hello. i'm marc ashdown. a very good morning to you. we start in hollywood and the film industry's biggest night, the oscars. the awards, which celebrate the best films of the year, finished just a few hours ago, clocking in at a spritely 3.5 hours. the big winner of the night was, as expected, the christopher nolan epic, oppenheimer, which racked up seven awards from its 13 nominations, including best picture. behind that on four wins is the quirky period �*dramedy�* poor things. here's the moment acting royalty al pacino presented the final award of the night for best picture. and oppenheimer... yes, yes... i think any of us who make movies_ i think any of us who make movies know that you kind of dream — movies know that you kind of dream of _ movies know that you kind of dream of this moment. you know you do. _ dream of this moment. you know you do, right? i could deny it but i — you do, right? i could deny it but i have _ you do, right? i could deny it but i have been dreaming about this moment for so long, but it seemed — this moment for so long, but it seemed so_ this moment for so long, but it seemed so unlikely it would actually— seemed so unlikely it would actually ever happen and now i am standing here and everything has gone — am standing here and everything has gone out of my head. best picture winner oppenheimer there. the stars of the film also did well with cillian murphy taking home the best actor award for his role as the father of the atomic bomb. emma stone won her second best actress statuette for poor things. let's take a look at the their speeches. cillian murphy. i am a very roud cillian murphy. i am a very proud irish _ cillian murphy. i am a very proud irish man _ cillian murphy. i am a very proud irish man standing l cillian murphy. i am a very i proud irish man standing here tonight, — proud irish man standing here tonight, so... applause — . and oscar goes to... emma stone. - applause _ . i share this with you. i am in awe of — . i share this with you. i am in awe of you _ . i share this with you. i am in awe of you and _ . i share this with you. i am in awe of you and it - . i share this with you. i am in awe of you and it has - . i share this with you. i am | in awe of you and it has been such an honour to do all of this together, hopefully we can do more together.— this together, hopefully we can do more together. there has to be tears. _ do more together. there has to be tears, doesn't _ do more together. there has to be tears, doesn't there? - last year's biggest box office hit, barbie, only won one award for best original song. ryan gosling poked fun at its rivalry with oppenheimer with one of that film's stars, emily blunt. you guys are doing very well. congratulations. thanks! but ou congratulations. thanks! but you know. — congratulations. thanks! but you know. i _ congratulations. thanks! you know, ithink congratulations. thanks! you know, i think i congratulations. thanks! you know, ithink i kind congratulations. thanks! you know, i think i kind of figured _ you know, i think i kind of figured out why they call it barbenheimer and they didn't call it— barbenheimer and they didn't call it oppenbarbie. i think you — call it oppenbarbie. i think you were at the end of that because _ you were at the end of that because you are writing barbie's coattails all summer. and if you haven't had enough ryan gosling, he treated viewers to a performance of one of barbie's signature songs. let's have a look. # i #iam # i amjust # i am just can, nothing else but a ten. # i am just ten. where i say love, she sees a friend. what will it take for her to see the man behind and fight for me... her to see the man behind and fight for me. . ._ fight for me... difficult not to sing along. _ and, yes, that was slash on guitar there! let's speak to our la correspondent emma vardy. she has a tough gig on the carpet they are outside the after party. bring us up—to—date. what is the atmosphere like? up-to-date. what is the atmosphere like? everybody is here. atmosphere like? everybody is here- the _ atmosphere like? everybody is here. the tension _ atmosphere like? everybody is here. the tension has - atmosphere like? everybody is here. the tension has gone. i here. the tension has gone. people are ready to let their hair down. they had the rather long queue and photos taken, there is a great party awaiting them in there. there are a few sad faces coming through tonight. i think some barbie fans might be disappointed that that movie didn't pick up a few more awards. we saw margot robbie coming here, but overall it is lovely to see them chatting here on the red carpet. quite a different atmosphere from when people are going in the other side to the oscars, or that anticipation and engineer. everyone is set for a good time. it and engineer. everyone is set for a good time.— for a good time. it feels like there weren't _ for a good time. it feels like there weren't many - for a good time. it feels like there weren't many huge i there weren't many huge surprises. what is a fairly sort of predictable oscars? yes, i think anybody who was making predictions or going in for some oscars bingo would have got a few of them right. oppenheimer was predicted to sweep the board. it did very well tonight, picking up all those big ones, best picture, best director, best actor, best supporting actor. it really did dominate this evening. barbie, if you think back to the summer, it was often higher does not oppenheimer and barbie that dominated the summer. a different story when it came to the awards because barbie had eight nominations and only come away with one award, that was for the song for billie eilish. apart from that, there is still a lot of goodwill towards barbie. a big moment of the night was emma stone getting best actress for poor things, an emotional speech. it is her second oscar and she was in a really tough field as well in the best actress category. that was another standout moment when all the generalists watching it on tv and everyone was cheering with her. it is all about — was cheering with her. it is all about the _ was cheering with her. it is all about the big _ was cheering with her. it is all about the big moments. you have to mention emma stone, a second oscar. what other momentsjumped out second oscar. what other moments jumped out at you? it is good to see the performances. the irish performed kherson had several awards shows. you have seen them a few times. we saw ryan gosling perform his song, i'm just ken, and i think that made everybody smile. that was a real feelgood everybody smile. that was a realfeelgood moment in everybody smile. that was a real feelgood moment in the performances tonight. more? real feelgood moment in the performances tonight. now it is -a performances tonight. now it is party time- _ performances tonight. now it is party time- you _ performances tonight. now it is party time. you can _ performances tonight. now it is party time. you can let - performances tonight. now it is party time. you can let your - party time. you can let your hair down. what are you looking forward to? i hair down. what are you looking forward to?— forward to? i tell you what, the trick — forward to? i tell you what, the trick here _ forward to? i tell you what, the trick here is _ forward to? i tell you what, the trick here is actually - the trick here is actually getting anybody to speak to you because some stars are coming through here, i have already done a million and one interviews and you have the toughest gig to try and convince you to talk to you one more time. other people are coming through and they are so full of excitement and it is lovely to talk to people like that but they are experiencing all this for the first time. you get a few older ones like kylie minogue, she has seen many oscars, been a many red carpets but she talked to everything a person and was really passionate about the show, passionate about all the winners and that was lovely. thank you very much indeed. thank you very much indeed. thank you very much indeed. thank you for bringing us up—to—date. our la correspondent there. joining me now is film journalist leila latif and writer and pop culture commentator thom geier. oppenheimer does not no big surprises here. didn't quite sweep the board but that is a good haul, seven? it sweep the board but that is a good haul, seven?— sweep the board but that is a good haul, seven? it came in as a front runner— good haul, seven? it came in as a front runner and _ good haul, seven? it came in as a front runner and came - good haul, seven? it came in as a front runner and came up - good haul, seven? it came in as a front runner and came up withj a front runner and came up with seven— a front runner and came up with seven awards. it is the first time — seven awards. it is the first time since then her in 1959 time since then her in1959 that— time since then her in 1959 that a _ time since then her in 1959 that a film has one best picture _ that a film has one best picture and best actor and best supporting actor. it is also the — supporting actor. it is also the first— supporting actor. it is also the first highest proceeds when mine _ the first highest proceeds when mine the — the first highest proceeds when mine the titanic and lord of the rings _ mine the titanic and lord of the rings return of the king. for such _ the rings return of the king. for such a _ the rings return of the king. for such a commercially successful film, to come away with _ successful film, to come away with this — successful film, to come away with this kind of recognition at the — with this kind of recognition at the oscars is quite an achievement.— at the oscars is quite an achievement. the critics, it seems universally - achievement. the critics, it seems universally agreed l achievement. the critics, itj seems universally agreed it achievement. the critics, it i seems universally agreed it is not a marmite film. i was just talking to someone who's that they fell asleep during oppenheimer. but it was broadly deserved. , , deserved. yes, definitely deserved- _ deserved. yes, definitely deserved. it _ deserved. yes, definitely deserved. it had - deserved. yes, definitely i deserved. it had everything going for it. it has the markers of the classic oscar winner, the oscars love bioethics, i love self serious dramas. in this kind of trouble time for hollywood, also that it kinda got people to go back to the cinemas and a lot of the actors still in solidarity with the strikers so you can see exactly why this was the perfect field to be celebrating last night. perfect field to be celebrating last niuht. a , perfect field to be celebrating last niuht. 1, , .,, perfect field to be celebrating last night-— last night. barbie was the big moneyspinner, _ last night. barbie was the big moneyspinner, but _ last night. barbie was the big moneyspinner, but kind - last night. barbie was the big moneyspinner, but kind of. last night. barbie was the big i moneyspinner, but kind of less more or less empty—handed. it is a quirky little comedy. i don't think... it is a wonderfulfilm. i think it is very exciting that margot robbie is distinguishing herself as one of the most important producers in hollywood, as well as being a great actress. i never came into it thinking this is going to take home some statuettes, even though i loved it.- even though i loved it. yes, i think it was _ even though i loved it. yes, i think it was a _ even though i loved it. yes, i think it was a surprise - even though i loved it. yes, i think it was a surprise that i even though i loved it. yes, i think it was a surprise that it | think it was a surprise that it was up for awards but certainly played a role this year. another big star emerging, emma stone. a second wind. yes. another big star emerging, emma stone. a second wind.— stone. a second wind. yes, this is probably _ stone. a second wind. yes, this is probably the _ stone. a second wind. yes, this is probably the one _ stone. a second wind. yes, this is probably the one big - is probably the one big surprise of the evening because lily gladstone, the star of kitiers— lily gladstone, the star of killers of the august moon, came — killers of the august moon, came in— killers of the august moon, came in as the heavy frontrunner, one a lot of the pre- — frontrunner, one a lot of the pre— awards and yet emma stone emerged — pre— awards and yet emma stone emerged victorious with her second _ emerged victorious with her second oscar. shutting out the martin— second oscar. shutting out the martin scorsese film which came in with— martin scorsese film which came in with ten— martin scorsese film which came in with ten nominations and went— in with ten nominations and went home empty—handed. it was a big _ went home empty—handed. it was a big surprise to emma as well who— a big surprise to emma as well who seemed genuinely shocked when _ who seemed genuinely shocked when the camera focused on her and her— when the camera focused on her and her name was called. they didn't feel _ and her name was called. they didn't feel like _ and her name was called. they didn't feel like too _ and her name was called. they didn't feel like too much - didn't feel like too much controversy. there weren't a huge amount of surprises of people that really missed out. no, not in terms of winners or the winners _ no, not in terms of winners or the winners themselves. the only— the winners themselves. the only controversies were really revolved _ only controversies were really revolved around external factors _ revolved around external factors like donald trump tweeting in the middle of the ceremony or true thing in the middle — ceremony or true thing in the middle of— ceremony or true thing in the middle of the ceremony about how miserable he found the whole — how miserable he found the whole show to be —— "truthing". for some — whole show to be —— "truthing". for some of— whole show to be —— "truthing". for some of the smaller winners as well, a real game changer, especially in some of the lower categories and independent films. it categories and independent films. . . categories and independent films. , ., films. it can be. some of them were remarkable, _ films. it can be. some of them were remarkable, jeffreson i films. it can be. some of them were remarkable, jeffreson for american fiction, kind of his first film in winning an oscar. things like best production design. the team behind poor things, this is theirfirst feature. they took a chance on these new people. the first project, you are winning an oscar. , ~ project, you are winning an oscar. , ,, ., oscar. does it feel like we are back now. _ oscar. does it feel like we are back now, both _ oscar. does it feel like we are back now, both pandemic? it| back now, both pandemic? it feels like hollywood is back. kind of. some of the ramifications of what happened this year would be more obvious when we're looking next year's oscars, but this was a very, very solid year, and very solid lineup, and all of the sandra films that got some recognition is a wonderful thing in my estimation.— is a wonderful thing in my estimation. ., ., estimation. on the note of the future of hollywood, _ estimation. on the note of the future of hollywood, now- estimation. on the note of the future of hollywood, now is i future of hollywood, now is where all the sort of deals get done, everyone goes to the parties and start talking. but i feel like there is optimism in the air? i i feel like there is optimism in the air?— in the air? i wouldn't say there is _ in the air? i wouldn't say there is optimism i in the air? i wouldn't say there is optimism just i in the air? i wouldn't say i there is optimism just because there is optimism just because the writers were out for a four or five — the writers were out for a four or five months last year so the cupboard — or five months last year so the cupboard is looking to bear in terms — cupboard is looking to bear in terms of— cupboard is looking to bear in terms of major releases. the hope — terms of major releases. the hope was _ terms of major releases. the hope was that after the pandemic hollywood would turn out all — pandemic hollywood would turn out all these films and get people _ out all these films and get people back into movie theatres, and there just isn't theatres, and there just isn't the product to get them there. maybe — the product to get them there. maybe some of the independent films. _ maybe some of the independent films, maybe some of the arty films— films, maybe some of the arty films will— films, maybe some of the arty films will come out by the fall and rejuvenate interest in terms _ and rejuvenate interest in terms of— and rejuvenate interest in terms of oscar films but in terms _ terms of oscar films but in terms of— terms of oscar films but in terms of the commercial films of the — terms of the commercial films of the sort, like barbie or oppenheimer, there just isn't a whole _ oppenheimer, there just isn't a whole lot— oppenheimer, there just isn't a whole lot of promise there of this era _ whole lot of promise there of this era. . ., whole lot of promise there of this era. ., ,, , ., whole lot of promise there of this era. ., ~' ,, ,., whole lot of promise there of this era. ., ,, i. ,., ., this era. ok. thank you both of ou for this era. ok. thank you both of you for your — this era. ok. thank you both of you for your post _ this era. ok. thank you both of you for your post match - you for your post match analysis there on the oscars. thank you. and i think we can just have a quick look now, have some pictures coming in as the stars come in. billie eilish clutching the oscar, looking very pleased with herself. this is of course arriving at the parties afterwards, a big moment for a lot of them. this is when they can let their hair down, the hard work is done, the winners celebrating. those that missed out commiserating stop i am sure the drinks will be flowing and everyone celebrating a big night in the film world. now, the royal family are facing more questions over a picture of the princess of wales first published yesterday. this picture, released for mother's day, showing catherine with their three children has since been retracted by four photo agencies over concerns it has been "manipulated". it's the first official photo of the princess of wales since her abdominal surgery two months ago. simon jones has more. released at nine o'clock yesterday morning by kensington palace to mark mother's day. a picture of the princess of wales surrounded by her children. the aim was to dampen speculation about katherine's recovery from the recent abdominal surgery. recovery from the recent abdominalsurgery. but some abdominal surgery. but some people abdominalsurgery. but some people pointed out that the image looks odd. a view shared by several leading picture agencies which had initially sent out the photo worldwide. one of them said there was an inconsistency in the alignment of incest charlotte's left hand, meaning the image didn't reach the agency's standards. late last night the associated press issued something called a kill notification, and industry term for a retraction. the reason it gave for killing the story is a closer inspection it appears that the sources manipulative the image. the replacement photo will be sent. it is please remove it from all platforms, including social, where it may still be visible. another agency, reuters, advised its customers, please remove this image from your systems. that was following what it called a post— publication review. afp and getty also withdrew the car. other commentators online said prince lewis's hands didn't look right and even that the tree in the background had too many leaves for this time of year. the last time catherine was officially seen in public was officially seen in public was on christmas day. thank you so much. that's _ was on christmas day. thank you so much. that's very _ was on christmas day. thank you so much. that's very sweet i was on christmas day. thank you so much. that's very sweet of i so much. that's very sweet of you to come and say hello to us. very happy christmas. weeks later, us. very happy christmas. weeks later. she — us. very happy christmas. weeks later. she was — us. very happy christmas. weeks later, she was in _ us. very happy christmas. weeks later, she was in hospital, i later, she was in hospital, having abdominal surgery. kensington palace made it clear it wouldn't give a running commentary on her conditional recovery. after a period of caring for his wife, prince william has resumed royal duties, against the backdrop of concern for catherine. and this is a depleted royal family, king charles are still being pictured carrying out engagements, but fewer than normal due to his cancer diagnosis. and now this photo, designed to cool the conversation around the princess's recovery, seems to have had the opposite effect. kensington palace has so far declined to comment. simon jones, bbc news. around the world and across the uk, this is bbc news. let's look at some other stories making news. three former conservative home secretaries have urged ministers not to politicise the issue of extremism in the run—up to a general election. the government is due to publish new measures next week, saying they're necessary to counter a surge in threats from islamists, the far—right and others. police are continuing to investigate three funeral homes in hull and beverley. a man and a woman have been arrested and 3a bodies removed from one site. it follows concerns about the way bodies were being cared for and stored. over half of rural voters believe �*nimbyism' is holding the english countryside back. a survation poll for the country land and business association found over 50% of those in england's 100 most rural constituencies backed building more homes in their communities. millions of people are being urged to get nhs pharmacy checks for high blood pressure. up to 4.2 million people in england are thought to be living with high blood pressure without knowing it — around a third of all those with the condition. you're live with bbc news. the centre—right democratic alliance has won portugal's general election, narrowly beating the incumbent socialists, but fell well short of a majority, so won't be able to govern alone. the election saw a big surge in support for the far—right chega party, almost tripling its vote, which now holds the balance of power. the leader of the democratic alliance, luis montenegro, has ruled out any deal with chega, which he's previously described as racist. the chega leader, andre ventura, said the result signalled the end of two—party rule in portugal. chega's strong showing is the latest in a series of advances by the far right in europe. the snap election was held four months after the socialist prime minister, antonio costa, resigned amid a corruption investigation. a ship carrying 200 tonnes of food and medical supplies to gaza is still preparing to leave cyprus. but without a working port, it's not clear yet where the ship will actually dock or how its cargo will be distributed inside the territory. meanwhile, talks in egypt on a ceasefire seem to have stalled despite hopes for an agreement in time for ramadan. it comes as president biden issued a ramadan message, saying: ..and he prayed those grieving would find solace during the holy month. with me is now is mohamed taha from bbc arabic. on this aid, this ship, it is vital, crucial that it gets through. it sounds logistically pretty difficult. the through. it sounds logistically pretty difficult.— pretty difficult. the operation of . ivin: pretty difficult. the operation of giving aid _ pretty difficult. the operation of giving aid to _ pretty difficult. the operation of giving aid to gaza - pretty difficult. the operation of giving aid to gaza as i of giving aid to gaza as analysts are saying is in a chaotic situation. as you say, this ship is trying to depart from cyprus for 48 hours. this is not successful, there is not a working platform for this ship to land on when it arrives to gaza. this is a logistic problem. yesterday there are air drops in northern gaza. most of this went through the ocean. a lot of palestinians tried to swim to ring the aid, some of them drowned while trying to get the aid. it is a chaotic situation. also we saw last week some parachute failures of aid that caused deaths for the palestinians in gaza, and with the land aid through the israeli crossing stopping because of fighting, this aid through air, sea and land is causing more agony for the palestinians rather than giving them aid. in terms of a possible ceasefire, there was hope that ramadan might focus minds. is optimism fading? todayis today is the first day of ramadan and the fighting is intensifying on all fronts in this war. in gaza, we saw 83 people died, three of them in the shelling of rafah. we know israel put a deadline to invade rafah by start of the month of ramadan. we saw some signs of that. we don't know how this will progress. on the west bank, lots of clashes and incursions from the israeli forces into the west bank and arrests. in south lebanon, as bowler attacked —— has bowler attacked a settlement on northern israel —— hezbollah. there is a possibility of land invasion into south lebanon. start of ramadan is bringing more fighting to gaza more than peace. with president biden planning to put a temporary platform to get the aid to gaza, which he said it will require two months to be established, that means there is an understanding that this war is going to... might continue for another two months. continue for another two months-— continue for another two months. �* ., , ., ~ , ., continue for another two months. �* ., months. at least. thank you so much. in the uk, the government has pledged £117 million to protect mosques, muslim schools and community centres from hate attacks over the next four years. home secretary james cleverly said the money will be spent on measures like cctv cameras, alarms and fencing to give "reassurance and confidence to uk muslims". the announcement follows a £70 million package forjewish groups with worries the conflict in gaza is fuelling division in the uk. the former head of the uk government's borders watchdog has told the bbc that the home office is "dysfunctional" and in need of reform. david neal was dismissed as independent chief inspector of borders and immigration in february after losing the confidence of home secretary james cleverly amid claims he breached the terms of his appointment. mr neal said he "paid the price" for speaking out about concerns on border security. speaking to the today podcast, he said his sacking meant less scrutiny of border— related issues. and added that failings in the immigration system go "right to the top" of the home office. the home office is dysfunctional, and the home office needs reform. i think the prime minister, when he was running for leader of the party, one of his ten points was fundamental reform of border force and home office. they talk about some of the problems with the home office. i think there is absolutely a need for reform. the home office, i do encounter, much to some people's surprise, i do encounter good practice and good stuff, but equally, i think it does need a brush be taken over it.— think it does need a brush be taken over it. germany says it evacuated _ taken over it. germany says it evacuated its _ taken over it. germany says it evacuated its staff _ taken over it. germany says it evacuated its staff from i taken over it. germany says it evacuated its staff from haiti | evacuated its staff from haiti along with other european diplomatic. gang violence there continues. the united states already withdrew non—essential staff and reinforce security at its embassy. a senior un official in haiti told the bbc that violence was getting worse by the day with armed gangs looting shops, shooting at people and carrying out multiple rapes. jamaica will host a meeting of nations on monday to discuss the violence. plans to deploy a multinational security force, led by kenya, have been repeatedly delayed. israel has unveiled their new entry for the eurovision song contest after the lyrics of their previous song were criticised. the new song, titled hurricane, will be performed by singer eden golan during the competition in malmo, sweden. her original track, october rain, faced pushback for lyrics thought to reference the hamas attacks of october 7. eurovision describes itself as a "non—political event" and has previously blocked performances and speakers feared could politicise the event. well, let'sjustjump back to the oscars before we go, and we've been hearing from oppenheimer star cillian murphy who's been reacting to winning the best actor oscar backstage. it isa it is a little bit... i am in a bit ofa daze, it is a little bit... i am in a bit of a daze, very overwhelmed, i'm very humbled, i'm very grateful and very proud to be irish. this has been a huge, huge moment for me, the movie is so special to me, the movie is so special to me and myself and chris have such a special relationship, i just feel very privileged to continue to work with him and i am very proud that this is a film that is provocative and asks questions and is challenging, but yet, so many people went to see it so i am really, really proud of that. hello there. march so far has been quieter, but colder, and the wind direction has played its part. we've seen an easterly wind so far, and in the last few days, it's brought a lot of cloud in off the north sea and temperatures struggled along those exposed coasts — only around 6 degrees. but the story is set to change as we go through the next few days. with the wind direction swinging round to a southwesterly, temperatures may well peak into the mid—teens, but there's still a chance of seeing a return to some showers or longer spells of rain. monday, however, will be a quieter story. this weakening weather front still producing cloud thick enough for some drizzle first thing monday morning. a lot of cloud and some fog around as well early on. some showery outbreaks of rain moving out to the far north of northern ireland into the far northwest of scotland. and still, the wind direction coming from an easterly. here, always that little bit cooler, 8 or 9 degrees. but out to the west, with the best of any brightness, we could see temperatures peaking at 12 celsius. now, as we move into tuesday, this weather front could bring some showery outbreaks of rain into wales and southern england for a time. it's a really messy story on tuesday. there'll be outbreaks of rain drifting their way steadily east, there'll be further drizzle as well a little bit further north. but the far north of scotland could cling onto some sunshine. here, not quite as warm, around 6 to 8 degrees, but further south, we'll see temperatures peaking at 13 celsius. low pressure will sit to the north by the middle part of the week, and this trailing cold front will introduce the risk of more rain. but the southwesterly winds starting to pick up, the milder air moving in. so despite a lot of cloud around potentially on wednesday, there should be some breaks in the cloud. temperatures will start to rise — highs of 16 degrees. brighter with a few scattered showers into the far north and west. so as we move into thursday and friday, weatherfronts will continue to bring the threat of showers or longer spells of rain, and some of the showers could be heavy and thundery, but the wind direction will continue to push this milder air across the country, so temperatures on the rise, particularly in comparison to march so far. so, yes, there is a risk of some showers or some heavier rain from time to time, but it will be mild with it, with highs of 16 celsius. live from london. this is bbc news the profits of the world's biggest oil company fall sharply, but saudi aramco will still increase its dividend. china's national people's congress draws to a close with ambitious economic targets. sierra leone looks to secure its first windfarm on sherbro island. it's backed by the film star idris elba, who tells world business report he's qualified to dream big. it isa it is a dream. i work in the make—believe business and this is exactly that. make—believe. and as the academy awards draw to a close, we'll explore the world's biggest oil company saudi aramco has reported a sharp fall in its net profit, slipping 25%% in 2023 compared