this is bbc news — these are the latest headlines in the uk and around the world. dozens of french boats are protesting in uk waters injersey about post—brexit fishing rights. two british royal navy vessels have been sent to patrol the area. france has threatened to cut electricity to the island. thejersey government is meeting the fishermen today. we cannot look back to the previous arrangements — they have gone. we must make the new trade deal work in all of our interests. the us backs a move which would allow developing nations to make cheaper versions of coronavirus vaccines. the us secretary of state, anthony blinken, says he doesn't know yet if iran is serious about returning to the deal that limited its nuclear activities.

millions of people are voting today in a series of elections in england, scotland and wales — in the biggest test of voter opinion since the 2019 general election. some of the uk's biggest employers say they don't plan to bring staff back to the office full time — instead opting for a mix of home and office working. let me know if you can't wait to get back to the office — or perhaps you've preferred working from home — and want to keep it that way. on twitter, it's @annita—mcveigh or #bbcyourquestions. also this hour. and it'll be an all—english champions league final in istanbul — where chelsea will play manchester city — each club is set to receive 4,000 tickets.

hello and welcome if you're watching in the uk or around the world. the external affairs minister of the uk's self—governing channel island ofjersey will meet with french fishermen this morning after dozens of french boats staged a protest in a dispute over post—brexit fishing rights. two british royal navy vessels, hms severn and hms tamar, are patrolling the waters around the island to monitor the situation. they were sent by the government last night. france has threatened to cut off electricity to the island, which began issuing licences to french boats under a new system last week. the fishermen say their rights are being unfairly restricted. well, as you can see jersey is far closer to the french coast than the south coast of england. and early this morning around 60 boats approached jersey's main harbour of st helier with what was

described as a "sea of red lights and flares". 0ur correspondent robert hall has been on a boat himself off the jersey coast, near the fishermen. well, as you can probably tell from the camera, the french and thejersey folk experiencing some pretty bad weather this morning. the french are basically sitting off the entrance to the harbour at st helier. they are not blockading it but they are making their presence felt and they are going to continue to do so, as many as possible of them, until thejersey government come up with a response. the basic situation is that the french say the new system ofjersey licensing, allowing them intojersey territorial waters post—brexit, isn't up to the mark. it's not adequate, it makes their life impossible, they say and it damages their livelihoods. i spoke to a young fisherman who said 80% of the french fleet could be put out of business.

they are determined to fight, they are going to stay for as long as they possibly can. after that, i suspect there will be further discussions about whether they mount further protests. they pulled back to allow a cargo boat out of the harbour and they say they don't want to make matters worse, but they are determined that this matter needs to be resolved. this is the visible presence to convince thejersey government to talk to them. we haven't heard anything from thejersey ministers yet to say whether they are prepared to talk. robert, i'm just going to interrupt you... sorry. you won't have heard this on the boat in the water, but i spoke tojersey�*s minister for external relations a few minutes ago and he said that he and the environment minister are in fact going to be getting involved immediately in talks with the french to try to resolve this.

i guess until the fishermen hear something definite, they want to keep a presence there. yes, that's true. i was going on to say thatjersey has been trying to calm things down, they've been talking to the french, to the eu and the british government in an attempt to find a way out of this but it is a very complex situation. jersey feels that it's got a case, it is simply operating a system post—brexit as it is supposed to. it feels the licences are reasonable. the french say that the detail is unacceptable and they can't move forward and it's a system which is going to damage their fishing industry for generations. we are in a stand—off here.

thejersey government are wondering how they can move this forward. the navy are here, they are maintaining a presence, a reassuring presence in the words of borisjohnson last night, which was very welcome to thejersey government. there is no sign of any intervention or anything like that at the moment. what are people involved in the fishing industry on jersey saying about this? we've heard from the government, but from the fishermen�*s perspective? well, it's an interesting situation. i'm just going to get adrian to wipe the lens. it is an interesting situation. jersey and french and guernsey fishermen rub along pretty well most of the time.

they've had the odd disagreement but nothing major. the opinion onjersey is divided. there are those fishermen who say we need to stick to this and stand firm, we cannot be bullied, by the french into reversing the new licensing system. adrian, could you just pan around to your left. that is a jersey vessel which is out here to support the french. there are a number ofjersey fishermen who feel that the french have a case and that thejersey government needs to revisit the licensing system. to see whether it can be changed or made more acceptable. there is division of opinion here as well. jersey's external affairs minister ian gorst said he and the island's local environmental minister would be meeting french fishermen today and were hopeful the situation could be resolved.

he and i this morning will be going out to listen to the french fishermen. it is really important we are able to work with those fishermen to help them provide the necessary evidence so that if required their licences can be amended. it's important we respond to threats, but the answer to this is to continue to talk and diplomacy. are you frustrated that this wasn't sorted out in the original deal and now you're in this position? no, the deal was a high level trade deal and there were lots of issues to address. it's fair to say that because it's taken quite a while to ratify through the european process, we injersey gave it our agreement prior to the new year, as you did in the uk. because it's taken a while through european parliament, the specialised committees we might have expected to deal with these technical issues have not been fully operational. once they are fully operational, i fully expect these issues can be resolved

in a straightforward manner. we're nowjoined by the president of thejersey fishermen�*s association, don thompson. give us your take on what's going on, we've heard there were actually some jersey boats on, we've heard there were actually somejersey boats out in the water today, in sympathy with the french. that is absolutely not true. there is one young fisherman who is actually french himself, who against the advice of the rest of the fleet has gone out there to join them. there is a freight boat that relies on his links with his team to not have his business disrupted. jersey fishermen are standing united against this threat and

intimidation, that is very clear. 50 the french boats intimidation, that is very clear. so the french boats came into the harbour, they then pulled back to allow some traffic three. is that bullying and intimidation? is it not simply a protest? i bullying and intimidation? is it not simply a protest?— simply a protest? i think when the minister said _ simply a protest? i think when the minister said to _ simply a protest? i think when the minister said to see _ simply a protest? i think when the minister said to see makes - simply a protest? i think when the minister said to see makes a - simply a protest? i think when the | minister said to see makes a threat to sever the electricity supply, that has to be taken very seriously. it was made in public and the consequences of that would obviously be very severe. the freight ship that carries food to the island is trapped, it is our food supply line, it can't be taken too lightly. is it just a show of strength? what i do know is that fishermen are very angry to hear that their own

government considers it appropriate to go out and have negotiations on board a boat with french fishermen. but how else is this going to be resolved, without negotiations? surely this is trying to de—escalate rather than escalate the situation? right across the public ofjersey, certainly the fishing fleet and most of the political community agree thatjersey needs to stand firm. we need to manage our fish stocks, there is no question. we need to manage the resource. jersey has done nothing wrong. they've invited french fishermen and the administration to forward any extra information that they had that might say they are entitled to fish for more days. when that information comes, if there is any new information, that will certainly be

considered and their licences could be amended. but negotiating to perhaps take the conditions of altogether, effectively nullifies the whole point of having a licence in the first place. that would just be unacceptable. the in the first place. that would 'ust be unacceptablei be unacceptable. the french are sa inc, be unacceptable. the french are saying. because _ be unacceptable. the french are saying, because of _ be unacceptable. the french are saying, because of this - be unacceptable. the french are saying, because of this up - be unacceptable. the french are saying, because of this up to - be unacceptable. the french are. saying, because of this up to 80% be unacceptable. the french are - saying, because of this up to 80% of the fleet could be put out of business. i wonder, the fleet could be put out of business. iwonder, is the fleet could be put out of business. i wonder, is a fellow fisherman, do you have any sympathy for their position? do you see this as fishermen, from france and from jersey, now in a situation not of their own making but because of perhaps flaws in the brexit deal and the trade agreement which followed, worked out by politicians, not by yourselves?— yourselves? look, the trade agreement _ yourselves? look, the trade agreement requires - yourselves? look, the trade agreement requires that - yourselves? look, the trade i agreement requires that jersey agreement requires thatjersey applies licences, authorises french or foreign vessels that previously fished in our waters to carry on

fishing with the same methods and the same level of fishing as they did before. that is exactly what's been applied in their licences. the situation is a bit complex in that french fishermen are being pushed out of some of the areas by the introduction of wind farms in some of their key areas. there are all sorts of things going on, marine parks, etc, that displaces french fishermen. but that is a problem, a french problem that they need to deal with and they cannot use jersey's waters as a place to go when they've run out of opportunities in their own waters. 0ur boats have nowhere else to go, whereas they have all their own waters, even if the level of access has been reduced. they certainly cannot look at our waters as a place they can come when they've run out and fish freely in our waters. sal; and fish freely in our waters. say ou and fish freely in our waters. say you believe _

and fish freely in our waters. say you believe the deal is fundamentally fine? if we go back to brexit, you said you thought brexit would be good for the fishing industry, it would give you more autonomy. but from what you are saying, you think the deal is fundamentally fine and there are complex other issues which are causing these difficulties for the french side? i causing these difficulties for the french side?— french side? i think, looked at another way. _ french side? i think, looked at another way, it _ french side? i think, looked at another way, it was _ french side? i think, looked at another way, it was entirely i another way, it was entirely predictable that the french didn't like the transition from an era where they had the authority to issue licences to practically as many boats as they liked to fish in their waters. a situation where jersey is now in control. we can't throw french boats out of our waters, we never intended to, but we can certainly apply management measures, the sustainability of the resource to those licences. we always predicted there would be some sort of a reaction to this but it's

all the more reason that we need to stand firm. we just see what happens. the deal allows a fleet of french boats, probably 45 times the capacity of our own fleet. i would say that the deal is still biased towards the french, in that our boats are struggling to compete and anyone sees the number and the size of the french boats out there this morning would now understand how our fishermen and why they are struggling to survive, to make a living in their own waters. just bear with _ living in their own waters. just bear with me _ living in their own waters. just bear with me because we are hearing that two french navy boats had now been deployed to waters nearjersey. i'm just showing our view is this website which monitors maritime traffic. 0n the bottom right of your

screen, i believe is one of the french naval vessels. hms severn, one of the royal navy vessels, is, hms tamar is there as well. the two royal navy vessels that have been sent to the waters ofjersey. so, the french navy ship that we can see at the moment, we are told is about 12 nautical miles south—east of i2 nautical miles south—east of jerseyjust on the french side of the maritime border. your reaction to that? , ., ., ., to that? yes, we were aware that the uk was going — to that? yes, we were aware that the uk was going to _ to that? yes, we were aware that the uk was going to send _ to that? yes, we were aware that the uk was going to send to _ to that? yes, we were aware that the uk was going to send to navy - to that? yes, we were aware that the uk was going to send to navy ships. l uk was going to send to navy ships. we weren't aware that the french fleet would be supported by their navy. but i don't really think it was necessary. i'm not so certain that this is going to come to

anything. french fishermen are looking... 3 anything. french fishermen are looking- - -_ anything. french fishermen are looking... a final question, and it's a complex _ looking... a final question, and it's a complex question - looking... a final question, and it's a complex question i - it's a complex question i appreciate. how do you think this is going to be resolved? it needs to be resolved, clearly.— resolved, clearly. look, i believe, and the advice _ resolved, clearly. look, i believe, and the advice we _ resolved, clearly. look, i believe, and the advice we give _ resolved, clearly. look, i believe, and the advice we give to - resolved, clearly. look, i believe, and the advice we give to our- resolved, clearly. look, i believe, and the advice we give to our own j and the advice we give to our own government and have been giving all along is thatjersey must stand firm, because what we're seeing out there today will just firm, because what we're seeing out there today willjust be repeated again and again. as itjersey tries to manage ourfish again and again. as itjersey tries to manage our fish stocks. it is a dynamic environment out there, we have to apply new measures from time to time, in fact quite often, to preserve the stocks. if the government rolls over we will see this action again and again. it might not resolve it immediately, but we must stand strong on this and keep the licences intact. lian

keep the licences intact. don thompson. _ keep the licences intact. don thompson, president - keep the licences intact. don thompson, president of the jersey thompson, president of thejersey fisherman's association, thank you. president biden's administration has announced the us will support a waiver of intellectual property rights to allow countries around the world to make their own coronavirus vaccines. he was responding to pressure on rich countries to share vaccine supplies and technology. two vaccine manufacturers pfizer and moderna's saw their shares fall after the announcement. courtney bembridge has the details. there is no doubt coronavirus vaccines aren't getting to the countries they're most needed. infections are spiralling out of control in india and brazil, where vaccination rates remain low. while in the us, it's estimated there will be at least 300 million doses more than the population needs by the end ofjuly. even as the vaccination programmes extend to children. the question of how to close the gap on vaccine supply and fast is the subject of a fierce debate. 0ne proposal is to waive patents to make it easier for other countries to produce existing vaccines.

the us has thrown its support behind the plan, saying... it's a really surprising and unprecedented move by the us department of state and the us government, which has usually been quite protective of intellectual property rights. the world health organization also backs the proposal and says having us support is monumental. this is why. a virus that is spread anywhere uncontrolled, would be at risk of mutating and develop new variants, which is going to be coming back to haunt those who have managed to control the spread. but pharmaceutical companies say the plan would do little to get doses where they are most needed. it's the wrong answer. to a complex problem. it's a wrong but simple answer to a complex problem, - because it disrupts, - it distracts from tackling the real challenges, - which are trade barriers, including from the us, .

disrupting supply chains. it prevents immediate - tackling of the bottlenecks in the supply chain, - the scarcity of raw materials. the world trade organization needs all members to agree before any decision can be made. the uk and the eu maintain they'll block the plan. talks will go on, as cases continue to rise. courtney bembridge, bbc news. the european union and its member states would have to agree to any waiving of patent laws — and so far they haven't done so. but the president of the european commission, ursula von der leyen, indicated that she might look on the proposal favourably. we are ready to discuss how the us proposal for a waiver on intellectual property protection for covid vaccines could help achieve that objective.

in the short run, however, we call upon all vaccine producing countries to allow exports and to avoid measures that disrupt supply chains. thomas cueni is director general of the ifpma, the global association of pharmaceutical research companies. thank you forjoining us. what do you make of the us move? it is disappointing — you make of the us move? it is disappointing and _ you make of the us move? it 3 disappointing and it doesn't really address the real problems. i can only echo what the president of the european commission said, what we need now is a willingness of rich countries to walk the talk and show solidarity because i can only agree that right now we have seen hugely in equitable access, rich countries have excess bases. they are

vaccinating the young and healthy and poor countries get almost nothing, particularly when we see what happened in india because of the emergency situation. sadly, the way that would do nothing to increase doses. it is more likely to disrupt efforts which are run getting —— the waiver. 0n the basis of a legal framework which they trusted engaging in more than 200 technology transfer agreements, leaving no stone unturned, to increase the real complex manufacturing of vaccines. you do need, for example for the pfizer vaccine, you need 280 ingredients from 86 suppliers countries. a waiver of the patent wouldn't give you the recipe you how to put the ingredients together to the vaccine.

isn't the web at all, the technology, the know—how available to transfer that knowledge? surely, if the patterns are waved and that information given to various countries and they can produce their various vaccines, wooden bat speed up various vaccines, wooden bat speed up the supply to base countries? —— patents are waived. up the supply to base countries? -- patents are waived.— patents are waived. waiver doesn't live ou patents are waived. waiver doesn't give you the _ patents are waived. waiver doesn't give you the expertise, _ patents are waived. waiver doesn't give you the expertise, everythingl give you the expertise, everything thatis give you the expertise, everything that is part of this, namely knowledge sharing, training of workers, skilled workers, ensuring the quality is there. i'm concerned that this waiver would only create disruption, would actually create anger because people would realise that it doesn't increase doses but it sets a terrible precedent for future pandemics. the companies, for

example moderna, on the stock market they got a huge hit immediately, much more so than the bigger companies. if i much more so than the bigger companies-— much more so than the bigger comanies. , , , �* companies. ifi can be blunt, isn't that really — companies. ifi can be blunt, isn't that really what _ companies. ifi can be blunt, isn't that really what it's _ companies. ifi can be blunt, isn't that really what it's all _ companies. ifi can be blunt, isn't that really what it's all about, - that really what it's all about, frankly? it's about big pharma companies wanted to protect their intellectual property rights and protect their profits. hat intellectual property rights and protect their profits.— intellectual property rights and protect their profits. not in this moment because _ protect their profits. not in this moment because we _ protect their profits. not in this moment because we know- protect their profits. not in this moment because we know this| protect their profits. not in this i moment because we know this is business not as usual. we've seen 275 partnership agreements, we've seen 214 tech transfer agreements. companies are leaving no stone unturned to ramp up manufacturing. they are on track to increase manufacturing from zero to 10 billion this year but the real barriers of the trade restrictions, the export ban, the scarcity of raw materials and the lack of willingness of rich countries to

share doses are short term. and the issue is... ., .., , ., share doses are short term. and the issue is- - -— issue is... you can understand why other countries _ issue is... you can understand why other countries want _ issue is... you can understand why other countries want and _ issue is... you can understand why other countries want and are - other countries want and are desperate to get their hands on the information, the know—how to drive vaccine programmes forward in their individual countries. time is of the essence. isn't this the time in a global pandemic to make an exception to waive the patents and get the know—how to countries that desperately need it? the know-how to countries that desperately need it? the patented wouldn't give _ desperately need it? the patented wouldn't give even _ desperately need it? the patented wouldn't give even the _ desperately need it? the patented wouldn't give even the know-howl wouldn't give even the know—how because you need the collaboration, and by forcefully taking away beef patents, you compromise the collaboration. —— taking away the patents. indian manufacturers are equally concerned about disruption because they would also be patented is the tip of the iceberg, it's the recipe, but no one will tell you how to put the ingredients together. that can only be done in partnership and that is happening on a large

scale. i can understand that people are looking for the simple solution but simple solutions and simple answers to complex problems are quite often the wrong ones. thank ou. millions of people are casting their ballots today in the biggest test of voter opinion since the general election in 2019. every seat is up for grabs in the scottish parliament and welsh senedd — and there's a by—election in hartlepool. thousands of council seats in england are being contested as well as elections for a number of mayors. 0ur political correspondent helen catt has the details. coronavirus has made today's elections a little different. polling stations have been set up with safety measures. that means cleaning and screens, and one—way systems. there'll be a clean pencil for each voter — or you can bring your own — and you'll be asked to wear a face covering inside. there may also be limits on how many people can go in at once.

the outbreak of the pandemic delayed elections, which were due to take place last year. so this year, there are a bumper set of polls across most of the country. in scotland, voters will elect the 129 members of the scottish parliament. in wales, all 60 senedd seats are up for election. in england, voters will choose around 4,650 councillors, 13 mayors and 25 members of the london assembly. there are also elections for 39 police and crime commissioners across england and wales, and there is a by—election to pick the new mp for hartlepool. the polls will be open, as usual, until ten o'clock tonight. anyone self—isolating because of coronavirus can nominate someone else to cast their vote. applications for an emergency proxy, as it's known, can be made until 5pm. and if you have a completed postal vote, which didn't make it to the post box, you can hand it in at your local polling station until 10pm. when it comes to counting the results, that's going to take

longer than usual too. different counts are taking place over several days, from tonight until monday. helen catt, bbc news. and we will have full coverage of those election results for viewers in the uk, with the hartlepool by—election result expected before 6am uk time. then from 9am, huw edwards and kirsty wark are your guides as the votes are counted. some of the uk's biggest employers have told the bbc they don't plan to bring staff back to the office full time. 43 out of 50 firms told us they would embrace a mix of home and office working, with staff encouraged to work from home two to three days a week. another four said they're keeping the idea of hybrid working under review. ben thompson reports. back in the office after 14 months at home. i took on my role in march 2020. it was a baptism by pandemic. for monica, who started her newjob just as the crisis began, getting back to her desk

is a welcome change from the now familiar distractions of home. home schooling for a 12—year—old with a husband who's an architect and works full time at home also certainly caused some challenges for us. now we are reconfiguring. so, it is a healthy percentage of working from home and a healthy percentage of being in the office. it means employers have to make some big decisions about how and where their staff will work. making the most of the new flexibility, without stifling teamwork and collaboration. we're never going to go back to working the way we used to work. people are working from home 3—4 days, we probably need 20% less space, but we're not going to do that if everyone's working from home on mondays and fridays. so, we're going to have to manage that quite carefully. but as well as the impact on offices, what about the shops and cafes that cater to commuters? we rely really heavily

on the office trade. l there are locations that have 5,000 people, only 140 people _ came to the building. so most people are working from home or maybe just once a week coming. - and that makes it really difficult. working from home isn't for everyone, especially those without access to the right technology or reliable internet, or even a quiet place to work. but does it also depend on where in the country you live? is london, the capital with its long commutes and high house prices, different to elsewhere, where less time and money is spent on commuting and property is more affordable? working from home may be just one of the enduring changes brought about by this pandemic. i worry about the long—term impact on the enterprise, on our culture, on collaboration, on how we train people, how we develop people. you know, advertising and creative industries are something you learn from your colleagues, and you can only do that really if you are around them in an office.

fewer officers are being built. many existing ones could be converted to flats. and as businesses and their staff adjust to the new normal, our towns and cities could look very different. ben thompson, bbc news, in london. you've been sending me some really interesting messages on this subject. 0ne viewer says, interesting messages on this subject. 0ne viewersays, i interesting messages on this subject. 0ne viewer says, i think it's high time the government makes it's high time the government makes it law that companies should allow employees the flexibility of working from home. not everyone enjoys office socialisation, as long as the job gets done it doesn't matter. another viewer says, job gets done it doesn't matter. anotherviewersays, i job gets done it doesn't matter. another viewer says, i miss the office environment but i don't miss the crowded trains. ben �*s has —— ben says productivity

is better in the office. liam says we should all be supported to work from home if we want to, it's better for the environment and i can look after my partner. paul says, i am a software developer and working from home has been a revelation, my work—life balance has improved and my productivity has increased. i now realise how much of a distraction and how oppressive an office environment can be. well says, i can't wait to be back, but scared. hopefully, we don't have to go into another lockdown. sophie — if companies choose not to go back to the office, those workers who suffer from mental health issues while working from home won't cope. it will seclude people and affect those who thrive on the contact of colleagues whilst working. two more. i am a freelancer and working from home is normalfor me. getting out of our one bed london flat to work is a treat, and i enjoy using co—working spaces locally which

provide hospitality spaces to work in. and this last one from ben, i have worked from home for many years. it takes self discipline and organisation. it is clear to me that some people respond well to this and perform well. 0thers some people respond well to this and perform well. others do not. an interesting point to end those tweets um, thanks for sending those in. the headlines on bbc news... dozens of french boats have arrived injersey to protest against what french fishermen say are unfair restrictions on theirfishing rights. thejersey government is meeting the fishermen today. two british royal navy vessels have been sent to patrol the area. there are also reports of two french navy boats being deployed. the us is backing a move which would allow developing nations to make cheaper versions of coronavirus vaccines. the us secretary of state, anthony blinken, says he doesn't know yet if iran is serious about returning to the deal that limited its nuclear activities.

millions of people are voting today in a series of elections in england, scotland and wales — in the biggest test of voter opinion since the 2019 general election. let's return to our lead story — two ministers from jersey have said they'll talk this morning to french fishermen who've gathered near the island's main port of st helier in protest at post—brexit fishing rules. the fishermen are objecting to the new licences required to fish in jersey's waters. two royal naval ships are monitoring the situation at a distance, and in the last hour we've learned that two french navy boats have been deployed to waters nearjersey. we're nowjoined by lord peter ricketts, who was the british ambassador to france until 2016. thank you for your time. i spoke a short while ago to the president of thejersey fishermen �*s association the jersey fishermen �*s association and he accused the french fishermen

of intimidation and bullying. i asked him, did he think that both the french fishermen and the fishermen from jersey were now suffering because of a deal that hadn't dotted all the eyes and crossed the teasing time, what do you think? crossed the teasing time, what do ou think? , , , , ., you think? firstly, this is a ical you think? firstly, this is a typical french _ you think? firstly, this is a typical french way - you think? firstly, this is a typical french way of - you think? firstly, this is a i typical french way of making you think? firstly, this is a - typical french way of making a protest. if they want to grab the attention of the french government, they have got the champs—elysees. they wanted to grab the attention of the british government and the jersey authorities, so they are blocking st helier airport. you say fierce things, you make big gestures, but in the end it's a cry for attention and it sounds to me at the heart of this is a failure of communication. rightly or wrongly, these fishermen seem to be taken by surprise and seem to think their livelihoods are now threatened and we have seen reports of up to 70% of the french fishing fleet in that area being threatened. if that is the case, there should surely have been some more warning and it's a

good thing that thejersey good thing that the jersey authorities are sitting down to talk with the fishermen. my guess is that this will get resolved if everyone keeps calm and carries on negotiating.— keeps calm and carries on negotiating. keeps calm and carries on neurotiatin. �* ., , ., , negotiating. but as we have 'ust mentioned. fl negotiating. but as we have 'ust mentioned, two i negotiating. but as we have 'ust mentioned, two french �* negotiating. but as we have just mentioned, two french naval. negotiating. but as we have just i mentioned, two french naval boats have been deployed as well, adding to the two british navy boats that are already in the waters ofjersey. this seems to be ratcheting up the tension. do you think that despite that, both sides will have cool heads and try to sort this out before it has escalated any further? i certainly hope so. in a way, the french fishermen have already got what they wanted. here we are, this is dominating the british media today. it has got everyone's attention, focus minds on the problem. yes, the british and french have sent boats. i'm afraid this is all fairly typical. neither government wants to look weak in front of its own electorate. the fishing lobby in france is strong, as it is in the uk. so we are

looking at gestures here. behind the gestures, i hope, there is space for people to talk, and notjust for the jersey authorities. i hope the british fishing minister will talk to his french counterpart as well. the whole thing needs to be got back into context. and thejersey authorities could reassure french fishermen that this isn't the end of their livelihoods, because if it is, we will have continued problems. you sa it we will have continued problems. you say it seems — we will have continued problems. you say it seems to _ we will have continued problems. you say it seems to be a failure of communication. i bring you back to my first question, though — is a failure of the original deal to work out fine detail, the practical realities of day—to—day life, in this case fishing rights? i realities of day-to-day life, in this case fishing rights? i don't know the answer _ this case fishing rights? i don't know the answer to _ this case fishing rights? i don't know the answer to that - this case fishing rights? i don't l know the answer to that because this case fishing rights? i don't i know the answer to that because i wasn't on the inside, but that may be the case, that something as complicated as fishing around the channel island waters, where there are all sorts of historic rights and preserved agreements, is probably much more complicated than could have been worked out in the brussels talks. therefore, perhaps it was

left of the channel islands authorities to work it out. one way or the other, they seem to have caught the french fishermen by surprise. they seem not to have known what was coming from the jersey side. so yes, there are probably some ambiguity is left in the agreement. 0ne probably some ambiguity is left in the agreement. one way or the other, the agreement. one way or the other, the two sides haven't met properly and got it all thrashed out. that is why negotiation is important. if there were gaps, they now need to be rapidly filled in and confidence needs to be rebuilt. at the end with the day, thejersey needs to be rebuilt. at the end with the day, the jersey and needs to be rebuilt. at the end with the day, thejersey and french fishermen have to coexist. the day, the jersey and french fishermen have to coexist. there seem to be _ fishermen have to coexist. there seem to be two _ fishermen have to coexist. there seem to be two issues, - fishermen have to coexist. there seem to be two issues, talking i fishermen have to coexist. there| seem to be two issues, talking to jersey's minister for external affairs earlier. the french are saying some technical measures were introduced to the arrangement which haven't been communicated to the eu, and the jersey haven't been communicated to the eu, and thejersey minister said to me that there are a couple of issues around environmental protections. then there also seems to be the issue of the french fishermen

providing gps data to prove they have been fishing in these waters offjersey, specifically from 2012 to 2016. i don't know if you have any insight into the specifics of this and where the nub of the issue is? i this and where the nub of the issue is? ., �* ., ., , ., is? i don't have anything on the secifics is? i don't have anything on the specifics of _ is? i don't have anything on the specifics of that. _ is? i don't have anything on the specifics of that. if _ is? i don't have anything on the specifics of that. if we - is? i don't have anything on the specifics of that. if we are i is? i don't have anything on the. specifics of that. if we are asking people to produce gps data going back years, that is surely something that should have been done with plenty of advance warning and the technical assistance that these people would need. perhaps now we can catch up with the failure to do that, if that's the case. and if there are new environmental restrictions, they should be fully explained. there should be an equitable share of what is available between the jersey fishermen whose waters these are in the french fishermen who have fished in those waters for generations. remember when i was in the embassy for paris in the 1990s, we had a big blow up with french fishermen then and everyone got furious. but these

fishermen have been fishing the same waters for generations. this must be capable of resolution, itjust needs a serious sitting down and calming of tensions. ii a serious sitting down and calming of tensions-— of tensions. if you are currently the uk ambassador— of tensions. if you are currently the uk ambassador to - of tensions. if you are currently the uk ambassador to france, | of tensions. if you are currently i the uk ambassador to france, what advice would you be giving to the prime minister? i advice would you be giving to the prime minister?— prime minister? i would say for heaven's sake, _ prime minister? i would say for heaven's sake, make _ prime minister? i would say for heaven's sake, make sure i prime minister? i would say for heaven's sake, make sure the i prime minister? i would say for i heaven's sake, make sure the two fishing ministries are talking to each other in support of the local discussions at the jersey level. reassure everyone that the objective is to come out with a negotiated solution that respects the rights of all sides and doesn't leave the french fishermen feeling like they are having their livelihoods cut away without any warning. deval -- lord ricketts, _ away without any warning. deval -- lord ricketts, thank _ away without any warning. deval -- lord ricketts, thank you _ away without any warning. deval -- lord ricketts, thank you very i away without any warning. deval -- | lord ricketts, thank you very much. the us secretary of state, anthony blinken, has said washington does not yet know if iran is serious about returning to the deal that constrained its nuclear activities. in an interview with the bbc, mr blinken said iran was getting

closer to the point when it could produce fissile material for a nuclear weapon within a few months. here's our diplomatic correspondent, james landale. antony blinken, america's new top diplomat, at one of his first major international meetings this week, letting the world know the us was back on the diplomatic stage, ready to engage after four years of america first. but will he and the us agree to lift sanctions on iran in an attempt to revive the agreement that curbed the country's nuclear activities, a deal known by diplomats as thejcpoa? i think we've demonstrated our very seriousness of purpose in terms of wanting to get back into the so—called jcpoa, compliance for compliance. what we don't yet know is whether iran is prepared to make the same decision and to move forward. he also warned that the longer iran remained outside the deal, the time the country could take

to produce weapons—grade nuclear material, known as the break—out time, would get shorter. right now, unfortunately, iran has itself lifted many of the constraints imposed on it by the agreement because we pulled out, and it's now getting closer and closer again to that point where its break—out time is going to be down to a few months and eventually even less. in a wide—ranging interview, mr blinken said the us was not trying to contain china, but it would not accept further breaches of the international rules—based order. we're in favour of holding certain basic ideas, and in particular this so—called rules—based international system that we and the united kingdom among others have heavily invested in for generations. and it's been a benefit to us, been a benefit to countries around the world. whenever anyone tries to undermine the system by not

playing by the rules, by not making good on commitments it's made, then we will stand up and say, "no, we don't accept that". 0n russia, mr blinken said the us would prefer a more predictable relationship, but... if russia acts recklessly or aggressively, as it did with the solarwinds cyber—intrusion, as it did with interference in our elections, as it did with what it's done to mr navalny, then we will respond. but at the same time, we would prefer a more stable and predictable relationship. as for the united states, mr blinken said he would recognise that one country could not solve the world's problems by acting alone, so collaboration was the driving part of president biden's foreign policy. breaking news from the international criminal court, where judges

breaking news from the international criminal court, wherejudges have sentenced a former ugandan child soldier who went on to become a commander of the rebel lord's resistance army to 25 years in prison. he was convicted in february of 61 crimes including rape, sexual enslavement, child abductions, torture and murder and judges at the international criminal court have sentenced him to 25 years in prison. an update as well on the situation in the waters ofjersey, where french fishermen are protesting over fishing rights. we were reporting that two french navy boats had been sent to the waters nearjersey. we are told they are in fact not french navy boats, but they are french police and administrative vessels, is the description being given to us, not navy vessels. of course, there are two british navy vessels off the coast ofjersey as well currently. updates are coming in all the time on this situation, but they

are just the time on this situation, but they arejust in the the time on this situation, but they are just in the french side of the maritime border between france and jersey. we will keep an eye on that situation. we know two ministers from the jersey situation. we know two ministers from thejersey government are going out on a boat to talk to some of the french fishermen who are protesting off the waters ofjersey. we were up due to —— update you as soon as we hear more. a court in hong kong has given the pro—democracy activist, joshua wong, an additional ten months' imprisonment. he was previouslyjailed for breaching security laws. he's now been sentenced for taking part in a protest lastjune to commemorate the victims of the tiananmen square massacre. a lack of adequate healthcare for women and young girls in afghanistan has become so dire, it's at life—threatening levels, according to human rights watch. a new report has found a decline in internationalfunding is impacting the most basic health needs, including family planning.

up to 72% of afghan women live in poverty and don't have access to modern contraceptives and therefore often face risky pregnancies. human rights watch fears international aid will continue declining, especially once the united states withdraws troops by september this year. 0ur chief international correspondent, lyse doucet, who has lived in afghanistan for years, gave us her assessment of the situation. there have been nearly two decades of international engagement. but afghanistan is still a country where 90% of the people live on less than $2 a day, and where the government budget, more than 75% is funded by donors. it's truly shocking. when you leave the capital, the urban areas of course have seen more of the aid and attention and more of the development. this report talks about how mothers have to make the decision sometimes, they can't afford a taxi to get to the hospital, they can't afford the health care, the medicines that government

hospitals are having to charge for because their budgets are going down. so mothers are really faced with really invidious choices, so that many of them are giving birth at home. this human rights watch report talks about how afghanistan's ranking on all the key indicators of women and children's development are rapidly declining. the fear is that it will continue to decline, so now they are raising the flag and saying the world should take note. now is not the time to abandon afghanistan, including its vulnerable women and children. the headlines on bbc news... dozens of french boats have arrived injersey — to protest against what french fishermen say are unfair restrictions on theirfishing rights. the us is backing a move which would allow developing nations to make cheaper versions of coronavirus vaccines. the us secretary of state, anthony blinken, says he doesn't know yet if iran is serious

about returning to the deal that limited its nuclear activities. the final of this year's european champions league will be an all—english affair after chelsea beat real madrid to set up a showdown with manchester city. uefa has inisted the final will take place in istanbul at the end of this month, despite concerns over coronavirus in turkey. so should — and could — the match be moved? with me is emily brobyn, who writes for the manchester city fanzine, king of the kippax. also, i'm joined by dan silver, of the chelsea supporters trust. you are obviously excited that this is an all english champions league final. emily, istanbul — these things are arranged a long time in advance, so what hope do you hold out of the venue actually changing? i mean, i can see it from both sides because it was moved from istanbul

last season and it was moved to lisbon to accommodate the champions league final between psg and bayern. i understand about them wanting to play it there to bring a focus for tourism and its been in place for a while. but the reality is that we are still in the middle of the covid pandemic. we still have to look at the safety aspects around the final. turkey are in a lockdown right now. covid is out of control and that is going to be reviewed on the 17th may. likewise, ourtravel restrictions are only being reviewed on 17th may as well. so with the uncertainty around such a prestigious event, it does leave so many questions and not enough answers. ., , ., many questions and not enough answers. ., y ., ~ answers. dan, do you think considerations _ answers. dan, do you think considerations have - answers. dan, do you think considerations have to i answers. dan, do you think considerations have to take answers. dan, do you think - considerations have to take priority in all of this and do you think pressure might be brought to bear on uefa over this?— uefa over this? absolutely. the covid concerns _ uefa over this? absolutely. the covid concerns far _ uefa over this? absolutely. the covid concerns far override i uefa over this? absolutely. the covid concerns far override the | covid concerns far override the football —

covid concerns far override the football match. if you have 10,000 chelsea _ football match. if you have 10,000 chelsea and city fans going out there _ chelsea and city fans going out there and — chelsea and city fans going out there and then coming back, who knows _ there and then coming back, who knows what could happen? it's not a safe place _ knows what could happen? it's not a safe place. we found last year what the impact — safe place. we found last year what the impact was. common sense should dictate _ the impact was. common sense should dictate how— the impact was. common sense should dictate how far fans travel. whether uefa will _ dictate how far fans travel. whether uefa will listen, i don't know. but somewhere like wembley or the millennium stadium be easier for city fans— millennium stadium be easier for city fans to get to. public health has to— city fans to get to. public health has to he — city fans to get to. public health has to be the priority was that emily. — has to be the priority was that emily, going back to what fans might do, emily, going back to what fans might do. what _ emily, going back to what fans might do, what are you hearing at the moment? — do, what are you hearing at the moment? we do, what are you hearing at the moment?— do, what are you hearing at the moment? . ., ., ., ., moment? we are waiting to find out what the rules _ moment? we are waiting to find out what the rules are _ moment? we are waiting to find out what the rules are because - moment? we are waiting to find out what the rules are because foreign i what the rules are because foreign travel is still illegal, but are fans desperate to go to istanbul if thatis fans desperate to go to istanbul if that is where the match is going to be held, or do you think people will held back because they think the covid risk and the expensive testing etc is not worth it?— etc is not worth it? there is so much uncertainty _ etc is not worth it? there is so much uncertainty and - etc is not worth it? there is so much uncertainty and that i etc is not worth it? there is so much uncertainty and that is l etc is not worth it? there is so i

much uncertainty and that is the problem right now. i am aware of quite a few people who have booked flights. i myself looked at flights, but i want to have different generations of city support around me. with people in the vulnerable category, that makes it incredibly difficult. wembley has been mentioned in the conversation and i am aware that play—off matches are being played there, so it is highly unlikely. there are issues around scottish football grounds as well. so the only real possibility could be cardiff. but i hope that in this circumstance, common—sense prevails. i know we have seen teams celebrate titles and promotions without being allowed in the stadium. but in this circumstance, sending fans out to a place that is riddled with covid is so highly inappropriate. dan. place that is riddled with covid is so highly inappropriate. dan, what are ou so highly inappropriate. dan, what are you hearing — so highly inappropriate. dan, what are you hearing from _ so highly inappropriate. dan, what are you hearing from chelsea i so highly inappropriate. dan, what are you hearing from chelsea fans| so highly inappropriate. dan, what i are you hearing from chelsea fans on whether they are willing to travel?

i think the same. i have a couple of friends _ i think the same. i have a couple of friends who— i think the same. i have a couple of friends who have booked some who are not sure _ friends who have booked some who are not sure it _ friends who have booked some who are not sure it is— friends who have booked some who are not sure. it isjust not a practical solution — not sure. it isjust not a practical solution right now, there is too much _ solution right now, there is too much uncertainty. we have seen the impact _ much uncertainty. we have seen the impact covid has had across the world — impact covid has had across the world as — impact covid has had across the world. as much as i would love to be out there. _ world. as much as i would love to be out there. i— world. as much as i would love to be out there, i have to put my health and my— out there, i have to put my health and my family's and my friends' health— and my family's and my friends' health first. i will watch it somewhere with a few close friends. uefa need _ somewhere with a few close friends. uefa need to think long and hard about— uefa need to think long and hard about this — uefa need to think long and hard about this decision. i understand that istanbul have lost two finals, but they— that istanbul have lost two finals, but they could have one further down the line _ but they could have one further down the line. right now, it is the health— the line. right now, it is the health of— the line. right now, it is the health of everyone that should be the priority. health of everyone that should be the priority-— health of everyone that should be the priority. finally, would you be lookin: to the priority. finally, would you be looking to the _ the priority. finally, would you be looking to the fa _ the priority. finally, would you be looking to the fa and _ the priority. finally, would you be looking to the fa and even - the priority. finally, would you be looking to the fa and even to i the priority. finally, would you be looking to the fa and even to the | looking to the fa and even to the government to try to lobby on this? potentially. i have seen a couple of petitions already started, so it is under consideration. because it is such a short space of time, let's go

for that. such a short space of time, let's go forthat. i such a short space of time, let's go for that. ., ., ., , , for that. i agree. common sense needs to prevail _ for that. i agree. common sense needs to prevail here. _ for that. i agree. common sense needs to prevail here. given i for that. i agree. common sensej needs to prevail here. given that restrictions— needs to prevail here. given that restrictions are still in place and there _ restrictions are still in place and there is— restrictions are still in place and there is such a small window, they need _ there is such a small window, they need to— there is such a small window, they need to act— there is such a small window, they need to act in the next few days. rivals _ need to act in the next few days. rivals on — need to act in the next few days. rivals on the pitch but in total agreement over this. dan silver from the chelsea supporters' trust and emily brobyn from the manchester city fans, thank you both very much. a 25—year—old woman from mali has given birth to nine babies. two more than doctors expected. the babies were born premature, and weigh less than a kilogram each. here's tanya dendrinos. 0ne, one, two, three, four, five, six,

seven, eight and one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eightand nine. halima one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight and nine. halima gave birth to five girls and four boys. the babies are all well and if there are no complications, family were set a new world record.— set a new world record. translate and this didn't _ set a new world record. translate and this didn't surprise _ set a new world record. translate and this didn't surprise me, i set a new world record. translate i and this didn't surprise me, because i am and this didn't surprise me, because i am a _ and this didn't surprise me, because i am a believer, but let me share my 'oy. i am a believer, but let me share my joy i_ i am a believer, but let me share my joy i am _ i am a believer, but let me share my joy iam very— i am a believer, but let me share my joy. i am very happy. nonuplets are extremely rare and risky. doctors in mali were worried, so the government intervened and the mother was flown to morocco. translation: she was 25 weeks pregnant, so we tried to make the pregnancy period longer until she reached 30 weeks. she gave birth

eventually with the help of a caesarean operation. we were surprised to find nine babies. irladia surprised to find nine babies. nadia solomon came _ surprised to find nine babies. nadia solomon came to _ surprised to find nine babies. nadia solomon came to international attention when she had octuplets in 2009. she holds the current world record for most babies born in a single birth to survive. space x — the company owned by elon musk which aims to carry people into space — has successfully completed another milestone in its development. after four previous attempts ended badly, its latest prototype has completed a successful high—altitude ascent and landing. the company was facing added pressure to succeed with wednesday's flight after nasa announced a version of starship will be used as a lunar lander when the space agency returns humans to the moon. here, the royal mail are releasing a set of 12 stamps to honour the music legend sir paul mccartney. the collection features eight album covers which have defined

the ex—beatle's career, along with photos of sir paul in the recording studio. the stamps go on sale later this month. you're watching bbc news. now it's time for a look at the weather with carol kirkwood. hello again. our forecast for today is another one of sunshine and showers. some of them will be heavy, with some hail and thunder. across the south of england, we've got the system moving through the english channel. that's producing some rain and that will clear away. then you can see how all of us are in the colder air represented by the blue, still with that northerly breeze. the rain continues to push away into the near continent. we'll see further showers across scotland, with the snow level rising back into the hills. some showers across northern england which could be wintry in the hills. a few showers in northern ireland. and a morning shower across wales and the midlands heading into east anglia and the south—east. temperatures are still

low for early may. this evening, while we still will hang on to quite a few showers, we still have that northerly wind, but there will be a lot of clear skies and that means the temperature will fall away rapidly. once again, below freezing in some countryside areas. so a cold and frosty start to the day, but a lot of sunshine. we will start off with showers in the north and west, but through the day we will see further showers develop, particularly in eastern scotland and eastern england. temperatures up a touch. moving into the weekend, this deep area of low pressure is coming our way and it's going to introduce some rain and strong winds, but milder conditions. a relatively dry start ahead of it, but the cloud will build as the rain pushes northwards, falling as transient snow for a time in the hills of scotland and moving away eventually from northern ireland. 16 degrees is possible if the rain

moves away quickly enough, with temperatures up for most of us. on sunday we have a cold front landing in parts of england and wales. on either side of that, it's sunshine and showers. but if the cold front slips further south, it will have an impact on the temperatures. we might not reach the 20 degrees we think we're going to get at the moment across the south—east, but temperatures are up across the board. how long is the milder weather going to last? well into the early part of next week. the front moves away but low pressure is still in charge, so we will have that combination of sunshine and showers and temperatures will dip a little, but not as low as they have been.

this is bbc news. i'm martine croxall. the headlines at 11: thejersey government is meeting french fishermen, after dozens of boats arrive in uk waters in jersey to protest about post—brexit fishing rights. two royal navy vessels are sent to patrol the area — two french police boats have been deployed. we cannot look back to the previous arrangements, they have gone. we must make the new trade deal work in all of our interests. millions of people are voting today in a series of elections in england, scotland and wales in the biggest test of voter opinion since the 2019 general election. the us backs a move which would allow developing nations to make cheaper versions of coronavirus vaccines. some of the uk's biggest employers say they don't plan to bring staff back to the office full time, instead opting for a mix of home and office working.

and it'll be an all—english champions league final in istanbul, where chelsea will play manchester city — each club are set to receive 4,000 tickets. good morning, welcome to bbc news. jersey's external affairs minister will meet with french fishermen this morning after dozens of french boats staged a protest in a dispute over post—brexit fishing rights. two royal navy vessels, hms severn and hms tamar, are patrolling the waters around the island to monitor the situation. they were sent by the government last night. france has threatened to cut off electricity to the island, which began issuing licences to french boats under a new system last week. the fishermen say their rights

are being unfairly restricted. well, as you can seejersey is far closer to the french coast than the south coast of england. and early this morning around 60 boats approached jersey's main harbour of st helier with what was described as a "sea of red lights and flares". our correspondent robert hall has been on a boat himself off the jersey coast near the fishermen. what has happened is the french are basically sitting off the entrance to st helier harbour. this is something of an impasse, they are not blockading it per se but making their presence felt they say and they are going to continue to do so, as many as possible of them, until the jersey as many as possible of them, until thejersey government come up with a response. the basic situation is that the french say the new system ofjersey licensing, allowing them of jersey licensing, allowing them into jazzy�*s ofjersey licensing, allowing them into jazzy�*s territorial waters post—brexit, is not up to the mark.

—— jersey�*s territorial waters. it makes their life impossible, they say, and damages their livelihoods. i spoke to a young fisherman a short time ago who said 80% of the french fleet could be put out of business by this, so they are determined to fight it. they are going to stay here for as long as they possibly can. post that i suspect there will be further discussions about whether they mount further protests. they did pull back to allow a cargo boat out of the harbour. they say they do not want to make matters worse, but they are determined that this matter needs resolving. jersey's minister of external affairs, senator ian gorst, explained what had happened as the fishermen arrived in the island's waters. the vessels came in in the early hours of the morning. and white mane a ship that brings in supplies arrived safely. —— our main ship. it has a slightly delayed departure, but so far at the demonstration or protest has been peaceful, which is what we would have expected. we have

always known the transition from the previous arrangement we had with france over fishing rights previous arrangement we had with france overfishing rights in previous arrangement we had with france over fishing rights injazzy waters to the new post—brexit trade deal was going to be difficult and challenging. there is a bureaucratic process of providing information, but what is important is that we respond firmly to threats, and we have had disproportionate threats from paris and now the potential blockade, but the answer to the issues that are being phased are without doubt talking and diplomacy. jersey's external affairs minister. french fisherman are protesting about difficulties they've had in obtaining licences which means they are being prevented from operating in british waters. under an agreement with the eu, french boat operators must show a history of fishing in the area to receive a licence forjersey�*s waters. jersey has sole power to issue the licences, which came into effect last week. on friday, 41 permits were granted to french fishing vessels that were equipped with technology which means they can be located. but the french government claimed

the list of approved ships came back with additional requirements that had not been previously discussed. here's the reaction to what's happening injersey, from the president of thejersey fishermen's association, don thompson. i think when the minister for the sea makes a threat to sever the electricity supply, that has to be taken very seriously, whether it is intended or not, it was made in public and the consequences of that would obviously be very severe. the friendship that carries through to the island is trapped in the port —— the island is trapped in the port —— the ship. it cannot be taken too lightly, what i do know is that fishermen are very angry to hear that their own government considers it appropriate to go out and have

negotiations on board a boat with a french fisherman. brute negotiations on board a boat with a french fisherman.— negotiations on board a boat with a french fisherman. we will of course be lookin: french fisherman. we will of course be looking more _ french fisherman. we will of course be looking more at _ french fisherman. we will of course be looking more at the _ french fisherman. we will of course be looking more at the jersey i french fisherman. we will of course be looking more at the jersey story | be looking more at the jersey story throughout the morning on be looking more at thejersey story throughout the morning on bbc news. let's look at the internet pc and we can show you that representatives from granville, saint marlow... those restrictions are still in force and requiring certain consideration so that these representatives can meet. the assistant environment minister is now speaking to french fishing representatives according to the

local newspaper the jersey representatives according to the local newspaper thejersey evening post. we will keep an eye on that situation as those talks progress, with france of course saying they will think of other forms of retaliation having said that they will cut off electricity to the island if this dispute cannot be resolved. millions of people are casting their ballots today in the biggest test of voter opinion since the general election in 2019. every seat is up for grabs in the scottish parliament and welsh senedd and there's a by—election in hartlepool. thousands of council seats in england are being contested as well as elections for a number of mayors. our political correspondent helen catt has the details. coronavirus has made today's elections a little different. polling stations have been set up with safety measures. that means cleaning and screens, and one—way systems. there'll be a clean pencil for each voter — or you can bring your own — and you'll be asked to wear a face covering inside. there may also be limits on how many people can go in at once. the outbreak of the pandemic delayed

elections, which were due to take place last year. so this year, there are a bumper set of polls across most of the country. in scotland, voters will elect the 129 members of the scottish parliament. in wales, all 60 senedd seats are up for election. in england, voters will choose around 4,650 councillors, 13 mayors and 25 members of the london assembly. there are also elections for 39 police and crime commissioners across england and wales, and there is a by—election to pick the new mp for hartlepool. the polls will be open, as usual, until ten o'clock tonight. anyone self—isolating because of coronavirus can nominate someone else to cast their vote. applications for an emergency proxy, as it's known, can be made until 5pm. and if you have a completed postal vote, which didn't make it to the post box, you can hand it in at your local polling station until 10pm. when it comes to counting the results, that's going to take longer than usual too. different counts are taking place over several days,

from tonight until monday. helen catt, bbc news. and we will have full coverage of those election results tomorrow, with the hartlepool by—election result expected before 6am. then from 9am, huw edwards and kirsty wark are your guides as the votes are counted. some of the uk's biggest employers have told the bbc they don't plan to bring staff back to the office full time. 43 out of 50 firms told us they would embrace a mix of home and office working, with staff encouraged to work from home two to three days a week. another four said they're keeping the idea of "hybrid working" under review. ben thompson reports. back in the office after 14 months at home. i took on my role in march 2020. it was a baptism by pandemic. for monica, who started her newjob just as the crisis began, getting back to her desk is a welcome change from the now familiar distractions of home.

home schooling for a 12—year—old with a husband who's an architect and works full—time at home also certainly caused some challenges for us. now we are reconfiguring. so, it is a healthy percentage of working from home and a healthy percentage of being in the office. it means employers have to make some big decisions about how and where their staff will work. making the most of the new flexibility, without stifling teamwork and collaboration. we're never going to go back to working the way we used to work. people are working from home 3—4 days, we probably need 20% less space, but we're not going to do that if everyone's working from home on mondays and fridays. so, we're going to have to manage that quite carefully. but as well as the impact on offices, what about the shops and cafes that cater to commuters? we rely really heavily on the office trade. l there are locations that have 5,000 people, only 140 people _

came to the building. so, most people are working - from home or maybe just once a week coming, and that makes it really difficult. - working from home isn't for everyone, especially those without access to the right technology or reliable internet, or even a quiet place to work. but does it also depend on where in the country you live? is london, the capital with its long commutes and high house prices, different to elsewhere, where less time and money is spent on commuting and property is more affordable? working from home may be just one of the enduring changes brought about by this pandemic. i worry about the long—term impact on the enterprise, on our culture, on collaboration, on how we train people, how we develop people. you know, advertising and creative industries are something you learn from your colleagues, and you can only do that really if you are around them in an office. fewer offices are being built. many existing ones could be

converted to flats. and as businesses and their staff adjust to the new normal, our towns and cities could look very different. ben thompson, bbc news, in london. a man who died after being stabbed has been described as an "amazing father" by his family. 34—year—old james gibbons died soon after he was attacked in laindon, essex on sunday evening. five teenagers have been arrested on suspicion of murder and three have been released on bail. police believe the father—of—four had been going to the aid of another man when he himself was stabbed. around one in three people in england aged 50 and over and identifying as black caribbean are unlikely to have received any covid—19 vaccine, new figures suggest. vaccination rates for this ethnic group, up to the 12th of april, are estimated to be 66.8%, the lowest among all ethnic minority groups, according to the office for national statistics.

for people aged 50 and over identifying as black african the estimated rate is 71.2%, with rates of 78.4% for people from a pakistani background, and 86.9% for people from a bangladeshi background. the estimated rate for people identifying as white british is 93.7%. so why is there such lower takeup amongst some other groups? well, we can discuss this more now with dr parth patel, a clinical research fellow at university college london. thank you very much forjoining us. what are the different reasons for low uptake?— what are the different reasons for low u take? ., ., , low uptake? there are a few things auoin on low uptake? there are a few things going on here- _ low uptake? there are a few things going on here. in _ low uptake? there are a few things going on here. in epidemiology, i low uptake? there are a few things going on here. in epidemiology, it| going on here. in epidemiology, it is rare that there is just one contributing cause. the thing that comes to most people's minds as to why are there differences in vaccination rates between different ethnic groups, the first thing is

that vaccine hesitancy. that is because pattern in vaccine hesitancy, people that are unsure or unlikely to take one if offered, to some extent match differences in vaccination rates, but that is not the full story, that is an important thing to remember. it feels like a statement of the obvious, but it is something that is forgotten quite a lot, whether you want to vaccine or not is not the only reason that determines whether you get a vaccine or not. so yes, it is very likely and definitely vaccine hesitancy is contributing to some of these disparities, but otherfactors contributing to some of these disparities, but other factors are likely to be at play here and namely thatis likely to be at play here and namely that is of vaccine access, how easy is it for you to get a vaccine? we know you have to travel for a vaccine, for some it is easy, it is down the road, down to a local mosque or church, other people have to track to a stadium across town which is very different. how can that explain ethnic disparities in vaccination rates? we know adults

over 55, vaccination rates? we know adults over55, people vaccination rates? we know adults over 55, people from most minority ethnic backgrounds, adults from most minority ethnic backgrounds over 55... they may be less likely to own a car, that might make it harder to get a vaccine. we know people from most minority ethnic backers are less likely to know a close family member or friend who lives nearby that might be and get to a vaccination centre. although things are likely to be contributing too, so it is a mixed picture vaccine access, which is probably a bit too forgotten in the policy—making and public discourse phase and then this other area vaccine hesitancy and we know lots that already. what other area vaccine hesitancy and we know lots that already.— know lots that already. what is the ukefihood know lots that already. what is the likelihood that _ know lots that already. what is the likelihood that people _ know lots that already. what is the likelihood that people have - know lots that already. what is the likelihood that people have been . likelihood that people have been affected by concerns about the astrazeneca safety, which was obviously reported for some time before the tests were done again and also the anti—vaccine conspiracy

theories which have been rampant on social media? fin theories which have been rampant on social media?— social media? on the astrazeneca sto , it social media? on the astrazeneca story. it is — social media? on the astrazeneca story. it is not _ social media? on the astrazeneca story, it is not clear— social media? on the astrazeneca story, it is not clear what - social media? on the astrazeneca story, it is not clear what impact i story, it is not clear what impact that has had on a vaccine attitude and vaccine hesitancy. it is being studied and it is not quite clear what the impact that has had is, it is difficult to say if that has cut through to affect people's opinions of the vaccine and how likely they are to take it. what we do know from the latest ons data is a number of people who are saying that they are fairly unlikely or very unlikely to say no, to single digits across all age groups and ethnic groups across groups. on tear that the second question about conspiracy theories, we know that contributes intensive when we look at the causes of vaccine hesitancy, the number one cause is concerned about the vaccine itself, how safe it is, what are the side effects, are there any long—term effects that we do not know about? we know that is the number one thing that people say worries them when they express a

vaccine hesitant perspective of you. conspiracy theories is definitely some part of that. we also know concerns about covid—19 illness is also a part of it, how worried are you about the virus? you see that particularly play out in younger aged adults, so why some younger aged adults, so why some younger aged adults, so why some younger aged adults are more on the fence about taking a vaccine, some of it is because the virus is not that big of a threat to them so that is playing a part in their psychological influences in terms of what is determining vaccine view or opinion. what is determining vaccine view or oinion. , , what is determining vaccine view or oinion., , ., , what is determining vaccine view or oinion. , ., , ., , opinion. just finally, how feasible, desirable, and _ opinion. just finally, how feasible, desirable, and helpful— opinion. just finally, how feasible, desirable, and helpfulwould i opinion. just finally, how feasible, desirable, and helpfulwould it i opinion. just finally, how feasible, desirable, and helpfulwould it be| desirable, and helpful would it be if people cannot get to the vaccine, take the vaccine it to them, a door—to—door service? take the vaccine it to them, a door-to-door service?- take the vaccine it to them, a door-to-door service? yes, that is a really interesting _ door-to-door service? yes, that is a really interesting idea _ door-to-door service? yes, that is a really interesting idea and _ door-to-door service? yes, that is a really interesting idea and we're i really interesting idea and we're starting to see that being piloted actually in some parts the uk. i don't know... i know leicester are piloting it and a couple of other places, that is an interesting idea, i think we are likely to see that

work to some extent was that the us are doing something slightly similar and it overcomes that act as barrier like i said. there is hesitancy and access, not doing enough about the access, not doing enough about the access will stop if you take to people's doors, that is a difference, how big a difference has yet to be seen. difference, how big a difference has yet to be seen-— difference, how big a difference has yet to be seen. thank you very much for talkin: yet to be seen. thank you very much for talking to — yet to be seen. thank you very much for talking to us. _ yet to be seen. thank you very much for talking to us. thank _ yet to be seen. thank you very much for talking to us. thank you - yet to be seen. thank you very much for talking to us. thank you very - for talking to us. thank you very much. the headlines on bbc news: jersey's government is meeting with french fishermen after dozens of french boats stage a protest in a dispute over post—brexit fishing rights. millions of people are voting today in a series of elections in england, scotland and wales in the biggest test of voter opinion since the 2019 general election. the us is backing a move which would allow developing nations to make cheaper versions of coronavirus vaccines. a dog belonging to a police community officer who was murdered has been tested for dna in the hope it provides vital evidence. julia james, who was 53,

had taken herjack russell for a walk before her body was found in woodland in kent. simonjones reports. julia james walking her dog, toby. she was wearing these clothes, apart from the gloves, when she was murdered. her body found close to her house, her dog unharmed by her side. police are desperate to hear from anyone who saw julia, or her attacker. we've got a very considerable forensic strategy, as you would expect. it does include the dog. that is being staged through the laboratories. i'm not in a position — it wouldn't be appropriate for me to give a running commentary on the many exhibits and the forensic strategy that we have under way. but of course, we've considered all opportunities around toby. the outpouring of grief in the community continues. the question people are still asking is, why? until things are a little bit more known, i feel a bit vulnerable, if i'm honest with you. whether it's connected, whether because she was a policewoman, i don't know. you know, because there was, you know, something — somebody had a grudge

against her or something, or whether it was just purely, you know, random, who knows? the murder investigation is being led from here at folkestone police station. officers say it is their number one priority, and they're currently sifting through hundreds of pieces of information that have been provided by the public. police have released this map. they're keen to hear from anyone who was in this area on tuesday last week. officers are continuing to advise local people to be vigilant and let someone know when they go out. this community, like the police, are desperate for a breakthrough. simonjones, bbc news, folkestone. president biden's administration has announced the us will support a waiver of intellectual property rights to allow countries around the world to make their own coronavirus vaccines. he was responding to pressure on rich countries to share vaccine supplies and technology. two vaccine manufacturers, pfizer and moderna, saw their shares fall after the announcement. courtney bembridge has the details.

there is no doubt coronavirus vaccines aren't getting to the countries they're most needed. infections are spiralling out of control in india and brazil, where vaccination rates remain low. while in the us, it's estimated there will be at least 300 million doses more than the population needs by the end ofjuly — even as the vaccination programmes extend to children. the question of how to close the gap on vaccine supply — and fast — is the subject of a fierce debate. one proposal is to waive patents to make it easier for other countries to produce existing vaccines. the us has thrown its support behind the plan, saying... it's a really surprising and unprecedented move by the us department of state and the us government, which has usually been quite protective of intellectual property rights. the world health organization also

backs the proposal and says having us support is monumental. this is why. a virus that is spread anywhere uncontrolled, would be at risk of mutating and develop new variants, which is going to be coming back to haunt those who have managed to control the spread. but pharmaceutical companies say the plan would do little to get doses where they are most needed. it's the wrong answer. to a complex problem. it's a wrong but simple answer to a complex problem, - because it disrupts, - it distracts from tackling the real challenges, - which are trade barriers, including from the us, . disrupting supply chains. it prevents immediate - tackling of the bottlenecks in the supply chain, - the scarcity of raw materials. the world trade organization needs all members to agree before any decision can be made. the uk and the eu maintain

they'll block the plan. talks will go on, as cases continue to rise. courtney bembridge, bbc news. one of the obstacles to allowing the more widespread manufacture of vaccines is the patent law, which the us has said it will waive. the european union and its member states would have to agree and so far they haven't done so. but the president of the european commission, ursula von der leyen, indicated that she might look on the proposal favourably. we are ready to discuss how the us proposal for a waiver on intellectual property protection for covid vaccines could help achieve that objective. in the short run, however, we call upon all vaccine—producing countries to allow exports and to avoid measures that disrupt supply chains. a lack of adequate health care

for women and young girls in afghanistan has become so dire, it's at life threatening levels, according to human rights watch. a new report has found a decline in internationalfunding is impacting the most basic health needs, including family planning. up to 72% of afghan women live in poverty and don't have access to modern contraceptives and therefore often face risky pregnancies. human rights watch fears international aid will continue declining, especially once the united states withdraws troops by september this year. our chief international correspondent lyse doucet, who has lived in afghanistan for years, gave us her assessment of the situation. there has been nearly two decades of international engagement, but afghanistan is still a country where 90% of the people live on less than $2 a day and where the government budget more than 75% is funded by donors. it is truly shocking and when you leave the capital, the urban areas of course have seen

more of the aid and attention and more of the development, but this report talks about how mothers have to make the decision sometimes, they cannot afford a taxi to get to the hospital, they cannot afford the health care, the medicines that government hospitals more and more are having to transport because their budgets are going down. —— having to charge for. so mothers are really faced with really invidious choices such that many of them are giving birth at home and the human rights watch report talks about how afghanistan's ranking in all the key indicators of women and children's development are rapidly declining and the fear is that it will continue to decline. so now they are raising the flag and saying the world should take note. now is not the time to abandon afghanistan, including its vulnerable and children. a 25—year—old woman from mali has given birth to nine babies — nonuplets. two more than doctors expected.

the babies were born premature, and weigh less than a kilogram each. here's tanya dendrinos. one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eightand nine. halima cisse gave birth to five girls and four boys. the babies are all well and if there are no complications, the family will set a new world record.

nonuplets are extremely rare and risky. doctors in mali were worried, so the government intervened and the mother was flown to morocco. translation: she was 25 weeks pregnant, so we tried to make i the pregnancy period longer until she reached 30 weeks. she gave birth eventually with the help of a caesarean operation. we were surprised to find nine babies. nadya suleman came to international attention when she had octuplets in 2009. she holds the current world record for most babies born in a single birth to survive. space x, the company owned by elon musk which aims to carry people into space, has successfully completed another milestone in its development.

after four previous attempts ended badly, it's latest prototype has completed a successful high—altitude ascent and landing. the company was facing added pressure to succeed with wednesday's flight after nasa announced a version of starship will be used as a lunar lander when the space agency returns humans to the moon. that would concentrate your efforts, wouldn't it? now it's time for a look at the weather. the snow level rising back into the hills through the day. we also have a system pushing across the english channel, clearing away, so it will brighten up behind it, but for many, it is a forecast of sunshine and showers, some heavy, some thundery and some with pale. wintry on the tops of some of our hills as well. temperatures nine to 12 degrees. still a call at northerly wind.

overnight we continue with showers, again wintry on the hills, but a lot of clear skies and that will allow temperatures to drop low enough that some frost once again. these are the temperatures in towns and cities, in rural areas a bit lower than this. tomorrow again at the focus is one of sunshine and showers. a lot of the showers will be eastern areas, but we will see some in the west and it becomes a more unsettled into the weekend is a deep area of low pressure comes in, meaning wet and windy weather, but also milder weather. hello, this is bbc news. the headlines... jersey's government is meeting with french fishermen after dozens of french boats stage a protest in a dispute over post—brexit fishing rights. two royal navy vessels have been sent to monitor the area — two french patrol vessels have also been deployed. millions of people are voting today

in a series of elections in england, scotland and wales — in the biggest test of voter opinion since the 2019 general election. the us is backing a move which would allow developing nations to make cheaper versions of coronavirus vaccines. some of the uk's biggest employers say they don't plan to bring staff back to the office full time — instead opting for a mix of home and office working. sport now. despite it being an all english champions league final, uefa remain confident that the match will go ahead in istanbul with up to 4000 tickets available to both sets of fans. chelsea confirmed their place after a comfortable semifinal victory over 13 time winners real real madrid. they'll meet manchester city later this month as natalie pirks reports.

he has been here before. just last season,in he has been here before. just last season, in fact. he has been here before. just last season, infact. but he has been here before. just last season, in fact. but to reach the champions league final with chelsea, thomas tickell would have to beat a european powerhouse. ekg affair caught fire when werner got in front of the defence. it soon turned into a let off for chelsea. that was the warning chelsea needed to, when midfield dynamo conte territory. werner made sure. ben is a threat as chelsea defenders. —— file. chelsea almost made the perfect start to the second half, the confidence coursing against a spent force combat frustration was mounting as chance after chance went begging until a textbook team effort finally paid off. that is the final book for the

brilliant blues back at your�*s top table once more. —— europe. thomas tuckel is the first manager to get to back to back champions league finals with two different clubs. he said chelsea aren't going to be there just to make up the numbers. we will arrive with self—confidence and with a positive energy in istanbul, and hopefully with everybody, no injured players, and we will arrive in istanbul to when, not to be one of the participants. we want to arrive because we arrive with a clear focus to when. it was a good night for chelsea's women too as they returned to the top of the wsl. sam kerr scored both goals in a 2—0 win at tottenham. victory over reading on sunday would see them retain the title, having already won the league cup and they also have the champions league final against barcelona this weekend. tonight, manchester united and arsenal are in semi—finals action in the europa league. arsenal need to overturn a 2—1 defict. they're at home to villarreal.

meanwhile, united are scheduled to play four matches in eight days. that's because last sunday's postponed league match against liverpool has been re—arranged for next thursday. united take a 6—2 advantage over roma to italy tonight, so ole gunnar solkjaer may be tempted to rest some players, but he doesn't think the tie is already over. we are going to play to win that game. that is the only way i think we should approach these games. to develop, to test ourselves, challenge ourselves. of course might be one or two changes in the selection, because of the games coming up as well, but we have to get into the final. the british and irish lions squad will be confirmed in the next hour and it's widely expected that wales' alun wynjones will be named as captain. warren gatland will announce his 36 man squad for this summer's tour against south africa shortly. jones has been favourite for the role of captain since leading wales to the six nations title in march. this will be his fourth lions tour.

the three test series starts injuly. there are just 78 days to go until the start of the tokyo olympics, but there remains a degree of anxiety in japan. the majority of japanese people don't want the games to go ahead and this morning, the president of world atheltics, seb coe said there are tough days ahead. this morning teamgb — including gymnast max whitlock and cyclist laura kenny — collected their olympic kit at somerset house in central london. whitlock said athletes were aware that the responsibility of keeping covid safe was down to each member of team gb. we are positive with everything that is going ahead and in terms of team gb putting on everything they possibly can to make it as safe as possible. we have a whole block to our self in the village to make sure we are separated as we can be. it is down to the individuals i think everybody will agree that it is about being as safe as you can be in that environment. everything will be

put in place on protocol something like that to make sure we are. that is going to be key thing. that's all the sport for now. i'll have more for you in the next hour. in march 2020, when the world health organization declared that the coronavirus epidemic could be characterized as a pandemic, who would have predicted that the nature of work would be transformed 7 commuters swapped familiar cubicles and coffee shops for the familial four walls and dining table. they didn't think they were making a permanent transition to a hybrid, or even entirely remote lifestyle — but this may remain the norm for many. almost all 50 of the uk's biggest employers have told the bbc they do not plan to bring staff back to the office full—time — meaning overi million people will continue to work from home in some capacity. joining me now is peter cheese, the chief executive of the chartered institute of personnel and development. thank you very much forjoining us.

it certainly required people to be very fleet of foot just over a year ago, didn'ta? but very fleet of foot just over a year ago, didn't a? but in truth, just how flexible have working practices really become? it is how flexible have working practices really become?— really become? it is a really important — really become? it is a really important question. - really become? it is a really important question. as - really become? it is a really important question. as you | really become? it is a really - important question. as you have said, we have had to be very fleet of foot, adapt very rapidly. i suppose it depends how we define flexible. what we have been required to do, if we can, is to work from home. but there is still more than half the workforce who had to work in places of work. so it is really taking forward what we have learnt from working from home and remote working that i think can build down to more flexible work in future, which so many organisations are now talking about, and which have been trends we have talked about outright for a long time. trends we have talked about outright for a long time-— for a long time. what sort of choices would _ for a long time. what sort of choices would you _ for a long time. what sort of choices would you like - for a long time. what sort of - choices would you like employees to be given? choices would you like employees to be civen? �* , ,, .,~ be given? broadly speaking, when we talk about flexible, _ be given? broadly speaking, when we talk about flexible, some _ be given? broadly speaking, when we talk about flexible, some people - talk about flexible, some people might call it agile working, this

term hybrid working, it is the balance of both location, in other words, where we work, but also the errors and schedules which we work as well. we have had long—term discussions about more flexible working, people who have worked part—time and work very often in the past have found themselves disadvantaged, and it is interesting to note that tends to apply more to women, because more women have worked from home and work part—time, so one of the things we've had to learn to the working from home time of the last year is how to treat people fairly and had to focus in terms of well—being and supporting them effectively. we need to roll those ideas forward and then look at all of the workforce, notjust those ideas forward and then look at all of the workforce, not just those who can work from home, but those who can work from home, but those who also need to be any place of work and find these ways of errors and schedules which can give people more flexibility, choice and ultimately good for things like worklife balance and well—being —— hours. worklife balance and well-being -- hours. ~ ., .,

worklife balance and well-being -- hours. ~ . . , , ., hours. what are the benefits for the individual and _ hours. what are the benefits for the individual and for _ hours. what are the benefits for the individual and for companies - hours. what are the benefits for the individual and for companies and . individual and for companies and organisations when staff are given greater autonomy? organisations when staff are given greaterautonomy? i organisations when staff are given greater autonomy?— organisations when staff are given greater autonomy? i think one of the first thins greater autonomy? i think one of the first things that _ greater autonomy? i think one of the first things that has _ greater autonomy? i think one of the first things that has been... - greater autonomy? i think one of the first things that has been... we - first things that has been... we have seven surveys that show these things. many people are —— several surveys. you mention commute times. you have productivity gains, which many people have cited. well—being, because people feel like they can integrate and balance their lives better. i think another important part of this is also inclusion. we give more people opportunity to participate in work when they do have other commitments that might normally prevent them from always being any place of work. so i think there is lots of positive benefits which are for the individual, but of course, also and importantly, they are benefits to our organisations and employers as well. hater

are benefits to our organisations and employers as well. how relaxing, thou~h, and employers as well. how relaxing, though. are — and employers as well. how relaxing, though, are employers _ and employers as well. how relaxing, though, are employers in _ and employers as well. how relaxing, though, are employers in some - and employers as well. how relaxing, though, are employers in some casesj though, are employers in some cases to relinquish that control over how, where and when they are stab work? what would you say to them to encourage them to rethink? i think this is going _ encourage them to rethink? i think this is going to _ encourage them to rethink? i think this is going to be _ encourage them to rethink? i think this is going to be a _ encourage them to rethink? i think this is going to be a challenge. - this is going to be a challenge. let's not pretend this will all be easy. we are now entering into a new phase since the lockdown finished all of these very different ways in which people can work, and trying to make it all work by both giving people more choice, but also just managing the practicalities of work. and it includes things like better connection... we have always been has been the one person who is not in the room and trying tojoin remotely into meetings. we have got to really look at working practices like that. and balance the needs, therefore, ultimately of the individuals in the ongoing operations and work of the organisation. there are people and organisations that have quite publicly stated that people need to be in the office in order to connect and to learn from each other. of course, those are important things

as well, or even to innovate. the point of this is that it is not one size fits all, it is not one extreme or the other, and it is trying to balance the organisation will need to, which we will have to learn as we go. we cannot write out the principles and rules now. but really putting people much more front and centre in our organisational thinking. centre in our organisational thinkina. ., ~ centre in our organisational thinkina. . ~ ., centre in our organisational thinkina. ., ., thinking. thank you for your time. some breaking — thinking. thank you for your time. some breaking news _ thinking. thank you for your time. some breaking news from - thinking. thank you for your time. some breaking news from the - thinking. thank you for your time. | some breaking news from the high court. which has ruled that relatives of a woman caught up in the windrush scandal can apply per permission to live in britain without paying thousands of pounds in fees. the court decided that charging the family application fees of more than £20,000 would be a colossal interference in her human rights. she was unable to live in the uk until 2018 because the government did not correctly record your immigration status in the 19705, along with thousands of other windrush victims. but the deputy

high courtjudge tim smith has ruled in favour of the family and against the home secretary, and this decision could result in thousands of family members affected by the windrush scandal being able to apply to come to the uk without facing those large costs. the us secretary of state, anthony blinken, has said washington does not yet know if iran is serious about returning to the deal that constrained its nuclear activities. in an interview with the bbc, mr blinken said iran was getting closer to the point when it could produce fissile material for a nuclear weapon within a few months. here's our diplomatic correspondent, james landale. antony blinken, america's new top diplomat, at one of his first major international meetings this week, letting the world know the us was back on the diplomatic stage, ready to engage after four years of america first. but will he and the us agree to lift

sanctions on iran in an attempt to revive the agreement that curbed the country's nuclear activities, a deal known by diplomats as thejcpoa? i think we've demonstrated our very seriousness of purpose in terms of wanting to get back into the so—called jcpoa, compliance for compliance. what we don't yet know is whether iran is prepared to make the same decision and to move forward. he also warned that the longer iran remained outside the deal, the time the country could take to produce weapons—grade nuclear material, known as the break—out time, would get shorter. right now, unfortunately, iran has itself lifted many of the constraints imposed on it by the agreement because we pulled out, and it's now getting closer and closer again to that point where its break—out time

is going to be down to a few months and eventually even less. in a wide—ranging interview, mr blinken said the us was not trying to contain china, but it would not accept further breaches of the international rules—based order. we're in favour of upholding certain basic ideas, and in particular this so—called rules—based international system that we and the united kingdom among others have heavily invested in for generations. and it's been a benefit to us, been a benefit to countries around the world. whenever anyone tries to undermine the system by not playing by the rules, by not making good on commitments it's made, then we will stand up and say, "no, we don't accept that". on russia, mr blinken said the us would prefer a more predictable relationship, but... if russia acts recklessly or aggressively, as it did

with the solarwinds cyber—intrusion, as it did with interference in our elections, as it did with what it's done to mr navalny, then we will respond. but at the same time, we would prefer a more stable and predictable relationship. as for the united states, mr blinken said he recognised that one country could not solve the world's problems by acting alone, so collaboration was the driving part of president biden's foreign policy. the headlines on bbc news... jersey's government is meeting with french fishermen after dozens of french boats stage a protest in a dispute over post—brexit fishing rights. millions of people are voting today in a series of elections in england, scotland and wales — in the biggest test of voter opinion since the 2019 general election. the us is backing a move which would allow developing nations to make cheaper versions of coronavirus vaccines. wild rhino poaching in south africa is on the rise again,

despite falling to its lowest level in nearly a decade last year. but as lockdown restrictions in the country ease, the rate is creeping up and conservationists are being forced to take a more radical approach. they're removing the animals' horns to make them less valuable to poachers — with a procedure that's no more painful than trimming your fingernails. tim allman reports. by air... and by land. the battle against the poachers rages on. here at balule nature reserve, they hunt down and sedate a giant rhino. what they do next may strike you as rather gruesome. we have decided to dehorn our entire population. because of our high level of threat, we dehorn every rhino, even rhinos with calves. dehorning can be controversial.

critics say it leaves the animals defenceless. but it's designed to deter poachers. why hunt a rhino for its horn when it's already been removed? rhino numbers in this area fell by two thirds between 2008 and 2019. lockdown slowed that decline, but then the lockdown was eased. since november — december last year and into 2021, this landscape, and particularly kruger national park, has been experiencing serious numbers of rhino poaching incidents. this may seem like a cruel solution, but the poachers would simply let these rhinos die. british athletes are gearing up for the olympics and paralympics in tokyo this summer — postponed of course from last year due to the coronavirus pandemic. and today they've unveiled

the new kit they'll be sporting. lets find out more — and hear about how training has been going... with me is the climber shauna coxsey and also i'm joined by the rower benjamin pritchard. we can see what you're wearing but what do you make about? for we can see what you're wearing but what do you make about?— we can see what you're wearing but what do you make about? for me it is so surreal being _ what do you make about? for me it is so surreal being here _ what do you make about? for me it is so surreal being here wearing - what do you make about? for me it is so surreal being here wearing a - what do you make about? for me it is so surreal being here wearing a team| so surreal being here wearing a team gb kit because climbing has never been part of the games before, it is my first games. it incredible. wright i understand that there i understand that there are a lot of recycled materials, it is all sustainable, the catcher waiting? yes, which is a great move from a devious_ yes, which is a great move from a devious and — yes, which is a great move from a devious and team gb, to make use from _ devious and team gb, to make use from plastics of the ocean and the

medals_ from plastics of the ocean and the medals as — from plastics of the ocean and the medals as well have recycled materials from the electronic department. materials from the electronic department-— materials from the electronic department. materials from the electronic deartment. �* ., ., ., , department. i'm going to take a bit of a rescue — department. i'm going to take a bit of a rescue and _ department. i'm going to take a bit of a rescue and ask— department. i'm going to take a bit of a rescue and ask if— department. i'm going to take a bit of a rescue and ask if you _ department. i'm going to take a bit of a rescue and ask if you can - department. i'm going to take a bitj of a rescue and ask if you can stand up of a rescue and ask if you can stand up so we can see what you're wearing. i up so we can see what you're wearinu. ., up so we can see what you're wearing-— up so we can see what you're wearin.. . , , . . , up so we can see what you're wearin.. ., , ,., ., e1! wearing. i am stood up already. 0h, dean wearing. i am stood up already. oh, dear. we wearing. i am stood up already. oh, dear- we have _ wearing. i am stood up already. oh, dear. we have not _ wearing. i am stood up already. oh, dear. we have not choreographed i wearing. i am stood up already. oh, i dear. we have not choreographed this very well, happythis is the first time climbing has been in the olympics. i understand from a fanatical climbing colleague, guy, who was in the newsroom this morning, the three different types of climbing, speed, lead climbing and bouldering, is that right? yes! i tried eight _ and bouldering, is that right? yes! i tried eight years _ and bouldering, is that right? 123i i tried eight years ago and and bouldering, is that right? iesi i tried eight years ago and was terrible. which do you do? the ol mics terrible. which do you do? the olympics is _ terrible. which do you do? the olympics is a _ terrible. which do you do? iie olympics is a combination terrible. which do you do? 11131 olympics is a combination of terrible. which do you do? “iie: olympics is a combination of all three disciplines and won medals, so we have to do all three because our sport was only awarded one set of

medals, so it is a combined format with the opening future we can have medals for each individual discipline.— medals for each individual disciline. ~ . . ., discipline. we are much more familiar with _ discipline. we are much more familiar with rowing, - discipline. we are much more i familiar with rowing, benjamin, aren't we? many different ways in which you can compete. tell us about the way you roll. i which you can compete. tell us about the way you roll-_ the way you roll. i am a paralympic ho eful, the way you roll. i am a paralympic hopeful. hoping — the way you roll. i am a paralympic hopeful, hoping to _ the way you roll. i am a paralympic hopeful, hoping to go _ the way you roll. i am a paralympic hopeful, hoping to go in _ the way you roll. i am a paralympic hopeful, hoping to go in the - the way you roll. i am a paralympic hopeful, hoping to go in the pr - the way you roll. i am a paralympic| hopeful, hoping to go in the pr one men's _ hopeful, hoping to go in the pr one men's catholic of over 2000 metres, but because — men's catholic of over 2000 metres, but because of my disability i can only use — but because of my disability i can only use my arms to roll. i wrote by myself _ only use my arms to roll. i wrote by myself -- — only use my arms to roll. i wrote by myself -- roll_ only use my arms to roll. i wrote by myself. —— roll by myself. when my gosh. _ myself. —— roll by myself. when my gosh. that— myself. —— roll by myself. when my gosh. that is— myself. —— roll by myself. when my gosh, that is hard work. myself. -- roll by myself. when my gosh, that is hard work.— gosh, that is hard work. what i'm readina gosh, that is hard work. what i'm reading right _ gosh, that is hard work. what i'm reading right now... _ gosh, that is hard work. what i'm reading right now... i _ gosh, that is hard work. what i'm reading right now... i don't - gosh, that is hard work. what i'm reading right now... i don't think| gosh, that is hard work. what i'm| reading right now... i don't think! reading right now... i don't think i will have the jack in tokyo because it will be very warm. the kit is incredible and inspiring to wait it,

because it really feels like it is real. the games is happening, especially after the last year with the delay. so it feels like a really monumental day and a step closer towards being at the games. haifa monumental day and a step closer towards being at the games. how have ou towards being at the games. how have you managed — towards being at the games. how have you managed to _ towards being at the games. how have you managed to keep _ towards being at the games. how have you managed to keep training, - you managed to keep training, benjamin, with this data slipping and slipping and slipping? i did benjamin, with this data slipping and slipping and slipping?- and slipping and slipping? i did a lot of garage _ and slipping and slipping? i did a lot of garage based _ and slipping and slipping? i did a lot of garage based training. - lot of garage based training. luckily— lot of garage based training. luckily rowing you can grow on a rowing _ luckily rowing you can grow on a rowing machine and is very transferable across the water, so a lot of— transferable across the water, so a lot of my _ transferable across the water, so a lot of my summer was spent last year of my— lot of my summer was spent last year of my rowing — lot of my summer was spent last year of my rowing machine in my garage, and then_ of my rowing machine in my garage, and then we — of my rowing machine in my garage, and then we have been able to train at our— and then we have been able to train at our centralised location in caversham, with access to the water there. _ caversham, with access to the water there. so— caversham, with access to the water there. so i've — caversham, with access to the water there, so i've been lucky during this whole — there, so i've been lucky during this whole time. i can't wait. like i said. _ this whole time. i can't wait. like i said. a — this whole time. i can't wait. like i said, a monumental day —— like was said _ i said, a monumental day —— like was said. it _ i said, a monumental day —— like was said. it is _ i said, a monumental day —— like was said. it isa— i said, a monumental day —— like was said, it is a monumental day. hopefully— said, it is a monumental day. hopefully the next time i waited i will be _ hopefully the next time i waited i will be out in tokyo.— hopefully the next time i waited i will be out in tokyo. hopefully you will. with will be out in tokyo. hopefully you with with it _ will be out in tokyo. hopefully you will. with it being _ will be out in tokyo. hopefully you will. with it being so _ will be out in tokyo. hopefully you will. with it being so hot _ will be out in tokyo. hopefully you will. with it being so hot and -

will. with it being so hot and humid, i suppose there is a benefit for you with the water? yes. humid, i suppose there is a benefit for you with the water?— humid, i suppose there is a benefit for you with the water? yes, and the winter, for you with the water? yes, and the winter. where _ for you with the water? yes, and the winter, where the _ for you with the water? yes, and the winter, where the rowing _ for you with the water? yes, and the winter, where the rowing venue - for you with the water? yes, and the winter, where the rowing venue is i for you with the water? yes, and the winter, where the rowing venue is as very one _ winter, where the rowing venue is as very one day. — winter, where the rowing venue is as very one day, so hopefully that will add some _ very one day, so hopefully that will add some cooling. if it very one day, so hopefully that will add some cooling.— add some cooling. if it is boring in the wron: add some cooling. if it is boring in the wrong direction _ add some cooling. if it is boring in the wrong direction it _ add some cooling. if it is boring in the wrong direction it will- add some cooling. if it is boring in the wrong direction it will make i add some cooling. if it is boring in l the wrong direction it will make you work even harder. this design is some kind of deconstructed union flag, is that right, sean? yes. some kind of deconstructed union flag, is that right, sean? yes, some incredible designs _ flag, is that right, sean? yes, some incredible designs across _ flag, is that right, sean? yes, some incredible designs across the - flag, is that right, sean? yes, some incredible designs across the whole | incredible designs across the whole range. we have seen all the athletes waiting in, looking at all the bits of kit and admiring it all. it is amazing to have us all together and to have that kit and have the nation being able to get behind us and supporters as well, especially with fans not being able to be other games, so it means a lot to have this kit and have other people able to get behind is waiting as well. and so much effort has to go into the types of kit, because different sports will require different materials to enable you to compete

effectively. how do you upgrade somebody as a climber any competition like this? i can understand your speed, as it how fast you are?— fast you are? speed as the self-explanatory _ fast you are? speed as the self-explanatory one, - fast you are? speed as the self-explanatory one, how| fast you are? speed as the - self-explanatory one, how fast you self—explanatory one, how fast you get up the wall. our sport aligns perfectly with the olympic motto of faster, higher, stronger, because we have speed climbing, the faster element, lead climbing, who gets the highest, and bouldering, which is a lot about strength and technical abilities, so it is perfectly aligned with the olympic motto, which is incredible.— aligned with the olympic motto, which is incredible. ben'amin, how difficult is it — which is incredible. ben'amin, how difficult is it competing _ which is incredible. benjamin, how difficult is it competing when - which is incredible. benjamin, how difficult is it competing when you | difficult is it competing when you have not got a big crowd willing you on? we have seen a lot of football and rugby matches with fake crowd now is to create a bit of atmosphere.— now is to create a bit of atmosphere. now is to create a bit of atmoshere. . ., ., , , atmosphere. we have only completed once this year —

atmosphere. we have only completed once this year and _ atmosphere. we have only completed once this year and the _ atmosphere. we have only completed once this year and the europeans - once this year and the europeans just gone and we didn't have any crowds. luckily the athletes that were in racing were there to provide some cheating and it made a real difference. it will be interesting going to tokyo not being able to have the support of family and friends, but we have to zoom on social media has been great. when i came back from the europeans my phone did not stop. i know that whilst they can be there in person, we have the support of the nation back, that is huge, as i'm sure everyone would agree. hopefully the japanese and people from tokyo are able to come out in swarms of people and be able to cheer us on, even though we are not japanese athletes. we will have to ask them to adopt you for his so they can cheer on our behalf. we will be behind you and we look forward to seeing you both compete later in the year, but for now, thank you for talking to us,

both. the world's oldest person has decided not to take part in the torch relay for the tokyo 2020 olympics because of her concerns about coronavirus. kane tanaka is 118 years old. with cases surging across japan, she's decided to pull out because she's worried about how the virus has been spreading. danai howard reports. for kane tanaka, this moment was a lifetime achievement. at 116 years old, she was awarded a guinness world record for being the oldest person in the world. this year, at 118, she was due another monumental moment. kane tanaka was chosen to be one of the participants in the torch relay for the tokyo 2020 olympics. but with coronavirus cases surging injapan, she has announced she is pulling out of the torch relay to avoid spreading the virus. a statement from her nursing home said: .

the torch relay, which began in march, has been hit hard by the pandemic. eight people involved in it have so far been diagnosed with covid. cases have been rocketing for two months now, spurred by variants. last month, japan declared a state of emergency in tokyo, osaka and kyoto to curb the number of infections. it is set to expire next week, but in the worst—hit areas, there is no sign of a decline in cases. on wednesday, prime minister yoshihide suga met with ministers to discuss extending the state of emergency. having already been postponed once, japan has said it is determined for the games to go ahead. translation: if we take appropriate measures, i think feeling _ towards the olympics will change. but held in empty parks away from crowds, this torch relay may be a sign

of what is to come this summer. hello again. our forecast for today is another one of sunshine and showers. some of them will be heavy, with some hail and thunder. across the south of england, we've got the system moving through the english channel. that's producing some rain and that will clear away. then you can see how all of us are in the colder air represented by the blue, still with that northerly breeze. the rain continues to push away into the near continent. we'll see further showers across scotland, with the snow level rising back into the hills. some showers across northern england which could be wintry in the hills. a few showers in northern ireland. and a morning shower across wales and the midlands heading into east anglia and the south—east. temperatures are still low for early may. this evening, while we still will hang on to quite a few showers, we still have that northerly wind, but there will be a lot of clear skies and that means the temperature will fall away rapidly. once again, below freezing

in some countryside areas. so a cold and frosty start to the day, but a lot of sunshine. we will start off with showers in the north and west, but through the day we will see further showers develop, particularly in eastern scotland and eastern england. temperatures up a touch. moving into the weekend, this deep area of low pressure is coming our way and it's going to introduce some rain and strong winds, but milder conditions. a relatively dry start ahead of it, but the cloud will build as the rain pushes northwards, falling as transient snow for a time in the hills of scotland and moving away eventually from northern ireland. 16 degrees is possible if the rain moves away quickly enough, with temperatures up for most of us. on sunday we have a cold front landing in parts of england and wales. on either side of that, it's sunshine and showers.

but if the cold front slips further south, it will have an impact on the temperatures. we might not reach the 20 degrees we think we're going to get at the moment across the south—east, but temperatures are up across the board. how long is the milder weather going to last? well into the early part of next week. the front moves away but low pressure is still in charge, so we will have that combination of sunshine and showers and temperatures will dip a little, but not as low as they have been.

this is bbc news. the headlines: thejersey government is meeting french fishermen, after dozens of boats arrive in uk waters in jersey to protest about post—brexit fishing rights. two royal navy vessels are in the area and two french patrol vessels have been deployed. we cannot look back to the previous arrangements, they have gone. we must make the new trade deal work in all of our interests. millions of people are voting today in a series of elections in england, scotland and wales in the biggest test of voter opinion since the 2019 general election. the us backs a move which would allow developing nations to make cheaper versions of coronavirus vaccines. some of the uk's biggest employers say they don't plan to bring staff back to the office full—time, instead opting for a mix of home and office working. and it'll be an all—english champions league final in istanbul,

where chelsea will play manchester city — each club are set to receive 4,000 tickets. good afternoon, welcome to bbc news. jersey's external affairs minister will meet with french fishermen this morning after dozens of french boats staged a protest in a dispute over post—brexit fishing rights. two royal navy vessels, hms severn and hms tamar, are patrolling the waters around the island to "monitor the situation". two french patrol boats are also now in the area. france has threatened to cut off electricity to the island, which began issuing licences to french boats under a new system last week. the fishermen say their rights are being unfairly restricted. well, as you can seejersey is far

closer to the french coast than the south coast of england. and early this morning around 60 boats approached jersey's main harbour of st helier with what was described as a "sea of red lights and flares". our correspondent robert hall has been on a boat himself off the jersey coast, near the fishermen. what has happened is that the french are basically sitting off the entrance to st helier harbour. this is something of an impasse, they are not blockading it per se but they're making their presence felt, they say, and they are going to continue to do so, as many as possible of them, until the jersey government come up with a response. the basic situation is that the french say the new system ofjersey licensing, allowing them intojersey�*s territorial waters post—brexit, is not up to the mark. it is not adequate. it makes their life impossible, they say, and it damages their livelihoods. i spoke to a young fisherman a short time ago who said 80% of the french fleet could be put out of business

by this, so they are determined to fight it. they are going to stay here for as long as they possibly can. post—that i suspect there will be further discussions about whether they mount further protests. they did pull back to allow a cargo boat out of the harbour. they say they do not want to make matters worse, but they are determined that this matter needs resolving. jersey's minister of external affairs, senator ian gorst, explained what had happened as the fishermen arrived in the island's waters. the vessels came on in the early hours of the morning. our main ship that brings and supplies arrived safely. it has had a slightly delayed departure, but so far at the protest or demonstration has been a peaceful, which is what we would have expected. we have always known the transition from the previous arrangement that we had with france over fishing arrangement that we had with france overfishing rights injersey arrangement that we had with france over fishing rights injersey waters

to the new post—brexit trade deal was going to be difficult and is going to be challenging. there is a bureaucratic process of providing information, but what is important is that we respond firmly to threats and we have had a disproportionate threats from paris and now with the potential blockade, but the answer to the issues that are being faced and without doubt talking and diplomacy. so french fisherman are protesting about difficulties they've had in obtaining licences which means they are being prevented from operating in british waters. under an agreement with the eu, french boat operators must show a history of fishing in the area to receive a licence forjersey�*s waters. jersey has sole power to issue the licences, which came into effect last week. on friday, 41 permits were granted to french fishing vessels that were equipped with technology which means they can be located. but the french government claimed the list of approved ships came back with additional requirements that had not been previously discussed. here's the reaction to what's happening injersey,

from the president of the jersey fishermen's association, don thompson. i think when the minister for the sea, madame annick girardin, makes a threat to sever the electricity supply, that has to be taken very seriously. whether she intends it or not, it was made in public and the consequences of that would obviously be very severe. the freight ship that carries the food to the island is pretty much trapped in the port there. that is our food supply line, 95% of the produce that comes to the island. so it cannot be taken too lightly. is itjust a show of strength? i don't know, but what i do know is that fishermen are very angry to hear that our own government considers that it is appropriate to go out and have negotiations on board a boat with a french fisherman. romain davodet has fished in the waters offjersey for 15 years — he explained why he was protesting.

we wa nt we want to show that we are here and we want to show to the jersey government that they cannot put us out of a historical fishing area like normandy waters. these are jersey waters, we have been fishing there for thousands of years, maybe, so it is not normal to put as out of this fishing area. millions of people are casting their ballots today in the biggest test of voter opinion since the general election in 2019. every seat is up for grabs in the scottish parliament and welsh senedd, and there's a by—election in hartlepool. thousands of council seats in england are being contested as well as elections for a number of mayors. our political correspondent helen catt has the details.

coronavirus has made today's elections a little different. polling stations have been set up with safety measures. that means cleaning and screens, and one—way systems. there'll be a clean pencil for each voter — or you can bring your own — and you'll be asked to wear a face covering inside. there may also be limits on how many people can go in at once. the outbreak of the pandemic delayed elections, which were due to take place last year. so this year, there are a bumper set of polls across most of the country. in scotland, voters will elect the 129 members of the scottish parliament. in wales, all 60 senedd seats are up for election. in england, voters will choose around 4,650 councillors, 13 mayors and 25 members of the london assembly. there are also elections for 39 police and crime commissioners across england and wales, and there is a by—election to pick the new mp for hartlepool. the polls will be open, as usual, until ten o'clock tonight. anyone self—isolating

because of coronavirus can nominate someone else to cast their vote. applications for an emergency proxy, as it's known, can be made until 5pm. and if you have a completed postal vote, which didn't make it to the post box, you can hand it in at your local polling station until 10pm. when it comes to counting the results, that's going to take longer than usual too. different counts are taking place over several days, from tonight until monday. helen catt, bbc news. and we will have full coverage of those election results tomorrow, with the hartlepool by—election result expected before 6am. then from 9am, huw edwards and kirsty wark are your guides as the votes are counted. the high court has ruled that relatives of a woman caught up in the windrush scandal can apply for permission to live in britain without paying thousands of pounds in fees. the court decided that charging the family of mrs mahabir application fees of more than £20,000 would be "colossal interference" in her human rights.

we're joined now by our correspondent tom symonds. tell us more about the background to this. ~ . tell us more about the background to this. ~ , ., , ., tell us more about the background to this. ~ , .,, ., ., , tell us more about the background to this. ~ , ., . . , ., this. well, this was a lady who in the 1970s was _ this. well, this was a lady who in the 1970s was given _ this. well, this was a lady who in the 1970s was given right - this. well, this was a lady who in the 1970s was given right to - this. well, this was a lady who in i the 1970s was given right to remain the 19705 was given right to remain in the uk, but like so many of the windrush victims, the government did not properly record her immigration status, so when she tried to return to the uk, she could not come back. she then applied for leave to remain in 2018. that was successful and she was regarded as a victim under the windrush scheme, but she also, understandably, wanted to bring her family over, she has a husband and five children who live in trinidad and she was told that they would have to pay fees of something like £20,000 in order to apply for the windrush scheme. it was a sum of money the family could not afford and when she wrote to the home

office about her case, she said it would be a daunting task to raise that sort of money and that the family had never been separated before and theyjust wanted to be together in the uk. she took her case to the high court and the judge came down in herfavour, but he decided that it would be a colossal interference in her human rights to a right of a family life if her family were going to have to pay this sum of money to join her. family were going to have to pay this sum of money tojoin her. this is a judgment being described by her lawyers as a landmarkjudgment which could apply to many thousands of other windrush victims who have family abroad that they would like to come to the uk to be together. com, for the moment, thank you very much. —— tom. a man who died after being stabbed has been described as an "amazing father" by his family. 34—year—old james gibbons died soon after he was attacked in laindon, essex on sunday evening.

five teenagers have been arrested on suspicion of murder and three have been released on bail. police believe the father—of—four had been going to the aid of another man when he himself was stabbed. a dog belonging to a police community officer who was murdered has been tested for dna in the hope it provides vital evidence. julia james, who was 53, had taken herjack russell for a walk before her body was found in woodland in kent. simonjones reports. julia james walking her dog, toby. she was wearing these clothes, apart from the gloves, when she was murdered. her body found close to her house, her dog unharmed by her side. police are desperate to hear from anyone who saw julia, or her attacker. we've got a very considerable forensic strategy, as you would expect. it does include the dog. that is being staged through the laboratories. i'm not in a position — it wouldn't be appropriate for me to give a running commentary on the many exhibits and the forensic strategy that we have under way. but of course, we've considered all opportunities around toby. the outpouring of grief in the community continues. the question people are still asking is, why?

until things are a little bit more known, i feel a bit vulnerable, if i'm honest with you. whether it's connected, whether because she was a policewoman, i don't know. you know, because there was, you know, something — somebody had a grudge against her or something, or whether it was just purely, you know, random, who knows? the murder investigation is being led from here at folkestone police station. officers say it is their number one priority, and they're currently sifting through hundreds of pieces of information that have been provided by the public. police have released this map. they're keen to hear from anyone who was in this area on tuesday last week. officers are continuing to advise local people to be vigilant and let someone know when they go out. this community, like the police, are desperate for a breakthrough. simonjones, bbc news, folkestone. in hong kong, joshua wong and three fellow activists have been sentenced for participating in an illegal assembly to commemorate the 1989

tiananmen square massacre. the convictions are the latest criminal cases against hong kong's beleaguered pro—democracy movement since beijing imposed a national security law last year. assembly, was jailed for another 10 months. fellow demonstrator lester shum was jailed for six months jannelle leung was sentenced to four months and activist tiffany yuen was given a four month jail term. our correspondent martin yip was at the courthouse when the sentences were announced. just to recap on the sentence they've been given. joshua wong has received ten months, lester shum six months. and two young ladies, jannelle leung and tiffany yuen, both got four months each

for knowingly participating in an unauthorised vigil. that's the charge they pleaded guilty to. like you said, it's related to the annual tiananmen square candlelit vigil in hong kong's victoria park, back in last year on the evening ofjune the 4th. this year's video in a few weeks' time not happen as well because the department which manages refused to process the application by the hong kong alliance which organises any visual. the headlines on bbc news: jersey's government is meeting with french fishermen after dozens of french boats stage a protest in a dispute over post—brexit fishing rights. millions of people are voting today in a series of elections in england, scotland and wales in the biggest test of voter opinion since the 2019 general election.

the us is backing a move which would allow developing nations to make cheaper versions of coronavirus vaccines. sport and for a full round up, from the bbc sport centre, here's jane dougall. the british and irish lions squad will be confirmed in around 15 minutes time, but it's widely expected that wales' alun wynjones will be named as captain. warren gatland will announce his 36—man squad for this summer's tour against south africa shortly. jones has been favourite for the role of captain since leading wales to the six nations title in march. this will be his fourth lions tour. the three test series starts injuly. despite it being an all english champions league final, uefa remain confident that the match will go ahead in istanbul with up to 4,000 tickets available to both sets of fans. last night

chelsea beat 13—time winners real madrid 2—0 at stamford bridge with timo werner giving them the lead in the tie in the first half. and despite wasting several chances, mason mount calmed chelsea's nerves as he added a second for thomas tuchel�*s side late on to seal a spot in the final for the first time since they won the trophy in 2012. for the first time since they won we for the first time since they won will arrive with sel and we will arrive with self—confidence and with a positive energy in istanbul and hopefully with everybody, no injured players, and we will arrive in istanbul to win, not to be one of the participants. we want to arrive with a clear focus to win it. tonight, manchester united and arsenal are in semi—finals action in the europa league. arsenal need to overturn a 2—1 defict. they're at home to villarreal. meanwhile, united are scheduled to play four matches in just eight days. that's because last sunday's postponed league match against liverpool has been re—arranged for next thursday.

united take a 6—2 advantage over roma to italy tonight, so ole gunnar solkjaer may be tempted to rest some players, but he doesn't think the tie is already over. we are going to play to win that game and that is the only way, to develop, test ourselves, challenge ourselves. we have one or two changes in the selection, because of the games coming up as well, but we have to get into the final. that's all the sport for now. more on the imminent announcement of the lions squad on the bbc sport website. that's bbc.co.uk/sport. some of the uk's biggest employers have told the bbc they don't plan to bring staff back to the office full time. 43 out of 50 firms told us they would embrace a mix of home and office working, with staff encouraged to work

from home two to three days a week. another four said they're keeping the idea of "hybrid working" under review. ben thompson reports. back in the office after iii months at home. i took on my role in march 2020. it was a baptism by pandemic. for monica, who started her newjob just as the crisis began, getting back to her desk is a welcome change from the now familiar distractions of home. home schooling for a 12—year—old with a husband who's an architect and works full—time at home also certainly caused some challenges for us. now we are reconfiguring. so, it is a healthy percentage of working from home and a healthy percentage of being in the office. it means employers have to make some big decisions about how and where their staff will work. making the most of the new flexibility, without stifling teamwork and collaboration. we're never going to go back to working the way we used to work.

people are working from home 3—4 days, we probably need 20% less space, but we're not going to do that if everyone's working from home on mondays and fridays. so, we're going to have to manage that quite carefully. but as well as the impact on offices, what about the shops and cafes that cater to commuters? we rely really heavily on the office trade. l there are locations that have 5,000 people, only 140 people _ came to the building. so, most people are working - from home or maybe just once a week coming, and that makes it really difficult. - working from home isn't for everyone, especially those without access to the right technology or reliable internet, or even a quiet place to work. but does it also depend on where in the country you live? is london, the capital with its long commutes and high house prices, different to elsewhere, where less time and money is spent on commuting and property is more affordable?

working from home may be just one of the enduring changes brought about by this pandemic. i worry about the long—term impact on the enterprise, on our culture, on collaboration, on how we train people, how we develop people. you know, advertising and creative industries are something you learn from your colleagues, and you can only do that really if you are around them in an office. fewer offices are being built. many existing ones could be converted to flats. and as businesses and their staff adjust to the new normal, our towns and cities could look very different. ben thompson, bbc news, in london. let's get more on this from our business presenter, victoria fritz. a lot of people have enjoyed it, but it is not for everyone, is it? it is not for everyone and _ not for everyone and listening to that package from ben, it very much depends on the industry that you are working in, depends where you are

working in, depends where you are working in, depends where you are working in the country, where in your home you are working as well. it is tough for lots of people to have combined their home life and all that that entails with a work life and that has been tough but people have been embracing it as well. the bbc spoke to a whole range of different employers to get a bit of different employers to get a bit of a sense of what people were thinking when it comes to the future of work. we spoke to retailers and almost all of them, the 50 biggest employers in this country, then play over 1.1 million people, 43 out of 50 said they were trying to embrace this idea of working from home is what is working in the office as well. it is very unlikely that we are going to see a full return to the office and those long commutes that lots of people would ordinarily

face, in the future, people are divided on this though. lots so commuting is expensive, unnecessary, greater pollution for example, and also remember all the coughs, colds, flu is people got using public transport all the time, packed trains, trams, underground, tube carriages as well, so we have seen a reduction in the transmission of those diseases. as a result of the pandemic and people working from home and of course will be social distancing measures. but if we remain on track for the removal of social distancing measures next month, we will see people in the country can quite seriously as what return to the office will look like, hybrid working or not. with spoke to aviva, the big insurance company that employs 16,000 people across the uk and when they asked their staff what they wanted to do, 95% of

them, 95%, said they wanted the option to work more flexibly. but what does that mean for small businesses that are used to the office of trade, passing trade? in norwich for example, where they have 6000 people working in aviva, they saw a reduction in the passing trade of sandwich shops for example. local businesses that ordinarily rely on a kind of customer facing businesses that ordinarily rely on a kind of customerfacing ruin if they do not diversify, so some of the businesses in norwich have had to diversify selling sandwiches to construction sites, delivering them to homes so people have to adapt, but remember, there is more to flexible working than just when you work. it is also, and bennett mentioned this, how you work and how long you are working. —— ben. kpmg art talking about having their staff having an early day off so you only work half day one day week, so it is

interesting to see how companies adapt to this and what the future will look like, but the body that represents... they are warning the two tier workforce where some might be punished for working from home and we have even heard from investment firms today who say that they are looking at potentially not even giving the same kind of bonuses to people working from home. we have the sa capital on the radio earlier today and he said quite cranky people —— quite frankly people in the office have been the ones doing the office have been the ones doing the most work. so people divided on this issue. the the most work. so people divided on this issue. 1, ,, ., ., ., , this issue. the bank of england has ke -t its this issue. the bank of england has kept its rate — this issue. the bank of england has kept its rate at _ this issue. the bank of england has kept its rate at an _ this issue. the bank of england has kept its rate at an historic- this issue. the bank of england has kept its rate at an historic low- this issue. the bank of england has kept its rate at an historic low and i kept its rate at an historic low and also talking about some kind of economic rebound as things open up again, just briefly if you can. absolutely, this is very much as expected. interest rates have been on hold for quite some time, seeing a steady as you go situation with

the bank of england. forecasts are a dangerous thing, they always are when it comes to the economy and one thing, the copd talking about a two tier workforce, lots of economists at that gratitude to britain when it comes to the economy and yes, we might see something of the roaring 205 and some areas of the economy roar back into life as they have been of the last iii months, but it is not the same situation for everyone. somehow salts have been able to save and have not been spending as much in the last year, others have not been able to work at all. —— some households have been able to say. it is quite an interesting one when it comes to the economy. the bank of england is notoriously a little bit more downbeat, shall we say, than the consensus of estimates when it comes to the economy, so i do not want to put all my eggs in one basket and so

it will be one way or the other, but certainly for now, interest rates are on hold. certainly for now, interest rates are on hold-— certainly for now, interest rates are on hold. , , ., ., are on hold. yes, things do tend to no one are on hold. yes, things do tend to go one way — are on hold. yes, things do tend to go one way or _ are on hold. yes, things do tend to go one way or the other, _ are on hold. yes, things do tend to go one way or the other, don't - go one way or the other, don't they? it is a very good position to take. thank you. president biden's administration has announced the us will support a waiver of intellectual property rights to allow countries around the world to make their own coronavirus vaccines. he was responding to pressure on rich countries to share vaccine supplies and technology. two vaccine manufacturers, pfizer and moderna, saw their shares fall after the announcement. courtney bembridge has the details. there is no doubt coronavirus vaccines aren't getting to the countries they're most needed. infections are spiralling out of control in india and brazil, where vaccination rates remain low. while in the us, it's estimated there will be at least 300 million doses more than the population needs by the end ofjuly — even as the vaccination programmes extend to children. the question of how to close the gap on vaccine supply — and fast — is the subject of a fierce debate.

one proposal is to waive patents to make it easier for other countries to produce existing vaccines. the us has thrown its support behind the plan, saying... it's a really surprising and unprecedented move by the us department of state and the us government, which has usually been quite protective of intellectual property rights. the world health organization also backs the proposal and says having us support is monumental. this is why. a virus that is spread anywhere uncontrolled, would be at risk of mutating and develop new variants, which is going to be coming back to haunt those who have managed to control the spread. but pharmaceutical companies say the plan would do little to get doses where they are most needed. it's the wrong answer. to a complex problem. it's a wrong but simple answer

to a complex problem, - because it disrupts, - it distracts from tackling the real challenges, - which are trade barriers, including from the us, i disrupting supply chains. it prevents immediate - tackling of the bottlenecks in the supply chain, - the scarcity of raw materials. the world trade organization needs all members to agree before any decision can be made. the uk and the eu maintain they'll block the plan. talks will go on, as cases continue to rise. courtney bembridge, bbc news. now it's time for a look at the weather with carol kirkwood. hello again. some of us had some snow this morning, particularly some snow across parts of scotland. but the snow level rising back into the hills through the day. we also have a system pushing across the english channel, clearing away, so it will brighten up behind it, but for many of us, it is a forecast of sunshine and showers, some heavy,

some thundery and some with hail. wintry on the tops of some of our hills as well. temperatures nine to 12 degrees. still with a cool northerly wind. as we head on through the evening and overnight, we continue with some showers, again wintry on the hills, but a lot of clear skies and that will allow temperatures to drop low enough for some frost once again. these are the temperatures in towns and cities, in rural areas it will a bit lower than this. tomorrow again the forecast is one of sunshine and showers. a lot of the showers will be in eastern areas, but we will see some in the west, then it becomes more unsettled into the weekend as a deep area of low pressure comes in, bringing wetter and windier weather, but also milder weather. hello. this is bbc news. the headlines. jersey's government is meeting with french fishermen after dozens

of french boats stage a protest in a dispute over post—brexit fishing rights. two royal navy vessels have been sent to monitor the area — two french patrol vessels have also been deployed. millions of people are voting today in a series of elections in england, scotland and wales — in the biggest test of voter opinion since the 2019 general election. the us is backing a move which would allow developing nations to make cheaper versions of coronavirus vaccines. some of the uk's biggest employers say they don't plan to bring staff back to the office full time — instead opting for a mix of home and office working. facebook says it will continue to stop donald trump from directly using its platforms. the social media giant's new oversight board ruled the former president had broken its standards and rules by appearing to sympathise with january's attack on the us capitol. but the oversight board told facebook to re—consider whether the ban should be indefinite. james clayton has more. trump's use of social media

is almost impossible to disentangle with trumpism itself. it was his way of communicating directly with americans, bypassing the mainstream media that he so loathed. but did he also use that platform to radicalise? were his posts in part responsible for these deadly riots? facebook boss mark zuckerberg thought trump's posts could lead to further violence, and suspended donald trump indefinitely the day after the riots. twitter went one step further and banned mr trump forever. he'll never be allowed back onto that platform. however, facebook asked its decision to be reviewed by its newly formed oversight board, which it claims is independent. it's designed to make difficult moderation decisions, and their decision today was complex. it said that the oversight board has upheld facebook�*s decision to suspend mr trump's access to post content on facebook and instagram. however, it's also said that facebook couldn't ban trump indefinitely. the company must reassess

this penalty, it said, within six months of this decision. the judgment does leave a way back for trump on facebook, but for now, the door is closed, and that is a huge problem for donald trump and his hopes of a political return. in a statement, the former president lashed out, saying facebook was "an embarrassment to our country", and they and other social media companies "must pay a political price." facebook has been essential to mr trump. his campaign used it to raise money and micro—target voters. he spent more than $200 million in 2020 on facebook advertising. so it's notjust an opinion that facebook was an essential part of his political power, it was actually one of the few places where he was putting his money where his mouth was. mr trump yesterday released his own communications platform. but it's really no replacement for being on twitter or facebook. at the click of a button,

mr trump could beam himself onto the computers and phones of tens of millions of americans. that button has now gone, perhaps forever. around one in three people in england aged 50 and over — and identifying as black caribbean — are unlikely to have received any covid—19 vaccine, new figures suggest. vaccination rates for this ethnic group, up to the 12th of april, are estimated to be 66.8%, the lowest among all ethnic minority groups, according to the office for national statistics. for people aged 50 and over identifying as black african the estimated rate is 71.2%, with rates of 78.4% for people from a pakistani background, and 86.9% for people from a bangladeshi background. the estimated rate for people identifying as white british is 93.7%. so why is there such lower takeup amongst some other groups?

well earlier, i discussed the data with dr parth patel, a clinical research fellow at university college london. he told me why vaccine take—up amognst certain ethnic groups was lower. we also know that despite some of the stereotypes, people from most minority ethnic backgrounds are less likely to know a close family member orfriend likely to know a close family member or friend that likely to know a close family member orfriend that might likely to know a close family member or friend that might be able to help them get to a vaccination centre. all those things are likely to be contributing, so it is a mixed picture of vaccine access, probably a bit too for lodging in the policy—making and public discourse, and this other thing about vaccine hesitancy. we know lots about that already. hesitancy. we know lots about that alread . ~ ., . hesitancy. we know lots about that alread . ~ . , ,, ., already. what is the likelihood that eo - le already. what is the likelihood that people have _ already. what is the likelihood that people have been _ already. what is the likelihood that people have been affected - already. what is the likelihood that people have been affected by - people have been affected by concerns about the astrazeneca safety, which obviously was reported for some time before the tests were done again? and also the anti—vaccine conspiracy theories that have been rampant on social media? {lin that have been rampant on social media? ~ , ., .., that have been rampant on social media? ~ , ., , ., , media? on the astrazeneca story, it is not clear— media? on the astrazeneca story, it is not clear what _

media? on the astrazeneca story, it is not clear what impact _ media? on the astrazeneca story, it is not clear what impact that - media? on the astrazeneca story, it is not clear what impact that has - is not clear what impact that has had on vaccine attitude and vaccine hesitancy. it is being studied and it is not quite clear what the impact that this had as yet. it is difficult to say that has cut to some extent affect people's opinions of the vaccine. what we do know from the latest data is that the number of people who are saying that they are fairly unlikely or very unlikely to say no as single digits across all age groups, ethnic groups, social deprivation groups, single digits, the percentage of people saying they're unlikely to take a vaccine. onto the second question about conspiracy theories, we know that contributes. when we look at the causes of vaccine hesitancy, the number one causes concerns with the vaccine itself, how safe is it, what are the side effects, are the long—term effects we don't know about? we know that is the number one thing people say when they express a vaccine hesitant view. conspiracy theories stephanie some part of that. we also know concerns

about covid, how worried you are about covid, how worried you are about the virus causing damage. we say that's predictably out in younger age adults. some younger age adults are more on defence are uncertain about taking the vaccine, some of that is because the virus isn't as big a threat to them, so thatis isn't as big a threat to them, so that is playing a part in the psychological influences, in terms of what is determining the vaccine for our vaccine opinion.— for our vaccine opinion. finally, how feasible, _ for our vaccine opinion. finally, how feasible, desirable - for our vaccine opinion. finally, how feasible, desirable and - for our vaccine opinion. finally, - how feasible, desirable and helpful would it be if people can't get to the vaccine, take the vaccine to them? a door—to—door service? yes. them? a door-to-door service? yes. that is a really _ them? a door-to-door service? yes. that is a really interesting _ them? a door—to—door service? ies that is a really interesting idea and we are starting to see that is being piloted in some parts of the uk. i know leicester are piloting it and a couple of other places, and thatis and a couple of other places, and that is a really interesting idea. we are likely to see that work, to some extent. the us are doing a slightly similar thing, and it overcomes that access barrier. there is hesitancy and access, we are not

doing enough about the access. taking the vaccine to the door is going to make a difference. how big of a difference, that is yet to be seen. as we're reporting, some of the uk's biggest employers have told the bbc they don't plan to bring staff back to the office full time. 43 out of 50 firms told us they would embrace a mix of home and office working, with staff encouraged to work from home two to three days a week. another four said they're keeping the idea of 'hybrid working' under review. joining me now is charles bloch, who works in digital marketing. thank you forjoining us. you have a visual impairment and have been working from home over the past year. what are the pros and cons of it for you? year. what are the pros and cons of it for ou? ,., ., year. what are the pros and cons of it for you?— it for you? good afternoon. it has been quite _ it for you? good afternoon. it has been quite enjoyable _ it for you? good afternoon. it has been quite enjoyable working - it for you? good afternoon. it has| been quite enjoyable working from home. i have always been an advocate for working from home, so, really, you know, ithink for working from home, so, really, you know, i think everyone has noticed any latter you can get a lot more work done when you are at home, you can focus a lot more, but at the

same time you miss out on the sort of community aspect of your workplace and connecting with colleagues and other sorts of things. and maybe things get done slower when you're working in an office when things are done over the phone and e—mail. i am an advocate for it, but a bit of both is always good. for it, but a bit of both is always aood. ~ ., . for it, but a bit of both is always nood.~ . , , ., , for it, but a bit of both is always iood. s . , , . , ., good. what is the exit strategy for our good. what is the exit strategy for your company? — good. what is the exit strategy for your company? i— good. what is the exit strategy for your company? i work _ good. what is the exit strategy for your company? i work at - good. what is the exit strategy for your company? i work at the - good. what is the exit strategy for - your company? i work at the belgrade theatre in coventry _ your company? i work at the belgrade theatre in coventry and _ your company? i work at the belgrade theatre in coventry and we, _ your company? i work at the belgrade theatre in coventry and we, will - your company? i work at the belgrade theatre in coventry and we, will be i theatre in coventry and we, will be sipping it later, you need people in the building. so we are gearing up to reopen on the 17th of may, and we have been encouraged back into the office from then. we have all the safety procedures in place, thankfully. and we are looking for a lot more of a sort of flexible work pattern, were myself, who is quite customer facing at times, being pattern, were myself, who is quite customerfacing at times, being in the building, and when i am not neededin the building, and when i am not needed in the building, i am more than welcome to work from home. so i am quite relieved, really, that my

employer is so accessible and with my disability, it is something i really quite enjoy working from home. so a bit of both is amazing for people like me. we home. so a bit of both is amazing for people like me.— for people like me. we can see ou've for people like me. we can see you've got _ for people like me. we can see you've got a — for people like me. we can see you've got a dog _ for people like me. we can see you've got a dog in _ for people like me. we can see you've got a dog in the - for people like me. we can see - you've got a dog in the background. does the dog go to work with you, i assume? ., . does the dog go to work with you, i assume? . , ., ., , assume? that is carlow, my guide do. he assume? that is carlow, my guide dog- he comes — assume? that is carlow, my guide dog. he comes everywhere - assume? that is carlow, my guide dog. he comes everywhere with i assume? that is carlow, my guide i dog. he comes everywhere with me. assume? that is carlow, my guide - dog. he comes everywhere with me. he is a lovable person and not very much work gets done when he is getting lots of attention, but an amazing workplace dog. i bet getting lots of attention, but an amazing workplace dog. i bet he is very popular- _ amazing workplace dog. i bet he is very popular- how _ amazing workplace dog. i bet he is very popular. how flexible - amazing workplace dog. i bet he is very popular. how flexible is - amazing workplace dog. i bet he is very popular. how flexible is the l very popular. how flexible is the belgrade theatre, which is a wonderful theatre, belgrade theatre, which is a wonderfultheatre, i belgrade theatre, which is a wonderful theatre, i know very well, how flexible have they been in terms of letting you choose how and when you were? the kind of errors of the day? is a misty work is done, does it matter? elder—mack funny story, i actually started working in the belgrade data on the 16th of march last year. the belgrade data on the 16th of march

last ear. ._ belgrade data on the 16th of march last ear. i, belgrade data on the 16th of march last ear. , ,., last year. the day the government told us to close. _ last year. the day the government told us to close. so _ last year. the day the government told us to close. so i _ last year. the day the government told us to close. so i have - last year. the day the government told us to close. so i have been i told us to close. so i have been jumping in at the deep end. myjob is part of box office and in the marketing team, and whenever i am box of the site i will be more customerfacing. and then box of the site i will be more customer facing. and then anything from the marketing side, we can go up from the marketing side, we can go up to the marketing officer, home. it is really flexible, they are really accommodating to me. like you said, as long as they work is done, and we're really busy at the minute, so it is really good. bind and we're really busy at the minute, so it is really good.— so it is really good. and you have a clue colleagues _ so it is really good. and you have a clue colleagues to _ so it is really good. and you have a clue colleagues to get _ so it is really good. and you have a clue colleagues to get to _ so it is really good. and you have a clue colleagues to get to know i so it is really good. and you have a. clue colleagues to get to know when you do go back into the building. thank you very much forjoining us, and your lovely dog. always nice to have a dog on the programme as well. the us secretary of state, anthony blinken, has said washington does not yet know if iran is serious about returning to the deal that

constrained its nuclear activities. in an interview with the bbc, mr blinken said iran was getting closer to the point when it could produce fissile material for a nuclear weapon within a few months. here's our diplomatic correspondent, james landale. antony blinken, america's new top diplomat, at one of his first major international meetings this week, letting the world know the us was back on the diplomatic stage, ready to engage after four years of america first. but will he and the us agree to lift sanctions on iran in an attempt to revive the agreement that curbed the country's nuclear activities, a deal known by diplomats as thejcpoa? i think we've demonstrated our very seriousness of purpose in terms of wanting to get back into the so—called jcpoa, compliance for compliance. what we don't yet know is whether iran is prepared to make the same decision and to move forward. he also warned that the longer iran remained outside the deal, the time the country could take

to produce weapons—grade nuclear material, known as the break—out time, would get shorter. right now, unfortunately, iran has itself lifted many of the constraints imposed on it by the agreement because we pulled out, and it's now getting closer and closer again to that point where its break—out time is going to be down to a few months and eventually even less. in a wide—ranging interview, mr blinken said the us was not trying to contain china, but it would not accept further breaches of the international rules—based order. we're in favour of upholding certain basic ideas, and in particular this so—called rules—based international system that we and the united kingdom among others have heavily invested in for generations. and it's been a benefit to us, been a benefit

to countries around the world. whenever anyone tries to undermine the system by not playing by the rules, by not making good on commitments it's made, then we will stand up and say, "no, we don't accept that". on russia, mr blinken said the us would prefer a more predictable relationship, but... if russia acts recklessly or aggressively, as it did with the solarwinds cyber—intrusion, as it did with interference in our elections, as it did with what it's done to mr navalny, then we will respond. but at the same time, we would prefer a more stable and predictable relationship. as for the united states, mr blinken said he recognised that one country could not solve the world's problems by acting alone, so collaboration was the driving part of president biden's foreign policy. well, the us secretary of state, antony blinken, is now visiting kyiv

where he's called on russia to cease its 'reckless and aggressive actions' against ukraine. secretary blinken told ukraine's president that the us stands with his country. i really came as i told you on one of my first trip to the secretary of state, to convey personally on behalf of president biden how deeply we value ourfriendship, behalf of president biden how deeply we value our friendship, partnership with ukraine. and i think we are in the process of the reinvigorating that partnership. we are proud to stand by your side, to secure a prosperous and democratic future for all the people of this country. and as the president told you when you spoke, and as i reiterated today, we are committed to ukraine's independence, sovereignty, to its territorial integrity. either way, independence, sovereignty, to its territorial integrity. eitherway, i am pleased to know, that sentiment was very much shared by all of our colleagues at the g7 meeting that i just came in london. —— itjust came

from in london. the headlines on bbc news... jersey's government is meeting with french fishermen after dozens of french boats stage a protest in a dispute over post—brexit fishing rights. millions of people are voting today in a series of elections in england, scotland and wales — in the biggest test of voter opinion since the 2019 general election. the us is backing a move which would allow developing nations to make cheaper versions of coronavirus vaccines. a lack of adequate health care for women and young girls in afghanistan has become so dire — it's at life threatening levels — according to human rights watch. a new report has found a decline in internationalfunding is impacting the most basic health needs — including family planning. up to 72 percent of afghan women live in poverty — and don't have access to modern contraceptives — and therefore often face risky pregnancies. human rights watch fears international aid will continue declining —

especially once the united states withdraws troops by september this year. our chief international correspondent lyse doucet — who has lived in afghanistan for years — gave us her assessment of the situation. there have been nearly two decades of international engagement. but afghanistan is still a country where 90% of the people live on less than $2 a day, and where the government budget, more than 75% is funded by donors. it's truly shocking. when you leave the capital, the urban areas of course has seen more of the aid and attention and more of the development. this report talks about how mothers have to make the decision sometimes, they can't afford a taxi to get to the hospital, they can't afford the health care, the medicines that government hospitals are having to charge for because their budgets are going down.

so mothers are really faced with really invidious choices, so that many of them are giving birth at home. as human rights watch report talks about how afghanistan's ranking on all the key indicators of women and children's development are rapidly declining. the fear is that it will continue to decline, so now they are raising the flag and saying, the world should take note. now is not the time to abandon afghanistan, including its vulnerable women and children. wild rhino poaching in south africa is on the rise again, despite falling to its lowest level in nearly a decade last year. but as lockdown restrictions in the country ease, the rate is creeping up and conservationists are being forced to take a more radical approach. they're removing the animals' horns to make them less valuable to poachers — with a procedure that's no more painful than trimming your fingernails. tim allman reports. by air... and by land. the battle against the poachers rages on. here at balule nature reserve, they

hunt down and sedate a giant rhino. what they do next may strike you as rather gruesome. we have decided to dehorn our entire population. because of our high level of threat, we dehorn every rhino, even rhinos with calves. dehorning can be controversial. critics say it leaves the animals defenceless. but it's designed to deter poachers. why hunt a rhino for its horn when it's already been removed? rhino numbers in this area fell by two thirds between 2008 and 2019. lockdown slowed that decline, but then the lockdown was eased. since november — december last year and into 2021, this landscape, and particularly kruger national park, has been experiencing serious numbers of rhino poaching incidents.

this may seem like a cruel solution, but the poachers would simply let these rhinos die. the high court has ruled that relatives of a woman caught up in the windrush scandal can apply for permission to live in britain without paying thousands of pounds in fees. the court decided that charging the family of deomatie mahabir application fees in her human rights. we can speak now to the family's solicitor, jeremy bloom. thank you forjoining us. tells about the predicament this family has been in. i'm sorry, i did not quite your question, can i have that once per? quite your question, can i have that once er? i. quite your question, can i have that once er? i, i. quite your question, can i have that once er? i. p. , once per? can you tell is with the predicament _ once per? can you tell is with the predicament this _ once per? can you tell is with the predicament this family - once per? can you tell is with the predicament this family has i once per? can you tell is with the predicament this family has been j predicament this family has been facing? predicament this family has been facina? ~ , ., predicament this family has been facin: ? ~ ,,., , ., ., facing? absolutely. the mother of the family came _ facing? absolutely. the mother of the family came to _ facing? absolutely. the mother of the family came to the _ facing? absolutely. the mother of the family came to the uk - facing? absolutely. the mother of

the family came to the uk as i facing? absolutely. the mother of the family came to the uk as a i the family came to the uk as a child, cited in the uk prior to 1973 to stop —— settled in the uk. the home office failed to recognise her lawful immigration status, failed to provide any documentation proving that status. as a result she was forced to live her life, adult life in trinidad. and she had all... married, had herfive children there. and she was then granted leave under the windrush scheme in 2018, but has not been able to bring her family back. 2018, but has not been able to bring herfamily back. so 2018, but has not been able to bring her family back. so she 2018, but has not been able to bring herfamily back. so she has been without... she was faced with the choice of taking up the remedy offered to her by the home office, or separating from her family. offered to her by the home office, or separating from herfamily. hind or separating from her family. and this, the fears _ or separating from her family. and this, the fears would have been —— fees would have been so expensive, prohibitive. how significant is this relinquishment it won'tjust prohibitive. how significant is this relinquishment it won't just apply to this family, potentially, will

it? , , ~ , ., it? the ruling is very likely to affect thousands _ it? the ruling is very likely to affect thousands of _ it? the ruling is very likely to affect thousands of people, l it? the ruling is very likely to affect thousands of people, i | it? the ruling is very likely to i affect thousands of people, i would say. we know from the home office statistics that nearly 13,000 people, as of february, have been granted leave to remain under the windrush scheme. it is very possible a large proportion of those will find themselves in a similar position, in that they will have children, otherfamily members children, other family members outside children, otherfamily members outside the uk who wish to come to the uk tojoin outside the uk who wish to come to the uk to join them. but they will be unable to do so, because of the exorbitant fees that the home office charges for these applications. we also know that over 11,000 applications made from abroad under the windrush scheme have been refused, so very likely lots of those will also be able to apply now, now that this judgment has been made. i5

now, now that this 'udgment has been made. . i. now, now that this 'udgment has been made. , ., ., ., ., . now, now that this 'udgment has been made. , ., ., ., ., ,., made. is it an automatic assumption that without — made. is it an automatic assumption that without these _ made. is it an automatic assumption that without these fees _ made. is it an automatic assumption that without these fees they - made. is it an automatic assumption that without these fees they would l that without these fees they would be successful?— that without these fees they would be successful? these things have a very strong — be successful? these things have a very strong claim — be successful? these things have a very strong claim to _ be successful? these things have a very strong claim to be _ be successful? these things have a very strong claim to be reunited i be successful? these things have a very strong claim to be reunited --j very strong claim to be reunited —— two they have been married for over 30 years with a very strong family ties, two of her children are still miners. so i would say that they do have a very good chance of getting leave to remain. the world's oldest person has decided not to take part in the torch relay for the tokyo 2020 olympics because of her concerns about coronavirus. kane tanaka is 118 years old. with cases surging across japan, she's decided to pull out

because she's worried about how the virus has been spreading. danai howard reports. for kane tanaka, this moment was a lifetime achievement. at 116 years old, she was awarded a guinness world record for being the oldest person in the world. this year, at 118, she was due another monumental moment. kane tanaka was chosen to be one of the participants in the torch relay for the tokyo 2020 olympics. but with coronavirus cases surging injapan, she has announced she is pulling out of the torch relay to avoid spreading the virus. a statement from her nursing home said: the torch relay, which began in march, has been hit hard by the pandemic. eight people involved in it have so far been diagnosed with covid. cases have been rocketing for two months now, spurred by variants.

last month, japan declared a state of emergency in tokyo, osaka and kyoto to curb the number of infections. it is set to expire next week, but in the worst—hit areas, there is no sign of a decline in cases. on wednesday, prime minister yoshihide suga met with ministers to discuss extending the state of emergency. having already been postponed once, japan has said it is determined for the games to go ahead. translation: if we take appropriate measures, i i think public feeling towards the olympics will change. but held in empty parks away from crowds, this torch relay may be a sign of what is to come this summer.

arrivals from amber countries and takea royal mail are releasing a set of 12 stamps to honour the music legend sir paul mccartney. the collection features eight album covers which have defined the ex—beatle's career, along with photos of sir paul in the recording studio. the stamps go on sale later this month. space x — the company owned by elon musk which aims to carry people into space — has successfully completed another milestone in its development. after 4 previous attempts ended

badly, it's latest prototype has completed a successful high—altitude ascent and landing. the company was facing added pressure to succeed with wednesday's flight after nasa announced a version of starship will be used as a lunar lander when the space agency returns humans to the moon. chris fawkes has the weather. hello again. for many of us it has been a wet start to the any turnaround in fortunes if you remember how dry last month was. in the whole of april, and lookers on a scotland, we only recorded three millimetres of rain, but already in recent days we have seen over ten times that amount of rainfall. for many of us it has been a wet start to the month. this morning we had snow fell in parts of

scotland. we don't get snow every may but happens for a time to time, happened nine years ago for example —— from time to time. that rain moving from scotland into north—west england. quite a wet afternoon for many of you here. elsewhere, sunshine and showers, shower is extensive across parts of east anglia and southern england for a time. wherever you are, a chilly day, to adjusting well to reach double figures. 10—12 quite widely. parts of the scottish islands on the sea temperature is around 4 degrees or so, so it will cold. overnight, showers continue at coastal areas. patches of brass developing, another cold start to take us into friday. for friday, most of us have a sunny start to the day. showers will develop, will be most frequent and heaviest across eastern areas of scotland and eastern areas of england as well through the afternoon. across wales, south—west england and also northern ireland, not many showers through the

afternoon. drier weather with some hazy spells of sunshine. the weekend whether prospect is dominated by the slow—moving area of low pressure, bringing wet and windy weather our way on saturday. dredging up some milder air as way on saturday. dredging up some milderairas it way on saturday. dredging up some milder air as it moves its way in, but nevertheless, not the neser started we can. extensive rain coming into northern ireland across england and wales, gale force of wind around us, and eventually if the rain clears out of the way in the rain clears out of the way in the south—east, could become quite a bit warmer for the south—east, could become quite a bit warmerfor a time in the south—east, could become quite a bit warmer for a time in the afternoon with temperatures of about 16 degrees. notice it stays cold in scotland, and after a bright morning here, we will see the rain working and through the afternoon. more rain on sunday, the main weather permitting its way eastwards across england, across eastern england that could become quite warm, with temperatures potentially reaching low 205. further north ridge, frequent showers, temperatures were typically around 15—17. that is your weather.

troubled waters — escalating tension between britain and france over post—brexit fishing rights offjersey. french fishermen in a flotilla of boats protest off the island's coast, some of them letting off flares. two royal navy vessels have been sent to jersey in case there's a french blockade, and now france has also despatched two patrol boats. we have been fishing there for thousands of years maybe, so it's not normal to put us out of this fishing area. we'll have the latest from our correspondents onjersey and in france. also this lunchtime: the bank of england predicts the uk economy will enjoy its strongest growth since world war ii, as lockdown restrictions are lifted.