claims he disputes. the government says an investigation is underway. and why some film fans are moving away from streaming in favour of micro cinemas. a global cyber gang accused of industrial—scale fraud has been busted by police. it's accused of offering a service to criminals which allowed them to steal from victims using fraudulent text messages. 37 people worldwide have been arrested, 2a of which are in britain. it's estimated that 70,000 people have fallen victim to the scams. it is five o'clock in the morning in south london, the end of a two—year investigation.

this was one of a series of coordinated raids, targeting cybercrime in 17 countries, masterminded from the uk. one man was arrested here and 23 others around the uk. and this all began about two years ago when security experts for the banking industry spotted on the dark web criminals offering other criminals a service — a way to make money using phishing with a ph. labhost provided the technology and training for other criminals to carry out phishing attacks — sending fraudulent text messages — to get people to hand over their personal data. the police say there were an estimated 70,000 victims in the uk, bombarded with messages linking to 47 fake websites usually seeming to be online payment or shopping services. 480,000 payment card numbers have been stolen and 64,000 pin numbers. and if you thought only older or less technically savvy people get scammed,

well, you'd be wrong. the victims in this case have been aged between about 25 and a5, predominantly. pretty young, then. digital natives. well, its people who live their lives online that perhaps do their banking online, that shop online. they're more likely to fall victim to this because their use of the internet is just so prevalent. as the arrests were taking place, including at luton and manchester airports... you have been identified as involved in labhost... police were also contacting 25,000 victims they've identified — giving details of how they've been scammed and giving them advice. as for labhost, well, yesterday, this was the moment it was shut down and replaced with this message from the police to the scammers. tom symonds, bbc news, south london.

the home office announced that 534 had crossed the channel on sunday, the highest number on record this year. i am joined the highest number on record this year. iamjoined now the highest number on record this year. i am joined now byjournalist and author sally hayden who has researched extensively the treatment of refugees. thank you forjoining us on the programme. the uk government says rwanda is a safe country to allow these migrants to go to, what is your view on how safe rwanda is?— go to, what is your view on how safe rwanda is? yeah, i have been asked this a lot and — rwanda is? yeah, i have been asked this a lot and i _ rwanda is? yeah, i have been asked this a lot and i always _ rwanda is? yeah, i have been asked this a lot and i always say _ rwanda is? yeah, i have been asked this a lot and i always say the - rwanda is? yeah, i have been asked this a lot and i always say the same l this a lot and i always say the same thing. rwanda is a police state, it is a dictatorship, it is a place without freedom of media, freedom of expression, it is not a place where

you can actually track what happens to people when they get sent there. so it might be that you send people there and you don't hear anything bad happening to them, but that is not because it is not happening, it is because this is such a controlled society. is because this is such a controlled socie . ., ., is because this is such a controlled socie . . ., ., _ , society. the rwanda government says alleaations society. the rwanda government says allegations of — society. the rwanda government says allegations of human _ society. the rwanda government says allegations of human rights _ society. the rwanda government says allegations of human rights abuses i allegations of human rights abuses are frankly insulting, so they have are frankly insulting, so they have a different view, you're reporting, however, was used in evidence in the challenge in the uk courts?— challenge in the uk courts? yeah, so, this challenge in the uk courts? yeah, so. this was _ challenge in the uk courts? yeah, so. this was my — challenge in the uk courts? yeah, so, this was my reporting - challenge in the uk courts? yeah, so, this was my reporting on - challenge in the uk courts? yeah, so, this was my reporting on a - so, this was my reporting on a previous scheme, which was the eu backed scheme evacuating people from libya and temporarily placing them in rwanda, and i went to rwanda twice in 2019 and 2020 to report on that and a chapter of my book, my first time we drowned, is based on that reporting. and as a result i appear to have been banned from entering rwanda, itried appear to have been banned from entering rwanda, i tried to go there around three weeks ago on the 25th of march and it appears that that

may be the reason why i was blocked from boarding an aeroplane. and now can no longer report there. henge from boarding an aeroplane. and now can no longer report there.— can no longer report there. have you had any official— can no longer report there. have you had any official response _ can no longer report there. have you had any official response from - can no longer report there. have you had any official response from the i had any official response from the rwandan government about why you were denied entry? i rwandan government about why you were denied entry?— rwandan government about why you were denied entry? i have not had an official response _ were denied entry? i have not had an official response but _ were denied entry? i have not had an official response but what _ were denied entry? i have not had an official response but what happened l official response but what happened was that i tried to board a plane and the airline said that one of the parties had e—mailed them and specifically used my name and said that i was not allowed to board that plane. that i was not allowed to board that lane. , ., , that i was not allowed to board that lane. , . , ., that i was not allowed to board that lane. , ., , ., , , plane. generally, on the issue, because you — plane. generally, on the issue, because you have _ plane. generally, on the issue, because you have written - plane. generally, on the issue, | because you have written widely about immigration and the issues facing people who are trying to flee from different countries, you talk to these people, why do they take the risk? i to these people, why do they take the risk? ., to these people, why do they take the risk? . , ., , ., the risk? i mean, people are in... peole the risk? i mean, people are in... peeple are _ the risk? i mean, people are in... people are desperate. _ the risk? i mean, people are in... people are desperate. what - the risk? i mean, people are in... people are desperate. what we i the risk? i mean, people are in... i people are desperate. what we have is a global inequality crisis, we have a situation where there are huge numbers of wars, dictatorships,

and deals like this are propping up dictatorships and oppression, by the way, and increasing the reasons why people need to flee. there are people need to flee. there are people moving all over the world. i was in south sudan last month and 1000 people were crossing the border every day fleeing the war in sudan. so it's not unusual that people... people are moving. so, the issue here is that they need a safe place, effectively. but... but here is that they need a safe place, effectively. but...— effectively. but... but they can drown in some _ effectively. but... but they can drown in some of— effectively. but... but they can drown in some of these - effectively. but... but they can drown in some of these boats, | effectively. but... but they can i drown in some of these boats, so they are risking their lives? yes. they are risking their lives? yes, of course. _ they are risking their lives? yes, of course, and _ they are risking their lives? yes, of course, and not _ they are risking their lives? yes, of course, and not to _ they are risking their lives? yes, of course, and not to sound - they are risking their lives? is: of course, and not to sound like i am overly promoting but i do actually really ask people to read the book, my fourth time we drowned, it won the 0rwell prize cover the uk's biggest award for political writing, and i don't say that to show off, but one chapter is about rwanda and now i appear to be banned from rwanda and so it seems quite

significant that if you weeks before this law is potentially being passed calling rwanda safe, i have been stopped from going down to report. itjust stopped from going down to report. it just shows that there is so stopped from going down to report. itjust shows that there is so much repression and so much control and what are we banishing vulnerable people to if we send them there? again, the uk government does say, that it again, the uk government does say, thatitis again, the uk government does say, that it is a safe country, what is the answer to the issue of illegal migration around the world? again, a lot of the peeple _ migration around the world? again, a lot of the people are _ migration around the world? again, a lot of the people are seeking - lot of the people are seeking international protection, which actually is legal to do, once you claim that bright to international protection, you can legally be given the right to stay there. and in terms of what is the answer, i think we need a reframing, there has been so much dehumanisation, even the use of the word migrant is dehumanising, it is separating people from the sense that these are people with hopes and dreams and goals, families

that will mourn them if they die. and actually there are so many people in need of assistance. so, yeah, to focus on a very small aspect of that is not seeing the bigger picture of what is going on in the world at the moment and the scale of the crises that are happening. scale of the crises that are happening-— scale of the crises that are haueninu. , . ., ., happening. sally hayden, author of m fourth happening. sally hayden, author of my fourth time _ happening. sally hayden, author of my fourth time we _ happening. sally hayden, author of my fourth time we drowned, - happening. sally hayden, author of| my fourth time we drowned, thank happening. sally hayden, author of - my fourth time we drowned, thank you very much forjoining us on bbc news. around the world and across the uk, this is bbc news.

scientists say that the recent deadly heatwave in west africa and the sahel would not have taken place without the impact of climate change. temperatures soared above 48 celsius in mali last month with one hospital linking hundreds of deaths to the extreme heat. researchers from the world weather attribution group say human

activities such as the burning of fossil fuels and deforestation made daytime temperatures up to 1.5 degrees degrees hotter than normal in the region. let's speak to our environment correspondent matt mcgrath. matt, just explain what this survey found, what happened, and why it is happening? found, what happened, and why it is ha enin: ? found, what happened, and why it is haueninu? ., happening? indeed, as you point out, this heatwave — happening? indeed, as you point out, this heatwave raged _ happening? indeed, as you point out, this heatwave raged across _ happening? indeed, as you point out, this heatwave raged across the - happening? indeed, as you point out, this heatwave raged across the sahel| this heatwave raged across the sahel region in west africa for five days, and five even warmer nights at the end of march and early april. it saw temperatures as you pointed out across the region going above 45 degrees, in mali they went above 48, in one town they went above 48.5 degrees, so an intense burst of heat which saw temperatures rising 1.5 degrees above preindustrial in an awful lot of the region, but at night, temperatures were above 2 degrees up in many parts of the region, and you consider that this was during ramadan, people were fasting, there was no relief, and

that may well be linked to the number of deaths that people have counted, one hospital in mali, seeing 102 deaths in the early days of april, compared to last year when they had 160 in the whole of april. they are clearly linking those debts to the heat. a lot of those people were elderly. they also say that essentially this is the tip of the iceberg in terms of the numbers of people that were affected by this intense heatwave. find people that were affected by this intense heatwave.— people that were affected by this intense heatwave. and they are also warnin: intense heatwave. and they are also warning about _ intense heatwave. and they are also warning about what _ intense heatwave. and they are also warning about what will _ intense heatwave. and they are also warning about what will happen - intense heatwave. and they are also warning about what will happen in i warning about what will happen in decades to come if nothing is done to try and stop climate change and global warming?— global warming? that's right. the researchers _ global warming? that's right. the researchers hear _ global warming? that's right. the researchers hear links _ global warming? that's right. the researchers hear links this - global warming? that's right. the researchers hear links this very i researchers hear links this very clearly to the use of oil, coal and gas, to deforestation and agriculture around the world which have driven up emissions of carbon dioxide and other warming gases which has put our current temperatures 1.2 degrees above what they were before the industrial era. though temperatures are going to continue to rise and the researchers say that this heatwave was essentially a won in 200 year event, at the moment, but if temperatures globally go up to about 2 degrees,

which could happen in the next 10—15 years, maybe longer, then that heatwave will occur once every 20 years, so there is a massive multiplier in terms of the global average temperature going up in the next number of years. matt mcgrath, thank ou. next number of years. matt mcgrath, thank you- staying — next number of years. matt mcgrath, thank you. staying with _ next number of years. matt mcgrath, thank you. staying with that - next number of years. matt mcgrath, thank you. staying with that issue i thank you. staying with that issue of climate change. the scottish government is expected to ditch its flagship target of reducing greenhouse gas emission by 75% by 2030. the bbc understands that the government's annual climate targets could also be scrapped but the final goal of reaching net—zero by 2045 will remain. 0ur scotland editor james cook explains. the scottish government, led by humza yousaf, prides itself on ambitious climate targets, pledging to reduce emissions to net zero by 2045, five years earlier than the uk government. that 2045 target will remain. but this afternoon the scottish government is expected to confirm that it's scrapping an interim target of a 75% cut in emissions by 2030.

even before the formal announcement, one snp minister expressed her disappointment. the committee said that they had their concerns on it. i'm disappointed, i have to say. i have to admit that i am disappointed by that. the move comes after an independent report said the scottish government's policies and plans to hit the 2030 target fell far short of what is needed. but the decision to actually ditch the target has still left some environmental campaigners frustrated. so if the scottish government scrap these targets, it would be the worst environmental decision in the history of the scottish parliament. the 2030 targets could and should have been met. we need urgent climate action this decade, not more delays like this. the snp and its partners in government, the scottish greens, are now under pressure to explain in detail how scotland can credibly meet its 2045 emissions target without hitting the 2030 milestone. james cook, bbc news. let's speak to stuart haszeldine

professor of carbon capture and storage at the university of edinburgh. thank you forjoining us. i wondered first of all if i could get your reaction to this report that it looks like the scottish government is going to ditch this 2030 target? 0bviously, that is, as the previous clip says, it is very disappointing that the scottish government is going to be in that position. but this has been building for a few years so in some ways it is not a surprise, but it is also really important to state that we in scotland and in the uk have got halfway towards the net zero target from 1990, so, a huge amount of progress has been made, and there is a huge amount of progress still to make, and what this is doing is recognising that the collision, if you like, between words and policies which can easily be stated, versus the difficult reality of delivering this on the ground with real numbers and real change. haifa

this on the ground with real numbers and real change.— and real change. how difficult is it auoin to and real change. how difficult is it going to be _ and real change. how difficult is it going to be to _ and real change. how difficult is it going to be to get _ and real change. how difficult is it going to be to get that _ and real change. how difficult is it going to be to get that change, i going to be to get that change, things like transferring from petrol and diesel cars to electric cars and the infrastructure around that? 50. the infrastructure around that? so, i think this the infrastructure around that? so, i think this is _ the infrastructure around that? sr, i think this is going the infrastructure around that? 5r, i think this is going to be difficult. and there has been no secret of the this is a fundamental change in the way in which normal people like me or you actually live our lives. and so, that has never been done before, we are in an experiment, we are all proceeding on thisjourney of experiment, we are all proceeding on this journey of invention, intervention and change altogether. so it's not surprising in many ways that try and make a change and, sometimes that doesn't stack up annually. keeping is to do this over annually. keeping is to do this over a period of time of ten or 20 years and achieve the result net zero. so, we are seeing the change in cars, for example, and transport vehicles, there are hydrogen buses being

introduced which emitjust water out of the back end rather than carbon dioxide. we are seeing changes to electrification of cars. that will progress through the economy over a period of years anybody facing that decision knows that that is difficult, but it is a change for the better in the future. we also need to solve big problems like how do we deliver heat 2 houses, how do we deliver heat 2 industry, how do we deliver heat 2 industry, how do we change our emissions from land—use and farming? all of these are complicated and interacting changes we have to make and have not been done before, and it is more complicated than just building windmills. so, we have had great success in building windmills but now the debate and the activity needs to move on.— now the debate and the activity needs to move on. but, thank you very much — needs to move on. but, thank you very much for— needs to move on. but, thank you very much forjoining _ needs to move on. but, thank you very much forjoining us. - in australia, a new report is due to be handed down into the spread and threat of one of the world's

most invasive species, fire ants. the ants are thought to have entered the country in shipping containers from south america about two decades ago. they pose a threat to people and livestock. joining me now is professor helen roy who is an ecologist at the uk centre for ecology and hydrology. explain to our viewers, what they are and why they are so dangerous? thank you, so, fire ants are small insects and the red imported fire ant originates in south america and it is a species that has spread around the world in a variety of different ways but particularly can be found in soil which is imported in one way or another. and these quite tiny ads can form quite large colonies and they are omnivores, they eat a lot of different things, and particularly they will pray on, for example, seabirds or baby turtles, which are a particular concern in some regions, but also a whole variety of other insects, so they can really change the

communities of species that might be in a particular area, communities of species that might be in a particulararea, but communities of species that might be in a particular area, but they also make changes to the soil ecosystem, too, and they have a very painful sting, so humans can also be affected. �* sting, so humans can also be affected-— affected. and in the terms of australia. — affected. and in the terms of australia, they _ affected. and in the terms of australia, they cost - affected. and in the terms of australia, they cost a - affected. and in the terms of australia, they cost a lot i affected. and in the terms of australia, they cost a lot of l affected. and in the terms of- australia, they cost a lot of money, 22 billion by the 2014s, in trying to combat them?— 22 billion by the 2014s, in trying to combat them? yes, that's right. so it's really _ to combat them? yes, that's right. so it's really important, _ to combat them? yes, that's right. so it's really important, with i to combat them? yes, that's right. so it's really important, with any i so it's really important, with any of these so—called invasive species, species that have been moved from one part of the world to another by human activities, and then they go on to have some kind of impact, the most important thing to do is to prevent their arrival in the first place. but once they do arrive, management is really expensive but actually the cost of inaction is even greater.— actually the cost of inaction is even greater. so, what are the o tions even greater. so, what are the options that — even greater. so, what are the options that are _ even greater. so, what are the options that are available i even greater. so, what are the options that are available to i even greater. so, what are the i options that are available to tackle them, australia obviously spending a lot of money on it, but they seem so small and so innocent, but in fact they are causing all this devastation?— they are causing all this devastation? ., .,

devastation? so, one of the advantages. _ devastation? so, one of the advantages, because i devastation? so, one of the advantages, because they l devastation? so, one of the i advantages, because they have devastation? so, one of the _ advantages, because they have nests, so it means that you can control quite a large number of them are so glad there are a variety of different treatment options, some of them involve sterilising the queen, for instance, which essentially then kills the colony, but there can be other ways in which can be controlled, through baiting, so they take back toxic baits to the nest, but it is really important that people are aware of these threats to biodiversity from invasive species and they play a part in terms of the surveillance and monitoring, keeping a lookout and reporting any sightings that they have as quickly as possible, because any action, if it can take place as quickly as possible, is going to be more effective than if the insects are left to spread and establish. and left to spread and establish. and briefl , left to spread and establish. and briefly. does _ left to spread and establish. and briefly, does global warming contribute to this, are they more likely to spread because of the warming climate?— warming climate? certainly, particularly _ warming climate? certainly, particularly insects, - warming climate? certainly, particularly insects, they i warming climate? certainly, | particularly insects, they will benefit, many of them will benefit from a warming climate, for example in the uk, as the temperatures are warming, we are expecting more of

these insects could thrive within these insects could thrive within the uk, where previously they would not have been able to flourish because the conditions would not have been right. they can also change their behaviour or little bit when the climate changes, for example, drought conditions can make them go more deeply into the soil and make them more difficult to control. the interaction with climate change is really important. helen roy, ecologist, thank you very much for bringing us up—to—date on the dangers of fire ants. in many parts of the world, cinemas are still struggling to bring in audiences. in some instances film fans not totally won over by streaming are exploring new ways of watching movies by going to what are called microcinemas. tom brook explains. micro—cinemas can be found in all kinds of new york locations. inside this former fire station,

or behind this nondescript brooklyn store front. they are modest, makeshift spaces often showing experimental or non—mainstream work. micro cinema is put simply just a small cinema. you really don't need more than folding chairs, a projector and a white wall. staffed often by dedicated volunteers with a passion for film, microcinema programmers use their imagination to offer something quite different from the multiplex experience. the mission is to run laps around better subsidised for—profit repertory movie theatres by showing films that should be on their radars. it is usually going to be a monster movie from the 19705 that played at midnight or perhaps a groundbreaking documentary fiction hybrid about some niche but extremely important political issue from a bygone era.

this trailer is promoting a long established new york micro cinema, dctv, a venue that has a loyal following. do you know kim's video? among recent documentaries shown here was kim's video, a film that explores a legendary now—closed new york audio store. the co—editor of the documentary came to the dctv screening. to him, a big plus of microcinemas is they provide a space for film—makers like himself to interact directly with audiences. it's like a learning experience for both sides. i feel like it's rather unique to small cinemas in a way you would never get at a multiplex. so, i don't need to have an enormous audience, i'm not even that excited about a million people streaming at home as much as i am having a small dialogue with an audience who cares about movies. in the financially fragile world of independent film—making, micro—cinemas are being seen as a lifeline and a particular help to documentary filmmakers. we are a part of the documentary ecosystem in the world.

and when we opened, which was right after the pandemic, it was also just a really challenging time, that most documentary films were not being bought and we're one of the few cinemas in new york that can screen films that don't have distributors. also part of this universe that includes microcinemas is an endeavour called mono no aware. in addition to screenings, it gives people the opportunity to literally handle film and make movies. the idea — to put the digital revolution to one side and generate respect for the art of film—making with supervised instruction. we teach a number of workshops, we're a learning lab, so we teach super eight, 16 and 35 motion picture film—making. those who run microcinemas view them as a permanent feature of the landscape, a way of seeing films which will prevail and develop. microcinemas will continue to evolve because cinema itself is always evolving.

at the same time, part of the allure of microcinemas and cinemas in general is they address a very fundamental need, for people to come together, to partake in a kind of public ritual in a shared space. that desire to see movies together is perhaps more than anything else what sustains micro—cinemas. despite the convenience of streaming, gathering together in the dark, even in small numbers, to watch a film, still, for many, holds an unbeatable magic. tom brook, bbc news, new york. a couple of stories i wanted to bring you before we get the weather. first... scientists believe they've identified the largest marine reptile ever on earth. a gigantic ichthyosaur measuring around 25 metres long, the length of two double decker buses, that lived 202 million years ago. remains were discovered by amateur fossil hunters in somerset.

and the other story is doing really well on the bbc news website and it is about a tiktok star who is a great knitter who has broken the world record for blanket knitting. he set the record for the most blanket are noted in 24 hours, he netted 19 of them, and 1.2 million people tuned in. there he is with his guinness world record certificate. now let's get the weather. it was a chilly start to the day particularly for central and southern parts of the uk and we had a touch of frost around. rain has been moving in from the north and for the rest of the day it will be damp across the northern part of the uk, whereas sunny spells will hold on in the south. there is high—pressure

out towards the west, but this weather front is coming around the northern side of that high pressure, bringing the cloud and rain to much of scotland. rain in northern ireland which is drying out a bit. northern england and north wales turning fairly wet in the afternoon. further south you're more likely to stay dry with sunshine lifting temperatures to 15 degrees in london, so a little bit warmer than recent days but still rather chilly in the north. we have got a cold, north—westerly wind developing overnight bringing a scattering of showers to scotland and a few further south as well. we have got the remnants of that system sitting across the southern part of the british isles first thing tomorrow. it will not be as cold as this morning, about five to 10 degrees to start friday. a weak frontal system in the south but high pressure towards the west and this combination will pull in the winds from north—westerly direction on friday, bringing sunshine and blustery showers. particularly windy in eastern scotland, but showers should clear and they will linger longest for central and south—eastern

parts of england. temperatures round about 14 or 15, but cooler where you are exposed to the northerly wind on the east coast. into the weekend high pressure will nudge its way a little bit further eastwards, so good news, drier weather at last after that relentless rain we have seen recently. a little bit of rain perhaps in the north of scotland. more cloud generally in eastern areas where we have that chilly and northerly wind. ten or 11 close to the east coast. towards the west 13 and 14 with longer spells of sunshine. a similar day on sunday. most of us dry with the best of the sunshine towards the west. a bit more cloud in the east and that breeze coming in off the north sea. 11 degrees or so for norwich and up to about 16 in belfast. next week it looks like high pressure is still fairly close, so a lot of dry weather, one or two showers, especially in the south, but those temperatures will continue to be a little below average

for this time of year.

live from london, this is bbc news. kattar says it is reassessing its role as a mediator between israel and hamas as the country's prime minister says it is being exploited and abused. the middle east crisis and abused. the middle east crisis and ukraine are at the top of the agenda at the meeting of the g7 foreign ministers on the italian island of capri. the conservative mp mark menzies is suspended from the party after being accused of misusing campaign funds, claims he

disputes. the government says an investigation is under way. i understand cc hq have been aware of it for awhile and have been investigating. i think new information has come to light subsequently, i note the mp denies it, but nonetheless the whip withdrawn in the meantime. and it, but nonetheless the whip withdrawn in the meantime. and a third day of _ withdrawn in the meantime. and a third day of disruption _ withdrawn in the meantime. and a third day of disruption at _ withdrawn in the meantime. and a third day of disruption at the i third day of disruption at the world's busiest airport after the united arab emirates suffers its heaviest rain in more than 70 years. welcome to the programme. we start this hour with the latest on the middle east conflict. qatar says it's reassessing its role as a mediator between israel and hamas, more than six months into the war. qatar has had a key role, along with egypt and america, in trying to secure a ceasefire between israel and hamas and the release of israeli hostages. but doha says its efforts were being undermined by politicians

seeking to score points. take a listen to qatar's prime minister.