marco now i'll say that i never can # be the bed of roses # be the bed of roses # because my heart stretched open patients it is the thing of seeing you. # 0h, you. # oh, my love, days in your arms, # oh, my love, days in your arms, # all my days i've spent # all my days i've spent # my patience of finding # my patience of finding # by the grace of your heart, you

surrender... # breaking news from around the world 24 breaking news from around the world 2a hours a day, this is bbc news. mr blinken spoke to the bbc and said that washington will act if beijing does not stop supplying russia with items used in its assault on ukraine. our china correspondent laura bicker has more from beijing. hello. i'm laura bicker. how are you? antony blinken's visit comes as us ties with china are at a turning point. how's your trip been? oh, it's been... i've covered a lot of ground. the dialogue and diplomacy for the cameras hides real discord and distrust. this is what chinese viewers are shown. a cinematic soundtrack accompanies president xi,

urging the us to be partners, not rivals. yet, hours earlier, mr blinken was warned the two sides could slip towards conflict. ..and this could not be happening. but he came to beijing with a warning of his own. 70% of the machine tools that russia is getting from abroad coming from china, 90% of the microelectronics. so for china, if it wants to have better relations not only with us but with countries in europe, it can't do that while at the same time helping to fuel the biggest threat to european security since the end of the cold war. we've taken action already against chinese entities that are engaged in this. and what i made clear today is that if china won't act, we will. you say you will act. i just want to be clear on what you're prepared to do. i'm not going to get into the details except to say, look at what we've done already. we've imposed sanctions, export controls, one kind or another.

china views this as hypocrisy as the us continues to arm israel. beijing is using the war in gaza to discredit washington and paint itself as a peaceful power. it erodes the credibility of the united states, notjust here in china, but around the world, don't you think? of course, china will do whatever it will do to distort our policies and to misinform its own people about what we're actually doing, what we're not doing, what we stand for, what we don't stand for. and i think china can play a constructive role here. it has relationships. it has influence with countries like iran that it can use effectively to, in the first instance, try to prevent the conflict from spreading. a record shop was mr blinken's final stop. perhaps taylor swift can help forge cross—cultural ties. this trip has not dealt with the two sides' differences. they've merely talked about them.

and real risks remain in this fragile relationship, which mr blinken described as the most consequential in the world. laura bicker, bbc news, beijing. to understand the potential economic risks between the us and china if the us were to act, i spoke to tom orlik, chief economist, bloomberg economics and author of �*china: the bubble that never pops'. we've heard that warning from the us secretary of state antony blinken, saying that it beijing does not stop helping russia in its war with ukraine, that there will be measures. have any idea what the united states could do? it is interesting. _ united states could do? it is interesting. when _ united states could do? it 3 interesting. when we look united states could do? it 1 interesting. when we look at the russia trade data, what we see since the beginning of that war of aggression against ukraine is a sharp increase in the share of russian imports that are coming from

china. now, we can go a bit into the details there and see what type of goods they are, and these aren't military goods, but by providing the imports which keeps russia's economy going, china is indirectly supporting the war machine. what we see no from yelling and from antony blinken on that recent trip, is that the signal this may be causing a redline for the united states. the warnings of calm, the question is what comes next. i think from beijing's perspective, the concern is that their sanctions coming down the line. fin is that their sanctions coming down the line. ., ,., is that their sanctions coming down the line. ., , ., ., the line. on that point, the warning from beijing — the line. on that point, the warning from beijing is— the line. on that point, the warning from beijing is that _ the line. on that point, the warning from beijing is that washington - the line. on that point, the warning from beijing is that washington is l from beijing is that washington is taking steps to hamper their economy instead. do you think there is the possibility that the traits but we have seen in the past getting second wind here? i have seen in the past getting second wind here? ~ ., .,

wind here? i think we are in a hiatus in _ wind here? i think we are in a hiatus in us- _ wind here? i think we are in a hiatus in us- china _ wind here? i think we are in a hiatus in us- china relations. | hiatus in us— china relations. donald trump really changed —— changed the us orientation. the us under trump stop viewing china as a kind of almost disciple in the global system, and started viewing them as a direct competitor. the biting administration has put some diplomatic guardrails on but kept that orientation. the donald trump tariffs have stayed in place and they have sanctions on crucial technologies like semi conductors. the meeting between resident gigi xi jinping and joe biden last year signal some credibility but what we see not with concerns about china's exports to russia and concerns about china's overt opacity and with the us physical cycle and election coming in november, there is a potential for that's stress stress to start ramping up again. i

potential for that's stress stress to start ramping up again. i want to talk about this _ to start ramping up again. i want to talk about this competition - to start ramping up again. i want to. talk about this competition element. we have heard from both sides at various points that we should be partners and rivals, what do you make of that? do you think that is a concrete aim or do you think potentially this is the niceties of diplomacy? i potentially this is the niceties of diplomacy?— potentially this is the niceties of diloma ? ~' �*, ., ~ diplomacy? i think there's a kind of fundamental _ diplomacy? i think there's a kind of fundamental problem _ diplomacy? i think there's a kind of fundamental problem here. - diplomacy? i think there's a kind of fundamental problem here. the - diplomacy? i think there's a kind of - fundamental problem here. the united states, for the last several decades, certainly cindy and of world war ii, has the biggest and most powerful economy, and the biggest and most important geopolitical force biggest and most important geopoliticalforce in biggest and most important geopolitical force in the world. with the collapse of the soviet union, it had eight unipolar moment with no real rivals, but no comes china with its billion people. china with its 1.4 billion people. around four times the publishing of the united states. and china wants to develop, it wants its people to have a higher standard of life, but guess what? chinese people on have

to get to a quarter of the us level of gdp per capita, a quarter of the us prosperity for china to be the biggest economy in the world and potentially the worlds biggest geopolitical power, and that is a real challenge for beijing and dc to manage. america does not want to give up its position as the pre—eminent power in the world. china wants to develop, that sets them up for conflict. on friday, two british men were charged with helping russian intelligence services after a suspected arson attack on a ukraine—linked business in london. the suspects — age 20, and 22 — are the first people to be prosecuted under the new national security act 2023, which was designed to strengthen the uk's defences against hostile activity by other nations. one of the men is accused of planning to target the business and of trying to recruit other people to assist a foreign intelligence service. he is also accused of fraudulent

activity and aggravated arson. the other man is also accused of arson and of accepting money in the knowledge that it was from a foreign intelligence service. prosecutors claim the russian private military group, wagner, are involved. our home affairs correspondent daniel sandford has the latest. it all began with a fire in march at some industrial units in leighton in east london linked to a ukrainian owned business. i went up there this afternoon and it's still quite badly damaged. one of the units has got a beam still exposed to the sky with no roof, scorched beams. there's a ukrainian truck parked outside. well, on saturday, a british 20—year—old man called dylan earle appeared in court charged with aggravated arson, but also with two charges under the new national security act, including assisting a foreign intelligence service, a charge which the prosecution say is linked to russia. and we couldn't report that until today when two more men appeared in court. and one of those, jake reeves, on the right, is also

charged under the new act, which was brought in to tackle new threats from states like russia. this comes after numerous cases rose against alleged russian spies in germany and an assasination plot for president zelensky in poland last week. speaking in berlin today nato secretaryjens stoltenberg said that these alleged russia—backed plots will not stop the alliance from supporting ukraine. well, after the us congress passed $60—billion dollars in aid to ukraine, the pentagon announced friday it will provide another $6 billion dollars through a long—term initiative. the aid will include munitions for patriot air defence systems; the type of weaponry ukraine's president has said is crucial to fending off russian aerial attacks. in announcing the aid, us defence secretary lloyd austin repeated the us position that vladimir putin's aggression against ukraine is a problem for the wider world. if putin prevails in ukraine, the

security consequences will be greive and global. europe would face a security threat it hasn't seen in our lifetimes. as president biden has noted, russia will not stop in ukraine. if the kremlin gets its way, and putin's war of imperial aggression succeeds, every parent on earth will take note. donald trump's �*hush money�* trial has wrapped up for the week — with testimony detailing a tabloid �*catch and kill�* scheme — that allegedly buried damaging stories about mr trump during his campaign for the white house in 2016. this could be the only one of mr trump�*s four criminal cases that will conclude before the presidential election this november. and on friday, president biden said — he�*d be "happy" to face donald trump in a debate — something he had not previously committed to. mr trump skipped all the previous republican presidential debates — and no further debates have yet been scheduled. our correspondent nada tawfik has been following the trial closely from new york.

president trump was defiant as ever when he left the courthouse. he said that he heard president biden agreed to a debate and he invited him to do that any time anywhere, even suggesting here in new york next week or even the white house. in court, his defence team had a chance to cross—examine two trump insiders. rona graff, donald trump�*s long—time assistant for over 30 years, prosecutors had her testify that she had entered the contacts for the former playboy model karen mcdougal and stormy daniels into donald trump�*s company contacts, and that she vaguely recalled seeing stormy daniels in trump tower ahead of the 2016 election. but she admitted on the stand that she did not want to be here in court. testifying that she respected donald trump, and he even stood up and tried to give her a brief hello on her way out. well, things were very different with the former national enquirer

publisher david pecker. the defence tried to discredit him even though he was a reliable witness who said he didn�*t hold any grudges against donald trump or have any ill will against him. they tried to get him to say that the whole alleged catch and kill scheme, which prosecutors had said is a criminal conspiracy to influence the election — well, the defence tried to paint it as a business decision, kind of standard operating procedure for a tabloid. but david pecker said he had been truthful on the stand. he reiterated that he did that scheme alongside donald trump and michael cohen, allegedly, to help the campaign. around the world and across the uk. this is bbc news. let�*s look at another story making news.

it�*s been a day of fighting talk from humza yousaf, insisting he won�*t resign as scotland�*s first minister, if he loses votes of no confidence, in him and his government, which are expected next week. the snp leader is struggling to stay in control after he ended a power—sharing arrangement with the scottish greens, leaving him at the helm of a minority administration. here he is speaking in dundee on friday. i�*v e i�*ve heard the anger and upset from green colleagues, and it wasn�*t meant, the action wasn�*t meant to upset and anger them which is clearly been communicated by them. and anger them but clearly, i will be writing to patrick harvey and lorna slater to let see if we can meet but it does not mean that two pro—independence parties who share so many values and so many policies cannot and should not work together in a less formal arrangement. the conservative leader douglas ross said mr yousaf has "failed" scotland, his government�*s in "meltdown" and he "needs to go."

you�*re live with bbc news. from the supreme court to arizona — the debate on abortion rights is at the centre of the battle between democrats and republicans across the country. on wednesday, arizona�*s house of representatives voted to overturn a 19th century law banning abortion — if the senate approves, it could be removed from state law as early as next week. however, the 15—week cut—off for abortions in the state would remain. also on wednesday, the supreme court heard arguments about the idaho case — on whether state abortion bans can be superseded by a federal law that requires hospitals to provide emergency care to preserve a person�*s health. idaho and other 16 states in the country have passed total or near—total bans on abortion since the supreme court overturned roe versus wade almost two years ago. florida could join them soon — next week, a six—week ban is set to take effect — voters in the state will vote on a measure to enshrine abortion rights on florida�*s constitution. joe biden has defended abortion access — while former us president

and republican candidate donald trump has stated it�*s up to states to decide over health rights. for more on this, i spoke to the director of the white house gender policy council, jennifer klein — who�*s also an assistant to president biden. when we talk about abortion in the united states, we talk about what is next, but we continue to see changes in the courts. next, but we continue to see changes in the courte— in the courts. since roe was overturned. _ in the courts. since roe was overturned, where - in the courts. since roe was overturned, where are - in the courts. since roe was l overturned, where are women in the courts. since roe was - overturned, where are women right now in this country, indisposed roe v wade area?— v wade area? that is the right auestion v wade area? that is the right question because _ v wade area? that is the right question because what - v wade area? that is the right i question because what happened v wade area? that is the right - question because what happened with the supreme court in the united states overturned roe versus wade more than two years ago, women lost their reproductive freedom and their right to choose across the country. what has happened is that we are now in a situation where there are 21 states with extreme abortion bans in

place. that means that one in three women of reproductive age in this country are living in a state with a restrictive ban.— restrictive ban. let's talk about the reality _ restrictive ban. let's talk about the reality on — restrictive ban. let's talk about the reality on the _ restrictive ban. let's talk about the reality on the ground, - restrictive ban. let's talk about the reality on the ground, what exactly that means. we have seen women turned away from emergency rooms and the risk of doctors being criminalised, is the situation urgent enough that the administration can do something now? yes, the president said from the day the dobbs decision came down was that the only way to replace the constitutional right that had been lost, and i would note it�*s a first time in american history that a fundamental constitutional right has been taken away, the only way to replace that is bypassing federal legislation that would affect women and people across the country. that is what the president and vice president are fighting to do. at the same time, he was also clear that there is a lot we can and will do. that is what we have been doing

every day in the writing— harry�*s administration. for example, we are working to ensure women when they walk into an emergency room, hot perhaps in the midst of it his are able to get the emergency care they need which is required underfederal law. we are working to make sure women have access to medication abortion, which is more than 50% of the abortions in this country, so that they can get access to this fda safe and approved an effective medication to use. as you noted, there are cases of women being forced to travel out of state, and we are making sure they have the right to travel out of state if that is what they have to do. we are also making sure that the full range of reproductive health care is available, including abortion, but also included contraception. sadly, in this country, most recently, in alabama, the alabama supreme court with the availability of in vitro

fertilisation in question, so we are making social make sure that people have the full range of reproductive health care they might need. i wonder whether you think the president could go further, the use of executive orders, we have abortion rights activists calling for federal land to be used for abortion clinics the stop is that something he would consider? irate abortion clinics the stop is that something he would consider? we have considered every _ something he would consider? we have considered every action _ something he would consider? we have considered every action including - considered every action including that one. that one has a big problem associated with it, which is if a person performs an abortion on federal land and left federal land, they could be executed in the state, so we have looked at every option, and i think it is important to keep in mind that we have taken every action that we can. he has issued three executive orders and a presidential memorandum, and from each of those, and a whole series of actions have been taken across the federal government, whether that is making sure that service members and veterans have active access to

reproductive care and making sure the department ofjustice is defending and bringing cases to defending and bringing cases to defend reproductive freedom the stop also, across all of the agencies that have a role to play, most obviously the department of health and human services, who, for example, as i said, and issuing the supreme court, have issued a series of guidance and information on under the emergency medical treatment and labour act to make sure that women get access to that emergency care that they need, even if it includes an abortion in emergency rooms. i want to touch on the need to movement, something that gave —— gained nationwide recognition in 2017. if we take a look at seven years since that we are seeing it face challenges, including recent challenges. where do you think we are in this moment of history? are you concerned we could see

structures try to push back in america on some hard—won rights for women in this country? i am concerned. _ women in this country? i am concerned, and _ women in this country? i am concerned, and this - women in this country? i am concerned, and this most. women in this country? i am - concerned, and this most recent judgment out of the new york supreme court is a devastating judgment. courageous woman, courageous survivors came forward, the jury believed them, millions of people believed them, millions of people believe them, and this judgment does not change that, but it is a stark reminder that we have a long way to go. i would also note we made lots of progress. right here in the biden and harry�*s administration, the president and vice president are committed to looking at gender based violence wherever it occurs including at work, the military, couege including at work, the military, college campuses, online, we see a huge amount of harassment and abuse online. so the president would probably tell you that one of his

most important accomplishments is passing the violence against women�*s —— violence against women act which he did in 1993. we were able to reauthorise that on the bipartisan basis in 2022, so there is a great work being done. lot more that we can —— as i do need to do, and what i learned just yesterday is that the work that those survivors have done, the experiences that they have taken a coming forward are not for naught. we need to continue to support them. jennifer klein, assistance to the president and director of white house gender policy, thank you for joining us. buckingham palace has announced that king charles is returning to public engagements next week, following encouraging progress in his treatment for cancer. the palace says that, while he will make more public appearances in the coming weeks, he will also continue to undergo undergo cancer care. the palace hasn�*t said which type of cancer he�*s been diagnosed with, but the announcement that he�*s able

to get back to public duties is being seen as a sign of cautious optimism. our correspondent charlotte gallagher reports. the king and queen together in the gardens of buckingham palace. a positive sign about the king�*s health. the photo was taken earlier this month but has just been released. the palace says the king is making encouraging progress and will shortly return to public facing duties after a period of treatment and recuperation following his cancer diagnosis. "as the first anniversary of the coronation approaches, their majesties remained deeply grateful for the many kindnesses and good wishes they have received from around the world throughout the joys and challenges of the past year". the king�*s last public event was in windsor on easter sunday, and he surprised the crowd by stopping to chat, thanking them for their good wishes. stay strong, never give in. his next visit will

be more symbolic. a trip to a cancer treatment centre. this has been a really tough time for the royal family, with both the king and the princess of wales being diagnosed with cancer, and, like with any family, that has come as a huge blow. they�*ve also have to deal with intense media scrutiny, so the announcement that the king feels well enough to resume some public duties will be welcome news. the prime minister, your majesty. the king has been working throughout his treatment, though, including meeting with the prime minister. but it still remains uncertain if he will be attending some of the big events coming up in the calendar, such as trooping the colour, royal ascot, and overseas trips in the autumn. the king and catherine are two of the most senior and popular members of the royal family. their absence has been felt by many.

i wanted to take this opportunity to say thank you personally... but there is no news about when the princess of wales will return to public duties. she announced her cancer diagnosis in march, and has asked for time, space and privacy for herself and herfamily. charlotte gallagher, bbc news. and finally before we go, the olympic flame was formally handed over to organisers of the paris summer games ahead of the tournament�*s opening injuly. the flame was received at the marble stadium in athens following an eleven—day relay across greece. the flame will leave greece saturday on a boat headed for marseille. you are watching bbc news, i am helena humphrey in washington, thanks for your company, more world news for you at the top of the hour, join me then if you can. bye for now.

hello. after what has been a mixed and decidedly chilly week of weather, things are not going to warm up an awful lot through the weekend. staying chilly, some rain at times, but it is going to turn warmer next week. however, not completely dry. still some wet weather in the forecast. certainly some wet weather for the weekend, all driven by this area of low pressure pushing up from the south. this frontal system here bringing rain northwards across southern england into wales, the midlands and east anglia. to the north of that, some sunny spells to start the day. a cold start with a frost across northern england, northern ireland and scotland. it will be another sunshine and showers day. the showers wintry over high ground in scotland. some hefty showers breaking out for southern counties, and then some more persistent rain heading in from the south by the end of the afternoon, temperatures generally around 10—13 degrees. and then through saturday night, this rain will push its way northwards, covering large parts of england, clipping into the east of wales. further north and west, some clear spells. another relatively chilly night,

there�*ll be a frost for some. further south and east, not as cold because of the extra cloud, because of the outbreaks of rain, all driven by this area of low pressure which will be sliding its way northwards through the day on sunday. some parts of england are going to have a lot of rain through the day, heavy and persistent rain that will make it feel decidedly chilly. some rain fringing into east wales, turning wet in eastern scotland, rather windy for some of these eastern coasts, but eventually brightening up for south west england, for wales, parts of north west england, northern ireland and western scotland seeing some sunshine as well. temperatures still stubbornly stuck in that range between 9—14 degrees, but temperatures will start to lift on monday. a frontal system pushing in from the west. outbreaks of rain for some, but ahead of that, a southerly wind bringing a warmerfeel. temperatures back up really to where they should be for late april 12—16 degrees. and it�*ll turn warmer still as the week wears on. this area of low pressure tending to roll away southwards

as all these different weather systems reorientate themselves. well, the wind direction will change, we�*ll pick up something of an easterly flow from the near continent, and that will bring some warmer air. highs potentially up to 19, maybe the low 20s celsius. but with that, there will still be some rain at times.

your comments on this week�*s

output from bbc news. welcome to newswatch with me, samira ahmed. coming up — swift mania hits the news again, some viewers say. has the bbc gone over the top with taylor? and if that�*s not news, is this? she imitates seagull first — more than 6000 people have crossed the english channel this year in small boats, hoping to seek asylum in the uk. just a few hours after parliament passed the government�*s rwanda bill designed to deter such journeys. a bbc news team was on a beach near calais. the police are trying to stop a small boat from leaving the shore. it turns violent, and the police are failing. the boat is dangerously overloaded.