this is bbc news. the headlines: richard sharpe has announced it will stand down as bbc chairman. there has been at 72 are ceasefire announced in sudan. pope francis is visiting hungary. more now on our top story, the chairman of the bbc, richard sharp, has announced he's resigning — after admitting that he breached the british government's code for public appointments.

i haven't seen the report but i understand he tendered his resignation to the secretary of state. ~ , �* , ., resignation to the secretary of state. ~ , �* ., , state. why didn't you say ten months auo? this state. why didn't you say ten months ago? this is — state. why didn't you say ten months ago? this is about _ state. why didn't you say ten months ago? this is about things _ state. why didn't you say ten months ago? this is about things doing - ago? this is about things doing thins ago? this is about things doing things professionally _ ago? this is about things doing things professionally and - ago? this is about things doing . things professionally and properly. it is proper we have an independent process, we don't prejudge, we reach a conclusion. that is happen. richard sharpe has resigned but it is right to do things properly and professionally.— professionally. should his replacement _ professionally. should his replacement be _ professionally. should his replacement be a - professionally. should his- replacement be a nonpolitical appointment? and are you sick and tired of cleaning up borisjohnson�*s mess. i tired of cleaning up boris johnson's mess. . , ., mess. i am focusing on delivering for the british _ mess. i am focusing on delivering for the british people. _ mess. i am focusing on delivering for the british people. i— mess. i am focusing on delivering for the british people. i am - mess. i am focusing on delivering for the british people. i am here. mess. i am focusing on delivering. for the british people. i am here to talk about how we can work for the scottish people. when i was last here we announced the creation of two new free ports will creates jobs

and —— and attract investment here in scotland. i'm focused on delivering for the people of scotland. delivering for the people of scotland-— delivering for the people of scotland. ,, ., , , scotland. should the next person be a nonpolitical— scotland. should the next person be a nonpolitical appointment? - scotland. should the next person be a nonpolitical appointment? as - scotland. should the next person be a nonpolitical appointment? as i - a nonpolitical appointment? as i said, i a nonpolitical appointment? as i said. i am _ a nonpolitical appointment? as i said, i am focusing _ a nonpolitical appointment? " i said, i am focusing on delivering for the people of scotland. should the next person _ for the people of scotland. should the next person be _ for the people of scotland. should the next person be a _ for the people of scotland. should the next person be a nonpolitical. the next person be a nonpolitical appointment? we the next person be a nonpolitical appointment?— the next person be a nonpolitical a- ointment? . . , ., ., appointment? we are “umping ahead. there is an appointment? we are jumping ahead. there is an established _ appointment? we are jumping ahead. there is an established process - appointment? we are jumping ahead. there is an established process for. there is an established process for that. we are joined now by labour's shadow culture secretary, lucy powell, who called for the investigation into the process of richard sharp's appointment. can we dive straight into that interview just given can we dive straight into that interviewjust given by rishi sunak, where he will not commit to the next appointment of bbc chairman being nonpolitical. what are you calling for? i nonpolitical. what are you calling for? ., ., nonpolitical. what are you calling for? . ., , , nonpolitical. what are you calling for? ., , ,, for? i want to see this process bein: for? i want to see this process being made — for? i want to see this process being made much _ for? i want to see this process being made much more - for? i want to see this process - being made much more independent, robust, transparent, so that we cant

get into this mess again. this mess has caused a great deal of damage to the reputation of the bbc, to its ability to do itsjob, to reassure the public that they can trust it and trust its output, especially over these last few difficult weeks for the bbc. i want to see the government first of all accepting all the recommendation for this report about how to improve the process, but i wanted to go further and lay out how you can ensure it won't get into this situation again and it will be notjust independent but perceived to be independent, as well. d0 but perceived to be independent, as well. , ., but perceived to be independent, as well. ,, , ., well. do you believe the government ofthe well. do you believe the government of the day cannot _ well. do you believe the government of the day cannot be _ well. do you believe the government of the day cannot be trusted - well. do you believe the government of the day cannot be trusted to - well. do you believe the governmenti of the day cannot be trusted to make an appointment like this? this of the day cannot be trusted to make an appointment like this?— an appointment like this? this is the balance _ an appointment like this? this is the balance we _ an appointment like this? this is the balance we had _ an appointment like this? this is the balance we had to _ an appointment like this? this is the balance we had to try - an appointment like this? this is the balance we had to try and . the balance we had to try and strike. there has to be some kind of democratic accountability to this position that is funded by the public, that is why we have the select committee having a role, perhaps their role could be enhanced

in some way, but i have set up an independent review panel to advise the labour party and how we can make these kind of processes, notjust for the chair, but other board members, how we can make them much more robust, much more independent. but do you think the appointment should be nonpolitical, so if we had a labour government in charge, it wouldn't be summer perhaps you are donated to the labour party, or who had worked with anyone in the labour party? had worked with anyone in the labour pa ? ., ., “ had worked with anyone in the labour pa ? , .,, had worked with anyone in the labour pa ? , ., ., had worked with anyone in the labour pa ? ., ., , had worked with anyone in the labour pa ? ., ., party? look, people who do this “ob ofthat party? look, people who do this “ob of that activism fl party? look, people who do this “ob of that activism in �* party? look, people who do this “ob of that activism in the d party? look, people who do this “ob of that activism in the past fl party? look, people who do this “ob of that activism in the past and h of that activism in the past and express political opinions in the past and i don't think we should preclude all those people from these processes, but that what has happened this case. this case. this case is particularly serious, particularly egregious where we have this very cosy and murky relationship between richard sharpe and then prime minister arranging a personal loan for the prime

minister, facilitating that arrangement, then failing to declare it as he was duty—bound to do in the process and only a few weeks later the minister appointed him to this very this very well—paid, very high—profile position. when that all came to light doing great damage to the bbc during a time of particular difficulty for the bbc. that is why he should have been sacked a long time ago. he should have been sacked a long time auo. ~ ., he should have been sacked a long time auo. . . ., ., ., he should have been sacked a long time am, . ., ., ., ., ~' he should have been sacked a long time auo. . . ., ., ., ~ , time ago. what damage to think this is done to the _ time ago. what damage to think this is done to the bbc? _ time ago. what damage to think this is done to the bbc? untold - time ago. what damage to think this is done to the bbc? untold damage. it has is done to the bbc? untold damage. it has meant — is done to the bbc? untold damage. it has meant that _ is done to the bbc? untold damage. it has meant that there _ is done to the bbc? untold damage. it has meant that there have - is done to the bbc? untold damage. it has meant that there have been i it has meant that there have been serious questions from the public about how this cosy relationship, how it came about and whether it means that the person who had the job of being able to do the job independently and impartially. it came into sharp contrast when the whole gary lineker affair was happening, where the deck —— director—general was having to answer questions about the propriety

of his chairperson, adding to the crisis rather than dealing with it. during that time we should have had a bbc chair he was dating from the front, reassuring staff, reassuring the public that the bbc was impartial and independent. the public that the bbc was impartialand independent. he the public that the bbc was impartial and independent. he was no work to be seen because he couldn't be because he couldn't do hisjob any more because he had brought his position and the bbc into such disrepute. i really do feel that he should have been sacked weeks ago. the prime minister had the power to sack him and instead the prime minister has hidden behind this investigation, an investigation i asked for, called for. that is why the report came to me this morning, it was mine, than the prime minister should have shown more leadership weeks ago and got rid of richard sharpe and take a more immediate steps to restore trust and independence in the bbc. thank you.

so, the independence in the bbc. thank you. so. the prime — independence in the bbc. thank you. so, the prime minister _ independence in the bbc. thank you. so, the prime minister responding i independence in the bbc. thank you. so, the prime minister responding to i so, the prime minister responding to that point, saying he was not prepared to prejudge the process and it was right. he was very clear that he believed that there had to be a proper investigation and process to take place. let's get more now on what's happening on the ground in sudan and the difficulties people are facing in fleeing the country. both sides are accusing each other of breaking the ceasefire. there has been fighting in khartoum and in the darfur region. we're joined now by benedict manzin— lead analyst on the middle east and africa for the risk assessment company sibilline we have been talking a lot about khartoum. it is the capital city. sudan is huge, the size of western europe. sudan is huge, the size of western euro e. ~ ., , sudan is huge, the size of western euroe. . . , ., ,, , europe. what is happening elsewhere? yes, there europe. what is happening elsewhere? yes. there has— europe. what is happening elsewhere? yes, there has been _ europe. what is happening elsewhere? yes, there has been widespread - yes, there has been widespread fighting across parts of southern

sudan. mostly concentrated in the south—west and darfur region. that is where the greatest concentration of rsf fighters are, where a lot of their assets and resources are based. that has resulted in a broad breakdown in law and order in these parts. we have seen widespread reports of looting and shortages of goods that has resulted in local communities mobilising themselves to take care of their own self defence. in the north of the country there has been less fighting than in the south, that is because the rsf has a much more limited presence in the north. in the days before the conflict began, we saw the rsf deployed a lot of their trips to meru. there has been a lot of fighting now in that part of the

north. ~ ., fighting now in that part of the north. . . ., , ., north. we are getting lots of re orts north. we are getting lots of reports from _ north. we are getting lots of reports from west _ north. we are getting lots of reports from west darfur, i north. we are getting lots of. reports from west darfur, afp north. we are getting lots of - reports from west darfur, afp sang today 7a people have been killed in two days of fighting there. many people will remember some of the striking images and stories from the conflict in darfur. can you explain how what happened then relates to the conflict we are seeing now. that the conflict we are seeing now. it the conflict we are seeing now. it the time the government response to these various largely non—arabic rebel groups pushing back against the government due to allegations of repression, part of the government response was to utilise arabic militias to suppress those communities. there was mass killings, utilisation of sexual violence in a way to terrorise community reported to be supporting those forces. fighters from those

militias were drawn into what became the rapid support force. under previous presidents, he viewed the rapid support force as a potential counter to the military, the idea being that if he could have two distinct self interested and opposed armed forces within the country then neither could really remove him because the other would step in to prevent that happening. that didn't work. the rsf military did enter into an agreement to remove him back into an agreement to remove him back in 2019, but the divisions that created in this process of forming the separate bodies clearly persists and has led to the conflict we are seeing now. and has led to the conflict we are seeing nova— and has led to the conflict we are seeinr now. ., . ., , ., ., seeing now. now we have a situation with these two _ seeing now. now we have a situation with these two generals _ seeing now. now we have a situation with these two generals who - seeing now. now we have a situation with these two generals who are - seeing now. now we have a situation with these two generals who are not| with these two generals who are not backing down. what hope is there for those millions of sudanese people who are still trapped in the country, that there could be some

kind of peace?— country, that there could be some kind of peace? very limited. there have always _ kind of peace? very limited. there have always been _ kind of peace? very limited. there have always been personality - have always been personality differences between the military and the rsf. the rsf were given access to considerable gold mines in the south of the country, given access to significant contracts with the united arab emirates and saudi arabia. that was perceived by many in the senior officer class, many of whom are in the sudanese delete, as rewarding farmers and bandits from the south. that created a lot of enmity. that enmity was given a whole new dimension when it was demanded that the rsf should integrate into the military. how could that take place? you would be given the top job? there was an

awareness that whoever was likely going to be thejunior awareness that whoever was likely going to be the junior partner awareness that whoever was likely going to be thejunior partner in their relationship would likely be scapegoated for the atrocities in darfur and the killing of civilian protesters that took place during the last president's rain and afterit. this major political problem means there is little political will to really resolve the issue through diplomatic means because they believe at the moment they can use their military resources to either improve their position in future negotiations, overgrown negotiations at all by simply removing the other party entirely. right now there is limited political will to get anything agreed. even if there was political will, you can't enforce a ceasefire at the moment. fighting in khartoum is highly decentralised. the fighters are spread out throughout the city. forces move around quite a

lot disrupting command and control. that gives a lot of autonomy to troops on the ground to make decisions for themselves. many of these militia fighters are used to a style of warfare with scissors shoot first, ask questions later. they are distrustful of the military. they are very anxious. they will respond to perceived threats in a very unpredictable way, which will sustain these violations that we have seen three recent days and throughout these various ceasefire attempts that have been lodged. the conflict is likely to continue for the foreseeable future. it is conflict is likely to continue for the foreseeable future.- conflict is likely to continue for the foreseeable future. it is a grim assessment. _ the foreseeable future. it is a grim assessment, but _ the foreseeable future. it is a grim assessment, but sounds _ the foreseeable future. it is a grim assessment, but sounds like - the foreseeable future. it is a grim assessment, but sounds like an i assessment, but sounds like an accurate one, benedict. thank you forjoining us. there is sporadic fighting in khartoum. they have agreed to extend the ceasefire for three days. the other breaking news from sudan is that a turkish

evacuation plane coming into land outside of khartoum has been fired at. it did land safely, no one was injured, but it is usually concerning for the countries involved in the country trying to evacuate their nationals. british health care workers belonging to the unite trade union have voted to reject a government pay offer. nhs members will therefore resume their strike action 52% of the 4000 registered nhs workers in england decided to vote against the offer. unite has now said that fresh strike actions will take place across england as a result. live now to our employment correspondent, zoe conway. tell us more about the ballots. this result is not — tell us more about the ballots. this result is not a _ tell us more about the ballots. t�*i s result is not a surprise. this is what we were expecting. it was a turnout of 55%. 52% voting to reject the latest pay offer. 48% in favour, so quite a close result. what the government has been offering is a one—off payment of more than £1000

and £3000 to nhs workers, and a 5% pay increase this year. this wasn't a surprise, this result. unite are saying that they are going to continue with strike action monday and tuesday next week. there are strikers going to have a much smaller impact on the nhs than the rcn strike on monday, so it is a smaller bit of the dispute today, and other union, the gmb is going to announce this afternoon the results of their ballot. they have been asking their membership whether to accept the deal. many expect the membership of the gmb to have voted in favour of this government offer and that is really important? why because on tuesday all the health union leaderships are going to gather in one room, is called the

nhs staff council and there will be a final vote essentially on this government deal and if the gmp vote this afternoon in favour of the deal, which is what we are expecting, then it is almost certain union sources have told the bbc that the staff council on tuesday will vote in favour of this government deal. i think that is when we start to see a lot of the air coming out of this disputes.— to see a lot of the air coming out of this disputes. thank you. around the world and _ of this disputes. thank you. around the world and across the _ of this disputes. thank you. around the world and across the uk. - of this disputes. thank you. around the world and across the uk. this i of this disputes. thank you. around i the world and across the uk. this is bbc news. hello, my name's cara, and i'm eight years old. i'm eimon campbell, and i'm here at great 0rmond street hospital as my daughter is today having her infusion of her blood plasma.

so in my hand is a cannula and i have to come every four weeks for it, but every time i have it i get more and more used to it. two years ago we started noticing she was— two years ago we started noticing she was having difficulty walking. even _ she was having difficulty walking. even just — she was having difficulty walking. even just say from the car back to school _ even just say from the car back to school. when she got diagnosed with a rare _ school. when she got diagnosed with a rare autoimmune condition, and from _ a rare autoimmune condition, and from obviously then we realised she needed _ from obviously then we realised she needed blood plasma. a year down the line of— needed blood plasma. a year down the line of having these treatments, these _ line of having these treatments, these infusions of blood plasma, she is now— these infusions of blood plasma, she is now like _ these infusions of blood plasma, she is now like a — these infusions of blood plasma, she is now like a normal eight—year—old. in is now like a normal eight—year—old. in annie _ is now like a normal eight—year—old. in annie mac— is now like a normal eight—year—old. in annie mac it feels really nice that sometimes some little boys or -irls that sometimes some little boys or girls can _ that sometimes some little boys or girls can get helped by my dad or some girls can get helped by my dad some other girls can get helped by my dad r,“ some other people —— well, it feels really nice. they can get helped by them or other people when they go and get plasma. you're live with bbc news. the european space agency's first disabled astronaut has taken part in a flying exercise to experience weightlessness for the first time. john mcfall is a british amputee who uses a prosthetic leg and he is taking part in a project

to see whether an astronaut with a physical disability can live and work in space. the flight gives him a chance to use his prosthetic leg in a weightless environment. he looks pretty happy there but we can find out more because hejoins us from salford. good afternoon, and also to tell everyone you are a former british paralympian and were recruited as the space agency's first para astronaut, and you are smiling there, i hope that is because you remember that feeling of weightlessness. a big smile on your face and the pictures. how was it? yes, i am smiling because it was a great _ yes, i am smiling because it was a great experience and what a pretty unique _ great experience and what a pretty unique experience. it is difficult to describe to people what it is like until— to describe to people what it is like until you do it. but, yeah, a great _ like until you do it. but, yeah, a great experience and a good learning opportunity. why great experience and a good learning o- ortuni . ~ , great experience and a good learning ouortuni . ~ , . ., opportunity. why did you decide to a- -l for opportunity. why did you decide to apply for this? _ apply for this? well, i have always been hugely interested in science, generally, and this— interested in science, generally, and this opportunity came across my path when _ and this opportunity came across my path when i — and this opportunity came across my path when i saw they were looking for the _ path when i saw they were looking for the first time, space agency

looking — for the first time, space agency looking for someone with a physical disability— looking for someone with a physical disability to potentially be trained to he _ disability to potentially be trained to he an _ disability to potentially be trained to be an astronaut. i read the person— to be an astronaut. i read the person specification. it was hugely interesting and very inspiring, and i interesting and very inspiring, and ifelt _ interesting and very inspiring, and i felt compelled to apply. i thought, wow, what an opportunity, what a _ thought, wow, what an opportunity, what a really bold and brave question— what a really bold and brave question the european space agency were asking, to see if they could -et were asking, to see if they could get someone with physical debility to train_ get someone with physical debility to train forand get someone with physical debility to train for and live and work in space — to train for and live and work in sace. , ., , to train for and live and work in sace. , space. john, it 'ust looks so cool actually and — space. john, it 'ust looks so cool actually and l — space. john, itjust looks so cool actually and i think— space. john, itjust looks so cool actually and i think it _ space. john, itjust looks so cool actually and i think it is - space. john, itjust looks so cool actually and i think it is because| actually and i think it is because even from when you are young, i mean every child wants to experience this exact thing you have just gone through. tell is a bit more about what it was like and how long it take to get some sense of control that my how long it took. i’m take to get some sense of control that my how long it took.- that my how long it took. i'm not sure, that my how long it took. i'm not sure. and — that my how long it took. i'm not sure. and you — that my how long it took. i'm not sure, and you can _ that my how long it took. i'm not sure, and you can probably - that my how long it took. i'm not sure, and you can probably tell. that my how long it took. i'm not. sure, and you can probably tell from the videos _ sure, and you can probably tell from the videos i — sure, and you can probably tell from the videos i don't have any sense of control _ the videos i don't have any sense of control we — the videos i don't have any sense of control. we did 16 parabolas and you -et control. we did 16 parabolas and you get about— control. we did 16 parabolas and you get about 16 feelings of weightlessness per parabola but it was interesting to feel how my body

would _ was interesting to feel how my body would feel_ was interesting to feel how my body would feel in a weightlessness environment and howl would feel in a weightlessness environment and how i would interact with the _ environment and how i would interact with the prosthesis, well it was a useful— with the prosthesis, well it was a useful learning exercise. what does it mean now? _ useful learning exercise. what does it mean now? will— useful learning exercise. what does it mean now? will you _ useful learning exercise. what does it mean now? will you be _ useful learning exercise. what does it mean now? will you be able - useful learning exercise. what does it mean now? will you be able to i useful learning exercise. what does | it mean now? will you be able to go to space? do you get a choice? i think, personally, idon't to space? do you get a choice? i think, personally, i don't have the choice _ think, personally, i don't have the choice i_ think, personally, i don't have the choice i am — think, personally, i don't have the choice. i am going to be in a position— choice. i am going to be in a position where we are going to try to answer— position where we are going to try to answer the questions of whether we can— to answer the questions of whether we can train someone with a physical disability— we can train someone with a physical disability to — we can train someone with a physical disability to go to space and address— disability to go to space and address those issues, and hopefully one day, _ address those issues, and hopefully one day, you know, we can demonstrate there are no show stoppers — demonstrate there are no show stoppers and maybe one day i will be allocated _ stoppers and maybe one day i will be allocated to go on flights. you stoppers and maybe one day i will be allocated to go on flights.— allocated to go on flights. you are allocated to go on flights. you are a practising _ allocated to go on flights. you are a practising doctor, _ allocated to go on flights. you are a practising doctor, i— allocated to go on flights. you are a practising doctor, i understand. | a practising doctor, i understand. has this in any way, john can help you prepare?— has this in any way, john can help you prepare? practising as a doctor hel-ed to you prepare? practising as a doctor helped to prepare _ you prepare? practising as a doctor helped to prepare for _ you prepare? practising as a doctor helped to prepare for this? - you prepare? practising as a doctor helped to prepare for this? yeah, l helped to prepare for this? yeah, eve hinl helped to prepare for this? yeah, everything you — helped to prepare for this? yeah, everything you have _ helped to prepare for this? yeah, everything you have been - helped to prepare for this? yeah, l everything you have been through. certainly as a doctor the ability to assimilate — certainly as a doctor the ability to assimilate large volumes of information in short periods of time and retain— information in short periods of time and retain knowledge and that sort of thing _ and retain knowledge and that sort of thing will be very useful in the

training — of thing will be very useful in the training for being an astronaut, but ithink— training for being an astronaut, but i think the — training for being an astronaut, but i think the life skills, and obviously the medicine and the science — obviously the medicine and the science and everything behind medicine as well certainly has helped — medicine as well certainly has helped me, as well as working under pressure _ helped me, as well as working under pressure, working at nights, a regular— pressure, working at nights, a regular hours, standing in theatre for long _ regular hours, standing in theatre for long periods of time without brakes— for long periods of time without brakes -- — for long periods of time without brakes —— irregular hours. i think all of— brakes —— irregular hours. i think all of those — brakes —— irregular hours. i think all of those things lend themselves quite well to training for this particular task. quite well to training for this particulartask. | quite well to training for this particular task.— quite well to training for this articular task. . ., particular task. i made that quite swee . inl particular task. i made that quite sweeping statement _ particular task. i made that quite sweeping statement that - particular task. i made that quite sweeping statement that when . particular task. i made that quite l sweeping statement that when we particular task. i made that quite - sweeping statement that when we are small they want to grow up and be asked are not an experience weightlessness, but did you? is there something you always wanted to do and dreamt of doing? it is interesting. _ do and dreamt of doing? it is interesting, i— do and dreamt of doing? it is interesting, i have _ do and dreamt of doing? it is interesting, i have been asked that before _ interesting, i have been asked that before you — interesting, i have been asked that before. you know what, i never dreamt — before. you know what, i never dreamt of— before. you know what, i never dreamt of being an as do not, per se, dreamt of being an as do not, per se though— dreamt of being an as do not, per se though i— dreamt of being an as do not, per se, though i think everybody dreams of what _ se, though i think everybody dreams of what it— se, though i think everybody dreams of what it would be like, absolutely. i think what drove me to end up— absolutely. i think what drove me to end up where i am at the moment is 'ust end up where i am at the moment is justa_ end up where i am at the moment is just a huge _ end up where i am at the moment is just a huge curiosity and desire to explore _ just a huge curiosity and desire to explore science. i have always been interested _ explore science. i have always been interested in science, then this opportunity came across my path and i 'ust opportunity came across my path and ilust had _ opportunity came across my path and ilust had to — opportunity came across my path and ijust had to take it.—

ijust had to take it. john, it has been great _ ijust had to take it. john, it has been great talking _ ijust had to take it. john, it has been great talking to _ ijust had to take it. john, it has been great talking to you, - ijust had to take it. john, it has been great talking to you, and l ijust had to take it. john, it has i been great talking to you, and also the pictures are so wonderful as well. it does look fun. thanks so much. there's been growing concern about the impact of concussion thanks. —— there's been growing concern about the impact of concussion for people playing amateur sport. in the uk, that being addressed with new guidance for clubs to manage head injuries. anyone with suspected concussion should be removed immediately from the pitch to rest for at least 21l hours — and players with definite symptoms should not return to competitive sport for at least 21 days. 0ur health correspondent, jim reed reports. fast, fun, and at times, high impact. this team of under 15s are training hard in west london. your heads up here, yeah? that's where it's going to get, bang. here, players are learning how to tackle as safely as possible, how to protect themselves from a blow which could lead to a head injury. i think everyone kind of worries about getting injured. i think the main one that i kind of worry about is head injuries, which is a big focus

of what everyone really is now. everyone knows the risks of going into rugby, and everyone's safe with their tackles and how they conduct themselves, and especially with heads as well. it can ruin someone's career if it's bad. there's different ways of tackling. at clubs like this, coaches say player safety has been transformed over the last decade. when i was a child, it was very much if you got an injury, it was, "right, get them off, bandage them up, straight back on again." and i think there was this sort of worry about being able to speak up. the kids, they have a voice now. that means in times of them having something like a concussion, they're much more likely to express how they're feeling. use it! the runner! until now, it's often been left up to individual clubs and sporting bodies to set their own rules when it comes to dealing with head injuries. now, though, new national guidelines have been drawn up to better protect children and adults across the uk.

the recommendations, based on earlier scottish guidance, say a player with suspected concussion must be removed immediately. they should be checked by a medic, or nhs111, within 21l hours. if there's a red flag symptom, like double vision, they must be assessed urgently, or go to a&e. have a shot. and crucially, any player with a head injury should not return to competitive sport, like football or rugby, for at least three weeks. and we don't want to put people off enjoying their sport and participating in it, but we do need to recognise that if there's a concussion, we need to raise awareness that that concussion needs to be actively managed in a similar way to if you've had a hip injury ora knee injury — you wouldn't just carry on playing, you'd come off and you can actively manage it so you don't make it worse. in rare cases, the consequences can be fatal. in 2011, 14—year—old ben robinson from northern ireland collapsed

on the rugby pitch after multiple blows to the head. ben's death was so preventable. his father told me he welcomed the new guidance, but said the attitude of some in sport still needs to shift. slowly it is changing. like we say, you can have all the protocols in the world, but if the culture of the coach is, "i need my best player up and playing", it goes out the window. it's reallyjust getting everybody the same awareness and the same education. it's hoped stronger guidance can now raise standards across all sports, allowing players like these to enjoy the game they love, while better protecting young heads and young minds. jim reed, bbc news. after talking to sick and i am pleased to say we have some live pictures coming to us from space right now. this man is due to become the first arab to... he has

travelled to the international space station as part of nasa's mission and will be the first arab man to perform a space walk, we understand, so we will be keeping a close eye on that as well. hello. the bank holiday weekend just around the corner and the chance of some heavy showers coming into the weekend as well. it feels warmer, the cloud slowly breaking up and thinning to low temperatures in the south—east to reach 18, maybe even 90 degrees. 0ne south—east to reach 18, maybe even 90 degrees. one or two showers around particularly across northern ireland and those will tend to fade away during this evening. for many parts will be dry over night with some breaks in the cloud, leading to a bit of mist and fog you in there and thickening cloud could bring wetter weather to parts of mainland scotland. temperatures similar to last night, a mild 4—7. heading into tomorrow for much of scotland it could be quite cloudy, as in the

north of england, a chance of rain too. 0ther north of england, a chance of rain too. other parts of the uk could see some brighter weather and some sunshine which might trigger a few more showers and some could be heavy, for example in northern ireland, parts of england and wales, but for much of the midlands towards east anglia and the south—east it will be dry and this is where we will be dry and this is where we will see the warmest of the weather. it could reach 20 degrees for the first time in england on saturday. notice quite a lot colder under the cloud in scotland and the north—east of england. cold air never too far away from the north of scotland. for much of the country, a milder and warm air coming and more from the south. but that brings the chance of more showers, probably sooner on sunday and perhaps more widely as well with the risk of some thunderstorms in there as well. perhaps once again with east anglia and the south east of england living and the south east of england living a charmed life, staying dry wood some sunshine, temperatures 18 or 19 here. still could make 16 with the heavier showers northern ireland. quite a few heavier showers on sunday, they drift eastwards during the evening and overnight and on

bank holiday monday this high—pressure tries to building from the west. a slow process, so we still have some showers and the bulk of those, the heavier ones, likely to be across east anglia and the south—east this time. getting the showers here eventually. the odd showers here eventually. the odd shower is possible elsewhere but for the most part it will be drier with some sunshine. a northerly breeze in northern scotland, hence the cooler air but in the sunshine elsewhere temperatures typically 16 or 17. over the bank holiday weekend we have some warmer weather, there will be heavy showers around in a bit drier on monday then into next week it is drier but also a bit cooler.

the chairman of the bbc, richard sharp, resigns after breaching the rules on public appointments. an independent report found he failed to disclose potential perceived conflicts of interest before his interview for the role. i would like once again to apologise for that oversight, inadvertent though it was, and for the destruction these events have caused the bbc. —— for the distraction. also on the programme this lunchtime: at least 18 people have died after russia launched a new wave of air strikes on cities across ukraine. as a ceasefire in sudan is extended by three days — the foreign office urges all british citizens who want to leave the country to come forward quickly. this is the closest that we can get to the experience

of being an astronaut.