good afternoon. rishi sunak has become the first leadership contender to secure the 100 nominations by tory mps — needed to enter the race to be the next prime minister.

the former chancellor has yet to announce whether he will launch a fresh bid for the top job after losing to liz truss over the summer. meanwhile, borisjohnson has flown home from holiday, as supporters rally behind a potential comeback by the former prime minister. but so far, penny mordaunt is the only contender to have officially launched a campaign. hopefuls have until monday afternoon to find 100 backers. 0ur political correspondent helen catt has more. good helen catt has more. morning, are you running for leadership? good morning, are you running for leadership? he good morning, are you running for leadership?— good morning, are you running for leadershi? ., , ., , , leadership? he has got the numbers to net on leadership? he has got the numbers to get on the — leadership? he has got the numbers to get on the ballot _ leadership? he has got the numbers to get on the ballot paper _ leadership? he has got the numbers to get on the ballot paper and - leadership? he has got the numbers to get on the ballot paper and rishil to get on the ballot paper and rishi sunak is expected to declare his candidacy soon. the former chancellor now has more than 100 mps publicly backing him to be the prime minister. the big question in westminster is whether his former boss will try to join him. boris johnson returning from holiday is up for running again, according to one

ally. the wheels of his plane may barely have touchdown but he will be under pressure to decide quickly. we under pressure to decide quickly. - have seen over the last few days, some of the mps who resigned and some of the mps who resigned and some of the mps who called for him to go at the start of the summer, have said they would like to see him put himself forward. they have admitted they were wrong and i know there are many others waiting to hear if he makes a decision to run before they go public.— hear if he makes a decision to run before they go public. others don't a . ree, the before they go public. others don't agree, the return _ before they go public. others don't agree, the return of _ before they go public. others don't agree, the return of mr _ before they go public. others don't agree, the return of mrjohnson . agree, the return of mrjohnson could, the former conservative leader william hague has suggested, said the party into a death spiral. there seems to be a real mix of those who are enthusiastic about the idea for a return borisjohnson and those who are appalled at the prospect. but some are saying there is a practical challenge for him to become prime minister again. that is, in the next few months he will face an investigation by parliament privileges committee in whether he misled the parliament and whether

they had parties at downing street. i don't see there will be a practical matter if he is dealing with those issues. i say that as someone who would love to see him return to front line politics, i think he can. but i don't think he can until he has addressed those issues. , a, ., , ., , issues. penny mordaunt is the only candidate to _ issues. penny mordaunt is the only candidate to publicly _ issues. penny mordaunt is the only candidate to publicly confirm - issues. penny mordaunt is the only candidate to publicly confirm she i issues. penny mordaunt is the onlyi candidate to publicly confirm she is running. her public backers are still far short of 100 at this stage. i still far short of 100 at this sta . e. . still far short of 100 at this stae, ., still far short of 100 at this state. ., , , stage. i am backing her because she is the candidate _ stage. i am backing her because she is the candidate i _ stage. i am backing her because she is the candidate i think, _ stage. i am backing her because she is the candidate i think, cannot - is the candidate i think, cannot onlyjust bring the conservative party and parliament together, but the whole country. she has a proven track record working across a department in her 12 years in parliament. i think her background really makes her well placed to connect with people. by really makes her well placed to connect with people.— really makes her well placed to connect with people. by this time next week. _ connect with people. by this time next week, barring _ connect with people. by this time next week, barring any _ connect with people. by this time next week, barring any major- next week, barring any major surprises, one of these people will be prime minister. until then, the race to gain support continues. what do voters make of what has been

happening in westminster? jessica lane has been talking with people in the conservative constituency of penistone and stocksbridge, in south yorkshire. as mps are back in their constituencies this week in, many will find out of what's happening in westminster is the talk of their town. i think that we've lost both in all the politicians, labour or conservative, and i think it's time that we need to get a bit more stance within the country again. get stability back. i've been in spain last week. on holiday, and all the spanish people and german people keep saying, what's wrong _ with your country? we've been talking. it is the backstabbing, that's the problem. this constituency has this rural market town of penistone, as well as the industrial in stockbridge nearby. it's a red wall seat, so it only turned conservative in 2019. the local mp, miriam kates, says she has huge admiration for borisjohnson, but she is backing rishi sunak for the leader. some business owners say they are more bothered

about getting support, and soon. the main thing is energy bills at the moment. that's what crippling us. 0ur quarterly has gone up from £270 to 990 for three months. for a little shot like this, it's difficult. is it electric and gas? just electric, we've got no gas. so, it's crippling us big time, so stuff like that needs sorting out. whatever does happen over the next few days, it's certainly giving people a topic to chew over here. jessica lane, bbc news, in penistone. currently the bbc estimates 168 out of 357 tory mps have gone public with their support. as you've heard, rishi sunak has passed the key threshold of 100 backers, borisjohnson has 46 and penny mordaunt 21. it's worth pointing out that these are the numbers the bbc can verify — others may have different information. 0ur political correspondent helen cattjoins me now. helen, what happens next?

0n on monday at two o'clock, that is the deadline to get those 100 backers. 0ver the deadline to get those 100 backers. over the weekend what we will see is a lot more of the phone calls, the behind—the—scenes trying to drum up support. it is mostly happening away from the cameras, behind—the—scenes. but what we expect to get over the course of the weekend, we are expecting some sort of confirmation that rishi sunak, confirmation of his candidacy. we will expect to hear some sort of decision from borisjohnson over this weekend. 0nce decision from borisjohnson over this weekend. once you get to monday at tpm, if there are three candidates that have 100 backers there will be a vote of mps in the afternoon to whittle it down. then an indicative vote of mps to show the weight of support then it will be up to the conservative members to vote in an online banet with the results out on friday. this could be over a evenly because if any one candidate clears the 100 threshold, they will automatically become the

conservative leader and the new prime minister. thank you, helen. a 12—year—old boy has died after a wall collapsed at a house in essex. emergency services were called to the property in clacton last night after a garage attached to a house collapsed. a man in his 30s was pulled from the rubble with an arm injury. a range of avanti west coast rail services will be cut throughout the day, amid strike action by train managers. only one train per hour will run from london to manchester, liverpool and glasgow. the rmt union says the strike is the "culmination of months of neglect". there have been some extraordinary scenes at china's rulling communist party congress — with the former chinese leader hujintao being led out of the closing ceremony in beijing. mr hu was sitting beside president xijinping — when he was approached by officials, who took him by the arm and led him away. it's not clear what was behind the move, during what's usually a highly choreographed event.

air strikes have hit critical infrastructure in western ukraine. almost a third of the country's power stations have been destroyed in a wave of air strike since monday last week. ukrainian officials cite many russian cruise missiles have been intercepted by air defence systems. with all the sport now, here's mulkerrins at the bbc sport centre. good afternoon. scotland have been knocked out of the ruby world cup after a big defeat to hosts new zealand. wales also lost, but their qualification to the last eight is still a possibility. lydia campbell was watching the action. in theory, the task was simply for wales, beat australia and they would be through to the quarterfinals but the australians were also competing for automatic qualification and they took an early lead when they shimmied under the posts. wales drew

level when harry stretched over the line. and from there, wales restricted australia to just two penalties with the match finishing 13 to seven but that handed wales a losing bonus point, but they will have to wait on other results to see if it is enough to see them through. there aren't many things more intimidating than facing new zealand on their home turf. first you have their traditional dance, then you have to try and stop one of the greatest teams in world rugby. u nfortu nately greatest teams in world rugby. unfortunately for scotland, this was too much. the black ferns had their first try inside two minutes. by half—time, new zealand had scored seven and by full—time, it was nine. the final score, new zealand 57, scotland zero with the bravehearts heading home. for scotland, the road may have come to an end but for wales, their dream lives on for now. lydia campbell, bbc news. at the

rugby league world cup, scotland were hammered by australia for their second loss in the tournament. later today england could secure a quarterfinal place with victory over france and our reporter adam wild is in bolton. very much a sense for england the real hard work was done last weekend with the opening day victory over samoa. that, for many was the real test of this group stage, the test they passed with flying colours. they had that emphatic victory. france this afternoon, they pose a different challenge. england are expected to win, they are expected to win well, but apart from that result, it is the performance that matters. that victory last weekend has afforded the head coach the luxury of rotating his side. he will bring in the likes of the salford pairing andy ackers and marc sneyd, as well as bringing back the hugely

experienced ryan hall. the challenge for england is to keep improving, but also to keep that momentum going as they rotate their squad and head into the knockout stages. we are expecting a big crowd in bolton kick—off is at five o'clock. looking forward to it. to another world cup and it will be the women's football world cup which takes place in australia and new zealand next year. england will face denmark and china as well as either senegal, haiti or chile. the lioness as will be based in australia with group games in brisbane, sydney and adelaide. figs we brisbane, sydney and adelaide. as we said in the euros, _ brisbane, sydney and adelaide. as we said in the euros, it _ brisbane, sydney and adelaide. as we said in the euros, it will _ brisbane, sydney and adelaide. as we said in the euros, it will be _ brisbane, sydney and adelaide. as we said in the euros, it will be the - said in the euros, it will be the case in the world cup, very good opponents, every country is improving so much and it will be really tight. it should be a very great tournament next summer. my hope we will be successful again.

the republic of ireland have a tough group for their world cup appearance. they will face australia, canada and nigeria. and you can follow inge's first match at the t20 world cup. afghanistan batting first. you can also keep across the football. that is it from me. there is more on bbc one at 5.20. goodbye for now. hello. you're watching the bbc news channel with joanna gosling. let's return to our top story, the contest to replace liz truss as prime minister. so far, penny mordaunt is the only mp to officially put her name forward, but former chancellor rishi sunak is the first to receive the backing

of 100 conservative mps — the threshold needed to get on the ballot — and is expected to officially enter the race. borisjohnson has returned to the uk from a family holiday, amid speculation that he is also going to run. earlier, i spoke to lord lexden, a conservative peer and historian of the conservative party i'm slightly surprised, given the circumstances in which he departed. given_ circumstances in which he departed. given the _ circumstances in which he departed. given the lack of success that he had as_ given the lack of success that he had as prime minister during his time _ had as prime minister during his time in — had as prime minister during his time in office. and like over success_ time in office. and like over success as _ time in office. and like over success as foreign secretary before that _ success as foreign secretary before that i'm _ success as foreign secretary before that. i'm surprised, disheartened, realty. _ that. i'm surprised, disheartened, really. that— that. i'm surprised, disheartened, really, that there should be as many mps as— really, that there should be as many mps as there are who are prepared to indicate _ mps as there are who are prepared to indicate their support for him. the mere _ indicate their support for him. the mere fact— indicate their support for him. the mere fact that a senior politician is about— mere fact that a senior politician is about to — mere fact that a senior politician is about to be investigated by a

hugely— is about to be investigated by a hugely important committee of the house _ hugely important committee of the house of— hugely important committee of the house of commons, that itself ought to rule _ house of commons, that itself ought to rule out— house of commons, that itself ought to rule out an individual as contender. a prime minister needs two things. — contender. a prime minister needs two things, the capacity to win elections. _ two things, the capacity to win elections, which borisjohnson proved — elections, which borisjohnson proved to _ elections, which borisjohnson proved to be extremely impressive in in 2019. _ proved to be extremely impressive in in 2019. and — proved to be extremely impressive in in 2019, and the ability to put in the work — in 2019, and the ability to put in the work. he did not take serious policy— the work. he did not take serious policy decision. he is the most frivoious— policy decision. he is the most frivolous conservative leader has ever been — frivolous conservative leader has ever been. it would be hugely, hugely— ever been. it would be hugely, hugely damaging to have this person hack _ hugely damaging to have this person back do _ hugely damaging to have this person back. , ., ,, ., hugely damaging to have this person back. ,, ,, ., ., , hugely damaging to have this person back. ,, ., ., , ., , back. do you think that any of these contenders. — back. do you think that any of these contenders. or— back. do you think that any of these contenders, or anyone _ back. do you think that any of these contenders, or anyone else, - contenders, or anyone else, actually, can unite the party currently and can deliver the stability that you talk about and restore trust? it stability that you talk about and restore trust?— stability that you talk about and restore trust? it will be extremely difficult because _ restore trust? it will be extremely difficult because there _ restore trust? it will be extremely difficult because there has - restore trust? it will be extremely difficult because there has never l difficult because there has never been _ difficult because there has never been a _ difficult because there has never been a time when the conservative party— been a time when the conservative party in— been a time when the conservative party in parliament have been so

riven _ party in parliament have been so riven bv — party in parliament have been so riven by faction, by discontent, by argument — riven by faction, by discontent, by argument. sometimes revolving around policy and _ argument. sometimes revolving around policy and sometimes arising around individuals — policy and sometimes arising around individuals. there have been plenty of occasions historically where the conservative party has been divided, but usually _ conservative party has been divided, but usually on rather more simple lines. _ but usually on rather more simple lines. like — but usually on rather more simple lines, like wets and dries or for and against europe. now we have divisions— and against europe. now we have divisions galore and it will be very difficult _ divisions galore and it will be very difficult. what i really want to see is an— difficult. what i really want to see is an upsurge of feeling, which has not vet _ is an upsurge of feeling, which has not yet occurred within the party, but there — not yet occurred within the party, but there must be unity within it so it can _ but there must be unity within it so it can govern effectively. that but there must be unity within it so it can govern effectively.— it can govern effectively. that is interesting. _ it can govern effectively. that is interesting, that _ it can govern effectively. that is interesting, that you _ it can govern effectively. that is interesting, that you want - it can govern effectively. that is interesting, that you want to . it can govern effectively. that is i interesting, that you want to hear from the mps that they want to see unity, and you arejust from the mps that they want to see unity, and you are just not hearing that. unity, and you are 'ust not hearing that. ., ., ., . , ., , that. not at the moment, which shows the measure — that. not at the moment, which shows the measure of — that. not at the moment, which shows the measure of the _ that. not at the moment, which shows the measure of the difficulty, - that. not at the moment, which shows the measure of the difficulty, i - the measure of the difficulty, i think. — the measure of the difficulty, i think, that the successor will have, whoever— think, that the successor will have, whoever that may be. i don't know

these _ whoever that may be. i don't know these candidates personally. we will be hearing from them. what is obvious— be hearing from them. what is obvious to _ be hearing from them. what is obvious to everyone is that the former— obvious to everyone is that the former chancellor of the exchequer has a _ former chancellor of the exchequer has a rather attractive track record _ has a rather attractive track record. he conducts himself well. i want _ record. he conducts himself well. i want to— record. he conducts himself well. i want to see — record. he conducts himself well. i want to see stability and unity and dignity— want to see stability and unity and dignity back in politics. i'm afraid boris _ dignity back in politics. i'm afraid borisjohnson is wholly dignity back in politics. i'm afraid boris johnson is wholly incompatible with that _ boris johnson is wholly incompatible with that. if boris johnson is wholly incompatible with that. ~ , ., , , ., boris johnson is wholly incompatible with that. ~ , ., with that. if the mps, as you are sensin: , with that. if the mps, as you are sensing. are _ with that. if the mps, as you are sensing, are not _ with that. if the mps, as you are sensing, are not ready _ with that. if the mps, as you are sensing, are not ready for- with that. if the mps, as you are sensing, are not ready for unity, will there be any other option than a general election sooner than it might otherwise be? timer;r a general election sooner than it might otherwise be?— a general election sooner than it might otherwise be? they have to ready themselves _ might otherwise be? they have to ready themselves for _ might otherwise be? they have to ready themselves for unity. - might otherwise be? they have to ready themselves for unity. that i might otherwise be? they have to| ready themselves for unity. that is the crucial— ready themselves for unity. that is the crucial thing at the moment. a decision— the crucial thing at the moment. a decision will be taken and that moment— decision will be taken and that moment when the new leader has been chosen. _ moment when the new leader has been chosen, there really has to be a coming — chosen, there really has to be a coming together. it is chosen, there really has to be a coming together.—

chosen, there really has to be a coming together. it is a party with a big majority. — coming together. it is a party with a big majority, these _ coming together. it is a party with a big majority, these issues - coming together. it is a party with a big majority, these issues are i coming together. it is a party with l a big majority, these issues are not because it is a party with a wafer thin majority, which is where leaders have fallen foul before. i do feel very sad indeed that a great party— do feel very sad indeed that a great party should find itself in this state. — party should find itself in this state. a — party should find itself in this state, a shambles, frankly. if it cannot— state, a shambles, frankly. if it cannot recover its own internal unity, — cannot recover its own internal unity, it — cannot recover its own internal unity, it cannot govern the country effectively. — unity, it cannot govern the country effectively. these are the great tests _ effectively. these are the great tests that now confront it. if it cannot — tests that now confront it. if it cannot answer these challenges, then we will— cannot answer these challenges, then we will see. _ cannot answer these challenges, then we will see, i'm afraid, further chaos. — we will see, i'm afraid, further chaos. the _ we will see, i'm afraid, further chaos. the country's demand for change _ chaos. the country's demand for change will— chaos. the country's demand for change will become overwhelming. i'm slightly— change will become overwhelming. i'm slightly surprised, actually, in these — slightly surprised, actually, in these moments of crisis, there is not more — these moments of crisis, there is not more of— these moments of crisis, there is not more of a call for a national government. but party politicians have... _ government. but party politicians have... perhaps now is not the time for such—

have... perhaps now is not the time for such a _ have... perhaps now is not the time for such a thing. the onus is on the conservative — for such a thing. the onus is on the conservative party. borisjohnson has landed back in london after his holiday in the caribbean, as speculation grows that he will enter the leadership race. 0ur correspondent, nomia iqbal, was on the flight and joined us earlier. he was actually sat in economy, right at the back, with his wife and children. so he was sat among normal, everyday holiday—makers who were heading home. he is one of the most recognisable men in the world. he was sat with his wife and children, surrounded by a lot of security, including from london's metropolitan police. when we came off the plane, and were on the jetway, waiting to see him come off the plane, he exited down the back of the plane, down the steps to two black cars. people were shocked. they did not know he was on the plane. some were excited that he had

been on the plane, some were fairly bemused, and then others were quite angry. there were some people that said to me he shouldn't be throwing his hat into the ring for the leadership, even though he hasn't officially done so. they were saying that there should be a general election. but i think coming back on the flight, there was a lot of surprise generally for people that he was on the plane. abs, surprise generally for people that he was on the plane.— he was on the plane. a couple of thins, he was on the plane. a couple of things. were _ he was on the plane. a couple of things, were you _ he was on the plane. a couple of things, were you able _ he was on the plane. a couple of things, were you able to - he was on the plane. a couple of things, were you able to glean . things, were you able to glean whether he was returning early? it is understood they were in the caribbean for a few weeks, so it may be that this was when the holiday was due to end anyway, obviously they cut it short because of what is going on here. and did he say anything to give any indication of his thinking? fin anything to give any indication of his thinking?— his thinking? on your first point, in the dominican _ his thinking? on your first point, in the dominican republic, - his thinking? on your first point, in the dominican republic, we i his thinking? on your first point, l in the dominican republic, we did try to find out, we did try to approach him to understand exacted that, is it a case of him being due

to come back anyway or was he cutting his holiday short? we don't know. he has been there for a couple of weeks, and he also had a business trip during that holiday as well. so we don't know for sure. in terms of any comment he made, what is so fascinating is that we know that borisjohnson is media friendly, he isn't shy of talking to the press, but he would not comment, he would not say anything to any of us. his allies would say that he is going to do it, and then there are others who say that he is genuinely unsure, but you tend to interpret that he will stand if he has the number of votes. but currently his former chancellor is ahead of him.

the ukrainian government says russia has launched another wave of airstrikes aimed at the country's civilian infrastructure. reports suggest most missiles have been intercepted by air defence systems, but some have hit locations in southern, western, and central regions. five missiles fired at the capital, kyiv, were shot down according to an adviser to the president's office. ukraine's energy distribution company said it would limit electricity supply in several regions — including kyiv — while power outages have been reported in areas across the country. joining us now from kyiv is our correspondent, hugo bachega. this looks like a concerted effort to target energy supplies. how much is now affected? brute to target energy supplies. how much is now affected?— is now affected? we had an update from the president's _ is now affected? we had an update from the president's office, - is now affected? we had an update from the president's office, saying| from the president's office, saying that more than 1 million households across the country are now without power, following this morning's attacks. this is happening in several regions across the country. the ukrainian air force said russia

had fired 33 cruise missiles, they managed to intercept 18 of those missiles, but more than a dozen missiles, but more than a dozen missiles ended up hitting energy facilities across the country. i'm talking about cities away from the front line, including cherkasy, lutsk and 0desa, where three people were injured as a result of those attacks. this is russia's strategy here in this country, two targets of elegant sites, civilian infrastructure and of winter. the last two weeks. so a number of facilities have been targeted. 0fficials facilities have been targeted. officials say around 30 of the country's power stations have been damaged as a result of those attacks and power supply and restrictions on the use of electra zidi has been introduced because of the scale of

the damage. we had reaction from the president's chief of staff to the latest attacks that happened this morning, and he said that russia was fighting against civilian infrastructure and people, and that ukrainians were getting angrier by the day, and that these attacks would lead to a much stronger response from ukraine.- would lead to a much stronger response from ukraine. hate crimes recorded against lgbt people are the highest they've ever been, according to new figures for england and wales. more than 30,000 homophobic and transgender hate crimes were recorded in the 12 months until march of this year — and many more are thought to go unreported. 0ur lgbt and identity correspondent, lauren moss, has been finding out more.

my very turning up somewhere is something that is enough to create anger in people. shea is transgender. she says she and her family experience some form of abuse almost every single day. i have been shouted at on the street. i've been yelled at when my kids are with me. things have been thrown at me, i have had one violent assault. in march, shea says she was physically attacked leaving her with a knee injury and too scared to travel alone. i was pushed to the ground and kicked several times. a clearly transphobic incident but by the time i realised that it had happened, i was alone on the pavement bleeding. looking back now, i should have reported it but ijust wanted to go home. a hate crime is any criminal offence perceived to be motivated by hostility or prejudice based on personal characteristics such as race, religion, sexual orientation, disability or transgender identity.

the latest figures show that there were more than 4000 recorded hate crimes against transgender people in england and wales in one year. a rise of 56%. the home office suggests the discussion of what it calls transgender issues on social media may have led to an increase. there is absolutely no way you can say that what we have seen, particularly in the last 18 months in the media, has not contributed heavily to the way that trans people are being treated and it is not a nice thing to have to address, but it is the truth. was it a difficult decision to choose to speak me about this today? yes. i will anger some in my community. we tend to think that we live in a tolerant and accepting nation but hate crimes are at the highest level ever recorded. the home office says this could be driven by improvements in police recording. but hateful attacks must be fully investigated.

three of them were just stamping on my head, stamping on me, asking for my phone, beating me. nathan was heading for the train home early one morning in august after a night out at a gay bar in london when he and his friend were attacked by a group of teenagers on a bridge. they said they shouted out homophobic abuse. they beat him and stripped his clothes off. one of them will say, you know, we have to get rid of them. he was obviously trying to grab hold of me and pulled me towards the river thames. were you worried at that point that you were going to die? i was. still now, even now. recorded homophobic hate crimes have also risen to more than 26,000, a a1% increase in one year. in nathan's case, two teenagers were charged with robbery and sent to a youth offender panel for 12 months and given a three—month night time curfew. nathan says hate crime still is not treated seriously. you can ask almost every lgbt person and i am sure 90% of them have had

something happened to them. they reported it, but nothing happened. it is hard to hear. pc hayleyjones specifically focuses on hate crime in the capital in a role created by the metropolitan police this year. as part of the community myself i recognise that there are people who do not trust the police and i understand where they come from. by listening to their concerns i hope to develop those relationships and to build that trust again. i also recognise how easy that trust can be destroyed. pcjones is a link between police and victims. despite the rise in reports she says that many still do not come forward. i think there is still underreporting and the severity of the crimes seems much higher. anti—abuse charity galop say they too have seen an increase and have recently launched a mobile phone app where people can report crimes and receive support. whenever our community is more visible we are more likely to experience abuse and violence and those words used

against our community do translate into violence and abuse in real life. what we have seen in our service over the last six months is a nearly 20% increase in demand and what we are seeing coming through our service is the highest levels of violence we have ever seen. for shea and nathan and those behind the latest statistics, the scars from what they have been three may take a long time to heal. lauren moss, bbc news. now it's time for a look at the weather with ben. it isa it is a very mild weekend across the uk, but with showers and log spells of rain. it is tied in with low pressure, bringing rain through northern ireland and scotland this afternoon, with cloud and mist and fog. increasing cloud but also showers developing through wales,

southwest and southern england. temperatures up to 1a to 18 celsius. 0vernight, this heavy rain transfers northwards and eastwards. a second area starts to push up later in the night. north and scotland hanging onto the cloud and patchy rain. temperatures not much lower than 12 or 13 celsius in places. tomorrow a day of sunshine and showers, but much more likely to be heavy and thundery, especially through the morning across wales, central and southern england. that then works northwards through the day. it weakens a little bit and becomes confined to scotland. behind it, some spells of sunshine but further showers developing through the south—west into the evening. hello this is bbc news with joanna gosling. the headlines borisjohnson arrives back in the uk as speculation grows he'lljoin the conservative leadership race it's expected the former

chancellor, rishi sunak, will announce his candidacy shortly. the leader of the commons, penny mordaunt, is the only person to formally announce her candidacy so far. in other news, at the china congress, president xi's predecessor hujintao is mysteriously led out of the hall by officials. giorgia meloni has been sworn in as the head of italy's latest coalition government. she's the nation's first female prime mnister — and its first far—right leader since the second world war. now on bbc news...unspun world, withjohn simpson hello and welcome to unspun world, the programme where the bbc�*s experts give us clear answers about the big questions

of the moment.