44 people are killed in a crush at a religous festival in israel — the country's prime minister calls it one of the worst disasters in the nation's history. people reported a stampede as worshippers tried to escape. more than 150 were injured. we have just finished treating one of israel's worst disasters. the terrible disaster of people who came to celebrate lag b'omer. unfortunately, they were literally crushed to death. we'll have the latest live from jerusalem. also this lunchtime... police investigating the murder of community support officer julia james in kent say they've found no motive or suspect.

the actor and writer noel clarke is suspended by bafta weeks after receiving one of its top awards after 20 women make allegations of harrassment. it's emerged that borisjohnson�*s mobile phone number has been available online for 15 years — raising concerns about security and access. and, liverpool prepares to party — without social distancing. we're at this afternoon's nightclub event, which will test whether large crowds can gather without spreading covid. and coming up on the bbc news channel... two former champions, mark selby and stuart bingham, battle it out for a place in the final of the world snooker championship.

good afternoon and welcome to the bbc news at one. at least 44 people have died, and at least have been injured, in a crush at a religious festival in the north—east of israel. the prime minister benjamin netanyahu has described it as one of the worst disasters in the country's history. tens of thousands of orthodox jews attended the lag b'omerfestival, which takes places every year at the foot of mount meron, making it the largest event in the country since the coronavirus pandemic began. a warning that you may find some of the images in yolande knell�*s report distressing. a celebration about to turn into tragedy. men and boys were leaving the religious festival when sam slipped on steps, causing the deadly

crash. in their desperation, some tried ripping away metal barricades. all of a sudden we saw paramedics running by, doing cpr on kids. one after the other started coming ambulances. we understood something was going on here. fine ambulances. we understood something was going on here-— was going on here. one person pushed another person. _ was going on here. one person pushed another person, so _ was going on here. one person pushed another person, so everybody - was going on here. one person pushed another person, so everybody was - another person, so everybody was pushed _ another person, so everybody was pushed right and left. after 20 minutes, — pushed right and left. after 20 minutes, i think, pushed right and left. after 20 minutes, ithink, people started suffocating, so they wanted to get out. suffocating, so they wanted to get out no _ suffocating, so they wanted to get out. no one was able to get out. there _ out. no one was able to get out. there were — out. no one was able to get out. there were people under me who are not breathing any more. horrible screams— not breathing any more. horrible screams of, i can't breathe. screams of, ican't breathe. gradually— screams of, i can't breathe. gradually some of the screaming stopped. medics were already at the site but struggle to reach the injured. they were shocked by what they encountered, israel's worst civilian disaster with dozens

suffocated or trampled on. it was very challenging. _ suffocated or trampled on. it was very challenging. even _ suffocated or trampled on. it was very challenging. even in - suffocated or trampled on. it was very challenging. even in my - suffocated or trampled on. it was very challenging. even in my 30 i very challenging. even in my 30 years in this field, it took me two flashbacks of 20 years ago when we were undergoing the terror wave with people blowing up restaurants. tens of thousands — people blowing up restaurants. tens of thousands of _ people blowing up restaurants. tens of thousands of ultraorthodox dues come annually for a night of prayer in the tomb of an ancient rabbi. this was the country's biggest gathering since the pandemic. police had planned for crowds, so what went wrong? a grave —looking prime minister was quick to visit the site. he said the situation could have been worse.— have been worse. there were heart-rending _ have been worse. there were heart-rending scenes. - have been worse. there were | heart-rending scenes. people have been worse. there were - heart-rending scenes. people were heart—rending scenes. people were squashed to death, including children. many killed have not been identified yet. i ask people not his bedroom is on social media because it breaks the hearts of families

stop —— not to spread rumours. than stop -- not to spread rumours. an official stop —— not to spread rumours. an official investigation is being promised. sunday will be a day of national mourning. while there is anger among those here, rabbis are calling for prayers for the dead and those still fighting for their lives. and yolande knelljoins me now from jerusalem. bring us right up to date with what they are saying. bring us right up to date with what they are saying-— they are saying. people in israel are still reeling _ they are saying. people in israel are still reeling in _ they are saying. people in israel are still reeling in shock- they are saying. people in israel are still reeling in shock about l they are saying. people in israel i are still reeling in shock about how this annual pilgrimage, known for being a joyful event where people spend the night praying but also dancing and singing has turned into such a very dark day. lag b'omer could not take place in the normal way last year because of coronavirus restrictions and that made it more desirable for people to go this year. some 650 buses had come from all around the country to take people from the ultra orthodox

jewish community to this remote site. now there is still a lot of confusion about who is among the dead and injured and the emergency services who are still working at the scene are reporting very sadly there are mobile phones that are constantly ringing, where many people left behind their possessions during this terrible crash. we are hours away from the jewish during this terrible crash. we are hours away from thejewish sabbath. funerals are not expected to take place until after that. it is very hard for many people who were there to get home. we are hearing that people in a local village have offered to open up their homes and provide whatever support they can to those affected. provide whatever support they can to those affected-— police investigating the murder of a police community support officer in kent say they have identified no suspects, and it's not clear what the motive was for the attack. the body ofjulia james, who was 53, was discovered in woodland near dover on tuesday.

detectives say she died as a result of significant head injuries. our correspondent helen wilkinson in snowdown in kent. the woodland where the body was found on tuesday is just behind us here. we found out todayjulia james had been with penta police for 13 years, more recently supporting victims of domestic violence. the forces to today as compassionate and completely committed to serving their pent community. —— the kent community. it is on the edge of these woods were julia james' body was found just after four on tuesday afternoon. the 53—year—old police community support officer was working from home that day. she had taken a break to walk her dog, she was not in uniform. police say a number of people found her and that she died

from significant head injuries. today close to where her body was found intensive searches are continuing. dozens of officers have been sweeping the area to try to find evidence. at this stage the police don't have any suspects, nor can they find a clear motive. they are looking at every line of inquiry. are you looking into whether the person who attacked julia james may have been someone who she came across in her line of work? it is of course a possibility, but we are considering all options. we are remaining completely unblinkered, we are considering all possible motivations and all possible options, so we certainly have not established that at this stage. police also sayjulia james may have been attacked by a stranger. this small community has been deeply affected by her death. shocked, very shocked and a bit frightened living here at my age. we never lock the door, now we will be locking the doors.

as hundreds of officers continue to investigate the murder of one of their own, they also desperately want to hear from the public who may have seen anything suspicious in the area on monday and tuesday of this week. helena wilkinson, bbc news, snowdown in kent. ben hannam, the first british police officer to be convicted of belonging to a neo—nazi terrorist group, has been jailed for four years and four months at the old bailey. our home affairs correspondent daniel sandford has been following the case. bring us right up to date, daniel. yes, ben hannam was convicted on the 1st of april of being a member of national action, a banned neo—nazi terrorist group and also a fraud, for lying on his application form to the metropolitan police about the fact he had far right connections and lying on the vetting form. he

admitted possessing a prohibited sexual image of a child when he was released on bail on the 1st of april, he came back to the old bailey to hear his sentence. the judge passed a total sentence of four years and four months for all those offences. he will serve probably less than three years of that actually behind bars. ben hannam did not react particularly to the sentences. his mother and father were in the public gallery and looked slightly stunned at the length of the sentences. he had been a young member of national action and remains a member later. in the year after it was prescribed and he went to do fight training. in the same year, he applied to join the

metropolitan police and was successful and served in the forcible more than two years before the metropolitan police realised it had a nazi in its ranks. —— in the fourth for more than two years. it's emerged that boris johnson's personal mobile phone number has been available online for the past 15 years. it appears on a press release from 2006, when the prime minister was a junior member of the shadow cabinet. the labour leader keir starmer says the pm's number being in the public domain "carries a security risk." the chancellor rishi sunak says part of the prime minister's appeal is that he is "incredibly approachable." the revelation comes amid heightened scrutiny of access to politicians in power. our political correspondent iain watson reports. they say it is good to talk. just how many people have access to prime minister's personal phone? it has emerged he has not changed his numberfor 15 years and emerged he has not changed his number for 15 years and it was possible until recently to find that number on a website. that is

politically embarrassing that any more serious than that? a former national security adviser seems to think so. if national security adviser seems to think so. , ., national security adviser seems to think so. ,, ., national security adviser seems to think so. i. ., ., national security adviser seems to thinkso. ., ., , think so. if you are a sophisticated state with cyber _ think so. if you are a sophisticated state with cyber capabilities - think so. if you are a sophisticated state with cyber capabilities and i state with cyber capabilities and you had the phone number of the prime minister, that would give you a head start in being able to access it and potentially listening to calls being made on it or text sent from it. it is a risk that cannot be right. it can be closed off by changing the number. ministers said the hone changing the number. ministers said the phone has _ changing the number. ministers said the phone has been _ changing the number. ministers said the phone has been used _ changing the number. ministers said. the phone has been used responsibly. it should have been an elementary security precaution to change the number when he got to number 10. the prime ministerof number when he got to number 10. the prime minister of course more than anyone _ prime minister of course more than anyone else — prime minister of course more than anyone else is aware of his responsibilities and duties in the context— responsibilities and duties in the context of national security. i have complete — context of national security. i have complete and utter confidence he and his team _ complete and utter confidence he and his team of— complete and utter confidence he and his team of advisers around him are aware _ his team of advisers around him are aware of— his team of advisers around him are aware of his— his team of advisers around him are aware of his responsibilities and i do not _ aware of his responsibilities and i do not feel— aware of his responsibilities and i do not feel i can comment more. amid concerns over —

do not feel i can comment more. amid concerns over lobbying, _ do not feel i can comment more. in c concerns over lobbying, the do not feel i can comment more. sin c concerns over lobbying, the senior civil servant in whitehall was asked about the use of personal mobiles at the heart of government. the about the use of personal mobiles at the heart of government.— the heart of government. the thing about changing _ the heart of government. the thing about changing telephone - the heart of government. the thing about changing telephone numbersj the heart of government. the thing i about changing telephone numbers on personal phones can be a bit of a red herring, ifi personal phones can be a bit of a red herring, if i am honest. prime ministers... other ministers like parliamentarians, actually need to be in touch with a very large number of people. it be in touch with a very large number of --eole. ., ,, ., , be in touch with a very large number of n-eole. ., ,, ., , , of people. it appears boris johnson's _ of people. it appears boris johnson's mobile - of people. it appears boris johnson's mobile phone i of people. it appears borisl johnson's mobile phone has of people. it appears boris - johnson's mobile phone has been switched off, though downing street were not confirmed as yet whether the number will be changed. the call the number will be changed. the call the opposition wants voters to make is about the prime minister's judgment. it is about the prime minister's judgment-— is about the prime minister's 'udument. s, ,, ., s, judgment. it is a serious situation. it carries judgment. it is a serious situation. it carries a — judgment. it is a serious situation. it carries a security _ judgment. it is a serious situation. it carries a security risk. _ judgment. it is a serious situation. it carries a security risk. a - judgment. it is a serious situation. it carries a security risk. a lot - judgment. it is a serious situation. it carries a security risk. a lot of. it carries a security risk. a lot of people will be concerned notjust about who has the number but who has been using it. about who has the number but who has been using it— been using it. allies of the prime minister says _ been using it. allies of the prime minister says he _ been using it. allies of the prime minister says he likes _ been using it. allies of the prime minister says he likes to - been using it. allies of the prime minister says he likes to be - minister says he likes to be

approachable. analysis by bbc news suggests 22 million people live in parts of the uk that have reported no covid deaths this month. records from more than four in ten council areas show that since the start of april there have been no deaths within 28 days of a positive test. it comes as the coronavirus vaccination programme in england is today extended to everyone over the age of a0. our health correspondent naomi grimley reports. getting back to normal is something we all want to do. and some areas of the country already seem in a good place. take plymouth, for example. home to more than a quarter of a million people, it's not seen a covid death in the last 58 days. oxford has not reported a covid death occurring in the last 60 days. in fact, as this map by the bbc�*s data unit shows, more than four out of ten uk councils have not reported any covid

deaths in the past month. it's a large drop compared with january, when the uk was at the peak of its second wave. then only two councils in the uk reported no covid deaths. but experts are still urging caution. it's a really good sign and we are seeing several parts of the country where prevalence is really, really low. so i think it gives us confidence. we do need to of course be a little bit cautious, because with the road map, we have had significant reopening of society on 12th april. there's another one coming up on 17th may. it's great news but of course we do need to monitor those changes. so this is why it's really important that we have these five—week intervals between these relaxations, just so we can monitor the impact on r, on hospital admissions, and on deaths and safely proceed to the next step in the road map.

as this graph shows, uk coronavirus deaths have fallen in every age group, but it is most noticeable in the over—sos. ministers, however, insist we must still follow the rules until the vaccination programme has had time to reach more people. naomi grimley, bbc news. sky tv says the actor and director noel clark will not be involved in any of their future productions after multiple accusations of sexual harassment were made against him. vertigo films have also said they've removed the actor from their productions. noel clarke has been suspended by bafta, just three weeks after he received one of the film academy's top accolades for outstanding british contribution to cinema. bafta says it made the decision after allegations from 20 women were published by the guardian. noel clarke says he vehemently denies any sexual misconduct or wrongdoing. this report from lizo mzimba

contains flash photography. applause earlier this month noel clarke received one of bafta's highest honours. ., , , received one of bafta's highest honours. .,, , , .,, , honours. hopefully people will see i have t to honours. hopefully people will see i have try to elicit _ honours. hopefully people will see i have try to elicit change _ honours. hopefully people will see i have try to elicit change in - honours. hopefully people will see i have try to elicit change in the - have try to elicit change in the industry. have try to elicit change in the indust . , . have try to elicit change in the indust . , s, _, , s, industry. outstanding contribution to british cinema. _ industry. outstanding contribution to british cinema. in _ industry. outstanding contribution to british cinema. in recognition i industry. outstanding contribution| to british cinema. in recognition of his successful career. according to the guardian 20 women have now accused him, seen here with his wife, of verbal abuse, accused him, seen here with his wife, of verbalabuse, bullying accused him, seen here with his wife, of verbal abuse, bullying and sexual harassment over a period of 15 years. the allegations reported in the newspaper say clark used his power in the industry to behave inappropriately towards female colleagues. bafta has defended initially giving him the award which had been announced a few weeks before the ceremony. it says, in the days following the announcement bafta received anonymous e—mails of allegations in relation to noel clarke. these were either anonymous or second or third hand accounts via intermediaries. no first—hand allegations were sent to us, no

names, times, dates, productions or other details were ever provided. at the victims gone on record, the award would have been suspended immediately. but due to the anonymous claims and a lack of first—hand specificity, we did not have sufficient grounds to take action. clark, who has appeared in shows like doctor who, told the guardian in a 20 year career i have put exclusivity and diversity at the forefront of my work and never had a complaint made against me. if anyone who worked with me felt uncomfortable or disrespected i sincerely apologise. either he he is appearing in prime—time drama viewpoint this week, but since the allegations have been made many of the production companies he has worked with in the past say they are severing links with the man once singled out as one of film and tv�*s

biggest talents. lizo mzimba, bbc news. our top story this lunchtime... 44 people are killed in a crush at a religous festival in israel. the country's prime minister calls it one of the worst disasters in the nation's history. and coming up... the family of captain sir tom moore are taking on his famous walking challenge to raise more money for charity. coming up on the bbc news channel... twickenham will now host european rugby's showpiece events, the finals of the challenge cup and the champions cup. up to 10,000 fans will be allowed in after the games were switched from marseilles. three thousand music fans will enjoy a daytime rave this afternoon in liverpool without facemasks or social distancing. it's part of the government's pilot programme to establish whether large crowds can safely gather at events without spreading covid. our correspondent dan

johnson is in liverpool. yes, there is less than an hour until the doors open here and it is definitely a case is if your test is not negative, you are not coming in. liverpool gets to host this first, a city that has provided a soundtrack to the world and has pioneered things and in music and in public health. now they are very excited to getting back to live music. now they are very excited to getting back to live music. the show�*s back on the road and rolling into town for a big weekend that's been a long time coming. this draughty warehouse turned nightclub is the perfect place to get people back together. i've done a couple of social distancing gigs over the summer. how were they? they were ok. it was nice to see people but you're told to sit down and don't dance, keep your voice down, all the kind of opposite

of what i've been trying to do for years. going back to the authentic rave, if you like, that is supremely exciting for us all and it's going to be a step to the future, hopefully. we have got perfect natural ventilation here, large openings, or down _ ventilation here, large openings, or down one _ ventilation here, large openings, or down one side of the building. these sensors will — down one side of the building. these sensors will detect _ down one side of the building. these sensors will detect carbon _ down one side of the building. tire sensors will detect carbon dioxide levels to work out if the airflow is good enough to stop the virus spread during. 50 good enough to stop the virus spread durina. , good enough to stop the virus spread durina. _ .,, good enough to stop the virus spread durina. _ ., s, during. so by measuring the amount of co2 during. so by measuring the amount of c02 in the — during. so by measuring the amount of c02 in the space _ during. so by measuring the amount of c02 in the space we _ during. so by measuring the amount of c02 in the space we are _ during. so by measuring the amount of c02 in the space we are able - during. so by measuring the amount of c02 in the space we are able to i of c02 in the space we are able to estimate — of c02 in the space we are able to estimate the flow rate, but more importantly we are able to investigate the pressure distribution. how does that air moves — distribution. how does that air moves around the space and the people? — moves around the space and the neale? a moves around the space and the n-eole? a . , moves around the space and the --eole? a s , , moves around the space and the --eole? �*. . , people? across the city there is an even bigger _ people? across the city there is an even bigger gig _ people? across the city there is an even bigger gig on _ people? across the city there is an even bigger gig on sunday. - headlining are blossoms, all the way from stockport,

after a year of playing at home, stuck like everyone else in this business. i still can't actually imagine it, it's been such a while. to see people together. it might... we could be a bit, like, taken back by it but we willjust probably be focusing on not messing up. we haven't played for that long, remembering the words and stuff. i'll probably be able to enjoy it, like, two songs from the end. this is a big dealfor a city that sends music around the world and relies on a live entertainment and nightlife. but it is also important to the rest of the country and for the covid generation. this weekend will show them _ the covid generation. this weekend will show them what _ the covid generation. this weekend will show them what it _ the covid generation. this weekend will show them what it was - the covid generation. this weekend will show them what it was like - will show them what it was like before because for those of those 16 to 18—year—olds they have never experienced it. not to be doing just the first two post and lockdown is if you like, we are opening up the world to a whole load of 18—year—olds for the first time

ever. 18-year-olds for the first time ever. ~ , . 18-year-olds for the first time ever. t , . ., , 18-year-olds for the first time ever. ,. ., 18-year-olds for the first time ever. t , s ., , , ., s, ever. with music finally starting to net back ever. with music finally starting to get back to — ever. with music finally starting to get back to full _ ever. with music finally starting to get back to full volume, _ ever. with music finally starting to get back to full volume, these - ever. with music finally starting to get back to full volume, these willj get back to full volume, these will be giggs and nobody wants to end. the scientists are on hand to monitor this to see how it goes and what we can learn. but the excitement is already building here and i have got my wristband already. enjoy your afternoon. thank you very much. shops, gyms, pubs and restuarants in northern ireland reopened this morning. the country is the last of the uk's four nations to allow retail and outdoor hospitality to resume business, as our ireland correspondent chris page reports. it has felt like the longest of winters but holidays are here again in northern ireland. self—contained tourist accommodation, like this caravan site at cranfield in county down, can welcome back their guests from today and businesses have been working to make the moment count. a lot of those businesses we would work with have taken the opportunity to revamp,

adapt, expand, enrich and deepen their tourism offering. it has not been a wasted season for those businesses and they are ready and waiting to get that out there to the general public. people working in parts of the tourism industry are delighted to be back up and running just in time for may bank holiday weekend. a huge number of businesses in northern ireland are reopening after a closure of more than four months. this is probably the biggest day in the journey out of lockdown in this part of the uk. most shops had been closed since christmas eve. business was good this morning with retailers hoping to win back customers, who have become more used to shopping online. it is time. we are all ready to attempt to return to normality and i think there is no experience that can beat being in a shopping environment with a world—class team, that interaction, that expert advice. i think everyone is ready. the devolved government has a scheme to help the high street.

every adult will be able to get a voucher later this year. that is about 1.4 million people. they will be eligible to get £100 on a prepaid card. they will apply for that card online. this is a huge investment in the high street in retail because retail has suffered enormously. the hospitality sector has also had immense challenges. pubs and restaurants have reopened for outdoor service. indoor socialising will be allowed in the next phase of easing lockdown, currently set for the 24th of may. ministers have indicated they could bring that date forward if all goes well with this stage. chris page, bbc news. many leading football clubs and other sports bodies begin a four—day boycott of social media this afternoon, to highlight the issue of online racial abuse. it's hoped the protest will encourage social media companies to do more to prevent harmful content from being posted,

and punish those behind it. nestor mcgregor reports. taking the knee, slogans, banners, big campaigns, now football's latest attempt to stamp out racism is digital silence. do i think it will make a difference? probably not, but what it does do is it sends a warning to these companies, to let these people know they are not going to take we are not going to take this abuse any more. led by the premier league, the efl and with support from the other major sports, a vow of silence on the platforms where the abuse takes place. if they still don't take action, i think you will see these clubs, players, staff, corporations, start to get together and think of more tough measures to finally cause action. for some the boycott doesn't go far enough or address why people behave like this in the first place. but, as seen recently, football does have the power to effect change, or prevent it.

even before the lockdown kicked in we were seeing significant increases in reported incidents based on discrimination, so this isn'tjust online. the fact we have not been in grounds or had grassroots football is hiding the fact that this is a problem in society. there is no room for racism. with the spotlight on social media companies, facebook, which owns instagram, recently gave users more control over who can message them privately. this isn't about profit, this isn't about money, we have been working on some of these tools for a very long time, regardless of any calls for boycotts. how to handle being racially abused at work is a conversation andros had with his dad. the 29—year—old hopes it is not a lesson he will have to pass down. hopefully we will have eradicated the problem. i feel like it is all about education, like i've said before, and hopefully if we educate the kids now than when they are in their 20s

and 30s we are not receiving the same racist abuse on a daily basis. so hopefully i won't have to have these tough conversations with my son when he's older. nestor macgregor, bbc news. on what would have been his 101st birthday, the family of captain sir tom moore are asking people to create their own 100 challenge for charity. sir tom 5 family is to recreate his 100 garden lap challenge. they ll be joined by david beckham who has pledged to do 100 keepy—uppies and dame mary berry who will be baking 100 cakes. our correspondent jon maguire reports. the five—minute bell at lord's rung before internationals and test matches, but was today rung by captain sir tom's family to start a weekend of fundraising, the captain tom 100 challenge. it's just incredible, this is all for him and it's all for that lasting legacy of hope that he's left us with. local schoolchildren were at lord's to hit 100 balls in honour

of the man who inspired so many. he was a lifelong lover of cricket, it was by far his favourite sport, so the home of cricket, lord's, is the perfect place to launch his challenge. today, though, it's not the home of cricket, it's the home of the captain tom 100. the idea is to get involved, get stuck in, as he would have said, and people arejoining up in each and every way. known as the skipping sikh, rajinder singh, who has skipped since he was a young boy, was persuaded by his daughter to film and publish videos of his fitness regime. it has earned him an mbe and a tribute in captain sir tom's book, who was impressed that rajinder was exercising well into his 70s. i respect him so much and he is my hero model. i will never forget that, never. a year ago captain tom celebrated his centenary in some style.

he was already well under way to his £40 million totalfor nhs charities after the famous 100 laps of his back garden. his exploits captured the world's imagination and inspired people to challenge themselves, striking a particular chord with the not so young and the very young. i am doing 100 backflips and amelia is doing 100 jumps. bouncing their way to raise money for the young at heart, the charity that has helped take care of four—year—old amelia, she and her older brother harry will be spending most of the weekend on the trampoline. along with inspiration the challenge also encourages innovation. heather has pledged to raise money for her local hospital while picking up 100 pieces of rubbish. anybody watching, please do what you can to help the environment, but also help captain tom and keep his legacy alive. so, whether it is litter picking, skipping, bouncing or everything in between, this is captain tom's legacy, people who are determined

to make a difference.