tv BBC News BBC News April 29, 2023 2:00am-2:31am BST
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live from washington. this is bbc news. welcome to viewers on pbs in america. fighting in sudan rages on, as thousands are fleeing the country. the leader of the rsf militia group tells the bbc he won't negotiate until fighting ends. airstrikes across ukraine. brazilian president lula creates six new indigenous reserves in an effort to protect the rainforest. hello, i'm sumi somaskanda in washington, this is bbc news. in sudan fighting continues despite an extrended ceasefire.
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the army and the rival militia group, the rsf — or rapid support forces — are blaming each other. airstrikes and gunfire were reported in khartoum and nearby cities — you can see some of the destruction here. at least 512 people have been killed and more than 4000 injured in the conflict. the united nations said the actual casualty figures are likely much higher. in an exclusive interview, our presenter zeinab badawi spoke with rsf leader general mohamed hamdan dagalo, also known as hemed'ti. here's what he has to say. i wanted to put it to you that the people of sudan are living in an absolute ordeal. what would it take for you to allow humanitarian corridors? first of all, i would _ humanitarian corridors? first of all, i would like _ humanitarian corridors? first of all, i would like to - humanitarian corridors? first of all, i would like to thank. of all, i would like to thank the — of all, i would like to thank the bbc_ of all, i would like to thank the bbc for the interview regarding the truce. we have been — regarding the truce. we have been asked for it from the
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first— been asked for it from the first day— been asked for it from the first day of the war. we started _ first day of the war. we started the humanitarian corridor_ started the humanitarian corridor straightaway. he opened _ corridor straightaway. he opened these corridors within the areas _ opened these corridors within the areas controlled by our forces _ the areas controlled by our forces. we started to choose from — forces. we started to choose from side. we are working for the sake _ from side. we are working for the sake of the civilians and our— the sake of the civilians and our fight _ the sake of the civilians and our fight is on the behalf of the civilians. we have no problems with these corridors and we — problems with these corridors and we are hoping the diplomatic missions. the sudanese people acknowledge the areas _ sudanese people acknowledge the areas under our control. we are working — areas under our control. we are working hands and feet to help others — working hands and feet to help others. we have no problem with these _ others. we have no problem with these corridors whatsoever. we have no problem with these corridors whatsoever. the worsening fighting prompts many sudanese and foreign nationals to escape — our correspondent chris ewokor is on the ground in chad where hundreds of families are passing through in their journey to leave the country. another refugee coming into this camp, there are over 4000 refugees registered here and more
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are being processed. this makeshift camp has become a temporary home to thousands of people fleeing the fight in sudan. the majority of the people here are from the western region of sudan, which until recently had been engulfed in a 20 year conflict. in a twist of fate, the two generals who had fought together side by side in the fall are now squaring it out against each other in a bid to control sudan. and caught in this crossfire by the civilian population. majority of the people here, it is like double tragedy. surviving and suffering a two decade long conflict. 0n the two now start fleeing their home again due to the new fighting in sudan. i spoke to a woman who told me people were being killed and her village. she had to flee with her
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four children, leaving her husband behind. the united nations and humanitarian agencies are now racing against time to try to provide food and shelter for the refugees. 0bservers of the sudanese conflict say with the new trend, more people are likely to flee into chad. the country is already the largest host of sudanese refugees. chad ewokor, bbc news, at the border of chad and sudan. in ukraine — where president zelensky says that beating russia is now the main task for everyone in europe and across the free world. he was speaking as rescuers continued to search for survivors of russia's latest missile attack that killed at least 25 people including children. for the first time in more than 50 days, the capital, kyiv came under heavy fire. some of the worst attacks were in the country's centre and south — in the town of uman — which had largely been
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spared until now — and city of dnipro. these pictures are from uman, showing a nine storey apartment building after it had been hit while many were sleeping. the russian defence ministry said, without evidence, that its military had targeted ukrainian army reserve units with the strikes. the bbc�*s hugo bachega sent this update. this entire section of the building collapsed. people were sleeping when this attack happened so residents were trapped under the rubble. it has been more than ten hours since the attack happened. the authority said at least three children were killed here in oman, a town far away from the 0man, a town far away from the front lines. there have been also attacks in dnipro and in the capital kyiv and the
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devastation could have been much worse if it had not been for the work of the country's defence. the military said two of the 23 missiles fired by russia were intercepted. and reacting to these attacks, president zelensky said it was another night of the russian terror and that this wouldn't be forgiven. let's speak more about the war. joining me live is michael 0' hanlon, foreign policy at the brookings institution, and rajan menon, director of the grand strategy program at defense priorities2. thank you forjoining us. what do you think these strikes tell us about russia's strategy right now? in the mag well, at one level, they are just more of the same, of course. it is a strategy attempted over the winter primarily, it failed. if the goal visually to break ukrainian will somehow make the world feel that putting could keep turning up the pain, turning up the volume, and he would always have some new trick up his sleeve because
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even though there is a tax through ukraine showed its resolve and its metal in soldiering on both literally on the battlefield and also in its civilian life, its economy, its cities, the will of its people. on the other hand, russia is 0n the other hand, russia is trying to make sure that we don't get too complacent about where this live standard if it was not for these types of russian attacks are russia threatening to not renew the deal which allows for the world food markets to be benefiting from russian and ukrainian exports are other things that russia continues to do to throw in a monkey wrench then moscow might feel like the narrative was being lost that we were all worrying, thinking about ukraine's spring offensive and thinking the momentum is on ukraine's side and i think putin wants to remind us that no, he has always got more things he can do to make things complicated, to make life difficult and even deadly for
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ukrainians and others so it is put in staying relevant. it is not a big deal. it is not going to change the course of anything that is preventing anything that is preventing anything else from having a narrative of positivity with regards to ukraine.- narrative of positivity with regards to ukraine. what you think? is _ regards to ukraine. what you think? is this _ regards to ukraine. what you think? is this about - regards to ukraine. what you think? is this about the - think? is this about the narrative here and put in taking control of that again? i think it is a break to ukrainian morale and it is done exactly the opposite. i’zfe ukrainian morale and it is done exactly the opposite.— exactly the opposite. i've been to all of the — exactly the opposite. i've been to all of the towns _ exactly the opposite. i've been to all of the towns that - exactly the opposite. i've been to all of the towns that were i to all of the towns that were hit hit — to all of the towns that were hit hit today apart from oman. and every— hit hit today apart from oman. and every time there are such attacks, — and every time there are such attacks, ukraine... idon't think— attacks, ukraine... idon't thinkthey— attacks, ukraine... idon't think they are very much military— think they are very much military consequence. what we have _ military consequence. what we have to — military consequence. what we have to look too to see where the battle lines are is the upcoming ukrainian offensive which — upcoming ukrainian offensive which i — upcoming ukrainian offensive which i think will be primarily launched _ which i think will be primarily launched from the south. one other— launched from the south. one other thing, launched from the south. one otherthing, it is launched from the south. one other thing, it is true that these _ other thing, it is true that
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these attacks are not of direct military— these attacks are not of direct military consequence but they do add — military consequence but they do add to the colossal damage that ukraine has suffered in the estimates range, the construction between $444 billion, _ construction between $444 billion, that is the world bank. _ billion, that is the world bank, and 750 which is the ukraines— bank, and 750 which is the ukraine's finance estimate. you mention that _ ukraine's finance estimate. wi, mention that impending ukrainian counter offensive which we are expecting. looking at where things stand right now do think ukraine is in the position to make a breakthrough? position to make a breakthrou~h? , ., ., breakthrough? they have about nine brigades _ breakthrough? they have about nine brigades trained _ breakthrough? they have about nine brigades trained up - breakthrough? they have about nine brigades trained up by - breakthrough? they have about nine brigades trained up by the | nine brigades trained up by the west— nine brigades trained up by the west which is roughly between 35 and — west which is roughly between 35 and 40,000 people. the west has supplied a good bit of the setter— has supplied a good bit of the setter promised. ukraine has now— setter promised. ukraine has now from _ setter promised. ukraine has now from the west about 1500 additional armoured vehicles, infantry— additional armoured vehicles, infantry fighting vehicles and armoured personnel carriers. air defence systems. so they are ready— air defence systems. so they are ready to go. the reason i
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think— are ready to go. the reason i think it — are ready to go. the reason i think it will be in the south is, the _ think it will be in the south is, the way i read to the battlefield, think they will attacks on two axes. from two different — attacks on two axes. from two different provinces, into the russian _ different provinces, into the russian held two provinces, and try to _ russian held two provinces, and try to cut— russian held two provinces, and try to cut the land to crimea. if try to cut the land to crimea. if they— try to cut the land to crimea. if they succeed russians have been — if they succeed russians have been some significant difficulty. so far, mind you, most — difficulty. so far, mind you, most of— difficulty. so far, mind you, most of the action has taken place — most of the action has taken place in _ most of the action has taken place in donbas which consists of two — place in donbas which consists of two ukrainian provinces but the centre of gravity, then, will— the centre of gravity, then, will shift _ the centre of gravity, then, will shift on the spring offensive on the ground hardens. offensive on the ground hardens— offensive on the ground hardens. ~ , , ., hardens. also see this as a possible — hardens. also see this as a possible turning _ hardens. also see this as a possible turning point? - hardens. also see this as a l possible turning point? that hardens. also see this as a . possible turning point? that is ureat possible turning point? that is great military _ possible turning point? that is great military analysis - possible turning point? that is great military analysis and - possible turning point? that is great military analysis and i i great military analysis and i can do any better than that propose a better battle plan but of course we are all talking about these ukrainian battle plans in the open and the russian is are part of the conversation. they know it is going to be attempted. and i don't think ukraine is likely to achieve major breakthroughs.
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there is a possibility that, at some point, the so—called land bridge from russia to crimea is severed but russia has already supplied crimea for eight years without having a land bridge and my guess is they can continue to do so now so what i am expecting and i hope i am wrong, ukraine will make modest but only modest gains in the spring offensive and russia, having been fortified by this mobilisation that putin carried out, having a lot of trench lines, having anti—tank weapons, will perhaps be able to limitjust how far and how deep the ukraine can penetrate with these brigades. 0n the other hand, nine brigades is
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not a trivial force and if they can really do fantastic combined arms manoeuvres, even without much of an air force, who knows? but my money is in favour of predicting a relatively modest set of games for ukraine in the spring. let's zoom out a bit because i want to ask you about what we saw the leaked pentagon document which was washington expressing some concerns about ukraine's ability to counter russia's attacks. concerns about ukraine's air defences as well. publicly washington says it is standing behind ukraine but you think behind closed doors, aside from dissenting republican voices, in the white house that narrative could change? house that narrative could chance? , �* ., change? yes. but not necessarily _ change? yes. but not necessarily in - change? yes. but not necessarily in a - change? yes. but not. necessarily in a complete change? yes. but not - necessarily in a complete 180 degrees fashion. i don't think there are even many republicans and certainly not many in the biden administration who would somehow leave ukraine high and dry and just cut off assistance altogether. i think the more likely dynamic here is, after we have seen the spring offensive, we will take stock offensive, we will take stock of what we think is militarily
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and strategically realistic for the next round of fighting and have tough conversations with ukrainians about whether they have to lower their ambitions in bed. not to concede territory to russia, per se, but to perhaps have a negotiation of a ceasefire where they acknowledge that it will not get all the land back now and may be neither ten, 20, 30 year time horizon of that land could perhaps be recovered to referenda, some has to outweigh pretends stay in the kremlin. in the meantime, you make the best you can with a 90% or 85% of the country you still hold. ithink 90% or 85% of the country you still hold. i think those kinds of debates or conversations may well happen later this year. i want to hear what you think about that as well. to think the spring offensive could be very significant in how the biden administration sees war going forward? mar; biden administration sees war going forward?— biden administration sees war going forward? may i come back to moment _ going forward? may i come back to moment to — going forward? may i come back to moment to the _ going forward? may i come back to moment to the land - going forward? may i come back to moment to the land bridge i to moment to the land bridge issue — to moment to the land bridge issue is— to moment to the land bridge issue. is notjust the difficulty of supplying to crimea. it is important to supply— crimea. it is important to supply crimea because the bridge _ supply crimea because the bridge will not be operational again— bridge will not be operational again untiljuly so the land bridge _ again untiljuly so the land bridge is important. the point of severing the land bridge,
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and — of severing the land bridge, and it— of severing the land bridge, and it is— of severing the land bridge, and it is a _ of severing the land bridge, and it is a big if, if they succeed. _ and it is a big if, if they succeed, despite the russian forces — succeed, despite the russian forces if— succeed, despite the russian forces. if the offensive succeeds, there will be enormous pressure on the west to keep _ enormous pressure on the west to keep the momentum going. on the other— to keep the momentum going. on the other hand, if the ukrainian suffer loss there will — ukrainian suffer loss there will be _ ukrainian suffer loss there will be a _ ukrainian suffer loss there will be a decision point where we ask— will be a decision point where we ask ourselves how much more to be _ we ask ourselves how much more to be pumped into ukraine to help— to be pumped into ukraine to help them succeed? i am on balance _ help them succeed? i am on balance optimistic because the performance of the russian army has been — performance of the russian army has been brutal and completely incompetent and allow is on the ukrainian — incompetent and allow is on the ukrainian side because they are defending their own country. unless — defending their own country. unless you both one must question in 15 or 20 seconds each. what you make of the call between china and ukraine this week? china's perspective on it involvement? the week? china's perspective on it involvement?— week? china's perspective on it involvement? the chinese peace lan calls involvement? the chinese peace plan calls for— involvement? the chinese peace plan calls for a — involvement? the chinese peace plan calls for a ceasefire - involvement? the chinese peace plan calls for a ceasefire and - plan calls for a ceasefire and some — plan calls for a ceasefire and some people interpreted that to
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mean _ some people interpreted that to mean the president wants the existing — mean the president wants the existing battle lines are frozen _ existing battle lines are frozen in place before the chinese _ frozen in place before the chinese have said that ultimately there should ceasefire. they said nothing at all about — ceasefire. they said nothing at all about the ultimate territory. it remains to be seen _ territory. it remains to be seen the _ territory. it remains to be seen. the two sides are very far apart _ seen. the two sides are very far apart in _ seen. the two sides are very farapart in terms seen. the two sides are very far apart in terms of what they regard — far apart in terms of what they regard as _ far apart in terms of what they regard as a minimally acceptable settlement. and your thou . hts acceptable settlement. and your thoughts very — acceptable settlement. and your thoughts very quickly? _ acceptable settlement. and your thoughts very quickly? you - thoughts very quickly? you might very quickly, yes, we should hope that china can be helpful here. they've been too friendly to put in, we all know that, but we shouldn't give up on the chinese potentially a moderately useful role and the peace plan is not so bad if you think about it calmly and fairly so think the western reaction to have been so negative and so categorical was a mistake. very interesting perspectives there. great to have you with us. thank you. to the uk now and the bbc chairman, richard sharp, has resigned after accepting
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the findings of a critical report, which found he'd failed to be transparent about his dealings with borisjohnson to the panel interviewing him for the job. the controversy centred on his involvement in facilitating an £800,000 loan guarantee for mrjohnson, who was prime minister at the time, and who signed off on his appointment as bbc chairman. mr sharp is to stand down injune from the role, which is meant to defend the bbc�*s standards and values. he said it would be a distraction for him to remain in thejob. so why is the bbc chairman appointed by the uk prime minister and what is the chairman's role? our analysis editor ros atkins explains. richard sharp's resignation raises questions for the bbc, for the government and about how power works in britain. the job at the centre of the story is bbc chair. the chair leads the bbc board, which has to ensure the bbc delivers its commitments to the country and is tasked with upholding and protecting the independence of the bbc. and appointing a bbc chair isn't for the bbc to do. it's a government decision, ultimately a prime
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minister's decision. and in 2021 it was boris johnson who appointed richard sharp. but now mr sharp has resigned after breaching the rules of the appointment process. first, he failed to declare that he told borisjohnson that he wanted the job before he applied for it. the next issue also concerns mrjohnson. let's bring in a canadian millionaire called sam blythe. he wanted to offer the former prime minister financial help with a loan guarantee. and he asked his friend richard sharpe if he could make a connection to do that. richard sharp spoke to the cabinet secretary, head of the civil service, simon case. mr sharp thought that was sufficient disclosure. today's report found that it wasn't. and as we've been hearing, richard sharp says he now regrets not mentioning that conversation. and that oversight brought risks for the bbc because, while the bbc didn't appoint richard sharp, its director—general tim davie has been vocal on impartiality. this story risked undermining that message and in the end,
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it's worth emphasising that all of this has happened because of a failure to mention one conversation, not because the bbc chair is a long time acquaintance of the prime minister who appointed him, not because the bbc chair was a donor to the ruling party, not because each bbc chair is chosen by the government of the day. for better or for worse, this is all within the system. but there are renewed questions about whether it should be. brazil's president, luiz inacio lula da silva, has created six new indigenous reserves. here he is signing the decree at a summit in brasilia on friday. the new reserves are the first to be created since 2018 and mark a shift in policy from the former president, jair bolsonaro. he resisted granting indigenous people any special privileges. environmental campaigners see the creation of the new reserves as key to protecting the rainforest. mr lula da silva said recognising indigenous land was important to ensure brazil reached the target of zero deforestation by 2030.
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live now to phoebe hopson — the bbc�*s latin america regional editor. tell us more about what these reserves are all about. president lula da silva symbolically signed this decree on the last day of an indigenous summit in the capital. he has created six more reserves, two are in the amazon and the ells are and elsewhere in the country but they commit the brazilian state to protecting from illegal mining and logos and grant the indigenous people on the land exclusive use of the natural resources. he also went and promised that he said on twitter is welcome he wanted to create as many indigenous reserves as possible during his time in government. in brazil, where indigenous land is protected, in the constitution,
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but to have these demarcated territories geographically defined with these protections takes a long legal process of what we saw today was six more of those being enshrined in law. ~ , . of those being enshrined in law. . , ., , .,~ law. why are we seeing him take the step now? — law. why are we seeing him take the step now? why _ law. why are we seeing him take the step now? why are - law. why are we seeing him take the step now? why are we - law. why are we seeing him take| the step now? why are we seeing lula da silva take the steps now? it looks like we're having a little bit of a problem there with our line but that was phoebe hobson, the bbc�*s in latin america correspondence there and thanks to phoebe. a british paralympian and surgeon, who's been recruited as the european space agency's first para—astronaut, has been given a taste of what life will be like in orbit. john mcfall, who lost a leg in an accident when he was a teenager, is taking part in a groundbreaking project. 0ur science editor rebecca morelle joined him on a test flight.
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woohoo! john mcfall is an astronaut candidate with a difference. amazing! he's an amputee. he lost his leg in a motorcycle accident when he was a teenager. esa had announced that they were looking for astronauts with a physical disability. i looked at the personal specification and i kind of went, yeah, i've got that, yeah, i like doing that, i've got this degree, yep. oh, yeah, that sounds good. i was like, this sounds really interesting. john's getting his first taste of space on a parabolic flight where you experience periods of weightlessness. the flight works by the plain are climbing extremely steeply. it takes a team of three to control the manoeuvre. the plane then arcs to complete its descent. here we go. i joined john for his and my first flight. 0h! 0h, help! i want to come down. 0h! it's like the ground. it's moving away from you. it's really hard to actually
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control where you're going. as you can see, it's hard to master. this is the closest that we can get to experience of what being an astronaut is like. john, how are you finding it? look at this! i mean, where do you get this? how did this happen? 0h! the flight is a chance to see howjohn's prosthesis responds to weightlessness. in normal gravity, if you look here, the knee bends under normal gravity. but when you go into zero g, you'll probably see, i'm floating around with the leg straight because that gravity isn't there. each parabola is a learning opportunity. it is! and this is what the project is all about. working out what needs to be adapted for a person with a disability to live and work in space. john's not guaranteed a mission, but this flight has whet his appetite. still happy with signing up to be an astronaut? absolutely, absolutely, yeah. you haven't made a terrible mistake? not at all! i can't wait.
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so, forjohn mcfall, watch this space. rebecca morelle, bbc news. in other news... a 5 percent pay rise offered to national health service staff in england is likely to get majority union backing. a major union representing ambulance workers and others says its members are in favor, making it likely that most of the 14 nhs unions will support the deal when they meet ministers next week. children and parents in the uk are bracing for more disruption as teachers in england prepare to strike again. members of the national education union in england won't work on tuesday. it's the start of the fifth day of national strike action this year with the union seeking higher pay for teachers. pope francis, who's in hungary, has urged europe not to fall prey to populism, and has warned of rising nationalism on the continent. he also appealed for openness to different languages and customs. nick thorpe has more.
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this is st stephen's basilica, the main church or cathedral in downtown budapest where, in the last few moments, pope francis has finished an address to the catholic clergy, to the catholic clergy, to the catholic faithful, many of them inside the church and many more outside here in the square. he has had a are busy and eventful first day in budapest. he went straight the airport this morning to a meeting with political leaders including the prime minister. two of those dignitaries, he made a major speech with a message to everyone. to the hungarians to show more kindness and open christian heartedness to refugees and strangers. to europe, to end its divisions
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and work harder to show more creative energy, as he put it, to ending the terrible war in ukraine. he also had words of praise for his hungarian hosts for their defence of the traditionalfamily and for their defence of the traditional family and their support offered to persecuted christians around the world. it has taken the pope ten years to get to hungary for a major pastoral visit. get to hungary for a major pastoralvisit. he get to hungary for a major pastoral visit. he has got a packed programme and it seems a lot to say. and before we go, new york is hosting the 63rd annual antiquarian book fair. rare books, photographs, maps and manuscripts are all for sale, for the right price. among the treasures are a first edition ofj—k rowlings's "harry potter and the philosopher's stone." that's on sale for $225,000. it was about 18 bucks when first released. and theree's a map dating from the 14th century. that'll cost you more than seven—million dollars. also on offer: letters written by charles darwin. an atlas from the 1600s. and original drawings from designer karl lagerfeld. not exactly the airport gift shop.
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stay with us here on bbc news. hello. the bank holiday weekend is upon us, and the weather is looking a little mixed, but, you know, overall, it's not going to be too bad. plenty of sunny spells in the forecast, but one or two showers, and some of them could be heavy. let's have a look at the big picture. across our neck of the woods, so a low pressure in the north atlantic, a large one, and it's helping to draw in a warm atmosphere from the southern climes. in fact, mild air coming all the way from the azores. but the very far north of scotland, under the influence of a colder current of air from the north. so here is the forecast for the early morning,
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for saturday, and it's a sort of mild—ish start to the day. it's certainly not frosty out there, 5—10 celsius in some spots. a lot of cloud in the morning, first thing, particularly across the northern half of the uk. and then showers are expected to develop from wales, the midlands, the north—west of england, certainly in northern ireland, maybe one or two in scotland as well. the best of the sunshine and the warmest weather will be across the south. take a look at these temperatures, 19 or 20 celsius in london, about that as far west as cardiff. but in scotland, chilly, only 7 celsius expected in aberdeen. in fact, it will be chilly right along the north sea coast. here's a look at sunday, i think there'll be quite a few showers around, hit and miss, sure, but some thunderstorms are possible in northern ireland, so there could be some downpours. again, the best of the weather on sunday further towards the south and east, temperatures in the high teens, but more typically, it'll be around about 15—16 celsius. so that's the end of sunday. how about the bank holiday itself? well, overall, again, not looking bad for most of us. high pressure is close by, particularly out towards the west. but weather fronts also
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affecting the north of scotland, and also showers are in the forecast for east anglia and the south—east. and, again, there could be one or two downpours. so after a sunny saturday and sunday, showers on the cards for london and the south—east. elsewhere, variable amounts of cloud and actually not looking too bad at all. look at that, 17 in newcastle, around 16 in belfast. let's look at the outlook, then, for the week ahead. so here's that little mixed weekend, and then into next week, i think the temperatures will ease somewhat, but overall the weather isn't looking too bad. bye— bye.
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you're watching bbc news. the headlines and latest news follow at the top of the hour, after this programme. i'm michaela strachan, a wildlife presenter with a passion for conservation. for the past 35 years, my work has taken me all over the world and in that time, i've seen huge changes — many due to climate change. in extreme conservation, we travel to different countries, meeting inspirational people... hello! ..with new ideas. this time, i'm in the maldives.
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