and all five members of the spice girls have reunited to celebrate the 50th birthday of band member victoria beckham in london. hello and welcome to bbc news. i'm lukwesa burak. we start with breaking news here in uk politics, where the conservative mp, mark menzies, who was suspended over allegations he misused campaign funds, is to quit as an mp at the next election. in a statement, mark meznies said...

let's get more from our political correspondent, iain watson, who's in the newsroom. just tremendous of the background of where we are today. the just tremendous of the background of where we are today.— where we are today. the socket on the --aer where we are today. the socket on the paper in _ where we are today. the socket on the paper in the — where we are today. the socket on the paper in the times _ where we are today. the socket on the paper in the times newspaperl the paper in the times newspaper reported a bizarre story where, last december, apparently, according to the times, had met a local official in his party at 315 in the morning demanding £5,000 what she said as a matter of life and death because she had to be released from a flat in which he was locked by some bad people. in addition to this, the times newspaper also alleged that some other funds that were meant to be used for a company will use for private medical bills for mr menzies as well. he told the times newspaper

that he disputed those claims. nonetheless, the conservative party was carrying out an investigation into the narrow question of whether funds had been misused, and we got the conclusion of that investigation today. the conclusion is that funds weren't misuse, but it would appear that there is a reason for that, because the funds where people had donated money to the party were not held in an official conservative party accounts, they were held in a thing called the westminster fylde group. that is not a conservative party account, it is not the local fylde conservative association. and for that reason, you couldn't see the conservative party funds had been misused. in addition to that, the party did suggest that perhaps the party did suggest that perhaps the mp had broken some of the principles of a public life, such as openness, integrity, honesty. they also suggested that some of the

people who manage these nonofficial party accounts would need some returning and how that should be done, and there should be a possible blowing hot and for anyone who wanted to deport the misuse of funds. they also said that should the police decide to carry out an investigation into these apparently bizarre events to which share any information they had with the police. information they had with the olice. , , ., information they had with the olice,�* , ., ., ., information they had with the olice. , ., ., ., police. just how damaging could disobey for— police. just how damaging could disobey for rishi _ police. just how damaging could disobey for rishi sunak? - police. just how damaging could disobey for rishi sunak? it - police. just how damaging could disobey for rishi sunak? it is . disobey for rishi sunak? it is election year. == disobey for rishi sunak? it is election year.— disobey for rishi sunak? it is election year. disobey for rishi sunak? it is election ear. , , election year. -- could this be. i think it is _ election year. -- could this be. i think it is embarrassing - election year. -- could this be. i think it is embarrassing for- election year. -- could this be. i think it is embarrassing for rishi sunak that he has another conservative mp that is now having to sit as an independent until the next general election. you will be joining some of his colleagues in that respect. he is also deciding that respect. he is also deciding that he will stand down at a general election later that year, but not to resign with immediate effect. so, equally, although there is embarrassing for rishi sunak, he has been spared the prospect of a by—election, but you would have to have at it mark menzies said he was gone. what has been happening in

recent by—elections as i conservative mps with rather large majorities have been losing dosage to labour and the liberal democrats. mr menzies has a majority of more than 16,000. some seeds of a majority of the 20,000 have been lost. there will be a by—election in the neighbouring blackpool south seatin the neighbouring blackpool south seat in lancashire in may. that is also, again, going to be a difficult political challenge for mr zunic. so i think it will be grateful to mark menzies in one respect, that all he is resigning from the conservative party and therefore anything he does can't any longer be associated with the conservative party, at the same time, he is not forcing a by—election, because the mode of these religions was rishi sunak notice, ora these religions was rishi sunak notice, or a lost under his leadership, the more grumbles and discontent grows, who look at the opinion polls and feel that their own seats are in danger. —— the more that rishi sunak loses.

us officials say the next delivery of american military aid for ukraine could arrive within a week. after a delay of six months, the house of representatives finally approved the multi—billion dollar package last night. america already provides the bulk of international support for kyiv, having spent more than $74 billion, in the first two years of the war. the new package is worth $60 billion, including money to replenish stocks of us armaments, and £14 billion will pay for advanced weapons and defence systems. many ukrainians have been thanking the us for the funding on social media. let's hearfrom residents in the capital, kyiv. translation: of course it is not too late. - in any case, aid is needed. and whether it would be later or earlier, in any case it will help. it will help a lot. i think that our guys will be alive. that is the most important thing, the most important, so that we have

something to defend ourselves with, both peaceful people and our boys. they are our guardians, they are protecting us. this will save our lives. russia says it shows that washington is wading deeper into a war that will end in humiliation. the foreign ministry spokeswoman, maria zakharova, said the aid — which includes ammunition and air defences — was evidence that the us wants ukraine "to fight to the last ukranian". 0ur ukraine correspondentjames waterhouse is in kyiv, he has more on the reaction from moscow, and from kyiv. he is saying he wants to minimise the time _ he is saying he wants to minimise the time between the political decisions in washington and, in his words. _ decisions in washington and, in his words. the — decisions in washington and, in his words, the destruction of the enemy on the _ words, the destruction of the enemy on the eastern front line. he is meeting — on the eastern front line. he is meeting with his defence minister to talk about— meeting with his defence minister to talk about installing this incoming air defence systems on the cities that need — air defence systems on the cities that need it, like kharkiv and the north-east, _ that need it, like kharkiv and the north—east, as well as for them to

be deployed on the front lines were russia _ be deployed on the front lines were russia enjoys air superiority. but it is on_ russia enjoys air superiority. but it is on those very fortifications were _ it is on those very fortifications were president zelenskiy is open this packet will change things, because — this packet will change things, because itjust today this packet will change things, because it just today we had the rosters — because it just today we had the rosters defence minister claiming to have taken a small village. 0n rosters defence minister claiming to have taken a small village. on its own, _ have taken a small village. on its own. it _ have taken a small village. on its own, it won't mean much, but it is feared _ own, it won't mean much, but it is feared in _ own, it won't mean much, but it is feared in kyiv— own, it won't mean much, but it is feared in kyiv that russia is shipping _ feared in kyiv that russia is shipping to try and take a turn nearhy~ — shipping to try and take a turn nearhy~ it— shipping to try and take a turn nearby. it is a major military hub for ukraine — nearby. it is a major military hub for ukraine because of its transportation links, and what we are seeing — transportation links, and what we are seeing is a direction of travel and it— are seeing is a direction of travel and it is— are seeing is a direction of travel and it is a — are seeing is a direction of travel and it is a point will not be changed _ and it is a point will not be changed overnight despite the revival— changed overnight despite the revival of the sizeable american offering — revival of the sizeable american offering of weapons. —— despite the arrivat _ also in the us military aid package, there's 26 billion dollars for israel, including 9.1 billion dollars for humanitarian needs, and 8.12 billion dollars for the indo—pacific, including taiwan. to tell us more about all of this, let's speak to matthew savill,

who is the director of military service at rusi — that's the royal united services institute. very correctly, people start off with a point, the us military aid to israel. what are your thoughts on this? when we look at what has happened over the last week good evening. ah. happened over the last week good evenina. �* , . ~ happened over the last week good evenina. . , . ,, ., , happened over the last week good evenin. m . «a, .,, evening. a big chunk of this appears to be about — evening. a big chunk of this appears to be about replenishing _ evening. a big chunk of this appears to be about replenishing and - evening. a big chunk of this appears to be about replenishing and indeed | to be about replenishing and indeed expanding israel's integrated air and missile defence systems. we of course don't know the full range of what was expanded went israel was defending itself against iran's attack recently, but some estimates are pitted at £1.5 billion. 0n attack recently, but some estimates are pitted at £1.5 billion. on this list includes probably both missiles and new launch systems for both david sterling and the iron dome system. and is also money for the

elizabeth system that israel has been developing, the island being. —— the iron beam. the funding could arrive within the week if everything gets sent off a sonnet and of course president biden. the question is, how effective will it be? will this extend the war or could it actually to a win? in extend the war or could it actually to a win? , ., , extend the war or could it actually toawin? , ., , to a win? in terms of this package, unfortunate — to a win? in terms of this package, unfortunate looking _ to a win? in terms of this package, unfortunate looking at _ to a win? in terms of this package, unfortunate looking at is _ to a win? in terms of this package, unfortunate looking at is much - unfortunate looking at is much needed relief to help the ukrainians effectively put up a more effective defence this year. they're obviously not in the situation they would have ideally been in six months ago, when you were looking at the combination of their counteroffensive. it is important to note that a significant chunk of this is for us operations and other activity, as she so

mentioned, the replenishment of their stance, mentioned, the replenishment of theirstance, but mentioned, the replenishment of their stance, but there's about £28 billion here. an a lot will depend on how quickly pre—positioned stocks that are already being put into europe ready for the nation can be delivered, and that is probably going to be heavily focused around artillery ammunition and air defence missiles. a big chunk of this is really about ensuring that they have got a solid defence in the face of incremental russian can insert already started happening. before we aet already started happening. before we net to those already started happening. before we get to those gains, _ already started happening. before we get to those gains, something - already started happening. before we get to those gains, something that i get to those gains, something that would help would be the patriot air defence systems, highly sophisticated. ukraine's carlo's sophisticated. ukraine's ca rlo's have sophisticated. ukraine's carlo's have been looking at trying to source this to help ukraine. where are we referred? it source this to help ukraine. where are we referred?— are we referred? it seems likely that there _ are we referred? it seems likely that there are _ are we referred? it seems likely that there are some _ are we referred? it seems likely that there are some additional l that there are some additional launchers and muscle structure be provided, including germany has and some command of the nato secretary general mentioned that that would be a priority. isuspect general mentioned that that would be a priority. i suspect we are not far

off the point where there is going to be a production logjam. these are obviously sophisticated systems, a lot of them take some time to develop, and so whilst you might see some of them coming and in the near future, is at some point the industrial base is going to have to start ramping up to produce new particularly interceptors, because the ukrainians have obviously been taking a lot of incoming fire from the russians, particularly when there have been attacking civilian infrastructure.— there have been attacking civilian infrastructure. there was testimony dou . las infrastructure. there was testimony douglas hurd _ infrastructure. there was testimony douglas hurd is _ infrastructure. there was testimony douglas hurd is part _ infrastructure. there was testimony douglas hurd is part of _ infrastructure. there was testimony douglas hurd is part of the - infrastructure. there was testimony douglas hurd is part of the signingl douglas hurd is part of the signing off of this, and the head of the us european said the russian army is 15% larger than when it first invaded ukraine. —— testimony that was heard. ukraine is going to have to achieve a lot before winter sets in once again. how is the russian army looking in terms of military and troops personal as well? that

army looking in terms of military and troops personal as well? at the moment, and troops personal as well? at the moment. we _ and troops personal as well? at the moment, we have _ and troops personal as well? at the moment, we have seen _ and troops personal as well? at the moment, we have seen a _ and troops personal as well? at the | moment, we have seen a significant expansion of their ability to refurbish equipment. that is where a lot of their industrial capacity has gone on to command that has given them this temporary advantage over them this temporary advantage over the next probably 12 months, but 80% of the material that has been added to the front and comes from refurbishment. it is what is meant that they have been able to significantly i must buy five or six to one their weight of fire of artillery, and at the moment, the mobilisation mince you are able to sustain theirforces, mobilisation mince you are able to sustain their forces, even taking pretty horrendous casualties, 30,000 a month. what we are looking out is in essence, ukraine is not be in a position to launch any significant counterattack this year. 0thers gives them an opportunity to do is inflict casualties on the russians, hold as much ground as they can, put up hold as much ground as they can, put up a strong defensive line even if they probably will have to cede

additional territory. in parallel with that, and this is a big challenge, they have to mobilise their own forces, free up enough personnel to do more training, particularly in combined armed manoeuvre, the ability to effectively launch complicated operations, and there may be in a position to launch another counteroffensive to the middle or later on in 2025. it counteroffensive to the middle or later on in 2025.— later on in 2025. it has been fascinating. _ later on in 2025. it has been fascinating. thank _ later on in 2025. it has been fascinating. thank you - later on in 2025. it has been fascinating. thank you very l later on in 2025. it has been - fascinating. thank you very much indeed. the extra us military aid package for israel comes amid the country's ongoing military offensive in gaza, which the hamas—run health ministry says has killed more than 3a,000 palestinians have been killed so far — most of them women and children. these pictures show a plume of smoke rising over rafah in the south of the territory as israel continues its air strikes there. this is the aftermath of overnight strikes in rafah,

which are reported to have killed 18 palestinians, 1a of them children. the israeli war cabinet has been planning an offensive against hamas in rafah, where an estimated 1.5 million displaced palestinians are sheltering. but the us and other allies have warned it against a full—scale assault on the city. israeli prime minister benjamin netanyahu has criticised reported american plans to sanction the netzah yehuda battalion, a unit of the israeli military that's accused of human rights violations in the west bank. mr netanyahu said he was working to prevent sanctions he called the height of absurdity. the battalion of ultra—orthodox soldiers has been at the centre of several incidents of violence against palestinian civilians. there's been no official comment from washington.

translation: two idle will fiercely defend the idf, _ translation: two idle will fiercely defend the idf, our— translation: two idle will fiercely defend the idf, our military, - translation: two idle will fiercely defend the idf, our military, and i defend the idf, our military, and warriors. if someone thinks they can sanction an idf unit, i will fight this with all my strength. it comes as the palestinian red crescent says one of its drivers was killed in the occupied west bank while trying to treat people injured by gunshots fired by israeli settlers on friday. the health ministry in the territory gave a similar account of the death of 50—year—old mohammed awad allan. some hebrew—language media reports said he was killed by firing from the israeli armed forces, others that he was shot by armed settlers. there was no immediate comment from the idf. separately, palestinian officials said that at least 1a people, including a boy and a gunman, were killed in an israeli military operation in the nur shams refugee camp, in the west bank. funerals have just been held

for some of the dead. the uk prime minister's office says rishi sunak is appalled by the way the metropolitan police treated a jewish man during a pro—palestinian march in london last weekend. an officer told gideon falter he might provoke a reaction from the demonstrators, because he was "openlyjewish." there have been calls for the met police commissioner, mark rowley, to resign. he is due to meet the london mayor tomorrow and the home secretary during the week to discuss the incident. well, the met police has issued a statement outlining the steps they are taking a adress the situation. it says...

here's angus crawford. gideon falter wants to cross the road through a pro—palestine march. when the crowd is gone, i will escort you out. when the crowd is gone, i will escort you out. but he's told that's not possible. but why? you are quite openlyjewish. i'm not accusing you of anything but i am worried about the reaction to your preseence when he challenges police, he's given an ultimatum. that's not acceptable. today, he's calling for the head of the met to resign. after six months of sir mark rowley�*s metropolitan police deciding to curtail the rights of law—abiding londoners, including thejewish community, to appease lawless mobs, i think it's time for sir mark rowley to go.

sir mark has apologised for the incident, the second apology in three days, saying he wants london to be a city where everyone feels safe. since the hamas attacks of the 7th of october and israel's response, every weekend, the politics of the middle east have been brought to the streets of london, putting increasing pressure on the met to get the balance right between allowing legitimate protest and cracking down on hate speech and intimidation. strong voices, mainly on the right, believe the force has got that balance wrong and also want the commissioner to go. but the prime minister doesn't. downing street says he was appalled by the incident and there are questions to answer. what has happened is a serious misstep because what we can't be saying to particular groups in society is that their very presence is a provocation. you don't want anybody of any

community to feel like that, which is how thejewish community has been made to feel. the london mayor, sadiq khan, said... the met must have the confidence of the communities they serve. and it's right hey�*ve apologised for the way the incident was handled. protest, counter—protest, and in the middle, the met — at times struggling to police the divide. angus crawford, bbc news. ecuador is voting in a referendum on proposed tougher measures to tackle a surge in gang—related violence, which has seen two mayors killed in the last week. measures include an expansion of military and police powers that will allow the military to patrol the streets alongside the police. they'll also signicantly boost gun controlsand impose harsher prison controls and impose harsher prison sentences for "terrorism" and drug trafficking. president daniel noboha also wants to change the constitution so ecuadoreans wanted abroad for organised crime—related offences can be extradited. 0ur south america

correspondent ione wells is following the story from quito. a state of emergency and internal armed conflict was announced in january, big scuttlebutt because one of the top kind it escape from prison, but led to mass prison riots, violence on the streets, must increase in both killings and also kidnappings is welcome and also kidnappings is welcome and also kidnappings is welcome on that side of the president at the time to announce this state of emergency. measures like bringing in the military to try and control law and order in the streets and in prisons, but also introducing local curfews in certain areas, which did suspend peoples rights when it was going on. these measures have been tested at the moment, and people i've spoken to here in the capital have told me that the measures have made them feel a little bit safer, than seeing the military, you can maybe even see them behind me, patrolling areas around the city, something that is given them a bit of relief after

months and months of relentless violence. 0thers months and months of relentless violence. others are particularly concerned because one thing that human rights groups have raised is that since the introduction of those motors back injanuary, there has been an increase in what they describe as arbitrary detentions, and the rest, in some cases, police violence and brutality as well. that is a concern from the camp were voting no and today's referendum. the acclaimed british conductor, sir andrew davis, has died at the age of 80. he was one of the longest—serving chief conductors of the bbc symphony orchestra, and a familiar face at the annual bbc proms concerts in london, where he was famous for his funny speeches. all five members of the spice girls have reunited, just perhaps not as you'd expect. on saturday night, victoria beckham, melanie brown, emma bunton, geri homer and melanie chisholm, better known as posh, scary, baby, ginger and sporty spice, came together to celebrate victoria's 50th birthday in london.

the bandmates partied like it was 1997, performing their classic song, stop — which we can see a bit of now. # stop right now # thank you very much # i need somebody with a human touch... i'm joined by our culture reporter noor nanji. this is the first time we have seen all five spice girls coming together for some years. it took place at victoria beckham's 50th birthday party, which was held in london last night. and david beckham, who is of course victoria beckham's husband and also the former england captain, he then shared a video of this performance, and he posted it on to

instagram. and in the video you can see the spice girls performing can't stop, their classic song from the 90s. there are also doing their dance routine, but many of us who grew up in the 90s will remember very clearly. david beckham was also seen singing along in the clip, and victoria beckham then after was posted on her own social media and said that it was the best night ever. and it definitely can really fund it, because afterward some photos emerged of some of the celebrities coming and going from this london venue including tom chris, salma hayek, gordon ramsay. there was also a picture which out of david beckham cutting victoria in a piggyback out of the venue, probably in the early hours of the morning. modafinil is like a very fun night for everyone was there. you canjust fun night for everyone was there. you can just say last century, i won't be offended! what about the fans? . , ., ., _ ,

fans? the fans have obviously been very excited — fans? the fans have obviously been very excited about _ fans? the fans have obviously been very excited about this _ fans? the fans have obviously been very excited about this today. - fans? the fans have obviously been very excited about this today. lots | very excited about this today. lots of them are posting on david beckham's instagram video. 0ne of them are posting on david beckham's instagram video. one of them said, david, your other social media manager that we all need. thank you for providing this content. someone else said this was the moment the whole planet had been waiting for. lots of fans were also big in the group to reunite formally. don't forget, the spice girls are first came together in 1994, but it was the hit single wannabe that was a chart topper that really propelled them into this global pop culture phenomenon, spice mania was taking over the planet. then geri halliwell, who was a ginger spice, she left the band and then the band split up in 2001. they have reunited on various occasions and so on. memory, and the london olympics in 2012. —— memorably in the london olympics. lots of fans will be hoping that this is something more formal little down the line. �* something more formal little down the line. . ,.,

something more formal little down the line. �* . something more formal little down the line. . ., ., something more formal little down the line-_ a - something more formal little down the line._ a massive | the line. are you a fan? a massive fan! you have been watching bbc news, and i'm sure you will find more links to that video on a website. more coming up. the suntan has a little more kick to it in the second half of april, so filling pleasantly warm and the best of the sunshine. writers and warmers towards western scotland and northern ireland. towards the north sea facing course, chilly, and it is a brisk north—easterly winds. temperatures here are really struggling. they will continue to do so. we will all be in the chilly air mass as we head through the rest of the week, so temperature is below the week, so temperature is below the seasonal average. frosty nights, then towards the end of the working week, we will start to see low pressure giving way to mothercare

from the south—west. milder as we head into next weekend. keep an eye on the forecast. high pressure centred over the uk currently, lots of dry weather event which will drift further northwards and westward. this warm front bringing outbreaks of rain into northern england as we head through the night, behind the front to the north and west, a mother night and last night. some coastal and hill fog alone. ahead of the front come across is angler south—east england, chilly with clear skies, a touch of frost into tomorrow morning. but a bright start here. then, is a warm front pushes southwards and it was, we will see the clouds overtop that cloud fill so i was quite chilly and damp. 0utbreaks cloud fill so i was quite chilly and damp. outbreaks of rain moving southwards across the midlands and into eastern wiveliscombe events central and southern england by the end of the day. northern ireland, cloudier and cooler tomorrow, but scotland is looking to outcome and there will be some decently long spells of sunshine around as well. in the central belt, because get to 16. following on behind that, as a

cold front. we will see chillier filling conditions across much of the northern half of the uk as we head into tuesday morning. matter of course in the south underneath all of the squad. sunshine on tuesday, lots of dry weather. if ilic quietly. the higher temperatures, the brightest of the scouts, likely to be out towards western areas once again. as we head into wednesday, showers and towards the east coast of middletown were unsettled as the week wears on into the we but also milder. temperature starting to climb a little further. goodbye.

this is bbc news, the headlines. the mp mark menzies has resigned from the uk's conservative party and will stand down at the next general election. the tory party says it cannot conclude that there has been a misuse of funds following allegations. russia reacts with anger after us lawmakers pass a 61 billion dollar aid package for ukraine, after months of delays. moscow says it shows that washington is wading deeper into a conflict that will end in humiliation. israel's latest air strikes on rafah in southern gaza have reportedly killed at least 14 children. more than a million displaced people

are sheltering in the area. gaza's health ministry says the death toll is now more than 34,000. the london mayor arranges an urgent meeting with the met commissioner after the handling of a jewish man during a pro—palestinian demonstration. the man was steered away during a protest after an officer said he appeared �*openlyjewish'. now on bbc news, it's time for sportsday. hello and welcome to sportsday — i'm jane dougall. a thrilling match at wembley as manchester united are taken to a penalty shoot—out against coventry city. double dessers for rangers means they'll meet celtic in the scottish cup final after defeating hearts at hampden.

and an alexander—arnold free kick helps liverpool keep their title hopes alive with a 3—1win at craven cottage.