hello, good afternoon. the funeral is taking place of mikhail gorbachev — the last president of the soviet union, who helped bring the cold war to a peaceful end. he died on tuesday at the age of 91. russian president vladimir putin is not attending due to — what he described as — constraints on his schedule. our russia editor steve rosenberg reports. it was the final farewell to the man who changed the world. in the columned hall of the house of unions, mikhail gorbachev lay in state. a steady stream of mourners filing past his open casket. there was a guard of honour, but the last leader of the soviet union had not been honoured with a full state funeral. a sign that today's kremlin has little interest in guarding mr

gorbachev�*s legacy. many russians blame gorbachev for the fall of the ussr, the collapse of their superpower. yet out on the streets muscovites were queueing up to pay their respects. gorbachev had given many here their first taste of freedom and democracy. in today's rusher, both of those things are under attack.— rusher, both of those things are under attack. . , ., , ., under attack. there are people who came to gorbachev _ under attack. there are people who came to gorbachev to _ under attack. there are people who came to gorbachev to thank- under attack. there are people who came to gorbachev to thank him, . under attack. there are people who| came to gorbachev to thank him, to say thank you, mr gorbachev. you gave us a chance, and we lost this chance. ., ., ., . ., chance. the end of an era. we hear that phrase — chance. the end of an era. we hear that phrase so _ chance. the end of an era. we hear that phrase so often, _ chance. the end of an era. we hear that phrase so often, don't - chance. the end of an era. we hear that phrase so often, don't we? - chance. the end of an era. we hear| that phrase so often, don't we? the meaning has almost been deleted. at the death of mikhail gorbachev really does mark the end of an extraordinary era in history, a rare period when russia was opening up to the world, when people here where being given freedoms and when east

and west pledged to live together, in peace. mikhail gorbachev had played a key role in ending the cold war. working with america to slash nuclear arsenals. but under vladimir putin the east west confrontation is back. president putin did not attend the funeral today. president putin did not attend the funeraltoday. he president putin did not attend the funeral today. he was too busy, said the kremlin. and there were few foreign dignitaries. hungary's leader, viktor orban, the only western leader here. a sign of russia's international isolation. steve rosenberg, bbc news, moscow. tributes have been paid to one of the greatest tennis players of all time, serena williams, who said an emotional goodbye to the sport after losing at the us open. williams, who's 40, is now expected to retire after winning 23 grand slam titles. she's been credited with inspiring athletes beyond the world of tennis. laura scott reports. go, serena!

serena's is a story for the ages. all week her fans haven't really been here to say goodbye. they've been here to say... thank you. thank you! ..to a player who sacrificed and succeeded, transcended and transformed tennis, and never shied away from her she was. it means greatest of all time! this week serena said she finally felt able to play like it was 1998 again, the x on her back replaced by diamonds. butjust as she was sailing towards the set, tide turned. the australian ajla tomljanovic struck, stealing the set. she wasn't here for serena's party, no — she was the uninvited guest. commentator: hugely - impressive from tomljanovic. serena seemed unstoppable — until she was pegged back again. time for a tie—break with so much at stake. the noise told you she taking it. the noise told you she'd taken it.

but tomljanovic wasn't holding back, and once she was ahead she never looked back. serena did all she could to eke out this epic, saving five match points. but finally tomljanovic closed the curtain on a career that will never be repeated. a farewell wave, a final twirl and then the tears flowed. these are happy tears, i guess. i don't know! it's been the most incredible ride and journey i've ever been on, i mean, in my life, and i'mjust so grateful to every single person that's ever said, "go, serena", in their life. i'm just so grateful because... yeah, you got me here. when she's playing like this, might she reconsider? i don't think so, but you never know. i don't know. simply the best serenaded serena as she walked off court for one last time. if she wasn't ready for this, neither were herfans.

i mean, it's really upsetting but she had a good run. she's an amazing player. i mean, that was a hell of a game. she went in on top. i mean, she's given me years, years, so... - as for the players who feel privileged to have shared the court with her... i think i lost... i mean, the first six or seven times i walked on court with her, she wasjust so strong, powerful, athletic. she walked off as a ao—year—old bedecked in diamonds. 23 major singles trophies later and so much more beyond the titles. all good things must come to an end, and so must the great ones. laura scott, bbc news, new york. from monday, millions of people in england and scotland will be invited for their autumn covid booster vaccine — with care home residents first in line for the jab. as well as moderna, the uk health regulator today approved an updated vaccine from pfizer—biontech. health officials are predicting a resurgence of covid and flu this winter.

vaccine from pfizer—biontech. nasa, the us space agency, will make a second attempt to launch its most powerful rocket ever later. the launch of the uncrewed artemis i moon mission was thwarted on monday. our science editor, rebecca morelle, is at the kennedy space center in florida. fight my fingers crossed today? that's why everyone here was hoping it will be second time lucky —— yes, fingers crossed today? the weather looks 0k, little cloudy but we have just heard viewing has stopped because of a hydrogen leak and the team is trying to troubleshoot this right now. but if things can resume the rocket will be taking a small cap called or ryan on a small journey to the moon and back again, which will take about 37 days. no people on board because it is a test flight but aastra not jack kennedy are watching very closely because they will be joining the next ride and ultimately landing on the lunar surface. the rocket and orion have

cost £40 billion to develop so it isn't cheap, it's expensive, but nasa say it is about more than fleeting visits to the men. it is about building a permanent base there and testing the technology to go even further, to mars and beyond. first things first, though, they need to get this rocket off the ground and the two hour lunch window opens at 7.17 this morning so we will be watching and waiting and hoping. will be watching and waiting and ho .m. _ , . . ., will be watching and waiting and hoina. , will be watching and waiting and ho-uin. , . , hoping. rebecca morrell, at kennedy sorts hoping. rebecca morrell, at kennedy sports centre — hoping. rebecca morrell, at kennedy sports centre -- _ hoping. rebecca morrell, at kennedy sports centre -- kennedy _ hoping. rebecca morrell, at kennedy sports centre -- kennedy space - sports centre —— kennedy space center, thank you. time to move over to the bbc sports centre. good afternoon. the parties are over and it's back to the important business of playing football again for england's women's team. their first game since being crowned champions of europe is a world cup qualifier against austria and the england manager, sarina wiegman, says they are ready to move on from this summer's triumph. natalie pirks reports.

jaunty music life moves at a slower pace in wiener neustadt. but in this laid—back austrian town, england are only looking in one direction. england! england, european champions. this stratospheric rise is a moment the captain will never forget, even if the focus now switches to the world cup. naturally i want it to last forever, this feeling, and i want to be reminded of it all the time. that's literally the sole reason that i play football, for moments like that. it's all change for her team, though. the lionesses�* record goal—scorer ellen white has retired, as has the ever presentjill scott. they both bowed out after a final which broke records. 50 million worldwide watched chloe kelly's extra time winner. it's in! it's fair to say this match will be a little different. well, we're not in vienna. we're more than 30 miles away from the capital, and even though the match is a sell—out there will be fewer than 3000 fans here, and only a handful will be cheering for the lionesses.

it's a little bit disappointing, but it also shows that the women's game is just developing so much, it also shows that the women's game isjust developing so much, that it also shows that the women's game is just developing so much, that we need to think a little bigger and we can play bigger stadiums. it's good it is sold out but i hope in the future we will take another stadium. the ticket office is closed.— the ticket office is closed. unlike in the men's _ the ticket office is closed. unlike in the men's game, _ the ticket office is closed. unlike in the men's game, no _ the ticket office is closed. unlike in the men's game, no away - the ticket office is closed. unlike in the men's game, no away fan | in the men's game, no away fan allocation, making these england fans a rare breed. i allocation, making these england fans a rare breed.— fans a rare breed. i think if the women's _ fans a rare breed. i think if the women's game _ fans a rare breed. i think if the women's game progresses - fans a rare breed. i think if the women's game progresses we | fans a rare breed. i think if the - women's game progresses we need to play these _ women's game progresses we need to play these in _ women's game progresses we need to play these in bigger— women's game progresses we need to play these in bigger stadiums, - play these in bigger stadiums, probably— play these in bigger stadiums, probably the _ play these in bigger stadiums, probably the capital, - play these in bigger stadiums, probably the capital, and - play these in bigger stadiums, probably the capital, and it - play these in bigger stadiums, i probably the capital, and it would make _ probably the capital, and it would make travelling _ probably the capital, and it would make travelling easier— probably the capital, and it would make travelling easier and - probably the capital, and it would make travelling easier and a - probably the capital, and it would make travelling easier and a lot. make travelling easier and a lot more _ make travelling easier and a lot more peopte _ make travelling easier and a lot more people could _ make travelling easier and a lot more people could come - make travelling easier and a lot more people could come and i make travelling easier and a lot- more people could come and watch it, and a _ more people could come and watch it, and a better— more people could come and watch it, and a better atmosphere, _ more people could come and watch it, and a betteratmosphere, i— more people could come and watch it, and a better atmosphere, i would - and a better atmosphere, i would expect _ and a better atmosphere, i would expect like— and a better atmosphere, ! would expect. like back— and a better atmosphere, i would expect. like back when _ and a better atmosphere, i would expect. like back when these - and a better atmosphere, i wouldj expect. like back when these two last met — expect. like back when these two last met beth— expect. like back when these two last met beth mead _ expect. like back when these two last met beth mead scored - expect. like back when these two last met beth mead scored the i expect. like back when these two l last met beth mead scored the only .oal last met beth mead scored the only goal in _ last met beth mead scored the only goal in a _ last met beth mead scored the only goal in a nervy— last met beth mead scored the only goal in a nervy opening _ last met beth mead scored the only goal in a nervy opening match - last met beth mead scored the only goal in a nervy opening match at. goal in a nervy opening match at right— goal in a nervy opening match at right back— goal in a nervy opening match at right back old _ goal in a nervy opening match at right back old trafford _ goal in a nervy opening match at right back old trafford in - goal in a nervy opening match at right back old trafford in the - right back old trafford in the euros — right back old trafford in the euros the _ right back old trafford in the euros. the draw— right back old trafford in the euros. the draw will- right back old trafford in the euros. the draw will do - right back old trafford in the euros. the draw will do for. right back old trafford in the - euros. the draw will do for england but austria — euros. the draw will do for england but austria need _ euros. the draw will do for england but austria need to _ euros. the draw will do for england but austria need to finish _ euros. the draw will do for england but austria need to finish strong. but austria need to finish strong for the _ but austria need to finish strong for the play—offs. _ but austria need to finish strong for the play—offs. this— but austria need to finish strong for the play-offs— but austria need to finish strong for the play-offs. this won't be a once in the _ for the play-offs. this won't be a once in the park. _ for the play-offs. this won't be a once in the park. natalie - for the play-offs. this won't be a once in the park. natalie pirks, l for the play-offs. this won't be a i once in the park. natalie pirks, bbc news, austria.

everton are hosting liverpool in the premier league this afternoon. they are approaching half time and it's 0—0 with liverpool aiming for their third league win of the season. in the first old firm derby of the season, it's the scottish premiership champions, celtic with a 2—0 advantage. they have won all five of their league games so far this season, while second—placed rangers have dropped two points. to cricket, where the hundred tournament reaches it's conclusion with two finals taking place at lord's today. with each innings lasting 100 balls, fireworks, djs and british if band bastille playing, it is one vision of cricket's future. joe wilson will be watching the action at lord's... hi, karthi. remember, this whole competition was created to broaden the appeal of cricket. the organiser is very positive about the number of tickets sold over last month, especially to women and children. i came to a game last week in an alcohol free area of the ground which certainly change the atmosphere there. of course the

quality of the cricket on show is absolutely key. the winning's match this afternoon will definitely feature some real stars of the women's game on both sides. the men's final, manchester originals qualified last night after a strong late burst of fire but i still think their opponents might start as favourites. two teams will be successful but ultimately it is all about keeping wicket accessible. joe wilson, thank you very much. there's more on the bbc sport website including the build up to qualifying at the dutch grand prix which starts soon. thank you very much, karthi. you can see more on all the new stories on the bbc news channel throughout the afternoon and the next news location is at 20 to seven. from all of us on the lunchtime team,

hello. you're watching the bbc news channel. it is1:13pm. it is 1:13pm. let's get more on nasa launch attempt. let's get much more now on nasa's attempt to launch its most powerful rocket ever, after technical problems hampered plans to get the artemis i mission off earth on monday. our science correspondent, jonathan amos is at the kennedy space center.

as rebecca was saying, they are filling the great big tanks in this rocket, a slight hydrogen leak at the base of the vehicle. but is it a bigger problem? probably not. i have a nasa astronaut here with me, these are little quirks and they?— are little quirks and they? artemis is the size of— are little quirks and they? artemis is the size of a _ are little quirks and they? artemis is the size of a 30 _ are little quirks and they? artemis is the size of a 30 story _ are little quirks and they? artemis is the size of a 30 story building i is the size of a 30 story building and every— is the size of a 30 story building and every inch of it is covered with sensors _ and every inch of it is covered with sensors and — and every inch of it is covered with sensors and liquids and lines, our ground _ sensors and liquids and lines, our ground control is looking at every square _ ground control is looking at every square inch — ground control is looking at every square inch of that and as you mentioned, from leaks to one of the umbilical. _ mentioned, from leaks to one of the umbilical, they are trying to heat up umbilical, they are trying to heat up that— umbilical, they are trying to heat up that connection to get had reseated _ up that connection to get had reseated but still very optimistic for today's launch. it�*s for today's launch. it's extraordinary - for today's launch. it's extraordinary to - for today's launch. it's extraordinary to think| for today's launch. it�*s extraordinary to think there are 2.7 million litres of liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen going into this rocket, those liquids are not easy to handle, are they?— to handle, are they? that's right, there is a particular _ to handle, are they? that's right, there is a particular temperature | there is a particular temperature and pressure those liquids need to be out _

and pressure those liquids need to be out in _ and pressure those liquids need to be out in order to provide the right boosting _ be out in order to provide the right boosting to — be out in order to provide the right boosting to notjust be out in order to provide the right boosting to not just get of earth, but importantly for this mission, the lunar— but importantly for this mission, the lunar burn. that is what i'm ground — the lunar burn. that is what i'm ground systems are working for right now, working with those liquids. we had a now, working with those liquids. - had a postponement on monday, we were all a little bit frustrated, do you get frustrated with the scrub as they call it?— they call it? when we have a scrap here at an — they call it? when we have a scrap here at an asset _ they call it? when we have a scrap here at an asset we _ they call it? when we have a scrap here at an asset we look— they call it? when we have a scrap here at an asset we look at - they call it? when we have a scrap here at an asset we look at that i here at an asset we look at that really _ here at an asset we look at that really is — here at an asset we look at that really is a — here at an asset we look at that really is a sign of success because we are _ really is a sign of success because we are looking at the right things. it we are looking at the right things. it would _ we are looking at the right things. it would be irresponsible to launch with something that didn't... that we were _ with something that didn't... that we were not looking at. understandably it's a disappointment, i was disappointed too, but _ disappointment, i was disappointed too, but when you look at what the ground _ too, but when you look at what the ground teams are working to make this launch — ground teams are working to make this launch happen, delaying it by six days— this launch happen, delaying it by six days in— this launch happen, delaying it by six days in the grand scheme of things— six days in the grand scheme of things is— six days in the grand scheme of things is not a huge deal and i'm really— things is not a huge deal and i'm really proud of the teams that made that call, _ really proud of the teams that made that call, that supported that goal and then— that call, that supported that goal and then within six days changed the procedures — and then within six days changed the procedures. we will be calling the edges— procedures. we will be calling the edges a _ procedures. we will be calling the edges a little bit earlier in the count— edges a little bit earlier in the count today to take a look at that same _ count today to take a look at that same issue — count today to take a look at that same issue and so, i think for us,

it's a _ same issue and so, i think for us, it's a price — same issue and so, i think for us, it's a price of— same issue and so, i think for us, it's a price of success. i�*m same issue and so, i think for us, it's a price of success.— it's a price of success. i'm crude today but _ it's a price of success. i'm crude today but in _ it's a price of success. i'm crude today but in two _ it's a price of success. i'm crude today but in two years _ it's a price of success. i'm crude today but in two years on - it's a price of success. i'm crude i today but in two years on artemis too, we will probably have four astronaut, what will it be like to be under that rockets? indie astronaut, what will it be like to be under that rockets?- astronaut, what will it be like to be under that rockets? we get asked a lot what it's — be under that rockets? we get asked a lot what it's like _ be under that rockets? we get asked a lot what it's like to _ be under that rockets? we get asked a lot what it's like to sitting - be under that rockets? we get asked a lot what it's like to sitting on - a lot what it's like to sitting on top of— a lot what it's like to sitting on top of that, next time when you are downtown, — top of that, next time when you are downtown, look at up to a 30 story buiiding _ downtown, look at up to a 30 story building and think about what it would _ building and think about what it would he — building and think about what it would be like to be on top of that. it's amazing to be alive at the moment— it's amazing to be alive at the moment being alive at this time where _ moment being alive at this time where as— moment being alive at this time where as a — moment being alive at this time where as a human species we have the capabilities— where as a human species we have the capabilities of exploring deep space and being one of the humans to be the one _ and being one of the humans to be the one who of the rocket is incredible. did the one who of the rocket is incredible.— the one who of the rocket is incredible. , ., ., . ,, ., incredible. did we not go back to the men back — incredible. did we not go back to the men back in _ incredible. did we not go back to the men back in the _ incredible. did we not go back to the men back in the 1960s - incredible. did we not go back to the men back in the 1960s and i incredible. did we not go back to - the men back in the 1960s and 1970s, why are we going back? indie the men back in the 1960s and 1970s, why are we going back?— why are we going back? we made the nuns back then _ why are we going back? we made the nuns back then and _ why are we going back? we made the nuns back then and all _ why are we going back? we made the nuns back then and all in _ why are we going back? we made the nuns back then and all in the - nuns back then and all in the equatorial region of the moon. we are looking — equatorial region of the moon. we are looking at going back to the lunar— are looking at going back to the lunar south pole, to look at what resources — lunar south pole, to look at what resources can sustain presence and what _ resources can sustain presence and what technology can be develop and test on _ what technology can be develop and test on the moon that can get back into deep— test on the moon that can get back into deep space exploration may be than one _ into deep space exploration may be than one day to mars. if you're going — than one day to mars. if you're going to — than one day to mars. if you're going to climb mount everest you are

--oin going to climb mount everest you are going to _ going to climb mount everest you are going to set that turned up in the back yard — going to set that turned up in the back yard and the technologies we are using — back yard and the technologies we are using today are totally different from the apollo eight. in apoiio _ different from the apollo eight. in apollo that will launch to the moon with the _ apollo that will launch to the moon with the amount of competing power you have _ with the amount of competing power you have on — with the amount of competing power you have on cell phone. we have today's— you have on cell phone. we have today's technology on this rocket able to _ today's technology on this rocket able to go further than humans have ever gone _ able to go further than humans have ever gone from earth using technologies and doing missions we have never— technologies and doing missions we have never even conceived of 60 ago. are you _ have never even conceived of 60 ago. are you confident for today?— are you confident for today? always confident. fantastic. _ are you confident for today? always confident. fantastic. there - are you confident for today? always confident. fantastic. there you - are you confident for today? always confident. fantastic. there you go, | confident. fantastic. there you go, sean, _ confident. fantastic. there you go, sean. we _ confident. fantastic. there you go, sean, we will follow the countdown, the clock— sean, we will follow the countdown, the clock behind me continues to take down— the clock behind me continues to take down towards this launch time. this afternoon it will be for us, early— this afternoon it will be for us, early evening for you. fingers crossed — early evening for you. fingers crossed that we finally get off. back— crossed that we finally get off. back to — crossed that we finally get off. back to you. crossed that we finally get off. back to you-— let's talk about nord stream 1. russia's main pipeline transporting gas to europe through germany will now not reopen as planned on saturday. russian state energy firm gazprom

said it had found an oil leak in a turbine on nord stream 1, meaning it would be closed indefinitely. for more on this, i'm joined by will kennedy, executive editor for energy at bloomberg. thank you very much for speaking to us. dare i sceptical you say, surprise, surprise? i us. dare i scepticalyou say, surprise, surprise?- us. dare i scepticalyou say, surprise, surprise? ithink there is a lot of scepticism _ surprise, surprise? ithink there is a lot of scepticism about - surprise, surprise? ithink there is a lot of scepticism about the - a lot of scepticism about the reasons— a lot of scepticism about the reasons they have kept this pipe enclosed, — reasons they have kept this pipe enclosed, they are saying this oil leak means the turbine is not safe, but interestingly, siemens, who usually— but interestingly, siemens, who usually services these, is saying there _ usually services these, is saying there is— usually services these, is saying there is no— usually services these, is saying there is no issue why this should force _ there is no issue why this should force them — there is no issue why this should force them not to operate the pipeline _ force them not to operate the pipeline. otherturbines force them not to operate the pipeline. other turbines they could use on— pipeline. other turbines they could use on the — pipeline. other turbines they could use on the pipeline. sol pipeline. other turbines they could use on the pipeline. so i think people — use on the pipeline. so i think people in— use on the pipeline. so i think people in europe are very sceptical about— people in europe are very sceptical about this — people in europe are very sceptical about this reason and they see a political— about this reason and they see a political motive here to keep this pipe and — political motive here to keep this pipe and shut. political motive here to keep this pipe and shut-— political motive here to keep this pipe and shut. already the amount cominu pipe and shut. already the amount coming through — pipe and shut. already the amount coming through nord _ pipe and shut. already the amount coming through nord stream - pipe and shut. already the amount coming through nord stream 1 - pipe and shut. already the amount coming through nord stream 1 hadj coming through nord stream 1 had been diminishing, i think the challenge in particular was saying there had been dramatic reduction in there had been dramatic reduction in the amount they were getting from

eastern europe. in terms of the practicalities of this, we have the prices being at astronomical levels, it has come down a little bit, in the circumstances would seem a little bit odd, can you explain why some of the heat has gone out of the price rises? some of the heat has gone out of the rice rises? . , some of the heat has gone out of the price rises?— price rises? prices have reached record levels — price rises? prices have reached record levels ten _ price rises? prices have reached record levels ten days _ price rises? prices have reached record levels ten days ago - price rises? prices have reached record levels ten days ago once| price rises? prices have reached i record levels ten days ago once the three—day maintenance period or nord stream 1 been announced. as late as yesterday evening people expected the public to come up back up and that had given the market a certain amount of confidence and we think some of the heat coming out of those prices. the other thing going on is they have been a lot of discussions in europe in the european commission about measures they can take to cap power prices and, again, traders are responding to that. now that russia has decided the pipeline will not going ahead, we could see another uptick in prices when the gas and power markets become volatile. the aood news power markets become volatile. the good news this week is that we have replenished our storage quite

significantly? the replenished our storage quite significantly?— replenished our storage quite sianificantl ? . , , ,, , replenished our storage quite sianificantl ? . ,, ,, , ., significantly? the happiness but of aood significantly? the happiness but of good news. _ significantly? the happiness but of good news, germany _ significantly? the happiness but of good news, germany and - significantly? the happiness but of good news, germany and europe l significantly? the happiness but of. good news, germany and europe have set targets to fill the storage caverns they have with gas and they were outperforming those targets recently but i think it's worth saying, especially now when even at reduced levels we will not have had notary one gas, full storage will notary one gas, full storage will not last all winter at the normal rate of gas consumption. it's the flow that matters as well as the stockpiles. it will happen the first few months of winter but the danger is, as we get to the second half of the winter, and though stockpiles are being run down, especially if it is cold, with no gas or little gas coming from russia, it's going to be very hard for europe to meet all of its demands. very hard for europe to meet all of its demands-— its demands. there is talk, as you sa , and its demands. there is talk, as you say. and the _ its demands. there is talk, as you say. and the g7 — its demands. there is talk, as you say, and the g7 noticeably - its demands. there is talk, as you l say, and the g7 noticeably endorsed of this this weekend in washington, of this this weekend in washington, of capping the price. the russians have been pretty clear about that, if you try to cap the price, we want to sell it to you. effectively, we are in a position where most people have to accept that the gas supply,

one way or another, from russia will be cut off? i one way or another, from russia will be cut off? ~ ., �* , be cut off? i think that's right. the long-term _ be cut off? i think that's right. the long-term picture - be cut off? i think that's right. the long-term picture here i be cut off? i think that's right. the long-term picture here is| be cut off? i think that's right. - the long-term picture here is that the long—term picture here is that europe will have learnt to do without russian gas. after the events of this year it will no longer want or be able to rely on russian gas supply. it will have to go elsewhere stop the problem is, how do you get through this winter, subsequent winters, while we make that adjustment in replacing gas supplies with supplies perhaps in the us and other thought sources of energy like wind power. what has happened here is that russia is looking for ways to maximise its leveraged in the short term while we still have that dependency will stop thank you forjoining us. the family of a father who was wrongly convicted of murder have been given a police apology 70 years after he was executed in a british prison. mahmood mattan, a british somali and former seaman, was hanged in 1952 after he was convicted of killing shopkeeper lily volpert

in her store in cardiff. let's speak now to nadifa mohamed, author of the fortune men which semi—fictionalises the true story of mahmood mattan. it's good to speak to you. it's a kind of a bittersweet apology this, isn't it? for the family who went through so much. could you briefly explain what happened to their father and grandfather, i should say he damaged his widow and all of his children are now dead. yes. he damaged his widow and all of his children are now dead.— he damaged his widow and all of his children are now dead. yes, it was a terrible tragedy, _ children are now dead. yes, it was a terrible tragedy, a _ children are now dead. yes, it was a terrible tragedy, a terrible _ terrible tragedy, a terrible miscarriage ofjustice that happened to mahmood mattan in 1952. he was accused of a murder he did not commit. there were many people who saw him in different places are nowhere near the shop on the night of the murder. but the police decided they needed to have someone to pin the crime on and, for various reasons, he was the ideal candidate.

i was struck when i read your book, very recently, i only finished a couple of weeks ago, if you don't mind me saying so, it's a wonderful read just from a readers point of view, and i was very struck by the fact that you are just like there are no black or white characters in your book and there are no black and white characters in the story, there are people whose behaviour is nuanced all the way through. it's not an apportionment of blame but just like he was a petty criminal, but no violent crime in its history at all. yet, he was evicted at the crime of which there were no witnesses and at the nearest eye witnesses and at the nearest eye witnesses including other members of the family didn't identify him. it is in an extraordinary sense of how the machinery ofjustice, once it gets going, is incredibly hard to stop and when the end of that period for a murder charge was the noose, it's terrifying to think how many people may have gone to their deaths in circumstances where they

evidently in legal and justified? i evidently in legal and justified? i agree and i think he isjust the tip agree and i think he is just the tip of the iceberg. the failures in policing and also in the justice system as a whole, they were in conversation and there was a growing anger and hostility to the death penalty. the death penalty had been declining in use up until the end of the second world war and then it started to go up. so mahmood mattan is one of 21 men executed that year and five of them were black and asian. despite making a very damning making of a small proportion of people in the uk foot of the inequality of discrimination. also, basic procedural issues in the judicial system made the death penalty are very cruel and in perfect form of justice. penalty are very cruel and in perfect form ofjustice. this penalty are very cruel and in perfect form ofjustice. perfect form of 'ustice. this was one of perfect form of 'ustice. this was of the — perfect form of 'ustice. this was one of the first — perfect form ofjustice. this was one of the first cases, _ perfect form ofjustice. this was one of the first cases, in - perfect form ofjustice. this was one of the first cases, in fact, . perfect form ofjustice. this was i one of the first cases, in fact, the first case taking up petty criminal cases review commission where damning when it was established and it didn't take it very long to send it didn't take it very long to send it back to the court and for the

admission by all concerned that this was a miscarriage. yes, there has been another... when it was years since the family got that conviction quashed. it's only now the apology has come which is perhaps a bit surprised? it has come which is perhaps a bit surprised?— has come which is perhaps a bit surrised? , , , , ~ surprised? it is surprising. ithink i had assumed _ surprised? it is surprising. ithink i had assumed as _ surprised? it is surprising. ithink i had assumed as part _ surprised? it is surprising. ithink i had assumed as part of- surprised? it is surprising. ithink i had assumed as part of the - surprised? it is surprising. i think. i had assumed as part of the process of reviewing his conviction and quashing it and paying conversation to the family that south wales police would have already apologised. the fact this happened in the 70th anniversary of his death is a shock. i was elated of it this morning by a message and i was confused, i thought they must have already apologised. it does show, i guess, institutional lethargy and also the fact that it's very problematic for police services to admit they have done wrong. i will]! admit they have done wrong. i will 'ust uuote admit they have done wrong. i will just quote the _ admit they have done wrong. i will just quote the apology _ admit they have done wrong. i will just quote the apology if i may, we have mentioned it and i'm sure many people have heard it, they can find it on twitter. this is from the chief constable. he says this is a

case very much of its time, racism, bias and prejudice would have been prevalent throughout society, including these criminaljustice system. there is no doubt that the strike was the demos of a miscarriage ofjustice, as a result of a full prosecution of which the police was about. the terrible suffering his family and all of those affected by this tragedy, for many years, and his family really did suffer didn't they? then;r many years, and his family really did suffer didn't they?— many years, and his family really did suffer didn't they? they did and it's a shame — did suffer didn't they? they did and it's a shame that _ did suffer didn't they? they did and it's a shame that her— did suffer didn't they? they did and it's a shame that her wife _ did suffer didn't they? they did and it's a shame that her wife and -- i it's a shame that her wife and —— his wife and her sons are around to hear the apology. first try grew went to his death repeating that he was not the right man. it has come too late to have a real impact, but it is better late than never. itruihat it is better late than never. what happened--- _ it is better late than never. what happened--- i— it is better late than never. what happened. .. i think— it is better late than never. what happened... i think one - it is better late than never. what happened... i think one of - it is better late than never. what happened... i think one of his i it is better late than never. what happened... i think one of his sons was found dead in his 50s and is a

terrible sense of the sins of the father and actually since he hadn't committed, really were visited on the sons of this case? i committed, really were visited on the sons of this case?— the sons of this case? i think it makes you _ the sons of this case? i think it makes you think _ the sons of this case? i think it makes you think about - the sons of this case? i think it - makes you think about generational trauma. they said themselves and were very articulated about expressing the impact that this had all had on their lives, the mental health impacts, they had issue with alcohol, with homelessness, that nothing could fix. i think the stigma that they had gone through, notjust mixed—race young man in a 19505, notjust mixed—race young man in a 1950s, but in having the extra stigma of having a father who had been hanged for murder. the poverty... they grew up under immense poverty, laura once mentioned they had to burn cardboard as a way of keeping warm and they were hospitalised with anaemia. it was an incredibly hard life and i think that is also added to the, for me, the power of the fact that she and they were the first people to whoever got historic miscarriage of justice quashed in uk court. she was

a white woman. _ justice quashed in uk court. she was a white woman, so _ justice quashed in uk court. she was a white woman, so received - justice quashed in uk court. she was a white woman, so received a - justice quashed in uk court. she was a white woman, so received a fair. a white woman, so received a fair amount of stick myself for having dared are marrying outside her race. thank you so much talking to us about this very sad story. good to speak to you. that's the news. now it's time for the weather. it's been lovely here in london, but the weather is changing, isn't it? there is an autumnal feel and look to things this week. some warmth are still out there, also some rain, in fact, chances are rain increasing across the uk as we go on into next week with low pressure close by. here is where most of the rain is today and this afternoon it's on to northern ireland, part of south—west scotland, some of it in wales and south—west inventing it as well. further east it is a dragon looking picture up to 27 in east anglia.

some heavy showers we had, one or two popping up in southern england, northern scotland seeing some sunny spells of the night we will see some rain starting to feed in here. rain in the west will ease for a time, it will pep up later with stronger winds developing as well with warm and humid night out there. very wet through parts of wales, northern ireland, south—west of scotland, brisk winds beginning to ease a touch, further outbreaks of rain in scotland, the wettest weather looks to be across parts of the north—east. showery rain elsewhere through wales and the western side of england, trying to nudge a little bit further east during the day, eastern part of england are staying mainly dry and warm once again.

hello. this is bbc news. i'm shaun ley and these are the headlines. mourners pay their respects to the last soviet leader, mikhail gorbachev, ahead of his funeral. moscow blames maintenance problems forfailing to resume the main pipeline that transports gas from russia to europe after a three day closure. more than half of manufacturers in the uk say they may have to cut production or close down completely because of rocketing energy bills. ready for lift—off...again. nasa prepares to make a second attempt later to launch its most powerful rocket to the moon — five days after technical problems scuppered the first. we'll be live in florida with our correspondent rebecca morelle. now on bbc news, britain's new hong—kongers