ukraine calls for more long—range weapons to speed up it's counter—offensive against russian forces. we'll hear from the front line. japan's fukushima nuclear plant moves a step closer to releasing treated — but contaminated — water into the pacific ocean. schools across england face another day of disruption — as teachers strike again over pay and conditions. twitter considers legal action against meta over its new app threads — alleging the company stole its trade secrets. hello, i'm ben thompson. welcome to bbc news now, three hours of live news, interviews and reaction. a very warm welcome to the programme. we start with ukraine — and a new appeal by president volodymyr zelensky, for more long—range weapons. speaking ahead of a crucial nato summit next week —

mr zelensky said it was "very difficult" to fight russia without them. and he said the decision to supply long—range weapons "depends only" on washington. translation: if you are defending your land, - and you cannot reach the appropriate distance to destroy your enemy, then the enemy has the distance advantage. that is what it is important to have long—range weapons. we are talking about it for a long time with the us and other partners. today, we have some long—range projectiles and artillery systems equipments delivered to us. well, as those talks about long—range weapons with the us continue, washington is expected to announce a new weapons package for ukraine — which will include, we believe, cluster munitions. ukraine has been asking for them for months, but they're highly controversial —

as they fall over wide areas — and can cause large numbers of civilian casualties. straight to kyiv. our security correspondent gordon corera is there for us now. just what do you make of this announcement of possible weapon supplies for ukraine. something that presidents are lenski as calling for, and yet highly controversial, if indeed they are these cluster munitions. —— president zelensky. that is right, there is widespread expectation of a package out of washington today, including cluster munitions that are not confirmed yet. those cluster munitions are controversial, and they effectively drop tiny bomblets on an area. from a military point of view, that can be very effective, particularly a against the kind of entrenched trenches that ukraine are pushing against and its counter offensive. it is keen to get hold of those weapons, and some of the military analyst in the us a book that idea, but they are controversial. sometimes, those bomblets don't explode, and they are so called

duds, they can lie there for a long time, and in the future, civilians and often children can pick them up, and often children can pick them up, and explode causing terrible damage. for that reason they are controversial, and more than 100 countries have signed a convention against using them, but that doesn't include the us, ukraine, and russia. they are not signatories. even in washington, it has been controversial, and members of president biden�*s own democratic party have been opposed to the use of cluster munitions, where was i in congress from the opposing republican party have often been calling for them. there has been a battle intention in washington. this issue has been on president biden�*s desk for some time. it does look now that with the relatively slow progress of ukraine's counter offensive, that they might have been approved, in order to give ukraine a further push in its battle against russia. , ., ., ., further push in its battle against russia. ., ., russia. yes, and one of those countries. _ russia. yes, and one of those countries, as _ russia. yes, and one of those countries, as you _ russia. yes, and one of those countries, as you touched - russia. yes, and one of those countries, as you touched on | russia. yes, and one of those - countries, as you touched on there, is germany. it has come out and said it is opposed to sending cluster munitions to ukraine. you touched there on that counter offensive, and

some criticism as we entered that second month of the counter offensive. criticism about how little progress it seemingly is making. we know that president zelensky asking for further munition to progress that offensive. want we know about what is happening on the ground right now? i know about what is happening on the ground right now?— ground right now? i think there is an acknowledgement _ ground right now? i think there is an acknowledgement from - ground right now? i think there is an acknowledgement from the i an acknowledgement from the ukrainian progress... from the ukrainian progress... from the ukrainian side, that progress has been slower than they would like and that counter offensive. that is because they have met with really entrenched russian positions. the russians had time to dig in, to prepare their lines. ukraine probing and looking for gaps, weaknesses whereby it might be able to apply more force to push through. they have suggested that actually, if they'd receive more weapons, more long—range weapons, more artillery, earlierfrom the allies, long—range weapons, more artillery, earlier from the allies, they might have been able to launch that counter offensive earlier. and have more success. i think there is some frustration on the ukrainian side, and that is not to say they don't believe they will eventually get where they want to be, but i think

they do view this upcoming nato summit as important, partly from specific weapons and support, but also, for longer term security guarantees. also, for longer term security guarantees-— also, for longer term security auarantees. ., ., ., also, for longer term security auarantees. ., ., . ., guarantees. for now, thank you for that undate- _ guarantees. for now, thank you for that update. but _ guarantees. for now, thank you for that update. but as _ guarantees. for now, thank you for that update. but as our— that update. but as our correspondence live there in kyiv. well, just how much progress is ukraine's counter—offensive making? fighting continues on different fronts in the eastern donetsk and south—eastern zaporizhzhia regions. ukraine says its forces have continued their slow advances around the city of bakhmut — and have retaken nine settlements and 160 square kilometres of territory since the start of the counter—offensive on the fourth ofjune. ukrainian troops have been facing fierce russian resistance — as our correspondent, andrew harding, reports from the front line. ukrainian troops barely flinch as another russian shell hits the front lines close to bakhmut.

for a month now, the counteroffensive has raged here. davai, davai! "come on, come on.", the commander urges his men forwards. and they are making progress, but its slow work. too slow for some. i step on the russian mine. this soldier lost his foot to a mine a while back and has now recovered and is fighting again. but he's worried. yes, we need help. we need more artillery systems. we need more, more, more weapons. and without that? without that i think probably, we have... we will lose this game. you're going to lose? yes. the counter offensive is certainly proving costly for ukraine. another casualty arrives at a field hospital on the southern front. 0leh is just 19 years old. he was wounded in the back this

morning by shrapnel from a mortar. despite the rising ukrainian casualty rate, despite scenes like this, it is important to remember that ukraine's counteroffensive is still in its very early stages. it's not appropriate yet to judge whether it's been a failure or a success. drone footage of russian forces near the southern city of kherson. ukraine has launched a surprise attack here, forcing these troops to retreat, probing russia's defences, as you might in a long game of chess, because this is a slow process, notjust on the front lines. here, a huge russian ammunition store near donetsk is targeted. it's part of ukraine's plan to weaken the enemy before the counteroffensive moves up another gear. "everyone is waiting for that.", says army doctor yevgen.

"we wait and we believe that everything will be fine." "we just need to be patient." but that patience comes at a high price. 19—year—old 0leh is taken away in a british ambulance, funded by private donors. he's stable, but his spine is damaged. he may never walk again. andrew harding, bbc news, ukraine. that is the latest assessment of what is happening on the ground in ukraine. as faras what is happening on the ground in ukraine. as far as that counter offensive is concerned. it is worth saying at this point that president zelensky has arrived in bratislava, and we will monitor events there and take you if there are further details. i also want to show you pictures of what is happening right now in brussels. that is the secretary—general of nato jan

stoltenberg. he is giving a preview of the summit. that's summit gets under way in the lithuanian capital vilnius next week. this will be an important meeting, because it is one where it is expected that sweden's membership of nato will be ratified. you may know, there has been some objection from hungary and also from turkey, oversome objection from hungary and also from turkey, over some internal politics, perhaps being seen as a bit of a bargaining chip on the part of turkey for the accession of sweden to that group. finland, of course, the newest member. itjoined in april of this year. all prompted, of course, by the war in ukraine. many of these countries now seeking the safety of nato, is a combined response. we know a little earlier, that the nato secretary—general saying that this really was a game changer for the war in saying that this really was a game changerfor the war in ukraine. he has said it is the time pull sweden to nowjoin the alliance. he said, i have been clear that sweden is

delivered on the commitments that have been made for it to join, delivered on the commitments that have been made for it tojoin, and they are expecting that that will be ratified at the meeting and delivering an capital of vilnius. those are the pictures live from brussels ahead of that meeting. the nato secretary—general outlining some of the main targets and aims of that meeting. we will keep an eye on that meeting. we will keep an eye on that for you, and take you back a little later. switzerland says it intends to join a european air defence system known as sky shield. the system, launched by germany last year in the wake of russia's invasion of ukraine, is modelled on israel's iron dome system. swiss authorities say the move is in switzerland's best interests. but there are fears among right—wing politicians that the move could undermine the country's centuries—old neutrality. austria has also signalled its intention to join the initiative. 0ur correspondent imogen foulkes has more from geneva. they have different forms of neutrality,

switzerland and austria, but yes, the austrian defence minister is in town in the swiss capital today, meeting the swiss defence minister and the german defence minister. it is actually the germans who launched this sky shield project, and both switzerland and austria have announced their intent to join this project, while still, they are careful to hold onto their neutrality. so, they want to be part of the joint procurement. they want to be part of thejoint training. part of a europe—wide conflict? no. their neutrality, particularly switzerland's, is about defending itself but notjoining in anyone else's war. some people thinkjoining sky shield could compromise that line there. but as you said in your introduction there, the swiss government says it's common sense, not just strategically but financially as well. you buy all this kit together, it comes at a lower price. injapan, the operator of the wrecked fukushima nuclear

power plant says it's been given the green light to release treated, but contaminated water into the ocean. more than a million tonnes of treated waste water has accumulated there since the 2011 tsunami which severely damaged the plant. the operator tepco said it had received the safety certification from japan's nuclear regulator and that all preconditions for its release had been met. speaking in tokyo, the head of the un's nuclear watchdog, rafael grossi, said he was extremely confident in his agency's assessment of japan's proposal. what exactly could it all mean? 0ur tokyo correspondent shaimaa khalil has more from tokyo. the public sentiment here in the country and across the region, especially in south korea and china, is one of anxiety and anger. earlier today, japan's nuclear regulator gave tepco, the company that runs the power plant, the go ahead

to start the process. south korea said that its own assessment has found that japan's plan complies with international standards, which is something that the iaea chief had said earlier in the week — and he reiterated it today in a press conference before heading out to seoul. he said that the impact, the radiological impact is going to be negligible on the environment. he was in fukushima and he met with local officials and localfishermen. and he acknowledged that the concerns that they have are legitimate, they're understandable. but also reiterated his agency's objectivity. he said that this is neither an endorsement nor a recommendation. this is about science and it's about the facts. and ultimately, it's up to japan to make that decision. remember, this is water that has been accumulating for years now, more than a million tonnes of water in over 1000 tanks.

and essentially, this is water that was used to cool the destroyed reactors in fukushima that were destroyed in the 2011 tsunami. and herein lies the fear and the anxiety. i was in fukushima a couple of weeks ago and i was speaking to locals there, to fishermen who say, "not again." "we've been dealt this huge blow in 2011." it's taken years for people to buy fukushima fish again, and they're nowhere near the numbers that they used to make before the disaster. and just about as they're trying to get on their feet, they feel that the releasing of that water is going to cause further reputational damage and deal them another blow. i'm joined now by professor of environmental science, jim smith. thank you for being with us. as we said there in the introduction, this water is treated but it is still by definition are contaminated. should anybody worry about this? ha. definition are contaminated. should anybody worry about this?— anybody worry about this? no. that miaht anybody worry about this? no. that might sound _

anybody worry about this? no. that might sound like _ anybody worry about this? no. that might sound like a _ anybody worry about this? no. that might sound like a strange - anybody worry about this? no. that i might sound like a strange response, but the water has been treated for almost all of the radioactivity. so things like radioactive cesium, radioactive strontium that we had about at the time of the fukushima accident, all that has been stripped out, and levels that are less than 1% of the discharge limits for the fukushima site. they are really at incredibly low levels. what is left is a thing called tritium, so tritium is a radioactive form of hydrogen, and the reason it is left is because tritium forms part of the water molecules. a few of the water molecules in that million tonnes have one of the hydrogen is, instead of h20, they are ht oh, so hydrogen, tritium and oxygen. that means that they behave chemically identically to normal water, which makes it at that scale, pretty much impossible to take out the tritium. this happened at nuclear sites all over the world, and what they will do is to discharge the tritium into the

local river or lake, or marine system. and actually, at a much bigger levels than we are going to see at fukushima. so, the facility in northern france discharges a50 times more tritium into the english channel, and has been doing so for decades then will be discharged each year from decades then will be discharged each yearfrom fukushima. and we haven't seen any significantly high radiation doses from that, nor have we seen any damage to the aquatic ecosystems. we seen any damage to the aquatic ecosystem-— we seen any damage to the aquatic ecosystems. yes, and that is what a lot of peeple — ecosystems. yes, and that is what a lot of people watching _ ecosystems. yes, and that is what a lot of people watching will _ ecosystems. yes, and that is what a lot of people watching will find - lot of people watching will find astonishing. what you are telling me there, that is right around the world, this is common practice, in countries particularly that rely on nuclear power, to release this sort of water. and yet, we're focusing particularly onjapan, given the focus after the tsunami that caused so much damage. this is normal practice, is that what you are saying? practice, is that what you are sa in: ? , �* practice, is that what you are sa inc? , �* practice, is that what you are sa inc? , ~ ., saying? yes. and some of the countries. _ saying? yes. and some of the countries, for _ saying? yes. and some of the countries, for example, - saying? yes. and some of the countries, for example, china | saying? yes. and some of the - countries, for example, china and south korea that have been critical of this release, they release more

radioactivity into the pacific ocean in japan is radioactivity into the pacific ocean injapan is going to do from this fukushima release. but because we associate whatever happens at fukushima with that terrible accident in 2011, and the dramatic consequence of that, then it is hard for us to kind of accept that that... this is something that is routine, and isn't going to damage the pacific ocean.— the pacific ocean. fascinating to hear from _ the pacific ocean. fascinating to hear from you. _ the pacific ocean. fascinating to hear from you. thank _ the pacific ocean. fascinating to hear from you. thank you. - the pacific ocean. fascinating to hear from you. thank you. that | the pacific ocean. fascinating to l hear from you. thank you. that is professorjim smith, a professor of environmental science at the university of portsmouth. around the world, and across the uk, you are watching bbc news. let's look at some of the other stories making headlines across the uk. house prices fell for the third month in a row injune according to the mortgage lender, the halifax, while mortgage rates continue to rise. it said the annual fall of 2.6% was equal to around £7,500 being wiped off the average uk house price. the typical uk property

now costs £285,932. at wimbledon, the british number one, cameron norrie, might be the last brit standing after making it through to the second round. the two—time champion, andy murray, showed his pedigree on thursday leading two sets to one before it was stopped due to a curfew imposed by the local council. play is to resume later today. and it's the end of the road for the ford fiesta as it rolls off the production line for the last time. the fiesta has been the most popular car ever sold in the uk ever since it first hit the roads in 1976. the factory in cologne, germany is being modified to make more room for electric vehicles. it's become the fastest growing app of all time. threads — the social media platform launched by meta to rival twitter — has already signed up tens of millions of users.

many users say that threads is similar to twitter. now, they are taking legal action, accusing them of infringing on the intellectual property. a big number of people are signing up for this app, perhaps no great surprise, given it is relatively simple, if you are already using instagram. but what does it tell us perhaps about people's dislike of twitter right now? , , , ., now? yes, it is performing incredibly _ now? yes, it is performing incredibly well, _ now? yes, it is performing incredibly well, straight. now? yes, it is performing| incredibly well, straight out now? yes, it is performing . incredibly well, straight out of now? yes, it is performing - incredibly well, straight out of the gate. about 30 million sign—ups in the first 2a hours, which is really big numbers in the social media world. we have had a chance to get to grips with it, but cosmetically, it is very similar to twitter, which is probably what has led to twitter firing of this legal letter, which says that twitter intends to strictly enforce its intellectual

property rights, and demands that meta takes immediate steps to stop using any twitter trade secrets or other highly confidential information. threads launches against a background of twitter, encountering quite a few problems, since elon musk took it over, he has ordered a sweeping job cuts and it has had quite a few issues with advertisers as well. so this looks like meta is capitalising on some of theissues like meta is capitalising on some of the issues that twitter has. now, elon musk has said that he is all for competition. competition is fine, cheating is not. meta has hit back saying that nobody on that threads engineering team is former twitter employee. that is just not a thing. so only a few days in, and threads has already managed to ramble into its first social media drama. , ., ramble into its first social media drama. , . ., ., ramble into its first social media drama. ., ., ., drama. yes, a drama that will robabl drama. yes, a drama that will probably play _ drama. yes, a drama that will probably play out _ drama. yes, a drama that will probably play out in _ drama. yes, a drama that will probably play out in those - drama. yes, a drama that will i probably play out in those pages drama. yes, a drama that will - probably play out in those pages and those threads and tweets and whatever we are calling them these days. ijust want whatever we are calling them these days. i just want to show viewers are graphic that shows just quite how quickly social media firms and

big tech firms managed to reach their million users. you will see at their million users. you will see at the top that netflix, three and a half years, because that of course began as a dvd distributor. facebook with ten months there. instagram at about 2.5 months. right at the bottom, we have threads to saying just hours. the rate of sign up has been incredible. i suppose that the question is with that power, and with all those users, comes a lot of responsibility for the parent company meta.— responsibility for the parent coman meta. , ., , , responsibility for the parent coman meta. , , ~ ., company meta. yes, absolutely. meta is ve , company meta. yes, absolutely. meta is very. very — company meta. yes, absolutely. meta is very, very well-placed _ company meta. yes, absolutely. meta is very, very well-placed in _ company meta. yes, absolutely. meta is very, very well-placed in terms - is very, very well—placed in terms of getting those users very quickly. threads is part of instagram, and instagram already has hundreds of millions of users. it one of them is potentially a threads user quite easily, because clicking over and opening up a threads account is just a couple of clicks on a phone. that means is what that meta is very well—placed in terms of grabbing hold of some additional advertising. twitter makes the vast majority of

its money from advertising, so there is a big worry their debts not only could threads be taking away some of its users, it could also be eating into its ad revenue as well. —— a big worry there that. into its ad revenue as well. -- a big worry there that.— into its ad revenue as well. -- a big worry there that. thank you for that. thousands of teachers in england are staging strike action for the second time this week in their dispute over pay and conditions. the national education union has said an offer of 6.5% — reportedly recommended by an independent pay review body — might be enough to stop further walk—outs. but the education minister, robert halfon, said any decision would have to take into account the financial challenges faced by the government. live now to our education correspondent, harry farley. we can see some of those picket lines behind you.— lines behind you. yes, that is riuht. i lines behind you. yes, that is right- i am — lines behind you. yes, that is right. i am here _ lines behind you. yes, that is right. i am here in _ lines behind you. yes, that is right. i am here in reading, i lines behind you. yes, that is l right. i am here in reading, for lines behind you. yes, that is - right. i am here in reading, for the national education union rally. this is the seventh national strike day that schools have faced. and the

eighth day they have a significant disruption. with me is siobhan wright, was a computer science teacher and a primary school governor. she won, the striker busily comes at the end of the school year, when many peoples are basing significant moments in a school calendar, end of the events and so on. —— district obviously comes. this is causing significant disruption to them and you parent as well. , ., ., disruption to them and you parent as well. , . ., , , well. yes, and we are truly sorry. we have the _ well. yes, and we are truly sorry. we have the children _ well. yes, and we are truly sorry. we have the children at _ well. yes, and we are truly sorry. we have the children at our - well. yes, and we are truly sorry. | we have the children at our hearts and everything we do. we wouldn't be teachers _ and everything we do. we wouldn't be teachers if— and everything we do. we wouldn't be teachers if we didn't. the unfortunate thing is that with the equipment and retention crisis, and the school— equipment and retention crisis, and the school budget at the moment, we are such _ the school budget at the moment, we are such in _ the school budget at the moment, we are such in a — the school budget at the moment, we are such in a disastrous place, but we feel— are such in a disastrous place, but we feel that — are such in a disastrous place, but we feel that this is doubly linear and necessary. we thought that education is important, and we wouldn't — education is important, and we wouldn't be striking if it wasn't so bad~ _ wouldn't be striking if it wasn't so bad. , ., wouldn't be striking if it wasn't so bad. . . ., ~ wouldn't be striking if it wasn't so bad. . . . ,, ., bad. there is a leak from the independent _ bad. there is a leak from the independent pay _ bad. there is a leak from the independent pay review- bad. there is a leak from the | independent pay review body, bad. there is a leak from the - independent pay review body, the body that recommends the government... we body that recommends the government. . ._ body that recommends the covernment... ~ . , ., ., government... we are 'ust going to take ou government... we are 'ust going to take you to — government... we are 'ust going to take you to a h government... we are 'ust going to take you to a press — government... we are just going to take you to a press conference. - government... we are just going to | take you to a press conference. this related to the inquest that has been opened into the deaths of four boys

near solihull last december. the deaths of ball boys who drowned in a lake there. they were brothers finlay and samuel butler. thomas stewart and ten—year—old jack johnson. police tried to rescue those boys, but failed to do so. there were freezing temperatures last december. let's just listen into what the police are saying about the inquiry.— into what the police are saying about the inquiry. those affected by this terrible tragedy. _ about the inquiry. those affected by this terrible tragedy. i _ about the inquiry. those affected by this terrible tragedy. i would - about the inquiry. those affected by this terrible tragedy. i would also i this terrible tragedy. i would also like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to all of those who try to save the boys. members of the public, colleagues from the emergency services, and the doctors and nurses from the children's hospital and heartlands hospital. my own local offices with the first to arrive on the scene, within minutes of the initial reports. they tried so desperately to rescue the boys that afternoon, with many wading into sub zero water, up to their necks. to form a human chain. they

had no specialist equipment, but bravely smashed their way through the ice, with their batons and fists, in a bid to find the boys. sadly, it wasn't long before they had to make a difficult decision, to leave the freezing water. but their efforts didn't end there. they continued to help family members and worried members of the public. i am incredibly proud of those officers, who showed such bravery and put their own safety to one side to try to save the lives of jack, tom, finn and sam. i would like to now hunt you over to assistant chief ambulance officerjames williams ambulance officer james williams from ambulance officerjames williams from the west midlands ambulance service. ., .. from the west midlands ambulance service. . ,, , ., from the west midlands ambulance service. . ,, , , service. thank you, superintendent harris. service. thank you, superintendent harris- good _ service. thank you, superintendent harris. good afternoon. _ service. thank you, superintendent harris. good afternoon. as - service. thank you, superintendent harris. good afternoon. as you - service. thank you, superintendent | harris. good afternoon. as you have heard, _ harris. good afternoon. as you have heard, there — harris. good afternoon. as you have heard, there was an incredible effort — heard, there was an incredible effort to— heard, there was an incredible effort to save jack, thomas, finn and sam — effort to save jack, thomas, finn and sam. four members of the public to police _ and sam. four members of the public

to police officers that were posed on the _ to police officers that were posed on the scene, firefighters, many unbidden — on the scene, firefighters, many unbidden service staff and our colleagues from the midlands air ambulance. —— that were posed on the scene _ ambulance. —— that were posed on the scene and _ ambulance. —— that were posed on the scene. and the west midlands care team _ scene. and the west midlands care team. everyone that responded that afternoon _ team. everyone that responded that afternoon had one clear focus, and that was _ afternoon had one clear focus, and that was how to save those boys. it is a tragedy— that was how to save those boys. it is a tragedy that all those efforts were _ is a tragedy that all those efforts were made in vain. iwould is a tragedy that all those efforts were made in vain. i would like to pay tribute — were made in vain. i would like to pay tribute to all of the ambulance and hospital staff who responded on that day, _ and hospital staff who responded on that day, and wished for a best outcome — that day, and wished for a best outcome. there is right 999 call handlers. — outcome. there is right 999 call handlers. i_ outcome. there is right 999 call handlers, i dispatch control room staff, _ handlers, i dispatch control room staff, everyone that responded to the incident. —— r dispatch. of course, — the incident. —— r dispatch. of course, our— the incident. —— r dispatch. of course, our colleagues from heartlands and birmingham children's hospitat _ heartlands and birmingham children's hospitat i_ heartlands and birmingham children's hospital. i know that many of our staff— hospital. i know that many of our staff were — hospital. i know that many of our staff were deeply affected by this incident —

staff were deeply affected by this incident. and all wish for a better outcome — incident. and all wish for a better outcome. we continue to support our staff on— outcome. we continue to support our staff on a — outcome. we continue to support our staff on a daily basis, as they carry— staff on a daily basis, as they carry on— staff on a daily basis, as they carry on coming to work to save lives _ carry on coming to work to save lives in — carry on coming to work to save lives. in behalf of everybody at the ambulance service, again, i wish to ambulance service, again, iwish to express— ambulance service, again, iwish to express our— ambulance service, again, i wish to express our deepest condolences to the families ofjack, sam, finn, thomas — the families ofjack, sam, finn, thomas i— the families ofjack, sam, finn, thomas. i would the families ofjack, sam, finn, thomas. iwould now like the families ofjack, sam, finn, thomas. i would now like to hand you over to _ thomas. i would now like to hand you over to area _ thomas. i would now like to hand you over to area commander alex chaplin is from _ over to area commander alex chaplin is from west— over to area commander alex chaplin is from west midlands fire service. thank— is from west midlands fire service. thank you — is from west midlands fire service. thank ou. ., .. is from west midlands fire service. thank ou. . ,, ,., is from west midlands fire service. thank ou. . ,, y., thank you. thank you, good afternoon- _ thank you. thank you, good afternoon. as _ thank you. thank you, good afternoon. as we _ thank you. thank you, good afternoon. as we said - thank you. thank you, good afternoon. as we said in - thank you. thank you, good afternoon. as we said in the thank you. thank you, good - afternoon. as we said in the days following — afternoon. as we said in the days following the _ afternoon. as we said in the days following the deaths _ afternoon. as we said in the days following the deaths of— afternoon. as we said in the days following the deaths of tom, - afternoon. as we said in the days- following the deaths of tom, simon, jack and _ following the deaths of tom, simon, jack and finn — following the deaths of tom, simon, jack and finn. this _ following the deaths of tom, simon, jack and finn. this was _ following the deaths of tom, simon, jack and finn. this was a _ following the deaths of tom, simon, jack and finn. this was a tragedy- jack and finn. this was a tragedy beyond _ jack and finn. this was a tragedy beyond words _ jack and finn. this was a tragedy beyond words. it _ jack and finn. this was a tragedy beyond words. it was _ jack and finn. this was a tragedy beyond words. it was every- jack and finn. this was a tragedy. beyond words. it was every parent, carei’, _ beyond words. it was every parent, carer, and — beyond words. it was every parent, carer, and family's _ beyond words. it was every parent, carer, and family's worst _ beyond words. it was every parent, i carer, and family's worst nightmare. 0ur carer, and family's worst nightmare. our hearts— carer, and family's worst nightmare. our hearts go — carer, and family's worst nightmare. our hearts go out— carer, and family's worst nightmare. our hearts go out to _ carer, and family's worst nightmare. our hearts go out to everyone - carer, and family's worst nightmare. our hearts go out to everyone still. our hearts go out to everyone still trying _ 0ur hearts go out to everyone still trying to— our hearts go out to everyone still trying to come _ our hearts go out to everyone still trying to come to _ our hearts go out to everyone still trying to come to terms _ our hearts go out to everyone still trying to come to terms with - our hearts go out to everyone still trying to come to terms with the l trying to come to terms with the events— trying to come to terms with the events that _ trying to come to terms with the events that took _ trying to come to terms with the events that took place _ trying to come to terms with the events that took place on - trying to come to terms with the events that took place on that.

trying to come to terms with the . events that took place on that day. i events that took place on that day. i would _ events that took place on that day. i would like — events that took place on that day. i would like to _ events that took place on that day. i would like to acknowledge - events that took place on that day. i would like to acknowledge the - i would like to acknowledge the courageous— i would like to acknowledge the courageous efforts _ i would like to acknowledge the courageous efforts of _ i would like to acknowledge the | courageous efforts of everybody i would like to acknowledge the i courageous efforts of everybody at the west _ courageous efforts of everybody at the west midlands _ courageous efforts of everybody at the west midlands fire _ courageous efforts of everybody at the west midlands fire service, i courageous efforts of everybody at i the west midlands fire service, who were involved — the west midlands fire service, who were involved in _ the west midlands fire service, who were involved in the _ the west midlands fire service, who were involved in the response. - the west midlands fire service, whoj were involved in the response. from our team _ were involved in the response. from our team in— were involved in the response. from ourteam in fire _ were involved in the response. from our team in fire control, _ were involved in the response. from our team in fire control, to - were involved in the response. from our team in fire control, to our- our team in fire control, to our firefighters, _ our team in fire control, to our firefighters, and _ our team in fire control, to our firefighters, and our— our team in fire control, to ourl firefighters, and our emergency service — firefighters, and our emergency service colleagues, _ firefighters, and our emergency service colleagues, who - firefighters, and our emergency service colleagues, who did - service colleagues, who did everything _ service colleagues, who did everything they— service colleagues, who did everything they possibly . service colleagues, who did . everything they possibly could service colleagues, who did - everything they possibly could for the boys — everything they possibly could for the boys i— everything they possibly could for the boys i am _ everything they possibly could for the boys. lam immensely- everything they possibly could for the boys. i am immensely proudl everything they possibly could for. the boys. i am immensely proud of the boys. i am immensely proud of the bravery— the boys. i am immensely proud of the bravery and _ the boys. i am immensely proud of the bravery and determination - the boys. i am immensely proud of. the bravery and determination shown on that— the bravery and determination shown on that day — the bravery and determination shown on that day we _ the bravery and determination shown on that day. we wish _ the bravery and determination shown on that day. we wish the _ the bravery and determination shown on that day. we wish the outcome i on that day. we wish the outcome could _ on that day. we wish the outcome could have — on that day. we wish the outcome could have been _ on that day. we wish the outcome could have been different. - on that day. we wish the outcome could have been different. withinl could have been different. within days of— could have been different. within days of the — could have been different. within days of the boys's _ could have been different. within days of the boys's deaths, - could have been different. within days of the boys's deaths, we - could have been different. withinl days of the boys's deaths, we and colleagues — days of the boys's deaths, we and colleagues across _ days of the boys's deaths, we and colleagues across the _ days of the boys's deaths, we and colleagues across the country- days of the boys's deaths, we andl colleagues across the country were dismayed _ colleagues across the country were dismayed to — colleagues across the country were dismayed to see _ colleagues across the country were dismayed to see people _ colleagues across the country were dismayed to see people still- colleagues across the country were | dismayed to see people still risking their lives— dismayed to see people still risking their lives on — dismayed to see people still risking their lives on frozen _ dismayed to see people still risking their lives on frozen water. - dismayed to see people still risking their lives on frozen water. if- dismayed to see people still risking their lives on frozen water. if the i their lives on frozen water. if the boys _ their lives on frozen water. if the boys loss — their lives on frozen water. if the boys loss was _ their lives on frozen water. if the boys loss was not _ their lives on frozen water. if the boys loss was not warning - their lives on frozen water. if the . boys loss was not warning enough, their lives on frozen water. if the - boys loss was not warning enough, of the dangers— boys loss was not warning enough, of the dangers of— boys loss was not warning enough, of the dangers of open _ boys loss was not warning enough, of the dangers of open water, _ boys loss was not warning enough, of the dangers of open water, it - boys loss was not warning enough, of the dangers of open water, it is - the dangers of open water, it is difficult — the dangers of open water, it is difficult to — the dangers of open water, it is difficult to know _ the dangers of open water, it is difficult to know what _ the dangers of open water, it is difficult to know what is. - the dangers of open water, it is difficult to know what is. that l difficult to know what is. that dark. — difficult to know what is. that dark, freezing _ difficult to know what is. that dark, freezing day— difficult to know what is. that dark, freezing day in- difficult to know what is. that i dark, freezing day in december difficult to know what is. that - dark, freezing day in december seems worlds _ dark, freezing day in december seems worlds away~ _ dark, freezing day in december seems worlds away we — dark, freezing day in december seems worlds away. we are _ dark, freezing day in december seems worlds away. we are now— dark, freezing day in december seems worlds away. we are now only - dark, freezing day in december seems worlds away. we are now only a - dark, freezing day in december seems worlds away. we are now only a few. worlds away. we are now only a few weeks _ worlds away. we are now only a few weeks away — worlds away. we are now only a few weeks away from _ worlds away. we are now only a few weeks away from the _ worlds away. we are now only a few weeks away from the summer- worlds away. we are now only a few. weeks away from the summer months. even in _ weeks away from the summer months. even in the _ weeks away from the summer months. even in the summer, _ weeks away from the summer months. even in the summer, as _ weeks away from the summer months. even in the summer, as tempting - weeks away from the summer months. even in the summer, as tempting as i

even in the summer, as tempting as it may— even in the summer, as tempting as it may be, _ even in the summer, as tempting as it may be, open— even in the summer, as tempting as it may be, open water— even in the summer, as tempting as it may be, open water can— even in the summer, as tempting as it may be, open water can kill. - it may be, open water can kill. please — it may be, open water can kill. please know _ it may be, open water can kill. please know the _ it may be, open water can kill. please know the dangers. - it may be, open water can kill. please know the dangers. tell| it may be, open water can kill. - please know the dangers. tell your children _ please know the dangers. tell your children if— please know the dangers. tell your children if you _ please know the dangers. tell your children. if you see _ please know the dangers. tell your children. if you see somebody- please know the dangers. tell your children. if you see somebody in i children. if you see somebody in difficulty— children. if you see somebody in difficulty in — children. if you see somebody in difficulty in the _ children. if you see somebody in difficulty in the water, _ children. if you see somebody in difficulty in the water, know - children. if you see somebody ini difficulty in the water, know what to do _ difficulty in the water, know what to do we — difficulty in the water, know what to do we can't _ difficulty in the water, know what to do. we can't let— difficulty in the water, know what to do. we can't let something - difficulty in the water, know whatl to do. we can't let something like this happen — to do. we can't let something like this happen again _ to do. we can't let something like this happen again. the _ to do. we can't let something like this happen again. the boys - to do. we can't let something like i this happen again. the boys remain in our— this happen again. the boys remain in our thoughts _ this happen again. the boys remain in our thoughts and _ and prayers, as do this happen again. the boys remain in our thoughts and prayers, - this happen again. the boys remain in our thoughts and prayers, as- this happen again. the boys remain in our thoughts and prayers, as dol in our thoughts and prayers, as do in our thoughts and prayers, as do their— in our thoughts and prayers, as do their— in our thoughts and prayers, as do theirfamilies, _ in our thoughts and prayers, as do theirfamilies, everyone— theirfamilies, _ in our thoughts and prayers, as do theirfamilies, everyone— in our thoughts and prayers, as do their families, everyone who - in our thoughts and prayers, as do in our thoughts and prayers, as do their families, everyone who - in our thoughts and prayers, as do their families, everyone who knew and loved — their families, everyone who knew and loved — their families, everyone who knew their families, everyone who knew and loved them, _ their families, everyone who knew and loved them, and _ their families, everyone who knew and loved them, and the - their families, everyone who knew and loved them, _ their families, everyone who knew and loved them, and _ their families, everyone who knew and loved them, and the - their families, everyone who knew and loved them, and the wider- and loved them, and the wider communities. _ and loved them, and the wider communities. we _ and loved them, and the wider communities. we hope - and loved them, and the wider and loved them, and the wider- and loved them, and the wider communities. _ and loved them, and the wider communities. we _ and loved them, and the wider communities. we hope - and loved them, and the wider communities. we hope they. and loved them, and the wider- communities. we hope they continue to find _ communities. we hope they. and loved them, and the wider- communities. we hope they continue to find _ communities. we hope they continue to find the _ communities. we hope they continue to find the _ communities. we hope they continue to find the strength _ communities. we hope they continue to find the strength to _ communities. we hope they continue communities. we hope they continue to find the strength _ communities. we hope they continue to find the strength to _ communities. we hope they continue to find the strength to live _ communities. we hope they continue to find the strength to live with - to find the strength to live with to find the strength to live _ communities. we hope they continue to find the strength to live with - to find the strength to live with their— to find the strength to live with their terrible _ to find the strength to live with their terrible loss. _ to find the strength to live with their terrible loss. thank- to find the strength to live with their— to find the strength to live with their terrible _ to find the strength to live with their terrible loss. _ to find the strength to live with their terrible loss. thank- to find the strength to live with their terrible loss. thank you. i their terrible loss. thank you. i there we will leave the press there we will leave the press conference being held by police conference being held by police after the inquest heard earlier after the inquest heard earlier today how police tried in vain to today how police tried in vain to help mariupol boys who drowned at a help mariupol boys who lake in solihull, near birmingham, last september. the lake was frozen