and friendship never ends — the spice girls get back together to celebrate victoria beckham's 50th birthday. hello, welcome to bbc news, i'm lukwesa burak. we start in the middle east, where 15 children are among the dead, after an israeli air strike on the city of rafah in southern gaza. israel has been carrying out almost daily air raids on the city, where more than a million displaced palestinians are sheltering. prime minister, benjamin netanyahu, says he wants to increase the pressure on hamas with a ground offensive into rafah, while the health ministry in gaza, which is run by hamas, says more than 30,000 people have died since the start of the war, back in october. as fergal keane now reports,

while the world worried about a wider war between israel and iran, in gaza, the suffering continued. siren blares. the eyes of the world were on a bigger drama — played out in the skies above israel. but in gaza, nothing changed. this was rafah today, after 15 children from one family were killed in an air strike. translation: show me one man among them. l they're all children and women.

you can see my identity is completely erased with the deaths of my wife and children. a pregnant woman was among the dead. her baby daughter was saved in an emergency operation. a child born to a mother she will never know. there is the story of everyday death, and the story of what follows this for the families caught in the shadows of death. nawara's husband abdulrahman was one of more than 70 civilians killed in an israeli raid to rescue hostages in february. these were the couple's children in the aftermath of their father's death. we went back to see nawara, now eight months pregnant with her dead husband's child,

and in grief, awaiting the arrival of a new life. nawara's words — the elegy of a wife and motherfor all that's been lost. in central gaza, israeli forces hunt hamas. they're still launching attacks from tunnels and buildings. and thus the war rages on, sickness and hunger haunt gaza. these children in central gaza are queuing for food to try and feed entire families. many are weak, listless. the un says less than half

the amount of food needed is reaching the population. we have been coming here for six months, and we are completely dependent on the food charity. we come here to take food, to eat and feed the other children. in the north, where the threat of famine is most acute. amjad kanu, age three, suffers from kidney disease exacerbated by malnutrition. his six—year—old brother, ahmad, provides comfort for the youngster. souad has more than one sick child. her older boy has suspected cancer and in war ravaged gaza can't get the proper treatment.

such are the days and lives of gaza after six months of war. fergal keane, bbc news, jerusalem. israeli prime minister benjamin netanyahu has criticised reported american plans to sanction 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 netzah yehuda 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. let's hear some of what mr netanyahu had to say. translation: i will fiercely 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. the idf says it's begun an investigation and a command review into the circumstances is under way. separately, palestinian officials said that at least 14 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. staying in the region, in the past hour or so, two iraqi security sources have told the reuters news agency that at least five rockets were launched from iraq's town of zummar towards a us military base in northeastern syria on sunday. the attack against us forces

is the first since early february when iranian—backed groups in iraq stopped their attacks against us troops. to ukraine, where president zelensky says the $60 billion military aid package approved by us lawmakers on saturday night will give his country a chance of victory, in its war against russia. in an interview on american television, he said more weapons would help kyiv retake the initiative, especially long range missiles. earlier, russia's foreign ministry condemned the us aid package, saying america was wading deeper into a war that would end in its humiliation. james waterhouse has the very latest from kyiv. a production line waiting for a presidential sign off. freshly made artillery shells in this factory in pennsylvania, usa.

now almost certain to make their way to a ukrainian battlefield. where there are holes instead of rounds. after america threw its weight back behind ukraine the message here is "you make it, we'll use it." near kupiansk in the north—east it is the russians who are edging closer. translation: it's better now if we let them attack - and we defend but when we get the shells, joints, and whatever else in this package, we can turn things around. it's hoped this us aid will save ukrainian lives and cities like kyiv but it has been a painful wait. translation: our guys need help because they have - nothing to protect us. we always need help because without it our enemy can advance further and can be in the centre of our city. of course it is not too late.

in any case, it is needed, and whether it would be later or earlier, in any case it will help. there has been a constant flow of diplomats through kyiv as they have tried to pave the way for this bill to be passed. "better late than never" is the reaction we are hearing this weekend. never would have meant almost certain defeat for ukraine. however, late still means it'll be difficult here to change momentum on the battlefield straightaway. translation: this aid - will strengthen ukraine and send the kremlin a powerful signal that it will not be the second afghanistan. the united states will stay with ukraine and it will protect democracy and the world. this is a show of leadership and strength. while the west has wavered, russia has stayed committed to its invasion. ukraine needs to make america's return count to keep moscow and western doubt at bay.

here in uk — the mp, mark menzies, who was suspended from the conservative party over allegations he misused campaign funds, is to quit as an mp at the next election. in a statement, mark meznies said... 0ur political correspondent iain watson has the story. this all got under way, really, when the times newspaper reported a bizarre story where apparently, last december, mr menzies, according to the times, had called, met a local official in his party, in his constituency at 3.15 in the morning demanding £5,000, which he said was a matter of life and death, because he had to be released from a flat

in which he was locked by, quote, some bad people. in addition to this, the times newspaper also alleged that some other funds that were meant to be used for campaigning had been used for private medical bills for mr menzies as well. now, he told the times newspaper he disputed those claims. nonetheless, the conservative party was carrying out an investigation into the narrow question of whetherfunds had been misused. and we got the conclusion of that investigation today. the conclusion is that funds weren't misused, but it appeared that there is a reason for that because the funds where people donated money to the party were not held in an official conservative party account, they were held in a thing called the westminster fylde group. that is not a conservative party account, it's not the local fylde conservative association. and therefore, for that reason, you couldn't say that conservative party funds

had been misused. however, in addition to that, in a statement, the party did suggest that perhaps the mp had broken some of the principles of public life, such as openness, integrity, honesty. they also suggested that some of the people who managed these non—official party accounts would need some retraining and how that should be done. and there should be a whistle—blowing hotline for anyone who wants to report the misuse of funds. they've also said that should the police decide to carry out an investigation into these apparently bizarre events, then they would share any information they had with the police. staying in the uk, the commissioner of the metropolitan police, sir mark rowley, is to meetjewish groups on monday, after criticism over the way one of his officers treated a man during a pro—palestinian march in london. gideon falter was told he might provoke a reaction from the demonstrators because he was �*openlyjewish.’

mr falter has called for the commissioner to resign. 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. 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 presence. 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.

tonight, mr fulton has been invited tonight, mr fulton has been invited to a private meeting with the met to talk about what more the force can do to makejewish londoners feel 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... protest, counter—protest, and in the middle, the met — at times struggling to police the divide. angus crawford, bbc news. ecuadoreans are voting in a referendum on proposals to tighten security in response to a surge in violence by drugs gangs. the measures includejoint military and police patrols, longer sentences, tighter gun controls and the extradition of criminals wanted abroad. as he voted, president daniel noboa said the outcome would define state policy in fighting violence, corruption and organised crime. he declared a state of emergency injanuary and sent the army

to take control of prisons, after a gang leader escaped. but reports emerged of the murder of a prison governor, as the referendum took place. let's go to quito and speak to freelance journalist carolina loza leon, who's been at a polling station today. lovely to have you with us. we have the death of a prison governor, there is an issue with this. what the death of a prison governor, there is an issue with this. what is shockin: there is an issue with this. what is shocking is — there is an issue with this. what is shocking is that _ there is an issue with this. what is shocking is that this _ there is an issue with this. what is shocking is that this comes - there is an issue with this. what is shocking is that this comes after i shocking is that this comes after the mayor and a small city in the south of the country was killed. this is a prison that is not notorious for riots, they haven't had any reported rights in the past few years, yet it is near the biggest fishing port in ecuador which is the key point for drug trafficking, so this is alarming

news, when it comes in the midst of a security crisis in the country. this is an 11 question referendum, there is also employment contract rights in there, international arbitration, but it is the security issue. what has gone wrong and ecuador to see an eightfold increase in just six years in security problems?— in just six years in security roblems? , ., ,, ., in just six years in security roblems? , . ,, ., problems? this was an issue that has been growing — problems? this was an issue that has been growing for _ problems? this was an issue that has been growing for years _ problems? this was an issue that has been growing for years in _ problems? this was an issue that has been growing for years in the - been growing for years in the country. so, there was always an issue of the key geographical location in ecuador, that combined with covid, unemployment, it seemed like it was a breeding ground for drug trafficking gangs to take hold of the country and take a strong hold in several areas, especially near port cities, and the explosion of violence that we have seen. that combined with a political crisis that has been going on for the last few years, itjust made everything

easierfor this and to few years, itjust made everything easier for this and to see the situation deteriorate and this is one of the darkest periods in modern history in ecuador. 50. one of the darkest periods in modern history in ecuador.— history in ecuador. so, the militarisation _ history in ecuador. so, the militarisation of _ history in ecuador. so, the militarisation of police, - history in ecuador. so, the. militarisation of police, that history in ecuador. so, the - militarisation of police, that is pretty significant, isn't it? if it does go through? it pretty significant, isn't it? if it does go through?— pretty significant, isn't it? if it does go through? it is, definitely. but many people. _ does go through? it is, definitely. but many people, the _ does go through? it is, definitely. but many people, the concern - does go through? it is, definitely. but many people, the concern for| but many people, the concern for most ecuadorians is, many critics have said that it is not a solution to put the military on the street, but to really clean out the police, the corrupt officials, there have been plenty of ripples of corruption among officials and many linked to organised crime, so this is one the first steps. however, we haven't seen much of that talk, rather a —— a heavy military presence on the streets. , , �* ., ., streets. this isn't a full term for this young _ streets. this isn't a full term for this young president, _ streets. this isn't a full term for this young president, he - streets. this isn't a full term for this young president, he is - streets. this isn't a full term for this young president, he is only| streets. this isn't a full term for. this young president, he is only 36 years old, he only took over last year, some people are saying that this could possibly be a referendum

with him heading towards the polls next year when we see the presidential elections in the country. presidential elections in the count . ~ , country. absolutely. the referendum shows how the _ country. absolutely. the referendum shows how the political _ country. absolutely. the referendum shows how the political system - country. absolutely. the referendum shows how the political system has l shows how the political system has deteriorated in ecuador, and it is also a popularity contest. many of the questions are about security, and what is at the forefront of ecuadorian opinion and that there is a quick solution for eight. this doesn't mean there will be a quick solution but for many ecuadorians, it shows a sense of importance by the government and there have been a lot of people that are, that agree with the questions in the referendum are usually the people who align politically with president daniel noboa, so it does show that is it is a popularity contest to some extent and see what it will be like for him and see what it will be like for him and the next election.— and see what it will be like for him and the next election. when are we likel to and the next election. when are we likely to get — and the next election. when are we likely to get the _ and the next election. when are we likely to get the results? _ and the next election. when are we likely to get the results? the - and the next election. when are we likely to get the results? the first l likely to get the results? the first results are _

likely to get the results? the first results are expected _ likely to get the results? the first results are expected in _ likely to get the results? the first results are expected in about - likely to get the results? the first results are expected in about two| results are expected in about two hours after the polls close, the polls close in about a0 minutes, so we should see the preliminary results but we are all waiting here. i am sure you are. carolina loza leon,, thank you for your time. hundreds of thousands of people have taken part in anti—government protests across colombia. demonstrators are angry at president gustavo petro's attempts to nationalise health services and other reforms — as well as his government's decision to hold peace talks with armed groups. support for the country's first left—wing leader is at an all—time low. mr petro said he welcomed the protests. more than 1,000 residents of the serbian city of nis have been evacuated after the discovery of an unexploded bomb left over from the 1999 nato bombardment of the country. the 1,000 kilo bomb was successfully removed from the construction site where it was found to be destroyed at a safe location.

thousands of people, including national and local leaders, have attended a candle—lit vigil in sydney to remember those who died in last week's stabbing rampage. as the sun set on bondi beach, people lit candles in memory of the victims. six people, mainly women, were killed and 12 injured in the attack on a shopping centre. 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. let's have a listen to the bbc symphony orchestra rehearsing the damnation of faust at the royal albert hall for the bbc proms, conducted by sir andrew davis in 1998.

music: the damnation of faust. 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 spoke to spice girls superfan samuel zernig, who gave us his reaction to the reunion. i haven't stopped smiling.

christmas truly came, came early. it was truly the night the five became one. see what i've done there? victoria gifted us all for her 50th birthday with the greatest gift is a five member spice girls reunion. it's worth mentioning this was the first time in 12 years. can you believe the olympic games has been 12 years ago, that all five members of the spice girls performed together at the same place in the same venue. with people like tom cruise, eva longoria, gordon ramsay in attendance, this truly seemed the night not to be missed. gosh, all those celebs were there! my goodness. how long have you been? yeah. how long have you been a super fan? because you really don't look old enough, if you don't mind me saying. it's the lighting, thank you. and truly, since 1996, as you can hear from my accent that i'm actually german. so i moved to the uk

to embrace the spice girls lifestyle, as i like to say. so for me, seeing them back together, even if it's just a 12 second grainy video taken on david beckham's phone, it's truly something absolutely special. so just tell me about some of the, actually, let's just take you back to the moment that this video dropped on social media. i didn't believe it was them. i really didn't. did you know straightaway? yeah, i think it was like 3am. so i was like, am i asleep? am i am i dreaming? but it turned out no, i actually was very much awake. it is very, very grainy, as you said. it's very dark, but it's truly them as confirmed by all five members. and it's just so wonderful. and it's really wonderful to see that it's been 30 years since the spice girls formed and just this tiny, tiny video generated global headlines. you could see it in germany today or you could see it in america. and it just shows just how strong

the spice girls spread still is. superfine samuel there, great fun speaking to him. you are watching bbc news, more coming up at the top of the hour. let's take a brief look now at the weather for the week ahead. april sunshine of course has a little bit more kick to it. so in the best of that, at this time of year, it doesn't feel too unpleasant. it will always be brightest and warmest out towards western spots of the uk as we head

through the coming week. but some really cold air for most of us for this time of year and it's going to continue to feel chilly until we get to the end of the week with some frosty nights, but at least there will be a lot of dry weather around — high pressure largely dominant. it's been centred across the uk through the weekend, starting to pull its way further northwards and westwards. and this is the position of the jet stream just dragging that colder air down from the north around the area of high pressure, some chilly north—easterly wind still blowing towards north sea facing coasts. and it's still a cold start to the day across east anglia and south—east england as we go through monday morning. a warm front is pushing this cloud further southwards and eastwards. so with the cloud over top in the colder air, it's always going to feel chilly and damp for many. and there'll be further outbreaks of rain across the midlands, down into eastern wales and central southern england through the day, but further north and west then, it's quite a murky start for coasts and hills, but some sunny spells for scotland 16 celsius, maybe for the central belt, a little cooler than on sunday across northern ireland, there will be more cloud here. down into eastern wales and central southern england through the day, but further north and west then, it's quite a murky start

for coasts and hills, but some sunny spells for scotland 16 celsius, maybe for the central belt, a little cooler behind our warm front comes a cold front that's going to be sinking southwards as we head through the day on tuesday. we've got a brisk northerly wind bringing cold feeling conditions to north sea faced in coasts, the parties to this guy is likely to be out towards western areas once again. as we head into wednesday, will start to see showers out towards the east, it will turn more unsettled as the week wears on into the weekend but also milder so temperature is starting to climb a little further, bye—bye.

this is bbc news, the headlines wood 20 members of the family appeared to have been killed in southern gaza. more than a million displaced people sheltering in the city were israel has started a ground offensive against hamas. president zelensky says a new 61 billion dollar us aid package, will give ukraine a chance of victory in its war against russia. he said it would help kyiv slow russia's advance and save thousands of lives. mp mark menzies has quit the conservative party and will stand down at the next general election — after claims he misused party funds. the tory party said he had shown

behaviour, which fell below standards for mps. the prime minister says he's �*appalled' by the way police treated a jewish man during a pro—palestinian demonstration in london. the man was steered away during a protest after an officer said he appeared �*openlyjewish'. now on bbc news, it's newscast newscast from the bbc. hello, it is laura in the studio. it is paddy in the studio. and nick from newsnight. after months and months of wrangling, which we have talked about lots of times, on saturday evening us congress finally passed a bill to send just over $61 billion of aid to ukraine. not clear when it will arrive, so you have to be careful

of politicians dangling big price tags, but the package goes