a deadly crush at a religious festival in israel leaves 45 people dead, and around 150 injured. men and boys at the event struggled to escape the crowd through a narrow passageway, leading to panic and tragedy. all of a sudden, we saw paramedics running by, like mid—cpr on kids, then one after the other, they started coming in ambulances, then we understood, like, something is

those at the front were trapped. people tried tearing away metal barricades to free them. all of a sudden, we saw paramedics running by, like, mid—cpr on kids, and then one after the other, started coming on ambulances. then we understood, like, something's going on here. pilgrimsjoined paramedics in a desperate search. dozens had been suffocated or trampled on. children became separated from parents, and army helicopters evacuated the wounded. in the hospitals, there has been anguish as relatives wait for news. many of the dead still haven't been formally identified.

this man took his two young sons to the festival. when it got crowded, he says, they tried to get out. we reached a ramp, he tells me, where there was a river of people. i fell on my back and others piled on top. i prayed. my ten—year—old son was screaming for help, shouting, i'm dead. and my 13—year—old son, he was gone. the teenager remains missing. the family has been scouring hospital wards for news. the annual festival sees ultraorthodox jews flock for the night of prayer. bonfires are lit, too. this was the country's biggest gathering since the pandemic. israel has lifted many covid restrictions after the world's fastest vaccination rate, and police had planned for crowds. so, what went wrong? this is where the surge took place.

crowds were heading down this metal ramp here. eye witnesses have said it was slippery. people were then turning around this corner, heading down the steps, and some have said that a barrier was blocking the route. and that's where the crush took place. at the scene, prime minister benjamin netanyahu called it a national disaster and promised a full enquiry. this afternoon, they began burying the dead. amid the grief and the funerals, questions mount over whether it could have been prevented. after a night of ritual, this was the one no one wanted. well, tonight there is an increasing focus falling on the role of the israeli police in all of this. last night, the public security minister was here at the site, part of the celebrations, and the police themselves have been well aware over many years about the numbers of

pilgrims this event always attracts. also today, stories have been a merging of near misses when it comes to overcrowding, both yesterday and in previous years. now, the regional commanderfor the police in previous years. now, the regional commander for the police for the upper galilee region here was at the site today, and he said a full investigation is already under way, and that whatever it finds, for better or worse, and that whatever it finds, for better orworse, he and that whatever it finds, for better or worse, he will take full responsibility. thank you, tom. tom bateman reporting. broadcasters and leading figures in the film and television industry are distancing themselves from the actor and director noel clarke, who is facing multiple claims of sexual harassment. itv has pulled its final episode tonight of the drama viewpoint, while sky has halted work with mr clarke. tonight noel clarke issued a statement �*vehemently�* denying any sexual misconduct or criminal wrongdoing. but he apologised to anyone who'd been affected by his actions, and said he'd be seeking professional help to educate himself. here's chi chi izundu.

her report contains some flashing images. stella 7 noel clarke, a british film success story, celebrated for his ability to bring diverse stories to the big and small screen. a star in itv�*s police drama, viewpoint, which will now not be shown on itv1. already a recipient of the bafta rising star award, back in 2009, just two weeks ago, he was receiving the bafta award for 0utstanding british contribution to cinema. i won something that, at the time, someone like me was never supposed to. but last night the guardian newspaper published allegations from 20 women who had worked with him. allegations about sexual harassment and bullying behaviour. one woman accusing him of pinning her against the wall of his dressing room. another saying he had sent her sexually explicit pictures. this is a really, really damning indictment of how intimidating some workplaces, some producers are, and for our members to raise concerns,

because as you say, this was put in an informal, sensationalised way which many people feel is the only way that they can get their voice heard. in a statement, sky said it stands against all forms of sexual harassment and bullying, and takes any allegations of this nature extremely seriously. effective immediately, we have halted noel clarke's involvement in any future sky productions, vertigo films and sky productions, vertigo films and all three media, which backed his production company, have also confirmed they are no longer working with him. clarke's involvement in any future sky productions, vertigo films and all three media, which backed his production company, have also confirmed they are no longer working with him. ashley walters, seen here with noel clarke in bullet—proof, made a statement on his instagram, saying... while noel has been a friend and a colleague for several years, i cannot stand by and ignore these allegations. every woman has a right to feel

safe in the workplace and moving forward, i pledge my dedication to this. it is just reminding everyone that metoo is not just something that happened in 2017, it is something that continues to affect people within the film and television industry, and affect people outside of that, across the world, and so we need to be more diligent and start taking some action, because we have allowed these things to go on for so long. noel clarke said in a statement that he vehemently denies any sexual misconduct or criminal wrongdoing. he says the recent reports have made him realise that his actions have affected people in ways he didn't intend, and says he is deeply sorry, and would be seeking professional help to educate himself and change for the better. there is growing anger among some of the bafta members about what the organisation knew and when. in a letter, bafta said back in march when it announced that noel clarke was to receive the prestigious british contribution to cinema award, it wasn't aware of any allegation, but it did get some tip—offs afterwards, and as an arts charity it is not in a position

to properly investigate such matters, but if it did have a first hand accounts as reported by the guardian, it would never have given noel clarke the award. chi chi izundu, bbc news. coronavirus infections in the uk are back to levels seen at the end of last summer, with around one in 1,000 people infected, according to figures the office for national statistics. and bbc analysis shows about 22 million people are now living in areas where there were no covid deaths in april, as our health editor, hugh pym, reports. the spires of oxford, with the mood matching the weather. there has not been a single reported covid death in the city for 60 days. 0ther been a single reported covid death in the city for 60 days. other local people i spoke to today said they were more encouraged about the way things were progressing.— were more encouraged about the way things were progressing. people seem a lot calmer in —

things were progressing. people seem a lot calmer in themselves. _ things were progressing. people seem a lot calmer in themselves. and - things were progressing. people seem a lot calmer in themselves. and when | a lot calmer in themselves. and when ou are a lot calmer in themselves. and when you are out — a lot calmer in themselves. and when you are out in — a lot calmer in themselves. and when you are out in town _ a lot calmer in themselves. and when you are out in town it _ a lot calmer in themselves. and when you are out in town itjust _ a lot calmer in themselves. and when you are out in town itjust feels - a lot calmer in themselves. and when you are out in town itjust feels a - you are out in town it just feels a bit like. — you are out in town it just feels a bit like. a — you are out in town it just feels a bit like, a bit more normal. i've been _ bit like, a bit more normal. i've been taking _ bit like, a bit more normal. i've been taking him to baby groups and i wouldn't _ been taking him to baby groups and i wouldn't have dreams of doing that a few months_ wouldn't have dreams of doing that a few months ago. we wouldn't have dreams of doing that a few months ago-— few months ago. we both stayed in for 14 months _ few months ago. we both stayed in for 14 months and _ few months ago. we both stayed in for 14 months and we're _ few months ago. we both stayed in for 14 months and we're glad - few months ago. we both stayed in for 14 months and we're glad to - few months ago. we both stayed in for 14 months and we're glad to be | for 14 months and we're glad to be out. it for 14 months and we're glad to be out. , ~ �* for 14 months and we're glad to be out. , ~' �* ., for 14 months and we're glad to be out. , ~ �* ., ., out. it feels like we've got more freedom. _ out. it feels like we've got more freedom. we — out. it feels like we've got more freedom, we can _ out. it feels like we've got more freedom, we can do _ out. it feels like we've got more freedom, we can do more - out. it feels like we've got more | freedom, we can do more things, out. it feels like we've got more - freedom, we can do more things, and yeah, _ freedom, we can do more things, and yeah. we _ freedom, we can do more things, and yeah. we can — freedom, we can do more things, and yeah, we can socialise _ freedom, we can do more things, and yeah, we can socialise more - freedom, we can do more things, and yeah, we can socialise more becausel yeah, we can socialise more because the vaccine _ yeah, we can socialise more because the vaccine s— yeah, we can socialise more because the vaccine s and _ yeah, we can socialise more because the vaccine s and everything. - the vaccine s and everything. infection _ the vaccine s and everything. infection spell— the vaccine s and everything. infection spell across - the vaccine s and everything. infection spell across the - the vaccine s and everything. infection spell across the uk| the vaccine s and everything. - infection spell across the uk last week, and that is even with restrictions being eased earlier this month. covid death in hospital admissions have fallen sharply. bbc research shows there are around 22 million people in the uk living in areas where there have been no covid deaths so far this month. that is deaths so far this month. that is deaths reported within 28 days of a positive test. back injanuary, at the peak, there were more than 30,000 coded deaths —— covid deaths. this month it is fewer than 600. this month it is fewer than 600. this map shows areas in orange where

there have been no reported covid deaths so far in april. back in september, some intensive care units for covid patients were empty, like this one filmed at the time. then came a dramatic surge, and some hospitals were close to being overwhelmed, but now they are much quieter once again. we overwhelmed, but now they are much quieter once again.— quieter once again. we are hearing that some intensive _ quieter once again. we are hearing that some intensive care _ quieter once again. we are hearing that some intensive care units, - that some intensive care units, covid intensive care units, are empty or with very low numbers of patients. that's ok for now, but we are seeing the nhs getting back to normal, and we are expecting that, as normal service resumes, the workload will increase and we'll need —— will need to be sustained at high levels going forward. the vaccination _ high levels going forward. the vaccination programme continues to roll out, with this aged 40 and over in england being offered a jab. 0ne in england being offered a jab. one of the key scientists involved in developing vaccine said that even with all the good news, there was a need for caution. i with all the good news, there was a need for caution.— need for caution. i think it's extremely _ need for caution. i think it's extremely unlikely - need for caution. i think it's extremely unlikely that - need for caution. i think it's extremely unlikely that we | need for caution. i think it's i extremely unlikely that we will need for caution. i think it's - extremely unlikely that we will have a resurgence of disease to the

extent— a resurgence of disease to the extent we have seen before, because we have _ extent we have seen before, because we have a _ extent we have seen before, because we have a large number of people vaccinated, but i think we can be certain— vaccinated, but i think we can be certain of— vaccinated, but i think we can be certain of one thing — that this virus _ certain of one thing — that this virus will— certain of one thing — that this virus will continue to transmit and we are _ virus will continue to transmit and we are not— virus will continue to transmit and we are not safe here or around the world _ we are not safe here or around the world untit— we are not safe here or around the world until everyone is protected from _ world until everyone is protected from the — world until everyone is protected from the virus. the world until everyone is protected from the virus.— world until everyone is protected from the virus. the official line is that even communities _ from the virus. the official line is that even communities with - from the virus. the official line is that even communities with no . from the virus. the official line is - that even communities with no recent covid deaths need to continue observing social distancing rules. hugh pym, bbc news, 0xford. let's take a look at the latest government figures. there were 2,381 new coronavirus infections recorded in the latest 24—hour period. on average, 2,216 new cases were reported per day in the last week. the latest figures show there were 1,497 people in hospital being treated for coronavirus on wednesday. 15 deaths were reported in the latest 24—hour period — that's people who died within 28 days of a positive covid—19 test. on average in the past week, 19 deaths were announced every day. the total number is now 127,517.

as for vaccinations, a total of 34.2 million people have now had their first dose of a covid vaccine. and 14.5 million people have had both doses and are now fully vaccinated. a police community support officer whose body was found in woodland in kent died from serious head injuries, police say. the body of 53—year—old julia james was found in a wood in snowdown near dover on tuesday. police say that so far no motive or suspects have been identified. let's go now to our correspondent at the scene, helena wilkinson. in the last hour, the family of julia james have paid a moving tribute to her. they have said that she was fiercely loyal, loved with her whole heart, and nothing was too much trouble for the people she cared about. they have talked about

the fact she had a beautiful smile and a wonderful sense of humour. and they also say there are no words to adequately describe the void left in their lives. this normally quiet rural part of kent has become the focus of an extensive murder investigation. it was on the edge of this woodland where julia james was found, just a few hundred yards from where she lived. the 53—year—old police community support officer had been working from home on tuesday. she had taken her dog for a walk when she was attacked in the small village of snowdown in kent. kent police say she wasn't in police uniform when she was found. dozens of officers are continuing to search the area here. police say the body ofjulia james was found by a number of people close to the woods on tuesday afternoon. she died from significant head injuries.

at this stage, they don't have any suspects, nor can they find a clear motive. what they aren't ruling out is that she was killed by a stranger. it is a particularly challenging and poignant for some staff working on the case, who knew her professionally or potentially, of course, socially, so, i am working very carefully to ensure that all of my teams are fully supported. it has also been a difficult time for this small community. shocked, very shocked. it is frightening, living near that. we never lock the doors, but now... we are locking doors. today, julia james was described by the kent force as a hugely devoted and passionate individual, who was completely committed to serving the people of kent. helena wilkinson, bbc news, snowdown in kent. the time is just after 6:15. our top story this evening:

israel will hold a national day of mourning after a deadly crush at a religious festival leaves 45 people dead, and around 150 injured. and still to come: nicola sturgeon says education is a priority, so with a week to go to the elections, we'll be sizing up scotland's schools. coming up on sportsday in the bbc news channel, kyren wilson has a commanding lead over shaun murphy in their semifinal the racing driver sir lewis hamilton and prince william, the president of the fa, have joined football clubs and other sporting bodies in a four—day boycott of social media in protest at online abuse. it comes after the former arsenal and france striker thierry henry removed himself from social media in march because of racism and bullying across platforms. the racing driver sir lewis hamilton

and prince william, football has taken various tactics to try to beat racism, including taking the knee. today they came out to make a loud statement by staying silent on the platforms where the abuse takes place. do i think it will make a difference? probably not. but what it does do, it sends a warning to these companies, to let these people know that we are not going to take this abuse any more. if they still don't take action, then i think you'll see clubs, players, staff, corporations, start to get together and think of more tough measures to take to finally force action. there is no room for racism anywhere _ there is no room for racism anywhere. at there is no room for racism anywhere-— there is no room for racism an here. . ;~,, , . anywhere. at 3pm this afternoon, led b the anywhere. at 3pm this afternoon, led by the premier— anywhere. at 3pm this afternoon, led by the premier league _ anywhere. at 3pm this afternoon, led by the premier league and _ anywhere. at 3pm this afternoon, led by the premier league and with - by the premier league and with support from rugby, cricket, cycling and many more, a four day social media boycott began.— and many more, a four day social media boycott began. even before the lockdown kicked _ media boycott began. even before the lockdown kicked in, _ media boycott began. even before the lockdown kicked in, we _ media boycott began. even before the lockdown kicked in, we are _ media boycott began. even before the lockdown kicked in, we are seeing - lockdown kicked in, we are seeing significant increases in reported

incidents based on discrimination, so this isn'tjust online, the fact that we haven't been on grounds and haven't had grassroots football, isn't hiding the fact that this is a problem in society.— isn't hiding the fact that this is a problem in society. huge amounts of traffic is diverted _ problem in society. huge amounts of traffic is diverted to _ problem in society. huge amounts of traffic is diverted to sport _ problem in society. huge amounts of traffic is diverted to sport to - traffic is diverted to sport to sites like instagram and twitter, and arrangement which benefits them out, but nothing this weekend from f1 champion lewis hamilton, the huge game, man united versus liverpool, nothing, the result of that fixture could see manchester city crowned champions but nothing in the form of celebration from the players on social media.— celebration from the players on social media. ,, ., social media. facebook will miss out on billions of — social media. facebook will miss out on billions of views _ social media. facebook will miss out on billions of views with _ social media. facebook will miss out on billions of views with the - social media. facebook will miss out on billions of views with the major i on billions of views with the major clubs not participating on their platforms. the traffic is not going to be there. the platforms. the traffic is not going to be there-— platforms. the traffic is not going to be there. , , , ., to be there. the spotlight seems to be firmly on — to be there. the spotlight seems to be firmly on social _ to be there. the spotlight seems to be firmly on social media _ to be there. the spotlight seems to | be firmly on social media companies and their message remains the same. they are committed to making platforms a safe space for everyone.

this isn't about profit. it's not about money. we have been working on some of these tools for long time, regardless of any calls for boycotts. generation after generation, athletes have shared stories of being racially abused at work. hand being racially abused at work. and it is ian wright! _ being racially abused at work. and it is ian wright! it _ being racially abused at work. and it is ian wright! it makes - being racially abused at work. and it is ian wright! it makes you - being racially abused at work. and it is ian wright! it makes you feel| it is ian wright! it makes you feel dehumanised, _ it is ian wright! it makes you feel dehumanised, there _ it is ian wright! it makes you feel dehumanised, there is _ it is ian wright! it makes you feel dehumanised, there is nothing i it is ian wright! it makes you feel. dehumanised, there is nothing you can do. _ dehumanised, there is nothing you can do, you're helpless. yet dehumanised, there is nothing you can do, you're helpless.— can do, you're helpless. yet with each storyteller, _ can do, you're helpless. yet with each storyteller, the _ can do, you're helpless. yet with each storyteller, the hope - can do, you're helpless. yet with each storyteller, the hope that i can do, you're helpless. yet with i each storyteller, the hope that they will be the last to tell it. nestor mcgregor, bbc news. a former metropolitan police officer, convicted of belonging to a banned neo—nazi group, has been sentenced to four years and four months in prison. benjamin hannam, who's 22, is the first serving british officer to be convicted of a terrorism offence. he was also found guilty of possessing documents useful to a terrorist, and of fraud, over lies on his police application. a police investigation into the neglect of patients at a hospital is now examining eight deaths. a coroner has been asked to review the deaths

at blackpool victoria infirmary, which all happened in late 2018. a separate and unrelated murder investigation into the death of another patient is ongoing. lancashire police officers are investigating events on the hospital's stroke ward in 2018. arlene foster will quit the democratic unionist party when she stands down as northern ireland's first minister, the bbc understands. let's speak to our ireland correspondent, chris page, who's at stormont this evening. and she will be leaving the party she has led for five years? this week arlene — she has led for five years? this week arlene foster _ she has led for five years? try 3 week arlene foster has experienced politics at its most painful with a big majority of the dup's senior elected representatives signing a letter saying she should resign as leader. in her resignation statement she said she was preparing to leave the political stage. now sources close to mrs foster have told the bbc that when she leaves a first

minister's office here at stormont at the end ofjune, she will also be leaving the dup. those same sources say that she thinks it isn't the same party that she joined and that it is taking a different direction. now the background to that, a number of politicians involved in removing mrs foster essentially thought she was being too moderate. they believe she should take a more socially conservative position on matters such as lgbt issues and thought she should be more strong and strategic in opposing the brexit arrangements for northern ireland that have created a trade border between here and the rest of the uk. today, mrs foster spoke to reporters. she said she would not be publicly revealing her intentions until she formally left government but none of the people who signed the letter of no confidence have yet spoken to her. so far the only dup politician to enter the race to succeed is the stormont agriculture minister, edwin poots. in less than a week s time,

scotland will go to the polls to elect the country s parliament at holyrood. five years ago, the first minister, nicola sturgeon, said she would put her neck on the line when it came to improving education — in particular, closing the gap between pupils from the most and least deprived areas. 0ur scotland editor, sarah smith, looks now at how successful her government has been. education. particularly narrowing the gap between the attainment of students from the poorest and most affluent parts of the country was to be the defining mission of the last snp government. five years on, experts say the gap remains wide. even students who have good grades themselves believe there should be a level playing field. people should be looking at the difference between schools that are doing better and schools that are doing worse. if it is to do with the support and not where people stay because honestly, i don't think that's true. i don't think where you stay or where your house is and you were brought up has anything to do with how much of a hard worker you are. it's just down to the student

to study and do well. i don't think it matters where they come from, i think it matters how well they do. i don't think because you come - from a certain area that should mean you're better than other people. they do have the better resources, but i don't think that generally- transitions to a better pupil. the scottish government has poured hundreds of millions into targeted help for schools and record numbers of students from deprived areas are going into higher education. but experts say across the country, the progress that has been made falls short of scottish government aims. it remains the case in scotland that school students from the most depraved areas are more likely to fail their highers than they are to get an a. and that could be a political problem for a party that asks to be judged on their efforts to close the attainment gap. it is not a problem that can be solved just in schools. the root causes of that is that poverty is high in scotland and child poverty is high, it is predicted to increase because of the pandemic and that is quite an important issue. so, education can play its role, but it is also important that policies exist to really help our families to

come out of poverty. families who can know that moving to the right area could significantly boost their children's chances. abby goes to one of the best state schools in scotland. does it bother you that there are kids possiblyjust as bright as you who won't be performing as well because they're in different schools in areas? definitely, it's so unfair. i think everyone deserves a chance to be able to fulfill their potential. we have to feel that we're lucky to be where we are in people have been less lucky than you, that i don't think, i'd don't think it's ok to say, well, i'm 0k and that's a good position for you to be in. ijust feel like a fairer society across the board is what we should all be striving for. the snp are promising more targeted funding and free school meals for all primary pupils. other parties are offering more teachers and smaller class sizes. all agree, closing the attainment gap must be a priority for the next scottish government. sarah smith, bbc news, glasgow. and you can find out about education and the policies

of all the other parties taking part in the scottish election on the bbc website at bbc.co.uk/news. clubbers are returning to the dance floor in the uk for the first time since the pandemic began, without facemasks or social distancing. it's part of the government's pilot programme to establish whether large crowds can safely gather without spreading covid. 6,000 people will attend a two—day event in liverpool today and tomorrow. as you might expect, danjohnson's report contains flashing images. music plays the masks are off to embrace live music and each other. anywhere else, this would be illegal, but liverpool's leading the way, turning the volume back—up. all of us are excited. we are all on the verge of tears, ready to go in. honestly, yeah, we're not even drunk yet, so we just, we are ready for it. i have literally spent about three weeks preparing for this outfit, so long. genuinely, yeah.

deciding what to drink, deciding what to wear, it's been, honestly, big up liverpool for having the first non—socially distanced event in the country. we love this city, we love this city. i've been waiting for a night out for so long. we've had about a week to whip up an outfit. a little bit overwhelming because obviously we haven't been around this many people in so long. yeah, yeah. and it'sjust, it's weird to get back into it, but i'm excited. a bit nervous but i'm excited. it's a huge dealfor the djs, who've had a quiet year, like everyone else in live events. i'll be looking at the data. like, i'm really keen on that stuff anyway. i'm a big nerd, so yeah. jayda g studied environmental toxicology before turning to music. it's so surreal, like, oh, my goodness, there's people, and they are together, and they are dancing, and it's exciting. it's not allowed, is it? i know, it feels like, hey, we shouldn't be doing this, but yeah, it's ok. like, everyone tested, and yeah, we're doing this. i'm really pumped, i'm so excited. so, we've got perfect

natural ventilation here. the key here are the sensors, monitoring ventilation and airflow. so, by measuring the amount of c02 in the space, we are able to estimate the ventilation flow rates, and more importantly, we are able to investigate the fresh air distribution. how does that air moves around the space and around the people? and on sunday, there is an even bigger gig — 5000 people in sefton park who will also be tested before and after. we do follow—up surveys as well, we ask people to take a pcr test five days afterwards, and that absolutely allows us to understand the transmission. we want people to enjoy themselves, we want people to have a good time at what is the first events for over a year, so it is really important for individuals, but it's also part of a scientific experiment, and it's essential we capture the learning from it. this could be the way to bring back more fun for all of us, but some rules never change. you are first in the queue and...

and i've lost me id! it's a shame, it's a shame, but i'm going back to get it, but i'm very happy to be here. iam i am pleased to report that calls were made, id is brought and entry was gained, but if your test isn't negative, you cannot come in. there is a great vibe, lots of people enjoying themselves, for some it has already got too much but there is a great buzz about this event as well as a serious scientific side because anyone who wants to get back in a crowd will rely on the data being produced in liverpool over this weekend. an enjoyable event, a lively evening and it is exciting even to wear a wristband and get a bit close to it.— time for a look at the weather. here's louise lear. i'm about to tell you how cold it is but you couldn't tell from some of those outfits. it has been a cold month, april 2021, called by day and

night and has been the frosty as month on record. it may well turn out to be one of the sunniest and driest on record. the reason i cannot firm up on that, plenty of showers, so we need to add up the rainfall totals from today into the mix. the showers will tend to fade through this evening and overnight. and with those clearer skies temperatures are once again set to fall away. it is going to be another chilly start of the day with a touch of light frost in parts of scotland, northern ireland where we have got the blue tones. a chilly start with the blue tones. a chilly start with the early birds catching the best of the early birds catching the best of the sunshine for saturday. a beautiful start here, but that shower cloud will tend to bubble up and we will see some showers, some of those very slow moving because of very light winds. and we will be having some hail and thunder with temperatures subdued, 8—13 celsius, when we should be seeing a maximum of 17 at this time of year. pretty much a repeat performance going into

sunday. sunny spells, scattered showers, some of them