defying the international can defying the international community and killing without impunity. two uk police forces investigate reports that a string of mps were sent explicit messages in a parliamentary honeytrap. and, more than 150 people are rescued from floods in and around sydney — as others prepare to leave their homes. we set hello, i'm azadeh moshiri. we start this hour with the war in the middle east. presidentjoe biden is facing growing pressure from within his own party to pause us arms sales to israel. nearly a0 congressional democrats have signed a letter calling for no further weapons to be sent , until a full investigation is completed into monday's air strike on an aid convoy in gaza. it says the strike on the trucks — along with the ever—worsening humanitarian crisis in gaza — makes it unjustifiable to approve further weapons deliveries.

the politicians who have signed the letter include one of mr biden�*s key allies — the former speaker of the house of representatives, nancy pelosi. now this letter comes as a growing number of countries are calling for an independent investigation into the israeli drone strike that killed seven aid workers. that's after the idf published its first account of monday's deadly attack. britain has echoed calls by the charity world central kitchen for an independent review into the strike on its convoy of vehicles. of those seven aid workers killed — three were british nationals. the british foreign secretary, lord cameron, said london would carefully review the initial report by the israeli military. he welcomed the suspension of two senior israeli officers as a first step, but said israel must publish its findings in full. and within the past couple of hours, australia's foreign minister, penny wong, said the australian government expects "full accountability" over the deaths. this has been a deadly failure of deconfliction.

deconfliction is the process by which humanitarian agencies engage with defence forces to ensure that they are protected in conflict zones. well, there was obviously a deadly failure. it cannot be brushed aside and it cannot be covered over with more on that letter to president biden calling for a pause in us arms sales to israel here's our north america correspondent peter bowes. this is a strongly—worded letter. nancy pelosi, dozens of other congressional democrats, nancy pelosi, known to be close to president biden, but this is a letter really full of criticism of the biden administration. it does show that there is a growing amount of unease amongst democrats about us policy towards israel. these congressional democrats saying that they have a shared concern and outrage at the airstrike that resulted in the deaths of seven aid workers. they say that they strongly urge the biden administration to carry out an independent investigation into what happened.

now, really, just a few hours before this letter was released, the white house ruled that out, an investigation by the us. john kirby, the national security spokesman, saying that it wasn't going to happen, so it seems no immediate change in policy there. the letter goes on, it says, "if the strike is found to have "violated us or international law, future arms packages should be "withheld until those responsible are held accountable". now, it seems, clearly, that there won't be any immediate change in us policy towards israel and the way that this war is being conducted, but this is the kind of criticism from within the democrats, and especially involving people like nancy pelosi, that is quite likely to hit home with president biden, especially during an election year, and it may well influence policy

in the weeks and months to come. so along with the growing number of countries, aid organisations have stressed the need for an independent investigation into the deaths of the aid workers. sean dilley reports. one of the vehicles carrying seven aid workers killed in an israeli air strike on monday. their charity's logo clearly visible here — but not, say israeli authorities, seen by military drone operators. israel has sacked two idf officers after investigators concluded that even if they had not been mistaken, they did not follow protocol and their actions would not have been justified. the strike on the aid vehicles is a grave mistake stemming from serious operational failures, mistaken classification and identification, errors in decision—making, and strikes that were conducted in violation of standard operating procedures. barely a day after us

presidentjoe biden said us continuing support for israel would depend on increasing humanitarian relief and working towards an immediate ceasefire, israeli authorities say they're opening two new routes for humanitarian deliveries. one, they say, will temporarily run into the gaza strip from israel at erez gate. the other will allow aid to flow through the point where the borders of israel, gaza and egypt meet. it's welcome news, but the united nations says it will watch closely what happens next. aid workers should never be targeted — over 200 have been killed in this conflict. israel must do much more to protect them and to ensure their safety so they can deliver urgently needed life—saving humanitarian assistance. six months on, from the start of this conflict, concerns about the humanitarian situation

in gaza grow. the families of those taken hostage by hamas on october 7 continue to call for their return. for all those asking for an immediate ceasefire without the release of the hostages, where is your moral compass? the call should be to hamas to release the hostages, to put down their arms, and to allow the whole region to breathe once again. now real concerns that the conflict could escalate. these were the scenes in iran, where funerals were held for their nationals who were killed in an israeli strike on a consulate building in syria. the united states, which has called for an immediate ceasefire, says it is on high alert for a retaliatory attack on israel by iran. sean dilley, bbc news.

earlier i asked our chief international correspondent lyse doucet, who is injerusalem, about the shift in language from israel's allies. today, it's starting to sound like a possible turning point in this grievous war. ever since israel launched its retaliatory strikes against hamas and after the murderous assault on southern israel, it had the most powerful backing from its allies like the united states and like britain. but six months on, as we've been hearing in this programme, even israel's friends are now asking tough questions about its conduct during this war. a short time ago, i spoke withjordan�*s foreign minister and deputy prime minister and i asked him whether it did feel like a turning point. for the past six months, we've seen nothing but an israeli government that is defying the will of the whole international community, proceeding with a massacre that have produced nothing but death and suffering and destruction to the palestinians. six months into this massacre,

the world has to act more assertively to ensure that israel complies with international law, international humanitarian law. not only stop killing palestinians through this war, but also stop this starvation, which is claiming more lives day in, day out. so it is way past time that israel is held responsible for what it has done and stops this massacre and allows all of us then to come together and see how we can get beyond this misery and work towards a future that will ensure peace and security for palestinians and israelis. well, as we've been reporting, israel has made a few new steps to get that desperately needed aid into gaza, including opening a northern crossing, a port in israel, and also expanding the capacity through jordan. i asked ayman safadi, would that make a difference? we've heard those promises before. we'll believe them when we see them. thus far, in the last six months, only an average of 100 trucks a day

have entered gaza compared to what the un estimated was 800 trucks needed on a daily basis. so the amount of humanitarian aid entering into gaza is completely insignificant as of yet. we'll wait and see if israel really does take any action to allow more aid in and also to allow humanitarian agencies into gaza, because without the un being there in charge of those operations, without ngos being able to work, without the threat of being bombed and killed, the issue of distribution will also be a major problem. so what's needed now is opening all land crossings into gaza and allowing the un and other ngos full access and full ability to receive the aid and to distribute the aid. he was saying much more must be done and done soon. the united states and britain are also saying they want to see

tangible steps that israel will address these concerns about the protection of gazans and the delivery of humanitarian aid. you'll hear more of that interview here on bbc news today. but for now, back to you in london. that was how chief international correspondent, lyse doucet. six people have been killed during a russian drone attack on ukraine's second—largest city, kharkiv. the city's mayor says iranian—made drones hit several buildings, including a residential blocks of flats, early on saturday morning. 11 people were injured. to australia next. more than 150 people have been rescued from floods in northern sydney. other people have been told to be prepared to leave their homes because of the rising floodwaters. the area's main reservoir, which supplies most of the city's drinking water, is overflowing. there's been three days of torrential rainfall across much of eastern australia. people living in parts of new south wales have been told to stay indoors. it's important to note that flood levels in some of the rivers,

particularly in western sydney, are continuing to rise and that presents a real danger for some communities. so it's very important for those who live in communities that are low—lying, flood—prone areas that you continue to listen to emergency broadcasts from the ses. our sydney correspondent phil mercer told me what conditions were like now. we know there are two deaths have been associated with these wild days of weather in eastern australia. on thursday, a 71—year—old man was found in floodwaters near brisbane, and earlier today a body was found in floodwaters in western parts of sydney. the police say they do not know the circumstances of the second fatality but it has been a wild few days in eastern australia, record—breaking amounts

of rain have fallen. here in new south wales, across one 24—hour period, a month worth of rain fell, so there are still evacuation orders in place in parts of sydney but thankfully for the residents of the city the storm system is moving south and expected to head out to sea over the weekend but as you would imagine, the flood warnings are continuing because the rain is flowing into rivers which are rising so with them the risk of flooding to low—lying so with them the risk of flooding to low—lying areas. studio: was there any way to prepare to avoid some of the issues and dangers people are facing? australia is a [and well used to extremes, the authorities are very good at giving advance warnings to motorists and homeowners

and commuters but people find themselves still facing peril. dozens of people have had to be rescued by emergency services so it is a mercy that although two people have died, tragic for those family members, but it is an indication that australia is pretty good at giving warnings to citizens when these extreme events rumble through communities in this country. two british police forces, the met and leicestershire, are now investigating claims that unsolicited, explicit images and messages were sent to several mps and people working in westminster. yesterday, luke evans, the mp for bosworth, revealed he was targeted in the so—called honeytrap. our political correspondent helen catt has the story. here's a video i didn't expect to make on a friday evening.

conservative mp luke evans has been the first man to identify himself publicly as a possible victim of a suspected westminster whatsapp scam. the first set of messages i got was on a day i was with my wife and i got a one—time open photo on whatsapp of an explicit image of a naked lady. as soon as i got these, the next day i reported it to the police, the authorities and the chief whip. leicestershire police, which cover his bosworth constituency, are investigating. dr evans is one of a number of men in westminster who've been sent unsolicited messages by a person claiming to be someone they've met before, variously using the names abby or charlie, but how might they have got hold of the numbers? another mp has suggested he may be responsible for leaking some of them. william wragg is a senior conservative who chairs a committee scrutinizing the government. he's admitted to the times that he passed on colleagues' numbers to a man on a dating app after sending him intimate pictures of himself. mr wragg told the paper he was scared the individual had

compromising material on him and he was mortified and sorry. the mp involved has given a courageous and fulsome apology, but the lesson here for all mps is that they need to be very careful about cybersecurity. the met police confirmed they are investigating reports of a number of unsolicited messages sent to mps over recent months. that is right, that there is a proper investigation into this. in positions of responsibility, we always have to think about our actions, but there are also malevolent players out there who are trying to influence politics. for now, it's not known whether this is the fallout from an individual lapse ofjudgment or a malicious attempt by unknown others to gain influence behind these walls. mps have been warned against speculating while investigations continue. helen catt, bbc news, westminster.

now it's time for a look at today's sport. just 8 games left in the premier league season. defending champions manchester city are third and three points off the leaders liverpool. they've got a big game midweek against real madrid, as they aim to defend their champions league trophy, but manager pep guardiola insists his side are fully focused on their trip to crystal palace this afternoon. we are third and not far away from top of the league and we drop points for being almost impossible. so we have to win that game. we are ten months or months fighting for the premiership and why should we are ten months or nine months fighting for the premiership and why should we be distracted right now with this important game with crystal palace when the distance is so close. in the late match, arsenal can go back to the top of the table — but they'll need to beat brighton on the south coast to do it. arsenal boss mikel arteta thinks his side can use the disappointment of missing out on winning the title last season in this year's race. i hope it is helping, i think we

learn a lot from the past, especially from difficult moments or from conversations. you have to take it in. it is a different situation, we are in a different moment. we are going through that already. i think that experience serves a lot, and we are trying to use it on the right way. there's also some big games at the bottom of the table to come, all of which you can follow on the bbc sport website. they include 18th place luton hosting bournemouth, while everton welcome fellow strugglers burnley. everton boss sean dyche is hoping to see his team win a league game at goodison park for the first time since december, and he'll take it by any means neccessary. there is no naivety to it, we are not going, we played well again. of course not. you take an ugly and horrible win. sometimes you need that, we might need that again. ideally, you do it by design and by the team delivering and playing well, forcing results through quality of performance. that is an ideal world. quality of performance. that is an idealworld. now quality of performance. that is an ideal world. now and again, you have to measure it by different things. if it is 20 wins on the trot and

they are ugly and hard fought, you take it. and in spain — athletic bilbao take on mallorca in the copa del rey final later on saturday. athletic are looking for a first major trophy in a0 years. mallorca, who won the trophy in 2003, will come into this one as the underdogs, but are hoping to seize the opportunity to win the trophy for a second time. when you go into the game with the same mentality and the right mentality to try and win the game, we know it is an important game for everybody, and everyone isjust preparing. bill now have quality players to, we are preparing for them and making sure that we bring our best. to formula i now — and max verstappen has secured the 36th pole of his career after dominating qualifying at the japanese grand prix. the world champion bounced back from failing to finish the last race in australia by topping the time sheets in all three sessions. his red bull team mate sergio perez will line up alongside him on the grid at suzuka.

britain's lando norris was the best of the rest, but was more than a quarter of a second slower than verstappen. this track is very sensitive, with the tires, with the tarmac being aggressive. when you want to go to the limit, it doesn't always work out. nevertheless, it is important to be on pole position. you want every lap to be perfect, but around a track like this that is not always the case. overall, a good day, good starting position for tomorrow, and tomorrow is what counts. to tennis now, and jessica pegula will face daria kasatkina in the semi finals of the wta charleston open on saturday. danielle collins is also into the semis, after she defeated iith—seeded elise mertens in straight sets on friday. she will face third seed maria sakkari, after the greek beat veronika kudermetova in her quarter final clash. in the nba, charlotte beat orlando and stopped their street. the la clippers passed the utah jazz.

and stopped their street. the la clippers passed the utahjazz. they won 131—100 they have 13 points, 13 assists, and ten rebounds giving a third triple double of the season. and that's all the sport for now. breaking news from israel. we have been reporting on the middle east. israel is saying it has recovered a body from gaza. again, that is news from the afp news agency, israel says it has recovered a body from gaza. this comes, and it is a lot of pressure over the israeli government over their strategy for the war both domestically as protests continue against benjamin netanyahu, much of it to do with his strategy for recovering hostages, saving hostages from gaza, but also, six months on after this israeli air strike on an

aid convoy from the world central christian allies —— world central kitchen, they are changing their minds when it comes to supporting israel. a hostage has been recovered on the anniversary of the war. we will have more updates as we have them. stay with us here on bbc news. mexico has suspended relations with ecuador. it's in protest against a police raid on the mexican embassy in quito to arrest a former ecuadorean vice—president, jorge glas. he'd been sheltering in the compound since december but was wanted on corruption charges. mexico says it had granted glas "political asylum". in response to the raid, mexican president andres manuel lopez obrador ordered the suspension of diplomatic ties with ecuador. the body of a construction worker, killed in last month's

baltimore bridge collapse, has been recovered. this father—of—two from honduras, had been repairing potholes on the bridge when a container ship hit one of its support columns. three other workers are still missing. the us presidentjoe biden has said he'll move "heaven and earth" to help the city recover from the tragedy. our reporter will vernon has this update. 11 days after the disaster, the site of the baltimore bridge collapse still astonishes. president biden came here to see things for himself, meeting officials who briefed him on the progress of the recovery operation. mr biden paid tribute to the construction workers killed when the bridge collapsed from under theirfeet. the damage is devastating and our hearts are still breaking. eight construction workers were under the water when the bridge fell. six lost their lives. mostare immigrants, but all were marylanders, hard—working, strong and selfless.

after pulling a night shift, fixing potholes, they were on a break when the ship struck. the authorities are desperately trying to clear wreckage from the river. a vital shipping lane to and from the port of baltimore remains cut off by this disaster and that's having a big impact on the local economy. president biden came here to send a message of support and reassurance to the people of baltimore, promising more funds to help local workers and businesses, but there are also questions here about exactly why this happened, what caused that catastrophic power failure on board the ship? investigators are studying the black box data recorders, trying to piece together the events leading up to impact. they've been interviewing the crew of the container ship, who are still on board. officials say they will release an early version of their report in around a month, but it could take years to establish the full facts

of what exactly led to this tragedy. will vernon, bbc news, baltimore. voters in slovakia are today choosing a new president. the incumbent decided not to seek re—election after receiving what she said was a torrent of abuse, including death threats. two men are bidding for the largely it ceremonial but highly influential post ? the pro—western former diplomat and the candidate of the populist nationalist government. a russian descent vehicle landed in kazakhstan on saturday, returning from the international space station. astronauts from russia, belarus and the united states were onboard.

russian oleg novitsky and belarusian marina vasilevskaya and belarusian marina vasilevskaya left for the iss last month on a soyuz spacecraft. they returned to earth on saturday along with us astronaut loral o'hara, who had been aboard the orbital station since september. the israeli army, says it has recovered the body of a hostage kept by recovered the body of a hostage kept by hamas. same with us here on bbc news. hello there. a very blustery weekend of weather right across the uk, with gusts of wind widely of a0 to 50mph. gales towards western coasts, perhaps locally severe gales. it's all because our next named storm is with us today, storm kathleen. that area of low pressure has been deepening over the last 2a hours or so. you can see this beautiful swirl on the satellite picture here, that lovely curl of cloud, a very strong jet stream. that low is gradually pushing northwards as we head through the next day or so. a real tight squeeze on the isobars,

particularly for these irish sea coasts, but because it's a southerly to south—westerly wind, we're also dragging up some very warm air, so quite a dramaticjump in temperatures across parts of scotland and we could even see 22 degrees celsius across parts of east anglia later on this afternoon, making it the warmest day of the year so far again. we've seen that rain clear away from scotland through the morning. there will be some blustery showers here. another line of showers gradually pushing eastwards and gradually easing. a lot of sunshine and plenty of dry weather out towards eastern areas of england. a very windy day towards these irish sea coasts. there could be some gusts of wind of up to 70mph. it's enough to cause some transport disruption and, of course, some very large waves, as well. but some very warm air — temperatures well above the seasonal average. overnight tonight, there will still be some blustery showers around. in fact, there could even be a rumble or two of thunder. it does stay very windy too, but because the cold front will have cleared its way eastwards, we will also see some slightly fresher conditions into tomorrow morning.

but temperatures still mild for this point in april, still double figures towards the south. tomorrow, another day of sunshine and some showers. again, some of those showers could be heavy and thundery, they could even start to form in lines at times. all of this is pushing further southwards and eastwards. lots of dry weather too, but staying very windy. gusts of wind strongest out towards western areas of scotland. these will be the day's temperatures. as you can see, they are lower than today's, but still mild for the time of year — generally 12 to 17 degrees. it's not quite it either for the unsettled conditions. another deep area of low pressure will be spinning its way northwards and eastwards as we head through monday and tuesday. i think monday could be dry for many eastern areas, but we'll see some wet weather out towards the west. lighter winds, but it does stay very unsettled as we head through next week. bye— bye.

this is bbc news. the headlines... president biden is facing growing pressure from within his own party to pause arms sales to israel, following an israeli air strike that killed seven aid workers. led by former house speaker nancy pelosi, about a0 democratic members of congress have signed an open letter expressing outrage at the deaths. two police forces in the uk are now investigating reports that several mps were sent explicit messages and images, in a suspected parliamentary honeytrap.

a murder investigation is under way after a human torso was discovered wrapped in plastic in woodland near manchester. more than 150 people have been rescued from flood waters in and around sydney — as more people prepare to leave their homes. the area's main dam supplying most of the city's drinking water has started overflowing. now on bbc news, talking business. hello, everybody. a very warm welcome to talking business weekly with me, aaron heslehurst. let's go and take a look at what's on the show. the renewables race is on. after more than a decade of massive investment in green energy, china, it's way ahead of the pack. so, can europe and america catch up? as renewables become the single largest source of energy in the world, we're going to be asking a top panel of global guests how the green industries in the global north are faring in the chase to draw even with china.