i havejust mentioned we, too, have weapons that can strike targets on their territory. a blast skill killed scores of people waiting to aid in gaza. more 30,000 people have been killed in gaza since the conflict began on october 7th. tributes pour in for dave myers, best known as one half of the presenting duo the hairy bikers, who has died at the age of 66. hello, i'm lewis vaughanjones, welcome to bbc news now, three hours of fast—moving news, interviews and reaction. an inquiry into how a serving metropolitan police officer was able to abduct, rape and murder a woman in 2021 has concluded he should never have been given a job in the force. wayne couzens joined kent police as a special constable in 2002, beforejoining

the metropolitan police in 2018. that's despite an accusation he sexually assaulted a child "barely in her teens" while in his early 20s. couzens, who was off—duty, murdered sarah everard after kidnapping her under the false guise of an arrest. he was sacked by the met after his arrest and is now serving a whole—life sentence. the inquiry�*s first stage has been considering what the met knew about couzens�* reported behaviour prior to sarah's murder. here's what inquiry chair, lady elish angiolini had to say. the fragility of public trust and confidence in policing affects us all, including those good police officers doing the right thing every day. it is time for all of those with responsibility for policing to do everything they can to improve standards of recruitment, vetting and investigation. wayne couzens was never fit to be a police officer. police leaders need to be sure there isn't another wayne couzens operating in plain sight.

and let's just remind ourselves of what happened to sarah everard. she was 33 when she vanished in clapham, south—west london, on the way home from a friend's house. she was abducted, raped and murdered by an off—duty metropolitan police officer, wayne couzens, in a killing that shocked the country and raised questions over police policy and procedures, as well as women's safety in public spaces. tragically, the report identifies that wayne couzens was completely unsuitable to serve as a police officer, and worse still, there were multiple occasions where this should, could have been recognised. lady eilish angiolini fans significant and repeated problems into recruitment and vetting

throughout wayne couzens�*s career. including overlooking his chaotic financial situation. this meant that he was able to serve on a range of privileged roles, including as a firearms officer. it is appalling that reports of indecent exposure by wayne couzens were not taken sufficiently seriously by the police, and that officers were not adequately trained, equipped or motivated to properly investigate those allegations.— those allegations. james cleverly s - eakin . those allegations. james cleverly speaking in _ those allegations. james cleverly speaking in the _ those allegations. james cleverly speaking in the last _ those allegations. james cleverly speaking in the last half- those allegations. james cleverly speaking in the last half an - those allegations. james cleverly i speaking in the last half an hour or so and there is plenty more reaction to the inquiry in the house of commons, and we have continued coverage and analysis as well and our life page. russia.

putin has been giving his state of the nation address and has said that the nation address and has said that the west provoked the war in ukraine. we'll hear that in a moment. let's take a look at some of the claims he made. he said that russia's claiming territory and what he insisted was a defensive in ukraine. he thanked the armed forces fighting in ukraine and at home, but he did not mention what it may take for russia to end its military action in ukraine, nor did he touch on what has been happening to his political rivals, including alexei navalny who died in prison this month. he had this message for western countries supporting ukraine's military. translation: they are talking about sending nato military - contingents to ukraine. but we can recall what happened to those who used to send their contingents to our country. the consequences for these potential intruders will be much more tragic now. applause.

they need to finally understand that we, too, have weapons. and they know that. i havejust mentioned we, too, have weapons that can strike targets on their territory. and everything that they're thinking of now, everything that they use to threaten us in the world, that's all this is a real threat of nuclear weapons being used, which spell destruction of civilisation. let's get more on this from bbc monitoring's russia editor, vitaliy shevchenko. talk us through what stood out for you when vladimir putin gave his speech. you when vladimir putin gave his seech. ~ ., , you when vladimir putin gave his seech. ~ . , ., ., speech. what stood out for me was how predictable _ speech. what stood out for me was how predictable his _ speech. what stood out for me was how predictable his speech - speech. what stood out for me was how predictable his speech was. i speech. what stood out for me wasl how predictable his speech was. the russian president still describes his own country of russia as a

nation which has been defending its legitimate interests against an aggressive west, which is described, in his speech, as a destabilising force, creating conflicts across the world. the first half hour of his two—hour speech focused pretty heavily on what he describes as a special military operation in ukraine. he claimed that his forces in ukraine are making progress and are fighting heroically. he reiterated warnings to the west, not to get more in ukraine. putin said that russia's nuclear arsenal was in full combat readiness, and he said that russia had weapons that would allow it to strike western nations in their territory. what followed

was, could be reasonably described as a speech that would be given by an official at the head of an election, and he is holding presidential elections in two weeks' time which is all but certain to win. he talked at length about all there measures that have gone into his planning to carry out, to improve infrastructure, help the russian economy, he reeled off numerous figures. what he did not mention in his state of the nation address was the state of the russian opposition. he did not mention the death of russia's most prominent opposition figure, alexei navalny, two weeks ago. he didn't mention repression in russia. very few surprises in his speech there. let’s surprises in his speech there. let's focus a little _ surprises in his speech there. let's focus a little bit _ surprises in his speech there. let's focus a little bit on _ surprises in his speech there. let's focus a little bit on what _ surprises in his speech there. let's focus a little bit on what he said about nuclear weapons so that we can be absolutely clear of things like

translation and context. in be absolutely clear of things like translation and context. in terms of what he said _ translation and context. in terms of what he said about _ translation and context. in terms of what he said about russia's - translation and context. in terms of what he said about russia's nucleari what he said about russia's nuclear weapons, i think he used a pretty unusual phrase. he said that russian nuclear arsenal was in full combat readiness for guaranteed deployment. that is not a phrase i've heard him use before. whether or not it means that russia is seriously considering a strike against the west is a completely different matter. but clearly, this message is designed as a deterrent to the west not to get involved in ukraine even more. president putin also spoke at length about various new and sophisticated weapons such as hypersonic missiles, which russians have been developing and using in ukraine. so, the message there is that russia is successful,

despite west weapons that will be used to defend itself. what despite west weapons that will be used to defend itself.— used to defend itself. what about the outcome? _ used to defend itself. what about the outcome? vladimir _ used to defend itself. what about the outcome? vladimir putin - used to defend itself. what about the outcome? vladimir putin is i the outcome? vladimir putin is firml in the outcome? vladimir putin is firmly in control _ the outcome? vladimir putin is firmly in control what - the outcome? vladimir putin is firmly in control what is - the outcome? vladimir putin is . firmly in control what is happening in the electoral legal system, so his victory is all but guaranteed. thank you very much for that. an inquiry into how a serving metropolitan police officer was able to abduct, rape and murder a woman in 2021 has concluded he should never have been given a job in the force. let's cross live to central london. talk to us about the recommendations. it talk to us about the recommendations. ., , , talk to us about the recommendations. . , , ., recommendations. it has been a damnin: recommendations. it has been a damning report _ recommendations. it has been a damning report and _ recommendations. it has been a damning report and press - recommendations. it has been a - damning report and press conference here this morning. 16 recommendations have been made in total. i think those recommendations can be broadly categorised into three separate areas. firstly, how

the full steels with allegations of indecent exposure. wayne couzens reported for these allegations on six separate occasions, and it is the theme that has been coming up time and again this morning. the report says the approach to investigating indecent exposure allegations needs to change. lady eilish angiolini is clear that indecent exposure generally isn't taken seriously enough and the police. this report also says that the approach to investigating indecent exposure can change with more guidance and training for those who are members of the police force, and there needs to be a public information campaign around indecent exposure, coupled with the home office to make people more aware of what it is and how they can report it. secondly, the report says they need to look into issues around vetting and recruitment. any police applicant should be subject to an in—person interview or home visit,

according to this report. that is something that wayne couzens did not have to go through. a flaw in the system, according to this report. from suitable applicants to get through the application process, it should be harder. this report says a rigorous psychological test would help to stop people from becoming police officers if they are not suitable for the job. and also, police officers if they are not suitable for thejob. and also, what the report calls after care. this is ensuring that any applicants can be randomly reverted once they are already a member of the force. finally, the report says more needs to be done to adopt a more positive culture within the police force, so that they can root out derogatory and toxic behaviour, which is so commonly cast aside as punter. all of these changes are vital, according to lady eilish angiolini, otherwise there is no stopping another wayne couzens operate acting

—— operating in daylight. thank another wayne couzens operate acting -- operating in daylight.— -- operating in daylight. thank you ve much -- operating in daylight. thank you very much for— -- operating in daylight. thank you very much for that. _ -- operating in daylight. thank you very much for that. let's _ -- operating in daylight. thank you very much for that. let's take - -- operating in daylight. thank you very much for that. let's take a - very much for that. let's take a look at the life page which has ongoing analysis and reaction to what we're hearing out of this inquiry. you can see the details there. plenty more to follow. paul pogba is banned from football forfour paul pogba is banned from football for four years following... the frenchman will not take to the pitch again until 2028 after being hit with that suspension. just to tell you that news again, paul pogba banned from football for four years after failing a drugs test last year. former manchester united footballer has not played for

italian giants juventus footballer has not played for italian giantsjuventus since september, and today's ruling means he will not take to the pitch again, play football again until 2028 after being hit with that suspension. ukraine's first lady has been met at downing street by rishi sunak�*s why. —— wife. part of clearly strengthening relations between the two countries. around the world and across the uk, this is bbc news. my michael gove has been placed under investigation by parliament's standards watchdog. it relates to the levelling—up and housing secretary's register of financial interests. further details will remain confidential until the inquiry is concluded, and those under investigation are barred from discussing the allegations.

voting has begun in rochdale in greater manchester to choose a new mp. the by—election was called after the death of the labour mp, sir tony lloyd. 11 candidates are standing. the result is expected early friday. a bbc investigation has found that millions of chickens sold in uk supermarkets show clear signs of skin burns, caused by being left to live in their own waste. poorer welfare conditions on farms mean about a third of birds in some supermarkets suffer so—called "hock burn". a woman has died and two people are missing after a migrant boat had to be rescued in the english channel. french authorities say a small boat carrying around 50 migrants got into difficulty yesterday. you're live with bbc news. the hamas run health ministry says more than 30,000 palestinians have now

been killed since israel began its military offensive in october. it says the majority of those killed were women and children. that number equates to about 1.3% of the 2.3 million population of the territory. in its latest update, the ministry also says more than 70,000 have been wounded by israeli attacks in gaza since the 7th of october. in the latest violence, dozens of palestinians are reported to have been killed while waiting for food aid at a roundabout in gaza city. hamas authorities say a 104 are dead. the military says dozens of gazans were injured due to pushing and trampling.

let's speak to manuel hassassian, the former head of the palestinian mission to the uk and now head of the palestinian mission to denmark. thank you for coming in the programme. we have had those figures, 30,000 according to the hamas run health ministry. your reaction. hamas run health ministry. your reactien- it _ hamas run health ministry. your reaction. it is _ hamas run health ministry. your reaction. it is a _ hamas run health ministry. your reaction. it is a staggering - hamas run health ministry. gm;- reaction. it is a staggering and shocking figure, but the in continuous onslaught of the israelis against innocent people in gaza, it is only an indication that israel has systematic policy of getting rid of as many as possible from the palestinian... of as many as possible from the palestinian. . ._ of as many as possible from the palestinian... they say exactly the o- osite. palestinian... they say exactly the opposite- their _ palestinian... they say exactly the opposite. they said _ palestinian... they say exactly the opposite. they said they _ palestinian... they say exactly the opposite. they said they are - palestinian... they say exactly the opposite. they said they are cut i opposite. they said they are cut targeting what hamas. if opposite. they said they are cut targeting what hamas.- opposite. they said they are cut targeting what hamas. if they are tar: etin: targeting what hamas. if they are targeting hamas, _ targeting what hamas. if they are targeting hamas, why— targeting what hamas. if they are targeting hamas, why do - targeting what hamas. if they are targeting hamas, why do we - targeting what hamas. if they are j targeting hamas, why do we have these shocking numbers of innocent people dying? the? these shocking numbers of innocent peeple dying?— people dying? they say that hamas are usin: people dying? they say that hamas are using ordinary _ people dying? they say that hamas

are using ordinary civilians - people dying? they say that hamas are using ordinary civilians as - are using ordinary civilians as human shields.— are using ordinary civilians as human shields. , . , , , _ human shields. this has been used by the israelis every _ human shields. this has been used by the israelis every time _ human shields. this has been used by the israelis every time they _ human shields. this has been used by the israelis every time they invade - the israelis every time they invade gaza. they say that they are chasing hamas. hamas is in hospitals. they went into hospitals, schools and churches. they could not find hamas militants and now they are attempting that anybody has been shut and dead has something to do with hamas. this is the rhetoric we've been used to, not now, but that the last four invasions of gaza. so, i don't need tojustify what hamas is doing, —— i don't mean tojustify. but what hamas is doing, —— i don't mean to justify. but you what hamas is doing, —— i don't mean tojustify. but you can what hamas is doing, —— i don't mean to justify. but you can see the war machine killing indiscriminately all these palestinian civilians, 74% are women and children and elderly. those figures that have been quoted

by you, they are accurate, and they have been monitored by international organisations, and today people are not only dying by snipers and bombs and air raids and what have you, but people have now started dying from thirst, hungerand people have now started dying from thirst, hunger and lack of medication and what have you. so instead of asking the question and the report that you have given about palestinians stampeding to get food, and they were considered to be posing a security threat, we didn't see that. israel did not show that place in order to justify what they have been doing. they've been killing civilians in gaza.- have been doing. they've been killing civilians in gaza. thank you ve much killing civilians in gaza. thank you very much for— killing civilians in gaza. thank you very much for coming _ killing civilians in gaza. thank you very much for coming on - killing civilians in gaza. thank you very much for coming on the - very much for coming on the programme. let's speak to lieutenant colonel peter lerner, he's a spokesman for the israel defense forces. thank you very much for coming on

the programme. simply, your reaction to that figure of 30,000 palestinians according to the hamas run health ministry.— run health ministry. there are considerable _ run health ministry. there are considerable -- _ run health ministry. there are considerable -- every - run health ministry. there are considerable -- every death l run health ministry. there are | considerable -- every death in run health ministry. there are - considerable -- every death in this considerable —— every death in this war is a tragedy and a tragedy for the people of gaza. we have identified at least 12,000 terrorists that have been killed and engagement in close combat with our forces or in precision strikes, and indeed all of the civilians in this case are... this isjust indeed all of the civilians in this case are... this is just a tragedy that the world is facing because of hamas's strategic, intentional role of putting its positions, its abilities and capabilities behind the people of gaza. in the wall streetjournal the people of gaza. in the wall street journal this the people of gaza. in the wall streetjournal this morning, they said that it is entirely what they attempted to do it to increase pressure on israel. from my perspective, civilians need to be spared and protected. we are going to unprecedented lengths in order to

get people out of harms way. hamas are doing everything they can to keep people in harms way. given those numbers, _ keep people in harms way. given those numbers, is— keep people in harms way. given those numbers, is there - keep people in harms way. given those numbers, is there a - keep people in harms way. given i those numbers, is there a number, actually a different cause of action by the idf would be required? that's a very good — by the idf would be required? that's a very good question. _ by the idf would be required? that's a very good question. i _ by the idf would be required? that's a very good question. i think - by the idf would be required? that�*s a very good question. i think what you need to ask is actually if we want to stop the war, then the hostages that hamas is still holding, 134 of them, then the hostages need to be released and hamas themselves need to lay down their weapons so we can all have peace. the idf is charged with destroying hamas as a governing authority because we see what they do with a power of government. they infiltrate our towns and villages and farms and abduct, murder, massacre and rape and that is an unbearable reality from our perspective, one that no country would expect —— would accept. the would expect -- would accept. the re orts would expect -- would accept. the reports you — would expect -- would accept. the

reports you are _ would expect —— would accept. the reports you are getting about palestinians being killed while waiting for food aid palestinians being killed while waiting forfood aid in palestinians being killed while waiting for food aid in the south west of gaza city. what do you know about what happened there? we are 'ust now, about what happened there? we are just now. as — about what happened there? we are just now. as i _ about what happened there? we are just now, as i was _ about what happened there? we are just now, as i was preparing - about what happened there? we are just now, as i was preparing to - about what happened there? we are | just now, as i was preparing to come for this interview, i was watching the aerial footage we have seen, and we will be distributing it shortly, showing exactly what happened. there was a huge amount of people surrounding chucks thatjust ploughed through the people and there is a reality that people were killed and injured in this incident. we are looking into other incidents in the peripheral areas of this, but it appears the mass casualty event is around the trucks itself and nothing to do with the idf. thank ou ve nothing to do with the idf. thank you very much — nothing to do with the idf. thank you very much for _ nothing to do with the idf. thank you very much for coming - nothing to do with the idf. thank you very much for coming on - nothing to do with the idf. thank you very much for coming on the | you very much for coming on the programme. the government is being urged to take an active role in discussions about assisted dying, because the practice is likely to be legalised

onjersey or the isle of man. mps on the health committee have called for ministers to consider the implications for the uk if the crown dependencies lift their ban. 0pponents to a law change fear it could leave older and vulnerable people feeling under pressure to end their lives. the commons' committee's review looked at places where assisted dying for the terminally ill is allowed, including parts of the us, as well as australia, switzerland and new zealand. with more on this, i'm joined by our health correspondent nick triggle. the health committee looked at it for over a year, and they called it the most complex issue they had ever faced. , ., ., ~' the most complex issue they had ever faced. , ., ., ~ ., faced. they looked at the significant _ faced. they looked at the significant evidence - faced. they looked at the significant evidence from | faced. they looked at the - significant evidence from australia, new zealand, parts of the us have legalised assisted dying, and one of the things they said about those

countries as there is no evidence that end—of—life care gets worse once the law is changed. this has been one of the concerns about people who don't want the law to change, that the end of life care deteriorates or gets taken away, but they said actually there is evidence that it can improve end—of—life care because there is a greater focus on the support in place when people are dying and some of the country are seeing more investment accompanying changes in the legislation. they say the uk, even if we are not going to change the law, we have to look at what is happening around the country. they say thatjersey and the isle of man are looking increasingly likely they will allow assisted dying. that will have knock—on implications for people in the uk. already people go abroad to switzerland to the dignity task clinic to end their life when they

have a terminal illness. 0ver have a terminal illness. over the last eight years, it has been over 250 people, according to the clinic, who have come from the uk to do that. they say the problem at the moment is that there is a lot of confusion out there. people are worried if their loved ones help them that they could face criminal charges. doctors are unclear whether they can provide the medical reports people need to be accepted at dignity clinics. they say even if we don't change the law, we need to look at how the system is working and consider our position in the wider context of other countries. very briefly because we are almost out of time, just marker card for us. what can we expect? no immediate changes now but what is coming down the road? , ., the road? esther rantzen, the founder of _ the road? esther rantzen, the founder of childline _ the road? esther rantzen, the founder of childline who - the road? esther rantzen, the founder of childline who has i founder of childline who has terminal stage four cancer has called for a free vote in parliament. the government have always said that this is something

that when it does come up, mps would get a free vote, but the last time they voted on it was 2015, and the attempts made subsequently to get it again looked at by parliament have failed. so we will have to see in the election if it becomes an issue and in the next parliament whether ministers and mps would be willing to have another look at the issue. thank you very much for that. plenty more to come. i will be back in with the headlines injust a more to come. i will be back in with the headlines in just a few minutes. this is bbc news. fairly cloudy across england and wales. quite quickly the blues coming across the whole of the uk.

it's fairly cloudy today across england and wales with some rain in the southeast, but that's helping maintain the temperature level as represented by the yellows in the chart. but look how quite quickly the blues come in across the whole of the uk as low pressure dominates right the way into the early part of next week and that means temperatures will be lower than they have been for some will actually be below average for the time of year. so this is the weather front producing some heavy rain through the afternoon across the southeast. a lot of cloud in england and wales with a few showers in the west, but more prolific showers. northern ireland and scotland, wintry in the hills is snow level actually coming down to about 200 metres through the day and blustery but with gales across the far north, temperatures 6 to 9 north to south through the latter part of the afternoon and into the evening, we lose that rain from the southeast. the cloud pulls away and we'll have clear skies so the temperature will drop. and then we've got the next weather front associated with an area of low pressure coming our way, introducing some rain at lower levels, some sleet and some hill snow. now, where the cloud remains broken is where we'll have the lowest temperature and some frost. but whichever way you look at it, it's going to be a cold night.

so into tomorrow. here's the low pressure which is bringing these weather fronts away. you can see how this one, this is an occlusion is going to continue to journey northwards, taking a combination of rain, sleet and snow. but the snow will be above about 200 metres, but we'll start to see it accumulate in the hills of northern ireland, north wales, the pennines, the peak district and into the southern uplands. so the progress of that isn't particularly slow. you can see how it migrates northwards getting towards the edinburgh area by the time we get to evening. but remember the snow will be in the hills and then we've got showers. some of those wintry in higher ground behind it, windy through the english channel, the winds picking up in the north sea. and we're looking at some clearer skies across the far north of scotland. we then head into the weekend with low pressure still very much in charge. this weather front wrapped around it will be producing showers at times, but the winds will be lighter. but we're in the cold air mass, so some of the showers will still be wintry on the tops of the hills. so you can see as we go into the weekend, it does remain a little bit unsettled. there'll be dry spells as well. there'll be some sunshine and a few showers knocking around, but temperatures

are a wee bit lower.

this is bbc news, the headlines. sarah everard, murdered by a man who should never have been a place officer. an inquiry highlights the red flags that were missed. scores of people are killed in gaza in the scramble for aid. more than 30,000

people have been killed, according to hamas. and tributes pour in for dave myers, best known as one half of the presenting duo — the hairy bikers, who has died at the age of 66. let's return to the news that the hamas—run health ministry in gaza says more than 30,000 palestinians have been killed since the beginning of israel's military offensive. in the latest violence, palestinian sources say dozens of people were killed while waiting for food aid. 0ur middle east correspondent yolande knell has with more on the 30,000—plus deaths — here's merlyn thomas from bbc verify. we've been covering this war from the very beginning. tracking the damage across gaza, from the israeli offensive following the hamas attacks on israel on the 7th of october, now, at the start of the war, the gaza strip was one of the most densely populated places on earth. it was home to over 2 million people. and today, the hamas—run health ministry has announced that

since the start of the war, more than 30,000 palestinians have