smashing open food packages — in the occupied west bank. protesters return to georgia's capital, demanding the government scrap a law that they worry will silence dissent. and some of the biggest names in international cinema are gathering on the french riviera for the cannes film festival, which kicks off later today. hello. i'm sally bundock. israeli protesters have blocked aid trucks destined for gaza, throwing food packages onto the road and ripping bags of grain open in the occupied west bank. the lorries, which were set upon at the tarqumiya

checkpoint west of hebron, came from jordan and were headed to the gaza strip, where tens of thousands of palestinians face food and aid shortages. the white house has condemned the attack, describing the looting of aid convoys as "a total outrage". meanwhile, there are reports of clashes around the southern city of rafah, an area where many people had taken refuge from fighting elsewhere in gaza. thousands of people have fled the camp — israel has advised them to go to the al mawasi area, near the coast, and to khan younis. aid agencies say there is almost no infrastructure there to support them. there's also been heavy fighting injabalia, in the north of gaza. israel says it has returned to the area to counter any attempts by hamas to re—establish its military capabilities in the area. the white house national security adviserjake sullivan said the us is still working with israel to avoid a major military operation in rafah.

we still believe it would be a mistake to launch a major military operation into the heart of rafah that would put huge numbers of civilians at risk without a clear strategic gain. the president was clear that he would not supply certain offensive weapons for such an operation, were it to occur. it has not yet occurred and we're still working with israel on a better way to the defeat of hamas everywhere in gaza, including in rafah. tensions are further heightened today on the 76th anniversary of the creation of state of israel. the usually festive holiday will be marked this year with low—key events. with me is mohamed taha from bbc arabic. good morning to you, mohamed. good morning to you, mohamed. good morning, sally. so good morning to you, mohamed. good morning, sally.— good morning, sally. so another da start good morning, sally. so another day start and _ good morning, sally. so another day start and if— good morning, sally. so another day start and if we _ good morning, sally. so another day start and if we -- _ good morning, sally. so another day start and if we -- starts - day start and if we —— starts and if we start with these stories emerging with aid going into northern gaza and protesters intercepting this aid. , ,

protesters intercepting this aid. , ., aid. indeed. this is another story proving _ aid. indeed. this is another story proving the _ aid. indeed. this is another story proving the aid - aid. indeed. this is another i story proving the aid situation towards gaza in a chaotic situation, and even aid, if it arrives to gaza, it cannot be distributed across the strip because of the fighting. fighting now is in the north in jalabiya. there is massive shelling in the middle of the strip, including in a hospital overnight, and in rafah in the south. so there is no way for this aid to reach anyone, and the people there are starving. they are in bad need forfood and for supplies, and the head of the unrwa said there is no safe place in gaza and the claim of israel for people to move from rafah to khan younis or al—mawasi is a false claim and it is misleading. in or al-mawasi is a false claim and it is misleading. in terms of what's _ and it is misleading. in terms of what's happening - and it is misleading. in terms of what's happening in - and it is misleading. in terms of what's happening in rafah| of what's happening in rafah itself, you know, the us is

saying they're in conversation with israel all the time about the military operation there, but what are you hearing about what's happening? the operation in rafah is already _ what's happening? the operation in rafah is already a _ what's happening? the operation in rafah is already a big - in rafah is already a big operation. israel controlled the rafah crossing with e—jim mattis. at the moment, they are attacking from the north. they attacked overnight the eastern part of rafah, causing more than 50 casualties. the operation in rafah is going on with its strongest scale and it is not lighting anymore. find is not lighting anymore. and 'ust is not lighting anymore. and just about — is not lighting anymore. and just about the _ is not lighting anymore. and just about the context of this being the 76th anniversary of israel being recognised as a state — just talk us through what that means for the people of gaza, for the region as a whole? ~ ., ., whole? well, the whole region is in a massive _ whole? well, the whole region is in a massive crisis. - whole? well, the whole region is in a massive crisis. there . is in a massive crisis. there is in a massive crisis. there is a crisis obviously in gaza. 40,000 people died in this war so far. and there is a passive crisis in israel and in the israeli society. the crisis is

that the israeli society is split. part of the israeli society wants the hostages back and this war to stop, and part of the israeli society wants the war to carry on and we watch the pictures of looting the aid that is going to gaza. so both parties are in crisis. the palestinians are commemorating tomorrow the celebration of nakba, which is the memory of edge pelling 75,000 people out of israel after establishing the state of israel and we are seeing now more than a million people cannot return to their homes in gaza, which is another nakba. 0k. mohamed, for now, thank you very much indeed with the latest on what's happening in gaza and israel. in new york, donald trump's �*hush money�* trial has been hearing from the key prosecution witness, michael cohen. he was once the former president's lawyer and fixer,

but he spent the day on the stand outlining how he made a payment to the adult film actress stormy daniels, to stop her talking about a relationship she claimed she had with mr trump. the defence is expected to stress mr cohen's criminal record, and openly stated dislike of his ex—boss. here's our north america editor sarah smith. the star witness for the prosecution is also their biggest problem. he's been to prison for telling lies to congress so why should thejury believe him now? do you plan on telling the truth? rude and loud mouthed, he's already been called a bully and a jerk in this trial. and he frequently attacks donald trump online. even thejudge has asked him to stop it. trumpism is fascism, and we must eradicate it from our body politic. donald trump can't answer back. he has been threatened with a jail sentence if he says anything about michael cohen or any of the trial witnesses.

so instead he's highlighting a new york times opinion poll that shows this trial is not damaging his political support. and there it is, it's trump, leading by a lot. in every state. every swing state leading by a lot. this trial is rigged. today, donald trump listened to his formerfixer saying he'd do whatever was required for the man he called boss, including telling lies. mr cohen described working to kill salacious stories that could have hurt mr trump's first presidential campaign, including stormy daniels�* claim about a sexual encounter. for a felony conviction, prosecutors need to prove donald trump intended to influence the election outcome. he says he paid the hush money to stop his wife finding out. but michael cohen told the court, "he wasn't thinking about melania, this was all about the campaign." mr cohen said he paid ms daniels�* lawyer and kept donald trump�*s name away from the deal but told him every detail because everything required mr trump�*s sign—off.

political allies of donald trump are allowed to call mr cohen a liar. does any reasonable person believe anything michael cohen says? i don�*t think that they should, and i actually think that his testimony will not affect any reasonable juror, and hopefully we have a few of those. michael cohen hates donald trump, he makes no secret of that. but will that stop the jury from believing his crucial testimony against his former boss? ifjust one juror is unsure of donald trump�*s guilt, that will be enough to save him from conviction. sarah smith, bbc news, new york. us secretary of state antony blinken has landed in ukraine as weapons from a new american aid package begin arriving at the front line. his visit comes as the country struggles to hold back a major russian incursion near its second—biggest city of kharkiv. here�*s our correspondent james waterhouse. shouting these communities are used to russia being close, but not this close.

forfour days, bombs have rained down here, and the window to leave is shrinking. thousands have been forced to escape, and counting. "keep talking to us," says this police officer to 71—year—old 0lga. she was injured in an explosion and their car is now an ambulance. they meet paramedics. we�*re told she�*s in a serious condition. translation: vovchansk - is being mercilessly destroyed, blown up by rocket propelled grenades, artillery, mortars, and small arms battles are going on on the northern outskirts of the city. the newly homeless end up here in ukraine�*s second city, kharkiv. people are terrified.

they are stressed. they take... they keep their animals with them. so everyone is in a huge stress because of the constant shelling and of the shock of the russian offensive. volodymyr said he went to feed his animals when he encountered machine gunfire in all directions. for now, kharkiv city is a place of relative safety. but for how long? while few think the russians are capable of taking it, they could soon be in artillery range. translation: our task is crystal clear. - to stop russia�*s attempt to expand the war. the fulfilment of this task depends on everyone who is on the ground. missiles routinely hit kharkiv. if this offensive isn�*t contained, the destruction will be even greater. ukraine is struggling to hold what is a new front line. james waterhouse, bbc news, kyiv. around the world and across

the uk, this is bbc news.

a final vote on a controversial foreign influence law in georgia — which has seen ongoing protests — will take place today. demonstrators say that would mean georgia would face the same clampdown on media as in russia, where similar legislation is already in place. protesters worry the law would silence dissent and push it fartherfrom joining the european union. let�*s speak to hans gutbrod, who�*s professor of public policy at ilia state university. good to talk to you, hans. these protests have been going on for several weeks. they came

to a head yesterday, when politicians were convening in parliament to hear another reading of this bill. what do you think might happen today? well, good morning. we think that the law will be passed today. and what�*s important to understand — it�*s also when politicians gather, that means just the politicians of the ruling party, who seem set on passing this law, against the will of thousands, tens of thousands, hundreds of thousands, hundreds of thousands of georgians. those politicians. _ thousands of georgians. those politicians, though, _ thousands of georgians. those politicians, though, in - politicians, though, in parliament, and the prime minister, argue that the majority of georgians want this bill to go through, that those who are protesting are not necessarily representing all of georgia. your thoughts on that? well, we know that that�*s not true. there�*s research from last year that indicates that the majority of georgians are against this. 66% of georgians under 35 are against this and

even the supporters of the ruling party have their doubts. 0nly ruling party have their doubts. only 41% of those that support the ruling party like this law. it is rather telling that the prime minister, when challenged, couldn�*t even name the survey company that had actually done the research. unless he actually provides the real data and allows people to take a close look, i think people are well advised to take... to take his claim with a lot of scepticism. so take. .. to take his claim with a lot of scepticism.— a lot of scepticism. so what will this mean? _ a lot of scepticism. so what will this mean? if _ a lot of scepticism. so what will this mean? if the - a lot of scepticism. so what will this mean? if the law. a lot of scepticism. so what will this mean? if the law is passed today — as you say is likely to happen — going forward, what does this mean forward, what does this mean for georgia, its ambitions to join the european union? will that mean it cannot do that? does it mean it�*s pivoting more towards russia? does it mean it's pivoting more towards russia?— towards russia? well, it has a range- -- _ towards russia? well, it has a range- -- if— towards russia? well, it has a range... if that _ towards russia? well, it has a range... if that law _ towards russia? well, it has a range... if that law passes, i range... if that law passes, that will have a range of effects. first, it�*s a law that allows the government to repress civil society at will. the government likes to make the point that this is about politics. in fact, any civil society organisation will face additional scrutiny, additional

intrusion, so it will be hard even for organisations that try and help people with disabilities to operate or a dog shelter. all of those will be at the whim of the government to repress this any time. and in terms of important relations, this runs directly against the kinds of aspirations tojoin the against the kinds of aspirations to join the eu that are even anchored in the constitution.— are even anchored in the constitution. all right, hans gutbrod, — constitution. all right, hans gutbrod, we've _ constitution. all right, hans gutbrod, we've got - constitution. all right, hans gutbrod, we've got to - constitution. all right, hans gutbrod, we've got to leave constitution. all right, hans l gutbrod, we've got to leave it gutbrod, we�*ve got to leave it there, but thank you for joining us on bbc news. later today, the isle of man could become the first place in the british isles to legalise assisted dying. the island — off the west coast of england — is a crown dependency setting its own laws. under the proposals, assisted dying would be lawful for terminally ill patients, with a life expectancy of 12 months or less and who have a clear and settled intention to end their life. two doctors must approve, and the individual must be over 18, and have lived on the isle, for at least five years. our medical editor fergus walsh

has been to meet people on both sides of the debate. the isle of man has a population ofjust 85,000, the same as grimsby, but for over 1,000 years, it has set its own laws, and is about to vote on one of the most contentious issues facing society. these two campaigners want to see assisted dying introduced on the island. simon was kept alive way too long in way too much pain. he had no dignity whatsoever, no quality of life. sue biggerstaff is haunted by the memory of her husband�*s agonising death from motor neurone disease. the doctor, everybody was wonderful, but the fact is, simon had intravenous morphine in both legs and both arms and patches, and still he was in pain. she says simon�*s final months were torture.

paralysed from the neck down, his muscles wasting with open wounds that would not heal. how can anybody want to be alive when they�*re decomposing? i mean, it�*s sick. it�*s sick. ella, god love her, if i had her here now, paralysed from the neck down, incontinent, and her body decaying, and i didn�*t do anything, i�*d be locked up. this is the chamber of the house of keys, equivalent to the house of commons at westminster, where members will vote on a bill which could see the isle of man become the first part of the british isles

to legalise assisted dying. this woman says at present, some are denied a good death. i�*ve come across people who have openly expressed a will for assisted dying because they�*re suffering, but they�*re not allowed to. so we empower people to make their health care all the way through their life but when it comes to making decisions about a good death, we take the ultimate decision away from them! but those against say legalising assisted dying would set a dangerous press tent dent. —— precedent. bill, a baptist minister, says christian churches on the island are united in their opposition. my big concern for this bill is for vulnerable people, for people who don�*t have much agency for themselves and the effect that this could have, the dangers of coercion, the

dangers of unintended consequences, the dangers for people who feel suicidal — these are the people i would be most concerned for. it these are the people i would be most concerned for.— most concerned for. if assisted d in: most concerned for. if assisted dying came _ most concerned for. if assisted dying came in. _ most concerned for. if assisted dying came in. it _ most concerned for. if assisted dying came in, it would - dying came in, it would challenge me emotionally. all the challenge me emotionally. fill the island's doctors, like the island�*s doctors, like duncan, qualify overseas. he says many, like him, will consider leaving if assisted dying is introduced. i�*m very concerned that assisted dying is a slippery slope you start on. when you allow people to be killed by their doctor, to assist dying by a doctor, it begins a journey that doesn�*t stop and vulnerable people start off with an offer, which becomes a suggestion, which becomes an obligation to die and i worry vulnerable people will be sucked into a law to help a very, very small number of people! if the bill is approved, it could become law next year, with the first assisted death in 2027, although there�*s now a proposal for the whole issue to be put to a referendum, giving the public, not politicians, the

final word. the uk�*s biggest indoor venue is due to open its doors this evening with elbow expected to perform. co—op live is in manchester and has been beset with teething troubles as our entertainment correspondent colin patterson reports. cooperate live are hoping it�*s fourth time lucky as, once again, it tries to open again tonight exactly three weeks to the day after peter kay was supposed to be the biggest —— be the opening act in the biggest venue in the uk. the arena has been beset by cancellations, postponements and changes of location because of ventilation problems and other problems. # today could be the greatest day of my life. # today could be the greatest day of my life-— # today could be the greatest day of my life. take that moved their five-night _ day of my life. take that moved their five-night residency - their five—night residency across the city to the a0

arena, co—op live�*s direct rival, while 0livia rodrigo is still trying to reschedule the two dates she was forced to cancel. manchester�*s business community says there simply cannot be any more delays. this has to work— cannot be any more delays. this has to work for _ cannot be any more delays. ti 3 has to work for manchester from now on. ~ , has to work for manchester from now on-- this _ has to work for manchester from now on.- this is _ has to work for manchester from now on.- this is a - has to work for manchester from now on. toiling? this is a £300 now on. why? this is a £300 million-plus _ now on. why? this is a £300 million-plus investment, - now on. why? this is a £300 i million-plus investment, right? million—plus investment, right? it was vote of confidence for manchester when it happened and we don�*t want anything that damages manchester�*s reputation as a destination for business and investment, which is why we have got to get this right. # in this world # _ # in this world # it'sjust us... # in this world # it's 'ust us... ., .,, , # it's 'ust us... co-op live is all # it'sjust us... co-op live is all funded — # it'sjust us... co-op live is all funded by _ # it'sjust us... co-op live is all funded by private - # it'sjust us... co-op live is all funded by private financel all funded by private finance with investors, including harry styles, who recorded a message of support before the problems were all known about. i�*m were all known about. i'm incredibly _ were all known about. i'm incredibly proud _ were all known about. i'm incredibly proud to - were all known about. i�*m incredibly proud to be a part of co—op live, one of the largest and most sustainable arenas in europe. i think that

the people of manchester deserve one of the best arenas in the world and i can�*t wait for you to see it. but people have had to wait. manchester�*s elbow were scheduled to be seventh play school the co—op live. now they�*ve found themselves as at they�*ve found themselves as at the opening act, simply by default. co—op live say they are especially disappointed to have delayed their introduction and frustrated so many people, but they are thrilled to finally be opening their doors. colin patterson, bbc news. some of the biggest names in the world of international cinema are gathering on the french riviera for the cannes film festival, which kicks off later today. there�*s lots to discuss now with editor in chief of hollywood international filmmaker magazine, sandro monetti. lovely to see you. what�*s going

to dominate? what will we all be talking about?— to dominate? what will we all be talking about? donald trump is never far— be talking about? donald trump is never far from _ be talking about? donald trump is never far from the _ be talking about? donald trump is never far from the headlines i is neverfarfrom the headlines and there�*s a movie about his early days called the apprentice, which is in competition, yes, the makers reckon it�*s good enough to win the ultimate prize. the palme d�*0r. sebastian stan, last seen playing tommy lee in pam and tommy, is playing the young trump as he rises through the real estate ranks in �*70s new york. that�*s the hot ticket. all right. you can�*t even escape trump at the cannes film festival and go into a kind of world where he isn�*t pervading. let�*s talk about this scifi movie, the futuristic american epic — that�*s likely to grab a lot of attention, isn�*t it? it's lot of attention, isn�*t it? it�*s called megalopolis and it is the hopefully career—defining epic of godfather director francis ford coppo will, a. they say in hollywood, never put your own

money into a film and he�*s never been one to listen to rules. it�*s a $120 million budget. he funded it all himself with his wine fortune. this is a movie he�*s been trying to make since the 1980s. it's trying to make since the 1980s. it�*s finally being unveiled at cannes. maybe it will be a triumph. maybe it will be a disaster. no—one knows much about it. but a lot of us are rooting for coppola. it�*s set in a dystopian future new york. adam driver place an architect — another real estate developer theme — who tries to rebuild new york after a disaster, and so will it be a disaster? 0r so will it be a disaster? or will it be a delight? cannes will it be a delight? cannes will decide.— will it be a delight? cannes will decide. let's talk quickly then about — will decide. let's talk quickly then about stranger - will decide. let's talk quickly then about stranger things, | then about stranger things, which, of course, was an oscar winner, huge success for emma stone and co and she�*s teaming up stone and co and she�*s teaming up with the director again. we�*ll find out more about what they�*re up to at cannes? we'll find out more about what they're up to at cannes?- they're up to at cannes? yes. indeed. kind _ they're up to at cannes? yes. indeed. kind of— they're up to at cannes? yes. indeed. kind of kindness - they're up to at cannes? yes. indeed. kind of kindness is i they're up to at cannes? 13:3 indeed. kind of kindness is the movie, which, just months after their 0scar triumph for stone and lapamos, the dream duo back

together, willem defoe also in it. it's together, willem defoe also in it. it�*s the typical sur real stuff we expect from this team. can it delight again? last year, three films that premiered here ended up with best picture nominations. that was the zone of interest, anatomy of a fall and poor things as well. we�*ll see if any of these will be on the best picture list whether they�*re doomed for the dustbin of history. cannes can make you and it can break you. that�*s what�*s made it so great for 77 years. what's made it so great for 77 ears. �* , �* , what's made it so great for 77 ears. ~ , �* , ., ., years. as ever, it's great to net years. as ever, it's great to get your — years. as ever, it's great to get your take _ years. as ever, it's great to get your take on _ years. as ever, it's great to get your take on all - years. as ever, it's great to get your take on all things. get your take on all things entertainment. thank you so much. we�*ll see you again soon on bbc news. don�*t you go anywhere because i�*m back with business today, ai i�*m back with business today, a! our top story. stay with us. ai our top story. stay with us. i�*ll see you in a moment. hello. the weather looks decidedly

mixed over the next few days, just as it was on monday. for some of us, there was a little bit of sunshine and some warmth — 24 celsius, or at least very close to it, in parts of northern scotland. compare that with 14 celsius in southwest england, with cloud, with outbreaks of rain — all in association with this area of low pressure and this slow—moving frontal system. now, this weather front is now slowly on the move, northwards and eastwards. you can follow that weather front here for tuesday morning. that�*s where we�*ll see outbreaks of rain across parts of eastern england, for a time across the midlands, certainly some rain across northern england, southern and central scotland. rain tending to pull away from northern ireland, and for wales in the southwest, it�*s a mix of sunny spells and heavy showers. northern scotland should see some dry and bright weather. we could well see the highest of the temperatures here, around 21 celsius, more generally, 16—20. and then, through tuesday night, here�*s our weather front continuing its very slow journey northwards and eastwards. much of the rain, though, i think fizzling out. it�*ll be a bit misty and murky

in places as we start wednesday morning, temperatures generally between 9—12 celsius. 0ur weather front still in play, still a band of clouds, some splashes of rain — we may see some heavier rain pushing back in across some eastern and northern parts of england. elsewhere, some spells of sunshine, a scattering of showers — we could possibly see the odd heavy thundery shower breaking out in the northwest of scotland. temperatures in northern scotland likely to touch 22—23 celsius, but in sunny spots elsewhere, we will be in the high teens or the low 20s. for thursday, still the remnants of that weather front providing cloud and a focus for some showers. but we will see some showers breaking out quite widely on thursday, some heavy, thundery ones in places. but again, in the sunshine, temperatures getting into the low 20s celsius — not bad at all for the time of year. now, as we head into the end of the week and the weekend, this area of low pressure tending to weaken, the centre of the low tending

to be to the south of the uk. so spots further north actually may escape most of the showers and see a decent amount of dry weather. temperatures could still get into the 20s celsius for some. more showers further south, some of those heavy and thundery, but still with some spells of warm sunshine in between.

the ai race heats up: 0penai unveils its new chatbot that can teach maths and even flirt as it seeks to get ahead of google and apple. us—china trade tensions ratchet up: president biden is set to announce new tariffs on chinese—made evs and solar equipment. also on the programme, india�*s two—month long election reaches the halfway point: we report from the city of ayodhya where faith, politics and business converge. and talking rubbish: we speak to the company helping to deal with europe�*s two billion tonnes of annual waste. you have just joined us, you havejustjoined us, you are in time for business today. i�*m sally bundock. we start in the us where the race for dominance in generative artificial intelligence has just stepped up a gear. one of the leading companies in the field, 0penai,