efforts intensify to stop israel's move into rafah. 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. the un security council expresses deep concern over an imminent attack on the sudanese city of al—fashir. hello, welcome to the programme. i'm lewis vaughanjones. 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,

or 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 in 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. let's speak to our correspondent injerusalem wyre davies. what is the state of play? look, there are two — what is the state of play? look, there are two tracks _ what is the state of play? look, there are two tracks here, - what is the state of play? look, there are two tracks here, the l what is the state of play? look, i there are two tracks here, the first is news release today from the israeli military showing pictures and video of the head of southern command heating with the head of israeli literary and apparently negotiating the final discussion is laying out the final plans for this much expected full—scale military assault on rafah, because israel

believes that the remnants of a mass's fighting force, about a quarter of the fighting force, all of the surviving leaders are based in and around the southern thousands city of rafah. benjamin netanyahu has always said this work cannot be declared over, he cannot declare victory until hamas is completely defeated. that planned military offensive is still continuing as a plan. the much more less hopeful chances of ceasefire talks. we seen those talks are pretty moribund in recent weeks. in the last couple of days, we have had egyptian officials in israel and it appears now that hamas delegates are going to cairo in an effort to restart the talks between israel, in direct talks, between israel, in direct talks, between israel, in direct talks, between israel and hamas, that could lead to some sort of temporary ceasefire and could lead to the release of israeli hostages held by hamas and the release of palestinian prisoners held in israeli jails.

thus far, the two sides have been very far apart with their respective demands. it appears in the last couple of days that both made tiny concessions, bringing perhaps them a little bit closer together, but most observers say they are still very far apart. the chances of a ceasefire are still a long way off. just briefly, we heard just a moment ago claims that it is only the us that could stop israel from going into rafah. we had antony blinken in the region. what impact if any do think could have? he the region. what impact if any do think could have?— the region. what impact if any do think could have? he is clearly here tot to think could have? he is clearly here to try to help _ think could have? he is clearly here to try to help these _ think could have? he is clearly here to try to help these peace _ think could have? he is clearly here to try to help these peace talks - think could have? he is clearly here to try to help these peace talks get | to try to help these peace talks get going once again. israel has... 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. certainly on the opinions of ben'amin netan ahu. . ~ , benjamin netanyahu. thank you very much for that- _ benjamin netanyahu. thank you very much for that. as _ benjamin netanyahu. thank you very much for that. as you _ benjamin netanyahu. thank you very much for that. as you can _ benjamin netanyahu. thank you very much for that. as you can see, - benjamin netanyahu. thank you very much for that. as you can see, our. much for that. as you can see, our correspondent is standing by with us. let's speak to sameer hashmi who's in riyadh. todayis today is the first day of the world economic— today is the first day of the world economic forum and it is focused on what _ economic forum and it is focused on what is _ economic forum and it is focused on what is happening in gaza. the president — what is happening in gaza. the president gave a speech earlier in the morning and in his address he reached _ the morning and in his address he reached out and appeal to the united states_ reached out and appeal to the united states and _ reached out and appeal to the united states and president biden to stop israel_ states and president biden to stop israel from carrying out the invasion_ israel from carrying out the invasion in rafah. he said it is very— invasion in rafah. he said it is very important the united states exerts _ very important the united states exerts that pressure on israel and prevents — exerts that pressure on israel and prevents that. then there will be a lot of— prevents that. then there will be a lot of action tomorrow and a lot of diplomacy— lot of action tomorrow and a lot of diplomacy around gaza because the us secretary _ diplomacy around gaza because the us secretary of state antony blinken will he _ secretary of state antony blinken will be arriving here, he will be meeting — will be arriving here, he will be meeting a _ will be arriving here, he will be meeting a lot of leaders in the region— meeting a lot of leaders in the region including the foreign ministers of the gulf region, he

will be meeting arab leaders, and then in— will be meeting arab leaders, and then in the — will be meeting arab leaders, and then in the evening he will be meeting — then in the evening he will be meeting the european five countries aiong _ meeting the european five countries along with _ meeting the european five countries along with the eu along with the arab countries. to take stock of where _ arab countries. to take stock of where the — arab countries. to take stock of where the situation is and how to take this — where the situation is and how to take this process forward. so tomorrow— take this process forward. so tomorrow is going to be a pretty busy— tomorrow is going to be a pretty busy day— tomorrow is going to be a pretty busy day as far as gaza goes. thank ou ve busy day as far as gaza goes. thank you very much _ busy day as far as gaza goes. thank you very much for — busy day as far as gaza goes. thank you very much for that. _ busy day as far as gaza goes. thank you very much for that. that - busy day as far as gaza goes. thank you very much for that. that is - busy day as far as gaza goes. thank you very much for that. that is the l you very much for that. that is the latest from the region. let's speak to eyal hulata, israel's former national security adviser and senior fellow at the foundation for the defence of democracy. when antony blinken arriving, what difference do you think this will make? ,, . ., , difference do you think this will make? ,. ., y~ .,, difference do you think this will make? ~', make? secretary antony blinken is in the reuion. make? secretary antony blinken is in the region. that _ make? secretary antony blinken is in the region. that is _ make? secretary antony blinken is in the region. that is very _ make? secretary antony blinken is in the region. that is very important. i the region. that is very important. the convention in riyadh, the world economic forum is an important venue. there are many things to be discussed between the countries. gaza being one of them, normalisation with saudi arabia

being another. but i hope that the message that will come from saudi arabia to hamas and the countries that can influence her mass will be to push to agree with eim a hostage deal on the table so that there can be a ceasefire. i heard your correspondent before. americans will have the impact of whether or not israel goes into gaza is her mass. they have been preventing hostage deals so far. hopefully he will agree to the terms on the table and there will be a ceasefire and israel will not need to go into rafah. d0 will not need to go into rafah. do ou will not need to go into rafah. do you think that will happen? i will not need to go into rafah. do j you think that will happen? i have to say unfortunately _ you think that will happen? i have to say unfortunately that - you think that will happen? i have to say unfortunately that i - you think that will happen? i have to say unfortunately that i am - you think that will happen? i have to say unfortunately that i am notj to say unfortunately that i am not very hopeful. i think even though the military action of the idf has been quite effective in surrounding him, this is not enough. he is a very hard enemy of israel, he will

not give the hostages just because we ask him, it will only happen if he feels the time is not on his side. unfortunately there is not enough economic pressure from the qatari side and the physical ability of egypt to shut down these smuggling routes in and out of gaza. to ultimately convincing that he has to agree, he has to release the hostages. it has been more than six months. less and less of them are alive. ., ., ., ., , , alive. can we move on to the issue of rafah. alive. can we move on to the issue of rafah- do _ alive. can we move on to the issue of rafah. do you _ alive. can we move on to the issue of rafah. do you think _ alive. can we move on to the issue of rafah. do you think it _ alive. can we move on to the issue of rafah. do you think it is - of rafah. do you think it is possible from a logistical, technical point of view for the idf to go in and achieve their military aims and protect civilians? first of all, i aims and protect civilians? first of all. i think— aims and protect civilians? first of all, i think what _ aims and protect civilians? first of all, i think what is _ aims and protect civilians? first of all, i think what is important - aims and protect civilians? first of all, i think what is important for i all, i think what is important for the audience to understand, israel will not enter rafah before the civilians have been evacuated from there. there are several field hospitals are scattered around rafah and the idf has already said and

benjamin netanyahu has said that the idf cannot operate in gaza when they civilian tents are all around the city. they will have to be a evacuation process like we have seen in other parts of gaza prior in the war before israel can operate in rafah. the significance in rafah is first and foremost because this is probably the hiding place of the leadership of hamas who are refusing all of the deals. second of all, it must be the smuggling in and out of rafah of weapons, of money, of people must end so that this cannot be happening again.— be happening again. thank you very much for coming _ be happening again. thank you very much for coming of _ be happening again. thank you very much for coming of the _ be happening again. thank you very| much for coming of the programme. thank you. much for coming of the programme. thank ou. ., ., _, 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. the 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 it is 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'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. next, the scottish liberal democrats have rejected an offer of talks with the first minister, humza yousaf, whose politicalfuture hangs in the balance. he's facing two no confidence votes after ejecting the scottish greens from his government. mr yousaf is due to meet the only alba party msp, ash regan, this week, despite ruling out an electoral pact between alba and the snp. alexandra mackenzie reports. humza yousaf is fighting for his political future as he faces a vote of no confidence as first minister in a minority government.

after he decided to end a power—sharing deal, the bute house agreement, with the scottish greens. one senior snp mp made an appeal to the scottish green party. i apologise for what has happened this week, it could have happened in a different way but we are where we are. but the choice every member of the scottish parliament has this week is are we going to support that government under humza yousaf to make sure that we deliver the legislation that we all agree on? but the greens insist they will not back mr yousaf in the coming days. the scottish green group have said we will vote in support _ of a vote of no confidence - against humza yousaf and i cannot imagine anything at this point that could change that position. - this was a spectacular breach i of trust, from going on tuesday

to saying the bute house agreement was worth its weight in gold, - to stopping it unilaterally i on thursday, that's broken. the snp leader has written to the opposition leaders at holyrood, inviting them to discuss their concerns and priorities. ash regan of the alba party could be kingmaker. her support alone might be enough for mr yousaf to survive. alba's leader set out the political price for that support, prioritising a re—emphasis on independence. ash regan, who leads alba in the scottish parliament, is obviously in a highly influential position, given the political arithmetic. she will be meeting with humza yousaf at his invitation, she will take with her some very reasonable, positive proposals which hopefully, if the first minister accepts them, will help him to get out of a very tight political corner. the main opposition parties say the first minister has run out of road, but the snp leader struggles on in a bid to secure enough support to keep hisjob. alexandra mackenzie, bbc news.

now it's time for a look at today's sport with hugh. after liverpool dropped points on saturday, both arsenal and manchester city will be trying to make sure they don't do the same on sunday as the premier league title race enters another pivotal day. arsenal can move four points clear at the top for the time being if they beat north london rivals tottenham. that game started around 15 minutes ago. they have just taken the lead, arsenal. bournemouth lead through marco selassie and brighton and hove albion, those two teams next to each other in mid—table. manchester city don't play until later on sunday. they travel to relegation threatened nottingham forest and manager

pep guadiola believes that despite his squad being tired, this is the most exciting part of the season. of course all of the teams and that are tired~ _ of course all of the teams and that are tired~ it— of course all of the teams and that are tired. it is normal at the end of the _ are tired. it is normal at the end of the season. at the same time, so exciting _ of the season. at the same time, so exciting. fighting again for the premier— exciting. fighting again for the premier league is a dream come true. i premier league is a dream come true. i know— premier league is a dream come true. i know it _ premier league is a dream come true. i know it with — premier league is a dream come true. i know it with your dream to be there. — i know it with your dream to be there. but— i know it with your dream to be there. but i_ i know it with your dream to be there, but i know that what happened in the _ there, but i know that what happened in the past _ 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 continued to weave 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 four. 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 five 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 heat 2—1 after a comprehensive win. 0rlando beat cleveland to reduce the cavs series lead to 2—1 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 — and among them is 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. there is an own goal that is given arsenal the lead. you can follow it on the website. the un security council has expressed deep concern over an imminent attack on the sudanese city of al—fashir, by the paramilitary rapid support forces. al—fashir is the last major city in the darfur region, where sudan's army is still holding out against the rsf, which is accused of carrying out a wave of violence against non—arab ethnic groups. people in al—fashir are said to be too scared to leave the city. let's speak to claire nicolet, emergency co—ordinator at msf — which is one of the only international humanitarian organisations operating in north darfur.

thank you for coming on the programme. how concerned are you by this? irate programme. how concerned are you by this? ~ ., ., programme. how concerned are you by this? ., ., . , this? we do have concerns. the situation already _ this? we do have concerns. the situation already deteriorated . this? we do have concerns. the l situation already deteriorated two weeks ago so on sunday it started with air strikes on rsf. and we received in a week about 100 wounded in the major hospital of al—fashir, but obviously there is an announcement of the next step and we see lots of groups moving. so of course we are quite worried that the situation and the deterioration will go one step forward. so there is a lot of tension around al—fashir, lots of rumours. and because of the reality of this region, it will be

devastating for the population there. �* . . devastating for the population there. ~ . . . ., , there. and what are the challenges for our there. and what are the challenges for your work— there. and what are the challenges for your work getting _ there. and what are the challenges for your work getting the _ there. and what are the challenges for your work getting the medical l for your work getting the medical care that people need?— for your work getting the medical care that people need? already we are very much _ care that people need? already we are very much behind _ care that people need? already we are very much behind in _ care that people need? already we are very much behind in terms - care that people need? already we are very much behind in terms of l care that people need? already we are very much behind in terms of a medical response in north darfur and specifically in al—fashir. unfortunately we are speaking of a total population of around 4 million so this is a very big number. and unfortunately up to now, one year after the beginning of the war, we are really very few responding to this situation and there is a nutritional crisis there. there are measles outbreaks at the moment, so there are lots of issues and humanitarian work at the moment. food is not a variable or very expensive in the markets, and unfortunately there are really few actors and response. it will make it even more difficult. the situation

will probably deteriorate even more. more displaced people, which is already the case, so of course the situation might be very dire for the coming days, weeks and months. stand coming days, weeks and months. and 'ust coming days, weeks and months. and just briefly, you said you had trucks coming mainly across from chad. do you have the aid and supplies you need, it is just getting them to the people that need them? or is the overall amount of aid and supplies an issue, too? there are very few actors, so normally we should bring hundreds of trucks just to deliberate and food especially in north darfur. at the moment, we seek mostly a few trucks. so it means the numbers are not also at the right level to respond to the large—scale humanitarian crisis we are facing now. so that is really...

thank you very much for coming on the programme. 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 has recently said it will lay—off 10% of its global workforce. after a recent spate of violence against women, the australian prime minister anthony albanese has told a rally that the country's culture — and male behaviour — must change. thousands of australians joined protests around the country this weekend to denounce gender—based violence. mr albanese told the crowd in canberra that the problem was a national crisis.

we are here today to demand that governments of all levels must do better, including my own, including every state and territory government. applause we need to change the culture, we need to change attitudes. irate we need to change the culture, we need to change attitudes.— we need to change the culture, we need to change attitudes. we need to chance need to change attitudes. we need to chan . e the need to change attitudes. we need to change the legal _ need to change attitudes. we need to change the legal system. _ need to change attitudes. we need to change the legal system. we - need to change attitudes. we need to change the legal system. we need i need to change attitudes. we need to change the legal system. we need to | change the legal system. we need to change the legal system. we need to change the legal system. we need to change the approach by all governments. because it is not enough to support victims. we need to fight this on the perpetrators and focus on prevention. but the prime minister's comments were not celebrated by all — sarah williams who organised the rallies said his response fell short of an actual commitment. he was not in support for women today. he was upset that it was called out that he did not want to make change and he decided to pretty much come up draw when speaking, he

lied to the country country about us thinking that he asked to speak and was denied, which never happened. you can watch the footage and you can see me start bawling my eyes out. it was pretty traumatising. and he continues to look at me and then continues to speak in front of the whole country. take a moment and acknowledge what his actions did, maybe even throughout his speech acknowledge the distress he caused, not only me or the volunteers, but also the rest of the people in the audience. everybody out there watching was really distressed. next, prince harry is returning to the uk next month for the first time since his visit to see king charles after his cancer diagnosis in february. the duke of sussex will attend a ceremony marking the 10th anniversary of the invictus games, a sports event for injured military personnel that he launched in 2014. the thanksgiving service

at st paul's cathedral in london, on may 8th will be the first major event he has attended in britain for some time. the grand final of one of the world's biggest competitive gaming competitions is taking place in birmingham. the esl 0ne tournament sees teams from all over the world compete in the multiplayer battle arena game dota 2. 0ne team of professional gamers will win a share of £800,000 prize money. there is plenty more on the website. to download the bbc news app as well. i will be back with the headlines and just a couple of minutes. forthe headlines and just a couple of minutes. for the moment, headlines and just a couple of minutes. forthe moment, iam headlines and just a couple of minutes. for the moment, iam lewis vaughanjones, this is bbc news. hello.

it was a chilly start with a touch of light frost in the far north—west but that is certainly where we have seen the lion's share of sunshine. look how beautiful sterling was early on this morning. that rain is continuing to drift its way 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 will hold onto that sunshine with a view scattered light showers as well. here, highs of 13 degrees. factor in the wind and the rain, only seven perhaps in parts of his scotland. as we move through the night, the low pressure pulls away, the isobars stay with us, it stays quite breezy with another front pushing in from the west. that will bring outbreaks of rain into northern ireland, scotland and western fringes of england and wales, but ahead of its lovely sunshine. and with a southerly

breeze, some warmth. anywhere from east yorkshire down towards dorset, south and east of that is a much better day, sunny and pleasantly warm. low pressure is going to set out to the west for a couple of days, but the wind direction continues to change to a southerly and we are going to continue to tap in to this warm air coming off the near continent. a change to the feel of the weather and the irony is tuesdayis of the weather and the irony is tuesday is the final day of april and we are going to see above average temperatures quite widely across the country. there will be some showery outbreaks of rain out to the west but very much of central and eastern england and scotland, dry, settled, pleasantly warm. temperatures peaking in the high teens. wednesday could be a little bit of a messy day. we might dragon a little bit more cloud of the north sea and pick up some drizzle. by the end of the day, we will keep an eye on a few chopped hours moving up from the near continent, but again, it is still pleasantly warm out there, 16—18 widely across the country. low pressure will pull away, and as we head towards the

all—important bank holiday weekend, here is just all—important bank holiday weekend, here isjust an all—important bank holiday weekend, here is just an early heads up for you. high pressure building in and looks likely to quieten things down. so there will still be a view showers, may be some longer spells of rain arriving on monday, but on the whole it looks quite promising.

this is bbc news. the headlines... israel says a planned ground assault on the city of rafah could be suspended if a deal emerges to free the hostages still held by hamas. key international leaders are heading to saudi arabia, where they are expected to hold talks on the war in gaza. this week is expected to be a pivotal one in scottish politics. confidence votes are planned in both the first minister, humza yousaf, and his government. mr yousaf has written to opposition leaders in an attempt to find common ground. the un security council expresses deep concern over an imminent attack on the sudanese city of al—fashir, by the paramilitary rapid support forces. in a statement, the un's spokesperson says any attacks will have �*devastating consequences' for the civilians. the grand final of esl 0ne gaming tournament is taking place in birmingham. one of the gaming teams will win a share of 800 thousand pounds prize money whilst competing in the multiplayer battle arena game — dota 2.