this is bbc news with the latest headlines for viewers in the uk and around the world. a deadly crush at a religious festival in israel leaves 45 people dead. all of a sudden, we saw paramedics running by like, mid—cpr on kids, and then one after another they started coming out in ambulances, and then we understood, like, something's going on here. the actor noel clarke releases new statement this evening saying he vehemently denies any sexual abuse allegations against him but the recent reports measure it clear to him that some of his actions have affected people in ways he didn't intend or realise. the community support officer who its body was found in woodland this week died of serious head injuries,

police say. the first british police officer convicted belonging to a neo—nazi terrorist group has been jailed for more than four years. covid—19 infection levels down to what they were last summer, according to latest figures. and liverpool parties without social distancing, a night club event is testing whether large crowds can gather without spreading over it. come up in half an hour's time, foreign correspondence based in londonjoined me to foreign correspondence based in london joined me to get an outsider�*s view of events in the uk. that's dateline at 7:30pm. very good evening if you've just joined us and welcome to bbc news.

funerals have been held in israel for the victims of a deadly crush at religious festival. at least 45 people are known to have died, and more than a hundred and 50 were injured at meron, the site of the tomb of a revered second—century rabbi. prime minister benjamin netanyahu has described it as a "heavy disaster" and said he was praying for the casualties. our middle east correspondent tom bateman sent this report from the scene. and a warning, it contains distressing images. they came to celebrate and to be blessed — tens of thousands ofjewish pilgrims at the mountain tomb of an ancient rabbi. but instead, they were met with panic and a deadly crush. as crowds left the graveside, descending a narrow walkway, they surged. 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's 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. tom bateman, bbc news. mr clarke has issued a statement vehemently apologising for any wrongdoing and says he will now be seeking professional help to educate

him. 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 outstanding 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 highly 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. vertigo films and all three media, which backed his production company, have also confirmed they're no longer working with him. ashley walters, seen here with noel clarke in bullet—proof, made a statement on his instagram, saying... it's just reminding everyone that me too is not

something that happened in 2017, it's something that continues to affect people within the film and television industry, affect people outside of that, across the world, and so we need to be more diligent and start taking some action, and doing things to stop allowing these things 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's 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 0utstanding 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's not in a position to

properly investigate such matters, but if it did have the first—hand accounts, as reported by the guardian, it would never have given noel clarke the award. chi chi izundu, bbc news. a former metropolitan police officer convicted of belonging to a banned neo—nazi group has been sentenced to four years and two months in prison. he is the first serving british police officer to be convicted of terrorism offence. it was also found guilty of possessing documents... fraud and lying on his application. we talk now to detective stupid intendant. thanks very much for being with a bbc news this evening. what certainly seems to have surprised a lot of people in the details of this case first came, it became public was, in a sense, he was hiding in plain sight. he had been noted as a member of this organisation, which was subsequently banned, yet somehow the jot down my dots were notjoint. does that

surprise you? dots were not “oint. does that surprise you?— dots were not “oint. does that surprise you? well, look, when an bod surprise you? well, look, when anybody applies _ surprise you? well, look, when anybody applies for _ surprise you? well, look, when anybody applies for a _ surprise you? well, look, when anybody applies for a process l surprise you? well, look, when| anybody applies for a process or surprise you? well, look, when i anybody applies for a process or a job, they are expected to tell the truth. clearly, he didn't tell the truth. clearly, he didn't tell the truth when he tick the box to say that he wasn't a member of any proscribed organisation. what doesn't surprise me is that, you know, there will be a certain amount of level of checking but clearly he has got through the net here for a number of, a matter of two years, really, which was two years too long to serve the public in the manner that he did. i to serve the public in the manner that he did-— to serve the public in the manner that he did. i suppose the thing, i take the point— that he did. i suppose the thing, i take the point you're _ that he did. i suppose the thing, i take the point you're making - that he did. i suppose the thing, i l take the point you're making about, you know, there is a basic level of vetting that is done for everybody and some of it relies on basic honesty. people, unfortunately, do lie for various reasons about their activities and things they have done in the past. in this case, though, national action was an organisation which received a lot of scrutiny by anti—terrorism officers and by others within the met family, as it were. it had a relatively small

membership and as a fringe of a fringe organisation and although he had never been charged with anything and therefore probably wouldn't come up and therefore probably wouldn't come up in the police national computer, nonetheless, again, it might surprise people that there is no more systematic way of picking up individuals like this.— individuals like this. yeah, well, he feed didn't _ individuals like this. yeah, well, he feed didn't come _ individuals like this. yeah, well, he feed didn't come up - individuals like this. yeah, well, he feed didn't come up on - individuals like this. yeah, well, he feed didn't come up on the l individuals like this. yeah, well, - he feed didn't come up on the police national computer that is one thing that didn't come as any surprise that didn't come as any surprise that the fact is if there had been any information or any intelligence the checks that should have been made should have really identified him as being part of that organisation and now that is something which may well have been missed and it is something that police now looks to do might need to look further into and more details in terms of when somebody does submit an application. it is very, very difficult because somebody who has such extreme views or who is racist or sexist or misogynistic in those characteristic behaviours doesn't necessarily have it written on their forehead and it won't necessarily come to light, perhaps, even throughout their career, but it will certainly, if there is some

evidence that has come to light in respect of this individual which, you know, ithink, you know, two years down the line, the fact is the met did a good job in terms of targeting him once they were aware that his affiliations. briefly briefly, if somebody is going on a more senior level progressing through the ranks, if you have been vetted when you apply, is that it was like do not get vetted again for your career? it was like do not get vetted again for your career?— was like do not get vetted again for our career? , , ., ., ., ,, your career? it depends on what “obs ou do. if your career? it depends on what “obs you do. rfyoure i your career? it depends on what “obs you do. if you're going i your career? it depends on what jobs you do. if you're going safeguarding l you do. if you're going safeguarding and if like me you went into the olympics you go to the highest level 0lympics you go to the highest level of betting enable further that you in terms of, you know, your background, what may well have changed in terms of your lifestyle and someone but otherwise, no, not really. you won't get further vetted unless you are applying for particular types of roles. aha, unless you are applying for particular types of roles. a former detective superintendent. - particular types of roles. a former detective superintendent. thank l particular types of roles. a former i detective superintendent. thank you ve much.

the indian government is to open vaccinations to all adults from saturday. but several states have warned they do not have sufficient stocks. in mumbai, one of the country is misreading think of in of either says they will halt vaccinations because they just says they will halt vaccinations because theyjust have them. meanwhile, some emergency medical supplies of the revived including oxygen centres on ventilators and other equipment. they have reported another daily increase in current virus cases with more than 390,000 cases. people in the uk are also trying to do their bit to help, one of them is this doctor who has been raising funds to send india. this role, have a family connection with india and so in a sense you are hailing a little bit more about what is going on through that connection. what can you tell us. on through that connection. what can ou tell us. ., ~ ,, , on through that connection. what can ou tell us. . ~' ,, , . on through that connection. what can ou tell us. ., ~ ,, , . ., you tell us. thank you very much for havinr

you tell us. thank you very much for having me — you tell us. thank you very much for having me on- _ you tell us. thank you very much for having me on- i _ you tell us. thank you very much for having me on. i am _ you tell us. thank you very much for having me on. i am of— you tell us. thank you very much for having me on. i am of indian - having me on. i am of indian ancestry, but my parents are indian, my sister lives in bombay so not only have i been seeing the images are mainstream media i have also been receiving daily updates from her as to what is really going on on the ground. her as to what is really going on on the ground-— the ground. what is it you are t inr to the ground. what is it you are trying to do? _ the ground. what is it you are trying to do? one _ the ground. what is it you are trying to do? one of - the ground. what is it you are trying to do? one of the - the ground. what is it you are l trying to do? one of the issues the ground. what is it you are - trying to do? one of the issues we have his british _ trying to do? one of the issues we have his british asians _ trying to do? one of the issues we have his british asians and - have his british asians and especially health care professionals we really do want to help. i think one of the concerns is that if we donated money, where will that money 90, donated money, where will that money go, and it would end up into the hands of people who really need it? so, because i had a close family member in india, we have managed to identify some charities who we know are doing first—hand, exceptional work, so i've opened up a go fund may page yeah aimed at uk health care providers and we aim to donate money to charities in india in a grassroots level to tie and make a difference. you're finally a good response so far? it is actually incredible and i am very proud of every hue has contributed. we started with a target of £5,000 and

we reach that in about 36 minutes. we then reach £10,000 within three hours in less than four 2a hours later we are approaching the third target of £15,000. much mac that is terrific but i'm interested in the point you're making about how you are concerned about where money goes and therefore you want to use your assistance to identify charities and organisations in bombay stroke mumbai he will then use the money and you can be confident where the money is going. that raises difficulties, doesn't it, because a lot of money and a lot of help will be sent to the government by other governments, including the british government, the french, the americans and so on, but you just worry a little bit about what, unless it is physical things, what may happen to some of that. collect, and that is also coming from residents in bombay as well and that is why the emphasis was this to work with charities who we know adding exceptional work and there is a lot of transparency as to where and what is done with the money that we

donate and i think that's a concern for anybody who donates money charity. for anybody who donates money chari . . ., , for anybody who donates money chari . . ., for anybody who donates money chari ., , charity. watson is a charities in bombay slash _ charity. watson is a charities in bombay slash bomb _ charity. watson is a charities in bombay slash bomb by - charity. watson is a charities in bombay slash bomb by you - charity. watson is a charities in . bombay slash bomb by you aiming charity. watson is a charities in - bombay slash bomb by you aiming to help? heavy steel sister identified any particular one is yet? yes, there is one charity called the... foundation and another called the indian youth congress and there is also a very well—known charity called... aid which also has a in offices here in the uk. just a final brief question, they say this help can be acquired for quite a long time to come now. are you worried, it is your sister worried, that maybe things will get worse before they get better?— they get better? yes, definitely. i think this is _ they get better? yes, definitely. i think this is going _ they get better? yes, definitely. i think this is going to _ they get better? yes, definitely. i think this is going to be _ they get better? yes, definitely. i think this is going to be an - they get better? yes, definitely. i. think this is going to be an ongoing thing. i don't think it's something which will be fixed overnight and, unfortunately, i think we haven't reached the peak in india as of yet. thank you very much, east london doctor, thank you much forjoining us and telling us about all the work you're doing in encouraging others

to contribute to. we are going to be talking about the covid crisis in india and the best way is that the international community can help and may be all the extraordinary efforts that are being made by volunteers in the country and beyond on dateline coming up at half past seven. that's shall suffer a summary of the spot. 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. it cones as bbc analysis shows about 22 million people are now living in areas where there were no covid deaths in april. and the coronavirus reproduction number, or r value, has crept up in england and is now estimated to be between 0.8 and 1.1 according to the latest government figures. earlier we heard from david spiegelhalter, professor of statistics at cambridge university. he gave his assessment on the current infections rates in the uk. (tx sor) deaths are very low, going down to

single figures. not the deaths of and possibly historically low levels. inspections is a new data just came out today in the daily rate of new infections is not quite as low as last summer but getting down to like the end of august now —— infections as new data just came out today. the other thing is great news showing that the vaccine not only projects you have been vaccinated against it by quite a large extent but if you do get infected, if you can, you get a weaker version and a much less likely to pass it on to other people so again that shows that everybody gets vaccinated is not only protect themselves, they are protecting everyone around them. that themselves, they are protecting everyone around them. that was a professor- — 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. 415 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. 0ver 14.5 million people have had both doses and are now fully vaccinated. police investigating the murder of a police community support officer in kent, say they've identified no suspects, and it isn't 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. her family said she "was fiercely loyal" and "loved with her whole heart". arlene foster will quit the democratic unionist party when she stands down as northern ireland's first minister, the bbc understands. sources close to her said she thinks it is no longer the party shejoined and it is moving in a different direction. mrs foster is to resign as dup leader on 28th may and end her tenure as first minister at the end ofjune. clubbers are returning to the dance floor in the uk for the first time since the pandemic began, without facemasks or social distancing. i have literally spent about three weeks preparing for this outfit! so long! deciding what to drink, deciding what to wear, it has been, honestly, big up liverpool for having the first non—socially distanced event in the country! it is notjust a question of fun, though, although it clearly is for

those taking part. it's all part of a pilot programme to establish whether large crowds can safely gather without spreading covid. 6000 people will attend a two—day event in liverpool today and tomorrow but they have to have a test before they take part. at 7.30 it's dateline london, but first a full round up, from the bbc sport centre, here's lizzie a full day boycott of social media platforms has were my clubs, athletes and sporting bodies in an attempt to tackle online abuse and discrimination. the premier league is that all accounts will be silent until tuesday with an aim to encourage companies to take a stronger stance against racist and sexist abuse on the platform is that all accounts will be silent until tuesday with an aim to encourage companies to take a stronger stance against racist and sexist abuse on the platforms. the wsl are calling for stronger preventative and take—down measures and manchester united tweeted earlier, see online abuse, see that. the cricket board

said simply enough. the england rugby union page on instagram calls most to be done to stop online abuse and better accountability. —— calls for more to be done. managers across the premier league have been having their say on the bike up today including tottenham's interim manager ryan mason. he said he was a victim of abuse and social media after he had to retire from football due to a head injury. i after he had to retire from football due to a head injury.— due to a head in'ury. i had to zone out for me. — due to a head in'ury. i had to zone out for me. i— due to a head injury. i had to zone out for me, i took— due to a head injury. i had to zone out for me, i took myself- due to a head injury. i had to zone out for me, i took myself off - due to a head injury. i had to zone out for me, i took myself off of i out for me, i took myself off of social media is a player because they didn't want to see it and, listen, even after i retired, i do have messages about my injury, about certain things, that you must think, oh, it's another message, just ignore it all, but, as i say, these things shouldn't be acceptable, they aren't acceptable, but they just seem to be ok to happen, and i think the platforms, they need to put things in place that holds people accountable for these type of things. accountable for these type of thins. ,, ., accountable for these type of thins. ,, . , ., ., ' things. several drivers in formula 1 of also taking _

things. several drivers in formula 1 of also taking part _ things. several drivers in formula 1 of also taking part in _ things. several drivers in formula 1 of also taking part in the _ things. several drivers in formula 1 of also taking part in the boycott, l of also taking part in the boycott, including world champion lewis hamilton who has been a leading voice on antiracism from within the f1. he is at the portuguese grand prix this weekend. he got the fastest lap and went on to win and roy hoping to repeat that this time after topping the second practice a head of rebel�*s max the stuff in. england and ireland have been drawn in the same group after qualifying for the 2022 women's world cup. the two sides met back in february with england winning 6—0 in other groups. wales will face france with scotland taking on spain in ukraine. matches are set to be played from september this year over the course of 12 months. well, fans will be allowed to attend the final two rounds of games of the premier league season after the league moved match day 37. those gains will now take place on the 18th and 19th of may, meaning clubs will be able to have one home game with france. the 17th of may, outdoor sports venues will continue to be allowed up to 10,000 fans on

or a 25% capacity, which figure was lower. meanwhile,... could also be allowed back at those matches is that at the while a small of fans will be present premier league four grams the crucible theatre in sheffield is already holding fans in sheffield is already holding fans in sheffield is already holding fans in sheffield is already holding fans and is set to be full capacity from sunday for the final of the world has been part of the government's pilot events for the safe return of spectators to venues. i pilot events for the safe return of spectators to venues.— spectators to venues. i think that as it is a monumental— spectators to venues. i think that as it is a monumental moment, i spectators to venues. i think that| as it is a monumental moment, to spectators to venues. i think that - as it is a monumental moment, to see people's faces again, the fans that come back year after year, you know, we ran this event behind coles, close doors this year and it has been really emotional to see people come here and actually see people that they met here for the first time in a long time. for them, it has been great but for a place and supporters as well. our players train, of course, year after year, we capped a week, and have done since being very most of them. ——

week after week. they train for this one moment and what can the steps of the crucible theatre live crowd. that is what they deserve a spot on and women and it has just been fantastic to see that happen. it really has been has a seat to see fans back. four—time winner mark selby and stuart bingham and continuing theirfinal selby and stuart bingham and continuing their final at the moment. these are live pictures from the crucible theatre in sheffield. currently, selby has the edge. he is leading by 9—7. the first of 17 frames will reach the final. 0n the other semifinal, last year's finalist leeds against shaun murphy. they resume tomorrow morning. nas grenadiers have will increase their lead of the tour... after stage four in switzerland. they take the stage victory and move into the overall... it is up to second place and he is

14 places behind. crash cost is to make the leap. that is all spot for now. good evening. the weather for the month of april has been pretty quiet, hasn't it? with high—pressure dominating, that's led for some chilly nights and i can confirm now that april 2021 was the frostiest on record. those clear skies also lead to plenty of sunshine and it could be one of the sunniest along with the driest on record as well. one of the reasons we cannot firm up on that, well, that's because we've seen some april showers in the last few days, so those rainfall totals need totting up and as you can see quite clearly, earlier on, there's a real rush of showers across the country and so there's a case of sunny spells and scattered showers to close out our final day of april. those showers will fade away and as we go through the night, those skies stay clear

and the temperatures are likely to fall away. so, there could be an early morning frost to the first morning of may as temperatures in scotland, northern ireland, staying close to freezing. that cooler air right across the country, the wind direction coming from the north, it is going to remain disappointingly cool for the early half of may. but the winds will be light on saturday and sunday. that means plenty of sunshine first thing. the showers start to develop in the early course of the afternoon and we see sunshine and showers as we go through the rest of the day and some of them heavy with some hail and thunders and temperatures once again around eight to 13 degrees as the day time maximum. way down from where they should be for the first few days of may. similar story for sunday, starting off with some sunshine after an early frost but then showers develop and some

of the showers across england and wales really could be heavy with the odd rumble of thunder and lightning mixed in there as well. but the change will come on bank holiday monday. we're likely to see significant area of low pressure moving in from the atlantic, and the winds will strengthen — we haven't seen that for quite some time. what a surprise for a for!bank holiday monday. what a surprise for a bank holiday monday! that rain pushing into northern ireland, through northern england, wales. 0n the leading edge, it bumps into the colder air in scotland, there could be some further snow to higher ground. wind gusting brightly to 30 miles an hour but perhaps as much is 55 to 60 mph in the exposed coast down to the southwest. the cloud, the wind in the rain, so those temperatures really down for monday.

hello. i'm shaun ley, welcome to the programme which brings together some of the uk's leading commentators, uk specialists and the foreign correspondents filing and blogging to audiences back home from the dateline: london. this week: embarassment for borisjohnson over who originally paid for his wallpaper, but does it really deserve the days of headline coverage devoted to it? and the world has rallied to india's aid, but is it too late to halt the virus�*s deadly course? joining us to discuss those questions: ashis ray, indian foreign correspondent who's reported from london since the 1970s.

steve richards, uk political commentator who's even turned hisjournalism into a successful stage performance. and with me here, lyse doucet — a canadian — whose passports must be thick with immigration stamps by now, having reported from so many parts of the world. no wonder she's our chief international correspondent. good to have you with us. when in london, british prime ministers live over the shop, as it were. borisjohnson, his partner and their young son, occupy an upstairs flat in downing street. for the entire week, the news media here been transfixed by this question: who originally paid for it to be refurbished to the prime ministerial family's taste? �*though mrjohnson says he's paid for it, his coyness over the alleged involvement of his conservative party and perhaps one of its donors, has now prompted an official investigation into a possible breach of election law. the could be people who think, i