this is bbc news. the latest headlines. russia investigates how and what caused the explosion that severely damaged its state—of—the—art and well defended bridge to crimea. officials in the ukrainian city of zaporizhzia say 17 people have been killed by a russian missile strike on an apartment block. former uk culture secretary nadine dorries says prime minister liz truss needs to change course if she wants to keep the party together and avoid facing a "wipe—out" at the next general election. i'm still one of the liz's biggest supporters, but you have to put that into the context of the fact that we are 30 points behind labour in the polls. police in ireland have named the ten

people who died in an explosion at a petrol station in donegal — among them robert garwe and his five year—old daughter shauna. it isa it is a huge impact to a small rural community. they are all local people. they are all very much involved in the community. they were all people who are shopping in the local shop. in iran, protestors appear to hack into state—run television as demonstrations against the regime continue. and max verstappen has secured his second formula 1 world championship after winning the japanese grand prix. good afternoon.

at least 17 people have been killed by russian missile strikes in the middle of the night on the city of zaporizhzhia. president zelensky condemned the attack as absolute evil. the latest strikes came hours after the 12—mile long bridge linking russia to occupied crimea was badly damaged by an explosion. our diplomatic correspondent, pauladams, reports from the ukrainian capital, kyiv. in zaporizhzhia, this is what escalation looks like. a gaping hole, where once there were homes. rescue workers searching for the dead, and the living. moments after the blast, in the middle of the night, stunned, furious reactions. translation: they destroyed a building at night at 2am. - they simply destroyed| a multistorey building. once again, missiles struck a mainly civilian area. this was not a military target.

local officials say there are a0 people being treated in hospital. this industrial southern city is used to being hit, but its civilian now bearing the brunt of russian anger. more than 60 killed in and around the city in the past nine days. officials say missiles were fired from russian warplanes flying safely over a nearby occupied territory. president zelensky called this "absolute evil perpetrated by savages and terrorists". it all came 2a hours after yesterday's attack on a key bridge linking russia with the crimean peninsula. said this was the result of a truck bomb, others spoke of an audacious act of ukrainian sabotage. kyiv is keeping mostly quiet. some road traffic did resume yesterday. the physical damage can be repaired, but this was a profound psychological blow to moscow. late last night, officials tested the railway line. freight and passenger services,

they say, have resumed. this bridge is vital to moscow's war effort. it cannot afford to lose it. paul adams, bbc news, pauladams, bbc news, kyiv. as the war in ukraine grinds on, the uk is continuing to play its part in sending weapons. for the first time since the conflict began in february, the ministry of defence has allowed the bbc on board a flight to deliver the armaments as duncan kennedy reports. these are just some of the weapons britain is sending to ukraine. it's the first time since the start of the war the media have been allowed to film the operation. we stand absolutely united with ukraine in defence of freedom and democracy and a nation's right to be sovereign. we take off, but we are not told where we're going to protect the safety of the crews who fly these missions. some of these boxes are holding brimstone missiles.

britain has now sent more than 10,000 anti—tank weapons to ukraine. it's dark when we land, and the operation to offload doesn't take long. this plane alone has brought 12 tonnes of weapons. these missions are so sensitive, we've been asked not to say where we've landed or even what country we're in. all i can say is that we're somewhere in eastern europe. we're on the ground for less than two hours. the doors are shut, and we head back to the uk. there will be many more flights like this to come. duncan kennedy, bbc news. mariia mezenseva is the ukrainian mp representing kharkiv.

shejoins me now. we have been learning a lot about what this bridge means to russia. how is it viewed by ukrainians? we bridge means to russia. how is it viewed by ukrainians?— bridge means to russia. how is it viewed by ukrainians? we know that the illeual viewed by ukrainians? we know that the illegal annexation _ viewed by ukrainians? we know that the illegal annexation of _ viewed by ukrainians? we know that the illegal annexation of crimea - the illegal annexation of crimea which occurred in 2014 with russia is claiming zero shots have caused problems with international law and for us ukrainians as something which was a start of this almost nine years war which now overlapped at a full—scale invasion, and we think that if russia is claiming that this infrastructure item, meaning the bridge, is controlled by them, they should be very much responsible for every vehicle which is crossing either the railway or the automobile links. so what has been happening yesterday first of all surprised us, and of course when we were hearing

accusations from different sides of the russian authorities are saying that it might have been a ukrainian attack, would want to refer to russia that they are causing troubles not only to themselves but also to the international community. first of all it caused three deaths. secondly we are waiting for the full investigation, if one will be conducted by the russian authorities. and number three, as president zelensky said, regardless of all the assumptions in series, we know that everything which has been built illegally or occupied illegally should be returned to ukraine. tactically it was the only way to supply the peninsula of crimea with fuel, and it caused long lines of cues which were longer than

one kilometre at the petrol station for some hours. the road was blocked, both railway connections and automobile transport. if i could 'ust and automobile transport. if i could just interrupt. _ and automobile transport. if i could just interrupt, let's _ and automobile transport. if i could just interrupt, let's move _ and automobile transport. if i could just interrupt, let's move away - and automobile transport. if i could| just interrupt, let's move away from what is regarded as russian infrastructure and look at ukrainian infrastructure, and it being targeted by russia. just how badly is it being affected?— is it being affected? well, you know, it is it being affected? well, you know. it is _ is it being affected? well, you know, it is another _ is it being affected? well, you know, it is another black- is it being affected? well, you know, it is another black day l is it being affected? well, you i know, it is another black day for ukraine after the dozens of civilian buildings, schools and hospitals, which were targeted in the city of zaporizhzhia in the area which russia also claims to be occupied, but as a representative of the recently liberated region of

kharkiv, i would say that this is the most wanted and the dearest target for the russian army, schools, hospitals, maternity hospitals, it causes dozens of deaths and dozens of wounded today in zaporizhzhia for instance, but there was no military object as russia continues to claim, which means a breach of the geneva conventions and all possible international agreements. conventions and all possible internationalagreements. for conventions and all possible international agreements. for us, conventions and all possible internationalagreements. for us, it is not the main thing to rebuild the buildings. for us it is the main thing right now to save ukrainians, to save their lives, and to fight further for the cause of our existence, and we highly appreciate uk support in this fight. qm. existence, and we highly appreciate uk support in this fight.— uk support in this fight. 0k, and in that fiuht, uk support in this fight. 0k, and in that fight, mariia _ uk support in this fight. 0k, and in that fight, mariia mezenseva, - uk support in this fight. 0k, and in | that fight, mariia mezenseva, when you say defending and is not rebuilding yet, are you getting the weapons that you need? yes.

rebuilding yet, are you getting the weapons that you need?— rebuilding yet, are you getting the weapons that you need? yes, we are, but i would — weapons that you need? yes, we are, but i would like _ weapons that you need? yes, we are, but i would like to _ weapons that you need? yes, we are, but i would like to raise _ weapons that you need? yes, we are, but i would like to raise awareness . but i would like to raise awareness of everyone who is watching us right now. we need more anti—missile, anti—tank systems, more of nato standard artillery. that is what we need to not fight only for ukraine, but to fight for all our partners in the sub continent of europe and beyond. forthis the sub continent of europe and beyond. for this purpose, we also want to of course regain the territories and the partnership in terms of the infrastructure reconstruction. we understand that our partners have to treat this very carefully. our partners have to treat this very carefull . ., ., , ., , carefully. you are based in europe. it is eumpe — carefully. you are based in europe. it is europe doing _ carefully. you are based in europe. it is europe doing enough? - carefully. you are based in europe. | it is europe doing enough? mainland europe doing enough? is nato doing enough? figs

europe doing enough? is nato doing enou~h? �* , ., europe doing enough? is nato doing enou~h? a ., ., ., ., enough? as of tomorrow, we will start a session _ enough? as of tomorrow, we will start a session in _ enough? as of tomorrow, we will start a session in one _ enough? as of tomorrow, we will start a session in one of- enough? as of tomorrow, we will start a session in one of the - start a session in one of the largest organisations which focuses on human rights, and ukraine are working shoulder to shoulder in this organisation which is called the council of europe. on the 15th of march we kicked out russia who was illegally here. we call on our partners to consider in the same manner to kick out russia from the un structures, specifically from the security council of the un, and moreover our recent application submitted by president zelensky to the speaker of the parliament and head of the government was timely, because the annual plans which we have been hearing for long enough since 2008 when russia threatened the whole world, specifically on the application of georgia and ukraine tojoin nato, it didn't happen because of the nuclear threat which continues as of today. we think that this application is timely and it

will be a political decision. the ukrainian army has proved to be one of the most effective in the world, meaning that it puts everything we have, so more weapons would definitely pave the way to a shorter path to our common victory.- path to our common victory. mariia mezenseva. _ path to our common victory. mariia mezenseva. i _ path to our common victory. mariia mezenseva, i apologise _ path to our common victory. mariia mezenseva, i apologise for - mezenseva, i apologise for interrupting, but we have run out of time. thank you very much. speaking to us from strasberg, thank you. one of liz truss's former cabinet colleagues, nadine dorries, has called on the prime minister to act as a "unifier" rather than a "disruptor" if the conservatives are to have any hope of overturing labour's huge lead in the opinion polls. cabinet minister nadhim zahawi has warned that continued division within tory ranks will only increase the chances of sir keir starmer reaching number ten. that's a scenario that scotland's first minister nicola sturgeon has said that she would prefer — saying she "detests" the conservatives. here's our political correspondent

david wallace—lockhart. it was just last month that liz truss became conservative leader and prime minister. since then, a humiliating tax u—turn and a disastrous set of opinion polls. one former cabinet colleague who backed liz truss for leader urged her this morning to be a unifier, not a disruptor. i think when the conservative party is in such a dangerous position, it is incumbent upon mps to discuss with number 10 and with the leader what we think is the right way forward. and what i would say is it's time now for number 10 and for liz truss to start sitting down with conservative mps and discussing what it is that we need to do to move the party forward to reduce that poll deficit. one party with very little internal division is the snp. they're halfway through their party conference here in aberdeen, but when it comes to a uk election, who would nicola sturgeon rather see in number 10, liz truss or sir keir starmer?

who would you rather have as prime minister? that's not a difficult question. if the question to me is would i prefer a labour government over a tory government, i detest the tories and everything they stand for, so it's not difficult to answer that question. so, yes, you want to see keir starmer in number 10. two things. firstly, you know, being better than the tories is not a high bar to cross right now. i think we need to see more of a radical alternative from labour rather thanjust a pale imitation. uk ministers know they need to repair the damage done in recent days. the prime minister's allies are calling on her mps to get behind her. division will cause delay, - delay is our enemy and ultimately defeat to keir starmer. we don't want to see keir starmer. with nicola sturgeon, who now talks about testing the conservatives. i think that language is really dangerous. i i prefer to work with my colleagues in scotland. i but for another former chancellor, speaking in scotland today, neither the uk or scottish administrations inspire confidence.

you've got two governments north and south of the border and frankly, i'm very depressed at the picture they're painting. the ultimate beneficiary of conservative infighting could be sir keir starmer. all tory mps want to avoid this, but will they be able to agree on how to do so? david wallace lockhart, bbc news, aberdeen. joining us from the scottish national party conference minister for culture, europe and international development neil gray. thank you forjoining us here today on bbc news. first off, do you agree with your leader? do detest the conservatives? i with your leader? do detest the conservatives?— conservatives? i think it's no sur - rise conservatives? i think it's no surprise to — conservatives? i think it's no surprise to learn _ conservatives? i think it's no surprise to learn that - conservatives? i think it's no surprise to learn that the - conservatives? i think it's no| surprise to learn that the snp detest tory policies. we've just heard, in fact, that many conservative mps themselves appear to detest where the current government is going and the chaos at the wrecking of the economy that liz

truss has overseen, so i think that it is no surprise to learn that the snp would have major differences with the conservatives and what they stand for. i with the conservatives and what they stand for. . ., ., , stand for. i am going to “ump in there, because * stand for. i am going to jump in there, because differences - stand for. i am going to jump in there, because differences is i stand for. i am going to jump in there, because differences is al stand for. i am going to jump in i there, because differences is a far more diplomatic word to use. detest is very strong language, isn't it? of course it is. when you see what the conservatives have done to our economy, you can see what they've done to our social infrastructure, the way they've left lower income families behind and ratcheting up on wallasey, so it is understandable that they were detest what the story stand for and tory policies, and as we have seen from reports, it cost hundreds of thousands of additional deaths across the uk. so of course there are people that are looking at there are people that are looking at the conservative government from scotland that are not liking the direction of travel that they're taking. we fundamentally disagree

with brexit, with the way that the conservative government has handled the economy, and that is why more and more people as the social attitudes survey has shown i'm looking to the snp to independence as being the answer to relieve ourselves of tory policies that are impacting all of our lives, our economy and our environment. find economy and our environment. and followin: economy and our environment. and following on — economy and our environment. and following on from what you are saying about what you can see is taking place, nicola sturgeon said that the vast majority would take part in any vote. what are the figures that you have seen that justify that? i figures that you have seen that justify that?— justify that? i 'ust quoted the social justify that? i just quoted the social attitudes _ justify that? i just quoted the social attitudes survey - justify that? i just quoted the social attitudes survey that l justify that? i just quoted the - social attitudes survey that came out the other week, which is one of the most respected polling and social attitudes organisations across the uk, and they show that a majority support... across the uk, and they show that a majority support- - -_ majority support... what is that ma'ori ? majority support... what is that majority? 52% _ majority support... what is that majority? 52% support, - majority support... what is that

majority? 52% support, and - majority support... what is that| majority? 52% support, and that majority support... what is that - majority? 52% support, and that has one u- majority? 52% support, and that has gone up substantially _ majority? 52% support, and that has gone up substantially over _ majority? 52% support, and that has gone up substantially over the - gone up substantially over the period of devolution. the men ten —— momentum that is with them, it it will be up to the prounion camp to set out their vision. whichever government is formed at the next election at westminster, whether it is labour or tory, there is little difference, certainly you look at what rachel reeves was saying on immigration the other week, looking to act tory the immigration policies of the conservative party. at the moment, people are understanding that we need a government that works in our interest, and ensures that we get the government we vote for, and one that takes forward scotland on a european journey and a journey towards greater prosperity and greater equality. 50

towards greater prosperity and greater equality.— greater equality. so come the sureme greater equality. so come the supreme court _ greater equality. so come the supreme court debate - greater equality. so come the supreme court debate later i greater equality. so come the l supreme court debate later this week, how are you saying that going? what is the strongest argument there? because ms sturgeon has said that she could use a future election to settle the issue. is that a strong enough argument? we to settle the issue. is that a strong enough argument? we have said that usin: a strong enough argument? we have said that using a general _ strong enough argument? we have said that using a general election _ strong enough argument? we have said that using a general election as - strong enough argument? we have said that using a general election as the - that using a general election as the basis of determining what public opinion is, on determining our own future, is very much a plan b, it is not where we would want to be. we hope that the supreme court will rule in our favour hope that the supreme court will rule in ourfavour and hope that the supreme court will rule in our favour and say that the scottish parliament can legislate to hold an independence referendum, and i very much hope that that is what comes through, but obviously we will respect the process that will be gone through via the supreme court, we will respect thatjudgment and obviously if it is a judgment in our favour, we look forward to having that debate, having that referendum next year, and if it rules against us, then we have a plan b which is to use the next general election to

ensure that there is a democratic moment that allows people to express the democratic will for determining their own future. it is a very important principle in scotland that the people are sovereign, that it is for the people to determine our own future, and if this is truly a voluntary union of four nations, then having a vehicle by which you can determine your own future with thenit can determine your own future with then it is a key principle, and if thatis then it is a key principle, and if that is removed by the supreme court, saying that we cannot have a referendum, we cannot legislate to have a referendum on our own terms, then that is going to be a very difficult position from the prounion camp to answer around whether or not scotland still enjoys that voluntary position. scotland still en'oys that voluntary osition. ~ ., ., ,, ., ., position. would you appeal that decision? there _ position. would you appeal that decision? there is _ position. would you appeal that decision? there is a _ position. would you appeal that decision? there is a process - position. would you appeal that decision? there is a process to | position. would you appeal that i decision? there is a process to be one decision? there is a process to be gone through _ decision? there is a process to be gone through with _ decision? there is a process to be gone through with the _ decision? there is a process to be gone through with the supreme i decision? there is a process to be . gone through with the supreme court which we will respect, and i don't think it's fair to comment on the process that is to be gone through, and honestly we will assess the judgment and take it from there. fiic judgment and take it from there. 0k. mp neil gray, thank you very much

indeed, joining us from aberdeen. thank you. in iran, the state—run television channel has been hacked to broadcast a protest against the country's government and supreme leader. viewers saw the usual live programming interrupted without warning. these are images showing ayatollah ali khamenei, with a target on his head, accompanied by captions encouraging people to join the current wave of demonstrations and pictures of women said to have been killed by police. our correspondent anna foster is on the iran—iraq border. thea;r our correspondent anna foster is on the iran-iraq border.— the iran-iraq border. they are into their fourth _ the iran-iraq border. they are into their fourth week, _ the iran-iraq border. they are into their fourth week, and _ the iran-iraq border. they are into their fourth week, and we - the iran-iraq border. they are into their fourth week, and we saw - their fourth week, and we saw yesterday one of the most significant days so far, because geographically these protests are really spreading, and we are also seeing new demographics getting involved as well. they have been very much driven by young women like mahsa amini, the 22—year—old who

died in police custody, and schools and universities have been at the forefront of the protest. but what we saw yesterday was bazaar holders closing their stores in support. i have been talking to some iranians on their way out of the country, because of course those testimonies are so hard to get an so hard to hear because of the situation in the country, but they were telling me that they came from one of the cities that saw protest yesterday, they believe that ten people were killed in that protest, and they said that their lives at the moment are absolutely intolerable under the iranian regime. they said it is about more thanjust iranian regime. they said it is about more than just a hijab. they said it is about oppression, repression, corruption, and the fact that they are scared to go onto the streets because they fear they could be picked up and killed by iranians intelligence. and what they are hoping is that these protests sparked some sort of change, and

they want the international community to try and speed that along, because they believe that it might not happen within iran based on these protests alone. that might not happen within iran based on these protests alone.— on these protests alone. that was anna foster- _ police in ireland have named the ten victims of the explosion at a village petrol station in county donegal on friday. they include 39—year—old catherine o'donnell and her 13—year—old son james monaghan, and 50—year—old robert garwe and his five—year—old daughter, shauna flanagan garwe. we continue to investigate all the circumstances into the cause of a fatal explosion at a premises in creeslough, county donegal, on friday the 7th of october 2022. the investigation is being coordinated from an incident room. the garda with assistance from other agencies will continue to examine the scene, which remains cordoned off. these examinations are likely to continue over the coming days, and traffic

diversions on the m56 around the incident remain in place. a total of ten fatalities have been confirmed arising from this explosion. the remains of the deceased are at the university hospital, where postmortems have commenced under the direction of the assistant pathologist. the work will continue over the next few days, and the results will not be released for operational reasons. one male in his 20s remains in a critical condition in stjames hospital in dublin, and the seven other surviving casualties also continue to receive treatment and remain in a stable condition. the ten fatalities include four men, three women, two teenagers, one male and one female, and one younger female child. our ireland correspondent, charlotte gallagher, reports from creeslough.

this is a village ofjust 400 people. ten people have died. they were locals. so everybody here knows these victims. everyone has been affected by this, and it is notjust this village. i spoke to someone earlier who said the whole island is in shock by what happened on friday. these were people popping out to the shop on the friday, to get a newspaper, a packet of crisps after school, and then the unthinkable happened. and as you said, the irish police have given the names of the victims, four men, three women, two teenagers and a girl ofjust five years old. we are already getting tributes for the victims from right across ireland. nomi harper was 14, she was into sports, lots of pictures of her playing her favourite sports. and of course that five—year—old girl we saw the picture ofjust then, shauna, in her school uniform with her backpack. the tragedy is unthinkable, as one

person said earlier, and the local priest said it feels so unreal, and so unfair. ., ., , priest said it feels so unreal, and so unfair. . ., , ., ., so unfair. that was charlotte gallagher — so unfair. that was charlotte gallagher there. _ spanish firefighters have held mass protests demanding improved workers rights and better pay and conditions. unlike their full—time colleagues, these so—called forest fire crews are only employed on a temporary basis, to fight wildfires, in a year when thousands of hectares of woodland, were destroyed across spain, and throughout europe. russell trott reports. such is the strength of feeling amongst spain's part—time firefighting crews that they were determined to fan the flames and smoke of descent in the middle of the capital, madrid. the 2000 or so part—timers made the case loud and clear to demand a firefighter�*s statute to guarantee similar working rights to their full—time colleagues and recognise injuries inflicted while doing thejob.

translation: we are forest. firefighters, and we wantjustice because we are a public service for society. we want our administrations to recognise us and respect us, and create a status for forest firefighters. we are here today but we're not going to stop. this fire is not going to stop until our rights recognised. wildfires that raged through europe this summer set light the second biggest area of land on record, a dozen european countries including spain, italy and france suffering major fires this year, forcing thousands to evacuate their homes and businesses, destroying many properties in the process. with winter looming, the wildfires may be over, but the firefighters, along with other spanish workers, say their protests have onlyjust begun. russell trott, bbc news.

max verstappen has become formula one world champion for the second year in a row after securing his 12th win of the season at the japanese grand prix. the race was affected by heavy rain, causing incidents that left many drivers questioning the safety of the sport. nick parrott reports. when max verstappen crossed the finish line at suzuka, he wasn't world champion. in a desperate bid to finish second, his rival, charles leclerc, cut a corner and was demoted to third. that handed the dutchman the title, news given to him after his initial post race interview. charles, you got a five—second penalty, there. after the little sort of race we had with sergio. world champion. oh, what can i say?! incredible! very special also to do it here. in front of all the japanese fans. incredible, yeah. how he got there was farfrom simple. the race was red flagged

after crashes on the opening lap. pierre gasly then had a near miss incident with echoes of the crash with the recovery vehicle that ended jules bianchi's life, there, in 2014. the french driver told his team, "what is this tractor on track? this is unacceptable! can't believe this!" bianchi's father philippe, said on social media... "no respect for the life of the driver, no respect forjules' memory. incredible. " the poor conditions meant it was two hours until a shortened race resumed. unlike last year, there will be no disputing the worthiness of verstappen as champion, but there will be plenty of discussions about safety in the sport. nick parrott, bbc news. now it's time for a look at the weather with nick miller.

good afternoon. it is much wetter across scotland, difficult on the roads through the rest of this afternoon, that rain feeding and more on the east of scotland too, and we will see some of that rain feeding into parts of north—west england before it gets dark, feeling quite pleasant in the sunshine, continuing to the south—east. very wet this evening in north—west going further south towards east anglia and the morning. clearer skies behind, and a cooler night, plenty of showers running into western scotland, strong winds for northern scotland, strong winds for northern scotland, northern and western isles, 60 mph gusts before they slowly ease tomorrow. may see a shower in the north, very few and far between, and after that rain clears away from east anglia and the south—east, by the end of the morning, plenty of sunshine to come in the afternoon. hello this is bbc news.

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