of course it causes moments of reflection because you look at it and go, "that's completely wrong," because somebody's told me to put a statement through like that. most key nhs targets have been missed for at least seven years in hospitals across the uk. claims at the international court ofjustice in the hague that israel's military offensive in gaza amounts to genocide. i, ross... take thee, emily. take thee, rachel... and up for sale — the script from this famous episode of the tv sitcom friends, which was rescued from a rubbish bin in london. coming up on bbc news the former england boss sven—goran eriksson says he has a year to live after

being diagnosed with terminal cancer, but he says he will resist it for as long as he can. good afternoon. the public inquiry into the post office it scandal has been hearing from the investigator who's work led to criminal prosecutions of some sub—postmasters and postmistresses. yesterday, the government announced plans for a new law to exonerate and compensate hundreds of post office staff wrongly accused because of the faulty horizon it system. well, this morning, this man — post office investigator stephen bradshaw — told the public inquiry he hadn't known there was anything wrong with the horizon system. and he denied a claim that he and other investigators behaved like mafia gangsters using threats and lies to collect their bounty. ben boulos reports.

it's a big day forjanet skinner, a former sub—postmistress wrongly convicted and jailed for theft in 2007 but later cleared. it convicted and jailed for theft in 2007 but later cleared.- 2007 but later cleared. it has impacted _ 2007 but later cleared. it has impacted everything, - 2007 but later cleared. it has impacted everything, this - 2007 but later cleared. it hasj impacted everything, this has controlled my life since 2006. i was employed by the post office in 1994, so they've had the best part of 30 years of my life. i so they've had the best part of 30 years of my life-— years of my life. i swear by almighty god... _ years of my life. i swear by almighty god... and - years of my life. i swear by almighty god... and it - years of my life. i swear by almighty god... and it is i years of my life. i swear by i almighty god... and it is this years of my life. i swear by - almighty god... and it is this meant she is here — almighty god... and it is this meant she is here to _ almighty god... and it is this meant she is here to see, _ almighty god... and it is this meant she is here to see, stephen - she is here to see, stephen bradshaw, whose investigation but janet behind bars, himself being interrogated. you janet behind bars, himself being interrogated.— janet behind bars, himself being interrogated. you are at the post office in a _ interrogated. you are at the post office in a significant _ interrogated. you are at the post office in a significant role - interrogated. you are at the post office in a significant role during | office in a significant role during the group — office in a significant role during the group litigation, _ office in a significant role during the group litigation, during - the group litigation, during the court _ the group litigation, during the court of appeal _ the group litigation, during the court of appeal proceedings. l court of appeal proceedings. throughout— court of appeal proceedings. throughout this _ court of appeal proceedings. throughout this inquiry - court of appeal proceedings. throughout this inquiry and i court of appeal proceedings. . throughout this inquiry and you didn'i_ throughout this inquiry and you didn't think— throughout this inquiry and you didn't think back— throughout this inquiry and you didn't think back and _ throughout this inquiry and you didn't think back and perhaps . throughout this inquiry and you - didn't think back and perhaps regret having _ didn't think back and perhaps regret having submitted _ didn't think back and perhaps regret having submitted a _ didn't think back and perhaps regret having submitted a witness - didn't think back and perhaps regret . having submitted a witness statement

such as _ having submitted a witness statement such as this_ having submitted a witness statement such as this in— having submitted a witness statement such as this in criminal _ such as this in criminal proceedings? - such as this in criminal proceedings?— such as this in criminal ”roceedins? ~ , �* , proceedings? with hindsight it's re . rettable proceedings? with hindsight it's regrettable that _ proceedings? with hindsight it's regrettable that statement - proceedings? with hindsight it'sj regrettable that statement went through as though it is my words which is not correct. it through as though it is my words which is not correct.— which is not correct. it hasn't caused you — which is not correct. it hasn't caused you any _ which is not correct. it hasn't caused you any moment - which is not correct. it hasn't caused you any moment of i which is not correct. it hasn't - caused you any moment of reflection? of course _ caused you any moment of reflection? of course because _ caused you any moment of reflection? of course because you _ caused you any moment of reflection? of course because you look _ caused you any moment of reflection? of course because you look at - caused you any moment of reflection? of course because you look at it - caused you any moment of reflection? of course because you look at it and l of course because you look at it and 9°r of course because you look at it and go, it's wrong. of course because you look at it and go. it's wrong-— go, it's wrong. stephen bradshaw is art of the go, it's wrong. stephen bradshaw is part of the post _ go, it's wrong. stephen bradshaw is part of the post office _ part of the post office investigation team whose work led to the convictions of more than 700 sub—postmaster �*s. remember at the heart of it is one of very simple aim, to get to the truth about what happened and why the post office pursued hundreds of innocent people over two decades, leading to convictions for crimes they didn't commit. i convictions for crimes they didn't commit. . �* ., . ., , commit. i haven't got that money! the itv commit. i haven't got that money! the "v drama _ commit. i haven't got that money! the itv drama has _ commit. i haven't got that money! the itv drama has prompted - commit. i haven't got that money! . the itv drama has prompted renewed public outrage over the scandal but it began in 1999 when fujitsu's

faulty computer system was installed. , , ., faulty computer system was installed-— installed. this is one of the greatest — installed. this is one of the greatest miscarriages - installed. this is one of the greatest miscarriages of. installed. this is one of the - greatest miscarriages ofjustice in our nations history. it greatest miscarriages of 'ustice in our nations history._ our nations history. it was only this week. _ our nations history. it was only this week, almost _ our nations history. it was only this week, almost a _ our nations history. it was only this week, almost a quarter. our nations history. it was only this week, almost a quarter of| our nations history. it was only | this week, almost a quarter of a century later, but the government promised all the convictions since then would be overturned. as the inquiry resumed, the victims hope it will give them the truth about what happened to them and why but they won't get those answers until it concludes early next year. ben boulos, bbc news. live now to our business correspondent, emma simpson, who's outside of the inquiry. tell us more about the evidence at the inquiry this morning. yes, i think what ben mentioned in his report was one of the most striking thing is we have heard this morning, is that stephen bradshaw gave this statement in a criminal trial as a witness, saying horizon was a robust but it wasn't his

words, hejust signed it was a robust but it wasn't his words, he just signed it off, was a robust but it wasn't his words, hejust signed it off, no questions asked and the chair had said to him, are you saying a statement of this form was probably made on other occasions? yes, he replied. also, the whole aspect of documents being disclosed to defence teams has been a big theme throughout. how the disclosure failed on the evidence and bugs and errors that were running right through all these prosecutions. stephen bradshaw said he had signed off on disclosure documents for another case but actually he didn't liaise with his criminal team that these documents had been passed on. and this sort of evidence all feeds into this growing picture emerging of concerns about the competence and the conduct of the investigations and the prosecutions that have been going on for so long. it's clearly troubling because the horizon

compensation advisory board cited concerns coming out of this inquiry is one of the reasons for the mass acquittals. as this inquiry is slowlyjoining the dots. acquittals. as this inquiry is slowly joining the dots. slowly 'oining the dots. thank you, emma slowly joining the dots. thank you, emma simpson. _ throughout this week, we've been hearing from many of the sub—postmasters and sub—postmistresses who were wrongly prosecuted by the post office because of that faulty it system. among them, is hashmukh shingadia. his post office, in bucklebury in berkshire, was used by the princess of wales when she was growing up nearby — and he even got an invitation to her wedding. but his life was torn apart after he was prosecuted, as john maguire explains. spend any time in hasmukh shingadia's village shop in berkshire and, like hundreds of other former postmasters up and down the uk, you understand why they're called a pillar of the community. special treat. exactly. how are the girls?

they're fine, thank you. in common with those hundreds, he was also accused of theft and hounded by the post office after accounting failures with the malfunctioning horizon computer system. they were dark days. it was hard, really, really hard, we went through some really bad times. there were times i had suicidal thoughts. what kept you going? what kept you fighting? the fighting was to prove myself right at some point and also for the sake of my family. the princess of wales was brought up here. hash and his wife were invited to william and kate's wedding. the family were among those who supported him. others, though, turned their backs. not only the community but also members of my own family as well. but luckily there were other people who stood by me, especially a very good friend of mine who went round to get some petitions signed, which were then presented to the court at the time of my conviction and the judge was impressed. he said he'd never seen that before.

he said it would be a crime to send me to prison. hash had been a magistrate but was in the dock himself, accused of stealing money from the post office. he was given a suspended sentence and ordered to do almost 200 hours of community service. that conviction was overturned nine years later. the village shop is, of course, no longer a post office and his customers are fully aware of what he's been through. we had a party when the conviction was overturned, there was a big party and celebrations here in the shop, so, yeah, it's been really, really awful for all involved. misfortune for them but hopefully the government will sort it out. and get their money back. now, if you re—declare everything, it'll balance, ok? this is so helpful, thank you. don't go away, stay with me till i've done it. apologies, exoneration, compensation, although decades late, are all welcome, but as the itv

drama highlights, hash says what remains is the search for properjustice and ultimately, the truth. john maguire, bbc news, berkshire. and you can see further coverage of the post office inquiry on the bbc news channel and online at bbc.co.uk/news the nhs has missed almost all of its key waiting list targets for at least seven years, according to analysis seen by the bbc. the targets are for waits across the uk in a&e, cancer care and for planned hospital care. all four uk nations say plans are in place to improve performance. our health correspondent, sophie hutchinson, has this report. for years now, right across the uk, nhs performance has been deteriorating, failing to meet key targets aimed at saving lives and

instead putting patients at risk. one such target is for cancer treatment to begin. it's meant to be a maximum of 62 days, roughly two months, but ian binn's waited four months. by the time he started chemotherapy, his stage i cancer had become stage iv. he told me the wait for treatment was easily the worst time in his life. i'd wake up every morning wondering if i had a future, wondering that every day the cancer would be advancing within me. strangely enough, when it got to about three and a half months, i became almost resolved in thinking, this is too late, nothing good is going to happen to you now, which was the case, the scan had shown it had spread. bbc analysis has found the vast majority of the key nhs targets have been missed for seven years or more. it looked at maximum waits for cancer treatment to begin — last hit in england in 2015 —

for general hospital treatment — last hit in scotland in 2014 — and the four hour a&e wait which has never been hit in northern ireland and wales. i describe these targets as totemic because they are a key barometer of how the nhs overall is performing. these were the markets that for the best part of 20 years have been used to measure is the nhs doing well. we are talking about how long you wait to find out if you have cancer, how long you need to wait for life changing operations and the fact that they have been failled up and down the country for so long really should be a wake—up call. combined, the targets have been missed for more than 100 years across all four nations. governments in england, wales, scotland and northern ireland said they are investing in staff and equipment to reduce the waits. sophie hutchinson, bbc news. and our health correspondent nick triggle is with me now. it isa it is a grim picture but today we've had some figures in on waiting times

from nhs england. any indications things are getting better? there has been an improvement _ things are getting better? there has been an improvement but _ things are getting better? there has been an improvement but it - things are getting better? there has been an improvement but it is - been an improvement but it is slight. what we are seeing is a stabilisation of performance, that's because over the last ten years we have seen performance across a range of indicators worsening. certainly that was exacerbated by the pandemic. that appears to have stopped. a&e waiting times are better than they were this time last year. the waiting lists for hospital treatments such as knee and hip replacements has fallen for the second month in a row but we need to keep these improvements in context. the emergency care system is still on track for its second worst winter since records began. the rating lists are twice as high as when the targets were last met seven, ten years ago. the government is

investing more and the numbers of staff employed are also rising but most experts are agreed that even more has to be invested in the nhs if they are to get back to the waiting time targets that were once routine. . ~ , ., and you can find out what nhs waiting times are like in your area by visiting bbc.co.uk/nhstracker — where you can simply put in your postcode for the details. researchers at oxford university say the death—rate among pregnant women and new mothers rose during the pandemic, to its highest level in nearly two decades. thrombosis, or blood clots in the veins, was the most common cause of death, with heart disease and poor mental health also common. the department of health says, "last year, nhs england published a three—year plan to make maternity and neonatal care safer and more equitable". the international court

ofjustice in the hague is considering whether israel has engaged in "genocidal acts" in gaza. the case has been brought by south africa. its lawyers will urge judges to order israel to "immediately suspend" its military operations. but israel's president has described the case as "atrocious" and "preposterous". here's our diplomatic correspondent, paul adams. for three months the world has looked on in horror at the scenes from gaza, the huge numbers of palestinian civilians killed orforced to move, the shear level of destruction. south africa says this is evidence of genocide. israel says that's an outrageous accusation. according to a 1948 convention, genocide is a crime committed with the intent to destroy a national, ethnic, racial or religious group in whole or in part. that, south africa says, is what israel is doing in gaza. just look at the statistics.

israel has killed more than 23,000 palestinians. more than 300,000 housing units have been damaged or destroyed and around 85% of the population has been displaced. there is no place in gaza that is safe. we've seen the number of people that israel has killed, but notjust killed and wounded, but they've destroyed the infrastructure and made it so that life in gaza is no longer possible. then there's the question of israel's intent. look at what israeli politicians have been saying since october 7th. israel's president, "it's an entire nation out there that's responsible." its hard—line minister for national security, "they are all terrorists and they should also be destroyed." and the deputy speaker of parliament, "we all have one common goal, erasing the gaza strip from the face of the earth." but can any of this can be said to be proof of genocide?

remember, this is not just about war crimes. genocide is notoriously difficult to prove. you have to have evidence of a plan or a pattern of behaviour that cannot be explained in any other way. israel will argue that it was acting in self—defence following the dreadful hamas attacks of october 7th, that it had no choice but to act. they're still motivated, israel would argue presumably on the basis of its military campaign, so even if they have gone beyond what the law permits them to do in a military campaign, it is still driven by the logic of the military campaign and not by a genocidal logic. it will take the court years to reach a final verdict but if it thinks the south african case has some merit, it could issue a temporary remedy known as a provisional measure, designed to curb israel's military campaign. israel could, of course, ignore the court ruling but such calls from the un's top legal body

could add to the pressure mounting on israel to act differently in gaza. paul adams, bbc news. and we can go live now to our correspondent, anna holligan, who's at the hague. anna, what's the latest from the court? well, this feels like a significant moment which could significantly alter the course of this conflict. you can see behind me the south african team giving a statement, jeremy corbyn is among them here, there are supporters of the palestinian cause. what we've heard today, in court from south africa, they've accused israel of violating they've accused israel of violating the genocide convention and pointing to what they said is evidence of deliberate attempts to displace a huge swathes of the population, the military bombardment, but also what they described as a slow motion

death, starvation, dehydration, lack of access to medical care, and as you heard, statements which said africa says our evidence of israel's genocidal intent, statements by israeli officials, also we saw video from idf forces operating in gaza. what we are seeing here, you know, this court doesn't have the power, it's important to remember to stop the war, but any decision against israel could significantly alter the cause of the —— course of the conflict and have a big political impact. this case has given us a glimpse into how some parts of the well see the conflict and as we have seen outside court, the protesters on both sides, supporters of israel the people in gaza, the un's highest court is increasingly perceived as a place, a forum, that can allow countries to exert some form of influence. countries to exert some form of influence-— countries to exert some form of influence. �* . ., . . ~ , ., influence. anna holligan, thank you,

influence. anna holligan, thank you, in the hague- _ the un security council has approved a resolution demanding an immediate end to attacks on ships in the red sea by iran—backed houthi rebels in yemen. the uk and the us have sent naval vessels to the red sea to repel the attacks and protect commercial vessels. both countries have warned of further consequences if the attacks continue. the houthis say their drone and missile strikes are in support of palestinians in gaza. the time is 1.19. our top story this afternoon... the public inquiry into the post office scandal hears evidence from an investigator, whose work led to the prosecution of some of the sub—postmasters who were wrongly accused. from an underground forest to spectacular orchids, scientists say they've discovered 74 new mysterious plants and fungi over the last year. coming up on bbc news, andy farrell will be the english

and irish lions head coach for their tour of australia in 2025. the englishman, who is currently in charge of ireland, will succeed warren gatland, having previously been his assistant the race to be the next president of the united states is hotting up, with the primary season about to start in the state of iowa, when republican party supporters will begin selecting their candidate for the white house. donald trump dominates in the polls, but so far he's refused to take part in the televised debates. last night though, his two closest rivals, nikki haley and ron desantis, did appear in front of the cameras to try to tempt voters away from mr trump. from washington, will vernon reports. please welcome florida governor ron desantis. cheering and applause. it should have been the top three candidates taking the stage. south carolina governor... but donald trump has refused to take part in the debates,

claiming his huge lead in the polls means he doesn't need to. former newjersey governor chris christie... so it was down to just two — nikki haley and ron desantis, in a last—ditch attempt to win over iowans. but viewers had to wait an hour and a half before there was any real discussion of donald trump and his efforts to overturn the presidential election result three years ago. that election, trump lost it. biden won that election. i think what happened onjanuary sixth was a terrible day and i think president trump will have to answerfor it. i think there's a larger issue republicans have got to think of. donald trump's going to lose that appeal, he's going to end up going to trial in front of a stacked left—wing dcjury of all democrats. i don't think he gets through that and so what are we going to do as republicans in terms of who we nominate for president? cheering and applause. donald trump's lead in this race is astonishing. around 62% of all republicans

plan to support him. the former president held his own event in iowa last night, brushing off any suggestion that his republican rivals pose a threat. mr trump still faces over 90 criminal charges in four separate cases. last year, his rating increased with each new indictment. and no one would tell- the truth about donald trump. and here's one less opponent mr trump has to worry about — former newjersey governor chris christie, the self—styled anti—trump candidate, has pulled out of the race. in a speech, christie attacked the other nominees for refusing to condemn trump outright. i want to promise you this. i am going to make sure that no way do i enable donald trump _ to ever be president - of the united states again. the former president appears to believe he's already won and with such a commanding lead

in the polls, some here think he may be right. will vernon, bbc news, washington. the former manager of the england men's football team, sven—goran eriksson, says he has only a year to live after being diagnosed with cancer. the 75—year—old swede was the first foreign coach to manage england and led the side to three consecutive major tournament quarter—finals between 2002 and 2006. he's been talking about his diagnosis. i live at home and i have friends here and christmas, new year, the whole family was here, a lot of people. and i'm going out, i try to exercise as much as possible, which is less of course than it was one year ago. but i have a normal life and when you get a message like that i think you appreciate every day

and you take...you are happy when you wake up in the morning and you feel ok. sven—goran eriksson. it's one of the most memorable moments from the tv sitcom friends, and probably one of the most awkward — when ross accidentally says rachel's name at his wedding. now, the script from that episode and the one that follows are going up for auction after being found in a rubbish bin at a tv studio in london. jo black reports. i, ross... take thee, emily... take thee, rachel... it's arguably one of the most famous scenes from the sitcom, friends, and was the finale of season four. ross's wedding to british fiance emily was spread across two episodes and gripped millions because of his on off relationship with rachel.

messing up his vow was. tiara on off relationship with rachel. messing up his vow was. two friend's scri ts. messing up his vow was. two friend's scripts- many — messing up his vow was. two friend's scripts- many of _ messing up his vow was. two friend's scripts. many of the _ messing up his vow was. two friend's scripts. many of the scenes _ messing up his vow was. two friend's scripts. many of the scenes were - scripts. many of the scenes were filmed in london _ scripts. many of the scenes were filmed in london and _ scripts. many of the scenes were filmed in london and now- scripts. many of the scenes were filmed in london and now scriptsj scripts. many of the scenes were i filmed in london and now scripts for those episodes have been discovered 25 years later and are being auctioned tomorrow. the auction house has these scripts with a guide price of between £600 and £800, but who knows where the hammer will fall. ., , , something else and she said at the end of the conversation, i've got a couple of friends scripts, do you think they'll sell? i said, yes, bring them in, i love friends. she walked in the studios —— she worked in the studios, she found them in a bin, picked them up, took them home and they've been in her drawerfor 25 years and the great thing about these scripts is that the cast and crew were told to destroy them so the ending would not be leaked and they are here and we've salvaged them so i don't know how many are available but we have some and it's

exciting. this available but we have some and it's excitina. �* , . , available but we have some and it's excitin.. �* , . , , exciting. as well as the friends cast, the exciting. as well as the friends cast. the use — exciting. as well as the friends cast, the use uk _ exciting. as well as the friends cast, the use uk episodes - exciting. as well as the friends cast, the use uk episodes also | cast, the use uk episodes also featured some home—grown famous faces, like hugh laurie, jennifer saunders and even sarah ferguson. friends entertained millions in the 90s and early notice but streaming services mean it's recently been rediscovered by a younger generation and there may be renewed interest in this lot because of the recent death of matthew perry, who played chandler. the auction starts tomorrow and lot 272 could become the one where the iconic scripts recovered from the bin find a new home. jo black, bbc news, in hertfordshire. from an underground forest to spectacular orchids, scientists say they've discovered 74 new mysterious plants and fungi over the last year. many were found in unlikely places. this new plant from mozambique has sticky hairs, possibly for trapping insects.

very little is known about this lichen surviving on the icy barren landscape of antarctica — and it is devoid of flowering plants. only small parts of these trees are visible, such as flowers. that's because they live almost entirely underground, beneath the kalahari sands in central africa. and this orchid was found on the summit of an extinct volcano on an indonesian island. you can have a look at some of the plants that have been discovered via bbc news online. now, your latest weather forecast is coming up injust a moment, but first let me tell you it's actually 70 years since the very first weather forecast was broadcast on bbc television. it all started with hand—drawn maps — a far cry from today's satellite technology and computer graphics. well, our very own weather presenter matt taylor looks back now on how it all began.

george cowling was the first meteorologist to step in front of the camera and along with tom clifton, who he shared presenting duties with, brought a slightly more informal approach to the forecast. we'd been briefed to try to be a bit human, and i mentioned that tomorrow was going to be a good day for hanging out the washing, and this was something that had never been said before. and the press really took this up and thought that was a jolly good thing. and back then, the forecast came courtesy of two charts and a lot of charcoal. it wasn't until 1974 before the first female weather forecaster, barbara edwards, graced the air. if you look on the chart, you'll see there's outbreaks of rain, sleet... the following year those instantly recognisable weather symbols that we all love were introduced, but they didn't always behave themselves. so there's some blue with some, er, oh, dear, these bleep... _ but then, like many presenters, they became iconic and some presenters went on to

much bigger things. maybe a few drier interludes over dumfries house in ayrshire. aha! there'll be snow. it was in 1985 when computers and green screen technology changed the landscape of weather forecasts on the bbc forever. we're constantly watching the weather here. so i'm looking at the radar to see where it's raining or snowing, watching the satellite to see where the cloud is. and i'm looking at all the computer generated forecasts that are spat out of supercomputers. so we take all of that information and i'm just building my graphics at the moment. so i think a lot of people don't realise that us presenters actually build our own graphics as well. we're notjust confined to tv studios these days. we can broadcast from anywhere in the world on just the strength of a mobile phone, chasing the weather story wherever it's happening. it will feel more like below freezing for many parts... sometimes, some more fun than others. ..i can tell you it's freezing here now! pour carol! matt taylor with that report.

well, what a difference 70 years makes, because stav is here with today's weather, with the very latest technology and, more importantly, in a nice warm, dry studio. i'm living a charmed life but with increased technology, our super—duper computers, which can give an accurate forecast many days out, we still have some disparages when it comes to snow and that's what we've got next week so a bit of a question on that, i'll touch on that at the end of this bulletin. good afternoon to you. it's another cold day today, with a lot more cloud around than what we've had the last few days. the best of the sunshine will tend to be towards more northern and western areas. we've lost the nagging strong easterly breeze in the south which did make it feel quite tasty. you can see the extent of the cloud pushing southwards, affecting much of the south—east of england compared to yesterday, which saw quite a bit of sunshine around. probably the best of the sentient south—west england, southern and western wales, north—west england, scotland doing the best with the

sunshine for the rest of the day.