live from london, this is bbc news. i'm lukwesa burak. president biden expresses optimism that a deal will soon be reached with republicans to raise the us government debt ceiling. it's the final day of campaigning in turkey ahead of one of the country's most divisive presidential elections, where the economy and immigration are key voter concerns. south africa's ruling party admits to the bbc that it may lose its political majority if it can't fix the country's ongoing energy crisis.

hello, i'm lukwesa burak. president biden has said a deal with republicans to raise the us government debt ceiling is very close and he's optimistic it will be achieved. the two sides have a little more breathing room after the treasury secretary, janet yellen, extended the deadline slightly, saying the government would not run out of money untiljune 5. they're working on an agreement that would ensure no repeat of the stand—off before next year's presidential election. as the clock ticked down to the midnight deadline — which hasjust passed — mr biden hinted a deal might be not be too far away. with regards to the debt limit, things are looking good. i'm very optimistic. i hope we'll have some clearer evidence tonight, before the clock strikes 12:00,

that we have a deal. but it's very close and i'm optimistic. and our north america correspondent nomia iqbal sent us this update. lawmakers have now been given a little more time to find that much—needed solution. many of them have now left the capital, gone home, it is memorial day, a holiday weekend, but they will get 2a hours notice to return if and when deal is reached. in her latest letter, the treasury secretary janet yellen warned the us of what is at stake. the country will fail to pay obligations, it says, if the debt ceiling is not raised or suspended by during the fifth. there are reports both sides have struck a deal in which republicans get the reduced federal spending they want and the democrats get to spare a lot of their domestic programmes from significant cuts. it is also said to be a two—year deal which means it won't become a political issue again until after the 2024 presidential election but any

deal would have to be bipartisan and there is huge pressure from the left and right in both parties do not cave into each other or, in some cases, do not cut a deal at all. nomia iqbal. we can now speak to kenneth judd, who is a seniorfellow at the hoover institution. he specialises in macroeconomics, public finance, and computational economics. thank you forjoining us here on bbc news. first off, what would happen in the united states if a default were to take place?— states if a default were to take lace? ~ . , take place? well, technically, a default is — take place? well, technically, a default is when _ take place? well, technically, a default is when you - take place? well, technically, a default is when you don't i take place? well, technically, | a default is when you don't pay your interest payments on the debt. 0r your interest payments on the debt. or you don't make a payment on something that you own. now, but the technical definition. —— owe. what would happen beyond that is, i suspect, much more dramatic. you see, the economic stability

of the world economy in the last 78 years has been, has relied on the soundness of american economic policy, the particular soundness of the dollar and the debt of the federal government, which is used by many governments as a reserve currency, as a reserve asset, for example. now, this reputation that we have for honouring our debt is something that has created a lot of stability in the world and if we do anything to harm that reputation, then we don't know what the result will be and in the short run, if only told roar nothing much will happen but over time, it won't need a lot of time, it will degrade the reputation of the us financial system —— unintelligible much will happen. and the interest rates we have to pay on our debt will

rise. this is going to be an economic disaster because of the long run value of maintaining the credibility of american debt. i maintaining the credibility of american debt.— american debt. i mean, this alwa s american debt. i mean, this always happens, _ american debt. i mean, this always happens, doesn't - american debt. i mean, this always happens, doesn't it? we're always on this aspect of us finances, but it's also very political? us finances, but it's also very olitical? ., us finances, but it's also very political?— us finances, but it's also very olitical? ., ., ~ ., political? now, iwould like to disauree political? now, iwould like to disagree a _ political? now, iwould like to disagree a bit _ political? now, iwould like to disagree a bit with _ political? now, iwould like to disagree a bit with the - political? now, iwould like to disagree a bit with the always| disagree a bit with the always part. yes, always there has been some drama, some discussions. if i'm going to support the increase in the debt limit, i want something. but this was always more of a show than anything else. there are some little compromises made, people make some noise and get some little crumbs off the table, but it's only in the last few years that this is been pushed to a serious point and happened to 0bama in 2011

in dealing with the republicans in dealing with the republicans in the house then and it is now happening with biden that these republicans now are seeming to be willing to push us to the edge and off the cliff, possibly, and so this is a new thing. it's political but it used to be just silly political showmanship. this is now serious political business which, by the way, did not happen when trump was president.— happen when trump was resident. ~ , , president. why has it been allowed to _ president. why has it been allowed to become - president. why has it been - allowed to become politicised? what do americans think of all of this, because this is potentially affecting their lives? , ., �* ~ ., potentially affecting their lives? , ~ ., ., lives? yes, i don't know how many americans _ lives? yes, i don't know how many americans pay - lives? yes, i don't know how. many americans pay attention lives? yes, i don't know how - many americans pay attention to these things because there is a lot of noise in the system. i know serious economists are very worried about any kind of default. this is a tool, a political tool that republicans have now to pursue. in

furtherance of their goals. in 2011 and now also now. so, that's, that kind of brinkmanship was not something that was played before but now, it's a tool that is being used for political reasons. qm. it's a tool that is being used for political reasons. 0k, we will have _ for political reasons. 0k, we will have to _ for political reasons. 0k, we will have to leave _ for political reasons. 0k, we will have to leave it - for political reasons. 0k, we will have to leave it there. i kennethjudd. thank you very much indeed. thank you very much indeed. thank you. turks will go back to the polls on sunday in a presidential election run—off between their long—time authoritarian leader recep tayyip erdogan and his main rival, the secular opposition leader kemal kilicdaroglu. the president held a lead in the first round of voting. both candidates chasing support from nationalist voters. from istanbul our senior international correspondent 0rla guerin reports. all chant. "0ne nation, one flag, one motherland," they chant.

take a look at the fervent support for turkey's strongman leader. recep tayyip erdogan is facing into sunday's second round in a commanding position. cheering and applause. at this cab drivers�* convention in istanbul, they couldn't get enough of him. we meet kasim, a fan of the president's nationalist message and track record in office. "what our president did in 21 years would take others 100 "years," he says. "that's why we support him. "may god keep him from harm." "erdogan is everything to me," says ayse. "we couldn't get to hospitals before. "now, we can get around easily. "we have transportation. "we have everything." and what of the president's

rival, kemal kilicdaroglu? from him now, less talk of hope and a much harder tone. "i declare," he says, "as soon as i come to power, "i'll send all refugees home". that includes more than 3 million syrians. it's a campaign pledge that goes down well here. whoever is turkey's next president, nationalism is already a winner in this election. in kasimpasa, few doubt the outcome. president erdogan grew up on the streets of this working class neighbourhood. at the corner shop opposite his old home, semita tells us he brought freedom for religious conservatives like her. translation: there are police, teachers and civil servants - in headscarves now. god bless brother tayyip.

we have hot running water and gas in our homes. there's been a great improvement. pride month is coming. but for others, there has been just the opposite. mert and zeynep are students from the lgbtq+ community. they are already banned from holding pride marches and fear worse to come. when you think about maybe five more years of president erdogan in charge in turkey, what's your gut feeling? scared. i'm scared. we will still do something and we will still fight but i don't know how hard they will attack this time. because over these two — two years, our hopes were like, "yes, he will go after these elections. "we can still —

we still have a chance." but if he still wins, they will attack us more, they will take our rights more. they will ban many more things, i think. so, what's ahead here if president erdogan wins on sunday, as looks likely? supporters say more development and a stronger turkey. critics say more repression and a darker future. 0rla guerin, bbc news, istanbul. russia's bombardment of ukraine has become an all—too—regular occurrence with increasingly deadly results. this is a medical clinic in the central city of dnipro — on fire after it was hit by a missile. at least two people died. president zelensky described the attack as "another crime "against humanity" and said russia had "chosen the path "of evil of its own will." other cities, including kharkiv and the capital kyiv,

were also targetted. 0ur ukraine correspondent james waterhouse has travelled to dnipro and sent this report. sirens wail. another difficult day for ukrainian cities. this time, it's dnipro, with the most acute of impacts. a psychiatric clinic on the receiving end of a ballistic missile. after a brief reprieve, russia has resumed its tactic of targeting civilian areas. this is the residual threat that people have to live with — the idea that something like this could happen at any point, in any city. the authorities are sadly well—practised in dealing with the consequences of russia's tactics. it's almost a dignified efficiency. these are the signature signs of a ballistic missile. people say the explosion

happened before the sirens could react. they're harder to detect and shoot down. the blast area is always vast. we meet yulia, in a queue for aid. she shows me the moment her window shattered from the force. translation: this is war. it's not our fault. calm and peaceful civilians suffer every day, mentally. children suffer. well, it's hard. it's just difficult. we're not even in bakhmut. we're far away. nevertheless, we get hit regularly. ukraine has spent another night under russian drones and missiles. almost 50 were shot down, we're told. translation: the thing is, russia's now irritated - - especially in recent days, when our air defence is becoming more powerful.

and when they become irritated, they send their missiles everywhere. there is a methodical ferociousness to this clean—up. dnipro is, after all, trying to avoid russia's grasp, but moscow has a long reach. james waterhouse, bbc news, dnipro. a police officer in the us state of mississippi has been suspended after shooting an 11—year—old boy while responding to a domestic disturbance. the boy's mother says police arrived at the home in response to a domestic disturbance call placed by the child. he was then shot in the chest. the child has since been released from a local hospital. 0ur north america correspondent jessica parker reports. according to the family, on saturday, 11—year—old aderrien murry was told by his mother to call 911 after an ex—partner of hers had shown up at the house and was acting in an irate fashion.

police came to the property and the family say an officer called on everyone to leave the house and as aderrien murry moved through the property, that's when he was shot in the chest. now, what the family say is that while the 11—year—old boy is back at home, he suffered from a lacerated liver, fractured ribs and a collapsed lung. the officer in question has been put on leave but the family are really saying they want answers — particularly, they want the release of body cam footage. now, the local police department aren't commenting but the mississippi bureau of investigations is looking into the matter and they say they will handle their findings over to the state's attorney general. macro that was jessica parker. some news in brief now. the belgian aid worker 0livier vandecasteele, who was held in an iranian prison for more than 400 days on espionage charges, has arrived back home. he was released in a prisoner swap with an iranian diplomat,

assadollah assadi. the european union is to send a top human rights envoy to cuba in november. eamon gilmore will examine the situation since the mass arrests that took place during anti—government protests two years ago. the announcement came as the eu foreign policy chief, josep borrell, is currently on a visit to cuba. he said the bloc didn't have the capacity or the will to impose changes in cuba, but that dialogue was important. thousands of pro—government supporters have taken to the streets of the serbian capital, belgrade on friday night to rally behind president aleksandar vucic. it follows huge anti—government protests, after two mass shootings in the country earlier this month including one at a school in belgrade. another protest is planned for saturday. the british tv presenter phillip schofield has resigned from itv, after acknowledging that he had an affair with a younger male

colleague at this morning. in a statement, mr schofield said he had lied about the relationship to itv as well as to his agents, lawyers and family. he said the relationship was "unwise, but not illegal". itv said it felt deeply disappointed by what it called his deceit. simonjones reports. welcome back. i'm holding the fort. holly has had to leave a bit early today because she is meeting his majesty the king... in the space ofjust a week, he has gone from being one of itv's has gone from being one of itv�*s megastars seeing his career in ruins. figs itv's megastars seeing his career in ruins.— itv's megastars seeing his career in ruins. as holly said it earlier. — career in ruins. as holly said it earlier, we _ career in ruins. as holly said it earlier, we never - career in ruins. as holly said it earlier, we never take - career in ruins. as holly said it earlier, we never take it i it earlier, we never take it for granted.— it earlier, we never take it for ranted. for granted. never ever ever. phillip schofield _ for granted. never ever ever. phillip schofield admitted - for granted. never ever ever. phillip schofield admitted he| phillip schofield admitted he lied to colleagues, the media and the public about a relationship he had first met when the man was a teenager helping him to get into

television. after the man started work on this this morning, it became more than just friendship. in a statement to the daily mail, phillip schofield said... he said he hadn't been truthful because he had wanted to protect samantha's doubly micro how long has this actually been since we have done this? he insisted his decision to leave this morning was unrelated to the deceit. it was widely reported they had been an off air rift between he and his co—presenter, holly willoughby, despite appearances. this probably _ despite appearances. this probably is _ despite appearances. this probably is the _ despite appearances. this probably is the end - despite appearances. this probably is the end of - despite appearances. ti 3 probably is the end of phillip schofield because my careerfor the moment. i mean, if he has not been truthful with people, and he has lied to everybody he said he lied to, that's over. you know, you need integrity, i think, to present the type of

television phillip schofield is known for. television phillip schofield is known for-— known for. we've got all the buttons her _ known for. we've got all the buttons her she _ known for. we've got all the buttons her she would - known for. we've got all the buttons her she would try i known for. we've got all the buttons her she would try to press — buttons her she would try to press them all? he buttons her she would try to press them all?— buttons her she would try to press them all? he has been a face on tv _ press them all? he has been a face on tv since _ press them all? he has been a face on tv since 1980s, - press them all? he has been a face on tv since 1980s, in - face on tv since 1980s, in recent years a presenter of some of itv's biggest shows. next an outcome of the award for... ., , next an outcome of the award for... . , ., for... he had been due to her is the british _ for... he had been due to her is the british soap _ for... he had been due to her is the british soap awards - for... he had been due to her| is the british soap awards next weekend, and he and holly willoughby had presented dancing on ice together but he has now quit the network. this morning is filmed here at television centre. in a statement, itv said it was deeply disappointed by what it called the admissions of deceit by phillip schofield. it said philip made assurances to us which he now acknowledges were untrue. we feel badly let down. this week began with phillip schofield's colleagues marking his departure from this morning. his departure from this morning-— his departure from this morninu. ., �* , , morning. no we can't stop this mornin: morning. no we can't stop this morning and — morning. no we can't stop this morning and today's _ morning. no we can't stop this morning and today's show - morning and today's show without paying tribute to the man who spent the last two decades sitting on this morning sofa. phillip schofield. the week and _ sofa. phillip schofield. the week and is _ sofa. phillip schofield. the week and is with _ sofa. phillip schofield. the week and is with a - sofa. phillip schofield. the week and is with a dramatic fall from grace. simonjones,

fall from grace. simon jones, bbc fall from grace. simonjones, bbc news. south africa's ruling party the anc, which has been in power since the end of apartheid, has acknowledged that it may lose its majority if it can't fix the country's energy crisis. the secretary general of the anc has told the bbc prolonged rolling power cuts are the party's �*achilles heel�*. and the leader of a radical opposition party, the economic freedom fighters, says a collapse of the national grid this winter could spark a revolution. stephen sackur reports from cape town. night falls in this township, cape town. the power is out. the street lamps are off, and law enforcement is pressed for trouble. cape town is the murder capital of africa. rolling power cuts have heightened residence�*s fears of the local criminal gangs. what the local criminal gangs. what ou the local criminal gangs. what you doing _ the local criminal gangs. what you doing with _ the local criminal gangs. what

you doing with this _ the local criminal gangs. what you doing with this stuff? - the local criminal gangs. what you doing with this stuff? thisj you doing with this stuff? this bust was routine, _ you doing with this stuff? this bust was routine, drugs, weapons but no violence. immediately, one can identify the criminal markings that has been etched all over on the inside. then you see the number 28, one of the notorious prison gangs. it 28, one of the notorious prison ans. , ., ., ., gangs. it is home than more than a million _ gangs. it is home than more than a million people, - gangs. it is home than more than a million people, more| than a million people, more than a million people, more than half live below the poverty line. young people can�*t getjobs, the state is struggling to provide basic services, and now the power is off for up to 12 hours a day. wiseman bomb but a �*s upholstery business relies on a battered electric sewing machine. power cuts are destroying his livelihood, and he angry. i destroying his livelihood, and he an: . ., ~' destroying his livelihood, and he an: . ., ~ .,, destroying his livelihood, and hean: . ., ~ ., he angry. i would like to see a different government - he angry. i would like to see a different government because | different government because i�*m losing hope from our government. i'm losing hope from our government.— i'm losing hope from our government. president cyril ramaphosa _ government. president cyril ramaphosa and _ government. president cyril ramaphosa and the - government. president cyril ramaphosa and the ruling l government. president cyril i ramaphosa and the ruling anc are in trouble, and they know it. accused of incompetence and overseeing a failing state. we are focused, _ overseeing a failing state. - are focused, in terms of dealing with it. it is an

achilles�* heel, and i can�*t tell you tonight, or any time, that this is an easy matter for our government. surely after covid-19, this is the our government. surely after covid—19, this is the biggest challenge that has faced us internally. challenge that has faced us internally-— internally. two years ago, street fighting _ internally. two years ago, street fighting and - internally. two years ago, street fighting and looting internally. two years ago, i street fighting and looting hit several south african cities. this wasn�*t supposed to happen in the rainbow nation envisaged by mandela. now the power cuts are deepening the disillusion. elections are coming next year, and one populist politician senses opportunity in the current crisis.— senses opportunity in the current crisis. let the great collapse. — current crisis. let the great collapse. as _ current crisis. let the great collapse, as it _ current crisis. let the great collapse, as it is _ current crisis. let the great collapse, as it is going - current crisis. let the great collapse, as it is going to i collapse, as it is going to happen, and see what is going to happen in this country. i�*m not wishing it, i�*m saying it�*s going to happen, and you will see what�*s going to happen. you will think that once the grid collapses, people are going to exchange ruses with government? people are going to rise. back

in the township, _ people are going to rise. back in the township, wiseman, i people are going to rise. back in the township, wiseman, wife ruby and the two young daughters huddle in the candlelight. do you feel safe when there is no power? ida. candlelight. do you feel safe when there is no power? no, we don't. when there is no power? no, we don't- we _ when there is no power? no, we don't. we don't. _ when there is no power? no, we don't. we don't. actually- when there is no power? no, we don't. we don't. actually what . don�*t. we don�*t. actually what i do, i make sure that all the kids are inside the house thusly and then we lock the door. we lock the gate. 221 door. we lock the gate. 29 ears door. we lock the gate. 29 years in — door. we lock the gate. 29 years in power, and the anc can�*t keep the lights on. sooner or later, south africa�*s rulers face a painful reckoning. stephen sackur, bbc news, cape town. if all goes to plan, in 15 years or so astronauts could be on their way to mars. nasa wants to send a mission to the red planet, and ultimately set up a permanent base there. but when it comes to colonising an alien world, scientists are discovering the age—old importance of location, location, location. tim allman explains.

it is stark. it can be cold, and it is, as far as we know, lifeless. but mars still fascinates. so much so, we intend to pay a visit. however, apart from the raging winds and the lack of oxygen, there is another potential hitch. rumbling. this is the sound of an earthquake, or more at the group cruelly, a mars quick, a tremor that measured 4.6 on the richter scale.— richter scale. what's great about this _ richter scale. what's great about this quake _ richter scale. what's great about this quake was - richter scale. what's great about this quake was that l richter scale. what's great | about this quake was that it was so strong that the surface waves were able to travel the entire planet multiple times, so it basically orbits and going around and around for at least three times.— least three times. those surface _ least three times. those surface waves _ least three times. those surface waves help - least three times. those - surface waves help scientists to cover information about the planet �*s interior. for instance, they support the theory that its crest is much thicker than that of the earth of the moon, and of course, with so many missions to mars

plan for the future, it doesn�*t hurt to remember that being forewarned is the same as being forewarned is the same as being for arm. brute forewarned is the same as being for arm. ~ .., forewarned is the same as being forarm. ~ ., , forewarned is the same as being forarm. ., , for arm. we can actually plan the correct — for arm. we can actually plan the correct way _ for arm. we can actually plan the correct way to _ for arm. we can actually plan the correct way to actually i the correct way to actually utilise all of these different possibilities at the same time avoiding the earthquake hazard, we actually have good information where these quakes are happening at the moment. for now, the possibility of a permanent human presence on mars is just permanent human presence on mars isjust an permanent human presence on mars is just an aspiration, but if we do get there, at least we�*ll know where to park. tim allman, bbc news. now how�*s this for a bun fight? this is the centrepiece of hong kong�*s bun festival, where 12 people try to race to the top of a 14—metre high bamboo tower, covered with imitation steamed buns. the first person to reach the bun at the top will bring luck to their family. it�*s the first time in three

years the festivities have been held, all because of the pandemic. quite tasty too. stay with us on bbc news. more coming up. hello. friday was another fine and dry day for the vast majority, with high pressure dominating our weather picture. there was lots of sunshine around. just a little bit of this fairweather cloud popping up for a time, like here, in chorley, lancashire. it was across the other side of the hills that we had the day�*s highest temperature. bainbridge, in north yorkshire, popping up to 23 degrees celsius, friday afternoon — that�*s seven degrees above the may average. so, pleasant in the sun, and you can see on the satellite picture just how sunny it was. just a little bit of cloud across northern england, a bit for northern ireland, and a bit for northern scotland, but looking out in the atlantic, we�*ve got a weather front

that�*s set to bring some much thicker cloud in over the next few hours. so, clouding over across north—western areas of the uk, an odd spit of rain by dawn. otherwise, it�*s dry with clear skies, and temperatures about six to eight degrees celsius. if you�*re heading outside, first thing in the morning, saturday morning, yes, you might need a layer or two — it will be a little on the cool side. saturday�*s forecast, then, high pressure staying put for most of us, but this weak weather front is working into that area of high pressure and so, for scotland, we see the cloud thicken. a little bit of light, patchy rain, followed by sunshine and showers in the afternoon. it will turn cooler — temperatures about 11 to 13 across the far north of scotland. for northern ireland, england and wales, plenty of dry weather and sunshine, and it�*s going to feel warm — high teens to low 20s widely, but peaking at around 23 across the spine of the country, through parts of northern england, the midlands and central southern england. southern and eastern scotland should be pleasant enough as well. still holding on to a bit of sunshine here. ok, on sunday, high pressure is still with us but there�*s probably going to be a little

bit more in the way of cloud developing, for a time. i think sunny spells, though, coming through that. temperatures just easing down for scotland, northern ireland, northern england, so mid—to—high teens here. the warmest weather towards the south—west, where we could see around 23 degrees again. but wherever the may sunshine comes out, i think it�*s going to feel 0k, and it�*s a similar picture, really, for bank holiday monday itself. a bit more of a wind blowing for east anglia and south—east england. that could make it feel a little on the cool side, first thing in the morning. but once we�*ve got that sunshine coming through again, it should feel 0k, and temperatures are going to start to rise in scotland. 21 in glasgow could be one of the warmest places in the country, but turning a bit cooler, down the eastern side of england. beyond that, deeper into next week, it�*s sunny, and it�*s set to get warmer. for some, temperatures could reach the mid—20s. bye for now.

this is bbc news. the headlines — president biden has expressed optimism that a deal will soon be reached with republicans to raise the us government debt ceiling. it came as the country�*s treasury secretary extended the deadline tojune 5, giving both sides more time to reach a deal to avoid the government defaulting on its bills. it�*s the final day of campaigning in turkey ahead of one of the country�*s most divisive presidential elections, where the economy and immigration are key voter concerns. huge political rallies have been held to drum up support but they come as the turkish lira sank to an all—time low against the dollar.

south africa�*s ruling party admits to the bbc that it may lose its political majority if it can�*t fix the country�*s ongoing energy crisis.