this is bbc news a bbc investigation casts doubt on the greek authorities account of the sinking of a boat in which hundreds of migrants are feared to have died. the united states gives a positive assesment of talks between its top diplomat and china's foreign minister — but beijing says relations are at a historic low. and: cabinet minister michael gove apologises after a new video shows conservative activists partying during the uk's lockdown. hello i'm rich preston. we start with last week's boat disaster off the greek coast. a bbc investigation has cast serious

doubt on the greek coastguard s account of its response leading up to when the ship sank. hundreds of people are feared to have died. at issue — whether the boat was unable to move and in need of help — with our research suggesting the coastguard's claim it was still on course to italy is not correct. the greek authorities have not yet responded to the bbc�*s findings. our europe correspondent, nick beake is in kalamata in greece where he's been analysing the ship's final movements. last tuesday morning from the air authority spot the migrant boat. —— last tuesday morning from the air authorities spot the migrant boat. this is a surveillance photo. a simulation we've obtained from a ship tracking service shows ships in the area in the run—up to the sinking. coastguard and military vessels don't appear. the yellow pin is where the migrant boat eventually sinks. at around 1500 gmt, a ship, called the lucky sailor, which gave us its logbook, turns north and approaches the migrant boat to give food and water. soon after, says the coastguard, its helicopterfinds the migrant boat on a steady course.

but two and a half hours later at around 6 another vessel, the faithful warrior, comes to the same area and supplies food to the boat as well. it is confirmed this is footage of this happening. from 7:40pm to 10:1i0pm greek official see the boat keeping a steady course and speed, they say, from a discreet distance. this is what they initially claimed. but this close—up image they themselves published from this time period looks like the migrant boat isn't going anywhere. let's look again at the activity of the last seven hours. it is all around one specific spot, suggesting the migrant boat has hardly moved. remember, all of this time greece says it isn't in trouble and it is on its way to italy so doesn't need to be rescued. it is at ”pm that the boat sinks with hundreds on board and there is a frenzy of ships coming to help.

including the celebrity beyond from where this footage was taken and later sent to the bbc. a luxury yacht, the mayan queen, is then instructed to assist and takes the 100 survivors to shore. they safely reach the port of kalamata but leave behind serious questions about the whole greek response. amnesty international also has questioned the version of greek coast guards and has called for an independent investigation. we can now talk to adriana tidona, europe migration researcher for amnesty internationaljoining us from london. thank you forjoining us this sunday evening in the uk. you heard that report from greece, detail emerging about this boat which greek authorities say was on course to italy perfectly safely. what's your response to that?— italy perfectly safely. what's your response to that? thanks for having me. response to that? thanks for having me- amnesty _ response to that? thanks for having me. amnesty international- response to that? thanks for having me. amnesty international has - me. amnesty international has expressed that this was a tragedy

that was entirely preventable and i believe the information coming from the bbc as well as many other sources at this point is really proving that that was the case. we believe that... we have many questions indeed. we wonder why a search and rescue operation had not been started earlier and what are the exact circumstances of this incident with many conflicting accounts emerging. 0ur incident with many conflicting accounts emerging. our main ask is that an investigation is started as soon as possible to verify these claims. in soon as possible to verify these claims. . ,., ., , ., claims. in that report, there was a time window _ claims. in that report, there was a time window where _ claims. in that report, there was a time window where the _ claims. in that report, there was a time window where the greek- time window where the greek coastguards say they were watching this boat and it was all safe and well even though these voices are now saying that might not be true. what should the greek coastguard have done in that time window in your opinion? we have done in that time window in

your opinion?— have done in that time window in your opinion? have done in that time window in our oinion? ~ , ., ., your opinion? we understand, and it is ublic your opinion? we understand, and it is public knowledge _ your opinion? we understand, and it is public knowledge at _ your opinion? we understand, and it is public knowledge at this _ your opinion? we understand, and it is public knowledge at this point, - is public knowledge at this point, the boat was spotted in the morning of tuesday. we believe and everybody has seen the photos by now that that boat was not seaworthy. it was extremely overcrowded. this should have been considered in distress. again that is our question as to why it was considered seaworthy as more testimonies are coming out and information that it wasn't and that the distress signal and request for help was being sent.— the distress signal and request for help was being sent. countries like greece and — help was being sent. countries like greece and italy _ help was being sent. countries like greece and italy repeatedly - help was being sent. countries like greece and italy repeatedly voice l greece and italy repeatedly voice their frustration that this is all being lumped on them to have to deal with these migrant crossings. surely it shouldn't all be on the shoulders of greece. ~ ., ., ., of greece. well, we have advocated for a lona of greece. well, we have advocated for a long time _ of greece. well, we have advocated for a long time for— of greece. well, we have advocated for a long time for a _ of greece. well, we have advocated for a long time for a solidarity - for a long time for a solidarity —based mechanism and also a human

rights —based approach to search and rescue which puts equitable responsibility on countries affected ijy responsibility on countries affected by migration movements. and also a system that effectively involves and encourages participation. what we have seen instead is that these states are reducing the search and rescue capacity and they are cracking down on ngos that provide humanitarian activity and even search and rescue. these crossings are becoming more dangerous rather than the other way around.— than the other way around. thanks very much- — migrants from pakistan are among those dead and still missing after the boat disaster — and the country's prime minister, shehbaz sharif, has called for immediate action against people traffickers. nearly 80 bodies have been found so far and hundreds of people remain missing.

syrians and egyptians are also among those unaccounted for. pakistani officials say they've arrested several people — including an alleged smuggler — from pakistani—administered kashmir. with more on this with anbarasan ethirajan our south asia regional editor. how is the news of this being received in pakistan?- how is the news of this being received in pakistan? many families are waitin: received in pakistan? many families are waiting for _ received in pakistan? many families are waiting for answers. _ received in pakistan? many families are waiting for answers. a - are waiting for answers. a significant amount of pakistani youths were thought to be a board that boat where many people are still missing. 0ne father was telling the local media how the human traffickers were luring his son with the promise of a good job in europe and they were paying more than $7,000 and then finally they ended up on this boat. and he's not hearing any information about his son. this is the case with many otherfamilies son. this is the case with many other families and one son. this is the case with many otherfamilies and one police officer told the local media 21 people from one particular village where on—board the ship and they are

missing and that is pakistani government is now trying to find out more information on what clearly happened. they have already declared a day of mourning and the pakistani flag will be flying at half mast and the government has also formed a committee to look into this tragedy and see how they can prevent people from going in this illegal manner. several people arrested. a national day of mourning. what else have officials say they are going to do in pakistan to cease this trade in human trafficking? {line in pakistan to cease this trade in human trafficking?— in pakistan to cease this trade in human trafficking? one of the main challenaes human trafficking? one of the main challenges for _ human trafficking? one of the main challenges for pakistan _ human trafficking? one of the main challenges for pakistan is _ human trafficking? one of the main challenges for pakistan is to - human trafficking? one of the main challenges for pakistan is to create | challenges for pakistan is to create jobs for young people so that they don't leave this country in this dangerous way. pakistan is going through an economic crisis. that will be the first priority for the government to look into creating morejobs and government to look into creating more jobs and starting more industries, starting more companies, and that will be a challenge. now for the government itself it is very difficult to manage the situation

because these are transnational gangs involved in these smuggling activities. they might be able to arrest the local agent in pakistan that the mastermind as may be in countries like libya where they are coordinating all of these activities as people go away, and they are all taking flights to go to libya. this is a challenge for pakistan which needs to cooperate with other countries to stop this menace of human smuggling and save lives within pakistan.— human smuggling and save lives within pakistan. ., ,, , ., , . within pakistan. thank you very much for “oininr within pakistan. thank you very much forjoining us- — the us has described the talks between secretary of state antony blinken and his chinese counterpart, chin gang, as candid and constructive. the meeting, which was held in beijing, came after growing tensions between the two superpowers — but an american statement said they had both expressed a desire to stabilise the relationship — and prevent competition from veering into conflict. china said that the relations were at their lowest point since 1979, when diplomatic links were first put in place — and said that concerns over taiwain — which is supported by washington, but which china considers to be

a rebel province — were the most prominent risk between the two. but it did also confirm that mr chin would travel to washington for more talks. 0ur correspondent stephen mcdonnell sent this report from beijing. antony blinken touched down with little expectation this would result in a breakthrough. relations have been so toxic that even having the visit 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 may land.

i don't think we can go back to the good old days. 0n the other hand we are entering a new normal, a new status, where both 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 this trip can re—establish lines of communication, 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 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. to the uk — where the government has once again become embroiled in a row over alleged parties during lockdowns. the cabinet minister michael gove has apologised on behalf of the government for a newly released video. it shows staff from the governing conservative party enjoying drinks and dancing at a christmas gathering at their headquarters in december 2020 — when social distancing restrictions were in place. london s metropolitan police service has said it is considering the footage. mr gove said the event was �*indefensible' and apologised �*unreservedly�* as iain watson reports. i think it is sickening and it's appalling and it is maddening. it is a kick in the teeth. they made a mockery. those three people have something in common. theirfamilies were hard hit by the covid pandemic and they all found it difficult to look in the mirror this morning. the newspaper obtained video footage of this event in the basement of conservative party hq in december 2020 when socialising between

different households was banned. they appeared to have missed the social distancing posters on the wall. it features the campaign team for sean bailey. he was running to be london mayor at the time. he is now about to go to the house of lords courtesy of borisjohnson's resignation honours list. mr bailey does not feature in the video himself at one of his key campaigners does. ben mallett was given an 0be in the honours list and senior conservatives are braced for a backlash. michael gove said sorry on behalf of his fellow conservatives. on a personal level i would like to apologise to people for this behaviour.

it is unacceptable and indefensible. will be honoured to be withdrawn? i don't think that. the decision was made by borisjohnson is an outgoing prime minister. charlotte hodge from bradford lost her husband to covid in november 2021 and her children lost theirfather. it is upsetting and it is... it makes me angry. it is ok for them to say sorry. it is just words. it is a word. it isn't going to bring anybody back. the december 2020 event had been reported before but without video footage. the police previously decided to take no action but say they are now aware of the previous footage and are considering it. 0pposition parties want action. there also appears 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 you yet again get this one rule it seems for those who are in government and another for everybody else. rishi sunak wants to move on from party gate but events like this still cast a long political shadow. the former first minister of scotland and former snp leader nicola sturgeon has returned home for the first time since she was arrested and released without charge as part of an investigation into the party's finances. speaking outside her home she maintained her innocence. 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 will make myself available for questions then, obviously, within the constraints that i am referring to right now. for now, ito intend to go home, catch up with some family. i know i am a public figure.

voters in switzerland have backed government proposals designed to cut fossil fuel use and reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050. the final tally showed that 59% of people approved the measures. they will see more than $3.5 billion invested to help households and businesses switch away from using imported oil and gas — and move to renewable energy. the government had backed the measures, saying that switzerland needs to take action to protect the environment, and protect its energy security. but opponents said it would increase the cost of energy — and put a strain on finances. 0ur switzerland correspondent imogen foulkes has more. live now to switzerland where we can speak to greenpeace climate expert georg klingler. good evening to you from the capital. tell us what this vote means. what are these introductions which we will see coming in before the year 2050. which we will see coming in before the year 2050-_ which we will see coming in before the year 2050. good evening. i think this vote is a — the year 2050. good evening. i think this vote is a really _ the year 2050. good evening. i think this vote is a really important - the year 2050. good evening. i think this vote is a really important step i this vote is a really important step towards reaching the paris agreement

and i think it is really the unique thing about it is that swiss people said we want to go net zero, we want to stop coal gas and oil. we decided on a linear reduction path from 2030 onwards. we also decided on rapid emission cuts like as you said 3.2 billion will be invested in getting businesses and households on this net zero path. it is businesses and households on this net zero path-— net zero path. it is interesting you mentioned — net zero path. it is interesting you mentioned swiss _ net zero path. it is interesting you mentioned swiss people _ net zero path. it is interesting you mentioned swiss people voted - net zero path. it is interesting you mentioned swiss people voted for| mentioned swiss people voted for this because critics of these proposals said this will push up energy costs if that is the case why do you think the people were convinced this was the right thing to do? , ., ., convinced this was the right thing to do? , . ., ., to do? this narrative about higher ener: to do? this narrative about higher energy costs _ to do? this narrative about higher energy costs when _ to do? this narrative about higher energy costs when we _ to do? this narrative about higher energy costs when we go - to do? this narrative about higher energy costs when we go to - to do? this narrative about higher energy costs when we go to the i energy costs when we go to the energy costs when we go to the energy transition, when we switch to solar, wind and water energy is just wrong, and people understood this. because this is an investment that

will pay back. we need to invest now more money than we would. it will be much cheaper than staying with climate wrecking fossil fuels or going for nuclear energy. wanted to ask ou going for nuclear energy. wanted to ask you about _ going for nuclear energy. wanted to ask you about nuclear _ going for nuclear energy. wanted to ask you about nuclear energy - going for nuclear energy. wanted to l ask you about nuclear energy because finland is concerned about its energy security because it buys lots of fossil fuels from russia so it has gone down the nuclear path. why did switzerland not consider that? i have to say that this vote didn't say anything about nuclear. it said much about quitting fossil fuels. and it said that we will invest in renewable energies. i think the nuclear path is not attractive in switzerland because nobody wants to invest in it. we don't find any companies that want to go down that path but we see lots of households that want to put solar on their roofs and we see communities that are in favour of wind energy and switzerland has a lot of water

already. 60% from our electricity already. 60% from our electricity already comes from water energy so we are in a good position to really go to 100% quite quickly. switzerland of course famous for its snow topped mountains. how is switzerland seen the effect of climate change?— switzerland seen the effect of climate change? switzerland seen the effect of climate chance? ,, ., , climate change? quite heavily. the averaue climate change? quite heavily. the average temperature _ climate change? quite heavily. the average temperature in _ climate change? quite heavily. thej average temperature in switzerland is twice the global average. we are at about 2.2 degrees. we really see the extremes come more often and more intense. we have a lot of rain and then suddenly the droughts and then we had, this winter, almost without any snow and then we had floods because the dry soil doesn't take up the water. we see those extremes become more severe. this is also unique to this law and farmers supported the law because they see we have a problem and they said we need to vote yes to achieve the

paris agreement, to avoid climate disaster. �* , ., , ., ~ disaster. briefly, do you think other countries _ disaster. briefly, do you think other countries are _ disaster. briefly, do you think other countries are likely - disaster. briefly, do you think other countries are likely to i disaster. briefly, do you think- other countries are likely to follow suit? i other countries are likely to follow suit? ~' ., suit? i think the one unique thing about switzerland _ suit? i think the one unique thing about switzerland is _ suit? i think the one unique thing about switzerland is people - suit? i think the one unique thing| about switzerland is people really backed this law and we see in germany for example that there is much critique about the government doing things that people want. but here we have proven that people, when they understand that this is clever investments, that they back such a law. this effect could spill over to other countries. they are more courageous in doing climate action. and there is another thing i wanted to mention. companies that go net zero will be supported by the state in switzerland and those companies, those swiss companies, are active in other countries so they will shine a light about how we could tackle the climate crisis. thank you very much. now — we return to that extraordinary story out of colombia — when four children were found in the jungle a0 days

after their plane crashed may. the bbc�*s visualjournalism team has been mapping the massive search effort that found them. to talk us through it — here's mimi swaby from the bbc world service. the plane the children were flying in crashed over colombia's southeastern amazon on the 1st of may. now, the body of the mother, the pilot and an indigenous leader on board were all recovered at the site. however, the children, now 13, nine, five and one were then missing for a0 days before they were found by a search party consisting of 160 soldiers and 70 indigenous people. now, all the children were found malnourished, exhausted and dehydrated, but they were found alive. the bbc�*s visualjournalism team has been mapping out a possible route the children took. they found multiple items during the a0 days, including a nappy and parts of a bottle thought to belong to the youngest sibling.

so these were found in the middle area here, and later on there were more fruit parts found such as passion fruit pits, peel and then footprints later on in the a0 days. but heavy rain really made this operation hard as it washed away a lot of the footprints. day after day, soldiers with sniffer dogs and local indigenous groups scoured the jungle area. now the search is split into one kilometre squares, and it's thought that teams walked more than 2600 kilometres in total. so again, a huge area. two patrols actually in opposite directions, zigzagged across the area, making sure that nothing was left unturned and there was no possibility they would miss the children. now, the search commander said that this wasn't just a search for a needle in a haystack, but more for a tiny flea in a vast carpet because they kept moving. so it really is a miracle these children were found in such a difficult terrain to navigate. the ugandan army is

continuing its hunt for the militants who attacked a school on friday night, killing at least forty 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. the prince of wales says he wants to wants to make it his mission to end homelessness in the uk, and has plans to build social housing on duchy of cornwall land that he receives income from. he's made the pledge in an interview with the sunday times to mark father's day. 0ur royal correspondent daniela relph has more. a father's day family photo, informal and relaxed the prince of wales with charlotte, louis and george. and teaching them about life outside of royalty is a priority for him. in a sunday times interview the prince says he wants to take his children to a homeless shelter and describes having chatted to them on the school run and seeing people sleeping out.

like mother like son, diana princess of wales took both william and harry to visit a homeless shelter when they were young boys. for her eldest it was the start of a long—term interest in tackling homelessness. last week he opened a new housing development in south london. he is patron of the homeless charity centrepoint. but he comes at this subject from a position of immense privilege. as prince of wales he runs a duchy of cornwall estate. 130,000 acres of land mostly in the south—west of england. as part of his long—term project

to try and ultimately end homelessness, there is a plan in this early stage to put social housing on duchy land, something william says is at the front of his mind. in leeds, for those trying to get off the streets, there was cautious optimism about the prince's plan. it is a good idea. hopefully he does it. i am fed up of being on the streets myself, do you know what i mean? hopefully they do something about it. too many people are dying on the streets. there are too many young families on the streets, you know? last year he was selling the big issue next month he will launch his project. the prince of wales is trying to use his voice and may be his land to try and help end homelessness. much more on the website and the bbc news app including our top story, the investigation on that greek boating disaster. stay with us, we will see you soon. goodbye.

downpours are affecting parts of the country right now with thunder and lightning, hail, gusty winds, and we will continue to see that weather affecting areas of the uk through the course of this evening and into tonight as that storm in his travels from south due north. further flash flooding is possible. those downpours could deliver 30 millimetres of rain within an hour and even more than that spread over and even more than that spread over a few hours. nasty weather to come. and it is welcome rain across some parts of the country because it has been dry but the solid ground means that in some parts of the uk we do get flash flooding. through this evening, the heaviest of the rain will be moving across northern parts of england quite heavily in the north west throughout yorkshire come into the far north of england, and then eventually southern, central and eastern parts of scotland

through the early hours of monday morning. whereas further south the weather will tend to dry out. early in the morning it would be muggy. 0n in the morning it would be muggy. on monday temperature is around 13 to 15 celsius. from the word go, cloudy and rainy picture for many central and rainy picture for many central and northern parts of scotland back to the south some sunshine. tomorrow, for many, a fine day, just a scattering of showers here and there, the odd crack of thunder, the old heavy downpour, but lots of sunshine around and really quite warm, around 25 celsius on the north sea coast. low pressure still with us on monday and tuesday as it travels northwards and further showers are expected to spread from the south. 0n showers are expected to spread from the south. on tuesday again another round of storms spreading across the country, possible almost anywhere across the uk. temperatures are lower than of late perhaps in the lower than of late perhaps in the low 20s for most of us. but really pleasant enough in the sunshine and it is still quite muggy air. for the rest of the week, low pressure will

be in the atlantic. it may be brushing north—western part of the uk late in the week but ahead of it, towards the south and the east, we will see a ridge of high pressure building and that will mean warm and sunny weather, particularly for eastern and southern areas of the uk. looking at the outlet, the apps are suggesting those temperatures rising towards the end of the week but the weather itself is looking rather mixed with showers at times. goodbye.