uk ministers insist health is a priority after tory mp daniel poulter defects to labour because of concerns over how the nhs is managed. the tesla boss, elon musk, meets government officials in beijing. they're discussing the future of us—china relations over electric vehicles. hello, i'm lewis vaughanjones. welcome to the programme. we start in the middle east, where the palestinian president says only the us can prevent an israeli attack on rafah, where more than a million have fled. efforts are under way to negotiate a truce between israel and hamas. the us secretary of state is meeting arab leaders to discuss the situation. israel's foreign minister says this is possible if hamas agrees to free its hostages.

but there's no sign of that happening at this point. a video showing two hostages, including an american, was released on saturday by hamas. in other diplomatic moves, the us secretary of state antony blinken is due in saudi arabia for talks with regional leaders. he and other key players are expected to meet on the sidelines of the world economic forum. and it's reported a hamas delegation will visit cairo on monday for gaza ceasefire talks. this is palestinian president mahmoud abbas�* appealfor the us to urge israel against any offensive in rafah. translation: and | say here, | what is happening now in gaza, and what will happen in the coming few days, and what israel will do by invading the city of rafah, all the palestinians from gaza are gathered in rafah and it is only one small strike that

would force them to flee the gaza strip. and here, the biggest catastrophe would happen. we hope israel will not attack. we call on the united states of america to ask israel to not carry out the rafah attack because america is the only country able to prevent israel from committing this crime. earlier, i spoke to our middle east correspondent wyre davies — who's injerusalem, and our correspondent in riyadh, sameer hashmi. i started by asking wyre about the sort of impact antony blinken�*s visit will have. he is clearly here to try to help these peace talks get going once again. not to undertake this big military offensive in rafah, principally because of the humanitarian consequences, more than a million a day have people trapped in rafah with very little protection or shelter. thus far, that american persuasion hasn't had much impact, certainly on the opinions of benjamin netanyahu. thank you very much for that. as you can see, our correspondent

is standing by with us. just orchestra what the latest is where you are.— just orchestra what the latest is where you are. today is the first da of where you are. today is the first day of the _ where you are. today is the first day of the world _ where you are. today is the first day of the world economic - where you are. today is the first i day of the world economic forum, where you are. today is the first - day of the world economic forum, the special— day of the world economic forum, the special meeting that is happening in riyadh _ special meeting that is happening in riyadh. and it is focused a lot on what _ riyadh. and it is focused a lot on what is _ riyadh. and it is focused a lot on what is happening in gaza. we had the palestinian president giving a speech— the palestinian president giving a speech earlier in the morning, and in his_ speech earlier in the morning, and in his address he reached out and appealed — in his address he reached out and appealed to the united states and president biden to stop israel from carrying _ president biden to stop israel from carrying out the invasion in rafah. he said _ carrying out the invasion in rafah. he said it— carrying out the invasion in rafah. he said it was important the united states— he said it was important the united states exerts that pressure on israet— states exerts that pressure on israel and prevents that. that was one of— israel and prevents that. that was one of the — israel and prevents that. that was one of the first things, and then they— one of the first things, and then they will— one of the first things, and then they will be a lot of action tomorrow, a lot of diplomacy around gaza because the us secretary of state _ gaza because the us secretary of state antony blinken will be arriving _ state antony blinken will be arriving here, he will be meeting a lot of— arriving here, he will be meeting a lot of real— arriving here, he will be meeting a lot of real leaders from the region, including _ lot of real leaders from the region, including the foreign ministers of the, meeting the arab leaders, then in the _ the, meeting the arab leaders, then in the evening there will be a meeting _ in the evening there will be a meeting between the five countries from the _ meeting between the five countries from the eu along with the arab

countries — from the eu along with the arab countries to find a resolution to this issue. _ countries to find a resolution to this issue, to take stock of where the situation is and how to take this process forward. so tomorrow is going _ this process forward. so tomorrow is going to _ this process forward. so tomorrow is going to he — this process forward. so tomorrow is going to be a pretty busy day as far as gaza _ going to be a pretty busy day as far as gaza goes. senior uk conservatives have defended the prime minister after the tory mp dan poulter defected to labour. dr poulter, who also works for the nhs, accused the tories of no longer valuing public services. home office minister chris philp rejected the claim and said the government was spending more money than ever on the health service. our political correspondent georgia roberts reports. defections to other parties are fairly rare in uk politics but dan poulter says the conservatives are no longer the party he knew. i found it increasingly difficult to look my nhs colleagues in the eye, my patients in the eye and my constituents in the eye with good conscience, and ifeel that the nhs deserves better than it has at the moment in terms of how

its run and governed. a damaging blowjust days away from local elections. the government insisted the conservatives' record on the nhs is a good one. i don't accept what dan is saying at all. he talked about the nhs as a priority. well, of course, the nhs was one of only two departments that was protected during those years of necessary spending restraint after the last labour government bankrupted the country. as we heard earlier, we're now spending £165 billion a year on the nhs, that's more than ever at any point in history. the move is a gift to labour. he's abandoned the conservative party to save the nhs, and i think there are millions of conservative voters across the country who are feeling politically homeless, who can see the chaos and the failure to deliver of now five conservative prime ministers, who are now looking for an alternative, and i hope they will trust the doctor. the nhs will, for many voters, be among the key issues of the upcoming general election campaign. despite their continued slump in the polls, an optimistic tone from the government. we've seen inflation falling

dramatically down to 3%, wages rising at 6% so far, ithink, nine months now, wages are rising faster than inflation, those nhs waiting lists are coming down. clearly at the moment people do feel grumpy with the government but as we get closer to an election, it's not so much a referendum on grumpiness, it becomes actually a choice. who do you want to run the country? elsewhere, speaking to sky news, rishi sunak wouldn't be drawn on the possibility of a july poll, which would be earlier than many had assumed. we've talked about it. you are not going to rule outjuly? you're going to try and draw whatever conclusion you want from what i say, i am going to always say the same thing. you should just listen to what i have said, the same thing i have said all year. but there are some in the party who feel that the threat of a summer poll is just a tactic to ward off any kind of revolt against rishi sunak if the conservatives face a bloodbath next week. whenever the general election is, here's one man who says it should happen as soon as possible. georgia roberts, bbc news.

ukrainian military intelligence has released a video it says is of a drone strike on an advanced — and rare — five million dollar russian radar station. the radar is reported to be able to detect targets up to 300km away. elsewhere, russia claims its forces have taken control of a village near avdiivka in the eastern donetsk region. officials in kenya have warned about even heavier rainfall as downpours continue to batter parts of east africa. a government spokesman said the flooding killed at least 76 people and displaced more than 130,000. there are also fears that five key dams on the tana river — kenya's longest — could overflow in the coming days, with residents in affected areas advised to move to higher ground.

the extreme weather has also wreaked havoc across neighbouring tanzania, burundi and uganda. let's speak to our correspondent anita nkonge in nairobi. we continue to see heavy rainfall this weekend. just last night, we saw such heavy rainfall here and can your that it caused flights to be disrupted, some delayed, some having to be diverted to other parts of the country. like you said, in burundi people have been displaced, 200,000 to have been displaced with 51,000 households affected by the floods, and 155 people dead in tanzania. in can you come over 20,000 households have been affected, roughly 131,150 people affected by the floods as well part of what we have been seeing its houses being flooded, people being stranded with the roads being cut off, trains having to be delayed. so it is definitely a very devastating time right now. and we know what is _ devastating time right now. and we know what is coming _ devastating time right now. and we know what is coming up? _ devastating time right now. and we know what is coming up? well, - devastating time right now. and we | know what is coming up? well, they can et know what is coming up? well, they can yet meteorological _ know what is coming up? well, they can yet meteorological departmentl can yet meteorological department say that we should be expecting more

heavy rainfall even tonight. and those who have been living in places where there are dams have been asked to go to higher ground, there is in the city have been asked to stay indoors or go to higher ground. especially areas that could be affected by flooding. and the government has been launching a multi—agency response unit to those places where they may predict flooding. the red cross even created centres in parts of settlements where we have seen a lot of flooding in anticipation of houses and people being affected by flooding tonight. i need to, thank you very much for that. ijust want i just want to take these are live pictures coming to us from milan because because one half of milan is happy. enter havejust because because one half of milan is happy. enter have just one series a, the big top division there in italy,

eating their rivals, ac milan. so one half of the city pretty happy, the other half not so much. it was just a straight 2—0 when today to seal the win at the top of the table, and people have been gathering for the last couple of hours or so out on the streets to celebrate. we are going to continue with the sport now. now it's time for a look at today's sport with hugh. things settled in italy, not in england just yet. arsenal are heading four points clear at the top of the premier league, with a timely first half show at rivals spurs. on a day when both they and their nearest challengers manchester city play arsenal were 3—0 up in 38 minutes in the north london derby. an own goal. saka and havertz on target. they have just started the second half. it is 3—0 to arsenal. meanwhile, marcos senesi scored early for bournemouth against brighton. that is still 1—0 to the home side. and in just over an hour's time,

manchester city take on nottingham forest at the city ground with pep guardiola insisting his players are tired, but ready to gear up for the most exciting part of the season. of course all of the teams and that are tired. it's normal at the end of the season. at the same time, so exciting. fighting again for the premier league is a dream come true. what happened in the past, they may not he _ what happened in the past, they may not be able _ what happened in the past, they may not be able to do it. inter miami are top of the eastern conference in mls and no surprise about who was chiefly behind their 4—1 win over new england revolution, lionel messi. miami actually went behind in front of a record crowd of over 65,000 in massachusetts before messi weaved his magic, equalising before half—time, and after the break it was all miami. messi scored again to give his side the lead. and later he came up with an assist

as his side cantered to a win. that's nine goals injust seven games for messi. next to the nba, where lebronjames has helped the los angeles lakers avoid elimination in the first round of the western conference playoffs — for now at least. they beat the the visiting denver nuggets 119—108 in game 4. lebron in fine form with 30 points as the nuggets fell to the lakers for the first time since december, 2022. the teams head back to denver for game 5 on monday with the nuggets leading 3—1 in the series. here's a check on the other results. boston are the top seed in the east. and they lead their best of seven series against miami 2—1 after a comprehensive win. 0rlando beat cleveland to level the series at two a piece. and oklahoma city thunder will try to complete a sweep of their first—round series on monday in new orleans. they beat the pelicans for a third time. the nfl draft is complete. with all 257 picks made in detroit. among them, a british prospect who's never played a game

of american football before. travis clayton was selected in the seventh and final round by the buffalo bills. he's a former rugby player from basingstoke who took part in the league's international player pathway programme as an offensive lineman. he's six foot seven and weighs more than 300 pounds, and will now battle for a spot on the bills' regular season roster. pakistan have appointed former australia pace bowler jason gillespie as coach of their test side. gillespie has had success in englnad's county championship with yorkshire. he's signed a two year contract, while the former south africa batter gary kirsten will take charge of pakistan's white ball teams. ronnie 0'sullivan has taken a 5—3 lead from the first session of his second round match at the world snooker championship in sheffield. 0'sullivan is looking to win a record—breaking eighth title at the crucible and only lost one frame in his frst round match. he quickly won the first two

against welshman ryan day, who rallied back to 2—2 before 0'sullivan won three of the next four. first to 13 will reach the quarterfinals elsewhere, stephen maguire beat shaun murphy. and these are live pictures of one of the afternoon session games. it involves the championjohn higgins who leads world number three mark allen 5—4. they started this session for a piece. you can follow that via the bbc sport website. that is also where you can find out most of what is going on in the world of sport. bournemouth now have a 2—0 lead over brighton. that is it, back to you. the tesla boss, elon musk, has met government officials in beijing. chinese state media is reporting the tech boss is there by invitation, for the promotion of international trade. they have discussed data and technology relating to electric vehicles. state media reports premier describing the meeting as a "successful example of sino—us economic and trade co—operation". tesla has been facing a price war with chinese brands

in the electric vehicle market. it's recently said it will lay—off 10% of its global workforce. let's speak to duncan wrigley now, chief china economist at pantheon macroeconomics, a research company. thank you very much for coming on the programme. thank you very much for coming on the programme-— thank you very much for coming on the rouramme. ., �* _, ., ,, the programme. you're welcome. thank ou ve the programme. you're welcome. thank you very much — the programme. you're welcome. thank you very much for _ the programme. you're welcome. thank you very much for having _ the programme. you're welcome. thank you very much for having me. _ the programme. you're welcome. thank you very much for having me. why - the programme. you're welcome. thank you very much for having me. why is - you very much for having me. why is he in china? — you very much for having me. why is he in china? tesla _ you very much for having me. why is he in china? tesla is _ you very much for having me. why is he in china? tesla is struggling - you very much for having me. why is he in china? tesla is struggling a - he in china? tesla is struggling a bit too compete _ he in china? tesla is struggling a bit too compete with _ he in china? tesla is struggling a bit too compete with other - bit too compete with other car—makers globally, in many markets, electric car sales have slowed down a little bit recently. even in china, which is the biggest electric car market in the world. the growth rate is not growing, it has a bit. tesla is facing ferocious competition from a bunch of very price competitive electric brands. and what about the optics of all this and the politics, rather than just the economics?—

this and the politics, rather than just the economics? right, well, china coming _ just the economics? right, well, china coming out _ just the economics? right, well, china coming out of— just the economics? right, well, china coming out of the - just the economics? right, well, china coming out of the covid, . china coming out of the covid, reopening since last year has faced a bunch of economic challenges. 0ne a bunch of economic challenges. one of them is bringing back foreign investment. chinese leaders like premier li qiang have been rolling out the red carpet to try to encourage foreign companies to come to china, invest more, and i think that also helps to smooth the way a little bit towards more geopolitics. 0bviously sino— us relations are quite fraught at the moment, there is an election coming up. i think china is trying to do what it can to smooth there is relations. i china is trying to do what it can to smooth there is relations.- smooth there is relations. i see. elon smooth there is relations. i see. eton musk _ smooth there is relations. i see. eton musk is _ smooth there is relations. i see. elon musk is a _ smooth there is relations. i see. elon musk is a free _ smooth there is relations. i see. elon musk is a free speech - smooth there is relations. i see. - elon musk is a free speech advocate. he owns the platform x and constantly champion is that. china is not known so much for its free speech. how wide do you think the discussions will be?—

discussions will be? well, x is not accessible in _ discussions will be? well, x is not accessible in china. _ discussions will be? well, x is not accessible in china. i _ discussions will be? well, x is not accessible in china. i do _ discussions will be? well, x is not accessible in china. i do not - discussions will be? well, x is not accessible in china. i do not think| accessible in china. i do not think elon musk will be bringing that part of his business to china. when it comes to free speech, china has a different legal system, a different set of rules. i mean, but elon musk says outside china, as long as it is not directly infringing on china's interests, i think china willjust let him get on with it. interests, i think china will 'ust let him get on with it.�* interests, i think china will 'ust let him get on with it. thank you very much- _ the annual white house correspondent�*s association dinner is a staple of the washington political calendar, and last night, president biden delivered an election—year comedy roast in front ofjournalists, celebrities and politicians. he made fun of himself and his rival, donald trump. of course, the 2024 elections are in full swing, and yes, age is an issue. i'm a grown man running against a six—year—old!

next, 30 years after south africa's first democratic votes were cast, the country is facing a new reckoning, with pivotal elections taking place next month. some polls suggest the governing african national congress, which came to power in 1994, could receive less than 50% of the vote for the first time, as the country experiences high unemployment and crime, persistent economic inequalities, frequent power cuts and corruption allegations. nomsa maseko reports from south africa. singing drumming in celebration of 30 years of democracy. south africa's transition to democracy was the culmination of decades of resistance and armed struggle against nearly 50 years of racial and violent white minority rule. chanting 0n the 27th of april in 1994, i came to this polling station with my mother.

we started queueing from 6am, filled with both hope and anxiety. thousands of black people lined up with their fists in the air chanting "sikhululekile" — we are free. and i understood that now i was, too. the anc liberation movement turned political party won by a landslide and the early years were promising. a constitution enshrined the rights of all citizens. thabo mbeki replaced nelson mandela as president in further democratic elections. civil society flourished, as did a free press. but 30 years later, south africa remains deeply unequal. unemployment has reached nearly 35%. it's very much clear that people do not feel like we fundamentally changed the architecture of our country.

we still have amongst black populations high levels of inequality in terms of access to economic opportunities, jobs. in soweto, i meet young mothers struggling to get. 0n the 29th of may, the country will go to the polls. for people here, it feels very much like a pivotal moment. injohannesburg, the constitution hill memorial celebrates our democratic transition and its firmest foundation, our institutions. 0urjudiciary remains the most

robust on the continent. 0ur media is strong, it's been independent, been pushing back. and civil society as well. that triumvirate is important. but it's a commitment from that triumvirate to institutional integrity of the state, building institutions that are accountable. i think that's the lesson for africa. across the world's fastest growing continent, nearly a third of nations are heading to the polls this year. for south africa, it is likely to be the closest fought vote in its democratic history. nomsa maseko, bbc news, south africa. nomsa joins me now from the newsroom. let's look ahead to the election. what are the big issues?- let's look ahead to the election. what are the big issues? well, we are looking _ what are the big issues? well, we are looking at _ what are the big issues? well, we are looking at the _ what are the big issues? well, we are looking at the fact _ what are the big issues? well, we are looking at the fact that - what are the big issues? well, we are looking at the fact that south | are looking at the fact that south africa is currently going through blackouts and the fact that we have not had blackouts in the last 32 days as proof that this is not had blackouts in the last 32 days as proof that this is a man—made problem that can easily be fixed. south africans are also

looking at unemployment, they are looking at unemployment, they are looking at unemployment, they are looking at slow economic growth, and they are also looking at young people in terms of making sure that they are getting involved in elections, because it is the usual old, elderly men that are in charge and no women and no young people. so south africa wants to change all of that. �* . ., , ., south africa wants to change all of that. �* _, , ., ., ., ~' that. and when it comes to looking ahead towards _ that. and when it comes to looking ahead towards any _ that. and when it comes to looking ahead towards any kind _ that. and when it comes to looking ahead towards any kind of - that. and when it comes to looking l ahead towards any kind of outcome, what is the split? could the former president take books from the anc? jacob zuma is the monster that the anc itself created during the nine years in which he was in power, there was impunity. he got away with a lot of things that the anc were happy to protect from. but now he is given the anc a huge headache and his party is likely going to be a wild card in this year's election

that will possibly eat into the anc's that will possibly eat into the anc�*s support, particularly in kwazulu—natal, which is the former president's heartland. just kwazulu-natal, which is the former president's heartland.— president's heartland. just outline the timetable _ president's heartland. just outline the timetable for _ president's heartland. just outline the timetable for us. _ president's heartland. just outline the timetable for us. when - president's heartland. just outline the timetable for us. when will. the timetable for us. when will people be heading to the polls? in exactly a month's time. south people be heading to the polls? ii�*u exactly a month's time. south africa is going to the polls and this is going to be the first time that there are going to be three ballot papers, because for the first time independent candidates are also going to be featured, because there was an amendment in the electoral rules in south africa. so by the end of may and the beginning ofjune, south africa will know if the anc is still going to be in power, even though analysts are predicting that the anc is losing support and possibly looking at about 40% of its support base is what is likely to happen in this election.- support base is what is likely to happen in this election. thank you for that. the christian leader who was stabbed in sydney nearly two weeks ago has

returned to the pulpit. bishop mar mari emmanuel delivered a passionate sermon in favour of freedom of speech. the australian government has been urging social media platform x to pull down videos of the bishop's attack. and for us to say that free speech is a dangerous, that free speech cannot be possible in a democratic country, i am yet to fathom this. i am yet to fathom this. haifa country, i am yet to fathom this. i am yet to fathom this.— am yet to fathom this. now to the us. .. nicole kidman has been honoured with an american film institute life achievement award. she's the first australian actor to receive the prestigious award. previous winners include meryl streep, robert de niro and steven spielberg. the moulin rouge actor thanked all the directors she has worked with, and said it's been a privilege to make films and to be able to play all sorts of unconventional women.

let's ta ke let's take you to italy. we have live pictures there because one half of milan is out celebrating the stop inter milan havejust of milan is out celebrating the stop inter milan have just clinched the top tier in italian football, serie a champions. they have clinched the title so they are out of the stadium and out on the streets, beating into second place in the league at the moment ac milan. so one half of milan pretty happy, the other have not so happy. we have been watching these live pictures for the last hour or so, these live pictures for the last hour orso, getting these live pictures for the last hour or so, getting busier and busier, ramping up i'm sure for celebrations later. we will keep across those live pictures in italy. for the moment, i am lewis vaughan jones, this is bbc news. goodbye.

hello there. it was a chilly start with a touch of frost in the north—west but that is where we have seen the lion's share of the sunshine. look how beautiful sterling was this morning. it was not a morning for playing golf in st albans, heavy overnight rain left a lot of large puddles around and that rain is continuing to drift steadily northwards. that means that much of eastern england and eastern scotland staying cloudy, wet and often windy at times, making it feel quite cool. further west, we keep on to that sunshine with a few scattered, light showers. here highs of 13 degrees but factor in the wind and rain, only seven in parts of eastern scotland. as we move through the night, the low pressure pulls away, the isobars stay with us, another front pushing in from the west. that will bring rain into northern ireland, scotland and western fringes of england and wales but ahead of it, some lovely sunshine

and with a southerly breeze, some warmth. so anywhere from east yorkshire down to dorset, a much at a day — sunny and pleasantly warm. low pressure is going to sit out to the west for a couple of days but the wind direction continues to change to a southerly and we will continue to tap into this warm air coming off the near continent, so a change to the feel of the weather and the irony is tuesday is the final day of april and we will see above average temperatures quite widely. some showery outbreaks of rain out to the west but much of central and eastern england and scotland dry, settled, pleasantly warm, temperatures peaking in the high teens. wednesday could be a messy day, we might drag in more cloud off the north sea and thick enough for some drizzle. and by the end of the day, we will keep an eye on a future was moving up from the near continent but again, pleasantly warm out there, 16 to 18 degrees widely across the country. low pressure will pull

away, and as we head towards the all—important bank holiday weekend, here isjust an early heads up for you — high—pressure building in and looks likely to quieten things down. so there will still be a few showers, maybe longer spells of rain on monday but on the whole, it looks quite promising.

this is bbc news. the headlines... us secretary of state antony blinken

is on his way to saudi arabia where he will meet other key international figures. meetings on the sidelines of the world economic forum summit are expected to discuss the war in gaza and possible ways forward. this week could be a pivotal one in scottish politics, as confidence votes are planned in both the first minister, humza yousaf, and his government. he has written to opposition leaders in an attempt to find common ground. uk ministers insist health is a priority, after the tory mp daniel poulter defects to labour because of concerns over how the nhs is managed. and it's party time in milan. thousands turn out to celebrate italy's football champions inter milan. you are watching bbc news.