live from washington, this is bbc news. welcome to viewers on pbs in america. lawmakers in the us state of montana approve a statewide ban on the chinese social media app, tiktok. the bill now heads to the governor's desk. 21—year—old jack teixeira appears in court in boston, over a huge leak of secret government documents. we'll discuss the plaform used to spread the information. us secretary of state antony blinken arrives in vietnam, hoping to counter china's growing diplomatic power. hello, i'm sumi somaskanda in washington. this is bbc news. lawmakers in the us state of montana have approved

a first—of—its—kind bill to ban tiktok statewide, setting the stage for future court battles that could determine the fate in the us of the popular social media app, which is owned by china. the bill, which will now be sent to the governor's desk, specifically names tiktok as a target of the bill and a possibility of a $10,000 a day fine for a violation. earlier, i spoke to montana—based tiktok influencer carly goddard, who described the platform as her livelihood. first of all, tell us what your reaction is to this move from montana lawmakers? so, i am just shocked. this is how i make my income, i am able to provide for my family, it honestly really saddens me, because i feel like there isn't really a reason, there isjust a lot more behind it. there are other social media apps children are using

which they are not safe on, like they claim tiktok, you know, that they are not safe on that app. there is snapchat, there is instagram, and so many others, apps that children are using, it is notjust tiktok. ifeel like there is not a good enough reason for this bound to take place. and it isn'tjust an app for dancing, there's moms just like me who want to be able to stay home with the children and be able to help provide for theirfamilies, and this is my only way of income. and ijust don't know what i am going to do afterwards. i'll come back to the concerns about safety and tiktok, but can you tell us how exactly you and your family have made a living out of tiktok? so when i started, i started with my vlogs and i had brands reaching out to me by email. i would name my rates and they would pay me after i completed the video, through my paypal, or they would write me a cheque, and that was basically how i got paid.

so there were some rumblings over the possibility of montana banning this app, i understand you wrote an email to the governor, what did you say, what response did you get? well, i don't think it was the governor himself, i think it was an automated message, pretty much. but i just said what the app meant to me, that i am a mother trying to provide for my family, and this is my only source of income. basically along those lines. so tiktok does mean a lot to you, you mentioned you had about 95,000 followers, the possibility where occurs is that we could see a fine of $10,000 a for violating it. do you think that people will look for ways to use the platform, to get around this band somehow? there is already some talk about an app called lemonade, which some people

are switching to. the thing about tiktok everybody loves is that you can reach a wide range of audiences, and you are just put out there more, which is really nice. but everybody has been trying youtube, instagram, it is just not as good as tiktok, ifeel like. i said i was going to ask about security aspects. we have been speaking in washington to lawmakers who say that there is a serious security risk in using tiktok, namely that they think the chinese government can have access to your data and can also use tiktok to disseminate propaganda. are you not worried about these concerns? no. i believe that every app that we use, they are taking our information, it is never private, it is never safe. i think there is more to this tiktok ban than they are saying. i don't know, i don't think they are spying. like i say, there are lots of other apps. apple is the same. it's not protected,

it's not safe. any app that you use, your information is being used, that is what i didn't understand. a very interesting perspective from carly gothard, an influencer who uses tiktok regularly. thank you for coming on the programme and sharing your views on this possible band, we know it is heading to the desk of the governor, so thanks for being on our show. thank you so much. at a court in boston today, 21—year—old jack teixeira was officially charged, accused of leaking confidential intelligence and defence documents. the us airman wore shackles and a prison uniform. he faces the prospects of years in prison. the leaks embarrassed washington, and raised fresh questions over the security of classified information. 0ur correspondent barbara plett—usher was at the court in boston. the suspect, jack teixeira,

appeared in the courthouse behind me and we had more details about how the investigators tracked him down, that was through the discord messaging platform on which the documents were posted. they checked his billing records and interviewed some of his social media friends. it was clarified that he does have top—secret clearance, because of his role as an it specialist in the intelligence unit of the air national guard, but there are these continuing questions of course about how he was able to meet classified documents over time, without being detected. there is an investigation into dust. president biden has also said that he has ordered the military and intelligence communities to take more steps to secure sensitive information, although he also praised law enforcement for its rapid action. his parents were in the courtroom, they did not speak to the media but there was a brief exchange with their son, his mothersaid, i was a brief exchange with their son, his mother said, i love you, jack, and he responded, i love you too, dad. he did not make a plea and now he will be detained until the next court hearing which is on wednesday. here in washington, there's been a new development concerning access to abortion.

us supreme courtjustice samuel alito has temporarily extended access to the highly—contested abortion drug mifepristone while the court considers the case. last week, two courts, one in washington state and one in texas, issued conflicting rulings on access to the abortion pill, leading to the supreme court weighing in. the interim stay will expire at midnight on wednesday here in washington dc. 0ur correspondent jessica parker has more. this was an 11th hour ruling by supreme courtjustice alito, supreme court justice alito, basically supreme courtjustice alito, basically preventing changes that were on the verge of coming into force from doing so, at least for now. now, what had been about to happen across the us in states where abortion remains legal is that women were not going to be able to take mr bridgestone, which is typically used as part of the two drug regiment, beyond seven weeks of pregnancy. nor would they be able to order the drug

by mail, have it delivered by mail. those changes, those restrictions, not into force for now. that is despite a week of headlines and uncertainty. to some extent, this uncertainty does continue, because this is just a temporary halt to changes or restrictions on mifepristone. in fact, only in place as things stand for the next five days. us secretary of state antony blinken has arrived in vietnam, where he hopes to bolster relations with a key trade partner that shares us concerns over china's growing influence. blinken is visiting hanoi, where he is expected to hold talks with top vietnamese officials, including prime minister pham minh chinh. blinken's visit comes on the heels of the us condemning vietnam's jailing of a political activist for "anti—state activities." the us state department said the partnership between the two nations could reach its full potential if vietnam improves its human rights record. live now to south—east asia

correspondentjonathan head. jonathan, what do you think the secretary of state's aim is with this visit? this is part of a long courtship with vietnam. it has gone on for many years. the united states recognises how important all ten countries in southeast asia are, to counteract the influence of china. china is the big power in this region. none more so than vietnam, the eighth largest trade partner of the us, seen as a critical alternative, part of the supply chain, as the us tries to wean itself away from dependence on china. vietnam also has serious disputes with china territory in the south china sea. but it is a communist run country, had those comments about human rights, it is unlikely the secretary of state is going to allow those to get in the way of the us' desire to have vietnam as a strategic partner. vietnam as a strategic partner. vietnam has held the us on, it has warmed ties, they get

better all the time, slowly, but it is wary of provoking china, with whom it has a large border and a much bigger trading relationship. vietnam also has ties with russia and has not voted against russia in the various un resolutions over ukraine. so to be to have the americans on board. the us has been pushing for this relationship for a very long time. but it will only go very gradually. certainly you're not going to see the kind of military alliance that the us has, for example, with countries like the in this region. countries like the in this reuion. ~ countries like the in this re . ion. ~ . countries like the in this reuion. ~ . .,, , region. we heard as well but the us has — region. we heard as well but the us has condemned - region. we heard as well but the us has condemned the l the us has condemned the jailing of the vietnamese political activist. jailing of the vietnamese politicalactivist. how jailing of the vietnamese political activist. how is that complicating these talks? it is never allowed _ complicating these talks? it is never allowed to _ complicating these talks? it is never allowed to complicate them. this isn't new. the vietnamese government runs a very oppressive regime. it is run at the moment by a particularly hardline group of old—fashioned communists, yet they do want good relations with the us. ultimately the strategic interests of having vietnam on board, and this enormous economic potential, it is a very dynamic economy, trump anything with human

rights. we will always get the us expressing concern about human rights, is a very difficult country for anybody to say anything critical of the government, lots of people are put in prison. but frankly, whatever you hear in terms of expressions of human rights, realistically, the relationship is far too important for the us at the moment with these deteriorating relations and problems with china, which really overshadow everything in their dealings with this part of the world. that was southeast asia correspondence jonathan that was southeast asia correspondencejonathan head. correspondence jonathan head. thank correspondencejonathan head. thank you for your insights. let's recap some important news from around the world this week. 21—year—old jack teixeira appeared in court in boston today. the us airman is accused of leaking confidential intelligence and defense documents on the online chat platform discord. he faces the prospects of years in prison. the leaks embarrassed washington, exposing some spying on allies and crucial details on russia's war in ukraine that could impact future counteroffensive.

and us presidentjoe biden toured the republic of ireland and northern ireland this week in whirlwind trip to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the good friday agreement. while there, biden emphasised the importance of peace in the region, and spent time connecting to his family's roots. joining me live to discuss these stories is former us acting assistant secretary of state susan thornton, and dave lawler, who is the world news editor at axios. great to see you both and have you on the programme. so, we have a lot of stories to talk about, but i want to talk first of all about those huge pentagon leaks that we saw, and the revelations that these leaks were carried out on the platform discord, and the man behind it. if you look at the global perspective here, how vulnerable does the us look right now, to its allies? dave, let's begin with you.— right now, to its allies? dave, let's begin with you. sure, so, this was actually _ let's begin with you. sure, so, this was actually coming - let's begin with you. sure, so, this was actually coming at - let's begin with you. sure, so, this was actually coming at a l this was actually coming at a time and confidence in us intelligence was higher than it had been in recent times, particularly over the

intelligence the west was supplying ukraine and its allies about russia's actions in and around ukraine. so we have heard from some allies in europe, pushing back on this idea that they are going to be more cautious in their intelligence sharing relationships with the us. 0bviously relationships with the us. obviously it is vital for them to get access to us intelligence. fora to get access to us intelligence. for a few close allies like south korea, this has been a bit more awkward. these documents seem to indicate the us was listening indicate the us was listening in on conversations between high—level south korean officials. nothing particularly sensitive made it out into the open, but this has become a domestic political issue there, so the us has had to try to reassure its south korean allies, similarly in israel, there were some disclosures around inaudible israeli spy agency for these big protests in israel, that is another one where the us had to turn to its israeli allies and reassure them that they are getting to

them that they are getting to the bottom of this, that it won't happen again. the big picture, i am won't happen again. the big picture, iam not won't happen again. the big picture, i am not sure this will fundamentally undermine impressions globally of the us intelligence longer term, in the short term, there is certainly some embarrassment here. it certainly some embarrassment here. , . here. it is indeed an embarrassment, - here. it is indeed an i embarrassment, right, here. it is indeed an _ embarrassment, right, susan? yes. �* , embarrassment, right, susan? yes. a embarrassment, right, susan? yes. m embarrassment, right, susan? yes. a .,�* yes. as dave says, i don't think there _ yes. as dave says, i don't think there are _ yes. as dave says, i don't think there are going - yes. as dave says, i don't think there are going to i yes. as dave says, i don't| think there are going to be major— think there are going to be major ramifications from the sleek, — major ramifications from the sleek, but us allies and others around — sleek, but us allies and others around the world have had to sort — around the world have had to sort of — around the world have had to sort of get used to the idea that— sort of get used to the idea that these leaks are going to happen _ that these leaks are going to happen. we of course have had numerous _ happen. we of course have had numerous times in the past, there are _ numerous times in the past, there are some public revelations embarrassing for some — revelations embarrassing for some countries. i think that does — some countries. i think that does diminish the confidence in the us— does diminish the confidence in the us ability to handle its classification system, and i know — classification system, and i know that we are going to be looking — know that we are going to be looking at that and trying to reorder— looking at that and trying to reorder it to some extent. but it is_ reorder it to some extent. but it is very— reorder it to some extent. but it is very hard, when you have it systems _ it is very hard, when you have it systems people where you need — it systems people where you need a — it systems people where you need a lot of them, lots of them _ need a lot of them, lots of them are _ need a lot of them, lots of them are very young, and that

is what — them are very young, and that is what we _ them are very young, and that is what we saw in this case. if you are looking at this as an ally from abroad in europe do you think this changes your mind on thinking, what a share with the americans could end up on social media?— on social media? we've had this in the past _ on social media? we've had this in the past and _ on social media? we've had this in the past and eight _ on social media? we've had this in the past and eight think- in the past and eight think most countries and allies to realise the extent of what the us has access to and i think it's not surprising that people are finding that we are listening in on conversations, it is more a matter of how you handle it in the public. i don't think it is going to limit what they share and it's really more of that we share with them and that is the value proposition that they have to consider. 0f proposition that they have to consider. of course it's not a good look and we wish it hadn't happened obviously and it does

do some damage on things like real ramifications in the russia ukraine war for example and other areas that we may not even know about yet that may have ramifications for things happening in the world but i still think that the intelligence sharing is going to continue. this intelligence sharing is going to continue.— intelligence sharing is going to continue. a ., , to continue. as you said, many ofthe to continue. as you said, many of the documents _ to continue. as you said, many of the documents focus - to continue. as you said, many of the documents focus on - to continue. as you said, many of the documents focus on the | of the documents focus on the state of the war in ukraine and we heard today from ukrainian prime minister, he said: we are crucially united andabsolutely, absolutely united with other international partners in preparation of ourcounteroffensive. so we are hearing their disunity from the ukrainian prime minister but between the lines how much does this worry ukraine about its ability to trust the us? i ukraine about its ability to trust the us?— trust the us? i think they don't have _ trust the us? i think they don't have much - trust the us? i think they don't have much choice i trust the us? | think they | don't have much choice but trust the us? | think they - don't have much choice but to trust — don't have much choice but to trust the _ don't have much choice but to trust the us to a large degree, some — trust the us to a large degree, some of— trust the us to a large degree, some of what we learned is about — some of what we learned is about the access to high—level

russian — about the access to high—level russian information that the us is then— russian information that the us is then passing onto ukraine, some — is then passing onto ukraine, some of— is then passing onto ukraine, some of that is obviously unhelpful for the us for that to get— unhelpful for the us for that to get out in public because the russians can to figure out where — the russians can to figure out where these leaks are coming from — where these leaks are coming from but _ where these leaks are coming from but obviously it kind of underscored to a certain degree 'ust underscored to a certain degree just how— underscored to a certain degree just how good the us intelligence around the world intelligence around the world in ukraine has been sol intelligence around the world in ukraine has been so i don't think— in ukraine has been so i don't think ukrainians have much choice _ think ukrainians have much choice to— think ukrainians have much choice to pull back from the us here _ choice to pull back from the us here although there were indications in these documents that the — indications in these documents that the us was likely spying on president zelensky, i don't think— on president zelensky, i don't think that _ on president zelensky, i don't think that will come as much of a surprise — think that will come as much of a surprise to him and they are sending — a surprise to him and they are sending signals that basically, our confidence in the us is not diminished, we are still working in lockstep with the us at those — working in lockstep with the us at those comments that you just gave _ at those comments that you just gave us — at those comments that you 'ust ave us. �* ,, at those comments that you 'ust ave us. . ,, ., , gave us. and susan, do you see that the same _ gave us. and susan, do you see that the same way? _ gave us. and susan, do you see that the same way? that - gave us. and susan, do you see that the same way? that this i that the same way? that this doesn't change necessarily at all the state of play in the world? fir. all the state of play in the world? . ., all the state of play in the world? �* ., ., all the state of play in the world? . ., ., , world? a lot of the documents that were _ world? a lot of the documents that were released _ world? a lot of the documents that were released were - world? a lot of the documents that were released were about battle plans at debtor and

obviously the ukrainians will be looking at changing some of those things. there also been questions raised about whether some of the documents were altered changed, so i think there will be some room for the ukrainians to make adjustment. it is certainly unfortunate that the extent of the access to the russian military was exposed, as dave said but i think the ukrainians will move forward and will stay obviously unified with us. its awkward obviously whenever any resident is being spied on by an ally and that's outed in the public domain, it is difficult to handle but i think as dave said, we will march forward and get through this. mar; said, we will march forward and get through this.— get through this. may be ukrainians _ get through this. may be ukrainians don't - get through this. may be ukrainians don't have . get through this. may be l ukrainians don't have that get through this. may be - ukrainians don't have that much of a choice as dave said earlier as well. i want to get your take on another issue, china. we saw some important visits over the past few weeks, one of which was by the french president emmanuel macron. he

was there with the european commission president ursula von der leyen and he got into some trouble in the words that he used in describing the relationship with china. i'm going to bring up a quote from his interview with politico on the way home from the trip. he said the great risk europe faces is that it gets caught up in crises that are not ours. what is macron saying and does his week for the rest of europe? his week for the rest of eur0pe?_ his week for the rest of europe? his week for the rest of euroe? �* ., ., , , europe? at the heart of this is the idea of _ europe? at the heart of this is the idea of strategic _ europe? at the heart of this is| the idea of strategic autonomy that europe needs to be a foreign—policy power in its own right, not overly dependent on the united states, and so in the united states, and so in the china context he was talking about taiwan. he was indicating basically that he thinks some of the steps the us is taking on taiwan are unhelpful and are ramping up tensions and that europe shouldn't automatically be tethered to the us position on those issues. that got some blowback here in washington for a couple of reasons. one is

that the us is demonstrating that the us is demonstrating that it that the us is demonstrating thatitis that the us is demonstrating that it is still incredibly important to european security and so there was a few commentators saying that basically macron is willing to work closely with the us for his benefit but all of a sudden he's pulling back when he thinks it's going to get him in trouble with china. the other is obviously that the taiwan question is the million—dollar question is the million—dollar question in us foreign policy at the moment and any indication that the us and its allies see this issue differently may play into president xi's hands. i think that interview will not have necessarily gone over badly in ageing so that a sum of why it is such an issue. across the french are trying to explain that this is not at all what he meant and this is at its heart about european sovereignty but thatis about european sovereignty but that is certainly how it was interpreted here in washington. is that how it is being seen here in washington or is there an understanding for this european sovereignty that president macron likes to talk

about quite a bit? i president macron likes to talk about quite a bit?— about quite a bit? i think the real problem _ about quite a bit? i think the real problem is _ about quite a bit? i think the real problem is not - about quite a bit? i think the real problem is not that - about quite a bit? i think the real problem is not that he l real problem is not that he spoke _ real problem is not that he spoke about european sovereignty because he has spoken— sovereignty because he has spoken about that in the past quite — spoken about that in the past quite a — spoken about that in the past quite a bit but really that he was — quite a bit but really that he was iess— quite a bit but really that he was less than optimally careful when _ was less than optimally careful when speaking about the issue of taiwan— when speaking about the issue of taiwan which is so complicated. i've read has quoted _ complicated. i've read has quoted many, many times and the french— quoted many, many times and the french interview and the english _ french interview and the english language interview, etcr _ english language interview, etc, and _ english language interview, etc, and my sense of what he was _ etc, and my sense of what he was trying _ etc, and my sense of what he was trying to say is that they really — was trying to say is that they really want to try to maintain the status quo for as long as possible _ the status quo for as long as possible on taiwan and as we generally say when we are working _ generally say when we are working on taiwan, kicked the can on— working on taiwan, kicked the can on any— working on taiwan, kicked the can on any kind of effort to move — can on any kind of effort to move this issue in a direction down — move this issue in a direction down the _ move this issue in a direction down the road as far as possible and he talked about an american — possible and he talked about an american rhythm and a chinese counter— american rhythm and a chinese counter reaction or overreaction. he seemed to indicate _ overreaction. he seemed to indicate he thinks is exhilarating this process and that— exhilarating this process and that that is part of what europe _ that that is part of what

europe should not follow the us on or— europe should not follow the us on or get— europe should not follow the us on or get wrapped up all caught up on or get wrapped up all caught up in _ on or get wrapped up all caught up in and _ on or get wrapped up all caught up in. and that is a valid, i guess, _ up in. and that is a valid, i guess, position to take if you are europe, to want to put off the crescendo of crises around the crescendo of crises around the taiwan strait but he didn't formulate it very well they would _ formulate it very well they would say and it is not going over— would say and it is not going over well— would say and it is not going over well in washington at all especially in light of how dependent europe is on the us for security and support in the war with — for security and support in the war with russia over ukraine. riqht. — war with russia over ukraine. right, that is an important point indeed stop the other big visit that is being watched here in washington is the brazilian president lula who has been travelling through china and speaking to business leaders trying to make business deals as well. so susan, starting with you. does this look like brazil is perhaps trying to replace the us as its most important partner on the global stage? most important partner on the globalstage? i most important partner on the global stage?— global stage? i think what brazil and _ global stage? i think what brazil and a _ global stage? i think what brazil and a lot _ global stage? i think what brazil and a lot of- global stage? i think what | brazil and a lot of countries are doing is they are trying to

make — are doing is they are trying to make sure that they keep lines open _ make sure that they keep lines open to— make sure that they keep lines open to both sides and don't uet open to both sides and don't get caught alienating one side or the — get caught alienating one side or the other and certainly brazil— or the other and certainly brazil is _ or the other and certainly brazil is playing that game and lula has — brazil is playing that game and lula has made very clear that he wants— lula has made very clear that he wants to play that game, a lot of— he wants to play that game, a lot of countries in latin america _ lot of countries in latin america are doing so. he did have — america are doing so. he did have a — america are doing so. he did have a lot _ america are doing so. he did have a lot of business people with — have a lot of business people with him _ have a lot of business people with him on this trip, a lot of deals— with him on this trip, a lot of deals were signed, he visited huawei. _ deals were signed, he visited huawei, signed a digital cooperation agreement so clearly— cooperation agreement so clearly there is a lot going on in the — clearly there is a lot going on in the economy between china and brazil. brazil is a member of course _ and brazil. brazil is a member of course of the brix, the five bil of course of the brix, the five big developing country organisation that was founded a while _ organisation that was founded a while back and which is, i think. _ while back and which is, i think, has aspirations to play a bigger— think, has aspirations to play a bigger role in the global staqe _ a bigger role in the global stage so this is a kind of a meeting _ stage so this is a kind of a meeting of two presidents who have _ meeting of two presidents who have some similar ambitions and similar— have some similar ambitions and similar views but i don't think

lula's~~ _ similar views but i don't think lula's... he's playing up to china — lula's... he's playing up to china this _ lula's... he's playing up to china this week but i think he has made _ china this week but i think he has made it clear that he is also — has made it clear that he is also very— has made it clear that he is also very much wants to keep qood — also very much wants to keep good relations with the united states — good relations with the united states. ., , ., ., , states. dave, do you agree? is this about — states. dave, do you agree? is this about business _ states. dave, do you agree? is this about business primarily . this about business primarily or is this a bigger question about us primacy as well? i about us primacy as well? i think this particular visit was very much, he brought a huge business delegation with him, right now the result china economic relationship is very much based on brazil shipping soybeans, other agricultural products to china but he wants to sort of deepen it and diversify that relationship, it seems like that is a big part of his economic agenda of course there is another message lula is trying to send which is brazil is back as a global player. he's talking about ukraine with president xi well, he has his idea of a peace club of non—aligned countries working together to bring peace to ukraine so that's another

aspect of this, he's back in office, he is notjye bolton aro and he is going to make brazil matter more on the global stage than it has. i want to get both of your take on one last local story, president biden in northern ireland and the republic of ireland, we noted hejust briefly talked to dup leaders in ireland, first of all, just in ireland, first of all, just in 20, 30 seconds, what is your biggest take away from this trip? biggest take away from this tri - ? , ., biggest take away from this tri . ? , ., ., , trip? he seemed to en'oy himself quite d trip? he seemed to en'oy himself quite a i trip? he seemed to en'oy himself quite a bit. i trip? he seemed to en'oy himself quite a bit. in e himself quite a bit. in northern ireland a much more sticky political issue, i'm not sure there was a breakthrough there in terms of getting the parliament back up and running but he certainly seemed to have quite a bit of mojo marching around their. he quite a bit of mo'o marching around their._ quite a bit of mo'o marching around their. he didn't want to leave, it seems _ around their. he didn't want to leave, it seems like. _ around their. he didn't want to leave, it seems like. and - leave, it seems like. and susan? ~ . leave, it seems like. and susan?— leave, it seems like. and susan? ~ ., , , , ., , susan? what i see in this story and a bunch — susan? what i see in this story and a bunch of _ susan? what i see in this story and a bunch of the _ susan? what i see in this story and a bunch of the other- susan? what i see in this story and a bunch of the other onesl and a bunch of the other ones you've — and a bunch of the other ones you've mentioned as a kind of a resurgence _ you've mentioned as a kind of a resurgence of diplomacy which i am very— resurgence of diplomacy which i am very happy to see. i think people — am very happy to see. i think people talking about peace in ukraine, _ people talking about peace in ukraine, talking about the 25th

anniversary of the good friday accords, — anniversary of the good friday accords, we saw the exchange of hostages — accords, we saw the exchange of hostages in yemen, all of that is to— hostages in yemen, all of that is to the — hostages in yemen, all of that is to the good.— is to the good. we've got to leave it there, _ is to the good. we've got to leave it there, i'm - is to the good. we've got to leave it there, i'm so - is to the good. we've got to leave it there, i'm so sorry. is to the good. we've got to l leave it there, i'm so sorry to cut you off but it has been great to have you both on. wonderful to have your take, thanks so much. hello. this weekend will bring a change in the weather. we're not talking about a heat wave, we're not talking about wall—to—wall sunshine, but something a little warmer and brighter than we've been used to over the last few days. the reason is high pressure, which will be building its way in. this frontal system across eastern counties of england and south—east scotland will provide some cloud and some splashes of rain to start the morning. this cloud will tend to break up through the day, although there is still the chance of one or two showers across eastern england and into eastern scotland. further west,

a slice of sunshine. but then we will see cloud rolling into northern ireland and maybe some rain into western counties later on in the day. temperatures, well, a little higher than they have been of late, 10 degrees in lerwick, 15 perhaps as the high in glasgow. and then as we head through saturday night, we will see this zone of cloud with some areas of rainfall moving across northern ireland. and then turning cloudy for many other western parts as well, where we keep some clear skies towards the south—east corner, well, there could be a touch of frost in one or two locations and also some fog patches to start sunday morning. milder out towards the west, where we will have more cloud thanks to this frontal system. but broadly speaking, high pressure is stilljust about in charge. there's not going to be a huge amount of rain. and while some eastern coasts will struggle temperature—wise, further west, a feed of southerly winds will bring something a little bit warmer. but we will have a fair amount of cloud to contend with, i think, on sunday. best of the sunshine, quite likely to be across northeast scotland, some brighter skies for northern ireland and maybe some brightness clinging on across the south—east corner as well, which could lift temperatures to 16, maybe 17 degrees across the

coast of northeast scotland. as we head into monday, perhaps some early fog patches and some cloud lingering for parts of scotland and northern ireland, at least for a time. and with a feed of easterly winds, temperatures on some of the north sea coasts will struggle a little. ilt degrees for aberdeen and for hull, but further west, highs of 17 or 18 degrees. high pressure stays with us as we head through the coming week. but the alignment, the orientation of this high will tend to bring us an easterly wind, which means these eastern coasts will always be on the chilly side. the highest temperatures further west. but for the most part, it is looking largely dry with some spells of sunshine. bye for now.

this is bbc news. we will have the headlines and all the main news stories for you at the top of the hour straight after this programme. a warm welcome, i have come to hollywood to the women in film headquarters where i am joined by keri putnam and stephanie allain,