this is bbc news. the uk confirms it is sending storm shadow cruise missiles to ukraine to help with their counter offensive. the donation of these weapons give ukraine the best chance of defending themselves against russia's continued brutality. pakistan's supreme court orders the release of former prime minister, imran khan saying his arrest on tuesday was illegal. the bank of england follows the federal reserve and hikes and hikes interest rates — they're at their highest in nearly 15 years. and eurovision fever heats up. 16 countries take to the stage in liverpool later for

the second semi final. all of those stories in a moment. let's head to the bbc sport centre and betty glover. what you have for us? , ., ., and betty glover. what you have for us? ., and betty glover. what you have for us? . , ., us? good afternoon. the bigwig of euro ean us? good afternoon. the bigwig of european football _ us? good afternoon. the bigwig of european football semifinals - european football semifinals continue tonight with the final four going head—to—head in both the europa league and europa conference league. west ham can move a step closer to the first bit of silverware since the 1980s, taking on dutch side a z alkmaar in the first leg of their europa conference league semifinal. david moyes�*s side come into this on the back of their big win in the premier league on sunday against manchester united which moved them seven points above the relegation zone with three games to play. now their attention turns to play. now their attention turns to trying to end a four decade wait for a trophy. to trying to end a four decade wait for a “why-— for a trophy. because the team is winnin: , for a trophy. because the team is winning. they _ for a trophy. because the team is winning, they are _ for a trophy. because the team is winning, they are doing - for a trophy. because the team is winning, they are doing well, - for a trophy. because the team is| winning, they are doing well, they have momentum in a really good division with some super—teams, i think, one of the questions was, you

go into the game as favourites, maybe we will but i have to say we are going to come up against a team with young, hungry players who are playing really well at the moment and we are going to have to try and use our experience which undoubtedly will have more experience than a z alkmaar would have, but overall that doesn't always get you all the results but we have to try and use it. if results but we have to try and use it. ~ , results but we have to try and use it. . , ., results but we have to try and use it. ~ , ., ., results but we have to try and use it. if west ham were to progress they would _ it. if west ham were to progress they would face _ it. if west ham were to progress they would face either _ it. if west ham were to progress they would face either fiorentina it. if west ham were to progress i they would face either fiorentina or fc basel in the final. they also play their first leg of their semifinal this evening. in the europa league semifinal six time winners sevilla playjuventus who have had their fair share winners sevilla playjuventus who have had theirfair share of winners sevilla playjuventus who have had their fair share of off the pitch issues this season including financial problems. their manager says he and his team are only focused on tonight's game. translation: it focused on tonight's game. translation:— focused on tonight's game. translation: , ., ., ., translation: it is a europa league semifinal against _ translation: it is a europa league semifinal against a _ translation: it is a europa league semifinal against a team _ translation: it is a europa league semifinal against a team who - translation: it is a europa league semifinal against a team who have l semifinal against a team who have won the europa league four times and twice the uefa cup, therefore it is a team used to playing these kind of

matches, an experienced team, team who never gives up during a game. so tomorrow evening we will need a good performance, as we will in the second leg, but for now it is a focus on tomorrow evening �*s match. brazil are launching a national investigation into football match—fixing. this comes after a request from the country's soccer confederation and follows the decisions by several top—flight brazilian clubs to suspend a handful of players. brazilian state prosecutors have charged 16 people including seven professional players with alleged in what is being described as one of the largest scandal since the country legalised sports in 2018. elsewhere in tennis, organisers of last week's madrid 0pen have apologised to players and fans for what they say was the unacceptable decision to not allow the women's doubles finalists to make presentation speeches. victoria azarenka and beatrice haddad maia beat americansjessica azarenka and beatrice haddad maia beat americans jessica pegula azarenka and beatrice haddad maia beat americansjessica pegula and coco gauff in the final on sunday

but were denied the opportunity to speak afterwards. all of the finalists in the singles and men's doubles addressed the crowd after their matches. the professional tennis players association said the women's doubles players had been denied the right to freedom of expression. 0rganisers say they have apologised directly to the four players involved. today victoria azarenka has been busy. she has ended usa sloane stephens's six match winning streak in straight sets by winning 6—4, 6—3. the former world number one will next face either number 19 seat madison keys, or qualifier magdalena frec. and finally, it is another big day in the indian premier league today with the indian premier league today with the two—time champions the right is taking on the royals. a win could move the royals up to third on the table and after winning the toss they have chosen to field into a's match. they have made a pretty good start taking two early wickets. a

moment to go the kolkata knight riders were 44—2 after seven overs. the knight riders are just behind the royals in the table so a win for them would move them above their opponents. and that's all the sport for now. thank you for listening. thanks very much. thank you. let's turn to iran because my next guest is the us —based iranians dissident masi alinejad. she's been one of the highest profile critics of the tehran regime and she's been put under 2a hour police protection, while she's here in the uk such is the level of threat against her. it's eight months since the death of mahsa amini which sparked waves of protests across iran. the protests represent the biggest threat to the islamic republic in decades. women defying the strict laws on wearing a headscarf. many men havejoined the protests — they've happened across the country and it also cuts across class

and ethnic divides. iran human rights puts the figue of those killed at over 500. the crackdown from the regime hasn't stopped the public show of defiance. it's incredible bravery in the face of increasingly brutal tactics from the authorities. nearly 20,000 people have been arrested, the islamic republic also accelerating the number of executions. all of the sparked after mahsa amini died in custody after being accused of not obeying a rant �*s strict dress code for women for allegedly wearing her hijab "improperly." masi alinejad is here in the studio. eight months since mahsa amini's death. crackdowns, arrests, executions, what does it say about these protests that all of that hasn't been able to stop those demonstrations on the streets? mat demonstrations on the streets? not at all demonstrations on the streets? iirrt at all because there is a huge gap between the young generation and these barbaric mothers who are telling you what kind of life you

should follow, cover your hair, you're not allowed to sing, you're not allowed to dance, you're not allowed to listen to music that you want to. so for that the young generation saying that we don't have anything to lose, and now the older generation, those parents whose children got killed during the revolution in saying that we are here to end this gender apartheid regime. i here to end this gender apartheid reaime. . ., ., . here to end this gender apartheid reuime. . . . . i” regime. i read an article where you auoted regime. i read an article where you quoted that — regime. i read an article where you quoted that quote _ regime. i read an article where you quoted that quote from _ regime. i read an article where you quoted that quote from the - quoted that quote from the handmade's tail. remind us what you said there and it isn't the reality that on the ground at every turn the response from the regime has been even more brutal?— even more brutal? more brutal but the more the _ even more brutal? more brutal but the more the iranian _ even more brutal? more brutal but the more the iranian regime - even more brutal? more brutal but the more the iranian regime killed| the more the iranian regime killed the more the iranian regime killed the more the people get braver and determined to actually push back the boundaries, push back. isee determined to actually push back the boundaries, push back. i see that the police in tehran were going to identify unveiled women in metros, shops. guess what, the women did.

the response was, i'm sorry to say that, showing middle fingers to the cameras and saying that we are here, take photos of us. we are not scared of you. but it is beyond compulsory veiling, the compulsory hijab is one of the main pillars of the gender apartheid regime and they want to end the whole regime. that's why i actually used the expression from margaret atwood, in her book it said if you don't want us to be an army against you, you shouldn't have put us in the same uniform. and this is right now the situation in iran. women are being forced for a0 years to cover themselves. now they are taking their compulsory unveiling, the same uniform, off and saying we're not scared of you, we are an army against you. i we're not scared of you, we are an army against vom— we're not scared of you, we are an army against yon-— army against you. i will come back to the situation _ army against you. i will come back to the situation on _ army against you. i will come back to the situation on the _ army against you. i will come back to the situation on the ground - army against you. i will come back to the situation on the ground in i army against you. i will come back to the situation on the ground in a | to the situation on the ground in a moment or two. as i mentioned in the introduction you are under 2a—hour protection by the metropolitan police while you're here in the uk. how scary is that when you heard that, given some of the background?

first of all, i have to say that it is shocking. manyjournalists left iran because we found in uk a safe haven. we found the united states a safe haven to practice our freedom of expression. but it seems that the uk, the united states, the west is not safe any more as far as the islamic republic is power and challenging the uk government on uk soil. so i was shocked because after my appearance on piers morgan's show i saw four metropolitan police came to my hotel and said that we are going to protect you 2a hours. but my people, they don't have protection in iran. that's why i want to call the uk government to protectjournalists want to call the uk government to protect journalists and want to call the uk government to protectjournalists and cancel the protect journalists and cancel the terrorist protectjournalists and cancel the terrorist regime. protect journalists and cancel the terrorist regime.— terrorist regime. before i get to that, it comes _ terrorist regime. before i get to that, it comes off _ terrorist regime. before i get to that, it comes off the _ terrorist regime. before i get to that, it comes off the back- terrorist regime. before i get to that, it comes off the back of i terrorist regime. before i get to l that, it comes off the back of that assassination attempt in the us. i mean, when details of that plot emerged, how shocked were you, or

have you considered that that was a possibility, that perhaps you would be targeted? {iii possibility, that perhaps you would be targeted?— be targeted? of course, because killin: , be targeted? of course, because killing, assassinating, _ be targeted? of course, because killing, assassinating, taking - killing, assassinating, taking hostage is in the dna of the islamic republic. we are all familiar with the brutality of the regime. i'm being very honest with you, of course it is scary to see a man with a loaded gun in front of your house. three men hired by the islamic republic are in prison in america because they were trying to kill me. it is scary. but i'm not scared for my life. as you can hearfrom my voice i'm not giving up my fight but it is scary that this is happening in the free world. you it is scary that this is happening in the free world.— it is scary that this is happening in the free world. you are here to lobb uk in the free world. you are here to lobby uk politicians. _ in the free world. you are here to lobby uk politicians. you - in the free world. you are here to lobby uk politicians. you have - in the free world. you are here to l lobby uk politicians. you have been meeting european politicians. in terms of, what you want the west to do, whilst those conversations are happening we know that european politicians have been really keen to somehow get the iran nuclear deal back on track. is that getting in

the way of the sort of action that you would like to see, or is it a separate thing?— you would like to see, or is it a separate thing? first of all i want the leaders _ separate thing? first of all i want the leaders of _ separate thing? first of all i want the leaders of democratic - separate thing? first of all i want l the leaders of democratic countries to understand that we the women of iran, the people of iran, men are getting hanged. we are not trying to protect ourselves, we are actually protecting the rest of the world from one of the most dangerous regimes which is called the islamic republic. the islamic republic right now is selling drones to put in to kill innocent ukrainians. the islamic republic is a threat for the region. i islamic republic is a threat for the reuion. ~' ., islamic republic is a threat for the reuion. ~ ., i” islamic republic is a threat for the reuion. ~ ., ,, ., islamic republic is a threat for the reuion. ~' ., ., ., region. i know you want to meet rishi sunak _ region. i know you want to meet rishi sunak but _ region. i know you want to meet rishi sunak but what _ region. i know you want to meet rishi sunak but what do - region. i know you want to meet rishi sunak but what do you - region. i know you want to meet| rishi sunak but what do you want region. i know you want to meet - rishi sunak but what do you want him to do? i rishi sunak but what do you want him to do? ., rishi sunak but what do you want him to do? . , ,, ., ~ rishi sunak but what do you want him to do? . , ,, . ~' ., to do? i want rishi sunak to understand _ to do? i want rishi sunak to understand if— to do? i want rishi sunak to understand if you _ to do? i want rishi sunak to understand if you don't - to do? i want rishi sunak to i understand if you don't support us now you will face the terrorist regime of iran on uk soil more and more. i want them to actually announce their policy towards iran. i met with some parliamentarians. i'm going to meet with the secretary forforeign affairs as i'm going to meet with the secretary for foreign affairs as well and i want them to put the revolutionary guards in the terrorist list because the revolutionary guard is the main pillar, the roots of all the problems that we see in ukraine

right now and i believe that. if it was not for the support of the islamic republic president zelensky would have been winning this war much earlier. just would have been winning this war much earlier.— much earlier. just a final thought i'd us much earlier. just a final thought i'd us said _ much earlier. just a final thought i'd us said we _ much earlier. just a final thought i'd us said we would _ much earlier. just a final thought i'd us said we would return i much earlier. just a final thought i'd us said we would return to i i'd us said we would return to events on the ground in iran, do you ever hesitate in terms of encouraging people to protest, given the obvious consequences, given what you havejust the obvious consequences, given what you have just said about perhaps there is not the total support internationally you would like to see, about an effect getting people to go out on the streets and then leaving them on their own? you know what, i'm leaving them on their own? you know what. i'm not— leaving them on their own? you know what, i'm not encouraging _ leaving them on their own? you know what, i'm not encouraging people i leaving them on their own? you know what, i'm not encouraging people to i what, i'm not encouraging people to take to the streets. they are encouraging me and the rest of the world that do not keep silence in front of barbaric regimes. i met in my meeting with president macron, with prime ministerjack ritter in the netherlands, both of them were hesitating to designate the revolutionary guard as a terrorist organisation. they were saying we have hostages, french citizens and netherlands citizens in prison because they were saying if we do that, what the government are going

to do to our hostages. i said i have family members hostage in the hands of the regime. many iranians have family members hostages in the hands of the atomic republic. don't buy diplomacy. these are the people on the ground in the streets risking their lives and encouraging people like me outside iran, encouraging the leaders of democratic countries to be brave and say no to the islamic republic.— to be brave and say no to the islamic republic. does it frustrate ou when islamic republic. does it frustrate you when there — islamic republic. does it frustrate you when there is _ islamic republic. does it frustrate you when there is hesitation? it . you when there is hesitation? it makes me furious when i see that teenagers in iran, like honestly, children are risking their lives. they have been the target of chemical attacks. when i see women get raped in prison, but at the same time i see the leaders of democratic countries asking me that the streets have come down, so what you expect us to do? you want to see bloodshed in the street to understand that the flame of the revolution is still alive? when people were getting killed you did nothing.—

killed you did nothing. there is a dancer, killed you did nothing. there is a danger, though. _ killed you did nothing. there is a danger, though. because - killed you did nothing. there is a danger, though. because last i killed you did nothing. there is a l danger, though. because last time there was an uprising it was snuffed out. we are eight months in. there is a possibility, isn't there, the same thing actually happens? exactly. you know what, it is shocking that the leaders of democratic countries met with the killers. it is shocking that the united nations and now voted for one of the most barbaric regimes to have a seat at the united nations, on the human rights front, to monitor human rights globally. it is shocking. but the same leaders, the democratic leaders, they hesitate to meet with the opposition, with women's rights activists. why? and that breaks my heart. sooner or later we are going to get rid of the islamic republic. the history willjudge those democratic countries who could shake the hands of the people of iran but they actually decided to shake the hands of the killers.— hands of the killers. masih alinejad. _ hands of the killers. masih alinejad, we _ hands of the killers. masih alinejad, we have - hands of the killers. masih alinejad, we have to i hands of the killers. masih alinejad, we have to leave| hands of the killers. masih i alinejad, we have to leave it hands of the killers. masih - alinejad, we have to leave it there but thank you for coming to talk to us on bbc news. thank you for

hosting me. let's turn to another important story here in the uk. let's update you now on the hacking court case which is taking place in the uk involving several high profile figures, including prince harry. they claim that mirror group newspapers used unlawful methods to gather information about them. today, the court has heard claims that the process was authorised at the highest levels of the media organisation including editors, legal advisors, and members of the board. live now to our correspondent sanchia beg who has been following developments in the court. take us through what we have been hearing. take us through what we have been hearinu. ~ ., ., hearing. well, today and caught the barrister for — hearing. well, today and caught the barrister for the _ hearing. well, today and caught the barrister for the four _ hearing. well, today and caught the barrister for the four claimants i hearing. well, today and caught the barrister for the four claimants who | barrister for the four claimants who include prince harry, set out essentially their case, which is that, as you were saying, people are right across mirror group newspapers you about this unlawful information gathering which was phone hacking, but also tools like blagging, which

is where somebody gets information ijy is where somebody gets information by pretending to be somebody else. and in order to make this case, what the barrister was doing was setting out details of particular examples. so he cited a story that was on the front page of the daily mirror which involve the finances of the duke of kent, and this was a story in which he said piers morgan was involved, other senior people were involved, and he said it had been obtained by blagging, by somebody pretending to be prince michael of kent's accountant. they evidenced that by reference to material they had got through disclosure of mirror group newspapers's own files, so they had invoices, they had call records and they put them together in a kind of detective jigsaw to say this is what happened in this case, and to say this is what happened in many other cases, establishing a kind of modus operandi, if you like. for their part, mirror group newspapers say

that most of these claims are out of time anyway, but they also say that these are very wide and extraordinary claims, and they say that there isn't the evidence for them. , ., , that there isn't the evidence for them. , . , ., them. tell us a little bit more about the _ them. tell us a little bit more about the article _ them. tell us a little bit more about the article that - them. tell us a little bit more about the article that prince l them. tell us a little bit more i about the article that prince harry is actually complaining about. {line is actually complaining about. one ofthe is actually complaining about. one of the most _ is actually complaining about. iez of the most interesting elements is actually complaining about. i2 of the most interesting elements of this case comes in the form of papers, documents, specific pieces of information. sojust papers, documents, specific pieces of information. so just this afternoon we have been told of the 33 specific articles that prince harry is complaining about, and they start in 1996 with an article about his mother, princess diana being sad, visited him in school and they end in 2009 and take in articles about prince harry's relationship with chelsy davy, which he has talked about of course, and the role of the press in that relationship, and undermining it, and in all these

cases, 33 examples, they claim, prince harry and his team that the information must have been obtained through unlawful information gathering, but in every case mirror group newspapers deny that, or do not admit it. so a bit of a fight coming up. not admit it. so a bit of a fight coming uo— not admit it. so a bit of a fight coming up. sanchia berg at the court, coming up. sanchia berg at the court. thanks — coming up. sanchia berg at the court, thanks very _ coming up. sanchia berg at the court, thanks very much - coming up. sanchia berg at the court, thanks very much for i coming up. sanchia berg at the| court, thanks very much for that update. around the world and across the uk, you are watching bbc news. working with the animals helps out with ptsd. when i was in the army i did quite a few tours in northern ireland and i got very bad ptsd. i still have problems now with my ptsd. it is nice to do.

this is my favourite chicken, she follows me everywhere. you can see how grateful the animals are. we are really struggling with donations. it's just getting a lot. we have done a lot of work, we have built a lot, we have taken in no end of animals, because they need help. when we get something in that is really, really ill, and i don't know, it might take a week, it might take two weeks, it might take six months, it might take a year, but at the end of it will let them go. you're alive with bbc news. now, the grand final of the eurovision song contest is just days away, tonight the second semi final takes place in liverpool. millions around the world are expected to be watching with the 16 countries competing for a place in saturday's final. the uk is hosting this year's contest on behalf of last year's winner, ukraine. someone who knows what it's

like to represent ukraine at eurovision is tina karol who was the country's entry in 2006 and finished seventh in the grand final. she's been telling my colleague maryam moshiri what its like to be back at eurovision. i’m moshiri what its like to be back at eurovision-— eurovision. i'm so grateful and thankful, _ eurovision. i'm so grateful and thankful, and _ eurovision. i'm so grateful and thankful, and thankful - eurovision. i'm so grateful and thankful, and thankful as i eurovision. i'm so grateful and thankful, and thankful as a i thankful, and thankful as a ukrainian citizen that you gave us a huge opportunity to represent our country like what we had. this is incredible. you are fighting for us. this is like we feel like somebody�*s watching our backs, somebody with us, summary staying with us, somebody fighting with us. this is part of our resistance because that music festival, the revision that you, this is how europe united and the show goes on without russia. yes? that's a huge mission. and through the music and art we bring

the freedom, the hope, joy, one hole for example. and live tomorrow for us, for our troops, for our soldiers, thank you so much. that's areat. soldiers, thank you so much. that's great- you — soldiers, thank you so much. that's great. you competed _ soldiers, thank you so much. that's great. you competed in _ soldiers, thank you so much. that's great. you competed in 2006 i soldiers, thank you so much. that's great. you competed in 2006 and l soldiers, thank you so much. that's great. you competed in 2006 and you are here. how exciting is it to be involved in eurovision again? you will be involved in the parade on saturday? will be involved in the parade on saturda ? , , , ., saturday? yes, i will be. it is a big honour— saturday? yes, i will be. it is a big honour to _ saturday? yes, i will be. it is a big honour to represent - saturday? yes, i will be. it is a big honour to represent my i saturday? yes, i will be. it is a i big honour to represent my country again, to represent how beautiful our culture is, and our professional singers, and i'm on the art front, so i'm part of it, notjust one, i'm part of that mission. thank you for that opportunity once more again. there is so much reference to ukraine here. we can see behind us the discover ukraine area, ukrainian songbirds all around liverpool, ukrainian music is everywhere you walk. how does it make you feel?

feels like i'm at home. but here you open your hearts for us. you give us the feeling that we are not alone. so this makes me cry a little bit. that's amazing. i know you've been listening to all the competitors. is there a favourite country you have other than ukraine?— there a favourite country you have other than ukraine? yes, thank you for that, other _ other than ukraine? yes, thank you for that, other than _ other than ukraine? yes, thank you for that, other than ukraine. - other than ukraine? yes, thank you for that, other than ukraine. i i forthat, otherthan ukraine. i really like the music video and catchy song from great britain. flat catchy song from great britain. not 'ust catchy song from great britain. not just because we are here! and i just because we are here! and israel. it just because we are here! and israel- it is — just because we are here! and israel. it is a _ just because we are here! and israel. it is a great _ just because we are here! and israel. it is a great song. i just because we are here! and israel. it is a great song. shel just because we are here! and | israel. it is a great song. she is nice. everyone _ israel. it is a great song. she is nice. everyone tried _ israel. it is a great song. she is nice. everyone tried to - israel. it is a great song. she is nice. everyone tried to be i israel. it is a great song. she is nice. everyone tried to be the l israel. it is a great song. she is i nice. everyone tried to be the best, and for me eurovision is how the people are united and united because they love, they want to have joy. so it's all about that, bring joy and

live your life how you want. that's all about eurovision. love who you want and be yourself. this means a lot. ~ ., ., a, want and be yourself. this means a lot. a, ., ~., ~.,, ., lot. more from marie moshiri in our programme — lot. more from marie moshiri in our programme in _ lot. more from marie moshiri in our programme in about _ lot. more from marie moshiri in our programme in about an _ lot. more from marie moshiri in our programme in about an hour's i lot. more from marie moshiri in our| programme in about an hour's time. let's squeeze in one more story because one of the stars of last week's coronation was penny mordaunt sparked a social media storm for her role carrying two ceremonial swords. the british cabinet minister held the sort of stayed aloft during much of the ceremony only swapping it for the sort of offering after charles was crowned. she was the first woman ever to take on the role as a lord of the privy council and she has been talking about the experience with the bbc�*s nick robinson. hour with the bbc's nick robinson. how much pumping _ with the bbc's nick robinson. finn" much pumping iron was there before you picked up that sort? this much pumping iron was there before you picked up that sort?— you picked up that sort? this story has developed _ you picked up that sort? this story has developed and _ you picked up that sort? this story has developed and has _ you picked up that sort? this story has developed and has run - you picked up that sort? this story has developed and has run away i you picked up that sort? this story i has developed and has run away with itself _ has developed and has run away with itself i_ has developed and has run away with itself iwas— has developed and has run away with itself. i was not in the gym for six months _ itself. i was not in the gym for six months prior to this. six weeks, six days? _ months prior to this. six weeks, six days? no, — months prior to this. six weeks, six days? no, i— months prior to this. six weeks, six days? no, ithink months prior to this. six weeks, six days? no, i think you want to make

sure you _ days? no, i think you want to make sure you are — days? no, i think you want to make sure you are in good nick and i did take_ sure you are in good nick and i did take a— sure you are in good nick and i did take a couple of painkillers beforehand just to make sure i was going _ beforehand just to make sure i was going to _ beforehand just to make sure i was going to be — beforehand just to make sure i was going to be all right. but it's fine, — going to be all right. but it's fine, it— going to be all right. but it's fine, it is— going to be all right. but it's fine, it is all good, we got through it and _ fine, it is all good, we got through it and it's — fine, it is all good, we got through it and it's only half the ceremony i had to— it and it's only half the ceremony i had to carry— it and it's only half the ceremony i had to carry the sort of state, which — had to carry the sort of state, which is — had to carry the sort of state, which is a _ had to carry the sort of state, which is a really heavy one and then i which is a really heavy one and then i traded _ which is a really heavy one and then i traded it _ which is a really heavy one and then i traded it in — which is a really heavy one and then i traded it in for the very exquisite jewelled sword of offering. it is much lighter. the really heavy one, what other tips? if god help us, in a few years' time, somebody needs to say, i've got to do this job, what are the tips to holding that sword? notjust aloft, but erect, without any shake at all? i think it's practice. like anything that you're preparing for, you know, don't leave anything to chance. have a good breakfast, wear comfortable shoes... i had a great team with me because the chaps who... haven't got any plaudits at all, the former defence chiefs who were standing behind me, with the other swords in the ceremony, we were all there, supporting each other,

and we'd obviously been talking under our breath at each other during rehearsals, so keeping each other going. great little insight. penny mordaunt speaking to nick robinson on his bbc podcast political thinking. you can listen to the full podcast via the bbc sounds app. do headtheir to listen to that interview in full with nick robinson and penny mordaunt. in the next hour, coming up mordaunt. in the next hour, coming up we have the latest on the uk sending cruise missiles to ukraine. we are also watching the scene in pakistan at the supreme court. i want to show you the latest pictures of imran khan arriving there at the courthouse. we are expecting him to depart in the next little while and we will be listening out for comments after the supreme court ordered his release, described his arrest on tuesday as a legal. joy from his supporters after that ruling, so we will get the latest on

that major story there in pakistan here in the next hour. you're watching bbc news. don't go away. hello again. lots of slow moving thundery showers today bringing a risk of some flooding this afternoon. the early morning cloud in manchester was spun around by these wake vortices coming off this landing a380 plane. beautiful picture, but enough of the plane spotting and on to the cloud spotting. well, there's plenty of that. and many of these clouds are turning into thunderclouds, cumulonimbus clouds. the big problem today is the storms are going to be slow moving because there's not much wind to move them along. and so there's a threat of seeing some localised flash flooding. you're highly likely to see showers across the pennines, north west england, the midlands and wales. they'll be very widespread here and some of them torrential and also draped around the coast of east anglia, a few across the south downs

because the storms are slow moving. rainfall totals can build up 20 to 50 millimetres of rainfall in the space ofjust an hour or two. that is why we could see some flash flooding this afternoon. now, overnight, the showers do clear off as we start to draw in some cooler cloudier weather from the north sea and that will tend to lower the temperatures. and so we're not going to see the same amount of showers around for friday, that's for sure. but it's a different type of weather we'll have across the north sea regions. a lot of low cloud to start the day. a weak weather front bringing some patches of light rain across east anglia, pushing towards the midlands, south east england and central southern england. now away from that, there will be some sunshine for scotland, northern ireland, western parts of england and for wales. and in the sunshine it's going to feel warm tomorrow with highs up to 18 degrees or so. but feeling cool around the north sea coast. the weekend? well, we start off with high pressure across the uk on saturday and with that we could see temperatures go as high as 22 degrees, which would make it the warmest day of the year so far. however, we really shouldn't

get too excited by 22 because at this time of the year, in previous years, we've already had much warmer spells of weather. more typically, temperatures reached 25—26 degrees by this time of the year, so it has been relatively cool. now, saturday, we start off with a bit of cloud, but there will be some sunshine coming through widely. the highest temperatures, scotland and northern ireland, that's where we could see the temperatures hit 22c in the best of the sunshine. make the most of that on saturday because it's all change on sunday. it looks like it's going to turn a lot cloudier with outbreaks of rain and cooler weather conditions extending in from the northwest. that's the weather for now. both for now. —— bye for now.

you this is bbc news, our main headlines here. the uk confirms it is sending storm shadow cruise missiles to ukraine to help with their counter offensive. the donation of these weapons give ukraine the best chance of defending themselves against russia's continued brutality. we'll bring you the latest on the ground from president zelensky about the counter offensive against russian forces. pakistan's supreme court orders the release of former prime minister, imran khan saying his arrest on tuesday was illegal. the bank of england follows the federal reserve and hikes interest rates — they're at their highest in nearly 15 years. after months of cancelled trains and

accusations of chaos one of the