live from london, this is bbc news. the eu says a maritime aid corridor from cyprus to gaza could open in the coming hours. these are live pictures from larnaca where they are loading the first ship. an urgent search continues in northern nigeria to find nearly 300 school children abducted by gunmen. the abducted by gunmen. state governor says at least children the state governor says at least 28 children who were kidnapped from the school on thursday have managed to escape. a london fertility clinic has its operation licence suspended after "significant concerns" were raised over errors in the freezing of embryos. the duchess of sussex reveals she was cyberbullied while pregnant with her two children. it took a pentagon investigation to prove it, but we have official evidence to say

aliens have never visited earth. hello, i'm samantha simmonds. you're watching bbc news. we start with the war in gaza. a ship carrying humanitarian aid is expected to set sail to the territory from cyprus this weekend — part of a planned maritime aid corridor. it's a joint operation between the eu, us, uk, and united arab emirates, aiming to bring supplies from cyprus to the coast of gaza. the un says a quarter of gaza's population is on the brink of famine, and children there are starving to death. organisers hope the plan could allow additional aid to be brought in, but they continue to press israel to allow more deliveries by road. these are the latest pictures from larnaca in cyprus where, as you can see, aid is being loaded onto a ship, which is due to depart in a couple of hours. the european union's ambassador

to the us told the bbc a little more about the plans for the maritime corridor. hopefully the pilot, the first try to get aid, already happened over the weekend, but it takes some time to make sure that it is not only once but a sustainable way to provide aid for the people in gaza and palestine, to make sure that we alleviate the situation in the region. fora alleviate the situation in the region. for a long time, cyprus has been a part on the way of the region, so hopefully this could really help, because five other eu member states is on board, and we see it as the possibility to increase the aid and to have the possibility to provide it as soon as possible. here's pentagon spokesman patrick ryder. importantly, there will be no us forces _ importantly, there will be no us forces on — importantly, there will be no us forces on the ground in gaza. finally, — forces on the ground in gaza. finally, in— forces on the ground in gaza.

finally, in terms of timing, we are working _ finally, in terms of timing, we are working to — finally, in terms of timing, we are working to set this up as quickly as possible. _ working to set this up as quickly as possible, but we expect it will take several _ possible, but we expect it will take several weeks to plan and execute. once _ several weeks to plan and execute. once operational, the actual amount of aid _ once operational, the actual amount of aid deliverable will depend on marry— of aid deliverable will depend on many variables and will likely skill over time — many variables and will likely skill overtime. however, we many variables and will likely skill over time. however, we expect that deliveries _ over time. however, we expect that deliveries could provide more than 2 million _ deliveries could provide more than 2 million meals to be citizens of gaza per day~ _ for the latest on the maritime aid corridor efforts, i spoke to our middle east correspondent wyre davies injerusalem. there are several possible routes into gaza, a huge humanitarian crisis exists there, 300,000 people especially in the north of gaza without any real adequate food or aid, some trucks getting in but clearly not enough so the eu, the uae and other organisations have come up with this plan of a sort of maritime corridor and this would entail a ship leaving cyprus today towing a barge and on that will be around 200 tonnes of aid but the problem is when it

gets to gaza, there is no port, there is a war going on and no obvious way to safely remove and distribute the aid and it's a logistical nightmare. we've been asking questions but have not had satisfactory answers, this is a test run this weekend, and if this works it will become a regular route for aid from cyprus towards gaza, but we then have a separatejoe biden plan to build a temporary port facility off the coast of gaza. that would be built by american army engineers, but no american military boots on the ground. but that is two months away at the very least. all the while, the aid agencies say the best way to get aid into gaza is through israel and let's try and persuade the israelis and i know lord cameron, the uk foreign secretary, has been talking to the israelis about opening up a port in the north of gaza,

a huge container port, 30 or a0 minutes away from a crossing into gaza and that would be, the aid agencies in particular say it would be a much more practical way of getting badly—needed aid into gaza. meanwhile, while that is not happening and there is a disagreement between the israelis and various agencies and there is no ceasefire, the maritime corridor is the favoured method of getting aid into gaza although it probably will not be enough. what are the israelis saying about the military campaign and the latest from there? interesting. the ceasefire that everybody had hoped would be in place this weekend has not happened. benjamin netanyahu reiterated his priority a couple of days ago at a military graduation ceremony saying israel would continue its military operation in southern gaza, not to do that would be to admit defeat despite the international pressure. mr netanyahu acknowledged the level

of pressure he is coming under to agree to a ceasefire and to allow more aid in but i think reading between the lines for him, his priority is as he would see it, the unfinished military business in gaza. what more hopes of ceasefire talks with ramadan approaching nowjust hours away? good question. i think they have not given up on that. hamas has left cairo now, but the qatari and egyptian mediators are ready to talk to hamas and the israelis indirectly, hopefully get them back around the table and agree to a 40—day ceasefire, the paris framework. if that does not happen, the war continues, but if that happens and there are significant obstacles to allowing it to happen, but if it happens one of the big beneficiaries would be more aid officially to get into gaza through roads, through israel, which is a much more effective and efficient way of getting aid

to the people who need it. in nigeria, the hunt for nearly 300 schoolchildren — abducted by gunmen — goes on. but the governor of kaduna state has told the bbc that at least 28 of those children have escaped from their captors. the nigerian army is leading the search for the children, who were abducted from the north west town of kuriga in kaduna state. reports say students between the ages of 8 and 15 were taken, along with a teacher. the abductions have been blamed on ansaru, a breakaway faction of the islamistjihadist group boko haram. victims of kidnappings usually pay a ransom to secure their freedom. a controversial law passed in 2022 made it a crime to make ransom payments, with a potentialjail sentence of at least 15 years. but many victims feel they have no choice but to pay. let's speak to west africa correspondent mayeni jones. what is the latest on the military efforts to find these missing

schoolchildren? the efforts to find these missing schoolchildren?— efforts to find these missing schoolchildren? the military is currently running _ schoolchildren? the military is currently running a _ schoolchildren? the military is currently running a rescue - schoolchildren? the military is - currently running a rescue operation in the state and also in two neighbouring states, all kidnapping hotspot here in northern nigeria. they are working alongside the police and local vigilante groups. some of the student is not a mike alsojoined research, going to local communities, trying to find out if anyone has seen at all.— communities, trying to find out if anyone has seen at all. what are the families of those _ anyone has seen at all. what are the families of those missing _ anyone has seen at all. what are the families of those missing children i families of those missing children saying? == families of those missing children sa in: ? families of those missing children sa in. ? ., families of those missing children sa in: ? ., , �* saying? -- some of the student' arents saying? -- some of the student' parents also _ saying? -- some of the student' parents also joined _ saying? -- some of the student' parents also joined the - saying? -- some of the student' parents also joined the search. i saying? -- some of the student' i parents also joined the search. the state governor visited the school when the kidnapping happened on thursday. people said they felt abandoned, there was not enough security in the community, and they pleaded with him to help find their children. this has become a huge national and international story.

the president released a statement yesterday saying he would do everything possible to the turn of the children, every single one has to be returned, he said anything less than that would not be acceptable to him, and us secretary of state antony blinken also released a statement last night condemning the abductions and seeing the children should be released as soon as possible.— the children should be released as soon as possible. what more is known about the 28 — soon as possible. what more is known about the 28 children _ soon as possible. what more is known about the 28 children who _ soon as possible. what more is known about the 28 children who managed i soon as possible. what more is knownj about the 28 children who managed to escape? hat about the 28 children who managed to esca e? ., , . escape? not very much, unfortunately. _ escape? not very much, unfortunately. the - escape? not very much, - unfortunately. the governor spoke escape? not very much, _ unfortunately. the governor spoke to the bbc yesterday, he would say is that 28 children were released, he would not give any more details, he said that was because he did not want to jeopardise the ongoing rescue operation, but the 28 students who have come out, their parents will be absolutely delighted to see them, particularly because this is an area of the country that is very remote. we believe they have been taken to nearby forests that are very dense. they would not have much in terms of water or food, so the conditions these children are in are really a cause for concern for

their parents. i are really a cause for concern for their parents— are really a cause for concern for their arents. ., ., ., their parents. i mentioned a moment auo their parents. i mentioned a moment a . 0 that their parents. i mentioned a moment auo that a their parents. i mentioned a moment ago that a law _ their parents. i mentioned a moment ago that a law was _ their parents. i mentioned a moment ago that a law was passed _ their parents. i mentioned a moment ago that a law was passed two - their parents. i mentioned a moment ago that a law was passed two years | ago that a law was passed two years ago that a law was passed two years ago making it illegal to pay ransom payments. where does that leave the loved ones of those who have been taken? . , loved ones of those who have been taken? ., , , ., , , taken? the reality is that, despite the fact it is _ taken? the reality is that, despite the fact it is illegal _ taken? the reality is that, despite the fact it is illegal to _ taken? the reality is that, despite the fact it is illegal to pay - taken? the reality is that, despite the fact it is illegal to pay ransom| the fact it is illegal to pay ransom payments, as you mention yourself, many parents feel they simply don't have a choice if they are contacted by the kidnappers, they feel they have to fork out the money. but also talking about very poor communities. this is not a wealthy community. images emerging from the area should be school was pretty dilapidated, so as possible be kidnappers did not necessarily want money from the p, but from the government. these mass abductions get a lot of publicity, a lot of media coverage, and to give the abductor is a lot of leverage to negotiate with the government. for now, thank you. a fertility clinic in london has had its licence to operate suspended due to "significant

concerns" about the unit. the homerton fertility centre has been told it must not start new procedures, but can continue to see existing patients. the clinic said there had been three separate errors in the freezing of embryos. the bbc understands as many as 150 embryos could have been affected in incidents involving up to 45 patients, although this has not been confirmed by the trust. our correspondent zoe conway is outside the homerton fertility centre with the latest. the fertility centre it says in these incidents, there was an error in the freezing process that led to a tragic loss of a small number of embryos because they either did not survive or because they cannot be detected and the centre says it has called in external clinical experts to try and understand what has happened although they have not been able to find a direct cause yet. the metropolitan police were here at the clinic yesterday, although they say

they are not currently investigating. the centre also says it has tightened security measures at the unit. and what the bbc understands is that we are talking about 150 embryos affected and as many as 45 patients, although that has not been confirmed by the trust. we have spoken to one patient who says she is distraught and emotionally drained because she has discovered that one of her embryos cannot be found. the health ombudsman for england has warned that an overstretched and understaffed nhs is putting cancer patients at risk. rob behrens says exhausted workers are under "unsustainable pressure," and the government should invest in the workforce. ministers say their nhs long term workforce plan will boost the number of staff. our health correspondent dominic hughes has more. a recent analysis by the bbc suggested cancer waiting times in england last year were the worst on record. now there are new figures

from the health ombudsman who investigates unresolved complaints about nhs england government departments and other public organisations. they highlight problems in cancer treatment, misdiagnosis, poor communication, referrals, and end—of—life care. the ombudsman, rob behrens, says while everyone deserves safe and effective care, patient safety would always be at risk in environments that are understaffed and where staff are exhausted and working under unsustainable pressure. i continually come across failures in service despite the excellence of so many dedicated clinicians and staff in the nhs. that is the reality we have to live with and confront. being shocked is not enough. what we have to do is to create a learning culture in the nhs. he called for what he described as concerted and sustained action from government to make sure that

nhs leaders can prioritise safety, and a key part of that, he said, would mean a long—term investment in the workforce. a spokesperson for the department of health and social care said a record number of cancer patients had been seen and treated over the past two years, and the nhs long—term workforce plan would boost healthcare workers diagnosing and treating cancer. dominic hughes, bbc news. heavy gunfire has been heard near what remains of the presidential palace in the haitian capital, port—au—prince. there are reports armed gangs have once again invaded the international airport. a state of emergency and night time curfew have been extended for another month. haiti's main port has also announced that it is suspending operations due to worsening security conditions, following acts of sabotage and vandalism. it's after heavily armed criminal gangs took control of most of the capital, including attacks on the main airport, preventing the prime minister, ariel henry, from returning from abroad. haiti has suffered years of instability and escalating violence since the assassination

of presidentjovenel moise in 2021. 18—year—old oliver bearman from essex is set to become the youngest briton to race in formula i later. he'll drive for ferrari in the saudi arabian grand prix, after one of the team's main drivers, carlos sainz, fell ill with appendicitis. this will be his full fi debut. after taking part in qualifying, he will start 11th out of 20 cars on the grid injeddah. earlier, i spoke to our reporter emily brown, who has been following this. all eyes are going to be on oliver this weekend. that is because he will be the youngest briton ever to race in formula i's will be the youngest briton ever to race in formula is is to be at the age ofjust i8. race in formula is is to be at the age ofjust 18. the reason this happened is because one of ferrari's regular drivers was diagnosed with appendicitis and had to have surgery yesterday, and that meant a promotion from the formula to front runner. this will be it a big opportunity for him. lando norris

was previously the youngest british formula i driver when he first race for mclaren at the age of 19, but yes, everyone is going to be watching oliver. we know that he is genetics, he started karting when he was just eight years old. in 2022, he made the step up to formula 3, the last year he made the step up to formula 2. he has actually withdrawn from 402 this week, of course, so he can take that formula i suit for ferrari. 50 can take that formula 1 suit for ferrari. ., , ., can take that formula 1 suit for ferrari. ., , ,, ferrari. so quite a bit of pressure, i ferrari. so quite a bit of pressure, i imagine- — ferrari. so quite a bit of pressure, i imagine- how — ferrari. so quite a bit of pressure, i imagine. how do _ ferrari. so quite a bit of pressure, i imagine. how do the _ ferrari. so quite a bit of pressure, i imagine. how do the experts - ferrari. so quite a bit of pressure, i i imagine. how do the experts think you will perform?— you will perform? there is a lot of exoeetation. _ you will perform? there is a lot of exoeetation. a _ you will perform? there is a lot of expectation, a lot _ you will perform? there is a lot of expectation, a lot of _ you will perform? there is a lot of expectation, a lot of people - expectation, a lot of people have been praising him over the years, but also this week, yesterday in qualifying who came 11th, which certainly isn't a bad performance, but his team—mate is a very accomplished driver, and so nobody will be expecting him to beat his team—mate, who has given them some praise on the grid and was really impressed with his performance in

qualifying yesterday. but oliver hasn't actually spent that much time in a formula i hasn't actually spent that much time in a formula 1 car, usually worth noting here. not only is he going to be the youngest ever british driver for formula i, but he is also the first british driver for ferrari since 1999, so everyone is going to be watching him at the race, and he will start the saudi arabia grand prix in 11th position, which gets under way injust a prix in 11th position, which gets under way in just a few hours' time, and the world will be watching. now it's time for a look at today's sport. hello. india's cricketers are celebrating a 4—1 series win over england, but one of the tourists did have a moment to remember for this morning, asjimmy anderson became the first fast bowler to reach 700 test wickets. he did it by dismissing kuldeep yadav earlier this morning. only the late shane warne and sri lankan spinner muttiah muralitharan — both spin bowlers — have taken more wickets. a remarkable achievement, and at 41,

anderson seems to be going as well as ever. the same can't be said for england. thev're been thrashed by an innings and 64 runs in this fifth and final test. after dismissing india for 477, a few moments ago they were dismissed forjust 195 in their second innings, so they lose the series 4—1 anthonyjoshua has rediscovered his swagger, and delivered another powerful statement to the heavyweight division in riyadh last night. he managed a destructive second—round knockout win over francis ngannou in saudi arabia. joshua floored the ufc champion in the first round, and again early in the second. a dazed ngannou rose to his feet, but was stunned moments later, as the referee halted the contest. ngannou appeared to be out before he even hit the canvas, and required medical treatment. so what next forjoshua? talk has inevitably turned to tyson fury and alexander usyk.

why not fight them both? it should not be one of the other, i should have the opportunity to compete with them both, but notjust those two, there are so many other fighters i want to compete with. i think both of them are very credible fighters, and i would love the opportunity to face them at some stage. age told in the end, it seems, for andy murray, who is out of the indian wells tournament at the third round stage murray played a superb first set and was 5—4 up, before losing that on a tie break, and fell to a straight—set defeat against the russian fifth seed andrey rublev. three—time grand slam champion murray — who's 36 now — has said he's not planning to "play much past this summer" as he considers retirement, with this years olympics possibly being his last hurrah i have been getting asked about it for 18 months or so. it is obviously something i have thought about, but i have not made a decision on it. once i have made the decision, i

have expressed that, nobody is listening to it, so i don't really understand why i keep getting asked, to be honest. it could be a great weekend for ireland rugby fans — it's the penultimate round of six nations matches, and the grand slam champions will retain their title with a game to spare if they get a bonus point win over england at twickenham later. but defeat for ireland could allow scotland back into title contention if they can beat italy in rome. that's the early kick off scotland go into the game off the back of victory over england at murrayfield two weeks ago, when duhan van der merwe scored a hat—trick of tries. despite an excellent tournament so far, head coach gregor townsend insists his team aren't thinking about a potential final day showdown against ireland in dublin. we can only do what we have to do this weekend, which is deliver a winning performance, and see who we are after that with the first game.

i am sure we will be watching both the next games with interest. but it is great that we're into the last two rounds of the championship still in the mix, although outside chance obviously for the championship, but a lot to play for this weekend and the following weekend in dublin. bond the following weekend in dublin. and it is also wales versus france in the six nations on sunday. and that's all the sport for now. the duchess of sussex has criticised the "seemingly endless toxicity" of social media, revealing she was targeted with "bullying and abuse" while pregnant with her and prince harry's two children. meghan was the keynote speaker on a panel marking international women's day at the south by south west festival in texas. she said she now keeps her distance from such comments for her wellbeing, saying people have "forgotten our humanity" in certain parts of the media and online spaces. the bulk of the bullying i was receiving was online when i was pregnant with archie and lily and to really wrap your head around

why people would be so hateful, it is not catty, it is cruel. police officers, firefighters, and other public servants who have died in the line of duty will now be honoured after their death. the elizabeth emblem is the civilian equivalent of the elizabeth cross, which recognises members of the uk armed forces who died in action or as a result of a terrorist attack. the announcement comes after years of campaigning by bryn hughes and paul bone, whose daughters, both police officers, were murdered in 2012. our reporter abi smitton has more. why was its local mp jo cox shot and stabbed? doing what they dread, investigating the death of one of their own _ more than 100 nhs and care staff have now died with the coronavirus. they dedicated themselves to public service and all lost their lives

doing their duty. now their families will be able to celebrate them with a posthumous award. the elizabeth emblem comes after years of campaigning from bryn hughes. i am absolutely overwhelmed, fantastic, elated. humbled. all those rolled into one. it's hard to sum it up and describe it in one word. it is a massive achievement for everybody involved. his daughter, pc nicola hughes, was murdered in 2012 while attending a burglary. two years ago, he set out his vision of an award for the families of emergency service workers killed in the line of duty. that is important for me, really important that they are honoured and remembered. now his dream has become a reality. notjust for blue light services but all public sector workers. once you see their reactions, i think that will bring it home. like you said, the magnitude of it. that is a sense of achievement as well.

the elizabeth emblem will be open to families of public—sector workers across the uk, including local councils and in british overseas territories. it will apply to anyone who lost their life since 1948. each elizabeth emblem will be inscribed with the poignant phrase "for a life given in service." it has been backed by the king and pays tribute to the late queen. this emblem will bear the name of her late majesty queen elizabeth. we think of the decades of public service she gave our nation. it is only fitting that our tribute to public servants who have lost their lives in the line of duty should bear her name. paul bone, whose daughter fiona died alongside nicola, will be one of the first to apply. the circumstances of wearing it will remind me of her loss. i think on the next remembrance sunday,

i will be wearing it. families can apply online through the government website from today. abi smitton, bbc news. it will come as no surprise to many — and others might refuse to believe it — but a us military report on ufo sightings says it's found no evidence aliens have visited earth. it also said there was nothing to support claims government agencies had covered up visits by extra—terrestrials and gained access to alien technology. the pentagon's report to congress said most sightings were of misidentified ordinary objects. some were probably caused by tests of advanced spy planes and space technology. stay with us here on bbc news.

hello. there was a lot of dry weather around on friday but the cloud varied from place to place. temperatures reach 12 degrees in hampshire. through degrees in hampshire. today, a mixture of some sunny through today, a mixture of some sunny spells. this is the satellite image, some trend in central and eastern areas, but low pressure to the south—west throwing up this cloud of some showers. we have already had showers in south—west england, others will spread into south wales for a time. a bit more cloud in northern ireland, northern and good. some outbreaks of rain and drizzle at times. sunshine in the far north—west of scotland, some trend continuing in east anglia, part of the midlands, north wales as well. not feeling too bad in the sunshine, temperatures 12 or 13

celsius, elsewhere about seven or eight celsius. through tonight, more persistent rain spreading in from the south, but it will be frost free, temperatures no lower than about five to eight celsius. sunday, it will be pretty wet, certainly wetter than today. that rain into central and southern scotland, northern england, through the midlands comment to the south—east. heavy rain at times, moving a bit further west into north wales, but for south—west wales and south—west england, some sunny spells here with a couple of showers. temperatures a bit lower tomorrow because of the more cloudy skies and rain. seven to 11 celsius. into next week, the area of the pressure continued to move eastwards, mundy should be a quieter day but we still have an easterly airflow bringing quite a bit of cloud on monday towards eastern coasts of scotland, eastern england, there might be some spots of rain. elsewhere should be largely dry,

some bright and sunny spells towards western areas of the uk, and temperatures pretty typical for the time of year, about eight to maybe 11 or 12 celsius. as for the rest of the week, southern and eastern areas should remain largely dry, some spells of sunshine, temperatures actually rising, 14 to 15 celsius. further north and west, remaining unsettled, outbreaks of rain at times, and temperatures about ten to 13 celsius. temperatures are slightly above the average as we go through the week.

this is bbc news, the headlines: the european union says a maritime aid corridor from cyprus to gaza could open in the coming hours. these are live pictures from larnaca where they've been loading the first ship. but as the humanitarian situation becomes ever more desperate with the un warning of famine, the united states says it could take up to 60 days for a temporary port to be built. the urgent hunt for nearly 300 school children abducted by gunmen in nigeria. the governor of kaduna state says at 28 have managed to escape. a london fertility clinic has its operation licence suspended after "significant concerns" were raised over errors in the freezing of embryos.