hello, i'm ben thompson. you're watching the context on bbc news. china has successfully launched a space probe, aiming to collect samples from the far side of the moon.

we love space news here on the context. and tonight, it's the next step in china's ambitious space programme. the country's space agency has launched a rocket that it's hoping will make history. this is the moment the chang'e—6 mission blasted off from the wenchang space launch centre in southern hainan province. on board is a probe that will aim — for the first time — to collect samples from the far side of the moon. the spacecraft will attempt to make a soft landing on the south pole aitken basin, one of the largest known impact craters in the solar system. it then hopes to return the samples successfully to earth. the journey is expected to take 53 days to complete. i'm pleased to say

former nasa astronaut, who was once the commander of the international space station, leroy chiao joins us now. leroy, always a delight to talk to you. i love talking to you about space, and give me your sense of how significant this is not only that china has launched this probe that it's been a successful launch? that's right, and china has been interesting in the moon for a very long time, the moon is important culturally too many cultures, to china especially, and so this is the sixth in a series of these probes that have been launched over the years. this one, numbersix, is basically a duplicate of number five, the spacecraft over the river, all that is the same, except it is going to the opposite place, five went to the northern pole of the moon, on the near side of the side that's facing us, this one will go to the south side of the moon, on the far side, which is away from us, so in a way they're collecting

samples from the two different polls, the two different regions, and so it will collect a proximally one and a half to two kilograms of sample and then bring them back to earth, so very exciting mission. you make it sound _ earth, so very exciting mission. you make it sound super simple and super easy and i know it is anything but! explained to me why this has its own difficulties, in particular on that dark side of the moon. just remind people what that is a.— people what that is a. sure. when ou're on people what that is a. sure. when you're on the _ people what that is a. sure. when you're on the mood _ people what that is a. sure. when you're on the mood you _ people what that is a. sure. when you're on the mood you don't - people what that is a. sure. when | you're on the mood you don't have direct line of sight to the earth. that means communication is an issue, right, because radio waves, you have to point it at the right direction, and so the chinese actually have a satellite on the far side that can relay those communications back and forth between the control centre and the spacecraft, and also you can't have any direct observation if you don't have a satellite in orbit of the activities, and even from the earth, it's somewhat difficult. but this is a challenging mission. we've seen recently in recent months the

japanese, a commercial company here in the united states, they both landed on the mood but then there spacecraft tipped over, not an easy thing to do, especially if you're deploying a rover which the chinese have done several times, so this one should be ok, because like i said, it's a duplicate of the last spacecraft that they launched to the moon, and so should be of the dudes job, and i expect them to be successful. it is not simple. it may sound easy but it's not an easy thing to do. sound easy but it's not an easy thing to da— sound easy but it's not an easy thing to tie-— sound easy but it's not an easy thin to do. ., ., ., ~ ., ., thing to do. know, looking at even a little bit of the — thing to do. know, looking at even a little bit of the detail, _ thing to do. know, looking at even a little bit of the detail, and _ thing to do. know, looking at even a little bit of the detail, and it - little bit of the detail, and it absolutely is astonishing to even get it up there and never mind all the way back too. they say they are going to look for lunar samples, lunar soil, going to look for lunar samples, lunarsoil, lunar going to look for lunar samples, lunar soil, lunar rocks, going to look for lunar samples, lunarsoil, lunar rocks, conduct experiments. what are they actually looking for, leroy coachella so they are looking to see if things are different on the far side, and we already have a probe, had a probe and a rover on the far side that would have an operating, and i believe may still be operating, and they made some significant discoveries.—

they made some significant discoveries. , . ' they made some significant discoveries. , ., , ., discoveries. things are different on the far side- _ discoveries. things are different on the far side. they _ discoveries. things are different on the far side. they have _ discoveries. things are different on the far side. they have come - discoveries. things are different on| the far side. they have come across rock formations and things like that better different. so this add to that fountain of knowledge, if you will, and of course everyone is interested in the south pole region because that's where and some of these craters that never see the sun there's the possibility or probability of water ice there, along with other possibly precious things that are in the soil, and so by sending a simple back, they will get a better understanding of what's going on down in those craters. find going on down in those craters. and as ou going on down in those craters. and as you said. — going on down in those craters. and as you said, the important insights that we may get from these samples, assuming they can get back to us on earth, and talk to me about what this might allow. are we talking about the potential, and i know this has been touted by both america and china, about a moon base, a permanent presence up on the moon? absolutely. china has talked about, of course they have a programme to send their own astronauts to the

moon, they intend to do that, they say sometime hopefully before 2030 but around 2030. this will help to understand what they are getting into their longer—term programme is to establish a base. they have in agreement with russia to establish a lunar base on the moon. nasa, we have our own plans establishing a base there in the south pole, we have got our artemis programme going, and then there is the commercial side, going, and then there is the commercialside, spacex going, and then there is the commercial side, spacex is on the major players, the main player frankly, in developing the human landerfor nasa and frankly, in developing the human lander for nasa and spacex frankly, in developing the human landerfor nasa and spacex i believe will go there with or without nasa anyway, but it is an exciting time, and so this is kind of building the foundation of knowledge to have a successful lunar base there. leroy, sta with successful lunar base there. leroy, stay with us- _ successful lunar base there. leroy, stay with us. want _ successful lunar base there. leroy, stay with us. want to _ successful lunar base there. leroy, stay with us. want to bring - successful lunar base there. leroy, stay with us. want to bring in - successful lunar base there. leroy, stay with us. want to bring in joe i stay with us. want to bring injoe walsh, who is on our panel tonight. for so long the us has dominated space exploration, and i wonder if

this to start looking like a new space race, as leary was talking but a permanent base on the moon. and also given this tension between the us and china right now, we know there's been a lot of diplomatic effort to try and ratchet down tensions, but it does put the two face—to—face once again, doesn't it, in a whole new way? face-to-face once again, doesn't it, in a whole new way?— face-to-face once again, doesn't it, in a whole new way? yeah, that's the sense that i — in a whole new way? yeah, that's the sense that i get _ in a whole new way? yeah, that's the sense that i get right now, _ in a whole new way? yeah, that's the sense that i get right now, in - sense that i get right now, in listening _ sense that i get right now, in listening to you too right now, is that we — listening to you too right now, is that we are _ listening to you too right now, is that we are in another race, we are inanother— that we are in another race, we are in another space race, we're in another— in another space race, we're in another race to the moon, where it used _ another race to the moon, where it used to— another race to the moon, where it used to he — another race to the moon, where it used to be us and russia, now you've -ot used to be us and russia, now you've got a _ used to be us and russia, now you've got a number— used to be us and russia, now you've got a number of other countries — india. _ got a number of other countries — india. japan, _ got a number of other countries — india, japan, china — now very involved _ india, japan, china — now very involved. you would think, the hope would _ involved. you would think, the hope would he _ involved. you would think, the hope would be that, again, all of humanity and this planet would cooperate when it comes to any information, any material, any interesting substances garnered from the moon_ interesting substances garnered from the moon that we would all cooperate, and all be kind of on the same _ cooperate, and all be kind of on the same team, — cooperate, and all be kind of on the same team, but i will be honest, i

don't _ same team, but i will be honest, i don't think— same team, but i will be honest, i don't think america thinks china is going _ don't think america thinks china is going to _ don't think america thinks china is going to behave that way, i know that government officials in america want us _ that government officials in america want us to— that government officials in america want us to get back and with a manned — want us to get back and with a manned mission to the moon and set ”p manned mission to the moon and set up a colony— manned mission to the moon and set up a colony there before china does. because _ up a colony there before china does. because i_ up a colony there before china does. because i think there is a natural distrust— because i think there is a natural distrust right now of china. could this be the _ distrust right now of china. could this be the thing, _ distrust right now of china. could this be the thing, joe, _ distrust right now of china. could this be the thing, joe, that - distrust right now of china. could this be the thing, joe, that we i distrust right now of china. could j this be the thing, joe, that we all need right now? because the idea of being up on a space station, and i'm going to ask leroy about this because he knows first—hand, nsf, but you look back at earth and it is these tiny little thing where all of our problems, all of our of our wars, all of this on a tidy floating in space and we could all do with that, that we are all insignificant we should get along because there's bigger stuff out there. filth. we should get along because there's bigger stuff out there.— bigger stuff out there. oh, gosh, es, bigger stuff out there. oh, gosh, yes. right? _ bigger stuff out there. oh, gosh, yes. right? the _ bigger stuff out there. oh, gosh, yes, right? the tiny _ bigger stuff out there. oh, gosh, yes, right? the tiny blue - bigger stuff out there. oh, gosh, yes, right? the tiny blue dot, - bigger stuff out there. oh, gosh, yes, right? the tiny blue dot, we all live _ yes, right? the tiny blue dot, we all live on— yes, right? the tiny blue dot, we all live on this tiny blue dot. i

keep— all live on this tiny blue dot. i keep thinking, as i listen to you too, _ keep thinking, as i listen to you too, that— keep thinking, as i listen to you too, that 100 years from now, they are going _ too, that 100 years from now, they are going to— too, that 100 years from now, they are going to look back at this broadcast and kind of smile and laugh— broadcast and kind of smile and laugh at— broadcast and kind of smile and laugh at us, as who knows how many people _ laugh at us, as who knows how many people might live on the moon? so, you, people might live on the moon? so, you. we _ people might live on the moon? so, you. we are — people might live on the moon? so, you, we are all in this together. my hope _ you, we are all in this together. my hope is _ you, we are all in this together. my hope is that— you, we are all in this together. my hope is that this is the spirit all of these — hope is that this is the spirit all of these countries would take. leroy, — of these countries would take. leroy, you've been up there, you have had that incredible view back down to earth. it must remind you of how insignificant we are and does it give you a sense of peace when you're up there looking at this little earth floating in space? it does. it is interesting because you look out into deep space and you do get that feeling that we are just insignificant, for sure, but you look at the earth, it is colourful, it is vibrant, it is alive, it looks very peaceful, even though intellectually of course those of us that are up there watching it, there is a lot of conflict, a lot of

suffering going on, so we are orbiting over these places, and international cooperation, i've always been a big believer in that, i saw it first—hand with the russians, even with the conflicts that we had with each other, at least we had one very visible civil space project that we were both aligned on, and it is in both her interest for it to succeed. that's why i was advocating years ago to do something similar with china and their space programme, and a china at the time, some years ago, was up for that, advocated for it, and frankly it was the united states that slammed the door on them, so now they're going it alone. and they've got an operational space station, it's going very well, and they are going to go on with their own lunar ambitions with or without us, and they are, they've got international cooperation, the french the italians, the pakistanis have experiments on this latest probe that just launched, have experiments on this latest probe thatjust launched, and so i think that is the way to go, but the

politics rule the date on anything and even in space exploration, so we have got to be realistic about it as well. ., ., ~ ., i. well. leroy, love talking to you. i could talk — well. leroy, love talking to you. i could talk to _ well. leroy, love talking to you. i could talk to you _ well. leroy, love talking to you. i could talk to you all— well. leroy, love talking to you. i could talk to you all night, - well. leroy, love talking to you. i could talk to you all night, but. could talk to you all night, but i have got to squeeze in some other news, unfortunately! but thank you, leroy chiao. always good to get your insight on stories like this. thank you. now two things may be a little bit more monday and. we will talk about the health of the us economy. the latest employment data coming in below expectations. the us economy added 175,000 newjobs in april — well below forecasts as high as 250,000. it's the smallest rise in six months and suggests the labour market could be cooling in what is the world's biggest economy. the health care sector was the biggest contributor, recording an extra 56,000 jobs — that's consistent with recent trends. social care, warehousing and transportation also show significant growth. it meant that overall unemployment rate rose slightly to 3.9%,

compared with estimates of 3.8%. the latest figures come after the fed once again voted to hold borrowing costs steady, as it battles to tame inflation — rising prices — that are leaving americans with less money in their pockets. let's talk to susie and joe, and thatis let's talk to susie and joe, and that is a real problem forjoe biden, that the economy is doing pretty well on the whole but people are not feeling it yet? thea;t pretty well on the whole but people are not feeling it yet?— are not feeling it yet? they are not feelin: it are not feeling it yet? they are not feeling it yet. _ are not feeling it yet? they are not feeling it yet, and _ are not feeling it yet? they are not feeling it yet, and to _ are not feeling it yet? they are not feeling it yet, and to biden's - feeling it yet, and to biden's children. _ feeling it yet, and to biden's children, it's like since he first -ot children, it's like since he first got elected, they've never felt it. -- biden's— got elected, they've never felt it. —— biden's chagrin. i would argue because — —— biden's chagrin. i would argue because biden has done a pre—poor 'ob because biden has done a pre—poor job of— because biden has done a pre—poor job of commena getting it. post covid, _ job of commena getting it. post covid, the american economy has rebounded — covid, the american economy has rebounded better than any other economy— rebounded better than any other economy in the world. and that needs to be emphasised. the fear now is that it _ to be emphasised. the fear now is that it is _ to be emphasised. the fear now is

that it is cooling off and that politically, that again could be a bin, politically, that again could be a big, big — politically, that again could be a big, big problem for biden. susie, there is a very _ big, big problem for biden. susie, there is a very different _ big, big problem for biden. susie, there is a very different picture . big, big problem for biden. susie, there is a very different picture in | there is a very different picture in there is a very different picture in the uk right now, because inflation is starting to come down, talk of interest rate cuts in the autumn, all very well time for that general election, even though i don't think the government has really had to do much for that to happen, it is about what they have not done, it is fair to say, but it is important because elections are won and lost on how well the economy is doing. thea;r elections are won and lost on how well the economy is doing. they have been historically, _ well the economy is doing. they have been historically, but _ well the economy is doing. they have been historically, but recent - been historically, but recent elections have disproved some of that. underthe elections have disproved some of that. under the 0bama administration, undertrump, usually administration, under trump, usually when administration, undertrump, usually when the economy is doing well of the incumbent will come back in and that has not happened in recent history. there have been other factors that have polarised voters and influenced them. it's notjust been the economy, stupid, as bill clinton once said, there have been other factors that are part of it, and brexit has had huge influence on our own politics here in this country and that was really an

economic decision, although it is that economic impacts, so it is not entirely down to that these days. but the fact that, i can remove years ago, i was on holiday, it must have been about 25 years ago, in the states and everyone was an uproar because there was a quarter of a percent on a gallon of gas, and i was like, you people are really getting asked upset about this? it may excuse difference in the states, it is a big political issue. if got 107 5000 jobs, that's amazing, we would kill for those kind of figures over here, and overhear our problems are that we do get newjobs, there's so low wages but they are so many zero—hours contracts that people are having to have benefit payments just to keep them in their working families above a decent standard of living. so it is notjust about the number ofjobs, it is about the kind ofjobs, the money that comes into families as a result of those jobs,

and then how they can spend it in the economy if they can at all, and taxation. �* the economy if they can at all, and taxation. . g ., ., ., ., taxation. and joe, iwonder, ahead ofthat taxation. and joe, iwonder, ahead of that election _ taxation. and joe, iwonder, ahead of that election in _ taxation. and joe, iwonder, ahead of that election in november - taxation. and joe, iwonder, ahead of that election in november in - taxation. and joe, iwonder, ahead of that election in november in the us, is there anything biden or trump can give as a gift to voters if it is not a rate cut? i can give as a gift to voters if it is not a rate cut?— can give as a gift to voters if it is not a rate cut? i don't think so. but, is not a rate cut? i don't think so. but. look. — is not a rate cut? i don't think so. but, look, trump's _ is not a rate cut? i don't think so. but, look, trump's tax _ is not a rate cut? i don't think so. but, look, trump's tax cuts - is not a rate cut? i don't think so. but, look, trump's tax cuts are i is not a rate cut? i don't think so. l but, look, trump's tax cuts are due to exuire. _ but, look, trump's tax cuts are due to expire, and he bided administration right now wants to let them — administration right now wants to let them expire —— the biden administration full to be if they did, it — administration full to be if they did, it would naturally be called a tax increase. i think they need to think— tax increase. i think they need to think that — tax increase. i think they need to think that through, but, like at this point, _ think that through, but, like at this point, between biden and trim, it is all— this point, between biden and trim, it is alljust — this point, between biden and trim, it is alljust about selling whatever they can sell, and, look, when _ whatever they can sell, and, look, when it— whatever they can sell, and, look, when it comes tojobs, i deny can sell a _ when it comes tojobs, i deny can sell a lot, — when it comes tojobs, i deny can sell a lot, but the thing that has angered americans for the past two and half— angered americans for the past two and half years isjust inflation —— biden— and half years isjust inflation —— biden kinsella law. it is the price of stuff. that has

been _ it is the price of stuff. that has been a — it is the price of stuff. that has been a tough hurdle for biden to get over _ been a tough hurdle for biden to get over we _ been a tough hurdle for biden to get over. ~ . ~' been a tough hurdle for biden to get over. ~ ., ~ ., been a tough hurdle for biden to get over, ~ ., " ., ., been a tough hurdle for biden to get over. ~ ., ~ ., ., ., , over. we will talk about that as that election _ over. we will talk about that as that election approaches - over. we will talk about that as that election approaches once i over. we will talk about that as - that election approaches once more. around the world and across the uk, this is bbc news.

you are watching the context on bbc news. now it's time for the panel. this is the point in the programme when we let our panel tell us what they want to talk about, and susie, you've chosen a story we have been following here, the government defeated in court on its climate plans, and this was about watering down his climate commitments. just ask clean what's happened. the high court has ruled _ ask clean what's happened. the high court has ruled that _ ask clean what's happened. the high court has ruled that the _ ask clean what's happened. the high court has ruled that the government| court has ruled that the government has not met its plans for net zero, it is not good enough, it needs to go again, but what is interesting is the bigger picture. we have had cases of grandmothers and switch a lenticular governments to european court, we have had a french man, we

have had a spanish schoolchildren, and we have got climate protests really using the legal system to take their governments to court to say, you're not meeting or international legal obligations, but it is interesting way of dealing with it because over the past 20, 30 years, politics has really set the tone of the climate debate, we started off with people on the right saying, climate change does not even exist, people on the left saying, yes, it does, and then that we are talking about, we need to hit net zero, do we need to not hit ned's zero? we need to change our lives? parties have decided to polarised voters on it. we are now getting to the point where it is so plainly obvious that this is an issue we need to tackle for social reasons, but actually the voters are coalescing, right and left are agreeing, they do want it to be some thing the government fixes, happening at the same time climate protests are taking those governments to court, to force them to rethink and say, you have to take

the politics out of this, you have to treat this as an issue of social justice, and how we actually are going to live on this planet in future. the fact it is happening is fascinating. future. the fact it is happening is fascinating-— fascinating. joe, you've chosen something _ fascinating. joe, you've chosen something quite _ fascinating. joe, you've chosen something quite different! - fascinating. joe, you've chosen i something quite different! rolling stones on tour. i was looking at the numbers. the rolling stones kicking off their latest tour. collectively, mick jagger, off their latest tour. collectively, mickjagger, 80, keith richards, 79, ronnie wood 76, they are 236 years old! i ronnie wood 76, they are 236 years old! . ~ :: ronnie wood 76, they are 236 years old! w :: , , ronnie wood 76, they are 236 years old! ., ,, i: , , ., old! i will take 20 seconds and then i am old! i will take 20 seconds and then i am done! — old! i will take 20 seconds and then i am done! have _ old! i will take 20 seconds and then i am done! have a _ old! i will take 20 seconds and then i am done! have a great— old! i will take 20 seconds and then i am done! have a great weekend! l i am done! have a great weekend! 80 years— i am done! have a great weekend! 80 years old! _ i am done! have a great weekend! 80 years old! i_ i am done! have a great weekend! 80 years old! i mean, think about that post years old! i mean, think about that oost up— years old! i mean, think about that post up he — years old! i mean, think about that post up he is 80 years old, they are on tour, _ post up he is 80 years old, they are on tour, there he is, he is dancing around, he — on tour, there he is, he is dancing around, he is— on tour, there he is, he is dancing around, he is gyrating, he is mick jagger! _ around, he is gyrating, he is mick jagger! and keith richards. by the way, how— jagger! and keith richards. by the way, how the hell is keith richard still alive. — way, how the hell is keith richard still alive, the life he has lived? it is amazing. and in a world right now where — it is amazing. and in a world right now where everything kind of sucks, what a _

now where everything kind of sucks, what a treat — now where everything kind of sucks, what a treat this is? the rolling stones— what a treat this is? the rolling stones are _ what a treat this is? the rolling stones are on tour again. amazing! 16 days, _ stones are on tour again. amazing! 16 days, america and canada, marking their 60th anniversary of the stones's first us dates. actually, if anything, it proves that if you do what you love, its not work! susie, joe, so good to have you with us on a friday evening on the context. i us on a friday evening on the context. , ., ., ~ .~ context. i will tell you how mick jar aer is context. i will tell you how mick jagger is doing _ context. i will tell you how mick jagger is doing that _ context. i will tell you how mick jagger is doing that - _ context. i will tell you how mick jagger is doing that - he - context. i will tell you how mick jagger is doing that - he and i context. i will tell you how mick. jagger is doing that - he and keith jagger is doing that — he and keith are from kent! jagger is doing that - he and keith are from kent!— are from kent! laughter see you — are from kent! laughter see you later. _ hello, at the bbc sport centre. let's start with one match this evening in the premier league. luton town hoping to give

their hopes of avoiding relegation a boost as they take on everton. it is in the closing moments. dominic calvert—lewin had put the visitors ahead from the spot before elijah adebayo levelled the game before the break. a win would take luton town out of the relegation zone. but it is 1—1 with two minutes of normal time to go, so they will have to get something in the closing moments if they are to get that victory. meanwhile, luton's relegation rivals nottingham forest have been charged with misconduct by the football association. manager nuno espirito santo and defender neco williams also face charges following comments after their 2—0 defeat at everton last month. forest were fuming after having three penalty decisions go against them and released an angry statement on social media just minutes after the final whistle. the fa allege the comments "constitute improper conduct "in that they imply bias and question the integrity "of the match officials and bring the game into disrepute." also, former premier league referee

mark clattenburg has been warned about his future conduct following the incident. earlier today, he left his role as referee analyst for forest. in a statement, he cites his work as being "more of a hinderance than help" among the reasons for leaving. elsewhere, liverpool manager jurgen klopp has hit out at the premier league and its broadcasters, describing fixture scheduling as "absolutely insane". since klopp took charge in 2015, liverpool have featured in more early kick—offs than any other premier league club. but klopp also suggested that lunch—time kick—off times don't just affect his team, but are also partly to blame for english teams' struggles in europe this season. i watch a lot of football, all over the world, england premier league is the best league in the world. so it's not overrated, the players are overworked. easy as that. you can talk about that until anybody realises, finally... but somebody obviously needs to help the people.

you have to become a partner of footballers again and notjust the squeezer. that's it. that's a little advice from an old man on the way out. the league one play—offs got under way this evening with bolton beating barnsley 3—1 in the semifinal first leg. dion charles opened the scoring for the visitors midway through the first half at 0akwell and added a second from the spot early in the second half. sam cosgrove looked to have got barnsley back into the match after coming off the bench to score. but deep into time added on, randell williams restored bolton's two—goal advantage. the second leg is on tuesday. qualifying for the miami grand prix sprint race is currently under way. it's the second consecutive sprint weekend on the calendar. earlier, max verstappen topped the time sheets in first practice on the track around the hard rock stadium. seven—time world champion lewis hamilton was seventh. he's leaving mercedes at the end of the season to join ferrari and says it would be a "privilege" to work with adrian newey should

the red bull designer decide to head to the italian team. if i was to do a list of people that i'd love to work with, he would absolutely be at the top of it. i think he would be an amazing addition. i think they've already got a great team, they are already making huge progress, strides forward, their car's quicker this year, but, yeah, it would be a privilege to work with him. the evening session at the crucible is under way at the world snooker championship — we'll be there shortly. but 2015 world champion stuart bingham is locked at eight frames all against jakjones in their semifinal. bingham taking the 16th frame in a session that lasted nearly three hours to set up an exciting conclusion to this one which will continue tomorrow. but on the table now, david gilbert and kyren wilson continue their semifinal. it's been a thrilling match so far — they were tied at eight frames all at the start of the session.

however, kyren wilson has wrestled control of the action in the evening session, racing to a 1a—9 lead. this is the final frame of the evening session. 17, remember, the magic number. warrington wolves have moved level on points at the top of the superleague after a 2a—6 victory over strugglers hull fc. warrington dominated the match with a hat trick of tries from josh thewliss — he also kicked four conversions. hull fc have now lost nine of their ten games. wins elsewhere tonight for leeds and salford. into stoppage time of that game between luton and everton, still want goal apiece. you can follow that on the bbc sport website. but that on the bbc sport website. but thatisit that on the bbc sport website. but that is it from me and the team for now. bye—bye. hello there, good afternoon. well, it was the warmest day of the year so far across all four nations yesterday.

temperatures rose into the low 20s in celsius. here they are, and we are set to keep the warmth today across western scotland and northern ireland, although not quite so much sunshine here. but across england and wales, it's a lot cooler, a drop in temperature of around ten degrees celsius across parts of east anglia, where there's plenty of cloud and some more outbreaks of rain. so really quite wet and cloudy for much of england and wales this afternoon. watch out for some thunderstorms, too, from yorkshire and lincolnshire, just pushing further northwards and westwards through the afternoon. some sunny spells developing across the south coast of england, but the best of the sunshine again will be for scotland, particularly the north and the west, where once again we could see 22, even maybe 23 degrees celsius. now, as we had through of this evening and overnight, that weather front continues to lift its way further northwards, taking the cloud and the rain with it. there'll be a lot of mist and murk into tomorrow morning, particularly for north sea—facing coasts. it's a lot chillier further south for southern england and south wales. clear skies, some

radiation fog forming. temperatures back to mid—single figures, but much milder of course further north underneath all of that cloud that continues again to push its way northwards through the day tomorrow. so a bit of a north—south split going on on saturday. still some breaks in the cloud across north—western areas of scotland, but the best of the sunshine tomorrow will tend to be across southern england and south wales, too, and that will really help to lift the temperatures, 16—17 degrees, back up to the seasonal average, but watch out for some afternoon showers. now on sunday, important not to take the graphics too literally at this stage, but at the moment we think this area of low pressure is going to wind its way in from the south and the west, so there will be some showers here. more showers developing further north as well, but in the sunny spells, and there will be some, then it will feel pleasantly warm as it does at this time of year. and it's another day of sunny spells and some showers again on bank holiday monday. the focus for the showers probably towards the south of england at least through the morning. more showers developing across northern england and scotland as we head through the afternoon, but again do keep checking the forecast because the detail

is likely to change. here's the temperature outlook for our capital cities, then, as we head through the weekend and into the start of next week. temperatures around average, warm in the sunshine, but there will be some wet weather at times. bye— bye.

at ten, the conservatives suffer one of their worst set of local election results in decades, as labour wins new councillors across the country. cheering they're celebrating winning control

of tory blue areas and holding onto others that were labour red. here in redditch, labour made big gains to win control of the council. they'll be hoping it's a sign they can win back parliamentary seats like this too at the general election. and there was a massive swing of over 26% to labour in the blackpool south by—election. but some cheer for tories, as ben houchen holds on to the mayor's office in tees valley. and i'll be here looking at some of the results in more detail to see what it might mean for the parties at the general election. also tonight, a former post office lawyer is accused of lying over are you going to tell the truth today? jarnail singh was involved in prosecuting an innocent woman. he says he didn't lie. william perry me? 0n newsnight at half ten...

the tees valley mayoral win for the conservatives appears to buy