this is beeps in use. the us secretary of state begins talks with his chinese counterpart, amid tensions with the superpowers. initial estimates suggest switzerland has voted to make the country carbon neutral by the 2050. uganda's army is still pursuing militants who attacked a school, killing 37 students. in the uk a government minister apologises after new footage shows conservative activists parting during lockdown. the us secretary of state,

antony blinken has met the chinese foreign minister in beijing. it's the highest—profile visit to china by a us official since president biden took office. tensions remain high between the two nations over issues such as trade, technology and foreign policy. the conflict in ukraine is set to feature prominently in talks. it's possible the us secretary of state will also meet president xi during his stay. antony blinken touched with a little x dictation this would result in a breakthrough. relations have been so toxic that even having the strip receipt has been a step forward. the first meeting was with the secretary of state's chinese counterpart. the potential to drift into war is a concern shared all round. safeguards are needed to prevent an accidental armed conflict. from trade tensions

to climate change, much repair work is needed. the world superpowers are nowhere near rapprochement. analysts have become pragmatic about where us china relations mainland. i don't think we can go back to the good old days. on the other hand we are entering a new normal, a new status, where countries recognise that i can't change you, you can't change me, and we can't change each other. let's try to exist peacefully. if these lines of munication can clear a path for visits, then both governments will consider it having been a success. it is a measure of the pessimistic mood around this relationship that, if these meetings can simply slow an increase in tensions, that will be taken as a win. in february the alleged by

balloon delayed this trip. now that antony blinken is actually here, the mood is polite and official, but not very warm. dr yuka kobayashi is a lecturer in china and international politics at the school of oriental and african studies. she says the visit is important. this builds on a couple of developments in the past couple months. i think when the spy incident happened and blinken�*s visit was cancelled in february, really us—china relations hit a real low point. and we also saw earlier this month that this request for discussion with the defence ministers was cancelled. but what tends to really focus, be focused is these negative kind of really tension points. but we forget that, you know, in may, jake sullivan went, met with their counterpart, wang yi, and discussed things. so there have been gradually some kind of opening up of channels. and i think it's a real positive point in the sense that we see this visit come and,

you know, in terms of like the issues, there are so many issues to discuss. but it is really remarkable that, you know, blinken is actually visiting china, the first of this kind, you know, afterfive years of, you know, this kind of visits being cancelled. so in that sense, i think it's a remarkable step. and you mentioned that you think actually perhaps tensions are not as high as they have been recently. but do you also think that concerns over the war in ukraine could be playing a part in encouraging both sides to come together at this stage? yes, i think tensions are really high, there's no doubt about that. and there's so many issues like, for example, taiwan, ukraine, the, you know, high tech and surveillance issues. however, we forget that there has been a lot of groundwork on both sides to really get communication channels, because there's no doubt that the us and china are real rivals at the moment. and there are many issues like, for example, taiwan. and we are seeing these tensions really develop with pelosi's

visit over the summer. and, you know, these kinds of, you know, near meetings between us and chinese naval ships. so in that sense, tensions are definitely high. but i wanted to emphasise that it is remarkable that blinken is actually visiting. he's meeting tiangong, he's meeting possibly xi tomorrow. so in that sense, communication�*s vital to really have this kind of discussion and negotiation and mediation. so i think in that sense, tensions and there's so many issues in terms of, you know, getting things out of these talks, it could be possible there may be no resolution. but i think it's a, you know, a massive step to actually have discussions and communications where we see blinken actually going into beijing and holding face to face discussions to hammer out these issues. now here in the uk, the �*partygate�* scandal has been given new oxygen. footage has emerged showing people dancing at the conservative party headquarters in 2020

despite covid lockdown restrictions. the levelling up secretary, michael gove, has apologised to the bbc after the video was shared. the footage was been obtained by the mirror newspaper. at the time, there were tier—2 restrictions in london, which meant people should not socialize indoors, unless they were in the same household. socialize indoors, unless they were police did investigate this event, but did not issue any fines. the levelling up secretary michael gove has been speaking to the bbc this morning and apologised for the video. yes i am sorry. i do apologise,

unreservedly. with this particular event, led to an investigation that has already happened. the video is new, but it was known that there was an event. there was a photograph, i think, which was made public. as a result, there was an investigation, disciplinary action was taken. as we all know there have been police investigations into what happened in downing street. putting that on one side, on a personal level, iwould like to apologise to people for this behaviour. it is unacceptable and indefensible.— behaviour. it is unacceptable and indefensible. a ., ,, indefensible. michael gove speaking on the bbc earlier this morning. now some breaking news from switzerland —— and early results suggest voters approved measures to make switzerland carbon neutral by 2050. in a referendum, people were also asked whether to raise the country's business tax rate from an average of ii% to a minimum of 15% to invest in renewable energies. our correspondent imogen foulkes is following developments.

for householders and small businesses, who were actually looking to maybe switch from oilfired heating, which is what houses here have, and may be moved to solar panels and heat exchange pumps, that is quite good news. they are going to get some government help to do that. in the long term this is quite an ambitious you're like i intend to back in the week. now i intend to catch up with family. i'm a human being entitled to privacy and my neighbours are entitled to privacy. i’zre to privacy and my neighbours are entitled to privacy.— entitled to privacy. i've done nothin: entitled to privacy. i've done nothing wrong _ entitled to privacy. i've done nothing wrong and _ entitled to privacy. i've done nothing wrong and that - entitled to privacy. i've done nothing wrong and that is . entitled to privacy. i've done | nothing wrong and that is the

entitled to privacy. i've done - nothing wrong and that is the only thing i am going to say. i'm not going to get into any of that. i've done nothing wrong, it is for others to comment as they see fit. that is my position. i am going to go into my position. i am going to go into my house now. you are watching bbc news. we have broken out from our main programme to bring you this live press conference from the former leader of the scottish national party, nicola sturgeon, making a statement outside her home. we had her referring to charges from a week ago. police were investigating, for the past two years, what happens to around £666,000 in donations given to the snp by independent activists for use in future independence referendum campaigns. nicola sturgeon published

a statement at the time, shortly after police confirmed her release, saying she was released without charge and she said she had done nothing wrong, she was reiterating that today during that brief press conference outside her house. she also said that she was entitled to privacy, she was a human being, and her neighbours were entitled to privacy, and she said she was going to be spending time with family and friends. she intended to return to parliament. she she was asked a few brief questions during that press conference, but there wasn't much information. at this stage she is facing calls, and the new first minister, humza yousaf, is facing calls from opposition politicians to suspend her. she said that at this stage she intends to return to parliament. we know that police a week ago, arrested her, took her

into custody for several hours, but she was released without charge. she has maintained her innocence throughout. again repeating that today, she said she has done nothing wrong. she was asked whether she was still the leader, whether she would have suspended someone in her position, and she said she had done nothing wrong and has maintained her innocence. her husband was also arrested and released without charge over this same series of events, all relating to what happened to more than £600,000 in political donations, that were made to do with the scottish independence movement. police have been investigating that for around two years. she is still facing questions about that and she has maintained her innocence throughout that. we are expecting to

hear a little bit more about how she intends to return to parliament, but she very much made that clear today thatis she very much made that clear today that is her intention. it was a week ago that she was released without charge. she was in police custody for most of last sunday. let's remind you of what we're seeing. these pictures of the form of scottish first minister, nicola sturgeon. these are file pictures of her time. wejust heard sturgeon. these are file pictures of her time. we just heard from a short time ago making a statement outside her home, saying she intends to return to politics. she was released without charge a week ago, after police were investigating what happened to more than £600,000 in donations given to the snp by independence activists for use in a future independence referendum campaign. she published a statement on twitter shortly after police confirmed her release, and in that

she said that, to find myself in a situation i've find myself today, when i am certain i committed no offence, is both shocked and deeply depressing. i know that this ongoing investigation is difficult for people, and i am grateful that so many continue to show faith in me and appreciate i would never do anything to harm either the snp or the country. she was succeeded by humza yousaf, who is now facing calls from opposition politicians to suspend herfrom calls from opposition politicians to suspend her from the calls from opposition politicians to suspend herfrom the party. let's go live now to our scotland correspondence. nicola sturgeon is speaking outside her home. she was speaking outside her home. she was speaking in the past few moments, she only spoke for a few seconds, but she confirmed that she does not intend to resign from the snp or resign from parliament for the moment. just to remind you that nicola sturgeon was arrested and

questioned for several hours by police last sunday, as part of a major ongoing investigation into snp finances. in particular have some £600,000, raised for campaigning on a second independence referendum, was spent. she was released without charge after several hours, and at the time, she issued quite a defiant statement, in which she protested her innocence. in many respects, what she did this afternoon was reinforced that. what was significant was that she was seen publicly and spoke publicly for the first time. she is in tending and has made it clear that she does not intend to stand aside from the snp for the moment. there have been some calls on her to do that, including some calls from a few within the snp arguing that it would be for the best if she was to voluntarily resign from the party for the moment, while the investigation continued. she does not intend to do that. she also confirmed that she intends to keep on trying her best

to represent her constituents. they will be no by—election in her constituency. will be no by-election in her constituency.— will be no by-election in her constituency. will be no by-election in her constituen .~ , ., constituency. why do you think she made that statement _ constituency. why do you think she made that statement today? - constituency. why do you think she made that statement today? i - constituency. why do you think she | made that statement today? i think she probably _ made that statement today? i think she probably felt _ made that statement today? i think she probably felt that _ made that statement today? i think she probably felt that she _ made that statement today? i think she probably felt that she needed l she probably felt that she needed to, because of the degree of scrutiny that she has been under. nicola sturgeon is an immensely powerfulfigure within nicola sturgeon is an immensely powerful figure within scotland and was a very popular figure, according to opinion polls, until very recently. she is one of a small number of politicians who can be recognised by the public by their christian name alone. i think she probably felt it was for the best if she was to make some form of public statement today, and then argue that she should get her privacy, her family should get their privacy for the moment, while the police investigation continued. she also spoke to journalists at holyrood a few weeks ago, and she was very emotional at that time. her voice seemed week in contrast to the

performance we saw today, which seemed much more like the confident nicola sturgeon that people in scotland are used to. she nicola sturgeon that people in scotland are used to.- nicola sturgeon that people in scotland are used to. she said that she intends — scotland are used to. she said that she intends to _ scotland are used to. she said that she intends to return _ scotland are used to. she said that she intends to return to _ scotland are used to. she said that| she intends to return to parliament. how do you think that they play out? i think that is an interesting question if she does return to parliament. certainly she enjoys the widespread support of most snp politicians, indeed, they chose last week to send her flowers to show how sympathetic they were towards her, understanding that this was a very difficult time for her. as i say, there have been a few snp politicians who would argue that it is something of a distraction for the moment, and would have preferred it had she voluntarily resigned her membership of the party, until the investigation was over, noting that, investigation was over, noting that, in the past, there were some snp politicians also facing investigations, who had their membership suspended all that happened. certainly if she is seen in parliament this week, i think she would be aware that there is always

the risk that by simply turning up, the risk that by simply turning up, the level of scrutiny, the level of interest, could serve as a distraction from whatever the issues of the day were in holyrood. just distraction from whatever the issues of the day were in holyrood.- of the day were in holyrood. just on that investigation, _ of the day were in holyrood. just on that investigation, what _ of the day were in holyrood. just on that investigation, what are - of the day were in holyrood. just on that investigation, what are the - that investigation, what are the next steps?— that investigation, what are the next steps? certainly the police investigations _ next steps? certainly the police investigations continue. - next steps? certainly the police investigations continue. this . investigations continue. this investigations continue. this investigation has been going on for more than two years now. it focuses on how some £600,000, spent for campaigning on a second independence referendum, was actually spent. so far police have arrested and questioned three senior figures within the snp, as well as nicola sturgeon, they also arrested and questioned the former chief executive, peter murrell, her husband, and the former treasurer. all three were released without charge. all three were released without charae. ., ~ ,, all three were released without charae. ., ~' ,, , all three were released without charae. ., ~ , . charge. thank you very much, jamie. jamie melvor— charge. thank you very much, jamie. jamie mcivor outside _ charge. thank you very much, jamie. jamie mcivor outside the _ charge. thank you very much, jamie. jamie mcivor outside the former - jamie mcivor outside the former first minister of scotland, nicola sturgeon's house, where she spoke a

short time ago, protesting her innocence over these charges relating to the finances of the snp. we will be bringing you more updates on our website. you can see that there and it will shortly be updated with her statement and all of the detail. it was very brief, she was asked a few questions, but there wasn't too much detail. you can also find that on the bbc news app, of course. for now let's return to the main programme for the latest headlines in the uk and around the world. and there's been more success for andy murray today — the british player beat france's arthur cazaux in straight sets, 6—4, 6—4. it's a tenth win in a row for the two—time wimbledon champion. and after winning at surbiton last week, it's his second title in a row americans rickie fowler

and wyndham clark will head into the final round of the us open with a one shot lead over the rest of the field. fowler could have had the outright lead, but three putted his final hole, meaning he had to settle for an even par round of 70. in contrast, clark produced this sublime approach at the eighteenth to set up his fourth birdie of the day, and a one under par round of 69. fowler and clark are on 10 under for the tournament. just one shot behind them is northern ireland's rory mcilroy, who won the last of his four majors back in 2014. i mentioned, out there, after going through the last few years, and that i mentioned, out there, after going through the last few years, i'm not scared to fail, i have dealt with that. we are just going to go and have fun and continue to try to execute, leave it all out there and see where we stand on 18. max verstappen will start tonight's

canadian grand prix from pole, after coming out on top, in a rain affected qualifying session in montreal. the world champion timed his run to perfection in the final session, clocking the quickest time, just before oscar piastri crashed his mclaren, which suspended qualifying. the rain worsened before the re—start, which meant none of the drivers could improve their times. nico hulkenberg initially qualified second, but was given a three—place grid penalty for exceeding the speed limit under red—flag conditions. aston martin's fernado alonso will now start second, and britain's lewis hamilton third. brazil's footballers played in an all—black kit for the first half of their international friendly with guinea — as part of an anti—racism campaign. the match — which brazil won 4—1 — was being played in spain, the country where brazilian forward viniciusjunior has been targeted with racist abuse numerous times whilst playing for real madrid last season. the latest incident came in a match against valencia in may. earlier this month, seven men were punished for acts of racism towards the brazilian. finally, thousands of vegas golden knights fans lined the las vegas strip on saturday for their stanley cup victory parade.

there was also a rally in front of the team s home arena to mark the city s first nhl championship. las vegas police had prepared for around 100,000 people to cram street—level viewing areas along las vegas boulevard for the celebrations. the golden knights won the title injust their sixth year of existence, defeating the florida panthers in the stanley cup final. and that's all the sport for now. at least 17 people, including five children, were killed on saturday

after an air strike children, were killed on saturday afteran airstrike in children, were killed on saturday after an air strike in the south of the capital. former scotland first minister, nicola sturgeon, gave a statement outside her house a few minutes to go, and said she aims to be back in parliament next week. you know i can't — be back in parliament next week. you know i can't say _ be back in parliament next week. 7m, know i can't say very much just now. what i will say is, i will reiterate the statement issued last sunday. i am certain i have done nothing wrong. i intend to be back in parliament in the early part of the week. i will make myself available for questions then. honestly this will be within the constraints i am referring to. for now i to intend to go home, catch up with some family, i know i am a public figure, i accept what comes with that, but i am also a human being that is entitled to a bit of privacy. my neighbours are also entitled to privacy as well. thank you very much. i have done nothing wrong and thatis much. i have done nothing wrong and that is the only thing i am going to assert today. . have there been

conditions placed on your arrest? know, _ conditions placed on your arrest? know, and — conditions placed on your arrest? know, and i— conditions placed on your arrest? know, and i am not going to get into anything like that. i have done nothing wrong, it is for others to comment as they see fit. that is my position and i am entitled to take it. i am going position and i am entitled to take it. iam going into position and i am entitled to take it. i am going into my house. former first minister, _ it. i am going into my house. former first minister, nicola _ it. i am going into my house. former first minister, nicola sturgeon. - first minister, nicola sturgeon. some breaking news to bring you, the pakistan prime minister has declared during the 19th as a national day of mourning, following the tragic shipwreck in greece. that is news thatis shipwreck in greece. that is news that is just coming through to us now. that is after 78 people died on the migrant boat off the coast of greece, with that death toll expected to rise. display now and we have been reporting on the impact of the ongoing drought in what has been the ongoing drought in what has been the dry spring in decades. one place that has seen huge changes the wetlands.

to spain now... we ve been reporting on the impact of the ongoing drought in what s been the driest spring there in decades. one place that's seen a huge change is the famous fuente de piedra wetlands. large colonies of flamingos which are dependent on its water supplies, migrate there once a year. but this year is much quieter than usual as the nature reserve has struggled through the dry weather. jack surfleet has the story. since it became a nature reserve backin since it became a nature reserve back in the 1980s, over 200,000 bingo chip ks have started their lives, following their parents, learning how to feed and to fly. this year the group is much smaller. the lagoon, which is so attractive to them, is normally filled by nearby streams and rainwater. this spring was one of the driest in the country's history, because many of the birds to stay away. forthe because many of the birds to stay away. for the locals, fewer birds means fewer tourists. translation: i means fewer tourists. tuna/mom-

means fewer tourists. translation: ., , , means fewer tourists. translation: ., , translation: i have seen this lagoon comletel translation: i have seen this lagoon completely full — translation: i have seen this lagoon completely full of _ translation: i have seen this lagoon completely full of flamingos. - translation: i have seen this lagoon completely full of flamingos. some - completely full of flamingos. some days 20,000 flamingos have been counted here. we have seen this all full of water, and full of life. flamingos, different types of aquatic birds, and you get to see this now. and it is a shame, it is a shame. ., ., , , shame. that said, there was still cuite a shame. that said, there was still quite a few. _ shame. that said, there was still quite a few, and _ shame. that said, there was still quite a few, and they _ shame. that said, there was still quite a few, and they were - quite a few, and they were definitely not short of attention as people gathered for the annual hatching. while the chicks were here, they were fitted with identity rings and measured. after that they were asked to find their feet, and their wings, were asked to find their feet, and theirwings, before were asked to find their feet, and their wings, before heading off around the world. until next year, when, rain permitting, the locals hope to see just a few more of them here in the wetlands. just a reminder of that breaking news with what you a few minutes ago, the prime minister of pakistan has

declared tomorrow a national day of mourning after the shipwreck in greece. hello. a lot of energy pent up in the atmosphere, thunderstorms are forming, and while many others will appreciate the rain, we don't necessarily want an awful lot of rain in a short space of time, because that, of course, leads to flash flooding. let's have a look at the picture through the course of today. at risk of thunderstorms — many areas of england, wales and northern ireland. initially these potent storms will be forming in distinct areas, distinct thunder clouds or cells, and these will produce a lot of rainfall. there will be a lot of run—off as well, many parts of the country are still dry and that is going to lead to flash flooding. we could see 30 millimetres of rain in an hour, may be as much as 80 millimetres of rain, spread over a few hours.

on top of that, hail, and very strong, gusty winds, and frequent lighting, too. away from that there will be plenty of sunshine around as well. not everyone will get the storms today. this is what it looks like at the end of the afternoon, fine weather across northern and eastern scotland with sunshine. these storms, later in the afternoon, they will then merge, merge into a more coherent and longer spell of rain, and that will travel northwards across northern england and into parts of scotland as well. here there could be a lot of rain through this evening and into tomorrow. this is what it looks like early in the morning tomorrow. the worst of it will have gone through england and wales at this stage, and most of the rain is across parts of scotland. tomorrow, in the wake of this weather front, we will see sunny spells and again, one or two showers developing, again possibly one or two thunderstorms, but on the whole, i think it is going to be a much calmer day for most of us tomorrow, compared to sunday.

as we head into next week, so monday into tuesday, we will see these showers again returning to parts of southern and central britain. some of these could bring thunderstorms and again, it stays on the warm side, but perhaps not as warm as it has been of late, temperatures typically in the low 20s. there is an indication that, as we head towards the end of the week, it starts to turn warmer once again.