you will have your seat in the european parliament. so we could be here repeatedly for many years to come. but of course, they would not choose to be this way. theresa may will be saying that we have this extension if we needed, but she is convinced that she won't and she will leave before the 30th ofjune and after she was say that sub is the first of october —— 31st of october is an auspicious date. what will you be coming as? i will be a witch with a pointy stick. presumably, the pressure they will find some way to put pressure on the uk tonight before that date. they will not let this process, the 2—party negotiations continue aimlessly without some sort of an date. presume a way that is what thejune date is four to apply pressure. it's a ten to apply pressure. —— an attempt to abide pressure. but if it isjust some review attempt to abide pressure. but if it is just some review will thing, attempt to abide pressure. but if it isjust some review will thing, it doesn't apply pressure at all. and they cannot metal in the uk p

this is messy forthe european parliament. —— theresa may. if the uk government will take the country towards these european elections. then the cut off injune, it seems theresa may european elections. then the cut off in june, it seems theresa may would very much like to be out of europe by the end ofjune. what happens? there will be meps elected but they will not take their seats. whatever happens, that could be a scenario and very bizarre. for people to put and very bizarre. for people to put an effort into a campaign, and then you may be to be frustrated and not actually sit in the european parliament, i don't know how that will work out in british politics. i think the parties are already preparing candidate list and i know collea g u es preparing candidate list and i know colleagues here are expected to run again. but remember, the implications for other member states. let's take ireland for example. we had legally here, redistributed some of the seats the united kingdom colleagues were leaving. they were to get two extra seats. we have

parliament by ensuring this is all done well before the new european parliament convenes. darshini told us earlier the concern of those meetings in washington is uncertainty caused by brexit on the world economy. we are over 3000 miles away from the uk but the talk here is brexit. and the dampener thatis here is brexit. and the dampener that is putting on the uk economy. the risk of an eminence no deal may have gone but the concern here is that prolonged uncertainty may still have a cost, albeit a much smaller one, on the economy. that could cost us on one, on the economy. that could cost us on two different fronts. business. the chancellor tells me the level of spending is about half of what he had expected. he is confident that will bounce back if we see a deal agreed. second, he is sitting on a war chest with tens of billions of pounds that could be used to ease austerity. but he says he cannot release that cash unless he's confident he does not need it to help the economy out if there is no deal. the government is waiting to see how much cash they have to spend on publ

parliament, knowing the uk we re european parliament, knowing the uk were still looking to leave the eu at some point during the next parliamentary session. there are concerns across the board about how that might work in practice, which is why it remains the government's ambition to get a brexit deal approved before we have to take part in those elections. but of course, thatis in those elections. but of course, that is far from certain. alex forsyth at westminster, thank you. much more on that live from paris and brussels, and berlin potentially, on beyond 100 days. now it is time to look at the weather. for some it has been a day of blue skies and sunshine, for others, cloudy, cool and wet, the rain courtesy of this frontal system still lingering through this evening, slowly sliding its way south and eastwards, east and north easterly winds have been returning cooler conditions across much of the uk, compared to the last few days, and it is this scene we see of the next few days, certainly much cooler, and it felt cool today underneath the cloud and rain, but where you have had su

said, the european parliament election has never

my guest is a belgian green party mep and member of the european parliament's brexit steering committee. has patients run out in brussels? -- has patients run out in brussels? 21 in brussels, welcome to hardtalk. my 21 in brussels, welcome to hardtalk. my pleasure. are you like so many meps in brussels, politicians, members of the commission, have to watch what is going on in westminster, all of the political chaos in london. do you have patients left or run out? well, frankly speaking, when i compare with the degree of patience you need with the degree of patience you need with regards to climate change or rising inequalities, brexit isjust an annoyance and it doesn't come close to a sense of urgency and necessity. yes, we have to cope with that. but frankly speaking i try to keep my focus on the important things. well, you sound extraordinarily sanguine, but many others do not. let me quote you words from a couple of days ago from the french president emmanuel macron, he said" the eu cannot be permanently held hostage to the resolution of a political crisis in the uk". his temper is c

clearly nobody wants to fight the european parliament elections. it feels like a pointless exercise. talks are continuing between the conservatives and labour to find a brexit deal before the elections on may 23rd. also on the programme. prosecutors in sweden consider whether to reopen a rape inquiry against the wikileaks founderjulian assange. the scandal of thousands of excluded children forced to attend educational centres that aren't legally schools. and a company is heavily fined for an "unprecedented" data breach involving the personal details of millions of new mothers and their children. and coming up on bbc news, can england's ian poulter keep up his good start at the masters to further play his way into contention at augusta? good evening and welcome to the bbc news at six. the chancellor philip hammond says the uk taking part in the upcoming european parliament elections feels like a "pointless exercise," and he's urged mps to pass a brexit agreement that would avoid britain having to go to the polls. talks to find a possible deal betwee

expect that the route european political forces will have substantial majority in next european parliament. how european parliament functions, we do not, you know, have like coalition and opposition so it's more like ad hoc majorities on different issues. but clearly this fragmentation will mean that throughout european forces will help cooperate to ensure that there are majorities and that we can effectively take decisions at the eu level. >> excellent. so thinking about trade, this rather is downside but one of the upside of america's own interesting behavior on that front is that it prompted greater european cooperation with trading partners. so very quickly cementing free-trade agreement with japan, vietnam. and now as we know it don't theo eu-china free-trade agreement to date, but you just wrapped the eu-china summit this year. how are things looking relation between brussels and beijing? >> first as regards the you trade agenda, eu remains open to international trade and, indeed, last year we held, despite the number of growth and comprehensive trade agreement, besides the one you m

that interests the european parliament is the home of democracy because of this uncertainty the principle of popular representation is under threat we cannot go on like this we must know what's going to happen and how long the extension will last for the european parliament games are not acceptable to the games at the expense of the people and their representatives the integrity of the parliament is non-negotiable. well we've only heard a few words from to resume a while she's been in brussels they were as she arrived at the european parliament she spoke very briefly to journalists on the red carpet she basically said i've done everything i can to get this deal over the line and blamed parliament for the current impasse. so many people beatrice straight to the summit is taking place. because the u.k. should be used by now and i create to drench the fact the parliament is not being able to pass a deal that was a list of the. way that i and the government continues to find a way forward well before going to brussels on tuesday to resume a was here in berlin and also in paris as well speakin

he's due to address the european parliament shortly. so, with just ten days left before the uk is due to leave the eu, let's take a look at the brexit timeline. so that cabinet meeting is scheduled to sit for five hours today. there could be another round of indicative votes tomorrow on those options which have already been rejected twice. on thursday theresa may could bring back her withdrawal agreement for a fourth vote in the commons. remember, that's already been rejected three times. on the 10th of april eu leaders will hold an emergency summit to consider any request for another extension to article 50. if a delay isn't requested, or isn't granted, the uk is currently set to leave the eu on friday 12th april without a deal. if a sizeable delay is agreed, the uk might have to participate in eu elections in late may. our political correspondent chris mason reports on yet another day of brexit frustration. the noes were 292, so the noes have it. it had been billed as the moment parliament just may finally compromise, but shortly afte

that throughout the european political forces we'll have substantial majority in next european parliament. and how the european parliament function, we're not like coalition, and opposition, so, it's more like ad hoc majorities on different issues, but clearly this means that throughout the european forces will cooperate to ensure that there are majorities and that we can effectively take decisions at the level. >> excellent. thinking about trades, there's rather a downside, but one of up -- one of the upsides on that front is trading partners, greaterthat it prompted cooperation with trading partners, quickly cementing free trade agreements with japan, vietnam, and now as we know in the room, there's no eu-china free trade agreement, but you've wrapped the china summit this year. how are things looking between brussels and beijing? the eu tradearding agenda, eu remains open to international trade and indeed, in last year, we held the number of growed and comprehensive trade agreements, besides the ones you mentioned, we also have a deal with canada and singapore. we have agreement in pri

people said the european parliament elections would bea european parliament elections would be a bizarre process if they took place in this context. that is a sign of how it might feel. place in this context. that is a sign of how it might feellj place in this context. that is a sign of how it might feel. i don't think anyone would be surprised by what twists or turns this process could take next! thank you for that. let's go to westminster now and speak to our political correspondent alex forsyth. reading through this letter, just give us your initial thoughts, your initial assessment of what theresa may has written. i don't think it is hugely different from what we would have expected her to written. the prime minister already made clear she was going to seek an extension to this process because parliament and the prime minister had said they don't want the uk to leave without a deal, which is what would happen next friday if there is not to be an extension. no surprise there. what she is effectively saying is, i want an extension until the 30th ofjune but i still hope to be able to ge

that throughout the european political forces we'll have substantial majority in next european parliament. and how the european parliament function, we're not like coalition, and opposition, so, it's more like ad hoc majorities on different issues, but clearly this means that throughout the european forces will cooperate to ensure that there are majorities and that we can effectively take decisions at the level. >> excellent. thinking about trades, there's rather a downside, but one of upsides on that front is trading partners, quickly cementing free trade agreements with japan, vietnam, and now as we know in the room, there's no eu-china free trade agreement, but you've wrapped the china summit this year. how are things looking between brussels and beijing? >> first as regards eu trade agenda, eu remains open to international trade and indeed, in last year, we held the number of growed and comprehensive trade agreements, besides the ones you mentioned, we also have a deal with canada and singapore. we have agreement in principle with mexico. and negotiations are ongoing with australia, w

if they're to get a long term extension but as money was made his way into the european parliament he said he wanted that negotiations and warned that the the whole project was currently at risk we must remain united as i believe it's important for the viability of the european project that's what's at stake it's essential that nothing compromises that situation we have a european renascence to preserve and i don't want to come and hinder this the time for decisions is now well if micron has been playing bad cop angle or merkel has taken over the role of somewhat of good cop much more receptive saying that there was a role for the e.u. twenty seven that they had to listen to what to reason may have to say and that ultimately the u.k. voted to leave they may not want the u.k. to leave but that's what was voted for and we have to make sure that happens in the most ordered way possible through i think in view of do historical responsibility we face to enable us to have the possibility of a good future together we should discuss openly and constructively to prime ministers request of ther

if they're to get a long term extension but as money was made his way into the european parliament he said he wanted negotiations and warned that the the whole project was currently at risk we must remain united as i believe it's important for the viability of the european project that's what's at stake it's essential that nothing compromises that situation we have a european renascence to preserve and they don't want to come and hindered is the time for decisions is now well if micron has been playing bad cop angle or merkel has taken over the role of somewhat of good cop much more receptive saying that there was a role for the e.u. twenty seven that they had to listen to what to reason may have to say and that ultimately the u.k. voted to leave they may not want the u.k. to leave but that's what was voted for and we have to make sure that happens in the most ordered way possible and if that is true should i think and then you know the historical response military faced down a blast has a possibility of a good future together we should discuss it constructively with the prime ministe

there's less than a month to go for the citizens will elect the next european parliament and while there's expectations of a slight increase in turnout the views of pollsters have published that less than five percent of citizens so they knew when they're supposed to vote if you win during it's between may twenty third for the twenty sixth if you break down the euro per day syrian to how those surveyed in member states answer the question do you know when your country will vote in e.u. parliamentary elections well top of the class is multi with seventy three percent of those surveyed got it exactly right staying behind for extra lessons though while it's the netherlands where a paltry twelve percent of those polled knew which date they should be voting on almost forty percent of germans nailed the e.u. pollsters question however a separate poll taken domestically by hugo found that almost half of people didn't know who any of the nine leading candidates for seats in the european parliament were which isn't great when you think about the important job they do in the impact they could potent

there's less than a month to go the citizens will elect the next european parliament and while there's expectations of a slight increase in turnout the views of pollsters have published that less than five percent of citizens so they knew when they're supposed to vote if you win during it's between may twenty third to the twenty sixth if you break down the euro per day syrian to how those surveyed in member states of the question do you know when your country will vote in e.u. parliamentary elections well top of the class is multi where seventy three percent of those surveyed got it exactly right staying behind for extra lessons though while it's the netherlands where a paltry twelve percent of those polled knew which date they should be voting on almost forty percent of germans nailed the e.u. pollsters question however a separate poll taken domestically by hugo found that almost half of people didn't know who any of the nine leading candidates for seats in the european parliament were which isn't great when you think about the important job they do in the impact they can potentially

he has some fairly strong words because this is messy for the european parliament. if the uk government will take the country towards the european elections, then they cut off injune and it seems theresa may would very much like to be out of europe by the end ofjune. what happens because there will be meps elected but then they would not ta ke meps elected but then they would not take their seats? whatever happens, they could be a scenario and very bizarre because for people to put an effort into a campaign and maybe to be frustrated and not actually sit in the european parliament, will have that, i think the parties are already preparing candidate list and i know colleagues there are expecting to run again, but remember the implications for other member states, let's take ireland for example, we had legally here distributed some of the seats the united kingdom colleagues were leaving and it was to gain two extra seats, we have constituencies and new boundaries and i don't know what the implications of this decision will be for elections in my own country. and i'm g

parliament election if the polls prove right but research suggests that only a third of europeans are even aware there's a ballot at all let alone how they plan to vote. i.e. correspondent peter all of a now reports on the election from the perspective of the blocs biggest power germany. there's less than a month to go for the citizens will elect the next european parliament and while there's expectations of a slight increase in turnout the e.u. pollsters have published that less than five percent of citizens so they knew when they're supposed to vote if you win during it's between may twenty third to the twenty sixth if you break down the euro per day syrian to how those surveyed in member states of the question do you know when your country will vote in e.u. parliamentary elections well top of the class is multi where seventy three percent of those surveyed got it exactly right staying behind for extra lessons though while it's the netherlands where a paltry twelve percent of those polled knew which dates they should be voting on almost forty percent of germans nailed the e.u. polls

well, clearly, nobody wants to fight the european parliament elections. it feels like a pointless exercise and the only way we can avoid that is by getting a deal agreed and done quickly. if we can do that by the 22nd of may, then of course, we can avoid fighting european parliamentary elections. to that end, in westminster, talks between labour and the government continued today, as they see whether there is any chance of a brexit deal both sides can back. we are trying to be as constructive as we possibly can on all sides and as positive as we possibly can but we will see by the end of next week how far we have got. back in coventry, there is a general weariness among the staff at this local garage. dave and dane wanted brexit to bring change but are not hopeful. every time i turn the tv on every time i open the paper, all you have got is brexit this and that. whatever the people seem to say, it does not really make much difference. curtis is also disillusioned. none think more elections or new political parties are the answer. they have had two years t

european parliament. and global alliance of national human rights institutions. they join one of the world's most notorious on the groups. but found a way out rebuild their lives and ma'am help us. a tale of course for crew and child soldiers and the have the fake exploitation of women the door to me is a. part of the radicalized. tunnel designer. you know what. i'm. hearing that the. european union leaders offer u.k. prime minister theresa may an extension to brics it. i'm richelle carey this is al jazeera live from doha also coming up. voting ends in israel but the coalition negotiations are just getting started. you should return to venezuela. until nicolas maduro that his time is up. it's time for him to go and as well and later nicolas maduro accuses the u.s. vice president of arrogance after he calls on the u.n. to recognize. president dataset for algeria's presidential election after weeks of protests calling for an overhaul of the entire political system. back to the breaking news out of brussels the european union has offered to extend the brics a deadli

a dutch member of the european parliament not each a shocker initiated a resolution that condemned human rights violations in egypt however she does that leaders of the influential member states only. we very much pointed out that human rights repression violations. executions torture censorship closing of n.g.o.s is not acceptable and you want to hear such strong words from let's say berlin or paris or london very much for three years shock a push to get the resolution through the european parliament besides denouncing the high number of death penalty executions and the lack of fair trials in egypt there was another point she stressed. i think we've learned some very important lessons in two thousand and eleven two thousand and twelve when we found that e.u. made systems were actually used to track down activists in egypt and so ever since we've been pushing in the european parliament and i've been leading the efforts on the export controls of surveillance systems to make sure that human rights are criteria to measure before an export license is granted and despite this statement of pri

over to my left a member of the biggest party of the european parliament the conservative p.p.a. likely to remain the biggest party also in the european parliament and he says africa needs europe to set clear political priorities to face common challenges to the benefit of both and last but not least we're joined by dr. he is that the rector general for this small and medium enterprises agency of nigeria and he says that the e.u. should do more on good governance in africa by stopping corrupt money into europe from africa he also adds that we should treat africa an equal partner as in trade so you can tell we have a lot of different experts here also on small to medium enterprises and there is a reason for that because of course one of the main topics between africa and the european union is trade and there are different reasons they go way back why this is complicated we tried to break it down for you. a fast and diverse consonance to some one point three billion people africa has massive potential. coffee cotton and beisel natural resources africa has a lot of. it it has the wo

and he says the uk will make preparations for european parliament elections just in case. the shadow brexit secretary sir keir starmer says the government has proposed no changes to its brexit deal, though downing street has insisted it would be prepared to make changes to secure cross party agreement. compromise requires change. we want the talks to continue and we have written in those terms to the government but we do need change if we are going to compromise. an inquest finds that a botched ira warning call contributed to or caused 21 deaths in the 1974 birmingham pub bombings. free after almost a decade in jail, sally who killed her husband with a hammer has been released ahead of a retrial. danny rose it says he can't wait to turn his back on football because of racism. the holiday company, sta travel, hasjoined a growing boycott of companies owned by brunei, after the country introduced strict islamic laws which punish gay sex by stoning to death. the firm, which has 53 stores in the uk, said it would stop selling tickets for royal brunei airlines, in support of pro

clearly nobody wants to fight the european parliament elections. it feels like a pointless exercise, and the only way we can avoid that is by getting a deal agreed and done quickly, and if we can do that by may 22nd, then of course we can avoid fighting european parliamentary elections. to that end, in westminster, talks between the labour party and the government continued today, as they see whether there's any chance of agreeing a brexit deal both sides can back. we're trying to be as constructive as we possibly can on all sides, and trying to be as positive as we possibly can, but we'll see by the end of next week how far we've got. if the european elections happen, there will be around 39,000 polling stations popping up across the uk at the end of may. the cost to the government last time was around £109 million. but the eu election turnout is traditionally low. just 35% voted in 2014. this time could be different — a chance for pro— and anti—eu voters to have their say, almost three years after the referendum. in york, interest and dism

she's been in brussels they were as she arrived at the european parliament she spoke very briefly to journalists on the red carpet she basically said i've done everything i can to get this deal over the line and blamed parliament for the current impasse i know many people beatrice straight to the summit is taking place . because the u.k. should let me use the fine our hands i great. the dress the fact that parliament is not being able to pass a deal that was in a list of the industries and also the way that i and the government continue to find a way forward well before going to brussels on tuesday to resume a was here in berlin and also in paris as well speaking to angle america and their money and they've really been dubbed as the good cop bad cop of how this extension if it is agreed does look like it will be agreed how it will be put across mccrone playing the role of bad cop now it's understood that he wants. well he wants concessions from the u.k. if they're to get a long term extension but as money was made his way into the european parliament he said he wanted calm negotiatio

european parliament. we learned how the opposition was more like an ad hoc majority with different issues, but clearly, as this means that not european forces, they will help to cooperate and ensure that the majorities and that we can effectively make decisions at a new level . >> thinking about trade, it's a downside but one of the upsides to america's own interesting behavior is that it prompted a greater european cooperation with trading partners so quickly cementing free-trade agreements and now, as we know in the room, there is no eu china to date but how are things looking between brussels and beijing? >> first for the trade agenda so it remains open to international trade and it helps us swipe the number of comprehensive trade agreements besides the one who mentioned so in terms of trade, indeed, also for this tendency for trade conflicts, to give additional momentum to concentrate for these agreements because it was clearly more urgent and more needed. other than that, they eu triangulation's, we

over to my left a member of the biggest party of the european parliament the conservative e.p.a. likely to remain the biggest party also in the european parliament and he says africa needs europe to set clear political priorities to face common challenges to the benefit of both and last but not joined by dr. he is that the rector general for the small and medium enterprises agency of nigeria and he says that the e.u. should do more on good governance in africa by stopping corrupt money getting to europe from africa he also adds that we should treat africa as equal partners in trade so you can tell we have a lot of different experts here also on small to medium enterprises and there's a reason for that because of course one of the main topics between africa and the european union is trade and there are different reasons they go way back why this is complicated we tried to break it down for you. fast and as this continent has been to some one point three billion people africa has massive potential. coffee cotton and vice natural resources africa has a lot of. it has the world's you

elections for the european parliament, with the option of pulling out of them. the uk is due to leave at the end of next week, but an eu official says donald tusk is considering a longer, flexible extension of up to a year. our political correspondent, alex forsyth, reports. what's next for brexit? today, the government's plan, at least became a little clearer. because parliament is still deadlocked, unable to agree how we leave, the prime minister is asking the eu for more time to try to sort it out. in a letter to the european council president, donald tusk, theresa may asked to delay our departure date untiljune and 30th this year, but once the option of leaving earlier if parliament supports a brexit deal before then, which is what the government hopes. we still hope to leave the eu in the next couple of months. that's our ambitions is that we don't have a majority in parliament, and that means that we have to have these discussions with jeremy means that we have to have these discussions withjeremy corbyn, to see if there is enough common ground to do that.

members of the european parliament are the only direct elected persons on the european union level. and that is why i‘m... play around the european elections. we have to protect the democratic value. i would like to work with the british members and the european parliament, but if they would like to lead in the first two months, three months, or in the summer months, three months, or in the summer break it will make no sense. when we need extension, they can then also influence work in the european parliament and if there is a solution within the uk, how to organise the brexit? or to organise a referendum or anything other. it isa a referendum or anything other. it is a decision by the uk. if they have a decision to do what it is based on this decision. but we have to ta ke based on this decision. but we have to take it seriously. we have to go to take it seriously. we have to go to the european elections, we have to the european elections, we have to organised electoral campaigns and you know it‘s not clear if the brits we re you know it‘s not clear if the brits were going or

parliament when the country wants to get out. of the european parliament when the country wants to get outli of the european parliament when the country wants to get out. i am surprised, ian is talking that we could have a new european parliament. we could have a change of the hierarchy of the eu. we could have a new president, new staff. but are we going to have also the same theresa may by the 31st of october, for example? are we going to see changes in this country? are we going to see a change in the parliament itself, a different parliament? on the question of change of leadership, are you arguing the government should change its leader before it involves itself further in the process that analisa described as necessary, those cross— party described as necessary, those cross—party compromise talks? described as necessary, those cross-party compromise talks? yes. i believe theresa may failed to control her government, to control her party, to influence the country. failed also to deal with the parliament. she was rejected on her deal, rejected three times by the parliament. now

additional any peace in the european parliament and not one of them to have some sort of our house that we haven't seen from euro skeptic parties in the past. as he was launching this cross party this euro skeptic party across europe today was talking about working towards common ideologies which is in their sense the defense of europe something they believe that the european parliament hasn't done very well in the past and the polls are showing that they all are likely to increase the number of seats they hold next month's european elections let's take a listen now to what else mathias salvini had to say today. our veterans at this. hour in brussels today she stated we're going to need to build a new future this is the path of to save europe because i. dream about going to be bankers. government so who are the key play is in this particular bloc well today it was of course. with the league in italy but also the finns party were taking part alternative for germany and the danish people's party and we already know from last week that the pen's national rally here in france is also on boa

over to my left a member of the biggest party of the european parliament the conservative e.p.a. likely to remain the biggest party also in the european parliament and he says africa needs europe to set clear a political priority is to face common challenges to the benefit of both and last but not least we're joined by dr. he is the director general for this small and medium enterprises agency of nigeria and he says that the e.u. should do more in good governance in africa by stopping corrupt money getting to europe from africa he also adds that we should treat africa as equal partners in trade so you can tell we have a lot of different experts here also on small to medium enterprises and there's a reason for that because of course one of the main topics between africa and the european union is trade and there are different reasons they go way back why this is complicated we tried to break it down for you. africa is a vast and i first continent home to some one point three billion people africa has massive potential. coffee cotton and beisel natural resources africa has a lot of.

many people are hoping they will gain a number of additional any peace in the european parliament that will allow them to have some sort of powerhouse that we haven't seen from euro skeptic parties in the past. as he was launching this cross party this year a skeptic party across europe today was talking about working towards common ideologies which is in this sense the defense of europe something they believe the european parliament hasn't done very well in the past and the polls are showing that they all likely to increase the number of seats that they hold at next month's european elections let's take a listen now to what else mathias salvini had to say today you'll not find any extremists or veterans at this table the only nostalgics are those in power in brussels today instead we're ready to build a new future this is the path to save europe because those who are sinking in the dream are the bureaucrats the bankers the do gooders who've been government for too long so who are the key players in this particular bloc well today it was of course . with the league in italy but also th

a collective of other parties which held seats in the european parliament and his tenure he's called for mechanisms to control quote way would. official new opinion positions he's also a known critic of the perceived dependency on russian energy their visit latest remarks against north stream two has come under fire at home in germany. i find it rather strange that manfred weber let us germans know that he's against this project through polish newspaper and we're talking about our country's interests name to reliable and i think we shouldn't play with the future of our country. and friend of their but does have some support of a non stream to germany's green party has called the project dubious from a geo political point of view north stream two is currently under construction and is designed to deliver gas from northwestern russia to north eastern germany the pipeline supporters say that blocking the project would lead to gas shortages and higher prices earlier we talked to a political analyst in the pearland center for caspian region studies who says it's a bit of a stretch to clai

all issues in previous european parliament's that's meant that they haven't been able to join together to create one large group in fact they've small formed smaller groups which have the power they would like to have their issues such as russia which divide them for example we know that salvini from the league party has praised president putin very often he's called for the end of sanctions on russia but that's not the view from the governing people's party in poland let's also take a listen to what alternative germany said some of the issues that they face. we are dealing with very different. they all have identical similar positions on migration policy but a very different in other areas we must find a common platform if we don't find it will be ineffective we need to cooperate on key issues to strongly enforce our policy which is not possible with individual parties. well if the polls all right and we all go and see a rise in the number of nationalist and populist parties from the right who are going to get seats in the european election and they can form this essential super group

to which the european parliament's press according nader replied —— european parliament's. .. he signs it off with a winky emojis face. the irish cup minister says the extension might be better to avoid further uncertainty. nobody wa nts avoid further uncertainty. nobody wants no deal. we also wants to avoid rolling extensions where there is an extension every couple of weeks and every couple of months. that is uncertainty for businesses and forfarmers. that is uncertainty for businesses and for farmers. perhaps a longer extension makes more sense but that is something i have to talk about with other heads of government and also prime minister may. let us bring all of this together with our european correspondence damian grammaticas. what we have heard from european capitals is a degree of skepticism about what they have seen in the letter theresa may has sent asking foran letter theresa may has sent asking for an extension. the eu leaders from the different countries have said that they do not yet believe that there was a credible land that they have seen from the uk. that is

parliament if we are indeed to leave the european union before early july. i think i heard him say at the despatch box that it was highly feasible that the government may actually end up fighting the european elections, then only after that, not to allow its meps to take their seats. say they had been given an extension, but somehow we have managed to ratify the... is that correct? when we go, is it government policy that we would go as far to fight an election, but not take our seats at the end of it? my right honourable friend is quite right to ask about that detail. i think we are obliged to, as a matter of law, prepare for european elections. but if we have left and exited the european union by the end ofjune, then we are no longer members, we are third countries and therefore the requirement to take our seats in the european parliament would have ended. we can't go on lurching from one cliff edge crisis to another. and it does concern me that unless the government is able to craft a deal which commands a majority of this house, the 22nd of may or the 30

parliament sentient this is going. entirely shake up politics in the parliament as we know it. in less than twenty four hours israelis will head to the polls for a general election the main rivals for the prime minister's office are incumbent leader benjamin netanyahu and former chief of staff for the israeli military benny gantz well netanyahu who leads the right wing likud party supports free market capitalism a liberal agenda and is opposed to palestinian statehood but his rivals from the blue and white political alliance want dialogue with the palestinians they also want to limit how long the prime minister stays in the job to a maximum of three terms international relations also prove to be key for israel's electorate artie's keller morgan explains how the trump alliance might influence future elections. donald trump and benjamin netanyahu seem to be scratching each other's backs quite a bit lately it's a mutually beneficial relationship in ways that may not be completely obvious whatever political gifts that trum

--course we are sensible but maria: you know the european parliament very well. european leaders want to get onto negotiation with the u.s. quickly but you don't seem to agree on the mandate. when do we get a clear direction from the european parliament as to where you want to take this? bernd: it is not a rejection of the mandate as such, but in its current form. we have some conditions. make clear what we want. example, similar to the so we have to be more clear what we want to achieve. maria: i want to talk to you about china because that was the initial reason we were here. stillany like huawei wants to get on the 5g rollout. should a company faced with allegations have a say? bernd: we need clear and transparent standards for all companies who want to be part of the game. noondly, evidence there is hidden mechanism in the system. iswe can prove that china acceptable, then they should have a good chance but we have to prove it. you don't see the security risk the united states sees? bernd: if there is real evidence, they have to be excluded. maria: anna, that

over to my left a member of the biggest party of the european parliament the conservative e.p. pete likely to remain the biggest party also in the european parliament and he says africa needs europe to set clear political priorities to face common challenges to the benefit of both and last but not joined by dr. he is the director general for the small and medium enterprises agency of nigeria and he says that the e.u. should do more on good governance in africa by stopping corrupt money into europe from africa he also adds that we should treat africa as equal partners in trade so you can tell we have a lot of different experts here also on small to medium enterprises and there is a reason for that because of course one of the main topics between africa and the european union is trade and there are different reasons they go way back why this is complicated we tried to break it down for you. for the fast and diverse continent has been to some one point three billion people africa has massive potential. coffee and beisel natural resources africa has a lot of. it has the world's you

parliament by ensuring this is all done well before the new european parliament convenes. this place is quieter than normal because it is a recess, mps are away for ten days. but there is more going on behind—the—scenes. the main objective of the next ten days is to see if the government and labour can make any sort of breakthrough in those talks. there are still some stumbling blocks about how we trade with the eu after we leave and also how any promises made in those talks would be honoured if theresa may stands down and someone else, perhaps a harder line brexit year ta kes perhaps a harder line brexit year takes over. earlier, the shadow chancellorjohn mcdonnell was takes over. earlier, the shadow chancellor john mcdonnell was in takes over. earlier, the shadow chancellorjohn mcdonnell was in for a chat with some other ministers. talks are going on, constructive, so we're hopeful. positive. do you think anything can be sorted out during the easter recess? we're working out a timetable. there'sa fairamount of detailed work that will go on over the next week to ten d

parliament which com pletely the european parliament which completely ripped up all their plans. so i believe they won't extend article 50, and by the way, importantly, we can stop it anyway. we have a veto. if the prime minister says don't extend it, it isn't extended. we don't need to do that, it's ten days away, let's do what 17.4 that, it's ten days away, let's do what17.li million that, it's ten days away, let's do what 17.4 million people wanted that, it's ten days away, let's do what17.4 million people wanted and just leave. but say that doesn't happen say the government present a choice of perhaps bringing their deal back to parliament, while other mps are saying if that doesn't get passed we will try and further delay brexit. what will you do if you feel you are being faced with that choice. mps tried to sabotage brexit tonight. it failed. they tried to launch a coup against the british people. but other mps defeated them to their absolute, eternal credit. that didn't work and in ten days from now we are due to leave the european union which is what17.4 million people vo

clearly nobody wants to fight the european parliament elections. it feels like a pointless exercise. both labour and the conservatives are still working to find a brexit deal before the elections on may 23rd. also tonight... swedish prosecutors consider whether to reopen a rape inquiry against the wikileaks founder, julian assange. police and protestors clash in algeria, as of thousands take take to the streets, calling for a new generation, of political leaders. the scandal of thousands of children, forced to attend educational centres that aren't legally schools. and england's ian poulter chases down the leaders at the masters in augusta, just two shots behind. and coming up on sportsday on bbc news — newcastle united look to ease their relegation fears, taking the lead against leicester city in the premier league. good evening. the chancellor, philip hammond, says the uk taking part in the upcoming european parliament elections feels like a "pointless exercise". he's urged mps to pass a brexit agreement that would avoid britain having to go to

over to my left a member of the biggest party of the european parliament the conservative e.p.a. likely to remain the biggest party also in the european parliament and he says africa needs europe to set clear political priorities to face common challenges to the benefit of both and last but not least we're joined by dr. he is the director general for the small and medium enterprises agency of nigeria and he says that the e.u. should do more in good governance in africa by stopping corrupt money getting to europe from africa he also adds that we should treat africa as equal partners in trade so you can tell we have a lot of different experts here also on small medium enterprises and there's a reason for that because of course one of the main topics between africa and the european union is trade and there are different reasons they go way back why this is complicated we tried to break it down for you. africa advanced and does this continent home to some one point three billion people africa has massive potential. coffee cotton and by so natural resources africa has a lot of. it it

said, the european parliament election has never been taken seriously in this country the turnout is also low, is the populace and you to can press in the last round of elections, the conservative and pot labour parties are not —— and pot labour parties are not —— and no state to fight it, they may bring forth paper candidates where you would see the fridge is doing quite well so they hear a file takes independent group as they are now known change 0k, they would do well, but as would the brexit party and even you to ponder the new guide having awareness that a britain that have the elections, yes against them, for a longer extension, but it also makes things very difficult in the next parliament so really, it remains the default for both sides to try and get this deal through and for the uk to leave on the 22nd of may, that really be interesting to see if that is the redline. let's talk about the negotiations between the prime minister and jeremy corbyn. there still several other hurdles to ci’oss. theresa may's looking for compromise, but what kind of brexit might take sh

with the protests prayers for the european parliament are full swing and we are standing near to the end of the last moneyless session of this particular european parliament because we'll have a new one coming and the result of that election is going to be closely monitored in africa this is a continent after all a chance years of a complex relationship with europe elections why they matter to africa in seventy five minutes on d w. o. sometimes books are more exciting than real lights. turn green. what if there's no escape. list. german must reads. the old order is history the world is reorganizing itself and the media's role these keep shifting colors the topic in focus at the global media forum twenty nineteen included a laboratory for the digital age. who are we following do we trust debate and shape the future as the georgia bellowed local media forum twenty nineteen the place made for my. plane . this is good news live from sri lanka and outs of the suspected mastermind of the easter sunday bombings died in the attack but the government warns of more possible strikes this as aut

union indeed he could have left the european union by now the parliament didn't pass the withdrawal agreement so we need that extra time to work to ensure that we can get a deal through parliament this enables this to be even a signal to the way it's in everybody's interest i think what mark says is that we are able to these the european union not the point at which we are asked if i got withdrawn agreement that would enable us to leave on the twenty second different to me since the speech is the announcement that the united kingdom is also preparing for the european elections is very important to me that will guarantee the continued functioning of the european institutions. on the six of the off most important to us that the u.k. leaves the e.u. in its own in the manner we also want to keep the even twenty seven unified and well stocked in the spirit i have no doubt that we will reach a unanimous agreement again this was months ago you down i don't need to see you now it's time for decisions we've negotiated a withdrawal agreement with two years a lot of time was dedicated to that

over to my left a member of the biggest party of the european parliament the conservative e.p.a. likely to remain the biggest party also in the european parliament and he says africa needs europe to set clear political priorities to face common challenges to the benefit of both and last but not least we're joined by dr. he is that the rector general for this small and medium enterprises agency of nigeria and he says that the e.u. should do more on good governance in africa by stopping corrupt money into europe from africa he also adds that we should treat africa as equal partners in trade so you can tell we have a lot of different experts here also on small to medium enterprises and there's a reason for that because of course one of the main topics between africa and the european union is trade and there are different reasons they go way back why this is complicated we tried to break it down for you. for the fast and as this continent home to some one point three billion people africa has massive potential. coffee cotton and by so natural resources africa has a lot of. it has the

the dynamics and a balance of power in the european parliament. it is quite likely that the uk would elect a number of brexiteers and there is of course the question of whether the eu 27 would really want a large number brexiteers in the parliament. there's also the possibility that if you take or disrupt policy—making during such a long extension. jacob rees—mogg already suggested that on twitter and that is especially problematic in areas where unanimity is required. in areas where uk veto could really hold up progress, for example when it comes to the next eu budget. that could also be problematic. there are also possible disadvantages related. getting the uka long disadvantages related. getting the uk a long extension might get the idea that the eu is looking to avoid ano idea that the eu is looking to avoid a no deal and that they may not be the signal they wish to give. as it might impact them in the next stage of negotiations. from the eu's perspective there would have to be a good reason for it. such a reason could be a second referend