the squads are ready and it had a lot of injuries. barcelona have sacked their coach xavi, with the former bayern munich and germany national team boss hansi flick set to replace him. a month ago, barca persuaded xavi to stay after he threatened to leave at the end of the season, only to change his mind. but comments about the club's financial struggles are said to have angered the club president. he'll depart after their final game of the season on sunday, leaving barca second in the table, a long way behind spanish champions real madrid. charles leclerc has been the stand out performer in practice ahead of the monaco grand prix. the ferrari driver was born and raised in the principality and proved he knows the tight and twisty street circuit like the back of his hand by topping the time sheets. seven—time world champion lewis hamilton put his mercedes second ahead of the aston martin of fernando alonso. the weight monaco is, i might have taken a bit more risk compared to the others today, which paid off. however it's all about tomorrow when everybody starts to go on the limit. i think we have done a really good job, but we need to keep working, keep promising on ourselves but it's a positive thursday. novak djokovic has suffered another defeat ahead of the french open, which begins on sunday. the world number one went down in three sets in the semifinals of the geneva open to czech opponent tomas machac, who's through to an atp final for the first time in his career. djokovic, who hasn't reached a final this year, begins the defence of his french open title against home favourite pierre—hugues herbert. geraint thomas survived a scare after crashing towards the end of stage 19 of the giro d'italia. the british rider was only six kilometres from the finish when he suddenly lost control of his bike. because he's third overall, his rivals followed professional cycling's convention of not taking advantage, and he was able to catch up and finish with them. the stage was won by italy's andrea vendrame. slovenia's tadej pogacar maintained his overall lead. the little crash at the end was not ideal but the rest of it was kind of as we thought really. so a big day tomorrow. . as we thought really. so a big day tomorrow. w _, ., , , ., tomorrow. tricky conditions, is that what led to — tomorrow. tricky conditions, is that what led to the _ tomorrow. tricky conditions, is that what led to the crash? _ tomorrow. tricky conditions, is that what led to the crash? i _ tomorrow. tricky conditions, is that what led to the crash? i was - what led to the crash? i was looking behind and they _ what led to the crash? i was looking behind and they swing to _ what led to the crash? i was looking behind and they swing to be - what led to the crash? i was looking behind and they swing to be in - what led to the crash? i was looking behind and they swing to be in the l behind and they swing to be in the front and overlap the wheel. cereal crash mentally but all good. one less day tomorrow and it's two times of a big less day tomorrow and it's two times ofa big mountain less day tomorrow and it's two times of a big mountain so rest and recover and go from there. in cricket's ipl, sunrisers hyderabad beat rajasthan royals by 36 runs to set up a final against kolkata knight riders. sunrisers batted first after being put in and posted 175—9 from their 20 overs. heinrich klaasen top—scored with 50. shahbaz ahmed scored 18 useful runs for hyderabad after coming on as an impact substitute, and then took three crucial wickets as rajasthan could only muster 139—7. kolkata, who thrashed hyderabad in the first play—off game, will meet them again in the decider. and that's all the sport for now. back to you. thanks very much, paul. more working news when it comes to politics. wejust more working news when it comes to politics. we just heard that angela leadsom will not stand at the next general election. michael gove has announced he will not stand for re—election. he was part of the leave campaign along with andrea leadsom. there are around 70 conservative mps who have said this would be their last term in office. there are around 100 total who would not stand, about 20 from labour and about ten from the snp. michael gove has announced he will not stand for re—election. the long—serving conservative cabinet minister and rishi sunak ally is one of the biggest name of the tory mps to announce they are standing down so far. let's speak to charlie rowley, former special adviser to michael gove. we will talk about michael gove in a moment to adjust this news and about andrea leadsom is well standing temple so are you surprised about that when? i’m temple so are you surprised about that when? �* ., temple so are you surprised about that when?— that when? i'm not surprised actually- _ that when? i'm not surprised actually- i — that when? i'm not surprised actually. i think _ that when? i'm not surprised actually. i think the - that when? i'm not surprised actually. i think the mps - that when? i'm not surprised actually. i think the mps ear| actually. i think the mps ear hearing today they have stood down whether it's michael or andrea or john redwood who is currently on the back bench, they have served a number of years in successive governments under successive prime ministers and i think as the election might have taken us all a bit by surprise what it was called, people of had a few days now to reflect on that and decide what their futures are and for those three individuals it mayjust be one lastjob in them elsewhere but it's not going to be in the house of commons. not going to be in the house of common— not going to be in the house of commons. . i. , ., i. commons. have you spoken to your former bosses — commons. have you spoken to your former bosses he _ commons. have you spoken to your former bosses he announced - commons. have you spoken to your former bosses he announced he - commons. have you spoken to your| former bosses he announced he was not going to be running again? i have not had time, i'm afraid, but i was prepared and happy to talk to you first. we was prepared and happy to talk to ou first. ~ ., , was prepared and happy to talk to ou first. ~ . , ., you first. we are very flattered. what would _ you first. we are very flattered. what would he _ you first. we are very flattered. what would he be _ you first. we are very flattered. what would he be thinking - you first. we are very flattered. what would he be thinking and | you first. we are very flattered. . what would he be thinking and why do you think you made the calculation apart from the fact that he serve for a very long time? i think that could be the _ for a very long time? i think that could be the most _ for a very long time? i think that could be the most dominant - for a very long time? i think that i could be the most dominant factor, he is there for a very long time. almost 20 years as an mp a certain number of cabinet positions, creating a number of reforms and all those areas. i think as he says in his letter, only he will know all the reasons why you decided to stand down, but he says quite candidly that being in politics and in the front bench and on the front line can take its toll. have it delivered a number of reforms, battling unions and badly when it came to delivering those education reforms and we are seeing on to the media a number of education that is coming forward and say howdy for they offer those reports because they are delivering results that were intended but he may reforms in education, injustice in terms of the environment in this country, got brexit done beating the vote leave campaign with boris johnson and then as chancellor of the duchy of lancaster in the cabinet office, getting that break the deal over the line before having to leave in his role during the covid—19 pandemic. so he has done a lot, seen a lot and you of pick up a few scars on the way in all of those roles maybe taking its toll and that was the right time to stand out. unsurprising that you were going to be heaping praise on someone that you work for but he did have a lot of detractors, too. it's fair to describe him as popular amongst many conservative but controversial amongst a lot of other people. i think that's right, and you know in every case, whether it was deciding to lead the vote leave campaign and i'm for that cost a bit of friction with his old pal david cameron, when theresa may became prime after she returned him to the back benches, liz did not find it time to have her as part of routine for those 49 days but in all those areas and examples, michael has outlasted all of those are temporary. he's been around the cabinet table longer than david cameron, teresa when she returned to the back bench and realised his talent and brought him back in his environment secretary. the prime minister now obviously brought him backin minister now obviously brought him back in after liz was prime minister but borisjohnson, who he ran the vote leave campaign with, obviously they had their tensions after the leadership election in 2019 but even boris despite that follett recognised michael's talent and realised i needed him around the cabinet table and made an duchy of lancaster in the heart of the cabinet office in the heart of government to get that break the deal through and to lead part of the nation's response to covid—19. whatever you thought about michael and difficulties he might�*ve had in terms of relationship and may be different politics, everybody recognised the strength and ability that he brought to the table and the reforms that he put in place which makes him one of britain's best conservatives and one of the leading reformers. {jut conservatives and one of the leading reformers. ., ., ., , , reformers. out of time already been told but how — reformers. out of time already been told but how much _ reformers. out of time already been told but how much of— reformers. out of time already been told but how much of a _ reformers. out of time already been told but how much of a blow - reformers. out of time already been told but how much of a blow is - reformers. out of time already been told but how much of a blow is this i told but how much of a blow is this for the prime minister losing some of his key allies when he needs him to help shore up the ship? weill. to help shore up the ship? well, it's a blow _ to help shore up the ship? well, it's a blow to _ to help shore up the ship? well, it's a blow to the _ to help shore up the ship? well, it's a blow to the conservatives i it's a blow to the conservatives in a blow to the prime minister obviously because of the great talents of michael has but there are plenty of other great candidates out there that will be to replace him i'm sure and you will hope that the team can carry on and my quote will be supporting them all away. thanks are cominu be supporting them all away. thanks are coming on _ be supporting them all away. thanks are coming on the _ be supporting them all away. thanks are coming on the programme - be supporting them all away. thanks are coming on the programme and l be supporting them all away. thanks are coming on the programme and i | are coming on the programme and i can call yourformer boss are coming on the programme and i can call your former boss and get his reaction and come back on. thanks very much, charlie. south africa is gearing up for its most crucial general elections since the african national congress came to power 30 years ago under the leadership of nelson mandela, but its share of the vote has been falling steadily since its high—water mark of 70% in 2004. alleged corruption and racial inequality, high crime and youth unemployment rates, power cuts and an economy which should be punching above its weight are all adding to a creeping sense that the anc failed to live up to the great man's legacy and vision of equality. the bbc�*s waihiga mwaura travelled to the eastern cape, a traditional anc stronghold, to speak to voters in mthatha, the town where nelson mandela grew up as a boy. in a few days' time, south africans will head to the ballot box to cast their vote, just like this man did 30 years ago. a towering figure of the politics of peace globally, it's almost impossible to separate nelson mandela from the dna of modern—day south africa, and more crucially from the anc, the african national congress, which swept to power in 1994 in the country's first all—inclusive democratic election. and here in the halls of the nelson mandela museum in mthatha, his hometown, the hopes and dreams of the nation at that time still resonate. mandela the activist. mandela incarcerated. mandela the president and global statesman. mandela the father of a nation which many say is beset by the same problems it inherited in its infancy. the varied chapters of a life lived like no other are well documented. but to truly understand the essence of the man, we've travelled to qunu, the nearby village where he spent many of the formative years of his childhood. the neighbours of the mandela family say that they are disillusioned that his vision of a new south africa was not sustained. translation: many things that form part of his - legacy have discontinued. we are pained because even though the anc�*s trying, things are not happening the way mandela envisioned. the challenge is that ramaphosa is not the problem. the problem is people that are close to him and serve in lower structures. those at local level should stop being vultures. buyelekhaya dalindyebo is a king of nelson mandela's thembu ethnic group and his nephew. what part of his legacy do you believe still exists today in south africa? well, a lot of it's gone down the drain, you know? laughter. in the sense that, you know, when south africa became free, especially his term, it was a very, very wonderful one, you know, with that revolutionary spirit. right now, we're swimming in a lot of corruption, we're swimming in a lot of, you know... we don't even know the direction the country is heading to in as far as economy, social order, you know? there's lot of decay. i see. listening to you, it sounds like there have been no gains over the last 30 years. no gains. it's just what you call cosmetic gains, you know? and if anything is cosmetic, it's not real. his legacy may live on in the hearts of south africans, but what about the minds of a crucial younger generation that grew up after mandela left the presidency? i feel like he wouldn't be happy because i don't think this - is what he went to prison for. yeah. that was not the idea. the idea was to bring - change and improvement. so i think one of the burning stuff is unemployment, - which is like a recurring thing. gender—based violence and also just this issue of mental health. - yeah, i believe a new change, and i'm hoping that the ruling party won't win, so that's why i'm voting... ..to change it. mthatha's anc representative told us that they had improved access to health, education and electricity services in their three decades in power, but it takes time. nelson mandela knew that south africa won't resolve all its problems over a short space of time, problems that were created over centuries. i'm sure where nelson mandela is, admits that we've committed mistakes here and there, but is definitely confident that we're still on the trajectory to achieve what he lived and died for. many are hoping these elections will herald a new political dawn for the country. whoever comes out on top, nelson mandela will for generations to come remain its guiding light. let's speak to our focus on africa presenter waihiga mwaur, who is coming to us live from south africa. interesting report that we saw there. the people in that report saying that they are disillusioned somewhat. what issues with the main factors that could decide the selection?— factors that could decide the selection? ~ .,, ., ., , selection? well, most of the voters that we spoke _ selection? well, most of the voters that we spoke to _ selection? well, most of the voters that we spoke to here _ selection? well, most of the voters that we spoke to here in _ selection? well, most of the voters that we spoke to here in mthatha, i that we spoke to here in mthatha, nelson mandela's homeland, so they will be voting with their wallets in the upcoming election which essentially means they will be voting for the party that best beliefs furthers their economic interests. that's a big talking point in the country at this time bearing in mind some of the stats i have been coming out. 32.9% unemployment rate is latest number. 44% of your people in this country don't have jobs and are not in school or training at this time. what are they doing with their time? that's a big question. in the society in the economy has been dubbed as a most unequal one according to world bank statistics. to percent of the country owns 80% of the well they are looking for a political party, some of the voters we spoke to, they could help change that. they also want to feel safe in their country. last year, stats and their country. last year, stats and the first three months showed that there was a murder every 20 minutes, and earlier this year it was said that on certain days or even 85 murders per day. and a lot of young people especially women are saying they don't feel safe and are concerned about gender—based violence and so much more. other voters was its about provisional services, access to water, access to reliable electricity amongst other factors will determine how they vote and the party that brings the best solution is a party they are likely to back. ~ , ., i. ~' solution is a party they are likely to back. ~ , ., i. ~ , solution is a party they are likely toback.~ , ~ , , to back. why do you think this is auoin to to back. why do you think this is going to go? _ to back. why do you think this is going to go? what _ to back. why do you think this is going to go? what outcome - to back. why do you think this is going to go? what outcome are| to back. why do you think this is . going to go? what outcome are you protecting and what are the polls saying? protecting and what are the polls sa in: ? ~ protecting and what are the polls sa in: ? . , protecting and what are the polls sa in? saying? well, the polls are saying that anc suoport _ saying? well, the polls are saying that anc support could _ saying? well, the polls are saying that anc support could drop. - saying? well, the polls are saying that anc support could drop. anc| that anc support could drop. anc typically has enjoyed a majority upon entry majority. back in 2004, that went up to about 70% but poster saying it could drop to about 40%. anc say it will be different on election day but what we also know in terms of scenarios is micro to get a majority again and that means it for the next government but need a coalition in the can implement their six—point strategy. but if they don't get the majority they will force to get into a coalition and if it's a coalition with one or two of the smaller parties, it may be similar to what we see right now because those parties may not have a really big demands but if they lose by a big really big demands but if they lose bya big margin in really big demands but if they lose by a big margin in terms of their majority, they may need to partner with a second or third or fourth large party in parliament and those parties could come in with bigger demands in those parties could demands in those parties could demand for a vice presidency or in demand for a vice presidency or in demand for a vice presidency or in demand for cabinet slots or even a change in the manifesto and direction in which the country is headed. fora direction in which the country is headed. for a lot of voters, they are saying that at a time like this when the country has gone through so many challenges, they want the government that's clear in his approach and they are worried that a coalition government could be disjointed and might be unable to tackle the many challenges that they have been facing over the last couple of years.— have been facing over the last couple of years. have been facing over the last coule of ears. ., ., ~ ., couple of years. good to talk to you live from south _ couple of years. good to talk to you live from south africa. _ couple of years. good to talk to you live from south africa. we - live from south africa. we look forward to seeing your further coverage of that upcoming vote. around the world and across the uk, this is bbc news. the united states is reviewing its ties with georgia after a controversial law which triggered mass protests was recently passed. those who've taken to the streets opposing the law argue it will stifle any dissent or criticism and is similar to an authoritarian measure in russia. the law requires non—governmental organisations and independent media which receive more than 20% of funds from foreign donors to register as organisations "bearing the interests of a foreign power". the georgian government says it's all about ensuring transparency, but us secretary of state antony blinken says visa restrictions are being introduced for people who had undermined georgia's democracy. the measures will target members of the governing georgian dream party which pushed through the bill. here's us secretary of state antony blinken speaking before the house committee on foreign affairs on the situation in georgia on wednesday. we're very concerned about the foreign agents law that was passed. i think it's right out of moscow's playbook, unfortunately. and i think it clearly counters the desire of the overwhelming majority of georgians to move toward the eu and eu integration. so we are looking very hard at what we can do in response to that, and i anticipate we will take actions. the eu is looking at the impact on the accession process for georgia, so i would anticipate that there'll be things to come because of the impact of this law may have. that was secretary of state speaking on wednesday about the ongoing situation in georgia. joining me now is temuri yakobashvili in washington, dc. he is the founder of the georgian foundation for strategic and international studies. he also served as former georgia ambassador to united states between 2011—2013. good to talk to you. there is but a lot going on of course of the moment since this law has come in. what do you make of this latest move from the us secretary of state?- you make of this latest move from the us secretary of state? thank you for havin: the us secretary of state? thank you for having me- _ the us secretary of state? thank you for having me. first _ the us secretary of state? thank you for having me. first of— the us secretary of state? thank you for having me. first of all— the us secretary of state? thank you for having me. first of all i _ the us secretary of state? thank you for having me. first of all i want - for having me. first of all i want to say— for having me. first of all i want to say that — for having me. first of all i want to say that the law itself, when it was introduced, it was a symptom that georgia is going in the wrong direction — that georgia is going in the wrong direction by an adaptation of the law. direction by an adaptation of the law it _ direction by an adaptation of the law it is — direction by an adaptation of the law. it is not only a symptom but already— law. it is not only a symptom but already diagnoses that georgia is going _ already diagnoses that georgia is going in— already diagnoses that georgia is going in the wrong direction. and by wrong _ going in the wrong direction. and by wrong i_ going in the wrong direction. and by wrong i mean in spite of the wide support— wrong i mean in spite of the wide sopport of— wrong i mean in spite of the wide support of euro atlantic integration that more — support of euro atlantic integration that more than 87% of georgian population supports. so what's happening now is the government itsett— happening now is the government itself out — happening now is the government itself put themselves by themselves outside _ itself put themselves by themselves outside of the constitutional realm and the _ outside of the constitutional realm and the constitutionality and legitimacy can be questioned. they sa , the legitimacy can be questioned. they say, the government _ legitimacy can be questioned. iia: say, the government says it legitimacy can be questioned. iiez1: say, the government says it is all about being more transparent and the organisations, ngos are independent media need to declare if they have more than 20% funding from foreign donors. why is there a problem with that then in essence? the donors. why is there a problem with that then in essence?— donors. why is there a problem with that then in essence? the problem is not with the — that then in essence? the problem is not with the transparency _ that then in essence? the problem is not with the transparency because i not with the transparency because all organisations that are funded by any international community, i mean it from _ any international community, i mean it from the _ any international community, i mean it from the west, or oblige by donors— it from the west, or oblige by donors to _ it from the west, or oblige by donors to declare and then only to declare _ donors to declare and then only to declare but— donors to declare and then only to declare but to submit also to auditing _ declare but to submit also to auditing on an annual basis and being _ auditing on an annual basis and being audited by the top five companies in the world. so if the government really wants to know who is getting _ government really wants to know who is getting what and how this money is getting what and how this money is spent, _ is getting what and how this money is spent, is — is getting what and how this money is spent, is there already. what we have _ is spent, is there already. what we have seen— is spent, is there already. what we have seen is— is spent, is there already. what we have seen is we have seen the attempts— have seen is we have seen the attempts to adopt the russian style legislation in a number of countries where _ legislation in a number of countries where russia still believes that they have leverage over the government. one of them would beat turkestan _ government. one of them would beat turkestan in _ government. one of them would beat turkestan in georgia the next. and we know— turkestan in georgia the next. and we know how this kind of wall would actually _ we know how this kind of wall would actually implement in it russia and other— actually implement in it russia and other places. it is a very... 101 pages, — other places. it is a very... 101 pages, you _ other places. it is a very... 101 pages, you know, study of this particular— pages, you know, study of this particular law in georgia's case law by the _ particular law in georgia's case law by the commission which it details how it _ by the commission which it details how it is _ by the commission which it details how it is not about transparency and how it is not about transparency and how it _ how it is not about transparency and how it is _ how it is not about transparency and how it is an— how it is not about transparency and how it is an oppressive measure. 30 how it is an oppressive measure. sc how it is an oppressive measure. how are you how it is an oppressive measure. sr how are you concerned about the can —— future of an evident media under this law then? 50 -- future of an evident media under this law then?— this law then? so because the government suffocated - this law then? so because the government suffocated the i this law then? so because the i government suffocated the domestic advertisement market, the media is barely— advertisement market, the media is barely surviving and by further controlling media and further squeezing the screws which is killed independent media in georgia and probably— independent media in georgia and probably is one of the aims of the government, to silence the opposition, silence opposition media and silence _ opposition, silence opposition media and silence opposition voices prior to the _ and silence opposition voices prior to the elections in october. gk, to the elections in october. 0k, “oininu to the elections in october. 0k, joining us _ to the elections in october. ok, joining us from _ to the elections in october. oil, joining us from washington, to the elections in october. ok joining us from washington, dc, thank you very much.— joining us from washington, dc, thank you very much. scientists have discovered an "earth—like" planet which could potentially support human life. although it's 40 light—years away, scientists say that's closer to us than most of the stars. the planet is thought to be only slightly smaller than earth, and once scientists probe the atmosphere, there's a chance they could find signs of life there! at the moment, we don't know, but we are on the cusp of being able to tell, because when we probe atmospheres, we can actually... like our atmosphere shows evidence of life — the abundance of oxygen produced by photosynthesis, methane produced by decaying living matter. those sorts of abundances, they are biomarker signatures, they're evidence of life on going on our planet, and we are capable now of being able to try and find those signatures in other nearby planets. well, that you have it. that's it for this hour on the contact. back after a short break with the panel are to stay with us and thanks for watching. hello. the bank holiday weekend is unlikely to be as wet overall as some of the weather we've seen over recent days. in fact, it does promise to bring some sunshine. today brought a bit of sunshine for some of us, but that isn't the whole story. there will also be some slow—moving, heavy, thundery downpours. now, as we head through the evening and tonight, the cloud that's been with us for the last few days will continue to break up. we may keep a bit more in the way of cloud, though, across parts of northern ireland, southern and south—western scotland, the odd spot of rain and drizzle here. and where we do see some clear spells, say across parts of england and wales, there'll be a few mist and fog patches. it will also turn really quite chilly, maybe down to three degrees in some rural parts of mid wales. and then as we head into tomorrow, well, this little weather system here will try to bring some rain into eastern counties. this front will eventually bring rain in towards the west in between early mist and murk, clearing to give some spells of sunshine and just one or two passing showers. but it does look like we'll see rain across east anglia, maybe fringing into other eastern counties of england. more cloud here as well. that will really take the edge off the temperatures, maybe just 15—16 degrees for some eastern coasts. conversely, the best of the sunshine, south—east england, northern scotland, 20—21 degrees. but we will see rain pushing into the south—west of england, parts of wales, eventually getting into parts of northern ireland as we go through the evening, through the night and into sunday. and through sunday, really these two separate weather systems will just break apart into a mixture of sunny spells and showers, but some of those showers will be heavy and thundery. the greatest chance of thunderstorms probably across england and wales, but you could catch a heavy downpour just about anywhere. those downpours quite slow—moving, so they could give a lot of rain in a short space of time. but conversely, some places will avoid the showers and stay dry. into bank holiday monday, the focus for the heaviest showers may shift just a little bit further northwards, parts of eastern and northern england up into scotland. not as many showers further west or particularly further south—west. a weak ridge of high pressure just briefly trying to build in across western areas. although it won't last long, we see further frontal systems pushing in from the west. so it does look quite unsettled through next week, but it won't be raining all the time. there will still be some spells of sunshine. hello, i'm rajini vaidyanathan. you're watching the context on bbc news. the court considers that, in conformity with obligations under the genocide convention, israel must immediately halt its military offensive and any other action in rafah. israel says it is acting precisely as it should, and it rejects this notion that what it is doing in rafah is somehow bolstering south africa's case. the convention is crystal clear on this issue, i so israel has to abide by the decisions and i the demands from the icj. on the panel tonight, i'm joined byjane merrick — policy editor at the i newspaper — and kurt bardella, political strategist and a contributor to news nation and the la times. first, the latest headlines. as campaigning ahead of the uk election continues, more than 100 sitting mps say they are standing down. more than 70 are from rishi sunak�*s conservatives — including michael gove and andrea leadsom. they have both tonight announced they are standing down. over 20 are from the opposition labour party — including harriet harman, and nine from the scottish national party. a united nations expert has warned that sudan's darfur region is at growing risk of genocide. the un's special adviser on the prevention of genocide