the eu urges georgia to withdrew its �*foreign influence law', as protesters threaten more demonstrations against it. a huge manhunt continues in france to find an escaped prisoner, after two prison officers were killed when an armed gang ambushed their van. the bbc has learned that more than 10 million litres of raw sewage were illegally pumped into windermere in the lake district earlier this year. hello, welcome to bbc news now. three hours of fast—moving news, interviews and reaction. the us secretary of state antony blinken has announced the release joe biden has challenged donald

trump to two presidential debates. in a video and social media, he poked fun at mr camp's continuing criminal trial.— criminal trial. let's have a listen. if those two _ criminal trial. let's have a listen. if those two debates _ criminal trial. let's have a listen. if those two debates to _ criminal trial. let's have a listen. if those two debates to me - criminal trial. let's have a listen. if those two debates to me in - criminal trial. let's have a listen. i if those two debates to me in 2020. now he is acting like wants to debate me again. well, make my day, plan. i will even do it twice. let's pick the dates, donald. i plan. i will even do it twice. let's pick the dates, donald.— plan. i will even do it twice. let's pick the dates, donald. i hear you are free on _ pick the dates, donald. i hear you are free on wednesdays. - pick the dates, donald. i hear you are free on wednesdays. it - pick the dates, donald. i hear you are free on wednesdays. it is - pick the dates, donald. i hear you are free on wednesdays. it is a i are free on wednesdays. it is a reference to the current break in the criminal trial that donald trump is facing in new york and donald trump has replied to that challenge saying, ready to rumble. it looks like there will be presidential debates in the run—up to the election for the white house. debates in the run—up to the election for the white house. the us secretary of state antony blinken has announced the release of another $2 billion in military aid for ukraine. it comes as ukrainian soldiers have been forced to retreat from a string

of villages in the kharkiv region. ukraine's president zelensky has cancelled all his forthcoming trips abroad because of the new russian offensive in the north—east. this russian operation is one of the most significant since the full—scale invasion two years ago. ukraine president vlodomyr zelensky has cancelled all his forthcoming foreign trips. at the end of his visit to kyiv, mr blinken has been briefing the media alongside his ukrainian counterpart. let me be very clear about one thing, which actually should not require clarity which is that the united states is committed to helping ensure ukraine winning this war. and, ithink, we have helping ensure ukraine winning this war. and, i think, we have shown that with the extraordinary support that with the extraordinary support that we have provided and that we continue to provide. we have not encouraged or enabled strikes outside of ukraine but, ultimately,

ukraine has to make decisions for itself about how it is going to conduct this work. the water is conducting a defence.- conduct this work. the water is conducting a defence. anthony our correspondent _ conducting a defence. anthony our correspondent in _ conducting a defence. anthony our correspondent in ukraine - conducting a defence. anthony our correspondent in ukraine has - conducting a defence. anthony our correspondent in ukraine has been telling me more about his visit. find telling me more about his visit. and i think, telling me more about his visit. and i think, then. — telling me more about his visit. fific ithink, then, this telling me more about his visit. fific i think, then, this incursion telling me more about his visit. fific i think, then, this incursion is forcing mr blinken to kind of cuts to the chase that up in the past, with visits like this, you hear that more platitudes in terms of being in it for as long as it takes on trying to give ukraine what it needs but this is a very real concern for kev. the speed of billions of dollars of ammunition and weapons. so he announced that there is to billion dollar package which will impart help with ukraine, ukrainian domestic production of weapons, which it is trying to really build up which it is trying to really build up for the long term but also to try to speed up this multibillion—dollar package which is still really delayed for ukraine. it is directly playing out on the battlefield,

where it is struggling to contain this ground offensive in the northeast region. they are not saying retreat but the military are saying retreat but the military are saying they are moving to more advantageous positions to preserve the lives of their trips. i mean, that tells you the direction of the way things are going. russia's girl has not changed but i was trying to take as much of ukraine as possible but it is in this kharkiv region where they've created a new front line. then using new tactics by the way they use artillery fire and smaller groups of soldiers. and overstretched ukrainian personnel who are outgunned, also, are really struggling and it does not stop there for ukraine. russian forces are gathering across the border further north next to the region where an attack is feared as well. just to look back to mr blinken. he said it is up to ukraine on how it fight this war. until now, the us has said the weapons it provides cannot be used on targets inside russia. he was asked about this and he said, we don't encourage it. in

short, but it is up to ukraine for them so maybe we have just seen a sizeable shift in policy there because, at the moment, ukraine seems to be unable to either stop as a tag or prevent future ones from happening across the border. in the ast, that happening across the border. in the past. that has _ happening across the border. in the past, that has always _ happening across the border. in the past, that has always been - happening across the border. in the past, that has always been a - happening across the border. in the past, that has always been a source of concern to the united states and other nato allies, hasn't it? the idea of ukraine using western supplied weapons to attack targets inside russia and the fear that that could escalate the whole ukraine war. ., ., , ., could escalate the whole ukraine war. ., ., _, , ., ,., war. yeah, of course. i mean, if you look on the — war. yeah, of course. i mean, if you look on the russian _ war. yeah, of course. i mean, if you look on the russian side, _ war. yeah, of course. i mean, if you look on the russian side, vladimir l look on the russian side, vladimir putin has had no issue in battling the sabre when it comes to his nuclear arsenal. there are new graphics on state tv showing missiles flying towards the uk but thus far that escalation has not happened and perhaps the threat of ukraine losing is concerning the west more.

ukraine losing is concerning the west more-— ukraine losing is concerning the west more. ukraine losing is concerning the westmore. ., , , west more. now, some breaking news 'ust cominu west more. now, some breaking news just coming into _ west more. now, some breaking news just coming into us. _ west more. now, some breaking news just coming into us. reports _ west more. now, some breaking news just coming into us. reports from - just coming into us. reports from slovakia say there has been a shooting after a government meeting outside the capital, bratislava. and local media are reporting that the country's prime minister has been injured in that shooting and taken to hospital. police are saying they have detained a man after an incident. there is not any more details at the moment. just to recap there, the prime minister of slovakia is reported to have been shot after a government meeting outside the capital, bratislava, injured and taken to hospital. robert fico holds the record as the longest serving prime minister in the country having served for a total of ten years altogether, first elected back in 1992 and, well, we

don't know much more about this shooting incident. 0ther don't know much more about this shooting incident. other than that police are said to have detained a man after this shooting. and it was a government meeting. it was outside the capital of slovakia, bratislava. and all we know about the prime minister is that he has been injured and he has been taken to hospital. so we will try to bring you more on that as soon as we can. he is currently, the prime minister of slovakia, and in that position since last year having previously served from 2006 — last year having previously served from 2006 - 2010 last year having previously served from 2006 — 2010 and then again from 2012 to 2018. and he was the founder of the direction of social democracy party in 1999. you let that party since its foundation. so we bring you more on that as it comes into us. let's get back to ukraine. we

were telling you about antony blinken, the secretary of state and the fact that president zelensky has cancelled all forthcoming trips abroad because of the crisis with the latest incursion into the north east of ukraine by russian troops. let's speak to our correspondent in the ukrainian city of dnipro and chris is in the ukraine crisis response director for world vision which is the charity helping vulnerable groups in ukraine. thank you very much indeed for being with us. what is your latest view of what is happening on the ground in ukraine, from where you are? i was in kharkiv yesterday _ ukraine, from where you are? i was in kharkiv yesterday and _ ukraine, from where you are? i was in kharkiv yesterday and i _ ukraine, from where you are? i —" in kharkiv yesterday and i would same the mood is tense and the atmosphere is noisy. there were shelling in the morning, rockets in the afternoon, and we were seeing people coming into the city. it is a fairly large city so it was bad and it is becoming worse especially with these new fans that rations are

opening up. these new fans that rations are opening his-— these new fans that rations are opening un— these new fans that rations are opening op— these new fans that rations are oenin: u. . ., opening up. the hearing that the russians have _ opening up. the hearing that the russians have taken _ opening up. the hearing that the russians have taken a _ opening up. the hearing that the russians have taken a string - opening up. the hearing that the russians have taken a string of l russians have taken a string of villages, that ukrainian troops have retreated from quite a lot of territory but, i mean, if you're a sense that the city itself, kharkiv, thatis sense that the city itself, kharkiv, that is not under threat at the moment?— that is not under threat at the moment? ., , , , ., , ., moment? know, but the russians are -aushin moment? know, but the russians are pushing towards _ moment? know, but the russians are pushing towards the _ moment? know, but the russians are pushing towards the city. _ moment? know, but the russians are pushing towards the city. even - pushing towards the city. even people in the north of the city right now, i'm moving to the south. i was pushing to some of our some people we are working with. they wanted to move quite far away from the lines that they are out of range of certain types of missiles and certain types of artillery so they don't feel there is a concern of taking the city but the situation is becoming worse and the humanitarian situation is becoming much worse. and doesn't appear to people there that may be the russians have taken advantage of, you know, the that there has been a slowness in getting extra weapons from ukraine, that the american congress delayed the big armed supply package. they did finally agreed to foster but maybe russia has used that window of

opportunity, if you like, to launch this incursion into the north—east end ukrainian area. i this incursion into the north-east end ukrainian area.— end ukrainian area. i think the --eole end ukrainian area. i think the people on _ end ukrainian area. i think the people on the _ end ukrainian area. i think the people on the ground - end ukrainian area. i think the people on the ground right - end ukrainian area. i think the | people on the ground right now end ukrainian area. i think the i people on the ground right now i just dealing with humanitarian needs scene that they're having to leave and their insecurity has increased so it is good to see that the us has come to the table now has come back to the table to help support ukraine along with the global community because the humanitarian needs needs making them especially vulnerable groups like children, it has become worse for them so with the us engaging in this way we are able to provide more humanitarian support for those vulnerable groups especially as the situation becomes worse. . especially as the situation becomes worse. , ., ., �* worse. tell us about what you're doinu , worse. tell us about what you're doing. work— worse. tell us about what you're doing. work you _ worse. tell us about what you're doing, work you are _ worse. tell us about what you're doing, work you are doing - worse. tell us about what you're doing, work you are doing and l worse. tell us about what you're| doing, work you are doing and to those vulnerable groups are. the our christian child _ those vulnerable groups are. the our christian child focused _ those vulnerable groups are. the our christian child focused organisation l christian child focused organisation and we are working to do child protection, education, providing food and non—food items. also helping out with mental health care and putting up child friendly spaces would be looking after children in a very insecure environment. trying to make their lives a little more normal but also making sure that

they survive and they can actually thrive where possible. find they survive and they can actually thrive where possible.— thrive where possible. and four children in _ thrive where possible. and four children in this _ thrive where possible. and four children in this conflict, - thrive where possible. and four children in this conflict, i - thrive where possible. and four| children in this conflict, i mean, this is such a traumatic time, isn't it? this war that has been going on, well, since the full—scale invasion for a couple of years but it is such a desperate time and it will have an imprint on them for the rest of their lives. imprint on them for the rest of their lives-— imprint on them for the rest of their lives. ~ , ,., , ~ ., , their lives. absolutely. and that is wh it is their lives. absolutely. and that is why it is so _ their lives. absolutely. and that is why it is so important _ their lives. absolutely. and that is why it is so important that - their lives. absolutely. and that is why it is so important that there i their lives. absolutely. and that isj why it is so important that there is resources to help out vulnerable kids because children are some of the most vulnerable, what are the most vulnerable communities in any conflict and especially here. so thatis conflict and especially here. so that is by well the division is here. many groups, several local partners, they're putting up child friendly spaces where kids can come and be kids, receive mental health care but also receive meals and basic emergency services because, you are right. there are some of the most vulnerable and they're the ones who have been most impacted by this crisis and so many long—term ways. what is your sense of the morale of the ukrainian people? they have been through so much. they continue to suffer. there have been attacks, of course mine infrastructure, which,

knock out power and electricity and so on. what is their will, if you like, and their morale as this long struggle continues?— struggle continues? their will to continue to _ struggle continues? their will to continue to go — struggle continues? their will to continue to go on _ struggle continues? their will to continue to go on but _ struggle continues? their will to continue to go on but if- struggle continues? their will to continue to go on but if you'd i struggle continues? their will to i continue to go on but if you'd asked me a week ago i would have said, you know, there were some depression, people are sad, they are realising this conflict is not going to end tomorrow. but having been out and do dnipro today where we just had a missile strike, aiming a missile shelter right now. i would say it is fear. people are very fearful and they are concerned that, yes, what is going to happen tomorrow. so does depression, fear, that is why groups like world vision and support coming from us government and the europeans are so so that we can provide not just food for today or even a little bit of security but provide hope, thatis bit of security but provide hope, that is what we hope to do. thank ou ve that is what we hope to do. thank you very much- — that is what we hope to do. thank you very much. thank— that is what we hope to do. thank you very much. thank you - that is what we hope to do. thank

you very much. thank you very i that is what we hope to do. thank i you very much. thank you very much for your analysis.— you very much. thank you very much for your analysis._ let's i for your analysis. thank you. let's no for your analysis. thank you. let's to back for your analysis. thank you. let's go back to — for your analysis. thank you. let's go back to that — for your analysis. thank you. let's go back to that news _ for your analysis. thank you. let's go back to that news we _ for your analysis. thank you. let's go back to that news we have i for your analysis. thank you. let's| go back to that news we have been reporting from slovakia. reports in the slovakian media are saying the prime minister robert fico has been taken to hospital after being shot. a newspaper has reported that he was leaving a government meeting in central town when several shots were fired from a crowd. an eyewitness said he had fallen to the ground and was loaded into a vehicle and taken away. those are the latest reports. we can speak to our corresponding to hasjoined me here in the studio. do we know any more details about... you have said pretty much all we know that of a small—town right in the middle slovakia. we are told that the prime minister was leaving a building called the house of

culture when, as you say, shots were heard. at first there were just reports of a shooting and then it turned out it was the prime minister. the toady has been taken to hospital. in terms of his condition, i am afraid, at the moment, that is all we know. he condition, i am afraid, at the moment, that is all we know. he is a lona moment, that is all we know. he is a long serving — moment, that is all we know. he is a long serving politician _ moment, that is all we know. he is a long serving politician duffy - moment, that is all we know. he is a long serving politician duffy has i long serving politician duffy has been prime minister for long serving politician duffy has been prime ministerfor many long serving politician duffy has been prime minister for many years. e is a giant of slovakian politics would have been prime minister three times. but remember that slovakia is a relatively young country. it was born when czechoslovakia split in two and 1993. in that short time of slovakia's existence, robert fico has been prime minister three times now and each time been prime minister, i should say, it has been a rather tumultuous occupation of that office. it's constantly been dogged by all sorts of allegations, people are made allegations, i should say, not proven, that he was connected to corruption and that indeed is what made him lose power on at the second time he was in office but at the allegations got worse and worse and then, at one

point from a journalist who had been investigating all these investigations been assassinated along with his fiancee and that was the point that robert fico had to resign put a lot of people thought his political career was over there but he came back this year. would have seen some _ but he came back this year. would have seen some reports, - but he came back this year. would have seen some reports, actually, j have seen some reports, actually, and one of the agency saying that four shots were fired. 0ne and one of the agency saying that four shots were fired. one of them hit the prime minister in the abdomen. that is according to the broadcaster ta three. more details to emerge but it seems he has been shot at least once. teddy of obvious enemies, would you say?— shot at least once. teddy of obvious enemies, would you say? robert fico was a manager— enemies, would you say? robert fico was a manager can _ enemies, would you say? robert fico was a manager can very _ was a manager can very confrontational stance on an awful lot of things and i am sure made enemies in the process i mean, his politics, he was considered very left wing. i think his politics are best described as populist. and that, inevitably, made him enemies because he spoke it as he saw it. comedians like journalists. because he spoke it as he saw it. comedians likejournalists. i because he spoke it as he saw it. comedians like journalists. i should

say, whenjonas criticised him he called them the corrupted gang of swines and at one point, the journalist had written something critical about him he said, should i go over there and give you guys a slap? i am saying that is to give you an idea of the tone of the man. but what has been particularly distinctive recent occupation of the office of prime minister, he came to power saying he did not want slovakia to keep giving weapons to ukraine. he is seen as close to vladimir putin. i should say that slovakia, until then, vladimir putin. i should say that slovakia, untilthen, had been a very generous contributor of arms to ukraine for such a small country but i became to paris saying that is over. much more keen on, he says, finding peaceful way forward for ukraine which involves compromising the thrasher. also, as i said, he was long dogged with allegations that he was connected with corruption. thejournalist that he was connected with corruption. the journalist who was shot, he was investigating him, also investigate the mafia. so, in a sense, this is not taken silly atty population are was someone who, yes, probably did have enemies probably

very early to be speculating about who might have done this. just another line, _ who might have done this. just another line, the _ who might have done this. just another line, the president has condemned the brutal attack on the prime minister and wished him a full recovery. just to recap. the prime minister of slovakia shot. we're hearing reports that four shots were fired. he was at once in the abdomen. just to recap, very colourful politician.— abdomen. just to recap, very colourful politician. that is one way people _ colourful politician. that is one way people use. _ colourful politician. that is one way people use, yes. - colourful politician. that is one way people use, yes. he i colourful politician. that is one way people use, yes. he is- colourful politician. that is one way people use, yes. he is a l way people use, yes. he is a controversial captain always set out to be. slovakia, this young country, only been in existence is 93. czechoslovakia as was only became truly independent in 1989. it was a lots of colourful people emerged. lots of characters into a word van democratic politics was relatively new and young. and a lot of

reporting around this election that has just taken place which saw robert fico return to office. there were allegations of russian involvement, lots of good evidence that the media was, in a certain sense, infiltrated by russian messages that were designed to cast aspersions on that the opposition and make robert fico look good. this is not politics as practised and maybe some other more long—standing democracies. i5 maybe some other more long—standing democracies. is a maybe some other more long-standing democracies-— democracies. is a gun violence, is that a big issue _ democracies. is a gun violence, is that a big issue in _ democracies. is a gun violence, is that a big issue in slovakia? i i democracies. is a gun violence, is| that a big issue in slovakia? i have to sa , that a big issue in slovakia? i have to say. rrot — that a big issue in slovakia? i have to say. rrot that — that a big issue in slovakia? i have to say, not that i _ that a big issue in slovakia? i have to say, not that i know _ that a big issue in slovakia? i have to say, not that i know of - that a big issue in slovakia? i have to say, not that i know of that i i to say, not that i know of that i don't have any statistics to hand but it is certainly not known as a particularly violent country as far as i am aware. i should say, a lot of these central rural places do often have a lot of guns around simply because he is a traditional farming places. i mean, there are agricultural countries until recently was a better try to return with some statistics on gun violence in slovakia. i’m

with some statistics on gun violence in slovakia. �* . , ., in slovakia. i'm sure you will. thank you — in slovakia. i'm sure you will. thank you very _ in slovakia. i'm sure you will. thank you very much - in slovakia. i'm sure you will. thank you very much indeed. | in slovakia. i'm sure you will. i thank you very much indeed. our thank you very much indeed. 0ur europe regional editor. some expertise there on the slovakian prime minister robert fico yu has been taken to hospital after being shot. all we know so far is that there was a government meeting in there was a government meeting in the central of handlova put up several shots fired from a crowd. 0ne hit the prime minister in the abdomen. he has been taken to hospital and a man has been detained so, obviously, we will update you with all the details that come into us and pole will be back with more on that as well. around the world and across the uk, this is bbc news. —— paul.

prison staff across france have observed a minute's silence, to honour the two officers who were shot dead in an ambush on a prison van. a prisoner was freed in the raid, and a nationwide manhunt is now in its second day. three other prison guards

were injured in the attack, which took place near the city of rouen in normandy. inside the van was drug dealer muhamed amra — known as "the fly", who was being taken from court back to prison, when the ambush took place at a toll booth. nick beake is in rouen. if the police are making progress there are no outward signs of that. we have not had any reports of houses being raided, of any new footage coming to light, suggesting that officers are closing in on the suspect. it actually does move from the city of rouen, just down the motorway. that is because this is the prison where muhamed amra had been kept for the past month or so and the french authorities had confirmed this morning that earlier this week he attempted to break out of here. we don't know how it sort of here. we don't know how it sort of came to pass but basically, he was trying to saw through the bars of his cell. clearly, that was an

unsuccessful attempt but what happened yesterday was successful, from his point of view on the point of view of those who sprang him from that prison a vehicle that have of course, with the two prison officers being killed in that ambush. find being killed in that ambush. and what has been the reaction of the french public who saw those traumatic scenes as they played out on their screens yesterday? that ambush that was captured on cctv. and also french politicians. we had the action, didn't we? from present macron and any others that have absolute horror at what happened. i think the feeling among the public chimes with what the politicians were saying, from present macron down and the french government who had been talking about what had happened, describing this as a dreadful event. in terms of what happens now with the manhunt, it is interesting. you do not see hundreds of police officers on the street in this part of normandy. certainly thatis this part of normandy. certainly that is our experience in the past 24—hour is. i think that is in

contrast to say other attacks, may be terrorist attacks over the years, where there is venus flooding of the street with armed officers, largely as a sign of public reassurance so i think by the scenes this work is continuing. interestingly, ben, it was the interior minister today who once again vowed to catch these culprits but talked about apprehending them in a matter of days and i think it was interesting that he did not say ours at that point to the police are trying to gather the evidence as quickly as they can and then act and move and if they are able to follow up on any leads they get. if they are able to follow up on any leads they get-— leads they get. lets recap the breakin: leads they get. lets recap the breaking news _ leads they get. lets recap the breaking news that _ leads they get. lets recap the breaking news that is - leads they get. lets recap the breaking news that is coming | leads they get. lets recap the i breaking news that is coming into us from slovakia. it is the news that there has been a shooting of the prime minister of slovakia. robert fico. this was at a government meeting at a location outside bratislava. there were four shots

fired according to various reports. four shots from the crowd. robert fico prime minister was leaving a government meeting in the central town of handlova. those shots were fired from crowd. and according to an eyewitness who has been quoted, he then fell to the ground and was put into a vehicle and taken away. this is the prime minister. he is a very colourful, quite controversial figure. he has been prime minister in totalfor about ten figure. he has been prime minister in total for about ten years in slovakia. and the founder of the direction social democracy party backin direction social democracy party back in 1999 the dobbies led that party since it was founded but he has been shot and we don't know the nature of the man who may be responsible but we are told that, after the shooting, a man was detained by police. a witness told reuters that he had heard several

shots fired and he would then see a man being detained by police alleged the sum that up for you. robert fico, the prime minister of slovakia and a man who has been prime minister in various different periods, for a total of ten years, so a huge figure in slovakian politics, has been shot and injured. we don't yet know his condition. has been taken away in a vehicle from the scene of that shooting to hospital so we will update you as soon as we can on his condition. that is the very latest on that shooting. you are watching bbc around the world and across the uk, this is bbc news.

it does feel quite warmer there but it is not sunny everywhere. in the satellite picture we can pick up the dry of cloud here. a weather front bringing some outbreaks of rain. quite misty and murky close to some north sea coasts of north east england and easter in scotland. some sunshine to speak of. parts of wales and southern counties of england, just the odd shower here. sunshine across northern ireland with one or two showers and in northern scotland. sunny spot seeing highs of 24 scotland. sunny spot seeing highs of 2a or 25. where you have that blue skies overhead, yes, it does feel quite warmer there. to this evening and night, front continues to bring some splashes of rain. it will bring to the backstay misty and murky for some north sea coast. some clear skies which may well fill in with some patches are mist and fog. slightly cooler than the last couple of days for some others. between nine and 12 degrees. for thursday, weather front is still being clothed

in some splashes of rain. heavy rain could develop across parts of east anglia, north midlands, north wales and in to the north of that sunny spells and one. temperatures up to 2223 but with one or two sharp showers and thunderstorms breaking out we could see some of those for northern ireland, the far north of england and then here is our rain band. a bit of uncertainty about the position of this rain band. could be further south. position of this rain band. could be furthersouth. it looks position of this rain band. could be further south. it looks like south wales and southern england will see some spells of warm sunshine but also a scattering of heavy showers. as we move into friday, still an old weather front being cloud and splashes of rain. sunny spells and one or two sharp showers. especially in western scotland where temperatures could be 22 or 23. a little bit cooler for some temperatures could be 22 or 23. a little bit coolerfor some north temperatures could be 22 or 23. a little bit cooler for some north sea coast. into the weekend, really will be between weather systems. this area of low pressure tending to move eastwards. high pressure trying to build from the west but not making an awful lot of progress. so we will

see some dry weather, some spells of sunshine particularly across the north of the uk. parts of scotland is not quite as warm as they have been. furthersouth, is not quite as warm as they have been. further south, a greater chance of seeing some showers, even some longer spells of rain but still feeling warm in the sunshine.

this is business today, live from new york where markets climb as a slight drop in consumer inflation figures raise hopes of interest rate cuts. consumers losing their apetite. us retail sales flatline in april instead of an expected increase. boeing could face prosecution in the us for two deadly crashes involving its 737 max aircraft. welcome to business today. i'm erin delmore in new york where markets have just opened higher on the latest inflation data out this morning. the consumer price index showed inflation cooling slightly in april, coming in at 0.3% month over month, a tenth lower than the we saw in march. that translates to an annual figure of 3.4%.

any news of prices falling — increases the hopes from investors