this is bbc news. the headlines... the un warn of a "full—scale war" amid deadly exchanges of fire between israel and gaza. the violence has claimed at least 43 palestinian and six israeli lives. translation: they hurt citizens, police officers, burn _ houses, cars, synagogues. it's obvious we cannot accept this, and no country would accept it, and certainly not us. translation: if they want - to escalate, resistance is ready. if they want to stop, the resistance is ready. if they want to move out of jerusalem, the resistance is ready. borisjohnson announces an independent inquiry into the government's handling of the covid crisis will start next spring.

the uk economy shrank by 1.5% in the first three months of the year, though it gathered speed in march as lockdown restrictions eased. the mediterranean island of lampedusa sees another upsurge in migrants — more than 2,000 people have arrived in the last few days. this is the third straight day of arrivals. the question is whether this is just a temporary spike, or whether it is the start of a summer rush to europe's shores. and more funding is sought for a national memorial to emergency workers who gave their all during the pandemic. it's etched in that face and in those eyes — deep, piercing eyes, looking at the human being helpless on the ward and wondering whether we're going to pull through.

as attacks continue between israeli forces and palestinian militants, israel has declared a state of emergency in the central city of lod, where there's a large israeli arab population, and where rioting has led to shops and cars being set on fire. israel has carried out a heavy bombardment of gaza, and palestinians have fired a mass barrage of rockets on tel aviv and other towns in central israel. nearly 50 people have now died. the worst violence in years in the region comes after weeks of rising tensions over a site injerusalem that is holy to both muslims and jews. the international community is urging calm. here's caroline hawley.

it is an explosion of violence on a scale not seen here for years. israeli air strikes on the gaza strip this morning. israel says it is targeting the homes and offices of leaders of the militant group hamas, but the un's middle east peace envoy says the cost of warin gaza that was devastating and being paid by ordinary people. the air strikes followed an overnight barrage of rockets from the gaza strip. they came one after the other after the other. israel says that in the past 38 hours, palestinian militants have fired more than 1,000 rocket and mortar shells. many were intercepted by israel's air defence system known as iron dome. but it couldn't cope with them all.

here they are heading into tel aviv, israel's commercial capital, in a deadly tit—for—tat that is escalating despite international appeals for calm. many israelis spent the night in bomb shelters, but a 50—year—old woman was killed when one of the rockets hit a building. two people, a father and daughter, were also killed in the mixed jewish—arab city of lod. a state of emergency has been declared here. it follows rioting by arab residents angry at police clashing with people atjerusalem, at one of islam's holy sites. police have been sent to lod after businesses were set on fire. translation: we must act - against all those who try to attack israeli citizens or the state of israel, they hurt citizens, police officers, then houses, cars, synagogues. it is obvious we cannot accept this and no country would accept this,

and certainly not us. so this was gaza last night, people living in this is—storey building had been warned to evacuate, but the air strikes were relentless. the heaviest offensive since the war of 2014. and israel's defence minister has warned this is just the start. hamas, which governs gaza, says it is prepared to fight back. translation: if they want to i escalate, the resistance is ready. if they want to stop, the resistance is ready. if they want to move out ofjerusalem, the resistance is ready. this is the message we give to everyone. tensions between israelis and palestinians have been building for weeks. plans to evict dozens of arabs from eastjerusalem, which the palestinians want for their capital, has been one source of friction.

but for palestinians in the west bank, the hardship and humiliation of living under military occupation is a constant and it has now boiled over here once again. in gaza and in israel, the casualties are mounting and every funeral creates more fury. the middle east conflict with no solution in sight is a tinderbox, several matches have now been let and the fire spreading, with no sense yet of how to put it out. caroline hawley, bbc news. our correspondent rushdi abualouf is in gaza and earlier updated us with the latest fromt there. as we speak israeli incoming fire following a barrage of rockets from gaza and the militant group hamas say they have fired 50 rockets towards the city in southern israel.

this is the second barrage of rockets today. the first one was about 200 rockets this morning and followed by a very heavy israeli air strike, maybe this is the heaviest air strike against gaza since 2006 -- 2014, air strike against gaza since 2006 —— 2014, very shocking and angry mood in gaza as the people started to see the scale of destruction from buildings and security compounds belonging to hamas, it has been destroyed. many shocking scenes on the street. the exchange of fire is continuing between hamas and israel. inafew in a few minutes' time we will talk to tom bateman who is in the city south of tel aviv. we will have the latest from there. lieutenant colonel jonathan conricus is

the international spokesperson for the israel defense forces. good afternoon. good afternoon, thank ou good afternoon. good afternoon, thank you for— good afternoon. good afternoon, thank you for having _ good afternoon. good afternoon, thank you for having me. - good afternoon. good afternoon, thank you for having me. how . good afternoon. good afternoon, i thank you for having me. how much loner will thank you for having me. how much longer will this _ thank you for having me. how much longer will this go _ thank you for having me. how much longer will this go on, _ thank you for having me. how much longer will this go on, as _ thank you for having me. how much longer will this go on, as far- thank you for having me. how much longer will this go on, as far as - longer will this go on, as far as you are concerned? 1 longer will this go on, as far as you are concerned?— longer will this go on, as far as you are concerned? i think previous art of you are concerned? i think previous part of the — you are concerned? i think previous part of the story — you are concerned? i think previous part of the story you _ you are concerned? i think previous part of the story you had _ you are concerned? i think previous part of the story you had a - part of the story you had a spokesperson for terrorist organisation, and they started with —— they started with hamas firing rockets at our capital and continued with hamas and other terrorist organisations, relentless fire at our civilians. i am standing in central israel, you can see behind me what happened with one of the houses that sustained a direct impact of a rocket. luckily the family survived because they were able to get into shelter but regarding your question, we hold hamas responsible for this violence and our aim is hamas responsible for this violence and ouraim is to hamas responsible for this violence and our aim is to continue to operate and make it abundantly clear to hamas that this type of

aggression against israel is totally unacceptable. you aggression against israel is totally unacceptable-— unacceptable. you will know, i'm sure, unacceptable. you will know, i'm sure. that _ unacceptable. you will know, i'm sure, that the _ unacceptable. you will know, i'm sure, that the united _ unacceptable. you will know, i'm sure, that the united nations - unacceptable. you will know, i'm sure, that the united nations is i sure, that the united nations is extremely anxious that this will continue and will lead to all—out war. and it makes the point that de—escalation is the responsibility of both sides. do you accept that point, it is the responsibility of both sides?— both sides? first of all, i don't think there _ both sides? first of all, i don't think there is _ both sides? first of all, i don't think there is parity _ both sides? first of all, i don't think there is parity between l both sides? first of all, i don't - think there is parity between israel and the idf, the military of a necrotic sovereign country and a terrorist organisation, recognised as such by the entire western world and international community. secondly, of course we are not seeking to escalate the situation, we are merely responding to an aggression by hamas and we are defending our civilians. 0ur strikes that you showed in gaza, as your reporter said, we are focusing on military targets in gaza and we are

striking at the errors who are trying to hit our civilians, that is our focus. trying to hit our civilians, that is ourfocus. —— striking trying to hit our civilians, that is our focus. —— striking at terrorists. our focus. -- striking at terrorists.— our focus. -- striking at terrorists. ., ., , terrorists. so the united nations are wrong? _ terrorists. so the united nations are wrong? no. _ terrorists. so the united nations are wrong? no, we _ terrorists. so the united nations are wrong? no, we want - terrorists. so the united nations| are wrong? no, we want stability terrorists. so the united nations - are wrong? no, we want stability and eace, we are wrong? no, we want stability and peace. we won _ are wrong? no, we want stability and peace, we won quite _ are wrong? no, we want stability and peace, we won quite and _ are wrong? no, we want stability and peace, we won quite and our - peace, we won quite and our civilians to enjoy prosperity and children to be free of the trauma of running for shelter every ten minutes —— we want quiet, which has been the reality for millions of israelis over the last few days, we're not looking to escalate the situation, it has been. 0wners we're not looking to escalate the situation, it has been. owners and we are responding. i am happy that we are responding. i am happy that we have the defence systems at our disposal allow us to intercept more than 90% of the rockets fired at has had that is the only reason the number of casualties is still relatively low. —— fired at us. there have been reports on israeli media that egyptian mediators are trying to broker a ceasefire, is that something that you would be

open to? that something that you would be 0 en to? ., that something that you would be oen to? . , ., , , that something that you would be oento? . , ., , , , open to? that should best be answered _ open to? that should best be answered by _ open to? that should best be answered by the _ open to? that should best be answered by the prime - open to? that should best be i answered by the prime minister open to? that should best be - answered by the prime minister and the cabinet. 0n answered by the prime minister and the cabinet. on a military level, our marching orders are to operate, continue to suppress enemy fire, defend our civilians and to be ready to expand operations.— defend our civilians and to be ready to expand operations. thank you very much. as i to expand operations. thank you very much- as i say. _ to expand operations. thank you very much. as i say, we _ to expand operations. thank you very much. as i say, we have _ much. as i say, we have correspondeds in the region, we will get the latest from them over the course of the hour. the prime minister has announced that an independent public inquiry into the government's handling of the coronavirus pandemic will begin in the spring of next year. speaking in the house of commons, borisjohnson said �*the state has the obligation to examine it actions�* and to learn lessons for the future. it comes as an independent panel appointed by the world health organisation found serious failures on the part of both the who and individiual governments in their response to the pandemic. our health correspondent

jim reed reports. 15 months and 152,000 deaths. this pandemic has changed notjust this country, but the whole world. when will we get a full enquiry, prime minister? will lessons be learned ? the government confirmed today there will now be a full public inquiry into its handling of the pandemic. speaking in the house of commons, the prime minister said it would place the state's actions under the microscope. amid such tragedy, the state has an obligation to examine its actions as rigorously and as candidly as possible and to learn every lesson for the future. which is why i have always said that when the time is right, there should be a full and independent inquiry. so, mr speaker, ican confirm today that the government will establish an independent public inquiry on a

statutory basis, with full powers under the inquiries act of 2005, including the ability to compel the production of all relevant materials and take oral evidence in public, under oath. similar questions are now starting to be asked, notjust in the uk, but across the world. a report was published this morning by an independent panel appointed by the world health organization. its conclusions are damning. the who waited too long to declare an international health emergency. countries in europe and america only started acting when the hospitals started to fill up. we have identified failures at every stage. and we do believe that it could have been possible to prevent this pandemic. scientists have long warned that other viruses and diseases will emerge in the future.

to prevent those turning into another major pandemic, the report suggests some key reforms, including the creation of a new disease surveillance system which can publish data without the permission of national governments. a recommendation that countries plan and invest now, as it may be too late when the next health crisis hits. so i ask the rhetorical question, do nations really want to go through all this again? that's my answer to why i hope there will be resolve now. to address the issues that need addressing. the success of the vaccine roll—out — at least, in richer countries — means there is now some cause for optimism when it comes to covid. but today, a reminder that lessons must be learned to prevent another destructive pandemic in the future. jim reed, bbc news. let's speak to our political correspondent iain watson —

who's in westminster. lots of people saying, why not until next year? lots of people saying, why not until next ear? , , ., lots of people saying, why not until next ear? , , . ., , next year? yes, bereaved families eseciall next year? yes, bereaved families especially have — next year? yes, bereaved families especially have been _ next year? yes, bereaved families especially have been pushing - next year? yes, bereaved families especially have been pushing for l next year? yes, bereaved familiesl especially have been pushing for an enquiry, borisjohnson said it would be candid in its conclusions. lib dems initially pushed for an enquiry, finally labour pushed for it, it was inevitable it would be announced at some point, but what wasn't inevitable is the timescale, spring next year for the enquiry to get under way. bereaved families, a group representing some of them, have put out a statement in the past hour and they do not think that the prime minister should be waiting until next year and have called for preparations to begin immediately. he has a couple of reasons for doing this, he says, he has to discuss it with the devolved administrations,

lessons to be learnt should be across the uk and notjust in england, but he also said he couldn'tjustify england, but he also said he couldn't justify taking england, but he also said he couldn'tjustify taking people, couldn't justify taking people, advisers couldn'tjustify taking people, advisers and medical staff, of the front line battling the pandemic so they could give evidence to a public enquiry, that evidence would be under oath when it happens, and he also said about the world health organization that they were expecting the pandemic to continue at least until the end of the year. for that reason the public enquiry doesn't happen the top next year. however, what is interesting is when it finishes, he has said he wants to see it on any reasonable timescale, public enquiries can take a while, months of preparations, if boris johnson were to go for an early election in 2023 and westminster is rife with that speculation, it may be the case that we do not get the conclusions to this enquiry until after that election is held. thank ou. a county courtjudgement has been registered against borisjohnson's name

for an unpaid debt of £535. the court order was made in october, according to a database ofjudgements. the creditor and the nature of the debt are not included in the record, which was first reported by private eye magazine. downing street has been contacted for a comment. the headlines on bbc news... there are warnings of a "full—scale war" by the un, amid deadly exchanges of fire between israel and gaza. the violence there has claimed at least 43 palestinian and six israeli lives. borisjohnson announces an independent inquiry into the government's handling of the covid crisis will start next spring. the uk economy shrankd by 1.5% in the first three months of the year, but gathered speed in march as lockdown restrictions eased.

let's get more from our correspondent tom bateman who's in ashkelon a city south of tel avivv. the human cost of this, as ever, is very distressing.— very distressing. yes, this particular— very distressing. yes, this particular point _ very distressing. yes, this particular point is - very distressing. yes, this particular point is a - very distressing. yes, this particular point is a few i very distressing. yes, this i particular point is a few mild very distressing. yes, this - particular point is a few mild from the gaza perimeter fence and for people waking up in both places this morning, it was an absolutely horrendous start to the day. there had been a lull early in the morning, then there were very fierce is really air strikes on the gaza strip as the day started. —— is really air strikes. people have been describing the ferocity of it, the scale of it, with the early stages

of the conflict of 2014 —— israeli air strikes. of the conflict of 2014 —— israeli airstrikes. speaking of the conflict of 2014 —— israeli air strikes. speaking to one person, there was such a sense of panic it would put pressure on the hamas leaders, so there may have been an element of that as well, but certainly we are in a very steep phase of escalation, the city here came under heavy rocket bombardment throughout last 36 hours, the house behind me took a direct hit and the owner, and 89—year—old lady, was very badly wounded, her caregiver was killed in that strike. we have seen those casualties figures continue to mount. israel says it is trying to carry out what it calls a simultaneous exercise which killed several militant commanders, people they said were close to the leader

of the armed wing of hamas. certainly over the last 24 hours, we have seen that group saying they will continue to respond with force. i think we are still in a steep excavation. i think we are still in a steep excavation-— i think we are still in a steep excavation. �* , ,, excavation. and so distressing as well is one _ excavation. and so distressing as well is one wonders, _ excavation. and so distressing as well is one wonders, where - excavation. and so distressing as well is one wonders, where on i excavation. and so distressing as i well is one wonders, where on earth, how on earth this will change? you have the un clearly saying both sides have the de—escalates, both sides have the de—escalates, both sides have the de—escalates, both sides have to take response ability, i havejust spoken sides have to take response ability, i have just spoken to a spokesman for the idf, absolutely crystal clear from for the idf, absolutely crystal clearfrom his perspective that for the idf, absolutely crystal clear from his perspective that if rockets keep coming from gaza, israeli forces will continue to do what they are doing, and where does one go from there? what what they are doing, and where does one go from there?— what they are doing, and where does one go from there? what we have seen is the kind of— one go from there? what we have seen is the kind of statements _ one go from there? what we have seen is the kind of statements from - one go from there? what we have seen is the kind of statements from the i is the kind of statements from the americans, british, international committee at large which are issued at these times, effectively to cool

sides, for calm, it is clearly having no effect whatsoever. there was a key moment yesterday when the israelis flattened a 12—storey building in the gaza strip, a residential building. they had fired warning shots a long time before and found people in the building to tell them that it was going to be targeted, so it was evacuated, and hamas said if that building was struck, they would strike at tel aviv with rocket fire. the building was flattened, and imported building because it is home to one of the main political offices for hamas, so the group then fired 130 rockets towards tel aviv, so in both those actions to site with signalling very clear sense of flare—up, that continued into the early hours of the morning, and we are seeing the further fallout of that today. i think the charities of anyone at

this stage trying to broker any sort of calm is not on the table at the moment. —— i think the chances. the uk economy shrank by 1.5% in the first three months of this year — following the lengthy lockdown overwinter. the office for national statistics says the closure of schools and large fall in retail sales earlier in the year dragged down economic growth. the economy is now nearly 9% smaller than it was before the pandemic. our economics correspondent andy verity reports. rishi sunak visits one of the hardest hit sectors under the post—christmas lockdown, a brewery. a drop in economic activity of 1.5% over three months would be a very worrying performance in normal times, but this is a pandemic and activity picked up in march, giving some cause for hope that we are now emerging from a second economic contraction. i think actually today's figures

show our economy is clearly getting back on track and crucially that our plan forjobs is working. now, of course, many businesses and families are still facing tough times and that is why our support is continuing. his hosts also want to be upbeat about the future. but they are also conscious about the lasting economic damage the lockdowns have done. we are optimistic, but if the recovery is not strong, people that_ have had to borrow to see themselves through might find it is getting tough again. it is worth mentioning we have lost 10% of our customers who closed their doors for good. this chart shows you the roller—coaster ride the economy has been on since the pandemic. this chart shows you the roller—coaster ride the economy a huge drop — the biggest in 300 years. then a rapid bounceback, and in the first quarter of the year, we were in the second dip. at the end of that, we were still 9% below where the economy was before the pandemic. back where we were in 2014. even before the latest lockdown, official estimates were that firms would have £180 billion less money coming in than they needed to pay their bills. that has forced many

to borrow their way through the pandemic. there are lots of businesses who are massively weighed down by debts, by the debts they have built up during the pandemic, and i wish the government was doing more to help alleviate those debts as we've called for repeatedly. also, i think government needs to do more to create the jobs of the future. with construction surging in march driven by new work and overdue repairs, a recovery is now under way. but small and medium—sized firms have predicted to owe more than 40 times what they normally would to banks. even with a surge in growth of more than 7% predicted for this year, the sustainability of the recovery will depend crucially on how those debts dealt with. tributes have been paid to a nine—year—old boy who died after being struck by lightning during a football coaching session. the child, who has been named locally as jordan banks, was injured when a thunderstorm hit as he was on a playing field in blackpool on yesterday evening.

our correspondent nick garnett is in blackpool for us. a desperate story, explain what more we know. it a desperate story, explain what more we know. , ., , , we know. it is a terrible, terrible traced . we know. it is a terrible, terrible tragedy- jordan _ we know. it is a terrible, terrible tragedy. jordan banks _ we know. it is a terrible, terrible tragedy. jordan banks had i we know. it is a terrible, terrible tragedy. jordan banks had left i tragedy. jordan banks had left school at the end of the day, as he normally did, came to training at a tuesday night on this council run and council owned football pitch, lots of other teams play here, he plays for carlton rangers, which is a junior grassroots team, he played in the under nines. he was it private training session with a coach and a few friends when the storm came. —— he was at a seemed to go almost as quickly, the storm. he was fatally injured. the north west air ambulance was called as well as

the angler's cruise locally and the police as well. they couldn't save him, and he sadly died. —— the ambulance crews. people have been coming down laying flowers, as you can see, and paying tribute to their friend. some of the family members came down much earlier to see where the tragedy had happened. as well as his personalfriend. i was his best friend, he was in the same _ i was his best friend, he was in the same class, — i was his best friend, he was in the same class, very happy person, very kind and _ same class, very happy person, very kind and caring person. what same class, very happy person, very kind and caring person.— same class, very happy person, very kind and caring person. what was he like at football, _ kind and caring person. what was he like at football, how _ kind and caring person. what was he like at football, how important i kind and caring person. what was he like at football, how important was l like at football, how important was football to him?— football to him? very, he loved it. he -la ed football to him? very, he loved it. he played it _ football to him? very, he loved it. he played it everyday _ football to him? very, he loved it. he played it everyday at _ football to him? very, he loved it. he played it everyday at school. i he played it everyday at school. with _ he played it everyday at school. with me — cj's father was also down with him, he told me how everyone had been

affected. very upset when i saw him, ijust gave _ very upset when i saw him, ijust gave him — very upset when i saw him, ijust gave him a — very upset when i saw him, ijust gave him a hard— very upset when i saw him, ijust gave him a hard and, _ very upset when i saw him, ijust gave him a hard and, stuck- very upset when i saw him, ijust gave him a hard and, stuck for. very upset when i saw him, ijust i gave him a hard and, stuck for ways to speak— gave him a hard and, stuck for ways to speak about _ gave him a hard and, stuck for ways to speak about things _ gave him a hard and, stuck for ways to speak about things like _ gave him a hard and, stuck for ways to speak about things like this, - gave him a hard and, stuck for ways to speak about things like this, you | to speak about things like this, you do not _ to speak about things like this, you do not want — to speak about things like this, you do not want to— to speak about things like this, you do not want to go _ to speak about things like this, you do not want to go into _ to speak about things like this, you do not want to go into too - to speak about things like this, you do not want to go into too much i do not want to go into too much detail, _ do not want to go into too much detail, speaking _ do not want to go into too much detail, speaking to _ do not want to go into too much detail, speaking to people - do not want to go into too much detail, speaking to people like i detail, speaking to people like that _ detail, speaking to people like that our— detail, speaking to people like that. our thoughts _ detail, speaking to people like that. our thoughts go - detail, speaking to people like that. our thoughts go out - detail, speaking to people like that. our thoughts go out to i that. our thoughts go out to jordan's— that. our thoughts go out to jordan's family, _ that. our thoughts go out to jordan's family, rest - that. our thoughts go out to jordan's family, rest in - that. our thoughts go out to i jordan's family, rest in peace, tittte — jordan's family, rest in peace, little man _ blackpool council owns these pitches, it has been having its flags at half—mast as a sign of respect stop it has said that no more training and no more coaching will go on at the pitches until further notice. it is, as you say, a desperately, desperately tragic event out one that has hit this area so very hard. that's my kind one that has. an adopted child has the right when they reach the age of 18 to find their birth family. it's a process that's supposed to be carefully managed and monitored. but it's thought around a quarter

of adopted young people are using the internet to make contact earlier — something which families have told the bbc could be devastating. the chair of the all—party parliamentary group on adoption says there needs to be more flexibility and support so that younger children can have supervised contact with their birth parents. two teenage boys adopted at the age of two and three made contact with their birth parents with far reaching consequences. the account of their adopted parents — who we're calling ed and claire — raises questions about whether social services and the law are adequately meeting a reality of our internet age. this was what claire told bbc radio 4's today programme this morning. he started to go missing overnight, he would go missing overnight and be found very close to where the birth family's houses. he disengaged from education, having been doing really well in school. he stopped going to school altogether in december and are, whether this is coincidental or related to the change in his circumstances, he became involved probably criminal activity in the local community. there were allegations he was dealing drugs, he

was certainly smoking weed, so he was certainly smoking weed, so he was completely knocked off course and started to follow a completely different life trajectory. charlotte ramsden is the president of the association of directors of childrens services. good afternoon. anyone who heard the interview in a fool knows how incredibly upsetting and moving it was, and the parents were so eloquent all the challenges they faced. what first of all in broad terms is your response? it doesn't have to be about those two boys, but the notion that children are going to use the internet and there seems to use the internet and there seems to be nothing to prevent this. absolutely, and the first thing to say is my heart goes out to that family and their experience, i cannot imagine what it is like to go through that. i think it is really

important that we remember that adoption works well for most children. but we are increasingly aware ofjust how complex adoption is, and we desperately need to understand to modernise it in the best way so that it really does work for the future for children and their adoptive families. adoption is designed to give a lifelong family to those children, but within that their identity and understanding and connection with their birth family is an essential part of who they are, and how we respond to that, now that children have that ability to take things into their own hands, and seek out that family, is a really complex area to respond to. i can talk more about what we are doing on that but we are absolutely understanding of the need to think that through and do things a different way in order to help children manage that multiple attachment and complex identity issue that they are bound to have

any circumstances. part issue that they are bound to have any circumstances.— issue that they are bound to have any circumstances. part of the point the coule any circumstances. part of the point the couple made _ any circumstances. part of the point the couple made this _ any circumstances. part of the point the couple made this morning i any circumstances. part of the point the couple made this morning was l the couple made this morning was that when they realised what was happening, the boys were online, looking for birth parents, clearly having conversations with members of the birth family, they reached out to the authorities for help and were told there isn't really anyone to deal with this sort of situation. how could they have been left rudderless? if it is happening to them, the internet is available to everyone, it could happen to lots of families. it everyone, it could happen to lots of families. ., , ., , , everyone, it could happen to lots of families. ., , , . ., families. it obviously crude, and i think again _ families. it obviously crude, and i think again adoption _ families. it obviously crude, and i think again adoption support i families. it obviously crude, and i think again adoption support is i families. it obviously crude, and i think again adoption support is a | think again adoption support is a very fast moving area of development so we used to support families that the first point of adoption and in the first point of adoption and in the main assume they were then able to work as a family and didn't need intervention from authorities. that view changed a long time ago now, so we already have an adoption support fund which can be accessed anytime

during a child because my childhood which is to pay for counselling and trauma informed support to help them deal with the they face. increasingly we are developing support that is available throughout the child's life and available to the child's life and available to the adopters as well as to the children themselves. adoption charities and agencies are developing responses that young people can access adopters can access for advice, but far more needs to be done than has happened so far. it is an area of rapid development but there is no one consistent approach, and no one easy answer because every child is an individual and we need to be able to be responding and prepare families for this to happen but when things go wrong we do need to be able to respond in a way that enables that family to cope with that crisis. right, but when things do go wrong,

what they needed was some hope and a lot of practical help as well, and a lot of practical help as well, and a lot of practical guidance. i mean, the internet has been around for a few years now. is this a situation where the rules of the way that social services departments operate, perhaps the rules were created before the intranet, before it was so very easy to track people down. absolutely, and honestly i can't comment on the circumstances of this particular case, but adoption in the main is an order made with no contact with birth family intended. now there obviously is in direct contact, through letters and cards. increasingly there is contact between siblings, and within the law, there is the option of a court to make an order in relation to contact with other birth members, which could obviously include birth parents. obviously every decision is made by the court with the best interests of the child in mind, and at the moment, courts are not making those decisions to include contact.

where it is believed by everybody to be in the best interest for everyone to have contact built in, we tend to use alternative options for permanence. the main one being a special guardianship order, which is an alternative form of placement. it is still giving a permanent arrangement, but within those arrangements, contact with birth families is a regular part of that system, and then if even more intervention and support is needed to enable that contact to happen in the right way, we may choose to go down a long—term fostering route, rather than either of those other options, so there are multiple ways that we can work out the best way to meet a child's needs. but i think the role of the internet, as you say, is making us rethink how we actually respond and help risk manage and prepare children and obviously adopters or other people caring for them to manage those issues. ~ ., ., ., issues. we will have to leave it there, issues. we will have to leave it there. thank— issues. we will have to leave it there, thank you, _ issues. we will have to leave it there, thank you, charlotte i issues. we will have to leave it - there, thank you, charlotte ramsden, president of the association of

directors of children's services. a busy afternoon. a little bit later, than usual, we will pause and look at the weather with ben rich. sunshine and showers will continue to be the weather theme through the rest of the week, some heavy with hail and thunder. get yourself into some sunshine, the sun is quite strong this time of year so it will feel relatively warm. it is a story of scattered showers for most through the rest of today, slightly more persistent rain and certainly more persistent rain and certainly more cloud in the far north of scotland, and this heavy rain across parts of england just clipping into south—east wales as we go into the first part of the evening, and then overnight this area of wet weather will pivot its way further north, southern and eastern parts of wales, may be the west midlands as well. a lot of cloud over the northern half of scotland. for southern scotland, northern ireland, northern england, some clear skies, the lowest of the temperatures, although the vast majority should avoid a frost. tomorrow, this area of cloud and showery rain across southern england and parts of wales, more cloud generally rolling into parts of east

scotland and north—east england, elsewhere another day of sunshine and showers, highs of ten to 16 degrees. this is bbc news, with jane hill. the headlines — warnings of a "full—scale war" by the un, amid deadly exchanges of fire between israel and gaza. the violence there has claimed at least 43 palestinian and six israeli lives. borisjohnson announces an independent inquiry into the government's handling of the covid crisis will start next spring. the uk economy shrank by 1.5% in the first three months of the year, but gathered speed in march, as lockdown restrictions eased. the mediterranean island of lampedusa once again sees an upsurge in migrants — over 2,000 have arrived in the last few days. and more funding is sought for a national memorial

to emergency workers who gave their all in the pandemic. sport now, and for a full round—up from the bbc sport centre, here'sjohn. good afternoon. porto remains the most likely venue for this season's all—english champions league final between chelsea and manchester city later this month. uefa hope to announce the estadio da drago as the venue. this, after culture secretary oliver dowden had said the government �*cleared the way�* for wembley to host the final. but with no guarantees quarantine restrictions would be lifted for the 1,000 staff and sponsors travelling for the game, england's national stadium is likely to be overlooked in favour of portugal, as the match is moved from istanbul. that comes as european football's governing body begins disciplinary proceedings againts real madrid, barcelona and juventus for their involvment in the european super league proposals. the three clubs were the key drivers in the project, and have committed to pursuing other arrangemnets

to get the league off the ground. uefa said investigators have been appointed to conduct an investigation into a violation of their legal framework. the other nine clubs, including the six english sides, withdrew, following widespread condemnation. pep guardiola says this season's premier league title is the hardest of the three he's won in his five years as manchester city manager. he's done it without a front line striker, seen his squad disrupted because of covid and negotiated early season upsets, as many wrote them off. the team they toppled liverpool and their managerjurgen klopp have offered their congratulations. it's always a joy to play against them, because it'sjust a massive challenge, from a football point of view. you can beat them but you have to be at your absolute top to do so,

and we could do that from time to time, but this year, obviously not. and so well deserved congratulations. staying with liverpool, defender virgil van dijk will miss this summer's european championship with the netherlands, after ruling himself out of the tournament. it comes too soon in his recovery from a knee ligament injury, sustained in october's merseyside derby. he says he hasn't suffered a setback but is aiming for the "realistic goal" of returning for preseason with liverpool. andy murray could be handed a wildcard to compete at this year's french open, after tournament director guy forget said he deserved one. murray, continuing his recovery from his latest injury, a groin problem picked up in march, will play doubles today at the italian open in rome, and could make his singles comeback next week in geneva or lyon. forget said murray, who has entered roland garros qualifying, may only take it if he felt he could make an impact at the delayed championships. he accepted one last year, but lost in the opening round to stan wawrinka.

spectators will be welcomed back to this year's tournament, pushed back a week to the 24th may. 5,000 fans will be allowed onto centre court for the final five days. before that, spectators will be limited to no more than a thousand on any court, althoughjust over 5,000 fans will be allowed inside the grounds each day. meanwhile, britain's men's number two cameron norrie is out of the italian open, after defeat to spain's alejandro davidovich. he misses out on playing top seed novak djokovic in the next round, after a 6—2, 6—3 defeat in rome. and after 16 years, mike brown's harlequins career has coe to a premature end, after being banned following his red card against wasps last weekend. the former england full back, who leaves for newcastle at the end of the season, has been given a six week suspension for stamping. with just four rounds of matches remaining he'll miss the premiership final, were quins to qualify.

nobody�*s played more games for the london club than the 35—year—old. that's just about all the sport for now. don't forget, it's the first round of golf�*s british masters today. you can keep up to date with all the latest from the belfry on the bbc sport website. that's bbc.co.uk/sport and on the bbc sport app. high—profile footballers have been among those campaigning for social media companies to do more to stop online abuse directed at them, and now they've beenjoined by the women in football network. the bbc has spoken to a number of female fans, who have suffered sexist and racist abuse online, simply for voicing their opinions about the sport. zahid lalani reports. hello, guys, welcome back to seballos tv. melissa seballos has supported spurs for as long as she can remember. and, during the pandemic, launched her own youtube channel to talk about football. but despite the widely positive reaction to her opinions

on youtube and twitter, she's faced sexist and racist abuse, based on her filipino heritage and for being a woman who talks about football. they were picking apart the way i look, my make up, just features on my face, things started getting racial. they were calling me a bleep, telling me i need to go back to the philippines. i was getting sexual assault threats, death threats. people saying i need to get hung in a zoo. we won. amazing, can you believe it? newcastle fan kendall rowan lost herjob last march during lockdown and is now a full—time youtube content creator. this abuse she received has since been removed, but other comments made her obsess about her weight and even led to threats of violence against her family. my daughter's mixed race, she's had racial abuse aimed towards her. -

just based thru my football opinion. someone _ just based thru my football opinion. someone went — just based thru my football opinion. someone went so _ just based thru my football opinion. someone went so far _ just based thru my football opinion. someone went so far as _ just based thru my football opinion. someone went so far as to - just based thru my football opinion. someone went so far as to find - just based thru my football opinion. someone went so far as to find outl someone went so far as to find out where _ someone went so far as to find out where my— someone went so far as to find out where my grandad _ someone went so far as to find out where my grandad lived. _ i've been called fat. it got to the point where i would go to the gym five days a week. - i even went to the doctors to the point of asking - for plastic surgery. because i was so unhappy about my appearance — i'm absolutely staggered and horrified that this is going on. a group that represents women supporters across the game so social media companies must do more to protect football fans online. social media companies need to be more accountable and i think social media users needs to be more accountable. verification of users are something we have _ verification of users are something we have to — verification of users are something we have to look at. rapid take—down. getting _ we have to look at. rapid take—down. getting better at preventing new accounts — getting better at preventing new accounts from starting. in response, twitter says- -- _

youtube says it does not tolerate harassment or trolling and that user safety is its top priority. it says it works quickly to remove content that violates its policies. and as football fans return to stadiums in the coming weeks, the pressure will remain on social media companies notjust to tackle the abuse of fans online, but of players who pay social media tax too. earlier this month, football clubs and players led the sporting world in a boycott of social media to take a stand against all forms of online abuse. despite the negativity, kendall and mel say they will carry on creating content and talking about the sport that they love. people say, "you know,

don't let the trolls win"| and i think to myself, _ "you know what, you're so right. why should i have to give up something that i love? - i also have a lot of young women and young girls that message me and talk about — i didn't even expect this kind of stuff but you're an inspiration, i love seeing girls talk about football, i wish i could do that. it really does help you keep going. if it weren't for them, i probably would have packed this up ages ago. zahid lalani, bbc news. the headlines on bbc news... warnings of a "full—scale war" by the un, amid deadly exchanges of fire between israel and gaza. the violence there has claimed at least 43 palestinian and 6 israeli lives. borisjohnson announces an independent inquiry into the government's handling of the covid crisis will start next spring. the uk economy shrank by 1.5% in the first three months of the year — but gathered speed in march as lockdown restrictions eased.

let's talk a little bit more about the pandemic. an independent panel, looking at the world's response to coronavirus, has recommended sweeping reforms, including the establishment of a global health threats council. it blames the world health organisation and some governments for not declaring an international emergency soon enough. the panel, appointed by the who, says the current system failed. (pres)doctor david nabarro is the special envoy on covid—19 at the world health organisation. hejoins me now. very good afternoon. how do you do? nice to be with _ very good afternoon. how do you do? nice to be with you. _ very good afternoon. how do you do? nice to be with you. nice _ very good afternoon. how do you do? nice to be with you. nice to _ very good afternoon. how do you do? nice to be with you. nice to see i very good afternoon. how do you do? nice to be with you. nice to see you l nice to be with you. nice to see you aaain. is nice to be with you. nice to see you again- is there _ nice to be with you. nice to see you again. is there a _ nice to be with you. nice to see you again. is there a fair _ nice to be with you. nice to see you again. is there a fair criticism i nice to be with you. nice to see you again. is there a fair criticism in i again. is there a fair criticism in this report, do you feel? filth. this report, do you feel? 0h, absolutely- — this report, do you feel? 0h, absolutely. you _ this report, do you feel? 0h, absolutely. you know, i this report, do you feel? oi absolutely. you know, we've this report, do you feel? oi, absolutely. you know, we've always said we who work in the world health organisation, ora

said we who work in the world health organisation, or a link to it, are ready to be called to account, and this is the first fully independent analysis of how the world reacted to covid—19, and it's a thoughtful, thorough worldview piece of work. it's not viewing the pandemic from the perspective of one country or another country, and i think that it's very important what it says, and so obviously, it has just come out, and it will be poured over with great care, but i think there's a of useful material this report. stand great care, but i think there's a of useful material this report. and the recommendation, _ useful material this report. and the recommendation, to _ useful material this report. and the recommendation, to set _ useful material this report. and the recommendation, to set up - useful material this report. and the recommendation, to set up a i useful material this report. and the i recommendation, to set up a separate body to monitorfor recommendation, to set up a separate body to monitor for future events, is that helpful? is that workable? well, that, ithink, is really important. the way in which these international challenges are handled is the leaders of individual countries come together within the

united nations, and they discuss and then negotiate and then agree positions, and decisions are made. and so the world health organisation is a product of work between countries, and each year they meet and they have decision—making, and they are just about to come together, it's may come and each may they have their assembly. now what i want to say is that this report should help the leaders of world nations to rethink what is needed. do they need a different kind of governing body, this head of state council, if so, let them set it up. are they prepared to put more money into the world health organisation, and to give it more powers so that it can do what people were asking it to do, to be able to go into countries without waiting to be asked? do they want to change the way which who raises the alarm, so that it can raise the alarm earlier, even when there is just a suspicion of a problem, rather than waiting

until we have definite evidence of it? all these will be looked at, but ijust it? all these will be looked at, but i just want to say, it is a it? all these will be looked at, but ijust want to say, it is a well written report, it is well crafted, and i like most of all that it is focused on the world, and indeed particularly the poor people in our world, because it's much better that we've got something that is truly global in focus to work on. stand we've got something that is truly global in focus to work on. and yet we know, global in focus to work on. and yet we know. and _ global in focus to work on. and yet we know, and you _ global in focus to work on. and yet we know, and you and _ global in focus to work on. and yet we know, and you and i _ global in focus to work on. and yet we know, and you and i even i global in focus to work on. and yet we know, and you and i even have| we know, and you and i even have talked about so many times different responses in different countries, and this is a report indeed that looks at individual governments, so it's looking at countries, and it's taking the broader view. when it says for example that some individual governments just didn't react until they saw that their hospitals were filling up, i mean, goodness, we all remember those days. what drove that, as far as you are concerned? was that lack of experience in this area, was it fear, panic, wire, why was the reaction, according to this report,

too slow? ~ , ., reaction, according to this report, too slow? ~ ., ,, ., too slow? well, thank you for raising that. _ too slow? well, thank you for raising that. do _ too slow? well, thank you for raising that. do you _ too slow? well, thank you for raising that. do you know, i too slow? well, thank you for raising that. do you know, in| too slow? well, thank you for i raising that. do you know, in the report, it refers to february 2020 is the last month. that's because during february 2020, there was plenty of evidence available to the world health organisation on how to stop this virus from moving around and causing trouble, and the world health organisation was constantly giving advice to the world, to world leaders, that if you want to stop this virus from causing trouble, you must respond rapidly and robustly the moment you have any sign of it in your country. and i think that that report now provides a basis for a questioning of a number of governments, just asking the simple question, why did you delay during 2020, february, before initiating really strong and robust action? on the question needs to be asked of

governments, just like the question needs to be asked of the world health organisation as to whether or not it was speaking out loudly and strongly enough so that governments absolutely had no option but to hear and respond, and it's summer time is difficult to get the actual tone right. —— it is sometimes difficult. there will be questions on all sides, questions about governments, questions about who, and that's exactly what it must be. after all, we are all accountable. stand exactly what it must be. after all, we are all accountable.— exactly what it must be. after all, we are all accountable. and as you know, we are all accountable. and as you know. itoris _ we are all accountable. and as you know, boris johnson _ we are all accountable. and as you know, boris johnson has _ we are all accountable. and as you | know, boris johnson has announced know, borisjohnson has announced today there will be an enquiry in this country. it is not going to start until spring next year. is that useful, helpful, is it vital? should every country be doing one? at the beginning last year, in march, april, iwas at the beginning last year, in march, april, i was asking people just to be a little bit relaxed about always criticising everybody, because as i said, wejust about always criticising everybody, because as i said, we just at the beginning there is a lot we don't know. but we are now in may, 0k?

beginning there is a lot we don't know. but we are now in may, ok? so we are 16 months into this pandemic, and we have learnt an enormous amount, and we've got vaccines, and we've got strategies for preventing, so i actually believe that people ought to be doing studies now. and i'll tell you why, because this pandemic is still roaring ferociously through countries. it's causing terrible suffering, and so, yes, i think if there are lessons to be learnt, they should be learned quickly and applied now. so, yes, good that britain is doing an enquiry. it does seem a little way distant from now, and certainly now that who have had their independent enquiry, i think we can also encourage others to do the same. so a little sooner would be preferable? well, that up to, you know, and as i keep saying, in the international community, in the world health organisation come you can't tell a country what to do, you can comment, so i'm just saying it's quite good that countries are now analysing what's going on around now, because

we still got a long way to go on this pandemic and let's learn all the lessons and not get caught in difficulty again. idr the lessons and not get caught in difficulty again.— the lessons and not get caught in difficulty again. dr david navarro, thank ou difficulty again. dr david navarro, thank you very — difficulty again. dr david navarro, thank you very much. _ difficulty again. dr david navarro, thank you very much. thank i difficulty again. dr david navarro, thank you very much. thank you, | difficulty again. dr david navarro, i thank you very much. thank you, look forward to next _ thank you very much. thank you, look forward to next time. _ thank you very much. thank you, look forward to next time. there _ thank you very much. thank you, look forward to next time. there will- thank you very much. thank you, look forward to next time. there will be i forward to next time. there will be a next time! _ just deflect you in fact that tomorrow the national health service in england, anyway, publishes its latest data on waiting lists for routine operations for routine operations and cancer treatment. (tx gfx)we know the backlog has grown while hospitals have had we know the backlog has grown while hospitals have had to focus on fighting coronavirus. tomorrow we'll be broadcasting live from a london hospital — hearing from doctors and patients there — and around the country — on how serious the backlog has become and what the solutions might be — as we ask the question, what's next for the nhs? we stay with coronavirus, of a fashion. the brit awards took place

at the o2 arena last night in front of a live audience. the show was part of a government trial to test the impact of large events on the spread of coronavirus. little mix became the first ever girl group to win best british band, and dua lipa took home two awards for best solo artist and best album. the singer used her acceptance speech to call for pay rises for nhs staff. you probably know as part of that experiment, 4000 people, lucky things, not at all envious, were allowed to go to the brits. the tickets were given out by ballot and there was an awful lot of key workers in the audience. quite right, too. let's talk to selina karim, who got her ticket in the ballot, because she is an nhs worker. hello.— ballot, because she is an nhs worker. hello.- are i ballot, because she is an nhs worker. hello.- are you | ballot, because she is an nhs. worker. hello.- are you a worker. hello. hello. are you a little tired _ worker. hello. hello. are you a little tired after _ worker. hello. hello. are you a little tired after a _ worker. hello. hello. are you a little tired after a very - worker. hello. hello. are you a little tired after a very good i worker. hello. hello. are you a l little tired after a very good night out? ., , , �* little tired after a very good night out? ., ., , �* , little tired after a very good night out? ., ._ �* , out? not really, i'm still so excited from _ out? not really, i'm still so

excited from it. _ out? not really, i'm still so excited from it. is - out? not really, i'm still so excited from it. is an i out? not really, i'm still so - excited from it. is an entertainment event, excited from it. is an entertainment event. was — excited from it. is an entertainment event. was it _ excited from it. is an entertainment event. was it a _ excited from it. is an entertainment event, was it a great _ excited from it. is an entertainment event, was it a great night? - excited from it. is an entertainment event, was it a great night? it i excited from it. is an entertainment event, was it a great night? it was i event, was it a great night? it was an hint event, was it a great night? it was an him i event, was it a great night? it was anything i wanted _ event, was it a great night? it was anything i wanted it _ event, was it a great night? it was anything i wanted it to _ event, was it a great night? it was anything i wanted it to be, - event, was it a great night? it was anything i wanted it to be, being l event, was it a great night? it was| anything i wanted it to be, being in anything i wanted it to be, being in an arena with people, it felt so good, so nice, being reunited again. it felt so good. taste good, so nice, being reunited again. it felt so good-— it felt so good. we were told there were no masks _ it felt so good. we were told there were no masks and _ it felt so good. we were told there were no masks and no _ it felt so good. we were told there were no masks and no social i were no masks and no social distancing, so how far away where you from the next bunch of people who had got tickets for example? they were right by my side, standing right next to me. we were very, very close. �* , ., �* ., right next to me. we were very, very close. �* i. �* ., ., , close. and you didn't have any concerns _ close. and you didn't have any concerns about _ close. and you didn't have any concerns about that? - close. and you didn't have any concerns about that? not i close. and you didn't have any concerns about that? not at i close. and you didn't have any i concerns about that? not at all, we were all tested _ concerns about that? not at all, we were all tested before _ concerns about that? not at all, we were all tested before and - concerns about that? not at all, we were all tested before and during i were all tested before and during the arena, and we all had know that kevin —— we all had negative tests. you had to show before you went in that you had had a negative test. what happens now? do they follow you “p what happens now? do they follow you up in the next few days as well? right, so a few days ago they sent

us two pcr tests, one that we had to take on the day the event yesterday, and one which we had to take five days laterjust and one which we had to take five days later just so and one which we had to take five days laterjust so they compare, so thatis days laterjust so they compare, so that is how they will be monitoring the whole situation. i that is how they will be monitoring the whole situation.— the whole situation. i won't lie, i'm the whole situation. i won't lie, i'm really _ the whole situation. i won't lie, i'm really envious _ the whole situation. i won't lie, i'm really envious will - the whole situation. i won't lie, i'm really envious will stop i the whole situation. i won't lie, i'm really envious will stop you | the whole situation. i won't lie, i i'm really envious will stop you got to see rag n bone man and so many other great acts. just give us a sense of, when it all started, and the show started, as you say, this would have been the first live event for months and months and months, you're in a massive arena, wow, what was the atmosphere like? it you're in a massive arena, wow, what was the atmosphere like?— was the atmosphere like? it was a wave of emotions. _ was the atmosphere like? it was a wave of emotions. if _ was the atmosphere like? it was a wave of emotions. if when - was the atmosphere like? it was a wave of emotions. if when we i was the atmosphere like? it was a j wave of emotions. if when we first walked into the arena and everyone was seated, somebody came and started to speak on the microphone, those first few seconds when he spoke into the mic, it was so scary because no one was used as hearing such loud noises after so long, so everyone was so scared, shook for a minute. but it was just such an amazing experience, the whole day

was a roller—coaster of emotions. we got to experience live music. our low parks have the most amazing stage, the most beautiful vocals, you could see everyone in the arena was so charged and that was just a wave of emotions. it was one moment that my friend and i were expecting to see, was so excited for bts to get the award, and it was just a moment. everyone i got in what was so deserved, and seeing all the artists in the light was so amazing, and also the females. so many female winners finally taking over the music industry and getting the recognition they deserved was so amazing to see. dua lipa's speech was amazing. such an amazing experience. was amazing. such an amazing experience-_ was amazing. such an amazing exerience. ~ ., ., ~ ., experience. wonderful, i love arlo parks as well- _ experience. wonderful, i love arlo parks as well. what _ experience. wonderful, i love arlo parks as well. what was _ experience. wonderful, i love arlo parks as well. what was your i parks as well. what was your pandemic, what role do you play in the nhs, what have you been doing? there were a few covid testing

centres, for my university, which consists of 18,000 students alone, and a lot of staff members, so my role was to be the operative, so i would carry out the covid tests. {lila would carry out the covid tests. 0k, well, would carry out the covid tests. 0k, well. thank — would carry out the covid tests. 0k, well. thank you _ would carry out the covid tests. 0k, well, thank you for _ would carry out the covid tests. 0k, well, thank you for doing that, thank you for volunteering and i'm so glad you had such a fantastic night. just brilliant, i bet you got so many photos of that night. fih so many photos of that night. 0h eah, a so many photos of that night. oi yeah, a lot of so many photos of that night. i yeah, a lot of photos and so many photos of that night. oi yeah, a lot of photos and videos. your phone is already full. 0n cue, selina karim, who was lucky enough to be at the brits last night. —— thank you. now the weather with ben rich. sunshine and showers will continue to be the weather theme through the rest of the week, some heavy with hail and thunder. but get yourself into some sunshine, the sun is quite strong this time of year so it will feel relatively warm. it is a story of scattered showers for most through the rest of today, some slightly more persistent rain and certainly more cloud in the far north of scotland,

and this heavy rain across parts and this heavier rain across parts of england just clipping into south—east wales as we go into the first part of the evening, and then overnight this area of wet weather will pivot its way further north, into southern and eastern parts of wales, maybe the west midlands as well. a lot of cloud over the northern half of scotland. he for southern scotland, northern ireland, northern england, some clear skies, the lowest of the temperatures, although the vast majority should avoid a frost. tomorrow, this area of cloud and showery rain across southern england and parts of wales, more cloud generally rolling into parts of northern and eastern scotland and north—east england, elsewhere another day of sunshine and showers, highs of ten to 16 degrees.

this is bbc news, i'mjane hill. the headlines... warnings of a "full—scale war" by the un, amid deadly exchanges of fire between israel and gaza. the violence there has claimed at least 43 palestinian and six israeli lives. translation: they hurt citizens, police officers, burn _ houses, cars, synagogues. it's obvious we cannot accept this, and no country would accept it, and certainly not us. translation: if they want to i escalate, the resistance is ready. if they want to stop, the resistance is ready. if they want to move out of jerusalem, the resistance is ready. borisjohnson announces an independent inquiry into the government's handling of the covid crisis will start next spring.

the uk economy shrank by 1.5% in the first three months of the year but gathered speed in march as lockdown restrictions eased. the mediterranean island of lampedusa once again sees an upsurge in migrants — over 2,000 have arrived in the last few days. this is the third straight day of arrivals. the question is whether this is just a temporary spike, or whether it is the start of a summer rush to europe's shores. and more funding is sought for a national memorial to emergency workers who gave their all in the pandemic.

as attacks continue between israeli forces and palestinian militants, israel has declared a state of emergency in the central city of lod, where there's a large israeli arab population, and where rioting has led to shops and cars being set on fire. israel has carried out a heavy bombardment of gaza, and palestinians have fired a mass barrage of rockets on tel aviv and other towns in central israel. nearly 50 people have now died. the worst violence in years in the region comes after weeks of rising tensions over a site injerusalem that is holy to both muslims and jews. the international community is urging calm. here's caroline hawley. it is an explosion of violence on a scale not seen here for years. israeli air strikes on the gaza strip this morning. israel says it is targeting

the homes and offices of leaders of the militant group hamas, but the un's middle east peace envoy says the cost of warin gaza that was devastating and being paid by ordinary people. —— war in gaza. the air strikes followed an overnight barrage of rockets from the gaza strip. they came one after the other after the other. israel says that in the past 38 hours, palestinian militants have fired more than 1,000 rocket and mortar shells. many were intercepted by israel's air defence system known as iron dome. but it couldn't cope with them all. here they are heading into tel aviv, israel's commercial capital, in a deadly tit—for—tat that is escalating despite international appeals for calm.

many israelis spent the night in bomb shelters, but a 50—year—old woman was killed when one of the rockets hit a building. two people, a father and daughter, were also killed in the mixed jewish—arab city of lod. a state of emergency has been declared here. it follows rioting by arab residents angry at police clashing with palestinians injerusalem, at one of islam's holy sites. police have been sent to lod after businesses were set on fire. translation: we must act - against all those who try to attack israeli citizens or the state of israel, they hurt citizens, police officers, then houses, cars, synagogues. it is obvious we cannot accept this and no country would accept this, and certainly not us. so this was gaza last night — people living in this 13—storey building had been warned to evacuate, but the air strikes were relentless. the heaviest offensive since the war of 2014.

and israel's defence minister has warned this is just the start. hamas, which governs gaza, says it is prepared to fight back. translation: if they want to i escalate, the resistance is ready. if they want to stop, the resistance is ready. if they want to move out ofjerusalem, the resistance is ready. this is the message we give to everyone. tensions between israelis and palestinians have been building for weeks. plans to evict dozens of arabs from eastjerusalem, which the palestinians want for their capital, has been one source of friction. but for palestinians in the west bank, the hardship and humiliation of living under military occupation is a constant and it has now boiled over here once again. in gaza and in israel, the casualties

are mounting and every funeral creates more fury. the middle east conflict with no solution in sight is a tinderbox, several matches have now been let and the fire spreading, with no sense yet of how to put it out. caroline hawley, bbc news. 0ur middle east correspondent tom bateman is on the israel gaza border from where he sent this update. for people waking up in both places this morning, it was an absolutely horrendous start to the day. there had been a lull early in the morning, then there were very fierce air strikes on the gaza strip as the day started. people have been describing the ferocity of it, the scale of it, on par with the early

stages of the conflict of 2014. speaking to one person, there was such a sense of panic it would put pressure on the hamas leaders, so there may have been an element of that as well, but certainly we are in a very steep phase of escalation, the city here came under heavy rocket bombardment throughout the last 36 hours, the house behind me took a direct hit and the owner, hit and the owner, a 89—year—old lady, was very badly wounded, her caregiver was killed in that strike. we have seen those casualties figures continue to mount. israel says it is trying to carry out what it calls a simultaneous exercise which killed several militant commanders, people they said were close to the leader of the armed wing of hamas. certainly over the last 2a hours, we have seen that group saying they will continue to respond with force.

i think we are still in a steep escalation. we are keeping an eye on the situation over the afternoon here on bbc news. away from that conflict, we are just hearing news coming through in the last few minutes about the bosnian serb political leader, we are hearing that the uk has agreed to him being transferred to a uk prison to serve the rest of his sentence for genocide. you saw him there, on the far right of your picture in the greyjacket. britain saying it has agreed that he should be transferred to a pretty present,

he was convicted of war crimes during the balkan conflict of the 90s, of course one of the few people to have been found guilty of genocide, responsible for the massacre of men, women and children at credits the foreign secretary saying we should take pride that from uk support to secure his arrest to the present sale, he now faces, britain has supported the 30—year pursuit of justice for these britain has supported the 30—year pursuit ofjustice for these heinous crimes. —— massacre in srebrenica. he will serve the rest of his sentence for genocide in a uk prison, if we get more details, we will bring those to you. the prime minister has announced that an independent public inquiry into the government's handling of the coronavirus pandemic will begin in the spring of next year. speaking in the house of commons, borisjohnson said �*the state has the obligation to examine it actions�* and to learn lessons for the future.

it comes as an independent panel appointed by the world health organization found serious failures on the part of both the who and individiual governments in their response to the pandemic. our health correspondent jim reed reports. 15 months and 152,000 deaths. this pandemic has changed notjust this country, but the whole world. when will we get a full enquiry, prime minister? will lessons be learned ? the government confirmed today there will now be a full public inquiry into its handling of the pandemic. speaking in the house of commons, the prime minister said it would place the state's actions under the microscope. amid such tragedy, the state has an obligation to examine its actions as rigorously and as candidly as possible and to learn every lesson for the future. which is why i have always said that when the time is right, there should be a full and independent inquiry.

so, mr speaker, ican confirm today that the government will establish an independent public inquiry on a statutory basis, with full powers under the inquiries act of 2005, including the ability to compel the production of all relevant materials and take oral evidence in public, under oath. similar questions are now starting to be asked, notjust in the uk, but across the world. a report was published this morning by an independent panel appointed by the world health organization. its conclusions are damning. the who waited too long to declare an international health emergency. countries in europe and america only started acting when the hospitals started to fill up. we have identified failures at every stage. and we do believe that it could have been possible to prevent this pandemic.

scientists have long warned that other viruses and diseases will emerge in the future. to prevent those turning into another major pandemic, the report suggests some key reforms, including the creation of a new disease surveillance system which can publish data without the permission of national governments. a recommendation that countries plan and invest now, as it may be too late when the next health crisis hits. so i ask the rhetorical question, do nations really want to go through all this again? that's my answer to why i hope there will be resolve now. to address the issues that need addressing. the success of the vaccine roll—out — at least, in richer countries — means there is now some cause for optimism when it comes to covid. but today, a reminder that lessons must be learned to prevent another destructive pandemic in the future.

jim reed, bbc news. our political correspondent, iain watson, told me that questions are being asked as to why it won't be until next year that the inquiry will get underway. bereaved families especially have been pushing for a full public enquiry which borisjohnson enquiry which boris johnson announced, enquiry which borisjohnson announced, he said it would be candid in its conclusions. the lib dems initially pushed for an enquiry, finally labour pushed for it, it was inevitable it would be announced at some point, but what wasn't inevitable is the timescale, spring next year for the enquiry to get under way. bereaved families, a group representing some of them, have put out a statement in the past hour and they do not think the prime minister should be waiting until next year, preparations should begin immediately. he has a couple of

reasons for doing this, first of all he has to discuss this with the devolved administrations, the lessons to be learned should be across the uk, but also he said he could notjustify taking people, advisers as well as medical staff, off the front line battling the pandemic so that they could give evidence to a public enquiry, that evidence to a public enquiry, that evidence would be under oath when it happens. he also said about the world health organization, they were expecting the pandemic to continue at least until the end of the year, and for that reason the public enquiry does not happen until next year. however, interesting when it finishes, he says he wants it done in a reasonable timescale but they can take a while, months of preparations, so if borisjohnson were to go for an early election in 2023, westminster is right with that kind of speculation, it may be the case that we do not get the conclusions to this enquiry until after the election is held.

a county courtjudgement has been registered against borisjohnson's name for an unpaid debt of £535. the court order was made in october, according to a database ofjudgements. the creditor and the nature of the debt are not included in the record, which was first reported by private eye magazine. downing street has been contacted for a comment. downing street says it is looking out into the issue. the headlines on bbc news... warnings of a "full—scale war" by the un, amid deadly exchanges of fire between israel and gaza. the violence there has claimed at least 43 palestinian and six israeli lives. borisjohnson announces an independent inquiry into the government's handling of the covid crisis will start next spring. the uk economy shrank by 1.5% in the first three months of the year but gathered speed in march as lockdown restrictions eased.

tributes have been paid to a nine—year—old boy who died after being struck by lightning during a football coaching session. the child, who has been named locally as jordan banks, was injured when a thunderstorm hit as he was on a playing field in blackpool on yesterday evening. our correspondent nick garnett gave us this update from blackpool. it isa it is a terrible tragedy. jordan banks had left school at the end of the school day and can't, as he normally did, to training on hud night at this council run and council owned football pitch. lots of other teams play here, he plays for carlton rangers, a junior grassroots team, he played in the under nines. he was at a private training session with a coach and a few friends when the storm came, it moves down very quickly and seem to

go almost as quickly. jordan was fatally injured. the north west air ambulance was called as well as the ambulance was called as well as the ambulance crews locally and if the police as well. they couldn't save him and he sadly died. today, throughout the day, people have been coming down, laying flowers, and paying tribute to their friend. some of the family members came down much earlier, to see where the tragedy had happened. as well as his best girlfriend. had happened. as well as his best airlfriend. �* , , girlfriend. best friends, in the same class. — girlfriend. best friends, in the same class, a _ girlfriend. best friends, in the same class, a very _ girlfriend. best friends, in the same class, a very happy - girlfriend. best friends, in the - same class, a very happy person, very— same class, a very happy person, very kind — same class, a very happy person, very kind and caring person. what was he like _ very kind and caring person. what was he like it _ very kind and caring person. what was he like it football? _ very kind and caring person. mat was he like it football? how important was football to him? very, he loved it- — important was football to him? very, he loved it- he _ important was football to him? very, he loved it. he played _ important was football to him? very, he loved it. he played it _ important was football to him? very, he loved it. he played it everyday at schooh — he loved it. he played it everyday at school. with me. {j�*s

he loved it. he played it everyday at school. with me.— he loved it. he played it everyday at school. with me. cj's father was also down with _ at school. with me. cj's father was also down with him _ at school. with me. cj's father was also down with him of— at school. with me. cj's father was also down with him of course, - at school. with me. cj's father was also down with him of course, and| at school. with me. cj's father was i also down with him of course, and he told me how everyone had been affected. , , , , affected. very upset when i seen him before, affected. very upset when i seen him before. just — affected. very upset when i seen him before. just gave _ affected. very upset when i seen him before, just gave him _ affected. very upset when i seen him before, just gave him a _ affected. very upset when i seen him before, just gave him a hard, - affected. very upset when i seen him before, just gave him a hard, you'rel before, just gave him a hard, you're stuck_ before, just gave him a hard, you're stuck for— before, just gave him a hard, you're stuck for wave — before, just gave him a hard, you're stuck for ways to _ before, just gave him a hard, you're stuck for ways to speak— before, just gave him a hard, you're stuck for ways to speak about - before, just gave him a hard, you'rej stuck for ways to speak about things like this, _ stuck for ways to speak about things like this, you — stuck for ways to speak about things like this, you don't _ stuck for ways to speak about things like this, you don't want _ stuck for ways to speak about things like this, you don't want to - stuck for ways to speak about things like this, you don't want to go - stuck for ways to speak about things like this, you don't want to go into l like this, you don't want to go into too much — like this, you don't want to go into too much detail— like this, you don't want to go into too much detail when _ like this, you don't want to go into too much detail when speaking - like this, you don't want to go into too much detail when speaking to| too much detail when speaking to people _ too much detail when speaking to pe0ple like — too much detail when speaking to pe0ple like that _ too much detail when speaking to people like that. but— too much detail when speaking to people like that. but our- too much detail when speaking to| people like that. but our thoughts io people like that. but our thoughts 90 out _ people like that. but our thoughts 90 out to— people like that. but our thoughts go out to jordan's _ people like that. but our thoughts go out to jordan's family, - people like that. but our thoughts go out to jordan's family, rest - people like that. but our thoughts go out to jordan's family, rest in i go out tojordan's family, rest in peace, _ go out tojordan's family, rest in peace, lillle _ go out tojordan's family, rest in peace, little man. _ go out to jordan's family, rest in peace, little man.— go out to jordan's family, rest in peace, little man. blackpool council owns these — peace, little man. blackpool council owns these pitches, _ peace, little man. blackpool council owns these pitches, it _ peace, little man. blackpool council owns these pitches, it has - peace, little man. blackpool council owns these pitches, it has been - owns these pitches, it has been having its flags at half—mast as a sign of respect. it has said that no more training and no more coaching will go on at the pictures until further notice. it is, as you say, a desperately tragic event and one that has hit this area so very hard. —— at the pitches.

republicans in the us congress have voted to reject the congresswomen liz cheney from the party's house leadership. this is a storm that has been brewing in the states, liz cheney has been critical of the former president's claims about the 2020 election, about donald trump's claims about that, we will get the latest in just a moment from our corresponded, but first we can hear a little of what liz cheney had to say yesterday. a little of what liz cheney had to say yesterday-— a little of what liz cheney had to sa esterda . ~ ., , ., ~ , say yesterday. millions of americans have been misled _ say yesterday. millions of americans have been misled by _ say yesterday. millions of americans have been misled by the _ say yesterday. millions of americans have been misled by the former - have been misled by the former president. they have heard only his words not the truth. remaining silent and ignoring the lie emboldens the lawyer. i will not participate in that. i will not sit back and watch in silence while others lead our party down a path that abandons the rule of law and joins the former president's crusade to undermine our democracy. that was

liz cheney yesterday, _ to undermine our democracy. that was liz cheney yesterday, let's _ to undermine our democracy. that was liz cheney yesterday, let's get - to undermine our democracy. that was liz cheney yesterday, let's get the - liz cheney yesterday, let's get the latest from washington. bring us right up—to—date with what has happened today. it right up-to-date with what has happened today.— right up-to-date with what has happened today. it took barely 20 minutes in the _ happened today. it took barely 20 minutes in the meeting, - happened today. it took barely 20 minutes in the meeting, the - happened today. it took barely 20 l minutes in the meeting, the closed door meeting of republicans, to complete the defenestration of liz cheney from the party leadership in the house. she gave a pretty impassioned speech, asked, if you are looking for the kind of leader who talks the truth, you are looking for me, if not then you are looking for me, if not then you are looking for someone else. she came out and said, she would do everything she could to prevent donald trump from getting anywhere near the oval office ever again. a declaration of warfrom liz cheney, her problem is that she has a general without many foot soldiers at the moment, but she is now the face of the opposition within the opposition. but is now the face of the opposition within the opposition.— is now the face of the opposition within the opposition. but that is so interesting, _ within the opposition. but that is so interesting, are _ within the opposition. but that is so interesting, are there - within the opposition. but that is so interesting, are there foot - so interesting, are there foot soldiers, as you call them, who are

supporting her privately but they just do not yet want to talk about it publicly? just do not yet want to talk about it ublicl ? .. just do not yet want to talk about it publicly?— just do not yet want to talk about it ublicl ? ., ., ., , it publicly? one or two have rightly come out publicly _ it publicly? one or two have rightly come out publicly but _ it publicly? one or two have rightly come out publicly but our- it publicly? one or two have rightly come out publicly but our hope - it publicly? one or two have rightly come out publicly but our hope is l come out publicly but our hope is that there are others who are just too frightened, and to understand that you have to understand that donald trump has a vice —like grip on the gop, the republican party at the moment. republicans in the house and senate simply will not speak out against him, and indeed believe they are required to repeat the lie about the election being stolen. donald trump has issued a statement in the last few minutes saying that liz cheney is a better, horrible human being with no personality. the kind of thing you would expect from the former president about the kind of thing that republicans will be echoing across the congress and across the country now because she is now public enemy number one inside that party, and she will hope that at some point in the coming

years, coming months, those republicans she believes, the more moderate ones, will rally behind her. worth saying she is not a liberal, she is a hard—core conservatives, this is not ideology, this is not about her views on policy, she voted for most of the things that donald trump proposed, this is about failing to pay fealty to the former leader. find this is about failing to pay fealty to the former leader.— this is about failing to pay fealty to the former leader. and that is what makes _ to the former leader. and that is what makes this _ to the former leader. and that is what makes this so _ to the former leader. and that is what makes this so interesting, l to the former leader. and that is i what makes this so interesting, and whether it reminding british viewers, she is the daughter of dick cheney and there is heritage there in political circles.— in political circles. yes, she has a lot of advantages _ in political circles. yes, she has a lot of advantages in _ in political circles. yes, she has a lot of advantages in that - in political circles. yes, she has a lot of advantages in that sense, l in political circles. yes, she has a i lot of advantages in that sense, she is from a very republican state although she will face what they call a primary next year before the midterm elections where donald trump and his supporters will run a republican against her to take that seat away from her. but she will try

and position herself as the reasonable voice, she has set up the argument in terms of what donald trump is doing is against the constitution, and of course that is a hot buttered word for republicans in particular, for everyone in this country but in particular republicans, if you say what he is doing is against the constitution that will make some people pause for thought —— hot button. a huge uphill task for her to make headway because people just were not put their head above the parapet at the moment even if they do agree with her. ellen; if they do agree with her. very interesting. — if they do agree with her. very interesting, thank _ if they do agree with her. very interesting, thank you. - let's get more on the news that the uk has agreed bosnian serb wartime leader radovan karadzic should be transferred to a british prison to serve the rest of his sentence for his role in the srebrenica genocide.

our diplomatic correspondent james landale is here. a sentence for genocide, what is happening?— a sentence for genocide, what is hauienin? , , ., happening? this case has been going on a lona happening? this case has been going on a long time- _ happening? this case has been going on a long time. radovan _ happening? this case has been going on a long time. radovan karadzic- happening? this case has been going | on a long time. radovan karadzic was on a long time. radovan karadzic was on the run for 13 years before he was eventually arrested, and eventually his case went to trial at the united nations tribunal, it was looking at all the allegations about war crimes during the war in the former yugoslavia, and after a long period of time in 2016, radovan karadzic was convicted by the court of genocide and crimes against humanity and war crimes. specifically the genocide conviction was for the murder of 7000 bosnian muslim men and boys at a place called srebrenica, it is burnt on the soul of europe because it is possibly the worst massacre of individuals and civilians since the second world war. he was convicted,

as i say, sentenced to a0 years in jail, but a couple of years ago that sentence was increased to life, and then there is a discussion between un members, where should he go? he cannot be held forever at the detention facilities in the hague. so britain has stepped forward and said that they will take radovan karadzic for the rest of his life, that he will serve his life term in a britishjail. d0 that he will serve his life term in a british jail.— that he will serve his life term in a british 'ail. ~ ., ., a british jail. do we know when that ha--ens? a british jail. do we know when that happens? do _ a british jail. do we know when that happens? do we — a british jail. do we know when that happens? do we know— a british jail. do we know when that happens? do we know where, - a british jail. do we know when that l happens? do we know where, when? a british jail. do we know when that - happens? do we know where, when? not happens? do we know where, when? tint precisely, the documentation which i've just started going through talks about it as expeditiously as possible, but it will happen relatively soon, we have not been told where he is going, but that has been kept confidential at the moment, but essentially this is a pretty sick decision to say this is the responsibility they will take one on behalf of the rest of the un. the uk economy shrank by 1.5% in the first three

months of this year — following the lengthy lockdown overwinter. the office for national statistics says the closure of schools and large fall in retail sales earlier in the year dragged down economic growth. the economy is now nearly 9% smaller than it was before the pandemic. our economics correspondent andy verity reports. rishi sunak visits one of the hardest hit sectors under the post—christmas lockdown, a brewery. a drop in economic activity of 1.5% over three months would be a very worrying performance in normal times, but this is a pandemic and activity picked up in march, giving some cause for hope that we are now emerging from a second economic contraction. i think actually today's figures show our economy is clearly getting back on track and crucially that our plan forjobs is working. now, of course, many businesses and families are still facing tough times and that is why our support is continuing. his hosts also want to be upbeat about the future. but they are also conscious about the lasting economic damage the lockdowns have done. we are optimistic,

but if the recovery is not strong, people that have had to borrow to see themselves through might find it is getting tough again. it is worth mentioning, we have lost 10% of our customers who closed their doors for good. this chart shows you the roller—coaster ride the economy has been on since the pandemic. a huge drop — the biggest in 300 years. then a rapid bounceback, and in the first quarter of the year, we were in the second dip. at the end of that, we were still 9% below where the economy was before the pandemic, back where we were in 2014. even before the latest lockdown, official estimates were that firms would have £180 billion less money coming in than they needed to pay their bills. that has forced many to borrow their way through the pandemic. there are lots of businesses who are massively weighed down by debts, by the debts they have built up during the pandemic, and i wish the government was doing more to help alleviate those debts,

as we've called for repeatedly. also, i think government needs to do more to create the jobs of the future. with construction surging in march, driven by new work and overdue repairs, a recovery is now under way. but small and medium—sized firms have predicted to owe more than llo times what they normally would to banks. even with a surge in growth of more than 7% predicted for this year, the sustainability of the recovery will depend crucially on how those debts dealt with. now it's time for a look at the weather with ben rich. sunshine and showers will continue to be the weather theme through the rest of the week, some heavy with hail and thunder. get yourself into some sunshine, the sun is quite strong this time of year so it will feel relatively warm. it is a story of scattered showers for most through the rest of today, slightly more persistent rain and certainly more cloud in the far north of scotland, and this heavy rain across parts of england just clipping into south—east

wales as we go into the first part of the evening, and then overnight this area of wet weather will pivot its way further north, southern and eastern parts of wales, maybe the west midlands as well. a lot of cloud over the northern half of scotland. for southern scotland, northern ireland, northern england, some clear skies, the lowest of the temperatures, although the vast majority should avoid a frost. tomorrow, this area of cloud and showery rain across southern england and parts of wales, more cloud generally rolling into parts of east scotland and north—east england, elsewhere another day of sunshine and showers, highs of ten to 16 degrees.

hello. this is bbc news, with jane hill. the headlines — warnings of a "full—scale war" by the un, amid deadly exchanges of fire between israel and gaza. the violence there has claimed at least 43 palestinian and six israeli lives.

borisjohnson announces an independent inquiry into the government's handling of the covid crisis will start next spring. the uk economy shrank by 1.5% in the first three months of the year — but gathered speed in march as lockdown restrictions eased. the mediterranean island of lampedusa once again sees an upsurge in migrants — over 2,000 have arrived in the last few days. and more funding is sought for a national memorial to emergency workers, who gave their all in the pandemic. sport, and for a full round—up from the bbc sport centre, here'sjohn. good afternoon. still no official announcement as yet.

but we understand porto remains the most likely to host this season's all english champions league final between chelsea and manchester city later this month. uefa hope to announce the estadio da drago as the venue. this after culture secretary oliver dowden had said the government �*cleared the way�* for wembley to host the final. but with no guarantees quarantine restrictions would be lifted for the 1,000 staff and sponsors travelling for the game, england's national stadium is likely to be overlooked in favour of portugal, as the match is moved from istanbul. that comes as european football's governing body begins disciplinary proceedings againts real madrid, barcelona and juventus for their involvment in the european super league proposals. the three clubs were the key drivers in the project and have committed to pursuing other arrangemnets to get the league off the ground. to pursuing other arrangements to get the league off the ground. uefa said investigators have been appointed to conduct an investigation into a violation of their legal framework. the other nine clubs, including the six english sides, withdrew following widespread condemnation. pep guardiola says this season's premier league title is the hardest of the three he's won in his five

years as manchester city manager. he's done it without a front line striker, seen his squad disrupted because of covid and negotiated early season upsets, as many wrote them off. the team they toppled, liverpool, and their manager, jurgen klopp, have offered their congratulations. it's always a joy to play against them, because it'sjust a massive challenge, from a football point of view. you can beat them, but you have to be at your absolute top to do so, and we could do that from time to time, but this year, obviously not. and so, well deserved congratulations. liverpool's virgil van dijk has ruled himself out of this summer's european championship the netherlands defender says he hasn't suffered a setback in his recovery from knee ligament damage suffered in october's merseyside derby, but that pre—season with liverpool is a more realistic goal.

yea r�*s french open, andy murray could be handed a wildcard to this yea r�*s french open, after tournament director guy forget said he deserved one. murray, will play doubles at the italian open in rome this afternoon and could make his singles comeback next week in geneva or lyon as he continues his recovery from his latest setback, a groin injury picked up in march. murray accepted a wildcard to the french open last year, but has entered qualifying for this year's tournament. spectators will be welcomed back to this year's tournament which has been pushed back a week to the 24th may. 5,000 fans will be allowed onto centre court for the final five days. before that spectators will be limited to no more than a thousand on any court. cameron norrie, the british number two, is out of the italian open. he lost to spain's alejandro davidovich fokina. he would've faced the top seed novak djokovic in the third round. norrie was a little late arriving on court, and took time to settle, before slipping to a 6—2, 6—3 defeat.

mike brown's harlequins career will come to a premature end. after 17 years with the club, he'll miss their remaining four matches after being banned for six weeks for stamping. the former england full back, leaves for newcastle at the end of the season, after failing to agree a new contract with the london club. he'll also miss the premeirship final should quins qualify, they're currently fourth. and regular season nfl games will return to london this year with two to be staged at tottenham's north london stadium. its the first time the nfl has played a match in the uk since 2019. the atalanta falcons will host the new yorkjets on october 10th. the jacksonville jaguars and the miami dolphins are in town to face each other at the same venue seven days later. the pandemic forced all of last year's games to be played in the united states. that is all. keep up—to—date with

the masters on the website. an independent panel looking at the world's response to coronavirus has recommended sweeping reforms, including the establishment of a global health threats council. it blames the world health organisation and some governments for not declaring an international emergency soon enough. the panel, appointed by the who, says the current system failed. doctor david nabarro is the special envoy on covid—19 at the world health organisation. he told me there were lessons to be learned. we've always said that we who work in the world health organisation, or are linked to it, are ready to be called to account, and this is the first fully independent analysis of how the world reacted to covid—19, and it's a thoughtful, thorough,

worldview piece of work. it's not viewing the pandemic from the perspective of one country or another country, and i think it is very important what it says, and so obviously it's just come out, and it will be poured over with great care, but i think lot of useful material in this report. but i think lot of useful material in this report-— in this report. and the recommendation - in this report. and the recommendation to i in this report. and the | recommendation to set in this report. and the - recommendation to set up a in this report. and the _ recommendation to set up a separate body to monitorfor recommendation to set up a separate body to monitor for future events, is that helpful? is that workable? well, that i think is really important. you see, the way in which these international challenges are handled is the leaders of individual countries come together within the united nations, and they discuss and then negotiate and then aggrieved positions, and decisions are made, and so the world health organisation is a product of work between countries, and each year they meet

and they have decision—making, and they are just about to come together. it's may, and each may they have their assembly. know what i want to say is that this report should help the leaders of world nations to rethink what is needed. do they need a different kind of governing body, this head of state council? if so, let them set it up. are they prepared to put more money into the world health organisation, and to give it more power so that it can do what people were asking it to do, to be able to go into countries without waiting to be asked? do they want to change the way in which who raises the alarm, so that it can raises the alarm, so that it can raise the alarm earlier, even when there is just a suspicion of a problem, ratherthan there is just a suspicion of a problem, rather than waiting until we've got definite evidence of it? all these will be looked at, but i just want to say, it's a well written report, its well crafted, and i like most of all that it's

focused on the world, and indeed particularly the poor people in our world, because it's much better that we've got something that is truly global in focus to work on. stand we've got something that is truly global in focus to work on. and yet we know, global in focus to work on. and yet we know. and _ global in focus to work on. and yet we know, and you _ global in focus to work on. and yet we know, and you and _ global in focus to work on. and yet we know, and you and i _ global in focus to work on. and yet we know, and you and i even - global in focus to work on. and yet we know, and you and i even have| we know, and you and i even have talked about so many times, different responses in different countries, and this is a report indeed that looks at individual governments. so it's looking at countries, and it's taking the broader view. when it says, for example, that some individual governmentsjust didn't example, that some individual governments just didn't react until they saw that their hospitals were filling up, i mean, goodness, we all remember those days. what drove that, as far as you are concerned? was that lack of experience in this area, was it fear, panic? why, why was the reaction, according to this report, to slow? was the reaction, according to this report. to slow?— was the reaction, according to this report, to slow? well, thank you for raising that- — report, to slow? well, thank you for raising that. do _ report, to slow? well, thank you for raising that. do you _ report, to slow? well, thank you for raising that. do you know, _ report, to slow? well, thank you for raising that. do you know, in - report, to slow? well, thank you for raising that. do you know, in the - raising that. do you know, in the report, it refers to february 2020 is the last month. that's because during february 2020, there was plenty of evidence available to the

world health organisation on how to stop this virus from moving around and causing trouble, and the world health organisation was constantly giving advice to the world, to world leaders, but if you want to stop this virus from causing trouble, you must respond rapidly and robustly the moment you have any sign of it in your country. and i think that that report now provides a basis for questioning of a number of governments, just asking the simple question, why did you delay during 2020, february, before initiating really strong and robust action? on the question needs to be asked of governments, just like the question needs to be asked of the world health organisation as to whether or not it was speaking out loudly and strongly enough, so that governments absolutely had no option but to hear and respond. and it's sometimes

difficult to get the actual tone rights. so i think there will be questions on all sides, questions about governments, questions about who, and that's exactly what it must after be. all, we are all accountable.— after be. all, we are all accountable. �* ~ .. after be. all, we are all accountable. ~ ., , accountable. and as you know, boris johnson has — accountable. and as you know, boris johnson has announced _ accountable. and as you know, boris johnson has announced today - accountable. and as you know, boris johnson has announced today there i johnson has announced today there will be an enquiry in this country. it's not going to start until spring next year. is that useful, helpful, is it vital, should every country be doing one? bi is it vital, should every country be doing one?— doing one? at the beginning last ear, in doing one? at the beginning last year. in march. _ doing one? at the beginning last year, in march, april, _ doing one? at the beginning last year, in march, april, i- doing one? at the beginning last year, in march, april, iwas- doing one? at the beginning last. year, in march, april, i was asking peoplejust to be year, in march, april, i was asking people just to be a little bit relaxed about always criticising everybody, because they said we are just at the beginning and there a lot we don't know. but we are now in may, 0k? lot we don't know. but we are now in may, ok? so we are 16 months into this pandemic, and we have learnt an enormous amount, and we've got vaccines, and we've got strategies for preventing. so i actually believe that people ought to be

doing studies now. and i'll tell you why, because this pandemic is still roaring ferociously through countries, it's causing terrible suffering, and so, yes, ithink countries, it's causing terrible suffering, and so, yes, i think if there are lessons to be learnt, they should be learnt quickly and applied now. so yes, good that britain is doing an enquiry. it does seem a little way distant from now, and certainly now that who have had their independent enquiry, i think we can also encourage others to do the same. 50 we can also encourage others to do the same. ., .. the same. so a little sooner would be preferable? _ the same. so a little sooner would be preferable? well, _ the same. so a little sooner would be preferable? well, that's - the same. so a little sooner would be preferable? well, that's up - the same. so a little sooner would be preferable? well, that's up to, | be preferable? well, that's up to, ou be preferable? well, that's up to, you know. — be preferable? well, that's up to, you know. as _ be preferable? well, that's up to, you know. as l _ be preferable? well, that's up to, you know, as i keep _ be preferable? well, that's up to, you know, as i keep saying - be preferable? well, that's up to, you know, as i keep saying in - be preferable? well, that's up to, you know, as i keep saying in the| you know, as i keep saying in the international community, like in the world health organisation come you can't tell a country what to do, you can't tell a country what to do, you can comment. so i'm just saying it's quite good that countries are now analysing what's going on around now, because we've still got a long way to go on this pandemic and let's learn all the lessons and not get caught in difficulty again. dr david navarro. india has has suffered another

record rise in coronavirus deaths over the last 2a hours. more than 4,200 people died — taking the total number past the 250,000 mark — while there were nearly 350,000 new cases. the world health organisation says the covid variant found in india is now of global concern — because of the speed with which it spreads. the bbc�*s vikas pandey, along with cameraman anshul verma, sent us this special report on how the pandemic is affecting the capital delhi. this is delhi, usually a bustling and vibrant city, which has been my home for more than a decade. but i can hardly recognise it now. just look at the lines of ambulances. these scenes are so common outside any hospital. it has the look of a city under siege. anyone you speak to has lost a family member or a friend to covid, or know somebody

who has, and it's notjust delhi. several indian towns, cities and villages are witnessing similar scenes. it seems the city's very existence is now limited to four places, hospitals, medicine stores, oxygen refilling stations and crematoriums. we are going to go to four such places in the city today but our very first stop is g tg hospital in delhi. families are bringing in patients and it shows the wave is not slowing down in delhi. some of them are able to get a bed but the most sick ones, they have to be taken from one hospital to another, because the city ran out of acu beds at least two weeks ago. -- icu of acu beds at least two weeks ago. —— icu beds. the visuals we are seeing is from a hospital in corey graham. it ran out of oxygen and the hospital staff abandon the patient. at least six patients died, devastating the families. sometimes, you are able to help people, but often you are not. so

many people have stories of sheer helplessness, of not being able to find a bed for a sick person, and then later learning about his or her death. i too have a similar story, and i couldn't find a ventilator bed for a loved one, and he died. our second stop is an oxygen refilling station, where families can't find a hospital bed, they look to procure an oxygen cylinder to help their patients keep breathing, but even getting one cylinder is a difficult task. so many people who have been standing for five or six hours to get a cylinder, but there is no guarantee that they will get one. so we are now outside one of the busiest medicine markets in delhi. medicines are not available here.

ourfinal stop is this medicines are not available here. our final stop is this crematorium in delhi. this one and so many others saw long queues in the past two or three weeks. i remember a friend sending me a text and asking if i had a contact in a crematorium, because he could not get his aunt cremated, had died of covid. it was the most heartbreaking text i had ever received. another friend told me that his father was cremated, along with 20 other bodies, and he just did not know which pile to look at to say his final goodbye. as he put it, there was no dignity, even after death. for my friend and many like him, it will take a long time before they can call delhi their home again, and the scars this wave has left may never heal. vikas pandey with that report. the headlines on bbc news... warnings of a "full—scale war" by the un, amid deadly exchanges of fire between israel and gaza. the violence there has claimed at least 43 palestinian and six israeli lives.

borisjohnson announces an independent inquiry into the government's handling of the covid crisis will start next spring. the uk economy shrank by 1.5% in the first three months of the year — but gathered speed in march as lockdown restrictions eased. in the last few days, more than 2,000 migrants have arrived on the mediterranean island of lampedusa off the coast of italy — seen as the gateway to europe. it's six years since the first migrants made the crossing — and there are fears that over the hot summer months, when the waters are calmer, more people could arrive in search of a better life. mark lowen reports. shadows seeking the light of europe. after days at sea, each step on land is controlled.

they risked a perilous crossing from libya, buffeted by high winds. and even though they are detained here in italy and taken to guarded camps, they are safe and alive. by day, too, they arrive. more migrants picked up at sea, aiming for the island of lampedusa. over 2,000 landing here since the weekend. this gateway to europe is under renewed pressure, battling the pandemic, while carrying the hopes of the desperate. six years since the height of europe's migrant crisis, they are still coming. in lesser numbers now, but this is the third straight day of arrivals. the question is whether this is just a temporary spike or whether it is the start of the summer rush to europe's shores. for the eu's frontier countries like italy, migration remains an intensely political issue and for some

here, the hospitable welcome has worn thin. translation: it's time to say enough, after 30 years. - i wanted the camp to be closed immediately and a naval blockade so they can't access the island. they should be helped in their own countries, not come here where the authorities spend millions on them, but let us die. through europe's outer door, into a waiting room. but with the camp full, dozens are left outside. many here will have asylum claims rejected. but it's unclear how many of those will actually be sent back. you speak some english, yes? some. 0k. we can't speak to people? no, no. 0k, we're being told we can't speak to the migrants. but from inside the camp, the stories came to us. i want to work. i want to feed my family, they are dying. _ i lost about four sisters because of hunger. -

the robbers come to your house, my own house in libya, and rob me. even now, i can't use this hand. what about people who would say to you that you have come in an illegal way? no problem, let them say i came in an illegal way, because they don't know what happened. so let them say that. but if they ask me, they hear my story, they would understand my pain. it's hand to mouth here, but for some, this is better than what they left behind. and as long as dreams of europe remain, many more will follow in their tracks. mark lowen, bbc news, lampedusa. let's turn our attentions to events last night, which combined entertainment and covid practicalities.

little mix have made history by becoming the first girl band ever to win best british group at the brit awards. female acts picked up the biggest prizes at the ceremony, with dua lipa winning best album, and taylor swift named global icon. the show was held without social distancing or facemasks, as part of a government trial. around 4,000 guests attended, most of whom were key workers. our entertainment correspondent colin paterson reports. a dual win for dua lipa. she performed with 50 dancers, gave a nod to geri halliwell with her dress and won both best female and album of the year for future nostalgia. released last march during the very first week of lockdown, her modern take on disco became the soundtrack to many people's year at home. cheering onstage, she called for an nhs pay rise.

what we should do is we should all give a massive, massive round of applause, and give boris a message that we all support a fair pay rise for our front line. cheering thank you so much. little mix! it was a night dominated by women, winning four of the five mixed categories. after ten years together, little mix became the first all—female line—up in brits history to be named best group. it's not easy being a female in the uk pop industry. - we have seen the white male dominance, misogyny, - sexism and lack of diversity. harry styles won best single come and appear to have a new accent. thank you so much. i'm really happy to be here and proud to be celebrating british music tonight. while a live highlight was elton john's duet with olly alexander from

the channel 4 aids drama, it's a sin. the brits are part of the government pilot scheme to help live music return. to gain entry, everyone had to provide a negative covid test. both the audience. negative. clear. negative! ..and the stars. stick the swab right down the back of your neck and you're, "0h! " a little bit. more than 4,000 mask—free fans were inside, with half the tickets going to covid front—line staff. these gorgeous faces belong to none other than key workers! cheering. and, afterwards, it was clear they'd had a great time. once the music started, it was just so much fun and we just danced so much and it did really feel like we were back in 2019. it was very surreal. there people that were very close to us in an entirely almost normal way. and it was great. colin paterson, bbc news,

london's o2 arena. what a fantastic night. plans for a memorial to celebrate the dedication of emergency workers during the pandemic still need substantial funds if they are to go ahead. the series of five statues would be on display in central london — those leading the project are asking the government to help with the cost. daniela relph reports. every detail carefully sculpted. only the eyes visible on the masked face. feet covered in protective footwear. tied into ppe that will soon be discarded. the gloves being wearily peeled off. eight feet high, carved in clay ahead of its final finish, this is how a medic will be represented on the planned cenotaph for emergency workers. she has had a 12 hour stint on the ward. she is fatigued, she is tired. she is taking off her gloves for the last time during the day

and all that she has seen during the day is seen in her eyes. but also, psychologically, she's got the knowledge that she's got to do the same thing again tomorrow. and the day after and the day after. and there's no obvious let up to this dreadful treadmill that she is on. applause. discharged from hospital, overwhelmed after surviving covid. nanchirira has been a nurse since 1970. as she left the royal free hospital in london, she thanked colleagues for saving her life. i am truly, truly grateful, from the bottom of my heart. thank you. applause. we took nancy to see the sculpture. would it be a fitting tribute to those like her who have given so much? it is amazing. amazing.

i don't know whether i can even look up. amazing person with the eyes that are looking at me. it's representing everyone that has worked and cared for someone else. it's etched in that face and in those eyes. deep, piercing eyes. looking at the human being, helpless on the ward. and wondering whether we are going to pull through. that's what it's saying to me. a sense of what the final monument will look like. the plan is to call it a 999 cenotaph. as well as the medics, there is also a firefighter, a police officer, a coastguard and a search and rescue worker with their dog. but it won't happen without the cash. the project is way off the £3 million it needs and those leading it now want the government to step up.

this would be there for 500 - plus years, and as such i would very much encourage the prime minister land the government to contribute i to funding of this important historical monument. - nancy may be one of the first to see it, but when it's complete, at a location in central london, it's hoped the statues will become a place for everyone to visit. to remember the work and bravery of all emergency workers. daniela relph, bbc news, west sussex. now it's time for a look at the weather with ben rich. hello. it is another of those very mixed and changeable weather days. warm sunshine one minute, the next a heavy downpour comes along, and the sort of weather is going to take us through the rest of the week. it is all because of low pressure. this has been with us for the last couple of days. underneath this area of low pressure, the air is very unstable. that's allowing the shower clouds to bubble up, so for most of us it is

sunshine and showers through the rest of the day, some heavy, with hail and thunder. some slightly more persistent rain across the far north of scotland and also this area of more persistent rain pushing across the south—west of england, perhaps creeping into south—west wales by the end of the day cup those are the temperatures in the first part of the evening. through this evening and tonight, this area of rain will continue to pivot around across the west country, parts of south—east wales, may be the west midlands as well. further north, some extra cloud across northern scotland. in between, northern ireland, southern scotland, northern england, where we see some clear skies, the temperatures drop low enough for a touch of ground frost but the vast majority will avoid that into tomorrow morning. for tomorrow, a lot of cloud and showery rain across parts of southern england, wales, may be getting up into the midlands. also getting into eastern scotland and north—east parts of england. elsewhere, sunny spells and have a heavy perhaps thundery showers. 13 to 16 degrees for most but a little cooler than that across the north—east of scotland. as we in the

week we end up in a bit of a no man's land between weather systems, but we will attempt to bring something of a northerly wind in across northern and north—easterly parts of the uk. so that will bring a markedly cooler feel here, and a lot of cloud into parts of scotland, northern and eastern parts of england, the further west you are, wales, the south—west, some sunshine but again a scattering of showers breaking out in those areas. temperatures struggling for some of these northern and eastern parts, highest values further west at 15 or 16. into the weekend, a band of rain will push its way through during friday night into saturday and then low pressure re—establishes itself, and that returns us to that familiar mix of sunny spells and showers. the showers could crop up just about anywhere. some of them will be heavy with the mail and some thunder but there will always be some sunshine in between, and in the sunshine it will feel fairly warm.

this is bbc news, i'mjane hill. the headlines... warnings of a "full—scale war" by the un, amid deadly exchanges of fire between israel and gaza. more than 50 people have been killed in the past few days of violence. translation: they hurt citizens, police officers, burn _ houses, cars, synagogues. it's obvious we cannot accept this, and no country would accept it, and certainly not us. translation: if they want to i escalate, the resistance is ready. if they want to stop, the resistance is ready. if they want to move out of jerusalem, the resistance is ready. borisjohnson announces an independent inquiry into the government's handling of the covid crisis will start next spring. the uk economy shrank by 1.5% in the first three

months of the year but gathered speed in march as lockdown restrictions eased. the mediterranean island of lampedusa once again sees an upsurge in migrants — over 2,000 have arrived in the last few days. this is the third straight day of arrivals. the question is whether this is just a temporary spike, or whether it is the start of a summer rush to europe's shores. and more funding is sought for a national memorial to emergency workers who gave their all in the pandemic. the deadly exchange of fire

between palestinian militants in the gaza strip and the israeli military has escalated significantly, with the un fearing a "full—scale war". israel has killed several top hamas military commanders, and hamas launched a new barrage of rockets towards israel in response. earlier, an anti—tank missile was fired from gaza, killing an israeli soldier. the health ministry in gaza says 53 people have been killed. the worst violence in years in the region comes after weeks of rising tensions over a site injerusalem that is holy to both muslims and dues. the international community is urging calm. here's caroline hawley. it is an explosion of violence on a scale not seen here for years. israeli air strikes on the gaza strip this morning. israel says it is targeting the homes and offices

of leaders of the militant group hamas, but the un's middle east peace envoy says the cost of war in gaza that was devastating and being paid by ordinary people. the air strikes followed an overnight barrage of rockets from the gaza strip. they came one after the other after the other. israel says that in the past 38 hours, palestinian militants have fired more than 1,000 rocket and mortar shells. many were intercepted by israel's air defence system known as iron dome. but it couldn't cope with them all. here they are heading into tel aviv, israel's commercial capital, in a deadly tit—for—tat that is escalating despite international appeals for calm. many israelis spent the night in bomb shelters, but a 50—year—old woman was killed

when one of the rockets hit a building. two people, a father and daughter, were also killed in the mixed jewish—arab city of lod. a state of emergency has been declared here. it follows rioting by arab residents angry at police clashing with palestinians injerusalem, at one of islam's holy sites. police have been sent to lod after businesses were set on fire. translation: we must act - against all those who try to attack israeli citizens or the state of israel, they hurt citizens, police officers, then houses, cars, synagogues. it is obvious we cannot accept this and no country would accept this, and certainly not us. so this was gaza last night — people living in this 13—storey building had been warned to evacuate, but the air strikes were relentless. the heaviest offensive since the war of 2014.

and israel's defence minister has warned this is just the start. hamas, which governs gaza, says it is prepared to fight back. translation: if they want to i escalate, the resistance is ready. if they want to stop, the resistance is ready. if they want to move out ofjerusalem, the resistance is ready. this is the message we give to everyone. tensions between israelis and palestinians have been building for weeks. plans to evict dozens of arabs from eastjerusalem, which the palestinians want for their capital, has been one source of friction. but for palestinians in the west bank, the hardship and humiliation of living under military occupation is a constant and it has now boiled over here once again. in gaza and in israel, the casualties are mounting and every

funeral creates more fury. the middle east conflict with no solution in sight is a tinderbox, several matches have now been let and the fire spreading, with no sense yet of how to put it out. —— been lit. caroline hawley, bbc news. our middle east correspondent tom bateman is on the israel gaza border from where he sent this update. for people waking up in both places this morning, it was an absolutely horrendous start to the day. there had been a lull early in the morning, then there were very fierce israeli air strikes on the gaza strip as the day started. people have been describing the ferocity of it, the scale of it as on par with the early stages of the conflict of 2014.

speaking to one person, there was such a sense of panic that it would put pressure on the hamas leaders, so there may have been an element of that as well, but certainly we are in a very steep phase of escalation. the city here came under heavy rocket bombardment throughout the last 36 hours. the house behind me took a direct hit, and the owner, a 89—year—old lady, was very badly wounded — her caregiver, an indian national, was killed in that strike. we have seen those casualties figures continue to mount. israel says it is trying to carry out what it calls a simultaneous exercise, which killed several militant commanders, people they said were close to the leader of the armed wing of hamas. certainly over the last 24 hours, we have seen that group saying they will continue to respond with force.

i think we are still in a steep escalation. we are very much keeping and i the story. —— keeping an eye on. the uk has agreed bosnian serb wartime leader radovan karadzic if you have good eyesight, you can see this on the governor website, to take you through some key figures released around this time, the latest number of people who have died within 28 days of a positive covid—19 test stands now at 11, down from 20 the day before. 11 deaths any 24—hour period. in terms of actual cases, the uk reported 2284 new cases,

again down on the previous 24—hour figure. also a few details about vaccinations, because the programme continues and we are hearing that more than 35.7 million people have now had at least one dose of a covid—19 vaccine. so those are the latest figures. the uk has agreed bosnian serb wartime leader radovan karadzic should be transferred to a british prison to serve the rest of his sentence for his role in the srebrenica genocide. he is serving a life sentence for his involvement in the srebrenica massacre in 1995. a little earlier i spoke to our diplomatic correspondent james landale — he explained the background to this story. radovan karadzic was on the run for 13 years before he was eventually arrested, and eventually his case went to trial at the united nations tribunal. it was looking at all the allegations about war crimes during the war in the former

yugoslavia, and after a long period of time, in 2016, radovan karadzic was convicted by the court of genocide and crimes against humanity and war crimes. specifically the genocide conviction was for the murder of 7000 bosnian muslim men and boys at a place called srebrenica — it is burnt on the soul of europe because it is possibly the worst massacre of individuals and civilians since the second world war. he was convicted, as i say, sentenced to 40 years in jail, but a couple of years ago that sentence was increased to life, and then there was a discussion between un members — where should he go? he cannot be held forever at the detention facilities in the hague. so britain has stepped forward and said that they will take radovan karadzic for the rest of his life, that he will serve his life term in a britishjail. do we know when that happens?

do we know where, when? not precisely — the documentation, which i've just started going through, talks about it being as expeditiously as possible, but it will happen relatively soon. we have not been told where he is going, that has been kept confidential at the moment, but essentially this is a british decision to say this is the responsibility they will take on, on behalf of the rest of the un. lets talk more about a park developments surrounding coronavirus. —— about today are's developments. the prime minister has announced that an independent public inquiry into the government's handling of the coronavirus pandemic will begin in the spring of next year. speaking in the house of commons, borisjohnson said �*the state has the obligation to examine it

actions�* and to learn lessons for the future. it comes as an independent panel appointed by the world health organization found serious failures on the part of both the who and individiual governments in their response to the pandemic. our health correspondent jim reed reports. after which i will be talking to the leader of the liberal democrats. 15 months and 152,000 deaths. this pandemic has changed notjust this country, but the whole world. when will we get a full enquiry, prime minister? will lessons be learned ? the government confirmed today there will now be a full public inquiry into its handling of the pandemic. speaking in the house of commons, the prime minister said it would place the state�*s actions under the microscope. amid such tragedy, the state has an obligation to examine its actions as rigorously and as candidly as possible and to learn every lesson for the future.

which is why i have always said that when the time is right, there should be a full and independent inquiry. so, mr speaker, ican confirm today that the government will establish an independent public inquiry on a statutory basis, with full powers under the inquiries act of 2005, including the ability to compel the production of all relevant materials and take oral evidence in public, under oath. similar questions are now starting to be asked, notjust in the uk, but across the world. a report was published this morning by an independent panel appointed by the world health organization. its conclusions are damning. the who waited too long to declare an international health emergency. countries in europe and america only started acting when the hospitals started to fill up. we have identified

failures at every stage. and we do believe that it could have been possible to prevent this pandemic. scientists have long warned that other viruses and diseases will emerge in the future. to prevent those turning into another major pandemic, the report suggests some key reforms, including the creation of a new disease surveillance system which can publish data without the permission of national governments. a recommendation that countries plan and invest now, as it may be too late when the next health crisis hits. so i ask the rhetorical question, do nations really want to go through all this again? that�*s my answer to why i hope there will be resolve now. to address the issues that need addressing. the success of the vaccine roll—out — at least, in richer

countries — means there is now some cause for optimism when it comes to covid. but today, a reminder that lessons must be learned to prevent another destructive pandemic in the future. jim reed, bbc news. let�*s talk to the leader of the liberal democrats, sir ed davey. good afternoon. are you pleased with that they will be an enquiry in this country? at}?! that they will be an enquiry in this count ? . .. , that they will be an enquiry in this count ? .., , .., , country? of course, i welcome this enaui country? of course, i welcome this enquiry but — country? of course, i welcome this enquiry but i _ country? of course, i welcome this enquiry but i am — country? of course, i welcome this enquiry but i am alarmed - country? of course, i welcome this enquiry but i am alarmed at - country? of course, i welcome this enquiry but i am alarmed at the . enquiry but i am alarmed at the delays liberal democrats first asked for an enquiry 13 months ago, the prime minster promised in the house of commons 11 months ago and enquiry, and his announcement today will not see it start for nearly another year. there is no its use for these delays, i have worked with the bereaved families and their representatives, they have been calling for this review, like the

liberal democrats have, for some time, and they wanted to be —— they want to be fully involved, the finalising of the remakes, but they want this review to start much earlier, so we welcome it wider delay? —— finalising of the remit. the reason he gave us that these enquiries require a great deal of government time with officials working on the covid—19 response. that doesn�*t wash, we have heard from other countries, you just heard about the who, that there had been enquiry set up that have come to conclusions. we have also heard today from a downing street source that there has already been an internal lessons learned review but they are refusing to publish it. i put —— i will be putting on a freedom of information request for that, it does seem the government are running away early from reports, early accountability, and from the

standpoint of the brive families, thatis standpoint of the brive families, that is really not good enough. —— bereaved families. we could face another pandemic, we cannot be sure of that, and we know that our country was not well—prepared, we know that the public need to know that the failures in the past will be put right. let�*s remember there was a report in 2016, the so—called exercise sickness simulation of a fictitious influenza pandemic, that ward that the uk was not well—prepared about borisjohnson and the conservatives failed attacks on the advice. we need to know what the internal lessons learned review already says and what actions are being taken to make sure we are properly prepared this time. you mentioned _ properly prepared this time. you mentioned that _ properly prepared this time. you mentioned that you have spoken to some of the bereaved families who have been campaigning around this issue. do you know or do they know whether they will have involvement, what sort of involvement, could they have any say in terms of the terms

of reference? what level of engagement are you picking up on? i know what the bereaved families had their lawyers want to because i have spoken to them, they want involvement in the remit to make sure it is wide enough to ask the questions, because they want answers, what happened in our care homes? why britain was so poorly prepared despite that sickness in 2016, while the lockdown is laid? so many questions about why the government failed tax more quickly, why britain has seen far more deaths as a result of the pedantic than many other similar countries. they want those answers and to ensure the remit covers those. —— result of the pandemic. it seems there hasn�*t been any engagement from the government, i�*d liberal democrats what to see that. if any group of people in our country deserves to be involved, it is the families of the bereaved ——

bereaved families and their friends. it appears that though people will be giving evidence on the oath and there will be oral evidence, and thatis there will be oral evidence, and that is to be welcomed with ——, isn�*t it? i that is to be welcomed with --, isn't it? . .. that is to be welcomed with --, isn't it? . ., , , isn't it? i welcome this is independent _ isn't it? i welcome this is independent under - isn't it? i welcome this is independent under the i isn't it? i welcome this is - independent under the enquiry isn't it? i welcome this is _ independent under the enquiry site, thatis independent under the enquiry site, that is what i called for. when borisjohnson, is the end the commons lastjune that there would be an enquiry i wrote to him the next day i�*d call for such an enquiry, so i welcome that framework. but i am worried that there seems to be as yet no engagement with the bereaved families. i am sure the whole country will want to see the bereaved families engaged at the earliest stage.— bereaved families engaged at the earliest stale. . ~ , .. , . earliest stage. thank you very much for now. a county courtjudgement has been registered

against borisjohnson�*s name for an unpaid debt of £535. the court order was made in october, according to a database ofjudgements. the creditor and the nature of the debt are not included in the record, which was first reported by private eye magazine. downing street says it is "looking into this issue". we have just had an update, as you can see from our political editor. she is reporting that downing street says it will try to strike out that courtjudgment because it is totally without merit. the full statement says, and application will be made for order to set aside the default judgment to strike out the claim and for a declaration that the claim —— the claim is totally without merit. that is the latest update from downing street on the county court judgment.

tributes have been paid to a nine—year—old boy who died after being struck by lightning during a football coaching session. the child, who has been named locally as jordan banks, was injured when a thunderstorm hit as he was on a playing field in blackpool on yesterday evening. our correspondent nick garnett gave us this update from blackpool. it is a terrible tragedy. jordan banks had left school at the end of the school day and came, as he normally did, to training on a tuesday night at this council—run and council—owned football pitch. lots of other teams play here — he played for carlton rangers, a junior grassroots team, he played in the under—nines. he was at a private training session with a coach and a few friends when the storm came, it moved down very quickly and seemed to go almost as quickly. jordan was fatally injured. the north west air ambulance was called, as well as the ambulance crews locally and the police as well. they couldn�*t save him

and he sadly died. today, throughout the day, people have been coming down, laying flowers, as you can see behind me, paying tribute to their friend. some of the family members came down much earlier to see where the tragedy had happened, as well as his best school friend. best friends, in the same class. a very happy person, very kind and caring person. what was he like at football? how important was football to him? very, he loved it. he played it every day at school, with me. cj�*s father was also down with him of course, and he told me how everyone had been affected. very upset when i seen him before, just gave him a hug _

you're stuck for words to speak about things like this, - you don't want to go into too much detail when speaking _ to people like that. but our thoughts go out tojordan's family. - rest in peace, little man. blackpool council owns these pitches, it has been having its flags at half—mast as a sign of respect. it has said that no more training and no more coaching will go on at the pitches until further notice. it is, as you say, a desperately tragic event and one that has hit this area so very hard. social media firms will have to remove harmful content quickly orface the possibility of multi—billion—pound fines, under new legislation published today. ministers say the online safety bill is aimed at keeping children safe

but will protect debate. however, it has already run into criticism, with some saying the plans will lead to censorship, and others warning that they don�*t go far enough. let�*s talk to the minister for digital and culture, caroline dinenage. good afternoon. i know it is a big topic to summarise, but what are some of the key things that you feel this bill could achieve? it is some of the key things that you feel this bill could achieve?— this bill could achieve? it is a really difficult _ this bill could achieve? it is a really difficult thing - this bill could achieve? it is a really difficult thing to - really difficult thing to encapsulating but it really is a world leading and very much needed law, and at the very heart of it is making the uk the safest place in the world to be online. we have all seenin the world to be online. we have all seen in the last year particularly how the internet has been a blessing

in many ways, allowing us to be educated and entertained and keep in touch with our loved ones. but also practically everyday we see full stories about online harms, the headlines, and so this bill is just making online companies legally responsible for protecting people who use their services, particularly children, from a wide—ranging content, whether it is a legal or illegal or harmful. so content, whether it is a legal or illegal or harmful.— content, whether it is a legal or illegal or harmful. so what sort of timescales _ illegal or harmful. so what sort of timescales are _ illegal or harmful. so what sort of timescales are you _ illegal or harmful. so what sort of timescales are you talking - illegal or harmful. so what sort of timescales are you talking about? illegal or harmful. so what sort of l timescales are you talking about? if someone sees some footage, clearly harmful, disturbing, shouldn�*t be there, once that is reported to whichever host, platform it is on, how long do they have to take it down? in how long do they have to take it down? , , ., ., .. down? in this legislation we would ho -e that down? in this legislation we would hope that the _ down? in this legislation we would hope that the online _ down? in this legislation we would hope that the online companies i down? in this legislation we would | hope that the online companies are proactively seeking that illegal content, they have to have much more responsibility, if it is illegal they should be looking for it and

taking it down. if it is legal but harmful, they need to be aware of what is on their site and have clear codes of practice about what they think is acceptable, setting it out clearly and having a duty of care. so that means they should on one very basic level employ an awful lot more staff and be constantly monitoring what is on the site? there are some very clever technology style which can do a lot of this work for them, you do not necessarily need individual human beings to find a lot of this stuff, but it does mean that things like terrorism, child sexual abuse, but it does mean that things like terrorism, child sexualabuse, pro suicide content online will be removed much more quickly. for those who worry about their children accessing the internet and what they might stumble across, particularly on social media, this will give them a degree of reassurance. if on social media, this will give them a degree of reassurance.— a degree of reassurance. if they do not do it, a degree of reassurance. if they do not do it. you _ a degree of reassurance. if they do

not do it, you are _ a degree of reassurance. if they do not do it, you are talking _ a degree of reassurance. if they do not do it, you are talking about - not do it, you are talking about fines? , ., not do it, you are talking about fines? , . , .., fines? yes, we have significant sanctions _ fines? yes, we have significant sanctions against _ fines? yes, we have significant sanctions against companies i fines? yes, we have significant l sanctions against companies that fines? yes, we have significant i sanctions against companies that do not face up to their duty of care, up not face up to their duty of care, up to multibillion lb fines, £18 billion or 10% of the global turnover. really quite significant. it also includes the power to make senior managers criminally liable if they do not take action. what senior managers criminally liable if they do not take action. what about eo - le they do not take action. what about people listening _ they do not take action. what about people listening to _ they do not take action. what about people listening to those _ they do not take action. what about people listening to those who i they do not take action. what about people listening to those who think| people listening to those who think thatis people listening to those who think that is great, i understand what you are doing, but the internet is a worldwide thing. how does that help just having laws in one single country? just having laws in one single count ? ., ., , , country? there are two things, first of all this law _ country? there are two things, first of all this law will _ country? there are two things, first of all this law will apply _ country? there are two things, first of all this law will apply to - of all this law will apply to content generated anywhere in the world if it is accessible by people in the uk. extraterritorial content is not out of scope, which is crucial. the other thing is, where we are lead so many other countries, something we will be discussing at the g7 later this year, countries all of the world are looking at

replicating this sort of legislation because this is a global problem, the online harms issue is notjust limited to the uk. bud the online harms issue is not 'ust limited to the moi the online harms issue is not 'ust limited to the uk. and we have been talkin: limited to the uk. and we have been talking about — limited to the uk. and we have been talking about harmful— limited to the uk. and we have been talking about harmful content - limited to the uk. and we have been talking about harmful content in i talking about harmful content in particular with reference to children and people understand that, what about those whose say you go to file the other way you get into the rounds of censorship, free speech what is your argument to that? can you sit there and say this is not about censoring freedom of speech? absolutely, this is not about censorship, there are clauses in the vale all about protecting freedom of expression and journalistic content. —— in the bill. this is about companies being much more well aware of what they are posting on their site, having codes of conduct and practice and duties of care to their users and enforcing them more rigidly. if this bill had a strapline it would be much stronger links between what companies say

they do online and what they do in real life. 50 they do online and what they do in real life. , ., ,., they do online and what they do in real life. , ., . real life. so it is about corporate culture? corporate _ real life. so it is about corporate l culture? corporate responsibility, we have consulted _ culture? corporate responsibility, we have consulted far _ culture? corporate responsibility, we have consulted far and - culture? corporate responsibility, we have consulted far and wide i culture? corporate responsibility, j we have consulted far and wide to get this right, we want this to be fair, proportionate, but we wanted to govern the world online, if you... inaudible. wejust lost you there. inaudible. we just lost you there. you mentioned senior managers of tech firms, i don�*t was a clear that point, because for example, you will know the nspcc is a big charity that has said you should think about making senior managers at tech firms criminally responsible for harmful content. is that something that is included here. it will not be in it initially, we have decided to bring initially, we have decided to bring in as a deferred power, something we can do further down the line if it is regarded as necessary, we are hoping that will not be, that the platforms will see the sense in this

and raise their game proportionally and raise their game proportionally and be able to come on board with all these new restrictions. we are reserving the ability to be able to bring in senior management liability if that does not turn out to be the case. we believe that they awhile we can still hear you and properly. thank you. —— we will leave it there. now it�*s time for a look at the weather with ben rich. sunshine and showers will continue to be the weather theme through the rest of the week, some heavy with hail and thunder. get yourself into some sunshine, the sun is quite strong this time of year so it will feel relatively warm. it is a story of scattered showers for most through the rest of today, slightly more persistent rain and certainly more cloud in the far north of scotland, and this heavy rain across while you are parts of england just clipping into south—east wales as we go into the

first part of the evening, and then overnight this area of wet weather will pivot its way further north, southern and eastern parts of wales, maybe the west midlands as well. a lot of cloud over the northern half of scotland. for southern scotland, northern ireland, northern england, some clear skies, the lowest of the temperatures, although the vast majority should avoid a frost. tomorrow, this area of cloud and showery rain across southern england and parts of wales, more cloud generally rolling into parts of east scotland and north—east england, elsewhere another day of sunshine and showers, highs of ten to 16 degrees. hello, this is bbc news, with jane hill. the headlines — warnings of a "full—scale war" by the un, amid deadly exchanges of fire between israel and gaza. more than 50 people have been killed in the past few days of violence. borisjohnson announces an independent inquiry into the government�*s handling of the covid crisis will start next spring.

the uk economy shrank by 1.5% in the first three months of the year — but gathered speed in march as lockdown restrictions eased. the mediterranean island of lampedusa once again sees an upsurge in migrants — over 2,000 have arrived in the last few days. and more funding is sought for a national memorial to emergency workers who gave their all in the pandemic. time for the latest sports news from john watson. good afternoon. manchester united have announced women�*s head coach casey stoney will leave her role at the end of the season after almost three years in the job. the former england defender was appointed as the club�*s first manager back in 2018. united for a long time didn�*t have a women�*s team. she helped secure promotion to the women�*s super league in herfirst season. but having missed out

on a champions league place by a point, finishing fourth, stoney said now was the right time to step away and for someone else to lead the team. now, over on the blue side of manchester, pep guardiola says this season�*s premier league title is the hardest of the three he�*s won in his five years as manchester city manager. he�*s overcome early season upsets, seen his squad disrupted because of covid and achieved it without a front line striker. a gracious liverpool bossjurgen klopp offered his congratulations to the new champions. it�*s always a joy to play against them, because it�*sjust a massive challenge, from a football point of view. you can beat them but you have to be at your absolute top to do so, and we could do that from time to time, but this year, obviously not. and so well deserved congratulations. porto remains the most likely host of this season�*s all english champions league final

between chelsea and manchester city uefa hope to announce the estadio da drago as the venue. this after culture secretary oliver dowden had said the government �*cleared the way�* for wembley to host the final. but with no guarantees quarantine restrictions would be lifted for the 1000 staff and sponsors travelling for the game, england�*s national stadium is likely to be overlooked in favour of portugal, as the match is moved from istanbul. andy murray could be handed a wildcard to this year�*s french open, after tournament director guy forget said he deserved one. murray, will play doubles at the italian open in rome this afternoon and could make his singles comeback next week in geneva or lyon as he continues his recovery from his latest setback, a groin injury picked up in march. murray accepted a wild card to the french open last year, but has entered qualifying for this year�*s tournamnet.

spectators will be welcomed back to this year�*s tournament which has been pushed back a week to the 24th may. 5,000 fans will be allowed onto centre court for the final five days. before that spectators will be limited to no more than a thousand on any court. cameron norrie, the british number two, is out of the italian open, he lost to spain�*s alejandro davidovich fokina he would�*ve faced the top seed novak djokovic in the third round. norrie a little late arriving on court, and took time to settle, before slipping to a 6—2; 6—3 defeat. mike brown�*s harlequins career will come to a premature end. after 17 years with the club, he�*ll miss their remaining four matches after being banned for six weeks for stamping. the former england full back, leaves for newcastle at the end of the season, after failing to agree a new contract with the london club. he�*ll also miss the premiership final, should quins qualify, they�*re currently fourth. and regular season nfl games will return to london this year with two to be staged at tottenham�*s north london stadium. its the first time the nfl has played a match in the uk since 2019. the atalanta falcons will host

the new yorkjets on october 10th. the jacksonville jaguars and the miami dolphins are in town to face each other at the same venue seven days later. the pandemic forced all of last year�*s games to be played in the united states. and finally, over in the netherlands, ajax have decided to share their championship trophy with theirfans. it�*s been melted down to create these small stars — which will be sent to each of their 42,000 season—ticket holders. ajax won an unprecendednted 35th dutch eredivisie title — and like most teams across europe, have played without fans this season. that�*s all the sport for now. a nice little touch if you can get hold of one of those. thank you, john. high—profile footballers have been among those campaigning for social media companies to do more to stop online abuse directed at them — and now they�*ve beenjoined by the women in football network. the bbc has spoken to a number

of female fans who have suffered sexist and racist abuse online, simply for voicing their opinions about the sport. zahid lalani reports. our hello, guys, welcome back to seballos tv. tv. melissa seballos has supported spurs for as long as she can remember. and, during the pandemic, launched her own youtube channel to talk about football. but despite the widely positive reaction to her opinions on youtube and twitter, she�*s faced sexist and racist abuse, based on her filipino heritage, and for being a woman who talks about football. they were picking apart the way i look, my makeup, just features on my face, things started getting racial. they were calling me a bleep, telling me i need to go back to the philippines. i was getting sexual assault threats, death threats. people saying i need to get hung in a zoo. we won. amazing, can you believe it?

newcastle fan kendall rowan lost herjob last march during lockdown and is now a full—time youtube content creator. this abuse she received has since been removed, but other comments made her obsess about her weight and even led to threats of violence against her family. my daughter's mixed race, she's had racial abuse aimed towards her. i just based through my football opinion. - someone went so far as to find out where my grandad lived. _ i've been called fat. it got to the point where i would go to the gym five days a week. - i even went to the doctors to the point of asking i for plastic surgery. because i was so unhappy about my appearance. i i'm absolutely staggered and horrified that this is going on. a group that represents women supporters across the game so social media companies must do more to protect football fans online. social media companies need to be more accountable and i think social media users needs

to be more accountable. clearly we have a problem and we don't _ clearly we have a problem and we don't have — clearly we have a problem and we don't have the solutions yet. clearly we have a problem and we don't have the solutions yet. but i think verification of users are something we have to look at. rapid take—down. getting better at preventing new accounts from starting. in response, twitter says... since the start of the season, they have _ since the start of the season, they have been— since the start of the season, they have been 30 million tweets. youtube says it does not tolerate harassment or trolling and that user safety is its top priority. it says it works quickly to remove content that violates its policies. and as football fans return to stadiums in the coming weeks, the pressure will remain on social media companies notjust to tackle

the abuse of fans online, but of players who pay social media attacks too. earlier this month, football clubs and players led the sporting world in a boycott of social media to take a stand against all forms of online abuse. yes, it's not going to be a match review, guys. i despite the negativity, kendall and mel say they will carry on creating content and talking about the sport that they love. people say, "you know, don't let the trolls win"| and i think to myself, _ "you know what, you're so right. why should i have to give up something that i love? - i also have a lot of young women and young girls that message me and talk about — i didn�*t even expect this kind of stuff but you�*re an inspiration, i love seeing girls talk about football, i wish i could do that. it really does help you keep going. if it weren�*t for them, i probably would have packed this up ages ago. zahid lalani, bbc news.

the uk economy shrank by 1.5% in the first three months of this year — following the lengthy lockdown overwinter. the office for national statistics says the closure of schools and large fall in retail sales earlier in the year dragged down economic growth. the economy is now nearly 9% smaller than it was before the pandemic. our economics correspondent andy verity reports. rishi sunak visits one of the hardest hit sectors under the post—christmas lockdown, a brewery. a drop in economic activity of 1.5% over three months would be a very worrying performance in normal times, but this is a pandemic and activity picked up in march, giving some cause for hope that we are now emerging from a second economic contraction. i think actually today�*s figures show our economy is clearly getting back on track and crucially that our plan forjobs is working. now, of course, many businesses and families are still facing tough times and that is why our support is continuing. his hosts also want to be upbeat about the future. but they are also conscious

about the lasting economic damage the lockdowns have done. we are optimistic, but if the recovery is not strong, people that have had to borrow to see themselves through might find it is getting tough again. it is worth mentioning we have lost 10% of our customers who closed their doors for good. so so that pain has already been met for some — so that pain has already been met for some people. this chart shows you the roller—coaster ride the economy has been on since the pandemic. a huge drop — the biggest in 300 years. then a rapid bounceback, and in the first quarter of the year, we were in the second dip. at the end of that, we were still 9% below where the economy was before the pandemic. back where we were in 2014. even before the latest lockdown, official estimates were that firms would have £180 billion less money coming in than they needed to pay their bills. that has forced many to borrow their way through the pandemic. there are lots of businesses who are massively weighed i down by debts, by the debts they. have built up during the pandemic, and i wish the government was doing i more to help alleviate those debts i as we called for repeatedly.

also, i think government needs to do more to i create the jobs of the future. with construction surging in march, driven by new work and overdue repairs, a recovery is now under way. but small and medium—sized firms have predicted to owe more than 40 times what they normally would to banks. even with a surge in growth of more than 7% predicted for this year, the sustainability of the recovery will depend crucially on how those debts are dealt with. andrew verity with that report. high—profile campaigns have brought food poverty, fuel poverty and period poverty to the fore of public consciousness. yet across the uk, more than two million people are living without at least one essential piece of furniture or major household appliance, like a cooker or a fridge. some live with nothing at all. currently, only 2% of social housing comes furnished or partly furnished, leaving those with the biggest financial need struggling with furniture poverty.

catrin nye finds out more. moving into a new property can be stressful but it is even more difficult when you have no furniture or the means to buy any. this difficult when you have no furniture or the means to buy any.— difficult when you have no furniture or the means to buy any. this is the kitchen. there _ or the means to buy any. this is the kitchen. there is _ or the means to buy any. this is the kitchen. there is absolutely - or the means to buy any. this is the kitchen. there is absolutely nothing j kitchen. there is absolutely nothing in here. there is no where to sit, there�*s no where to eat, there is nothing to cook on, there�*s nothing at all. nothing to cook on, there's nothing at all. ~ ., , nothing to cook on, there's nothing at all. ~ . , ., at all. merle had been living in a hostel with _ at all. merle had been living in a hostel with her _ at all. merle had been living in a hostel with her baby _ at all. merle had been living in a hostel with her baby daughter. at all. merle had been living in a i hostel with her baby daughter when her local council found her a permanent property. coming from a hostel, permanent property. coming from a hostel. you — permanent property. coming from a hostel, you know, _ permanent property. coming from a hostel, you know, under— permanent property. coming from a hostel, you know, under the - hostel, you know, under the licensing agreement, you are not allowed to have furniture. it would cost over £3000 to furnish this, and thatis cost over £3000 to furnish this, and that is actually heartbreaking. finir; that is actually heartbreaking. only 2% of social — that is actually heartbreaking. only 2% of social housing _ that is actually heartbreaking. only 2% of social housing comes part or fully furnished, compared to 29% of

private rentals, leaving many of those on the lowest incomes struggling with furniture poverty. i know i shouldn't be feeling know i shouldn�*t be feeling embarrassed but i do, especially having a child. 50 embarrassed but i do, especially having a child.— embarrassed but i do, especially having a child. so we see furniture ove having a child. so we see furniture poverty as — having a child. so we see furniture poverty as a _ having a child. so we see furniture poverty as a sliding _ having a child. so we see furniture poverty as a sliding scale. - having a child. so we see furniture poverty as a sliding scale. at i having a child. so we see furniture poverty as a sliding scale. at the l poverty as a sliding scale. at the hp _ poverty as a sliding scale. at the top. you — poverty as a sliding scale. at the top, you have people in furniture insecurity, — top, you have people in furniture insecurity, so all the items of furniture _ insecurity, so all the items of furniture they need for now so but if anything — furniture they need for now so but if anything needs breaking or replacing they have no means to do that, _ replacing they have no means to do that, then — replacing they have no means to do that, then we have people in furniture _ that, then we have people in furniture poverty, lacking one or more _ furniture poverty, lacking one or more of— furniture poverty, lacking one or more of those essential items, and then furniture destitution, where somebody is letting all of the essential items. a somebody is letting all of the essential items.— somebody is letting all of the essential items. a recent report revealed there _ essential items. a recent report revealed there had _ essential items. a recent report revealed there had been - essential items. a recent report revealed there had been an i essential items. a recent report} revealed there had been an 8796 revealed there had been an 87% decline in crisis support over the last decade. 25 councils in england have closed their crisis schemes entirely. meaning one in five can no longer access essential items, including furniture. thankfully, merle has mollified the crisis support from her local council. i will be provided with two or three

essential household items, so i can have a bed or a stove, a fridge or a washing machine.— have a bed or a stove, a fridge or a washing machine. there are hundreds of furniture reuse _ washing machine. there are hundreds of furniture reuse organisations - of furniture reuse organisations across the uk. one of the biggest is here in liverpool.— here in liverpool. bulky bobs creates collect _ here in liverpool. bulky bobs creates collect unwanted - here in liverpool. bulky bobs - creates collect unwanted furniture and it _ creates collect unwanted furniture and it is _ creates collect unwanted furniture and it is for— creates collect unwanted furniture and it is for people _ creates collect unwanted furniture and it is for people who _ creates collect unwanted furniture and it is for people who live - creates collect unwanted furniture and it is for people who live on . creates collect unwanted furniture and it is for people who live on noi and it is for people who live on no incomes_ and it is for people who live on no incomes of— and it is for people who live on no incomes of very _ and it is for people who live on no incomes of very low _ and it is for people who live on no incomes of very low incomes. - and it is for people who live on no incomes of very low incomes. iiiiiiie| and it is for people who live on no incomes of very low incomes. we were livina incomes of very low incomes. we were livin: in incomes of very low incomes. we were living in temporary _ incomes of very low incomes. we were living in temporary accommodation, i living in temporary accommodation, fully furnished, had everything, so when we had our council house we had nothing when we moved in. with the wages that we have, it is very low income, we would struggle to get everything we needed in such a short space of time. i’m everything we needed in such a short space of time-— space of time. i'm proud that we are makin: a space of time. i'm proud that we are making a difference _ space of time. i'm proud that we are making a difference and _ space of time. i'm proud that we are making a difference and making - space of time. i'm proud that we are making a difference and making a i making a difference and making a difference — making a difference and making a difference at _ making a difference and making a difference at scale. _ making a difference and making a difference at scale. we _ making a difference and making a difference at scale.— difference at scale. we have lived here now for _ difference at scale. we have lived here now forjust _ difference at scale. we have lived here now forjust under _ difference at scale. we have lived here now forjust under three - difference at scale. we have lived i here now forjust under three weeks. today we are made up because we are getting our couches, rug, coffee table, and our lovely units. so it

looks like a home now, not an empty room. the headlines on bbc news... warnings of a "full—scale war" by the un, amid deadly exchanges of fire between israel and gaza. more than 50 people have been killed in the past few days of violence. borisjohnson announces an independent inquiry into the government's handling of the covid crisis will start next spring. the uk economy shrank by 1.5% in the first three months of the year — but gathered speed in march as lockdown restrictions eased. in the last few days, more than 2,000 migrants have arrived on the mediterranean island of lampedusa off the coast of italy — seen as the gateway to europe. it's six years since the first migrants made the crossing — and there are fears that over the hot summer months, when the waters are calmer,

more people could arrive in search of a better life. mark lowen reports. shadows seeking the light of europe. after days at sea, each step on land is controlled. they risked a perilous crossing from libya, buffeted by high winds. and even though they are detained here in italy and taken to guarded camps, they are safe and alive. by day, too, they arrive. more migrants picked up at sea, aiming for the island of lampedusa. over 2,000 landing here since the weekend. this gateway to europe is under renewed pressure, battling the pandemic, while carrying the hopes of the desperate. six years since the height of europe's migrant crisis, they are still coming, in lesser numbers now, but this is the third straight day of arrivals.

the question is whether this is just a temporary spike, or whether it is the start of the summer rush to europe's shores. for the eu's frontier countries like italy, migration remains an intensely political issue and for some here, the hospitable welcome has worn thin. translation: it's time to say enough, after 30 years. i i wanted the camp to be closed immediately and a naval blockade so they can't access the island. they should be helped in their own countries, not come here where the authorities spend millions on them, but let us die. through europe's outer door, into a waiting room. but with the camp full, dozens are left outside. many here will have asylum claims rejected. but it's unclear how many of those will actually be sent back. you speak some english, yes? some. 0k. we can't speak to people? no, no.

ok, we're being told we can't speak to the migrants. but from inside the camp, the stories came to us. i want to work. i want to feed my family, they are dying. i lost about four sisters because of hunger. the robbers come to your house, my own house in libya, and rob me. even now, i can't use this hand. what about people who would say to you that you have come in an illegal way? no problem, let them say i came in an illegal way, because they don't know what happened. so let them say that. but if they ask me, they hear my story, they would understand my pain. it's hand to mouth here, but for some, this is better than what they left behind. and as long as dreams of europe remain, many more will follow in their tracks.

mark lowen, bbc news, lampedusa. there was a surge in online shopping scams during the pandemic, with police figures suggesting that people in their 20s were most likely to fall victim. the reporting service action fraud has told the bbc 1.7 billion pounds has been lost to fraud. colletta smith reports. these people who do these things, i don't understand how they can live with themselves. i lost 20,000 of my railway pension to an allegedly christian dating site. she was absolutely devastated. now more than ever we are dependent on our phones and computers. so many strange things have happened over the last year, it seems we are all a little less suspicious of an unexpected text or e—mail arriving. and scammers have cottoned on fast.

with lots more fake messages about track and trace, about vaccine booking appointments, fake qr codes and lots of fake parcel delivery notes. because when you're half expecting something, it's much easier to click on the link or make the payment, even for the most tech—savvy. and i do think that lots of that is social media. you know, like lots of these things on there, people saying this - is what i've been doing, - i've been trading and you know, i'd got no money and now look at me. you know. and i think people get enticed i into that and often these things can come with celebrity endorsements. but for priya, it was a call from her bank, saying her account had been hacked and she should transfer money to a new account they had set up for her. and they asked me to check the number that appeared on my mobile phone. and they asked me to check that with the back of my bank card. and it matched. so i felt like i was talking to my bank. she transferred £10,000,

and then the caller hung up. i panicked and then i started crying, like quite hysterically, quite badly. and then i phoned my dad. so, saving every month, trying to accumulate that, takes a long time. and for someone to just take it away, you know, in a half an hour phone call, is devastating. scammers now have more chance to pounce on younger people who can ping money fast. they are using this type of technology as part of communication, dating, contacting your gp, online banking and shopping. this is quite normal. and i think that is why we have seen the change in the victim profile, particularly around cyber enabled fraud. in that they are somewhere between the region of 20 to 29 years of age. the pressure is on consumers to think twice to protect themselves. coletta smith, bbc news. plans for a memorial to celebrate the dedication of emergency workers during the pandemic still need substantial funds if they are to go ahead. the series of five statues would be on display in central london — those leading the project are asking the government to

help with the cost. daniela relph reports. every detail carefully sculpted, only the eyes visible on the masked face, feet covered in protective footwear, tied in to ppe that will soon be discarded, the gloves being wearily peeled off. eight feet high, carved in clay, ahead of its final finish, this is how a medic will be represented on the planned cenotaph for emergency workers. she has had a i2—hour stint on the ward. she is fatigued, she is tired. she is taking off her gloves for the last time during the day and all that she has seen during the day is seen in her eyes. but also, psychologically, she's got the knowledge that she's got to do the same thing again tomorrow, and the day after and the day after, and there's no obvious let up to this dreadful

treadmill that she is on. applause. discharged from hospital, overwhelmed after surviving covid, nanchirira has been a nurse since 1970. as she left the royal free in london, she thanked colleagues for saving her life. i am truly, truly grateful, from the bottom of my heart. thank you. applause. we took nancy to see the sculpture. would it be a fitting tribute to those like her who have given so much? it is amazing. amazing. i don't know whether i can even look up. amazing person, with the eyes that are looking at me. it's representing everyone that has worked and cared for someone else.

it's etched in that face, and in those eyes, deep, piercing eyes. looking at the human being, helpless on the ward. and wondering whether we are going to pull through. that's what it's saying to me. a sense of what the final monument will look like. the plan is to call it a 999 cenotaph. as well as the medics, there is also a firefighter, a police officer, a coastguard and a search and rescue worker with their dog. but it won't happen without the cash. the project is way off the £3 million it needs and those leading it now want the government to step up. | this will be there for 500—plusj years, and as such i would very much encourage the prime minister land the government to contribute i to funding of this important historical monument. - nancy may be one of the first to see it, but when it's complete, at a location in central london, it's hoped the statues will become a place for everyone to visit. to remember the work and bravery

of all emergency workers. daniela relph, bbc news, west sussex. now it's time for a look at the weather with ben rich. hello. it is another of those very mixed and changeable weather days. warm sunshine one minute, the next, a heavy downpour comes along, and this sort of weather is going to take us through the rest of the week. it is all because of low pressure. this has been with us for the last couple of days. underneath this area of low pressure, the air is very unstable. that's allowing the shower clouds to bubble up, so for most of us it is sunshine and showers through the rest of the day, some heavy, with hail and thunder. some slightly more persistent rain across the far north of scotland and also this area of more persistent rain pushing across the south—west of england, perhaps creeping into south—west wales by the end of the day. those are the temperatures into the first part of the evening. through this evening and tonight,

this area of rain will continue to pivot around across the west country, parts of south—east wales, maybe the west midlands as well. further north, some extra cloud across northern scotland. in between, northern ireland, southern scotland, northern england, where we see some clear skies, the temperatures drop low enough for a touch of ground frost but the vast majority will avoid that into tomorrow morning. for tomorrow, a lot of cloud and showery rain across parts of southern england, wales, maybe getting up into the midlands. also extra cloud into eastern scotland and north—east parts of england. elsewhere, sunny spells and have a heavy perhaps thundery showers. 13 to 16 degrees for most but a little cooler than that across the north—east of scotland. as we end the week, we end up in a bit of a no man's land between weather systems, but we will attempt to bring something of a northerly wind in across northern and north—easterly parts of the uk. so that will bring a markedly cooler feel here, and a lot of cloud into parts of scotland, northern and eastern parts of england, the further west you are, wales, the south—west, some sunshine

but again a scattering of showers breaking out in those areas. temperatures struggling for some of these northern and eastern parts, highest values further west at 15 or 16. into the weekend, a band of rain will push its way through during friday night into saturday and then low pressure re—establishes itself, and that returns us to that familiar mix of sunny spells and showers. the showers could crop up just about anywhere. some of them will be heavy, with some hail and some thunder but there will always be some sunshine in between, and in the sunshine it will feel fairly warm.

this is bbc news. the headlines: warnings of a "full—scale war" by the un, amid deadly exchanges of fire between israel and gaza. more than 50 people have been killed in the past few days of violence. translation: they hurt citizens, police officers, burn _ houses, cars, synagogues. it's obvious we cannot accept this, and no country would accept it, and certainly not us. translation: if they want to i escalate, the resistance is ready. if they want to stop, the resistance is ready. if they want to move out of jerusalem, the resistance is ready. borisjohnson announces an independent inquiry into the government's handling of the covid crisis will start next spring. it's welcomed by bereaved families, but some call for it to be sooner.

the catastrophic scale of the covid pandemic —