this is bbc news with the headlines — the bbc�*s star football presenter gary lineker has been suspended over comments he made criticising the british government's asylum policy. britain will pay france hundreds of millions of dollars over the next three years for a new detention centre and more patrols to help clamp down on migrants crossing the channel in small boats. there's no solution to solving this very complicated problem, and nor will it be solved overnight. my hope is that our new legislation will help. notjust france and uk have to work closely together in order precisely to dismantle these groups and to be more efficient. saudi arabia and iran have agreed to re—establish diplomatic ties seven years after riyadh�*s embassy in tehran was attacked following the saudi

execution of a shia cleric. and with days to go until the stars hit the red carpet, who will be the biggest winners at this year's oscars? hello, and welcome if you're watching in the uk, on pbs in the us or around the world. the bbc has told its highest—paid and most recognised presenter, gary lineker, that he will step back from fronting its flagship football programme after he criticised the british government's migration policy. the broadcaster said that lineker, a former england captain, would not present his popular programme, match of the day, until an agreement was reached over his social media use. in a tweet, he'd compared the language used by the government

to set out its plan to that used by germany in the 1930s. the bbc said lineker should keep away from "taking sides on party political issues" under its impartiality guidelines. his co—presenters, former footballers and pundits alan shearer and ian wright, say they will not appear on the saturday night programme "in solidarity". the bbc�*s director—general, tim davie, gave his reaction. director—general, hello, if gary lineker breached | the guidelines, why didn't not sack him? _ well, i think we always look to make proportionate action, and that's what we've done. but have you just kicked it further down the line? - aren't you delaying the inevitable? well, i don't want to add to the statement. i think we've had very constructive discussions. the statement�*s very clear, and that's where we are. it's becoming a crisis, though. you've now got ian wright . and alan shearer pulling out of match of the day. is the programme still going to go ahead? i no, i absolutely respect people's

right to make that decision, and bbc sport have to look at the programme they're going to produce for the weekend as normal. but thanks so much, i haven't got more to add. do you want the programme to go ahead tomorrow? - would you expect the programme to go ahead tomorrow? _ i'm not going to say more than i've said on this, and i thank you so much. it's all in the statement, thank you very much. here is the take on that of brendan clarke—smith, conservative mp for bassetlaw. i spoke to him earlier. now, of course, i'm not one of these people who's calling for him to be fired from hisjob, and i don't believe in cancel culture or anything like that. but i think if you look at the standards that are for other bbc employees, if they'd have said that, they'd have been taken to task for it.

and i don't see why gary lineker should be given a free licence to say what he wants whenever he wants without any form of comeback on that. now, the comparison to germany in the 1930s, i thought was absolutely appalling, you know? we have immigration policies. he's free to disagree with that as he disagrees with many other things. i want to put the words of the opposition labour party to you. a party source has said the bbc�*s cowardly decision to take gary lineker off air is an assault on free speech in the face of political pressure. tory politicians lobbying to get people sacked for disagreeing with government policy should be laughed at, not pandered to. the bbc should rethink their position. what do you think about that, tory politicians lobbying to get people sacked for disagreeing with them? well, i've not seen anybody trying to get anybody sacked, but all we've said is you get to be responsible with what you say. now comparing what we think are firm but very fair measures to stop the illegal migration, and of course people are dying in the channel. remember, we've had 40,000 people come over on small boats, and we want a solution to that. it's a problem that's actually happening in terms

people being able to find a doctor and with housing, and we are trying to solve it in a sensible and balanced way. but to be compared to an evil regime that murdered 6 million people is going too far. i think gary lineker was wrong to do that. i think he's entitled to an opinion, but you can't say whatever you like, and i'm sorry the labour party rather than backing that firm but fair immigration measure, instead want to back gary lineker and what he said. that's what the opposition labour party's shadow home secretary yvette cooper mp told the bbc. well, i've heard that there's been some different, competing, - conflicting reports on this, - so obviously this is just a matter for gary lineker and for the bbc. but my concern is that, really, |the focus on this is being used by the government both to find someone to blame and also - to distract from their own serious l failures on policies and the factl that we've just not seen a strong enough and a big enough- new agreement with france given the challenges that we face. - britain will give france nearly half a billion pounds over the next three years to pay for more french help in stopping migrants crossing the channel on small boats.

the deal was agreed at a summit in paris between the uk prime minister rishi sunak and french president emmanuel macron. our political editor chris mason reports now from paris. heading overseas by train, the early service to france, arriving in the courtyard of the elysees palace... is france a friend ori foe, prime minister? a reminder that relations have been bumpy of late. but look at this, a warm parisian breeze, pleasantries and handshakes, arm in arm, hand in hand. the two leaders met for an hour and 20 minutes, although, we were eased out rather sooner. later, they almost gushed in mutual admiration. i believe today's meeting does mark a new beginning. an entente renewed. the french president said the summit was exceptional and a moment

of reunion, of reconnection. and the prime minister set out why they thought a new deal for dealing with migrants was necessary. emmanuel and i share the same belief — criminal gangs should not get to decide who comes to our countries. within weeks of my coming into office, we agreed our largest ever small boats deal. and today, we've taken our cooperation to an unprecedented level to tackle this shared challenge. today's new deal will see more than double the number of personnel deployed here in northern france. this will be paid for in part by the uk more than doubling its annual funding for this. some of the money will help build a detention centre in france, too. although it won't be fully up and running until the end of 2026. all part of the efforts to cut the number of people trying to cross the channel like this. the same question to you both, if i may — do you think you

will ever be able to arrange a deal where migrants leaving france for the uk are returned to france? what you've seen today is an unprecedented level of cooperation on tackling this shared challenge, cos that is what it is, it's a shared challenge. and going forward, there will be more that we can do. we started on it last november. we built on it today. first, i think we focus on what we have to do in the short run. second, it is not an agreement between uk and france, but an agreement between uk and the eu because to be in agreement are no more in a situation to be implemented. so this is something now to be negotiated. in other words, a returns agreement isn't happening. brexit has been something of a stone in the shoe of uk—france relations for years, but the prime minister hopes he has shaken it out. with his personal relationship with the president and that new brexit deal for northern ireland which has improved relations with the european union. but, on the issue of small boats,

rishi sunak acknowledges there is no simple solution to resolve the issue. and remember, this is one of his key promises — resolving the issue. personal relationships aren't everything in diplomacy, but they do matter. bromance under a shared brolly tells you rather a lot about how things have changed. but ultimately it's what it delivers that really matters. chris mason, bbc news, in paris. i'm joined now by former french diplomat to the uk, francois—joseph schichan. thank you forjoining us. lots of money has been pledged by the uk to try to address the issue of migrants inside france before. what makes it different this time around? i inside france before. what makes it different this time around?- different this time around? i think toda the different this time around? i think today the scale — different this time around? i think today the scale of _ different this time around? i think today the scale of the _ different this time around? i think today the scale of the joint - today the scale of the joint endeavour is much bigger than it was before. the amount of funding made available by the uk government is weight larger than it used to be.

there is a lot of ambition that there is definitely increased and thatis there is definitely increased and that is going to have some effect on the ground with the situation but it will take some time because that kind of money takes time to be in a minute. but i think what is important here is the countries are really signalling that they want to tackle the issue together and again the scale of the funding is quite important as well as additional patrols, additional means to do and deal with the issue in a new detention centre being built in france. so there is a high level that has been illustrated definitely.— that has been illustrated definitel . �* ., that has been illustrated definitel. �* ., . definitely. but the detention centre will not be completed _ definitely. but the detention centre will not be completed until - definitely. but the detention centre will not be completed until 2026, l will not be completed until 2026, and france already has 26 migrants dissenters according to the uk government figures. how will this address the problem in the short term or is that really rely on the announcement of new patrols? yes. term or is that really rely on the announcement of new patrols? yes, so when the short — announcement of new patrols? yes, so when the short term _ announcement of new patrols? yes, so when the short term there _ announcement of new patrols? yes, so when the short term there will- announcement of new patrols? yes, so when the short term there will be - when the short term there will be additional boots on the ground, if you will, and on the shores and on

the french side there will be additional patrols and stuff like that and i'm sure technological means will be made available likely to deal with the issue. again this is going to be or will take some time before it can get under control and i would add that this is not entirely only in the hands of the french government in the uk government. negotiations are a much wider issue and you also have to look at what is going on with the eu also there is a debate about reforming and making sure the borders of the area are more secure. so all of these external factors are also going to feed into the situation in the channel and we are to see how it plays out. but i think the announcement today really signals a scaling up in terms of the ambition on how to approach this particular issue. {lila ambition on how to approach this particular issue.— ambition on how to approach this particular issue. 0k, think you very much for taking _ particular issue. 0k, think you very much for taking us _ particular issue. 0k, think you very much for taking us through - particular issue. 0k, think you very much for taking us through that, i much for taking us through that, francoise, former french diplomat to the uk.

let's cross back now to our top story. the news the bbc�*s highest—paid presenter will sit away of hosting his flagship football programme match of the day. i'm joined now by roger bolton, former bbc exec and presenter of radio 4's feedback. what do you make of the announcement? i what do you make of the announcement?- what do you make of the announcement? ~ �* , ., ., ., announcement? i think it's a total mass of course _ announcement? i think it's a total mass of course now _ announcement? i think it's a total mass of course now we _ announcement? i think it's a total mass of course now we have - announcement? i think it's a total| mass of course now we have heard from various of gary leneker�*s friends and colleagues, match of the day, refusing to take part but i will not know what will happen tomorrow night but perhaps you can present the programme. as a total mess but i think in the in the bbc is right. impartiality is desperately important. the impression of impartiality is desperately important. and if you do have a presenter talking not at great length but on twitter about a matter of real controversy where the

country is divided, then it does matter and i'm afraid to say i don't think gary lineker should have tweeted in that way. the bbc should have resolved this much earlier by ensuring that his contract said he should not tweet about these things and now it's a complete mess. but in the end, the bbc has taken in my view the right decision. but the end, the bbc has taken in my view the right decision.— view the right decision. but they have really _ view the right decision. but they have really just _ view the right decision. but they have reallyjust bought - view the right decision. but they have reallyjust bought some - view the right decision. but they i have reallyjust bought some time. they are going to engage in more talks and try to reach an agreement. what kind of agreement do you think they could possibly reach that would not breach impartiality guidelines? they cannot. the only thing they could do is gary lineker agreeing not to tweet on these issues. and i think is desperately damaging because it will first of all is the major issue you will be discussing of course about immigration and the meetings between the french and british governments and that is crucially important. dealing with a very difficult issue. this is a side

issue in a white but it does not matter for people can trust bbc and people like you to be impartial and not let... but people like you to be impartial and not let... �* i. people like you to be impartial and not let... �* people like you to be impartial and notlet... not let... but you said people like me. i'm not let... but you said people like me- i'm a — not let... but you said people like me. i'm a news— not let... but you said people like me. i'm a news presenter- not let... but you said people like me. i'm a news presenter and - not let... but you said people like l me. i'm a news presenter and there are many who say gary lineker is on a freelance contract and is not a bbc staff member. he does not work as a new presenter and is a sports presenter. surely there is some gray area there, many would say. {iii area there, many would say. of course there is a gray area and all you say is true but he is the most highly noted presenter on the bbc in for many he has to face of bbc. he has to acknowledge that and also has or is possibly not to bring the bbc into disrepute or getting involved into disrepute or getting involved in especially at this time. i think he is a fantastic presenter and i actually share his personally about theissue actually share his personally about the issue but he should not be talking in this way in the bbc should have resolved this earlier but i think the really damaging thing about this is judging but i think the really damaging thing about this isjudging by but i think the really damaging thing about this is judging by the debate now that's going on, is breaking into a debate now that�*s going on, is breaking into a right— debate now that's going on, is breaking into a right— left debate and on the whole the government and

its importers telling bbc you've done the right thing and on the whole of the labour and those on the liberal position see this as being grotesque bias. and of course it's a calculation i have developed but the bbc have to hold onto his idea of impartiality as its vital people think they can believe that everybody presents for the bbc, whether if you are news programmes were major presenters, are trying to not —— put their own personal views to the side and tell it straight. but it's a mess. ok, that you've leading us through that, roger, former bbc executive and presenter on radio four. iran and saudi arabia have agreed to re—establish diplomatic relations after a seven—year interruption. they will also resume trade and security relations and reopen their respective embassies within two months. the announcement came after discussions in china. both sides have been quoted praising beijing's role. the countries have had no formal ties since 2016, when riyadh's embassy in tehran was attacked following the saudi execution of a shia cleric.

i'm joined now by aaron david miller, a senior fellow at the us think—tank the carnegie endowment for international peace and former us state department adviser on middle east policy. the two sides, saudi arabia and iran, have been described in the recent past his archrivals and yet here we come to quite a wide ranging deal. was is a bit a bit surprised that they were able to reach this agreement?— that they were able to reach this aureement? , ,, ., , ., agreement? the process of trying to affect a saudi _ agreement? the process of trying to affect a saudi arabian _ agreement? the process of trying to affect a saudi arabian and _ agreement? the process of trying to affect a saudi arabian and iranian i affect a saudi arabian and iranian reconciliation has been under way for a number of years. the iraqis try their hand at it, but i think what's interesting is the chinese element here. there's a lot we don't know about this but it's clear there was a clear coincidence of interest on the part of the three sides. for

president xi, it's a break—out strategy to demonstrate the lack of isolation and to show as a political player. forthe isolation and to show as a political player. for the iranians, isolation and to show as a political player. forthe iranians, being included in the region, it demonstrates a clear legitimacy to now essentially be in a double medic process with their archrival and for saudi arabia, i think increased treating leah sends a clear message to washington that saudi arabia does not believe in a unipolar world any more and that russia and china have emerged as key players and don't expect the kind of fidelity of relations between the us and saudi arabia. so significant but i would not hold my breath in believing that this is going to usher in a golden age of reconciliation between the two, but it is significant and it is emblematic i think of regional adjustment to power manoeuvring. briefly, will it create significant opening for peace in places where

there are conflicts, where saudi arabia and iran are on opposing sides, for example the ongoing war in human? ., .,' , ~ in human? human offers i think the very possible _ in human? human offers i think the very possible pathway _ in human? human offers i think the very possible pathway -- _ in human? human offers i think the very possible pathway -- yemen. it very possible pathway —— yemen. it has to be tough and even has a lot of problems and not the least of which is saudi arabia, but i think thatis which is saudi arabia, but i think that is a process more than anything else but the other issue is the nuclear issue. tricky to see how that's going to play will stop saudi arabia is interested in a civilian nuclear programme. mbs made no premise to south korea or china went shopping for nuclear reactors that's an issue that bears watching as well. i also think this probably caught washington by surprise and is now looking at the region from a position for the first time in many years as essentially an outsider in some of these matters.—

years as essentially an outsider in some of these matters. and what does this mean for— some of these matters. and what does this mean for israel? _ some of these matters. and what does this mean for israel? there _ some of these matters. and what does this mean for israel? there is - some of these matters. and what does this mean for israel? there is the - this mean for israel? there is the ho -e on this mean for israel? there is the hope on the _ this mean for israel? there is the hope on the part _ this mean for israel? there is the hope on the part of— this mean for israel? there is the hope on the part of the _ this mean for israel? there is the hope on the part of the current i hope on the part of the current israeli prime minister that the ultimate price in arab reconciliation is normalisation between israel and saudi arabia is what he is focused on. he is now perceived by domestic issues with judicial reform and palestine which is read up again to nobody�*s surprise, but i think he holds out great hope for that but ijust don't think the time has come for a major move on the part of saudi arabia toward israel. the us needs to pay heavily to the saudi government in order to grease the skids reconciliation and i think that issueis reconciliation and i think that issue is not for now. it could become an issue later down the road. an agreement reached between two countries it has affected so many and thank you for taking us through that. stay with us. still to come.

and with days to go until the stars hit the red carpet — who will be the biggest winners at this year's oscars? the numbers of dead and wounded defied belief. this, the worst terrorist atrocity on european soil in modern times. in less than 2a hours, then, the soviet union lost an elderly, sick leader and replaced him with a dynamic figure 20 years his junior. we heard these gunshots from the gym, then they came out firing. this, the worst terrorist atrocity on european soil in modern times. in less than 2a hours, then, the soviet union lost an elderly, sick leader and replaced him with a dynamic figure 20 years his junior. we heard these gunshots from the gym, then they came out firing. god, we were all petrified. james earl ray, aged 41, -

sentenced to 99 years and due for parole when he's 90, travelled from memphisl jail to nashville state prison in an eight—car convoy. - paul, what's it feel like to be married at last? it feels fine, thank you. what are you going to do now? is it going to change your life much, do you think? i don't know, really, i've never been married before. this is bbc news. the latest headlines — the bbc�*s star football presenter, gary lineker, has been suspended over comments criticising the british government's new asylum policy. in the first franco—british summit for five years, the uk agrees to increase its payments to france to help stop migrants crossing the channel in small boats. iran and saudi arabia are to re—establish diplomatic relations after seven years of hostilities in a deal mediated by beijing. regulators in the us have shut down silicon valley bank, one of the major lender to tech companies. it marks the largest banking failure in the us since the 2008 financial crisis.

the silicon valley bank had run into trouble after it failed to raise enough capital to shore up losses sparked by rising interest rates. scientists say a global effort is needed to protect the earth's orbit from the danger posed by space debris. they estimate that 100 trillion pieces of old satellites are not being monitored. the researchers are calling for a legally—binding treaty on managing the spacejunk. it's oscars weekend! while everything everywhere all at once looks like an obvious frontrunner for the top prize of best picture, in some of the acting categories, the races appear to be a lot closer. here's our los angeles correspondent sophie long with a look at some of the nominated films and artists. as we enter the final furlong, it's looking very good for michelle yeoh,

for everything everywhere all at once. her nod for best actress is one of 11 nominations the eccentric hit with a big heart that bent people's minds has bagged. a win for her would be historic. it's beyond me being recognised as an actress. it's like a whole community of asians coming forward and saying, "you're going to do this for us, you have to do this for us." while it's well—positioned to take best picture, it left some traditional oscars voters a bit baffled, so it's still possible they could give the top prize to top gun: maverick. and they might feel more comfortable rewarding cate blanchett for her role in tar. it has six nods, including best picture and best director. she's already won two oscars, but that doesn't mean another won't come her way. why'd you gain all that weight? someone close to me passed away. when it comes to best actor, everyone's talking about

brendan fraserfor his role in the whale. but elvis has not left the building yet. it's been nominated for nine oscars, including best actor for austin butler, who, in the words of the late lisa marie presley, embodied the heart and soul of her father so beautifully. now i'm sitting here next to you, and if you're going back inside, i'm following you inside. and if you're going home, i'm following you there, too. colin farrell is also in the running for his role in the banshees of inisherin, which has nine nominations, including best picture and best supporting nods for three of his co—stars. quieter contenders for best actor are paul mescal for aftersun and the ever gracious bill nighy, nominated for the first time for his beautifully british understated performance in living. best supporting actress, now, that's quite a field. they're all first—timers, except angela bassett for black panther: wakanda forever. and they're all super nice

and rooting for each other. you know, there wasjust, like, things i didn't know about all these women and just really, like, lovely. yeah. i was really happy for them. and jamie lee curtis, i met her very early on and she was lovely to me, and angela bassett, too. it has nothing to do about winning. it's just about artists _ connecting, women connecting, mothers connecting. and it was glorious. and laughing. i mean, kerry is hilarious. but last year's ceremony was remembered for a showstopping sense of humour failure when will smith showed the world that at the academy awards, anything can happen. sophie long, bbc news, hollywood. a reminder of our top story — the bbc has said that it's highest paid presenter gary lineker will step back from trying its flagship

football programme. that's all for now, bye—bye. hello, good evening. it's been a much quieter day of weather today, but there's a lot of lying snow still across northern england and north wales in particular. this is sheffield as recorded by one of our weather watchers earlier on today. look at the blue sky and the sunshine that developed, but of course, sunny skies by day, clear skies by night. it will be feeling bitterly cold tonight, and there will also be plenty of icy stretches. some localised met office weather warnings in force for ice. now, our deep area of low pressure's now pulled off into the near continent, so the winds have lightened. and with light winds and clear skies tonight, a widespread frost developing away from the far south—west of devon and cornwall, where we've got a weather front just approaching there. watch out for the icy stretches. some snow showers still across parts of aberdeenshire where we've got the lying snow. temperatures could possibly

drop as low as —10 to —12 degrees celsius. it may well be the coldest night in england so far this year. so, in summary, over the weekend, yes, a very cold start. it will be dry for many, particularly towards the east on saturday, but more snow expected for northern england and scotland on saturday night. it will be turning milderjust about everywhere as we head through the day on sunday. and a little more detail, then. here's our approaching weather front on saturday morning into devon and cornwall. a little bit of snow perhaps for the moors of the south—west, some hill snow across parts of wales, possibly even to lower levels for a time. and also some snow over the higher ground of northern ireland. our weather front approaches the north—west of england towards the end of the day. the brighter skies towards the east will cloud over as we head through the afternoon. it's still feeling rather chilly on saturday. possibly still some snow showers across the central belt of scotland. and in that cold air, as our system marches its way eastwards as we head through saturday night, we're likely to still see some snow even to lower levels across northern england and scotland.

but the snow will become increasingly more confined to the hills as we head through the second half of the night. why? because we start to tap into this milder air coming in from the south—west, and on sunday, it will feel a lot milder. so really rather unsettled, turning wetter and windier from the west as we head throughout the day. all of this falling as rain, of course, and temperatures will widely get into double—figures, 10—13 degrees celsius. a lot of snow melt into the start of next week.

this is bbc news, the headlines. the bbc says it's highest— paid presenter, gary lineker, will step back from fronting its flagship football programme after he criticised the british government's migration policy. in a tweet, he'd compared the language used by the government to set out its plan, to that used by germany in the 1930s. the leaders of britain and france have held their first summit for five years. britain will more than double its payments to france to deal with illegal channel crossings. iran and saudi arabia have agreed to re—establish diplomatic relations after a seven year interruption. they will also resume trade and security relations, and reopen their respective embassies. a gunman opens fire at a jehovah's witness hall in the german city of hamburg. police say at least 7 people have been killed

including an unborn baby.