hello, i'm nicky schiller. we start this hour with the tensions in the middle east. iran's foreign minister has downplayed israel's involvement in the recent attack on his country describing the weapons used as more like children's toys, rather than drones. hossein amir—abdulahearn made the comments in an interview with us media. he said israeli micro—drones used in the operation had caused no deaths or damage, and dismissed it as a "desperate attempt" by israel to "make a victory out of their repeated defeats". he said iran would respond at the �*maximum level�* if israel acts against its interests. tehran�*s muted response to friday morning's events has raised hopes that tensions between the countries

can be dampened, and a wider escalation averted. ourfirst report is from our north america correspondent will vernon. it's been just over 2a hours since iran came under attack. us officials say israel fired at least one missile into iranian territory, no major damage or casualties were reported. this was a relatively small scale strike by israel. earlier, the us secretary of state antony blinken would not comment on reports the white house was informed in advance about the israeli assault. the united states has not been involved in any offensive operations. what we are focusing on, what the g7 is focusing on and it's

reflected in our statement and in our conversation is the work to de—escalate tensions. and this is why the us and its allies want to calm tensions. last sunday iran attacked israel with more than 300 missiles and drones causing little damage. the fear in the west is that a cycle of retaliation between israel and iran could ignite a wider war. and there is hope too that the limited nature of the israeli attack will allow the iranians to walk away from any further response. officials in tehran have been downplaying the significance of the israeli strike. the president of iran did not even mention it in his speech yesterday. but tensions are running high in the middle east and diplomats will be working hard behind—the—scenes on de—escalation. the key question now, what will these two well armed adversaries do next? a base used by pro—iranian militias in iraq has been damaged by a large explosion, a day after israel's presumed strike on iran.

one person was killed in the blast and intense fire at the base, south of the capital baghdad. iraqi security sources have described the incident as a "bombing" that had hit weapons and vehicles. the base is used by the popular mobilization forces — an umbrella organization linking several pro—iran militias who've recently attacked us personnel in iraq. the pentagon says it has not carried out any new strike in iraq. the six—month—long war in gaza continues. nine people — including four children — are reported to have been killed in an overnight israeli strike on a residential building in rafah, in the southern gaza strip. the hamas—run health ministry says more than 3a,000 people have now been killed in the territory since the war began. an estimated 2.3 million people are sheltering in rafah, where israel's prime minister benjamin remains committed to a big military offensive to defeat hamas, which is designated a terrorist group by many western governments.

—— netanyahu. the us and other allies have warned mr netanyahu against such a full—scale assault on rafah. and we will be heading over to jerusalem later in the blood and for all the very latest. —— in the bulletin. to the latest now on the urkaine war. a russian official says a ukrainian drone strike has killed two people in the belgorod region, which borders ukraine. the governor says a residential building and a barn in the village of poroz were completely burned down. the governor of smolensk, just north of the belgorod region, says a ukrainian drone hit a fuel depot there overnight, setting it on fire. it comes as the us house of representatives has moved a step closer to approving a much delayed 60 billion dollar package of military aid for ukraine. democrats backed a procedural measure that will allow a vote on the bill later on saturday. the republican house speaker, mikejohnson, who's long blocked the aid, still faces some resistance

from the right of his party. let's speak to peter dickinson, the editor of ukrainealert at the atlantic council, who is in kyiv. thank you forjoining us. let's start with the vote in the us, do you think the tens of billions of dollars of aid will be approved by the us house of representatives later? , , ., ., ., later? this is a huge vote for ukraine- _ later? this is a huge vote for ukraine. there _ later? this is a huge vote for ukraine. there is _ later? this is a huge vote for| ukraine. there is expectation later? this is a huge vote for- ukraine. there is expectation now in kyiv and elsewhere in the country that there is a good chance it will be passed but nobody is taking anything for granted. we've had approximately eight months of delay and false starts and frankly, from a ukrainian perspective, excuses. many people remain sceptical we will see a decisive breakthrough that won't a

year ago, a decisive breakthrough that won't a yearago, i a decisive breakthrough that won't a year ago, i would a decisive breakthrough that won't a year ago, iwould have a decisive breakthrough that won't a year ago, i would have told you that america was an absolutely rock solid ally but this last eight months has shaken that belief so i think people in ukraine are optimistic and are watching this very closely but are not taking anything for granted. haw not taking anything for granted. how needed is the _ not taking anything for granted. how needed is the money on the ground? it's absolutely critically important for ukraine. president zelensky said earlier this week in an interview that if ukraine does not get this money, they have no chance of winning the war. we have seen ukrainian troops for at least the start of 2a being forced to ration ammunition on the front line so they are already experiencing shortages and russia is advancing. for now the advances are limited and fairly small scale but if they shortages continue, russia will be able to achieve a breakthrough. h0??? achieve a breakthrough. how difficult is —

achieve a breakthrough. how difficult is it _ achieve a breakthrough. how difficult is it for _ achieve a breakthrough. how difficult is it for president zelensky to get attention on ukraine when we have the other conflict in the middle east which is diverting a lot of international attention? that's been a factor since the war in gaza began last october, going on for more than half a year. it was an issue frankly before that, a limited amount of attention in the world and you cannot focus on one issue indefinitely and the russian invasion of ukraine is in its third year but it's important to note there is a sense in america and elsewhere that there are linkages between the conflicts, in particular the role of iran which is supplying drones and missiles we believe to russia and its closely linked with russia, receiving military technologies in exchange and much of this was used to attack israel last week so there are connections and this may be a factor in encouraging

many republicans who previously sat on the fence in america to say we need to sort out aid for ukraine because this is becoming an even bigger threat to global security. i assume if the aid gets approved that would be a morale boost for the troops on the ground in ukraine who are fighting?— are fighting? absolutely. the delay we have experienced _ are fighting? absolutely. the delay we have experienced over - are fighting? absolutely. the delay we have experienced over the - are fighting? absolutely. the delay we have experienced over the lastl we have experienced over the last eight months have been a major hit to morale and they've created a sense of almost abandonment amongst many ukrainians that they are increasingly on their own and that has left them feeling the optimism that we saw in late 22 following a series of victories have ebbed away and have left ukrainians feeling they are increasingly isolated. this aid were to transform that and would return the sense that ukraine is fighting as the front line in a very strong and very large coalition of democratic countries against russia

and against the broader threat that i mentioned. i5 and against the broader threat that i mentioned-— and against the broader threat that i mentioned. , ~ . , ., ., i mentioned. is ukraine planning for a worst-case _ i mentioned. is ukraine planning for a worst-case scenario _ i mentioned. is ukraine planning for a worst-case scenario if— i mentioned. is ukraine planning for a worst-case scenario if the - i mentioned. is ukraine planning for a worst-case scenario if the moneyl a worst—case scenario if the money does not get them? a worst-case scenario if the money does not get them?— a worst-case scenario if the money does not get them? yes. they have already been _ does not get them? yes. they have already been planning _ does not get them? yes. they have already been planning for— does not get them? yes. they have already been planning for that - does not get them? yes. they have already been planning for that for i already been planning for that for some time. i think there is little sense that they would be able to go on and achieve maximum objectives in the war in that worst—case scenario but they are working very hard to increase domestic production of ammunition and weapons and armoured vehicles and especially of drones they are looking to strengthen alliances and cooperation with other countries particularly a number of european countries, germany, france, scandinavia and the uk. but there is an awareness in kyiv that without america, even a coalition of european countries who have significantly increased support for ukraine, would struggle to replace

the lost american support, america is so vital here in the coalition so ukraine is preparing for the worst but there is a sense they cannot replace america.— but there is a sense they cannot replace america. but there is a sense they cannot relace america. ., ,, , ., ,., replace america. peter, thank you so much. to the united states. a man who set himself on fire outside the manhattan court where former president donald trump's hush—money trial is being held has died, according to us media. the man doused himself in a liquid before throwing conspiracy—theory pamphlets into the air. he was taken to hospital but later died. as our north america correspondent nada tawfik reports it happened as the jury selection for mr trump's trial was completed. jornalists here had just learned that jury selection had concluded slightly after 1:30 in the afternoon, when the man, later identified as a florida resident in his mid 30s, entered the park. he threw coloured pamphlets in the air, doused himself in lighter fluid and set himself on fire. and we here could see the blaze, could feel that heat.

now, officials later said that he wasn't targeting any individual, any group or, in fact, this trial. their investigation is ongoing, but they believe he was a conspiracy theorist. now, they say they are going to be reviewing security protocols around this courthouse in light of the high—profile nature of this trial and whether, in fact, to close that park down to the public. but nevertheless, court resumed. it remained on schedule. and opening statements in this trial will now begin on monday. donald trump leaving the court today again slammed this case as a hoax, as a witch hunt. he is charged with falsifying business records to hide a so—called hush money payment to the adult film star stormy daniels in order to influence the 2016 election to hide a potentially damaging sex scandal. he denies all wrongdoing and the extramarital affair. and again, opening statements

will begin on monday. and of course we will have full coverage of that trial on monday here on bbc news. let's return to our top story. tensions between iran and israel, following a suspected israeli attack in isfahan in the early hours of friday morning. live tojerusalem and our correspondent wyre davies. i would assume there is a sense of relief that things have not escalated?— relief that things have not escalated? , ., , , escalated? tensions between the countries appear _ escalated? tensions between the countries appear to _ escalated? tensions between the countries appear to have - escalated? tensions between the i countries appear to have dissipated, this time last week there were concerns that the tit—for—tat escalations and the rhetoric between the countries was heading in one direction and that was a regional conflict and war. it's only a week ago that the 300 iranian projectiles were fired towards israel and most of them were taken down before they got into israeli territory and we had and avowed israeli response of the nature of that response could

have gone either way but many israelis particularly in military circles under the right—wing of the israeli government to advocating a full—scale military response and that almost certainly would have led to a reaction in kind from iran. that has not happened, both governments seem keen not to talk about it now, there is no official communication from israel and the iranian government does not really mention the israeli response so that seems to be have dampened down for the time being but it does not mean that peace has broken out. iranian proxy hezbollah and the houthi rebels in yemen are still engaged in acts against israel and there appears to have been some military action in the northern border area overnight but the prospect of an all—out war between israel and iran appears to have been put slightly on the backburner for now. the appears to have been put slightly on the backburner for now.— the backburner for now. the war in gaza continues _ the backburner for now. the war in gaza continues and _ the backburner for now. the war in gaza continues and israel - the backburner for now. the war in

gaza continues and israel has - the backburner for now. the war in gaza continues and israel has hit i gaza continues and israel has hit targets in and around rafa? that was somethin: targets in and around rafa? that was something that _ targets in and around rafa? that was something that people _ targets in and around rafa? that was something that people seem - targets in and around rafa? that was something that people seem to - targets in and around rafa? that was something that people seem to have | something that people seem to have forgotten about, certainly in the news for the last few days but for more than six months there has been an intense war in gaza, more than 30,000 people killed, most of them and many of them civilians according to the hamas run health ministry and there were casualties overnight, israeli airstrikes in central gaza and most notably in the south. rafa is a city in southern gaza, israel alleges that hamas or the remnants of hamas and its leadership are still based. the israeli prime minister has found on many occasions that there needs to be and will be a full—scale military operation in the city and americans in particular yesterday warning israel against that but those warnings are falling on deaf ears and i think once this religious holiday of passover has finished in about a week, i think there will probably be a nod towards

much greater israeli military operations in southern gaza and we saw some of that last night with reports of several civilians being killed. . ., ., , ., ., killed. the humanitarian situation in gaza is not _ killed. the humanitarian situation in gaza is not improving? - killed. the humanitarian situation in gaza is not improving? no, - killed. the humanitarian situation | in gaza is not improving? no, that is one reason _ in gaza is not improving? no, that is one reason and _ in gaza is not improving? no, that is one reason and perhaps - in gaza is not improving? no, that is one reason and perhaps the - in gaza is not improving? no, that. is one reason and perhaps the main reason for the american and british warnings to israel because they know a full—scale military operation in rafa where there are more than i million internal refugees, it will lead to further displacement and hardship and humanitarian crisis and there is already a humanitarian crisis in gaza, people dying from injuries because they cannot get the right medical intervention, dying from hunger. more food and eight is getting through, america acknowledges that and there was a development with the world food programme saying it would get involved with some american pair building to bring in eight so there is positive news on a getting in but

there is a desperate humanitarian crisis and asjoe biden has said not enough aid is getting into gaza to alleviate the crisis.— alleviate the crisis. thank you. a reminder you — alleviate the crisis. thank you. a reminder you can _ alleviate the crisis. thank you. a reminder you can get _ alleviate the crisis. thank you. a reminder you can get much - alleviate the crisis. thank you. a | reminder you can get much more alleviate the crisis. thank you. a . reminder you can get much more on the middle east tensions on the bbc news website including this analysis, our chief international correspondent who says there is an audible sigh of relief in the region. check it out online or on the bbc news app. with a whopping 3,200 megapixels it'll be the world's largest digital astronomy cameras — and it's finally been built. the camera can produce a thousand images per night — it'll allow scientists to study dark energy, dark matter, and the distribution of galaxies. it'll now be sent from the united states to chile, where it'll arrive in a month. the public will see its first images in 2025. taking 1000 pictures a night is

wild. that is not something that is currently done by other telescopes and taking that many pictures in addition to having a view of more of the sky and in addition to being able to see really far is a powerful combination of being able to connect a lot of data and i like to think about as if you are looking for a needle in a haystack which is what you are doing when you are trying to point something in space, the more haystacks you have, the more likely you are to find some needle so we are putting together1 million haystacks and we are really confident there will be some pretty fun needles in there! the biggest indoor arena in the uk has its final test event today before officially opening next week. co—0p live in manchester has a capacity of 23,000, 500 more than the previous record holder, manchester arena. harry styles has invested in the development and advised on elements of the arena's design. rick astley will put the venue through its paces this evening. 0ur entertainment correspondent colin paterson has been watching the final preparations.

the new co—op live in manchester with a capacity of 23,500 is the biggest indoor venue in britain. and as you can see, the finishing touches are still being put in place, which is why i have to dress as one of the village people. to show us round, tim leiweke the boss of oak view music group who raised £365 million in private finance to get it built. we have about 1,600 workers on site today. we could get almost 10,000 people on this floor. if you yell, go ahead and give it a yell. 0oh! no, echo. this is my favourite room that no—one ever gets to see. these are all going out to the largest bar in the uk. this is all beer? this is all beer. we're heading to the stage. so the artist comes out of their dressing room, does their prayer...

heart pounding. ..all together. and right onto the stage here. that's it? that's it. and this is where the stages will be built. this is where the stage is. no signs, no advertising, no scoreboards, no led boards. all gone because they hurt the acoustics of the experience. this is about the artist, it's about music, and it's about their direct relationship with their fans being right on top of them. and this is where they will stand and go, "hello, manchester!" how about, "hello, uk"? acts booked to play in the next couple of months include stevie nicks... # welcome to the hotel california...# ..the eagles for the final five uk shows ever. # i've been telling . myself for years...# and on 14th of may, manchester's elbow have a hometown show.

it's wonderful getting another arena in manchester. it's a purpose—built music venue, so you don't have to worry about all the seating behind you. this new venue probably needs a bit of scuffing up, so we're looking forward to our fans coming in and doing exactly that. i'd say we've graffitied most of the dressing rooms we've ever been in. yeah, the really good trick is it's got a high ceiling, it's like form human pyramid to get up there, some someone but with two small music venues closing every week in the uk. i wanted to know if a very big one co op live had any plans on how they could help. do you worry about the future? because that is where your next generation of headliners comes from. we're here to be a part of the community. i'm not here to take your ticket. i'm here to make this a better place to live and inspire you. and i'm here to bring

a new enthusiasm and entrepreneurial spirit to what we do as a company here. that will include theatres and clubs once i get this beast open. colin paterson reporting and we can cross to him live in manchester. it's a little empty at the moment? it's a little empty at the moment? it will be busy here tonight, it opens officially on tuesday with peter kay doing a stand—up set but tonight, there is a test event, 7000 people will come into night to make sure everything works and i can speak to a man busy today, gary, the general manager, this is a big one for you? general manager, this is a big one for ou? , , ,, general manager, this is a big one for ou? , ,, , for you? the testing process is incredibly _ for you? the testing process is incredibly important _ for you? the testing process is incredibly important to - for you? the testing process is incredibly important to what i for you? the testing process is| incredibly important to what we for you? the testing process is - incredibly important to what we do here and _ incredibly important to what we do here and we are about to open europe's— here and we are about to open europe's largest new arena which we are incredibly excited about. explain _ are incredibly excited about. explain what makes this different. aside _ explain what makes this different. aside from the seismic on day 23 and a half— aside from the seismic on day 23 and a half thousand people in the round, this has— a half thousand people in the round, this has been designed around the idea of— this has been designed around the idea of small music clubs of the old days but_

idea of small music clubs of the old days but on— idea of small music clubs of the old days but on a massive scale and on top of— days but on a massive scale and on top of that— days but on a massive scale and on top of that we've got this incredible treatment, four layers of it and _ incredible treatment, four layers of it and there is panelling around the walls. _ it and there is panelling around the walls, slacker radio studio. what surrised walls, slacker radio studio. what surprised me _ walls, slacker radio studio. what surprised me this _ walls, slacker radio studio. what surprised me this is _ walls, slacker radio studio. what surprised me this is 23 _ walls, slacker radio studio. what surprised me this is 23 and - walls, slacker radio studio. what surprised me this is 23 and a - walls, slacker radio studio. “iii"isgt surprised me this is 23 and a half thousand people, the biggest in the uk but it feels intimate and you look up the seats, 23 metres closer to the stage than in comparable arenas around the country? the architect has _ arenas around the country? the architect has done an incredible job and the _ architect has done an incredible job and the floor is a lot wider, traditionally arenas in the 90s were both in_ traditionally arenas in the 90s were both in ice — traditionally arenas in the 90s were both in ice hockey was meant to launch— both in ice hockey was meant to launch in— both in ice hockey was meant to launch in the uk so the angle are different— launch in the uk so the angle are different so this has been built with music in mind. how different so this has been built with music in mind.— different so this has been built with music in mind. how can there ossibl with music in mind. how can there possibly be — with music in mind. how can there possibly be enough _ with music in mind. how can there possibly be enough demand - with music in mind. how can there possibly be enough demand for. with music in mind. how can there | possibly be enough demand for two venues of over 20,000 capacity in manchester? irate venues of over 20,000 capacity in manchester?— venues of over 20,000 capacity in manchester? we are demonstrating that with the _ manchester? we are demonstrating that with the line-up _ manchester? we are demonstrating that with the line-up we _ manchester? we are demonstrating that with the line-up we have, - manchester? we are demonstrating that with the line-up we have, 55 i that with the line—up we have, 55 shows_ that with the line—up we have, 55 shows on— that with the line—up we have, 55 shows on sale, close to 700,000 tickets— shows on sale, close to 700,000 tickets which is insane. we don't concentrate on what our friends are

doing. _ concentrate on what our friends are doing. we _ concentrate on what our friends are doing, we are concentrating on bringing — doing, we are concentrating on bringing more artists from around the world — bringing more artists from around the world so we are confident we can do that— the world so we are confident we can do that and _ the world so we are confident we can do that and we will do up to 150 events— do that and we will do up to 150 events per— do that and we will do up to 150 events per year. what we're doing here is— events per year. what we're doing here is separate and improving things— here is separate and improving things from the london north device of overtake shows from all around the uk _ of overtake shows from all around the uk and — of overtake shows from all around the uk and bringing more shows to the uk and bringing more shows to the uk _ the uk and bringing more shows to the uk. , , , the uk and bringing more shows to the uk. , y , ., , the uk. guy garvey who played herein ma sa he the uk. guy garvey who played herein may say he will _ the uk. guy garvey who played herein may say he will graffiti _ the uk. guy garvey who played herein may say he will graffiti the _ may say he will graffiti the dressing rooms. he may say he will graffiti the dressing rooms.— may say he will graffiti the dressing rooms. may say he will graffiti the dressin: rooms. ., , ., . dressing rooms. he will on my watch. we sent dressing rooms. he will on my watch. we spent a — dressing rooms. he will on my watch. we spent a lot — dressing rooms. he will on my watch. we spent a lot of— dressing rooms. he will on my watch. we spent a lot of money _ dressing rooms. he will on my watch. we spent a lot of money on _ dressing rooms. he will on my watch. we spent a lot of money on those - we spent a lot of money on those dressing — we spent a lot of money on those dressing rooms and what he expects when _ dressing rooms and what he expects when he _ dressing rooms and what he expects when he gets there, the luxury hotel room _ when he gets there, the luxury hotel room. the _ when he gets there, the luxury hotel room, the artist experience is paramount. room, the artist experience is paramount-— room, the artist experience is paramount. room, the artist experience is aramount. . , , ., paramount. harry styles is one of the investors _ paramount. harry styles is one of the investors and _ paramount. harry styles is one of the investors and to _ paramount. harry styles is one of the investors and to help - paramount. harry styles is one of the investors and to help design? people in the sweets have to come out and _ people in the sweets have to come out and you — people in the sweets have to come out and you don't see anyone, everyone _ out and you don't see anyone, everyone will be watching the other thin- everyone will be watching the other thing is _ everyone will be watching the other thing is there's no advertising or distraction — thing is there's no advertising or distraction between the artist in defiance — distraction between the artist in defiance so it will be an intimate moment— defiance so it will be an intimate

moment with the destruction that .oes moment with the destruction that goes on _ moment with the destruction that goes on in — moment with the destruction that goes on in arenas. big moment with the destruction that goes on in arenas.— moment with the destruction that goes on in arenas. big acts playing in the next — goes on in arenas. big acts playing in the next few _ goes on in arenas. big acts playing in the next few months. _ goes on in arenas. big acts playing in the next few months. the - goes on in arenas. big acts playing i in the next few months. the eagles. stevie nicks. which one are you excited about? i stevie nicks. which one are you excited about?— stevie nicks. which one are you excited about? i am a child a child ofthe excited about? i am a child a child of the 90s- _ excited about? i am a child a child of the 90s. definitely _ excited about? i am a child a child of the 90s. definitely maybe. - excited about? i am a child a child of the 90s. definitely maybe. myl of the 90s. definitely maybe. my second _ of the 90s. definitely maybe. my second son charley his middle name is noi _ second son charley his middle name is no, i_ second son charley his middle name is no, iwill— second son charley his middle name is no, i will not tell him that. oasis — is no, i will not tell him that. oasis to— is no, i will not tell him that. 0asis to me is the soundtrack to my youth _ 0asis to me is the soundtrack to my youth so _ 0asis to me is the soundtrack to my youth so that will be a big moment for me _ youth so that will be a big moment for me. . ., youth so that will be a big moment forme. r , youth so that will be a big moment forme. , , for me. rick astley the test event, someone has _ for me. rick astley the test event, someone has to _ for me. rick astley the test event, someone has to be _ for me. rick astley the test event, someone has to be the _ for me. rick astley the test event, someone has to be the person - for me. rick astley the test event, someone has to be the person to l for me. rick astley the test event, | someone has to be the person to do the first stage type and i hear you are volunteering? hat the first stage type and i hear you are volunteering?— the first stage type and i hear you are volunteering? not a chance! i do not trust myself, _ are volunteering? not a chance! i do not trust myself, i _ are volunteering? not a chance! i do not trust myself, i will _ are volunteering? not a chance! i do not trust myself, i will be _ are volunteering? not a chance! i do not trust myself, i will be running i not trust myself, i will be running around _ not trust myself, i will be running around making sure everything is working _ around making sure everything is working as — around making sure everything is working as planned and supporting my incredible _ working as planned and supporting my incredible team.— incredible team. thank you so much for “oininu incredible team. thank you so much forjoining us- _ incredible team. thank you so much forjoining us. on _ incredible team. thank you so much forjoining us. on this _ incredible team. thank you so much forjoining us. on this very - incredible team. thank you so much forjoining us. on this very busy - forjoining us. on this very busy morning. it all gets underway in earnest on tuesday with peter kay but the test event event and i'm going to have another few hours of trying to persuade gary to do that

stage type. laughter. i can see you doing a stage dive there. exactly! thanks so much. you can read more about that on the bbc news website and app. it looks like a great venue. stay with us here on bbc news. hello. many parts of the uk had lengthy spells of sunshine on friday but there were some shower surround. the remains of some of the summer clouds on wolverhampton gave this fine end to the day and the majority of the trevor clerk through friday afternoon was associated with a stripe of cloud you see here, this was an old cold front and the significance is colder air is behind that and as we go through the next few hours, that will push on across much of the uk, milder air

circulating around the high pressure in northern ireland and scotland so here we will see the highest temperatures. the next few hours we are looking at colder arriving, try weather and clear skies and that means it's a recipe for things turning cold and heading into the first part of saturday morning we start with patches of frost in rural areas of southern england, last temperature is —3 in northern england and scotland. on saturday the colder air moves in, for most it's a glorious start to the day with sunny skies, plant coming into norfolk and suffolk and cloud developing through the door but splashes of rain possible for the far north of scotland but otherwise it's dry and the highest temperatures likely in northern ireland, we could see 17 here in the warmest spots. 0n ireland, we could see 17 here in the warmest spots. on sunday generally more cloud across scotland, thick enough light rain, flitting rudely,

showers coming across some england and we continue to have a chilly wind, could be warmer in northern ireland. if you got 19 that will be the highest temperature of the year in northern ireland so we will monitor that throughout the weekend. next week i pressure in the rest of the uk and we see this cloud coming down the north sea and up anything the client gets thicker and that means it's more likely to see patches of drizzle across northern and eastern scotland and eastern england. the best of the sunshine in north—west england, south—west england, northern ireland might do 0k and western scotland. in the sunshine comes out it should not feel too bad but in the east it's cloudy with the wind coming from the north sea and at will feel chilly, temperatures picking up a little later next week.

this is bbc news, the headlines: iran's foreign minister has downplayed israel's involvement a recent missile strike on iran — describing the weapons used as more like children's toys, rather than drones. he also warned of an “immediate response“ if israel acts against his country's interests. a man has died after setting himself on fire in a park outside the new york courthouse where donald trump is on trial. the jury in that hush money case has now been selected. and the world's largest digital astronomy camera is now complete. it“s capable of producing approximately 1,000 images a night.

scientists hope to use it to study dark matter and the distribution of galaxies. some roads in wales will revert to 30mph following a backlash against the welsh government's default policy to reduce speeds to 20mph. wales“ transport minister said the changes would address concerns many people had about the £34 million project. 0ur wales political correspondent, cemlyn davies reports. it's the clearest the new transport secretary ken skates has been about his thoughts on the controversial 20 miles per hour policy. earlier this week he talked about wanting a truly targeted approach with the policy focused on built—up areas where you have schools, parks, hospitals and so on. and he said that there would be some changes.

and we have had a bit more detail from him in an interview he has given to north wales live where he also admits that the welsh government has got things wrong on this policy. "we have put our hands up to say the guidance has to be corrected," he said. and he's also said that he wants communities to play a more active part in deciding what speed limits should be, rather than having speed limits imposed upon them. and on the potential timescale, well, he said he will give more detail on that when he gives a statement to the senedd next tuesday. in the meantime, councils have welcomed these comments and have said that mr skates has brought a more pragmatic approach compared to what was previously the case. it's about making sure we have got the balance right and that those commuter routes and those streets that are probably caught up by the 20 mph criteria, but at a local level, people will say is that actually

the right speed for the road? but of course any changes to the guidance will inevitably lead to further questions about the way this policy was introduced in the first place back in september, and may well be met by opposition from road safety campaigners who are urging ken skates to hold his nerve and keep the policy as it is. that was cemlyn davies reporting. staying here in the uk, a financial watchdog is warning firms they must have their houses in order before new regulations aimed at protecting victims of fraud come into force in october. the payment systems regulator says traditional high street banks have made significant steps in refunding victims in recent years, but smaller, online—based money transfer services — or so—called electronic money institutions — still have a long way to go to catch up. let's speak to dan whitworth, from radio 4's money box programme,

who's been looking into this. dan, tell us what this is all about? fundamentally this comes down to protecting victims of fraud. the way the regulator wants to do that is to incentivise banks, to incentivise so—called electronic money institution is to hold them liable for victims“ losses to incentivise them to essentially better protect them to essentially better protect them and stop fraud happening in the first place. so what is an electronic money institution? well, some of the best and well—known of those are brand names like wise, tide and revolut and it is those that the regulator wants to up their standards to help protect people and fundamentally it comes down to people i've been speaking to a lady called carol alexander who is a victim of fraud who had £80,000 stolen from her bank account and from her emi about a year ago. the bank account refunded within 21i hours, and apologised, and it took

her an 18 month fight to get the money back from her emi, from her electronic money institution. she just talked me through the kind of impact that had on her. the difference _ impact that had on her. the difference between - impact that had on her. the difference between the bank and em! electronic— difference between the bank and em! electronic money institution was like night — electronic money institution was like night and day. the bank were professional and they sent me details of remote access scams, they said that's what had happened. the emi had basically no systems in place. in caral“s case they apologised for the stress she has faced and it has improved protection for customers since carol“s case. you can see the wide disparity and that's what the regulator wants to sort out with these changes that are due in october. ~ ., ., these changes that are due in october. ~ . ., .,, these changes that are due in october. . ., . ., , these changes that are due in october. . ., . ., october. what are those changes and what does it — october. what are those changes and what does it mean _ october. what are those changes and what does it mean for— october. what are those changes and what does it mean for consumers, . october. what are those changes and | what does it mean for consumers, you and i? it what does it mean for consumers, you and i? , ., , what does it mean for consumers, you and|? , ., , , and i? it is really good news because the _ and i? it is really good news because the changes - and i? it is really good news because the changes that i and i? it is really good news i because the changes that come and i? it is really good news - because the changes that come into force on the 7th of october, they will be mandatory. at the moment

there is a voluntary scheme that some high—street banks, most high street banks sign up to, but the new regulations will be obligatory. they will cover nearly every single payment made in the uk. so much more protection for customers. they won't cover transactions that are foreign or going overseas, international transactions, and will not cover transactions, and will not cover transactions that involve cryptocurrency. there will be a limit on how much people can get refunded, £1i15,000. the amount to be reimbursed will be split between firms 50—50. 50% of a refund will come from the sending firm or the sending bank and 50% of the refund will come from the receiving bank. but that is a really, really big step forward from where we are at the moment and the regulator told me they want what they called an equivalence of service will stop what that means is they want all victims to be treated the same regardless of where they keep their money. so big news for consumers, far more protections because these

regulations they will be obligatory, they will be mandatory. as 0ctober seven, a lot more protection for fraud victims in the uk. his seven, a lot more protection for fraud victims in the uk.- fraud victims in the uk. as you said, fraud victims in the uk. as you said. the _ fraud victims in the uk. as you said, the new _ fraud victims in the uk. as you said, the new rules _ fraud victims in the uk. as you said, the new rules come i fraud victims in the uk. as you said, the new rules come into | fraud victims in the uk. as you i said, the new rules come into force in october. what should people do until then if they are worried they have been a victim of fraud? thea;r have been a victim of fraud? they should be very — have been a victim of fraud? they should be very careful, _ have been a victim of fraud? they should be very careful, you i have been a victim of fraud? the: should be very careful, you need to be suspicious of any cold calls, any fishing e—mails, text messages, that kind of thing. carol who you heard from was targeted after she fell victim to an energy rebate scam a year—and—a—half ago. fraudsters will prey on any weaknesses, they will exploit any weaknesses so people need to be very, very careful, speak to people, family and friends, if you are a bit suspicious, and remember no bank or police force, hmrc, will never ask you to move money to a safe account. so always be very circumspect, speak to family and friends, they can help. titer? and friends, they can help. very aood and friends, they can help. very good advice. — and friends, they can help. very good advice, thank _ and friends, they can help. very good advice, thank you - and friends, they can help. very good advice, thank you very much. if you're in the uk, you can get more on that on money box on radio it or

on that on money box on radio it or on bbc sounds. members of the scottish green party are to be given a vote on whether to continue its power—sharing agreement with the snp. it follows an outcry about the scottish government's decision to ditch key targets for cutting greenhouse gas emissions, a move which is said to have angered green party colleagues. the vote will be held at an extraordinary general meeting, and officials say it will be binding on the party. the date of the meeting has not been announced but the bbc has been told it will happen four weeks after members have been notified. the us government is spending hundreds of billions of dollars transforming its industry, to try to compete with china on green manufacturing. it“s led to a boom in factories and a stronger economy — but there are fears it's also fuelling inflation and record debt. and the state of the economy will be a crucial issue in the presidential election in the autumn. 0ur economics editor faisal islam reports from the state of georgia. election in the autumn. 0ur economics editor faisal islam reports from the state of georgia. here in georgia, the

landscape is changing — the southern bible belt of america reborn as the battery belt, as the usa throws money at outcompeting china in manufacturing a variety of electric cars. and where some of these vehicles are going, they won't need roads. so we're building an all—electric vertical take—off aircraft, which is basically a flying car. this flying car will hold four passengers, plus a pilot. mass produced here? mass produced here, in the hundreds to thousands flying cars per year. we're going to be getting up to thousands ofjobs. the speed and the scale of america's green industrial rebirth is staggering. it shows itself in america's jobs numbers and growth numbers and raises the question, in this election year, about whether that old mantra — that it's the economy, stupid, that matters — whether that still applies. this is green tech done the american way. 100,000 electric trucks weighing three tonnes are a niche.

another factory for these rivian trucks is planned here in covington. but in the central square“s ice cream parlour, many voters aren“t feeling a boom. do people feel like it's gone well over the past few years? not at all, not at all. and hopefully it'll get better this coming, you know, election year. but we'll see. how does it feel right now in terms of the us economy? it's not terrible. i mean, we adjust to it, the costs of everything, and you just kind of move on, we're not going to stop living life cos things are... just work harder — that's our motto. so most places are saying they can't find people to work, and so i'm like, well, if you can't find people to work, then why are our numbers so high? so, like, especially after covid. back into america's big cities such as atlanta, the flip side of a strong economy — stubborn inflation. and that presents a big dilemma here at the atlanta branch of the federal reserve, which helps decide us interest rates. so rate cuts are on hold,

and there are new concerns about surging us government debt. i expect the us economy to be strong, to continue to be strong — but not quite this strong. what do you make of some concerns in the markets about the fiscal position in the us, of debt now heading above 100% of the size of your economy? that you“re noting that more and more people are asking whether our budgetary approach is a good thing, to me that says, ok, now maybe we should be having that conversation about, are we undermining the confidence and the full faith and credit of the us government? because we really can't afford to do that. across the us, these government—backed green investments are leading to new inflation and debt risks, but they're also helping the economy defy expectations. it will matter for the election and the world economy too. faisal islam, bbc news, in georgia.

from the us to the world's largest general election, underway in india. unemployment and inflation are major issues, along with the future of india's democracy, following a crackdown on political opponents. prime minister narendra modi is hoping to win a third term in power. the main opposition congress party, in alliance with smaller parties, is seeking to prevent that. the election is an enormous undertaking. close to a billion people can cast a ballot — one in eight of the world's population. so voting takes place over the next six weeks. yogita limaye reports from uttar pradesh. a right given to every adult citizen since india“s independence. more than 75 years on, it remains a much cherished one. despite the blazing heat, people came out. this is rural muzaffarnagar in uttar pradesh. a politically significant state because it sends the most number

of mps to parliament. many here are farmers and daily wagers, coming in early so they can get to theirjobs after voting. this man has flown back from saudi arabia, where he works as a construction labourer, to cast his ballot. translation: unemployment is the biggest issue in india. i the situation for young people is terrible, and it can only change if we cast a vote and elect leaders who can fix it. when people go in to cast their ballot, they will be able to press a button and select whichever candidate they please. but in the run—up to this election, there are questions about whether it's actually been a fair competition. "save democracy" — the main slogan of this alliance formed against prime minister narendra modi“s bjp by dozens of opposition parties, including the once powerful, now diminished, indian national congress.

this is rahul gandhi, their main face. he“s among more than 100 opposition leaders who“ve faced criminal cases under bjp rule. some, like arvind kejriwal, are injail — seen here in custody of law enforcement officials accused of corruption. he“s delhi's chief minister and a prominent face of the opposition alliance. we met his colleague, sanjay singh, who was also jailed for months on similar charges. everywhere, they are targeting the opposition parties and making false cases, putting the leaders inside the jail. the prime minister — a mass leader like only a few india has seen in its history. he“s widely expected to win the election, riding on a hindu nationalist agenda, a growing economy, and on the promise of welfare schemes.

he rejects the opposition“s charges. "the people who steal from the poor are going to jail." "strict action will continue to be taken against the corrupt." "this is modi“s guarantee," he said at a party event. today, the first votes have been cast. hundreds of millions more to go over the next six weeks. yogita limaye, bbc news, muzaffarnagar. the united nations office in haiti says more than in the first three months of this year. that's an increase of 50% over the previous quarter. in a report, the un agency says most of the casualties occurred in port—au—prince. haiti has been plunged into violence since february when gangs that control large parts of the capital launched a coordinated attack to push out the unelected prime

minister, ariel henry. flights into dubai international airport are being restricted because of continuing disruption caused by flooding, after more than a year's worth of rain fell in a single day on tuesday. some passengers have complained of chaos and overcrowding at the airport as they tried to leave. 0ur reporter louisa pilbeam has the details. terminal 3 at dubai airport — days of queues, crowds and cancellations are making people desperate to get out. the passenger who filmed this said he stood for two nights, crammed into the small space. this is where the queue starts. this was taken by a man who said some people passed out and others got into fights. he said he slept on the floorfor1i8 hours. every time they cancel a flight you've got to queue back up. you can't do it online because they can't transfer your baggage. this isjust a joke!

clara gillespie filmed this footage trying to fly to dublin, she says there has been little information and what she described as no staff. this is why planes can“t this is why planes can't take off or land. planes sitting in a sea of floodwater at the world's busiest international airport, with flights in and out still limited. in a statement on social media, dubai airport said its teams are working tirelessly to restore normal operations and minimise delays and say passengers“ welfare is its top priority. for some, the damage is done. two top indian wrestlers, deepak punia and sujeet kalakal, missed a mandatory weigh—in for a qualifier at the summer olympics in paris. dubai, qatar and 0man have seen unprecedented flooding after the heaviest rain ever recorded this week. a year's rain fell in one day alone.

just look at the damage caused — cars and lorries were left submerged and stranded in countries lacking the infrastructure for these weather conditions. across the gulf states, more than 20 people have died. the rain may now have stopped but trying to get people out of dubai and neighbouring countries will take days and the cleanup here much longer. louisa pilbeam, bbc news. we have had an update from emirates airlines, one of the big operators added to by, who have set it has returned to a normal flight schedule from dubai international airport, that came injust from dubai international airport, that came in just as we have been speaking about it from emirates airlines. tens of thousands of runners will take their marks tomorrow for what could be the largest london marathon ever held. the elite race will be hotly contested — but the costumes on display in the mass participation event promise to be just as eye—catching. of course, behind each of those costumes is a story, as jayne mccubbin has

been finding out. it's almost here. runners are getting ready. there's just 21i hours left to go. whose idea was this, jackie? my idea. i'm sorry, guys, i'm sorry. all my idea. right now, around 50,000 people are preparing to show london exactly what they've got. and what you have, nathaniel, is...? i've got a trombone. fanfare and i've got a cereal box! oh, and you've got...? a london bus with ten people in it. i think the brilliant thing about the london marathon is behind every costume, there's a really emotional story. mine is that ten years ago, i was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 32. jackie scully feared the worst, but came through. and so tomorrow,

to celebrate that... we are trying to break the guinness world record for the fastest marathon in a ten—person costume, and we are going as a london bus. for me, being able to stand next to my friends, people who've got me into running, people who stood by my side when i ran through chemo, people who believed in me when i didn't believe in myself, and to be able to bring them all together is just such an incredible thing. it feels really comfortable. no, it doesn't. it's heavy, it's cumbersome, it's going to wobble, it's going to move, we might trip each other up, but the main thing is we're doing it as one big team, and we're going to celebrate jackie's ten years clear together. so go on, say it again. ten years clear. once more with feeling. ten years clear! antarctica was pretty amazing. us marine corps marathon, washington dc. meet sally.

sally 0range, hence the obsession with fruit. prince william saw me in this and asked me why i was dressed as tomato. i'm a strawberry, of course! i'm the only person in the world that's ran a marathon on every continent dressed as a different piece of fruit. good luck! thank you! have a great time! i have struggled with my mental health for over 20 years. it's taken me to a point where i didn't want to live. i managed to get help with the help of the samaritans and other professionals and i am here now to see another day and show others that, you know, there is hope. you know, i really do wake up each day now and feel very privileged to have the day ahead. hello, london marathon.

good for you. thank you. so i hope that if people see me on sunday that, first of all, they“ll smile, they'll see my costume, and it'll give them inspiration and hope that, if ever they“re struggling, that they'll pick up the phone to samaritans, that there is somebody there, there“s people thinking of them, and reallyjust to believe in tomorrow, because it is another day and every day is different and things do get better — i promise you. things do get better. good luck. thank you so much. thank you. everyone really does have a story in london's marathon. and when you watch the crowds tomorrow, look out for nathaniel. he will be running to make the most of every moment he has. 18 months ago... i was told i had stage four incurable bowel cancer and that the prognosis wasn't great, that the five—year survival chances are around 10%. but you know what?

that day i found out, i ran home because that's what running means to me — you know, it's my therapy, it helps get me through. i'm just out of three months of brutal chemo, honestly, and it's just coincided with a little break from that to do the london marathon. i'm just now looking at using every healthy window to just do whatever i can with life. what's the point in moping around and just waiting to die? london's marathon is a moment to celebrate, commemorate, come together and, of course, it's about charity. and i am raising money for macmillan cancer support because they help people like me, people who may have hope of surviving, and all of their friends and family. i'm raising money for breast cancer now because they helped me when i thought my life was going to be taken away. i'm running for samaritans and i want you to know, believe in tomorrow. oh, i can't actually clap.

jane mccubbin, bbc news. good luck! good luck to all of them. and from one marathon to another. a chess master has broken the record for the longest marathon of the game ever played. tunde 0nakoya, who is from nigeria, has played for 58 consecutive hours in new york's times square. he is trying to raise one million dollars for charity to support chess he is trying to raise $1 million for charity to support chess education for children — and was cheered on by supporters from the city's nigerian community. i can't process a lot of the emotions i feel right now, i don't have the right words for that but i know i did something truly remarkable. i mean, in documented human history, no one has ever played no—one has ever played chess for this long, you know, 56 hours nonstop, and we just broke that record and i think we can keep going for a few more minutes

or hours, so the next person finds it extremely difficult to break the new record as well. congratulations to him. now, how“s this for a coincidence? 500 residents of the canadian province of newfoundland found themselves on the same cruise, after purchasing the deal online without prior planning. when the cruise company told some of them that at least 250 newfoundlander couples were already booked, many brought their flags and traditional attires to celebrate the island's heritage on board. travelling and getting off the island is a real challenge. and we probably celebrated our heritage more there than we would randomly at home. it was incredible. we had a lot of fun. amazing story. and this probably won't come as a huge shock to swifties — taylor swift's new album has — surprise, surprise — broken records. the highly—anticipated the tortured poets department which turned out to be a double album became the most streamed album in a single day on spotify and amazon music.

with taylor also becoming the most streamed artist in a day on spotify. the album also broke the record for the biggest pop album of all time by first—day streams on apple music. you can read mark savage, our music correspondent“s review of the album on the bbc news website. stay with us here on bbc news. hello there. it's been a lovely day so far for many but there is a bit of a chill noticeable out of the sunshine and if we look at our chart, had temperatures compared to normal for the time of year, the blue colours indicate across eastern parts of uk and into much of europe show temperature is below average this weekend. a big departure for europe where we have seen record—breaking heat so far this april because of a change in pressure patterns, to the south and east low pressure dominating, quite stormy at times here but to the north and west with us, a rare glimpse of high pressure at last.

that means for most we continue with a dry story through today. there is a dry story through today. there is a few isolated showers still can eastern counties of england, cold breeze here as well, figure clouds and drizzle pushing into the north of scotland later and it built up generally speaking, but across the sheltered western area sits on sunny and pleasant in the sunshine, too. 13-15 c at the and pleasant in the sunshine, too. 13—15 c at the high compared to a chilly 7—10 c in the east. 0ne crumb of comfort across the northern and eastern areas is tree pollen levels is low tomorrow but creeping up to high this afternoon across parts of the south—west. into this evening and overnight you“ve the south—west. into this evening and overnight you've got some showers across the south—east for a while but many places dry, biggest exception is central and eastern scotland where power will thicken up, outbreaks of rain or drizzle. a bit more cloud as well generally through tonight, not as cold as the _4’ through tonight, not as cold as the —4, —3 through tonight, not as cold as the —1i, —3 we saw last night but there will be an isolated touch of frost around, particularly in the sunnier west to begin with. a lot more cloud across central and eastern scotland, outbreaks of rain or drizzle could

push on to the isle of man, cumbria, northumberland and lancashire at times during the afternoon. the cloud will be variable across the rest of england and wales, some sunny breaks but quite a breeze to east anglia and the south—east of the winter particularly blustery around canary wharf those taking part in the london marathon but by and large a dry story, not to warm either, 13 degrees. cold and eastern coasts but northern ireland, 18 degrees possible out towards the west. through into monday after a chilly start, cloud will spread southwards across the country. rain to begin within northern england, north wales, the rain will spread and eastward through the day. further north we will see a bit of sunshine break through. just one or two showers, the warmest conditions in and around central scotland at 16 celsius but a chilly 9—13 c across parts of england and where is and staying cool through the next week.

live from london, this is bbc news. iran responds to friday's attack, the country's foreign minister described the weapons used as more like children's toys, rather than drones. a multi—billion dollar ukraine aid bill moves one step closer to being passed by us lawmakers. a man who set himself on fire outside the court in new york, where donald trump's hush—money trial is taking place, has died. and it's check mate for a nigerian chess master as he sets a new world record — playing for 60 hours non—stop.

hello, i'm nicky schiller. we start this hour with the tensions in the middle east. iran's foreign minister has downplayed israel's involvement in the recent attack on his country describing the weapons used as more like children's toys, rather than drones. hossein amir—abdulaharni made the comments in an interview with us media. he said israeli micro—drones used in the operation had caused no deaths or damage, and dismissed it as a "desperate attempt" by israel to "make a victory out of their repeated defeats". he said iran would respond at the “maximum level“ if israel acts against its interests. tehran“s muted response to friday morning's events has raised hopes that tensions between the countries can be dampened, and a wider escalation averted. our first report is from our north america correspondent will vernon.