and in the third place, the bomb hit us. the cancer patients being offered targeted treatment thanks to a new blood test in england. and don't mess with the flag, say politicians after nike's controversial england shirt which has added new colours to the st george's cross. and coming up on bbc news: one more win and wales will be at the summer's european championship. they'll face poland in cardiff next week after comfortably beating finland. good afternoon. west yorkshire police say they've launched an investigation into allegedly racist comments made by the conservative party donor, frank hester. the force says its working

to establish whether a crime was committed, when he made comments at a meeting in leeds five years ago. mr hester, who's given £10 million to the tory party, is reported to have said that the mp diane abbott made him want to hate all black women and that she should be shot. our political correspondent, helen catt, is westminster with the latest. talk us through the latest developments?— talk us through the latest develoments? ., , ., , developments? the conservatives mi . ht developments? the conservatives might have _ developments? the conservatives might have thought _ developments? the conservatives might have thought the _ developments? the conservatives might have thought the questions| might have thought the questions around frank hester were starting to die down, but the news this morning that his reported comments are being investigated by the police means that once again this morning rishi sunak has been out wanting to talk about other things but having to field questions about what his party because my biggest donors. west yorkshire police this morning released a statement that the force was investigating what it described as racist comments allegedly made at

as racist comments allegedly made at a meeting at leeds in 2019. it said a meeting at leeds in 2019. it said a complaint was first made to the metropolitan police parliamentary and investigations team and a pass to west yorkshire because the meeting took place in its area. it said officers were looking at the facts and trying to ascertain whether a crime had been committed. mr hester has admitted making rude comments about diane abbott, for which he has apologised, but he said the comments had nothing to do with her gender nor the colour of her skin. rishi sunak said it would not be right for him to comment on police matters but said the alleged comments were wrong and racist and mr hester had rightly apologised. there has been pressure on the conservatives to hand back the £10 million intonation, which so far they have resisted. the existence of a police investigation is only likely to bring those calls back to the forefront.— the forefront. thank you, helen catt. america's top diplomat, antony blinken, has arrived in israel to push

for a truce in gaza. it comes amid growing diplomatic pressure on israel to abandon a planned ground assault on the southern gaza city of rafah, where more than a million displaced civilians are sheltering. later the united states — israel's closest ally — will for the first time put a resolution to the un security council calling for an immediate and sustained ceasefire in gaza. 0ur middle east correspondent, yolande knell, is injerusalem. lots of diplomatic pressure as we have been hearing, but do you think we are any closer to a ceasefire? the secretary of state has said that the gaps are narrowing between israel and hummus in these indirect talks currently ongoing in qatar with mediators that are in a possible sign of increased seriousness, as well as upgrading its delegation, said that had two

main intelligence agencies —— the gaps are narrowing between israel and hamas. there is no sign of a breakthrough yet. you mentioned what is happening at the un security council where the us is the significant step, putting forward its own carefully worded draft resolution calling for a ceasefire, linking back to the release of israeli hostages being held in gaza. that is really supporting those truce talks currently taking place injoe truce talks currently taking place in joe hart truce talks currently taking place injoe hart but it has also been seen as a sign of the tensions between israel and the us at this moment, the pressure the us is bringing to bear —— supporting those truce talks taking place in doha. the us has used veto power to protect its close ally at the security council from other calls for a ceasefire. mr blinken in his meeting with the israeli prime minister and the israeli war cabinet, we expect him to talk about the desperate need for more aides to

get into gaza with the threat looming of a man—made famine. and when it comes to rafah, the idea that israel could carry out a major military offensive in the very south of the gaza strip, we are told washington will put forward alternatives to that and it cannot support such an operation because of the humanitarian consequences. yolande knell injerusalem, thank you. well, yolande mentioned there israel's planned ground assault on rafah, and one person who has been sheltering in the camp there is 12—year old alma. she was forced to move to rafah after all her immediate family — including her 18—month old brother — were killed in an israeli bombing in gaza city. 0rla guerin has been following her story — and a warning, you may find the content of this report distressing. at times alma jaroor can forgetjust for a moment, especially when she's playing

with her cousins. here they fashion a kite from scraps and imagination. she now lives with her aunt and uncle in a tent in rafah, a 12—year—old who has seen and lost far too much. a shout from under the rubble — "i'm alma." "can you see my light?" asks mahmoud, the rescue worker. "i swear i'll get to you." alma asks for her sister and brothers. "bravo, alma," he says as she emerges after three hours buried alive. "where are your brothers and sister?" he asks. "they're over here," she says.

"and my mum is over there." translation: i am 12 years old and the only| survivor of my family. the first place we fled to was bombed. and the second. and in the third place, the bomb hit us. they were all killed. but we were happy together as a family, though we were scared. we used to hug each other tightly out of fear. this was her baby brother, tarazan. translation: i hoped my brother tarazan would still be alive. - i was calling out to him. ifound him in an unimaginable state. his head severed. what a memory for a child to carry.

tranlsation: | wish for death | after seeing my brother like that. he was only 18 months old. what has he done in this war? this is what war has done to gaza. neighbourhoods flattened by israel as if by an earthquake, and countless families like alma's entombed as they slept. their building was hit by an israeli air strike, relatives say. israel says it tries to minimize civilian casualties. alma's mother, father, sister and brothers are still buried under this mound of concrete nearly four months on. 0nly tarazan�*s body was recovered.

alma has found comfort with her uncle's family, but like every child in gaza, she could be killed at any moment. what alma wants now is to reach her grandmother, who lives abroad. "i want to hug her," she says, "and feel safe." 0rla guerin, bbc news, jerusalem. thousands of patients in england with suspected lung cancer are being offered a blood test which can show if they're suitable for early access to targeted therapies. the test looks for genetic variations in tumours which can be treated with tablets rather than standard chemotherapy — often meaning fewer side effects. here's our medical editor, fergus walsh. 0h, headaches for two weeks. i thought it was a migraine. my gp just said, "you need to go

to hospital right now." kat robinson is 33 and lives in dorset with her daughter, paige. a non—smoker, six months ago she was diagnosed with advanced lung cancer. i've got three tumours in my lungs, which then spread on to lymph nodes. they said, "we can see you've got seven tumours in your brain and that's what's causing the pain." i couldn't believe it, couldn't understand it, and it was a massive shock to my family and me. kat was being prepared for radiotherapy and standard chemotherapy, but a blood test showed her cancer had a genetic mutation which responds to this drug, brigatinib. so it's only one tablet a day, and it's amazing.

the quality of life is improved massively. i don't stay in hospital at all and i'm able to continue with my day—to—day life. have you done one carrot? doctors have told kat she has at least a year to live, but perhaps several more. she's decided to be completely open about her condition with 11—year—old paige. we're trying to build as many memories as we can, so that i can remember, she can remember, everyone can remember the times we had. she's learnt a lot of things in the last few months. she's grown up quite fast. this is a blood test. one of the blood tests that we use. what's special about the test is it can identify dna which has broken off a cancer and is circulating in the blood. it can show what gene mutations are driving cancer growth, so patients get targeted drugs.

it really allows patients to get on treatment very, very quickly. but, more importantly, it allows them to get on absolutely the correct treatment for their particular cancer. these tablets have dramatic effects in shrinking the cancer down, and in most cases they have markedly fewer side effects. people don't lose their hair. over the next year, 10,000 patients across england will benefit from these blood tests part of a revolution in the diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer. kat knows that at some point her drug will stop working, but it is giving her more time with her sister and daughter. every spare minute we have, we just try and spend it together. my advice for people who are facing cancer diagnosis would be don't hide away. don't close up. talk to people.

be close to your family. until recently, there had been little improvement in survival for lung cancer. but the earlier, wider use of targeted treatments is beginning to change the outlook for patients. fergus walsh, bbc news. there's a row over the colour of the st george's cross on the new england football shirt. the sportswear company nike says it has playfully updated the cross from its traditional red to include purple and blue horizontal strips. both the prime minister and labour leader sir keir starmer say the colours don't need to be changed. 0ur correspondent ben woolvin is at wembley for us. ben, very senior politicians weighing into this row? yes, nike saying the redesign was

intended to unite and inspire but it seems to be doing quite the opposite. this is the new england shirt which went on sale for the first time yesterday ahead of the euros, on the back of the colour the redesign st george's cross which is proving to be so controversial, no longer red but a combination of blues and purples which nike says is by england's world cup winning side of 1966 who had a purple training kits, but lots of politicians saying theyjust kits, but lots of politicians saying they just don't like this kits, but lots of politicians saying theyjust don't like this redesign. look, obviously i prefer the original, and my general view is that when it comes to our national flags, we shouldn't mess with them, because they're a source of pride, identity, who we are, and they're perfect as they are. a flag is used by everybody, it is a unifier, _ a flag is used by everybody, it is a unifier, it— a flag is used by everybody, it is a unifier, it does— a flag is used by everybody, it is a unifier, it does not— a flag is used by everybody, it is a unifier, it does not need _ a flag is used by everybody, it is a unifier, it does not need to - a flag is used by everybody, it is a unifier, it does not need to be - unifier, it does not need to be changed. _ unifier, it does not need to be changed. we _ unifier, it does not need to be changed, we just _ unifier, it does not need to be changed, we just need - unifier, it does not need to be changed, we just need to- unifier, it does not need to be changed, we just need to be l unifier, it does not need to be - changed, we just need to be proud of this. changed, we just need to be proud of this i_ changed, we just need to be proud of this ithink— changed, we just need to be proud of this i think we — changed, we just need to be proud of this. i think we should _ changed, we just need to be proud of this. i think we should reconsider- this. i think we should reconsider beds _ this. i think we should reconsider beds and — this. i think we should reconsider beds and change _ this. i think we should reconsider beds and change it _ this. i think we should reconsider beds and change it back. - this. i think we should reconsider beds and change it back. ililie- this. i think we should reconsider beds and change it back. we spoke to some fans who _ beds and change it back. we spoke to some fans who said _ beds and change it back. we spoke to some fans who said they _ beds and change it back. we spoke to

some fans who said they were - beds and change it back. we spoke to some fans who said they were upset i some fans who said they were upset by this, others said they quite liked the redesign. i by this, others said they quite liked the redesign.— liked the redesign. i like the actual design, _ liked the redesign. i like the actual design, i— liked the redesign. i like the actual design, i know - liked the redesign. i like the actual design, i know there l liked the redesign. i like the| actual design, i know there is liked the redesign. i like the i actual design, i know there is a liked the redesign. i like the - actual design, i know there is a lot of controversy about the flag on the back, _ of controversy about the flag on the hack, it _ of controversy about the flag on the back, it doesn't bother me too much, to he _ back, it doesn't bother me too much, to be honest — back, it doesn't bother me too much, to be honest. if people weren't making — to be honest. if people weren't making a — to be honest. if people weren't making a point of it, i wouldn't have _ making a point of it, i wouldn't have noticed. making a point of it, iwouldn't have noticed.— have noticed. the other controversial _ have noticed. the other controversial thing - have noticed. the otherl controversial thing about have noticed. the other - controversial thing about the shirt is its cost, this is the stadium in addition, it is £85, £84.99 to be precise, there is an authentic version at almost £125. sir keir starmer are among those saying with the current pressures on cost of living but is too much money. the england men's side are due to wear the shirt for real for the first time tomorrow when they take on brazil here at wembley.— time tomorrow when they take on brazil here at wembley. thank you, ben woolvin- _ the time is 13:16. our top story this afternoon... police say they're investigating allegedly racist comments made by a top conservative party donor.

and still to come, the chelsea flower show garden designed by children for children — with no adults allowed. coming up on bbc news: england captain heather knight comes to her side's rescue as they beat new zealand in nelson to take a 2—0 lead in the t20 series. the united nations has welcomed an apparent agreement among political factions in haiti for a transitional presidential council. it comes ten days after armed groups forced the country's prime minister to resign. gang violence has forced hundreds of thousands people to flee their homes. well, education is one of the biggest casualties in haiti today, as young people are forced to choose between their studies and surviving

the violence and the chaos. 0ur central america and caribbean correspondent, will grant, reports from a university in the northern city of cap haitien. it isn't easy studying law in a lawless society, nor politics in a power vacuum, or economics in a collapsing economy. these students are doing all three. those schools in gang—controlled port—au—prince are mostly shut. classrooms in the calmer city of cap—haitien remain open to its young people seeking an education against the odds. the dean says everything from the law school's curriculum to its salaries have been affected by the anarchy. translation: whether it's the upkeep of the building or the materials, - we haven't had any support from the state in covering it. we even haven't been able to pay our teachers properly, or bring in any visiting

professors from outside. "at this time i feel lucky to have a university place at all," says this student. "all we can do is keep studying." for weeks now, the haitian capital has resembled a war zone. as the gangs advance into new neighbourhoods, the national police are struggling to repel them. an exodus of people from the city is heaping pressure on an already overstretched education system as thousands of youths fleeing the violence are looking to enrol in safer cities. if haiti is ever to get back on its feet, it will need its best and brightest in government. unfortunately, the political chaos here is only surpassed by the collapse in security, all of which has led to a humanitarian disaster which is disproportionately affecting haiti's young people. the officials in charge of cap—haitien, the country's main safe haven, must now provide basic services for the city's population, its newcomers, and keep the gangs at bay.

i believe in the public population. the people who live in cap—haitien have to collaborate with the municipality and the police department, thejustice department. that is the reason i believe cap—haitien will be safe. of everything on the list of haiti's failing infrastructure — food provision, housing, government and security — it's education that is perhaps the most tragic. it speaks of the loss of a generation of haiti's young people unmoored from their futures, uncertain as to what kind of country the violence will leave behind for them. will grant, bbc news, cap—hatien, haiti. a 34—year—old it worker who fatally poisoned a couple with the opioid painkillerfentanyl, and rewrote their will, has been jailed for a minimum of 37 years. stephen baxter and his wife carol were found dead at their home in essex,

in april last year. luke d'wit used fake identities to manipulate the couple before he laced their medication with the drug. rishi sunak launched the conservative party's english local election campaign in derbyshire today. the prime minister raised the issue of cash—strapped labour—run councils, saying that in birmingham "labour have saddled their constituents with a 21% council tax rise." here's our poltical correspondent, ben wright. a dash to derbyshire for rishi sunak this morning, gearing up for the local elections at a bus repair garage. he hopes may�*s paul will prove the labour party hasn't got the coming general election in the bag. he the coming general election in the ban. , the coming general election in the ba., , ., ., ., , the coming general election in the ban. _, ., ., , bag. he is arrogantly taking the british peeple _ bag. he is arrogantly taking the british people for _ bag. he is arrogantly taking the british people for granted, - bag. he is arrogantly taking the - british people for granted, assuming he can just stroll into number ten without saying what he would do. we all know he cannot tell you what he will do differently because he

doesn't have a plan.- will do differently because he doesn't have a plan. across england and wales. — doesn't have a plan. across england and wales, there _ doesn't have a plan. across england and wales, there will _ doesn't have a plan. across england and wales, there will be _ doesn't have a plan. across england and wales, there will be elections l and wales, there will be elections for councillors, police and crime commissioners, and mayors. but the prime minister ducked the chance to hold a general election on may two. your opponent so you are running scared of the voters. they have got a point, haven't they? —— your opponents say. no, actually, i'm out campaigning for our fantastic candidates in councils, police and crime commissioners, and mayoral elections on the 2nd of may. those are all incredibly important elections. and there is a clear choice. he launched these elections in the heart of a town in the humber valley. heart of a town in the humber valle . ., , , heart of a town in the humber valle . .,, , i. , valley. hopefully you will put something a _ valley. hopefully you will put something a little _ valley. hopefully you will put something a little bit - valley. hopefully you will put something a little bit to - valley. hopefully you will put something a little bit to one. valley. hopefully you will put. something a little bit to one side for us _ something a little bit to one side for us do— something a little bit to one side for us. ,, ~ something a little bit to one side for us. i. ~ ., something a little bit to one side for us. ,, ~ . ., , for us. do you think that the tories can still win _ for us. do you think that the tories can still win the _ for us. do you think that the tories can still win the next _ for us. do you think that the tories can still win the next election? - for us. do you think that the tories can still win the next election? i i can still win the next election? i hope so. can still win the next election? i hone s0- i— can still win the next election? i hope so. i don't— can still win the next election? i hope so. i don't think _ can still win the next election? i hope so. i don't think they - can still win the next election? i hope so. i don't think they will. | can still win the next election? i | hope so. i don't think they will. i don't think— hope so. i don't think they will. i don't think they _ hope so. i don't think they will. i don't think they will, _ hope so. i don't think they will. i don't think they will, but - hope so. i don't think they will. i don't think they will, but i - hope so. i don't think they will. i don't think they will, but i hope l don't think they will, but i hope they— don't think they will, but i hope they with — don't think they will, but i hope the will. �* ., , ~ ., , they will. but the tories know they have a tough _ they will. but the tories know they have a tough political— they will. but the tories know they have a tough political sell- they will. but the tories know they have a tough political sell at - they will. but the tories know they have a tough political sell at these| have a tough political sell at these elections. , ., �* ., . ,

elections. they don't do anything. we are in debt _ elections. they don't do anything. we are in debt up _ elections. they don't do anything. we are in debt up to _ elections. they don't do anything. we are in debt up to our- elections. they don't do anything. we are in debt up to our eyeballs. have you voted tory in the past? yes. ., , ., �* have you voted tory in the past? yes. ., i. �* ., have you voted tory in the past? yes. ., y., �* ., , have you voted tory in the past? yes. ., �* ., , i'm have you voted tory in the past? | yes— i'm not yes. now you're not sure? i'm not sure. i'd yes. now you're not sure? i'm not sure- to back— yes. now you're not sure? i'm not sure. i'd back of— yes. now you're not sure? i'm not sure. i'd back of the _ yes. now you're not sure? i'm not sure. i'd back of the elections - yes. now you're not sure? i'm not sure. i'd back of the elections will| sure. i'd back of the elections will decide _ sure. i'd back of the elections will decide who — sure. i'd back of the elections will decide who runs important local services — decide who runs important local services a _ decide who runs important local services, a crucial test for party leaders — services, a crucial test for party leaders too. i'd macro voters across england _ leaders too. i'd macro voters across england and — leaders too. i'd macro voters across england and wales will be putting real ballots into real boxes. rishi sunak will be _ real ballots into real boxes. rishi sunak will be looking _ real ballots into real boxes. rishi sunak will be looking for - real ballots into real boxes. fl si sunak will be looking for a real ballots into real boxes. i? si sunak will be looking for a glimmer of hope to lift the tory�*s gloom. then right, bbc news. the nationwide building society says all payments to it and from it to other building societies and banks are delayed. it says direct debits and standing orders are working normally. money can still be moved between nationwide accounts. in a statement on its website it said it was "sorry for any problems this may cause." sales in shops stagnated in february after rising more than first thought in january, according to official figures. the office for national statistics said sales of clothes were strong, but that was offset by falls in other areas. the wettest february on record has

been blamed for dampening shoppers' enthusiasm, and leaving retailers disappointed after what had been a strong start to the year. the new leader of plaid cymru will tell his party's conference today that voters wanting a future different from the past should back plaid at the uk general election. rhun ap iorwerth has been in charge of his party now for nine months, and is in the final year of a three—year co—operation agreement with labour in the welsh parliament, the senedd. data obtained by bbc news shows the higest outstanding student debt in the uk is almost £250,000. the student involved is known to have studied on several different courses, and now owes more than £230,000 in student loan debt — more than five times the average. graham satchell reports. is the cost of going to university too much?

are students leaving burdened with unmanageable debt? new figures acquired by the bbc from a freedom of information request show one person who had done multiple degrees had a student debt of £230,000. another has accumulated interest alone of £55,000. on average, a student in england will leave university with a debt of around £45,000. the figures are lower in wales and northern ireland. in scotland, tuition fees are paid by the scottish government. dr luke amos has a debt of £103,000. the amount of money that i will end up paying over the 30 year period that the loan is outstanding for will be i think in the sum of sort of five times how much i actually borrowed from the government. considering that three years earlier, i would have paid a third less in student loans, in tuition fees, you know, itjust becomes a bit of a joke that

sort of generation after generation theyjust make things worse. dev gakhar owes just over 80,000. the worst thing is the interest, because i know over the course of my career, the interest is going to keep going up. and i think eventually, i did a little calculation, and it works out to be about 250,000 that we are supposed to end up paying back. that number kind of scares me even more. students leaving university today will pay 9% of their income at once they earn £27,000. the balance is cancelled after 30 years. it's not debt in the traditional sense, so it won't affect your credit score, you won't have bailiffs coming to your door. it does, in many ways, operate more like a tax. the department for education in england said no new graduates will pay back more than they originally borrowed when inflation is taken into account. but the national union of students say the figures were eye watering and it was time for a fully funded system, free at the point of use.

graham satchell, bbc news. let's just update you on our earlier story about the middle east, the proposed resolution at the united nations, calling for a ceasefire in gaza. we havejust heard russia and china have vetoed that us draft resolution that would tie israel to an immediate ceasefire in gaza. it would tie a ceasefire to the release of hostages held in gaza by hamas. 11 members voted against, one abstained, and three voted against. so that us resolution in serious trouble. the american resolution at the united nations security council. the chelsea flower show has stunned visitors with its beautiful displays for years, but this year the organisers have created something which will deliberately

exclude a large number of guests. for the first time, a no adults allowed garden — designed by children, for children — will be on display. our culture correspondent, charlotte gallagher, reports. i've been invited to a top—secret summit. and, in fact, i shouldn't really be here. this is strictly no adults allowed. children from sullivan primary in south—west london are putting the finishing touches on their very own garden for chelsea flower show. so, have you been learning about gardening while you are doing this? yeah, we have been learning about gardening for a while now. what has been the favourite thing about doing this project? probably being able to design and make the garden, in general, which is going to go into the flower show for everyone to enjoy and see. i think that's the key thing. when we are designing with plants, we are trying to find things that complement each other. but it's a steep learning

curve, so some grown—ups have been allowed in. so, lots of wacky ideas, and things that we are making work is going to be things like carnivorous plants, which isn't typically what you'd find in a normal chelsea show garden. and some other wacky things that we actually said is a step too far. i mean, crocodiles... ..you know, might not work. and we had underground lakes, you know, rivers, really big, big features, which are, you know, distilled into kind of more show garden format, so... first of all, who's heard of an iris plant before? i'm impressed. more than i thought. these irises are being planted so they will flower in time for the show in may. the garden will also include boulders to scramble over, a stream to splash in, and a secret den. and unfortunately for me, it seems like the pupils aren'tjust learning about gardening. hello, today we are at rhs wisley gardens to help design our garden at the chelsea flower show. sorry.

sorry, what's going on? this is myjob. what are you doing? sorry, no! no adults allowed. the children have been sending out invitations to some vips. i would love for the king to come because i would like him to see what we have been doing at the rhs. that's royalty ticked off. how about pop stars? if you could pick anyone to go into your garden to look at it, who would you pick? justin bieber. so, big ambitions for the guest list. and you can see for yourself just how excited the children are for their chelsea flower show debut. they yell. charlotte gallagher, bbc news. a grandmother from the north—east of scotland has amassed thousands of followers online after livestreaming herself playing fortnite.

cath bowie from moray is 75, and thought to be one of the oldest players of the game. she spends hours gaming every night he's got a sniper! she spends hours aaamin he's got a sniper! she spends hours gaming every _ he's got a sniper! she spends hours gaming every night _ he's got a sniper! she spends hours gaming every night and... _ and recently played with the famous american youtuber sypherpk. their game has already reached more than half a million views. she says she was introduced to the game by her grandson. time for a look at the weather. here's ben rich. thank you very much. a bit of a change in the weather compared with what we have had for most of this week. a couple of days ago, temperatures got all the way up to 19 in southern england, or at least very close. by tomorrow, we will be looking at highs of more like nine celsius. feeling colder than that given the strength of the winds. that colder air is digging in behind a weatherfront, a cold that colder air is digging in behind

a weather front, a cold front. that colder air is digging in behind a weatherfront, a cold front. you can see this line of cloud on the