i'm luxmy gopal and these are the latest headlines... ministers throw their weight behind the prime minister after police announce he won't receive any more fines over lockdown parties in downing street and whitehall. the us has warned that the uk will lose out on a free—trade deal, if it scraps post—brexit trading arrangements in northern ireland. ukraine's president says russian forces have completely destroyed the eastern donbas region and has described it as hell. eight new cities are named as part of the queen's platinum jubilee celebrations — including stanley in the falkland islands and douglas on the isle of man. nurseries say plans in england to allow staff to look after more children will not cut costs for parents but the government insists the plans could help lower childcare costs overall.

after a series of post—match pitch invasions the crystal palace manager patrick viera is involved in an altercation with a fan. bbc news understands that the senior civil servant sue gray intends to complete her report on downing street lockdown parties this weekend. she has already criticised failures of leadership at number ten and the cabinet office. the closure of the police investigation means she's now free to publish the full details of her inquiry. our political correspondent david wallace—lockhart reports. 126 fines were issued by the metropolitan police for events in downing street and other government buildings. only one of those went to the prime minister. some say that's one too many, others say apologies have been made and now it's time to move on.

he didn't feel he was breaking any rules and certainly when i have been on the doorstep, some people do feel what he was fined for, perhaps the prime minister and the chancellor may have been a little hard done by. but even with that, he actually held his hands up and said, do you know what, i'm not going to argue about this, i'm going to take responsibility, i'm going to pay the fine, and i want to move on and actually talk about those issues that people are really worried about like the cost of living or what is happening in ukraine. for opposition mps, it's the overall number of fines that's most shocking. they believe change has to come from the top and the prime minister must go. he presided over a place of work and his own home where there were 126 fines. i think there was clearly a culture of lawbreaking, i think that number 10 downing st was the venue for parties during lockdown, and i think the culture came from the top. the police investigation may be done and dusted, but the partygate fallout isn't over. senior civil servant sue grey

is expected to issue her final report looking into these events next week. the bbc understands there has been a lively debate on which senior civil servants will be named in this. and a cross—party committee of mps is due to investigate whether or not boris johnson knowingly misled the commons. for now, there doesn't seem to be widespread rebellion in borisjohnson�*s party. tory calls for him to stand down are limited. he hopes to move on from this saga. staffing structures in number ten are being altered to try and enhance the support offered to the prime minister. but with reports and inquiries yet to come, we haven't heard the last of partygate. david wallace—lockhart, bbc news. let's go over to westminster where our political correspondent iain watson is. the question is one that we have asked many times before and we are still waiting on, how much longer must we wait until the sue gray report is actually published? that

re ort b report is actually published? that report by the _ report is actually published? twat report by the senior civil servant must be gathering dust, five and a half months on, she did produce this towards the end of january and then the police investigation intervened. as i understand it, she is going to talk to the senior officials that she wishes to name in that report. if any of them have objections to what she is saying, that could further delay the report but certainly the hope is that she will be able to do that over the weekend and finally the report will make an appearance very early next week. borisjohnson will then make a statement to parliament and he will then be questioned on his role in so—called partygate. earlier today, thejustice so—called partygate. earlier today, the justice secretary so—called partygate. earlier today, thejustice secretary dominic ra told the bbc that the prime minister would be accountable. i welcome the conclusion of the met investigation. i think it was important for transparency and accountability, and we, as you say, awaits the sue gray report. the prime minister has been very clear that that will be published

as soon as swift is possible once we receive it. the prime minister will go to the house of commons and take questions, so again, transparency and accountability. i think he has been clear, in relation to things that happened at number 10 downing street, mistakes were made, lessons have been learnt. from the interim sue gray report to now, he has taken a series of actions to overhaul number 10, staff changes and the like. and we are getting on... whilst we await the final sue gray report, he is getting on with the job. so, borisjohnson so, boris johnson getting so, borisjohnson getting on with thejob but still so, borisjohnson getting on with the job but still questions over his leadership. i don't think they will be a rush of fellow conservative mps trying to push out of the door of downing street when this report is published but his critics will be looking for detail in the report, what with the events, and what went on at the event? and perhaps the biggerjeopardy for borisjohnson is bigger jeopardy for boris johnson is this, biggerjeopardy for borisjohnson is this, that this inquiry by a

cross—party committee of mps and they are looking at when he misled parliament when he said guidance had been followed in downing street and we now know of course 126 fines have been issued. for him to be in trouble, they would have to prove that he knowingly misled or to put it more bluntly lied to his fellow mps. nonetheless, it also means you cannot simply draw a line under partygate next week and move on because the committee will have access to all of the evidence and information that sue gray and the metropolitan police have gathered, including more than 500 photographs of those controversial events. thank ou. let's speak now to tim durrant, associate director at the institute for government. thank you forjoining us this morning, tim. given the conclusion of the met police investigation, how much more can we realistically expect to emerge from sue gray's report when it is finally published?

well, i think we are expecting quite a lot of detail. we know that sue gray and her team spent lots of people across government and collected lots of information, obviously not all of that will be made public. we know that the names ofjunior officials will not be made public. but we can expect a lot of detail, both about individual events and this is something that sue gray got into in her earlier update, the culture and the management that exists or existed at the time in number ten and exists or existed at the time in numberten and in exists or existed at the time in number ten and in the cabinet office, and how that created the possibility for these in the past few hours, dominic ra, thejustice gas —— thejust few hours, dominic ra, thejustice gas —— the just executory —— dominic ra. gas -- the “ust executory -- dominic ra. ., ., ., i. gas -- the “ust executory -- dominic ra. ., ., ., ,, ~ gas -- the “ust executory -- dominic ra. ., ., ~ , , . ra. how far do you think the public will see this _ ra. how far do you think the public will see this as _ ra. how far do you think the public will see this as transparent - ra. how far do you think the public will see this as transparent and . will see this as transparent and accountable?—

will see this as transparent and accountable? , ., ., ., , accountable? the investigation has been cuite accountable? the investigation has been quite hard _ accountable? the investigation has been quite hard to _ accountable? the investigation has been quite hard to follow, - accountable? the investigation has been quite hard to follow, it - accountable? the investigation has| been quite hard to follow, it seems like there is not always been the most sort of obvious way of the way they are looking into things and the fact that they have concluded that this investigation yesterday, this is all we have done and here are the numbers of fixed penalty notices issued. i think they haven't exactly shown they're working on that. now, obviously that is normal for these kinds of investigations but given the kind of level of scrutiny and interest in this, i think we would expect or would have wanted more. but we are still going to get the sue gray report that will look into different aspects, and of course there is also the parliamentary inquiry that will be set up once the sue gray permit report is published, which will look into whether or not the prime minister misled parliament. so there are still various inquiries and investigations happening that will continue to bring out more detail. whether or

not the prime _ bring out more detail. whether or not the prime minister _ bring out more detail. whether or not the prime minister misled - not the prime minister misled parliament does hinge on whether there was intent on that. how easy is that to prove? t there was intent on that. how easy is that to prove?— is that to prove? i think it will be in could be _ is that to prove? i think it will be in could be difficult _ is that to prove? i think it will be in could be difficult to _ is that to prove? i think it will be in could be difficult to prove, - is that to prove? i think it will be in could be difficult to prove, i i in could be difficult to prove, i don't envy people looking into that because ultimately, how can they know what he intended? as has been the case throughout all of this, this is going to come down to politics, the inquiry will be done by a parliamentary committee and it will be, i imagine they will make recommendations and those will be debated in house of commons and people will have their political priorities and views on what should happen, and that has always been the case throughout this. yes, there was a police investigation, but the whole kind response to partygate was about politics and peoples allegiances or opposition to the prime minister.— allegiances or opposition to the prime minister.

the most seniorfigure in the us congress, nancy pelosi, has warned that the uk will lose out on a free trade deal if it scraps post—brexit trading arrangements in northern ireland. the speaker of the us house of representatives said the northern ireland protocol preserved the good friday agreement, which she described as the bedrock of the peace process. so, how significant is her comment? here's our north america correspondent david willis. this well, these are very stern comments from, as you say, one of the most powerful politicians in this country, the speaker of the house of representatives nancy pelosi warning britain that any amendment to the northern ireland protocol could jeopardise the hopes of a uk/us free trade agreement, and such a deal, of course, has been an economic goal of the borisjohnson administration. it is a key promise, of course, of economic prosperity post—brexit, and the uk needs it badly. but in this very strongly worded

statement, nancy pelosi makes clear that the northern ireland protocol is one of the cornerstones of the good friday accords which are in turn, the bedrock, as she put it, of peace in northern ireland, and a beacon of hope for the entire world. and she says that central to the good friday accord is the fact that there should be no physical border between northern ireland and the republic of ireland and of course should the uk choose to undermine the good friday accord, she says congress will not support a bilateral free trade agreement. you asked me the significance of these. it is significant, although we have heard this from nancy pelosi in the past, nonetheless, this is the sort of rhetoric that echoes with not only her democratic colleagues but also those on the other side of the aisle, republicans as well, and they are shared, these sentiments, by

president biden himself as well, who is of irish ancestry. he has intimated that he is not looking to set about starting negotiating a uk/us trade deal whilst the uk is still at loggerheads with the eu on this. our correspondent david willis there. eight towns have been granted city status for the queen's platinum jubilee, with at least one in every uk nation and on the falkland islands and isle of man. applicants had to demonstrate cultural heritage and show royal links in order to be considered for the title. charlotte gallagher reports. sun, sea and thejubilee. bangor on the east coast of northern ireland is one of the towns to be granted city status. on a gorgeous, sunny day like today, it's easy to see why bangor is so popular with day—trippers and holiday—makers. but for people living here in bangor, they want city status to bring more investment

and shops and businesses for them to enjoy, as well. it would be lovely. i used to come down here when i was younger. it was a beautiful place. plenty of chippies and all around there. i do think bangor needs the money spent on it, though. _ you sort of worry about it being a seaside town. that's how you see it, and you were to lose it's a bit of character for that. hopefully it doesn't. judges praised bangor�*s community spirit, naval heritage and its royal links. in 1961, the queen and the duke of edinburgh came here, with prince philip racing in the regatta. seven other towns have also won jubilee city status — doncaster, colchester and milton keynes in england, wrexham in wales, dunfermline in scotland, douglas on the isle of man and, over 8000 miles away, stanley in the falkland islands. so what makes a good city? for wrexham, judges commended the historical importance

of the football club, which has been sprinkled with hollywood star dust due to its owners, the actors ryan reynolds and rob mcelhenney. the romans loved colchester so much, they made it a capital. stanley, in the falklands, was once home to prince william, when he was a search and rescue pilot. douglas, where the rnli was founded, will be the isle of man's first and only city. it's very special and i think so often, when you're on the phone to somebody that doesn't know the isle of man even exists, to be part of that group of 38 that applied in the first place and to be one of those eight that's picked, i don't envy the people who have to do the job, i'm not going to lie. i don't think i would like to have been that person going through it all. but for them to recognise our city is just fabulous, really. it's great. being granted city status doesn't automatically bring new investment

and is more symbolic. but places like bangor are hoping there will be a sea change in opportunities. charlotte gallagher, bbc news, bangor. let's speak to charlotte now who is in bangor. charlotte, it must have been quite nice waking up to the good news there this morning?— nice waking up to the good news there this morning? yes, people are really excited _ there this morning? yes, people are really excited here. _ there this morning? yes, people are really excited here. one _ there this morning? yes, people are really excited here. one man - there this morning? yes, people are really excited here. one man just i really excited here. one manjust walked past and went it is lady said i heard it on the radio this morning, what great news to wake up to. and i think you can see behind me why it. holiday—makers, people coming from the day, you have this beautiful marina, there is a fun all the usual things you get at the seaside, fish and chips, ice cream, and there are big plans to hear to revitalise the centre as well. i am joined by the chief executive of the

council. you had a big part in getting his bid together. yes. council. you had a big part in getting his bid together. yes, news. we are very — getting his bid together. yes, news. we are very proud — getting his bid together. yes, news. we are very proud to _ getting his bid together. yes, news. we are very proud to have _ getting his bid together. yes, news. we are very proud to have the - we are very proud to have the endorsement of not only an expert panel— endorsement of not only an expert panel of— endorsement of not only an expert panel of independent assessors that looked _ panel of independent assessors that looked at _ panel of independent assessors that looked at all of the bids across the uk but _ looked at all of the bids across the uk but that they chose bangla and the majesty the queen has endorsed that and _ the majesty the queen has endorsed that and we are so proud today. —— bangla _ that and we are so proud today. —— bangla. there hasn't been a city in northern— bangla. there hasn't been a city in northern ireland recently for 20 years— northern ireland recently for 20 years so— northern ireland recently for 20 years so it — northern ireland recently for 20 years so it is linked dashing can be good _ years so it is linked dashing can be good news — years so it is linked dashing can be good news. —— bangor. 38 years so it is linked dashing can be good news. -- bangor.— good news. -- bangor. 38 towns entered, good news. -- bangor. 38 towns entered. only — good news. -- bangor. 38 towns entered, only eight _ good news. -- bangor. 38 towns entered, only eight were - good news. -- bangor. 38 towns - entered, only eight were successful, what you think it so winning about this place? what you think it so winning about this lace? ., u, what you think it so winning about this lace? ., .. , this place? you can see here the visitor in the _ this place? you can see here the visitor in the harbour— this place? you can see here the visitor in the harbour area. - this place? you can see here the | visitor in the harbour area. there is space — visitor in the harbour area. there is space for—

visitor in the harbour area. there is space for nearly 600 boats. this family— is space for nearly 600 boats. this family park— is space for nearly 600 boats. this family park behind you is hugely popular— family park behind you is hugely popular in — family park behind you is hugely popular in the summertime. firstly, bangor— popular in the summertime. firstly, bangor has — popular in the summertime. firstly, bangor has lots of heritage, it was of victorian— bangor has lots of heritage, it was of victorian seaside resort. bangor abbey— of victorian seaside resort. bangor abbey was— of victorian seaside resort. bangor abbey was established in the sixth century _ abbey was established in the sixth century. there was a university effectively back in those days. and you will— effectively back in those days. and you will see bangor as one of only three _ you will see bangor as one of only three settlements in the map of the world _ three settlements in the map of the world at— three settlements in the map of the world at that time and it was known as the _ world at that time and it was known as the city— world at that time and it was known as the city of bangor. i'll bid was about— as the city of bangor. i'll bid was about bringing us back to that strong — about bringing us back to that strong heritage connection. and in modern _ strong heritage connection. and in modern times, we are a strong community, and they love this environment. they have connected with the _ environment. they have connected with the identity of the place. so we have — with the identity of the place. so we have got some great plans for the regeneration and we believe that having _ regeneration and we believe that having city status will push the

economic— having city status will push the economic opportunity to invest in bangor~ — economic opportunity to invest in banaor. ., ~ economic opportunity to invest in banaor. ., ,, economic opportunity to invest in banaor. ., ~ a economic opportunity to invest in banaor. . ,, a economic opportunity to invest in banaor. ., a economic opportunity to invest in banaor. ., , bangor. thank you. as you can see, lots auoin bangor. thank you. as you can see, lots going on _ bangor. thank you. as you can see, lots going on around _ bangor. thank you. as you can see, lots going on around here _ bangor. thank you. as you can see, lots going on around here today - bangor. thank you. as you can see, lots going on around here today and i am sure there might be a few drinks this evening to celebrate city status. pm drinks this evening to celebrate city status— drinks this evening to celebrate ci status. �* ,, ., ., ., city status. an 0, charlotte, that is charlotte _ city status. an 0, charlotte, that is charlotte from _ city status. an 0, charlotte, that is charlotte from a _ city status. an 0, charlotte, that is charlotte from a breezy - city status. an 0, charlotte, that is charlotte from a breezy but. is charlotte from a breezy but absolutely beautiful bangor there. the new nuclear power station being built at hinckley point in somerset has been delayed by a year, and will now cost a further three—billion pounds. the operators edf cited the impact of the pandemic and supply chain issues for the delay, which will now see the site up and running injune 2027, at a cost of £26 billion. edf said there would be no cost impact to taxpayers. president volodymyr zelensky has said the eastern donbas region has been completely destroyed by russian forces. in his nightly video address, mr zelensky described the situation in donbas as hell, accusing russia of carrying out senseless bombardments.

after failing to achieve much military success elsewhere, russia has in recent weeks been focussing on donbas where moscow—backed separatists have already been fighting ukrainian forces for years. we can speak now to our kyiv correspondent, james waterhouse. james, this focus on donbas, does it suggest that this is sort of a downwards trajectory for russian forces there? t downwards tra'ectory for russian forces there?— forces there? i think it is a guarantee _ forces there? i think it is a guarantee that _ forces there? i think it is a guarantee that can't - forces there? i think it is a guarantee that can't be . forces there? i think it is a - guarantee that can't be given, to be honest with you, the reason being that, yes, because of ukraine's deep resolve, level of resistance and support from the west, russia has failed thus far to complete its original aim failed thus far to complete its originalaim of failed thus far to complete its original aim of toppling residents a lesson gay and taking full control of the country. —— toppling president zelensky and taking full

control of the country. nevertheless, the invading forces have seized this huge land corridor right across the south—east of the country, linking up troops with the eastern donbas region. it is also closer to the russian border and the thought is that vladimir putin, whilst he is saying his priority is taking the donbas region, he will also use this as an opportunity to replenish and resupply his faltering troops. whether he will want to launch something more larger scale after that, launch something more larger scale afterthat, butt launch something more larger scale after that, butt macro this is an industrial part of ukraine with strong links to russia, the majority russian speaking population. some of them feel soviet union nostalgia but them feel soviet union nostalgia but the russians see it as their soil. it is, however, part of ukraine, it is part of the country. so, as a

result, we are seeing once more a concentration of fighting there and president zelensky says it is almost completely destroyed. he has once again accused moscow of genocide, something russia denies. there are towns and villages which have been almost completely destroyed, hollowed out buildings, administration buildings taken out, society is unable to function. the fighting is getting bogged down and you wonder how much longer. james, thank ou you wonder how much longer. james, thank you for— you wonder how much longer. james, thank you for bringing _ you wonder how much longer. james, thank you for bringing us _ you wonder how much longer. james, thank you for bringing us up - you wonder how much longer. james, thank you for bringing us up to - thank you for bringing us up to date, that is james waterhouse, our kyiv correspondent. there's anger over plans to use a former raf base in north yorkshire, to house 1,500 asylum seekers — people living nearby have accused the home office of failing to properly consult them. residents from linton—on—ouse near york met civil servants at a parish council meeting last night to outline their concerns. the centre, expected to open at the end of the month, is designed to help end the government's reliance on hotels while asylum claims are being processed. people are really angry.

as we keep saying, this is the wrong plan for asylum seekers and for the village. it's in the wrong place because it makes no sense for anybody. the only people who support this are the home office and it's the wrong process because there have been no planning permission applied for, there has been no consultation, there has been no looking at the issue with sewage. so when the sewage system which is already overloaded tips over, it pumps raw effluent into the river ouse. so people downstream going to experience that because there will be more people here than were ever on the base. the rwandan government has said it expects to receive 50 refugees from the uk at the end of this month, the first to be sent to the east african country as part of the migrant deal signed between the two governments. the agreement has come under criticism from refugee and human rights organisations who have described it as cruel and questioned its legality. joining us now is our correspondent anne soy in nairobi. what has a general response been there? ~ ., .,

there? well, i went out on the streets and — there? well, i went out on the streets and people _ there? well, i went out on the streets and people are - there? well, i went out on the streets and people are eager. there? well, i went out on the | streets and people are eager to receive the migrants. this country is known for the genocide that took place in 1994, millions of randoms were displaced and therefore —— millions of rwandan people were displaced. they are ready to welcome the migrants that will be coming. however, as you say, this deal has come under scrutiny, especially from rights organisations. we spoke to human rights watch who said the uk is abdicating its response politically refugees. the home office responded to us and that it had carried out an assessment of rwandan and found it is fundamentally safe and secure. the rwandan government also has been said to be unsuitable to host these migrants because of its human rights record. i put these questions to the government spokeswoman and she said

there is nothing wrong with the country's human rights record. we were invited to some of the facilities that will be hosting the migrants. facilities that will be hosting the miarants. ~ �* ., ., , migrants. we've got a swimming pool, a conference — migrants. we've got a swimming pool, a conference hall, _ migrants. we've got a swimming pool, a conference hall, a _ migrants. we've got a swimming pool, a conference hall, a restaurant. - a conference hall, a restaurant. this— a conference hall, a restaurant. this is— a conference hall, a restaurant. this is one _ a conference hall, a restaurant. this is one of the rooms. britain was not chosen _ this is one of the rooms. britain was not chosen destination - this is one of the rooms. britain was not chosen destination for. was not chosen destination for migrants but not the destination of choice. this is rouge by desir, one of the hotels in kigali that's to be leased for migrants. jackie, the operations manager, doesn't know much about the deal. but she says they will be ready when it takes effect. so will you still be able to do all that when you start hosting these visitors from the uk? no, when we have visitors, we will stop that. no more other guests from outside. especially when it's a group from one place. it is known as the land of 1000 hills. but to most people, they know rwanda as a place where a genocide took place in 1994. but since then, the country has enjoyed steady economic growth,

and there has been some benefits to the people. but there are serious concerns about the country's civil rights record. rwanda is a country that routinely flouts international norms, protocols and laws with regards to refugees. this is a country that has abused refugees in its own country. allegations the government denies. there's nothing wrong with rwandan human rights, the human rights record. no matter what these external organisations say. we also have surveys and indices which talk about how safe rwanda is. we have made tremendous progress in the last 28 years. rwandans trust their government. we have people who come to live here of their own, we consider ourselves a country of migration. to illustrate that, we are invited to a transit camp a 90 minutes drive south of kigali. it is run by the un refugee agency.

close to 1000 migrants, mostly from the horn of africa, were brought here from libya. the majority had been resettled in europe or north america over the last three years. this 26—year—old will soonjoin them. he says he was imprisoned, endured torture and survived a shipwreck trying to get a better life. now he is close to achieving his goal. canada, just i'm waiting on travel. if you had another option to settle in africa, in an african country, would you take it? for me, i don't know, because as i told you, i want to go to canada. africa, i'm not so sure. like most migrants, it's to go to a western country. rwanda is not where they hope to settle.

and that raises question about the uk deal and whether it will work. and that is the situation on the ground, these are the questions that are being asked. if these migrants are being asked. if these migrants are relocated to rwanda, what is there to stop them leaving rwanda and trying to make the journey back to europe? we did ask questions about what happens when they will get there, they will be in the hands of the rwandan government, their claims of asylum will be processed by rwandan and they will be given the option of settling in rwanda. so far, we have not find any migrant who has previously gone to rewind i who has previously gone to rewind i who took up that offer. they will also have the option of being resettled in a third country, we are still not clear how that will happen. thank you. retail sales figures rose by one—point—four percent in april,

following a fall in march. the data was compiled by the office for national statistics. we can cross to salford and our business correspondent, ben boulos. retail sales figures have risen, haven't they?— retail sales figures have risen, haven't the ? , ., , , haven't they? yes, and most experts were anticipating _ haven't they? yes, and most experts were anticipating there _ haven't they? yes, and most experts were anticipating there would - haven't they? yes, and most experts were anticipating there would be - haven't they? yes, and most experts were anticipating there would be a i were anticipating there would be a fall in retail sales so the surprise increase in sales, well, as you say, doesn't seem to tally with the increased cost of living pressures that many households are facing. but when you look at the detail, it gives you a bit of a glimpse as to perhaps why. the rise was driven by increased sales in supermarkets and off—licences. now, spending food didn't particularlyjump but the increase was driven by sales of alcohol, tobacco, and sweet treats. perhaps that is down to people staying in, not going out, and so

deciding to indulge in little treats to enjoy at home. when you look at the figures for online sales, they went up slightly as well, but we are still seeing, waiting to see the impact of the higher cost of living pressures to really filter through. the warning sign, the red light or alarm bell, if you like, sounding in the distance is the consumer confidence survey. while retail sales went up in april, consumer confidence in the economy was at its lowest since 1974. a record low. so it is at its lowest, lower than when it is at its lowest, lower than when it was during the covid shutdowns, lower than during the global financial crisis, all of those events, so it tells you just how worried people are about their finances, and the effect of that may not filter through until the coming months. ., ~ not filter through until the coming months. ., ,, , ., .,

not filter through until the coming months. . ~' , ., ., . not filter through until the coming months. ., ,, , ., ., ., , months. thank you for that, it is interesting _ months. thank you for that, it is interesting that _ months. thank you for that, it is interesting that things _ months. thank you for that, it is interesting that things that - months. thank you for that, it is interesting that things that we . months. thank you for that, it is i interesting that things that we need to keep us going, the rises from cigarettes, alcohol, and sweets. a little something to give us some comfort that we all meet at the moment. now it's time for a look at the weather with sarah keith lucas. if you are hoping for rain for your garden is, it's been really dry recently, we have rain through the course of today and at times through the weekend, mainly in the north and west. today, we have a couple of areas of rain bringing bad weather to central parts of south—east england. clearing in the afternoon but then we are in a sunshine and showers mix, showers most persistent in north—west scotland, tracking their way eastwards as we move through this evening and overnight. as skies clear overnight we could see some mist and murk patches

farming and around 8—11 first thing tomorrow. to start your try start to saturday and much of central and eastern england are set to stay dry all day, eastern scotland seeing some sunshine early on but it will cloud over the north—west, some showers across the west of scotland but it will be less breezy and a touch warmer than today at around 13-21 . this is bbc news. i'm luxmy gopal and these are the headlines... ministers throw their weight behind the prime minister after police announce he won't receive any more fines over lockdown parties in downing street and whitehall. the us warns that the uk will lose out on a free—trade deal, if it scraps post—brexit trading arrangements in northern ireland. ukraine's president says russian forces have "completely destroyed" the eastern donbas region, describing it as "hell". eight towns that will become cities are named as part

of the queen's platinum jubilee celebrations — including stanley in the falkland islands and douglas on the isle of man. nurseries say plans in england to allow staff to look after more children will not cut costs for parents but the government insists the plans could help lower childcare costs overall. after a series of post—match pitch invasions, the crystal palace manager patrick viera is involved in an altercation with a fan. sport and time for a full round up, from the bbc sport centre. here is isaac. good morning. that pitch invasion you are talking about, the football association says it is investigating that incident.

patrick viera was involved in an altercation with a fan during a pitch invasion at everton. the merseyside club ensured they 69th consecutive season in the top flight with a dramatic win over viera's side. joe lynskey has more. # everton! at this club, this year, there is drama almost every week. now, everton and their manager could let it out. they've stayed up in the top flight after 90 breathless minutes where, at one stage, they faced the worst. crystal palace had the first half to themselves. they barged into goodison and led 2—0. everton's future was going down to the last day, but then it changed. michael keane hauled them back in it. then richarlison made it 2—2. with every goal, the noise was growing. then with just five minutes left, everton exhaled. now this barren season had a spectacular end. even for a coach who won so much

as a player, this was special. one of the greatest nights of my footballing life, career. and, hopefully, this can give me a breathing space to go away and have a nice break. i need to see my family some more. i miss my family. working up here a lot. i miss my wife, i miss my children. we spend a lot of time, i've got incredible support. and that's coming. palace's manager was caught in the pitch invasion. patrick vieira looked to be taunted and then kicked out at a fan. afterwards, he said he had nothing to say. everton now are safe. who goes down is now between leeds and burnley. commentator: barnes scores! who took the lead at aston villa, but their joy was short—lived. a 1—1 draw means it goes to the last day. everton have done their bit. they've spent 68 years in the top flight and yet, just to stay in it still means this much. joe lynskey, bbc news.

so relief all round there, but leeds united fans are sweating because they're now in the final relegation place, on goal difference behind burnley who host newcastle in their final match on sunday, while leeds go to brentford, needing to better burnley�*s result. meanwhile, towards the top of the table chelsea have all but secured third place after a 1—1 draw with leicester at stamford bridge. james maddison put the visitors one up before marcos alonso levelled for chelsea. thomas tuchel�*s side are three points above spurs, but with a far better goal difference. there was also a pitch invasion in the league two play—off semi—final last night. swindon town manager ben garner called for action to be taken by the football authorities after their defeat to port vale. the match went to penalties after it finished 2—2 on aggregate. vale won the shoot—out 6—5 to set up a meeting with mansfield in the final at wembley. afterwards, fans swarmed onto the pitch, and garner said his players were physically

and verbally abused. what a start for rory mcilroy at the us pga championship! he's got a one—shot lead as he looks to end his eight year major drought. this shot on the 12th hole set him up forfour straight birdies on the back nine. americans tom hogee and will zalatoris are mcilroy�*s nearest challengers on four under. it was nice to get off to that good start and sort of keep it going. i feel like this course, it lets you be pretty aggressive off the tee if you want to be, so i hit quite a lot of drivers out there and took advantage of my length. and, you know, finish that off with some nice iron play, some nice putting. rugby league next. st helens are back at the top of the super league after a 12—10 victory over

a warrington side that made them sweat. the home side got off the mark early with a try from gareth widdop but the visitors had too much quality for the hosts to handle. as tries from alex walmsley and tommy makinson put warrington's chances of victoryjust out of reach. that's all the sport for now. i will have more later on. isaac, thank you for that round—up. i will take you in a moment to some live pictures, joe biden beginning his first visit to asia as us president, as you see, he has just touched down in south korea. mr biden will meet the new south korean president, those at the pictures we are showing you live, i don't know if you can see him, he is hidden by someone in front of him, you canjust see him, he is hidden by someone in front of him, you can just about see his face! i am the agenda will be concerns about nuclear ambitions of

north korea and later mr biden will tour a samsung plant is his first official activity in south korea. what you're seeing at the moment is live pictures from south korea, presidentjoe biden hasjust touched down there. nurseries in england say plans to allow staff to look after more children will not cut costs for parents. the government says it is considering changing the current rules in a bid to help lower the cost of childcare forfamilies, amid the growing cost of living crisis. our education editor branwen jeffreys reports. oh, thank you so much. ashley has four children, including her new baby. it's two—year—old reggie she worries about the most. he has extreme allergic reactions. ashley trusts the nursery to watch him carefully. you just kind of need to have someone else take the lead for a little bit.

would you be happy with there being more children per adult? probably not, no. i mean, the severity of reggie, so, a normal child... you know, it's such a massive responsibility to just do that for reggie. and to have loads more children, i don't know, i think it's too much. i found one! you found one, well done! this nursery in nottingham is facing rising bills. from wages to heating, everything is going up. and now they're looking after toddlers born in lockdown. a lot of nurseries say that coming out of the pandemic, they don't want to have more children for each member of staff. because they've missed out on so much. quite a lot of children are needing extra help with their social skills and with their speech and language. oh, thank you! more children are starting school a bit behind according to new research this week.

and rachel, the owner, tells me even if the rules changed, they don't want staff looking after more children. the children at the moment that we've got more now, they need more support than ever getting up their development back to where it needs to be. we are seeing a rise in safeguarding needs. if anything, we need more adults to children at this time, not less. she worries it could mean the money for government funded hours being frozen. itjust feels like, oh, we need to cut budgets somewhere, and early years is where that cut is going to be. in england, for two—year—olds, there has to be one member of staff for four children. many other countries, including scotland allow bigger numbers, and that's why the government says it will consult on changes. ministers say it could help bring down the cost of childcare. in you get. down the road on the edge of nottingham, parents rush to drop off. for working families with children under three, it can be a big bill. see you later, love you!

we have got savannah in, and we're just about to put our baby in as well. and it's more than our mortgage. it's a really hard decision to go back to work after my second one. i feel for those that perhaps aren't in the luxury - of having a flexible job, _ working from home and have to go out to work and can't afford - to put their children in childcare. it's a big part of our outgoings. and we have to juggle sending albert to nursery or going to work or stopping at home. and if we have a holiday or not. is that your chair? have some breakfast? for babies and toddlers up to two, it's one adult to three children. this is when the cost is greatest for parents. and childcare staff like hannah have their hands full. sometimes we have points where one child needs a nappy change, one child needs to go to bed, another child needs a bottle and doing all of those things all at the same time, can become so difficult and very overwhelming. so before they consult on plans for england, the government is looking

at scotland, france and elsewhere with firm proposals expected in the coming months. branwenjeffries, bbc news, nottingham. celebrity chef jamie oliver will hold a protest at downing street if the government does not scrap its delay to parts of its obesity strategy. it comes after the government said it would be postponing parts of the strategy — including a ban on some junk food tv adverts, and restricting �*buy one get one free offers' — to assess the impact of the cost of living crisis. joining me now to discuss these issues is drj bernadette moore, associate professor of obesity at the university of leeds' school of food science and nutrition. thank you forjoining us this morning. first of all, what message does this delay to parts of the strategy, what message does that give in terms of public perception in terms of how important it is?

it's just so disappointing. and not what the public wants. surveys have shown 75% of the public support restrictions on advertising so it sends the message that preventing childhood obesity which we know has increased during the pandemic, is not a priority for this government. i suppose with the argument about it leading to be imposed amidst the cost of living crisis, there is a link, isn't there, between lower incomes and childhood obesity? absolutely. and it is one that is not often understood but living in poverty and particularly food insecurity is incredibly stressful. and that stress can influence both biological pathways in a child �*s developing brain as well as behaviour. and families who are struggling in this crisis are going to buy the cheapest foods. so sure, we should have buy one get one free but it should be on healthy,

nutritious food, not foods that we know are high in fat, salt, and sugar. know are high in fat, salt, and suuar. ~ ~ ., ., . sugar. we know that childhood obesity rates _ sugar. we know that childhood obesity rates have _ sugar. we know that childhood obesity rates have been - sugar. we know that childhood - obesity rates have been increasing. what effect do you think it may have on those rates in the long term if this doesn't go ahead? tt’s on those rates in the long term if this doesn't go ahead?— this doesn't go ahead? it's really terri inc. this doesn't go ahead? it's really terrifying. over— this doesn't go ahead? it's really terrifying. over the _ this doesn't go ahead? it's really terrifying. over the pandemic, i this doesn't go ahead? it's really| terrifying. over the pandemic, we know that children starting primary school, that the rights of children with excess weight, that increased from 10% up to 15% and that's in reception. and it increased from 21% up reception. and it increased from 21% up to 25% in year six so we know childhood obesity is increasing. and the cost of living crisis and disparate food environment is not going to help. cancer research uk published a report this week, they project by 2040, 701% of all uk adults will be carrying extra weight

and there will be more people living with obesity, so the data is there and they are very alarming. what with obesity, so the data is there and they are very alarming. what do ou think and they are very alarming. what do you think could _ and they are very alarming. what do you think could be _ and they are very alarming. what do you think could be a _ and they are very alarming. what do you think could be a short _ and they are very alarming. what do you think could be a short to - and they are very alarming. what do | you think could be a short to medium term solution given that people's budgets are stretched? what do you think needs to be done in the more immediate term? for think needs to be done in the more immediate term?— immediate term? for scope measurements _ immediate term? for scope measurements work - immediate term? for scope measurements work and . immediate term? for scope | measurements work and the immediate term? for scope _ measurements work and the government is to be applauded for bringing in the sugar tax which did lead to reformulation on behalf of the manufacturers but those fiscal monies need to be invested into ways of helping families eat and afford nutritious foods. and that could include free breakfasts for children at school or free lunches and our supermarkets, we should be incentivising lower prices on healthier foods.— incentivising lower prices on healthier foods. incentivising lower prices on healthierfoods. ., ., healthier foods. thank you for your time this morning. _ healthier foods. thank you for your time this morning. and _ healthier foods. thank you for your time this morning. and for - healthier foods. thank you for your time this morning. and for going . time this morning. and for going through and giving us some of your thoughts, bernadette.

the headlines on bbc news... ministers throw their weight behind the prime minister after police announce he won't receive any more fines over lockdown parties in downing street and whitehall. the us warns that the uk will lose out on a free—trade deal, if it scraps post—brexit trading arrangements in northern ireland. ukraine's president says russian forces have "completely destroyed" the eastern donbas region, describing it as "hell". it's now well in to friday in australia — and the final day of campaigning before australians go to the polls to vote for a new parliament, and a new government. one party needs to win at least 76 of the 151 seats there to form a majority government. the bbc�*s karishma vaswani is in sydney covering the election for us key election issues have obviously

been things like the cost of living in australia. it's not been immune to the pressures from the global economy that we've seen in other parts of the world and inflation here has reached a 21—year high. it's notjust in things like fuel or food, it's also in housing prices. and a lot of young australians are struggling to own their first home, to rent a place as they try and make their way through this world. and it's very much the kind of thing that we're seeing in other parts of the world as well, with the economic slowdown in china having an impact here, as well as that war in ukraine putting pressure on prices here, too. but away from the economy, from a lot of people that we've been speaking to ahead of the polls on saturday, climate change certainly a big issue out in big urban centres like sydney, where people have seen firsthand for themselves what it means to see australia go through a climate crisis, what with the bushfires, as well as the devastating floods that many people in australia have had to go through. but it's that division across the country as well that is so interesting given the fact that while people in places

like sydney are very concerned about climate change, in other parts of the country where jobs depend on the mining industry, they're more worried about their livelihoods. this is all sort of given debate or rise to a real discussion about who exactly is the best party to be able to lead the country into the future. and it's also given birth, i think it's fair to say, to a decision about whether it's the choice between experience, the parties that we've had, the traditional parties that have always been on offer here, and character, or certainly that's how it's being defined by the independent candidates who, some of them who have chosen the colour teal to represent what they stand for. now they're very big on climate change. they're very big on questions of political integrity as well. that's another big campaign platform for them, as well as the treatment of women both in the workplace in australia and in politics. so lots of things for voters to consider as they head into the polls on saturday.

according to the sunday times rich list released today there are a record number of billionaires in the uk, with the riches 250 people in the uk worth £710.7 billion, the list includes sirjames dyson and new entrants the chanceller rishi sunak and his wife akshata murty. joining us now from south east london is the man behind the list — robert watts. thank you forjoining us. tell us about those new entries, the chancellor and his wife? yes, some --eole chancellor and his wife? yes, some people approached _ chancellor and his wife? yes, some people approached us _ chancellor and his wife? yes, some people approached us to _ chancellor and his wife? yes, some people approached us to appear- chancellor and his wife? yes, some people approached us to appear on| people approached us to appear on the sunday times rich list each year, the chancellor certainly was not one of those! the bulk of his wealth, his family wealth, stems from his wife who is the daughter of

an indian it billionaire. their holding in his company is worth £690 million, they've also done well from dividends as well over the years so the bulk of the household wealth stems from her but the chancellor did all right, he worked for goldman sachs, he was a hedge fund manager as well i think people will be somewhat surprised to find the chancellor is now one of the 250 wealthiest people in the country. and you can read the full findings live on the sunday times website now. , ., live on the sunday times website now. , . ., ., ~ ., ., now. given that we are talking a lot about the cost _ now. given that we are talking a lot about the cost of _ now. given that we are talking a lot about the cost of living _ now. given that we are talking a lot about the cost of living crisis - now. given that we are talking a lot about the cost of living crisis and i about the cost of living crisis and how many people are struggling, do you feel a bit dirty, honestly, putting this list together? t you feel a bit dirty, honestly, putting this list together? i think there are readers _ putting this list together? i think there are readers who _ putting this list together? i think there are readers who will- putting this list together? i think there are readers who will be - putting this list together? i think i there are readers who will be pretty concerned, i think, there are readers who will be pretty concerned, ithink, that there are readers who will be pretty concerned, i think, that at a time of record inflation, the highest inflation for 40 years, millions of struggling with petrol prices,

energy bills, food costs, and yet this golden era for the super—rich just does not seem to come to an end. here is the most staggering statistic i think in the list this year, more wealth in the top 250 this year than in the entire 1000 we did just five years ago. in 2017. 177 billionaires, and 8% increase in wealth and at a time when millions of us are feeling the pinch. d0 wealth and at a time when millions of us are feeling the pinch.- of us are feeling the pinch. do you think it's time _ of us are feeling the pinch. do you think it's time to _ of us are feeling the pinch. do you think it's time to do _ of us are feeling the pinch. do you think it's time to do the _ of us are feeling the pinch. do you think it's time to do the top i think it's time to do the top philanthropists list instead? the think it's time to do the top philanthropists list instead? we do, ou can philanthropists list instead? we do, you can read _ philanthropists list instead? we do, you can read that _ philanthropists list instead? we do, you can read that online! _ you can read that online! christopher home tops that this year, we've identified more than £350 million worth of giving from him and we do our annual tax list which looks at the contributions to the public finances made by the wealthiest people in the country. interestingly, the people at the top of the tax list are often very different from the people at the top of the sunday times rich list. thahk

of the sunday times rich list. thank ou so of the sunday times rich list. thank you so much. _ of the sunday times rich list. thank you so much, robert, _ of the sunday times rich list. thank you so much, robert, for— of the sunday times rich list. thank you so much, robert, for talking i of the sunday times rich list. thank you so much, robert, for talking us| you so much, robert, for talking us through that and mentioning some of the other content we can access as well. thank you. prince charles and the duchess of cornwall are bringing their royal tour of canada to a close. our royal correspondent sarah campbell is travelling with them, and sent this report. a yellowknives dene first nations welcome for the royal couple. this is dettah, a remote community located on the shores of yellowknife bay in the north—west territories. it's home to around 200 people, most of whom it seems turned out to see the visiting royals. when the drum dancing began, the prince was only too happy tojoin in. so happy that hejoined in the drum dance and he participated and got to dance with our community. he saw our culture and our traditions, it was fantastic. prince charles first visited here back in 1970. and in the intervening years,

the climate has changed. dettah is about four miles from here in a direct line across the bay. and in winter, the bay is frozen, so that allows an ice road to be carved out. the ice is so thick, up to a metre, that it can easily hold the weight of all the lorries needed to transport supplies to dettah. but the water is freezing later and later each year and with no ice, there is no ice road and thejourney to dettah is about four times longer. it's making a remote community even more isolated. the prince came to see and hear for himself how these changes are being monitored with the indigenous peoples playing a leading role in working towards sustainable future. clear recognition that in practising our way of life and our culture we strengthen our relationship to land, and in doing so, we start to take care of the land and we start to take care of each other. in yellowknife for the final engagements of this whirlwind tour. the historical mistreatment

of indigenous peoples and royalty�*s role in reconciliation has been raised directly with the prince on this trip. he finished not with the apology on behalf of the crown that some had called for, but made clear he had listened. it has been deeply moving to have met survivors of residential schools who, with such courage, have shared their experiences. on behalf of my wife and myself, i want to acknowledge their suffering, and to say how much our hearts go out to them and their families. a few time zones and almost 4,000 miles from windsor, a flag was raised to celebrate the queen's platinum jubilee. sarah campbell, bbc news, canada's north—west territories. we have had the rich list, we have had royalty, and sticking with that

theme... and before we go, if you were thinking about going car shopping this weekend you'll have just missed out on this. this 1955 mercedes has been sold at auction for 143 million dollars making it the most expensive car ever sold. it's one of only two mercedes benz 300 uhlenhaut coupes that were ever built. it was bought by an unnamed private collector and the money is being donated to charity. that 143 million dollar price tag also puts it within the top ten most valuable items ever sold at auction. now it's time for a look at the weather. sara, ithink sara, i think you've mist out on that, you were this close to the bed, when she? i canjust imagine myself coming in and out of the office in that, couldn't you? out there today it is a little bit of sunshine on offer through the course of the day but for most areas, there is a lot of cloud overhead. this is the picture behind me, taken by one of our weather watchers in

twickenham. some wet weather there, but the rain coming and going through the course of the day so we have a mixture of sunny spells, outbreaks of rain but it is feeling breezy and cooler than it has done over the last few days. we have the theory of low pressure to the south, this waving frontal system bringing rain to central and southern england. we have low pressure pushing another weather front into the north—west, showery rain for parts of western scotland, northern ireland, further south and east more persistent rain which will slowly clear towards the east as we head into the afternoon. could be the rumble of thunder are mixed in with some of the heavier showers but temperatures around 13—18 , feeling fresher than in recent days especially when you add on the breeze in the north and west. moving through this evening and overnight gradually the shower is clear from the north—east, drier conditions developing into the early hours of saturday. could be some patches have mist and mark around especially towards coastal hills in the west, temperatures between nine and 11 degrees first thing tomorrow. we

start the weekend on a dry note, some areas staying that way through the weekend. saturday probably the best of the sunshine for central and eastern parts of england, further west we have more club living in pushing showers in the western scotland and northern ireland. temperatures reaching 21 degrees in the warmest spots. saturday evening we have showery rain for parts of northern ireland, northern and western scotland, further south is looking dry but there could be some mist and fog forming, quite moist air around especially after the rain today. another weather front dry to move from the north—west into sunday, bumping into high pressure across the near continent but it will bring more cloud across northern ireland and scotland, some showers and perhaps the odd shower into northern england and wales but for central and eastern england, sunday looks like another dry day, feeling warmer, temperatures reaching 23 degrees, typically at the mid to high teens further north under the cloud with the rain. looking ahead into monday and

tuesday, unsettled sort of picture especially towards the north—west of the uk where we see the bulk of the showers, generally drierfurther south but there could be rain working in close to the south coast as we head through the middle part of the week. we could do with some further rain in the south and there is some in the forecast.