live from london, this is bbc news. france's top constitutional court says president macron�*s controversial reforms of the pension system can go ahead. nurses from the rcn union vote to reject the government's latest pay offer, another votes to accept the deal. a mother and father are convicted of a savage and brutal christmas day murder of their baby son. and new research suggests certain types of nail gel could cause life—changing allergies.

back to paris, want to show you some pictures on the streets because large crowds have gathered throughout the day, but they are digesting the news that's come from the constitutional council that has effectively given emmanuel macron the go—ahead to change the pension age in france from 62 to 64. we've had two months and three weeks of looking at diaries of protests right across france, cities of large numbers, large coalitions of students and unions, of workers all against the move. now they were hoping through the protests that it would change the government's mind — that didn't work, they were then

hoping the constitutional courts would put a break or change the government's mind, that hasn't worked. so president emmanuel macron making it clear he intends to put this on the statute books in the next 48 hours, so having waited for this constitutional council decision, he now wants to get on with it. he's invested so much of his personal capital, he's determined to get this change. he thinks french workers need to work for more years, he says the country simply cannot afford it with an ageing population to have a retirement age of 62, and i suppose there will be viewers around the world watching this thinking — not quite understanding why there is such a protest for a change of age to 64 when they look at what's going on in this country or in other countries. but so much unhappiness

around other economic issues in france weaving into all of this, and it's crystallised with these pension reform protests, but it is not the route of dust root of all unhappiness. what happens now is unclear, we told you about the president's intentions, he plans to just push ahead with this as quickly as he can but of course those unions who have already spoken have talked about the protests going on, and of course different presidents over the years have tried to make reforms around pension age and they've all come to nothing as protests have succeeded. the government has gotten further along the line than they ever have before, so inevitably there will be further confrontation in terms of protests versus government, but the weather there will be any change from the government remains totally unclear.

so many different sectors affected, so many areas of work being disrupted right across france, so expect more of that, and we've seen over the last two and half months open scenes of violence and open confrontation in different cities over time. so it will be down to the authorities to try to stop a repetition of all that, but that is the backdrop with the courts deciding the president can go ahead, and those people you see they are insisting they won't let him. we shall watch and see what happens, certainly over the next couple hours and bring you more reaction. the us presidentjoe biden is returning to his family's ancestral home in county mayo, on the final day of his visit to ireland. thousands of people are expected to turn out in the town of ballina, where mr biden�*s relative, patrick blewitt, was born in the 19th century. the highlight will be a public address at the cathedral there. well, let's get more

from our correspondent in ballina, county mayo, chris page. there are so many lovely stories, but this is almost one of my favourites because you or they are near the cathedral, and of course it was an ancestor ofjoe biden who provided the bricks and money to get the biden family there to the us. it is an extraordinary story, isn't it? it really is, and one that is very personally felt apparently by president biden. he's made it clear throughout this visit to ireland that he says he feels he's come home in a sense. he has relatives on both sides of his ancestral tree as it were, here in county mayo, he is related to the family of patrick blewitt, and it was his great—great—grandfather who, as you said, came from this town of bellina and came to the us in the mid—19th

century, and its thought the president will be presented with the last surviving piece of his ancestral home, a breakfrom last surviving piece of his ancestral home, a break from the fireplace in his great, great great grandfather's house. there's been more personal expenses for the president this afternoon, more emotional then maybe he was expecting — he's been visiting nock basilica, which is best known —— the best—known roman catholic shrine this part of ireland, and he heard that a priest there, father o'grady, gave his son bo�*s last rites before he passed. it was extremely emotional, the president shed tears

during that conversation. now he's gone on to a hospice where there is a plaque dedicated to bo biden, and one of president biden�*s distant cousins is on the board of that hospice. president biden himself broke the ground with a hospice was built years ago. so tonight the touch will turn to a different kind of occasion, clearly it's very busy here with my media colleagues setting up in front of the podium where the president will be speaking in a few hours�* time, it�*s expected there�*ll be a crowd 20,000 people, as big a night as bald and a has had before. —— ballina. the president will certainly talk again of his family roots tonight and reflect on this visit to ireland where he is

really affirmed of the transatlantic ties that were forged through the centuries, and he�*s spoken often of the relationship between the two countries and said that ireland will always have a special place, a special relationship with the united states. , ., , special relationship with the united states. , . , . states. chris, thanks very much, we will continue — states. chris, thanks very much, we will continue to _ states. chris, thanks very much, we will continue to watch _ states. chris, thanks very much, we will continue to watch those - states. chris, thanks very much, we will continue to watch those scenes | will continue to watch those scenes where you are over the coming hours, but you tee up really nicely our next guest. daniel mahal is with us, thank you for being on the programme. what have you made of this trip both to northern ireland and more to the republic was yellow i was in belfast yesterday in dublin doing commentary for irish television.— doing commentary for irish television. , ., , , television. john f kennedy said his visit to ireland _

television. john f kennedy said his visit to ireland in _ television. john f kennedy said his visit to ireland in 1963 _ television. john f kennedy said his visit to ireland in 1963 was - television. john f kennedy said his visit to ireland in 1963 was the - visit to ireland in 1963 was the best three days of his life. i�*m not trying to put words in president biden�*s mouth, but it�*s likely when he leaves here this evening, he will regard the last four days as four of the best of his life, because he�*s been received with such warmth, and he himself clearly enjoys immensely connecting with his irish heritage, that�*s been very clear throughout the four days of the visit. you mentioned — the four days of the visit. you mentioned his _ the four days of the visit. you mentioned his heritage because he's mentioned his heritage because he�*s referenced it so many times, but over the last four days, a lot of the viewers around the world will have seen it, but as you are talking to us, i want to put onjust a have seen it, but as you are talking to us, i want to put on just a few of the really fabulous pictures that have stood out and we�*ve seen over the last four days, because on the screen at the moment, outside the pub, it�*s interesting because there�*s so much politics and pomp that we�*ve seen, especially in the south, but he seems to be totally

energised at ease, at his best when he�*s throwing himself amongst ordinary people. he's throwing himself amongst ordinary people-— he's throwing himself amongst ordinary people. he's had a very lona da s ordinary people. he's had a very long days here. _ ordinary people. he's had a very long days here, the _ ordinary people. he's had a very long days here, the state - ordinary people. he's had a very long days here, the state dinner last night didn�*t start until 9pm, it was meant to start at 7pm but everything was delayed for a number of reasons, mainly because he wanted to engage with people. he�*s very much a people person, but i think the thing we want to stress is that for a british an audience democrat irish audience, we it difficult to understand this phenomenon of irish—american affinity with ireland, but foramericans irish—american affinity with ireland, but for americans this is an american identity, which is a fundamental part of who irish—american tsar. and for president biden, he genuinely prizes his heritage, and as i said, it may be people for people in britain or ireland to understand the passion with which irish—americans associate with which irish—americans associate with their heritage, coming from ireland. fin with their heritage, coming from ireland. ., ,., �*, .,

ireland. on that point, it's a huge number of— ireland. on that point, it's a huge number of americans _ ireland. on that point, it's a huge number of americans that - ireland. on that point, it's a huge | number of americans that contract back to find a relative from ireland, it�*s a huge there in the united states. so in terms of what the president was hoping to get out of this trip, what do you think underpins it? clearly 25 years of the good friday agreement, but what else? ihis the good friday agreement, but what else? , , ., ,, else? his contribution - the us contribution _ else? his contribution - the us contribution to _ else? his contribution - the us contribution to the _ else? his contribution - the us contribution to the peace - else? his contribution - the us contribution to the peace in - contribution to the peace in northern ireland was very important backin northern ireland was very important back in the day with clinton and before that, and joe biden has also been involved for decades in supporting the piece. that�*s important, and the second part is ireland had a very substantial economic relationship with the united states, ireland is the ninth biggest investor in the us economy, which is an extraordinary statistic given the small population that ireland has. the point he was emphasising strongly was the shared value between ireland in the united

states, in particular at a time when those values are being challenged by russia and ukraine. i think he was quite keen to connect ireland with america and other countries in europe in this struggle against authoritarianism. even though ireland is not a member of nato, it�*s pushed back very strongly against russia�*s invasion of ukraine, and i think the president appreciates that, and he�*s also given a large number of ukrainian refugees refuge from a tragic death. i�*m sure we will hear similar sentiments in ballina this evening. you said at the start you were there in belfast to hear him speak, but also, i wouldn�*t mind getting your reflections on that because there�*s the impasse politically there that�*s a real problem, and we saw real

subtlety and diplomacy from the president, very aware that if he moved in and tried to pressurise, it might backfire. but how much help do you think the visit is to actually, in concrete terms, move things forward, get power—sharing? in concrete terms, move things forward, get power-sharing? there's no stick america _ forward, get power-sharing? there's no stick america can _ forward, get power-sharing? there's no stick america can wave _ forward, get power-sharing? there's no stick america can wave here, - forward, get power-sharing? there's no stick america can wave here, it i no stick america can wave here, it wouldn�*t work, there�*s no magic wand the president can wave to resolve the president can wave to resolve the problems of northern ireland. he made it clear in belfast that it�*s up made it clear in belfast that it�*s up to you guys here to reach an agreement. but he was doing is giving gentle encouragement to the politicians to get on with the business of finding a solution their problems. remember, he�*s a politician, so he�*s been involved in senate discussions all that time on finding solutions to problems. so he naturally has a instinct for compromise and pragmatic solutions to problems. in the third thing he

did in northern ireland was point to the future. he tried to make the point very strongly that northern ireland has great economic potential that it can exploit if only the political issues can be resolved. it's political issues can be resolved. it�*s the only place in the world where the united states is actually encouraging companies to invest not in the us, but in northern ireland, and he has an envoy now withjoe canady, part of the famous kennedy family, whosejob it is to canady, part of the famous kennedy family, whose job it is to encourage us and other countries to take advantage of northern ireland�*s status within the eu single market and uk single market ——joe kennedy. if they don�*t solve any problems overnight, but if they add a few increments into what they hope will be emerged in the coming months. it was a real dangling of the carrot, talking about how much gp had increased since the good friday agreement, i think he said doubled and he thought it could triple if progress continued to be made —— how much gdp had increased, so linking

those things to more american investment, but the issue of power sharing needs to be resolved. in that speech at ulster university, he also talked about the challenges, and he used that phrase at one stage, saying that "peace is fragile." how fragile do you think the piece is there, given the challenges from dissidents? i was there 25 years _ challenges from dissidents? i was there 25 years ago _ challenges from dissidents? i was there 25 years ago when - challenges from dissidents? i was there 25 years ago when the - there 25 years ago when the agreement was reached, and it was probably the most significant single day of my entire 44 year career. but looking back now, there was no guarantee that last week that solutions could be found, there were standoffs when sinn fein was trying to get more and the unionists were looking for more decommissioning. sadly some people lost their lives,

but if you compare the last 25 years... there hasn�*t been as much political progress as i would�*ve hoped for, if i�*d been looking forward at that time 25 years into the future to today, i think i would�*ve hoped and assumed that we would�*ve hoped and assumed that we would be further along the road to a normal political environment in northern ireland. i suppose the fact that we are not there yet tells you that we are not there yet tells you that these kinds of problems are intractable, and that peace and reconciliation, as wb yeats once said, comes doubly slow. and it�*s been slower than anyone would�*ve wished for. i�*ve been hoping that with a new prime minister in london, with a new prime minister in london, with the new agreement between the uk and the eu, i�*m hoping that we will see some progress in the months ahead, but of course nothing is guaranteed. ultimately it is a matter for the parties in guaranteed. ultimately it is a matterfor the parties in northern ireland to resolve their

differences. 0utside forces like the united states and ireland, the british government can only do so much, ultimately the parties of northern ireland must resolve their own differences and move forward, and hopefully that will happen in the months ahead. you reflected earlier on the _ the months ahead. you reflected earlier on the huge _ the months ahead. you reflected earlier on the huge numbers - the months ahead. you reflected earlier on the huge numbers of l earlier on the huge numbers of americans thatjoe —— likejoe biden that can trace their roots back. is there anything in this visit that tilts towards the 2024 election, just trying to align yourself with all that that you�*ve just described? the key battleground states in the us in 2024 our pennsylvania, michigan and wisconsin, in the key demographic there would be blue—collar workers who used to be solidly democratic, and now in the last ten years have shifted more to the republicans under trump, and

winning those back i think would be a big price for the democrats, and i dare say that given the identification of irish america with that kind of blue colour tradition, i think it does no harm for the president to be highlighting his irish—american identity. in his speeches, he makes is very interesting point, the irish epitomise the middle—class values, as they call them in america, it�*s very different than britain and ireland, but he says the middle class values of hard work and effort, and dedication — these are very irish qualities, and the very qualities that he wants to play to. so i think his irish—american identity actually plays into the wider political agenda he has of trying to woo back those voters who may have become less satisfied with the democratic party over the last ten years. 50 the democratic party over the last ten ears. h the democratic party over the last ten ears. �*, , , ., ., ten years. so it's probably a factor but not front _ ten years. so it's probably a factor

but not front and _ ten years. so it's probably a factor but not front and centre. - ten years. so it's probably a factor but not front and centre. thank. ten years. so it's probably a factorl but not front and centre. thank you very much for taking time, really fascinating and a delight to talk to you. thanks forjoining us on bbc news. let�*s return to a mjor story breaking this hour — nurses in england have voted to reject the uk government�*s latest pay offer and have announced new strike dates — intensive care and other services that were previously exempt. a government spokesman called the result hugely disappointing. the rcn says members will now be asked if they are continued to repair the strikes over the summer. here�*s the rcn�*s chief executive, pat cullen. we�*ve issued today notices for strike action for the duration of our mandate at the end of april, beginning of may. then we will move to re—ballot our members for further periods of strike action leading into the next six months. i�*ve

already written to the secretary of state this afternoon saying that we must start to have immediate talks, and we need to have much more realistic talks of time, we need to restore our members pay and add to that offer that�*s already there. nurse phil hunterfrom morecambe bay university hospital voted to reject government�*s pay offer. thanks so much for taking time to speak to us. tell us why you decided that way. speak to us. tell us why you decided that wa . ., . , speak to us. tell us why you decided that wa . ., ., , ., speak to us. tell us why you decided thatwa. ., ._ ., , that way. two really vital reasons - the -a that way. two really vital reasons - the pay or— that way. two really vital reasons - the pay or does _ that way. two really vital reasons - the pay or does nothing _ that way. two really vital reasons - the pay or does nothing to - that way. two really vital reasons - the pay or does nothing to address| the pay or does nothing to address recruitment or retention —— pay offer does nothing. this leads towards safe staffing. what we are looking for is — i�*m looking for the right word, we are looking to get our to what it was in 2010, we�*ve seen an erosion in pay, leading to the fact that people can�*t afford

basics to basics to come to work. so it�*s a heartbreaking thing to see because we need them, and a lot less young people are coming in. i saw figures last week that says there�*s a 19% reduction in peoplejoining training. not all these people would qualify because training nurses is very difficult, but there�*s been a significant reduction in numbers of fresh nurses in the last three years. fresh nurses in the last three ears. �* , ., , ., fresh nurses in the last three ears. h .,, ., ., years. it's a similar offer that members _ years. it's a similar offer that members from _ years. it's a similar offer that members from unison - years. it's a similar offer that members from unison have l years. it's a similar offer that - members from unison have voted nearly three quarters, 74% said yes to a very similar offer. why is it ok for them but not for you? it has nothin: to ok for them but not for you? it has nothing to do _ ok for them but not for you? it has nothing to do with _ ok for them but not for you? it has nothing to do with me, _ ok for them but not for you? it has nothing to do with me, i'm - ok for them but not for you? it has nothing to do with me, i'm just - ok for them but not for you? it has nothing to do with me, i'm just an l nothing to do with me, i�*m just an ordinary nurse who�*s worked on the front line for 34 years, as a registered nurse and a district nurse for the last 25 years. i�*ve nothing to say on what unison do, we

are our own organisations. i nothing to say on what unison do, we are our own organisations.— are our own organisations. i suppose the oint are our own organisations. i suppose the point making _ are our own organisations. i suppose the point making is _ are our own organisations. i suppose the point making is is _ are our own organisations. i suppose the point making is is a _ are our own organisations. i suppose the point making is is a similar - the point making is is a similar offer, i�*m trying to work out why it�*s been 0k offer, i�*m trying to work out why it�*s been ok for them, but in large numbers, the rcn have rejected. in terms of further strike action, you recognise with those dates that have already been circulated just the impact that is continuing to have on patients, don�*t you? impact that is continuing to have on patients, don't you?— patients, don't you? yes, i'm afraid it will have — patients, don't you? yes, i'm afraid it will have an _ patients, don't you? yes, i'm afraid it will have an impact _ patients, don't you? yes, i'm afraid it will have an impact but _ patients, don't you? yes, i'm afraid it will have an impact but we - patients, don't you? yes, i'm afraid it will have an impact but we see i it will have an impact but we see a massive erosion in our pay. we�*ve tried to tell the government over the years that there are shortages in staff, that people aren�*t staying, and they�*re just not listening. we are very conflicted, we don�*t want to strike, we feel we�*ve been forced into this by the government, and all they�*ve got to do is get around the table, talk to pat: and make a decent, sensible

offer. that�*s all they need to do. and in your view, because we heard from the government, they say they are hugely disappointed by today, you�*d expect something like that, but in your view what is a decent offer that you�*re talking about? i offer that you're talking about? i won't say a number because i think won�*t say a number because i think it would be foolish for negotiation. the ball is in the government�*s park, they have to sit down with us. we made a figure before the strike action, they sat down and offered what everybody i know has said is a pitifully poor response, a few percent, and then a lump sum which will only happen this year, it will be taxed and i believe people with student debt will get a big chunk taken out by the loans companies, so it�*s not a proper offer they�*ve made, it�*s a lip service offer. we haven�*t accepted it — we don�*t go on

strike willy—nilly, this is the first time in our 106 year history that we�*ve gone on strike, we�*ve been driven to this. in 2010, we had zero pay rise for years, we put up with that for the good of the country. we did our bit, and all the way through the pandemic we served on the front line, there are many nurses who died of covid, others who ended up with long covid — the ones who died of covid caught it at work. people were clapping and cheering us on their doorsteps, but unfortunately that doesn�*t pay the bills. i know nurses who are ashamed to go to the food bank because they can�*t manage. i�*m towards the end of my career, my children have all left home, my house is paid for — i�*m doing this for the young generation, and also for the public, because if

there are no nurses, you have no health service.— health service. phil, i have to leave it there. _ health service. phil, i have to leave it there. without - health service. phil, i have to. leave it there. without nurses, health service. phil, i have to - leave it there. without nurses, we can't do anything- _ leave it there. without nurses, we can't do anything. i'd _ leave it there. without nurses, we can't do anything. i'd also - leave it there. without nurses, we can't do anything. i'd also like - leave it there. without nurses, we can't do anything. i'd also like to l can�*t do anything. i�*d also like to say to you is what you need to remember is, people say it nursing is about being kind and caring — it absolutely is, that�*s the people we are, we are driven to do this... phil, we are at the near democrat of the programme, i�*m sorry to do that, we have to end, thanks so much for your time. we have to end, thanks so much for yourtime. i we have to end, thanks so much for your time. i went update you on a story i brought you a couple of hours ago in terms of the metropolitan police misconduct — the police in the capital admitting this evening they feared the public may not contact them in an emergency after eight police officers were today banned from policing for sending offensive and discriminatory whatsapp messages. all eight, seven men and one women, were found guilty of gross misconduct after sending

bigoted messages, more on that in the coming hours. it�*s been a very busy last couple hours, thanks for watching, see you next time, bye for now. hello there. at long last, the weather will be improving over the next few days. we�*ve ended the week, though, on a cold and wet note. lots of showers in northern ireland, in scotland, and a few thunderstorms in the far north of england. further south across england and wales, this blanket of cloud has depressed the temperatures and brought some rain in places, as well. low pressure responsible for that colder, wetter weather will start to push away into continental europe, dragging away most of the rain, as well. but into the night, we�*ll keep some wet weather going across eastern parts of england and perhaps southeast scotland. the rain becomes lighter and patchy later on in the night, but that cloud will keep temperatures up. other parts of scotland, wales, western england, and also northern ireland will have clearer skies developing and light winds, so it�*s going to be cold. temperatures will be close to freezing and, like last night in northern ireland, we could see lows of —4 celsius.

over the weekend, things do calm down a bit — we�*ll get some sunshine from time to time, and those temperatures will be steadily rising, as well. but we start the weekend with some cloud, but not much rain for eastern areas. the cloud will thin and break, and as we get some sunshine that could trigger some showers, though, could be on the sharp side come the afternoon. further west across the uk, probably going to be dry, a good deal of sunshine around — very pleasant at aintree for the grand national. now temperatures are nothing to shout about, but it�*s an improvement on the last couple of days, typically 12—14 celsius. will turn cloudy later in northern ireland and, after dark, a little bit of rain here that�*ll push its way into western scotland, as well, but that weather front is weakening because high pressure is tending to build in. it won�*t be as cold to start with on sunday. there�*s more cloud around. not much rain though, for western scotland and northern ireland. perhaps the best of the sunshine across some eastern parts of england this time, although there could be some early mist and fog patches. it�*s a gentle southerly breeze that�*s picking up, and those temperatures continuing

to rise, perhaps up to 15—16 celsius. and into next week, it�*s going to be high pressure that�*s dominant — the centre of the high will be across scandinavia, and that�*ll be significant because it means that we�*ll have more of an easterly wind picking up during monday, tuesday and into wednesday. so, it�*ll always be a little bit cooler around some of those north sea coasts, with the highest temperatures perhaps getting up to 18 celsius in western scotland across those western areas. but next week things are looking much drier and quieter, with some sunshine.

today at six: members of the rcn nurses�* union in england vote to reject the government�*s pay offer. there�*ll be further strikes at the end of the month. ministers say the offer is fair, but the rcn says the offer ministers call the nurses�* decision hugely disappointing. the union says the offer so far is simply inadequate.— the offer so far is simply inadeauate. , , ., ., inadequate. this is not enough members _ inadequate. this is not enough members and _ inadequate. this is not enough members and it _ inadequate. this is not enough members and it is _ inadequate. this is not enough members and it is down - inadequate. this is not enough members and it is down to the j members and it is down to the government to listen to the voice of nursing and put a better offer on the table. but nursing and put a better offer on the table. �* ., ., ~ , the table. but health workers in england who — the table. but health workers in england who are unison - england who are unison members, including ambulance staff and paramedics, vote to accept the offer. we�*ll be looking at these latest votes,

and at why so many workers in other sectors are also still