it's his most significant public appearance since being diagnosed with cancer. pope francis pleads for peace in his easter message. he's been meeting worshippers after easter sunday mass, as thousands gather in st peter's square. polls have closed in turkey, where president erdogan is hoping his party can regain control of key urban areas. hello. we begin in the middle east, where a freelance journalist working for bbc news is among seven media workers injured after the israeli military carried out an airstrike inside a hospital compound in central gaza. this is the moment it happened. the israeli military says it carried out the airstrike on an islamichhad command centre in the courtyard of al—aqsa hospital in deir al—balah. the journalists were among hundreds who are sheltering in makeshift

tents in the grounds of the hospital. at least four people were killed and others injured. israel accuses hamas militants and the islamichhad group of hiding inside medical centres, but they deny this. palestinian health officials said nine more people died in an israeli strike bani suhaila near the city of khan younis. james elder is a spokesperson for the charity unicef. he spoke to us from inside gaza about the situation there. it's desperate everywhere. i am literallyjust coming out of a hospital where we are trying to put together another icu for babies and children. this is post—ceasefire. every i go into that hospital and i see new children every day i go into that hospital and i see new children with the wounds of war, i see some beds where a different child is there because the previous day's child has died. in the north, as you go along

streets, you have got tens of thousands of people cut off from everything. that universal symbol of hand to mouth just showing the level of hunger that you can see on theirfaces. the hospital where there is paper—thin babies, desperation. they are the families who have managed somehow, despite the war to get their children there. they too are just literally hanging on. there is particular desperation in the north based on the sheer lack of essentials, mostly food that all aid agencies have been able to get there. we have seen in the last few days more of those airdrops and another ship setting off from cyprus to bring supplies that way. will those make any difference? i think all aid makes a difference. but we need to just put it in the sense of tonnage, it's so critical that the people in the north need, as the secretary general of the united nations said, they need to be flooded with aid now.

the last ship that came in had the equivalent of 12 trucks on it. one of the emergency drops from a helicopter might deliver the equivalent of one truck. at the border there are hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of trucks desperate to get in. roads remain the most fast, safe and efficient way to get in. it's notjust the network here in the south, there are crossings in the north that need to be opened. this would be a game changer. open those in the north, flood the area with much needed food and we can reverse this imminent famine, literally in a matter of weeks. but that is not happening, it is not being allowed to happen. israel have denied that it is hampering aid deliveries but as you said there are hundreds of trucks waiting to cross, what is your assessment of why it is so slow? it's lack of aid access. a great deal of detail in terms of every truck going through multiple security checks, for example a unicef truck with the most basic life—saving nutrition supplies or buckets or blankets will be loaded

and unloaded on trucks for different and unloaded on trucks four different times from our warehouse by the time it actually gets to people in need. i think of all the conversations but is an important one on this aid because it does result of people dying or not dying of starvation. the thing is we are getting 70% less to the north and six months to the north than six months ago before this war. 70% less trucks are able to come in. that is a huge number. that speaks to why that the world most respected body speaks of imminentfamine. the other thing is that these two crossings in the south need to be matched by those crossing points, which are ten minutes from those people who put their hand to their mouth pleading for food. meanwhile — israeli prime minister benjamin netanyahu will undergo surgery on sunday for a hernia his doctors discovered during a routine examination. mr netanyahu will be fully sedated during the procedure — his office says that mr netanyahu's deputy, yariv levin will serve as acting prime minister during this time. he's due to give a press

conference shortly. to windsor — where king charles and queen camilla have attended the easter sunday service at st george's chapel. here they are leaving the chapel earlier — much to the delight of crowds who had lined up to see them. this is the king's most significant public appearance since being diagnosed with cancer. he wasn't expected to mingle but he did — greeting wellwishers and thanking them for waiting out in the cold. the prince and princess of wales did not attend, as catherine is receiving cancer treatment. the king has continued some work since his diagnosis, but all engagements so far have taken place in private. so this attendance at the easter morning church service at st george's chapel will be seen as an encouraging sign about his health. our royal correspondent sarah campbell has been down at windsor following events. it's almost two months now since the king's cancer diagnosis was made public and as you were saying there, since then he has carried on his constitutional duties, his reading of the red boxes,

meeting up with the prime ministers. meeting up with the prime minister. but these duties have by and large been carried out in private as that treatment for his diagnosis continues. but not today. he arrived with a wave at st george's chapel, went inside. the service started for around about an hour and then the service lasted for around about an hour and then as he and the queen left, they decided to go and speak to some of the members of the public and some of the windsor estate staff who had stood around to the grass verge around the exit door, hoping to get a glimpse of the king. but as you will see from this package, some of them got a lot more than that. the king and queen arriving at the easter sunday service, a wave for the crowd at windsor castle. this is an annual tradition but this hasn't been a normal year at all with both the king of the princess of wales being treated for cancer.

today is the king's first significant public appearance since he announced his diagnosis in february. and he surprised well—wishers by greeting people outside the chapel. so glad you have been so patriotic. best wishes for the princess of wales. you are very brave to stand out here in the cold. this is a best wishes card. the prince and princess of wales were not at the church service. they are spending the easter holidays with their children in private. this was the last time they were all seen together in public, christmas day at sandringham. it is unlikely catherine will resume public duties in the near future. her treatment and recovery are the priorities. the king and queen spent around ten minutes chatting and shaking hands with people outside the chapel. a lovely service. happy easter, i hope you are doing well. many had travelled to windsor especially to see the royals. you are very strong, keep going.

the king is not returning to full public duties yet but today is a positive sign about his health and recovery. well, i chatted to some of the people who spoke to him. they talked about him looking very well, that he seemed very animated, very chatty. he was asking them about how they were feeling because it has been pretty cold in windsor today. and in response, people were passing on their best wishes, notjust to the king, but also to his daughter—in—law, catherine the princess of wales. i caught up with a couple of them as they came out of the castle grounds, including anne and grace. i didn't want to mention his illness. ijust asked him, how many easter eggs have you eaten this morning? because most men, they eat quite a few easter eggs sunday morning. what was the answer? how many easter eggs had he eaten? he just laughed. hejust laughed and said,

i haven't eaten any yet. and tell me, i know you follow the royal family very closely. how reassured did you feel seeing the king up close? he seemed in great spirits. and he seemed very humoured and i said to him, would you give, you know, our best wishes from wales to the princess of wales? and i spoke to her majesty the queen camilla as well. and, yes, it was a joyful occasion. and the music was wonderful, the service was absolutely fabulous and i was very surprised because normally the procedure is he gets... the king gets back in the bentley. but as he went in, he pointed to the queen and said, oh look, the welsh flag. and i said, yes i've come a long way to see you, your majesty. and he laughed and waved. and then somebody said, i've got a feeling he might be coming back out, you know, seeing that welsh flag.

and he did, didn't he? anne and grace there both very excited to see the king. it should be made clear, this is not the came back to full engagements. but i think it is very much a sign, certainly as far as his medical team are concerned, that as his treatment carries on it certainly appears that things are going in the right direction. the archbishop of canterbury wished king charles and the princess of wales well in his easter sermon at canterbury cathedral. the pope also delivered his traditional easter mass in the vatican — where he renewed his call for a ceasefire in gaza and the release of hostages being held there. here's our religion editor aleem maqbool. when pope francis pulled out of some easter events, concerns about his health intensified. but the vatican said it was to conserve energy for today. and that seems to have worked. though a little out of breath, easter mass went smoothly.

after which the 87—year—old went on a drive about to greet what police estimated to be around 60,000 people who had come to st peter's square. events culminated with the pope's blessing and easter message. in it he talked of what he called the absurdity of war and focused on the children of gaza. translation: all my suffering we see in the eyes of these children, - they have forgotten how to smile, the children in the area of war have forgotten how to smile. with those eyes they ask us, why? why all this death? why all this destruction? war is always an absurdity. celebrations in the holy land this

year, including at the church of the holy sepulchre at the site where christians believe jesus was crucified, buried and rose from the dead, was scaled down. palestinian christians talked about an easter tinged with sadness and many foreign pilgrims stayed away. at canterbury cathedral, archbishop justin welby also talked of international conflicts but also of struggles closer to home. we must confront evil and pain, whether it is the evil of people smugglers or county lines in our schools, or the pain and suffering in a family riven with grief or rage or substance abuse. but whether home or abroad, he talked of the hope of the easter story in bringing light to darkness. aleem maqbool, bbc news, at the vatican. now it's time for a look at today's sport with gavin. we're into what could prove to be

a huge day, in the race for the premier league. arsenal, liverpool, and manchester city are separated by the finest of margins. liverpool have gone three points clear at top, for the time being at least — after a 2—1 win at anfield against brighton. the visitors took the lead through danny welbeck after just two minutes but goals from luis diaz and mohamed salah gave jurgen klopp�*s side all three points. shortly it's time for one of the biggest game of the season. champions manchester city against last season's runners—up arsenal at the etihad — kick off inside the next 15 minutes. manchester city make two changes from their fa cup win over newcastle a fortnight ago. kyle walker, injured on england duty, is replaced by nathan ake. while kevin de bruyne comes in forjeremy doku. ederson also remains out with stefan ortega continuing to deputise in goal. the big news for the gunners is that bukayo saka is fit to start. gabriel martinelli, however, isn't risked from the start and is among the arsenal substitutes. mikel arteta's side have been in imperious form, they've won every league game since the turn of the year. but does that make them

favourites for the title? no. they have earned the right for seven or eight years with what they have done. to everybody who believes they are going to do it again, they are giving no reason to anybody else to think that they cannot do it. so we have to give them the reason. we haven't done it so we can't expect to be at the top like st helier oi’ or united because we haven't done that. i know with this type — because we haven't done that. i know with this type of— because we haven't done that. i know with this type of event _ because we haven't done that. i know with this type of event we _ because we haven't done that. i know with this type of event we have - because we haven't done that. i know with this type of event we have a - with this type of event we have a lot of _ with this type of event we have a lot of stats — with this type of event we have a lot of stats on our stats have been good _ lot of stats on our stats have been good but _ lot of stats on our stats have been good but by the way we played some games, _ good but by the way we played some games, we _ good but by the way we played some games, we were really good. at united, — games, we were really good. at united, we won both games. we could not when _ united, we won both games. we could not when so _ united, we won both games. we could not when so i — united, we won both games. we could not when so i don't pay attention if it's the _ not when so i don't pay attention if it's the top— not when so i don't pay attention if it's the top six or top seven or the 0ther— it's the top six or top seven or the other teams, it's the top six or top seven or the otherteams, it's it's the top six or top seven or the other teams, it's the same if you win, _ other teams, it's the same if you win, they— other teams, it's the same if you win, they don't when so that is why it is a _ win, they don't when so that is why it is a moment that we have to win.

world number one scottie scheffler is in a five—way tie for the lead going into the final round of the houston open on the pga tour. the american carded a round of level par 70, which puts him on nine under overall — as he looks to maintain his excellent form going into the masters which is less than 2 weeks away. one of thejoint—leaders is england's david skinns who had a bogey—free 65 to shoot up the leaderboard. on the dp world tour, japan's keita nakajima survived a late stumble to win the indian open. he bogeyed his last three holes but still won by the four shots he had at the start of the day. there's a fascinating final ahead at the miami open tennis — the australian open champion jannick sinner up against a resurgent grigor dimitrov — who knocked out carlos alcaraz — to come... that after the women's final gave the home supporters what they were craving — amercia's danielle collins she beat the former wimbledon champion elena rybakina in straight sets. for collins, who's 30 and will retire at the end of the season, it's her first wta 1000 title.

the energy that i felt from the fans and i literally feel like i am playing in front of thousands of my best friends. that was just surreal. i will never forget this day because of that. everywhere i looked people were saying, let's go, danielle, you can do this. the support that i got is hard for me to hide the emotion because it's just... i think these are the moments that we live for and we don't always get to have them. it's just really special. that is all the sport from us for now _ that is all the sport from us for now you — that is all the sport from us for now. you can get the build—up to the bil now. you can get the build—up to the big match _ now. you can get the build—up to the big match on — now. you can get the build—up to the big match on the bbc sport website. we will_ big match on the bbc sport website. we will see you soon. thank you very much. now to turkey, where voting in local elections has officially ended in the last hour. millions of people have been going to the polls, which could see president erdogan's party retaking control of key cities it lost in the last

vote five years ago. most eagerly watched is the outcome in istanbul, which is home to nearly a fifth of the population. the current mayor there — ekrem imamoglu — is seen as mr erdogan's biggest challenger in decades. if he wins today, it would boost his standing as a potential rival to president erdogan in 2028. the elections are taking place against a backdrop of severe economic problems, including inflation of nearly 70%. with me is emre temel from bbc turkish. thanks are coming in. a lot of focus on istanbul and president erdogan attempting to reclaim the city. guessed this was the biggest political defeat of his career. when president erdogan won the presidential election last year, he immediately declared that taking istanbul back would be his primary target. obviously conditions are changed in turkish politics, last year it was split but ekrem imamoglu

is a very popular politician and he seems to be the most serious challenger that president erdogan is faced. ., ., , ., 4' challenger that president erdogan is faced. ., ., , ., ~ ., ., faced. how does it work, do other indication of— faced. how does it work, do other indication of turnout _ faced. how does it work, do other indication of turnout or _ faced. how does it work, do other indication of turnout or exit - faced. how does it work, do other indication of turnout or exit polls. indication of turnout or exit polls or something like that? the polls closed an hour _ or something like that? the polls closed an hour ago. _ or something like that? the polls closed an hour ago. we _ or something like that? the polls closed an hour ago. we still- or something like that? the pollsj closed an hour ago. we still don't know so we can't do anything at this stage. —— say anything at this stage however we hope to hear initial results within the next couple of hours. if results within the next couple of hours. ~' ., ., ., hours. if ekrem imamoglu were to win, does hours. if ekrem imamoglu were to win. does that _ hours. if ekrem imamoglu were to win, does that propel _ hours. if ekrem imamoglu were to win, does that propel him - hours. if ekrem imamoglu were to win, does that propel him onto - hours. if ekrem imamoglu were to| win, does that propel him onto the national stage to become a future leader? is that why people are concerned or interested in this particular election?— particular election? yes, what ha--ens particular election? yes, what happens in — particular election? yes, what happens in istanbul _ particular election? yes, what happens in istanbul will - particular election? yes, what happens in istanbul will have l particular election? yes, what| happens in istanbul will have a significant effect on the future of turkish politics. that is why this race can easily be seen for a battleground for the next presidential elections. erdogan won the election not once but twice. ——

ekrem imamoglu one not once but twice and if he went today if he is beaten him three times then he can beaten him three times then he can be the one who will challenge him for the next presidential election in 2028. in for the next presidential election in 2028. , ., , ., ., in 2028. in terms of the state of turke 's in 2028. in terms of the state of turkey's economy, _ in 2028. in terms of the state of turkey's economy, how- in 2028. in terms of the state of turkey's economy, how is - in 2028. in terms of the state of turkey's economy, how is that l in 2028. in terms of the state of - turkey's economy, how is that going at the moment? the turkey's economy, how is that going at the moment?— at the moment? the official inflation is _ at the moment? the official inflation is almost _ at the moment? the official inflation is almost 70%. - at the moment? the official inflation is almost 70%. butj at the moment? the official - inflation is almost 70%. but some independent experts are putting this annual inflation figure at well over 100%, this is the biggest concern for president erdogan's party. president erdogan's party lost other big cities five years ago alongside istanbul. they want to take control back of these cities. but the economic concerns are very serious issues. even some governing party

officials saw the fury of people because of the economic problems. what about security? has that been a concern for voters in the selection? we haven't heard anything significant yet and turkey's supreme election officials have not made any statements. voting was peaceful in general. we haven't had anything significant. general. we haven't had anything siunificant. ., ~' , ., , general. we haven't had anything siunificant. ., ~ , ., , . general. we haven't had anything siunificant. ., ~ , . ., significant. thank you very much for cominu significant. thank you very much for comin: to significant. thank you very much for coming to talk— significant. thank you very much for coming to talk to _ significant. thank you very much for coming to talk to us. _ significant. thank you very much for coming to talk to us. thank- significant. thank you very much for coming to talk to us. thank you. - coming to talk to us. thank you. let's move on to india now. supporters of india's main opposition alliance are holding a major rally in the capital ahead of next month's general election. it's the first meeting since the arrest of the chief minister of delhi, arvind kejriwal, on corruption charges ten days ago. opposition parties accuse the governing bjp of using investigative agencies to detain their leaders and prevent them from campaigning. the government denies this. our south asia editor anbarasan ethirajan has more. opposition supporters have gathered here and they are coming from delhi and other neighbouring states

near the capital city. now they are calling for the release of the delhi chief minister. he was taken into custody ten days ago on corruption charges, which he denies. major leaders are addressing this rally, saying that india's democracy and constitution should be saved, and that is the motive of this major rally here. the congress party says its bank accounts have been frozen and they have been asked to pay more than $200 million in fines for allegedly violating tax rules. but the government denies any political motive behind this action, saying the law will take its own course. india's elections are due to start on 19th april and will be held in several places. the campaign is going across the country for this mammoth exercise, but what the opposition is saying is that there is no level playing field. for example, they accuse the election commission of being biased towards the governing bjp and they said that investigating agencies are being used to cripple them, to stifle dissent, to prevent them from campaigning. however, the governing bjp denies these charges and the mammoth exercise of india's general election,

what the opposition are saying is that there is no level playing field they accuse them of being biased against the governing bjp. the?e they accuse them of being biased against the governing bjp. they say the 're against the governing bjp. they say they're investigating _ against the governing bjp. they say they're investigating agencies - against the governing bjp. they say they're investigating agencies are i they're investigating agencies are being used to strive for dissent and prevent them from campaigning. however the governing bjp denies these charges and the mammoth exercise of india's general election in which the prime minister is seeking a third straight term is starting on the 19th of april. romania and bulgaria have become the newest members of the europe's schengen area of free movement — but only for air and sea crossings. land border controls will remain in place because of austria's opposition to the eastern european nations becoming full members of the zone. vienna fears an influx of asylum seekers if all border controls disappear. romania's interior minister catalin predoiu said joining schengen was an important moment

for his country and its citizens. many of us have seagull horror stories — from having our chips nicked at the seaside, to being dive—bombed by adult birds protecting their young. but scientists say gulls should be seen not as pests but as clever, adaptable birds which are being forced into cities by the loss of their natural spaces. here's our environment correspondent, helen briggs. seagulls showing off their flying skills on a winter's day. they may be a common sight near the coast, but hit by bird flu and the loss of wild spaces, some populations are in trouble. a number of our breeding goals are in decline. perhaps they don't take so much notice of them to notice that numbers are dropping off. they are quite a visual species. they are in our towns and parks in urban areas and we've become very familiar with them. three common gulls and 26 black—headed gulls. in january hundreds of volunteers

took part in the first national survey of winter gulls in 20 years, to get a better picture of the six main species that spend the winter here. the tide is dropping and the gulls are starting to gather. a few black—headed gulls and herring gulls. the idea is to count them coming in. just to get a sense and look at population change. not everyone has a fan of seagulls, some species such as herring gulls are notorious for raiding bends and stealing food. here in brighton people have mixed views. i think people are very unkind and cruel to seagulls. they throw stones at them. i hate them. the other day stole a doughnut outside of my hand. they love a doughnut, - you can't walk around with food in your hand but other. than that they are great.

this scientist say that the problem is us. if you think of them as a pest it is a negative mindset, but you should think of them as intelligent animals and be more respectful of their behaviour. the data from the survey will be used to draw up new conservation plans for seagulls, with the hope that we can learn to live better alongside of them. helen briggs, bbc news, on the south coast. plenty more stories for you on our website. do stay with us here on bbc news. we will have the headlines for you shortly. hello. well, the sun has come out across some parts of the country this easter sunday, but it's not like it everywhere. in fact, farfrom it. closer to the north sea coast and across central england, rather a lot of cloud,

a chilly breeze off the north sea. we had a few showers as well. but if we look at the satellite picture, you can see a rugged area of cloud. basically, the brighter skies are the further north and west you are. and this area of cloud is part of a much larger circulation of rugged cloud, all linked to a big area of low pressure dominating the scene here. and if we look at the outlook for the next few days, smaller loads embedded within this larger vortex will be sweeping our way. here are the weather fronts. the blue is obviously the rain, stronger winds at times as well. so the next few days, the outlook is looking pretty wet after what has been already a very wet march in many parts of the uk. back to the afternoon, then. here are the temperatures you can see quite chilly on that north sea coast in the breeze, ten celsius, but 15 or 16 possible across some brighter skies here towards the west. now, tonight, across england and wales, rain is possible almost at any time. there could even be a crack of thunder for a time in the south. the driest of our weather will be across scotland, maybe a touch of frost in the highlands. but in cities, temperatures will be

typically between five and eight degrees celsius. onto our forecast for tomorrow. the wettest of the weather will be across northern england through the irish sea, just about into eastern parts of northern ireland as well. really quite a grey, rainy picture most of the day. to the south, we'll call it a mixture of sunny spells, but occasional heavy showers as well. and the temperatures typically ten in scotland, around 12 to ia across more southern parts of the uk. then here's tuesday, then. that weather front will have moved a little bit further north, starting to fizzle out, but still bringing some damp weather to the northeast. and then the next weather front sweeps into the south west and then through the day and into the evening hours will be crossing the country as it moves northwards and eastwards. so here's that outlook, those weather fronts i showed you earlier on and those low pressures you can see from the outlook, often rainy but not particularly chilly. in fact, mid—teens in the south.

now on bbc news: panorama. immigration has driven the fastest population growth in the uk since the 1960s.

it looks like great britain is sinking with the amount of foreigners that are here. i think there's a lot the immigration population can bring to a country. at the last election, the government promised to reduce immigration. but it didn't go down. it went up. they say one thing and do another. and this has been the situation for years and years and years. i i think it's one big bloody mess, to be honest with you. - when it comes to immigration, right now, one issue dominates. one of my top priorities as prime minister is to stop the boats. you may have the impression it's small boats that have driven a record rise in net migration. they haven't. while the issue is important, in the context of overall immigration, the numbers are tiny. it's not small boats behind the increase. it's choices made by the government. i am not going to shy away from the truth

that is the government did take steps to actually increase