tonight at six: president biden urges a return to power sharing here at stormont, as he marks 25 years of peace in northern ireland. during a whirlwind tour of belfast today, he addressed an audience at ulster university — his focus on the younger generation. this place was transformed by peace, made techicolour by peace, made whole by peace. earlier the president met rishi sunak and praised his new post—brexit trading deal for northern ireland. we spoke in particular about the incredible economic opportunities that are there in store for northern ireland and we talked about the investment potential that is there.

tonight he is across the border in the republic of ireland, where he'll spend the next two days retracing his irish roots. also on the programme: prince harry will attend his father's coronation next month, but meghan won't be travelling from california. billionaire twitter boss elon musk sits down with the bbc. he defends sacking thousands of staff, and says his time well, it's not been boring! it has been a roller—coaster. find well, it's not been boring! it has been a roller-coaster. and is the world on course for— been a roller-coaster. and is the world on course for the first - world on course for the first ever fall in fossil fuels producing electricity? because of renewables? on bbc london: and coming up on the bbc news channel. the uk and the republic of ireland submit theirjoint bid to host euro 2028, but two of the proposed stadiums aren't even built yet.

good evening and welcome to the bbc news at six, live from stormont on the day that president biden was in northern ireland to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the signing of the good friday agreement. he hailed the achievements of the peace process and urged a return to power sharing, insisting that stable devolved government could deliver an economic windfall for the region. northern ireland has not had a functioning government at stormont since the democratic unionist party walked out over post—brexit arrangements 14 months ago. how much difference will the president's visit here make? here's our political editor, chris mason, with the story of the day so far. preparing for a president to pass by every inch of the route accounted for a sight worth getting up for.

as the clock struck midday, the beast on belfast streets, president biden�*s heavily armored limo, with no shortage of other cars in tow. here it is, quite a spectacle, the president's motorcade. always something of a rigmarole when a us ppresident is on the move. yes, it's about security. it's also a projection of power. the president was heading for ulster university to reflect on northern ireland now and northern ireland then — before the good friday agreement. every person killed in the troubles left an empty chair at their dining room table, and a hole in the heart that was never filled for the ones they lost. peace was not inevitable. we can't ever forget that. listening outside, the good friday agreement generation born in an era of relative peace.

but people here have been without devolved government, a key part of the agreement, for over a year. president biden told us what he thought about this. but listen to how carefully he weighted his words. as a friend, i hope it's not too presumptuous for me to say that i believe democratic institutions established through the good friday agreement remain critical to the future of northern ireland. an effective devolved government that reflects the people of northern ireland and is accountable to them. a government that works to find ways through hard problems together that's going to draw even greater opportunity in this region. so i hope the assembly and the executive will soon be restored. that's a judgment for you to make, not me, but i hope it happens. and so does the prime minister. but it hasn't happened, at least yet. the president and rishi sunak met

for 45 minutes of talks and tea. we spoke in particular about the incredible economic opportunities that are there in store for northern ireland. and we talked about the investment potential that is there, the companies that want to invest in northern ireland. i think that's incredibly exciting of bringing growth, jobs and prosperity to northern ireland — and i know he shares my ambition to see the institutions here back up and running. that's what people and businesses in northern ireland deserve. the prospect of this visit has been talked about for months but lasted only hours. there's no such thing as a low key trip by an american president anyway, but this feels like it's come pretty close. but the message was unmistakably clear — restoring devolved government here absolutely essential to northern ireland's future. and next stop, the republic of ireland. the president was in the dublin drizzle by mid—afternoon, his much—cherished irish heritage, allowing himself for a series of visits over the next few days. chris mason, bbc news in belfast.

chrisjoins me now. it was certainly a brief visit to northern ireland. how successful has it been? it was brief and short, the prime minister's involvement was minimal. he wasn't even at the president's speech. he was though meeting the police officerjohn caldwell and his family, you remember he was a senior detective who was shot in february. life—changing injuries he sustained. the president referred to him in his speech, pleading northern ireland to leave violence behind and also crucially wanting to see power sharing government back up and running at stormont. the real question tonight is how closer are we to that? when you speak to people in the dup, who had walked a way from power sharing, you get a range of views. some feel the president is

anti—british, to the leadership being softer in their tone, pretty complimentary about the president's language and his outlook. we were never going to see a sudden clicking of fingers and things would change. that was always likely to take a a long time. not least because there are local elections here next month. the prime minister retains the view that he hopes eventually the dup might be tempted back around the table into power sharing government, but it is not likely to happen for a while yet and so the waiting goes on. thank you. well, joe biden is the fourth sitting us president to visit here in almost 30 years. his visit was definitely brief, but, despite the huge security, the crowds still came out onto the streets of belfast to welcome him. our ireland correspondent, emma vardy, has been speaking to some of them.

some statesmanship from stateside. president doesn't come often. it cool- even _ president doesn't come often. it cool- even as — president doesn't come often. it cool. even as an _ president doesn't come often. it cool. even as an american - president doesn't come often. it l cool. even as an american myself, president doesn't come often. it - cool. even as an american myself, it is not often — cool. even as an american myself, it is not often you _ cool. even as an american myself, it is not often you get _ cool. even as an american myself, it is not often you get to _ cool. even as an american myself, it is not often you get to see _ cool. even as an american myself, it is not often you get to see such - cool. even as an american myself, it is not often you get to see such a . is not often you get to see such a leaden _ is not often you get to see such a leader. ., , , , leader. how big is the irish connection? _ leader. how big is the irish connection? i'm _ leader. how big is the irish connection? i'm from - leader. how big is the irish l connection? i'm from boston leader. how big is the irish - connection? i'm from boston so leader. how big is the irish _ connection? i'm from boston so quite bi. connection? i'm from boston so quite big- biden's — connection? i'm from boston so quite big. biden's message _ connection? i'm from boston so quite big. biden's message of _ connection? i'm from boston so quite big. biden's message of hope - connection? i'm from boston so quite big. biden's message of hope for - big. biden's message of hope for northern ireland _ big. biden's message of hope for northern ireland for _ big. biden's message of hope for northern ireland for some - big. biden's message of hope for northern ireland for some was i big. biden's message of hope for northern ireland for some was a | northern ireland for some was a contrast to the pessimism that set in over a lack of government. there has been such _ in over a lack of government. there has been such little _ in over a lack of government. there has been such little political- has been such little political direction that a world leader is interested in us, i think it is a big endorsement for us. can biden unlock the crisis? _ big endorsement for us. can biden unlock the crisis? wouldn't - big endorsement for us. can biden unlock the crisis? wouldn't that i big endorsement for us. can bidenj unlock the crisis? wouldn't that be amazin: ? unlock the crisis? wouldn't that be amazing? what — unlock the crisis? wouldn't that be amazing? what do _ unlock the crisis? wouldn't that be amazing? what do you _ unlock the crisis? wouldn't that be amazing? what do you think- unlock the crisis? wouldn't that be amazing? what do you think the i amazing? what do you think the arties amazing? what do you think the parties should _ amazing? what do you think the parties should do? _ amazing? what do you think the parties should do? get - amazing? what do you think the parties should do? get back - amazing? what do you think the parties should do? get back in l parties should do? get back in government — parties should do? get back in government and _ parties should do? get back in government and start - parties should do? get back in government and start talking i parties should do? get back in i government and start talking and parties should do? get back in - government and start talking and get money— government and start talking and get money to— government and start talking and get money to the communities. those with a seat inside — money to the communities. those with a seat inside felt _ money to the communities. those with a seat inside felt the _ money to the communities. those with a seat inside felt the president's - a seat inside felt the president's enthusiasm first hand.—

a seat inside felt the president's enthusiasm first hand. there was treat enthusiasm first hand. there was great optimism. _ enthusiasm first hand. there was great optimism. what _ enthusiasm first hand. there was great optimism. what your - enthusiasm first hand. there wasj great optimism. what your sense enthusiasm first hand. there was i great optimism. what your sense of his a-ras great optimism. what your sense of his grasp of — great optimism. what your sense of his grasp of the _ great optimism. what your sense of his grasp of the problems. - great optimism. what your sense of his grasp of the problems. he - great optimism. what your sense of his grasp of the problems. he has i his grasp of the problems. he has exressed his grasp of the problems. he has expressed that _ his grasp of the problems. he has expressed that well. _ his grasp of the problems. he has expressed that well. do _ his grasp of the problems. he has expressed that well. do you - his grasp of the problems. he has expressed that well. do you feel i expressed that well. do you feel frustration _ expressed that well. do you feel frustration with _ expressed that well. do you feel frustration with northern - expressed that well. do you feel i frustration with northern ireland's situation? , ,., frustration with northern ireland's situation? , . ., situation? there is so much more that could — situation? there is so much more that could be _ situation? there is so much more that could be done, _ situation? there is so much more that could be done, particularly i situation? there is so much more. that could be done, particularly for students, but we are in a stalemate and things are difficult. um? students, but we are in a stalemate and things are difficult.— and things are difficult. why do you think he chose _ and things are difficult. why do you think he chose the _ and things are difficult. why do you think he chose the university? - and things are difficult. why do you j think he chose the university? look at this part — think he chose the university? look at this part of _ think he chose the university? look at this part of belfast _ think he chose the university? look at this part of belfast that has been — at this part of belfast that has been regenerated by the new campus. 20,000 _ been regenerated by the new campus. 20,000 square metres of glass, could you do— 20,000 square metres of glass, could you do that _ 20,000 square metres of glass, could you do that before the good friday agreement? the you do that before the good friday agreement?— you do that before the good friday a: reement? , .,, ., , ,, , agreement? the people are soaking up the excitement — agreement? the people are soaking up the excitement of _ agreement? the people are soaking up the excitement of a _ agreement? the people are soaking up the excitement of a presidential- the excitement of a presidential visit. there is a sense of pride that northern ireland's spot lite. did you kwet a picture zm yes. and ou not a did you kwet a picture zm yes. and you got a wave? — did you kwet a picture zm yes. and you got a wave? yes. _ did you kwet a picture zm yes. and you got a wave? yes. he _ did you kwet a picture zm yes. and i you got a wave? yes. he was pointing out the you got a wave? jazz he was pointing out the window.

you got a wave? yes. he was pointing out the window. that _ you got a wave? yes. he was pointing out the window. that is _ you got a wave? yes. he was pointing out the window. that is a _ you got a wave? yes. he was pointing out the window. that is a better - out the window. that is a better shot than we — out the window. that is a better shot than we got. _ out the window. that is a better shot than we got. behind - out the window. that is a better shot than we got. behind the i out the window. that is a better i shot than we got. behind the glass there may be relief he made it through the thorny part of the trip. the families ties in southern ireland ahead is likely to be the easier ride. the president is tonight in the republic of ireland, where he will stay until friday. 0ur north america editor, sarah smith, is travelling with him. and this a very different couple of days ahead from his time here in belfast? yes, it is. we are expecting him here in dundalk soon to go on a walk about and meet the thousands who have braved the miserable weather to

come out and say hello to one of most irish presidents in history. of course, we know how proud he is of his irish roots. that is why he is in county louth and finding about his his ancestors. he has some official business tomorrow and he is meeting the irish president, addressing the irish parliament and dining with the taoiseach. there is no high level diplomacy. it is more a personal visit and on friday he will be in county mayo exploring more irish roots and family history. but he knows this place well, with the over 30 million americans who also call themselves irish.- also call themselves irish. thank that's all from us. now back to clive in the studio. buckingham palace says prince harry will attend his father's coronation next month, but meghan, the duchess of sussex, won't be travelling from california. prince harry willjoin more than 2,000 guests at westminster abbey on 6th may. as nicholas witchell reports, it'll be the first time he'll be seen with the royal family, since the release of his memoir. they haven't met since the state

funeral of the late queen elizabeth last september. even then it was clear that the relationship between harry and his father and in particular with his elder brother william was strained. and much has happened since then to make matters worse. first there was the netflix series in which harry and meghan set out their truth, their account of what they regarded as an unfeeling family and why they'd felt compelled to leave. we know the full truth. the institution knows the full truth. then there was harry's book, which revealed many private family moments. in a tv interview to launch the book, harry said he hoped there would be an opportunity to talk. there's a lot to be discussed, and i really hope that they're willing to sit down and talk about it. now harry says he is coming to the coronation to join the rest of his family, though without meghan. she is staying at home in california. so how will harry�*s family receive him? we know there are still tensions with his brother, william,

who he barely spoken to. and we've heard a lot from harry over the last few months with his book and his netflix documentary, so it's going to be tricky for william and the rest of the family. but i think when all's said and done, the king will be really pleased at the end of the day that his younger son is going to be there by his side on coronation day. harry will have a ringside seat in westminster abbey. officials will be hoping that his presence doesn't become too much of a distraction. nicholas witchell, bbc news. the former bbc radio i dj tim westwood has been questioned twice under police caution. in a statement the metropolitan police confirmed it's now investigating five allegations of sexual offences which are alleged to have taken place between 1982 and 2016. chi chi izundu has the details. detectives say they interviewed a 65—year—old man under caution on the 15th of march and the 11th of april this year. there's been no arrest.

last august, police confirmed they were investigating a 64—year—old man over historic allegations of sexual offences. today it's now been confirmed as five. this comes after bbc news and guardian investigations uncovered multiple allegations from 18 women of sexual misconduct and abuse by tim westwood from 1992 to 2017. they also accused him of abusing his position in the music industry. one woman told us she was only 1a when tim westwood first had sex with her. he denied those allegations, and stepped down from his capital xtra radio show. last august, the bbc launched an external inquiry into what the corporation did and didn't know about tim westwood's conduct during his nearly 20 years working for them. that inquiry is still ongoing. bbc news has attempted to contact mr westwood for comment.

it is coming up to a quarter past six. 0urtop it is coming up to a quarter past six. our top story this evening. president biden urges a return to power at stormont as he marks 25 years of peace in northern ireland. and coming up... it years of peace in northern ireland. and coming up...— and coming up... it has been a really wet _ and coming up... it has been a really wet and _ and coming up... it has been a really wet and windy _ and coming up... it has been a really wet and windy day, - and coming up... it has been a - really wet and windy day, especially on the coast, and here in north coming up on the bbc news channel... chelsea look to put their premier league problems behind them as they travel to real madrid in the last eight of the champions league. staff. the hotel apologises. and underneath the shard, work begins on a huge mosaic. he's one of the world's richest men, and owns spacex, tesla and twitter. so when elon musk speaks, his words — well chosen or not — have the ability to move

the money markets. six months on from his £35 billion acquisition of twitter, he's defended sacking more than 6,000 staff and says his time in charge has been a roller—coaster. the bbc�*s north america technology reporter, james clayton, sat down with him for a 90—minute interview, and jamesjoins us now from outside twitter hq in san francisco. i hq in san francisco. gather you didn't have mucht to i gather you didn't have much time to prepare for your face—to—face? no, not at all. this time yesterday i had no idea i was going to interview elon musk. i interviewed him at lunchtime, and he got back to say, go on, let's do an interview tonight. so a few hours later i was in this building and we had a very long interview, and it was kind of bizarre at times. but also pretty enlightening. here are some of the highlights. it's not every day you find yourself invited by one of the world's richest and most influential people to a sit down interview and a few minutes before

it was due to take place, the inevitable cu rveball. we're about to go live. very surprisingly, we onlyjust found this out on on twitter. but that is elon musk. we didn't know about that. but you never know with elon musk. when he sat down, he was in the mood to chat. so how do you think it's gone? to chat. so how do you think it's one? ~ to chat. so how do you think it's cone? ~ �*. to chat. so how do you think it's one? ~ �* , ., to chat. so how do you think it's rone? . �* , ., , to chat. so how do you think it's one? . �*, ., , gone? well, it's not been boring. it's been gone? well, it's not been boring. it's been quite — gone? well, it's not been boring. it's been quite a _ gone? well, it's not been boring. it's been quite a roller-coaster. l it's been quite a roller—coaster. the pain— it's been quite a roller—coaster. the pain level of twitter has been extremely— the pain level of twitter has been extremely high. this hasn't been some _ extremely high. this hasn't been some sort— extremely high. this hasn't been some sort of party. so it's been really— some sort of party. so it's been really quite a stressful situation. were _ really quite a stressful situation. were there many mistakes made along the way? _ were there many mistakes made along the way? of course. were there many mistakes made along the way? of course.— the way? of course. when you put that initial bid — the way? of course. when you put that initial bid in, _ the way? of course. when you put that initial bid in, you _ the way? of course. when you put that initial bid in, you then - the way? of course. when you put that initial bid in, you then had - the way? of course. when you put that initial bid in, you then had a l that initial bid in, you then had a wobble. you kind of said, i don't want to buy it any more. then you changed your mind again and decided to buy it. did you do that because you thought a court would make do

that? , , ., , ., ,., that? yes. yes, that is the reason. so ou that? yes. yes, that is the reason. so you were _ that? yes. yes, that is the reason. so you were trying _ that? yes. yes, that is the reason. so you were trying to _ that? yes. yes, that is the reason. so you were trying to get _ that? yes. yes, that is the reason. so you were trying to get out - that? yes. yes, that is the reason. so you were trying to get out of. that? yes. yes, that is the reason. so you were trying to get out of it, | so you were trying to get out of it, and you are advised by lawyers? yes. interesting- — and you are advised by lawyers? yes. interesting- so _ and you are advised by lawyers? yes. interesting. so you _ and you are advised by lawyers? yes. interesting. so you didn't actually want to purchase it even when you said you were going to?— want to purchase it even when you said you were going to? well, not at that rice. said you were going to? well, not at that price. almost _ said you were going to? well, not at that price. almost immediately, - said you were going to? well, not at that price. almost immediately, youj that price. almost immediately, you sacked a lot — that price. almost immediately, you sacked a lot of _ that price. almost immediately, you sacked a lot of twitter _ that price. almost immediately, you sacked a lot of twitter workers, - that price. almost immediately, you sacked a lot of twitter workers, and | sacked a lot of twitter workers, and i spoke to them, and the way pretty much everyone said is that it felt quite haphazard. it much everyone said is that it felt quite haphazard.— much everyone said is that it felt quite haphazard.- and - much everyone said is that it felt quite haphazard.- and it i much everyone said is that it felt i quite haphazard.- and it felt quite haphazard. it was. and it felt a little bit uncaring. _ quite haphazard. it was. and it felt a little bit uncaring. i _ quite haphazard. it was. and it felt a little bit uncaring. i wouldn't - a little bit uncaring. i wouldn't say uncaring- _ a little bit uncaring. i wouldn't say uncaring. the _ a little bit uncaring. i wouldn't say uncaring. the issue - a little bit uncaring. i wouldn't say uncaring. the issue was, i a little bit uncaring. i wouldn't i say uncaring. the issue was, the company— say uncaring. the issue was, the company is — say uncaring. the issue was, the company is either going to go bankrupt, if you do not cut costs immediately. this is not a caring or uncaring _ immediately. this is not a caring or uncaring situation. if the whole ship _ uncaring situation. if the whole ship sinks. _ uncaring situation. if the whole ship sinks, then nobody has a job. i know— ship sinks, then nobody has a job. i know the _ ship sinks, then nobody has a job. i know the bbc for example is not thrilled — know the bbc for example is not thrilled about being labelled a

state — thrilled about being labelled a state affiliated media. | thrilled about being labelled a state affiliated media.- thrilled about being labelled a state affiliated media. i was going to net to state affiliated media. i was going to get to that _ state affiliated media. i was going to get to that later. _ state affiliated media. i was going to get to that later. shall- state affiliated media. i was going to get to that later. shall we - state affiliated media. i was going to get to that later. shall we do i state affiliated media. i was going to get to that later. shall we do it| to get to that later. shall we do it now. do you want to that? i to get to that later. shall we do it now. do you want to that?- to get to that later. shall we do it now. do you want to that? i want to be as truthful — now. do you want to that? i want to be as truthful and _ now. do you want to that? i want to be as truthful and accurate - now. do you want to that? i want to be as truthful and accurate as - be as truthful and accurate as possible. _ be as truthful and accurate as possible, so i think we are adjusting the label to be publicly funded, — adjusting the label to be publicly funded, which i think is perhaps not too objectionable. we are trying to be accurate. too objectionable. we are trying to be accurate-— too objectionable. we are trying to be accurate. ~ ., , be accurate. tiktok has also been in the news. there _ be accurate. tiktok has also been in the news. there is _ be accurate. tiktok has also been in the news. there is talk _ be accurate. tiktok has also been in the news. there is talk of _ the news. there is talk of administrations wanting to ban it or force a sale. what is your view on that? it force a sale. what is your view on that? ., , that? it would help twitter i su ose that? it would help twitter i suppose if _ that? it would help twitter i suppose if tiktok _ that? it would help twitter i suppose if tiktok was - that? it would help twitter i i suppose if tiktok was banned, because — suppose if tiktok was banned, because then people would spend more time on _ because then people would spend more time on twitter and less time on tiktok — time on twitter and less time on tiktok but— time on twitter and less time on tiktok. but even if it would help twitter. — tiktok. but even if it would help twitter. i— tiktok. but even if it would help twitter, i would tiktok. but even if it would help twitter, iwould be tiktok. but even if it would help twitter, i would be generally against — twitter, i would be generally against the banning of things. you have said that _ against the banning of things. gm, have said that you were going to stand down. i have said that you were going to stand down-— have said that you were going to stand down._ as i have said that you were going to - stand down._ as chief stand down. i already have. as chief

executive? — stand down. i already have. as chief executive? 0k... _ stand down. i already have. as chief executive? ok... i— stand down. i already have. as chief executive? ok... i am _ stand down. i already have. as chief executive? ok... i am not _ stand down. i already have. as chief executive? ok... i am not the - stand down. i already have. as chief executive? 0k. .. i am not the ceo i stand down. i already have. as chiefl executive? 0k. .. i am not the ceo of twitter. executive? 0k. .. i am not the ceo of twitter- my — executive? 0k. .. i am not the ceo of twitter- my dog _ executive? 0k. .. i am not the ceo of twitter. my dog is. _ executive? ok. .. i am not the ceo of twitter. my dog is. after— executive? 0k. .. i am not the ceo of twitter. my dog is. after almost - executive? 0k. .. i am not the ceo of twitter. my dog is. after almost an i twitter. my dog is. after almost an hour of questions, _ twitter. my dog is. after almost an hour of questions, he _ twitter. my dog is. after almost an hour of questions, he hung - twitter. my dog is. after almost an hour of questions, he hung around| twitter. my dog is. after almost an i hour of questions, he hung around to answer more questions on twitter. it was an unconventional end to an extraordinary evening. unconventional, james, surreal, too. it usually takes weeks, sometimes months, to set up these interviews with top ceos. why do you think he said yes? i honestly just think i honestlyjust think i got lucky. i e—mailed him at the right time. his staff were surprised that he agreed. they said it escalated quickly. so i think i did got lucky. but i also think i did got lucky. but i also think he clearly likes the bbc and he is worried that big media organisations are going to leave twitter. we heard today that npr, national public radio in the us, are going to stop tweeting, essentially exit twitter, and maybe that is part of his reasoning, he wants to engage with media a bit more. but honestly,

ijust with media a bit more. but honestly, i just asked that with media a bit more. but honestly, ijust asked that he said yes, and it is a good lesson in life, you don't get unless you actually ask. and you make your own luck too. nice one, james, thank you. james clayton there. and you can see the full interview with elon musk by going to bbc.co.uk/iplayer or by using the iplayer app and searching for "elon musk talks to the bbc". scottish government is to mount a legal challenge to westminster�*s decision to block its controversial gender recognition reforms. holyrood's proposed legislation simplifies and speeds up the process for trans people to legally change their gender. the uk government says the reforms could affect the equality act and protection of women. here's our scotland editor, james cook. and the gender recognition reform scotland bill is passed. days before christmas, a moment ofjoy for trans rights campaigners. hailing a law which would remove legal and medical hurdles to changing sex on a birth

certificate and reduce the age limit to do so from 18 to 16. but their celebrations were short—lived. today, i will make an order under section 35 of the scotland act 1998 preventing the gender recognition reform scotland bill from proceeding to royal assent. in other words, westminster was overruling holyrood on the basis that the new scottish law would adversely affect british legislation. and now the scottish government is challenging that decision in court. the parliament has now spoken. we were willing to work with the uk government after this bill was passed. they've refused to do so. now, even if people disagree with the bill, i would hope they would agree with the fact that we need to have a strong scottish parliament and a scottish government and a first minister willing to stand up for that parliament. the news was welcomed by this campaigner. the most important thing for us is that we want

this bill to become law. we want trans men and women who are applying to update the sex on their birth certificate, to be able to go through a much fairer and simpler process. and they can at the moment, and it's used in many countries all around the world. but campaigners against the bill say its effects would be absurd. simply put, there can't be one definition of sex on one side of the border and another on the other side. when we have measures in law to protect people on that basis, it makes a mockery of the whole equality act. and the uk government says it will robustly defend its position. it was a decision that we made after taking very careful and considered advice, and we had concerns as the uk government secretary of state set this out at the time, concerns about how scotland's gender recognition act would interact with reserve powers, about the operation of the equalities act, the protection of women elsewhere in the uk as well. and that's why we took the decision to block the the gra. and obviously if there's a court process, we will follow that through.

this is humza yousef�*s first big battle with the uk government as first minister of scotland. but his choice of topic makes it an especially risky strategy because on the issue of gender, it's notjust the nation which is divided, but the snp, too. james cook, bbc news, edinburgh. researchers say that globally, fewer fossil fuels will be used this year to produce electricity in what's being described as a "turning point" in the battle against climate change. last year there was more carbon emitted than ever before in the generation of electricity, up by 1.3%. but this year those emissions are expected to fall slightly because of the first ever annual drop in the use of coal, oil and gas to produce power outside of a global recession or pandemic. so, why the change? well, it's mainly down to the boom in renewable energy, led predominantly by china. here's our environment

correspondent, matt mcgrath. from lighting to heating, cooling and transport, electricity has become the world's most important energy source. but the benefits of global electrification have come at a cost to the planet. making power is the single biggest contributor to global warming, responsible for over a third of energy—related carbon emissions in 2021. even with the cost of living crisis, demand for electricity is growing rapidly all over the world. most of that growth to date has been met by burning fossil fuels. but cleaner sources, including wind, solar, nuclear and hydro, are rapidly catching up, producing almost 40% in 2022. and this year will likely see the first fall in emissions from the use of coal, oil and gas to make electricity outside of pandemic or global recession. we're doing all the right things. we just need to be doing them quicker.

so we know that our route to decarbonising notjust the power sector but the whole of the energy economy is through clean power. what's making a big difference is china, despite being the world's biggest users of coal. china is also responsible for half the extra wind power. one in five solar panels added last year were on chinese rooftops. even countries with little sun such as the netherlands produce 15% of their electricity from solar. while britain has lagged behind the rest of the world when it comes to solar, where the uk has really made strides is in wind energy, like here in the blowy south wales valleys, once famed for their production of coal. last year, electricity production from wind across the uk was up by 23%, thanks in part to turbines like these. when weather events like these in new zealand are increasingly being linked to increasing temperatures.

to avoid the worst climate impacts, scientists emphasised fossil fuel use must peak now to drop rapidly over the next seven years. today's news is a criticalfirst over the next seven years. today's news is a critical first step on that path. matt mcgrath, bbc news. that's the wind being productive. but drivers have been urged to take care as a swathe of stormy weather with heavy rain and winds of up to 70 miles per hour has swept across the uk. weather warnings are still in place across the south of england and south wales. our correspondent danjohnson has spent the day in newquay, and has this report. at heathrow, the problem was getting down on the ground. even for those with the biggest of wings. but in cornwall, arthur and ada were desperately trying not to lift off. it's very strong and windy. i think your brother's getting blown away! we've come out to see the waves. and we said they'd be as big as a house, didn't we?

they're pretty big. and a quiet beach was peter's chance to strike gold. 5p,10p,2ps. we've come down from the midlands. we're on holiday. we can't sit in a caravan all day. you might as well come out and get soaking wet and find some things. the winds are absolutely relentless. it's gale force at times, and the storm is bringing in these really heavy downpours too, they're also pelting us with hail. here on the north cornwall coast, the problems so far have been limited, but there are hundreds of properties that have been left without power. and spare a thought forjosh and jamie, on a camping holiday that's blown them away. it hit us all of a sudden. we had to get the kids out of the tent, flatten it down.

his tent was totally demolished within the space of an hour. the worst should be over, but they're not the only ones hunkering down again tonight in a caravan. danjohnson, bbc news, newquay. my my word. time for a look at the weather. here's chris fawkes. any idea when the winds are going to die down? very gradually over night, clive. but before we get there, take a look at this incredible footage of mountainous cseasin cseas in cornwall, the size of two double—decker buses stacked on top of one another. storm noa, named by the french weather forecasters, has come through. heathrow has had problems and there are reports of some trees down on the railway lines west of london. so certainly worth checking before travelling if you

are planning a journey tonight. but eventually the wind will come down overnight, there will be further showers around and temperature similar to what we have tonight. storm noa is out in the north sea for thursday and weakening significantly, leaving us with these fairly blustery conditions, sunny spells and showers, but across parts of scotland, northern and eastern parts of england, the showers could merge, still bringing the threat of thunderstorms and hail storms mixed in as well. heading into friday we have another area of low pressure working on bringing some wet weather to parts of england and wales, and the further north you are, the more likely you are to have a mix of sunshine and showers all the while, while temperatures will continue to be a little bit below par for the time of year, so a little bit on the cool side with high temperatures on friday between 11 and 12 degrees for most of us. as we get into the weekend, we will start to see south—westerly winds working off the atlantic, pushing much milder air across the uk. and so through the

weekend, the weather