as the search effort for the missing sub enters a critical phase, more international help arrives at the scene. fears grow for the five people on board, but the us coastguard insists it remains focused on rescuing the crew. the bank of england becomes the latest major central bank to increase interest rates, by half a percentage point to 5%. president zelensky says russian forces are considering launching a terror attack on the russian —controlled zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, a claim denied by the kremlin. sport, and for a full round—up from the bbc sport centre, here's betty. hello from the bbc sport centre. live tennis going to queens, world number two alcatraz is on court

against his opponent in the round of 16. the winner will qualify for the quarterfinals, alcatraz has taken the first set 6—2 and currently leading the second set 3—1. early american taylor fritz made it to the quarterfinals after beating eddery and matt arena 6—4, 6—7. at the birmingham classic, on court hours world number two against visa martin cove, earlier savannah christian beat magdalena frio two sets to one to reach the quarters. "join her there is seven time grand slam winner venus williams, she recorded in his second signal victory two years on monday, she will face elena is the pinko who is ranked 17th in the world. the women's pj champ richard newjersey is under way, the defending champion says she is

hopeful of defending her title, currently two shots off the lead. she has been number one in the world for 158 weeks and can set the record for 158 weeks and can set the record for the most weeks at number one in the women's world ranking if she'd remained top after the tournament, surpassing the previous champion who was number one from 2007 2010, she says it is a privilege to be mentioned alongside her. it is says it is a privilege to be mentioned alongside her. it is an honour for— mentioned alongside her. it is an honour for people _ mentioned alongside her. it is an honour for people saying - mentioned alongside her. it is an honour for people saying with - mentioned alongside her. it is an | honour for people saying with she and i in the same sentence. so it makes me happy but also it makes me humble, so yeah, it is a great honour. leading figures from the pga tour, liv golf and saudi arabia's public investment fund have been invited to testify at a us senate hearing "to uncover the facts" around the sport's merger. former world number one adam scott admits numerous questions remain to be answered about golf�*s shock

peace deal, especially for those who stayed with the pga tour. you know, eventually we will find out if that is the best for the game and how we feel. so i have some emotions about that but time often plays a part in these things so we will see how it advances. the international olympic committee has voted to strip the sing association of its status as the sport's world governing body. the executive board recommended the move earlier injune after the iba failed to meet set reforms after 2019 suspension over governance issues and alleged corruption. enable world boxing was formed and they hope to seek ioc recognition though this could take up to two years. the nba draft starts later on thursday. it's pretty safe to assume that 19—year—old victor wembanyama will be selected first overall. however, it's twin brothers who have caught the eyes of most of the fans.

amen and ausar thompson could make history, becoming the first siblings to be picked inside the top 10. they've told us who they're looking forward to facing in the nba. everybody. yeah, i'm going to go take a shot. take it out the air. got an 8—foot wingspan. exactly. and that's all the sport for now. the uk's chief medical adviser, professor chris whitty, who was so prominent on our screens during the covid—i9 crisis, has been giving evidence today at the official inquiry into the outbreak. he said he saw for himself the impact covid had on individuals and their families. he also called the lockdown "extraordinarily major" and a "big new idea" that wasn't considered in advance. let's hear some of what chris whitty had to say.

to expose really clearly to political leaders that there is a choice in terms of resource, here is a one—in—50—year event, do you want to buy the insurance for this one in a 50—year event? this is how much it's going to cost. live now to our health correspondent catherine burns who's at the inquiry. just take us through more of what chris whitty was saying and also said patrick balanced the former chief medical officer was also giving evidence earlier afterwards. —— patrick vallance. giving evidence earlier afterwards. -- patrick vallance.— giving evidence earlier afterwards. -- patrick vallance. those two men were so associated _ -- patrick vallance. those two men were so associated in _ -- patrick vallance. those two men were so associated in the _ -- patrick vallance. those two men were so associated in the public- were so associated in the public mind with the pandemic, they were the chief scientific figures we saw at the press conferences on a daily basis. no surprise that those two men, a lot of what they said reflected and echoed the same thoughts. i thought it was interesting, gave us an insight into their relationship with the politicians, something we speculatively lock about during the

pandemic. there was some hints about how they got them to take science seriously. chris whitty said in an emergency all the politicians are clamouring for our advise, then in normal times you have to elbow your way to get heard. patrick vallance said he saw his role as the chief scientific adviser to make sure that size was something embedded in government rather than just off to the side. —— science. they both spoke about how they could manage to communicate, you heard chris whitty doing that, to the sort of balance of risks to the politicians. something that has come a lot on the inquiry is about five which focus on preparing for a flu pandemic. a flu pandemic was seen as pretty light, we have had about four of them the last 100 years. chris whitty explained it is like going to the politicians and saying, is a one in 50 year event, do you want to take out the insurance? patrick vallance

picked up on that. he said you don't complain if the army doesn't go into battle for 20 years and say it is a huge waste of money. he talked about a real example, the vaccines task force, so this was the task. set up to get vaccines spread out across the uk. he said when that started, there was a possibility, if not a likelihood, that it would have failed, and he said if that had happened there would have been reports saying it was a disastrous waste of public money. he said both of them made the same word, explicit, the choice needs to be made explicitly the politicians, are you going to pay for these events that might not happen but would be catastrophic if they did? or will you focus on the immediate problems right now like facing the nhs? those are the choices the politicians have to make. , , ., , a , to make. they, in terms of pick-up on areas that _ to make. they, in terms of pick-up on areas that actually _ to make. they, in terms of pick-up on areas that actually worked, - to make. they, in terms of pick-up| on areas that actually worked, went well, how much of that was there?

there was, science, one of the things the uk did well, with vaccines. chris whitty said internationally we were seen as pretty strong at that, he was being modest, yesterday the former health secretary said christmas day was so proactive on that and it saved millions of lives. —— chris whitty was so. patrick vallance said we were great on development, what we didn't have a vaccine factory is ready to go and testing capacity. these are the kinds of things we will need to think about for the future to make sure it doesn't happen again. ukraine, president zelensky says russian forces are considering launching a terror attack on the russian controlled zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, the power station which has been a recurring flashpoint throughout the russian invasion and fears of its safety have been exacerbated by the destruction of the dam which provided cooling water for the

client. russia has denied the claim, pointing to the un nuclear watchdog's recent inspection of the plant. let's hear some of what zelensky was saying in that statement. translation: fiur statement. translation: our intelligence — statement. translation: our intelligence has _ statement. translation: oi" intelligence has deceived information that russia is considering the scenario of a terrorist act at the zaporizhzhia nuclear plant. a terrorist act with the release of radiation. they have prepared everything for theirs. unfortunately i have repeatedly had to remind people that radiation has no state borders and trade will hit is only determined by wind direction. is only determined by wind direction-— is only determined by wind direction. �*, ., ., ., , ., direction. let's go to a senior researcher— direction. let's go to a senior researcher in _ direction. let's go to a senior researcher in the _ direction. let's go to a senior researcher in the ukrainian i researcher in the ukrainian institute for safety problems of nuclear power plants. thank you for your time. nuclear power plants. thank you for yourtime. how nuclear power plants. thank you for your time. how concerned are you by what president zelensky has said? thank you for having me. we are

pretty much concerned because zaporizhzhia has endured really critical situations eight times already, it has been on back—up generators. the mining has been critical and dangerous, this kind of situation might affect all of the agriculture in ukraine. indeed we are very worried. this agriculture in ukraine. indeed we are very worried.— agriculture in ukraine. indeed we are very worried. this of course has been shelling _ are very worried. this of course has been shelling ever— are very worried. this of course has been shelling ever so _ are very worried. this of course has been shelling ever so many - are very worried. this of course hasl been shelling ever so many different months in different parts of this war, with outsize each other, but this information that peasants alesi is talking about comes from intelligence work, they are talking about some sort of deliberate attack —— president zelensky. deliberately releasing radiation. in terms of protection, you do a lot of work around safety problems, is there any way of protecting against anything like that? unfortunately no. the

only way for protecting against the actions like this is actually liberating zaporizhzhia power plant, so bell zaporizhzhia should be free for any military action. it is so bell zaporizhzhia should be free for any military action.— for any military action. it is a nuclear power— for any military action. it is a nuclear power plant, - for any military action. it is a i nuclear power plant, everything should be done and accordance with the law, with the international law of war time. {iii the law, with the international law of war time-— the law, with the international law of war time. of course the kremlin are denying _ of war time. of course the kremlin are denying all _ of war time. of course the kremlin are denying all of _ of war time. of course the kremlin are denying all of these _ of war time. of course the kremlin are denying all of these claims, i of war time. of course the kremlin l are denying all of these claims, but given what has happened with the dam, are your concerns heightened at the moment?— the moment? yes, because actually ukrainian intelligence _ the moment? yes, because actually ukrainian intelligence warned - the moment? yes, because actually ukrainian intelligence warned that i ukrainian intelligence warned that the dam might be mined, and it might be excluded. our intelligence is morning now that the nuclear power plant might be exploding —— is a warning. so we are concerned. we have to leave it there, thank you

for your time. have to leave it there, thank you foryourtime. i'm have to leave it there, thank you for your time. i'm sure that it's a story that the international community will keep their eyes upon after that morning from the ukrainian president. events are taking place today to mark the 75th anniversary of the arrival of the ship that started organised caribbean migration to britain. known as the windrush generation, after the name of the boat, they came from colonial territories to help fill britain's post—war labour shortages. king charles wasjoined earlier by children and the descendants of "windrush pioneers" at a service which celebrated the difference that generation has made to britain. this took place at the st george's chapel at windsor castle, the place of worship for the king and the royalfamily. more on today's celebrations in the next hour of our programme. around the world and across the uk, this is bbc news.

the worst summer yet the wildfires, fourfold increase. 11 months on, sam's crop of winter barley is three weeks away from harvest. despite the recent rain, he shows mejust weeks away from harvest. despite the recent rain, he shows me just how dry the crop is. this recent rain, he shows me 'ust how dry the crop at recent rain, he shows me 'ust how dry the crop eh dry the crop is. as you can see, extremely _ dry the crop is. as you can see, extremely dry _ dry the crop is. as you can see, extremely dry already. - dry the crop is. as you can see, extremely dry already. it - dry the crop is. as you can see, extremely dry already. it will i dry the crop is. as you can see, i extremely dry already. it will take very little for that to ignite. the fire service _ very little for that to ignite. the fire service have _ very little for that to ignite. the fire service have secured more than £500,000 for extra training and kit to deal with this growing threat. today they showed off new lightweight clothing for crews to copein lightweight clothing for crews to cope in the ceiling heat. easy access to farmers' reservoirs to fight remote files. and new misting lances like this which use less water but can kill files above and under the ground. the water but can kill files above and under the ground.— under the ground. a lot of that comes down — under the ground. a lot of that comes down to _ under the ground. a lot of that comes down to just _ under the ground. a lot of that comes down to just rethinking | under the ground. a lot of that - comes down to just rethinking how as a community work together and how we all have a responsibility to reduce fire risk.

you're live with bbc news. time for a look at the business news now. i assume more on interest rates. this is happening in many countries across the world, also happening here in the uk. the bank of england has become the latest central bank to increase the cost of borrowing. as in other parts of the world, it's trying to bring inflation down to nearer its target of 2%, but inflation in the uk is proving to be somewhat more stubborn than elsewhere. the base rate was increased by 0.5% to 5% — that's higher than the 0.25% increase that was being widely anticpated. it means it's at its highest in 15 years. they are trying to control the pace at which prices are rising. as you can see here, inflation is at 8.7%, and in making its decision, the bank expressed concern

about the uk specific factors behind that, including pay rises and the services sector of the economy. seven of the nine members of the bank of england's rate—setting committee backed the decision. but the other two didnt want any increase at all, arguing the effect of recent increases still hadn't been fully seen in the economy. here's what the governor of the bank of england had to say about today's decision. we have to get inflation back to target, we have to have price stability and be raised interest rates to do that. we have seen it strengthen the economy, there is good news, the economy has been resilient, stronger, very low unemployment. but it is leaving us with inflation looking much more

persistent. we think inflation welcomed out markedly this year. let's speak to our correspondent. we won't take too much of your time. firstly, how does this work? why is it that there is the idea that if you raise rates, inflation will come down? a ., you raise rates, inflation will come down? 1, ,, ., ., ., you raise rates, inflation will come down? ~' ., ., ., ., you raise rates, inflation will come down? ,, ., ., ., ., , down? the bank of england had a big choice to make _ down? the bank of england had a big choice to make today, _ down? the bank of england had a big choice to make today, would - down? the bank of england had a big choice to make today, would it - down? the bank of england had a big choice to make today, would it take l choice to make today, would it take a small step, that quarter of a percentage point rise, which is what the money markets expected the bank to do? or take no steps at all in order to allow that string of rate rises that we have seen over the last couple of years really feed through into the economy? what they actually did was to kay janet leap. they said it will be half a percentage point, up to 5%, the reason for that is they wanted to hit hard at inflation. they wanted to make borrowing more expensive, and as a result to bring down the demand and ultimately tried to bring

down the rate of rising prices. as you mentioned, the rate has been stubborn, some would say start, and we have had data in the last week that has shown that. the bank really deciding to go at it and i think there is an expectation now, even though this was quite a big rise, for more rate rises to come. we have been talking — for more rate rises to come. we have been talking about _ for more rate rises to come. we have been talking about this _ for more rate rises to come. we have been talking about this for _ for more rate rises to come. we have been talking about this for over - for more rate rises to come. we have been talking about this for over a - been talking about this for over a year, rates going up and up, and at the start of all of this there was very much a feeling that this was a global issue, these were things that were out of our control, there was the war in ukraine pushing up energy, etc, covid, do those factors still stack up? in other countries, inflation is coming down, certainly inflation is coming down, certainly in developed economies, so why is it that we're having this persistently difficult inflation in the uk? we saw the difficult inflation in the uk? - saw the pandemic, the war in ukraine pushing things up like costs, and

clearly that was seen across the world. also there was a question about whether domestic interest rates could have an impact on that. but now we have a uk specific issue, the governor today pointing to a rise in wages, keeping inflation rate high. that is one big issue, the bank will be concerned about core inflation, taking out the things that are quite volatile like food and energy. that has been a very high level. that is why they are trying to make a big difference now with this big rate rise, obviously completely different to the us which held at their rate the first time in over a year last week. so we have seen a rate rise recently in europe. there are clearly domestic issues at play now, not just global ones, and that is why this decision will be much debated both domestically but looked at closely across the world.-

both domestically but looked at closely across the world. kevin mentioned the global picture. the head of the federal reserve is currently talking on capitol hill, updating lawmakers about what he sees as the outlook for the us economy. where he sees rates currently going. my colleague in the us has been listening to some of theirs. what has he been saying and it does it tell you but what we have heard and seen in terms of policy decisions? i heard and seen in terms of policy decisions? ., heard and seen in terms of policy decisions?— heard and seen in terms of policy decisions? i think it is a reminder that inflation — decisions? i think it is a reminder that inflation at _ decisions? i think it is a reminder that inflation at elevated - decisions? i think it is a reminder that inflation at elevated levels i decisions? i think it is a reminderj that inflation at elevated levels is a problem notjust in the uk but here in the us were it is a slightly different position, you may recall the other week the federal reserve paused raising interest rates. they said they wanted to wait and see the impact of their last ten rate hikes on the economy. but if you listen to

his testimony before the senate banking committee, he was testifying before the house financial services committee, he also stressed that whilst they left rates unchanged at the last meeting, this was definitely not the last rate increase going forward. it might just be a different pace to the breakneck speed we have seen since they started to try and fight inflation by raising interest rates and bringing up the cost of borrowing. this situation here is different than the uk because in the us you have much longer term fixed mortgages, so the impact on the housing market isn't necessarily as drastic as it has been in the uk. we have to leave it there, thank you. that testimony is ongoing. we will keep an ion it and give you all the very latest or you when we know a little bit more. very much the impact is all on working families. the cost of living crisis continues across the world. you are watching

bbc news. breaking news, concerning the search for the submersible, because the latest information coming from the us coast guard, just one line but it is an important line. they are reported as saying, a debris field was discovered within the search area by one of the rovers near the titanic stop experts within the unified command are evaluating the information. i significant line, clearly a holding position as they look to find out what exactly this debris is. but that is aligned they have put out so it is clearly significant the us coast guard says a debris field has been discovered within the search area by a rover near the titanic, experts within the

command are evaluating the information. let me put some of the latest pictures on the screen in terms of the search area and the hardware that currently we are seeing, because it is a huge search that we have been seeing over the last little while. we have seen more and more equipment being sent to the area, the international help, and we have seen also crisscrossing of the greats showing how they are actually searching this huge area of sea. but i also want to put on the screen just an interview that has just come into us on the bbc, one of the five people on board, we know that french diving expert, he his daughter has been speaking to reporters in the last while. let me put that on the screen. ., , ., , . screen. lots of experience with submarines. — screen. lots of experience with

submarines, he _ screen. lots of experience with submarines, he knows- screen. lots of experience with submarines, he knows how - screen. lots of experience with submarines, he knows how to i screen. lots of experience with - submarines, he knows how to react if there is a problem. i am very confident about it, that... he can manage a good situation, and is really passionate about the titanic, started 30 years ago. i don't doubt he is at a place he would like to be, just really hope that we find them all safe —— and i know he is. i think we have to trust what they are doing and be confident. just think we have to trust what they are doing and be confident.— doing and be confident. just one of the families. _ doing and be confident. just one of the families, as _ doing and be confident. just one of the families, as i'm _ doing and be confident. just one of the families, as i'm sure _ doing and be confident. just one of the families, as i'm sure is - doing and be confident. just one of the families, as i'm sure is the - the families, as i'm sure is the case with all of them, clinging on the hope as we heard earlierfrom the hope as we heard earlierfrom the us coast guard, saying still they were searching for the crew, assuming they were alive, of course all those calculations being made about the hours of oxygen and the

hopes that that could be delegated, but just that latest line hopes that that could be delegated, butjust that latest line coming in, it is worth repeating because it is the first significant development in terms of information through the course of the day. normally we get a press conference at around six o'clock in boston. but that line is that a debris field, that is how they describe it, has been discovered within the search area for the missing submersible. that was found by a remotely operated vehicle near to the wreckage of the titanic. nothing being confirmed but they have also said there experts within the command centre, they have all of those command figures there in boston, putting on their data, putting in their expertise, they are evaluating this new information and evaluating this new information and evaluating what they are learning.

but a debris field discovered within the search area. i will talk on a second to jonathan the search area. i will talk on a second tojonathan amos who has been with me through the course of the last couple of days, but he is in the newsroom for hours, but that insignificant information. i will put on the latest search pictures because we know the area is so huge that they have been searching on the sea surface, there are searches going on, potassium heard from the coastguard before —— but as you have heard, it was initially the size of connecticut, the search area, but also extended the size of the search area, almost doubled, so certainly the search area is huge apart within the search area is huge apart within the area quite close to the titanic, this line coming to us that this debris field has been discovered. more information i think is coming in, let me have a quick luke. they

are saying the supervision could have been much more forward leaning... sorry, separate line. let me show you the pictures from off the coast of canada, the other control centre. let's bring injohn amos, our correspondent in the newsroom. we have been watching and you have been looking at those search areas, this seems to be a significant line.— significant line. certainly the us coast guard. — significant line. certainly the us coast guard, the _ significant line. certainly the us coast guard, the north-east - coast guard, the north—east district, they are put out this tweet and they haven't tweeted march in the last few days. so when they put out a message like this, one might think it is significant. so we are reading a debris field was discovered within the search area by an rov, a remotely operated vehicle, near the titanic, experts within the unified command are evaluating the near the titanic, experts within the unified are evaluating the

unified command are evaluating the information. you have to heavily information. you have to heavily caveat this, because the whole of the sea floor around the titanic is littered with debris. so is it something or is it nothing? that is why they are saying that they are evaluating it. if you go back to sunday when we lost contact with the sub street sub, one of these scenarios is that it suffered some kind of catastrophic hull failure, there would have been an implosion. that would have caused an enormous amount of debris. i have held in my hands parts of a remotely operated vehicle that suffered a catastrophic implosion at depth on the part, and it can be in small pieces. but it is an interesting tweet that we have had from the coastguard. they are promising more information later in the day. i guess we just wait.

obviously it would be very bad news if it were the sub, we just have to wait. if it were the sub, we 'ust have to wait. ., ., ., , ., . ., ., ., wait. you have that search area over our wait. you have that search area over your shoulder. _ wait. you have that search area over your shoulder, it _ wait. you have that search area over your shoulder, it was _ wait. you have that search area over your shoulder, it was interesting - wait. you have that search area over your shoulder, it was interesting in i your shoulder, it was interesting in this tweet is talking about the area quite close to the titanic site, and we have seen the search area extend and extend, haven't we?— and extend, haven't we? yeah, they have been searching _ and extend, haven't we? yeah, they have been searching a _ and extend, haven't we? yeah, they have been searching a surface - and extend, haven't we? yeah, they have been searching a surface area i have been searching a surface area of about 26,000 square kilometres, huge area larger than wales, about the size of... two times the us state of connecticut. they have been using planes to go backwards and forwards, hoping that the sub had somehow come to the surface added that they would be able to detect it. but they were concentrating their search around the area of the titanic wreck itself, for obvious reasons. that is where the ocean

gates sub was going, to visit the sub, and if ijust move you back, this is the sub we were talking about, you can see it is about six — seven metres in length, what happened to it? it lost communications. we go forward to hear. this morning, various ships on the surface, above the titanic wreck site, and then we suddenly saw them cluster earlier this afternoon, they came together and one of the reasons for that was the french vessel putting down the rov. is it that rov that has discovered that debris field? thanks very much for being on the programme with us to take us through all of that. live from london, this is bbc news. if you have just joined if you havejustjoined us, a major development on the search for the

submersible wejust development on the search for the submersible we just heard from the