this is bbc news, the headlines here in the uk lucy letby, the nurse accused of murdering seven more than a million nhs staff i did get a 5% pay rise after union backs the government deal. here in the uk lucy letby, the nurse accused of murdering seven babies and trying to kill ten others, gives evidence for the first time in her trial. dismissing calls for a diminished monarchy at the coronation this weekend. white powder ponytails, fingerless gloves and the net, 2023, the stars pay tribute to the late

fashion icon. here in the uk, 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. she was looking after at 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 her job 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 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 insulin poisoning. the 33—year—old has denied all the charges since she was first arrested in july 2018. this morning, letby was asked about notes she scribbled 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, i felt 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. what a today was a significant moment in this case. and the first time they heard from the woman at the centre of the case and she appeared in court wearing a dark suit was flanked by two female prison officers and she became visibly upset while giving evidence when questioned and ben myers did not mince his words, he got directly to the chase, have you, he asked her directly, have you ever harmed the child into which she said no, that is completely against what a nurse is, only wanted to help and for them. they also had several notes that were scrawled on the hand and one of them she had written was i do

not know if i killed them, may i did. maybe this is all done to be and ellsworth said, i want to die. lucy letby set the time she written the notes that she had hated her stuff and she scrawled on the thoughts as they came to a head and she said they could not be the same again after the allegations were made against him. and talking about facebook searches, how carried out hundreds of facebook searches and june 2016 and carrying out the attacks. and was asked specifically about how she searched for one of the names where the children she is accused of murdering was asked if there was any significance to that and she said no, is to set of general curiosity. lucy letby denies all 22 charges she faces and she'll be back in the witness box later week. be back in the witness box later this week. the government has again stressed it's made a "good" pay

offer to teachers, as thousands of members of the national education union in england stage another strike. all the education unions have rejected the offer, and say they'll ballot for more walkouts. 0ur correspondent louisa pilbeam sent this update from outside the department of education in central london. the teachers, thousands of teachers who were here early in the department for education of moved on to downing street where they admit their demands clear and they want a bad inflation pay rise. currently sitting at 10.1% by the government, they have actually given them an offer which they say is fair and reasonable and that offer includes a £1000 one—off payment for this school year in from september, it will be a 11.5 on average pay rise for teachers. will be a 11.5 on average pay rise forteachers. but will be a 11.5 on average pay rise for teachers. but teachers of turned that down, hence the action today in future action with talks between the two sides have completely broken down from the governments point of

view, they've actually withdrawn that original offer and it was a poignant moment an earlier or outside, the education department after ruth perry, the head teacher who killed of after reports that her school was the lowest possible rating. a sensitive moment there and i'm speaking to teachers who said they cannot afford to pay their bills and their struggling and in theirjobs, they have a huge level of responsibility to teach the future generations. talks have completely broken down here between teachers and the government and so, there will be more strike action involving the four main education unions. close to half a—million sudanese have had to flee their homes since fighting erupted more than two weeks ago. among them, one—hundred—thousand have fled to neighbouring countries — that's according to the united nations.

clashes have entered a third week, despite promises of a ceasefire. gunfire was heard across khartoum this morning and warplanes have also been seen flying over the capital today. aid agencies are warning that the conflict is at risk of becoming a broader disaster as sudan's poor neighbours deal with a refugee crisis, and fighting blocks aid routes in a nation where two thirds of people already rely on some outside support. 0ur diplomatic correspondent paul adams is in nairobi: given invitations out to the war in general and representatives for talks and the un was suggesting even yesterday that both sides had agreed to numb the representatives but we do not have a venue or an agenda and so come at the moment, there is no sign of any meaningful peace process thatis sign of any meaningful peace process that is going to end this anytime soon. a ~' , that is going to end this anytime soon. a, ~ , , ., ., ,., soon. making this statement about the ongoing _ soon. making this statement about the ongoing crisis _ soon. making this statement about

the ongoing crisis in _ soon. making this statement about the ongoing crisis in sudan. - soon. making this statement about the ongoing crisis in sudan. the i the ongoing crisis in sudan. the situation remains extremely dangerous in the sudanese armed forces_ dangerous in the sudanese armed forces and — dangerous in the sudanese armed forces and support forces in a further— forces and support forces in a further extension of the cease—fire on the _ further extension of the cease—fire on the 30th of april for an additional 72 hours for the 3rd of max _ additional 72 hours for the 3rd of max i_ additional 72 hours for the 3rd of may. i pay— additional 72 hours for the 3rd of may. i pay tribute to the significant efforts have brought this about. the reports of fighting persist— this about. the reports of fighting persist with a large number of people — persist with a large number of people continuing to flee and movement around the capital remains highly— movement around the capital remains highly dangerous. since the 24th of april. _ highly dangerous. since the 24th of april. the _ highly dangerous. since the 24th of april, the uk has enabled the departure of over 2300 people, including — departure of over 2300 people, including british nationals, dependence, medical staff and other eligible _ dependence, medical staff and other eligible nationals. i pay tribute to our brave — eligible nationals. i pay tribute to our brave and remarkable military and civilian — our brave and remarkable military and civilian personnel who have delivered — and civilian personnel who have delivered this effort. uk operations at the _ delivered this effort. uk operations

at the airbase ended on the 30th of april and _ at the airbase ended on the 30th of april and her efforts are not focused _ april and her efforts are not focused on port sudan tribune british— focused on port sudan tribune british nationals that were seeking to leave _ british nationals that were seeking to leave sudan and on the fourth of uk, flights— to leave sudan and on the fourth of uk, flights from port sudan and an additional— uk, flights from port sudan and an additional living on the us navy ship brunswick of the 30th of april, i ship brunswick of the 30th of april, i would _ ship brunswick of the 30th of april, i would like — ship brunswick of the 30th of april, i would like to think our american friends and — i would like to think our american friends and countries across the region— friends and countries across the region in— friends and countries across the region in particular saudi arabia, egypt _ region in particular saudi arabia, egypt and — region in particular saudi arabia, egypt and cyprus for their assistance. and evacuation efforts from _ assistance. and evacuation efforts from port— assistance. and evacuation efforts from port sudan and staff will remain— from port sudan and staff will remain helping british nationals to leave _ remain helping british nationals to leave the — remain helping british nationals to leave the country and sign posting options _ leave the country and sign posting options for departure. british nationals— options for departure. british nationals import sedan support should — nationals import sedan support should visit our team without delay. but it _ should visit our team without delay. but it is _ should visit our team without delay. but it is ending the violence that remains — but it is ending the violence that remains essential in the prime minister— remains essential in the prime minister and remains essential in the prime ministerand i remains essential in the prime minister and i continue to co—ordinate urgently with their international partners to support

these _ international partners to support these efforts. with just a few days to go till the coronation, princess anne has dismissed calls for a "slimmed down" monarchy, saying it doesn't seem like a "good idea" to her. meanwhile king charles and queen camilla have been visiting wesminster, as we can see here, ahead of the coronation this weekend. 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. food prices in the uk continued to soar in april despite a drop in wholesale costs, new figures show. food inflationjumped to 15.7% last month, compared to april in 2022, up from 15% in march,

the british retail consortium said. but the cost of a food shop "should start" to come down in the next few months, the trade body claimed. being recalled because of the possible presence of this, but the recall is a precautionary measure and is a rare infection caused by the bacteria in the nhs as it is not serious and most people but they have advised people not to eat the products and return them. mn has died after being stuck inside and in indoor caving experience. i'll trapped inside a narrow tunnel in keswick on the 22nd of april, rescuers and emergency crews were sent to free him but he died at cumberland infirmary in carlisle on

sunday. 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, but as a person who has turned to the comfort of my television in times of horror and sorrow

and tragedy, like, we give something to our audience that they need and so i think what we do is special and i think it deservs to be valued and i wish we didn't have to fight so hard. but the studios which produce the shows once driven by ratings are now more concerned about profitability and amidst a dip in their stock prices all the major players have been cutting costs and laying off staff. we really don't want this to happen but we have to make plans for the worst and so we do have a pretty robust slate of releases to take us into the long time, butjust be clear we are at the table and we are going to try to get to an agreeable solution. the extent of the impact of the strike all depends on how long it lasts, 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. hollywood and 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, included pearls, starched collars, and black and white to honour the legendary designer. 0ur reporter nicky schiller has been looking at the outfits.

the met gala is one of those big events on the fashion and celebrity calendar every year, but you have to know a certain lady to get in, anna wintour, she is the editor of us vogue and basically the one who says you can come in or not. i can show you pictures of people who were allowed, this year's theme with karl lagerfeld, the legendary german designer who died back in 2019. he was the chanel creative director. there was some controversy about choosing him because of comments that he had made about women in the past, but anna wintour said it was about his body of work rather than the man himself, so those are some of the celebrities who turned up and were allowed in. unlike you and i! we had a little taste of the outfits like, some look very tasteful and some are a bit crazy, were they as crazy as the past? some were, that he was nicole kidman to start with, some were, this was nicole

kidman to start with, wearing a chanel outfit she wore in an advert in 2004 for them. janelle monae, lots of people talking about this one. i think she looks amazing, it is brilliant, inspirational. jeremy pope got the message it was about karl lagerfeld because his face is on the back of his train, but pearls were also in, here is lizzo with her pearl outfit and kim kardashian, one of the very well known people who turn up, she also wore pearls, they reckon they're about 50,000 on that outfit. and it would not be the met gala without rihanna, who turn up and it would not be the met gala without rihanna, she turned up fashionably late with asap rocky and i think she has a nod to karl lagerfeld with the sun glasses, he always wore black sunglasses. what do you think of the eyebrows? i think they are eyelashes. mr lagerfeld left his cat, and that he is, kind of.

mr lagerfeld loved his cat, and there he is, kind of. choupette was karl lagerfeld's cat and i want to show you the moving pictures of this cat who turned up on the red carpet, waiting to get you mentioned this to me this morning. hopefully we have those pictures. i can hear some meowing in my ear but i'm not seeing the pictures. there we go. everyone was asking who this was. was it someone that had been paid to go, who was it? was it ben thompson? it looks quite tall. it could be, but no, it was the actorjared leto. 0k, amazing. tell me a little about the value of these outfits, you are talking about the pale outfit to be an expensive, the point of this

talking about the pearl outfit being expensive, the point of this was about the finery, the luxe feel of karl lagerfeld and what he meant for the fashion world? absolutely, and whichever year you go, it is about showing the outfits and the luxury but there was always a nugget that is thrown in that we did not expect, somebody makes an announcement or something not doja cat?! i forgot about doja cat and i should also show you this outage, or lack of outfits, lil nas x. people also reckon that he had the cut scene because he has little biscuits. that triggers my tripophobia, i don't really like things so clustered together. i know you are a big fan of serena williams, she is the goat. she announced she is pregnant with her second child, as

did this lady, model and actor carly klos. i have a question for you, have you ever turned up at an event and you have worn the same outfits? it might have happened once, but my outfits are all high street so it is understandable. barry thought for the afro beats star burna boy, who turned up in this outfit, as did the actor barry keoghan, and if you look carefully under dr dre's suit... what was burberry thinking? maybe they planned it, we are talking about it now, that is what these fashion brands want to get out of the met gala, is to be talking about it. just one little bit about the uninvited visitor. i will show you these pictures of the uninvited visitor, look at the ground, there is something very, very small running around.

that is a cockroach. sadly the cockroach, as variety magazine reported, is no longer with us. wrexham fans are preparing to celebrate their team winning the national league with an open top bus victory parade this evening. their win means wrexham will return to the english football league 15 years after being relegated. it sounds loud. it's very loud and very noisy. _ it sounds loud. it's very loud and very noisy. but — it sounds loud. it's very loud and very noisy. but i _ it sounds loud. it's very loud and very noisy, but i hope _ it sounds loud. it's very loud and very noisy, but i hope to - it sounds loud. it's very loud and | very noisy, but i hope to compare me. we have a bit of a welterweight before they arrived at the players

and that is not dampened the atmosphere and very excited. this isn't an fa trophy when earned cup victory, this shows you design which it means to the fans in the community that the club is finally been promoted after 15 years of struggle and ups and downs and probably more downs than the. in the hollywood story with the fans initially talking about this believing and being sceptical and suspicious but with the motives were by think some of the evidence on this play is that both of the hollywood owners of their hearts in the right place in their emotion with the games they've been to have been quite impressive and certainly overcome with emotions against this weeks ago. and of the trip at the players and members of the club and some of the people who are very

happy of the last couple of months. thank you very much indeed. stay with us here on bbc news. if you are a fan or not, it is an exciting story, click a dream come true for the fans let's go to a website now additionally what's going on there. and there are plenty on a website about wrexham, the back story, the hollywood stars the promotion to the english football league. so, from football to bears and before i go, to show you some incredible footage were a school had teachers in the us was surprised by a bear. take a look at this. principaljames marsh was standing next to a rubbish dumpster at zela elementary school, west virginia, when the creature threw itself up and out of the rubbish container.

both the bear and the head teacher ran away, with the bear scuttling off into a wooded area. the principal told local broadcaster wsaz: "it let out a pretty loud roar, i think both of us were equally surprised." he went on to say that "the students at the school wanted to see it and i showed it to all of them — and they thought it wasjust hilarious." look at the home page of our website, bears story was on the most popular stories on the website and also you can see more on all the latest in the report from afghanistan from our correspondent on the lucy letby court case and also a lot more on the nhs pay deal and as you can see there, the bbc left the coronation. we have a dedicated section on a website where

you can have all the plans and preparations for the big day on saturday. but stay with us on the bbc, wrexham coming up in a moment. hello. there's going to be a lot of interest in the weather forecast over the next few days. a big weekend coming up. in the short term, the weather is relatively quiet. it's dry for most of us. and tomorrow, a bright day to come for many parts of the uk, but not absolutely everywhere. at the moment, an area of high pressure over us, but it has been quite a cloudy high. and look at the extent of the cloud. you can see the brighter cloud there across more northern and some central areas, but around coastal areas,

particularly in the south—west it actually hasn't been too bad at all. some prolonged spells of sunshine. through this evening and overnight. it's more southern and central parts of the uk that get the clear spells. it'll also turn chilly in some areas. look at that norwich, two degrees, about four in hull, but out towards the west a little bit milder and thick of cloud, nine degrees for example, in belfast first thing on wednesday. and on wednesday, i think broadly speaking, it's the northern half of the uk that will be cloudy most of the time, even some rain there in western parts and central areas of scotland. the best of the weather out towards the west and the southwest, this is where the high temperatures will be — 17 or 18 degrees celsius and not bad on the north sea coast in newcastle around 15.

and then the change occurs on thursday. we see a weather front moving in from the south—west. initially at least in the morning, it brings rain to south—western areas so cornwall, devon, somerset into wales too, perhaps nudging into the midlands during the course of the afternoon, but elsewhere it should be dry, but there will be an easterly breeze. so that means once again quite chilly in places like newcastle and aberdeen. the higher temperatures will be further south. and i'm going to skip now to the weekend, but of course it is a very important weekend, low pressure weather front after weather front and plenty of heavy showers and the risk of downpours, yes, almost any day. but it is going to be very tricky, at least at this stage, to forecast where the showers will occur. there will be showers around, no doubt about that and a few downpours, too. but i think the best advice is just be prepared for the showers because they won't occur everywhere. there will be some sunny spells and the weather icons on the website on our apps will change from day to day as that's just the nature of shower forecasting. that's it for me. bye bye.

at six — the nurse accused of murdering seven babies and attempting to murder ten others gives evidence for the first time at her trial. after the men won the national leak and promotion back to the english believe 15 years after the relegation whilst the women secure promotion to wales's top women's league. wrexham have of course gain fame around the world because of the clubs star owners. that is ryan reynolds and rob mcelhinney. they are in the city tonight and are expected tojoin the are in the city tonight and are expected to join the players on an open top bus tour of the city. that parade do to get under way in around 15 minutes' time. and you can see there is the stadium from our halley

— telly of wrexham and there is the bus and you can see