this is bbc news, broadcasting in the uk and around the globe i'm geeta guru—murthy. our top stories: the bank of england is expected to increase interest rates for an 11th consecutive time, following an unexpected jump in inflation in the uk. the french president defends his decision to push through unpopular pension reforms, as another day of strikes and protests begins across the country. translation: the more we wait, the more it will get worse, - and so this reform is necessary. and i say this to the french people — i don't enjoy doing this, i would have preferred not to do this, but it is also because of a sense of responsibility. on the frontline in southern ukraine, where troops loyal to kyiv are holding their defences, despite constant attacks

from russian shelling. those two russian shells that have just come in, i think it's tank fire, and being very close to these positions gives you an idea of how exposed it is here. and the world's first sd—printed rocket makes it off the launch pad but fails to reach orbit. hello and welcome to bbc news. tokyo's nikkei index has opened lower, following losses on wall street, after the us central bank announced another rise in interest rates.

the federal reserve increased its key lending rate by a quarter of a percent on wednesday, despite fears it could add to instability in the banking system. but the fed chairman spoke to reassure the public. our banking system is sound and resilient, with strong capital and liquidity. we will continue to closely monitor conditions in the banking system and are prepared to use all of our tools, as needed, to keep it safe and sound. in addition, we are committed to learning the lessons from this episode and to work to prevent episodes, events like this from happening again. and in the uk, it's a tricky balancing act for the bank of england at the moment as, last month, they predicted that the rate at which prices are rising had peaked. but yesterday, we learned that inflation unexpectedly rose to 10.4% in february, a near ito—year high. the spike was driven by soaring food prices, which are still rising faster than at any time in the last 45 years. and it means the uk has the highest inflation of all the major

economies in the g7 — the only one still in double figures. the bank is due to make a decision on interest rates at midday today. the current base rate is at $% and has gone up ten times in a row since december 2021. let's cross now to our business correspondent hannah miller in salford. how is all this affecting homeowners, people across the country, where we could see another rate rise today? i think there will be many people who look at this and think, my life is already quite difficult, keeping to a budget. why is the bank of england going to make it even more difficult for me? there are about 1.8 million peoplejust if we look at mortgages who will be expecting to renegotiate over the course of this year. and many of them will expect to see their payments jump massively if this rate rise goes ahead, even because the rate rises that as you say i have already been happening. they have been going on since december 2021

and the bank of england say, we are onlyjust starting to see the effect of that on economy. this is of that on the economy. this is something that will drip through over the coming months. we will see what they say later about whether we are reaching the peak now of interest rates, it is predicted they might peak at 4.5%. but i have been speaking to a people at a factory in west midlands to see how worried the west midlands to see how worried they were about interest rates possibly going up again. at this chemical factory in west bromwich, interest rates affect what many staff can afford. so, we've got reactors all down here, we've got 1—4. and people like sam are waiting to see how the bank of england reacts as the cost of living continues to rise. it's a bad thing for anybody trying to get on the property ladder. interest rates going up, i suppose it benefits those with all the savings. but for most young people sort of starting out in life,

it seems to hit us the most. it is very difficult. we have to cut down on the way we live. we can't go out as much as we used to. we can't have as many takeaways. we can't go to the attractions and whatever that we used to. it's definitely a hit on our quality of life. by putting household budgets under even more pressure, the bank of england believes raising interest rates can bring prices down. but for people like melissa, who is already in debt, it could make paying that off even more expensive. obviously, i have an overdraft. that is what i reach now into every month. i discuss it with my partner regularly. how are we going to get out of this rut? after cycling around debt. ijust cycling around debt. how would you feel if interest rates do go up again? it's just prolonging that cycle. yeah, i... but also, at this point, i wouldn't be shocked, because there is nothing out there giving me hope. to go up again would just...

just another slap in the face, really. her colleague aiden is more helpful. it will definitely come to an end. the question more is when it will come to an end. - i am quite hopeful that right now, it's at its worst and i think it - will definitely get better. it's just a matter of when, really. today, the focus will be on how to balance people's different needs as the bank of england works out how best to bring down prices without eroding the economy further. one thing that came across is that many people are not paying really close attention to interest rates, but it is one of those things that when it affects you, it can really hit you in a very big way and that will be the worry for many families when they come to renegotiate mortgages or when they are looking at paying off debts over the coming months and year or so. and what is the wider effect on the economy? the idea of raising interest rates as it makes it more expensive for us all to burrow, that effectively gives us less money in our pockets,

and the idea that it will bring down the price rises that we have been seen, particularly at the moment as we heard yesterday driven by rising prices and food. it of course can have an effect and make it more difficult for businesses who are perhaps looking to borrow or to invest. the bank of england will be worried about the impact it could have on growth, which it wants to see to kind of re—boost the economy. and that is really why this is such a balancing act today. at the same time, we have stagnant growth in the uk. financialfragility around time, we have stagnant growth in the uk. financial fragility around the entire world. and then those price rises that are making life so difficult for many families across the country. 0k, the country. ok, thanks very much indeed, hannah miller in salford. french president emmanuel macron has defended his decision to push through an unpopular reform to the pension system, despite a wave of protests across the country.

in a television interview on wednesday, he said pushing up the pension age from 62 to 64 was a necessity, in order to protect the system for future generations. translation: there aren't a hundred solutions if we want the pensions - system to be balanced. it no longer is. and the more we wait, the more it will get worse. and so, this reform is necessary. and i say this to the french people — i don't enjoy doing this, i would have preferred not to do this, but it is also because of a sense of responsibility. well, a new day of protests has been called for thursday, and there are concerns about security for king charles�*s upcoming state visit. i'm joined now by our paris correspondent, hugh schofield. what are we seeing today, what is the continued level of public interest, public support for these protests? interest, public support for these rotests? ~ , , protests? well, still very high, the number of people _ protests? well, still very high, the number of people who _ protests? well, still very high, the number of people who oppose - protests? well, still very high, the number of people who oppose the | number of people who oppose the reform is still up in the 60%, 70% bracket. by extension, the number of people who support the actions is very high and today, we will see the

ninth day in this campaign of strikes and protests, demonstrations. the difference being that now of course, it comes after the crucial moment last week when president macron decided to push through this bill avoiding a vote on the tax in parliament, which was seen by opponents as a provocation and a decision to override popular will and parliamentary will. rightly or wrongly, that is the interpretation and that is what is giving the protest movement and added zest and an added determination today. so we will see big demonstrations across the country. i havejust been reading at charles de gaulle airport, there is a protest on the motorway or roads leading into it which has led to pictures of desperate travellers dragging their luggage along roads because they can't have access by taxi or car to the airport now. i am sure that will be cleared soon. but right now, it is causing problems. and a little lightning while actions

like that will be commonplace today, with the underlying risk, and this is what everyone is warning about, of them turning nasty and turning violent. we have seen that sporadically in the past few weeks. at the demonstrations. but now there is this sense of among many of the protesters who are saying, well, we have done what we peacefully. but macron, by sticking to his guns, is provoking us. and therefore, don't be surprised if things start radicalising.— be surprised if things start radicalisina. ., ., , . radicalising. how do these french ension radicalising. how do these french pension changes _ radicalising. how do these french pension changes compare - radicalising. how do these french pension changes compare with i pension changes compare with european counterparts? and why are people so angry? is it the fear of having to work longer, is it that they are upset about the financial loss in that phase of life? we are seeing ageing populations everywhere and pension age is potentially being pushed up as well.— and pension age is potentially being pushed up as well. completely and it is a question — pushed up as well. completely and it is a question one _ pushed up as well. completely and it is a question one has _ pushed up as well. completely and it is a question one has to _ pushed up as well. completely and it is a question one has to ask - pushed up as well. completely and it is a question one has to ask oneselfl is a question one has to ask oneself over and over again. is a question one has to ask oneself

overand overagain. i is a question one has to ask oneself over and over again. i think the answer is very complicated. in a way, i put this to people, but i get rather bland cancer. if you are worried about your money, you don't want to retire because automatically when you go on a pension, even a generous pension, you are going to lose money. so having more people working longer means in theory that they are going to have more money for longer. but that is not the way it is seen here. and the truth is, just to take up the first part of your question, france has a much lower retirement age than other countries in europe. which are still moving in an upward direction. up to 67. i think the one difference is that perhaps the french system is peculiar in that you can't do anything except have the french state pension system. i mean, there is no individual pension, or very, very few. in britain, people are in control of their own pensions, they may have a mixed pension of state

and their employer's pension or pots they put aside three investments in various plans. now, none of that is happening here so there is a kind of inevitability, everybody is concerned about pensions and pension ages. if the government says everyone is affected, that is part of it. i think the other part of it is you get this when you took to people in these protests, quickly the subject goes on to other things which people are complaining about and if you talk to a student, it will be about student problems, you talk to a fisherman and it is about problems forfishermen. talk talk to a fisherman and it is about problems for fishermen. talk to anyone and there's a range of problems and it is a general mood in country which is extremely down. find country which is extremely down. and an: . country which is extremely down. and angry- hugh — country which is extremely down. and angry. hugh schofield, in paris, thank you very much. a 28—year—old man will appear in court today charged with the attempted murders of two men who were set on fire after leaving mosques.

mohammed abbkr will appear at birmingham magistrates�* court charged with an attack in edgbaston three days ago and an incident in ealing, west london, last month. he's alleged to have sprayed a substance on the men before setting them alight. borisjohnson's political future hangs in the balance, after he was questioned by mps investigating whether he misled parliament over lockdown parties in downing street. and why. during a three—hour session, the former—prime minister repeatedly denied lying to the commons about events in number 10, and insisted that he believed at the time the gatherings were necessary for work purposes. our political correspondent helen catt reports. i swear by almighty god that the evidence i shall give before this committee shall be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. it is rare for an mp to have to swear on the bible before giving evidence in parliament. but this was, after all, a hearing about truth — mrjohnson adamant he'd told it. i'm here to say to you, hand on heart, that i did not lie

to the house. for around three hours, mps on the privileges committee questioned mrjohnson about why he had told the commons that covid guidance had not been broken in downing street. they showed him photographs like this one, of a leaving do in november 2020, which they said suggested he himself had seen guidance being broken. the guidance does not say you can have a thank—you party and as many people in the room as you like, it's very important to thank people. the guidance doesn't say that. i accept that not everybody is perfectly socially distanced in that picture, but that did not mean to me, when i stood up in the house of commons and said that the guidance was followed completely, i was not thinking of that event and thinking that somehow, that contravened the guidance. absolutely not. we were making a huge effort to follow the guidance. mrjohnson also said that he would believe until the day he died that it had been his job to thank staff, and gatherings to do so had been essential.

would you have advised anyone else in the country, _ if they'd asked you at one of the press conferences i at that time, to have a large social gathering in their garden? - it was not a large social gathering. it was a gathering intended... and i really must insist on this point. people who say that we were partying in lockdown simply do not know what they are talking about. people who say that that event was a purely social gathering are quite wrong. those around mrjohnson believe the hearing went well. well, i thought he gave a very robust defence of himself, actually. i thought he addressed the points very well. i think we also need to remember this is not a reinvestigation of partygate. really, the committee is talking about parliamentary procedure, whether that's been followed or not, and whether the accounts that he had given are correct. mrjohnson's critics took a different view. i got the impression by the end that he knows perfectly well. that the rules weren't followed. he's always known that the rules weren't perfectly followed, - and he's always sort i

of tried to cover it up. it will be for the committee to decide if it thinks mrjohnson committed a contempt, and if it was inadvertent, reckless or deliberate. their report is not expected until late spring or early summer. helen catt, bbc news, westminster. well, in a moment, i'll be speaking to sorisjohnson, supporter, to boris johnson supporter and former conservative mep david campbell bannerman. but first, here's our political correspondent nick eardley. what is the political reaction today after that long hearing tomorrow in terms of how borisjohnson stands now in the political spectrum, how much support there is for him? it is much support there is for him? it is a aood much support there is for him? it 3 a good question, actually, because a combination of that hearing yesterday and the brexit vote where the rebellion led by borisjohnson sort of fizzled out a bit have raised some eyebrows and made some question of maybe his influences not

being what they used to be. in terms of the hearing itself, boris johnson's argument can be broadly summarised as, i told parliament the truth because it was what i believed at the time. and secondly, that those photographs we have all seen, are members of his staff around tables with bottles of prosecco and things like that, that that was essential for work because they had to be in the office anyway. i have got to say, though, listening to the reaction yesterday of some of the members of that committee, i am not sure they were buying a lot of it. harriet harman, the labour chair of the committee, suggested at one point, just looking at my notes, that the evidence was flimsy from mr johnson. bernhard jenkin, a veteran conservative said that mr conservative mp, said that mr johnson had not taken proper advice because he had just spoken to a couple of communication officials are not asked for example the most senior civil servant in the country, the cabinet secretary, whether all the cabinet secretary, whether all the rules and guidance had been

followed. there was also a bit where sir bernhard suggested committee just did not agree with boris johnson's own interpretation of the government's guidance. so this committee will go away and look at the evidence it has gathered, it may look for new evidence as well. i don't think it will be a few weeks yet until we get any sort of report from them, though i do expect it to come before the summer holidays. but based on what we heard yesterday, there are some bad omens for mr johnson in what the committee was suggesting that it was already thinking. if suggesting that it was already thinkina. , . ., suggesting that it was already thinkin. , . ., ., , thinking. if they agreed that it was not perhaps _ thinking. if they agreed that it was not perhaps a _ thinking. if they agreed that it was not perhaps a deliberate _ thinking. if they agreed that it was. not perhaps a deliberate misleading but a reckless misleading of the house of commons, is it likely that they could try and suspend him for ten days and that could potentially come after a vote in the house of commons, it leads to him having to stand again for his own seat?- stand again for his own seat? look, ultimately. — stand again for his own seat? look, ultimately, that _ stand again for his own seat? look, ultimately, that is _ stand again for his own seat? look, ultimately, that is in _ stand again for his own seat? look, ultimately, that is in their - stand again for his own seat? look, ultimately, that is in their hands. i ultimately, that is in their hands. it is hard to second—guess what the

mps will conclude. i think to prove that it had been a deliberate misleading parliament is quite a high bar. that will be more difficult for the committee to conclude. it is more plausible i thinkjust based on what we heard yesterday that they might decide that mrjohnson was reckless in his comments. but again, they will have to decide whether the evidence weighs in that direction. or whether it was accidental mrjohnson misleading parliament. instinctively, i would suggest that if they go for something not on the high end of the scale of misleading, so not deliberately misleading, it is harder to hand out some of the more significant punishments like that ten day suspension from parliament which could trigger a by—election. but i will be honest, it is quite hard to say for sure because ultimately, mps will have to come mps on the committee, seven, four conservative and two labour and one snp, they will have to go away

and decide what they have in front of them, where the balance of evidence lies and ultimately what impact they think that has on the functioning of parliament. and if it is a big problem, they may come up with a more significant punishment. it is all guesswork to snow, though. finally, the current prime minister rishi sunak chose yesterday afternoon during that hearing to release his tax returns. this came about after questions about his wife's college mr schleicher status, she is from a very wealthy billionaire family. it was interesting time —— his wife's non—dom status. interesting time -- his wife's non-dom status.— interesting time -- his wife's non-dom status. , �* , ~ . non-dom status. isn't it “ust? what was it at half— non-dom status. isn't it “ust? what was it at half past h non-dom status. isn't it “ust? what was it at half past four _ non-dom status. isn't itjust? what was it at half past four in _ non-dom status. isn't itjust? what was it at half past four in the - was it at half past four in the afternoon that attracted number 10 to drop that information? we have been promised it for weeks and it came in a very busy news day at westminster which i think cynics would suggest number 10 was hoping it would not become a big news item. it is interesting. we know rishi sunak is extremely wealthy. he

earned a mixture of income and capital gains, just under £5 million in a three year period, he paid over £1 million in tax in that period as well. there is a political question being asked by some in the labour party about whether it is fair that capital gains tax is so much lower as a rate than income tax, which meant that overall, rishi sunak was paying about 22% on his combined income and capital gains. that may well be a question keir starmer is asked about later today when he does asked about later today when he does a press conference. but yes, the timing certainly one of the busiest daysin timing certainly one of the busiest days in the westminster calendar this year, doesn't sound like it was an accident. this year, doesn't sound like it was an accident-— an accident. nick eardley, thanks very much _ an accident. nick eardley, thanks very much indeed. _ an accident. nick eardley, thanks very much indeed. i'm _ an accident. nick eardley, thanks very much indeed. i'm joined - an accident. nick eardley, thanks very much indeed. i'mjoined byl very much indeed. i'm joined by david campbell bannerman. can i quote newspapers that have been supportive of borisjohnson, the telegraph of course which he wrote

about. johnson besieged but defiant. johnson fights for his future. is there a sense the tide is going out on borisjohnson's political career? i don't think so it all, i watched the four hours yesterday, i thought he put up a very robust defence, he was very challenging of some of the allegations made. and to me, in his defence, he talks about it being unfair the process. i think he proved that yesterday. and i came out of it very strongly.— out of it very strongly. camilla tominey in — out of it very strongly. camilla tominey in the _ out of it very strongly. camilla tominey in the telegraph, - out of it very strongly. camilla i tominey in the telegraph, again, out of it very strongly. camilla - tominey in the telegraph, again, a supportive newspaper in the past, said, borisjohnson was struggling to take back control of his own political future. to take back control of his own politicalfuture. he has been very damaged, hasn't he? political future. he has been very damaged, hasn't he?— political future. he has been very damaged, hasn't he? well, he has been attacked. _ damaged, hasn't he? well, he has been attacked. and _ damaged, hasn't he? well, he has been attacked. and he _ damaged, hasn't he? well, he has been attacked. and he has - damaged, hasn't he? well, he has been attacked. and he has been i been attacked. and he has been ruthlessly attacked by many elements who never liked him and never liked brexit and i think it is much bigger thanjust boris and brexit and i think it is much bigger than just boris and the party. i mean, we found out yesterday that the blistered cake was never actually beaten by borrowers, it

stayed in its tupperware box. —— that the blair sneddon cake. things like that have been blown out of all proportion and one hopes that this committee whines it up and we can move on from this.— committee whines it up and we can move on from this. again, i want to uuote move on from this. again, i want to quote another _ move on from this. again, i want to quote another newspaper, - move on from this. again, i want to quote another newspaper, the - move on from this. again, i want to i quote another newspaper, the mirror, which supports the left in this country more. but their front page, just drinks after a difficult day, 20 people were having difficult days, boris. he talked about repeatedly wanting to thank staff and that was the reason for these gatherings. yet we have heard from people like the covid survivors bereavement family groups that they feel the behaviour that went on was insulting and this does matter, it is more about cake and having a drink, it is about his entire responsibility as prime minister at that time. will he accept the findings of this committee? because he was asked about his supporters denigrating the committee in advance of the hearing. denigrating the committee in advance of the hearing-— of the hearing. well, he again apologises — of the hearing. well, he again apologises that _

of the hearing. well, he again apologises that he _ of the hearing. well, he again apologises that he did - of the hearing. well, he again apologises that he did so - of the hearing. well, he again - apologises that he did so yesterday it was on his watch and it was a disgrace what happened. he has apologised before on numerous occasions. but this is about whether he intentionally misled parliament or recklessly. i mean, they have invented this phrase recklessly. it has never been used before. frankly, if that goes through, any minister, any adviser, any official that appears before parliament will be incredibly careful and you will get nothing out of them. it will kill parliament if they are not careful. one final question, if he was to face a by—election, there are a number of steps before it gets to that stage, if he was to lose a seat which he currently represents in the uk, is he permitted to stand in another seat and would he look to do so, do you think?— so, do you think? well, it is all theoretical. _ so, do you think? well, it is all theoretical. obviously - so, do you think? well, it is all theoretical. obviously if - so, do you think? well, it is all theoretical. obviously if the . theoretical. obviously if the committee rules against him, then it goes to parliamentary vote and i hope parliament would be sensible and throw it out or reduce the sentence or whatever it gets

involved with. boris, his career is not over, i think you will come fighting back in whatever capacity. and i think he is defending democracy, he is defending brexit as he voted yesterday against the protocol. boris is not finished. there is more to come from him, i think. , ., ., , think. yes, that vote still went throu . h think. yes, that vote still went through despite _ think. yes, that vote still went through despite a _ think. yes, that vote still went through despite a small - think. yes, that vote still went . through despite a small rebellion. david campbell bannerman, thank you very much indeed. thank you for your time. prince william is on an official two day visit to poland, his visit to the troops in the south east was kept secret for security reasons until he was back in warsaw. we are back in a few minutes with much more news and more on the current economic picture with an expected interest rate decision in

the uk after the fed in the us raised rates yesterday. stay with us, i am back very soon. hello. temperatures may remain higher than normal at the moment. but the conditions out there fairly typical spring, very changeable. an area of low pressure in charge. the satellite picture familiar, cloud swelling around it. these comps are bands of heavy and thundery showers, this one to the south could bring more persistent rain through the afternoon. through the english channel into southern counties of ingrid. away from that, scattering of showers, some heavy and thundery, but it does mean some of you stay largely dry in the afternoon. not many showers across mainland scotland. persistent rain in orkney edging its way toward shetland. and the winds today not as strong across scotland or northern ireland compared with yesterday but still touch—and—go force for parts of england and wales particularly round the hills and coast. those women

still coming in from a south—westerly direction so a good 5 degrees or 6 degrees above where we should become a 15 degrees or 16 degrees across eastern england. but we do finish to the day —— we do finish the day to the south, rush hour can be wet. may be parts of the midlands. heavy rain clears away. showers elsewhere through the evening and overnight. but clearer skies mean slightly cooler night across southern areas compared with last night. so into friday we go. and of the story of sunshine and showers. fairly blustery winds as well. the bulk of the showers across scotland. isolated showers elsewhere. friday, the showers blew more widely across the country and into the afternoon, some become heavy with hale and thunder. a few spots stay dry and still pretty mild evenin spots stay dry and still pretty mild even in that blustery wind. nine to 14 even in that blustery wind. nine to 1a celsius the general highs. an area of low pressure slowly on the move in friday night and into saturday. just got to watch this next approaching weather system for

late in the day. but saturday, another windy day. outbreaks of rain, a fair bit of cloud across england and wales. some sunny spells later. but a cloudy zone with rain turning to sleet and hill snow across scotland into the afternoon. and temperatures here dropping back as we go into the second half of the day. all of us seeing them drop back to what we have got at the moment. what follows is a leap into british summertime. as far as the clock is concerned, at least, clocks go forward on saturday night into sunday morning. but the weather takes a step backwards as low pressure pushes eastwards and we open the door to cold arctic air to give a chilly feeling sunday with wintry showers. take care.

this is bbc news. the headlines: the bank of england is expected to increase interest rates for an 11th consecutive time, following an unexpected jump in inflation in the uk. the french president defends his decision to push through unpopular pension reforms, as another day of strikes and protests begins across the country. on the front line in southern ukraine, where troops loyal to kyiv are holding their defences, despite constant attacks from russian shelling. those two russian shells that have just come in, i think it's tank fire, and being very close to these positions gives you an idea of how exposed it is here. and the world's first

3d—printed rocket makes it off the launch pad but fails to reach orbit. sport and for a full round—up, from the bbc sport centre, here's mike. good morning. the race to buy manchester united, was blown wide open late last night. for so long, it looked as though, the new investment would come, from either qatari banker sheikh jassim or ineos owner sirjim ratcliffe, both with reported world—record bids. before last night's nine o'clock deadline, they had been the only two interested parties to go public and it was understood they'd submitted revised offers. but it later emerged that their bids hadn't been received and that the deadline has now been extended for them and it was then revealed that the deadline had been met by several other potential investors. it's unclear what the new time frame

is for any new offers for the club. i don't want to drag this on. two very interested parties. i think they will come close to the valuation the family once and we will have a deal shortly. —— the family wants. just over 100 days since the end of their world cup, england are preparing to start the journey towards the next major tournament. they're in italy for a euro 2024 qualifier tonight. no england team has won in italy since the early 1960s and even though the italians failed to make the world cup, they are the reigning european champions, having beaten england in the final in 2021. despite that, declan rice feels they've learned from that. even though we lost, as a group of players there was a real belief we can compete with the best. it is down to us to beat a top nation and win a trophy. starting tomorrow night, trying to beat italy and

starting of our campaign well. northern ireland are also in action tonight and are big favourites to open their campaign with a win against san marino who have never won a competitive match in their history. it's michael o'neill's first game back in charge since being re—appointed as manager in december. scotland and wales have their first matches on saturday. now, after scoring twice for his club, brighton, at the weekend, teenager evan ferguson has now scored on his first start for the republic of ireland. they beat latvia 3—2 in a friendly in dublin — ferguson with their second goal. the 18—year—old has now been on target seven times in 20 games in his maiden season with brighton. ireland begin their euro qualifiers on monday against france. what a result for chelsea's women in the quarterfinals of the champions league. they beat the defending champions lyon 1—0 in france — guro reiten with the only goal. both sides hit the post but it's

chelsea with the advantage heading back to stamford bridge next week for the second leg. it was a day to forget for british players in the opening round of the miami open. emma raducanu is out. she was beaten by canada's bianca andreescu in a battle of two, former us open winners. after losing the first set, raducanu won the second to force a decider but fell short, losing it 6—2. defeat too for andy murray — beaten by dusan lajovic of serbia in straight sets. murray did stage a fight back in the second to make it 5—5 and his opponent said he was worried, thinking he's at it again, but this time murray couldn't level it up. kyle edmund also went out, to china's yibing wu. and the will it or won't it debate surrounding whether tyson fury will ever get to fight oleksandr usyk continues, with promoter frank warren, disapointed after his latest talks, last night saying the heavyweight clash is definitely off and he does not think it will happen in the nearfuture. talks over a bout at wembley stadium on 29th april have broken down, despite usyk agreeing to only take

30% of the money generated. the issue seems to be over the split for a second fight, a sequel or rematch, later in the year. fury currently holds the wbc heavyweight belt, while ukraine's usyk, who's beaten britain's anthonyjoshua twice, has the others in the division. but warren said the fight is now a dead duck. in boxing... they have another week until the deadline. who knows whether the duck can be revived. and that's all the sport for now. with less than two years to go until the next general election here in the uk, politicians seek to win voters' confidence. but with trust in politicians steadily declining over decades and recent high—profile cases where the public feels they've been misled by politicians, questions of trust are of a paramount importance. the independent fact—checking charity full fact came up with a list of recommendations to improve the standards of the public debate —

they say that in 2022 as many as 50 mps, including two prime ministers, cabinet and shadow cabinet ministers, failed to correct false, unevidenced or misleading claims. well, i'm please to say will moy, the ceo of full fact, is with us to discus the charity's report and the significance of public trust. how much has trust fallen and what do you think is the fundamental cause? , ., , , do you think is the fundamental cause? , , ,., cause? trust has been stubbornly low for uuite a cause? trust has been stubbornly low for quite a long _ cause? trust has been stubbornly low for quite a long time _ cause? trust has been stubbornly low for quite a long time now. _ cause? trust has been stubbornly low for quite a long time now. if - cause? trust has been stubbornly low for quite a long time now. if you - for quite a long time now. if you asked most of us, do we generally trust politicians to tell the truth? four out of five say we do not. in the last year, if you asked people what is the biggest issue facing britain today, lack of trust in politics and politicians one of the top ten issues people are concerned about. we are seeing the consequences of politicians not being seen as trustworthy and it is

actually damaging faith in democracy and people's willingness to take part in democracy and damaging our ability to make important decisions too. , , ., too. very turbulent in the uk and other parts _ too. very turbulent in the uk and other parts of _ too. very turbulent in the uk and other parts of the _ too. very turbulent in the uk and other parts of the world, - too. very turbulent in the uk and other parts of the world, with - other parts of the world, with brexit, borisjohnson being brexit, boris johnson being questioned brexit, borisjohnson being questioned only yesterday on whether. .. questioned only yesterday on whether... why he misled the house of commons. we saw a lot of financial turmoil after liz truss took office, but alsojeremy corbyn on the left in the labour party was a very controversial and divisive figure on the left. has been a peculiarly turbulent period in the uk? it peculiarly turbulent period in the uk? . ., , ,. uk? it certainly has been peculiarly turbulent but _ uk? it certainly has been peculiarly turbulent but we _ uk? it certainly has been peculiarly turbulent but we have _ uk? it certainly has been peculiarly turbulent but we have been - uk? it certainly has been peculiarly turbulent but we have been fact - turbulent but we have been fact checking since 2010, five prime ministers including mackay including gordon brown, challenged him on some of his claims, but what we have seen consistently over that time is prime ministers and senior politicians on the other side tend to be unwilling

to correct mistakes and correct inaccuracies. —— including gordon brown. that needs to be challenged. it is not ok to have some expectations nicolaou expectations and live down to them. when we point out they have done something wrong, a lot make an effort to correct the record. a lot of too keen to show what the sources are and justify what the sources are and justify what they have set. this is not a report saying none of the mps can be trusted. the report says we have to get better at calling out politicians when they do not behave in a trustworthy way and put better systems into hold on to higher standards. systems into hold on to higher standards-— systems into hold on to higher standards. �* ., ., , ., ., standards. before i ask you what the s stems standards. before i ask you what the systems should _ standards. before i ask you what the systems should be, _ standards. before i ask you what the systems should be, to _ standards. before i ask you what the systems should be, to push - standards. before i ask you what the systems should be, to push back - standards. before i ask you what the systems should be, to push back a l systems should be, to push back a bit, the uk must surely be one of the most honest political systems in the most honest political systems in the world, if you compare globally? and of course there has been a big change in the way politics is reported uncovered and presented because of social media, that is

part of it. because of social media, that is art of it. ., ., , part of it. social media is certainly _ part of it. social media is certainly changing - part of it. social media is certainly changing the i part of it. social media is. certainly changing the way part of it. social media is i certainly changing the way we part of it. social media is - certainly changing the way we do politics and creating a more abusive environment which is why we want to be careful to recognise good work and please do. but when you asked the public about their biggest concerns about public life, telling the truth has consistently come at the truth has consistently come at the top. it is not mps are systematically untrustworthy. it is they are willing or inadvertently misleading often enough but it does not make sense to simply take what they say at face value so it is not honest enough. what we have seen as well is generally deceptive campaign practices that need to be challenged. we have seen people repeatedly making the same false claim even after they have recognised it is not true. we have seen political parties dressing up leaflets to look like independent newspapers. they have been called out not by the newspapers themselves

whose reputation they are damaging. but they'll continue to do those kinds of practices. why would you want to mislead a voter in that way? is that how self—respecting political parties should operate? irate political parties should operate? we will have to leave it, i know you have published some recommendations for change on your website. thank you, the ceo of full fact. thousands of scottish women who were forced to give up their babies for adoption because they were unmarried have received an official government apology. in one of her last acts as first minister, nicola sturgeon said the mothers had been through a living nightmare of shame and grief. our correspondent, duncan kennedy, has followed the women's campaign for recognition and an apology. elspeth, lisa, sharon. some of the 60,000 women in scotland forced to give up their newborn babies for adoption.

give up their newborn babies for ado tion. ~ ., ., give up their newborn babies for adotion. ~ ., , ., adoption. within too, at peace now but 40 years _ adoption. within too, at peace now but 40 years ago — adoption. within too, at peace now but 40 years ago as _ adoption. within too, at peace now but 40 years ago as an _ adoption. within too, at peace now but 40 years ago as an unmarried i but 40 years ago as an unmarried pregnant woman, it was very different. pregnant woman, it was very different-— pregnant woman, it was very different. ., , ., ., , different. the worst of it was the experience _ different. the worst of it was the experience when _ different. the worst of it was the experience when i _ different. the worst of it was the experience when i went - different. the worst of it was the experience when i went to i different. the worst of it was the i experience when i went to hospital. like those thousands of other young women from the 50s, 60s and 70s, she was shunned by everyone around her, including staff at the nhs hospital she went to give birth in. the circumstances _ she went to give birth in. the circumstances of _ she went to give birth in. the circumstances of the - she went to give birth in. tue: circumstances of the delivery she went to give birth in. t'te: circumstances of the delivery were brutal. the way i was treated when i arrived in hospital was brutal. and it was shocking to me to be treated like that and the nhs._ like that and the nhs. during and after delivery. — like that and the nhs. during and after delivery, she _ like that and the nhs. during and after delivery, she was _ like that and the nhs. during and after delivery, she was given i like that and the nhs. during and after delivery, she was given no | after delivery, she was given no pain relief and despite her screams, she had stitches without anaesthetic. she was left abandoned, alone in a room. i had a very thin covering, my memory thinks it is a sheet, but not sure if it was a sheet, but not sure if it was a sheet or paper. it was very cold. i

was very, very cold. i was left there for four hours. you used a word when you were giving birth to describe your experience, what was that? i describe your experience, what was that? , ., ., that? i used the word torture. it was painful _ that? i used the word torture. it was painful but _ that? i used the word torture. it was painful but it _ that? i used the word torture. it was painful but it wasn't - that? i used the word torture. it was painful but it wasn't the i that? i used the word torture. it| was painful but it wasn't the pain that was the issue, it was that you know someone is hurting you, you know someone is hurting you, you know they are hurting you and they don't care, they are doing what they are doing almost deliberately hurting you, i think that is torture. ~ ., torture. do you think he did that because you _ torture. do you think he did that because you were _ torture. do you think he did that because you were unmarried? i | torture. do you think he did that i because you were unmarried? i do. the question _ because you were unmarried? i do. the question that _ because you were unmarried? i do. the question that is _ because you were unmarried? t if the question that is difficult for us to fatten is, how do good people and most people are good people, how do good people get persuaded in theirjobs to do things like that —— fathom. theirjobs to do things like that -- fathom. ~ ., , theirjobs to do things like that -- fathom. ~ . , , theirjobs to do things like that -- fathom. . . , , , ., fathom. when was the first time you saw our fathom. when was the first time you saw your baby? _ fathom. when was the first time you saw your baby? i _ fathom. when was the first time you saw your baby? i never _ fathom. when was the first time you saw your baby? i never saw - fathom. when was the first time you saw your baby? i never saw my i fathom. when was the first time you saw your baby? i never saw my baby j saw your baby? i never saw my baby as a baby. — saw your baby? i never saw my baby as a baby. i — saw your baby? i never saw my baby as a baby. i saw _ saw your baby? i never saw my baby as a baby, i saw my _ saw your baby? i never saw my baby as a baby, i saw my son _ saw your baby? i never saw my baby as a baby, i saw my son when i saw your baby? i never saw my baby as a baby, i saw my son when he i saw your baby? i never saw my baby | as a baby, i saw my son when he was as a baby, i saw my son when he was a grown man, 31 years old. did as a baby, i saw my son when he was a grown man, 31 years old.— a grown man, 31 years old. did you live our a grown man, 31 years old. did you

give your baby _ a grown man, 31 years old. did you give your baby away? _ a grown man, 31 years old. did you give your baby away? i _ a grown man, 31 years old. did you give your baby away? i did - a grown man, 31 years old. did you give your baby away? i did not. i a grown man, 31 years old. did you| give your baby away? i did not. the horror of what _ give your baby away? i did not. the horror of what to _ give your baby away? i did not. the horror of what to these _ give your baby away? i did not. the horror of what to these women i give your baby away? i did not. the horror of what to these women is i horror of what to these women is almost impossible to comprehend. jeannot and others campaigned for years to get an apology for the treatment they received and the pressure they were put under to hand over their babies. now finally they have been given one. to over their babies. now finally they have been given one.— over their babies. now finally they have been given one. to the mothers who had their — have been given one. to the mothers who had their babies _ have been given one. to the mothers who had their babies taken _ have been given one. to the mothers who had their babies taken away i have been given one. to the mothers| who had their babies taken away from them, _ who had their babies taken away from them, to— who had their babies taken away from them, to the sons and daughters separated — them, to the sons and daughters separated from their parents, the fathers _ separated from their parents, the fathers denied their rights, and to the families who have lived with the legacy. _ the families who have lived with the legacy. for— the families who have lived with the legacy, for the decades of pain you have suffered, i offer today a sincere — have suffered, i offer today a sincere heartfelt and unreserved apology — sincere heartfelt and unreserved apology. we are sorry. applause the power of one word. we have had

the apology. got there in the end. yes. ~ ., ., , the apology. got there in the end. yes. . . ., , . as the apology. got there in the end. yes-_ as we i the apology. got there in the end. i yes._ as we said, yes. what does it mean? as we said, i have no yes. what does it mean? as we said, i have no longer— yes. what does it mean? as we said, i have no longer got _ yes. what does it mean? as we said, i have no longer got to _ yes. what does it mean? as we said, i have no longer got to use _ yes. what does it mean? as we said, i have no longer got to use that i i have no longer got to use that phrase i gave up my baby for adoption, because the responsibility has passed now. the shame has be transferred to the government, the power has been transferred back to us. he power has been transferred back to us. ., power has been transferred back to us. ., ., power has been transferred back to us. ., ., ., ., us. he went on to have other children and _ us. he went on to have other children and you _ us. he went on to have other children and you were - us. he went on to have other i children and you were reunited with your son. what did this whole experience of forced adoption due to you? t experience of forced adoption due to ou? , , , ., , , you? i missed first words, first ste s, you? i missed first words, first steps. going — you? i missed first words, first steps. going to _ you? i missed first words, first steps, going to school, - you? i missed first words, first steps, going to school, those i you? i missed first words, first i steps, going to school, those lovely landmarks parents have. but what i really grieve was not being there for my son when things were difficult, not being there to pick up difficult, not being there to pick up the pieces of that and hold him back up, that is the pit... there is a prolonged brief about —— grief about and loss about and that i could not do better —— that is the

bit. could not do better -- that is the bit. , .., could not do better -- that is the bit. , .. , eight people remain in hospital after a ship tipped over at an edinburgh dockyard. the research vessel petrel was in a dry dock in leith when it became dislodged from its holding and slipped to a 45 degree angle. the health and safety executive said investigations into the cause are ongoing. i'm joined now by our scotland correspondent james shaw who is there. the theory is, not confirmed, that because there were high winds on this part of the firth of forth yesterday morning, and this is a delicate structure, a high structure, possibly with a high centre of gravity, that might have meant somehow the holdings holding the vessel, in the dry dock, might have come loose between eight and 830 yesterday morning. the accident

started to happen then. it seems there were quite a lot of people around the vessel, on eight and around the vessel, on eight and around it, because 35 people were injured, 23 taken to hospital, and of those, our understanding at the moment is eight are still in hospital at the moment —— on it. let us have a closer look at the vessel. let us zoom in on the research vessel, perhaps you can see the helipad, the white structure, to the left at the front end of the vessel. you can see very clearly it is at a pretty extreme angle, about 45 degrees. that does not seem to be that much activity around it. a couple of people with green fluorescent jackets walking couple of people with green fluorescentjackets walking around the outside of the hull a few minutes ago. clearly this will be a big operation, big investigation possibly by the health and safety

executive, to look into exactly what happened because it was a huge emergency. large numbers of emergency. large numbers of emergency vehicles, ambulances, air ambulance, police and and fire service, all in. hospitals were at a high state of alert and worried they might not have capacity for the normal cases they would be taking in. it was a very big incident. as far as we know, there has been no loss of life. we have no reports of loss of life. we have no reports of loss of life or anyone in a critical mayor life threatening condition in hospital, but that mightjust be a matter of luck because when the vessel moved, there was scaffolding on it, people may have been high up on it, people may have been high up on the superstructure, they may have fallen onto the dock and that could possibly explain why some people were seriously injured. these kinds of things are not supposed to happen in modern docks with the kinds of

health and safety regime is operating. but it has happened, for whatever reason, possibly because of the high wind. the authorities, health and safety executive, they will want to understand exactly why this happened to attempt to prevent something similar happening in the future. , ., , something similar happening in the future. , . , . no amount of money can undo the trauma of being caught up in a terror attack, or bring back a loved one, but it can cover bills for victims who can no longer work, and pay for therapy or even funerals. but the bbc has been told the government's compensation scheme is broken. the campaign group survivors against terror says the process is stressful, demeaning, and that it magnifies the initial pain of the attack. jayne mccubbin has been speaking to three terrorism survivors about their experiences. i lost the person i was. myjob. my working life. my career. at the mem arena in manchester, a bomb'sjust gone off in the foyer.

0k. the greatest loss was the love of my life, my elaine. i've seen this kid curled up in a ball in the shower. can't get the screams out of my head. she describes the blood on her feet and she can still feel it. when zoe and paul experienced the very worst, they thought their government would be there. instead, they say they felt abandoned. we've received nothing, absolutely nothing. i thought, this is... this is it. my life... my life is over. these were the last photographs taken by zoe of her daughter millie in tunisia 2015, just before their life changed forever. we were playing darts by the pool. it was like a pop, pop, pop noise coming from the beach. and i knew even then, i knew what it was. a lone gunman killed

38 people that day. as holidaymakers fled, the family was separated. millie was chased along a hotel corridor, where the gunman threw a grenade. for a time, that cost her her hearing. just... it'sjust horrific. it's completely changed her life. when she returned home, prime minister david cameron sent this letter and a promise. "i am determined the government does everything it can to support "you, to make sure the government provides the best possible support." instead, they say they have had to fight for compensation and therapy. how are you? good. how are you? today, millie is trying to rebuild her life in america, still unable to talk about what happened in sousse. millie started with panic attacks about a month after the attack, and they've never stopped. she's never had any real treatment, therapy. it's like nobody cares. what we all went i through was horrific. and the fact that we i

aren't being helped is, in my opinion, offensive. our hearts all go out to the victims of these appalling terrorist acts. our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and with their friends, families and loved ones. sympathy is never in short supply when there is yet another terror attack. but campaign group survivors against terror say victims are consistently let down by the cica, the criminal injuries compensation authority. paul's partner, elaine, was killed in the manchester arena bomb attack. he spent eight months in hospital recovering from his own extensive injuries. while still in hospital, people told me there was, you know... ..the whole nation were behind the people who'd lost or injured. you won't have anything to worry about. you just concentrate on getting getting better

and getting over this. and it never happened. i came out in february to nothing. the first letter, on top. paul shows me almost four years' worth of correspondence fighting for compensation. june �*22. "we are ready to assess your application for compensation. "you told us you sustained injuries." that's. .. that's just worded totally wrong. well, the cica is set up for injuries, you know, fights outside pubs, you know, crash—for—cash claims, they sort of view you as... you're on the make. yes. yes, very much so. and that's how they make me feel. survivors against terror say this system isn't what the public would expect and is not what survivors deserve. it's a nightmare. most of the organisations i've come across, i've just stumbled across or i've found myself.

late last year, paul appeared on the bbc breakfast sofa. and suddenly... yeah. ..everything changed. yeah. the same day, my solicitor received a phone call. it shouldn't take sitting on the red sofa to make the cica take action. the ministry ofjustice told us, "the criminal injuries compensation "scheme is one of the most generous in the world. "but we know more must be done to support victims of terrorism, "which is why the government is reviewing the support available." everything went so quick, but i've been stabbed in my stomach, in my lung at the back and on my face as well. when marine, a french national, was stabbed in the london bridge terror attack in 2017, her government was proactive in offering fast financial, practical and psychological support. we receive a lump sum for in advance of the compensation,

which will come after. i had a psychologist coming to my home actually every week. it was all organised. it's kind of simple, when you think about it, but it's what it should be. she was one of a group of campaigners who, this week, went to westminster to demand change — a survivors�* charter, one which alleviates the pain of an attack, instead of magnifying it. access to nature should be a human right, according to 100 citizens who today publish a people's plan for restoring nature. they're calling for urgent action on everything from restoring the health of rivers and wetlands, to food hubs for locally—grown food. our science correspondent, helen briggs, met one of the people taking part.

come down here and just sort of escape it all... rebecca has been visiting the fields near her oxfordshire home since she was a child. growing up with nature on my doorstep, we've always enjoyed being in and around it and it does need to be protected. it's really scary to think what the children of today are going to grow up in. so when she was randomly selected to be part of the people's plan for nature, shejumped at the chance. the plan goes across lots of different things. it's everyone's responsibility to get involved and take part, make those little changes. at this hotel in birmingham, 100 people from across the uk have been meeting over the past year to share ideas and devise their own plan for bringing wildlife back from the brink. and they're calling for a complete overhaul in the way we treat nature, from the food we eat and how we use the land, to tougher action on preventing pollution. here at the university of reading, scientists have been monitoring declines in plants and animals on home soilfor decades, and they say nature's

in a lamentable state. despite the number of plans that we've had, the government haven't met targets for restoring nature. there are 70,000 species in the uk — from fungi, plants, insects and mammals, and around two fifths of those are in decline. a people's plan for nature is really important because it allows civil society and business and government to work together, towards a shared goal. what's the main message from ordinary people about what we need to be doing to restore nature? just any little change, you can help and do, do it, i think would be it. it's no change is too small. our islands are known for their natural wonders, from bluebells, to butterflies and badgers, but experts say reversing decades of devastating losses will involve efforts from every one of us, on a scale we've never seen before.

helen briggs, bbc news, in the thames valley. temperatures may remain higher than normal— temperatures may remain higher than normal at _ temperatures may remain higher than normal at the — temperatures may remain higher than normal at the moment _ temperatures may remain higher than normal at the moment but _ temperatures may remain higher than normal at the moment but conditionsl normal at the moment but conditions are fairly— normal at the moment but conditions are fairly typicat _ normal at the moment but conditions are fairly typical-— are fairly typical. fairly changeable. _ are fairly typical. fairly changeable. cloud i are fairly typical. fairly i changeable. cloud swirling are fairly typical. fairly _ changeable. cloud swirling around, bands of heavy and thundery showers, this to the south could bring more persistent rain in the afternoon. from the english channel in the southern counties of england. away from that, scattering of shells, some heavy and thundery. some staying largely dry —— scattering of showers. persistent rain in orkney edging towards shetland. the wind is not as strong as yesterday but still touching gale force for england and wales particularly on the hills and the coast. south—westerly winds, five, 6 degrees above where we

should be. we do finish the day to the south, evening rush hour could be wet. the heavy rain clears away, showers elsewhere in the evening and overnight. but clearer skies mean it will be slightly cooler across southern areas compared to last night. friday, another story of sunshine and showers, fairly blustery winds as well. the bulk of the showers to begin with across scotland, isolated ones elsewhere, showers more widely in the afternoon and some becoming heavy with hail and some becoming heavy with hail and thunder, a few spots staying dry and thunder, a few spots staying dry and pretty mild even in the blustery wind. area of low pressure slowly on the move friday night into saturday, got to watch the next weather system late in the day, but saturday, another windy day, outbreaks of rain, a fair bit of cloud in england

and wales, some sunny later. rain turning to sleet and hail snow in scotland in the afternoon. temperatures dropping back in the second half of the day. all of us seeing the temperatures drop back a little bit. leaping into british summer time as little bit. leaping into british summertime as faras little bit. leaping into british summer time as far as the clocks are concerned at least, clocks go forward into sunday morning, but the weather takes a step backwards as low pressure and arctic air on sunday bring wintry showers too. take care.

this is bbc news broadcasting in the uk and around the globe. i'm geeta guru—murthy. our top stories: the bank of england is expected to increase interest rates for an eleventh consecutive time, following an unexpected jump in inflation in the uk. the french president defends his decision to push through unpopular pension reforms, as another day of strikes and protests begins across the country. on the frontline in southern ukraine, where troops loyal to kyiv are holding their defences, despite constant attacks from russian shelling. those two russian shells that have come in, i think it's tank fire, and i think being very close to these positions gives you an idea how exposed it is here.