to a hospital in southern gaza. hailed as a game changer — a new study suggests widely used weight loss drugs could cut the risk of heart attacks and strokes. america's top diplomat in kyiv — offering weapons and reassurances as ukraine forces continue to battle a ruissian offensive in the east. the isle of man is expected to move a step closer to legalising assisted dying — it would become the first part of the british isles to pass such legislation. the isle of man is considering legislation today which could see it become the first place in the british isles to legalise assisted dying. the island — off the west coast of england — is a crown dependency and sets 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 a thousand 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. so should the terminally ill have a right to die? that is what the manx parliament tynwald is set to decide. 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. claire barbour, a member of the house of keys, is a former intensive care nurse who 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 allow and encourage, we empower people to make decisions about their health care all the way through their life. but when it comes to making those decisions around a good death, we take the ultimate decision away from them. but those against say legalising assisted dying would set a dangerous precedent. bill leishman, a baptist minister, says christian churches on the island are united in their opposition. my big concern for this bill is for vulnerable people, l for people who don't have much agency for themselves, -

and the the effect that it _ could have, the dangers of coercion, the dangers of unintended l consequences, the dangers for people who feel suicidal. these are the people that - i would be most concerned for. if assisted dying came in, it would really challenge me emotionally. all the island's doctors, like duncan gerry, 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 that you start on. when you allow people to be killed by their doctor, to die by their doctor, it begins a journey that doesn't stop and vulnerable people start out with an offer, becomes a suggestion, becomes an obligation to die. and i worry that 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. fergus walsh, bbc news, on the isle of man. let's speak to our medical editor fergus walsh. the controversial issue. tell us about how, what stage it is rich in the isle of man and how far it has to go now. i the isle of man and how far it has to go "ow-— to go now. i am standing in the chamber of— to go now. i am standing in the chamber of the _ to go now. i am standing in the chamber of the house - to go now. i am standing in the chamber of the house of - to go now. i am standing in the chamber of the house of keys, | chamber of the house of keys, speaker's chair where in just 25 minutes members will meet to vote on the crucial closes stage of this assisted dying bill. the stage it has reached as they are known dealing with the nitty—gritty, they have agreed that it should be available to terminally ill patients with less than 12 months to live, and today they will built on the contentious issue of whether people are eligible should be allowed to

ask a doctor to give them a lethal injection or whether they will have to take the lethal drugs themselves. then after all of those proposals have gone through, if they go through, there is then a plan from the chief minister to have a referendum, which will also be voted on here. and if there was a referendum it would then be down to the public rather than politicians to have the final word on whether this legislation actually gets enacted. ., ., enacted. you took there, someone about the report _ enacted. you took there, someone about the report talking _ enacted. you took there, someone about the report talking about - about the report talking about people, what sort of safeguards are in place and legislation for those who are vulnerable?— in place and legislation for those who are vulnerable? those who are backin: who are vulnerable? those who are backing the — who are vulnerable? those who are backing the bill _ who are vulnerable? those who are backing the bill say _ who are vulnerable? those who are backing the bill say it _ who are vulnerable? those who are backing the bill say it is _ who are vulnerable? those who are backing the bill say it is going - who are vulnerable? those who are backing the bill say it is going to . backing the bill say it is going to be very tightly controlled. people will have to have mental capacity and that it will have to be signed off and one of the things he will be

voting on today is how this will be signed off by at least two micro—independent doctors and there will be safeguards on preventing coercion, but critics say it is inevitable that a right to die will become a suggestion, will effectively, people will feel coerced, with care home costs and people wanting to pass on wealth down the generations that they may be concern that people will feel that they have a duty to die. and of course, on the isle of man, it is not part of the uk, it is a crown dependency, but it is just one of many areas now but in recent years that have gone down this road. since 2015 which was the last time the parliament at westminster voted

overwhelmingly to reject plans for assisted dying, australia, new zealand, spain, portugal, the state of california, to name but a few, have added to the growing list of countries and jurisdictions which have introduced assisted dying, and later this month france, the french plot government backed by emanuel macron are going to introduce plans there to have assisted dying backed by a i there to have assisted dying backed by a 1 billion euros tenure package to improve palliative care. by a1 billion euros tenure package to improve palliative care.- to improve palliative care. thank ou. let's speak to richard huxtable, the professor of medical ethics and law at the university of bristol. i wonder what your concerns are with this legislation.— this legislation. darren are barriers concerns. - this legislation. darren are barriers concerns. we - this legislation. darren are| barriers concerns. we know this legislation. darren are - barriers concerns. we know there this legislation. darren are _ barriers concerns. we know there are heated arguments on each side and understand, only one hand or stress and alleviation of suffering but on the other hand as we had to go very

real concerns about injuring people do not feel under pressure and that we do not end up sending signals about devaluing the lives of people with disabilities, so very strong safeguards will be needed. does a bit mental capacity _ safeguards will be needed. does a bit mental capacity because - safeguards will be needed. does a bit mental capacity because that i bit mental capacity because that presumably will be key to deciding whether someone is making a coherent decision or not. whether someone is making a coherent decision or not-— decision or not. absolutely. we understand _ decision or not. absolutely. we understand this _ decision or not. absolutely. we understand this proposal, - decision or not. absolutely. we understand this proposal, the l decision or not. absolutely. we i understand this proposal, the idea is its capacity, this ability to make the decision would be assessed by two doctors independently. and typically, certainly if we look to the law in many countries, there is a presumption that adults do have capacity to make decisions about their lives. here we might wonder do we need further safeguards, should we need further safeguards, should we routinely test and sometimes routinely involve psychiatrists or psychologists? if routinely involve psychiatrists or psychologists?— routinely involve psychiatrists or psychologists? if that is the case, how likely is _ psychologists? if that is the case, how likely is it _ psychologists? if that is the case, how likely is it that _ psychologists? if that is the case, how likely is it that this _ psychologists? if that is the case, how likely is it that this becomes | how likely is it that this becomes something that if it houses in the isle of man, then there is a move to extend it to elsewhere in the uk? it looks like there is a great ride

debates occurring around the uk and neighbouring jurisdictions and legal systems, the isle of man at the moment, jersey next week is looking at this, it is itself its own legal system, and we know there are discussions occurring in ireland, scotland and potentially after a general election later this year in england as well, these debates are ramping up. it is england as well, these debates are ramping un— ramping up. it is often argued by --eole ramping up. it is often argued by peeple who _ ramping up. it is often argued by peeple who oppose _ ramping up. it is often argued by people who oppose it _ ramping up. it is often argued by people who oppose it that - ramping up. it is often argued by. people who oppose it that actually if there were better palliative care people wouldn't be pushed down this route, is it something you think is a fairargument route, is it something you think is a fair argument critical i do. i think this is really all about fording people meaningfuland think this is really all about fording people meaningful and many full choices and _ fording people meaningful and many full choices and assisted _ fording people meaningful and many full choices and assisted dying - full choices and assisted dying might be one choice the electorate would wish to see and post but we should not forget the other really important choices, is a good quality palliative and end—of—life and hospice care available and beyond that, is a good mental health care and related care? we really need to resource the whole package of care and not process exclusively on

assisted dying. i and not process exclusively on assisted dying.— and not process exclusively on assisted dying. i understand they chance assisted dying. i understand they change the _ assisted dying. i understand they change the rules, _ assisted dying. i understand they change the rules, originally - assisted dying. i understand they change the rules, originally it - change the rules, originally it would bejihad to change the rules, originally it would be jihad to live on the island for one year before your access and now it will be five years, do you think that is self? it now it will be five years, do you think that is self?— think that is self? it may be helful, think that is self? it may be helpful. it _ think that is self? it may be helpful, it would _ think that is self? it may be helpful, it would avoid - think that is self? it may be helpful, it would avoid the i helpful, it would avoid the so—called problem of assisted dying tourism. we know of only one legal system that allows that, switzerland. most others, the overwhelming majority of other legal system say no, this is for a resonance. many restrict it to 12 months residency, but we saw last week the isle of man are saying five years to ensure this is only a resonance. years to ensure this is only a resdnance-— a whistle—blower who helped expose allegations of australian war crimes in afghanistan has beenjailed for almost six years. david mcbride pleaded guilty to three counts of stealing and sharing secret military information with journalists. he said he'd felt a moral duty to speak out after internal complaints he raised were ignored. following publication by the public broadcaster abc, there was an inquiry that found

evidence australian forces had unlawfully killed 39 afghans. police raided abc to seize the material — a move that sparked controversy over media freedom. david mcbride pleaded guilty to three charges, including theft and the sharing of classified documents to the press. now, he said he had a moral duty to speak out after trying to complain internally but those complaints being ignored. so he took a huge wad of documents to the australian broadcasting corporation and that formed the basis of a series of reports known as the afghan files, and in that there were allegations of war crimes. a subsequent inquiry found that australian forces had killed 39 afghans during the war. now, the police raided the abc and that sparked huge controversy over media freedom here in australia. now, handing down the sentence, the judge said that he disagreed with mcbride, who had said he didn't believe he was breaking the law, that mcbride had become obsessed with the correctness of his own opinions, and sharing military secrets

was a gross breach of trust. but ahead of sentencing, david mcbride said that he may have broken the law, but he "didn't break his oath to the people of australia, and the soldiers that keep us safe." now, rights groups have said this is a dark day for democracy here in australia and his team say that they will be appealing. around the world and across the uk. this is bbc news.

an austrian court has ruled that the country's most notorious prisoner, who kept his daughter in a cellar for 2h years and fathered seven children by her, can be moved to a normal prison. it said 89—year old josef fritzl was no longer considered dangerous following an assessment of his dementia. he's been kept in a special prison for mentally disturbed inmates since his conviction in 2009. there are "tentative signs" the uk's

jobs market is cooling, after unemployment rose to 4.3%. the number of vacancies has slowed, meaning more unemployed people are competing for the same jobs. let's speak to our economics correspondent andy verity. how significant is this particular economic indicator? it is significant. _ economic indicator? it is significant. it _ economic indicator? it is significant. it is - economic indicator? it is . significant. it is incremental economic indicator? it 3 significant. it is incremental but you are seeing here are signs the job market is loosening, getting weaker effectively. you remember on the bounce back from the pandemic the bounce back from the pandemic the jobs market was very tight meaning that employers were struggling to get the stuff they needed. that has been subsiding quite a lot over the last 18 months and these figures show that the trend is continuing, but also is the number of people in paid employed rose is dropping. just to figures for april showed that is down by 85,000 which is about a third of a percentage point. that is significant because it means the jobs market is this torrid, less

tight and therefore it means a looser economy and less pressure on the bank of england's monetary policy committee to keep interest rates high, so economists are now saying this looks like the jobs market is softening, weakening, and therefore interest rates may be able to come down perhaps as early as august. to come down perhaps as early as au~ust. ., , to come down perhaps as early as au~ust. . , ., 1, ~ to come down perhaps as early as au~ust. . , ., ~ ., august. that is part of the bank of encland's august. that is part of the bank of england's calculation _ august. that is part of the bank of england's calculation and - august. that is part of the bank of england's calculation and shows i august. that is part of the bank of i england's calculation and shows what those things they will be looking at before they have that next meeting. the other thing will be the earnings figure. that is gradually informing from record high pay rises for the last a0 years recently, now it has got down to about 6% excluding bonuses. that is still high historically compared to the pay rises we have been used to for the last 20 or 30 years but it is lower thanit last 20 or 30 years but it is lower than it has been in recent months. it is expected to pull further, so pay rises are outstripping price rises at the moment which means people are getting better off but does that subsides less pressure on

the bank of england to keep interest rates high. what it also indicates is this sort of permanent damage done to thejobs is this sort of permanent damage done to the jobs market by long—term sickness, some of which has been caused by the likes of long covid. we have a reduced capacity in the economy, as a result of long—term sickness which is economic activity due to long—term sickness, still up by about a third, nearly 3 million people in that predicament, they can't work because they are to second that is much higher than normal. that has had its own effect on the capacity of the economy and therefore on what the bank of england can do but there is still a strong hope that we see an interest rate cut, if not in august than in the months to follow.— rate cut, if not in august than in the months to follow. the uk's biggest indoor venue is due to open its doors this evening with elbow expected to perform. the co—op live was forced to postpone its launch for a third time last week after part of the ventilation system became detached. let's speak tojenna campbell, who is the editor for what's on for

the manchester evening news. it has been a bit of a delayed start, are we confident a collection go ahead now presume it will be opening this evening. they issued a statement on friday explaining that the cheques they needed image statement on friday explaining that the cheques they needed have been imroved the cheques they needed have been improved by — the cheques they needed have been improved by building _ the cheques they needed have been improved by building control - the cheques they needed have been improved by building control and . improved by building control and issued a statement about ventilation systems, that it had been resolved. they are confident, i guess the only worry is that this is the fourth time they have attempted to open the venue since the 23rd of april, but signs are positive this morning. presumably there will be pressure for this all to go smoothly. i presumably there will be pressure for this all to go smoothly.- for this all to go smoothly. i think so. it has had _ for this all to go smoothly. i think so. it has had a _ for this all to go smoothly. i think so. it has had a big _ for this all to go smoothly. i think so. it has had a big impact - for this all to go smoothly. i think so. it has had a big impact on - for this all to go smoothly. i think| so. it has had a big impact on how manchester has been seen and the music industry, it is the largest uk entertainment venue and the second one is in our city is also all eyes are on manchester so they are very

keen this is going ahead and given the disruption we have had to ticket holders as well and people to change travel that has had a major impact on the city, so we hope it princess evening. on the city, so we hope it princess evenina. , . , on the city, so we hope it princess evenin.. ,., , ., on the city, so we hope it princess evenin.. ,., , evening. does a bit about the band that is playing _ evening. does a bit about the band that is playing this _ evening. does a bit about the band that is playing this evening. - evening. does a bit about the band that is playing this evening. we - that is playing this evening. we have that is playing this evening. - have elbow playing, which is almost serendipitous, originally it was going to be peter kay opening venue backin going to be peter kay opening venue back in april, two back to access, he is busy from bolton, and elbow from bury, a big fan base here, so it feels good to have a greater manchester act and hopefully that will set things on the right track. you mentioned it had an impact on how manchester is perceived as a venue or as a place first to have these gates, how much appetite is there for live concerts and so on now? i there for live concerts and so on now? ~ ' . there for live concerts and so on now? ~' ' . ., .., now? i think the effect that it can draw a range _ now? i think the effect that it can draw a range of— now? i think the effect that it can draw a range of local _ now? i think the effect that it can draw a range of local talent - now? i think the effect that it can draw a range of local talent as . now? i think the effect that it can l draw a range of local talent as well as international talent is interesting to the people of libya and manchester. 0bviously interesting to the people of libya and manchester. obviously we have a very long musical legacy here and people are very proud of it, so i do think there is still large appetite

for these huge acts. also the smaller acts and our grassroot venues and it has shone a light on the calibre of people we contacted the calibre of people we contacted the city. is. and just before we go, let's show you again the scene live in the georgian capital, tbilisi where mps are expected to pass a controversial �*foreign influence' law that has provoked huge street protests. demonstrators fear georgia would impose the same clampdown on media as in russia — where similar legislation is already in place. they say the law silences dissent, and complicates moves tojoin the european union. you're watching bbc news. i'm nicky schiller. we're going to take you to the inquiry into

the post office horizon it scandal. former public relations boss mark davis is giving evidence today. he was the director of communications and corporate affairs between 2012—2019 as the alleged cover up was in full swing. he hasjust been he has just been sworn he hasjust been sworn in he has just been sworn in let's have a listen to the evidence he is giving. a listen to the evidence he is raivin. ~ a listen to the evidence he is aiavin.~ , ., giving. with the support of the board, paragraph _ giving. with the support of the board, paragraph 27, - giving. with the support of the board, paragraph 27, page - giving. with the support of the - board, paragraph 27, page nine... in my view, the board and executive were diligent and effective in dealing with the issues relating to horizon. paragraph 35, please, page 13. the final sentence there on that page if you could scroll down. it says, any concern that the system

did not work properly was taken extreme we seriously but the very recent that it was so fundamental to so many people. paragraph 57, please, page 21. the culture being developed in the business by ms finals and alice perkins was around three values. care, commitment and challenge, and there were serious intent behind those words. if we scroll down, please, to paragraph 60. the bottom of that paragraph. you say, angela van den bogerd was key to this work and an energetic advocate of delivering commitment to continuous improvement such as through the branch user forum, improvement programme and the post office advisory council. paragraph

0ffice advisory council. paragraph 88, please, on page 32. you say there, as noted above, the post office had at the time a press office had at the time a press office had at the time a press office team which would lead an all press inquiries reporting to me. they were a high performing and high quality team. if we could move towards the end, page 51. paragraph 1a5. you address, in turn, each of the senior members of the team. 1a5, you say about ms vennells, the leader i knew was one who had deep integrity and he was guided by deeply held personal values. she seems to me to place these values at the forefront of her consideration of these issues. she was sincere and

the efforts she led to try to reach conclusions. it was her and alice perkins as chair who insisted on the business investigating in detail. 1a7, about dollars perkins, you say, alice perkins as chair of post office also it seemed to me wished only to find a way to resolve these issues appropriately and sought to do so tenaciously and with great care and an eye for detail. paragraph 1a8, please. you say, i would also like to mention angela van den bogerd. ifound her to be incredibly committed to public service and to the post office. she was detailed, thorough and empathetic. she was also, it seems to me, committed to getting to the truth, hampered by lack of information we now have to hand. is

it fair to summarise your evidence in those paragraphs that i have read out as painting a picture of a communications team and the senior leadership team that was committed to opening up to challenge? yes. to opening up to challenge? yes, that is fair- _ to opening up to challenge? yes, that is fair. can _ to opening up to challenge? yes, that is fair. can we _ to opening up to challenge? yes, that is fair. can we please - to opening up to challenge? yes, that is fair. can we please turn, l that is fair. can we please turn, 001380985? — 0038 0985. it is an e—mail that the

inquiry has seen before, dated the 2nd ofjuly 2013. it inquiry has seen before, dated the 2nd of july 2013.— 2nd ofjuly 2013. it hasn't reached my screen — 2nd ofjuly 2013. it hasn't reached my screen yet- — 2nd ofjuly 2013. it hasn't reached my screen yet. sorry, _ 2nd ofjuly 2013. it hasn't reached my screen yet. sorry, it _ 2nd ofjuly 2013. it hasn't reached my screen yet. sorry, it is - 2nd ofjuly 2013. it hasn't reached my screen yet. sorry, it is about | my screen yet. sorry, it is about two i _ my screen yet. sorry, it is about two i think _ my screen yet. sorry, it is about two i think-— my screen yet. sorry, it is about two i think. , , ., ., two i think. this is the e-mail from paula vennells _ two i think. this is the e-mail from paula vennells to _ two i think. this is the e-mail from paula vennells to yourself - two i think. this is the e-mail from paula vennells to yourself and - paula vennells to yourself and others, in answer to the question, what is a non—emotive word for computer bugs, glitches, defects that happen as a matter of course, and her answer is, from her husband, exception or anomaly. you can also say conditional except anomaly which only manifests itself under unforeseen circumstances. does that help? and your response was, i like exception very much. was renaming bugs part of a culture that was open

to challenge at the post office? the background to this e—mail was that we were _ background to this e—mail was that we were concerned in fact that bugs sounded _ we were concerned in fact that bugs sounded like too much of a slang word _ sounded like too much of a slang word and — sounded like too much of a slang word and we wanted to be serious about— word and we wanted to be serious about how — word and we wanted to be serious about how we approach these issues. the reality— about how we approach these issues. the reality of paula vennells talking — the reality of paula vennells talking to our husband who i believe works _ talking to our husband who i believe works in_ talking to our husband who i believe works in that industry was that... you have — works in that industry was that... you have been watching the start of the former public relations boss mark davies giving evidence at the post office arising it scandal. let's speak to our correspondent azadeh moshiri, who's at the inquiry. they started off with an e—mail we have heard about before. what we are expecting from his evidence today? it is important to remember that victims are accusing the post office of an alleged cover—up, something of the post office denies. it has been

put to former executives by the inquiry counsel that the post office was more concerned with its brand and reputation than the well—being of the sub—postmasters. mark davis of the sub—postmasters. mark davis of course was the head of pr at post office during the course of that scandal and what they are trying to determine how the details of what has been called an aggressive media strategy. that strategy also impacted the bbc�*s and reporting. in 2015 eight panorama documentary on the scandal featured a fugitive whistle—blower who repealed the ability to remotely access these projects without sub—postmasters even knowing it. that is important information because it is important evidence in clearing the sub—postmasters from the scandal and returning their good names. lawyers for the post office threatened to sue panorama and mark davis who was appearing to at the inquiry

escalated the matter to senior bbc managers. it didn't cancel the programme altogether but it did delay it by several weeks. that was a small victory that the inquiry was celebrated inside the post office. paula vennells at the time the chief executive even e—mailed mark davis to congratulate him and his team on their extensive work on the matter. mark davis for his part has told panorama through his lawyers that he acted in good faith at all times and was acting upon the information that he had at that time, but as the inquiry has heard several times, public relations, communications was a key consideration in all its dealings and the comps team was involved in most of their affairs, thatis involved in most of their affairs, that is why it is so important for the inquiry to hearfrom mark davis today. the inquiry to hear from mark davis toda . ., ., ., ., ., ., .,

today. you mention to panorama because the _ today. you mention to panorama because the post _ today. you mention to panorama because the post office _ today. you mention to panorama because the post office sent - today. you mention to panorama because the post office sent a i because the post office sent a threatening to sue panorama at the time, didn't they?— time, didn't they? yes. to that -oint, time, didn't they? yes. to that point. in _ time, didn't they? yes. to that point. in 2015. — time, didn't they? yes. to that point, in 2015, when _ time, didn't they? yes. to that point, in 2015, when panorama time, didn't they? yes. to that - point, in 2015, when panorama was due to come out, lawyers for the post office threatened to sue panorama. mark davis is communications chief was involved in that responses well and pressured bbc managers, escalated the issue up to senior staff. as i said, that didn't cancel the programme itjust elated by several weeks, but it was seen as a priority inside the post office, as e—mails have shown over the course of this inquiry, because that issue of remote access and any challenge to the horizon it system was something that executives were critically concerned about and that's why mark davis's name has come up several times over the last we must, in e—mails it has been mentioned and it is always to do

with how the post office can respond