you're watching the context on bbc news. comics have spoken out against "soaring costs" and "pure greed" which will prevent them performing at or making money from the edinburgh fringe. welcome back, let's head to the us. new inflation figures out for march. consumer prices rose three point 5% year on year — slightly above what analysts had been expected. can see here on this graph trend overall is down, when looking back across last two years to january 2022. increase driven by higher costs for fuel, housing, dining out, and clothing. the result means the federal reserve is more likely to maintain

its high interest rates. north america business correspondent erin delmorejoins me now. good to see you. put a bit of contact around the numbers for us. sure, so this is not the inflation report a lot of people were looking for because remember, we saw hotter than expected inflation injanuary and february — today we see that data again in march. and not only is it higher than expected, but we are seeing this trend upwards. and that's not what the fed wants to see when they talk about cutting confederates —— interest rates this year. the expectation when wrapping up year. the expectation when wrapping up 2023 was we could see as many as three interest rates cuts this year, as soon asjune. but when you see inflation is sticky and persistent as we see in the data, that becomes harder to envision, and indeed when this came out at 8:30am est today, you saw the expectations for that june interest rates cut drop. find june interest rates cut drop. and how does that _ june interest rates cut drop. and how does that impact overall, if we are not getting that expectation and

the rate cuts, talk us through what difference that makes for the rest of the year. difference that makes for the rest of the year-— of the year. absolutely - the interest rates _ of the year. absolutely - the interest rates determine - of the year. absolutely - the l interest rates determine what of the year. absolutely - the i interest rates determine what it costs for what people like you and me to get a car or get a mortgage on a house. these are real borrowing costs that people all over the world — but in america as we talk about it now, they feel day—to—day. what the fed is trying to do is bring inflation down to their 2% target— but we've seen inflation writing higher than that, in fact much higher, if you think about the summer a couple years ago after the pandemic especially in 2022 when we saw those high prices —— riding higher than that. it's harder to bring down prices and the services industry, and a lot of the stuff tends to wrap together, this is how the economy works where people notice it costs more to buy things so they pressure their employers to raise wages, they raise wages but that also raises the costs of services and goods — and you can see how these factors feed into each

other and could become a spiral. all that makes it tougher for the fed to achieve what it calls a soft landing, bringing inflation down without making a major disruption to the economy. you without making a ma'or disruption to the economy.— the economy. you mentioned wages there - what — the economy. you mentioned wages there - what has _ the economy. you mentioned wages there - what has been _ the economy. you mentioned wages there - what has been happening i the economy. you mentioned wages i there - what has been happening with there — what has been happening with wages across the last six months or so? , , ., ., wages across the last six months or so? ,,., ., wages across the last six months or so? ., , ,, so? this is one of those surprising thins so? this is one of those surprising things about _ so? this is one of those surprising things about the _ so? this is one of those surprising things about the american - so? this is one of those surprising l things about the american economy right now because wage growth is something we are seeing month over month — in fact we saw it in strong numbers in thejobs report month — in fact we saw it in strong numbers in the jobs report that came out on friday. in the labour market is strong, we are seeing lots of hiring as well as unemployment below 4%, and that's exceptional. these are historic numbers, it's now been 26 months we've seen unemployment riding below 4%. normal use... but the fed has been hoping they can achieve cooling prices without a major hit to the job market or growth, these wider parts of the economy. it's part of what makes it so interesting, but also makes their

job hard and makes it difficult to determine when we might be able to see interest rate cuts here in the united states.— see interest rate cuts here in the united states. ., ~ , ., , . united states. thank you very much for that. let's bring in our panel. let's talk to you about this because we just talked through the economics, tell us about the politics of this. bat; us about the politics of this. boy did this us about the politics of this. er; did this report land in the political report today. to put this into context, the expectation was that the inflation rate would come at 3.4%, it came at 3.5%. but that i% at 3.4%, it came at 3.5%. but that 1% difference was all the way in which people receive this. everyone believes traditionally that it is the economy that will determine a presidential election — that has not been the case these last few cycles, and certainly not in a midterm election. nevertheless gas prices are what really fuelled this inflation rate the most, and that hurts a lot of people because so

many people drive, and we are coming into the summer season with vacations and people are in their cars more — that seems to hurting people more and more, especially in the states where they will determine who wins the election. that's an issue, i don't think it'll be the issue, i don't think it'll be the issue, and there are things that president biden can do to reduce gas costs, and i would expect him to do that going into the summer, coming out of it and going into the fall when we come into the election in november. but it certainly adds fuel, nope unintended, to ron clean�*s leak speech the other night where he worked forjoe biden as his first chief of staff, saying he wished biden would spend less time announcing bridges and talk about the cost of things. that landed in places where you'll. .. the cost of things. that landed in places where you'll... but i'll say this is contrary and, i expected to

be true, for women who control most of the household budgets this country, it's not the economy, it's abortion. they already know they don't make as much money as men or have thejob equity don't make as much money as men or have the job equity that men have. if they can't make decisions about their own health and well—being, the economy doesn't matter. just their own health and well-being, the economy doesn't matter.— economy doesn't matter. just very briefl , economy doesn't matter. just very briefly, back— economy doesn't matter. just very briefly, back onto _ economy doesn't matter. just very briefly, back onto the _ economy doesn't matter. just very briefly, back onto the economics l economy doesn't matter. just very i briefly, back onto the economics and joe biden — there recovery post pandemic of the us outstrips most other countries quite considerably, you've got lots of leaders around the world that are pretty envious of the world that are pretty envious of the state of the us economy, and would really look forward to telling that story or trying to communicate that story or trying to communicate that story or trying to communicate that story to voters ahead of an election. what's going on? that's the thing - _ election. what's going on? that's the thing - first _ election. what's going on? that's the thing - first of _ election. what's going on? that's the thing - first of all, _ election. what's going on? that's the thing - first of all, the - election. what's going on? that's the thing - first of all, the united| the thing — first of all, the united states_ the thing — first of all, the united states has— the thing — first of all, the united states has the best recovery from covid economically than any other country in the world. people who have gotten jobs have gone up. we don't have enough people to fill the jobs. pay cheques and wages have gone up, all that has gone up except

for the cost of some items that matter. and i think that's the communication piece because it seems that when it comes to economics, it's personal, it's how you feel about it. there was a poll that came out recently, they pulled all the swing states and said how do you feel about the economy in your state? 0verwhelmingly everyone said "the economy in my state is great." then they said, how about the united states? "it's awful, terrible." there's no rhyme or reason to that, everyone needs to do a betterjob talking about it, but ultimately right now this will not be the issue that determines the presidential election in november. interesting, thank ou election in november. interesting, thank you very _ election in november. interesting, thank you very much _ election in november. interesting, thank you very much for _ election in november. interesting, thank you very much for that. - thank you very much for that. justine, stand by because i want to talk to you about some uk economic data. uk's biggest supermarket chain tesco announced huge profits and sales for last year. company says pre—tax profits hit £2.3 billion in year to february 2024 —

that's up 160% from the £882 million it reported last. tesco also said sales up 4.4%, to more than £68 billion last year. results reported in context of cost of living difficulties. the office for national statistics says cost of living has risen in the uk since 2022. a separate new report released today found more than seven million people struggled to pay bills injanuary. tesco boss ken murphy said company had "worked hard" to reduce prices. tesco said more than 4,000 products were cheaper at the end of the year than the start. justine greening, just to get your thoughts on the current state of the uk economy, given those numbers. it

feels like it's fragile in the sense that on— feels like it's fragile in the sense that on the one hand, you look at some _ that on the one hand, you look at some of— that on the one hand, you look at some of the — that on the one hand, you look at some of the data that shows inflation _ some of the data that shows inflation getting back under control and its— inflation getting back under control and it's ticking downwards — but it does _ and it's ticking downwards — but it does feel— and it's ticking downwards — but it does feel like it is in the united states— does feel like it is in the united states where it's bumping along at this 3-3~5— states where it's bumping along at this 3-55 - — states where it's bumping along at this 3-3.5 - 4% states where it's bumping along at this 3—3.5 — 4% range and both centrai— this 3—3.5 — 4% range and both central banks are aiming for a 2% range _ central banks are aiming for a 2% range 50— central banks are aiming for a 2% range. so there's that, and i think there's— range. so there's that, and i think there's consumer sentiment. i guess there's— there's consumer sentiment. i guess there's a _ there's consumer sentiment. i guess there's a nervousness around the fact that — there's a nervousness around the fact that this is an election year, as well, — fact that this is an election year, as well, so— fact that this is an election year, as well, so i_ fact that this is an election year, as well, so i think actually you could — as well, so i think actually you could see _ as well, so i think actually you could see things bouncing back quite healthily— could see things bouncing back quite healthily but there are these uncertainties — and i think people are bruised — uncertainties — and i think people are bruised by what's been an incredibly— are bruised by what's been an incredibly difficult period, and the fact that _ incredibly difficult period, and the fact that although tesco today said it's kept— fact that although tesco today said it's kept lots of prices low, there are other— it's kept lots of prices low, there are other areas and other commodities where perhaps weather shocks _ commodities where perhaps weather shocks mean prices are being pushed out. shocks mean prices are being pushed out look_ shocks mean prices are being pushed out look at — shocks mean prices are being pushed out. look at the price of carrots and rice — out. look at the price of carrots and rice - — out. look at the price of carrots and rice — here in the uk, we've had terrible _ and rice — here in the uk, we've had terrible weather that's damaging

that the — terrible weather that's damaging that the potato crop and wheat crop. generativ— that the potato crop and wheat crop. generally there will —— there's lots of uncertainty and that a holdback consumer— of uncertainty and that a holdback consumer sentiment for the time being. _ consumer sentiment for the time being. but— consumer sentiment for the time being, but behind that some of the fundamentals like inflation starting to get— fundamentals like inflation starting to get into the right place at least — to get into the right place at least i_ to get into the right place at least. ., ., , a to get into the right place at least. ., ., , , ., least. i want to pick up on the oint least. i want to pick up on the point where — least. i want to pick up on the point where marianne - least. i want to pick up on the point where marianne says . least. i want to pick up on the | point where marianne says she doesn't believe the economy will be the main issue ahead of the election there — what about here in the uk? i think it's one of those hygiene factors— think it's one of those hygiene factors in— think it's one of those hygiene factors in the sense that it is unusuai— factors in the sense that it is unusual and normally would drive a lot, but _ unusual and normally would drive a lot, but i_ unusual and normally would drive a lot, but i think that was going badly, — lot, but i think that was going badly, that would be particularly badly, that would be particularly bad for— badly, that would be particularly bad for the current conservative administration. but i think all the polls— administration. but i think all the polls suggests that actually quite unusually, if it's going well, rishi sunak— unusually, if it's going well, rishi sunak as — unusually, if it's going well, rishi sunak as prime minister won't get much _ sunak as prime minister won't get much credit for that. sol sunak as prime minister won't get much credit for that. so i think, perhaps— much credit for that. so i think, perhaps more than other elections, it's14 _ perhaps more than other elections, it's14 years — perhaps more than other elections, it's 14 years the conservatives have been _ it's 14 years the conservatives have been in _ it's 14 years the conservatives have been in power, and the five years in a coalition, — been in power, and the five years in a coalition, there's this sense of a need _

a coalition, there's this sense of a need for— a coalition, there's this sense of a need for change. and irrespective of whether— need for change. and irrespective of whether the economy starts to get back on— whether the economy starts to get back on track actually it's quite hard _ back on track actually it's quite hard to— back on track actually it's quite hard to shake off the underlying narrative — hard to shake off the underlying narrative. �* , , ., ., narrative. and slightly unfair to ou, narrative. and slightly unfair to you. justine. — narrative. and slightly unfair to you, justine, given _ narrative. and slightly unfair to you, justine, given the - narrative. and slightly unfair to you, justine, given the state i narrative. and slightly unfair to you, justine, given the state ofj narrative. and slightly unfair to - you, justine, given the state of the polls, i know the election is still a far way off, but your assessment of how it's likely to pan out? i think one of our eminent pollsters was saying — think one of our eminent pollsters was saying that there's something like a _ was saying that there's something like a 99%— was saying that there's something like a 99% chance of the labour party— like a 99% chance of the labour party winning the next election — i think— party winning the next election — i think we _ party winning the next election — i think we should probably expect it, obviously— think we should probably expect it, obviously the back end of the year from _ obviously the back end of the year from what — obviously the back end of the year from what we can all tell. but it certainly — from what we can all tell. but it certainly doesn't look positive for the conservatives. i think the key thing _ the conservatives. i think the key thing will— the conservatives. i think the key thing will be, to what extent the conservatives can squeeze that brexit — conservatives can squeeze that brexit party vote, like they did brilliantly back in 2019 under boris johnson _ brilliantly back in 2019 under boris johnson - — brilliantly back in 2019 under boris johnson — there they managed to make sure that _ johnson — there they managed to make sure that nigel farage didn't field any candidates, this time can it's on the _ any candidates, this time can it's on the right— any candidates, this time can it's on the right saying they will field candidates. that's an electoral

dynamic— candidates. that's an electoral dynamic to what we had last time, a week— dynamic to what we had last time, a week labour— dynamic to what we had last time, a week labour party underjeremy corbyn. — week labour party underjeremy corbyn. a — week labour party underjeremy corbyn, a fractured left wing vote — this time _ corbyn, a fractured left wing vote — this time it — corbyn, a fractured left wing vote — this time it looks like it will be the vote — this time it looks like it will be the vote on the right that gets split. — the vote on the right that gets split. and _ the vote on the right that gets split, and that'll be an added disadvantage for conservatives. after _ disadvantage for conservatives. after what's been a turbulent period in parliament over thisjohnson in parliament over this johnson administration, in parliament over thisjohnson administration, we are on to our third _ administration, we are on to our third conservative prime minister and i_ third conservative prime minister and i think— third conservative prime minister and i think all those things weigh very heavily on voters's perspective on whether— very heavily on voters's perspective on whether they want to reelect this government. on whether they want to reelect this government-— government. indeed, justine, thank ou ve government. indeed, justine, thank you very much _ government. indeed, justine, thank you very much for — government. indeed, justine, thank you very much for that. _ staying with cost of living — edinburgh comics at the world famous edinburgh fringe festival say soaring costs could prevent them from performing or making any money. comedian gail porter — edinburgh is her home city. but she says she's been priced out of the festival, because of overpriced accomodation. some like jason manford say they will perform this year, but they expect to make

a financial loss. i spoke earlier to comedian tom mayhew. he won edinburgh fringe festival's comedy award panel prize in 2022 — but he says he won't go this year not financially viable for him. a lot of it comes from the accommodation, like literally — the accommodation last year, i was in a student accommodation flat, literally a one—bed small student place, and for the month it cost me £1,400 — which if you told anyone else you were doing that, they would think you are insane, but for some reason comedians are expected to spend these ridiculous amounts on accommodation when most of us aren't that minted. so yeah, it's ridiculous. justine, what do you make of this? i think it's such a shame, the whole point _ think it's such a shame, the whole point of— think it's such a shame, the whole point of the — think it's such a shame, the whole point of the edinburgh fringe is it supposed — point of the edinburgh fringe is it supposed to be accessible. everyone knows _ supposed to be accessible. everyone knows he _ supposed to be accessible. everyone knows he can be expensive to go to the theatre — knows he can be expensive to go to the theatre or cinema, but this is meant _

the theatre or cinema, but this is meant to— the theatre or cinema, but this is meant to be accessible comedy and entertainment, and i think largely ticket _ entertainment, and i think largely ticket prices are quite low, so it's a crying _ ticket prices are quite low, so it's a crying shame if people putting on a crying shame if people putting on a brilliant _ a crying shame if people putting on a brilliant fringe can't afford themselves to entertain people. so at some _ themselves to entertain people. so at some stage, and brought as a whole _ at some stage, and brought as a whole will— at some stage, and brought as a whole will have to make sure that accommodations are affordable, particularly for the performers. the oruanisers particularly for the performers. tie: organisers have particularly for the performers, j“, organisers have said they are working on exactly that problem. the edinburgh festival is something known by so many across the uk, a huge event every year — doesn't land in the us at all? huge event every year - doesn't land in the us at all?— in the us at all? speaking of inflation, — in the us at all? speaking of inflation, i — in the us at all? speaking of inflation, i think— in the us at all? speaking of inflation, i think the - in the us at all? speaking of| inflation, i think the example in the us at all? speaking of. inflation, i think the example i would give here, and it happened just outside of boston, was the taylor swift concert where everybody spent whatever it took to go take their kids and rent a driver in a car, and the costumes, and the tickets went for at least $500 before they went into ticket dealers

and all that. so there was one guy who took a home equity loan out so he could take all of his daughters and theirfriends to he could take all of his daughters and their friends to go see taylor swift at the gillette stadium around 40 minutes outside of boston. so that was just staggering to me — versus was that —— when i was in middle school and it cost $75 to pay for a band that went on to fame that you hadn't heard of at the time, but my mother had to sign the check. so it's unfathomable to me. haste my mother had to sign the check. so it's unfathomable to me.— it's unfathomable to me. have not heard either— it's unfathomable to me. have not heard either of _ it's unfathomable to me. have not heard either of those _ it's unfathomable to me. have not heard either of those stories - heard either of those stories before, remarkable. thank you very much for that, back with you both and just a minute. around the world and across the uk, this is bbc news.

now it's time for the panel. this is the bit of the show where the panelists get to talk about what they want to talk about. so what's

on your mind? the they want to talk about. so what's on your mind?— they want to talk about. so what's on your mind? the arrival of spring in boston. — on your mind? the arrival of spring in boston, which _ on your mind? the arrival of spring in boston, which is— on your mind? the arrival of spring in boston, which is not _ on your mind? the arrival of spring in boston, which is not measured l on your mind? the arrival of spring l in boston, which is not measured by a date or the weather, which is so fickle, it could be 30 celsius and snowing or 80 celsius and sunning —— 30 fahrenheit or 80 fahrenheit. the boston did not disappoint, they lost 7-1, boston did not disappoint, they lost 7—1, which is why we have to celebrate the world series they wanted 2000 for 20 years ago. on monday as the boston marathon, so the fabled, well—known marathon running through boston on the holiday known as patriots' day, which marks the american revolution. 0n which marks the american revolution. on monday we have not only the boston marathon but a boston red sox game at 11:10am so you get both. that means in boston, it's officially spring.— that means in boston, it's officially spring. what a lovely ritual commiseration - officially spring. what a lovely ritual commiseration set - officially spring. what a lovely ritual commiseration set for i officially spring. what a lovely l ritual commiseration set for the sporting results, i'm a welshman and welsh rugby at the moment has a

similarfeeling, wooden welsh rugby at the moment has a similar feeling, wooden spoon welsh rugby at the moment has a similarfeeling, wooden spoon in welsh rugby at the moment has a similar feeling, wooden spoon in the six nations — all gloss over that. justine, the floor is yours. i six nations - all gloss over that. justine, the floor is yours. i think there's one _ justine, the floor is yours. i think there's one other— justine, the floor is yours. i think there's one other story _ justine, the floor is yours. i think there's one other story has been | there's one other story has been dominating the headlines today in the uk, _ dominating the headlines today in the uk, and that is sam brigade. poor— the uk, and that is sam brigade. poor rishi — the uk, and that is sam brigade. poor rishi sunak can't seem to get anything _ poor rishi sunak can't seem to get anything right at the moment — he wears— anything right at the moment — he wears a _ anything right at the moment — he wears a pair— anything right at the moment — he wears a pair of trendy trainers and is criticised — wears a pair of trendy trainers and is criticised for ruining the brand. so today— is criticised for ruining the brand. so today he — is criticised for ruining the brand. so today he was on the radio effectively apologising for doing that, _ effectively apologising for doing that, but saying he was "a long time devotee" _ that, but saying he was "a long time devotee." you feel sorry for him but there's— devotee." you feel sorry for him but there's also — devotee." you feel sorry for him but there's also a — devotee." you feel sorry for him but there's also a point around it with there's also a point around it with the fact— there's also a point around it with the fact that unfortunately he can be seen _ the fact that unfortunately he can be seen as out of touch, so almost these _ be seen as out of touch, so almost these attempts to try to be down with the — these attempts to try to be down with the kids a bit — just breaks even _ with the kids a bit — just breaks even more _ with the kids a bit — just breaks even more with people, but it does almost _ even more with people, but it does almost feel like it doesn't matter how hard — almost feel like it doesn't matter how hard he tries, isjust one thing after— how hard he tries, isjust one thing after another. how hard he tries, is 'ust one thing after moment after another. very cool, trendy ounu

after another. very cool, trendy young producer _ after another. very cool, trendy young producer sam _ after another. very cool, trendy young producer sam was - after another. very cool, trendy l young producer sam was wearing after another. very cool, trendy - young producer sam was wearing his adidas in the office i don't know how he's taken the news. it's funny, that whole idea of image — he gets comments about the height of his trousers, is he damned if you do, damned if you don't, in a no—win situation? damned if you don't, in a no-win situation?— damned if you don't, in a no-win situation? , ., , �* , ., , situation? the problem he's got his imaue situation? the problem he's got his ima . e was situation? the problem he's got his image was everything _ situation? the problem he's got his image was everything to _ situation? the problem he's got his image was everything to him - situation? the problem he's got his image was everything to him when | situation? the problem he's got his i image was everything to him when he was chancellor, so he really did focus _ was chancellor, so he really did focus on — was chancellor, so he really did focus on his instagram. he signed off personally with his flourishing signature, lots of those policies when _ signature, lots of those policies when they were put out to people. so ithink— when they were put out to people. so i think almost that focus on how he came _ i think almost that focus on how he came across — i think almost that focus on how he came across is now coming back to bite him _ came across is now coming back to bite him i— came across is now coming back to bite him. ithink came across is now coming back to bite him. i think what he's finding out is _ bite him. i think what he's finding out is that— bite him. i think what he's finding out is that when everyone is your friend. _ out is that when everyone is your friend. they— out is that when everyone is your friend, they are your friend. but when _ friend, they are your friend. but when everyone is fed up with you, it 'ust when everyone is fed up with you, it just turns _ when everyone is fed up with you, it just turns and he can't seem to shake — just turns and he can't seem to shake that _ just turns and he can't seem to shake that dust shake that, and this is such— shake that dust shake that, and this is such a _ shake that dust shake that, and this is such a good example of a story that typifies where he is politically at the moment. just

briefl , politically at the moment. just briefly. joe — politically at the moment. just briefly, joe biden, _ politically at the moment. inst briefly, joe biden, there's always comments aboutjoe biden — there was comments aboutjoe biden — there was comments aboutjoe biden — there was comments about his trainer choice and aviators today stop always the aviators, is certainly part of his message, it's a meme everywhere on social media, but also as someone with blue eyes, i— social media, but also as someone with blue eyes, i sympathise because the sun is bright _ with blue eyes, i sympathise because the sun is bright and _ with blue eyes, i sympathise because the sun is bright and you _ with blue eyes, i sympathise because the sun is bright and you can't - with blue eyes, i sympathise because the sun is bright and you can't read i the sun is bright and you can't read those teleprompters unless you have them on. filth those teleprompters unless you have them on. ,., �* , those teleprompters unless you have them on. �*, ., those teleprompters unless you have themon. �*, ., , them on. oh so there's a practical reason and _ them on. oh so there's a practical reason and we _ them on. oh so there's a practical reason and we are _ them on. oh so there's a practical reason and we are seeing - them on. oh so there's a practical reason and we are seeing the - reason and we are seeing the teleprompter there — ever the professional, thank you as always. 0ur professional, thank you as always. our thanks to both of you for being such a brilliant panel, thank you. that's just about it from me, do stay with us, plenty more coverage coming up, headlines at the top of the hour. but for the moment, i'm lewis vaughanjones, this is bbc news, bye—bye.

hello from the bbc sport centre. another evening of drama for the final set of quarterfinal first legs. psg against barcelona and never disappoint — barcelona look like they're coming away with a huge victory, they were 2—1 down to the home side, having taken the lead in the first half. they levelled after two psg strikes in the first half, but that man there's header, his first coming on as a sub, but barcelona 3—2 up in the closing stages. an easy ride for athletic in madrid but dortmund got back into their thai. atletico's 2—1, dortmund had sebastian holland to think for the consolation which it looks like it's giving them some hope for their second leg in germany next week.

ipswich missed the chance to go top after being held to a goalless draw at home to watford in the bottom, swansea are currently 3—0 up to stoke. elsewhere birmingham stay second, bottom after losing at home to cardiff and bristol city beat blackburn 5—0. you can see all the results on the bbc sports website. liverpool managerjurgen klopp has urged fans protesting about ticket prices to support their team against the italian side atalanta in their europa league quarter final first leg on thursday. a supporters group has announced that there'll be no in protest against the club's decision to increase the price of tickets. klopp says he understands why the fans are upset. printed by bbc—defaultread it starts with a protest, then you follow with discussions, and that's good, but what we should make sure that we don't... that nothing gets between us and the supporters.

it should not happen. discuss it, yes, you are not happy with it, 100% it should happen, but between the two big whistles, we just have to be liverpool. west ham united manager david moyes dismissed any negative thoughts of facing unbeaten bayer leverkusen in thursday's europa league quarter finalfirst leg, describing it as "a great opportunity". they have an unassailable 16—point lead over bayern munich in the bundesliga. we played a lot of good teams in europe, and as things go, we have a team that are 15—16 points clear of the bundesliga, that's a big one. hopefully we can rise to it and perform well. england and aston villa forward rachel daly has retired from international football. the 32—year—old started all of england's games at the euro 2022 when they won their first major trophy. she came on as a late substitute in last night's 2—0 euro 2025

qualifying win over the republic of ireland in dublin, in what turned out to be her final appearance for her country. daly, who won 84 caps, said playing for england has been the greatest honour. the london lions women's team have become the first british team to win a european basketball trophy with victory in the euro cup. the lions won by 81—70 at the night, but were trading from the first leg against their turkish opponents. polly winterbourne with a huge 3—pointer in the final, they took the crown by just four points on aggregate. athletics will become the first sport to introduce prize money at the olympics in paris this summer. the governing body, world athletics, is breaking 128 years of olympic tradition, becoming the first international sport to give athletes money for winning a gold medal at the games. $50,000 will be the prize for those that win on the track or field.

this in contrast to the international olympic committee, which does not award prize money. this isjust a recognition that the athletes are the stars of the show. we increased the prize money in our own championships a few years ago, and ijust wanted the athletes to recognise that we don't sit here hermetically sealed, assuming their performance at an olympic games doesn't have, you know, a beneficiary knock on, for the growth of our own sport. defending champion andrey rublev is out of the monte carlo masters after a straight sets defeat to alexei popyrin. the 46th—ranked popyrin beat rublev 6—4, 6—4 to reach the third round for the first time, sending the russian out in his opening match of the tournament. the australian will now play countryman alex de minaur. results from the champions league on the sports website, but that's all for now. see you soon.

hello there. it is going to get warmer in the next few days, but the rain is not completely gone away just yet. and the rainfall that we've had this month at edinburgh botanic gardens is particularly noteworthy. so far this month, there's been 81 millimetres of rain, and afterjust ten days, that's twice the average rainfall already. and it follows on from what was the wettest march on record in edinburgh as well. now, we have had some rain in edinburgh today. the heaviest rain has been over the hills in western parts of scotland, and that cloud has been coming in on a south—westerly wind. and it's that south—westerly wind that's bringing in some warmer air from the atlantic. still some rain around this evening. and overnight, the second band of rain will push its way southwards across england and wales. the rain becoming light and patchy. following on from that, we get some clearer skies. we've still got the same south—westerly air mass, still warm air, so temperatures are going to be a lot higher than they were last night — for many staying in double figures. heading into tomorrow, still quite cloudy across southern parts of england and wales. still a bit of light rain or drizzle, particularly in the morning.

but away from here, i think we should see some brighter skies, some sunshine on the way. still got south—westerly winds, but with the sunshine, it's going to be a lot warmer. temperatures could make 19, maybe 20 degrees across parts of the midlands, lincolnshire and across east anglia. still some weather fronts, though, hanging around in the far south, and those will tend to push their way steadily northwards overnight and into friday. and they're going to take rain northwards as well. back towards northern ireland, some patchy rain, and that will push its way into northern ireland, perhaps the far north of england, but to the south it should be dry. after a cloudy start, the cloud should thin and break and we'll get some sunshine coming through. still got south—westerly winds, still very mild air, warm air. so let's look at the temperatures for friday. compare them with average. you can see we've got to 20 degrees at bury st edmunds, six degrees above the average for this time of the year. it's a similar sort of story, really, in aberdeen, 18 degrees on friday. we're missing most of the rain that is coming into scotland. that warm air isn't going to last into the weekend, though. we are going to find cooler conditions moving down

from the northwest and pressure will be falling as well. so the likelihood that things will start to turn a bit wetter. now, i think across southeastern areas, the weekend is still going to be dry. but even here, after a warm day on saturday, temperatures will be lower on sunday. but further north and west, we're more likely to have some showers at times.

at 10:00 — three of the sons

of the political leader of hamas, are killed in an israeli air strike, in gaza. this, the wreckage of their car in which four of his grandchildren, also died. israel says ismail haniyeh's sons, were "hamas military operatives". so what could killings mean, for ceasefire talks? also tonight: a landmark review, finds children and young people are being let down, by poor nhs gender identity care. the mp, who helped blow the whistle on the post office scandal gives evidence, at the public inquiry. president biden says he's considering dropping attempts to prosecute julian assange in america. and, making history — the london lions become the first british side to win basketball�*s european cup. cheering

and on newsnight at 10.30, we'll go deeper behind the headlines