youngsters are actually some of the most economically active in the developed world. waving goodbye to the french open for what is likely to be the last time. the record 1a time champion in paris rafael nadal is knocked out in the opening round. good morning. rain is coming in from the south—west pushing north—east through the day. behind it we see a return to sunshine but some scattered showers. all of the details later. it's tuesday, the 28th of may. the conservatives have promised to raise the tax—free pension allowance if they win the general election. they say the proposal would be worth £275 a year to each pensioner by 2030. under the plans, the state pension would always remain below the tax—free threshold. rishi sunak says the scheme shows the conservatives are on the side of pensioners but labour have called it "desperate". 0ur political correspondent, ben wright, has the details. what do you love about it? there's one particular reason politicians like to present themselves as the pensioners�* friend — older people tend to go out and vote. in recent years, the state pension has been protected, rising in line with earnings, wages, or by 2.5% — whichever is the highest. it's called the triple lock, and the conservatives, labour, and lib dems are committed to keeping it. but now, rishi sunak has promised to raise the pensioners�* tax—free personal allowance in the same way. mr sunak said he believes... ..and claimed... the conservatives say the policy would amount to a tax cut for pensioners of almost £300 a year by the end of the next parliament. why? because the government has frozen income tax thresholds since 2021. that has meant more pensioners with income are being dragged into paying tax. and by 2027, the state pension is forecast to be higher than the personal allowance — so millions more pensioners are set to pay tax. the tories�* new plan, using the same formula as the triple lock, would mean the pensioners�* tax—free allowance would always be higher than the level of the state pension. the government had told us that they were going to freeze tax thresholds, rather than increase them in line with inflation. now we hear that pensioners are not only going to get an inflation increase in their allowance, they�*re going to get a triple—locked increase — that�*s more generous than inflation. so, about half of the giveaway that the conservatives announced in this package is actuallyjust not doing that tax rise, not doing the freeze that they previously told us about for the pensioner population. the other half is going further, being more generous than inflation indexing, and will benefit pensioners and cut their taxes in the next parliament. the conservatives claim this policy would cost almost £2.5 billion. a year by 2030 — funded, it says, by a clampdown on tax avoidance and evasion. how are you doing, you all right? labour pointed out the old—age related personal allowance was scrapped by the former tory chancellor george osborne, and accused the conservatives of making another uncosted spending commitment. but labour hasn�*t said if it will match this policy or not. ben wright, bbc news. the conservatives�* announcement comes as dozens of business leaders have signed a letter endorsing labour�*s plans for the economy. we will hear from both parties we will hear from both parties on we will hear from both parties on the programme this morning. 0ur political correspondent, nick eardley, joins us from westminster. it is interesting, isn�*t it? it feels like the dividing lines of this campaign are becoming clearer by the day. this campaign are becoming clearer btheda. , ~' this campaign are becoming clearer btheda. , by the day. absolutely, i think you are bang on _ by the day. absolutely, i think you are bang on the _ by the day. absolutely, i think you are bang on the money _ by the day. absolutely, i think you are bang on the money there, - by the day. absolutely, i think you i are bang on the money there, jon. are bang on the money there, jon. what this is this morning is 121 people from the business world, past and present, senior executives, saying, we think labour are onto something. they are backing the idea of labour �*s key word for the election of change and saying, they believe labour that it has a pretty good message of what they call fiscal stability and long—term growth. the reason this really matters is because labour are parking their tank on the conservatives�* lord. the conservatives�* lord. the conservatives have always tried to be the party that business are most comfortable with. labour are trying to steal that and say they have changed the party and they think business trusts them. the shadow chancellor rachel reeves will be doing a speech today where she is going to talk about delivering growth, and she�*s going to be aiming that message at business leaders. it's that message at business leaders. it�*s all about trying to make the electorate a bit more comfortable with the idea of potentially voting labour. if you have got a sense of deja vu, you are not the only one. these letters often happen in general election campaigns. cast your mind back to 2015, but then, it was the conservatives who were getting the backing of 100 business leaders. 0ne getting the backing of 100 business leaders. one of them, richard walker from iceland, who backed conservatives in that letter in 2015, has assigned this labour backing letter today. the conservative say we have got an economic plan to give business stability but this absolutely shows that one of the big battle is over the next five weeks is going to be being seen as the party trusted on the academy are trusted by business. deja vu all over again. thank you, nick. �* ., ., nick. -- the battle over the next five weeks _ nick. -- the battle over the next five weeks is _ nick. -- the battle over the next five weeks is going _ nick. -- the battle over the next five weeks is going to _ nick. -- the battle over the next five weeks is going to be - nick. -- the battle over the next five weeks is going to be being i nick. -- the battle over the next. five weeks is going to be being seen as the party trusted on the economy. the un security council will hold an emergency meeting today to discuss an israeli air strike which killed more than 45 displaced palestinians in rafah. israeli prime minister benjamin netanyahu vowed to continue the war against hamas amid international condemnation after the attack, which he described as a "tragic mishap". 0ur north america correspondent peter bowes has the details. this closed—door emergency meeting of the security council which has been called by and has going to take place later today reflect the growing international and these, the growing international and these, the growing international and these, the growing international outcry about the strike that has happened in rafah on sunday. strike that occurred just hours after hamas launched its first missile attack on tel aviv in several months. we have heard in the last few hours from benjamin netanyahu, the israeli prime minister, saying that what happened was a tragic mishap, and that there would be a thorough investigation, but insisting that the war against hamas will continue. it is continuing with the backdrop of major international figures speaking out about what happened on sunday. we have heard from the un secretary—general antonio guterres said the situation in rafah was a horror that had to stop. he said that people, innocent civilians, displaced palestinians, had been killed. according to the hamas run health ministry there, we understand that at least 45 people were killed, others severely injured with burns, fractured and shrapnel wounds. we have also heard from a spokesperson at the white house saying the images from sunday were heartbreaking, but that israel had a right to defend itself. also adding that according to the spokesman, israel must take every precaution possible to protect civilians. a teenage boy arrested in connection with a fatal stabbing on a beach in bournemouth has been released without charge. the 34—year—old victim, named locally as amie gray, died at the scene on friday night. 0ur correspondent duncan kennedy has more. the death of the 34—year—old woman has been traumatic for some people — including this group, who gathered on bournemouth beach. the woman has been named locally as amie gray. she was 34 and from poole. friends from the football team she coached said they were utterly devastated by her death. the incident has literally divided the beach here in two — from one side where thousands of people have been enjoying the sun, to the other side, deserted and sealed off by police as they investigate what happened on friday night. officers have been working along the beach in their efforts to gather evidence in what dorset police have described as a very sad incident. dorset police say a 17—year—old boy who was arrested on suspicion of murder on saturday morning has now been released without charge. they say he�*s been eliminated from their inquiries. police have also released these cctv images of a male who they describe as a suspect. they�*ve asked the public to come forward with information. a 38—year—old woman who was stabbed in the same incident remains in hospital in a serious condition. duncan kennedy, bbc news, in bournemouth. almost 8,000 people are at risk of further landslides in papua new guinea as searches continue for 2,000 people believed to have been buried in a village in the enga province. rescuers have been struggling to respond after a mountainside collapsed in the rural region on friday, hundreds of miles from the capital, port moresby. desperate attempts to help survivors or remove bodies from the rubble have so far been hindered by huge amounts of debris, blocked transport links and a lack of adequate equipment. prosecutors and defence lawyers in the criminal trial of donald trump will present their closing arguments in new york today. the former us president faces 34 charges of falsifying business records, in connection with a payment to an adult movie star before the 2016 election. mr trump denies covering up a payment to stormy daniels, which prosecutors say was an attempt to silence her about their alleged affair. the raf has temporarily grounded the battle of britain memorial flight following the death of a pilot. squadron leader mark long was killed when his spitfire crashed in a field near raf coningsby on saturday. natalie bell reports. a minute�*s silence in memory of raf pilot squadron leader mark long. the tribute took place at the lincolnshire aviation heritage centre in east kirkby. there were aircraft on display, but the battle of britain memorial fly—past was cancelled, following saturday�*s tragic events. for the whole warbird community and those that are trying to protect vintage aviation, it�*s really shocked everybody, and to lose somebody so well known, as well, and liked in the vintage aviation theatre, if you like — it�*s had a big effect on a lot of people on the site. and a lot of the visitors, you can tell they know about it and have been affected by it, as well. squadron leader long was described as a passionate, professional aviator. he�*d flown typhoons, and for the last four years had been a pilot with the battle of britain memorial flight. the raf said he will be sorely missed by all of his friends and colleagues. he died at the weekend when his aircraft crashed close to raf coningsby. while investigations continue, the raf has grounded its battle of britain memorial flight. meanwhile, outside the raf in coningsby, floral tributes continue to be laid, with people from outside the county coming to pay their respects to a much—loved pilot who lost his life doing the job he loved. natalie bell reporting. preparations are under way at major channel crossing points for a new automated it system due to start this october, despite fears of queue chaos for holiday—makers. under the entry exit system, non—eu nationals will have to register biometric information, such as a fingerprint. the travel authorisation will remain valid for three years. it�*s a peculiar tradition that�*s built quite the international fan base. this year�*s gloucestershire cheese rolling event saw people from across the world gather as competitors raced down a steep hill in pursuit of a wheel of cheese. it�*s dramatic and dangerous and our reporter, jules hyam, was there to watch. it�*s free to enter and you could win a cheese. we are under way in the gloucestershire cheese roll 2024! it�*s a 100 yard race, but down a very steep hill, all while chasing a traditional double gloucester that can reach more than 70 miles an hour. rolls over the line. the man in the hi—vis jacket looked good from the very first second. look at this event, look at this hill! england is mad, i love it, i love it. how did you feel now you�*ve won, what does that mean to you? i'm buzzing, i'm buzzing. it's like you start and then the adrenaline takes over. and then you just go, go, go. sliding on his backside where others have already started to tumble... you can do an alphabet of adjectives to describe the cheese roll. a for absurd, b for bonkers, c for chaotic, dfor...well, dangerous. but t is for tradition and one that everyone here at cooper�*s hill is very proud of. it�*s just a good thing for the community. there�*s loads of us out. i don�*t even know the people who set up beforehand and everyone plays a part, like, you know. each race is unique. but this year one was very unusual. and they all false start, we�*ve got a false start! now, what happens now? because once the momentum starts, how do you stop? the runners went. the cheese didn�*t, though. incredible scenes, they are not even chasing a cheese! it�*s more than national, it is international with visitors and competitors from right around the world. well, two years ago i seen the video on netflix and on youtube and i heard and when i see that thing, when the people going down, ijust... the first thing, it's me, it'sjust for me. and i wanted to take part this year and i want... i think i'm going to win it. well, he didn�*t, but this guy did, claiming the last race of the day for gloucestershire. he got in front of me, i thought, i�*ve got to pick this up, i got to bring it home for gloucester. last one standing, i�*ve got to bring it home. it's probably the steepest hill i've ever seen in england, actually. can you believe that people run down it and chase a cheese? no! it may be unbelievable, but it is true. jules hyam, bbc news. no, no, i have not. best line of sorts no, no, i have not. best line of sports commentary, _ no, no, i have not. best line of sports commentary, they - no, no, i have not. best line of sports commentary, they are l no, no, i have not. best line of. sports commentary, they are not no, no, i have not. best line of- sports commentary, they are not even chasing a cheese!— chasing a cheese! absolutely bonkers. and _ chasing a cheese! absolutely bonkers. and that _ chasing a cheese! absolutely bonkers. and that is - chasing a cheese! absolutely bonkers. and that is not - chasing a cheese! absolutely bonkers. and that is not the | chasing a cheese! absolutely - bonkers. and that is not the only thing that we have all been up to over the bank holiday weekend. about 20 miles from the cheese rolling event in gloucester, look at this! i don�*t think we will be doing this either. fist i don't think we will be doing this either. �* . ., i don't think we will be doing this either. �* .., . ~ ., either. at me coming back from the sunermarket- _ either. at me coming back from the supermarket. that _ either. at me coming back from the supermarket. that is _ either. at me coming back from the supermarket. that is quite - either. at me coming back from the supermarket. that is quite a - either. at me coming back from the supermarket. that is quite a sack i either. at me coming back from the j supermarket. that is quite a sack of suds. competitors in tetbury were also getting a sweat on by running 256 metres up and down a steep hill, carrying heavy sacks of wool — some of them weighing up to 60 pounds. the woolsack race hasn�*t been held in the town for the past four years because of the pandemic but the tradition dates back to the 17th century. it now looks like some kind of trendy boot camp!— it now looks like some kind of trendy boot camp! where is their urills? m trendy boot camp! where is their grills? my neck— trendy boot camp! where is their grills? my neck of— trendy boot camp! where is their grills? my neck of the _ trendy boot camp! where is their grills? my neck of the woods - trendy boot camp! where is their grills? my neck of the woods is i grills? my neck of the woods is bonkers. the west country! you have said that on — bonkers. the west country! you have said that on television _ bonkers. the west country! you have said that on television now, - bonkers. the west country! you have said that on television now, but - bonkers. the west country! you have said that on television now, but you | said that on television now, but you live there and love it. it�*s live there and love it. it's completely _ live there and love it. it's completely true. - live there and love it. it's completely true. what a bank holiday it was. here�*s carol with the weather. no carrying heavy wool slacks or chasing cheese over the weekend? no, i had a very sedate weekend! good morning. it is a cloudy start for most of us, and we have rain sweeping north—east today. it for most of us, and we have rain sweeping north-east today. it came throu~h sweeping north-east today. it came through northern _ sweeping north-east today. it came through northern ireland, _ sweeping north-east today. it came through northern ireland, wales, . sweeping north-east today. it came i through northern ireland, wales, the south—western channel islands and it is pushing north—east, with showers ahead of it. a relatively bright start in eastern areas. that will not last because as the rain comes through, the cloud will accompany it and we have murky conditions to start the day in the south—west, with quite poor visibility. as the rain pushes towards the north—east, behind it it should brighten up, sunshine and showers around, some in northern ireland could be slow—moving with the odd rumble of thunder as well. this rain is falling on already sensitive areas to further rain. the driest conditions will be across the north—east of scotland and temperatures today in any sunshine 14-17. temperatures today in any sunshine 14—17. through the evening and overnight, the weather front producing the rain clears off into the north sea, there will be showers left behind, some could be heavy across northern england, some clear skies, not particularly cold, so tomorrow we are looking at a mixture of bright spells, sunshine and showers, the most frequent in eastern areas. here they could be heavy potentially thundery, and these are the temperatures. 14—19. if you like your weather drier and warmer, this weekend high pressure will take over and things should settle down, at the moment that is how it is looking. thank you, we believe you! great weather for cheese rolling. let�*s take a look at this morning�*s front pages. the times says it has received a letterfrom 120 business leaders endorsing labour. in the letter, executives say the election represents "the chance to change the country". it�*s rishi sunak�*s pledge to boost the state pension that leads the front of the daily express. the paper says mr sunak will give pensioners a £100 tax cut next year by raising their personal allowance. the prim