and we head to the island of ailsa craig, off scotland's west coast, to learn how the granite used for the winter sport curling is crafted. more new on our top story. a food charity is halting its work in gaza after seven staff members were killed in what it says was an israeli air strike. world central kitchen accused israel of assaulting humanitarian groups working in difficult conditions, and said food was being used as a weapon. the charity called the strike an attack on humanitarian organisations working in the most dire situations. israeli military says it's conducting a thorough review of what it called a tragic incident. the education secretary, gillian keegan, was one of the first british government members to comment on the deaths. here's what she had to say. well, i mean, obviously we haven't had it confirmed yet, but we are very, very concerned

by the situation. actually, i think we do know that we've urged israel to do more to protect civilians, but also to allow aid to get into gaza. but we haven't yet had this confirmed and i think the idf are reviewing this, probably as we speak. the family of australian aid worker zomi frankcom released a statement praising her compassion and selflessness. it reads: we are deeply mourning the news that our brave and beloved zomi has been killed doing the work she loves delivering food to the people of gaza. she was a kind, selfless and outstanding human being that has travelled the world helping others in their time of need. she will leave behind a legacy of compassion, bravery and love for all those in her orbit." let's speak to our correspondent phil mercer who's in sydney.

and australian killed, what has the government been saying? in and australian killed, what has the government been saying?- and australian killed, what has the government been saying? in the first few hours we — government been saying? in the first few hours we have _ government been saying? in the first few hours we have heard _ government been saying? in the first few hours we have heard from - government been saying? in the first few hours we have heard from the i few hours we have heard from the australian prime minister, anthony albanese eve. he says he has been in contact with the israeli government and the israeli ambassador here in australia, to get to the bottom of what exactly has happened. anthony albanese are you saying of the aid workers and their palestinian driver, including the australian national, was totally unacceptable. a tragedy that should never have occurred. he was speaking within a couple of hours of confirmation that zomi frankcom was one of those killed after leaving a warehouse in central gaza, killed alongside a polish and british national, and also a palestinian and a dual us

canadian citizen as well. the prime minister to —— says he is looking for answers as to what has happened. the idf, the israel defense force, hasissued the idf, the israel defense force, has issued a statement saying it was conducting a thorough review at the highest levels, trying to work out the circumstances of what it called a tragic incident. many people on the sides of this conflict are looking for answers into what is an undoubtedly tragic event that has sent ripples of grief right around the world. d0 sent ripples of grief right around the world. ,., ~ ., ., sent ripples of grief right around the world. ~ ., ., ,., ., the world. do we know what sort of work zomi was _ the world. do we know what sort of work zomi was doing _ the world. do we know what sort of work zomi was doing in _ the world. do we know what sort of work zomi was doing in gaza? - the world. do we know what sort of work zomi was doing in gaza? shel the world. do we know what sort of. work zomi was doing in gaza? she was workin: for work zomi was doing in gaza? she was working for an — work zomi was doing in gaza? she was working for an organisation _ work zomi was doing in gaza? she was working for an organisation called - working for an organisation called the world central kitchen. this was an aid agency set up quite a few years ago to help after a disaster

in haiti. we understand that zomi frankcom was based in bangkok, working for the charity for about five years. and also, anthony albanese de, the australian prime minister, saying that this woman had been working helping victims of australian bushfires as well. her friends and family are remembering what they have described as an absolute legend, somebody who committed their working lives to helping others. committed their working lives to helping others-_ committed their working lives to helinu others. ., ~ , . in south africa — there is rising anger over illegal immigration, and it's dominating the political agenda in the run—up to next month's election. the government claims it's tightening security on its border. but the bbc visited the country's busiest crossing post and, close by, witnessed people coming over the border unchallenged. jenny hill sent this report from the town of musina.

it is a freedom of movement that south africa would rather you did not see. on its border with zimbabwe, no guards, no barrier, no control. it is supposed to be an official border between two countries but people here tell us it is a five—minute walk from the nearest village in zimbabwe, over there, across this river to south africa. there is nothing to stop them. a way in for those seeking a better life, and an easy target as well for criminal gangs. nearby, the remains of an old border fence, an obstacle for smugglers and traffickers. it's a dangerous journey for migrants. the people who make it through the bush it through the bush to the nearest town of musina share terrible stories. i was thinking about my

situation too much. the men who raped her could see she was pregnant. she told us they attacked her with glass bottles too. i saw those men in front of me. for south africa's undocumented migrants, a life in the shadows. there is no electricity. you can see _ this man cannot return to zimbabwe, he says. there is nothing there. we are starving. there is no food. south africa wants to take back control — off to defend its borders, new recruits. but even the head of a recently formed border authority admits it is going to take time. i can assure you now that the current leadership understands the criticality of this work so we have started to fortify and sanitise the environment and hopefully in the next few years

we should succeed. south africa's ruling party may not have years. illicit cross—border trade may be flourishing, but this country is not. its infrastructure is struggling, and an election is coming. illegal immigration is a big issue. it would be offensive to not even speak about the reality of what it does to our public systems when people do not pay taxes. but they expect to live and benefit from the goods and services that our government provides. even as south africa prepares, perhaps, to redraw its political map, need, desperation define the limits of the country. jenny hill, bbc news, musina. for many people who have a serious blow to the brain, physical recovery is just the first of their problems. depression and other mental

disorders are far more likely to develop following head trauma. antidepressant medication is often used to help people cope with depression, but the results of a small us study suggest taking a widely used antidepressant in the weeks after injury could actually help prevent it. and now a much larger trial is being held across england, looking into whether those findings can be replicated in a wider group of patients. our health correspondent jim reed has this report this video was three hours before the accident. four years ago, shannon was working on this building site in east london. i don't remember what actually happened to me, but from reports i was hit on the left hand side of my head with the digger. i was told that i was going to die. but i was given a chance, had surgery, and then i was in the coma for three weeks. she needed operations to repair

the damage to her body. the full impact, though, was not always visible. it took a real impact on my mental health. i wasn't going out. i wasn't taking care of myself. ijust completely let go of myself. i put on weight. yeah, any self—respect that i had was just gone. hi, shannon, it's nice to see you. come and take a seat. every six months, shannon's progress is checked by a psychiatrist. how have your headaches been? headaches, i've not had any. a head injury can change the way the brain works, affecting thinking skills, memory and personality. in particular mood, depression is something which we see very commonly after traumatic brain injury in around about 50% of people. that's around about ten times higher than we see in the background population without brain injury. this is a really

significant problem. now, a large scale study is being run at this and eight other major trauma centers. this commonly—used antidepressant is being given very quickly after the injury itself. the hope is it might better protect the brain from long—term damage. up to now, most of the research has been on the treatment _ of depression once it's set in, which we know can be - quite difficult. this would be one of the first. large—scale studies in the world that's actually trying to prevent itj from happening in the first place. five years ago, sean was knocked off his motorbike on his way home for dinner. broke all my left side, broke my leg, broke a couple of fingers, and i had a bleed on the brain. he now volunteers here, at the charity headway east london. we're waiting on rice, though, unless it's crispy. he's had to come to terms with differences to his brain and his personality. things that you used to do make

you feel depressed, in a way. like, you know, because i want to be that guy. i want to be on that side of that guy. i want to be that guy again. but that's the hardest thing. you just have to accept a new person in your life. group therapy, like this art class, is one route to recovery. it's hoped new approaches to medication might help as well as the nhs tries to better treat a complex injury to the most fragile part of the body. jim reed, bbc news. around the world and across the uk. this is bbc news.

us secretary of state antony blinken is on his way to europe for a five—day visit. he'll meet french president emmanuel macron in paris with a packed agenda — they will discuss ukraine, gaza and haiti. he will then attend the nato foreign

ministers�* meeting in brussels. the highest court in florida has upheld a republican—backed law that bans abortion after six weeks of pregnancy. the procedure was previously allowed up to fifteen weeks. florida's supreme court has also ruled that voters will be able to decide on expanding abortion access in november. north korea has fired another ballistic missile, according to south korea's military. japan's coast guard said the apparent missile fell into the sea —— outside of its exclusive economic zone. if you're a fan of winter sports, you'll know all about curling — whose contestants slide heavy stones along the ice, and frantically scrub their path with brushes. but where do the blocks of granite come from? in the lead—up to the world men's curling championships we've been to the island of off scotland's west coast,

for a glimpse of a unique process. what's stood the test of time is certainly this type of rock that's here. this metamorphic rock from this small island. it's hard to believe that take it from a rough rock like this, ends up into a masterpiece and somebody throws that rock that then ends up winning the gold medal. this is kays of scotland. we manufacture curling stones for the olympics and the world championships in over 17 different countries. we've been here for 174 years. this is where we use all the hand tools. and it's really the skill of the crafter that gives it that final finished shape of the curling stone. the operation was known as three hand turning and grinding. it meant that the success of the product was dependent on the skill of the operator. the operator had to coordinate hand and eye to get the proper size and shape of the stone.

all the curling stones that kays curling makes and has made over the years has come from this island. we have been taking granite here for the last 170 odd years. these are the stones that's been accredited by the world curling and have been used in every olympic games since 1998. so out of that one boulder, you'd probably get something like 70 to 80 curling stones, out of this one boulder. we do this harvest roughly every ten years, and the product we take, like, this material we've got here should last us ten to 12 years based on the market growth at that point. the ailsa craig is definitely far and away the best material that's ever been located anywhere because of its unique composition.

very, very fine micrograin granite which resists wear and tear. ice can be very abrasive so the ailsa craig material resists the wear and tear of the ice. the ailsa rock. that's the beginning _ of all the world's curling stones. hard to imagine they're stood here and over 100 years ago, there's people like me coming across here to dig out the stone, to then manufacture the stone and then rough cut it here. such a unique and interesting job with such a great and fantastic story. japan's royal family has made its social media debut with the launch of an instagram page. the posts so far include pictures and videos of emperor naruhito, empress marsarko and their daughter, princess oh, carrying out various engagements.

the page gained 350,000 followers in its first day — it's believed to be an attempt to spark more interest in the world's oldest monarchy, especially among younger people. the sports brand, adidas, has banned german football fans from buying their country's kit with the number 44 on the back. concerns had been raised that it looked similar to the symbol used by nazi ss units in the second world war. adidas denied the resemblance was intentional and said they would block any fan from personalising their shirt with those numbers. it's now six decades since marie mcdonald mclocklin lorrie traded her four names forjust one — lulu. when she released "shout", in 1964, it catapulted her to chart success across the globe. this weekend sees the start of lulu's farewell tour — and she's been looking back on a career full of highlights with our entertainment correspondent, colin paterson. # you know you make me wanna shout, look, my hand'sjumping # look, my heart's bumping... 1964, a 15—year—old lulu in the film uk swings again, making a big noise

with a first single shout. now, exactly 60 years later, she's about to embark on herfinal ever tour. to be honest with you, if when i was 15 years old and i would have, someone would have suggested i'd be doing a farewell tour when i was 75, i'd have said, you're having a laugh! how difficult a decision was it? you almost need an army to go on the road, and... i don't want to do it like this any more. to sir with love made her the first scottish solo act to have a us number one. # my heart goes boom—bang—a—bang, boom—bang—a—bang, when you are near.

she also won eurovision. # an assassin that's second to none # the man with the golden gun... and recorded a bond theme. 60 year career. how much of an achievement is that? to be living at 75 is an achievement and to still be able to sing and to have energy and have your health is an incredible blessing in life. i feel very... i've always said i feel lucky and i'm grateful. i think that is really important. i get down on my knees every morning and thank god forjust being alive and for what i've got. for being lulu. for being lulu, i mean, wouldn't you want to be lulu? no, thanks! # we—e—e—e—ell. and such has been lulu's longevity that even her number one

with take that was 31 years ago. it was an incredible thing. and they were very, very respectful, is the word, i think, because, of course, they were like in their teens, i think, and i was a0. but i've had many reinventions in my life and that was a big one. and now we're family. # relight my fire! lulu, lovely to speak to you. nice to speak to you. you ready for the tour? i was born ready. i think that's been said before, but i stole it! around the world and across the uk. this is bbc news. the government says it expects more than 150,000 children to benefit from the first phase of the expansion of childcare support in england, which came into effect yesterday. working parents of two—year—olds are now eligible for some free childcare. but there are questions about the number of staff and spaces available as demand rises.

for more on how these changes are being received, lets speak to a consultant at employers for childcare, aoife hamilton. i wonder what you made of this new promise that came from the government yesterday? it is record investment — government yesterday? it is record investment and _ government yesterday? it is record investment and certainly _ government yesterday? it is record investment and certainly welcome l investment and certainly welcome recognition of the critical role of child care. we have deep concerns over how the investment is being rolled out, and there are serious questions over whether what has been promised two families can actually be delivered. share promised two families can actually be delivered.— be delivered. are there enough saces be delivered. are there enough spaces across _ be delivered. are there enough spaces across the _ be delivered. are there enough spaces across the country - be delivered. are there enough spaces across the country to i be delivered. are there enough i spaces across the country to cope with the demand? irate spaces across the country to cope with the demand?— spaces across the country to cope with the demand? we don't believe there are, with the demand? we don't believe there are. and _ with the demand? we don't believe there are, and we _ with the demand? we don't believe there are, and we have _ with the demand? we don't believe there are, and we have seen - with the demand? we don't believe there are, and we have seen places decrease in the last year. and we are hearing directly from parents who say that they are being asked to wait a long time for the places that they need, which is actually making

it very difficult for them to access the child care they need to go to work. ., ' . , ., work. how difficult is it to find childcare? _ work. how difficult is it to find childcare? are _ work. how difficult is it to find childcare? are there - work. how difficult is it to find childcare? are there better i work. how difficult is it to find i childcare? are there better areas work. how difficult is it to find - childcare? are there better areas of the country than others? yes. childcare? are there better areas of the country than others?— the country than others? yes, it's difficult to — the country than others? yes, it's difficult to say _ the country than others? yes, it's difficult to say because _ the country than others? yes, it's difficult to say because there - the country than others? yes, it's difficult to say because there are | difficult to say because there are quite significant variations across the country. but we know recent research found that just a third the country. but we know recent research found thatjust a third of councils in england said they had sufficient provision for parents who are working full—time. and it's even more challenging for some families, particularly those who have a child with a disability, for example. just 6% of councils have sufficient provision. 696 of councils have sufficient provision-— 696 of councils have sufficient rovision. , , , ., ., , provision. just explain for viewers who don't understand _ provision. just explain for viewers who don't understand how- provision. just explain for viewers who don't understand how this i provision. just explain for viewers i who don't understand how this scheme works. the government give you a certain amount of three hours and then parents have to top that up at full cost? . �* , ., full cost? that's right. from yesterday — full cost? that's right. from yesterday there _ full cost? that's right. from yesterday there was - full cost? that's right. from yesterday there was an i full cost? that's right. from i yesterday there was an expansion full cost? that's right. from - yesterday there was an expansion of an existing scheme, the existing scheme was 30 hours of funded

childcare and from monday to be brought to 15 hours for children with two—year—olds, there will be a further extension from september. in 2025, we will see all children, from nine months old, able to get 30 hours of free childcare per week, provided their parents are eligible. so, their parents are working. what so, their parents are working. what would ou so, their parents are working. what would you like _ so, their parents are working. what would you like to _ so, their parents are working. what would you like to be _ so, their parents are working. what would you like to be seen to be done to try and increase the number of spaces that are available across the country? spaces that are available across the count ? .., , spaces that are available across the count ? .. , ., ., country? critically, what we need to see as adequate _ country? critically, what we need to see as adequate funding. _ country? critically, what we need to see as adequate funding. we - country? critically, what we need to see as adequate funding. we need i see as adequate funding. we need properfunding behind this see as adequate funding. we need proper funding behind this scheme that really enables providers to deliver on places, but to deliver quality early learning and child care. we also need to see a really ambitious workforce strategy. we know one of the biggest challenges for the sector is the recruitment and retention of skilled staff. importantly, we need to see meaningful engagement with the

sector and with families. they are the experts on how best to target investment. in the longer term, we think a fundamental review is needed into how best to target the investment, to deliver really high—quality, affordable, early learning and childcare. it helps parents work, it gives children the best start in life, but also helps to tackle disadvantage. d0 best start in life, but also helps to tackle disadvantage.- best start in life, but also helps to tackle disadvantage. do you think that is going — to tackle disadvantage. do you think that is going to _ to tackle disadvantage. do you think that is going to happen? _ to tackle disadvantage. do you think that is going to happen? it - to tackle disadvantage. do you think that is going to happen? it has i to tackle disadvantage. do you think that is going to happen? it has to i that is going to happen? it has to ha en, that is going to happen? it has to happen. but _ that is going to happen? it has to happen. but we _ that is going to happen? it has to happen, but we don't _ that is going to happen? it has to happen, but we don't think i that is going to happen? it has to happen, but we don't think that l that is going to happen? it has to l happen, but we don't think that the system is targeted correctly at the moment to deliver that. that is why we need a fundamental review and proper engagement with the sector. we really need to look notjust at what we have at the moment and how we can tinker with that to improve it, but what do we want to deliver? what is a world leading, quality early learning and child care infrastructure, and how do we target investment to deliver that? {lilia investment to deliver that? 0k, thank ou investment to deliver that? 0k, thank you very _ investment to deliver that? 0k, thank you very much forjoining us on bbc news.

i want to remind you of our main story, seven aid workers have been killed in gaza. these are some of the pictures from the scene of the incident. they were working for world central kitchen hand had just dropped off supplies at a warehouse. the dad include a british national, an australian and a polish national. a palestinian driver and translator was also among the dead according to hamas. the israeli defense force says it will review what is called a tragic incident at the highest level. the weather this week remains unsettled, but it is turning milder ljy unsettled, but it is turning milder by the time we get to next weekend. still cold for the next few days across parts of scotland, represented by the blues here. we have a keen north—easterly wind. milder yellows and then elvers

across england, wales and northern ireland. they spread steadily northwards, to the northern isles, ljy northwards, to the northern isles, by the time we get a saturday. that does not mean it's going to be bone dry. we are going to see quite a bit of rain through the rest of the week, as indicated by the blues and greens on the rainfall accumulation child. the greens, up to 70 millimetres, falling on already saturated ground. what we have today is a lot of cloud across auckland, producing some rain, a keen north—easterly wind making you feel cooler. some scattered showers for england, wales and northern ireland and some sunny intervals. we also have a band of rain coming in across the south—west with strengthening wind. temperature six in the north, to 15 in the south. through this evening and overnight, we hang on to the rain across scotland. the rain across southern england pushes steadily northwards, through the course of the night. it's going to be a breezy night for most. some clear skies and mild in the south. only three inlay work. as we head

through the rest of wednesday, the low pressure is bringing this rain, and pulls into the north sea. we have an arm of rain left behind. it will clear in northern ireland but linger across parts of northern england and scotland. to the north and south of that, fairly cloudy. the sunniest skies in southern england, where we have the highest temperatures of 50 degrees. still five inlay work. as we head into thursday, we lose this area of low pressure but it will leave a legacy of cloud in eastern and northern areas, with a view showers. writer conditions in central and some western areas until the next area of low pressure comes in, bringing in more rain across the south—west. for friday, we start off with some snow across scotland. that is going to quickly push away. mostly a high ground feature. and then we have a mixture of bright spells, sunshine and showers. it's also going to be windy as well. the other thing you'll notice is that temperatures are starting to creep up. six in

lerwick, to 16 in london. but it is saturday when we are all double figures.

live from london. this is bbc news a briton is among seven aid workers, mostly foreign nationals, killed in what a us—based charity says was an israeli airstrike in gaza. an expanded childcare scheme rolls out across england, but critics of the plan claim it's not enough.

donald trump posts a $175—million bond in his new york civil fraud trial. and a high—tech solution to help manage type—one diabetes. it's an artifical pancreas. hello. welcome welcome to the programme. we start this hour in the middle east. the aid organisation world central kitchen says seven of its aid workers in gaza, including a british national, have been killed in an israeli air strike. these are some of the latest pictures we've received from the scene of the incident. you can see damage to the roof of that vehicle marked with the world central kitchen logo. the us based charity says it's suspending food distribution operations in gaza after the air strike. the israeli military says it's conducting a thorough review of what it called a tragic incident. world food kitchen says those killed are from the united kingdom,

australia, poland, a dual us/canada citizen, as well as palestinians.