at six... the bank of england raises interest rates to their highest level for more than 1a years as it tries to curb soaring inflation. as interest rates are hiked to 4% the bank says the uk is set to go into recession this year but it will be shorter than predicted. we've only just begun we've onlyjust begun to turn the corner in my view, so it is too early to make that call with any degree of certainty, but i hope so. also on the programme... the 1998 omagh bombing killed 29 people. now the government announces an independent inquiry after years of campaigning by relatives.

an emotional appeal to the public from the family of nicola bulley to help find her. and a warning that mammals such as foxes and otters are contracting avian flu after eating dead birds. and coming up on the bbc news channel: the countdown is on to the six nations, as england's new coach steve borthwick goes for a more youthful side. good evening and welcome to the bbc news at six. the bank of england has rasied interest rates to 4%, their highest level for m years, as it continues its attempts to curb soaring inflation. the latest rise, the tenth in a row, will mean higher mortgage payments for homeowners with a typical tracker mortgage. but people with savings should benefit. the bank also said that the uk is set to enter recession this year though it could be shorter

than was previously forecast. and it also predicted a significant fall in inflation by the end of this year. our economics editor, faisal islam, has all the details. sophie, rates have been raised consistently and rapidly in just over a year, from nearly zero to today's 4%, however, the question arising today is the idea that it won't go up much further from here, maybe even not at all from 4%. the bank does say that inflation has peaked, so let's split that into goods prices, which have come down, and the bank expects that to continue as energy prices continue to full. then why raise rates again? here is why. in services, which is much more sensitive to wages, prices are still forecast to go up. however there is some good news, three months ago, the bank expected a long and deep, two—year recession, but now they say it should be much milder, shorter and shallower, but a recession still, nevertheless.

looking at the picture over a few years, the bank now says something remarkable, that after the pandemic and brexit and the energy shock, the economy has suffered a more enduring hit, meaning it will not have grown at all during the 2020s so far, still at the same size at the end of 2019, just before covid, all the way through until 2026. more in a lost half decade. the squeeze continues. an official interest rate of 4% should not feel huge, but it does, for people likejoanne, who runs a furniture and gift shop. the mortgage _ furniture and gift shop. the mortgage has _ furniture and gift shop. tue: mortgage has increased, furniture and gift shop. tte: mortgage has increased, gas and electric have increased, wages have increased and are due to go up again, so there is a lot of things that i have to think about on a daily basis to ensure that the business will be sustainable for the future. but business will be sustainable for the future. �* . ., , business will be sustainable for the future. �* _, , ,., future. but could there be some relief from _ future. but could there be some relief from the _ future. but could there be some relief from the bank _ future. but could there be some relief from the bank of - future. but could there be some relief from the bank of england, some strong hints today that this should be one of the last, even the

very last, of these ten rate rises? is the central message from the decisions in today's report that we might be beyond the worst point of this crisis, with energy?— this crisis, with energy? well, i very much _ this crisis, with energy? well, i very much hepe _ this crisis, with energy? well, i very much hope so, _ this crisis, with energy? well, i very much hope so, but - this crisis, with energy? well, i very much hope so, but we - this crisis, with energy? well, i| very much hope so, but we have this crisis, with energy? well, i- very much hope so, but we have only just begun to turn the corner in my view so it is too early to make that call with any degree of certainty. we think inflation is going to come down rapidly and a lot of that is down rapidly and a lot of that is down to energy prices, which have fallen rapidly. but i'm afraid there are big risks out there which mean that it may not happen in that way. the government back to the move, suggesting that putting up public—sector pay too much made the wave of strikes could risk higher interest rates, but the opposition said borrowing costs were hitting families. a ~ said borrowing costs were hitting families. 1, ~ ., ., , families. the bank of england is absolutely right _ families. the bank of england is absolutely right to _ families. the bank of england is absolutely right to do _ families. the bank of england is absolutely right to do what - families. the bank of england is absolutely right to do what they| absolutely right to do what they have _ absolutely right to do what they have done today, and we in the government must make we support them, — government must make we support them, by— government must make we support them, by what i do in the budget, to make _ them, by what i do in the budget, to make sure _ them, by what i do in the budget, to make sure that we make it easier, not harder, — make sure that we make it easier, not harder, for them to do what we all want _ not harder, for them to do what we all want to— not harder, for them to do what we all want to do, which is to halve inflation — all want to do, which is to halve inflation. �* ., ,

all want to do, which is to halve inflation. �* . , , ., all want to do, which is to halve inflation. �* ., , , ., , inflation. already, before this interest rate _ inflation. already, before this interest rate rise, _ inflation. already, before this interest rate rise, we - inflation. already, before this interest rate rise, we know i inflation. already, before this l interest rate rise, we know that inflation. already, before this - interest rate rise, we know that 4 million _ interest rate rise, we know that 4 million people _ interest rate rise, we know that 4 million people coming _ interest rate rise, we know that 4 million people coming off- interest rate rise, we know that 4. million people coming off fixed—rate deals or— million people coming off fixed—rate deals or on — million people coming off fixed—rate deals or on tracker— million people coming off fixed—rate deals or on tracker deals _ million people coming off fixed—rate deals or on tracker deals on - million people coming off fixed—rate deals or on tracker deals on average are going _ deals or on tracker deals on average are going to— deals or on tracker deals on average are going to see _ deals or on tracker deals on average are going to see mortgage - deals or on tracker deals on average | are going to see mortgage payments --oin are going to see mortgage payments going up— are going to see mortgage payments going up by— are going to see mortgage payments going up by £2500 _ are going to see mortgage payments going up by £2500 a _ are going to see mortgage payments going up by £2500 a year, _ are going to see mortgage payments going up by £2500 a year, so, - are going to see mortgage payments going up by £2500 a year, so, a - going up by £2500 a year, so, a very difficult _ going up by £2500 a year, so, a very difficult time — going up by £2500 a year, so, a very difficult time for— going up by £2500 a year, so, a very difficult time for people. _ going up by £2500 a year, so, a very difficult time for people.— difficult time for people. britain miaht 'ust difficult time for people. britain mightjust be — difficult time for people. britain mightjust be at _ difficult time for people. britain mightjust be at a _ difficult time for people. britain mightjust be at a turning - difficult time for people. britain mightjust be at a turning point| difficult time for people. britain i mightjust be at a turning point in terms of the immediate energy shock recession. interest rates, inflation. but the medium—term picture for the economy is far more sluggish. there is an extraordinary chart in your report showing that since just before the pandemic, chart in your report showing that sincejust before the pandemic, that the size of the economy, we are not at it now, but we will not be at it evenin at it now, but we will not be at it even in the early part of 2026, over five years lost economic growth? yes, that is extraordinary, actually. 0f yes, that is extraordinary, actually. of course, we may have to conclude that covid has had a bigger long run effect than we thought it would, particularly in terms of things like the labour supply, with people choosing to come out of participating in the labourforce. but you're right, it is quite remarkable in that sense. 50.

but you're right, it is quite remarkable in that sense. so, a softer landing — remarkable in that sense. so, a softer landing in _ remarkable in that sense. so, a softer landing in the _ remarkable in that sense. so, a softer landing in the next - remarkable in that sense. so, a softer landing in the next year, | remarkable in that sense. so, a i softer landing in the next year, but the pandemic, brexit and the energy shock are leaving some lasting scars. faisal islam, bbc news. so, how will a further rise in interest rates affect day—to—day living? 0ur cost of living correspondent colletta smith has been speaking to people in cleckheaton near huddersfield. i'm 200 miles away from the uk's central bank, but decisions made in the bank of england this lunchtime will impact everybody�*s finances in lots of different ways. fabian is under pressure to make his wages stretch to cover all his bills. i rent a one—up one—down in cleckheaton. it's small, but it goes... i'd say 35 to 40% of both are outgoings. with the interest rates going up, will my landlord put my rent up? it's notjust homeowners who are impacted by increasing interest rates. renters like fabian are, too, because if landlords are facing higher mortgage rates,

then they're really likely to pass that on to tenants, or to sell up, which means prices going up for everyone in the rental market because there are fewer properties going around. don't forget, though, a landlord can't increase your rent unless you've come to the end of your tenancy agreement. it's all about the wheels for sam, so he's maxed out on a new pcp car deal. got my own business, that's going very well. i still live with my parents, which is nice, on a very nominal amount of board, which is lovely. but, yeah, this is certainly the biggest thing that comes out monthly, is my lovely car. so with the interest rates going up, will my monthly car payments increase? while the interest rate you pay on credit cards pretty quickly mirrors what's happening at the bank of england, car finance is different. most people on a pcp or a higher purchase deal are locked in for a particular period of time. sam's just re—signed for another two years, so he's ok for a while, but anyone looking for a new car deal are likely to be facing higher rates because of the interest

rate increase today. jane's thinking of her whole family and knows her daughter will be facing higher mortgage rates. looking at my daughter, i'm sickened for her, - but i've been there as well. we've seen some big interest rates over the years, so... _ and people that have got savings that are being careful— with their money deserve - to have a little bit more growth |with the interest rates going up, j i'd like to know when our savings are as well, definitely. going to show an interest increase. banks have been slow to pass on that higher interest rate compared to what they're charging for loans at the moment. so if you've got a choice between paying off some debt or tucking it away in savings, then you're probably better off to pay down your debt. that's nice... most people will feel both bonuses and losses from higher rates. wherever you live, it won't be long before that impact filters through to your pocket. colletta smith, bbc news in cleckheaton. and our economics editor, faisal islam, is here now. there seemed to be a change of tone from the bank and today, is there a

feeling that the worst is over? definitely a change of tone from the bank, as you say, and there is a good reason for that, energy prices have fallen quite sharply, which is on the back of the fact that europe, for now, has shown that it can live without some of these flows of russian gas, so the price has fallen. but you heard there in my report in that interview with the bank of england governor concern about what happens in the medium—term, beyond this one—year, two—year energy recession, and concerns that there may be a more long lasting hit from a combination of covid, the energy shock and brexit, and that that might affect things like the size of our workforce, the speed with which trade restrictions have affected our exports and imports too, some light at the end of the tunnel, that is progress, but concerns about what happens beyond that. faisal, thank ou. for more information about the economic situation, go to our cost of living, tackling it together section on the bbc news website.

that's bbc.co.uk/news. and by using the bbc news app. shell has announced record profits of over £32 billion for 2022. that is more than double what the company made in the previous year. surging oil and gas prices since russia's invasion of ukraine have played a big part in that. let's talk to our business editor simonjack. yes, these are extraordinary profits, the highest in the 115 year of the company shell, the highest ever reported by a uk listed company. double what it made last year, as energy prices surge, as world demand recovered post—covid and then soared as russian oil and gas supplies were either shut off or shunned by international buyers. so the question is, how much uk tax did they pay on that? well, they said they pay on that? well, they said they paid £108 million in 2022, the first time they have paid uk tax in five they paid £108 million in 2022, the first time they have paid uk tax in five years, they paid £108 million in 2022, the first time they have paid uk tax in five years, and they paid £108 million in 2022, the first time they have paid uk tax in five years, and next they paid £108 million in 2022, the first time they have paid uk tax in five years, and next year they paid £108 million in 2022, the first time they have paid uk tax in

five years, and next year they they paid £108 million in 2022, the first time they have paid uk tax in five years, and next year they are expected to pay for hundred and £5 million. that is peanuts, you might say, in comparison to those profits, but it is worth bearing in mind only 5% of shell's money is made here in the uk, most of it is made in and attacked by other countries. and at 75%, the uk has one of the highest tax rates on oil and gas companies in the world, and companies are allowed to offset decommissioning costs of old oil rigs and new investments against those revenues. the company also paid £5 billion to its shareholders last year, which include pension funds, and it expects to do the same next year. energy prices as you were hearing have come down in recent months and many will hope shell will never make this kind of money again. that is unlikely, though, to satisfy those who think that a uk headquartered company which has set a new record for company profits should be paying more, and those who point out that shell paid more to its shareholders

thanit shell paid more to its shareholders than it spent on renewable energy investment. sophie. british gas is facing an investigation by the energy watchdog after it was found to have used debt collectors who break into the homes of vulnerable people and forcibly fit prepayment meters. the measure can result in someone's heating being cut off and the boss of the owner of british gas, centrica, has now called the tactic "inexcusable". centrica, has now called the practice was revealed by an undercover reporter from the times newspaper. here's our business correspondent emma simpson. hello? british gas, we are here with a warrant... debt collectors, about to break in to install a prepayment meter. just the excitement of it, i love this bit. he didn't know about the undercover reporter, though. the customer, a single father with three young kids, isn't home. and the times found evidence of other stories like this too. if they're just saying, i am a single mum and i've got three kids... that is not a vulnerability. it is a vulnerability but i am a bit old school, a bit hard—nosed.

the company is arvato financial solutions, acting on behalf of british gas. there is nothing that i can say that can express the horror i had when i heard this, when i saw this. it's completely unacceptable. so as soon as we heard this, we suspended arvato. arvato has said it respected and adhered to the rules. energy suppliers can legally force—fit prepayment meters. it should be a last resort if people are in arrears, and vulnerable customers shouldn't be switched. one woman told us four men broke into her home to try to put one in... disgusting behaviourfrom british gas, really, as i am a vulnerable person, deaf and with heart problems, i still remember it to this day, a nightmare. the problem is, if you are forced into a prepayment meter, that effectively means if you don't have the money to top up, you are cut off from your energy supply. we've seen energy bills this year

that are unprecedented for a generation or more. british gas has now suspended all forced installations. the government has already urged all energy suppliers to do this. the pressure's now really lit up to protect the poorest customers who can't afford to pay. emma simpson, bbc news. the goverment has announced there will be a public inquiry into the 1998 0magh bombing. 29 people died as a result of the attack, the biggest single atrocity in the troubles. the northern ireland secretary chris heaton—harris said he hopes his decision will give "some comfort" to the families on a summer saturday afternoon, the darkness of mass murder came to 0magh. in terms of the numbers of lives lost, it was the worst of many atrocities during the northern ireland conflict. it's almost 25 years

since the car bomb exploded here on the main shopping street, but questions remain, particularly over what intelligence agencies new about the bombers agencies knew about the bombers and whether the security forces could have used the information to prevent the attack. that will be the focus of the independent investigation announced by the government, the response to a campaign by some families for a public inquiry. thirdly, the inquiry will involve the next of kin and will be open to public scrutiny where possible. this will of course need to be balanced against national security considerations, and it's important to note that there will be some material which will not be able to be examined in public. the inquiry will have the power to compel witnesses to give evidence under oath. the bereaved relatives who wanted a new investigation are satisfied with the government's decision. michael gallagher, whose son aiden was killed in the bombing, took a long court case to get

ministers to take action. that will be certainly welcomed by everybody that wants to know the truth about what happened at omagh. how important is it to you personally to have answers to those questions about what intelligence was available and how it was handled? well, as i stand here today, i believe the omagh bomb was preventable. and we have learned absolutely nothing from that atrocity, and i believe that, through respect for the victims, we need to examine, see what was done well and what was not done well and put it right. no—one's ever been successfully prosecuted for the killings of those commemorated in this memorial garden. whatever comes out of the inquiry, campaigners and politicians are clear that responsibility for the deaths won't be shifted. the blame lies solely, they say, with the dissident republican paramilitaries who tried to wreck the peace process in northern

ireland by bombing this town. chris page, bbc news, 0magh. a former british soldier has been given a three—year suspended prison sentence for shooting dead an unarmed man in northern ireland 35 years ago. david holden was convicted of manslaughter for opening fire on aidan mcanespie with a machine gun at a border crossing point. he is the first veteran to be convicted of a historical offence in northern ireland since the 1998 good friday agreement. the time is 6.17pm. our top story this evening... the bank of england raises interest rates again to 4% — the tenth rise in a row. and the six nations gets under way this weekend with rugby union under the spotlight for all the wrong reasons. coming up on sportsday on the bbc news channel: we hearfrom everton's new manager sean dyche, who's calling on the fans to get behind the club and help keep them in the premier league.

a former russian army officer, the most senior to have spoken out openly, has told the bbc he witnessed russian soldiers committing crimes in ukraine including torture, looting and threats of rape. konstantin yefremov said he saw one ukrainian prisoner of war being beaten, shot and humiliated. mr yefremov is now seen by russia as a traitor. 0ur russia editor, steve rosenberg went to meet him. this is the war in ukraine, the official russian version of it. packaged, promoted, propagandised by moscow. fearless russian soldiers fighting the good fight, defending the motherland. but konstantin yefremov was there, and the reality, he says, is very different.

konstantin was a senior lieutenant in the russian army, but he's fled russia and he's agreed to tell me about crimes he says he saw russian soldiers committing in ukraine. starting here. this is one of konstantin's first photos from ukraine — an air base seized by russian troops in melitopol. translation: i saw looting there. soldiers and officers grabbed everything they could. they climbed all over the planes and went through all the buildings. buckets, axes, bicycles — they bunged it all in trucks. konstantin says that on the day russia invaded ukraine, he tried to quit the army. he was warned he'd face up to ten years in prison for desertion. in occupied ukraine, he was sent to guard this artillery unit, and then a facility where he says he witnessed ukrainian prisoners

of war being tortured. the ukrainian had a blindfold on. the colonel put a pistol to the prisoner's forehead and said, "i'm going to count to three and then shoot you in the head." he counted and then fired just to the side of his head, on both sides. the colonel started shouting at him. isaid, "comrade, colonel, he can't hear you. you've deafened him." the interrogations became increasingly violent, claims konstantin. during another interrogation, the colonel shot the prisoner in the arm and in the right leg, under the knee and hit the bone. i went to the commanders and said, "the ukrainian needs to go to hospital. he'll be dead by morning from blood loss." we dressed him up in a russian

uniform and took him to hospital. we told him, "don't say you're a ukrainian prisoner of war because either the doctors will refuse to treat you or the injured russian soldiers will hear you and shoot you." the bbc has verified documents, photographs and videos provided by konstantin confirming his identity and his movements. 0nce he'd returned to russia, back on base, he was accused of a serious breach of discipline — for refusing to go back to ukraine. he was dismissed from the army. a russian human rights group, gulagu.net, has helped him leave the country. i apologise to the whole ukrainian nation for coming to their home as an uninvited guest with a weapon in my hands. i don't even have a moral right to ask forforgiveness from the ukrainians.

i can't forgive myself, so i can't expect them to forgive me. i don't even have a moral right to ask forforgiveness from the ukrainians. i can't forgive myself, so i can't expect them to forgive me. konstantin says that senior officers called him a traitor for being anti—war, but he points out that he gave an oath to protect his country, not to attack another. steve rosenberg, bbc news, moscow. the manchester united footballer mason greenwood has had charges of attempted rape and assault dropped after a key witness withdrew their involvement. the 21—year—old player was arrested in january last year amid allegations surrounding images and videos that emerged online. he was later charged with attempted rape, controlling and coercive behaviour and assault occasioning actual bodily harm, charges he denied. the sister of missing dog walker nicola bulley has appealed for the public to help find her, saying people "don'tjust

vanish into thin air". louise cunningham said nicola's two small children were waiting for their mummy to come back. nick garnett has the latest. the search goes on. divers and underwater drones have searched the river, but there's still no sign of nicola. the 45—year—old mortgage adviser was wearing a long black gilet, black jeans and wellies. she had just dropped her children off at school and was taking her dog for a walk. at ten to nine, nicola was seen by a fellow dog walker. 11 minutes later, she'd logged into a work call on her phone. at around ten past nine, someone else who knew her saw nicola walking her dog willow. at half past, the conference phone call ended, but nicola's phone stayed logged on. five minutes later, it was found by a passing dog walker, but nicola was nowhere to be seen. well, this is where

nicola was last seen. her phone was found a few minutes later, still connected to a conference call, and her dog was found running around off its lead. six days she's been missing, six days of torment for the family. today, they have talked about that. "people don'tjust vanish into thin air," they said. "somebody must know something and somebody should get in touch with police." lancashire police say despite the search, it's found no evidence of foul play and there's nothing to suggest she was taken against her will. the search will go on tomorrow, as the anxiety grows for nicola's family. nick garnett, bbc news, st michael's on wyre. a global wave of bird flu, which has killed more than 200 million birds, is spilling over to some mammals, according to research in the uk. public health officials have detected the disease in otters and foxes. more targeted testing and surveillance is to be carried out, but currently the risk to human beings is described as very low. here's our environment &

rural affairs correspondent, claire marshall. more than 200 million birds have died as a result of the worst avian flu outbreak in global history. now the virus is being found in mammals. in the uk in a small number of foxes. they could have eaten infected birds. it's also been found infected birds. it's also been found in a handful of otters, another animal likely to encounter diseased birds. we were given rare access to the government lab in surrey at the heart of the uk's fight against avian flu. this is where they test and monitor changes in the virus. this buzzard has been sent in. it is not infected. tt’s this buzzard has been sent in. it is not infected-— this buzzard has been sent in. it is not infected. it's ten times as many birds as we — not infected. it's ten times as many birds as we used _ not infected. it's ten times as many birds as we used to _ not infected. it's ten times as many birds as we used to do. _ not infected. it's ten times as many birds as we used to do. it's - birds as we used to do. it's critical we carry on with this testing. we want to be sure we in

the uk. ., ., ., , the uk. now having found the virus in foxes and _ the uk. now having found the virus in foxes and otters, _ the uk. now having found the virus in foxes and otters, they _ the uk. now having found the virus in foxes and otters, they will - the uk. now having found the virus in foxes and otters, they will be - in foxes and otters, they will be doing more work on mammals. tote doing more work on mammals. we haven't got evidence of these viruses — haven't got evidence of these viruses can maintain in those populations, but we are doing more surveillance. we have kicked off a formal— surveillance. we have kicked off a formal ramping up in the last two weeks. _ formal ramping up in the last two weeks. but — formal ramping up in the last two weeks, but it is targeted. it is looking — weeks, but it is targeted. it is looking for where there is a real risk of— looking for where there is a real risk of spill—over into mammals so we can— risk of spill—over into mammals so we can be — risk of spill—over into mammals so we can be watchful. risk of spill-over into mammals so we can be watchful.— we can be watchful. right now the threat to be _ we can be watchful. right now the threat to be humans _ we can be watchful. right now the threat to be humans is _ we can be watchful. right now the threat to be humans is still- we can be watchful. right now the threat to be humans is still said i we can be watchful. right now thej threat to be humans is still said to be very low but the world health organization told the bbc it was 0rganization told the bbc it was very concerned and monitoring the situation closely. 0n very concerned and monitoring the situation closely. on a global level, the situation with this virus is getting more critical, and yet the first line of defence is often people just out and about. in warwickshire, there has been an outbreak at a popular lake. restrictions are in place. it's been horrendous. _ restrictions are in place. it's been horrendous, awful. _ restrictions are in place. it's been horrendous, awful. we have - restrictions are in place. it's been i horrendous, awful. we have families coming round, kids coming round, and they want to feed the ducks and they

can't. it's really heartbreaking. we are out here every day, we can see the state of the birds, we check out all the areas around through the binoculars to make sure there is no dead animals in the corners. the advice is clear. _ dead animals in the corners. the advice is clear. he'd any warning signs and don't touch any sick or dead birds. claire marshall, bbc news. this year's six nations rugby championship starts on saturday, and while the players will be focusing on what happens on the pitch, officials will be tackling numerous crises of it ranging from sexism and homophobia to corruption. 0ur sports editor dan roan reports. with its blend of rivalry, tradition and passion, the six nations remains one of the highlights of the sporting calendar. but with a world cup looming, the start of this year's championship is a timely boost for a game in need of a lift. 2003, and england win the grand slam. sensational finish!

before going on to claim their only global crown. 20 years on, new head coach steve borthwick is tasked with rediscovering such glory, starting against old rivals scotland. there's few fixtures in world rugby that have the ability to excite people more than this fixture. i'm looking forward to the loud, packed twickenham this weekend. and england supporters are going to be cheering on this team. england have lost twice in a row against their opening opponents, scotland — last year's defeat at murrayfield the start of a disappointing campaign that saw them finish in third place under the recently sacked eddiejones. but now there's added turmoil here in the community game — amid mounting concern over head injuries, the rfu has apologised for its handling of a rule change lowering the tackle height. the members of this club near manchester, like many others across england, furious at what they see as a lack of consultation. a lot of the players are thinking, where's it going and is it worth playing rugby any more?

because it is a fundamental change to how we play the game, how we got brought up to play the game, and how the guys have been playing it for the last 30, 35 years. so there's a lot of unhappiness. facing a grassroots revolt, litigation over concussion and mounting concern over professional club finances, this weekend's calcutta cup match here at twickenham can't come soon enough for the beleaguered rfu, but they're not the only rugby union facing a crisis off the field. the six nations gets under way in cardiff, where legendary coach warren gatland starts his second stint in charge of wales. but his return has been overshadowed with the welsh rugby union engulfed by allegations of sexism, racism and misogyny. aired in a bbc wales documentary. bosses today facing questions on the scandal in the senedd. it's possible for things to occur over a period of time and for people to turn a blind eye. i think as an organisation we have been in denial as to the extent of the problem. but away from the controversy,

wales can at least look forward to hosting ireland — now the world's top ranked team. and with in—form france defending their crown, the game's authorities will be banking on a classic six nations to put the focus back on the pitch. dan roan, bbc news. time for a look at the weather. sunnier skies are coming back. a wet evening in northern scotland. i had to search long and hard for a weather watcher picture showing sunshine today. in kent there was some blue sky for a time today. it is all set to change. we are staying cloudy and mild as we see out the rest of the week. on sunday the blue means colder air coming in. rest of the week. on sunday the blue means colderair coming in. however, we will be tipping the balance in favour of blue skies by then. back to this evening along with wet weather in scotland, gusts around 60 mph or so, the rain eases as it moves south into parts of england and northern ireland later in the

night where it will be particularly mild night as temperatures