i heard some of those explosions today, many muscovites did and suddenly— today, many muscovites did and suddenly for them the war in ukraine has come _ suddenly for them the war in ukraine has come much closer to home. ukraine says it didn't send the drones. yesterday kyiv was hit by a barrage of russian missiles — the third attack in 2a hours. also on the programme... the police raid which ended a 30—year multi—million pound scam illegally streaming premier league matches. a crackdown on vapes — shops will no longer be able to offer free samples to children. casualty theme music. and he started out on one of bbc�*s longest running dramas 37 years ago. today, casualty actor derek thompson announces he's to retire. and at 6:30pm, the londoner shocked to find tourists an extension to the deadlines they do not follow to become the third premiership club within a year to go out of business.

good evening and welcome to the bbc news at six. moscow has been targeted by multiple drones in the biggest such attack since the invasion of ukraine. officials said eight drones had reached the russian capital, causing some damage, but most had been shot down. ukraine has denied any involvement. russia's president, vladimir putin, said the drones were aimed at "civilian targets" and that russia "reserves the right to take the harshest possible measures" against kyiv. our russia editor, steve rosenberg, heard the explosions this morning, and sent this report. russian television says this is the moment that moscow came under attack. the bbc has not independently verified the images russian tv showed. but from early morning, people in and around the russian capital did report hearing explosions. i heard them, too.

at home my windows shook from the force of the blasts. russia's defence ministry accused ukraine of carrying out the attack but said that russia's military had downed all the drones. ukraine has denied having anything to do with this. president putin clearly doesn't believe that. translation: the kyiv regime has l chosen the path of scaring russia | and russian citizens by launching strikes on residential buildings. this is a clear sign of its terrorist activity. as they flew towards moscow, the drones sparked disbelief. "look at that," a man says. "it's right above our house!" one of the drones crashed into a high—rise apartment block. another flew into this residential building. here is part of it on the ground. the explosives failed to detonate. the area was cordoned off

and emergency services removed it. among local residents, the sense of shock is palpable. "we are all on edge," marat says. "i don't know what we should do about it." "i fear for my life and the lives of my loved ones," says yelena. "things are not as calm and stable as we have been told." the moscow authorities say there was minor damage, no serious injuries, and the situation is under control. but for muscovites, this drone attack is a wake—up call, a sign that this war, that many here still perceive as being far away, is coming much closer to home. that feeling has been growing since these explosions over the kremlin earlier this month — an apparent drone attack. and just days ago, a large—scale cross—border incursion from ukraine into russian territory was another embarrassment for the russian authorities and a sign

of growing insecurity. but no sign of any political u—turn. after this morning's drone attack, the message from the kremlin is clear — what it calls the special military operation in ukraine will continue. distro attack is obviously embarrassing for the kremlin but is it likely to affect public support for the war in russia —— this drone attack. for the war in russia -- this drone attack. , . attack. keep in mind that the kremlin controls _ attack. keep in mind that the kremlin controls the - attack. keep in mind that the kremlin controls the media i attack. keep in mind that the l kremlin controls the media and messaging here and most importantly it controls television which is so powerful in shaping public opinion. the message at the kremlin has been putting out is that this drone attack proves that kremlin was right to start the so—called special military operation in ukraine. and i expect the state media will push that message and many russians will accept it. butjust look at that message and many russians will accept it. but just look at what that message and many russians will accept it. butjust look at what has been happening here in the last month alone. explosions over the

kremlin, bombs on the railways, drone attacks on russian regions bordering ukraine and intensive shelling as well, and now the attack on moscow. none of this was happening before vladimir putin launched the full—scale invasion of ukraine. and i wonder whether, if this continues, whether more russians will connect the dots and conclude that it was the decision to invade ukraine which is the reason why their lives are now more insecure. why their lives are now more insecure-— well, the strikes on moscow follow more russian attacks on the ukrainian capital, kyiv. let's go to kyiv and our diplomatic correspondent james landale. ukraine is denying it was in any involved in the strikes on moscow. that's right, it is denying responsibility but i would not describe it as a full throated denial. a senior official in the government here said, "we had nothing directly to do with it." which leaves open a wealth of

possibilities. what has been striking here actually has been how willing people had been publicly, expressing grim satisfaction at the eventin expressing grim satisfaction at the event in moscow. one adviser said that he was watching events with pleasure. a spokesman for the air force put on social media very simply," read, sore, rejoiced." there were no complaints here that people in moscow are getting a taste of what nightly life is here in the capital. there are clearly risks for kyiv in this. particularly if western allies start fearing incidents might escalate this conflict but this foreign secretary james cleverly was asked by this on a visit to estonia and he did not seem unduly concerned, saying that ukraine had every right to project force outside its borders. and i think people here will agree with that because what they would view as a small attack on moscow, they would say is not comparable to the bloody onslaught that this city has endured

now for a week after week.- now for a week after week. james landale in — now for a week after week. james landale in kyiv, _ now for a week after week. james landale in kyiv, thank— now for a week after week. james landale in kyiv, thank you - now for a week after week. james landale in kyiv, thank you very i landale in kyiv, thank you very much, and steve rosenberg, thank you both. five people have beenjailed for a total of more than 30 years for illegally streaming premier league football matches. the group ran a system called flawless tv that offered live feeds of all the games and undercut legal broadcasters. they made more than £7 million between 2016 and 2021, and had more than 50,000 subscribers. our home affairs correspondent tom symonds reports. arrested, the head of a multi—million pound gang, importing not drugs but something almost as valuable — football. i don't think any of us realised quite how big it was. appearances can be deceptive. this flat was the nerve centre. that were 20 or 30 set top boxes all linked together, broadcasters like sky, and they recorded the stream and then they streamed it as their own, literally two or three seconds later.

the gang was raking in increasing profits when it was discovered. prosecutors say this is the biggest illegal streaming operation ever. mark gould, the ringleader, was jailed for 11 years, other members for more than five years. the judge said that if everyone paid for illegal streaming, the parasite would kill the host — the premier league. flawless tv charged £10 per month for every premier league game. it would be more like £80 for legitimate access. when we asked fans, do you stream illegally... this is on camera, isn't it! ..clearly there is a demand. i have streamed games and i will admit i have streamed games because there is no other way to watch my team, you know. i think it is way too much to ask to pay when not. every game is televised. in fact, less than half of games are available on british tv. it is absurd, it would never happen in the states. it would never happen in america. it costs us five bucks a month to watch every game we want to watch. and this match is not one of them.

it is 3pm on saturday, the blackout, when tv coverage is banned by the premier league. it says the aim is to strike a balance between live broadcasting and encouraging fans to go to matches, top level or grassroots. but the flawless gang texted each other that the blackout was good for business. it made most of its money selling 3pm kick—off games. 50, guys, bukayo saka, he is on fire right now... but for the biggest fans, the problem isn't really the cost of legitimate subscriptions. i want more. i would pay more for more but i don't have that option. if the games were more freely available then there would not be availability for the gangs. the gang space has been created by the lack of availability. this investigation identified the details of thousands of subscribers. the view of one of the barristers in the case — fans who buy illegal streams are unlikely to face legal action but... you are also contributing to organised crime who will not be

paying taxes, will not be looking after you as a consumer necessarily if they can make a quick buck by selling your details on. but one thing is true — none of the money criminals make is going back into the nation's favourite game. tom symonds, bbc news. the government is to crack down on free vape samples being handed out to children in england. it's part of efforts to curb the use of vapes by under 18s, which could see fines levied against anyone selling them illegally. a recent bbc investigation found that illegal vapes confiscated from school pupils contained far higher levels of lead, nickel and chromium than is considered safe. here's our health editor, hugh pym. lead, cadmium, nitrate, or anything like that... the prime minister is taking a keen interest in vaping. should there be any in these at all? he was visiting a council lab in kent which tests vapes, along with chief medical officer sir chris whitty. and that is very harmful? yes, lead... lead particularly.

it took ages trying to get lead out. out of everything, right. some were seized by customs officials. a large number are the same as those tested in our recent bbc investigation which found unsafe levels of lead, nickel and chromium in vapes confiscated at a school. over the course of the past 15 years, we have never seen levels of lead in vape products like we have in these products. it certainly had an impression on me. i think it brought home the challenges that we are facing. most of the chemicals you have identified have got potential. and known long—term health effects. today, rishi sunak was shown how and what they test for in these illegal vapes, most with tank sizes more than five times over legal limits. he says action announced today shows his commitment. you are already seeing tough action, hugh, in part thanks to your reporting. what you are seeing is a government that is funding a new hit squad with millions of pounds to do testing of illegal vapes, to clamp down on those who are selling them

illegally to children. what you are seeing is going to be a ban on free samples being distributed to children. there could be more to come? of course there could be more to come. tougher regulations? as a said, look at these things, look at the way they are marketed, promoted. i think we have to look at that and see whether that is appropriate. our children deserve our protection. the chief medical officer has his own concerns. the rising rates of children vaping with products which seem fun - at first and then they find - they are addicted, that is entirely the model that the cigarette . industry has used historically — get people at the youngest age - they can in law and then addict them and then when they realise - they are addicted and can't come off them, they are stuck. we really want to - avoid that happening. retailers like andrew, who don't sell to under 18s, say the government must crack down harder on those who break the law. i would like to see them double the fines for selling to underage because you should not be selling underage people drugs. nicotine is a highly addictive drug and they need...

but trading standards need to actually enforce it so those fines are put onto the retailers. the school which alerted us to the problem is on half term. but the head took time out to give his reaction. i am pleased that there is some work gone into thinking about how vaping might be affecting children and the need to tighten things up. i still think we have got a long way to go, i think a lot of the marketing still appeals to children too much. ministers say vaping can be the right option for smokers wanting to quit the habit, but the challenge is how to stop vapes like these being targeted at kids. further action seems likely. hugh pym, bbc news. leading artificial intelligence experts have warned that it poses an existential threat to humanity. the group, which includes the creator of chatgpt and the founder of google's deepmind, says lessening the risks from al should be considered as seriously

as those posed by pandemics and nuclear war. it's the latest in a series of grave warnings from the technology industry. let's get more from our technology editor, zoe kleinman, who's in glasgow. the calls to do something about al are growing, but is there any consensus as to what? the word you are going to keep on hearing is regulation, governments around the world including the uk racing to try to get the right rules in place to make sure that al companies continue to behave responsibly and make their products accordingly. not everybody thinks that humanity is automatically doomed, by the way. we are already seeing very positive benefits of ai and just last week we had an ai tool discover a new antibiotic and it's also been used to build a microchip which has helped a paralysed man walk again just by thinking about it. one of the ai leaders told me he thinks his product should be considered as a tool and not a creature, and i think the regulators

around the world are hoping if they can keep things like that, keep it as something that is helpful without being malicious, then it could resolve a lot of problems and find answers to issues that we currently have in society. the problem of course with regulators, as we know, they are not renowned for being nimble and can move pretty slowly and this evolution is happening so quickly at the moment, there is a question about whether any regulator, whether territorial or a global body, will be able to keep up with the pace of development. 50 we with the pace of development. so we climb in, the time is 16 minutes past six. our top story this evening... vladimir putin says russia will respond against ukraine with the harshest possible measures after moscow was hit by another drone attack. and with three more days of train strikes planned for this week, we'll have the latest on how they're likely to affect your journeys. and on bbc london, why this train station offers a little more than your average waiting room. and catching up with the rocketman himself, as sir elton performs

on tour for the very last time in london tonight. the possibility that the covid—19 virus originated in a leak from a chinese laboratory shouldn't be ruled out — that's what a former chinese government scientist has told bbc news. george gao was director of the chinese centre for disease control for much of the pandemic and says there are still several unanswered questions about the origin of the virus. china has always denied the theory and an investigation by the world health organisation two years ago concluded the virus most likely passed naturally from animals to humans. john sudworth was our correspondent in china until he was forced to leave in 2021. he sent this report from new york. ever since the world got its first glimpse of the deadly disease circulating in wuhan, china has dismissed the theory that covid might have leaked from a lab known to have been experimenting with coronaviruses as a lie.

but now, one of china's most senior scientists seems far less forthright when i ask him about that possibility. you know, i haven't seen anything. you know, a lot of people have some suspicions, but i haven't seen anything. but nor can you rule it out? for science you have to keep yourself open—minded. keep yourself open—minded means everything is possible. don't rule out anything. "don't rule out anything," he says. but the lab leak theory was ruled out. perhaps its association with this man helped cast it as a conspiracy theory. have you seen anything at this point that gives you a high degree of confidence that the wuhan institute of virology was the origin of this virus? yes, i have. as did the claims from some western scientists of overwhelming evidence that the virus, which started in bats,

passed naturally to humans, perhaps via other animals in a market, a route by which deadly pandemics are known to have emerged in the past. it was that past precedent that influenced the world health organization mission to wuhan when it too effectively ruled out a lab leak. following a review — ordered by president biden — two out of eight us intelligence agencies are now said to favour a lab leak with low to moderate confidence. and there is a renewed focus on the wider issue of the risks of lab work with dangerous pathogens, although the political partisanship still looms large. you've no right to tell me not to ask questions. i have all the rights. under what grounds? the signs of china's heavy handed political control have been there from the start. and the mystery of what happened in wuhan has become one of the most controversial questions of our time.

but it's also one of the most important. where did covid come from? john sudworth, bbc news, new york. and you can listen to more about this story onjohn's new podcast. it's called �*fever: the hunt for covid's origins�* and starts today, with new episodes weekly on radio 4 and bbc sounds. a deadline this afternoon for the government to hand over borisjohnson's unredacted whatsapp messages, diaries and notebooks to the covid inquiry has been extended. the cabinet office now has until thursday to pass the material on — or face criminal prosecution. it argues some of the material is not relevant to the inquiry. our political correspondent, alex forsyth, is in westminster. this is all rather puzzling in that the cabinet office , that's to say the government, doesn't want to hand over these diaries and messages — but also says it doesn't have them anyway.

puzzling is one word for it. let's go through it. covid inquiry wants to see the unredacted whatsapp messages, diaries and notebooks of borisjohnson on the government is resisting it because it says not all the material is relevant to what happened in the pandemic but now it emerges that the government has told the inquiry doesn't even have some of that material. boris johnson's spokesman said government lawyers have had access to it may have seen some of the notebooks and the boris johnson team says he has no objection to it being received but the inquiry say they have not received it and it's up to them to decide what is relevant so they have told the government that by thursday they need to set out what steps they are taking to obtain this material and this is an inquiry that the government set up and set the terms, to learn the lessons of covid and says it wants to do this candidly and rigorously but before the purse —— first public hearings are taking place they are embroiled in a row over what they will or not disclose which could yet end up in court. alex forsyth, we will see what happens. thanks very much. oxford

university's lgbt pupil society university's lg bt pupil society wanted university's lgbt pupil society wanted kathleen's top appearance to be cancelled because of her views on trans men and women. the talk was interrupted for about half an hour. outside, protesters shout to be heard inside the oxford union, the heated debate will soon be under way. at the centre of it all is kathleen stock, professor of philosophy with gender critical views. there have been calls for her talk to be cancelled, but she says she will not be silenced. it is not hate speech to say that males cannot be women. you know, you can believe what you like and i'm not stopping anyone believing anyone different but it is certainly not hate speech to say that, and that is basically the most controversial thing, i think. there have been calls for her talk to be cancelled but she says

she will not be silenced. it's really important that younger generations are exposed to ideas that they haven't come across before or thought about and sometimes that will be very challenging to them. controversial and difficult ideas need to be texted in the public square because if you try to shut it down, there will be massive public resentment. the down, there will be massive public resentment-— resentment. the students say she should never— resentment. the students say she should never have _ resentment. the students say she should never have been _ resentment. the students say she should never have been invited. . resentment. the students say she j should never have been invited. is this about stopping freedom of speech and cancel culture? why not go in and debate your views with her? �* , . , ., go in and debate your views with her? �*, . , ., , her? it's exhausting to debate my riuhts, her? it's exhausting to debate my rights. which _ her? it's exhausting to debate my rights, which is _ her? it's exhausting to debate my rights, which is why _ her? it's exhausting to debate my rights, which is why i'm _ her? it's exhausting to debate my rights, which is why i'm not - her? it's exhausting to debate my rights, which is why i'm not in - rights, which is why i'm not in there — rights, which is why i'm not in there and _ rights, which is why i'm not in there and why i am out here protesting instead.- there and why i am out here protesting instead. when the union is doinu protesting instead. when the union is doing things _ protesting instead. when the union is doing things like _ protesting instead. when the union is doing things like this, _ protesting instead. when the union is doing things like this, it - protesting instead. when the union is doing things like this, it tells - is doing things like this, it tells us irans- — is doing things like this, it tells us trans— students _ is doing things like this, it tells us trans— students that - is doing things like this, it tells us trans— students that we - is doing things like this, it tells us trans— students that we are| is doing things like this, it tells i us trans— students that we are not welcome _ us trans— students that we are not welcome here _ us trans— students that we are not welcome here. the _ us trans- students that we are not welcome here.— us trans- students that we are not welcome here. ., ., . welcome here. the oxford union which is independent — welcome here. the oxford union which is independent of _ welcome here. the oxford union which is independent of the _ welcome here. the oxford union which is independent of the university - welcome here. the oxford union which is independent of the university is - is independent of the university is one of the world's most prestigious debating society with a history of inviting prominent speakers from across politics and academia. this across politics and academia. as lona across politics and academia. as long as a white man does it, it is all right — long as a white man does it, it is all right a— long as a white man does it, it is all right. a black man is supposed to have _ all right. a black man is supposed to have no — all right. a black man is supposed to have no feelings.— all right. a black man is supposed to have no feelings. often, guests can be controversial _ to have no feelings. often, guests can be controversial and _

to have no feelings. often, guests can be controversial and divisive. l can be controversial and divisive. when considering who to invite here, where do you draw the line?- where do you draw the line? people who don't want _ where do you draw the line? people who don't want to _ where do you draw the line? people who don't want to debate _ where do you draw the line? people who don't want to debate and - where do you draw the line? people who don't want to debate and incite | who don't want to debate and incite hate will not be invited, at least not in my term, but that is not who the union seeks to platform and we don't seek to platform anybody, really. we look to notjust hear from people who are famous well known, but people who do shake the conversations in other ways and that a place with other academics. the comment says — a place with other academics. the comment says it _ a place with other academics. the comment says it will appoint a new director to in surely freedom of speech and academic freedom is protected at university and has brought in a new law to tackle cancel culture. this is a debate wider than gender and the oxford union. one where campuses can be a battleground with the complexities and challenges around rights and mediums. the police watchdog is investigating after a 91—year—old woman had a taser pointed at her and a spit hood placed over her head in south—east london.

the metropolitan police says the elderly woman had become distressed after a dispute with her carer and allegedly spat at an officer during the incident earlier this month. she was handcuffed and taken to hospital, but not arrested. asda has brought the petrol station group eg for £2.3 billion and is taking over the irish operations that will see the supermarket expand further into the convenience food sector. eg has around 350 patient stations and more than a thousand takeaway food locations. norway and sweden have been monitoring what they think is an unusual russian spy off their coast, a beluga whale. you first appeared in norway in 2019 wearing a harness with amount suitable for a camera and the words, equipment saint petersburg on it. he has recently appeared off the swedish coast. moscow has never addressed the claims that the wail was trained by the russian army but previously denied it trained sea

mammals as spies. a fresh wave of rail strikes will affect train journeys across the country this week. ongoing disputes between the government and the aslef and rmt unions will see staff take action from tomorrow and into the weekend. our transport correspondent, katy austin, has the latest on the disruption. katy. it's now a familiar warning — parts of britain's railway will again be brought to a halt, with others having limited services. tomorrow it's train drivers, in the aslef union, walking out at train companies. on thursday an overtime ban could cause some disruption. and other rail workers, in the rmt union, have a strike planned for friday. before another strike by drivers on saturday, affecting travel to a number of big events including the fa cup final. some passengers we spoke to at london euston had changed their plans for this week. we we re we were just going to see my dad and id we were just going to see my dad and go tomorrow, but we are doing today instead _ go tomorrow, but we are doing today instead. its— go tomorrow, but we are doing today instead. , . , , instead. its added expense with hotel costs _

instead. its added expense with hotel costs on _ instead. its added expense with hotel costs on top _ instead. its added expense with hotel costs on top of _ instead. its added expense with hotel costs on top of it - instead. its added expense with hotel costs on top of it and - instead. its added expense with hotel costs on top of it and it's. hotel costs on top of it and it's two different _ hotel costs on top of it and it's two different train _ hotel costs on top of it and it's two different train tickets. - hotel costs on top of it and it's. two different train tickets. what the are two different train tickets. what they are doing _ two different train tickets. what they are doing is _ two different train tickets. they are doing is important, so two different train tickets.- they are doing is important, so if it is a hassle, that is fine. these disputes have now been going on for a long time. is the end in sight? right now, it doesn't look like it. aslef has turned down successive pay rises of 1r%, conditional on changes to ways of working — which are aimed at cutting costs and "�*modernising'. the rail industry and the government argue the offer is fair and reasonable. but the union's boss has warned industrial action could be stepped up. we are always up for talks or negotiations but we have people who dissemble go against good faith or rip up _ dissemble go against good faith or rip up every national agreement we have got _ when it comes to the rmt union, its dispute with network rail, which does maintenance and signalling, has already ended. but its standoff with 1a train operating companies looks deadlocked again. the union rejected an offer including 5 % one

year and then 4 percent depending on big changes to working practices, to be agreed at local level. with no obvious sign of a breakthrough, it's very possible there could be at least another summer of strikes on the railway. he's been dealing with medical emergencies and personal dramas for 37 years. now it's been announced the actor derek thompson is to leave the bbc one series casualty after 37 years. he's the show�*s longest serving cast member, appearing in nearly 900 episodes as nurse charlie fairhead. the actor will be filming until the autumn, and his final scenes as charlie will air next year. our arts correspondent, david sillito, reports. casualty theme music. 1986, casualty, episode one, and first appearance of charge nurse charlie fairhead, played by derek thompson. the world would run out of trees with ewart�*s ideas about everybody knowing everything. his career has been eventful. he has been shot...

..involved in two hostage situations... everything's all right. all right? ..plunged into cold water, twice, both with near fatal consequences. he's had a pulmonary embolism... ..a number of heart attacks... ..and on one of his two wedding days... ..he was run over by an ambulance. just, just don't follow me. however, after what will be 37 years on the show, derek thompson says it is finally time for him to hang up the scrubs. his character, he says, is based on a real nurse who advises the programme and he wanted to reflect his kindness, compassion and heroism. the question is, when a character has gone through all of this, what is left? his finale has yet to be filmed

but the farewell storyline, we are told, has already been devised, by derek thompson himself. david sillito, bbc news. i had no idea he was so i had no idea he was so accident—prone. time for a look at the weather. accident—prone. time for a look at the weather. here's stav da naos. here's stav da naos. another lovely dry day for most another lovely dry day for most areas and lots of sunshine towards areas and lots of sunshine towards the north and west but not so much the north and west but not so much for central and eastern parts of for central and eastern england and that's how it will be for the rest of the week, mostly dry the north and west but not so much for the tral and eastern the north and west but not so much for the rest ind eastern the north and west but not so much for the rest ml the ;tern thanks to high pressure but the warm the north and west but not so much for the rest ml the week, the north and west but not so much for the restlnl the week, mostly the north and west but not so much for the rest ml the week, mostly dry for the rest of the week, mostly dry thanks to high pressure but the warm and sunny conditions will be the and sunny conditions will be the north and the west of the uk and north and the west of the uk and slightly cooler and cloudier further slightly cooler and cloudier further east with more of a breeze and it east with more of a breeze and it was a warm day out west in wales was a warm day out west in wales where we saw the warmest day of the where we saw the warmest day of the year so far across the uk, 25.1 year so far celsius and those temperatures could be creeping higher over the next couple of days for the west. high pressure dominates the scene and we have more isobars in the south—east and that means more of a breeze off the north sea and feeding and more

cloud and that is what