western leaders on the beaches of normandy to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the d—day landings. a memorable day in france, but what does it teach us in mind of the current threats we face? we will hear from the family of one of those veterans — the canadian bill cameron, who died on friday, 100 years of age, just before they were due to leave for the commemorations. a warm welcome to the programme. it has been a spectacular, moving day in normandy, where kings and world leaders were humbled this afternoon by the stories from the veterans who had returned for probably the last time, to mark the 80th anniversary of the d—day landings. at the new british memorial in ver—sur—mer, the commemorations were attended by a0 veterans

overlooking one of the beaches where allied troops first came ashore onjune 6th, 1944. never before or since have so many troops from so many nations landed by sea to liberate an occupied country. the british, american, canadian, and french troops landed on five beaches — sword, juno, gold, omaha and utah — as the airborne troops dropped behind enemy lines to secure the roads and bridges. 156,000 troops overwhelming the germans they had taken by surprise. the main event this afternoon was at omaha beach, where heads of state stood alongside the veterans to pay tribute and remember. more on that in a moment — but first, our correspondent daniela relph takes a look back at all the day's events in the company of some of the british veterans who were there to see it. bagpipes memories fade. the living testimonies dwindle.

but at dawn today, on the beaches of normandy, they remembered. making their own 80th anniversary normandy landing, a group of royal marines, wading ashore as those before them had done in 1944. but these are now peaceful waters, thanks to the sacrifices made on d—day. archive: this is it, | they're on the beach. few truly understood the onslaught they'd face. young men, thrust into the brutality of war. 80 years on, those who survived and grew old honoured lost friends. it is all because of gummy�*s quick thinking, his desire to help those around him, that i can stand before you today. i wish i could tell him i have never taken his sacrifice for granted.

and we'll always remember him and ourfriends. so, gummy, thank you, my old friend. a tribute, from the one who made it home. at the british normandy memorial, the service of commemoration put the veterans centre stage. relegated to the back rows, the king and queen, and president macron. watching the service wasjoe mines. he landed on the beaches on d—day. 80 years have passed, but he never returned, until now. the actor martin freeman read his words. so, why would i come back? well, this is the last and only opportunity for me. the last there will ever be. and it's because of the lads. i want to pay my respects to those who didn't make it. may they rest in peace.

applause honouring those who fought in the name of his grandfather, the king spoke of remembrance as an obligation. let us commit to carrying forward their resounding message of courage and resilience in the pursuit of freedom, tempered by the duty of responsibilities to others, for the benefit of younger generations, our gratitude is unfailing and our admiration eternal. a final flourish from the red arrows as the service ended. the d—day veterans were then taken to a reception. some, with a bit of prime ministerial assistance. it was a day of cross—party support, as they also spent time with the labour leader keir starmer.

it was, though, with the king and the queen with whom they seem to share the most. it was intimate and emotional, knowing that this small group of d—day veterans is unlikely to be back here for a major commemoration. their stories have been told. it is now down to us to make sure they are not forgotten. daniela relph, bbc news, ver—sur—mer, normandy. the us president, joe biden, said the war in ukraine echoed the same fight for freedom on the beaches in normandy during world war ii. he was joined by world leaders including president zelensky at an international event this afternoon. 0ur europe editor katya adler was there. the proud anthem of the french resistance, sung in normandy today by students who could be the great, even great—great—grandchildren of those who fought and died here forfreedom. at this international

d—day ceremony, heads of state and government, representatives of europe's royal families stood shoulder to shoulder, hearts full of gratitude. translation: they were afraid, but they knew that they were - fighting a just war and that every step they took brought them closer to restoring freedom to the world. applause but a new war in europe hung heavy over today's commemorations. you'll notice one conspicuous absence amongst leaders here. russia was crucial in the defeat of nazi germany. ukraine's president was here, but vladimir putin was not. saviour of the people! this is the us military cemetery in normandy,

final resting place for well over 9,400 us soldiers. earlier today, joe biden made it clear why russia's president wasn't welcome. to surrender to bullies, to bow down to dictators is simply unthinkable. applause were we to do that, it means we'd be forgetting what happened here on these hallowed beaches. us veterans were presented by president macron with the legion d'honneur, france's highest honour. modern—day geopolitics loom really large over these d—day commemorations, but the world leaders gathered here don't mean any disrespect. those valiant veterans who have managed to come here to normandy know all too well the dangers of aggressive nationalism and the politics of hate. the freedom and peace they fought

so hard for is fracturing. normandy resident danielle boucherie was five years old on d—day, her village amongst the first to be liberated. translation: i went to sleep under german rule and woke _ up with the americans. danielle's mum made her a star—spangled dress of us servicemen�*s parachutes found in a field. she became a symbol — in pigtails — of their everlasting gratitude. translation: if it hadn't been for the americans, l what would have become of us? since the second world war, europe has relied on the us to have its back in terms of security. these brave men helped forge the transatlantic alliance. their president today said it was stronger than ever. but with us elections around the corner, europe knows it can't take anything for granted. katya adler, bbc news, normandy. and katya is on normandy

beach with the latest. d—day was an absolute turning point, and all of those young soldiers pouring out onto those beaches, i've been here all week and i've been talking to veterans. and don't forget, the youngest of them now are in their 90s and they still have crystal—clear memories of that morning — how cold they were, how seasick they felt coming onto these beaches, and how nervous they were about the enormity of what lay before them. but their humility is also really touching. i spoke to one veteran, 99 years old, and he said, "i'm glad we could help. that makes me feel good." and meanwhile, in villages up and down the coast, they are just surrounded by adoration by the locals. don't forget, 20,000 people, civilians died in normandy during the battle for normandy as well, so it's felt particularly strongly here. and tourists from all over europe and, of course,

all of those heads of state, heads of government and representatives of royal families from across europe at that international commemoration today as well. thinking back to the past, saying a big thank you to those who bravely fought for freedom, and clearly also worried about the new war that rages in europe. plenty more to come on the dd commemorations. around the world and across the uk, this is bbc news. —— the day. let's look at some of the other stories making headlines today. the uk health security agency says an outbreak of ecoli is thought to be linked to a food that's been distributed nationally. 113 cases have been reported since the 25th of may. the ukhsa says in england, at least 37 people have been admitted to hospital. leicestershire police say a body was discovered on thursday morning near the river soar. a search had been launched to find xielo maruziva after the force received reports that the child,

who was with family members, fell into the water on the 18th of february in aylestone meadows, in leicester. british scientists have identified a major cause of inflammatory bowel disease, which they say could help find new ways to treat the condition. the researchers found a weak spot in our dna present in almost everyone affected by the disease. aside from the events taking place in normandy today, there were other services of remembrance here in the uk, one of them at the national memorial arboretum in staffordshire. our correspondent duncan kennedy reports. fanfare it's the place set aside for national reflection, where the country gathers to remember.

today, it was where veterans and families came to honour the fallen, recognise service and pay homage to sacrifice. at the going down in the sun and in the morning, we will remember them. no tally of passing decades can erase the traumas of d—day, some of the veterans comforted instead by senior members of the royal family. the service ended with a fly—past, soaring above the gathering of those reflecting below. # we'll meet again... tonight, the final acts of remembrance are moving to britain's villages and towns, places like hound in hampshire, symbolising the day by lighting beacons. in fact, more than 800 of these beacons will be lit tonight at 9:15pm — one final nationwide expression of hope and peace.

the embers of fires drawing down on a day recalling loss, bravery and accomplishment. duncan kennedy, bbc news, in hampshire. there were 14,000 canadians who landed atjuno beach on june 6th, 1944. of those, 359 died in the initial assault. the prime minister, justin trudeau, was there today to listen to the stories of those who survive, but it is a dwindling band of heroes. that fact was underscored painfully by the passing of navy veteran bill cameron, who was due to travel this weekend with the canada delegation. he died on friday, the day before he was set to board a plane in vancouver. he was 100 years old. bill was an anti—aircraft gunner on a corvette that escorted the american barges during the d—day landings and the battle of normandy.

today, the canadian prime minister justin trudeau made sure that bill was remembered during the ceremony. to able seaman bill cameron, who suddenly passed away just last weekend. when i spoke with her a few days ago, his daughter donna told mejust how much he'd been looking forward to being here with all of you. his bags had been packed for weeks, and he was so proud to be coming back to normandy. so for him and for all the veterans, i can promise you that canada and the world will keep commemorating this significant day for decades and generations to come. joining me now is brian cameron, bill's eldest son.

thank you very much for being on the programme, and i am sorry for your loss. it must be a difficult day for you and your family. it loss. it must be a difficult day for you and your family.— you and your family. it certainly is. m you and your family. it certainly is- my dad _ you and your family. it certainly is- my dad was _ you and your family. it certainly is. my dad was a _ you and your family. it certainly is. my dad was a fighter - you and your family. it certainly is. my dad was a fighter to - you and your family. it certainly is. my dad was a fighter to the l you and your family. it certainly - is. my dad was a fighter to the end. he was really ready to take this trip, and itjust wasn't meant to be. but he was ready and he talked so much about taking this next trip — he had been there twice before, and this was something he was very much looking forward to. let’s and this was something he was very much looking forward to.— much looking forward to. let's take a step back — much looking forward to. let's take a step back from _ much looking forward to. let's take a step back from d-day, _ much looking forward to. let's take a step back from d-day, where - much looking forward to. let's take a step back from d-day, where had a step back from d—day, where had your dad come from and how long had he been in england before the order for the 6th ofjune was taken? he: ended up being there about 6—8 weeks beforehand, he was training in the east coast of canada, over in newfoundland, and came over around that time. find newfoundland, and came over around that time. : :, , :, that time. and what did he tell you about how the _

that time. and what did he tell you about how the day _ that time. and what did he tell you about how the day unfolded? - that time. and what did he tell you about how the day unfolded? he i about how the day unfolded? he: recalled it many times — cold, dark, scary. he said many times, "i was scared to death, but it was me or them, and i did what i had to do." that was similar to all the fellas that day, it was just a mission they had to achieve what they had to achieve, and they couldn't look back. , , :, :, back. did he tell you about the friends he _ back. did he tell you about the friends he lost? _ back. did he tell you about the friends he lost? 0h _ back. did he tell you about the friends he lost? oh yes, - back. did he tell you about the friends he lost? oh yes, and l back. did he tell you about the i friends he lost? oh yes, and he's continued to _ friends he lost? oh yes, and he's continued to lose. _ friends he lost? oh yes, and he's continued to lose. ten _ friends he lost? oh yes, and he's continued to lose. ten years - friends he lost? oh yes, and he's| continued to lose. ten years ago, friends he lost? oh yes, and he's i continued to lose. ten years ago, i went to normandy with him, my sister went to normandy with him, my sister went five years ago, we met a lot of the guys and some of them passed since. so they became good friends of ours. just a lot of memories, passing things— lots of stories, incredible stories. i sat on the bus with these guys, and they could talk for hours, it was amazing. i

reported on the d—day landings before, and all the efforts that those boys who landed on the beach is made to get to the cliffs was quite extraordinary. but i do know thatjuno was one of the hardest, and i do know that canadians did it with aplomb — in fact, so quick where they that they had to wait, am i right? they had tojust where they that they had to wait, am i right? they had to just pause for the rest to catch up with them. yes. the rest to catch up with them. yes, and i don't — the rest to catch up with them. yes, and i don't know _ the rest to catch up with them. yes, and i don't know if _ the rest to catch up with them. yes, and i don't know if you _ the rest to catch up with them. yes, and i don't know if you are _ the rest to catch up with them. me: and i don't know if you are aware, my dad was attached to the american flotilla at omaha, and it was the only canadian vessel that was in and out, using the corvette — it was the only corvette that went in and out of omaha. in a number of interviews he had, he referred to it as a terrible beach and had an impossible time up the mountain. the terrible beach and had an impossible time up the mountain.— time up the mountain. the thing i remember — time up the mountain. the thing i remember going _ time up the mountain. the thing i remember going down _ time up the mountain. the thing i remember going down to - time up the mountain. the thing i remember going down to the - time up the mountain. the thing i i remember going down to the sands time up the mountain. the thing i - remember going down to the sands and looking up, and staring at the sand cliffs, is thinking what they

must�*ve faced. you really do get a sense of that — and for people who haven't been, when you stand on the beach, you get a sense of the enormity of what they were facing when they came out of the sea. absolutely. on the trip i took, there was a fellow that was with us from the winnipeg rifles. we stood on the beach and looked up, and he said to me, "brian, you see that mound about 150 yards up the beach? that's as far as we got on the first day. i. that's as far as we got on the first day. " just gravitating. mas that's as far as we got on the first day. " just gravitating.— day. " 'ust gravitating. was at the end day. " just gravitating. was at the end of bills _ day. " just gravitating. was at the end of bill's war, _ day. " just gravitating. was at the end of bill's war, or— day. " just gravitating. was at the end of bill's war, or did _ day. " just gravitating. was at the end of bill's war, or did he - day. " just gravitating. was at the end of bill's war, or did he go - day. " just gravitating. was at the end of bill's war, or did he go on | end of bill's war, or did he go on to serve in other areas and in other battles? :, ::, to serve in other areas and in other battles? :, .., . ~ ., ., , battles? no, he came back and was out of the military, _ battles? no, he came back and was out of the military, and _ battles? no, he came back and was out of the military, and had - battles? no, he came back and was out of the military, and had a - battles? no, he came back and was out of the military, and had a very i out of the military, and had a very successful business career in life. but it was always a big part of his life, it was huge. i but it was always a big part of his life, it was huge.— life, it was huge. i think you did have family _ life, it was huge. i think you did have family there _ life, it was huge. i think you did have family there today, - life, it was huge. i think you did have family there today, in - life, it was huge. i think you did | have family there today, in spite life, it was huge. i think you did i have family there today, in spite of the fact that bill passed on friday,

what have they told you about the day and the memories that people shared of bill?— shared of bill? well, it was my nehew, shared of bill? well, it was my nephew. craig _ shared of bill? well, it was my nephew, craig powell, - shared of bill? well, it was my nephew, craig powell, and - shared of bill? well, it was my nephew, craig powell, and his| shared of bill? well, it was my - nephew, craig powell, and his wife, rachel, that attended. my two sisters who were coming — they obviously couldn't make it because they were packed to go and other things to do. i hadn't talked to craig yet, but i've seen pictures of him on the beach and whatnot, and i'm sure it was a very momentous day for both of them. and we are very proud of them for representing us. and very special to hear the prime minister speak so lovingly of your father. film minister speak so lovingly of your father. , , :, minister speak so lovingly of your father. , ,:, :, ~' minister speak so lovingly of your father. , ,:, :, ~ , minister speak so lovingly of your father. , ,:, :, 4' , ., father. oh my god - i woke up at 1:30am phoenix _ father. oh my god - i woke up at 1:30am phoenix time _ father. oh my god - i woke up at 1:30am phoenix time to - father. oh my god - i woke up at 1:30am phoenix time to watch i father. oh my god - i woke up at| 1:30am phoenix time to watch the whole thing, and to me there were several very special moments. and one was when prime minister trudeau spoke about my dad. i also found out that the prime minister spoke and

talked about his age group, and people of that age group needing to remember, and that they vowed to ensure remembrance carried on, it was amazing. ijust ensure remembrance carried on, it was amazing. i just thought ensure remembrance carried on, it was amazing. ijust thought it ensure remembrance carried on, it was amazing. i just thought it was beautiful. b5 was amazing. i 'ust thought it was beautiful. : , _ ., beautiful. as we were saying earlier in the programme, _ beautiful. as we were saying earlier in the programme, the _ beautiful. as we were saying earlier in the programme, the war- beautiful. as we were saying earlier in the programme, the war in - beautiful. as we were saying earlier i in the programme, the war in europe, which has returned, hangs heavy over the commemorations in normandy today — what would you want to say about that? how did your father view that, and some of the debate that there's been about funding ukraine, sending weapons to ukraine — did he have strong feelings on that? yes. weapons to ukraine - did he have strong feelings on that?— strong feelings on that? yes, he did. i strong feelings on that? yes, he did- i think— strong feelings on that? yes, he did. | think at— strong feelings on that? yes, he did. i think at the _ strong feelings on that? yes, he did. i think at the end _ strong feelings on that? yes, he did. i think at the end of - strong feelings on that? yes, he did. i think at the end of the - strong feelings on that? yes, he | did. i think at the end of the day, the ukraine situation is almost a travesty. you know, world war ii was something that the whole world was impacted by, and we are impacted by the ukraine event similarly. and i think more determination needs to be placed upon resolving that — i think

that was his point, that this is atrocious. that was his point, that this is atrocious-— that was his point, that this is atrocious. : :, :,, :, ., atrocious. and for those who are watching. _ atrocious. and for those who are watching, what _ atrocious. and for those who are watching, what would _ atrocious. and for those who are watching, what would you - atrocious. and for those who are watching, what would you want i atrocious. and for those who are l watching, what would you want to atrocious. and for those who are - watching, what would you want to say to them about your dad, and how you'd want him to be remembered? well, he was an amazing guy, he was my best friend. we shared so much stuff together. he was very, very cognitive until the end of his life, so it's not like he was unable to develop communication skills. his physical demeanour was a little bit low. but he was a fighter, he was a winner, he was a supporter, he was kind, he had a heart — but he also had a mission. in everything he did in his life, he was a fellow — he was my mentor — i'm no spring chicken, and i always asked him for advice, even at that age. he was just one of those guys that was

extremely rare. i was very fortunate to have him as a father, and i think my sisters would say the same. and he taught us a lot of stuff about resilience and don't give up, and all the things that basically formed through his time in the navy. he didn't have a choice, he had to go forward, it's that simple. we didn't have a choice, he had to go forward, it's that simple.- forward, it's that simple. we all owe him a _ forward, it's that simple. we all owe him a debt _ forward, it's that simple. we all owe him a debt of _ forward, it's that simple. we all owe him a debt of gratitude, . forward, it's that simple. we all| owe him a debt of gratitude, and forward, it's that simple. we all- owe him a debt of gratitude, and we are sorry for his passing. thank you very much for coming on the programme. very much for coming on the programme-— very much for coming on the rouramme. :, ~ i. . very much for coming on the rouramme. :, ~ . :, programme. thank you so much for havin: programme. thank you so much for having me. — programme. thank you so much for having me. i— programme. thank you so much for having me, i really _ programme. thank you so much for having me, i really appreciate - programme. thank you so much for having me, i really appreciate it. i having me, i really appreciate it. brian cameron there, whose father, bill, passed away on friday and wasn't able to make the commemorations. we wa nt we want to focus on some of the pictures from normandy, let me show you the pictures from the new british memorial at ver—sur—mer. slow march!

music: i vow to thee, my country our gratitude is unfailing and our admiration eternal. one of the things you might not know about this memorial is it owes its existence in great part to the initiative of our former royal correspondent, nicholas witchel, who in 2014, while reporting at the cenotaph here in london, met the late d—day veteran, george batts. a year later, george got in touch with him to point out that the uk alone among the allied nations did not have its own d date memorial near the landing beaches, so nick set up the landing beaches, so nick set up the normandy memorial trust, getting together people who could help realise george's dream that had eluded him in other normandy veterans. so it's nice to see that it's played such a prominent role in today's commemorations. a tribute to

nick and the work he put into that as well. i was telling the team outside that i have my own memories of being there ten years ago — does make memories that stand out. one, it was the last state visit of the queen — and you'll see in these pictures that in fact, barack obama was there, but also president vladimir putin in the company of that then french president. in fact, he made a bit of a faux pas because they'd invited him a day before to they'd invited him a day before to the olise palace — a bit of a french farce because the french president had to have two dinners with each of the leaders, so that neither of them felt snubbed. but the extra thing about the whole day was that — in fact, i had been in and investiture with the queen at the embassy in paris, and she was already in normandy at 8am the next day to mark the day with the veterans in speaking with everyone of them. this was a searing day, remember she was

88 years old. in the evening, i was lucky enough to be at the state dinner that the then ambassador lord ricketts had invited me to. there she was in herfinery ricketts had invited me to. there she was in her finery until 11:30pm in the evening, still shaking hands, still meeting people — the sort of service that we remember, of course, from our late queen, and which was fulfilled today by the king, who was there in one of his first duties since his diagnosis. you are watching bbc news. it does feel a little on the cool side, temperatures will be somewhat below the average for the time of year, at least for most of us. and on top of that, we have a scattering of showers. in fact, that, we have a scattering of showers. infact, ourweather that, we have a scattering of showers. in fact, our weather has been coming in from the north over the last few days, and you can tell by the motion of the cloud. in fact,

all the way from iceland and the norwegian sea — this pattern is not likely to change an awful lot in the coming days. so through this afternoon, we'll have showers scattered across the northern two thirds of the uk, quite frequent across parts of scotland, in the south less predominantly dry. temperatures really struggling — ten for our friends temperatures really struggling — ten for ourfriends in temperatures really struggling — ten for our friends in lower rate, temperatures really struggling — ten for ourfriends in lower rate, 16—18 across the south of the country. we should be closer to 20 at least in some spots in the south. by the end of the night, showers will become more frequent in western scotland, but the rest of the uk should have generally clear weather, and quite chilly. in towns and cities, 7—8 c, outside of town, 2—3 lower than that. friday the weather front across the uk again, originating from the north, that's where the air comes from as well. so i think of a speu comes from as well. so i think of a spell of rain for parts of scotland and the north living at later in the morning. showers will be quite frequent in the north of scotland,

in the south, showers will be less frequent and predominantly sunny spells. again, temperatures struggling, 11 in stornoway, 15 in newcastle, 18 in birmingham, about that in norwich and in plymouth was up that in norwich and in plymouth was up there saturday, low pressure is close by, it's in the north of the north sea and the winds are blowing in out of the northwest, so temperatures will change an awful lot. in fact, the winds will be quite strong across scotland, quite gusty and chilly, cold enough for a little bit of wintering us across the top of the mountains. and the temperatures, high teens in the south of the uk, low teens the further north you are. will it warm up further north you are. will it warm up in the next few days? in short, no it isn't. that cooler air from the north will continue and we will have that mixture of sunny spells and showers. you can see the weather here as far as wednesday. that's it,

bye—bye.

hello, i'm christian fraser. you're watching the context on bbc news. a look at the latest in the world of ai and the breakthroughs it's making in the world of health care. we will get to ai shortly.

sport, and for a full round—up from the bbc sport centre, here's gavin. the european championship isjust over a week away, and england earlier named their 26—man squad for the tournament, with some big names missing. man city's jack grealish is left out, and harry maguire won't be going due to injury. it's understood manchester united defender maguire hasn't recovered sufficiently from the calf injury which kept him out of united's fa cup final victory over city last month. the centre—back hasn't played since april and was expected to miss tomorrow's final warm—up game versus iceland. as for grealish, he's struggled to break into city's starting line—up towards the end of the league season. he remained on the bench throughout the cup final and for key premier league matches against tottenham and west ham. he did feature for england as a substitute on monday in their win over bosnia—herzegovina. so here's confirmation of the players that have been left out of gareth southgate's squad, having been named in the provisional group of 33 — maguire, grealish, james maddison of spurs, liverpool pair curtis jones and jarell quansah, goalkeeperjames trafford and everton's jarrad branthwaite.

defending champion iga swiatek is once again through to the french open women's final, where she will play