and after years of fighting against terrorism and corruption, the country's president says iraq is now turning a new page. in his first english speaking tv interview since taking office in october, president abdul latif rashid spoke to me about the new period of relative peace and stability that iraq is enjoying. he says the country is now is focused on tackling important issues like climate change, regional security and global investment. i think any investment, especially foreign investment, there are a few important factors. first is opportunity. according to our government programme, there are lots of opportunities for investors to invest in iraq. secondly is safety and security in the country. i am glad to report that iraq is enjoying a period of peace, safety, and security for investors.

there are other factors, which really encourage investors, to modify our rules and revelations in regard to the procedures of financial transfer, and at the same time fiscal policy, and improving certain rules and regulations which are attached to investors and the banking system. the government is very serious to take actions around all these lines, and i want to report the security of iraq is good and iraq has been enjoying a period of safety and security for the last few years. what about corruption? there has been, over many years, a worry about the level of corruption in iraq. a recent news article, the director of the iraq initiative at londons chatham house said: the system of corruption and political patronage

is entrenched and has stifled any reform attempts for the past 20 years. what are you doing to address this? corruption is a disease in any society, and it's a serious disease. we have to fight it and we have to really put laws and enforce these laws against corruption. we have taken serious actions. i know there are reports from outside and occasionally they mention corruption in iraq. iraq is not the only country that faces corruption. it's all over the world. in iraq, we have taken very serious steps. we haven't announced all the steps taken because we want to act seriously on corruption. and i want to mention that corruption, for the last year or two, has decreased in iraq and there are serious government policies to abandon and to take action against corruption in the departments and ministries

and all government activities. let's talk about foreign policy now, mr president. it's a difficult balancing act for iraq to maintain meaningful bilateral relationships with iran, which are important, but also keep the united states happy by ensuring that iraq doesn't facilitate the violation of us sanctions against iran? how are you currently trying to maintain that balance between the two? i'm glad to say, and i'm very happy to say, that our balance of relationship is good with every country. we have very good and strong relationships with the united states and, at the same time, we have very good relationships with iran, which is our largest neighbour. and we have been in good relationships with the united states right from the beginning.

even before 2003, not iraqi government, iraqi opposition groups, and at the same time with iran, continuous relationships with iran, and i paid a official visit to iran recently, and we outline our relationships with every country, it is based on iraqi independence and beneficial contacts between the two countries or any countries which we have. not only the united states and iran, we have good relationships with all regional countries, and good relations with the european countries. i don't exclude any country to have good relationships. forgive me, mr president, but the problem with iran, is that you may have good relations with them but the united states does not at the moment. does that not complicate things for you given iran's influence in iraq? it hasn't complicated more than any other country.

we have good relationship with the united states and we are in touch with the united states, with them on every step. at the same time, we are keeping good relationship with iran and other countries in the region. let's talk about the iraqi population and the problems they now facing people who live in a country. iraq is now considered the fifth most vulnerable country in the world for the climate crisis according to the un. suffering a drought in many parts that's causing insecurity and displacement for many people. what is the government doing to try and change the effects of the drought, which have been severe in many areas of the country? i fully agree with you. drought and climate change is affecting almost every country in the area, and we are having our share of it. the government is very serious about it. we have taken serious actions regarding improvement of our water system and dialogue

with our neighbouring countries, and, furthermore, the most important factor, is to improve our water system in iraq. we are taking very serious actions but i agree with you, we suffered under climate change. we suffered shortage of water, and the basic reason for not tackling these problems was we suffered from the terror attacks and conflicts in iraq for a long period of time. but the governments programme is very clear and we are taking a serious decisions, and serious actions, to improve the water system in iraq and fight the drought other factors which are related to it.

this bring in the panelists, are there and wanted to congratulate me with an interview, is interesting. when i spoke to the president and asked that the engine of the interview, do you and the iraqi people believe that what happened 20 years ago the us led invasion of iraq was right thing to do, he effectively said yes. we were asking for help. there were elements of the iraqi spectrum that needed help and wanted it. that's different from what we're here note particularly when it comes to the blair years and the reason behind the invasion of iraq, particularly when we talk about wmds or whatever. when you watch the documentaries _ about wmds or whatever. when you watch the documentaries on - about wmds or whatever. when you watch the documentaries on the - watch the documentaries on the subject the bit that leaks out, when the interview young iraqis, they were greeting the rivals of the tanks i because what they thought was coming was liberal, progressive

politics and good governance. they didn't get that because after the fall of saddam hussein they were abundant. if it's taken 20 years for abundant. if it's taken 20 years for a more stable iraq to emerge, which are interview suggest, and if it's been largely done by the iraqi people than being a post on them on the outside which is harder to do, you can cease it why someone like the new president would think 2003 was beneficial to the country. there is no doubt the countries are better place now than the night before the invasion in 2003. it's been an unimaginablejourney to invasion in 2003. it's been an unimaginable journey to get there. stephanie, when you look at the way in which a country evolves over time, is difficult to imagine what country would have been had the american led troops not entered 20 years ago. american led troops not entered 20 earsauo. ~ , ., , years ago. absolutely. i really feel for the president _ years ago. absolutely. i really feel for the president when _ years ago. absolutely. i really feel for the president when you're - for the president when you're talking — for the president when you're talking about corruption for some i feel like _ talking about corruption for some i feel like it — talking about corruption for some i feel like it is a double edged sword

as an _ feel like it is a double edged sword as an elective official who is focused _ as an elective official who is focused on rates rooting out corruption and reason ethical standards. every time i would shine a light— standards. every time i would shine a light on_ standards. every time i would shine a light on some corruption that i found, _ a light on some corruption that i found, and — a light on some corruption that i found, and as you say, everyone knows _ found, and as you say, everyone knows where there is a fast food restaurant — knows where there is a fast food restaurant or government, there's corruption, _ restaurant or government, there's corruption, so you know it's there. so, corruption, so you know it's there. so. when — corruption, so you know it's there. so. when you _ corruption, so you know it's there. so, when you pointed out, you get lagged _ so, when you pointed out, you get tagged with having a corrupt administration. so, the slow pace of progress _ administration. so, the slow pace of progress when it comes to fighting corruption — progress when it comes to fighting corruption is, i think, progress when it comes to fighting corruption is, ithink, in progress when it comes to fighting corruption is, i think, in this political— corruption is, i think, in this political climate is unavoidable. i feel for— political climate is unavoidable. i feel for him. i political climate is unavoidable. i feelfor him. i hope he political climate is unavoidable. i feel for him. i hope he continues to root il— feel for him. i hope he continues to root it out— feel for him. i hope he continues to root it out because that is what will eventually bring more faith in his government.— will eventually bring more faith in hisaovernment. ., ,, , ., his government. thank you stephanie and tom. before _ his government. thank you stephanie and tom. before we _ his government. thank you stephanie and tom. before we move _ his government. thank you stephanie and tom. before we move on - his government. thank you stephanie and tom. before we move on with - and tom. before we move on with our panel, i want to get more on that breaking news. the american pop star madonna has postponed her tour after falling ill and staying in intensive care for several days. that's according to a statement

on instagram from her talent for more on this i'm joined now by variety magazine's executive editor for music, jem aswad. is there any more that you know that you can tell us about what's happened to madonna? her you can tell us about what's happened to madonna? you can tell us about what's ha ened to madonna? . ., , happened to madonna? her manager is the one who announced _ happened to madonna? her manager is the one who announced the _ the one who announced the postponement. he's a pretty straight shooter so i would think that what he said is basically what happened. we do know that the dancers and musicians on the tour were informed this morning but that's all we know. this tour was scheduled to start on july 15 in vancouver. it was scheduled to go all the way through january, so this is going to mean a fair amount january, so this is going to mean a fairamount of january, so this is going to mean a fair amount of disruption, that's for sure. ~ ,,., , ., , fair amount of disruption, that's for sure. ~ , , ., , ., for sure. absolutely, and this tour, i was for sure. absolutely, and this tour, l was reading _ for sure. absolutely, and this tour, i was reading somewhere, - for sure. absolutely, and this tour, i was reading somewhere, 45 - for sure. absolutely, and this tour, i was reading somewhere, 45 of. for sure. absolutely, and this tour, | i was reading somewhere, 45 of the dates are completely sold out. a very popular tour, clearly at 64 years old, madonna still has it what it takes in terms of the music world, in enticing people to want to

see her perform.— see her perform. 10096. what's different about _ see her perform. 10096. what's different about this _ see her perform. 10096. what's different about this tour - see her perform. 10096. what's different about this tour is - see her perform. 10096. what's different about this tour is herl different about this tour is her tours are usually, she's one of those artists who as they get on in years, they are still trying to say focus on their new material, which is understandable. but this tour is a 40th anniversary of her entering the music business and it was meant to be a real hits tour. those are the ones, she had kind of shying away from, should played several hits on previous stores but she would usually focus on her new album. that's a major reason why people were so excited. i album. that's a major reason why people were so excited.— people were so excited. i don't know, i did _ people were so excited. i don't know, i did i'm _ people were so excited. i don't know, i did i'm nuts _ people were so excited. i don't know, i did i'm nuts across - people were so excited. i don't know, i did i'm nuts across my| know, i did i'm nuts across my donna's entire career, but i've never known her to be hospitalised for anything in this way. to this degree. for anything in this way. to this decree. �* . for anything in this way. to this decree. . . ., ., degree. am i correct? not that i can think of. but. _ degree. am i correct? not that i can think of. but, as _ degree. am i correct? not that i can think of. but, as you _ degree. am i correct? not that i can think of. but, as you said, _ degree. am i correct? not that i can think of. but, as you said, she - degree. am i correct? not that i can think of. but, as you said, she is - think of. but, as you said, she is 64 and the body can't take those things quite as well as they did when you were younger. she may have

had injuries are not but i may run. she's amazing, she still very clearly involves creatively in her tour and the way she wants to be perceived by people. what kind of blow will it be for madonna, for her whole brand, if the stories delayed? i know it's not her fault, whole brand, if the stories delayed? i know it's not herfault, she has been on well but these tours are what artists make money off these days. what artists make money off these da s. ~ . what artists make money off these da 5. . ., , ., , what artists make money off these das. . ,._ , what artists make money off these das. . , ., days. what usually happens, i mean this is nothing _ days. what usually happens, i mean this is nothing that _ days. what usually happens, i mean this is nothing that hasn't _ days. what usually happens, i mean this is nothing that hasn't happened| this is nothing that hasn't happened before, right? tours get rescheduled. the dates, says she misses a week of dates, they would move that to probably after, because the tour is going from north america to europe, and then at the end of december he comes back to north america. they will probably take it onto the north america dates. it was dealt with during the pandemic. as sonjohn stop during the middle of his farewell tour. and basically

picks right up where he left off, and he would see all of these, you know, dates originally scheduled for june 15 2020, and it's obvious what happened. it's nothing that can't be surmounted as long as she is healthy. knowing madonna, she will come back with some sassy comments about it. i’m come back with some sassy comments about it. �* . come back with some sassy comments about it. �* , y., �* come back with some sassy comments about it. �* , �* , come back with some sassy comments aboutit.�* , �* , about it. i'm sure you'll be happy to 'oin about it. i'm sure you'll be happy to join me _ about it. i'm sure you'll be happy to join me in _ about it. i'm sure you'll be happy to join me in wishing _ about it. i'm sure you'll be happy to join me in wishing her- about it. i'm sure you'll be happy to join me in wishing her well- about it. i'm sure you'll be happy| to join me in wishing her well and about it. i'm sure you'll be happy i to join me in wishing her well and a tojoin me in wishing her well and a return to full house, jem aswad thank you. return to full house, jem aswad thank yon-— around the world and across the uk. this is bbc news. bbc news — bringing you different stories from across the uk. this is a dream collection for any star wars fan, many of the toys instantly recognisable. "star wars" theme plays. matt, this is taking me back. and they all belong to the star wars fan matt fox, who bought his first action figure of darth vader

when he was five. he's spent his life combing the world for those rare items — for example, figures in their original boxes unopened are worth over £1,000. and there's real movie history here, too — these were the two posters pitched to 20th century fox for the first star wars film. and matt has the original of the one that never made the cut. that was the one that was chosen, and both agents rolled and took them home, and it's been there for the last 40 years. but we've got the actual here... this is the original? the unproduced star wars painting, done back in �*77 by a fantastic artist. and alongside is chantrell�*s one. for more stories from across the uk, head to the bbc news website. you're live with bbc news south korea is scrapping its unique system of counting a person's age, where babies are considered to be one—year—old the day they are born. their age then increases by one year on each new year's day and not on their birthday.

the government said it hopes the change will ease confusion with things like when you can claim pensions. i know the government says it wants to ease confusion but i am confused. can you expend some? flan to ease confusion but i am confused. can you expend some?— to ease confusion but i am confused. can you expend some? can you i think ou've can you expend some? can you i think you've exolained _ can you expend some? can you i think you've explained well. i _ can you expend some? can you i think you've explained well. i have - can you expend some? can you i think you've explained well. i have no - you've explained well. i have no idea about this. if a south korean babyis idea about this. if a south korean baby is born on december 31, then the next year at the turn two years old, who wouldn't love that? skip the first two years overnight. it may not be quite how it works. the other thing i didn't know, it means that midnight on on new year's eve every year, i that midnight on on new year's eve every year, 1 million koreans immediately become immediately eligible to buy alcohol. if that happened when i was 18 in rumford, idea or not imagine the scenes. where were you in rumford, surely

you are buying a car before the age of 18? i can see that she can greening your eye. stephanie you don't have a _ greening your eye. stephanie you don't have a cheeky _ greening your eye. stephanie you don't have a cheeky grin - greening your eye. stephanie you don't have a cheeky grin in - greening your eye. stephanie you don't have a cheeky grin in your. don't have a cheeky grin in your eye. you look secure and silly, i reckon that the south korean tradition, the way to do things their it's great and everything, actually, it's good if we are all singing off the same hymn sheet, globally, right? is singing off the same hymn sheet, globally. right?— globally, right? is the global socie , globally, right? is the global society. it's _ globally, right? is the global society, it's important - globally, right? is the global society, it's important to - globally, right? is the global. society, it's important to have globally, right? is the global- society, it's important to have some standards _ society, it's important to have some standards i— society, it's important to have some standards. i went to school with nrany _ standards. i went to school with many people who followed those traditions and i was mind—boggling. as someone who consistently shaves years _ as someone who consistently shaves years of— as someone who consistently shaves years of my — as someone who consistently shaves years of my age, i would not be mad. you have _ years of my age, i would not be mad. you have no— years of my age, i would not be mad. you have no need to shave any years off your age, you don't look at an age over 21. off your age, you don't look at an age over 2l— now it's time for the panel...

i was worried that the producer would forget to play that stink. and know this thing is part of that. time for the panel, it's a pulitzer prize it's section of this programme, is not pulitzer prize winning, i'll be honest, not yet. this is when the panel decides what they want to talk about. i'll start with you, tom. you to talk about a point byjeremy corbyn, please tell us more. point by jeremy corbyn, please tell us more. , , point by jeremy corbyn, please tell us more. , ., _ point by jeremy corbyn, please tell us more. , , ., _ ., point by jeremy corbyn, please tell usmore. , ., , . , us more. jeremy corbyn and glenn mccluskey. — us more. jeremy corbyn and glenn mccluskey. the — us more. jeremy corbyn and glenn mccluskey, the ted _ us more. jeremy corbyn and glenn mccluskey, the ted hughes - us more. jeremy corbyn and glenn mccluskey, the ted hughes and i us more. jeremy corbyn and glenn l mccluskey, the ted hughes and tom gunn are the 21st century, have a book of poetry coming out in november, and everyone got excited because it looked like there was a pre—lease today and the incident took it that it was terrible. d0 pre-lease today and the incident took it that it was terrible. do you have any lines _ took it that it was terrible. do you have any lines for _ took it that it was terrible. do you have any lines for us _ took it that it was terrible. do you have any lines for us question - took it that it was terrible. do you i have any lines for us question mark i don't because it transpired that the bits he released was in fact just the preamble. it the bits he released was in fact just the preamble.— the bits he released was in fact just the preamble. it was “ust four lines that he i just the preamble. it was “ust four lines that he said h just the preamble. it was “ust four lines that he said before _ just the preamble. it was just four lines that he said before at - lines that he said before at glastonbury, a labour party message

about the many and if you. it was entertaining to watch people to sleep this point by corbin which was by shelley. sleep this point by corbin which was b shelle . ,, ., sleep this point by corbin which was b shelle. ,, ., , by shelley. should politicians get into poetry. _ by shelley. should politicians get into poetry, surely? _ by shelley. should politicians get into poetry, surely? i— by shelley. should politicians get into poetry, surely? ithink- into poetry, surely? ithink politicians— into poetry, surely? ithink politicians should - into poetry, surely? ithink politicians should state - into poetry, surely? i think- politicians should state poetry, also karaoke and also first pitches. i also karaoke and also first pitches. i lots _ also karaoke and also first pitches. i lots of _ also karaoke and also first pitches. i lots of people should stay out of those, to be honest with you. stephanie, you want to take about air quality in chicago, it's a for anyone that lives there? it’s air quality in chicago, it's a for anyone that lives there?- anyone that lives there? it's is added to has _ anyone that lives there? it's is added to has impacted - anyone that lives there? it's is added to has impacted travel. | anyone that lives there? it's is i added to has impacted travel. it is scary _ added to has impacted travel. it is scary the — added to has impacted travel. it is scary. the summer of 2023 wood beasts _ scary. the summer of 2023 wood beasts summer of smog. in new york, where _ beasts summer of smog. in new york, where i_ beasts summer of smog. in new york, where i spend a lot of my time, if you weeks— where i spend a lot of my time, if you weeks ago it looked like armageddon here and it is happening in chicago _ armageddon here and it is happening in chicago. it is concerning, not 'ust in chicago. it is concerning, not just because of what it looks like, but the _ just because of what it looks like, but the impact it has on so many

people _ but the impact it has on so many people that suffer from asthma and other respiratory diseases. at as someone — other respiratory diseases. at as someone who was focused on health disparities, — someone who was focused on health disparities, i hope that chicago and everywhere that has been impacted by this air— everywhere that has been impacted by this air quality, is focusing on the least _ this air quality, is focusing on the least of— this air quality, is focusing on the least of us, — this air quality, is focusing on the least of us, those who don't have good _ least of us, those who don't have good access to medical care that are struggling _ good access to medical care that are stru: culin. ., good access to medical care that are stru~lin~. ., ., _ ., , struggling. tom, obviously what is ha - eninu struggling. tom, obviously what is happening in _ struggling. tom, obviously what is happening in north _ struggling. tom, obviously what is happening in north america - struggling. tom, obviously what is happening in north america is - struggling. tom, obviously what is| happening in north america is very much because of canadian wildfires, in the uk, we don't really have smog any more, we used to in the victorian areas if you want to bring that up. irate victorian areas if you want to bring that u-.~ ., victorian areas if you want to bring that u.~ ., ., victorian areas if you want to bring thatu.~ ., ., ., victorian areas if you want to bring thatu_ . ., ., ., ., that up. we also have that mirror of london coming _ that up. we also have that mirror of london coming up _ that up. we also have that mirror of london coming up with _ that up. we also have that mirror of london coming up with really - london coming up with really unpopular policies. the mission zone. people hated. it's a really messy one for democratic politicians to try and solve. messy one for democratic politicians to try and solve-— to try and solve. when i stayed in london. every — to try and solve. when i stayed in london, every time _ to try and solve. when i stayed in

london, every time i _ to try and solve. when i stayed in london, every time i took - to try and solve. when i stayed in london, every time i took the - to try and solve. when i stayed in | london, every time i took the two, the underground, i felt like i was coming _ the underground, i felt like i was coming out with suits in my lungs. they— coming out with suits in my lungs. they do— coming out with suits in my lungs. they do say— coming out with suits in my lungs. they do say the underground is not a healthy place airways, i don't think there's been a study on that. it is been a pleasure to have you on tom and stephanie, i thank you for being such good sports and taking part in the context. for those at home watching, thank you for watching me i am maryam moshiri, you're watching the context, stay with us on bbc. hello i'm 0lly foster with the latest sports news. it's been australia's day in the second test at lord's. england won the toss and chose to bowl but struggled for wickets, the tourists making 339—5 by the close on day one. steve smith is unbeaten on 85. there were extraordinary scenes just after the start of play, when protestors invaded the pitch. heres' our sports correspondentjoe wilson

expect the unexpected they may say before the start of any test match. in truth no one saw the presence of climate change protesters afterjust one over. not only gets in on the field of play, getting close to the wicked itself and the middle, where they did spread some orange powder which was cleaned up quickly. i darmian, perhaps, notable, certainly, that it was the england players led byjohnny baer so who disparaged those processes. he's a strong land and air wicketkeeper he's not supposed to be security. in terms of the crickets and would usher their it's about hoping the conditions would help their bowlers. did not take advantage of it. david warner dropped on 20 went on to make 66. shop is at also scored very quickly and it was joe roots of all

people who struck late on with two wickets in particular to bring england into the matchjust a bit. it did not go as england planned here today on day two, perhaps we should still expect the unexpected. let's stay with the test, the england fast bowlerjosh tongue, who took two wickets on his ashes debut, says the next session is all important i think the new ball is crucial. the first 30 minutes i would say, make sure to hit the good line and length. the ball is still doing a tiny bit but trying to stay patient as we can and get wickets as they come. couple of big transfers have gone through in the premier league this evening. tottenham have signed james maddison from leicester city . he has joined on a five year deal with spurs paying somewhere in the region of £40 million for the england midfielder. he had five years at leicester, helping them win the fa cup in 2021 , but his ten goals couldn't stop them getting relegated last season.

arsenal have completed the signing of chelsea's kai havertz, the 24—year—old german forward has signed a long term contract with the gunners with the transfer fee believed to be in the region of £65 million. he had three seasons at chelsea, scoring the winner against manchester city in the 2021 champions league final. chelsea keeper edouard mendy is the latest player to make the move from the premier league to the saudi pro league mendy, who won the champions league with the blues in 2021, has joined al ahli for a reported 16 million pounds on a three year deal. he'll be reunited with chelsea teamates kalidou koulibaly and n'golo kante who have also joined the pro—league in recent week england's under—21's have made it three wins out of three at the european championship. they beat germany 2—0. cameron archer and harvey elliott with the goals in georgia. they play portugal in the quarterfinals on sunday. germany have failed to qualify. israel go through from that group.

france top group the and switzerland also going through because it's at a loss to norway. the four time olympic gymnastics champion simone biles is set to return to the sport after two years out. the american is registered to compete in an event in chicago in august. biles, who is 26, took a �*mental health break�* after struggling at the tokyo games where she pulled out of one discipline mid—event. she's due to take part in the us classic, which is a low—profile competition but is a qualifying event for the national championships. the tour de france starts on saturday with the death of gino rader still very much in the thoughts of the riders. he crashed on a descent at the tour de suisse earlier this month. great britain's tom pidcock is a specialist in the mountain stages it hit everyone hard and personally

it hit everyone hard and personally i think one of the things that hit me it happened descending, which is something i love. i think that is kind of showed me what the consequences can be when it goes wrong but, you know, i never take unnecessary risks when i'm descending and i don't take unnecessary risk but things can happen. and that's all the sport for now. i have another update at quarter to midnight. see you then. hello there. there has been a lot of cloud around today, cloudy skies at lord's for the test match. some parts of england, though, have seen some sunshine coming through. for example, here in hampshire, it's been very muggy and very warm across many parts of england. scotland and northern ireland will be turning cooler and fresher with some sunshine around, mind you. that sunshine followed the rain that we started the day with.

and this band of rain has been quite heavy as it's pushed across scotland, had a few thunderstorms in northern england. the rain is becoming more fragmented. it's going to squeeze down through the midlands, head to the southeast of england and across east anglia later, and still a few heavy bursts of rain in there as well. clearer skies will continue to follow from the west. a few more showers along the west coast of scotland, but a chillier night for scotland and northern ireland. single figure temperatures here, much warmer and still quite humid across east anglia and the southeast because we've still got rain around first thing tomorrow on that weather front there. it does shuffle away, and then we'll introduce this westerly breeze that will bring cooler and fresher air for all of us tomorrow. but that rain will hang around into the morning across east anglia and the southeast, then it will clear away, and then it'll be sunny spells, a few showers for a while in northern ireland, pushing eastwards across scotland and the odd shower likely across england and wales, although many places here will probably be dry in the afternoon. temperature—wise not too impressive, despite the sunshine, it is cooler air. so 18—19 celsius quite widely, a bit below par, really,

for this time of the year. weather�*s coming in from the atlantic, keeping this unsettled theme going. more weatherfronts bringing cloud and rain into friday, wrapped around that area of low pressure, that's going to hang around through the weekend. we'll look at that in a moment, but for the eastern areas of the uk, friday starts dry and bright with some sunshine. it does cloud over, though, from the west. a little bit of light rain or drizzle mainly over western hills and coast. the more persistent rain comes into scotland and northern ireland as the wind picks up, and look at the temperatures, only 16 celsius in glasgow, 21 celsius perhaps in london. that area of low pressure, i mentioned it, it's going to hang around to the north of scotland, and around that we're going to find some stronger winds, particularly for northern parts of the uk, touching gale force maybe in northern scotland. and that's where we're going to see most of the rain saturday and into sunday. some showers and a bit of sunshine for scotland and northern ireland, one or two showers for northern england. but further south, it should be dry.

what has happened — tonight at ten — the uk's biggest water supplier heavily in debt and on the brink of collapse. thames water, with 15 million customers, is looking for new funding. it could be taken back into public ownership. its chief executive has resigned. thames is a privatised utility, it's heavily criticised for leaking water pipes and sewage pollution — a big political issue. i was concerned to hear that the ceo had resigned abruptly, but we need to make sure that thames water as an entity survives.

it's an absolute scandal