two victims of the black cab rapistjohn worboys win a landmark legal battle against the metropolitan police. the women, who were attacked by worboys in 2003 and 2007, reported his crimes but were not believed. they had all the information there. they should have caught him. they could have stopped him the very next day, but they didn't, they chose to not believe me. we'll be examining the implications of the ruling for future police investigations. also tonight. new figures show the strongest six months of growth in economic productivity since the recession of 2008. the government's plans to tackle air pollution are ruled unlawful — for a third time. ina in a student at last week's school shooting have beenjoined by thousands of others in the state capital demanding changes to gun laws in america. —— and i'm in

florida after last week's school shooting. there are problems that face us tonight that will never be solved unless we bring them to the lord jesus christ and... and the us evangelist billy graham, who's thought to have preached to hundreds of millions of people, dies at the age of 99. and coming up on sportsday on bbc news, eve muirhead produces a moment of brilliance as gb‘s women's curlers reached the semifinals of the winter olympics. good evening. two victims of the ‘black cab rapist‘ john worboys have won a landmark legal case against the metropolitan police — after officers failed to take action when they reported him. the women were sexually assaulted by worboys in 2003 and 2007 and said their treatment by police, who didn't believe them, caused them mental harm. the ruling by the supreme court means police could now face legal action if they fail to properly investigate cases.

0ur legal correspondent clive coleman has been speaking to one of the women. if they'd have done theirjob in 2003 there would be one victim. which, i can deal with one victim, what i can't deal with is 105 victims because i wasn't believed. this woman, known for legal reasons as dsd, was the first to report being attacked byjohn worboys back in 2003. why do you think the police simply didn't believe you? i would like to throw that one back at the police, because all of the evidence was there. there was a witness as there. everything was there. why did you believe me? why have you put me through this for 15 years? you get to the point where you think, you are going mad. from that first report it took a further six years for police to bring john worboys to justice. during that time he continued to cruise the streets, looking for women to dupe, drug, sexually assault. the police can't be sued

for negligence, so dsd and another ofjohn worboys‘ victims claimed police failures to investigate breached article three of the human rights act, and amounted to inhuman and degrading treatment. the metropolitan police, with the backing of two home secretaries, fought them to the supreme court. but todayjudges ruled in the women's favour. we have heard that failures in the investigation of the crimes provided they are sufficiently serious will give rise to liability on the part of the police. today's landmark ruling has huge implications for both the victims of violent crime and the police to investigate it. if they seriously failed in an investigation they can face human rights actions by the victim and have to pay out compensation. this is the highest court in the land telling the police that in the most serious of cases they have to do them a greatjob properly.

—— in the most serious of cases they have to do their job properly. the police unreservedly apologised to the victims they failed, but suggested that today's ruling could mean resources being taken from less serious cases. the court referred to it as those cases involving serious violence. and it's clear thatjohn worboys case fits in that criteria. we now need to look at all of those cases, look at how we balance the challenge of resourcing those against the many other demands we face. domestic violence is a crime! today's judgment can't make up for the police errors in investigating john worboys, but it will put real pressure on them to ensure that such mistakes don't happen again. clive coleman, bbc news. the government has published its latest proposals for how britain's relationship with the eu will work in the period immediately after brexit. the document says ministers want

a transition period of around two yea rs — and that the uk will abide by eu laws for that time. it comes after more than 60 brexit—supporting tory mps have written to theresa may to insist the uk make a clean break with the eu. 0ur political editor laura kuenssberg reports. in under pressure it is a big week for the prime minister to show she's making progress with her plans. prime minister. we want to ensure this is a country that can negotiate free—trade deals around the world. we want to ensure that we have a good trade agreement with the european union and that is what we will start to negotiate. we want to make sure we have a good security partnership with the eu. it isn't clear from today's exchanges this government is not on the road to

brexit, it on the road to nowhere. for all the arguing, what matters to the government right now is this, the government right now is this, the guidelines with the implementation phase, or transition. that is the period of time after we've left the european union when broadly not very much will change for quite some time. the uk thinks it'll take about two years to make all the changes, but brexiteers are nervous about this phrase, that the time frame could be shaped simply by how long it'll take to prepare and implement the new processes and systems. basically, it would be the eu status quo, the rights and obligations of the uk will continue. but a joint committee should be set up but a joint committee should be set up so the uk still has a say over changes to any rules, and on some specific areas like fishing. there is no mention in today's text about immigration. the core argument in a

referendum. number ten says the prime minister will still insist that the system changes as soon as we leave the european union. but a government source told me to expect the uk to back down on that in the face of resistance from brussels. how bullish our ministers? our starting point has been, as the prime minister has set out, that we would allow people to work and live in the uk during the pigmentation phase, same as before, but we will need to have a conversation about how they will continue on after that. —— implementation phase. how they will continue on after that. -- implementation phase. they are noti million miles apart in the talks about this. but however friendly greeting was with the dutch prime minister today, entity to be tied up is a lot of discussions need to be had. the discussion at this moment is about two years. the discussion then will be, if things move smoothly, then after the two yea rs move smoothly, then after the two years would allow for a short

extension. that debate continues. the brexit secretary at his cabinet colleagues still have convincing to do in the european capitals, like in athens today, at home with their party, and, of course, most importantly with you. bbc news, westminster. the uk has seen the strongest six months of productivity growth since the recession of 2008, according to the latest figures from the office for national statistics. there was also a better than expected rise in wages in the first three months of the year. but unemployment edged up for the first time in two years. here's our economics editor kamal ahmed. bring on the robots. more efficient and helping this firm in hastings make electrical equipment more quickly. and the quicker you make things the more you make every hour, and the more wealth you create, that is productivity. since the financial crisis our productivity performance has been pretty poor, but over the last six months there has been a jump last six months there has been a jump into positive territory. the

strongest since before 2008. global growth is helping firms. we are seeing a huge opportunity for us in the chinese market which we have been working on for the past two yea rs. been working on for the past two years. that is starting to come to fruition now. that is why we have found that it is time to reward the staff, reward them in terms of bringing in machinery like the robot behind me, that will help them and us behind me, that will help them and us increase productivity. and wages tend to follow, up over the last three months to 2.5% from 2.3%. still below the rise in prices, but that living standards squeeze is easy. we have just had a pay rise. we haven't had it long enough yet to decide whether it makes a difference. i'm sure it will. but it is still early stages. despite having a pay rise, if you look at how things are increasing, when you have a look at your utilities, things like that, the difference is noticeable. quite a noticeable

difference for the government, as well, public finances are £7 billion better off than they were last year. that growth means higher tax reve nu es that growth means higher tax revenues and less borrowing. a lot of important figures about the economy today. three better, one a worry. productivity is up, government borrowing is better than expected, and incomes are up. that one worry, unemployment, which has risen for the first time in two yea rs. risen for the first time in two years. it's very hard to predict whether a deployment is going to carry on rising. you cannot read too much into one month's figures. the rate is still quite high but all depend on the outlook of the economy over the next few months. and it is thatis over the next few months. and it is that is that 0utlook that really matters for our incomes and jobs. brexit uncertainty is still waiting on the economy, government debt are still high, but today it was the better economic figures that won out. bbc news. the government has ordered a review into the way medical problems caused by nhs treatments are handled.

it follows three high—profile campaigns over the hormone pregnancy test primodos, the epilepsy drug sodium valproate, and the use of vaginal mesh implants. our health editor hugh pym is here. — how significant is this move by the government? patient groups have spent many years campaigning for justice as patient groups have spent many years campaigning forjustice as they see it following side effects in the case of primodos and sodium valproate. and in the case of vaginal meshes, women suffering severe pain. jeremy hunt has opened a review which could lead to further investigations. he's also said the nhs and medical regulators need to do much more to take on patients' concerns in the future. he says it has not been good enough up until now. in each case, as far as they are concerned, there does need to be are concerned, there does need to be a full enquiry. thanks very much. the united nations has

described the situation in eastern ghouta in syria as "hell on earth" after the government stepped up its bombardment of the region. it says that nearly 350 civilians have been killed, and nearly 900 injured injust over two weeks, mostly in air strikes hitting residential areas. this report, by our middle east editorjeremy bowen, contains some scenes you may find distressing. the syrians deny targeting civilians in eastern ghouta. explosions. these, they say, are precision strikes against artillery that has hit central damascus. screaming. but the evidence from inside the enclave is that civilians are getting hurt and dying. the suffering of civilians could have a political effect. putting pressure on the rebel groups in eastern ghouta to make a deal. the lives of their children against strategic front line territory near central damascus that the regime wants to get back. this activist says helicopters

are hovering over us here in eastern ghouta. god help us, we are being exterminated. i was able to cross from government—controlled damascus to eastern ghouta several times at the beginning of the war. even then it was very badly damaged by regime bombing. morale among the rebels was high and dozens of young men were joining what they believed was a revolution. what do you think will happen to assad? killed. must be killed. when the war started the regime was under severe pressure. it lost control of a crescent of suburbs around damascus. eastern ghouta is the last of them that has not surrendered. in 2013 eastern ghouta was hit by a chemical attack that killed hundreds. the americans threatened a military strike against the regime and then decided against it. it was a turning point in the war

after that the regime lost its fear of western intervention. in september 2015 russia intervened, decisively, on assad's side. now he is more secure and he is emboldened, more so than at any time since the war started. and the russians are becoming the dominant foreign power in the middle east. in northern syria the president has just sent militia men to join the fight against the turkish incursion. he would not have the confidence to move against nato power without the russians. and it suggests he will not listen to foreign condemnation of the attack on eastern ghouta. jeremie bowen bbc news. our top story this evening. two victims of the black cab rapist john worboys have won

a landmark legal battle against the metropolitan police. and still to come: jumping forjoy — britain's women's curling team are through to the semi—finals at the winter olympics coming up on sportsday on bbc news: no defeats for any of the british clubs in the last 16 of the champions league so far, can manchester united continue that run in spain tonight? the american evangelist billy graham has died at the age of 99. considered one of the 20th century‘s most influential preachers, he gave speeches around the world to huge audiences. in his 60—year career, it's thought he preached in person to over 200 million people. buckingham palace says the queen will be sending a private message of condolence to the family. 0ur religion editor martin bashir looks back on his life and work. problems that face us tonight that will never be solved, unless we bring them to the lord jesus christ.

charismatic and handsome, billy graham preached a simple message that he took around the world. speaking to more than 220 million people in 185 countries. london first felt the force of his evangelism in 195a. we've come here at the invitation of these churches to help lead a crusade to win men tojesus christ. he would lead a17 crusades, often in major sporting stadiums, from new york to nigeria. he was god, he was also man. it was at an earl's court rally in 1966 that cliff richard publicly declared his christianity. he was even invited to preach before the queen and other members of the royal family at sandringham in 1984 and said afterwards that he did not change his message,

but simply pointed to jesus. my own son actually came to the living faith through the preaching of billy graham. i don't actually think we have somebody who simply says, "the bible says, the bible says, the bible says," doesn't intrude his own ideas into the message. his son, franklin graham, who is also an evangelist, described a recent conversation. i said, "daddy, what do you want on your tombstone? " he thought. he said, "just preacher." that's it? that's it. god loves you. unlike so many american preachers, billy graham was never caught up in any kind of scandal and insisted that his financial affairs were transparent and audited by others. it was the simplicity of his message and the sincerity of his life that will be his legacy. the american preacher, billy graham, who's died at the age of 99. government plans to tackle air

pollution have been ruled unlawful by the high court, because they fail to bring down nitrogen dioxide levels within legal limits in enough areas of england and wales. ministers will now have to introduce new measures in a further 33 towns and cities across the uk. here's our science editor david shukman. the air we breathe. in dozens of places, it is dirtier than the law allows. for years an environmental group has challenged the government to do more. and today the high court ordered ministers to double the number of areas where pollution must be cut. what it means today is in those towns and cities that were covered by this order, local authorities will have to take measures to try and fix that as soon as possible. and the government will have to help those local authorities to do that. this app shows that today in london the air quality isn't that bad. the problem is that in towns and cities across the country there are days when the air pollution reaches the legal limits. now the judgment here at

the high court acknowledges that the government is doing a great deal to clean up. but also says ministers need to do a great deal more. at prime minister's questions theresa may was asked about the court ruling. they have asked us to go further in areas with less severe air—quality problems. where we thought a pragmatic approach was appropriate, we will now formalise that. but actually on two out of the three counts they found in the government's favour. wales will now see a new effort to improve the air. the welsh government admitted at the high court that its plans were not adequate. southampton is one of several major cities where the government recently ordered a faster response. so too in leeds, another pollution hotspot, were today we found people are concerned. i feel like it is slowly killing us. it is bad air and they should find a way to cut down and sort it. we cannot let it go because of our young people. it isjust not fair.

local authorities in leeds and other cities are working on plans to tackle pollution. but they feel they're having to make all the effort. and they say national government is not helping enough. we need to ensure there is properfunding. and that they're thinking for the country as a whole and they're not just passporting this responsibility down to already stretched local authorities, expecting us to do it without that support in place. the most obvious solution is to charge the dirtiest vehicles for coming into polluted areas. but that is also the most controversial option and ministers are not keen on it. so what else can be done to cut pollution? switching away from diesels is one option. so is encouraging people onto public transport. none of this is cheap but the government now knows that the courts are watching. scotla nd scotland yard are trying to

establish whether there is a link between two fatal stabbings in london which happened within an hour of each other. the victims are a boy in his teens and a man in his 20s. at least 15 people have died in knife crime there this year. survivors of the florida school shooting that left 17 people dead having been marching with thousands of other students to the state capital, calling for new laws on gun control. it's the first organised protest by a youth—led anti—gun movement — which was set—up following the attack last week. 0ur north america editorjon sopel is live in tallahassee. thousands of people have left their classrooms and have gathered in front of state capitol to destand change to gun laws. in the corridors of power, young people from the school are meeting the law makers and later today donald trump at the white house is going to meet representatives from the college. it

might add up to nothing, but it may be that on the subject of gun control a wind of change is blowing across america. a school trip like no other. these students from marjorie stoneman douglas haven't come to the florida state capital to listen. they have come to speak and demand change after 17 of their classmates and teachers were killed last week. and they're determined to be heard. no one needs these weapons that are taking children's lives, and they should just ban them, because all they are used for is destruction. and they're just not needed. you should go to school feeling safe and be confident that you are there for an education and a bright future. you're not here to worry about getting shot. these youngsters will be heard politely and given a warm reception by florida lawmakers. but last night those same people voted against even reopening a debate on semiautomatic weapons. the battle for gun control

is going to be an uphill struggle. you're not up here to give suggestions, you are up here to demand. but that decision not even to debate guns in the state assembly has infuriated pupils, teachers and community leaders alike. i buried personally in the last four days three kids from my congregation. i watched a father want to climb into the mausoleum with his son. i watched a mother curled up in a ball who refused to come out to be with herfamily for the funeral. and they have the gall to not even discuss the issue. we are very upset. but from the white house there are small but significant signs of movement. the president apparently in favour of raising to 21 the age at which people can buy weapons. and he tweeted this. "whether we are republican or democrat, who must now focus on strengthening background checks." and he announced yesterday that he wanted to ban bump stocks, the device used in las vegas that turns a semiautomatic rifle into a machine gun. these students have

captured public attention with their demand for change. but those who have wearily trod this path before will tell you that winning support is a very different thing to winning reform. jon sopel, bbc news, tallahassee. great britain's women's curling team are into the semi finals of the competition at the winter olympics in south korea, after beating reigning champions canada. but team gb‘s men will have to get through a tie—break match if they're tojoin them, after they were beaten by the us today. andy swiss reports from pyeongchang. sport so often the turns on a moment of genius and this was eve muirhead's. with the scores tied against canada, the british captain conjured a mathematical miracle. one, two hits, that one hits that one — it's a great shot from eve muirhead. well, eve muirhead played a cracker. in curling, the simple aim is to get closest to the target, but

how muirhead took the scenic route — her geometric genius took britain into the semi—finals, even if her reaction... ajump in the air forjoy and why not? ...left her slightly embarrassed. i can't actually remember it. when you're out there and you're in that zone you forget about the small things. but, yeah, i'm glad i landed safe on my feet. so eve muirhead's team are through, but could there now be another muirhead into the semi—finals? brother thomas is hoping to help the men's team into the last four of their competition. but there was to be no family celebration. the men's team thrashed by the usa. they will now have to beat switzerland in a play—off to reach the semi—finals. british hopes in the bobsleigh also took a knock. a little mistake... a bumpy third run ended misha mcneill and mika moore's hopes of a medal, but the pair, who had to crowd fund to help their preparation, still finished a creditable eighth. that feels amazing, five months ago we didn't know if we would even be here. so to get here that is an achievement in itself.

but the day's most dazzling display came from a 15—year—old — the extraordinary alina zagitova. the olympic athlete from russia is still yet to win a gold here, but her world record score for this routine suggests one may not be far away. andy swiss, bbc news, pyeongchang. time for a look at the weather. here's susan powell. you can call it the beast from the east or siberian shivers, but we have some cold weather on the way. especially through the weekend and into next week. the high pressure is with us at the moment. tonight it just means a lot of fine weather. thinning cloud and a widespread frost. some mist and freezing fog

possible in northern england and the midlands. some decent brightness first thing on thursday. the cloud tending to thicken as the day goes which. by. some drizzle in western scotla nd which. by. some drizzle in western scotland and northern ireland. the easterly wind starting to strengthen in the south. the wind stronger again on friday a sunnier day on friday. the high pressure keeping our weather fronts at bay. the high pressure will be with us through the weekend. so more dry and fair weather. but that high is building and extending further east. if we follow the lines, they're like a pipeline pulling cold airfrom siberia towards us for the start of next week. look at the clash with the warm air in the mediterranean, some nasty conditions in southern europe. for us it is cold air. this is the day time temperatures. sunday

a lingering frost. by monday the blue becomes darker and subzero temperatures and add in that chilly easterly wind. here is your outlook. getting colder, but for next week a definite shock to the system. that's all from the bbc news at six — so it's goodbye from me and on bbc one we nowjoin the bbc‘s news teams where you are. the this is bbc news. our latest headlines... victims of the black cab rapist john worboys win a landmark case against police afterjudges at the supreme court ruled scotland yard was liable forfailures in its investigation. a brexit negotiation document suggests the length of the transition period could be extended — as 60 tory mps write to theresa may to insist the uk makes a clean break with the eu. the un says the situation in a rebel—held suburb of damascus in syria,

which is enduring intense government air strikes, is "beyond imagination".