this is bbc news. a new video emerges of tory activists partying during the lockdown. the us secretary of state begins talks with his chinese counterpart in beijing — amid tensions between the superpowers. pope francis condemns a school attack in uganda which killed more than a0 people as the army searches for those responsible. and initial estimates suggest switzerland has voted to make the country carbon neutral by 2050. the levelling up and housing secretary michael gove has apologised on behalf of the government for the �*partygate�* video which has emerged. it shows conservative party staff

enjoying drinks and dancing at a christmas gathering at their headquarters in december 2020 — a time when social distancing restrictions were in place. london's metropolitan police service has said it is "aware of" and considering" the footage. mr gove said the event was �*indefensible�* and apologised �*unreservedly�* as helen catt reports. 2020 was the year we saw this, and this, as people accepted strict curbs on their daily lives that the government said were necessary to keep them safe. but in december in a basement in conservative party headquarters, this... a christmas party, note the festive jumper, dancing and booze. socialising indoors with anyone except your own household or support bubble was banned, some at the party seemed worried that their event might be caught on camera. instagram live!

the levelling up secretary said he was sorry it had happened. as we all know, there have been police investigations into what happened in downing street, but putting that to one side, on a personal level, i would like to apologise to people for this behaviour, it is unacceptable and indefensible. in december 2020, andrew naughton was shielding with his daughter who has cerebral palsy. this video that has come out today is a kick in the teeth for those of us that have been fighting for our children and our people we are caring for that don't have a voice and then to hear that these people in the party have been elevated now to a position in the house of lords, where they make decisions, shows that they are actually even further away from us. the party was organised by the campaign team for then london mayoral candidate shaun bailey who hasjust been made a peer in borisjohnson�*s

resignation honours. when a photo of it appeared two years ago he apologised. he is not in the video but his campaign manager ben mallet is. he also received an honour, and there are calls for both of them to lose them. there also seems to be a mocking of the rules that is going on in the video, where people up and down the country were making sacrifices to follow the rules that were imposed, and yet again you get this one rule it seems for those who were in government and another for everybody else. the metropolitian police previously investigated this event and decided not to take any further action. a spokesperson from the force said they were aware of a spokesperson from the force said they were aware of the a spokesperson from the force said they were aware of the footage a spokesperson from the force said they were aware of the footage and were considering it. the conservatives say disciplinary action was taken against four people. the government wants to move on from partygate, this video shows how difficult that may still be. 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. 0ur correspondent stephen mcdonell is in beijing and says mr blinken�*s visit is symobolic. antony blinken touched down in beijing with little expectation that this visit would result in a breakthrough. china—us relations are so toxic at the moment that merely having the trip proceed has been a step forward. the first meeting was with the secretary of state's chinese counterpart, qin gang. the potential to drift into war is a concern shared all around. so safeguards are needed to prevent an accidental armed conflict. from trade tensions to climate change, much repair work is needed. yet the world's superpowers are nowhere near rapprochement

on any of these fronts. analysts close to the government here have become very pragmatic about where us—china relations may land. i don't think we can go back to the good old days, that's probably for sure. but then on the other hand, we probably enter into a new normal, a new status where both countries recognise, you can't change me, i can't change you. let's not change each other. let's find a way to co—exist peacefully. if this trip can re—establish lines of communication, can clear a path for further high level visits, then both governments will consider it having been a success. and it's a measure of the pessimistic mood around this relationship that if these meetings can simply slow an increase in tensions, that, too, will be taken as a win. in february, the alleged chinese spy balloon over north america delayed this trip. now that antony blinken is actually here, the mood is polite and official, but not very warm.

stephen mcdonell, bbc news, beijing. let's speak to lynette 0ng, ?a professor of political science at the university of toronto. she is also a senior fellow at the asia society policy institute. thank you forjoining us. clearly this is a very significant milestone given the level of distress there is between the two countries. yes. given the level of distress there is between the two countries. yes, it is a significant _ between the two countries. yes, it is a significant milestone - between the two countries. yes, it is a significant milestone but - between the two countries. yes, it is a significant milestone but i - is a significant milestone but i think we should temper our expectations because there is a great deal of distrust between the two countries right now. the bilateral relations is apparently at a historical low point so i think the expedition overall is fairly low, so as your correspondent said earlier, the visit was derailed by the spy blimp saga earlier this year. the stakes are high but the purposeis year. the stakes are high but the purpose is about dispelling misconceptions, it is about

signalling the intent to convert and listen, which are very important to stabilising the bilateral relations. the americans will say this visit shows they are serious about repairing relationships, talking about what they call a new floor, such relations do not spiral further. how can the chinese show they are serious? i further. how can the chinese show they are serious?— they are serious? i think the chinese are _ they are serious? i think the chinese are cautious - they are serious? i think the chinese are cautious in - they are serious? i think the - chinese are cautious in warming up to the united states because the chinese leadership has been selling to its domestic audience and citizens that the us is to blame for the spiralling relationship. i think president xi will want to continue playing the nationalism card further and given the domestic and economic challenges, they will want to look tough on the number of reasons. but i think overall the important issues, on the top of the us mind,

issues, on the top of the us mind, is whether beijing is supplying weapons to russia. i think a secretary blinking once to get reassurance from beijing it is not doing that. do reassurance from bei'ing it is not doinu that. ~ reassurance from bei'ing it is not doing that.— doing that. do you think you will aet doing that. do you think you will net that doing that. do you think you will get that reassurance? _ doing that. do you think you will get that reassurance? i - doing that. do you think you will get that reassurance? i think - doing that. do you think you will| get that reassurance? i think qin gan has get that reassurance? i think qin gang has said — get that reassurance? i think qin gang has said last _ get that reassurance? i think qin gang has said last month - get that reassurance? i think qin gang has said last month it - get that reassurance? i think qin gang has said last month it is - get that reassurance? i think qin| gang has said last month it is not supplying weapons, i think beijing will continue to maintain that position. in will continue to maintain that osition. , ., ., ., position. in terms of other topics, clearly trade. _ position. in terms of other topics, clearly trade, technology, - position. in terms of other topics, clearly trade, technology, huge i position. in terms of other topics, | clearly trade, technology, huge hot contentious topics between the two countries, if they are going to form relations it is almost counter—productive to have them in the room talking about it in some ways. the room talking about it in some wa s. ,, , ~ , ways. sure, but i think this could oen ways. sure, but i think this could 0 en the ways. sure, but i think this could open the door— ways. sure, but i think this could open the door and _ ways. sure, but i think this could open the door and pave - ways. sure, but i think this could open the door and pave the - ways. sure, but i think this could open the door and pave the way l ways. sure, but i think this could i open the door and pave the way for further high—level visits and possibly a site meeting between president xi and president biden at the apec summit in san francisco in november. this is the beginning of

many good things to come in the coming months and years. in that way, it is highly symbolic and important for that reason. antony bfinken important for that reason. antony blinken likely _ important for that reason. antony blinken likely to _ important for that reason. antony blinken likely to meet _ important for that reason. antony blinken likely to meet president | important for that reason. antony i blinken likely to meet president xi? there is a toxin might do at some point in this trip, that would show a significant gesture towards the americans, if that was the case. there is some talk he is expected to meet president xi, the signal from the chinese side is a little mixed. people are saying on social media there is no red carpet at the effort welcoming him, and there is no visible smile between him and qin gang. but i think overall i am quite hopeful that good things will come from this visit.— hopeful that good things will come from this visit. thank you very much for “oininu from this visit. thank you very much forjoining us- _ the ugandan army is continuing its hunt for the militants who attacked a school on friday night, killing at least a0 people, many of them children. the pope has today condemned the attack, describing it as brutal, and saying that he was praying

for the victims. the rebels responsible for the atrocity are from an islamist extremist group known as the adf. they also kidnapped six students before escaping back across the border into the democratic republic of the congo. let's cross over to our correspondent dorcas wangira in nairobi. what do we know right now in terms of where the army is in their search? ., , , , search? there has been very little information _ search? there has been very little information trickling _ search? there has been very little information trickling from - search? there has been very little information trickling from the - search? there has been very little l information trickling from the army, however it from the last update from an official, that was the major general, who is the major general in charge of the mountain division and the operation, he said after 2a hours the army will have the results since saturday. we have been waiting and they have not been able yet to rescue the six abducted students or capture the rebels. however he has

been giving different accounts, like for example he was saying there had been intelligence reports that adf insurgents were present for two days and there had been a lapse in security. it is quite unfortunate, authorities are still trying to understand what went wrong but residents are saying this has come in a little too late.— in a little too late. clearly a very distressing _ in a little too late. clearly a very distressing time _ in a little too late. clearly a very distressing time for _ in a little too late. clearly a very distressing time for those - in a little too late. clearly a very l distressing time for those families and victims, many known to be children as well. how are the families being helped?- children as well. how are the families being helped? from what we have seen, even _ families being helped? from what we have seen, even from _ families being helped? from what we have seen, even from the _ families being helped? from what we have seen, even from the first - families being helped? from what we have seen, even from the first beingl have seen, even from the first being shared by online and even by ugandan local media, so much devastation, too hard to describe. you could see some of those who had survived and they were bleeding, you could see they were bleeding, you could see the bodies being wheeled into the hospitals and it is tragic for those who died while receiving treatment for shortage of blood. i think nothing can make that kind of pain,

especially when people are asking where what's the army? white was that no response? this is a relatively small school, privately owned and to think about, especially the boys, a petrol bomb was thrown and bodies were burned beyond recognition, it is really horrible and something residents say should never have happened. the and something residents say should never have happened.— and something residents say should never have happened. the adf, many --eole never have happened. the adf, many peeple wouldn't _ never have happened. the adf, many people wouldn't have _ never have happened. the adf, many people wouldn't have heard _ never have happened. the adf, many people wouldn't have heard of- never have happened. the adf, many people wouldn't have heard of them. | people wouldn't have heard of them. tell us about them as a group and the threat they pose to uganda. the adf, or the threat they pose to uganda. the adf. or the — the threat they pose to uganda. tue: adf, or the allied the threat they pose to uganda. tte: adf, or the allied defence the threat they pose to uganda. t'te: adf, or the allied defence forces, has its origins in uganda, in the western regions, in the early 90s. in 1998, 25 years ago, they carried out an attack in the same region and they attacked a technical institute, killed 80 and abducted hundreds. at the time they were rebelling against the time they were rebelling against the current president's rule and they have been driven out of uganda into the drc, in 2021 some attacks

into the drc, in 2021 some attacks in kampala were linked to this group and in 2022 last year an operation was launched to try and flush out the rebels. the major general i referred to earlier said one of their —— the group is under a lot of pressure in the drc, is that they are moving back into uganda to try and remind the world there are still there. this time it was a small target but this group is still very much present within uganda and drc. thank you that update. 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 11% to a minimum of 15% to invest in renewable energies. live now to geneva — and our correspondent imogen foulkes. a big moment. i think it is, the

environmental _ a big moment. i think it is, the environmental groups - a big moment. i think it is, the environmental groups and - a big moment. i think it is, thej environmental groups and even a big moment. i think it is, the - environmental groups and even some elements of swiss business and industry are unwelcoming this law because switzerland has been a bit stalled in the last few years towards meeting its obligations under the paris climate agreement and this proposalfrom under the paris climate agreement and this proposal from the government perhaps wouldn't have got through, a similar one did not two years ago because of concerns about the economic impact, but now the swiss are looking at their melting glaciers, looking at their independency on russian oil and gas, and the war in ukraine, they are telling themselves this is not good, let alone for our climate or for national security, so they had voted to back this proposal. a big chunk of money attached to it, three and half $1 billion over ten years to help households and businesses move to renewables. you can see this field is of a year behind me, huge

solarfarm is planned for that. the houses behind me will get help to put solar panels on the reefs, so climate activists and assist government welcoming best to put them back on track towards becoming carbon neutral. es, them back on track towards becoming carbon neutral.— carbon neutral. a stunning background, _ carbon neutral. a stunning background, doesn't - carbon neutral. a stunning background, doesn't lookl carbon neutral. a stunning - background, doesn't look polluted from where we are looking but in terms of everyday life are swiss people, what will this mean to them? renewable energy is a focus but how will they change the way they live their lives? ., .., will they change the way they live their lives?— their lives? you can probably see some of the _ their lives? you can probably see some of the houses _ their lives? you can probably see some of the houses behind - their lives? you can probably see some of the houses behind me, | their lives? you can probably see - some of the houses behind me, these are older ones built in the 70s and 80s, almost all of them will have oil to fuel their central heating. all of them will have a big old boiler in the basement full of oil. they are going to be encouraged to move away from that, i think some may say if you are trying to renew, no chance of getting an oil fired burner, you are going to have to

move to solar or heat exchange and they will be helped to do that. some of my neighbours round here in the more modern houses have done it but he had to spend a lot of their own money to do it. some people cannot afford that, as another is going to be held for that, tax breaks, and help for businesses as well, to move away from fossil fuel supply to power their own industries and move to renewables. it will have to be solar and more hydro, which switzerland is good at but it will need to be expanded. it is really the focus is on renewables and away from fossil fuels. they will not be banned, but they have got to be a tiny minority of what switzerland uses by 2050. thank you very much for that update. let's have a look at the spot with gavin.

england look to build their lead. there are currently 26 without loss but as i speak wayne has just stopped play. england's boris made light work of australia's lower order at the start of the day. 0llie robinson and stuart broad both finishing with three wickets. meanwhile england all—rounder moeen ali has been fined fined 25% of his match fee for applying an unauthorised drying spray to his bowling hand on saturday. the icc accepted moeen's use of the spray was an attempt to reduce perspiration and not an attempt to alter the condition of the ball. two british players are competing in a wta final for the first time since 1997. earlierandy a wta final for the first time since 1997. earlier andy murray claimed his second title in as many weeks, beating a player from his second title in as many weeks, beating a playerfrom france in straight sets, his tenth win in a

row as a two—time wimbledon champion continues his strong form ahead of this years's championship. he will return to the world's top a0 on monday and will seek more wins at queens. 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 201a. i felt like i played ifelt like i played really smart solid golf. hit a lot of fairways and greens, sort of felt somewhat

stress—free out there, if you can ever call golf at a us open stress—free but overall pretty pleased with how today went and feel like in any good spot heading into tomorrow. 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 0scar 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. this is a good start for us, the most difficult conditions out there and trying to get temperatures for

the tires. it is difficult to generate temperature when it is not a high—speed corner. yeah, i was hoping for more but we will take it. 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 a—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. and that's all the sport for now. scotland's former first minister, nicola sturgeon, says she's certain she's done nothing wrong after being questioned by police investigating her party's finances. speaking publicly for the first time since she was arrested and released without charge last weekend, ms sturgeon said she would return to the scottish parliament tomorrow. she spoke outside her house a short time ago — here's what she had to say.

you know i can't say very much just now. what i will say is... reiterate the statement i issued last sunday. i am certain that i have done nothing wrong. i intend to be back in parliament in the early part of the week. i'll make myself available for questions then. 0bviously, within the constraints that i'm referring to right now. for now, i intend to go home, catch up with some family. i know i'm a public figure, i accept what comes with that, but i'm also a human being that's entitled to a bit of privacy, and my neighbours are also entitled to a bit of privacy as well. so thank you very much just now. have you considered stepping back from the snp? i've done nothing wrong, and that is the only thing i'm going to assert today. have there been conditions placed on your arrest? - no. after your arrest. no, and i'm not going to get into anything other than that. would nicola sturgeon have suspended nicola sturgeon? look, i've done nothing wrong. it's for others to comment as they see fit, but that's my position and i'm entitled

to take it. i'm going to go in to my house now. thank you. that was former first minister of scotland nicola sturgeon. live now to our correspondent, jamie mcivor. lots of commentators describing her as defiant, what is the reaction? the statement in the last hour or so, and this is a life police investigation and people need to be very careful in what they say. in terms of the politics as opposed to the police investigation, certainly very powerful to hear nicola sturgeon speaking this afternoon. this was the first time she had been seen or spoken in public since she was arrested and questioned by police last sunday afternoon. in terms of what she actually did say, very much reiterating her position, thatis very much reiterating her position, that is to say she believes she is innocent. she obviously has no intentions of resigning from the snp for the moment, standing aside from the party. those that have called

for her to do so, while the investigation goes on, that it was the best to do that, very much a minority. and the second point she made very clear as she intends to continue to represent her constituents as best as she can, no possibility of a team of her resigning from parliament or a by—election being held. lots resigning from parliament or a by-election being held. lots of --eole by-election being held. lots of peeple will _ by-election being held. lots of peeple will be _ by-election being held. lots of people will be surprised - by-election being held. lots of people will be surprised she i by-election being held. lots of people will be surprised she is| people will be surprised she is returning to parliament tomorrow, what is the process now, where does it leave her and her husband? tt you it leave her and her husband? if you excuse me — it leave her and her husband? if you excuse me a — it leave her and her husband? if you excuse me a moment _ it leave her and her husband? if you excuse me a moment when - it leave her and her husband? if you excuse me a moment when i - it leave her and her husband? if you excuse me a moment when i put - it leave her and her husband? tt gm. excuse me a moment when i put my microphone on here, i apologise. i do apologise for that. we microphone on here, i apologise. i do apologise for that.— microphone on here, i apologise. i do apologise for that. we are seeing ictures of do apologise for that. we are seeing pictures of nicola _ do apologise for that. we are seeing pictures of nicola sturgeon - do apologise for that. we are seeing pictures of nicola sturgeon going - pictures of nicola sturgeon going into the polls earlier on. this t pictures of nicola sturgeon going into the polls earlier on. as i was sa in: , into the polls earlier on. as i was saying. in — into the polls earlier on. as i was saying. in terms _ into the polls earlier on. as i was saying, in terms of— into the polls earlier on. as i was saying, in terms of where - into the polls earlier on. as i was saying, in terms of where things | into the polls earlier on. as i was - saying, in terms of where things now stand it is an ongoing police investigation so we are very limited investigation so we are very limited in what we are actually able to say

just now. what nicola sturgeon will seek to do now is returned to the scottish parliament at some point this week, but she will probably be mindful of the fact she could, in the short term at least, inadvertently distract attention away from day—to—day politics. she will be very mindful of the fact she will be very mindful of the fact she will not be wanting to take away from anything the first minister has got to say about the day—to—day business of government, away from that risk of serving as what she might accept yourself as an unwanted distraction, what people think about the police investigations into snp finances rather than government policy. finances rather than government oli . ., ., , finances rather than government oli . ., policy. how does it impact the current first _ policy. how does it impact the current first minister- policy. how does it impact the current first minister and - policy. how does it impact the current first minister and how| policy. how does it impact the i current first minister and how he deals with this situation? that current first minister and how he deals with this situation?- current first minister and how he deals with this situation? that is a very interesting — deals with this situation? that is a very interesting question - deals with this situation? that is a very interesting question because| very interesting question because humza yousaf was a continuity candidate in the snp leadership election. humza yousaf was very much an anointed figure by nicola sturgeon, always seemed destined for great things within the party and very much the choice in the

leadership election, the bulk certainly of the senior snp figures, so certainly the risk for hands that you save is that by looking so close to nicola sturgeon and her administration, if this inquiry leads to any action being taken and of course at present nobody has been charged, there is always the best of the difficulties that could pose for humza yousaf. in terms of the optics, some would say it simply is not a good look, others would say remember somebody is innocent until proven guilty and nicola sturgeon strongly insists she is innocent. 0k, thank you very much forjoining us and that update. before we go — let's leave you with these pictures. a giant bronze head emerging from the water isn't what you expect to see on a trip to the british seaside. the striking sculpture is the centre piece of an arts festival this weekend. the 1.8m piece of work is on show — right on the sand — in suffolk. stay with us here on bbc news.

hello. a lot of energy pent up in the atmosphere, thunderstorms are forming, many of us are going to appreciate the rain, parks, gardens and wildlife as well, we do not necessarily want an awful lot of rain in a short space of time because that needs to flash flooding. let's have a look at the picture through the quest of today, at risk of thunderstorms, many areas of england, wales and northern ireland. initially these potent storms will be forming in distinct areas, distinctive under cloud or cells, and this will produce a lot of rain fell. there will be a lot of run—off, many parts of the country still try 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 some strong gusty winds and frequent lightning. away from that plenty of sunshine around, so not everybody is going to get the storms today. this is what it looks like the end of the afternoon, fine weather across parts of northern and eastern scotland with sunshine, but these storms later on in the afternoon will merge into a more coherent longer spell of rain and that will travel northwards across northern england and into parts of scotland as well, and 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 worse will have gone through, england and wales at this stage, most of the rain is across parts of scotland and then tomorrow in the wake of this weather front, we will see sunny spells and again one or two showers developing. possibly one or two thunderstorms but on the whole it is going to be a much calmer day for most of us

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