here in the uk, labour's keir starmer sets out his party's key messages ahead of the general election, insisting they have not "scaled back" on their ambitions. and scientists solve the mystery of the origin of these ancient trees. hello, i'm samantha simmonds. we start in slovakia, where a man has been charged with the attempted murder of the country's prime minister. robert fico was shot several times yesterday while speaking to a crowd during a visit to handlova, a small town in the centre of slovakia. he's now in a serious, but stable condition in hospital in bratislava. at a news conference, the slovak interior minister described the suspect as a lone wolf who opposed the government. more details about the condition of

mr fico are emerging all the time. slovakia's president—elect, peter pellegrini, gave this update from the hospital where the prime minister is receiving treatment. translation: the prime minister i is now facing the most difficult l and challenging days, hours, minutes in order to survive, and i hope that everything will work out for the best. i really hope for us all to see his soon recovery and coming to full strength. let's speak to bethany bell, our correspondent in bratislava. she our correspondent in bratislava. is following all the developments she is following all the developments for us. welcome to you. what more do we know about the prime minister must make injuries and how well he is doing? minister must make in'uries and how well he is doing?— well he is doing? well, we are told he is in a very _ well he is doing? well, we are told he is in a very serious _ well he is doing? well, we are told he is in a very serious condition. i he is in a very serious condition. the _ he is in a very serious condition. the next — he is in a very serious condition. the next few days will be critical. his injuries— the next few days will be critical. his injuries have been described by

officials _ his injuries have been described by officials as — his injuries have been described by officials as extensive and complicated. mr fico was shot and very close — complicated. mr fico was shot and very close range several times, including — very close range several times, including in the stomach, and he underwent— including in the stomach, and he underwent hours of emergency surgery last night _ underwent hours of emergency surgery last night. and all the things that we've _ last night. and all the things that we've been hearing is that he is not out of— we've been hearing is that he is not out of the _ we've been hearing is that he is not out of the woods yet, and the next few days _ out of the woods yet, and the next few days will be crucial. and there have _ few days will be crucial. and there have been— few days will be crucial. and there have been wishes for his recovery from _ have been wishes for his recovery from across— have been wishes for his recovery from across the political spectrum here in_ from across the political spectrum here in slovakia.— from across the political spectrum here in slovakia. bethany, a man has been charged — here in slovakia. bethany, a man has been charged with _ here in slovakia. bethany, a man has been charged with attempted - here in slovakia. bethany, a man has| been charged with attempted murder, has he not? , ., , been charged with attempted murder, has he not? , .,, ., , has he not? yes, so he has not been formally named, _ has he not? yes, so he has not been formally named, but _ has he not? yes, so he has not been formally named, but local— has he not? yes, so he has not been formally named, but local media - has he not? yes, so he has not beenl formally named, but local media have spoken— formally named, but local media have spoken about a 71—year—old man. we heard _ spoken about a 71—year—old man. we heard from _ spoken about a 71—year—old man. we heard from the interior minister earlier— heard from the interior minister earlier today saying that he is believed _ earlier today saying that he is believed to have done this by himself. _ believed to have done this by himself, operating alone, a lone wolf were — himself, operating alone, a lone wolf were the words that were used

by the _ wolf were the words that were used by the interior minister. and the interior minister also said that he was antigovernment, he had a number of antigovernment protests. and according — of antigovernment protests. and according to the minister had decided — according to the minister had decided to do this attack after he was upset — decided to do this attack after he was upset by the results of the recent— was upset by the results of the recent presidential elections, which were won _ recent presidential elections, which were won by an ally of mr fico. gk, were won by an ally of mr fico. 0k, bethan , were won by an ally of mr fico. 0k, bethany. thank— were won by an ally of mr fico. (iii, bethany, thank you. well, in the past few hours, the polish prime minister, donald tusk, has complained of getting death threats on social media following the assassination attempt on robert fico, so how big is the problem of hate speech in the region? with me is nick thorpe, our eastern europe correspondent. good to see you. what has donald tusk said? he good to see you. what has donald tusk said? , . good to see you. what has donald tusk said? ., , tusk said? he said literally in the last 24 hours _ tusk said? he said literally in the last 24 hours since _ tusk said? he said literally in the last 24 hours since the _ last 24 hours since the assassination- last 24 hours since the assassination attemptl last 24 hours since the . assassination attempt on last 24 hours since the - assassination attempt on the last 24 hours since the _ assassination attempt on the slow back prime — assassination attempt on the slow back prime minister— assassination attempt on the slow back prime minister that - assassination attempt on the slow back prime minister that he - assassination attempt on the slow back prime minister that he has i back prime minister that he has received — back prime minister that he has received death— back prime minister that he has received death threats. - back prime minister that he has received death threats. this - back prime minister that he has received death threats. this is i back prime minister that he has i received death threats. this is him

saying _ received death threats. this is him saying that — received death threats. this is him saying that slovakia _ received death threats. this is him saying that slovakia has _ received death threats. this is him saying that slovakia has shown - received death threats. this is him saying that slovakia has shown the threat _ saying that slovakia has shown the threat what — saying that slovakia has shown the threat what could _ saying that slovakia has shown the threat what could happen - saying that slovakia has shown the threat what could happen now- saying that slovakia has shown thej threat what could happen now with donald _ threat what could happen now with donald tusk, — threat what could happen now with donald tusk, our— threat what could happen now with donald tusk, our own _ threat what could happen now with donald tusk, our own prime - threat what could happen now with i donald tusk, our own prime minister. the published — donald tusk, our own prime minister. the published reminiscent— donald tusk, our own prime minister. the published reminiscent is- donald tusk, our own prime minister. the published reminiscent is taking i the published reminiscent is taking this very— the published reminiscent is taking this very seriously— the published reminiscent is taking this very seriously is _ the published reminiscent is taking this very seriously is this _ the published reminiscent is taking this very seriously is this he - the published reminiscent is taking this very seriously is this he has - this very seriously is this he has strength— this very seriously is this he has strength in— this very seriously is this he has strength in his _ this very seriously is this he has strength in his own— this very seriously is this he has strength in his own security - this very seriously is this he has i strength in his own security detail. ithink— strength in his own security detail. i think it's — strength in his own security detail. i think it's a — strength in his own security detail. i think it's a sign _ strength in his own security detail. i think it's a sign of— strength in his own security detail. i think it's a sign of this— i think it's a sign of this atmosphere _ i think it's a sign of this atmosphere of- i think it's a sign of this atmosphere of violence i think it's a sign of this- atmosphere of violence which i think it's a sign of this— atmosphere of violence which has been _ atmosphere of violence which has been unleashed _ atmosphere of violence which has been unleashed not _ atmosphere of violence which has been unleashed not just - atmosphere of violence which has been unleashed not just within i been unleashed not just within slovakia — been unleashed not just within slovakia with— been unleashed not just within slovakia with all— been unleashed not just within slovakia with all the _ been unleashed not just within slovakia with all the shock i been unleashed not just within i slovakia with all the shock there but throughout _ slovakia with all the shock there but throughout central- slovakia with all the shock there but throughout central europe . slovakia with all the shock there . but throughout central europe and the wider— but throughout central europe and the wider region. _ but throughout central europe and the wider region. iflatmat— but throughout central europe and the wider region.— but throughout central europe and the wider region. what is your sense of that, how — the wider region. what is your sense of that, how much _ the wider region. what is your sense of that, how much of _ the wider region. what is your sense of that, how much of a _ the wider region. what is your sense of that, how much of a threat - the wider region. what is your sense of that, how much of a threat there l of that, how much of a threat there is to politicians and to journalists in the region? is to politicians and to “ournalists in the regronvfi is to politicians and to “ournalists h the regtehtfi is to politicians and to “ournalists in the retion? , .,, , in the region? this has been getting worse in the — in the region? this has been getting worse in the past _ in the region? this has been getting worse in the past years, _ in the region? this has been getting worse in the past years, and - in the region? this has been getting worse in the past years, and of- worse in the past years, and of course — worse in the past years, and of course the _ worse in the past years, and of course the war— worse in the past years, and of course the war in— worse in the past years, and of course the war in ukraine i worse in the past years, and of course the war in ukraine is i course the war in ukraine is made even _ course the war in ukraine is made even worse — course the war in ukraine is made even worse than _ course the war in ukraine is made even worse than that. _ course the war in ukraine is made even worse than that. there - course the war in ukraine is made even worse than that. there is a i even worse than that. there is a sense _ even worse than that. there is a sense of— even worse than that. there is a sense of violence _ even worse than that. there is a sense of violence in _ even worse than that. there is a sense of violence in the - even worse than that. there is a sense of violence in the air- even worse than that. there is a. sense of violence in the air where violence — sense of violence in the air where violence is — sense of violence in the air where violence is being _ sense of violence in the air where violence is being seen— sense of violence in the air where violence is being seen as - sense of violence in the air where violence is being seen as a - violence is being seen as a potential— violence is being seen as a potential solution- violence is being seen as a potential solution to - violence is being seen as a i potential solution to someone's problems. — potential solution to someone's problems, whether— potential solution to someone's problems, whether it's - potential solution to someone's problems, whether it's a - potential solution to someone's i problems, whether it's a frustrated person— problems, whether it's a frustrated person as _ problems, whether it's a frustrated person as this— problems, whether it's a frustrated person as this appears _ problems, whether it's a frustrated person as this appears to _ problems, whether it's a frustrated person as this appears to be - problems, whether it's a frustrated person as this appears to be a i problems, whether it's a frustrated person as this appears to be a lonej person as this appears to be a lone wolf, _ person as this appears to be a lone wotf. but— person as this appears to be a lone wolf, but politicians _ person as this appears to be a lone wolf, but politicians touring - person as this appears to be a lone wolf, but politicians touring the i wolf, but politicians touring the countryside with _ wolf, but politicians touring the countryside with bigger - wolf, but politicians touring thej countryside with bigger details, security— countryside with bigger details, security details, _ countryside with bigger details, security details, but _ countryside with bigger details, security details, but also - countryside with bigger details, security details, but also from i countryside with bigger details, i security details, but also from the politicians — security details, but also from the politicians themselves. _ security details, but also from the politicians themselves. and - security details, but also from the politicians themselves. and of i politicians themselves. and of course — politicians themselves. and of course mr— politicians themselves. and of course mr fico— politicians themselves. and of course mr fico himself- politicians themselves. and of course mr fico himself in i politicians themselves. and of course mr fico himself in the i politicians themselves. and of i course mr fico himself in the past that threatened _ course mr fico himself in the past that threatened journalists, - course mr fico himself in the past that threatened journalists, and i that threatened journalists, and when _

that threatened journalists, and when a — that threatened journalists, and when a politician _ that threatened journalists, and when a politician threatens i that threatened journalists, and when a politician threatens a i when a politician threatens a journalist, _ when a politician threatens a journalist, this— when a politician threatens a journalist, this is— when a politician threatens a journalist, this is happened. when a politician threatens a i journalist, this is happened to me and locat— journalist, this is happened to me and local media _ journalist, this is happened to me and local media in _ journalist, this is happened to me and local media in hungary- journalist, this is happened to me and local media in hungary wherej journalist, this is happened to mel and local media in hungary where i am based — and local media in hungary where i am based in — and local media in hungary where i am based in elsewhere, _ and local media in hungary where i am based in elsewhere, this - and local media in hungary where ii am based in elsewhere, this almost gives— am based in elsewhere, this almost gives carte — am based in elsewhere, this almost gives carte blanche _ am based in elsewhere, this almost gives carte blanche to _ am based in elsewhere, this almost gives carte blanche to crazy - am based in elsewhere, this almost gives carte blanche to crazy people, to tone _ gives carte blanche to crazy people, to tone wolf— gives carte blanche to crazy people, to lone wolf tub _ gives carte blanche to crazy people, to lone wolf tub people, _ gives carte blanche to crazy people, to lone wolf tub people, execute i to lone wolf tub people, execute people. — to lone wolf tub people, execute people. not — to lone wolf tub people, execute people, not necessarily- to lone wolf tub people, execute people, not necessarily to - people, not necessarily to physically _ people, not necessarily to physically threaten - people, not necessarily to physically threaten but i people, not necessarily to - physically threaten but certainly to verbattv _ physically threaten but certainly to verbally threaten _ physically threaten but certainly to verbally threaten through - physically threaten but certainly to verbally threaten through social i verbally threaten through social media _ verbally threaten through social media all— verbally threaten through social media all the _ verbally threaten through social media all the ways _ verbally threaten through social media all the ways it's - verbally threaten through social media all the ways it's open- verbally threaten through social i media all the ways it's open now. so i media all the ways it's open now. so iwoutd _ media all the ways it's open now. so iwoutd not — media all the ways it's open now. so iwoutd not say— media all the ways it's open now. so i would not say one _ media all the ways it's open now. so i would not say one does _ media all the ways it's open now. so i would not say one does not - media all the ways it's open now. so i would not say one does not feel i i would not say one does not feel hugely— i would not say one does not feel hugely endangered _ i would not say one does not feel hugely endangered personally, i i would not say one does not feel i hugely endangered personally, but i think there — hugely endangered personally, but i think there is — hugely endangered personally, but i think there is a _ hugely endangered personally, but i think there is a bad _ hugely endangered personally, but i think there is a bad atmosphere i hugely endangered personally, but i think there is a bad atmosphere and the atmosphere _ think there is a bad atmosphere and the atmosphere is _ think there is a bad atmosphere and the atmosphere is obviously - think there is a bad atmosphere and the atmosphere is obviously getting| the atmosphere is obviously getting much _ the atmosphere is obviously getting much worse — the atmosphere is obviously getting much worse because _ the atmosphere is obviously getting much worse because of— the atmosphere is obviously getting much worse because of this - the atmosphere is obviously getting much worse because of this awful. much worse because of this awful incident _ much worse because of this awful incident yesterday. _ much worse because of this awful incident yesterday. find _ much worse because of this awful incident yesterday.— much worse because of this awful incident yesterday. and you travel incident yesterday. and you travel in the region _ incident yesterday. and you travel in the region a _ incident yesterday. and you travel in the region a lot _ incident yesterday. and you travel in the region a lot comedy - incident yesterday. and you travel in the region a lot comedy for i incident yesterday. and you travel in the region a lot comedy for thisj in the region a lot comedy for this is a manifestation of the polarisation that society is seeing in recent years? it is polarisation that society is seeing in recent years?— in recent years? it is about polarisation _ in recent years? it is about polarisation in _ in recent years? it is about polarisation in a _ in recent years? it is about| polarisation in a politicians, in recent years? it is about i polarisation in a politicians, a lot of them — polarisation in a politicians, a lot of them but _ polarisation in a politicians, a lot of them but not _ polarisation in a politicians, a lot of them but not all _ polarisation in a politicians, a lot of them but not all of _ polarisation in a politicians, a lot of them but not all of course i polarisation in a politicians, a lot. of them but not all of course really primaritv _ of them but not all of course really primarily are — of them but not all of course really primarily are responsible. - of them but not all of course really primarily are responsible. they i primarily are responsible. they have a huge _ primarily are responsible. they have a huge responsibility— primarily are responsible. they have a huge responsibility not— primarily are responsible. they have a huge responsibility not to - primarily are responsible. they have a huge responsibility not to sort i primarily are responsible. they have a huge responsibility not to sort of i a huge responsibility not to sort of of the _ a huge responsibility not to sort of of the ante — a huge responsibility not to sort of of the ante of— a huge responsibility not to sort of of the ante of this _ a huge responsibility not to sort of of the ante of this violence, - a huge responsibility not to sort of of the ante of this violence, of- of the ante of this violence, of this sort— of the ante of this violence, of this sort of— of the ante of this violence, of this sort of hate _ of the ante of this violence, of this sort of hate speech. - of the ante of this violence, of this sort of hate speech. i- of the ante of this violence, ofl this sort of hate speech. i think of the ante of this violence, of- this sort of hate speech. i think we have _ this sort of hate speech. i think we have heard — this sort of hate speech. i think we have heard from _ this sort of hate speech. i think we have heard from the _ this sort of hate speech. i think we have heard from the slow- this sort of hate speech. i think we i have heard from the slow backside, politicians _

have heard from the slow backside, politicians calling _ have heard from the slow backside, politicians calling for _ have heard from the slow backside, politicians calling for calm - have heard from the slow backside, politicians calling for calm and i politicians calling for calm and those — politicians calling for calm and those calls _ politicians calling for calm and those calls for— politicians calling for calm and those calls for tommy- politicians calling for calm and those calls for tommy to i politicians calling for calm and those calls for tommy to be i politicians calling for calm and i those calls for tommy to be echoed through— those calls for tommy to be echoed through the — those calls for tommy to be echoed through the region. _ those calls for tommy to be echoed through the region. 0k, _ those calls for tommy to be echoed through the region.— those calls for tommy to be echoed through the region. 0k, nick, thank ou. let's turn to the hague now, where south africa has asked the un's highest court to instruct israel to stop its offensive in rafah in southern gaza. the hearing at the international court ofjustice is the latest intervention by the south african government in its legal case against israel. it says as well as direct military attacks, israel is starving palestinians in gaza by obstructing access to deliveries of food, fuel and medicines. israel has insisted it is acting in accordance with international law. it has dismissed the south african case as "a baseless blood libel". south africa's legal team have been outlining their case and have accused israel of breaching the court's previous orders with impunity. it is escalating its attacks in gaza, and in so doing,

it is wilfully breaching the binding orders of this court. israel similarly breaches the binding resolutions of the united nations security council, erroneously believing from the lack of countermeasures by the international community that it is exempt from having to respect international law. we've heard assurances that israel was doing everything in its power to avoid civilian deaths as it exercised its claimed right of self—defence. we've heard boasts that israel's army is the most moral army in history, and we've heard denials that there is famine in gaza. for months, people, particularly in the west, have appeared unwilling to accept that the accusations are true. how could people who look like us and sound like us possibly engage in anything like genocide? let's get the latest

from our correspondent anna holligan, who's at the hague. we just heard wejust heard some we just heard some of the arguments outlined in court there. to get through what else has been set in the last few hours. the through what else has been set in the last few hours.— the last few hours. the south african legal _ the last few hours. the south african legal team _ the last few hours. the south african legal team said i the last few hours. the south african legal team said that i african legal team said that palestinians— african legal team said that palestinians don't need i african legal team said that i palestinians don't need words or diplomacy. — palestinians don't need words or diplomacy. what— palestinians don't need words or diplomacy, what they _ palestinians don't need words or diplomacy, what they need i palestinians don't need words or diplomacy, what they need is i palestinians don't need words or diplomacy, what they need is an| diplomacy, what they need is an urgent _ diplomacy, what they need is an urgent intervention— diplomacy, what they need is an urgent intervention from - diplomacy, what they need is an urgent intervention from this i diplomacy, what they need is an i urgent intervention from this court. so the _ urgent intervention from this court. so the lawyer— urgent intervention from this court. so the lawyer for— urgent intervention from this court. so the lawyer for telemachus - urgent intervention from this court. so the lawyer for telemachus said i so the lawyer for telemachus said there _ so the lawyer for telemachus said there is_ so the lawyer for telemachus said there is no— so the lawyer for telemachus said there is no time _ so the lawyer for telemachus said there is no time to _ so the lawyer for telemachus said there is no time to spare, - so the lawyer for telemachus said there is no time to spare, it - so the lawyer for telemachus said there is no time to spare, it is - so the lawyer for telemachus said| there is no time to spare, it is now or never— there is no time to spare, it is now or never to — there is no time to spare, it is now or never to ensure _ there is no time to spare, it is now or never to ensure palestinian's i or never to ensure palestinian's right to — or never to ensure palestinian's right to life _ or never to ensure palestinian's right to life under— or never to ensure palestinian's right to life under the _ or never to ensure palestinian's right to life under the genocide| right to life under the genocide conventiorr _ right to life under the genocide convention. he _ right to life under the genocide convention. he described - right to life under the genocide| convention. he described rafah right to life under the genocide - convention. he described rafah with the test— convention. he described rafah with the test refuge — convention. he described rafah with the last refuge for— convention. he described rafah with the last refuge for palestinians - convention. he described rafah with the last refuge for palestinians in. the last refuge for palestinians in gaza and — the last refuge for palestinians in gaza and also _ the last refuge for palestinians in gaza and also set _ the last refuge for palestinians in gaza and also set up _ the last refuge for palestinians in gaza and also set up there - the last refuge for palestinians in gaza and also set up there to - the last refuge for palestinians in gaza and also set up there to bei the last refuge for palestinians in. gaza and also set up there to be any hope of— gaza and also set up there to be any hope of rebuilding _ gaza and also set up there to be any hope of rebuilding gaza _ gaza and also set up there to be any hope of rebuilding gaza after- gaza and also set up there to be any hope of rebuilding gaza after this, . hope of rebuilding gaza after this, then rafah — hope of rebuilding gaza after this, then rafah have _ hope of rebuilding gaza after this, then rafah have to _ hope of rebuilding gaza after this, then rafah have to be _ hope of rebuilding gaza after this, then rafah have to be protected. i hope of rebuilding gaza after this, | then rafah have to be protected. it is home _ then rafah have to be protected. it is home to — then rafah have to be protected. it is home to one _ then rafah have to be protected. it is home to one of— then rafah have to be protected. it is home to one of the _ then rafah have to be protected. it is home to one of the last - then rafah have to be protected. it. is home to one of the last remaining and operating — is home to one of the last remaining and operating hospitals _ is home to one of the last remaining and operating hospitals in _ is home to one of the last remaining and operating hospitals in gaza - is home to one of the last remaining and operating hospitals in gaza so. and operating hospitals in gaza so they said — and operating hospitals in gaza so they said rafeh— and operating hospitals in gaza so they said rafah is _ and operating hospitals in gaza so they said rafah is central- and operating hospitals in gaza so they said rafah is central to - they said rafah is central to sustain— they said rafah is central to sustain the _ they said rafah is central to sustain the palestinian - they said rafah is central to sustain the palestinian life. | sustain the palestinian life. without— sustain the palestinian life. without it. _ sustain the palestinian life. without it, there _ sustain the palestinian life. without it, there is- sustain the palestinian life. without it, there is no- sustain the palestinian life. - without it, there is no possibility of reconstruction _

without it, there is no possibility of reconstruction and _ without it, there is no possibility of reconstruction and that's - without it, there is no possibility| of reconstruction and that's really what _ of reconstruction and that's really what this— of reconstruction and that's really what this request _ of reconstruction and that's really what this request is _ of reconstruction and that's really what this request is all _ of reconstruction and that's really what this request is all about. - of reconstruction and that's really what this request is all about. so| what this request is all about. so it's focusing _ what this request is all about. so it's focusing on _ what this request is all about. so it's focusing on rafah _ what this request is all about. so it's focusing on rafah and - what this request is all about. so it's focusing on rafah and what . it's focusing on rafah and what south — it's focusing on rafah and what south africa _ it's focusing on rafah and what south africa says _ it's focusing on rafah and what south africa says is _ it's focusing on rafah and what south africa says is an - it's focusing on rafah and what south africa says is an urgent i it's focusing on rafah and what - south africa says is an urgent need to protect — south africa says is an urgent need to protect rafah. _ south africa says is an urgent need to protect rafah. that— south africa says is an urgent need to protect rafah. that differs - south africa says is an urgent need to protect rafah. that differs from| to protect rafah. that differs from previous _ to protect rafah. that differs from previous requests _ to protect rafah. that differs from previous requests made _ to protect rafah. that differs from previous requests made by- to protect rafah. that differs from previous requests made by southi previous requests made by south africa _ previous requests made by south africa irr— previous requests made by south africa in this _ previous requests made by south africa in this case _ previous requests made by south africa in this case brought - previous requests made by south africa in this case brought underi africa in this case brought under the genocide _ africa in this case brought under the genocide convention- africa in this case brought under the genocide convention insofar| africa in this case brought under. the genocide convention insofar as it's focusing — the genocide convention insofar as it's focusing on _ the genocide convention insofar as it's focusing on one _ the genocide convention insofar as it's focusing on one specific- the genocide convention insofar as it's focusing on one specific area, i it's focusing on one specific area, although— it's focusing on one specific area, although earlier— it's focusing on one specific area, although earlier lawyers - it's focusing on one specific area, although earlier lawyers did - it's focusing on one specific area, although earlier lawyers did say. although earlier lawyers did say they would _ although earlier lawyers did say they would also _ although earlier lawyers did say they would also like _ although earlier lawyers did say they would also like the - although earlier lawyers did say they would also like the judges| although earlier lawyers did say. they would also like the judges to order— they would also like the judges to order israet— they would also like the judges to order israel to _ they would also like the judges to order israel to call— they would also like the judges to order israel to call a _ they would also like the judges to order israel to call a cease—fire i order israel to call a cease—fire right— order israel to call a cease—fire right across _ order israel to call a cease—fire right across gaza. _ order israel to call a cease—fire right across gaza. but - order israel to call a cease—fire . right across gaza. but specifically in rafah — right across gaza. but specifically in rafah. �* . right across gaza. but specifically in rafah. �* , ., in rafah. and remind us of the leaali in rafah. and remind us of the legality of _ in rafah. and remind us of the legality of the _ in rafah. and remind us of the legality of the international. in rafah. and remind us of the i legality of the international court ofjustice. what can they find it will affect with a ruling possibly have? 50 will affect with a ruling possibly have? ., will affect with a ruling possibly have? . ~ have? so what south africa has asked for here is a — have? so what south africa has asked for here is a provisional— have? so what south africa has asked for here is a provisional measure, - have? so what south africa has asked for here is a provisional measure, a l for here is a provisional measure, a series— for here is a provisional measure, a series of— for here is a provisional measure, a series of provisional— for here is a provisional measure, a series of provisional measures. - for here is a provisional measure, a| series of provisional measures. this court _ series of provisional measures. this court has _ series of provisional measures. this court has the — series of provisional measures. this court has the power— series of provisional measures. this court has the power to _ series of provisional measures. this court has the power to hand - court has the power to hand down provisional— court has the power to hand down provisional measures— court has the power to hand down provisional measures because - court has the power to hand down provisional measures because it. provisional measures because it looks— provisional measures because it looks for— provisional measures because it looks for the _ provisional measures because it looks for the genocide - provisional measures because it. looks for the genocide convention under— looks for the genocide convention under which — looks for the genocide convention under which this— looks for the genocide convention under which this case _ looks for the genocide convention under which this case was - looks for the genocide convention. under which this case was brought, but it— under which this case was brought, but it does— under which this case was brought, but it does not— under which this case was brought, but it does not have _ under which this case was brought, but it does not have any _

under which this case was brought, but it does not have any dye - but it does not have any dye although _ but it does not have any dye although their— but it does not have any dye although their orders - but it does not have any dye although their orders are - but it does not have any dye - although their orders are binding, it does— although their orders are binding, it does not— although their orders are binding, it does not have _ although their orders are binding, it does not have any _ although their orders are binding, it does not have any powers - although their orders are binding, it does not have any powers to . it does not have any powers to enforce — it does not have any powers to enforce them, _ it does not have any powers to enforce them, no— it does not have any powers to enforce them, no police - it does not have any powers to enforce them, no police or- it does not have any powers to . enforce them, no police or army, it does not have any powers to - enforce them, no police or army, so it really— enforce them, no police or army, so it really depends _ enforce them, no police or army, so it really depends on _ enforce them, no police or army, so it really depends on states - enforce them, no police or army, so it really depends on states to - it really depends on states to comply _ it really depends on states to comply but _ it really depends on states to comply. but also _ it really depends on states to comply. but also beyond - it really depends on states tol comply. but also beyond that, it really depends on states to - comply. but also beyond that, the pressure _ comply. but also beyond that, the pressure from _ comply. but also beyond that, the pressure from the _ comply. but also beyond that, the pressure from the international. pressure from the international community, _ pressure from the international community, from _ pressure from the international community, from specifically. pressure from the internationalj community, from specifically in pressure from the international- community, from specifically in this case israel's — community, from specifically in this case israel's allies _ community, from specifically in this case israel's allies you _ community, from specifically in this case israel's allies you can - community, from specifically in this case israel's allies you can see - case israel's allies you can see behind — case israel's allies you can see behind me _ case israel's allies you can see behind me here _ case israel's allies you can see behind me here the _ case israel's allies you can see behind me here the camera i case israel's allies you can see i behind me here the camera crews case israel's allies you can see - behind me here the camera crews are 'ust behind me here the camera crews are just clearihg _ behind me here the camera crews are just clearing up — behind me here the camera crews are just clearing up we _ behind me here the camera crews are just clearing up. we heard _ behind me here the camera crews are just clearing up. we heard from - behind me here the camera crews are just clearing up. we heard from the l just clearing up. we heard from the south _ just clearing up. we heard from the south african — just clearing up. we heard from the south african delegation _ just clearing up. we heard from the south african delegation on - just clearing up. we heard from the south african delegation on the - south african delegation on the steps _ south african delegation on the steps of— south african delegation on the steps of the _ south african delegation on the steps of the peace _ south african delegation on the steps of the peace palace, - south african delegation on the. steps of the peace palace, home south african delegation on the - steps of the peace palace, home to the court. _ steps of the peace palace, home to the court, which _ steps of the peace palace, home to the court, which is _ steps of the peace palace, home to the court, which is the _ steps of the peace palace, home to the court, which is the un's- steps of the peace palace, home toj the court, which is the un's highest court. _ the court, which is the un's highest court. and — the court, which is the un's highest court. and the — the court, which is the un's highest court, and the palestinian - court, and the palestinian representatives _ court, and the palestinian representatives thanked i court, and the palestinian - representatives thanked south court, and the palestinian _ representatives thanked south africa for ihtervehihg — representatives thanked south africa for intervening in— representatives thanked south africa for intervening in this _ representatives thanked south africa for intervening in this case. - representatives thanked south africa for intervening in this case. but- representatives thanked south africa for intervening in this case. but we l for intervening in this case. but we should _ for intervening in this case. but we should also— for intervening in this case. but we should also just _ for intervening in this case. but we should also just point _ for intervening in this case. but we should also just point out - for intervening in this case. but we should also just point out that - should also just point out that israel— should also just point out that israel has _ should also just point out that israel has repeatedly - should also just point out that israel has repeatedly referred| should also just point out that . israel has repeatedly referred to its right— israel has repeatedly referred to its right to — israel has repeatedly referred to its right to defend _ israel has repeatedly referred to its right to defend itself - israel has repeatedly referred to its right to defend itself under . its right to defend itself under international— its right to defend itself under international law— its right to defend itself under international law and - its right to defend itself under international law and has - its right to defend itself under. international law and has accused south _ international law and has accused south africa — international law and has accused south africa of— international law and has accused south africa of being _ international law and has accused south africa of being of _ international law and has accused south africa of being of hamas i international law and has accused south africa of being of hamas in| south africa of being of hamas in trrihgihg — south africa of being of hamas in trrihgihg this _ south africa of being of hamas in bringing this case. _ south africa of being of hamas in bringing this case. tomorrow, . south africa of being of hamas inj bringing this case. tomorrow, we will hear— bringing this case. tomorrow, we will hear from _ bringing this case. tomorrow, we will hear from israel, _ bringing this case. tomorrow, we will hear from israel, and - bringing this case. tomorrow, we will hear from israel, and they. bringing this case. tomorrow, wel will hear from israel, and they will have _ will hear from israel, and they will have the _ will hear from israel, and they will have the same _ will hear from israel, and they will have the same amount _ will hear from israel, and they will have the same amount of- will hear from israel, and they will have the same amount of time - will hear from israel, and they willl have the same amount of time that south _ have the same amount of time that south africa — have the same amount of time that south africa had _ have the same amount of time that south africa had today, _ have the same amount of time that south africa had today, two - have the same amount of time that south africa had today, two hours i have the same amount of time thati south africa had today, two hours to respond _ south africa had today, two hours to respond to _ south africa had today, two hours to respond to this — south africa had today, two hours to respond to this speed _ south africa had today, two hours to respond to this speed at _ south africa had today, two hours to respond to this speed at which - south africa had today, two hours to

respond to this speed at which the l respond to this speed at which the hearing _ respond to this speed at which the hearing to — respond to this speed at which the hearing to the _ respond to this speed at which the hearing to the place, _ respond to this speed at which the hearing to the place, we _ respond to this speed at which the hearing to the place, we would - hearing to the place, we would expect — hearing to the place, we would expect some _ hearing to the place, we would expect some form _ hearing to the place, we would expect some form of _ hearing to the place, we would expect some form of decision i hearing to the place, we would - expect some form of decision from the international— expect some form of decision from the international panel— expect some form of decision from the international panel of - expect some form of decision from the international panel ofjudges . the international panel of judges here as — the international panel of judges here as early _ the international panel ofjudges here as early as _ the international panel ofjudges here as early as next _ the international panel ofjudges here as early as next week - the international panel ofjudges i here as early as next week actually. 0k, here as early as next week actually. 0k. ahha _ here as early as next week actually. 0k. anna in — here as early as next week actually. 0k. anna in the _ here as early as next week actually. 0k, anna in the hague, _ here as early as next week actually. 0k, anna in the hague, thank- here as early as next week actually. 0k, anna in the hague, thank you.| israel will respond on friday. we'll bring you full coverage of that. here, the labour leader, sir keir starmer, has set out the first steps he would take if his party wins the next general election. he outlined six pledges, saying they're all fully costed and ready to be delivered in the first term of a labour government. the conservatives called his speech "yet another relaunch". live now to westminster and our political correspondent damian grammaticas. tell us more about what he has been saying then in these pledges. hi. saying then in these pledges. hi, es, aet saying then in these pledges. h , yes, get the sense here we could be months away from an election but things are gearing up. to begin the week and rishi sunak giving a big speech thing only to be trusted with the nation's security now. you had the nation's security now. you had the labour leader laying out these

six things he says that he would get on with doing if he were to win power. now they span increased economic security, border security, hiring six and a half thousand teachers, creating 40,000 more appointments every week for people to see doctors and get medical treatment, and then there is another one about clean energy. so these are things that he has a sort of drawing. they are not new pledges, but he is trying to focus on what he says would be the immediate sort of things that his administration that he would lead might try and get done to give people a sense of what labour might be about. and this is a sense of how he was delivering that. here we are, one card, six steps. in your— here we are, one card, six steps. in your hands, — here we are, one card, six steps. in your hands, a— here we are, one card, six steps. in your hands, a plan to change the

country — your hands, a plan to change the country. this is a message we can take to _ country. this is a message we can take to every doorstep across the country. — take to every doorstep across the country, every doorstep across the country. _ country, every doorstep across the country, and make that argument. the client— country, and make that argument. the client is— country, and make that argument. the client is hot— country, and make that argument. the client is not inevitable. politics can make _ client is not inevitable. politics can make a difference. britain will have _ can make a difference. britain will have a _ can make a difference. britain will have a better future, and you can choose _ have a better future, and you can choose it — have a better future, and you can choose it with labour. stop the chaos _ choose it with labour. stop the chaos with _ choose it with labour. stop the chaos with labour. turn the page with labour. return politics to service — with labour. return politics to service with labour. and with patients, _ service with labour. and with patients, with determination, with these _ patients, with determination, with these first— patients, with determination, with these first steps, we can rebuild our country with labour. the heart of his messages _ our country with labour. the heart of his messages he _ our country with labour. the heart of his messages he wants - our country with labour. the heart of his messages he wants to - our country with labour. the heart of his messages he wants to say . our country with labour. the heart | of his messages he wants to say 14 years of chaos and division under the conservatives let people worse off in what they counter with and happened with the damp is to say that sir keir starmer himself is l different positions at different times and has rebranded himself several times. this is a sense of what the conservative party sheridan

—— chairman richard holden has been saying. look, i mean, this is keir starmer's 16th relaunch in a few months. - i mean, he's dumped every pledge that he made during the labour. leadership campaign. he's dumped every pledge he made when he tried to get jeremy corbyn| into being our prime minister, not once but twice. _ i think people need to take - with an enormous pinch of salt anything that he's putting forward. . it's quite clear that labour don't . have a cohesive plan and would take the country back to square one. i have no idea why anybody would believe a word that i keir starmer says when every single time he's got a different— audience to play for, j he changes his tune, he changes what he's saying and - changes what he says he stands for. you know, 16 relaunches in a matter of a couple of years after four - years that opposition, - he's not got a cohesive plan. i think it says everything you need to know about keir starmer. - a lot of those sort of criticisms were put to keir starmer by

journalist at his event and he said if you want to be a credible leader, you have to react to events and change her policies and reshape them given the current situation but what you're getting a sense of fear is both parties starting to tonsil for credibility and starting to lay out their stalls as we approach what will be an election at some point this year. will be an election at some point this ear. , ., ., , ., will be an election at some point this ear. , ., ., , this year. many more months of this, thank ou. this year. many more months of this, thank you our _ this year. many more months of this, thank you. our political _ this year. many more months of this, thank you. our political editor - thank you. our political editor chris mason has been interviewing keir starmer and we will bring this to our viewers in the uk in around 15 minutes' time. around the world and across the uk, this is bbc news.

donald trump's former lawyer michael cohen has returned to the stand for another day of testimony at a new york court in the former president's hush money trial. he's already been giving evidence for two days, with the defence attacking cohen's credibility, bringing up his many social media comments bashing trump. let's get the latest from our north america correspondent nada tawfik.

she is at the courthouse. welcome to you. take us through what has been happening in court today.— happening in court today. yeah, well, happening in court today. yeah, well. donald — happening in court today. yeah, well, donald trump's _ happening in court today. yeah, well, donald trump's defence . well, donald trump's defence attorney todd blanche has really been subjecting michael cohen to a brutal round of questioning. he started off by playing a number of michael cohen's podcast episodes where jurors got to see a very different michael cohen from the composed one on the stand. instead they heard his boisterous voice say things like revenge is a dish best served cold, i want this man, referring to the donald trump, to go down and rot inside prison for what he did to my family. and todd blanche was try to portray michael cohen as someone who would do anything to see donald trump behind bars and as someone who is untrustworthy. later on, he asked michael cohen about his lying to

congress. he was found, pardon me, to have lied to congress, and he said the oath you took this morning, is not the same oath you took then, to which michael cohen agreed it was. clearly they are trying to get the jury to see him as somebody who continually lies, who cannot be trusted. and then the questioning went toward this notion that michael cohen was a reformed man interested in justice, cohen was a reformed man interested injustice, and todd blanche cohen was a reformed man interested in justice, and todd blanche asked him a series of questions to try to paint him as someone who acted out of his own self interest, saying that he admitted to lying to a judge about his crimes in order to get a plea deal and also about lying that his lawyer... that he did not ask his lawyer... that he did not ask his lawyer... that he did not ask his lawyer about a pardon from president trump at the time when he was president. so certainly todd blanche is continuing this attack of michael cohen's an ability but we have not yet gotten to questions about the charges at the heart of

this case, the falsification of business records.— this case, the falsification of business records. and where to be sent business records. and where to be spent questioning _ business records. and where to be spent questioning to _ business records. and where to be spent questioning to go _ business records. and where to be spent questioning to go when - business records. and where to be spent questioning to go when it i spent questioning to go when it comes to that? i spent questioning to go when it comes to that?— spent questioning to go when it comes to that? ,, . , comes to that? i think that is where ou are comes to that? i think that is where you are going _ comes to that? i think that is where you are going to _ comes to that? i think that is where you are going to seek— comes to that? i think that is where you are going to seekjurors - comes to that? i think that is where you are going to seekjurors really l you are going to seekjurors really zero land on the defence's strategy because it is certainly one thing to paint michael cohen as somebody who isjust a liar paint michael cohen as somebody who is just a liar interested in seeing donald trump go to prison, but what about all of the corroborating evidence? we have heard from more than a dozen witnesses, many of them saying it was the election that was the focus for donald trump at the time and also we have seen the checks, the records, so pardon me, i have something in my eye, i apologise, so interesting to see how the defence deals with that round of questioning. {lilia the defence deals with that round of truestionin. . ,, , ., the defence deals with that round of questioning-— questioning. 0k, thank you very much. meanwhile, israel's defence minister, yoav gallant, has voiced open frustration at the government's failure to address the question of a postwar plan for gaza. in a rare public sign of divisions over the direction

of the military campaign within israel's war cabinet, mr gallant urged prime minister benjamin netanyahu to declare publicly that israel has no plans to take over civilian and military rule in gaza. prime minister benjamin netanyahu responded harshly, saying he was "not ready to exchange hamastan for fatahstan", a reference to rival palestinian groups hamas and fatah. to get more on these divisions, i spoke tojotam confino, foreign editor ofjewish news uk. i think gallant speaks for most people, really. most experts in israel believe that netanyahu doesn't have a plan for the day after hamas. that's clear. whenever netanyahu talks about what should happen the day after hamas, he speaks in very vague terms. he speaks of civilian control for the palestinians, those who are allied with israel. we don't know who that would be. and sometimes he mentions other arab nations such as the uae, who should apparently take part in controlling gaza. now, after he said that,

the uae said we're not going to take part in that at all until this war is over and we can sit down and discuss properly what's going to happen. so gallant is reallyjust saying what everyone in israel knows. netanyahu, you're playing political games, its time to stop it, cos if you don't, not only will we not achieve our goals, which is to get rid of hamas and get the hostages out, there won't be any way of leaving gaza in a good place. someone needs to take control of it, and it shouldn't be israel. what does it mean, these divisions within the cabinet? how could that play out? i mean, we see increasing numbers out on the streets for many months now protesting against prime minister benjamin netanyahu and demanding the hostages be returned. i think eventually we will see at least two of the war cabinet members leave, that is benny gantz and gadi eisenkot, who reallyjoined netanyahu's emergency government after the war. they have already said that there should be elections by september. so if come september and netanyahu hasn't called for new elections,

i think we will see them leave the war cabinet, and then netanyahu will be back to square one with his far—right ministers who will hold him hostage. that is what they're doing now. they are demanding that he continue the war and that he basically leave the hostages. they don't want to engage in any deal with hamas, so it is a very serious situation. and i believe we will see an eruption of the war cabinet very soon. scientists have solved the mystery of the origins of ancient baobab trees. according to dna studies, the baobabs — sometimes known as "upside—down trees" — first appeared in madagascar 21 million years ago. their seeds were later carried on ocean currents to australia and also to africa, evolving into eight distinct species. earlier, i spoke to dr ilia leitch from the royal botanic gardens in kew, who carried out this research. we undertook it because this

is a remarkable group of species, the iconic baobabs that many people know about. and yet they have a fascinating history, but it's been a puzzle for a long time to really understand where did they evolve because of their distinctive distribution. as you said, we have six species in madagascar, one in africa and one all the way over in australia. so the question is how did that originate? and so, i guess the work that we've been doing has really tried to work out which of the different competing hypotheses of where did they evolve. did they come out of africa from australia, or did they indeed evolve in madagascar? and that's what we believe our data now confirm that that is where they did evolve from. and what does knowing this help you with? why is it important? it's important because the data that we have generated can be used in a wide diversity of ways, but it's a genomic data, information about the dna sequence, which codes for telling an organism how it lives. but it can also be used to not only understand the timing of how did it evolve,

but also we can look more deeply into the genome and understand what threats. ..or understand how the structure of the genome can inform for the best conservation strategies because three of the species are indeed at risk of extinction. but by analysing and looking at signatures of the dna in their genome, we can understand why they're at risk of extinction and indeed how we can best conserve them. so two of the species we can see are very genetically depauperate. they lack variation in their dna. this means that they're likely to be under risk of not being able to adapt under climate change or land use change or deforestation. so that gives us an information about how we should best preserve those two. for the other species, which is also at critically risk of extinction, we think what's happening here is that there's evidence that it is being sort of genetically swamped by hybridising with a more common species. and so that will need a different conservation strategy

if we want to make the decision to conserve that species as a genetic identity, as a genetic species in its own right. so it's been important for conserving them. fianlly, scientists in britain say they have proved a theory of einstein about the way matter plunges into black holes. for the first time, they've been able to identify an area called "the plunging region", the point where matter circling a black hole is suddenly pulled into it at close to the speed of light. the scientists from say it's an exciting development that shows matter responding to gravity "in its strongest possible form". that's it for me, thanks for watching. hello. today has brought a real patchwork of weather across the uk. for some, it's been a story of blue sky and sunshine. northern scotland doing very well for brightness and indeed for warmth, whereas in derbyshire,

it was a very different affair, some very heavy rain. and for others, well, it stayed pretty misty and murky for part of the day, especially close to north sea coasts. now the wettest of the weather is sliding away westwards, taken away by this little wiggle on this weather front. so the rain tending to clear away from wales as we head into the night, but a band of cloud left behind across the north of wales, the north midlands, northern england. quite murky and drizzly in places here. some fog patches elsewhere as well. temperatures generally between 7—12 degrees. we mayjust see a few places getting a little bit chillier than that. into friday morning, there will be some areas of mist and murk. this band of cloud sitting in place across parts of northern england, but all of that mist and low clouds and fog tends to lift up and break in most places to give some spells of sunshine. may just stay a bit murky for some north sea coasts, which will suppress the temperatures, but in the best of the sunshine, values up

into the low 205 celsius, maybe 23 in parts of western scotland. now, as we head towards the weekend, it stays pretty mixed. mist and fog at night and early in the morning. some spells of warm sunshine, but also a scattering of heavy showers. in fact, some more persistent rain to start saturday morning across parts of south—east england as this next wriggling weather front just bends its way in, so could be a wet start down towards the south and the south—east. elsewhere, quite a lot of mist and murk and low cloud as we start the day. could be a grey and gloomy start. and for some, it could be a slow process to clear that mist and murk, but most places should see some sunshine by saturday afternoon. small chance for a shower, particularly seeing some showers down towards the south. temperatures in glasgow up to 23 degrees, but i think we will see more cloud generally across scotland on sunday, perhaps into northern ireland, the far north of england as well. could see the odd spell of rain with that. england and wales seeing more sunshine, just the chance for one or two showers,

and temperature—wise, most places into the high teens or low 205 celsius.

this is bbc news. the headlines. here in the uk, labour's keir starmer sets out his party's labour's keir starmer sets out his party's key messages ahead of the general election, insisting they have not "scaled

back" on their ambitions. the bbc finds a firm run by a man once dubbed "britain's kindest plumber" faked stories of helping vulnerable people as it raised millions in donations. and more on how king charles got an introduction to the world of reality tv at the creative industries' garden party. hello, i'm samantha simmonds. welcome. let's get an update on all the latest sport. hello, samantha. rory mcilroy is hoping to end his ten—year major drought at the us pga championship which is under way in valhalla, where mcilroy won it back in 2014. he's not made the worst start — two under par through 13 holes, but six shots off the leader xander schauffele of the usa. scotland's robert mcintyre is the best placed brit so far. five birdies in his first round so far, and he's five under, three off the lead through 13. manchester city's goalkeeper ederson will miss sunday's premier league title decider and next week's manchester derby fa cup final.