this is bbc news. the headlines. two british men — accused of carrying out beheadings for the so—called islamic state — have complained that they won't get a fair trial after losing their citizenship the un calls for an independent investigation as 16 palestinians are killed in clashes with israeli forces on the gaza border. russia announces further measures against uk diplomats — expulsions of officials from 23 other countries are also announced. more tears and further apologies in the wake of the australian cricket cheating scandal. former vice—captain david warner says he knows he might never again play for the national team. right now it is hard to know what comes next but first and foremost... is the well—being of my family. going for gold — students from around the world are put through their paces

in cornwall — in the international mining games. and coming up... the travel show visits a conservation project on mauritius aiming to protect the island's one remaining native mammal, the fruit bat. good morning and welcome to bbc news. two british men — believed to have been members of the notorious islamic state cell known as "the beatles" — have complained they can't have a fair trial because the uk government has stripped them of their citizenship. alexanda kotey and el shafee elsheikh whose group is thought to have murdered more than 20 hostages, spoke to reporters in northern syria after being detained. james waterhouse reports. alexanda kotey and el shafee elsheikh became part of the most infamous gang of foreign fighters within the islamic state group.

along with fellow londoners mohammed emwazi, the killer nicknamed ‘jihadijohn‘, who was killed in an american airstrike, and aine davis who was jailed in turkey, the pair are linked to a string of hostage murders in iraq and syria during the militants‘ bloody uprising. they include alan henning, a driver and aide worker from eccles and david haines, aide workerfrom perth. speaking to the associated press from a cell in northern syria, alexanda kotey described the executions as something that was regrettable, as he didn't see any benefit. the pair also claimed the illegal taking of their citizenships left them vulnerable to interrogation and torture. the two men were captured in the country by the american—backed syrian democratic forces, a kurdish—led militia. the home office hasn't commented on whether the pair have been stripped of their citizenship. last month, the home secretary amber rudd said she was absolutely convinced and committed to the idea of them facing justice. the defence secretary

gavin williamson however, says the men should not return to britain because they turned their backs on british values. their interview come a day after a uk soldier embedded with us forces was killed by a roadside bomb in a counterterrorism operation against the militants, making him the first british member of the armed forces killed in combat fighting is. i'm joined now by the evening standard's defence correspondent robert fox. let me ask you about the home office, it is not confirming or denying that they have had their citizenship revoked but what would be the implications for them if that is the case. well what happened next, it could be a bit of a free for all because different allied nations take a different approach to this. really quite hard over example is canada. canada will bring to

justice or feels it is entitled to bring to justice anyone anywhere who has perpetrated or suspected of perpetrating a grievous act against a canadian citizen. he or she must come before canadian law or allied canadian law somewhere and i think that allied point is the thing. home secretary amber rudd, she is pointing at some kind of international arrangement. uk is pa rt international arrangement. uk is part of the international criminal court after all and possibly they will push to go down that route. well defence secretary gavin williamson, his take on it was they had turned their back on british values and so they should be given the opportunity of an appearance in a british court, it should be dealt with elsewhere he said. countervailing political pressures on this. some would argue that they should be tried here because some of the big for british. i think that is

a very strong argument. and also a strong argument, that you cannot make someone deliberately stateless. that is the principle for a minute and look at the practicalities. why this was done and said was they did not want blowback, they did not want the associates of mohammed emwazi, jihadijohn, coming back potentially going underground and causing trouble or triggering things. they of the recent attack in france, a spontaneous picking up of thejihadi message from islamic state and this was part of the argument especially when mohammed emwazi himself was being identified and then was killed bya being identified and then was killed by a drone strike. it is to prevent any idea that these people can come home and perhaps get forgiveness.

that is not nearly as serious as i think it appeared at the time because yesterday have been incidents of drift back but nothing to the degree expected for the numbers are contested and in truth we do not know how many people from this country went to fight with islamic state, some may still be in syria or iraq. but in practical terms of these men were put on trial that a site in an international environment, how difficult is it to build the case. i think the case is strong and the evidence being brought forward, the argumentation rather, by the americans in particular and they are saying particularly in the case of one of the man, they have got him for talking to hostages, hostages that we re talking to hostages, hostages that were ransomed, about torture and waterboarding. potential identification. the americans will wa nt identification. the americans will want him and for me in my

experience, this is the most egregious case of the american joke of the guy who murdered his mother and father and then threw himself on the mercy of the court for being an orphan. this is the explaining away which is absolutely by watering and has been reported faithfully right across the media because they could go if they insist, under international auspices before americanjustice. international auspices before american justice. americans have been tortured and killed by them and then they are in for the high jump. there is a potential death penalty andi there is a potential death penalty and i think they realise this. i think what will happen is amber rudd, her very sensible argument will prevail but it is yet another phase for the international justice system and international criminal court which is such an important pa rt court which is such an important part now of global anti—terror and security apparatus. but this is very embryonic, it is still emerging. so there is an argument for saying that

it is in everyone's interest, all those countries fighting groups of this kind were bred they are in the world to sign up to some kind of international agreement. that sort of argument, do you think it is still going to gain ground. well they have done a lot more than expected initially, we have had this with yugoslavia and it has been problematic and long drawn—out but astonishing success in cases like liberia and of course rwanda and burundi. of course you can point to egregious cases like the democratic republic of congo. you cannot turn back the clock, this is a very important area. especially when there are such serious charges, crimes against humanity and genocide. and these are quite clearly crimes that these chaps are being accused of, crimes against

humanity. thank you very much. britain's most senior police officer, the metropolitan commissioner cressida dick, has suggested that social media is partly to blame for some violent crime, including a rising number of knife attacks. in an interview with the times, ms dick said the websites were being used by gangs to glamorise violence and allowed trivial disputes to escalate quickly. the commissioner says she sees a connection between incredibly abusive language used in social media meaning that it makes it " more likely, faster, and harder for people to cool down" she goes on to say that social media allows people to show off and she is "sure it does rev people up". in the article the commissioner also announced a new task force of about 100 officers to tackle violent crime in london. the funerals are expected to take place later today of some of the 16 palestinians killed on friday in clashes with israeli soldiers. hundreds more were injured when violence flared on the border with gaza, on the first day of a planned six—week protest over the right of palestinian refugees to return to their homes in what is now israel. the israeli army accuses the protesters of hurling

stones and fire bombs. in new york, the un security council condemned the violence but could not agree on a statement. addressing the council, the un's deputy political affairs chief, taye—brook zerihoun, called for an investigation into the deaths. israel must uphold its responsibility under international human rights and humanitarian law. greater force should only be used as a last resort and any resulting fatalities properly investigated by the authorities. we will therefore also continue to urge israeli security forces to exercise maximum restraint to avoid casualties. we are deeply saddened by the loss of life today. we urge those involved to take steps to lower tensions and reduce the risk of clashes. bad actors use

protests as a cover to incite violence and endanger innocent lives. these peaceful demonstrators posed no threat whatsoever to israel or its heavily armed soldiers. yet its trigger—happy soldiers used live ammunition, tear gas and rubber bullets to shoot indiscriminately. at those non—violent protesters who were demonstrating inside the gaza strip near their side of the well fortified barrier that separates them from israel. more than 100 flights from stansted airport were cancelled last night after a shuttle bus caught fire outside the terminal building. no—one was injured but thousands of passengers were told to leave the airport and rebook their flights. a normal service is expected to resume this morning. joining us now, anisa kadri from sta nsted airport. has normal service now resumed?

has normal service now resumed7m seems that things are getting back to normal. in the last few minutes sta nsted to normal. in the last few minutes stansted airport to normal. in the last few minutes sta nsted airport has to normal. in the last few minutes stansted airport has said it expects things to run as normal but the rest of the easter weekend and the issued an apology as well to the passengers who i've been speaking to this morning who have been in the terminal to my right. they've been there all night with the bleary eyed after flights were cancelled because after flights were cancelled because a shuttle bus caught fire. it was named on an electrical fault, a shuttle bus caught fire. it was named on an electricalfault, why the bus caught fire but hearing that their flights the bus caught fire but hearing that theirflights are the bus caught fire but hearing that their flights are cancelled and you can imagine is neverfun to hear. you only need to go on to twitter to hear what people are saying, saying that they were confused, but there was chaos and the lack of information about some people have praised the staff were trying to help them and praised other passengers as well for sharing food and water and all these stories you hear when people end up stranded at airports in this way. i spoke to people from germany and spain who

had a lovely holiday here in england but this news that their flights had been cancelled because of a fire at the airport, it was unwelcome news that same. i just want to divert your attention to the top of the terminal building. you may be able to see it is very black and that is because the smoke was hanging thick in the airwhen because the smoke was hanging thick in the air when the fire broke out. so the advice today is to check online, make sure that flights are running but sta nsted online, make sure that flights are running but stansted airport things things are returning to normal. russia has told the uk that it must send home "just over 50 more" british diplomats as the standoff between the west and russia continues. the russian foreign ministry made the announcement as part of further measures against uk diplomats, as well as declaring tit—for—tat expulsions of officials from 23 other countries. moscow has rejected accusations that it was behind the nerve agent attack in salisbury.

meanwhile here — the russian embassy in london has complained that border force and customs officers searched a passengerflight from moscow at heathrow airport. the embassy claimed the officials refused to give a written explanation for their actions on board the aeroflot plane, and called the search a "blatant provocation". there hasn't been a response from the british government as yet on this story. from tomorrow — some specially trained paramedics will be able to prescribe medicines to patients who don't need to go to hospital. the change in the law aims to improve care and start treatment more quickly. our health correspondent, catherine burns reports. gemma walsh is already an advanced paramedic but she wants this extra responsibility. first though, duty calls. there you go. so we are on oui’ way to a 62—year—old who has query food poisoning. gemma mainly does urgent care cases like this. in other words, not emergencies, but still genuine illnesses. two thirds of her patients do not

need taking to hospital. but she says she has to call gps every day to organise prescriptions. after training, she will be able to do that herself. the patient did not want us filming so we're waiting outside to see if this is one of those situations where in the future, paramedics like gemma might be able to give extra help, not life or death situations, but less serious cases where the patient may need drugs but could avoid a trip to hospital or the gp. gemma decided this patient did not require extra treatment. eventually she will be able to prescribe everything from antibiotics for infections to steroids for asthma and a whole lot more. that will obviously then mean the patient does not have to leave their home. it is a nicer experience for the patient. it is quicker. i feel it would complete the care i'm able to give that patient and provide realjob satisfaction.

the aim is to train up 700 prescribing paramedics across the uk. it is thought the first ones will be doing the job by the autumn. nhs england is calling it a win—win. this is one of the many steps to helping improve the nhs cope with the pressures it is under. this will reduce some of the demand on general practice because paramedics being able to write prescriptions will help them. it will also reduce the number of patients we hope that we need to convey to hospitaljust to get a prescription. patients groups say this could save lives and the new law has been widely welcomed. just one proviso, some medics point out that although this will help, it will not deal with all the funding and staffing problems the nhs is dealing with. catherine burns, bbc news. the headlines on bbc news: two british men — believed to have been members of the islamic state cell known as "the beatles" —

complain they can't get a fair trial after losing their citizenship. the head of the un calls for an investigation into the deaths of at least sixteen palestinians — during clashes with the israeli army on the gaza border. australian cricket's former vice captain, david warner, is the latest to offer an emotional apology for his role in the ball—tampering scandal. sport now and for a full round up, from the bbc sport centre, here'sjohn watson. good morning. good morning. we start with that apology from david warner is but publicly for the first time about his role in the ball tampering scandal saying he takes full responsibility in another tearful news conference. he said he would regret his involvement for as long as he lived and he was resigned to the fact that he may never play for

australia again. in the back of my mindl australia again. in the back of my mind i suppose there is a tiny bit of hope... that i may one day be given the privilege of playing for my country again. but i am resigned to the fact that that may never happen. but in the coming weeks and months i'm going to look at how this has happened and who i am as a man. to be honest i'm not sure right now how i will do this. i will seek out advice and expertise to help me make serious changes. david warner was asked in the press conference if anyone else was involved in the scandal but he did not answer directly. afterwards on social media is that the unanswered questions remaining and he will do his best chance of them but he could not do so now because of compliance with

formal cricket australia processes. he said he would answer all questions in the proper place and proper time and said he should have mentioned this in his press conference. he also apologised for not making this clear. after an excellent start england bowlers were left frustrated by new zealand batsmen on day two of the second test in christchurch wasjonny ba i rstow test in christchurch wasjonny bairstow reached his fifth test century at the start of the second day. england were all out in the end for 300 —— day. england were all out in the end for 300 -- 307. day. england were all out in the end for 300 —— 307. jonny bairstow still backin for 300 —— 307. jonny bairstow still back in the action shortly. they we re back in the action shortly. they were 36—5 but the england bowlers could not capitalise on their brilliant start. the hosts finished the day on 190 2006. england were well beaten in the final of the women's well beaten in the final of the women‘s tri— well beaten in the final of the women's tri— series by australia this morning. australia winning by 37 runs after recording the highest total in women's 2020 international.

anthonyjoshua bases total in women's 2020 international. anthony joshua bases jozsef total in women's 2020 international. anthonyjoshua basesjozsef parker ina anthonyjoshua basesjozsef parker in a world heavyweight unification bout at the principality stadium in cardiff tonight. joshua is the wba and ibf champion and is lighter than he has been in his four previous fights. he remains unbeaten in his 20 professionalfight fights. he remains unbeaten in his 20 professional fight so far and he will hope he can claim the new zealanders doubly bl belt later. i'm not scared at all. let's say we put everything on mute and strip away everything on mute and strip away everything people say about my opponents and my round opponent. when i look at the person in general i have no fear. the former england captain ray wilkins is in hospital after falling ill. captain ray wilkins is in hospital afterfalling ill. senior scoring for manchester united in the 1983 fa cup final comment is reported to be ina cup final comment is reported to be in a critical condition after suffering a cardiac arrest. two wins

are all that is needed for manchester city to rough up the premier league title, they could get the first of those later today against everton which means they could potentially win the title against manchester united next weekend. as well as that they have the champions league quarterfinals to come against liverpool on wednesday night. i prepare for everton as it was the most important game we have to play. so my decision is to win everything, not the guys playing thinking that would be a big mistake on my side. and charlie howell and jody ewert are still in contention at the first women's golf major of the year. the bus had a good second row and said joint fourth in california after the second day of play. five shots from the leaders. that is almost bought for now. —— that is all the sport for now. —— that is all the sport for now. —— that is all the sport

for now. some breaking news we are just getting, reuters is reporting that the foreign office in london has said it is considering requests to provide consular access to russia to provide consular access to russia to the woman yulia skripal, the daughter of former spy sergei skripal who was the other victim of the nerve agent attack in salisbury at the start of the month. now the russians have been requesting answer access russians have been requesting answer a ccess m o re russians have been requesting answer access more or less since the incident happened but that has not been acted upon because of course they have both been in a critical condition in hospital. yulia skripal is still a russian citizen, she was on holiday visiting herfather at the time of the incident in salisbury and falling ill and now there have been reports that she has regained consciousness and is talking and out of danger. the russians would appear to have renewed their request and indeed you could say the can of diplomatic terms, their demand that since she

isa terms, their demand that since she is a russian citizen, that they should have access to her. it is a difficult one for the british government obviously but might equally be a difficult one for them to resist. we'll bring you more on that as soon as we get it. teaching unions have warned that creative subjects, such as art and drama, are being axed to save money. the national education union says it's also concerned about a reduction in the number of support staff while class sizes continue to rise. the warnings come as teachers gather in brighton for the union's annual conference. like schools across england and wales, the cumbernauld don croft infants in sheffield is bare. the head has spent years cutting back on resources and has written to parents, explaining just how desperate the situation is. when i look at a school like ours, going to have to make 118,000, there will be a difference in two years' time. there's no way i can make the kind of cuts and still keep the emphasis on education of nearly 18 years as a head. i've never known a time when things have been as bad looking forward.

a survey by the national education union of 900 teachers found 94% of them are pessimistic about their school budget over the next few years. 55% have seen class sizes rising and 80% have seen teaching assistant posts cut. my concern is this generation of children are losing out. previous generations had arts, dance, drama. maybe future generations will, but this generation are missing out. their class sizes are going up, their opportunities are being cut back. and whoever caused the economic crisis, it was not this generation of children and they should not be they are the future of the country. the department for education says by 2020 core funding will have risen by 50% per pupil compared to the year 2000. and extra support is being given to schools which are struggling with budgets. but the mood music among teachers at conference this weekend is for even more urgency. the trump administration has said it wants to start collecting the social media history of nearly everyone seeking a visa

to enter the us. the proposal would require most visa applicants to give details of their facebook and twitter accounts and disclose all social media identities used in the past five years. it follows a promise by president trump to introduce "extreme vetting" of those entering the united states to help improve security. malala yousafzai has returned to her hometown in the swat valley for the first time since she was shot there by islamist militants. a helicopter carrying ms yousafzai landed not far from herfamily home in mingora on saturday, amid a tight security operation. the nobel peace prize winner was attacked by the taliban in 2012, for campaigning on behalf of girls‘ education. the funeral of professor stephen hawking will take place in cambridge this afternoon. family, friends and colleagues will gather to pay their respects to the physicist who died earlier this month at the age of 76. professor hawking's ashes will be interred next to the grave of sir isaac newton at westminster abbey in june. kimjong unis commited

to sending a north korean team to the tokyo olympics in 2020 and the beijing winter games two years later. following a rare meeting with the leader, the olympics chief said north korea will definitely participate in the showpiece events after what he called ‘fruitful‘ talks. the national olympic committee of dprk, they announced that they will definitely participate in the olympic games in tokyo 2020 as well as in the olympic winter games in beijing 2022. and this commitment was fully supported by the supreme leader of dprk in a very open and fruitful discussion i had with him yesterday. mining students from around the world are being put through their paces in cornwall this

weekend, in a challenge designed to test their strength and technique in some of the oldest skills in mining. competition is fierce at the international mining games, which are an opportunity for students to learn traditional methods whilst also sharing new skills. dan johnson has been for a look around. go, go, go. it is the toughest test in a difficult, dirty business. the mining games is all about teamwork, skill, and strength. come on! getting stuck in, definitely. hard graft, you have to be willing to get dirty, get involved, make sure you do all the hard work before you can climb the ladder. there are seven different events — everything from laying tracks, panning for gold, digging and hammering. it is about keeping traditional mining skills alive. drill a hole fill of explosives

to blast the rock out. before you had mechanical air drills. you had to do it by hand. there are a0 teams here from mining schools around the globe. competition certainly is fierce. these montana mining students have been training for months. the important skills are communication, a an abiliity not to get in each other‘s way. stay in good spirits. inevitably, the time has come for me to have a go. 25 metres then back. tip it, fill it as fast as you can, then run it again full. they call this mucking and they are not mucking about. the support from the crowd is helpful, i think. that is hard work. he's not doing badly, to be honest.

keep that weight on! it is competitive. it is. absolutely. i think with the girls, we're just trying to support each other. this is tough. and it is technical. if there was ever any doubt,

mining is a toughjob. it has to be time for a cornish pasty. we will be looking at his expenses carefully to see how many pasties he claimed for. let's get a look at the weather with helen. rather weds 2a hours, flood warnings in place for parts of england and wales and rain to come, low pressure across the country, it's gradually drying up, brighter in north—west scotland, western fringes of england and wales but for the majority and right up into the southern and eastern scotland it's a damp, cloudy picture. hill fog and snow,