this is bbc news. i'm sima kotecha and these are the latest headlines... a nhs trust at the centre of concerns about avoidable deaths and injuries to babies has been told to make immediate improvements to its maternity services. families now need to feel that they are listened to, that their concerns have been heard and that change is going to happen and is going to happen quickly. warnings that the cost—of—living crisis will continue for at least another year if oil and gas prices do not fall. but the government insists its financial aid will help people cope. ukraine warns that russia's offensive in donbas could result in the region becoming uninhabited. pro—russian separatist forces claim

to have captured a strategic town. tributes are paid to the 19 children and two teachers killed in the texas school shooting, as parents criticise the police for not taking faster action against the gunman. excuse me, sir. i supposed to move? how one man is taking a supermarket to court for refusing entry to his assistance cat. good afternoon and welcome to the bbc�*s lunchtime news. nottingham university hospitals nhs trust has been ordered to make significant and immediate improvements to its maternity services. concerns have been raised about avoidable deaths and injuries to mothers and babies.

the care quality commission says the trust has serious staffing and cultural problems. yesterday the senior midwife donna ockenden was appointed to chair an independent review of maternity care at the trust, which has said it is working hard to make all the improvements necessary. sanchia berg reports. a warning, you may find some details and images distressing from the start of this report. sarah andrews' baby lived forjust 23 minutes. these photos were given to us by the family. mistakes and neglect by staff at nottingham university hospitals contributed to her death in 2019, an inquest found. she was born by caesarean section, but too late. you trust them, because that is what they are there to do. why wouldn't you trust them? it's only after that we knew something terrible had gone wrong, because it was a perfectly healthy

baby and how does a perfectly healthy baby survive? —— not survive? hundreds of other families have raised the alarm too. today the care quality commission said maternity services remained inadequate and issued a safety warning focused on the care of pregnant women. it was about observations not being undertaken in a timely manner so that they could identify women who were likely to deteriorate. it is only a day since donna ockenden appointed to lead a new inquiry into maternity services in the nottingham trust. this march, her report into maternity care in shropshire found that more than 200 babies may have died through failures in care over 20 years. clearly, there are really serious concerns that need very urgent action, and the trust will be aware of that from the detailed cqc report.

i think that families now need to feel that they are listened to, that their concerns have been heard at that change is going to happen quickly. the director of midwifery at nottingham university hospital said her teams were working hard to make the necessary improvements, but recognised that they had more to do and were absolutely determined to speed up the pace of change. sarah's husband is sceptical. this situation has been allowed to get so bad that it needs some serious thought put behind making those improvements. the reason why we are here and the reason we shout so loudly from the rooftops is because we want the service to be safe. they have more confidence in donna 0ckenden�*s inquiry. sanchia berg, bbc news.

this must be worrying for anybody expecting in nottingham. yes. this must be worrying for anybody expecting in nottingham. yes, donna ockenden went _ expecting in nottingham. yes, donna ockenden went out _ expecting in nottingham. yes, donna ockenden went out of— expecting in nottingham. yes, donna ockenden went out of her— expecting in nottingham. yes, donna ockenden went out of her way - expecting in nottingham. yes, donna ockenden went out of her way to - expecting in nottingham. yes, donna ockenden went out of her way to tell| 0ckenden went out of her way to tell us that she believes that is not the case, that people are at risk, the staff are under closer scrutiny, their services are under closer scrutiny than they have ever been. she also said there were lots of very good people working in these areas, and that she would listen very carefully and effectively, she said, to their parents, to all the stories that people will now be coming forward to tell her and her team, who are very experienced by lots of midwives and doctors who worked with her before in the telford and shrewsbury trust. some ofthe telford and shrewsbury trust. some of the detail— telford and shrewsbury trust. some of the detail we _ telford and shrewsbury trust. some of the detail we saw _ telford and shrewsbury trust. some of the detail we saw in _ telford and shrewsbury trust. some of the detail we saw in your - telford and shrewsbury trust. some of the detail we saw in your report is disturbing. can you tell us why this inquiry has been launched? in fact, there was one already taking place but the families, we now know of at least 460 families who have come forward to raise concerns, that they were not happy with those

inquiries and they said they wanted donna 0ckenden or sambi like that to take over the inquiry, so they were very pleased when it was announced —— somebody like that, that donna 0ckenden would be leading it, because they have confidence that she entity and will do the job thoroughly. 0f she entity and will do the job thoroughly. of course, her report was very much welcomed by the families in the other trust where she investigated.— the prime minister says measures outlined by the chancellor yesterday will "not fix everything" for everyone but are temporary support to help people cope with a spike in energy prices. rishi sunak announced support worth £15 billion, including an energy bill discount of £400 per household. but labour says the financial help could have been targeted better. 0ur economics correspondent, andy verity, reports. take any high street in the country, in this case bristol, and you will find people who will tell you why the government had to act, something we are all seeing every time we go shopping —

the worst inflation in 40 years. the electric and everything else, food shopping. yeah, everything has gone up. i have got to pay my gas, electric and water and the price has gone up. i can't afford to pay the gas any more. to some, £15 billion of help isn't enough when the government has just hiked taxes on both households and firms by more than that. £400 is not going to cut it on top of what is already going to happen. they do not target things properly, and that is what angers me. the government will pay £400 of every household's energy bill, starting in october. in addition, 8.4 million of the poorest households will get £650 and two extra benefit payments, the first in july. people in flat rate disability benefits will get an actual £150 and there will be an additional £300 for every pensioner household this winter. of the £15 billion package, three quarters of it will go to households regarded as being

in vulnerable circumstances. there are pensioners who are turning off their heating because they are worried about how they are going to pay the bills. you have got mums and dads skipping meals because they want to ensure that their children get three proper meals a day. so it is welcome that the government has finally come to their senses and adopted labour's policy for a windfall tax to give help to people that need it. but i have to ask, what on earth took them so long? what the government callsits new energy profit levy raises £5 billion a year, more than twice what labour was proposing. to deflect its own criticism that a windfall tax would put oil and gas companies off investing, it has created tax breaks to offset that. the levy is designed so that companies can offset investments that they are making in new energy supply or in green technology to the tune of 91p in the pound.

this is what i have been saying for months, if you listen carefully to my answers. we want to have a solution that protects people, but also protects investment in our economy. oil and gas companies were taken aback to discover that a new tax promoted as temporary won't be a one—off, but could stay in place until 2025 and less oil and gas prices return to more normal levels. right now, no—one is sure how many months or years that might take. andy verity, bbc news. let's cross to westminster and speak to our political correspondent jonathan blake. thank you forjoining us, how long is this support going to go on for? it is indefinite at the moment, what is interesting is to hear slightly different words used, given emphasis by the chancellor and prime minister about whether more help may well be needed further down the line, particularly in the autumn, rishi sunak has left open the possibility

of further action in the wake of this big intervention that he and the government have made. the prime minister speaking earlier said he hoped this would get us through until the pricy statue of bait and we will be any much longer position. —— prices start to abate. less government intervention, if any, would be needed, the pattern minister hopes. they cannot be certain about that. while this has been broadly welcomed, as an economic support measure, here at westminster and beyond, there are questions about how long it will be continuing and whether more will end “p continuing and whether more will end up being needed further down the line. ., , _, ., up being needed further down the line. ., , ., ., line. some tories colour on conservative, _ line. some tories colour on conservative, what - line. some tories colour on conservative, what have - line. some tories colour on | conservative, what have you line. some tories colour on - conservative, what have you been hearing from backbenchers? == conservative, what have you been hearing from backbenchers? -- colic nonconservative. _ hearing from backbenchers? -- colic nonconservative. they _ hearing from backbenchers? -- colic nonconservative. they do _ hearing from backbenchers? -- colic nonconservative. they do not - hearing from backbenchers? -- colic nonconservative. they do not like i nonconservative. they do not like the idea of such a big spending commitments and putting up taxes, but the government was under so much

pressure to do something from its own backbenchers, the majority of whom saw the clear and pressing need to help a particularly worst off with the cost of living crisis and rising prices left, right and centre, it had option but to act. couple of people in the cabinet are not altogether comfortable with the idea of the windfall tax on energy firms. but they are not speaking out strongly enough for it to be an issue, and the government has gone ahead and taken this course of action anyway. while it does sit a bit uneasy with some, there is not anything like enough discontent to make it difficult for the government to push through. we make it difficult for the government to push through-— make it difficult for the government to push through. we have heard from bp who say they _ to push through. we have heard from bp who say they will _ to push through. we have heard from bp who say they will now _ to push through. we have heard from bp who say they will now consider - bp who say they will now consider whether they invest in the uk, can you tell us any more? the business secretary is — you tell us any more? the business secretary is not _ you tell us any more? the business secretary is not particularly - you tell us any more? the business secretary is not particularly keen i secretary is not particularly keen on the idea of a windfall tax, he

spoke out against it before rishi sunak�*s announcement yesterday, as did others. making clear that they were not comfortable with his course of action. the government will wait and see and watch what impact it has on bp and other energy companies, but ministers have argued that the mitigations in this policy and tax rise, which provide some relief for companies who do continue to increase their investments, will be sufficient to guard against as the government would see it, any overall fall in investment or negative economic consequence of this policy. are you feeling that people are still talking about partygate, or has the support package dominated rhetoric in westminster over the last couple of days?— rhetoric in westminster over the last couple of days? some people are talkin: last couple of days? some people are talking about — last couple of days? some people are talking about partygate, _ last couple of days? some people are talking about partygate, and - last couple of days? some people are talking about partygate, and end - last couple of days? some people are talking about partygate, and end of. talking about partygate, and end of last couple of hours we had a statement from paul holmes, conservative mp for eastleigh, he

was until today a parliamentary private secretary at the home office, a junior government role, an unpaid post, a ministerialaid office, a junior government role, an unpaid post, a ministerial aid but a first rung on the government ladder, he has resigned from that post over partygate and any statement today said he was shocked and angered by the revelations and about mistreatment and staff particularly in number ten had led to a distasteful culture and he said all lead to a deep mistrust on both the conservative party and the government. he has resigned from his or in government over that, but he has stopped short of criticising the prime minister directly and is not calling for borisjohnson to resign. although in the aftermath of the sue gray report being published earlier in the week, there have been a handful of tories who have added their voice to call for boris johnson to go.— their voice to call for boris johnson to go. their voice to call for boris johnson to no. , . ~ , johnson to go. some breaking news, 'ust to johnson to go. some breaking news, just to bring — johnson to go. some breaking news, just to bring you _ johnson to go. some breaking news, just to bring you up-to-date, - johnson to go. some breaking news, just to bring you up-to-date, if - just to bring you up—to—date, if you're watching at home, the

government has updated the terms of reference with new powers for the prime minister's independent adviser on ministers interest, the person normally responsible for investigating alleged breaches of the ministerial code. so the government has updated the terms of reference, can you tell us any more about that?— reference, can you tell us any more about that? yes, these have been in auestion about that? yes, these have been in question since _ about that? yes, these have been in question since lord _ about that? yes, these have been in question since lord gleick, - about that? yes, these have been in question since lord gleick, who - about that? yes, these have been in question since lord gleick, who is i question since lord gleick, who is the primary stop us independent adviser when it comes to the ministerial code, expressed frustration some months ago when there was an investigation into the redecoration of the downing street flat and how that had been financed, which got difficult for boris johnson and the government for some time. he said he had hoped to have considerably greater authority in his role. now the terms of reference that he works to have been updated,

this means that the independent adviser on ministerial interests does have new powers, they were now be able to launch their own investigations, where previously they were only able to do so when asked to order to buy the prime minister. although the prime minister. although the prime minister will still retain the power to block or review inquiries where there are public interest reasons for doing so, we are told in the government announcement about the terms of reference to that key role of the prime minister's adviser on standards, having their terms of reference updated. beast up a little bit perhaps, broadened to reflect what some saw as a potentially difficult and unacceptable situation where the adviser was only able to investigate if the prime minister had told them to do so —— beefed up. russian—backed separatist leaders in eastern ukraine say they've captured the town of lyman,

as russian forces persist with their offensive in the donbas region. lyman is on the road to the ukrainian city of slovyansk, which is a key russian target as moscow tries to take full control of the donbas. there's no way of verifying the claim. in his nightly address, ukraine's president volodymyr zelensky said moscow seemed intent on reducing cities in the east to ashes and that the russian offensive could leave the donbas region uninhabited. 0ur correspondent, joe inwood, sent this report from kyiv. this is what liberation by the russians looks like. popasna in the donbas region. 0nce 20,000 people lived here. now it is almost deserted. natalia is one of the few who remains. translation: iwas- sleeping here last night. i just have to fix the window somehow. the wind is still bad, cold at night.

she had seen the destruction of this invasion first—hand. two people back then were dead. they were sitting outside to cook and a projectile came flying. eight people were wounded at once. someone was standing with the cattle, somebody was cooking for the neighbours, and then eight got wounded. popasna is the town where russian forces broke through ukrainian lines and began their slow but relentless attempt to encircle and destroy thousands of ukrainian fighters. when he started this invasion, one of the main reasons given by president putin was to stop what he said was a genocide taking place in the donbas, carried out by ukraine. now, there never was any evidence of that. but now president zelensky says a genocide is taking place, but it's being carried out by russia. translation: the current offensive of the occupiers in donbas will make j the region uninhabited. they want to burn our towns and cities to ashes.

all this, including the deportation of our people and the mass killings of civilians, is an obvious policy of genocide pursued by russia. this is lysychansk, one of two cities currently being encircled. before the invasion, many people here felt an affinity russia. people spoke russian, got their news from russian sources, but have now been driven from their homes by russian shelling. translation: what drove me out was the stress. _ shells kept falling every second. translation: i don't know what we'll do. i we can't go home and we can't live here either. russian—backed separatist leaders in eastern ukraine say with every russian military breakthrough, escape becomes harder. in the last few hours, russian—backed separatist forces claim to have captured the town of lyman, another step in their conquest of the donbas, which is looking more likely by the day. joe inwood, bbc news, kyiv. it's emerged the gunman who carried out a mass shooting

at a school in uvalde, texas entered the building unhindered through an unlocked door. 18—year—old salvador ramos barricaded himself inside a classroom where he killed 19 children and two teachers. the details come as tens of thousands of members of america's biggest gun lobby, the national rifle association, gather in texas for their annual convention, just a few hours away from where the shooting took place. 0ur correspondent barbara plett usher reports. this is what the centre of town looks like two days after a massacre. a marker for every one of the 19 children and two of their teachers. some came from outside uvalde to show solidarity. there was even a brief visit by the duchess of sussex, meghan markle — she laid flowers at the cross for an eight—year—old boy. jackie would have turned ten next month, but she'd already found her own voice, her uncle said. jackie was the life of our family.

she had just recently received her first communion. so she was on fire. she felt like a rock star. he says his brother argued with police on that day, demanding that they move faster to storm the school and stop the gunman. he wanted to go in there and charge this guy, but they wouldn't let him. "you guys going to do yourjob? do something! you know, you got 20 guys over there, standing, doing nothing. just get in there!" he goes, "you need to go back, scoot back." "no, we're not going to scoot back. you want to arrest us, arrest us, but we're not... we're not... you know, we're here. i'm not going to go anywhere until i see my baby!" the authorities defended their response to the shooting. they tried to provide answers, but many questions remain, a troubling undercurrent to a tragedy that is still unfolding. you got to understand, we're getting a lot of information we're trying to track down and see what is true — we want to vet it. with the latest news that the broken—hearted husband of a teacher who was killed had died of a heart attack. there are so many bouquets now —

we've seen those mounds of flowers grow throughout the day — and quite a few children here as well. there is a memorial at the school, but this really feels like a safe space for the community to grieve and to remember. silvia did not lose a loved one, but her world was shaken by those who did. we're part of the community and it's people that, one time or another, we have been together in a baseball game, and a football game, in a city event, and it'sjust children from our community and... we're here and i have the blessing to have my children with me, and these families don't. it is the hardest of the hard realities that have changed this town forever. barbara plett usher, bbc news, uvalde, texas. let's cross to the states and speak to jane 0'brien, who's there.

iam in i am in uvalde where the governor is expected to visit later, he has cancelled his in person appears at the nra conference, and i have now joined by ashton p woods who is the founder of the houston branch of black lives matter, thank you for joining me. what is your reaction to the governor cancelling his in—person appearance? it is the governor cancelling his in-person appearance? it is not enou~h, in-person appearance? it is not enough. he _ in-person appearance? it is not enough, he needs— in-person appearance? it is not enough, he needs to _ in-person appearance? it is not enough, he needs to call- in-person appearance? it is not enough, he needs to call a - in-person appearance? it is not i enough, he needs to call a special session_ enough, he needs to call a special session to — enough, he needs to call a special session to fix this issue so no more children_ session to fix this issue so no more children died, no more families lose valuable _ children died, no more families lose valuable teachers and loved ones. but what — valuable teachers and loved ones. but what can he do? he is a republican who is elected by the people of texas, partly because he campaigned for looser gun restrictions. how do you expect him to take those changes you are calling for?— to take those changes you are callin: for? ., , , ., _ calling for? honestly, as easy as i stated. calling for? honestly, as easy as i stated- the _ calling for? honestly, as easy as i

stated. the reality _ calling for? honestly, as easy as i stated. the reality is _ calling for? honestly, as easy as i stated. the reality is that - calling for? honestly, as easy as i stated. the reality is that people | stated. the reality is that people might _ stated. the reality is that people might have voted for him, but every election. _ might have voted for him, but every election. his— might have voted for him, but every election, his numbers are going down, _ election, his numbers are going down, there are more and more people becoming _ down, there are more and more people becoming registered to vote, more people _ becoming registered to vote, more people moving to texas, texas is beginning — people moving to texas, texas is beginning to look like georgia, which — beginning to look like georgia, which flipped on the 2020 election, texas _ which flipped on the 2020 election, texas came close. we have made great strides— texas came close. we have made great strides in— texas came close. we have made great strides in registering people to vote on— strides in registering people to vote on getting them out to the ballot _ vote on getting them out to the ballot box, but right now one of the reasons _ ballot box, but right now one of the reasons why he is not showing up to houston— reasons why he is not showing up to houston and — reasons why he is not showing up to houston and staying in uvalde is because — houston and staying in uvalde is because we harass him, we tweeted at him, e—mailed him, we said for him to do— him, e—mailed him, we said for him to do his— him, e—mailed him, we said for him to do hisiob — him, e—mailed him, we said for him to do hisiob i— him, e—mailed him, we said for him to do hisjob. i am demanding right now that _ to do hisjob. i am demanding right now that he — to do hisjob. i am demanding right now that he do hisjob, call a special— now that he do hisjob, call a special session to get laws passed that made it easier to happen, what happened — that made it easier to happen, what happened. greg abbott does not even owner— happened. greg abbott does not even owner the _ happened. greg abbott does not even owner the will of the people who voted _ owner the will of the people who voted for — owner the will of the people who voted for him. —— on the will. a lot voted for him. -- on the will. a lot ofthe voted for him. -- on the will. a lot of the focus _ voted for him. -- on the will. a lot of the focus at _ voted for him. -- on the will. a lot of the focus at the _ voted for him. -- on the will. a lot

of the focus at the moment - voted for him. -- on the will. a lot of the focus at the moment is - voted for him. -- on the will. a lot of the focus at the moment is on i of the focus at the moment is on congress passing new laws and gun controls, but what you seem to be saying is that americans should focus on states which have their own ability to create and shape gun laws. ~ . , , ., laws. we live in a representative democracy. _ laws. we live in a representative democracy. the _ laws. we live in a representative democracy, the only _ laws. we live in a representative democracy, the only person - laws. we live in a representative democracy, the only person whoj laws. we live in a representative l democracy, the only person who is chosen— democracy, the only person who is chosen by— democracy, the only person who is chosen by the electoral college is the president of the united states which _ the president of the united states which means that we get to pick our congress _ which means that we get to pick our congress persons and senators, we -et congress persons and senators, we get to — congress persons and senators, we get to pick— congress persons and senators, we get to pick our local leaders who will represent us at the legislature, which means that we have _ legislature, which means that we have direct correlation stop i have been _ have direct correlation stop i have been a _ have direct correlation stop i have been a part— have direct correlation stop i have been a part of at have taken part in writing _ been a part of at have taken part in writing laws — been a part of at have taken part in writing laws that govern abbott would — writing laws that govern abbott would sign into law, with reference to black _ would sign into law, with reference to black lives matter, reformed presence — to black lives matter, reformed presence and actually have caused some _ presence and actually have caused some prisons to be closed in the state _ some prisons to be closed in the state of— some prisons to be closed in the state of texas. i know he can do this because this is the work i do. he needs — this because this is the work i do. he needs to— this because this is the work i do. he needs to do what is right and he needs— he needs to do what is right and he needs to _ he needs to do what is right and he needs to make amends with these families _ needs to make amends with these families. we cannot lose any more children. _ families. we cannot lose any more children. he— families. we cannot lose any more children, he has to do hisjob. you

children, he has to do his 'ob. you are auoin children, he has to do his 'ob. you going to — children, he has to do his 'ob. you going to be h children, he has to do hisjob. gm. are going to be in houston today, outside the nra conference, what exactly are you planning to do there? . ., ,, ., there? earlier i talked about creatina there? earlier i talked about creating space, _ there? earlier i talked about creating space, when - there? earlier i talked about creating space, when he - there? earlier i talked aboutl creating space, when he time there? earlier i talked about - creating space, when he time redoing event. _ creating space, when he time redoing event. we _ creating space, when he time redoing event, we talk about making sure we bring _ event, we talk about making sure we bring the _ event, we talk about making sure we bring the most marginalised people are most— bring the most marginalised people are most affected by the events like these. _ are most affected by the events like these. we _ are most affected by the events like these, we have family coming from uvalde _ these, we have family coming from uvalde and — these, we have family coming from uvalde and people coming from all over the _ uvalde and people coming from all over the state who have been affected — over the state who have been affected by mass shootings, including students who went to santa fe high— including students who went to santa fe high school, and so we are partnered _ fe high school, and so we are partnered with other organisations to create _ partnered with other organisations to create that space for people to have _ to create that space for people to have somewhere to have their voices be heard _ have somewhere to have their voices be heard across from georgia conference centre so elected officials _ conference centre so elected officials who are supposedly representing us here the people and how they— representing us here the people and how they feel and how they are hurting — how they feel and how they are hurting right now. because it is

about— hurting right now. because it is about the — hurting right now. because it is about the people, it is about making sure our— about the people, it is about making sure our quality—of—life is improved and we _ sure our quality—of—life is improved and we are — sure our quality—of—life is improved and we are kept safe, and right now people _ and we are kept safe, and right now people are — and we are kept safe, and right now people are angry, texans are angry, republicans — people are angry, texans are angry, republicans are angry, democrats are angry. _ republicans are angry, democrats are angry. they— republicans are angry, democrats are angry, they are all coming today and we will— angry, they are all coming today and we will be _ angry, they are all coming today and we will be speaking in one loud voice _ we will be speaking in one loud voice and — we will be speaking in one loud voice and we will honour these families — voice and we will honour these families. . ~ voice and we will honour these families. ., ,, , ., , voice and we will honour these families. . ~' , ., , . families. thank you very much indeed for “oininr families. thank you very much indeed forjoining me — families. thank you very much indeed forjoining me from _ families. thank you very much indeed forjoining me from houston. - families. thank you very much indeed forjoining me from houston. thank i forjoining me from houston. thank ou. this forjoining me from houston. thank you- this is— forjoining me from houston. thank you- this is a _ forjoining me from houston. thank you. this is a tragedy _ forjoining me from houston. thank you. this is a tragedy of— you. this is a tragedy of unfortunately _ you. this is a tragedy of unfortunately not - you. this is a tragedy of- unfortunately not unprecedented proportions. but while people are grieving, the politics continue to grind on land their focus today is going to be in houston, texas where that national rifle association conference is going to be the centre of attention. conference is going to be the centre of attention-— for weeks there's been outrage over the killing of the much—admired palestinian journalist shireen abu akleh during an israeli

raid in the west bank. she was shot in the head despite wearing a helmet and a flak jacket marked press. now the aljazeera news network that she worked for has said it will refer her killing to the international criminal court. this comes after an investigation by the palestinian authority concluded that shireen abu akleh was deliberately killed by an israeli soldier. israel has repeatedly denied targetting journalists and called the findings a blatant lie. let's speak to our correspondent injerusalem, yolande knell. what more can you tell us? the announcement was made at a news conference in london earlier today, international lawyers there with representatives of al—jazeera, al jazeera is saying it is sending a file on the case of shireen abu akleh and also israel's bombing of its offices in gaza which happened during the conflict one year ago. that is going to be submitted to the international criminal court, they

want these cases to be investigated as war crimes. tuna half weeks since shireen abu akleh, veteran palestinian american correspondent was shot dead, she was covering an israeli military raid on a refugee camp in the occupied west bank and the time. we learn from lawyers today that the palestinians had already made a submission to the international criminal court concerning the killing of four palestinian journalists by israeli snipers. saying that they were deliberately targeted. israel is saying that it takes steps to prevent innocent people from being killed, to investigate every instance where a journalist, where a civilian has been killed and it is vehemently denying targeting any journalists. vehemently denying targeting any “ournalists. ~ . . vehemently denying targeting any “ournalists. ~ . , ~' journalists. what is the root like the are journalists. what is the root like they are at _ journalists. what is the root like they are at the _ journalists. what is the root like they are at the moment - journalists. what is the root like they are at the moment in - journalists. what is the root like | they are at the moment in terms journalists. what is the root like i they are at the moment in terms of people like you who are covering stories? is there a sense of

trepidation among journalists as a result of what happened? certainly we are all acting _ result of what happened? certainly we are all acting in _ result of what happened? certainly we are all acting in an _ result of what happened? certainly we are all acting in an active - we are all acting in an active conflict zone, at what happened to shireen abu akleh and what has happened to journalists in the past really brings home that the dangers of working in such an environment, you mustn't get complacent about it. but here there is a lot of anger and tension that has been caused by this death in particular because shireen abu akleh was such a high—profile figure, somebody who was a veteran correspondent of the network, she had covered years and years of conflict, going back to the start of the second palestinian intifada some 20 years ago. there is a lot of video emerging which adds to the debate about what happened, a lot of eyewitnesses, she was with a group of palestinian journalists when she was shot and killed, last night the palestinian authority came out with the results of its official investigation and it said they had

proved that shireen abu akleh was to liberally shot by an israeli soldier. with an armour piercing bullets. israel's defence minister said this was a blatant lie, he said there is an investigation ongoing into what happened in the report in's case. they did a preliminary inquiry announced the results, the israeli army saying shireen abu akleh could have been killed by a palestinian gunman, thereby palestinian gunman, thereby palestinian gunmen shooting in the area that morning, or that she could have been killed by an israeli sniper who they say was in a position about 200 metres away in exchange with a palestinian gunman. eyewitnesses say there are no palestinian gunman with a clear line of sight when it came to shireen abu akleh. ultimately, the problem is the palestinians here have the bullet, israel says it needs to see the bullet to check if it matches with any israeli soldiers' gun. the palestinians refused to hand over, saying they do not trust the

israelis to investigate one of their own. hello, this is bbc news, i'm sima kotecha. the headlines: a nhs trust at the centre of concerns about avoidable deaths and injuries to babies has been told to make immediate improvements to its maternity services. warnings that the cost of living crisis will continue for at least another year if oil and gas prices do not fall. but the government insists its financial aid will help people cope. russia's advance in ukraine continues as pro—russian separatist forces claim to have captured a strategic town in northeastern donbas. tributes are paid to the 19 children and two teachers killed in a texas school shooting as parents criticise the police for not taking faster action against the gunman. excuse me, but it might— action against the gunman. excuse me, but it might come _ action against the gunman. excuse me, but it might come a _ action against the gunman. excuse me, but it might come a can -

action against the gunman. excuse me, but it might come a can you i me, but it might come a can you leave the cat outside? haifa me, but it might come a can you leave the cat outside?— me, but it might come a can you leave the cat outside? how one man is takin: a leave the cat outside? how one man is taking a supermarket _ leave the cat outside? how one man is taking a supermarket to _ leave the cat outside? how one man is taking a supermarket to court - leave the cat outside? how one man is taking a supermarket to court forl is taking a supermarket to court for refusing entry to his assistant cat. sport now from the bbc sport centre. good afternoon. not long to go now for liverpool fans ahead of the champions league final. jurgen klopp says his liverpool squad have evolved since their 2018 champions league final defeat to real madrid. the two sides meet in a repeat in paris tomorrow night. and klopp believes his squad have the characteristics for enduring success. we grew together, a group of fantastic people, they are young but in the future it will be a joy to follow them, what they're doing because they are so smart, when we meet again, they will be successful in business, have families, seven kids, all these things. they are such a colourful and fantastic

group. i am such a colourful and fantastic group. iam really such a colourful and fantastic group. i am really blessed, we are really blessed we brought them all together. it's an open group, other players canjoin us together. it's an open group, other players can join us and some will leave us but the court will stay and together with the people of liverpool, we are quite powerful. liverpool and real madrid supporters have been arriving in the french capital and the liverpool fans are feeling confident. it's just another game, the last game. we have had a fantastic season, brilliance, one more game, we can do it. i season, brilliance, one more game, we can do it— we can do it. i 'ust feel we are the better team — we can do it. ijust feel we are the better team going _ we can do it. ijust feel we are the better team going into _ we can do it. ijust feel we are the better team going into it. - we can do it. ijust feel we are the better team going into it. have i we can do it. ijust feel we are the better team going into it. have to| better team going into it. have to look out for _ better team going into it. have to look out for benzema, _ better team going into it. have to look out for benzema, we - better team going into it. have to look out for benzema, we need i better team going into it. have to| look out for benzema, we need to keep— look out for benzema, we need to keep him — look out for benzema, we need to keep him quiet _ look out for benzema, we need to keep him quiet-— look out for benzema, we need to keep him quiet. there are as nerves but there will— keep him quiet. there are as nerves but there will always _ keep him quiet. there are as nerves but there will always be _ keep him quiet. there are as nerves but there will always be nerves - keep him quiet. there are as nerves but there will always be nerves for l but there will always be nerves for a final in paris. i but there will always be nerves for a final in paris.— a final in paris. i think the team we have at _ a final in paris. i think the team we have at the _ a final in paris. i think the team we have at the moment, - a final in paris. i think the team we have at the moment, with i a final in paris. i think the team - we have at the moment, with jurgen we have at the moment, withjurgen klopp. _ we have at the moment, withjurgen klopp. it _ we have at the moment, withjurgen klopp, it could be great. it can't get any— klopp, it could be great. it can't get any better than this final. last year, adelaide united'sjosh

cavallo became the first top—flight footballer in the men's game to come out as gay. the 22—year—old has since inspired others to follow suit. recently, he's been offernig his support to blackpool�*s jake daniels, who, at 17 years old, is the uk's only openly gay active male professional footballer. i'm really excited and proud because that's the point of my story and what i did, it's for people like jake and people around the world that i don't know personally that can relate to my story and feel connected when i don't even know them. it's exciting to see someone follow my footsteps and we just get each other because we went through the same story, just in different countries. my main advice is to embrace you are and to enjoy it and, mate, you've opens a new chapter, this is your life, enjoy it. for me, it was like i was getting reborn, so it's a similar feeling forjake and i know exciting times he has ahead, so i'm very excited for the both of us, we're only at the start of our

careers. british number one cameron norrie is in french open third—round action later today, but he won't be joined in the last 32 by dan evans. evans was hindered by a chest infection in his defeat to world number 95 mikael ymer yesterday. norrie, the only remaining brit in the men's or women's singles, will play russian karen khacharnov for a place in the last 16. norrie is yet to drop a set at roland garros this year. it'll be a new era for england's test cricketers next week. the three—match series against new zealand begins at lords on thursday. ben stokes captains the side for the first time since replacing joe root, who stood down after defeat in the west indies. it will also be a first test for new head coach brendan mccullum, who says it represents a good learning opportunity. we get the team together first and foremost and then you start to understand the guys, try to not impose but put a bit of positivity

across the group as well. stokes and myself have a relationship which needs to get going pretty quickly as well. 0nce needs to get going pretty quickly as well. once we do that, i think we are able to build from there but i'm under no illusions, it's a big job but a good time to take over, everyone is ready for change and i think that's are my skills sits. that's all the sport for now. looking forward to all that cricket! in spain, the lower house of parliament has passed a bill that would make it easierfor rape victims to prosecute their attackers. also known as the only yes means yes bill, it still needs to be approved by the senate, and comes as spain's lawmakers have approved a raft of measures in defense of women's rights. the bbc�*s azadeh moshiri has this report. the wolfpack case, the crime that shocked spain, and saw both women and men pour out onto the streets in anger for years to come. when pamplona celebrated its famed

running of the bulls event, it was anything but festive. an 18—year—old woman was gang raped by five men. but a spanish court ruled they were only guilty of sexual abuse, and sentenced them to nine years injail. why? because the court ruled neither violence nor intimidation had been used, and central to the case was the fact the defendant had not said no while they raped her. after sustained pressure from the public and politicians, the supreme court convicted the men for rape and increased their sentence. next time, it won't be so hard, say spain's legislators. thanks to a new law, victims will no longer have to prove they suffered violence or intimidation. it is all about consent and whether they said yes. translation: the feminist movement makes history again. _

we owed it to each of the victims. we owed it to ourselves. and most likely it will be one of the most important rights that we can leave to our daughters for the present and future. 0nly yes is yes, and long live the women's fight. the far—right party vox disagrees, arguing it is too difficult to prove consent and that the law could become a tool for revenge. it still needs to be approved by the senate, but for the thousands who took to the streets, this ruling is far overdue. an autistic man is taking the supermarket sainsbury�*s to court for refusing entry to his assistance cat. ian fenn says the ban on chloe, who helps ease his anxiety, is limiting his independence. the supermarket says cats, unlike assistance dogs, present risks to food hygiene. our legal correspondent dominic casciani explains why it could become a landmark case.

whether it is hopping on the bus... ..doing the weekly shop... what would you like, chloe? you want to have a look? ..or relaxing in the pub, chloe is always supporting ian through daily life's ups and downs. ian fenn has autism. busy and noisy environments trigger anxiety. he says he has trained chloe to help him cope. she is my companion. my life is so much better with her at my side. i am not alone any more. she brings structure to my life, she wakes me up in the morning, she tells me when to go to bed. you know, it's difficult to know how she feels about the relationship but i feel that we are almost a team now. ian defines chloe as an assistance or service animal, a bit like a guide dog for the blind, fulfilling an essential purpose. but she is not universally accepted, as he found in a local sainsbury�*s. excuse me, sir.

you can leave the cat outside and come and shop. no. that's all right. no. ian thought he had secured the supermarket�*s agreement to take chloe into the store. i ended up becoming quite upset. i stayed in the house for two weeks... two weeks? two weeks, until i got the confidence back to go out. he is now taking sainsbury�*s to court, claiming the supermarket has breached equality laws. in what could become a national test case, his lawyers will argue that chloe, like a guide dog, is an auxiliary aid essential for daily life. the key and fundamental principles are that service providers have a legal obligation to provide reasonable adjustments to accommodate disabled customers. there has never been anything specific in relation to anything other than a support dog, in this country at least. if the law really is as grey and fuzzy as a tabby kitten, then judges will have to consider what makes an assistance animal. sainsbury�*s says it is in the right.

it has concerns about food hygiene and safety, but is now asking environmental health officials for their opinion on chloe visiting. what would you say to people who say, i understand the animal is desirable but it's not really necessary for daily life? shouldn't you just leave chloe at home? i appreciate i'm a bloke wandering around with a cat, which is a bit unusual. what i want to be able to do is just run my life normally. when somebody says, no, you can't, because you have this auxiliary aid, this creature that is helping you, it's really upsetting. from fridge magnets to fine china, shop windows are filled with merchandise to mark the queen's platinum jubilee. it's estimated that we'll spend around £280 million on souvenirs as part of the royal celebrations this year. sarah rogers has been to a factory in stoke—on—trent,

where staff are trying to keep up with demand. this is china you definitely wouldn't eat your dinner off. these posh plates will set you back £150 each. but top—end merchandise is in high demand ahead of the queen's platinum jubilee, with the nation set to spend millions on royal regalia. at this factory in stoke, clay is crafted into collectors' items. you make this look really easy. it does make it look easy. yeah, it does look easy when somebody watches it. how difficult is it? it takes a while because you've got to learn how to turn your wheel, keep that going at the same time and you've got to get your gun, you've got to get it to the right position. then you've got to pull out. it does take a bit of time. extra staff have been brought in to fulfil all thejubilee orders and once an item's been pulled and pressed, it's time to paint, and the final touch of gilding. demand has been

incredible, actually, to the extent that we launched two collections, which sold out almost immediately. and then we had our design team working very hard to add some products to our assortment. and you recently went and showed her this collection. were you nervous? i don't think i've ever been more nervous in my life, actually. so do you imagine that the queen, when she has her cup of tea, might be sipping that from something made from here in stoke? i would very much hope that on occasion, she would be using something made in england from stoke—on—trent. hip, hip, hooray! this footage is from jubilees gone by, but you'll find one common thread — the flapping of flags. this company near harrogate provides flags for the royal households as well as members of the public. right, so in here, unionjack, sewing unionjacks, we've got bunting, red, white and blue street bunting. how much bunting have you made?

so far, i reckon about 85,000 metres. that's how much tape we've ordered and we've probably got another 20,000 to get through, which we certainly will do. thejubilee is currently making up 40% of this business with staff working round the clock, but they're also flying the flag for disappearing arts. we live in such a world of immediate products, and people don't think where they come from. actually, our stuff is handmade and it takes a long time. but once the party is over, is it a case of red, white and binned? look at this, amazing stuff. social historian robert 0pie is showcasing 200 years of royal memorabilia at the museum of brands in london. and this year, he'll be squeezing in a few more. i love these coronation commemorative paper bags from 1953. and that's what this museum's allabout, memories, nostalgia and seeing the moment, because the story is here.

it's a consumer world we live in, a throwaway history that we seem to chuck out of our bins every week, but the history is actually amongst those very items. and for the companies making those items, it's a much—needed boost as britannia is set to rule the retail sales. airports are gearing up for their busiest day since the start of the pandemic. 8000 flights are scheduled to take off across the weekend as half term starts tomorrow for many. as long queues formed at the port of dover, our correspondentjoins me now. how looking this morning? hat now. how looking this morning? not as not as now. how looking this morning? idrrt as not as bad as earlier in the week, there had been some cancellations, though, 20 flights cancelled all in all at gatwick, 14 of those by easyjet. easyjet has blamed the same problems it was

facing yesterday, a software glitch that caused so many lights to be cancelled then, 300 flights cancelled then, 300 flights cancelled yesterday. generally, the airports were speaking to have been pretty smooth this morning. tui have said that a small number of flights have been delayed due to supply chain issues but certainly not the kind of chaotic scenes we saw earlier in the week. that kind of chaotic scenes we saw earlier in the week.— kind of chaotic scenes we saw earlier in the week. at the airports are bus , earlier in the week. at the airports are busy. the _ earlier in the week. at the airports are busy, the roads _ earlier in the week. at the airports are busy, the roads must - earlier in the week. at the airports are busy, the roads must be - earlier in the week. at the airports are busy, the roads must be busyl are busy, the roads must be busy too? ~ . ., are busy, the roads must be busy too? . ., ., �* ., ~' too? with half term and bank holidays. _ too? with half term and bank holidays, there _ too? with half term and bank holidays, there are _ too? with half term and bank holidays, there are a - too? with half term and bank holidays, there are a lot - too? with half term and bank holidays, there are a lot of. too? with half term and bank- holidays, there are a lot of people looking to get out on holiday. it has been a busy morning at the port of dover, some minor delays there. some people complaining that it has been about an hour and a half, perhaps longer, waiting to board a ferry to. the port of dover itself and p&0 ferries are one people not to come down to the port of dover if they don't have a ferry crossing booked. there telling people to plan for toilet breaks on the way and to bring food and water in case your head up longer than planned but there is no suggestion that fans

won't be making it across the channel because men are coming from liverpool, excited about tomorrow's champions league final.— liverpool, excited about tomorrow's champions league final. the headlines on bbc news: a nhs trust at the centre of concerns about avoidable deaths and injuries to babies has been told to make immediate improvements to its maternity services. warnings that the cost of living crisis will continue for at least another year if oil and gas prices do not fall. but the government insists its financial aid will help people cope. russia's advance in ukraine continues as pro—russian separatist forces claim to have captured a strategic town in northeastern donbas. depeche mode announced last night the death of its keyboardist, andy fletcher, at 60. on its social media, they expressed their overwhelming

sadness and said that fletcher had a true heart of gold. fletcher was one of the founding members of the electronic band, known for super hits such asjust can't get enough. joining us is daryl easlea, music writer and broadcaster. thank you for coming on this afternoon. he's gone too early, what legacy will he leave behind? firstly, i think 60 is no age at all and it's a complete and utter shock because i think, of all the members of depeche mode, you would think that flights would not be the first to go. i think depeche mode have quietly made this incredible legacy, moving from 41 years ago, we first heard them, and when you think in that first year, just can't get enough with a big hit, and you can still play that, you can hear that

out at wedding discos to cool clubs or whatever, out at wedding discos to cool clubs orwhatever, it out at wedding discos to cool clubs or whatever, it it has the same effect every time, people love it. but then it became a huge stadium act and i think we undervalue that in britain, because in eastern europe, america, they are enormous, they are coldplay, youtube and, that sort of level. so they leave an enormous legacy and have an enormous legacy, and i think fletch was interesting because it was in the middle of it, he wasn't the front man or the middle of it, he wasn't the front man orthe main middle of it, he wasn't the front man or the main writer or the lead musician, he was the glue, almost like ringo in the beatles, whatever problems may be, he was the one that everyone loved and he was instrumental in getting them together and i think instrument and keeping them together. b5 together and i think instrument and keeping them together.— together and i think instrument and keeping them together. as you say, they certainly _ keeping them together. as you say, they certainly were _ keeping them together. as you say, they certainly were big, _ keeping them together. as you say, they certainly were big, have - keeping them together. as you say, they certainly were big, have you i they certainly were big, have you ever met them and if you have done, what are they like? i

ever met them and if you have done, what are they like?— what are they like? i live in southend-on-sea, - what are they like? i live in southend-on-sea, in i what are they like? i live in l southend-on-sea, in essex, what are they like? i live in i southend-on-sea, in essex, they what are they like? i live in _ southend-on-sea, in essex, they came southend—on—sea, in essex, they came from basildon, so everyone knows someone who knows them really well was in them or worked with them, and that punk scene of the late 70s, i was just a bit too young and it was awe—inspiring, there is a pub in basildon where they all met and lots of people in bands with them are still around here now. just normal people, they picked on it being in a band, and fletch especially a spouse that, i have been in pubs with him, and there were a sink about there's fletch over there having a pint with his friends and no one bothers him, no—one knows he is a stadium rock of that size. there was that unassuming nature about them all except when they got on stage and they became at this rock monster, they came from the 90s onwards, it was amazing. you have the 905 onwards, it was amazing. you have anecdotes, looking at my notes, which i would love you to share with our viewers about meeting him at a

pub? our viewers about meeting him at a ub? ~ . our viewers about meeting him at a .ub? . ., ., , , our viewers about meeting him at a ub?~ . ., , ,., pub? well, i met him at a pub and it was 'ust pub? well, i met him at a pub and it wasjust very — pub? well, i met him at a pub and it wasjust very much, _ pub? well, i met him at a pub and it wasjust very much, very _ pub? well, i met him at a pub and it wasjust very much, very normal, i pub? well, i met him at a pub and it| wasjust very much, very normal, and was just very much, very normal, and there are people who know him really well and he hasjust been there are people who know him really well and he has just been unaffected by it all but very, very helpful to a new musicians. are you just have to look at social media that people don't need it to say these things, but they do, and there is a genuine affection for him in a very deep shock. . .. affection for him in a very deep shock. . ~' , ., affection for him in a very deep shock. . ,, , ., ,., affection for him in a very deep shock. . ,, y., . affection for him in a very deep shock. . ,, . ., ., shock. thank you so much for “oining us, talkin: shock. thank you so much for “oining us, talking about i shock. thank you so much for “oining us, talking about it i shock. thank you so much for “oining us, talking about it depeche i shock. thank you so much forjoining us, talking about it depeche mode. l it's been more than 40 years since their last tour, but last night swedish pop legends abba hit the stage once more — well, sort of. the band have created digital versions of themselves as they were in their heyday and these so—called abba—tars are performing with live musicians in london. 0ur entertainment correspondent colin paterson went along to watch the show.

the waiting was over. # so when you're near me, darling, can't you hear me? # sos... more than 40 years after the last abba concert, they returned to the stage last night — albeit in digitalform, looking like they did in their 1970s heyday. the uncannily life—like abba avatars played 20 songs, including sos and mamma mia, kate moss was seen heading to the dance floor surrounded by bouncers, and the audience loved it. something you've never seen before and you'll be, like...they�*re looking around everywhere. oh, my god, when they did dancing queen, it was spectacular. what they put into this show is mind—blowing. it was so real, it was so alike, i it was better than i even expected. at the end, the members also came land it wasjust a dream come true. | absolutely, it looked so realistic, it really does. so clear — the lighting is fantastic. it just was fantastic. they were just awesome.

absolutely awesome. they were there! they were there on screen. it was just the best ever. did you cry at any point? i cried four times! what got you? seeing agnetha's face. so a lot of happy punters. and during the show, abba were sitting two rows behind me. during dancing queen, i turned around and saw frida looking out over the audience with a huge, beaming smile. cheering. and earlier on the red carpet, i'd spoken to the whole group. agnetha, frida, what made you change your mind and decide to work with abba again? i've dreamed of this for years! we love our music. we love to sing. we love the material that benny and bjorn write... excellent, and it's a challenge. abba has never left us, in my heart. in our hearts. so it was not so...difficult

decision, because the music is a part of us. how was the experience for you of seeing yourself as your younger self? it's amazing because, in a way, you look at yourself on stage. it's so well done, so you think, actually, it's real people standing up there, performing, and then you're sitting, yourself, watching yourself! it's a very extraordinary feeling, it's hard to describe, i must say! i think the only way - to understand what this is, you have to come and see it. yeah. it's sort of a non—explainable. we've tried this for two years, to explain what it is, what it. will be, but that's impossible. you need to go and see it. i think it's a new experience for all of us and it will be so exciting tonight because i haven't seen anything. and i think you can safely say that nobody�*s ever seen anything like this because this is a first —

this is pushing boundaries. the first reviews are in, and are very positive. there's already talk of a plan for the show to run in london for at least three years. and abba say they know of other major acts who are already thinking of copying their idea of copying themselves. 0n the 125th anniversary of bram stoker's dracula, the record for the largest gathering of people dressed as vampires has been broken. it happened last night at whitby abbey, where a total of 1369 people attended the event in north yorkshire dressed as dracula. that breaks the previous record of 1039 set in virginia, in 2011.

scientists in chile believe the mayor found the world's oldest tree. known as the great—grandfather, this could be more than 5000 years old with a four metre thick trunk, beating the current record holder by around 600 years. the full details on its growth rings are set to be published in the coming months. now it's time for a look at the weather with darren. hello there. we'll take a look at the weekend forecast a little later on, let's focus on the rest of today. the difference is really north/south across the uk. across southern england, wales, the midlands, more sunshine here through the rest of the day but we have high uv levels and also high pollen levels, grass pollen, of course, at this time of the year. further north, things are a bit different, the levels are lower, there's more cloud around too. we have also seen some showers. the past few hours, some showers coming in across northern scotland, some of those heavy, some showers possible further

south across the country, into northern ireland and northern england, where temperatures will be around the mid—teens. further south, more sunshine and the winds easing down, temperatures are warmer, 21 degrees. a fine end to the day across england and wales, it has to be said. the showers further north, most will fade away, some continue to affect northern parts of scotland, some cloud coming into northern ireland, but otherwise clear skies and the winds dropping, so temperatures as low as 6 degrees. the main thing for the weekend continues to be this cooling down. there could be some sunshine but we will see are few showers around as well. high pressure is tantalisingly close to the uk, it continues to sit to the west and may retreat back towards iceland, and that's allowing these northerly winds to come our way. as those continue to blow through the weekend, so the air gets cooler from the north. as we start the weekend, though, many places will start sunny and dry. we will see cloud amounts building up through the day and it

could give one or two showers, perhaps in northern scotland, perhaps northern and eastern parts of england but many places will have a dry day. a noticeable northerly breeze down the north sea coast, it will be cooler for many areas. could make 18 in the central belt of scotland, sheltered from the wind, and 19 in south wales. the second half of the weekend sees falling pressures, the high pressure moves away, we're seeing more cloud giving more showers, particularly in southern and eastern areas. still that northerly wind, drawing down cooler air, so temperatures lower for all of us, perhaps no better than 12 degrees in eastern scotland and eastern parts of england. the high pressure continues to pull away early next week, lowering pressure, continues to bring more cloud and possibly more showers.

this is bbc news. i'm sima kotecha and these are the latest headlines... a nhs trust at the centre of concerns about avoidable deaths and injuries to babies has been told to make immediate improvements to its maternity services. families now need to feel that they are listened to, that their concerns have been heard and that change is going to happen and is going to happen quickly. warnings that the cost—of—living crisis will continue for at least another year if oil and gas prices do not fall. but the government insists its financial aid will help people cope. conservative mp paul holmes resigned following the fallout of a report into lockdown parties at downing

street. the government sets out standards for government ministers, we will have all the details. russia's advance in ukraine continues as pro—russian separatist forces claim to have captured a strategic town in northeastern donbas. as tributes are paid to the 19 children and two teachers killed in the texas school shooting, the national rifle association opens its annual convention in the same state despite calls for it to be cancelled. excuse me, sir. you can leave the cat outside. how one man is taking a supermarket to court for refusing entry to his assistance cat.

good afternoon and welcome to the bbc�*s lunchtime news. nottingham university hospitals nhs trust has been ordered to make significant and immediate improvements to its maternity services. concerns have been raised about avoidable deaths and injuries to mothers and babies. the care quality commission says the trust has serious staffing and cultural problems. yesterday the senior midwife, donna 0ckenden, was appointed to chair an independent review of maternity care at the trust, which has said it is working hard to make all the improvements necessary. sanchia berg reports. a warning, you may find some details and images distressing from the start of this report. sarah andrews' baby lived forjust 23 minutes. these photos were given to us by the family. mistakes and neglect by staff at nottingham university hospitals contributed to her death in 2019, an inquest found.

she was born by caesarean section, but too late. you trust them, because that is what they are there to do. why wouldn't you trust them? it's only after that we knew something terrible had gone wrong, because it was a perfectly healthy baby and how does a perfectly healthy baby not survive? hundreds of other families have raised the alarm too. today the care quality commission said maternity services remained inadequate and issued a safety warning focused on the care of pregnant women. it was about observations not being undertaken in a timely manner so that they could identify women who were likely to deteriorate. it is only a day since donna 0ckenden appointed to lead a new inquiry into maternity services

in the nottingham trust. this march, her report into maternity care in shropshire found that more than 200 babies may have died through failures in care over 20 years. clearly, there are really serious concerns that need very urgent action, and the trust will be aware of that from the detailed cqc report. i think that families now need to feel that they are listened to, that their concerns have been heard and that change is going to happen quickly. the director of midwifery at nottingham university hospitals said her teams were working hard to make the necessary improvements, but recognised that they had more to do and were absolutely determined to speed up the pace of change. sarah's husband is sceptical. this situation has been allowed to get so bad that it needs some serious thought put behind making those improvements. the reason why we are here and the reason

we shout so loudly from the rooftops is because we want the service to be safe. they have more confidence in donna 0ckenden's inquiry. sanchia berg, bbc news. a short time ago i spoke to sanchia berg — who said the news will be concerning for many expectant mothers who are close to term... she also said there were lots of very good people working in these areas, and that she would listen very carefully and effectively, she said, to their parents, to all the stories that people will now be coming forward to tell her and her team, who are very experienced by lots of midwives and doctors who worked with her before in the telford and shrewsbury trust. some of the detail we saw in your report is disturbing. can you tell us why this inquiry has been launched? in fact, there was one already taking place but the families, we now know of at least 460 families who have come forward to raise concerns, that

they were not happy with those inquiries and they said they wanted donna 0ckenden or somebody like that to take over the inquiry, so they were very pleased when it was announced that donna 0ckenden would be leading it, because they have confidence that she and her team will do thejob thoroughly. of course, her report was very much welcomed by the families in the other trust where she investigated. the prime minister says measures outlined by the chancellor yesterday will "not fix everything" for everyone, but are temporary support to help people cope with a spike in energy prices. rishi sunak announced support worth £15 billion, including an energy bill discount of £400 per household. but labour says the financial help could have been targeted better. 0ur economics correspondent, andy verity, reports. take any high street in the country, in this case bristol, and you will

find people who will tell you why the government had to act, something we are all seeing every time we go shopping — the worst inflation in 40 years. the electric and everything else, food shopping. yeah, everything has gone up. i have got to pay my gas, electric and water and the price has gone up. i can't afford to pay the gas any more. to some, £15 billion of help isn't enough when the government has just hiked taxes on both households and firms by more than that. £400 is not going to cut it on top of what is already going to happen. they do not target things properly, and that is what angers me. the government will pay £400 of every household's energy bill, starting in october. in addition, 8.4 million of the poorest households will get £650 in two extra benefit payments, the first in july. people on flat rate disability benefits will get an actual £150 and there will be an additional £300 for every pensioner household this winter.

of the £15 billion package, three quarters of it will go to households regarded as being in vulnerable circumstances. there are pensioners who are turning off their heating because they are worried about how they are going to pay the bills. you have got mums and dads skipping meals because they want to ensure that their children get three proper meals a day. so it is welcome that the government has finally come to their senses and adopted labour's policy for a windfall tax to give help to people that need it. but i have to ask, what on earth took them so long? what the government calls its new energy profit levy raises £5 billion a year, more than twice what labour was proposing. to deflect its own criticism that a windfall tax would put oil and gas companies off investing, it has created tax breaks to offset that. the levy is designed so that companies can offset investments that they are making in new energy supply or in green technology to the tune of 91p in the pound.

this is what i have been saying for months, if you listen carefully to my answers. we want to have a solution that protects people, but also protects investment in our economy. oil and gas companies were taken aback to discover that a new tax promoted as temporary won't be a one—off, but could stay in place until 2025 unless oil and gas prices return to more normal levels. right now, no—one is sure how many months or years that might take. andy verity, bbc news. joining me now is greg jackson, the ceo of 0ctopus energy. thank you for coming on, really appreciate it, how are you responding to this levy that has been put on companies like you, or are some quality windfall tax? first of all lets about what _ are some quality windfall tax? f “st of all lets about what is so important for customers. we speak to

30,000 customers a day, and for so long they have been incredibly worried, not only about current energy bills but what happens in winter, and if this package is big enough to make a real difference, especially that combination of help for everyone, giving that these rises were going to be so big that it was later dragged people into fuel poverty who were previously a long way from it, and significant targeted help for people who need it most. regardless of where the money is coming from, this was essential. how do you feel, having to pay that levy? brute how do you feel, having to pay that le ? ~ . how do you feel, having to pay that le ? . ., ., how do you feel, having to pay that le ? ~ ., ., , how do you feel, having to pay that le ? . ., ., , , how do you feel, having to pay that le ? ~ ., ., , , ., how do you feel, having to pay that levy? we are not yet sure who is auoin levy? we are not yet sure who is aoian to levy? we are not yet sure who is going to be _ levy? we are not yet sure who is going to be paid _ levy? we are not yet sure who is going to be paid for— levy? we are not yet sure who is going to be paid for it, _ levy? we are not yet sure who is going to be paid for it, because i levy? we are not yet sure who is i going to be paid for it, because we know that oil and gas will be paying it, but companies like ours that specialise in renewable generation are waiting to find out if there will be additional taxes on that. if will be additional taxes on that. if it is applicable to companies like you, you talk about being pleased that people are getting additional support, but it would affect your

profit margin. how do you feel about that? . ., , , profit margin. how do you feel about that? . , ., ., that? octopus has never made a arofit, that? octopus has never made a profit, because _ that? octopus has never made a profit, because of— that? octopus has never made a profit, because of the _ that? octopus has never made a profit, because of the crisis i that? octopus has never made a profit, because of the crisis we i profit, because of the crisis we were not planning on doing so they see, we are putting everything we can into supporting customers. we have had about £100 million put into subsidising hills, multi—million pound support for those who need it, energy efficiency programmes that are making a difference. this is still an energy crisis but companies and government working together can really help people make it through. there has been some controversy over some of the support being universal, applicable to everybody, how do you feel about that? is it those that are short of money, they are entitled, should it be to everybody? the measures, suggestions that may be 40% of households are going to be in fuel poverty this winter, and when you get to that level, the

targeting becomes less effective because you are going to miss a lot of people that need help. so the combination of universal support to make sure that everybody is getting help, that means we will catch some of the people that were to be mist by targeting, and stronger support thatis by targeting, and stronger support that is targeted is the right way of tackling something of this scale. thank you for your time. borisjohnson is boris johnson is facing borisjohnson is facing an investigation by the commons privileges committee into whether he misled parliament over lockdown parties in whitehall. let's speak to our political correspondent david wallace lockhart, who's in westminster.

thank you forjoining us. how significant is the recognition of conservative mp paul holmes at the home office, following the full ad from the publication of a report into lockdown parties?- into lockdown parties? there certainly seems _ into lockdown parties? there certainly seems to _ into lockdown parties? there certainly seems to be i into lockdown parties? there certainly seems to be no i into lockdown parties? there i certainly seems to be no immediate threat, no mass rebellion to boris johnson's leadership. although there does seem to be a small number of mps who the sue gray report has essentially tipped them over the edge into struggling to support the prime minister. paul holmes hasn't put any letter saying he no longer has confidence in the prime minister but he is someone who obviously is not happy how it all has played out, he is the mp for eastleigh in hampshire, a pps parliamentary private secretary, essentially of the bottom rung of the ladder on the

ministerial career, an unpaid position but perhaps giving people who the government believe have some promise the first step on that career. he said today there is now a deep mistrust after that sue gray report is published with the government, and it sounds like he has frustrations when it comes to doing his performing his role in the constituency, a lot of what goes on there seems to be tarnished by people's opinion of the government because of the report. while boris johnson's position seems comfortable enough, in terms that he doesn't look like he is facing a leadership challenge anytime soon, a reminder that there is discontent within the party and for a handful of mps who we have seen since the sue gray report was published, it does seem like they are struggling in the roles they are currently performing. some have described it as a trickle rather than a flat, with some openly saying they are not supportive of the prime minister and no longer have confidence in him. do you

genuinely believe the number ten is worried? fiat genuinely believe the number ten is worried? �* ._ genuinely believe the number ten is worried? �* .y , worried? at the day, number ten potentially _ worried? at the day, number ten potentially played _ worried? at the day, number ten potentially played this _ worried? at the day, number ten potentially played this quite i worried? at the day, number ten | potentially played this quite well, whether deliberately or not we could question, they told a lot of their own mps to wait for sue gray to publish a full report until they made any final or potentially drastic decisions about what they thought should happen with the prime minister in the long term. quite a lot of the information that we came to know about these parties trickled out, whether through the media or through the interim report that sue gray published last january, through the interim report that sue gray published lastjanuary, so through the interim report that sue gray published last january, so when the final report was published this week, while there was a lot of detail in there that looked really bad, a lot of it we knew largely about, for example that the number of gatherings she was investigating, and of course we knew that the law had been broken, many of these events, we knew people got fixed penalty notices, and that perhaps

being able to tell their mps to wait until sue gray, but at the same time a lot of what had taken place coming out maybe made it less shocking in conservative party circles than it could have been and ultimately worked to the prime minister's advantage. that is not to say there isn't discontent within the party, nor that there isn't concerned that people are still talking about parties, let's remember boris johnson still faces an inquiry from a parliamentary committee into whether a note he misled the commons when talking about partygate, but broadly speaking it does seem to be that the prime minister, like you say, is facing a trickle of rebellion rather than a flat. ministers who were found to have breached the ministerial code will no longer have to automatically resign, that is quite a change, can you talk us through that and give us more detail? it you talk us through that and give us

more detail?— more detail? if you remember, the independent _ more detail? if you remember, the independent adviser _ more detail? if you remember, the independent adviser on _ more detail? if you remember, the independent adviser on ministerial| independent adviser on ministerial interests of the government, his name may be familiar to some people, he looked into the prime minister's refurbishment of the downing street flat, there were accusations there had been a conflict—of—interest because that was in part paid for by a conservative party donor, he did clear the prime minister when it came to that although he was annoyed he didn't get all the messages he had wanted as part of his investigation. there has been a change to his terms of reference as the independent adviser on ministerial interests. what this means is he will have the ability to start an means is he will have the ability to startan inquiry means is he will have the ability to start an inquiry of his own, not necessarily been asked to do so by the prime minister, but big caveat, the prime minister, but big caveat, the prime minister can block that if he thinks there is a public interest reason to do so. the prime minister is meant to give him a reason, which means it could be published as to why he is not allowed to go ahead

with his investigation, but another important caveat, i know this is quite process heavy, but the prime minister canjudge it is public interest not to publish that reason for not going ahead with an inquiry. so while he seems to have more powers, there is a lot of authority still reserved to the prime minister to ultimately stop an investigation and not give a reason for doing so. perhaps more powers on one hand but not going as far as this potentially could all have gone. he is still able let his role to recommend sanctions, then up for the prime minister to decide if it is for another minister to decide what happens. not right to say this would be notably ministers not having to resign, that could be something we hear still. russian—backed separatist leaders in eastern ukraine say

they've captured the town of lyman, as russian forces persist with their offensive in the donbas region. lyman is on the road to the ukrainian city of slovyansk, which is a key russian target as moscow tries to take full control of the donbas. there's no way of verifying the claim. in his nightly address, ukraine's president volodymyr zelensky said moscow seemed intent on reducing cities in the east to ashes and that the russian offensive could leave the donbas region uninhabited. 0ur correspondent, joe inwood, sent this report from kyiv. this is what liberation by the russians looks like. popasna in the donbas region. 0nce 20,000 people lived here. now it is almost deserted. natalia is one of the few who remains. translation: iwas- sleeping here last night. i just have to fix the window somehow. the wind is still bad, cold at night.

she had seen the destruction of this invasion first—hand. two people back then were dead. they were sitting outside to cook and a projectile came flying. eight people were wounded at once. someone was standing with the cattle, somebody was cooking for the neighbours, and then eight got wounded. popasna is the town where russian forces broke through ukrainian lines and began their slow but relentless attempt to encircle and destroy thousands of ukrainian fighters. when he started this invasion, one of the main reasons given by president putin was to stop what he said was a genocide taking place in the donbas, carried out by ukraine. now, there never was any evidence of that. but now president zelensky says a genocide is taking place, but it's being carried out by russia. translation: the current offensive of the occupiers in donbas will make j the region uninhabited.

they want to burn our towns and cities to ashes. all this, including the deportation of our people and the mass killings of civilians, is an obvious policy of genocide pursued by russia. this is lysychansk, one of two cities currently being encircled. before the invasion, many people here felt an affinity russia. people spoke russian, got their news from russian sources, an affinity with russia. people spoke russian, got their news from russian sources, but have now been driven from their homes by russian shelling. translation: what drove me out was the stress. _ shells kept falling every second. translation: i don't know what we'll do. i we can't go home and we can't live here either. with every russian military breakthrough, escape becomes harder. in the last few hours, russian—backed separatist forces claim to have captured the town of lyman, another step in their conquest of the donbas, which is looking more likely joe inwood, bbc news, kyiv. let's get the latest analysis on the

situation in the donbas. i have with me a former british infantry captain and senior lecturer on security at the university of bath, thank you for coming on. can you explain what the situation is at the moment in the situation is at the moment in the east of the country? it is the east of the country? it is basically _ the east of the country? it is basically what _ the east of the country? it is basically what we _ the east of the country? it is basically what we have i the east of the country? it 3 basically what we have seen in the last week, unlike in the early part of the campaign where they tried to attack on four axes, big deep attacks into ukraine, they have concentrated their forces ukraine, they have concentrated theirforces in ukraine, they have concentrated their forces in the ukraine, they have concentrated theirforces in the donbas ukraine, they have concentrated their forces in the donbas and after a number of unsuccessful attempts, have finally been able to make incremental gains in a number of areas which could potentially add days at the moment started to look like an encirclement of ukrainian forces. what they are trying to do is create a cordoned to trap as many ukrainian soldiers and force them to withdraw or cut them off completely

—— cauldron. what we have seen is the ukrainians preparing the first option so far, so abandoning places when it becomes clear that either they are logistics or resupply, reinforcements of troops is unsustainable and are pulling back, hence the russians can advance a bit more. lyman, that is not confirmed, breakthrough potentially a strong word, we are seeing advances have around a mile so far in the last week but the problem is it is happening day after day and slowly that starts to build up. the russians themselves —— the ukrainians themselves will have expected their side will have defensive lines prepared behind this. but it is worrying in terms of the russians being able to concentrate their force and using their artillery as well to batter their artillery as well to batter their way through.— their artillery as well to batter their way through. what is the cost to the ukrainian _ their way through. what is the cost to the ukrainian army, _ their way through. what is the cost l to the ukrainian army, numerically? quite hi, simply. president zelensky said in the last two days they are losing 52 and 100 fighters a day and

if you put that in the context of the uk in afghanistan, something i have experienced, they lost about 400 -- 450 have experienced, they lost about 400 —— 450 plus. —— have experienced, they lost about 400 -- 450 plus. -- 50 have experienced, they lost about 400 —— 450 plus. —— 50 two 100 we hear a lot about nato giving weapons to ukraine, that's been happening from the outset. de to ukraine, that's been happening from the outset.— to ukraine, that's been happening from the outset. add those weapons actually making _ from the outset. add those weapons actually making a — from the outset. add those weapons actually making a difference? i i from the outset. add those weapons actually making a difference? i am i actually making a difference? i am sure they are at a small level, but when you look at the conflict as a whole, what impact have a happen? they are having an impact and if you look at what the americans have done, off their own back in terms of giving division's with heavy artillery which the ukrainians are asking for, it is a lot of ammunition, i have seen footage of those in action. when they go interaction, they are firing against russian batteries, some of them can locate them and counter battery

fire, some of those are being destroyed, so ukraine is going to need a high level of support continuously, because if russia doesn't meet what we would call bone, if it keeps pushing that bayonet in, it will go as far as it can add this is something that a lot of the central european and nordic nations understand, that if they are not stopped now and there isn't a heavy cost to on to russia for this attempted conquest, guess who is going to be next. that is the worry. although the price of living and other scandals are dominating the news, it is really important to maintain focus on just supporting ukraine as best the west can, be it intelligence, arms and political support as well. if}. breaking news, a further 16 cases of monkeypox have been detected in

england. the latest cases bring the total number confirmed in england since may the 7th to 101. there have been three confirmed cases in scotland, one in wales man and one in northern ireland, taking the uk total to 106. in northern ireland, taking the uk totalto106. let in northern ireland, taking the uk total to 106. let me tell you that again. a further 16 cases of monkeypox have been detected in england, uk health secretary agency has said, adding those the other totals in scotland, england and wales, and is the total to 106. —— it brings the total. it's emerged the gunman who carried out a mass shooting at a school in uvalde, texas entered the building unhindered through an unlocked door. 18—year—old salvador ramos barricaded himself inside a classroom where he killed 19 children and two teachers. the details come as tens of thousands of members of america's biggest gun lobby, the national rifle association, gather in texas for their annual

convention, just a few hours away from where the shooting took place. 0ur correspondent barbara plett usher reports. this is what the centre of town looks like two days after a massacre. a marker for every one of the 19 children and two of their teachers. some came from outside uvalde to show solidarity. there was even a brief visit by the duchess of sussex, meghan markle — she laid flowers at the cross for an eight—year—old boy. jackie would have turned ten next month, but she'd already found her own voice, her uncle said. jackie was the life of our family. she had just recently received her first communion. so she was on fire. she felt like a rock star. he says his brother argued with police on that day, demanding that they move faster to storm the school and stop the gunman. he wanted to go in there and charge this guy, but they wouldn't let him.

"you guys going to do yourjob? do something! you know, you got 20 guys over there, standing, doing nothing. just get in there!" he goes, "you need to go back, scoot back." "no, we're not going to scoot back. you want to arrest us, arrest us, but we're not... we're not... you know, we're here. i'm not going to go anywhere until i see my baby!" the authorities defended their response to the shooting. they tried to provide answers, but many questions remain, a troubling undercurrent to a tragedy that is still unfolding. you got to understand, we're getting a lot of information we're trying to track down and see what is true — we want to vet it. with the latest news that the broken—hearted husband of a teacher who was killed had died of a heart attack. there are so many bouquets now — we've seen those mounds of flowers grow throughout the day — and quite a few children here as well. there is a memorial at the school, but this really feels like a safe space for the community to grieve and to remember. silvia did not lose a loved

one, but her world was shaken by those who did. we're part of the community and it's people that, one time or another, we have been together in a baseball game, and a football game, in a city event, and it'sjust children from our community and... we're here and i have the blessing to have my children with me, and these families don't. it is the hardest of the hard realities that have changed this town forever. barbara plett usher, bbc news, uvalde, texas. for weeks there's been outrage over the killing of the much—admired now it's time for a look at the weather with darren. hello there. it's wales, the midlands and southern england that continue to see the sunnier skies through the rest of the day and the highest temperatures as well. further north, looking at the mid—teens, there is more cloud and the bulk of the showers across northern scotland but one or two affecting northern ireland, southern scotland and northern england for a while. hello there. tonight, the showers will fade away,

it becomes dry and clear and the winds ease down a bit as well. chilly overnight, temperatures as low as 6 degrees. the weekend starts dry and sunny for many of us and while we will see some cloud building up, there could be some showers, most places will have a dry day. a noticeable northerly breeze, especially down the north sea coasts, temperatures peaking at 19. cools off for sunday and we have much more cloud that is likely to bring more showers, especially in southern and eastern parts of the uk. northerly breeze continues and it continues to cool down, particularly chilly for eastern scotland and the eastern side of england.

hello, this is bbc news, i'm sima kotecha. the headlines: a nhs trust at the centre

of concerns about avoidable deaths and injuries to babies has been told to make immediate improvements to its maternity services. warnings that the cost of living crisis will continue for at least another year if oil and gas prices do not fall. but the government insists its financial aid will help people cope. conservative mp paul holmes resigns as a ministerial aide at the home office following the fallout from the publication of a report into lockdown parties at downing street. the government publishes revisions to the ministerial code, which sets out standards of conduct for government ministers. we'll have the details. russia's advance in ukraine continues as pro—russian separatist forces claim to have captured a strategic town in northeastern donbas. as tributes are paid to the 19 children and two teachers killed in the texas school shooting, the national rifle association opens its annual convention in the same state despite calls for it to be cancelled.

excuse me, sir, you can leave the cat outside — excuse me, sir, you can leave the cat outside-— excuse me, sir, you can leave the cat outside. ., ., . , . ~ . cat outside. how one man is taking a supermarket — cat outside. how one man is taking a supermarket to _ cat outside. how one man is taking a supermarket to court _ cat outside. how one man is taking a supermarket to court for _ cat outside. how one man is taking a supermarket to court for refusing i supermarket to court for refusing entry to his assistance cat. sport now, from the bbc sport centre. good afternoon. not long to go now until one of the biggest matches in world football. liverpool have boarded their plane to paris ahead of the champions league final against real madrid tomorrow night. liverpool managerjurgen klopp says his squad have evolved since their defeat to real in the 2018 final. klopp told bbc breakfast�*s sally nugent his squad have the characteristics for long term success. you're bringing lots of people joy after a really difficult time. cost of living is going up, people are

struggling to pay their bills, it's a difficult time how important is it for you that you can bring a little bit of joy? for you that you can bring a little bit ofjoy? it’s for you that you can bring a little bit of 'o ? �* . for you that you can bring a little bitof'o? �*, ., bit of 'oy? it's the most important thina bit of joy? it's the most important thina to bit of joy? it's the most important thing to do- _ bit of joy? it's the most important thing to do. football, _ bit of joy? it's the most important thing to do. football, the - bit of joy? it's the most important thing to do. football, the only i thing to do. football, the only reason that football is a set in a moment that we play, for 90 minutes, it is like to be focused on, and if you lose, you suffer together, so i'm not alone in this moment, if you win, you celebrate together, you're not alone, this is the most important thing. being lonely with your problems of the most difficult thing in life, if your together with others, share problem is half a problem, so that's what we try to do. but it is really tough at the moment out there for plenty of reasons and we're happy we can give people this kind ofjoy and they can really forget. and maybe to get the boost for the next day and they get the energy again for the next week, that's how it should be.

klopp is scheduled to speak at the press conference in a few minutes' time. meanwhile, both sets of supporters are arriving in the french capital, these liverpool fans are confident they can win europe's premier club competiton for a seventh time. i would say pretty confident. we're favourites but _ i would say pretty confident. we're favourites but not _ i would say pretty confident. we're favourites but not too _ i would say pretty confident. we're favourites but not too confident. i favourites but not too confident. feeling — favourites but not too confident. feeling confident for playing them the second — feeling confident for playing them the second time, _ feeling confident for playing them the second time, we _ feeling confident for playing them the second time, we are - feeling confident for playing them the second time, we are out i feeling confident for playing them the second time, we are out for. the second time, we are out for revenge — the second time, we are out for revenge. unlucky— the second time, we are out for revenge. unlucky last— the second time, we are out for revenge. unlucky last sunday i the second time, we are out for. revenge. unlucky last sunday but it will be _ revenge. unlucky last sunday but it will be settled _ revenge. unlucky last sunday but it will be settled by _ revenge. unlucky last sunday but it will be settled by the _ revenge. unlucky last sunday but it will be settled by the time - revenge. unlucky last sunday but it will be settled by the time we i revenge. unlucky last sunday but it will be settled by the time we fly i will be settled by the time we fly home _ will be settled by the time we fly home on— will be settled by the time we fly home on sunday. _ will be settled by the time we fly home on sunday. iallie— will be settled by the time we fly home on sunday.— home on sunday. we are very passionate — home on sunday. we are very passionate liverpool - home on sunday. we are very i passionate liverpool supporters from australia. brute passionate liverpool supporters from australia. ~ . australia. we get up in the middle ofthe australia. we get up in the middle of the night _ australia. we get up in the middle of the night to _ australia. we get up in the middle of the night to watch _ australia. we get up in the middle of the night to watch the - australia. we get up in the middle of the night to watch the games. | australia. we get up in the middle i of the night to watch the games. we came of the night to watch the games. came here to of the night to watch the games. - came here to watch liverpool win, let's paint paris red. brute came here to watch liverpool win, let's paint paris red.— let's paint paris red. we have to look out for _ let's paint paris red. we have to look out for benzema, - let's paint paris red. we have to look out for benzema, songs i let's paint paris red. we have toj look out for benzema, songs we let's paint paris red. we have to i look out for benzema, songs we can keep him _ look out for benzema, songs we can keep him quiet. _ look out for benzema, songs we can keep him quiet. we— look out for benzema, songs we can keep him quiet, we should - look out for benzema, songs we can keep him quiet, we should win. i

there has been a lot of talk about revenge but bbc�*s spanish football expert says that real madrid's more relaxed attitude may give them the edge. fin relaxed attitude may give them the ed a e. ., ., , ., relaxed attitude may give them the edae. ., ., , ., ., edge. on the one hand, you have liver-ool edge. on the one hand, you have liverpool thinking _ edge. on the one hand, you have liverpool thinking of _ edge. on the one hand, you have liverpool thinking of 2018, i edge. on the one hand, you have liverpool thinking of 2018, and i edge. on the one hand, you have i liverpool thinking of 2018, and what was the word used by salac? revenge! and klopp was saying, don't talk about revenge, so there are still looking for the perfect mental frame to get into this final but it seems like they are playing for something, there is a score to settle. these are all things real madrid don't have. so, different ways of approaching the game, doesn't mean it will have an effect but it seems that the pre—game has been won by real madrid who arejust that the pre—game has been won by real madrid who are just going to a final. one of the most iconic sporting events on the planet takes place this weekend, the monaco grand prix. ferrari's charles leclerc was fastest in the opening practice session. leclerc, who lost his championship lead to red bull's max verstappen last weekend, set the benchmark on his home track, a fraction

quicker than sergio perez, with ferrari team—mate carlos sainz in third and verstappen fourth. british number one cameron norrie is in french open third—round action later today, however he won't be joined in the last 32 by dan evans. norrie, the only remaining brit in the men's or women's singles, will play russian karen khacharnov for a place in the last 16. norrie is yet to drop a set at roland garros this year. the winner could face spanish teenage sensation carlos alcatraz in the next round. that's all the sport for now. for weeks there's been outrage over the killing of the much—admired palestinian journalist shireen abu akleh during an israeli raid in the west bank. she was shot in the head despite wearing a helmet and a flak jacket marked press. now the aljazeera news network that she worked for has said it will refer her killing to the international criminal court. this comes after an investigation by the palestinian authority

concluded that shireen abu akleh was deliberately killed by an israeli soldier. israel has repeatedly denied targetting journalists and called the findings a blatant lie. a short time ago i spoke to our correspondent in the middle east, yolande knell. well, the announcement was made at a news conference in london earlier today. international lawyers there with representatives of aljazeera. aljazeera is sending a file on the case of shireen abu akleh and also israel's bombing of its offices in gaza which happened during a conflict one year ago now, that is going to be submitted to the international criminal court. want these cases to be investigated as potential war crimes. these cases to be investigated as potentialwar crimes. it these cases to be investigated as potential war crimes. it has been 2.5 weeks since shireen abu akleh, this veteran palestinian/american algeria correspondent was short. who she was covering the israeli military raid on a refugee camp in

the occupied west bank at the time. we learn from lawyers today that the palestinians have already made a submission to the international criminal court concerning the killing of four palestinian journalists by israeli snipers in gaza over the past few years, saying they were deliberately targeted. israel is saying that it takes steps to prevent innocent people being killed, it investigates every incidents where a journalist or some variant has been killed and it is vehemently denying targeting any journalist. vehemently denying targeting any 'ournalist. ~ ., . vehemently denying targeting any 'ournalist. . . , ., ~ journalist. what is the mode like in terms of people — journalist. what is the mode like in terms of people like _ journalist. what is the mode like in terms of people like you _ journalist. what is the mode like in terms of people like you who i journalist. what is the mode like in terms of people like you who are l terms of people like you who are covering stories? is a sense of trepidation among journalists as a result of what happened to her? certainly, we're all acting here in an active conflict who know what happened to shireen abu akleh and what is happening to journalists in the past really brings home the dangers of working in such an

environment. you mustn't get complacent about it. but here there is just a lot of anger and tension that has been caused by this matter in particular because shireen abu akleh was such a high—profile figure, so would he really was a veteran correspondence of the network. she had covered years and years of conflict here, going back to the start of the second palestinian intifada, some 20 years ago. there is a lot of video that has been emerging which adds to the debate about what happened, a lot of eyewitnesses, because she was with a group of palestinian journalists when she was killed. last week, the passing authority came over the results of its official investigation, saying they proved that shireen abu akleh was deliberately shot by an israeli soldier with an armour piercing bullets. israel's defence minister came out and said this was a blatant lie, he said there was an investigation ongoing into what happened in the report are�*s case.

it at a preliminary inquiry and announce the results of that, the israeli army saying that shireen abu akleh could have been killed by a pass early in —— killed by a palestinian government, there were palestinian government, there were palestinian gunmen shooting in that area earlier on, or that she could have been killed by an israeli sniper that they say was in a position about 200m in a way in an exchange with a palestinian gunman. eyewitnesses say there were no palestinian conmen had a clear line of sight when it came to serena. ultimately, the problem is that the palestinians here have the bullet. israel says it needs to see the bullet to check if it matches up with any israeli soldier's garden. palace teens refused to hand it over, they say they do not trust the israelis to investigate one of their own. from fridge magnets to fine china, shop windows are filled with merchandise to mark the queen's platinum jubilee. it's estimated that we'll spend around £280 million on souvenirs as part of the royal celebrations this year. sarah rogers has been to a factory in stoke—on—trent, where staff are trying to keep

up with demand. this is china you definitely wouldn't eat your dinner off. these posh plates will set you back £150 each. but top—end merchandise is in high demand ahead of the queen's platinum jubilee, with the nation set to spend millions on royal regalia. at this factory in stoke, clay is crafted into collectors' items. you make this look really easy. it does make it look easy. yeah, it does look easy when somebody watches it. how difficult is it? it takes a while because you've got to learn how to turn your wheel, keep that going at the same time and you've got to get your gun, you've got to get it to the right position. then you've got to pull out. it does take a bit of time. extra staff have been brought in to fulfil all thejubilee orders and once an item's been pulled and pressed, it's time to paint, and the final touch of gilding.

demand has been incredible, actually, to the extent that we launched two collections, which sold out almost immediately. and then we had our design team working very hard to add some products to our assortment. and you recently went and showed her this collection. were you nervous? i don't think i've ever been more nervous in my life, actually. so do you imagine that the queen, when she has her cup of tea, might be sipping that from something made from here in stoke? i would very much hope that, on occasion, she would be using something made in england, from stoke—on—trent. hip, hip, hooray! this footage is from jubilees gone by, but you'll find one common thread — the flapping of flags. this company near harrogate provides flags for the royal households as well as members of the public. right, so in here, unionjack, sewing unionjacks, we've got bunting, red, white and blue street bunting. how much bunting have you made?

so far, i reckon about 85,000 metres. that's how much tape we've ordered and we've probably got another 20,000 to get through, which we certainly will do. thejubilee is currently making up 40% of this business with staff working round the clock, but they're also flying the flag for disappearing arts. we live in such a world of immediate products, and people don't think where they come from. actually, our stuff is handmade and it takes a long time. but once the party is over, is it a case of red, white and binned? look at this, amazing stuff. social historian robert 0pie is showcasing 200 years of royal memorabilia at the museum of brands in london. and this year, he'll be squeezing in a few more. i love these coronation commemorative paper bags from 1953. and that's what this museum's allabout, memories, nostalgia and seeing the moment, because the story is here.

it's a consumer world we live in, a throwaway history that we seem to chuck out of our bins every week, but the history is actually amongst those very items. and for the companies making those items, it's a much—needed boost as britannia is set to rule the retail sales. as many schools break up for half—term, the travel industry is predicting the busiest weekend since before the coronavirus pandemic, with hundreds of thousands of people due to fly off on holiday over the weekend. but with airlines cancelling hundreds of flights in the past week, and airports seemingly bursting at the seams, the full recovery of aviation seems a distant prospect. for travellers staying in the uk, rail passengers face challenges, particularly in scotland. joining us in the studio is simon calder, travel correspondent at the independent,

who has been watching developments. thank you forjoining us. can you paint a picture for me, how bad is the situation?— paint a picture for me, how bad is the situation? everybody is wanting to travel and _ the situation? everybody is wanting to travel and that _ the situation? everybody is wanting to travel and that is _ the situation? everybody is wanting to travel and that is why _ the situation? everybody is wanting to travel and that is why we - the situation? everybody is wanting to travel and that is why we have i to travel and that is why we have all the stresses and strains. for a lot of people, this is the first chance they have had had a break for over two years, so it's natural people want to get away. and i hate to be the voice of travel doom and i want to stress that the vast majority of people will get where they need to go, for example ryanair, jet2, all doing absolutely fine and most of the ferry companies are doing fine as well, but there are doing fine as well, but there are specific stresses and strains. i was just speaking to someone at stansted airport who has waited an hour to come back through passport control. that's tedious and annoying but actually, you get your holiday if you don't mind a bit of queueing,

you will be fine, but i'm afraid easyjet is particularly flying in and out of gatwick is having a horrible time. yesterday at this time there having an it failure were 200 flights cancelled then, 30,000 people out of position. today they are up to 13 flight cancellations and i am afraid i havejust are up to 13 flight cancellations and i am afraid i have just checked tomorrow, and there are already over 20 cancellations to and from gatwick, including, and you should be notified about this, holiday destinations like madeira, morocco and both flights to seville, in southern spain cancelled. i need to stress also that of an airline cancelled your flight, it has to get you where you need to be as soon as possible, you have that means buying a very expensive ticket on a different airline.— a very expensive ticket on a different airline. ~ ., , ., ., ., ,~' different airline. was going to ask ou, if different airline. was going to ask you. if your _ different airline. was going to ask you, if your flight _ different airline. was going to ask you, if your flight is _ different airline. was going to ask you, if your flight is cancelled, . you, if your flight is cancelled, what are your rights? argue to your money back are certainly the case if you have insurance? ida. money back are certainly the case if you have insurance?— money back are certainly the case if you have insurance? no, insurance is nothina to you have insurance? no, insurance is nothing to do — you have insurance? no, insurance is nothing to do with _ you have insurance? no, insurance is nothing to do with it, _ you have insurance? no, insurance is

nothing to do with it, the _ you have insurance? no, insurance is nothing to do with it, the airline - nothing to do with it, the airline cancelled your fight for whatever reason is responsible and they have to get you there. and have a contrary get you there on the same day but another airline can, then if they buy you the ticket or you buy it and you claim it back. there also provide accommodation and meals and also if it is the airline's false, it is their responsibility, you also get compensation of up to £220 or over to soft light over 1500km, it will be £350 in compensation. but most people just want their holiday. especially as it will be the first time adjustment are used for many, as you say. what about the railways, people will be going away on the trains? , ., , people will be going away on the trains? , . , ., ., trains? unbelievable demand for eurostar, i _ trains? unbelievable demand for eurostar, ithink— trains? unbelievable demand for eurostar, i think they _ trains? unbelievable demand for eurostar, i think they have - trains? unbelievable demand for eurostar, i think they have ten . eurostar, i think they have ten departures today from london to paris, all of them full. last ticket to lille in northern france, then change a set off, no more seats on

any trains france today. the service is running to time and that every all fine, just not excessive, but strong demand there. and on ferries, the port of dover has said it expects a wait of up to 90 minutes with slow traffic arriving in dover. it's to what the proper is, lots of lorries waiting and for holiday workers going across to france, it's basically brexit, i'm sorry to say, dead test to check said passport control for france, which take place on this side of the channel, they are much more onerous than they used to be and that means people are taking a long time to get through. planes and trains, what about the roads? there is congestion your dough for it but what about in general? dough for it but what about in ueneral? , . , ,, . , ~~ general? the usual suspects. the m6, articular general? the usual suspects. the m6, particular towards _ general? the usual suspects. the m6, particular towards the _ general? the usual suspects. the m6, particular towards the lake _

particular towards the lake district, the�* five, the midlands towards exeter and then onto devon and cornwall, the m25, of course, and cornwall, the m25, of course, and that quadrant between heathrow and that quadrant between heathrow and gatwick is generally going to be quite lively, and who could ever forget the a303 near stonehenge, which is always a popular place to go and spend quite a lot of time. it motoring notarisation says simply, it set off very early or leave it until late afternoon, otherwise most people travel in the middle of the day and you willjust get stuck. we day and you will 'ust get stuck. we don't day and you willjust get stuck. we don't want that. are you going anywhere? i don't want that. are you going anywhere?— don't want that. are you going anywhere? don't want that. are you going an here? ., ., ., ., anywhere? i live in london and one art of anywhere? i live in london and one part of the — anywhere? i live in london and one part of the transport _ anywhere? i live in london and one part of the transport infrastructure | part of the transport infrastructure is working very well is the elizabeth line, just 2.5 years late, opened this week and trains going everywhere in both directions. i don't know where you store all of this but we appreciate it! thank you for your time.

it's been more than a0 years since their last tour but last night, swedish pop legends abba hit the stage once more — well, sort of. the band have created digital versions of themselves as they were in their heyday and these so—called abba—tars are performing with live musicians in london. 0ur entertainment correspondent colin paterson went along to watch the show. the waiting was over. # so when you're near me, darling, can't you hear me? #sos...#. more than a0 years after the last abba concert, they returned to the stage last night — albeit in digitalform, looking like they did in their 1970s heyday. the uncannily life—like abba avatars played 20 songs, including sos and mamma mia, kate moss was seen heading to the dance floor surrounded by bouncers, and the audience loved it. something you've never seen before and you'll be, like...they�*re looking around everywhere. oh, my god, when they did dancing queen, it was spectacular.

what they put into this show is mind—blowing. it was so real, it was so alike, - it was better than i even expected. at the end, the members also came land it wasjust a dream come true. | absolutely, it looked so realistic, it really does. so clear — the lighting is fantastic. it just was fantastic. they were just awesome. absolutely awesome. they were there! they were there on screen. it was just the best ever. did you cry at any point? i cried four times! what got you? seeing agnetha's face. so a lot of happy punters. and during the show, abba were sitting two rows behind me. during dancing queen, i turned around and saw frida looking out over the audience with a huge, beaming smile. cheering. and earlier on the red carpet, i'd spoken to the whole group. agnetha, frida, what made you change your mind and decide to work with abba again?

i've dreamed of this for years! we love our music. we love to sing. we love the material that benny and bjorn write... excellent, and it's a challenge. abba has never left us, in my heart. in our hearts. so it was not so...difficult decision, because the music is a part of us. how was the experience for you of seeing yourself as your younger self? it's amazing because, in a way, you look at yourself on stage. it's so well done, so you think, actually, it's real people standing up there, performing, and then you're sitting, yourself, watching yourself! it's a very extraordinary feeling, it's hard to describe, i must say! i think the only way - to understand what this is, you have to come and see it. yeah.

it's sort of a non—explainable. we've tried this for two years, to explain what it is, what it. will be, but that's impossible. you need to go and see it. i think it's a new experience for all of us and it will be so exciting tonight because i haven't seen anything. and i think you can safely say that nobody�*s ever seen anything like this because this is a first — this is pushing boundaries. the first reviews are in, and are very positive. there's already talk of a plan for the show to run in london for at least three years. and abba say they know of other major acts who are already thinking of copying their idea of copying themselves. one of those who was there last night — and in fact is watching the show again tonight — is abba superfan vaughan davies. phone, thank you for coming on, how

was it? . . , . phone, thank you for coming on, how was it? ., ., , . ., phone, thank you for coming on, how was it? . . ., phone, thank you for coming on, how was it? ., .,, . ., ., phone, thank you for coming on, how wasit? ., . ., ., was it? fantastic, and coming to you 'ust was it? fantastic, and coming to you just outside — was it? fantastic, and coming to you just outside the _ was it? fantastic, and coming to you just outside the abba _ was it? fantastic, and coming to you just outside the abba arena - was it? fantastic, and coming to you just outside the abba arena at - was it? fantastic, and coming to you just outside the abba arena at the l just outside the abba arena at the moment and lots of fans queueing up. last night, i didn't know what to expect, to be honest, and it went beyond expectations. it is a purpose—built arena in east london, and i had visions of big screens in and i had visions of big screens in a hologram, but when the curtain went up and you saw these four life—sized people in front of you, i could not believe that they were avatars, to be honest with you. all the facial expressions, everything. they were wearing touching cabana costumes, thousands of hours have gone into this and is the whole group did all the facial expressions themselves, back in stockholm, and as you know, they are in their mid—70s now, so the moves they did

on stage were put together with younger bodies, if you know what i mean. so the whole thing with the company that created this, to put those two things together, was a real challenge. this is going to be the way forward for bands and artists that aren't touring any more that want to put together a legacy. but it was fantastic, it was beyond lights, beyond sounds, it was beyond a lot of people's expectations. i for one it was there an emotional wreck! ., ~' ., for one it was there an emotional wreck! ., ~ ., , ., ., for one it was there an emotional wreck! ., ~' ., ., ., , ., wreck! you know when you go to see a film sometimes _ wreck! you know when you go to see a film sometimes that _ wreck! you know when you go to see a film sometimes that same _ wreck! you know when you go to see a film sometimes that same 3d - wreck! you know when you go to see a film sometimes that same 3d and - wreck! you know when you go to see a film sometimes that same 3d and you | film sometimes that same 3d and you where their special glasses, is that what it was like?— where their special glasses, is that what it was like? when you say their sd glasses. — what it was like? when you say their sd glasses. i — what it was like? when you say their 3d glasses, i remember _ what it was like? when you say their 3d glasses, i remember going - what it was like? when you say their 3d glasses, i remember going to - 3d glasses, i remember going to disney world once and michael jackson did a 3d effect, but this is beyond that, this is technology that none of us have experienced or seen before, and for anyone who is a

ticket that is going along to the event, you will be end for a fantastic surprise. adjust the facial expressions, the movements, the lighting in the arena — this is why i didn't want it to go into the 02 or somewhere like that for six months, they wanted a purpose—built arena that they could fill performing on to another venue. the whole thing has just been amazing and i tell you what's interesting about it, i tarmacked been a fan since 1974, it'll seen them live in 1979 at wembley, they're not going back to 1979 now, not going back to see abba live in 1979, but in 2022, this is abba in their heyday, the songs, everything about it, even talking to you now, the hairs on my arms, it wasjust an amazing experience. above all, i've

corresponded with lots of fans over the years, back in the 70s, of course, i would write to them and they would write back to me weeks later, nowadays, of course, it's all instant. but i meet up with fans i haven't seen for 48 years was another big bonus point for me. sorry to interrupt you there, we really appreciate your insight, i hope you enjoy the concert tonight and thank you forjoining us. now it's time for a look at the weather. hello there. it's wales, the midlands and southern england that continue to see the sunnier skies through the rest of the day and the highest temperatures as well. further north, looking at the mid—teens, there is more cloud and the bulk of the showers across northern scotland but one or two affecting northern ireland, southern scotland and northern england for a while. tonight, the showers will fade away, it becomes dry and clear and the winds ease down a bit as well. chilly overnight, temperatures as low as 6 degrees.

the weekend starts dry and sunny for many of us and while we will see some cloud building up, there could be some showers, most places will have a dry day. a noticeable northerly breeze, especially down the north sea coasts, temperatures peaking at 19. cools off for sunday and we have much more cloud that is likely to bring more showers, especially in southern and eastern parts of the uk. northerly breeze continues and it continues to cool down, particularly chilly for eastern scotland and the eastern side of england.

this is bbc news. i'm sima kotecha and these are the latest headlines... a nhs trust at the centre of concerns about avoidable deaths and injuries to babies has been told to make immediate improvements to its maternity services. families now need to feel that they are listened to, that their concerns have been heard and that change is going to happen and is going to happen quickly. warnings that the cost—of—living crisis will continue for at least another year if oil and gas prices do not fall. but the government insists its financial aid will help people cope. conservative mp paul holmes resigns as a ministerial aide at the home office following the fallout from the publication of a report into lockdown parties at downing street. russia's advance in ukraine continues

as pro—russian separatist forces claim to have captured a strategic town in northeastern donbas. as tributes are paid to the 19 children and two teachers killed in the texas school shooting, the national rifle association opens its annual convention in the same state despite calls for it to be cancelled. it's been more than 40 years since abba's last tour, but they finally performed onstage again last night, in digital form as abbatars. good afternoon.

nottingham university hospitals nhs trust has been ordered to make significant and immediate improvements to its maternity services. concerns have been raised about avoidable deaths and injuries to mothers and babies. the care quality commission says the trust has serious staffing and cultural problems. yesterday the senior midwife donna ockenden was appointed to chair an independent review of maternity care at the trust, which has said it is working hard to make all the improvements necessary. sanchia berg reports. a warning, you may find some details and images distressing from the start of this report. sarah andrews' baby lived forjust 23 minutes. these photos were given to us by the family. mistakes and neglect by staff at nottingham university hospitals contributed to her death in 2019, an inquest found. she was born by caesarean section, but too late. you trust them, because that is

what they are there to do. why wouldn't you trust them? it's only after that we knew something terrible had gone wrong, because she was a perfectly healthy baby and how does a perfectly healthy baby not survive? hundreds of other families have raised the alarm too. today the care quality commission said maternity services remained inadequate and issued a safety warning focused on the care of pregnant women. it was about observations not being undertaken in a timely manner so that they could identify women who were likely to deteriorate. it is only a day since donna ockenden was appointed to lead a new inquiry into maternity services in the nottingham trust. this march, her report into maternity care in shropshire found that more than 200 babies may have died through failures in care over 20 years.

clearly, there are really serious concerns that need very urgent action, and the trust will be aware of that from the detailed cqc report. i think that families now need to feel that they are listened to, that their concerns have been heard and that change is going to happen, and that it's going to happen quickly. the director of midwifery at nottingham university hospitals said her teams were working hard to make the necessary improvements, but recognised that they had more to do and were absolutely determined to speed up the pace of change. sarah's husband is sceptical. this situation has been allowed to get so bad that it needs some serious thought put behind making those improvements. the reason why we are here and the reason we shout so loudly from the rooftops is because we want the service to be safe. they have more confidence in donna ockenden's inquiry.

sanchia berg, bbc news. a short time ago i spoke to sanchia berg, who said the news will be concerning for many expectant mothers who are close to term. she also said there were lots of very good people working in these areas, and that she would listen very carefully and effectively, she said, to the parents, to all the stories that people will now be coming forward to tell her and her team, who are very experienced by lots of midwives and doctors who worked with her before in the telford and shrewsbury trust. some of the detail we saw in your report is disturbing. can you tell us why this inquiry has been launched? in fact, there was one already taking place but the families, we now know of at least 460 families who have come forward to raise concerns, that they were not happy with those inquiries and they said they wanted donna ockenden or somebody like that to take over the inquiry, so they were very pleased when it was announced that donna ockenden would be leading it,

because they have confidence that she and her team will do thejob thoroughly. of course, her report was very much welcomed by the families in the other trust where she investigated. the prime minister says measures outlined by the chancellor yesterday will "not fix everything" for everyone, but are temporary support to help people cope with a spike in energy prices. rishi sunak announced support worth £15 billion, including an energy bill discount of £400 per household. but labour says the financial help could have been targeted better. 0ur economics correspondent, andy verity, reports. take any high street in the country, in this case bristol, and you will find people who will tell you why the government had to act, something we are all seeing every time we go shopping — the worst inflation in 40 years. the electric and everything else, food shopping. yeah, everything has gone up.

i have got to pay my gas, electric and water and the price has gone up. i can't afford to pay the gas any more. to some, £15 billion of help isn't enough when the government has just hiked taxes on both households and firms by more than that. £400 is not going to cut it on top of what is already going to happen. they do not target things properly, and that is what angers me. the government will pay £400 of every household's energy bill, starting in october. in addition, 8.4 million of the poorest households will get £650 in two extra benefit payments, the first in july. people on flat rate disability benefits will get an actual £150 and there will be an additional £300 for every pensioner household this winter. of the £15 billion package, three quarters of it will go to households regarded as being

in vulnerable circumstances. there are pensioners who are turning off their heating because they are worried about how they are going to pay the bills. you have got mums and dads skipping meals because they want to ensure that their children get three proper meals a day. so it is welcome that the government has finally come to their senses and adopted labour's policy for a windfall tax to give help to people that need it. but i have to ask, what on earth took them so long? what the government calls its new energy profit levy raises £5 billion a year, more than twice what labour was proposing. to deflect its own criticism that a windfall tax would put oil and gas companies off investing, it has created tax breaks to offset that. the levy is designed so that companies can offset investments that they are making in new energy supply or in green technology to the tune of 91p in the pound. this is what i have been saying for months, if you listen carefully to my answers. we want to have a solution that protects people, but also protects

investment in our economy. oil and gas companies were taken aback to discover that a new tax promoted as temporary won't be a one—off, but could stay in place until 2025 unless oil and gas prices return to more normal levels. right now, no—one is sure how many months or years that might take. andy verity, bbc news. earlier we spoke to greg jackson, the ceo of octopus energy responding to the levy put on compaines like his. we speak to 30,000 customers a day, and for so long they have been incredibly worried, not only about current energy bills but what happens in winter, and if this package is big enough to make a real difference, especially that combination of help for everyone, giving that these rises were going to be so big that

it was going to drag people into fuel poverty who were previously a long way from it, and significant targeted help for people who need it most. regardless of where the money is coming from, this was essential. how do you feel, having to pay that levy? we are not yet sure who is going to be paying for it, because we know that oil and gas will be paying it, but companies like ours that specialise in renewable generation are waiting to find out if there will be additional taxes on that. if it is applicable to companies like you, you talk about being pleased that people are getting additional support, but it would affect your profit margin. how do you feel about that? octopus has never made a profit, because of the crisis, we were not planning on doing so thisyear, we are putting everything we can into supporting customers. we have had about £100 million put into subsidising bills, multi—million

pound support for those who need it, energy efficiency programmes that are making a difference. this is still an energy crisis but companies and government working together can really help people make it through. there has been some controversy over some of the support being universal, applicable to everybody, how do you feel about that? is it those that are short of money, they are entitled,or should it be to everybody? the measures, suggestions that may be 40% of households are going to be in fuel poverty this winter, and when you get to that level, the targeting becomes less effective because you are going to miss a lot of people that need help. so the combination of universal support to make sure that everybody is getting help, that means we will catch some of the people that would be

missed by targeting, and stronger support that is targeted is the right way of tackling something of this scale. paul holmes has resigned as a ministerial aid at the home office, he says he was shocked and angered by the pope as my findings adding to his constituency work had been tarnished by what he called the toxic culture that seemed to have permeated number ten. ministers who are found to have breached the ministerial code will not automatically be expected to resign or face the sack. “ 110w —— now automatically. this is the first time the rules on sactions for breaching the code have been formally written down but there was previously perceived to be an expectation that a minister would lose theirjob if they were found to break the rules. a new government policy statement has updated the terms of the code — it comes as borisjohnson

is facing an investigation by the commons privileges committee into whether he misled parliament over lockdown parties in whitehall. let's speak to tim durrant, associate director for the institute for government. what exactly did the rule say beforehand? there wasn't always a requirement for resignation to take place, was there? ida. requirement for resignation to take place, was there?— requirement for resignation to take place, was there? no, before today, the only requirement _ place, was there? no, before today, the only requirement of _ place, was there? no, before today, the only requirement of the - the only requirement of the ministerial code, regarding resignation, was if they minister knowingly misled parliament, so there is this sense that if any minister broke the ministerial code, the set of rules that apply minister issues about how ministers are expected to behave, they would have to resign, but that was never the case, and today has clarified that, so if a minister knowingly mislead parliament they are expected to resign, that is still in there explicitly, but the new code says, or the addition to it, says there is a range of potential sanctions for breaches depending on the severity. for example, requiring a ministerto

make a public apology or having to sacrifice some of their salary. that is a good thing because before this there was every time there were allegations that a minister had broken the mysterious —— ministerial code, there were calls to resign which is not helpfulfor code, there were calls to resign which is not helpful for public debate. so making clear that there are a range of options available and that how they are used will depend on what the minister has done, that is useful. ~ . , is useful. what triggered this chan . e? is useful. what triggered this change? why _ is useful. what triggered this change? why did _ is useful. what triggered this change? why did this - is useful. what triggered this change? why did this change i is useful. what triggered this - change? why did this change come about? why did the government do this? ~ , , ., , ., this? the prime minister promised to u date it this? the prime minister promised to update it last — this? the prime minister promised to update it last year, _ this? the prime minister promised to update it last year, we _ this? the prime minister promised to update it last year, we have - this? the prime minister promised to update it last year, we have waited i update it last year, we have waited 13 months, it is well overdue. it was triggered because he got a new independent adviser on ministerial interests, lord geidt, after the previous independent adviser had designed because they had disagreed on the findings of priti patel�*s

case, allegations of bullying. it has been a long time coming, it came today partly as the prime minister's attempt to move on from the sue gray report and say, look, i am gripping theissue report and say, look, i am gripping the issue of standards and behaviour and here is a new ministerial code to show i am taking this seriously. it also has been expected for some time and parliament is now in recess for today add to it, the government often does this where they published large important documents during recesses or in the run—up and hope that mps do not get hr to ask difficult questions. to that mps do not get hr to ask difficult questions.— difficult questions. to clarify, does this mean _ difficult questions. to clarify, does this mean lord - difficult questions. to clarify, does this mean lord geidt i difficult questions. to clarify, | does this mean lord geidt has difficult questions. to clarify, - does this mean lord geidt has more power or less power? he does this mean lord geidt has more power or less power?— power or less power? he has basically _ power or less power? he has basically the _ power or less power? he has basically the same _ power or less power? he has basically the same power - power or less power? he has basically the same power he | power or less power? he has - basically the same power he had before. he still has to ask the prime minister's permission to start an investigation into potential breaches of the code every minister is alleged to have done wrong. the prime minister will probably give it back can always withhold his

permission. lord geidt has a more formal team around him, officials who will be working for him specifically, that will strengthen his ability to do those investigations but fundamentally the decision of whether a not he can investigate still the prime minister's.— the headlines on bbc news... an nhs trust at the centre of concerns about avoidable deaths and injuries to babies has been told to make immediate improvements to its maternity services. warnings that the cost—of—living crisis will continue for at least another year if oil and gas prices do not fall. but the government insists its financial aid will help people cope. conservative mp paul holmes resigns as a ministerial aide at the home office following the fallout from the publication of a report into lockdown parties at downing street.

russian—backed separatist leaders in eastern ukraine say they've captured the town of lyman, as russian forces persist with their offensive in the donbas region. lyman is on the road to the ukrainian city of slovyansk, which is a key russian target as moscow tries to take full control of the donbas. there's no way of verifying the claim. in his nightly address, ukraine's president volodymyr zelensky said moscow seemed intent on reducing cities in the east to ashes and that the russian offensive could leave the donbas region uninhabited. our correspondent, joe inwood, sent this report from kyiv. this is what liberation by the russians looks like. popasna in the donbas region. once 20,000 people lived here. now it is almost deserted. natalia is one of the few who remains. translation: iwas- sleeping here last night.

i just have to fix the window somehow. the wind is still bad, cold at night. she has seen the destruction of this invasion first—hand. two people back then were dead. they were sitting outside to cook and a projectile came flying. eight people were wounded at once. someone was standing with the cattle, somebody was cooking for the neighbours, and then eight got wounded. popasna is the town where russian forces broke through ukrainian lines and began their slow but relentless attempt to encircle and destroy thousands of ukrainian fighters. when he started this invasion, one of the main reasons given by president putin was to stop what he said was a genocide taking place in the donbas, carried out by ukraine. now, there never was any evidence of that. but now president zelensky says a genocide is taking place, but it's being carried out by russia.

translation: the current offensive of the occupiers in donbas will make i the region uninhabited. they want to burn our towns and cities to ashes. all this, including the deportation of our people and the mass killings of civilians, is an obvious policy of genocide pursued by russia. this is lysychansk, one of two cities currently being encircled. before the invasion, many people here felt an affinity with russia. people spoke russian, got their news from russian sources, but have now been driven from their homes by russian shelling. translation: what drove me out was the stress. _ shells kept falling every second. translation: i don't know what we'll do. i we can't go home and we can't live here either. with every russian military breakthrough, escape becomes harder. in the last few hours, russian—backed separatist forces claim to have captured the town of lyman, another step in their conquest of the donbas, which is looking more likely by the day. joe inwood, bbc news, kyiv.

dr patrick bury spoke to us earlier, he is a former british army air assault infantry captain, and a senior lecturer in security at the university of bath.let�*s hear from him the analysis of what's happening in the east of ukraine. it is basically what we have seen in the last week, the russians making, unlike in the early part of the campaign where they tried to attack on four axes, big deep attacks into ukraine, they have concentrated their forces in the donbas and after a number of unsuccessful attempts, have finally been able to make incremental gains in a number of areas which could potentially and is at the moment startinf to look like an encirclement of ukrainian forces. what they are trying to do is create

a cauldron to trap as many ukrainian soldiers and force them to withdraw or cut them off completely. what we have seen is the ukrainians preparing the first option so far, so abandoning places when it becomes clear that either their logistics or resupply, reinforcements of troops is unsustainable and are pulling back, hence the russians can advance a bit more. lyman, that is not confirmed, a breakthrough potentially a strong word, we are seeing advances ofaround a mile so far in the last week but the problem is it is happening day after day and slowly that starts to build up. the ukrainians themselves will have behind this. but it is worrying in terms of the russians being able to concentrate their force and using their artillery as well to batter their way through. what is the cost to the ukrainian army, numerically? quite high, simply. president zelensky said in the last two days they are

losing 50to 100 fighters a day and if you put that in the context of the uk in afghanistan, something i have experienced, they lost about 450 plus. we hear a lot about nato giving weapons to ukraine, that's been happening from the outset. are those weapons actually making a difference? i am sure they are at a small level, but when you look at the conflict as a whole, what impact are they having? they are having an impact and if you look at what the americans have done, off their own back in terms of giving division's with heavy artillery which the ukrainians are asking for, it is a lot of ammunition, i have seen footage of those in action. when they go into action, they are firing against russian batteries, some of them can locate them and counter battery fire, some of those

are being destroyed, so ukraine is going to need a high level of support continuously, because if russia doesn't meet what we would call bone, if it keeps pushing that bayonet in, it will go as far as it can, and this is something that a lot of the central european and nordic nations understand, that if they are not stopped now and there isn't a heavy a heavy cost on to russia for this attempted conquest, guess who is going to be next. that is the worry. although the price of living and other scandals are dominating the news, it is really important to maintain focus on just supporting ukraine as best the west can, be it intelligence, arms and political support as well. it's emerged the gunman who carried out a mass shooting at a school in uvalde, texas entered the building unhindered through an unlocked door. 18—year—old salvador ramos barricaded himself inside a classroom where he killed 19

children and two teachers. the details come as tens of thousands of members of america's biggest gun lobby, the national rifle association, gather in texas for their annual convention, just a few hours away from where the shooting took place. our correspondent barbara plett usher reports. this is what the centre of town looks like two days after a massacre. a marker for every one of the 19 children and two of their teachers. some came from outside uvalde to show solidarity. there was even a brief visit by the duchess of sussex, meghan markle — she laid flowers at the cross for an eight—year—old boy. jackie would have turned ten next month, but she'd already found her own voice, her uncle said. jackie was the life of our family. she had just recently received her first communion. so she was on fire. she felt like a rock star. he says his brother argued with police on that day,

demanding that they move faster to storm the school and stop the gunman. he wanted to go in there and charge this guy, but they wouldn't let him. "you guys going to do yourjob? do something! you know, you got 20 guys over there, standing, doing nothing. just get in there!" he goes, "you need to go back, scoot back." "no, we're not going to scoot back. you want to arrest us, arrest us, but we're not... we're not... you know, we're here. i'm not going to go anywhere until i see my baby!" the authorities defended their response to the shooting. they tried to provide answers, but many questions remain, a troubling undercurrent to a tragedy that is still unfolding. you got to understand, we're getting a lot of information we're trying to track down and see what is true — we want to vet it. with the latest news that the broken—hearted husband of a teacher who was killed had died of a heart attack. there are so many bouquets now — we've seen those mounds of flowers grow throughout the day — and quite a few children here as well. there is a memorial at the school,

but this really feels like a safe space for the community to grieve and to remember. silva did not lose a loved one, but her world was shaken by those who did. we're part of the community and it's people that, one time or another, we have been together in a baseball game, and a football game, in a city event, and it'sjust children from our community and... we're here and i have the blessing to have my children with me, and these families don't. it is the hardest of the hard realities that have changed this town forever. barbara plett usher, bbc news, uvalde, texas. for weeks there's been outrage over the killing of the much—admired palestinian journalist shireen abu akleh during an israeli raid in the west bank. she was shot in the head despite wearing a helmet and a flak jacket marked "press". now the aljazeera news network that she worked for has said it will refer her killing

to the international criminal court. this comes after an investigation by the palestinian authority concluded that shireen abu akleh was deliberately killed by an israeli soldier. israel has repeatedly denied targetting journalists and called the findings a blatant lie. a short time ago i spoke to our correspondent in the middle east, yolande knell. the announcement was made at a news conference in london earlier today, international lawyers there with representatives of aljazeera. aljazeera is saying it is sending a file on the case of shireen abu akleh and also israel's bombing of its offices in gaza which happened during the conflict one year ago. that is going to be submitted to the international criminal court, they want these cases to be investigated as war crimes. two and a half weeks since shireen abu akleh, veteran palestinian american correspondent was shot dead, she was covering an israeli military raid on a refugee camp

in the occupied west bank at the time. we learned from lawyers today that the palestinians had already made a submission to the international criminal court concerning the killing of four palestinian journalists by israeli snipers, saying that they were deliberately targeted. israel is saying that it takes steps to prevent innocent people from being killed, to investigate every instance where a journalist, where a civilian has been killed, and it is vehemently denying targeting anyjournalists. what is the mood like there at the moment in terms of people like you who are covering stories? is there a sense of trepidation among journalists as a result of what happened? certainly we are all acting in an active conflict zone, and what happened to shireen abu akleh and what has happened to journalists in the past really brings home that the dangers of working in such an environment,

you mustn't get complacent about it. but here there is a lot of anger and tension that has been caused by this death in particular because shireen abu akleh was such a high—profile figure, somebody who was a veteran correspondent of the network, she had covered years and years of conflict, going back to the start of the second palestinian intifada some 20 years ago. there is a lot of video emerging which adds to the debate about what happened, a lot of eyewitnesses. she was with a group of palestinian journalists when she was shot and killed, and last night the palestinian authority came out with the results of its official investigation and it said they had proved that shireen abu akleh was deliberately shot by an israeli soldier with an armour—piercing bullet. israel's defence minister said this was a blatant lie, he said there is an investigation ongoing into what happened in the reporter's case.

they did a preliminary inquiry, announced the results, the israeli army saying shireen abu akleh could have been killed by a palestinian gunman, there were palestinian gunmen shooting in the area that morning, or that she could have been killed by an israeli sniper, who they say was in a position about 200 metres away, in an exchange with a palestinian gunman. eyewitnesses say there were no palestinian gunmen with a clear line of sight when it came to shireen abu akleh. ultimately, the problem is the palestinians here have the bullet, israel says it needs to see the bullet to check if it matches with any israeli soldier's gun. the palestinians refused to hand it over, saying they do not trust the israelis to investigate one of their own. now it's time for a look at the weather with darren bett.

are we anticipating some more sunshine, it has been rather nice today? it has been lovely today, unconsciously, things are going to start to cool down a little but a decent day tomorrow. this has been what has been happening in the last few hours, abate cloud further north and sunshine in further of scotland but into the next part of the evening, 15 in glasgow and 20 in london. many places becoming dry overnight, some showers are going in northern parts of scotland but any other showers will fade away. clearing skies across many parts of the country, the wind is light as well and temperatures down to a chilly 6 degrees by early saturday morning. we start the weekend on a sunday night we see cloud developing in areas sunny spells most the country, away from northern scotland where it's chilly, temperatures up

to 18. second half of the weekend sees more cloud around and that is more likely to bring showers, especially in southern and eastern areas. and that naughty wind, chilly, 16 haps in the south west but only tour to greece in eastern scotland and eastern england. hello, this is bbc news, i'm sima kotecha. the headlines: a nhs trust at the centre of concerns about avoidable deaths and injuries to babies has been told to make immediate improvements to its maternity services. warnings that the cost of living crisis will continue for at least another year if oil and gas prices do not fall. but the government insists its financial aid will help people cope. conservative mp paul holmes resigns as a ministerial aide at the home office following the fallout from the publication of a report into lockdown parties at downing street. russia's advance in ukraine

continues as pro—russian separatist forces claim to have captured a strategic town in northeastern donbas. as tributes are paid to the 19 children and two teachers killed in the texas school shooting, the national rifle association opens its annual convention in the same state despite calls for it to be cancelled. # so, when you're near me. # darling, can't you hear me? # sos.#. it's been more than 40 years since abba's last tour but they finally performed onstage again last night, in digital form as abba—tars. now a full round—up from the bbc sport centre. good afternoon. well it's a dream weekend

for sport's fans, not least the champions league final where liverpool will take on real madrid at the stade de france tomorrow night, looking to win a seventh european cup. our man olly foster is there for us live. and olly, the liverpool team have arrived and no rest for their managerjurgen klopp, straight into a press conference, what did he have to say? he said an awful lot. there has been no rest for liverpool this season, going the distance in every competition to enter now even though they were picked for the title by manchester city, there are in this european cup final, their tenth, looking to win a european crown for a seventh time. the players are training butjurgen klopp is address the media for the final time before they face real madrid tomorrow night. most encouragingly, thiago and fabinho, they should be fit, he says, all the signs are there they have recovered from their knocks so they should take place in the heart of the liverpool midfield. he was asked about 2018, the last they face

real madrid in the final in kyiv, and that was a win for real madrid, 3-1 and that was a win for real madrid, 3—1 and all sorts of things conspired against liverpool. mo salah forced off after being manhandled, liverpool fans would say that sergio ramos did a hatchetjob on him, when he damaged his shoulder. loris karius, the keeper, was concussed and that in a couple of clangers. it is only my son who said they want revenge for that, you can club says it's not about that at all as they look to go toe—to—toe with real madrid once again. it’s with real madrid once again. it's normal that he wants to put things right, _ normal that he wants to put things right, we _ normal that he wants to put things right, we want to put things right, we didn't— right, we want to put things right, we didn't forget what happened at that time — we didn't forget what happened at that time but it's a while ago and we come — that time but it's a while ago and we come here tomorrow and i show a movie _ we come here tomorrow and i show a movie of— we come here tomorrow and i show a movie of that— we come here tomorrow and i show a movie of that game and that's enough motivation _ movie of that game and that's enough motivation for the game, that makes no sense _ motivation for the game, that makes no sense. we have so many reasons that we _ no sense. we have so many reasons that we give _ no sense. we have so many reasons that we give our absolute everything

tomorrow _ that we give our absolute everything tomorrow night, and this might be one reason— tomorrow night, and this might be one reason but not the main reason. paris _ one reason but not the main reason. paris is _ one reason but not the main reason. paris is an— one reason but not the main reason. paris is an incredible city on its own right and always a buzz with people, how much is champions league fever taking over? where a year, is a person on the ground, how aware are you that there is a big sporting much going on tomorrow? share are you that there is a big sporting much going on tomorrow? are very aware, it much going on tomorrow? are very aware. it is — much going on tomorrow? are very aware, it is surprising _ much going on tomorrow? are very aware, it is surprising considering l aware, it is surprising considering this was only switched a month or so ago from st petersburg, because of obvious reasons with russia's invasion of ukraine, but paris has embraced this. paris really runs deepin embraced this. paris really runs deep in european folklore for liverpool fans as well, 1981 they beat real madrid here, alan kennedy with the winner of. that was their european cup triumph then and that was out of the last time real madrid lost a european cup final. they have won seven since then, winning a 13 times. liverpool have won it six times. liverpool have won it six times. it is a huge occasion, there

is, and the predominant colour in the streets of paris is very much red. we are over 24 hours away from this 67th european cup final and they are incredibly confidence, the ones we spoke to today. it’s they are incredibly confidence, the ones we spoke to today.— ones we spoke to today. it's 'ust another game. i ones we spoke to today. it's 'ust another game, the i ones we spoke to today. it's 'ust another game, the last i ones we spoke to today. it'sjust another game, the last game. . ones we spoke to today. it'sjust another game, the last game. iti ones we spoke to today. it'sjust i another game, the last game. it if they had _ another game, the last game. it if they had a — another game, the last game. it if they had a fantastic season, one more _ they had a fantastic season, one more game and hopefully they can do it. it more game and hopefully they can do it it i _ more game and hopefully they can do it. i- “ , it. it i think where the better team. it. it i think where the better team- just — it. it i think where the better team. just got _ it. it i think where the better team. just got whichever - it. it i think where the better - team. just got whichever benzema, if we kee it team. just got whichever benzema, if we keep it quiet. _ team. just got whichever benzema, if we keep it quiet, we _ team. just got whichever benzema, if we keep it quiet, we should _ team. just got whichever benzema, if we keep it quiet, we should win. - we keep it quiet, we should win. confidence — we keep it quiet, we should win. confidence game, i am excited, but there _ confidence game, i am excited, but there will— confidence game, i am excited, but there will he — confidence game, i am excited, but there will be nerves _ confidence game, i am excited, but there will be nerves for _ confidence game, i am excited, but there will be nerves for a _ confidence game, i am excited, but there will be nerves for a championl there will be nerves for a champion is i there will be nerves for a champion i ,. there will be nerves for a champion i ~ . ., is i think the centre rather the moment is — is i think the centre rather the moment is on _ is i think the centre rather the moment is on course - is i think the centre rather the moment is on course for- is i think the centre rather the - moment is on course for greatness, it can _ moment is on course for greatness, it can he _ moment is on course for greatness, it can be special. paris, real pea and royalty. _ it can be special. paris, real pea and royalty, lovable team, can't get lletter— and royalty, lovable team, can't get better than— and royalty, lovable team, can't get better than that.— better than that. cannot get any better than that. cannot get any better than _ better than that. cannot get any better than that, _ better than that. cannot get any better than that, it _ better than that. cannot get any better than that, it has - better than that. cannot get any better than that, it has the - better than that. cannot get any - better than that, it has the makings for a classic. the last couple of champions league finals, they are full and little flat, we have the all—english fighter between

liverpool and city team that wasn't a great match —— chelsea and city. bayern munich and psg behind closed doors, evened the match between liverpool and spurs wasn't a great match, but so many incredible players today, let's hope it lives up players today, let's hope it lives up to that. players today, let's hope it lives up to that-— another iconic sporting event takers place this weekend, the monaco grand prix. ferrari's charles leclerc was fastest in the opening practice session ahead of his home race. leclerc, who lost his championship lead to red bull's max verstappen last weekend, set the benchmark, a fraction quicker than sergio perez, with ferrari team—mate carlos sainz in third and verstappen fourth. second practice is well under way just now, leclerc is on top. lewis hamilton is down to about 12 but this is only practice. and the latest from the french open, novak djokovic is through to the fourth round. that's all the sport for now. white or good news about novak!

last week, the footballer jake daniels became the first active professional in the uk men's game for more than 30 years to announce he was gay. the blackpool striker said he had been inspired to speak out by another young player in australia, josh cavallo, who came out last year. the bbc�*s shaimaa khalil went to meetjosh and heard the advice he's been giving to jake. last week, the footballer jake daniels became the first active what was the turning point for you that you said yourself, you know what, i'm going to come out, i'm going to speak my truth? it's exhausting.

i went through all my youth career and start of my a professional career in the closet, and that's acting 24/7, that's when i'm at training, acting like someone i'm not. having exhausting conversations of making up lies of who you're hanging out with or you've got a girlfriend when you haven't got a girlfriend, what you're doing at the weekend. it's constant lies and the pressure of also being a professional footballer on top of that, it's really bad. last week, jake daniels became the first british professional male footballer to come out in more than 30 years. josh was his inspiration. to know that i've influenced someone in such a small space of time is phenomenal to see and i'm really excited that my story is changing lives. have you spoken to him, how's he doing? yeah, i speak to him quite frequently now. he's very excited, everything's still new for him, and i have someone i can now talk to and relate because we get each other because we went through the same story, just in different countries. what was your main advice to him? it is a work in progress, it's not always going to be happy days, there will be days that are quite gloomy as well, but he's prepared for that. my main advice is to embrace who you are and just enjoy it and,

mate, it's a new chapter, this is your new life, go out there and live it. the adelaide united fans have embraced josh's courage, he's been overwhelmed by their response. no—one blinked, if you want to put it simply as that, we were full of love and support for him. it's something you feel shouldn't need to happen in this day and age but it has so much power behind it when it happens. it's not an older player, not someone middle—aged, it's someone fresh into life and they are so comfortable coming out, so it's pretty cool. since coming out, he tells me he has become more confident on the pitch, but it hasn't all been easy. there have been games when i have been booed before, i have heard something quite homophobic and that does hurt me, but at the end of the day, i put that to the side knowing that for one bad person i have, there are a thousand good people. you said that other athletes, other players are living in silence and i'm wondering, after you came out, did any of them reach out to you and ask for help?

definitely. all sports around the world, whether water polo to track and field sports to football to afl in australia, a lot of athletes have reached out to me. everyone is at different stages and journeys in their life, some people are ready to come out and some peoplejust want to ask questions. i want the kids that are growing up now in primary school, high school and identifying themselves as gay not to turn away from the sport, because i would hate to hear that the next messi or ronaldo is gay and turns away from football. it's been an extraordinary time for the 22—year—old. he's just wrapped up the season here and he tells me about his ambitions for future. my dream is to go and play in uk, in england, that's something i've been training for my whole life. if the opportunity comes up, i would love to head to the championship or a league 1 team to show the uk what i've got, this aussie battler over here!

as many schools break up for half—term, the travel industry is predicting the busiest weekend since before the coronavirus pandemic, with hundreds of thousands of people due to fly off on holiday over the weekend. but with airlines cancelling hundreds of flights in the past week, and airports seemingly bursting at the seams, the full recovery of aviation seems a distant prospect. for travellers staying in the uk, rail passengers face challenges, particularly in scotland. earlier, i spoke to simon coulter, travel corresponded at the independent, who has been following all the developments. it's natural people want to get away. and i hate to be the voice of travel doom and i want to stress that the vast majority of people will get where they need to go, for example ryanair, jet2, all doing absolutely fine and most of the ferry companies

are doing fine as well, but there are specific stresses and strains. i was just speaking to someone at stansted airport who has waited an hour to come back through passport control. that's tedious and annoying but actually, you get your holiday if you don't mind a bit of queueing, you will be fine, but i'm afraid easyjet particularly flying in and out of gatwick is having a horrible time. yesterday at this time they having an it failure, more than 200 flights cancelled then, 30,000 people out of position. today they are up to 30 flight cancellations and i am afraid i have just checked tomorrow, and there are already over 20 cancellations to and from gatwick, including, and you should be notified about this, holiday destinations like madeira, morocco and both flights to seville, in southern spain, cancelled. i need to stress also that if an airline cancelled your flight, it has to get you where you need to be as soon as possible, even if that means buying

a very expensive ticket on a different airline. i was going to ask you, if your flight is cancelled, what are your rights? are you due your money back or is that only the case if you have insurance? no, insurance is nothing to do with it, the airline cancelled your fight for whatever reason is responsible and they have to get you there. and have a contrary get you there on the same day but another airline can, then if they buy you the ticket or you buy it and you claim it back. they also provide accommodation and meals and also if it is the airline's fault, it is their responsibility, you also get compensation of up to £220 or over to soft light over 1500km, it will be £350 in compensation. but most people just want their holiday.

especially as it will be the first time in two years for many, as you say. what about the railways, people will be going away on the trains? unbelievable demand for eurostar, i think they have ten departures today from london to paris, all of them full. that train just set off, no more seats on any trains france today. the service is running to time and that's all fine, just, not excessive, but strong demand there. and on ferries, the port of dover has said it expects a wait of up to 90 minutes with slow traffic arriving in dover. it's not clear what the problem is, lots of lorries waiting and for holidaymakers going across to france, it's basically brexit, i'm sorry to say, the checks at passport control for france, which take place on this

side of the channel, they are much more onerous than they used to be and that means people are taking a long time to get through. planes and trains, what about the roads? there is congestion near dover for it but what about in general? the m6, particular towards the lake district, the m5, the midlands towards exeter and then onto devon and cornwall, the m25, of course, and that quadrant between heathrow and gatwick is generally going to be quite lively, and who could ever forget the a303 near stonehenge, which is always a popular place to go and spend quite a lot of time. the motoring organisations say simply, set off very early or leave it until late afternoon, most people travel in the middle of the day and you willjust get stuck. we don't want that. are you going anywhere? i live in london and one part of the transport infrastructure that is working very well is the elizabeth line,

just 3.5 years late, opened this week and trains going everywhere in both directions. an autistic man is taking the supermarket sainsbury�*s to court for refusing entry to his assistance cat. ian fenn says the ban on chloe, who helps ease his anxiety, is limiting his independence. the supermarket says cats, unlike assistance dogs, present risks to food hygiene. our legal correspondent dominic casciani explains why it could become a landmark case. whether it is hopping on the bus... ..doing the weekly shop... what would you like, chloe? you want to have a look? ..or relaxing in the pub, chloe is always supporting ian through daily life's ups and downs. ian fenn has autism. busy and noisy environments trigger anxiety. he says he has trained chloe to help him cope. she is my companion.

my life is so much better with her at my side. i am not alone any more. she brings structure to my life, she wakes me up in the morning, she tells me when to go to bed. you know, it's difficult to know how she feels about the relationship but i feel that we are almost a team now. ian defines chloe as an assistance or service animal, a bit like a guide dog for the blind, fulfilling an essential purpose. but she is not universally accepted, as he found in a local sainsbury�*s. excuse me, sir. you can leave the cat outside and come and shop. no. that's all right. no. ian thought he had secured the supermarket�*s agreement to take chloe into the store. i ended up becoming quite upset. i stayed in the house for two weeks... two weeks? two weeks, until i got the confidence back to go out. he is now taking sainsbury�*s to court, claiming the supermarket has breached equality laws. in what could become a national test case,

his lawyers will argue that chloe, like a guide dog, is an auxiliary aid essential for daily life. the key and fundamental principles are that service providers have a legal obligation to provide reasonable adjustments to accommodate disabled customers. there has never been anything specific in relation to anything other than a support dog, in this country at least. if the law really is as grey and fuzzy as a tabby kitten, then judges will have to consider what makes an assistance animal. sainsbury�*s says it is in the right. it has concerns about food hygiene and safety, but is now asking environmental health officials for their opinion on chloe visiting. what would you say to people who say, i understand the animal is desirable but it's not really necessary for daily life? shouldn't you just leave chloe at home? i appreciate i'm a bloke wandering around with a cat, which is a bit unusual. what i want to be able to do is just run my life normally.

when somebody says, no, you can't, because you have this auxiliary aid, this creature that is helping you, it's really upsetting. it's been more than 40 years since their last tour but last night, swedish pop legends abba hit the stage once more — well, sort of. the band have created digital versions of themselves as they were in their heyday and these so—called abba—tars are performing with live musicians in london. our entertainment correspondent colin paterson went along to watch the show. hockney the waiting was over. # so when you're near me, darling, can't you hear me? #sos...#. more than 40 years after the last abba concert, they returned to the stage last night — albeit in digitalform, looking like they did in their 1970s heyday. the uncannily life—like abba

avatars played 20 songs, including sos and mamma mia, kate moss was seen heading to the dance floor surrounded by bouncers, and the audience loved it. something you've never seen before and you'll be, like...they�*re looking around everywhere. oh, my god, when they did dancing queen, it was spectacular. what they put into this show is mind—blowing. it was so real, it was so alike, - it was better than i even expected. at the end, the members also came land it wasjust a dream come true. | absolutely, it looked so realistic, it really does. so clear — the lighting is fantastic. it just was fantastic. they were just awesome. absolutely awesome. they were there! they were there on screen. it was just the best ever. did you cry at any point? i cried four times! what got you? seeing agnetha's face. so a lot of happy punters. and during the show, abba were sitting two rows behind me. during dancing queen, i turned around and saw frida looking out over the audience

with a huge, beaming smile. cheering. and earlier on the red carpet, i'd spoken to the whole group. agnetha, frida, what made you change your mind and decide to work with abba again? i've dreamed of this for years! we love our music. we love to sing. we love the material that benny and bjorn write... excellent, and it's a challenge. abba has never left us, in my heart. in our hearts. so it was not so...difficult decision, because the music is a part of us. how was the experience for you of seeing yourself as your younger self? it's amazing because, in a way, you look at yourself on stage. it's so well done, so you think, actually, it's real people standing up there, performing,

and then you're sitting, yourself, watching yourself! it's a very extraordinary feeling, it's hard to describe, i must say! i think the only way - to understand what this is, you have to come and see it. yeah. it's sort of a non—explainable. we've tried this for two years, to explain what it is, what it. will be, but that's impossible. you need to go and see it. i think it's a new experience for all of us and it will be so exciting tonight because i haven't seen anything. and i think you can safely say that nobody�*s ever seen anything like this because this is a first — this is pushing boundaries. the first reviews are in, and are very positive. there's already talk of a plan for the show to run in london for at least three years. and abba say they know of other major acts who are already thinking of copying their idea of copying themselves.

that definitely looks very interesting. earlier, we spoke to an abba superfan who interesting. earlier, we spoke to an abba super fan who went to last a's showjust going again tonight. last show 'ust going again tonight. last niuht showjust going again tonight. last niuht was, showjust going again tonight. last night was. i _ showjust going again tonight. last night was, i didn't know what to expect, to be honest with you, and it went beyond expectations. it is a purpose—built arena in east london, i had visions of big screens and a hologram but when the curtain went up hologram but when the curtain went up and you saw these four life—sized people in front of you, i could not believe they were avatars, to be honest. all the facial expressions, everything, and they were wearing dolce and cabana costumes, thousands of hours have gone into this and you had all of the group doing a lot of

the expressions themselves back in stockholm, and then they are in their mid—70s now, so the moves they did on stage were put together with younger bodies, so the whole thing with the company had made this to put those things together was a real challenge, and this isjust going put those things together was a real challenge, and this is just going to be the way forward for bands and artists that aren't touring any more but want to put together a legacy. but it was fantastic, it was beyond light, beyond sound, it was because a lot of people's expectations. i for one, was an emotional wreck! you know when — for one, was an emotional wreck! you know when you _ for one, was an emotional wreck! you know when you go and see film sometimes in 3d and you wear the special glasses, is that what it was like? , , ., ., special glasses, is that what it was like? , y., ., special glasses, is that what it was like? , ., like? yes, when you are saying about sd glasses. — like? yes, when you are saying about 3d glasses, remember _ like? yes, when you are saying about 3d glasses, remember going - like? yes, when you are saying about 3d glasses, remember going to - like? yes, when you are saying about. 3d glasses, remember going to disney world once and michaeljackson did a

sd world once and michaeljackson did a 3d effect, but this is beyond that, this is technology that none of us had seen before and knocks it for anyone that has a ticket that is going along, you will be in for a fantastic surprise. just the facial expressions, the movements, the lighting in the arena, this is why they didn't want to go to someone like 02 and run it for six months, they wanted to purposely build an arena that they could even fold up and move on to another venue. the whole thing has just been amazing. it what's interesting that it is the fact that i cement been a fan since 1954, to make me most of them live in 1979 at wembley, but i'm not going back to 1979 now, not going back to see abba live in 1979. you imagine if they made the big time now, in 2022, this is abba in their heyday. of the songs, everything about it, even talking to you now,

the hairs on my arms, it wasjust an amazing experience. above all, i've corresponded with lots of fans over the years, back in the 70s, of course, i would write to them and they would probably reply back three weeks later, now it is all instant, but i meet up with fines that i haven't seen for 48 years, it was another big by this point for me. aha, another big by this point for me. a superfan of abba there. now a look at the weather with darren. hardly a cloud in the sky across the southern half of the uk today, i will show you the satellite picture with a little bit more cloud for the north and some showers, mainly across northern parts of scotland as we head into this evening and overnight, keeping showers going. piece of the temperatures this evening, 15 in central belt, southeast of england at 20, a very

pleasant day. frantic across most of the country, the odd shower going in northern scotland, any other showers will fade away, the winds becoming lighter and it will turn chilly, temperatures down to 6 degrees. heading into tomorrow, we had to meet on a sunny note and why was he some patchy cloud developing, most places will have a fine and dry day with spells of sunshine. some showers across eastern scotland and eastern england and temperatures up to 18. second half of the weekend will be chilly, looking at a lot more cloud which could bring showers, especially across southern and eastern parts of the uk. so that northerly wind, speaking up to 16 degrees in the south west, but only 12 degrees in scotland and eastern england.

today at five. the headlines at five. an nhs trust at centre of concerns about avoidable deaths and injuries to babies has been told to make immediate improvement to maternity services. . , ., , services. families need to feel they are listened — services. families need to feel they are listened to, _ services. families need to feel they are listened to, that _ services. families need to feel they are listened to, that their _ services. families need to feel they are listened to, that their concerns| are listened to, that their concerns have been heard and that change is going to happen and is going to happen quickly. warnings that the cost of living crisis will continue for at least another year if oil and gas prices don't fall. the government insists its financial aid will help people cope. conservative mp paul holmes resigns as a ministerial aid following the fall out of the publication of a report on lockdown parties.

pro—russian