw veterans being interviewed on television, and ifound it really hard to see them smiling and shedding tears, as they talked about their fallen comrades. my father was a team player, and these were his team—mates, and they were shedding tears for him and for the others that didn't come back, and ijust felt i had to do something for them. during his long—distance cycle in northern france, harry visited the site. i saw my father's name up there in stone, and it's an incredible piece of architecture, the whole thing, and there is one thing that is really, really powerful, and it's the sculpture at the entrance. it's of a tight—knit group of soldiers, apparently

coming up from the beach, obviously facing enemy fire. for some of their comrades, those veterans who worked tirelessly to see the memorial built, its opening will be the realisation notjust of many years of hard work, but also of a promise fulfilled to never forget those left behind. john maguire, bbc news. george is here with the news at six in just a few minutes. now it's time for a look at the weather with tomasz. a lot of big cumulonimbus clouds today bringing downpours, hailstorms, thundering and lightning as well for the as the sun sets these storms tend to ease but there still will be one or two scattered around. and through the night across scotland we are expecting some wintry weather, some snow settling across the hills, perhaps even down to lower levels. you can see with the weather is coming from on the satellite picture you can see that drift

of cloud from the north. in fact, the air is been coming in from the arctic for quite some time. hence it so chilly. temperatures should be averaging around 15 celsius in the uk. this time in may we are closer to eight to 10 degrees and may be nudging up to around 12, 13 and london. really nippy and it's got to say it like it for the next two to three days was the night you can see primarily clear skies across the uk. but here that wintry weather affecting the scottish hills. as i say, some of that wintering nest may reach lower levels as well may reach lower levels as well was up there could be some feistiness around early mornings across parts of scotland maybe even northern england and northern ireland too. onto thursday's weather forecast then, early in the morning that could be some cloud and rain flirting with the south coast of england. one or two showers dotted around elsewhere but the real showers on thursday will form across scotland and parts of northern england. again hail and thunder possible. south of that so the midlands,

wales, the south of england i think some sunshine around thursday really not a bad day but chilly. here's friday's weather forecast, again, a few showers expected to develop across eastern and northern areas. i think in the west it will be much drier and brighter. so belfast, liverpool, bringing and in for some sunshine on friday. a big change awaits us as we head into the weekend. a low pressure is going to swing by. yes, that means rain but also this low pressure is going to bring a current of air coming out of the southwest. this is actually subtropical air. it is going to warm up across the uk. we are going to see that current of cold air cut off from the north. the temperatures will be gradually rising as we go through the weekend. we are expecting some rain as well because this low pressure will bring a weather fronts. i think is soggy, mild sort of day on saturday and a little bit warmer for some on sunday. bye— bye.

today at six: a frantic last day of campaigning in england, wales and scotland — up to 40 million people can vote tomorrow. the covid election — from councillors and mayors across england to parliamentary votes in scotland and wales — there's a lot at stake. there are contests big and small in the first real test of public opinion since the dramatic election. there is so much at stake in different corners of the country. if the snp won an outright majority in scotland _ the snp won an outright majority in scotland well that take us closer to another _ scotland well that take us closer to another independence referendum? after 22_ another independence referendum? after 22 years in power in wales,

will labour— after 22 years in power in wales, will labour win— after 22 years in power in wales, will labour win enough— after 22 years in power in wales, will labour win enough seats - after 22 years in power in wales, will labour win enough seats to i after 22 years in power in wales, - will labour win enough seats to keep them _ will labour win enough seats to keep them in _ will labour win enough seats to keep them in government? _