what should have been one of the biggest celebrationsl for the student body has turned into one of our darkest days. i welcome to the context. as thousands gather to mourn the three stabbing victims in nottingham, detectives continue to question the man held on suspicion of murder. also on the programme tonight, we will have the political fallout from donald trump's history making court appearance last night. the first big attempt to control ai — artificial intelligence. the european parliament has approved a draught plan to regulate the use of ai. we will also take you inside one of the most secretive countries on earth — looking at the lives of people in north korea three years since it sealed its borders, in response to the pandemic. no—one has been able to enter or leave the country since.

but first let's focus in on nottingham and the deadly stabbing of three people in the early hours of tuesday morning. this was the scene a short time ago at the university of nottingham where hundreds of students joined the familes of the two 19 year olds who were killed in the city in the early hours of yesterday morning. grace o'malley kumar was a first year medical student and a talented hockey player. barnaby webber, also 19, was studying history and played cricket for his university team. the third victim was named today as 65—year—old ian coates — a primary school caretaker. our midlands correspondent, navtej johal, reports from the vigil. thousands united in grief. these students have come to express their shock and share their sadness at the loss of two of their own. it's hard to find the words to express their shock and grief felt across our institution at the senseless loss of two talented students who have

had their bright future brutally curtailed. barnaby webber and grace o'malley—kumar were in their first year at nottingham. theirfamilies, who should have been welcoming them home for the summer, were instead here at a vigil as tributes were paid to the lives of their children. i lost my baby boy and i can't even comprehend how i'm going to deal with it. myself and emma and charlie, and all his family and friends. barnaby would be super touched by everyone that's here. the love that we have out here, ijust wish we had it everywhere. so, look after each other. barnaby was a talented

cricketer studying history. his family described their complete devastation. they said he was a beautiful, brilliant, bright young man with everything in life to look forward to. grace was training to be a doctor. she too was a keen cricketer and played hockey for england under 16s and under 18s. to her family she was an adored daughter and sister who was a wonderful and beautiful young lady. the attack�*s third victim was 65—year—old ian coates who worked in a local school. the head teacher said he was a much loved colleague who always went the extra mile and will be greatly missed. his friend paid tribute to him. he was a lovely, lovely gentleman. he was one of those people who would go out of his way to help anyone and i reckon that's what he was trying to do that morning as well. i've been here three and a half

years and there's never a day we don't see him with a smile. no matter what came his way, he was always smiling. on a day of raw emotion, now there is little comfort to be found amid this tragedy. for the latest from nottingham — here's our home affairs correspondent daniel sandford. we're now starting to get a better idea of what the sequence of events was that morning. it does seem as if that was the first stage of the attack at 4:00 in the morning. and then it seems as if what happened next is that the suspect went about a half an hour's walk across the city where he tried to break into a homelessness hostel. we've seen some cctv footage where he seems to be trying to break into that hostel. he's pushed away and urged to go away. and then a few moments later, a man is stabbed to death.

ian coates. just around the corner from that homelessness hostel. he has his van taken from him. a bit later that van is then driven into the centre of nottingham. three people are run down in the centre of nottingham. thankfully none of them was killed, but one of them is critically ill in hospital and it was after that that the van was then driven back out of the city centre and was finally stopped by police and a suspect was taken into custody having been tasered. so that's the sort of sequence of events, but there's still this unclear motivation behind it all. counter—terrorism detectives are involved but are not running the investigation. so there doesn't seem to have been a light bulb moment when it was clear that there was a religious or political motivation for the attack. and then that leaves a sort of a mystery as to why it is that somebody would stab two young people to death here at 4:00 in the morning, people that seem to be complete strangers. and then over the next hour and a half go through that sequence of events, trying to break into a hostel, killing another

person, taking a van, trying to run some people down. and so either this is some kind of weird, contorted terrorist attack, but it hasn't yet been identified as such or it is perhaps an even more unusual and strange sequence of events. the greek government has declared three days of mourning following the deaths of at least 79 migrants, who drowned when their boat capsized off the country's south coast. officials say many more could be missing. more than a hundred have been rescued, but the greek coastguard says the search operation has been hampered by strong winds. it's thought the vessel may have been carrying up to 400 people. the boat is reported to have been heading to italy from the libyan port of tobruk when it began taking on water late on tuesday. it's the deadliest shipwreck off the greek coast this year.

the survivors are recovering in the port of kalamata, where the mayor has been talking to the media: translation: we are shocked. we are shocked like everyone in greece. obviously, after we were informed of this incident, all services were mobilised municipality of kalamata, health care, etc. we are hearing that unfortunately the number of dead is increasing. a spokesman for united nations secretary—general antonio guterres gave his reaction to the news. today we have yet another tragic illustration and i can tell you the secretary—general was horrified by the reports of a shipwreck that took place off of the coast of greece, claimed the lives of scores of women, men and children. he stressed, as he said before, that every person searching for a better life needs a dignity and safety. this is yet another example of the need of member states to come together and create orderly, safe pathways for people forced

to flee and for comprehensive action to save lives at sea and reduce perilous journeys. niki kitsantonis is a freelance journalist for the new york times in athens. she's been giving us an update on what is known about the sinking. there is still a lot of mystery about — there is still a lot of mystery about how this sinking actually came about _ about how this sinking actually came about the _ about how this sinking actually came about. the boat, as you say, headed out from _ about. the boat, as you say, headed out from tobruk in libya about five days ago _ out from tobruk in libya about five days ago and greek authorities were first alerted to its presence on tuesday— first alerted to its presence on tuesday around lunchtime and at that time both— tuesday around lunchtime and at that time both greek authorities and cargo _ time both greek authorities and cargo ships in the area had approached the vessel to try and offer— approached the vessel to try and offer it— approached the vessel to try and offer it aid, food and so on. on one occasion— offer it aid, food and so on. on one occasion they excepted the food from one of the _ occasion they excepted the food from one of the cargo ships, but they kept _ one of the cargo ships, but they kept refusing the agent saying they were destined to italy wanted to get to italy— were destined to italy wanted to get to italy than the coastguard vessel

visited _ to italy than the coastguard vessel visited the area on tuesday night and essentially remained in the area, _ and essentially remained in the area, noticed the time that there were _ area, noticed the time that there were a _ area, noticed the time that there were a very— area, noticed the time that there were a very large number of migrants ontbe— were a very large number of migrants orr the upper— were a very large number of migrants on the upper decks of this, will emerge — on the upper decks of this, will emerge to— on the upper decks of this, will emerge to be a very large and kind of old _ emerge to be a very large and kind of old looking but not seaworthy looking — of old looking but not seaworthy looking fishing vessel. they basically stayed in the area and that under circumstances that still remain— that under circumstances that still remain unclear, this vessel toppled, capsized _ remain unclear, this vessel toppled, capsized at— remain unclear, this vessel toppled, capsized at around 2am and since then— capsized at around 2am and since then a _ capsized at around 2am and since then a massive operation, rescue operation — then a massive operation, rescue operation increase has been launched to find _ operation increase has been launched to find these people. 79 bodies have been recovered so far. photos taken by a helicopter of the greek coastguard on tuesday emerged. i was sent a _ coastguard on tuesday emerged. i was sent a couple of these photos by an officiat— sent a couple of these photos by an official of the shipping ministry. basically— official of the shipping ministry. basically show a boat that is just

crammed. — basically show a boat that is just crammed, overloaded with people and none of— crammed, overloaded with people and none of them appear to be wearing life none of them appear to be wearing tife vests — none of them appear to be wearing life vests. and it is quite clear from — life vests. and it is quite clear from the _ life vests. and it is quite clear from the photographs that have not .one from the photographs that have not gone virat _ from the photographs that have not gone viral on social media that there — gone viral on social media that there were hundreds of people aboard — there were hundreds of people aboard. the issue is that the spot where _ aboard. the issue is that the spot where the — aboard. the issue is that the spot where the sinking actually took place _ where the sinking actually took place which is something greece is one place which is something greece is ohe of— place which is something greece is one of the — place which is something greece is one of the deepest points of the mediterranean —— southern greece. about _ mediterranean —— southern greece. about 4000 metres deep so any survivors— about 4000 metres deep so any survivors will be impossible to find if the _ survivors will be impossible to find if the boat — survivors will be impossible to find if the boat has reached the bottom of the _ if the boat has reached the bottom of the sea — you can appreciate that from the difficulty to try and work out precise numbers involved here. but numbers a site is clearly a large numbers a site is clearly a large number and a very, very distressing situation. this is the picture that we have received from the greek coastguard. you can seejust we have received from the greek coastguard. you can see just how crowded that boat is. and the rescue

operation of course is under way, will be keeping across this as we get any more details we will bring them to you. if you were watching this programme yesterday you will know that we had some big breaking news from miami, florida. former president donald trump was charged with a federal crime. the first time that's ever happened to a former us president. his lawyer pleaded not guilty on his behalf to charges that he mishandled national security documents and obstructed justice. ordinarily this would be setback for a politician. well not seemingly for donald trump. he gave a speech afterwards to his supporters in newjersey. he said the charges against him were evil and an abuse of power. today we witnessed the most evil and heinous abuse of power in the history of our country. watching a corrupt sitting president had his top political up opponent on fake and fabricated charges of which he

and fabricated charges of which he and numerous other presidents who would be guilty. under the presidential records act which is civil not criminal. i had every right to have these documents. benjy sarlin is washington bureau chief at the political newsletter semafor. thank you forjoining us. what did you make of donald trump's speech? the thing that stood out the most is that this was very much a campaign speech. on a date in which he was arrested, in many ways it is treated as a another day at the political campaign, right after his arrest he came out and was campaigning at a famous cuban restaurant in miami, often a stopping point for politicians. that he came back to newjersey and delivered what was, by his accounts, his usual playbook for dealing things with that. he denied everything and conceded nothing and attacked his opponents, this case special prosecutorjack smith as if they were a viable

presidential candidate, almost with a full dump. this is very much about laying out a political defence is much as a legal defence. given all of that, clearly _ much as a legal defence. given all of that, clearly his _ much as a legal defence. given all of that, clearly his supporters - of that, clearly his supporters who were listening in will be lapping up his words. they are die—hard donald trump fans but what about more widely? trump fans but what about more widel ? , trump fans but what about more widel? ,,, trump fans but what about more widel? ,, ., widely? there is basically no evidence at _ widely? there is basically no evidence at this _ widely? there is basically no evidence at this point - widely? there is basically no evidence at this point that i widely? there is basically no - evidence at this point that donald trump has convinced anyone who is sceptical of him before all of this, before his previous indictments in before his previous indictments in before some of his other legal troubles and investigations, little sign that he has convinced them to change their mind. the polls have shown have voters pre—much breaking down along expected partisan lines which is not a good thing for donald trump seeing as he lost the last election. if they stick that way and people's opinions hard and he is stuck. that is a problem for another day what is a big deal for stuck. that is a problem for another day what is a big dealfor him now is he needs to win the primary to become the nominee again. here, his

position just become the nominee again. here, his positionjust to seems become the nominee again. here, his position just to seems to get stronger and stronger the more legal problems he accrues and there is no sign of that dynamic changing either in the polls. i sign of that dynamic changing either in the olls. , ,,.,, in the polls. i suppose the timeline of all this because _ in the polls. i suppose the timeline of all this because we _ in the polls. i suppose the timeline of all this because we did _ in the polls. i suppose the timeline of all this because we did not - in the polls. i suppose the timeline of all this because we did not get i of all this because we did not get any clear direction on that but what do we know about the timeline of this case and how the various different ways that it could fall in terms of timing might impact him? the biggest question but here is does this case go to trial before the election. either the general or, less likely, or before some of the primary voters weigh in on whether he should have the nomination. that is a big open question, it could be determined in large part by the judge in this case he was someone who is seen as someone ruling favourably to donald trump in the past. a lot of scepticism on her. but there will be a lot of whole pretrial motions and a lot of

efforts by donald trump's efforts —— lawyers to dismiss the case and dismiss aspects of it. we also do not know if these are the last charges donald trump will face either in this documents case or in some of the other things he is being investigated for at both the state and federal level. it is quite possible that there are additional charges by the time the selection is done which is pointing to how an extraordinary situation we are in right now as a front runner for the presidential commission facing this much legal buyer.— much legal buyer. thank you for cominu much legal buyer. thank you for coming onto _ much legal buyer. thank you for coming onto the _ much legal buyer. thank you for coming onto the programme. i around the world and across the uk. this is bbc news. let's look at some of the other stories making headlines today. thousands ofjunior doctors across england, have walked out today, in the latest round of strikes in a dispute over pay. the british medical association rejected a 5% pay offer — instead calling for 35 % — to reflect how pay has fallen, over more than a decade.

the government says, the walk—out will put patient safety at risk. a deal to create the uk's biggest mobile phone operator has been struck by vodafone and the owner of three uk. the firms plan to merge their uk—based operations, giving them around 27 million customers and making it the biggest mobile network in the uk. the deal is yet to be approved by regulators, which will look at whether it will push up customer prices. the uk has "no alternative" but to hike interest rates in a bid to tackle rising prices, the chancellor has said. jeremy hunt said inflation — the rate at which prices rise — was the "number one challenge we face". rising interest rates and mortgage costs weighed on uk economic growth in april. you're live with bbc news. here in the uk. the inquiry into the government's handling of the covid pandemic has

been hearing evidence. the lawyer representing the department of health said the pandemic restrictions did cause "profound loneliness, pain and anguish". but people need to remember the context decisions were made in. the department will not seek during the course of this inquiry, to say that it did everything right or that it would necessarily have made the same decisions today in 2023 with the benefit of hindsight. we will however propose that it is necessary to recognise that the context of the time, particularly in respect of pandemic preparedness was very different to what we know now. we can speak now to dr simon clarke, associate professor in cellular microbiology at the university of reading... thank you forjoining us. so this inquiry, clearly a hugely important role in establishing just what

happened and what decisions were made and how well—prepared the uk government and lessons learned going forward. we are right at the early stages, but what has stuck out to you so far? i stages, but what has stuck out to you so far?— you so far? i think the determination - you so far? i think the determination and - you so far? i think thej determination and the you so far? i think the - determination and the desire to understand why decisions were made, why the things the government did were decided upon. why they went down those roots. for instance, why were care homes, access to them in restricted in the way that it was. everyone who had an elderly parent or grandparent who they were unable to see for weeks and months on and will want to know exactly why that was necessary. but there are other things as well like why the social distancing rules came into effect when they did and why were things

like one metre, two metre distances put in place. what was the rationale of the reasoning behind that. and i think importantly, it has been conceded that the initial testing right at the beginning of the pandemic fairly early in 2020 was not sufficient. it was not as good as it should have been. of course that means that the authorities just did not have a very good picture of where the virus was and how much information. where the virus was and how much information-— information. let's focus exactly on that in terms _ information. let's focus exactly on that in terms of— information. let's focus exactly on that in terms of the _ information. let's focus exactly on j that in terms of the preparedness, right at the beginning. what kinds of things ought have too been different? , , ., ., ., ., different? they should have had a better idea. _ different? they should have had a better idea, more _ different? they should have had a better idea, more expensive - different? they should have had a l better idea, more expensive testing my understanding it was very tightly controlled by public health england as it was then. but it took a long time to get an extension and the numbers of tests available and also

people to take those tests. but a swap up someone's nose. so really we needed to have a better idea to the extent at which the virus had come to this country and started to spread. because really we only got a picture of that when people started to be admitted to hospital. but of course, we did not know who it was income are really and where it was. the idea was that it really only affected the most elderly people. —— who it was in. but it is worth remembering that the covid put more men in the 405 in the icu than it is men in the 405 in the icu than it is men and women over 85 so to say it only affected elderly people in that way it was clearly not accurate. brute way it was clearly not accurate. we must leave — way it was clearly not accurate. we must leave it there but have a feeling we will touch base again and as the inquiry progresses, get your thoughts. thank you very much for the moment. let's turn to ukraine,

where there have been more russian strikes on ukrainian cities. in a missile strike, three civilians were killed in a strike in the ukrainian—controlled part of the eastern donetsk region. in a separate attack in odesa three people were killed and seven people were injured. a ukrainian military official says a retail warehouse was hit as well as a business centre and shops. ukraine's air force said it had destroyed three russian missiles and nine drones during the overnight strikes. the renewed strikes have ukrainians in major cities heading back to the bunkers and searching for safety underground. meanwhile ukraine has continued in making ground as part of its counter offensive, despite russian president vladimir putin claiming it has alrerady failed. professor kata rzyna zysk, is an expert in the russian military, at the norwegian institute for defence studies. what do you make of this claim by

putin that effectively the ukrainian counteroffensive has already failed? i do not see the facts on the ground confirming that and in general the lives and the fake news and the spreading of confusion has been a method used by the russian authorities but in general i think we have to take it with a pinch of salt what is coming out from the kremlin. is salt what is coming out from the kremlin. , ., , ._ ., kremlin. is there anyway of getting a realistic assessment _ kremlin. is there anyway of getting a realistic assessment of _ kremlin. is there anyway of getting a realistic assessment of exactly i kremlin. is there anyway of getting a realistic assessment of exactly is| a realistic assessment of exactly is going on? i a realistic assessment of exactly is auoin on? ~ a realistic assessment of exactly is oaian on? ~ , a realistic assessment of exactly is oaain on? ~' , ., a realistic assessment of exactly is oaainon? ,, ,., , going on? i think it is of course very difficult. _ going on? i think it is of course very difficult, but _ going on? i think it is of course very difficult, but have - going on? i think it is of course very difficult, but have some i going on? i think it is of course. very difficult, but have some tax going on? i think it is of course - very difficult, but have some tax on the ground, we have some media on the ground, we have some media on the ground, we have some media on the ground —— facts which we can try to confirm from both sides from russia and ukraine. we have seen that there are also some videos, some media coverage as i mentioned, photos that can be identified to confirm the fact of what is

happening on the front. related to that i think happening on the front. related to that i think i _ happening on the front. related to that l think | will _ happening on the front. related to that i think i will know— happening on the front. related to that i think i will know the - that i think i will know the answer but i need to ask anyway because it is an important question, the number of casualties, it is absolutely crucial, clearly to try and establish on both sides, but those kinds of numbers are very difficult to gather. kinds of numbers are very difficult to aather. , ., , ., to gather. indeed it is really hard. some intelligence _ to gather. indeed it is really hard. some intelligence agencies, - to gather. indeed it is really hard. some intelligence agencies, of. some intelligence agencies, of course try to identify and use different tools to confirm the number of casualties, but it is really hard to play many concrete numbers. �* , really hard to play many concrete numbers. 3 ., ., ~' really hard to play many concrete numbers. �*, ., , ., numbers. let's look at things that we can potentially _ numbers. let's look at things that we can potentially know _ numbers. let's look at things that we can potentially know then. - we can potentially know then. whether and when this ukrainian counteroffensive will be a success. what will we use to judge that? what level of defeat for prussian forces, what amount of land taken by ukraine, what are some of the things?

ukraine, what are some of the thinas? ~ ~' ., ukraine, what are some of the thinas? ~ ,, ., ., ,, ., ukraine, what are some of the thins? ~ ,, ., ., ,, ., things? we know that russia has built several— things? we know that russia has built several layers _ things? we know that russia has built several layers of _ things? we know that russia has built several layers of defences l built several layers of defences along the very large front. we know that ukraine, it seems, that the media coverage in videos are confirming that ukraine has taken some territories. even for instant the boss of the private military company, wagner has claimed ukraine has claims 100 km. so it company, wagner has claimed ukraine has claims 100 km . so it seems they managed to break through the first line of defences taking some villages in the zaporizhzhia region and in baku. and what we now see is that this is just a partial information. wejust that this is just a partial information. we just see a movement. i'm sorry to have to cut you off there. we are right up against of this part of the programme. we appreciate your time and thank you

very much for coming onto the programme. thank you. that's it for me. i will be back and a couple of minutes. this is bbc news. hello there. for the vast majority of places, today was just a straightforward, fine, dry, sunny and very warm summer's day. look at this beautiful picture from a weather watcher in guernsey. however, also a beautiful picture, but a picture of something different from northern scotland. this was the exception. a big storm cloud there indicative of what was going on in northern scotland. you can see it here on our earlier satellite and radar sequence, some heavy showers and thunderstorms thatjust moved across the far north of scotland while the vast majority of other places stayed dry with lots of sunshine. through tonight's largely clear skies overhead, those showers in northern scotland fade some areas of low cloud mist and fog here and there.

and if anything, a little bit cooler and fresher than some of the nights we've had so far this week, nine to 14 degrees, the overnight lows for most, but into tomorrow, most places getting off to a fine and sunny start. much of the low cloud lifting, some may linger close to western coast, but again, some very isolated thunderstorms. there could just be one or two in the far north of scotland again. conversely, further south in glasgow, it should stay dry with highs of 26 or 27. western counties of northern ireland seeing some showers and thunderstorms, one or two popping up over the hills and mountains of wales and perhaps the moors of the west country can't completely rule out a shower elsewhere, but it should be largely dry. there will be a few places, though, where temperatures are just a degree or two down on where they have been of late. into friday this area of low pressure in the atlantic swirls ever closer, and this frontal system pushing northwards would introduce the chance for some thunderstorms in the far south west of england, the far south west of wales, but more especially northern ireland, one or two

popping up elsewhere. most places will be dry and with a subtle change in the wind direction, the winds not quite coming in off the chilly waters of the north sea. it is going to feeljust a little bit warmerfor some of these eastern coasts, up to around 24 or 25 degrees into the weekend. our area of low pressure swirls towards us, and this will bring some sporadic outbreaks of showery rain and perhaps some heavier and more widespread thundery rain pushing northwards by the end of the weekend. so, the increasing chance of some heavy downpours through the weekend and temperatures coming down just a little bit.

this how hello, i'm lewis vaughanjones. you're watching the context on bbc news. we will bring you an exclusive report from north korea, where food is so scarce, people are starving to death. some breaking news now here in the uk. nadine dorries, who has not yet officially resigned as an mp,