live from london. this is bbc news. the uk is sending long—range cruise missiles to ukraine — to help with any counter—offensive. the bank of england follows the fed and hikes interest rates. they're at their highest, in nearly 15 years. and eurovision fever heats up. 16 countries take to the stage for the second semi—final. we'll be live in liverpool shortly. we begin in ukraine. the british government has confirmed it's supplied ukraine with long—range cruise missiles. known as storm shadows,

they have a range of up to 560 kilometres —about 350 miles — and can only carry conventional warheads. the move prompted an instant response from the kremlin saying it would require in adequate response from our military. in december i informed the house that i was developing options to respond to a russia's continued aggression in a calibrated and determined manner. today i can confirm that the uk is donating storm shadow missiles to ukraine. storm shadow is a long—range, conventional only precision strike capability. it compliments the long—range systems already gifted including himars and harpoon missiles, as well as ukraine's own neptune cruise missile and longer range missions elsewhere gifted. 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. before that uk annoucement — ukraine's president zelensky warned that his country needs more arms to be delivered, ahead of a spring counter—offensive against russian forces. where that push will happen remains a tightly guarded secret. but russian forces have fortified their defences along a front line, that runs for nearly 15 hundered kilometres, from the southern regions of kherson and zaporizhzhia up to the eastern luhansk and donetsk in donbas president zelensky said the ukrainian army still needs supplies, including armoured vehicles, that are only "arriving in batches". he was speaking to the bbc�*s hugo bachega in kyiv. so, mr. president, i've been here for a few weeks, and i think every

almost every conversation i've had has touched on the issue of this much anticipated ukrainian counteroffensive. are you ready for this counteroffensive? translation: mentally, i we're ready in terms of how motivated our military are. we're ready in terms of enough personnel and our brigades. we're ready in terms of equipment. not everything has arrived yet. that's my answer. so you're still waiting for weapons and for the kind of military equipment that have been promised to arrive. translation: the declaration may talk modest or cheap. _ yes, we're still expecting some things. they will reinforce our counter offensive and most importantly, they will protect our people. 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 a level i think that is unacceptable. we need to wait.

we need a bit more time. just let me talk about something that happened last week because moscow accused ukraine of of trying to assassinate president putin. was ukraine behind that alleged attack? translation: no, clearly we were not behind it. - they're always looking to do something that would look like justification. you do this and we do this in response. but it didn't work. not even for their own people at home of nutritional sustenance. so who was behind it? i think they did it themselves. we hear you're supposed to be hosting your two year revision. how disappointed are you that you cannot host a? �* ,, �*

disappointed are you that you cannot host a? �* ,, ~ ., ., host a? translation: i have great resect for host a? translation: i have great respect for the _ host a? translation: i have great respect for the united _ host a? translation: i have great respect for the united kingdom - host a? translation: i have great respect for the united kingdom andi respect for the united kingdom and its society. it's an amazing country. from the very start my opinion has been that if we can't host year revision it should take place in one of the countries that share a border with us. such as slovakia or poland or any other country which our people can reach you easily. something nearby. now — to interest rates. we saw that move in the us from the federal reserve last week — well today in the uk the bank of england did the same. they've raised rates by a quater of i% from 4.25 to 4.5 %. that means they are now at their highest level for almost 15 years. the uk is affected by prices rising across the globe. other countries are taking a similar approach, and have also been raising interest rates. and here is the inflation rate , a stubbornly high io.i% and here is the inflation rate,

a stubbornly high io.i% in march this year. the uk's chancellor of the exchequer jeremy hunt has defended the banks decision. although it is good news that the bank of england is no longerforecasting recession, today's interest rate rise will obviously be very disappointing for families with mortgages."but unless we tackle rising prices, the cost—of—living crisis will only carry on — which is why we need if we do that we can bring certainty back to family finances. the bank of england is predicting we will hit the inflation target. there's never been anything automatic about hitting it and that's why it's so important if we're going to bring certainty back to family finances, stock prices rising that we stick to our plan to have it. the labour party has responded by saying the prime minister should take responsibility for the rise in mortgage rates. they've called for a windfall tax

on oil and gas giants to be implimented now to ease the cost of living. today will be a day of great anxiety for many families and businesses around the country who are facing the 12th increase in interest rates in just a matter of months. that means higher mortgage costs, already people have paid £1 billion more in mortgage repayments compared to where they would've been six months ago. where they would've been six months auo. , , where they would've been six months ato, , , , where they would've been six months ao. , , , , ., ago. this is 'ust something affecting _ ago. this isjust something affecting the _ ago. this isjust something affecting the whole - ago. this isjust something affecting the whole world, | ago. this isjust something i affecting the whole world, the ago. this isjust something - affecting the whole world, the whole of europe, that's what the bank of england said. you are trying to pin it on the government. these rate rises would've happened anyway. the truth is rises would've happened anyway. tue truth is the rises would've happened anyway. tte truth is the uk rises would've happened anyway. ttj: truth is the uk is forecasted to have the weakest growth and the highest inflation in the g7 to share. so of course there are global factors involved. but the fact is, here in britain we have been uniquely exposed to the crisis. our business reporter david waddell has been explaining why we've seen another rise interest rates. it's a response to what's happening

here. this is what inflation has been doing in the uk in recent years. around about the bank of england target for what is 2% in recent years. but then in the aftermath of the worst of the pandemic around about sometime in 2021 inflation started rising, not just here but around the world really rapidly. right up to weigh about 10%, really rapidly. right up to weigh about10%, is really rapidly. right up to weigh about 10%, is fallen in the last couple of months in 10.1% in the year to march 2023. so the bank has a responsibility to do something about it, to manage those prices. it's been increasing interest rate for 12 consecutive months. this is the 12 consecutive months is increase the interest rate of 1:15%. it the government of the bank of england explained a bit about the rationale behind that.— rationale behind that. holding a better-than-expected. - rationale behind that. holding a better-than-expected. today . rationale behind that. holding a - better-than-expected. today we're better—than—expected. today we're forecasting modest but positive growth — forecasting modest but positive growth and a much more increase in employment. we think inflation will

fall quite _ employment. we think inflation will fall quite sharply of the coming months — fall quite sharply of the coming months beginning with the april number, — months beginning with the april number, which will be released in two weeks' — number, which will be released in two weeks' time. energy prices have fallen_ two weeks' time. energy prices have fallen from _ two weeks' time. energy prices have fallen from their peaks and that will now— fallen from their peaks and that will now start to come through as lower_ will now start to come through as lower inflation. food price inflation _ lower inflation. food price inflation should ease to we can be less sure — inflation should ease to we can be less sure about this on timing. let me he _ less sure about this on timing. let me be clear. — less sure about this on timing. let me be clear, inflation remains too high _ me be clear, inflation remains too high so_ me be clear, inflation remains too hih, �* me be clear, inflation remains too hiuh. .~ , me be clear, inflation remains too hiuh. ~ , ., ., high. so andrew bailey, the governor ofthe high. so andrew bailey, the governor of the bank of — high. so andrew bailey, the governor of the bank of england _ high. so andrew bailey, the governor of the bank of england mentioning i of the bank of england mentioning food price inflation, the rationale of why interest rates are going up. food price inflation much against inflation in the uk a 10.1% food price inflation in the 12 months to march was running at 19.2% put up the prices of many staple products such as milk, bread, and eggs and many other things rising much faster than other things in the economy. that's been tough for consumers with “p that's been tough for consumers with up let's have a quick look at what's been happening to interest rates

more widely. interest rates around the world have been rising. here they are at a uk a 4.5% for the higher in the us are 5.2%, in the area 3.75% for the different parts of the world of facing different pressures was appear in the uk one of the challenges we have is tight labour market, which is been putting up labour market, which is been putting up labour prices. an supplied chain issues which have made it difficult to secure his many products as would like to manage that demand. those are the pressures that cause the bank of england to raise interest rates at what looks at a historic high but is really i had that made that level in recent years. pakistan's supreme court has ordered the release of the former prime minister imran khan, saying his arrest on tuesday was illegal. these are pictures filmed by a bbc team at the court in islamabad as mr khan arrived at the supreme court earlier today. there was tight security in islamabad, but no repeat of the violent clashes between the security forces and mr khan's supporters,

which has left at least ten people dead. in court, mr khan alleged that he had been beaten when he was taken away by paramilitary troops. there's been no immediate response from the security forces to his claim. 0ur pakistan correspondent, caroline davies, has sent us this update from islamabad. there's been a pretty spectacular dayjust there's been a pretty spectacular day just at the point when we heard imran khan is looking likely to be in police custody for a further week, we knew many members, senior leaders of his party were also being arrested. we had seen in two days of unrest across the country but the big questions were, what can happen next. of course this intervention by the supreme court who called imran khan to appear in front of about an hour notice took a few hours to get him to court. i was inside the court complex was that we had all been waiting outside a one entrance will be suddenly heard it be appearing in

another. we all ran through corridors and managed to see him for his first appearance in the course of two days. the first time we'd seen them since that arise with up again through the corners, didn't answer questions and went straight into the courtroom where he appeared into the courtroom where he appeared in front of three chiefjustices of the supreme court. two as you say then told him that the arrest against him that it happened on tuesday was in their worst, invalid and unlawful. that is connected to the fact that they say that the process that was all, the fact he was inside the court complex and had submitted themselves to the justice process he was trying to get his biometrics done at this particular point when he was taken by the paratroopers for the we've seen some images from tuesday that have been circulating around the world. they say that he had his justice denied in the process, being arrested by was inside the court complex and therefore that meant that his arrest was invalid. that means they are having to start the entire process again. they say tomorrow when he appears back in the court in the old

slum of that high court and he will appear in front of the judge again put up in the meantime he is currently under the supreme court's protection for that he will remain within the police compound in islamabad. that is because he said he isn't though he asked to go home because of security and protection he needs to stay within the police compound although he will be allowed to have guests there. when mr khan appeared in front of the judiciary he was very defiant, he described the way they could be treated in his words as being like a terrorist. to the point where the judiciary were interrupting him and saying other people have been treated worse than you had, mr khan inside thejustice system. he was very defiant, very angry about his treatment. after the case finished and he had been told he was able to stay within the police compound he stayed with in court within the next 15 minutes taking questions from media. really quite a defiant performance by mr

khan today. around the world and across the uk. this is bbc news. hospitals in england have failed to hit key targets in cancer care and routine treatment. the milestones was up by the government to bring down waiting lists which starred donna covid the health service bus is a huge progress as the maid given the demands from flu and go over this winter and recent industrial action. the british actor stephen thompkins and has been cleared from punching a man outside his house two years ago. the star had been accused of grievous bodily home after finding them drinking at the bottom of his driveway. the jury found mr thompkins not guilty. a national grid says wind turbines became the biggest generator of electricity nationwide at the start of this year. they produced more power than gas—fired plants betweenjanuary and march, more than 350 offshore wind

turbines have come into operation over the last year. around the world and across the uk, this is bbc news. wa nted wanted to know what's going on for that we opened the tv and we realise that we opened the tv and we realise that the war started.— that the war started. re-living their escape — that the war started. re-living their escape from _ that the war started. re-living their escape from civil - that the war started. re-living their escape from civil war- that the war started. re-living their escape from civil war the family of six from berkshire were in sudan to celebrate ramadan with relatives in the capital of khartoum when fighting broke out. fiur relatives in the capital of khartoum when fighting broke out.— when fighting broke out. our front door, it when fighting broke out. our front door. it was _ when fighting broke out. our front door, it was shot _ when fighting broke out. our front door, it was shot by _ when fighting broke out. our front door, it was shot by a _ when fighting broke out. our front door, it was shot by a bullet - when fighting broke out. our front door, it was shot by a bullet and l door, it was shot by a bullet and then we found it inside the house. luckily enough there wasn't anyone around the door. because since the war started we just stay inside of the house. war started we 'ust stay inside of the house— war started we 'ust stay inside of the hous— war started we 'ust stay inside of the hou— war started we 'ust stay inside of the house. �* ., ., ., , the house. and on the floor. they may have — the house. and on the floor. they may have escaped _ the house. and on the floor. they may have escaped fighting - the house. and on the floor. they may have escaped fighting but. the house. and on the floor. they - may have escaped fighting but needed to leave the country. to do that they had to get support sudan to one

of the final evacuation flights by the raf. i of the final evacuation flights by the raf. ., ., of the final evacuation flights by the raf. . ., , of the final evacuation flights by the raf. . . , , of the final evacuation flights by theraf. . . , ., the raf. i hear that my husband and my children- — the raf. i hear that my husband and my children. i'm _ the raf. i hear that my husband and my children. i'm still _ the raf. i hear that my husband and my children. i'm still talking - the raf. i hear that my husband and my children. i'm still talking about i my children. i'm still talking about my parents, my siblings, my father and mother—in—law. father and mother-in-law. you are live is bbc — father and mother-in-law. you are live is bbc news. _ the second semifinal of the eurovision song contest is less than an hour away. maryam moshiri has been in liverpool all week, soaking up the atmosphere. what's happening? yes, it's been absolutely amazing here. i have to say, in terms of the welcome there hasn't been anyone better than liverpool. a real buzz i had a second semifinal which begins at less than one hour. will c16 asked competing but only time can make it through to that grand final on saturday. there is all to sing for. i'm happy to say that we have our correspondent at the reno where all

the fans are getting ready to watch performances with up dinner, what we expect and? performances with up dinner, what we ex-ect and? �* ., performances with up dinner, what we ex-ectand? �* ., ,, . ., expect and? another spectacular show. i expect and? another spectacular show i was _ expect and? another spectacular show. i was very _ expect and? another spectacular show. i was very lucky _ expect and? another spectacular show. i was very lucky that - expect and? another spectacular show. i was very lucky that i - expect and? another spectacular show. i was very lucky that i was| expect and? another spectacular l show. i was very lucky that i was in this arena — show. i was very lucky that i was in this arena last night for the full run—through. there are 6000 fans in the air _ run—through. there are 6000 fans in the air it _ run—through. there are 6000 fans in the air it is— run—through. there are 6000 fans in the air it isa— run—through. there are 6000 fans in the air. it is a different energy through— the air. it is a different energy through the first semifinal, which was on _ through the first semifinal, which was on tuesday. that had a lot of favourites — was on tuesday. that had a lot of favourites to win. this has a few. not that— favourites to win. this has a few. not that many. ten will qualify it from _ not that many. ten will qualify it from those 16. the acts very this evening — from those 16. the acts very this evening in— from those 16. the acts very this evening in terms of experience that they about — evening in terms of experience that they about performing to a full arena — they about performing to a full arena. two examples, slovenia, a hand _ arena. two examples, slovenia, a band called — arena. two examples, slovenia, a band called joker out. they are the biggest _ band called joker out. they are the biggest selling act in that country and have — biggest selling act in that country and have been for the past two years with up— and have been for the past two years with up if— and have been for the past two years with up if you compare that to greece, — with up if you compare that to greece, a _ with up if you compare that to greece, a 16—year—old who in a few weeks _ greece, a 16—year—old who in a few weeks i _ greece, a16—year—old who in a few weeks i will— greece, a 16—year—old who in a few weeks i will be sitting his exams hack— weeks i will be sitting his exams hack in— weeks i will be sitting his exams back in athens. australia closes show _ back in athens. australia closes show this— back in athens. australia closes show this evening and last night the energy— show this evening and last night the energy that came up from the crowd,

it was— energy that came up from the crowd, it was like _ energy that came up from the crowd, it was like nothing i'd ever seen. what _ it was like nothing i'd ever seen. what is — it was like nothing i'd ever seen. what is really interesting is the running — what is really interesting is the running order. the ballads throughout two nights performance are a mix — throughout two nights performance are a mix. you get a few ballads then— are a mix. you get a few ballads then you — are a mix. you get a few ballads then you get those up—tempo numbers. i can then you get those up—tempo numbers. i can see _ then you get those up—tempo numbers. i can see right now this countdown on screen, — i can see right now this countdown on screen, there is less than four minutes— on screen, there is less than four minutes ago until second semifinal begins _ minutes ago until second semifinal begins -- — minutes ago until second semifinal begins. —— 40 minutes. this probably 2000 _ begins. —— 40 minutes. this probably 2000 fans— begins. —— 40 minutes. this probably 2000 fans on— begins. —— 40 minutes. this probably 2000 fans on the floor now draped in fla-s 2000 fans on the floor now draped in flags from _ 2000 fans on the floor now draped in flags from all these different countries that take part in the eurovision song plenty of people in the blue _ eurovision song plenty of people in the blue and yellow ukraine flag. liverpool— the blue and yellow ukraine flag. liverpool is hosting this years event — liverpool is hosting this years event on _ liverpool is hosting this years event on behalf of last years winner is ukraine — event on behalf of last years winner is ukraine i— event on behalf of last years winner is ukraine. i actually saw ukraine entered — is ukraine. i actually saw ukraine entered the arena a couple of minutes— entered the arena a couple of minutes ago. for the contestants themselves, i was backstage earlier speaking _ themselves, i was backstage earlier speaking with the act from slovenia, greece, _ speaking with the act from slovenia, greece, australia and belgium and they all— greece, australia and belgium and they all say that it accepts them that it _ they all say that it accepts them that it is — they all say that it accepts them that it is a — they all say that it accepts them that it is a competition because all of the _ that it is a competition because all of the disciplines have become friends — of the disciplines have become

friends it— of the disciplines have become friends. it did us the name that it is a song — friends. it did us the name that it is a song contest with him in less than _ is a song contest with him in less than an hour— is a song contest with him in less than an hourthe is a song contest with him in less than an hour the second semifinal will begin — than an hour the second semifinal will betin. ~ , , ., ., will begin. when my question about the key thing _ will begin. when my question about the key thing here _ will begin. when my question about the key thing here is _ will begin. when my question about the key thing here is to _ will begin. when my question about the key thing here is to win - will begin. when my question about the key thing here is to win a - will begin. when my question about the key thing here is to win a placel the key thing here is to win a place in that coveted grand final on saturday. we already have a number of countries who are in that final. talk us through the main runners. the accent qualify from the first semifinal — the accent qualify from the first semifinal on tuesday include sweden and finland. they are two of this years— and finland. they are two of this years favorites. sweden is probably because _ years favorites. sweden is probably because an — years favorites. sweden is probably because an act that wanted back in 2012 was— because an act that wanted back in 2012 was at— because an act that wanted back in 2012 was at finland closed tuesday semifinal — 2012 was at finland closed tuesday semifinal. i was out and about in liverpool— semifinal. i was out and about in liverpool today and in one of the shops _ liverpool today and in one of the shops a — liverpool today and in one of the shops a retail assistant serving me, that's— shops a retail assistant serving me, that's all— shops a retail assistant serving me, that's all she wanted to talk about. we have _ that's all she wanted to talk about. we have what are known as the big five. we have what are known as the big five those — we have what are known as the big five. those countries are france, spain. _ five. those countries are france, spain. ltaly. _ five. those countries are france, spain, italy, the united kingdom and germany _ spain, italy, the united kingdom and germany. those countries automatically qualify for saturday's

final because of how much they pay to enter _ final because of how much they pay to enter. along with ukraine last years _ to enter. along with ukraine last years winner get a place to put up a lot of— years winner get a place to put up a lot of those — years winner get a place to put up a lot of those countries out of those six are _ lot of those countries out of those six are the — lot of those countries out of those six are the ones to watch. i think they will— six are the ones to watch. i think they will do— six are the ones to watch. i think they will do very well on saturday. daniel, _ they will do very well on saturday. daniel, thank you very much. i want to cross live to the fan zone, which is right behind me. it's been picking up energy all day and that's where my colleague is. you've been talking to fans all day. how much energy is there down there? haste talking to fans all day. how much energy is there down there? have a listen for yourself _ energy is there down there? have a listen for yourself for _ energy is there down there? have a listen for yourself for that _ energy is there down there? have a listen for yourself for that daniels l listen for yourself for that daniels had a _ listen for yourself for that daniels had a good location. but really, this is— had a good location. but really, this is where it's at in the fanned village _ this is where it's at in the fanned village here for the behind as we hand _ village here for the behind as we hand of— village here for the behind as we band of former winner on stage and the atmosphere is buzzing. because the atmosphere is buzzing. because the fans— the atmosphere is buzzing. because the fans are really psyched up for the fans are really psyched up for the semi — the fans are really psyched up for the semi final tonight. let's meet some _ the semi final tonight. let's meet some of— the semi final tonight. let's meet some of the now. hello, all of you. where _ some of the now. hello, all of you. where are — some of the now. hello, all of you. where are you from? spain!- where are you from? spain! you're from spain — where are you from? spain! you're from spain but _ where are you from? spain! you're from spain but something - where are you from? spain! you're from spain but something about i where are you from? spain! you're l from spain but something about your outfit _ from spain but something about your

outfit tells _ from spain but something about your outfit tells me you are not supporting your home nation for w supporting? sandman! why are you supporting — supporting? sandman! why are you supporting finland and not spain? well, _ supporting finland and not spain? well, i_ supporting finland and not spain? well, i can— supporting finland and not spain? well, i can see you work very well on that— well, i can see you work very well on that choreography. tell me about these _ on that choreography. tell me about these hats — on that choreography. tell me about these hats. who made these? we made it ourselves at — these hats. who made these? we made it ourselves at all. _ these hats. who made these? we made it ourselves at all. we're _ these hats. who made these? we made it ourselves at all. we're really - it ourselves at all. we're really crafty. it ourselves at all. we're really cra . ~ ., , it ourselves at all. we're really cra .~ . , ., , crafty. what is it about finland is ent that crafty. what is it about finland is entry that you — crafty. what is it about finland is entry that you love _ crafty. what is it about finland is entry that you love apart - crafty. what is it about finland is entry that you love apart from i entry that you love apart from the dance _ entry that you love apart from the dance moves? really different, has a lot of— dance moves? really different, has a lot of energy and i love it. how have you _ lot of energy and i love it. how have you found _ lot of energy and i love it. how have you found the _ lot of energy and i love it. how have you found the year- lot of energy and i love it. how have you found the year of vision fan village — have you found the year of vision fan village so _ have you found the year of vision fan village so far? _ have you found the year of vision fan village so far? it's _ have you found the year of vision fan village so far?— fan village so far? it's really good. everything _ fan village so far? it's really good. everything is - fan village so far? it's really good. everything is well- fan village so far? it's really - good. everything is well organised that we're having an amazing time here. ., . ., ,., that we're having an amazing time here. ., . ., y., , here. how much have you been followint here. how much have you been following eurovision _ here. how much have you been following eurovision before - here. how much have you been| following eurovision before now about— following eurovision before now about how often have you been to the venues. _ about how often have you been to the venues. the _ about how often have you been to the venues, the locations? for about how often have you been to the venues, the locations?— venues, the locations? for me it's the fifth time _ venues, the locations? for me it's the fifth time i — venues, the locations? for me it's the fifth time i come _ venues, the locations? for me it's the fifth time i come to _ venues, the locations? for me it's|

the fifth time i come to eurovision. but him 6th. how have you filed liverpool— but him 6th. how have you filed liverpool hosting of the event compared to previous times? it�*s compared to previous times? it's treat the compared to previous times? it's great the city is really involved with a — great the city is really involved with a lot _ great the city is really involved with a lot of _ great the city is really involved with a lot of volunteers. - great the city is really involved with a lot of volunteers. [it’s i with a lot of volunteers. it's treat. with a lot of volunteers. it's great- in — with a lot of volunteers. it's great. in terms _ with a lot of volunteers. it's great. in terms of _ with a lot of volunteers. great. in terms of the with a lot of volunteers.- great. in terms of the actual contest. _ great. in terms of the actual contest, the final, where are you going _ contest, the final, where are you going to — contest, the final, where are you going to he — contest, the final, where are you going to be watching it?— contest, the final, where are you going to be watching it? we're going to watch it here _ going to be watching it? we're going to watch it here in _ going to be watching it? we're going to watch it here in the _ going to be watching it? we're going to watch it here in the village - to watch it here in the village altogether. to watch it here in the village altogether-— to watch it here in the village altotether. . �* , , altogether. excellent. it's very hard to hear _ altogether. excellent. it's very hard to hear what _ altogether. excellent. it's very hard to hear what you - altogether. excellent. it's very hard to hear what you are - altogether. excellent. it's very i hard to hear what you are saying, about _ hard to hear what you are saying, about tarts — hard to hear what you are saying, about tarts for udma. what we're going _ about tarts for udma. what we're going to _ about tarts for udma. what we're going to do is wrap up by having you do the _ going to do is wrap up by having you do the dance again with the singing is well for— do the dance again with the singing is well for the ready! need i say more? — is well for the ready! need i say more? that is it from us from the fan village — more? that is it from us from the fan village for now.— more? that is it from us from the fan village for now. thank you very

much ou fan village for now. thank you very much you can _ fan village for now. thank you very much you can actually _ fan village for now. thank you very much you can actually sense - fan village for now. thank you very much you can actually sense the i much you can actually sense the excitement there. one of the best things about your vision that i found having been hanging around liverpool for the last few days is that you do to get people coming here from all over europe, all of the world, they don't always support the world, they don't always support the countries from where they came as you can see there are those people from spain supporting finland. finland is one of the top favorites. sweden is also a big favourite and also let's not forget the uk's entry with a song. that is always doing that also up there as one of their favour, perhaps talk ten songs with up the uk is one of those countries as daniel was saying that goes straight into the final on saturday. the atmosphere here is amazing. you would love it if you came up here to hang out with me this evening. t came up here to hang out with me this evening-— this evening. i know you are working- — this evening. i know you are working- i — this evening. i know you are working. i can _ this evening. i know you are working. i can imagine - this evening. i know you are | working. i can imagine there this evening. i know you are i working. i can imagine there is this evening. i know you are - working. i can imagine there is a bit of a bus. i was doing some high—qualityjournalistic research on eurovision and did you know until

1928, only 25 —— on eurovision and did you know until 1928, only 25 -- 1998. on eurovision and did you know until 1928, only 25 —— 1998. only on eurovision and did you know until 1928, only 25 "1998. only 25 1928, only 25 —— 1998. only 25 years ago. each act was supported by in orchestra and brought their own conductor? any particular act that's grab your attention? thea;r conductor? any particular act that's grab your attention?— grab your attention? they are all amazint. grab your attention? they are all amazing- i _ grab your attention? they are all amazing. i love _ grab your attention? they are all amazing. i love the _ grab your attention? they are all amazing. i love the irenes - grab your attention? they are all amazing. i love the irenes act, . grab your attention? they are all| amazing. i love the irenes act, its very soulful, very visually beautiful. —— laureen. i love the finish, so much energy. the other day i was here in the fan zone and the finish was on the stage behind me and he was singing his song and the crowd was literallyjumping. it's absolutely beautiful. slovenia have a really good act. i also love the austrian song, that is good to be one of the songs fighting out this evening to get into the grand final on saturday. there is so much amazing choreography and performance going into everything. there are some rules. there is no orchestra but i think at the moment one of the main rules is that the song has to be a new song, new words, new music

and you can't have more than six people on the stage. people find crazy ways to make things look amazing even with the restrictive rules that the have brought in. the fun element _ rules that the have brought in. the fun element of it, there is a serious undertone to this years event because of course it was won by ukraine. but it's being hosted by britain for very obvious reasons. what's the feeling it liverpool? is there much of a sense of solidarity with ukraine that we the uk are hosting this performance on their behalf? ~ , ,., , hosting this performance on their behalf? ~ , , . hosting this performance on their behalf? ~ , . . behalf? absolutely. so much, so much referencint behalf? absolutely. so much, so much referencing everywhere _ behalf? absolutely. so much, so much referencing everywhere you _ behalf? absolutely. so much, so much referencing everywhere you walk - behalf? absolutely. so much, so much referencing everywhere you walk in - referencing everywhere you walk in the city to ukraine. from the moment you walk out of the train station, the ukrainian flag everywhere, ukrainian music, art, i saw photography exhibitions on the street, ukrainian culture everywhere. it's absolutely beautiful. it is so lovely to see the sense of camaraderie between the uk and ukraine.—

uk and ukraine. maryam moshiri, thank ou uk and ukraine. maryam moshiri, thank you very — uk and ukraine. maryam moshiri, thank you very much _ uk and ukraine. maryam moshiri, thank you very much for - uk and ukraine. maryam moshiri, thank you very much for that - uk and ukraine. maryam moshiri, thank you very much for that you | uk and ukraine. maryam moshiri, i thank you very much for that you can keep up with the story on the bbc website and news that. that's it for us for now. bye—bye. hello there. well, it's 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. now, some of the storms today have been particularly slow moving, raising the prospect of flash flooding. and we've had a number of funnel cloud spotted. this particular one, a beauty from the bedford area. now, 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 northeasterly winds, which will drag a lot of cloud in from the north sea. probably thick enough for an occasional spot of drizzle and maybe a few mist patches around as well. 0ur temperatures overnight generally around six to nine degrees celsius. and then tomorrow, complete change in the weather picture across east scotland,

eastern england, where it's going to 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'll have in the east, where temperatures at best will get to about 13 or 14 degrees. and in saturday's forecast we have a build of pressure across the uk and that should bring us a more settled weather day. saturday, any early morning cloud and drizzle fizzles away pretty quickly and we'll see some sunshine come out. now for scotland and northern ireland, temperatures might hit 22 degrees celsius, which would make it the warmest day of the year so far. but i think wherever we feel that may sunshine, it will feel pleasantly warm. whereas around some of the east coast temperatures about 14, 15 degrees here. for sunday, a cold front brings rain to scotland and northern ireland. so, that will dump the temperatures,

50 and 16 degrees through the afternoon here. england, wales, well, rain pushed into the north and the west as we go on through the day, might be a few showers elsewhere. the highest temperatures, east anglia in the south east where again, we could see temperatures reached the low twenties. so, that's our weather. but i want to show you what's 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 many hundreds of thousands of rohingya refugees in camps. given the weather, there is the potential for some catastrophic impacts. that's the latest.

with us. the headlines. tens of tens of thousands of people gather on the us—mexico border with title 42 immigration restrictions due to expire in a matter of hours. t immigration restrictions due to expire in a matter of hours. i want to be very — expire in a matter of hours. i want to be very clear. — expire in a matter of hours. i want to be very clear, our— expire in a matter of hours. i want to be very clear, our borders - expire in a matter of hours. i want to be very clear, our borders are l to be very clear, our borders are not open. to be very clear, our borders are riot open-— to be very clear, our borders are noto-en. , ., , ., ., ,, not open. tensions on a knife edge more exchanges _ not open. tensions on a knife edge more exchanges of _ not open. tensions on a knife edge more exchanges of fire _ not open. tensions on a knife edge more exchanges of fire between i more exchanges of fire between israel and palestinian groups continue in in and around gaza. and pakistan supreme court orders the release of the former prime minister imran khan singh his arrest was illegal. —— saying. 0ur borders are not imran khan singh his arrest was illegal. —— saying. 0ur borders are not open, imran khan singh his arrest was illegal. —— saying. 0ur borders are not open, that imran khan singh his arrest was illegal. —— saying. 0ur borders are not open, that is imran khan singh his arrest was illegal. —— saying. 0ur borders are not open, that is the

imran khan singh his arrest was illegal. —— saying. 0ur borders are not open, that is the warning imran khan singh his arrest was illegal. —— saying. 0ur borders are not open, that is the warning from america's homeland security secretary