the wind. this is bbc news. these are the headlines... this is bbc news. i'm shaun ley. the headlines at 5pm — three people have been arrested following the shooting of a senior police officer in northern ireland. john caldwell was shot in front of his son at a sports centre in omagh. somebody said, "that's fireworks," but i thought, "no, that sounds like shots, eight or nine." and next thing we saw people running up back towards the track and realised. and then somebody said, "somebody with a gun." over 160,000 uk asylum—seekers are waiting for a decision on their case, a new record figure. labour leader sir keir starmer has set out five national missions, saying he'll help britain "get its future back" if he becomes prime minister. the island off the north wales coast that's become the first international dark sky

sanctuary in europe. redford again... oh, what a goal! what a goal! radford the scorer, ronnie radford! and legendary football commentator john motson has died aged 77. he covered over 2000 games during his 50—year career. good afternoon and welcome to bbc news, good to have your company this hour. three men have been arrested after the shooting of a police officer in northern ireland. he is now in a critical condition in hsopital. detective chief inspectorjohn caldwell was shot multiple times

in front of his son after coaching young people playing football in 0magh, county tyrone. he is well—known in northern ireland not least his involvement in investigating organised crime. northern ireland's political leaders have issued a joint statement condemning the "callous" attack. the irish prime minister and northern ireland secretary have both condemned the attempt on his life. 0ur ireland correspondent chris page has this report. john caldwell is a father who was coaching football, but gunmen shot him because he's a detective. last night, this complex, called youth sport, was busy with parents, children and volunteers. the victim was putting footballs into his car with his son. he ran for his life when he was shot by two men. when he fell to the ground, they continued to fire at him. we'd like to acknowledge the assistance and the quick, brave actions of one member of the public who gave first aid and the actions of our partners in the ambulance service.

at this time, there were many other young people, children, awaiting pick—up by their parents, and those children ran for cover in sheer terror towards the centre. detective chief inspector caldwell has a public profile here. he's led investigations into organised crime and dissident republican paramilitaries. at the moment, police are focusing their investigation on the dissident republican organisation known as the new ira. it's thought to be the largest and most active of the armed groups who oppose the peace process, and it still targets members of the security forces. we continue to work against these groups. we know that they have a level of capability, and as we've seen, this horrific attack play out last night. as i say, we're keeping an open mind. that's where the focus of the investigation at this moment. there's been a show of political unity in reaction to the shooting. the five biggest political parties in northern ireland have issued

a joint statement of condemnation. local representatives have expressed people's revulsion at what happened. people are just dumbfounded why this happened in our local community. there's no place for violence here in 0magh, and here this morning, we have political leaders and community representatives standing strong and united with one message, that we condemn it. when we got to know who the victim was and we know the person - so personally and known him - for so many years, there's a great sense of shock and anger. and the westminster government was swift to speak out. everybody in the policing community and actually the community of 0magh is completely shocked by this because society has moved on in northern ireland. there is no place for violence like this. it's almost 25 years since the peace agreement which largely ended the conflict in this part of the uk, but in 0magh today, there are disturbing echoes of the past.

more from chris page in a moment. peter gormley was nearby when the shooting happened. he told the bbc what he saw last night. we'd just finished our speed session on wednesday at 8pm. and i heard the shots, someone said that was fireworks but i thought those were shots, around eight or nine. then we saw people running back towards the track and realised, and somebody said somebody with a gun, so everybody panicked, running in every direction, didn't know where to go. i went down with another guy and got the young peoples' coaches to get them into groups as safe as they could be. a lot of other people running up the grass embankment to try and get away, they had nowhere to go. at this point, you didn't know where the shots were coming from,

you didn't know how much danger you were in or indeed where the safe areas would be. no, we didn't. i thought this could just be a mad gunmanjust shooting people randomly, so the instinct was to try and get away. how did you recognise the gunshot? just they were so rapid, there were nine or ten of them, and i'm used to fireworks and i thought, no, that's gunfire. i wasn't sure, but then people were saying there's gunman, then i was sure. so, broadly speaking, what kind of number would you put on the amount of people who were there, young and old? around 200 i would say. the noise and commotion begin saying, people start getting upset? the young ones returning the car park, they were with adults as well, trying to get away. yeah, a lot of commotion, yeah, and scared people. were you are aware of your own

safety at that point? no, well, i saw the body lying there, and three of my colleagues, one's a gp, we attended to him super well and knew there was enough there and waited for the ambulance service to arrive. the police who obviously did a greatjob there. they trie to gather people then, we knew it was safe, they gathered into a local cafe for shelter. a lot said about the young people and the concern for them. of course, no adult wants to experience this, but people are particularly mindful of teenagers who might have been there and what they may have seen. clearly, they would've been upset.

yeah, they're young, around 12, 13, the group of young and some girls had just arrived as well, they were caught up in it, too. as i was saying, heavily involved, this involves everyone through the community, it's cross—community, and you want never to see something like this. chris page is in 0magh for us at the scene. do we have any kind of update from the hospital? do we have any kind of update from the manual?— do we have any kind of update from the heathen— the hospital? yes, the detective chief inspector _ the hospital? yes, the detective chief inspectorjohn _ the hospital? yes, the detective chief inspectorjohn caldwell- the hospital? yes, the detective| chief inspectorjohn caldwell still be treated in the hospital in londonderry, and we are told his condition— londonderry, and we are told his condition is— londonderry, and we are told his condition is still critical but stable _ condition is still critical but stable. so a big outpouring really today— stable. so a big outpouring really today in— stable. so a big outpouring really today in 0magh and right across northern ireland and of well wishes for the _ northern ireland and of well wishes for the detective it indeed his family— for the detective it indeed his family and colleagues in the police service _ family and colleagues in the police service who really cannot take in what _ service who really cannot take in what has — service who really cannot take in what has happened here last night.

although _ what has happened here last night. although they have known that the threat _ although they have known that the threat to _ although they have known that the threat to their lives from armed groups— threat to their lives from armed groups who are opposed to the peace process _ groups who are opposed to the peace process still remains, and they are used _ process still remains, and they are used to— process still remains, and they are used to taking measures to try to protect— used to taking measures to try to protect themselves, personal security — protect themselves, personal security measures but still something never happens like this. it generates a real sense of disbelief, and detective chief inspector caldwell is by all accounts a hugely popular member of the fourth _ accounts a hugely popular member of the fourth in a very popular member of his— the fourth in a very popular member of his community. active as a sports coach _ of his community. active as a sports coach for— of his community. active as a sports coach for example here, a football coach _ coach for example here, a football coach to _ coach for example here, a football coach to young people. that's what he was _ coach to young people. that's what he was doing last night, a scene that i'm — he was doing last night, a scene that i'm sure will be familiar so marry— that i'm sure will be familiar so manyup— that i'm sure will be familiar so many up in _ that i'm sure will be familiar so many up in a country. he was putting football— many up in a country. he was putting football back into his car after carrying — football back into his car after carrying out a coaching session with his son _ carrying out a coaching session with his son with— carrying out a coaching session with his son with him, and very suddenly his son with him, and very suddenly his life _ his son with him, and very suddenly his life changed, gunman appeared in the opened _ his life changed, gunman appeared in the opened fire on the detective. so as i the opened fire on the detective. so as i say— the opened fire on the detective. so as i say his — the opened fire on the detective. so as i say his condition now described as i say his condition now described as criticai~ — as i say his condition now described as critical. he has clearly been

very— as critical. he has clearly been very seriously injured but we are told his— very seriously injured but we are told his condition has not deteriorated.— told his condition has not deteriorated. . , , ., deteriorated. that is some small aood deteriorated. that is some small good news _ deteriorated. that is some small good news out — deteriorated. that is some small good news out of _ deteriorated. that is some small good news out of a _ deteriorated. that is some small good news out of a rather - deteriorated. that is some small good news out of a rather bleak| deteriorated. that is some small. good news out of a rather bleak 24 good news out of a rather bleak 2a hours. were fooling on that point about the circumstances and it seems to make this attack particularly grotesque is that it was on an off—duty officer who was surrounded by youngsters, a generation of children who faithfully unlike their parents and grandparents have not grown up seeing this kind of violence routinely on the news or on the streets around them which must�*ve compounded the shock for the youngsters involved. must've compounded the shock for the youngsters involved.— youngsters involved. absolutely. you heard that eyewitness _ youngsters involved. absolutely. you heard that eyewitness account - youngsters involved. absolutely. you heard that eyewitness account there l heard that eyewitness account there from peter, the chaotic scenes realty— from peter, the chaotic scenes really which unfolded and people heard _ really which unfolded and people heard the gunfire in the complex behind _ heard the gunfire in the complex behind me, extremely busy on a wednesday night. you had a running track in _ wednesday night. you had a running track in theirand wednesday night. you had a running track in their and you had football pitches— track in their and you had football pitches and pitches used by players of daily— pitches and pitches used by players of daily gains, gaelic football and hurley, _ of daily gains, gaelic football and hurley, so— of daily gains, gaelic football and hurley, so a kennedy facility used

by people — hurley, so a kennedy facility used by people across the community of all backgrounds. and the fact that this attack happened at a time when children— this attack happened at a time when children in— this attack happened at a time when children in particular were here in their— children in particular were here in their droves i think has generated an extra _ their droves i think has generated an extra degree, if you like, of repulsion, _ an extra degree, if you like, of repulsion, of disgust and condemnation here in 0magh. politically, too, widespread condemnation across the political spectrum. — condemnation across the political spectrum, the leader of the five main _ spectrum, the leader of the five main stormont political parties issuing — main stormont political parties issuing a — main stormont political parties issuing a joint statement saying they stand united in their support for the _ they stand united in their support for the detective chief inspector and his— for the detective chief inspector and his family and friends and colleagues in the police service of northern ireland, and also governments in london and dublin slip to _ governments in london and dublin slip to speak out. the irish prime minister. — slip to speak out. the irish prime minister, the taoiseach, saying this was a _ minister, the taoiseach, saying this was a grotesque act and the prime minister— was a grotesque act and the prime minister in — was a grotesque act and the prime minister in london saying this was appaiiing — minister in london saying this was appalling and disgraceful. so for so n1any— appalling and disgraceful. so for so many people, something that was a very unwelcome reminder of the dark

past of— very unwelcome reminder of the dark past of northern ireland, the 25 years— past of northern ireland, the 25 years on— past of northern ireland, the 25 years on from the peace agreements, which have _ years on from the peace agreements, which have brought such great change to northern ireland, not least to this part — to northern ireland, not least to this part of the world in county tyrone — this part of the world in county tyrone as— this part of the world in county tyrone, as a reminder that armed groups— tyrone, as a reminder that armed groups stiii— tyrone, as a reminder that armed groups still exist and while these attacks— groups still exist and while these attacks are relatively rare, when they happen, they still have the potential— they happen, they still have the potential to cause real trauma and certainly— potential to cause real trauma and certainly to endanger people's lives — certainly to endanger people's lives. its— certainly to endanger people's lives. �* , certainly to endanger people's lives. a ., , , lives. as you say, that briefly, the anniversary _ lives. as you say, that briefly, the anniversary is _ lives. as you say, that briefly, the anniversary is imminent _ lives. as you say, that briefly, the anniversary is imminent of - lives. as you say, that briefly, the anniversary is imminent of 25 - lives. as you say, that briefly, the l anniversary is imminent of 25 years since the agreement was signed, and i could not help noticing in the news conference with the chief constable this morning that he said very specifically all this is happening, i havejust lost an officer if seriously injured in circumstances in a time we are expected to cut 800 officers and i'm dealing with an uptick in terrorist activity. i get the sense came across powerfully that the police feel they are under pressure and bluntly the politicians are not

helping. bluntly the politicians are not helinu. , . ., ., helping. yes, the police have always been very clear _ helping. yes, the police have always been very clear that _ helping. yes, the police have always been very clear that the _ helping. yes, the police have always been very clear that the threat - helping. yes, the police have always been very clear that the threat from | been very clear that the threat from pa rticuia riy — been very clear that the threat from particularly dissident republicans here opposed to the peace process, the new— here opposed to the peace process, the new ira thought were the largest armed _ the new ira thought were the largest armed group, but they do pose a threat _ armed group, but they do pose a threat to— armed group, but they do pose a threat to officers lives and that threat — threat to officers lives and that threat has not been lifted if you like _ threat has not been lifted if you like at — threat has not been lifted if you like. at the moment, political instability with no power sharing in the devolved government at stormont now for— the devolved government at stormont now for more than a year so who is deciding _ now for more than a year so who is deciding police budgets while the police _ deciding police budgets while the police federation says westminister should _ police federation says westminister should step in to increase funding for the _ should step in to increase funding for the chief council to give him more _ for the chief council to give him more resources to tackle the continuing threat from paramilitaries.- continuing threat from paramilitaries. continuing threat from aramilitaries. , ., ., paramilitaries. chris, our ireland correspondent, _ paramilitaries. chris, our ireland correspondent, and _ paramilitaries. chris, our ireland correspondent, and it _ paramilitaries. chris, our ireland correspondent, and it 0magh, . paramilitaries. chris, our ireland - correspondent, and it 0magh, thank you very much. the number of asylum—seekers waiting for a decision on their case in the uk has risen to record levels. there are now around 166,000 people in the backlog. last year, more than three quarters of all claims were sucessful, the highest for over 30 years. the new figures were released as the home office announced 12,000 asylum—seekers will be fast—tracked in an attempt to cut the backlog.

people from afghanistan, yemen, eritrea, syria and libya will have their claims decided on the basis of a questionnaire. the prime minister has pledged to reduce the asylum backlog by the end of the year, as our home editor mark easton reports. afghans who claim to have fled persecution from the taliban are among five nationalities being offered a fast—track route to getting asylum in the uk. as part of government efforts to speed up the asylum system, they'll now be able to have their cases decided without ever being interviewed face—to—face. and we expect to abolish the backlog of initial asylum decisions by the end of next year. last december, the prime minister said that by the end of 2023, his government would eradicate the backlog of 92,000 asylum claims that had been stuck in the system for more than six months. but new figures show the backlog is still increasing. 89,000 people applied for asylum in 2022, but only 2a,000

decisions were made. the number waiting in the system has hit a record 166,000, with 110,000 waiting more than six months. the fast—track system includes asylum—seekers from afghanistan, eritrea, libya, syria and yemen, some of whom will have arrived on small boats across the channel. decisions will be made on the basis of a ten—page questionnaire, which must be completed in english. however, having previously stressed the importance of in—person interviews, the home office is likely to face criticism that the fast—tracking has more to do with the prime minister's promise to eradicate the backlog than having rigorous checks for identifying individuals with no right to be in the uk. the policy seems at odds with the home secretary's stated aim to swiftly deport asylum—seekers who arrive by an irregular route. we need to ensure that we fix this problem of illegal migration. that's my priority. and as the prime minister himself

has said, he'll do whatever it takes to achieve that goal. we've had 16,000 people last year arrive here illegally on small boats. that situation is unacceptable. we need to design a robust framework. we need to have a deterrent so people stop making the journey in the first place. it appears, however, that downing street's determination to sort out the asylum backlog means making it simplerfor some small—boat migrants to get permission to stay in the uk. mark easton, bbc news. joining us now, jeremy hutton from migration watch uk. they campaigned for reduced immigration to the uk. i guessjust boldly on the figures you were disappointed by this. fin boldly on the figures you were disappointed by this.— boldly on the figures you were disappointed by this. on the size of the backlog. _ disappointed by this. on the size of the backlog, yes. _ disappointed by this. on the size of the backlog, yes. it's— disappointed by this. on the size of the backlog, yes. it's baffling - disappointed by this. on the size of the backlog, yes. it's baffling thatl the backlog, yes. it's baffling that over progressive years it has just risen and risen and risen and only quite recently but does it send the government has really tried to reduce it. now that they are trying to reduce it, they are doing in the

most irresponsible way that endangers the safety and probably will only attract people to make that trip to the uk that is so dangerous. that trip to the uk that is so dangerous-— that trip to the uk that is so dangerous. that trip to the uk that is so dancerous. ., ., ,, ., ,., dangerous. you were talking about the questionnaire _ dangerous. you were talking about the questionnaire proposal- dangerous. you were talking about the questionnaire proposal for- the questionnaire proposal for effectively substituting for a fa ce—to —fa ce effectively substituting for a face—to—face interview. the argument the home office put forward is very straightforward. 95% of people from these countries would get it anyway because you start for the principal these are people coming from a dangerous place. they meet the basic criteria and he just had to stream out those who might be coming for another motive or might be pretending to be what they are not. this question visibly is designed to do that. in principle is that not a pragmatic response equipment we have all the other groups like albanians who you regard as being a country that does not have that right, and the big surge coming on boats from there so you can give them the proper attention to weed out people who are economic migrants or the rest of it. is it not take sense to take this category and say we have not got enough resources to do

everybody so we will typify the process here in order to maintain the quality of the process there? yes, i understand it from a pragmatic point of view. it is not really those 95% of asylum—seekers from afghanistan that we are necessarily concerned about. is that 5% who because this new system might not be subject to rigorous checks and they usually would. they might cause trouble such as the afghanistan asylum—seekers who quite recently it was revealed had murdered young men in bournemouth. people do get to the cracks and if we are not to properly scrutinise a record or the story which face—to—face interviews are a crucial part off, then more people could get through those cracks and we could see more of that happening which would be traumatic. i we could see more of that happening which would be traumatic.— which would be traumatic. i suspect a lot of things _ which would be traumatic. i suspect a lot of things you _ which would be traumatic. i suspect a lot of things you don't _ which would be traumatic. i suspect a lot of things you don't agree - which would be traumatic. i suspect a lot of things you don't agree with | a lot of things you don't agree with amnesty international as an organisation but i want to put you what was said to me an hour ago by their spokesman. what was said to me an hour ago by theirspokesman. he what was said to me an hour ago by their spokesman. he said if you look at how the system operates, from his

organisation's perspective, it's very hard not to conclude that there is almost a deliberate slowing down of the system, a deliberate sense to create a deterrent. do you think thatis create a deterrent. do you think that is part of the problem of the backlog here, that is designed to be gummed up in the hope people will see that you could take years and they will give up or try somewhere else? to they will give up or try somewhere else? ., , ., , ~ they will give up or try somewhere else? .,, ., , ,, else? to be honest i think that's utterly preposterous. _ else? to be honest i think that's utterly preposterous. the - utterly preposterous. the individuals who come to the uk, they are not living a life of hardship was they arrive here. they are being put up quite fervently in four and five star hotels all around the country and are not having to go and work so i not be perfect it might not be the most fun, but ultimately they are getting their daily bread and they are doing all right out of it. there is the point of view that the uk is considered a last shop saloon or last stop on the asylum trail and they might try other places first and then come to the uk last. so they get to away here or get bored of waiting, i don't really

know where they would then go. [30 know where they would then go. do you as an is organisation think there might be a case for identity cards now because if you look at mainland europe, it is the case that an officer is entitled to come up to you and asked for papers and if you are there illegally and don't have papers, therefore that is quite an effective disincentive equipment if you get to the system and if you land on a boat and nobody picks you up, nobody has any way of checking whether or not who you are or whether or not who you are or whether or not you have the right to be here because you are not required, no one is required to carry papers here. the required, no one is required to carry papers here-— required, no one is required to carry papers here. the case that was robabl carry papers here. the case that was probably stronger — carry papers here. the case that was probably stronger a _ carry papers here. the case that was probably stronger a decade - carry papers here. the case that was probably stronger a decade or- carry papers here. the case that was| probably stronger a decade or maybe two decades ago when it was a bit more novel but we had probably already missed the boat on that. it will be very hard to roll those things out and there is also the concern over rolling out the attempt to cover british systems unnecessarily as well. so there is a sense and we are not fully against id cards, it is not a silver bullet that it

id cards, it is not a silver bullet thatitis id cards, it is not a silver bullet that it is often suggested to be nowadays. that it is often suggested to be nowada s. , ., that it is often suggested to be nowada s. g , ., ., nowadays. jeremy hutton, good to seak nowadays. jeremy hutton, good to s - eak to nowadays. jeremy hutton, good to speak to you- _ nowadays. jeremy hutton, good to speak to you. thank _ nowadays. jeremy hutton, good to speak to you. thank you. - the labour leader sir keir starmer has laid out five "missions", or pledges to voters, if his party wins the next general election. in a speech in manchester, he said he would aim to make the uk the highest—growth economy among the g7 countries by the end of labour's first term. he also wants to make britain a "clean energy superpower" and cut health inequalities. 0ur political correspondent jonathan blake reports. he wants to be seen as a man on a mission — five missions to be precise. in manchester this morning, sir keir starmer set out what he said would be labour's priorities in power, arguing britain could do better. i will never accept that this country is destined for decline, that our best days belong to the past. success is all around us. it just needs direction. people have huge ambitions for their community.

theyjust need a government that matches their ambition. too often, he said, the uk lurched from crisis to crisis, and promised a new way of governing, with more long—term planning and fewer short—term fixes. a relentless focus on a clear set of priorities. an answer to the widespread call to fix the fundamentals. a long—term plan to unlock our pride and our purpose. a profound statement of intent, mission—driven government. those missions are broad themes, not specific pledges. economic growth, the nhs, clean energy, equal opportunities and crime would, sir keir said, form the backbone of labour's plan for government. the fastest—growing economy in the g7. a clean energy superpower. public services that lift us up. a mission—driven government that will end sticking plaster politics.

we'll unlock the pride and purpose that is in every community. we'll give this country its confidence, its hope, its future back. now is the time for us all to be part of something bigger and to say with one voice, "why not britain?" thank you. he's accused of abandoning pledges made while running to be labour leader. but sir keir starmer now says he's focused on positioning his party for power. joining us now is wes streeting mp, labour's shadow health and social care secretary. good afternoon and let's talk about your field good afternoon and let's talk about yourfield because good afternoon and let's talk about your field because the good afternoon and let's talk about yourfield because the pledge if i may read it out is building on nhs fit for the future by reforming health and care services to speed up treatment, harnessing life sciences and technology to reduce pivotable illness and cutting health

inequalities. that is as a mission not a four year parliament or even a ten year parliament or even a 15 year government, that's kind of a generational thing, year government, that's kind of a generationalthing, is year government, that's kind of a generational thing, is it not? i generationalthing, is it not? i think some of it is if we are serious about ending health inequality in our country altogether i think it is right to say it is a generational challenge. what i committed to is set out a ten year plan for reform or modernisation of the nhs alongside reform of social care so that we don't end up back in a situation i think we have seen time and time again over the last 13 years of conservative government of annual winter crises which is become annual winter crises which is become a now a year—round crisis and sticking plaster politics as herein described. the nhs is a really good example of this where the tories will everyone or say we have a lot this little pot of money here to do a certain thing over there and that might get us through the winter. but not dealing with the underlying on

challenges like workforce for example where labour has plans to deliver the biggest expansion of the nhs work force in history, fully costed and funding by punishing the non—dom tax that is what to make sure we have the nhs workforce we need for the long—term to get patients seen on time so the nhs is a good example of how labour�*s record in government was shortest waiting times in history and highest patient satisfaction and mission driven government is a stark contrast what we have seen under 13 years of tory governments. i’m contrast what we have seen under 13 years of tory governments. i'm ready cive the years of tory governments. i'm ready give the example _ years of tory governments. i'm ready give the example of— years of tory governments. i'm ready give the example of mission - years of tory governments. i'm ready give the example of mission driven i give the example of mission driven government and i remember labour and 97 and remember before they arrived in 97 and cover thejohn major government from 92—97... i in 97 and cover the john ma'or government from 92-97. .. i was in school then- _ government from 92-97. .. i was in schoolthen. don't _ government from 92-97. .. i was in school then. don't let _ government from 92-97. .. i was in school then. don't let me - government from 92-97. .. i was in school then. don't let me feel- school then. don't let me feel any worse. school then. don't let me feel any worse- l'm — school then. don't let me feel any worse. i'm sure _ school then. don't let me feel any worse. i'm sure you _ school then. don't let me feel any worse. i'm sure you talk - school then. don't let me feel any worse. i'm sure you talk about. school then. don't let me feel any| worse. i'm sure you talk about this with your predecessors, those who have been the job, with your predecessors, those who have been thejob, frank dobson with your predecessors, those who have been the job, frank dobson got arrested so who did the job, how

difficult it is and one of the things labour did back then with sci—fi pledges, very specific and it meant you could say at the end the four—year term, we have met them. you could say we made a contract and met it and vote for us again. it is difficulty the missions however well intentioned that for years down the road, people will turn around a human same so what did you deliver and you will say aspiration, we are on our way, here is a ten year plan we are partway through but as we sit in the west country, that don't bus or pass. in the west country, that don't bus or ass. �* . . in the west country, that don't bus or ass. 3 . . in the west country, that don't bus or ass. 2 . ., , ., ., or pass. it's a fair question and the pledges — or pass. it's a fair question and the pledges will _ or pass. it's a fair question and the pledges will follow. - or pass. it's a fair question and the pledges will follow. the - the pledges will follow. the manifesto will be very specific about what we aim to achieve in the first term of a labour government and what our policies are and how much they will cost and how they will be paid for. the reason why the missions are important is i think firstly a degree of honesty with the voters that these are serious long—term challenges that will take time to fully repair and to get britain back to where we should be, which has been a world leading in

terms of economic growth and health care and life sciences. but also i hope to restore a bit of faith and politics more generally because i do find when i have been going in the country knocking on doors and talk to people or visiting hospitals and gp surgeries and pharmacies, talking to people, there is a huge amount of cynicism actually about whether politics can be a force for good at all. ., .., politics can be a force for good at all. ., .. , ., ., all. you can understand where that comes from _ all. you can understand where that comes from and _ all. you can understand where that comes from and i'm _ all. you can understand where that comes from and i'm sure _ all. you can understand where that comes from and i'm sure you - comes from and i'm sure you encountered it with their own constituents who feel with no disrespect to your predecessors in your constituency or you now who would say they've had all those years of labour government and did my life chances change as much as i was promised or under a conservative coalition the same? i wonder if there is something a bit more fundamental about our system that mitigates against the long—term is him that most of these problems need. take social care which you picked out there, it is been... everybody agrees it is been broken

but the commission reported under the gordon brown government, the cama government talked about social care and johnson talked about his ready—made plan and they have a name plate on the department dormant anyone he was being on the sharp end of social care and i'm sure you've spoken to constituents and members of families who have experienced it will take it has not gotten better and if anything has gotten worse and not for any reason to get people who do care but because the system mitigates against effective delivery. i wonder if it is to be much more fundamental whether you have targets or mission statements that the political system somehow creates no incentives for long termism, no incentives for parties to collaborate, cooperate and agree because in the end they have got to win elections and you only win elections in apartment by defining yourself against the other guy. i think that is part of the possibility and excitement of what was set out today is wanting to look seriously at long—term answers and

fixing the fundamentals because politics can often be very short—term and driven by electoral cycles and social care is a great example. the government announced an emergency funding package for winter which frankly the money only started arriving in the social care sector in january by which arriving in the social care sector injanuary by which time it was too late. and it will not fix the fundamentals and as well as addressing i think the fun challenge of the care workforce and how we deliver better pay and progression for care professionals, i can tell you that if i the next health secretary, when labour are setting out plans to fundamentally reform social care, the door will be open to other clinical parties, to the conservatives and others to see if we can build some consensus about what the long—term future looks like. we called on the conservative at that is same approach because recognise that we were going round and round in circles on social care and round in circles on social care and it's hard and difficult and potentially expensive, and the

tories did in labour in 2010 by accusing us of wanting to levy a death tax. theresa may nearly lost the election in 2017 for a whole variety of reasons but i think she lost loads of votes over social care. and actually if weight sort of got together and had taken the long—term approach and tried to build consensus in the way that our shadow social care minister called on repeatedly from david cameron onwards to do we might not have been in this mess and we will take a different approach, serious, long—term but also opening the door people to get involved to work with us. we look at those missions today, one of the things i'm already seeing our businesses, civil society leaders wanting to come in and roll their sleeves up and help us to achieve them, whether it's working britain agreeing energy superpower, ed miliband already working with serious industries and key scientists to make sure we have got a credible ambitious challenging plan but a credible plan. delivering they interracial reeves is always meeting with business and industry

leaders because government... —— rachel rees. i hope i give people a bit of hope and confidence after years of misery. bit of hope and confidence after years of misery-— years of misery. west reading, shadow secretary _ years of misery. west reading, shadow secretary of _ years of misery. west reading, shadow secretary of state - years of misery. west reading, shadow secretary of state for l years of misery. west reading, - shadow secretary of state for health and social services, thank you very much. john motson, the voice of the bbc�*s football commentary for half a century, has died. he was 77. you must be very sad when you hear the news because you go back to childhood. school together? yes, very, schooltogether? yes, very, very sad. i schooltogether? yes, very, very sad- i was _ schooltogether? yes, very, very sad. i was shocked _ schooltogether? yes, very, very sad. i was shocked actually. - schooltogether? yes, very, very sad. i was shocked actually. john and i both met up at a public school in suffolk, a boarding school. we were both 11 when we first met when he came. we have been lifelong

friends ever since. fantastic career he had and we work for opposite channels but got on really great. bonded over a love of football, did you? bonded over a love of football, did ou? . bonded over a love of football, did ou? , . , bonded over a love of football, did ou? , ., , ., . ., , you? yes, it was quite ironic it was a ru:b you? yes, it was quite ironic it was a rugby school- _ you? yes, it was quite ironic it was a rugby school. a _ you? yes, it was quite ironic it was a rugby school. a rebellious - you? yes, it was quite ironic it was| a rugby school. a rebellious streak. i love football _ a rugby school. a rebellious streak. i love football but _ a rugby school. a rebellious streak. i love football but i _ a rugby school. a rebellious streak. i love football but i love _ a rugby school. a rebellious streak. i love football but i love the - a rugby school. a rebellious streak. i love football but i love the game | i love football but i love the game of rugby. john hated it, was useless at it and his dad was a methodist minister, it was a methodist school so he got a free place. beautiful school, 400 acres. john's father used to write to the headmaster every year saying why don't you play football? my son wants to play football. john made up for it with his love of the game.— football. john made up for it with his love of the game. when once his skill first become _ his love of the game. when once his skill first become apparent? - his love of the game. when once his skill first become apparent? did - his love of the game. when once his skill first become apparent? did youj skill first become apparent? did you sit next to him and he would tell you, is that... commentated at

matches he was he was not commentating at. he was an incredible guy. we were quite different. i incredible guy. we were quite different. , , ., ., different. i suppose i gave him a hard time but _ different. i suppose i gave him a hard time but we _ different. i suppose i gave him a hard time but we managed - different. i suppose i gave him a hard time but we managed to i different. i suppose i gave him a i hard time but we managed to stay great friends. i remember his first live commentary on an fa cup match, the final, for the bbc. he said, manchester united beat liverpool and his commentary was how appropriate as he went upstairs to get the cup, that a man called butcombe should claim the 39 steps of wembley to receive the trophy. the famous novelist wrote the 39 steps, he had to disturb the day before and came up to disturb the day before and came up with that line. i rang him the next day to see you are still an

anorak but what a line. it next day to see you are still an anorak but what a line.- next day to see you are still an anorak but what a line. it has been our rotten week. _ anorak but what a line. it has been our rotten week. you _ anorak but what a line. it has been our rotten week. you lost - anorak but what a line. it has been our rotten week. you lost a - anorak but what a line. it has been our rotten week. you lost a close l our rotten week. you lost a close colleague at itv.— our rotten week. you lost a close colleague at itv. dickie davies, we are from a — colleague at itv. dickie davies, we are from a different _ colleague at itv. dickie davies, we are from a different generation - colleague at itv. dickie davies, we are from a different generation butj are from a different generation but he was absolutely fantastic and so smooth and you had des lynam, and dashing dickie. ireland quite a lot from dickie davies and one thing was because we did not work with autocue, he used to learn his scripts and he told me that and i found it really useful. i did a lot of tv shows as john found it really useful. i did a lot of tv shows asjohn did. john was prepared 100% and i was. it was something i learned. two great names of podcasting. so many young people now will not know much about dickie but withjohn, now will not know much about dickie but with john, he now will not know much about dickie but withjohn, he will be in your library for years to come and there will be clips. you have been showing

it today. the courage ofjohn today, and the outpouring for him shows what kind of guy he was. everybody loved him with his sheepskins. all these commentators and they are going to hit me but they are all a bit nerdy really. and he was no exception. i would bit nerdy really. and he was no exception. iwould be bit nerdy really. and he was no exception. i would be having dinner with him and he would slump like this and you would lose him for five minutes, but i am certainly missing him now. it minutes, but i am certainly missing him now. ., _ minutes, but i am certainly missing him now. , ., , , ., him now. it is obviously gentleman carret, him now. it is obviously gentleman garret. thank _ him now. it is obviously gentleman garret, thank you _ him now. it is obviously gentleman garret, thank you very _ him now. it is obviously gentleman garret, thank you very much - him now. it is obviously gentleman garret, thank you very much for . him now. it is obviously gentleman i garret, thank you very much for your memories. due to speak to you. sport and a full round—up, from the bbc sport centre. good evening. it's a huge few days for manchester united, with the chance to lift a trophy on sunday at wembley in the league cup final, but first, the focus is on barcelona in the europa league tonight. let's speak to jane dougall who's outside old trafford right now.

a high quality first leg that finished 2—2 at the camp nou. rashford again on the scoresheet, how key will he be tonight? absolutely. 0f absolutely. of course don't forget he scored two at the weekend against leicester in their three nil victory over them. yes of course rashford will be key, he has been instrumentalfor them, will be key, he has been instrumental for them, particularly since possibly the departure of cristiano ronaldo? currently he scored 13 in the in the europa league and crucially he knows how to score against barcelona. there will be a close eye on him tonight. but erik ten hag is looking at other areas of his squad as well for this match. he can bring back lisandro martinez and sabitzer following the european suspensions but harry maguire and anthony martial are doubtfulfor tonight. ten haggle doubtful for tonight. ten haggle have doubtfulfor tonight. ten haggle have to make a few decisions about his squad and he has got his eye on

other matches coming up as you alluded to. he has said that if they want to get through the match, united will have to produce their best performance against barcelona. it's a big week for the reds, isn't it? barcelona tonight and then the league cup final on sunday with a chance to lift a trophy. not as focused on that but it's a huge important moment for man united? it huge important moment for man united? . , huge important moment for man united? , , ., ., ., ., united? it is, they have not won a troh united? it is, they have not won a trophy since _ united? it is, they have not won a trophy since 2017 _ united? it is, they have not won a trophy since 2017 and _ united? it is, they have not won a trophy since 2017 and they - united? it is, they have not won a trophy since 2017 and they have . united? it is, they have not won a i trophy since 2017 and they have got a chance of quite a few coming up. they play newcastle in the carabao cup final on sunday at wembley. a tough competition, any cup final but against newcastle particularly. they are third in the premier league, serious contenders for the title. five points behind arsenal and they face west ham in the fa cup fifth round on the 1st of march. quite a few important matches coming up but tonight they can only face the matches they have in front of them and if they get through tonight, the

europa league trophy is going to be another that they are contenders for. . ., . . another that they are contenders for. . ., ., ., , for. barcelona are eight points clear in la _ for. barcelona are eight points clear in la liga. _ for. barcelona are eight points clear in la liga. definitely - for. barcelona are eight points clear in la liga. definitely on i clear in la liga. definitely on form? ., ., ., , form? you are right about in'uries. xavi hernandez * form? you are right about in'uries. xavi hernandez has i form? you are right about in'uries. xavi hernandez has said _ form? you are right about injuries. xavi hernandez has said that - form? you are right about injuries. xavi hernandez has said that they l xavi hernandez has said that they are without dembele for tonight's match and he has said its huge blow for them against man united. dembele messing with hamstring injury. he's contributed to 15 goals in all competitions for them this season. 0ne competitions for them this season. one of the top performer. alongside pedro he was also out and his midfield partner also out but never write barcelona off particularly when they are playing in europe. thank you. australia havejust booked their place in the women's t20 world cup final, after beating india by 5 runs. australia set india 173 to win and the match was in the balance

with india needing 16 off 7 until the wicket of sneh rana brought the pendulum firmly back into the australians favour. scenes ofjoy from the reigning champions. a big swing at the end wasn't enough for the indians. australia go through to another final and await england or south africa on sunday. warren gatland says he can finally focus on preparing his wales squad for the match on saturday in the six nations against england, after learning that it will go ahead. the wales head coach initially delayed announcing his line—up on tuesday due to contractual disputes between welsh rugby players and the wru. there'll be nine changes from the loss against scotland, including 0wen williams at fly half and debutant mason grady playing at centre. happy that things have been sorted, and we can finally focus on preparing for saturday. the guys are good this morning.

we had a meeting with the players just to announce the team to them, and it is an opportunity for us to draw a line in the sand and focus completely on preparing for sunday. meanwhile, anthony watson will make his first england start in almost two years in the match on saturday. the 28—year—old comes in to replace injured 0llie hassell—collins on the wing. jamie george starts, and he's said there is "no bigger game" than playing wales. andy farrell's ireland continue their pursuit of the grand slam when they play italy in rome on saturday. craig casey will partner ross byrne in a new half—back pairing, with captainjohnny sexton being left out after picking up a groin injury against france last time out. that's all the sport for now. let's stay with the news that a new independent regulator of men's

football in england will be established for the first time. it will aim to make clubs more financially sustainable, and ensure money from the premier league filters down to lower divisions. 0ur sport reporter matt graveling is with the owner of port vale football club, carol sha na han. good afternoon, it has been called the biggest shake—up of english football for a generation, the news coming from the government that they would like to install an independent regulator to look after the financial interests of the english football pyramid, hoping that a lot of the money made in the premier league will slowly trickle down the football pyramid, including two clubs like this, vale park, portrayal play here in ligue one and as you mention i am joined by the owner of port vale, thank you so much forjoining us. my first question before we get onto the white paper is what made you want to buy a football club?— buy a football club? nothing say and romise buy a football club? nothing say and promise you- —

buy a football club? nothing say and promise you. before _ buy a football club? nothing say and promise you. before i _ buy a football club? nothing say and promise you. before i do _ buy a football club? nothing say and promise you. before i do add - buy a football club? nothing say and promise you. before i do add to - buy a football club? nothing say and| promise you. before i do add to your question, can i pass our love and respect to an maatsen in the sad loss ofjohn today. i think there two big bits of news for football, one is the white paper but also the loss ofjohn who has been the voice of football for all of the us. i send her and at the whole club does. buying a football club, i once said no sign or rational person would do it because if you are a business person like i am in does not fit into a business model. you buy it but you do not really buy it. you have 10,000 stakeholders or however many yourfan have 10,000 stakeholders or however many your fan base have 10,000 stakeholders or however many yourfan base is have 10,000 stakeholders or however many your fan base is and so you are buying, we call it a faith —based system, so it is notjust buying the company. where you make money and sell and make profit, it is not that at all. you are buying a lot of expectation and community engagement which is the reason my husband and i

bought port vale, to help the north of stoke—on—trent which needed some community help and by having a successful football club we really felt that would do that. we successful football club we really felt that would do that.— felt that would do that. we are talkin: felt that would do that. we are talking about _ felt that would do that. we are talking about a _ felt that would do that. we are talking about a lot _ felt that would do that. we are talking about a lot of— felt that would do that. we are talking about a lot of elements felt that would do that. we are - talking about a lot of elements but financially especially with this white paper, how tough is it balancing the books at a level like league 1? balancing the books at a level like leaaue 1? 1. , balancing the books at a level like leaaue1? ,. balancing the books at a level like leaaue1? _., , league 1? barely possible. because aaain ou league 1? barely possible. because again you have _ league 1? barely possible. because again you have got _ league 1? barely possible. because again you have got to _ league 1? barely possible. because again you have got to balance - league 1? barely possible. because again you have got to balance out i again you have got to balance out your expectations of your fan base and your ambition of yourself so you want to go up in the leaks but it becomes completely disproportionate moneywise when you go from league 1, it is huge but by the time we got to the championship this year having come from league 2 and league 1, clubs on parachute payments from the

premier league, it is completely disproportionate, it is not a level playing field and the money is at the top. it has to start to come down. �* . . .. the top. it has to start to come down. �*, ., ~ ., ., ., down. let's talk more about that because this _ down. let's talk more about that because this morning _ down. let's talk more about that because this morning you - down. let's talk more about that because this morning you had i down. let's talk more about that because this morning you had a l because this morning you had a meeting with all of the owners, it was in the diary anyway and the white paper came out. how has it been met with owners from league 1, is it cautiously optimistic what is there a little bit of worry about there a little bit of worry about the future? it there a little bit of worry about the future?— the future? it is cautiously optimistic. _ the future? it is cautiously optimistic. the _ the future? it is cautiously optimistic. the point - the future? it is cautiously optimistic. the point we i the future? it is cautiously i optimistic. the point we were the future? it is cautiously - optimistic. the point we were all making is it's not the process, it's the start of the process. getting it published is really important. now the conversations that need to happen can happen. until it gets that political momentum so it is really important but we cannot sit back and say we have got there we

need to go through the detail of it and everybody else needs to be involved in that but this brings everybody to the table and that's the important thing for me. thank ou and the important thing for me. thank you and good _ the important thing for me. thank you and good luck _ the important thing for me. thank you and good luck at _ the important thing for me. thank you and good luck at the - the important thing for me. thank you and good luck at the weekend. there is a lot of devil in the detail today, we heard from people asking the sports minister how much can be squeezed from the golden goose that is the premier league without damaging it and how will longwood any regulatory body be given and how much would come down the league. he said he did not want to put a timeframe on it, we don't expect the regulatory body to be in place for the new season possibly the season after that but the sports minister said everybody working in the project is keen for them to get this over the line as quickly as possible. studio: thank you. something that

will be clearer as legislation makes its way through the house of commons. shortages of some fruit and vegetables could last for up to a month, according to the environment secretary. therese coffey's comment came after supermarkets asda, morrisons, aldi and tesco placed limits on items such as tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers. she's been responding to an urgent question in the house of commons. i am led to believe by my officials after discussion with industry - and retailers, we anticipate the situation will last - about another two to four weeks. it is important that we try and make sure we get - alternative sourcing options and that's why the department has audit been in discussions— with retailers and there will be - further discussions led by ministers as well, so we can try and get over this and try and avoid _ similar situations in the future, even if we cannot control - i the weather, it is important we tryi and make sure the supply continues

to not be frustrated in quite - the way it has been due to these unusual weather incidents. a london hospital has written guidelines on how to spot and treat cases of nitrous oxide misuse after seeing a sharp rise in cases. the gas, which is typically sold in small metal cannisters, has become the second most popular recreational drug among young people, after cannabis. prolonged and regular misuse can lead to a vitamin deficiency that damages nerves in the spinal chord, and can lead to paralysis. four people have been arrested after protesters used paint to create a huge ukrainian flag on the road outside the russian embassy in london campaigners from the group led by donkeys covered the street in 340 litres of yellow and blue paint ahead of the first anniversary of the start of the war in ukraine. passing traffic then spread the colours along the road. the protest group says it wants to remind russia's president of ukraine's "right to self—determination". an extensive archive of david bowie's life, work and legacy will go on display

to the public for the first time in 2025. the display at the victoria and albert museum in london will include more than 80,000 items from six decades of his career, including costumes, hand—written lyrics and instruments. tim muffett reports. # it's a god—awful small affair... # to the girl with the mousy hair... he was so much more thanjust a singer. # and her daddy has told her to go... david bowie, an icon of self—expression, creativity and reinvention. # now she walks through hersunken dream... his extraordinary archive is to be brought together permanently for everyone to see.

this archive will be protected in one place, protected in one place, so you can really see bowie as artist, performer, musician, fashion stylist... everything. # this is ground control to major tom... from 2025, more than 80,000 items, spanning six decades, will form the david bowie archive, housed at a new david bowie centre for the study of performing arts in the queen elizabeth olympic park in east london. # now it's time to leave the capsule if you dare... there's some remarkable objects. many, many, many costumes, from the ziggy stardust to the aladdin sane. there are handwritten lyrics and notebooks, incredible documents that reveal the creative process behind songwriting, behind music videos, behind film—making. it shows innovation, as bowie did, in all art forms. ten years ago, a v&a exhibition brought together hundreds of bowie costumes and pieces of memorabilia. but that was temporary.

this will be a permanent collection. it's a privilege, but it will be a privilege for everyone. it will be there for visitors to enjoy for generations to come. he left us in 2016, but the influence of david bowie can still be seen and heard. # we could be heroes... tim muffett, bbc news. nick reilly is the news editor at rolling stone uk. hejoins me now. thank you for talking to us. what team you make of this announcement? i think it's incredible. since david bowie died in 2016 it has been a question of how to notjust preserve his legacy but preserve it publicly. so that one of the uk's greatest musical icons, his memory can last generations and i think there is no better way to do that than having it in an archive that's going to be open to the public. i think it's really the monument that his memory deserves, i think it's going to be an incredible addition to the

stratford olympic park. because this is one of the — stratford olympic park. because this is one of the problems _ stratford olympic park. because this is one of the problems with - stratford olympic park. because this is one of the problems with a - stratford olympic park. because this is one of the problems with a lot - stratford olympic park. because this is one of the problems with a lot of i is one of the problems with a lot of the collections people build up over their lives. particularly musicians, artists, theatre directors, film directors, actors etc, vast swathe of stuff, somebody comes along, often an academic institution, scripted up, gets a transported and it's there for people who want to search it out and research it but it's really behind closed doors for everybody else. this is potentially quite an ambitious idea. it certainly is ambitious and as you see a lot of times archives get stuck in cupboards, covered in mothballs etc. but with bowie, it is of the utmost importance given the cultural significance that are going to be on display such as these ed stardust costumes and the lyrics from songs like ashes to ashes, fame, heroes, considering their cultural impact, it is going to be such a great thing and that's why

it's of the utmost importance they have done this. do it's of the utmost importance they have done this.— have done this. do you think he still has something _ have done this. do you think he still has something to - have done this. do you think he still has something to teach - still has something to teach musicians today? i still has something to teach musicians today?— still has something to teach musicians toda ? ~' ., , musicians today? i think he does. from the off _ musicians today? i think he does. from the off what _ musicians today? i think he does. from the off what he _ musicians today? i think he does. from the off what he taught - musicians today? i think he does. j from the off what he taught them musicians today? i think he does. i from the off what he taught them is this kind of chameleon nature that was within him. his first break—out moment on 199072 on top of the pops when he performed as ziggy stardust and he looked down the camera with mick ronson, in terms of performance but reinvention and away he is consistently changed performance and the way he presented himself publicly, i think a few artists have managed to do that in a way like that ever since. hopefully he can teach the next generation the secret of keeping it fresh, transforming and building an incredible legacy and building an incredible legacy and persona in this archive will certainly help with that. having the self-confidence _

certainly help with that. having the self-confidence and _ certainly help with that. having the self-confidence and nerve - certainly help with that. having the self-confidence and nerve to - self—confidence and nerve to reinvent, there can be casualties. i remember talking to one of the musicians who had been one of the spiders who recalled throwing a drumstick at him onstage when he announced to the audience the band were breaking up when he had not told the band. there is no doubt he challenged people, knew people were enthused but some people are left behind. , . . , ., behind. they certainly were and erha -s behind. they certainly were and perhaps that — behind. they certainly were and perhaps that is _ behind. they certainly were and perhaps that is part _ behind. they certainly were and perhaps that is part of - behind. they certainly were and perhaps that is part of his - behind. they certainly were and l perhaps that is part of his genius. people say you have to be uncompromising in some cases if you are so steadfastly ahead, wanting to go a certain way. you have got an ambition, that's the kind of cost of genius some argue that some will be left behind and in barry's case, —— bowie's case that is certainly the price for it. taste bowie's case that is certainly the price for it— price for it. we do not have too lona to price for it. we do not have too long to wait. — price for it. we do not have too long to wait, two _ price for it. we do not have too long to wait, two years - price for it. we do not have too long to wait, two years will- price for it. we do not have too long to wait, two years will go l long to wait, two years will go quickly. lovely to speak to you. thanks very much.

an island off north wales has become the first place in europe to be made an international dark sky sanctuary. ynys enlli, known in english as bardsey island, joins only 16 other sites around the word to meet the strict criteria which require areas to be exceptionally dark and remote, giving them the world's clearest night skies. nia cerys reports. as the sun goes down, enlli's sky comes to life and the international dark sky association agree that it's something pretty special. this is the first dark sky sanctuary in europe. there are only 16 others worldwide and they all have to meet strict criteria. any outside lights have to point downwards, with an orange glow rather than white or blue.

light pollution is skyrocketing, according to scientists. in the last 12 years, the night sky has brightened by 10% each year. enlli is around two miles across from the llyn peninsula here. that's one reason why it's so dark there. the mountain on the island stops most of the light from the mainland and the biggest source of light pollution comes from dublin, which is 70 miles away across the irish sea. there are some dark sky places and parks already, but what's special about this is that it's a sanctuary, which is even darker. i think it will be very beneficial for wales if we're renowned for our dark skies. evidence suggests there were people living on the island, also known as bardsey, as far back as the sixth century. what they saw at night is probably still quite similar to what we see today. only a few people live on enlli now and visitors are only allowed between march and october. it's hoped that this new status will help protect

as well as enhance the island. we've got a long—term vision and commitment to having a thriving community and economy on enlli that is respectful and protects the uniqueness of what enlli has in terms of our natural environment, our economic heritage, our spiritual heritage, and the dark skies really brings all of that together. enlli is certainly unique and the aim is to celebrate its dark skies and special qualities for years to come. if you have been with me all afternoon thank you for your company. we will be joining afternoon thank you for your company. we will bejoining reeta chakrabarti in a few moments but let me leave you with the weather. it has been a very dry february so farfor much of it has been a very dry february so far for much of the it has been a very dry february so farfor much of the uk and it has been a very dry february so far for much of the uk and with it has been a very dry february so farfor much of the uk and with high pressure dominating through the weekend into the start of next week again it is largely dry and settled.

it is meteorological spring on wednesday and some lovely springlike scenes coming in from weather watchers across the midlands and wales in particular. plenty of blue sky and sunshine earlier on today. the lion's shower of the sunshine across the central swathe of the uk because we had weather fronts towards the south and the north. that cloud in the north is continuing to sink southwards as we head throughout tonight. the clearest of the skies tonight will tend to be toward southern counties of england and it is here we may see a touch of frost into tomorrow morning with lightening winds. elsewhere largely frost—free, the gales will ease down as we head throughout the night. on friday high pressure towards the west, starts to build in through the weekend, cold front continuing to journey south, this is how we will kick off friday morning. quite a bit of cloud around, outbreaks of drizzle not amounting to much but a passing drizzle through the morning. sunny

spells developed for northern england, scotland and northern ireland. some showers possibly wintry over the hills of scotland. added wind—chill to factor into the temperatures. in theory a bit higher, nine or ten but in practice it will feel colder. that high pressure is set to building through the weekend and very firmly established into the start of next week. looking largely dry and settled but because we are on the edge of the high pressure the cloud towards eastern coastal areas is likely to push its way further west. turning cloudy through the day, still plenty of wind chilled towards north sea facing gusts, it will feel colder than this. one or two showers towards coastal areas. through sunday, more of the same, high pressure firmly centred over us, the chance of one or two showers towards the east but generally should stay dry. high pressure lasting to next

week. temperatures around the seasonal average. week. temperatures around the seasonalaverage. best week. temperatures around the seasonal average. best of the sunshine cloudy and breezy.

today at 6:00... three people are arrested after a police officer is shot and seriously injured in northern ireland. john caldwell was shot multiple times in 0magh last night in front of his son — after coaching young people playing football. at this time, there were many other young people, children, awaiting pick—up by their parents. and those children ran for cover, in sheer terror. fleeing the taliban in afghanistan, or arriving on small boats across the channel — the backlog of people waiting for asylum decisions reaches a record level. we are here live in ukraine on the eve of the first anniversary of russia's invasion. we will hear

personal testimony from both sides of the conflict in