major uk airport delay the roll—out of new security scanners. and why fewer trees are being chopped down in the amazon. new data shows a major shift — we speak to the people behind the research. all of those stories are coming up. sport and for a full round—up, from the bbc sport centre, here's tolsen. hello from the bbc sport centre. we start with tennis and the news that the saudi arabian capital of riyadh will host the wta finals for the next three years and offer record prize money of 15.25m dollars. this year s finals, featuring the top eight singles players and doubles teams of the year, will take place in november. saudi arabia has been accused of using events to "sportswash" its reputation amid accusations of violating human rights and restricting women's lives and freedom of speech. the bbc�*s tennis correspondent,

russell fuller, has more. to deliver record prize money is certainly a step forward and something that the wta can point to as they try and bring about this goal of equal prize money. but steve simon knows that there will be criticism in some quarters. although the players have either been very supportive or not spoken out against it for the most part. he knows he will need to justify his decision and his argument is that by going to re—add, tennis is supporting growth and improvement and change across the region. the third—seeded dan evans is out of the atp tour event in marrakech. the world number 42 was beaten in straight sets by the defending champion roberto carballes baena. the spaniard moves into the quarter—finals. in the premier league, liverpool have the chance to return top in a few hours with victory over bottom of the league sheffield united.

the reds dropped to second following arsenal's 2—0 win at home to luton. ahead of the match at anfield, which liverpool will start as heavy favourites, managerjurgen klopp says his players must ignore outside distractions. one of the most important things is to get through this period, just to ignore the outside mess. we have to be professional and we have to be emotional but in the right way. we have to be the best version of ourselves and we have to try and play the best football we can play and see what the outcome is. england's women will look to complete a clean sweep of their one day international series against new zealand on sunday after a 56—run win in hamilton on thursday morning. alex fletcher has the details. arriving in hamilton with a spring in their step. england looking to

steal the series. tammy had failed to score a hard run in wellington, but the boot was on the other foot here. early reminders of her capabilities. going onto top score with 81, all smiles in the middle, but the breakthrough was on its way. that was not a good shot. she will not look back fondly on that. england's innings and are finally poised and once again they turned to amyjones whilst the wickets fell around her, she maintains composure to help england to a respectable 252. susie bates had caused problems in the first one day her, so there was relief all around when alice claimed her. that was followed by a half—century from brock holliday as the hosts looked to keep themselves in it. but when she fell, england's attack proved too strong. a win by 56 runs and a series clean sweep remains firmly in their hands. several riders have been taken to hospital after a mass crash on the fourth stage of the tour

of the basque country. among those hurt were reigning tour de france championjonas vingegaard, world time trial champion remco evenepoel and olympic time trial champion primoz roglic. the stage resumed with the breakaway allowed to ride to the line., the race will continue with stage five tomorrow. hope they are all ok. rough eye has pulled out of the masters next month with injuries, so not looking good for him. oh, dear. thank you very much for those latest lines. nato countries that border russia are calling on their western allies, including the uk, to bring back military service as a deterrent to president putin. all the scandinavian and baltic counties have been rebooting their schemes — though britain is ruling out a return to conscription, which ended 60 years ago. our europe correspondent nick beake sent this special report from the estonia — russia border. fighting for their lives as russia attacks. these young estonians fear

this training exercise could become reality one day. toivo studied in the uk for four years before starting his compulsory military service. it gives the general population a better preparedness, because they have completed a basic course of what they should be doing in a state of emergency, any kind of emergency, and they're better prepared to react to that kind of situation. even if you're not on russia's doorstep, you still think it's useful? yeah, ifeel like this gives me better preparation, even for everyday life. more and more european nations are rebooting or revamping military service. estonia is among those urging other countries, including the uk, to do the same. estonia's prime minister told us how britain could adapt her system. we have a reserve army of 44,000 people that would equal, for great britain, around

two million people. two million people who are ready to do, you know, to defend their country, to know what what they have to do. the british government told us there was absolutely no suggestion of a return to conscription. members of one of estonia's emerging bands were not initially enthusiastic about forced military service but now say they appreciate they may have to use their skills because of russia's aggression. yeah, ever since this war with ukraine is going on, i think it's just a very present thought. and i don't think i have a single friend who thinks in an opposite way or in a different way. back in the forest, training's ending, but they'll do it all again tomorrow. if russia were to attack your country, estonia, what response would they face? massive defeat — i will say that! because we are ready,

our reservists are ready. and of course they have the numbers, but in the end, talking to the strategic level, we have nato. russia ridicules suggestions it may invade a nato country next. but here, at least, they don't trust a word that moscow says. nick beake, bbc news, on the estonia—russia border. fighting for their lives as russia attacks. i spoke to our europe correspondent nick beake — who's in tartu in estonia — about the sentiment there. this particular city is actually a european capital of culture this year. and that is reflected, i think, in the atmosphere around the place it's quite a genteel place here in the in the main square. there's no sign of panic or great concern at the prospect

of an imminent invasion by russia. but i think what really did strike us, matthew, was this sense of unease that people feel, and notjust people who are older, who maybe for whom the memories of soviet occupation, you know, scar so many generations. it was the younger people who have to do this military service who are acutely aware of why they're being asked to do this duty and the fact that they train so near to the russian border. it's constantly in their minds. and i think that was a real element of concern for a lot of people, even if they really hope that there is no imminent military activity. and, of course, russia insists that it's got no intention of invading any native country in the future. ——of invading any nato country in the future. but as i was saying there in my report, lots of people here remember thatjust before the full scale invasion of ukraine in 2022, russia was saying a very similar thing. nick beake on the estonia— russia

border. more than 700 families have now contacted humberside police after an inverstigation was started into the mishandling of human remains at a funeral directors in hull. it's four weeks since 35 bodies and a quantity of ash were recovered from the legacy funeral home's site. police now say the work to identify the bodies is still ongoing. having worked closely with forensic scientists and specialist to assess whether it's possible to extract dna from the human ashes in order to identify them... whilst the expert opinion it provides us with an assurance that proper crematorium processes have been followed, unfortunately, given the high temperature required to carry out cremation, the dna will have been broken down and degraded to such a level that we would not be able to recover a meaningful dna profile. this means that we are unable to attribute any of the human ashes or identify them. this will, of course, be devastating news for families and loved ones, and you have my heartfelt condolences at this really difficult time.

you can see and hear the emotion from the officer giving those details. police also say they've received a �*significant number of calls' over suspected financial and fraudulent activity in relation to their investigation. let's speak to our reporter who's in hull —jessica lane. 700 families now contacting police. the scare of this is quite something, isn't it? —— the scale. that something that really comes across when you hear police talking about the numbers of people. 2000 people contacted the special helpline that they set up, and as you say, they've had to contact 700 families since the weekend about this issue with the ashes. this really has been a huge police operation here. it's been going on for weeks now, and the police have been working with his majesty �*s

corner as well as with local councils. this afternoon, as you heard there, they have confirmed that they are still working to identify the 35 bodies that they recovered from the legacy funeral directors here in whole. they also announced as you heard just then from the police press conference what police described as devastating news. —— directors here in hull. that was that they won't be able to identify the ashes because it's just not possible to get the dna from them, and police did say, as you said, they spoke to 700 families about that, which does give a idea of the scale of this on the numbers of the scale of this on the numbers of people it's been affecting. legacy independent funeral directors is quite a small family run business. the director is robert bish and his daughter, saskia, an employee. they have been operating since 2010. they have three buildings, including the one here in hull. and police had cordoned all three buildings off while they were carrying out their investigations. something else the humberside police

announced in the press conference this afternoon, as you mentioned, is they received a number of reports that relate to suspected financial and fraudulent activity which they are now investigating. hull and east yorkshire councils say they have visited every funeral director that is operating in the local area and carried out voluntary inspections, which they say were very, very well received by those funeral directors. the 46 rolled man in the 23—year—old woman who were arrested in connection with this are still on bail, and humberside police reminded everybody here today of the impact this is having and ask for everyone to show respect for those families who are involved. many of whom do still have many, many questions while this police investigation goes on. ., ~' while this police investigation goes on. ., ~ , ., y while this police investigation goes on. ., ~' , ., , . people flying out of major uk airports will still need to remove liquids and laptops from their hand luggage. new security scanners were due to be installed byjune, which would mean an end to putting

tiny toileteries into plastic bags — but airports including heathrow and manchester won't be ready in time. our transport correspondent katy austin explains. high—tech scanners should mean the end of restrictions. changes coming to airport security. high—tech scanners should mean the end of restrictions. at the moment, any liquids in your hand luggage have to be no more than 100 millimetres and you have to take them out and put them in a plastic bag like this. with the new machines in place, they can all stay in your bag, you can also take through liquids that are up to two litres in size. laptops can stay in the bag as well. a couple of airports, including london city, have already installed all of their scanners and switched to the new rules, but some major airports, including heathrow and gatwick, mote have all of the updated equipment byjune. all of the airports are trying to install it at the same time, so there are challenges

for the supply chain and for engineers to install it properly. because they are heavy kit, a lot of airports are having to do construction work to strengthen floors or reconfigure the layout. so that is another challenge. making sure that all of the staff that are having to operate it are fully trained and aware of it. the government has now granted extensions pastjune. no more than a year. as a general rule, the restrictions on what you can take and carry on bags will stay the same for the time being. last week, i asked the boss of manchester airport what people should expect. the vast majority of airports in the uk will be in the process of switching out fair scanners, so our message to passengers is, do come with your liquids in a liquid back and get ready to take your laptops are. people are being asked to check before they travel to avoid confusion or delays. passengers are aware

of what they can take and cannot take, then they can prepare appropriately before they go through security. that is the responsibility of the airport, the airline, but also passengers themselves. even when the rules change in the uk, it is important to check what applies at your destination airport so you don't get caught out on the way home. a line of news coming in from washington, because we have been anticipating the us president having anticipating the us president having a phone call with benjamin netanyahu three days after israel's attack that killed several world kitchen agent reporters in gaza. that phone call has not happened, we knew in advance that the white house has described joe biden as being outraged and heartbroken by the attack, but the president so far has made no fundamental change is in washington's steadfast support for israel in this war. us officials said before the phone call thatjoe biden was likely to bring up the

need for better protections through humanitarian workers and an increase in food shipments into gaza. that phone call has happen. waiting for a reader to actuallyjust phone call has happen. waiting for a reader to actually just see phone call has happen. waiting for a reader to actuallyjust see the detail of exactly what was said in the call. we will keep an eye on that. this story is moving in the last few minutes. analysis shows political action has helped bring about a dramatic decline in the number of trees lost in the tropicalforests of brazil and colombia —— something that is vital in tackling climate change. the study, from the university of maryland and the world resources institute says that the election of president lula da silva in brazil led to a 36—percent fall in logging in the brazilian amazon in 2023. however, a rising number of tree losses in bolivia, nicaragua, and other countries, wiped out many of these gains. back in 2019 — the bbc�*s then, science editor, david shuckman — was in the amazon, seeing for himself the scale of the destruction — the deforestation — that was happening all around him. this is happening all over

the amazon to create new farmlands, and the result is that the great forced has never been under such pressure. it's hard to believe that an area the size of a football pitch is being cleared every single minute. what that means is that forced that could cover more than 2000 pages is just vanishing every day. and all the signs are that this raze of devastation will accelerate. and it did. by last year — that had gone up to the equivalent of ten football pitches a minute. let's speak to mikaela weisse — director of global forest watch who conducted the research. well come here to the programme. it's not all good news, but let's start with the positive, because that sounds very encouraging, what is happening in the amazon.- is happening in the amazon. yeah, absolutely- — is happening in the amazon. yeah, absolutely. we _ is happening in the amazon. yeah, absolutely. we were _ is happening in the amazon. yeah, absolutely. we were really - is happening in the amazon. yeah, absolutely. we were really happy l is happening in the amazon. yeah, | absolutely. we were really happy to see just how dramatic those declined, we also saw a 49% decrease in forest loss in columbia. those

two companies really showing us that with the right conditions and the right political will, it actually is possible to make progress on the issue of forest loss. you possible to make progress on the issue of forest loss.— issue of forest loss. you said in that answer. — issue of forest loss. you said in that answer, was _ issue of forest loss. you said in that answer, was a _ issue of forest loss. you said in that answer, was a doctor - that answer, was a doctor fundamental decisions made by brazil's new president? the fundamental decisions made by brazil's new president? the data is from the year _ brazil's new president? the data is from the year 2023, _ brazil's new president? the data is from the year 2023, we _ brazil's new president? the data is from the year 2023, we saw - brazil's new president? the data is i from the year 2023, we saw president lula take office onjanuary one of that year. the action plan on combating deforestation and the commitments that he made publicly on to reducing deforestation i think have really changed the rhetoric and the situation around forest loss in brazil. ., ., ., , brazil. overall, though, globally, losses were _ brazil. overall, though, globally, losses were up, _ brazil. overall, though, globally, losses were up, weren't - brazil. overall, though, globally, losses were up, weren't they? i brazil. overall, though, globally, i losses were up, weren't they? and the canadian fires where a big reason for that. so tell me more about that and the other factors that led to the overall number actually going up? 50. that led to the overall number actually going up?— that led to the overall number actually going up? that led to the overall number actuall ua-oinu? , , .,

actually going up? so, yes, we saw a record breaking _ actually going up? so, yes, we saw a record breaking fires _ actually going up? so, yes, we saw a record breaking fires in _ actually going up? so, yes, we saw a record breaking fires in canada - actually going up? so, yes, we saw a record breaking fires in canada and i record breaking fires in canada and here in the us, felt a lot of that smoke and haze as a result. there's actually three times mark tree cover loss this year in canada member had been any other year on our record, so really outside of the picture of normal and likely due to climate change and the impact they are. but as you noted, it wasn'tjust canada that had an increase. we saw a pretty significant increases in bolivia, laos, nicaragua and other countries that are really counteracting some of that good news we saw coming out of brazil and colombia. in we saw coming out of brazil and colombia. . we saw coming out of brazil and colombia. , ., ., ., colombia. in terms of overall tree loss, is it possible _ colombia. in terms of overall tree loss, is it possible to _ colombia. in terms of overall tree loss, is it possible to make - colombia. in terms of overall tree loss, is it possible to make an - loss, is it possible to make an assessment of what the impact will be a? ., ~ ~ ., assessment of what the impact will be a? . . ~ ., ., assessment of what the impact will bea? . . «a, ., , be a? yeah. we know that the losses in the trepical— be a? yeah. we know that the losses in the tropical primary forests - be a? yeah. we know that the losses in the tropical primary forests in - in the tropical primary forests in particular resulted in 2.4 gigatons of carbon dioxide emissions this past year, which is almost half of the fossil fuel emissions of the united states. so forests are really

a critical part of combating climate change and can also be a solution if we let them regrow. they are absolutely absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere as well as being critically important for biodiversity and for people's livelihoods.— biodiversity and for people's livelihoods. . ., livelihoods. lets and where we started, livelihoods. lets and where we started. on _ livelihoods. lets and where we started, on the _ livelihoods. lets and where we started, on the positive, - livelihoods. lets and where we started, on the positive, what| livelihoods. lets and where we . started, on the positive, what this study and the data shows is that, actually, if you make the right decisions, you very quickly can have an impact. decisions, you very quickly can have an imact. , , decisions, you very quickly can have animact. , ~ , an impact. absolutely. and 'ust amazinu an impact. absolutely. and 'ust amazing how i an impact. absolutely. and 'ust amazing how quickly * an impact. absolutely. and 'ust amazing how quickly that h an impact. absolutely. andjust amazing how quickly that has i amazing how quickly that has changed. so, hopefulto see amazing how quickly that has changed. so, hopeful to see that we will see that continuing progress in brazil, colombia, indonesia, and hope that we turn things around in those countries as well. good hope that we turn things around in those countries as well.— those countries as well. good to talk to yom _ those countries as well. good to talk to you. and _ those countries as well. good to talk to you. and thanks - those countries as well. good to talk to you. and thanks so - those countries as well. good to talk to you. and thanks so much those countries as well. good to . talk to you. and thanks so much for joining us here on bbc news. thank ou. if you've got someone in your life who is hard to buy a gift for, here's some inspiration for you. it's quirky, easy to wrap and it's a total one—off. there's only one problem. to make it, you'll need to have a four and a half billion year old meteorite land in your garden.

our reporter andy howard has been to gloucestershire to find out more. the world—famous winchcombe meteorite didn't only crash land on a driveway. the largest parts of it actually came down at a nearby farm. and most of the family who live there thought it had all been donated to the natural history museum. that was until lachlan got a surprise birthday present from his mum three years later. i already knew what i was going to be getting. but then she went, "oh, and also there's a little something extra." i was like, "oh, that's very nice. "you didn't have to." but then she got really excited, and then she started talking about the meteorite, which we haven't talked about in a couple years, and passed me the little box. inside that little box was something out of this world. lachlan�*s mum had secretly asked for some of the meteorite back and decided to have some cufflinks made. but when the localjeweller contacted the natural history museum for advice...

they said, it's just dust. and if you try and make it into a piece ofjewellery, it will very rapidlyjust become a pile of rusty dust. so i thought, goodness, this is going to be quite challenging. that's an understatement. the precious rock, which is older than the earth itself, had to be preserved. they decided on a resin, but if it was clear, it would turn a murky yellow colour after a few years. so a unique blue resin was created for this project. but even then... it's just the softness of it and the fact of them being used for cufflinks. that was the biggest challenge, figuring out how to make them look good and protect them enough. i was really enthusiastic and said, "oh, yeah, i think we can do this." and inside i was thinking, i don't know how the hell we're going to do it, but i'm sure we can. and after months of secret work... here they are, the cufflinks.

they are on a loose chain. each of them have a unique shape to them. and you can see through there, that darker bit in the middle, that is the meteorite itself. and they're certainly a conversation starter. people joined... have you seen this. oh, you've got to see lachlan... "lachlan, show them the cuff links." get a lot of that, which is, it's really lovely. and i'm very happy to talk about how unique they are. that's probably the most special gift i will ever receive. the family now plans to have more jewellery made from other fragments. that 4.6 billion—year—old bolt from the blue is now set in blue for generations to come. andy howard, bbc news. well, that is almost it from today's programme. two or three things to keep you up—to—date with that are going to develop over the next little while, just let me repeat the writer 's new agency is reporting thatjoe biden has spoken with

benjamin netanyahu, we have been anticipating that call. these live pictures, but that would be the first call since that is really strike that killed seven aid workers and so much frustration from the white house withjoe biden earlier in the week describing as being outraged and heartbroken by the attack, but we still wait to have confirmation that the call has happened and vital either read out from the call in terms of trying to make an assessment ofjust the amount of pressure washington is now putting on israel. just a word from israel itself, hugo pacheco, our correspondent there on the ground, just letting us know in the last little while that the israeli military has halted for combat units a day after it announced it had drafted reservists to boost air defences. a lot of nervousness comes again, warning and paying deadly price after that deadly attack and just mask us in syria. a lot of

nervousness there according to our correspondent about an imminent strike from iran in some way. we saw those pictures from brussels. so let me take you back there. the podium all set. that nato meeting that's going on started yesterday, we heard from jan stoltenberg today, and antony blinken and is due in the next few minutes to arrive there at the microphone. he will obviously take questions about nato, but also the latest assessment of what is happening in the middle east. as i say, that is it from me. thank you for watching. see you next time. hello there. although it's been a pretty unsettled week, things are expected to ramp up further as we head into the weekend. we've got a named storm on the way to bring widespread gales. now, this area of low pressure's going to bring us a breezy, wet night across the board. outbreaks of rain, some of it heavy at times in the north and the west, will push northwards. as it pushes into the cold air across scotland, it's going to turn to sleet and snow, certainly snow

over the high ground, even some sleet perhaps down to lower levels for a time. so quite a temperature contrast from north to south. very mild in the south, cold in the north. but it could be fairly disruptive over the high routes, for example the a9, for friday morning. this snowfall likely to accumulate for a time as it continues to move its way northwards. further south, any rain clears away from england and wales, and then it's sunshine and blustery showers. most of the showers will be in the north and the west. the odd heavier one for england and wales, and it stays windy for all. it also improves a little bit across scotland, stays on the cool side, not quite as chilly as recent days. further south, 15—17 or 18 celsius. now into the weekend, we see a new area of low pressure move in, a very deep feature. the irish met service, met eireann, have named this storm kathleen, because we'll see the biggest impacts with the winds across the republic of ireland. but widespread gales across the country, especially around irish sea coasts. it's going to scoop up some very warm air across the whole country.

so early rain clears from scotland, the mild air will be as far north as the northern isles on saturday. blustery day for all areas. a lot of sunshine around, mind you, across eastern areas. it may stay dry altogether with only a few showers further west. but gusts could be up to 60, maybe 70 mph across this north—west corner. 30, 40, maybe 50 inland. and we could see temperatures up to 20—21 degrees, so warm and windy for saturday for most of us. as we head into sunday, storm kathleen passes to the north—west of the uk. again, another very windy day to come with gales in the north—west of the country. more showers around, we think some of them could be heavy. best of the sunshine towards the east, and it won't be quite as warm as saturday. temperatures reaching highs of around 17 degrees across the south—east. so that's the weekend out of the way. into the new, upcoming week, it stays relatively unsettled. in fact, on the mild side, but by the end of the week, we could start to see something more settled across the south.

it made me feel like family wasn't safe. i was only ten. covid was a factor for things getting worse, because you get trapped behind doors. i was very emotionally fragile, i would say. the worst i've ever been. also tonight, the killing of pc

sharon beshenivsky in 2005 — a man is found guilty of murder. we'll bring you the latest on the whatsapp messages sent to politicians in westminster and their staff — were they part of a plot or sting operation? police in humberside tell us that it's not possible to identify any of the cremated ashes at the centre of an investigation into a funeral director's. and the remarkable man from cardiff who saved the town hall from fire in world war ii is and coming up on bbc news, the wta is taking its best players to a new home — the tour�*s finals tournament will be hosted by saudi arabia for the next three years. hammersmith bridge remains unclear, but will land in�*s next mayor fix it? good evening.

one of the most devastating legacies of the covid lockdowns has been