at 6pm: another rise for interest rates, as the bank of england warns prices will stay higher for longer. rates are up to 4.5% — bad news for many people with mortgages, credit cards and loans. we cards and loans. do expect food inflation to come down we do expect food inflation to come down quite rapidly throughout the course of this year but what we have come... the view we've come to ears it will take a bit longer than we thought it would. we'll explain why rates keep rising and report on the impact on household budgets. also on the programme... overcrowding and cancellations. one of britain's most complained about services, transpennine express, is stripped of its contract to run trains across northern england and into scotland.

the government confirms it is supplying ukraine with the long—range missiles it requested for its fight against russian forces. and the australian immigration lawyer — taking on eurovision tonight. at 6.30: concerns of how the cost of living crisis will make access to health care worse in london's poorest areas. and rail strikes make an unwelcome return tomorrow. we look ahead to semifinals. the bank of england has raised interest rates again, as it tries to stop prices rising so high. but the bank's governor has warned that prices will not fall nearly as fast they had predicted — though he says the economy won't now go into recession. have a look at what has happened to interest rates over the past 15 years. these here were booming times before the financial crash. the economy was growing, there was a house price boom

and the bank raised rates to try to damp it all down. and then this steep fall after the crash, with the bank of england trying to save the economy by slashing rates. for more than a decade, we all became used to being able to borrow cheaply, as they kept rates artificially low. they were cut even further during the pandemic to just above zero. and then this sharp rise, as rates jumped 12 times in less than 18 months. here's our economics editor faisal islam. two for £1 two for e1 on the grapes or raspberries, grab them before they've gone. m0 raspberries, grab them before they've gone-— raspberries, grab them before they've gone. raspberries, grab them before the 'veaone. . ., they've gone. no clearer place to see the price _ they've gone. no clearer place to see the price shock— they've gone. no clearer place to see the price shock than - they've gone. no clearer place to see the price shock than with - they've gone. no clearer place to i see the price shock than with helen in the hanley fruit and veg market. day by day, things have increased, decreased. one week it is tomatoes, this week particularly its broccoli. broccoli we won't have in the store because we don't think it's justifiable, the price that is, for people to pay.

justifiable, the price that is, for peeple to pay-— justifiable, the price that is, for people to pay. people won't afford it? no. inflation _ people to pay. people won't afford it? no. inflation is— people to pay. people won't afford it? no. inflation is proving - people to pay. people won't afford it? no. inflation is proving sticky l it? no. inflation is proving sticky in stoke it? iiru inflation is proving sticky in stoke and well be on. and that is what the bank of england forecast points to today, inflation coming down from today's number of over 10% but still remaining above 5% by the end of this year. the bank pins this mainly on food prices which are rising at record highs and that is despite the fact that the wholesale cost of ingredients have started to come down. that is why interest rates were raised again today for the 12th time and perhaps not the last. the governor focused the 12th time and perhaps not the last. the governorfocused on the 12th time and perhaps not the last. the governor focused on the high food prices. i last. the governor focused on the high food prices.— high food prices. i visit quite a lot of food _ high food prices. i visit quite a lot of food producers - high food prices. i visit quite a lot of food producers when - high food prices. i visit quite a| lot of food producers when i'm high food prices. i visit quite a - lot of food producers when i'm going around the country and food retailers. what they do say to me as look, we do expect food inflation to come down quite rapidly throughout the course of this year. do come down quite rapidly throughout the course of this year.— the course of this year. do you exect the course of this year. do you meet that? _ the course of this year. do you meet that? i _ the course of this year. do you expect that? i do, _ the course of this year. do you expect that? i do, i— the course of this year. do you expect that? i do, i do - the course of this year. do you expect that? i do, i do expect| the course of this year. do you - expect that? i do, i do expect that but what we _ expect that? i do, i do expect that but what we have _ expect that? i do, i do expect that but what we have come _ expect that? i do, i do expect that but what we have come to, - expect that? i do, i do expect that but what we have come to, the - expect that? i do, i do expect that i but what we have come to, the view we've come to is it will take a little longer than we thought it

would. 50 little longer than we thought it would. ,, ., little longer than we thought it would, ,., little longer than we thought it would. ., , little longer than we thought it would. ., ., ., would. so the pain hangs around for loner? it would. so the pain hangs around for longer? it is — would. so the pain hangs around for longer? it is still _ would. so the pain hangs around for longer? it is still downward - would. so the pain hangs around for longer? it is still downward but - would. so the pain hangs around for longer? it is still downward but it i longer? it is still downward but it has a bit more _ longer? it is still downward but it has a bit more in _ longer? it is still downward but it has a bit more in it _ longer? it is still downward but it has a bit more in it coming - longer? it is still downward but it| has a bit more in it coming down. the better news on the economy is evenif the better news on the economy is even if we are not quite at full speed, the engine of growth is starting to read again and that means the economy won't even fall let alone suffer a recession, according to this forecast. but the flip side is that inflation remains more stubborn over the next year or so and that interest rate rises may still have a way to go. the chancellor in japan, still have a way to go. the chancellor injapan, meeting fellow finance ministers, said his economic plans were on target. his finance ministers, said his economic plans were on target.— plans were on target. his shadow blamed the _ plans were on target. his shadow blamed the government. - plans were on target. his shadow blamed the government. the - plans were on target. his shadow. blamed the government. the bank plans were on target. his shadow - blamed the government. the bank of england is predicting we will hit the inflation target but there's never been anything automatic about hitting it. that is why it is so important if we're going to bring certainty back to family finances, stock prices rising, that we stick to our plan to halve it. the truth is the uk has — to our plan to halve it. the truth is the uk has forecast _ to our plan to halve it. the truth is the uk has forecast to have i to our plan to halve it. the truth. is the uk has forecast to have the weakest _ is the uk has forecast to have the weakest growth and the highest

inflation — weakest growth and the highest inflation in the this year. so of course — inflation in the this year. so of course there are global factors involved. — course there are global factors involved, but the fact is, here in britain, — involved, but the fact is, here in britain, we _ involved, but the fact is, here in britain, we have been uniquely exposed — britain, we have been uniquely exposed to the crises. elsewhere in stoke, the famous _ exposed to the crises. elsewhere in stoke, the famous ceramics - exposed to the crises. elsewhere in l stoke, the famous ceramics industry. at this factory they have just given all staff are 10% pay rise and the prices of materials are only coming down is mostly.— prices of materials are only coming down is mostly. they have gone up, the are down is mostly. they have gone up, they are beginning _ down is mostly. they have gone up, they are beginning to _ down is mostly. they have gone up, they are beginning to come - down is mostly. they have gone up, they are beginning to come back- down is mostly. they have gone up, they are beginning to come back a l they are beginning to come back a little bit but i think when people get the opportunity to put the prices up, they very rarely let them drift down too much unless they have to because the competition is undercutting them. there isn't a great deal of competition out there for that type of thing, really. the economy not _ for that type of thing, really. the economy not yet _ for that type of thing, really. the economy not yet back to normal but industry and households starting to emerge from three years of global crisis. faisal islam, bbc news. the cost of living will remain high for some time — that was the warning today from the bank of england. danjohnson has been talking to people in bristol about the impact high prices and interest rate rises are having on them.

in bristol suburbs, it's getting harder to afford even everyday essentials. shelley and her mum irene are cutting back. we essentials. shelley and her mum irene are cutting back.— essentials. shelley and her mum irene are cutting back. we are not bu in: to irene are cutting back. we are not buying to waste. _ irene are cutting back. we are not buying to waste, just _ irene are cutting back. we are not buying to waste, just buying what| irene are cutting back. we are not i buying to waste, just buying what we need. making meals out of what we've got rather than chucking stuff away. it does make us, you re—evaluate everything, we have changed our habits, haven't we?— everything, we have changed our habits, haven't we? food prices are increasin: habits, haven't we? food prices are increasing fastest, _ habits, haven't we? food prices are increasing fastest, now _ habits, haven't we? food prices are increasing fastest, now that - habits, haven't we? food prices are increasing fastest, now that 1996. i habits, haven't we? food prices are| increasing fastest, now that 1996. so increasing fastest, now that 19%. so kelvin is working harder to deliver good value. kelvin is working harder to deliver good value-— good value. people come in and sometimes _ good value. people come in and sometimes they _ good value. people come in and sometimes they mention - good value. people come in and sometimes they mention that i good value. people come in and i sometimes they mention that they only had _ sometimes they mention that they only had so much to spend. so, you know, _ only had so much to spend. so, you know. we _ only had so much to spend. so, you know. we try— only had so much to spend. so, you know, we try and give them the best deal you _ know, we try and give them the best deal you can. know, we try and give them the best deal you can-— deal you can. higher mortgage rates mean rising — deal you can. higher mortgage rates mean rising rent. _ deal you can. higher mortgage rates mean rising rent. abby's _ deal you can. higher mortgage rates mean rising rent. abby's went - deal you can. higher mortgage rates mean rising rent. abby's went up 596 mean rising rent. abby�*s went up 5% even before the announcement today. i mean, it is the 10th of may and i have a hundred quid left for rest of the month. it's ridiculous. her

friend louise _ the month. it's ridiculous. her friend louise faces _ the month. it's ridiculous. her friend louise faces even bigger future costs. i friend louise faces even bigger future costs.— friend louise faces even bigger future costs. ., , . ., _ future costs. i am expecting a baby in the summer— future costs. i am expecting a baby in the summer and _ future costs. i am expecting a baby in the summer and there _ future costs. i am expecting a baby in the summer and there is - future costs. i am expecting a baby in the summer and there is no - future costs. i am expecting a baby in the summer and there is no way| future costs. i am expecting a baby| in the summer and there is no way i can afford _ in the summer and there is no way i can afford to — in the summer and there is no way i can afford to live on my own in bristol~ — can afford to live on my own in bristol. yeah, going to move back down _ bristol. yeah, going to move back down to— bristol. yeah, going to move back down to south wales. to bristol. yeah, going to move back down to south wales.— bristol. yeah, going to move back down to south wales. to save money? yes, literally- — down to south wales. to save money? yes, literally. back— down to south wales. to save money? yes, literally. back with _ down to south wales. to save money? yes, literally. back with the _ yes, literally. back with the arents yes, literally. back with the parents which _ yes, literally. back with the parents which we _ yes, literally. back with the parents which we never - yes, literally. back with the - parents which we never thought we would be doing. i’m parents which we never thought we would be doing.— parents which we never thought we would be doing. i'm in my late 30s, don't want — would be doing. i'm in my late 30s, don't want to _ would be doing. i'm in my late 30s, don't want to be _ would be doing. i'm in my late 30s, don't want to be living _ would be doing. i'm in my late 30s, don't want to be living with - would be doing. i'm in my late 30s, don't want to be living with mum i don't want to be living with mum and dad! , ., , ., ., ,, . , dad! they are used to making cuts in the face of rising _ dad! they are used to making cuts in the face of rising costs. _ dad! they are used to making cuts in the face of rising costs. finn - dad! they are used to making cuts in the face of rising costs. firm and i the face of rising costs. finn and his fiancee are first—time buyers are. his fiancee are first-time buyers are. ~ . , his fiancee are first-time buyers are. . ., , , , , �*, are. we are first-time buyers. it's are. we are first-time buyers. it's a bit daunting. — are. we are first-time buyers. it's a bit daunting, to _ are. we are first-time buyers. it's a bit daunting, to be _ are. we are first-time buyers. it's a bit daunting, to be fair, - are. we are first-time buyers. it's a bit daunting, to be fair, but i a bit daunting, to be fair, but that's life, isn't it? do a bit daunting, to be fair, but that's life, isn't it?— a bit daunting, to be fair, but that's life, isn't it? do you think ou will that's life, isn't it? do you think you will get _ that's life, isn't it? do you think you will get the _ that's life, isn't it? do you think you will get the house - that's life, isn't it? do you think you will get the house you i that's life, isn't it? do you thinkl you will get the house you want? probably not the house we won. but make no. ., probably not the house we won. but make no. ,, ., .,, , _, make no. making do has become the norm because _ make no. making do has become the norm because of— make no. making do has become the norm because of rising _ make no. making do has become the norm because of rising inflation, i make no. making do has become the norm because of rising inflation, in l norm because of rising inflation, in part down to energy costs and the pain isn'tjust financial. mum part down to energy costs and the pain isn'tjust financial. pain isn't 'ust financial. mum don't leave the pain isn'tjust financial. mum don't leave the house _ pain isn'tjust financial. mum don't leave the house because _ pain isn'tjust financial. mum don't leave the house because she i pain isn'tjust financial. mum don't leave the house because she can't| leave the house because she can't afford _ leave the house because she can't afford to _ leave the house because she can't afford to go anywhere. that is the reality— afford to go anywhere. that is the reality of— afford to go anywhere. that is the reality of it — afford to go anywhere. that is the reality of it. and then you get a bit depressed because she can't go

out. bit depressed because she can't go out it_ bit depressed because she can't go out it has— bit depressed because she can't go out it has a — bit depressed because she can't go out. it has a knock—on effect. the out. it has a knock-on effect. the hardshi out. it has a knock—on effect. tue: hardship continues out. it has a knock—on effect. t'te: hardship continues and out. it has a knock—on effect. tte: hardship continues and if out. it has a knock—on effect. t'ta: hardship continues and if you out. it has a knock—on effect. tte: hardship continues and if you are struggling with the cost of living, there is advice on a special section of our website called tackling it together. dan johnson, bbc news. joining me now is faisal islam. a great pressure on people's finances. we were talking this week about moves to help first—time buyers with a zero deposit mortgage, a new product. the bank of england governor not sounding sure about it? the return of the 100% mortgage we reported on last week. something of a warning from the bank of england governor. he said we have to watch it very carefully. he is not saying no but they have to be very careful about this, you can get quite a few problems. people can often get stuck with mortgages for a long period of time, which they can't trade out of. something of a half raised eyebrow. it is obviously coming against the backdrop of interest rates having gone up 12 times, perhaps going up again in the coming months as well.

and a change in the structure come in the system of the mortgage market, with lots more fixed rate mortgages, which means all these rises we've had, the bank now says it is having less of an immediate impact on the economy that is similar rise would have had 20 or 30 years ago, taking extra time. it will come through eventually though but two thirds of the impact yet to come to stop a balancing act between inflation and growth that very much remains. . ., inflation and growth that very much remains. ., ,, , ., one of britain's most complained about service, transpenine express, has been stripped of its contract after months of cancelled trains. the government will now run its rail network covering the north of england and parts of scotland. it is the fourth rail operator to be nationalised since 2018. our transport correspondent katy austin reports from manchester. ona on a busy transpennine express train from manchester to york this morning, rail commuters were taking in the news. many were not surprised. t

in the news. many were not surprised-— in the news. many were not surrised. ., , , ., ., surprised. i have properly had a seat about _ surprised. i have properly had a seat about six _ surprised. i have properly had a seat about six or _ surprised. i have properly had a seat about six or seven - surprised. i have properly had a seat about six or seven times i surprised. i have properly had a j seat about six or seven times in surprised. i have properly had a i seat about six or seven times in two or three years. trlat seat about six or seven times in two or three years-— or three years. not fit for purpose, overcrowded- _ or three years. not fit for purpose, overcrowded. i _ or three years. not fit for purpose, overcrowded. i checked _ or three years. not fit for purpose, overcrowded. i checked the - or three years. not fit for purpose, overcrowded. i checked the night i overcrowded. i checked the night before which _ overcrowded. i checked the night before which trains _ overcrowded. i checked the night before which trains will _ overcrowded. i checked the night before which trains will be i before which trains will be running the next _ before which trains will be running the next day _ before which trains will be running the next day i_ before which trains will be running the next day. i check— before which trains will be running the next day. i check again - before which trains will be running the next day. i check again before| the next day. i check again before we set _ the next day. i check again before we set off— the next day. i check again before we set off in — the next day. i check again before we set off in the _ the next day. i check again before we set off in the morning. - we set off in the morning. transpennine _ we set off in the morning. transpennine has - we set off in the morning. transpennine has come i we set off in the morning. i transpennine has come under particular criticism for cancelling trains the night before because of staff shortages and is still putting up staff shortages and is still putting up daily lists of cancellations. in total, nearly a quarter of its services in january total, nearly a quarter of its services injanuary did not run. the figure was similar the next month. in march, it had come down to one in six, still the highest in the country. the problems have been blamed on a long backlog of driver training and a breakdown in relations with the drivers union, aslef. transpennine had said a recovery plan was bringing cancellation numbers down but today there is transport secretary said its contract would come to an end. to achieve the performance levels i expect, that passengers deserve, and that the northern economy needs, it

is clear that both the contract and the underlying relationships must be reset. and i have therefore decided not to renew or extend first tpe�*s contract when it ends on the 28th of may. contract when it ends on the 28th of ma . ~ ., , ., contract when it ends on the 28th of ma . ~._ ., ., contract when it ends on the 28th of ma. .,~ , ., may. the mayor of west yorkshire, who has been _ may. the mayor of west yorkshire, who has been calling _ may. the mayor of west yorkshire, who has been calling for _ may. the mayor of west yorkshire, who has been calling for change, i who has been calling for change, welcomed the decision. this who has been calling for change, welcomed the decision.— welcomed the decision. this is a victory for _ welcomed the decision. this is a victory for commuters _ welcomed the decision. this is a victory for commuters in - welcomed the decision. this is a victory for commuters in the i welcomed the decision. this is a i victory for commuters in the north. i'm victory for commuters in the north. i'm really— victory for commuters in the north. i'm really pleased that government have listened to myself, northern mayors _ have listened to myself, northern mayors and to the public are made this decision today. we have been held back— this decision today. we have been held back by this company that has been _ held back by this company that has been unable to run services for people — been unable to run services for people in— been unable to run services for people in the north. it's time has come _ people in the north. it's time has come and — people in the north. it's time has come and i— people in the north. it's time has come and i am pleased that this decision— come and i am pleased that this decision has been made. transpennine will 'oin decision has been made. transpennine willjoin three — decision has been made. transpennine willjoin three other _ decision has been made. transpennine willjoin three other operators - decision has been made. transpennine willjoin three other operators and i willjoin three other operators and being directly run by the government. it does not mean its problems will be instantly resolved. what we have got to hope for is the fact this has happened shifts some attitudes. the unions have always

wanted nationalisation and now they have got it and therefore there is an opportunity now for, as the business transport secretary said, to reset the whole discussion. the government's _ to reset the whole discussion. the government's intention is the private sector will eventually step in again on this network. whoever is in again on this network. whoever is in charge, fed up passengers are hoping for change. the government's operator of last resort will take over on the 28th of may. services will carry on. it will be the same trains and the same staff on the same route. of course, what passengers want to know is, will things get better? the transport secretary today said it is not a silver bullet, there is no quick fix in other words but some rail experts i have spoken to today said it was becoming clear something needed to becoming clear something needed to be done to change the situation now the government will be effectively directly accountable for what happens from here and there could be an opportunity for things to start going in right direction. thank you.

the uk has confirmed that it is sending long—range cruise missiles to ukraine — as requested. the defence secretary ben wallace said the weapons will give ukraine the 'best chance' of defending itself , and said britain would not stand by while russia killed civilians. the storm shadow missile can travel more than 150 miles. here's what that range looks in the south of the country, where the weapons could enable strikes deep into russian occupied crimea. our correspondent hugo bachega reports. where he has been speaking to ukraine's president zelensky. ukraine is getting ready to attack. a counter is imminent, a major attempt to push back russia. explosions this man will decide when that happens — president zelensky. if he delays the push, it gives time for russia to reinforce positions. if he rushes into it, his military could fail.

are you ready for this counteroffensive? translation: mentally, we're ready. in terms of how motivated our military are, we're ready. in terms of enough personnel in our brigades, we're ready. in terms of equipment, not everything has arrived yet. we're expecting armoured vehicles — they arrive in batches. we can advance with what we've got and i think we can be successful, but we will lose a lot of people. i think that is unacceptable. we need to wait, we need a bit more time. from britain today, more help. cruise missiles that could strike targets at least 150 miles away. the donation of these weapons 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 a 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. even before the announcement, moscow had failed to respond to it. —— failed to respond to it. with cities like bakhmut lying in ruins, ukrainians wonder what else russia can do. this counteroffensive is likely to be extremely challenging and deadly too, for a country that has already lost so many of its soldiers. ukraine knows it needs to succeed to guarantee continued military support from the west, so that this doesn't become another frozen conflict. time is crucial, but ukraine says it still doesn't have everything it needs. it's surprised allies in the past. it hopes to do it again and to redefine the war.

hugo bachega, bbc news, kyiv. the time is 6.15. our top story this evening... another rise for interest rates up to 4.5%, bad news for many people with mortgages, credit cards and loans. coming up, the new wind and solar projects held up because they cannot plug into the national grid. on plug into the national grid. 0n bbc plug into the national grid. on bbc london, ukraine's trauma surgeons get expert training to use in conflict zones in a london hospital. and a father and daughter who have stolen hearts as they race across the world. there are tens of thousands of people massing on the border between mexico and the united states — they've been gathering there for weeks. — they've been gathering and many of them are expected to try to surge across the border into the us from tomorrow. that's because a temporary law

introduced by donald trump during the pandemic that meant illegal migrants could be removed quickly expires overnight. american troops have been deployed along the 2,000—mile border as this long—running political crisis becomes an increasingly urgent humanitarian one. our north america editor sarah smith has been speaking to the migrants on the mexican side of the border who are trying to cross into the us. trying to escape from poverty and persecution, it will take a lot more than razor wire to repel migrants desperate to reach america. after long, arduous journeys, these people have almost made it. but what they have found is an arid wasteland on the mexican side of the border. in a scarce patch of shade, milexi struggles to care for herfour children. after a dangerous journey from venezuela, the family are now sleeping here in the dirt. translation: as a mum, it'sjust too much. - here you can't sleep. the cold is way too intense. i said, "lord, what do i do?" we are worried that they will close

the border until everything is over. —— we are worried that they will close the border and tell us everything is over. after all this sacrifice. very occasionally the gates open to allow a handful of people through, but not before they've thrown away what little they've brought with them. everything except their documents and their phones. even shoelaces have to go. translation: my girl is nine years old and is diabetic, and this is why. i decided to migrate. there is intense confusion here about what the changes to american immigration laws will mean for these migrants. is today the last chance to get in? or will it be easier tomorrow? rosario medina has been searching through rubbish bins to find food for her grandchildren. translation: we just got here to the border. it's been really difficult. we've been travelling since october of last year and it's really, really ha rd. what will you do if the american authorities do not allow you in, do not grant you asylum? honestly, we don't know

what we would do because going back to our country is not an option. i don't know what we will do if the us doesn't give us a hand. the situation here is getting worse and worse, and it's causing real hardship for these people. for decades, though, it has proved impossible to reach any kind of political agreement on meaningful immigration reform. and the worse this gets, the less likely it seems any kind of solution is in sight. prepare for title 42... those responsible for policing the border say they've never before seen so many people trying to cross. can you say that the us border is secure? oh, this border�*s not secure right now. we're doing our best in texas to make sure that it is. but i can tell you, other states are not having as much success as we are. this problem stretches well beyond texas, right along the 2,000—mile us border. the government will now insist migrants apply for asylum long before they reach here, and will swiftly expel and exclude

anyone who tries to get in without following their new procedures. it remains to be seen. it's going to be chaotic for a while. chaotic it certainly is, with a surge in illegal crossings. once they've been detained, these migrants can ask for asylum. but those who've been refused will now face much tougher penalties. sarah smith, bbc news, juarez. lawyers for prince harry have told the high court that there is clear evidence that editors, executives and lawyers at mirror group newspapers knew that stories about him had been gathered using unlawful methods. they've shown the court 33 articles that prince harry claims were based on hacking and other illegal activities. our media editor katie razzall is here. today we got details of the 33 articles prince harry claims prove the papers were acting unlawfully. "diana so sad on harry's big day" was in the daily mirror in 1996, when he was just 12,

soon after his parents�* divorce. mgn says harry is wrong — the panorama interview had revealed family emotions and diana's office openly briefed the press about her movements. "rugger off harry" is a story about a sports injury in the sunday mirror in 2001. this, says mgn, came from a "confidential eton source" not voice mail interception. and "hooray harry's dumped" is also from the sunday mirror in 2007. we know prince harry blames mgn for the break—up of his relationship with chelsy davy. it says this story was actually based on a news of the world exclusive, not phone hacking. mirror group says it "was over a year after voice mail interception had stopped, or been largely cut back" at the papers. prince harry will give evidence in person at this court injune. he's one of four claimants alleging that phone hacking and other illicit information—gathering was widespread at the papers between 1991 and 2011. mgn contests that. the claimants also say that senior

figures knew and sanctioned it, and for a second day, the former daily mirror editor piers morgan has been accused of being aware of what was happening on his watch. he's not part of this trial and has recently denied any knowledge of phone hacking. katie, thank you. now a look at some other stories making the news today. the actor stephen tompkinson has been cleared of causing grievous bodily harm to a man making noise outside his home. he was accused of punching karl poole, who was drinking at the bottom of his driveway in whitley bay. prosecutors claimed the actor had lashed out at mr poole but mr tompkinson said he'd acted in self—defence. a metropolitan police officer, who left a man paralysed from the waist down when he tasered him, has been cleared of causing grievous bodily harm. jordan walker—brown fell backwards over a fence and broke his back after he was stopped by 36—year—old imran mahmood. southwark crown court heard that the officer believed mr walker—brown was carrying a weapon.

pakistan's supreme court has ordered the former prime minister imran khan to be released from prison immediately. judges say his arrest on tuesday was illegal. mr khan is facing corruption charges, which he claims are politically motivated. his detention sparked protests across the country in which at least ten people were killed. figures show hospitals in england have failed to hit key targets to tackle the backlogs in cancer care and routine treatment. an estimated 7.3 million people were waiting to start treatment at the end of march, which is a record high. the biggest source of electricity in the uk for the first three months of this year was wind power — the first time that has happened. it is being called a milestone in the country's journey to a low—carbon future. but there are questions over whether the government will be able to meet its target of producing all of the uk's electricity using renewable sources by 2035. one reason is that so many new wind and solar projects are being held up due to delays connecting them to the national grid. our climate editor

justin rowlatt reports. diggers are already clearing the ground on this field outside torquay in devon. the council is installing solar panels to power public buildings, but it will be at least five years before any of the surplus electricity goes into the national grid. in our climate emergency, we declared that we wanted to be carbon neutral by 2030. so not being able to unlock this site before then is a real problem for us. the problem is there are so many new solar and wind projects, the grid just can't keep up. so what this is, is a giant plug. there is 400,000 volts of electricity passing through the system up here. and what this does is allow power plants to plug in to the national grid, the electricity system that covers the country. there are now more than 1,000 projects waiting to plug in to substations like this. according to the national grid's

own figures, 40% face a connection delay of at least a year — investments worth tens of billions of pounds. fundamental reform is required, says the grid. more infrastructure is needed. we will need more places like this. and so we're working, we're working very hard to do that, to design that, and to build at a faster pace than we ever have done before. she says integrating renewables into the country's electricity system represents the biggest challenge since national grid was first set up almost 70 years ago. ofgem, the body that regulates the uk's electricity network, acknowledges the huge changes required. we have to reshape it. it means that there's a huge grid expansion that is needed — faster and bigger than we've ever seen in our lifetime. and it means that needs to happen, you know, very rapidly to achieve the net zero targets that we have.

the grid will be getting £20 billion of new investment for projects like this network of tunnels that carry high voltage cables under london. but this vast national rewiring project will take years to complete. that means lots of new uk renewable plants will have to wait before they can deliver clean power to our homes. justin rowlatt, bbc news. the second eurovision semi final is on tonight in liverpool. 16 more countries competing for ten places in saturday's grand final. david sillito has been meeting some of the entries, including a teenager from greece who's also having to revise for his school exams next week. # well, you know what they said can i take a selfie? of course. thank you. meet victor. he's representing greece, and it would be fair to say he's living the dream.

and you are how old? 16. i am 16 years old. that's crazy. and next week, it's gcses. you've got some exams coming up. my gcse is four days after! i'll be studying on the flight home, probably. and what it is sung about? anxiety. and what it is sung about? anxiety. and you are doing it in front of millions and millions.— and you are doing it in front of millions and millions. that's the most relieving _ millions and millions. that's the most relieving thing. _ millions and millions. that's the most relieving thing. on - millions and millions. that's the most relieving thing. on that i millions and millions. that's the i most relieving thing. on that final night, i will get everything off my chest. and then there's monika from lithuania and her backing singer, nicola. and nicola is the reason she's here. they met in a bar in london. and nicola, who is from essex, wanted to go to eurovision so monika decided to write a song. and six months on, the dream has come true. i'm obsessed with eurovision. so i said to her, "do you know anyone that can get me a ticket?"

and you hadn't even written a song? nope. i made a promise to give her a ticket, and then i came back to lithuania and i wrote the song in one evening. now i'm doing eurovision, a dream that was never, ever possible. so there we go! and then there's australia. well, let's talk about this - with daniel estrin, an immigration lawyer who is in australia. yes, this is bbc news. yes, this is bbc news you're looking at, talking to hard nosed immigration lawyer daniel estrin, who is also... # trust me, it's gonna be all right! ..a synth metal eurovision—loving rock god. what's brought you here? you've told them, haven't you? i've told them "this will be your dream". and now that dream has become true. and now we are united by this. so there we are, three semifinal hopefuls. victor — here with his very proud mum and dad —

voyager and monika. and not forgetting nicola. and don't worry, we did invite her onto the carpet. it is, after all, her moment as well. david sillito, bbc news, liverpool. bbc one tonight, you can see it all then. time for a look at the weather with darren bett. some dramatic weather in the last few days. yes. weather in the last few days. yes, in the past — weather in the last few days. yes, in the past few — weather in the last few days. yes, in the past few days _ weather in the last few days. yes, in the past few days we _ weather in the last few days. yes, in the past few days we have i weather in the last few days. te: in the past few days we have had weather in the last few days. yes, in the past few days we have had all the ingredients for some heavy and thundery downpours, so we got low pressure, we got heating of the air at the surface, rapidly rising air to great heights, and that's produced these heavy, slow moving thundery downpours we have had today. notjust rain and thunder and lightning, we have had some funnel clouds as well. we have three of them in this picture in bedfordshire. it is a column of spiralling air coming from the base of the cloud. if it was to touch the

ground, it would be called a tornado, but as it doesn't, it is just a funnel cloud and they are quite common at this time of year. overnight tonight in the showers will decay, low pressure will extend back into continental europe, pressure will be rising across the uk so it will be turning drier. but the wind will be coming in off the north sea so for many places we start cloudy and grey tomorrow. we could see a short spell of rain across east anglia eventually heading towards dorset. the odd shower for wales and the south—west, otherwise it will be dry. the best of the sunshine across northern and western areas so it will be warm here. if you are under the cloud in eastern england, it will be a cool 12 or 13 in places. it could start grey and cloudy across a good part of england on saturday but we should nibble away at that cloud, the sunshine burning through, sunshine developing more widely. there will be more warmth more widely across

the uk on saturday as well, the temperature