the us's top diplomat tells the bbc his country is prepared to take steps against china if it continues to support russia's war effort. for china, if it wants to have better relations, not only with us, but with countries in europe, it can't do that well at the same time helping to fuel the biggest threat to european security since the end of the cold war. donald trump's former assistant takes the stand, as the first full week of testimony in his criminal trial comes to a close. and we speak to a founder of the #metoo movement, afterfilm producer harvey weinstein�*s rape conviction is overturned in new york. hello. i'm carl nasman. we start with a meeting between two global superpowers. us secretary of state antony blinken was in china, for talks with the chinese

president xijinping on friday. the us's top diplomat said there has been progress in some areas. he praised beijing for its efforts to stop the supply of fentanyl from reaching the us, and the increase in military—to—military communication. president xi agreed the two sides had "made some positive "progress" since he met his us counterpart, joe biden, in november. mr xi added that the earth was "big enough" for both countries to achieve development and prosperity. however, differences between the two countries still remain. china's foreign minister, wang yi, remarked that the us has taken "endless measures" to suppress china's economy, trade, and technology. he warned that, if such factors continued to grow, it could derail efforts to stabilize us—china ties. translation: the negative factors in the _ translation: the negative factors in the relationship i translation: the negativel factors in the relationship are still increasing and building, and the relationship is facing all kinds of disruptions.

china's legitimate develop rights have been unreasonably suppressed and are caught facing challenges. should we move forward with stability or return to a downward spiral? this is a major question before our two countries. for the united states, areas of concern include china's claims over taiwan and the south china sea, and china's support for russia in its war on ukraine. secretary blinken spoke to the bbc, and said washington will act, if beijing does not stop supplying russia with items used in its assault on ukraine. our china correspondent laura bicker has more from beijing. hello. i'm laura bicker. how are you? antony blinken�*s visit comes as us ties with china are at a turning point. how's your trip been? oh, it's been... we've covered a lot of ground. the dialogue and diplomacy for the cameras hides real discord and distrust. this is what chinese viewers are shown. a cinematic soundtrack

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

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

they've merely talked about them, and real risks remain in this fragile relationship, which mr blinken described as the most consequential in the world. laura bicker, bbc news, beijing. for more on the chinese foriegn minister's comments and the us—china relationship, i spoke to massachusetts congressman seth moulton. congressman moulton sits on the house select committee on china. thank you for taking the time. chinese foreign minister wang yi was frank in his public remarks alongside secretary blinken. he said the relationship is risking can a down ward spiral. do you agree? ido, because china's talking about invading a democratic ally of the united states. as long as he says he will take taiwan by force, there's a real chance that our relationship goes down hill.

to what extent, though, is the us testing boundaries? we heard also from wang yi saying the us needs to be careful not to step on china's red lines. we saw this massive wave of sanctions, technology export bans by the us. we know that there is increased presence by the us and allies militarily in the region. what is that doing to the relationship? is that increasing tensions? well, again, this is all china's aggression. china changes its lines, i mean, they literally change their lines on the map all the time to just take over more territory by map geography. it's ridiculous. they are threatening their neighbours, notjust taiwan, neighbours, not just taiwan, but neighbours, notjust taiwan, but the philippines. they've been very aggressive, risking filipino sailor lives with their actions in the south china sea, they are regularly risking the lives of the united states sailors and airmen during patrols in the region, so all of this aggression is

coming from china. remember, america is not saying we want to take over any territory, we're not trying to take over any countries. that is what china is trying to do. we are just trying to defend democracy is, as we do all around the globe. fix, is, as we do all around the lobe. �* , is, as we do all around the .lobe. �* , ., is, as we do all around the lobe. �* , ., , , globe. a big part of this trip on the part _ globe. a big part of this trip on the part of— globe. a big part of this trip on the part of secretary - on the part of secretary blinken was to warn china again supplying russia's military industry. if it continues to do so, what is the us ready to do to prevent china from sending parts or weapons to russia? do you think there might be some sanctions on the cards? what with the us do? sanctions on the cards? what with the us do?— with the us do? well, i certainly _ with the us do? well, i certainly hope - with the us do? well, i certainly hope so - with the us do? well, i. certainly hope so because with the us do? well, i- certainly hope so because what xi jinping certainly hope so because what xijinping is doing is supporting a criminal war of aggression by a war criminal, vladimir putin, and that is the exact opposite of what the united states does. we defend sovereign territory, we defend freedom and democracy all around the globe. that's what we're doing in ukraine, that's what we said to china we intend to do in the south pacific, and

china and russia have this axis of evil of aggression. evil aggression. autocracy is trying to take over sovereign countries. the united states is right to stand up with our allies against that kind of aggressive behaviour. we had also from _ aggressive behaviour. we had also from china's _ aggressive behaviour. we had also from china's president i aggressive behaviour. we had also from china's president xi| also from china's president xi jinping speaking, and saying there is enough room essentially in the world for both the us and for china. do you agree? can these two countries begin to get along. well, that's really up to china because again, we have a peaceful agenda, they have an agenda of conquest, but of course they should be room for both of us, but there is room for the united states and china as they exist today. what china is trying to do is take over other countries. that's not acceptable to the us, and frankly it shouldn't be acceptable to any sovereign nation in the world. secretary bacon said — nation in the world. secretary bacon said there _ nation in the world. secretary bacon said there was - nation in the world. secretary bacon said there was some i bacon said there was some progress. i want to see if there is room for progress here. he noted some areas, like

stopping supplies of fentanyl to the us, which has also been a big part of his agenda. what do you think, what's the outlook here, is there room for cooperation between the two countries? specifically, where would you point to?— countries? specifically, where would you point to? there has or has been — would you point to? there has or has been room _ would you point to? there has or has been room for- or has been room for cooperation, and fentanyl is a good example. there has been some minor progress in the past where china and us officials have worked together to limit the importation of fentanyl and the importation of fentanyl and the chemicals used to make fentanyl the chemicals used to make fenta nyl from the chemicals used to make fentanyl from china into the united states. i sit on the china committee in congress and we released a report recently that said 96% of fentanyl precursors, the you used to used to construct, to manufacture this deadly drug, come from china, and china actually has a proactive programme to deliberately ship them into the united states, because it's killing americans. so, yes, we want this to stop, but again, it's an example of aggressive chinese behaviour against america.—

against america. where 'ust about out i against america. where 'ust about out of i against america. where 'ust about out of time i against america. where 'ust about out of time but i against america. where 'ust about out of time but i h against america. where just about out of time but i do i against america. where just i about out of time but i do want to ask you, i saw some scenes of secretary blinken doing some shopping while he was in beijing. he picked up a copy of taylor swift's new album over there. just curious, do you think that the secretary of state is a swiftie?- state is a swiftie? well, i don't know, _ state is a swiftie? well, i don't know, because i i state is a swiftie? well, i l don't know, because i think state is a swiftie? well, i i don't know, because i think if you were a real swiftie, he wouldn't buy a pirated copy in china. ., ~' wouldn't buy a pirated copy in china. ., ~ , ., china. you think it is a pirated _ china. you think it is a pirated copy? - china. you think it is a pirated copy? ! i- china. you think it is a pirated copy? ! ithink| china. you think it is a i pirated copy? ! i think there is a big chance, _ pirated copy? ! i think there is a big chance, we - pirated copy? ! i think there is a big chance, we all i pirated copy? ! i think there is a big chance, we all know| is a big chance, we all know they like to steal our intellectual property all the time. ., ~ intellectual property all the time. ., intellectual property all the time. . ., time. thank you for your time. good to see — time. thank you for your time. good to see you. _ on friday, two british men were charged with helping russian intelligence services, after a suspected arson attack on a ukraine—linked business in london. the suspects — aged 20 and 22 — are the first people to be prosecuted under the new national security act 2023, which was designed to strengthen the uk's defences against hostile activity by other nations. one of the men is accused

of planning to target a business, and of trying to recruit other people to assist a foreign intelligence service. he is also accused of fraudulent activity and aggravated arson. the other man is also accused of arson, and of accepting money, in the knowledge that it was from a foreign intelligence service. prosecutors claim the russian private military group, wagner, is involved. our home affairs correspondent daniel sandford has the latest. this all began with a fire in march at some industrial units in leighton in east london linked to a ukrainian owned business. i went up there this afternoon and it's still quite badly damaged. one of the units has got a beam still exposed to the sky with no roof, scorched beams. there's a ukrainian truck parked outside. well, on saturday, a british 20—year—old man called dylan earle appeared in court, charged with aggravated arson, but also with two charges under the new national security act, including assisting a foreign intelligence service, a charge which the prosecution say is linked to russia,

and we couldn't report that until today, when two more men appeared in court. and one of those, jake reeves, on the right, is also charged under the new act, which was brought in to tackle new threats from states like russia. donald trump's hush money trial has wrapped up for the week, with testimony detailing a tabloid "catch "and kill" with testimony detailing a tabloid "catch and kill" scheme that allegedly buried damaging stories about mr trump during his campaign for the white house in 2016. the trial could be the only one of mr trump's four criminal cases with a chance of wrapping up before the presidential election this november. also on friday, president biden said he'd be "happy" to face donald trump in a debate — something he had not previously committed to. mr trump skipped all the previous republican debates, and no further debates have been scheduled. our correspondent nada tawfik has been following the trial closely from new york. trump insiders are testifying as prosecution witnesses, but

from what i observed in court, not all of them are facing the former president's wrasse. —— wrath. broner graph is fiercely loyal to donald trump and his former assistant of 30 years did not even want to appear here. a time on the stand was limited. she said she entered the contacts into the database for trump. the contacts into the database fortrump. she the contacts into the database for trump. she also vaguely remembered seeing stormy daniels at trump tower ahead of the 2016 presidential election, but she spoke positively of her former boss, who stood up to give her a brief hello as she left the courtroom. the first witness, david pecker, the defence chose not to be as aggressive with him as they are likely to do with the former fixer michael cohen. the soft—spoken former publisher of the national enquirer came off as a reliable witness and he and trump seemed to show a

mutual respect, so instead the defence tried to prod him saying it was a typical tabloid business decision, the catch and kill scheme, but david pacher said he was being truthful when he said it was donein truthful when he said it was done in defensive donald trump is my campaign. week one is donein is my campaign. week one is done in the history books but donald trump will have to face many more familiar faces. joining me live is former federal prosecutorfor the southern district of new york, sarah krissoff. great to see you, sarah. ijust want to start off by talking about this hush money trial in new york. i'm sure you've been following it closely. what has been your biggest take away so farfrom really been your biggest take away so far from really this first week of testimony? i far from really this first week of testimony?— far from really this first week of testimony? i think the state here did what _ of testimony? i think the state here did what they _ of testimony? i think the state here did what they needed i of testimony? i think the state here did what they needed to l here did what they needed to deal with these first few witnesses, in particular with mr packer. they needed to set the stage and explain why this scheme was a legal —— mister pecker. mr pecker explained that with the jury, explained how he had been in cahoots with mr trump for many years,

frankly, for the system of catching these stories, stopping news stories, paying for news stories and doing all of that in furtherance of getting donald trump elected president. getting donald trump elected resident. �* , , ., president. because it is not the hush — president. because it is not the hush money _ president. because it is not the hush money payment i president. because it is not i the hush money payment itself, so called hush money, that is illegal, it was allegedly covered up and linked into a broader scheme, which the president said was meant to affect the election, is that right? affect the election, is that riuht? ., �* , right? that's right, the payment _ right? that's right, the payment itself - right? that's right, the payment itself is i right? that's right, the payment itself is not . right? that's right, the i payment itself is not illegal, so what the da is alleging here is that trump and his team falsified business records in connection with those records, in fact they sort of disguised those payments as illegal payments, in order to prevent it from coming out what they were for, and then further in order to elevate these crimes to a felony, they used a

federal misdemeanour here, they had to come up with a theory of why these, what crimes these falsifications were made in furtherance.— furtherance. that is the prosecution's _ furtherance. that is the prosecution's side. i furtherance. that is the | prosecution's side. what furtherance. that is the i prosecution's side. what the defence? how they've been defending donald trump when it comes to their cross—examination? comes to their cross-examination? ., cross-examination? of what the defence has _ cross-examination? of what the defence has to _ cross-examination? of what the defence has to do _ cross-examination? of what the defence has to do is _ cross-examination? of what the defence has to do is to - cross-examination? of what the defence has to do is to pick i defence has to do is to pick small holes of this testimony. you know, we might get it with michael cohen but we don't expect these huge, big moments, like courtroom drama type of moments, where they are uncovering lies by the witnesses, but rather really poking holes here to make reasonable doubt in the jerry�*s mind of whether or not a crime was committed here. it mind of whether or not a crime was committed here.— was committed here. it was a busy week. — was committed here. it was a busy week. in _ was committed here. it was a busy week, in terms - was committed here. it was a busy week, in terms of- was committed here. it was a busy week, in terms of courtl busy week, in terms of court cases, for donald trump. there was also arguments heard in the supreme court over his claim that a president should have

complete immunity in terms of their actions are taken in office. i'm curious, what did you make of the way the supreme courtjustices deliberated, questioned and really engaged with the arguments before them? yeah, i mean, they spent a huge amount of time on this, and that's not a surprise, but this case got many more hours argument than a typical case would get. i think it was clear from the questions of all the justices here that we are not going to get some broad, sweeping immunity rolling out of the court, and frankly trump's team actually backed off of that request a bit. we are going to get probably a more narrow ruling about the scope of liability, criminal immunity, immunity from criminal liability in behalf of a president.— criminal liability in behalf of a resident. �* ., a president. and there are some implications _ a president. and there are some implications here, _ a president. and there are some implications here, not _ a president. and there are some implications here, not only i a president. and there are some implications here, not only for. implications here, not only for donald trump, where the longer this kind of deliberation goes on, the betterfor him. that would delay his other criminal

cases, but what kind of broader precedent might a supreme court ruling set for future presidents?- ruling set for future residents? �* , , presidents? it's interesting. i mean, presidents? it's interesting. i mean. trump _ presidents? it's interesting. i mean, trump came - presidents? it's interesting. i mean, trump came out i presidents? it's interesting. i mean, trump came out of. presidents? it's interesting. i| mean, trump came out of the presidents? it's interesting. i- mean, trump came out of the box this morning, he said he had listened to the arguments last night, he was very concerned that the court did not sort of grant this broad immunity for presidents, then no one would serve as president. i think that's untrue, and there are plenty of people who would be willing to serve as president, even facing criminal liability for acts that were in fact criminal. but i think the supreme court really has to carve a path here, they are really in uncharted territory in terms of case law regarding civil liability for presidents but not criminal liability, so anything they are going to chart a path here that is relatively narrow, leave, you know, and focused on this case, and perhaps not address all of

the hypotheticals that they have raised in some of their arguments. have raised in some of their arguments-— arguments. sarah, former federal prosecutor i arguments. sarah, former federal prosecutor for i arguments. sarah, former federal prosecutor for the | federal prosecutor for the southern district of new york, thank you very much.- southern district of new york, thank you very much. sexual assault survivors and advocates have expressed outrage, afterjudges in new york overturned a 2020 rape conviction against the former hollywood producer, harvey weinstein. new york's highest court ruled that, during his trial, four years ago, prosecutors were wrongly allowed to call witnesses, whose accusations were not part of the charges against him. weinstein will remain in prison on a separate rape conviction in california. weinstein's new york trial was a pivotal moment for the #metoo movement, which raises awareness of sexual abuse and aggression against women. it began in 2006, and went viral during weinstein's trial after several women came forward alleging that he had sexually abused them. i spoke earlier to the founder of the #metoo campaign, tarana burke, and we spoke about what this means for that movement.

i know that you said today the overturning of this conviction in harvey weinstein's 2024 case was not a blow to the medtoo movement. what did you mean? what did you mean by that? what i mean is that, while we are disappointed, one singular case cannot be a blow to an entire movement. i think people mistakenlyjudge the movement by the outcomes of these cases and that is not how we decide whether movements a re successful. we know that historically the justice system, particularly in america, has never been where we find actual justice for survivors. so, while we're disappointed, i don't see this as a set—back for the movement. i see it as a disappointment, as exactly what it is. i'm sure you were following this closely and the ruling by new york's top court. weinstein's lawyer said on thursday that the law was not applied fairly to harvey weinstein.

did you agree with that statement and with the ruling that came out of this fourth ri decision? ., ., , ., ,., that came out of this fourth ri decision? ., ., , ., ., decision? no. i was about to say trump! _ decision? no. i was about to say trump! weinstein's i decision? no. i was about to i say trump! weinstein's attorney is supposed to say that, that's his job, is supposed to say that, that's hisjob, in defending his client. i don't think that the judges made the proper decision in this case and i think we will see that when it is retried. buckingham palace has announced that king charles is returning to public engagements next week, following encouraging progress in his treatment for cancer. the palace says that, while he'll make more public appearances in the coming weeks, he will also continue to undergo cancer care. the palace has not said which type of cancer he's been diagnosed with, but the announcement that he's able to get back to public duties is being seen as a sign for cautious optimism. our correspondent charlotte gallagher reports.

the king and queen together, in the gardens of buckingham palace, a positive sign about the king's health. the photo was taken earlier this month, but hasjust been released. the palace say the king is making encouraging progress, and will shortly return to public—facing duties, after a period of treatment and recuperation, following his recent cancer diagnosis. "as the first anniversary of the coronation approaches, "their majesties remain deeply grateful for the many "kindnesses and good wishes they have received "from around the world, throughout the joys "and challenges of the past year". the king's last public event was in windsor on easter sunday, and he surprised the crowds by stopping to chat, thanking them for their good wishes. keep going strong, never give in. thank you very much. his next visit will be more symbolic — a trip to a cancer treatment centre, and injune, he will meet the emperor and empress ofjapan, who will be

in london for a state visit. but the king's recovery process is still ongoing. i guess he will be taking very strong advice from his medical team not to overdo it. there is a psychological component to cancer recovery, and it's great that he feels able to go out there and do more, but he will need to be very careful that he doesn't stretch himself too much. this has been a really tough year for the royal family, with both the king and the princess of wales diagnosed with cancer, and, like any family, that has come as a huge blow. they've also had to deal with intense media speculation, so the announcement that the king feels well enough to return to some public duties will be welcome news. the prime minister, your majesty. the king has been working throughout his treatment, including meeting with the prime minister. decisions about some upcoming events will be made by the king and his advisers nearer the time. he is still undergoing treatment. they can't guarantee that he will undertake some of the key engagements over

the summer, although they are very hopeful he will be able to, so you've got things like royal ascot, trooping the colour, chelsea flower show, perhaps. i think they are hoping he will be able to go to those sorts of events, but it is all still to be confirmed yet. the king and catherine are two of the most senior and popular members of the royal family. their absence has been felt by many. i wanted to take this opportunity to say thank you personally... there is no news about when the princess of wales will return to public duties. she announced her cancer diagnosis in march, and has asked for time, space and privacy for herself and herfamily. charlotte gallagher, bbc news. let's look at other stories making headlines. several storms are moving across the central

us, hitting the states of iowa and nebraska. in eastern nebraska, a resident spotted these images of a tornado forming in the distance. local media is reporting that three people were injured and thousands of people are experiencing power shortages. the national weather service says there were seven tornado reports in the region. the olympic flame was formally handed over to organisers of the paris summer games, ahead of its opening injuly. the flame was received at the marble panathenaic stadium in athens, following an eleven—day relay across greece. the flame will leave greece saturday on a boat headed for marseille. before we go — photographers throughout the us captured the intensity of this week's full moon, known as the pink moon. but it's not named for appearing that colour. it's named after pink flowers, called wild ground phlox, which bloom in early spring and appear throughout the united states and canada. stay with us here on bbc news.

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

further north and west, some clear spells. another relatively chilly night, there'll be a frost for some. further south and east, not as cold, because of the extra cloud, because of the outbreaks of rain, all driven by this area of low pressure, which will be sliding its way northwards through the day on sunday. some parts of england are going to have a lot of rain through the day, heavy and persistent rain that will make it feel decidedly chilly. some rain fringing into east wales, turning wet in eastern scotland, rather windy for some of these eastern coasts, but eventually brightening up for south—west england, for wales, parts of northwest england, northern ireland and western scotland seeing some sunshine as well. temperatures still stubbornly stuck in that range, between 9—11t degrees, but temperatures will start to lift on monday. a frontal system pushing in from the west. outbreaks of rain for some, but ahead of that, a southerly wind bringing a warmer feel. temperatures back up really to where they should be for late april — 12—16 degrees. and it'll turn warmer

still as the week wears on. this area of low pressure tending to roll away southwards, as all these different weather systems reorientate themselves, while the wind direction will change, we'll pick up something of an easterly flow from the near continent, and that will bring some warmer air. highs potentially up to 19, maybe the low 20s celsius, but with that, there will still be some rain, at times.

voice—over: this is bbc news. we'll have the headlines and all the main news stories for you at the top of the hour, straight after this programme. i wanted to expose the criminality that runs through the heart of this corporation. they very nearly ruined my life. i have certainly seen how they have ruined the lives of others. it's really difficult for me to sit here and talk about this because...the whole point of fighting these newspapers is because i was so keen to have my privacy. i feel a sense of...duty... ..to expose them as they've exposed us. reporter: prince harry and sir elton john have l

launched legal actionl against the publishers of the daily mail.