this is bbc news with the latest headlines for viewers in the uk and around the world. washington warns authorities in hong kong — to stop targeting the media — after officers raid the newsroom of a pro—democracy paper. the biggest political party in northern ireland is in crisis — as its new leader resigns just weeks after taking up thejob. china s first manned spacecraft in nearly five years blasts off from the gobi desert — as beijing tries to position itself as a major space power. and is auckland in new zealand the most "liveable" place in the world to live? a new global survey seems to suggest it is — we'll find out why.

the united states has described a raid by hong kong police on the pro—democracy newspaper, apple daily, as �*politically motivated'. five senior figures from the paper were arrested and are being held under security laws imposed by beijing. they include the editor in chief, ryan law. the newspaper has consistently opposed china's tightening grip on hong kong. the bbc�*s danny vincent is in hong kong. the police came in the early hours of the morning. 500 officers deployed to arrest five media executives, suspected of violating hong kong's new national security law. they surrounded the building. journalists inside continued live streaming the raid on their own paper. mark simon is an adviser

tojimmy lai and former executive with apple daily�*s parent company, next media. essentially, it's not up to us any more, it's up to the chinese communist party. they seem to be able to put a man in space but they can't tolerate somebody talking on the streets of hong kong about freedom and democracy. apple daily is the only opposition newspaper left in hong kong. this is the second raid on the paper, but the first time journalists have been arrested over national security law charges. the company's assets have now been frozen. but the journalists say they will continue on for as long as they can. the police came into apple daily�*s newsroom and confiscated editorial material. they had warrants to take away hard drives and computers. it left many here fearing thatjournalism itself is now under attack. the security minister spoke of the seriousness of the alleged crime. we are talking about a conspiracy in which the suspects tried to make use ofjournalistic work to collude

with a foreign country or external elements, to impose sanction or take hostile activities against hong kong and prc. before his detention last year, apple daily�*s owner jimmy lai spoke to the bbc. he's been charged with violating the national security law and could now face life in prison. he believes the law has spread fear across the city. fear is the most inexpensive - and convenient way of ruling people and controlling people. you know, if they can . induce fear in you, that's the easiest way to control you. pro—democracy activists say they face political persecution since the introduction of the new law. it was said to only target a small number of hong kong residents.

today, journalists inside this paper feel they are also under attack. let's speak to ambassador kurt tong. he is the former consul general of the united states of america to hong kong and macau. he's now a partner with the asia group — a strategic advisory company who offer advice on the region. thank you forjoining us. it's freedom of expression in hong kong now over? i freedom of expression in hong kong now over? ~ , ., now over? i think it is fading raidl . now over? i think it is fading rapidly. certainly _ now over? i think it is fading rapidly. certainly this - now over? i think it is fading rapidly. certainly this was i now over? i think it is fading j rapidly. certainly this was an unprecedented step by the authorities to arrest people, essentially, because of their generalist to content and i think it's consistent with other efforts that we have seen intended to essentially stifle all political opposition in the city. that's the objective. opposition in the city. that's the ob'ective. �* , , ., ~ objective. andy is working with the other it appears — objective. andy is working with the other it appears to _ objective. andy is working with the other it appears to be _ objective. andy is working with the other it appears to be working. - objective. andy is working with the | other it appears to be working. the people are intimidated and

concerned. it's important to point out, however, that this is inconsistent with china's loan obligations under the basic law and british declaration. there's every reason for the international community and people of hong to be upset about this and protest these actions. �* ., ., , , . actions. i'm not optimistic in the short run about _ actions. i'm not optimistic in the short run about the _ actions. i'm not optimistic in the short run about the ability - actions. i'm not optimistic in the short run about the ability of - actions. i'm not optimistic in the short run about the ability of the international community to change the chinese direction on this matter. but i think it's important to make clear where people stand and the fact that china has essentially broken promises and is really going to unnecessary lengths to quiet opposition which was not really, did not have that much influence on affairs in hong kong to start with. so it's a state of overkill. and it is important for the united states and others to consider the audience

in other countries outside of china as well and make clear that we believe these open systems that open media are good for societies and good for economies. you media are good for societies and good for economies.— media are good for societies and good for economies. you would make that oint good for economies. you would make that point when _ good for economies. you would make that point when you _ good for economies. you would make that point when you were _ good for economies. you would make that point when you were called - good for economies. you would make that point when you were called to i that point when you were called to general in 2016 to 2019 did beijing take you seriously? i general in 2016 to 2019 did bei'ing take you seriously?i take you seriously? i think they heard what _ take you seriously? i think they heard what i — take you seriously? i think they heard what i was _ take you seriously? i think they heard what i was saying. - take you seriously? i think they heard what i was saying. they i take you seriously? i think they l heard what i was saying. they did not like that message. i think they are taking risks. the message that i gave at the time and continue to give is that by approaching a point where people won't feel like they can access reliable information about the outside world or even about the outside world or even about hong kong, or they start to lose confidence in the integrity of the judiciary of the city, that could have a profound impact on how the city works and its business model which would hurt china as well. china is playing with fire here and needs to be careful what it's doing. here and needs to be careful what it's doinu. . ~ here and needs to be careful what it's doinu. ., ,, i. here and needs to be careful what it's doinu. . ~' ,, . .,

it's doing. thank you so much for “oininr it's doing. thank you so much for joining us- _ let s get some of the day s other news. the japanese prime minister, yoshihide suga, has confirmed that the state of emergency imposed in the capital, tokyo, and several other regions will be lifted in three days time. the move comes just over a month before japan is due to host the olympics. some extra restrictions will remain in place until at least earlyjuly, limiting opening hours for bars and restaurants. in football, there's been a minute's applause during denmark's euro 2020 match against belgium — as a show of support for the danish midfielder, christian eriksen. he's recovering in hospital after suffering a cardiac arrest last weekend. zambia has declared three weeks of mourning to honour the independence leader, kenneth kaunda, who's died at the age of 97. tributes have been paid from across the region. in south africa, the nelson mandela foundation said his contribution to the struggle against colonialism and apartheid would not be forgotten. democrats have welcomed the us supreme court's decision to reject the latest challenge

to the law known as 0bamacare. republican—led states tried to overturn the affordable care act — which provides health insurance for more than thirty million people — butjudges ruled the attempt had no legal standing. president biden described the decision as a big win for the american people. the biggest political party in northern ireland has been hit by a fresh crisis, after its leader edwin poots resigned — just weeks after taking up thejob. mr poots was the leader of the dup, a mainly protestant party which defends northern ireland's position within the united kingdom, against the wishes of mainly—catholic nationalists to create a united ireland. the bbc�*s ireland correspondent chris pages explains why the resignation is such a shock. in this part of the uk, relations in the power—sharing regional government are rarely straightforward. but the events that we have seen unfold over recent hours are really quite unprecedented. the leader of northern ireland public biggest party, the democratic unionist party, which favours northern

ireland public place in the united kingdom has resigned. poots stood down just over a month after he was involved in ousting his predecessor, arlene foster. today, mr poots installed another one of his party members, paul given, as the first minister in the devolved government. but it was that decision which turned a majority of his senior elected representatives against them. crucial to the way this building, the relationships within it work are the conditions under which unionists, who favour british rule here share power with irish nationalists, who want northern ireland to become part of the irish republic. a deal was cut essentially between the british government and london, and the biggest irish nationalist party sinn fein on the legal status for the irish language, long a demand of nationalist parties here. but unionists thought that was an unacceptable side deal which threatens the very nature

of the devolved government itself. so they thought mr poots should not be nominating a leader for the devolved government, mr poots defied them and went ahead and appointed a first minister anyway. there has been a meeting now of elected representatives within the democratic unionist party, and it's understood that in that meeting mr poots came under considerable pressure leading him to announce his resignation. that means not only that his party is in a fresh crisis, but also the politics here in northern ireland are deeply unstable. here in the uk, the first of three reports into the manchester arena attack four years ago, has concluded that the bomber, salman abedi, should have been identified as a threat. 22 people were killed and hundreds were injured at the end of an ariana grande concert in may 2017. judith moritz reports police emergency, hello. there's been an explosion at manchester arena! is anybody injured ? yes, loads!

chaos and devastation in the moments after the bomb. the aftermath was horrific. but the details of what happened before the explosion are distressing too. the chairman of the manchester arena inquiry didn't hold back today in his criticism of those responsible for keeping concertgoers safe. i was urged by everybody to avoid looking for scapegoats. i have not looked to blame anyone, but where, having considered the evidence, i considered that individuals have fallen below a proper standard in carrying out their important roles in protecting concertgoers, i have said so. the bomber, salman abedi, hung around the arena and train station next doorfor two hours before his attack, a catalogue of security failures allowed him to slip through the net. he walked into the foyer an hour

before the ariana grande concert finished, up the stairs to a carefully researched hiding place in a cctv blind spot. no one from authority challenged him, but a member of the public did and told a teenage steward. they didn't seem that interested, it was as if they had more important things to deal with. the 19—year—old steward mohammed agha fobbed mr wilde off. the report found this was the most striking missed opportunity. the steward bears personal responsibility, and so too does another teenage steward, kyle lawler, who walked away unconcerned after being warned about the bomber. the company who employed them, showsec, has been heavily criticised and it says it has learned lessons and is considering today's criticisms. the operator of the arena, smg, has also been condemned for lapses. today it said it was truly sorry. defying orders, there was no british transport police

officer inside the room when the concert ended. a group of them were standing together at the station next door when the bomb went off. there is said to be no satisfactory explanation for this. 22 people were murdered in the attack. the youngest, a child of eight. the report says had more been done, fewer people would have been killed. that's difficult forjune tron to hear, her son philip was one of those who died. how does it make you feel about what happened? angry, angry. it is difficult to take it all in? i am his mum and that is what i am here for, to getjustice for him. martyn hett is another who died in the bombing. his mum, figen murray, has been campaigning for new legislation nicknamed martyn's law to force venue operators to plan and cater for the risk of a terror attack. it was recommended in the report.

the inquiry has supported the law, what is next? i am having talks with people in the government next week to ask that question. i am not sure what the next step will be. i would suspect that the government will take a few months to evaluate the results of the consultation. the government says it is carefully considering the report, which will shape its response to calls for the new law, part of an effort to ensure that in future, venues put the safety and security of the public first. stay with us on bbc news, still to come... this is phil goff — he's the mayor of auckland — and he's in the most "liveable" place in the world — granted he may be a little biased but we'll find out why

there was a bomb in the city centre. a code word known to be one used by the ira was given. army bomb experts were examining a suspect van when there was a huge explosion. the south african parliament has destroyed the foundation of apartheid by abolishing the population registration act, which for 40 years forcibly classified each citizen according to race. just a day old and the royal baby is, tonight, sleeping _ in his cot at home. i early this evening, the new prince l was taken by his mother and father to theirapartment. in kensington palace. germany's parliament, the bundestag has voted by a narrow majority to move the seat of government from bonn to berlin. berliners celebrated into the night, but the decision was greeted with shock in bonn. the real focus of attention today was valentina tereshkova. the world's first woman cosmonaut. what do you think of - the russian woman in space? i think it's a wonderful achievement, and i think we might be able to persuade the wife. it would be a good idea, if i could, to get her to go up there

for a little while. this is bbc news, the latest headlines. washington warns authorities in hong kong — to stop targeting the media —after officers raid the newsroom of a pro—democracy paper. edwin poots — the leader of the biggest party in northern ireland — resigns afterjust 21 days in thejob. china s first crewed spacecraft blasted off from the gobi desert — in a landmark step towards establishing beijing as a major space power. the spacecraft carrying three astronauts is heading to the tiangong space station, which was put into orbit in april and is still being constructed. let's speak to let's speak to paul byrne, associate professor of planetary science at north carolina state university. what is china's haimen space? is to leave an indelible _

what is china's haimen space? is to leave an indelible mark on the history— leave an indelible mark on the history of— leave an indelible mark on the history of human space flight. the united _ history of human space flight. the united states is done that, the european — united states is done that, the european space agency, the soviet union _ european space agency, the soviet union and — european space agency, the soviet union and china is making sure they have their— union and china is making sure they have their go. union and china is making sure they have their 90-— have their go. china, the us and russia is going _ have their go. china, the us and russia is going to _ have their go. china, the us and russia is going to be _ have their go. china, the us and russia is going to be competing| have their go. china, the us and i russia is going to be competing in space or cooperating? i russia is going to be competing in space or cooperating?— space or cooperating? i think this one of the _ space or cooperating? i think this one of the key — space or cooperating? i think this one of the key questions - space or cooperating? i think this one of the key questions that - space or cooperating? i think this one of the key questions that we | space or cooperating? i think this i one of the key questions that we are going _ one of the key questions that we are going to _ one of the key questions that we are going to have to see how it plays out over— going to have to see how it plays out over the coming years. recently under— out over the coming years. recently under nasa's previous demonstrator, nasa has _ under nasa's previous demonstrator, nasa has it_ under nasa's previous demonstrator, nasa has it to get a what is called the artemis records as part of this very ambitious programme called artemis _ very ambitious programme called artemis to ultimately put humans back artemis to ultimately put humans hack on— artemis to ultimately put humans back on the lunar surface and one day take — back on the lunar surface and one day take the next step to mars. at around _ day take the next step to mars. at around the — day take the next step to mars. at around the same time we see china developing — around the same time we see china developing their own steps to do this included the development of what they have called to the international lunar research station _ international lunar research station. basically a base on the moon — station. basically a base on the moon and _ station. basically a base on the moon. and recently china has been partnering — moon. and recently china has been partnering with russia in a way they had done _ partnering with russia in a way they had done similarly back in the 60s to develop— had done similarly back in the 60s to develop this technology and advance — to develop this technology and advance this kind of work because of course _ advance this kind of work because of course its— advance this kind of work because of course it's very expensive. what is telling _ course it's very expensive. what is telling is _ course it's very expensive. what is telling is that russia or china neither— telling is that russia or china neither have signed up to the

accords— neither have signed up to the accords which many other countries have it _ accords which many other countries have it i_ accords which many other countries have it. i don't know in the near term _ have it. idon't know in the near term if— have it. i don't know in the near term if we — have it. i don't know in the near term if we are going to see the kind of cooperation that perhaps we have seen on _ of cooperation that perhaps we have seen on the — of cooperation that perhaps we have seen on the space station between the realty— seen on the space station between the really big players in the space exploration. that perhaps we might want to— exploration. that perhaps we might want to or— exploration. that perhaps we might want to or might end up seeing discrete — want to or might end up seeing discrete threads of these agencies and countries going it alone. china is buildin: and countries going it alone. china is building their _ and countries going it alone. china is building their own _ and countries going it alone. china is building their own space - and countries going it alone. (in “is. is building their own space to there's already a space mission up there, why can't they use that one? china is not involved in the international space station which is higgest _ international space station which is biggest international project ever in human— biggest international project ever in human history. it features elements— in human history. it features elements from russia all the russia in the _ elements from russia all the russia in the last— elements from russia all the russia in the last two years to be making noises _ in the last two years to be making noises about whether or not it wants to continue — noises about whether or not it wants to continue supporting the space station _ to continue supporting the space station past 2024, nasa wants to run it through — station past 2024, nasa wants to run it through 28 and possibly beyond that _ it through 28 and possibly beyond that it _ it through 28 and possibly beyond that it is — it through 28 and possibly beyond that. it is expensive and takes a long _ that. it is expensive and takes a long time, — that. it is expensive and takes a long time, but now the china developing their own station it no longer— developing their own station it no longer needs to be reliant on, it's not quite — longer needs to be reliant on, it's not quite be shut up any more so the because _ not quite be shut up any more so the because it _ not quite be shut up any more so the because it has built its own station _

because it has built its own station. we would be remiss to think that this _ station. we would be remiss to think that this station is the last one it does _ that this station is the last one it does. certainly theirambitions that this station is the last one it does. certainly their ambitions are remarkable in terms of what it wants to get _ remarkable in terms of what it wants to get done — remarkable in terms of what it wants to get done across the solar system. of to get done across the solar system. of the _ to get done across the solar system. of the going to be able to answer of the going to be able to answer questions about space and plan is that you as a scientist are going to be looking to be answered? yes and in a way they — be looking to be answered? yes and in a way they arty — be looking to be answered? yes and in a way they arty have. _ be looking to be answered? yes and in a way they arty have. the - be looking to be answered? yes and in a way they arty have. the lander. in a way they arty have. the lander is something we are seeing and developing for the moon soon, and we know right _ developing for the moon soon, and we know right now the spacecraft has dropped _ know right now the spacecraft has dropped a — know right now the spacecraft has dropped a rover on the surface of mars, _ dropped a rover on the surface of mars, its — dropped a rover on the surface of mars, its operating there. china returned — mars, its operating there. china returned samples from the first samples — returned samples from the first samples are more than 40 years and from the _ samples are more than 40 years and from the lunar surface last december. nasa has wanted to go to that exact _ december. nasa has wanted to go to that exact reach of the moon and take samples itself so science is already— take samples itself so science is already benefiting from what china is doing _ already benefiting from what china is doing. because of a really political— is doing. because of a really political considerations however there _ political considerations however there is— political considerations however there is not the kind of an international collaboration particularly in the united states and china that i know a lot of scientist _ and china that i know a lot of scientist with legacy and so what that means is china could answer the

questions _ that means is china could answer the questions we have whether or not we are going _ questions we have whether or not we are going to— questions we have whether or not we are going to be able to for us or vice versa — are going to be able to for us or vice versa that remains to be seen. in a vice versa that remains to be seen. in a word, — vice versa that remains to be seen. in a word, which country will land a human on mars first? i in a word, which country will land a human on mars first?— in a word, which country will land a human on mars first? i am not going to redict human on mars first? i am not going to predict that. _ human on mars first? i am not going to predict that, but _ human on mars first? i am not going to predict that, but i _ human on mars first? i am not going to predict that, but i cannot - human on mars first? i am not going to predict that, but i cannot wait i to predict that, but i cannot wait to predict that, but i cannot wait to see _ to predict that, but i cannot wait to see humans on the surface of mars _ to see humans on the surface of mars. . ~ to see humans on the surface of mars. ., ~' , ., to see humans on the surface of mars. ., ,, i. . ., to see humans on the surface of mars. ., ,, . ., ., mars. thank you so much for “oining us. the japanese tennis star, naomi 0saka, has pulled out the wimbledon championships later this month. in may, she withdrew from the french open after refusing to take part in post—match news conferences saying she wanted to protect her mental well—being. 0saka says she will take part in the olympics injuly. auckland in new zealand has been named as the world s most liveable city. out of 140 cities, it is right there at the top. that's according to an annual list produced by the economist intelligence unit. the new zealand city has stolen the top spot from vienna ? which has

dropped down the list, largely due to repeated covid—19 lockdowns. cities are ranked on a number of factors including stability, education and access to healthcare. the pandemic has heavily affected this years rankings, with european cities coming below places in the asia pacific region. to find out more about auckland and how it has fared throughout the pandemic ? we can cross to the city and speak to mayor phil goff. thank you so much forjoining us. auckland is better than venice, new york, then, 0saka, adelaide, you are right at the top how do you get there with blue good evening. we have there with blue good evening. - have always been in the top 24 most liveable cities but i think really the crowning effect in this was the way in which we have dealt with covid—19. we have had 110 days without any community transmission of covid—19. we had previous long

periods, sometimes interrupted by short intrusions which we have managed to handle pretty recently. the prime minister talks about a team of 5 million, nearly 2 million of those living auckland and we have worked together well to stop the spread of the virus. we have had good leadership and now in the process of going through vaccination. but at no point has her hospital system been overwhelmed, only a handful of deaths in the city, all tragic but not on the scale of other places. we are going about it like normally and if you follow the america's cup which i will remind you we one, you ought to see the auckland. just an amazing harbour, sparkling waters. and it is a good place to live. it's not to say we are without problems can we have the same problems as other places, but generally really good to

live in. d0 places, but generally really good to live in. ., ., ., , . places, but generally really good to live in. ., ., . ., , live in. do not have traffic 'ams, the kind «i live in. do not have traffic 'ams, the kind of things i live in. do not have traffic 'ams, the kind of things that i live in. do not have traffic jams, the kind of things that drive i live in. do not have traffic jams, l the kind of things that drive every other city crazy?— other city crazy? yes, i have lived in london. _ other city crazy? yes, i have lived in london. i _ other city crazy? yes, i have lived in london, i have _ other city crazy? yes, i have lived in london, i have lived _ other city crazy? yes, i have lived in london, i have lived in - other city crazy? yes, i have lived in london, i have lived in oxford, | in london, i have lived in oxford, so i know about trafficjams. they are not unique to us. we are moving from a city that modelled itself on los angeles, sprawling suburbs and big motorways, to a 21st century city. we are really strengthening our public transport system and focusing more on walking and cycling. in that transition we do have real congestion and that is a problem for us. so what i said before, we are not without problems. traffic congestion and housing affordability, two really big challenges that we face but there's so many other good things about our city that we make it a fantastic place to live in.— city that we make it a fantastic place to live in. phill goff can be must be with — place to live in. phill goff can be must be with mayors _ place to live in. phill goff can be must be with mayors around i place to live in. phill goff can be must be with mayors around the place to live in. phill goff can be i must be with mayors around the world and we go out for a walk you must be accosted at all times from the

citizen saying what are you going to pick up the garbage or sort out this road, when people see you on the street what they complain to you about was yellow yeah, that's the nature of local government. i spent most of my life and provincial government and it's much easier being a minister than a mayor. nothing more local than local government so i've been in a set of traffic lights and the car next to me once on the window and talks to me once on the window and talks to me about something that would like to see happen. but i like to say the first two big challenges that would be around traffic congestion and in dealing with traffic congestion we got so much construction going on i think in 2019 we have more cranes per capita in new zealand than any other city in the world. so per capita in new zealand than any other city in the world.— other city in the world. so we are deaunu other city in the world. so we are dealing with _ other city in the world. so we are dealing with the _ other city in the world. so we are dealing with the problem, - other city in the world. so we are dealing with the problem, but i dealing with the problem, but dealing with the problem, but dealing with the problem, but dealing with the problem you have a short—term problem of disruption. with been known as the city of sales but people have said we are the city

of orange cones because of the cones from the construction sites. but we are dealing with that and hopefully it's the low interest rates and the house prices going up. we are building more...— building more... before we go affair, building more... before we go affair. it's _ building more... before we go affair, it's obviously _ building more... before we go affair, it's obviously sure i building more... before we go affair, it's obviously sure in i building more... before we go| affair, it's obviously sure in the good news for everyone that you don't have any active cases, the bad news for the rest of the world can we can't come and visit you because of restrictions! when is that going to change? it of restrictions! when is that going to chance? .,, . ., of restrictions! when is that going tochanue? ., ., ., , to change? it has changed already for a small— to change? it has changed already for a small number _ to change? it has changed already for a small number of _ to change? it has changed already for a small number of countries, l for a small number of countries, australia and the cook islands. we've got a travel bubble. we would love to have the brits back to cs. are you sure?— love to have the brits back to cs. are you sure? absolutely. we have rolled out our— are you sure? absolutely. we have rolled out our vaccination _ are you sure? absolutely. we have i rolled out our vaccination programme and you have got on top of your problem as well and are simply for the further weeks extension before you get back to normality. it has been fantastic _ you get back to normality. it has been fantastic to _ you get back to normality. it has been fantastic to speak - you get back to normality. it has been fantastic to speak to i you get back to normality. it has been fantastic to speak to you, i been fantastic to speak to you, mayor of auckland, the world's most liveable city.

i'm off to auckland, see you in a bit. good evening. central and eastern areas have been sitting under the shower cloud today, but the humidity has stayed, so it's quite oppressive out and about, but to the west of the weather front the humidity has cleared away and it has felt much fresher with some sunshine. but southern and eastern areas are going to stick with that humid air as we go through the rest of this evening and overnight into tomorrow. with further pulses of heavy showers developing and moving northwards, heavy thundery rains and with all of that cloud it's going to be another very close night. uncomfortable for sleeping, but for the vast majority across scotland, northern ireland, western parts of england and wales as well temperatures will be lower and that humidity has gotten more comfortable for sleeping. in fact, low single figures in some of the glens of scotland. but we are concerned about those thunderstorms giving further torrential rain.

we saw that last night and into the morning when we had a couple of inches of rain in a few places. so that's certainly a possibility as we go through friday, because look how widespread we are expecting this thundery rain to be. pushing gradually northwards, possibly a little further westwards as we go through the day. behind it some more intense thunderstorms developing because we have got that heat and humidity. but very few showers in contrast across scotland and northern ireland across wales and western england still in that slightly fresher air. and pollen levels, because we have got all that rain slightly down on those today, but still pretty high for the north. still grass pollen season at the moment, and still strong sunshine. then as we go through the evening and overnight we've got the football at wembley, so it could well be quite a wet affair before that finally clears out of the way tomorrow night. that will be one to watch. it looks like saturday will be our dryer day of the weekend. still a few showers but a lot of dry and settled rather, some sunshine as well. feeling warm so we may well have lost the intense humidity but

temperatures at this time of year given the sunshine will still get into the low 20s. and the high teens and low 20s in the north. pleasantly warm in that strong sunshine. saturday night into sunday we are watching for another area of heavy, possibly thundery rain to move its way northwards. pushing this time into scotland and northern ireland, northern england as we get into sunday itself and followed behind by sunny spells. but those will trigger some intense showers and thunderstorms as well. and it is still warm air. so when the sun comes out still into the low 20s. as ever, there is more on the website including the warnings.

this is bbc news, the headlines.

the united states has called on hong kong authorities to stop targeting the free media — after police raided the pro—democracy outlet apple daily. the us state department said the raid undermined the the city's credibility. afterjust three weeks in thejob, the leader of northern ireland's democratic unionist party edwin poots has resigned following a revolt in his own party. he will remain in the post until a successor is elected. the official report into the manchester arena attack — has highlighted missed opportunities to prevent deaths. the bomber salman abedi should have been identified as a threat, the report blames police — and others responsible at the concert. one of the pioneers of africa s liberation era, kenneth kaunda, has died in zambia. he was ninety—seven. after decades of one party rule, mr kaunda won praise in 1991 for stepping down as zambia's president following election defeat.