of ai chatbots. right now they're not more intelligent than us, as far as i can tell...but i think they soon may be. as britain prepares for the coronation, princess anne dismissses the idea of a slimmed—down monarchy. and the glamour of new york's met gala — celebrities at fashion's biggest night out celebrate the late designer karl lagerfeld. and coming up on bbc news... leeds director of football victor orta leaves the club. is time up for managerjavi gracia? good afternoon and welcome to the bbc news at one. lucy letby, the nurse accused

of murdering seven babies and trying to kill ten others, has been giving evidence for the first time in her trial. she cried in the witness box and told the jury she only wanted to help and care for the babies she was looking after at the countess of chester hospital. "myjob was my life," she insisted, and said she was traumatised when she was arrested. she denies all the charges against her. this report from ellie price contains some distressing detail. the parents of lucy letby, arriving at manchester crown court. their daughter's trial has been going on for the last six months. today she gave evidence for the first time. fighting back tears she was asked by her defence lawyer ben myers kc how she felt to be accused of killing babies and to have herjob as a nurse taken away from her. letby said it left her feeling very isolated and her mental health deteriorated. she told the court, there were times when i did not want to live, i thought of killing

myself. she was asked why. letby replied, because of what was being inferred. prosecutors allege that from june 2015 to june 2016 inferred. prosecutors allege that from june 2015 tojune 2016 she murdered seven babies and attacked ten others at the countess of chester hospital. she is accused of targeting the infants in subtle ways, including using injections of air and ways, including using injections of airand insulin ways, including using injections of air and insulin poisoning. the 33—year—old has denied all the charges since she was first arrested in july 2018. this charges since she was first arrested injuly 2018. this morning letby was asked about notes she is crippled and why she had written not good enough. she said, ifelt at and why she had written not good enough. she said, i felt at the time that i had done something wrong, i must be such an evil, awful person. i had somehow been incompetent and done something wrong which had affected those babies. she was asked why she wrote, i did this. she said, ifelt i must why she wrote, i did this. she said, i felt i must be responsible why she wrote, i did this. she said, ifelt i must be responsible in some way. i think looking ifelt i must be responsible in some way. ithink looking back ifelt i must be responsible in some way. i think looking back on it now i was really struggling and this was a way of me expressing what i was not able to say to anyone else. letby told jurors she had cared for probably hundreds of babies during

her career and harming them would be completely against what a nurse is. the defence continues this afternoon. ellie price, bbc news. 0ur correspondent rowan bridge is at manchester crown court. rowan, this is lucy letby�*s first appearance in the witness box, tell us more about what she said? that's right, this is the first time we have heard from lucy letby directly in a trial which has lasted more than six months now. she appeared in the court this morning flanked by two female prison, she was wearing a black suit and spoke very quietly when she answered questions from ben myers kc. he asked her what was the impact of the death of a baby on the unit. lucy letby said it was very upsetting, you don't forget things like that, they stay with you... she was also asked what support there was for staff on the unit after the death of a baby, and she said... there was nothing formal, just nurses between ourselves and supporting each other, we leaned on each other. she was askedif we leaned on each other. she was asked if she had friendships with parents who have babies on the unit

and she said, it was only ever professional on the unit, but there had been occasions where she had keptin had been occasions where she had kept in touch with some of them afterwards. she was asked, do you stop being interested in them once they have left the unit? and lucy letby answered no. she was asked about the use of facebook, she said she used facebook on a daily basis, i was always on my phone, she told the court, and she said she would do facebook searches for parents of babies. ijust think facebook searches for parents of babies. i just think out of a general curiosity, when they have been on my mind, she said. lucy letby denies all 22 charges she faces and she will continue giving evidence this afternoon. roman bridge at manchester crown court, thank you very much. unions are meeting in the next hour to decide whether to accept the pay offerfor more than a million nhs staff in england. the meeting involves 1a unions across all nhs staff apart from doctors and dentists. the government is proposing a 5% pay rise for this year and a one—off payment to top up last year's salary.

while most unions are thought to have agreed to the proposals, the royal college of nursing and unite are opposed to them. here's our health correspondentjim reed. car horns hoot. from physiotherapists to ambulance drivers, to nurses, the health service across england has been facing widespread industrial action for months. michelle dilger�*s family say she has had two cancer operations cancelled because of the strikes. i can't really overstate the emotional impact that the cancellations for my mum's operation have had on my wider family, but primarily my mum, who is already fighting so hard for her life. her health is declining in the time it's taken to have these operations scheduled and then cancelled. she shouldn't have to deal with the emotional turmoil that she's been given. this meeting today, though, could be a key moment in this dispute. 1a health unions representing all staff except doctors and dentists are expected to reveal

that overall, a majority have voted to accept the government's pay offer. that is made up of a 5% rise for this year and a cash sum of at least £1,600 for last year. members of unions including unison, the gmb and the royal college of midwives have voted in favour. but others, including the royal college of nursing and unite, which represents ambulance and hospital staff, have rejected it and are warning of more strikes. there will be consultation, people will swap and share figures, report back to the government, but regardless, regardless of the result, we will be issuing notice for further action. the government, though, says this deal is a final offer. if, as expected, most unions accept, it paves the way for ministers and employers to go ahead with the pay rise to all staff on this contract. we are hoping that there

will be a positive outcome for the meeting later today, and that we can implement the deal for all staff, and i need to make that clear. whilst some unions have rejected the deal, if the unions as a collective agree to accept the deal today, it will be paid to all non—medical staff in the nhs. those unions who have rejected the deal can still take strike action. the nurses�* union, though, would need to hold another vote of its members before that can happen, with a pay rise possibly in staff pay packets as early as next month. the result of that ballot is far from certain. jim reed, bbc news. 0ur health correspondent katharine da costa is here. how significant is the meeting this lunchtime? it is certainly seen as a very important moment in the nhs pay dispute. the health secretary, steve barclay, has said he is optimistic that the majority of the 1a unions will back the pay deal and it would

mean it would be paid to all nhs staff in england apart from doctors and dentists, including those who have rejected it. but it may not put an end to all nhs strikes. unite is holding a series of local strikes again today. the rcn mandate ended last night but it has already said that it intends to re—ballot nurses in the next few weeks, and the society of radiographers plans to do the same. but if the pay deal goes through as expected, it could change the overall tone, it could put pressure on unions who are calling for even higher pay rises. ministers are expected to meet the british medical association later to see if the two sides and find a way forward in a separate dispute with junior doctors. the bma is calling for a 35% pay rise, which it says is to make up for 15 years of below inflation rises, which is something the government has said is unaffordable. elsewhere in the uk, pay negotiations are ongoing in wales. in scotland most unions have agreed a pay deal there but the

results of the bma ballot are expected this friday. katharine da costa, expected this friday. katharine da costa. thank _ expected this friday. katharine da costa, thank you _ expected this friday. katharine da costa, thank you very _ expected this friday. katharine da costa, thank you very much, - expected this friday. katharine da costa, thank you very much, our l costa, thank you very much, our health correspondent. schools across england are facing more disruption with a strike by teachers from the national education union. they're taking action in a long—running dispute over pay. all the education unions have rejected the government's pay offer, which ministers say is fair and reasonable. here's our education editor, branwen jeffreys. no education cuts come? the noise around the teacher's' pay row is growing. more strike ballots ahead, the biggest union on strike today. pupils were revising under supervision in this birmingham secondary school. if supervision in this birmingham secondary school.— supervision in this birmingham secondary school. if you extend the line, it should _ secondary school. if you extend the line, it should go _ secondary school. if you extend the line, it should go through _ line, it should go through this point. 0ff line, it should go through this point. off you go, one more time. but the union is allowing some leeway. this maths teacher came in just for his gcse group. for him, the strikes are about more than pay.

the reason i am on strike today is i have seen the funding across schools deteriorate massively over the last decade or so, it is not so much for me around teacher pay or whatever that means addressing, it is more about the funding in schools and the amount that we can do without pupils, the amount of extra curricular activities we can do, we very, very restricted.— very, very restricted. leaving --uils very, very restricted. leaving pupils with — very, very restricted. leaving pupils with mixed _ very, very restricted. leaving pupils with mixed feelings i very, very restricted. leaving pupils with mixed feelings byj very, very restricted. leaving - pupils with mixed feelings by their gcses just two weeks away. i see gcses 'ust two weeks away. i see what gcsesjust two weeks away. i see what the point — gcsesjust two weeks away. i see what the point is _ gcsesjust two weeks away. i see what the point is for, _ gcsesjust two weeks away. i see what the point is for, but - gcsesjust two weeks away. i see what the point is for, but i - gcses just two weeks away. i see what the point is for, but i also think_ what the point is for, but i also think that — what the point is for, but i also think that it is not helpful towards us, because we are missing out on lessons, _ us, because we are missing out on lessons, and — us, because we are missing out on lessons, and for it to be so close to gcses, — lessons, and for it to be so close to gcses, again, it is scary. i to gcses, again, it is scary. think they to gcses, again, it is scary. i think they should come in and teach us but _ think they should come in and teach us but i _ think they should come in and teach us but i think— think they should come in and teach us but i think some _ think they should come in and teach us but i think some teachers - us but i think some teachers do deserve — us but i think some teachers do deserve a — us but i think some teachers do deserve a pav— us but i think some teachers do deserve a pay rise _ us but i think some teachers do deserve a pay rise for— us but i think some teachers do deserve a pay rise for hard - us but i think some teachers do. deserve a pay rise for hard work. us but i think some teachers do i deserve a pay rise for hard work. i feel deserve a pay rise for hard work. feel like it is affecting our learning and we are not going to be able to get the best grades that we should get and that i think we deserve angular classrooms emptied by strikes over teachers pay. the unions say without extra funding,

any increase will squeeze school budgets. but any increase will squeeze school buduets. �* ., ., , ., budgets. but the government argues a £2 billion cash — budgets. but the government argues a £2 billion cash increase _ budgets. but the government argues a £2 billion cash increase next _ budgets. but the government argues a £2 billion cash increase next year - £2 billion cash increase next year is enough. like most secondary schools, it is eerily quiet here today. vulnerable children are in, children of key workers and exam groups. but there are plenty of empty classrooms, too. with children studying at home. and that means across the country, working parents having to make other arrangements. the head teacher worries about making teaching an attractive career. i making teaching an attractive career. ~' , , career. i think it is definitely challenging, it _ career. i think it is definitely challenging, it makes - career. i think it is definitely challenging, it makes it - career. i think it is definitely i challenging, it makes it much, career. i think it is definitely - challenging, it makes it much, much harder— challenging, it makes it much, much harder to _ challenging, it makes it much, much harder to attract the kind of calibre _ harder to attract the kind of calibre of people we want to put in front— calibre of people we want to put in front of— calibre of people we want to put in front of young people there is a duty of— front of young people there is a duty of care of making sure this profession— duty of care of making sure this profession continues to be on that is attractive and has the very best people _ is attractive and has the very best people working in it. the teaching unions are on _ people working in it. the teaching unions are on the _ people working in it. the teaching unions are on the march, - people working in it. the teaching unions are on the march, the - unions are on the march, the government says their threat of

coordinated strikes is unreasonable. branwen jeffreys, coordinated strikes is unreasonable. branwenjeffreys, bbc news. a leading computer engineer at google, widely seen as the godfather of artificial intelligence, has quit his job and issued a warning about its growing dangers. geoffrey hinton, whose pioneering research helped pave the way for al systems, says he now partly regrets his work. he says chatbots may soon become more intelligent than human beings. our technology editor zoe kleinman reports. big tech firms are vying to unleash ever bigger, better and more sophisticated artificial intelligence, or ai, products. they say they will make our lives easier, take the drudgery out of work and free us up to do better things with our time. microsoft has put ai chatbot technology into its office products, it can write powerpoints, can post spreadsheets and summarise meetings. but some experts are urging caution, including the man widely seen as one of the godfathers of ai, geoffrey hinton. things like gpt—ii eclipses

a person in the amount of general knowledge it has, and eclipses them by a long way. given the rate of progress, we expect things to get better quite fast, so, we need to worry about that. right now, they're not more intelligent than us, as far as i can tell. but i think they soon may be. the 75—year—old is retiring from google and says he wants to speak openly about the dangers of ai, some of which he calls quite scary. other experts including the billionaire elon musk have called for al development to be paused for six months until the right safety measures are in place. but geoffrey hinton doesn't think that will work. even if everybody in the us stopped developing it, china would just get a big lead. so, we're not going to stop developing it. a lot of the uses of it are going to be very beneficial, and that is going to encourage people to keep developing it, but we need to think hard about ways in which we develop it where it is not going to get control.

others in the industry feel warnings about al may be coming to late. geoffrey hinton has been working on these technologies for several decades, there are many within the space that have been issuing these warnings for several years, so his own warning does seem to be coming quite late in the day and there is a sense that maybe the genie is out of the bottle now, and there is no accounting for what happens next. there is so much investment money pouring into artificial intelligence projects at the moment that it might be difficult to slow this train down. the worry some have is that before too long it will start building its own tracks and deciding for itself where it wants to go. zoe kleinman, bbc news. the united nations has warned of an all out catastrophe if the fighting in sudan does not end. the head of the un's refugee agency is warning that as many as 800,000 people could flee to neigbouring countries. the foreign secretary james cleverly

says the british government has done the majority of what it needs to do to get british nationals out of sudan. 0ur diplomatic correspondent paul adams is monitoring the situation from kenya's capital nairobi. what is the latest on the people who are fleeing the fighting? ben. what is the latest on the people who are fleeing the fighting?— are fleeing the fighting? ben, with every passing _ are fleeing the fighting? ben, with every passing day. _ are fleeing the fighting? ben, with every passing day, the _ are fleeing the fighting? ben, with every passing day, the scale - are fleeing the fighting? ben, with every passing day, the scale of - are fleeing the fighting? ben, with | every passing day, the scale of this crisis starts to get pretty alarming. the numbers have really jumped in the last couple of days, so the un is now saying that in excess of 100,000 people have fled across the border into egypt and chad, south sudan, by the way, most of those fleeing to south sudan are in fact from south sudan, people who have been living as refugees or migrants in sudan for the last few years. within the country, 334,000 people have been displaced. these are incredible figures when you bear in mind that the bulk of the trouble is taking place in the capital,

khartoum, and also out in the far west in the darfur region where we are beginning to see a really ugly repeat of the kind of ethnic, tribal violence that erupted there back in the early 2000s. those two conflict areas are really generating most of this movement. the agencies are mobilising, but it is a very slow process and the problem is access. for example, the red cross flew eight tonnes of medical supplies into port sudan two days ago and they are all still sitting there in a warehouse because the red cross has not been able to secure safe passage for all of the supplies to get them to where they are needed, primarily initially in khartoum. that is the issue at the moment, it is too insecure, there are not enough guarantees from the warring parties to make sure that medical supplies, food and other badly needed things reach the most important places. so at the moment the international relief effort is,

frankly, rather stymied. the international relief effort is, frankly, ratherstymied. pauli the international relief effort is, frankly, rather stymied. pauladams in nairobi. our top story this lunchtime... lucy letby, the nurse accused of murdering seven babies and trying to kill ten others, tells the jury she only wanted to help and care for the babies she was looking after. she denies all charges against her. and coming up... iam i am alive in wrexham as preparations are under way for a celebratory parade through the city centre to celebrate the club's promotion. coming up on bbc news... mikel arteta still believes the title race is on, his arsenal side can return back to the top of the table with a win over chelsea later on. the gunners were overtaken by manchester city this weekend. with just a few days to go until the coronation, princess anne has dismissed calls for a "slimmed down" monarchy,

saying it doesn't seem like a good idea to her. in an interview with canada's cbc, she says the royal family has to discuss how it will stay relevant, but insists the monarchy still has a lot to offer the country. 0ur royal correspondent nicholas witchell reports. in the potteries and other places in the souvenir business they've been gearing up for this moment for months, turning out the mugs and plates and a host of other goods which commemorate the coronation. it all means jobs and a significant boost for trade. 0n the mall, the first campers have already pitched their tents to be assured of the best view. i've come to support king charles and hopefully get to see him on the balcony. that's my main objective. these are some of the robes which will be worn at some of the most solemn moments of the coronation. 0n the left the super tunica worn at the moment of crowning, and the imperial mantle, a cloak in cloth of gold

which was worn at the crowning of george iv in 1821. so a moment of significance for the monarch and the monarchy. the king's sister, princess anne, has been reflecting on canadian television, first about the kind of king charles will be. well, you know what you're getting because he's been practising for a bit and i don't think he'll change. you know, he is committed to his own level of service and that will remain true. did she think the monarchy could remain relevant in today's world? it is a moment where you need to have that discussion, but i would just underline that the monarchy provides, with the constitution, a degree of long—term stability that is actually quite hard to come by in any other way. we as a family see ourselves as there to support that role. what we do, we hope, contributes to the monarchy.

what about a slimmed down monarchy with fewer working royals? well, i think the "slimmed down" was said in a day when there were a few more people around to make that seem like a justifiable comment. the world changes a bit. it changes a bit, it doesn't sound like a good idea from where i am standing. it is eight months very nearly since the crown passed to charles at the moment of his mother's death. his coronation will be a moment of intense, international focus, both on him and the centuries old institution that he heads. nicholas witchell, bbc news. six cadbury desserts, including heroes and dairy milk buttons, are being recalled because of the possible presence of listeria. listeriosis, which can be found in chilled foods, is a rare infection caused by listeria bacteria. for most people it's not serious. the manufacturer, muller, has advised people not to eat

the products and return them to the shop they were bought in. the oil and gas giant bp has announced stronger—than—expected profits for the first three months of this year. it made £4 billion, down nearly £1 billion on the same period last year, but more than industry experts had been expecting. our business editor, simonjack, is here. simon, these sort of bumper profits always controversial especially when so many people are struggling with their energy bills? yes, i think the site of a company like bp making £4 billion profit in just three months is pretty galling for people who are struggling with energy bills and others. but there is some crumb of comfort in these numbers. bp were actually 20% lower than they were this time last year and that is because the price of oil and that is because the price of oil and gas has fallen quite significantly. datchet eventually, we are waiting for that to happen,

eventually filter through to the rate of inflation we are seeing, which is still in double figures, because the price of oil and gas has a very pervasive effect and gets into the price of all other goods. some have called for higher taxes on the oil and gas industry and the government has already put higher windfall taxes on them and in fact profits are taxed at 75% on all uk based profits, not on global profits, they are taxed elsewhere. it is one of the highest in the world. but they can offset those with new investment in the oil and gas field. some call that a loophole that needs closing and others suggest it is very important for ongoing energy security. 0ne suggest it is very important for ongoing energy security. one thing that bp will come under criticism for universally is it slowed down the pace of its planned transition from fossil fuels to greener energy projects and shareholders and some investors are saying that is

unsatisfactory and there is widespread dissatisfaction are spending more on new oil and gas projects and dividends for shareholders and they are on new lower carbon projects.— shareholders and they are on new lower carbon projects. lower carbon pro'ects. simon jack, our lower carbon pro'ects. simon jack, business — lower carbon projects. simon jack, our business editor. _ some top american chat shows and tv programmes could fall off air after hollywood film and television writers failed to agree a new deal with studios such as disney and netflix. the move is likely to take scripted talk shows off air, and could cause autumn series of popular dramas and comedies to be delayed. 0ur los angeles correspondent sophie long reports. it's been 15 years since writers last closed their laptops and left hollywood's writers' rooms and studios and took to the streets. since then, just as streaming services fundamentally changed the way we watch television, it also changed the way people get paid to make it. writers say they are getting less to do more and some can no longer support themselves by writing alone. we are not neurosurgeons,

we are not, you know, curing cancer, we are all very well aware of that, we are all very well aware of that, but as a person who has turned but as a person who has turned to the comfort of my television to the comfort of my television in times of horror and sorrow in times of horror and sorrow and tragedy, like, we give something and tragedy, like, we give something to our audience that they need to our audience that they need and so i think what we do is special and so i think what we do is special and i think it deservs to be valued and i think it deservs to be valued and i wish we didn't and i wish we didn't have to fight so hard. have to fight so hard. but the studios which produce but the studios which produce the shows once driven by ratings the shows once driven by ratings are now more concerned are now more concerned about profitability and amidst a dip about profitability and amidst a dip in their stock prices all the major in their stock prices all the major players have been cutting costs players have been cutting costs and laying off staff. and laying off staff. we really don't want this to happen we really don't want this to happen but we have to make plans but we have to make plans for the worst and so we do for the worst and so we do have a pretty robust have a pretty robust slate of releases to take slate of releases to take us into the long time, us into the long time, butjust be clear we are at butjust be clear we are at the table and we are going to try the table and we are going to try to get to an agreeable solution. to get to an agreeable solution. the extent of the impact the extent of the impact of the strike all depends of the strike all depends on how long it lasts, on how long it lasts,

but late—night talk shows could drop but late—night talk shows could drop off the air pretty much immediately. what the writers are asking for is not unreasonable and as a proud member of the guild i am very grateful that there is an organisation that looks out for the best interests of writers. writers provide the first building blocks of the industry on which this town was built. when they strike it shakes the foundations. if production slows down or stops, it can affect everyone in the entertainment business from caterers to camera operators. they will have to find some form of compromise if the shows are to go on. sophie long, bbc news, hollywood. thousands of wrexham fans are expected to line the route of an open—top bus parade later on to celebrate the club's return to the football league after 15 years. the players will be joined

by the hollywood stars ryan reynolds and rob mcelhenney who bought the club two years ago and have made a tv series about it. 0ur correspondent liam evans is in wrexham. it is guaranteed to be quite the event here in wrexham this evening, expecting somewhere in the region of 10,000 to 15,000 fans and supporters to line the streets as the open top bus makes its way through the centre of the city down into the centre. the supporters, fans, will be hoping to get a glimpse of the team that have been so integral to ensuring the success of this club and that promotion that has come 15 years since they were regulated. but they will also be hoping to get some sense and some glimpse of the owners, ryan reynolds and rob macaire henne. the hollywood owners have really turned this club around and have been integral in ensuring success, ensuring investment into this club. when you talk to fans on

the streets and you asked them what does this recent spell of success, this promotion, mean? it means everything to them. not only to see this play succeed, but to see it thrive. that is also true about the local economy. you ask people what does it mean and it means everything. you don't have to be a football supporter to know how important the success is in wrexham. liam, thank you. the fashion world gathered in new york city last night for the annual met gala, this year themed on the late fashion icon karl lagerfeld. the event, known for its star—studded guest list and extravagant outfits, and it included pearls, starched collars, and black and white to honour the legendary designer. nada tawfik was the story. this does contain some flashing images. shouting. stars at the met gala are usually asked to interpret a theme. this year there were simply told to dress in honour of one man,

the late fashion designer karl lagerfeld. many of his muses borrowed from chanel�*s archives. model naomi campbell wore a 2010 couture pink gown and actor penelope cruz chose a vintage piece with a sequined hood. this is actually a genuine karl piece from the museum from 1983, so it's his actual dress so we could hardly alter it. 0thers channelled lagerfeld's own personal style, the crisp, white shirt and black blazer. and you have the sunglasses, the accessories, down to the shoes. yeah, i mean, you know karl, he would always wear his gloves but i wished i could have a little bling, the rings here. at first it appeared this year would be more understated than most, focusing instead on the iconic looks that marked his career, including the chanel wedding dresses. but there were a few surprises. this is the one bit of theatre

we have had tonight, an homage to karl lagerfeld's much beloved cat choupette. it wasn'tjust gerard leto who went full feline. it took nine hours for lil nas x to turn into a sparkly cat covered in pearls and crystals, and rapper doja cat transformed herself with a prosthetic nose. i want to have fun, this is my first gala, so i wanted to do it big. it was hardly a first for rhianna whose extravagant looks have become a staple of this event. she arrived fashionably late in a floral cape that highlighted her baby bump, another met gala in the books and once again rhianna stole the show. nada tawfik, bbc news, at the met gala. 0ur our own fashion icon is here with the weather now. if i had known i would have won something more extravagant than just pastel colours.