just over a week ago. the victims — most of them women — were killed after the attack at the shopping centre in bondi junction. you can get more on those stories on the bbc newest —— bbc news website or app. a police officer has been taken to hospital with non—life—threatening injuries, following a large—scale incident in the derbyshire town of ilkeston last night. our reporter louisa pilbeam has the details. this was the scene in ilkeston in derbyshire overnight during a large—scale police incident in which one officer was taken to hospital. after concerns were raised for the safety of a man, police were called to a house in hartington place. what happened next is currently unclear, but derbyshire police have responded to reports on social media that one or more officers

had been taken hostage during the incident. derbyshire constabulary said in a statement "a police officer was taken to hospital earlier this evening for treatment for an injury which is not life—threatening. we can confirm that no officers or other members of the public are currently being held hostage." the area remained cordoned off overnight with police dogs on the scene and a large number of officers. police said they would remain in the area as a precaution for the safety of the public and said they will provide further information as soon as they can. louisa pilbeam, bbc news. the energy security and zero minister has defended the government's target and tackling climate change. —— the energy security and net zero secretary, claire coutinho, has defended the government's record on tackling climate change. she was responding to comments by the outgoing head

of the government's climate change advisers, chris stark, who said rishi sunak had set back progress towards net—zero carbon emissions by delaying future changes. ms courtinho told laura kuenssberg on sunday on bbc2 that ministers had to strike the right balance. with me is our political correspondent, damian grammaticas. so this was her first big interview on the bbc, wasn't it?— so this was her first big interview on the bbc, wasn't it? yes, on the sunday talk _ on the bbc, wasn't it? yes, on the sunday talk shows. _ on the bbc, wasn't it? yes, on the sunday talk shows. and _ on the bbc, wasn't it? yes, on the sunday talk shows. and what - on the bbc, wasn't it? yes, on the sunday talk shows. and what she i on the bbc, wasn't it? yes, on the i sunday talk shows. and what she had to respond to was chris stark. he has been in thisjob to respond to was chris stark. he has been in this job for six years and he is the chief adviser to the government on climate change policy. he has a background in this, so he is a serious figure. it was his committee's original advice that led the government, it was theresa may, to set in law, 2050 is the date for the uk to be net zero emissions. and what chris stark was critical of was rishi sunak has been pushing back the interim steps, switching to petrol and diesel cars and gas boilers and that sort of thing. the question for claire coutinho was, are you weakening your targets and are you weakening your targets and are you weakening your targets and are you not going to hit them? itrailiere are you not going to hit them? where we have, are you not going to hit them? where we have. and — are you not going to hit them? where we have. and i _ are you not going to hit them? where we have, and i make _ are you not going to hit them? where we have, and i make no _ are you not going to hit them? where we have, and i make no apology- are you not going to hit them? where we have, and i make no apology for. we have, and i make no apology for this, _ we have, and i make no apology for this, where — we have, and i make no apology for

this, where we have made some changes— this, where we have made some changes is— this, where we have made some changes is where it applies to the cost of— changes is where it applies to the cost of living for people. so when it is decisions that come to their home _ it is decisions that come to their home to — it is decisions that come to their home to do _ it is decisions that come to their home to do with their cars we are going _ home to do with their cars we are going to — home to do with their cars we are going to take a measured approach because _ going to take a measured approach because we don't want to heat because — because we don't want to heat because some families right now. that might be the right or the wrong thin- that might be the right or the wrong thing to— that might be the right or the wrong thing to do. — that might be the right or the wrong thing to do. but— that might be the right or the wrong thing to do, but that _ that might be the right or the wrong thing to do, but that plainly- that might be the right or the wrong thing to do, but that plainly means. thing to do, but that plainly means there _ thing to do, but that plainly means there has— thing to do, but that plainly means there has been— thing to do, but that plainly means there has been a _ thing to do, but that plainly means there has been a slowing _ thing to do, but that plainly means there has been a slowing down- thing to do, but that plainly means there has been a slowing down of. thing to do, but that plainly means. there has been a slowing down of the pace and _ there has been a slowing down of the pace and the — there has been a slowing down of the pace and the independent _ there has been a slowing down of the pace and the independent watchdogl pace and the independent watchdog says clearly — pace and the independent watchdog says clearly the _ pace and the independent watchdog says clearly the uk _ pace and the independent watchdog says clearly the uk is _ pace and the independent watchdog says clearly the uk is substantially i says clearly the uk is substantially off-track _ says clearly the uk is substantially off-track to — says clearly the uk is substantially off—track to hit _ says clearly the uk is substantially off—track to hit your _ says clearly the uk is substantially off—track to hit your 2030 - says clearly the uk is substantially off—track to hit your 2030 targets. i off—track to hit your 2030 targets. so i would — off—track to hit your 2030 targets. so i would dispute _ off—track to hit your 2030 targets. so i would dispute that, _ off—track to hit your 2030 targets. so i would dispute that, look- off—track to hit your 2030 targets. so i would dispute that, look at i off—track to hit your 2030 targets. | so i would dispute that, look at our record _ so i would dispute that, look at our record. every single target we have had so _ record. every single target we have had so far— record. every single target we have had so far we have not only met, but of the _ had so far we have not only met, but of the shot — had so far we have not only met, but of the shot-— of the shot. claire coutinho. the ruestion of the shot. claire coutinho. the question is. _ of the shot. claire coutinho. the question is, will— of the shot. claire coutinho. the question is, will the _ of the shot. claire coutinho. the question is, will the uk- of the shot. claire coutinho. the question is, will the uk and - of the shot. claire coutinho. the question is, will the uk and it i question is, will the uk and it appears by talking about targets, it may be emitting more in the meantime. chris stark also critical of the opposition. yes, both the labour party and the government in scotland. he said the government in scotland. he said the government in scotland had been unrealistic as it had tried to set even more unrealistic targets than in london. the labour party, the question he

said was that labour had been rowing back some of its big plans, like 28 billion a year spent. but equally just as much, was the leader keir starmer has been quiet on this and wasn't really talking very openly. so this is what was put to the shadow secretary of state for justice. so she was asked about, as labour weakening its ambition? there is no doubt that this is going to be a challenging mission that we have set ourselves. but we are not prepared to just sit back and think we are in a doom loop here and it seems like it's all pretty hopeless and we can do nothing. government can achieve huge things here if it has the political will to do so and if it makes some money available, but also, if it takes the steps to unlock private sector investment and that is so necessary if we are going to have clean energy by 2030 and not be reliant on dictators abroad and get our bills down as well. the question for labour is, if they

are spending less as a government and relying on private sector, are they really going to be able to hit their targets?— they really going to be able to hit their taraets? ., ~ ,, , . their targets? thank you very much indeed. the issue of pollution and sewage seeping into our rivers and seas is one that has prompted plenty of headlines in recent months. it has prompted one canoe club coach on the river thames to get in touch with the bbc to share how his sessions are regularly being disrupted by �*sewage discharge'. 0ur reporter wendy hurrel has the story. the hambledon weir in berks, not farfrom henley, creates the perfect wave for practising sailing canoe skills. but the sport puts these paddlers more than on the river thames, they are literally in it, and with frequent sewage discharges into its waters, they are taking precautions. as experienced paddlers, there are things we can do to minimise the risk of getting ill, so we never eat or drink when we are out on the water, we make sure we wash before we do eat or drink afterwards. we are very careful not

to swallow the water. the sharks canoe club operates in different locations around west london. we've had to curtail activity since the end of november, the amount of rain has been excessive, so we have not taken any of ourjunior paddlers out and we have not taken any new paddlers during that time. nowhere on the river thames is a designating bathing area, so it does not have to be monitored by the environment agency and that information made public but of course there are many who have a vested interest in water quality. our approach is it is important we do try to continue to use the rivers, we are the witnesses to what's going on and i think we can be part of the solution, by raising awareness, and demonstrating that it's a resource that the community really wants to be available to them. james steen of the henley boating company says he has seen lots of raw sewage in the river.

it affects myself and potentially my health. i have been cleaning my boats and i need to make sure i properly wash up and disinfect, but also part of what i do is for the love of the river and the wildlife and the wildlife don't get a chance to wash up afterwards, they are in it, the fish have been affected, the birdlife has been affected. a thames water spokesman said... these river users agree the problem is complex and we all play a part in protecting these natural resources and want to be part of the solution. the distributor of two of the uk's

most popular vape brands says it is well—equipped to survive the ban on disposables products. elfbar and lost mary have already launched reusable versions of their popular disposable vapes. the company behind both brands said it was "addressing demand" for a tool to help smokers quit. but councils have warned the government that it shouldn't let producers exploit loopholes in the ban. our business reporter, esyllt carr, has more on this. that ban on disposable vapes was announced earlier this year and is due to come in across the uk from next april. and now we're sort of getting some indication on how some of those companies behind the products are planning to respond. and elfbar and lost mary together make up nearly half the british market. and one of their main distributors in the uk is a company called green fun alliance. now, their accounts show that sales almost tripled to more than £117 million up to the end ofjanuary, in the year to the end of january 2023. and that really reflects the huge

surge in popularity in disposable vapes in recent years. but crucially, the accounts do also note that the forthcoming ban will have a detrimental effect on sales and profitability. now, they add in these documents that they've been preparing for this and that they're well—equipped to pivot the business to the exclusive sale of non—disposable vapes and related products. and, in fact, they have already started selling reusable versions of some of their most popular disposable vapes. and the main difference seems to be that the liquid that contains the nicotine comes in a replaceable pod, and there is a usb port at the end of the vape, which means that it becomes rechargeable. now, some groups — including, as you said, the local government association, which represents councils in england — are critical of this, saying it doesn't necessarily bring the kind of benefits that the ban was designed to address. they say this definition of "disposable" really needs to be made clearer to prevent companies finding what they call "loopholes" in the legislation.

and they give the example of that usb port to an otherwise similar product to something that they feel is really sort of designed to bypass the restrictions. and that's a view that's been echoed by some environmental groups, which have questioned whether these alternatives will actually make enough of a difference. now, elf bar, a spokesperson for elf bar have said that they're continuing to diversify their product lines by providing viable alternatives to single—use devices and addressing the demand for a harm—reduction tool that's helping to assist millions of people to quit smoking. esyllt carr. 0ur our business reporter. history is being made on the streets of london today, as 50,000 people take part in the london marathon. participation is at an all—time high, and injust the past hour, a new world record has been set in the women's category. let's go live to our sports reporter matt graveling, let's do the elite runners first, we had a world record in the women's category. we had a world record in the women's cateuo . ~ ., had a world record in the women's cateuo . ~ . ., had a world record in the women's cateuo .~ ., ., ~ had a world record in the women's

cateo _ . ., ., ~' ., had a world record in the women's cateuo .~ . ., ~'., ., category. we have, and i think a lot of --eole category. we have, and i think a lot of people predicted _ category. we have, and i think a lot of people predicted this _ category. we have, and i think a lot of people predicted this because i category. we have, and i think a lot of people predicted this because we had three of the four fastest women in history. many of them had run under 2.70 and we had the world record holder as well. and it was a phenomenal race, all four women came past buckingham palace together and then really the sprint was on and that was won by the reigning 0lympic that was won by the reigning olympic champion peresjepchirchirfrom champion peres jepchirchir from kenya and champion peresjepchirchirfrom kenya and she took about a minute from the reigning record set in london 2017 by mary keitany. and having had it completely authorised what exactly that time was we think it was around two hours 16 minutes in 60 seconds. so that was the biggest news of the day. but there have been three other fantastic elite races. a great day for switzerland because in a wheelchair races, we saw the silver bullet when fourin races, we saw the silver bullet when four in four here in london for switzerland. and this is the female country lady who came through. catherine to brunner, she really dominated the women's field. this year, organisers are calling it the

most inclusive marathon ever and thatis most inclusive marathon ever and that is because all four races in the elite category will take home the elite category will take home the same prize money, a4,004 first, 24,000 the same prize money, a4,004 first, 2a,000 per second and 18,000 for third place. and the last elite category to cross the finish line was the men's and that was another brilliant race and kenya again took the win, crossing the line versus just ahead of ethiopia. so a fantastic time here in the elite category, but you know as well as i do it is notjust about the elites —— crossing the line first. it is about the charity runners as well, many of whom will be in fancy dress and i reckon in about half an hour, you will see a heavy flow coming round the corner with buckingham palace in the background and heading down the mall. fine palace in the background and heading down the mall-— down the mall. one lady is running with a fridge _ down the mall. one lady is running with a fridge on _ down the mall. one lady is running with a fridge on her _ down the mall. one lady is running with a fridge on her back. - down the mall. one lady is running with a fridge on her back. there i down the mall. one lady is running| with a fridge on her back. there are some crazy costumes as well. it is some crazy costumes as well. it is brilliant, isn't _ some crazy costumes as well. it is brilliant, isn't it? _ some crazy costumes as well. it is brilliant, isn't it? i— some crazy costumes as well. it 3 brilliant, isn't it? i did a

marathon one time wearing a runner�*s it and it was hard enough! and you see people coming dressed as a rhino. as you say, a fridge on the back. if that was me, there will be a couple of cold ones for the finish line, that's for sure! 0ne a couple of cold ones for the finish line, that's for sure! one man is djing as he runs. more thanjust the world record, people are doing this for charity is close to their heart, maybe they have a personal reason for running, a family member or friend they have lost. and it is that feeling of motion that gets you ran. i went over tower bridge in 2022 and i don't mind telling you i was raising money after my own dad passed away, tears streaming down my face. it is a beautiful moment. you have 50,000 strangers, but they are friends for 22.6 miles and when you get to the finish area, you are hugging everyone around and that is what the london marathon is all about. , ., ,., what the london marathon is all about. , ., ., about. there is also something about london itself. _ about. there is also something about london itself. there _ about. there is also something about london itself. there are _ about. there is also something about london itself. there are lots - about. there is also something about london itself. there are lots of i london itself. there are lots of other marathons around the world, but there is something very special about london because you are running past so many landmarks and you have

all of that support along the route. i mean, look at this, we are lucky with the weather, april could go either way, couldn't it in this country? but you go over tower bridge. you go past buckingham palace and down the mall, things many people may only see on the tv they don't live near the capital, so it is a brilliant marathon. and if you didn't know this, like many good ideas, the london marathon was thought up in a pub back in the late 19705 thought up in a pub back in the late 1970s in richmond by a group of runners really inspired by the new york marathon and they thought, let's have something like that here. so they put on the first one in 1981 and i can tell you they had about 6200 finishes that day. this year, they are looking at around 50,000. this raise has already raised more than £1 billion for charity, that record hit more than five years ago. more charities getting lots more money today. you're right, fantastic, one of the best in the world and these guys coming across now for the charities are really

what it is all about.— what it is all about. with the charity runners, _ what it is all about. with the charity runners, there i what it is all about. with the charity runners, there are i what it is all about. with the i charity runners, there are personal best, i will ask you your time, but it isn't about the time for a lot of people, it is the fact they have managed to achieve that personal landmark of running a marathon. it is so much about the marathon distance. 26.2 miles, neverforget the two, runners will not thank you for forgetting the 0.2! the two, runners will not thank you forforgetting the 0.2! for the two, runners will not thank you for forgetting the 0.2! for many people come out runners tend to say the finish line of finish time. they are saying, are you going for a time orjust looking to complete it? it doesn't really matter because once you complete this distance, you are a marathon runner. for some people, they were completed in just under three hours, some might take eight hours. these final roads hoping to be reopened at 8:30pm, they started being closed for preparations at 4am. that shows just how inclusive this distance is for people. with a little bit of training, some people do 12 weeks leading up if they have

running experience, some people might do a 20 week training plan. but you have people who have genuinely never run one before turning up today, completing this distance and hanging a medal around their neck and being so proud of what they have achieved —— achieved in the money they raise for charity. come on, then, what was your time? b, come on, then, what was your time? couple of years ago, i did this in 3.45. last week, i did one in 3.20. i don't know if i can do much faster than that, i'm getting old! i would love to be back on the streets of london, but then i would miss out on doing this, so maybe i will have to doing this, so maybe i will have to do a different one. i doing this, so maybe i will have to do a different one.— do a different one. i would take three days _ do a different one. i would take three days and _ do a different one. i would take three days and 20 _ do a different one. i would take three days and 20 if _ do a different one. i would take three days and 20 if i _ do a different one. i would take three days and 20 if i tried i do a different one. i would take three days and 20 if i tried it! i three days and 20 if i tried it! thank you very much indeed. and you can follow all the runners as they arrive on the bbc sport website or app. they have a special feed of the camera over the finish line so you can see the people running. nice and unique. mountain rescue volunteers are calling for extra signs to be

added to some of the lake district's most popular — and dangerous — hiking trails. a teenage walker has spoken about his terror after falling into freezing conditions on the descent of scafell pike. it took 19 hours for volunteers to get ben longton and his two dogs to safety. mark mcalindon has the story. this was the moment that ben longton was finally lifted out of piers gill below the summit of scafell pike last month, a moment he didn't think would come. i thought i was dead, i didn't think anyone would call. so i thought, i'm just going to go sleep because it'll be less painful death than staying awake. in deep snow, ben had lost the path on his way down the fall, broke his femur and left him trapped in the notorious ravine alongside his two dogs. look at you. hello. i'm penny. ben came to meet the mountain rescue volunteers who'd spent 19 hours first identifying where

he was and then working out how to get him out. it was extremely challenging from all angles. and we had an access problem where we needed technical ropes rescue to get down into the gill, logistical problems to get allthe gear up, with limited people. and then medically, quite a difficult challenge in rescue, in difficult winter conditions and in a gale with water flowing all around. in the last eight years, there have been four deaths and a0 rescues, some involving serious injuries. volunteers say it's too easy to take a wrong turn, as ben langton did. do you think having signage up there would have prevented some of the fatalities and serious injuries that you've seen on pierce gill? undoubtedly. i would be loath to see a lot of signage, but i think- there are points where i because specifically there, the topography tends to draw people one way or another. at specific points, i think it could be really helpful.

the landowner, the national trust, though, is reluctant. it says signs on scafell pike would set a precedent for elsewhere in the lakes, and that information on safety is available at its lake head car park in wharfedale. ben langton says he wouldn't have fallen if there had been signs or a fence and he says he owes his life to rescue volunteers. mark mcalinden, bbc news. 0rganisers of the uk's largest indoor arena have apologised for cancelling tickets to a test show hours before it was due to start. co—0p live in manchester is set to have over a 23,000—person capacity — and 11,000 were due at last night's event. bosses said it was a "difficult decision" to cancel some tickets at short—notice, they've invited those affected to another preview show next week. leeds train station is one of the busiest in the uk, and now musicians can officially set up stage there. a busking spot has been opened up in the station's main concourse by network rail, becoming the first of its kind outside of london.

0ur reporter tom ingall went to see what difference it is making. # let's make a start at something better so we can say # this is the start of something big...# this duo might have thought their busking days were over, but even when their vocals might be crashed by a tannoy apology for leaves on the line, leeds favourites the dunwells can still draw a crowd. leeds train station looks incredible now, and i think that this step to put live music into the train station is going to be incredible. it allows music, culture, everything that is good about leeds as soon as people come off the train. i feel like subconsciously, you hear music all around, you know, whether it's when you walk into shops or cafes, but then when you hear a live element of music, itjust kind of takes it to the next level, it brings a different energy. tired travellers have, for the longest time, had their spirits revived by the slow sax of baker street played

at. . . baker street. but this is the first time leeds has been offered officially as a busking venue. leeds is the second—busiest station in the uk outside of london. leeds has a fabulous music heritage. you've got tiny venues to big venues and you've got a huge talent pool of people who want to play, so it's an easy choice to make. are there people, though, who prefer not to be bothered by saxophones in the concourse and things like that? you might have to listen to it for 15 seconds. that's not going to really harm anyone, is it? if you don't like what you hear, you just move on, catch your train. i love it. i really feel like it provides a positive energy, you know, around as people are kind of like rushing about. and for those of us who have time to spare, you know, we can stop in and listen. so you've got about an hour to kill at leeds railway station? yeah, and this is the

perfect way to kill it, live music, nothing better. have you enjoyed your stay in leeds? oh, so much, it's been beautiful here. could you see yourself getting a permit, then, and coming to do a couple of rounds of wonderwall? possibly, yes, but very busy in my work, so it is difficult. so you're not about to make a career change into full—time busking? i'm afraid not, no. leeds could be the first of many more network rail stations where busking makes you feel good. even so, we're probably some distance from metallica live in mexborough. thank you very much. tom ingall, bbc news. he's the exotic creature who made international headlines when he was fished out of a lake in cumbria two months ago. now "fluffy" has found a new home. the alligator snapping turtle — which is normally found in the warm waters around florida — is settling into the national centre for reptile welfare near tonbridge, in kent. juliette parkin has the story. meet fluffy, the not—so—cuddly reptile with a not—so—friendly reputation.

but believe it or not, it's not uncommon to keep these creatures as pets. just make sure you're careful where you put your fingers. you can see on his tongue here, we can see that little pink lure. that's what he uses to lure fish in. so he's an ambush predator. he doesn't rush around chasing things. he sits there waiting for the food to come to him. some little fish swims along, sees that tongue and thinks, "oh, that's a nice, juicy worm," and they become lunch. so they have a very fearsome reputation, which is actually due to their looks. he's not aggressive. if you put yourfinger in his mouth, he would bite you and it would hurt quite a lot. fluffy was named at the cumbrian vet's where he was cared for after he was found in a lake. it's believed he'd been dumped. he's now recovering well at the centre near tonbridge. he's quite soft, which is a condition called metabolic bone disorder. so he hasn't had the best diet. he's feeding very well. so i think his prognosis now is extremely good. any who take the bait find themselves grabbed by some

of the most powerful jaws in the world. alligator—snapping turtles are native to swamps and rivers in southern parts of the us. they can weigh up to 12 stone, and have a life expectancy well in excess of 100 years. look at the size of that head! fluffy�*s clearly got a bit of growing to do, but the centre's more than happy to have him to stay. just pure muscle power driving that jaw! because he's got an interesting story, he'll probably become a bit of a mascot for the centre. and visitors need no reminding this animal may bite. juliette parkin, bbc news. i wouldn't want to come face—to—face with ftuffy~ _ i wouldn't want to come face-to-face with flu . ., ., ., , .,~ with fluffy. now, i have a break in show business _ with fluffy. now, i have a break in show business news, _ with fluffy. now, i have a break in show business news, the - with fluffy. now, i have a break in show business news, the most i with fluffy. now, i have a break in i show business news, the most read on the bbc news website. the spice girls have reunited. 0k, not quite as you may expect. they have reunited at victoria's 50th birthday

party. yes, push, scary, baby ginger and sporty size partied like it was 1997. they performed their classic song stop on david beckham has shed the moment on instagram. he was seen singing along. you can read about that on the bbc news website. time to look at the weather. good afternoon. april sunshine has more kick to it. it will feel quite pleasant towards western spots of the uk for the rest of the afternoon. lovely start to the day in pembrokeshire, albeit chilly. the air is cold for the time of year and it is exceptionally cold towards north sea facing coasts, with a brisk north—easterly wind blowing. and that colder air marked in blue is set to stick around too much of the rest of the week. although it could turn milder and more unsettled

from the south west into next week. lots of dry weather around today, high pressure centred over the uk. a warm front bringing occasional rain, most of it light and patchy across central and eastern areas of scotland through north west england. but some sunny spells still across east anglia in south—east england. a small chance of isolated showers. the best sunshine in western scotland and northern ireland, where temperatures will rise in the sunshine 18 celsius. through this evening and overnight, milderfor most towards the north and west. the warm front gradually sinks further south and east, introducing rain into north wales and north—east england as well. some coastal and hill fog behind the front forming, but clearer skies across south—east england and east anglia. a touch of frost into tomorrow morning here. as the warm front introduces more cloud into these areas moving southwards and eastwards, that cloud overrides

the cold start. so feeling damp and chilly for many through the day on monday. further outbreaks of rain moving into eastern wales and across the midlands. some spots here may not get past six celsius. but further north and west to come across northern ireland, cloudier and a little cooler. the best of the sunshine across scotland, where some spots in the central belt could get as high as 16 degrees. through monday and into tuesday, there is a cold front sinking southwards to introduce more northerly winds, so a cold feeling day for the time of year. the best of the sunshine towards parts of the west. it is always cloudier towards north sea facing coasts, with rain gradually clearing from east anglia and the south east of england, but feeling chilly once again for the time of year.

live from london. this is bbc news. on this vote, the yays are 311 and the nays are 112. the bill is passed. relief for ukraine as us lawmakers in the house of representatives pass a $61 billion aid package after months of delays. at least 1a children are reportedly killed in the latest israeli air strikes on rafah in southern gaza. calls for the head of london's metropolitan police to resign — or be sacked — over policing around pro—palestinian protests.

and the women's only world record is broken at the london marathon. hello. we start this hour with ukraine and reaction to the news that us lawmakers have finally — after months of delays — approved billions of dollars in new us military aid for the country to help fight russia's invasion. the bill will see a $61 billion package for ukraine, including ammunition and air defences. president biden welcomed the deal which he said would "answer history's call". ukraine's president zelensky described the american support as "vital" and said it would save thousands of lives. russian officials said it would further ruin ukraine and result in the deaths of even more ukrainians. the focus is now on when the aid will arrive, with reports suggesting it could begin within days.

our first report is from our north america correspondent nomia iqbal.