this is bbc news. the main headlines. the uk is sending long range stealth missiles to ukraine to help with a major counter offensive. the donation of these systems gives ukraine the best chance to defend itself against russia's continued brutality. —— 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 interest rates they�* re 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. we will be live in liverpool in this half hour. more on those stories in a moment but first of the bbc sport centre and betty glover with more of the day's top stories. thanks, matthew. good afternoon. the big week of european football semifinals continues tonight with the europa league and europa conference league happening this evening. west ham can move a step closer to their first evening. west ham can move a step closer to theirfirst bit evening. west ham can move a step closer to their first bit of silverware since 1980 as they take 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. —— az alkmaar. and other attention turns to trying to end their four decade wait for a trophy. because the team is winning and doing well and they have momentum in a really good division with some

super—teams, one of the questions was you going to the game as favourites. maybe we will but we are going to come up against a team with a 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 maybe az alkmaar would have but overall that doesn't always get you all the results but we have to try and use it. ., ., it. so the winner of that time it will either _ it. so the winner of that time it will either face _ it. so the winner of that time it will either face fiorentina - it. so the winner of that time it will either face fiorentina or i it. so the winner of that time it will either face fiorentina or fci will eitherface fiorentina or fc basel in the final. they also play the first leg of their semifinal tonight. in the europa league semifinal six time winners sevilla playjuventus who have had their fair share of off the pitch issues this season including financial problems. savea's manager says he doesn't expect them to be distracted and instead he'sjust focused on enjoying the occasion. this and instead he'sjust focused on enjoying the occasion.— and instead he'sjust focused on enjoying the occasion. this is such an immense _ enjoying the occasion. this is such an immense joy. _ enjoying the occasion. this is such an immense joy, i— enjoying the occasion. this is such an immense joy, i am _ enjoying the occasion. this is such an immense joy, i am living - enjoying the occasion. this is such an immense joy, i am living the i an immensejoy, i am living the dream but i am calm, not nervous at

all, waiting in to training with the team during these past days with a sense of normalcy. i don't go crazy thinking of the next rival. i think about my players, about recovering those who are slightly injured and i trust them because they have given me reasons to trust them. i'm convinced any team can defeat us. it is like that, but also i'm convinced that we can win against any team. including juventus. that we can win against any team. including juventus._ that we can win against any team. including juventus. seven time world snooker champion _ including juventus. seven time world snooker champion ronnie _ including juventus. seven time world snooker champion ronnie o'sullivanl snooker champion ronnie 0'sullivan says he lost himself for a number of years because of alcohol and drugs. the former world number one was stripped of the irish masters title in 1998 after testing positive for cannabis and in 2000 entered rehab to treat his addictions. in the two decades since 0'sullivan says it has been hard—working on himself and says he believes that happiness is an insidejob.

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 finalist 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. they were denied the opportunity to speak afterwards. all of the finalists in singles and men's doubles address the crowd after their mattress. the professional tennis association said the women's doubles players have been denied the right to freedom of expression. 0rganisers say they have apologised directly to the players. azarenka has been back in court today and booked her place in the last 16 of the roma masters. she beat sloane stephens in straight sets, ending the american�*s six match winning streak and will now face madison keys or qualify magdalena frec next. in the menstrual alexander bublik is also through. not that his afternoon

was that straightforward, though, after hitting his unforced error alexander bublik noticeably lost his temper as you can see there with his racket taking the brunt of his angen racket taking the brunt of his anger. he did recompose himself, though, to win a second set tie—break and when the match in straight sets to reach round two. and that is all the sport for now. thank you. betty, thank you very much. britain has confirmed it will give new cruise missiles to ukraine — giving kyiv the capability of striking targets at a longer range. this is what the weapon looks like — named storm shadow. its manufacturer says they have a range of 250—kilometres. ukraine for months now has been using us—supplied himars missiles. but they only have a range of about 80 kilometres. the storm shadow system is launched from an aircraft — the picture here shows it attached

to the underbelly of a raf fighter jet. let me show you the uk defence secretary ben wallace making that announcement a little earlier. storm shadow is a long—range conventional only precision strike capability. it can permits the long—range systems already gifted including himars and harpoon missiles as well as ukraine's own neptune cruise missile and longer range munitions elsewhere gifted. the donation of these weapon systems gives ukraine the best chance to defend themselves against russia's continued brutality. especially the deliberate targeting of ukrainian civilian infrastructure which is against international law. ukraine has the right to be able to defend itself against this. the use of storm shadow will allow ukraine to push back russian forces based within ukrainian sovereign territory that was the defence secretary in the houses of parliament. 0ur diplomatic correspondent james landale has more now on the politics behind that decision.—

behind that decision. every time the west has given _ behind that decision. every time the west has given another _ behind that decision. every time the west has given another military - west has given another military system whether anti—tank weapon or a tank itself or an anti aircraft defence, the great fear in the west is of escalation. it gives a pretext for moscow to escalate any further. as we have seen throughout this conflict it hasn't made that much difference but there is still that much concern within the west, particularly in the united states which is why the united states has been pretty reluctant to give long—range missiles, as they fear you are giving a tool to the ukrainians that could potentially be used in russian territory. now, we don't know precisely what conditions have been attached to the delivery of these british missiles. whenever you talk to ukrainian senior figures they say we have every incentive to use these weapons responsibly because they know that if they use them irresponsibly and the military support from the west begins to dry up support from the west begins to dry up that is a big problem because whatever happens this is going to be

a long war, but the ukrainians are hoping that the promises and commitments, the fact they have an incentive not to misuse them is enough. it is clearly enough for the uk. the question now is whether it is enough for the united states to follow suit. the uk in the past has played a kind ofjohn the baptist role here, particularly with the provision of tanks for ukraine. it might be that they are playing a similar role here for long—range missiles and the americans follow suit sometime in the future. that was james _ suit sometime in the future. that was james landale. _ suit sometime in the future. that was james landale. we _ suit sometime in the future. that wasjames landale. we will have more was james landale. we will have more throughout our programme here on that major political decision in terms of the war in ukraine. let's change gear completely. if you have been anywhere near social media today you will know this. one of the world's biggest pop stars kicked off her world tour on wednesday night. we are of course talking about beyonce. 0ur reporter nicky schiller is in the newsroom with more. queen bee is back. this is beyonce's first headlining solo tour in nearly seven years. it kicked off at

stockholm in sweden. now, it is trending worldwide with lots of videos being posted on social media. however, got a feeling that beyonce has better lawyers than us, so we can't show you them. but what we can do is show you some of the pictures that were captured by a getty photographer who she allowed in. i am loving this silver horse. the outfits are also what is being talked about. but song—wise, she did over 30 songs. the show lasted for nearly three hours. now, it is her renaissance tour, so no surprise she did all 16 songs from that album. but she also interestingly began with a ballad which has surprised some people in the audience. but it has to be said, the fans, they were loving it. she's done no promotion for this album so there was a lot of anticipation for what she was going to do. and yeah, it was just i'm speechless. speechless. it was just incredible. amazing. she really included the lgbtqi+

community, and there was like a section in there that was really dedicated to the ballroom culture. and it wasjust like, 0k, she sees us. it is another level for beyonce. i've seen her for like i think since the first concert, - which was the beyonce experience. even coachella, - thiswas another level. like, amazing, amazing, amazing. i can't wait to see . the rest of the tour. it's notjust the fans who loved it. take a look at some of these early reviews. the guardian called it a dizzying three—hour show. they gave it five stars out of five. the rolling stones said, "beyonce delivers," whilst the new york times said that it was a renaissance spectacle. now, jack remington is a beyonce fan. he's also a singer and an influencer, and he was also amongst the fans in stockholm. the best bit was not knowing what was coming. i've never been to a gig before where i've not known the setlist or the staging or the dancers or...so just being completely

in awe and just taken for the whole ride was amazing. the staging was incredible. at the end, she's on this huge kind of crystal silver horse. there was a tank at one point coming down which took up the entire runway. like, it was really quite gargantuan. loads of outfit changes. there was a point where she was wearing this kind of tessellated white thing that had these alexander mcqueen—inspired computer robot arms that gave it colour. like, it was just the top level of what you would want from a high—octane tour. so the fans are loving the world tour, but so will beyonce's bank balance. forbes magazine estimates that she will make 2.1 billion, yes, billion dollars from this tour. now, they get that figure by taking the average price of a ticket, $700. of course, many will be cheaper. a lot more will be expensive. and then they add into that the fact that she will get a cut from the merchandise sales at each of the venues. now, to put that in some sort of perspective, taylor swift is also on tour at the moment. but forbes reckon that beyonce will make $500 million more than taylor will on her tour.

numbers. they are incredible. live now to washington — helena andrews—dyer is senior culture reporter at the washington post. incredible numbers ending that report. it has been nearly half a decade. there was so much energy, wasn't there?— wasn't there? absolutely. people have been waiting _ wasn't there? absolutely. people have been waiting for _ wasn't there? absolutely. people have been waiting for visuals, - wasn't there? absolutely. people| have been waiting for visuals, the visuals from the renaissance album since last summer when the album released so to have her album performed pretty much in its entirety and give people the spectacle of the bedazzled horse and the tank and the robot, it's like the tank and the robot, it's like the pent up energy that folks have had to see beyonce on stage for more than a year all released last night. and in terms of the bits that you saw, what did you make of it? do you think it has been carefully thought

through? the latest album, they didn't have videos, so in a sense the fans didn't know what to expect, did they? the fans didn't know what to expect, didthe? , ., ., the fans didn't know what to expect, didthe ? ~ , ., ., ~ did they? absolutely not and i think that's what. — did they? absolutely not and i think that's what. as _ did they? absolutely not and i think that's what, as we _ did they? absolutely not and i think that's what, as we heard _ did they? absolutely not and i think that's what, as we heard in - did they? absolutely not and i think that's what, as we heard in the - that's what, as we heard in the previous report, that is what has made the energy surrounding this moment so big. beyonce is an artist who doesn't say a lot, right. when she announced the release and store it was just an image of her on top of that bedazzled horse and it was like a bat signal to all of her fans. but she didn't say much. she just said renaissance tour coming and then everybody had to get their coins together and everyone had to snatch their lives and get together when the tickets went out. {lin snatch their lives and get together when the tickets went out.- when the tickets went out. on the ticketin: , when the tickets went out. on the ticketing. we _ when the tickets went out. on the ticketing, we saw— when the tickets went out. on the ticketing, we saw what _ when the tickets went out. on the ticketing, we saw what happened | when the tickets went out. on the - ticketing, we saw what happened with taylor swift and the fiasco around that. what do you make about the price of the tickets and also the whole way that has been organised for this tour?— for this tour? absolutely. beyonce and her team _ for this tour? absolutely. beyonce and her team obviously _ for this tour? absolutely. beyonce and her team obviously worth - for this tour? absolutely. beyonce i and her team obviously worth paying very close attention to the fiasco that was the taylor swift ticketing process where ticketmaster essentially completely melted down,

fans can get tickets, they were waiting for hours, there was a congressional hearing. i'm so when the tickets for residents came out it was this roll—out process, you needed all these different levels and codes to get in and fans were really prepared. and it was a much more, let's say, orderly process. i did reporting about this. sham i more, let's say, orderly process. i did reporting about this. am i right so that you — did reporting about this. am i right so that you war— did reporting about this. am i right so that you war game _ did reporting about this. am i right so that you war game debt, - did reporting about this. am i right so that you war game debt, you . so that you war game debt, you mapped it out and planned it out and got a ticket yourself, is that right? i got a ticket yourself, is that rilht? , got a ticket yourself, is that riuht? , , , right? i absolutely did because i did the reporting _ right? i absolutely did because i did the reporting on _ right? i absolutely did because i did the reporting on it _ right? i absolutely did because i did the reporting on it so - right? i absolutely did because i did the reporting on it so i - right? i absolutely did because i did the reporting on it so i knewj did the reporting on it so i knew exact what i needed to do and as soon as a friend of mine got a coat of the four of us got together and we knew what we wanted to spin and where we wanted to sit, she got in and got out in under 15 minutes. a final quick thought, you told our producer that it has the feel of elvis in the 1950s.— producer that it has the feel of elvis in the 1950s. people fainting and all of that. _ elvis in the 1950s. people fainting and all of that. i _ elvis in the 1950s. people fainting and all of that. i really _ elvis in the 1950s. people fainting and all of that. i really like - elvis in the 1950s. people fainting and all of that. i really like that? l and all of that. i really like that? absolutely. elvis, michaeljackson, this is my first beyonce concert, i will be going in the washington area in august and what i've heard from people who have been to every sighel tour she has ever done is that a

beyonce concertjust hits you differently. the energy in the room, the message of this album is one of acceptance and love. so i think that you are going to have people who will absolutely be screaming their lungs out and will not have voices the next day. lungs out and will not have voices the next day-— lungs out and will not have voices the next day. helena, great to talk to ou the next day. helena, great to talk to you and — the next day. helena, great to talk to you and well _ the next day. helena, great to talk to you and well than _ the next day. helena, great to talk to you and well than getting - the next day. helena, great to talk to you and well than getting your l to you and well than getting your ticket. helena andrews—dyer, live from washington, thank you. you are watching bbc news. it is a busy business day and ben thompson is here. we had the interest rate rise, didn't we? i want to talk about those beyonce numbers, incredible, whole economy in itself! we are going to start in the uk because we have had a rise in interest rates, the bank of finland has upped interest rates for a 12th consecutive month. that as it continues to fight high inflation. uk interest rates were raised by a quarter of a percent, standing now at 4.5%. the bank said inflation would fall sharply in april but, and here is the rub, it will not fall as fast or

as far as previously thought. last month inflation slowed to 10.1% but that figure is still way above the bank of england's target. remember that target isjust bank of england's target. remember that target is just 2%. it is proving to be pretty sticky in the words of some market watchers. jane foley, head of fx strategy, rabobank. i hope you can hear me because that picture looks frozen. talk to me about what we have heard today, not wholly unexpected but nonetheless interest rates on the way up to trying to tame inflation.- trying to tame inflation. yeah, absolutely- — trying to tame inflation. yeah, absolutely. and _ trying to tame inflation. yeah, absolutely. and that's - trying to tame inflation. yeah, absolutely. and that's right, i trying to tame inflation. yeah, l absolutely. and that's right, and probably going up further again. in fact, we had the story from the bank of england today of this higher for longer scenario and that's because the forecast for inflation will be higher than previously thought and growth too. growth higher. but before we get excited, growth pretty close to that zero level, so not an awful lot in terms of growth, but

not the recessionary scenario they pointed out. and of course they need to get inflation down, that means there is further work for them to do to unhinge demand in order to do that, to push inflation back into the box. so more upside risk really for the economy, or downside risk for the economy, or downside risk for the economy, upside risk for interest rates, to push inflation back into its 2% target.- interest rates, to push inflation back into its 2% target. back into its 296 target. trying to net that back into its 296 target. trying to get that target — back into its 296 target. trying to get that target could _ back into its 296 target. trying to get that target could take - back into its 296 target. trying to get that target could take longer back into its 296 target. trying to i get that target could take longer in the uk, but somewhat different to what we are seeing across the eurozone and in the us. why the difference?— eurozone and in the us. why the difference? , �* ., ., , ., difference? there isn't an awful lot of difference _ difference? there isn't an awful lot of difference in _ difference? there isn't an awful lot of difference in the _ difference? there isn't an awful lot of difference in the big _ difference? there isn't an awful lot of difference in the big picture. - of difference in the big picture. perhaps there are differences in the detail here. certainly we have had two high inflation across most of the g ten, and certainly we have a tight labour market across most of the oecd tight labour market across most of the 0ecd too, so that is a common thread. what we see now in the us is perhaps the federal reserve has already peaked. but they have had a

more aggressive pace of interest rate tightening since last spring than they have in the bank of england. and in terms of the ecb they started later hiking. they have a little bit further to go as well. but it certainly does seem that we are reaching towards the pinnacle for most central banks in terms of this interest rate cycle.— this interest rate cycle. here is hoinr this interest rate cycle. here is hoping for _ this interest rate cycle. here is hoping for many _ this interest rate cycle. here is hoping for many people - this interest rate cycle. here is hoping for many people that i this interest rate cycle. here is| hoping for many people that are really feeling that in their pocket right now. lovely to see you, jane foley, at rabobank. donald trump has called on republican representatives to stand firm on the us debt ceiling, playing down risks to the us economy and arguing that the democrats should agree to massive spending cuts. speaking at a cnn town hall event, he dismissed us treasury warnings of a catastrophic risk to the global economy of a default on debts, saying instead that it might lead to a bad week or a bad day michelle fleury has been watching this from our new york desk.

we have been so concerned about this and donald trump says nothing to worry about. you and donald trump says nothing to worry about-— and donald trump says nothing to wor about. ., ., . ., , worry about. you have white house economists — worry about. you have white house economists and _ worry about. you have white house economists and moody's _ worry about. you have white house economists and moody's putting - worry about. you have white house | economists and moody's putting out their forecasts, economists and moody's putting out theirforecasts, and economists and moody's putting out their forecasts, and the consensus seems to be that if there were a default and if it lasted for quite some time you're talking about thousands, millions ofjobs being lost. and yet here you have donald trump saying well, it is psychological, it isjust trump saying well, it is psychological, it is just roll the dice essentially and see what happens, all as part of negotiations. i think the key thing to take away here is you have comments like that, you have janet yellen warning of the dangers, business groups now starting to weigh in and expressed their concern that a deal doesn't get done. we are in the early negotiation phases, even though it might feel like there is only weeks to go. the second meeting between biden and leaders from congress will take place on friday, and so we will see what progress is made, whether a deal can be struck. and if it can't, then

there is speculation and talk behind closed doors going on about what next. is there, for example, the possibility that it could be suspended. could you see a situation in which maybe it is raised by only a small amount that would only last a small amount that would only last a couple of months? as we get closer to this deadline i think we will start to see more movement. but right now there is a lot of talk and we just don't know how this will play out. i we just don't know how this will -la out. ~' ., we just don't know how this will -la out.

investors were hoping for a rise. the good news though — disney plus is making more money from each user, and that's helped it lose less money than before. that's the latest from business. iamata i am at a signed ben thompson on twitter. you're watching bbc news. thanks very much. more from then tomorrow at the same time. it's time for your eurovision fix. the grand final of the eurovision song contest is just days away — and tonight, the second semi—final takes place in liverpool. marie moshiri is really enjoying her work. 0verto marie moshiri is really enjoying her work. over to you. marie moshiri is really enjoying her work. 0verto you. i marie moshiri is really enjoying her work. over to you. i am marie moshiri is really en'oying her work. over to you._ marie moshiri is really en'oying her work. over to you. i am en'oying my work. over to you. i am en'oying my work because — work. over to you. i am en'oying my work because it work. over to you. i am en'oying my work because i love _ work. over to you. i am en'oying my work because i love this _ work. over to you. i am enjoying my work because i love this city, - work because i love this city, welcome to liverpool, because there is a real buzz ahead of tonight's second semifinal. we will see 16 acts competing but only ten can make it through to the grand final on saturday. eurovision is one of those rare events that brings people together from all over the world. but it isn'tjust a global event. eurovision is also focusing on bringing together the

communities in and around the city of liverpool. at one place that's really embracing the eurovision theme is the university of liverpool with lots of activities and events for its staff and students. i'm happy to say i'm joined by the director of external relations at the university of liverpool and two of his students, thank you so much to all of you forjoining us on bbc news. let me ask you first of all, tim, why did you decide to embrace eurovision and what is it your university is doing to embrace the idea is that eurovision brings around? the starting point is what you refer to, the liverpool bid wasn'tjust you refer to, the liverpool bid wasn't just about delivering incredible events at the arena. something much broader with benefits notjust— something much broader with benefits notjust for— something much broader with benefits notjust for visitors something much broader with benefits not just for visitors before the wider— not just for visitors before the wider community. notjust not just for visitors before the wider community. not just for the economy, — wider community. not just for the economy, but for social, cultural benefits — economy, but for social, cultural benefits. and we have tried to embrace — benefits. and we have tried to embrace that with a very wide ranging — embrace that with a very wide ranging programme. some of it is about— ranging programme. some of it is about delivering music and events, including _ about delivering music and events, including on—campus for and with our own students and staff. as you said.

some _ own students and staff. as you said. some of— own students and staff. as you said. some of it _ own students and staff. as you said. some of it is — own students and staff. as you said. some of it is more academic. getting into schools — some of it is more academic. getting into schools and working around languages, for example, and some research _ languages, for example, and some research areas as well. and languages, for example, and some research areas as well.— research areas as well. and how important _ research areas as well. and how important do — research areas as well. and how important do you _ research areas as well. and how important do you think - research areas as well. and how important do you think it - research areas as well. and how important do you think it is - research areas as well. and how important do you think it is that | important do you think it is that the whole message of eurovision is about inclusivity and broadening your horizons? it is about inclusivity and broadening your horizons?— your horizons? it is really important _ your horizons? it is really important and _ your horizons? it is really important and really - your horizons? it is really i important and really visible your horizons? it is really - important and really visible around the city _ important and really visible around the city now, just as it is on the campus — the city now, just as it is on the campus. the university could be seen as a community, some 35,000 people from lots _ as a community, some 35,000 people from lots and lots of nationalities. in from lots and lots of nationalities. in the _ from lots and lots of nationalities. in the way— from lots and lots of nationalities. in the way that this has brought people — in the way that this has brought people together has been easy to see and you _ people together has been easy to see and you see it as you walk through the city— and you see it as you walk through the city centre today as well. and i think— the city centre today as well. and i think it _ the city centre today as well. and i think it is — the city centre today as well. and i think it is the overwhelming theme that you _ think it is the overwhelming theme that you pick up from it, whether you are _ that you pick up from it, whether you are interested in eurovision or not, _ you are interested in eurovision or not. there — you are interested in eurovision or not, there really is a celebration of cultures — not, there really is a celebration of cultures and a bringing together of cultures and a bringing together of people — of cultures and a bringing together of people through it.— of people through it. fantastic. now, of people through it. fantastic. now. you're — of people through it. fantastic. now, you're both _ of people through it. fantastic. now, you're both at— of people through it. fantastic. now, you're both at the - of people through it. fantastic. - now, you're both at the university. you both have exams right now, so what are you doing? shouldn't you be in front of the computer doing some work? taste in front of the computer doing some work? ~ . in front of the computer doing some work? . ., ., , ., , in front of the computer doing some work?— and i work? we are in exam periods. and et ou work? we are in exam periods. and yet you are — work? we are in exam periods. and yet you are volunteering _ work? we are in exam periods. and yet you are volunteering at - yet you are volunteering at eurovision in that yellow top. how

is it going?— eurovision in that yellow top. how isituaoin? , . ., is it going? very good, i decided to volunteer for _ is it going? very good, i decided to volunteer for eurovision _ is it going? very good, i decided to volunteer for eurovision because i is it going? very good, i decided to l volunteer for eurovision because two years— volunteer for eurovision because two years ago— volunteer for eurovision because two years ago when — volunteer for eurovision because two years ago when i_ volunteer for eurovision because two years ago when i arrived _ volunteer for eurovision because two years ago when i arrived in _ years ago when i arrived in liverpool— years ago when i arrived in liverpool i_ years ago when i arrived in liverpool i felt _ years ago when i arrived in liverpool i felt very - years ago when i arrived in liverpool i felt very hosted years ago when i arrived in i liverpool i felt very hosted by years ago when i arrived in - liverpool i felt very hosted by the city, very— liverpool i felt very hosted by the city, very welcomed _ liverpool i felt very hosted by the city, very welcomed by _ liverpool i felt very hosted by the city, very welcomed by the - liverpool i felt very hosted by the city, very welcomed by the city i liverpool i felt very hosted by the| city, very welcomed by the city so liverpool i felt very hosted by the i city, very welcomed by the city so i wanted _ city, very welcomed by the city so i wanted to— city, very welcomed by the city so i wanted to give _ city, very welcomed by the city so i wanted to give back _ city, very welcomed by the city so i wanted to give back this _ city, very welcomed by the city so i wanted to give back this hospitality to the _ wanted to give back this hospitality to the city— wanted to give back this hospitality to the city and _ wanted to give back this hospitality to the city and helping _ wanted to give back this hospitality to the city and helping with - to the city and helping with eurovision. _ to the city and helping with eurovision.— to the city and helping with eurovision. ., . ., ., eurovision. how much did it mean to ou that eurovision. how much did it mean to you that the — eurovision. how much did it mean to you that the university _ eurovision. how much did it mean to you that the university is _ eurovision. how much did it mean to you that the university is getting - you that the university is getting so involved?— so involved? university is very involved because _ so involved? university is very involved because we - so involved? university is very involved because we are - so involved? university is veryj involved because we are doing so involved? university is very l involved because we are doing a so involved? university is very - involved because we are doing a lot of activities — involved because we are doing a lot of activities and _ involved because we are doing a lot of activities and a _ involved because we are doing a lot of activities and a lot _ involved because we are doing a lot of activities and a lot of— of activities and a lot of campaigns _ of activities and a lot of campaigns my- of activities and a lot of campaigns. my culturel of activities and a lot of- campaigns. my culture video is of activities and a lot of— campaigns. my culture video is one of the _ campaigns. my culture video is one ofthe campaigns— campaigns. my culture video is one of the campaigns i— campaigns. my culture video is one of the campaigns i prefer— campaigns. my culture video is one of the campaigns i prefer because. campaigns. my culture video is one i of the campaigns i prefer because we are explaining — of the campaigns i prefer because we are explaining to— of the campaigns i prefer because we are explaining to the _ of the campaigns i prefer because we are explaining to the world _ of the campaigns i prefer because we are explaining to the world that - are explaining to the world that liverpool— are explaining to the world that liverpool is _ are explaining to the world that liverpool is very _ are explaining to the world that liverpool is very welcoming - are explaining to the world that liverpool is very welcoming sol are explaining to the world that| liverpool is very welcoming so i are explaining to the world that - liverpool is very welcoming so i did a video— liverpool is very welcoming so i did a video of— liverpool is very welcoming so i did a video of why _ liverpool is very welcoming so i did a video of why me _ liverpool is very welcoming so i did a video of why me as _ liverpool is very welcoming so i did a video of why me as an— liverpool is very welcoming so i did a video of why me as an italian - a video of why me as an italian student— a video of why me as an italian student i— a video of why me as an italian student i feel— a video of why me as an italian student i feel better— a video of why me as an italian student i feel better coming i a video of why me as an italianl student i feel better coming her a video of why me as an italian - student i feel better coming her to liverpool— student i feel better coming her to liverpool and — student i feel better coming her to liverpool and other— student i feel better coming her to liverpool and other students - student i feel better coming her to liverpool and other students from | liverpool and other students from other _ liverpool and other students from other parts — liverpool and other students from other parts of— liverpool and other students from other parts of the _ liverpool and other students from other parts of the world _ liverpool and other students from other parts of the world are - liverpool and other students from other parts of the world are doing | other parts of the world are doing other— other parts of the world are doing other videos _ other parts of the world are doing other videos. there _ other parts of the world are doing other videos. there is— other parts of the world are doing other videos. there is also - other parts of the world are doing other videos. there is also the . other videos. there is also the united — other videos. there is also the united by— other videos. there is also the united by music— other videos. there is also the united by music festival- other videos. there is also the united by music festival at - united by music festival at university— united by music festival at university and _ united by music festival at university and lots - united by music festival at university and lots of - united by music festival at| university and lots of social united by music festival at - university and lots of social events in the _ university and lots of social events in the university. _ university and lots of social events in the university.— university and lots of social events in the university. amazing. you are from ukraine. _ in the university. amazing. you are from ukraine, and _ in the university. amazing. you are from ukraine, and interestingly - in the university. amazing. you are l from ukraine, and interestingly from the same village as the ukrainian entry today. what does it mean to you that liverpool is hosting this event for ukraine? it is you that liverpool is hosting this event for ukraine?— event for ukraine? it is really exciting- _ event for ukraine? it is really exciting- in —

event for ukraine? it is really exciting. in this _ event for ukraine? it is really exciting. in this way - event for ukraine? it is really exciting. in this way i - event for ukraine? it is really exciting. in this way i cannot| event for ukraine? it is really - exciting. in this way i cannot only celebrate the _ exciting. in this way i cannot only celebrate the culture _ exciting. in this way i cannot only celebrate the culture of— exciting. in this way i cannot only celebrate the culture of my - exciting. in this way i cannot only i celebrate the culture of my country but of _ celebrate the culture of my country but of my— celebrate the culture of my country but of my city— celebrate the culture of my country but of my city as _ celebrate the culture of my country but of my city as well. _ celebrate the culture of my country but of my city as well. so _ celebrate the culture of my country but of my city as well. so i- celebrate the culture of my country but of my city as well.— but of my city as well. so i feel more connection _ but of my city as well. so i feel more connection to _ but of my city as well. so i feel more connection to the - but of my city as well. so i feel i more connection to the eurovision and to— more connection to the eurovision and to their— more connection to the eurovision and to theiract more connection to the eurovision and to their act which is really, really— and to their act which is really, really exciting for me.- and to their act which is really, really exciting for me. what are you readin: at really exciting for me. what are you reading at university? _ really exciting for me. what are you reading at university? business - reading at university? business management- _ reading at university? business management. and _ reading at university? business management. and sports - reading at university? business management. and sports and l reading at university? business - management. and sports and business management- — management. and sports and business management. the _ management. and sports and business management. the element _ management. and sports and business management. the element you - management. and sports and business management. the element you want i management. and sports and business| management. the element you want to become _ management. the element you want to become business managers? is that the plan? _ become business managers? is that the plan? yes. become business managers? is that the plan? yes-— the plan? yes. how much does it matter that _ the plan? yes. how much does it matter that eurovision _ the plan? yes. how much does it matter that eurovision is - the plan? yes. how much does it matter that eurovision is in - the plan? yes. how much does it matter that eurovision is in the i matter that eurovision is in the city and has been embraced so much ljy city and has been embraced so much by liverpool?— by liverpool? well, liverpool did a ureat 'ob by liverpool? well, liverpool did a great job by _ by liverpool? well, liverpool did a great job by sharing _ by liverpool? well, liverpool did a great job by sharing the _ by liverpool? well, liverpool did a great job by sharing the ukrainian | greatjob by sharing the ukrainian culture _ greatjob by sharing the ukrainian culture which _ greatjob by sharing the ukrainian culture which is _ greatjob by sharing the ukrainian culture which is like _ greatjob by sharing the ukrainian culture which is like something i. culture which is like something i really— culture which is like something i really appreciate _ culture which is like something i really appreciate with _ culture which is like something i really appreciate with the - culture which is like something i. really appreciate with the ukrainian corner— really appreciate with the ukrainian corner and — really appreciate with the ukrainian corner and the _ really appreciate with the ukrainian corner and the eurovision - really appreciate with the ukrainian corner and the eurovision village i corner and the eurovision village where _ corner and the eurovision village where people _ corner and the eurovision village where people can _ corner and the eurovision village where people can try— corner and the eurovision village where people can try ukrainian. corner and the eurovision village i where people can try ukrainian food and enjoy— where people can try ukrainian food and enjoy ukrainian— where people can try ukrainian food and enjoy ukrainian products. - where people can try ukrainian food and enjoy ukrainian products. and i where people can try ukrainian foodl and enjoy ukrainian products. and as well a _ and enjoy ukrainian products. and as well a lot— and enjoy ukrainian products. and as well a lot of— and enjoy ukrainian products. and as well a lot of fundraising _ and enjoy ukrainian products. and as well a lot of fundraising campaigns. well a lot of fundraising campaigns are hosted — well a lot of fundraising campaigns are hosted in — well a lot of fundraising campaigns are hosted in liverpool— well a lot of fundraising campaigns are hosted in liverpool were - well a lot of fundraising campaigns are hosted in liverpool were the i

well a lot of fundraising campaigns. are hosted in liverpool were the aim to provide _ are hosted in liverpool were the aim to provide funds _ are hosted in liverpool were the aim to provide funds for _ are hosted in liverpool were the aim to provide funds for ukraine, - are hosted in liverpool were the aim to provide funds for ukraine, for- to provide funds for ukraine, for humanitarian _ to provide funds for ukraine, for humanitarian aid. _ to provide funds for ukraine, for humanitarian aid. it _ to provide funds for ukraine, for humanitarian aid. it has - to provide funds for ukraine, for humanitarian aid. it has been. to provide funds for ukraine, for. humanitarian aid. it has been really great _ humanitarian aid. it has been really areat. , w' , humanitarian aid. it has been really areat. , a , ., ., humanitarian aid. it has been really lreat, , , ., ., ,., great. very quickly, who do you think will win? _ great. very quickly, who do you think will win? would _ great. very quickly, who do you think will win? would you - great. very quickly, who do you think will win? would you like i great. very quickly, who do you i think will win? would you like the best? i think will win? would you like the best? ., ., ., think will win? would you like the i best?_ ukraine! best? i will have to go uk. ukraine! so predictable! _ best? i will have to go uk. ukraine! so predictable! i— best? i will have to go uk. ukraine! so predictable! i was— best? i will have to go uk. ukraine! so predictable! i was hoping - best? i will have to go uk. ukraine! so predictable! i was hoping for- so predictable! i was hoping for something a little bit different but fine, fair enough, thank you all of you forjoining us on the bbc. matthew, it is back to you now. thanks very much, marie moshiri. more from marie moshiri later. coming up we have the latest on the uk decision to send cruise missiles to ukraine. we will also hearfrom the governor of the bank of england, that hiking of interest rates, the highest in 15 years now. and we will also be live in pakistan after the supreme court says that imran khan should be released, and that arrest was illegal back on tuesday. so it really a full hour coming up on bbc news in a moment or two after the weather with chris fawkes.

it has been another day of widespread heavy showers and thunderstorms, particularly focused across england and wales. as we can see on the radar and the lightning detector picture here. some of the storms today have been particularly slow moving raising the prospect of flash flooding and we have had a number of funnel clouds spotted. this particular one a beauty from the bedford area. looking at the weather picture overnight tonight, the showers fade away pretty quickly as we lose the heat of the day and we start to develop cooler north—easterly winds which will track a lot of cloud in from the north sea. probably thick enough for an occasional spot of drizzle and may be a few mist patches around as well. temperatures overnight generally around 6—9 c, and then tomorrow completely changing the weather picture crosses scotland and eastern england where it will be cloudy with a bit of rain coming in across east anglia, south—east england and working to the midlands and central southern england later on. across western areas of england, wales, northern ireland and scotland, mostly a fine day with

some pleasant spells of sunshine, it will feel quite warm in the west with that sunshine and highs up to around 18 or 19 degrees. contrast that with the cooler conditions that we will have in the east where temperatures at best will get to about 13 or 16 degrees. 0n temperatures at best will get to about 13 or 16 degrees. on saturday we have a build—up of pressure across the uk and that should bring across the uk and that should bring a more settled weather day. saturday kameni early morning cloud and drizzle fizzles away pretty quickly and we will see some sunshine come out. for scotland and northern ireland temperatures might hit 22 celsius which would make it the warmest day of the year so far. but i think whatever we feel that sunshine it will feel pleasantly warm, whereas around some of the eastern coasts, temperature is about 14, 15 eastern coasts, temperature is about 1k, 15 degrees. eastern coasts, temperature is about 14,15 degrees. 0n eastern coasts, temperature is about 1k, 15 degrees. on sunday a cold 1a, 15 degrees. on sunday a cold front brings rain to scotland and northern ireland bringing up the temperatures, 15 or 16 degrees through the afternoon. england and wales, rain pushing into the north and west through the day, might be a few showers elsewhere, the highest temperatures in east anglia in the south—east where again we could see temperatures reach the low 20s. so that's our weather but i want to show you what is going on in south

asia where a nasty —looking cyclonic storm is heading towards the border region of myanmar and bangladesh. this is the zone that currently houses any hundreds of thousands of ranger refugees in camps. given the whether there is the potential for some catastrophic impacts —— rohingya refugees.

live from london. this is bbc news. in the next 60 minutes — all the main uk stories — together with the latest breaking developments internationally. the uk is sending long—range stealth missiles to ukraine — to help with a major counter—offensive. the donation of these weapon systems gives ukraine the best chance to defend 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 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